The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-01-28 00:00:00

HALESOWEN.

Asixest. Ihxxxia—The annual dinner in connection
with the Money Club held at Mrs. Connop's, the Lyttel-
ton Arms Inn, Halesowen, took place on Monday even-
ing. About 50 sat down to a sumptuous repeat provided
in the usual first-class style by the worthy host and
hostess. The usual loyal toasts were given, interspersed
with song., and a most enjoyable evening was spent.
STEALING lIWN.—At the Police Court, en Tuesday,
before P. D. L. Smith and E. Moore, Esq„ Alexander
Tromans was charged with having stolen a quantity of
scrap iron on the 20th tact, the property of Alfred Burr
and others. Mr. W. Hayes defended.—Mr. Richard
Colman said that he was in partnership with Mr. Walter
Somers, at Haywood Iron Wharf. They were in the
habit of buying scrap iron of the description produced.
They bought some similar on the 24th of December. His
attention was called to it, and on the following day when
Dingley (the moo who brought the iron) went to the
works, witness asked him where he had it from. In con-
sequence of what he said, witness went to several gun
barrel manufacturers. Mr. Alfred Barr went to the
works on the 11th of December, and identified some por-
tion of the iron. There were about 61Ifis of it. He had
not been in the habit of buying that sort of iron from
Dingley. Cross.examined : There is no particular mark
on the iron, The iron was apparently new, and some of
it had been made perhaps six weeks—Thomas Dingley
said he lived at Islington, and was • dealer in scrap iron.
He had bought some scrap iron like that produced. He
bought it from John Woodboase, who resides in Bir-
ruinghatu-street. Witness took it to Mr. Somers's works
on the 23rd of December, and sold it there. There were
nearly 61ths. Cross-examined: Cannot swear to it as
the same iron I took up to Mr. Somers's. They were
ends of gun-barrels, like those produced. The only ends
I bought were from Woodhouse. John Woodhouse,
nailer, said he lived in Birmingham-street, and used to
buy scrap iron. Ile bought about 600,a of scrap like
that produced from prisoner in the middle of November.
He gave hiru fid per score, sad sold it to Thomas Ding-
ley a few days after. Cross-examined : Did not buy any
other scrap gun barrels. I bought it from Tromaus at
his house. Know prisoner is a gun-barrel maker. Do
not know that he has the privilege of selling the acrap
from his master.—Mr. Alfred Burr said he was in parts
nership with his brother Arthur at the Haysich Works.
On the 24th of December, in consequence of Mr. Colman
calling on him, he went to his works and saw some scrap,
a sample of which he brought away. They were pieces
of gun barrels, mud he had had them in his possession
ever since, and they belonged to him. He identified the
iron by the fact that they were at work with a pair of
nearly worn out rolls, and the barrel has to be made by
one revolution of the rolls. The circumference of the
rolls is not autficient unless the roller is very skilful. If
he is not it brings the fore end of the barrel on to the
breech end or set-off of the rolls, which consequently is
wider than the muzzle bore, and it causes it to bulge out.
All the pieces produced are the same, and they corres-
pond with scrap he brought from his warehouse. They
had not sold any of the scrap for some years, and he had
not the s:ightest doubt but that the iron produced was
his property. None of the workpeople were accustomed
to sell the scrap. Cross-examined: If the roller was
expert lie might have avoided the bulging out.—Mr. Burr
said he saw the prisoner on the 24th nit, and asked him
if lie keew anything of the iron which he iMr. Burr)
produced, Ile said they were gun barrel scraps, and on
Mr. Burr asking him if he had ever had auy such in his
possession, he said," No." Mr. Burr said," What 7" and
prisoner hesitated and the said, "Oh, I did have some
some tima ago." Mr. Burr asked him how long ago, and
he said some weeks. Mr. Burr said, "How many weeks 7"
and prisoner said I know nothing of them, and shall
know nothing," and as he was going away he said he had
never had anything belonging to Mr. Burr. Cross-ex.
mined by Mr. Hayes: Have not missed any iron.—Mr
Hayes said if the Bench thought thsre was are/ma/ode
case made out he should reserve his defence—The Bench
said they thought there was, and defendant, who said he
was not guilty, and had never had any of Mr. Burr's iron,
was committed to take his trial at the next Worcester
Sessions, bail being allowed in two sureties of £lO each,
and himself in one surety of £2O.
ASSAULTING A WOMAN.—Thomae Parkes was charged
with assaulting Sarah Cutler, au old woman, on the 14th
inst. Complainant said on the above date the defendant
went on to tier premises. She told him not to go, and
pushed him off, and he struck her, sad gave her two
black eyes. Harriet Cutler corroborated her mother.
Defendant said his mother-in-law pushed him and he
struck her. Fined Is 61 end costs; in default 21 days.