The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-01-18 00:00:00

THE DISTRESS IN lIALESOWEN.

On Mond iy afterno a a MOOti/M. called by Mr.
Trewollii. the High Bailiff of ffslesnwen, was held at
the National School. for the purpose of considering what
'tens should be taken to relieve the distress at prenent
prevailing among the working population of the parish of
lesowen. There won a fair attendance, and the chair
was occupied by Mr. Trewolla.
The Chairman, in opening the proceeding., read the
notice calling the meeting, and stateal that the notice
11218 Dialed In consequence Of a .uggestion from the Veil.
Archdeacon Hone. The object for which they were now
wan for any gentlensan to state what lie knew
of the revealing dintress, as wall as to devise meting fir
alleviating it, cud Vie best way of distributing tho.c
means. The present distress did not arise iron, any
quarrel between mentors and men, Lot it arose from a
kind of periodieal depression that came over the nation
at large. ft fell particularly heavy upon their population,
and it had been increasing at such a rate that it seemed
the time had now some when Roma action must be taken
before something dreadful took place among those who
wore suffering so much.
The Fen. Archdeacon Hone nest addressed the meet-
ing at some length, and moved that a subscription be en.
tenni into for the relief of the Matrons in Haleaowen,
He'hury, Hunnington, Meg, Lapel, Lutley Heinle, and
Hill.
Mr. F. D. L. Smith seconded the motion.
Hr. 0. Granger (Chairman of the Board of Guardian RI
• briefly explained the operation of the Poor Laws, with
, reference to able.bodied paupers.
I Mr. J. Hoinfray referred to the smallness of the
I amount of outdoor relief given in Hulesowen. He he.
lieved that it was only la and one loaf a week for one
person. He knew one widow who was chargeable to him
I becaule it we impossible for her live upon such iii allow-
ance. Aft ir smile further ramarkr, he begged to move
that the present rate of out-door relief in this Union is
wholly Madi quart, to meet the circumstances of the time,
and that a copy of this reroluttou be forwarded to the
Board of Guardians and the Poor-law Board—(loud
i cheers).
. . .

Mr. O. Granger briefly replied. He had been& guard-
ian for something like .1.4 years, and during that time he
had done his best for the poor. On that point he had no-
thing to regret. Mr. lionafroy had made atatenitintsthat
were not altogether correct Ho would not be quite cer-
tain, without referring to doeutnenti, but he believed that
the average out-door relief was Is tid and a loaf of
bread.

W. H. Bloomer contended that they did not
come there to discuss the conduct of the Board of
Guardians. If the Board was not doing its duty that
was not the place to diseu is it. The distress would not
last long, he hoped, and he was of opinion that they
should cla what they could to enable poor siren to keep
their homes together till the time of trou'sle had passed
away. By so doing good, they would be doing their duty
both to God and inan—(cheers).
Mr. E. Moore, surgeon, thought that while the grass
was growing the steed was starving. He agreed with
Mr. Homfray to the extent that the out-door relief was
net large enough; and he had always thought that
or Is. lid, and a loaf of bread per week was net sufficient
far those old people who needed more nutrition. He
sincerely hoped that the out-door relief would be in.
; bat at present they were discussing the condi-
tion of the working classes, not the condition of the pau-
pers. What was now wanted was that they should put
their hands in their pockets, and form a committee to
decide our dm means of carrying out the relief.
Mr. D. Homf ray begged leave to second his eon's pro-
position.
After some desultory conversation, the resolution stood
thus, "That this nicotine considers the present rate of
out-door relief in this parish inadequate to meet the cir-
cumstances of the time ; and that a copy of this resolu-
tion be forwarded to the Board of Guardians."
Both the orations before the meeting were then ear.
ried pllcm, COti.

A committee was appointed, with power to add to their
number.

Mr. Moore was appointed secretary and treasurer.
A vote of thanks to the High Bailiff for his conduct
in the chair closed the proceedings.