The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-04-20 00:00:00

ENLARGEMENT OF THE CHURCHYARD

VESTRY MEETING.

A Vestry Meeting was held yesterday at the
Church, to consider the best means of enlarging
the burial ground. Mr. Holland, Government
Inspector, was in attendance to examine the
ground. There were also present the Rev. C.
Cranfurd, Messrs. E. W. Bernard, F. Evers. J.
Mc Ewen, W. B. Collis, E. Stringer, J. Williams,
C. King, H. King, T. H. Jones, do.
Mr. Holland read a letter he had received from
Messrs. Bernard and King, to the effect that it
WAS necessary to enlarge the churchyard for
burial purposes, and asking him to come and ex-
amine the site. He also read a letter from Mr.
James Mc Ewen, objecting to the extension of
the churchyard towards hi house on the ground
that it would be injurious to the health of him-
self and family.
Mr. Holland said from what he had heard it
was necessary to extend the churchyard, as the
old ground Was nearly filled up, and it was for
the meeting to state what they had to say, and
it would be his ditty to make out a report for the
Burial Board.
Mr. Bernard said what they wanted was to en-
large the present churchyard as soon as possible,
as toe old around was nearly filled up, and they
could not get a cemetery at present.
Mr. C. King thought it would take some three
yeare before they could get possession of ground
for a cemetery.
Mr. t. raid ord said it was desirable to have as
much laud adde4l to the present ground as pos-
sible. . .

..... .
Mr. Cogzell, in answer to the Chairman, said
there was only sufficient ground for 30 graves,
which way be filled up in 14 days. The average
number of persons buried in the year was 350,
and the average deoth was seven feet.
Mr. Collis said there was a strong feeling in
the parish against disturbiug the old graves.
Mr. Mei.wen said that toe fifth of an acre
would be sufficient ground to bury in for two
years.
Mr. Williams said that a quarter of an acre
would enable them to bury for three years.
Mr. Haines remarked that somethinr, had
bean said about burying near to houses and that
it was injurious and poisonous to health. He
would ass if Mr. Cranford or any of his family
had ever been poisoned, or the former rector,
Mr. Foley ? He had never heard of anything
of the kind happening, and he did not believe
that if persons were buried near to Mr. McEw-
en's house it would poison him .or his family;
but thought the water by passing through the
earth and rock would be purified before it got
into the wells. . .

A long discussion ensued as to the best means
of getting over the difficulty. Various places
were mentioned, and it was generally thought
that no land suitable for a cemetery could be ob.
tamped under two years.
Mr. McEwen contended that there was a dif-
ficulty in obtaining ground for a cemetery, and
there would be the same difficulty in two years'
time, and he thought they should grapple with
it at once. But as it was necessary that some-
thing should be done at once, he thought the
best thing they could do under the circumstan-
ces was to take in sufficient ground to enable
them to bury the dead for two years. At the
end of that time arrangements might be made
for a cemetery. lie should certainly object to
the ground near his house being used for burial
purposes on the ground that it was injurious to
health. The water in his well was so bad that

they could not use it.
After some further discussion.
Mr. Holland said that he should report to the
Board recommending them to take in that part
. .

rf7:h; laud to be le with the wall now
lug; and teat some shrubs be planted near Mr.
McEwen's house, bo as to prevent the view of
the burial ground; and that no grave be re-
opened in the old ground except to bury the
friends of the deceased.
Mr. EcEwen said he should in a protest, and
do ail that he possibly could to prevent their
coming so near his house.
The meeting then broke 11.

DRUNK AND 11,10T0118.—At the Police Court,
on Monday last, before Mr. W. C. Firrostone,
George Garbett was fined 5s and costs for being
drunk at Stourbridge, on Sunday night. Police.
constable Beavan proved the came.
ANNIVERSARY SEUMONB.-011 Sunday last, the
35th Anniversary Sermons were preached in the
Now Connexion Chapel. Kidderminster-street;
those in the morning and evening by Mn. A. C.
Bevington. At the close of each sermon col-
lections were made in aid of the Trust Fund,
' and the sum realised was considerably above the
amount collected on the last occasion.

CHOIII FUND.-011 Sunday last two sermons
were preached in St. Thomas's Church. At the
close of each service collections were made in
aid of the Choir Fund. The sum of ..e5 12s was
collected in the morning, and .94 12s 9d in the
evening; total, £lO es 9d. The choir sang an
anthem in the morning and evening, whieh was
well rendered. Mr. S. Simms presided at the
organ.
NIOLICT 07 WORZ.—At the Petty Sessions held yes.
terday, before Major Fletcher and C. B Cochrane, Bag.,
David Leedham was charged with neglecting the work of
Samuel Brittle on the 15th Met, and the latter claimed
20a as zompensation. Complainant said that he engaged
the defendant to work at chainmaking. On the:above
date defendant did not come, and he had sustained a less
of .205. The defence was that there was no iron, and
, the 606101000 was dismissed.
Cuaacis or Plairirrixe Dar NUNNESS.—Before Ma.
tor Fletcher, *assn. C. B. Commie, C. P. Noel, and
I. 11. Pal% DWW4 Bablases, Landlord if the Celts.