The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-01-09 00:00:00

DUDLEY.

STE ALONG AND Itneeevist; —At the Police
Court. on Wednesday, George Jordan 121), grocer's as-
sistant. Higlestreet woo charged with atealing grocery
goods to the value of Its, belonging to his master, Mr.
Thomas Willis. Mr. Homer defended. Joseph Davis,
a fellow assistant to the prisoner, stated that a provision
dealer named Isaac Williams, of Upper Goma], came to
Mr. Willis's shop, on Satu-dav last, and was served by
Jordan. Witness, by prisortr's direction, cauied a
quantity of goods to Williams's cart, as it stood at tine
door. The prosecutor staid that the goods in William ,'s
cart were examined, and found to be P2llts of sugar,
12ttes of soap, glint of tea. and Ith of tobacco more titan
he bad paid for. It had be. ii thought that the prisoner
was in the habit of carrying on this kind uf robbery for
some time, but Ho clear case had previously arisen.
Upon being charged with the offence, the prisoner pleaded
guilty, and confessed that Williams had enticed !lila to
commt the felonies. Mr. Willis expressed his wish that
the prisoner fshould not be severely punished. Sentenced
to three months' imprisonment, with hard labour
.
Isaac Williams (35), provision dealer, Upper Gomel was
then cha .god with having fe'oni ,usly 0 :rived the above
gooda, knowing them to he stolen. The prisoner in the
first case Mated that for nearly fifteen months he had
supplied the prisontr with footle over and above Ilia order
every week. Detective Davie having proved the capture
lof the prisoners, the Beech committed the receiver to
the SefOlint for trial.
Tim Vp.scnny CLEIK AND RS SALARY —A vestry meet-
ing, to take into consideration the present amount of the
Clerk's salary, was held on Thursday morning, at the
Public (lffice, Priory-street. Mr. Henry Cartwright oc-
cupied the choir; and among others the following gen.
tlemen were present :—Messrs. Collett, Clarke, anti Hare
per. Overseers ; and Messrs. Price, Mohler, Buck. Har-
per, Challingworth, Mills, Rutland. Breeknell, Marsh.
Lowe, etc. The body of the hall was half filed. Mr. I.
Prince. the Clerk, ma le a statement, after the Chairman I
had opened the meeting. showing that the operation of .
the last Reform Bill had considerably increased his work,
and that some addition to his sal try Was necessary.—Mr.
Mother Was ef opinion that Parliament would soon do
away with the ratepaying clauses, and then the would
again be lighter. (Hear, hear).—Mr. Price thought that
as Mr. Prince had taken office knowing full well the du-
ties, he should be satisfied with the salary.—After a few
words from Mr. Kendrick, as Antirman of the Ratepay-
ers' Protection Society. Mr. Price moved a resolution to
the effect that, in consideration of the depresstal state of
trade in the town, the matter should be considered that
day twelve months. fAintlanse).—Mr. Finch said that
although everybody including the officials connected with
the rates knew the existing distress in the town, yet in-
creased salaries were being asked for. It was monstrous,
and lie trusted that the meeting would be unanimous in
passing the resolution. (Several voices " Quite—Mr.
Taatield said it coald not be denied that the vestry clerk
had had a deal of extra work to perform. He should
move as au amendment "That a committee be formed
from this meeting to empire into—(no, uo)—the extra
duties performed by the 'Vestry Clerk in consequence of
the passing of the Reform Bill, and that such commit-
tee report at au adjourned meeting."—Mr. Porter see'
ended the aumminuent.—Mr. Price wished to know
whether the Clerk had not received some remuneration
from the lU.vising Barrister for making out the borough
lint—The Vestn y Clerk said his two clerks hail been paid
for their time.—Mr. Price wished to know the amount.
—The Clerk : About £lO or £l2. (Murmurs of disap-
probation).—The Chairman then put the amendment,
and nine persons voted for it. The resolution was then
carried by an overwhelming majority.—A vote of thanks
to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.