The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-03-11 00:00:00

Xocal an Piistrict )ietns.

UNNATURAL OFFENCE. —At the Worcester
Assizes, on Wednesday, before Lord Chief Jus-
tice Bovill, John Gittings, a blacksmith, resid-
ing at Wollaston, was indicted for committing
an act of bestiality on the 15th August. Pri-
soner pleaded not guilty. Mr. Jelf prosecuted,
and Mr. Griffiths defended. The Jury acquit-
ted the prisoner, and said they conaid. rcd the
accused left the Court without a stain upon his
character.

THE LATE CHARGE OF FORGERY. - At the
Worcester Spring Assizes, on Thursday, before
Lord Chief Justice Povill, Michael Connolly
on bail, general agent, was indicted for de-
manding from William Hogan, on or about the
4th February, 1070, and at other times, the sum
of £lO 10s, at Olds%inford, the monejs of the
United Assurance Company, formerly called the
St. Patrick's Burial Society, "upon a certain
forged instrument, to wit, a contribution card,"
he knowing it to have been forged.—Mr. Young
prosecuted, and Mr. Godson defended the pri-
soner.—After hearing the evidence, which, our
readers will recollect, has already appeared in
our columns, his Lordship directed the jury to
find a verdict of "Not guilty."—The prisoner
was accordingly acquitted.
ANNUAL TEA MEETING AND SOIREE. - Our
readers will see from our advertising columns
that the annual Tea Meeting and Soiree will
take place in the Congregational School-room,
on Monday next. The programme Is a varicd
and well-selected one, and no doubt there will be
a large attendance. _

OPERA COMPANY.—It will be seen on referring
to our advertising columns, that two grand
operatic enteitaimuents mill be given in the
Corn Exchange, on Monday and Tnesday even-
ings next. The company is one of the beet that
has visited this town for some thee, many well
known names being among them, and no doubt
they will meet with that success they deserve.
BREACH OP PROMISE.—C/aik V. C.per.--At
the Assizes, on Thursday, the plaintiff in this
action WOK Sarah Elizabeth Clark, a widow and
dressmaker, residing in Brett,ll Lane. The
defendant was Jesse Cooper, a publican, resid-
ing at the Ridge Top, Wollaston. Dr. Kenealy,
Q.C., and Mr. Young (instructed by Mr. .J.
Clulow. of Brierley Hill), appeared for plainiitl,
and Mr. Motteram (instructed by Messrs. Pear.
mall, Gould, and Elcock), for the defendant.—A
verdict for £5O was entered byconsent, the par-
ties having come to an amicable arrangement.
DRUNK AND BIOTOUS.—At the Petty Sessions,
yesterday, before B. Littlewood and J. Holcroft,
Esqrs., William Groves, Isaac Bill, and Benja- ,
olin Woodhouse, of Cradley, were charged by
Superintendent Freeman with being drunk and
riotous, on the night of the sth inst. Police.
constable Roe proved that the defendants were
drunk in the street at Cradley, and creating a I
disturbance. Fined 2s 6d each and costs; in de- I
fault seven days.—Benjamin Billingham, of
Cradley, was charged with a similar offence on
the 4th inst. Police-constable Roe proved the
the case. Pleaded guilty. Fined 2s fal and
costs; in default seven days.—Mark Homer, of
Cradtey, was charged with being drunk and
riotous at Cradley, on the night of the 4th inst.
Police-constable Roe proved the offence. Fined
2s 6d and costs; in default seven days.
CHIMNEY ON FIRF..—John Hewitt, residing in
Bell-lane. was summoned for allowing hie chim-
ney to take fire on the sth inst. Police-consta-
ble Spooner proved the offence. Ordered to pay
costs.

CARRYING A GUN WITHOUT A LICENSE.
Thomas Bate was summoned at the instance of
Mr. E. Thonia3, Supervisor, for carrying a gun
on the 17th January, he not being duly licensed.
Mr. Thomas said that under the 33rd and 34th
Viet., chapter 57, section 8, it was enacted that
every person carrying a gun without having a
license is liable to a penalty of .£lO for such
offence. Police-constable Bailey proved the
offence, and said that he saw the defendant in a
field belonging to Mrs. Cochrane on the shove
date, with a gun in in his hand. He asked him
for his license, when he ran away. Fined in the
mitigated penalty of X• 2 Ios, with a recommen-
dation to the Board that it be reduced to 20s.
NEGLECT Or WORK. Joseph Bateman Was
summoned by James Davies for unlawfully and
wilfully neglecting his work. Defendant agreed
to go back to his work, and pay costs.—John
Brooks was charged with a similar olence at the
instance of Richard Hatton. Withdrawn on
payment of costs.

•
ASSAULT CASE.—SaIIIUeI Brettle was charged
with assaulting Eliza burley, on the Ist histai.t,
at Oldswinford. Withdrawn on payment of 7s
6cl costs.

A RUNAWAY APPRENTICE.—WiIIiam Cook, RD
apprentice to Daniel Bird, basket maker, was
summoned for neglecting his work on the sth if
November. Complainant proved that the de-
fendant was apprenticed to him, and that be ab-
sented himself in November. Defendant plead, d
guilty. The 'case was adjourned for a fortnight
to enable the parties to settle it amicably.
A sdAULTINT THE POLICE.—Johu Marten was
charged with assaulting Police-constable Spooner
on the 8h ult, in New-street. Police-zonstable
Spooner said on the above date he was in New-
street, about half-past twelve at night, a hen he
saw the defendant and several others making is
noise. Ile spoke to defendant, when he knocked
him down. They both fell down, and when they
got up defendant ran aw..y. Defendant pleaded
guilty. The Bench said that he had behaved
very badly, and tined him ,21 and costs ; in di•
fault 21 days.

THE STOURBIADGE RAILWAY FRAUD