The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-04-19 00:00:00

ocitt alto gistrict 4eOJ5.

COUNTY COURT.
THE LITE EXECUTION AT WORCESTER.

At the County Court, on Thursday, before Mr
Rupert Kettle, an action was brought by Emma
Whiston, mother of the man executed at Worcester
for the murder of Mr. Meredith, to recover a sum
of £5, alleged to be due to her upon her son's
death, from the secretary of a woman's death club,
held at the Queen's Head Inn, Round Oak.
Mr. Waldron, who appeared for the plaintiff,
opened the case, and stated that the action was
brought owing to the club refusing to pay the claim
because, as they alleged, what took place at Wor-
cester NV as not a death within the meaning of their
rules. The rule of the club was that the death of
a child over twelve years of age entitled the
mother to a sum of .25, as death money.
Mrs Whiston, the plaintiff, was then examined,
and stated that she had kept her payments good as
a member of the club. She had paid her money
all the club nights, and was Dot in arrears. Did
not always take the money herself Sometimes she
sent it.

Mr. Clulow, for the defence, contenea that plain-
tiff was not entitled to the money as she was in
arrears at the death of her son after quarter night,
and called the defendant who produced the book,
stating that the plaintiff was in arrears, and said
that the club members had offered her a pottion of
the money, which she refused to have. The mem-
bers have also offered to contribute 6d each, but
that she refused. - _ .

........, .._..., _____.
His Honor asked if it was possible for them to
come to terms now. - -

Witness saki the club was very poor, and only
27 membre.. - -

At this stage it turned out that the rules were
not registered, and Hie nouor gave a verdict for
defendant.
BECKLEY V CAVE —This was an action brought
by Mr. J. Beckley, of Brierley Hill, against the de-
fendant to recover the sum of X 8 , _From the evi-
dence adduced ii appeared that an ejectment order
was made against the defendant, whose rent was
doubled, and the action now brought was to recover
the amount due. Defendaut in a long statement
argued that he was r;ght, but could not convince
the Judge who gave a verdict against, him, and to
pay costa.

FATAL ACCIDENT.— John. Everton, a market
gardener, belonging to Shenstone, Chaddesley
Corbett, met with a fatal accident ou Saturday
evening last, at Oldswinford. He was on his way
towards home with a load of coals when his horse
swerved, and Everton was caught by the shaft and
knocked down. Before he could recover, himself
the wheel passed over him, and he received in-
juries causing his death. The body wt.s taken to
the Croem Inn. Deceased was a man about fifty
years of age.—On Tuesday, an inquest wal held at
Mr. George oark's, Crown Inn, before R. Ducker,
Esq., Coroner. After hearing the evidence. of Or.
Bat, the jury returned a verdict of '.Accidental
death."
DEATH FROM SCALDS.-A child, named Alice
Maud Mary Bywater Jones, died on Sunday night,
at Oldswinford, from scalds received the previous
afternoon. Deceased was living at the house of
Joseph Haynes, but at the time of the accident
was in the house of Richard Whitehouse, a neigh-
bour. A daughter of Whitehouse's accidentally
upset a kettle of boiling water, and part of it going
on Jones. She was so badly injured that she died,
as above stated on the following night.—An iu--
quest was held on the body, a. the Crown Inn, on
Tuesday, before R. Docker, Esq., Coroner. After
hearing the evidence of Mr. A. Freer, the jury re-
turned a verdict of "Accidental death."
AMBLECOTE CHURCH.—A bazaar to provide a
fund for reflooring and reseating Arnblecote Church
was opened on Monday, in the Corn Exchange, by
Lord Lyttelton. The room was well stocked with
goods of the usual miscellaneous character seen at
bazaars, and the stalls were in charge of Mrs.
Boldero, Mrs. Addison, and Miss Harrison; Mrs.
Eagar, Mrs. Hodgetts, the ,Misses Ridley Miss
Moody and Miss Aston. A number of ingenious
mechanical models (from Messrs. Legg and Co.,
of Birmingham) formed an attaactive teature, es-
pecialy for the young people present, and there
was another speciality in an adjoining room, in
the exhibition of the Sphinx.—Lord Lyttelton, in
opening the bazaar, spoke approvingly of its object
and explained the purpose for which it was
being held. At the time the Rev. J. S. Boldero
was appointed to the living of Amblecote, thirteen
years ago, the greater number of the pews in the
cuurch were let, and about one-third of them were
Occupied by non-parishioners. It came to Mr.
Boldero's knowledge after a time that no legal
steps had ever been taken to let or appropriate the
pen, tad it we expreily itipulatedin th trim;

deed that 500 of the seats shAld be free and unap-
propriated for ever. The bdy of the church only
seats 480, and Mr. Bolderc felt that he could no
longer conscientiously receive the pew rents. He
thereupon some four years Igo abolished pew rents
and threw open the awe', and Lord Lyttelton
remarked, on Monday, thst no one could doubt his
disinterestedness in doing this, for precunia.rily it
was a loss to him as he received double the amount
in pew rents which he subsequently did from the
offertory. The floor of the church is now out of
repair, and as it will be lecessary to remove pews
to reinstate it, it has beel thought desirable that
instead of replacing the pews some more convenient
seats should be provided. The bazaar was cots-
tinned on Tuesday and Wednesday.
VESTRY MEETING AT OLDSWINFORD. - The
annual vestry meeting was held on Tuesday at
Oldswinford Church, the Rev. C. S. Wordsworth,
(rector) presiding. In opening the meeting, the
Chairman spoke of the death of Mr. Wright, one
of the wardens for last par, and mentioned that he
(Mr. Wright) had offerei to give £lOO towards the
enlargement of the chtrch if it was resolved on,
and also .£lO towards as organ fund. He expressed
sorrow that Mr. W. B. Collis wished to retire from
office, and in his place appcinted Mr. W. Holeroft
rector's warden, Mr. R. Walrer was elected people's
warden on the proposel of lfr. Collis, seconded by
Mr. Stringer.—Mr. Collis presented the accounts
for the past year, which showed that the sub-
scriptions had amounted to ..ilO6 3s. 6d. ; offertories,
£239 448. 3d.; and £3l 335. Bd. received from
charities. Sundry amounts had been allocated to
charitable purposes, an I what these and the church
expenses were deducted tlere was a balance in
hand of £34 6s. 7d. Mr. thllis remarked that the
same amount of income wmld probably meet the
demands of this year, thoigh there would be some
outlay required for repairng the churchyard wall,
damaged by frost.—The Rector, in reply to a
question, said that after he Lye Cemetery was
opened the Lye people vould no longer have a
right of interment at Oldswinford. The case was
different at Stourbridge, the people there still
holding a power to bury at Oldswinford at the
ordinary fees.—Mr. Collis observed that when tae
churchyard was enlarged, although the Lye bene-
fited greatly by it, there was only on subscription
towards the expense from that place. It was
mentioned that recently there were eleven funerals
from the Lye in a fortnight—a fact which showed
the extent to which the gniund was used by the
Lye.—The Rector said he should have wished to
keep the churchyard for the present parish of
Upper Swinford, but as he said before Stourbridge
could still use it, although as a matter of fact there
had been no funerals from that place since the
opening of the cemetery.—Mr. W. H. Jones moved
a vote of thanks to the Rector, and coupled with it
the hearty congratulations of the vestry on his
approaching marriage. The motion was seconded
by Mr. Collis and carried, and after Mr. Wordsworth
had acknowledged it the meeting closed.

VESTRY MEETING AT ST. THO-MAS'S.—The Rev.
H.:,herrard occupied the chair at the vestry meet-
ing held at St. Thomas's Church. The accounts
presented by the ratiring churchwardens, Messrs.
Millinchip and Ick, showed that at the beginning
of the year there was 1. debt of £4O 155., which
had been reduced to something over £24. The
accounts were passed, and on the motion of the
Vicar, seconded by Mr. Blunsom, a vote of thanks
was passed to Messrs. Millinchip and Ick, and they
were re-elected. The sidesmen appointed were
Messrs. Bland, Howells, Ingleton, Dallow, Blun-
som, Davies. and Stringer.
VESTRY MEETING AT ST. JOHNS'S.—At St. John's
vestry Mr. G. Rlosz was elected vicar's warden, and
Mr. Ernest E. White people's warden.
POLICE INiPECTION. Colonel Cobbe (Govern-
ment inspector) made his annual visit to the police
station, on Wednesday. and inspected the police
force of the divisions of Stourbridge and Halesowen.
The men were respectively under the lead of Super-
intendents Wheeler s-id Kemp, and the Chief-con-
stable, Colonel Carmichael, was present. Colonel
Cobbs was entirely satisfied with the condition of
the force and the police cells.

MARRIAGE OF THE RECTOR OF OLDSWINEORD.—
On Thursday the narriage of the Rev. Charles
Samuel Wordsworth, rector of Oldswinford, Stour-
bridge, to Miss Emily Craufurd, daughter of the
late Rev. C. H. Craufurd, former rector of the
parish, was solemn:sed at Oldswinford Church
in the presence of a crowded congregation. Especial
local interest attached to the wedding from various
circumstances, amongit them being the popularity
of the bride in the neighbourhood, and the fact that
by her marriage she will return to her former home
where her father died some three or four years ago.
The officiating clergymen were the father of the
bridegroom, the Right Rev. Dr. Wordsworth,
Bishop of St. Andrew's, and the brother•in-law of
the bride, the Rev. R. H. Streeton. The bride wore
a white brocaded silk dress, wreath of orange
blossom, narcissus, and myrtle and tulle veil • aLd
her bridesmaids, Miss Grazebrook, Miss Words-
worth, Miss 1. Grazebrook, Miss M. Wordsworth,
and Miss L. Craufurd, wore pink satin and cashmere
dresses, and pink satin hats. Mr. R. Wordsworth
was the bridegroom's best man, and his groomsmen
were the Rev. J. P, Kershaw, Mr. %V. Wordsworth,
Mr. M. Grazebrook, and Mr. Ball, Mr. W. D.
Craufurd "gave away " the bride. After the
service, which was choral, the register was signed
by the bride and bridegroom and other members of
the bridal party, and they drove to Mr. M. Graze-
brook's, H.,11y Grove, Kagley, where the wedding
breakfa.t took place. Toe bells of 01,- swinford rang
out merry chimes after the wedding, and the village
band, which had been playing at intervals during
the morning, marched up to Holly Grove and played
for the guests. The rector and his bride left in the
afternoon, and intended passing their honeymoon at
the Lakes and in Scotland. Evergreen arches had
been erected at different points in the village, with
mottoes wishing happiness to the bride and brirls
groom. The choir and the band were entertained
to a dinner at the Swan Inn, Oldswinford. The
children attending the National Schools were each
presented with a bun and an orange, and provisions
were given to the deserving poor of the place.
DRUNK AND DISORDEELY.--At the Police Court,
yesterday, before Colonel Fletcher, Lord Lyttelton,
Messrs, J. E. Swindell, and C. Cochrane, George
Baggott and Thomas Welch, of the Lye, were
charged with being drunk and disorderly, at the
Lye, on the 14th inst.—Police-constable Widdows
proved that he saw the two defendants fighting.
They were both drunk. Defendants pleaded
guilty to being drunk. Fined 5s each and costs.
THEATRICAL LICENSE.—Mr. J. Taylor appeared
before the magistrates, yesterday, for a license to
play stage plays, at the Corn Exchange. Th.)
application was granted on the un lerstanding that,
all the doors should be made to open outwards, and
an additional out-let be made in the Msrket Hall to
the satisfaction of the Magistrates, the certificate
to be withheld by Mr. King, clerk, nntil the altera-
tions were made. Mr. Taylor said that there would
be no stage plays until the alterations were made.
SURVEYORS Acoomers.—The Surveyor's aecoun s
for the following townships were pa.sed Oldswin-
for3, Lye, and Wollescote.

fits,,isiErts.—At the Public Office, yesterday, the
following transfers took place. The Bridge Inn,
Manible Square, from billet Mot,s, to Benjamin
Sturmey Itaybould. The Fountain Inn, Haglpy
Street, from George Smith, to George Young. The
White Lion Inn, Market Street, from George Young
to Jane Young. The Swan Inn, Mamble Square,
from William bheward, to George Davis The
Waterloo Inn, Oldswinford, from John Cooling. to
James Chance.

DR= AND DISORDERLY.—SamueI Taylor, of the
Lye, was charged with being drunk and disorderly.
Police-con,table Jewson proved the ease. Defend-
ant was fined 5s and costs; in default 7 days.—
Simnel Brettle was charged with a similar offence,
at the Lye, on the 15th inst. Police-constable
Jewiss proved the case. Fined 58 and costs; in
defanit 7 days
DRUNK AND INCAPABLE.—Henry Hill, painter, was
charged with being drunk and incapable, at Norton,
on the 2nd inst. Police-constable Davis proved that
he found the &fondant lying in the road, perfectly
helpless. He had to put him into a cart to send him
home. Pleaded guilty. Fined 5s and costs.
EIIEACIt OP THE PEACE.—William Mills and John
Lamb were charged with committing a breach of the
peace by fighting, at Oldswinford, on the 6th inst.
Police-constable Woodhall said he saw both of the
defendants fighting. They both fell on the floor.
Withdrawn on payment of costs.
DRUNKANNBSB.—John Mills was charged with
being drunk at the Lye, on the sth inst. Police-
constable Jewiss proved the offence Fined 2s 6d
and costs.

DarirmANl) REPUSINO TO QUlT.—Zeph Smith, a
gipsy, was charged with being drunk on the 16th
inst, and refusing to quit the Greyhound Inn,
Norton, when requested. Defendant was further
charged with being drunk and disorderly on the
came date, at Norton. Defendant pleaded guilty,
and he was fisted 53 and costs for refusing to quit
Dem.tonio A FENCE.—Thomas Tomlin and Charles
Tubin, were charged with wilfully damaging a fence,
the property of the trustees of A. B. Cochrane. Police-
constable Davis said that he saw the defendants
break down a new fence. A good deal of damage
was constantly being done. The defendants were
part of a gang of young men who go about on Sundays
doing damage. The gardener was called and said
that the damtge done amounted to 4d, but Mrs.
Cochrane did nct wish to press to case. Fined 2s 6d,
each and costs, and 4d the damage done
STEALL'iCi Ona:coss.—George Merchant (10), was
charged with stealing three oranges on the 12th inst.
from a stall in the Market Hall, the property of B.
Downes. The case was proved, and Police-sergeant
Jones was ordered to give prisoner 8 strokes of the
birch rod.

CHARGEo CRIJELVY TO SHEEP AND LAMBEL—CoIdy
Aston was charged vith cruelty to four sheep and
three lambs by exposing thew to the cold, between
On 22nd of Mitch ad April Oth, Miry Bridewator,

said that the defendant had a field near Brook Street.
Tnere were four sheep and three lambs in the
which was generally wet. Did not see any one feed
them. On Saturday night two lambs and one sheep
died from want and neglect. Had called the atten-
tion of the defendant to the state the sheep and
lambs were in. Sarah Millward gave corroborative
evidence and said she told the defendant about the
state they were in when defendant said he should
loose more money by attending to the sheep than if he
had fed them. Rowland Dance said the field vas
half full of water, and swampy. The sheep and
lambs appeared in a bad condition, and some of them
suffering from want of food. There was some fodder
I in the field, but the animals appeared so exausted they
I could not eat. The defence was the sheep had 38
acres of ground to run over, and they had hay, fodder,
and corn. George Crumpton, a boy, said he fed the
I sheep and lambs every day with hay, fodder, and corn.
T , he Bench did not consider the evidence sufficient for
them to convict, and recommended in future that
some scientific evidence should be produced. The
summons was dissmis: ed.
CHARGE AGAINST A BEERHOUSE KEEPER.—John
Charles Wyatt, landlord of the Old House at Homo,
Oldswinford, was charged with permitting gaming in
his house on the sth inst. Defendant was further
charged with being drunk on licensed premises. He
was further charged with being drunk and disorderly
in the highway, and further charged with assaulting
Thomas Humphries. Mr. C Alia defended. Thomas
Humphries said he went into the defendant's house
and called fir a pint of ale. Saw several persons in
the house playing at cards, and the defendant was
one of them. Three of them were playing at 25's.
They played for a quart of ale until it cone to a
quart each. Two of them p'ay off, and a half-gal-
lon of ale was had in and 101 paid for it. Defend-
ant was drunk and began to quarrel. He pushed me
about two or three times and struck me on the face
and body. He then went into the road and struck
me again. Cross-examined : I was in the army. Was
not drummed out. I was imprisoned for two years,
and turned out of the army. Have been charged
with being drunk and assaulting the police. Police-
constable Woodhall proved that he saw the defendant
on the night in question druuk in the road. Ile
afterwards saw defendant fiAting with several of
his customers and swearing in his own house. John
Porter also gave evidence and said the defendant was
very excited.
~_Could not say defendant was sober.
Mr. Collis addressed the Bench for the defence, and
said the man asked permission to play at cards for
amusement and not for a!e. He also denied that
defendant was drunk, and called William Partridge,
Edward Mills,: William Hill, and Jams Harris,
who gave evidence to the: effect that defendant was
quite sober, and that the men only played at cards
for pastime and not for money. The defendant was
fined lOs and costs for the assault on Thomas
Humphries.nrrae other caws were dismissed.
CRUELTY TO HORSES. William Hayes was
charged with cruelty to a horse in High Street, on
the 31st ult., and was further charged with being
drunk and refusing to quit the Britannia Inn, when
requested. Roland Dance proved the cruelty, and
the landlord Droved the other offence. In the first
case defendant was fined 2s 6d and costs; and for
the second offence he was fined Os and costs; in de-
fault 14 days.—Charles Grove was charged with
cruelty to a horse by working it whilst in an unfit
state at Hagley, on the 2nd inst. John Tonks
proved the case, and Mr. James 131aleway said from
the injuries the horse was suffering it was unlit for
work. Fined lOs and costs.—Elijah Freeman was
fined 2s 6d to include costs, for a similar offence.
OBSCENE LANGUAGE. Bridget Callagan was
fined 5s 6d for using obscene language. Sergeaut
Payne proved the case.
ENTERTAINMENTS AT THE RINK.—On Monday,
Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, Mr. Henry Day,
of the Crystal Palace, Birmingham, gave three
comedy drama performances, to large audiences.
The principal performers were Miss Amy L. Russell,
Mr. H. Day, Mr. G. W. Rouse, Mr. E. Watson, Mr.
T. Whittaker, and Mr. W. Gough. The piece selected
for Monday evening was " East Lynne,' after
which Mr. Gough gave an entertainment, which was
followed by the drama in one act, "The Harvest
Home." On Tuesday evening the piece selected
was "Time Tries All," followed by the garden and
cottage scenes from "The Lady of Lyons." On
this occasion Mr. A. Wall took the character of
Claude Melnotte in fine style, and Miss Amy
Russell, Pauline. On Wednesday evening was
produced, "May and December," followed by "All
that Glitters is not Gold." We must congratulate
Mr. H. Day on the very excellent company he
brought, which was one of the best that has visited
Stourbridge tor some years. The various characters
sustained by Miss A. Russell were well rendered.
As Lady Isabel she appeared to throw her whole
soul into the part, and, she was loudly applauded.
Mr. Gough's refined entertainment of singing and
playing was very good. The character of Pauline
by Miss Amy Russell came in for a large share of
applause, as dad also Mr. H. Day in the character of
Tobias Scattergood, a very pious man, who loved
"Purity." We are pleased to say that the enter-
tainment was a success. The musical arrangements
were under the direction of Mr. S. Simms.
BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The first meeting
of the newly constituted Board was held yes-
terday. The members present were Messrs.
Pargeter, Robertson, Hingley, Williams,
Hodgetts, Burr, Parkes, Weston, Rollinson, R.
B. Guest, Mullett, Wood, Rev. C H. Cole, Webb,
Raybould, J. Billiughatn, Giles, Mills, Plant,
Hale, White, Rhodes, Lavender, Foley, H.
Billingham, Haskew, Kelly, Eveson, Brooks and
E. B. Phillips, Esq., er-offico. Mr. H. Billing-
ham was voted to the chair pro-tent. On the
motion of Mr. H. Billingham, seconded by Mr.
Pargeter, Mr. J. Raybould was unanimously
elected as chairman to the Board for the current
year. On the motion of the chairman seconded
by Mr. Foley, Mr. H. Billingham was elected
first vice-chairman. On the motion of Mr.
Burr seconded by Mr. Williams, Mr. Haskets
was elected second vice chairman. Assessment
Committe :—Ex-officio H. W. H. Foley, L.
Freer, H. Smith, and E. B. Phillips, Esqs.
Messrs. Raybould, H. Billingham, Haskew, Burr,
Rollinson, Plant, Lavender and Pargeter.
School Attendanoe Cammittee :—Messrs. Ray-
bould, Billingham, Haskew, WiUiarne, Robert.
son, Pargeter, Hingley, and Brooks. Labour
and Finance Committee :—Messrs. Raybould,
Billingham, Haskew, Plant, Rollinson, Rhodes,
Pargeter, Hale, and Giles. A Sanitary meeting
Ras after held. Messrs. Pargeter, Burr, Woou,
Brooks, Hingley, Wes, Plant, and Rhodes, and
Rev. R. C. Webb were elected.