The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-09-17 00:00:00

aith. hict

ANNUAL INSPECTION AND DINNER OF
THE FIRE BRIGADE.

The annual inspection of the Fire Brigade by the
Commissioners took place on Monday night, in tho
Ila.gley Road, in tile presence of a large concow se
of people, who appeared highly interested aid
pleased with the affair. The steam fire-engine was
made to display its efficiency and promptness in
work, and the brigade were put through various
movements, showini, their discipane and smartness.
One of the points shown was the manner in which
the fire-escape can be utilised for other than its
ordinary purposes in cow-potion with fires, a fireman
climbing to the top as it stood detached from any
building to direct a jet of water against a building
which it was assumed could not otheiwise be
reached. The mode in which rescues were effected
by the escape was also practically shown
After the inspection a dinner was provided at the
Talbot Hotel, to which the members of the brigade
and other friends sat down. Mr, IT. Turney (the
captain of the brigade) occupied the chair and Mr.
T. Wilkes-Webb the vice-chair.

The first toast proposed by the chairman was
"The Queen." He proposed her health because
she was represented as being at the head of the
finest government in the world. They could not go
into any country without contrasting the difference
between them and other nations. He had never
yet heard members of other nations or countries but
who have said that they had in this country in
old England—the finest form of government which
it was possible to have. He did not know that the
Queen was specially interested in the Fire Brigade—
(laughter)—but the firemen would acknowledge her
priority the same as other people; but it was on
account of her representing the finest form of
government which they had upon the face of the
earth at the present time That he called upon them
to drink her health.
The toast was heartily drunk.
The Chairman next proposed 'The health of the
Prince of Wales and the rest. of the:Royal Family.'.
He said they should always remember him when
they met together in the way they did that evening.
With regard to him they could claim that be had
some connection with the Fire Brigades, because
he took a very great interest in the Metropolitan
Fire Brigade, and he attended himself at numerous
fires. It showed that he toak-an interest in it and
no doubt the prestige that the brigade had obtained
was due, to a certain extent, to the patronage of
the Prince of Wales and others in high positions
Mr. Ineleton gave "The Fire Brigades of the
United Kingdom." He said that every man in the
united kingdom valued greatly the volunteer fire
brigade. They were combined together to protect
our lives and property, without compensation,
which was perhaps one of the highest ambitions
that young men could possibly desire to obtain.
He had been informed that the chairman
in his journey through Germany had had a most
hearty reception by the fire-brigades there, because
he was captain of the fire brigade here. He thought
that the brigade in this town had reached a high
state of efficiency, and proposed the health of tile
captain. He said the degree of success was due
to the exertions of the captain, who never spared
anything in order to bring it to a high state of
efficiency.
The Chairman said that with regard to volunteer
fire brigades of this country he was afraid, if they
were looked at by critical eyes instead of the eyes
of outsiders, they would not look so very good as
they do at the present time. He might say, with-
out fear of contradiction, that the system which
was worked in America was far superior to that in
England. Their appliances were a long way in
advance of their American cousins or Continental
friends. On the Continent he saw men working
with appliances which they would think fit to throw
into the Stour. Every man there did his best.
Each man went and did, right away, what he was
ordered to do, and it was a splendid exhibition
because it showed what discipline in itself could do
without anything else. They had got engines
which he would not pick up. The thing they had
got to do was to learn how to control themselves as
well as their engines. He maintained that it rested
with every member to make it efficient. He heped
the members would support him iu his -efforts to
make it an efficient body; without their support his
efforts would be no good at all. Hitherto he had
had the support of the officers, and the men were
always willing to do what they were ordered, and
the result was that when they were called out to a
fire, they had managed to put the fire out before it
had done any considerable damage.
The Chairman next gave " The health of the
Vice-chairman." He could only say that it was to
such gentlemen as Mr. Wilkes-Webb that the
brigade was in existence. If such men had not
come forward it would have been impossible to
organise a system such as they had at the present
time. He had great pleasure in proposing the
toast.

Mr. Wilkes Webb said he was much obliged for
the flattering way in which the toast was received.
He thought it was only his duty to support the
brigade, and as far as taking the vice•chair it had
been a great pleasure to him.
Mr. Farmer, who was introduced by the chair-
man as being one of his great friends. gave "The
Town and Trade of Stourbridge." In doing so he
said he was going to couple with it two wellkno ,qn.
names—the name of Mr. Wilkes• Webb, as repre-
senting the trade, and Mr. Wm. Turney as repre-
senting the town. He regretted very much that
the chairman had asked one so inexperienced in
the town aflairs as himself to speak about
it. There was no doubt that they were quite
equal to the requirements of the present age, with
such a chairman as they had, and such noble repre-
sentatives that they had round the board thut
evening. They quite came up to the I imes of the
towns' improvements, and the benefits which all
the working classes could receive in such a town.
As regarded the trade of Stourbridge, he must con-
fess, it had greatly increased. They would drink
heartily to the success of the town and trade of
Stourbridge, coupling with it the names of Mr.
Wilkes-Webb and Mr. Wm. Turley.
Mr. Nash supported. the toast.

Mr. W. J. Turney, in acknowledging the toast,
said it we s due to the enterprise of Mr. Wilkes-
Webb, of the firm of Messrs. Webb and Co., that
the glass t:ade had already come out in such
splendid colours, and gained such a splendid name
during the exhibitions in Paris and other places.
So far as his own trade was concerned he could not
say much about it. It had been his endeavour, and
his brother's, to build up a trade here, and they
had worked together in this matter and had
established a trade of some importance at least.
They hoped, however, that their trade was still in
its infancy and it would become more important in
years to come. They should do all they could to
maintain the little reputation they had already
established.

Mr. Wilkes- Webb also acknowledged the toast.
Mr. H. H.ughes gave "The Press, coupling with
itthe name of Mr. Boden.

Mr. Boden briefly acknowledged the compliment
The Chairman announced that he had received
letters of apology from Captain Webb, Captain
Comber (Kidderminster), Captain Harley (Smeth-
wick), and Mr. Henry Cochrane.
During the evening members of the brigade gave
several songs, which added very much to the en-
joyment of those presbnt.

PR Et SENTATION —On Tuesd9y, the officials of the
Stourbridge Postal District presented Mr. Wilson
with an address and a handsome drawing roo n
timepiece, as a mark of their appreciation of his
courtesy and kindness, during the 21 years he has
been postmaster, which position he now resigns,
we regret to say, on account of ill health. Mi.
Wilson, in a few appropriate words, expressed tke
extreme pleasure he felt at being able to carry
with him the respect and
esteem of those with
whom he has been so long connected.
FREE _MASONRY GArl UERING.—The Provincial
Grand Lodge of Worcester-hire met on Wednes-
day in this town, and there was a large attend-
ance of Freemasons from various parts of the
county. The Provincial Grand Master (Sir E. H.
Lechmere, Bart., M.P.,) presided at the meeting of
the Grand Lodge, at the Talbot Hotel, and Mr. E,
J. Mclntyre, M.P.. Provincial Grand Registrar of
England, was amongst thos3 present. After the
ordinary routine, the Provincial Grand Master
announced. that Bro. Macefield, Owing to his al-
! vanced age, wished to resign the office of Deputy
Provincial Grand Master, and at a future meeting
to be held in a few months he proposed to appoin:
as Deputy Provincial
ed thedecease of Bro.
BGB Bro.raisn t Ado
N.,vMF.
Master.
Godson (barrister)
Provincial
nGnio.auanle d
Secretary, to whose
family and friends a vote of condolence was passed,
Bro. Bristow, it was stated, had filled the office for
twenty years, and he proposed to appoint Bro.
George Taylor, of Kidderminster, as his successor.
The lodge bileinen being over, the members of the

lodge proeeeded to St. Thomas's Church, where a
sermon was preached by the Rev. J. B. Wilson,
Provincial Grand Chaplain. The Masons dined I
together in the evening at the Talbot. The next
meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge will be I
held at Dudley,
INQUEST AT DUDLEY.—The Borough Corener (R.
J. Watts, Esq ), on Thursday, held an inquest at
the Guest Hospital on the body of James Lewis
(65), a driver, who was emp eyed by Mr. Bailey,
New Street, Stourbridge. On the 25th of August •
the deceased was driving a waggon loaded with
chain near his employer's premises, when he was
. seen to stumble as though he had caught his foot
against something. He fell underneath the horse,
and the ford wheel of the waggon went over his
body. He was taken to the Hospital, and died
there. Deceased was a sober, steady man, and,
after receiving his injuries, blamed no one for the
occurrence. Verdict, Accidental death."
ADJOURNED INQUESI —The adjourned inquest on
the holy of Tabitha Ey. was held at the Old Pipe
Inn, before R. Docker, Esq., Coroner. This inquest
was adjourned from last week for the purpose of a
post-morteat examination. Dr. Eager said he had
made a post-mprtein examination of the body. The
I organs we e i.ealthy. He found in the stomach
a quantity of laudanum, sufficient to cause death.
The Coroner sail the inquest was adjourned to have
some positive evidence. No doubt most of the jury
had formed their opinion as to the cause of death,
but then the evidence was circumstantial and now
it was p.,sitive The jury found that deceased died ,
by taking a quantity of laudanum by misadventure.
VICTORIA HALL AND RINK. On Monday and
Tuesday evenings Henri and Louis celebrated '
variety company performed at the above place of ,
amusement to the delight of those present. On
both occasions Hesri and Louis gave their splendid
entertainment in their usual brilliant manner' and
Calvert and Clifford, negro artistes, caused con- •
siderable amusement with their eccentricities. The
great Victor displayed his wonderful powers as a
gymnast on the bar and rings, and he was loudly
applauded. To-night (Saturday) is the last appear-
ance of the company here and in addition to the
company already mentioned seve•al other artistes
will appear. Messrs. Heathcock's brass band will
attend and the Wollaston Handbell Ringers will
also play. In addition to these attractions a sheep
will be given away, each person entering standing
the same chance as each other in gaining a joint. •
THE NEW THEATRE ROYAL. This place of
entertainment has been entirely renovated and
altered and no expense has been spared in making it
one of the prettiest and most comfortable theatres in
the midlands. It will be opened on Monday next
by the high-class Young America Company, who
will perform there all the week.
BOARD OF Gu.tEnrarrs.—The usual weekly meet-
ing of this Board was held yesterday, Mr. Raybould
presiding. The other members present being
Messrs. H. Billingham, Haskew, Hingley, Parkes
Williams. Guest, Thompson, l'rownin,, Wood, J.
Billingham, A.Ii:18, Clump Lavender, Rhode-=,
Stringer, Forrest, and Brooks.—Admitted during
the week 10 ; discharged 17; dead 1; remaining in
the house 494; corresponding week last year, 461.
Out-door relief, Kingswinford district, £4O 58 10d;
Stonrtridge district, £3l 188 lid ; Halesowert dis-
trict, £lB lOs 3d ; non-resident 6s 4d ; total £9l Os
6fd against £77 is Bd.
DRUNKENNERS.—At the Police Court, ye ter day,
bet )re Colonel Fletcher, Fanny Rodgers was charged
with being dunk and incapable in the public street
on the 11th inst. Polide-sergeant Herman proved
the case. Rued 26 6d and costs.—Zeri Wooldridge
of the Lye, was charged wiih being drunk on the
13th ins-. Police-constable Widdows proved the
ease. Fined 26 6d and costs.
CAUTION TO Boys. Frank Kelley and Henry
Harper, two boys, were cnarged with throwing
stones in the public streets. Superintendent Wheeler
said he had reseived great complaints of stone throw •
ing, many person's trees being damaged, windows
and glass in greenhouses broken. He did not wish
to press the case but summoned them as a caution
to others, Defendants were severely reprimanded
and discharged.
OsscErsE LANOrAGE. Patrick Gibbons was
charged with using obscene language in Foster
Street, on the 28th August. Sergeant Herman
preyed the case. Fined 5s and costs.,
DRUNK AND ASSAULTING THE POLlCE.—Samuel
Billingham and John White were charged with W-
ine. drunk and disorderly at Cleat, on the 11th inst,
and White was further charged with assaulting
Police-constable Wallace on the same day. Com-
plainant said that the defendants came to Clout in a
break and when they got out they were both drunk.
They wtnt to Phillips's and Waldron's to obtain
drink but were refused at both places. He ordered
them away and they refused to go ald used abusive
language. After a time they left Clent and he fol-
lowed them to Pedtnere. They called at public
houses on the way and stated that they were travel-
lers, and demanded refreshments saying thsy came
from Oldbury. White struck witness cm the head
and body. Cent and Hagley were disturbed for
nearly three hours. Alfred Jarvis corroborated the
officer. For the drunkenness defendants were each
fined lOs and costs, and for the assault White was
fined 103 and Costs.
CAUTI)N TO CARTERS.—Edward Bubb, of Cradley,
was charged with being in such a position as to have
no control over his horse, on the 2nd inst. Police-
constLble Clark proved the case. Withdrawn on
payment of 6s 6d, costs—Henry Luck Was fined
7s 6d, to include costs, for a similar offence.—Wm.
Hyde was also fined 6s 6d, to include costs, for a
similar offence.

CLENT.
SERIOUS ACCIDENT.—On Wednesday last,
young person named Mary Beatrice Best, of Long.
port, was visiting at.Clent, and engaged a horse to
ride, and on going &A-1g the road a man named
Frederick Wukelam was driving past, and in doing
so struck the horse with a whip, causing it to gallop
off and tnrow the lady to the g.:ound. Her foot
hung in tLu stirrup iron, dragging her more than
one hundred yards along the road. Her left arm
was coupl lay smashed, and she received several
ijuis o the back of the head, and her body was
consictra: iy bruised. Dr. Hobbs was at once
called in, .ind the unfortunate young lady is doing
as well as can be expected.