The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-02-25 00:00:00

FOREIGN NEWS

NEW YORK, Thursday.
Earl de Urey and Ripon, Mr. Montague Lernard, and
Lord Tenterder, went to Washington this moaning.
The kouritan lee. arrived out.

GENERAL NEWS.

I Press -Issociitti.n retry',inor.l
FRIDAY.

LONDON CORN MARKET (CLOSE).

Market firmer. Engl.. en I foreign wheat a alight
,140,11:1‘.1.11ct. 'tow!. unehaneed. Country 10,1.
licta miasma 41 in, and Awn,, au lid net barrel. Idair:ey,
quiet. Oats Out Li Is dearer. Maize, beaus, anti 10.11
anti.

ALLOWING GAGLIGL—At the Police Court, yesterday,
before it. 1.. Freer,Esq., Henry itniwelifie, landlord of
tile Chequ, rs lila Itigii.street, was charged with allow-
ing ginning in his house on the 14th. Mr. Perry de-
fended. P.C. Ilayces proved the case, and defendant
lcuing liven previ m,ly convicted, was fined 40s and
.iosts.—llefendant was further charged with permitting
beer to be taken from his premises, on the 10th inst,
during prohibited hours. P.C. Bon proved the case,
rad di:fondant was tined 2s lid., and costs.

The Chairman then called on Mr. G. Hollo-
way, the Returning Officer, to read the notice
convening the meeting.
The Chairman then remarked that they heard
from the notice convening the meeting that Mr.
Holloway. the clerk of the Union, had received
a requisition, signed by the requisite number of
ratepayers in accordance with the regulations
issued by tho Education Department, under the
Elementary Education Act, 1870. In consider-
ing the great differences of opinion which had
occurred' in other districts with regard to the
formation and conducting of School Boards, and
the unfortunate disagreements which had taken
place between sects and people who had held
different opinions, he hoped that a more unani-
mous spirit would prevail in that parish—ffip-
planset. He was quite satisfied that every gen-
tleman present on that occasion, and every rate-
payer of the township of Stourbridge, whatever
were their religious and political opinions, had
only one object in taking part in the matter
which they were about to consider, which was to
benefit, if possible, the poorer children for whom
the School Boards were formed. He was par-
ticularly desirous that they should be able to
extend the benefits of education to every child
in the parish, instead of allowing them to ran
about the gutters, learning everything which was
evil, and who ought to be at school, and to he
taught a good d deal of that which was good,
and not only to read and write and to add up a
few figures. Those accomplishments were very
well in themselves, but they were not all that was
necessary in education, although the mare fact
of going to school would be a great benefit to
children—lhear, hear). It would fit them for
after life, for useful occupations, instead of being
candidates, 6,8 they were at present, for the
workhouses and gaols— (applause). He had
made up his mind not to take an active interest
in education, because his hands were so full, and
not because he felt less strongly than others;
his time was so fully occupied by other matters
that he thought he could not give the required
attention. It was represented to him so strongly
HS chairman of the Commissioners in that town,
as he was at the head of a public body, although
that position gave him no authority under the
Educational Act more than any other gentleman
present, it was represented to him that perhaps
he might do sonic good in preparing the question
for a pacific solution, if he invited a few gentle-
men together to discuss the question and see if
some amicable arrangement can be made. With
very great hesitation on his part he invited the
clergy and ministers of the town to meet him for
the purpose of discussing the question. Ho
would have also been glad to have invited a num•
ber of laymen, but he felt a very great difficulty
in doing so, as he could not tell whom to select
and where to stay, therefore he was obliged to
only invite the clergy and ministers of rel4,ion,
iiud he was glad that meeting had taken place—
tapplausel—because it showed that whatever
differences of opinion might exist in other towns,
whatever sectarian strifes might embitter the
feelings in those districts or parishes, lie was
glad to say there was not the slightest difference
of opinion in Stourbridge. The amicable die.
cussiou showed that their only abject was to
benefit the children of the parish—(hear, hearl.
The resolutions passed at that meeting were to
the effect that it was desirable that a School
Board should be formed in the parish of Stone.
bridge, to put in force the Elementary Educati n
Act. It was for the present meeting to decide
whether a School Board should be formed or
not—(rmpplause).
Mr. Prescott said : Mr. Chairman and gentlemen—it
voice: Sp..ak up ")—it was Iris duty to take two I,•e
ot.jections to the present meeting. The first was, and lie
believed he was sun-ported in thtt voice: Sites k
up and face the audience, Mr. Prescott, and we shell Mar

Mr'.-Prescott : "I prefer standing here." Ile was to,
talking to that gentleman, and he wished he would he, p
qtrict. He should ask the chairman to keep order. II-
(
Mr. Prescott,: would say again that he had two objechoas
to the present meeting. Ile hind been au inhabiffint of
the town for a number of years, and it would be in the
recodection of some persons present that he took the
same objectiona in the forma ion of a Burial Board 80:11e
years ago. to precisely the sauna wor.ls used as are Intl i •
Act if Parliament. The Board had beim formed and was
ready for work, when lie raised the objection to the i5:57.1
•' parish." There could not have been a better >app..:
of his opinion than that of the late Mr. W. It.
who took the opinien of Mr. tiny, the present Queen s
Counsel, in reference to the term 'parish." which ulti•
'irately ended in the liurial Board being broken up. The
saute words were used in the present Act, which was sp-
plic.ili a because Si: rv-bridge vas a township, in 11,1.
parish of His second objection W:la under
the 'ffili section if the Elementary Edueation Act. Wilk%
Mated that before the question of the formations of a
School Board could be entertained, it would have to be
decided whither there was a sufficient or an insufficieat
accommodation in any parish. The deciding whether the
accommodation was sufficient or not should be left to the
discretion of the Education Department. It had been
said that the requisition calling the meeting had bsesi
signed by more than 50 ratepayers. He very much qui,.
tinned whether all who had signed it were ratepayers. If
a School Board was formed an important point arose,
which would probably involve it great many parishes in
litigation, because all the expenses would have to be pi,.
sided out of the poor.rates, and he contended that that
meeting was irregular to the Act. When the Auditor at-
tended to audit the Union accounts, any ratepayer might
attend and take objection to certain charges which were
cuarged for things not within the meaning of the Act
under which the rate was made. Therefore every rate
would be I•able to he upset, unless the proceedings were
regular. The present meeting was also premature, arid
if a motion was carried to the effect that it was expesli-
cot that a School Board should be formed, it would re-
duce the property of the township more than one.fifth of
; its present value.

the Rev. H. Skerrard said he quite agreed with Mr.
Prescott that it was desirable to proceed et that meeting
wirli due regularity. He could not agree with Mr. Pres-
cott in his ohjection to the term " perish." It wee men ly
a technical objection. There was no ;desire on the part
of the ratepayers not to net in accordance with the pro-
visions of the Art of Parliament. He might say that any
place was termed a parish for the time being for which II
separate poor rate was made. It was quite legitimate for
Mr. Prescott—

Mr. Pi escott said he wished to correct Mr. Sherraril--
Tho 4.ll,airman said lie should he quite willing to hear
Mr. Pr. volt Mr., Mr. Sherrard.
_ _

Mr. Sherrard said he 11:111 the Act at home, and Inc
was satisfied that Ihe word " township," was not Men-
tioned, and Mr. Holloway hail infornied him that the
meeting was in accordance with the Elementary Eat,
ton Act. As regarding it being premature, they could
wait until the Educaiion Department had communicated
with him, in reference to the returns forwarded in De-
cember, relating to the school accommodation in the
h.wilship They could either apply for the formation of
a School Board now or wait for the final decision of the .
Education Department, who, after giving notice for the
requisite insufficient accommodation to be provided for
in tine township, either voluntary or otherwise, if not
provided within a certain term, then the Education De-
partment would send down an order for an election.
Supposing they hail a sufficient school accommodation
the formation of a School Board would be requisite to
put into force compulsion, or many of those who were
still not attending schools would not attend. The ques-
tion was how they were to secure the attendance of all
! the children in the parish, and to curry out the spirit of
! the Education Act, and to provide for those children
. whose parents would not send them to school in order
that th'iy might receive a sound and proper education—
(applause). There were two or three hundred children
who were not in attendance in any of the sehools in the
town, and they well knew that from this class sprang op
the pauper aud criminal population.
The Rev. I). Mermaids said. although not a lawyer, In,
would venture to give an opinion upon the legality of the
question. Mr. Prescott's objectifies were not to the point,
and he iihould iike to say a few words. Mr. Prescott had
read section 9, which aiiplied to circumstances entirely
different from those under which they Ivory assembled.
Section 9 relates to those special circumstances under
which meetings were called after the decision of the
Education Department. They were assembled under
clause 12, which relate, to entirely different circumstan-
ces.
Mr. Prescott said there was one gentlemen present on
that occasion who was always very prominent in such
qui.stions, and he would say that hr was not an inhabit-
ant of the town. He ineaut the Rev. .f. lachards, I iide•
Ipendent Minister—(hisses, groans, and confusion). If
Mr. Richards wins an inhabitant of the town he hoped he
would conduct hitialelf as a gentleman, and if not he
hoped he would withdraw.

The Chairman That is not the question.
Mr. Prescott: Is it right to call a meeting at eleven
o'clock in the morning, when you know that the working
man cannot come to defend himself? And I challenge
that gentleman who challenged me to hay whether be
has more than 25 pewholders in his chapel who are rate•
payers in the township? It is a question for yea or nay.
The Chairman: It is a question of the formation of a
School Board.

Mr. Prescott: I am on my legs and shall speak, sir. I
am a ratepayer and have aright to be heard—(confusion).
I am very sorry to say, sir, that the last meeting which
was held, and which you sent to the Daily Peal, was re-
ported to have been had at the Commissioners room,
whereas it was held at Mr. Sherrard'a residence; and I
have it from the Rev. I). Jones that it was not held within
these walls. I ask if that was fair' The ratepayers
were not likely to be present, as you only called a private
meeting of the clergy iif the town—(confusion). I ask
Mr. klaginhis whether he did not write to Mr. McEwen
and ask him to sign the requisition ?—(interruption).
Mr. Maginhia: It is not true; I did not send a note to
Mr. McEwen.

Mr. Prescott : Dare you sit there, sir, and tell that th -
liberate falsehood ?--(Loud cries of "Choir, chair,"
"Order," hisses, and interruption).
Mr. Maginuis : Mr. Chairman, I must ask you to re-
quest Mr. Prescott to retire, if he continues to use such
insulting language to me.
The Chairman : Mr. Prescott, you must either cease,
or address yurself to the question.
Mr. Prescott then remark, d that he maintained the
meeting was premature, inasmuch that the determining
of either a sufficient or insutlicient school accommoda-
tion would have to take place before the appointment of
a School Board, and that decision must, therefore, be
precedent—r No, Imo' ). When a Board was formed they
would require a Chairman and other officers when he,
and many others would have to put their hands into their
pockets to pay for it.
Mr. W. Packwood: It is all clap-trap, Prescott—
(ls?ghter).

&Ir. Prescott ; Mr. Chairman, there is one of your Own
workmen. It is not the first time I have seen Mr. Pack-
wood. There's your impartiality and respectability—
(great uproar, hisses, and cries of " Order "and " Chair,"
lasting for souse time). Mr. Prescott (continuing) said
he did not go behind his back to tell anyone what he
thought of him. You want to get on the Reach. If you
want to get on the Bench you must go sod get a cmiii
farm under Lord Lyttelton, and you will soon have the
appointment—(conf salon).
The Chairman said that, with regard to Mr. Prescott's
objection to the meeting being a parish meeting, he
would say that it was a parish meeting, inasmuch that Vie
term parish related to any place where a separate rate
wos made for the time being. lie WWI satisfied that the
meeting had been convened in a perfectly legal manner.
In reference to what Mr. Prescott had said about the
meeting of the clergy and ministers who met him • nholt
time ago to diseusc the questioa, they would find, upon
referring to the report of the meeting, that it stated he
(the Chairman) invited them to meet in the Commis-
sumer& Room. When they arrived there, unfortunately,
there ivo. so fire, and it was on a bitter cold day in the
middle of winter. The Rev. H. Sherrard said if they
liked they might go to his school-room adjoining hot
residence, which they accepted, and he tCaptain Walker)
was sure no one in that room would have desirs U them to
have eat along time in the cold Commissioners' room
(cheers). He had no bias whatever in the matter, and ho
only desired to do that which would end is the beuetit
of the children whom they were seeking to educate—
(applause).
Mr. R. Kelly said as far as he was conceraed, as one of
the working class, he should like to see the meeting
called at seven o'clock at night—)hear, hear). He con-
sidered that if it had bees called at seven instead et
eleven, a larger somber of the working men would have
been present. If they could do without a School Board
.n Stourbridge, he should be ver:. ?lad.
. . . . . .

Mr. Sherrard said he did not have anything to do
wiih calling the meeting. He should have liked to hive
seen more working men present. It is a matter of grave
importance, and he did not see how they could adjourn
the meeting now they wore there. Ile understood that as
a rule the working class did not work on a Monday.
Mr. G. Perry suggested that they proceeded at once to
the object for which they were wet. With all due respect
to his friend (Mr. Prescott) he must say that he consid-
ered his opinion of the law as incerrect—l" Too many
lawyers '—laughter). There was no other course for
them to sdopt, than for the motion to be proposed and
seconded, and put to the vote. They could not aej•,ure
the uteeting—(cheers and counter cheers):

Mr. Sherrard then begged to move •• (bat it id expet;i-
ent theta School &hurl ehoula be ',milled for the to.u•
*hip of Stourbrolge-7applauee):
. .

P. Chance ;aid 'he'sliould have been glad if the
meeting had been called for the evening when the work.
Mg men would be allowed an opportunity of expressing
tired opinion— cheers). 'lke question was pre-eminrutly
a working man's question, aim it ought ti be adjourned
to a wore convenient time to allow them to attend. Ile
had lived in the town some 50 years, and it was the S as
tone he had been told they couid not adjourn a meeting
lie ventured to 'novo that the meeting be adjourmol acid
=even o'cluele on next Monday evening.
Mr. Hogord tocuuded Mr. Ce.ance'a motion.

Ur. U. Irrry buigge,tA d that. Mr. Sbeirdr.l3 resolut
nhould be tlecuilded bet re Mr. Chauce', ruoti..o wea
secondel.

Mr. Sherrara coil he thought it proper to wove t,e
resolution.

The Chairman said, as far se he was concerned, he
should like the meeting to be adjourned, for the purpose
of allowing the woi king clevuois to attend ; tat they were
in the difficulty that the meeting could not be adjourned.
The meetirig had been celled for a specific purpose
(hear, hear)— and they would have to decide under the
cireurnstauces. A similar election was rui,ed at Old.
bury, where the motion was put and negatived but atoll
was demanded. Notwithstanding the arguments of the
legal gentleman who was present, ho must say that they
would nave to give yea or nay to tho resolution they were
called for the purpose of passing.
Mr. J. C. A. Scott. J.e., sail he thought that the
meeting ought to be adjourned to allow the working men
to attend—)hear, hear)—and he thought it was quite
competent for them to do so; and Mr. Chance.* motion
would receive his hearty support, although he wou.d
not say a word against Mr. Sherrard's resolution, as he
thought it was desirable to have a School Board in
Stourbridge.
Mr. Maginnis said he should like to have seen the
room better filled. He should have been pleased if the
meeting had been called at a more convenient hour, but
the meeting had been called, and according to the regu-
lations of the Act they could not acjourn, but were com-
pelled to vote for the motion or negative it--(interrup.
tion). The fourth and 111th section of the regulations
specified distinctly that they must pass the resolution or
vote against it, for they could not move any amendment
, upon the matter.
Mr. Prescott said they could not tell him that the pub.
lie officer did not know what was the proper time for the
working men to attend a meeting. Mr. Holloway is clerk
to the Guardians, and has for 30 years been connected
with the Poor Law Übiol3, and clerk to the late Mr. W.
B. Collis. It war not the time for working men to come.
If working men had comae to that meeting at that time
in the day they would have rendered theniselves liable to
11 days' imprisonment.
Mr. Scott said he had been connected with many pia.
lie meetings, and it had always been the English custom
and rule to adjourn the consideration of a question. If
it was allowed in Parliament, surely it was allowed is the
election of a School Board—(applause).
Mr. Chance said he thought the same as Mr. Scott,
that they had a right to adjourn the meeting.
The hey. A. Rogers said that a meeting adjouined was
still in existence, and still to be discussed at the next
meeting.
Mr. Scott said Mr. Sherrard's resolution would not
drop to the ground, it would only be negatived.
The Chairman said if he could Bee his way clear that
it was legal to adjourn the meeting, he should feel de.
lighted to do so.
Mr. Prescott said it was very easy to have another fifty
ratepayers to sign another requisition—if they ruled that
they would not adjourn—requesting Mr. 0. Holloway to
call another meeting in the 1-I days. The working meu
would then have an opportunity of expressing their
opinion—(hear, hear).
Mr. Maginuis said he should have liked to have seen
the working men in thousands. If Mr. Sherrard's reso-
lation was not carried at that meeting, he was afraid they
would have to stand over for 12 mouths,

Ur. Scott said Yr. Sherrard'a resolution had been pro.
posed and seconded, and they could adjourn the meeting
until that day week, at seven o'clock.
Mr. Sherrard said he should lave liked to have seen
the room crowded with working men, and if it was the
wish of the meeting to have an adjournment it could be
carried by majority. Ile should he happy to withdraw
his motion. -

Tne Chairman said he load suggested it, end that he
would put the motion of adjournment to the meeting.
He was very anxious that every one should have a fair
chance of stating their opinion on the matter, sod he
would rather have the School Board question discussed;
but the motion must either be cartied or negatived--
(cheers).
Mr. Parry said he admitted that the course to be per.
sited in the present matter was contrary to English rule
ant custom, for their experience had always been that
they were entitled to adjourn any meeting for the further
c• maideration of the mutter, whether parliamentary, par-
ochial, or otherwise. Ile had very serious doubts
whether, if they did not decide the question whilst there,
the matter would be set at rest for twelve months—
(cheers and interruption).
Mr. Woolley said he should itot like to see Mr. Sher.
rard's resolution quashed, as it would be lost for twelve

Mr. Prescott again euggested that 80 more ratepayers
should sign a requisition calling another meeting.
Mr. Scott moved, and Mr. Rogers seconded, that the
discussion of Mr. Sherrard's resolution be adjourned
until seven o'clock next Monday night.
The Chairman said he should like to see his way clear
on the adjournment. He should be the last to sanction
any resolution which would not be received with favour
by the paople. Ile thought the only way to get out of
the difficulty was by passing Mr. Sherrard's resolution,
and then adjourning the meeting until a future day.
Mr. Scott said they ought to maintain their rights and
liberties, as Englishmen, by adjourning the meeting if
they thought proper.
Mr. blagineie seconded the resolution proposed by Mr.
Sherrard, to the effect that it is expedient that a School
Board should be formed for the parish of Sitourbridge.
He was deeply interested in the working classes, and
should have been glad to have seen them in larger num-
bers. The question had been raised whether they would
be beuefitted by a School Board. According to the re-
turns forwarded by the parish officials to the Education
Department, he found that the population was about
9,483, and of thst number there were 11,580 children be-
tween the ages of three and twelve years, but if they
took the ages of three and thirteen years they would
have 1,723 children who might be brought sumer the
compulsory clause. They bad sufficient accommodation
when the Catholic Schools were built for 1,452 children,
leaving 128 unprovided for. There were 1,181 children's
names on the mile of the six schools given in the re-
turns, and adding 72 who were in venture schools, they
had 1,256 on the rolls of the schools in the town wkere
the fees were less thou 9d per week, and out of thst
number 322 were regularly absent. There were 324 poor
little creatures who were not on any school roll,
Mr. Rogers : More shame for the clergymen of the
p Irish that they do not see to it.
Mr. Magiuuis (continuing) . There were, as he said,
324 poor children who did not attend any school, and it
was from this class there came the pauper and criminal
portion of the inhabitants, and there was o great increase
in the cost of the maintenance of criminals suit paupers.
In 186(1 it coat the ratepayers 5s per head per annum for
the maintenance of the pauper and criminal population,
and iu 186 J it had tisen to is per head per annum ; thus
showing that pauperism and crime was increasing. It
cost 11 millions per annum to maintain the pauper and
criminal population, that is to say a fraction over His per
head over the entire population of England and Wales,
at an average of 50s per family per year, and he thought
if they were better educated this amount would be greatly
reduced. It eost2 £064.302, or ojil per head of the en-
tire population of England and Wales to educate these
poor creatures. It would be better to pay for the educa-
tion of the poor children who are being trained for our
prisons and workhouses than to pay so much for their
maintenance in the prisons and woriliouses.
After some conversation on the subject,
Mr. Prescott said he was not going to be led by the
nose by Mr. Magiunis, or any other man. He would ask
Mr. Maginnis if he could show him that there had been
4 per cent. of the children convicted of crime in this
town for the last 45 years? It was strange that Mr. Ma-
ginnis had stated before that the population of the town
was 8,700, and he should now say it was 9,800. It would
take to educate the poor children what would clothe and
feed them. Ile had an opportunity of seeing some of the
Ragged School children pass his office door, and he could
say that many of them were children of working men
who were getting very fair wages, and working six days
per week. Mr. Maginnie was very desirous of incressiug
the education, but he (Mr. Prescott) would challenge Lim
to find ten children per day that did not go to school.
Ile f. It assured that if a School Board was formed it
would coat the town a lot of money. There would be the
slerk with 1:100 per year, and the 11 schoolmasters who
would get £3OO per year east,
Mr. Rogers: Are you aware that they Lave the power
to give the chairman a salary ?—(laughter).
Mr. Prescott said they could not bleme the working
nun for sending their children to cheap schools. Did
not Mr. Magim.ie send his own son to the Grammar
School because it was cheap. He would ask what would
lie the use of teaching a child to read and write if it was
taken to work at ten years of age. He was as desirous
that the chialren should be educated as ally of them, but
he was not going to be the toady of auy clergyineu. Ile
contended that education did not always tend to lessen
crime._

Mr. Rogers said lie had resided in the parish for sight
years, anti only knew two educated young men sent to
gaol for twelve months hard labour. It was for embez-
zlement, and they were educated in Wollaston Schools.
Mr. Chance then proposed that the meeting be ad.
jammed.
Mr. Rogers seconded the pigpoaition.
Rev. D. Jones mid if the question was adjourned it
would he for 12 months.

Mr. Kelly: We have beard that b.:fore—(cries of
•' Divide, divide
Aft, .r some further conversation,
The Chairman said he believed it was the desire of
many of those present to have the meeting adjourned.
and therefore he should put the motion for adjournment
to the meetmg--(hear, hear). The question was what
the most Conveuirllt time for the meeting to be mijourm d
until. He suggested that it ahould be until seven eel oh
on Monday next.

-----
Thu Chairman then put the ameodment to the m. t-
ins', and it was carried by a large majority.
A vote of thank, to the Chairman, closed the pri:ceed-
iugs.

ANNUAL SOIREE IN CONNECTION

WITH THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND

ASSOCIATION.

On Monday evening the Annual Tea Meeting and
Soiree in connection with tne above Association, took
place in Cie Corn Exchange. 'There was a very large aid
fashionable attendance. Trays were kindly present, d
by the following ladies : Mrs. A. Freer, Mrs. Corbett,
Ills. Boldern, Mrs. Jones, Miss Aston, Miss Durant,
Mew Sherraid, Mrs. Stokes, Mrs. blakeway, Mrs. 1-1.1.
hirnastone, Mrs. P. %Valker, 8.7 c.

After tea the chair was occupied by the Rev. J. S.
Beldero, the President of the Association, who read the
rt port of the Association for the past year, which has
already appeared in our columns. Ile said he was very
much pleased to see that so many took such an interest
in the welfare of the Association. Much good might be
derived from such associations as theirs, and much
learned. He contended that it would be far better for
the members of the mutilation to read works on divinity
than novels, so that they might be well informed in the
principles on which the leading doctrines of the Church
of England were grounded. It gave him great pleasure
to state that the society was in a prosperous condition.
He wanted to see more unanimity amongst the members,
but he would not detain them by making a long speech,
as there was along and very interesting programme to
be gone through.
The Rev. J. Robertson, of the Lye, said he had no.
Reed on the programme that one or two addresses were
to be given, and then the entertainment would be pro.
ceeded with, which he hoped would be interesting.
there was uo doubt but that a great interest was taken
by ladies in Church of England young man—(laughter)
—and he was pleased that there were so many people in
Stourbridge who took such an interest in the welfare ef
the society. He heartily concurred with Mr. Bolder° in
the fact that the association was increasing, and that
more books of divinity should be read and less novels.
The hey. H. Sherrard said he thou Slit he might say
that he had been present at every tea meeting in connec-
tion with the Church of England Association in this
town. It used to be the Amblecote Church of England
Association in the time of the /ate Rev. J. Grier, and at
his death it was removed to Stourbridge. Ile would say
he had never seen a better attended meeting than the
present one. He was o the same opinion as the presi-
ous speakers as to the choice of books, and he hoped the
eticiety would long continue in tha intim prosperous con•
dition as it was now.

The following programme was then gone through :
Pianoforte solo-- Grand Lialop Chrowatique," Mrs.
Fenneli ; song—" Excelsior," Mr. Bennett ; reading—
Coptain Walker; song—. Never mind the rest," Rev. E.
I. Edwards ; song—" The Blind Girl's Dream," Miss
Alice Phillips; flute solo—Mr. H. King; song—" The
Last Man," Mr. Maston ; war song—" The Watch by the
Rhine," Mr. Muston ; war song—' La M arseillaise," Miss
Alice Phillips; reading—Mr. A. Freer; serio.comic duct
—" Matrimony," Mr. and Miss Bennett; Pianoforte solo
—" Carnival de Venice," Mrs. Fennell; song--" Look.
ing Back," Miss Alice Phillips ; song—" Bitters," Rev.
E. L. Edwards; song—The Country Cousin," Mr.
Bennett.

The pianofore solos, by Mrs. Fennell, were played in
her usual brilliant manner, and elicited their well-merited
applause. We have heard Mr. Bennett sing much better
than he did in singing " Excelsio." The singing of the
Rev. E. L. Edwards was also not quite NO good as usual.
The flute solo, by Mr. H. King, was performed in his
usual masterly manner, and was received in a manner
that showed that the audience thoroughly appreciated it;
but the treat of the evening was the singing of Miss
Alice Phillips, she being rapturously encored each time
she sung. The reading of Captain Walker and Mr. A.
Freer was very amusing and well rendered.
The Chairman said he could not allow the entertain-
ment to close without expressing his best thanks to Mr.
T. Boulton and Mr. Welch, for their kindness in contri-
buting to the evening's amusement, by lending their
revolving stereoscopes and microscopes.
A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceed-
ings,