The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-02-14 00:00:00

THE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER.

lazt year. Te reekei.ts ineluding .223 4s 4d shown and attention iv n. Mr. Goddard would
breught torward froot last year have been £m 7s feel baiter pleased if he were more largely sup.
3d, and the expenditure ..£BO 6a. 7d,, leaving £1603 ported, and he hoped it would be better in future.
Bd. in the Treasurer's hand. The following The book keeping class was suspended for a time
papers and periodicals have been taken. Daily : and he very much regretted that a man like Mr.
The Times, Daily News, Standard, Birmingham Southall should have been oblige. to withdrawon
baity Post, Daily Gazette, Daily Mail, and Daily account of the lack of students, but he trusted the
Globe. Weekly:—lliustrated London News, The sorrow of his heart would be lifted, if only a dozen
Graphic, Punch, Judy, Saturday Review, Field, students would come together, Mr. Southall would
Worcester Herald, Aris's Birmingham Gazette, The resume his occupation. He wished to dwell upon
Worcester Chronicle, Waverhanipton Chronicle, The these different subjects in detail, claiming the
Engineer, Midland Counties Herald, Brierley Hill liberty of making one or two other remarks as to
Advertiser, County Express, Stourbridge Observer, the classes. They must admit they were doing a
Quarterly :—Magozins of Art. Monthly :—Art very important work indeed. They must smells-
Journt4, Fortnightly and Contemporary Reviews, ber that they appealed to them on many grounds.
Xinekenth Century, Blackwood, Cornhill, Mac Mil- Self-culture was the pre•eminent object that they
lan's, and the Gentleman's Magazine. All the Year had before them. When they leave school at an
Round, Chambers' Journal, Herald of Peace, Scien- early period of life they have a rest for two or
tific Gossip, and Anima/ World. The Committee three years, and then when they find the business
beg to thank those proprietors and others who have of life setting upon them, they begin to wake up
presented papers gratuitously. and find how much there is to be learned and how
Library: The Librarian reports the issue of books little they have achieved. There were many
to have been as follows :-3,783 against 4,062 for reasons why the first days at school did not accom-
the past year. 155 new books have been added and plish what they should like to see. They did not
13 volumes of periodicals bound up. Four boxes of then discern the great importance of education,
books belongme to the Worcestershire Union of be cause they were not in contact with those things
Institutes were at the Institute, each for a Period of which claim their knowledge. Auothei reason is
two months respectively. These boxes are a great that a great many children in early life are slo
acquisition to our Library. Your Committee, it in the development of their powers. Great masses
will be observed, have added a considerable num- of children are slow and are obliged to wait and
ber of new books during the past year, and hope cannot leap forward to seize the advantages held
their successors will see their way to make further out to them. Well, at such it time as this when a
additions. youth goes forth in life, here are these Institutions
The Evening Classes: In May last, the several awaiting to take him by the band and to help him,
classes which were in operation when last year's to begin at once to prepare himself for the great 1
report was presented, were examined in the work battle of life. They must remember that self.
of the session and book prizes were awarded in the culture was the very object which they aimed a+,
following subjects: Latin, French, English, Mathe- and that they did not bring together materials, but
matics, and Book-keeping. The prizes were dis- simply supplied them with words and books of
tributed at a meeting held at the commencement great men and from which by their efforts they
of the present session, the Rev. H. Sherrard pre- were to reap a benefit. The question was some-
siding. This session began in October, and the times asked whether classes, such as had been
following classes are now in full operation, viz:— spoken of, were likely to obtain their hold in tlie
Latin, conducted by Miss Mag,innis ; French, con- days that were to come. When they considered the
ducted by Mons. de Vit ; English, conducted by education which was at work on all hands, he
Rev. W. Manning; Mathematiss, conducted by Mr could not help thinking that the classes would be
Goddard. A class for the study of book keeping as much in demand in the future as they were now
commenced ; but was at present suspended for and he hoped the branches would become more
lack of students. At the Society of Arts' Exami- efficient. As one by one the young men go and
nation, 5 certificates of the second grade were take their occupations in life, they will be able to
awarded to student, of these classes, look upon those Institutes and to say th t
Miss ILsorlo use gave a series of twelve lectures was the place where first their mind was quickened
to ladies on "Physiology," in connection with the in the paths of liteLature and history; that was
classes. We regret that these classes are not more Vie 'place where their powers began to involve
generally supported by the youth of the neighbour- themselves and were his first resolu ions were
hood. forllleel.

Penny Bank: Your Committee learn with
pleasure the continued success of this Institution.
The receipts for the year Pnded 30th June last, ex-
ceeded the payments by a few pouhds. This, your
committee tnink, was ,atisfactory, looking at the
bad state of trade. The receipts for the year were
£.444 14% 91.

A vote of thanks, on the motion of Mr. C. Efers
seconded by Mr. Murton, was passed to the
Chairman, and the meeting terminated,.

BURIAL BOARD.—The fortnightly meeting was.
held on Saturday.—The Chairman (Mr. J. B
Shepherd) reported that he and the Vice-Chair-
man had an interview with Mr. Walker, Mr. Guest's
solicitor, in reference to the Claims of the latter
against the Board. Mr. Walker was willing to
recommend, witheut prejudice to his elienC to
accept £625 in discharge of his claims, hut Mr Evers
and himself could not advise the Beard to eetttle on
those terms. They told Mr Walk ee if there was
any chance of comihg to a settlement for £525 thee
thought the to ird might arrive it in agreement,
and they mentioned £,550 but Mr. Walker declined
the suggest:on and said £625 was the lowest figure .
Under these circumstances they hal to report the
nego'ations for a compromise had feiled. There
were two classes of questions to be dealt with, some
with regard to the constructions of legal docuenents
and the others , questions of value. Clinging still
to a friendly settlement, he sugges'ed the matter
seould be referred ta an architect of standing enjoy-
ing the confidence of both parties but that the point
of law should not be remitted to the areliteet but
left to a legal tribunal to decide —.Mr. Billingliem
said it appeared there was now only £75 difference
between Mr. Guest and the Bard, and with all
, deference to the chairman lie thought e h t he Rigs
fgested would open the door to a much larger amount
than £75 —(hear, hear). He thought it .wou'd be
better fbr the Board to give even the ..-C75 rather
Can put the thing to litigetion—(hear, hear).—Mr.
IL Hughes said he was going to sug,.sest that the
difference should be divided—The chairman said it
would not be accep ed.—The Rev. C. S. Wordsworth
said he should like to know what result they wunid
get by referring the matter to an atchirect besides
further delay. His opinion was that it had be .n
deferred too long. The question must e looked h be at
with reference to the positive of tee Be ird and from
the point of justice to Mr. Guest:. Toe work Which
had been done appeared a.lnio.,t, a inatt,r of necessity,
and, if it was a private matter, he supposed there
would be no difficulty about a settlement. As a
matter of equi y, he thought they ougut to pay Mr.
Guest a certaiu amount, and, as the Chairman's
proposal only seemed to tend to delay, and mig.it
laad to very much greater expense, he did nA think
they would be right in agreeing to it.— Ehe (Ls-
cussion terminated by a resolution pie posed by Ur.
Billingham, and seconded by the Rev. C. S. Words-
worth, being passed, to the effect that t le sum of'
.2600 be off,red (without prejudice) t , Mr. Guest in
settlement of his claim.— The Chai, man iNted against
the resolution, and the vice c. airman (Mr. F. Evers)
was neutial.

Lecture?: Mr T. F. Bland, of Stourbridge, gave
us a lecture on the "Oxy-hydrogen Light," illustra-
ted by experiments. A popular entertainment was
given in the Corn Exchenge, oe the 71t April, at
which our president presided. Your Committee
have to report that- owing to a course of lectures
on "Geology" by W. Jerome Harrison, F.G.S., glee a
in the Autumn, in the promotion of which several
of your members took a large share, your committee
thought it inexpedient to arrange for lectures in
connection with this Institution. Mr. Lawson Tait
lectured on "The Life of a Frog." Mr. St. Clair;
lectured on "Light and Life"
Miscellaneous : Your Committee, in closing their
report, would observe that the depressed state of
trade has somewhat affected the Ins. itution. They
trust, however. that with the new year the Insti-
tution may regain the lost ground by a greater
accession of members to the rolls, and increased
numbers in our classes. Your Committee would
remind the members of the Institute, of the
advantages we enjoy, by being affiliated to the
"Worcestershire Union of Institutes," and would
especially call the attention of the members to the
excursions annually arranged by that Society. In
1878 a cheap day trip to Oxford was got up, and
through the exertions of the managers, siehts and
privileges were afforded, much greater than could
possibly be obtained by individual effort; and in
1879, an excursion to London was provided, giving
a visit to the South Kensington Museum, West-
minster Abbey, and a run down the River by -,team-
boat. "Members of Clubs and Institutes in
Union, are entitled to free admission to Reading
and. Recreation Rooms, and to such other privileges
as can conveniently be granted, of other Institu-
tions in Union, not in the same place, for a period
not exceeding three calendar months, provided
that they can produce tickets of their own Institu-
tion covering their membership for that period.
Mr. M. Palfrey then read the report of the
Working Man's Institute. The following officers
-were elected for the yesivli;lBo President. Mr. J.
Hatton; Vice-president, Mr. Thomas Robinson' •
Treasurer, Mr. J. Short ; Secretaries, Messrs. J.
Cooke and H. Lea; Librarian, Mr. B. Cadwallader;
Assistants, Messrs. H. Pugh and A. Lea; Com-
mittee, Messrs. H. Pugb, A. Lea, &one, junr., W.
Orford, Charlton, T. Sutton, A. Hennessey, J.
Holmes, D. Vaughan. J. Hipwood, J. J. Hicklin,
G Blenkarne, M Palfrey, J. Wellings ; Auditors,
Messrs. J. Hipwood and D. Vaughan.
The Report for 1879.—Members: The number of
members upon the books is 217, including 22
annual, being a decrease of 22 as compared with
last year.
Finance: The income for the past year, including
balance brought forward of Li 18s lled, amounts
to £32 19s 6id, and the expenditure £34 14s 9d,
leeving a balance due to the treasurer of £1 15s 2d.
Reading Room : The following papers aud
periodicals are placed upon the Reading Room
Table. Daily : opay News, Standard, Birming-
ham Daily Post, Birmingham Daily Gazette.
Weekly :—llltetratect London News, Pictorial World,
Penny Illustrated Paper, Punch, Fun, Scientific
American Engineer, English Mechanic, Universal
Engineer, Brierley Hill Advertiser, Stourbridge
Observer, Kidderminster Times' County Express,
Weekly Times, London Journal, Family He raid.
Monthly : Gentleman's Ilsagazine, Good Words,
Castell a Magazine, leisure Hour, Chambers' Journal,
MacMillan's Ma7azine, British Workman, Animal
World, Herald of Peace. The Committee tender
their best thanks to those friends who gratuitously
furuish papers
Library : 'Die Librarian reports there has been a
marked increase in the issue of books for the past
yeas, the number being 3454 against 2174 of the
preceeding year, and is pleasing to state thata large
number of standareltworks have been in request.
A number of carefully selected velumes have been
added. The Comulittee think it their duty to
state that a considerable number of books are re-
turned in a very dirty and d emaeed condition, and
trust that this will be avoided in the future as it
entails very considerable expense in repairing or
replicing them.
Evening Classes: The following classes have been
carried on during the year :—Latin, conducted by
Miss Maginnis ; 1 rench, cur ducted by Mons.
de Vit ; E3glish, conituted by the Rev. W.
Manning; Mathematics, conducted by Mr. God •
(1,,V ; Book-kee
mi; 8 i "Physiology
oaunsdPeit ga.we
so
endoleuo
Rentdecuradc
tt
lob, y.t. 8 Mr. Southall;
dtSuhoceut
etadhbaolbvl
by
i
classes will please accept the best th,inks of the
Committee for their services. In concluding this
part of the report, the Committee beg to tender
their sincere thanks to Miss Moorhouse, for so
generously undertaking the conduct of a Ladies'
Physiological Class, in connection with the Institnte
aud hope th it such praise-worthy conluct may be
thought worthy of imitation. Judging f, em the
number of ladies that have constantly attended her
lectures, they must have been very instructive and
highly appreciated.
Lectures: The following lectures have been de-
;ivered. "The Life of a Frog," by Lawson Tait,
Esq;, "Light ce•d the Eye," by Geo. St Clair, Esq.,
"Elementary Chemistry," by T. F. Bland, Esq. A
m:s:ellaneous entertainment was also given, which,
teeether with the lectures, resulted in a profit of
£6 9s. Od.
Amusements : The faciiities for obtaining recrea-
tion—gymnasts and otherwise—are good and still
form a very attractive feature of the Institute.
The Committee in resigeing their trust, have to
state that there was a very marked decrease in
the number of members at the early part of the
year, but are pleased to note that during the last
few months a goodly Amber of names have again
been put upon the books, doubtless attributable to
ithe general improvement that has taken place in
the several trades of the locality, from which our
members are derived.
-
On a rnothm moved by Mr. Buckler and seconded
by Mr. Hatton, it was
t whe
resolvedthewe report
iu
a
should be printed. and circulated.
Chairman
The
said that On the 1 they might
congratulate themselves that whole
that
things re
fair way of doing well and h t ere was a light ef en-
couragement here and there. Before saying au-
thing he begged to inform them that Mr. Magin-is
much regretted that he could not be present that
night, because he had never been ab-sen t from a
. .
similar meeting sin.. :le iced- been at etourbridge ,
aed. from tee Services which he had rendered they
would regret his absence as much as he ha .mse,s.
J-1
. and was sorry he could not be pre a lit
with them. (the chairman) felt a great
tsvefying the interest he had in Promoting
In
works of VI, so Institutions. The report mg the
that they had several things ce.r.ied onUnder
nzhowed
same roof. They had Reading Rooms whiehrwthe
supplied with all the papers of the day. Tl,e,,re,
hid their libraries, which certskinly did not -Com-
pete with libraries not far away from them,
they might say that their libraries lent a very stillBr
vienable hand. Mien they had their classes which
1 were carried on, and served a very itnpc rtant ' e in-
fluence. He called special attention to those
daseessiad expressed his regret in the interest

SOIREE.—The annual soiree in connec icssa with
the Stourbridge Church of England Assosstrien
was held in the Corn Exchange on Tuesday evenleg
last. Notwithstanding the inslemency of the
weather there was a very good attendance. The
Rev. C. S. Wordsworth, rector of Oldswinford,
sided. The chairman, in a few opening remarks,
stated that he did not think they had made very
much progress in Stourbridge, but he would say,
the number of members had nst fallen off. They
had last year 200 members and this year it was
about the same. Some forty new members had
joined and some forty had from some cause or other
retind and although in that respect they stood very
much the s-nne as last year, yet in one tespect they
stood very much better. Last year they had a small
deficiency, but this year they had a baiance in hand
of £l3 9s. 4d. They had in their own way been
carrying on a useful work and some people had
been bent-fitted by tho association. The number of
books in their library had increased since last year.
They had had several lectures in connection with
the association, but he was sorry that during the
past year they had
.nat been able to have so many
lectures as they should liked to,have had They had
held several classes in the rooms of the assdciat ion
and those who had attended those classes has"
reason to be thankful of those gentlemen who hed
given up their time to instruct them. There wets
two institutions of the same kind in the town and
he thought that the teasou they were so sma I was
because a small town like Stourbridge could not
Bust air two such Institutions. There was another
thing which was hindering them in their work and
that was they had very small premises. He wished
tney had large and more' convenient premises.
Dung the past hear they had offered them some
other premises in the town but they were unable to
accept them. They had no good meeitie nom
as they had at the Install e. He had no doubt but
that the Church of Ensland Association -wouli go
on and prosper and dO more good than it ha-I been
doing at the present, lie hoped messhers would
try to do theit best and strive to improve the
condition of the in..op!e of the town and neighbour-
hood and toy would as an association be able to go
on and prosper Tne programme which was
rendered in a highly creditable manner was as
follows :—Pianolorte Duett. Mr. S. Simms, sen.,
and Mr S. Simms, jun. ; Song," And ye shall walk
in Silk Attire, Mrs. Hammond Smitd ; Concertina
Solo," My Lodging is on the cold, cold Ground,"
Mrs. Streeten ; Song, " Sing on, ye little Birds,'
Rev. W. A. Jones; Ssng, Punchinello," Miss_
-lii,had, go," Mt Mary uruntly," Mr. Atha d
Heath ; Reading, Mr. A. Freer; S .ng, " The Blue
Ahatian Mountains," Mrs. Hammond Smith; Song,
"London Bridge," Rev.. R. H. Streeten ; Song,
"Carissima," Miss Richards; Song, "The Vicar of
Bray," Rev. A. Wright; Concertina .solo,
sweet Home," Mrs. Sttseten ; Song, "St. Patiiek's
Day Parade." Mr. Alfred Heath. Mr. S. Simms
with his usual ability, discharged the duties ot
accompanist.

iss I

bankment coming down and the sand run into the
water course, and into the meadow, stopping the
water course. The sand continued in the field until
last August, and the line was finished. The sand
covering the grays it could not grow and became a
bog, so that no one could cross it. He spoke to
Mr. Chettoe about it, who said he would sneal;.. to
Mr. Shaw. Nothing was done to prevent the sand
running from time to time. When the line was
finished they made a culvert to take the water away
and it has not been so bad since. He had lost two
crops of grass and the aftermath. The hay would
be worth .£4 lOs a ton. He had to make a new
water course which cost about £3 Os Od. James
Horsely corroborated. Mr. Henry King, surveyor,
said he examined the water course on the Ist
August, 1879 and found the old water course blocked
up. He communicated with the Great Western
Railway his views on the subject and said the loss
of crops would be .0.0. A new water course had
been cut at,a cost of £3. This being the cis', Mr.
CI ipps submitted there was no case. No doubt the
plaintiff had sustained injury, but it had not been
proved there was any negligence on the part ot the
Railway Company, also that the plaintiff himself
took .no steps to prevent the damage being done.
Mr. Shaw was called and said be was manager for
the defendant. As soon as the embankment was
made, which consisted of sand and blue stone, it
was seeded and soon sprang up, and everything was
done to prevent the sand running down. 11,1 r. Chettoe
was called and admitted that the plaintiff had com-
planied to him f the sand running into his meadow.
After hearing further evidence His Honour gave a
verdict for plaintiff for £l5 and costs.

A. Pugh ; second heat, H. Mence beat J. Wall;
final, Malpass beat Mence. A half-mile race for
boys under 14, in which there were three competi-
tors. G. Staples won easy. On Thursday night
there was a half-mile handicap and a quarter-mile
backward race. In the first heat in the half-mile
were Kilpass, scratch; Pugh, 15; Tomlins, 20.
Tomlins came in first, after a good race with Mal-
pass Second heat: Mence, 10 ;Walton, 10 ; Parker,
25 This was won by Parker, who skated in good
form. Third heat: Turner, 10 ; Duggan, 15. Dug-
gan won easy. In the final, considerable excite-
mentlwas caused by the very close running between
Tomlins and Parker. the latter winning by half-a-
yard, Duggan retiring at the eleventh lap. In the
quarter-mile backward race Mence„ Harmshaw, and
Staples were in the first heat. This was won by
Harmshaw. In the second heat Turner, Malpass,
and James ran. James won. The final was a very
close race fr 4-1- laps, when James came a "cropper"
and Harmshaw came away and won in a canter.
The prizes consisted of valuable silver medals.
ASSAULT CASE. —At the Police Court yesterday,
before Col. Fletcher, Messrs. H. 0. Firmstone, P.
L. Fraer and J. B. Cochrane, Hannah Hill, was
charged with assaulting Maria Pearson, at the Lye,
on the 22nd ult Tile assault complained of was
that defendant struck her on the eye and blackened
it. Defeedant also pulled' a quantity of hair off
i her head. Fined 10s, to include costs. . _

A JUVENILE THIEF.—Emilp Pitt, a girl, residing
at Wollaston, was charged with stealing, on the sth •
inst, an ulster, the propert.y of Jane Underwood.
Complainant said she went to the Wollaston Schools
and hung up her ulster in the room. The one pro-
duced was her property. Alo..L't Colman, assistant
to Mr. S,ringer, proved thit Emily Pitt pledged the
Ulster. Police-constabie Cartwright proved appre-
hending prisoner, who said she did it for want.
Prisoner v/is further charged with stealing a boy's
coat in December last, the property of Frederick
Lea. Complainant said he went to Coalbournbrook
School, and hung lis coat up on the pg. He
missed it on the 11th Decenalier. Sarah Ann
Hicklin, assistant to Mr. Whitwell, proved receiving
the coal in pledge: Police-serg&lint Jone. 4 proved
finding the pawn ticket in prisoner's father's house
' Police-constable Cartwright 'moved that when he
appri hended th prisoner she denied it, but after,
w.irds acknow'edged she lied stolen three things in
her life. There was a further charge against the
pris .ne,r, which was not gone into. She was sea-
.. _ _

SCHOOL ROA.HD.—The first meeting of the nea ly-
elected Board was held on Thursday evening last, in
the Corn Exchange. Mr. T. Wall, on a proposition
by the Rev. I. Williams, seconded by the Rev. H.
Sherrard, took the chair. He called the attention Of
Board ta the fact that it was their first duty to elect
a chairman. The Rev. T. Williams then moved
that Mr. W..J. Turney be the chairman of the Board
for .the ensuing three years, and in doing so re-
marked that he was a gendeman who had been with
them for many years. As a large employer of labour,
and a aublic man, he thought he was the most suit-
able man to act as chairman on that Board, and he
hoped he would be accepted by the members. The
Rev. H. Sherrard in s(!conding.the motion, said he
thought Mr. Turney was a man very well la ed
to take the chair on that Bo ird, and if he wa ci cted
he thought th( y would _thrive and flourish, as they
knew his (Nlr Turney'e) establishment at the bottom
of the town had flou.tishea untie' his superintendabbe
Dr. McCane said before the votes w,•re taken he
th( ug,lat it would be well to treat the question as a
matter of debate rather than look upon it as a pre-
arrange.l compact or a foregone Conclusion.
stranely believed that it was a very important thing
to elect and appoint a ch orman, because he who pre.
sides ought at Last to he a scholar. It was not that
night a question who at a public meeting, or who
. at some entertainment, sho.uld have the common
place of distinction of occupying the chair. It was
f a. them to deci.le who they should ,have for the
next three years to preside at their Local
Education Parliament, one who would seeve with
dignity and decency to himself and to Stourbridae.
It was not for him to observe that he was pleased to
fiud that his friend, Mr. Turney, was returner' among
the members of the School Bo ird. No one knew
better than himself how thoroughly his sympathies
were with him before the contest and during the
battle. The School Board meetinna were but so
many minds to one thing more than another, namely
the education of the people, and as education is
to be conducted according to one uniform system,
the question was, was the present nomination to the
chairman in cennection with that systr.m. He, with-
out any hesitation, said it was not. He believed .A.r.
Tulney was net a man fitted for the position, end he
should put as a practical test, " Did any gentletnati
believe that he had spent an hoot. on the four chap-
ters of the new code. . Did any one believe th it he
could answer the applications of the Board the least
primiary question—how. many times must a scholar
oe present at school belore he could attend aa ex -
amination, and how many teachers a school with two
or three hundred sch Oars would require." He be-
lieved his friend would he unable t ) answer those
questions. There were times when managers of
schools and the chairman must inspect the school
rules, must sign the Lock Book, and certity the% at-
tenaances have been carefully recorded by the
teachers. It they were to hive honour certificates
forwarded from the Education Departmeat, would
Mr. Turney be able to explan to the public the hard
0 niditioas upon which they were issued. It was not
real o place him in a false position-before the people
of Stourbridge. If there be an offence, .it would not
be by Mr. Turney, but rather those that gave them
the proposition. If Mr. Newnain had been proposed
ile should have regarded it as being honourable to
him and to the Board, as his life had been given up
to a tea:went, iUdo.o -.A.', •1.- —or -ot
and confidence of the town. That man was worthy
of their efficiency in the work of the School , Bo ad.
Mr. Haskew said he endor-ede o a certain ex .ent,the
remarks made by Dr. MeCaye. He felt that an
appointment, supposiag tat Mr. Turney should oc-
cupy the chair, would not be the best man for the
place. It was a very impartaa, apr, .ititeetit, and
it was very desirable to have some Inc to presi le
oval! them that had a knowledge of the chair. if
Mr. Sherrard or Mr. Williams tied been proposal he
should have been gad. He was quite sure that Mr.
Newnara must have a beter know!edge of it, and
no should put an amendment, and should propose
Mr. Neweam. The amendment was put, and two
voted for it and two against it. The resolution was
then put and three voted for it and two ag dust.
Mr. T. Wall declared that Mr. Turney was elected
chairman for the th tee years.. Mr. Turney, on taking
the chair, said he was quite sensible of the compli-
ment they had paid to him, and it would be his
constant endeavour to discharge the duties in tee
best possible way. Mr Turney then proposed that
the Rev. H. Sherrard be the vice chairman, and in
doing so, said be was an educationist in every sense
of the word, and he had much pleasure in proposieg
him. Mr. Perkies sail he could not do less thaii
second the proposi'ion. Mr. Newnam sail it did seem
a little injustice to appoint two churchmen k 0 fill the
two import int posts of chairman and vice-chairman.
Th4„si Board wa-s ferniel by three sections and they
represented the body of the town, and it seem d
strange to him that the two chairmen should be both
members of one section of the community. He
was perfectly willing that one chairman, a church-
man, shauld occupy thatilpost. He should propose
that some other man represent some other deneinin-
ation, and Dr. McCave fill the office of vice-chair-
ame, He fit compelled to do so, as doino justice
to the town. Ii there had been a se _ond vice-
chairman another section might be eleete but
io have two churchmen it seemed an injustice tt) the
Board. Mr. Turaey said he begged to tell theta he
was not a courehman, a:thoueh he went occassioa -
ally, and that Alr, Newnam Was 'wrongly infoimecl,
Dr. MeCave said it seemed to him like the two cows
" You scratch me, and I'll scratch yoa." Mr.'
f_ askew said he did hope they sho old have no party
speech. He belonged to no party end biped h
should never know any party as long as he sat on
the Board. If Mr. Newnam would, ae. the enasent
of Dr. alcCave, wilaclraw his proposition, he should
tel bound to propose that Mr. Newman lat the
chairman, and and he appealed to the chairman if it
would net be a graceful act to do They wanted no
" ism" therea They were electeci to carry out the
work of education He hoped they should not have
.my words ending in "ism" in tha. town. He then put
the amendment that Mr. Newnam be viee-cheirman.
Two voted for tied two a _ainst the amendment.
Mr. Turney then put the resolutian, whah was
seitonde I by Rev. T. Williams, "That the Rev. H.
Sherrard he vice-chairmen." Three voted for and
awe ag,onei, i. - Ir. them
for the complimeht and begged to say that he came
there that night without ka.wing any " isms " in
.e matter of the elementary educati.n of the town.
It was propesed by Mr. Newnam and secolided by
r. Wihliamis "That the re( urning officer's rata n be
entered upon the minute book." The minutes of the
last Board meeting were read. Dr. MeGave moved
and Mr. Perkin seconted "That they take them as
read only, the question of confirming be deferred
until they had a report fromtheir finance committee."
Dr. MeCave moved "That 20 copies of the finan-
cial report of the Sc hool Boaad be struck off, and
may be obtained at the office of the eierk for 2d
ea .11, and shad also be inserted in the " Advertis-r
and the local paper "The Observer." The chairman
read a letter from the clerk, tend a Mg his resignation.
The members of the Board expressed their regret
at his resignation, is his services had been valuable
in the past, and asked him to serve as clerk moil the
26th March, meanwhile the question of salary be
referred to the finance '.committee. The School-
officer presented his report, which showed that the
total number of scholars upon the rolls was 1,622,
an increase in the month of 2. Average attendance
1,287-2; decrease of last report, 60. Other busim:s
was deferred until Tuesday.
BOARD or GUARDIANS.—The Vf4ekly trv3eting
af this Board was held yesterday. Mr. Ray-
bould in the chair. There were present Messrs.
a. Billingharn, Rhodes, Wood, R. B. Guest
Lavender, Gile3, Plant, Hale, Kelly, Mullett,
dingley, 'Wright, and Brooks. Admitted into
die house during the week 19 ; diecharged
10 ; dead 1 ;remaining in the house 457, Cor-
taesteondieg period last year 457. Out-door
relief, Kingswinford district £32 2s. 21 ; Stour.
bridge di, trict ..E'A 13 51 ; Kingswinford di.
trict, .El 7 16s. ; non-resident 4s. Total 1,74
•16,;. id. against £BB 10s 7d.
VICTORIA, HALL AND RlNK.—During the week
this place has been well attended. The floor has
' eon scoured, stoned, and scrubbed, and is no a in
copital condition. On Wednesday night there were
two races, the first being a half-mile huadle ra! e.
The hurdle watt one foot high and had to be cleared
thirteen times. 132 the first heat J. Malpass beat

teaced tone month's hard. labour in each case.
NON-PAYMENT OF HIGHWAY RAT ES. —Se veral
persons were summoned by Mr Taylor, collector,
for non-payment•or High way Rates for Wollescote
(Lstri,t. Orders were made to pay in 14 days.
D RUNKENNE3S.—WiIiiam Partridge, of the Lye,
. ,
was charged with being drunk and disorderly on
the 9th inst. Police-sergeant Pape pr.,ved the
case. Fined 5s and costs.—Joseph Southall was
fined 53 and costs for being drunk at the Lye, on
the sth inst. Sergeant Payne proved the case.—
James Corley was charged with being drunk and .
disorderly in Wrmingham. Street, on the I.7tii ult.
Police .constable Madeley proved the case. Fined
5s and costs,
ASSAULT CASE.—Alexander Pardo3, of the Lye,
was.ch,irged with assaulting Ann Maria 'Yardley,
on the Ist inst. Mr. Perry defended. Complainant
said on the above date defendant hada, stick in his
hands driving the pigeons off the house. Witness
complained of his injuring the building when de-
fendant made use of bad language, threatened
knock 11r brains out, struck her a violent blow,
and knoc%ed her down. Her head came in contact
with some bricks and inflicted a seveye scalp wound.
She had been ill ever since. Matilda Homer, Myra
Hatt, Joseph Him!, and Elizabeth Southall ga-ie
corroborative evidence. Mr. P. rry addressed the
Bench for the defence and denied the assault. He
called several witnesses who swore that no blow
was strualt, and that complainant was knocked
down in to struggle. The Bench considered the
assault proved and Thiel defendant [Os and co,t,; in
default one month.