The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-12-05 00:00:00

take place.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
'W. J. J. WELCH.
To Mr. John Taylor, Clerk to the Commissioners,

Stembridge.
The Chairman said he should like to say a few,
words on the subject, but should like to hear wr,
any member of the Board had to say first.
then went on to ask the date of the letter. On
being informed of it by the Clerk, the Chairman
remarked that he did not like the spirit of it. He
was quite sure there was no nuisance arising from
the manufacture of glue, and it was only when the
manure was removed that there was any smell at
all. He had ordered the men never to remove it
when the wind was in the direction of the town.
The manure was only removed once a month, when
it was sent by rail to Wales and other places. On
the day in question he was walking down High.
street when he smelt the manure, and at once went
to the works and had the removal stopped. He
had ordered the manager never to have it removed
when the wind was blowing over the town, and the
manager's orders had beeu disobeyed. Had this
not been so, there would have been no smell.
Since the Glue Works had been in his possession
he had done the best he could to prevent any nui-
sance, and he would venttire to say that no person
living ever so near, could tell that glue was being
manufactured at the works. He must protest
against the spirit of that letter. It was almost
impossible to carry on a large works withont some
smell at times, and he would say that often times
smells arose from other works, for which the Glue
Works had the benefit. However, he would do his
best to prevent the removal of the manure lapin,
except under the Town Clauses Act, which pro-
vided that It should be done in the morning.

Mr. HiHingham asked the Chairman if he would
give orders to the men not to remove it when the
wind was blowing due east.
The Chairman said he would; but the way in
which the letter was written made it appear as if
was an affair of daily occurrence.
. .

Mr. Hughes said perhaps the men did not know
the cardinal points, or which way the wind blew.
At most works there was some little smell, and the
Chairman had given his word that he would do all
he could in future to prevent the smell.
Mr. Woolley said he must just say a word upon
the subject. He lived nearer the works than any
other members sitting at the Board, and was
bound to say that the smell did not exist now as
it did some eighteen months ago, aud he must en-
dorse what the chairman had said. The smells
now were certainly very little.
Mr. Penney: And what little smell there is, is
not injurious to health.
The Chairman said he did not wish to shrink
from his duty, and was willing to take ally respon-
sibility upon himself which lawfully belonged to
him.
Mr. Hughes then moved the adoption of the re-
port, which was seconded by Mr. Kelly, and carried

r , ,
unanimously.
On the motion of Mr. Hughes, the Clerk was
directed to write a reply to Mr. Welch in a respect.
ful manner, stating to him the cause of the nui-
sance on the above date.

REPORT OF THE IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE.

Birminghum-street Sewer.—Your Committee have
pleasure in reporting that the trustees of the turn-
roads have commenced to lay down a sewer
in this street, when completed. The house drain-
age, when practicable, will be connected there-
with.
"lie Branch Ruilesy. Your Committee have
nothing further to report on this business.
Proposad New Railway for Betedley— The
parliamentary notice has been issued for a new lino
to be called the West Stafford Railway, and which
will cross the township near the Washing Pool
Meadow. The plan will be deposited on the 30th
inst, after which your Committee will be able to
inspect fully.

Mr. Hughes said that some six weeks ago they
had an assurance from the Great Western Railway
Company that the line into the town would be
proceeded with immediately ; but no signs of this
were visible except, a few pegs driven into the
ground, and moved that the Clark do write to the
Company on the subject, which was seconded Elta
carried.

Mr. Dillingham, who formed one of the deputation
that lately waited upon the Gas Company with res-
pect to the existing high price of gas, gave an account
of the interview, which he said was of a frank and
open character. The directors gave the deputation
to understand that there was no hope that the price
of gas could be reduced this side of Lady-day. The
directors informed them that an amount that had
been laid aside for contingencies was now exhausted,
and that for the last twelve mouths or more they had
been curtailing expenses as far as possible. The
directors also gave the deputation some particulars
with regard to the purchase of coal, which had been
to them for some time past very disadvantageous.
Had it not been for this circumstance things would
not have been in the position they now were. In the
i half-year ending December, 1872, coal cost 9e. Bd.
per ton; for the first-half of 18 r jib. 91, ; the second
half of 1872,145. lid. lia the first half of 1873 the
price rose to 12s. Id., and in the second half to 20s.
114. In the first half of the present year the price
woe 20s. 104., but the directors hoped that for the
second half they could supply their wants at 17e. 104.
Another matter that told against them was that the
price of coke had fallen from 20e. 94. to 16s.
The Chairman said it appeared to him that very
few complaints of he bad quality of the gas had
reached the directors. Complaints appear to have
gone to the manager, and not to have reached the
Board. The quality of the gas at his own works
was very had, and he had personally complained
of it.
Several of the Commissioners remarked that the
gas was very bad, and that the lamps in the street
after eleven o'clock, were nothing better than a
candle. No motion was made.
The Clerk then read the following letter he had
received :
To John Taylor, Esq., Clerk to the Commissioners
With reference to the report of Dr. Ballard, on the
sanitary condition of the Stonrbridge Registration Dis-
trict, under date of July, 1878, the Guardians as the
Rural Sanitary Authority, are pressed by the Local Go-
vernment Board, to proceed to sewer and drain the
thickly inhaliited parts of the district, and are reeom-
inendi-d to iibrain the advice of • competent engineer on
the subject. As the report in question alas recommends
the Urban Authorities of the district to adopt • similar
course, and inasmuch as • good system of drainage,
would, it is believed, more or less affect the whole of the
authorities. I am directed to enquire what steps your
Board has takes in the matter, and whether (in conjunc•
Don with the other Urban Authorities) they would joia
the Rural Authority la the expense In obtaining the ad-
vies and report of some skilled engiseer, well versed in
drainage operations, on the best mode of carrying out the
re commeadation.
1 am, dear Sir, your obedient servant,

G. HOLLOWAY.

Several of the Commissioners expressed their
opinion in favour of not joining other districts.
On the motion of Mr. Kelly, the whole subject
was referred to the General Purposes Committee
to consider and to report thereon, at the next
monthly meeting.