The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-02-26 00:00:00

KIDDERAIINSIETt COAPORATION AND THE

shleration mip ei rredy tile grievances of which
they f, dt ;hey lied just cau .e for complaint .--\lr.
Luca), curet er memb r oft e .leeuta,ti.,n, ported
out that whit t the rate at Cra llsy He -.th for
The monih'y meeting of theKie I rnisster Coun• lighting the streets we) 11d, in the pound, at
c,l was held on Weenesday ; the Mayor (Alderman Oldbury, Lye, Brierley Hill and Halesowen it was
Willis) in the chair, j only 31., and at Cradley, supplied by the same corn-
The rep 'As presented included one from the pany, it was only 2d. Mr. Homer also spoke in
Consolida ion of Loans Committee, freer which it eavour of th‘enlargement of the district over which
aeee ied thsre was only power in one es se -a loan the rates for lighting the strests were levied. The
Of £30,000, by the National Provident Institution , deputation were informed that the Board would
—to repeay tee balance of principal at once. The consider their complaints, and give them an answer
interest on this loan was 41 per cent„ and the corn- at the next meeting. Another deputation from
mittee had given notice of the intended repayment 1 Cradley Heath then appeared before the Board,
of the balance. If interest at the rate of 4e per asking them not to extend the lighting of Streets
cent., were accepted, the notice would be withdrawn. beyond its present limits. The Chairman in'ormed
Mr. Dixon said the committee were disappointed the deputation that it was not contemplated to
in finding that in all cases there was a cane which i extend the street lighting at present.
restricted them from paying off the principal except 1 _
in:annual instalments. The saving would be £l4O,
per annum if the National Provident Institution
accept the terms offered, but 0 herwise the money I
1 On Wednesday night a lecture was delivered in
the Brierley Hill Town Hall, by Mr. Joseph Arch,
provement Committee's report mentioned that t
could be obtained from another soietee. The Imhe - i
t he
of the A gricultural Labourers' Union
1
Gas Company had announced their intention o 1 The subject treated of by the lecturer was "The
reduce the price of gas 3d per 1,000 feet to general
Agricultural Labourers and the Franchise." The
consumers, and also to reduce the price for the chair was taken by Mr. Charles Cochrane, president
public lamps. of the Dudley Liberation Association, under whose
The Medical Officer's report for the past year
t auspices the lecture was given, and there was a
showed there had been 836 births in the twelve
laree attendance, the Hall being crowded.
months, and 497 deaths, or a death-rate of 22-5. The Chairman said the subject before them that
There had been 51 deaths from zymotic diseases, night was one of great importance, and it was for
and 124 from diseases of the respiratory organs. those who already possessed the franchise to give
The report of the Baths Committee led to an
their heartiest support to measures for removing
attack on the utility of the baths, and particularly
the present disabilities of the agricultural labourers,
of the Turkish baths. , tied to place them in a position equal with others in
Mr. W. H. Green defended the baths, and emu IL 1 the government of the country. The Lecturer, at
was very much owing to the cheeseparing manner j the outset of his remarks, said the subject they had
in which they were dealt with that they were so J
that night met to discuss, in his judgment at least,
constantly out of repair, and entailed expense. was not only important to the working classes, but
Mr. C. E. Jefferies, pursuant to notice, moved
i also affewed the general interest and welfare of the
that it was very desirable that the 'Corporation
country—(hear, hear). It was a known fact that for
should purchase the property of the Kidderminster
centuries past alarac portion of *cry useful Subjects
Gas Light and Coke Company on equitable terms, of this country had been looked upon by those who
and if that was carried, he would move the appoint- ought to haste known better as mere flesh machines
ment of a committee to treat with the Gas Company
ito earn wealth for other people to enjoy. It so
Mr. Jefferies said that at the last meeting a most
' happened tha t he belonged to this class, and ever
unmanly attack was made upon him by Mr. Good-
since he was a boy he had wondered why the agri-
win on this questisn, though he did not at all regret
cultural labourer should not go to the poll as well
it no s, as he had received so much sympathy from
as a shopkeeper or a farmer—(hear). They had
friends whom he did not k'now till then were
been considered —and perhaps they were—a very
friends. He was only doing his part as a Town
ignorant class of the community, and as a conse-
Councillor of that borough in seeking to benefit the
quence they had been told it wisald be extremely
iuterests of the ratepayers by getting the gas works
dangerous to invest such a large body of political
into the hands of the Corporation and it was what
men with this power. When, hoe everethey came
they saw was being done in many other places.
to consider the various questions which were before
Personally he had no wish to damage the gas
the public mind, and which woul I have to be soon
company, and if their property was bought by the
solved, he could not think there ought to be about
Corporation it would be on equitable terms. In
one million of men, many of whom had tiled to
Kidderminster there were factories and houses to make this country what it was, deprived of a voice
the number of about 6,000, and he believed there
in helping to settle the great questions of the day—
were not above 1,600 gas consumers in the who'e
(applause). They had to-day the most Radical
town, If the gas works were carried on upon a
Government that ever sat in Parliament; but ;who
p-mular and fair system there ought to be gas in
was it that changed the policy of the Conservatives
almost every house; but everything was thrown in
to a Liberal Administration ? Mainly, it was the
the way of supplying the smell consumers, and he
enfranchised working man, and he maintained that
did not see, for instance, why sm ill consumers
they who lived in rural districts were quite as well
should be charged more that other people. lithe
prepared to discuss polite:al questions as the men in
matter of the purchase was not effected now he
the towns—(hear, hear). While the latter had dis-
believed it would be ultimately, and the sooner it
cussed these questions, and had had the power to
was done the better. change the late Government, they, in the rural dis-
After some further remark Mr. Jefferies moved
tricts, had also discussed them as keenly and as
his resolution, closely, if not so intellectually as the men in the
Mr. H, Dixon seconded the resolution, remarking
towns, but were powerless in the matter. He ap-
that the matter was a fair one for consideration,
pealed to them as Englishmen, whatever might be
and if the purchase could be made on equitable
their politic al creed, whether they thought, that a
terms he believed it would be an advantage to the
million of men who were extremely anxious to
ratepayers, and a source of profit to the Corporation
change the war policy of the late Government.
He load always felt that such works as water and
ought not to be enfranchised—(hear, hear) Refer-
,iasworks should belong to the Corporation. It
ring to the land question, Mr. Arch said, however
was a fair matter fir consideration, and if the pur-
men might shut their eyes to the fact, the time was
chase was decided upon there would be no difficulty
not far distant when our land system must be re-
in getting the purchase money at a reasonable rate
formed —(hear, hear). When they approached that
of interest. subject he hoped they would be a great reform in
Mr. C. Creether supported the resolution. Some
the land laws of England. Enfranchise the people,
time ago he s rould have doubts as to tt e expediency
and he had no fear as to the results. They would
of considering the matter, but there appeared to be
tell the Government, be it Liberal or Conservative.
difficulties connected with the electric light, which
would make it long before it became opposed t
that our blood should no longer be shed, and our
) gas
treasure wasted in unjust wars. If England was to
the quest'on of economy and the benefit of the
make her name great amongst the nations of the
poor was one of the points they should study, and
i earth, she would never do it by the sword or by a
he thought it would be a great benefit to many
first-class militarism, but by an honest reciprocity
people if they could have gas at moderate cost for 1
of trade, by an honest industry and exchange
cooking purposes, especially in the summer months,
of commodities with other countries, and by that
Mr. W. Green said the matter was one which
would England become great and become the teacher
would require careful consideration, but there
yet of the whole world—(applause). Speaking of
could be no harni done by a committee going into
the Irish question, the lecturer said he had preached
it. He thought the electric light would come into
to the farm labourers of England a different gospel
use in towns, and thought gas works would still
to that which had been preached by some of the
be carried on, they might not be able to make the
advisers of the Irish. He felt that we should have
profits they had done. There had been, he believed,
such a Land Bill of Ireland as would do credit to
a loop-hole in the Act in allowing gas companies to
the Government, and to the men who placed them
declare 10 per cent. dividends, and it was said they
in power. Proceeding, Mr. Arch said he had advised
had sometimes issued additional stock or given
the lab starers of England to agitate for a better
their friends shares for nothing. If that was so it
system of land tenure. Unfortunately our Irish
was an evasion of the Act, but he had certainly
brethren had been told to let the land remain un-
heard it stated that it had, been done in Kidder-
tilled—(" Shame"). This was not the way to
minster.
bring about a grand and glorious reform. He was
Aldermen Tovey said he did not think gas
would be tne light of the future, and he believed satisfied that the destiny of Ireland was in the
hands of the right man, and when his brethren in
it w ul, I not be well for them to buy the gas under-
the rural districts sew the Bill that Mr. Gladstone
taking under present circemstances.
and his Government intended to bring in they
Mr. Greaves sugge4ed that Mr. Jefferies's
would render him all the moral support they could,
resolution be altered to this form "That a corni
and let the Irish see that they who tilled the soil on
mittee be appointed to consider the desirability o
this side the channel were not lacking in sympathy
pui chasing the gas works."
or justice towards him—(applause). Some people
Mr. Jefferies accepted the suggested alteration in
were rather soared because the present Government
the resolution.
Mr.lGoodwin thought it was his duty to say, a would not show their cards. He thought this
would be an unwise thing to 'do until the game came
few words on this subject, but having a great in-
to be played—(laughter and applause). He should
terest in the Gas Company he did not intend to
advise the Government to keep their own counsel
vote, He condilered the speech which Mr.
until the proper time, and he had no fear but the
Jefferies made when he first introduced the
bill would be passed, although there might be some
question as very detrimental to his (the speaker's)
timid, loose-jointed Whigs who would featue their
co-directors, and one which ought net to have been
shoulders and who woul I wonder what next—
made in that Council. There had been deductions
(laughter). His firm conviction was that the bill
in the price of gas in Kidderminster from time to
would give justice toltrel int and he would say to
time till 3s. id. was now to be the maximum charge
the House of Lords, if they intended to hold their
while the average price to all consumers would i
hereditary position for another quarter of a century,
2s. 110. He did not think, therefore, that
don't kick out another Bill that had justice to
were unm
could be said that the Gas Company Ireland in it—(loud applause). Mr. Arch went on
ful of the public and be believed their gas
to refer to the small attendance in the House of
was the lowest fthereindt-
or within fifty miles of Kidder'
Lords in the discharge of the ordinary business,
minster. while many of the places in that ajar;
a committee was appointed by the Council the
while the House of the people was occasionally
were better off as regarded their rates for coal.
sitting forty one hours to produce a measure for the
directors would be pleased to confer with them, government of Ireland. Adverting to the large farm
but he did not think the town would agree to the system, Mr. Arch contended that as at present
Council going to a large expense in regard to the carried out it had the effect of depopulating the
country, and the gave an instance in which no fewer
purchase of a gasworks ; and there was the ques-
than sixteen farms hidbeen turned into one, to the
tion whether the public would be able to get the
great detriment of the locality. They were told
same advantages they did now. that agriculturists and labourers ought to emigrate,
In r :ply to the Mayor, Mr. Goodwin said the
but the fact was those who ought to emigrate were
charges in future would be 2s. 101. to large
those who produced nothing and who consumed
consumers without any discount, 3s. to the next
everything. Agricultural labourers wanted a voice
class of consumers, and 3s. id. to small consumers.
in the government of the country in order to
Mr. Green's statement that the directors or
eadeavour to amend these things—(cheers). The
shareholders had divided a number of shares among
„ Act lecturer went on to condemn perpetual pensions,
them as bonus was a very wrong one. The Gee and to say that his class intended to have a voice In
prevented that, and he must deny the insinuations
regard to this by petitioning the House—(cheers).
made by Mr. Green. Let them give the agricultural labourers the
Mr. Herring said Mr. Goodwin was only speaking franchise, ant they would not send to the House of
of the gas company since he had been a share;l
Lords booby lords, but they would send men who
holder (Mr. Goodwin : Yes). He had it himself
would not obstruct, but who would be determined to
from Mr. Moses Knowles that a certain number
have justice done to the people of England,
shares were divided as had been stated. Mr. C. Chambers moved" That in the opinion of
Mr. Jefferies said it was done now. The gas corn- this meeting it is the duty of the Government, at
pany had an accumulated fund of £4,000. the earliest practiceble moment, to introduce a
Mr. Goodwin said he must contradict the state- measure to redress the anomalies and injustices of
meat which had been made. the presant electoral law, and that it is the opinion
Mr. Herring; Mr. Moses Knowles, unfortunately, of the me2ting that household suffrage should be
is not alive, or he would not contradict it. He to d extended to the counties, and that this should be
me with his own lips. Mr. Herring then o)m - accompanied by such a re-distribution of seats as
plained of Mr. Goodwin having insulted Mr. will guarantee that the electors in the country shall
Jefferies at the last meeting, and said he bad never hive a majority of members in Parliament."
heard a member of the Council so insulted Dr. Bodding:on seconded the resolution, which
befere. on being put to the meeting was unanimously carried.
The Mayor having poured some oil on the waters
the discussion dropped, and the motion was agreed chairman
votes of thanks to the lecturer and to the
chairman closed the meeting. _
to. .
The committee appointed in pursuance of the
resolution were the Mayor Alderman Radford, ani
Messrs. Herring, Dixon, VV. Green, C. Cr )vyther
and C. E. Jefferies.

MR. JOSEPH ARCH AT BRIERLEY HILL.

SPORTING NOTES. •
(By our own Turf Correspondent.)

Since my last notes on the Spring Handicaps
Henry George has taken a decided step to the fore
in the list of quotations, and if the money for
which he has been backed is any criterion respect-
ing hi' nerits the horse should canter in an easy
winner, but as there are many "slips 'twixt cup
and lip" I shall look forward to a second string--
although I really think this time that he should
win with the impost assigned to him of only 7st.
Pelleas, who won the Great Tom Stakes at Lincoln
last autumn, had the a 'vantage of being fully
trained at the close of the year, consequently the
frost which put a stop to all training has not so
told upon him, and he will be more fit to run than a
many of the more favoured candidates. Valour is
a good rough and come again customer, but 84 81b,
is rather mre than I like to be so favourably im-
pret,sed with his chance. Bellry is really a good
classed filly, and was running into form last
backend ; therefore, with the conedence of he r
party behind her, I shall have to speak a good
ford for her before the day. Old Concord ran
very fast last year for three-quarters of a mile,
and he may again give his supporters another op-
portunity to recoup themselves—if he could be
persuaded to stay the mile, of which I doubt. War
Paint does not improve in the list of quotations,
although, the " sharps', are all on him to a man.
Ale' enlist also does not come in for much support,
and Mr. Grett•ni m;ght " shunt " .) for 1,111 i,-
the Liverpo9l Cup last backend l're „
vac:3 at tle eleventh hour —ill- ; .
opens
—vice Fernandez. However, at present I shall still
adhere to my previous Peleeted in
HENRY GEORGE AND ALCHEMIST.
The Grand National quotation was noticeable
for the re-instating of Th.)rnfield, who came back
again to Bto 1 after been friendless a!, 25 to 1
offered, owing to an accident, which now turns
out to have been a " scare "no doubt to " bear "
the market. Empress is really a 'great mare, and
from what I saw last year when she won the Orand