The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-08 00:00:00

OLD HILL MINERS AND THE HOURS
QUESTION.

A crowded meeting of the miners on strike against
the proposed increase of working hours by the New
British Iron Company was held at the Duke William
Inn, Old Hill, on Tuesday evening.—Mr, W. Break-
well (miners' agent for the district) said he regretted,
as they all did, they had not yet received any official
communication from the company respecting the con-
ditions upon which they wished the men to resume
work. They were, however, informed, upon good
authority, that the officials of the company were dis-
posed, if possible, to make some arrangement with the
men, in order that the pits might be reopened and
work commenced. A deputation of the men had
waited upon the certiflcate manager. Mr Kean, and
they were informed that upon certain conditions they
might resume work. Members of the deputation were
present, and would explain to the meeting what those
conditions were. He condemned in the strongest
_terms the action alleged to have been taken in that
locality to prevent the men on strike from obtaining
relief from the funds which are being distributed in
the neighbourhood. The masters had tried to starve
the men into accepting the extra hour, and having
failed to accomplish this, it was a fact that influence
had been brought to bear upon the Relief Committee,
and it was stated that the men who could have work
under the firm were not to have any relief. (Cries of
"Shame.") He also strongly condemned the action
of the Dudley Board of Guardians in passing a reso-
lution, at their meeting on Thursday, refusing work
to all miners who could have work on the nine' hours'
principle. (shame.) He contended the cause of the
men was a just one. Eight hours was long enough
for a man to work in the mine, and many of the
employers were agreed upon this, and condemned the
conduct of the New British Iron Company in seeking
to impose upon them an additional hour. (Cheers.)
—A Member of the Deputation to Mr. Kean, the cord-
feted manager, stated that the conditions proposed
by that gentleman were that the men should be paid
is. per tub for coal, Cd. per tub for slack, and 2d. a
tub for dirt when that came in the way. In case the
men started and any fire broke out he (the manager)
would take the responsibility upon himself. He said
the timbering should be all kept safe up to the weigh-
ings, but the tubs must be loaded 12 inches above the
level when they arrive at the pit's mouth, and if they
were not so loaded the men should lose a part or all
the tub. (Laughter, and cries of" Shame.") In any
case, if those terms were accepted, no other colliery
would be started except "Timber Tree." All the others
would have to stand, as in the present depressed state
of trade they could not consume the coal they iaised.
--Mr. Kean was asked if he would alter the terms
if the men found that they could not earn a living.—
Mr. Kean replied that the terms would not be altered
at all. If the men could not get a living at them they
would have to leave. (Shame.) He also added that
if the proposed system did not pay, the company they
should return to the old system within a month.—Mr.
Breakwell, the Chairman, and others expressed their
surprise at the conduct of the officials of the company
The former said he did not think the men could accept
the proposals of the employers. (Hear, hear.) Under
such a system they could not earn enough to support
themselves.—A -Workman said that since the 17th of
August last up till the Friday before Christmas he had
earned only £l2. 14s. 2d. If he could do with that
he could afford to play until they got as good terms
as when they left work. (Hear, hear.) —The follow-
resolutions were then unanimously adopted: "That
the men refrain from going to the officials of the
eompany concerning the dispute until they are sent
for." "That the meeting strongly condemns the action
taken by the few men who have accepted the employ-
ers' terms and resume work."—The resolution reject-
ing the terms offered by the employers was carried
with acclamations

KIDDERMINSTER TOWN COUNCIL.

The quarterly meeting of the Council was help
on Monday; the Mayor (Mr. W. Cowen) in the
chair.

A letter was read from Miss Becker thanking the
Council for having adopted a petition in favour of
the removal of the electoral disabi.ities of women.

At the last meeting a communication was read
from the Treasury, asking for the payment of 22
guineas, an amount the Treasury had paid in
respect to the municipal petition aga'nst Messrs.
Boycott, Shaw, and H. Dixon. The Town Clerk
(who was unable to attend the last meeting) now
stated that the amount claimed would have to be
paid out of the bsrough fund, Had the Treasury
thought the petition frivolous or vexatious, they
might have ordered the petitioners to pay the
amount.
Mr. James said as it appeared there was no
alternative as to the payment, he moved that a
cheque be drawn for the amouut. This was
seconded and carried.
The Baths and Wash-houses Committee reported
that £42 7s 6d had been received at the baths in
the past quarter, £3l I4s of which was from the
Turkish baths. A call of £35 on the borough fund
was recommended. The report was adopted.
The Free Library Committee reported that con.
siderable additions had been made to the library,
and the attendance was numerous and increasing.
The committee had an unexpended balance of
£lOO for the purchaee of books and other purposes.
They had resolved to have all the books covered
and numbered, and a catalogue printed. The
committee recommended that the books and fittings
n the library be insured, and a call of £25 be
made on the borough fund. The report was
adopted, and Mr. Talbot afterwards moved that a
sum of £2O be expended on the purchase of standard
books for the library. Most of the books, he said,
lately purchased were of a light kind of literature.
Mr. Tovey said the committee were ready to re-
ceive any suggestions as to books desired for the
library, but he did not think it was, the province of
the Council to intervene as proposed. Alderman
Holloway, who seconded the resolution, said it
would prevent any complaints afterwards that the
•committee did not purchase the proper kind of
books. An amendment was proposed to the re-
solution, but it was in the end left to the committee
to act as they thought best.
The Finance Committee reported there were
liabilities £1,656 12s Id, and assets £953 16s,
leaving a deficiency of £702 16s Id, to which was
to be added £35 for baths and washhouses, £4OO
for School Board, and £25 for free library, making
' a total to be provided of £1,162 16s id. The com-
mittee recommended a rate of £1,400. The report
was adopted.
Mr. Boycott moved that the resolution be re-
scinded, under which it was resolved to make a
charge of 7s 6d per time for the use of the com-
mittee-room for the meetings of the Grammar
School governors. An amendment was proposed,
but both resolution and amendment was withdrawn
it being understood that the Mayor, who has dis-
cretionary power in the matter, would grant the
free use of the room.