The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-08-30 00:00:00

i

°cal attb pistrict Netlys.

COMMISSIONERS' MEETING.

The monthly meeting of this Board was held
on Monday last, Mr. H. Hughes in the chair
There were also present : - Messrs. Billinghani,
Kelly, Perkin, Stanley, Newitani,Emery, Al!sop,
llugheg, Munson), and Edwards.
The Clerk read the /ninnies of the lait meet-
ing which were confirmed.
The Clerk stated that the election of Com-
missioners' would take place on the 4th Septeme
ber, and that the Commissioners' retiring arts
as follows :—E,nt Ward Messrs. Edwi.
Stringer, Francis Perks, and William Edwards-
W Woo!.—Charles Blunsom, Joseph hazel.
dine, and Josiah Cooper.
The Clerk said the last two named had not
qualified.
•South Ward.—Henry Newnan), Charles Win.
Collis, and John Emery.
_ _ . . , •

, .
The Clerk read the Auditor's report which
stated that they had found 1s 81 in favour of
Mr. Dorricutt on the Improvement Rate, and
Is -Dal in his favour on the Highway Account,
in all other accounts they were correct and
certified to that effect. Also that he had re-
ceived a letter from Mr. Marcy, the clerk, stating
that the accounts had been filed.

Moved by Mr. BiHingham and seconded by
Mr. Newnan], that the certified report of the
auditor be entered upon the minutes, which was
done.
FINANCR COMM/TTER'S REPORT.

The Clerk stated that there was due from the
Treasurer on the Improvement Account, £175
3s 9d, and on filo Highway Account, M 342 14s
14 ; acconnts amounting to .£lO Gs Cal on the
Highway Account, and Mll Se 64 on the Im-
provement Account, were recommended to be
paid.
Mr. Hughes moved the adoption of the report
which was seconded by Mr. Kelly and carried.

GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Removal of Night Soil.—Your Committee have
considered the following resolution passed at
your last • monthly meeting viz., " ('hat the
General Purpose Committee be, and ace hereby
requested, to consider and report on the best
method of raising the required amount, £640,
' the amount of Mr. Horeley's estimate, and beg
to report that they recommend the adoption of
the follDwing scale of fees for the emptying and
cleansing of all privies, ashpits, and cesspools,
viz :—House rented under £7, one shilling
each house ; house rented at .£7 and under £l2,
one shilling and sixpence ; house rented at £l2
and above, 2s each house. Ashes deposited in
any other part of the premises than the ashpits,
to be charged for extra according to quantity.
Your Committee have passed and approved the
draft contract with Mr. George Horsley, for the
execution of the required work, and which draft
contract will be laid before you. Your Medical
Officer of Health reports that the number of
deaths registered in the township 9f Stone.
bridge, from June 21st to August 20th, is 16.
He also reports that from the 25th July to this
date lie has carefully inspected most parts of
the township of Stourbridge, and that, as far as
he can ascertain, its sanitary coddition is
decidedly good. Having met with but three
tses of fever, and two cases of overcrowding.
He however calls 3 our early attention to the
filthy and deltipidated state of Hound Court,
New-street, which is dangerous to the health of
its inhabitants. The Inspector of Nuisances
reports the following nuisances :—Brought for-
ward, 11; inspected during the mouth, 41;
total 52 ; removed old, 10 : new, 24 ; total 34 ;
carried forward, 18. 'the slaughter-houses are
reported tube in a good sanitary condition.
Mr. Kelly remarked that there were more
cases of fine, lithe Round Court than reported.
He knew limn his own knowledge there were
live or eilE

AlLr some discussion, Mr. Alloop moved
" That. the Town °timer give the necessary
notices to owners of property to have the nui.
sauces removed."

The report was adopted.
The Clerk read the contract made with Mr.
tiotsley to remove the night soil which was
improved of, and the weal of the Board was to be
attached.

REPORT OF THE GENERAL IMPROVEMENT
COMMITTEE.

Your Committee report that they recommend
one tire plug to be laid down in Market-street,
near the 'lmhof, Hotel, and another in Coventry.
street, near the Angel Inn. lour committee
report that on Friday the nth lust, they wet by
appointment Sir. Daniel Gooch,the Chairman r.
Urterson, the General Manager, ard Mr. Owen,
the Engineer, of the Great Western Railway
Company, at the Stuurbridge Station, and with
them went of the proposed branch line to High.
street, with the view of considering the most
desirable site for the new passenger station.
Your Committee directed the Mrention of the
Railway authorities to the ground lying between
the Cliff and Duke-street, as furnishing, in their
opinion, the most convenient and central portion
for the new station. The Chairman of the Coin.
pauy requested to be furnished with a plan of
that part of the ground referred to which has
been fotwi,rded to Mr. Gwen, the engineer.
Your Committee expect a reply from the Con-
pally in the course of a short time.

•
'lle Chairman said that the committee met
the radway authorities anti pointed our, which
in their opinion, was the best site for a new
IlAiluay station—the ground lying between
Duke-street and the Cliff.

The report was adopted.
A resolution WllB passed making an improve-
ment rate of 9d in the pound.
On the motion of Mr. Edwards, Dr. Ballard's
report on the sanitary condition of the town was
referred to the bleneral Purposes Committee,
with instructions to report thereon.
TM: Clerk lead a notice from Mr. William
Kuott, district auditor,announcing that he would
audit the accounts for the Cohnuissionere on
the 4th of September next, and requiring the
production of all thmas aud documents neceas J ty
for that purpose.

The CierlC also read a correspondence that he
had hail with Mr. iKnott and with the Local
6overuinent Board respecting this matter, in
which lie he!d that iiiiisinuch as the special Act
of 1866 prescribed the mode of auditing the
accouuts,the official auditor of the Local Govern-
went Board had no power to hold another audit.
Toe Local Hoverument Board wrote that, under
the Public Health Act of 1872, au i Boards of
Commissioners were made Urban Sanitary
Authorities, and were therefore amenabie to
having their accounts audit,l by the public
official auditor.

The Commissioner agreed wth the view of
the Clerk, that Mr. Knott had no p:_twer to pro-
ceed with the audit of which he had given
notice, and a resolution was moved and carried
to the effect "That the Clerk inform Mr. Knott
that the Board respectfully declines to produce
the accounts for the year ended March 31st,
1b73, to be audited by him, the same having
been already audited according to the Act of
181;6, under the Commissioners' Clauses Act,
1347, and filed with the Clerk of the Peace."