The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-05-06 00:00:00

Your. truly,
A RATEPAYER.

To the Editor of the," Ohurcer.

Dzait Sin,—Piesse excuse my addressing you so
faminarly, btu really 1 Lave a great regard for you be-
cause 1 know your strict unpartialit) to all matters of
public int.ereat, lotting noticed in your paper froth time
to time, correspondence representing all atiaties 01
opinion.
• . _ .

You will scarce 4 believe it when I teil yon, but never-
theless A is a tact, that I take in every Saturday no less
than three penny weekly papers, all of them local. Of
course, yours Is one and the other two are the " Than-
derer,” liberal very. and the "Flash of Lightning.'
which although conservative is sometimes • trifle more
liberal than the other, especially in "poetry original and
select." I do not think I ever remember reading a more
cutting piece than that which appeared in it last week.
Ile rhythm ilas altogether "original," requiring conehl-
erable skill in the use of the unruly memner to harmo-
nise its sound and measure. But prior to the poetry,
miscellaneous news, varieties, police intelligence, birth,
marriages, and deatus, the local questions affecting my-
seif and the general public absorb my attention, and
receives my full and earnest consideration. I positively
went to the trouble of reading the "leader ' in your
contemporary last week upon the gas question, twice,
being much struck with its powerful argument in favour
of the as you re policy, aud the profound iguorance it,
writer displayeu vu the subject of the " Gas supply at
S tom briuge."

I assure you, sir, I don't know much about gas making,
out it is my uumule opinion that a good deal of gas of a
batter (panty tnan that supplied to tnis township, has
b. en expended to lithe purpose, by a few gentlemen wea
have honestly endeavoured to benefit the consumers of
teat article, regardless of the odium which such a course
hes drawn down upon their own unlucky heads, and only
ior the miserable toadyism which is exhibited in some
quarters, they would doubtless ultimately soceeed in
iightening our burdens to some extent.

Use male or female who wrote the said leader," may
comfort himself or hersed as the case may be, with the
assUrabee of • humble individual like myself, that mas-
culine or feminine gender as iduresiud (I believe that is
correct legal pbraseotogy) has nothing whatever to fear
rem that late' malady •• information of the brain, but
may rest in We confident hope of enjoying • green old
age.
I don't wish to remind the public that the proprietor
of the paper referred to is secretary to the neighbour rig
gas company, between whose directore and those of the
Stourbradge Liss Co. there is • striking though not mar-
vellous hkeness, nor dot wish to say anything that would
sound disagreeably upon the sensitive eara of gas mag-
nate.. I would not even hint at the possibility of out
neighbours getting up a lively agitation on their own Re.
count lest! should cause some one • moment's utasl.
ness, but I think I might be allowed to enquire, how it
is that our gas company, and those who advocate their
cause, do not by incontrovertible facts and figures, 'hew
us that the statements of the tits Committee (who have
not been afraid to publish theirs) are erroneous. tin.
supported lissertionai with ate never reach further than
the extreme tips of the hair, and I suppose a good many
of your readers are also in the same hardened condition
as myself. It may be unfortunate for some people that
other people were not first introduced to society on
bhrove.luesday, or the first of April, but it cannot be
helped; for even gas directors, and writers of leaders,
have not the power to fix our birthdays, therefore they
must even submit to be criticised and badgered by what
they look upon as the vulgar crowd which brings its
strougly.scented corduroy and fustian, into inttmate
contact with their broadcloth and velvet pile.
Is it necessary, Mr. suitor, to point out that an
assertion made in the said leader is flatly refute;
by the report of the Commissioners' Meeting in
the some paper ?—ride leader-- The report of the coin•
tuittee was presented to the Board on Monday, and in it
they made a complaint against the directors of the gas
company for refusing to give certain information. They
lioexcer did not state that the directors undertook to fit,
rash theta with all they required, if the Commissioner,
contemplated purchasing the works." Viele report —'• that
they" (the directors) " could not answer the questions u4th
justice Co their proprietors unless !Ku" (the Commission.
ei.) •• contemplate purchaaing the works." Couunint
upon this is unnecessary, mid it is clear that the tens,
conscientious," caneot be applied with the same gram,
and honesty to the writer of the article in question, en
that individual has applied it to the town coniuttaiocers
••

_
Besides spenotog my threepence on Saturday in prin-
ted matter, I endeavour t add to my .estay store ut
kru•srledge by branging my p ,ers of ohAerration into
fu.l p.sy during the followlng week, and my occasional
ettoh dose the town coaridersbly aids the digestion of
the intel!ectual food, which, like a busy bee. I have ex-
tracted from the aforesaid three newspapers. I not on-
frequently station niyaelf at the corner of Coventry

Street. with the double object of supporting the Sauk,
which I do by issuing *goes, it, and of Miring stock of the good folks who bustle about the not too !Oa(
streets. Frilay is rip fore hits day, •nd I invariably
attend the much.frequeutill spot, dear to many omens
besides myself, because Liberty is the presiding getifa,
there: no obtrusive •• Robert " ever tells you to 'to,. on," Doris any one compelled to abandon (118 or her po.
citron for anything lest than one of Crowley's wagcso
Farmers may there save twopence each, and freely
their produce, and stalls may be erected for the sale of
gingerbread and other hardware., without any risk of a market toll being enforced, as in other towns. Tim
only serious offence in Stouebridoe appears to be fres
exf !session of opinion.
It seen. the Town Act is ui cleveris constructed that
it amoonta to much the same thing MI If there was no
Act at all. ruder such a dispensation I suppom we
ought to be happy, but somehow we are not; there is still an "aching void " requiring to be filled up, and I
think this may be done in some measure by increased
interest on the part of the ratepayers in all matters sfe
lecting the public weal, and also by their energy in as-
, slating their representatives in the carrying out of all
useful and needful reforms.
• I notice a few gentlemen wending their wav toward.
the bottom of the town on a certain day in every week;
evidently their business is of some importance to them.
selves, judging from the extreme gravity of their da.
meanour, and one can see at a glance that they are an
men of substance and weight. There is no dillicalt,
whatever in determining who and what they are. It is
strange, though true, bow like to their calling and its
surroundings people instinctively become.
Let us hope that the gentlemen going in the direction
indicated, have other interests to serve besides thom immediately affecting themselves. With men of such
well-known calibre at the helm of gas affairs, it is not
reasonable to expect gas for nothing, their anxiety to do
"justice to their proprietors," and their own CODICIOP,
tiona scruples, forbid the sacrifice. They have, however,
as good as told us that they will reduce the price of pa
so soon se the Commissioners pay more than they ought
to for the lighting of the public lamps, which I should
say is not likely WOO to be the case. This is very kind
of the directors, and it is to be hoped their magnani•
Dirty will be rewarded in a proper manner by the rate.
payers. I have a good deal more to say about these, and
other matters, and shall most likely say it one of these
days, but I fear I have already trespassed too much upon
your space. I may possibly make the Corn Exchange
my next point of observation, on the last Monday of this
month, about these o'clock p.m., and ill do you shall
hear from me.
Toora truly.
THE LOUNGKIL

BRIAREAST.—EPPeI'a Coco t.—ORATILICL •ND Co..
FORTING.—The very agreeable character of this prepar.
ation has rendered it a general favourite. The Ciril
Service Gazette remarks :—" The 'mauler success, which
Mr. Epps attained by his houllepathic preparation of
cocoa hae never been surpassed by any experimalataliat.
By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which
govern the operetions of digestion and nutrition, and by
• careful application of the film properties of well selected
cocoa, Mr. Epps has provided our breakfast tables with
• delicately flavoured beverage which May save us many
heavy doctors bills." Made simply with boiling water
or milk. Sold only in tin4ined packets, labelled—Joie
EPPS & Co., Homeopathic Chemists, London.
LCXUBLUIT AND BEAUTIFUL HAIIL—Mre. S. A. Attlee
WORLD'S HAIR RESPIRES OR DRESSING newer fails to
quickly restore Grayer Faded Hair to its youthfigeoloar
and beauty, and with the first application a beautiful
gloss and delightful fragrance is given to the Ilair. It
stops the Hair from falling off. It prevents
It promotes luxuriant growth; no other preparation will
produce the same beneficial result. In large Bottles,
Price Six Shillings. Sold by Chemists and Perfumers
everywhere. Depot, 266, High Holborn, London —Fos
CHILDREN'S HAIR. Mrs. ALLEN'S ZYLUSALtASTS"
far excels any pomade or. hair oil, and is a delightful
Hair Dressing ; it is • distinct and separate preparatios
from the Restorer, and its use not required with it.
Price of Zylolialsamuns, Three Shillingi,
ADVICE TO Monteas.—Are you broken of your rest
by a sick child, suffering with the pain of cutting teeth /
tie at once to • Chemist, and get a bottle of Mrs. WINS-
LOW'S SOOTHING SYRUP. It Will relieve the poor set.
ferer immediately ; it is pet fectly harmless; it produces
natural quiet sleep, by relieving the child from pain, and
the little cherub awakes as • ' bright as a button." Ii has
been long in use in America, and is highly recommended
by medical men ; it is very pleasant to take; it soothes
the child ; it softens the gums. allays all pain, relieves
wind, regulates the bowels, and is the best known remedy
for dysentery, and diarrhosa, whether arising from teeth.
tog or other causes. Be sure and ask for Mrs. Win.
Low's SOOTHING SYRUP, and see that "Curtis and
Perkins, New York and London," is on the outside
wrapper. No mother should be without it —Sold by all
medicine dealer, at Is lid per Bottle, London, Depot
491, Oxford St.
Rottowse's OINTMENT AND Pmts.—At tb. preseat
time much watchfulness must be exercised, and the ear-
liest evidences of ill health immediately chocked, or a
slight illness may result iii • aerioui malady. Relaxed
and sore throat, dipetheria, quiusey, coughs, chronic
cough, bronchitis, and moot other pulmonary affections
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into the skin as nearly as practicable to the seat of mi.
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rive marvellous relief from the use of Holloway's rem..
dies, which have brought round many such sufferers, and
re-established health after every other means had sit
sally failed.

THROAT DISE•BRII.BROWN'S BRONCHIAL THOCIRIO,
which have proved so succesdul in America for the can
of Cougts, Colds, Hoarsenees, Bronchitis, Asthma,
Catarrh, or auv irritation or soreness of the throat, am
now imported and sold in this country all, lid per box,
put up in the form of a " lozenge." It is the moat con.
veutent, pleasant. safe, mid sore remedy for clearing and
strengthening the voice known in the world. The lien.
Henry Ward Beecher says: "I have often recommended
them to friend, who were public speakers, and in nisey
cases they have proved extremely serviceable. The
genuine have the words" Brown's Bronchial Troche."
on the tliovernment Stamp around each boa.—Principal
Office, 493, Oxford-street, London. Sold by all medicine
V

HOLLOWAY'S PILLS.— The Greatest Wonder of Modern
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debilitated, strengthen the stomach, increase the appe
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the weak in an ardour and vtvacity never before esperi•
enced. The sale of Vic pills throughout the globe as.
tonishes everybody, cot vincing the most sceptical that
Holloway's Pills tunnel rids all other medicine fr rems•
oaf of disease of every name. They are indeed a Mer
sing to the afflicted and a boon to those who stiff, from
any disorder, inten rl external. Thousands of persons
have testified that by their use alone they liars bsen
',mond to health aftt all other remedies bad proved
unsuccessful.

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