Notes

The Newtown and Welshpool Express Tuesday March 24th 1874 Page 5

Trefeglwys

Meeting of the School Board

A special meeting of the Board was held on the 19th inst. Present: N Bennett Esq, chairman; M. H. Davies Esq; Mr David Vaughan; Mr Thos Ashton. The Chairman in the opening the proceedings explained that the cause of convening the meeting was for the purpose of winding up their accounts, before going out of office; and addressing the other members, said - Gentlemen, this meeting, you are aware, will terminate our services for the three years, we are elected members of this Board. Or reappointment goes far to say that what we have done has given generosity to our parishoners. I am sorry to learn that Mr Savage is unable to continue to be a member of our Board. I shall sincerely say that I shall very much feel his loss. I believe that we all felt when first appointed that we had an onerous duty to perform; and by looking back and reviewing our three years work we can congratulate each other that much has been done and done well, the Board having met for the dispatch of business not less than 43 times; and it is gratifying to observe that all resolutions that are passed in our term of office have been unanimously carried out, without at all dinding the the Board. I believe that all present will agree with me that great praise is due for Mr W. Jones for the able manned in which he discharged the duties devolving upon him as clerk to our Board; the great mass of correspondence which has been carried on in transacting our business must have severely taxed his energies, and yet the work of our Board was ahead of all our neighbours. We opened the first new Board school in Wales I believe. This shows that we did not cowardly lurk to watch the progress of other Boards, and afterwards try to do what they did. No, we moved on in the path of duty with rapid strides, until we accomplished the work set out for us by the Elementary Education Act. We have provided school accomodation for all the children of school age - or in other words, we have made good the deficiency that existed; but we cannot afford to rest here. Certainly, we have erected the machinery and set it in motion, and have the gratification to see that it works admirably well, but we must still exercise diligance and care to keep it in working order. That, I am confident that we can accomplish by continuation of that mutual co-operation which has hitherto existed and the further assistance which we expect to have from the new member. Although we all regret the loss of Mr Savage's services, I think a better selection could not have been made, Mr Davies being a man of sterling worth, a man that will not flinch from his post in time of need; and as there was the necessity of having new blood infused into the Board; it must be gratifying to behold that it is healthy blood. There is one thing of vital importance which I cannot well pass unnoticed i.e. the expense of putting up this machinery. The next thing that will command our attention will be the expense of working it. Although, in the one sense we are the guardians of Education in the parish, we must not overide our hobby and forget the ratepayers, as you are aware we have been obliged to borrow ?1,563 for building purposes, the repayment to be spread over 50 years which will annually cost the ratepayers of this parish 2 3/4d in the pound during that period. Unfortunately the parish is extensive in area, and the ratable value not high in proportion. It is also naturally divided into three centres of population which compelled us to provide three schools. Had we been able to do with two, it would have been very different, not only in the building but in the working also; and I think the time is not far distant when we must seriously take into consideration the interests of the ratepayers as regards to the working of these schools, and as far as practicable, to combine utility with economy. In concluding I wish most sincerly to thank all for the cordail feeling that has hitherto existed, and the valuable services you have rendered, and I am also quite confident of a continuation of the same. (Hear, hear).

Mr THOMAS ASHTON: on behalf of myself, and brother members I beg to return thannks for the very complimentary manner in which our worthy Chairman has addressed us, and rather feat that we have had more than our due. But I think we shall be wanting in courtesy if we pass over in silence the duties performed by our Treasurer. The able manner in which Mr Davies has done his work must be viewed with general satisfaction. It must take up considerable time and care to collect the school fees from the teachers, and to forward them to his banker, and to keep the books correct respecting these and other monies. When we consider that this is done without any remuneration, the least we can do is to sincerely thank him, and at the same time to solicit the continuance of his services under the new Board; but properly speaking, this belongs more to the work of the next meeting. I can fully endorse all that our worthy Chairman has said, and beg to return my sincerest thanksfor the able and impartial manner he has conducted his business of the Board for the last 3 years. He has punctually attended nearly every meeting, never forsaking the helm in time of need; the result is that our ship is safely moored in the harbour in good condition, and ready for another voyage.

Mr W. JONES: My Chairman and gentlemen, I beg to return my sincerest thanks for the very flattering expressions used in reference to my humble and imperfect services as your Clerk. It appears that you are much better pleased with my work than I am myself. I wish I had been able to do my work better, and in that case there would have been no further praise due to me than that of doing my duty. The deep interest taken and the active part displayed by you, has rendered my work comparatively light and easy to what it might have otherwise been.

Cheques were drawn upon the treasurer to pay all outstanding liabilities, there leaving the road clear for the new Board. -The new Board will meet for the first time on the 2nd April.