THE QUESTION OF INCREASED SCHOOL BOARD ACCOMMODATION—On the 10th August, 1881, the School Board passed a resolution that application should be made to the Education Department for their sanction to a loan for providing additional accommodation for 100 children. The average attendance for the quarter ending 1st August, 1881 was 210, and the number on the books 306. The number for which accommodation was built was 195. On the 25th August the Department replied stating that the fact of the increased attendance at the Board School would not in itself enable them to consent to the loan. They had, therefore, caused inquiry to be made of the school accommodation in the district, and they observed therefrom that the Church of England School, which was reckoned to accommodate 320 children when the assent was given to the Board to build their schools, had been enlarged to accommodate 352, the infant school accommodating 86 children, making a total of 438. Mention was also made of the use of two additional rooms which if they became permanent, would increase the accommodation to 555. Taking the Board Schools as accommodating 195 children, and the Voluntary Schools as accommodating 555, there would appear to be accommodation for 750 children. Even if the Church of England Schools only accommodated 438, there would then be accommodation in the total for 633 children, which unless the population had grown with great rapidity would be amply sufficient for the requirements of the district. They further pointed out that the returns from the Board School did not seem to be accurate. They also enquired whether any, and if so what additional use had been made of the premises of the General School previously occupied by the Board. On the 27th of October, 1881, a reply was sent from the Board stating that as regarded the school accommodation in the district in July, 1877, it was found the number of children in the parish for whom school accommodation was required was 585, and the Board considered, that since that time there had been an increase of 130, which would bring the number to 715. Of that number the Board School accommodated 159, and the Church of England 352 and 86 infants, and taking into account the two rooms mentioned as not being regarded as permanent, the Board stated there was only sufficient accommodation for 633 children, showing a deficiency. The Board also pointed out that only 8 square feet per child was required in the Church School, while 10 square feet was the space in the Board School. The Board also pointed out that if the Church of England Schools supplied the deficiency in school accommodation as it arose, and the Board were prevented from enlarging their schools, they would ultimately be placed in the unenviable position of compelling the attendance of children at a denominational school which would be contrary to the wishes of many of the parents, and depriving them of their legal right. The Board stated that the premises of the old General School were not used for educational purposes. In consequence of this last letter from the Board, an inspector was sent to enquire into the accommodation, and the reply of the Department was to the effect that there was sufficient accommodation for the district. On the 14th March the Board again wrote the Department enquiring whether they would be prepared to sanction the establishment of a separate school for half-timers in the parish. The average attendance at the school for five weeks ending 10th March was 195 1-5th, and it was the opinion of the Board that the establishment of a separate school for half-timers would greatly increase the efficiency of the Board and National Schools. The reply to that letter from the Department was to the effect that the increase in the school population of the parish was not such as would entitle them to sanction any additional school accommodation, and they also declined to acquiesce in the proposal to establish a separate half-time school for the district.

SCHOOL BOARD—On Monday evening the usual monthly meeting was held, when there were present — Messrs. S. Knight (in the chair), G. Denton, and J. Claridge. The Chairman moved that a committee of the whole Board be appointed to take steps to provide farther school accommodation, and also to increase the staff of teachers. Mr. Denton was prepared to second the proposition, although he did not see how they could do it. It appeared evident that the school was suffering from being over-crowded, as the average (197) was in excess of the accommodation (195) and for the last four weeks the attendance had been 212, 209, 217, and 232 respectively, while for the last quarter the average had been 204. Mr. Wilkins said it was certain that the school could not be efficiently conducted under the new code if it was full up to the limit, as all teachers were unanimously of opinion that the teaching could not be carried out efficiently if there was not sufficient accommodation. Mr. Claridge thought teachers complained of the new code on account of the accommodation being enlarged. Mr. Wilkins thought that if the matter was inquired into Mr. Claridge would find that all teachers would be in favour of sufficient room beyond the minimum called for by the Education Department. The Schoolmaster asked for some school apparatus, and the matter was referred to a committee, consisting of the Chairman and Mr. Wilkins to investigate and report to the next meeting. The Attendance Officer presented his report. He had inquired into the case of Scraxton, and found the statement made by Mrs. Scraxton was quite correct, and that the man was a very respectable, industrious man, and the attendance of the six children at school was very regular. Mr. Claridge would not oppose it—he would rather pay the money out of his own pocket. It was resolved to remit the fees to the extent of 4d. per week for six months from this date. The Attendance Officer also reported that Ada Jane Wooding was in regular attendance according to arrangement. There was no other business of public interest.

RUSHDEN SCHOOL BOARD
The usual monthly meeting was held on Monday evening, all the members being present.

Cheques for salaries, stationery, and other items were signed.—It was stated that some little expense had been incurred in the starting of the penny bank, and as there was some doubt as to the legality of paying the same from the funds, it was suggested that the amount be paid from the interest accruing from the money before it is transferred to the Post Office in the names of the scholars. Eventually the subject was adjourned.—It was resolved that Mr. Wilkins be empowered to obtain coals for the school.—A precept for £80 to be paid in on or before 31st inst. was signed.—The Clerk read the annual statement of accounts as follows:—Income—to balance, Sept. 29th, 1881, £116 3s. 11d.; grants from Education Department, £170 5s.; rates, £235; school fees £81 0s. 8d.; books, &c., sold to children, 9s. 11d.; use of room for public purposes, £1 12s. 8d.; total £604 12s. 2d. Expenditure: Salaries of officers of the Board, £30; legal and other expenses of administration, £5 15s. 4d.; salaries of teachers, £246 17s. 7d.; books, &c., £21 15s. 8d.; fuel, lighting, cleaning, repairs to furniture and building, £50 11s. 9d.; rates, taxes, and insurance, £3 12s. 10d.; repayment of loans, £53 9s.; interest on loans, £89 6s. 4d.; total expenditure, £501 8s. 2d.; in the hands of the treasurer, £103 4s.; less orders of the Board not paid by the Treasurer, £103 4s.—The Clerk reported that so far as he could see the Board had no power to pay towards the repair of the road in White's-lane. He also reported that the providing more school accommodation was under the consideration of the committee, and they had had plans prepared and submitted to the Education Department, and he had received a letter from the Department calling attention to the fact that the proposed room ran over a proposed sewer to White's-lane, and the committee had had alternative plans prepared and submitted, and had then, received a reply that the room was too large, being 20 by 20 feet. The Education Department considered they could not sanction one over 20 by 18ft. as they considered that would meet the requirements. He proceeded to say that in accordance with the instructions of the committee he had replied, and pointed out that the Department had sanctioned the building of a room, and the committee did not think the proposed room would be too large, seeing that several of the standards had over thirty scholars, and the room was wanted for sewing. Seeing the matter had been so long in hand it was hoped the Education Department would sanction one of the plans.—A discussion ensued as to teaching music, drill, and sewing (for boys) in the infants’ school. Some of the members were in favour of teaching the boys needlework, others were afraid it would take the mistress' attention from the girls. The Master was called in, and he thought it would not interfere with the girls' work, and would also be carrying out the Code in giving them a mechanical education. Mr. Denton thought it was a step in the right direction. The Chairman proposed and Mr. Denton seconded that the boys in the infants' school be taught to sew. This was agreed to.—On the subject of teaching music the Master did not see his way clear at present to come up to the requirements of the New Code. The Board did not think the Inspector would require so much at present, but they were of opinion that it would soon be imperative to teach music by some system, and if they tried it for the winter and then could not pass the requirements of the Code, they could fall back on the singing by ear. It was left with the Master to see what arrangement he could make, and if he saw his way clear to commence at once.

RUSHDEN SCHOOL BOARD - A special meeting of the committee of the whole Board was held on Friday, the 20th inst., to consider the following correspondence, all the members of the Board being present:—

It was agreed that the Chairman should instruct the Clerk to reply, recapitulating the reasons which, in the opinion of the Board, render an additional class-room essential; pointing out that the penalty for the existing over-crowded state of the school would more than cover the annual charge for the proposed class-room; and asking the Education Department to sanction its immediate erection.

RUSHDEN SCHOOL BOARD - On Monday evening the usual monthly meeting of the Board was held. Present: Mr. S. Knight, (in the chair), Mr. W. Wilkins, and Mr. W. Packwood. The clerk read a letter from the Education Department, approving of the plans for the erection of the new class-room, and requesting the Board to obtain tenders; before signing any contract, however, the Board are to forward the plans and specifications to the Department for consideration. The Department will then say whether they are approved, and whether the loan for the works will be granted. The chairman said that on the receipt of the letter the Committee had been called together, and Mr. E. Sharman had been requested to prepare estimates and specifications. The Board decided to meet next Monday for the receipt of tenders. The Board then agreed upon the following reply to the memorial sent to the Department by Mr. Cave and the ratepayers:-

Sir,—I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th last. The Board desire me to thank you for the copy of memorial therein enclosed, directing me to make the following reply thereto. They very much question the representative capacity of the persons who have signed such memorial, excepting as relates to the very small minority of ratepayers who have all along persistently opposed the erection of a Board School in the parish, and they are satisfied the course they have pursued is approved by the general body of the ratepayers. The following is an extract from a letter from their Lordships to Mr. F. U. Sartoris:- 27th February,1879. "When the Board on the 30th September, 1878, obtained approval of plans showing accommodation for 195 children, it would have been difficult to resist any claim they might have raised to provide for prospective increase, by enlarging their plans so as to accommodate forty or fifty more." The 'prospective' increase, which was then in some degree anticipated, has been, and is still fully maintained. When the Government census was taken last year, there were 722 inhabited houses in the parish, there are now 799 being an increase of 77 in eighteen months and there are now at the present time nineteen others in course of erection. The average attendance at the Board schools for the quarter ending July last, being the first quarter of the school year, was 217, being 22 above the number for whom accommodation is provided. To confine the average attendance to 195 would involve the expulsion of a large number of children from school, and also deprive parents of a choice of schools, while to continue the school in its present overcrowded state is out of the question. Such overcrowding greatly hinders its efficiency, and subjects the Board to the risk of the grant. The Board only took steps to increase the accommodation after the fullest consideration. They spent several months in trying to rent premises, and only resolved to build when all other courses failed, and when decisive steps could no longer be delayed. The Board are of opinion that to postpone the erection of a class-room until the new Board comes into office would do great injury to the school, besides an injustice to parents who desire to send their children to an undenominational school. I am therefore directed respectfully to request that their Lordships' immediate sanction to a loan may be given, and have the honour to be,

It was decided to allow the Temperance Band the use of the Mixed School three evenings per week for practice, from 7.30 to 9.30, for £5 per year, the band to pay for gas extra. A letter from Mr. John Margetts was adjourned to the next meeting.

SCHOOL BOARD—An adjourned meeting was held on Monday evening last. Present: Messrs. S. Knight, junr. (in the chair), G. Denton, W. Wilkins and J. Claridge. The following tenders were received for the erection of new class rooms:—G. Henson, Wellingborough, £225; H. Sparrow, Rushden, £223 5s.; W. Foskett, £217; G. H. Green, Wellingborough, £215; C. Bayes, Rushden, £210 10s. The Chairman proposed, and Mr. G. Denton seconded that the tender of Mr. C. Bayes, be accepted, subject to the approval of the Education Department. The resolution was carried unanimously, and it was further agreed that the proposed loan extend over 30 years.

SCHOOL BOARD—On Monday evening the last ordinary meeting of the Rushden Board previous to the next triennial election was held, when there were present Messrs. S. Knight (in the chair), G. Denton, and W. Wilkins. The principal business was to draw cheques for outstanding accounts. The mistress asked for more accommodation for children in the Infant School to hang their hats and cloaks, and suggested that pegs should be placed round the room; she also applied for more accommodation for cutting out in the sewing-room. The applications were granted, the Chairman to see that the work was done. A committee of the whole Board was appointed to provide the necessary furniture for the new class room. The Chairman reported that there was an additional monitress required for the Infant School. The matter was ordered to stand over. The Master called attention to the chimney. This was also ordered to stand over. The Chairman reported that he had had an interview with the Chairman of the Magistrates, and explained the reason for the Board's action in recommending Mr. Wood not to pay any part of the expenses of the recent summons taken out by Freeman against the Schoolmaster, and the Chairman of the Bench was perfectly satisfied with the explanation. Mr. Wilkins expressed his regret at not being present at the last meeting of the Board to support the decision of the other members of the Board whose action he thoroughly endorsed.

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION—On Wednesday evening a meeting of the Liberal Association was held in the New Hall for the purpose of selecting candidates to represent the association on the forthcoming Board. The president (Rev. G. Pung) occupied the chair, and stated the object of the meeting was to select their candidates by a test ballot. He then called upon the six gentlemen who had been elected to state their views. Messrs. S. Knight, G. Denton, W. Wilkins, and H. Packwood, as members of the old Board, stated that their opinions were unchanged, and the three former, if re-elected, would continue to work on the old lines, but they were each willing, if the Association desired, to stand aside. Mr. Denton stated that he should be very pleased to give way to Mr. Crick. Mr. Packwood stated that he positively declined re-election. Mr. Crick placed himself in the hands of the meeting. Mr. F. Knight thought he was in a false position, but if there had only been three of their party nominated, they could not have expressed an opinion. Voting papers were then distributed to the members, and when collected the order was as follows:—Mr. Crick, Mr. Denton, Mr. S. Knight, Mr. F. Knight, Mr. Packwood, Mr. Wilkins. The figures were not made known. (Our correspondent writes us that in the list of candidates given on another page the name of Mr. R. O. Butcher should not appear.)
TRIENNIAL ELECTION OF THE SCHOOL BOARD— March 2nd is the day for the triennial election of the School Board, and the following have been nominated: Messrs. S. Knight, G. Denton, W. Wilkins, J. Claridge, H. Packwood (the retiring members; and F. Knight, M. Crick, W. Claridge, P. Cave, D. Dickens, R. O. Butcher, Ruddle, and G. H. Skinner).