The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-06-18 00:00:00

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Eke .3tortrbribie oberVer.

SATURDAY, JUNE 18th, 1881.
BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF GAS
MANAGERS.

CONFERENCE IN BIRMINGHAM.

The eighteenth annual conference of the members
of this association was commenced in Birmingham
on Tuesday morning, and was attended by about 500
gas rnaen.gers from various towns in the United
Kingdom. The conference was held in the Masonic
Hall, New Street, and was presided over by Mr. C
Hunt, the president of the association. Amongst
those en the platform were the Mayor of Birming-
ham (Alderman R. Chamberlain), Aldermae Avery
Meesrs. C. Woodhall (London), W. Carr (Halifax)
F. Goddard (Ipswich), Newbiggin (Manchester),
and R. P. Spice (i.ondon).
Mr. North represented Stonrbridge.
The Mayor, on rising, was loudly cheered. He
welcomed those gentlemen present.
The President, in the name of the Association,
thanked the Mayor for his cordial welcome.
The Secretary read the report, which stated that
the number of members of all classes upon the roll
of the ateociation on June 1 was 675. During the
year 6 members lied withdrawn, and had died.
The suggestion made at the last annual ruee:ing by
the acting president (Mr. C. Hunt), for the col-
lection and publication by the tne,ociaeion of ex-
tracts relating to gas from home and foreign
journals, was referred to a committee of members
who were willing to assist in the work of translating
and extracting. It was not, however, found
practicable to cerry it into effect, owing merely to
the want of efficient machinery for sufficiently rapid
publieaTion. The committee were informed that
one of the trade journals would take the matter up
Alterations had been made in the rules, which it
was hoped would have the effect of settling, in a
satisfactory manuer, many questions that had
long been agitated. A growing desire having
been manifested fer the formation of an investi-
gation and research committee it had been decided
to submit a resolution to the meeting giving effect
to this d-sire. rho resolution declared that it
was desirable that the organisation of the a,socia-
tion should be employed for the purpose et aidin.4
investigation in doubtful or diffieult questions
releting to gae manufacture or science, and request-
ing tee „committee to circulate during the year a
number of questions to be answered by the
members.
On the motion of the President, the report was
adopted, the alteration of the rules was approved
and a formal resolution was passed for the establ-
ishment of a "research committee "

The following awards were announced for the
successful papers last year : Medal, Mr. Barker,
for his paper upon" Theconstrnctionof gasholders."
first premium of XlO., Mr. F. Livesey, for his paper
on "Retort furnaaes ; "sec-aid premium of £7, Mr.
G. E. Stevenson, for his paper on "Regenerative
furnaces; " and the third premium of £3., to Mr
F. W. Hartley, for his paper on "Standards for
estimating illuminating power."
In the afternoon a visit was paid to the Saltley
and Winds,r Street Gasworks. Nearly 300 members
and several ladies attended, and were conveyed
first of all to the gasworks at Saltley in eleven of
Allsop's omnibuses. Entering by the gates in
Dudcleston Mill Road, the party were conducted
through the extensive works by the engineer, Mr.
C. Hunt, the president of the association.
At a meeting Feld on the evening, Dr. Siemens
F. R. S. read a paper on "gas supply," both from
heating and illuminating power, which was very
interesting, and a long discussion ensued. Tho
conference continued on Wednesday and Thursday.
Trip to Enville.—A special train was provided
by the Committee, leaving Birmingham, Snow Hill
Station, Livery Street Side, at 10.20 a.m.. arriving
at Stourbridge Junction 10.45 a.m., on Friday.
Carriages supplied by Mr. Morris, of Dudley;
were in attendance at Stourbridge Junction to
convey their guests via Bagley Road and High
Street, Stourbridge, thence through Kinver to
Enville, one of the seats of the Right Hon. the
Ecel of Stamford and Warringto* who very
kindly threw open his unsurpassed grounds.
Tne Church of St. Mary was vi.ited. It is an
antient Norman and early English Building:
it c,niFiata of a chancel, nave, north and south aisles
and lady clapel •' the lady chapel was built in 1333,
by Philip do Lutteley, who was escheator to the
King. The Church has undergone a thorough
restoration by the late Sir G. G. Scott, RA. At
the east end of the north aisle is a very handsome
Alabaster Monument, with the effigies of a KnigLt
and Lady, and on which carabe read the ins3ription,
to the memory a Thomas Grey and Anne his wife
toe
_date is 1559. The present Rector is the Rev.

C. 1. A. Padley, M.A., of Exeter College, Oxford,
Messrs. Synyer and Gilmer's Band played in the
Grounds, from 12 to 1.45 p m., the following
selection :—Grand Nuptial March (Romeo et Juliet)
a:vaned ; Overture, " Masaniello," Auber ; Vase,
"Brune on Blonde," Tra/cltenfe/ ; Selection, "Op.
Carmen," Bizet ; Gavotte, " Heimlicho Leibe,"
Beach ; Overture, "William Tell," .Rocsini ; Russian
Dance, "Pis des Patineurs," Minim ; Selection,
'• Le Cloches de Corneviile," .Planquette.
Luncheon took place at 2 pan , in the Marquee
placed on the Crieke:, Ground.
During Lurch on tee Band played the following
selection :—March of Israelitt s, Costa ; Overture
"La Gazza Ladra," Rossini ; Glee, " Mynheer Van
Dueck," Bishop ; Wee, "La Berceuse, Waldtenfel
Reminiscences uf Wales, Godfrey ; Galop, "The
Hermit's Bells," Jfaillard.
The Carriages were ready for the return journey
at 6.45 p.m. (raturning vi. t Stourten Castle, the
birthplace of Car:Th.lll Pole) to meet the special
train leaving Stourbridge Junction at 7.15 p.m.
which is timed to arrive in Birmingham, Snow Hill
Station, 7.45 p.m.
The Subscribers were Aird, Joseph ;. Anchor
Tube Co.; Brown, John & Co. Limited; Bailey,
Peg a dc Co.; Bent, John & Son • Bethel( k Sons
Cuisine Bi-others ; Cochrane & Ca. ; Eveson. G. J.;
Firmstone C. E., & Brothers; Gibbons, 8., Jun. ;
Hall, Jehn, & Co.; Harper & Moores ; Harris &
Pearson; Harrison, George King ; Horton, J. & W ;
King Brothers; Lloyd& Lloyd ; Mobberley & Perry;
Noll, Richard ; Pearson E. J. & ,T. ; Piggott, Taos.;
St C... ; Roberts, J. &S. ; Robinson Brothers ;
ituisell, James, & Son ; Russell, John & Co.;
Tangye Brothers ; The Horsley Co. ; Torbay Paint
Co. ; Trotter, Haines, & Corbett ; Weetwood &
Wright; Wigan Coal & Iron Co.; Wilson, Carter,
& Pearson.
The visitors went over the church and afterwards

by the kind permission of the Earl of Stamford and
Warrington visited the gardens. Mr. R. Cocks
directed the fountains to play which were seen to
great advantage, and conducted the party through
the famous picture. gallery.
The company then at down to dinner in two
large tents.
The chair was occupied by Mr. G. K. Harrison.
The Chairman proposed the "Queen," which was
heartly drunk.

'The; Chairman next gave "The Army and Navy
and Volunteers," which was respondod to by Major
Cochrane, In a humorous speech. He considered
that the same British pluck existed at the present
time, a* in years gone by, and referred at some
length to the conduct of General Roberts.
The Chairman then gave "The President and
members of the British Association of Gas Mana-
gers, e-Juplin4 witi it. the -name of Mr. Hunt,"
which was drunk with mulical honours, and was
responded to by Mr. Hun:.
The Chairman next gave " Literature, Science,
and Art," which was reTonded to by Mr. Denny
Leone, of Cork, in a very humorous speech, and was
loudly applawi ed.
'lle Chairman gave 'Our Ameri, an Cousins."
which was responded to by Major Dresser, of New
York, America, and Major Green, of Boston,
America.
The Chairman next gave "The Press" which was
duly acknowledged.
The next town, was the "Health of the Earl of
Stsinfo-d and Warrington," which was responded
to b 7 Mr. C‘lrbett.
Other toasts full .wed.
Mr. Riley, of Birmingham, acted a 3 toastmaster
The party returned through Stourbri ige about
sevoa o'clock, after having spent a mot enjoyable
day.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE
COMMISSIONERS.

The annual generel meeting of the Commis-
sioners was held in the Commissioners' Room.
Corn Exchange, on Wednesday afternoon last. Mr.
W. J. Turney presided, and there were also present
Messrs. lluvh,s, Edwards, Haskew, Scott, Green,
Allsopp, Woolley, Ick and Dawes.
Mr. W. Perry read the minutes of the last
genral meeting.
Mr. Hughes said he thought they could not do
hater thin to re-eect their chairman. and he
begged to pr :pose that Mr. W. J. Turney be chair-
man tor te eutuin;; year.
Mr. Edwards begge to second the resolution,
and said that he thought, under the circnmstances
"...as they bad tbe Show coming on, and Mr. Tur •
ney wxe chairman, and had been good enough to
p!,:ce his valuable land for the benefit of the Show
and the Town—they could not do better than ap-
p,int him to (2arry out the business for this year.
(He) Jr: Edwards) felt sure that he would do all he
ovuld—like himaelf—to keep down the "X's" as
Much ea pesible.

Mr. W. J. Turney thanked them for having
elected him as their chairman for the ensuing
year. H 6 was sure that his best efforts should be
given, and what time he could devote to the inter-
est of the Town should be at their disposal—(hear,
hear). He must, before sitting down, thank tho
whole of the Board for the respect paid to the
chair during the past year, and he was glad to say
that the whole of the proceedings, the whole of the
work connected with the Board, had been of a very
unanimous character and he sincerely trusted that
they should work together unanimously for the en-
suing year. There was an important work coming
on, that was the drainage question, which had just
commenced in reality. It had to be worked to the
advantage of the Town and sati-faction of the
ratepayers. There was a large sum of money to be
spent, and it wanted the deliberate and caltn con-
sideration of every member of that Board, as well
as the unanimous consent of all us members, in
such an important undertaking as that. There
were also other matters of importance. There uas
the show week soon coming on. That was an im—
portant business ade every member of that Board
should feel more or less interested in that under-
taking. He begged to thank them for the confi-
dence they had shown by electing him as their
chairman.

Mr. H. Hughes moved a vote of thanks to Mr.
Turney, for his services during the past year, who
he said, had given a great deal of his time to the
business of the Town
Mr. Edwards seconded the resolution and it was
carried unanimously.

Mr. Turney said be was extremely obliged to
them for their vote of confidence in him for the past
year. He should do all that lay in his power to
further the interests of the town and ratepayers
generally.
Mr.. Turney : I am very sorry that there are no
ratepayers present, other th-an the Commissioners.
Mr. Haskew : I think it is a proof that the Corn.
missioners and Chairman have given satisfaction
during the past year. -
Mr. Tumey said the statement of o.,!counti was
self-explaining. and when it was made out ho be-
lieved there was a balance in hand of about .2782
15s. He did not known whether that would be
at the present time, but there was a considerable
balance in their favor at the Bank.
Mr. Haskew There is about £70:) now in the
Bank to our credit

Mr. Turuey : That is a very satisfactory state of
things, considering what 119. s been done.
Mr. Edwards moved and Mr. Ick seconded, that
the chairman be requested to sign the accounts ou
13:2i,a4 ol the Co:nmissioners.

Tie accounts were passed.
Oo the motion of Mr. Blansorn s:sconded by Mr.
Field, Mr. James Underwood and M. H. Yates
were re-appointed as auditors.
This ccncinJed the business.