The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-12 00:00:00

d'i'ocal an pistrict

BOARD or GUARDIANS.—The weekly meeting
of this board was held yesterday, Mr. H. Billing.
ham in the chair. There were also present
Messrs. Raybould, Haskew, Pargeter, Hingley,
Burr, Th'empson, Rol/inson, Wood, Romer,
Mills, Fiddian, Lavender, Kelly, anti Brooks.
Admitted into the house during the week 16;
discharged 11 ; born 2; remaining 412 ; cor-
responning week last year 409. Out-door re-
lief, Ifingswinford district, .225 18s Od •' Stour-
bridge district, £l6 Os 6d ; Halesowen district,
£l6 3s Od ; non-resident paupers, Os 4d ; total
£5B 103 10d ' • against £5l 16s 10d last year.—
The Medicol Officer's report showed the death-
rate to be as follows, South Staffordshire 9 per
1,000, Worcestershire 85 per 1,000.
SKATLNG RlNK.—This popular place of recrea-
tion has been well patronised during the week.
It will be seen and no doubt is satisfactory to many
of our readers, that the proprietor has issued
monthly and quarterly tickets in addition to the
coupon. We understand that several concerts,
entertainments, and opera companies have been
engaged and in several of the performances
skating is allowed. The subscribers will be ad-
mitted, on production of their tickets, free. We
beg to call the attention to our advertising
columns, which announces that Messrs. Villion
and Selbini, the celebrated velocipedists, will
give their unique performance in the Rink every
night next week.
PRESENTATION TO LORD LITELTON.—The officers
of the Worcestershire Yeomanry Cavalry have
presented Colonel the Right Hon. Lord Lyttelton
with a magnificent solid silver embossed tea
kettle, in honour of his approaching marriage.
The South Staffordshire Harriers will have their
first run to-day, October 12th, starting from Old-
swinford Church at 3.15 and will run to Habber-
ley. JAIL:A:rail
HARVEST THANKSGIVING.—There were special
harvest thanksgiving services, morning and even-
ing, at the Catholic Church on Sunday last. The
decorations had been carried out in a very taste-
ful manner, and the church presented a bright
any festal appearance. The Rev. James Rigby
(Birmingham) was the celebrant at the morning
Mass, and the sermon was preached
,by the Rev.
Dr. MeCave, the resident priest. In the evening
there were orchestral services, and the benediction
Dr. MeCave again occupied the pulpit, and
preached an impressive and appropriate sermon,
from the text, " Every tree that bringeth not
forth good fruit shall be cut down, and cast into
the fire." There was a lay-ye congregation. Col-
lections were made at each service on behalf of
the organ fund.
CHALLENGE SHIELD.—In a hurricane of wind
and drenching rain the annual competition be-
tween ten officers of the Ist Battalion Worcester-
shire Rifle Volunteers and ten officers of the 2nd
Battalion for the Worcester Ccnnty Challenge
Shield took place at the Hartlebury Ranges. It
was the 17th contest, each battalion having pre-
viously won eight. Victory rested with the Ist
Battalion, who have suffered defeat for five con-
secutive years, this year succeeded in defeating
their doughty opponents by 39 points. The
ranges were 200, 500, and 600 yards, seven shots
at each range. Lieutenant Danks, of the Bth
(Stourport) Worcester Rifle Volunteer Corps,
having made the highest score on the winning
side has the honour of holding the shield for one
year. His individual score of 80 on such a day is
almost marvellous. The following is the result
of the competition :-Ist Battalion: Captains
Wolrige, Watson, Baker, and Godwin; Lieu-
tenants Saunders, Danks, Fisher, Keene, E. Tal-
bot, and L. Talbot. Score: 200 yards, 240; 500
yards, 227 ; 600 yards, 196. Grand total. 663.-
2nd Battalion: Captains Lewis, Corbett, Webb,
and Tombs; Lieutenants Wilson, Avery, and
Blakeway ; Surgeon Growcock and Chaplain Potts
Score 200 yards, 228; 500 yards, 220; 600 yards,
176. Grand total, 624.

ASSOCLATRD INEITITUTE.—A. popular entertain-
ment consisting of singing and readings was given
in the Corn Exchange on Monday evening last in
aid of the recent alterations and improvements in
connection with the Associated Institute, on
which occasion the chair was occupied by Ur. H.
W. H. Foley. There was a very large attendance.
The attractionl of the evenifig was the flute play-
ing of Mr. James Mathews, who gave one of his
brilliant solos and was loudly applauded. Mr.
S. Simms accompanied the various singers on the
piano. The following is the programme :—Piano
solo, Mr. Samuel Simms, "Lucia," ; song, Mr.
Charles Perks, "Honour and Arms,"; reading,
Mr. Alfred Freer; flute solo, My. James Mathews,
" Larghetto and Rondo " " vocal duet, Misses
Harris and Millward, "Palaski's Banner"; song,
Mr. Thomas Wall, "The Slave's Dream"; read-
ing, Mr. Artirir J. Nash, "Horatio Sparkins " ;
piano duet, Misses Stivens and H. Broomhall,
"Jubilee Overture " ; song, Miss Millward,
"The Sands of Dee " ; song, Mr. W. B. Minett,
"The Schooner on the Sands " ; flute solo, Mr.
James Mathews, "Operatic Airs" • reading, Mr.
Thomas Butler, .‘ Blighted by a Water Butt " ;
song, Mr. Charles Perks, "The Bell Ringer."
SCHOOL BOARD.—At the meeting, field on Tues-
day evening—Major Walker in the chair—it was
decided to issue a precept for £5OO. on the Over-
seer, payable December 2, to meet the estimated
expenditure of the half-year. In reference to Mr.
D. Hawkins's claim against the Board, the Board
nstructed Messrs. Freer and Perry to represent
hem in any action that might be taken to recover
he money; and the clerk was directed to send
Mr. Hawkins £7 2s. id, without admitting any
further liability on the of the Board.
TRANSFERS.—At the Police Court. yesterday, be-
fore Colonel Fletcher, Messrs. H. 0. Firmstone and
J. B. Cochrane, the following transfers took place,
the Vault, Coventry Street, to Mr. Joseph Parkes;
the Red Lion Inn from William Taylor, to Edward
Gray; the Why Not, Hay Green, from Jane Randle,
to Joseph Cheketts.
HIGHWAY OFFENCES.—CaroIine Farmer was
charged with allowing her cattle to stray on the
highway at Pedmore, on the 2nd inst. Police.
constable Smith proved the case, and said there
were nine cows on the road for more than twelve
minutes without any person being with them.
Police sergeant Jones proved four previous cases
against the defendant, and she was fined los and
oostsl ls.

MAKING A HIGHWAY EAT/I.—Mr. Shepherd ap-
plied to the Beneh to sign a rate made by the Com-
missioners. Mr, Prescott objected to the rate he
mg signed, and read a number of sections of Acts
of Parliament, and the Stourbridge Commissioners'
Acts. He was glad to see one gentleman on the
Bench who sat when he was sued for a highway
rate. These very premises they were in were not
rated, the County Court is not rated, neither are the
Board Schools. He could put them out of the
court in one minute by putting io cAlector in the
box. If the Bench male the rate it would be a
great unjustice to many persons. Mr. Shut, of the
Heath, aud many otherOn the rural districts would
be compelled to pay rates for watering and cleansing
the road. Why should those who live in the rural
distriot be compelled to pay for flagging in Stour.
bridge. He had taken the opinion of three councils
including Mr. Glen's while his friend had taken the
opinion of Mr. G. 0. Griffiths. They had acted in
anything but a fair way, they had excluded the
rexters. He was quite willing to tight the
question in the Court of Queen's Bench. Mr.
Prescott then read a number of extracts from the
Law Journal. The Magistrates said they should
like the opinion of the clerk, who was from home.
They should also ask time to consider the case, and
it was ultimately adjourned for a week.
EXCISE PROSECUTIONS.—James Liston, of Bel-
broughton, was.summoned for keeping a dog on his
premises without a license. Mr. Mills. excise officer.
proved the case,and did defendant keep two dogs and
a license for one only, Mr. Collie, for the defence,
said that the dog belonged to a Mr. Jones, and the
case was adjourned for a week for him to attend.
BEER LICENSES.—Mr. Wall, on behalf of Dudley
Hill, made an applioati,)u for an out door license to
sell beer. The usual notices were produced. Mr.
Fiddian proved the value of the house and the appli-
cation was granted. Mr. Waldron make an appli-
cation on behalf of Eliza Blooks, to sell beer oft
the premises. Mr. Perry opposed. The value of the
house was not proved to the satisfaction of the
Bench, and Mr. B. Wooldridge was appointed to
survey the premises, and it was adjourned for a
week.

ASSAULT CASE.—Sarah Pritchard was charged by
Joseph Pritchard with assaulting him on the 9th
ult. Mr. Waldron appeared for complainant, and
Mr. Wall for defendant. Complainant said that
five week ago he married the defendant who had
some articles of furniture, he witness, also had fur-
niture. They could not agree, and on the day in
question he was taking his furniture away, when
defendant began to beat him and scratched his face
struck him with a plate. Police-constable Paynter
corroborated. Fined ss. and costs; in default 7
days.

i::IIARGZ97 Wominpro.--Samuel Freeman was
charged with doing grevious bodily harm on the
7th ult. to John Beasley. Mr. Addison appeared
to prosecute, and Mr. Homer defended. Prosecu-
ter who was accommodated with a chair, said he
lived at the Two Gates. and was a horse nail makt:r
on the above date went to Halesowen to weigh up
iron, on reaming called at the. White Lion, kept
by Emmanuel Roper, saw the defendant and others
there. Defendant said he had a good mind to
cut his b- head off, and rubbed his fist in his
face, begged him not to do so as he waated no dis-
turbanee, left the house and went to the Malt
Nkoyel, Tit* ittostisat Othra 1•11m4

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. ROWLEY.

LOCAL BOARD.—Mr. Connop occupied the chair, pro
tem.' at the monthly meeting ot the Board held on
Monday afternoon last.—dr. Ker, Medical Officer, re•
ported favourably of the health of the district during the
past month, the number of cases of scarlatina (for some
lima prevalent as an epidemic in the district) having
deet•eased from 57 in the first week to three in the last.
From this disease 14 deaths occurred, making 59 in the
quarter. Fifty-six was the total number of deaths from
all causes in the month, which gave a rate of 24 per
1,000 per annuni. The mortality return for the past
quarter showed a very unsatisfactory state of things, he
I observed, and called for increased vigilance in carrying
out sanitary improvements.—The Surveyor reported
that he had arranged with the Halesowen surveyor as to
1
Gorsty Hill Brook (a disputed boundary), and improve-
ment was to be made on a cost proportioned between the
two districts. I Mr. Harper furnished a return of his in-
spection as to the water supply, which he had completed
with the exception of about four streets So far he
tad found 889 houses, with 4,384 inhabitants, without
any supply of water —Mr. Parkes thought this a dis-
grace to the parish, and inquired what steps the Board
would take.—The Clerk said the first step was to give
notice to the property °weer& to supply the water, and,
if not done, the Board could do the work and charge it.
—The question of increasing the two Medical Officers'
salaries was again adjourned for a month. Several
members expressed the opinion that the time was
inopportune for granting an increase in view,of thelbad
state of trade.

REVISING BARRISTERS' COCRT.--A court was held on
Tuesday last, at Rowley, before Mr. F, A. Bosanquet,
revising barrister, for the revision of the lists of voters
for the polling districts of Rowley and Reddall Hill.
The Liberals were represented by Mr. Simkiss, Wolver-
hampton; and the Conservatives by Mr. Ferule, of
Stafford. In the Reddall Hill polling district, 22 names
were struck off, and 36 names were added to the pro-
perty list for 1879. In the Rowley Regis district,
18 names were struck out, and nineteen names were
added to the property list. The list of new occupiers
contained 108 names as compared with 109 on the old
one.