The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-05-15 00:00:00

THE STOURBPIDGt OIISEReVIR.

prudent enterprise. The manias and panics we
have had since then may well lead us to ask
whether the Ii ink Charter Act have not some-
thing to do slat our seasons of commercial de-
pression and excitement, and especially whether
that Act is to be regarded as "the laws of the
Medea and Persians which alter not," or whether
it would not he wise for Parliament to impose
some check on the present arbitrary and irre-
sponsible action of the Bank directors in lower-
ing or raising their rate of discount without a
minute's warning.
The recent rise in the rate is attributed to ad-
vances on and investments in American Five.
Twenty Bonds, and the intention is said to be
"check the ardour of those who are placing
their money on these securities." So says the
leading journalistic authority on financial mat-
ters, the rdars. lint we believe the matter is
put in a fairer light by another City article
writer. He says: 'lt is hard to see why it
should be the special mission of the Bank of
England to punish, by raising the rate the whole
commercial community because a number of
capitalists choose to make themselves creditors
of the United States. There is nothing more
childish than to suppose the Bank ran control
the kind of investments or trade- which may be
indulged in. If it is profitable, it will he con-
tinned; if not, it will be abandoned; and if the
former, the Bank and the eonntry will have to
shape their financial arrangements to meet the
trade, and not attempt to kill it off by raising
the rate. The dealings in Five-Twenties have
been large, but to saddle these transactions with
the responsibility of the advance is as absurd as
the notion of putting the screw on everybody
for the sake of stopping the few firms who deal
in this particular commodity. Moreover, if the
transactions have been extensive it has resulted
in benefit to cammerce, for we have not sent
money in exchange for the bonds, but goods.
The reasons for the advance must ho sought for
elsewhere, and will be found both in the transac-
tions in foreign loans recently before the public,
and in a much more naive condition of mill the
great interests of the country. The Bank of
England cannot bear the strain of the vast ex-
tent of modern transactions, and that institution
deem-eves our attention much more than making
faces at America."

--
Wag in, and affirmed at the time that it was dam-
nod ; and gave a verdict fur the full amount
claimed, and costa.

Acttolx FOR ILLEGAL PosSasSlO;4.—llian
V. Ifinner.—This was an action to recover the
sum of for Illegally taking possession of
furniture. Mr. Stokes appeared for the plaintiff'.
and Mr. Collis for the defendant. From the
evidence it appears that plaintiff's husband left
her some time ego, not joined the army. At
that time she owed .£2 for rent, defendant being
the landlord. About a month after her husband
had left, the defendant tame to her and asked
her to take some of the goods Id her mother's
house while some repairs were being done. She
got some of the goods packed ready to go away,
when the defendant pushed her out of the h,onse
and nailed up the door, refusing to let herb
any of the furniture. The honse this then
nailed up, and has abice been let to von er per-
son, who has got possession of, and is using her
goods, which amount to more than ten pounds.
Defendant said that plaintiff's father agreed to
let him have the goods for the rent Inc. Plain-
tiff was re-examined. and said that the defendant
turned her out of the house, and locked the
door.—His Honour, in summing up, said that he
was not satisfied with the evidence for the de-
fence, and he could not heln but think that the
key was got off the plaintiff in a stealthy wav ;
and gave a verdict for the full amount claimed,
and costs.

There were a number of adjourned cases to be
heard, some of them having been adjourned
several times, but the Court rose at a quarter to
six o'clock.

BANKRUPTS.—Ranben Roby came up for his
last examination, supported by Mr. Maithy—un-
opposed ; discharged. John Mackay, supported
by Mr. Prescott—unopposed; obtained his die.
charge. James Smith, supported by Mr. Collis,
opposed by Mr. Homfray ; adjourned. Joseph
Chance, supported by Mr. Petry, opposed by Mr.
Collis; adjourned.
CONVIVIAL SUPPER.—On Monday Right last,
the members and friends of a Sick and Draw
Club held at Mr. C. Pearson's, Queen's Head
Inn, Beauty Bank, were entertained to an excel.
lent supper by the host, Upwards of sixty sat
down. The chair was afterwards taken by Mr.
Joseph Hill. The usual loyal toasts were pro.
posed ; and during the evening Mr. Heathcote's
band was present, awl played a number of pieces
in excellent style. There was also glee singing
by Messrs. Mills, Glover, and others, and some
excellent songs were given. The party broke
up just before eleven o'clock, but not before
toasting the host, hostess, chairman, and others,
and a pleasant evening was spent.

- We are quite aware that any arguments on
this subject are usually voted dry and unintor•
eating, but they ought not to be shirked on that
account, Eiverybouy knows that the state of
the Bank rate of discount has a great effect on
tie commerce and trade of the country, and it
breomes just now a serious question whether
.the arbitrary anti perhaps occasionally capricious
raising and lowering of this rate should not ho
modified by legislative control. At the least the
subject demands legislative inquiry.

CHURCH PARADE.—On Sunday lad the Rifle
Corps, of this town, attended Divine service at
Wollaston Church. The membera assembled in
front of Captain Walker's house. Dagley-road,
and from thence, headed by the Fife and Drum
Bawl, marched to church, where an exlellent
sermon was preached by the Rev. G. Githanks,
incumbent.

BOARD or GUARDIANS.—The weekly meeting
or this Board was held yesterday, Mr. Grainger
it the chair. There were also present : Messrs.
Brooks, Rhodes, Guest, Griffin, Rollinson, and
Beckley. Admitted into the house during the
wk ; discharged, 21 ; remaining 419. Cor-
r ~p.nding week last year 5!15. Out-door relief
Kilgwinford district, /43 10s Od ; Stourhridge
d triet, /21 us ; Halesowen district, /93 19.;
0 ; total, /91 14s Md, against /99 Os lid last
)ear..—There were several tenders for the erec-
tion of new schools, and that of Mr. Joseph
Chapman, builder, was accepted...

• -
A ...Asnoxxsv SEnvAxv.LAt the Petty See-
sions held yesterday, before 11. L. Freer, Esq.,
John Berry was charged with stealing a bag of
Indian corn on the 19th February, a bag of In-
dian corn on the 3rd March, a bag of peas on the
29th March, and four bags of peas on the 13th
April, the property of \Villain Charles Firm
stone, Mr. Maltby defend, d. —Benjwa i n Wako-
man, Stamber Mill. said he was a miller. On
the 19th February he received one bag of Indian
corn, in John Berry's name. The corn WaS
ground, and after taken away, being put into the
cart to be returned. On telle 3rd Matadi received
a bag of peas, on the 99th March a bag of beaus.
and on the 13th April four bags of peas ; all on
account of the prisoner. They were all ground,
and the grinding was eherg,ol to the prisoner.
Have not been paid.—John Wakeman sail he
lived at Stamber Mill. and is son of the lit
witness. On the 19th February he was at Mr.
Finustone's warehouse. He saw the prisoner
and other workmen there. Prisoner asked him
to take a bag of Indian corn to grind. He did
so. On another date he received it big of peas.
He after received a bag of beans, and on the
13th April four bags of peas. Prisoner said
they were for himself. After the peas and beans
were ground, he took them to the prisoner's
house. The bag of Indian corn he believed was
taken to Mr. Firmstone's warehouse.—Charles
Albert Baxter said he was clerk to the proseeu
tor. Prisoner has occasionally been allowed to
have some corn and peas front the warehouse,
but it was his duty to enter into the hook at the
warehouse. There is no entry of corn had by
prisoner on the 12th February ; nor on the 3rd
March, of a bag of peas; nor on the 29th March.
of beaus; nor on the 13th April, of four bags of
peas. Prisoner has been in the employ of the
prosecutor for six rears. He has beught beans
and peas, but the transactions have been always
entered into the book. Prisoner was settled with
on Tuesday, the 11th inst. At the time of set-
tling, I wilted him if that was all he owed. He
said it was.--Police-seggeant Wiglev proved ap-
prehending the prisoner, on Tuesday last, and
charged him with stealing four bags of peas, the
property of his employer. Prisoner mid to Mr.
Baxter, who was presuat, that he would pay for
the peas. Mr. Baxter said he could not do that.
Prisoner then said, " Please to forgive ; I
have never done nothing before." On the way
to the station, prisoner said he had forgotten to
pay for them, but would pay for them the next
reckoning ; and owned that he had Intl the peas.
Witness after searched his home, and found one
bag and a half of pea meal, and one bag of bean
flour. The bags were marked "W. C. Firm-
stone." One bag contained about a bushel of
mixed corn. Witness also found a quantity of
corn in a dish in the cupboard, and live empty
bags. He then charged prisoner with stealing
the bags.—Prisoner was then committed to take
his trial at the next Worcester Sessions, bail
being accepted—himself in X5O, and two sare-
ties of £9l.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT.— William Jones was
charged by Superintendent Freeman with I &lig
drunk and disorderly in High-street. The case
was proved, and defendant fined Us and costs.

• -
I
Gra,by at eleven olelnek, and he went hrlnto with him. your petitioner: submit that such a weeding
ci!
of
and did not go out afterwards. Fined will be a serious blow en our present Cons, tiltjon In
and costs ; in
default )4 days. Church anti State, a violation of the Treaty of I/daft
BIINACtt OF TOE VEACE.—Tiomaq loaner TINA rbareel between Great Britain end Ireland. and will materially
with committing a breach of the peace by fielitielt.
affect the supremacy of the Crown, withnnt securing good.
the let instant. et Quarry Bank. FOlice-cnnatable 0,4 Will and harmony in Ireland. That. while !nut. petition-
said lie saw the defendant fighting with 'Mother Man at ere would gladly see retnrrn in the Established Church
In Ireland AN wntild remote any existing anomalies and
Quarry bank, on the abrise date. Ordered to pay the
c'ase. lncrease its efficiency, they earnestly deprecate any alien•
biINIC AND itIOTODN—JAIDee Merriek DNS eilated ation of its reventlea front the tarred prirpraw to which
for centuries they hare been devoted. Yonr petitioners
with being drunk and riotous at Kipper, on the let inkt.
there! tire horrible pray your flight Honourable House nnt
Pnlice-sergeant Baldwin proved the ease, and defendant
was fined Is and in defanit de
tan permit any such bit! to pa,s Into law. And your peti• !
costa t as.
Cyrxiou Tn CAItiERA —John *lnnen waft cherged Loners *ill Peer pray. ke."
with 6iing the ariter of a eertaitt cart. and allowing it to this was seconded by a gentleman present.
remelt in the road longer then Was necessery fee lands i The Rey, T. H. Gregg, in supporting the petition, said
intl. dee. Police.constable Baldwin proved the case. that Mr. Gladstone had not kept faith with the people.
Ordered to pay she en.t.,lo,,Thonui. (While RAN also They were OM that the object of the Liberals it to
charged with a similar offence; and Ordered to nay the curtail the expenditure, yet the first motion on which.
coati. there was a division in the House of Comtnons Was that
the election inenses atiotild come out of the ratepayers'
- roellete—r` Shaine"). He mist nay that they wetted to
La ljelt U.etei with, Abet peonle's money. and Mr. Lyt-
telton, One of the na"P,..:•ltte kir , *eat .V,,reeeter,hire,
;* ?" ',l r
voted in favour of it—(" Shattle, • -" fajoi r what for
at the next election"). That seas a fact which ne I. 0,04
l :!.lem
not fail to make known at the next election—Pull
cheers). He need scarcely tai
st that their respected
B
member. Mr. Amphlett—(cheers)---Ifoilia agaL.
it. at
he was on his legs to support a petition to the Rota
Lords against Mr. Gledatnne's spoliation bill, which he
thought was the most scandalous and unconstitutional bill
ever introduced by rt leader of the House of Commons.
The rev. gentleman at Treat length proceeded to criticise
the bill, and staid falr. Glailatone ought first to have at-
tacked the Ilititaliats of England before touching the
more Protestant part of the Establiaheil Clotreh. Such
a bill was sere to bring revolution. He bail used in Ire-
land twenty years, and 'could speak of it from experience.
Irishmen would not stand tamely by and see the revenues
of their Church handed over to the Roman Catholics—
(loud cheers). He had letters from Ireland every week,
and all and each agreed in the same thing—that Ireland
ia in a fearful condition. The people of this country
were not enlightened sufficiently on that question at the
last eleation, but he thought their eyea were now being
opened, and many of them were tumbles to remedy the
fault they had made by voting for Mr. Gladstone at the
last election—(load cheers). He had great ploalure in
supporting the petition.
Carried unanimously.
'The Chairman said the next question to consider was
that of the inauguration and soirne which was to take
place at the Politic Office, Halesowen, on Wednesday,
May ifitli. He had writteu to aeyeral gentlemen to be
present, and would read them their replies. The Chair•
man then read letters from Mr. Sampson S. Lloyd, and
Mr. It. Paul Amphlett. stating that they world be pre.
sent ; and from Sir Smith Child, Bart.. Mi. H. E. Meynell
Ingram, Mr. W.Laslett, and Mr. Sebastian Evans. stating
that their reapectiya OIANAWODODDI would not permit them
tn be present. He bad also reeelved a letter from Mr.
Edward Gem, which he had forgotten to bring with Lira,
but which stated that he would be present—iload cheers).
A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the pro.
ceedings to a HOBO. Great enthusiasm was displayed
during the evening. Several fresh donations were at.
nounced, and several new members joined. It wan also
proposed, seconded, and carried unanimously, that the
association should join the National Union Conservative
and Constitutional Association. The meeting broke up
at a late hour. It Wee intimated that Earl Beauchamp
would tiresent the petition to the House of Lords. Dur-
int? the evening a letter was read from a gentleman at
Selly Oak. stating that they were about starting a Con.
atitntional Association there, and stating some of the
Selly Oak gentlemen would be present at the inaugura-
tion. The letter was received with cheers. On reference
to our advertising columns it will be seen that the inau-
gural soiree will take place on Wednesday next, at the
Public Office, Halesowen.