The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-05-07 00:00:00

BRIERLEY HILL.

LOCAL BOARD or OP Haeum.—The first meeting of
the new Board was held at the Board Room, on Monday
last. Dr. Walker was appointed chairman pro tem.
There were also present :—Messrs. Cook, Jeffries, Sari.
yen, Fereday, Detheridge. Fletcher, Grove, Haines,
Chappell, Casson, Coley, RoHinson, Belinitt. Higge,
Westwood. and Cartwright. It was moved by Mr. Cook,
seconded by Mr. Fletcher, and carried unanimously—
That Mr. William Jeffries be elected chairman for the
ensuing year."—Among the items in the Finance Corn.
mittee's report was one for election expenses, £24 10s 62.
Several members expressed their opinion that the sum
was • large one. The Clerk said there was orintiom ex-
penses, drawing up documents, money out of pocket, and
general expensea. Last year the sum was £34 7s 6d.
Mr. Rolltnson suggested that the town should be divided
into wards, and then there would not be above one-fourth
of the expense. Mr. Casson objected, on the ground
that there would not be complete representation; and
Mr. G rove pointed out that the next six retiring members
might belong to four different wards. k long discussion
took place upon the item, a member raising the question
whether the election was an .• ettra "or not. The Clerk
read the bye-leers showing the Clerk's duties. and stated
that conducting the electtnn did not come within them.
In answer to question. the Cierk said 2.000 papers hail
been issued, but ose-Itelf had not been tilled up. The
report was then adopted.—The Roads Committee recom-
mended, among other things, that the contract for the
improvement of Parkes-atreet should be given to Mr.
Whittaker, at a cost of £97. his being the loweet tender.
The report was adopted, after a itincuseion. —The Boatel
then considered the case of a Mr. fluttery, who had
taken the Board numbers from his house. and refused
to allow them to tor refixed. Mr. Higgs thought the ex-
penditure on the numbers Woe useless. He would not
have • number on his house, and the Board had better
have smoked the Disney than have expended it in the
manner they had. It was ultimately determined that
proceedings slmuld be taken against Mr. Guttery, 'mires
he allowed the numbers to be re-alfixed.—Dr. Walker
reminded the Board that lie had called attention to the
over crowded state ef the parish churchyard. aid images-
that means should he taken to have another bnrial place
, He had niece heard that An enlarkeinent 4,f the yard was
shout to tube place. The Clerk read is letter from the
Rev. J. Stone, the vicar, in which the rev, gentleman
cold arrangements bad been made for the enlargement
of the present churchyard. The Earl of Dudley had
given the mines underneath a large piece of grounil, and
had offered a subscription. therefore is remedy wonld sot
be required for years -(hear, hear). The mortality re-
turns showed that 34 deaths had taken place during the
month. This was an increase of six upon the return of
the corresponding month of last year. Eighteen deaths
had occurred under five years of age, and seven at the
age of fifty and upwards —Mr. Gone introduced the sub-
ject of the purchase of the Public Hall by the Board.
He said the ishareholders were willing to sell to the public
the tintl as it now mood, at a cost of £2.000. tie. Hoe.
ton, the builder. had told him that he would finish the
structure for £OOO. and when it seas complete there wiiiiiit
be neutral ground foe all parties upon all rpm:toms end
occasious. There would lie two shops on toe front, end
there were two rooms intended to be u.e.l as a reading
room and library, while the public room would snake a
fine lecture and board room. At present the Board geld
in rent £OO per annum ; the hall, when fiuished. would
produce £5O at low. rents. The Board would stye the
£OO, and this suin added to the rent to be iieriyed would
assist ii, paying off tile interest. The money for the
purchase of the hniblieg could be obtained to extend
ever a period of 30 years. He begged to move that the
hall be purchased as the price effered by the shareholders.
Detheridge was simian to know why shareholdere
wire auxious to get rid if such s good bargain There
we, burden enough iii the ratepayer, Mr Fereday raid
it WAS for some one to 4140 W that the place was profitable.
If he could see how they might rest or lease the place
to help the shareholders he would not mind, but he
strongly °Nee! out ii the pure-has,. Mr. Cook denied
that Go. shareli lidera wool.) "Main any ben•tit, and
piiiged out that educetion was rapidly extending. and ix
a shout time the building would be wanted for • free
ihrary, or other itationAl purpose. Ti,., Independent
i•iiiiiiregetien surd it,llllll C itlielic clergy had been
inspecting the building with a view of purchasing. Mr.
Deihl-ridge moved that the matter he adjourned for
month. Mr. Heinen thought at would be far better if
independent figures were otitained. :mil every member
had an opportunity of getting them for himself—(hear,
hear). After some further diSCUSRiOII la favour of Mr.
Haines's suggestion, it was resolved unanimously. " That
a committee he appointed to take into consideration the
desirability of purchasing the Public Hall; to ascertain
what income could or would be derived from the build-
ing, and the prospective cost ef completing the hall, so
as to realise the highest amount of income; and gene-
rally to report to the Board on the matter."
Devon AND INCAPASLE.—At the Petty Sessions, on
Monday last, before H. Hall, Esq., Joseph Baker was
charged by Superintendent Mills with being drunk and
incapable, on the night of the 30th ult. Police-constable
Mee proved that about twelve o'clock he found the de-
fendant by the church gates, lying drunk. Pleaded
guilty. Ordered to pay Gs 6d costs.
WILFUL l)n,saen,—Wiiliam MODIUCt Was charged by
Benjamin Blewitt with wilfully damaging a quantity of
oats, on the 20th nit, his property. Complainant said
the defendant get over two hedges, and walked over a
iivantity af oats. There is no road. Defendant admit-
, ted going across the field; but said there were no oats
• up, and he thought there was a road across the field.
! Cue dismissed.

Picsos FLYERS.—James Everall was summoned by
Caleb Smith for unlawfully taking a pigeon of his, value
54, on the 18th January last. Complainant said he went
to the defendant's house about a fortnight since, and saw
the defendant with his pigeon. He asked him for it.
Defendant told him he would not have it nntil he got it.
The pigeon in worth ss. He bought it of Daniel Stat.
ford, on the 15th of January. Stafford proved that he
sold it to the defendant, and that he had reared it. The
defence was that he (defendant) bought the pigeon of
T. Barnsley Nock, and gave in for it ; and called a wit-
ness to prove that he gave Nock 1. for it. Nock saying
it the time that he had caught it coming down a chimney.
'ase dismissed.

DM:NliENNZ6l4.—George White was charged by Super-
intendeut Mills with being drunk on the night of the
19th inst. Police-constable Fairbanks proved that he
found the defendant lying down drunk by Mount Plea-
sant. He woke him up, and dsfendant was very rough
ou being taken to the station. Ordered to pay S. 6d, the
costs.

WILFUL DAMAOIL—Isaish Jones, a youth, was charged
with wilfully damaging a fence, on the 24th ultimo, the
property if Samuel Mobberley, of Amblecote. Thomas
Morgan proved the case, and said the damage done was
41. Fined Is and costs; in default seven days.—Robert
Caner was charged with wilfully damaging a quantity of
growing grass, on the 24th tilt, the property of Samuel
Mobberley. Thomas Morgan proved that he saw the
defendant, with about forty ether boys, in the field. He
knew the defendant. Did not wish to press the cue;
but to put a atop to the trespass. Fined Is and costs ;
in default seven days.
HIGHWAY OFFENCE .—Before J. Holcroft and H. Hall,
Esqrs., George Mantle wad charged, for that he did on
the 15th of April, and ever since, offend against the Local
Board of Health Bye-laws, is erecting a building with-
out having submitted plans to the surveyor of the Board
of Health. Mr. Holberton appeared to support the case,
and Mr. Burbury defended.—Mr. Flolberton said the
summons was taken out under the 3rd section of the
bye-laws, for illegally erecting certain building, not hav-
ing submitted to the Board a plan of the same. Had he I
done so, be did not believe there would have been any
objection; but by not doing so, it was an infringement
of the bye-boo—Josiah William Beckley said that he
is surveyor to the Local Board, and had heard defend.
ant Was going to erect a house in Bent-street. He told
him befsre he could do no. he must submit the plans ti
the Local Bourn. Defendant had sot done as. and he
had proceeded with the building, and got up to the roof.
Croas-examioed : I have been asked to make the plan.
and maid the charge was 105 6d. Tuere was a stable pre-
' vioum to the building. There woos Ii aindary wall. The
new building is on the old boundary. There was a plan
given to me. I told him it would not do. I did not sub-
mit it to the Loeal Board. I sin not aware it was my

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Saturday, May 7,1117 P.