The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-01 00:00:00

KIDDERMINSTER TOWN COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Council was held on
Wednesday; the Mayor (Mr. W. Cowen) in the
chair.
The Town Clerk read a form of notice with regard
to the registration by dairymen, cow-keepers, and
purveyors of milk, of their premises, as required by
the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, 1878. Non-
compliance with the Act entails a penalty of
The form of notice was approved, and ordered to be
published.
A communication was read, inviting the Council
to join in the crusade against Civil Service trading
but it did not elicit a motion.

The Drainage and Waterworks Committee re-
ported that cheques for R. 70. had been drawn on labour
account, and they recommended payments amount-
ing to £1,122. the heaviest items being for loans.
A communication had been received from the Local
Government Board notifying the application of the
Stourport Local Board for the approval of the scheme
for obtaining a water supply from the Kidderminster
Waterworks. The Local Government Board inti-
mated their readiness to issue an order sanctioning
the proposed arrangement, but not untill the time
had expired within which notice of objection to th e
'Works might be made.
A water-rate estimate for the current half-year
was submitted and approved. The amount of rate
for the half .year was £1.264.
Mr. Corbet, medical officer, reported that there
had been 70 deaths in the month, giving a death rate
of 41 4 in the 1,000; and 80 births. or 47.2 per 1,000
In reply to Alderm'an Naylor Mr. Corbet said there
was no epidemic to account for the high death-rate,
and that it was due to the excessive cold. _ _ _

The Sanitary Inspector reported seizure of bad
meat and of a large quantity of bacon and cheese.
He also reported his examination of various boats
under the Canal Boats Act, and recommended that
certificates be granted, subject to alterations- of
which notice had been given to the owners. The
inspector stated that these alterations were being
carried out. The total number of boats recommen •
ded foritegistration was 39, but at present only 18
certificates had been issued. •

The sanitary Committee's report, recommending
that proceedings be taken in the bad meat cases
referred to by the sanitary inspector, was adopted.
On the motion of Alderman Coxon, seconded by
Alderman Radford, the town clerk was instructed
to apply to the Local Government Board to sanction
the reappointment of the sanitary inspector for a
further period of twelve months.
The Improvement Committee reported that
cheques had been drawn for £77, on labour account
and they recommended the payment of accounts
amounting to £744. A further sum of £1,513. had
been collected and paid to the treasurer on account
of general district rate. leaving £1,859. to be col-
lected. The committee recommended a purchase
of land from Mr. Herber, for street improvements
on Comberton Hill, at 6s. Bd. per yard. They also
recommended that £lOO, be offered to Mr. H. Cooke
for sixty yards of land required from him for street
improvements [at the bottom of Comberton Hill
Mr. Cooke (who is a member of the Council) inti-
mated that he could not accept £lOO. for the land in
question, as it would leave a useless strip of land. It
could be let at 3s. a week, which represented £156.
Some member' of the Council suggested that a reso-
lution be 'passed to purchase the land for that
amount but the matter was referred back to com-
mittee. The other parts of the report were adopted
A report from the Watch Committee recommending
a superannuation of 13s. per week to Police-constable
Penny was adopted.
Atithe conclusion of the ordinary business, the
Council resolved themselves into committee.