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

VOLUNTEER INSPECTION AT HAGLEY

PARK.

The annual inspection of the Ist battalion of
Worcestershire Rifle Volunteers took place on Mon-
day. at Hagley Park, and a large number of specta-
tors were attracted to the park to witness the
manceuvres of the men. The weather was delight-
ful, the sun shining brilliantly nearly the whole of
the day, and an agreeable breeze blowing across
the park. Several men suffered from syncope dur-
ing the evolutions, and were attended to by Staff-
surgeon Hillman, of Kidderminster, aa ho was in
attendance. There was a total of 788 present.
The inspector wati Colonel Hunter, of the 20th
Brigade, his aide-de-camp being Captain Claremont
of the 29th Regiment. The field officers on duty
were Colonel Knight, M.P., Majors Walker and
Talbot, and the staff officers were Adjutant Wolrige
and Quartermaster-sergeant King. The whole of
the morning was occupied in company drills, and
after luncheon the men assembled for the review.
The brigade was formed of three battalions of four
companies each, and was drawn up in a line of
contiguous quarter column and gave the salute to
the inspector. They then march past in column
and double column, in mass of quarter tolumn,
and in line of quarter column at the double. The
brigade changed front to the left on the right
battalion and deployed to the left, advancing in
eschelon of battalions in double columns, formed
line to the right on right:half of the battalions, and
prepared to meet cavalry in lines from the left.
After ;forming battalion squares th brigade re-
formed line of contiguous quarter-di.4, cc, columns
on the centre battalion; changed fro.:t ti the left,
deployed, retired, halted, fronted, and attacked,
the leading column of each battalion being sup-
ported by its second fire, the remainder being kept
in reseive. Eventually the whole were formed up
into two lines, and the order was given to charge
the rising ground to the north of the Park, which
was done in capital style, the men advancing with
a loud and joyous shout, much to the discomfiture
of the spectators who were stationed between the
advancing men and a number of volunteers who,
stationed on the summit of the hill, kept up a con-
tinual and would be destructive fire into the ranks
of the attacking party. The order was given to
retire, and after some more manceuvres Colonel
Hunter, addressing the men. said he had previously
inspected that battalion, and it then gave him
pleasure to report favourably, not only upon their
efficiency in the field, but upon their general ap-
pearance, and he should have greater pleasure on
this occasion in reporting upon the condition of
the battalion. They had all acquitted themselves
exceedingly well that day.—Colonel Knight, MP.,
said although he had not been able to be amongst
the men much of late, it was very gratifying to him
to find that the offices had so well performed theit
duty as to earn the encomiums from Colonel
Hunter which he had just bestowed upon the regi-
ment. He rejoiced to find that the battalion kept
up its old form. The men were then discharged to
their canteens, and in the evening left the park,
after a hard and successful day's manceuvring.
Between the morning drill, and the inspection in
the afternoon, the officers were entertained at
luncheon by the Adjutant, in the Hall Barn.

ALESOWE N AND HA.GLE Y HORTI-
CULTURAL SOCIETY,
The Annual Flower Show in eenneetion with tl is
Society was held in Hagley Park, on Tueslay last.
The weather being fine a large concourso of people
assembled at this, the most fashionable gatheling
of the year, in this district.
The exhibits were arranged in two tents, a large
one being appropriated to the general cla,sEs, and
the productions of the cottagers in another. In the
general exhibition the show of plants was consider-
ably better than it has been in recent years. The
great feature was found in the stove and gi eenhouse
plants, of which a profusion or admirable se ii:nens
were -exhibited in the centre of the 1a.T.3 tent,
amongst them being included some very showy
palms, cricas, and others of a like class. The betuti-
ful green fronds of the palms and larger plants of
that species gave quite a tropical appearance to the
whole collection, and served as an admirable back-
ground to tie brilliantly-hued flowering plants
staged in front, The statica profuse, hydrangea
variegata, and clerodendron, were noticeable in this
display, Geraniums were a feature, from their
general fi esh and nice appearance and the striking
colour of the zonate. There were some fuchsias,
which were in great force, and were well-gro n
healthy-looking plants. In the fruit and vegetables
the elects of the recent bad weather were most
evinced In this respect the exhibition was a very
fleshy pro ,ortion. The
ohneigr, fine
the roses which farmed
poor one. Lord Lyttelton's grapes, however, were
the greater part of teis class were very good indeed
eirreoinstrt
notwithstanding the disadvantages which those
growers had had to put up with this vasJn. Mr.
evuertyftionwvietrins
wg
Fawkes, of Erdington, was a successful competitor,
taking first prize for single roses with twelve mag-
nificent bloeans. Dahlias were rather weak, but
verbenas were better. In the cottage, s show the
window plants. plants in pots, climbing and other
roses were noticeable features. Some very cred t •
able cut flowers were also shown. In t e flu ts the ,
raspberii s, strawberries, currants, and F o )s eberri
were perhaps most to be commended, et p ciallv
considering the backwardness of the seasol.. The
prizes given away were about £7O in value in the
general class, and over £2O in the cottagers'. The
cottagers prizes were delivered by Lord Lyttelton
in the course of the afternoon, and his lordship t ok
advantage of the occasion to offer warm congratu-
lations on the general success of the show, and the
satisfactory character of the exhibits, considering all
drawbacks. The following is the prize 1 s :-
CLAS.ES OF PLANTS AND CTIT FLOWERS.-Orchids,
hest collection of six : nil. New and rare plants,
of three : Ist, Thos. Beach, Tipton ; 2ad, E. .T
Morton, Wolverly. Stove or greenhclue plants,
collection of nine, not less than four in flower : Ist,
Wm. Jackson, Blakedown; 2nd C. E. Mathews ;
3rd, E. J. Morton. Ditto collection of six, not less
than three in flower: Ist C. E. Mathews ; 2nd,
Win. Jackson: extra, H. Elkington. Ditto, single
specimen in flower : Ist, W. Jackson, Blakedown ;
2nd, E. J. Morton, Wolverly. Ericas, collection of
six : Ist. William Jackson ; 2nd, T. Greaves.
Fuchias, collection of nine : Ist, H. Eikington ;
2nd, J. Gardener, Kidderminster ; 3rd, Wm. Staw,
Blakekook. Ditto, collection of six: Ist, J.
Gardener; 2nd, T. Greaves, Smethurst ; 3rd, nil.
Ditto, collection of three: Ist, H. Elkington ; 2nd,
Major Williams; 3rd, Thomas Greaves, Smethurst.
Geraniums, collection of six, variegated foliage : Ist
Major Williams ; 2nd, J. Gardener, Kidderminster
3rd, William Bradley, Harborne. Ditto of six zonalen
Ist, J. Gardener, Kidderminster; 2t,d, H. Elking-
ton ; extra, Major Williams. Japan lily, collection
of fihree : Ist, Wm Shaw, Blakebrook ; 2nd, Thos.
Bach, Tipton. Lilium auratum, collection of three:
Nil, Verbenas, collection of nine : T. Greaves.
Twelve miscellaneous, but not to consist of any for
which special prizes are offered : Ist, C. E.
Matthews; 2nd, Wm. Jackson, Blakedown ; 3rd,
T. Beach, Tipton. Carnations. collection of twelve,
dissimilar . Ist, nil. T'icotees, collection of twelve,
dis dmilar, nil. Cut roses, in bunches of three, col-
lee ion of twenty-four dissimilar sorts, with leaves
and bites as cut : Ist, G. 11. Fewkes, Erdington ;
2n:', Win. Jackson, Blakedown ; 3:d, Lord Lyttel-
tor . Ditto, single blooms, collection of twenty-four
dissimilar: Ist, G. H. Fewkes ; 2nd Wm. Jackson,
BLlkedown ; 3rd, Wm. Shaw, Blakedown. Ditto,
single blooms, collection of twelve : Ist. G. H:
Fewkes, Erdington ; 2nd, Wm. Shaw; 3rd, Lord
Lye telten. D thlias, collection of twenty-four. nil.
Di to, collection of twelve ; Ist, Wm. Shaw, Blake-
; 2nd. W. Jackson, Blakedown. Ditto, fancy,
cel iction of t else : Nil. Ditto, Ditto, collection
at eix : Nil. Caladiums, best collection of six :
Ist, Major Williams; 2nd, E. Gem ; 3rd, E. J.
Morton, Wolverley. Ditto. single specimen : ,
E. Gem; 2nd, Major Williams. Verbenas, in
not to exceed five trusses in a bunch. tol-
lection of twenty-four: Ist, Wm. Jackson, Ditto

ditto, collection of eighteen : Ist, T. Greaves, 1
Ditto, ditto, collection of twelve : Wm. Jackson;
Blakedown. Miscellaneous collection of cut flowers
twenty four bunches, not more than one variety inn
bunch :Ist, W. Jackson, Blakedown ; 2nd, T.
Greaves, Smethurst; rd, Lord Lyttelton. Hardy
flowers, twelve varieties : Ist, Wm. Shaw, Blake
-
brook ; 2nd, Major Willisls; 3rd, Lord Lyttel(on.
Gla ioli, single spike, variety of eighteen : Nil.
Phloxes, eighteen varieties: Nil. Ferns, collection
of twelve : Ist, C. E. Mathews ; 2nd, Lord Lvttel-
ton. Ditto, collection of six : Ist, C, E. Mathews.
Hollyocks, in spikes, twelve varielies': Nil Bouquet
of flowers for ball: Ist, Wm. Jackson, Blakedown ;
, 2nd, C. E. Mathews; 3rd, E. J. Gem. Ditto, for
wedding : Ist, Wm. Jackson ; 211 d, E. Gem; 3rd,
I C. E. Mathews.

FRUlT.—Pines, single specimen : Nil. Melon.
sine-le specimen : Ist, E. J. Morton Wolverley.
Grapes, black. two bunches : Ist, C. Webb, Dennis
E J. Morton ; 31d, R. P. YAes. Ditto, white, two
bunches : Ist, Lord Lyttelton ; 2nd, C. Webb; 3rd
E. J. Morton. Pea.ch2s, in dishes of 5.3( _s_ 1 t
,
I\l Ijor Williams; 2nd, J. Morton. Nectorines, in
dishes of six : Ist, Major Williams. Apricots, in
dishes of six : Nil. Plums, in dishes of twelve : Ist,
E. J. Morton. Strawberries, in dishes : Ist, William
Jackson ; 2nd, E. J. Morton. Gooseberries, by
weight, heavies six red : Ist, G-. Addis ; 2nd. S.
Wilkes. Ditto, ditto, yellow Ist. G. Addis ; 2nd,
S 'Wilkes. Ditto, ditto, green : Ist, G. Addis; 2nd
S. Wilkes. Ditto, ditto, white: G. Addis : 2nd, S.
Wilke. Ditto, best dish for flavour : Ist, Wm.
Jackson; 2nd, E. ,T. Morton. Collection of English
grown fruit, eight dishes, (pines included) : let,
Lord Lyttalton.
EXTRA PRIZES.—.k priz of £5 was given by Mr.
J. S. Gibbon., of The Leasowes, Lialesowen, for the
best collection of stove or greenhouse ornamental
foliage plants of not less than nine or more than
twelve, exclusive of ferns or orchids, to be the pro-
perty of the exhibitor, and the committee gave £2
to the second. The first was awarled to Mr. Tho 4.
Beach, of Tipton. and the second to Mr. C. E.
Mathews, of Erdington. A prize given by Mr.
Parkes for the best six pots of petunias was awarded
to Maj-u- Williams. Mr. William Hayes took first
prizes in the following amateurs' classes :—Plants
la pots : Fuchsias, geroniurns, petunias ; cucumbers
in boxes, collection of six sorts of fruit, black grapes,
and collection of vogetables. No other prizes were
awarded in these classes.

COTTAGERS' FLOWERS.-Window plants, in bloom,
three varieties: Ist, T. Newnhatn ; 2nd, H. Smith;
3rd, Mrs. Taylor. Pansies, cut, collection ot six :
Ist, Charles Thomas; 2nd, Thomas Jeavons. Pinks
cut, collection of six: Ist, J. Micklewright; 2nd,
Simeon Dunn. Roses, cut, six varieties : Ist, J.
Shitvock ; 2nd, IL Smith; 3rd, Edward Lowe;
extra prize, Charles Thomas. Roses, climbing : Ist,
Edward Smi-h ; 2nd, H. Smith ; 3rd, John Shilvoek.
German Stocks, collection of eight : Ist, Thomas
Newnham ; 2nd, Charles Thomas. Nosegay of
flowers: Ist, Henry Smith; 2nd, Charles Thomas.
Flowersl in design; John Micklewright. 5 Plants
in pots, three varieties : let, John Shilvock ; 2nd,
Thomas Newnham ; 3rd, Henry Smith. Plant, in
pot, single specimen ; Ist, Benjamin Davenport ;
2nd, William Cooper,. Dahlias, siz blooms : Ist.
William Cooper; 2nd, Henry Smith : 3rd, John
Micklewritrht. Collection of cut flowers : Ist, Henry
Smith ; 2r;-d, Henry Jordan. Design of wild flowers:
Ist, S. Bate ; 2nd, John Micklewright.
FRCIT.-A.pples, baking, Ist, Thomas Jeavons ;
2nd, Henry Jordan; 3rd, Edward Smith. Apples,
eating: Ist, William Poole ; 2nd, Edward Smith;
3rd, Thomas Poole. Cherries, 11b. : Ist, John Shil-
vock ; 2nd, Thomas Poole; 3rd, Benjamin Daven-
port. Currants red, 11b. : Ist, Thomas Mickle-
wright ; 2nd, Henry Smith ; 3rd, Edward Smith.
Currants. white lib ;Ist, John Shilvock ; 2nd, Henry
Smith : 3rd, William Poole, Currants, black, lib ;
Ist, John Shilvock ; 2nd, William Poole ; 3rd,
Thomas Micklewright. GooEeberries, red, lib ; Ist,
Thomas Rudge ; 2nd, Henry Smith; 3rd, Simeon
Dunn. Gooseberries, yellow, 11b: Ist, Simeon Dunn ;
2nd, Henry Smith ; 3rd, Thomas Poole. Goose-
berries, green' lib: Ist,.William Poole ; 2nd, Henry
Smith ; 3rd, Edward Smith. Gooseberries, white,
lib: Ist, Edward Smith; 2nd. Edwsrd Smith ; 3rd,
Simeon Dunn. Raspberries, lib : Ist, Edward
Smith; 2nd, Henry Smith; 3rd, Charles Corfield.
Strawberries. 1113: is', Henry Smith; 2nd, Thomas
Poole • 3rd, John Shilvock. Collection of fruits ;
Ist, Thomas Poole ; 2nd, George Dilworth ; 3rd,
Thomas Micklewright. .Honey in comb, Charles
Corfield. _ _

VEGETABLES.-Broad Beans, peck : Ist, Job
Bate ; 2nd, S. Bate ; 3rd, John Skilvock. Cabbage,
three heals : Ist, William Poole ' • 2nl. John Shil-
vock ; 3rd, Thomas Poole. C tuliflower, three
heads, Charles Thomas. Cucumber, brace : Ist,
John Shilvock; 2nd, Job Bate. Rhubarb, six sticks
Ist, Henry Smi Is ; 2nd, Edward Smith; 3rd, Thomas
Micklewright. Lettuce, three heads : Ist, T. Pe-
ford; 2nd, S. Bate; 3rd, John ShEvock. White
Onions, twelve roots : Ist, John Shilvock • 2nd, T.
Petford ; 3rd, 8. Bate. Spring Onions, twelve roots:
Ist, Johh Shilvock ; 2nd, Thsinss Newnham ; 3rd,
Henry Smith. Peas, I peck: Ist, Charles Thomas;
2nd, John Shilvock; 3rd, William Poole, Potatoes,
early kidneys : Ist, Job Bate; 2nd, C..aries Thomas;
3rd, Joseph Potter. Potatoes, early round : Ist,
Charles Corfield ; 2nd, Charl€ s Thomas ; 3rd, Edward
Smith. Potatoes, late: Ist, Charles Homer; 2nd,
John Shilvock; 3rd, Edward Smiths Turnips, six
roots: Ist, Thomas Shilvock; 2nd, Benjamin Daven-
port ; 3rd, T. Petford. Parsnips, s,x roots : Ist,
Thomas Micklewright ; 2nd, John Shilvock ; 3rd,
Charles Thomas. Carrots, six rots : Ist, T. Pet-
ford; 2nd, S. Bate; 3rd, John Shilvock. Herbs :
Ist, Thomas Rudge ' • 2nd, John Shilvoek ; 3rd,
Charles Thomas, Salad: Ist, John Shilvock ; 2nd,
S. Bate ; 3rd, T. Petford. Vsgetables : Ist, Charlss
Thomas ; 2nd, John Shilvock; 3rd, S Bate. Neatest
and best cropped garden, Halesowen Ist, John
Shilvock; 2nd, Thomas Rudge ; 3rd, T. Petford.
Neatest and best cropped garden' liagley Ist,
Charles Thomas ; 2ad, Thomas Newnham ; 3rd,
William Poole. Extra prizes for window plants,
given by Lord Lyttelton, four varieties: Ist, Thomas
Nevinham ; 2nd, Henry Smith; 3rd, Henry Jordan.
For the most tastefully arranged nosegay of
flowers, two pr;zes were given by the Vice-
chairman; Ist, John Shilvock ; 2nd, Edward Smith.
Six apple trees and six pear trees, given to the "most
deserving '' cottager by Mr. Verte,sans, fell to Thos
Rudge,Halesowen Mrs. E. C. Hatt'on's two prizes to
cottagers obtaining first prizes for fruit and vege-
tables, respectively, were gained by Thomas Poole,
Stakenb.idge. and Charles Thomas, of the same
place. Mr. W. P. Strawson gave the following : A
spade, shovel, digging fork, and rake to cottager
obtaining greatest number of prizes John Shilvock.
Halesowen ; (2), spade, fork, and rake, to second
highest, Henry Smith, Stakenbridge ; (3), spade and
rake, to third, Charles Thomas Stakeubridge ; (4). a
spade, to fourth, Edward Smith. Stakenbri dge.
The judges in the general competition were Messrs
Latham (Botanical Gardens, Edgbaston) ; Brown
(Mrs. Alston's, Elmdou Hall); and South, of Tetten-
hall. In the cottagers competition the Rev. J. L.
Bourne, Broom. and Mr. B. Wooldridge officiated.
Messrs. Synyer and Gilmer's band was stationed
on the ground, and gave musical selections during
the day.