The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-12-30 00:00:00

TH.EI sTorBPVIPGE CPS

(41:ocal an pistrict gals.

WORCESTERSHIRE AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY.

On Thursday afternoon a public meeting of
thy inhabitants of the town was held in the Corn
Exchange, to take into consideration the advis-
ability of inviting the Worcestershire Agricul-
tural Society to bold their meeting in 1872, at
Stourbridge. Mr. H. Dillingham occupied the
chair. There were also present the deputation
from the society IMr. W. Dovrdeswell, M.P., Mr.
Trinder, Mr. Geldingham, and Mr. Munn), Hi,
Item It. P. Turner (Churchill), and I). Magill-
uis ; Captains Noel and Walker; Messrs. B.
Brooks, F. Stringer, It. Brootuhall„ W. Healey,
J. Emery, J. Franklin, F. Blakeway, G. Collis,
H. Hughes, W. Edwards, C. Blunsom, T. Penn,
C. W. Collis, J. Dutton, Godfrey, J. Taylor,
:ie.,

I The Chairman read the notice calling the
1 meeting, and said he should not occupy their
time that day in speaking upon a subject with
which he was comparatively ignorant, but he felt
it great pleasure in having been promoted to take
a part in inaugurating the present meeting. The
fact of holding the exhibition in Stourbridge
must give an amount of prestiye to that town,
which he was sure every ratepayer would feel
was necessary to give to the town. As regarded
the practical result, such an event must cause a
large amount of money to be spent in the town,
and thereby the inhabitants of the town must be
benefitted by holding the meeting of the society
in this town in 1872. He had no doubt that see-
ing these advantages, the inhabitants would
come forward with that nobleness of mind for
which they were always characterised when
money was wanting, and that they would show
to tin) deputation that their requirements would
be fully met.
Mr. Dowdeswell, having been introduced
to the meeting, explained the objects and re-
quirements of the society, end the success that
had had attended its exhibitions since the re-
modelling of its constitution and the adoption
of the migratory system, both at Kidderminster
in 1870, and at Malvern in 1871. Eiddermin-
ster, on the first occasion, very good-naturedly
not, only contributed the ..£3OO, required by the
society as a subscription, but provided extra
prizes, amounting to the large sum of between
£7O and £BO. The committee had decided to
do nothing for this year without first consulting
the wishes of that town, considering that it was
desirable that the exhibition should be held al-
teruately in the eastern and western parts of the
county —ilieer, hear). The kind feeling with
which the proposition had been mot by the au-
thorities at Stourbridge was to him very gratify-
ing, and would be suitably acknowledged at the
first meeting of the committee. The first re-
quirement of the committee was the sum of
£BOO, paid as a subscription to the funds of the
society from the district where it was proposed
to hold the exhibition. Beyond this, they re-
quired the use of ground and water, for the pur-
pose of holding the exhibition: and occasionally,
in addition to this, local prizes were given,
which proved an additional attraction and great
advantage to the towns themselves. The exhi-
bition extended over three days, and the attend-
ances in the past had been from 7,500 to 0,000.
Coming, as they were desirous of doing that
year, into a more populous neighbourhood, he
thought it fair to compute the number expected
at 9,000. Subscribers to the local fund were
placed upon the same advantages for that year
1 as regular subscribers; that was to say, for that
year they were regiuded as honorary members,
sharing in the full advantages of the society—
applause).
Mr. Trinder said, as one one of the Sites
Committee, that he lied been requested by Mr.
Buck, the secretary of the society, to inspect the
,runnd on which it was proposed to hold the
show. He had done so that day, and he had no
hesitation in saying that the site proposed would
meet with the approval of the society. The
show would be held the last week in August, but
the ground must be placed in the hands of the
contractor for at least one month before then, to
enable him to erect the shedding, .te. In the
field he inspected that day there were two pumps
and a pool, which would yield sufficient water
for the cattle.

Mr. F. Blakeway, veterinary surgeon, next
stated that the ground he had selected, and
which the deputation had visited, was that known
as the Cherry Orchard, situated at the back of
Amblecote Church. It comprised two fields in
the occupation of Mr. Hazledine and Mr. S.
Mobberley. He had seen both gentlemen, and
they had expressed themselves desirous of meet-
ing the wishes of town. The land was within
an easy distance of the railway, and the male.
ray of those who visited the show would hare
to pass through the town. It was highly desir-
able that the show should be held in Stourbridge,
and be thought that .£3OO could be easily raised.
He had canvassed the district outside the town,
and had received a large number of promises.
If the people in the town would subscribe in a
similar manner there would be no difficulty in
raising £3OO, but, in addition, a large sum of
money which might be awarded as local prizes,
, to and to the success of the show.
Mr. Dowdeswell remarked that the show would
be open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday,
but thought it might be open as well on Friday,
being the market day.
After some conversation, Captain Walker said
that he thought there could not be two opinions
as to the desirability for the meeting to be held
in the ensuing year in Stourbridge. He then
moved the first resolution, as follows:—" That
this meeting, having heard the statement of the
deputation from the committee of the Worces-
tershire Agricultural Society, is of opinion that
it is desirable that the next meeting of the said
society should be held in this town.'

Mr: B. Brooks, in seconding the resolution,
said that he thought there would be no difficulty
in making the meeting a success.
The resolution was carried unanimously.
The Rev. D. Maginnis moved the next resolu•
Lion, as follows: " That the following noblemen
and gentlemen form a committee, with power to
Add to their number, for the purpose of carrying
out the foregoing resolution: The Earl of Stam-
ford and Warrington, Lord Eyttelton, the Hun.
C. U. Eyttelton, M.P., Messrs. R. P. Amphlett,
M.P., W. H. Foley. W. 0. Foster, C. P, Noel,
W. C. Firmstone, J. E. Swindell, William Trow,
W. 11, Brown, H. T. Hickman, G. Grazebrook,
C. Cochrane, .R. Cocks, T. H. Pargeter, Colonel
Barrows, H. Billingham, .Talues Walker, T.
Parry, W. Edwards, J. Taylor, F. Blakeway,:E.
Stringer, E. Webb, jun., J. C. Willisms, J. All-
sop and Thomas Yardley; and that Captain
Walker be appointed treasurer, and Messrs. F.
Blakeway and J. Taylor the secretaries.
Mr. !Awards seconded the resolution, which
wa4 carried.

Mr. Moms Penn next moved, " That an ac-
comit be opened at the local hanks in the name
of the treasurer, Captain Walker."
Mr. E. Stringer seconded the resolution,
which was unanimously adopted.
Mr. 1 mwdeswell suggested that the resolutions
should be handed to the society by a deLutation
at their annual meeting in January.
The Rev. D. Maginnis proposed a vote of
thanks to the deputation for their attendance.
This was seconded by Captain Walker.
Mr. Dowdes‘,ell thanked them for the com-
pliment they had paid the deputation, and pro-
posed a vote of thanks to the Chairman for pre-
siding on that occasion.
This was seconded by Mr. Mann, and carried
unanimously.
'Flue meeting then separated.
. . .

We are informed by Mr. F. Biakeway, vorin-
ary surgeon, of this town, that the Earl of
Stamford and Warrington has promised £lOO
towards the expenses of the above show. He
has also promised to exhibit the celebtrated
horse, " Cambusean," and to become a large ex.
bibitor at the Horticltural Show, to be held at
the same time.

CONCERT AND TEA PARTY. On Thursday
evening a ten party was held in the Corn Ex-
change in aid of St. John's Schools. Upwards
ef one hundred sat down ; after which a concert
Wa3 given, and the nunibers were increased to
nearly two hundred. Two readings were given
by the -Rev. T. Williams and Mr. A. Freer. Mr.
'lames Mathews, the well-known flautist, contri•
bated to the musical iirrangements ' • as also did
Mr. 11. King. Mr. F. Fisher, and Miss Fisher.

Au selerfinn of MUSIC WAS given,
and higtily appro,eiitt, a by those present. We
thmt the profits will amount to !mille-
t ling like five pounds.