igo SCHOOL builuings and sites. 



A school site sliould be removed from traffic and noises of all 

 kinds, as the former is dangerous to children when on their \va\ 

 to school, exposes them to dust, and the noise of traffic interferes 

 with school work. The proximity of factories, tanyards, stables, 

 cowhouses or other industrial building's should be avoided, as the 

 odours are often injurious to health and intercourse with the 

 employes undesirable. A site should not be surrounded by build- 

 ings, as they interfere with the diffusion of light and air. 



PLAYGROfXDS. 



In arranging" a school }ard for playg'rounds it should be nearly 

 level and at least 50 square feet should be allowed to each scholar, 

 or say ^ acre to each 250 scholars as a ininimuin. Double that 

 area is not too much. 



If possible the shade afforded by trees should be secured, or 

 as an alternative verandahs, sheds or other shady retreats should 

 be provided as an escape from sun or rain. No buttresses or 

 recesses to the walls abutting upon playgrounds are desirable. 

 Playgrounds should be as free from dust as possible, and where 

 turf is impossible the surface should be covered with clean, homo- 

 geneous gravel, laid to such falls as will ensure the rapid 

 removal of surface Avater, with intercepting gutters to prevent a 

 rush of \\ater sulficicnt to wash a\\ay the gravel coating. A por- 

 tion should be co\ered with asphalte, concrete or paving for 

 drilling purposes. 



When laying out playgrounds due attention should be given 

 to aspect when placing the buildings, so that a maximum of pro- 

 tection from prevailing winds and sun is secured. Decency and 

 convenience must also be studied in the location of latrines and 

 refuse depositories. Separate playgrounds should be provided 

 for boys, girls and infants, and, where possible, space should be 

 provided for football, hockey, cricket, tennis and games. 



All grounds should be neatly fenced with unclimable and safe 

 material, a due regard being given to privacy where desirable. 

 vShelters are always acceptable, and attention should be given to 

 the safe removal of flood water without overflow or damage to 

 adjoining properties, at the same time guarding against the escape 

 of water from neighbouring properties upon the school site. In 

 towns where drainage systems exist, due regard must be given 

 to the falls of ground and drains to the public sewers. 



The speedy conduct of rain water from the roofs, so that it 

 does not run broadcast over the site, is an important matter. 



Cycle sheds, tool sheds and such administrative adjuncts must 

 not be forgotten, and where drinking fountains are provided they 

 should be of a type not requiring the use of dangerous cups. 



While recognising that artistic and pleasing architecture and 

 internal adornment of school buildings is of an educational and 

 moral value, I propose to confine my remarks more to the hygienic 

 points to be observed in ihem, and only single-storied buildings 

 will be dealt with. 



