The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-07-18 00:00:00

e§c 3tourbrOge Obstrbtr.

SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1874.

CURRENT TOPICS.

We are glad to see that there is a probability of
our friends at the Lye, adopting the example of
their neighbours at Stourbridge and Upper Swin-
ford, in the way of having a cemetery for the
future interment of their dead. The opposition
which was shown to the movement at the meeting
on Tuesday last, arose—we are informed on good
authority—not from any objection to having a
cemetery, but solely on the ground that sufficient
notice had not been given to the inhabitants be-
fore the meeting was convened; and that it was
believed the Church Party wished to exclude Dis-
senters from the Burial Board. There can be
little doubt that with the present churchyard filled
tip it will be much better to have a cemetery on
some dry, eligible piece of land, than to add to the
present burial ground by purchasing and contigu-
ous to it. It is notorious hat the soil of the pre.
sent churchyard is of a wet clayey nature, totally
uneuited for burial purposes, and it would be the
height of folly to go on adding to it. Besides this, ,
there is the con,ideration that the burim
ground is a church property, and, as such, all I
tuuerale have to be conducted by a mini-ter of that
peninasiou, whilst a cemetery would be public
property in which all sects would meet on an equal
footing, and be enabled to have their own minis.
tern to perform the last rites over their departed
friends. On the ground of economy, too, there is
no doubt that with careful management, funerals
at s cemetery can be carried on much cheaper than 11
at a burial ground, which is to some extent a pri-
vate property; as, after all necessary expenses are '
paid, the remaining proceeds will go into the pub.
tic purse, and help to diminish the rates of the
parish. We, the.efore, Lope that the friends of
the movement will not be abashed by their tempo.
ray defeat, as we feel sure that if sufficient notice
is given to the nst of the inhabitants they will
find that the matter will be taken up cordially, and
Carried to a successful issue.

The disease, which in high life is known as
" kleptomania," but is commonly known its stealing
—and amongst the lower orders is generally treated
by a course of treadmill exercise and prison diet—
has manifested itself in the person of the Rev.
Charles Turner, M.A., vicar of Moreton Morell.
This gentleman was charged at the Leamington
Town Hall, on Wednesday last, with stealing two
books, the property of Messrs. W. If. South and
Son, of London. Previous to his appearance in
court, an order was obtained for his examination
by three medical men. Eventually a letter was pro-
duced in wlml, the dereudant itsaed the prosecutor
to withdraw from the case, and he (defendant)
would " undertake that tho like shall not occur
again." The ease was accordingly withdrawn. and
" defendant left the Court with his friends." What
a shield is that of rsligiou and morality; much
more powerful than ever was hlinerva's to protect
its happy possessors from insult and injury. If
it had been a poor man who, in a moment of for.
getfulness had abstracted the book, it is probible
that he too, would leave the Court with his friend
who would carefully lock him lip, and with! under-
take " that the like should not occur ag in," for a
term of six or three months, as the case might be.

Joseph Thompson. an itincrant preacher, who is
in the habit of " holding forth" in the Market
Place, at Dudley, is a man gifted with consider.
able persuasive pow.- re, as the amount of coppers
which he collects after his sermons abundantly
testify. But, even with the most gifted orators
there are times when words fail to produce their
intended effect, and something stronger must be
used if the object lath be achieved. This was the
case with Mr. Thompson, who at first tried the
powers of his eloquence on a Mrs. Willetts, by
ealling her "vii., names," and subsequently ad-
dressed himself to the task of convincing het hus-
band by a flat iron applied with considerable force
to his head, so that the blood flowed freely from the
wound cursed by the concussion. Unfortunately
for him, just when he had got at least one portion
of his audience into a condition in which be would
be amenable to reason, an unsympathising police-
man put in an appearance, and considerably dis-
turbed the order of things. Ile commeneed opera,.
tious by pushing Mr. Thompson, and when the
latter sought to evade his attentions, he pursued,
and after a lengthened chase, captured him. He
will next week have a chance of trying his oratory
upon the Magistrates who will have to adjudi,atto
upon the case, but as he will not be allowed to use
his most powerful argument (the flat iron), and is
not a vicar with an " M.A." attached to his name,
we are afraid his eloquence will not hay.) its usual
effect.

The hearing of the pethion against Baron A
Grant, I.P.A for Kidderminster, was concluded Cu
Tioirsday, before Mr. Justice Mellor, who, after
reviewing the evidence, said, will regard to the
payment of two cheques of Xl,OOO, Mr. Grant was
co far effected by what oalcreed that he emlii no
longer hold hie fkat. The reqpmdent weal pay
all ,o t with th, cvntion of VI" witne,e Bailey,
%logo expenses were dimllow On Thursdar
night a meetiu4 of the Liberal party was hold, and
resolution was carried unani.nously inviting Mr.
Thomas Lea, the fernier member( or the borough,
to become a candidate in the Liberal interest.

The Ancient Order of Foresters will bold their
fete on Monday next, in the grounds near Pedmore
Hell. There will first of all be the procession,
bieh, of itself, will form an interesting and imp°,
int "peetucle including, as it will— in ad lition to
the "rdittary flags and banners used on such OCell-
xions—rpresen•atives of Friar Tuck, Little John,
Robin Hood, Maid Marian, Allan-a-Dal a it other
r:onages aho Ilgure Ia the paps oi hatorieal
romance. For the delectation of vie Lilt to the
grounds the committee have see re l a host of
talented artiatea, whose iaried pr o. winces will
douldle prove r,ry attractive and amusing, whilst
no fewer thus ("lir excellent hoods will "discourse
sweet harmony " in the inter, als between the per-
f‘winseeea. Amg or!, t !hem will lee dr. Turner's quad-
rate baud, which a ill enable the votaries of Terp-
,tehore to enjoy the •.ntizy to their hearts'
eontent. Ther" will also be balloon ascents during
the day; besides shooting galleriog, Aunt Sally.,
die., as that the twies of all bo provided for,
and we have no doubt thousands will attend and
take part In what usually is the most attractive fete
Of t eA.ll#Olll.

On Titosday next Chniamiley C wbott,
Rushoek, and Stone Cottage fril-tr.leneis H
Society will hold Ile ir exhillition of plants,
fruits, lion era and v getubies in the 4701111 a a
lug Ruahoeb R.ctory. Thc.co will he a bind in
attendance during the day, and no down ntnt berg
'it the Wm of horticulture will he present.

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