The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-11-13 00:00:00

. ,T7("YI .YACITITAP,
SA.ll:llltAir, NOV. 13, 1875

Xotal nut Pottid gets.

THE SCHOOL BOARD.

A special meeting of the members of this body
was held in the Corn Exchange; on Monday after-
noon last. Major Walker presided; and there
were also present :—Messrs. Stringer, Wall, and
Billingham.
The Clerk read the requisition calling the meet-
ing, and, afterwards, the minutes of the previous
meeting. These last were confirmed, on the motion
of Mr. Stringer.
A letter was read from the Educational Depart-
ment, which stated that they approved of the plans
and supplementary plans which had been sent to
them by the Board; and they advised the Public
Works Loan Commissioners to lend the Board the
sum of ..t4,890, instead of the £5,000 which had
been applied for by the Board.
The Chairman said he thought they had better
accept that.
The Clerk read a letter from the Public Works
Loan Commissioners, stating thatthe Board should
send in a statement of the amount of loan which
they iniendel to borrow, or the instalments of loan
which they would require during the ensuing fin-
ancial year.
A resolution was then passed that the Clerk be
instructed to apply to the Public Works Loan
Commissioners to ascertain upon what terms they
would lend the School Board £4,800.

It was also resolved that Messrs. Freer and Perry,
solicitors, be instructed to make the agreements
with the contractor in respect cf the buildings,
and act for the Board in the business of the loan.

The next business for discussion was the question
of temporary school accommodation.
The Chirman read a letter from Mr. Lair (on be-
half of the trustees of the Wesleyan Schools),
whieh stated that they declined to allow the Board
to have the use of their schools for the purpose of
temporary accommodation. Letters of similar
import were received from Mr. John Taylor (on
behalf of the Congregationalists), and from Mr.
W. Platt (on behalf of the Baptists).
The Chairman said he did not see what they
could do in the way of providing temporary ac-
commodation if they could not have any of those
rooms. He was afraid they were shut out from
temporary accommodation. lie was very sorry,
but he could not see any way out of the difficulty.
The Clerk stated that he had received a letter
from Mr. Guest, the day after the la3t
stating that he was willing to send in revised
tenthrs. Mr. Guest was informed that the Board
had definitely accepted the revised tenders of Mr.
Horton, and could not re-open the question.

TEA MEETING AND CONCERT. A tea meeting
and concert were given at the Congregational
School Room, in this town, on Monday evening
last. It was announced that the proceeds were to
.be devoted towards defraying the expenses re-
cently incurred in cleaning, painting, and decorat-
ing the chapel and premises, and we understand
that the whole expense connected with the affair,
was borne by Mr. J. W. Woolley. About 200 sat
down to tea; after which the chair was taken by
Mr. W. J. Turney, who, having heard that there
still remained £7O owing on account of the above,
announced that whatever deficit remained after
the proceeds of that evening had been realised he
would defray the same out of his own pocket. This
announcement was, of course, received with great
cheering. The following programme was then
gone through :—Overture to Zampa., Mr. Thomas
Rhodes; song, " Thou art so near and yet so far,"
Mr. Robert Rhodes; song, "My mother bids me
bind my hair,'; Miss Richards; solo flute, Mr. H.
King; song, "A life that lives for you," Mr. W.
C. Firmstone ; song, "We'd better bide a' wee,"
Miss'Taylor ; reading, 'The death of Absalom,"
Mr. G. Killingworth ; song, "The village home,"
Mr. H. Mobberley ; duet pianoforte, "Madame
Angot," Misses Taylor and Woolley; song, "Corn-
ing thro' the rye," Miss Richards; song, " I am a
roamer," Mr. W. C. Firmstone ; solo pianoforte,
"March,' Mrs. Collins; song, "The heart bow'd '
downi" Mr. J. E. Southall; song, "The daisy
valley," Mr. E. Rhodes; solo flute, Mr. H. King
song, 'r There's danger on the line," Mr. H. Moia-1
berley ; reading, "The distress of a modest man,"
Mr. G. Killingworth ; song, t" Joyous Life," Miss
Taylor • song, "Charge of the Light Brigade," Mr.
J. W.'oolley ; solo and song, M.r.T. Rhodes. The
above was gone through in a very creditable way,
and the frequent and hearty applause sufficiently
attested that the auditors thoroughly appreciated
, the efforts of their entertainers.
' LECTURE AT THE UNION HALL.—A lecture on
"Eastern Manners and Customs," was delivered'
by the Rev. W. J. J. Welch, at the Union Hall, on
Tuesday evening last. The lecture was illustrated
ey numerous dissolving views. The
customs illustrated were principally those to which
reference is made in various portions of Holy
Writ, and served to explain many passages which
to some might appear ambiguous or of
meaning. Such were the eastern modes of saluta-
tion, which were shown to be very tedious and
formal ceremonies, occupying much time, and,
therefoie, Christ enjoined upon his apostles that
when they went to preach the Gospel they were to
salute no man by the way. The funerals of the
east were described, and the lecturer pointed out
that the common mode of disposal of the dead was
the same as that adopted at the present day—by
burial—and there were only two instances of
cremation in Holy Writ; one of which was in the
case of King Saul and other occurs in the book of
Amos The ancient mode of writing with an iron
pen or stylus- upon papyrus, wax, &Lc., was pro-
fusely illustrated, and it was pointed out that
writing was such an ancient art that it was spoken
of in the book of Job, probably the oldest book at
present extant. The custom of washing the hands
before meals' the partaking of meals—the princi-
pal of which was supper—and the washing of the
feet, afi spoken of in the Gospel, were alluded to
The parable of the "Wise and foolish virgins,.
was also referred to, and it was shown that the
same Customs prevailed in the East at the present
day; and it was also shown that no one was
allowed to be present at a wedding feast without
he was clad in a wedding garment specially pro-
vided for the occasion. The processes of plough-
ing the land, sowing the seed, threshing, winnow-
ing, and grinding the corn, were described at
considerable length. The lecture was a very inte-
resting one, and many passages of scripture which
must have previously produced a rather dubious
impression on the readers' minds were thoroughly
simplified and explained to those who were pre-
sent.--s Mr. T. Bland, jun., superintended the man-
agement of the lanterns by which the dissolving
views were produced. .
PROFESSOR MORLEY'S LECFURES.—The fourth of
Professor Morley's lectures on " The English
Literature of the Nineteenth Century " wasgiven
in Union Hall, on Wednesday evening. The first
part of the address was occupied with a further
review of Wordsivorth's works, and Professor
Morley claimed a higher position for the poet than
was frequently accorded him, remarking that his
works would be more appreciated the more care-
fully and thoughtfully they were studied. In
noticing Scott's life and writings, Professor Mor-
ley said he was one of the very, few men killed by
hard work, but Scott really was, and the honour-
able purpose of the hard work he went through
was fittingly remarked upon. The rise of Charles
Dickens as a writer of fiction, and the purpose
being made too apparent at times. Thackeray's
career was also briefly glanced at; and Professor
Morley then passed on to notice Browning and
TennysOn, Confining himself on Wednesday even-
ing to the works they produced down to 1850. He
broke off at "In Memoriam," reserving a part of
his examination of that poem till next week.
EXCISE PROSECUTION.—At the Police Court, yes-
terday, before Colonel Fletcher and Mr. C. Cochrane,
John Payton was summoned by Mr. J. Otter, super-
visor of Inland Revenue, for that he being the agent
of the London and North Western Railway Com-
pany, did, on the 2nd lust, use a conveyance to and
.fruni the railway station other than for trade pm--
POseki: 'Mr. R. D. Sharpe represented the Company.
Henry Edwards, excise officer, proved serving the
declaration on defendant and said they had uo
license.. Air. Otter proved that he saw two gentle- ,
men in the trap on the above date, going towards
the station. One of the gentlemen was not con-
nected with the company. Some time afterwards
he saw two boys and a man in the trap, and they did
not belong to the company. John Payton said the
trap in question was used solely for trade purposes,
and he had no knowledge that it was used on the
day ilk question for any other purpose. Mr. Sharpe
addressed the Bench in defence, and the case was
dismissed.
A WHOLESALE Tuts:F.—Jane Sloane was charged'
with stealing, a blanket, the property of Jesse Cart-
wright, on, 4tho sth inst. Prisoner was further
charged with -atealing a number of articles belonging
"t(l,'Solin Rigby,at Brierley Hill, on the sth inst.
.Prisoner was committed to take her trial at the next
'Worcester Sessions.

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THE LYE.
BEATER.—At the Police Court, at Stour-
bridge yesterday, William Cox, was charged with
assniting his wife, Elizebetb Cox, on the night of
the 6th inst. Complainant said that her husband
,came home drunk soon after 11 o'clock, and caught
hold of,her, and threw her out of the house, awl
injure&her arm and side. Defendant was ordered
to find a surety in £5, and himself in £lO, to keep
the 'Veafte for six months, in default one month s
impriSonment.
ASsAnur CASE.—Henry Wooldridge, was charged
,with Disarming Harret Wooldridge, on the tith
inst. Several witnesses were called and after
hearing the evidence the bench dismissed the
case. . , ,
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HAL ESOWEN.
CACTION TO WOBBLEAS.—Martha Baker, of GOV'
was charged with unlawfully selling a quantity. of 4015 U
John Haines without being duly:licensed to clop°,
seta b
24th of October. Polic-constable John Raines ,
was stationed at Fernal Heath. From enters reeelv;
from his Chief-constab,e he eel; ne lee esidence
Go,ty Hill. near Old iii I, .1 \Netv eNtatie, , and obta:ikle:
ernp.oym-nt at the Cole. I'. be lrou
On the 24,h of 0, tober i.e eoe,t, te .efend int's
Defendant stood in the deo..way. Delenuaet said "Fi1,14.1
man a cup of ale, he is all i.ight.•' he said "
shall not fill any more, the 'Aimee are going aWg' e„--e
he can have some to take with him to a cottage 77
where. Witness went inside and asked them to fill ul;
a half-gallon, and told them it did not matter where •
had it. Defendant filled the half-gallon. There
were
seven men in the house and several cups on the table
A man called Mounter held his hand out for the ra°l3ei.
Mounttr
and witness gave him sixpence and twopeoce.
told witness he could take the ale across to his '
When defendant filled the ale, Mounter gave her nie
money. Some of the men in the house called for rn°r,i4
drink; but she said she should not fill any more. A nia;
named Baker had the half-gallon witness paid for, et!
sent the can back to be re-filled. During defendant;
absence, witness gave Baker a half-sovereign t"
changed. He gave his to defendant, and he handed witer"
the change, which consisted of nine shillings, nne
pence, a threepenny piece, and a penny. 'Witness ce'
for another pint, and gave defendant threepence, and
li
returned him a penny. After that he called for an°the
pint, and gave her twopence. For the next pint he gave-
e.
defendant a sixpence, and she returned him fourPeoc;
Other men in the house had driuk:and paid for it, to
people fetched ale in bottles and cans. During the trn7„e
he was in a man took away a half-gallon and
back and fetched another, which he paid for. Wit`le
left the house at a quarter past 12 o'clock.
Defendant was further charged with a similar often"'
on the 31st of October. e
Police-constable John Haines said he again vistt
defendant's house at half-past seven o'clock on the on
lug of the :Ilst ult, and found three men in the rq's
and three cups of ale on the table. He called for
of ale which defendant fetched and he gave her 2diut
it. Six other men came into the house and they
all supplied with drink, which they paid for.
eleven pints paid for whilst he was there. A boy
a quart of ale away and a man had a half gallon.
Defendant's daughter said her mother was blind
could not be removed.

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