The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-10-08 00:00:00

BOARD OF GUARDIANS.

The weekly meeting of this Board was held
yesterday; Mr. Grainger in the chair. There
were also present: Messrs. Brooks, Wood,
Billingham, Darby, Fereday, Griffin, Guest,
Riggs, Oliver, Plant, Powell, T. H. Pargeter,
Rhodes. Raybould, and Wright. The minutes
of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
Admitted into the house during the week, 83;
discharged, 16; remaining, 403. Correspond-
ing week last year, 412. Out-door relief, King-
swinford district, £42 is od ; Stourbridge dis-
trict, £23 ifs Od ; Hadesoa un district, £2l 15a
4d; total, £7 5s 4d, against .tett is 4d last
year.
The return of the salaries and fees of the
medical officers, schoolmaster, and schoolmis-
tress for the half•year ending Michaelmas, 1870,
was laid upon the table. The medical efficers'
amounted to £217 15s, and the schoolmaster's
and schoolmistress's to £BO. They were ordered
to be paid.

CHANGE RINGING.—On Sunday last, six of
the Stourbridge change ringers ascended the
tower of St. Mary's, Oldswinford, and rang 720
of Kent treble bob, being the first peal in that
method for 14 years. The band was as follows:
Treble, T. Cook; 2nd, J. Guest; 3rd, W. Cook;
4th, W. Lawrence ; sth, A. Bate; tenor, W.
Pugh. The above was conducted by W. Pugh.
THEATRE ROYAL.—On Friday and Saturday
evenings last, a dramatic company under the
management of Mr. Alfred Parry, gave two per-
formances in the Theatre Royal, in this town.
On Friday the performance was opened with
Shakespeare's tragedy 0 Othello the part of
the " noble Moor" being sustained by Mr. Mon
gan Smith, who claims to be the only coloured
tragedian on the stage. He sustained his part
in an admirable manner, as also did Mr. Parry
the difficult role of lago ; and their efforts were
ably seconded by those of the rest of the cow-
pany. On Saturday night the entertainment
was opened with a melodrama entitled " Fabian,
the Black Doctor of Bourbon.- Mr. Morgan
Smith again gave proof of his great histrionic
ability by the fidelity with which he pourtrayeffi
the varying passions which alternately swayed
the mind of the ill-fated Fabian, and was fre-
quently applauded by the audience during the
performance. On each evening the performance
was concluded a ith a laughable farce. The
company, on the whole, is certainly the best that
has visited this town for some time.
CHARGE OF TRESPASS IN PURSUIT OF GAME.
—At the Petty Sessions held yesterday, before
Major Fletcher and H. 0. Firmstone, Esq., Wil-
liam Norris and George Crampton, of Wollaston,
were charged by Superintendent Freeman with
having been found on the highway with nets and
pegs used in taking game, aed with having a
rabbit in their possession on the 21st August.
Mr. Corbett defended.

Police-constable Smith said he was on duty in
company with Police-constables Bailey and Box,
about four in the morning, and saw two men
coming along the road from Norton to the Gitt
Mill. Before coming to them they turned oft
They had a dog with them, and as soon as they
saw the police they at once ran away. We fol-
lowed Ultra. Norris dropped a bag containing
a not and rabbit, and Crampton dropped the
pegs—Cross-examined: I know the men well.
Have seen them several times during a week. I
did make a report at the time.
Mr. Corbett said he should like to know how
it was that the summons had not been issued
before, the information being laid en the 21st
August, and the summons not taken out until
the sth October.

Mr. King (the Clerk) said he could explain
that.

Mr. Corbett said he would rather get the in-
formation from
_the witness in the box.

Mr. King said the reason was, when the infor-
mation was laid he was from home, and the Clerk
did not issue the summons.

Mr. Corbett : May, I ask you, if you were
from home five weeks.

Major Fletcher : I don't think you have any
right to ask such a question.
Mr. Corbett: But Mr. King has volunteered
information. As he refuses to give further evi-
dence, I ask for the report made at the time
The Superintendent here sent for the report,
auti_handed it to the Bench.

Maier Fletcher said he had read the informa-
tion, and it was in accordance with the evidence
just given, and Mr. Firrastone concurred; and
refused to show the report, as it would interfere
with the duties of Superintendent Freeman.
Mr. Corbett said it was very hard upon the two
defendants. Their mouths were closed, and the
information could only be asked for by the at-
lorney.

nie witness was further cross-examined, and
swore that it was the two defendants who were
there, and that he knew them well. Police-con-
stables Box and Bailey gave corroborative evi-
dence to that given by Smith, and Mr. Corbett
addressed the Bench for the defence. contending
that they ought to have followed the men, so as
to make sure it was the defendants, as he was

instructed to say most positively that the de-
fendants were not there at the time. but at home
ttotl in bed. He called Alfred Tolley, who said
Le was a grocer, and lived at 21, Stourbridge-
street, Kidderminster. He knew defendant
Norris quite well. Recollected the 21st of Au-
gust. Saw him at his (witness's) house about
eight o'clock at night. He paid him an account.
He stayed all night at his house, and had break-
fast on the following morning. He could not
have got out without him hearing. The Bench
said they should adjourn the case for a fortnight
for another witness for the defence to appear.
HIGHWAY OFFENCE. David Harper was
charged with riding on his waggon without hav-
ing any reins, on the 20th ult, at Cradley. John
Stevens, parish-constable, Cradley, proved the
case, and the defendant was ordered to pay the
costs.

WILFUL DAMAGE.—William Fereday, William
Tombs, and William Courtney were charged
ith wilfully damaging a quantity of growing
swedes and turnips, belonging to Charles Evers
Swindell, Esq., at Pedmore, on the 3rd of Sep-
tember. Police-constable Bailey said on the
above date he saw the three defendants trespas-
sing on a swede field. The damage done am-
ounted to 28. Defendants pleaded guilty, and
were ordered to pay the costs.
WHOLESALE ROBBERY.— Harriet Jones was
charged with stealing cuffs, teaspoons, and other
articles belonging to Edward Reeves at Oldswin-
ford, on the 3rd October. Martha Reeves, wife
of prosecutor, said: I live at Oldswinford. On
the above date prisoner was in my employ. She
did some sewing for me. I missed three Ger-
man-silver teaspoons, one pair of sugar tongs,
two pairs of ladies' cuffs, a pocket handkerchief,
one lace handkerchief, a night-dress, two pairs
of drawers, four yards of calico, and a pocket
ht.ndkerchief belonging to my husband. I ac-
cused her of stealing the articles, and she said,
"Yes, I have taken them." Asked her where
they were, and she said at Solomon Pearson's,
Lower Swinford. Went with her to Pearson's,
and Mrs. Pearson had sold them. She said
Ellen Gower had bought the cuffs, pocket hand-
kerchief, and spoons of her. W ent to Gower,
and she gave me the articles. The value of the
property is more then 10s. The articles pro-
duced are all my property. Ellen Gower said
she was wife of Alfred Gower, and lived at Lower
Swinford. OH the Saturday night I bought the
threespoons produced from prisoner. On the
Tuesday morning I bought a handkerchief and
We pairs of culls. Prisoner said she was in
trouble, and asked me to buy the things. I gave
her Cal for thew. Mary Anu Pearson, wife of
Solomon Pearson, said: I live at Lower Swin-
ford. Mrs. Reeves came to my house, and said
I had got some articles belonging to her. I gave
her the teaspoons, cuffs, and handkerchief. Pri-
soner said she was in trouble and asked Mrs.
Gower to buy the goods, and she did so. Eliza-
beth Whitwell, wife of George Whitwell, pawn.
broker, said: On Tuesday last prisoner came to
my house, and pawned a piece of calico, 1 night
dress, and 2 pairs of drawers. The articles pro-
duced are the same. Police-constable Bailey
said: lam stationed at Oldswinford. Received
the things spoken of by last witness from her.
Apprehended prisoner under a warrant. Read
it to her. She said it was a bad job. She did
not think it was coming to that. The prisoner
pleaded guilty, and said: I am very sorry. I
was in trouble, or I should not have done it.—
The Bench said they were very sorry to see a res-
pectable woman in such a position, and as there
was nothing heard against her before they should
pass a light sentence upon her, and sentenced
her to one mouth's imprisonment.
NEOLACT OP W..itK White:l2oWe 1,1111 sum-
moned by Reuben Hatton, briekmaker, for neglecting
his work, on the 19th ult, and claimed Ss as damages.
Complainant said the defendant worked for him, and on
the above date he neglected his wprk. Defendant was
allowed one mouth to pay the money, and costs.
DRUNIC AND iihnous.—Louisa Smith was charged
with being drunk and riotous on the 2nd instant, in Sir.
mingham•street. Police-sergeant Jones proved the case.
Fined 5s and coats; in default LI days.