The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-01-03 00:00:00

Etc 3tontbribgt ember.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 1874.
THE PROPOSED NEW BOARD
SCHOOL.

We are glad to see that the School Board
have at length decided to erect a school ; and
the only questions which are in abeyance are
—which will be the most snitable site for
the ereetion, and what amount of accommo-
dation it will be desirable to provide. With
reference to the first question, the General
Purposes Connnittee have suggested some
sites which they deem suitable for the pin.
Ise hilst Mr. Prescott has expressed a
preference for another. Doubtless the
whole. of the members of the Board will in-
spect the various plots of hind between now
and the next meeting, so as to enable them
to (lime to a decision. Meanwhile we would
offer a few remarks for their consideration.
Bearing in mind that the School Board was
first called into existence to supply it defi-
ciency of accommodation existing principally
at the Gigmill and in the immediate neigh-
bourhood, we must confess that we have a
decided preference for either of the sites
suggested by the committee over that se-
lected by Mr. Prescott. It will be said that
the latter would be the most central ; but it
must be borne in mind that there are already
several efficient schools in full operation
within a short distance of the place selected
by Mr. Prescott, whilst the Gigmill and the
adjacent district of the Longlands is wholly
destitute of school accommodation of the
lleseript ion required. At the same time, the
sites which the committee have chosen
would have the double advantage of being
only a short distance from the centre of the
town, and within easy access of the Griipnill ;
thus fulfilling the directions of the Educa-
tion Department in this latter respect. The
question of the accommodation it is desir-
able to supply, is a very important one, and
will, doubtless, receive the careful considera-
tion it requires at the bands of the Board.
The Eaucation Department stipulates that
insaimmodation shall be provided for 311
children ; but we are of opinion that the Board
will consider it wise not to confine them-
selves to supplying room for only that num-1
lieu. It cannot be denied loy any unpreja. I
diced pt•rson that the population and trade
of Stourbridge have greatly increased of late
years. Those who deny this must be blind ,
to the fact that Mr. Turney's, Mr. Parker's
and other works have not been long erected I
in the town, and there is every probability I
that there will be a still further Increase in
heindnstria I processes carried on here. This,
in conjunction with the fact that house ac-
commodation for the working classes was
never more scarce than at present, we think
conclusively proves that the population has
increased and is increasing. As, Mr. Scott,
very justly remarked, there can be no more
striking specimen of false economy than that
of building in snch a manner as to have to
make alterations afterwards •, as the expense
of doing it would soon exceed the amount of
the original erection. It is evident from the
foregoing that if a school is now built which
will barely accommodate the 311 children,
in all probability it will not be long before
sonic alterations will have to be made, thus
putting the town to unnecessary expense.
We really think that to avoid this it will be
much better to build a school which will ac-
commodate 350 or 400 children, at once.
We are the more readily persuaded that it
will be more advantageous to adopt this
course, from the fact that the difference in
the outlay, as shown by the architect's esti-
mates, will be comparatively small. It hay-
ing also been definitely ascertained that the
necessary funds can be obtained from Go-
vernment at the rate of 31 per cent, for a
period extending over fifty years, it is evi-
dent that the extra expense upon the rate-
payers can be but trifling; and we feel con- '
fluent that when the members of the Board
have thoroughly weighed these considera-
tions they will decide to erect a large and ef-
ficient school which shall command the pat-
ronage of parents, by the educational ad-
vantages which it will offer, and, by so do-
ing, achieve for itself an unequivocal ROC-
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