The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-01 00:00:00

'*ocat aitb istrict gals.

BOARD OF GUA.RDIANS.—The weekbipmeeting
ofthe Board was held yesterday, Mr. H. Bil-
linghara in the chair. There were also present
Messrs. Raybould, Haskew, Wood, fi el 1y , Lav-
ender, Fiddian, Hingley, Homer, Thompson,
Kollinson, Brnpkes, and Plant. Admitted into
the house during the week 25; discharged 12 ;
dead 5 ; remaining 480; corresponding week
last year 463. Out-door relief Kingswinford
district, £3l 7s 4d; Stourbridge district, £24
17e 4id ; Halesowen district £l9 10a. lid ; non-
resident Os 4d; total £74 4s 2d; against £59
9s. lid last year.
THEA:rim ROYAL.—This popular place of resort
continues to be well patronized nightly to witness
the performance of one of the beat company's that
has performed here for some time. Several old
Stourbridge favourites appear on the stage, and are
well received.
Tomx AT THE RINK.—On Monday night, in
the pre,ence of about 1,300 persons, this world-re-
nowned comedian, assisted .by a very high class
company, gave a performance at the Victoria Hall
and Rink, and frequtntly convulsed Ws audience by
the manner of his acting.
SUDDEN DEITH.-0a the night of the 30th ult.,
E izabeth Taylor, the wife of George Taylor, land-
lord of the Hole-in-the-Wall Inn, died suddenly
about eleven o'clock. Deceased had been suffering
&um a cold for some time. She appeared to have
gone to bed at seven, and died at eleven. Dr. Birt
was at once called in, but life was extinct.
.Feaz BEIGADE.—The brigade is now comp!etely
formed, and are regularly dri led. An appeal is now
being made to the pubrie for eubcriptione, mo that
they may be properly equipped with dress, &e., and
no doubt the appeal wid meet with the sucee,s it so
well deserves. _

THE QUEEN AND "HAND AND HEART."—The
Rev. Charles Bullock, editor of "Hand and Heart,"
the illustrated penny weakly newspaper, has been
honoured with a message from the Queen. Canon
Connor, one of Her Majesty's chaplains, writes
from Osborne :—"Her Majesty permits me to say
she has read and approved of Hand and Heart'
with much pleasnre." We understand that copies
of "Hand and Heart" have been ordered for
circulation among the members of the Royalliouse-
hold. This is a proof of the interest taken by her
Majesty in the circulation of pure literature in the
homes' of her subject.—The Record.
[be Ito% Charles Williams, B. A., Curate of North-
allerton, fora erly Curate of St. Morass's' in this tow
has been appointed Criaplain of H. AI. Prison, Idorpetb.
Cstrriox WAGGONERS.—At the Foliis; Court,
hela yesterday, before Colonel Fletcher and Mr. H.
0. Firrastone, George As'unore was charged w 111
Laving a wagon in the load longer than nee nutry
for loading and unloading, at Oldswinford, on the
23rd ult. Police-constable Woodhall proved that
the wagon WtiS by the Crab Mill Inn, for more than
one hour. The waggoner was in the employ of
Mr. Philip Williams, of Harbro'. Ordered to py
costs, on promising not to offend again.—A similar
charge was preferred against John Hartland, which
was withdrawn on payment of costs.
DauNic ON LICENSED PumsEs.—Benjamin Bil-
iingham was charged with being found drunk on
licensed premises, the Shovel Inn. Police-sergeant
Payne proved the case. Fined 2s Gd and costa.
HIGHWAY Orrasen.— Smile! Rubinson was
charged with allowing a donkey to stray on the
highway at Cradley on the 16th ult. Police-con-
st able Gakey proved the offence, and defendant will'
fined Is and Goats.
CHIMNEY ON FlBE.—Benjamin Taylor was sum-
inoned by Superintendent Wheeler, for having ids
chimney on fire on the 26th ult. Withdrawn on
payment of costs.
D. HUNILENNESS.—It seph Billingham, labourer'
residing at Oldewinford, was charged with being
drunk and incapable, on the 30th ult. Police con-
stable Morgan proved the case. Fined 2s 6d and
costs.—George Lewis, of Blakedown, was charged
with being drunk on the 21st ult. Police-coust ble
Webb proved the case, and defendant was deed 2
6d awl costs.

COLLISION ON THE STOURBRIDGE
EXTENSION RAILWAY.

About five o'clock on Thuriday morning a collision
occurred between two pods trains at Sinethwick
Juuction Station, on the Stourbride Extonsi9n Line
of the Great Western Railway. It appears that the
Tenbury goods train was due at Smethvvick Junction
at 3.20 a.m., but id not arrive until 4. 51. The down
Worceeter train is due at the Junction at 4.50 a.m.,
and appears to have been very punctual. The signal-
man at the junction box received the signal of the
approach of the Worcester train from Handsworth at
4.50 a.m., the signals being then all against the
approaching train. The Tenbury train, which hsd
only "pit arrived, was standing on the line, and a
portion of it was on the crossing whilst shunting
operations were going on. Seeing the Worcester train
approaching at a very high speed, the maa stationed
at the box, knowing that a collision was inevitable,
hastened to warn the guard of the Tenbury train
Haring the danger alarm, guard scrambling up an
embankment close at hand, and so reached a place of
Esrey. Meantime the Worcester train had dashed int-,
no trucks standing on the crossing outside the Sation
with a terrific crash. Two of the wagons were com-
pletely smashed up, and many otLc,s thrown off the
metals and more or less damaged. The engine of the
Worcester train was damaged in the front part by the
force of the collision. Fortunately the officials in
charge of the train escaped without injury. It is sup-
posed that the driver mistook the signal, as it is said
that all the signals were against him at the time of the
accident., and that in addition the signalman ski gi upon
an eleva.,ed platforui with his lamp in hand, also
showing a red light. Immediatly after the occurrence
a gang of men set to work clearing away the wrecks.
Supe intendant Burlinson, of the Birmingham
division, and Inspectors Ledbrook and Lock supefin-
tended the work. The lines were blocked, and traffic
844 pended unt:l 10.30 am, five hours after the
arzeident. During the day the remaining portions of
io wrecked train were removed, and by out 6 pm.
Thaidgy to whcolt hi boos dos* Sway.i

COMMISSIONERS' MEETING.

The usual monthly meeting of Vile body was
held in the Board Room, on Monday; Mr. Hughes
in the chair. There were also present Messrs.
Kelley, Woolley, Billingham, Ick, Scott,
Aliso?, Mills, and Edwards.
The clerk read the minutes of the last meeting,
which were confirmed.
The Clerk road the following letter.
WHITEHALL,
January 16th, 1879,
Sir,

I have had the honor to lay before the
Queen the loyal and dutiful address of the Stour-
bridge Improvement Commi-sioners on the occasion
of the death of Her Royal Highness the Grand
Duchess of Hesse, Princess Alice of Great Britain
and Ireland, and I have the satisfaction to inform
poll that Her Majesty was pleased to receive the
same very graciously.
I am,
Your obedient servant,
Richard Aston Cross.
J. Taylor, Esq
Clerk to the Improvement Commissioners,
The Clerk also read the following letter.
COVENTRY STREET,
January 16th, 1879.
To the Chairman and Members of the Stourbridge
Improvement Commissioners.
Gentlemen,

On behalf of my mother and other members of
her fatnily I bog to convey to you our heartfelt
thanks for your kind and thoughtful sympathy
towards us in our recent bereavement I assure
you it will for ever be a source of gratification to
know that my !dear father was held in such high
estimation by his colleagues of the Board, and
further think we shall ever treasure the memorial
of your sympathy and condolence in our time of
trial.