The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-12-20 00:00:00

ALARMING FIRE AT THE GS WORKS.

A. fire of a very alarming character occurred at tha
Gas Woks on Monday afternoon. About two
o'clock a blacksmitn named Robinson, who is ea.-
ployed at th gas works, was engaged in disconnect-
ing a two-inch pipe from the main, at iron pi i c
about a foot and a half in diameter, which blies
the gas dirt et from the gasometer to the town.
upon that p..rt of the pipe
i.obiiison was ripe. atm?,
whielt is laid uuderaeath tne engine nuase, and he
Ibia no saoner ol the pipe from Le main twin he
was blinded with tar and gas which unshed out or
the orifice, A gai. ia was lighted .n ieengine
ii use aura tile escaping bus became ignited and
ml ie I laic pi aid with thine. p.ot C•Alg
his face a, ivell as he caul with rus ..rms, das.ed.
oil of tae i-ngine-h- use, and was rather bad y cunt
h:fore be could get out side. Meanwhile the wood
raoting of the engine ficuse an posts and partitibna
and other wooawork taught tire. The work., en
engag...d on the p1a,.:0 began thr..oting
water on the place from ouckets, but this did not
have much effect. 'Die alarm was given at the tire
office, aad live nultuutes afterwards toe tire briirade,
with ti.eir captain, Mr. It. TurneY. were at th 7. gv.s
works. They managed to oring a hand pump to
bear on the p ace. arid in a compu,,tiv,ly snort :ha,
sueceded iii exciuguishi,,gw..a might have to cii it
very serious contlagralion. It may he mentioned
that adj aniug the engine house ac the retorts tor
gas making, and the large gasometer filltd itli guts.
the d wage done is not large. It im believe tilat
the machinery has not been much damaged. T..e
fires in the retorts hallo be slacked o At," :has
wasting the gas-maanfacturing material. 'rite in :n
Robinson had his injuries attented to on the spot
by Dr. Eagan His arms are badly burnt, and tbe
back of his head and eats are singed; but his injuries
are much less than might have I.).en expected.
ThJse in the plitee were able by tu -aus of a con-
trolling tap to lot tiff the suply of gas to the maun
at an early stage of the, proceedings, or it woull
have been much mote difficult to nave extinguished
tn.- fire,

GRAND EVZNING Coxesa-r. -A gr2nd evening
concert was given is. the C.,ra Exchange on Mon-
day night. There was a very lair and appreciative
audience. All the perforulzrs w. re, ou their bp-
jerarance, greeted with loud applause. As mill!,
the front of the stage was prettily set og with a
quantity of choice flowers. All tiie pieces aelecteu
were executed in a very satisfactory manner. The
following is the programme :—Pialin uuet, "Rosa-
: wind," Mr. S. Simms and Mr. S. Simms; juar„
duer,"May Queen," Miss Randle and Mr. Yate,;
song, "The last
.milestone," Miss Fenn ; Borg, "The
Toriadore," Mr. Vaughan Edwardks; violin solo,
"Lombardi," Mr. D. Voole; so .g, "Lend me your
aid," Mr. H. Yates; song, "When the heat is
young ; trio, "The ha *thorn in the glade," Miss
itandle, Mr. H. Yates, and Mr. V. Edwardei;
piano solo, "La Favouri,a," Mr. S. Simms; song,
"My Queen," Mr. H. Yates; duet, "The sailor
sighs," Miss Fenn and Mr. V. Euwardes; violin
Nolo, a, "Barcarole Saltarella,'' Mr. 1). Poole; song.
"Undying leaves," Miss Handle; song, 'The raft, '
Mr. V. E:iwardes; song, "The children's
Ali Fenn; quact,,,,te, "Emu quet Piero instanto,"
Miss Randle, Miss Fenn, Mr. 11. Yates. The piano
duett by the Messrs. Simms was given in thefr
usu .1 briiliant and mooing style • and to use a
-eil-known saying, they made the instrument
"speak." Mr. biimus obtained an encore for his
pi-no solo, and after thanking tne nudienee for
!tattering him with au encore, sill he would, with
tn 3 son, p.ay a duet. A noise at tee naca prevented
us hearing what else he said. Miss Itandle an I
Ar. Yates sang their duet with good etf-et. Alia. •
Faun, woo possesses a -very good contralto voiee,
snug her ~•ung:, with a delicacy of taste afi fee.liqg
was loudly applauded tor her tir-t saugtin I
had to t)ow her ackuo. to ,genients. In hr sevou
dot, g he was still more successful, and was awarii,d
in enthusiastfe encore to which she respolt.l,4.l b.
ciugiag "Qherry Ripe." Sue sang very well in .e
.suet with Mr. Edw.erdes which was well received;
tbeir voic,s harm,nising togethcrivery nicely. Mr.
Edwarnes possesses a splendid baritone voice,
and his excellent rendering of "The raft" a: ;lined tor
oim a well-deserved encore, and g.,ve "Rose Mitt ie."
' de also sang "The loriadure" in capital style. It is
1 first-rate song and suited his voice to pert' cti,,n.
Mr. D. Poole gained a good share of tipplatne or
his playing on the violin, Mr. H. Yat, 8, t!1•2
tenor, ot Dudley, was hardly in his usual go)!
, lin. He sang "LerlLl we yo.:r nil' •in a very
manner, and it was, we think, the best
of tee evening; and had he been in "good trim'
~nuld, undoubtedly, iiave gained him an encore, as
alE,rda plenty of scope to his far-reaching voice.
.10 ;as tavouied with an encore for his soug ":sly
and mang "Tom 13wiing" with nee ex•
pies,iuu. Miss Randle's voice was decidedly too
,veati fur the LOJM, out at the same time her voice
very sweet. She sang the st-ngs allotted to her
in a very pleasing manner, The trio and quartette
were tastefully executed.

ACCIDENT AT NORTON.—On Tuesday a man named
Walter Whitley, in the employ of Mr. Bishop, con-
fectioner, Cradley Heath, was engaged in taking a
horse and cat t to Kidderminster, and on arriving at
Nortoa klu jumped off the sha:t whilSt the cart was
motion, and the reins catch ag his toot, he w 4
thrown down and the wheel of the cart passing
Over him his thigh was broken. Inspector ii. own,
Arno is a member of St. John's Ambulance A-,socia-
tion, happened to be passing the place shortly after-
varns, and rendered valuable assistance by setting
lie injured limb, and for the skilful manner in
wtish he had performed his work he was compli-
wanted by Mr. A. Freer. Whitley was removed to
the Guest Hospital, Dudley
SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.—TIie annual meeting of
•he Sunday School Union was held on Tuesday
aight at the baptist Chlpel, Mr. Newnan' presiding.
C.Le tOIL N ing officers Wttie elected for the ensuing
._,:ta:—PrestAeni, /toy. G. Robinson , vice-pr,st-
-ILnts, lieuer6. Newratat, Shoebothaan, North, John
Paylor, the Revds. W. Waili3, and
utlier. air,Woolcy wa. re-eloc(e1 tre3:4lret, tuld
Jlectiet, .14.)410$ and Yeakti seoretary glut itolitoa-

secretary respectively.—The secretary read a report
stating that the Union was in a very flourishing-
condition. 'their first demonstration, hell on
August 4th, on Pedmore Common, had been a great
success, and they had a liAlance in hand from it of
£3 18s 7d.—Mr. Woolley (the treasu er) read a re-
port stating that he had a balance in hand .of
is 30.—lhe Chairman said the rep9rts were vary
satis actory. and the balance would enable 111,-
commi.tee to buy prizes for the children successful
at the next ex ,rninaion.
THE STOURBRIDGE ALM 'tNACn AND DIRT. CTOLY
Fon 1885.—Messrs. Mark an I Mooly arc to be com-
plimented for the style in IA hich they have compiled
nd issued their almamick for the en6uing year,
Neither time, trouble, nor exense has been spared
in making this a really valuable work, which should
be in the hands of every householder in the district,
as it contains every information that can be required
concerning Stourbridge, Amblecote, Brooine, Blake-
down, Clent, Churchill, Euvilte, Hagler, Kinver,
Lye, Oldswinford, Pedmore, Pri2S. wood, Wollastoa,
Wollescote, and Wordsley. We understand that
is the intention et Messrs. I\l‘ric and Moudy to as e
this high-class almanack annually, and the price is
only sixpence.
Messrs. W. H. & 11. Le May, Seed Factors, 68,
Borough High Street, London, report:—We have
no improvement to report in the seed trade, which
continues in a most inactive state.—December 15th,
1884.

The Stourbridge Xmas sale and show of beef and I
mutton was held on Tuesday last. A splendid lot
of beasts were submitted for competition. Nine
prime 3-years old short-horn bullocks, from the
Home Farm, Enville, realised £261 lOs Od, one of
-which, making 134 103 03, obtailed the tradesman's
prize of £5, and was purchased by Mr. Lane, of
Birmingham. Mr. John Whitehouse, of Bobbing
ton, obtained a prize of £5, with a prime short-horn
bullock, under 3 years, which realized £32 5s Odp
and was purchased by Mr. E. Gill, of Wordsley.
A yearlinA heifer belonging to Mr. B.ickland made
£2O, The sheep made a capital snow both in size and
quality. The first prize of £3 03 Od fell to Mr.
Buckland, of Sion Farm, whose 30 wei hers a, °raged
72s 6d each, the prize pens making 85s 6d and
80a each respectively, and were purchased by Mr.
lithe, of Birmingham, and the second prize was
taxen by Mr. thos. Darby, of Churchill, the p ns
realising 76s %rid 743 each respectively, and wer
also purchased by Mr. Lane. The birche:s' prizes
followed the purchases. Some very large pigs were
sold, prices varying from £6 to £9 17s 6d. Mr.
Lane takes farmers' prize as the purchaser of the
largest amount. Judges :—Messrs. J, Lane, T.
Jones, and W. Young; auctioneer, Mr. 1-1. King.
PEOPLE'S CONCERT 60CIETY.—The sixth c incert
in connection with the ab )ve society took place in
the Corn Exchange, on Tuesday evening. The
Hall was, as is usual on thesa occasions, crammed.
Mendelssohn's "Hear my prayer" was the first piece
taken, and the solo was ta,:en in first class manner

by Miss Boulrun, The chorus was given ins style
that gave sati,faction to everybody present. 'rue
second piece, Spohr's "God, Thou art great," was
divided and taken, a solo by Miss ands ,n, duet by
Miss Bourne and Mr. H. Yates, quartette by Miss
Hudson, Miss B name, Mr. IL Yates, Mt. C. Perks,
and each one rendered their parts so well that they
won the admiration of all. Mr. C. Perks then sang
"But on this weary, listless life," from the cantata
"Richard Cceur de Lion." This gent!emen was in
splendid voice, and was warmly applauded. Miss
Bourne was well-received in her s,:ng "Only o.ice,
more." Ttie Ccristmas carol "Gont King Wences-
las." with treble and bass solos and chorus was
well rendered. Mr. Yates sang "I'll sing the songs
of Araby" and was well appreciated. Miss Buds .n
received theloudest applause of the evening for her
F..encu song "Le Revell" and she was so loudly ap-
plauded that she hat to come and bow her ac-
knowledgements. A duet by Mr. Yates an:: Mr.
Perics was well rendered.
DIIUNKENNESS.—At the Police Court yesterdmy,
before Colopel Fletcher, H. 0. Fir-mete:me, T. D.
'Biomes, and W, J. Turney, E•qs., th, following
psrs.ons were summoned and fined, George Haycock
Isaac dirnmock, Edwaad Dark, Joseph Pearson.
CAUTION. William -Robins was charged with
being drunk whilst in charge of a horse and ttap,
on toe 2th Ins. Fined 5s and c...sts.—Joseph
Co,•wr was charged with obstructing the higliw .y
the same date. Ordered to pay cos:8.
OBSCENE LANGUAG.—Lucy Pa, ks and WilEarn
Perks were charged with using obscene langoage
on tla- 13di Sereral p evious convictions were
p:w.ed and de.;(un.rits were each tined 20s and
cos:s, or °Le mouii in defadr.
DnuNK.—John Timmins was charged with bring
,ruzik and disordeiley. Fined 2s 6d and ost.
FAcroint ACT YELUSECUIION.—WiIiauI Brettell,
nailer, Lye, was charged tiit :fie being th in.cupied
of a shop did on thei3t:h ult,tuiploy a young per,ou
after 7 Mr. ii aro pros..cuted. Mr. Platt
s,sid he vi.dtr.dstbe defendant's Shop at 5•45 and
found a boy aged 16 at work. Fine I 10s awl
costs ;in default a distress.—Thoutas Hot wa.s
eir....6.d with eurplJying C:ree yotuig persons and it
child on the 22nd ult. before 6 'o'clock in the
,00rning.-Mr, Hoare prosecuted and Mr. Elcock (ie-
' ferFled.—Aftr hearing the evidence the case was
adjourn-d for 14 days.
ASSAULTING A \V IFE.—William Perrens was Sum-
moned tor assaulting his wife, Sarah Ann PerrenF,
un the 15th iest,—Mr. Hinds defended.—Complain_
ant said she went toa public-hou,e after defendant,
who had a child with him, and he asked her to
drink. She rs fused to do so and be jumped up and
struck her ti:ree times on the side of the head.
After hearing further evidence the Bench dismissed
the
c case.
E AGAINST A PUBLICAN.--DaVid Partridge
ti
was charged with being drunk on licensed premise.;
at Hay Green on the 15th inst.—James Brace
Ruudes was charged with penni:ting drunkenni ss.
After hearing the evidence of P.C. Lnes, the
Bench disiniesed the cases.
BOARD OP GUARDIANS —Mr. Raybould pre ided at
the meeting yesterday. As tutitd 10, discharged 6,
dead 2, rema. rriug 569 against 560. Out dco, re-
-I.l,7swinford. district £43 33 Oi; Stow-bridge
distzict .t3O ris 71(1; lideFowen district £22 17s it
Nun-rezideut Li 19s Sd ; total £96 is 3d,

THE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER.