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73
are most extravagant in coal consumption. It is true that if there
were sufficient permanent inlet openings, these grates would greatly
assist in the ventilation of the rooms, but in the older schools the
number of the permanent ventilating openings is too low and in
size they are far too small. Moreover, the difficulty of maintaining
a sufficiently high and uniform temperature by means of
these old fashioned grates precludes the teacher from opening many
of the windows in severe weather. The question of efficient ventilation
is always most difficult, and except in the most modern schools,
the size of the permanent openings is too small. A much larger
use is made by some teachers than by others of the means at their
disposal. Some misconception exists as to the mode in which a
ventilating grate acts. Is is not always appreciated that the opening
which leads from the cavity behind the grate into the room is
placed there so as to increase the heating capacity of the grate, it is
also the most efficient ventilating opening in the class-room. But
we often find that these openings are covered over by a picture or a
board, and the value of the ventilating grate is thus considerably
diminished.
Not only are the ventilating grate openings covered over, but
some of the inlet openings under the windows are permanently
closed; in fact, some of the grids have become fixed in a closed
position and cannot be moved.
The lighting of each school has been dealt with separately, and
attention is drawn in the report wherever the lighting area is
insufficient or the direction of the light is unsatisfactory. In some of
the class-rooms, though the area is sufficient the light comes from
the wrong direction to some of the scholars owing to the arrangement
of the desks. In order to accommodate the requisite number
of children in the room some of the desk have been placed at right
angles to the others. In a few of the class-rooms the light is
rendered still more unsatisfactory by the presence of curtains which
partition off the rooms.
PRIORY SCHOOL.
This school was erected in 1883 and enlarged in 1893, 1896 and
1901.
A portion of the school is built as a one-storey building, but