The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-11-23 00:00:00

*oca( zutb gistritt getus.

ANNUAL DINNER OF THE LICE; N-; ED

VICTUALLERS.

On Wednesday eveuing the annual dinner in
connection with the Licensed Victuallers' Pio-
tection Society, was held at the Talbot Hotel.
Upwards of one hundred sat down to dinnar.
Mr. IL Brooks occupied the chair, and the vice-
chair was occupied by Mr. C. W. Collis There
were also present: Messrs. G. Collis, G. Perry,
Captain Walker, B. Wooldridge, E. Parkes, F.
Perks, J. Dutton, J. Hughes, W. Young, H.
Harvey, T. Wright, F. Parkes, B. Richards, P.
Penney, H. Penney, D. Penney, B. Brooks, jun.,
E. Nash, R. Kelly, T. Weston, Roberts,
(Dudley), R. Brooks, R. Thompson (13rierley
Hill), I. Roliinson (Brierlev Hill), C. Evers, W.
North, U. Beddoes, Moore, J. Alford, H
Pagett, J. Bristow, J. Bailey, Ste.
The following was the bill of fare:—
SOUPS.
Ox Tail. Mock Turtle. Giblet.
FISH.
Cod. Soles. Turbot. Filleted Soles.
Ste wed Eels.
REMOVES.

Boiled Turkeys. Roast Chicken.
Geese. Roast Turkeys.
Boiled Chickens.
Saddle of Mutton. Boiled Leg of Mutton.
Haunch of Mutton.
Boiled Round of Beef.
Hanis. Tongues. Spare-rib of Pork.
Roast Beef.
Hares. Sucking Pigs.
SWEETS.

Plum Puddings. Cabinet Puddings.
Mince Pies. Tartlets.
Jollies. Custards Blancmange.
Fruit Tarts. French Pastry.

The Chairman, on rising, said he had hoped
that some one else more able thun himself would
have occupied the chair. However, he would
do the best he could—(clieers). The Chairman
then rend letters of apology from the following
gentlemen: Sir John l'akington, Hon. C. G.
Lyttelton, R. P. Amplihnt, Mr. Monckton, M.P.,
Messrs. C. P. Noel, H. W. H. Foley, J. E.
Swindell, H. 0: Firmstone, and Mr. Yaidlev.
The Chairman said he did not wish to occupy
the tints too much, as their hours were very re-
stricted, and they had not long to be there. He
would, therefore, at. once commence by giving
the first toast, that of " The Queen"— (cheers).
Song—Mr. Roberts, of Dudley.
The next toast was the " Prince and Princess
of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family."
Song—Mr J. Hill.

The Chairman next pave the " Bishop of the
Diocese and the Clergy of ail Denomihations "
—(cheers). In doing so he referred to the fact
that he thought they did not know much of the
licensed victuallers, but he could assure them
that they did not wish to keep late hours, but
they wanted to carry on their legitimate trade
the sante as other trade snien, and he was quite
sure that the more the clergy knew of the
licensed victualkrs the better they would like
them— (applause).
The Vice-Chairman gave the next toast, " The
health of the Lord-Lieutenant of the County"
—(applause).
The next toast was proposed by the Vice.
Chairman, " The Members of Parliament for
the Eastern Division of the County, the Hon.
C. O. Lyttelton and Mr. R. P. Ampl:lett." He
(Mr. Collis) understood that polities were ex-
, eluded from the meeting, but there was one
question upon which tho licensed victuallers of
the town were all agreed, and that was that the
Licensing Act which hail recently been passed
was very injurious to publicans, and it was a
great inconvenience to the public. It was quite
right that licensed vi,tnallers should protect
their own interests. They were a very large
powerful and wealthy body throughout the
country, and he was saro that if they impressed
their viewa non the members they would be en•
tertaiued by both gentlemen. He was very
pleased to find that Mr. Atnphlett, their senior
member, voted against Mr. Bruce's bill—(hear,
hear)—and he was also rleased to find that he
voted for the amendments against the present
bill. He was quite convinced that if the licensed
victuailers of the town waited upon Mr. Ainph•
lett or Me. Lyttelton that both membera would
take into consideration their interests, and what
wis necessary for the welfare and interest of
the town. He had great pleasure in proposing
the health of the members of Parliament for the
Eastern Division of the County of Worceoter—
(cheers).
The Chairman said the next toast he had to

propose was one which lie was sure every one
present would respect, that was "The Army,
Navy, Yeomanry, and Rifle Volunteers." He
considered that we have a very good army and
navy, and he thought the volunteers should be
more liberally supported than they had yet been.
They gave their time and money, and there was
very little to repay them. As they had heard,
a letter of apology had been received from Cap.
tam Noel, of the Yeomanry ; but if that gentle-
man was not present, Captain Walker was. It
was not the first time Captain Walker had been
there. He was always ready and willing to sup-
port the welfare of the town. He was on the
commission of the town, and as they were well
aware the condition of the town had been ins.
proved under that Board. Captain Walker had !
brought the corps to the state of perfection it !
had attained, and he thought he could not do
better than couple with the toast the name of
Captain Walker.
Song—Mr. Roberts.
Captain Walker. in responding, said the pre-
sent greatness of our kingdom was due to our
armies and navies. The volunteers had never
been celled into operation, and consequently
they did not know their worth; but he thought
that if they were called out they would prove
themselves a very strong and able body of men.
Ho had always endeavoured to do his duty, both
for the welfare of the town, and for the Rifle
Corps, and should always continue to do so. He
: joined the volunteers, because he considered it
1 his duty as a strong, young, and healthy juan to
do so; and he thought every young, strong and
healthy man, whatever his station in life may be,
should do the same.
The Vice-Chairman said the next toast he had
to propose was the health of the gentleman who
sat in the chair opposite himself It had been his
pleasure to know Mr. Brooks for many years,
and he had always held a prominent position in
the town. He had been for many years at the
head of the licensed victuallers of the district,
as landlord of the Talbot Hotel. He had always
conducted the house with credit to himself, and
he had devoted a great deal of his time to the
public affairs of the town. He had been for
many years an able first vice-chairman of the
Board of Guardians, and he hoped he would be
long spared to be amongst them.
Song—Mr. Brooks,

Tho-Chairman briefly responded.
Mr. Perry proposed the "Health of the Vice.
Chairman, Mr. Collis."

Mr. Collis, in responding, thanked Mr. Perry
for the compliment he had paid him, and said he
considered it a great hardship that their liberty
should be interfered with by the present Licen-
sing Bill, which prohibited them from keeping
open after eleven o'clock. It was a hardship on
the licensed victuallers. He had hoped there
would have been some magistrates present, and
then they could have beard their.views on the
subject, and they would have asked them to have
extended the time an hour. At Windsor, the
Pall Mall °axelie stated there was a dinner of
the licensed victuallers at which three magis-
trates were present. .Icting upon the suggee-
Hon of oue of the members, a Court was at once.
formed, and the three magistrates sat and ex-
tended the time an hour. He thought that if
the Act could be interfered with in this manner