Birmingham Notes

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 119, 28 March 1893, Page 2

Birmingham Notes

A concert was held in the Birmingham j Hall on Saturday ovemng last, its main j object being to bring the settlers together to assist by their presence, in the present ation of a purse of sovereigns to Al iss Low, who baa been State school teacher there for four years, and who is now leari ing owing to ill health. To facilitate [ thia object the Birmingham Literary Society kindly adjourned their fortuightly meeting, which fell on that night. The programme consisted of songs by Mr Tolley, senr., Miss M. Lowes, Mr Beunett, Miss Carter, Mr Tolley, junr., Mrs Munro, Mr Birks, a recitation by Mr Vloas, and a duet by Mrs Fowler and Miss Lowes. Each item was well rendered, especially the duet, which was un> doubtedly the gem of the evening. Mr A. Fergusson in making the presentation j spoke in high terms of praise of the abilities of Miss Low as a teacher, and expressed regret at her retirement. In his speech, Mr Fergussou took the opportunity to make a few remarks as to the the working «>f the Education Act. He said m large centres children were provided with schools for higher education, while in country districts it was with the greatest difficulty schools were obtained at all. Some country children were growing up without the opportunity of eclucatiou, although they were taxed equally with the town people. The Government should provide means for the proper education of the settlers' children. The Birmingham school had been erected to accommodate 40 children; 72 was tho preseut roll number, aud the average attendance was 49, On some days there wore GO children crowded into a school lutended only to seat 40 ; 4 children on every seat, instead of three, and some standing, in direct opposition to tho sanitary regulations of the Board. What could the result of such cramming be. but the generation of diseases which the children would carry to their homes? Such a state of affairs would not be allowed in any centre. When they asked for a few forma, they were sent the cast-out rubbish from Palmerdton. Mr Gr. Anyon on being called on, spoke in eulogistic terms of Miss Low. He thought the settlers should raise some money between themselves for improvements to the school which the Board would subsidise. Regret was expressed at the departure of Misa Low by Mr Payne and Mr Tolley, junr. Mr Morton replied to the compliments paid Miss Low, on behalf of that lady, m a suitable speech, and said he expected a pupil teacher would be appointed to assist Mr Mclntyre, who is to tako charge of the school. The Eev Mr Birks was in the chair. On Weduesday evening Miss Low will be banquetted in the Town Hall, for which occasion great preparations are being made. After the bauqiiet a dunce will be held.