The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-06-06 00:00:00

Ifotal anti Pistrid gets.

CRADLEY HEATH.
THE PROPOSED ADOPTION OF THE

LOCAL ACT.

In accordance with the notice of the Churchwardens
a public meeting of the ratepayers of the Ecclesiastical
Parish of Reddall Hill, was held in the New Connexion
Bchoobroom. Long before the time appointed a large
number congregated together in the front of the school.
While so waiting, Mr. F. W. G. Barre, J.P., who is very
strongly opposed to the Act being introduced, came up
to the gates, and. walking right into the midst of a lotof
gentlemen and respectable tradesmen, stated that he had
the police in attendance. and he should eject all who
were not ratepayera out of the school, and if the rate•
payers made any noise he should read the Riot Act,
which he had in his pocket. In reply to this insulting
languoge some one shouted out that they were not Mar-
phyites, and therefore could behave themselves as well
as Mr. Burrs. At this he wa!ked away. At eleven
o'clock the gates were opened, and about 500 ratepayers
were soon present. The Rev.F. U. Clarke was appointed
Chairman.
In opening the meeting the Chairman stated that they
were assembled together to consider the expediency of
adopting the Local Government Act of 1850 for the Ec-
clesiastical Parish of Reddal Hill. He hoped the pro•
eeedings would be conducted orderly, and both sides of
the question quietly and patiently discussed. He then
rend the notice convening the meeting.
Immediately Mr. Barra jumped up and said lie
demanded a poll, and he also objected to the meeting as
illegal. This charge he founded on the 14th sec of the
Local Act, which provides that the whole parish should
object to adopt this Act before one part could adopt it.
Mr. Homfray explained that Mr. Bares was quite right
and quite wrong. The Act clearly implied what Mr.
Barra had sai.l, but there was this in addition. Where
the district desirous of adopting the Act was an ecclesi-
astical district, having a defined and known boundary, it
was not neeessary for the whole parish to be consulted.
This Mr. Horafray substantiated by quoting a law case
which hail been decided by one of the auperior courts.
This objection being dismissed,
Mr. Bares asked that if a poll was demanded • show
of hands would be legal?
Mr. Hoinfray, in reply, stated that the proper course
to be adopted was fat the Chairman to propose the reso-
lution in favour of the Act, and afterwards for speakers
to address the meeting pr, and coo., and thou to call for
a show of hands. Whichever side was in a minority
afterwards demand • poll.
The Rev. Chairman then proposed—" That the Local
Government Act of 1850 be adopted for the Ecclesias-
tical Parish of Reddal Hill."
Mr. G. Green asked that supposing the Act to be
adopted and certain streets to be lighted, drained, and
watered, would all the ratepayers in the perish have to
bear the expenses of such improvements?
Mr. Horufray stated that only those who reaped the
benefit of such improvements would have to pay for
them.

, -
~,.... Za-s-cii—the habit of hitting his posy with a vrtup.—
Mr. F. W. G. Barre then aidressed the meeting.
He Ordered to pay the costs.
asked why it was that they desired • change? They had WOMEN'S 4eARRALII.—Emma Taylor was charged by
a Board of Highways who sat monthly, and he distinctly •
Thema Southall with assaulting her on the let instaut.
affirmed that that Board had the necessary power to re- Complainant, whose eyes were blackened, said she waft
move all nuisances and to make all alterations required.
at work in the Rail shop when defendant came, and with
It was composed of sixteen members, nine of whom re•
oaths demanded a bundle of iron. With.a toil her
presented the lower part of the parish, and it was very
daughter to let her have the true, whea Me defendaut
easy for that nine to get a majority any time. They were
caught hold of her by the hair of the head, pulled her
elected annually, and if they did not do their duty they
head on the nail block, and " paled - her in • merciless
could choice some one else. He averred that they had
way.
Defendant threatened to kill her, sad asked foes
better remain as they were. If they adopted the act
hammer to du it. Defendant admitted toe assault, but
they would be compelled in the first place to haves clerk
said that complainant had pulled all the hair oil her
who must be a legal gentleman, and who would require •
head. Complainant here, in an ensued way, pulled her
good salary. Then a surveyor and a collector would be
bonnet off, and said that defendant had pulled all the
required. And then they must either haves public hall
hair off her head. Mary Southall corroborated cum-
or pay ten or twelve pounds for a house to hold their
plainant. Fined Is and costs; in default 14 days =-
meetings in, and all at the expense of the ratepayers,
prisunment.
and altogether they would incur great expense. Ile in-
BON-PAYMENT Or BASTARDY ORDERS.—WBBAID Phipps
staucesi Brierley Hill, where he said the rates were mod-
was sentenced ti one mouth's hard iaSour fir xi . Ply-
gaged for the sum of fifteen hundred pounds, and sup
meat of 1-,, 1 6 i oa a it is,airdy ord-r or aapnia Davis.—
posing money to be worth 14 per cent. how would they
siiiilam eriest Wig smite:law to two mouths at tile suit
pay the interest on such • lain? He then referred to . Mariao,Ltardy order.
for nonpayment of the arrears of a
several squibs which seemed to hive tosebeil his dignity
and which hare hccu circulate I I r ly. He dated the '''*
FISLONV CASE—William Taylor was charged with
writer of those squibs to appear before bits, and ilesig.
feloniously stealing • quantity of wearing apparel, tue
hated them by various opprobrious epithets. He read a
printed circular signed W. Cox, of Tipton, which pur- property at Thomas Hadley. Proseeutaa SAW We things
ported to give au exact account of the working of the pruduteo won his property. lionuanded fur *week.