tion to his. That the possible sale of this stock, should it be thought desirable, was anticipated at the time of the purchase, is clear from the terms of the resolution passed at the time, which provided that a specified notice should be previously given to the Trustees.
“At the commencement of 1860, in consequence of the greatly augmented numbers in attendance, and in compliance with the repeated suggestions of the Government Inspector, the Committee felt it to be necessary to propose considerable alterations of and additions to the School buildings. Mr. Hatchard was present at the meeting at which the plans ultimately adopted were discussed. He was not only in favour of the enlargement, but expressed an opinion that the plans proposed did not go half far enough! “One part of the plan preferred, and that which was most fully discussed, was that the rooms occupied by the Infants’ Mistress should be converted into a class-room for the Girls’ School, thus rendering it necessary either to hire rooms for that teacher or to build or buy a new house. All this was clearly understood at the time “From the time the alterations were commenced, the Committee provided accommodation for the Mistress – very inconvenient, being at a distance, and very insufficient, consisting of only one room for herself and pupil teacher – being the only accommodation that at that time could be met with, and this at a weekly rent of 6s. or at the rate of £15 a year.
“In consequence, therefore, of the great inconvenience and heavy annual expense attending this arrangement the Committee resolved to purchase one of the houses recently built adjoining the schools for a teacher’s residence. They were unwilling to make another appeal for large contributions to the residents and visitors so soon after the liberal assistance received towards the extension of the School buildings, for the whole amount required. It was considered that applying the money funded for the purpose of a Teacher’s House, wherby(sic) a great annual saving might be effected was a much better investment than the Funds from which but a small addition (amounting last year to £5 14s. 3d.) accrued to the income of the schools.
“As Mr. Hatchard’s statements were of such a vague character, inasmuch as the object was not named to which the money spoken of had been misappropriated, the Committee feel it to be their duty to lay these facts before the friends and supporters of the Schools, confident that they will exonerate them from all blame.” – Signed Afred Burton, John Carey, R. Cooper Gardiner, W. H. Hull, S. B. Maggs, J. Peerless, G. D. St. Quintin, C. H. Southall, F. W. Staines.” St. Leonards-on-sea, March 27th, 1861.
