The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-02-26 00:00:00

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THE SCHOOL BO4RD.

A meeting of the members of this Board was held
in the ante-room of the Corn Exchange, on Monday
afternoon last. _ _

Major Walker was in the chair.
There were also present Messrs. Stringer, Billing-
ham and Wall.
The Clerk read the minutes of the last meeting,
which on the motion of Mr. Stringer, seconded by
Mr. Wall were confirmed.

The Clerk reported completion of the purchase
from Mr. Brooks, and that Mr. Horton, builder
had been let into possession of that site.
A letter was read from Mr. F. S. Smith on the
subject of staking out the ground, deposit of
rubbish on the school site, and of appointing a
clerk of the works was read. Mr. Smith attended
and suggested the desirability of having more
rubbish deposited.
Mr. Wall moved the following resolution:—
"That the Architect be authorised to allow such
rubbish to be deposited on the school site and so
much of the turf to be sold as he thinks proper."
Mr. Billingham seconded the resolution which
was carried.
. Mr. Sringer moved thaollowing resolution:—
"That Mr. Smith, the architect, be.requestet.t.
engage the services of a competent person as clerk
of the works for the new school buildings, at a
remuneration not exceeding .elO a month."
Mr. Billingham seconded the resolution and it

was carried Unanimously.
Letters were read from Messrs. Bridges, Green,
and Roweliffe requesting, the Board to have the
wall forming the northern boundary of the school
premises built forthwith.
Mr. Stringer moved the following resolution :
" That Mr. Smith be requested to arrange with
the builder to have the Wall built as soon se it con-
veniently can be.
Mr. Billingham seconded the resolution which
was carried.
A deputation consisting of the Rev. H. Sherrard,
and Messrs. Blunsom and Broomhall, waited upon
the Board to make arrangements with them for
the transfer of St. Thomas's Schools from the
Governors to the School Board.
The Rev. H. Sherrard said the nature of their
business before the Board was to see if
they could come to some terms with the Board for
the transfer of St. Thomas's Schools, from the
Managers to the School Board. He said the
schools were supported by voluntary contributions
and they found it very difficult to meet the
expenses which were required for carrying on the
schools. If the Board could not see their way
clear to take to the schools they should be obliged
to close them. He should certainly be very sorry
to see the schools closed for they were in good con-
dition and in a thickly populated neighbourhood,
but the attendance atthe schools wore not so good
as they were formerly. St., Jamee'sJ Schools,
Wollaston and the Unitarian Schools affected them
very much. He should think St. Thomas's Schools
would accommodate about 300 children and it was
a great pity that thitt accommodation should be
wasted, and he hoped that the Board would see
their way clear in coming to terms with them for
the transfer of the schools. The schools he
thought would flourish if the Board took to them
which he should be very glad to see. If the Board
did take to the schools he said they should like to
be allowed to have the use of the schools on
Sundays for the Sunday School, and three even-
ings a week, on a Monday, Tuesday, and Thurs-
day for a night school, and vestry meetings, &c.
Major Walker asked the deputation what rent
a year they would require for the schools?
The Rev. H. Sherrard said he thought they
would require .250 a year. He said they had
written to the Lord Bishop of the diocese and the
Archdeacon asking for their sanction to tit•
transfer of the schools. The Bishop and the
Archdeacon had replibd approving of the treader ,
but hoped they would be allowed the use of the
schools on a Sunday for the Sabbath School.
Major Walker asked the deputation if it Wail
their intention to close the selaools if the Board
did not take to them?
The Rev. H. Sherrard said it No. He said he
had issued circulars for a meeting to-day (Satur-
day), to have the opinion of the parishioners in
the matter, and then they would be able to let the
Board know their decision.
Mr. Billingliam muwed that the Board go into
eounnitt;NJ on the salbjvct. .
Mr. Wall seconded the resolution which was
carried. ,rc •
The deputation thanked the Board for the
courteous way in which they received them and
withdrew, and the Board then went into com-
mittee.
There was no other public bwiiness.