The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-06-24 00:00:00

COMMISSIONERS' MEETINO,

The annual meeting of this body was held at
the Corn Exchange, on Wednesday; Captain
Walker in the chair. There were also present:
—Messrs. Iltighes, Dillingham, Blunsom, Per-
kins, Allsop, Stringer, Emery, Newnam, and the
Iter. D. Maginnis. The following ratepayers
were also present :—Messrs. Heckford, Hughes,
Doody, Sharman, W. It. Penny, T. Penny, J.
Dutton, It. Cook, 'level, ti. Nickols, J. Hand,
I. Porter, Hill, Franklin, Downs, &c.

The Clerk read the notice calling the meet-
ing, and the minutes of the last meeting.
The Chairman, on rising, said they were well
aware that the tenure of his office was ended that
day, and it was now their duty to appoint another
chairman for the ensuing year.
Mr. Alloop said he wished to propose a gentle-
man in the room who was an old member of the
Beard, and who had taken an active pad in pub-
lic affairs for the past 25 years. He Lidieved
him in every way qualified to hold the position,
and had great pleasure in proposing that Mr.
Dillingham be the Chairman for the ensuing
year. . _

Mr. Stringer said he had much pleasure in
seconding the proposition. He did not think
there WAS anyone inere fitting to fill the ()trice.
He had proved himself to be most patient and
and judicious in the discharge of his public
duties.

The Chaiaman said he most cordially en.
dorsed the proposal, and should have much plea-
sure in leaving the chair in the hands of Mr.
Billinghatn. lie then vacated the chair.
Mr. Billingham having taken the chair, said,
in assuming the position to which he had been
appointed, he had sonic difficulty in finding suf-
ficient words to convey to them his feelings.
There w,is only one other gentleman at that
Board who had served so long a period at him-
self, viz., Mr. H. Hughes, whom lie (Mr. Billing-
ham) stood next to, he having at least served
25 years. Whatever feeble services he had given,
he had rendered to the best of his abilities—
hear, hear). Now that they had appointed hint
to the position of chairman, he felt quite sure
that he should have the sympathy and support
of every gentleman round the Board from time
to time, which was necessary to maintain the
dignity and character of the Board. He felt
grateful to them for having elected him, and he
trusted that what time he had for disposal he
should be ready from time to time to give for
the mutual improvement and benefit of the town
—fleeter. hear'.

The Rev. 1). Magionis next proposed a vote
of thanks to Captain Walker for the efficient
manlier in which he had discharged his duties
during the past year, He thought they would
all agree with hint that he had conducted the
business of the Board with absolute impartiality
on all occasions.

Mr. Hughes seconded the proposition, which
was carried unanimously.
Captain Walker, in replying, begged to thank
them, and said he much regretted that the last
three months he had not been able to attend
often, but he had many pressing engagements in
business. In the earlier part of the year he did
give a good deal of time, and for the last•three
it was his misfortune he could not attend.
The Clerk said that the meeting was called
for the purpose of passing the annual accounts,
ending March 31st, 1871 the statement of which
has already appeared in the Observer).
Mr. Hughes proposed " That the accounts
now produced having been examined, read, and
allowed, that the Chairman be requested to sign
the same."

TiliS was seconded by Mr. Alloop.
The Chairman then signed them.
The Chairman then addressed the ratepayers
present, and said the Commissioners felt that
they had the sympathy of the ratepayers at see-
ing so large a number present. It was now for
them to appoint two competent men, who would
be willing to perform the duties as auditors for
the ensuing twelve months.
Mr. S. Field then proposed Mr. NV. H. Moore
as one of the auditors.
Mr. ifeckford seconded it.

Mr. J. Hughes next proposed Mr. L. Bottom-
. .

-31 r. Cook seconded the !notion.

Mr. Doody then proposed Mr. S. Moore.
Mr. Hand seconded the nomination.

Mr. W. H. Penny next proposed, and Mr.
Piavell seconded, the nomination of Mr. Yates.
Upon the votes being taken, they were re.
corded se follows :—Mr. S. Moore, 10; Mr. Bot-
tomley, 7; Mr. Yates, 7; and Mr. W. H. Moore,
5.
The Chairman remarked that, in consequence
of Messrs. Bettoialey and Yates having seven
votes each, it would necessitate the votes being
taken again. The voting was thenitaken as fol-
lows Bottoniley, 11; Mr. Yates, 9.
The Chairman then declared Messrs. S. Moore
and Bottomley elected as the auditors for the
enst!ing year.

There mu no other business, and the meeting
terminatell.

COUNTY COURT.

Bennett v. Bennet(.—At the County Court,
on Wednesday, before Mr. Loxdale Warren,
Deputy Judge, this was an action brought to
resover the sum of 43 14s for rent due to plain-
tiff, and to recover possession of the house.—
Mr. Collis appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Perry
for defendant.--Plaintiff said he was son of the
defendant, and lived at Blakedown. Defendant
corked for him as a journe) man. In November
1865, being then in possession of the property,
he agreed to let it to defendant. The terms
were to pay Li Ils Gd per quarter, being 2s to
be paid out of defendant's wages every week,
and for him to make up the amount (XI us 6cl)
at the end of the quarter. On the 28th of Sep-
tember 1870, defendant was served with a notice
by a man named Christopher. Cross-examined:
This property and other property was my father's
arid was in mortgage. The tenancy began on
the Ist of November, 1865, I made entries ht
the time. I let it hint at Li lie thi per quarter.
Ile did not enter the house at Michaelmas. 1
did not agree to find my father £1 per week as
part of the bargaia. I let hioi have the first
house quo terly.—Williani Christopher said he
received a notice from plaintiff, and served a
copy of it on defendant's wife, at the house, on
the 28th of September. The wife did not say
mything to me at the time.—Mr. Perry, in de-
fence, called defendant, who said that when he
conveyed his; property to his son they were to
live together for some time. In about two
years it was arranged that he should live in the
lions° by himself. He took the first house at

lieliaelmas, and he Was to give so much per
quarter towards being something towards the
itortgage. He was to pay .£5 per year, and to
'my quarterly. The rent of the other house was
to be .t 6 per year, to be paid in 2s per week, and
then to pay up the balance at the end of the
quarter. Cross-examined : I did not have a rent
book. When I went to the second house I never
troubled about it. It was in Michaelmas when
1 took it. I did not enter the house on the 21st
of November.— His Honour said he thought
2/Ir. Collis was entitled to a verdict, but he was
not at all satisfied with the evidence of plaintiff.
—Verdict for plaintiff.
/fifth frds V )1 undmo..—This Was an action to
recover the silos of £l5 for loss of trade, and
damages received to a workshop at the Lye.
Mr. llornfray appeared for plaituiff, and Mr.
Perry for defendant.

Thomas Richards the plaintiff) said he was
teienit to defendant at an Inn, at the Lye, for
nine the. The rent was £lB per year He
converted a part of the premises into a black-
smith's shop, with the consent of defendant.
He bonlbt tools end other things. Defendant
wanted to make a provision shop. Some masons
came and took away the bench, tools, &c., and
titt,4 it up for a provision shop. From Febru-
ary last lie had lost his blacksmith shop business.
Thomas Robinson said Mr. NI unslow ordered it
to be done. He (plaintiff) saw defendant about