The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-10-31 00:00:00

OPENING OF A DRILL HALL HALL AT

HALESOWEN.

SI=EECII BY E.kilr. BEMTCHAMP.
ope!iing of the Pri HAT and
Itoorn3atiltvesolven, wliich have been ereeLd Ly
the offi,ers the Ist Volunteer Battalion the
Worz:estershire Reginiun'. took plaee on Monday

„
aftmnoon under very favourable eircumezaeces
The event was regarded by the inhabitants as one
O: co r-,i lerahle importance, and many went to the
trerile ef displaying bunting in the principal street.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Beauchamp, the L rd
Lieutenant of the County, who was invited to open
the hall, was met at the railway station at Hales-
owen by the Volunteers, under the command of
Captain Thompson, and escorted his lordship to the
hall, where he was met by a large number of ladies
and gentlemen.
His Lordship having expressed t'a.e pleasure it
gave him to visit Halesowen that dav to ot- en the
hall, said he would at once declare the hail open—
(applause.)
A luncheon was provided by Mr C. Benson, of
Bull Street, Birmingham, at which about 150 ladies
and gentlemen were present. Earl Beauchamp
presided, and amongst those present were the Revs.
C. C. Nation, C. W. Barnard, 11. L. N Lenny, F,
Kirtli, and C. Jordan ; Majors F. D. Lea Smith.
Wolridge. and Watson; Captain Thompson, Lieu-
tenants Lynn Smart, R.N , and A. Ifornfray, and
MesPrs. Willis Bund (the Conservative candidate
for the Oldbury Division), B. Hingley (the Liberal
candidate for tne Oldbury Division), Brooke Robia-
son (the Conservative candidate for Dudley), W. P.
Strawson, H. R. Ker, T. de Denne, J. Groves, B.
I.T. de Denne, J. Graves, B. T. Sadler, S. G. Reny,
T. White. J. McLaughau, T. Disney, R. Trewolla,
E. Gem, C. E. Bloomer, Job Garrett, W. Somers,
, S. Goodman, J. Burr, E, Lowe, and J. Darkey. .
The loyal and patriotic toasts having been oh.
served, Mr. Willis-Buud, who received a most cor-
dial reception, proposed the toast of "The Bishop
and clergy of the diocese and ministers of all de-
nominations.” It was their bounden duty to sup-
por t the clergy and ministers in their work of edu-
cating the young in religious knowledge-(applause.)
The clergy and ministry deserved their hearty sup-
port and assistance, and he trusted they would be
permitted for many years to go oa with their good
work—(applause.)
The Rev. C. C. Nation respcnded.
Mr. B. 'Tingley proposed "The Army, Navy, and
Auxiliary Forces," to which Majors Wolridge and
Watson and Lieutenant Smart, RN,, responded.
The latter gentleman remarked that it was indis-
pensable that better ships should be provided for
the navy.
Major F. D. Lea (Smith proposed the toast of
"The Lord Lieutenant of the county."
Lord Beauchamp, in responding, said he had
held that office of Lord Lieutenant nine years, but
he was not aware that any Lord Lieutenant had
been attacked for what he did in the performance
of his duties until he was, Last Saturday he was
attacked by a Worcester paper for his partiality in
appointing gentlemen as magistrates who held Tory
views, It had not been his custom to entertain
politics in the appointment of magistrates, but in
consequence of this attack be bad deemed it his
duty to look into the apointments of the gentlemen
who should have taken the oaths and qualified at
the Easter Quarter Sessions—(hear. hear). Bevan
were recommended, two of whom lived in Warwick-
shire and did not possess property in the county of
Worcester, and three out of the remaining five were
11r. E. Baldwin, of Bewdley, Mr. Baldwin, of King's
Norton, whose politics were well known in Bir-
mingham. and Mr. Goodwin, of Kiddeiminster.
The three gentlemen he had named were certainly
n A Conservatives, and this statement he thought
•A RS a complete answer to the allegations, His
lordship afterwards referred to the opening of the
drill hall and assembly rooms, and said he rejoiced
that such a prevision had been made, as he believed
it was wanted, and w ould be highly appreciated by
the inhabitants—(applaus e. ) In prepcsing "Sue-
irr.v.to .the Drill Halt and Halesowen Company,"
something-toviirhg.tilkonld be pleased to contribute
Mr. H, R. Ker and Captaiii—Q=,(upplause.)
Sponded.
Mr. Brooke Robinson proposed "The Architect,'
to which Mr. T. Grazebrook responded.
In the evening a grand military ball was given.
The building has cost about X 1,400 and large
portion of the money has yet to be obtained.