The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-01-13 00:00:00

OLD lIILL

mee

DRTJNICENNESS.—At the Police Court on Wed-
nesday, before Messrs. H. Howard, W. Bassano, C.
Holcrolt, and H. Walker. John Smith, a tramp,
as fined 2s Gd and costs, with the alternative of
7 days' imprisonment, for being drunk and dis-
orderly in High Street, eradley Heath, on the
night of the Bth inst. P.C. Comerford proved the
case.

SMASHING CASES.—George Rivers and Thomas
Warr, both of Windsor Street, Birmingham, were
charged with uttering counterfeit coins at Old
Hid, on the sth inst.—The first witness called was
William Andrews, landlord of the Crown Inn,
Old ttill. He stared that on Friday, the sth ins.
he saw the prisoners coming towards hi-, ho us,
When oppposite they halted and had some con-
versation together, aftcr which Warr proccede.,
down the iroad, and Rivers went into his boils,.
The way in which they acted aroused some
picion and he followed them into the house. River,
asked for a pint of ale and tendered a two-shilling-
piece in payment of it. He found that it was bad
and asked Rivers how many more he h,d like that.
He (witness) aske his name and address but
Rivers would not make any reply and he sent for
the police. lie gave the coin to Inspector Walters,
and it was the same as produced.—Martha Smith',
Lying at the Navigation Inn, Old Hill, said that on
the sth inst,Rivers came to the house and called
for half a--pint of ale and tendered in payment ot
it a two-shilling-piece, which she saw was a bad
oae. She gave it back to Rivers and he then gave
her a shiling, but took it from a different pocket
to what he had the bad money out.—Eliza Wrignt,
landlady of the Sportsman Inn. Old Hill, said that
about one o'clock on the sth inst. Rivers came into
her house ando 'lied for half-a-pint of ale, tender:ng
a two-shilling-piece in payment of it. She gaNe
Rivers the change. She gave the florin, which was
a bad one, to Inspector Walters the same night.—
Witnesses were called. and proved that Rivers
passed a counterfeit florin at the Anehor Inn, Gorsty
tlill.—Mr. J. W. Henn, jeweller, Cradley Heath,
said that the florins produced were all bad, being
composed chiefly of lead.—P.O. Wickstea t stated
that he went to the Crown Inn, Old Hill, and from
what he heard he went in search of Warr, and
arrested him, lie charged him with being in corn
another man rtssing base coins. War
said •4I met him atout half-a-mile up the road, and
what I have got he gave me to carry for him."
At the station he searched Warr and found eight
counterfeit florins upon him. He found lid ii
god money upon hiin.—lnspLctor Walters said
that he went to the Crown inn, Old Hill, and took
Rivers into custody, At the station Rivers gave
time name of George Smith. On searching him he
found £1 Os 4id in good money upon him. P.C.
Varrily (Birmingham) stated that he was pre-ent
at the Northampton Asjzes in 1877 when Elvers
was convicted for uttering counterfeit coins, and
was sentenced to five years' penal servirude,—Pri
soners were remanded for a week.

S ILOP LirtiNo.—Thoinas Potrson, a tramp, was
sentenced to one monih's imprisonment, for steal.
tug a pair of boots from a shop belonging to
Willitm Ratty, hoot dealer, High Strect, Cradley
Heath.

THE DISPUTE AMONGST MINERS AT OLD HILL.—
Fifteen miners, employed at the Clipper GAliery,
Old Hill, were summoned by their employers,
Messrs. Swindell and Collis, for neglect of work.
Mr. Collis said he appeared on behalf of his firm
(Mess's. Swindell and Collis) with very great re-
luclauce and deep regrt t eg'just a number of their
miners, who had absented themselves from work
Since Chricmas. Mr. Clulow (Brierley who
Appeared o 4 behalf of the nap, said ho should iikq

at this point, as it was possible that he may be the
means of opening to some extent a painful enquiry;
to suegest on behalf of his clients, with the per-
mission of the Bench, that instead of the case being
heard that day, to arrange the difference between
Mr. Collis and the 15 men, There were something
like 60 men at the colliery and all the 60 men were
affected w:th the same misunderstanding which
had arisen between Mr. Collis and his men. He
thought that if the suggestion was carried out it
would very probably prevent the painful necess:ty
of bringing the matter before that Court. The
men said that they had a grievance. Mr. Collis no
doubt on the other hand was prepared to meet
them if they would approach him. He auggested
that the matter would be best sett!ed by arbitration
aid that could be brought about by means of an
adjournment. He thought if that could be done it
would be far bolter than that thing should ge
throughout the whole breadth of the land creating
and irritating an illfeeling bet Ween masters and
workmen.—Mr. Collis sail he could not consent to
any adjournment unless he knew the distinct lines
upon which the men would approach him. The
men said that he (Ur. Collis) would not see Mr.
Breakwell. Mr. Breakwell had not endeavoured
to approach him in any form what :ver. Instead of
trying to approach him, or sending any message.
ithere had appeared in various newspapers certain
statements, eminatieg he concluded from Mr.
Breakwell, which statements were not founded upon
facts, and he should decline to see Mr. Breakwell
after the wrong statements which* he had made at
meetings, and which were repotted in the news-
papers. He did not know whether Mr. Break well
was a duly appointed agent of the Miners' Union.
—Mr. Clulow informed Mr. Collie that Mr. Break-
well was the agent.—Mr. Collie said he should not
Mr. Breakwell. He should have no objec-

tions whatever to meet his own men and hear from
their own lips the imaginary grievances of which
they had to coalplain. He should prefer to see is
o u men. They did n-t want any outsiders to
arrange matt-rs bAween them.—Mr. Clulow said
that the miners were there and vrre prepared to
say that Mr. Bre,akw.,ll was authorised to act as
their avnt Ho, s'sth,ll think that it was hardly
fair not to let any man, appointed by the men, hear
their grievances discussed. The men im,stly were
probably illiterate and it 'was hardly just to appoint
an agent of which Mr. Collis 'approved. He
. _ .

tnoug-ht that if Mr. Col is would meet- the men in
the presence of Mr. Breakwell, whatever feeling
Mr. Collis may have against Mr. Break Well, it
would be th 3 faire-t wny. He would then have the
opportunity of meeting the men face to face, Mr.
Breakwell acting as their sPoke.snytn.—Mr. Colds :
Mr. Break well says he has been to the firm; I say
he has not. I cannot, after what has taken place.
meet Mr. Breakwell in the way in which Mr. Clu-
low proposes.—Mr. Howard said they would much
rather the matter be settled out of court by arbitra-
tion than make it a matter of law.—Mr. Collis said
that be quite felt the force of the remarks of the
Bench, but as to the question of arbitration, there
was nothing to arbitrate about. because no aera-
tions in the condition of employment had been
even suggested. There had been no alterations
made or suggested and ther was no justification
for the men absenting themselves from their em-
ployment without proper notice.—At this stage Mr.
C dlis and the men went into a room adjoining the
court room and hada long consultation together,
after which Mr. Collis and Mr. Clulow returned in-

to court.—Mr. Collis said he was pleased to be able
to say tint the matter had been arranged between
himself and his workpeople, subject to the approval
of the Bench. jrThe summonses were to be with-
drawn, and the men had agreed tl pay half the
costs.—Mr. Clulow said he was glad to say that
they had had a long interview with Mr. Collis
The men had had the oppertnnity which they
wanted, a,:.d met Mr Callis personally, and dis-
cus& d the matter with him. There had l'een a
spirit on both sides of mutual concession. Every
consideration had been shown on the part of the
men and also Mr. Colds, in bringing the matter to
amiLabl«. arrangement