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

%INVER.

CIIAROP OP INDECENT EXPOSERIC.—It the Petty Ses•
s•ons held on Monday, at Brierley Hill, before F. Evers
and H. Hall, Legrs., William Horton was brought up on
remand, charged with an indecent exposure. Mr. Perry
seidreseed the Bench ; aft, which the Bench said they
were very sorry they could not punish him as they bc.
lieved he had been guilty of a very serious offence, but
the evidence had failed to prove the offence, and defend-
ant was discharged.—Another charge of a similar kind
was then preferred against Horton for committing the
offence on the 29th January. Mr. Barbary appeared for
the prosecution, and Mr. Perry for the defence. Mercy
Diets, a domestic servant, proved the case, and defend-
ant was sentenced to three months hard labour.

A WOMAN CHARGHD WITH BEING DRUNK AND RIOTOUS.
—Mary Ann Bateman ~as charged with being chunk and
riutouv at Rinser, on the 251 n ultiwo. Police•sergeaut
Baldwin proved that defendant was very drank, and
making Use of bad and filthy language. Ordered to pay
the coats,

'
1, nuLISSALIt ROBBISKY BY • IiAStDENEII. Joiseph
Resiu, formerly head gardener to George Riclimoud
Collie, of Stourton Castle, was brought up on remand
charged with feloniously stealing two bags of potatoes in
the month of October, Valtle ills, the property of las
employer. Mr. C. Celli. appeared to prosecute, and Mr.
llomf ray defended.—Mr. Collis briefly opeued the case,
and said that prisoner was formerly bead gardener in the
employ of Mr. George Richmond Collie, of Stourtun
Castle, and was engaged in May, aud left in December.
Great trust was put in hint, se he liad at that thee four
other gardeners under Lim. But be should prove that
not only had Ito been robbing his master, but had induced
the other wen to assist him in robbing his employer.
He should prove that the prisoner had not only robbed
the prosecutor of potatoes, bin should prefer other
charges of steeling truite, cucumbers, vegetables, feels,
and other things against him. If he proved that he
should ask the Bench to commit him on the charges.—
Witham Yareold, under gardener, said that in the month
of October last he was employed as under gardener.
Prisoner was head gardener. Prisoner asked him to get
a customer for some potatoes. In consequence ef that
he eent to see Mrs. Pursall, of Kinver, who asked Lim
the price. The next morning he told the prisoner that
Pursall would have the potteries, end he (witceex)
lusisted to put up two begs in the fruit house. The fol-
lowing day they were renieved in a wheelbarrow by a
man mimed Busker to the garden gate. Tile prisoner
end Honker put them into • cart. Foster, son in-law to
tne Woman, canto for them. On the followieg Saturday
the piisouer asked bon to go into hinver, sad point cot
the WOLLIdII who bad bought them. He eal so, and the
prisouer was paid is. Cross examined : Prisoner wive
me one stuffing. I have been charged with stealing cub.
bodes, hut it .1.1 mitt Ile. I was discharged. Did not
tell Mrs. Pureall I had gut the [telling of them. Did wit
fix the price. Nothing was said about market price.
'ley were seed potatoes. 1)0 not know they were mixed.
—Richard Soaker gave corroborative evidence, tied
Edwaiii Foster, hair dresser, proved fetching ti-em it, 01
Stourton.—Litzabeth Pursall, greengrocer, cola ['nal,
Yeruold came to her shout some potatoes. She agree]
to have them, and was to pay 9s for two bags. She sent
the last witness (Foster) to fetch them, and he went on
the following Saturday. After she agreed to buy them,
the prisoner and Yarnold came for the money, and elle
paid him 9a. Cross-examined: I did say I would give
market price, which at that time was is per bag.—Police.
sergeant Baldwin proved appreheliateg prisoner on a
warrant, who admitted putting the potatoes up, and going
to Mrs. Puraall's to recetie the money with Yarnold, and
receiving 9s.—Mr. Homfray made an earnest appeal to
• the Bench not to Convict the prisoner, who, he said,
thought he bad a right aa head gardoner, to dispose of
. the notatees which were of an inferior quality, as perqui-
sites.—Mr. Cotlia said there were several other charges
against the prisoner, and perhaps the Beech would like
to heat them before giving their decision in the iirstesse.
The Bench decided to hear the next case.—Prisoner was
' further charged with stealing a quautity of fowls, fruits,
, vegetables, and other things in October, the property of
George Richmond Collis. Prosecutor said he resided at
Stouiton Castle. Prisoner was in his employ as bead
• gardener. He entered in May, and left on the tith De-
cember. At the time be engaged him he said there
would not be allowed any perquisites. Prisoner had no
right to sell anything. He (priscner) had 20s per week.
the use of two houses, coals, and vegetables for his own
eating. Did not in October give the prisoner any in-
structions to pack up hampers of fruits and fowls. Had
, fifty-five fowls in October, but counted them since and
found there were but thirty•six left. Have also missed
, large quantities of fruit. George Richardson said lie
saw three dead fowls and sonic petted jam packed up in
a hamper. Did not know what became of them after.
William Yarnold said he saw the prisoner, George Rich-
ardson, and the butler, pack up three fowls, cucumbers,
and a vegetable marrow. The hamper was put into a
wheelbarrow and wheeled to the garden gate by Richard-
son. Saw that the hamper was directed for London.
Alfred Waetall said that he saw a hamper packed by the
butler and prisoner. It contained four fowls, a quantity
of apples, pears, cabbages, and lettuces.—Mr. Homfray
addressed the Bench for the defence, and said it was clear
from the evidence for the prosecution that the butler
killed the fowls and assisted to pack them up, sad that
he was the thief, and prisoner was acting under his dir-
ections.—After a short consultation, Mr. Evers said they
had decided to convict in the first case, but did not think
there was sufficient evidence in the seeond.—Mr. Colli,
said there were several other charges against the prisoner
who was then charged with stealing on the sth Decem-
ber, a quantity of plants, and other things, the property
of George Richmond Collis. George Richards proved
that when the prisoner was leavings van came for his
goods. Saw a large quantity of plants put into the van.
, Should say between eight and Dille hundred plants: also
half a bag of potatoes. They were cuttings from gem-
flint'''. William Yarnuld proved that he saw a peck of
kidney beaus, seeds, and plaints packed up and put into
the van, when prisoner was loading for going away.—
Police•sergeaut Baldwin said that when he charged the
prisoner with stealing the seeds he said he said he took a
few seeds and plants. The seeds he threw into the dust
hole, so that he Bhould not be detected.—Mr. Homfray
addreesed the Bench, in defence, and said that it had
not been proved there was any animus on the part of the
prisoner, and that he was under the impression as head
gardener, that lie was entitled to these things en perqui-
sites. Moat head gardeners had perquisites. As regards
the cuttings, he was sure that Lord Stamford's gardener
threw thousands of them away during the season, and
left them to rot. —The Bench remarked that it was liot
usual to throw them away in December, not knowing
whether the plants would live through the winter.—Mr.
Collis said the plants were taken out ii the pots, and it
was through seeing so many empty pots that the robbery
of plants was discovered—Mr. Homfray said that what
prisoner had done was done in open daylight, and there
was no attempt to conceal anything; and prisoner was
inaler the impression that lie could dispose of the refuse.
—The Bench committed prisoner to take his trial, bail
being accepted—himself in £4O, and two sureties in 1:20
each.

QUARRY BANK.

BOARD OF BEALTII.—On Tuesday evening, the usual
monthly meeting of this Board was held Dr. Dixon pre-
sided, and there were also present Messrs. Evers, fladle.
burst, Webb, Symonds, Green, 0. Siddaway, S. Sidda.
way, Darby, and Billingbam. A cheque for £lB. was
granted to the surveyor to meet current expenditure.
The retiring:members Shia year are Messrs. Darby, But-
ler, Webb, and Green, and it was resolved that arrange.
ments should be made for carrying out the election. A
case, prepared by order of the Board, was submitted by
the Clerk, upon which counsel's opinion will be taken in
the matter of the rating of Messrs. Evere'e works.