The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-05-03 00:00:00

KIDDERMINSTER.

BOARD OF IiCARDIANS.—The first meeting of the
newly-elected Guardians was held on Tuesday, at the
Board-room, Union Workhouse. There wits a full
attendance of member:, Mr. J. Kitely (ex-ellieiei pro-
posed the re-election of W. C. Hemming, Esq , as chair-
man. Anyone who thought of carrying out the duties of
a chairman properly,either in presiding over the delibera-
tions of • Board of Guardians sr any other bode, must
take the office for the love of it ; his heart must be
centred in its duties. And he ventured to say that
daring their late chairman's absence from horns lie had
still the interests of the unlon at heart, and that many of
his visits to other unions had been for the sole purpose
of obtainiug information or suggestions that might be
re-worked or considered as far as practicable by that
Board. It was a great privilege to be presided over by a
gentleman of Mr. Hemming'. abilities.—Mr. Rogers
seconded —Mr. Hemming returned thanks for the eon
flumes placed in him, and, in accepting the office,
avowed his intentions of adhering to the same course he
had laid down for kis guidance and followed during the
five or six years he had had the honour of being their
chairmau. He then went on to speak of the increasing
work of the chairman and of the guardians generally, and
a lid that the board-room was far from being sufficiently
large, and that the air became so vitiated with an many
people that it was likely to injare the health of those
attending. He thought it was very desirable they
should have a proper room, and be WAI sure the rate-
payers, considering that the guardians gave up their
time to look after the ratepayers' interest., would not
object to their haviug a proper roam in which to conduct
the business of the Board. If the present room were
enlarged it would facilitate business ; they would be
enabled to divide the Board and get the meetings over
earlier. He also spoke on the subject of committees, to
which he considered sulficieut power was not given, sod
proposed that tile working system of the Board be re-
organised, so that the business of the Board might be
finished varier—Hr. J. Kiteley, and the Bee. J. P.
Turner, were then re-elected vice-chairmen, aud Mr.
Robert Woodward's name was entered on the list of ex-
ofteio's. The usual committees were then elected, and
the ordinary business of the Board was proceeded with.
—A letter was read from Mr, Arthur Comber, borough
sweeper, asking that the sewage be at once connected
with the new mains, as at preseut it Bowed into a brook
near the Union, the effluvia from which had been pro-
ductive of many complaints, and two cases of small-pox
were now in the Union—Mr. G. Holloway proposed
that the request of the surveyor be at once complied
Pountney seconded.—Carried.—The Mayor
Mayor asked if a iepsrt had been received from the
auditor, and, ou receiving a reply in the negative, pro-
posed that Mr. Edge be dismissed, aud after dealing at
some length with Mr. Edge a negligence, made a motion
recommending that he he suspeuded, as they could not
dismiss him without the sanction of the Local Govern-
us. Board.—Mr. Pountney seconded, and a discussicn
ensued ; an amendment being ereniaally carried, recom-
mending the Board, to wait until the report of the
auditor be received. The Chairman produced pleuis of
the enlargement of the Board-room, prepared by Mr.
Meredith,and asked that they be referred to the considera-
tion of the Visiting Committee—This course was
adopted.—Relief :—?o. 1 district: -14 cases, £93 17s 634:
coiresponding fortnight last year, .292 its 2d. No. 2
district :49 eases, £9-1 its 73d, as against £B3 17s 51 last
year.