The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-12-24 00:00:00

HALESOWEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

The annual distribution of prizes to the scholars
attending the above 3-rammer School was made on
Tueeday af emoon by Lord Lyttleton, in the pre-
sence of a numerous assemblage of ladies and
gentlemen, among whom were the Rev, 0. U.
Oldfield, Messrs. E. Gem, J. P. Hunt, G. Bloomer,
B. Trewolla, Booth. Nutt, Southall, Wilson, Good-
man, Dr. Ker, Mr. W. F. Mathews, M.A. (head.
master), &c.—The Examiner (Mr. Frederick Smith)
submitted his report on the examination of the
boys. It slaotved that the first class scholars had
made great pruerets in their various..studies during
the year. 'P.,. .oholara of tho cooond class had nut
xhibited se great an amount of intelligence with
regerd to the subjects placed before them, and in
the third class the scholars had made good progress
which could be increased by the appointment of an
assistaat n aster. Taken upon the whole th re-
port was of a very satisfactory character.—Lord
Lyttelt rn, who was very warmly received, ex-
pressed the the pleasure it afforded him to distribute
the prizes to the successful scholars, observing that
as a bailiff of the school he coasi,lered it to be his
duty to do so. Before, however, he performed Ifs
task he thought it only right to refer to
.the loss
which the school and the town had sustained by
the death of the Venerable Archdeacon Hone, the
late rector of Halesowcn, anl who took so great an
interest i au l of the educetional itietitutions of
Hal( sowen an the district, and especially in that
Grammar School. There were two features in the
late Archdeacon's life which were worthy of
example, viz., his great unselfishness, and his
ardent love for his high calling, He (Lord
littelton) believed that one of the best acts he
himself ever committed was ,hat of appointing the
Hon. Mr. Pelbam as the Archdeacon's succes,or.
He had known the rev, gentleman for a number of
years, during which period he had fon=d him to be
one of the m st hard working clergymen it had
ever been his lot to come in contact with, and he
believed, therefore, that the appointment of such a
man to be rector rf Halesowen would give general
sa isfaction. Speaking of the Grammar School,
his Lordship said it was no use concealing the fact
that it was not what it formerly was, inasmuch as
there were only 19 scholars last year, as compared
with GO some time ago. The falling off was doubt-
has attributable to a variety of causes, and he had
reason tcs believe that the Commissioners would
make au inquiry into the matter, and, no doubt
tley would considerably alter the constitution of
the school, which alteration, he trusted, would be
for the benefit of the people of Halesowen. The
Commissioners probably would visit the school
next spring, or in the summer, and he tmsted the
people of the town would render theen every as-
sistance in making the school one of the best and
most efficient of grammar schools in the district
After enforcing upon the parents present the
necessity of giving their children a good education
his Lordship distributed the prizes, wh!eh were 23
in number. the Lyttleton priza be ne %%mired by
Master F. Hayes.—The Rev, C. H. Oldfield moied
a vote of 01=4 to Lord Lyaleton for kis servioo