The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-05-13 00:00:00

THE STOURBEIDGE OIiSERVER.

Mr. P. P rter appealed to W Plantind Mr.
Billingham to withdraw the motion and the
amendment.

The whole of the members of the Booed con-
curred with this, and it was ultimately adopted.
In reference to the letter received from Miss
Rye, and the Boarding-out question, the Board
adjourned the consideration of both matters.
There was no other business.

The lion. C. G. Lyttelton was at a dinner
party given by the Earl and Countess of Derby
on Friday evening.
ENTILLE GARDENS.—These gardens will be
opened to the public in the ensuing month on
days which will be found mentioned in the ad-
vertisement in another column, and on certain
days throughout the season.
TUE LATE MR. PITMAN'S EFFECTS. The
seven days' sale just concluded by Messrs.
Oates, Perrone, and Wooldridge, has realised
the sum of £1,344.

DytauATlC PERFORMANCE.—On Tuesday even-
ing the employes of the Great Western Railway
Company engaged at Stourbridge Station gas e
a dramatic performance in the Theatre Royal
for the benefit of the widow and three children
of the late William Coleman, a guard in the em-
ploy of the Company, who unfortunately lost his
life whilst in the execution of his duty, at
Hampton Load, on the 9th of February last.
The theatre was well filled with a very respect.
able and attentive audience. The evening's
entertainment commenced with Mr. W. T.
Moncrief's drama, in three acts. entitled " The
Lear of private life, or Alvanley the Libertine."
The part of Fitzarden, the Lear of Private Life,
was sustained man admirable manner by Mr. It.
Anderson, who fully pourtrayed the character of
the outraged father, his performance as the
maniac, causing quite a sensation, and his acting
was highly appreciated. Mr. G. Chadwick
played his part as Alvanley, the Libertine, in a
first-rate tatluuer, and from time to time elicited
applause from the audience. The characters of
Goodall, by Mr. T. S. Brown, Captain Mowbray.
by Mr. A. Wall, and Lord Saunter, by Mr. J.
Ruston, were carried out in an excellent manner.
Mr. \V. Davie, as Gilbert Bachelor, created
much laughter, and the other characters by
Messrs. A. Bridle, J. Cox, J. Wilkingon, and W.
Lowe were caroled out with much regularity aud
good taste. Too much cannot be said of the
manner in which Miss Pauline Cross performed
the part of Agnes, daughter of Fitzarden. She
sang with touching pathos the song which is
supposed to restore Fitzarden to reason. She
was frequently applauded. 'Miss Carlton, as
Meriel Marygold, and Mrs. Evans, as Emily
Goodall, well executed their several parts. Tlft
singing of Miss Cross, Mr. A. Wall, and Mr.
Chadwick was done in a first-class manner, of
which the audience testified their approval by
encoring each performer. The entertainment
was brought to a conclusion with a highly amu-
sing farce, " The Night of Notting which
created roars of laughter, the characters being
taken by Messrs. T. Brown, A. Wall, W. Davis,
and Mrs. Evans and Miss Carlton. We under-
stand there are subscription lists opened at seve-
ral stations, and what with those and the pro-
ceeds from the above performance, we believe
upwards of .00 will be handed over to the
widow.

RAILWAY ACCIDENT. —On Saturday last, a
young man named Charles Spires, of Oldswin-
ford, accidentally met with his death. He left
this town by the 5 0 a.m. goods train, in cow-
pany with his father, who was in charge of tee
train, and a younger brother. They had pro-
ceeded as far as Droitwich, and when near to the
Chapel Bridge Salt Works the deceased jumped
on to the buffers of one of the wagons, whilst
the train was in motion, for the purpose of un-
coupling two of the wagons. It appears, how-
ever, that he overbalanced himself and was
turned round, when he fell across the metals ;
five wagons passed over him, which cut his head
off, causing immediate death. The fatal occur-
rence was witnessed by his father and 'brother.
He was 23 years of age, and unmarried. The
deceased had been announced to take part in the
performance at the Theatre Royal in this town
on last Tuesday evening for the benefit of the
late William Coleman, who was killed at Hamp-
ton Load, near Bridgnorth, in February last.
[he body of deceased was brought to the station
on Tuesday, and conveyed from thence on Wed-
nesday to its last resting place in Oldswinford
Churchyard. A large number of railway em-
ployes formed the cortege. Deceased was very
much respected by all who knew him, and great
sympathy is felt for his relations.

NARROW ESCAPE.—A yardsman at the Railway
Station had a narrow escape on Saturday last.
In jumping from a goods train he full on to the
rails of the opposite line, when a passengt r
train was coming in at a good rate. He, how-
ever, saved his life by rolling over, but the
wheels of the carriages passed over part of his
coat and tore it away.
ACTION FOR SLANDER.—A Sheriff's Court sat
at the Shirehall at Worcester, on Monday last,
to adjudicate on a "writ of inquiry" issued at
the instance of William Latham, and Emma hia
wife, against Richard Barrett, and Phiebe, his
wife, sued as Ann Barrett. The plaintiffs sought
£lOO damages as compensation for slander. Mr.
J. F. (Whim, acting as under.sheriff, presided.
Mr. Collis, of this town, appeared for the
plaintiffs. The action was not defended. Mi.
Latham is a glass-cutter, but he also keeps a
public-house in Mill-street in this town ; and
Mr. Barrett is a milkman, and a near neighbour.
It eppeared that on the 15th of 3Lireh last the
wives had words about some poultry kept by the
defendants, when Mrs. Barrett said: " You hare
killed me one hen last week, and DOW you have
robbed me of another, and have got it in your
house." This was the slander complained of.
A letter was written on the same day by com-
plainants' solicitor threatening an action unless
an apology Was made, but no apology had been
tendered. The complainants now stated in evi.
deuce that the words were used as above stated.
Mr. Latham also deposed that lie had since been
insulted by defendants, and that he had suffered
in his business in consequence of the words
spoken. Mrs. Latham said there was no foun-
dation whatever for the accusation, and that the
defendants had since found the hen she was ac-
cused of stealing. A witness, named George
Metcalf, said the charge if( ainst Mrs. Latham
had been the talk of the neighbourhood; and
he knew persons who had frequented the house
that had discontinued doing so in consequence.
The Under-Sheriff, in summit.; up, told the
jury that, the plaintiffs having proved the case,
they were entitled to some compensation ; and
that it was their duty to consider the relative
positions of the parties, and not give vindictive
damages, but such as they thought the plaintiffs
were fairly entitled to receive. After a brief
consultation the jury found for the plaintiffs,
damages £25.

THE WESLEYAN ASSURANCE SOCIETY. On
Monday evening last, a tea ineellng was hold in
the Corn Exchange, in connection with tie
Stourbridge branch of the Wesleyan and Gene-
ral Assurance Society. After tea, a public
meeting was held, when Messrs. J. W. Lewis
and James English, the president and secretary
of the parent society, attended as a deputation.
Mr. Einsey was called to the chair, and, after a
few introductory remarks, called upon Mr.
English to address the meeting. He said li,
was there that evening to represent a society
winch had been the means of much good, and
was still in a prosperous condition, for they were
able to show a very large balance fap the right
side. The society was first commenced by a
few, in a small school-room in Cherry-street,
Birmingham, about thirty years ago. Those
who were connected with it had laboured very
hard, and the result was that its objects were
approved of throughout the length and breadth
of the land; numerous branches were estab-
lished, and there was now an accumulated fund
of .£BO,OOO. There were many advantages to be
derived from being connected with the society
which tame not afforded by other clubs, especi-
ally public-house clubs. The promoters of the
present society had seen that great evils resul-
ted from public-house clubs, mid their desire was
not for personal gain, but what good they could
do, especially among the young lien of that
day. The society was no sooner formed than
Inquire were made by persona from all guar
ters to know whethar they would admit them to
its benefits. It was only intended in the first
instance to make it a local society, for the pro
meters never contemplated extending it beyond
Birmingham arid the immediate neighbourhood,
but branches were soon formed in many other
towns. The society was founded on a good
basis, and the tables were prepared by the assist-
ance of an actuary with economy and prudence.
They had noticed the working of many dabs,
especially those held at public-houses, that
working men after paying for a number of years,
when they reciaired some little help in time of

affliction or old age, there were no funds, and
they were obliged to go to the Workhouse for
relief. The cause of the failure of many clubs
was owing to the ettravagance in connection
with carrying them on, and many were formed
without the least regard or consideration as to
the premiums to be paid, and which were very
often fixed by persons who knew nothing about
such matters. Another important point neces-
sary for the success of societies was the gradu-
ated scale, which were nnknown in many socie-
ties. The Wesleyan Society by its graduated
scale offered greater advantages to young men
than those who were many years older, because
it would be unfair for a loan to enter at twenty
years of age, and pay the same premium, and
ieceive the same benefit, as a Wall who entered
at thirty years of age. If a person entered at
20 years, and wished to secure Ills per week in
sickness, and £lO to be paid at his death, he
n mild have to pay Is per fortnight, whilst he
who entered at 30 years for the same benefit
would have to pay Is 3d per fortnight as the
premium ; and if a person entered at 47 years
for the same amount of benefit, he would have
to pay 2s per fortnight. It was this graduated
system of premiums that made the society so
prosperous. In support of the flourishing Con-
dition he said that the income of the society in
1855 was £8,719, and the accumulated fund
£11,759; in 1865 the income was £ll,lBB, and
the fund £14,42H; in 1857 the income was
£12,577, and the fund £16,363; in 1858 the in-
come amounted to £14,266, and the fund
£18,710; in 1859 the income was £15,892, and
the fund £22,246; in 1860 the income amounted
to £17,159, and the fund £26,064; and during
the next ten years the income increased to
£30,364, and the accumulated fund to £74,707
in the year 1870. The society was now going on
more prosperously than ever, and benefiting its
members —(appffluse).-51r. W. H. Wilmott, the
local agent, then stated that he had held the
agency about two years, during which time the
members in his district had increased from 47
to 120. He had paid £B3 16s as claims for sick-
ness, and £l5 as one death claim. Since he
had held the appointment he had paid over to
the parent society, after paying all expenses,
£lOO clear prefit—(cheers).—Mr. Lewis next
addressed the meeting upon the objects of the
society, and urged upon those who were not
members to join without delay.—The meeting
was &lefty addressed by other gentlemen, and
soon after terminated.

OPENING OF THE NILS/ RAILWAY STATION.—The long
felt want of accommodation at this station fur passenger
traffic, is now obviated by the erection of a new station
and larger premises. The public are aware that for some
time past a new station hsa been in courses of erection,
and it is now complete and opened for use. The new
building is placed on the down aide of the main line,
between the old waiting-room and the goods station. It
is fitted up with a large and much more convenient
booking office in the centre. There is a good general
waiting room, and at one end two ladies' waiting rooms,
and at the other two first and seconsbelsits gentlemen's
waiting rooms. The extreme north end is set apart as a
private office for the station-master (Mr. Phillips), and
another office at the opposite end is used at present as a
parcels office, but is intended for Mr. Warner, the Great
Western Railway goods agent. The entrance doors of
the new building are fronted by a large open spare for
the accommodation of vehicles, and is bounded by a high
retaining wall, supported on an immensely broad cinder
base, aud the road below it is used for the traffic of
vehicles to the passenger station, and also for the wagons
to tie goods station. The platforms on either side of
the line have been considerably raised and extended in
length to almost the goods station. The large iron
bridge partially erected some few years ago near to the
latter station, and which has been of little service, is
completed, having been carried over the main line, and
will no doubt he now much availed of by persons goinq
to and from the station. The old wooden station and
booking office on the up line is being raised several feet,
sod it is intended to convert it into guards' and porters
rooms, with a general waiting room in the centre. The
building on the down side, hitherto used as • gesseral
waiting room, Ike., has also been raised level with the
platform, and it is to be renovated and converted into a
parcels office, telegraph office, and W.C. It is also in'
tended to erect another bridge near to the present level
crossing, opposite to the old booking office, for the con-
venience of passengers wishing to cross from one platform
to the other. It is not intended to erect a refreshment
room at present, but one will he pat up soon. The dir•
ectors do not consider the pre.ent station at the junction
to be a final one, as when times get better it is full 7 in.
bolded to make a convenient branch into Stoarbridge
town, and possibly extend the branch beyond the town.
The present is therefore only a great collecting and sort.
ing station. The cost of the present alteration will am.
Gaut to about £1,200, and have been carried out by Mr.
it, Lovett, contractor, Wolverhampton, and under the
superintendence of Mr. W. G. Owen, the chief engineer
of the Great Western Railway.
ASSAULT CASE.—At the Petty Semitone held yesterday,
o before B. Littlewod and T.
R. Freer, Esq., John Tim-
mins, a youth, was charged by Jane Gould with assaulting
her on the sth inst. Complaihatit said she lived with
Mrs. How, in Coventry•street, and went on an errand to
Mr. Pugh's shop, when the defendant caught bold of her
and beat her. Defendant also threatened to kill her.
Site had had no quarrel with defendant, but he was con-
tinually shouting after her. Henry Bloomer, shopman
to Mr. Perry, gave corroborative evidence. Defendant,
ID answer to the charge, said he was in Coventry-street,
and was walking backwards, arid bumped against her,
evil afterwards pushed her Did not strike her. Fined
Is aeil costs; in default seven days.
1110RWAY Haye,, Nsa stimmonsed
foi allowing eight cows to stray on the highway leading
from Wollaston to Kidderminster, on the 7th instant.
Pollee constable Swish proved that he was on duty on
the above date, and saw the defendant with the cows.
They were standing in one place more thin half an hoar.
Had previously cautioned the defendant for allowing Lill
cows to stray. Ordered to pay cos's.
HOUSES STRAYING.—George Jones, farmer, residing at
Broome, was charged with allowing three horses to stray
ore the highway at Broome, on the sth instant. Police-
constable Staubra proved the case. Defendrint pleaded
guilty. ordered to pay costs, 7i tit
DBUNII AND RIOTOVA. —Jane France WAS charged with
lisb•g drunk and riotous on IVe,inesday night, at era i-
ley . llt.fendaut p!sailen guilty. Police-constable Cat t-
or
Ight voted the Case, and ssid there WAS is crowd after
tile defendsitt, who kept codling after the ci own to come
o.i. Defendant expressed her nivel, and said it was the
:fiat time she lad got drunk. Her husbaud was ill at the
time. In consideration of it being her first offence, and
of her haeband being ill, defendaut WAS discharged with
orfition.

A WIFE BEATER.—Edwin Edmonds woo charged by
Mary Ann Edmunds, his wife, with assaulting her on the
2nl inst. Complainant said that ou the above date the
defendant beat her and tarried her out of the house. Ile
threatenel her on the following day, and she was afraid
of him. I tefenraut said that be had promised his wife
not to beat her again. Fined 20s and canto; in default
one month's hard labour.

ClistioN or Asset:hr.—Emmanuel Forrest, a drover,
was charged by Alfred Fleming with assaulting him on
the night of the 27th sit. Ur. Addison defended. The
complainaut said that as lie was leaving Stourbridge to
go home to Quarry Bank, and when near the viaduct, the
defendant came shouting to him, and shoe k his fist in
his face, saying •• I have got you. Defendant then
pushed him off a bicycle. bruising his leg, sad struck at
him several times. tie thought the defendant was eithi r
mad or drunk. John Broom, gatekeeper, said he saw the
defendant and complainant by hi, gate Defendant re-
fused to let complainant get on his bicycle. Did not se e
him struck. Can swear it was ilsfendant. Have known
low nearly two years. Mr. Addison addressed the Bench
i.e the defence, end called Martha Moore, landlady of
the Jolly Soldier. She stated that she had known the
defendant for years. He came into her house at a gusr
trr to eleven, had three two-pennyworths of gin, and left
about a quarter past eleven. Henry Stokes, a drover, and
Police-constable Ray, spoke of defendant's sobriety and
general good condnet. The Bench dismissed the case,
complainant having to pay lls costs.
STEALING A FOWL AND Two RAIMITS.-1 home Bee.
nett, • tostchcr, residing at Beauty Bank, was charged
with stealing two tame rabbits and a fowl, on the
the property of Daniel Jester.—Police-constable Smith
said he wail 011 duty at ball .past four on the 11th Mat, at
Beauty Bank. Saw the prisoner there and another man.
Bennett had a bag on his shoulder, and • red handker.
chief in his hand. Prisoner gave them to the other man,
and went down Wheeler-street. Witness was following
them, when prisoner came back to him and said." Smith.
have emu seen any thing of a shilling, because I have lost
cuter; Witness told him he had riot, and asked him who
the other man was. Prisoner said he did not know, and
asked willies, to show him the way to Coleman 11111. He
asked prisoner what was in the bag. fie said he did not
know : but it was something not worth Much. Wanees
then followed the elan, and prisoner followed witness.
and asked him to have a glass of ale, saying they were
up at the Star. Witness told him he would not have any
bear, and prisoner turned into Queen-street, and witness
continued to follow the other man. In going down
Whaeler.street, witness found the bag produced, contain,
tog two live tame rabbits; and in the red handkerchief
is dead fowl, bleeding at the mouth. He gave up the bag
to another officer, and went in search of the man. He
afterwards went with Felice-sergeant Jones, and spin,
bended the prisoner. Searched him and found the knife
produced, covered with wet blood. There was also blood
on hie shoes and coat, and fur on his coat. On the way
to the station prisoner said he knew nothing about them.
and asked if they belonged to Daniel Jester. At that
time witness did not know whom they belonged to.—
Daniel Jester said he lived next door to the prisoner
tete fowl and rabbits were safe in the yard at nine o'clock
the previous night. They were his property. They are
worth 91.—Prisoner pleaded guilty, and was committed
to Worcester for three mouths bard labour.

STZALINO A WHlP.—Cbrintopber Hill and Richard
Steward were charged with stealing a whip, the property
of William Stevens. Complainant said he lived at Neth-
erend. Ile kept the Horse and Uroom, and dealt in hay
and straw. The two prisoners came to his house on toe
above date for some hay. He missed the whip and asked
them for it. They said they did not take it, bat after.
wards admitted having done The value of it was 2.,
611. The whip was found vt the defendants' masters'
house, up the chimney. Steward said he thought it was
there, and witness found it there ; but he did not wish to
pri ~ the an., against them, they had acknowledg, d
their fault, and core neighbours. Ilse pristi,lers receiv, d
a good elburdeter of Mrs Richards, and were discharg,ii
with • caution on !laying the costs, Gs tid each.

- - •
A VIOLENT WOMAN.—Mary Hatton, of Wollutnn, w"
charged with assaulting Emma A ppleford. Complainant
said some live weeks agn she bad a few words with the
defendant about Um.. oh dean. Defendant misdoing soma