The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-05-27 00:00:00

Tfi 141 STOTTBD MI GI OBSFEVEII,

THE CONTRACT (2L;ES HON.

At the last meeting it was resolved to give the
contractor, Mr. Horton, notice to discontinue the
work, and. the exchitsct was to obtain fresh

tenders.
The Chairman said Mr. Horton and his solicitor
were in attendance, and the former had expressed
his desire to continue the works and his readiness
to abide entirely by the terms of the contract. It
was for the Board to consider whether, under
these circumstances, they should permit him to
continue_tb.e work, or whether they would accept
one of the fresh tenders. These were from Messrs.
Collins and Cullis, of Tewkesbury, for £4,516,
and from Messrs. A. C. and S. Billings, of Chel-
tenham, £4,487. . •
After a short discussion, the Board resolved:—
" That Mr. Horton, having requested to-be allowed
to do so." _

Mr. Horton and Mr. Holberton, his solicitor,
were afterwards called in and informed of the
resolution come to.
Mr. Holberton remarked that Mr. Horton's
case had not been fully heard by the Board. So
far as he could he had carried out the contract,
and the only point of difference was on the ques-
tion of concrete. He now came there prepared to
do everything the Board required, and had men
and material ready, and was prepared to carry out
his contract in proper time. There had been no
contumacious conduct on his part, and he had been
condemned, he would not say unheard, but on an
ex parte statement.
The Chairman explained under what circum-
stances the Board had been called on to deal with
the matter; and the subject ultimately dropped.
There was no other business.

Ileneage Street, Mr. Bird has done a most valu-
able work in a quiet and unostentatious way, and
he has also rendered good service in other direc-
tions—in connection with the Religious Education
Society, for example, of which he is one of the
honorary
,secretaries; and as the editor of Mr.
Vince's sermons; indeed, it was only by Mr.
Bird's patient and loving labour that this volume
—the best and most characteristic memorial of

our late beloved towntpaa,n—could have been pre-
pared.—Birmingham .Dag Post.
lbrquErrs.—An inctilist was held at the Bell
Hotel, Market Street, An Monday afternoon, be-
fore Mr. M. Corbett, .deputy coroner, touching the
death of Thomas Avery, 53, who met with his
death on Friday, the 19th just, at Mr. Simeon
Bateman's timber yard, Middle Street. —Mr. J.
Dutton was foreman of the jury.—The first wit-
ness called was Joseph Avery, who said he was a
son of deceased, who was 53 years of age and
worked at Mr. Simeon Bateman's timber yard, in
Middle Street, Stourbridge, as a steam circular
sawyer. He last saw deceased alive about half-
past 10, on Friday morning and he th( n saw him
fall. Witness ran to him and laid hold of his
head. He heard the blow and deceased fell on his
back. It was his duty to held the wood against
the saw. There was a mark on the left hand side
of his neck like a bruise. Dr. Bayley was sent
for and he came-up in about 5 minutes from the
time he was sent for.—JohnHodgkiss said he

lived at Wordsley and was a pit sawyer. He was
working with deceased on Friday morning. They I
were cutting a piece of poplar into glass-cutters
woods. It fled in two and a piece struck witness
on the forehead and knocked him against the wall.
When he came to himself again deceased was
lying .on his back insensible. Witness did not
then perceive any mark upon him.—Joseph Avery,
recalled said he found the largest piece of timber
(produced) lying near his father.—Hodgkiss, con-
tinuing said. there .‘icas nothing the matter
with the machinery and he should have
thought there must have been something in the
wood. There was a knot in the wood and as the
saw caught the knot there was a greater pressure
on his (witness's) hands. It was seldom they used
pieces of wood with knots in them because it
would not iuit the glass-cutters purpose. If .they
saw any wood with knots in it they should put it
on one side for other purposes.—Dr. Bayley said
he was called to deceasc d about half-past 10

o'clock on Friday morning. He was lying on his
back in the timber yard, quite dead. Witness
examined the body and found a very large con-
tusion in front-of the wind pipe and other smaller
contusions about the head. This would be suffi-
cient to account for death. The piece of timber
hurled violently against deceased woad Cause the
contusions witness saw.—The Coroner briefly
summed up and said he did not think any one
was to blame and that it was purely accidental

from the splitting of the wood.—ihe jiii7 returned
a verdict of " Accidental death."—Another inquest

was opened at the Hell Hotel, the same afternoon
before Mr. M. Corbett, deputy coroner, touching
the death of Henry Williams, 41 years of age,
who was killed at the Gig Mill, on Friday last by
'a 'runaway horse.—Eliza Williams said she was
mother of deceased and wife of Henry Williams, a
painter. Her child was 4i years of age. About
a quarter to one she saw him go out of the house
perfectly well and five minutes afterwards he was
brought to her a corpse. He was playing in the
street with a lot more little children. A woman
named Loyd brought deceased home.—William
Brown, a very intelligent looking boy, said he
was 10 years of age, and lived at the Gig Mill, with
his father and mother, A little before one o'clock
on: Friday he saw deceased killed. Deceased was
in the hedge on the left hand side of the road
leading to Mr. Frederick Firmstone's. The horse
ran away with the gig and the wheel went over
deceased. A woman nsmed Loyd took deceased
home.—Emma Mitton, wife of George Mitten,
grocer, said that on Friday the traveller for
Messrs. Warriner and Mason, tea dealers, Digbeth,
Birmingham, called at her shop. He was there
about half-past 12. He left the horse and gig at
the door, with the horse's head turned towards the
Heath gate. He came from the Heath and then
ttumed the animal round. He was in the house
about a quarter of an hour showing her husband
some samples of tea. They heard a scuffle and
the traveller said "Oh, is that my horse" and ran
to the door. Witness followed him but could not
see anything of the horse or gig. She did not see
the accident. There was no one minding the
horse and it was not tied up at all.—Dr. Bayley
said he was called in to see the deceased on Friday
about two o'clock. He was quite dead. Witness
examined the body and found that the right arm
was broken in two places, his neck was dislocated
and there were other bruises. A runaway horse
and gig would produce the injuries.—Several of •
the jury expressed a, desire to have the traveller
present.—Mr. Corbett thought most certainly that
it was a case for further enquiry, as it might in-
volve a question of civil if not criminal responsi-
bility.—The inquest was then adjourned until
Monday next.
Othell inst.—
ice-er
DRUNKENNESS.—At the Police Court, yesterday,
before Colonel Fletcher, Eli
on the was
wPoitlhbesinggedan Rearunt ica
proved
tthe Lye, n
the case. . Fined is
and costs.—William Jones was charged with' be-
ing drunk at Clent, on the 21st inst.—Police-ser-
geant Rea proved the cam Fined 2s 6d and
costs. •
CAUTION" TO CARTERS.—SaDIIIOI Cook was Sum-
moned by John Turner, for passing 'through the
Hay Green Gate, with a horse and cart, on the.
22nd last, without paying toll.—The case was ad-
journed for a week for the production of the Turn-
pike Act.
DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Before Colonel
Fletcher and Captain Cochrane, Samuel Brettle
was charged with being drunk and disorderly, at
the Lye, 021 the 20th inst.—Police-sergeant Rea
proved the offence. Defendant admitted that he
had a little beer and thought the best thing to do
would be to go home in a cal). Fined 2s 6d and
costs.—Jacob Hill was charged with a similar
offence.—Police-sergeant Rea, proved the case and
said the defendant was in a cab with his wife, and
he made such a noise that there were more than
two hundred round them. Several previous con-
victions were proved, and Las defendant did not
appear, he was tined 10s and costs; in default 14
days.
WILFUL DAMAGE. ••••• Patrick Lived= and
Margaret Liveston were charged with wilfully
breaking nine panes of glass and damaginga door,
on the 21st bast, the property of John Gibbons.—
There was a cross-summons charging Julia
Gibbons, Patrick Gibbons, and Margaret Gibbons
with wilfully breaking Patrick Leviston's windows
on the same date. Damages 6s. The defendants
were fined is each and costs, and ordered to pay
15s damage. The cross-summons was dismissed.
DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.—NOSh Hill and Ann
Hill were charged with being drunk and disorderly
at Oldswinford, on the 12th inst.—Police-constable
Woodhall proved the case.—A number of sum-
monses were issued arising out of the above case,
and it was agr6ed that all the cases should be
taken together. Ann Hill and Noah Hill were
charged with assaulting Sarah Hill, John Hill,
Emma Hill, George Hill, and Henry on the
12th inst ; and John Hill, Sarah Hill, George Hill,
and Henry Hill were charged with assaulting Ann
Hill, on the same date.—Mr. Perry appeared for
John Hill and party, and..7llr. Wall appeared for
Noah Hill and party.—ln the case of drunkenness
against Noah Hill and Ann Hill they were fined
103 and costs; in default 14 days.—Ann Hill was
fined 5s for assaulting Sarah Hill, for assaulting
Emma and Ann Hill 5s and costs, for assaulting
John Hill is and costs, and Noah Hill 102 and
costs for the same offence; Henry Hill, Noah Hill,
and George Hill to find one surety each in £5, and
themselves in £lO to keep the peace for six
months.
CHARGE OF ASSAULT.-1)1Idley Hill, residing at
the Lye, was charged with assaulting Joshua Pear-
son, on the 22nd inst. Mr. Prescott appeared for
complainant, and Mr. Perry defended.--r-From the
evidence of complainant it appears that he was an
apprentice to the defendant to make nails. De-
fendantthrew a piece of red hot-iron at complain-
ant and burnt his arm.—Mr. Perry for the-defence,
said that he was instructed that the complainant
burnt his own arm by striking it with the hot iron.
Three witnesses were called, who swole that the
complainant burnt his own arm, and in the absence
of correberative evide:c fort omplainant the slim-
mons was dismissed.
CHARGE OF TRESPASS.—George Higgens and
John Taylor, were charged with trespassing on
land at Broom for the purpose of taking game on
the 21st., ult. Mr. Perry appeared to prosecute.
The case was proved and a previovs conviction
proved against Taylor who was fined 40s. and
costs, and Higgens 10s. and costs.

Clarke, Jane Houghsoi, David Ward, DeniellPlant, at a
Benjamin Painter were summoned by Mr. B. V. Breton,
for neg'ecting to send their childran to school, and were
each fined 53 ; in default 7 days.
A.SBAI:ILT CASE.—llezekiah Jackson was charged with
assaulting Edward Reynolds, on the 19th inst.—Com-
phinaut said he worked for Messrs. Brown and Freer
and on the above date defendant struck and kicked him.
—Defendant said he struck complainant because he
would not do his work.—Fined 10a and costs; in default
14. days hard labour.

HALESOWEN.
CAUTION TO CARTZE.S.—At the Police Court, on Tues-
day, before Major Smith, Messrs H. Howard, and E.
Phillips, William Walters was summoned for not being in
snail a poi.ition as to have proper control over two horses
and a cart, on the 9th inst.—Police-constable Knowles
p oAd case and said defendant was in charge of two
horses and a cart. The cart was loaded with iron and

defendant was_dinuk and asleep on the top of the iron

—Fined is and costs.

DaIINHENNBEIS.—James Jones and. John Hodgetts were
charged with being drunk.—Police-constable Knowles
proved the case and defendants were fined 10a and costs
each; in default one mouth.—John James was charged
with being drunk on the 6th last, at Springhill.—Police-
constable Oak-y proved the case, and defendant was
fined 10s and costs; in default one month.
CHARGE AGAINST A LICENSED VICIVALLER.—George
Pearsall, landlord of the Shenstone- Hotel, Halesowen
was charged with keepino, his house open during pro-
hibited hours on the 131 inst.—Mr. W. Hayes, jun.,
defended.—Police-sergeant Chapman said he was sta-
tioned at Ha'esowen. On the night of the 13th iust, he
was duty by the Shenstone. He saw two men near the
gates leading from the yard, apparently just leaving the
premises. The servant man closed the gates just as
witness went up. He heard several persons talking in
the bar and af :air waiting some considerable lime he
recognised a voice he know very well. Just as the
church clock struck 12 o'clock he went into the house,
and found the gates and back door open. He saw four
persons in the bar, William Bailey, Spring Hill, Budge,
Bromsgrove Street, and two others who were strangers
to him. There were several glasses on the table but he
did not see anything in them. Defendant followed wit-
ness into the bar and witness asked him how he accounted
for the men being there at 12 o'clock. Defendant said
" I can soon account for that. Mr. Bailey has called to
see a horse I have got bad in the stable. This man
(poietin,g to hung.:) has been waiting here this evening.
The other two are lodgers." There was a glass near Mr.
Bailey and he turned to put his hand on it and found it
was empty. It had evidently contained liquor as a
crusher was in it. Bailey said to defendant "I must
have a drop of something." Defendant said "No."
Bailey asked witness to have a glass. Witness then left
the premises, after telling defendant he should report
tied defendant said " You can report it then."
Almost immediately afterwards, Rudge left the premises
and went towards his own hon-e. Mr. Bailey came out
and went into the stable. He remained in the stable
about a minute and a half and then returned to the
house. After waiting some time and Bailey not leaving,
witn'ess went towards tho bar window and then heard a
cenversation between defendant, his wife and Bailey.
Bailey said" Ihave stayed linger than I had any use, but
I will stick it out new for a purpo_e." Defendant made
him some answer but 'witness could not catch what it
was. Mrs. Pearsall said " Have you got a horselni
then." Defendant said "Yes." Mrs'. Pearsall. said
‘..4 What is the matter with it then" and Bailey said
"Bellyache." Bailey then asked for a drop of-whiskey.
Mrs. Pearsall said "Did you say whiskey " • and Bailey
replied " Yes." Mrs. Pearsall asked him whether he
wool I have it hot or 010, and he said it did not matter
which, but had she got any hot water. Mrs. Pe,arsali
then left the bar. Defendant called to her and said it
should not be drawn.. Defendant said to Bailey " If
you were found drinking here and me taking money it
would not do. My character is worth more than half a
crown." Witness could not say whether Bailey had the
whiskey or not but he remained in the house three
quarters of an hour after that. Witnesa stayed outside
the whole of the time and never left the house until a
minute before the church cluck struck one. Cross-ex
emitted I was at the house from half-past eleven until
one o'clock. I have not b,een in the habit of watching
the h Jule. I know that Budge works for defendant. I
have no personal illfeeling against defendant over a
shooting match.—Mr. Hayes, for the defence, said that
on the night of the 13th last, a dramatic entertainment
had been given at the Shenstone and it was only a little
before eleven that Mr. Pearsall succeeded its getting the
house cleared. Budge, one of the men, hal been assist-
ing him all day and was in the capacity of a servant.
Mr. Bailey was called in to attend to a horse belonging
to defendant, which had been taken ill that night, and
alth iugh he was in the house he dial not have anything
to d,ink after eleven. The other two whom the sergeant
had spoken of were lodgers. He should call witnesses
to prove that no such conversation as mentioned by the
officer took place in the bar.—Defendant was then called
and said he was landlord of the Shenstone Hotel, Hales-
owen. He hal kept the house more than 12 months.
On the night of the 13th just, there was a dramatic
entertainment at the house. Ur. Lowe was staying at
the house and a men named Stayley, a groom to Mr.
Marlborough, was alma staying there. Witness's son
came over from the farm about 7 o'clock aud told him
that oue of the horses was ill with a swelling in the jaw.
Witness sent his sou up to Bailey who come about five
minutes to eleven, just as witness was clearing the house.
Mr. Bailey looked at the horse, which had a swelling in
the b isket, and ordered it to be fomented. Mr. Marl-
boreugh called in at 10. o'clock and ordered a bed which
they hal to make up in the ante-room. , Witness was
sitting in the bar behind the door when the sergeant
came in. He said "Mr. Pearsall : What due; this
mean" and witness said " Sergeant, it means nothing
wrong, and if you want an explanation I can give you
one." Witness told him who the men were. Mr. Bailey
did not have anything to think after eleven o'clock and
thEre was not one particle of truth in the statement of
the sergeant as regarded the conversation. There was
nothing drawn aLer eleven o'clock exc-pt to the two
lodgers. Witness thought there was animus on the part
of the sergeant who Lad stayed outside his house an
hour and a hale or two hours, two or three nighti a week.
—William Bailey said be wile a veterinary: surgeon at
Flalesowen. On the 13tii ins!, he was sent for by de-
fendant. and arrived' at the Shenstone a little before
eleven. There were a number Of 'people in the house
and they were .going towards the door as he went in
He went to
.the stable and fou%d a hoi se ill and ordered
them to foment it. Witness did ask the sergeaut to
have somethin4 to drink bat he did net havZ,iinvthing
to think after 11 o'clock.-7-Major Smith said Mr. Hayes
need. not go on any further with the case as they .did net
consider the charge was proved and the defendant was
dismissed. •
ASSAULT' Casix.—Thomas Knowles was charged w,th

assaulting James Clarke, on the 3rd iust.--:Mr. W.
flup.:s, jun.,. app.ared for complainant, who said he was
standing ou the footpath when defendant cams up to
him, burst the neck of his shirt, and threw him about.—
Mr. Hayes siad his client did not wish to press the case,
and in consideration of his hiviag been locked up for a
week, delendwit was ciiicharged on payment of costs.