The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-05-27 00:00:00

KIDDERMINSTER.

BOARD Or GUARDIANS.—The fortnightly meeting of
this Board wee held on Tuesday, the Rev. R. D. Turner
Dresiding.—Aldderman Holloway made application on
behalf of the friends of a man he named for his ad-
mission to the house, they paying for his maintenance.
—The Chairman said it would be making the house a
hospital to do this, as the man's friends were able to
maintain him. Mr. Long, poor-law inspector (who was
present at the meeting), said it was quite illegal to admit
the man.—A. report, transmitted by the Local Govern-
ment Board, referring to the imbeciles in the house, was
read: Mr. Commissioner Howard reported that they
were kindly and carefully treated. He suggested the
removal of one of the cases; but the Board thought it
shpuld be left in the hands of the medical officer.—Mr.
Danks applied on the part of the Assessment tiommittee
I:‘r a competent person to make a fresh valuation of all
the railway property in the union. What the result of
such a step would be it was not for him to foreshadow,
but the committee were decidedly of opinion that the
property in question required revaluing, and it was im-
portant it should be done by a person used to dealing
with that class of property. On the motion of Mr.
Lett, seconded by Mr. Downing, the Assessment Com-
mittee were authorised to obtain the services of a com-
petent person for the purpose referred to.—Mr. Long,
poor-law inspector, called the attention of the Board to
the resolution they came to cone time ago to make cer-
tain improvemen:s in the house, which certainly were
desirable, and, he thought, necessary. He expected he
shoul I have foiled on his present visit that they were
carried out, but such was not the case. He particularly
referred to the water closets, which were of a very
dangerous kind, from their being in communication with
the sleeping rooms. It was the most Lital arrangement
they could have. Mr Binnian said the Visiting Com-
mittee carried out the alterations in the drains; but
the alterations recommended were (postponed owing to
the high price of material and everythiug connected
with building, which at present was double what they
might have to pay in a few months. The estimates
amounted to £1,500. Mr. Long suggested that many of
the water-closets were needless, and that earth closets
might be provided where closets were required.—Mr.
Harvey said it was undesirable to spend a large sum in
patching up an old house. and it would be better to add
a new wing if any considerable alteration was made.
Mr. Long said he should inspect the house and there
would be a communication from the Local Government
- Board before the next meeting.—The Chairman said he
hoped Mr. Long would go away with the impression
that the Board desired to do what would satisfy him.
Towx COUNCIL.—The monthly meeting of this body
was held on Wednesday; the Mayor (Mr. T. Radford)
presiding. A copy was read of the address which had
Dean drawn up and co, warded for presentation to her
Ilajesty ort-,her assuming the title of Empress of India.
—Mr. Corbett reported that the death-rate of the month
ending May .13 was 17 75, .while last y.par it was 32.
Iwo deaths had occurred from typhoid lever: There

had been 55 birilis;against SO deaths. He repelled
two samples of well water sent to him unfit for drinking ;
purposes, and also as to other sanitary defects.--Mr.
Edge, sanitary inspector, mentioned among other mat-
ters in his report that a number of closets emptied
themselves direetly into the Stour, and several drains
from dye-houses ran into ia ; and he also reported six
firms as not complying with the regulations for the con-
sumption of sinoke.—alr. Jour:, of Wolverhampton,
borough analyst, reported a sample of well water from
Mount Pleasant submitted to him as impure, this being
a case Where the owner of the well undertook to close
it if the analyst pronounced the water impure. It was
also ordered that the other wells should be closed.—The
report of the Drainage and Waterworks Committee re-
ferred to payment during the month. An analysis of the
town water had been made by the borough analyst, who
gave its composition, and reported it very good, and
entirely free from impurity. It was resolved to give
publicity to this report by advertisements. Alderman
Wilds said the water was the best he knew. It was so
good it almost inclined a man to be a total abstainer—
(laughter.)—Mr. Harvey suggested if its good qualities
were advertised in Bradshaw and Cook's Excursionist,
they might have people coming there to drink the water.
—lhe Improvement Committee, inter alia, recom-
mended the purchase of 2361 yards of land from the
trustees of Mr. H. Talbot for widening Park Lane, pro-
vided the Burial Board would undertake to remove the
. earth. The purchasers were to provide for fencing 5,'
! the land, the price for which was Is per yard. After a
discussion the recommendation was agreed to.—The
Furnishiug Committee of the new Municipal Buildings
recommended the puicnase of a steel bell, to be placed
in the tower, to give alarm in case of fires. This was
agreed to.—The committee report the receipt of fure!s'a-
nig tenders from Mr. Packwood and Mr. Stringer, and
the former was accepted, the total of the items beiug
I:615 10.. The Sanitary Committee and Bath Committee
presented reports, the latter recommending the purchase
of Mr. Joseph Constantine's warming apparatus for the
'Turkish baths, which was to be fixed complete for £43.
—Alderman Willis called attention to the desirab.lity of
purchasing a steam flee engine, and pointed out the
great value of mill property in the town, and the im-
portance of adequately protecting it. He proposed a re-
solution that the Cou .cil approve the purchase of an
engine; but, after a discussion, he withdrew this in
favour of as amendment referring the subject to the
consideration of the Watch Committee.—Mr. Cowen
stated that a number of persons had been bitten by
dogs la.ely, and he taiggested that notices.be given as to
dangeious dogs being at large. The Town Clerk was
directed to look into the matter. —The Mayor proposed
that an address of congratulation be presented to Earl
Beauchamp on his being appointed Lord Lieutenant of
Woreeot,rshire.—Alderm in ev.iodwitt seconded the
motion, which was supported by other gentlemen.—
Alderman Holloway could not see the necessity for any-
thing of the
,kind ; bat this seemed an age of toadyism,
and the Connell seemed pretty unanimously to fall in
with the practice —Mr. Jefferits thOught Alderman
Holloway's remarks Abusive. They weie not toadies if
they were Tories, and he throw back Mr. Helloway's
insinuation with. scoru.—lt. Boycott asked if it was
toadyism when Alderman HoLoway assented to the
address of Lady Lytteiton ?—The Hlayor sald Alderman
Holloway did not mean what he said as a slight to the
Corporation, and as no hand was held up against the
motion he added: We have not even the dissenting voice
of Mr. hollowity.-oe. the Motion of Alderman Wilds,
seconded by Mr. W. A. Crowther, it was resolved to bend
an address to the P.ince of Wales coneratulatieg him on
' safe return from India.