The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-04-15 00:00:00

Xotat aub pistrict Veins.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS.

The weekly moeting of this Board was held on
Thursday; Mr. Granger in the chair. There
were also present:— Messrs. Brooks, Billinghani,
Wood, Bird, aarby, Fereday, OriThn, Guest,
Higgs, Homes, Pardo°, P. Pargeter, T. 11. Par-
geter, Raybould, Rhodes, and Rollinson. The
minutes of the last meeting were read and con-
firmed. Admitted into the house during the
week, 26; discharged, 37; remaining, 426. Out-
door relief, Kingswinford district, £42 17s lid;
Stourbridge district, £25 14s lid;
district, £23 3s Id ; total, 91 15s 11 1, ugainst
£92 17s 7d, last year: .

Mr. Brooks said he had much pleasure in mak-
ing a proposition to the Board, which he had
made for ninny years, and it was that of thanking
their chairman for performing the duties during
the past year. He was quite certain of one
thing, that his whole anxiety bad been to do the
best he could for the benefit of the Union. He
was certain Mr. Granger had doire all that was
possible to merit their esteem, and be :had great
pleasure in proposing that a vote of thank be
given to George Granger, Esq., for the manner
in which he bad performed his dillies during
the past 3 ear.
This was seconded by Mr. Bird, and carried
unanimously.

The Chairman then said he was much obliged
to them. He had endeavoured to do, as far as
he possibly could for the benefit of the rate.
pay era, and also to attend to the interests of the
deserving poor. If he lied not failed in these
attempts to give satisfaction to the Board, he
considered himself amply repaid for any little
inconvenience, and time given or money spent
in attending the Board. They were aware that
he had a great distance to come—about 8 wiles
—and some days it was wet and cold, and he
could assure them that it required a little effort
to make a start. He had been pretty well lately
although his health was not so good last year as
it formerly was. This was his 27th year of office.
Many dear friends had passed away since he first
sat at the Board, and there were very few of the
old ones left. There was one gentleman left,
and that was old Mr. Beckley, who had been a
very attentive member of the Board for ursny
years. He sincerely thanked them for the Wird
manner in which they had accorded him a vote
of thanks, and concluded by wishing them ell
long life and prosperity.
Mr. Homes then proposed a vote of thanks to
Mr. B. Brooks, the first vice.chainuan.

_
Fereday se,onded the proposition.
other men, aometinacs made mistakes, but it ha,
been his desire at the Board to do that which
would still retain the confidence of the ratepay-
ers of Stourbridge, and meet the approbation of
the Board. He hoped that in the new Board
they would work in harmony together. and let
the past be forgotten, and concluded by again
thanking them. . . . .

Mr. J tiriftin proposed that the best thanks of
the meeting be given to Mr. B. Wood, the second
vice•chairutan, for the services he had rendered
the Board during the past year.
Mr. Roniuson seconded the proposition.

Mr. Wood responded, and said it had been
Statcd that he woe about to leave them, but he
could not tell them for what length of time. He
was not certain of leiteing them. He believed
theie had been some tampering with the voting
papers, and he should have it tested to the very
root.

Mr. Billingbatu proposed a vote of thauks to

the Assessment Committee, which was seconded
by Mr 1. H. Pargeter, and supported by Mr.
Ray Wald.
Ihe Chairman responded on behalf of the
Committee.
Votes of thanks were also accorded to Mr. 0.
Holloway, the Clerk, and to the Master and Wh-
eels of the Union.
Ilia Boaid then separated.

NEC:RO ENTELTAINMENT.--On Monday even- .
ing the Stourbridge Star Excelsior Minstrels
gave a performance to a well filled house in the
Corn Exchange. The proceedings were com-
meneed with a well performed overture and
opening chorus by the company; after which S.
Turvey (tenor) sang " Little drooping flower,"
in a very pleasing manner, for which he received
a hearty encore. This was followed by H. Price
singing " The Lash," which was very well ren-
dered. Harry Smith tale bones) than sang
" Julietta Bell," with which he succeeded in
eliciting roars of laughter from the audience.
This was followed by Mr. Firstbrook, who sang
" Mother's fainting at the door." Mr. Firstbrook
possesses a line deep voice, and gave this song
with much effect. The dancing of E. Price was
very good ; as also was that of W. Hill. In the
second part Mr. Firstbrook received an encore
for his ballad, and in return sung " Nil Beeper-
anduw." T. Sexton did not play his cornet solo
so well as we have heard him before. The cho-
ruses were well sustained throughout, and the
entertainment waa brought to a conclusion by
the Plantation Walk Round. Dancing was kept
up in the room until an early hour.
. VESTRY MEaroni.—A vestry meeting of the
parishioners was held on Tuesday, at the vestry
of the Parish Church, Oldswinford, for the pur-
pose of electing the churchwardens for the en-
suing year. The Rev. C. H. Craufurd, rector,
presided. The statement of accounts for the
past year showed arrears due amounting to be-
tween £3O and £4O. Extensive alterations have
reeceutly been made, and considerable cost in-
curred in improving the heating apparatus,
which unfortunately had not proved so success-
ful as anticipated by the promoters. It was
thereiore proposed and resolved to call a meet-
ing of the inhabitants generally, to decide upon
the best course to heat the church, and also to
meet the deficiency in the accounts. Mr. J.
Cooke was re-elected rector's warden, and Mr.
B. Brooke people's warden, for the ensuing year.
Thttents' Chereh : A vestry meeting was
held on duesday at the Vestry of St. Thomas's
Church, for the purpose of receiving the state-
ment of accounts for the past year, and appoint-
ing churchwardens for the ensuing year. The
Rev. it. sherrard, vicar, presided. The balance
sheet for the part year, presented by Captain
Waiker and Mr. R. Brooinhall, showed that
there had been a considerable increase in the
amount realised by the offertory. 'The recent
alterations, cleaning, &c., amounted to £3OO, all
of which, except .£24, had been defrayed, besides
.£2O which had been distributed to the poor of
the pariah and £7O given to various objects, in-
cluding the French Relief Fund and the School
Fund. The expenses defrayed during the past
year were considered very satisfactory, and the
retiring churchwardens were very cordially
thanked for their past services. Mr. J. Tho-
mas was appointed vicar's warden and Mr. C.
Munson' the people's warden for the ensuing
year.—St. John's Church. At a vestry al eatiug
held on Tuesday, the Rev. T. Williams, vicar,
in the chair, the statement of thp accounts for
the past year was passed as satisfactory. Mr. J.