The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-15 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

FATAL ACCIDENT.—A. shocking and fatal accident oc-
curred .on Tuesday, to a stone cutter named Frederick
Wright, 29, at the Hailstone Qaarry, Rowley. It appears
the poor fellow was at work, when about two tons of
stone fell on him, causing instantaneous death.
CHARGE AGAINST A PUBLICAN.—At the Police Court, on
Wednesday, William Andrews, landlord of the Crow.n
lun, Waterfall Lane, was summoned for having his
house open during prohibited hours, on the 4th inst.—
Mr. Maj Ir, of Dudley, defended.— PAice-constable
Farnell said he visited defendant's house about twelve
o'clock at night on the 41h inst., in company with Police
constables Frost and Gaskin, arid found two men in the
kitchen. One of them had some brandy and gingerbaer
in a glass. Witness asked defendant how he accounted
for the men baag there, and defendant said they had
been to Birmingham, and were going to stay at his house
ell night. He asked the men their names, and they
slid Hancox and Baker. Hancox Was a signalman, and
lived about a hundred yards away, and Baker lived at
Garrett. Lane —Police-constables Gaskin and Frost
oorrOorated Farnell.—Mr. Major, in defence, contended
that the police had not proved that the house was open.
or that there was any sale of liquors The two men had
come from Birmingham pantomime with the defendant's
daughter and his housekeeper, and by &previous arrange-
ment they were to sleep at his house that night, and
they did's°. The brandy that had been spoked of was
brought by the men from Birmingham, and nothing at
all was paid for in the house. as they were invited
guests. Mr. Andrews' his daughter, and one of the men
were called in support of that statement. The case was
withdrawn on (payment of costs.—The two men were
then. chttged- with being on licensed premtses during
Prohibited hours, and the case was withdrawn.
CLAIM AGAINST A FRIENDLY SOCIETY —John Hill,
secretary of the Old Hill Miners' Sick Benefit Society,
Lodge No. 1, was summoned by Sarah Chivera for the
nonspayment of £8 , alleged to be due to her. Plaintiff
claimed £5. on the death of her husband, and ten weeks'
widow's pay at 6s. per Week. Mr. Major, of Dudley,
represented the plaintiff, and Mr. Clulow, Brierley
defended.—The plaintiff said the defendant was secre-
tary of the Miners Sick Benefit Society, held at the Fox
Hunt Inn, Old Hill, of which her husband was up to the
time 'of his death a member. She also produced a copy
of the rules. Plaintiff also produced the member's book
showing the amount paid into the society by her husband.
The last contribution was pail on the 16th of November.
The same day her husband left home, and was not seen
again by witness untii•the 28th December, when his body
was discovered in the canal, not far from his home. An
open verdict was returned by the jury at the inquest.
, Subsequently she waa informed by a man named
Hezekiah Shakepeare that the society had decided to
give her "E 2. In cross-examination plaintiff said she did
not:cootinue paying the sub:criptions after the 16:h of
November, because she was told there was no necessity.
The lodge of which her husband was a member was held
at the Fox Hunt Inn, but was connected with a lodge held
at the Duke William previously.—For the defence, Mr.
Clulow contended that the present society was not regis-
tered. In 1875 a divisicn occurred amongst the Old Hill
Miners' Friendly Societies,;and since that there had been
no cminection whatever between this lodge and 'any
'other which might have been held previously at the
Duke William. He farther contended that the society
was without rules, and also urged that the widow was
not entitled to recover in that court, as the deceased
was out of benefit.—John Hill, the defendant, was then
called as a witness, and stated that no money was paid
into the society for the deceased after the 15th November.
The society voted £2, as a present to the widow, and not
in recognition of any liability on their part. It was
their custom to pay £5. at the death of a member, and
6s. per week to the widow for twelve months afterwards
In reply to the Bench, witness said there was no lodge
held at the Duke William now, as it had been broken
up.—Mr. W. Breakwell, miner's agent, said there were
three lodges in the district, none of them being registered
They never had any written rules of the lodge in ques-
tion to his knowledge. The lodge at the Fox Hunt was
formed in 1874 or 1875, at the time when the district
lodgers were broken up. The present lodges were not
registered, and thelrules were now in the hands of a solidi-
,ier. At the, time the copy of the rules produced was
printed ;fere. cßnneated with the National Miners
Union, to which all the lodges contributed, They had
since ceased to contribute to the union. In 1872 the
the Miners' National Union resolved that the sick money
instead of being paid at the, pits, should be paid into
lodges, which had been carried out at Old Hill eve,
- Since. He beleived it was the universal custom to par
46. at the dieth of a member, end es. per week .to the
repixte Mr. Major, witness said they had