The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-10-21 00:00:00

Xecal Rub giistrict j

STOURBRIDGE CHURCH OF ENGLAND
ASSOCIATION CRICKET CLUB DINNER.

The first dinner in connection with the above
Club, took place at Mr. Dntton's, the Bell Hotel,
on Wednesday evening last. There were about
80 present. After an admirable spread, to which
joalice was done, the cloth wai removed, and
Mr. T. Akerry, the President of the Club, occu-
pied the chair; the vice-chair being filled by
Mr. Archer Clarke.

The Chairman, on rising, said before he pro-
posed the first toast, be would say a few words.
He did not think it necessary for the president
t. say anything at present resrectiug the club,
but leave that for others later on. He had triol
to get a leAter num f9r the chair that evening.
He endeavoured to obtain the services of the
President of the Association, but through fiiuilv
bereavement that gentleman could not attend.
Although the majority of those present were not
members of the Cricket Club, many of them
were members of the Association, and he hoped
nothing would happen at that meeting to reflect
disgrace on the society they represented. With
these few remarks he begged leave to propose
the health of the Queen.
Song—" God Save the Queen."
.

The Vice-Chairman thou proposed the health
of the Prince and Princess of Wales," and said
most of them would be very much gratified in
finding that the l'rince of Wales had turned his
attention to a subject better fitting his position
in life than going to the theatres. He believed
the Prince was now taking the lead in some of
the regiments, and he took an active part at the
late share light, although he had to consider
himself a prisoner several times. He concluded
by proposing the health of the Prime and Prin-
ting.

song —Mr. Chappell.
Mr. Green proposed the "Army, Navy, and
Volunteers."

Song—Mr. Colborn.

Mr.-Colborn next proposed the "President
of the Club," and in doing so said that gentle-
man was one of the first members of the Club,
and he had been indefatigable in his exertions
to promote the welfare of the club.
Snng - Mr. Skidmore.
_

The President, in response, said he heartily
thanked theta for the kind manner in which they
had drunk his health. lie was almost sorry to
have to reply, because lie had such a bad cold,
but he was pleased In ,ay that the state of the
chili was much better than he expected. When
they elected hint President of the Club six
mouths ago, he did not think of having to pre-
side over such a meeting as the present. If he
bad thought so he should hove looked about for
a better chairman. fie then read the following
ba,anee-sheet:—

" 'rho Tre isorer in account with Church of
England Association Cricket Chin, .
—To subscriptions from weathers, Xi) 23 ; ditto

.io Li 12, 6d; cash for a ball from
seLoolinasters, 7s ; ,10. for half k ball from S. (7.
C., 34 6d— Cl l. lls. ('r.-.---by c tsh nlid for Nil&
117111 s. &v., L. 10A; rent of tbdd, t 3 17s 6,1; to
donos, for k,Thig ground in order, XI ss; for
printing, stamps, and sundries, 94 5d ; balance
in treasurer's hands, Oct. 18, 1871, Os 11—X11
118.—OaoftoE MOODY."

They had played four club matches. One they
lost, which was no disgrace, considering the
strong team they had opposed to them—the
schoolmasters of the district ; but the less said
about the others the better, for they had two
men to the others one. He then proposed the
health of the Vice-President.
. _

Mr. Clarke briefly responded.
Song—Mr. Edwards.
The Vice-President then proposed the healths
of the Treasurer and Secretary of the Club.
He said he had great pleasure in proposing the
health of those two gentlemen, and trusted that
at the next meeting the Treasurer would have a
larger balance in hand than on the present occa-
sion. lie thought both of them had done their
work very well.
-.

The Chairman said that Mr. George Moody
and Mr. Fred Stringer )the Treasurer and Sec-
retary) were both unavoidably- absent. They
had both done their work very well. Although
he had nat attended the meetings so well as he
might have done, and he hoped he would attend
better next year.
Sono.—Mr. W. Dorumett.

The Chairman next proposed the health of the
Committee, and said he supposed that out of
London they were the earliest morning club in
the country. Unfortunately for the members,
most of them belonged to that class called " as-
sistants," and their only chance for playing at
cricket was by getting up early in the morning.
He trusted that another year they should have
the shops shut early in the evening, for one or
two nights, if not for the whole weeek. In con-
clusion, he said the committee had worked ex-
ceedingly well for them.
Mr. Donunett replied, on behalf of the Com-
mittee.

The Chairman said great credit was due to
Mr. Dommett, who had been the means of get-
ting so many present.
Song—Mr. Parkes.
. . .

Southall proposed the next toast, that
of the Captain and Sub-Captain of the Club.
Song—Mr. Wilkinson.
Mr. Bailey (Sub-Captain) and Mr. H. Hughes
(Captain) suitably responded ; and Mr. Hughes
proposed the ruetabers of the Club, which was
responded to by Mr. J. Barber.
Sung-T-.Mr. Doniniett.

rue Chairman proposed " The Visitors," to
which Mr. Barton responded.
Song—Mr. Colborn.
The Vice•Chairtnan gave "The Ladies
Mr. Parkes anti Mr. Volumed responded.
Song—Mr. Foster.

" Or absent friends," " The Press," '• Host
and Hostess," and other toasts followed, and u
most condivial evening was spent.