The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-08-12 00:00:00

BRIERLEY HILL.

MA.IIAOINO POTATOES.—At the Police Court, Oa Moe.
day, before J. Ho'croft and L. Freer, Eeqrs., Benjaiiiiii
James and Joseph Jamen were charged with wilfully
damaging a quantity of potatoes on the 16th ultimo, tie
property of Mrs. Fox, at Round Oak. Mr. Elcock of
the limn of Mimes. Yeoman, Gould, and Elcock, of
Stourbridge) defended. Complainant said on the above
date she had a quantity of potatoea damaged to the ans-
ouut of is. Mrs. Crampton said on the above date she
saw the two defendants jump over the wall, and back
nail]. It was about half-past one at night. They did
not stay in the gardens at all. Did not are any potatoes
scattered about. Cross-examined: I was coming from
the Round Oak, and was on the opposite side of the road.
It was not a very dark night. I could see the defendants.
2 hey had time to pull any potatoes up. I know Mr.
John Lewis. He walked down with me. I did trot call
his attention to it. I did not think it worth while. A
woman name Pearce said on the following morning alle
saw the damage done to the potatoes. On Monday week
she heard defendant Benjamin riay, " This is the place
wheie you jumped over the wall, and that is the place
where you pulled up the potatoes ; but there is not ho
worth in the garden.- There would be about a strike of
p aatoes damaged, and they would be about is. Police.
constable Grady said about two or three square yards
were damaged, and he should think the amount of data.
age done would be about de Mr. Elcuck, in defence,
'raid on the above date defendant,' were at a foot race at
Woodside, and he should call a witness who walked with
them to their own door. There was a remarkable felt
tare in the case, that the man Lewis, who was walking
with the witness Crampton, did not are the defendants
at all. Thomas Mallen said on the above date he was at
Woodside at a footrace. He walked home with defend-
ants about a quarter past twelve. They west to Mrs.
Phillipse nubile-house, and they thee west straight
home. Their house is about twenty yards front Mre.
Fox's. John Lewis, labourer, said on the morning of
the 16th he was coming frets work at half-pant twelve.
lie walked with Mrs. lramptou and her !mammal. He
did not see defendants at all. nee anything to attract Ms
notice. lf defendant* hail been there be would have
area them. Defendants were fined 1;d each, and its dam-
age ; in default 14 dais.
STABBING C•llE.—Willianl Slater Was charged with
cutting and wounding Philip Franks, with intent to do
grievous bodily harm. Mr. Addison appeared for prom-
cutor, Sarah Franks, wife of prosecutor, land her hus-
band came home bleeding on the 6th Mat, and she gay,
information to the police. Police-constable Maland Did
he was on duty at the station on the 6th, and defendant
.id the man came up to him and struck him twice, and
followed him down the road, and he utuat do eumething
in melt-defence. Prisoner w.sa remanded for a week, the
prosecutor being unable to attend.
CHARON OF CsAMBLINO.—EigI.t young men named ma-
pectively Evans, W heavy, Tllolllas, Pulley, Wells, Burns,
Moseley, and Smith, were charged with playing at cards
in the public road, on the 24th ult, at liroektnour. Mr.
Addisou defended. Police-conetaide Cotterill s.iid Ile Was
at Newtown, Bruekruour, on the above date. He heard
• noise, and on going to the place lie saw the eight de-
fendants and about 30 others play Mg at cards. Bares,
Wells. Thomas, and Evans had the cards. 11 herley,
Moeeley, sod Smith were Deltic, As soon as
they says %Minas they nue away. He le'new all of the
defendant* perfectly well. Crool-extunined: I did not
swear last week tint it was at five o'clock. I did say so,
hut did not swear it. It was between three and *four
o'clock. Mr. Addison asked loran aojournment, and the
case was adjourned until next Monday.
STEALING SNANS.—Ennua Bradley was charged with
stealing a quantity of beans, the property of John Felton,
on the let instant. Elizabetti Mum said on the above
date she saw defendant take a quantMy of beaus from her
garden. She puiied up a double row. They would be
worth 2a. All the laud belongs to defendant's mother,
and witueas rented it from her. Witness quite to the
defendant about it, and she said the beans did not belong
to complainant, as she had not paid the rent. The Ma-
gietratee said they bad no jurisdiction, as it was a ease
for the County Court
AsSAVLITNO a Bov.—Joseph Steward was charged suth
assaulting Frederick Howard, a limit boy, at Wellheath,
on the 25th ult. Complainant said on tne above date lie
was abeeling a wheel-barrow along the road, when the
defendant came behind him sod pushed him on to the
front of the barrow, and made kin mouth bleed. John
Howard, uncle of complaSmut, said he spoke to defeud•
ant aheut it, and be said he did it, and that some one
mulled him against the complainant. Defendant,' coin-
patinas' denied that they lambed him. Defendant called
Edward Davis, who said be heard defendant acknowledge
the offence. Defendant was fined 211 6d and ~.osts ; in
default 14 days.
Aliaat CAbE.—William Hodge and Mary Hodge were
charged with assaulting David Dawes on the 2nd inat, at
the Delphi. Mr. Addison appeared for the complainant.
Complainant said he was a boat builder, and lived at the
Delphi. On the above date be went Mane from Ma work,
when Mrs. Hedge began cursing him, and drenched him
, with water. Hodge ran out of the house with a poker
Is his hand, and tried to get at complainant; but his
wife and son held him back. Police•constable Grady
saia lit saw complainant when he came to the station.
lie was thoroughly met. He was not drunk. Mary Hill
said elm saw complainant after the assault. and be was
very wet. Police-constable Mee Said Mrs. Hodge admit-
ted throw tug the water into complainants face. Defend.
ante called a woman named Treater, who stated that the
complainant said Mrs. Hodge was a b— w—e. The
eminuous was dismissed, and each party was bound Oyer
111 one surety to keep the peace for ail mouths.

AS,AVLII;G A N)o-sisN.-1-Sitinuel Andrews was charged
with assaulting Sarah Rider, on the 2nd inst. Mr. Addl.
WV appeared for defendant. Complainant said on the
above date there was a dispute about some water, and
the defendant struck her. Mr. Addison, in defence,
called two witnesses, who denied the assault in tots,
the Bench dismissed the Cabe.
IhttNKENNESS.-1 WO men named Beddard and Firm.
ztoue were Ilued—Firuistoue 25 lid, and Beddard 02, and
costs, for being drunk and riOlOnli at Kingswinftrd, on
the 30th ult. Police-constable \\ kite proved the cane.
HIIiHWAY OFFENCE.—Henry Anton was charged a ith
Allowing 2 cows and 1 horse to gray on the highway at
Wallheatn, on the :40th Police•constable Williams
proved the case, and defendant who has been convicted
tune times for similar cases was tined is and costs.

ASSAULIINO A BLIND WOMAN.—At the Petty Sessions
held on Thursday, before I. SpooLer, Esq., Supenshary,
john Hooper was charged by Diana Smith with assault.
lug her on the :it'd inst. Complainant, a blind old wo-
tutus, said she lived in Cottage-street. About a quarter.
past ten she was going to bed, when a stone was thrown
through her window. She got up to the window, and
used the defendant's voice telling persons to throw at
her, as she could not see who It was that threw at her.
ZCYCIIIII other stones were thrown, and hither. Defend.
.stit was one of those who threw. She knew situ by hie
s vice, as well as she anew her own DUD. Defendant said
iJe was there, but denied throwing stones, end said it
aSA three little girls who had thrown the stones. Two
..ißleSeled were called for the defence. After hearing
Lae evidence, Mr. Spooner said he did not believe sword
tiller had said, and ordered defendant to be bound over
so keep the peace in two sureties of V, sad pay coats;
wad cautioned the witnesses. . .

WomEN's Qualms:Lk—Mary Ann Dunn was charged
by Maria Bridgwater with assaulting her on the let inst.
tie assault complained of was that defendant threw a
pat cup of hot tea in her face, and injured her,
,udant was ordered to find one surety in V to keep the
peace for six mouths.
NON•PAYMENT OF (.31/I.S ACCOUNT. Charles Henry
omens was summoned by Thomas Gatimore, collector
ei gas accounts, for the non-payment of 1:8 415 d for gas
out. Complainant proved the amount due, and the
stlArlied Stipendiary Ordel eft a distress to lame at once
for the amount and costs. . _

NElOnlionnel. ticsnitaLs.—Marriet Jones was chargen
by nimabeth Buttock with using threatening language
o, her on the ult. Mr. Addison defended. After
hearing the evidence on both sides, the Bench ordered
defendant to pay la 3d, half the coats.
As OLD VP:ORAN.' . 'tanks, an old man. wan
charged with unlawfully obtaining eatable Roods of
ttoruelius Guest, under false representation.. The case
wAs proved, and there were several cases against the de-
ieuttant, who was committed to Stafford for floe month
as a rogue and vagabond.

COMIIissIoNEit,'IIIEETING.—The usual monthly meet-
ing was held on Monday afternoon, when Mr. Jeffries
presided.—A tender ot .£l9l 17a 6J., from Mr. Whit.
taker, for improvements in Pearson Street, was accepted.
lire fencing leading from the Whimsey to Moor Lane,
mid which was considered dangerous, was ordered to be
repaired at the expense of tire property Owners.—The
question of lighting the public lamps was once more dis-
cussed, and it was decided, on the motion of Mr. Orove,
s.conded by Mr. Rollinson, that a committee should be
formed, which should go through the district, and report
Ira the Board the number of lamps required, and see the
gas company about lighting the same.—The Sanitary
Coinunttee'.. report called attention to the non-supply of
water to Mr. Rains's property in Hill-street, and also to
that of Mr. Liutteridge in Moor-street. lire annual
mortmity returns showed a decrease of 105 deaths, in
comparison with the corresponding returns of last year.
lire return for the past month stated that 13 deaths had
occurred from the 27th June to the 31st July. The Fin-
ance Committee reported that the Surveyor had en-
pcutied £62 15s. on account of Bell Street, and £29 17s
ou South Street. During the past month the col.
in ctor had paid to the treasurer Xet Ils Did. The ha.
Awe due to the treasurer on the general account was
r 6; Isod., and in hand upon the loan account £373