The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-24 00:00:00

CCOMMODA T lON FOR
KIN VER.

A large and influential meeting of the inhabitants of
Kinver and the surrounding vicinity was held at the
Grammar School, ginver, on Monday evening, for the
purpose of considering what steps should be taken to
obtain railway accommodation for Kinver.
Amongst those present were Messrs. B. Williams, J.
Williams, J. Bolton, W. Bolton, T Holvoake. gen., T.
Holvoake, jun.' G. Griffiths, J. Tailor. Mehlweu,
Jordan, Packer, J. Morgan, -7 -Nock. T. Bolton, F.
Wheeler, J. Stevens, &c., the.
Mr. B. Williams was voted to the chair.
The Chairman read the notice calling the meeting. Be
said perhaps if be made • few remarks first, then other
gentlemen would give their views on the subject. For
himself, speaking of their firm James Williams and
when they find came to Kluwer or Whittington, they bail
some decided ads outage over their neighbours ia making
best iron; but, lacking railway accommodation, they had
lost that advantage which their neighbours bad gained.
They wanted railway accommodation in that district, no
that they in that parish end iii tha other parish, s Os
bold their own. Their works turned out about 50i000
tons per annum, and he was quite sure that if they had
railway accommodation in Kilmer, they should very soon
increase that quantity of work abi.ut r,i) per cent., if not
more, because they would be able to compete with other
places. Opinions had been expressed as to which waa the
best route to have tbe line. Some thought that the best
way would be to ',Ong it from the Cradley Branch,
through the bottom and of Stourbridge. Others consi-
dered it would be best to bring it through Wordsley, He
could only say that they, as manufacturers, wanted the
railway very badly, and he was certain it would improve
the trade of the district. They had no callse to complain
of the canals, bat they wanted something that would take
awsy and bring their goods more rapidly. After a few
other remarks, the chairman called upon Mr. J. McEwen
to move the first resolution.

Mr. MeEwen said he rose with much pleasure to pro-
pose the first resolution. Although he must confess he
was rather ignorant of the whole matter, he knew this
much, that railway accommodation was desirable any•
where, and he thought more especially was it desirable
at Kinver. His stake in the parish of Kinver w,ii cer-
tainly not a very large one, bat at the same time wheu
they came to look at the benefits Mr. Williams Ii id so
clearly shown, be could ngt help thinking that rsiiway
accommodation was very mach needed, in seadina tie
products of the district to other Dlaces, and if they had
thy vahway they would be able to compete with those
other places. Ile was mere iutereled in the matter, be-
cause he had a considerable stake at Stourbridge. and lie
had, as far as possible. endeavoured to promote the for.
illation of a line into Stourbridge. Perhaps most of
them were aware that in 1868 the Great Western Railway
Company appllsd to Parliament for powers to enable
them to construct • branch line of railway from Stour-
bridge station into the High-street of Stourbridge, and
he was in a position to state that the Great Western Rail-
way Company had not yet begun upon that projected line,
which was to be constructed in July 1873. It did not
look much like it at present The railway accommoda.
tion for the town of Stourbridge, had not been lost sight
of by the Town Commissioners. They 'MI corresponded
several times with the Great Western Railway Company
on the subject, but lie was sorry to say they had not re-
e,ived any very satisfactory answer. In the last letter
they wished the matter to be deferred, because they were
contemplating a line to Kidderminster, so as to give that
town increased accommodation. He should be vevy glad
to promote a schema for a railway to Kinver. because it
was to his own iutereat, and not to his interest alone, lit
to the interest of all the pe.ple in the district. He
thought if they had a line from Stourbridge it w.ml/.1
make it better for the place also. In conclusion, lie said
he had much pleasure in moving the first resolution,
which was " That railway accommodation is highly de-
sirable for Kuiver."

Mr. T. Bolton seconded the resolution. He said Ova
Kinver had been looking for a railway for many yews,
and they had been asked to take shares in undertakings
which were to assist them in securing one. Up to the
present time they had been disappointed, but he now
hoped there was a likelihood of its being carried out.
As the Chairman had mentioned the tonnage from his
work, he the speaker) might state that ther a 18,000
went in and came out annually from the Hyde Woike,
and that quantity would be increased to 6111,00,/ when they
were in full operation. If a railway were brought there
the quantity would be Ain greater.
The resolution was carried unanimously.
"•

The Chairman said the next resolution was not quite
s) certain of being carried unanimously, but it was ne•
cessary to get on with the bwiness. Many of them knew
that Mr. Yeomans and Mr. Packsr had been very instru-
mental in getting the meeting together, and the resoln-
non he was about to ask Mr. Yeomans to speak upon was
That the Great Western Railway Company should be
communicated with on the subject of railway accommo-
dation "

Mr. Yeomans said, as a working man, he was very much
interested in the question. He believed if they could get
the railway the iron trade would be considerably im-
proved in the district, if they could be placed on a level
with other manufactures. He had reason to think that
their future wellbeing almost entirely depended on
whether they got the railway accommodation or not. He
thought they had great claims on the railway companies.
The railway companies could see what they were turning
out of the Hyde and Whitttington Works, and works fur-
ther on down the valley, and he thought for that reason
they ought to have a line down into that clietcict. He
had very much pleasure in proposing the reeolntion which
the chairman had placed in his hand. The wur:crnen of
Einver bad been mostly born in the place. and were man.
rally loth to leave it; but unless something was done for
their future they would certainly hsve to go away and
seek work elsewhere, and he thought the only 'neap. of
keeping them together was to get a railway, lie con-
cluded by proposing i That the (treat Western ltmlway
Corepuay be GemmuniCeted with en the subject of
rail-
way accommodation."
Mr. E. Orem seconded the resolution.

Mr. C. Collis said he had to propose an amendment to
the last resolution. Be was very much pleased to sea
that the meeting was so unanimous on the question of
railway accommodation. But the question arose what
accommodation would be the to the thest
Western Railway Company could afford the best 13^COM-
modation, or the Midland hallway Company? Ile cons
sideved it would be most desirable for Kinv,r for many
reaious that they iliould be connected with the N...lland
Line. That line :ran in on the Wichnor Junction, and
could be made to traverse through a very popul,us dis-
trict and theu run into the Midland lino again lone.
where near Malvern. The great advantage would be that
it would open a direct line of commuldcati:in to the large
. _

coal distnets like Cannock Chase coalfields and South
Wiles. He had no faith to tie Great Western Railway
Com! any. 'they promised tee years ago to m.,ke a line
to limver, bat they have never done it. Re had nom+
pleasure in proposing the following amendment :—" Iles
coined, that tbis meeting in of opinion that a direct line
of railway from Wichnor Junction, on the Midlice, ria
Wolverhampton, Hedgley, King,swinford, Wordtley,
Steno:ley, and Kluwer. and thence yin Cookley. Kidder.
flimsier, sin llewilley. to Ildsivere, be of most with-
ciii service is the :own and neighbonrhood of )(raver,
nod inst. Ha symp :toy and support R ill he givwn t cad
311.11auil Content will take the pr,pow I H.tt
, .

iota its consider:4u in. anti give A their eid." There on
uo doubt that coal is • moat valuable ir.tAle to be broolit
into the diAriet, without n'aielt the works could not he
turned on. Persotially a line from Siourbridi;e, in eon-
oectioa -with Vie Great Western Railway, would suit lom
best, but he thought the Mid Mod scheme the be 4 for the
district.

Mr. James Williams seconded the amendment

Mr. George tirillitha, in supporting the resolution, said
hia position there was to advocate a through line from
Wiehnor Junction to Malvern, which would give them
every latitude and every advantage which the Great Wes.
tern Railway Company had been so long promising to
them. The Great Western Railway Company had not
Made tip their minds after 10 years' consideration. Be
then proceeded to lay before them the route the railway
could come from Wiehnor Junction, Wichnor Junction,
as they knew, was on the Midland hue, one of the best
lines in the kingdom, supported by one of the most rx•
eellent and sound bodies of directors in existence. If
they could get their sympathy ant aid the thing would
be done, and be was sure that company wont I not take
ten years in considering, nor ten years in consiaeriug and
making it. Wichnur Junction was on that railway. and
he proposed a railway that would take their goods to the
North. From Wichnor Junction the line marked out by
himself and some friends was across a pl.; cc called
Palmer's Heath, into a small town called Fenn. From
this place to Cannock Chase coal fields, they would then
be able to get their coal at a cheapm rate. The poptila.
Bon of Cannmk in 1811 was 8,700. It has increased in
ten years from the great increase if trade to 11,000, and
no doubt in the neat ten years the increase wilphe much
more in proportion. The coal, they say, in the Coltiock
Chase fields is of the very best quality, and would then
coma direct to them without having to wait for it to come
by canal. The population of Wolverhampton was
68,279. He was informed by tradesmen and agricolturists,
that they had a great deal more !easiness in Wolverhamp-
ton and Kidterminster, than in Birmingham and Stour.
bridge. They then eonne to the Sedgley district, which
contained a popnlntion of 37,355 ; but the nearest rail-
way station to Sedgley was two miles off The line would
leave Swindon on the right hand arid Sedgley ou the left,
and get to Himley, which was a very important piece. It
was a great field for coal, and they would have it some
day. It was more important for them to have • line
running througn those places, than having to go to Stour-
bridge. He included in the Sedg:ey district the two
Goriest'. Ile then came to Shut End, and they Lad 'ii
railway in that important district, and in the wh.de route
of between 60 aiel 70 miles there woo nut a single Rill,
of railway. and in one.third of the di.' riet ther woe n• t
a rsilway, coach, or canal. They then came to Kingswin.
ford, the population of which parish was 35041. This
was a most important place, and they had no acromroo.
dation. They then got to Wordsley, another important
place, where they had the iron, glass flour. and corn
I trades. Mr. Webb, of Wordsley, told him that he had to
• psy £l,BOO per annum for cartage of goods coming in
and going out of his mill, aril he had to pay Is per ton
for the goods brought down to him from Brettell Lao,,
whirls was the nearest railway station. He (the speaker,
was astonished at the number of Works at %Vordsley.
They then came across to Stewponey. Hie friend, Mr.
Nash, says he wants a station, and he (Mr Grilßtha)
thought that if the Midland Company took this matter
under their consideration. Mr. Nash would get a station
much sooner than if the Great Western Company had it.
They could soon make a branch from the neighbourhood
of Wordsley to Coalbournbrook and Wollaston. Then
there were the Whittington Works, and he thought the
chairman would have s line to that place sooner if the
Midland Company had it than if the Great Western had
it. They join to Cookley. Cookley was included in the
parish of Wolverley, the population of that place being
3,135. .Cookley works were very important, where they
turned out on an average 60.000 tons per annum. Many
of them would recollect tho hard frost about 12 years
ago, when the musters bad to drag their stuff aerosol the
country when the canal was buns,el up. He then reads
letter on the subject which appe.ared in the Kiddernii”st• r
Shuttle. and which gave rise tons excellent letter
ins in that paper. Ki.idertuins'er. they all knew was e
rising place, sat the inhabit ints sorely need.' niece rail,
way accommodation. They went from :KidderminatEr
to Bewdley. It would go to Bewdley because that plac.
was the branch to an immense district which had no rail.

•
o
iy itius Froa Bewdley they e sena
their goods direct to Gloucester and Bristol a.„l lb.
goads could be brought from those places to B-salley,
put on his line, as he called it. and e one across such
places as Cookley and Kinver, without waiting for the
canal boats to bring their goods. Then there were places
like Witley, with 3.341 inhabitanta. and Flolt with 3,790,
and other places of importance that had no railway would
be enabled to compete with other towns. If they gut the
line the farmers would be able to take their barley up to
Belton, where they could get 21 and 3d more a beshel:for
it than by selling it at Stonrbridge. Bewilley wags place
that would rise, especially if they had a tel way through
it. He was very much obliged to them for listening to
him. The memorial from the Bewdley Town Council had
been sent to the Midland Comae!, and the secretary in.
formed them that it would be laid before the Committee
of directors the first week in March, and he earnestly
solicited them to he of one mind, and send a resolution
to the Midland Railway.
Mr. Mawen said Inc felt very much obliged to Mr.
Griffiths for the very clear explanation he had given
them with regard to what the Midland Railway Company
would be able to do for thus. He wanted to see a rail-
way not only accommodate Kinver, but accommodate the
toWil of Staurbridge. He was mire the Kisser people
would not torn on their old Stourbridge friends. He
was not clearly satisfied with the route Mr. Griffiths had
thrown nut They had been told that there was no rail-
way at Shut Ent. Now he contended that there wis a
branch that runs an far as Hinaley. Mr. Griffiths had
pointed out to them too importauce of Worasley, but a
branch line would not do for Coalbournbrook and Wollas-
ton. He thought that if Mr. Griffiths could not point
out something better than the route he had laid before
them they would not agree to such an amendment as that
, proposed by Mr. Collis, and seconded by Mr. J. Williams.
He considered that a line from Stourport, notating at
Bewdley, Kidderminster, Kinver, Stoorbridge, Wiirdsley,
Beagle,. and soon to Wolverhampton, was what was wan-
ted. He did not wish to advocate the interests of one
company more than another, and he thouAt it worth
considering whether there were not aufficient interests in
the districts to warrant an independent line. He believed
that in any plan that might be adopted, Stourport must
be taken in, because of the importance of canal comma-
nication. Before the question was decided he should
rather have another mating at which representatives of
each railway company could be present so that they could
see what the Kinser people required. He would rather
hear both aides of the question. and they had only heard
one side that evening, as he did not see the Great Wes-
tern Railway Company repreauated.
Mr. Packer agreed with the remarks of Mr. McHwen.
Mr. Morgan then rose and earnestly solicited those
present to support the amendment proposed hy Mr. Cul-
Fa, and seconded by Mr. J. Williams.
'Flue Chairman pat the ain ',lament to the meetiog, and
it was carried by a large majority.
The Chairman then moved " That the resolution be
eret to the directors of the Midland Company."
This was seconded by Mr. Holyoake.
Mr. McKwen proposed--." That the Great Western,
Midland, and Londou and North-Weetern Railway Com-
panies be communicated with relative to the proposed
loie of railway," which was seconded by Mr. Packer.
The Chairmau ruled that the resolution could not be
pot after the expression of the meeting in favour of the
Ma .land scheme.
A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the meeting
t a close.