The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-02-23 00:00:00

Oat anb gistrict

SHOCKING SUDDEN DEATH.—A shocking fatality
occurred in Church Street about six o'clock on
Saturday night last. A washerwoman named
Slater, of Union Street, was walking along the
street with a basket of clothes, and falling down
died instantly. Death was caused by disease of
toe heart.

LIQUIDATIONS.—A petition has been filed at the
Co„nty Court on behalf of John Garbutt, formerly
of the Cross Inn, Brockmoor, now-of Pensnett.
The liabilities are .1320. Mr. Henry Jackson
(West Bromwich) is the debtor's solicitor.—Re
George Bate, of Belbroughton : I meeting of
creditors was held at the Talbot Hotel on Friday,
the 15th inst. Mr. C. W. Collis having explained
on behalf of the debtor the cause of the, failure,
made an offer of 7s in the pound composition, pay-
able at one and four months, secured. This was
accepted. The statement of affairs showed—lia-
bilities £2,075; assets £B6O.
ROBaERY FROM A STOURBRIDGE COMMERCIAL 1
TRAVELLER.—At the Birmingham Police Court, on '
Monday, before Mr. Kynnersley, stipendiary,
William Jones (25), described as a clerk, of
Suffolk Street, was charged with stealing a leather
bag and several articles of wearing apparel, &c.,
the property of Mr. Arthur Edward Fisher, com-
mercial traveller, Stourbridge.—On the night of
the 7th inst, Mr. Fisher, being in Birmingham,
left a bag containing wearing apparel, gold stucis,
an ivory paper knife, two pipes, and a Bradshaw
time table, at the cloak room in New Street Rail-
way Station. A ticket was given to him in the
ordinary way, but the next evening he found he
had lost it. He went to the cloak room and dis-
covered the ticket had been presented by some
unauthorisd person and the bag taken away.
Information was given to the police, and on
Thursday last Detective-sergeant Heiden found
, the stolen bag in the possession of the prisoner at
a lodging-house in Suffolk Street. The whole of
the contents were gone with the exception of
one of the pipes and the Bradshaw. Prisoner
at first alleged that he bought the bag not know-
ing it was stolen, but subsequently he pleaded
guilty, and was sent to gaol with hard labour for
six months.
FOOTE ALL.-.--STOLT RDRIDGE V. KIDDERMINSTER
MECHANICS. The return match between the
above clubs was played at Kidderminster on
Saturday last, and after some excellent play was
won by Stourbridge by one try to nil.
THE DRAMA.—Mr. Charles Mathews, the cele-
brated comedian, accompanied by Miss Sarah
Thorne's company of the Worcester Theatre, will
give an entertainment in the Corn Exchange on
Monday evening next. Mr. Mathews will appear
as Adonis Evergreen in his own comedy "My
Awful Dad" and no doubt he will be rewarded by
a crowded house.

ENTERTAINMENT.-.4t will be seen on referring
to our advertising columns that the Church of
England Association will hold their annual Soiree
in the Corn Exchange, on Tuesday evening, next
on which occasion the chair will be taken by the
Rrosideut,

TEE SKATING RIN/C. It was the intention of .
Mr. Hainge to have given a costume skating en-
tertainment by the Birmingham Amateur Skaters
on Tuesday eveningnext, hut in order not to clash
with the soiree in connection with the Church of
England Association, which takes place on the
same evening, Mr. Hainae, with his usual gener-
osity, has kindly consented to postpone his enter-
tainment until the following Tuesday, March sth.
The rink has been well patronized at each opening
during the week and still continues to gain in
popularity. It has been stated during the week by
gentlemen who have visited some of the largest
rlnk3 in the country that the floor of our ?Deal
rink is the best they have been on. Mr. Lowry
attended the rink on Wednesth.y evening and his
extraordinary dexterity and graceful manner gain
him many friends.
A FAMILY QUARREL.—At the Police Court,
yesterday, before C 010231 Fletcher (chairman),
Lord LYttelton, Messrs. J. Holcroft, and F. Evers,
William Pritchard was charged with assaulting
John Pritchard, on the 11th inst.—Complainant
said that the defendant was a brother. Their
mother has been deadnearly three years and there
was a dispute about some of the goods. On the
al4ove date defendant came to his house and de-
manded a bed. He refused to let him have it
when defendant struck him with a poker across
the head inflicting a severe wound.—Maria
Pritchard was then charged with assaulting Mary
Ann Pritchard, at the same time.—Complainant
said that the defendant took hold of the poker
and struck her on the hands several times. She
also saw William Pritchard strike John Pritohard
with a poker.—The defence was that there was a
dispute about the goods when John Pritchard
struck William Pritchard three times with a stick.
He then took it from him and in doing so John
Pritchard fell down and injured his hcad.—Amelia
Skelding, who lives near the parties, said that the
defendant did not strike with a poker, but struck
complainant several times with a stick and that
complainant got the mark on his head by falling on
the floor.—The Bench considered the case of
assault proved against William Pritchard and
fined him 103 and costs; in default fourteen
days. The case against Maria Pritchard was dis-
missed. _

CHARGB AGAINST A PUBLICAN.—CharIes Cox,
landlord of the Cross Inn, was summoned by
Superintendent Freeman, for keeping his house
open for the sale of intoxicating liquors during
prohibited hours, on the 15th inst.—Mr. Perry de-
fended.—Police-constable Payne said he visited
the defendant's house at half ten o'clock at night
and he saw W: Green in the house with a glass
of whisky before him. Mr. Green lives at Bel-
broughton and he called the attention of the de-
fendant to it at the time.—The defence was that
Green was on very intimate terms with the de-
fendant and he went to see the defendant on busi-
ness. The defendant asked Green to have a glass
of something to drink and he did have a glass of
spirits and no money was paid for it, but it was
merely a friendly glass.—Mary Elizabeth Coy,
wife of defendant, said that Green came to their
house a few minutes before ten. He brought
some Indian corn and after he had emptied the
corn she asked him if he would have a glass of
anything to -drink and he said he would have a
glass of rum as he had a very bad cold. She cave
him a glass of rum but she did not receive any
money for it. Green was an old friend of my
husband.—William Green gave corroborative evi-
dence.—The Bench considered the case had been
very properly brought before them. It was a case
of suspicion and it was not desirable to keep the
house open after time and cautioned him to be
more careful in future. The summons was dis-
missed.

CHARGE OF DRIINKENNESS.—David Partridge,
miner, of the Lye, was chaxged with being drunk,
at the Lye, on the 19th inst.—Police-sergeant Rea
proved the case.—Defendant pleaded guilty.—Two
previous convictions were proved against the de-
fendant by Police-sergeant Rea.—Defendant was
fined 10s and costs; in default three weeks' hard
labour.

_
BOARD OF' GUARDIANS.—The weekly meeting of
this board was held yesterday, Mr. Grainger in
the chair. There were also present Messrs. H.
Billingham, Raybould, Pargeter, Thompson,
Griffiths, Wood, Hale, J-. Billingham, Giles, Hall,
Baker, Fiddian, Lavender, Foley, Haskew, Kelly,
Eveson, Guest, and Smith. Admitted into the
house during the week 16; discharged 27 ; remain
ing in the house 451; corresponding week last
year 384. Out-d6or relief, Kingswinford district,
£25 5s 7d; Stourbridge district, £l7 Os 10d; Hales.
owen district, £l6 lie Od; non-resident paupers,
9$ 4d; total £59 6s 9d; against £52 4s 6id last
year. The following resolution was carried on the
motion of Mr. Pargeter, seconded by Mr. Hall,
"That the Local Government Board be respectfully
requested to rescind their order, dated the 14th
day of February, 1877, whereby the basis for cal-
culating the cost of compensation for expenses in
contesting the Election of Members of this Board
was altered from that of Population to the No. of
Assessments, thereby considerably increasing the
cost without adding to the efficiency of the Elec.
tion.—An order was received from the Local Gov-
ernment Board, conferring lighting powers on the
Guardians, to light the recent turnpike roads.