The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-02-01 00:00:00

Xocal an istrict Pius.

COMMISSIONERS MEETING.

The monthly meeting of this body was held
in the Board Room, on Monday last; Mr. Hughes
in the chair. There were also present : Messrs.
J. MoEwen, Billingharn, Stanley, Kelly, Young,
J. Hughes, Edwards, firifflu, Woolley, Perkins,
sad Newnan'.
The Clerk read the minutes of the last meet-
ing which were confirmed, The Clerk also read
the report of the Finance Committee which
showed that there was due from the Treasurer
on the Improvement Account, £l4O Os 10d, due
to the treasurer, on the Highway Account, £7B
6s 4d. A number of accounts were examined
and ordered to be paid. The accounts of the
Highway, amounted to £37 41 7d; and the Im-
provement Account, £54 Os. The chairman
moved the adoption of the report which was
seconded by Mr. Edwards and carried.

IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE'S REPJRT.
Your Committee report that they have gone
over the proposed line of Railway, from Stour.
bridge, to where it crosses the river Stour into
the Hamlet at Arublecote, and can see no
objections to the alterations and deviations in
the highway in the township of Stourhridge,
referred to in the notices served by the Orcs,
Western Railway Company, provided a com-
munication by means of a foot•bridge be made
between the road neer St. John's Church, and
the road leaiing to and from Vauxhall, Mount.
street, Birmingham Road, and Bouehall. Your
committee report that it was desirable that the
lowering of Bitiningham-street be extended,
further than the Conipartv's plan show, in the
direction of the Lye, on as to make a less
gradient at that point. The Railway Company
having kindly furnished the Commissioners'
with a copy of this bill (which is laid before
you). Your Committee report, that by the
44th Section thereof, the time for the purchase
of lands for the construction of an embankment
in lien of the viaduct at Stourbridge into the
Hamlet at Amblecote, is proposed to be ex-
tended for the period of five years from the
passing of the Act. Yonr committee are of
opinion that the period should be three years.
By the 45th Section of the present Bill,it is pro-
posed to revive the powers conferred on the
Company by the Act of 1868, for the compulsory
purchase of land for the purpose of a railway in
jhe parish of Oldswinford by the Act anthorised,
and which powers may he exercised until the
13th day of July 1878. Your Committee con•
eider the time should be limited to one and a
half years. The new line from Stourbridge to
Kidderminster and Bewdley, it is proposed shall
be completed within five years from the passing
of the Act. Your committee consider the time
should be three years..

The Chairman' said he should be glad to hear
what any member had to say upon the subject,
as it was a.very serious matter.

Mr. McEwen called attention to the provision
with regard to the viaduct at Stamber Mill. He
said that he frequently bad occasion to pass
across that viaduct, and he knew that there was
a very general opinion among passengers that
the viaduct was not safe. He was not prepared
to say that it was unsafe; he had not inspected
it, and it was not his province to do so. But
they all knew a structure of self timber, such as
that which the viaduct was made of, could not,
after the many years it had been in existence,
be in a very sound condition , and he was, there-
fore, of opinion that a memorial shonld be pre-
sented to the Board of Trade, reqt.esting them
to have it inspected.
The Chairman said he never passed over it_
himself without being glad when he was over,
and the general impression was that it was not
very safe.
Mr. Newman said that, with regard to what
Mr.McEwen had said in reference to the viaduct,
the Board of Trade inspector examined all
wooden bridges periodically, and they might
take it tins, the viaduct WAR safe. After some
farther conversation, the Clerk was directed to
write to the Board of Trade inquiring if a 'wont