The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-04-04 00:00:00

On the suggestion of Mr. Hughes, the letter was
referred to the Finance Committee, with power to
act.

REPORT OF THE GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE.

Your Committee report that the Medical Officer
of Health, in his visitation report, refers to a
building in Griffin's yard as in a dangerous state.
Your Clerk has been directed to take action (if
necessary) therein. Several nuisances are there-
in reported, all of which have either been removed
and the instructions given to the Inspector corn.
plied with, or the work is in progress. The num-
ber of deaths reported in the township of Stour-
bridge, from February 17th to Attrch 17th, both
inclusive, were 14, two of which were from scarli-
tina. Number of births registered in the same
period, twenty-eight. Of the two fatal cases of
searlitina the officer reported, neither appear to
hive arisen from any local cause or existing nut-
since. A dilapidated wall at Bouchall was re-
prted. Several premises at Porto Bello are re-
ported as being without proper ash-piss, the con-
tents being allowed to enter the River Stour.
The health of the township, the Officer of Health
reports, as far as he can ascertain on the whole to
be excellent, not one case of any epidemic or
zyinotic disease being brought to his knowledge.
The Town Officer presented a report of the petro-
leum purchased and tested by him, from 17 per-
sons in the township of Stourbridge, keeping end
selling that article. From that it appears that
these tests showed that all the petroleum with the
exception of that kept and sold by four persons,
came under the provisions of the act. Two of
these persons are tdready licensed, and you are
advised to request all the o there to take out the
required licenses. Some have applied for licenses,
viz. :—Messrs. Perry and Mobberley, J. Fletcher,
and E. Timmins. The Town Officer reported nui-
sances as follows :—brought forward, 5; reported
during the month, 46; total, 56; removed. old, 5;
new, 36; total, 41. Fifty-eight privies and 58
ash-pits have been removed during the month.
The slaughter-houses are reported to be in good
condition, also the public lodging houses. The
chaige for the use of the fire-hose is deferred
until the next meeting. Your Committee report
that it is necessary that a drain of pipes should be
carried from nearly the end of Mount Street, to
the Birmingham Road,
Mr. Kelley moved that the report be received.
Mr. Hughes seconded the motion, which was
carried.

Mr. Hughes drew the attention of the Borrd th
the illuminating power of the gas, and said he did
not believe any town in the kingdom was supplied
with worse gas than Stourbridge.
The Chairman said he ,hail something to say
about that in a short time.
REPORT OF THE IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE.

Your Committee report that with regard to the
town ditch in Greenfield, Mrs. Wilson has been
communicated with, through her solicitors, and a
reply is shortly expected. The attention of the
Road Trustees will very shortly be called to this
matter, when the result will be reported. It is
proposed to lay down two sewers, one for the
Poster Street end, and the other at the Coventry
Street end of the street, and to cover in the open
diteh near Mr. Hetchera property.
The report was adopted on the motion of Mr.
Billinghani, seconded by Mr. Perkin.
The Chairman said in reference to the gas ques-
tion, he believed the illuminating power of the
gas, as fixed by Act of Parliament, should be 14
sperm candles, but on many occasions lately he
had been compelled to light candles, in addition
to the gas, in order to do anything in his own
house. Some of his neighbours had loudly com-
plained of the wretched quality of the gas, and he
would suggest the rdvisability of the Commis-
sioners purchasing a gas tester to enable thrir of-
ficer to make periodical tests of the gas, and pre-
sent a report of such tests to the monthly meet-
ings of the Board. He had had sotnething to do
with the gas question before, and he felt sure that
such a course would add greatly to the comfort of
the inhabitants.

Several other members stated that the gas was
very had, and that in some cases they had to use
candles.

On the motion of Mr. Hughes, the subject was
referred to the General Purposes Committee with
power to act.
There was no other business.

"BENGAL AND ITS PEOPLE."

A lecture on the above subject WU delivered at the
Union Hall, on Tuesday evening last (under the ans.
piees of the Church of England Association), by Mr.
H. Beverley, M.A. (of Clent Grange), Inspector
General of Registration in Bengal. • The chair was
taken by Mr. W. B. Collis. There was a:very poor
attendance.

The Chairman having briefly introduced the lec.
hirer,

Mr. H. Beverley said there was at the present me-
recut no portion of Her Majesty's dominions in which
probably so much interest was felt as the Presidency
of Bengal, and he, therefore,thought they would like
to hear from one who had been there some part of
his life what lie knew about that country. It was
with great pleasure he brought that topic before theul,
because he knew it was a subject of vast importance
to all of them. If it was of any benefit to us that
we had conquered India, it was the duty of every one
of us to understand our relationship with that great
country. He had drawn a small sketch of England
to give them some ides of the vast size and population
of our dominions in India. The latter country had
a population of 200,000,000, whilst England had a
population ef only 22,000,000, which showed that
India was eight times the size of England. India
: was divided into two provinces—Bengal and Bombay;
but unfit lately there were no less than ten separate
governments in the country. They must not suppose
that the inhabitants of that vast country exhibited
but one type. Every district had its own especial
class with different languages, different customs, dif-
ferent religions, &c., and were as distinct as English-
men and Frenchmen. The lecturer then described
the climate of the diffiTent portions of India, and
said that of Behar was much drier than that of
Bengal. The inhabitants of Behar were Hindus-
tanee, and their language was what known as the
Hiudee. He then described the various productions
of India such as rice, wheat, opium, indigo, jute, and
tea, which latter was lately cultivated to Is arge ex-
tent in the province of Assam. He also described
the various implements employed by the natives in
their agricultural pursuits, and by means of numer-
ous illustrations showed that they were of the most
primitive character. He also exhibited numerous
coloured drawings illustrating the different types of
inhabitants of the different parts of India, their
dresses, ornaments, manner of arranging their hair,
dc., and advised those ladies who wished to acquire a
new style for arranging their tresses to make a trip
to India for that purpose. He also gave some lengthy
and interesting descriptions of their marriage laws,
customs, and civil and religious observances, and
showed how the British rule in India had had a bene-
ficial effect in putting down such superstitious prac-
tices as the suttee, and the abominable custom of
offering up human sacrifices which prevailed in cer-
tain portions. He gave an appalling description of
what an Indian famine was like, from the experience
of calamities of a similar nature which had previously
devastated that country, and stated that although the
Indian Government was exerting itself to the ut-
most to afford relief to the sufferers, there where yet
numbers whom they would not be able to reach, and
who would inevitably fall victims of starvation. Ile
also referred to the extraordinary difficulty experi-
enced in making roads and railways in India on ac-
count of the lack of anything like stone, and also
from the nature of the country, and said that those
in England who upbraided the Indian Government
with not having made greater progress in this matter,
did so from sheer ignorance of the almost insur-
mountable obstacles which met them at almost every
step. Perhaps the most interesting portion of the
lecture was that which referred to the Southals, one
of the aboriginal tribes, whom he described as being
peculiarly amenable to the teachings of Christianity.
Among the missions established in their country was
one carried on by two worthy and energetic foreignei
—Messrs. Borussen and Skrefsrad—the former n
Danish gentleman, the latter a Norwegian. The
mission had been organised for about six years, and
in that time they had done au immense amount of
good in the district over which its operations ex-
tended. These people would be great sufferers from
the dearth of food, and it was the object of all friends
of the mission to, if possible, obviate the necessity
for these poor people applying for the Government
relief, as it was felt that if this was not done they
would become utterly demoralised, and the labour of
years would be wasted. He (the speaker) was trying
to raise subscriptions for their relief. What he had
already collected amounted to nearly £100; but that,
of course, was but as a drop in the ocean. He would
shortly return to India, and should be very happy to
receive the subscriptions of those who were willing to
aid in the laudable work to which he had drawn their
attention. He should be very glad to personally
hand over any sums that might be entrusted to him
to the gentlemen who conducted the mission.
. .

A cordial vote of thanks to the lecturer, brought
the proceedings to a close.

ENTERTAINNENE IN THE COEN EXCHANGE.—
An entertainment was given in the Corn Exchange,
on Thursday evening last, by the Brothers Purcell.
The weather was very rough and stormy, and, as a
natural result, the attendance was wretchedly bad,
there not being more than two or three dozen persons
present. Notwithstanding these dispiriting circum-
stances, the gentlemen referred to—with an attempt
at being jolly under adverse influences that would
have done credit to Mark Tapley—gave the whole of
their performances with as much care and skill, as if
the " house " was a crowded and, therefore, remune-
rative one. The different impersonations were given
with a life-like fidelity that was truly remarkable,
whilst the singing and playing of the Brothers, was,
in every respect excellent. The feats of legerdemain
by M. Capron were performed with great neatness
and dexterity, whilst his ventriloquism was soniethii g
marvellous. The whole of the entertainment was sa
refined as it was versatile in character, and we sin-
cerely trust the " Brothers" will, this evening, re-
ceive that amount of patronage which they deserve.

-
DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.-At the Police Court,
on Thursday, before Colonel Fletcher and Mr. R.
L. Freer, William Pardoe was charged with being
drunk and disorderly at Beauty Bank, on the 31st
alt. Defendant did not appear. Police-constable
Smith said defendant was very drunk at Beauty
Bank, on the above date. Defendant wanted to go
into a public louse, the landlady of which refused
to admit him. Witness advised him to go but he
refused to do so, and eventually he was compelled
to take him into custody. Fined 10s and cods, or
14 days.
_ _

STEALING IRON—James Allport, a lad 14 years
of age, was charged with stealing 1311,5. of scrap
iron, the property of Mr. J. B. Fisher, at the
Hayes, on the 30th ult. Prisoner was remanded
fora week.
--

STEALING MONET.—John Davis, another lad of
14 years of age, was charged with stealing 3s 6,1,
on the Ist inst, the property of William Wharton,
of Church-street. Prisoner was further charged
with stealing a book from St. John's Church, the
Property of Ellen Welch, also of Church-street.
Prisoner was remanded on coth bharges until Fri-
day next.
DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.--ThOLGES Bache was
charged with being drunk and disorderly on the
31st silt, at Oldswinford. Police-constable Willetts
proved the case, and defendant was fined lOs and
costs, or 15 days.
_ .
'

APPOITMENT OF OVERSEERS. - The following
gentlemen were appointed Overseers for the Parish
of Pedmore .—Thomas Taylor and William Travis.
Ragley Stosk Sale, on Monday, was very full of
stock, especially in the cattle class, in which
there were 130 entries. There was a very spirited
competition throughout the sale which realized
nearly .44,000.

At-the 'sale of Messrs. Rounds farming steck, at
Sugar Loaf Farm, on the 24th tilt, there was a
very large and respectable attendance. The
horses and sheep were very good, 9 horses made an
average ef over £43 Ios,the bhighest being £6l.
140 Shropshire tege made an average of 63s 31,
the highest price being 735. The ewes and lambs
made an average of 83s, the highest price being
96. The implements were equally well sold.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS ELECTION.—The following persons
have bones nominted as member, for the Board of
Guardians, representing the subjoined parishes
Cradley: Messrs. J. Pstisball. Thomas Hingley nomina.
lion invalid), B. Horrier.lW. Oliver. Hasbuty: Messrs. A
Burr and E. B. Phillips, Bristles, Hill: Messrs. J
RoHinson, R. Thompson, W. Robinson, R Paint. W.
Mullett. Brockmor Messrs. W. Wood and W Pant.
Pensnett : Messrs. B. Hamer, W. Mullett. W. Baker,
,J. Raybould. St, Mary's : Messrs. It. J. Williams, It
Fereday, and E. C. Giles. Wordsley: Messrs. W. Baker,
C. Roberts, R. North, and W. Hall, Stourbridge
Messrs. B. Brooks, Billingham, H. F. J. Haskew. and
T. Allchurch. Upper Swinford : Messrs. J. Griffin and
W. Pearson. Wolloscote : Messrs. T. H. Pargeter and
W. Smith. In the parishes Amblecote, Caksmare,
Hales Owen,' Hewn, The Hill Qusry Bank, Lutley.
The Lye, Ridgacre, Wollaston Illy, and Lapel the old
members will be returned unopposed.
QUEENSLAND BEV:MAYON. Tue Ship " AGRA " 635
tons register, Messrs. TAYLOR, BETHELL & ROBERTS
110, Fenchurch Street, sailed from Gravesend on the
17th Met., bound for R.ckharityt,n, Queens:4nd: Cep-
lain Jonsson; Surgeou•Superintendent, DR. ROBERT
BRENNAN; Matron, Miss. BUROESS. The" AURA "is
the 132nd vessel that has sailed under the Land Order
System of Emigration and under the immediate direr.
Lion of the Queensland Government White, 32, Charing
Cross, London. She carries 288 souls, divided into
assisted, remittance, and free pasengen, aid cansisting
of 159 members of families, 63 single men, and 66 single
females.