The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-05-25 00:00:00

Tfi EfMUBi3IIII)OE OPSERVIER.

Fund

by no means so likely to adopt the Ballot, which THZ IRON TRADB.
is the essential part of the Parliamentary and
Municipal Elections Bill, as they were at an
• - - - The Public Health dd
- was the su en
The chief topic of col;e-rsation on 'Change

earlier period of the session. -
Bill is an evidence of the urgent desire for sani-
tary reform on the part both of the public and at Birmingham,on Thursday,
the Government; but whether this bill willpass,
or whether, if it pass, it will effect the much- course, the prospects of the trade were very
rise in the prioe of iron ; and, as a matter of
lunch canvassed and discussed. That there
needed reforms, are questions open to consider- would be a further advance in price was what
able doubt. The measure is in fact merely a
.1,. sadi. The demand is so great and so continuous, and
every one connected with the trade expected
districts ' far short of

Seven members have received from the Annuity
£5l 18v; the balance on that fund now amounting to
£2,967 19s Old.
The expenses of the Auxiliary Fund have been £44
lts 10,1, leaving & balance in hand of £8 6s 102 d.
The balance in hand on the Benefit Account is £5,709
's 44 since last

111 d, being an increase of £3964' _ year,
end is again the largest balance ever reported as belong-
ing to the club.
The number of annuitants is 7, and the club is paying
2s per week on this account.
The interest last year amounted to £193 5s sd, and the
total balance, on the interest account, from the coins
meueement of the Club is now £1,391 11s 40.
singularly favourable

partial alteration of the existing law, with —__ _ ___ - - - -- -
Mons and new machinery the operation of which current It will be seen that the report is a. toast .._ .
requirements, that even the high prices c
is doubtful. The Public Health Bill, however, the supply in all . ialls so .
it one. who had inherited from his fathe.i.tbe—same feel.
would tend to the enforcement of sanitary regu- In respect of all the balances, the totala shew an im•
was hardly expected, however, that the advance , prevenient on last year, which itself was a prosperous jugs for the benefit and prosperity of the club.
lations, and would set the work of sanitary re-of the figures will chew that Mr. Foley, in responding, said he felt very
a week ago were felt to be only temporary.
would be declared by the leading houses so soon ; , year; and an examination
form in motion, so that it would be a pity if this
measure, defective though it be, were not to be- and some are of opinion that their action was i the lime remark applies to almost every item that goes much obliged at being called upon to return
premature. This, however, is a mere matter of to
Ira at up to
os e totals,
1 f Use year the accounts will be ' thanks for the toast—" Prosperity to the Becher
come law. Legislation on mines has been long 1
. opinion. If the prices current were lower than
submitted to the consulting Actuary of the Club, Mr. ! Club." He did not think he was quite in place
demanded, but it has been adjourned session
! the demand warranted there could be no good inbecause his friend on the left (Mr. Turner) had
after session, and it is not at all certain that iti taken as much, if not more interest in the affair,
nmaing an attempt to maintain a merely anticipated,
will not be again adjourned. The Mines Regu- 1 Bailey, and a favourable report from him is confidently •
self ; but he could only say that
lation Bill is on the whole, we believe, a good 1 cial state of matters. What most men feel on The Trustees would direct attention to the large than he had him
he would always endeavour to promote the pros-
measure, and would materially benefit the mining i inutiotrii,,ismmor.ey titanatts
,f/i
bp:tee
cr
tnot .t,hien.tohree sickr.pay.
times They
all parties concerned if the trade were steadier u perity of the Becher Club. It was a perfectly
population, thus indirectly promoting the inte- the subject is that it would be much better for
lgely enjoyed in the district, and to the use made
sound society, and for the welfare of the com-
rests of the owners of mining property; and it of that prosperity by the members of the club, than un-
be brought about by an action either of the great ' happily is general among the working class. Too often inanity he wished the members were more nu-
is highly desirable therefore that this measure and prices were more settled ; but this cannot
inerous than they were. In conclusion, he had I
should not be among the bills inevitably nuts.great pleasure in proposing the " Health of
sacred towards the end of the session. With the advance of this week, the demand continues doestrenoctive,Ztiavnei3th
smallo ef . privationmber o f a:thil. poverty,w hoe while great small houses in the trade. Notwithstanding the effecte of intemperance and dissipation are more
Lord Lyttelton," who had always come down
regard to the Scotch Education Bill, the religi- thoughtm and right feeling lead them to avail themselves
orders than they can undertake to deliver within
unimpaired, and makers can easily book more iP P
of this and similar associations and means of indepen. there and given a day for their meetings. .
ous difficulty i 3 very great, and there will cer-
a reasonable time. Though some houses RIC dence, indicate too plainly how few there are to whom His Lordship thanked them for drinking his
tainly be such a spirited battle in committee that
working on large contracts, the majority of the what are called " good times" really are good, in the health. He felt assured that the Becher Club
was one of the safest in the whole country, and
the character of the bill if it pass through that
orders placed are rather small, buyers being in :inialybl,rneaseaanedc according
w h
ktt them a yt
to deserveeno
nithoerenaLen, as
committee, and even the passing it itself, are
doubtful. The above are the principal measures passing increase of encouragingcomfort, to providejsyecurely ;:sr the
to he would call on his friend the Rev. Mr. Turner
to purchase for stock, lest they should not be in
the circumstances of the trade, very cautious not
which were anticipated when the session opened, eases and solf.respect of their days of suffering and de- to tell them the opinion other clubs had of the
for the fall when it comes. Of that, however,
and on which the reputation of the Ministry cay, and to leave their descendants in abetter position . Becher Club.
, The rev, gentleman said his Lordship had
depends. Among the minor measures on which there is no immediate prospect. Ironmasters than their own.
generally have bought their pigs at high rates, Mr. Taylor then read the following : . called upon him to give them some little account
there will yet be considerable discussion in the of his experiences this year. He had attended
House of Commons, and the adoption of which STEWPONEY BECHER CLUB.
and what with that important item, the high
• meetings at different places, and had always
by the Howse of Lords cannot be relied upon, prices of fuel, and the advance in the wages of
we may mention Mr. Osborne Morgan's Burials the men, which must take place at the end of SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT To WHIT-TOEsDAY, 1872. heard the Stewponey Becher Club spoken of in
Bill, opening parochial churchyards to Diesen- this month, they cannot manufacture iron below um er of male beneefit members, 286; number of ,_the highest possiN
bble manner, and he sincerely
ters, and enabling ministers of Dissenting bodies the present prices for months to come without female benefit members, 27; number of honorary mens_ wasted it would always go on in the Same pres-
to ,
ruin staring them in the face. Of course, the , berg, 41; total, 304. Monies inrested: With the National perous way it was at present.
conduct servioes at the graves of members of
present prosperous state of matters cannot last Debt Commissioners, January 1, 1872, £5,622 lie 6d ; His Lordship said there was one toast he
Is 54; amount in ' should be very sorry to omit, and that was the
their several communions. To this bill it is ex-
the
interest, due May 20, £lOO
pected there will be serious opposition in the always, and considering the very high prices cur-
he Savings flank, £ll7 Is thl ; balance in hand £1395 I c1n.1,1, rd
i " .............,... .... MT. J. Taylor," who, he said, had
Upper House, more especially as their lordships rent the reaction which must come is not looked ' .0
a id ; total, £5,852 4. 3 id.—Amount received on' account
i been connected with the society for some con-
forward to with any degree of complacency. Yet
have a Burial Grounds Bill of their own. Am- of the sick Mud since January 1, 1872, £35, paid as ek
ong the abortive measures of the session we may some maintain that prices will be posited a allowances, £lB !Is 6d ; total, £l6 15s 6d. ! siderable time, and it was owing to that gentle.
mention the following: the Metropolitan Sunday still higher figure before they reach their limit, On the motion of Mr. C. P. Noel, seconded I man the success and position of the society had
Trading Bill, which WRS opposed on the one and certainly at present the balance of opinion by Mr. Osborne, the report was adopted. I been attained.
inclines to this view. The foreign trade con- Mr. Taylor, in responding, said he rose to
hand by those who object to legislative interfer- The Chairman said he was sorry to report the
thank them for the honour they had done him
ence with regard to Sunday trading, and on the tinues very brisk, and there seem to be good death of one of their vice-presidents, and that
other, by those who thought that in this case the prospects of the United States increasing their was Mr. Ellison, of Bridgnorth, and they had to in proposing and accepting the toast. It had
interference did not go far enough; Mr. Jacob demand for manufactured iron. Pigs are as elect one in that gentleman's place. been some years since he first came there on
occasions like the present, but he sincerely trus-
Bright's Women's Disabilities Bill, the object of scarce SEI ever, and have risen, as well as the Mr. Foley proposed, and the Rev. R. P. Turner
finished iron. The best hot-blast South Staf-
which was to remove exieting obstaclee to wo. seconded, "That the Rev. J. Parton, of Bridg- ted he should be enabled to do more than he had
fordshire pigs are bringing a 10s and .i 6 15a ; done for the society, which he considered was in
men possessing the right to vote—a failure which north, be elected as vice-president."
is not generally regretted. With regard to legis-
lation and cinder pigs from .E 5 Is to 1:5 10s. Ore, of Mr. Taylor then read the following report : a more prosperous condition than it ever was
course, is also stiffening in price. before. They had never endeavoured to build
on that most thorny and difficult subject are REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE
up the interests of their club by running down
the Licensing question, it is decidedly doubtful
MIIMMEMENNEMEMIns."-- vs STE WPONEY ASSOCIATION FOR THE
whether the measure introduced by Lord Kim- other societies, but the Stewponey Becher Club
was founded upon that principle which gave
Kim-
berley on the part of Government will become IMPROVEMENT OF THE LABOURING CLASSES.
law, considering what numerous perils it has yet The Trustees have to report that last year the land has them reason to believe that it was one of the
to encounter : while supposing the measure to been underlet to 789 tenants, at a profit of £ll3 45 Bd, safest clubs in the country, and the society was
he passed, the most 'knowing among us cannot to which Its 44 interest from the Savings' Bank has to increasing in the districts where it was best
foresee the modifications it will undergo. There be added, making a total of £ll3 19s. The expenses known—in Wolverley, Arublecote, Wollaston,
is some probability that practically the bill will have been £122 -ls 3d, ,hewing a loss on the year of £8 Kluwer, and Oldswinford, and that was an evi-
Se 3d. This sum, deducted from the surplus of £4B 17s dent sign that the club was on the increase. In
surplus r 1"
be amalgamated with that of Sir Selwyn Ibbet- lid, as reported in 1870, makes a s
las for 187 '
if 'II conclusion, be again thanked them for the man-
son's, but all is uncertainty. As, however, no arrears were paid, of £4O lls 100. There is however
possible bill on this subject can please all parties, £1.6 ls ld to be deducted for voids and bad debts, reds ner in which they had drunk his health.
and as the Government measure would undoubt- ding the amount to £24 10s Old.
The sum of five pounds has to be received from the
edly effect a reform in the granting of licenses Earl of Hadley, increasing the amount to £29 10s Old.
and the conduct of public-houses, it would be Since the account was made up the sum of £32 as 2,1
well that the measure should become law this has been received, reduciug the actual arrears to £27 153
session if only to give the public some respite Old.
from agitation on the whole subject. On the These arrears are about £1 below last year. The sum
whole it cannot be said that up to the present due from the Earl of Dudley has been received since the
date of the report.
time much legislation has been acconPlished, A question has been raised to whom the Hagley rents
but what may emphatically be called the working are legally due ; the small amount noticed in the account,
period of the session has yet to come, and we pending that buestioe, is held back.
may fairly hope that it will not pass away with- The Trustees again recommend that at Cradley, and at
out beneficial legislation on many important any other place where the landlord's rent is raised, the
tenants' rents should be somewhat raised also. But at
subjects. IVombourne, noticed in this connection last year, the
question does not arise, as the landlord is about to resume
possession of the land.
At Bewdley. also, the association ceases to hold any
land ; and these two considerable losses are hardly at all
counterbalanced by the slight though welcome addition
of land at Areley Kings.
This change in the position of the association is a ma-
terial one. The points hitherto noticed are of no great
importance, and it is tedious again to dwell upon the
blame justly incurred by the tenants who are in arrear.
Nor is the slight increase in the sum total of the current
expenditure of any moment in itself; it is chiefly due to
the item of stationery, in which some periodical increase
necessarily recurs at intervals. But the other matter
must be treated a little more at length.
For some yt ars past it has been a distinction of this
association that it has been self-supporting, and no volun-
tary contributions have been called for. But this was
not the case for a good while after the foundation of the
association, and it entirely depends on its operations being
kept up on their ectual scale. On this point nothing
need ii he added to the subjoined short statement which
has been prepared by the agent. And it will be observed
that the estimate involves a reduction in the salary of the
agent, which the Trustees are reluctant to recommend,
and a few other reductions which are in themselves in-
expedient.
In these circumstances it would be natural to recur to
the former practice, and reestablish the annual subscrip-
tion or auxiliary fund, such as used to exist, and still
exists, in the Becher Club.
It is needless to observe that such fends commonly do
exist in aid of the efforts of the working people to aid
themselves, and it is probable that most of the subscri-
bers to the Becher Club would be willing to give or to
renews contribution to this association.
The Trustees however cannot but suggest that this ne-
cessity might be avoided—and even if not, the suggestion
is in itself worth the consideration of the friends of the
allotment sys.tern in the neighbourhood—by an increase
in the amount of land let by the association. It is very
long since any material addition has been made, while a
good deal of land has been given up, and it seem• not
unlikely that some enquiry among the clergy and others
in the parishes with which the associatim is concerned,
might load to the acquisition for our purposes of some
more lend. It is at all events certain that much more
land thau we now have would easily find satisfactory
tenants.

A large concourse of people assembled on the
grounds during the day, and enjoyed themselves
in dancing and other amusements, until a heavy
thunderstorm came over and quickly dispersed
the majority of them, drenching many to the
skin who had been led out by the appearance of
a fine morning.

The members then adjourned to dinner, which
was provided in a large marquee on the green.
Lord Lyttelton presided, and there were also
present Mr. H. J. W. H. Foley, J.P., C. P.
Noel, J.P., the Revs. T. Williams (Stourbridge),
J. Hodgson (Kinverl, W. Bolton (Kinver), It. P.
Turner (Churchill), J. 0. Reale (Wombourne),
and J. N. Palmer.
The Chairman said he had great pleasure in
proposing the " Health of the Queen."
The toast was heartily drunk.
His Lordship said there were, as they all knew,
but few toasts to propose on those occasions, and
the next toast he would ask them to drink was
the "Health of the Bishops and Clergy in the
several dioceses in their district." He was glad
' there were several of them present, and he would
join to the toast the name of the Rev. T. Wil-
hams, who had preached the sermon that

root ning.
The Rev. J. Hodgson, in responding on behalf
of the clergy, said on behalf of the Bishop of
Lichfield he begged to tender his thanks for the
kind way in which they had received the.toast
that Lord Lyttelton had been good enough to

propose.
The Rev. T. Williams said he was very much
obliged to them for the way in which they had
accepted the toast his Lordship proposed. He
was very much pleased to be present on that oc-
casion, and that was the first time he had had
the pleasure of being there.
The Chairman, in proposing " Prosperity to
the Becher Club," referred to the desirability of
the working classes cultivating habits of era-
deuce and forethought, and said that,
those who worked in the most highly-pant
tries, he apprehended that no one could deny
that their ordinary earnings were enough, with
proper care and providence, for them to lay by
for a time of sickness and old age. He believed
the amusements which the working classes, as a
rule, went to were harmless if they could afford
them, and he was glad they should have this
amusement, if they made a proper use of it; but
but he did not like to see them spending their
money in that way, unless they had provided out
of their income what it was necessary and pro.
per for them to provide for. They should not
look with favour on any man in that class, or
any other class, who was spending money in
amusement, while he was in debt, or making no
provision for sickness or times when he would
be incapable of working. He was just as much
dishonest in the one case as the other. Nothing
more pernicious could be preached among the
working classes than to tell them there was no-
thing to be deprecated or deplored if they did
happen to become chargeable to the parish, be-
cause the poor rate was not charity at all. It
was, however, a heavy tax, reluctantly paid, to a
large extent, by men of their own class, who
were called on to pay that tax because they were
better behaved and more prudent than the reci-
pients. Unless in the administration of the Poor
Law they could make the receipt of relief dis-
tasteful, there would be no security that a large
portion of the population might not be carried
away into that evil of pauperism. They had now
what were called good times, when people were
earning plenty of money; bat they were not
good times at all unless they led to an improve-
ment in the moral condition, and in the fore-
-1 thought of the working classes. He thought
that very often "good times" were very bad
times, and left the people of that and other dis-
tricts worse than they found them. They heard

looking
inclus•

now