The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-08-09 00:00:00

ROADS.

On Tuesday, ot the Halesowen Police Court—
before Messrs. F. D. Lea Smith and E. B. Phillips,
a case of considerable interest to cyclists was
heard.
The surveyors of the highways for the parishes
of Warley, Ridgacre Hill, Halesowen and Haw
bury were summoned by Mr. A. L. J: Brown,
Edgbaston Road, Birmingham, for neglecting to
keep the main roads in a proper state of repair.
Mr. Deakin (of the firm of Messrs. Tyndall,
Tyndall, and Deakin). Birmingham, appeared tit
prosecute, and Mr. Homfray, of Halesowen, de-
tended.

Mr. Deakin explained that this was•the corn-
mencement of a crusade which two powerful asso-
ciations, known as the National Cyclists' Union
and the Mid'and Road Fund, had determined to
commence against the surveyors in charge of the
roads in the Midland Counties. These two associ-
ations' with Lord Bury at their head, numbered
over 20,000 members, and represented a body of
cyclists who were to-day traversing the roads in
this country in all directions. The movement was
inaugurated at a mass meeting in Birmingham, and
the Corporation of Birmingham had entered into
the spirit of the movement, and had evidenced their
approval of it by appointing a special surveyor,
and were taking steps for the improvement of their
roads. They did not complain so much of the
gentlemen brought before the Bench on this occa-
sion as the system under which they were expected
to work. They did 2iot clamour for an increased
expenditure upon the roads, but eiimply wished the
surveyors to adopt such a system as would reduce
the expenditure whilst it put the roads in a thorough
btate of repair.
Mr. Vincent, surveyor, of 'Marley Wigorn, was
put in the box, and admitted that the main road in
that parish was in such a condition that the county
authorities refused to allow anything towards Ii
maintenance, and that the road was in such a state
in 1881 that the county authorities spent on it .4410
per mile in re-establishing it.
Mr. Macdonald, of Ridgadre, was also examined,
and it was elicited that the main road In • that
parish was also in an unsatisfactory condition.
Mr. Codrington, C.E., presented a lengthy report
on the roads, and also gave evidence as to their
condition, which he considered decidedly bad. fie
did not think it was possible to -maintain the roads
in a thorough state of repair economically under
the present eystem of appointing surveyors of high-
ways for the separate townships, and strongly re.
commended the formation of a highway district.
He had no hesitation in saying that half the money
spent on the roads in these parishes ought to keep
them in first-rate order. Evidence was given show-
ing that the roads in Hasbury Hill and Halesowen
parishes were in a fairly satisfactory condition, and
it was decided to withdraw the summonses against
the surveyors of those parishes, and the others
were adjourned to allow the surveyors of the other
townships time to improve the roads.

KIDDERMTNSTER RACES.
These races were held, under Grand liatiogal
Hunt rules, on Tueschty, on the course at Spring
Grove, near Kidderminster, and there was a goou
attendance. The following were the several events
of the day:—
The Sutton Maiden Hurdle Race of 22 sown for
hunters that have never won a fiat or hurdle race f
penalties and allowances. About two nillee, over
eight flights ef hurdles.
Mr. Booth's Game Chicken, 4 yrs, lOst 101 b 1
• Mr Perkin's Bonnie Joey, 3 yrs, lOat lOtb 2
Betting: 6 to 4 on Game Chicken. The winner
started with a strong lead, and kept it all through,
winning by two lengthe.—An objection.was lodged
against the whiner on the point of age.
The Malvern Sating Hurdle Race of 25 ewes for
hunters; winner to be sold for £100; 'penalties and
allowances, About two miles, over eight hurdles.
Mr. Booth s Little Ada, aged, list 31b 1
Mr. Allen's Jack, 6 yrs. list 31b 2
Betting: 7t04 on Little Ada. She led at the
start, but was caught and challenged by Jack. She
drew away, however, and won with the greatest
ease.—Mr. Allen lodged an objection that she was
disqualified through having ;von a selling hurdle
race at Doncaster. It was decided to refer the mat-
ter to the Nationel Grand Kula Committee.
Stourbridgo Hunters' Selling Plat- Race ,of 26
sovs ; penalties and allowances; winner to be sold
for £lOO. About two thirds of a ogle Oft the flat.
slr. Bull's Meta, 4 yrs list 1
Mr. Rise's St. Michael, 6 yrs 12st 31b 2
Mr. Perkins's Bonnie Joey, 4yrs,llst 3
Betting :sto 4 at the outset on St. Michael, but
it got round to 6 to 4 on IVierit.—The latter won in
a common canter by a dozen lengths. The winner
was sold for 85 guineas.
The Bromsgrove Hunters' Hurdle Race of 32 soya:
penalties and allowances. About two miles, over
eight hurdles.
Mr. Allen's Jack, 6 yr., 12st 31b . 1
Mr. Riste's St. Michael, 6 yrs, 12st 71b • 2
Betting: 5 to 4 on St, Michael.—The horse .fell at
the third hurdle, and left Jack, the only other horse
running, to win practically unchallenged. The
dismounted rider, however, got in the saddle, and
went over the course.

A Cie:NT WANTED, to push firdt-olass Machin*
3,_ Oil. Liberal Commission.—Box WI, Post Office
Liverpool

Printed and Pnbi.i4led by ete sole Proprietor, MB.
E 0 N: FIELD. at nif Office, 92, High•street. Stour
bridge. in the count! 01 %Tor( ester, and to which plata
all Letters awl other uvula Laketions.mulitbe addrimesod
Saturday, August filth, 1884

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