The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-03-04 00:00:00

THE STOURPETDOE OF SI EVER.

, upon no to reduce the price of gas to the consumers ii
the township. As it appeared to us that this requisition
was based on a report which appeared in the Stun rbritlye
Obscrrer on the 4th lust, signed by four member, of
your Board, we consider it due to yon, to the consumers,
and ourselves, to submit the report to Messrs. Lamely,
Harrison, and Harris, the eminent accountants, of Bic,
ulingliam, in order that they might compare it with our
balance-sheets and bxdrs. We enclose herein hirers.
Laundy, Harrison, and Harris's report, by which it ap-
pears that so far !rein haviug exceeded ourparliamentary
powers by the rum of .£1,718 tis lid, as stated by the
(las Quaint" :Itcr c will remain due to oar proprietors,
, before tr.ds essmg this limit, no less a sum than
£8,944 15a l it. Under these eircumstanres we respect-
fully decline to matte ally reduction in the price of gas at
present; but you may feel assured that no soon as we
can do 90 with id-Artie to our proprietors the fa% it re-
duction possible shall he made. If, after a careful ex-
amination of the two very conflicting reports, the one
ernanatinig from your committee, the other the one we
now bring before you, you should still be of opinion that
gins can be supplied at. lower scale to the consumers
than to now being done, we, so far as we are concerned,
are quite willing to dispose of the works and plant to
30U, on the basis of 10 per cent. and 71 per cent. respec-
tively on all sums expended upon thew, in conformity
with our Act ; and on learning from you that such terms
will be acceptable, wo will lose no time in calling our
proprietors together, inn order to obtain their sanction to
such arrengement ; and further, we undertake to give you
nil the assistance in our power to carry this arrangement
into effect. Should you, however, decline to accept this
offer, and should the gas works remain under the present
management, we wish to give, and hereby give, you no-
tice that, after the termination of the present lighting
season if the public lamps, we shall decline in future to
undertake the maintenance, repair, and removal of tine
fittings, lamps, glasses, ite., and the providing for the
lighting, extinguishing, and cleaning of the lamps, ex-
cept on reasonable terms to be arranged between us, or,
failing agreement, to be settled by reference as provided
by our Act We need scarcely add that the public lamps
are lightad at a loss to the company, and so act as a bar.
rice in the way of future reduction in price to the comm.
laces; and this, therefore, is quite as much, if not more,
the consumers' question than the gas company's. We
append a tabulated statement of the prices at which gas
is supplied in time neighbouring towns, in order that, by
comparing them, you may see that the township of Stone.
bridge is supplied with gas at lower terms than is sup-
plied by any gas company in any other town in the dis-
trict, or, in fact, so far as we &seen tuin, in any other town
whatever, due regard being had to the quantities of gas
made. It may, perhaps, be incidentally mentioned that
for three half years no dividend whatever has been paid;
and the highest dividend paid for the past seven years
has been 5 per cent. In the event of your requiring any
explanatiou of the statements made by Messrs. Laundy,
garrison, and Harris, or by ourselves, we should be
happy to meet you, accompanied by a representative of
that firm, at any time you may &planing, to confer with ;
you fully thereon.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant (for self and co-directors),
(Signed) ROBERT THRT.STAN, Chairman.
The aniouut of gas made in Stourbridge an-
nually is 34,000,000 feet, the maximum price
being 3s 9d, and the minimum 3s; average price
3s 41d. Price of coal, as given by the Gas
Committee, 14s.
. .

The Chairman read the following report of
Messrs. Laundy, Harrison, and Harris, of Bir-
mingham :

Biiiniugliam, 20th Feb., 1871, 22, Waterloo-street.
To the Directors of the Stoorbridge Gas Co.

--
tientlemen,—At your request we have inspected the
books and accounts of your company, with reference to a
letter from the Clerk of the Stourbridge Town Commis-
sioners. dated 13th hest, and enclosing a resolution of
that body in the following terms: " That it appears to
this Board that the Use Company are in a position to
make a reduction in the price of gas, and that an appli.
cation he mode by this Board to the Gas Company for a
reduction to the consumers in the township." This reso•
teflon is based upon a report of the Committee of the
Stuurbridge Commissioners published in the Stourhrhlge
(Risen., of the 11th February, 1871. We have neces-
sarily confined our attention to that portion which bears
upon the accuracy of your accounts). It must be clearly
observed that in estimating the extent to which 'a per•
inanent reduction in the price of gas can now be effected,
all matters of account prier to 1864 require to be ex.-
excluded. In that year the price of gas was reduced,
and tnerefore the calculations at the present time must
be based only on the result of the working under such
reduction. If the income proper Since 1863 has provided
a surplus beyond the authorised divideuds and funds you
could fairly be called upon ti make an alteration, but not
otherwise. We emphatically affirm this principle at the
outset, as in one or two instances the committee have
apparemly overlooked it. The committee state that
errors is your accounts have been discovered, which
Justify them in calling upon you to reduce your income
by £1,109 per annum. The surplus shown by your reve-
nue account on the 31st December. 1869, available for
dividends, is £475. This the committee, in their report,
elate should be £5,384 19a lid, in consequence of the
following omissions :—(1.) Contingency fund inisappre-
priated in 1864, £334 18a 5d ; (2) the like in 1863, £236
ltis 8d ; (3) credit balance of profit and loss dropped in
1866 and 1868, less debit balance in 1867, £3 17s lid ;
14) labour improperly charged to revenue in 186310 1869,
£2,979 7. 9d; (5) law charges improperly charged to
revenue 1863 to 1869, £3OO ers 23 ; (6) error iu balance
brought forward is 1863, £1.034 Sr 61d; total, £4,909
les 31d. The foregoing £475, added to this £4,909 19.
51.1 gives a total of £5,384 19s 313. To this they further
add the sum of £3.320 for (7) value of stock in 1868,
£1,571 3s 3.1; (8) the probable amount of accounts due
for one quarter (difference) between £3,320 and £1,571
3s 34-8:1,748 16s 9).1; total, £3,320, which added to the
foregoing £3,381 19s 311, shoes a total amount applec.
Nide to the payment of arrears of dividends and the re-
duction in the price of gas amounting to £8,70419.514.
With respect to the first amount we r. peat that it in no
way affects the question at issue, as it was set asi•ie
out of the profits of 1863, and cousequently before the
redaction in price was effected. The amount with the
next item 2236 18. 84) was reserved meter the 122.1
Clause of the" Cerny odes' clauses Cousolidatiou Act,
1845," which provides that the loud may be applied to
enlarging, repairine, and improving the works. We
cannot venture a positive opinion as to whether you were
within the Act in applying thin fund towards the cost ef
new works. We think, however, that, it it were dune to
a large extent, it WQIII,I inequitably, as between the
present and future consumers. In companies of this
cuaracter, the intention of the Legialature appear to be
that the cost of new works should bra pernaneet charge
on capital; and that the expenses of 'wiping them in
repair only should he charged to revenue. At the same
tune, there is ire doubt (whether these emaciate were
r;g11•1• apphel or D t) that you have lower, both tinder
tee clause above referred to, arid under the "31st Clause
of the Gas IV orke Clauses Aet, 1817," to ralse a fiend riot
of revenue of the amount ef Une.C. DUI I,f the noinin .1
capital, C. meet enetingi mit, and equalise divide/ids.
The omission of the profit and loss balances (item No. 3
auove) is an error, and the balance stiewn by year Re-
counts ehould be increased by the sum of 4:3 17s 11,1.
With respect to the fourth item, time has not allowed,
nor are the means I eedily accessible, of our aualysio
the ...ants paid fir wages, to see that they are rightl)
divided between capital and revenue. Your knowledge
of the new works which have been undertaken will ena! le
you to satisfy the committee on this point. We observe
however: Firstly. That in 1867 and in 1868, concurrently
with the increase in wages, there is a decrease in direc-
tors' remmieratiou. This was consequent upon the ap-
pointment of Mr. Akroyd, formerly managing director,
as manager. His astir; for the two years (£400) being
added to wage., must therefore be left out of the ealcu•
lation. Secondly: That Koine wages over the period (in
1063, £l4 105; in 1864, £150; and in 1866, £197 Se 2d)
had been charged to cepital, and thirdly that up to 1863
the amount expended on capital account was £12,970; to
1863 it was £18,426 ; and that to estimate the cost of
keeping these increased works in repair from 1863 to
1869, on the basis of the average cost odor to that period
is erroneous. The amount of law charges (item No. 5)
is properly charged to revenue. It does not include the
Parliamentary expenses attending the " Stourbridge Gen
Amendment Act, 1866," the whole of which is charged
to capital. The £3OO Ss 2d mainly arises from the action
taken in 1863 against the petition for the appointment of
an accountant, and from opposing the " Steerbridge lin.
prevenient Act "in 1866. As to the error in the balance
°relight forward in 1863 (item No. 6) the committee give
no perticulare, and it in therefore impossible to test it.
Hut as we trace already pasted out, its consideration is
irrelevent. If it exist at ell, it accrued prior to the re•
duction ; and does not affect the question, whether the
revenue under the reduced price, justifies a further ',-
auction. Tile committee are right in asserting that the
deck (item No. 7) wan not brought into the accounts till
1868. They add, however, the whole of this amount to
timir figure of revenue, whereas ld neceseity these would
be stock in hand in 1861, and the revenue from 1864 to
, 1e69 is °my affected by any increase in the steek over
: this period. From conversations with your engineer, we
I should think that £l,lOO would bra fair estimate of its
I value in 1864; and that consequently your revenue hal.
aloe should be augmented by the sum of £471 3s 3d.
The next error the committee had to deal with (item No.
8) is a misconceptien. If we rightly understand their
report it implies that the revenue balance should be in-
craved by the Christmas (1869) quarter's gen rents.
which, though mine, would not be paid. Your accounts
properly include the whole of the rentals accrued to the
date of the statement whether the same are paid or owing
This item of £1,748 Its 94 is therefore already included
in the revenue accouet. The principal error in the coin-
mittee's report we hove next to deal w ith. They have
endeavoured to prove, that the revenue balance on the
3ld December, 1869, is £8,701 Ills fild. Deducting
from this the dividends not paid (£6,901 13. Id), they
point to an available balance of £1,743 65 lid. If this
balance existed at all, it has, by the committee's own
statement, accrued from 1855 to 1869, or at the rate of a
little more than £lOO per annum. In respect of this,
they ask for a reduction of Is per thousand cubic feet,
which they calculated would absorb £1,109 155 per an.
num. This. it will be clearly seen, would result in a
large annual deficiency, instead of a surplus. Having
thus considered sedation the whole of the supposed errors
in your adiounts, we now proceed to show briefly the ac-
tual remelt, of the workieg ef the concern, and how far
such reeulte fall snort of t!le aathorreed limit of profits.
The committee state that the dividends accrued since
1863 amount is £9,507 le 48. The actual amount is
£9,912 Is 43. The difference arises chiefly from the
cemmittee calculative may 73 per cent. throughout on
Me new shares reused in 1863. These shares were not no
limited, but wore issued in lieu of borrowing, under sec-
tion 30 of the Corupenies' Clauses Consolidation Act,
1845, mid are entitled to the full 10 per cent. dividend,
In eddition to these dividends, the company are entitled
to establish a reserve fund to the extent of one-tenth of
their nominal capital. This would be £3,100, towards
which they had the sure of £331 18e 54 from 1863, leav-
ing still to be provided £2.765 15 7d. Towards these
dtvidends and funds (together £12,677 2.). 118), the com-
pany have made since 1864—(I) The dividende actually
distributed, £2,543 8,; (2) the surplus on the 31st De-
cember, 1869, shown by your accounts, £175; (3) the
contingency fund misappropriated in 1805, £236 IBs 8d ;
(4) the balance of the omitted profit and lose balance.,
£3 17s lid; (5) the estimated increase in stock since

1864, £471 Bs 3d; making a total of £3,732 7s 10d. Si
that out of the revenue since 1869 the company, in ail-
ditioa to earning the full current dividend., have to make
up arrears a,.d to provide funds, to the amount of .68,914
15a Id tbeing £12,677 26 lid, less £3,732 7s 10d), before
the Commissioners under the Acts of Parliament can
fairly call upon them to reduce the price of the gas. The
only other paragraph in the report which calls for remark,
states that when mains are re•laid the original capital is
extinguished. We du nut know bow to interpret this, it
seems t, imp.) that on such occasion. some of the
shares of the company should be cancelled. We find
from inquiries that your principle is to charge the differ-
ence between the original coat of the old and new mains
to capital, and the balance of the fresh outlay to revenue.
This, in our opinion, is quite correct. In some minor
points respecting the way in which this is carried oat we
should suggest alterations, but these would not be of any
appreciable amount. We think it doubtful whether, on
the present 'scale of prices, the company will tat Muhl for
some years) earn the prescribed dividends. It appyyrs
to us a gitestion rather of increase than decrease In the
price of gas. If however, the emaniisaioners make an
offer to purchase the works on the basis of their com-
mittee's report, we unhesitatingly advise its acceptance.
We remain, Gentlemen,
Your. respectfully,
(Signed), LAUNDY, HARM ISON, and HAHRI.,,
Public Accountants."
The Chairman said he did not think they
could go into the question now, and sugdested
that it he referred to the General Purposes
Committee.

Mr. Newnam said if the matter was referred
to the committee, the figures of the committee's
report and those of Messrs. Laundry, Harrison,
and Harris might be compared.
Mr. McEwen was of opinion that it was im-
possible to discuss the question then, because
they could not follow the figures read, and
thought the committee should go into the ques-
tion fully at a future day.
Mr. Collis thought that if referred for con-
sideration it might result in the GAR Directors
altering their opinion. He believed that after
the subject was thoroughly investigated, they
would probably take no further action in the
matter. He was sorry to hear that the Gas
Directors were likely to increase the price of
lamps.
Mr. McEwen said he very much doubted if
they could not light them for less money.
Mr. Newnaiu also thought that Mr. Collie was
labouring under a mistake. The Clerk, he
thought, could give him some information upon
the subject. The question of the price of lamps
had been before the Board before.
Mr. Billingham said that the whole question
should be referred to the General Purposes
Committee, and for the Committee to report at
their next meeting, and concluded by moving
that it be referred ; which was seconded by Mr.
Blunsom, and carried unanimously.
The Clerk was directed to write to the Board
of R tilway Directors in London, to the effect
that they (the Commissioners) had not received
any communication in reference to the applica-
tion made.
There was no other business.

. the main purpose of the Act was to deal with districts
where there was a deficient school accommodation. But
since the Act dealt with districts that were already well
supplied with school accommodation, he asked to which
claas the town of Stourbridge belonged. They were un-
able to discuss the question from statiatics laid before
them by Mr. Maginnis, but it was doubtful to him whether
there was any deficiency—(applause). They had during
the last ten years, and especially the last twenty years,
witnessed a marked development in school accommoda-
tion in the neighbourhood. They hart seen various new
and handsome baildirgs er,tet, bel inging to both the
Church of England and the Nonconformists, and are
, both well satisfied. In regard to the kind of education
! given in the schools, he could not but think that religi-
ous education lost part of its vitality if not linked and
joined with secular education, and that secular educstion
also lost part of its vitality if not associated with religi-
ous education—(applanse). He thought that many points
of advantage—such as music, Ringing, and drawieg—
which were at present considered as accessories to edu-
cation, would liooll become essentials. The eyes were
given to see, the ears to hear, and the hands to execute
—(cheers and applause). These schools were popular
and well frequented, and he could not help thinking that
the voluntary system, which prevailed no largely in this
neighbourhood, would be more likely to benefit the town
thou the School Board system. It appeared to him very
important to uphold the voluntary system, rather than
ask for the election of a Seined Board. If a School
Board was elecled for their town it would have very little
to do, unless they adopted the compulsory system. If
they decided to have a School Board the managera of
schools might find that that their subscriptions would fall
off, and they would have to weans of assistance but by
, the voluntary system, whilst the School Board would only
here the power of levying an education rate, whereas
those under the voluntary syatem in the eveat of their
resources falling off, would be placed at a disadvantage.
! They must mind with the number of forces they had
pulling in different directions they would get something
like weakness, and in the conjunction of a numbe of lu-
minaries they would get something tlike darkness—
(cheers and applause). In the event of the resources of
the schools under the voluntary system falling off, they
would have no other mean, of support, whereas the
School Board only had the power of levying an educa-
tional rate. They knew not what would be the amount
of such a rate. but the only way to prevent an education
rate would be not to encourage and promote another aye-
tem—(cheers). However light the burden of a rate
might be, whatever economy was exercised tinder •
School Board. He did not think that the Act would
abolish crime and pauperism. Yet he earnestly hoped
that for every penny spent in edncation they would save
at the least twopence in the pound in the rates—("gues-
lion," and cheers). He could not bat think that many
who were present at that meeting would agree with him
as far as that matter that it had been hurried—(chers)—
a certain amount of delay in considering that point ought
to have been made, and the various points of the Act
well considered bet ire a School Board was established—
(cheers). The Education Department had made an en-
quiry as to the amount of school accommodation in the '
town, and it would probably be some time before they
were acquainted with the result of that enquiry. In the
event of the Department deciding that there was a defi-
ciency of accommodation, six months would be allowed
for that deficiency to be met by voluntary efforts before
a School Board could be formed. At present the matter,
they were aware, was in the hands of the ratepayers, and
a meeting might be called at any moment, and it did not
matter whether there was 60 or 600 persons assembled.
They might pass a resolution asking for the formatiou of
a School Board, and the next week an order might be
sent down from London ordering the election of the
School Board. He had wondered how it was that it had
proceeded in one case with the slow pace of the tortoise,
and in the other with the rapidity of the hare. At the
last meeting it was said that it would be a grievous thing
for this district if the consideration of the establishment
of a School Board should be delayed for twelve months.
He thought that it would, perhaps, give a little more
time to persona favourable to the voluntary system to use
their efforts for the education of the young before they
should proceed to adopt the compulsory principle—
(cheers). It would also give this neighbourhood some
idea of the working of School Boards in surrounding
parishes. He must say a great deal of care should he
taken in the action upon the present question, as it waa
of great importance. He had wondered why the meet-
ing had been called for the township of Stourbridge, in-
stead of the parish of Oldswinford, because the popula-
tion of the township was not very large as compared with
the parish. If they had convened it for the parish of
Oldowinford. Thus it would have included districts in
the neighbourhood, which was moat neglected, and re-
quired the compulsory system. Re particularly meant
the Lye—(applause). He found the population of Stour-
bridge iu 1861 was 8,783, whereas if • School Board was
formed for the parish of Ohlswinford, it would include
the Lye, with a population at tne last census of 5,255;
Wollescote, 1,517 ; Upper Swinford. 2,749; and Amble-
cute, 2,613; making a total of 20,917, or very nearly
21,000. He asked why those other districts should be
prevented from enjoying the benefits accruing from a
School Board ° He thought if they decided to have one
for Stourbridge, the Education Department would prob-
ably send down an order for Oldswinford parish. They
ought to take great care how they proceeded in the mat-
ter, because much inconvenience might hereafter arise.
If a School Board was first limited to Stourbridge, they
111 ,ght afterwards find the Education Department order•
ing them to take in the outlying districts where the whole
of the work would have to be gone over again, and the
machinery altered. He confessed he did not feel viry
stongly one way or another. Bathe could not but think
that if they were to postpone the question for twelve
months, they should Imre the benefit of others experi-
ence—(cheers) He most nay that he deeply sympa.
thise with the arguments of the Rev. Mr. Sherrard, and
the Rev. D. Maginnis, and he felt inclined not to vote
on the question— prolonged applause).
Mr. Allimp said he thought that the Chairman—la
voice: " Speak up")—ought to limit each speaker for the
remainder of the evening—(another voice : "Speak up" I .
He thought no one should speak more than fifteen
minutes.

Mr, Prescott: I most object to that course, as it would
Le unfair, as one gentleman has been on his legs more
than half an hour Therefore I think that no speaker
should be confined to time
„. .. •

The Chairman said he did not think it would be fair
after allowiug Mr. Scott so long a time, to limit another
genlemau to a certain time. He ishicerely hoped that
they should come to a decision that night which would
be satisfactory to the ratepayers at large; but bethought
that no gentleman should speak twice on the same nub.
ject, which was according to the rules of debate.
Mr. Chance was the next to address the meeting, se the
seconder of the adjournment. He said he had but little
to say upon the subject, bat he did feel that an import-
ant meming like the present one, which affected the
pockets of the working classes he was anxious that they
should have an oppurtudity of attending, as he well knew
that eleven o'clock WIP a very bad time for the working
men to attend--(elteers). So far as the education win
concerned, he was in favour of evary child being educa-
ted, but he did not think that iiiiithing serious wonld
occur if the matter was adjourned for twelve months ;
but should ask the meeting to decide upon what they
thought best—(applause)
The Rev. D. Mriginns next addressed the meeting,
and asked those present to decide the question einup4
upon its nients. The question, he urged, was a very im-
portant one, and argued that it would be the bat thing
they could do to adopt the Act, which would ultimately
be cheaper for the town, as it would greaßy reduce crime
and pauperism. The rev, gentleman here gave a Dumber
of statistics showing the number of children not at pre-
sent being educated. He considered that no person
ought to be disqualified to sit at the Board whether he
belonged to the clergy, the professional, the tradesmen,
or the working classes ; and concluded by strongly sup.
por.tieg.the resolution.
_

The Bev. T. Williams said he wished to say a few
! words in explanation of the part he had taken in the
question. He did not wish to defend himself, because
he did not feel guilty, but he was very anxious to see
every child in the township have a good education—
(cheers). He thought that Mr. Maginnis had gone a little
too far in his statistics, and that he was not quite right
in saying there were 324 children not at school. Many
of those children that had been mentioned were engaged
in seine kind of labour, and he did not suppose that the
School Board would take them away and compel them
to go to school—(hisses) —Mr. Villiaaia: Please do not
make that noise, which any goose in Pedmore could make
better—ilaughter.—The speaker (continued) : 1,183 chi!.
drum were receiving education in different schools, and he
thought there was plenty of school accommodation. He
should like some further infbrmation upon the subject,
but if the meeting decided to have a School Board, he
should say have one. The speaker concluded by compii-
menting Mr. Mag)nnis for the interest he had taken in
the queetion—(applause).
Mr. Prescott said that in his opinion the two last gen-
tleman had endeavoured to throw dust in their eyes—
(
cheers and hisses). If that gentleman, or any one who
is—(hisses)—will come forward I will wait till he has
done, and then lie can came on to the platform. Those
two gentlemen have not answered any allegations made
by Mr. Scott. In reference to the meeting which was
held ..)lIIC time ago at the house of the Rev, H. Sher.
rard, he asked who were the persons most concerned—
the clergymen and ministers present on that occasion or
the ratepayers? Resolutions were passed in favour of
forming a School Board, and pledging those gentlemen
present on that occasion to use all the means in their
power for that purpolie. Ile asked whether it was an
honourable way of dealing with the mutter' After some
further remarks in which Mr. Prescott strongly opposed
the resolution he resumed his neat.
Mr. Newnain next remarked that it was necessary some.
times to put a lawyer in his place. Mr. Prescott had re-
ferred to the population of the town as stated by the
Rev. /4 Magiunis. lie had not interpreted him correctly
because the rev. gentleman said the population of 8,700
was 1861.

Mr. Prescott said he had it from the Stoliebridge Ob-
cereer, and would challenge his figures—(cries of
'• Order mu" Sit down').
Mr, Diem:tam went on to say that he questioned the
figures of Mr. Magiunis as to the cost of keeping a
School Board. After making some further remarks in
which he gave an elaborate statement as to the expense
of a School Board he sat down amil cheers.
The Bev. H. Sherrard next addressed the meeting in
support of the resolution; after which
'"

'tile Chairman put the rve-soTu.tio-U.:;"hich was negatived
by a large majority, amid great cheering.

WHOLESALE ROBBERY.—At the Worcester-
shire Adjourned Sessions, on Wednesday, be-
fore Sir H. Lambert, Plimbe Elizabeth Beckley,
servant, aged 23. was indicted for stealing a
gravy spoon, a carpet bag, eleven electro-plated
forks, four spoons, a yard of print, a diaper
cloth, and two pots of jam, on or about the 24th
December last, at Stonrbridge, the property of
Edwin Stringer, her master; and John Beckley
and Eliza Beckley, the father and mother, were
indicted for feloniously receiving the same, well
knowing it to be have been stolen.—After hear-
ing the evidence, the jury returned a verdict of
not guilty against the prisoners. There was a
further charge against Phcebe Elizabeth Beck.
ley, for stealing two card cases, four pairs of