The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1866-12-22 00:00:00

pal WI pistrict Veivs.

ISSM,TION of THE STOCMBCLLiv.E ItAILWAY. On
Mood last, Major Bich (Government lospector), acc(ist,
molied by FolwarJ Wilson (or leer to the compan)),
Robert It. Greene (llcsiderit Engineer), George Arm-
strong (Locomotive Superintendont Great Western Its&
wayi. Tiehlonu (agent to Sir Morton Pato, the
contractor), W. Kampling (Istriet Engineer London and
:Smits-Western Itaiimw, nod several other railway oili
claim, went over the above to inspect the various works
previous to opening the line for passenger Wadi, Two
..f the heaviest harrow ruoge locomotives in Use Ml,'
dlipplie•l by tin, Groat W. stern C pony for testing the
struntoloi if bridge., &e. Major Bich vuV. inset him elf
as beieg highly pleased at tim 111211404,1. it, Whisll lhe
woiks were carried .ont, partieularly 010 brickwork said
wronglit-iron work of tahiti ther, is a great
sim
there la ii,.,br•lges (0.0410 wrought- ir in i,orders) of
ViViOU7I Minis 11.1141 tMeo tit —o eit Pre Ell .1.1 Ii Oft mile
'nog, tbrougli C . ,'iy llhin. If dl ~f Cos Unmet was
constricted in running sant. and req urea untie nil Cock •
tress briekw.•rk. The line in I:AM. iiilles long. mini
travcri,ei a Isiglsly voductive mineral ilistri,t. The I irr:e
works of kles.rs. Hiekunot. Perresii and Harrio,n,
C•aller trek C.,llliery Complay, irper and Moore's,
Kiev Itrnlxer., Fisher, Wood Brother., g1,T51/11.1 80110,
New Iron C puny, Alvtibow,,, Sw,riJ.
liroC,nr., , bring nreouuroklato I wall =mocha'
abliim. from • bog: +animal of tragi, must e(IIIII.
over this 'Clic wrought•iroo sos siipplied by the
ta °repot., Engine W ork• Compaq'', and the signals by
Cawing, and Huiland, Vula.o Work.,
Worcester. .

Y 1011.01117 BALL —Oar readers will perceive on refer-
ence to our wivartisement columns, that • grand Yen.
manry Cavalry Ball will Like place in Dudley, in January
next, in aid of the relief fund for M. soft reel in the
late dreadful colliery explosion in North Stafford Mire.
We certainly applaud the philanthropic vpirit of our
neighbours, and trust that oar own " Native Military "
will give it their topprirt, ox eatibeetion with the testing
kaiak:* ut this de NA se %lomat pgrags•

MEAT Snow.—The annual show of meat took place
on Thursday night lest, and was one of the finest we !
have ever seen. Messrs. Parkes, Brooks. and Hazledine,
no deubt had the largest displays of meat. Mr. Hanle-
dine's shop being illuminated outside with gas in a bril-
liant manner, emoted great attraction. Other tradesmen
appeared to have equally Rs good beef RE those we have
named above, but not quite such large quantities. The
whole of the meat looked remarkably fine. Mr. l'enney's
show of pigs was also very good, and deserving of notice;
three of the pigs being remarkably fine.
PROSPECT House ACADESIY.—The annual public ex.
amination of the above schools, took place on Thursday
evening last. Previous to the examination there was an
exhibition if drawings by the scholars, which certaiuly
showed that great attention had been paid to them, and
that they had received judicious training. The Rev. T.
Williams took the chair and, after having briefly ad-
dressed the boys, examined them in Scripture from the
Gospel of St. Matthew; Mr. W. H. Price (Prestwood),
from Genesis • Geography, by Mr. Moore (St. Thomas's
School); Algol. Mensuration, and Arithmetic, by Mr.
Pardoe (Oldswinford Hospital); English History, by Mr.
E. Price, and Grammar by Mr. Fowler (Oldswinford).
From the quick way in which the pupils answered the
various questions put to them by the gentlemen who ex-
amined it must have been very satisfactory to those
parents who were preseitt and heard for themselves.
And the very complimentary remarks that the various
examiners passed to the boys were very flattering to Mr.
Newnam, their master. During the evening the boys
sang several songs very well. A number of prises were
given out at the close by the chairman, and a vote of
thanks to that gentleman was proposed by the Rev. B.
html, and seconded by Mr. Newnan'. for his kiudnesa in
officiating as chairman during the evening.
CHARGE UNDER THE POACHING PREVENTION ACT.—
At the Petty Sessions, yesterday, before It. Litticwood,
W. C. Fircustone, R. L. Freer, and J. Holcroft, Esqrs.,
Edward Tolls and William Ellis, of Hagley. were charged
by Charles Taylor with trespaseing on land belonging to
Samuel Smith for the purpose of catching rabbits on the
23rd of November last. Mr. Maltby appeared for the
prosecution, and Mr. Burbury for Tolly.—From the
opening remarks of Mr. Maltby, it appear', that on the
above data Police-constable Taylor met the two defend.
ants. His suspicions were aroused, and he asked one of
them what be had under his arm. He refused to tell,
but ultimately the officer took two rabbits, which were
quite warm. Complainant did not take the proceedings
then, neither would he have done Inflow, but that Ellis
hss had the audacity to put him in the Court for the
value of the rabbits. Mr. Hunt, who has the right of
shooting, did not like for an advantage to Le taken of the
policeman, and hence the present proceedings were taken.
—Kr. Barbary said that his client bad not pat the oEcer
in the Court, and it was very hard for him to have to
suffer for what another man did.—Mr. Maltby said that
Mr. Hunt did not wish to press for heavy due, and if
Tolly would Fay the costs awl express his regret, he
would withdraw the charge against him. This having
been done by the advice of Mr. Barbary, he was dis-
charged, and the case against Ellis proceeded with.—
Police•constable Taylor said: I was going home on the
above date, and had to pass a turnip &blot Mr. Smith's.
.w the defendant with two dogs, beating the field.
When he came opposite me I thought he lied something
under his coat. Ile refused to let me sue whet it was,
but I compelled him to do to. I found that lie had two
rabbits, quite warm. I have since been informed that I
was put in the County Court for the value of the rabbits.
—George Noke, keeper, said that lie saw the defendant's
dogs beating in • turnip field. Ile told the defendant if
he did not call the dogs off, he would shoot them. Do'
Sentient expressed his regret, and said that he had been
advised to put him in the Court for the rabbits. Fined
is and costa, fil Os
ASSAULTING A Wow IN.—Yesterday, James Woodhouse
was charged by Ellen Harris, of Cradley, with assaulting
her, aud was fined Is sad canto, in default 7 dap,.
AREAULT.—WaItEr Rock was charged by Samuel Joseph
Merchant with assaultiting him on the 15th inst, and
fined its 64 and eon's; in default 11 days.
AN AIISFoNDING APIHILSTI,Ii.—At the Petty Sessions,
on Saturday last, before J. Hunt, Esq., James Newton,
chaiumaker, residing at 011awinford, was saminoued by
Samuel Johnson, his master, for abscouding from Ilia
work on the Otis inst. From the evidence of complainant
it appears that defendant had abscouded on two previous
occasions, and the Bench sentenced him to one month's
hard labour.
CHARGE OF STEALING COAL BY A RAILWAY SERVANT.
—At the Petty Sessions, on Tuesday lest, George Green,
• plate-layer, was charged with stealing 2211 W of coal,
on the 15th inst, the property of the Great Western Rail-
way Company. Mr. Perry defended.—George Harris
deposed: I am a night watchman, in the employ of the
Great Western Railway Company. At 10.10 my atten-
tion was drawn to a truck of coal attached to an Oxford
train. A lot of coal fell off the truck. I markiii nine
or ten pieces. I then watched till about fire minutia,
past ass o'clock, wilco I saw Use defeudant come four
times, each time taking some coal. I followed him the
last time to his house which is at Chews Hill, and belongs
to the company. I said to him, " Green, why did you
take the coal?' Ile said the coal did not belong to me.
I said no, but it belongs to the company. I marked REFU-
TEI pieces, and told him I should send for the pollee.—
I saw him about six o'clock. It was not light. I was
lying along the line, about ten yards off. I was waiting
for some of the prisoner's neighbours to come. I know
It Hai the prisouer. I saw him go into the house, and
, there was a light, and he put the coal down. I went in
the louse, and told him I aliould send for the police.
The coal lap between the rens. I have never had coal
myself; nor sold any. I have not sold coal to Mrs. Oa.
borne. Some et the coal off the waggons is buret at
the station, and some by the plate•layers. There were
30 ewts fell off the "break." which wea a very low truck.
—Prisoner was then remanded till Friday next,
bail being accepted in two sureties of Eli each, and him-
self in £5O,

CHARON OF STEALING MEAT.-011 Tuesday last, at the
Public Wier, Thomas Dowler, hairdresser, was charged
with stealingMs of beef and a pocket handkerchief on
the din inst, the property of George Wall. From the
evidence of the prosecutor, it appears that he had been
drinking with the prisoner at several publie-honses. Ho
bought fas of meat, and gave tel per pound for it. He
afterwards went with the prisoner to a house kept by •
mail named Slicklewright. He had his meat sale there,
but when he got up to go he missed it. Prisoner was
remanded for farther evidence, and the ca.° was called
on again for hearing yesterday, bat was remanded till
next Friday.

THE STOTIMBRIDGE OBSERVER.
-QUARTERLY TEMPERANCE MEETING.
MM. tam:cues LETTER.
After an introduction of the snhject of his pap.-r and
the cause which called it to th, Mr. NeWeelll proceeded
to notice two or three points which appeared to him of
conniderable importance, and which demanded some con•
sideration at their hands in their future iliscussioes.
First, that a groat mint:lke appeared to be male in re-
ference to the planning of local temperance advocates by
those who had the inansgenant of that particular part of
their business. That to arrange speakers to visit certain
localities hansom these happen to lie near to their several
places of Tesidonice in certainly shortsighted, and must
ultimately end in Ii sat want of success. A walk of a
few miles shoold never unduly ind once am in who has
the progress of the temp:ranee c Luse at heart, and 0110
has also the intellectual capacity for interesting and in-
structing the masses. Tim more aptitude and power an
advocate possesses, the more necessity is there for such
an one to extend his sphere of action throughout the
entire district. The peculiarities and requirements of
each locality should also receive some attention in this
respect, sal the speakers arranged accordingly. That
every member present on this occasion has the cause at
heart I do not for one moment doubt, list if we are to
expect increased succeas in making the subject of tempe-
rance a popular one, and in difiusing the principles among
the thousands of our follow•men, we must be prepared
to admit our present delleiencies, to sacrifice prejudices
in order to advance improved methods, and to widen our
spheres if action an, as to reach the homes of the
drunkard, the ear of the moderate drinkers, and the
abodes of the wratchedness, too often, alas, the results of
intemperance. and the requirements of an increasing
popoletion. AVe have hitherto contented ourselves amid
rested satisfied by inviting the public to oar meetings,
but have used no means by which the subject of total
abstinence may be taken to the homes of those numer•
ous ones who will not enter the Lecture•room, either
from fear of ridicule on the part of old associates, or
from Annie of the degradation to which they have fallen,
or because inns present snore attractions which are better
adapted to their untrained and thoughtless minds. I
think the time has come to make trial by additional plans,
and to call to aid every lawful method to extend those
principles which have for their object the entire welfare
of man. And to advance this cause I would suggest to
all local societies the desirability of establishing the dr.
ciliation of temperance tracts, and the distribution of
thousands of leaflets which bear upon the question at
insue. This may be done by a little pecuniary sacrifice,
aud tho help of our Band of Hope children, with the as-
sistance and oversight of a few temperance friends.
Thus may the principles of temperance be widely, and I
, MIA beneficially made known, and an interest excited in
the cause which may lead to an increase in our members
and to far better attendance at our fortnightly lectures.
Little has yet been done to enlist the sympathy of men
M position and influence, nor have we had yet at corn-
meal any ready means by which we may approach them
on this great question of reform. Time dangerous ten-
dency of the drinking customs of this country has not
been presented to them in its nakedness stripped of its
fine vestments, long-continued customs, and time-hon-
oured associations. No niatter how glaring the results
may be, nor what amount of crime may be perpetrated
under the influences of this unholy custom, still there
are men who will sanction the traffic and by example
encourage practices which tend to demoralise the masses,
and destroy the lives of 6,000 of our fellow men every
year. If we cannot convince such men of influence of
the evils attending these customs, nor yet persuade them
to abandon a tratlie surrounded with all that is vile, we
must endeavour to reach the ear and engage the sympathy
of the rising generation, and especially the young, upon
whom our future hope of success niust depend.
Neither has the general literature been true to its cha-
racter in this respect. Magazines aud periodical papers
purporting to have been published with the simple desire
to benefit and improve the status of the workieg classes
have entirely overlooked the object for which they were
published. The great questiou—the qnestiou of all
others most effecting the working classes has been en-
tirely ignored, and thus have the 111.1..e6 been—so far as
they are concerned—allowed to go on unchecked in the
same intemperate footsteps of their forefathers, entailiug
misery Nem themselves and wretchedness upon thousands
of their dependents.
There are a few noble exception: in this periodical
world such as the Britisk Workman, Band rf Hope, and
some ethers, which are doing a glorious work lathe
cause of temperance.
I will now puss on to notice more particularly the two
divisions of my subject, as laid down in the quarterly

A Goveinmeht examination in the second and higher
miles, of students of the School of Art, lAA been hula
under the new system with most satisfactory results ; not
only in the large number of prizes and certificates
awarded, but in the amount of the Government Grant
dependent upon the results of the examination. The
Government Grant was formerly made according to the
!limber of sertilleates held by the Muster (being certifi-
cates of examinations passed by him) and Was not made
upon th results of the tescliiiig. It followel that if a
master held many certificates aud very little good work
! was executed in his school, he received a larger amount
I than a maQter hurling less certified., but whose pupils
executed better work. Under the present system the
school in which the best work is executed receives the
largest Grant.
At the time of this change in the system the Council,
after long and anxious deliberation, refused to join the
powerful opposition raised against it, they considering
that the tendency of the new system would be to increase
the elliaiency of the students, and the income of the
school. This anticipation has been more than realised.
The Department formerly examined and awarled
prises and certificates to the students in the morning
class, but the examination is now confined to the even.
trig class. It is proposed to hold in the ensuing year,
and independently of the Department, an examination
of the works of the students of the morning class.
As it was at rue time doubtful whether under the new
system an examination of the art etudents is the Old-
swinford Hospital sad the National Schools could be
held in the School of Art, none wee held. An examina-
tion in the elementary or lower grade of art students of
the Oldswinford hospital and National Schools, was re-
cently held, Mr. Itaimbach, the Head Master of the
Birmingham School of Art, being the exaininer. The
result of that examination has been highly satisfactory,
proving as it does that there is considerable ability, only
requiring development. The number of Oldswinford
Hospital boys who passed was 28 ; of these 8 were
marked by the examiner "Excellent," • Government
term meaning something beyond an ordinary pass. The
schools next in order of merit are St. James's, (Wollas-
ton), sending 16 who passed, 6 being marked "Excel-
lent ;" then Wolhuston.road School, Wordeley, St.
Thomas's, and Wesleyan School.
It is contemplated to hold next year • Government ex-
amination of art etudente of the Ohlawinford Hospital
and the National Schools in the School of Art.
It is the endeavour of the Council to encourage the
study of the elements of art in the National and l'ablic
Schools, they being the most important training ground
for the more advanced tuition at the School of Art.
The Council begs to thank Mr. Italmbach, the talented
Master of the Birmingham School of Art, for his great
kindness in devoting his valuable time to the recent ex-
amination.
The Council also has to thank the Science and Art De-
partment for the loan of water colours daring the year.
It is hoped that during the ensuing year the mortgage
debt of £lllO upon the building will be paid oit or greatly
reduced. A friend of the school has wade the munill•
cent off .r of £3O, provided tl.at a considerable ;sum is
raised towards the object. The name is at the request
of the donor, withheld for the present. Th.. Mends of
the school are appealed to assist in freeing the building
from this mortgage debt.

- -
Plan.
In the first place, I would notice that advocates of
temperance should carefully avoid bringing discredit upon
the cause which they are engaged to support, I Jo not
mean to say that this is done designedly, or with an in-
tention to lower the subject in the eves of the 11111..5,
but it is nevertheless dose, often to the great injury of
both advocates and the canoe advocated. It is often
said, and not without some degree of truth, that speakers
put temperance in the place of religion. This is not
true of the mass, but of the few. And this few are often
engaged in pleading with human beings to forsake that
deceptive cup which graduslly leads to ruin, and to em-
brace the temperance principles as the enoiiiioos &imam to
which • human being can attain. No doubt such asset,
tions are often made in moments of excitement by those
who have pissed from the slavish customs of the cup and
its consequent degradation, to enjoy the blessings of
temperance with a far healthier state of both mind and
body. No one will question the advantage thus gained
—of mind over matter, of reason over aupetite—which
invariably devadopes it-elf in an improved moral, physi.
cal, and social status. The temperance cause seeks sim-
ply the literal and soviet welfarr of man, and if this im-
proved state leads by the assistance of other agency to
spiritual reformation, so much the more pleased should
we be to tied our efforts crowned with such important
success. We should, therefore, never lose sight whilst
advocating the cause of temperance, of the objeet we
have in view and the end to be oht tined, viz , the soeial,
moral, and physical improvement of our fellow men,
Another point of importance in connection with
speakers is that great disappointment is often experienced
in a want of SUCCeSi. But can we woader at this ahem
we so often hear engaged speakers when called upon to
address their nu stings say that they have nothin[s pro-
pored, and theri•fore ask to be excused for their feeble
attempts. My friends there is no sicuse for such abort-
comings. A gentleman snakes am engagement, be feels;
in honour bound, not only to attend. but undertake any
duty which that engagement entails. It Was said of
of (lettered Havelock by his commander that he was
alanye ready—daily preparation lie always made to meet :
his engagements, so whenever called upon he was at the
pod prepared to meet any emergency. And ran yen
expect success to attend your efforts without a previous
preparation. Let your own experience decide. No
crowded room wit await your second visit to any locality
alters a want of preparetion marked your find call to
duty. You must prepare if you want to succeed—if you
have any direct interest in the cause—you will feel under
• deep obligation to command atteutiou by your earnest
endeavour: to interest an•l instruct your audience by an
earnest, well-directed, and thoughtful preparation in the
principles of total abstinence.
Another kindred obstacle is a want of punctuality on
the part of the speakers generally. Thi, shortcoming
applies to some extent to the friends of localities in
which the meetinrss are held. It is not unusual to wait
half an hour, often an hour, and sometimes the while
°veiling for a seeaker to attend his own appointment.
Ant as a last resort souse one entirely unprepared is
called upon from susiongst the assembled ones to address
the meeting. The natural result is a failure as regards
the objects of the meeting. and the people disperse dia-
appoieted if not disguincl with the temperance gather-
ing+. At another tinie the same speaker attends punc-
tually, but from a knowledge of this gentleman's habits
dud his want of punctuality he finds on his arrival at
the place of meeting the doors shut, and the place in
utter darkness, and with this excuse that lie Wlts not ex-
pected for an hour or so. No doubt he feels somewhat
disappointed unit chagrined at tie,* epparent want of at.
total tttt tim duty on their part, but at Whilst, door lies the
fault.? Certainly at his own. It is truthfully written,
" What a a man seeks that shell Ile also find."
(To be coneleaad ira our set.)