The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-22 00:00:00

BRIERLEY HILL.

A remarkable instance of that indomitable perse-
verance which overcomes apparently insurmount-
able difficulties has just been brought under our
notice. There is now living at Brierley Hill a
young man named Bathani, who, having lost both
arms by a machinery accident, is successfully fol-
lowing the avocation of a clerk. His writing—we
cannot say his hand-writing—is not only clear and
legible, but even elegant, the characters being
exceptionally well formed. Mr. Batham holds his
pen in his mouth, and the amount of work he can
get through under such circumstances is most
extraordinary, for we understand that in addition
to his ordinary office work he finds time to conduct
a somewhat voluminous correspondence. We have
before us a carte-de-visite of the intelligent-looking
writer, seated in a low chair before a small desk,
and his attitude whilst plying his active pen
appears much less constrained than might be sup.
posed. Few of our many correspondents would
stand much chance in a competitive examination
in caligraphy with this sadly mutilated but mar-
vellously skilful penman.—The Evening Express.

STEALING SToeiclNGs.—At the Police Court, on
Monday, before Messrs. H. Hall and L. Freer,
Daniel Parsons was charged with stealing six pairs
of stockings, value 3s 3d. Defendant was further
charged with assaulting the Police whilst in the
execution of his duty. Remanded to Old Hill.
CAUTION TO CARTERS.—John Bread.ley, glass
maker, Wordsley, was charged with being drunk
on the 12th inst, whilst in charge of a horse and
trap. Police-constable White proved the ease, and
said the defendant was driving at a rapid pace.
Pleaded guilty. Fined 5s and costs.
DRUNKENNESS. Joseph Crompton, Richard
Crompton, William Smith and Elijah Williams, iron
workers, were charged with beinc, drunk on the
highway, on the 10th inst. 'Police-constable
Baynton proved the case. Defendants pleaded
guilty. Fined 5s each and costs, in default; 14
days.
DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Samuel Cooper,
glass cutter, of Wordsley, was charged with being
drunk and disorderly, on the 10th inst. Police-
constable Tytherley said the defendant was very
drunk, had his coat off, and wanted to fight. De-
fendant sis not an habitual drunkard. Pleaded
guilty. Fined 5s and costs, in default; 14 days.—
Thomas Malpass and Daniel Cooper were charged
with being drunk and disorderly, on the 9th inst.
Police-sergeant Hinton proved the case, and said
the defendants were singing indecent songs.
Fined 5s each, in default ;14 (rays.

DRUNK ON LICENSED PREMIS-ES.—Samuel Nash
was charged with being drunk on licensed premises
the Cross Inn, on the 9th inst. Police-constable
Keenan said that the defendant was the landlord
of the house, he visited it at a quarter past two
o'clock, defendant was drunk. The defence was
that he had a little trouble which made him drunk.
The Magistrates remarked that it was a very
serious offence for a landlord to get drunk on his
own premises, and fined him 10s and costs.

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CHARGE OF STEALING TlMBER.—George Kittley
was charged with stealing a quantity of timber, on 1
the 12th inst., the property of Alexander Norris, of
Wollaston. John Corfield, watchman; 'said from
information received, he met the defendant leaving
the works, said to him good night, turned back
towards him, and found he had a quantity of
timber upon him, defendant said it was nothing
but a bit of fire wood, told him it looked like a bit
of barrow making going on, took the defendant
back to the office. William Norris, son of prose-
cutor, said he assisted his father at the works,
the defendant was in his father's employ, his bus-
iness is to saw timber. He saw the defendant
hide the timber produced, behind an cad closet, on
the 13th inst, defendant came to the office and said
he did not intend to steal the timber, but intended '
to pay for it. Prosecutor said that the defendant
was in his employ, did not give the defendant
permission to saw the wood, and take it away. The
value of the wood is about 3s. The defendant on
being charged, pleaded guilty, but said that he
intended paying for the timber. Mr. Norris said
that the defendant's character had previously been
good. Sentenced to 14 days hard labour.
DRUNK ON THE HIGHWAY.—SoIoman Wyld and
William Wyld, nailmakers, were charged with
being drunk on the highway, on the 11th inst.—
Police-constable Hollins proved the case, and said
that the defendants were not at all noisy. Pleaded
guilty. Fined 2s 6d each and costs.
ASSAULT CASE.—Joseph Slater was charged with
assaulting David Timmins, on the 10th inst.
Complainant said he was in a public-house having
some ale, when the defendant struck him on the
face. Did not strike the defendant first. Joseph
Adams said he saw the defendant strike complain
ant once on the face. Did not see complainant
strike again. The defence was that the com-
plainant struck him first. Adjourned for a week ,
1
for the attendance of the landlord,