The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-08-07 00:00:00

out for a sum varying from X 2,500 to £2,800, the
diffirence between this and the former estimate be-
ing caused by leaving out various of the minor
drains, &e. A. meeting was afterwards held, at which
Mr. E. Crowther, the tenant of the farm, was pre-
sent, and the original and modified estimates were
fully discussed, and Mr. Crowther was asked first,
whether he desired to have Mr. Pritchard's
modified scheme carried out in its entirety; secondly
whether if the Corporation carried out the work
proposed he would continue his tenancy of the farm
for the remainder of the term of fourteen years
granted by his lease, which is at present determin-
able at the expiration of the first seven years, and
and of which five will have elapsed at Christmas
next; and, thirdly, it what rate per cent. per
annum he would agree to pay the Corporation upon
their outlay. To the first two questions, Mr.
Crowther had replied in the affimative, and to the
third he had written to 'the effect that he was pre-
pared to pay interest on the outlay (not exceeding
£3,000) at the rate of 10s. per cent. per annum.
The committee recommended that provided Mr.
Crowther would agree to pay the Corporation en
additional rent at the rate of .25 10s. per cent, per
annum upon the amount expeneed by them upon
the farm, and he having the liberty either to con-
tinue his tenancy until the expiration of the full
term of his lease or at the expiration of the first
seven years thereof, the works be carried out, and
the necessary amount borrowed and repaid in
thirty years, in which case it was expected that the
amount would be advanced by the Public Works
Loan Board at the rate of 31 per cent. per annum.
Mr. Dixon then read a letter from Mr. Pritchteed,
in which that gentleman stated that he was of
opinion that the necessary works might be satis-
factorily effected for a sum of between £2,500 and
£2,800. Mr. Crowther had also since written
stating that he was prepared to pay interest on the
outlay (not exceeding 1.3,000) at the rate of 4; per
cent, per annum. which if the money were borrowed
it 31 per cent. would repay principal and interest
in 50 years. The present rent was in excess of the
value of the farm in its undrained state. Ile was
also willing to forego the right to terminate the
lease at the end of the first seven years. The com-
mittee twain considered the matter, and, coming to
the conclusion that the proposed drainage, if
carried out, would considerably increase the value
of the farm, and that it would be worth more rent, -
they decided that if Mr. Crowther wished to ter-
minate his tenancy at the end of two years it would
be advisable to do so, as they were of opinion that
they could re-let the farm on better terms. It was
absolutely necessary that something should be done,
so that the effluent water should go into the river
Stour in a pure state. Mr. Crowther had since
offered to pay 51 pei cent, instead of ft, and the
committee recommended the Corporation to close
with this offer. He moved the adoption of the re-
port.
Mr. D. Goodwin seconded this.
Mr. Wood said he should rise to propos) an
amendment. As far as the flowing of impure
effluent water into the river was concerned there was
plenty of land between Kidderminster and the
Sewage Farm which would be benefited by the
water, and the owners of which would be glad to be
allowed to intercept it for that purpose. He was
sorry that a large number did not attend the meet-
ings of the Drainage Committee so as to discuss the
matter. He should move that the question be ad-
journed for a month, and in the meantime the
members of the Corporation should be furnished
with a copy of Mr. Crowther's lease, and that the
public should also be furnished with copies at the
small payment of 6d. each. He did not think they
should proceed to such an outlay as that proposed
without further consideration.

Mr. C. E Jefferies seconded the amendment, and
said the subject of deep drainage was still a vexed
question, and it was possible, or a much better plan
would be discovered before long of dealing with the
sewage.
Mr. Greaves said it would be more satisfactory
to show that Mr. Crowther had more faith in the
scheme himself if he would bind himself to occupy
the farm farm until tle termination of the first
fourteen years of his lease, that would be for an-
other 9/ years.
Mr Dixon pointyd out that Mr. Crcfwther was
willing to do this • it was the committee who in-
serted the proviso that he could relinquish it at the
end of two years.
Mr. Holdsworth, Mr. W. Green, and Mr. HerriNg
continued the discussion, the latter expressing his
surprise that Mr. Wood should make the remarks
he had after being present at the committee meeting
where the proposition was adopted unanimously.
Mr. Wood said this was wrong. He voted against
the proposition, but the chairman did not see his
hand up, and r:id not therefore take his vote.
Mr. W. H. Green and Mr. Alderman Radford
supported the proposition of Mr Dixon, the latter
in a vigorous speech pointing out the bad state it,
which the farm was at the present time. It was a
nuisance to the whole district, and it was quite time
that something was done, or they should probably
lay themselves open to an action for damages from
some of the residents in the neighbourhood. He
pointed out that the town would not be at any 'Obi;
by the borrowing of £3,000 under the conditions
named.

The Mayor also spoke strongly in support of the
resolution in favour of the adoption of the report.
Mr. Dixon and Mr. Alderman Willis twitted Mr.
Wood for the course he had now taken, when he
had not made the slighest objection to the adoption
of the report in the committe.
Eventually Mr. Wood's amendment was put to the
meeting and lost, and the original proposition was
carried nem. con.