As the vicar could not raise money enough to pay a certificated teacher at the proposed branch or dame school, the scheme had to be abandoned.

Then, according to red tape, it was necessary to enlarge the village school to accommodate these few children, and this notwithstanding that the building was never full.

The enlargement necessitated a great additional expenditure The ratepayers did, indeed, after much bickering and much persuasion, in the end pay off the deficiency; but in the meantime, the village had been brought to the verge of a school board.
Religious differences came to the front--there was, in fact, a trial of force between the denominations.

Till then for many years these differences had slumbered and been almost forgotten; they were now brought into collision, and the social quiet of the place was upset.

A council of the chief farmers and some others was ultimately formed, and, as a matter of fact, really did represent the inhabitants fairly well.