The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-11-16 00:00:00

KIDDERMINSTER.

In re John Henry Smart.—The debtor, described as
formerly of Park Villa Wolverley, near Kidderminster,
and of Penlan House, I:langennech, and now residing in
lodgings at 22, Gerrard Street, Birmingham, iron and
tin-plate works manager, has filed his petition for
liquidation, with liabiiitiea estimated at £4OO. and assets
not yet ascertained. Mr. W. J. Reeves, of 27, Paradise
Street, is the solicitor to the debtor.
SJOIETY FOR THE PRoPAGATInN OH THE GOSPEL.—The
annual meeting in connection with this society was hold
in the Town Hall, on Tuesday evening. The Rev. G.
D. Boyle, who presided, alluded to the recent Pan-Angli-
can Congress, and said, but for the absorbing interest of
the Eastern Question, he believed it would have attracted
much more notice than it had done. It afforded a
strong proof that the English Church was not dead, but
alive ; and if anything was wanting to convince the minds
of gainsayers as to the progress of Christianity and of
the English Church, which was witness of its truths, it
was to be found in the reports of that gathering, and of
the Society for tha Propagation of the Gospel.—The
Rev. 0, R. Rowley then read the report, which, after
detailing the general progress of the society, mentioned
that the local subscriptions in aid of its work amounted
het year to £lO 108 3d, Additional subscriptions were
needed to fill the gaps in Kidderminster caused by
deaths, and an appeal had been sent out on the subject.
—The Rev. F. Hastings, who attended as a deputation,
gave an interesting and encouraging sketch of the
Christian efforts being put forth in different parts of the
world, and specially drew attention to the want of more
men for the work.—A collection on behalf of the society
was made at the clnie of the meeting.

THE SEWAGE QUESTION AT DUDLEY.

On Thursday night last a special meeting of the
Dudley Town Council was held, the Diver (Mr. W.
North) presiding.
Mr. Wainwright moved " That in the next session of
Parliament a bill should be promoted to provide for the
disposal of the sewage from the town of Dailey upon
lands forming part of the settled estates of the Earl of
Dudley." He said there were legal difficulties which
rendered it necessary that application should be made to
Parliament to confirm the agreement, and give power to
the Corporation to carry it into effect. The agreement
relating to the scheme had been examined in every
possible way, and he thought it was one which would
be accepted awl confirmed. The application to
Parliament now proposed appeared to some minds a for-
midable character. He did not think so. In that par-
ticular instance, at all events, as all parties consented,
there was no reason why it should be either an expensive
or long pending application. So far as that Council was
concerned, it had consented to the arrangement; and as
regarded Lord Dudley and his trustees, they would go
before Parliament and give their consent. He was,
therefore, quite at a loss to know from what quarter any
opposition was likely to arise. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Round asked if lhe outlying districts of Netherton
and Woodside were to be charged at the same rate as
the town.

Mr, Wainwright said it was quite cleat that these dis-
tricts would ultimately have to be dealt with, and in the
meantime he might say the district fund, as in
every Corporation, was the one on which they put all
the charges that are not specially charged to the borough
fend.
Alderman J. H. Smith seconded the motion, and
said the whole borough,
.including Netherton and
Woodside, would have to bear the burden of the expendi-
ture;
Mr. Clark supported the motion, and remarked that it
was a matter for congratulation that there was a pro-
spect of the deep drainage scheme being carried out, a
fresh proof of the necessity of which was the epidemic
of scarlet fever which existed. As to the expen-
diture, he might observe that if the outlying districts
were called upon in this special case to bear the burden,
they should not forget that the townspeople had a
sharp example of Paying its portion for work done
in Netherten, when £2,000 was borrowed for Eagle
Bill.

Mr. Geotge Dunn inquired what would be the coat of
going to Parliament.
Alderman Smith replied that it depended upon the
opposition which might arise. If he was called upon to
give an idea of that he should say six or seven hundred
pounds,
Mr. Stokes said part of that cost (to the extent of
(t 200 would be paid by Lord Dudley.
The motion was carried-2& members voting for it,
and 3 remaining neutral.
The business of the last meeting of the Council was
resumed, and in moving the adoption of the Sanitary
Committees' report. Me. Stokes said the removal of
nuisances bad been carried out very effectively during
the past year, and at a cost of £1,500, as against £1,700
in the previous year. The death-rate was satisfactory,
for although they had an epidemic, it was 22 6 per
thousand, whi:st in other towns it was 29, and through-
out the kingdom 24 per 1,000.
MG Finch seconded the motion.
Mr. Wainwright called attention to the state of the
pnblic wells of the town, and in particular to the one in
the Market Place, the water of which bad been analysed
by Dr. Hill, of Birmingham, and pronounced bad and
poisonous.
Mr. Challingsworth said the water was never used for
drinking purposes. It was well known to be bad, and
was only used for cleaning and swilling. He was sure
there need not be any apprehension of Its being drunk.
for all the inhabitants were well aware of its im-
purity.
Mr. Stokes said if the matter was brought to the
notice of the Sanitary Committee the necessary
attention of the above committee would be given to the
matter.
Dr. Timmins (medical officer of health) said it had
always been his rule to look at such matters solely in a
sanitary point of view. He had not thought it his duty
to close wells which were not used for drinking pur-
poses. He thought it was a matter of equal importance
for the Council to be reminded that a large number of
people were without any water at all. This was par-
ticularly the case at Windmill End, where three years
ago he ordered the wells to be closed, but no wate.
had yet been supplied: The people were actually drink-
ing the water of the canal, but this he could not closer
(Laughter.) It would show a greater desire for the pre-
servation of the public health if Mr. Wainwright would
use his influence to secure an efficient supply for the
locality he had named: (Hear, hear.)
Alderman George Bagott, in :moving the adoption
of the Public Works Committee's report, said he thought
the Council might be congratulated that they had not
purchased the gas works, for it is probable they would
soon be able to introduce the electric light. (Hear,
hear.)
On the motion of Mr. Wainwright it was resolved
that an investigation should be made into the case
referred to in a local paper as" one law for the rich sad
thi Pc04,1