The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-09-30 00:00:00

THE BRETTELL LANE MINING CASE.

At the County Court, on Thursday, Mr. Walker,
on behalf of the defendants, applied to the Judge
(Mr. R. Kettle) to stay execution in the case of
Priest v. Harris and Pearson, tried at the last
County Court, pending an application for a new
trial.—His Honour asked what were the grounds
on which an application would be made for a new
trial ?—Mr. Walker said on the ground that the
verdict was against the evidence, and on other
grounds.—His Honour said no possible harm
couldcome from staying execution, and he acceded
to the application. Mr. Walker had also applied
for a copy of his (the judge's) notes in the case,
and his Honour pointed out that only the notes of
any legal objections raised in the course of the
case and of his decision could be asked for.—Mr.
Walker said he was under the impression that he
was entitled to ask for the general notes taken
in the case.—His Honour said that was not so,
and he read the section bearing on the point. He
I had no objection, however, to his notes being
seen, bnt they should be read in connection with
the mining plans which were before him at the

LIBERAL ASSOCIATION.—A meeting of this
association was held on Wednesday evening, to
discuss the present aspect of the Eastern question.
Mr. J. B. Shepherd, the president, who was in the
chair, said they had at the present time this re-
markable and painful state of things—Lord
Beaconsfield was guiding the counsels of the
nation in a matter of the utmost passible im-
portance in a particular manner, while at the
same time he knew and avowed he had not the
confidence of the country in (loin(' so. (Hear,
hear.) He confessed that it appeared to him (the
speaker) in the plainest and most distinct form as
entirely unconstitutional as anything of the kind
could be. The first remedy seemed to be that
Parliament should be convened in order that the
representatives of the nation might give counsel
to her Majesty, and directions to the Cabinet in a
way that should respond to what they felt to be
the necessities of the case, and particularly to the
urgent and strong remonstrances which nad gone
up from the whole country. Another alternative
to that of calling Parliament together was its
dissolution, that the nation might express a
deliberate opinion on the very serious and im-
portant crisis which had arisen. He was inclined, '
however, to think that the safest course, and that
which promised best for the country at large, was
that they should invite the Queen to call together
the present Parliament to take counsel on the
question.—A discussion followed the president's
address, and it was resolved to adjourn the meet-
ing for a few days, in order that Lord Derby's
reply to the city deputation might be known
before any resolution relative to an autumn
session or otherwise was passed.
THE ROYAL WORDSLEY ROOT SHOW.—The well
known seedsmen, Messrs. E. Webb and Sons, have
again issued their schedule of prizes, value nearly
-1200—including 26 handsome silver cups—to be
awarded at their next show, on the 17thN ovem ber,
for specimen roots, root crops, cereals, &e.
Entries for root crops—Division 3, close on Tues-
day, October 24th, and those for specimen roots
and cereals—Divisions 1 and 2 do not close until
Thursday, November 9th. Saturday, November
11th is the last day for receiving roots and
cereals.
JURY LISTS.—At the Police Court, yesterday,
before Colonel Fletcher, Colonel Barrows, and C.
Cochrane, Esq., the jury lists for the following
parishes were passed :—Belbroughton, Broom,
Pedmore, Clent, Churchill, Hagley, Lutley, Lye,
Upper Swinford, Wollaston, Wollescote, Stour-
bridge, and Cradley-
ADJOURNED LICENSING DAY.—Yesterday being
the adjourned licensing day Mary Smith, back of
Market Hall, applied for a wine license, granted;
Samuel Watchorn applied for a. license to sell beer
on the premlses. Mr. Wallopposed, refused on the
ground that the evidence was not satisfactory as
to the annual value; William Brett, Belbroughton,
and George Cook, having been convicted during
the year attended and were cautioned.
A SERIOUS CASE.—George Brooks was charged
with assaulting Alfred Goodhead with intent to do
him bodily harm, on the 23rd inst.—Complainant
said he did not wish to press the case, and in answer
to the Bench said he was at work at Mr. Firm-
stone's when defendant pushed him against a wheel
that was going extraordinarily fast, and his arm
was so injured that he had to go ,to a doctor and
have it bound up in a sling. The Bench said it
was a very serious affair and the boy might have
been killed.—The father of the boy said he did not
wish to press the case on account of defendant's
father and mother. If his son had been taller he
would have had his head cut off. If defendant
would pay the:costs andthe surgeon's fee he should
be content.—The case was adjourned for a week to
allow defendant to make some compensation.
ASSAULT CASE. William Heath was charged
with assaulting Richard Henry Godfrey, on the
22nd inst.—Complainant said on the above date he
was in his father's garden. He plucked an apple
and showed it to defendant who knocked it out of
his hand. Witness called him a fool for doing so
when defendant struck him on the face and kicked
him.—Two witnesses corroborated complainant.—
Defendant admitted the assault and said complain-
and gave him great provocation by calling him a
-- fool, and he merely gave him a blow with
the back of his hand.—Fined 5s and costs.
CLAIM FOR WAGES.—Henry Godfrey, seedsma,n,
was summoned by William Heath for non-payment
of 20s, wages alleged to be due.—Complainant said
he *as foreman in the employment of defendant
who engaged him at 30s per week. He had a dis-
pute with defendant's son and he was ordered off
the ground.—Defendant said he had advanced the
complainant 15s, which was admitted, and de-
fendant was ordered to pay the 5s balance and
costs.
CHARGE OF STEALING MONEY.—William Reynolds
was charged with stealing 5s 'id, on the 27th just,
the property of William Didley.—Prosecutor
s lid tir t he lodged at a Mrs. Ken. Defendant
came to lodge there and slept with him, he left the
money in his trousers pocket and he missed it,
and found that prisoner had taken it.—Mrs. Kent
said she saw the money fall out of prosecutors
pocket and she picked it up, and put it in
again. She afterwards found that the prisoner
did take it and she charged him with the offence,
which he athnitted, and she sent for the police.—
Police-sergeant Jones said he apprehended prisoner
and charged him with the offence, which he ad-
mitted.—The defence was that he was an engineer
and out of work, and when a man was out of
work it made him do that which ho would not do.
—Defendant was sentenced to six weeks' hard -
labour.
DRUNKENNESS.—Sydney Cattier, of Broom, was
summoned for being drunk while in charge of a
horse and trap, on the 21st inst.—Police-constable
Firth proved the case and said defendant was in
an unfit state to drive home, this was cor-
roborated by William Thomas Bowley.—Fined 6s
and costs, 17s 6d.
DRUNKENNESS.—Uriah Baker was charged with
being drunk at the Lye, on the 21st inst.—Police-
constable Paynter proved the case.—Fined 58 and
costs, 15s.