The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-01-08 00:00:00

DUDLEY TOWN COUNCIL.

On Tuesday evening the monthly meeting of
this Council was held,the Maymi(Aiderman Walker)
presiding.
On the motion of his Worship, it was agreed that
the Council sign a memorial in favour of the pro-
posed line of tramway to Netherton.
Alderman Thompson ht.pefi the nw company
would more strictly observe the bye-laws than the
present cnmpamie4. in Cas'ld gtreet it was not
uncommon to see four or five tramcars waiting and
moving about at the same time. Thns was a highly
dangerous state of things,
Mr. H. C. Brettell suggested that greater brake
piwer should be insisted on.
The Officer of Health (Dr, Timmins) reported a
dealt-rate of 24 73, as against 13 94 last month.
Twenty-seven children had died from measles and
four from whooping c )ugh.
A reo t was approved recommending th it a
paved crossing of granite seta be laid across the
following roadways, viz, Upper King Street at its
juncti,na wth Upper High Street, Birmingham
Sr.et at its junct'on with 1 all Street, and zle,w
Str.3,t at its junction with the Market Puce.
The Public 'Work!: Cummittee's report referred to
the question of the Gooffello As' Arms, and Alder
man Thompson said he wished the Council to have
a tlie:ou,gh explanation of the matter

Tne To-wn Cjierk related the circumstances a:-
tending the transaction, and showed that Messrs,
Thompson had dealt fLdrly and honourably with
the Council.

Tne Mayor said there was no ground for any
observation as to Messrs. Thompson, and he re-
gretted.tbeir offer had been withchawn.

Alderman ?idling moved that in the opinion of
the Council the appointment of Mr. Robert G.
Walker as one of the presiding officers, and
the non-appolntment of Mr. J. Brooks at the
municipal elections, violated the spirit of the Ballot
and Corrupt Practices Acts. He said that at the
el( etion in November the box presided over by Mr.
Walker had a nyijoriAy of fifty for Mr. Silt over
Mr. Jewkes,, whilst the other hox. showed only a
difference of two.

Mr. Coley seconded the moti.ll.
Mr. Robert G. Walker said he could not see how
I e could influence any but the illiterate voters, and
it was a fact beyond dispute that in his booth there
were far less illiterates than in the other. The re-
solution was the result of a vindictive spirit.
Mr. Gorton said it appeared to him that every
gentleman who differed in politics with Mr. Billing
must have some ulterior motive.

Alderman Billing denied he had any vindictive
feeling, and the motion would not have been placed
on the paper if at the last meeting he had beers
permitted to speak.
'I he Mayor said he had no motive in putting his
brother in the pest in his own ward, but he would
see the presiding officers were not ogain in their
own wards.

Alderman Billing then withdrew his resolution,
and the Council Eeparated.

BROMS3ROVE.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—On Tuesday. a meeting
of,this Board was held, under the presidency of Mr,
J. Might. There were also present the Rev. A. E
Seymour (vicar),Nlessrs. Llewellyn, Parry, Allcock,
Lewis,Priffinjleyues, Booker, Freeman, J. Harrie,
T.,Harria, Birch, and Albutt.—The Master et the
Worlzhouft; reported that the iemates desired him
toithenk the Gnardiaus for their Christmadedinner.
—The Bard's thanks were accorded Mr. T. White,
J. P., for a present of buns for the chil iron on New
Year's day, to Mrs Scot.-, for a "Christmas letter"
for each of the inmates, Miss Edith Scott for the
gift of a Christmas tie e, and to the members of the
Dramatic Society, who gave a performance at the
Workhouse at Christmas —A letter was read from
Mr. Hulland, the Redditch Relieving Officer, renew-
ing his request to be allowed to pay the.. outdoor
poor at the Red Lion.—The Chairman reminded the
Board that at th dr last meeting they decided not
to accede to Mr. Holland's request, and he (the
Chairman) fully appruved that decision. Mr. Hub.
land still lived at the extreme end of the town, and
it would be cruel in the extreme to compel the poor
people to walk a mile in all weathers to receive their
pay, especially seeing that there was a proper place
pte;vided in the centre of the town. Mr. Allot:telt
considered the Relieving Officer much to blame in
that he cii not consult the Guardians before making
the alterations._ he made at his house, where, as
a meter of fact; for eighteen montha past, be had
been paying the poor.—The Chairman said Mr.
Hullaud ought not to have been doing so. The
Board had decided that the pay station should
remain as it was, viz ,at the Red Lion, and he
considered it a waste of time to discaes the matter
further. Mr. Booker said Mr. llulland had been
payiug ihe poor very irregularly, and the old people
were glad to gtt their money just as the Relieving
Officer felt disposed to give it them.—lt was decided
that the place of payment elieuld continue to be at
the Red Lioo.—Relief returns : In the house, 218 ;
corresponding week last year, 215 ; outdoor poet 997,
relieved at a cost of £93 is aid. ; corresp .teliege
week last year 976, at a cost of ..88 13s. 6d.