The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-02-02 00:00:00

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1884.

occupied in rebuilding it the interior of the ch,r-oli
has also been renovated, and the total cost incurred
has been about £6OO. The organ has been altered
from a two -manu4l ;*to a three-mutual. Amongst
the alterations inside the church are the re-pewing
of the west gallery and the re-painting of the
chancel, in which also stalls have been placed for
the choir, who formerly occui a'd the west gallery.
In future, too, the choir will be surplice& At the
morning service the Rev. Canon Wilkinson (rector
of Birmingham) preached to a rather meagre con-
gregation.
DRUNKENNESS.-At the Police Court on Monday,
before Messrs. F, Evers and 11. Walker, Esqrs ,
James Payne was charged with being drunk on the
23rd inst, at Brierley Hill P.C. O'Brien proved
the case, and defendant was fined 2s Gd and costa;
in default 7 days.—William Jones was charged
with being drunk and disorderly on the 26th ult.
P.C. Buckley proved the case and said defendant
was drunk and wanted to fight. Fined 2s 6d and
costs.—Abel Davis was charged with being drunk
on the 19th ult, at Quarry Bank. P.C. Trotter
proved the case; there was also a previous convic-
ti,n. Fined 5s and costs; in default 14 days.—
Charles Guest was charged with being drunk and
disorderly on the 22nd inst, at Quarry Bank. P.C.
Iliman proved the case and said defendant was
drunk au t was u-ing bad language. Fined 2s Gd
and costs; in default 7 days —lsaiah Ree.!e was
fined 5s and costs, in default 14 days, for being
drunk and disorderly on the 19dt inst.
Climovs.—John Potts was charged with ob-
structing the free passage of the highway, by leav-
ing a horse and cart theleon for along and un-
teasonable time, viz., 40 minutes. Withdrawn on
payment of costs.—Mary Harris was fined 2s Gcl
I and costs, for using obscene language on the 14th
I inst.

ALLEGED Ass suur.—.Toseph Healy Saunders,
describing himself as a gentleman, and staying at
the Stamford Arms Hotel, Enville, was charged with
assaulting William Hancox, cgroom, of the same -
place, on the 22nd December. Mr. Waldron pro-
sscuted and Mr. C. H. Collis defended.—William
Hancox was called and said on the day in question
he left the Stamford Arms to go with the defendant
to the station to fetch his brother, who was to come
by the 10 minutes p .st 3 train flocs' London, but
the train was behind and did not arrive till a
quarter to four. They both got into the wagonette
and lie proceeded to drive them towards Enville.
Near Wollaston William Saunders pulled a bottle
of whiskey out of his pocket and ,drank some and
gav,, it to his brother, and he then gave it to him
(witness). When they got to the Stewpony flat,
the defendant got out of the back of the wagonette
on to the box, and asked for the reins. He let
him have the reins but told him to be careful as it
was a young mare. When they got as far as
Envilla Common he (witness) wanted to take the
reins as defendant was not driving straight and he
was driving on the turf. He put his hand on the
reins and said he must have them as he did not
want to see them overturned, but wanted to take
it safe back home. Defendant said he would get
down and walk if he would not let him drive, and
he did do so. He drove into the yard and defend-
ant came in soon after and said "Hancox, can you
box ?" and then hit him twice on the nose and eye.
He afterwards hit him two more blows and the
fourth blow knocked him down. He went into the
taprosin and whilst there the defendant came in
and said "Hancox, do you know.[ can box,? I
have been through the best booths in London."
He offered him some money but he did not take it.
—Leonard Marshall was called and said he was in
the hotel yard on the day in question about 6 o'clock
and he eaw the defendant there with a gentleman.
He saw Hancox come into the yard with a horse
and wagonette, and while he was pulling the horse
out he saw the defendant strike Hancox.—William
Dorrell was called and said he saw Hancox soon
after the assault, he was much excited but he was
not drunk. Him face was badly bruised.—Edward
Dorrell said he saw Hancox just alter he came in.
His fsce was knocked about, his nose was cut and
he had two black eyes.—Mr. Padley was the first
witness call. d for the defence and said on the day
in question he was looking out of a window at the
hotel expecting his nephews to come. He was at
the window when they came in the yard and he
saw Hancox and defendant stagger back. It was
getting dusk and he dii not see any blows given,—
Joseph Henry Saunders was called and said that
that he left Enville at 12 o'clock to go to Stour.
bridge junction. Hancox drove him and they put
up at the Vine. He saw Hancox have something
to drink. They went to meet the 10 minutes past
3 train from London, but it did not arrive till a
quarter to four. Hancox became very talkative
when his larother came. He kept asking for some
liquor and cigars, and wanted to know at which
public they were going to call. Hip brother hav-
ing some whiskey in his pocket pulled it out and
gave it to him, and to their great disgust he drank
the whole of it, .After this he began to drive very
recklessly and he (witness) got over the back of the
wagons tte on to the box and took the reins off
him, and he fell back as if asleep. He drove about
a mile and a half when Hancox suddenly jumped
up and snatched at the reins and said he was not
driving straight, and that he wanted to take the
vehicle safe back home. They got out and began
to walk because Haneox was so impertinent and
frequently interru ted their conversation. He
went into the yard to remonstrate with him for
his conduct when Hancox rushed at him. He de-
fended himself and knocked him down. Hancox
then kicked him and he again knocked him down.
Witness went into the taproom and offered him his
fare but he would not take it.—William Saunders
was called and said his brother and Hancox met
him at the station with a wagonette. On going
up Wollaston Hancox became very impertinent and
frequently asked for some liquor and cigars, Hav-
ing some in his pocket he gave it to him and to his
disgust he drank the lot. Hancox soon after thia
began to drive furious and reckless, and asked an
ol 1 man if he had "mesmerised his hoss." Witnfiss
then asked his brother to take the reins and drive,
and he did so and drove for about a mile and a
half, when Hancox jumped up and snatched at the
reins with an oath. His brother let him have the
reins and they got out and walked by Enville Cons-
won, They took the road for Kinver at first, but
he asked why they should go out of the road for
such a brute. They began to run towards the
hotel and Hancox began to run the horse, and when
they walked he walked the horse, always keeping a
little behind. When th 3y got into the hotel yard
his brother went to Hancox and began to tell about
his conduct, when Samos struck at him. His
brother guarded the blow and knosked him down.
On getting up he kicked his brother on the leg
and his brother knocked him down a second time.
They wont into the taproom aeon after and his
brother said "Here, Hancox, here's your fare, but
you don't deserve it," but he refused to take it,—
The Bench retired to consider their verdict, and on
returning into Court, Mr. Evers said that after
a short but careful consideration of the matter, they
had decided to dismiss the ease.

tiv Hale-own (F) Co pa; y 1t Votiatt:er Bat-
Ivosce:Th r3:,i ii(:gigneut, took place
o ;-%:tur.laj Li lit, in die Grammar School, Captain
Thompson preadit:g,—Mr. B. T. Sadler propose,"
"The flalesowen Company."—The Chairman, in
responding, complimented the men upon the satis-
factory manner in which they had discharged their
duties during the past year, and remarked that they
had now a good range and some excellent shoting
officers, and he believed that next year Halesowen
Company would be able to send a few men to
Wimbledon. He expressed himself pleased with
the way in which the company had increased both
in numbers and general efficiency. A short time
ago the strength of the company was only about 40,
but now there were over 100 men in the ranks.
(Applause.)—Lieutenant Docker submitted the
health of subscribers to the prize fund, which was
responded to by Mr. Somers.—During the evening
the prizes for regular attendance at drill and shoot—
ing were distributed by Mr. B. T. Sadler.

THE PROPOSED PUBLIC HALL FOR
BROMSGROVE.
The adjourned meeting to receive the report of
the committee with sites and plans for the proposed
new public hall was held at the ieiidence ot Mr.
Batten, High Street, on Monday, and was well at-
tended. Lord Windsor presided, and Mr. J.
Corbett. M P., was vice-chairman. Thos.; present
included the Rev. F. Paget(vicar), Messrs. T. Scott
B. 11, Sanders, J. R. Horton, E. Houseman, R.
Prosser, W. S. Batten, S. Saywell, J. J. Barham,
G. W. Gibson, J. Laghton, W. Holyoake, J.
Humphreys J. R. Wilson, E. Hadley, W. Corbett,
G. Brown, j. J. Tomson,
The report of the committee, read by Mr. Batten
mentioned several eites which had been offered.
They recommended the Institute site and the adop-
tion of Platt No Iby Mr. Cotton. The old manor
house site, formerly mentioned, had been found
entirely unsuitable on account of the shape of the
ground. The price asked by the trustees (subject
to the approval of the Council of the Institute) for
the whole of their buildings—the reading and
institute rooms being reserved for their present
uses—is £2,500, and it was shown that the income
last year, from the letting of room, the Coin Ex-
change, &c., was £227 17s. 6d. If Plan No. 1 was
carried out it would reduce the present letting by
£l9 12s. a year only. Plan No. 2, by Mr. Caton,
was for a room over the present Corn Exchange
and other accommodation; but this would cost
about £5OO more than Plan No. 1 and do away
with the Assembly Room and the School of Art,
and thus still further reduce the incomes. Mr.
Cotton explained his plans for extending the Corn
Exchange, and providing a good room with plat-
form, retiring room, lavatories, &c., and sittings
for about 520 on the ground floor an 100 in the
gallery, allowing 18in. sitting room for each, and
21t. Bin, from back to back of the seats. There
would be standing room for nearly 800. The pre-
sent Corn Exchange will hold about 660.
On the proposition of the Rev, F. Paget, seconded
by Mr. Barham, the report of the committee, re-
commending the Institute site and the approval
of Plan No. 1, was unanimously adopted. It was
also resolved unanimously after some discussion.
"That a Public Hall Company Limited, with a
capital of £5,000, in shares, be formed." "That
Lord Windsor be chairman, and the Rev. F. Paget
and Mr. J. Corbett, M.P., be vice-chairmen of the
Company!' and "That the Hos. and Rev. A. H. T.
Massey, and Messrs. H. Millington, R. Smallwood,
R. Thornley, W. G. Everitt, J. J. Tomson, W. S.
Batten, S. Baywell, .E. Brown, W. embett, J.
Humphreys, and J. R. Wilson, be provisional
directors of the Company." The following were
also appointed :—Mr, B, H. Sanders, solicitor; the
Worcester city and County Banking Company,
bankers; Mr. H. Barrett, secretary; Mr. J. Cotton,
architect ; and Mr. J. A. Smith, auditor.
Mr. Prosser proposed ahurty vote of thanks to
Lord Windsor aud Mr. J. Corbett for their attend-
ance and support to the Company, which was
seconded by Mr. Barham, and carried with ac-
clamation.
In response, Lord Windsor expressed his gratifi-
cation that the committee of the Company had been
able to effect an agreement with the trustees of the
Institute, and thus do away with any clashing of
interests, and that it was the general feeling of the
town that the site chosen would be the best.
Mr. Corbett said he felt a great interest in the
Institute, and should be glad to give the project
moral and material support.
A. vote of thanks was alto passed to Mr. Batten
and the committee who had worked with him for
their exertions in the cause.
The chairman and vice-chairman,each subscribed
for 100 shares in the new company, and other
shares were also taken.