The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-05-08 00:00:00

ROWLEY. -

LOCAL BOARD OF ,HEALTH.—Tag QCESTION Or THE
WATER SUPPLY.—The ordinary monthly meeting of this
Board was held at the Board Room on Monday, when
Mr. Bassano, in the absence of the Chairman, presided.—
The Clerk reported that he had written to the Netherton
and Hslesowen Railway Company. complaining about
matters referring to the bad state of the roads at Wright's
Lane and Garratt's Lane. The only answer he could get
from the company was that the roads were made in strict
accordance with the agreement. Several ot the com-
plaints the company did not seem to take the slightest
not co of. He hoped the Board would express an opinion
upon it.—Ultimately it was decided to defer the matter
until the next meeting.—The Registrar reported that the
deaths during the past month were 44, giving a death rate
of 18135 per 1,000, as compared with 28 28 in the pre•
ceding month.-1 he Chairman said he wished to make a
few remarks upon the question of the water supply to
Howley. Of course they were all aware of what had oc
came in the way of meetings and letter writing in the
papers between Mr George Green and the Chairman of
the Board. When the time came on -for taking active
measures in opposition •o the bill, in order to secure to
this Hoard the clauses for the supply of Rowley with
water, which they wished to get inserted in the bill, they
were obliged to consider what would be the consequence
of what had taken place between Mr. George Green and
the Local Government Coird with raerence to the pa -
ruent of the costs of the opposition. It was quite clear
from the letters and from the remarks which had fallen
fe on Mr. Green, that it was his intention to have op-
posed the payment of costs of the opposition before the
auditor. The Board felt it was a very undesirable thing
to subject themselves to the 'poi ibility of having to pay
the costs out of their own pockets, or being annoyed by
being Cu charged, anl have to go through certain steps
to get the surcharge put aside. That being so, it was
thought best by the Clerk (Mr. Barre) and himself,
in whose hands the question was left, to try 'and arrange
the matter with the company, and he accordingly waited
on the company at one of their Board meetings. When
there he obtained from the Chairman of the company, a,
verbal assurance that as soon wiz the " reservoir was
completed they would immediately proceed to •lay dôwh
mains to supply the whole of the parish. After that, and.,
having regard to ;h.° petssibility of annoyance frtini Mr.
Green, he (the chaiimar) took upon himself to autherrise•
the Clerk to withdraw the opposition. 1y the suggestion
of the Clerk, he. also,wroto to.the (company, tidd"he
now very sorry to say the company repudiated. the assurs.,
ance alt igether. As soon as th. 3 cAnpany found the
-,pposition had been withdrawn, they tepudiat'ed and
denied it altogsther By that they hail lost their locus
stands and were now in t.he position Mr. George Green
considered so desirable; they .could not get the-witter,
and could not oppose the bill. It now rested with -the
ratepayers themselves to get tho water, and in order to
do so they would have to give a guarantee that one-tenth
of the cost for three years should be paid to the company.
—The sxbjeet then dropped.—The remainder of the
business was unimportant.