The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-01-25 00:00:00

MEETING OF SPECIAL CONSTABLES FOR THE
APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS.

A meeting convened by placard was held at the Public
°Mee, on Wedueidey itight last, for the purpose if ap-
pointing • superintendent and deputies. Nearly the
whole I d the number sw-on in attended.

Mr. W. Akroyd was voted to the chair, and explained
the object of calling Clem together, and in the coarse if
his remarks referee at considerable length to Fenianism
whist' was now m &valeta in different parts of the coun-
try. Ile did not think that Stourbridge hail been much
effected by it, but he thought prevention was better than
cure. It woo quite true that some letters had been found
about the town, no doubt done by some frolicking school
boy who wanted something better to employ his time.
lie was much pleased to fiud so many had come forward
with such alacrity to enrol themselves. Ile must confess
that when iso was walking up the town and heard of what
was being dine. he at once came and wa sworn
(cheers). Ito Ile thought it would be touch better to have
some kind of order among them. A WWI may be as bold
as a lion, and ao active as • tiger ; but it was necessary
to hare some one as leader whom they could place con-
fidence in. He thought there was nothing like having
the right man in the right place, and as the meeting had
honoured him by electing him as chairman, he thought
he could sot do better than propose Captain Walker as
their superintendent—(great cheering).
Mr. B. Brooks rose and sstil he had great pleasure in
seconding the proposition. Captain Walker was is gentle-
man well-known among them, and was one of the best
officers in the service—(cheers).
. .

Captain Walker said he was very much obliged to
them for appointing him as their Superintendent. It
had been mentioned to him before by the Magistrate.,
who had the power of oppointing him and hod done no,
but he thought it much Letter to call a poldie meeting
and let the appointment of the Sopeciutendent be made
by the constables themselves. Mr. Akroyd, in the course
of hia rmnarks, said be did not think they should be
called into active service. lie (the speaker) did not
think they should, but if ever the time came he had no
doubt the Special Constables under his command would
gives good account of theinselv,e—(;sear, hear). Ile
bad considered the question for some time to see what
hot best be done, and had come to the conclusion to
divide the town into four subdivisions. The first divi-
si so will he the Heath, Market.street, and that district ;
dud division—Angel-street, Birmingham-street, end that
district; 3rd division—Amblecoie and Beauty Lank ; 41.11
division—the High-street. In looking over the roll he
had found that a much larger number bad enrolled them-
selves in Iligh.street thou soy other. The strength of
the divisions were two at 50, one at 49, and the etlier
For the first division he shouhl propese that Mr. George
Perry, solicitor, who was a Sergeant in the corps, should
be the Sub-superintendent ; Joseph Dancer, a Corporal
in the volunteers, for the 2nd division; Charles Evers, a
Sergeant in the corps, for the 3rd division ; and Drili
Instructor Walker for the 4th division. Some permuns
might think that it would not he fair, ua they were all in
the Rifle Corps. He had seleeted them, after consider.
Mimi, because they were, and would be able to move
them about. Ile had considered that it would be im-
portant to have some sort of regulations, and had drawn
up the following rules:-
I.—The force shall be divided into four subdivisions,
each subdivision to be commanded by a Deputy.superin-
teudent.

'2.—Each Denuty.superintendent to charged with the
duty of organising the Special Constables of he subdi•
vieien, and should arrange the most prompt means of
assembling them in case of alarm.
3.—Each Deputy-superintendent to be eupplied with a
complete hat of the Special Constables of lite aubdivi-
aion.

4.--Special Constables are charged strictly to obey the
orders of their offisers. A penalty of £5 attaches on
refusal to act, or to obey any lawful orders or directions.
s.—Esch Special Constable will be supplied with a
staff and badge to be used on duty.
6.—ln the event of patrol@ being established two or
more Special Constables should always patrol together,
and the patrols should always be within call of each
other.

7.--In Me of alarm the Anecial Con•tsliles
Reeemble with all speed in the curt yard -f the Police
St ition, miler the snledivision leadere, t he ready to
co.operate with the police force, and obey such ordors
Mt may b. issued.
A —ln organising the force there is no need for mutely
attention to drill, lint it will be found very useful for
earlt subdivision to be accustomed to act together by
practising the formation of fours," and marching in
line.

Captain Walker went on to say that he thought it ad•
risable for them to be able to move Is number, and lesra
to step. All those who were flexions to learn Seigeant
Walker would put throngh their facings soy night they
liket to choose, and Friday night Was suggested as (ho
best.

Mr. Walker said he should be most happy to do so.
and hoped they would muster well.
The Chairmen said he believed they had done all the
business they were celled to do.
Mr. Allem, moved that the best thanks of the meeting
he given to Mr. Akroyil for his attendance. In doing so
he said that the best way to keep the peace was to prepare
for war.

STOURDRIDGE CHURCH OF ENGLAND
ASSOCIATION.
The animal meeting of the above society took place in
the reading room, on Tuesday night last, for the purpose
of appointing officer., ke., for the Association. A.
Freer, Esq., President, occupied the chair. There was
a very Food attendance.

S. Fowler, assistant•secretarr, read the report of
the society for the past year, which ~&i as follows :