The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-04-04 00:00:00

TRE STOURB.RIDGE OBSERVFIR.

We also beg to call your particular attention to the
width of these streetr. They are the narrowest in the
township, and scarcely wide .earnegli fur; two vihicles to
pass one another, which, anthill, albinunsoftraffic, expose
the children assembling tot iftid returning from cane)l to
great danger in being run over.
We think if it is necessary to have these ichools so
near the town. ti ere are more central and availaMe sitis,
and one not far from those we now petition against, which
would be freer from objection.
:Here followed the signatures.]

The Chairman remarked that he had not the
pleasure of knowing in,,ny of the petitioners,
but the folks had found out very suddenly that
there was great traffic on the road, and that it
would be very dangerous to children.
In answer to a question from Mr. Prescott, as
to what course had been taken in reference to the
memorial then presented,
The Clerk read the resolution bearing upon
the subject, which was simply to the effect that
the consideration of it be deferred till the pre-
sent meeting.
The Chairman said they would now proceed
to the consideration of the memorial.

Mr. Scott said he should move that they em-
inence with agenda No. 2, on the building of
sites.

Mr. Wall moved that Mr. Prescott motion
(which was No. 5 on the agenda) should come on
for discussion first.

Mr. Preseott said he objected to his motion
coming on first. It was usual at all respectable
meetings to take the business in the order in
which it stood on the agenda; he did not know
what would be done there. He did not sea why
his motion should come on first to suit the con-
venience of any person. He wanted no hole and
corner work. Mr Prescott went on to point out
what he alleged to be the underhanded way in
which the other members were treating him,
when hr. was reminded that Mr. Wall's motion
had not been seconded, and, consequently would
have no effect. Guri.ig the time Mr. Prescott I
was speaking he observed that Mr. Wall was I
smiling, and turning to him said : " Grinning
and moiling won't get over me."
Mr. Scott moved that the question of the nie. I
worial come on with agenda No. 2.

Mr. 13illingham said he was very sweet at first
on Mrs. Wilson's field, bat he saw that it was
surrounded with so many difficulties that it would
be a very expensive purchase to them. They
then mune to Brooks's field, which, for various
reasons was out of the question. They were
thus driven out of the population, and if they
took Bayne's field they were going away from
the population. And that left them Hanbury
Hill; but he could not see his way clear to
building a school on the top of Haubury Hill.
What sort of a convenience would they have for
getting little children to the top of that hill.
There was only one coarse open to them, and
that was, namely, to take that piece of land in
Park-street, on the west side. And though it
was on the outskirts of the town it was so near
to Boeotian and the Gigtnill that it compensated
for that. He went on there that day when the
sue was abiding, and he thought it a most at-
tractive sight for a school'. As he intended to
go away very soon, he wished the Board to be
in the possession of his ideas on the subject,.
That place afforded a good healthy position with
a sound dry foundation for the school.
Mr. Prescott said the architect had stated that
he could not do with less than 70 yards for a
frontage, and they could not have that mach at
the place indicated. Then, where was the play-
ground to come from. They had all thought
a playground was very desirable, and a steep
place like that would be very dangerous to
children. He knew of another site, and if the
question Was adjourned for a week while the
clerk applied for information, he thought it
would be better. He eventually proposed as an
amendment that the Board parch ise a portion
of laud belonging to Mr. Hughes, having a
frontage of 70 yards to Chapel-street, and that
the Clerk be instructed to enter into negotiations
with Mr. Hughes for the purchase.
Mr. Walker seconded the proposition.
An addition was made to Mr. Prescott's pro-
position, which the Chairman said was to the
effect that it was desirable to purchase a piece
of land not exceeding an acre and a half.
Mr. Stringer asked him not to mention the
part of
~the.tield.
. _

Mr. stringer seconded Mr. Scott'sproposition.
Mr. Prescott said it was uiost unfair and most
oubusinesslike.

The Clerk asked what Mr. Scott meant by his
motiou. Whether he intended that No. 2 should
be taken separately.
Mr. Scott said that his motion was to the effect
that Nos. 1 and 2 be considered together.
Mr. Pres:ott, was making some remarks about
what he alleged to be the unfair treatment he
WiIS receiving. He considered that the Coair-
WWI hail done a very improper thing in inviting
the architect there and having a conversation
with him in his private capacity, in the absence
of Mike members of the Board.
the Chairman called him to order, and told
him he most COnfille himself to the qmation be-
fore the meeting...

--o-
Mr. Prescott emir! he was doing so. Ho had
risen to wake an objection to Mr. Scott's propo-
sition. He had a perfect right to object to it on
this ground. That Board, us a public body, had
moved a resolution and the whole Board had as-
sented to it for inure than a mouth unanimously.
And, then, what took place. The memorial
which he held in his hand is got up. Several of
those signing it lived a great way off—in the
fiagley road, and other places—and could not be
possibly affected by it. Wherever the Board de-
cided to purchase land they would lind that per.
sous would come forward and say " We don't
agree to it." They bad agreed to a site, but a
memorial was presented and then it was shifted
to somewhere else. And then the:Chairman, in
his private capacity, did a thing which was must
unusual. It was not a usual course of proceed.
ing to—without having their consent—CAl' peo-
ple together and select sites. There was a reso-
lution on the pages of that book Ipoint.ng to the
minute book) and he wonted to know how, con-
sidering there was no notice of rescinding that
motion, they wore to pass it by. How could
they enforce the payment of u rate if they con-
ducted their business in such au irregular and
illegal manner.
The i_mairinan said the resolution before the
Board was that No. 1 and 2 on the agenda should
be taken together, and he must ask Wm to con-
fine himself to it.

Mr. Walker seconded this, and in doing so
said be had given that question a groat deal of
consideration, and after what Mr. Smith had
said he had no hesitation in saying that four of
the sites were ineligible. They had dxd on
some part of klanbury Hill. A inumber of that
Board had spoken as to the desirability of taking
the top of the hill, and said it would be hard to
force little children to go there in bitter weather,
but he (Mr. Walker) considered it would be a
most abominable thing to expect them to go
there in fair weather. He had consulted several
people who were very much interested in the
question, and they were entirely of his opinion
that it would be a most unsuitable place on which
to erect a school. It was a place on which a
person could not hold up an umbrella on a windy
day, and if the children gut wet they would have
to sit in their damp clothes during school hours.
use other part of Banbury Hill, on the left, was
to bought at a very reasonable rate, and even if
it cost a little more than the other part of the
field, its supelliority in otuer respects would quite
wake out for that.

Mr. Prescottt said the affair was positively
Nettled, and then they had listened to gentlemen
who liven en the liagley-road.
The Clerk reminded Mr. Prescott that they
were not speaking of the menu of the memo-
rial, but simply whether 1 and 2 should be
taken together.
The Chairman then put Mr. Scott's motion to
the meeting, and it was carried; Mr. Prescott
voting against it.
-. .

The Chairman again read Mr. Billinghain's
resolution.

Mr. Scott said it seemed to be desirable to re-
wiud the Board that the mover and the seconder
had spoken to a question which WAS not before
tue Board. The motion before the Board was
that they purchase 4 acres of Mr. Baylie's field.
Captain Walker had not addressed himself to the
question of Baylie'a field, but only to the top of
lianbury Hill, and the slope of Haubury Hill.
lie (the speaker) said he did not knows site that
was more eligible than Baylie's field. He had
idways experienced that places where they had
to excavate were very damp. They did not get
the wind and they did not get the sun. aim
that part of the question was intensified if they
got the slope towards:the north, they would not
get the noon-diy sun. lb e could not imagine
why, with so much heaithy ground around Stour-
bridge they should wish to place the school ou a
slope. Ile had a must serious objection to the
slope in Park•street on the ground that it Was a
very deep slope, and that it was a very damp
elope, and the school would not get the sun.
If there was one thing he feit clear about in this
matter, it was that they should light shy of the
slope at the top of Park.street, and go to the
healthy top. Ile proposed to meet the motion
with a direct negative.
Mr. Prescott said that he underatood it was a
slope against 13aylie's field.
The Chairman said the question before the
Board was that the question, as amended, be put
ivatead of the original motion.
Mr. Stringer said he should like to make one
or two remarks before the amendment was put.
He endorsed every word that fell from Mr.
Scott's lips. He hoped they would not, by any
means, put the school on the slope of that hill.
He did not see the objection to children running
up the hill. If they were allowed to do it they
were very fond of running up there. The little
run would not hurt them. Mr. Smith having
entered into the question his opinion should, to
a certain degree, guide them. If the play-
grounds were placed in the south, they would
be protected by the buildings from the wind;
and he did not see that there was that difficulty
suggested by some gentlemen about the children
getthig up to the top, especially if a road was
made from Park-street. He, also, should not
like them to confine themselves too closely to the
quantity of land they purchased. He could not
out think they would make a great mistake if they
purchased barely sufficient laud for their preset',
purposes.
Mr. Wall asked what provision could be made for
arrangements to approach the schools.
The Chairman explained that sufficient land would
have to be purchaseit to make good roads from Park.
street.

The Clerk read agenda No. J.
Mr. Prescott said that immediately after hav-
ing a discussion with souse ratepayers of this
town on the subject he gave notice to Ow Clerk
to rescind that motion. That he had done.
He read the memorial which alleged that build-
iug a school on the site referred to would cause
a serious depreciation of property. As far as
this allegation was concerned, it was a monstrous
tiling to say that ii school containing 310 child-
ren would have thot effect, when there had been
within a few yards a school contaioing 110 chil-
dren, sad since then Mrs. Oates' house had been
built there, lie submitted that there was no
site which would be more suitable for their pur-
poses in every respect than Mrs. Wilson's pro-
perty. As for the proceeoings threatened by
Messrs. Corser and Walker, that was all smoke.
And, as for the objectiou raised by the peti-
tioners, go where they would they would encoun-
ter opposition of a similar nature, and have the
sane difficulties to contend with. He then pro-
ceeded to sdOW the worthlessness of petitions
such as those which had been presented to the
Board, as indications of popular opinion. He
the speaker) asked a gentleman he knew what
was his objection to the site, and he replied that
personally he had no objection to it ; but Mrs.
Kay had brought the petition to him, and he pot
his name toil without having reau it. And, no
doubt, that was the way with a great many of
those who had signed the petition; and a great
number of those who had signed it lived at such
distances that they could not possibly he incon-
venienced by it. The only lady who could by
any possibility be atmoyeil lby it was Mrs. Oates,
and there had been the Wesleyan school within
a hundred yards of her house for years. If they
went to Park-street they should annoy Mr. New-
Dam. He considered they had done a very
solemn thing. They had gone and selected three
sites—

Mr. Walker: I beg to say Mr. Chairnian, that
I did not select that site.

Mr. Prescott: I um told six members were
there.

Mr. Walker: Then, I take exception to that;
I was not there.

Mr. Prescott said there were two absent, then ;
there were only five there. He hoped that,
looking at the circumstances, they would be very
careful as to what they were going to do. Sup.
posing they were to enter into a contract for
t 4,000 or tri,ooo, mil then, without any men-
tion of the matter were to attempt to repudiate
it, what would people think of them. He ran
through some of the signatures to the petition,
to show that the persons u hose names were at
fixed bad no just canoe of complaint, and said.
"Look at Hill, the butcher; how can it affect
him ? Then, there is Mr. Bayley; how can it
affect ? Then, there is Samuel Walker, the
gesmie, who lives in the *Hagler road. And
there was Mr. Longwell Firmstoue: why, the
man leaves the place in a month." Mr. Pres-
concluded by contending that a petition like that
ought not to influence them in the least.

The question as amended was then pot instead of
the original motion. On a show of hands being
taken there were for it : Messrs. MeEweu, Bihingh
haul, and Walker. Against : Messrs. Scott, Stringer,
Prescott,. and Wall.

The Chairman was about to put the original mo-
tion, which was to the effect that they purchase four
acres in Heath-street, the property of Mr. Baylie—
When Mr. Walker said if there was a good road
made, he should not take so much objection. If they
could get a good road through by Park-street, be
should have no objection.
Mr. Prescott said he should move as an amend-
ment that the whole question be adjourned until this
day week, to enable them to have Mr. Hughes's
opinion upon the subject, to see what arrangement
CM' be come to. By this means some arrangement
could be come to that would be mutually satisfac-
tory.
The Chairman said he should be very glad if the
Board would arrive at some conclusion that night.
A great deal of time had already been wasted.
Mr. Prescott said he did not think that if they
were to buy land at the back of the Baptist Chapel
it would be of the slightest use to them.
The Chairman said the motion before the Board
was that it was desirable to purchase a field belong-
ing to Mr. Baylie, if it could be purchased at a rea-
sonable juice. lie must either put that, or have the
meeting adjourned.
Mr. Wall moved that the meeting be adjourned at
its rising, for a few days.
The Chairman asked if they should not be nearer
the question if they adjourned the meeting for a week
or a fortnight.
Mr. Wall said his feeling in the matter was that
every member of the Board should he present when
they decided upon a site.
Mr. Prescott said he should move that they pur-
chase a certain portion of Mr. Hughes's land, sub-
ject to him giving them a:right of road.

Mr. Scott proposed that agenda No. 4 (which
was to the effect that it was desirable to pur-
chase the field of four acres or thereabouts upon
the east side of Heath-street, belonging to Mr.
Baylie, if it could be obtained at a reasonable
price) be proceed( d with.
Mr. Walker seconded this.

Mr. Scott said he should not take op the time
of the Board. His only intention was to bring
the question of site on for discussion. His own
mind was not made tip in the matter, and since
the present one had been selected he had in his
wind another site. With reference to Mr. Bay-
lie's field, that gentleman had told them in the
frank, at manner that the whole field would be
sold to them for £l,OOO. It contained over four
acres, and he supposed the Board would consider
the sum stated to be a reasonable price. The
question of sites was a most difficult one. He
was not sore that he should vote for the motion
himself when it was put to the, meeting, but he
thought it very desirable that the question should
come before the Board. That :field of Baylie's
was a very good site; but there was an objection
to it on keeolllll, of the approaches. Then there
was Hanbnry Hill, a portion of which would be
sold to them at 2s ld per yard. He wished to

_
,4-Ji atA.ll2. 111.1

"Aral • 0r...4 1.1.1 a x,anca MLJaUbDILL

put the ground before the Board for diseuesiosr: L, Thar Chairman suggested that they should send for
Heedid not see much use in purchasing more r Yr. 114ios. This was done, and he attended the
tlia* two.acres with the intention of selling it Board. Eventually a resolution was passa, on the
again. He confessed that the site on Hanbury motion of Mr. Prescott, seconded by Mr. Stringer,
that the
Hill was more central and more healthy. He Board purchase land not exceeding three
ventured to suggest that, a. the gentleman who acres from Mr. H. Hatches, lying partly on the top
f Hanbury Hill and partly on the east of the new
was the architect to that Board was present it
street now in continuation to Park-street, including
would be better to get his opinion on the subject. an approach by such new street, and that the General
In fact, it would be better to get him to report Purposes Committee enter into negotiations with Mr.
on the whole question of sites. For the sake of Hughes, and that a draft contract be prepared for the
bringing the whole question before the Board he consideration of the Board.
should move thst it was desirable to purchase This was carried.
tho field of four acres belonging to Mr. Baylis The report of the General Purposes Committee
for the purposes of the Board. recommended that temporary Board schools he pro-
Mr. Wall begged to second, as a matter of sided until the permanent schools are erected.
form, Mr. Scott's resolution. On the motion of Mr. Walker seconded by the
Mr. Prescott moved as an amendment that it , Chairman, the report was adopted, and the subject
was undesirable to purchase that ground. First, was referred back to the committee, to ascertain in
because it was not central, and it would be un- what manner it should be carried into effect.
The meeting shortly afterwards terminated.
fair to drag children from the other side of the
town to that place. He was sorry to disagree
with them, but he was compelled to do so. As
Mr. Scott had suggested that the architect, who
was present, might be asked to give his opinion
as to two sites, he should ask that his opinion
be also asked for Mrs. Wilson's ground.
A long discussion ensued, in the course of
which Mr. Smith gave his opinion as to the
adaptability of the various sites for the purposes
of the Board, which had been visited by the
members.