The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-12-07 00:00:00

DUDLEY TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuesday evening a monthly meeting of the above
Council was held in the Chamber; the Mayor (Mr.
William North) presiding.
Mr. H. Wainwright, after feelingly alluding to the
death of Alderman Horton. proposed that the ex-Mayor
(Mr. George Thompson) be elected alderman in the
place of the deceased gentleman, The ex-Mayor's ser-
vices to the Borough entitled him to the honour.
Mr. Challingsworth spoke in favour of the proposition.
Mr. Job Garret mentioned the name of Mr. Joseph
Stokes whose services were fully equal to Mr. Thompson's
and Alderman Russell seconded the proposition.
Mr. Poole spoke in favour of Mr. Thompson.
Mr. Stokes, in a graceful speech, waived his claim in
favour of Mr. Thompson. (Hear, hear).
The ex-Mayor was then unanimously electsd, and he
returned thanks.
The Town '3l.erk read a report from the Magistrates'
Clerk containing a second report from the County Justices
at Worcester showing that Dudley compared very unfavour-
ably with the rest of the county in the crime of drunk.
enness. The local justices showed that it would be
more advisable to have more frequent analyses of the
intoxicating liquors sold in the borough. In reply to
questions, the Clerk said there was no place in the
county where the figures were so high as ha Dudley.
Mr. Stokes said there was no such a centre. (Hear,
hear).
Mr. Mason said they suffered from visitors.
Alderman Bissell found that 161 per cent. accounted

for the visitors.
Mr. Stokes said he once showed the Worcester grand
jury a bottle of water supplied to Dudley, and it was no
longer deemed extraordinary that drunkenness prevailed
in that town. (Loud laughter). It was agreed that the
intoxicating liquors should be more frequently tested.
The report of the Sanitary Committee contained Dr.
Timmins's report. which showed a death rate of 331. per
1.000, scarlatina having carried off 40 out of 119 cases.
The medical officer further reported that he had ex-
amined and condemned certain property and one or two
public wells, He recommended that the other public
well water should be analyised. The rest of the Sanitaly
Committee's report show that but little progress was
being made with the public baths, owing to their archi-
tects being scarcely ready for the builders.
Mr. Stokes said there would be plenty of water, for
an engineer(Mr. Alexander Smith, C.E.) had tested this.
The report of the Streets and Gas Committee showed
the work done on the roads. Before the adoption of the
document there was a general feeling in favour of a
steam roller.
The report of the Public Works Committee recomm-
ended a thorough overhauling of the fire hydrants in the
borough, and the placing of several new ones. The re-
port was adopted.
The Watch Committee reported that the conduct of
two Birmingham " gentlemen" who were taken to the
police station for drunkenness had been enquired into,
and, after a full discussion, the committee were not dis-
posed to take any further steps in the matter. Mr.
11. M. Wainwright, in alluding to the report, made along
speech, in which he reviewed the conduct of Chief Super-
intendent Burton in discharging the two offenders from
custody, and wound up by stating that it was not clear
that Mr. George Bagott, who gave the order of discharge,
acted legally, for the law said two justices should de.
termine such cases at the ordinary place. Chief Super-
intendent Burton, who was present, flung back Mr.
Wainwright's insinuation, and said he fully believed he
had authority to discharge the offenders. Mr, Wainwrigbt
said the chief superintendent would have a chance be-
fore the chief constable or denying or proving anything
he had to say. Chief Superintendent Burton fearlessly
challenged Mr. Wainwright in any court, After a few
words from Mr. Billing and Mr,Stokes the subject dropped
The sewage and Supply Committee reported that it
would be advisable to borrow £20,000. on account of the
works. and the report was adop to&


CHARGE OF COAL STEALING.—Esther Garbett, (10) I
was charged with stealing a quantity of coal on the 22nd
ult., the property of Earl Dudley. P,dice.constable
La!ford proved the case. Fined 2s 61 ; in default 7 days
LocaL BOARD.—The monthly meeting of this body
was held on Monday, Mr. I. Rollinson presiding. It
was resolved that application be made to the county au•
thorities for an order to make "main roads" of the
Delph, Fenton Street, Mill Street, and Amblecote Bank.
It was stated that if the application was granted half the
expenses incurred in repairs would be defrayed by the
county. The Officer of Health (Mr. Ashmead) reported
that the death•rate had been 26 4 per thousand in the
past month, and 6 per cent. had died from scarlet fever,
the epidemic of which was dying away.
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