The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-01-24 00:00:00

Xocal anb pistrict Vein.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND ASSOCIATION.
On Tuesday evening last the annual meeting
of this association was held in the Assembly
Room, Vine Hotel, the Rev. W. J. J. Welch
(president) in the chair.
A discussion was brought on on the subject of
, raising the subscription of the ordinary mem-
! hers from is to Is Gd a quarter, or Is for the
year. This proposition, after some conversa-
tion, was adopted.
REPOKT FOR THE YEAR ENDING, DEC. 31st, 1973.
In presenting to the members of this association the
report for the year 1873, the committee rejoice that they
are able to speak in congratulatory terms of its financial
and general condition. The balance left in the trea-
surer's hands is merely a nominal sum, hut so much has
been done to improve the rooms of the association, and
othorwise to c intribute to the comfort of its members,
that large calls have been made upon its funds in the
course of the year. A considerable addition has been
made to the library, and alterations effected in the light-
ing of the rooms and other improvements introduced
with a view to augment the comfort of the members, and
otherwise contribute to the more successful working of
the association.
The balance sheet shows the income of the association
to have risen from £62 13, 10jd to £782, 30, due prin-
cipally to the profits realised by the soiree and lectures,
and also to a considerable increase in the number of the
members, of whom 92 new ones have joined the associa-
tion during the past year.
The total number of members new on the books is
196 : thus shelving that the objects of the association
aro well appreciated by those for whose special benefit it
is being maintained.
The classes are large and well attended.
By a special resolution of the committee prizes will
be awarded at the close of the session to the most de-
serving members of these classes, thus presenting. it is
hoped, a healthy stimulus to exertion and regularity of
attendance.

The librarians report of the issues during the put
year, ii its follows :—Number of books issued from the
library daring the past year it 1,240, viz.—religious. 35 ;
biography, memoirs. ,tc., 47; literary and scientific
works, 52 ; poetry. 57 ; voyages and travels. 47 ; history,
78: miscellaneous, 253; books of fiction, 671 ; French
works, 4 ; Latin works, 1.
The reading room is now supplied with the following
papers and periodicals: Times, Standard, Daily Gazette,
Daily Post, Worcestershire Chronicle, Midland Counties'
Herald, Wolverhampton Chronicle, Brierley Hill Adver.
tiser, County Express, Stourbridge Observer, Illustrated
London News, 'The Graphic. Alliance News. Church
Bells, All the Year Round, Punch, Cornhill Magazine,
Leisure Hour, Good Words, Church of England Sunday
School Magazine, People's Magazine, British ‘Vorkinan,
Penny Post, The True Catholic and Birmingham Daily
Mail.
The following classes are being held in connection
with the association :—Singing class (in Mullah's system)
by Messrs. W. G. Goddard and J. Eicock ; shorthand,
by Messrs. G. Soden and J. Mears ; French, by Mr.
Allred Freer; book-keeping, by Mr. George Holloway.
The following lectures and entertainments were given
during the year : A reading, by Dr. Bodington ; a lecture
on •' Arab Life," by Seyid Mustafa Ben Yuasuf ; • 1.1‘.i-
-cal and literary entertainment, by several friends of the
association; a lecture on Bishop Mackenzie, by the Hon.
and Bev. W. H. Lyttelton ; and a lecture by the Rev. W.
J. J. Welch, on the Atmosphere.
Chest.—Two matches were played during the year with
the Lye Institute, one match being drawn, the other
ending in favour of the Stourhridge Association. Two
matches were also played witn the Kidderminster
Church of England Mutual Improvement Society, both
of which were gained by this association.
A testimonial, consisting of a book and purse of
, money, was presented to Mr. S. Moore by some of the
association, on the occasion of his leaving the town, as a
mark of their esteem, and in recognition of kind services
rendered to the association during a lung tenure of
office.
The balance-sheet shows the receipts for the past year
tohave been £7B 2s 31d, and the expenditure £77 16s 114,
thus leaving a balance in hand of 3s 41d.
The report was adopted and ordered to be

printed.
Mr. W. B. Collis was elected president for the
ensuing year, and the vice-presidents were re-
elected.