The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-03-29 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

APPOINTMENT OF OVERSEERS.—At the PoFceC ur
held on Wednesday, before Messrs. W. Bak.sano
and B. Hingley, the following persons were ap-
pointed overseers for the parish of Rowley Regis ;
Joseph Guest and Henry Bennett. Mr. Cave again
appeared and asked the Bench to appoint four.
The Bench did not consider the argument ustAl
sufficient for them to depart from the general rule
and overruled the application.
CEAROE OF STEALING COAL.—William Cuttler
was charged with stealing 6 cwt. of coal on the
15th inst, the property of John Davenport. Mr.
W. S. Hayes appeared to prosecute, and Mr. Addi-
son defended. Prosecutor, who is a coal dealer,
said the prisoner was in his employ. He sent him
to the Eagle Colliery for a boat load of coal, and
he brought the boat to the Wharf. He did not
give him any authority to take any coal. Cross-
examined: I am a member of the Halesowen
Association. It is not the custom for steel era to
take coal from the boats. It was thick coal in the
boat. There was some slack. John Wall proved
that he saw the prisoner take some coal out of a
boat, put it into a wheelbarrow, and wheel it into
a shed. He saw him take two loads Prisoner then
went on with the boat. Cross-examined Could
not say what quantity of coal was in the boat. Do
not know that it is usual for steerers to take lumps
I coal from tile boat. Folicesconatable Wio

stead proved apprehending the prisoner. Mr.
-Addison addressed the Bench for the defence, and
called several persons who gave the prisoner a
good character, and it was the custom for oteerers
to have coal, but on cross-examination ad-
mitted that it was not usual to take two oarrow
loads of coal. The Bench considered the case
proved, and thought they were justified under a
section in dismissing the case. They considered
the prosecutor had done quite right in bringing the
case before them but if they were to convict they
should be obliged to send the prisoner to prison as
they could not fine him.
ASSAULT CASE. James Wright was charged
with assaulting Mary Jarvis, on the 15th. Mr.
Addison defended. The assault complained of was
that on the above date defendant threw a stone
at her, which struck her on the face. He after-
wards struck and kicked her.—Martha Taylor gave
corroborative evidence. Mr. Addison addressed
the Bench for the defence, and contended that the
complainant's husband was the aggressor and that a
regular fight ensued, and called several witnesses
to prove it. Fined 5s and costs.
CHARGE OF WILFUL DAMAGE.—Peter Hughes
and James Wright were charged with wilfully
damaging a door and window, the property of
' Isaac Smith, boiler maker, of Rowley. Mr. Addi-
son defended. Complainant proved that the
damage done amounted to 3s. He was in bed when
he heard stones thrown at the door, and found it
burst open and the window broken. He went out
side the door and saw the two defendants by the
house. Martha Taylor proved that she saw the
defendants throw at the door and window, One
of the stones struck Mary Jarvis in the face.
Three witnesses were called for the defence who
swore that the defendants did not break the
window or door. Mr. Bassano said it was most
painful to sit and hear persons swear in the way
they had done. It was abominable. One side or
the other had committed gross perjury, and they
had no doubt who had committed that perjury,
and had a good mind to order them into custody,
and fined each of the defendants 5s and costs,
and n.dered them to pay the 3s damage done.

_
WOHENS QUARRELS.—Mary Mole was charged
with assaulting Elizabeth Parkes, on the 11th inst.
Mr. Hayes defended. Complainant said she was
in her own house, when defendant came up to her
and struck her. A witn6ss corroborated. With-
drawn on payment of costs.
CHARGE OF STEALING A FOWL.—Henry Forrest
was charged with stealing one hen fowl, on the
21st, the property of William Perry, farmer. Mr.
Hayes defended. Prosecutor said he heard that
the prisoner had taken a fowl. Followed him and
overtook him coming from the direction of the
Eagle Colliery. He asked him what he had got
under his arm. Prisoner said "nothing." Witness
told him he had got something wrong under his
At that time Fanny Siviter came running down,
saying that the prisoner had got one of Southall's
fowls under his arm. He examined it and found
the fowl was his own and orth 3s. Cross-ex-
amined : Prisoner did afterwards offer me 2s. for
the fowl. Fanny Siviter gave corroborative
evidence. Police-constable Farnell proved appre-
hending the prisoner who said he was throwing,
and accidently hit the fowl, and was taking it
away. Mr. Hayes addressed the Bench for the
defence and called evidence as to character. The
man was throwing at the time and the missile hit
the fowl. Prisoner then, like a fool, picked it up,
and was carrying it away. Prisoner was sentenced
to 21 days harelabour.

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.—WiIIiaIEt Forrest was
charged with being drunk and disorderly on the
25th inst. Police-constable Gaskin proved the
case and said the defendant had got his jacket off
to fight, and was creating a great disturbance. He
ordered him home and defendants father took him
home. Fined 2s 6d and costs.—John Eveson was
charged with a similar offence on the 20th bast, in
Garratt's Lane. Police-constable Farnell proved
the case. Fined 2s 6d and costs.—William Brass-
ington was charged with being drunk at Cradley
Heath, on the 16th inst. Police-constable Sylves
ter proved the case, and said the defendant was
insulting persons as they passed up and down the
road. Fined 5s and costs; in default 14 days.
,BREACH OF THE PEACE.—Ebor Hollins and
George Allport were charged with committing a
breach of the peace by fighting, on the 22nd inst.
Police-constable Gaskin proved the case. Bound
over in one surety of £5, and themselves in £lO to
keep the peace for twelve months.
OBSCENE IJANGUAGE.—Sarah Forrest was charged
with using obscene language in the street, on the
20th inst. Police-constable Gaskin proved the
case. Defendant denied the charge and said the
officer struck her, knocked her down, and marl
killed her. She had to lie in bed for two daysY
This was denied by the officer, and defendant wit
fined 2s and costs ; in default 7 days.