The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-05-03 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

SELLING ALE DURING PROHIBITED HOURS,—.At
the Police Court, held on Wednesday, before Messrs.
W. Hassan° and B. flingley, Benjamin Round,
Britannia Inn, Springfield Lane, Rowley, was
charged with selling porter on the 20th ult.
during prohibted hours. Police-constable Row-
lands said that he visited the defendant's house in
company with another officer at ten minutes to
eleven o'clock., Saw a Mrs. Hill with a bottle of
porter. Took it off the woman. The bottle con-
tained porter and was fresh drawn, with froth on
the top. Called the attention of defendant's wife
to it. She said that it was for a poor woman that
was ill, and that she had not paid for it, but should
pay for it at dinner time. Police-constable Frost
corroborated. Mr. Homer, for the defence, admitted
that his client drew the porter, and that the de-
fendi.nt's wife gave it to Mrs. Hill as she was sick at
the time. The over night defendant had promised
to give her some porter. Mrs. Hill came for it next
morning aecording to arrangement defendant gave
it her, and denied that she ever intended to take
any money for it. If Mrs Round intended taking
the money, she would have taken it at the time, and
not waited until half-past twelve o'clock, and called
Mrs. Round, who said that Mrs. Hill had some
porter the night previous, and her daughter asked
if she could have some porter on the next morning.
Witness said she would not sell porter to any one,
but as Mrs. Hill was sick she would give her some
porter to do her good, and she gave Mrs. Hill's
daughter the porter, and denied saying to the
policeman that that she should be paid at dinner
time for the porter. Elizabeth Hill, daughter of
Mr. Hill, said that Mrs. Round refused to sell her
any porter on the Sunday morning, but said she
would give her a half-pint. She went about eleven
o'clock for the porter and had it, neither did she
intend paying for it. The porter was a gift. She
did not say to the police that she should pay for
the porter at dinner time. Mrs. Munn, daughter
of defendant, gave evidence as to the conversation
that took place between her mother and Mrs. Hilt,
who said she would not sell the porter, but would
give her a half-pint. Two other witnesses were
called; their evidence being very contradictory.
The Bench considered the case proved and fined de-
fendant 10s and costs.
DRTJNIC AND DISORDERLY.—Joseph Law was
charged with being drunk on the night of the 26th.
Police-constable Styles said he was on duty at
Rowley. Saw the defendant, who was drunk, and
appeared like a mad person. Mr. Bassano said
that the defendant had been several times previ-
ously convicted for different offences. Although
trade was bad men`found money togt eotsdrepuhnksi.dFaiwnaeyd
5s and costs ; in default 21 day,'._j
landlord of the Old House at Home, was charged
with being drunk and disorderly on the 24th ult.
Police-constable Wickstead proved the offence.
Mr. W. S. Hayes, for the defence, pleaded guilty,
and said he had been annoyed and was very excited
and asked the Bench to be lenient with him. Fined
59 and costs.