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FORMAL OPENING: PRACTICALLY…
FORMAL OPENING: PRACTICALLY NEW BUILDINGS. ADDRESS BY THE BISHOP OF ST. DAVID'S. SCHOOLS CONTROVERSY RECALLED. Tuesday was a red Letter day in the his- tory of the Swansea Church. SchooL a history thai is a long and hor*ourable one, dating back far before the Education Act of 1370, when for the iirst time the State saw tho necessity of supplementing too magnificent work of educating tae cmldren thai the Church and a few other semi-pri- vate agencies had up till then undertaken. The Oxford-street Schools themselves date back o-ver sixty years, and daring this i.ong period a. great work for education in out I midst has been done. By the energetic efforts pui forth during the past few years to save the schools, Swansea Cnarch people are continuing this noble work to-cay.^ and Tuesday saw in the formal opening ol the old National Schoois in Oxford-street—now rebuilt and made practically n&w schools the completion of a part of the scheme ren- < dered necessary by the demands ot the SIR J. T. D. LLKVVJiii-. 1 N, jbAR i. Who performed the opening ceremony. | Local Education Authority, and at the same time it is to be sincerely hoped the begin- ning of the end of the painful controversy that hag characterised almost the whole of the negotiations between the managers and the Local Education Authority as to the strict interpretation of the Education Act of 1902, which provided for State control of all public elementary schools. Reference is made elsewhere to the untair attitude taken up in the matter by the Local Educa- tion Authority, and it is only necessary to sav here that the large attendance at 1 uas- dav's ceremony was a vindication in itself of the spirited protest the managers made throughout against the mi j ust differentiation attempted to be made between the Council and the non-Council Schools. The opening ceremony, which'took place at the schools, was favoured by fine weather. Lord Caw- dor was to have performed the interesting function, but, as announced on Monday, a. cold prevented his lordship's attendance, and ta y r nt. and this naturally cata?ed disappointment. Sir John T. D. Llewelyn, Bart., a very great friend ox the Church in Wales, stepped into the breach to perforin the ceremony, and he ■was supoorted bv the Lord Bishop of St. Divid's.* LORD BISHOP OF ST. DAVID'S, Who presided at the ceremony. His lordship was aoconuranied by Mrs. Owen, and the gathering of iadaes aad gou- tiemen, who filled the fine central hall, in- deed the Vicar, Mxs. Talbot RK-e -md the Misses Eice. Mr. and Mr^ A. F. Mei^Dr. and Mrs. Lbenezer Davies, Mrs. Radcuffe, Mrs. Picton Turbefrvill, Mr. 1Jos^J1) xlat11' J.P. Air. and Mrs. J. W. Lad^waUadr, Ma*, F. H Glynn Price, Rev. Dd. and Mrs. Leigh (West Cross), Mr. E. O Manger, Mr. and Mrs. F. l. Wood, Mir. H. N- "Vfiere Mr. P. G. IfeP, Graham, Vivian, Rev. H. J. Gibbs Rev. D. Little- pun-s, Mr. G. G Chalk Mr. Hugh Bellmg- WT Mr. and Mjs. E. Serie, Rev and Mrs. Haroid S. Williams, Mr. J. Evan Jenkins (headmaster), Alias Gra^t (^ad* mistress .girls' school), ALss MoiTia imsfcress infants), Re* J- G- Wm. EvaTIS, Mr. H. W. Burrows (a.rclri.t.ect), C. Russell Peacoak (architect) Rev. J. FL WTatkins-Jones, Mies Davies aim Aliss Pdlv Davies, the Hon. and Mrs. Odo ivian, Rev" Wafckin Davies, Dr. and Mrs. ±1. A. Lataraesr, Mr- F. H. Giynn Price, Rev. T. L. Richard, Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Jon* "Mms Liircbav, Rev. W. Mor^n (Pontardu- lais), Rev. W. T. Wataon, Bev. E. D. Hemy, Capt. SheriocK, „dr. Sianfcy Cook, Mrs. J. R- Wright, Mr?. W. vVyight, Mrs. T. P. Richards, Mr- and Mrs- E. W. Jones, and many others. The Lord Bu-iiop presided. Proceedings "began with the h-vnm "0, GOO., omr heip in ageis past," and special prayers conducted by the Vicar. The Vicar read letters oi apology from Earl Cawdor, the Bishop of Swansea, Rev. D. Akriil Jones, Col. Wrig.it, Lady Lyons, Col Morgan, Messrs. Clias. Eden, W. S. De Vinton, Sir Griffith Thomas, D. T. Janes, G. Llewellyn, John GlasbrcoK, G- J. Brown, Mid Giendinning Aloxham. The Chairman expressed regret at Lord CawdoT's absence, and said they were ex- ceedingly grateful to their fnend, SÍT John Ueweiyn, who had done so much for Swail- eea in every way, and who 1:.a--l helped so generously with regard to those schools, for coming to take his lordship's place. ADDRESS BY SIR JOHN" LLZWEL.YN". Sir Jillm. Lieweiyrt, responding to the call of the chairman, was must ersthusiaetically reoeiwed. He claimed that he took a very deep interest in the welfare of the schoois and the principles they represented, bat he was going to leave the decalis to Mr. Eden, their most able correspondent. The tmau- ciai position showed that they had not by any means yet arrived at the full a.mount oi money necessary for the rebuilding of the schools- but they put their principle before their parse, and in those matters there were many others v«ho were determined that whatever ;unount of money was necessary for putting their schools into a. thorough up-to-date condition ehoald be pruvid-ad. (Hear, hear.) There were good reason* xiTv the schools should be re- bedft. In edccstiooal raatteoB it was de- siraijie, rigfct and proper, that the daktcen shcajid be educated in bright, airy, weii- wentalated rooms, whilst the sanitation of tbe schools shonkl be above reproach. He thougsbft that, had been done in the preserft oatse, and felt that, the whole of the build- ingp reflected a great deaJ of credit upon those who had watched the contraction of 1 then, aefcoois, agd. tOO had pre" t. pared the pluiks. However, he did not desire to speak so much upon the financia1 and legal difficulties that had confronted them as upon the principles which actuated them in their determination that they would see their schools brought up-txxLate what- ever it might cost. (Bear, hear.) l:'irst of all, they deciined to give up their ^National Schools. (Hear, hear.) And in that they were, he thought, acting on the same prin- ciples that the Catholics, the Jews, the Y\*exiieyims, aud otiierB, who believed in denommational education, hekl to be most sacred and most- dear. Tltey determined, and Chirrciiniern had determined, that re- ligious instpoction sihoedd be part and parcel of the education of the children of this country, and that instruc- tion should be imparted during school hours and by teachers in whom they believed. He had had some experience in those mat- ters. In some parte of Wales—he did not say it was general—the Bible was not read in the schcois at all, and so the children suspected there was something wrong with the one Book that wiis excluded. And they ought never to resst content until they saw that the teaching of the Bible and re- ligious teaching were in the scitools, because he was afraid of secular education. He had reason to be afraid of that. Not very long ago he read a report of the Chief or the Paris Police. who stated that in con- seauence of t>ecitlar education—or. as he worded it, "the resurt of secular education in Paris was that young criminals were growing up like weeds in the cracks in the pavement. And they had seen the apache olaes grow up in Paris. In Australia they were called 'ScallawagB," and in London they were known as nooiigans. Let them therefore see tha.t they did not !ay them- selves open to the risk of any such class as that springing uc in the good old town of Swansea. (Hear, hear.) Sir John proceeded to say that as Church managers they had not b&en fairly treated by tiie Swamsea Education Authority, but the" Y."eTe determined tc see fair play and see that their children were treated on the same level as the children in other parte of the country, and alist- to claim the same rights for others that. they claimed for themselves. As they had not been fairly treated was it too much to say that they had been penalis- ed for their religious convictions ? He hoped they would see in those schools that the man- agers had been thoroughly justified for the great work they had done. In conclusion he said he had very great pleasure, and he felt I the privilege very strongly, in declaring the schools open. (Loud applause.) SPEECH Br MR. A. F. ED EX. I Mr. A. F. Eden, who met with a very cor- dial reception, said As correspondent and one of the managers of the school, I have I been asked to make a short statement. I am not going to enter into any detailed history of the events of the past five years or more, from the 26th of September, 1904 (when the F.ch:cation Act of 19C2 came into force into Swansea), or to rake up any detaills of nest controversy between the managers of "the (hureh Schools and the Local Education Authority of this town but I desire to refer generally to the pos-ition which the managers have taken WJ. and on account of which the heavy expenditure (to which I vrill refer Ist-ar on) was incurred. The Education Act of 1902 placed the duty upon the L.E.A., "of maintaining and keeping efficient ail ele- mentary :<hoo!s within their area," and I jvlaeed Church Schools, as far as secular edu- <-atioJi was concerned, under the control of the L.E.A. It also placed the duty upon I im nagers of Church Schools of carrying out ieasooa.bl/e requirements of the L.E.A. in regard to alterations of the the ac- <nimodation of which wk to be iixea 'oy the litest regulations of the Board for cinss- room space to he prorided. Unfortunately, the I.. 1'i.A. of Swansea, or rather the major- room space to he prorided. Unfortunately, the -A. of Swansea, or rather the major- ity of that body, adopted what waa known as the Wesh no-rate revolt policy, and took up an attitude of decided hostility to the Church School managers, which resulted in a fight between the two parties which is not yet at art end. although we are now. I hope, gradually- reaching a conclusion. The mana- gers have carried out all the requirements of tbe L.E.A. in regard to this school, the Christ Church Infants' .SchooL, and the St. Thomas' School, and expect to have the aH- terations to the Parochial School also oom- pietad before the summef. OnerouR as these requirements were, the managers felt that they rmist undertake uo cany them out or give up the, schools, and, backed up by I Church people in Swansea, they decided to go at whatever cost should be found to be I necessary. They Mt that a great deal more was involved than the mere ques- tion of retention of the Church Schools in this town, and events have proved that in this opinion they were right. You a.re ail aware of the successive attempts I of the Government to suppress Church Schools all over the country, attempts which have resulted in several changes of Ministters of Education. First we had Mr. Birreii, then Mr. McKeaina, and lastly Mr. Rnnci- man. Eiach Minister has brought in one or more Education Bills, none of wihch have become Acts, and we are £ »ti 11 governed by the Education Act of 1902. > Under this Act the Commissioner (now Mr. Justice Hamil- ton), appointed by the Board of Education, reported upon the re suit of the inquiry held on 51st July, 1908, that the Swansea L.E.A. had failed to fulfil their duty of keeping the Church Schools efficient. The Board of Education, in spite. of Mr. Hamilton's report. decided to the contrary in Dec., 190S. a.nd the managers obtamad a mandamus against the Beard of Education, and the caae was tried in the Courts in July of last year. The result was that a judgment was given in fa- vour of the managers by throe eminent judges of the High Court, namely, the lord Chief Justioc and Justices Darling and Law- rence. Against this judgment the Boaird of Education has appealed, and the case will shortly come before the j odges of the Appeal Court. In the meantime the managers have paid over a JE1,000 to make up the salaries of the teachers in the Church Schools to the flcale paid to teachers in the Council Schools. This is, shortly, the historv of the contro- versy, and I take this opportunity, on behalf of the managers, to express our thanks to all these who have aided and encouraged us in the struggle. In the first place, to the Lord I Bichop of the IMoeese, to whcee advice and counsel at most difficult times the successful issue is due; to t.he Earl Cawdor, the Mar- quiss of Salisbury, and other members of the House of Lords, and Lord Robert. Cecil, Sir \\iHiitm Anson, Mr. LyttAeton, and other members of tiie House of Commons, who have called the attention of both Hoosee to the untfafir treatment we received at the hands of the Board of Education; to all those who have -come to our aid financially, including the members of the Church Schools Emergency Committee, whose chairman, Mr. Glynn Price, hon treasurers, CoDonel Morgan and Mr. E. Palmer Bowen, and cierk, Mr. C. C. Chalk, hare ail rendered invaluable help. To the teachers, who have ac IbyaJQy stood by us during very trying times; to the "Soath Wales Daily Post" and "Western Mail." which papers have so strenuously and ably placed our oa&e before the public; and. lastly and not least, to the National Society, I far their unstinted support- in the legal pro- ceedings, which must have cost that society I hundreds of pounds. We were also fortu- nate in securing as our architects Mr. Henry Barrows, of London, and Mr. Russell Pea- cock. of Swaneea, who have devoted much j time and trouble to the work. Now, some- one may ask, "Was all. this expenditure ¡ justifiable'1' We reply, "Yes, looking to the principles we uphold. As far as Swan- sea itself is concerned, the vital importaooe II of the principle involved wifl. be realised when the following fewjfct; are known. The Voluntary Schools provide religious histruc- tictL In the Goumil Schools the old Board School rule "that the Bible be read daily in I all Board Schools" is unrepealed, but there is rv>. rdigious syllaho^; neither is there any religious instruction provided by the Local j Auw*ity. ENseay attempt to -obtaki a re'i- ( gione syllabus has bean defeated by the Council. But, looking beyond Swansea, wo see that ou r action has assisted the catrso of definite religions instruction in elementary schoofe ail over the country. It is unneces- sary, I hope, in addressing an audience of Church peopie. to lay any stress upon the importance of definite religions instruction in ekssnentary schools. We all believe :n this bemg given, and we 301:1 hope that some satis- factory setfclesnent of this controversy will be found. Personally, I am a strong advo- cate of the "right of the parent to decide the character of the religious instruction to be grven to his child in the elementary schools." We are told that the parents themselves do not care about the religious education of their children. I do not believe that this is the case to any great extent, and in any event it is very important that the re- sponsibility of the parents in this matter should be brought home to them. The State compels parents to bring their children to the public schools, and the State should therefore see that the religious instruction chosen by the pcarents should be provided to the children. What the Church wants is Churcsh teaching for Church children, Roman. Catholic teaching for Roman Catholic chil- dren. Nortconi'tTrmist teaching for Noncon- formist children, and Jowie-h teaching for Jewish children. We as Churehpeople be- lieve in the teaching of our Chnr-oh, which finds its voioe in Greed and Catechism. And to turn to the financial side of the question, we aiiso have our rights as ratepayers, and have at least an equal interest in the distri- bution of those rates.—Mr. Eden proceeded to quote Breconshire returns, which showed that the cost per child in the National Schoois was 100 per oent. loss tha.n m the Council Sclioois. He further called attention to a statement, printed and issued, showing the present state of Swansea Church of Eng- land School Fund. He also made an appeal, and mentioned that the vicar of Swansea made himself liable for the indebtedness by signing the contract for the altesratfioms for thie Oxford-street and Parochial Schools. (Ap- plause.) ADDRESS BY BISHOP OWFà. The Chairman said he was sure that 5ir John Lieweiyn, in what hte. said as to re- ligions education, was expressing the strong conviction of all those present. That building had been for generations a monu- Eieurt taiat in times of very great di&iculty the Church people of Swansea were re- j solved at all cost to maintain refigi'ous ed- ucation. (Applause.; They hea.rd also what the effects of specular education Ivid been in other lands, and he believed him- self we were in serious danger in tin; country of having secular education before many years. It would come, for certain, I in his judgment, unlesss Churchmen and Nonconformists who believe in Christian education, can learn to find some general ground of agreement against a common, grave and imminent danger to us ail. (Ap- plause.) He agreed with Sir John Llewelyn and Mr. Eden about the importance of the principles, on which Church people have stood, namely, that the maintenance of definite religious education is necessary in ordej to maintain the broad principles of 'education itself. (Applauso.) They had generally spoken of this as the principle of denominational education, but the way he looked at it was this As far as he under- stood if the Bible and the Prayer Book, too, in its teachings, tries to put before all the great pimcipi/es of the Apostles' Creed, which, happily, was he-id in common by the great mass of Christian people in this country. So what they did was not in or- der to ba\e some Label of their own that they were so firm in maintaining the prin- ciple of religious equaiity. (Applause.) He had never hesitated in the oonVictdoin that a time will come, not many years hence, when those who now disagreed with tineni would say, Now we see that you are per- fectly light; you. have done the best, for us as well as for yourselves." (Loud ap- plause. ) Church teaching was expressed in the catechism; they valued it, not be cause they believed it to be scriptural all through. Let them then never be misled by those who said Church people put the catechism before the Bible. (Applause. It was only because the catechism expressed I the truths of the Bible in a simpbe Vffiy that tnev valued it go much. The princi- ples of the catechism that were so clear and bread in the Bible, were the duty of ) man and the grace of God. These were the principles needed more ami mure in this country. Oii that the welfare of the people of this country in the long run would do-' pend. Theee principles were not likedy to be inooks;ted unless in schools. Some said moral instruction would do. Tbait. was not .:<0. The experience 01 other <x>iuitines in our own tunes; shewed duty could only be I successfully taught on Christ-ion principles. In standing up for fair play they were doing a patriotic thing—(applauee)—tn the inter- ests not of Church people ojiJv, bnt of the country as a whole. (Cheere.) This con- test had been carried on not because they 'I' loved hginting. Those who said so were mistaken. They aii knew there w^is no man in Swansea who iovets Christian peaoe more ) tian the Vicar. (Loud applause.) He (the I Bishop) had not, pushed an unwilling people, I but when he saw it was in their heart to proceed with this grea.t cause he had oar- oaaiiy approved of it, and backed them up. (Applause.) He couldn't put that too strongly he had approved of everything that had been done. (Applause.) Continu- ing, the Bishop remarked thai no less a person than tiie Chancellor of the Ex- cheauecr had admitted that the position of the Bible in the sdiaools of Wades to-day was largely due to Church-people. (Loud applause.) He hoped the time would soon oome when there would be religious teach- ing in every sci*x>l in Swansea. (Applause.) If those Oxford-street schools had been given up he thought he was right in saving that a very large number of schools in" the diocese would have followed. They were not fighting for their own town akme; they were giving a lead to the diocese. (Ap- plause.) People were asking What were the Ghureh-people in Swansea going to doT' and their action had been a great effscoor- agecrherit to Church-people in all patrts of Wales. Not only 00, hot it encouraged Churrji-peopie in varioiM parts of the country. Clergymen and layjnesn in high plaoee had assured him of the great service generaHy done through the people of Swan- sea standing up for their acboois. (Loud. applause.) They had at first been in doubt as to the expenditure, for at least two new cburches were wanted in Swansea. But. the Bishop went on, had they neglected this work it would have told "disastrotKiy on Church life in every part of the dMoeae. 1 He believed tha.t the next thirty vears ■ would see the Ohuroh in Swansea making j even more progress tha.n during the iWt < tharty years, and they would then see that the critical times which settled CJmreh pro- grees for genemtk>ns ahead was the rebuilding of those sohoois. (Appiaose.) The Bishop singed out for congra^uJation on the rebuilding of the schools Mr. J. Evan .Jenlans. the headmaster, and said he could not adequately express his own personal re- spect and esteem for him. Proceeding, he said that the sraeedi during the debates m Parliament that strock hoim most was one by Mr. Ambrose, a disfcingwished Chancery barrister, and a Libeml member, and practi- cably the only thing he could say was that they were waiting for tie new buildin-gB to be put up to do justice to the Oxford-street Schools. (Hear, bear.) In that the hon. I men her was right. It was not merely a verv ciever, but a veiy wise kne for a distin- guished advocate to take in the House of Commons at that time. And was it not a prophetic line to take? It was not because the managers loved law th-at they applied for a mandamus. They loved peace, and it would be to the satisfaction of the managers il the Town Council now paid a visit cl in- spection to the schools, when they might say they would do a great deal for the Chancellors no-rate policy. but after all the Ch ;n-ch people l«^d done uliey would now pay I the teacbere lahiy. It woe only right to say that he believed himself that the action which the Church peoc»le regTotted, and of which they oompuaened, was not taken at the initiative of anybody in Swansea. It was part of the original no-rate pedaoy which was originated by !-he Chancellor—he did ¡ not know whaA the Chanoellor's views about that policy werR now-but he bdieved he was right i.n saying that the views of most of the local authorities in Wales ttpon the subject- now was that, it was high time to forget ail about it. It wae higli time that thæt. policy sheuid be dead and buried. Bui: that oocid not happen until their teachers "were paid what was right and due to them; -bnt he was quite certain that if that was done nobody would be more glad to honour the leaders of that, policy in Swansea. for tyboT roasfifcrncss in changing their minds uhan these present at that (Applause.) Town Councils were never meant to decide questions of religion. The form of religious instruction to the children was undoubtedly the rig-ht of the parent. That meant that every parent was to liave exactly fair play and no more and no Jess. (Hear, hear.) Mt. Ed-en had, he might say, dr<rfted, in con- | junction with Sir Tiieodore Hope, an EdTI- cation B.ill showing how that could be earned out in a practical manner, and those who were the highest experts on education in London attached very great weight in- deed to Mr. Eden's opinion upon the practical as well as the theoretical side of thetie problems. There were many ways of doing it, but it mu.<i. be by giving the parent a large voioe—he thooght the deter- mining voioe-Ïn deciding tk? form of religious eckicatKm for the child. (Uea r hoar.) If they did that it wouid be very easy, always on the basis of that prooer snnple principle, to arrange for Nonoan- { forniast and Church ohikiren, by the wishes Of their ptoente, to be taught together in the same classes a great many ra^giocs sub- jecits. In conclusion the Bishop made a strong appeal for funds to complete the cost of rebuilding the schcofc, and in this con- nerrtion he retetrred m terms of praise to I tiie haradisome donations of Sir .John Lkw- elyn, '-Viir. Graitain Vivian. Messrs. Giashrook and others. At this stage the bkshon presented mem- entos of the occasion to the following, who had taken an active part in coiiocting the •shilling fund and in other work :—Mise Grant Miss Ethel Gwynn (■whe wae absert in_consequence of the death of her father), Miss Rica, Misis Jean Rice, Master Mervyp Rice (vicar's children), Mr. Fred Wateon. Mr A P. Mattev. Mr. G. C. Chalk, Miss' RudJedge, Miss Dai&v Cr.rran, Miss Trail Miss Webb, Mr. E. Serle, Mr. R. Matthews'. Capt. W. Sherlock. Mr. Basil Jones. Miaa C. F. Thomas, Miss Powell, Mr. R Grat- ion. Miss May Thomas, and Mrs. Locas. The Vicar proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Sir John Llewelyn and the Lord Bishop of St. David's tor their prpseir o and addresses, a-id in doing so took the -vp_ portronty of payjns; warm tributes to Mr. Eden, and the assistance he reoeivacl es- pecially by Mr. H¡!gh Bellingham, wW legal advice, and the soundness of his judgment, had boetn so nrnch valuod by use managers. Mr. Hagii Belli ngham, who was received with applause, seconded, and t,he vote ,vas enthusiastically carriea. Both Sir John Llewelyn and the cbair- man repideti, the latter saying of Mt Bellmgiiam that although his,opinion had been placed before several eminent coun- sel and otters, lie (the Bishop) had never known in all those years that api-nion to oe wTong. (Hear, hear.) The proceedings closed with the diction. A mllectklon taken up in the room amounted to JS668 16s.. and this will bo devoted towards paying off the defot that still remains on the buildings. A tour of tho schoofe feUowod. and-everv- body was deligjhted with them.
REVIEW OF A PROLONGED .. CONTROVERSY.…
REVIEW OF A PROLONGED CONTROVERSY. In 1847, when the Govemmetnt Commis- sioners, appointed to report on aducatfcn in Wales, visa-ted Swansea, they found six- public eieanentaay schools-Ajne Church (York-li". one Baptist (Bethesda), thaioe British (Goat-street, Queen-street, and <1.11 lnAatit school), and one classed "oth«rwi.se" (Wycliffe^. Vicar Squire, at that date, had sean tie necessity foi- improved means of education, and had, according to the CODl- missioners Report, obtained by eobaorip- tions £ 812 towards the building of the National Schools in Oxford-street, tinat have now been remodelled into the present woh-apf)oiTitod and up-to-das<e buikiii^gs. here are now five Church schools in Swan- sea, but, for present purposes, it is OJlly ner?essaty to refer to tiiose just ne-opeocd alter a period of prolonged controversv be- tween the managers and the LocaJ Eduoa- tion Authority. During the. long interven- ing years that have elapsed since Yiea.r Squire was a>h)e to op>6n the schools on August 26, 1848, upwaids of 55,000 children received their ectacatkm in them, and many I ot the old scholars are now filling positions of responaibility in all parts of the world. The Act of 1870 introduced a great, thnd im- portant change in regard to the administra- I tioii of educaitton is tiue caan^ry, for by it I the State stepped i.n aad set up Jhlrd I ataioois. The great work thai. Jiad been done and was being done by the Vodiuntorv Scijools was hearcffly recognised, and the two sets of sclioois worked side by side. the dosgn of the new Act being not to supplant but suppiansesit the volmitoy efforts of theee who wwe deeply convinced that the training of the mind, without the religious traminig of character, was not a right edcca- tion £or Christian children. The founder of Church Schools made definite instruction I in the faith of the Church by means of the Church Catechism an essential provision of the trust deeds in their schools, yet in no sectarian spirit, but the guararftee of the 1 Act of 1870, for religious education in the Board Schools, was of a negative and. not ] of a positive character. ] 1902 ACTT GKANG-ES THE SITUATION. Thås was the state of things down to the Bdocatdon Act of 19G2. whioh was a measure designed to do no more than justice to the 1 Church Schools, but over which a painfui 1 controversy arose. The Act makes no ( change m the position of religioue 1 education, but it brings the Volun- ta-ry schools, as far as saccrfar edu-ca- tion is ccsncerned, under the control of the Local Education Antbonty. It furthermore t: requires that the Local Education Author- 11 ity "shall maintain and keep efficient, a;t ¡ j pttblic detxiemiairv schools within their area," and this has been authoritative?v in- ij berpo«ied to mean that no Loca.1 Education Aiuthority is extffciUed undier the Act to disccinainaie in respect of saiaa-ies or staffs, t or school recftrisitas between non provided J and provided schools. This is the provision that has given rise to so much controversy, and the difficulties of the managers of the (Oxford street Schools were accentuated by the Welsh no-rate revotft, w4iich was organ- c ised as a result of the passing of Mr. Bai- i four's Act, with the BOtteaitio-n of withokling ? from non-provided schools all aid from the I rates, without any consideration JiS. to J wiefcher this rendered the schools inefficient < or not. The Local Education Authority hern the outset seeaaed bent on making the positi-on of the managers as nncomtfcrtable as possible. Under the Act, Septemiber 26th, 1904, was the last day on which the non- provided schools could come under the Local Ikinoation Authority, and in Swansea tho "appointed day," as it was called, was postponed till the very last moment, t,hereby causing nnnecessaiy loss to the ratepayers, and h;icipering the man- agers, who were kept in uncertainty as to the future control of their schools. In the end the Local Authority unwillingly gave in, and agreed to work under the Act. 11 There were two chief matters in dispute between the parties. One the demands of the Local Education Authority with regard to the nature of the structural alterations to the school buildings, and the other the demand of the managers that the Local Education Authority should pay the same scale of salaries to the tea.chers of the non-provided schools as are paid to these in the Council schools. In both cases the Local Authority took up an 1.1n- rsasonia.b'e, not to say arbitrary attitude. The managers, with a right seinse of what AIR. A. a. LDi^N, Ihe iaith/ui and zealous correspondent of the National Sclioois is due to a properly constituted Authority, endeavoured to open up negotiations with the Local Education Authority, but finding that this was quite impossible, owing to the attitude taken up by that body, they were compelled reluctantly, in every ease, to appeal to the Board of Education, so that the educational efiicieox-y oi the schools might not be impaired. W-ith everv desire to see the liatehet buried with t'he opening CIPP of tiie Oxford-street schools, we have no; wish to dwell in any detail on the past, and so this long aaid painfull controversy -1 can be dtsmisswd by saying that the man- agers, ably led by Air. A. F. Eden, who took upon his own shoulders the almost herciiloan task of carrying on all the corree- jxjndence. made appeal after appeal, and protest after protest, with a view of com- ing to some reasonable imderstandiii'g in what ''BJ'V' soon becan-,e aJmost a national question, for the mhjsct of the Sv.wisea flchools was tiKare than Tnentioned in botii Houses of Parliament. At least three Min'ster?, of Education were cailc-d. upon to intervene inany times, and when their de- cdsiorts were not sympathetic to the LoOal Authority the latter denied their right to interfere at ah. To give one instance: The Board of Education were induced to send down a apeciati to inves,tigata ohargas m&de by the mana-gers that the Local Education Authority had foiled to fulfil thear d-iuties under certain sections of VR. HUGH BELLING RAM, SoMcitor to the School Managers. -he Education Acts 1870, 1900 a-nd 1303. Sir. J. A. Hamilton, K.C., now Mr. Justice tlasrailkHi, sat for two davs at the Guildhall in July and Auguirt. of 1908. and after an exhaustive hearing found tihat the Local Authority had, under Section 7 of the Act >f 1902, failed in their duty to maintain and ieejp efficient the Oxford-street schools within their area. Notwithstanding this report by its own Conimissionier, the Boa.rd rl Education, through Mr. Rimcrman, who was now at the hea-d of the Department, leeided in contradiction to the report of the lHommdssioaier, "that the Local L Authority lave not failed in their duty." it, was a most, istocishing and partisan attitude to take ip, and there is probably no prociedent in ;,he bjitan- of the Board of Education for -he adoption of such a course. The matter ;vas consequently taken to tiie Divisional 3ourt, and hew, again, the managers won 'hsards down," to use a, popular saving. 4.n appeal is contemplated by the Board of Gducation, acd here the case rests at, the Dimsent time. MANAGERS ACT WITH DETERMINE TION. I Aleanwihile, througlMnrt tfiese unforturtate iisprrtreas, the managers "were determined to ■etain for the schools that distinctive char- acter in the teaching afforded the children "hat had made for the isohools a, name in for everv- Aing that. was highest and best. They were willing to carry out all Moaon- able requirements, and although the re- modelling of the sclioois meant a. big outlay, yei the raising of the money was h«raa*tily undei"taien. In this connection it siiould be borne in mind that not only tho Oxford-street schools, but the other Church schools of the town, had to be taken in hand, so as to conform to the demands of the Local Authority. An emergency com- nlitte.e was struck, of which Air. F. H. Glynn Price was elected chairman, Air. A. F. Eden and Air. F. P. Wood (secretaries), Oolonel Aforgan and Mr. E. Palmer Bowen (treasurers), aad Mr. G. C. Chalk (cierk). As a matter of history the names of the other committeemen aie appended:— Bishop Owen of St. David's, Dean Smith of St. David's, the Vicar (Rev. and Hon. W. Talbot Rice), Dr. H. A. Latimer, Revs. Dd. Williams, G. F. Packer, H. Watkins- Jones, F. G. Mathias, T. L. Riohard. W. Evans, D. Thomvus. W. T. Watson, J. Pollock, E. D. Henry. nr. E. B. Evans, Colonel W. -It Jones, Colonel J. R. W" right, Ojpt. O-wsn., and AIR. J. E. JENKINS. Headmaster of the Schools. "u- Alessrs. Hugh BeMingii<im. G. Tnepwor Crregor, Htid H. Thomas, R. 0. Morgan, Stephen W. Tliomas, P. G. lies, W. Lewis, E. R. Morgan, Goo. Chamberlain, E. Boyer, C. D. Racha-rdaan. R. F. Ste^iiens, W. Grey Walters, T. W. Howell. H. R. 'ITiompison, J. W. CadwadkuÜ, R. l>ongden, Steniey Cook, T. T. Corkea-, E. L. Daniel. John Dyer, F. Gage. D. M. Gteshrook, Jcseph Hall, T. W. James. E. W. Jones, John Legg. Raht. Nash, A. J. Ponton, T. H. Stephens, C. C. Vivian, W. Arthur Thomas and J. Evan Jenkins. Handsome offers of lueip ware reoeived. Both the Duke oi Bea<irfort and Sir John T. D. IJewelvn sub- sorilied .Sl.OK), and sums of JEKX) hav been given by Air. Graham Vivian, Mr. John (4lasbrook, Air. D. M. Olashroak, Col. W. E. Morgan, Col. J. R. Wright, and a friend whose identity is not disclosed. The lenTainder of the subscribers iraclude not only prominent Churchmen, but numbers of small subscribers of 1..<> and upwards, who l>elieve that religious education is essential for our dh.ilds'en. The schools funtd tot;? the big sum of £ 20.819, of which 215,22rd has been received or promised, leaving £5.592 to be raised. The indebtedness incurred by the managers of the (ixl'ord street schooJs is £ 15,000, of which a sum of £ S,100 is on ajocount of extra playground, MISS A. GRANl, j Headmist.re.-ss of the Girls' Schcx)i. and in addition to this a further eum oi £ 2,850 was found by a friend of the schools, wlMah makes an amount of £ 5,945 required to siacuTe the necessary playgjvund space. These mornies tkAoA amount required to carry out the demands of the LooaJ Education Authority in connection with those particular schools. MONEY RAISED AND SGHOOLS RE- AlODELLED. rphe, gn-.eat tassk of raising thje money re- ceived the welcome support of his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, who came down and R]J01..18 to a crowded and roemora-hJo meeting at the Albert Hall on November Sbh, 19::ó, vmeai he dealt in an exhaustive manner with the education question. In regard to the playground js? £ aee it may be observed that, the accomrnoflatjon demanded! ancl now supplied is greater thai? at an-y of the Council schools in the neighbourhood. It was in January, 1908, that the man- agers and Local Educsstion AutJiority agreed over the plans for remodelliiiig the school, a.nd these had been prepared by Mr. H. W. Burrows, locally represented by Air. C. Ruesell Peacock, of Swaawea, and in the following August tlfle contra-ot ,C:s given out to Afessrs. Davies and Sons, of (iirdiff. For the purposes of alterations the managers purchased several surrounding properties, and the sites of these were thrown in-to the play- grounds. The school s now ;w,cn:n- tnodaie 860 chikixein, as compared with about 1,000 that was in average attendajice prior to the change, but what the schools lack in size is more than made up in other ways, as the buildings are admittedly bettar adajpted for edwcaibional work, good as this, work has been for so many yeart; past. The question of the teachers' salaries still re- mains unsettled, and it is feared the end of the controversy over religious education in tiie public efementary ediools is not yet.. In this connection we can only add that the balance of the parties in the State suggests that the present time is the most, oppor- tune for a final settlement of the education question. Doubtless both sides would have to make some concessions, but as long' as religious education in the schools is safe-
REMODELLED SCHOOLS: BIRD'S-EYE…
REMODELLED SCHOOLS: BIRD'S-EYE VIEW. guarded there is no reason why the nation as a whole should not be satisfied. A fair basis for a. settlement of this kind is by that which is well-known as the right of the parent to decide what religious jnstruc- tion his child shall receive in the public elementary schools in this country. That basis is acceptable, not merely by the Church-people, but by many Nonconform- ists, who view with grave concern the spread of a purely secular system of education. The vital importance of the principle involved will ba realised when it is known that the non-provided schools provide religions in- struction, but in the Council schools the old School Board rule "that the Bible be MR. F. P. WOOD. Joint secretary of the Schools' Emergency j Committee. I read daily in aR tiie Board schools'' ts un- repealed, but. there 16 no religious syllabus, neither is there any religious instruction provided hy the Local Education Authority. Swansea hatp a ptpuiatk>n of over ±00.000 people, and yet every attempt to obtain a ic religious svyiabiis in the public eJoroentarv sehnoLs has been defeated by the Council. MR. A. F. EDEN'S STEALING- WORK. Lt is iroposflible to close this brief review of a mefniorable and atl unfoirtunaite con- troversy m Swansea without a referenw to the work of Air. A. F. Eden, the oorres- ppivdent of the manaigers. He has eariifired time and inomy iai abundance on behalf of the Church schools of the town. and t-he most ard'ant of his opponents, on the other side will seareejy l>e-grudg« him the testi- KON. & REV. W. TALBOT Ri.CE, Vicar of Swansea. mony that throughout the long and trying negotiations, Mr. Eden <!{:teà not only with conspicuous ability, but as a, porfeot. geutle- iriau. In this great work he lias been ably supported by Swansea Churchmen m iieneral. I DESCThrrTION .OF THE SCHOOLS. The Oxford-street Schools, which are new to all intents and purposes, have been de- signed to accommodate three departments- bays, girls, and infants. The boys are in -even classrooms, with aocommodation for 550; the girls in six classrooms, with aCr rtommodation far 300; and the inland in four classrooms, with accommcxlatlon for 210, making a total al)commodation of 860. Tho 3choois are built on the oentral hall prin- ciple, and this hall is a magnificent one;, with a. floor spaco of 1,400 equa-i-e feet, and will serve for the physical exercises of the chil- riren, etc. The playgrounds, portions of ivhidh are amply covered, give 20 square foot. par child, or mare space tlllan that provided in many of tho Council Schools. The eleva- tiI THE LATE AIR. FRED|K. COLE. The titst headma-ster of the schools. — I tion to Oxford-street remains much as it was originally, and the entire schools have been designed" in accordance with the latest re- quirements of the Board of Education, by I the introduction of largo new windows, the most, effective means of ventilation, and the like. The windows give at least 300 square inches pea- child, and every room has a left side light for the schools, and properly heat- ed arA lighted, the latter hy electricity throughout. The alterations to the new por- tions are of a dignified character, and the staffs of the school have also been particu- larly wefll provided for, the headmaster and the various assistant masters and mitressas, each having separate rooms, with cloakroom lavatorv accommodation, etc. There is an ample school liibrary provided, ;-lid a separ- ate recreation-room for the children, and oc- casioaaEv to be used as a lantcrn-ioom, and other features (onsist rn the additional en- trances to I>i 11 wyn-street and SingMon- stpeet. Loca:! at<M)S, with red brick dress- ings, have been used in the construction, and the floors and staircases are fireproof and covered with wood blocks throughout. Ihe schools were designed by the eminent sehooll architect, Mr, H. W..Burrcw, A.R.I.B. A., F.(t.S.. cons'uJtiiig architect to the National Society, who was l<x.-aitly repres'.nted by Mr. C. Russe.ll Pew cock, architect. Wind-street, The cxintrac-toi-s were Messrs. David Davies and Sons. Cardiff. Mr. John Legg carried out the heating arrangements, and the elec- tric lighting wias undertaken by Mr. A. L. Furneaux.
G.W.R. AND PORT TALBOT.:
G.W.R. AND PORT TALBOT. With further reference to reports of an improved agrcanrerit between the Port Tal- bot I>ock Copipany and the Great Western Company, it was stated on Monday that an agreement- has been completed between j tJie Companies, by which the former ob- tains control of the Port Talbot Railway against a 6 per cent, guarantee on the ord- inary shares of the latter company. j
SWANSEA BOROUGH SCHOOLS
SWANSEA BOROUGH SCHOOLS MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE. QUESTION OF ADDITIONAL AT- TENDANCE OFFICERS. Swansea Education Committee met on Monday, Mr. J. Devonald presiding. Mr. Colwill asked in relation to the higher education minutes how it was gd. rate real- 2 ised £ 925, and yet lid. rate only £2,200. t .2 The Clerk said the £ 2,200 required last year was not t-lie proceeds of any definite rate. Mr. Aliies called attention to the drop of £ 200 in boys' fees from February 1st, 1909 to 1910, compared with the previous year. The Clerk said there were 19 or 20 lees pupils in the school, and under the new scheme they were presenting 15 or 13 addi- tional free places. I COST OF TUITION IN GRAMMAR SCHOOL. Mr. Colwill referred to the cost of tuition at the Grammar School which worked out at £ 18 16s. 4d. per head. The nett cost after deductions, grants, fees, etc., cairle out at £ 6 6s. 4d. The nett cost of the giris came out at E5 5s. 6d. each. Those monies [ canio from somewhere, arid the time had arrived when parents outside the borough should he informed that the boys' fees be raised from P,7 10s. to £10, and the girls' fees (each) from P,6 10s. to £ 9, and he moved that as a resolution. The Principal pointed out that ail altera- tions with regard to the fees niuet- be ap- proved by the Department. It was stated a.bout 30 "outside boys" were attending, and about the same number of girls. 11 The Principal said a. diminution of, say, 30 would mean a decreased staff. Aid. David Williams said in the paitt they had been very generous to people outside the borough, and he seconded Mr. Colwill's re- solution. The effect, of the latter would not result in ojie withdrawal. The Clerk suggested the sub-oommitt.ee I should deal with the matter under the cir- cumstances. Air. Colwill said the sub-committee and the Board of Education wore agreed as to the "county" children. Tho outsiders were I benefitting to the extent of about JE100 a year a.t the expense of the borough child- ren. v Air. D. Davies said he was quite ill sym- pathy in getting more money from the county if they could. The school was not full now, and the effect, he was afraid, would be to the detriment of the local authority. Was it advantageous to the town to have the children in the school? tie thought it was. though if they could get more money from the "outside" parent- he cordially agreed. They wanted to i-t-f all the cap- acity within reach into the school, and he reminded them in many cases the children were children of ratepayers in the borough. Aid. D. Williams said the "county" parents would be getting an advantage it the children's fees were put up to £10. The Clerk said the new «heme provided for "preference" for borough children. Mr. Gwynne agreed that Swansea children should benefit by what had been provided. The Principal said the proposition couid not apply to those at present in the SdlOOl that was his fii-m impression of the positfon. though he might be wrong. Air. Aliles suggested that the committee provide for an increased fee of £ 10 for new "outside" entrants. Mr. Colwill would not accept this, and his resolution was then put and carried. NEW TECHNICAL COLLEGE PR INC 1"P A L. At this stage Mr. Ivor Gwvnne took the chair. As regards the selection of a Principal for the new Technical College (salary, £500 to commence), Dr. Hawlings suggested educational ex- pert iidvice be obtained in selecting a short lust of three instead of six candidates. ¡ Mr D. Da vies pointed out the advisability of nominating six, which would give the of nominating six, which would give the selectors reasonable 'Hie Town Clerk will make the final selec- tion. Dr. Rowlings withdrew his suggestion. VISIT OF SIR ISAMBARD OWEN. Principal Owen said Sir Isambard Owen I had consented to distribute prizes at the Grammar School towards the ond of the month. Sir Isambard is vice-chancellor ot the Urriversitv of Bristol. QUESTION OF ADDITIONAL ATTEND- ANCE OFFICERS. With regard to the committee's suggestion to appoint two more attendance officers, Mr. Dommett said when the Council took over the educational work there were 1,000 fewer children, and there were six officers instead of four as at present. The returns from 44 other authorities showed an aver- age of one officer to every 2.431 children Swansea worked out at one in 5.404, and even if they appointed two more officers I Swansea would still be much higher tiiiin the average, viz., one in 3,603. Mr. Dom- mefct spoke of the usefulness of the attend- ance officers, and said the appointments would do a great deal of preventive good besides other benefits. He would suggest one of the new officers should be a woman. Mr. Dominett then moved tiie report's adop- tion. tion. Air. Alolyneux suggested a wage to the officers and doing away with the bonuses, which none of the other authorities toler- ated. Let the authority give a fixed wage, say, 30e., wit.h increments yearly to a point. Mr. Devonald was against the additional appo introon ts. Air. Aliles thought by making the addi- tional points, Swansea would gain con- siderably. The Cleric said the old School Board had seven officers altogether (one outside the borough). Airs. H. D. WiHiams supported the pro- posal and spoke of the benetits that would accrue. She deprecated a lady inspector, and said the case was quite different to that of a lady sanitary inspector. She did not want to see a woman treated badly by her own sex. Aid. D. Williams asked if the propoeal had anything to do with Mr. T. Madge's application ? It was stated Mr. Madge's application for appointment had gone by. Aid. D. Williams said two or three yeél.?:'S ago êldvertÏsementa were mserted, but the ap- pointments them were never made. Why the urgency now V Air. Corker did not. see that Swansea was called upon to increase the officers by two, although he would support the appointment of a lady. Mr. Powlesland said a number of children never went to school at all. Could those be got hold of? Air. D. Davies moved an amendment that one attendance officer be appointed, and that one a woman. He wanted to see whe- ther an additional appointment would affect the attendance, for it did not necessarily fol- low judging from the returns. Salford had 21 men employed and 42.000 children. Yet Salford'a average was practically the foaJne as Swansea. While anxious to secure the highest eiffciency, he thought at the sarne time they shQuJd be flow in adding to the expenditure, Mr. Davies reminding them that tho education rate was leaping up. A question was asked as to whether a lady had not several years ago been appointed, but she had proved a failure. One m.iinbor stated this was the case. Air. D. Daviffisaid a lady sanitary inspec- tor. who had to do somtewhat similar work, had proved a great success. Upon a vote being taken upon Afr. D. Davies' amendment (t.hat one additional officer be appointed), this was carried. Mr. Corker moved that this should be a woman. Mr. D. Davies spoke of the advantages of having a female, and said a woman could often far better judge of the reasonableness of excuses than a man. In Liverpool, which had a class very much lower than any class in Swajisea, they had 29 females. In the course of discussion, Mr. Tutton wanted the matter referred back, and said I there were only the absentees to look after. Al"s. H. D. Williams said she opposed be- cause women could do very little to persuade other women to send children to school. I Air. Allies wanted a woman to reason with the mothers and not have so much of the I police court, though that in certain cases was necessary. Mr. Dommett supported a, woman officer, ind said every mother he knew of was re- sponsive to kindness. Men coaki not enter •nto thr matter so sympathetically as women. r Aliss Brock wanted the experiment of # lady officer tried. I Air. B. Jones said by appointing women the men would work better. (Hear, hear). The Chairman said no woman officer would like to undertake the worst cases in Swan- sea. and he opposed the appointment. Air. D. Davies said they were not defin- ing the duties at all, that was being thrown upon the Attendance Committee, who would fix salary and conditions. By nine votes to oight the appointment of a Jadv officer was deieated. TAILORING WORK AT THE INDUS- TRIAL SCHOOL. Mr. Protheroe said he wished to enter his protest against the making of the at- tendance officers' uniforms at the Industrial School, and said it was strange that during the past three years of the 63 boys dis- charged. not a single tailor was discharged. Ihe man there made the clothes. The Chairman said Air. Protheroe was not in order as it had been decided. Aid. D. Williams, in regard to trades, urged that advertisements should be in- serted inviting tender.* in ail eases. This would ensure getting the best value lor one's money. Air. Doinnieit. in reply to Mr. Protheroe, said the sub-committee was not aware that M). Protheroe was present in the Guildhall when caoth tenders were accepted. Afr. 1 utton did not think the selection of CiOth wais such a very difficult thing, and only commonsense. in his opinion, was re- quired. Air. U. Davies suLd he did not think coni- monaejtee was an infallible guide —— Jlr. 1 utton It depends upon who is try- ing to use it. Mr. n. Ddvhv; said everybody did not know anything abcut evervthing. (Laugh- ter;. Mi's OH MATTERS. Ilie swimming bath proposed extension W¡!5 referred back. The sinallness of the size was commented upon. Mr. Dommett referred to the headmaster's and headmistress' (Terrace-road) complaint about draughts, and pointed out the teachers were in the hall as the result of giving up their own rooms. Ihe Estat.e Agent said a glass roof would remedy the draught troni above. Mr. D. Davies asked how about the child- ren. I he Lierk said the children were in the classrooms. It was decided to veier the matter back. OXFORD STREET CLEANERS' SALARIES. Tbe Clerk read a letter from the corres- pondeut re the cleaners' wages at Oxford- street School, and suggested £ 2 6s. 9d. per week instead of 35s.. as proposed bv the Council Committee. Mr. Corker askod if the clerk was satis- iied with the correspondent's letter. The Chairman thought it, wag. an unfair question under the circumstances. What was the value of the schools to the Church party when they were emntv'J Mr. Corner said they were practically notJÚng-no more than the Council Schoois bo the Authority: Mr. D. Davies said the actual cleaning represented labour, and asked wa* it not too pituul to make a distinction between one school and another? Why. for instance, did they not insist on paying less than trades union prices for painting, etc.? It was too pitiful altogether, and was it neces- sary to revive the old sore by penalising actions of tout kind' In the Council Schools the caretakers had an equitable scale, and they got extra for additional work thrown upon them ;a the shape of cleaning, which vas really the work. Now the managers came lorward and offered 10 contribute part of the equitable scale instead of insisting upon what thev* might. It was solely a. question of cleaning, no nrincipie beins in- volved. ° The Chairman spoke of the value of the schools to the part v. but Mr. I). Davies said that was not the point under discussion. The schools, from a cost point of view, cost £ 18,000: the question was net the using at all. but simp I v the cleaning. The school managers themselves contributed 5s. for the cleansing of the schools after Sundavs. Air. TuttA-)ll objected to saddling the rate- pay m-s with the greater part of the expers". .VJi\ Colwill said in the Council School £ 2 lis. per week included the caretaker's charges for looking after the authority's pro- party, rent, etc. He thought 55s. should be satisfactory to the managers, as the Council were defraying more than two-third of the cost. Air. D. Da-vies Generous Air. Colwill said • he saw on the fsrhool wahs decorations which were calculated to instil imperialism into the minds of thA children with a vengeance. Ye.t he could not say one word about the non-provided school decorations. D. Davies Wii-eiy for the children, too 1 he equitable basis of remuneration was calculated upon per foot space. And in that connection he did not think the clerk should prompt replies to members. The non-provided school advocates were handi- capped sufficiently without having officials t aki rig part iii direct ing the debates. The Chairman said he did not know the officials had. The Cierk said the Oxford-street School (if it were a Council Schooii would work out at L2 lis. 9d. ky 9 votes to 7 the amendment to nay £ 2 5s. was lost. f Mr. D. Davies said ho would brin", it be* fore tho Council. 0 CHILDREN'S FREE .MEALS. Afr. Aides said the free meals' were put on in the best wav possible. This waA in reply to .Mr. Hopkin. .Mr. Hopkin said He wanted a table and cups and saucers provided. Mr. Ahi«s said Mr. Hopkin ventilated the grievance at. the committee, and the latter were sympathetic. Air. Hopkin spoke to seeing children walking up to the urn at Dyfatty a.nd getting their tea and then going into tha corners. The Chairman said he had not seen that when he was present. Mi. Hopkin t#iid it was so nevertheless, and ne added, "Be careful, Mr. Chairman." (Laughter.) OTHER AIATTEES. Mlie resignation of Miss H. M. Arnold (C.N.C.T.), Morriston Infants, was ac- cepted, and the permanent appointments (previously given) were sanctioned. With regard to i.he International Educa- tional Congress at Brussels, AJr. Hopkin moved all go at their own expense. (Laughter). Mr. Colwiil alluded to departmental fads, and said a good deal of expense could be avoided. Air. Protheroe What has this to do with Brussels. Mr. Colwill I thought you were dealing with the other matter. No action as regards the Brussels Con- ference was taken. The South Wales a.nd Alofimouthtrhire Band of Hope Union wrote with respect to temperance summer schools at Swansea dur- ing August, and suggested a gra.nt fcr teachers attending. Air. Hopkin suggested a, paper should lc read a.s to whether grocers' licenses were beneficial to the State. (Laiighter). Afr. Tutton proposed ten scholarship*, of 5s. ea.ch.-Canied. It was stated that for the Welsh school last vear a.t Swansea, only twice the !ota!, teachers signified intention of attending The Clerk reported receint of a letter from a correspondent, of Parochial School intimating the temporary appointment of Mi* Maria Gear and Afr. W. Bevan. un- certificated assistants, during the time of the rebuilding of the school, salaries £ 40 and L60 a year.—Granted. The appointment of Mr. Tonge. assistant master at St. Joseph's, was confirmed.
AM"MA!\ FOItD MINISTER'S FUSTKEATj.
AM"MA!\ FOItD MINISTER'S FUSTKEATj. The funerail of the ilov I C. Evans, of Christian Temple, Ammanford, took pla^e on Saturday. and was very largely attended. A short service took piao:;t. at the: house, fol- lowed by a service at Ebeneaer Baptist Chapel. Tbose who took part were ihe Revs. E. J. tloiSs-rr Evans, Gv.ynrryn; (j. T. Hig-s-s, Whitlactf; Xautlais Williams, Ammanford; Joseph KvaiHS, Tyeroes; Bees Eees, Alltcc>»l; J. Morgan, Ammanford; J. Towyo Jones, LlandeMe: Y. Hiehardi?. Pont.ypa-ndy T. F. Williams, Airir.-aHicrd; and J. f.Lopt. Morgan. 'Ttoroe be<jsTiifijl Moral tributes were sent, rhe in term an? took place at Christian Ten" pie buriai ground.