The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-11 00:00:00

TEMPERANCE MEETING AT LANGLEY.

A largely-attended meeting was held in the
Temperance Hall, Langley, on Tuesday night.
Councillor White, of Birmingham, presided, and
was supported by the Revs. Prebendary Grier
(vicar of Rugeley), Kepling Cox (organising secre
tary of the Church of England Temperance Society)
W. T. Taylor, W. Laing, W. Blake Atkinson,
Messrs. K. A. Macaulay, J. Meillett.
The Chairman read a letter of apology for
absence from Mr. A. M. Chance. He congratulated
the committee of the Langley Temperance Hall
upon the rapid strides whieh the temperance cause
had made in the neighbourhood, which was owing
no doubt to their earnest and continued work in
providing counteractions to the public-house.
The Rev. Prebendary Grier, Vicar of Rugeley,
said he was pleased to address such a large audi-
ence, composed, as it was principally of working
men. The temperence question was pre-eminently
a working man's question. If they would take up
the cause of temperance they would benefit their
class a great deal more than by the many organ-
isations which obtained amongst them. There was
one master against whom they ought to strike, and
that was strong drink—(hear, hear). He was
quite convinced that it was not possible for the
great bulk of working men to be made perfectly
so er unless a violent remedy were applied. The
majority of working men would not be moderate in
drinking alcohol if alcohol was generally used. He
condemned the action of the Legislature in connec-
tion with the drink traffic, and contended that the
aim of the Legislature should be to remove out of
the way of the people the temptations to do wrong.
They wanted to obtain for England a Sunday Clos-
ing Bill--(hear, hear)—the same as Ireland. He
thought the closing of the public-houses on Sunday
would be welcomed by the great majority of work-
ing men, and would be hailed with pleasure by a
great number of publicans. He was informed, in
fret, that one of the principal brewers in that dis-
district had expressed himself in favour of the
measure. Referring to the Permissive Bill, he
observed that a more reasonable and just measure
it was impossible to propose—(cheers).
On the proposition of the Rev. W. R. Cox,
seconded by Mr. R. A. Macaulay, a vote of thanks
was accorded to the Rev. Prebendary Grier and to
the Chairman.
The preceedinge then terminated.

ROWLEY.

LoJAL BOARD OF HRALTII.—The monthly meeting of
this 3oard was held on Monday evening; Mr. W. Bassan•
presding.—The Medical Officer (Mr. Key) reported that I
the loath rate had been very much increased, owing no
doubt to the severe weather. The total number of deaths
for the past five weeks was 74, which gave a death rate
of 29 per, 1,01)0 of the population. He had examined
th) localities where typhoid fever had oocurred, and he
at:ributed the outbreak in every case to the use of water
from wells contaminated with sewage matter. He re-
commended the Board to give instructions for the use
)f the whole of the houses in Elbow and King Streets,
Old Hill, and certain other houses in Reddall Hill and
Wright's Lane. The Chairman remarked that there was
a great deal of misapprehension in the parish with re-
ference to the Water Works' Company—people were
prejudiced against it, because, they contended, tbat it
was not so clear as pump water. He thought it should
be remembered that, although it was sometimes a little
turbid, yet it came from sources which did not admit of
the possibility of sewage pollution. There could be no
dcribt, from the circumstances surrounding most of the
small hone( sin the parish, that the water was to a great
extent contaminated with sewage ratter. Besides, many
of the people had no wetter supply at all to their houses,
and he frequently saw women carrying water (which was
no doubt for cooking purposes) from nothing but puddle,
holes, and totally unfit for use. They should be wanting;
in one of their most important duties if they did not in-
duce the population to lay on the tap water in all cases
where it had been pointed out to them as necessary. He
felt a little hesitation in pressing the matter at the pre-
sent time, when there were was so much distress pre-
valent, but the matter had been investigated by the medi-
cal officer, and they must act on his recommendations.
Ultimately it was resolved, on the proposition of the
Chairman, seconded by Mr. Williams, that orders should
be given by the Board to lay on the tap water in all cases
recommended by the medical officer, unless the inspector
found special reasons against the adoption of such a
course. The estimates for a general district rate of 41.
in the pound, and a highway rate of is in the pound.
were presented to the Board by the surveyor.