The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-09-28 00:00:00

panied the subscription breathed the same reFct
for Mr. Freeman that was felt by the inhabitants I
of that particular neighbourhood, and which any
man might feel prcud and he fell great pleasure
in presenting it. (Applause.) The Chairman
then handed the testimonial to Mr. Freeman
which consisted of one hundred guineas and a
book containing a list of subscribers and the fol-
lowing entry :—" On the 26th September, 1878, a
purse of one hundred guineas was presented to
Mr. Superintendent Freeman on his retiring from
the Worcestershire Constabulary after thirty-four
years active duty in the force, John Harward,
treasurer; Charles Evers, secretary ; September,
1878." Mr. Harward concluded his remarks by
expressing a wish that Mr. Freeman would spend
the rest of his days peacefully and happily.—Mr.
Freeman briefly thanked Mr. Harward for pre-
senting the testimonial and to those who had sub-
scribed, The presentation he said would afford
him satisfaction as long as he lived. He had
always endeavoured to do his duty to the rate-
payers without unnecessarily giving offence, and
he was glad to find that his humble services had
been appreciated by the town and district. In
conclusion he heartily thanked the committee and
subscribers.—Mr. W. Edwards proposed a vote of
thanks to Mr. Harward for acting as treasurer and
making the presentation. Mr. Bruomhall seconded
the motion and it was carried.—Mr. E, Stringer
said all that had been done had been done as a
labour of love. He expressed his sympathy for
Mr. Evers in the bereavement he had sustained by
the death of one of his children, and he testified to
the great care and attention that gentleman had
given to the matter of the testimonial.—The
Chairman acknowledged the vote of thanks and
the proceedings terminated.
SOUTH STAPFORDSHIRE MINES DRAINAGE COll-
- the anuual meeting of the mem-
bers of this body, which is to be held on Wednes-
day next, to following resolutions will be moved:
I —By the Chairman Sing,winford Committee—
" That in accordance with the provisions of an
award of the arbitrators, dated the 17th day of
August, 1878, a mines drainage rate for one year
from the tnd day of October, 1878, to the 2nd day
of October, 1879, payable in two equal moieties, on
the 2nd day of December next and the 2nd day of
June next, shall be assessed and levied upon all
occupiers of mines within the Kingswinford dis-
trict after the rate of Id upon every ton of mineral
raised in the said district, except in that portion
known as the Bromley or Brocknnoor Pound; and
after the rate of 3d upon every ton of fireclay or
limestone, and 6d upon every ton of ironstone,
coal, slack, or other mineral net being fireclay or
limestone raised in the said portion of the said
district known as the Bromley or Brockmoor
Pound, during such year, and that the amounts
thereof payable by each of such occupiers be
assessed upon the basis and in accordance with
the provisions of the South Staffordshire Mines
Drainage Acts, 1873 and 1878."—By the Chair-
man That the Corporate Seal of the Commis-
sioners be affixed to a receipt accepting Five
Hundred Pounds Stock of the Darlaston Coal
and Iron Company Limited. in full satisfaction
of all claim on the estate of the Darlaston Steel
and Iron Company Limited, for rates unpaid by
them on the 31st day of December, 1877."
A STOUR/MIDGE PICK POCKET.—At the Nun-
eaton Petty Sessions, on Thursday, William Jones,
of Stourbridge, Worcestershire, was brought up
in custody, and charged with attempting to com-
mit a felony, by trying to pick pockets at Ather-
stone Statutes, on Tuesday last. Defendant
pleaded not guilty. Detective-sergeant Hall, of
Aston, Birmingham, said that on Tuesday last he
was on duty at Atherstone Statutes. At about
three o'clock in the afternoon he saw the defend-
ant in Market Street, near the Town Hall. His
attention was called to the defendant by a woman,
who said she lost her purse. Pointing to the de-
fendant, the woman said he had pushed against
her. Defendant then went towards the shows,
and as people were passing in and out, witness saw
aefendant push among the women. He saw him
put his hand three or four times to the back
pockets of several young women. He watched
him for half an hour, and then took him into
custody. To the Bench: I have no doubt from
his conduct that he was attempting to pick
po3kets.—The accused was committed to prison
tor six weeks with hard labour.

JURT LISTS.—At the Police Court, yesterday,
before Colonel Fletcher, Colonel Barrows, and the
Hon. Spencer Lyttelton, the jury lists for the fol-
lowiog townships were passed :—Febroughton,
Boom, Clent, Churchill, Hagley, Lutley, Lye,
Upper Swinford, Wollescote, Stourbridge, Fed-
uore, an I Cradley.
As IC& LILT! G TRP POLICE.—John Pulley, George
Lewis, and Isaiah Allen. puddlers, were charged
with assaulting Police-constable Lafford, on the
23rd mat, while in the execution of his duty,—Mr.
Waldron defended.—Co.nplainant, who was sta-
tioned at Brockmoor, said he was sent for to go
to a public-house in Crescent Lane. When he got
there the landlord, Thomas Tidbar, was putting a
man out of the house named Wiliiatu Baker. He
was called to assist him and he took a man named
Haden into custody. While on the way to the
Brierley Hill police-station the three defendants
came up, Pulley took hold of the prisoner, struck
and kicked him several time. Lewis also kicked
and struck him, and Allen struck him in the face.
At that time Pulley was biting his hand with
another man named Haden and ran away with the
handcuffs on. Palley said 'You -- man you
shall not take him and held him until Haden got
away. Lewis cried out" Give it him we shall
have no more to pay" and struck him about the
head and kicked him on the body. Cross-ex-
amined: Dan Haden said in the public-house "I
suppose you think we are all thieves and black-
guards." I said to look at your face anyone would
think you are a blackguard. When fifty yards
from the house Haden struck me and would not
let me go about my business. The people did
not cry out the police will kill him, but Haden's
brother, Dan, said "Let them alone ray brother
deserves what he has got.—John Evans, miner,
residing at Brockmoor, said on the above date he
was in Crescent Lane. He saw Edward Haden in
the custody of Police-constable Lafford. He saw
the three defendants there. Pulley and Lewis
strike the officer. He could not swear that Allen
struck the officer, Witness was struck and.
knocked down in assisting the police. Cross-ex-
amine& : I was knocked down and my watch was
broken. Lafford has not offered to pay me to give
evidence. He told me he should summons me. I
told him I did not want summonsing, but would
speak the truth. I think Haden did the kicking.
I heard the people cry out to Lafford to loose
Haden or he would be killed.—Eli Beckley, pro-
vision dealer, said he saw the row but he did not
see either of the defendants strike the officer. He
saw a man named Haden strike the officer several
blows on the face.—Superintendent Woollaston
proved the injuries that Lafford had sustained.
His left eye was swollen up and both his hands
were injured.—This being the case Mr. Waldron
addressed the Bench for the defence, aad admitted
that the officer had been roughly treated but not
hy th defen lints. He contended there was no
evidence against Allen and he should call wit.
as :es to prove that the defendants did not strike
he o Ecer.—Maria Lewis, Hannah Thomas, and
, Jane Hussey gave evidence to the effect that they
saw the three defendants in the middle of the
road and not near the police and that they did
not see either of them strike the officer.—Colonel
Fletcher and Colonel Barrows retired to consider
, their verdict and on returning into court Colonel
' Fletcher said they had given the case their best
, attention. Several previous convictions had been
' proved against Pulley and he was sentenced to six
weeks' hard labour, Lewis to one month's im-
prisonment. As there was a doubt in the case of
Allen they should give him the benefit of the
doubt and dismiss the summons.

CHARGE or NUISANCE.- Benjamin Hing
High Street, Cradley, was summoned by Henry
Eveson, Inspector, with permiting a nuisance to
exist on his premises by keeping three pigs.
George Dunn, Medical Officer, proved the nuisance
and defendant was ordered to abate it in 14 days,
and pay costa £1 Bs. William Sidaway,
William Edwards, and Samuel Edwards were
charged with a similar offence and were orderer'
to abate the nuisance in 14 days, Ead
.pay oasts.

CHARGE AGAINST A PunraceN.---Williini Thomas
Mornlls, landlord of the Bull's Head, Wollaston,
was charged with keeping his house open during
pr(- hibital hours on Sunday the 22nd. Mr. Wall
defendel Superintendent Wheeler said he visited
the defendant's house at 20 minutes past 1 o'clock
and 132,NV a man sitting down :in the kitchen with a
pint of ale before him. Asked him how it was
that he had that man in his house during prohibi-
ted hours. Defendant said the r.ar-n had been to a
erit ket supper and was very bad, and wasted a pint
of ale, and he thought it no hs,rrn to Let him have
the ale. Told him he would be stemzeoued, and
while in the house, he saw a steond an come
in the house. He said he came for his brother.
Polieesconstable Hollingsworth corroborated, and
said that while the SuperhirendemCwas ',eking to
James Bowen two other man tame in the house.
Mr. Wall for the defence said, the previous day
there had been a benefit for 511111C11 3owen and
his brother, on the Wollaston Cricket Ground, and
a supper after. On the Sunday morning the
Bowens were on the field with others when the de-
fendant said to James:Bowen You look very bad."
Bowen said "He was very secdf' and saked him
for a glass of ale, and defendant filled him a cup of
ale, and said that it was a giit, and the defendants
James and William Bowen, and ThC1213.9 Hill, who
all bd the invitation and swore that to money
wts rid for the ale, but a gifo. The Beneh eon-
sider.elLt a.proper case to bring before them, and
fiefitwed 4 wools* ig eetortsie Alois ft I