The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-09-17 00:00:00

WORDSLEY.

SHOOTING PARTRIDGE/I.—At the Police Court, OR Mon-
day, before Meilen,. F. Evers and H. Hall, William Mere-
dith was chaag. aid. tiespeising ou iaiii iu the nets
ration of Mr. Joseph Stamford, on the jut instant, at
Smestow ; and further charged by James Lucas, head
keeper to the Earl of Maley, with unlawfully killing
partridges at the same time and place. Mr. Perry pro.
scented, and Mr. Addison defended.—John Henry South-
all said be lived at Smestow, and waa a stock-tato r. He
knew defendant. On the above date, about 20 minutes ,
past five in the morning, he saw defendant by a field in '
the parish of Wombourne. He was standing against a
gate in the road. Witness saw him shoot at a covey of
partridges, which were on the ground. The field be- ,
longed to Joseph Stamford. He pointed oat to Mr. i
Lucas the field defendant went into. After defendant I
bad fired at the birds, he went into the field and picked
up three. He got over the gate. He had a little dog
with him. Cross examined Told Tucker about it on
the same day, at the works. I told him Meredith had
got into it. He Raid, " How ?" and I said I law him
shooting partridges in Mr. Stamford, field. Did not ask
Tacker if defendant had taken out &certificate. He said
defendant had not got a certificate. Have never been
charged with poaching, nor brought up before the Ma-
gistrate.. Have lived under the Earl of Dudley two
months. Live in a cottage, and pay .gf per year for it.
Have not been told that if get a conviction I shall have
my rent redneed. No one was with me that morning.
Was not directed to watch the place that morning. Am
not paid for it. Defendant lives not far off. Mr. Lucas
has not directed me to watch the defendant. Have not
watched -anyone else. He WAS shooting into the adjoin-
ing field to the one I was in. Have uot lied any dispute
with defendant. By the Belieh : I cannot tell whether
the gun was single or double barrel. He only shot once.
—James Limas acid the Earl of Dudley had the right to
shoot ever the field. He believed a good feeling existed
between defendant and himself Cross-exaruined : The
defeendant did not have in conversation with me about
years ago, respecting my disposing of some tabbits to
Mrs. Joscelyne, of Steurbi idge, instead of letting him
have them.—Mr. Addison, in defence, said defendant was
out that morning, fetching some horses in. Southall,
he should prove beyond a doubt, had told two different
tales oboist the affair ; and had committed peijary. Ile
should call a witness who would prove that lie told him a
different version of the affair—Thomas trucker said he
wan a lalmarer at Mr. Baldwin's Ironworks, and was a
fellow win Milian if Sonthelds. Southall is an assistant.
On the lat inst had is conversation with him shoot the
I defendant. Southall went to him and asked him if the
I defendant but a certificate for shooting, and he also
added that he saw defendant shooting that morning.
Witness asked him what was killed, and he said he did
, not know. He had known Southall for five or six yearn.
I Knew Meredith, who had alwaye borne a good character.
Witness had been in the employ of the Earl of Dudley. I
Cross-examined I have a terrier dog. My daughter in I
not housekeeper to Meredith. There are some partridges I
in the field. Be-examined by Mr. Addison. There are
six hedges between Southalls garden and the field. A
man euuld not see through all the hedges into the field.
The hedge separating the two field is a seven-feet hedge.
—The Beneh 'sore ef opinion that the evidence ef the
prosecutor had not been coutradieted, and that the case
lied been proved to their satisfaction. In the charge of
killing the game without a liennce, they should tine the
defendant 20s and costs, in default 14 slay.; and in the
charge of trespass 5s and costs, or seven days.
A Harrah EBSAULT.—SamaeI Shepherd was charged
with assaulting Edward Reader, landlord of the Bell-
man's Cross Inn, Upper Arley, Olt the lit instant. Mr.
Barbary appeared for complaisant, and Mr. Addison for
defendant. Complainant said be lived at Upper Arley,
and was landlord of the Bellman's Cross Inn. Had been
in the police force 25 years. In the evenieg of the above
date defendant went into his house aud insulted the cus-
tomers. Complainaut ordered him out. He went in
again about vier o'clock, and began abusing Mr. Wall, of
the High Trees Farm, if rft uclant naked for some drink,
and complainant refused to let him have any. Complain-
ant then went out and defendant followed him. and when
he had got about four yards from the house he asked him
if he had anything to say to him. Complainant said Le
had not. Defendant then knocked him IdOWII and fell on
him, and kicked him several times, and also stamped
upon him. Defendant's father pulled bits off complein•
ant. Cross examined: Hare never offered defendant tea
to take my wife away. John Broadhead corrohorati
Police-cemitable Farmer said when he charged defendant
with the astiault he said he struck him, and they had •
made, and complainant fell undermost. For the defence,
Hr. Addison called Humphrey Stephen,' father of the
defendant, who said eemplaivant used abusive language
to defendant, and they had a tussle. The Bench were
quite satisfied that the assault lock place, and tiled ale
defendant 10, and costs; in default 14 days.
Cauriore TO PVELICANS.—Mr. Thomas Green, land.
lord of the Valentine Arms Hotel, Upper Arley. was
summoned for opening hi; house on Sunday, the 25th of
August. Mr. Barbary appeared for defendant. After
hearing the evidence of Police-constable Farmer, the
defeudant was fined :is ant costs.

Waoas Cam—George Dimmock was summoned by
Levi WilJetts, under the Masters and Servants' Art.
Mr. linrbory appeared complainant, and Mr. Addison
defended. The Magistrates decided that it was a ease
in ,vhich they had no jurisdiction, and dismissed it.