The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-09-03 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

Cope and Arothee a. Ifigy,.—This was an action tried
at the County Court held at Dudley, on Tuesday last,
before Mr. Rupert Kettle, Judge, to recover £Ci. The
plaintiffs were Mr. Cite and Mr. Llewellyn, the execu
tore of the late Mr. James Cope, mine agent; and the
defendant, Mrs. Higgs, a widow lady, residing at Rowley.
The claim was for a year and a half's salary, at £lO per
year, due to the late Mr. Cope for surveying, keeping,
and making up plans of the Eagle Colliery, Old Hill.
The defi ndant had a life interest in the colliery. and
Mes,is. Sheeting and Edwards had the royalty. Mr.
Cope was agent to both parties; but his work, so far as
Mrs. Higgs was concerned, was simply nominal. In con•
sequence of alleged neglect, Mr. Jeremiah Skidmore was
appointed to fill the office of Mr. Cope, and the latter
gentleman retired, but afterwards sent his apprentice to
attend to some work in the pit. In reply to the Judge,
Mr. Skidmore said that, if it happened that he was about
to be discharged, he should require three months' notice.
His Honour then said Mr. Cope should have had the
same, and the notice would have carried him into the
secoad quarter. He would, therefore, give the plaintiffa
is verdict for £5. Mr. Homfray was for the plaintiffs, and
Mr. Waldron defended.

Assarbv CANC.—A t the Police Court, on Wednesday,
before Stems. F. W. O. Barra and N. Hingley, Ehza
Hadley was charged with assaulting Nancy Ann Newton.
at Lowey Town, on toe 22nd ult. Complainant said ou
the above date she bail a dispute with defendant about
some water, when aim threw some water over her, and
pushed her down, dragged her about by the hair of her
head, and struck her in tile back of the head several
times. Defendant was farther charged with assaulting
James Newton at the mime time and place. Complain-
ant said he saw di fendant thrashing his daughter, and on
ha telling her be would make her pay for it, she ran at
Min and struck him on the mouth. He did not strike
defendant. She afterwards went to his house, and chal-
lenged him to come out and fight. Joseph Billingharn
and Emily Addleton corroborated complainant. The
case was adjourned for a week for a Mr. Oliver to attend
to give evidence.

iNoTHER ARSAOLT.—John Billingham was charged
with assaulting Joshua Hempson on the 24th ultimo.
Complainant said he lived at defendant's father'a house,
and on the above date about twelve o'clock defendant
went into the room where he was, and caught hold of him
by his scarf, and dashed his head on the ground several
times. Defendant deniid the assault in too, and called
John Ireland, who proved to the satisfaction of the
Bench that it was another man that assaulted complain.
ant and the Bench dismissed the case.

WILFUL DAMAGE.—Joseph Eldershaw was charged
with wilfully damaging a fence belonging to the Rowley
Ilan Colliery Company, on the 2Sth ult. Mr. Addison
appeared for the defence. James Law said on the above
date defendant and another man went to the place about
a quarter past seven o'clock. Defendant pulled the piece
of wire produced out of a staple. Witness told him it
would not do, and he walked away with the piece of wire
under hie arm.