The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-07-15 00:00:00

THE DESTETATION OF THE FENCES.

Hardly any olle remained tin that part of the flats I
adjat rut to Lord Cowley's enclosure, MO as everything
seemed to be at an end, the police, who had been on
duty several hours, were drawn off and sent along the
road towards Ilford. Close to nine o'clock an incident
occurred which changed the whole aspect of affairs, and
the fence around the enclosure at the side-of the Hats,
near the "Foresters' Anus," and quite close to where ,
the meeting had been held, was destroyed in the twink-
ling of an eye. Ammo, while seated on a rail of the fence,
was asked by a comrade to go home. Ile demurred, and
his friend pulled at him to make him get down. The rail
shook, and in a moment half a dozen bands brought it to
the ground. A dozen laid hold of the next; it gave way.
In a minute there were fifty pulling energetically,
then a hundred, then hundreds. The railings were
smashed into fragments. In five minutes the fence
around tip enclosure was almost wholly destroyed. A
solitary constable galloped along the Ifford-road after
the police, and brought back, at full speed, some fifteen
or twenty mounted men, who rode oa to the Hats, but
they could do nothing, as the mischief had already
been accomplished, and no one was to be seen engaged
in any overt net. In a int intent a small body of work-
ing men at a remote part of the enclosure essayed to
destroy a few rails still standing. The mounted officers
leaped their horses over the remains of the fence, and
nsle straight at ehe destroyers, win. tied precipitately.
One young man was apparently ridden down by an
inspector, and while on the ground a lssly of the foot
Pollee laid hold •if him. crowd Wilted back, and
crying, " they nitrn't liar, him," attempted to rescue
hint. This movement Wa, bl oil pat a stop to by the
very energetic effi tits of the small body of hOrSellltll,
I who charged al.sit Im all sides. 'lire police also
arnsteil a boy, whtim they also carried off m custody.
Dr. Alexander petteeeded to the police station and
vigorously remonstrated with the police for having
arrested a man who was not engaged in any illegal act.
Hi:, remonstrances were, however, unavailing. The
man himself denied that he had taken any part' in the
destruction of the fences,

The police were utterly taken by surprise by what
occtured. They were expecting something of the kind
with regard to Lord Cowley's fence at the other end,
adjacent to the Ilford Cemetery, and they had a pretty
strong force in reserve there, under the orders of
District Superintendent Howard and Superintendent
Wi reel!, who hail (iv e inspectors under them. A watch
is kept during the night, but nothing occurred.
On Sunday a force of constables, under Inspector
ke, of the I{ di s ision, patrolled the flats. It was ex.
tsitit.sl that another meeting would be held in the
afternoon, lint the tints of rain which fell at inter-
vals effectually prevented any gathering of crowds.

The hill relating b• in F,•rest, brought in by Mr.
Ayrbun awl Mr. W. 11. 111,olstone, has been printed.
It its ido. tled ••••milli,sion shall he appointed to
inquire into :tinl rop••rt lusel rights and claims user the
forest, and to ascertain whether any unlawful ennui.,-
cures have leten made. The I'••tundt•si,•ners are tin have
power to SUMIIIOII and en 'pipe] the attendance of wit-
nesses awl t,” innsl net bleuments, and after having
finished their inquiries they are to prepare and settle a
scheme for the thsafforesting of Epping Forest, and for
the treservation and management of the waste lands of
the forest. The Commisaionent are to make pre-
liminary and special ntports at any time, ill particular
with reganl to tiny special arrangements with land-
owners or others as to their righta which the Commis-
sioners may recommend, and are to make a final re-
port within two p.m, from the date of their appoint-
ment.