The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-10-28 00:00:00

ANNUAL DINNER OF COURT
BENEVOLENCE, A.O.F.

The. annual dinner in connection with Court
Benevolence, A.O.F , took place on Saturday last, at
Brother Charles Parkes's the Rising Sun Inn, Amble.
cute, when upwards of 40 sat down to dinner. On this
occasion the new chief ranger's chair (a -handsome piece
of workmanship; oak and morocco leather, manufactured
be Mr. Howell, late Packwood) was used.
After the removal of the cloth the chair was occupied
by Brother Henry Matty, P.D.C,R., and the vice-chair
by Brother J. Taylor.
The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been
drunk,
. - . .

The Chairman said he was very pleased to find that
the court was in a fair state of prosperity and was one of
the leading courts in the district. He had a very
pleasing duty to perform and that was to present the
rangers for the past four years with emblems and
neck ribbon for the services they had rendered the
court during their terms of office. He then made the
presentation to Brothers H. Male, William Sefton, jun.,
Richard Bidmead, and John Finley, who briefly re
sponded.
The Chairman next proposed the toast of the evening,
"Health and prosperity to Court Benevolence," coupled
with the name of Brother H. Male.

Brother H. Male, in responding, said nothing gave
him greater.pleasure than attending on such occasions as
the present. Their court was in a very flourishing con-
dition and financially ,they were in a better state than
any court in the district. The number of members in
October, 1875 was 105; died 2; left by expulsion and
clearance 9 ; new members made since coming to the
Rising Sun, 24. . The financial statement is as follows:
—ln Post Office Savings Bank, £370 Os 2d; out on
mortgage £150; cash in treasurer's hands, £24 is 0d;
total, £544 is 2id. He hoped the court would long con-
tinue to prospet.
The Press, the Host and Hostess, and other toasts
were given and responded to, interspersed with songs,
and a most convivial evening was spent.

Harris and Metheringham Confectioners, 72 &47
High Street, have,been appointed agents in Stour-
bridge, by the Mialand Tea Company, London, for
their splended tea 3s. per pound, in Air -tight Tins
only. _

dIRTRCH Or ENGLAND TEMPERANCE SOCIETT.—
A meeting of the above body was held in the
Corn Exchange, on Tuesday night The Hon.
and Rev. W. H. Lyttelton occupied the chair.—
The Rev. Stopford J. Ram, association secretary
of the society, stated and explained the following:
objects of the society.:-1. The reformation of the
intemperate. 2. The • promotion of habits of
intemperance. 3. The removal of the causes which
lead to intemperance.—Several local clergyme:a
and gentlemen also addressed the meeting.

ST-OURBRIDGE AND DISTRICT RULGARIA-N RELIEF
FUND.—The committee met at the Commissioners'
Room, Market Street, Stourbridge, on Thurstioy
afternoon. The following additional subscrip-
dons were reported :—Stourbridge, .214 13s; Stour-
bridge Dramatic Company, .25 28; Netherenci and
Cradley £l2 is; Coalbournbrook, £6 8s W.;
Wollaston, £2 19$; Upper Swinford, £4; collec-
tion at Hagley Church, £9 5s 7d. The committee
voted £3O to Mr. Long's fund, and £2O to Lady
Strangford's fund for the relief, chiefly of Bid-,
gad= victims of Turkish atrocity and rapacity'
making the total amount sent out by the Stour-
bridge Committee £240.
HOSPITAL SUNDAY COLLECTIONS. We beg to
remind our readers that the Annual Hospital Sun-
day Collections will be made in the churches and
chapels of Stourbridge and neighbourhood, to-
morrow (Sunday), the proceeds of which wil be
equally divided between the Stourbridge Dispen-
sary, the Guest Hospital, Dudley, and the Bir-
mingham and Midland Eye Hospital, except there
it is wished to devote the collections to one al two

only (lithe charities named. Each of these
tutions have been of great service in the difirict,
and have afforded help to a large numter of
-nts, and liberal contributions will add ti the
-And efficient maintenance of these fhari-

nsefublests
ties.

"tONS.-At the ?oliee
Tiolcroft Ind J.
Mr.

FACTORY ACT FROSEO _
Court, yesterday, before Messrs..).
B. Cochrane, James Coley was summonect
W. Brewer, for employing a boy, under thirteen,
,and not producing a certificate of the boy's attend-
ing school.. The case was proved. Defendant
pleaded guilty and was fined 28 6d and costs; in
default 7 days.—Charles Price was charged with
neglecting to send his son, David Price, to school,
Mr. Brewer proved that the boy was under 13
years of age and that be found him at work on the
rope walk.—Defendant pleaded ignorance and he
was fined 2s 6d, toinclude costs.—Nathaniel Yates
iraslcharged with employing one Louisa Bidmead,
on the rope walk, for more than six and a half
hours par day.—Defendant was further charged
with employing John Rider for more than six and
a half hours, and further charged with neglect-
ing to obtain a certificate of John Rider's age.
Louisa Bidmead and John Rider proved that they
worked all day on the above date. Defendant
pleaded guilty, and was fined 2s 6d in each case
and costs.—Richard Mills was charged with neg-
lecting tocause his son, Joseph Mills, to attend
school. Fined is and Costs.
NEGLECTING TO SUPPORT A FAMILY.----Charles
Fisher was charged with neglecting his three
children, on the 7th February, and allowing them
to become chargeable to the Stourbridge Union.
Mr. Barratt proved the case, and said there was
Xl9 3s Od due. Defendant pleaded guilty. Mr.
Barratt said that on the 12th of May defendant
was sent to Worcester for two months' for neglect-
ing his children. He came out in July, and again
aeserte4 them. Sentenced to three months' hard