Of the banquet in the evening to the noble Earl we can say
nothing, except that we believe about 120 sat down. The Dinner
Committee, in making their arrangements, seem to have ignored
the existence of such an institution as the Press, and it was
not till all the tickets were sold, and all the available space
occupied, that they appear to have entertained the idea that
probably the public would like to know something about their
proceedings. Accordingly, in their magnanimity, they arranged
that provision should be made in some room "downstairs," where
the reporters might eat and drink by themselves, and await the
summons to "go up higher," which happy period, it is supposed,
would have arrived when the cloth was withdrawn, and the
serious part of the business of the evening commenced. However,
the representatives of the "fourth estate" present did not feel
inclined to submit to such unusual indignities. In consequence
of these proceedings of the committee our readers are deprived
of a report of the speeches made at the banquet; but we may
perhaps be allowed to remark that such a mode of conducting
what is really public business, is alike disrespectful to the
noble Earl they intended to congratulate, and insulting to
every person who has a just idea of the dignity of the press.
If the committee had informed us that the right of a reporter
to be present was only purchaseable, we should, for the sake of
our readers, have taken care that this right was secured for
our representative.--_Daily Post._
June 18th, 1860. The Old Town Hall, which had stood between two and
three centuries in the Market Place, Dudley, was doomed to destruction,
and workmen commenced pulling it down this day. The noble Earl of
Dudley had previously signified his intention to erect a handsome
Italian Fountain on the site, which now adorns our Market Place.
Died, October 14th, 1860, Mr. Thomas Rudd, Jeweller and Watchmaker,
Market Place, after a very protracted illness, brought on by an
accident in his gig. Aged 52 years.