The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-06-13 00:00:00

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT AT

CRADLEY HEATH.

The promoters and the opponents of this Act
are busily engaged furthering their individual
designs. The oppositionists, or at least Mr.
Barrs, their leader, at the commencement of the
struggle distinctly affirmed that no Local Act
should he allowed to exist in this neighbourhood.
Seeing, however, the number in favour of the
Act, and conscious of a disgraceful defeat unless
they adopted some other war cry, they have just
lately adopted fresh plans, and changed their
battle ground. In effect they say. " The Local
Act is not so bad after all as we thought it was,
and it may no doubt be advantageous to adopt
it, but instead of adopting it only for the parish
of Reddall Hill, we think it would be better to
bring the whole parish of Rowley Regis within
its embrace." This is the ground they have
erected their banner upon, and upon which they
hope to outwit their opponents. Their reason
seems very plausible upon the face of it, but a
moment's consideration will show the absurdity
of such a proposition. It is their last tactic,
cunningly devised and skilfully plotted, the ob-
ject of which is to spread discord and dis-unite
those who hitherto have been unanimous in fav-
our of Reddall Hill alone having the Act. We
hope its purpose will be seen, and its hoped-for
effects prevented. If Mr. Barrs has at length
been made to see that the Act is not such a
"terrible monster" as at first he imagined it to
be, and it he acknowledges that it would be
beneficial for the whole of Rowley Regis, we
cannot see what earthly reason he has for object-
ing to Cradley Heath alone enjoying its benefits.
Is it not very densely populated ? Is it not of
sufficient area? Does it not possess sufficient
intelligence and skill to manage its own affairs?
And can it not raise enough money to work all
improvements, &e.? Surely, if Quarry Bank
can have a Local Act, Reddall Hill which is in-
finitely of more importance, ought to have one.
It is stated however that if this parish has the
Act, the other side, viz., Rowley, Blackheath,
and Tividale, will want one too, and thus there
will be double expenses to no NM annually.
Such a reason is, to say the best of it, very
simple. If we can afford to pay all expenses,
what is that to the other side? They have
themselves to look after. Probably, if Black-
heath and Tividele continue to increase they also
will like Cradley Heath, pay eunuch rates to
support themselves. The truth is Readall Hill
is the most important part of the parish, and
like a good child pays immensely to support its
nlrent, ll»vim But it is of age, and feels that
in duty to its inhabitants it ought to shake off
the trammels of its selfish parent who has long
enough lived upon it.
.and start housekeeping on
its own account. We hope that all who have
decided in favour of the At will not allow their
determination to be altered. Despite the evil
machinations of the oppositionists and their
craftiness, Reddlill Hill will maid tin its right,
and shall conquer its foes. This, their last
dodge, will no duubt be seen through and
thWarted. They nutty say what they please, the
Local Act is utterly abhorred by them, and nei-
ther Rechlall Hill nor Rowley Rc,is will ever see
the Local Act if they ettn rttle. The present
inefficient ;Ante of government would be main-
taiiica always. The truth is they are behind
the age, they refuse to keep pace with the times,
and imagine blindly that what stilted fifty years
ago will of course suit now. Let Redden Hill
show that its motto is " Onward," and that it
will endeavour to suit itself to this age of en-
lightenment and improvement. •