The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-06-21 00:00:00

11'0'1"

THE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER.

TO THE GOVERNORS OF KING EDWARD'S
SCHOOL, STOURBRIDGE.

entlemen,

In submitting to you my
report for the year ending Midsummer, 1879, I
have the pleasure to inform you that this School
continues to maintain its prosperous condition.
Although, at Christmas last, you saw the necessity
of raising the fees to the extent of two pounds per

annum, for each boy, the effect has been but to
reduce the number to 88, or two below our full
complement of 90.
This fact may, I think, be taken as a proof that
parents do not underestimate the value of the
education given at this School,
It cannot certainly be considered that the fees
payable here are high, when I state that there are
boys receiving instruction in Latin, English
French, Mathematics. Book-keeping, Science,
Drawing, Drilling, and Vocal Music, and who are
paying £8 per annum for this instruction.
Although our fees are qo moderate, I have to
express my great regret that many parents with-
draw their boys from the School at a very early
age. Indeed, in many instances, they are beginning
to see the value of a gpod education, and when
they would make more rapid progress in their
studies than at any previous part of their School
, career.

It affords me pleasure to be able to state that
a large number of the bays show much interest in
their work. There are others, however, who give
us a great deal of trouble. This is caused, in a
great measure, by the want of proper supervision
and firm discipline at home, and, as in previous
years, the masters have to lament the absence of
earnest co-operation on the part of many parents,
in the matter of the home work of the boys. It is
, not sufficiently realised that the progress of a boy
at school depends on the way in which he prepares
his lessons at home in the evening.
I beg to express a hope that we may soon have
our chemical laboratory erected, as it is quite im-
possible to give scientific instruction in a satisfac-
tory way with the inadequate means we have at
our disposal. lam unwillingly compelled to give
up class instruction in practical chemistry,
although the knowledge of such a subject would
be of great use in a district like this.
1 beg to inform you that Mr. F. Terry, who went
from this School i:1 October, 1877, to the Univer-
sity of Cambridge, has again gained a first class
in the Examination of Law Students belouging to
_

The Rev. W. J. J. Welch, in seccmcnrrg, nay ert rd
to the statement as to Scripture, and said he thought
the parents did not assist the masters as they should
do in that branch of education. It had:the greatest
attention from the masters.
Mr. Fletcher responded, and agreed witi tl.e
head master as to the religious teaching.
Votes of thanks to the head master and the Chair-
man ended the proceedings.

NON-PAYMENT OF HIGHWAY BATES .—At the
Police Court, held on Tuesday last, before Messrs.
E. B. Phillips, and G. S. Gibbons,. Samuel Cave,
of Cradley Heath, was summomed by George
Granger, for non-payment of a highway account
3s 31d. Complainant proved that the rate was
duly made, that he had left the demand note, also
demanded payment, and that the defendant had
refused to pay. The defence was that he was not
liable, and that the landlord paid the compensation,
and asked for a remand, also for his expenses in
attending. The Bench refused to allow any ex-
penses, and dismissed the summons.
ASSAULT CASE.—Sarah Jackson was charged with
assaulting Mary Layton on the 4th inst. From
the evidence of complainant it appears they are
sisters-in-law, and on the above date defendant
harbour° d her husband. She accused her of it, when
defendant struck her several times, and pulled a
quantity of hair off her head, and struck her with
an umbrella. Defendant denied assaulting her, or
being w;th her husband, and said it was the com-
plainant who assaulted her, and called a witness to
prove it. The case was dismissed.
DRUNK AND INCAPABLE.—George Crumpton,
plumber, was charged with being drunk and in-
capable on the 3rd inst. Police-constable Webb
proved that he found the defendant in the Hagl-y
Road, about five o'clock in the day time. He was
lying on the road with his face in some ashes,
quite drunk. He had to get a handcart to put
him in, and send him home. Superintendent
Kemp sai I the defendant was a working man, and
an habitual drunkard. Fined lOs and costs.
A DRUNKEN WC MAN.—Elizabeth Williams was
charged with being drunk and incapable on the
14th inst. Police-constable Lamb proved the case.
Defendant pleaded guilty, and as she had been
locked u? since Saturday night, she was discharged.
CHARGE OF DAMAGING MOWING GRASS.—Chris-
topher Bate, John Bate, William Bate, Charles
Siviter, Edward Shaddock, Samuel Cooper, and
John Harvey were charged with damaging a
quantity of grass on the 4th inst., the property of
Joseph Morrice. Police-constable Knowles said
that he saw all the defendants on the grass belong-
ing to,Mr. Morrice. Defendants were playing at
cards. Complainant had often complained to him
of tte damage done to the grass. Mr. Morrice
proved that the damage done amounted to is. All
the defendants pleaded guilty. Complainant said
he wanted to put a stop to the trespass. The
Bates were fined 2s 6d each, 2d damage, and costs;
Siviter and Shaddock is 6cl each and costs, and 2d
damage; the others is each and costs, and 2d
damage.
DRUNK AND REFUSING TO QUlT.—Jane Wilson
and Edward Pearce were charged with being drunk
and refusing to quit licensed premises on the 4th
inst., when requested. Police-constable Webb
proved that he visited the Globe Inn, Feckingham
Street, on the 4th inst. The landlord said the
defendants refused to quit when requested. Mr.
Smith ordered them out while he was in the house,
and he had to put Ih-m. out. Mrs. Smith, the land-
lady, was called and said she ordered them both out.
They refused to go until the police came, and
Pearce blackguarded the officer. As the defendants
hat been previously convicted, Pearce was fined 5s
and costs, and Wilson 7s 6d and costs.

KIDDERMINSTER TOWN COUNCIL.
The monthly meeting of the Council was held
on Wednesday, under the presidency of tbe Mayor
(Mr. W. Cowen).
The report of the Drainage and Waterworks
Committee, which was read by Mr. Dixon, recom-
mended the payment of accounts amounting to
£164 is. Bd. The committee had instructed the
Borough Surveyor to report, upon an auxiliary supply
of water for the town.

The Borough Surveyor read a short report upon
this subject. He recommended that the present
bore-hole of the well should be altered so as to hi-
crease the depth of water. If the work were carried
out in the way be proposed 648,000 gallons of water
would be raised every twenty-four hours.
In
.moving the adoption of the report of the
Drainage and Waterworks Committee, Mr. Dixon
said he should propose to deal with the question of
the auxiliary water supply in committee, as he did
not think it advisable that every item as to the
cost should go forth to the public prior to their
having asked for contracts for carrying out the
works. It was very necessary that something of the '
kind sh, uld be done, as they were liable to accident
at the pumping station, as had been demonstrated
very recently when the higher parts of the town
were with° t water for some time. What was pro-
p )sed would obviate this. There would then be a
constant supply of water fcr all parts of the town,
and taking into consideration that they had now
additional responsibility in having to supply Stour-
port with water it was necessary they should make
the works as perfect as possible.
Mr. W. H. Green seconded the adoption of the
report, and the motion was carried
The Medical Officer of Health (Mr. Corbet) re-
ported that there had been 34 deaths during the
past month, or 20 in the thousand, as against 27 or
15 9 in the thousand, for the corresponding period
last year. Measles were not epidemic. He was
acquainted with at least 100 cases of measles in
various parts of the town.
Alderman Taylor asked if the the medical officer
had any suggestion to make with reference to the
epidemic of measles.
Mr. Corbett: Only that the children should be
kept from school for a time. I have at least 100
cases, and most of them are in St. John's district,
and the best thing they can do will be to close the
school for a time.

Alderman Naylor: Has this epidemic been brought
about through any neglect on the part of the
Sanitary CommiWe ? Have they omitted to do
anything they ought to have done?
Mr. Corbett: No. It may go all through the
town.

Mr. Jefferies read the -report of the Sanitary
Committee, which contained no special feature of
interest.

Mr. Herring asked the Sanitary Inspector whether
the spouting of houses was near being completed.
Mr. Edge replied in the affirmative.

Mr. Herring read the report of the Improvement
Committee. This stated that IE9 '`.4.1..65. had been
paid for wages during the month. It recommended
that there should be paid on Ciel district account
£460 86s. 7d.; on the keeping loan account, £200;
and on the borough fund account, £llO Is. The
commtttee reported than the loan of £2,000 for
kerbing and channelling had been completed.
Plans for the erection of eleven new houses had
been passed. They recommended that the tender
of Mr. John Heath, amounting to £217, for the
decoration of the Town Hall should be accepted, and
that the tender f Mr. Thompson, amounting to
£l7O, for general repairs, should also be accepted, as
well as the tender of the letter for the proposed
alterations, amounting to £35.
The report was adopted.
Mr. Jeiferies . What is the total c)st of fie re.
pairs?
Mr. Herring : The decoration will cost £217, and
the rest will be for the repairs.
_ _

Mr. NV. IL Green called attention to the bad
state of the channelling and kerbing in many of
the s reets, amongst which he mentioned Fair Street,
South Street, Park Lane, Wood Street, Chapel
Street, Bewdley Street, and Habberley Street.
H,3 was informed that the streets mentioned
should be done in their proper order. The men
were always at work when the weather would allow,
and were getting on as fast as possible.
The report of the Baths and Wash houses and
Watch Committees were read and passed.
The Council then resovled themselves into com-
mittee to take into consideration the necessary
steps for the proposed auxiliary water supply.

THE ELECTION PROSECUTION AT
BRIERLEY HILL.
At Brierley Hill Police Court on Thursday, before
Mr, Jle,den Comer (Deputy Otipeudary), the 0440 0