The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-01-22 00:00:00

KIDDERMINSTER.

DR. M CCAVE ON ELEMENTARY EDUCATION.—At
publi: meeting' at St. Amin.. se's (Roman Cat hello)
S;hoo!s, on Monday night, the Very Rev, Dr.
McCave, of Stourbridge, said nowhere had public
elementiry education found abler champions and
allies, nowhere had peace awl progress shone out
more cowaricucusly in all school arrangemeot, ehen
in Kiederm neteie At that place there had been a
glorious and patriotic re-olve to render the Educa-
tion Acts an unmixed blessing. Full credit and
favour had been given to the voluntary schools for
tneir veluable cervices, and in the erection of such
Board schools as they found necessary for the popu-
lation there had been neither a reckless expenditure
nor a gross violation of taste. To the credit of
Kidderminster be it said that in working out the
educatioaal pre bleu' there had been no effort to
snatch a miset able party victory from one set of
educa ionists, but rather to give battle along the
Ime to the common enemy, ignorance. He reerred
to the eplendid advantages plaeed within the reach
of children at the present day, and said there was
abundant reason for gratitude on the p tat of all
citizens for Vett blessing of universal, elementiry,
and compulsory education. And-then with reference
to Roman Catholice, he said tlit Protes ant
England was far mere liberal toward.a them than
any Catholic country on the Continent of Furop.e, and
if they had to accept a Protestant, inspector for
their schools he was always a gentleinae aid wes
kinder, fairer, and politer than the miserable foreign
functicnaries with whom their brethren on the
Continent had to deal. He ale.) gave an inteitesting
sketch of the famous scholars and seats of learning
which Ireland possessed in ancient times. With
reference to the present ctisis in Irish affsire, he
slid violent words and violent deeds were worthy
only of violence. To the peacemaker, and not to
the peacebreaker was there- promised a blessing,
`'-and patriotism meant paganism if it did re t include
charity, patience, . and peace.— 'Alderman H. R.
Willis (Mayor of Kidderminster) and other g
men also addressed the meeting.—An entert tinment
concluded the proceedings. The object of the meet
ing was to help the Roman Catholic Schools.
THE SALE OF INTOXICATING Lueeroes.—A public
meeting as held at the Town Hall on Thure lay
night in connection with the Central Association
for Stopp:ng the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors on
Suudays. ['he Rev. T. L. Claughten (vicar of
Kidd ettuinster) pre,ided, and there were also
upon the platform ministers representing the
different r-ligious bodies in the town; and notwlth.
standing the inclemency of the weather there was
a con-iderable member present in the body of the
hell.— The Vicar explained the objects of the
soeiety, and Mr. E ward Whitwal, of Kendal,
hon. secretary of the society, made a 13ngthy
speech, during which he was frequently interrupted
two publicans .being particularly conspicuous in
these proceedings. Mr. Whitwell concluded by
moving "That this meeting is of opinion that the
sale of intoxicating liquors on the Lord's day is
p:oductive of a large amount of drunkenness,
pauperism, and crime among the people ; and inas-
much as it is enacted that other trades shall not
be pursued on that day, it is botb, impolitic and un-
fair that such sale shou:d be sanctiened, as at
present, by the laws of the re ;lm"—The Rey. G.
E. Polkinghorne (Wesleyan) seconded this.—lr. H
V. Squire moved as an amendment, " That it was
impolitic that the existing arrangements with re-
gird to the sale of intoxicating liquors on the
Lord's day should be interfered with." He con-
tended that the liberties of the working men were
being continually restricted, and it behoved them to
do all within their power to prevent the tightening
of the chain.—Mr, Morris seconded the amendment,
which was supported by Mr. Arnold and Mr.
Webb (two publicaes).—On the amendment being
put to the meeting it was lost, and the original
resa:ution was carried by a large majority.—Other
ri.soiutions for the purpose of giving effect te the
first, were afterwards put to the meeting and
cerrieduuanimuuely.—Mr. Samuel Knell, of Birm-
ingham, also delivered an adi:ress.—A vote (if
th inks to the Vicar for presiding, closed the
proceedings.
ACCIDEN gardener named Nunn, in the
employ of Mr. Wilkinson, of Blakedown, fell from
a pieeon loft on Wednesday and broke his thigh.
,SEesoeteßLE BENEVOLENCE.—In accordance with
his annual custom, Mr. T. Ra(Uoril has distributed
.237 64. 6d., in sums of 2s. 61. each, amongst the
recipients of outdooi relief in Kidderminster.

THE STORM AT DUDLEY,

FALL OF AN ENGINE STACK.-NARROW

ESCAPES.

On Tuesday after2.oon the fierce gals which hid
been blowing all day caused considerable damage
at the premises of Messrs. Harper and Son',
Wadi-aids Pool Feladyr Works, Dudley. After the
workin,n had retur ed from dinrer it was noticed
that the engine stack, which is no of the highest
in the town, was giving way. The workmen who
were working around it were withdrawn, and
immediately the stack fell with a tremendous crash
doing great damage to the engine-house, work-
shops, and other places with which the debris came
in cont ict. The damage is estimated at £1,500.
The stick has been erected thirty years, and was
Eecured by iron stays. Hai not the workmen
received warning the result would have been most
serious. The gale was very severe.