The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-04-20 00:00:00

KIDDERMINSTER.

THE SCHOOL ON ART.—It meeting was held in Use
Mayor's Parlour at the Town Hall on Monday afternoon
for the purpose of considering the revised plans and
taking into consideration the necessary steps for the
erection of a tichool of Art, at as early a date as possible
—The Mayor, who presided, said they had met that day
with the object of making some further progress towards
the erection of a new institute, or raft er that part of it
which was most essentially required for tne purposes of
a School of Art. There had been so much said about
the extreme necessity for this on so many occasions
that be need not go over the ground again. Ile should
only congratulate those interested in the subject that
the matter had progressed satisfactorily so far. They
Lad, from the -generous offers of various gentlemen, a
large portion of the sum required. The total sum
necessary was very moderate, and it would be very
lamentable if the small balance not yet subscribed were
not soon forthcoming. The Department had made some
slight alterat:ons in the plans, and the revised ones had
been forwarded to them. Now they had the satisfaction
of knowing that they were approved of by the Depart-
ment—Mr. Brinton comlci not help thinking that the
more they looked at the plans the bettcr they would like
them. The sum of £3,000 would be required to carry
out the works. They had already been promised £1,360
and there was a fair prosp.-ct of their baing abie to
obtain a grant of £5OO from Government, which would
make a total of £1,860. 'thus there would be £1,200
stilt to raise. He thought that when it was borne in
flak(' that the maintenance of an efficient School of Art
was necessary to the prosperity of Kidderminster, they
they would have no ditlieuity in getting the remainder
of the money. He concluded by moving "That the
committee appointed to consider the necessary plans for
the erection of a School of Art upon the site presented
by Mr. Goodwin recommend as follow :—The plan of
Mr. Gethiug, as now cordially approved, and also sanc-
tioned by the Science and Art Department of South
Kensington, and supported by local promises and
grants of money to the extent of £l,BOO, be laid before
a public meeting to be convened by the Mayor, with a
view of eliciting the assistance of all ciasses."—Mr. H.
S. Woodward seconded the motion, and it was carried
unanimously.

THE LATE SHOCKING OCCURRENCE AT A LARPET
WoRKS.—Au inquest was heid on Monday morning on
the body of James .Furden, a buy who was killeo at
Messrs. LI. R. Willis and Co.'s carpet works on Saturday
last, before Mr. K. Docker (eoroper).—The first witness
called was James Burden, the father of deceased, who
stated that Ins son was between 13 and 14 years of age.
A. little before nine he saw him near the loom, and
shortly afterwards he was told that he had been killed
It was part of the duty of deceased, who was a creel
boy, to clean the loom. The engine was supposed to
stop at half-past twelve, and the boys had from then till
one o'clock for the cleaning of the loom. This was not
sufficient to allow of the work being doue well, so that
boys who wished to do their wore creditably seized
Puler opportunities for cleaning.—Mr. W. Cowen, sir-
gem, saw deceased shortly after his death. The whole
of the upper part 01 the forehead and the eyes were
driven into the skull as if from a heavy blow.—Wtiliam
Mound, a workman, deposed to finding deceased under
the lourn.—Joseph Burden, broilier of deceaspd, said he
was assisting toe latter to clean the loom on Saturday
murniug I,st. Deceased went round to the back of the
loom, and witness put the machinery sufficiently in
inutten to move the loom to the position for starting.
Irons which it had been cilattged curing the process of
clean'ng. lie did not bear coy cry, and had not the
slightest idea that his brother was under the loom
until afterwards, when his dead body was brought
out.—lsaac Curtis, turner, admitted that half an hour
was not sutliciant time for cleaning a loom.--ihomas
Woodhouse, foreman, 5.0.,1 that the boys had more
of the cleaning to du Utah properly fall to their
share. The men made them do their work. He wouid
engage that for the future no boy shout(' be permitted
to clean a loom whilst the engine was going, as it was
dangerous for them t do so—rite Coroner then sum-
ued up, and the jury returned a verdict of " Accitleatai
death."
:JuNDAY SalloOL UNIoN.—Tue annual meeting of the
K dderunuster Sunday Subic); Union was heio At the
old Meeting School Itoom on Monday night. l'he
annual sermon was preached by ale kieV. U. rinaswortat
at the old Meeting ilousl on 3nutisy night, area at the
close of the service 1:5 lis lid was collected. The
meeting on Monday evening was preceded by a tea
party, alter which the chair wad tiken by Mr. J. Istnio.
president of the Uuimu. After a few introductory re-
mark, he called upon Mr. J. Cooper, secretary, to read
his leaurt.. From this it appeared that the mu:Liner of
teachers now in the Utinau was 216, and of scholars
2,321. This was an increase of 4 teachers ant
se OlarB over the Saint kerlo.l last year lila following
were the ()dicers elected fir the tio.ning )ear
dent, Mr. J. Lamb ; vice-presi-ent, ilunswurth ;

treidearer, air. Aaiun; -eeretartes. Air. J. eoupur ui
Mr. Adana, jun.—Mr. Adam; treasurer, read his tepoct,
witteli showed that the income of the past year was 1:11
4, Oid, and the expenditure 125 9s 2,1, leaving a batahee
in hand of £l 1 101.—The reports wire a loptel
and a idresseS were delivezed by the 1-tevds.
((Jthigregationali,i), J. W. JJlieS (Westeyaa
Aelandist), 1. Fish (riapart), and A. FOwter tut Lime
congregation of the Counte.s UI tiuuttugauu). 6,lte-
Lion ui music was renaered eyue ineinuela of ate
Uuloll, under the superinteudeuee of .ir.
!utter.