The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-05-05 00:00:00

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COMMISSIONERS' MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the Commissioners was
held on Monday afternoon; Mr. I. Nash presiding.
—The chairman and clerk were appointed to attend
a conference of Local Boards and other sanitary
authorities at Manchester on the subject of the Lo-
cal Government Bill. —The following rates were
signed for the year ending March 25, 1889 : Im-
provement rate, is 2d. in the pound; highway rate.
is 2d.; general district rate, is Bd. The Medical
Officer reported that the death-rate of the last month
was 17-2 per 1,000, and the birth-rate 32 per 1,000
—The Improvement Committee had had a confer-.
ence with the medical officer and surveyor with re-
gard to ventilation of the sewers, and they recom -
mended the adoption of the medical officer's engges-
tion that ventilation shafts be erected from time to
, time as might be found necessary. Mr. Stringer
' called attention to the recent reply of the Great
Western Rill way Company to the memorials asking
for a late train from Stourbridge. The Lye, Cradley,
and other stations to Birmingham. The directors had
stated they could not grant the request at the time
the memorials were put before them ; but Mr. Strin-
ger contended that there should be another approach
to the directo7B, and he moved that a deputation be
appointed to meet the general manager on the sub-
ject of a late train. At present the last train via
Cradley to Birmingham was 7.56, while there were
three trains later than that which stopped at Hag-
ley and Churchill. Tilere was no comparison between
the population at those places and the population
Cradley and other places, which were left with-
ut a train from Stourbridge after 7.56. The railway
company derived great revenue from that town and
distriot, and the favour they were asking was only
a reasonable one. Mr. Haskew seconded the motion
and several members spoke in support of it. Mr.
Wt lter Jones said there were several matters which
needed pressing on the railway company, one of
them being the fares to Birmingham. Mr. Blunsorn
slid he frequently came in contact with people from
the district Mr. Stringer referred to, and they great-
ly felt the want of the accommodation mentioned.
The resolution was carried, Messrs. Nash, Stringer,
Platt, and the Clerk being appointed as the depn.
tat. on —The Improvement Committee referre I in
their report to the late accident to James Careless,
the driver of the steam roller, and stated that John
Spears, of Wednesbury, had been engaged in his
place.—Mr. flaslesw moved the appointment of a
committee to consider the desirability of paving the
footpaths of the township, and the best way of rais-
ing a loan to defrsy the expense. Mr. Stringer see •
onded th- motion, which, after some discussion, was
carried.—Mr. C H. Collis moved that a separate
account be opened for the Town Hall revenue, and
that, after deduction of yearly expenses, the bal-
ance be appli-d towards redwine the old debt of
£16,000. He also moved the opening of a sep irate
account as regarded Corn Exchange revenue. What
had ea:curled with regard to the steam roller showed
the importance of having separate accounts of the
kind referred to. They had a sinking fund of £472.,
and out of that sum in 1883 they borrowed £351. to
pay for the steam roller. It was now getting worn
out, and yet the money borrowed from the sinking
fund for its purahare had not been rapaid. If they
had had a separate account for the steam roller, the
revenue would have been sufficient to have repaid
the amount of the pia-chase and have left £2OO. in
( hand; whereas there was not 6d., and the roller was
I half-worn. The income from the steam roller had

been used in reducing the rates instead of paying
off the purchase. It was poiEted out that the esti-
mates for the year had already been passed, and
Mr. Collie's resolution would interfere with them.
The subject was referrcd to the Finance Committee.
—.Mr. Collis also moved a resolution referring the
quistion of the conversion of the debts of £16,000
and .215 00. to the Finance Committee, with pi we -
to act. Le stated that there would be no difficulty
in getting the money at 34, and possibly at 3f ter
cent. Mr. Haskew objected to the Finance Commit•
tee having powers to act without reporting to the
Board. The Clerk suggested an early meeting of the
Finance Committee, to be followed by a special up et-
ing of the Board, and he believed something might
be done. It was agreed to take this course.