The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-12-09 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

AIOACLT CAM—At the Petty Sessions held on Wed-
ne.lav, before F. W. hares and N. Hingley,
Isaiah; Williams was charged by Alfred Harris with as.
snuffing him on the 27th ult. Complainant said he wss
in • public-houne, when the defendant ntruck him three
times on the nose and mouth, which caused his nose to
bleed. James Willeas said he heard the two parties
haring some words. 4 'omplainant called the defendant
liar," when do fendant struck complainant on the
mouth. The defence was dust complainant first struck
him, and he onIV stood in self.defence. A witness was
called for the defendant, to show that complainant first
began to abuse him, and he struck complainant. The
defendant agreed tic pny costs, and the case was with-
drawn. .

CH MOE or Al.rowiNG GANALING.— Joseph Gregory,
a shopkeeper, residing at Blackheath. was charged by
Superintendent Mills with gambling at a game called
roulette, on the 4th instant. Police-sergeant Davis saii
that about six o'clock 1111 the above date lie visited the
shop of the defendant in the Halesowen district. th-
rew inside the defendant's shop a number of boy., and
the roulette table produced, with roasted potatoes and '
cocoa nuts on it. Defendant was standing by it, demand-
ing "play.' Saw some boys were pulling a apinney
containing a marble. Asked the defendant if he knew '
he was doing wrong by allowing gambling. Defendant •
said they were riot gambling; they were only playing for
potatoes. Previous to going into the shop he saw the
defendant receive money. and when inside the shop be
saw the defendant give a boy change. Witness then
took poimession of the roulette table, and took defend-
ant into custody Mr. Hayes, who appeared for the
endent, admitted the facts, but contended that it was
not a game of chance, because every person had his
money's worth, and it did not come within the Meaning
of the act. the Bench over-ruled this, and said they
were convinced it was a case of gaming, and defendant
was liable to be convicted as a rogue and vagabond. In
answer to the Bench, Superintendent Mills said he could
not withdraw the ease, but would leave it in the handset
the Bench. The Bench remarked that if the ca,e was
pressed they should have to commit, as there was no
fine. The Bench again appealed to Superintendent
Mills, who said he could not withdraw the case, but was
willing to leave the cage in the hands of the Bench. The
case was adjourned for a week for • week for Superinten-
dent Mills to communicate with the Chief Couatable.
Salons CHARGE AGAINST AN ENGINKNa. Isaac
Hackett, of Rowley, an engineer, was summoned by
Messrs. Swindell and Collis, for that he did, on the 19th
of August, 1970, inflict certain injery to a machine be-
longing to llessra. Swindell and Collis. and the said
o ~plainants claimed £lOO as cornpenantion.—Willians
Blow Collis said the prisoner was engaged by the firm in
Slay, 1870, as an engine-driver. When he was engaged
he read the colliery rules over to him, and called parti•
cuter attention to the No. 1 rule, and told him of all
°than that was the most important. On the 19th ii

August prisoner left the band gears of his engine while
the engine was In motion. He might tall them that the
engine was a very powerful one, being of 100-horse
power. Prisoner left the engine. The result was, the
water tank was drawn against the head gear, the water
tank, pulley, head gear, and portions of the engine !
house, were broken, and damage done to the machinery I
to the amount of £lOO. Prieoner absconded. A sum- I
mono was issued. and afterwards • warrant, an 4 is now I
brought up on that warrant. In answer to the Bench,
witness maid that it had cost them £lOO to repair the I
damage done. Crom.examined : I believe! engaged you !
on the 24th May, as engine driver, on probation, and paid
the fun engine driver's War, •s Mr. Collis said the *eel.
dent was mined by prisoner going to look at a donkey
engine. A driver by so .:oing [night as well get off A
railway engine while in fell motion, as do that —Mark
Lock, • banksman, sail he was at the works on ths day
in question. Was at the engine shortly after the acci-
dent had occurred. Prisoner was present in the engine
house. Asked him how the accident had occurred. Hi-
made no answer.—The defence was that be was only en-
gaged as a stoker, but complainant, put him on as engine
driver, and the boiler Was rather low of water, and he
went to the donkey engine to get some water, -and the
aecident occurred. Complainant did not have a charac-
ter with hire.—The Bench remarked that defendant de-
served two year. for such conduct, and was sentenced to
two months' hard labour.
CHUM.: or AllBAULT.—Noah Barnsley was charged by
Joseph Attwood with assaulting him on the 24th ultimo.
Mr. Addison appeared for the complainant, and Mr.
Hayes for the defendant. Complainant said he went into
the Handel Hotel at Blackheath, on the night of the
above date. Several parsons were inside the room A
dispute arose about a dog, when the defendant struck him
a blow on the cheat, which knocked him down. Witoese
then struck again, when defendant steeped down, put his
head between his legs, and threw him over. They both
fell together. Defendant got up and ran out of the
house. Witness also no out, because there was a cry of
" Police." Defendant fell down by some palisades, and
witness fell over hint. —William i2ole, a butuher, was
called to give evidence, and corroborated the complain.
! ant in the assault. In cross-examination he admitted
; that he had offered the defendant £2, a leg of mutton,
and A bottle of wine to settle it. The Bench remarked
that one site appeared to Im as bad as the other. Tho-
mas Jennings, chemist, of Blackucath, Wan exiled next,
and said he visited the defeudaut, who said his ribs were
broken. Witness examiued them, and told him thay
were not, and recommended him to send for a medical
man and be strapped up. Complainant expressed his
willingness to settle the matter if he received £lO. After
hearing some further evidence, the Bench dismissed the
case.

NEGLECTING TO SUPPORT A WIFE. Richard West-
wood, of Waterfall Lane, was charged by John Taylor,
Relieving officer, with allowing bia wife and children to
become chargeable to the Dudley Union. Complainant
said that defendant's wife and child became chargeable
to the Union on the 24th of November, and a cost of

Its had been incurred. Ho bad enquired about the po.
sition of defendant, and found he earned M, per week.
Mr. Hayes, who appeared for the defendant, hail that
defendant's wife had left his home four times Of her own
accord, and said that she had repeatedly broken up his
home, and was away from him six mouths together, and
that he was quite willing to support her. The Bench
suggested that they should try and settle the e4se out of
Court. Defendant ultimately agreed to pay the costs,
and allow his wife a maintenance.