The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-02-13 00:00:00

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1:11 IPI4 4. .5 A_ 111414-IXLATIPOR O.IIOSFIEMR:

about eleven o'clock. When we neared where
they were 1 found the "fire stink" too strong for
me, and stopped back a bit. The previous witness
went on. In consequence of the other witness
shouting I went to him and helped lum to remove
Hope. We then sent assistance to Troup, and he
was brought out. Both deceased were dead when
brought into the fresh air. I at once sent off for
the doctor. The "fire stink" was very bad where
I found them. Dr. Ker's assistant (Mr. Ralph
Eddoes) came. That was about a quarter of an
hour after we got them up.
Mr. Ralph Eddoes deposed: I live at Cradley
Heath, and am a member of the Royal College of
Surgeons and a Licentiate of Apothecaries' Hall.
On the 29th January, about a quarter past :twelve
I went to the Netherend pit. When I got there I
found two men in the shed there, dead. I exam-
ined them. There were no marks of violence on
them. They died from narcotic asphyxiation,
caused by the inhalation of noxious gas. They
had been dead two or three hours when I saw
them.

Mr. William Beattie Scott, Assistant Distrist
Inspector of Mines, said: I examined this coal pit
on the 30th of January. The position of the
bodies was pointed out to him by William Fletcher,
one of the previous witnesses. Judging from the
condition of the mine at that time, the atmosphere
of which was highly charged with "fire stink," he
had no doubt the deceased would succumb to it.
He had no remark to make on the condition of the
It was in good order with theexception of the
fire stink. I had only seen it some days after-
wards, when the ventilating squares were got off
to prevent the "pre stink. I have no doubt the
men went through the "fire stink' with the idea
of lessening it, and finding fresh air on the other
side, but it was too strong. In all respects the
mine was in proper working order.
In answer to a question by the Coroner, Mr.
Scott said thick coal pits were very much subject
to "tire stink."

Mr. John Joseph King deposed: I live at Wol-
lescote, near Stourbridge. lam one of the proprie-
tors of the Netherend Colliery. The Ideceased
(Hope) was the manager of the colliery, in my
employ. Troup was an underground manager at
Cradle), Park Colliery, also in my employ. Hope
told him about the "fire stink" being in the deep
coal works. He took measures to repress it that
night. In fact he was down the pit the whole of
that night. It was whilst he was attending to this
matter that he and Troup lost their lives. I knew
Troup was helping him. He had also beenldown
the pit the night before.
The Coroner briefly summed up, and said from
what they had heard he did not think they could
come to any other conclusion than that deceased
came to their death accidentally, whilst in the
legitimate execution of their duty. So far as the
Government Inspector had said, there was no
blame to be attached to any one. Deceased were
a little too bold. in their endeavours tolsuppress
it.

Mr. Scott: Hope was the responsible person
under the Act. If anyone else had lost their lives
by "fire stink" he would have been responsible.
After a brief deliberation the jury returned a
verdict of "Accidental death." Praise was ac-
corded to Fletcher for his brave rescue of the
manager, Mr. Hope.

for the schools were extravagant in their charac-
ter. The mister's house at Bt. John's schools was
put up for £l5O, and they were asked .2550 for
building one. That showed how extravagant were
those plans. They were extravagant, putting the
land on one side altogether. Extraordinary as was
the beautiful school at Brierley Hill, with all its
exdenee, did not show £l2 per child, and he did
hope before they consented to that sum they
would call in some respectable person, and get
his advice in the matter. The people were bitterly
complaining about it. • One gentleman told him
he had spoken to Major Walker about it.
The Clerk said there was a letter addressed to
the Chairman.

The Chairman read the letter, which from the
"National Association'for the Promotion of Social
Science," asking the Board whether they intended
to take any steps to procure the amendment of the
laws relating to School Boards.
It was considered that they were not in a posi-
tion to deal with this subject at preskant,
I.Tpon.the suggestion of Mr. Prescott, the Chair-
man asked Mr. Smith towithdraw.

Mr. Stringer asked if it was not premature to
request Mr. Smith to go, as he had been requested
to attend this meeting.
Mr. Prescott: I move that he leaves this room.
Mr. Stringer thought various questions might
arise, upon which Mr. Smith's experience might
be of use to them. With reference to Mr., Pres-
cott's statement about the schools costing 12 per
child, he must correct him there. It would not
cost £lO per child.
Mr. Prescott said they were going to ask the
Department for £4,700 now, and that looked as if
it would cost that amount. The price of the land
together with the cost of erecting the school would
amount to .£4,480. If that was not a cost of £lO
per child he should like to know what was. Mr.
Smith had misled the Board; there could not be
the slightest doubt about that. He came here
and distinctly said he had made plans which would
not exceed those of Kidderminster and Sheffield,
and what is the result. Was it a fact that their
official requirements would exceed 220; and that
being the case they would be paying £2O pounds
a child.

The Chairman: But we are providing for 400.
Mr. Prescott said he was aware of that; but tak-
ing 400, they should be paying more for bricks, &c.,
than they paid at Kidderminster where they should
be cleaver. He thought there must be something
radically wrong. When the Education Depart-
ment said these plansfwere extravagant they were
right. He thought this corroborated that. Let
them try if they could not got a school for less
than .£4,480. He put the question, and let it be
clarly understood that there were to be no extras
unless what are sent to the Board.
Mr. Smith: Mr. Prescott has made a charge
against me positively, now, that I have purposely
misled this Board. I don't know whether I shall
stoop to answer that. For the board room and
for the clock tower and one master's house, the
whole of the ;expense came to ~e 8 per child, or a
little more, according to Mr. Poster's estimate,
which the Board might have accepted if they liked.
With regard to the specifications, I was requested
to give one in for buildings only, and nothing was
to be added for site. So far, that is a complete
reply to Mr. Prescott; I don't think I need BAy
any more.

Mr. Prescott remarked that with regard to the
site, that was only fencing with the question. Did
Mr. Smith want to say that the £7 10s per head
for which it was 'said [Elaine of the schools were
built, did not include it; and that the .02 10s at
Brierley 11111 did not include it, with their splendid
building and master's house, with land at 12s per
yard. He challenged him to come before any
number of respectable men in his own profession
and say whitther he had not deceived the Board.
It was a :disgrace to the person connected with
it.

Mr • Billingham : I think the view I take with
reference to Mr. Smith being here is the correct
one. If any member wishes to ask a questioh of
him now is the time; and when he has answered
it let him go.
The Chairman I-don't wish to drive Mr. Smith
from the room; but if no one wished .to dsk him
a question, it was not according to precedent for
him to stop.
• Mr. Billingham : It strikes me that there will
be references made to Mr. Smith which will only
retard our business.

Mr. Prescott: I don't approve of this man. I
did not put him into office. I think he had not
, ought to be here. I wish Mr. McEwen was here
' as the plans werepassed before him, and he could,
go into the calculations. When they intended to
ask for .e 4,000 they evidently thought that would ,
cover the whole expense. Now, they were com-
pelled to apply for more.
Mr. Smith: Mr. Chairman, may I ask you to
allow me to retire.
The Chairman: Oh, yes.
Mr. Smith then left.
The Chairman read a letter from a Mr. Barker,
an architect of Leamington, who said that he had
constructed some very cheap Board schools in
London aad other places, and expressed a desire to
meet the Board and consult with them as to their
proposed school.
A desultory eonversation ensued.
Mr. Billingham said it seemed to him that they
had got this far that there was a difference in the
estimates that night, from what they were previ-
ously, of .C. 300. That was caused through the
suggested alterations in the site which they had
made the previous day. It was a grand saving,
and he thought they did a good day's work the
previous day, under any circumstances. He
hardly knew how to express himself with reference
to their fattire building. Hehad boped that they
should be able to get their plans within Mr.
McEwen's estimate, but now he was afraid they
should not.
Mr. Prescott advised them before they took any
decisive step, to let the gentleman who gratui-
tously offered his services, come there, and meet
them. He believed he was going to Kenilworth
next week. Let them look at Cradley, where they
had built a school for something like £l2OO, whilst
they were going to give somethingilike £1,200 for.
foundations and walls. If they were to ask a
builder to give them an estimate for building a
house, should you not think he would take into
consideration the foundsitions—the very first part
of the work? It was like a tailor making him a
coat, and, then going to him and asking him for,
money for cutting it out:. He did not think that
question should be decided until this gentlbman
had had an opportunity of meeting some of the
members of the Board on the ground.,
The Chairman ,asked him if he ivai iipeaking oü
• the second part of the agenda.
Mr. Prescott said it would all come -under the"
• same head." What he looked at was this. The
very &et thing the builder had to do was to dig
for a foundation. No private gentleman would
expect to :pay extra for digging the foundations
if the architect had previously given his- specifi-
cation.

The Chairman; I apprehend that the estimate
which was made before these test holes were dug
was for an ordinary foundation, like they had at
Brierley Hill. They first thought it was an ordi-
nary .foundation, and then they had to make an
.
extraordinary foundation.
Mr. Prescott: He had the opportunity of going
on to the land, and seeing what these foundations
were.

--
The Chairman,: No; they would not let hiu.. do
so.
Mr. Prescott 'moved that they adjourn the first
agenda until that gentleman (Mr. Barker) be in-
vited to give them any advice or opinion as to the
course they had better purspawith reapect to that
work.

The Chairman: He will make you some plans if
you like. It would be mo3t unprofessional for him
to come for nothing.
Mr. Prescott: If it is unprofessional it will be
for him to say. There will be no time lost because
the weather is unfavourable for building.
Mr. Billingham : The motion that is made is a
very important one, and one that I caanot grasp
in a moment. In the first place, we ought to tell
our architect that we are going to do such
thing. _ _ _

Mr. Prescott: I have no objection to Mr. Perry
writing to him and asking him to meet him. I
don't:wish to do anything behind his back, because
this man might come to say this was wrong and
the other was wrong, which he dare not say if our
architect was present.
Mr. Billingham produced a letter which he had
received from Mr. Barker, in which that gentleman
proffered to make plans which he would guarantee
should not exceed £6 per head, everything in-
cluded. He /had lately made the two cheapest
London schools of modern times.

Mr. Prescott read a letter from thesame gentle-
man, which stated that he had built a school for
400 children, at a cost of only £1,500 exclusive;
one for 200 children cost £944. Mr. Prescott
thought they ought to give this gentleman a
chance.

The Chairman: What are you going to do with
Chapman? You have made a contract with him
to build the echoole.

Mr. Prescott moved thatthe consideration of the
supplementary specifications and wane be
journed to the next meeting of "
Mr. Billingham : Now, Mr.;Chairman, I should
like to ask what is our present position with Mr.
Chapman. Are we engaged?
The Clerk: We are engaged. I have written to
him accepting the contract.
Mr. Prescott here inspected the draft of con.
tract, and said according to the language of that
contract he ought to dig the foundations. What

I did it say: "perform the requisite di g." Did
i
not that nclude it all.
The Chairman reminded:him that the digging
which was charged extra for was not included in
i the plan.
Mr. Prescott then made some remarks with re-
ference to the estimate for a master's house, and
pointed out that the master's house at St. John's
, Schools was erected for £l5O.

Mr. Billingham : And we must bear in mind it
was not put up "Jack at a pinch," it was put up
in accordance with the requisitions of the Depart-
ment, and the Department gave them a loan for
it.

The Chairman: You know the Department will
accept a different building from Denominational
Schools than they will under the Schoel Board
Act.

Mr. Prescott said that was sight. He knew a
case where it had occurred. He only wanted to
get the man there to see where the fault lay.
Thera was a fault somewhere, that was clear.
The Chairman then asked-if any one would sec-
ond Mr. Prescott's proposition, and no one doing
so, it fell to the ground. .
A lengthened discussion ensued, and the subject
was adjourned for a time, as was also the'conside-
ration of Nos. 2 and 3 on the aggnda. ,
It was ordered that 100 balance-sheets be prin-
ted, containing the statement lof accounts. Some
accounts were also ordered to be paid.
Mr. Billinghara then proposed thait.the conside-
ration of 1, 2 and 3 on the agenda, which involired
a question of such importance, and milked Bitch
an amount of vigilance, be: aajdUrned; and that
that meeting, at its rising, should form itself into
a committee to consider that matter, and report
thereon at their next meeting. •
Mr. Stringer seconded this, and it was carried,
and the Board then resolved itself into a com-
mittee.