The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-06-07 00:00:00

T}ll TO4tB,I3iIIrGE OFSFRVER.

cutor said that prisonereame to her shop on Wednes-
day week. After she left she (witness) missed a pair
of drawers. They were safe a few minutes previous.
Prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to three
weeks hard labour in each case.

A CAUTION.—Thomas Bourne was charged with
being drunk and unable to take care of his horse and
carriage, on the night of the sth inst. P.O Harrison
proved that he saw the defendant about twenty yards
below the clock in a four wheel phaeton. The horse
was walking and defendant was asleep. Witness
wokelhim up and he refused to give his name, and
he locked him up. Pleaded guilty. Fined 59 and
costs.

ANNUAL MEETINU OF THE STEW.
PONEY BECHER CLUB AND ALLOT-
MENT SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the above societies was
held, as usual, at the Foley Arms Hotel, on
Tuesday last. A service was held at Kinver
Church in the morning, at which several of the
members were present; the sermon being preached
by the Rev. F. R. Evans, vicar of St. George's
Kidderminster. The annual meeting was after-
wards held on the green adjoining the Foley Arms.
Lord Lyttelton, the President of the Becher Club
and Allotment Society, presided, and called upon
the secretary, Mr. J. Taylor, to read the report
the Becher Club, which was as follows:

FIRST CLLBS.—William Dallow,George Wilcox,
William Evers, John Chance, James Preece, Ben-
jamin Pritchard, William Wall, John Shilvock,
Joseph Bate, George Blaney, William Whittaker,
Charles Bradley, Joseph Day, Charles Thomas,
William Hardy, Joseph Fletcher.
SECOND CLASS—Richard Cowhorn, James Bul-
lock, George Gould, George Aston, John Moreton,
John Cor, Edwin Sprague, Joseph Hobday, E.
Forest, George Lane, William Pardoe, David
Powell, Edwin Simpson, Thomas Dutton, Joseph
Thomas, Joshua Cartwright.
The four prizes for the district of Wombourne
were awarded to Joseph Thomas (fifth time of
having received it), Charles Bradley, Joseph Day,
and Joshua Cartwright, (this being the ffrst time
for the three latter to receive a prize.
The business part of the proceedings having
been concluded,
Mr. B. Williams proposed a hearty vote of
thanks to Lord Lyttelton for his kindness in
attending so regularly at their annual meetings.
This was seconded and carried in the most hearty

manner.
His Lordship replied, and said he should be
happy on all occasions to do whatever he could
towards enhancing the prosperity of the societies.
He was sorry to say that he must then leave them
as he had to catch a train to meet another engage-

ment.
The party then adjourned to a large tent,where
an excellent dinner was provided by the host, Mr.
Nash, of the Foley Arms Hotel. Just before the
grace was said, and, also at frequent intervals
during the progress of the meal, there were loud
peals of thunder and flashes of lightning, accom-
pauied by heavy showers of rain. The latter per-
colated through the canvas covering to such an
extent, that it was at one time suggested that all
present should wear their hats. The storm, how-
ever, abating, the necessity for doing this was
obviated. In the absence of the President (Lord
Lyttelton) Mr. H. W. H. Foley (one of the Vice-
Presidents) was in the chair. There were also
present :—the Revs. J. Hodgson (vicar of Kinver).
T. K. Evans (of Kidderminster), W. J. Hield (vicar
of Wombourne), R. P. Turner (of Churchill),
Messrs. C. P. Noel, B. Williams, J. Taylor, &e.
After the removal of the cloth, the Chairman
opened the proceedings by saying that it was not
customary on these occasionsto go through a long
list of toasts, as there were amusements outside
which many of them were usually anxious to
partake in. Although the weather was just then
rather unpropitious, he should not depart from the
usual formula; but should be as brief in his re-
marks as possible. He would therefore at once
propose the "Health of the Queen and the rest of
the Royal Family,"—(cheers)—which was a toast
which he was happy to say was always drunk with
enthusiasm at all assemblies in England, no matter
what little differences there may be among them
with regard to private politics, and he felt sure
that all the members of the Becher Club were
thoroughly loyal—)applause).
Mr Foley said the next toast he had to propose
was the" Health of the Bishop and Clergy of the
Diocese ," but as the operations of the club ex-
tends into two dioceses, he would put it in a
different form. He would, therefore, propose the
" Health of the Bishops and Clergy of the dioceses
of Lichfield and Worcester, of all denominations.'

--
He would couple with the toast the name of the
Rev. T. R. Evans, whose sermon they had had the
pleasure of listening to that morning. He himself
had not had the pleasure of hearing it; but he
hoped that Mr. Evans would attribute, what must
have been a most scanty audience, not to any dis-
respect to him or depreciation of his powers as a
preacher; but rather to what was the real cause—
the very unpropitious state of the elements. He had
not the slightest doubt that those who had attended
church that morning had been very much edified by
by the very excellent sermon which he felt confident
the Rev. gentleman had delivered to them—(hear,
hear). He hoped that if he did them the honour
to officiate for them on some future occasion he
might have a better attendance. On many
occasions the drinking of the health of the clergy
was regarded as little more than an idle compli-
ment ; but he could assure the rev, gentlemen
present that it was nut so iu the present instance.
There was no body of men upon whom he looked
with greater respect. They were gentlemen who
were expected to be at their posts on all occasions,
and whose whole lives were devoted to the noble
work uf raising their fellow-creatures both morally
and socially. He was, sure therefote, that all
present would join with him very cordially in
drinking" The Bishops and clergy of all denomi-
nations of the two dioceses"—(applause).
Mr. Evans thanked them for the hearty manner
. . . . .

in which they had received the toas.t of the
bishops and clergy. He felt great pleasure in
being there with them that day. lie trusted that
they would take the presence of himself and the

other clergymen there as an earnest that they
wished to live the truth, and that the clergy
wished to do whatever was in their power for all
classes of society; and they wanted those present
to enter into their feelings and their wishes, and
to co-operate with them in their endeavours to do
good.
Mr. Foley then proposed the "Health of their
absent President—Lord Lyttelton"—(great cheer.
ing). He knew he need only to mention his name
to elicit from them the most hearty response. He
was confident that no one regretted more than the
noble lord himself the fact that he was obliged to
leave them, lie had been with them during the
transaction of the dry details of the business, and
was compelled to absent himself just as what most
of them would consider the interesting part of the
proceedings—namely, the dinner—was about to
commence. He was always engaged in some good
work or another—more especially in the way of
helping the working-classes—and he (the speaker)
felt certain that it was something of that nature
which had taken him away from them then. LAt
this point a gentleman informed Mr. Foley that
his lordship's absence was owing to the fact that
he had to catch a train which was to have taken
him to a meeting at a Mechanics Institution in
iorkshire j. Mr. Foley resumed by saying that
he knew he was engaged in some good work or
other. He must say that there was at the present
time a little opposition between himself and his
lordship. He was opposing him in one little
thing, and he was not ashamed to confess that in
that one little matter he was diametrically opposed
to him, and should try to thwart Min in that
respect by every means in his power. This was
not the case, however, with regard to the Becher
Club, for no one was more sensible than himself
of the benefits they derived from the patronge
and support which his lordship had so freely ac-
corded to them on all occasions, and he was happy
to say that with reference to the Becher Club
they were both unanimous in wishing it every
prosperity and success. The toast was then drunk
with enthusiasm.
The Rev. H. P. Turner replied on behalf of
Lord Lyttelton, and said that he was quite sure
that his lordship regretted very much that he was
not able to be present there on that occasion. He
had been connected with the Becher Club for
some years, and he need not tell them that he had
always given his best attention to it in every way.
He had set them the best possible example by
attending church that morning. Whilst he (the
speaker) was on his legs he should propose to
them a toast. There was another name besides
that of the nobleman oil whose behalf he had
been replying which was generally received with
respect. They all knew the gentleman who had
set on foot this society, and the setting on foot of
societies of this kind is always the most difficult
part of the performance. He was happy to hear
from the report and the large bonuses which were
about to be given to members that the society was
in a flourishing condition; and he was confident
that so long as Mr. Foley belonged to that club
there would not be much the matter with it. He
had much pleasure, therefore, in proposing the
"Health of Mr. Foley"—(cheers).
Mr. Foley, in responding, said he was quite
ashamed of getting so often on his legs. By way
of economising time, he would, whilst he was ad-
dressing them, propose another toast; thus getting
two speeches into one. The Becher Club had
always been to him a subject of very great interest.
His father had founded the club, and had always
felt the most lively concern in its welfare; and
that feeling had been transmitted to himself.
There was a time when the number of members
was very small, but even when they were at the
lowest he (the speaker) believed there never was
a shadow of a doubt about that society being a
safe investment in which the working man could
with confidence lay by a provision in case of sick-
ness or old age. The main object of the club was
to enable them to make that provision with security.
There was nothing so mischievous as a had club,
in which people had invested their little savings
and when old age comes on them and they required
its aid it breaks and deprives them of the assist-
ance which they naturally looked for. The results
of a bad club did not extend only to those who had
invested their money in them and lost it; but they
prevented others from making a provision by join-
ing clubs. They had at the present time £6,000
in hand, which was the best argument that they
could use to show that the club was in a good
position; and without touching that or making
the slightest encroachment on their capital several
of the members would receive over £2 tOs each by
way of bonus from Mr. Taylor. He was confident
that in the way of bonuses alone there were many
of the old members of the club who had received
more out than they had invested in it. The re-
marks which he had just made would lead them
to guess that the toast which he was about to pro-
pose to them was " Prosperity to the Stewponey
Becher Club"—(great cheering). He was glad to
see that there was so much unanimity amongst

results

those present with _ to the toast he had
proposed. He could only say that with reference
to himself he should always endeavour to support
that club, the interests of which his poor father
had always had so much at heart. It was always
to him a source of regret that more had not availed
themselves of the advantages offered by the club;
that, however, was their loss and not that of the
members, as their present numbers were quite
sufficient to ensure its prosperity. In giving the
toast he should couple with it the name of Mr.
Turner, who had always taken a great interest in

-
,ference

it.
Mr. Turner said this was not the first time he
had had the honour of having his health drunk on
a similar occasion. The only reason for his pre-
sence and that of the other clergymen amongst
them was to support a club which they believed
was in every way worthy of support. Of course, it
had been the same with them as with all other
societies—they had had their ups and downs ; they
had been low and they had been high. He believed
they were at their lowest in 1867. This was owing
to a foolish panic. In that year they altered their
tables, and this fact which ought to have given the
members a greater faith in the stability of the club
had a contrary effect and caused many of them to
leave it. He believed that most of those whohad
taken that step had lived to regret it. He should
like to see the number of members increase to 500.
The great point in these clubs was to prevent im-
position. Given no imposition and the club must
do well; and the best way to guard against it was
to have a sort of police amongst the members them-
selves. It was a very common thing in clubs to
say "We must have a draw ;" but their bonuses
were not a draw in the ordinary acceptationof the
term as they did not touch the working capital of
the club, and consequently when they left it they
would leave it in quite as good a position as they
found it. He urged them to try to do whatever
was in their power to support the clubby inducing
persons to become members. He did not wish
them, however, to try to get persons to join it
whom they thought likely to be bad members.
There was another person who gave a great deal of
time and attention to the club, and he most
certainly did not think that gentleman was over-
paid considering the amount of time and attention
he bestowed on all the business details connected
with their society. There was no doubt that the
success of the society depended in a great measure
on Mr. Taylor's exertions, and the able manner in
which he conducted its affairs had doubtless in a
great measure conduced to its prosperity. He
should, therefore, before he sat down, have much
pleasure, in proposing " Mr. Taylor's health "
(loud applause).
Mr. Taylor said he was extremely obliged to the
rev. gentleman for the honour he had done him by
proposing his health, and to all present for the hearty
manner hi which they had received the toast. He
also wished to express his sincere thanks to Mr.
Osborne and Mr. Rhodes for the handsome gift of
.£25 which they had made him by way of remunera-
tion for the labour he had been at in preparing the
balance sheets for the actuary, Mr. Bailey. Some
few years ago he had had to prepare a similar report,
and he well recollected the consternation that was
produced when it was found that their balance, in-
stead of being on the right, was on the wrong side.
They then raised the contributions, and since then
the annual statements had been much better than
hitherto. Several of his friends at times asked him
questions with reference to what they did with their
surplus. They saw by the reports that they had an
account with the National Debt Commissioners.
i hey had on account with them at the present time
of £6,200; and his friends sometimes facitiously
asked him if they intended to pay off the National
Debt—(laughter). They had an account with the
National Debt Commissioners because they received
from them a fair amount of interest on their money,
and it was the safest way of investing their money
that they could possibly have. With such a surplus
as the above he did not think there was much to fear
for the stability of the Stewponey Becher Club. He,
for one, would nut belong to a rotten club. They
must bear in mind that according to the actuary's
valuation they had £1,900 surplus over and above
what was considered by him to be necessary to ensure ,
the stability of the club, and part of that surplus was !
to be divided amongst them. Mr. Turner had said
that lie thought they ought to have members in the
club. Some years ago lie ;the speaker) recollected
that it was said that if they could get 200 members
, they might—to use the language of a noble lord—
' " rest and be thankful." Since then, however, their
desires had become less modest, and he (the speaker)
must say that fur his own part that a club which had
worked so well and shown such satisfactory results,
ought to number more than 500 members. He
thought that if the benefits of the club became more
widely known they would WWI have a large accession
to their members. With this view he would make a
suggestion to the managers of the club. lie thought
if they would get a few small slips printed showing
the dividends of the club, and give them to the
members to circulate amongst their friends they would
see that the club deserved all the consideration which
intelligent working men could give it. lie had no
reason for doubting that if they all put their shoulders
to the wheel they 81101111 WWI See an increase in the
members of the Becher Club. The Allotment
Society was a kindred society to that, although the
accounts were kept distinct and separate. They
were both under the same management, with the
same objects in view. He hoped the Allotment
Society would prosper more in the future than it done
in the past.
Mr. Osborne, said he did not think they need
trouble themselves about getting new meinbers. He
knew some of those who had left the society in 1567,
and they were always regretting the steps they had
then taken. That was the best kind of advertisement
they could have, for when others heard them bemoan-
ing their folly they would be sure to think that the
sooner they became connected with a society which
could cause people so much regret for having left it,
the better. He had been asked to propose the tut
of "Our absent friends, ' and by absent friends he
meant those who had been foolish enough to leave
them.

The meeting then broke up, and moat of those pre-
sent went ruuud the grounds, where the usual sports
were held; and the weather having cleared up thou-
suuds ot persons isited the place.