biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-12-23

BRIERLEY HILL.

KEEPING DOGS WITHOUT LICKNSES.--At the Police
Court, on Monday, before Messrs. H. 0. Firaistone and
H. Hall, the following persons were stinamoned for
keeping dogs without licenses, George Paskins, fined
255; Thomas Wilson, fined 2s; Samuel Parker, fined
25s with a resommendation of a further reduction to
lOs 6d; Williams Perrens, fined 2s; aLd Joseph Cart-
wright, fined 253.
EXTENSION OF TIME TO PUBLICANS.—Mr. Holberton
applied on behalf of the licensed victuallers of the dis-
trict, and Mr. Clulow ,on behalf of the beerhouse-
keepers for an extension of the time of closing during
the Cl.riatmas holidays. This (Saturday) evening until
half-p: at eleven, and on Tuesday and Wednesday even-
ings until twelve o'clock.
STEALING Coan.—Mary Angel, a married woman,
was charged with stealing a quantity of coal, the pro-
perty of Messrs. John Bradley and Co., at Shut End,
on the 11th inst.—William Griffiths said he saw
prisoner come into the, works with dinner and as she
was going out he noticed she had some coal under her
shawl. It weighed about 20ibs.—Prisoner was sentenced
to 7 days' hard labour.
ALLEGED NEGLECT OF A WIFE.—John Birch, a boat-
man was charged with neglecting his wife and allowing
her to become chargeable to the common fund of the
Stourbridv Union.—Mr. Finney, relieving officer, said
defendant's wife came to him destitute on the 29th
September last, and he gave her an order for admission
to the Workhouse. He claimed 13 weeks pay from de-
fendant.—Mr. Waldron, who defended, contended that
as the woman left her husband with her own free will,
his client was not liable. He called William Marson,
who said he was a hay and straw dealer, at Stoke Prior,
Worcestershire. Some eight or nine months ago he saw
defendant and his wife at a public house at Stoke Prior.
The woman said she should leave defendant and asked
him to carry her bed to the station. The bed was
labelled " Mrs. Birch, passenger to Brierley Hill, till
called for." He saw defendant take up the bed and
carry it away and the woman went with him.—A long
discussion ensued respecting the law bearing upon the
point raised by Mr. Waldron, and the Bench retired for
some time. On returning into court, Mr. Firmstone
said this was a case in which there appeared great
difficulties, and under all the circumstances they came
to the conclusion that they must dismiss it. There was
no proof that the woman had applied to defendant for a
restitution of conjugal rights and they did not, there-
fore, order him to pay for her support.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-12-23

PENSNETT.

NATIONAL SemoLs Cuonat. UNION.-111 connection
with this society a children's festival was given on
Monday night in the new schools. The Rev. T. L.
Claughton, vicar of Ringswinford, presided, and there
was a large and fashionable attendance. The part-songs
aud choruses were admirably rendered, the special
feature of the evening being the singing of Handel's
" Hallelujah" by 130 children. It was sung without
copies, and without a "single hitch." Solos were well
delivered by Miss Curry, Mr. T. J. Young, and Mr.
Warham.
DISGRACEFUL BEHAVIOUR AT PENSNET.—At the
Police Court, on Thursday, before Mr. Spooner,
stipendiary, Henry Wilde, of Pensnett, was sent to gaol
for a month, on a charge of being drunk and guilty of
indecency at Pensnett.
A. DRUNKEN THlEF.—Thomas Allsopp, a labourer, of
Wolverhampton, was charged with being drunk and
stealing a pint and half of gin from the Lion Hotel,
Pensnett. Prisoner went into the house, and daring the
the temporary absence of the landlady he purloined
about a quart of gin, part of which he drank. He
was detected with the remainder gin a jug, which he
was trying to tie in a handkerchief, a proceeding
whrea. Mr. Spooner said was convincing as to his
drunken state.—Allsopp was fined 10a and costs for
Icing drank, and ordered to go to gaol for a month for
I the theft.