The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-09-18 00:00:00

STOURBRIDGE SCHOOL BOARD.

The first meeting of the newly constituted
Board was held in the Commissioners Room, in the
Corn Exchange, on Thursday evening last.
need not recapitulate the event which led to the
sudden collapse of the former Board, as they are
fresh in the recollection of our readers, but as
there appears to be some misapprehension as to
the duration of the term of office of the present
Board, we will quote a portion of section 63 of the
Act bearing upon the subject. It is as follows
"The members appointed by the Education De-
partment, and when that Department consider
that such default has been remedied, and every-
thing necessary for that purpose has been carried
into effect, they may order that members be elec-
ted for the School Board in the same manner as in
the case of the first formation of the School Board
The members present on the occasion ‘‘ ere Major
Walker, Mr. Billingh'am, Mr. Wall, and Mr.
Stringer. We understand that Mr. MeEwen was
in Scotland, and was therefore unable to attend.
The Clerk (Mr. Perry) read :corer the formal
order of the Education Departruent, constituting
the Board.
th,

The Clerk said the first buginoti would be under
provisions of the Education Act, to appoint a
Chairman for the Board, and also to appoint
some other member to be Vice-Chairman during
the time they would holdoffice. Re had received,
a letter from Mr. MeEwen, who was from home
and stating thht he did not know when he should
return.

It was then moved by Mr. Stringer, and carried
unanimously that Mr. Perry take the chair pro
tent.•
Mr. Perry then called upon the Board to proceed
to propose some one of their muuber to:be chairman
of the Board.
Mr. Billingham said he thought they should
only be in order if they elected a:chairman from
amongst those present. It was Of 'verY great im-
portance that their chairman should at once take
his seat and preside over them. 'And in the ab-
sence of any communication from 1)Ir. McEwen he
felt very great pleasure in proposing that Major
Walker be their chairman. If he had to give ex-
pression to his feeling as to the qualifications of
Mr. McEwen or Major Walker for the office, he
could not give preference for either; but as Major
Walker was present he had very great pleasure in
proposing him as their chairman.
Mr. Wall seconded this, and it was supported by
Mr. :Stringer, who said that when Mr. McEwen did
attend he did his duties admirably, and during his
absence Major Walker had been a very competent
substitute. He was very glad that they were so
unanimous in this matter.

The proposition was then put, and carried unani-
mously.
Major Walker thanked them for the honour they
had conferred upon him by oppointing him chairman
of that Board. He took it as a great honour to pre-
side over them. If he could have had his own way
he should have had nothing more to do with School
Boards, and he would have preferred sitting at home
to coming there when it was very inconvenient for
him to attend, as it was that evening. But as`t4e
Education Department had appointed him he woad.
not shrinklfrom the responsibility, and would endea-
vour to do his duty in such a manner as to give sat-
isfaction—(applause). .
The next business was the appointment of
.a Vice-
chairman, and
Mr. Stringer proposed that Mr. Billingham take
the vice-chair. He had devoted a great deal of time
to the interests of the town, and he was disposed to
do so still. He believed he was coming to live
amongst them, and he was quite sure that in the ab-
sence of the chairman he would conduct the pro-
ceedings admirably.
Mr. Wall seconded this. He quite endorsed what
Mr. Stringer had said, and thoroughly concurred in
the appointment of Mr. Billingham as vice-chairman,
as that gentleman having plenty of time on his
hands would be able to attend and till the chairman's
place, at any time that the latter was compelled to be
absent. He should have liked to have seen Mr.
McEwen, either as chairman or vice-chairman, but
he did not think that gentleman had the same am-
ount of time at his disposal.
Mr. Billiugham begged to thank them for the
honour they did him in appointing him vice-chairman of
that Board; and the sentiments that Mr. Stringer
had expressed of him he would endeavour to the
best of his ability to make himself worthy of. He
should be some twelve miles away, but that would
not prevent him being in his place at the meetings
of that Board. Speaking of Mr. McEwen he said
that when he was chairman there was a great am-
ount of amicable feeling between him and the vice-
chairman (Major Walker)—each paying the other
the utmost respect—and he believed that • feeling
would be transmitted to the present chairman and
himself. He was sure they were meeting the wishes
of Mr. McEwen in taking the steps they had done,
for he knew he would frequently have to be absent,
and he (Mr. Billing,ham) thought a chairman should
be present at the meetings as often as possible. He-
Was sure Major Walker would not, , allow any little
thing to prevent him from being present—(hear, hear,
and applause). _ _ _

The- -Clerk then read the minutes of the previous
meeting, and on the proposition of Mr. Wall, sec-
onded by Mr. Stringer, they were Adopted.
The agenda was then brought under sonsideration.
Mr. Billingham moved that. motions on the agenda
3,5, and 6, be referred to a -cOmmittee of the whole
Board, and that the latter report thereon at the next
meeting of the Board.
•
This was seconded by Mr. Stringer; and carried
unanimously. _

The next-motion was one which had been proposed
by Mr. Wall, to the effect that Mr. 'Perry's salary of
£3O a-year, as clerk to that Board, should not include
any professional work he might have to perform be-
sides those appertaining to the ordinary routine of
the office.
Major Walker said he quite concurred with the re-
solution, and on putting it to the • Meeting its adop-
tion was carried unanimously.
It was decided that the future meetings of the
Board should be held on the third Monday in every
month, at three o'clock in the afternoon.

This terminated the proceedings of the most quiet
and unanimous School Board meeting ever held in
this town.

ASSAULT CASE.—At the Police Court, yesterday,
before Colonel Fletcher, Messrs. R. L. Freer, and J.
B. Cochrane, Maria Kendrick was charged by Rhoda
Berry, with assaulting her on the 12th inst. Mr.
Wall appeared for the complainant, who resides in
Bowling Green Lane, and said they were neighbours.
On Sunday morning they found three of the defend_.
ant's fowls on the garden. They han some words,
when tne defendant threw some dirt at her and after-
wards struck her twice on the face. Henry Berry,
husband of last witness, gave cosroborative evidence.
Defendant denied that'she struck complainant.. They
had some words together when complainant said she
was not surprised at husbands hanging themselves.
Her first husband hung himself, and when complain-
ant told her of it she was enraged and attempted to
strike her. In consideration of the provocation de-
fendant had received, the Bench ordered her to pay
costs.

DRUNKENNESS.—WiIIiam White was charged with
being drunk at Belbroughtou, on the 10th it. The
ease was proved and defendant was lined is and
costs.--John Scott was charged with being drunk
and incapable, on the 13th just, at Stourbridge.
Police-constable Philpot proved the case. Fined is
and costs:
WOMEN'S QUARRELS.—EIiza Garlick was charged
! with assaulting Eliza Marcall, on the 13th inst. Mr.
Perry appeared for complainant. It appears that
! the parties live next door to each other. On the
above date complainant shut the entry door and de-
fendant opened it. They had some words about
it, when defendant caught hold of her by the hair
of her head, threw her down, and struck her seve-
ral times while down. Defendant denied that she
strnck the complainant, but said that the com-
plainant struck her and her husband had threat-
ened her life, and she was afraid. Defendant was
ordered to find one surety in £5 to keep the peace
for 12 months.
ASSAULT CASE.—Sarah Fox, of lielbroughton,
was charged with assaulting Clara Banner on the
10th inst. The evidence went to show that the
children were quarrelling, when the defendant
came up, struck her on the face, and blacked both
her eyes. She afterwards pinched the flesh from
her arm. Sarah Ledbury and other witnesses gave
corroborative evidence. Defendant denied the
assault, and the Bench ordered the defendant to
pay cost 3 us.
GAMING ON THE Hronwax.—Albert Wakeman
and William Darwood were charged with gaming'
0:1 the highway, at Wollaston, on the 12th inst.
Police-constable Smith proved the case, and a
previous ease against Darwood. Both defendants
pleaded guilty. Darwood was fined 5s and costs
and Wakeman 2s 641 and costs. . •