The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-10-14 00:00:00

S.PITTPAY,T C'C'Tovvr 14, S7c,

Tibbitts, on the 9th inst.—After hearing the evidence
the case was dismissed.

KIDDv,RMINSTER TOWN COUNCIL.

The monthly n.eeting of the above Council was held
on Wednesday; the Mayor (Mr. Thomas Radford) pre-
siding.
The Medical Officer (Hr. D. Corbet) reported there
had been 22 deaths and 67 births in the borough in the
past month. The death-rate was 12 in the 1.000.
There had been three deaths from scarlet fever, which
had become epidemic in the borough: He had at least
100 cases.' 'Mr. Corbet added that 26 cues had been re-
ported to him since he drew up his report. Samples of
well water from Broad Street and the neighbourhood
which had been submitted to him were so polluted as to
be injurious to health. There bad been one dua from
typhoid fever, Mil ha had three other 1111604 under his
care. Mr. Cerbet remarked that the shllAres in houses
where fever had occurred should not attend school for
six weeks.

The Town Clark presented a return of the attendance
at Council and committee meetings during the past
year.
__ . _ _

- :The Mayor said on October ith he received an invita-
tion from Mr. Brinton to attlndithe inauguration of his
drinking fountain, and he might say it was the first
communication he received on the subject. in it Mr.
Brinton said it was his intention to hold the ceremony
of publicly handing it over to the town on the 21st
October. Mrs. Philpotts would probably unveil the
fountain. The Bishop of Worcester, Lord Hampton,
and several gentlemen (M.P.'s and magistrates) had con-
sented to be present, and with the assistance of the local
authorities he hoped the day would be made an im-
portant one. He (the writer) should feel obliged if the
Mayor would be present, and kindly convey to the
Council that he should feel pleased by their attendance
too. He (the Mayor) saw several gentlemen during the
day on whieh he received the letter, and they expressed
their feeling that Mr. Brinton had made a little mistake,
and that the Mayor and Council ought to have been con-
sulted as to whether it would be convenient for them to
attend on the day named. Mr. Brinton wrote again,
stating that he was desirous that all arrangements
should comport with the convenience of the Mayor and
Corporation, and he hoped that the plans made for a
day suitable for workpeople and strangers of distinction
to attend would be found generally acceptable to the
Mayor and others. The Msyor said he believed many
members round that Board felt sante grievance that Mr,
Brinton hal fixed a day for the ceremony without com-
municating with any member of the Council on the
subject, and he understood it was not really convenient
for all members, and himself among them to attend.
Mr. Brinton called on him that morning, and expressed
his regret that he had made such an omission, and that
it was far from intentional.

Alderman Goodwin said Mr. Brinton had deputed
him to say what had ceeurred was through inadvertence,
and that he had apologised to the Mayor on the sub-
ject._

There was a long discussion, and a hope was expressed
that the Mayor would forego his engagement, and be
present at the ceremony.
A resolution was passed that the Corporation should
attend the unveiling of the fountain, and that the
51,iyor should communicate to the Council the arrange-
in,nts.

A. letter was received from the Local Government
Board sanctioning the :appointment of Mr J. B. Edge
as sanitary inspector till March 25th, 1877.
The Mayor said ha believed this was the first com-
munication the Local Government Board had sent for
four months.

Alter the reading of the monthly reports, Mr. Herring
stated, in reply to a question, that the municipal
buildings were to have been fisislie3 this mouth,
40 he did not think they would be till the sod of
N °camber.

Attention was drawn to the practise of yonog boys
gallopiag dray horses down ComLorton Hill; and
superintendent Haigh was requested to take steps in the
matter.

The Mayor road the report of the sub-committee
appointed to communicate with the Gas Company as to
the proposed purchase of their undertaking. They had
communicated with the directors, and the latter had
informed them, through their. Chairman that, though
having no desire to sell the works, they were willing to
consider any fair ofier emanating from the Corporation,
It was ordered that the report be received and entered
m the minutes.

The Mayor stated that as the sub•committee only
consisted of four members now Alderman Naylor was
away, they did not think themselves large enough to
cake further steps, but they suggested that a resolution
to the following effect should be passed by the Council :
"That in the opinion of the Council it was desirable
that the manufacture, supply, and sale of gas in the
borough should be under the control of the borough
authorities, and that the Improvement Committee be
authorised and instructed to negotiate terms for the
purchase of the undertaking of the company, and to
employ such professional and other assistance as they
might deem necessary, and to report the result for the
approval of the Council, such report to be afterwards
laid before a public meeting of ratepayers for their eon.
firmation or otherwise."

On the motion of Mr. W. H. Green, seconded by Mr.
Jefferies, the resolution was carried.