The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-04-01 00:00:00

THE STOURPRIPCT ePFFI YFR.

well as in tb. Hivb•street, and be begged to
proptue, " Thst a 11 4neNt he sent to Mr. Super-
:et. te!e- him to assist the lop-

• • from the etall•keepers
tI et:, .•r for the AAR to be re.
moved.'

lir. 'fox.... eirirP.l to second that.
Mr. •• rb the matter might be
disc, h sotisfaction, awl much
heti• would retire.
31
Willi no
thing
tOii.

~e hoped that Mr. Stringer
enause it was a very serious

ere were allowed to r;vade the
• • d the value of the whole

prcp I I ks bad made au offer—
Mrics Ho would do his buty, but

doubted ries of •• "chair," and
" order "). It was no use of them saying that;
he had two questions to ask the Chairman be-
fore he should icave as a ratepayer, and in his
private capaeity. He asked whether the Bev.
Magimun waS not the trustee of the late Mr
Akroyd—ieries of " chair," "chair "I.
The Cbsiraisn said that had nothing to do
with the business, and he had no right to con-
tinue in that manner.

Mr. Prescott maid it had to do with it, for if
that was BO MI Magiunis had no right to sit at
that table. He had also to ask if Mr. Stringer
was not a shareholder in the Stourbridge Water
Works tonipany ; because, if so, he had no
right to he there.
The Chairman said it was not for the Com-
missioners to decide these questions.
Mr. Woolley proposed that this part be de-
ferred, and that they proceed with the business.
They had been very courteous to Mr. Pres-
cott.

Mr. Priecott said he did not want courtesy
from any man. He called upon the clerk to say
if they wete not both disqualified.
The Cimirman said it was no business of
theirs.

Mr. Prescott said he did not ask the Chair-
.n for his opinion or decision. Other people
had got an opinion b, sides him, and he asked
for the decision of the Board.

The Chairman said he should refuse to reply
to the questions. They were not going to be
dictated to.

Mr. Prtseott said he must dictate to people
who would not put things fairly. They had no
right to sanction gehtlenien sitting there who
were disqualified.
. _ .

l'he Cliairman baid it was not his duty to as-
certain their qualifications. He had made a
memorandum of the application, and could not
hear any more of it.

Mr. P.rescott said that was not all; and pro-
ceeded to re,el the Act Iseariug upon the qualifi-
dtGt.t• p • ••, ~f Commissioners.
It! t been upon his logs for
sot.. • • . ...it. Prescott had imputed

-uti,bie and unwarrantable

Mr. Prescott: I hive known you for some
time, mid, us s have no confidence in
you. AA coot go behind your back to tell you.
Mr. o ringer : I In iluch obliged to you, sir.
Mr. Pr. scott : Now, Mr. Chairman, what time
will you give me au answer to,those questions?
Mr. Stringer thought Mr. Prescott and Mr.
Smith had better retire while they discussed the
question; and they both left the room.
Toe Rev. D. Maginnis said he thought the
question involved matters of considerable im-
portance, and proposed that it be referred to the
General Purposes Committee; which WAS sec-
onded by Mr. Stringer.
Mr. Emery thought it was a matter for their
consideration, and if it took twenty minutes
they should consider it.
_

gin Blunsom asked if they could not do
something to protect Mr. Smith.
Mr. Maginnis did not consider they had any
legal standing' in the matter. They had let the
tolls to Mr. Smith, and lie must proceed as he
thon4ht proper.
Mr. Peikius : You have let him the tolls and
fares, and if you cith you ought to assist him—
hear).

,
Toe Choirman said it was the duty of the les-
see to look after the tolls, tut if they could do
anything to assist him they ought to do it; but
what, they did must be done cautiously.
Mr. .B eEwen asked if there was any objection
u Mr. Woulley's proposition.
Mr. Wooliey• linid he understood that Mr.
Freeman had positively refused to prevent the
obstruction. lie ought to be especially reques-
ted by the Board to assist the lessee in prevent-
mg the nuisance. Assistance was required at
lie present time, judging from the appeication
now before them. The other two he thought
might be deferred to the General Purposes Coin.
,nittee.

Mr. McEwen thought that if the police were
requested to do anything, it should be to prevent
a breach of the peace, as Smith had undertaka u
irnseif to remove the stalls.

The Ci.airman thouglATt—would be a very se-
rious step to take; and contended that Smith
bad no right to take tolls in the street, but could
suioluoo:. tno.e s ho ereetvd stalls.

31r. Prritin. •• madam," tira.i—if Mr. Smith
eamia. •,flr the stalls, he wankd cause
ati • .., of the

,41. Stringer tilou,t the question was quite
lut of their liud, and thatithey could not move
in the matter.

Mr. Blun.uut was of opinion that the ezection
of stal a Wag clea rl ni.,bstruetion, and persons
had rendered themselves liable for doing so.
The Rev. D. Maginnis said he should venture
to push his amendment, viz., that the whole sub-
ject of tolls be referred to the General Purpozs
Committee for investigation, and for them to re-
port on it, and, if nee, ssary to take counsel's
opinion on the tolls alleged to be liable, and also
to employ a counsel to assist in arguing the
question on the 14th of next month.

The Chairman then put the amendment,
which was carried by a majority, and the original
motion lost.

One of the Commissioners then said there was
an old woman who bad been waiting for some
time about some rates, and she was asked to walk
in. At the same time Mr. Prescott and Mr.
rnito came in.

Mr. Prescott asked for the result.
Toe Chairman said the next business was to
deal with an application in regard to a rate.
Mr. Prescott said the case which he came ou
wat, a serious one, and must have an immediate
diswer. It was quite unusual to keen two gem
....aura waiting outside in that way. All lie
.sked for was yea or nay. They had been asked
mithdraw fur a time by the Board while they
considered the case, anti when they came in they
refused to tell them what they had done. Every
obstame appeared to be thrown in their way.
The Chairman said such was not the case.
r hey had been considering what they could du.
Mr. Prescott: But surely there could be no
objection to give the decision they lied arrived
at.

Mr. Hughes: Use a little more common
sense.

Piescott : It appears to me you have all
the common Hauge, or none at all

The Chairman: Perhaps you will leave the
room.

Mr. Prescott: I shan't ; it is not your room.
This is a corporate body—
Mr. Magiuuis: I rift to order.
Mr. Strith4t.r : Hear, hear.

• . Presco3 : It e in; use calling "hear, hear.
Yo: .reb. th elisquahli,el Commissionsts. When
Mr. _SneeL comes to lo.eke an application he is
pen

. -
.dr. Etio.ry : I beg your pardon ; the subject
Las been argued V. ry patiently.
Ttie Clerk then .ead the resolution " That
the wholt subject be referred to the General
Purposes Committee, with power to obtain the
opinion of counsel on the whole question of tolls,
and, if necessary, to employ counsel to argue the
question on the 14th April."
Mr. Prescott: If you had given me that be-
fore there would have been an end of the ques-
tion. Mr. Prescott went on to say that he would
take it down, for he wanted to prevent a "loop-
hole " occurring, which bad been done too often
at that Board.

Mr. Prescott then asked who the gentlemen
were that were on the General Purposes Corn.
mittee.

The Clerk Hilid he could not tell without refer-
ence to the booli.

Mr. Prescott : Then refer to the book ; it is
beforc you..

The -Clerk : I ata in the hands of the Corn.
tnisNionere.

Mr. Prescott said Le would have the names of
tht. cumulittoc.

N+ wnani You can get them from the
St++arbridge fi+serrer. They were in about a
fortnight hack.

Mr. Pr. scow,: I have uu doubt they were, but
I v ant :hum tlOlt. ti e hunks from the clerk. It
ritel• tOr hw to have them because he
might have to serve them with a notice. If

steps FL mid I. taktm la &oily, he sh utld w.i..t
the names of the gentlemen who formed that
committee. He could not nud,rstand why they
wanted to conceal thoni.

The Chairman denied there was any conceal
ment.

Mr. Prescott : All I can say is that it's most
disgraceful, and I do not go behind your backs
to tell you so. No other corporate body would
have refused the nams,..—Mr. Prescott then left
the room.

The Clerk reported that the Sanitary Cont.
nate° had deferitd the drainage of the town
until it was known w ,st steps Parliament would
take in the shapt ' paging a bill upon the
sat,itary question
The Rev. D. Magiunis said the Gas COllllll it-
tee had been considering the gas question, and
the accountants' report, and other information
furnished by the Gas Company. They were de-
sirous to have an exhaustive inquiry, and there
was still some information they wanted. As tit,:
Gas Company offered to give any information
they required, they wale desirous of getting that
information before giving in their report.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS.
The weekly meeting of this Board was held
yesterday ; Mr. (hanger in the chair. Th cc
were also present :—Messrs. Brooks, Wood, Ml-
lingham, Bird, Griffin, Guest, Homes, Oliver,
P. Pargeter. T. H. Pargeter, Raybould, Rhodes,
Weston, Plant, Fereday, and Robinson. The
minutes of the last meeting were read and
confirmed. Admitted into the house during the
week, 19; dead, 0; discharged, 18; remaining,
445. Corresponding week last year, 439. Out-
door relief, Kingswinford district, £45 2s 74;
Stourbridge district, £2B Us Od ; Halesowen
district, £25 5s lid ; total, £9B 19s 64, against
£95 is Lid last year.
The Clerk reported that he had received a let-
ter from the Poor Law Board, giving their deci-
sion in reference to the auditor's statement of
the master's accounts upon his last audit. —No
discussion ensued.

On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by
Mr. Brooks, it was resolved to hold the next
meeting on Thursday next, Friday being Good-
Friday.

NOMINATION FOR THE GUARDIANS.—Tho fol-
lowing are the persons nominated as eligible to
serve as Guardians for the ensuing year: : Am-
blecote : Win. Richardson, Philip Pargeter, G.
W. Prescott (resigned).— Cakemore : George
Pearsall.— ::Cradley : Richard Mountford, Ed-
win Oliver, Joseph Hingley, and John Pateshall.
—Halesowen : George Granger, Chas. Homes,
Thomas Homer (nomination invalid).— Hasbury:
Alfred Burr, Geo. Paskin (nomination bad).—
Hawn° : Samuel Thomas Weston, William Hall
(nomination bad).—The Hill; William 800..
lily: Joseph Smith (nomination invalid, there-
fore no representation).—The parish of King-
swinford, -:)Brierley Hill Ward : Henry Walker,
Edward Bowen, Edward J. Pearson, Isaiah Rol-
linson, John Higgs, William Darby, and William
Mullett. ),Brockruoor Ward : Reuben Plant,
Benjamin Wood, James McEwen. ):-Pensnett
Ward: B. Homer, P. Parsons, John Raybould,
W. Jeffries, Benjamin Wood and John Powell.
*Quarry Bank Ward: Samuel Sidaway and
George Paskin. St. Mary's Ward; John Bird,
Ed. Fereday, and Benjamin Eteckley. Words.
lay Ward: Henry Smith, William Jefferies,
Wm. Baker, John Beddard, and Win. Hall.
Lapel : Wm. Wright.—Lutley : Thos. White.—
*The Lye: James Phillips, George Rhodes,
Richard Pardo°, William Fiddian, and William
Mullett (nomination invalid) —Ridgacre : John
Foley.--Stourbridge : Charles E. Firmstone,
James 31cEwen, Thomas Parker, Benjamin
Brooks, Henry Billinghani, F. J. Haskew, Geo.
Doody, William Mullett, and G. W. Prescott
(unwilling).— Upper Swinford : John Griffin,
James Richards, James McFwen, and John
Cook.—Wollaston : John Guest, G. W. Prescott
innwilling).—):Wollescote : Thos. H. Pargeter,
William Bloomer, and Charles Heathcork.— In
those parishes marked with an (--) a contest will
take place.- The voting papers will be distribu-
ted on the 6th instant, and collected on the Bth
instant.
APPOINTMENT OP OVERSEERS AND CONBTABLEd. At
the Special Petty Session. held Test-, day, before Major
Fletcher and B. Littlewood. Egg , the following overseers
and constables were appointed for the variods parishes:
()roarer': Belbrongliton, John Brett and Henry Green ;
Broom, John Fox and Walter Hickman; Cleat, Samuel
Farmer and Henry E ides ; Crailey, John Bloomer, sea.,
and William Tail; Churchill, 11 bert Thurstan and John
Whittaker ; Hagley, John Philip Mann and Joceph
Johnson; Lutley, Thomas White and John Pearman
Lye. Joseph Perry and Michael, Lavender; Prdmore,
William Travis and Thomas Taylor; Stout bridge, Chris.
topber Oates and Georg, body; Upper Swinford, Wil.
ham Blow Collis and John Chamberlain ; Wollesewe.
George Newnam and William Alexander Perrin,; Wol-
laston, Thomas Richard Southall and Emmanuel Cook-
son. Constables: Belbroughton—Joseph Smith, Joseph
Wilding, Charles Goodyear. Thomas Done. Matthew
Preece, and John Lilly; Broom-111,7,meg Westwood ;
Cleat—William Devenport and William Haden ; Cradle, I
—James Leonard, Thomas Fox, Frederick Rock, John
Stevens, William Bowen, and William Siddaway ;
Churchill—Frederick Parr Heath ; Hagley—Charles
Taylor and Charles Morris; The Lye—John Pearson,
Joseph Newhall, Robert Chimer. Benjamin Huh, Joseph
Baker, Henry Aden. John Robins, and Henry Hatton '
Pedmore—William Shelley ana John Evans; Stombridge
—Ctiares Hicklin, Godfrey Rowley Perks, John Sanders.
William North. and Joseph Clarke: Upper Swinford -
James Hoporoft, William Moore. Lime liyn Hill, 11, airy
Gould, Jun. and James ; Wollescote FirlJ
and Henry Orlffith.; WoNast.,n— William Haslock Pearce
George N Malin. and Benjuinin hider ; Latley—Josepli
Willett&

THIS- Mute—The annual Horse, Cattle, and Pleasure
Fair has been held during the week The amount of
stock and horses was limited, but there was a I.irge t•
sure lair; a great number of shows. theatres, uluriots•
ettes, swing boats: rifle gMleries, and stalls, all of is
appeared to be well ritronised. 011 Toesday,
Sangerk circus gave two entertainment. to

ArmenAnt rig GUARDIANS.—The following is a list
of the attendance of the Guardiann during the past Sir
weeks :—Menses. B. Brooks, 49; G. Rhodes. 47 : G.
Peskin, 46; E. Fereday, 44; George Grainger, 43; J.
Bird, 41; J. Griffin, 41; H Dillingham, 3A ; R. Plant.
38; .1. Powell, 37; B. Wood, 3.; W. Darby, 33; J. Rid.
anion, 31; J. Higga, 29; J. Raybould, 24; P. Pargeter,
20; C. Homes, 16; W. Wright, 13; E. Oliver, 15: H.
Pardo., 18; T. H. Pargeter, 12; F. J. Haekew, 10; A.
Burr, 7; G. Pearsall, 6; T. White, 5; W. Rose, 4; J.
Foley, 2; Green, 0.
LIiCTIIIM ON MaltllN LUTHER.— A lecture was deli-
vered on "Luther at Worms," in the Hiwbury Hal
Baptist Chapel, on Wednesday evening, by the Rev. J.. 1.
Brown, of Birmingham. There will a fair attendance.
rue Rev. D. Jones occupied the chair, and briefly intro-
duced the lecturer. Mr. Brown, in commencing his lec-
ture, remarked that nothing tended to five a place supe•
nority to others surrounding it, as the connection of
some great man. The birth, life, or death of a man of
genius attached great interest to any town. &eh IVIOI
toe case with Worms It was situated on the b ink. of a
river on the banks of which a great struggle had taken
place durieg the lost six months. The town of Worms
minted daring the time of the Roman dominion in Ger-
many, and was once one of the free call, a of the German
...uipare At that time it contained about 30,0110 inhabit-
outs, hut at the present time only about 10,000. Its
cathedral was commenced in the year 096, and took 20
y eAra in completion. In that town hail been held tin.,
great Diets, which were attended with considerable in:,
rest. The lecturer then referred to Luther's parentage,
edneation, his entrance into the monastery. his transla•
tion of the scriptures, and his enthusiasm in preaching;
the burning of the Pope's Bull, his defence before
tharles V., and the zeal he afterwards displayed in teach-
ing the people. A vote of thanks was accorded at th
clone to the lecturer. _ _

OPER.IIIC ENTERTAINIIIINTB —Mr. Isidore de Solis b •
during tire week given the lovers of operatic entertain
moots a grand treat. Three vepresentations have take,
place, and a fourth thiv night (Saturday), will be given
We are glad to say that in return his efforts have been
crowned with success by getting crowded houses. Or
Wednesday evening waa produced that beautiful opera,
Verdi's " II Trovawre," on which occasion Mr. Durand
pourtrayed the character of the Count di Luna, and ap•
peace well adapted for that part. His acting NSA Rood,
and he poaseeses a tine baritone voice, of great power and
sweettic,s. Mr. W. H. Tills took the part of Maurice,
the troubadour, and has • voice of great comprise and
strength, and is very effective in his various parts, th •
upper tones being remarkably clear. Meddle. M. Mariam.,
prima donna, ably suritalued the part of Leonora, and
Miss Palmer, contralto, that of Ail:keens. The character
allotted to this lady appeared peculiarly adapted for
her, her line rich voice being heard to great advantage.
N:ach of the above artistes were loudly applauded and
repeatedly encored in their various parts. The choruses
were well sustained. On Thursday evening 14088illi'l
popular opera, " The Barber of Seville," was given;
Count Al s.svivs, Mr. Stanley Betjeman, who came in for
a good share of appisuse ; Figaro, Mr. C. Durand ; Ro-
sins, Mts. Palmer. Last night Ouonod's beautiful adap-
tation of that wonderful creation of the great German
poet, Geethe—" Faust "—was given to a crowded and
faiihionable audience. Faust, a student, was ably ans.
tamed by Mr. W. H. Tills; Marguerite, by Miss H.
Mariana; Siebel, by Miss Palmer. And we must not
forget to speak in the highest term. of Mr. B. de Solla,
who took the arduous character of Mephistopheles at a
very short noun,, in consequence of Mr. Durand's indie-
position, (tea aaquitted himself in a masterly manner.
His demoniacal laugh at his conquest over Faust and
Margin] ite in the garden scene was fairly appalling; and
we wish him the sweetie he deserves. Before closing
our 11,U,, we must mention the exquisite playing of Mr.
Thomas, who appears to be • perfect master of the cor•
Oct.. piston. Be played two solos—one On Wednesday
and the other ,nu lhursday evening—and was entlinsiaa-
rieally encored. Me whole being under the able man.
tup-ment of Mr. Isidore de Coillt. On referring to our
advertising eosuinns it will be seen that three more re-
preaentations vial be given next week, and those who have
not yet pant them a visit will do well to do so, as it s.•I.
doui fails to a Stoarbridge audienoe to be visited by swill
• good company.

050,0 or STnALING the Petty Sessions,
yesterday before Major Fletcher and B Littlewood,
-q., Mary Ann Grant wan charged with stealing three
• Illing-t and a puree on the 25th It the property of
I.smech Harrison, of Brierley HIS. Prosecutor said
that he met with the 'NW-tiler, and went into her house.
kt that time he had a half-crown, three shillings, and
.-ight-pence in copper in I purse. He gave the prisoner
sixpence, and after coming out missed three shillings
and the purse. The Bench said it woo a cane of strong
susnicion, Mit did not think there was suflielent evidence
to convict if sent to the 5e..i011%. and di,missed her.

DRUNK AND RIOTDUA. Geerge Wooldridgo. was
charged with being drunk and disorderly at to' Beef.
eaters, Lye Waste. and refusing to quit the house when
requested. The evidence of Police-constables Rea am:
Walton, whi(ih bus already appeared. was read over.
William Wooldridge, landlord of the Beefeaters, said he
sent for the police on the above date, but did not tell the
police to tarn him out. Defendant did Lot sleep at lilt,
house, but took his meals there, and worked for hint.
Mr. Perry addressed the Bench for the defence, slid
contended it was not within the meaning of the Act :the
police could not turn him out of his oan house, lie did
not deny that defendant was drunk, for which he the
(defendant) expressed his regret, and had determined to
become a total abstainer. Wituese were called for the
defence to contradict the evidence ;of the police. The
Beach considered the ease proved, and fined defendant
104 and costs.

ClieROK or ASSACl.T.—Eramannel Hill, of the Lye,
was charged by Sarah Ann Taylor with essanlting her on
the 17th inst. Mr. Barbary appeared for the complain-
ant, and Mr. Addimon for the defendant. Complainant
said she lived at the Waste Sank, and was in her own
house, when she beard a noise. She went out of doors,
and saw the defendant pulling Thomas Hazelwood, when
she naught hold of defendant to pall him away. Defend-
ant looaed Hazelwood, and turned round and struck her
on the eye, end blackened it. At that time defendant
said he would make the bricks and mortar By. Thomas
Hazelwood, Sarah Bingham, and James Doyle gave eel.
deuce to corroborate the assault. Mr. Addieou, in de-
fence, called Maria Chance, who said she recollected the
17th. There wan a bother between Hazelwood and the
defendant. She saw them all pulling each other shoot
She did not area blow struck. If defendant had struck
Mrs. Taylor she should have seen it. Mre. Taylor was
bleeding. The Bench tined defendant 10a and casts, in.
eluding coats of last week ; in default 21 days.
THRNATENINO.—EIIen Haden was charged by Ann
Stevens with threatening her on the 22nd ultimo. Mr.
Barbary appeared for compleinant, and Mr. Addison for
the defendant. Defendant was also charged with break-
ing a pane of glass on the 20th. Complainant said she
lived at IVollaston. On the above date she was upstairs'
when defendant went up to tier room, and danced a horn-
pipe. Site afterwards threw a attune at the window, and
smashed it. The damage done amounted to Is. Henry
Stevens said he heard the smash, bat did not see who
threw the stone. Mr. Addison said his client denied
breaking the window, Mid that she did not know any-
thing shout it. Fined 6d, Is damage, and coats; in de-
fault seven days. In the charge of threatening defend-
ant was bound over in one surety of £5 to keep the
peace.