The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-10-30 00:00:00

KIDDERMINSTER TOWN COUNCIL.

A QUESTION AS TO THE EX CUSAL OF RATES.
The monthly meeting of the Council was hell on
Wednesday, the Mayor (Mr. Holdsworth) in the
chair.—A communication was read fr m the High
Sheriff of Worcestershire relative to the celebration
of the Queen's jubilee next year. A resolution was
passed requesting the Mayor to attend the intended
county meeting at Worcester on the sebject. and
a committee was also appointed.—A memorial was
received from a number of farmers and others ask-
ing the Counted to extead the accommodation now
afforded by the retail market. The memorialists be-
lieved increased supplies would be brought to the
market if the accommodation was increased. The
letter was referred to a committee The annual
report of the Grammar School was received, and
ordered to be entered on the minutes.—A letter was
read from the secretary to the Chamber of Commerce
calling attention to the obstructions in the river
Stour. Thern Town Clerk stated there were certain
negotiations going on, which could not be made
public at present. The canal company had com-
menced to remove the obstructions in the river due
to the works they had carried out. The letter was
referred to the committee appointed,with referenca
to the floods.—The Town Clerk read a letter from
Mr. Miller Corbet, stating that he purposed attend-
ing the meeting to apply that some portion of the
rate assessed on Orsett House be allowed to him.
Mr. Corbet remarked that the whole tendency of
modern legislation had been against his profession
(the law), and he asked for an allowance of rate
upon stable and coach house, as he was unable to
keep a horse or carriage, and for the same reason
two bed rooms intended for visitors had not been
used. Mr. Corbet wrote that he had been consulted
by sever 1 gentlemen who bad instructed him to
apply for similar allowances ; and, he added, sar-
castically, in a postscript, "Of course if such rate
allowance is confined to members of the Corporation,
I shall, in strict law, be out of court ; but I think
that I fairly askithat a point be stretched in my
favour." Mr. Corbett was present in the Council
Chamber, and there was a discussion as to whether
he should be heard ; but the matter ended so far by
his letter being referred to the Improvement Cora-
mittee.—At a subsequent stage of the meeting,
when the Improvement Committee's report had been
read. Councillor Potter asked if the £B. of rates
which had been excused to Councillor Chadwick was
included in an account of £l5. 13s. 7d. for ordinary
excusals of rates? The Town Clerk said it was not.
The XS. was included in the voids, in reference to
Chadwick and Son's tales. Mr. Goodwia said the
amount was excused
,by the committee after the
matter was laid before them and it was put among
the voids. Mr. Potter said if e-
they were to make
allowances to members of the Council in thie way
they should have lots of people coming to them for
reductions of their rates. Mr. Chadwick could not
keep his stock in his offices only. He moved that
the allowance of the £B. be not confirmed. Mr.
Tomkinson said it was dangerous precedent to
allow rates in this way. It might lead to hundreds
of claims coming before them for an abatement of
rates, as well as Mr. Chadwick's. He knew many
manufacturers who would like to have part of their
rates taken off. esr. Chadwick said the circumstances
under which the application for an abatement of the
rate was made were explained in the letter sent in
to the committee by his firm. Mr. ITomkinson : Oe
the plea of poverty? Mr. Chadwick : On the plea
of justice. The works of his firm had not been carried
on in the period for which the allowance was asked.
In cases where his firm had bought and sold, they
had bought and sold direct from the maker. Mr.
Cole had told him a similar allowance was made to
him, Mr. Coe : Not at all. Mr. Chadwick : You said
so in the committee. Mr. Cole : No,;no. Afterwards.
Mr. Cole explained that a part of his premises,
which had been let off for other purposes, became
void for six months, and the rate was not paid on
it. It was legally void at the time. The Mayor :
That is a very different thing. Mr. Roden said in
committee he voted for the allowance of this rate as
a matter of justice. He understood most distinctly
that these premises of Messrs. Chadwick's were
entirely void, and that nothing was occupied but the
offices. Mr. Chad wick said the outside public would
understand why this matter had been brought up at
the present time. Mr. Talbot regretted that a per-
sonal matter had been introduced, but they should
look at this matter in a legal (aspect. He did not
think the Council had any power to excuse the rate
on these premises as long as any part of them was
occupied for business purposes. It was a matter on
the committee's part, and now it was brought before
the Council they ought not to sanction it. Alder-
man Willis wised if any portion of the premises
was occupied by goods ? Mr. Chadwick : I cannot
but say there are goods stored there. Alderman
Willis: Then I take it we have no power to excuse
the rate. I sympathis_! with Mr. Chadwick : but we
are here holding a public duty to:fulfil.l do not know
if we are notliable to penalties if we excuse the rate.
Mr. Chadwick said perhaps he might stop the dis-
cussion, if he said he would refund the rate. Mr.
Tomkinson : Has it been paid Mr. Chadwick said
said he meant i• should be paid. The ,R 8 was then
struck out the 'Void" list, mind added to the amount
of recoverable arrears —On the motion of the Mayor,
seconded by Mr. Grosvencee the Clerk was directed
to forward a letter of sympathy to the family of the
late Alderman William Green.—The Mayor after-
wards took the opportunity of expressing the plea-
sure of the council in seeing Mr. Grosvenor able to
attend the Council again after his illness. The Mayor
expressed his wish to present a silver mace to the
Council to commemorate his year of office, and on
the motion of Mr. Goodwin, seconded by Mr, Mor •
ton, a resolution was passed accepting the offer
with thanks.—The Medical Officer's report showed
the death-rate for the past monthwas 10-5 per 1,000,
against 17 per 1,000 in the corresponding month
las t year.—Upon the reading of the Drainage and
Waterworks Committee's report, reference was made
to the presstet condition of the sewage farm, and
members of the Council who had visited the farm
testifieu to the satisfactory state in which it now
was. Alderman Willis said the threats of actions
against the Corporation were entirely uncalled for.
—A rate of 2s. 6d for the current half-year was
made and signed.—Other business followed, and the
Council broke up, after a piolonged sitting.