The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-01-17 00:00:00

STOURBRIDGE SCHOOL BOARD.

The adjourned meeting of this Board was
held at the Commissioners' Room iu the Corn
Exchange, on Monday morning last. There
were present: Messrs. Scott, Prescott,,McEwen,
M.:lngham, Stringer, and Wall , the latter of
whom did net arrive until some time after the
meeting had commenced. Out readers will re.
collect that the last monthly meeting was ad-
journed to select and authorise the purchase of
the site of the new Board School which if is
intended to erect, and to adopt a code of regu-
lations for the purpose of facilitating the con-
duct of the business by the Beard.
. .

Before the commencement of business,
.111 r. McEwen stated that he had some very
huportaut basilicas to transact, which Would
probably compel him to leave before the termi-
nation of the untetin”, lie, therefore, thought
it would be itiviaable'for them to elect a chair.
man in his place.

- -
It was proposed by Mr. Dillingham " That
Mr. Scott tako tha chair."
This was second.,l and carried.
Mr. Preeott, asked whether a chairman could
lie appointed while the chairman who has hei.:n
eicced for Lax ye:aS i rte.:sent.
Soule discussion ensuod, and. eventually, Mr.
MeEwen consented to take the chair for the
tinio th,t he was aide to pri.sent.

Ike Chairman then ettled upon the Clerk to
read the zoinutus of the last meeting.
The Clerk then read the minutes.
Mr. Scott said the report of the General
Porposes Committee was part and parcel of
these minutes. He was surprised the Clerk had
not included it in the mi:lutes.

Mr. Perry again read that portion of the
taiiinteA referring to the report of the Genotal
Purposes tiloinittee.

r. Strhger then moved that the minutes be

co liVflA('l

M.r. Scott uskel if it IV:14 not thought suitable
that the report of the General Purposes Com-
mittee should be included in these iminutes.
Ile rcterred to what Mr. Prescott had said at the
! ' r• i_aa..ace. to Lis making a copy
: 1, • ,;• 7 , :;• rieral Purposes Commit-
t, • . i•s • . min reply to Mr. Prescott

NO Ii e ;lia nt think that
; • oatter 're was re•poniible
but ratht r to the
Gemtr t• C romittee. He was askri
tbm, • to write out a copy Of a pri-
,,,te r. t. .) lii so where they were.
The itself decided to make some ad-
ditions to it, nt rogne,tett him to write it out
tir;y, mat inc rl,-rate those questions in it ;
e row a;.p•Nalcd ta Mr. Billingh;ou and Mr.
at to ai,ly wir:ther that report was the

r. PR,!Ott the observations were mi-
ner, esary. Mr. ScAt was a Justice of the
Peace, and oaglit to know the law. Ile ought to
know th 4 every ratepayer was aide to go to the
etc rk and ask for a copy of the report. He con-
s, i 1 it i or iver thhot th,st after the
it r, nd Mr. ti..! itt
/ii U•'l. f 81,

•1•••ItCil

*cr,:csAio:t ot toe 6erk.

Ito thonaot thf y oaaht to
A a ;it the ex; halation that had been

Z." ` r

Mr. Billingham said he merely wished to
confirm what Mr. Scott had !stated, that the
paper which Mr. Scott had drawn up for the
hoard was merely a copy of the report that had
been past by the committee.
Mr. Scott said he only wished to show that
what he had done was with the authority of the
General Purposes Committee.
Mr Prescott said the Committee had no power
to authorise hiin to do anything of the sort.

Mr= Scott said he acted under the desire of
the committee, and he thought that was a suf-
I ficient justification.
The subject then dropped.
Mr. Scott said, passing to another point, he
must say that be did not feel altogether satis-
fied with the omission of"that report from those
minutes. ' He took it for granted that it was not
entered verbatim. He thought it would disap-
point Air. Prescott. He thought it was injuri-
ous to the transaetion of business that it should
no be there. He moved that the clerk should
, copy it as an annexed portion oi the minntes.
Mr. Perry said he was not aware that it was
the practice of any public bodies to enter the
reports verbatim. There was a minute of that
report. In doing that he had only acted in ac•
oordauce with the usual practice. He was, how.
ever, in the hands of the Board, aud would do
whatever they wished.
TLa minutes were then confirmed.
The first motion on the agenda, which was a
recommendation of the General Purposes Coin.
ruittee with reference to the purchase of a site
for the erection of the proposed new Board
school, came on for discussion.
Mr. Scott thought it was perhaps better at
OM!? to state that he was about to withdraw his
motion._ _ _

Mr. Prescott said he rose to order. They
wore to consider the question ou the agenda.
Mr. Scott replied that he was speakina of the
report of the General Purposes Couunittee on
the cosi. of schools.

Mr. M. 7 Ewen : Which motion do you refer to,
Mn Sena ?
Mr. Scott: No. 4.

Mr. McEwen asked if it wau not better to
wait a bit.

Mr. Scott still pressing the point,

. ,
The Chairman said he did not 'see how they
could authorise the purchase of a site when
no_site was in
.question..

Mr. Prescott said that was what he thought.
Mr. Scott explained that ho rose for the ex-
press purpose of moving that they pass to the
second portion of the agenda He intended to
withdraw his motion that day as it was inateri-
ally imperfect. He propos4d that they go into
the question of the drafts of rules and ro,°ula-
tions. Ho moved that they at once passed to
agenda No. 2. _

-This was generally acceded to. A copy of the
draft was then handed round for inspection, and
some alterations in them having been noticed,
The Clerk remarked that the alterations in
red ink were Mr. Prescott's. This Mr. Pres-
cott admitted was the case.

The Chairman thought they had better take
them in their original state.

Mr. Scott suggested that as they had all of
them read the draft through at their leisnre,
they should now take the different rules one by
one. If the chairman would allow him to make
a beginning, he would move that Rule No. I be
adopted.
Mr. Billingham said he thought they had
better be read through, and the Board adopt
them with a resolution.

Mr. Prescott : I shall vote against every one,
I tell you, before they are read.

THE BYE-LAWS.

The Clerk then read rule 1, having reference
to the day of meeting for the Board, which
stated that the Board should meet, once a
month.

Mr. Prescott asked whether, having elready
fixed a day for their meeting, it was necessary
to adopt that rule..

Tho Chairman told him that a day was not
axed upon.
Mr. Scott moved as an amendment that they
meet once a fortnight.
Mr. BiHingham said they might meet as often
as they pleased ; but if they met once is month
they could adjourn it over a fortnight.
Mr. Scott acquiesced in this.
The Chairman: You agree to meet on the last
Monday in the month, at six o'cloekin the even-
ing ?
This having been generally assented to, the
Chairman put the resolution, and it was carried,
Mr. Prescott being the only one that voted
against it.
Rule No. 2 was to the effect that members
having extraordinary propositions to make
should give four days notice of the same to the
Board.

Some discussion having ensued upon the
length of the notice proposed to be given, some
of those present thinking it would be desirable
to fix upoa a shorter notice,

Mr. Prescott said the Act of Parliament used
the words "at least," in defining the time.

The rule, as it stood, was then passed; Mr.
,Prescott voting against it and all following ones,
in accordance with what he had stated at their
introduction.

Nos. 3 and 4 were passed without comment.
as also was No. 5, which determined that at all
meetings of the Board three should form a
quorum. No. 6 provides that at any adjourned
meeting of the Board, no business shall be
brought forward but that for which the adjourn-
ment took place. Nos. 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 19, and
13, which were of the ordinary character, hay-
big reference to the conduct of business at the
Board, were also passed without any opposition,
'vs Mr. Prescott's vote against.
No. 14 referring to the order in which motions
should be discussed, was passed. Rule 16 bid
down that members should not speak more than
once on any subject.
Mr. Billingham said he had very great plea-
sure in proposing that that rule should be ad-
opted.
Mr. Stringer seconded it, and it, and it was
carried.

Mr. Scott asked if that rule would necessarily
put a stop to all desultory conversation.
Mr. Stringer said it was only intended to limit
a member to one speech on each subject. The
ordinary convers thou could go on as usual, with
the concurrence of the chairman.

Rules 17, 18, and 19 wore paased, the latter
enacting, that " All questions of ordor shall be
absolutely doeided by the Chairman."
Rule 20 was next read, and it stated that at
ova mittees of four three should form a quorum,
and at committees of three two should bo a
quorum. .

Mr. Scott asked what was meant by the term
"standing committees."

'l' he Chairman said standing committeeslasted
Ix a year.
Mr. Scott asked if it wou:d not he better to
state that " standing committees " meant com-
mittees whieh woaremain in office for a year.
Mr. Prescott asked if the eineinittecs already
appointel, were appointed for a year or for all
time. •

- .
Mr. BlHingham said they were appointed to
serve daring the pleasure of the Board.
Mr. Scott said it was an ambiguous phrase.
Mr. Hingham took it to mean "daring the
pleasnre of the Board," because the Board could
dissolve theru at once.

The Chairman said they would return to the
original resolution regarding standing com-
mittees.

The Clerk again read the resolution.

Mr. Scott moved the additim of tho words,
" during the pleasure of the Board," to the
rule. He thought it desirable to define that
standing committees were to act during the
pleasure of the Board.
Mr. Perry: Standing or other committees
Mr. Scott : I mean that the words " or other"
he omitted, and "during the pleasure of the
Board be added after "standing committees."
In answer to the Chairman,
Mr. Scott said he moved it as an amendment
to the resolution.

Mr. Billingham said it struck him that the
fact that standing committees were appointed
by the Board, would enable the Board to dis-
solve them at once.

Mr. Scott: My resolution defines it in that
sense.

Mr. Scott's amendment was then put and
carried. It was afkrwards added to the role.

Mr. Stringer moved that the rule, as amended,
he alopted. This was seconded by Mr. Billing-
hint and carried.

The remainder of the rnles, making a total of
30, with the exception of the last, were adopted
as read. This (the 80th) role referred to the
eleetimi of officers, and recommended that it
iMonid be done by ballot.
T. Chairman as doubtful where they could
make use of the ballot on euch o:caiiaws. He

believed there was a clause in the Act which
stated that the ballot should not be used.
The Clerk, on referring to the Act, said it
stated that the names of those who had voted
would have to be r,corded.
The Chairman said he was afraid that the
clause referred to would destroy the effects of
voting by ballot—the names of members having
to be recorded. They could not vote by ballot
if the names were to be recorded.

The Clerk suggested that the words "to be
taken by ballot," be left out.
It was then moved by the Chairman that the
words "taken by ballot" be omitted, and that
go altered the rule be adopted.
This was seconded and carried.
Mr. Scott moved that 60 copies of the rules
now adopted be printed at Mr. Broomhall's
printing office.
This was seconded by Mr. Stringer, and
carried.
The Chairman said the next business was to
inspect sites.
Mr. Scott begged to move that a committee of
the whole Board he called for Saturday next, to
meet at the clerk's offices, for the inspection of
es 5.

lathe course of a desultory conversation it
transpired that the afternoon was the 1113Eit con-
venient time for the majority of the members,
Mr. Scott amended his proposition by moving
"That a committee of the whole Board meet at
the clerk;s office for the inspection of sites, at
three ()lock in the afternoon."

Mr. Prescott: Mr. Chairman, I rise to order,
air. No notice of it has been given, and it can.
not be adopted.

The ClMirman said they had standing -com-
mittees. It would be better to put it " that this
meeting adjourn till that day.
Mr. Prescott said the question had been en-
tered upon, and no member had the right to
withdraw it.

Mr. Scott at once moved that they adjourn
that meeting till this day (Saturday), for the
purpose above stated.
Mr. Prescott asked if they intended to do any
other business besides inspecting sites, at the
adjourned meeting.
Mr. Scott then finally moved, " That the
Board, at its rising, adjourn to the Clerk's office
Gil Saturday afternoon, at three o'clock, for the
inspection of sites, and other business."
This was seconded by Me. Stringer, and car-
ried.
The Chairman said the next business was a
motion of Mr. Scott's.
The motion was one of which notice had been
given by Mr. Scott, to the effect that it Was de-
sirable to build a school to accommodate 400
children, with babies' room, board room, lava-
tories, &e.
In reference to it now, Mr. Scott said he
begged to state there was a slight error in the
wording of the motion. He would now waive
his right to make that motion.
Mr. Prescott: That ean't be done. You have
no right to waive it. It is for the Board to
waive it.

Mr. Scott: Well, I decline.to move it.

The Clerk read the portion of the Act bear-
ing upon the point, which said that a question
which was not again brought before the Board
by the person who had given notice of it should
lapse.
Mr. Scott then said,in accordanccc with that,
he should allow the motion to lapse.
The Clerk then read a number of accounts,
which were referred to the Finance Committee.
In answer to the Chairman, the Clerk said he
had received some communications from the
Education Department, one of which was a letter
from Mr. Prescott complaining of him (Mr.
Perry). They were as follow :

Education Department,
Wintehall, London,
Stourbridge, Bth Jan., 1874.
E.A.E , Worcester,

am directed to forward you the enclosed copy
of a letter from Mr. Prescott, for the consideration of
your Board. My lords at present deciine to interfere
in the matter.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
I'. CUUIN.
. - . .

To the Clerk of the School Board, - " •
tourbridgo.
The following letter from Mr. Prescott was
enclosed :
• [Cop!.]

Stottrbridge, December 31st, 1873,

B'll,-1 beg to call your attention to the fact that the
Clerk to this Board has hitherto taken upon himself the
right to dictate and state, in his letter or nonce sent to
each member, what should be done at the monthly
or ordinary meeting, of this Board, and, in order that
you may see the nature of this document, I enclose you
the one I received on the 24th inst. I protested against
valch a proceeding at the meeting of the 29th mat, and
uad done so several times before. I feel it my duty to
inform you that live members of the Board are clients of
the Clerk, and therefore whatever he does, right or
wrung, they sanction. Will you kindly give me replies
to the following questions before the 10th of next
month?

(1..) le it any part of the duty of the Clerk to fill up
the agenda paper without the authority of any member
of the Board?

) Is It not the Clerk's duty to enter the minutes
and observations at once in the minute book, and not
make them on plain payer, and thou at his convenience,
enkr and make such alterations la them as he may
think proper, and get the same confirmed at the next
meeting.
. . . .

(3.) -Is it not the duty ef the Clerk to produce the
treasurer's hook or each book at every meeting of the
beard?

(4.) Before the Board decides to purchase any land
fur the purpo,(os of a school, is it not bound to subinit
the situation of the aite, the cost thereof, to your appro-
val, in order that the ratepayers may appeal to 3ou
against purchasing the seine.
I aio, Sir, your obedient Servant,
(S,gned), U. W. PREBCOTT.
To the Secretary.
Mr. Prescott said that in answer to this, as
mr as the treasurer was concerned the rule of
the Local Government Board as to the product
LIOLI of the treasurer's hook every month had
not been observed. The book had not been
produced once during the seven months the
Board had been established.

Mr. Scott moved that these communications
he placed amongst the papers of the Board.
This was carried, aud the proceedings term!.
uated.