The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-10-22 00:00:00

SCHOOL OF ART.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE &nese einens.—T h e
annual meeting of the subs:ribers was held at the
above school on Tuesday last, the Rev. D. Magin-
uis minutes of the last annual
meeting were read and confirmed.—The Chairman
said he had great pleasure to inform them that
within the last day or too he had received a
cheque, sent to him by Mr. Charles Swindell—their
former generous friend—for £5O, towards the sink-
ing fund that they had created for the purpose of
liquidating the debt upon the premises.—lt was
proposed by the Rev. J. S. Boldero and seconded
by Mr. T. F. Bland, that the best thanks be given
to Mr. Swindell for his generous contribution to
the sinking fund.—Mr. Maginnis said he believed
it was the fourth like amount which he (Mr.
Swindell) had passed through his hands for the
same purpose.—The report of the Committee
showed that the number of pupils during the year,
wholliad attended the school in the night class
was 105, including 30 from the Oldswinford Hos-
pital, and 30 at the morning class Besides these
there were 247 pupils of St. James' School IVollas
ton and the Wollaston Road Schools who had re-
ceived instructions from the teachers. In May
last, 59 pupils attended the examination and sent
in 81 works on second grade drawing, of which 20
were model, 45 freehand, 11 geometry, and 6 in
perspective, and those had been adjudicated upon
by the Science and Art Department. Three ot
these works were marked in the results "excellent"
and obtained prizes; twelve as "passed," and
sixty-six as had failed to pass. In addition to
these three pupils gained third grade prizes for
work sent to the Department. The Committee,
whilst they had the satisfaction of observing that
a large number of pupils attended the examination,
regretted that the percentage of failures was larger
than at last year's examination. As to the fiean-
cial position of the school the income for the pest
year, after deducting arrears of subscriptions due
in previous years and including arrears since the
ac.:ouut was closed, was 8s 10d less than in the
previous year. The decrease arose chiefly in the
items of pupils fees and Government Grant, whilst
the expenditure, not including £lO paid last year
to the sinking fund, was £9 103 91-c1 more than on
the previous year. The chief increase arose from
the necessary outlay on repairs and paininc of the
buildelg. The Conaniiitee had not during th.,
num.:jai year comprised in the accounts, made any
addition to the sinking fund, but since its expira-
tion had added to it the sum of £2l is 6d, thereby
increasing it to £2OO. They had nothing new to
say relative to the mortgage debt, but still desired
to see some effort made for its discharge—The
Treasurer's statement of accounts showed that the
subscriptions during the year had amounted to £39
16s 6d. The balance in hand last year was £lO9
6s 9d. The receipts had been £324 28 81d, includs
lag school fees £9l 13s 41-cl, the subscriptions, and
£5B 5s 61 Government Grant. The expenditure
showed that 4..;63 2s 24d as two-thirds of the fees
had been paid to the master; interest on £650, less
tax and gas, £3 h:',43 0.1 ; master's share Of Govern-
ment Grant £43 58 6d ; and that the balance in
had was £lO4 2s sd.—On the motion of the Chair-
man, seconded by Mr. ei . Freer, the reports were
adopted.—ln reply to a question, Mr. Perry said
the debt on the school was £610., and including Mr.
Swindell's donation the Sinking Fund now
amounted to £2so.—Tbe Earl of Dudley was re-
elected President The Committee were als ) re-
elected, with the additions of Mr. Watson Smith
and the Rev. A W. Worthington--Mr. Boldero
proposed "that the best thinks be griven to Mr.
Maginnis (chairman of the Committee), Mr,
Thomas (treasurer), and Mr. Perry (hon sec.) for
their services during the past year, and that they
be requested to continue their :services."—Mr.
Worthington seconded the resolution, which was
unanimously carried.—Mr. Maginnis stated that
the master was going to resign from the school.
That was reported at a committee meeting and the
resignation was accepted. A small sub-committee
was appointed to adopt certain steps with a view to
put themselves in communication with a suitable
succ,ssor to Mr. Bowen That committee was
carrying out the instructions then given them, and
had been in communication with a gentleman at
Birmingham, referred to by Mr. J. A. Chamber
lain. They trusted that in due time they would be
able to elect Mr. Bowen's successor.—Mr. Itlaginnis
said they were owners of a three-leeged horse, as
the whole of that building did not belong to them.
It appeared that when the promoters purchased
the premises they wished to raise them higher than
they were when purchased and a per ion of the
wall was built on property not belonging to the
vendors. It became an important and serious con-
consideration to the improving of the school, as the
Department would grant no aid to any school if tee
whole of the premises did not belong to the school.
He had a communication with the owner of the
adjoining ground and portion of the wall, but was
unsuccessful in his attempts to come to any
srrangement. Since then the property had changed
hands and was now in the possession of Mr. Blun-
sees. The Committee made a fresh attempt to ob-
tain that portion of the wall that was not theirs
and they had been in comtnuiecation with Mr.
Blunsom, and he was glad to say they had been
able to arrange terms which would be very satis-
factory. An agreement had been drafted up and
was ready for signature, and he trusted that before
many days they would be the owners of the fourth
leg of the horse.—The proceedings then ended.