The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-05-27 00:00:00

COUNTY COURT.

DOWNING V. GUEST,—At the County Court held
on Thursday, before R. Kettle, Esq., judge. This
was an action to recover the sum of £5O alleged
damages, for broach of contract. Mr. . Stokes
appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Underhill for de-
fendant.—From the evidence of plaintiff it appears
that the defendant keeps the Stamford Arms
Inn, Pensnett, and having heard that the defend-
ant wanted to leave it he applied to him for it,
who said that he was willing for an auctioneer to
value for both sides, and Mr. Hinton, auctioneer
was called in on the 10th December to value the
stock and goods, but did not complete th. 3 valua-
tion, and the plaintiff now claimed £5O for good-
will.—Mr. W. Hinton, auctioneer, of Pensnett
was the next witness, and said that be went to
take the valuation and when he had taken a por-
ticn the defendant refused to let him complete, say-
ing that be wanted £5O for goodwill. The defend-
ant is still in the house. Ha drew up a contract
dictated by plaintiff and defendant, and they both
signed it after bAng read over.—The defence
was that the agreement did not include the good-
will which was worth .250. On that Mr. Hinton
lift the house without completing the inventory
and valuation, and called Mr. Skidmore, auc-
tioneer, of Wolverhampton, who said that he made
a value of the goods and license on the 31st.
December, which was .2161 4e. This did not
include the goodwill which he considered worth
.250, or in round number the valuation of .2200.—
Honour gate a verdict for the full amount
claimed.

NOCK v. Noes.—TYs was an action to recover
the sum of £24 brought by Mr. Nock, of Objswin-
ford, against Joseph Nock for the maintenance of
Eliza Nock, widow of the late Samuel Nock, of
Cradley Heath. Mr. Elcock appeared for plain-
tiff, and Mr. Dale, of Birmingham, for the &fond-
ant. —For the evidence of plaintiff it appears that
before the father died he wished for the goods and
chattels not to be sold, but equally divided it be-
tween them. This was done after the widow had
selected what sho required, and the plaintiff
promised to keep a home for the widow and sister.
This he had done and the defendant agreed to be
a portion of the expense. He had not paid his
portion and the action was to recover a, portion of
the cost of maintenance. After hearing thewhole
of the evidence, his Honour said the evidence did
not support the case, which was a verdict for de-
fendant.

THE DILTIAREE, under charter to the Queens-
land Government, embarked her passengers at the
South West India Dock on the 10th, towed down
to Gravesend on the 111th, had final muster on the
12th, and was dispatched same evening; she takes
about 300 adults, amongst them about 70 domestic
servants, and is bound for Brisbane.
THE FREE AND OPEN CHURCH MOVEMENT.—
We have been requested to state that the Council
of the London Free and Open Church Association
has appointed the Rev. 11. Knigh'. Eaton, of Christ
Church, Stafford, lion, local secretary of the
association for Stafford and the neighbourhood.
The object of the association is to restore the
ancient freedom of parish churches to rich and
poor alike.
RESIGNATION OF THE REV. BENWELL
areinformed that the Rev. Benwell. Bird, minister of
the Baptist Chapel, Heneage Street, Birmingham,
and many years at Stourbridge, has resigned that
charge—which he has held for eight years and a
half—and has accepted the pastorate of the Baptist
Church, Mutley, Plymouth. The cause of Mr.
Bird's resignation is that a persistent affection of
the throat renders it necessary that he should live
in a watmer climate. Many of our readers, both
within the Baptist body and belonging to other
denominations,i will receive this announcement
th much regret, alike for the cause of Mr. Bird's
removal, and for the loss of his services in Bir-
' mingham. During the period of his ministry at