The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-11-07 00:00:00

THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

An adjourned meeting of this body was held in
the Commissioners' Boom in the Corn Exchange,
on Monday evening last. Major Walker (vice-
chairman) presided; there being also present
Messrs. Prescott, Stringer, and Bißingham.
The Clerk read the minutes of the last meeting,
which, on the motion of Mr. Stringer, seconded by
Mr. Billinghava, were emfirnied.

The Clerk then read the following letter, which
had been handed to him by Mr. McEwen, to whom
it had been addressed :

" Ayleston Hill, Hereford,
Oct. 30, 1874.
"Sir—lf you have not already closed with an
architect for your new Board Schools I shall be
happy to introduce you to a gentleman who would
probably suit you if you are anxious to provide for
the deficiency at a small outlay.
"He has been remarkably successful in this
particular, having just completed, I understand,
the two cheapest London schools of recent times.
One of these (an ornamental structtue for 400
children) cost £1551, exclusive of cost which was
spent first in filling up the site, part of which had
been excavated for the underground railway. The
other (a plain building for 250 children) cost
£914.

"Canon Cromwell, of the London School Board,
said publicly that he saw nothing to be desired in
the arrangement and execution of the buildings, a
sufficient proof that utility was not sacrificed to
economy.
. . _

- -
"On healing from you I will suggest his either
writing or calling on you, and as he has works
going on in Warwickshire I dare say he would do
the latter.

"I am, yours truly,
"A. J. LAYARD.
"J. McEivrn, Esq.
" P.S.—I find that my friend is going Kenilworth
" early next week, and says he could easily call
"round and explain to you the simple means by
" which he has been able to accomplish the re-
" sults I have mentioned. A line per return will
"oblige."

A desultory conversation ensued, and
The Chairman asked them if they were prepared
to take any action upon the letter.
Mr. Prescott said they had better wait until they
saw what the estimate of their own schools would
be after the alterations were made in the plans.
The Clerk read a letter from Mr. Smith stating
that he had not as yet been able to make the re-
quired alterations in the plans. Mr. Smith had
also told the Clerk that "the quantities" would
not be ready for a fortnight.
The Board then went on discussing Mr. Layard's
letter, and

Mr. Stringer said it seemed strange to him that
it should be possible to build so cheap in London,
where labour and materials were so dear.
. . . _

Major Walker was of opinion that the buildings
referred to were rooms piled one above the other,
so as to save space. The generality of schools
were erected at a similar cost to that proposed by
their own architect; and he thought that when the
suggested alterations were made in the plans they
would find that they had a good building at a
moderate cost. If the person referred to in the
letter was so very wonderful he would have plenty
of work to do without making application to them
for any.

Mr. Prescott was anxious that they should throw
the competition for plans open to all persons.
Mr. Stringer thought the discussion of that
letter was retarding the business, and he was very
sorry it had appeared.
Major '.Walker said he supposed that the plan
which was furnished by their own architect was not
in reality an expensive one, especially when it was
remembered that all the rooms would be on the
ground floor. He thought it was moderate
Mr. Prescott intimated that Oldswinford sekool,
which was built at a much smaller cost, had a
master's house attached to it, and " everything, the
some as we have."

Major Walker reminded him that when that
school was erected building materials were much
cheaper than they were now. Ile considered that
the estimated cost of the school was a small sum
for a building like that which the plan proposed
to provide. lf they went on with the business
with the plans they had they should find their
schools would be built at a very moderate sum. It
might be built, if they thought it desirable, with.
out a house attached to it.

Mr. Prescott said Mr. Scott, the builder, owned
some nice houses close by, the rent of which was
about £lO or £l2 a year, and which would be very
suitable for a master's residence; and he thought
it would be almost unfair to Mr. Scott if they, by
erecting a master's house deprived him of a ten-
ant, when it was borne in mind that his property
being so near to the school, he would have all the
nuisance arising from it. As far, as the safe ens-
tody of the books, &c., a master living there could
watch over the building as well as if he resided on
the premises.

Billingham made some remarks as tv the
estimated cost of the seheol, when
"" . . .

The Chairman reminded him that when they
compared the coot of their buildiug with those
mentioned in the letter, they must bear in mind
that in London they would not have ittO yards of
land to pay for.
Mr. Prescott said he thought if they took the
spire away, and dropped the two houses, they
should be acting very economically, If they were
to e msult the architect referred to in the letter he
should like to throw the competition open to all
comers. There were several local architects who
were anxious to send in plans if that were done.
Major Walker did not attach much importance
to that letter; it came to to them in such a round-
about way. When they came to build on their
plans they should find them economical.
Mr. Prescott said it would not be necessary for
them to have fresh estimates and plans. They
simply wanted those quantities taken out.
The Clerk said the Surveyor could not take out
the tower without a plan of it.
Major Walker said the plans which had been
shown to them were simply rough tracings, and
surely a man could take those quantities as well
out of them as out of new plans.

Mr. Dillingham said there was no necessity for
having plans with and without a tower. He
thought that to go to the expense of new plans
would be very foolish, and the Department would
expect new plans of the tracings there.
After some further conversation,
Mr. Prescott moved that "No further plans be
prepared until further instructions are given by
the Board."

was seconded by Mr. Hingham, and
carried unanimously.
. .

The next subject -discussed was the propriety of
advertising for tenders for the erection of Board
schools, and it was finally resolved on the motion
of Major Walker, seconded by Mr. Billingh.Lui,
"That the form of contract exhibited by the
General Purposes Committee to the Board on the
27th July last, be adopted by the Board."
This was carried unanimously.
The Chairman moved that the Clerk be instruc-
ted to " insert the advertisements in the papers
mentioned in the resolution of the Board on the
29th of June last::

This was seconded by Mr. Stringer, anti carried
unanimously.
There was no other business.

GRAND CONCERT BY THE STOIIRBRIDGE

CHORAL SOCIETY.

The above Society gave a grand concert in the
Corn Exchange, on Monday evening last, before a
large and highly respectable audience. The band
and chorus consisted of about eighty performers,
there being amongst the instrumentalists such well
known musicians as Messrs, Mathews, King, Griffin
&c.

The first:portion of the programme was occupied
by Mendelssohn's "Hymn of Praise ; " the princi-
pal solos being entrusted to MisA Bourne, Miss
James, Miss Davis, and to Messrs. Davis, Turney,
l'agett and Masten. . _ .