The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-10-04 00:00:00

THE SCHOOL BOARD QUESTION AT 110111tET

A large meeting of ratepayers was held in the Bieck-
heath parish Churchyard, on Monday morning. for Ike •
purpose of determing whether a School Board shall he
formed in the parish, and whether application &oda
be made to the Education Department for ths tonorditia
of such a School Board, and to take other roadiage,
The Rev. T. Ward occupied the chair, and said it had
been explained to those who had been In the vestry *kat
a meeting had hoes held previously, and a committee
had been formed in order to see whether they could
supply the required accommodation by voluntary auk-
scriptione. The committee had given in their reply,
and he could not but say that if they were bound to
have a Sohool Board they had better wait until it wee
forced upon them.
Mr. A. H. Barrs said they all knew something the of
question at the present time, but the present state of
things could not last long. At present the Government
was leaning towards the Birmingham Education Limps,
that was to say that they would entirely abolish religious
instruction out of the Board Schools.—(it Voice: "There
is heathenism, they would make us heathens.") Mr.
Barre continuing, said that was the proposal of the
Birmingham League. The speaker then read several
quotations from pamphlets published by the League.
Mr. Green said whatever they did in that vinery would
not make any difference to the ultimate policy of the
Government, or the Birmingham League.
The Chairman said he did not think the present
Government would last very long and then he hoped
they should have a better one.
Mr. F. G. Barra : We cannot have a worse. Be was
of opinion that it would be better to let the matter stand
over until it was forced upon them. He thought that
when the Government was changed the education depart-
ment would be reformed.
Mr. Green said they should have the thing forced
upon them, and they would be the only parish in the
district that would have had it forced upon them.
Mr. Barra : Look at Stourbridge Mr. Green, that is
not far from us.
Mr. Green then read the notice convening the meet-
ing, and said that meeting was called to decide' whether
a School Board should be formed or not. He did not
consider it a legal meeting.
Mr. F. Barra This is a legal meeting called in the
proper manner by the overseers.
Mr. Green: It is not legal.
Mr. Barns: Then you are a better lawyer then me.
After some further desultory conversation, Mr. F.
W. G. Barra, J.P , proposed " That recent changes
, among her Majesty's Ministers indicate on the part of
the Government so great a proclivity towards the infidel
, and heathenish scheme of the Birmingham League,
that, until the stability of some education policy, draft.
ting religious instruction in Board schools, is secured
for some definite period, no School Board shall be
applied for on behalf of this parish."
This was seconded by Mr. J. Taylor.
Mr. G. Green moved, and Mr. Woodhoass seconded
the following :—" That, seeing that this pariah is so
deficient in school accommodation, and voluntary hada
are not forthcoming, it if advisable to apply foe a
School Board for this parish." For the ameadabeat
only four persons voted, and the !original reecenlioa
was carried by a large majority.
A vote of thanks to the chairman aloft& the peened.
togs.