The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-04-20 00:00:00

BOARD OF GUARDIANS.

The first meeting of the new Board was held at the
Workhouse, yesterday. There were present Messrs. P.
Pargeter, Homes, T. Homer. Granger, Burr, RoHinson,
Walker, Darby, B. Homer, Raybould, Peskin, Fereday,
Baker, Wright, Fiddian, Rhodes, Foley, Brooks, Billing-
ham, Haakew, Gritfin, Guest, and T. H, Pargeter.
Mr. B. Brooks occupied the chair, pro tem.
Admitted to the house during the week, 22 ; discharged,
15; dead, I ; remaining, 391; corresponding week last
year, 425. Outdoor relief —Kingswinford district, £27
12a 9ld; Stourbridge, £2l7s 100; Halesowen, £22 10s
10Id ; total, £72 Is 6ld, against £9l Os itd last year.
Mr. Brooks said he need not tell them how glad he was
to meet them there again. He saw a number of new
members present, and he hoped they would be satisfied
with the working of the Board, both as to the interests
of the poor and the ratepayers. The first business was
the appointment of Chairman for the ensuing year, and
he had great pleasure in proposing Mr. Granger. Those
who had been there before were well aware of that gen-
tleman's character, and his courtesy on all occasions, and
he hoped those gentlemen would be unanimous in elect-
ing Mr. Granger to the office.
Mr. B. Homer seconded the proposition, which was
carried unanimously.
Mr Brooks then vacated the chair, which was taken by
Mr.
.Granger.

The CO-airman said it was with much pleasure that he
was permitted to be present that morning, chiefly BO be-
cause as Mr. Brooks had said hi, health had not been BO
good lately, and he felt very glad in being present at the
tirst meeting of the new Board. What had been said by
Mr. Brooks he need acareely say he did not deserve, but
he would endeavour to deserve all that gentleman had
said. He was very glad for the kindness they had shown

him for so many years, and he was very glad' to meet BO
many new members there. He felt they had done him a
great honour by appointing him chairman. He Dow
commenced his 29th year of office at the Board. He had
seen a great many changes, and only one of the old
members was then present. He aimerely trusted that
they would work harmoniously together, and that they
would have the interests of the ratepayers and the poor
at heart. Before sitting down he had great pleasure in
proposing Mr. B. Brooks as first vice-chairman. That
gentleman had always performed his duties in a very sat-
olfactory
.manner. . . .

Mr. Cirrithn seconded the proposition, which was car-
ried unanimously.
Mr. Brooks. in responding, said he had again to thank
them for the honour they had done him, and at the same
time to say that whatever he could do for the interest of
the ratepayers and the poor he would do. He had always
felt great pleasure in working fur the interest of the rate-
payers and the poor. Their labours had been very pie.
sant for the past year, and he felt certain that with the
present Board they should have a very agreeable time.
He hoped trade would keep good, and then they would
have the opportunity of making the rates lighter. In
conclusion, he had great pleasure in proposing that Mr.
I. holhnson be appointed second vice-chairman.
This was seconded by Mr. Baker, and carried
Mr. RoHinson briedy responded.
Mr. P. Pergeter moved that the Alsessment Committee
consist of 12 members, and the following gentlemen were
appointed :—Messrs. Foley, Holcroft, Moore and Smith
ex-o tr&cio members, and Monaco. Barr, Rhode., Fero,* ,
and Flower, the Chairman and too Vice.
Chairmen.

Mr. W. Meredith was re•appointed Assessor.
The followink gentlemen were appointed the Public
Health Committee:—Blesses. Raybouid, T. Homer, P.
Pargeter. H. Billingham, Dr. Walker, and the Chairman
and two Vice-Chairmen.

Some correspmdence was read from the Local Govern-
ment Board, referring to some complaints made by Mr.
Prescott against Mr. H. Yates, the Assistant-Overseer,
amd the Local Government Board required to be fur-
nished witti the observations of the Board with reference
to the complaints made by Mr. Prescott.
it was unanimously carried: ‘• That this Board has no
observations to make thereon. Further that we have
every confidence in Mr. Yates, who has held his present
office upwards of seven years without any complaint as
to his integrity or honesty, and he has always discharged
his duties to the satisfaction of the overseers and district
auditms, as also of this Board; and if Mr. Prescott has
any objection to make to the accounts of the overseers
us regards the non collection of poormates, or otherwise,
he should do so at the auditors' office, all accounts being
"pen for inspection for such purposes."