The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-04-03 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL.—A powerful dramatic com-
pany under the superintendence of of Mr. Ar-
thur Cresswell (late of the Prince of Wales'
Theatre, Birmingham), have been giving three
nights performencee, viz., on Saturday, Mon-
day, and Tuesday last, at the above well-known
theawe. The entertainments on Saturday con-
sisted of a drama entitled "The Lancashire
Lad," a duologue sketch, "The Flying Scud,"
comic singing, and the laughable farce of " Poor
Pillieoddy." On Monday evening the perfor-
mance was opened with the well-known drama of
"Luke the Labourer," and concluded with the
" Momentous Question." On Tuesday evening
the piece selected for representation was Shake-
speare's sublime tragedy of "Othello," in which
the character of the noble Moor was sustained
by Mr. James Matthews, who has been for so
many years connected with Messrs. Bennett and
Patch's company. We think we never saw this
gentleman to greater advantage, his rich voice
:old Site elocaUonary powers having full scope in
rendering the beautiful lines of the imm eat
hard. Indeed it was a treat of the highest order
ti hear the rich and measured tones in which,
when in the very beat of passion, he enunciated
Shakespeare's maguilicent blank verse. The
deep pathos with which he gave the touching
soliffigny in which lie bide farewell to " The
plumed troop, and the big wars that make ambi-
tion virtue," drew trenieialme applause from the
audience. His acting in fie lied-eh unber scene
was also vei y effective, and was thoroughly ap-
preciated. Tile part of the subtle villian
was performed by Mr. Creeswell. This charac-
ter, which is considered to be Shakespeare's
emeterpiece, forms one of the most severe tests
of an actor's ability that we know of; and when
one succeeds in rendering it efficiently, that fact
:done stamps him as an artiste of the highest
excellence. Now, when we say that Mr. Cress-
well was Lot only successful, hut eminently so,
in ponrtraying the aforesaid character, our
reedere will be able to judge what a superior ar-
iiite he is. His acting throughout the whole of
the piece was cheracterised by consummate tact
mid skid, and the look of injured innocence
which he assumed when taxed by Othello with
slanleriug Desdemeeg, was greeted with tremen-
done applause. The part of the lovely and ill-
feted Peedviiien«, was ably sitetained by Mrs.
Bourn ; as was also that of knit/Se, by 'Allis Pau-
line Cross. Mr. Cosnett performed the charac-
ter of I twlerigo, with his usual ability. Mr.
Archer waevery snecessful as /irate/wee as like-
wise were Messrs. Eburne and MeNatty in their
respective characters of Cassie and Ludeciee.
Mr. Comett afterwards sang two songs in his
irresistibly comic manner, and at the close of
each the applause was deafening. A laughable
farce, entitled 'Turn bias out," concluded a
aret-rate evening's entertainment.
OBTAINING PIGS UNDER FALSE PRETENCES.—
At the Petty Sessions, on Wednesday last, be-
fore B. Littlewood, Esq., Thomas Millie, a dro-
ver, was charged with obtaining two pigs by
false pretences, on the 24th ult, the property of
Jeremiah Brown, pig dealer, of Craulev.
George Billingham said he lived at the T‘Vo
Gates, Cradley, end is a charcoal dealer. Last
Monday week two pigs were left at his house hr
Benj twin Billingham, a drover. On Wednee.
day last the prisoner came to hie house, and
asked where Jerry Brown WAS, Witness replied
that he was gone to Clout or Hagley. He said
that Jerry had got two pigs left wrong. Witness
said they are wrong. Prisoner then &aid th•it he
would take the pigs back, and have them right.
but should want 3 shilling for Jerry, as he had
not paid the man for bringing them from Bag-
ley. Witness gave him a shilling, and prisoner
wanted a pint of ale for himself. Prisoner this
took the pigs away. Have not seen them since
Themes Parson, of Creaky Heath, said he was
a pig dealer. Prisonereaine to his house on the
24th ult, and brought two Ogee. He said " I
have brought you right, two pigs, and come to
take Jerry's brawn beck." He gave witness the
two pigs he had brought, and witness gave him
Brown'e two pigs. He took Brown's pigs away.
Cornelius Deeley, of Cradley Heath, innkeeper,
said on the 24th ultimo the prisoner came to his
lionee, and brought two pigs. His wife called
hini out of the yard to the prisoner, who said he
had some pigs for sale, and they were in the
street. Went out to look at them, and after
offered him £4 for them. He would not take
that amount, and witness ultimately paid him
£4 5s for them. Jeremiah Brown said he liveb
at Colley Gate, and is a pig dealer. He bought
two pigs in Stourbridge market on the 19th tilt,
and gave them to Benjamin Billingliam to drive
home. Did not employ the prisoner to do any-
thing with the two pigs. Have not authorised
the prisoner to sell any pigs for me. Did not
send the prisoner to George Billingham. Did
not see the prisoner last Wednesday. Have seen
two pigs in possessicn of Deeley, and they are
niine. They have a peculiar appearance about
them, and one of them has spots on its back, and
are the two pigs I bought at Stourbridge market.
Police-sergeant Wigley proved apprehending the
' prisoner, who was committed to take his trial at
: the next Worcester Sessions.
, ELECTION OF CHURCHWARDENS.—Atthe En-
ter 'Vestry meetings, held on Monday last, for
! the election of Churchwardene, the following
gentlemen were appointed :—Oldsviinford, Mr.
• E. NV. Bernard and Mr. NV. B. Collis; St. Tho-
mas's, Captain Walker and Mr. R. Broominill ;
St. John's, Mr. Josiah Cooper and Mr. Lees;
! Trinity Church, Amblecote, Mr. NV. Cooper and
1 Mr. S. Mobberley.
THE BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—There are con-
tests impending at Quarry Bank, The Lye, and
Wollescote. At Quarry Bank, Messrs. Parkins,
H. Walker, and John Wall, are nominated; at
the Lye, Messrs. G. Rhodes, H. Eveson, and
R. Pardoe ; and at Wollescote, Messrs. 'f. H.
Pargeter and W. Smith. There are a few
changes in some of the parishes, but in most in-
stances tha old Guardians are re-elected.
BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The weekly meeting
of this Board was held yesterday, Mr. Grainger
in the chair. There were also present: Messrs.
Brooks, Richardson, Griffin, Roberts, Pardee,
Bird, Rhodes, Doody, Rollinson, Maurice,
Cartwright, Bennet, Raybotfd, and Powell.
Admitted into the house during the week 27;
discharged, 35 ; born, 1 ; remaining47s. Car-
respendieg we,k last year 449. Outedoor re-
lief,
Kingswinford district, /42 tie od Stour-
bridge distract, 121 3s 0; Halesowen district,
/20 ltae di; total, 187 10s 0.1 ; against /97 Os
Id last year.—There were six candidates for
the situation of nurse. Mrs. Betsy Wooldridge
was appointed. A County Rate for Stafford.
shire was paid, amounting to £617 15s 0. The
following return shows the attendandance of
each Gaardian during the past year op the 2nd
of April—Mesere. Grainger 50, Brooks 47,
Rhodes 45, Roberts 42, Bird 41, Powell 38, Ray-
bould 87, Rollinson 35, Cartwright 84, Beunett
33, Griffin 33, Doody 23, Wool 25. Richardeon
24, Maurice 17, Wright 15, Beckley 11, Pardee
12, Parget w 9, Burr 6, Foley G, Leonard 5, Rose
Weeteu 4, Paskin 2, White 2,
.Green 1, Yeo-
man 1.

REPoINTIIENT OS OVERSEERS SROEST•SLES.— At
the Petty Seseions, held yeeterday, before Mid -r Flet-
cher; It L. Freer, and .t Holcruct, Esqrs..,and the Hon.
C. Lytteltnn, M.P., the folowing o.erseets were
appointed :—Bellaroughton —Thomas Darby. William
Brett; Broom Walter Hickman. James Morton ;
Chlarchill—Bobert Thurstans, John Whittaker; Crsilley
Joseph Tibbetts, AMOS Parloßs; clent—George Tay-
lor; Lentley—ThoMes, White, Theresa Peorman 1 The ,
Lye—Edward Evans, Etisha Brooks; Pedmore —George
Bell. Jacob Burford; Stourbrielge—Flenry Perks, Wil-
liam Flavell; tipper Swinford—Samnel Cox Williams,
William Ho:croft ; NVollescote—Charles kleathcock, Wil-
liam Pardoe; Wollaston—Henry Hiugley, John Wood.
; Constables :—Beibrougliton John hilley, Noah Ray-
bould, William Price, John Brett, Henry Read, and
Mathew Preece; Broom —John Itsitteel Churchill—Jas.
Finch; Cradley—Janies Leonard, Edwin Oliver, William ;
Bowen, Joseph Beasley, John Stevens, Thomas Fox; I
Cleat—David Higley, William Sheriff ; Milky—Charles
Taylor, Thomas Morris; Lntley—Christopher Instone ;
The Lye—Joseph Newhall, John Robins, Benjamin
Hambury, Wiliiant Field, Thomas Young, Edward
Round. Thomas Alobtierley, Thomas Pordoe ; Peduaore
—John Evans, William Shelley; Stourbridge—baniel
Hall, Daniel Bird, William Naylor, Charles Hieklin,
William Henry Jones, John Davis ; Upper Swiutord—
Richard Morgan, Jewett Hill, Themn,s Hickman, Francis
, Davis, Charles Harrison, William Moore; Wollaston—
Samuel Aston, William H. Pearce, George Nicklin;
' Wollescote—Joeeph Green, Witham Perry, jun., Jere-
misty Pardoe, Sarimel Perks.
AbdAVET CASR.—Thog. Bennett; liathFr; vitae ettergWd
by Daniel Jest(' with assaulting hith wit tne /3rd ultimo.
Complainant seid that he met the defendant, who lic-
ensed him of saying something about him. Defendant ,
stench him a violent blow on the face, and after kicked
him. Had never quarrelled with the defendant. Sarah
Ana Jester, daughter of the compleinant, gave corrobo-
rative evidence; and said Ount as her father was going to
feed the pigs Mende& stritek him twice. A witness
' wee culled for the defence. After hearing lier evidence
the ease was ai,ruissed.
CHARGE oF FRAULL—Robert Reardon was charged with
feloniously obtaining goods by false pretences, on the
19111 alt, the property of Joseph Lucas. Mr Jackson,
of West Bromvlieh. defended. Prosecehar eat.' he lived
at Stourbridge. and is a tellaw wetter and candle dealer.
On the 18th and 19ch he visited the prisoner's house at
the Lye, who owed him some money. Prisoner paid hint
part of the money, and gave him an order for five dozen
of candles. The candles were delivered, and defendant
was to have Kent the motley back. Ile had not paid far
them, and had shut sip Ills shop. This being all the evi-
dence, the Bench said they could not convict, tied
ml ised the case.
AsaAELT Juan—John Ginever was charged with as-
saulting William Pearson. This case was remanded till
yesterday. Mr. Perry appeared for defendant, who did
not appear, and defendant was fined 2. thl and costs.
A WIFE BEATER.—Joitu Oinever was then charged by
Hannah tlinever, his wife, with assaulting her on the
11th inst. Mr. Perry eppeared for the defendant. Com-
plainant said that ou the above date her husband beat
her very badly, tied k cited her on the leg. Site waist:ill
lame, sod setferieg from the injuries she received. He
had often beaten her. Mr. Perry said that defendant
was not present; neither were his witnesses. The Bench
committed the defendant to three weeks' hard labour.
camel: OF Thaseass.—Williaun Nueris Was charged
with being on land itk the occupation of Sarah P.raien,
on the 20th ultimo, in search of conies. Mr. Perry ap-
peared to prosecute. John Clipstou, keeper to the Earl
of Sta tifurd, proved that he sissy the defeudeut, with •
others, in a field, searching for conies. Defeudaut had
a log with him. Ile apprehend.' the defendant. The
o hers ran away. Be give the defendant in charge If
the police. When in custody, the delis idiot pull; d
ferret out of his pock, t. He also had sow 3 nets iri his
possehsioa. Pol:eu-sergebet Baldwin corroborated. De.
fend:tut, in answer to the charge, said lie saw soma men
throw some ritts away, and he picked them up. The
men Were strangers to him. Fined 20s and costs ; in
defkailt 11 dap,.
COAL STRALINO.—EIIen Gellaglier (13), was ha.'eed
with stealing a qaautity of coal on the Eh tilt, the pro-
perty of Janice Evers Swindell and Co. Police-constable
Hutchings proved that he found the prisoner and severed
others, at the Homer Hill Colliery. Prisoner had 409 is
of coal in her posseesiou. Peeaded guilty. Fined:LlM;
in default Icon days.