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School Board for London, it was, at the meeting of the Board
held on the 7th instant, resolved to write to the School Board
protesting against the same, and the following letter has been
addressed to it accordingly:—
"Board of Works for the St. Saviour's District,
Emerson Street,
Bankside, Southwark, S.E.
9th August, 1895.
"Dear Sir,
"I am in receipt of a precept from the School Board for London
requiring payment of the sum of £9,042 18s. 1d. for defraying the
expenses of the School Board in this district during the ensuing half year.
"The attention of this Board has been called by its Finance Committee
to the constantly increasing demands of the School Board, and to
the fact that the precept referred to will necessitate an increased rate of
about 1½d. in the pound.
"This Board desires to protest in the strongest terms against the
enormous increase, the hurden upon the ratepayers being most serious and
oppressive, and to suggest to the School Board the necessity of its taking
steps to reduce the expenditure in the future.
"The Finance Committee (who have carefully considered the
matter) are of opinion that greater economy might be exercised by the
School Board in several particulars, e.g., in the salaries paid to the head
teachers, and by reducing the number of subjects, not absolutely necessary
for the purposes of elementary education or contemplated when the Act
was passed, which are taught in the schools.
"My Committee are of opinion that unless something be done to
check and limit the expenditure a reaction will ensue which will be
detrimental to the cause of popular education in the metropolis.
"I have to request that you will be good enough to submit this letter
to the School Board at the earliest opportunity and that you will apprise
me of any decision which it may come to in the matter.
"Yours faithfully,
W. H. ATKINS, Clerk.
G. H. Croad, Esq., B.A.,
Clerk, School Board for London.
Copies of the letter were also forwarded to the Committee
of Council on Education and the Member for Southwark
(Mr. Causton), also to the several Vestries and District
Board of Works of the metropolis, asking them to address a
similar letter to the School Board or take such other action as
they might be advised, with the object of bringing about a
reduction in the expenditure.