The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-10-27 00:00:00

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MAYORAL BANQUET AT DUDLEY.

A banquet was given at th: Dudley Arms Hotel.
on Wednesday evening, to the Mayor of Dadley
(Mr. J. Ga-ra I) in recogoition of his wo...sh.p's pub.
lie services. Alderman George Thompson preside&
and Aldermen G. Ba,gott and W. Wuk mon
officiated as viee-chairmen. Among othe:s
prcs:nt, in addition to the members and offi:ers of
the Corporation, were Major Graz,brook, Captain
Woodha'l, and Messrs. C. Cochrane, H. C. Johsou,
Peny Jobson, T. T, Higgs, J Bateman, J. Ru4sAi,
G. H. Claughton, T. Brettell, J. B. T E J
Terry, W. l3agott, S. Bagot', B. Hingley, S. HinglAy
Smith-CaFsou, W. Greenhill, J. ‘Vlaitebarl, and Ws
H. Thompson. Letters of apology were announced
from the Lord Lieutaimt, Alderman 'A ata,
Dr. Cosens, Alderman North, Messrs. W. J,ffei e ,
H. T. Hickman, T. W. Fletcher, J. Aston, It. J.
Watts, and E. FL cr Smith Tee u3ual 1 ,y 3,1 and
patriotic toasts were duly honoured.
Mr. G. H. Claughton, who was welcomed with
much cordiality, then gave "The Lord-Lieutenant
and the Justices for the County cud Borough." H.
said Lord Beauchamp had a special •claim to tie
gratititie of the town of Dudley, for not only was-
he the promoter:of the famous Worcester Exhibition
that added so much lustve to their borough through
the excellence of its exhibits, but he came down to
inaugurate the practical result of that exhibition by
Lying the foundation stoae of their Free Library
and School of Art—(hear, hear). The Lori Liu-
tenant had also honoured by the mystic letters J.P.
their worthy M iyor and guest—(applause).
Mr. C. Cochnine, in responding for the magistr tes
ssid he felt strongly that their attention would be
required to the question as to what changes
should be made in their licensing system, for he
was persuaded that the contribution to the lunatics
in their asylums was largely due to the indulgence
in drink permitted in that 'community. He did
hope that, without regard to party, they should
hold aloof the bannPr of temperance, so far as to
secure scone better licensing laws than at present
existed—(bear, hear).
Mr. J. B. Tilley, who acknowledged the toast,
anticipated great benefits to the people from the
establishment of a Free L'braty. It would, he
thought, have a humanising and civilising in-
fluence. He trusted that every book put into that
library would be a free gift. For his own part lie
intended to give £lOO towards furnishing the
library—(loud cheers).
The Chairinon, in proposing the health of the
Mayor, referred to the various undertakings which
during his worship's two years of office had been
carried out. The crown ng question of all with
which he had to deal was that of the hi. Ala level
railway and station, and they had now every reason
t ) believe that if the people .of Dudley exerted
themselves their wishes in relation to this matter
would be realised—(applaus-). The toast was
drunk with full honours.

The Mayor, in responding, warmly acknowledged
the hearty re,eptioa given to the toast, and the
kind and gen-rous conduct of the Council and tho
town gen.aally on different ocassi ins duriti4 his
term of office. Referring to the High Level
Station, he said the chance of getting it depended
in a great measure on L rcl Dudley's co-operation.
Mr. E. Fisher Smith had stated that ho and Mr.
Taylor had talked over the matter, and whilst they
could not see the advantage of it to Lord Dudley,
his lordship would not oppose it—(cheer,). Lord
Dudley had always had a ffreatinterest in the town,
and he had no doubt if the people took .ty the
the matter in the spirit they ought to do, his lord-
ship would not be behind hand in pushing forward
the movement. In a few days he shou'd, as Mayor,
convene a meeting to ascertain what funds could be
raised to get the necessary bill. Tnis would take
£2,000, and the 30th Novcinbar was the time al-
lowed. They would, therefore, have to be expe-
ditious. It was a grand opportunity • for tho town
of Dudley; in fact there had never been such a
chance of having a high-level station. In 1870 and
1871 they were opposed bitterly by the London and
North Western Railway Company and the Great
Western Railway Company. The latter would now
give them all the support they possibly could. They
would assist in a very tangible form. If the in-
habitants would get the Act of Parliement and the
land, they would find the money to make the
railway. This was rui opportunity which the town
ought not to let slip out of its grasp. If they allowed
this chance to slip it would be a calamity—(hear,
hear, and applause).