The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-01-10 00:00:00

DUDLEY SCHOOL BOARD.

On Monday evening the last meeting of the
above Board was held at the Town Hall, Dudley,
Dr. Cosens presiding There were alan
Ito-v. J. J. t'fade, and Messrs. J. Garratt, G. Jones,
T. Reynolds, T. Billing, W. Cooper, J. Evans, D.
T nfield, and S. Sheward
The Chairman announced that he had received a
letter from the Education Department stating that
"My Lords" had consented to allow the grants
(Z 365 to the Netherton Sohoo .
The Clerk daid there had been 27 meetings of
the Board, and the attendances had been: Jones,
18; Sheward, 20; Reynolds, 16; Cosens (absent
through illness), 9; Garratt, 24; Terry, 26; Bill.ng,
20; Tanfield, 24 ; Evans, 27; Cooper, 22; Slade, 7.
Among the accounts presented for payment was
one from the Gas Light Company, and Mr.
Sheward suggested that 50 per cent. ought to be
taken off, as the gas was so inferior. On Saturday
night he really thought Dudley was in mourning—
(laughter).
Mr. Garrett said it might very properly be moved
that "It is s dam the Board clatiot see to pass the
accounts"—(more laughter).
The Chairman thought the accounts must never-
theless be paid, as the Gas Company had the power'
to cut off the supply The account was pit‘set.
Dr. Cosens then read a report he had drawn up
showing the work of the Board. The total accom-
tnodalion of the b.,rough before the existence of the
Board was 5,296. The Education D:par tnent re-
quired in 1871 that provision should he made f. r
7,651 children. There was now room for 8,375
children, and of these School Boards held 2,924.
The average attendance was 6,416. Thcre were
head teachers 14, as-istant teachers 17, pupil teachers
26, monitors 19. Total salaries to teache.s £2,789
4s Id. The children presented numbered 1,492,
ani 1,303 passed in reading, 1,145 in writing, and
in arithmetic 1,173. The total grants earned had
been £939 14s 3d. and there was the sum of £365
to come for the Netherton &bolls. The money
sp nt out of the rates was £1,480 ss, and the
s.;bo'ars' pence had reached £772 13s 2d. The
cost per head had been—li.ite's Hill, £1 88 lid;
Stafford Street, .21 5s id; Hart's Hill, £1 us id;
Dudley Wood, al 12s 4d; Rose Hilt, Rd 2s 3d;
Netherton, £1 Os 11d. Evening schpo's had been
established in the borough. The cost of the build-
ings had been £23,390. In closing the report Dr.
Cosens thanked the teachers, the officers, and the
Board for the help given to him, and for the
ourtesy which, for the most part, had been shown
towards him.

It was resolved that the report be entered on the
mirrates.

On the motion of the Chairmen, seconded by Mr.
Tanfield, it was resolved that the Mayor be requested
t open the new schools in Wolverhampton Street
on Monday next.
Mr. Garratt moved a vote of thanks to the Chair-
man for his able and courteous conduct during the
past, three years. He had expccted the resolution
to come from the other side, and was surprised to
find, however, 'that they were leaving the room.
Although the gentlemen opposito did not stop to
support it, the motion would nevertheiess be passed
vcry heartily.

Mr. George Jones secoudtd the proposition, and
it was supported by Mr. Reynolds, who had hoped
that the gentlemen who had left the roam would
hive remained and have stated their objections, so
as to afford an opportunily for reply.
The motion was then carried.

Dr. Cosens, in responding, said he legretted that
tte Nonconformist members of the Board should
have left and hn,ve thus marked thcir disp:e3sure of
what he had endeavoured to do to the test of his
ability. It did not, however, hurt him in the
least to be treated in that way. It was only on a
par with treatment he had received elsewhere, but
he was able to hold his .own and should do so.