The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-06-04 00:00:00

COMMISSIONERS MEETING.

'The monthly meeting of this body was held
in the Board Boom; Mr. Stringer in the chair.
There were also present ;—Messrs. Walker,
Penney, Hughes, Newnan], Ansel), Elcuck,
Packwood, and the Rev. D. Magiunis. The
Clerk read the minutes of the last meeting,
which were confirmed.

The Clerk reported that on the ImprovemLut
Account there was due from the treasury,
.086 12s ; uu the Highway Accuuut,
£133 Is Id.

The Clerk reported that the committee ap-
pointed at the last meeting to examine the
road near Mrs. Scott's property, in linville-
street, with a view to make certain alterations,
as asked for by Mr. S. Smith. The committee
have reported that they could nut comply with
the request of Mr. S. Smith, but were willing to
make and carry out some alterations ; Mr.
Hughes remarking that Mrs. Scott had met
them in a very liberal spirit, and so far as he
was concerned he should be happy to meet that
lady in the same spirit so far as was consistent
with their duty, as commissioners, to the town
and public. . . .

Os the motion of Mr. Hughes, seconded by
Mr. Penney, the report was adopted.
The Clerk said the committee appointed at
the last meeting to carry out the lighting of the
town, had recommended that twenty lamps be
lighted during the whole of the year.
A letter was read from Mr. McHale, landlord
of the .14ole in the Wall, for a lamp to be put up
in the passage.
Mr. Hughes suggested that the lamp near to
Mr. Orford's, tailor, from its present position,
and put opposite the entry.
This was opposed by several members.
The Chairman said if the lamp was moved
from where it now was, he should be subjected
to a nuisance near his premises.
No order was made.

Captain Walker suggested that there should
be a imp erected in the Round Court. The
passage was very dark, and he thought it neces-
sary.
Mr. Penney said he thought they may remove
the lamp from the front of his house, as there
was plenty of light from the lamp opposite
after some discussion a lamp was ordered to be
put into the Round Court, and the one by the
clock near Mr. Penney's home to be removed.
The Clerk said the next business was the
channelling and levelling of Talbot-street.
Tenders had been advertised for, and he had
received three. .

The Chairman then read the following ten-
ders :---James Beddoes, .ft; Benjamin Hough-
ton, £26 loo; and William Davy, £33.
Captain Walker moved that Beddoes' tender
be accepted.
Mr. Taylor said, with reference to obtaining
the mortality returns, he had written to the Re-
gistrar• General, and had received a reply from
him to the einct that he had no objection what-
eves- to Mr. Levi, the local registrar, furnishing
the Commissioners with the mortality returns
required by them, OD condition that they made
Mr. Levi some reuiuueratiou for the trouble he
was put to.
M. Hughes enquired what would be the ex-
pense ?
The Clerk said he thought from £4 to £5 per
annum.

Mr. Hughes said he should move that the fur-
ther consideration be apjourned sine die, as they
should be spending money uselessly.
Mr. Maginnis said he thought it was an im-
portant question, and that it would be of sonic
use to the public to know of the prevalence of
one form of disease more than another. These
returns were found useful by other similar
bodies, and would no doubt be useful to them.
Captain Walker said he did not think it would
be of any use unless they had the returns from
the various localities of the town.
Mr. Newnan' said the returns at Mr. Levi's
were open to be inspected. He had inspected
them several times. He believed the cost to get
the returns would be about £5.

After some further discussion, Captain Walker
moved that the Clerk do ascertain the costs of
obtaining the mortality returns.
Mr. E. B. Marten, the manager of the Water-
works Company, attended the meeting with re- I
ference to some complaints as to the wat4ring
of the streets. He said there was no town in
the kingdom where more water had been poured
on the streets than in that town. They had
been trying some new material which was used
in London for preventing so much water being
used, and this was the cause why the supply of
water used had not been so great for a few days.
Mr. Allsop said there was, no doubt, plenty of
water used, but some roads were neglected.
Mr. Marten said he did not come there to
I throw blame on the contractor, and he was afraid
' he did his work too well, as regarded the quan.
tity of water used. The public, however, were
fond of blaming the Waterworks Company,
even when there was no cause for their doing SQ.