The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-05-07 00:00:00

BRIERLEY HILL LOCAL BOt RD.

The first monthly meeting of the above body
sine, the annual election was held on Mon ay after
non at the Town Hall, when there were present
Messrs. J. Skidmore, R. B. Guest, S. Bennett, W.
Waldron, G. Mantle, NV. Macmillan, T. Edwards,
R. Thunpson, H. Bolli,,son, E. Grove, B. Brown-
ing, B. Freeth, and T. Fereday,
idr. M. Robinson having been voted to the chair
pro tem., Mr. Grove proposed that Mr. J. Skidmore
be re-elected chairman for the ensuing year,
referring to his efficient conduc• in the chair last
year, and ti the courteous meling which had pre-
vailed among the members of the Board generally.
Mr. Macwillian secouthd the motion, which was
carried with unanimity.
Mr. Skidmore, in acknowledging the compliment,
expressed the hope that the paving of the footpaths
and the sewering of the district would be sueces.-
fully completed during the year, and with as muc4
economy as pos,ible from a ratepayers point of
view.

The Medical Officer of Health (Dr. Ashmead)
reported that during the last month 16 deaths had
occurred, being a death-rate of 15.72 per thousand
per annum.

-
The General furposes Committee recommended
that the footpaths or each side of High Street, from
Level Street to Cottage Street be paved in the
centre to a width of 4 feet 6 inches with patent
Ferrumite stone, the sides to be paved with blue-
and—white bricks in such a mariner as the Board
might decide; and ti.at the other part of the street
he paved with blue-and-white bricks of a pattern
to be decided upon; also that iron 0 G kei bung be
used.
After some discussion as to whether the paving
question ,hould be considered by the Board or by a
committee of the whole Board, the adoption of the
rep .rt ai moved by Mr. NN aldron, and secondtd
by Mr. Maemillian, An amendment was proposed
by Mr. Guest to the effeat that the Ferruinite stone
paving be not used, and that the Board consider
the advisability of adopting blue-and-white bricks
instead. The latter, Mr. Guest argued, would be
the more durable of the two kinds of materials.
Mr. Bennett seconded the amendment on the same
grounds, and also because he said the bricks would
be cheaper and easier to displace when the sewerage
works were carried out. In the course of the dis-
cussion which ensued Mr. Waldron said he be—
lieved if the recemmendations of the committee
were carried out the appearance of the street would
be much improved.. He also held that it would be
false economy to use the blue-and-white bricks, and
114 far as durability was concerned the latter were
not to be compared to the Ferrumite, which was
used in most large towns to pave approaches to
railw;iy stations and other places where there was
heavy traffic.
Mr. Mantle thought it should go forth to the
publie that the Board were not going to pay the
cost et' paving out of the present rates. A loan
would b.) acquired for the purpose, and would be
repaid by small annual instalments, together with
t!,e low rate of interest at which it would be
borrowed.

Mr. Fereday spoke in favour of the Ferrumite
paving, and remarked that it was at first thought
that the total cost of execuiing the paving with
white stme would be £2,150, but if Ferrumite
pay'ng were used the total cost, including the cost
of iron kerbing., would only be £1,979, and if white
an 3 Vile bricks were the material used for the paving
with the iron 0. G. kerbing, the cost would be but
.21.601

Thelairman said a loan would be applied for,
the repayment of which would extend over 30years.
Ultimately the committee's report was adopted,
Messrs. Guest, Bennett, Edwards, and Grove voting
only for the amendment. ,
It was agreed to acctpt the tender of the Stour.
bridge Fire-brick Company for white bricks, at £4
2.. Eid. pr thousand, and that of Messrs. North for
blue bricks, at .24105. per thousand, for the execution
of the work.

Upon the motion of Mr. 'Waldron, seconded by
Mr. Maauillan, it was also decided to apply tc the
Public Work 4 Loan Commissioners for a 1T .0 of
£2.000, to defray the cost of the work.
A general district rate of 2s. in the pound for
the year was made.
The Finance Committee's report showed a
balance in the hands of the treasurer amounting
to £467 16s, 11d.