The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1866-10-13 00:00:00

Mr. Stringer : I have great pleasure in proposing Mr.
William Akroyd as chairman under the new Act—(ap.
plause). Ile kthe speaker) thought from thc duties Mr.
Aleroyd had discharged in the course of his life, and the
great experience he had had as a chairman and abudness
man, that there was no gentleman present better (midi.
Bed for that office ; and without any further preface he
should beg to propose Mr. William Akroyd as chairman.
Mr- Collis said he had very great pleasure in seconding
the proposition. Mr. Akroyil was a very ablu man rind
he hoped they should not stand so low in the estimation
of the public as they had done.
Mr. Wall wished to say that he concurred in the re-
marks that had been made as to Mr. Akroyd's ability.
The appointmentwould be only for twelve months. He
would urge that as far as possible the analogy of boroughs
which had mayors should be followed, and that the same
gentleman should not be elected every year. It was a
great honour to be chairman, and there were men in
Sto urbridge well qualified for the office.
Mr. Akroyd, on taking the chair, was loudly cheered.
He said that lie was extremely obliged to them for that
mark of their confidence. Ile should, in his endeavour
to discharge the duties of chairman for the brief period
he would occupy the office, try his best to conduct the
business in a manner satisfactory to all—(cheers). It
would be his special duty to know no man other than as
a Commissioner in the discharge of the public dirties
which devolve upon turn as such—(hear, hells). Ile had
lived long enough—as lie remarked upon a recent occa-
sion—to become as impartial as a log in reference to all
%Lettere of feeling in connection with public business,
and nothing, errtainly would induce him from private
motive or personal feeling towards any one to diverge
from the strict line of duty as he understood it—(cheera).
He might be guilty of errero of judgment; but they
would believe him when he said that Ire should ever listen
with the greatest attention that such errors might have a
reusonable and fair eliatice of correction, so that by
mutual forbearance they might be useful to those who
bad sent them there, and might lie the true conservators
of tiro interests if the public at that Board. But all
would not depend upon the chairman, who was siinply
the exponent of those who bail appointed him, and it
would be impossible for Lim to conduct the business to
a satisfactory issue unless he received the constant and
firm support of those who elected Inns. And, in the in-
terests of the public. Ire had to ask them to hear with Into
in anything in which he might be wrong, and to render
him all the necessary assistance to keep order that if at
any time such a difference of opinion arose as to endan-
ger order by forbearance and firmness they would be
enabled to go on to the end if the tenure of their office
satisfactory to themselves and their constituents. They
were all erigngsd in business, and every one's time was of
too great inipertance to be frittered away by matters out
of general importance; and ho hoped that on no occasion
would any business whatever not connected with public
business of the town be introduced, sad if introduced,
that all present would are the absolute necessity of put-
ting it down once and for ever—(loud cheers). They
could not afford to have their time occupied by meetings
extending over time, four, five, iir six hours, and meot-
logs called specially for the evening in order that the
time should hoof less value—)hear, hear). The chair.
man having again thanked the meeting for electing Lim
resumed his seat amidst applause.
The Chairman: The first business will be to appoint
the monthly meeting. It is a question for you to decide
whether you will have it in the first part of the mouth.
I think it will lie Much better.
Some discussion ensued on the imbject, and it was
agreed to have the next meeting on Tuesday, the 2:lrd
inst.
Moved by Mr. King, seconded by Mr. Oates, and carried
unanimously, that they at once proceed with the rotation
list.
The East Ward was the first proceeded with. The
names of the Commissionurr were each written on a piece
of paper by the Clerk, arid all nine played in a box, one
at a time being drawn out by the Clerk; the first three
names drawn out to retire at the end of the year; the
next three at the end of two years; and the other three
at the end of three years. The following was the order
in which they were drawn :--East Ward Edwin
Stringer, John Wall, liviirge Perry, William A kroyd,
Benjamin Richer:di:, Frederick John 11:uskew, Vi ithrniur
Adams, Henry Itillingliam. and George William Pres-
colt. West NVard—nlivard Levi, Josiah Cooper, 4 icorge
Doody. George Thorne, Thomas Penn, Richard Learroft
Freer. Thunias 11-i' lock Biel:arils, J. W. lie, and dirt
Maurice, South Wrird—JCShe Webb, Edward Nash,
Charlea William Collis, Benjamin Br treks, William
Henry King, 1.151. n Ilagolies Packwood, James Allscp,
Christopher Oates, and .1 :Mem Walker.
Mr. Shepherd cull,: the attention of the Board to see.
40 of the Commissionera Clauses' Act, oh ich enacted that
any P recial meeting may be caked by the requiaition of

five Comini,,sioners. '
A rennisilion was ten signed by the h Chairman end
fonr others, recounting tho Chili to call a meeting on the
Tlrd, and the meeting broke up,