The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-05-31 00:00:00

LOCAL FAILURES.

A meeting of the creditors of John Taylor, of the
Three Crowns Inn, The Lye, licensed victualler,
tailor and draper, was held at the offices of Messrs.
Gould and Elcock, solicitors, Stourbridge, on Tues-
day, when a large number of creditors were present
some of them being represented by Mr. Chappell
(for Mr. Collis), Mr. Shakespeare, and Mr. Wall.
Mr. C. Evers was voted to the chair. Mr. Eleock,
who represented the debtor, read the statement of
affairs, from which appeared: Creditors unsecured,
£1,082 16s id; creditors fully semred £1,500;
assets, £466 2s 6d. Mr. 'Elcock made an offer on
the part of the debtor of 3s in the pound, which
was subsequently increased to 5s in the pound,
payable in six months, and guaranteed to the satis-
faction of the chairman and two other credicors.
This offer was unanimously accepted. _

An adjourned meeting (Tf the Creditors of Joseph
Pugh, newsagent and tobacconist, was held at Mr.
Collis' office, on Thursday last, Mr. S. Field in the
chair, Creditors were represented by Messrs. B.
Wooldridge, T. Citlee, A. Roskell and S. Field.
Mr, Collis, the debtor's solicitor, made an offer of
Is in the pound. He said that the total liabilities
were £2lO 14s 11d. The estate had been valued at
£l3O lie 01. A bill of sale for £24 would have to
be paid in full, leaving £ll6 lie Od. There was
some rent due which would reduce the estate to
£lOB Os oa, out of which the debtor would be en-
titled to £2O. Then there were all the costs of the
proceeding, and it would be impossible to pay more.
The meeting were of opinion that the bankrupt
should pay 58 in the pound. Mr. Collis said it was
impossible, and the debtor would have to be sold up
to pay the shilling in the pound. This was re-
luctantly accepted. Mr. Evers was appointed
trustee.

THD STOURBRIDGE STOCK SALE AND ANNUAL
SHOW .07 TILOS AND WHITSUNTIDE BEEF Was hell
on Tuesday last, and included 550 sheep and lambs,
60 head of cattle, and a good supply of calves and
pigs. In cattle, the Ist prize of £3 3s Od, was
awarded to the Right Hon. the Earl of Stamford and
Warrington for a magnificent 3-year-old short-horn
bullock, which was sold to Mr. H. Parkes, Stour-
bridgo, fdi £4O 108 Od, and the 2nd prize of £2 2s Od
to Mr. James Yardley, for a well-fed and compact
heifer which was purchased by Mr. Murray, of Wol-
verhampton, for £3O 108 Od. The sheep being a
very level lot the judges had difficulty in awarding
the prizes which, however, were ultimately given ai
fullow: The Ist prize of £3 38 Od to Mr. Jotin
Whitehouse, for 10 ripe Shropshire te3s, purchased by
Mr. Lane, of Birmingham, and the 2nd prize of
£2 2s Od to Mr. Joseph Cooke, of Bellington, for 10
cross-bred togs, which were purchased by Mr. Lane
and Mr. W. R. Brooks. The butchers prizes fol-
lowed the purchases Messrs. T. Yardley, J. La ne,
and J. Parkes officiated as Judges and •Mr. H. King
as Auctioneer.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The weekly meeting
of this Board was held yesterday. Mr. Ray
bonld in the chair. There were also present
Messrs. H. Billingham, Haskew, Pargeter,
Robertson, Hingley, Williams, Hod getts, Parkes,
RoWilson, Guest, Mullett, Wood, Giles, Mills,
Plant, Hale, Wright, Rhodes, Lavender, Foley,
Kelly, Eveson, I. Billinghana, R. B. Guest, and
Brod& Admitted into the house during the
week 17; discharged 46; born 1 ; dead 1; remain-
ing in the house 485 ; corresponding week last
year 448. Out-door relief Kingswinford die-
Wet £56 Bs. 5d ; Stourbridge district £B5
6s 11d; Haiesowen district, £3l 5s 5d ; non-
resident 4s ; total, £123 4s 9id ; against £6l
16s 6d last, year.—For the situation as assistant
retieving Aker there was twenty-four applica-
tions, five of wh, m were put in nominatiod.
fhomas Colley, of Kingswinford, was electe3.
AsToN LOWZR GROUNDS.--We beg to call the
attention of our readers to our advertising column
in reference to the above grounds, which have been
recently re-opened and enlarged. Since the re-
opening thousands have availedthemselves of attend-
ing the various concerts and entertainments. Being
Whitsuntide Holidays, special attractions have been
provided.
14,CARD PLATING.—At the Police Court, held yes-
terday, before Colonel Fletcher, and Mr. J. E.
Swindell, Benjamin Gauden, Adam Skelding,
Solomon Walters, and David Allport were charged
with card playing on the highway, on the 24th inst.
Police-sergeant Payne proved the case, and de-
fendants were fined is each.
STEALING A DRESS Sirmr.----Sarah Evans was
charged with stealing a dress skirt, on the 22th
inst. the property of Joseph Partridge, of the Lye.
Sarah Partridge said she put the dress skirt in
question on a line in the garden. She missed it.
The one produced was the same and her property,
and worth is 6d. Luke Pool proved seeing a
woman in the garden, which was the prisoner.
Police-sergeant Payne proved apprehending her.
Prisoner pleaded guilty. Sentenced to 21 day's
hard labour.

COAL STEALING.— Joseph Chance (14), was
charged with stealing a quantity of of coal on the
21th inst,.the prop rty of Messrs. J. B. Fisher and
Co. Henry Griffiths, watchman, proved the case,
and said that thb firm lost a good deal of coal.
Pleaded gui.ty. Fined 25 6d to include costs.
CARD PLAYING.— Jesse Lloyd and Joseph
Cooper were charged with card playing at the Lye,
on Sunday last. Police-sergeant Payne proved
that he saw the two defendants playing at cards.
He seized the cards and a tvro-shilling piece. Fi ied
fis each and costs.

PITCH AND TOM—Joseph Chance and William
Aston were charged with playing at pitch and toss,
at the Lye. Police-constable Paynter proved the
case, and defendants were fined 5s each and costs.
CHARGES OF DRUNKENNESS.—Joseph Southall,
of the Lye, was charged with being drunk on the
26th inst. The case was proved by Police-constable
Jewson. Fined 2s 6d and costs.—Elijah Hart was
charged with being drunk on the 20th inst. Police.
constable Widdows proved the case. Pleaded
guilty Fined 2s 6d and costs.—Thomas Gavan
was charged with being drunk and not having
sufficient control over his horse and cart. Police-
constable Eaves proved the case. Fined 5s and
costs.—John Hodgkiss wait charged with being
drunk at Stamber Mill. Police-constable Widdows
proved the case. Fined 28.6 d and costs; in default
7 days.
GANZ TlMPlSs.—William Harris was charged
with trespassing on land ia search of game, on the,
23rd inst., belonging to Henry Hadley. The evi-
dence went to show that the defendant walked
down three fields, and was crossing a fourth, when
he was met and told to go back. He made use of
abusive language. Mr- Bedley was called and said
that he gave instructions for a summons for tra-
wling. H. did IlOb Wilk the defendant used s

SATU It I

gun, but he wanted to stop the trespass. With- was sentenced to 7 days hard labour, and the
drawn on payment of lOs costs. daughter was dismissed with a caution.
WomEN'sQuARRELs.—Ann Freeman was charged CHARGE oF STEALING A DucK.—Thomns Holden,
with assaulting Maria Walker on the 23rd inst. Thomas Roberts, and Charles Roberts were charged
Complainant said the defendant struck her with with felonously stealing a duck, on the 26th inst.,
part of a brick, cut her brow open, and blackened the property of Elizabeth Burnley, of Kingswinford.
her eye. Fined lOs and costs; in default 14 days. Police .constable Enoch proved that from informa-
CHARGE OF STEALING A PIGEON. Thomas tion received, he followed the prisoners, and saw
' Welch was charged with stealing a pigeon on the one of them throw a basket over the hedge. He
2nd just, the property of David Brooks. Mr. found that the basket contained a live duck, valued
Waldron defended. Prosecutor said he missed the at 4s. Prisoners were remanded to Brierley Hill
pigeon about 12 o'clock on the day in question.
The one produced was the same he lost. lie cut
one of the wings abont eight months ago. The bird
could not fly. P.S. Payne proved that he received
the pigeon from Edward Pardoe. He c'.arged
prisoner with stealing the pigeon. He replied that
he did not steal it but picked it up out of his
garden, that he sold it although he knew it bill niged
to Brooks, as he, Brooks, had tried to steal one of his
pigeons, Mr. Waldron addre:scd the Bench for the
defence and defendant was fined 5s and costs; in
default 14 days.
As,AULT CAsE.—Hugh Bloomer was charged
with assaulting William Mann' on the 16th, at
Pedmore. Mr. Perry appeared for complainant,
and Mr. Stokes defended. Complainant, who is an
assistant to Mr. Whitehouse, grocer, said he was
walking at Pedmore and met the defendant who
said "You are just the fellow I want. You must
apologise.' Witness said he should not, as he had
nothing to epologise for. Defendant then struck at
him and gave him a violent blow between the eyes,
which blacked both eys. He told defendant he
should summon him for an assault. Defendant did
have a quarrel with one of the apprentices. He
said he had thrashed him, and would thrash
witness. James Jones said a week previous to the
assault defendant had thrashed him and said he
would thrash Mann. Mr. Stokes addressed the
'Bench for the defence, and admitted this client
struck the first blow, but complainant
elected to fight and did fight several rounds,
but getting the worst of it he took out a summons.
Complainant having chosen to tight, had no right
to put the law in force, snd asked the Bench to
dismiss the summons. Fined Os and Costs; in de-
fault two months hard labour. Mr. Swindell said
personsawere not to be struck while goingalong the
road.

ELECTION PROSECUTION AT BRIERLEY
HILL.

At the Brierley Hill Police Court, on Thursday,
before Mr. Haden Corser, the cases of alleged cor-
ruption at the Board of Health election came on for
hearing
In the first case lhomas Allden, glass-cutter, of
Level Street, Brierley Hill, was charged (I) with
falsely assuming to act in the name of Thomas
&rivEn, a miner; (2) with fatrieating the voting
paper of Thomas Scriven; and (3) with altering and
defacing the voting paper of Edward Traeman,
mi r.

Mr. Clulow appeared for the returning officer
against Allden, and Mr. Waldron defended.
_ .

-Thomas Price, deputy-clerk to the Brierley Hill
Local Board, said that on the sth of April there was
an election. Mr. Thomas Fereday was returning
officer. He produced the voting papers of Thorna-.
Scriven and Edward Trueman. The papers had been
in the custody of the Board since the sth of April
He had other rapers Big' eel by Allden.
By Mr. Waldron: Ihe papers of S.3riven and True-
man were objected to and put on one side.
Mr. Fereday, returning officer, stated that he
marked the objections to the voting papers of Scriven
and Truernan, and they were not taken as votes.
Thomas Scriven said he had often voted at local
elections. On the Ist April he went to work, and
before he left he knew nothing of the election. He
knew nothing of the matter, and returned about five
o'clock. He found no voting paper. He never au-
thorised anyone to till up his voting papers. He did,
not at that electim vote for anyone, nor direct any-
one to do sa on his behalf.

By Mr. Waldron: He never had stated that he
went with Charles Beckley to an office in the town.
Beckley had not filled up a voting paper for him.
Beckley had not asked him who he should vote for,
and he never told Beckley that he should vote foe
Rowland Thimpson. When he came home his wife
told him thy had fetched away the voting paper. He
did not tell his wife she had done quite right in voting
for R iwland Thompson. Ile had never seen the
paper. He repeated that he had never spoken to
Charles Beckley about the voting papers. Charles
Beckley did not take him to Mr. Clulow's office. He
had voted at many elections previously. When he
had been at work he had told his wife to take the

voting paper to a man named Hale, but he always I
told her how to have it filled up. He told her at this ;
election not to have the paper filled up before he came
home. He had authorised her at past elections, but
11,3 never left to her the option of having papers:filled
up for whom she thought proper,
Eliza Scriven said that kllden came to her house
to know if the voting paper was filled up. He asked
her to let him look at it, and if he should fill it up.
She gave the paper to him. Ho put whose names
down he thought proper. She could not read or
write. Her husband had alwaN s told her what name
to put in the papers, and Mr. Hale filled them up in
the way directed by her humband.
Cross-examined t.he said Charles Beckley fetcluci
her husband. She did not see him sign another
paper. Allden filled up the paper and Beckley took
It away.
The case of Trueman was then gone into, in which
Allden was charged with fabricating and defacing a
voting paper.
Edward Trueman stated that Allden came to his
house and asked to look at the paper. He told
Allden it was filled up, and it was no good looking
at it. He gave the paper to Allden and walked
away. He did not authorise him to do anything to
it. He voted for Messrs. Skidmore, I. Rollinson,
W. Rollinson, Humphries, Carder, and Mantle. He
did not vote for Rowland Thompson, nor did he
authorise the initial opposite the name of Mr.
Thompson.
Matilda Truman stated that Allden with a pen
and ink out of his own pocket put the initials '7 E.
T." opposite the name of Rowland Thompson.
This was the case for the prosecution.
Mr. Waldron for the defence, held that the sum
mons must be dismissed because it was not taken
out by the proper person, whoshould be an aggrieved
person—which the returning officer was not—or the
Clerk to the Local Board of Health (Mr. Holberton).
In partial support of this be quoted "Aberdare
Board of Health versus Hammett," Common Law
Reports, vol. 44.
Mr. Clulow showed that in re Hammett the votes
gave his wife absolute authority to vote, and the
Board having by res 'intim appointed Mr. Fereday
returning officer, he was the proper person to lay
the information, being an aggrieved person, as he
had to conduct the election properly. Mr. Clulow
held his views on the 259th Section of the Public
Health Act, 1875.

After an 'adjournment Mr. Waldron quoted a case
from the Justice of the Peace, page 280, and then Mr.
Holberton (the Clerk to the Board of Health), who
appeared for another defendant in a case to come
on, held that the returning officer returned to his
private life on the 15th April, and at the time of the
irformation he had ceased to hold any public office.
Therefore, he could not be a person aggrieved, for
he held a judicial office up to the time he made the
return, and after that he had no power. The only
persons who could be aggrieved were Trueman and
Scriven.

Mr. Homer, who also appeared for defendants in
cases to come on, argued that the returning officer
was appointed to conduct the election. and having
done that his functions ceased. The persons
aggrieved were Trueman, Scriven, and the candi-
dates who lost the votes.

The Deputy-stipendiary asked Mr. Homer how
he overcame the words "and do all acts connected
therewith," as applied to the returning officer.
Mr. Homer still held that Mr. Fereday's office had
ceas d before the informations were laid.
Mr. Clulow, in reply, said the office of Mr. Pere.
day could not be dead, for the reason that Scriven
could say to him, "You are liable to a penalty of
£5O if you refuse the vote," and Mr. Fereday said,
" The vote is refused," and so he (the returning
officer) came to the Court to see what was right on
the question. His functions were not complete
until it was determined whether the votes were good
or not, for it might happen that one vote would up-
set the election.

The Deputy Stipendiary said he should res2rve
his decision, and the other cases had bettar boa ad-
joutlied until that was given. It would save time.
This was agreed to, but it was allowed to Mr.
Waldron to open a case of Feredly v. Charles
Beckley, who was charged with illegally interfering
with the collection of the voting papers. Mr.
Waldron prosecuted, and Mr. Holberton defended.
Mr. Holberton took a preliminary objection, and
that was precisely as that of Mr. Waldron at the
beginning, namely, that the returning officer could
not prosecute.—(laughter),
d LMr. Scriven said after Allden filled up the paper
Beckley fetched it away, Mr. Williams, the de-
liverer of the paper, being the proper collector..
Mr. Holberton held that th*.re was no intention
to do wrong, and no wrong was done, for the re-
turning officer received the paper and so no one was
aggrieved.

Mr. Corser said it opened a wide door. The
offence might be a slight one, but it was clear an
offence had been committed.
Mr, Holberton said Beckley knew there was an
irregularity, and he let the returning officer know.
Acting upon Mr. Fereday's wish Mr. Fereday took
the paper.
Mr. Comer said it was clear that an offence had
been committed, but he would ease the defendant's
mind by saying it was a technical one.
John Allport said he heard Beckley tell the
woman Scriven that he would give the paper to the
returning officer. _

Mr. Irereday said he received the paper, and
though he looked upon it as an irregularity it was
not a criminal act.

The cases were then adjourned.

H A G
At the Llagley Stock Salo and Show of Whitsu
tide Beef on Monday last there was a large entry o'
stock, comprising upwards of 120 pens of sheep and
1 'nibs, 70 a ~q 1 of cattle, 28 calves, and the usual lot
of pigs. The attendance was unusually and
high rates were made. A prize of £3 for the' best
fat beast was awarded to Robert Woodward, Esq., for
a short-horn bullock, purchased by Mr. Lane, of
Birmingham, who took the first purchaser's prize.
The second prize of .£2 was awarded to P. A,
Williams, Esq., for a Hereford bullock, purchased at
£32 by Mr. Robert Parkes, of Stourbridge, who took
the second purchasers prize. Three pens of shorn
ewes belonging to Mr. James Smith, of Pedmore,
realized re-pt.,etively 795, 76511 6d, and 74s a head.
Ewes and lambs made as high ai 121 s per couple.
Fat lambs as high as 47s each.