The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-01-05 00:00:00

tfIJDLEY

ToNVir Cotrsdri,.—The Mayor(Alddrman Howatt)
presided ob. TueMe.y ekenink at the ordinary meet-
ing of the above Oodricil.—Mter the propoBal of the
Vetch Committee's report, Mr. H. Brett°ll sug-
gested that Chief-superintendent Burton should
f ,rmally report all flee occuring in the borough.
Tee Miyor thought the suggestion a good one, and
it was agreed to communicate with Bart:,coA
The report of the EstateS Ch'mtlilttee enoWed, anituig
other things, that the sum received at the Public
Baths was £1 Os sd. Alderman Wainwright, in
moving the adoption of the report, criticised the
working of the baths. During the period the ..t1
6s 5d had been earned at least,2lB 5s had been ex-
pended in wages, slack, and interest on borrowed
money. He wished for a remedy, ior it would
grieve him to see the baths closed altogether. He
did not wish to re-open the question of sinking the
shaft, but the shaft, engine, and working costs were
to expensive. It would be cheaper to have the
South Staffordshire water and a slow combustion
stove which could be worked by the ordinary attend-
ant; or to close the baths throughout the winter.
Mr. M. Smith denied that the use of the South Staf •
fordshire water would be cheaper, and advocated the
closing of the baths during the winter months. Al-
derman Wilkinson said the South Staffordshire water
at the Wednesbury Baths cost but .284 for the whole
of tho year, and this was far cheaper than to pump
their own, as at Dudley. He suggested a special
committee to gather information s ) as to reduce the
expenses. Mr. Challingworth reminded the Council
that eminent men had certified that the water raised
by the Corporation at the baths was the best for
bathing purposes, and the Council had been speci-
ally told that the matter was not a financial question
only, but one of health. The South Staffordshire
water would not be adopted. They had seen speci-
mens of the South Staffordshire water in Dudley,
and he would say "avoid South Staffordshire water
as you would a pestilence." (Oh.) The subject
then dropped, it being considered the present com-
mittee could do the work.—The report of the Sani-
tary Committee contained the medical officer's re-
port, and this showed a death-rate of per 1,000.
Of the 114 deaths throughout the borough, 25 were
from scarlet fever. There were three cases of small-
pox in the hospital, but they were all progressing
toward recovery. Mr. Billing, in moving the
adoption of the report, regretted that the Council
were powerless to deal with scarlet fever cases by
isolation. In reply to Mr. H. Bridgewater, the
Town Clerk said the South Staffordshire water was
supplied on terms fixed upon the rental, and not
upon the rateable value of the property. This he
believed to be wrong. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Bridgwatet
also complained of the stench arising from oiled the
manholes in Hall Street; and this complaint led to
discussien on the subject, and the Borough Sur-
veyor reported that cherceal baskets were tobe, fixed
in the manholes of the sewers. The Town Clerk
reported that he had written to the secretary of the
South Staffordshire Waterworks Company, pointing
out to him that the case of Dodds v. a London.
• Water Company probably affected the manner in
• which the company laid its charges in Dudley. His
letter had been acknowledged, but no answer at
present had been given. The report was adopted.
—The Street-) and Gas committee's report recom-
mended that an ;application of the Dudley and
Wolverhampton Tramways Company for the em-
ployment of other than animal power be agreed to.
—Mr. Challingusorth invited Mr. Williscroft, the
newly-elected member for Castle Waid, to say
• whether there was to be a reduction in the price of
gas, which was behind the times in quality and
I price. Mr. Williscroft said he was an advocate for
• lowering the price of gas. (Hear, hear.) But
Dudley was unfortunately situated as to its gasworks,
• inasmuch as they had no railway sidings or canal,
and the cost of haulage was therefore heavy. He
I should, however, do his best to obtain cheaper gas,
(Applause.) The report was then adopted.