The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-11 00:00:00

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1871.
CORRESPONDENCE.

under the voluntary system, mid for them to supplemeit
the contributions, and provide the required additional
school accommodation lie thought 1,11)1.5 interest Lad
been taken in the matter, as he held a long list of rate-
payers who had signed the requisition.
Mr. Kitson said he was quite satisfied that those who
had signed the requisition were ratepayers.
The Chairman said he took upon himself to propose
the resolution, That it is desirable that a School Board
shall be formed for the pariah of Kinver, in accordance
with the provisions of the Elementary Education Act of
last )ear.''
Mr. Yeomans seconded the motion.
The Chairman asked if any one would move an
amendment.
Mr. Yeomans said there was an uneasiness in the par.
ish as to whether if the parish adopts a School Board,
their pariah would be linked with other parishes. Ile
thought their parish was quite large enough to have a
School Board of its own.
The Chairman said Le quite agreed with Mr. Yeonians
thit it was desirable that Kinder ehould form the juri,
diction for a School Board distrlct Ile considered they
were well able to support it themselves, and it would not
be to their interests to be linked to anyone else. Even
their neighbour Coekley was in another diocese and
county, and there was no probability that they would be
joined to Enville or Arley, as it was almost certain those
two pieces would not require the Act; Stourbridge had a
" d '
. . •.

CHARGE AGAINST A LICENSED VICTUALLER.—James gove-rniug body of its own, and he therefore thought that
A. Levett, licensed victualler, at Blackheath, was charged they would form a separate School Board district.
by Superinteudent Mills with having his house open for I Mr. Lee suggested that they should first pass the
the sale of beer before the hour of half-past twelve. He substantive resolution before they began to consider
was further charged with refusing to admit the police.— other matters.
Mr. Shakespeare defended. Police-constable Slinu Mr. B. Williams thought the motion should be put
proved that he was near the defendant's house at half 'past to the meeting first.
twelve o'clock, on the 29th ult. He saw • man go to tho Mr. White, overseer, remarked that the best coarse
defendant's house and come out with a can of ale. Did to adopt was to pass the resolution before they entered
not taste it, but there was froth on the top. Saw a men iuto any details, Until they had received the necessary
named Hill come up and take • can of ale. Went to the instructions from the Education Department they could
door of defendant and tried it. The door was fact. Ile do nothing more than peas a resolution to the effect tint
rapped, but no one came. Cross-examined Did not see it was expedient for a School Board to be formed. They
any light in the house. Was about 20 yards away when might enter into details at another Meeting, after they
the man went to the door for the ale. It was dark.— had received a reply.
Police-constable Isom gave corroborative evidence, hut The resolution was then put to theeneeting, when 67
on being cross-examined said it was moonlight at the voted for it, six against it, and the remainder were
time.—Mr. Shakespeare addressed the Bench for the de neutral.
fence, and said that the defendant had kept the house The Chairman then declared it carried.
between thirty and forty years, and had never had a In answer to a question, the Chairman said he was
charge brought against him before. He Was MOSt informed by Mr. Kitson that he would have to read the
anxious to keep his proper time, and said the police had resolution, have it posted where the notices were usually
done their duty in bringing the matter before the Bench,
but the real facts of the case were that a number of men posted, and to send it up to Government; which he would
had been at the defendant's house, and just before 12 he
a.. He had thought that Mr. Kiteonwould have to send
it up, but Mr. Kitson told him that the chairman of the
told them the time was up, and they must Melte, A man
meeting was the pereou who had to send it. He thought
it would be well to have an expression of opinion on the
named Hill then called for a gallon of ale, and took it to
bin house to drink, accompanied by a number of men. eubject.
I
Some dispute afterwards arose, and two men were going Mr. Williams said he understood that the number of
ti fight, when the police came up. At that tiuoe Hill ran members to be elected on the Board was from sto 15.
out of the house with the can half full of ale, to the de in
-
fendant's door; but at that time defendant was in bed. Mr. Lee said the parish of Kinver was euffieient
I
area to forms School Board district by itself, extending
Hill's object in going to the defendant's Was that he Stourbridge
thought by that means to induce the men to leave his I to one side and Cookley and Kiddermiu-
liouee ; and that was the real explanation.—The Bench ster on the other. He thought that a School Board com-
posed of five gentlemen would be sufficient for their own
took this view of the case, and the charge was withdrawn. parish. It had been asked by many persons what gentle.
DRUNK AND DIsoIthERLY. John Williams, 18, Was men were best suitable for it. lie would venture to
charged with being drunk and disorderly on the 131st, at mention several persons ivhom he considered had great
the lour Ways. Police-constable Dix proved the offence, claims upon the parishioners. He knew no gentleman
which was admitted by the defendant. Police-sergeant more suitable than Mr. H. W. H. Foley who was the largest
Pawner said that a short time ego defendant was COM- proprietor in the parish. He took a great interest in the
milled for 14 days for pigeon stealing, and whenever he question of education, and he (Mr. Lee) was sorry that
met the officer be took the opportunity of insulting him. Mr. Foley was not in the House of Commons agent to
Fiord 5s and cost.; in default 14 days.
„ advocate it. If the other parts of the county had done
TRANsPERs.—The following transfers took place: The their duty as well as Kinver at the last election, he would
Wagon and Horses, Tividale, from Harriet flazelhurst have been there. Mr. Foley had incurred large and petal-
to William Firkin; the Royal Exchauge (a beerhouse). liar sacrifices in support of education in the neighbour.
from James Downes to Thomas Dugnoore ; the Bull's hood. The proposed plan would be a great saving to his
Head, from Thomas Sheldon to John Hill. pocket. He (Mr. Lee) might mention that Mr. Thomas
Bolton and Mr. Bunn were suitable also for a School
Board; both had expended much time and money no aid
of education. The dissenters of Kinver, both Wesleyans
and Primitive Methodists, were very large in numbers,
and bethought they ought to be represented. if they
could select a few gentlemen, in whose hands they could
eutrust the education of the children, they would prevent
a contest, and thus avoid anything like ill.feeliug in the
parish—(eheers).
Mr. White thought if they had moly five a coolest
would be certain to take place. They had no power to
nominate a certain number at that meeting.
The Chairman said they were merely talking it over.
Mr. Kitson said the number should be from 5 to to, as
they determined.
'1 he Chairman did net consider there could be any
harm in their expressing their opinions. They could
elect any number up to 15, when the Board was elected.
Mr. Yeomans said he thought the ratepayers would like
to have more members on the Board than five.
Mr. George Williams considered that Mr. Lee had for.
gotten one girlie ass, mid that was Mr. lleojeulin Wil.
hams —(cheers).
Mr. B. Williams thought seven would be better than
five to constitute a Board for the parish. The piece
could be more fairly represented.
Mr. Packer said he holed to see that Mr. Foley had
great claims on them. ile thought gentlemen ought to
be appointed who would represent all ciasees—;hear,
hear).
Mr. J. Bolton said it was useless to talk upon the sub-
ject until a future occasion.
Mr. Lee said he was sorer to find that many persona
bad withheld their contributions from the National
schools since the School Board question had been raised.
The fund. at present were very low, sad he begged that
those who had decided to withhold their subseriptioue
would reconsider their determination, and forwent their
subscriptions for the present year.
The Chairman said, on behalf of the committee of the
National Schools, he had written to the Education De-
partment, inquiring whether, ifs School Board should be
formed in any parish, it might take to any debts which
the present managers of schools might contract. In
reply, he had received a very indefinite answer; in feet,
they wrote to, say they would not answer the question.
Mr. Robins remarked that he was sorry to fiuti that
Mr. Packer thought Mr. Foley hart not great claim+ upon
them. He contended that no mashed done more for the
parish than the. gentleman— (a Voice: Who pays his
rents?").
The Chairman et-um:had that he was sorry that several
persous had withheld their annual euhscriptium. Me.
Foley and Mr. W. 0. Fouler and eevervl otheis, hoWeVer,
had it Lid theirs 111
Mr. leteker them mopo,e,l a vote of thanks to tire
chairman for preeidieg, elncir Mr. Lee seconded, and it
WAS carried.
The proceedings then terminated.

We wish it to be distinctly understood that by insert ing
Letters in this eolumn , we do not thereby identify ourselves
with the opintons of our Correspondents.