The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-02-20 00:00:00

THE STOURBEIDOt OBSEPtVER.

ihertglit they would he womb better pleased with that than
a long speech front ban F.rst there is the report to be
read ; but previous to that he might say that lettere of
epalogy had been received from the follAituk gentlemen.
who wart unable 'to etten4 in consequence of other en
gagernonts—Mr. J. Cochrane, Mr. J. A. Scott, Mr. NV
Hargraves, Mr. H. Lloyd (Wassail Grove), Mr. A. Freer.
Mr. tiregg, and Mr. H. Hall. They would hear the Tro-
ths position the Institute was in, which he believed was
progressing in the neighbourhood. All in,dittftions of
that kind had their ups and downs from 011111601 either
local or national, but on the whole be might congratu-
late them he thought on their institution beingin a fairly
proaperous cendition. It was a long while since he war
in that building—not, he thought, since the year 1056,
when it was opened, and when one bearing his name or.
cupied the position he now occupied. He remembered
on that occasion that a rev, gentlemen quoted two old
lines which he thought were very irreverent—
The Lye-in-the-Waste and Careless Green,
Are the two very worst places that ever were seen.
Whatever might have been the truth of these lines in
times gone by, he was perfectly aura that no man could
in that year, 1868,stand there and say there wee now the
shadow of a foundation for stlih an assertiOn—rapplause).
Mechanics' institutea ma,.t to good wherever theV were
established, and he believed that here was on etception
to tit- rule. In conclusion the Chairman called on Miss
Beach to play a piano solo.
Piauoforte solo, " Home, Sweet Home."
nionßt hots 180.

Although during the past year trade has been very
much depreiised, and it might have been expeeted that
an inititotion like ours would have suffered in cosh.
queuce, the committee feel that they can Coneatulitte
toe members and friends Of the institution upon the
fact that their have not. gene backwardg, but have made
at least some little progrevs ; and that, upon the whiile,
the institution stands in a better position than it did 12
months ego.

„_.
All friends of the inetatition willt be glad, to leAria tlitit
during the past Veer the deedreig to tee institution
have been finally completed, so that the institution now
stands upon a satisfactory footing. In connection with
this, and in order clearly to define the boundary of our
property, it was thought cleanable to build a wall at the
back, which was done at a cost of about E 5 10s.
We have had no classes of any deaeription during the
year, which is rather unfortunate, although, as there is
a good elementary night school in the immediate neigh-
bourhood, it is not so haportant a matter as it otherwise
would be

We have had eight Popular Enterttinments—three in
the Spring, and the in the Autumn—all of which have
been very suceessful. During the Autumn the plau was
adopted of admitting members free to the back seats, and
this has been found to answer very well, as the imounts
received have been larger than before, and we have prob.
ably secured new members by the alteration. The great
difficulty we have to contend with in this respect is the
want of a larger room, our present accommodation being
very insufficient.
By the kind permission of Thomas Wood, Egg_ we
held a Picnic in his grounds in the summer, and having
it tine day for the occasion, were successful in clearing •
good amount by it; the profits, after deducting all ex.
peude,, amounting to more than fifteen pounds.
We have been fortunate in securing, as an annuli sub-
scriber of a guinea, the Hon. C. G. Lyttelton,lll P., and
since the close of the year have received permission from
R. P. Amplilett, Esq., M.P., to enter his name ass Vice.
President, and annual subscriber of one pound.
About four months ago we joined the •. Working Men's
Club and Institute Union," by which we secured the pri-
vilege of receiving a box of thirty volumes front their
library, to be ex,hanged every three nuontne. which has
ueen found to be 11 valuable addition to our library. As
no addition has been wade to the library since the dona-
tion of live pounds for that purpose from H. F. Vernon,
Esq , iu 1865, was expendel, it would be well for souse-
sing to be doily in the w iy of improving it during the
areaent year, in order to keep up its character and late.
re,d.

•
Ihe folowing is a summary of our income and expen-
dint e daring tile year :—locollie from various sources,
£5l 13. 21d ; balance from 1867. £5 19. lid; minima&
received on account of 1867, £9 17s lid; total, £66 118
11d. Expenditure. £6l 6s id; bitiuce now in hand £5
is 110 ; total, £66 11s lad. It thus appears that oar
espeuditure has exceeded our income by .E 1 12s 111,1,
leaving as this amount less in hand than at the com.
[ornament of the year. Hut as, during the year, we
have paid £l2 ls 7d which was due, awl properly belonged
(0 1867, it will be seen that iostead if hiving a balance
in hand we natty commenced the year with a deficiency
it £2 3. 81, so that balance of £5 is 110 now in hand,
places our fillithetain s better position by £7 tis 71d than
they were a year ago.
The reading room has been very will attended through.
out the year, but the class room his not been much fre-
quented. Nearly 100 more volatiles have been issued
from the library this year than last.
We have had a slight increase of members, the average
being 78 per qaarter, whereas in 1867 it was 72; and we
think that if the members would recommend the
Imisti-
Lotion to th iir friends, and show them its numerous ad-
vantages Bemired by the very low subscription of Is per
quarter, the number alight be very largely increased.
Your Committee cannot but refer with regret to the
death of their late President, Woo I, Esq., who was
always willing to proscribe liberally to our faints, and who
was always a sincere friend to the progress of the hate.
Lotion.

In conclusion, your Committee feel that their best
thanks are due to T. Wood, Esq , for his liberality in
withdrawing his claim for .t:;;$ 15s for interest, and in
subscribing annually half the amount paid for interest.
WI well an for his kindness in giving the use of his
grounds for the picnic ; to J. W. Aston, Esq., for pre.
senting the institution with about 50 yards of land at
the back of the ikistitution, sal thus enabling them to
baud a wall with the money that would otherwise have
had to be spent in purchasing it; to G. K. Harrison.
Esq., for supplying the institution with water; to those
honorary members whose subscriptions and dona.ions
enable no to meet the current expenses; awl to those
ladies and gentlemen who Lave no kindly assisted Us at
our Populist Entertainments during the year.

The Rev. IF. Robertson, Vicar of the Parish, rose and
said this was the first time he had the plemaire of &Beni-
ing the aIItILINI meeting in connection with the institute.
lie might Fay it was not because he was not a sincere
friend and wellwishcr of the institute, as he had been a
subscriber ever since he had been here; but Ite was glad
part of the programme- It hat bees
to say the committee had removed what he considered
platie, but it supported to
wp'usbriep-oh'o'ruses and beershops, which
fact, and was, perhaps, one of the
one respectable bookshop M the place. He was not a
:71 I e:i3a9i knowledge:lsabt nihsaeettrt hi!ami striking
Was gsop or . tie ins t this, they had not
teetotaller, and must be excused for making these re-
marks. He thought 53 were by fur too many in a place
like the Lye. Institutions of this kind. lie thought,
might be much more useful than it is. He thought they
canted sparse to mike the room larger, which could be
ilone by pulling the walls out, end would be agouti thing
i'Vmight Make money by letting the room for dif-
ehnetyshinga. They might have Provident and Sick
Clubs, which would be much cheaper for the members,
as a good deal of the contributions were consumed in
drink He thought the Secretary was right in regretting
that few classes existed at present, in the Institute. If
they could get some self-denying persons, who would give
their time to teach, it would he a good thing. The rev.
gentleman referred to the Halesowen Club, which was a
very large one, and held in the school-room. The mem-
bers there had found it very beneficial, and concluded
by hoping that something similar would be done in the
Lye; and moved the adoption of the report.
Mr. H. Moule seconded the adoption. In doing so he
said The Lye and Careless Green could compare with
' many manufacturing towns, and that there were but few
places in the position of the Lye.
'rho Chairman then put the motion, which was carried;
and before sitting down said he would just Rey a word in
reference to what the rev. gentleman had said about en-
larging the room. The Chairman had dabbled in bricks
iind mortar for some time, and had found it very expen-
sive. He should recommend the institute not to dabble
in bricks and mortar. Ho should say ti them, first pay
off the mortgage debt on the institute. Au regards a
Provident Society, tvhich hail been recommended he Mr.
Robertson. he would remind him that his late father
founded a Becher Club, held at the Stewponey ; that Mr.
John Taylor was secretary, and that there was a branch
at the Lye ; that it was one of the best societies in Eng-
land, duly certified ; and that it was conducted on giael
onl sound principles, and had a balance in hand of
£5.000; and that it had been established di years, and
lie should have much pleasure in proposing the rev, gen-
tlenian ae a member. in reference to the library, he
should have much pleasure in presenting £5 to the insti-
tute fir the purchase of books —(loud cheers).

Hr. Dixon spoke at some lenght on the advantages and
usefulness of institutions of this kind. He bad always
felt a pleasure in attending the annual meetings, as he
was present at what lie would term the marriage of the
institute, as was also the father of the worthy chairman.
There was a time when a person could not get a newspa-
per to read ; but thanks to the sheap pre., not only
gentlemen, but working men could have their newspaper
Its read at breakfast time, and if persons could not afford
that, they wore provided by institutions like the present;
and concluded by proposing a vote of thanks to Thomas
Wood, Esq., for withdrawing his claim against the insti•
tote. to J. W. Aston, Esq., for the gift of land, and to G.
K. Harriston, Esq., for the gift of water.
E. Moore, Esq., seconded the motion, in a very inter-
esting, instructive, and amusing manner.
G. K. Harrison, Esq., moved a vote of thanks to the
Honorary Members; which was seconded by J. E. Swin.
dell, Esq.
The Rev. J. H. Thompson moved a vote of thanks to
those who had assisted at the Entertainments; which
was seconded by N. 'Tingley. Esq.
Mr. T Hall replied . .

Rev. W. Cochrane moved a vote of thanks to the deco-
rators and waiters; which was seconded by Mr. S. A.
Brooks.

Mr. W. Anson replied.
I'. Wood, Egg., moved a vote of thanks to the Chair-
mow; which was seconded by W. 11. thug, Leg.; and
July acknowledged.
Daring the evening Miss Beach, Wig Tromans, Mr.
Parkes, and Mi. Hayes, sang several excellent songs, and
a pleasant evening was spent.