Children of Julia and Richard Edridge

MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

THE SITUATION IN GRAISELEY WARD, WOLVERHAMPTON.

EXPLANATION BY MISS EDRIDGE.

In the Express and Star of Saturday a letter appeared bearing on the municipal election in Graiseley Ward, and signed "Lady Fair Play," who pointed out that Mr. Barker's lady opponent was making use of Emily Edridge's name, and added that this was a poor return for "the chivalry shown towards Miss Edridge by Mr. Barker." The writer added: "Common courtesy demands that Miss Edridge should explain the position to the public through the Press." In order that the public might know the facts, a representative of the Express and Star called upon Miss Edridge this (Monday) morning. Miss Edridge at once consented to make a statement on the matter.

Asked why she retired, Miss Edridge said: "I came forward two years ago, and was only six votes removed from victory. I thought no more about it until seven weeks since. Then Alderman Berrington asked if I was coming forward again, and mentioned that as his son, Mr. Ernest Berrington, was living in Leamington he presumed he would not offer himself for re-election.

"But in the meantime inquiries had been made, and it was found that although Mr. Ernest Herrington was no longer living in the town, probably he would come forward, being still a ratepayer. He was of course. the retiring member, which had some weight in the situation. Mr. Barker knew these facts. and said that if I was coming forward the Labour party would not oppose me.

"I may say that I should come forward had I felt certain that Mr. Berrington would not seek re-election. When I found Mr. Ernest Barrington still eligible as a candidate, I told Mr. Barker I should not stand and should not oppose Mr. Berrington.

" Before Miss Pearson came out she asked me if I was coming forward, because, if so, she would not oppose me. I then said I was not standing. The way was then clear for her. It was not until the eleventh hour that I was aware Mr. Berrington was not standing again.

"Mr. Barker called some weeks ago upon me, and said if I was coming forward he would not oppose me. I hope that in my present action it will not be thought that I am indifferent to the interests either of the children or of the working classes."

MISS EMILY EDRIDGE

Miss Emily Edridge, of Wolverhampton, who has died aged eighty-six, was the first local woman to seek election on the Borough Council, twenty years ago. She was unsuccessful but was later co-opted a member of the Education Committee and served for several years. She was one of four sisters, born at Bilston, and lived nearly all her life in Wolverhampton.

Miss Edridge took a great interest in religious, social and charitable work. Since 1869 she had been a member of Queen Street Congregational Church, Wolverhampton. She had a life-long interest in temperance and served on the Ladies Committee of the Royal Orphanage, the Eye Infirmary and the Alexandra Day Committee. For twenty-five years she conducted a dinner-hour service for girls employed at a local factory. Her name was included among the Staffordshire poets in "Poets of the Shires."

DEATH OF MISS EMILY EDRIDGE

The death took place on Sunday, at the age of 86, of Miss Emily Edridge, Sherbourne, Park Avenue. Miss Edridge, who was a daughter of the late Mr. Richard Edridge, was the first woman in Wolverhampton who sought a seat on the Town Council. She was unsuccessful, but afterwards was co-opted a member of the Education Committee.

She was a member of Queen Street Congregational Church, an active temperance worker, and a former Sunday school teacher at the Queen Street Church. She had served on the ladies' committee of the Royal Orphanage and the Eye Infirmary, she was a member of Wolverhampton and District Alexander Day Committee, and assisted to form the Wolverhampton branch of the Young Women's Christian Association.

Miss Edridge published a little book of verse entitled "Winter Flowers" and she often wrote poems for local publication.

MANY BEQUEST TO CHARITIES

Miss Emily Edridge, of 10, Park-avenue, Wolverhampton, left £8,167.

She gave £25 to Alice Havens, former, maid, £250 each to the Royal Orphanage, Wolverhampton, the London Missionary Society, the Staffordshire Congregational Union, the Royal Hospital, Wolverhampton, and Queen-street Congregational Church; £100 each to Wolverhampton and Midland Counties Eye Infirmary, the Wolverhampton, Dudley and District Society for the Blind; £50 to the Wolverhampton District Band of Hope Union; and £25 to the National British Women's Temperance Association (Wolverhampton branch).

WOLVERHAMPTON

Oldest Church Member.—Miss Fanny Edridge, last surviving daughter of the late Mr. Richard Edridge, died on Saturday, after several months' illness, at her home 10 Park Avenue, Wolverhampton. Aged 92, she was the oldest member of Queen Street Congregational Church, having been admitted in 1871.

A LADY'S BEQUESTS. — Miss Alice Edridge, of Wolverhampton, who left gross estate of the value of £11,893 with net personalty £11,539, left, among other bequests, £75 to Hannah Harriet Absolon, matron of St. Jude's Road Orphan Home, Wolverhampton, and her personal effects and her interest in her residence and furniture to her sisters, Emily and Fanny Edridge. The residue of her property she left in trust for her two sisters for life, and on the death of the survivor, £1,000 to the London Missionary Society; £1,000 to the Queen Street Congregational Chapel, Wolverhampton, directing that £100 should be spent for the benefit of the branch chapel at York Street, Wolverhampton; £250 each to the British and Foreign Bible Society and the British and Foreign Sailors' Society; and £200 each to Dr. Barnardo's Homes, the Orphan Home, St. Jude's Road, Wolverhampton, and Sir J.T. Middlemore's Children's Emigration Homes, Birmingham. The ultimate residue she left as to one-third to the London Missionary Society; one-third to the Queen Street Congregational Chapel, Wolverhampton; and one-third as to one-half to the Congregational Union of England and Wales, and one-half to the Staffordshire Congregational Union.