The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-15 00:00:00

MR. GIBBONS'S GIFF TO HALESOWEN

OPENING OF THE INSTITUTE.

The handsome building which Mr. J. S. Gibbons
recently presented as an institute to the working
men of Halesowen was formally open,d on Monday
afternoon, by Mrs. F. D. Lea Smith, at a meeting
in the Assembly Room of the Institute. Lord
Lyttelton presided; and Mr. Gibbons, the Veu.
Archdeacon Hone, Mr. F. D. Lea Smith, and a
number of the principal residents of the neighbour-
hood were present.
Lord Lyttelton commented on the advantages
which might be derived from the Institute. He
pointed out that it would serve as a powerful anti-
dote against public-house influence, besides which
there was the educational object in view, as by men
gathering there and reading the newspapers or
books they might become acquainted with the
elements of science or art. They must not be dis •
couraged, however, if after the club had been some
months, or even years, in operation they found that
the educational advantages were put to but scant
use by the members, because a great number of
the older men had not received the education
younger men were now receiving, and their habits
being fixed, it was too much to expect them to
begin to learn again. If they did no more useful
work than that of drawing a considerable number
of such men away from pernicious influences the
committee and promoters of the Institute would do
a great amount of good in the town. They must
not be discouraged if novels and books of a light
character were most in demand, or if any classes
they might form were attended only by a few, be-
cause it was found in such clubs all over the coun-
try that this was the case. Lord Lyttelton went on
to speak of the deep debt of gratitude the town
owed Mr. Gibbons, and said the best way of re-
cognising his generosity was that those for whom
his gift was intended should take full advantage of
its beneflts—(loud applause).
Mrs. Lea Smith thee declared the building open,
and wished the Institute every possible success.
After prayer by the Ven. Archdeacon Hone, the
company adjourned to the Infant Schoolroom, to
which they were escorted by the local drum and
fife band and a very large crowd. At the school
room, luncheon was provided, Lord Lyttelton taking
the chair. A letter, apologising for non-attend-
, auce, was received from Mr. E. Gem, enclosing a
cheque for £lO. After the usual preliminary
toasts (including "The Clergy and Ministers of all
Denotnuaations," to which Archdeacon Hone and
the Rev. A. Moon responded), his Lordship gave
"Success to the Halesowen Institute." He paid a
tribute to the generosity of Mr Gibbons in bestow-
ing such a gift upon a place which he said had
certainly no very great claims upon him, as he had
not long been a resident. No club or Institute
could have started under more favourable auspices.
It was at present free from debt, and he hoped the
committee would be careful in the future not to
incur expense when they had only a hope of pro-
curing money to meet their liabilities. Any extra-
ordinary expense should be met by a special appeal
to the friends of the institute, who he was glad to
see appeared to be numerous—(hear, hear). His
lordship recommended the committee to secure
self management of the institute as far as possible,
and pointed out the necessity for a minority, oh.
any question which might arise, giving way to the
wishes of the majority, instead of endangering the
institute by resigning.
The toast was warmly received; and Messrs.
Grove and Howell replied, conveying the thanks
of the working men of Halesowen to Mr. Gibbons
for his gift. The former mentioned that the insti-
tute had been furnished at the cost of XlOO, by Mr.
E. Stringer, of Stourbridge.
The health of Mr. Gibbons was drunk with
cheers, on the proposition of Archdeacon Hone,
and Mr. Gibbons cordially acknowledged the com-
pliment.

DUDLEY,
CICLEBRATED VILLAGE
-----;
ox delivered an
et'inuthe school room
DISCOURSE UPON A
CLERGYMAN.—The Rev. Jg.
Mr. H. R. Ker presided at the monthly meeting
able lecture on Tuesday night, held on Monday afternoon at Old Hill.
A discussion took place respecting the "bar" in connected with the Independent Chapel, the life
of the Rev. John Fletcher. front of the space appointed for the accommodation The Rev" Glielblife
Bradley, vicar of St. Eduaund7i,
of the public, against which Mr. S. Cave, a rate-
Ft oh xe
e toldlo se thethere
of
payer, of Cradley Heath, raised an objection at the was an
"wonderful
attendance.
a strikingly graphic manner. 6
applauded, and cordially thanke3ldira.t
last meeting. " Nod.fl
Story" : of the vicar of Madele 's life 'n
Mr. Hadley proposed that the bar should be re-
frequently
in Wed. •
tel.estinc, address. It was ultimately agreed, on the motion of Mr. his in ~, During the evening sacred
Hadley, seconded by Mr. Elingley, to saw off each music was well discoursed by Mrs. Fox and Miss
WOodhall. ,
end of the objectionable bar so that access could , .1 • .
be obtained from th- recess to the Board-room. STEALING
_2O FOWLs.--
At the Police Court, on
Ti • .eport ( f the Finance Committee, which was Wednesday, before the Mayor (Alderman North),
adopted, recommended that cheques should be Alderman Bagott, and Mr. J. Bateman (magistrates),
lie was
fyia.en d ei t
granted for £l,OOO to Messrs. Stockton and Son on David Heath (43), ehainmaker ; Noah Dauu (28),
Dudley Wood,_ were charged with stealing twenty
athsetahboleu,seanodf
account of the contr iet for the erection of Black cl ainmaker ; and Thomas Green (21), collier, all
of
LbeTeyhlowenefgroiewnalg
NttveiDerwMrears.rtdt'sleeltin:afeCreoodmletyo, chadn manu
f a e tamet
u rf co::
he heads back into Mr. Coley•'s
Heath schools, and other periodical payments,
amotioting to about 0000.
t_le...prisoln,hers threw t
The
hool offi e e
officer,
fr ae s
isguncecde s, swo la.
st on
next
tptain discussed,Lan-
caster, se
' field. They
All the prisoners had marks of blood and
feathers upon them.—The prisoners were commit-
period nosidon Mtpe:dri..
taonannum.
Williamhu em office
m clef ofdogr e tts
six,
months,
, Heath,a t
a salary was apo
f-
-1 ted to the Sessions, ;All being allowed,—Mr. Stokes
It was thought at the end of that
1 PrONOUtul,
the Board might wish to rearrange the
dutiee and Nalary of the office.