On Monday last, John Beddard, Esq., the Mayor of this town,
issued bills stating that he should be very happy to meet,
at Smith's Hotel, in the Market Place, that evening at seven
o'clock, any of the inhabitants disposed to support some public
demonstration on the marriage day of the Princess Royal.
At the time appointed for the meeting to take place, our
reporter attended and found only the Mayor present. During
the next half-hour or so a few gentlemen looked into the room
to see what sort of a meeting there was, and having satisfied
their curiosity withdrew. About half-past seven o'clock,
however, the Mayor remarked that business had better be
proceeded with. The number of loyal subjects present then was
very few, and during the entire meeting did not exceed a score.
We have no difficulty in subjoining a complete list of their
names. They were the Mayor, the High Bailiff (Elliot Hollier,
Esq.), Mr. W. H. Brooke, Mr. S. Rudge, Mr. R. Houghton, Mr.
W. Wigginton, Mr. Waring, Mr. G. B. Lowe, Mr. Masefield, Mr.
Walker, Mr. William Haden, jun., Mr. Minty, Mr. Laskey, Mr.
Wainwright, Mr. E. Sanders, Mr. Denison, Mr. J. Cartwright, Mr.
Clark, Mr. J. Renaud.
Mr. JOHN RENAUD moved that the Mayor should take the chair.
(Hear).
The MAYOR in doing so, said he was very glad to tell the
gentlemen present that Mr. Smith, at the Priory, would be very
happy "to fall in with whatever was done there." In proceeding
to open the business of the evening, the chairman said they
were met to take steps towards getting up a treat of some kind
or other so that the inhabitants of this town may remember the
day on which the Princess Royal was married. He thought they
ought to do something on this occasion, so that the event might
be signalized and remembered by their children for some time to
come. (Cheers). So far as regarded the poor in the Workhouse,
he should have very great pleasure in affording them a treat
himself. (Hear, hear). Mr. Clark had been suggesting that the
children belonging to the various Sunday Schools should also
have a treat. He should like to hear what he had to say upon
the subject.
Mr. C. F. G. CLARK, chemist, of High street, thought it only
right that the young people and the inhabitants of Dudley
generally should have an opportunity of participating in some
kind of rejoicing on the occasion of the marriage of the
Princess Royal. His Worship the Mayor had been kind enough to
promise--as the highest recognized authority in this place--a
treat to the poor in the Workhouse; and he (Mr. Clark) was of
opinion that they could not do less than give a treat also to
the Sunday School children of the parish. He would, therefore,
at once propose that they should enter into a subscription that
night, and communicate as soon as possible with the trustees
and ministers of the schools to solicit their co-operation in
giving the children a treat, and that they should award to each
establishment a certain sum out of the funds (to be regulated
by the number of scholars they had) for that purpose.
The proposition met with several objections. It was stated, in
answer to questions, that a tea might be had for the children
at fivepence per head, and that the total number of Sunday
Scholars in Dudley was about two thousand. This being so, it
was hinted that the subscription might not be large enough to
pay these schools fivepence per scholar for a treat, and to
meet this it was suggested that fivepence should be given,
and any deficiency which might arise should be made up by the
congregations at each place of worship.
A Gentleman in the meeting asked if the people of Netherton
were to be included in the arrangements? He believed it was the
general opinion that Netherton participated in anything of this
sort with the people of Dudley.
The MAYOR did not think that they could do anything with the
Nethertonians. "Dudley proper," he thought, was enough for them
to deal with.
Mr. CLARK said so far as own feelings were concerned in this
matter, he should very much like to have seen an ox or two
roasted and distributed amongst the poor in the neighbourhood,
after a good old English fashion.
Mr. RENAUD recommended the appointment of a deputation to
confer with the school authorities as to the best mode of
giving a treat to the children. He had no doubt that the
people belonging to the several places of worship would see to
treating their own children, and that each would meet their own
expenses in the event of a deficiency in the amount awarded
them out of the public subscription.
Mr. CLARK said if they were to give a treat at all, let them
do it as it ought to be done. For his own part, he did not
like the idea of proposing a treat and then calling upon other
people to pay for it. He disapproved of the shabby generosity
which wanted to give a tea to children, and, doubting whether
they could do it or not, called upon the congregation to make
up any deficiency. In such a case he (Mr. Clark) very much
questioned whether the parties belonging to the churches and
chapels would comply with, such a request. Some might: others
might not. At any rate, they could do as they liked, and it
would be left to each of them to act independently in the
matter.
Mr. RENAUD remarked that it was just that spirit of
independence amongst the people which he wished to acknowledge.
Mr. CLARK: Well, don't let us do the thing in a spirit of
niggardliness. If such a proposal is carried out, I think it
will be very much like a sectarian treat.
Mr. RENAUD: I wish to abolish that word "sectarian" in this
matter. I don't want us to have a sectarian, but a general
treat.
The MAYOR: Well, I think somebody had better move the
appointment of a deputation to wait upon the ministers of the
churches and chapels in the town upon the subject.
Mr. W. H. BROOKE: I would suggest, Mr. Mayor, that, as a matter
of order, you should first decide whether a committee of that
sort is to be appointed. (Hear, hear.)
The MAYOR: Just so. Will any gentleman move a resolution to
that effect?
Mr. W. H. BROOKE: I will move, if you please, then, "That the
gentlemen present form themselves into a committee for the
purpose of carrying out any arrangements that may be considered
advisable for celebrating the marriage of the Princess Royal in
Dudley."
Mr. HOUGHTON: And I second that motion.
The MAYOR put the proposition to the vote, and it was carried.
Mr. RENAUD: I will next move then, "That the said committee
wait upon the ministers of each chapel and church in the town,
to ascertain if they are willing to co-operate in giving a
treat to the Sunday School children on Monday next, the 25th
instant, in honour of the Princess Royal's wedding, and to use
the best means of carrying this into effect."
Mr. E. HOLLIER: I will second that motion.
The Mayor put the proposition to the vote, and it was carried
unanimously.
Mr. MINTY inquired if the Castle guns were to be fired?
Mr. RENAUD replied that the guns in the Castle yard were
spiked, and could not be used. They did not want to have
another earthquake. (Laughter.)
Mr. CLARK moved that a public subscription should be entered
into.
Mr. W. WIGGINGTON suggested that the committee should report
to a meeting to be held the next night. This proposition was
received.
The MAYOR said he should propose that there be a dinner at
Smith's Hotel, on Monday, precisely at half-past three o'clock.
Mr. WARING, on behalf of the Garrick Club, one of whose
performances is to take place next Monday evening, requested
that the dinner should not interfere with that entertainment.
The MAYOR promised that it should not.
Several gentlemen inquired what sort a dinner they should have.
Mr. CLARK proposed they should have a half guinea dinner, and
the suggestion was received.
Mr. RENAUD reminded the meeting that they ought to do something
for the poor in the neighbourhood. It was well to treat the
inmates of the workhouse, but at the same time he could not
lose sight of the fact that there were many, very many, poor
people who were as badly, if not worse off than the poor in the
workhouse, who ought to be treated also. (Hear, hear).
Mr. G. B. LOWE quite coincided with every word which had fallen
from the lips of his friend Mr. Renaud. There were many very
poor workpeople in the neighbourhood for whom a treat of some
sort ought to be provided, and he should be very sorry indeed
if they were remiss or neglectful in this part of their duty.
Many of the labouring classes were out of work, and must have
something to eat. If they could not get anything fairly they
might depend upon it they would get it other ways. The people
hereabout had behaved themselves very well lately during the
great depression of trade, and they ought to have a treat by
way of encouragement. For his (Mr. Lowe's) own part, he had no
idea of feasting himself up whilst other people were wanting,
and would readily forego his half guinea dinner to provide
something for people in poorer circumstances. (Cheers.)
The MAYOR: I am sorry to say that I cannot agree to such a
proposal. You see we are treating the workhouse people, and I
think that will be as much as we can do.
Mr. RENAUD said there were hundreds of people about the
town who were quite as deserving of a treat as those in the
workhouse.
The MAYOR: There are hundreds walking about with their hands in
their pockets. We pay enough, I think, in poor rates. I say it
without ill nature, I have not much sympathy with the working
classes in this neighbourhood, for it is very often the case
that when they have work to do they won't do it.
Mr. W. H. BROOKE: I say that it would be a disgrace to the
town if something is not done for the poor. That is my decided
opinion.
Mr. LOWE: We shall lay ourselves open to public censure.
Mr. RENAUD: The Dudley Workhouse is only calculated to contain
103 people.
The MAYOR: Well, we pay poor rates enough. The subscription you
see might not be so large as to enable us to do this.
Mr. LOWE: Well, I for one would rather pay my 10s. 6d. for a
treat to the poor than for a dinner at the hotel for myself,
and be aware at the same time that many of our poorer fellow
creatures were suffering from poverty.
Mr. CLARK: Oh! but I expect the Mayor is going to treat us with
the dinner at the hotel?
The MAYOR: I never promised anything of the sort.
Mr. CLARK: Well, I fully expected you were going to pay for it,
Mr. Mayor? (Roars of laughter.)
The MAYOR: Oh, no, I never said that I should.
Considerable merriment ensued. Order having been restored,
Mr. RENAUD renewed his proposal for a treat to the necessitous
poor in the neighbourhood.
The MAYOR again expressed his opinion that the funds would not
permit of anything of the sort.
Mr. WARING, on behalf of the Garrick Club, very generously
stepped forward and guaranteed a donation of £10 in aid of the
object from that body.
Mr. RENAUD said he would guarantee another £10 for the same
purpose.
The Mayor intimated that the further consideration of the
subject of giving a treat to the out-door poor had better be
adjourned until the next meeting. This was agreed to.
The MAYOR then resumed the discussion as to the providing of
a dinner at the hotel, and it was agreed that a dinner should
take place in Smith's hotel, at three o'clock next Monday, to
celebrate the marriage of the Princess Royal, and that the
tickets for the same might be had at the bar of the hotel,
price 10s. 6d.
The several gentlemen on the committee for waiting upon the
ministers and managers of the different Sunday schools then had
their duties apportioned to them, and the meeting was adjourned
until seven o'clock on Tuesday evening, to be held either at
the Hotel or at the Old Town Hall, when the report of the same
was to be received.