The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-05-16 00:00:00

'riui STOTTRTIRIDGE OTIS

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which 11 was required. It had good approaches,
and was within an easy distance of the Gigmill
district, whilst it was also within reasonable
reach of Bouchall. It had good approaches from
Worcester-road and from New-street.

Mr. Prescott .interraptingi : I beg your par-
don, it has not.
Th, Chairman explained that they could go
from New-street along Heath-street to it, and
showed that it would be only a short distance
from the former street. The next objection was '
drainage, and that could be easily managed as it
was near to the Town Ditch. It was also level,
and, therefore, very suitable for building upon.
It was well sheltered, and that objection which
had been so strongly urged against the Hanbury
Hi.l site was done away with. It was, therefore,
suitlble for their purpoa,a in every way. He
had, with a view of facilitating the business of
the Board, called upon Mr. Brooks the previous
evening, and found that gentleman willing to
sell one acre for 3s 6d per yard, and if they took
the whole field, 2s per yard. The whole field
was an acre and three quarters, and he found
that it wunil comet° the same price to purchase
the field at 2s per yard, as it would to have an
acre at as Gd par yard. 110 was, himself, de-
cidedly in favour of having sufficient play-ground
for children; as it was bsolutely necessary that
they should have ample room for healthful re-
creation. It would also keep them from the
road, and he thought that as they here had the
opportunity of having an acre and three-quarters
at the saute price us one acre, they would be very
silly not to have the whole lot, lie, therefore,
moved that they purchase the whole field for the
, purposes of the Board.
I This was vconded by Mr. Wall.

Mr. Prescott objected that even if the Board
were unanimous in the matter the Education
Department would never sanetiou it, because
Mr. Sandman Smith had previously reported I
that it was unsuitable, as at times it would be
innalated with water. Independent of that, it I
appear( d to him a most extraordinary proceed-
ing, because they could have four acres of land
--which was double the quantity they were now
offered—for £l,OOO, whilst the acre and a half
would cost £BOO. There was also a wall down
one side of Bailey's field, and that would save a
considerable amount of money, as they would
only have to put a well on three sides of it,
whereas they would have to pat four wallet° Mr.
Brooks's land. He could excuse Mr. MeEwen
not knowing much about the land iu question,
because be had not lung been in the town. lie
(Mr. Prescott) could recollect when there was a
dran or sewerage running across the field, and in
bad weather it was always wet and damp. Mr.
Bailey's field was far better in every respect,
and he felt it his duty to oppose that site, not
only before the Board, hitt before the Education
Department. If they could have four acres of
land for tl,OOO, and one acre for £B5O, he
thmx.tht they would be very foolish not to have
the former, when for the sum of £l5O they
e.,uhl have double the land offered by Mr.
Brooks. They would also have to pay compem
sation for being allowed to carry drain pipes
through Walk. r's laud. they could not g.h up
single oqusle of toil fur that purpose wituout
inakind cumpeusation. Therefore he moved
that that laud be nut purchased.
Mr. Billiuglia .1 said tie would move that the
words "out exceeding one acre" be omitted
from Mr. IkleEwen's proposition, and that "the
portion now laid down iu turf" be substituted.

here was a wall on the west aide of the laud
they were then discussing, which was quite as
valuable as that in Bailey's field,
Mr. Walker said he was decidedly in favour
of that site, but he was cqually opposed to pur•
chasing any more laud time was wanted, atm he
t .erefure, was not in favour of purchasing over
AEI acre cud tiiree.quarters. As far as regarded
the price that land cost twenty years ago, it had
nothing to do with the subject. Its market value
at the present day was all that they need trouble
about. He, for his part, should uot like to make
a bargain with Mr. Brooks to pay him the same
amount for one acre as for the whole field. It
was, too, in the immediate range of the
district. He did not, however, like the idea of
giving more iii proportion for one acre than for
the acre awl three-guar:cm
Mr. Prescott: The drainage of this laud be-
longs to Corser.
The Chairman told him it belonged to Mr.
Brooks.

With reference to Mr. Walker's remarks as to
the price of the lanu, the Caairwan said he was
disposed to give Mr. Brooks credit for the pos•
session of public spirit, and he would prefer the
Beard having toe whole fieid than merely a por-
tion of it.

Mr. Prescott said he (Mr. Brooks) hd got
them to give him £4O a year for land not worth
.£5 a year.
Mr. Stringer was of opinion that after the re-
marks of the Chairman, they could not do better
than have the whole field at the price offered, if
they could get it. He. therefore, seconded Mr.

laingham'S amendment to the 'effect that th-tit
" part now laid down in turf" be inserted in the
original resolutioa.
The amendment was then put and carried, Mr.
Prescott being the only dissentient.
The amended motion was then put to the
hie:Ling, and carried
The chairman then moved that Mr. Smaltnan
_ . .

Switb be itnitructed to prepare plan; Kr—s"c7.l",

buildings to aCe01111110aellf; 406 children, with
inaster'e bons and submit the 6•11.110 fur the
consideration of the Board at the earliest roe-
sible date. fie considered there was nu reasuu
. .

why Mr. Smith 'should nut be in....meted to pre•
pare plans for that Board. Although Mr.,Swith
mid not been formally appointed architect he
had given them his advice gratuitously on several
occasions, and he th,..ught it would be a very uu.
gracious act for them to engage another architect
now. He, therefore. begged to move the resolu-
tion which he had just proposed.
Mr. Walker seconded this.

31r. Wall said he begged to propose as an
imodidinout that 400 should he omitted, and 350
inberted instead. lie ind not think they should
give instructions for pima to be prepared for a
whool large enough to accommodate 400 chil-
dren. The quantity they were ailed upon to
provide accu.Auludatiou tor was 311 children.
['he census returns for the last 80 years woulu
warrant them in providing for such an increase
in the number se 100. Besides, the school would
not always be filled, There are 311 children to
be provided for, and a certain number of those
would be absent from time to time, and he did
not think they ought to exceed the limit laid
down by the Department to such an extent as
was proposed.
. _

Ttl. Chairman said the schools were usually
esti:anted to cost at the rate of ..ElO a child, so
that to build one for 400 children would cost
£4,000; but lie did not think the cost would be
in the same ratio for a large number of children.
tie thought it was wise to provide for an increase
unless it caused a very serione augmentation of
tne cost. True economy dil not lie in situnly
looking at the present. It lay in looking at the
future also. He was himself in fuvour of having
one that would allow for an increase in the future.
He thonght the safer estimate would be 400.
Mr. Stringer was disposed to take the Chair-
man's view of the matter. They did not know
what might be the increase during the next 10
years. lie thought the cost would not really be
mote than £B, and not ..£lO per child.
The Chairman: I placed that as a maximum.
Mr Stringer: I have no hesitation in support-
ing the Chairman in his proposition.
The motion was then put and carried, Mr.
Wall's amendment having no seconder.

The Chairman said wit was 'moved by Mr.
Stringer that no further steps be taken in the
proposed purchase of Airs. Wilson's property by
the Board.

This was seconded by Mr. Walker and carried ;
Mr. Prescott voting against it.
Mr. BiHingham asked if it would not be better
to tell the architect what he would have to do.
Mr. Prescott said they had no power to do that
as there was no motion to that effect.

The Chairman said there appeared to be some
little difficulty as to the preparation of the
agenda. He thought it would be a very good
plan if those present would discuss what was to
be brought on at the next meeting, before sepa-
rating.
sir. Wall said be wished to make some re.
mark in connection with the building of the new
schools. Of course, they would have to employ
some professional man to act for them in the
matter. He was of opinion that the Clerk should
ho instructed to draw up a contract, and transact
the usual profeasiunal business in the matter.
He proposed, therefore, that their Clerk be em-
ployed, and that his services be remunerated in
the ordinary manner.
The Chairman said he believed it was usual
to Ray the Clerk for such duties as those.

Sir: Prescott objected to paying the Clerk, and
should like to me what wars his duties, and if

they were bound to employ him. He was of
opinion that they should have another solicitor
employed in the matter, in order to protect the
interests of the Board.
After some further discussion,
Mr. Stringer seconded Mr. ware proposition.
and on being put to the meeting it was carried,
Mr. Prescott again being the only dissentient.