The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-05-20 00:00:00

DU DLEY.

CURIOUS EFFECT Or TYE REDUCTION IN COLLIERS'
AGES.—At the Police Court, on Monday, Thomas
Brownhills, collier, was fined 106 and costs for assaulting
the police, and was sent to gaol for a month for assault-
ting his wife wih a poker.—Mrs. Brownhills, in extenua-
tion. said her husband struck her 'because his wages
had been reduced 6d per day."
ANOTHER SCENE AT DUDLEY SCHOOL BOARD.—OR
Monday afternoon an ordinary fortnightly meeting of
the above Board was held at the offices, Mr. George
Thompson presiding —The Clerk, in accordance with
Mr. Reynolds' notice of motion, was about to furntsh
the figures asked for, when the Chairman said he rose
to make a few remarks as to the last, meeting. They
would all agree with him, he thought, when he said that
the business of the Board would be greatly facilitated,
if every gentlemen would confine himself to one speech.
Of course he excepted the mover and seconder. On the
last occasion the proceediegs were considerably length-
ened by a non-attendance to the rule. He only made
the remarks with a desire that the business should be
conducted fairly and with dignity.—Mr. Terry, the vive-
chairman, hoped the remarks would be taken in the
same kindly spirit as they were uttered.—The figures
asked for were then given. Number of persons sum-
moned by the School Board officers from the Ist April,
1875, to let April. 1876: Parry, 257; Danks, 218. Per-
sona convicted: Parry, 180; Dunks, 112. Summonses
dismissed. Parry, 49; Dunks, Id. Persons summoned
whilst in receipt of parochial relief: Parry, 2 ; Dunks,
1 ; expenses incurred in summonses dismissed, Parry
£8 11s 61, Danks £2 9.—Mr. Davies, of the firm of
Davies and Middleton, architects, said, in explanation
of a letter read at the last meeting, that at the time Mr.
Nelson wrote to the Board the latter were not in a
position to enter into a contract, for the plans and
specifications were not complete, not having received
' tue final approval of the Educational Department.—Mr.
Reynolds moved, "That the minute appointiag Mr.
Parry as School Board officer, and the minute increasing
his salary be rescinded." He explained that Mr. Parry,
was first appointed at a salary of £4O per annum, to
dovote three days per week to the service of the Board.
He was then appointed, at a salary of £9O, to devote
the whole of his time. But, by his own admission, be
he had been seeking orders for ale ; and therefore he,
looking at the breach of contract, should move the re-
scinding of Mr. Parry's appointment —Mr. Napier
thought Mr. Reynolds should establish some of tne
serious charges he had made against Parry. it was not a
fair manner to open with a list of charges, and then, a
fortnight later, simply move a resolution—(hear, hear).
—The Chairman said he must have the resolution
seconded.—The Rev. J. J. Slade said the case was one
which ought not to be passed over without severe coin-
went, but the question was which was the best course
to take ?—Mr. Napier thought they could not proceed
on insufficient grounds. It had been said that people
who bought ale from Parry were not summoned. If thit
were so he deserved instant dismissal.—Mr. Reynolds
said he had not charged Parry with that. What no had
said was, that women in the Police Court had said to
Parry, "If we had given you an order you would not
have summoned us."—Mr. Billing held that it would be
absurd to instantly dismiss a servant on such flimsy
statements as had been made that day—statements not
a tithe so strong as had been made that day fortnight
No one haviegseconded themotion, the Chairman moved
that the matter be referred to a special committee
meeting of the whole Board; so that Mr. Reynolds
could bring his fullest charges and Parry could defend
himself.—The Rev. J. J. Slade seconded the Chairman's
motion.—Mr. Napier said he should move an amend-
ment. Mr. Reynolds had lectured poor Parry as to the
frog and the bull, and " curses sometimes came home
to raostlike chickens." He (Mr. Reynolds) should have
taken tile lesson to himself, for he believed the matter
was one of self-glorification on the part of Mr. Reynolds
(Oh, oh.) He moved that the matter be discussed that
day.—Mr. Billing seconded the amendment, on the
ground that the resolution was unfair to Parry.—Mr.
Reynolds said he could prove all he had said that day
fortnight. The first statement was as to the sale of ale,
and that was proved by Parry's admission. Mr.
Hutchinson, one of the Board's principal teachers, had
told him—in his capacity as a member of that Board—
that Parry walked through his school whistling, aud then
played some notes on the harmonium, whilst the studies
were going on. Parry also went to the school of a lady.
and took out the half-timers and put them through an
examination to see if they c,..uld pass the fourths a alard.
(Oh, oh I).—Mr. Napier thought Mr. Reynolds had
brought the matter forward in an underhand manner,
and it was not gentlemanly to rake up old charges to
make a case now.—Mr. Terry was sorry to hear the tone
of the debate up to that time.—The resolution was then
carried by 5 to 2 —The Rev. Dr. Cosens said he trusted
the Board would not be hampered with such discussions
in the future. The remarks of that day had simply dis-
gust.d him, and were not of the grave character which
should mark a Board like theirs.—Mr. Billing asked for
the specific remarks which had given such offence to Dr.
Cosens. It appeared to him that the Doctor delighted
in lowering the dignity of the Board. On the last
occasion he said something as to the proceedings of the
Board which was derogatory, and now he was at work
again.—The Chairman said he would go on with the
next business. and in doing so, he must say that Mr.
Billing was irregular in speaking after the resolution
was passed.—Mr. Billing : Mr. Chairman—Severel
voices, "chair, chair."—Mr. Billing : I was addressing
the chair.—Mr. Napier said he would not sit there and
hear Dr. Cosens make such remarks.—Mr. Billing said
he only answered a remark.—The Chairman: It was not
a tublic remark.—The Rev. J. J. Slade: I only remarked
to my friend.—The Chairman : He was sitting down at
the time. I must ask the meeting to support me—
(hear, hear.)—Mr. Napier : What does it matter whether
a man is on his legs or not when the remark is made
so that the Board cau hear it. I told Dr. Cosens some
time ago a fable which he could apply, and now I have
mentioned it. (Oh.)—The Chairman : Mr. Clerk pro-
ceed with the next business. The other business was
of a formal character.
LOCAL Faterne.—A petition in liquidation on behalf
of Henry Holland, painter, Priory Street, has been filed
in the County Court, by Mr. E. M. Warmington,
solicitor. The liabilties are £7OO ; the assets are not
knownn, but they are small. Mr. John Bent is the
receiver.
STEALING Houssuata.—On Wednesday, at the Police
Court, John Westwood, a labourer, of Gornal, was com-
mitted to the Sessions on a charge of stealing horsehair
and brasses, belonging to Mr. Powell, marine-store
dealer, Stafford Street.
Fernuasi AT NETHER/CM—On Wednesday, at the
County Court, a petition in liquidation was thee on be-
half of Charles Pasgeter, grocer and provision dealer,
Netherton. The liabilities are about £5OO, but the
assets are not yet known. Mr. Stokes is the solicitor
for the debtor, and Mr. Bent is the receiver to the
estate.