The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-12-31 00:00:00

GENERAL NEWS.

r,Press Association Telegrams.;

FRIDAY.

The new Republican Club, at Cambridge, has
no creed and is pledged to uo principles except
those contained in the definition of the word
Republican. No undergraduate is eligible, and
every gradusts member must be resident.

LONDON CORN MARKET (CLOSE).
FRIDAY.

The Market closes strong at advanced quota.
tions. English and foreign wheat Is dearer.
Town flour unchanged. Country marks Is more
money. American 6d dearer. Barley firm.
Oats dull, owing to good supply. Maize, beans,
and peas, 6d dearer.

WAKEFIELD CORN MARKET.
FRLDAY.
Wheat was generally held for an advance of is
to 25 per quarter on last Friday's prices ; but
millers did not buy freely. Barley was fully as
dear. Beans and oats were steady, at the late
rates.

Anvice To Mornsac—Are you broken of your rest
by a sick child, suffering with the pain of cutting teeth ?
Lao at once to. Chemist, and get a bottle of Mrs. WINS.
1.07/K SOOTHING SYRUP. It will relieve the poor mut-
terer Immediately; it is perfectly harmless; it produces
natural quiet sleep, by relieving the child from pain, and
she little cherub awakes as bright as. button." It has
been long in use in America, and is highly recommended
by medical men ; it is very pleasant to take; it soothes
the child; it softens the gums, allays all pain, relieves
sind, regulates the bowels, and is the best known remedy
for dysentery, and diarrhoea, whether arising from teeth-
ing or other causes. Be sore and ask for Mrm. Wm/s-
-tow.* SOOTH/NG SYRUP, and see that "Curtis and
Perkins, New York and London," is on the outside
wrapper. No mother should be without it —Sold by all
medicine dealer, at la lid per Bottle, London Depot,
MI, Oxford St.

IMPORTANT DRCISION.—At the Cleobury Mor-
timer Petty Sessions, on the 27th mat, before
Sir E. Blount, Bart., Rev. F. S. D'Herris, and
0. Ilickstsad, Esq., Thomas Price, parish.con-
stable and pound keeper, Neen Sollars, was sum-
moned under 1 and 2. P. and M., o. 12, s. 2, for
taking more than 4d for one whole distress. It
appeared he had charged a fee of 44 each on 20
pigs impounded, and also 74 for his attendance.
Mr. Burbhry, of Bewdley, prosecuted, and con-
tended that the defendant was entitled to only
one sum of 4d for the pigs, and was not entitled
to any for his attendance. The Magistrates in-
timated that the defendant was clearly liable to
a penalty of .£5. Yet it was a hard case, as he
followed the custom of the country, and at their
suggestion the summons was withdrawn on the
defendant returning the over-charges, and pay-
ing the costa.
TILE Raiz Coass.—We are informed that the
members of this company will shortly be sup.
plied with the Snider breech.loading rifle and
that there are a few vacancies to be filled up.
This is a good opportunity for young men to
join.

OPERATIC PERFORMANCEL—Dtwing the week
the English Opera and Burlesque Company have
given performances in the Corn Exchange, to
good and fashionable audiences. On Monday
evening the company commenced with Fra Dia-
volo, on Tuesday Faust, on Wednesday the
Bohemian Girl, on Thursday 1.1 Trovatore, but
night La Traviata, and to-night they will per-
form La Souniunbula. Each evening the per-
formances were concluded with burlesques,
which caused much laughter. The principal
parts were sustained by Min Lacy (prima don.
!i&), Miss F. Addison, Mr. C. Serrone (tenor),
Mr. C. Goodwin (baritone), and Mr. F. Addison
(bass). The other characters were well sus-
tained.

THE PAUPEERS' CHRISTMAS TREAT. -
On
Monday last, by order of the Guardians, the in-
mates of this Workhouse were given a bountiful
and excellent dinner, consisting of roast beef,
plum pudding, and ale, and for supper—coffee
and bread and butter. A large quantity of
oranges, apples, and nuts were also distributed
amongst them. All the wards were beautifully
decorated with evergreens given by W. Jefferies,
Esq., and other gentlemen in the neighbour-
hood, and with artificial flowers made by the
paupers. The day was concluded with singing
and recitations, and hearty cheers for the Guar-
diguis and Officers of the Workhouse.
ASSAULTING A WOMAN. At the Petty Seß•
diollll, yesterday, before Major Fletcher, the
Hon. C. 0. Lyttelton, and J. Holcroft, Esq.,
John Watson, a sweep, was charged with assault.
tog Hannah Bridgens, on the 16th, and was
further charged with being disorderly in the
Glassmakers' Arms, and refusing to quit when
requested. Mr. Addison appeared for the com-
plainant, and Mr. Perry defended.—Complain•
ant said: I am wife of Charles Bridgens, and
keep the Glassmakers' Arms. The defendant
and a man named Cook came into my house
about half-past eight. They first went into the
tap-room, and called for a pint of ale. Defend.
ant asked her to drink. She refused. Defend-
ant then came into the bar, and called for a cigar.
Defendant then caught hold of her in an inde-
cent manner, and made use of obscene language.
She caught hold of him to put him out, when
the defendant struck her and tried to kick her.
A man named Holden came in, and she asked
him to put him out, when defendant said that if
Holden touched him he would have a summons
for him. She then went for the police, but no
one WU at home. Defendant broke the door
and kicked the screen. Defendant pulled off his
coat to fight me A woman then came in, and
the defendant put her on his knee, and wanted
her to fight me. Defendant was not drunk at
the time. Cross-examined: I was sober at the
time. Did not say I should like some brandy,
but when defendant asked me to drink said I
drank that which I did not keep in my house.
Did not strike complainant, but caught hold of
Wm to put him out.—Edgar Griffin was called,
and said complainant was quite sober, and that
she complained of defendant's conduct and
seemed much put about, and that one of his
children slept with her because Mr. Bridgens
was at work—Thomas Holden said he was at
Bridgens' on the abeve date. Watson was there.
He tried to run at Mrs. Bridgens, but witness
stopped him several times. Defendant was not
drunk or sober. Cross-examined: Anyone to
look at Mrs. Bridgens would have thought her
drunk.—Plicsbe Go‘hierich said she recollected
the 16th inst. Saw Mrs. Bridgens returning
from the Police Station. She asked witness to
go with her to her house. She did 80, and saw
defendant there and two other men. Mrs.
Bridgens asked one of the men to turn defendant
out. Defendant said he should not go out until
he was paid for his coat, A woman came into
the house. and Watson kneed her to fight Mrs.
Bridgens. Mrs. Bridgens was perfectly sober.
—Mr. Perry, in defence, contended that defend-
ant was the wronged party. He was Hitting in
the kitchen, when the complainant went in and
struck him twice on the faoe, and he then
pushed her, and she fell on the door. They bad
been drinking together. Defendant had sent
for some brandy for Mrs. Bridgens. He called
John Platt, who said he was in complainant's
house, when he SAW defendant on one side of the
counter, and Mrs. Bridgens on the other. The
defendant asked her for her bottle, and she said
she should not give it Islam. He then caught

STEALING SHEEP.—At the Police Court, an Tuesday,
before Major Smith, John Cooper was charged with steal.
lag four sheep, the property of Mr, Joseph Davenport on
the 4th instant, at Warley Wigorn. Frederick Hodgetts
said he was a labourer, in the employ of complainant.
On the Sunday morning he saw the four sheep in the
public road close t the house. It was about half.past
nine o'clock. Witness saw Mr. Deeley'e son drive them
out of their field. The sheep were going is the direction
of home. He did not trouble to look after them because
he was going out somewhere. There were four sheep
missing, and he had not seen them since. James Pear-
in an sail he lived at Quinton, with his father. On the
lch Met he saw four sheep by John Wood's, at The Haw-
thorn. No one was with them. They kept before him
until they got by Mr James Cooper's (prisoner's brother).
Prisoner came out of the house, and witness asked him
if they were his sheep. He said they were not, and he
would put them in their yard. He opened the gate and
put them in. Mr. Joseph Davenport, the prosecutor, said
he lived at Warley Wigorn. He had lost four sheep.
Missed them on the 7th. The sheep are worth about gs.
Superintendent Overend said that was as far as he could
go on with the case. The sheep had been traced to the
prisoner's place. and he should ask for the case to be
adjourned for 14 days.
THIt TRIICI Case.—At the Police Court, On Tuesday,
before Major Smith and Mr. C. P. Noel, Charles Byng
wee charged with having, whilst being the employer of
Edward Hughes, paid him wages in other than coin of the
realm. Mr. Honifray appeared for tbe prosecution, and
Mr. W. Rayon for defendant.—Edward Hughes deposed:
I went to work for defendant in June. He sells nails.
He keeps a tommy shop. I made nails on his premises.
He has • lot of shops. They are all on one premises—
the house, shop, and nail factory. I had 12s, 140, and
15s per week, according to the worn I did. Defendant
found me iron and coal. I recollect the 22nd of October.
It was on • Saturday. I had worked for him the pristn,
ner) • week, and my wage, amounted to 12s. He did not
pay me the money ,• hot I had flour, sugar, and tea. I
af,erwards gave information. Cross-examined : I had
some flour and other things on the Saturday before. He
did not put • sovereign down, and teil me to take my
wages out of it. I have not received any money of the
defendant to make it up. I have received 2s from
Samuel Adams; but he did not say what it was for.—
Emma Hughes, wife of last witness, said I know my
husband has worked for defendant. He did so on the
22nd of October. My husband did not bring any money
home that day. He brought some grocery. I have been
to the shop myself. For the last three weeks he had
given me money. Cross•examined I did sot see Byng
on the 22nd.— Joseph Trueman .aid: I work for Messrs.
Jones and Hickman. On the above date I was at Byng's.
I maw Byng and oomplainaut. There was 15s ltd due,
and defendant gave prosecutor El. Hughes's wife IMO
present. She said "take the money," and Hughes did
so. I did not see the settlement of it afterwards. Crow
oxamined : I do not work fur defendant. There Is a
grocery shop in the front, and if the men like to buy
their goods there they can. They are not compelled to
buy it there. Defendant always paid the men ready
money. I know they had goods during the week.—
leather Byng said : I live at Springhill. On the '22nd of
October I was present at my brother's house, when he
settled with Charles Hughes. There was 15s Ild coming
to prosecutor. Saw defendant put a sovereign on the
table, and prosecutor's wife picked it up. I did not hear
anything more. Crose-esamined : Mrs. Hughe picked
it up, and defendant told her to get it changed. Have
seen them paid before. Recollect them being paid on
the previoue Saturday ; but will not say what was paid
The Bench considered the case proved, and fined him .£7
and costs; in default two months. They were deter.
mined to put a stop to it.

I)ayBa AND DISORDIRLY.—Joseph Wood war charged
with being drunk and disorderly in the public streets, on
the 17th. Police-sergeant Kennedy proved the case, and
lefeudaet was ordered to pay the Costa.
MAsietts AND UhVANTtI. CASE.--John Hadley, j[lo.,
was eummoned by Charles Hackett with neglecting his
work on the 18th of June, and complainant claimed fl.
Mr. W. Hayes appeared foe defendant. Defendant was
ordered to pay the money.