The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-04-02 00:00:00

THE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER.

nes-aa'.'l that lbe was not awlore it
,v- a 4-• 7,l,:asz-7 for hint to trcu7,le thaih with airy!
oag -peec:: on ttat. ste ject. Tiv:y were ful!y
tw. whAs t;-:e object of the mt—tin 4 was. Et!
ini4::t say a the 0,,t1f,t th:lt some five ; r izp,-0:
raoter4 oflthat seheme cons•ilted to,zether tcrae
f•Jw w-Acs lyecks and then c died a meeting of the
wh.l. of the Coinrni-sioners tozether. lit tli7a

of this proposal.
Mr. Lavender (the Lye) seid there was te he a
meeting u. that piatse on Ti-nrsday night, and till
Veen t• ey should pretest ageinst being i, corpotwed
a:nong the Steurbri lee frieeds. H very tench
d :Teed f. orn des worthy friend ereohadjust.epo en,
who said teat he speaks about rents being a "litia'
higher. He counl take them to heuses in a tewn
which was incorposated end they had four rooms
and the people bad ti pey es irr week for rent
since the incorporation had taken place. Take th it
to the Lye Waste where they have no work. If they
went to increase the rates there the poverty would
be worse. He then asked a question "Suppose we
became incorporated to the town of Stourbridge
and they took it in their mind to build a new Town
' Hall, would the corporation have to pay all that
rate?
The Chairman: In the event of this scheme be-
ing carried of course if the Lye did not agree in all
th:Lt was done they would have a number of re-
presentatives to manage affairs of that district and
would have a voice to protest against it.
Mr. Lavender : If the majority was on the other
side we should have to submit and pay.
The Chairman: I have answered that question as
briefly as I could. You are supposing things that
I would never come to pass. We have no idea of
spending £3,000 or £4.000 in erecting a Town Hall.
• Mr. Lavender said they had had honourable men
in that town, who had done honourable acts and
it was to be seen all throughout the place, and he
hoped he (the chairman) would do his honoureble
acts in a voluntary way. His friend (ieferring to
Mr. Wordsworth) had a certain income and knew
-nothing about poverty, but when it comes to the
poor they feel it. The town of Dudley was now
asking for a os rate.
Mr. Wordsworth said that Mr. Lavender had
. had a very great deal to say about the Lye and
about the poverty they found there to-day. It was
one of the strongest arguments in favour of this
scheme. The more they looked at this matter in
a practical point of view it must follow that if the
di-tricts were nuetieed by the- best party in the
&strict everything would improve in the district.
That would be admitted—(hear), and he now con-
sidered that the Lye wanted better management.
lie had not been abie to ascertain any WWII that
had gone back since it had been incorporated. If
the property becomes more valuable end the district
improved it would nut matter how much rates they
paid, teey could aff.rd to pay them.
Mr. Benjamia Taylor: [he rev, friend speake of
supposition, but I.lr. Lavender of facts.
The Chairman said it had eeen stat d in the Ad-
vertiser, in a letter signed by Mr Newnatu, that the
rates had increased considerably in the lest few
year,
e and it instanced the School Board rates. He
(Mr. Newnam) should not have made that state-
ment. He-knew that the rates during their year of
offi e hail been reluced from is 5d to Id, and he
(the chairman) did not know that they were geing
to be any hignsr. He was hopeful that it would
be self-supeorted ; at least no (me would grutniiie at
id or 2d. It was quite a misleading statement.
The rates were considerably less than they were 18
months ago. If the town was incorporated they
would have greater power s then th,y now possessed
in the management of their local affairs. He was
not going in for increase ,f rates, and if he could
reduce the rates in any other particular the same as
the School Board rates he did not take it to his
credit entirely—if he could do anything as a rate-
payer he should only be too happy to do it. He
assured them that he had the welfare of the town
and district at heart. It was not his scheme at all;
it was the result of an exchange of ideas with some
haif-duzen or a dozen during the last five years. He
was fully convinced that it would be a step in the
right direction to apply for a higher form of local
guverument., such as we should get by it. Ile then
remarked that the debt on the town was £16,000
but interest to the amount of £38,000 had been paid
upon it, still they had the same debt, owing to the
inability of the local body, under its present powers,
to provide a sinking fund. He asked whether such
a state of things did not require an alteration.
Instead of this scheme increasing the rates it would
decrease them.
Mr. Rhodes: Should we have to pay our propor-
tion of that amouet.
The Chairman: If the different places were in-
corporated, if all these pleces were embraced in the
incorporation of Stouroridge—the Lye, Amblecote,
Wollaston, and the other places they would net
have a cent to pay towards the present debt on the
town. Stourbridge alone would be responsible for
its present debt.
Mr. Smith (Wollascote) asked how the debt would
be wiped off without their help.
The Chairman said he took it in this way. As a
corporation they would hive better borrowing
powers. Inste td ot paying 4 per cent. for money
tor anythime they might undeAake, they could
obtain it at 34 per cent as other nowns did, and that
would create siutteug fund to clear off the debt in
about 20 years.
The Rev, H. s3herrard said if lie thought the in-
corporation would nave the effect which some of
their triends seemed to anticipate, ot its largeiy
a.uementing tile burdens of the peter, he would be
, one id the last to support li, but he thought if the
stfairs of the waole district were dealt. with by a
eentrel body in teal of bix small bodies, tie certainly
tho gnt they could be coziaucteo with greater etti-
chewy a,ue cc. n .my. Ile bh .uld like to hail Mr
Turuey His Worship, the bleyor "—(hear.)
lie would I:ke to impress upon their frienes ef the
community that they it :it'll...bridge did net want
to do anything that would simply
drew them into
th expsudituro of Steurbrieee tee tteeight a
ceutrai uudy, ng composed of the be repreeen-
'eaves, wouid ra-se a little highsr in posstion the
c,immqi-lity. Some of tile most s,neible men in the
districts, as members, would irides toeether an
would be more efficient and economical administra-
tors of the whole area tom at present 6-hell a
town council would have a larger power for promot-
ing anything that would be a benefit to tht popule-
lion. As be stateu before, he should be very sorry
to see the rates augmented and be a burden to the
people of the Lye. He was a ratepayer himself
and did not like to pay high rates. They, as a
School Board, had brought the mate of the School
noard down to id in the pound. If they coula get
some of their beat men mon of efficiency and
ecouomy —it would improve the advantages of all
classes, and, therefore, h.- strongly thought that it
would be fur the benefit of the whcee community.
He should like to hear the voices oi all parts for
(hie measure. From what he had read he thought
it would be for the -benefit of the parish.
Mr. W. reylor (Wo.leacote), said he bad lived in
citiee, and boroughs and rural districts, and lie
always found the rates were materially increased
under corporate bodies.
The Chairman replied that the result of his
enquiries was that in towns within a radius vi
thirty or forty utiles the rtes in corporate towns
were on filo a,v,rge lower than in those under
Boards of Commissioners.
In reply to the Rev. J. S. Boldero, the Chairman
-aid the present rates, including poor-rates, were
5s in the pound in Stourbriege per annum. They
had been nearly 6s, Bd. at one time.
Mr. Bolder° said he did net see how it would be
less expense to Amblecote proper if they were
incorporated, for the rates there were now 38. in
the pound.
Mr. H. Hughes: If we did not mend our roads
n—,ter than yours our rates would net be higher.
(Laughter).
Mr. Boldero said he thought there should be
30ine assurence that the rates if increased would
be but slightly increased. -
The Chairman said he believed if the district was
inausged in the best possitee way the rate would
get less, and property would increase in value.
Mr. J. B. Shepherd said that movement aas
generaly regarded -8 a Stourbriege movement, and
ii thought the lay oia ttie pannoteis to
tha•, the schetue was for tee common benefit
of the united district, and not for the benefit of
Stourbralge alene. tiles's hear.) bodiethiog iii
detail might be given enowiug how it woule pros
mote he welfare of the entire distiict.
"rhe Chsirman move,: a resolution genera!ly ap-
provi;ig of t.h petition which had been rea.i, and
wopesing the s ppoiat .ent of a committee
thoroughly to ecuidder the matter.
After further discussion, however, the Chairman
itherew the motion, and an aujournment was
weed to until Thursday weee to allow the
views of the adjourning tow eships to he gathered.
On the motion of Mr. Patti h, seconded by the
Csairman, Mr. Shepherd was invited to confer
with the promoters of the scheme, and draw up a
statement regarding it.

El tn. tho Commissioneri froin Itlndon wonld no:
recogn:se any no in this matter except in the
capacity .of ratepayers, therefore, the Commi-,-
gioners met together in the capmity of ratepayers,
anl. re,:resentatives of the town also ;and he was

61JA to say thht the whole of the Commisvionera
were unanimous in investigating this subject and

thought it desir ible to move in the ]naate-r.

result was to appoint a special committee to get
together all the imformation they possibly could
and lay it Wore the ratepayers at an adjourned
meeting. Tc.ey visited several towns and got a
lot of valuable instructions as to this matter. He

might say that the Committ .e drew up a report of
their work and pres,:nted it to the adjourned meet-
ing, and he believed that report fully explained
the lesirability of moving in the shape of asking
for ti,e Charter of Incorporation being granted for
Stou bti 4ge. Some said that the only legitimate
course to take in the matter w...s to call the public
tcgether and discuss the question, but that, in his
humble opinion, wa-i just the opposite cour,e tivit
should be taken. Ho -gas of opinion that they
_

s%)ould not call a meeting _of
_about 5,000_ rat,;.

Pa,-.?erm until the prointer,, had fa-As to put b4ore
Viern. Such a tneetingi would only result in a
squabble and f.ll to the ground; and he conslth!red
toat all that had been done up to now bad been
quite in accordance wilt the iiittal course taken in
!well proceedins. Without saying any more on
the eubji:ct. as te meeting won d be open to dis-
cussion and there were a good number present, he
would call upon Mr. Taylor (the clerk) to read the
n.port of the Commitlee, and afterwards ri--!ad ihein
a draft pkAitiou drawn up by the Committee to be
by themsapproved or otherwise, then to fieely dis•
cuss tbe merits of the case.

Mr. J. Taylor then read the report of the coal.
mA'.ee, embodying the information they had col-
keted, and recommending a charter to be aiplied
for. lie also read a firati petition to the Queen in
Prayintr for a cnarter to be granted. It
set forth that Stourbridgc• had been an important
phr-e ever ,since the 14tn century. Anciently it
was eatir,l 11edeo'e, and its position was descrited
the p. eset Cule as having the asivAiitar: af
--eing irranntie-t by an agrictiltural and ma.nu-
f;,,cturing population. A weekly ina,rktt was
granted by itenry VII and luea.l Acts were obtained
I:A 1791. 125, and 1666. Deleain the Act of
IS6ti were referred to, and alter mention of vanilla
local matters tne petition alluded to the adjoining
town:hips and to the inap)rtint industries of the
district. The places proposed to be included in the
charter were : _

Area in acres P,,p. in 1871. Rateable value.
itourbridge 412 9 376 £23,560
WAIN,Ftdn 466 2,1,6 4,330
'., pper .vvin'ord 977 2 898 11,132
Lyd a3l 5,786 9 974
von- .cdte 446 1,972 4 850
Imb.ecote 660 2,771 11,674

3,311 11,969 £63,Sil
all these townseips. Steurluidge excepted, were, so
tar as sanitary ins tem wore concerned, under the
centrol of the Rural Sanitary Authority of the
atonrbridge Union, while the streets and roads
were un er the management of the highway sur-
veyors. The preeent form of local government
was riot at all in keeping with the growing prestige
wea!th. and importance of the townships named;
and eftiei;mtly to carry out neoeseary improvements
in all 1 Joel, plea aud eanitary metiers it wes
essential that the whole of the townships should
be under tee form of government contemplated by
the Munieipal Acts, by means of which all the
numerous and increasingly important objects of
local management might be thoroughly and
efficiently carried out. The union of the towe.
seips into a borough would give net only import-
ance thereto, but add solidity and strength to all
heir iescitutions. The petition concluded by
preying her Majesty, wi h the advice of tae
Privj C.ene il, to graet a charier of incsrpor itiou
-.0 the town of Stourbridge and places adjacent
ander the common name of 6tourbridge.
The Rev. H. Sherrerd, of the Stourbridge
ichool Boerd, said perhaps it would be well to
anew what local standing they had. What form
of proceeding would be required. Would it be
necessary to have a public mee ins of the rate-
payers of Stourbridge, convened in the usual way,
and have it decided by a vote of the majority, and
the tame teke plac3 in the adjaeeut townships; and
m case it was cerried in Stourbridge and the
other people refused tojoin in this matter, would
Stourtridge still go on?
Mr. N "seam (Wollee.cote) : That is whit in-
tend to in our hamlet ; let the other hamlets do
that they like.
The eentirman said it was not uecesotty to have
a public emoting. It was a quest:on of getting
lie ;nip ewes of the ratepayers to such a petitioe
as teat elite, had been real, and if ti'e ratepa.: era
:lid not choose to sign it the petition wont,' be so
must: welt pap t.
Mr W. dadth (Wollescote) : I wish to know
-bother it is a question of number or rateabl.
value. Wnrit quentey of ratepayers woual it be
necessary to siert it ?
_Tee Cnairman said it would net be so much the
nutnberas tee rateaeile value they repressated this.
would tear upon a matter of that sort. If the
majeri!y of t• e ratepayers of Pteurbrirtge were to
sign h t petiti n aud Seeirhridge alone soled in
the matter. of course the petition would have very
g:eatiwsight ith her Nlajeaty's Privy Couneil
vr, en see Commissioner came
Mr. inmate : Supposing only one-half of the
eelops eigoad it, what would happen 1
the Chairman Suppeeing half of the house-
hones were to sn n it, and they represented more
:nen bait of he rateable value, it would have very
ereet weioht. Or if only one-third signed it, end
they paid the bulk of the rates, it would also have
a great bearing. It was not a question of numbers
alone, and not a:question of rateable value alone.
A Commissioner would be sent down to investigate
all things.
Mr. Rhodes: lam sure that the bulk of the
ratepayer.; at the Lye—both as rateable value and
cumbers—would sign against it.
'lke Chairman said the object of the meeting
eas to aecer air) the feeling of the ratepayers in all
the places mentioned upen the matter, They had
not come there with d cut-and dried thing. Stour-
bridge could not make the Lye join them and they
did not anon to take any such con, se. It had been
thong t eesirable te move in the matter which hao
been me ait for many years to his knowledge.
'everal eentlemen teought the time had come to
not simply it it rest with an idea to do 80. He di::
net hint( there weeild be anything lost, if it fell to
he greued. Ile was of opinion that the lure e
they heard of this mate r and investigated it, the
more they weuld be in favour of the scheme. As
one of the largest ratepayers in Stouraridge ht.
eesured them that he was not going to take any
steps that would meterially increase the rates.
A Voice : Will it increase them at all?
'the Chairman: I am net ewe that it will.
A Voice : We want them reduced.
The Cbai: man said that from what the promoters
had beea able to gather ihe rates of Burstein (the
at town tbat had been incorporated) the rates had
le en increased since it was inserporated 11. in the
o but the advantages of incorporation hen
mere than coiinerha lneet the sligetincreese. Th
ediole ef the erett ef the incorporitta ea of Bursiem
was only £250.
Mr. Reodes si.lthe rates at Dudley were no.
6s in :ho poune, and if they were raised to teat
at the Lye. the property at the later place woule
be worthless, because the pa•ple would not be aele
to pay the rent and Lye there.
The Chairman said he should be sorry to sec the
rates at the Lye inereasecl, but as he said all the
formatien they had been able to gather up to nee:
in-ed to the opposite thing. As a proof that he
Was floe in favour of Merea .ed rates, he pointed out
• het since the new School Board (of whien he
wne'a erkenl'er) had been ele, ted, the School Boare
rate had been reduced ; and he believed that thse
heel :net) eained efileiency. He coetende i the
greater economy and efficiency in the administration
of local seTairF, would be :tined from having teem
tolininietered from one central body composed of
repre,entati eea ivoui he vi it 'le, rather dont no
via. met; Visas having its own separate staff of
oflitiel end local Boards.'
the Bev. C. S. Worthen rth said when he fitet
heat d of this propoeel he felt opposed to it, but on
reflection he believed it would be a good thing for
the district. It was a ve-y pleasant thing for some
people to be able to manage their parish affairs in
a snug lit•le corner, and to do as they pleased; but
he did not think it was for the general interest that
this should be so, and things were not done as tv,ll
as ita-y mioht be. He believed public matters
would be better nvuaged under a en-pcoetion and
that the improvements secured would tend to im-
prove the value of the property.
Mr. Rhodes said owners could not get their pre
sent rents for their property and certaiely could
not get an increase.
Mr. Wordsworth sail the laws of political economy
really set led what landlords could get for their
properly; but if the district generally was improved
it would improve the value of the property. Land-
lords, hossever, could not get their rents if they put
their rents too high, and he had seen houses shut
up for a long time on that account.
Mr. Noah Forrest (Upper Swinford), said he had
waited on some of the principal ratepayers and they
were almost all opposed to the incorporation scheme.
The Chairman aid his experience difered from
the laet speaker's. He did not represent the feel-
ivg of the Lieges: ratepayers by a long long way in
Upper Sreinford. Be (the chairman) knew a
numbsr o ; the largest ratepayers who were favour

TOURBRIDGE
.CONSTITT:TIONAL
ASSOCIATION,

a
portant to our nation, or the vast empire of which le and one quart ot. cider, and if they would fer-
they formed part, then an examinati, a of their Zhve him he would spend hi. Sunday it future in a
rulers. It was of the very hiehest importatve etter place. Diseeiarged with a caution —lsaiah
s: a, the finish Eetpiee should be well and weiely tenor was 111trged with heiag drunk at Lye oa
gOY root, ant in order t do teat :t would be 26;13. ult. Flea ie,l guilty. Police-cone able
necessary thet the ietelligenee of the peeple shuld Paynter proved the case Defoliant said he had
be exercised in c 'rafully watching the sayings and been an abstaiuer for 10 years, but ee met wi
doiegs of the men who were at the helm of the fr ene woo paid tor some ale for him, and his legs
netien's affairs, and gulling the destinies of our were drunk. Fined es 6d to include eests.
race. Snell an exercise he proposed to engage in STEALING MONEY. John Baker dud William
that night wite regard to the present Liberal lile cs were charged with stealing one shillin at
Government, and he a-keti them to coesider with tie :Ittyee on the 28th titt, the property of Vim
him teree important questions. In the firet place, :hi.: [in, of Cradley. Prosecutor said he was at the
How eid our Liberal Government get into power p 11 yes on the night in question. He stood under a
In the second place, What have they tione since lamp counting his money. About a dozen men came
they have been in power? and in the third place, up. One said let's have his money. Two men came
What are the prospects if they remain in p.mer, , to him, one put his hand inlet his pocket while the
First, how did our Liberal Government get to , other held him. He could not swear to the two
, prisoners. After hearing further evidence prisoners
power.? He was not afraid that a true and faith-
tut answer to this question would be that it got to ; were bound over in ..£lO each to appear when called
power by the employment of means of the most upon.
disgraceful and detestable character, The savage , CHARGE OF STEAL/NO A TALE.—Charles Perks
railery of the Liberel leaders against the Govern- ; and Eli Hart were charged with stealing a table on
msnt they wished to destroy was without parallel ' the 26th ult, the property of James Kirton. It
in political warfare. He did not mean to say that anPearel from the evidence given that prosecu:or
all members of the Liberal party were peculiarly bought the table at a sale at Cradley and told
violent and unjust, but he did say that each bore Perks he would give him 6d to take it to the Lye.
his part in the wretched drama of bearing false Subsequ?ntly the proseeutor, on accoun t of Perks
witness against his neighbour. Some of them being intoxicated, told him not to take it
migh, be too careful and refuse to call the Beacons- Shortly afterwards prisoners were seen at Cradley
field Government a "long firm company"—that was offering the table fir sale, and wanted 2s 6d fir it.
a set of swindlers. Some of them might. not be A man named Hedgetts purchased the
rade enough to speak of Lord Beaconsfield as a table and gave Perks the mouey fir it. fhe de-
"mountebank' and "juggle'," but others could be fence of Perks was that he was employed by pro-
found coarse enough tor the task. Some would seettlor, who gave him 2s and also said he could do
not dare to speak of Lord Beaconsfield's followers what he liked with the table to pay his expenses.
as a 'set of puppies," but others: undertook the Perks was semenu dto one month's hard labour,
dirty task. The Conservative Government had but Hart was discharged.
conducted the nation through a period of great CHARGE OF ASSAULTING THE POLICE. Joseph
danger without bloodshed and they had upheld the Collins, George Collins and Samuel Collins were
honour of England and in no sense forfeited the charged with assaulting Police-constable Paynter,
confidence of the nation. To appeal to the truth on the 26th nit. Mr. Waldron defended. Coin.
could never hurt or damage them inithe eyes of the plainent said he visited Joseph Collins's house,
people. The Liberal road to power was through the " Anvil Inn," about a quarter-past seven o'clock.
fresehood reel fraud. The Liberals obtained In the back room he saw a man toss up a ceineA
power by means of false preteuces, and lie had said man named Meredith said "that's one to me."
that any jury would centric'. a primiter ae, the bar, Samuel Collins then snetek him. Geo.ge came in
and any judge would give to that prisoner a severe at tbat time and struck him. He took them in
sentence on far less evidence than ceull be pro— charge, when Joseph Collins struck him on the
duced to pro:e that they obtained power by di. chest, Themes Meredith, a summoned witness, said
liberate ialsifie itiens—(hear, hear). They made chat he saw eamuel Collins strike Paynter. He
promises that they are no able to perform. Teey did not see the others strike but saw them wrestling
made a good deal of confusion about the Queen together. Mr Wal ton addressed the Bench for
being culled "Eenpress of' India," but they never the defence, and contended that the father did not
intended to alter it. What about the shares of the str ke a blow once. There was no coroborative
Suez Canal? They never intended to sell the evidence against George. The Bench dismissed the
shares. What about Cyprus? They still have it. case agait at Joseph and George, and fined Samuel
They spoke of the Zulu war as being unprovoked 20s and cost:, ; iudefault one month.
and scandalous; and of Cetewayo being a very much CRUELTY TO A HORSE.—John Hayes of Tipton, a
injered man, but when they got into power aid they travelling haulier, was charged with cruelty to a
a lease hint—that poor injured man? They never horse by working it while in an unfit state on the
intended to do so. They intended to get to power Ist inst. Inspector Brown proved the case, which
and whatever would do that was adopted by teem was a very bad one. Defendant said he was very
Many of the farmers were led to believe that teings poor, and had just buried his wife and child. Fined
would be better for them when a Liberal Govern- 58. and costs.
moat egein git in office But the fact was that
they were heavily handicapped by foreign competi-
tion. The money they would have spent never
came into their hands, the result being that the
traders in our towns lost this money, the landlords
had to lo yer the rents, and agriculture and trade
were crippled by the free retroduction of manufa.c-
Lured and other articles from all par, s,of the world,
whilst all foreigners put heavy restrictions on the
British produce that was sent to their markets.
He believed that at the last election many ignorant
people were induced to vote for the Liberals
because they were led to believe that a change of
Gov,rnment would produce a change in the busire us
prospects of the country. Some people were apt to
fly to quack medicines. Ile then referred to the
formatien of tire Cabinet, and pointed out that John
Bright, the avowed hster of all sinecures, had
himself put into an office whete the work was
exceedingly small and the emoluments, £2,000 per
year, were at least respectable. Mr. Joseph Cham-
berlain had also got himself put upon the Board of
Trade, and drew a eitnilar stipend. He next
referred to what the Government had &tie, and
said that when they went into power the House of
Commons consisted of 353 Liberals, 237 Conserve-
tines, and 62 Home Rulers. One of the first things
they d.d was to abandon the Peace Preservatiou
Act in 'relate], the resut being disaster, disturbance
outrages, peel lawlessness Unprecedented in char-
acter, and thii notwithstanding that when the
Liberals went into Dower Ireland was, acceording to
their own statement, tranquil. lie next referred
to the increase ef the income-tax and the abolition
of the malt-tax, tee latter of which hat nearly
ruined many of the maltsters. The revision of the
licenses of licensed victuallers had Met eased their
payments ie a teal that was most burdensome and
unjust. The Hares and Rabbits Bill, which was
etiered in with a great flourish of tratupets, was
Practically useless. He also spike of the war in
the Transvaal, and denounced the practice of send-
nig out such a small number „f troops. Tne
armistice after the thrashing the Boers had given
our soldiers was unpatriotic in the extreme, and had
brought disgrace up n England. He referred to
what might be expected in the way of future legis-
lation ii the Lila' als remained in power, and ettie
that one result would be an attempt to disestablish
and disendow tin Church of .England. In tpeakieg
of what they would not do, he said they wsuld not
brieg trade and commerce to our shores. They
would reduce he nation to a third or fourth-rate
ierwer. the longer was 'the lease of the .Liberel
power the shorter would be the lease of the British
power in the world. He concluded a lengthy and
able address amiest considerable applause.
Mr. etephen Itreoks preposed a vote oi thanks to
the lecturer for his eloquent address.
This wit seconded by Mr. T. Perkins, and carried
Mr. J. M Bradley in pi oposieg a vote et thanks
to the Cheirman, said it was only for him to ask
them at this grest crieis of our alfairs to redouble
teetr efforts in the Conservative cause. They were
to remember that this dastardly Liberal Govern-
ment had soiled the British flag as it had never
been soiled before He peinted out that the
Cabinet was about to evacuate the barrier of our
Indian Empire, which was won by the blood and
toil of readier!. He characterised it as a shameful
thieg, and called upon those present to do all in
heir power to oust the present Government of
ruabeciles—(applaus,-).
Mr. Richards seconded the resolution and it was
carried.
, Tire meeting then terminated.
,t I

BitiERLEY HILL.

DRUNICENEESB.—At the Police Court, on Mon-
day, before Mes,rs. F. Evers and 11. Smith, William
Martin, engineer, Round Oak, was tined ss. and
costs for being drunk in the hkh .vay on Vie 23rd
ult. Police-constable Lafford provai Vait he was
lying helplessly drunk across the footpath.—Edward
Paynting and Tames Hickson Hall, now employed
as assistants to a party of the Royal Engineers,
surveying at Craffley Heath, were charged with
being drunk and disorderly in the highway on the
27th ult. It appeared from the evidence of Police-
sergeant Salt, Po:ice-constable Parker, and an
independent witnrs., named Edwards, that about 10
o'clock last Sunday night, the defendants were
proceeding from Brierley Hill towards Cradley
Heath down Lock's Lane and were drunk and
insulting passers by, using most indecent language.
they were fined ss. each and costs, with the
alternative of fourteen day's imptiasnment.
PROTECTION ORD —M r. Waldron made an
application on behalf of Eliza Barlow for a pro-
tection order.—Mrs. Eliza Barlow, cook, now i
living at Kinver said that her husband's name was
John Barlow. They were married on the 27th of
May, 1878. They lived at Malvern under Mr.
Welham, a magistrate in the county of Worcester.
She was cook and her husband was caehman. On
the 18th March, they left there and went to Birming •
ham, Their luggage was deposited at the parcel
office. Her husband took the luggage away from
the °dice and went as far as Liverpool. She com-
municated with the police and he was brought back
again and she received tne goods. When it was
found that they were man and wife he was dis-
chargad and went back again by the 3 o'clock train.
She teiw him with a piece of blue paper and she
,hougt,t he was applying for a situation abroad.
Her husband deserted hey on the 18th March.
He had no cause for leaving her. If she obtained
an order she could go back to a situation as cook
again. He had been abroad seven years before
and he had told her he should not be content till he
had gone abroad again. She did not leave him.
By the Bench: He did not ask her to go to Liver-
pool. It was found out by the police that they
were husband and wife and he was liberated. The
Bench granted the order, but said that if her
husband returned and asked for this order to be
discharged and have t!,e privilege of being w:th
her again it may be cancelled.
COAL STEALlNG.—&izabeth Bateman, Matilda
Itillward, Susannah Jones, Mary Grosvenor, -Lucy
Price, Sarah Meredith, Ma,-ia Edgertonlaud Rebecca
Plant, residing at Round Oak, were charged with
stealing coal the property Of the Earl ot Dudley,
Francis Beavan, watchman at No. 30, pit, Race
Course Colliery, proved that on the 22nd ult., they
were taking coal from the Colliery. They were
tined 5s each including costs.—Richard Batham
(13) William Bradley (13) and Elijah Cooper (15)
were charged with a similar offence on the same date.
Batham and Bradley were ordered to have I'2
strokes tach with the birch rod; and Cooper was
fined ss,

BREACH or THZ PEACH —Richard Milline,ton
and Noah Bates, both of Common Side, were
charged with committing a breach of the peace by
fightiug. S 1 :ter proved the case and
further stated that on Monday morning Millington
came to his house and threatened him if he went
and gave evidence. The Bench bound the de.

THE WORI.;ESTERSIiIRE AGRICULTURAL

SHOW AT SFOURBRIDGE.

A special meeting of the Local Committee was
held at the Talbot Hotel, on Thursday evening.
Mr. W. J. Turuey in the chair. There was a large
attendance. At the last meeiing it was announced
that the sum of £5ll Is Od had been collected.
Additional sums were handed in by Messrs. H. H.
Cochrane, £3B 17s Od. Mr. Boucher, .£7 780 d . Mr.
F. Blakeway £29 8s Od. making a total of .2586
13s Od. In 1872 the sum of £736 lis Od was
collected. The draft agreement was read end agreed
on guaranteeing the Society £3OO providing ground,
&c. Mr. F. Blakeway said the object of the present
meeting was to select the prizes to be given by the
local committee. As tbe society were anxious to
get them this week f.r publication, be had gone
throogh the old list of prizes aid said that he had
prepared a HA to submit for their consideration.
In several cases he had put down a second prize in
!Ica ses and cows, special plizes which he thought
would give additional interest. One prize of £lO
would be for the best assorted show of any articles.
From the way the subscriptions are coming in they
shoud h.p.ve plenty of money. The special prizes
would be £lB4. Toy should have to pay the
6o3iety .£3OO, rent of gr,,und £55, water £B, lands
and other iiicidental expenses would aru..unt to
a total of £612 03. 01 Mr. Corbett moved that
the stigeption made by Mr. Blakeway be carried
odt. This was seconded by Mr. J. Yardley and
carded unatdrnously.

fendants over to keep the peace for three month-
in their own recognisances of il.O each and one
surety of .£5. The Bench intimate 1 that the
p would take into consideration about prosc,.
cuting him for thre .tening the witness and if they
did he would be liable to be sent for trial at the
sessions.
CRUSLTY TO A DONKEY. William Colltiy,
boatman, of Kinver, was charged with illtreating a
donkey on the 24th ult., at Word-ley.—lnspector
Brown said he was on duty along the canal towing
path and saw the defendant in charge of two
donkeys He examined one Of the donkeys and
found that it had ihre,3 sores under the collar which
were discharging mater. One wound was the size
of a five-shilling-piece and the other two sores each
about the size of a two-shilling•piece. They were
wounds of old standing. Defendant was fined ss.
and:costs, with the alternative of 14 day's imprison-
ment,

SELLING ALE DURING PROHIBITED HOURS.—
Maria &rivet, (78) a beer-house keeper, at Brock-
moor was charged with selling ale during prohibited
hours.—Poliee-constable Lafford said that at 11.15

harEcTED DISTRICTS.—A. telegram has been re-
eeived from the Privy Council staling that Stafford -
'hire, with the excep ion of certain districts where
dise4se has recently existed, n declared free. The
,:reat difficulty of obtaining licenses will thus be
I...moved.
DEUNICENN2BB.—At the Police Court on Tu,sdny,
before Mr. R. L. Freer, Annie Sexton, a marrieri
wAnan, resi.iing at Wolverhampton, was charged
with being drunk and disorderly T he previous night
in Coventry Street. Sergeant Jones and Police-
constable Williams proved the ca-e. Fined 2s 6d
and costs.
APPOINTMENT OF OVERSEhItS. At the Police
Court, yeAerclay before Colonel Fletcher and Mr,
F. Evers' the following overseers wereappointed :
Broom, Messrs. Fox and Hickman; Churchill,
Messrs Thurstans and Whittaker; Lye, Messrs.
Herrin and Hatton; Pedmore, Messrs. Bloomer and
Rollinsoe ; Wollescote, 'Mes.rs. Newnam and
Perks; Wollarton, Messrs, Taylor and Hew; Clout,
Messrs. Boucher and Osbourn° ; Cradlev, Messrs.
Hingley and Bridgwater ; Stout briatz-; Messrs. W.
H. 6cott and Benton Dawes; Hagiey. Messrs. W.
Yung and Maybnry.
CAUTION TO DOG OWNERS.—The following per-
sons were summated for keeping doo.t'swithout hav-
ing licenses and were fined 103 each:—John Mer-
rick, Thomas Williams, Thomas Moody, John
Hunt.
Fuutous Durvirro.—Frederick Ray, of the Heath,
wa* charged with furious driving at Lower Hatey
on the 19th ult. John Fox and Thomas Mereatth
proved the case. Fined 5a and costs.
DRUNI:ENNES3.--Reuben Charles was charged
. on the 27th ult. Police-
that the defendant was
i
ult
helplessly
ltebastes,iilreyi.gskddr, drunk
keke pt
ri
natC(
vleeend road.
me, defeuc was
that his ankle was sprained and denied being drunk
and vaid that IMO of them had but lira quail of

on Sunday merning the 20th ult., he went into the
beer house kept by defendant and there saw a
woman n-tnied Burford drieking some ale out of a
glass.—The defence was that she gave the ale to
the woman.—The Bench said she was liable for
allowing her te be there drinking.—A fine of 10s.
and costs was inflicted.
VAGRANCY —John Turner (35), labeurer, of no
fixed restdenee, was sentenced to 14 day's imprison-
ment for sleepine. in North's brickyard, lirockmoor
on Sunday night last.
ABSCONDING FROM THE WORlCHOUsE.—Catherine
Stevens, an inmate of the K ingswintord Workhouse,
was sentenced to 21 day's imprisonment for ab- cond-
ing from the Workhouse on the 19th ult.
ASSAULT, John Southall, wheelwright, of
Trysul, was fined ss. and co,ts for assaulting his
wife Ann &AV hall on the 21st ult.—Mr. Holberton
prosecuted,
'THE LAWGUAGS OF THE DISTRICT."—At the
Police Court, on Thursday, before W. F. F. Bo ughey,
Esq., St;pendiary Magis:rate.—During the hearing
of a ca,e against James Bae, moulder, Pe.dmore-
road, for being drunk and disorderly, Police-on-
:stable Wettou Landed in a slip of paper upon which
was writ ten the language used by the defendant.—
Mr. Boughey spoke of it as being displea,ing to
God and man, and everybody else who heard it.
He had been born and bred in this county, and had
been in most of the ether parts of the country, but
had never heard such language used as he heard in
this district. The only thing he could liken it to
was what he had heard in some parts of Lancashire
from "those gentlemen who lived in clogs." In
chat part of the country they knocked people down
and jumped upon them. They had not become
i
quite as bad as that n this district, but they would
not 1 far off if they did not stop.—The defendant
Nyas tined 7s 6d, with the alternative of seven days'
hard labour.
SHOPLIFTING. Sarah Bagnal (22), a married
woman, residing in Ihurch street, Pens.nett, wast
charged with stealing a piece of beef, weighing
41bs., the property of Francis Williams, butcher.
—On Tuesday prisoner entered the shop of the pro-
secutor and took the beef from a hook. It was
afterwards found by Pole-constable Hieklin boil-
ing in a pot in her house.—The Stipendiary fined
the prisoner 10s. and costs, or, in detault 21 days'
imprisonment.
LOCAL BOARD ELECTION.--The result of the voting
for this election was made known on Thursday
afternoon. There were six vacancies to fill, and fer
these there were fourteen candidates. The r
:amber., Who wen samigated for re-eleetivu, hod