The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-12-03 00:00:00

THE EDUCATIONAL BOARD QUESTION.

Mr. MrEwen called the attention of the Com-
missioners to the desirability of having a School
Board for Stourbridge. The Education Act was
coming into operation in a good many towns, and
he thought Stonrbridue should have one.
Some discussion ensued in favour of one, and
the further consideration stands over.
THE FOOTPATHS.

Mr. Al'sop proposed that the footpaths in
Hugley-street be taken into consideration, and
be dealt with otherwiAe than by gravel; and that
tha C1...1r do take kin consideration the cost of
having Haglty-street paved in giving in the re-
quired estimates for rates.
Mr. Neuman seconded tho proposition,

Mr. Edwi.rtle said that the.roard in Hagley-
street wet in the hands of the Turnpike Trus-
tees, who had repaired it for a long time, and
thought it would be a farce for the Commis-
sioners to take it into their hands to repair it.
'there were plenty of other roads wanted repair-
ing much worse than those in klagley-street.
Maginnis suggested that there should be
several committees formed for different purposes
to look over and watch tile+e things. They
could be appointed from year to year.
This suggestion was adopted by the Board,
and Mr. Allsop withdrew his motion.

PETROLEUM.
The Clerk said that there were two applica.
Bons for licenses to sell petroleum—one by Mr.
W. Burgess, in Market-street; the other by Mr.
E. Turner, in high-street.
Alter soine discussion it was decided that the
licenses would be granted, subject to the appro.
val of the inspector.
A number of accounts were examined, and
ordered to be paid.

%there %,t. Lo other business of importance.

COUNTY COURT.

Wood V. rerrens.—At the County Court, on
Tuesday, before Mr. Loath& Warren, Deputy
Judge. Mr. Clulow appeared for plaintiff, and
Mr. Perry for defendant. This was an action
brought to recover the sum of .T 3 9s, for balance
of rent duo to plaintiff. prom the evidence of
plaintiff it appears that the money was due for
arrears of rent. Defendant told him to take his
goods in lieu of money, but plaintiff said he
would not take the goods, and if defendant would
dud him .TB, he would forgive him the rest of
the money. He left u chest of drawers in the
noose until he had paid the rent. He did not
have the chest ;in payment of the rent, but had
latched it away from defendant's to his own
'louse. He did not know where defendant lieu
gone to, but saw him in the month of July, at
Ironworks, Bilston, and asked him
lot the rent. Defendant said he would come sod
puy hi ni the money. He told defendant it he
um not pay him 110 should put him in the Court.
Had the chest of drawers sold by an auctioneer.
Ailey were bold for £2, and the auctioneer
charged is. This left him ..til lie, and after de.
ducting the £1 lis from the .T 5 4s, which was
the slim originally due, it made the Os which
no claimed. After hearing the evidence his
tionoUr gave a nonsuit.

Collis v. Brookr.—At the County Court, on
Tuesday last, before Mr. Load*le Warren,
Deputy Judge, Mr. C. W. Collis, on behalf al
the plaintiff, wady an apjlication for a new trial
which was opposed by Mr. Stokes, on behalf of
the defendant. the Honour, in giving his Mei-
Le was of opinion there had Leen a
miscarriage of justice in this case, inasmuch us
in his summing up he put it to the jury as plainly
as possible that the plaintiff was without doubt
entitled to a verdict on one issue in the ease,
and the other issues be lei& to the jury as to the
amount ot damage sustained. Had the jurj
given a verdict tor only a small amount be
allould have hesitated benne granting a second
new trial; but, looking at the facts, he thought
anew trial ought to he granted, and the vvellt
changed. Ultimately it was arranged that the
case should be removed to the Wolverhampton
County Court.
i.e JOHN BUNN, A BANKRUPT. This bank-
rupt, who tiled his petition in October list, Caine
op on Wednesday tor his last examinatien and to
make application for his order of discharge.—
Sir. Adaisou appeared to oppose on behalf of
several creditors, and applied for the bankrupt's
committal fen a misdemeanour, he having con-
cealed and also parted with his property, cow
nary to the provisiens of the Act of Parliament.
—The Judge expressed himself strongly, and
said it was a very bad case, and he should com•
wit him for trial at the next Spring Assizes;
but would accept bail—bankrupt in 150, and two
sureties in £23 each.—Hail having been given,
baukrupt left the Court.

Soma.—The annual Tea Meeting and Soiree
in connection with the Congregational Chapel,
was held in the Schoobroom on Monday even-
nig last. After a very good tea, to which about
szOn sat down, the tables were removed, and Mr.
J. Taylor took the chair, lie said it was a usual
thing for a chairman to make a speech, but as
his name wee LW% LI for one, and there was a very
long and uttlact,tvu programme to be gone
thump he bhuald not occupy their time, but
proceed with the evening's entertainment.—The
opening piece was a pianoforte solo by Mr.
Thomas Rhodes, jun., which was performed in
masterly manner, as was also his second piano-
torte solo. 'the choruses by the choir were
:fang in an admirable manner, and reflected great
credit on both the singers, and Mr. John Wood,
the conductor. The whole of the singing was
very line, but the songs of the evening were
those by Mr. Grundy, 'The Anchor's Weighed "
"'the Pilgrim of Love," and Mr. W. Chan-
oell's " Will o the Wisp," pinch received the
.reideadous applause they deserved. The song
Evangeline, by Miss Noke, was sung in an
exquisite manner, and received a well.inerited
encore, as also did the songs ef Miss L. Southall,
Miss Dykes, Messrs. J. Southall, Smith, J.
Woolley, and G. Pearson. The duets ware sung
in a that-class manner, especially the ones," The
Prison Duet," from II Titor«tore, by Miss Dykes
tad Mr. Grundy, and "The Emigrant's Fare.
well" by Miss Noke and Mr. J. Southall.

CHARITABLE BEQUEBT.—The will of the late
Miss E. C. Baker, of Red Hill, Stoarbridge, has
been proved by her executors—Henry Taylor,
Esq., of Sparkhrook, Birmingham, and the Rev.
D. Maginnis, of this town. The personalty was
sworn under .£7,000. After making a few small
ocquests to relatives and others, testatrix has
left the whole of the residue of her estate to the
" Governesses' Benevolent lustitution,” direct-
ing that the same shall be invested and the in-
come therefrom divided into enmities for Go-
vernesses of £2O each, to be called "Mks
Baker's Annuities." The right of nominating
annuitants shall belong, during their lifetime, to
the Executors; afterwards to the 1114tihIlion.
FIRE.— DESTRUCTIOU OF CI:AIN.—A fire of •
serious nature took place on Monday night last,
at Mr. W. C. Firmstoue's warehousing, at the
batten) of the town. The tire was discovered
shot tly uf.c.: nine o'clock, and it appears to have
on ;liateil in the bottom floor. As soon as it
was discovered the door was broken open, and a
number of persons came forward to render as-
sistance. Information was also given at the

Police Station,. and Superintendent Freeman,

with a staff of his men were soon on the spot.
The two fire engines were also sent for, and EP. •rl
arrived, the Phomix Fire Engine being first, an.l
was soon followed by the Birmingham Alliance.
The warehouse on fire is situated at the back of
Mrs. Ganner's public-house, and the canal being
near, the engines were soon got into play, and
being well supplied with water the fire was soon
got under, with the assistance of a number of
persons present. It appears that during the
day 100 bags of grain had been stored up, and
at the time of the fire there were something like
1,000 bushels of grain stored up, all of which
were burnt and injured by water more or lesc.
We believe it will be covered by instiranc..
During the fire several accidents occurred ' • but
fortnnately, they were not of a serious nature.
Superintendent Freeman fell into the canal, as
also did Mr. B. Richards, Mr. Sanders (fireman),
and two others; but they were got out as soon
P 9 possible, apparently not inuch the worse to:
their " ducking," with the exception of a slight
injury to the knees of Superintehdent Freeman
and Mr. B. Richards.
Re•OPRNING or Sr. JOHN'S SCHOOLS. On Monday
night last these schools. whielt nave been considerably
enlarged and undergone exten,ive alterations, were rt,
opened by a tea ',ult and soiree. The rorna was
tiled. MAr tea, the chair was aseuCird by W.l, berta,
Esq., who address..d those pr. scid ; alley al. eh Mrs.
F.•unell gave a pianoforte solo. Mr. J7lll. a Matthew,
also played two solos during the evening, and Miss Davis
sang several songs. Readings were given by the Eared).
Robertson, T. Williams, A. G. Ointlestono, and Mr. A.
Freer. The whole proceedings were a mere...