The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-03-06 00:00:00

ABANDONMENT OF BRANCH RAILWAY

TO STOURBRIDGE.

Pursuant to notice, a special meeting of share-
holders was held on Thursday afternoon last, at
Messrs. Harward, Shepherd, and Harward's
offices, for the purpose of determining whether
application shall be made to the Board of Trade
that the whole of the branch railway into the
township of Stourbridge, as now authorised by
the Stourbridge Railway Act, 105, 8 may be
abandoned. Mr. Sherrill' occupied the chair.
There were also present Messrs. W. T. Adcock,
F. T. Rufford, C. K. Swindell, O. K. Harrison,
T. Wood, It. L. Freer, J. Harward, Owen,
and MMus.

Mr. Adcock read the notice calling the meet.
jug ; after which the Chairman explained the
object of the meeting, and said it was really a
qnestiou for the consideration of the Great
Western Railway Company. The Stourbridge
Railway Company applied to the Great Western
Railway Campany amid asked them to construct
a branch, but received a negative; and the
Stourbridge Company not being able to find the
money, now asked that it be abandoned.
Mr. Adcock said the shares were seventeen
thousand six hundred and thirty-seven, and that
lie had received assents amounting to one hun-
dred and seventy-six thousand three handled
and seventy pounds, Dissents O.
In answer to the Chairman, Mr. Owen said the
Great Western Railway Company had obtained
powers to make a new branch, and thought it
would not do to have two new branches, and it
was their intention to have a goods and passen-
ger station at the lower part of the town.
A resolution was passed on the motion of Mr.
C. E. Swindell, seconded by Mr. R. L. Freer,
to memorialise the Board of Trade for permis-
sion to abandon the branch railway, and that the
company's seal be affixed thereto.
The Chairman hero remarked that the busi-
ness of the meeting was closed, but they could
not allow this opportunity to go by without pas-
sing a vote of condolence to the friends of the
late Mr. Akroyd, formerly chairman. He ably
filled the the office, and took a great interest in
the Stourbridge Railway, and he was quite sure
that had it not been for his earnestness there
would not have been a Stourbridge Railway,
A vote of thanks to the Chairman, closed the
proceedings.

SALE OF PROPER/T.—Messrs. Oates, PerreßS,
and Wooldridge sold by auction, at the Talbot
Hotel, Stourbridg,e, on Monday lost, some free-
hold estates situate at Stone and Hagley, in the
county fWo •ceMer. There was a large attend-
ance of buyers, a spirited competition; every
lot was sold, and the prices realised were very
good. The property :at Stone consisting of a
homestead, and ills. Or. 29p. of land, was divi-
ded iuto 14 lots, and realised £9,710. The pro-
perty in Hagley Parish consisted of 55 acres of
land and four cottages divided into nine lots re-
alised £4,580.

INQUEST.—On Wednesday last an inquest was
held at Mr. Rowcliffe's, Cricketers' Arms Inn,
on the body of George Evans (48). who met his
death under the following circumstances. Tho-
mas Walters said he worked with the deceased.
On the 27th ult, about ten o'clock, the deceased
was cutting a piece of planking, and hearing a
different noise with the saw, he (witness) turned
round and saw the deceased lying on the ground
on his back. He was sensible. Witness took
him to the engine-house, and he said he was
hurt with the saw. The pole came over the saw
and hurt him in the bowels. Ho was taken
home, and Mr. Campbell was sent for. Mr.
Campbell said he first SAW deceased on Sunday,
about twelve o'clock. He was complaining of a
severe pain in the bowels, caused by some inter-
nal injury. He died on the Sunday evening.
A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.

WILFUL DAMAGE. - George Davis, puddler,
was brought before Major Fletcher, on Monday
last, on a charge of wilfully breaking a pane of
glass, on the 27th ultimo, the property of John
Page, of the Cross Keys Inn. The case was
proved, and defendant was fined is and costs,
and ordered to pay Is, the value; in default
seven days.

DRUNK AND RIOTOUS.—Joseph Highfield, pro-
prietor of the shooting gallery at the back of
the market, was charged by Superintendent
Freeman with being drunk and riotous, on the
28th ultimo. Acting-sergeant Jones proved the
offence. Ordered to pay costs.
WILFUL DAMAGE. Benjamin Pritchard, of
the Lye Waste, was brought up before R. L.
Freer, on Wednesday last, charged with wilfully
breaking two panes of glass, on the 2nd instant,
the property of his father, Amos Pritchard,
'rho case was clearly proved, and defendant fined
2s fid and costs, and 2s the value of the glass ;
in default 14 days.
POLICE DINNER.—The annual dinner in con.
ne dion with the p dice force took place at the
Public Office, od Tuesday last. Superintendent
Freeman Occupied the chair, and Mr. R. Holing.
worth Om vice-chair. The whole of the force
sat down to an excellent dinner provided for the
ocasiun. Ample ill-4Mo having been dcne, the
usaal loyal and patriotic toasts were drunk amid