The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-11-25 00:00:00

DUDLEY TOWN COUNCIL.

An adjourned meeting of the above Council was held
on Tuesday; the Mayor (Mr. George Thompson) pre
siding.
A letter from the Board of Gnaidians, pointing out
the necessity of public mortuaries, was referred to the
Sanitary Committee. The arguments in the letter were
those used at the Guardiars' meeting on Friday last.
In reply to a question from Mr. Clark, the ex-Mayor
incidentally mentioned that Mr. Stevenson, the engineer,
felt himself much hurt at the action of the Council in
adopting Mr. Marten's scheme, and insisted on being
paid his claims in full.
The report of the Sanitary Committee contained the
Medical Officer's report, which stated that during the
five weeks the deaths had been 103, giving a death•rate
of 229 per 1,000. During the same time the births
were 221, or a rate of 0.2 per 1,000. The deaths
under five were as many as 61, and one death, was at
eighty years of age. Two cases were from fever, twelve
diarrhcea, and nine from measles. Dr. Timmins, in
accordance with annual custom, sent a resume of his
work during the year. This showed that he had been
very active in tracing nuisances, and preventing the
spread of infectious diseases. During the year ending
Octolier 31 there been 972 deaths, giving a death-rate of
20 8 persl,ooo. The births had been 2,203, or a rate of
49 3 per 1,000: The deaths from zymotic diseases had
been 103, against in 1873 no less than 246, in 1874 205,
in 1875 199, showing a considerable and gradual decrease
from year to year, notwithstanding the supply of impure
water at Netherton. Pure water, in carts, had been
supplied in the district.
'The report was adopted.
Several other reports were received and accepted.
Mr. John Dunn complained that the footpaths in
Netherton were only male of ashes; .

Alderman Dudley said that was the fact at Salop Stree
and Shaw Road,

Mr. Waring Objected to that part of the report of the
Public Works Committee which proposed to allow a bay
widdow to be put in a shop next to his, in Wolver-
hampton Street. It was a narrow street, and the new
window would interfere with his property.
The report was adopted.
Alderman Wilkinson moved that the salary of the
Borough Accountant be increased from £lOO to £l3O.
He said the committee considered that the work had so
greatly increased that the advance should have been
&50, but feeling that such a sum would not pass the
Council, had agreed to recommend £3O.
Mr. F.nch s3conied the motion.
The ex-Mayor (Mr. Stokes) supported the pro-
position.
Mr. Challingsworth spoke against the increase, for the
whole labour did not occupy four hours per day.
Mr. Astley spoke on the same side.
Mr. John Dunn suggested that the matter should
wait until the accountant had been in office twelve
months.
Ur. W. S. Gorton and Mr. George Dunn said the
accounts had been admirably kept.
Four voted for Mr. Challingworth's amendment, and
20 for Alderman Wilkinson's proposition.
Mr. Warmington then moved a resolution, asking the
Council to memorialise the Charity Commissioners to
form a new scheme for the future government and con-
duct of the Grammar School, in order that greater effi-
ciency might be promoted, and to appoint a committee
to be formed to carry out the ensuring of the object he
had in view.
The motion was unanimously agreed to.