The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-06-04 00:00:00

BRIERLEY HILL.

BREACH OF THE PEACE—At the Petty Sessions held
on Huntley last, before F. Evers and Is. Freer, Eagra
William Westwood and Edward Woodhall were charged
by Superintendent Mille with committing a breach of the
peace by fighting, on the 22nd ult. Charles Heathcock
and a man names! Brown proved the case. This being
their first offence, they were ordered to pay costs.
CHARGE OF STEALING A BOAT LINE.-1:11001•3 Rush•
ton Wise was charged with feloniously stealing a boat
line on the 28th ultimo, the property ,f William Nash.
Prosecutor said he saw his line about half-past five o'clock
on the above date. It was safe in the field. Shortly
after be saw the prisoner, who was in the field, take the
rope and put it into his boat. On the Sunday morning
he gave information to the police. The rope produced is
a portion of the rope he had lost. He could swear to it
from its being tted in a peculiar knot. It was worth Is.
Police-constable Moore proved finding the rope produced
in the prisoner's boat, and charging him with stealing it.
Prisoner said he brought the rope from the Potteries.
Mr. Addison addressed the Bends for the defence, and
said that prisoner's wife bought the rope at the Potteries.
and that prisoner is a boat ownsr, and that on the oboe,
date the boat was loaded, and he could not go on shore
within eight feet ; and called William Clarke, who swore
that the rove belonged to the prisoner, and that he (wit.
nes.) tied the knot in the rope. The Bench did not
think there was sufficient evidence to convict, and dis-
niissed the ease.
_ _ _ . . . .

COAL STE ALING. —Allen Goode was charged with steal-
ing a quantity of coal on the 23rd nit, the property of
Messrs. Baldwin. Mr. Holberton appeared toprosecate.
James Page, watchman, proved that he saw the prisoner
takes lamp of coal off a boat a the prosecutor's, and
put it into his own boat. It was about 13Th,, and worth
Id. Pleaded guilty. Sentenced to 14 days' imprison.
meat, with hard laboar.

BIERBOVIN OPYINCE AND OANING.-43Awrie Fanner,
landlord of the Greyhound, Dennis Park, was charged
by Superintendent Mills with allowing his house to be
open for the sale of beer during prohibited hours. on the
night of the tlOth ult. Defendant was further charged
with allowing gaming in his house on the 23rd ult. Mr.
Perry defended.—Police.constable Freeman said he visi.
ted the defendant's house at twenty minutes past eleven
o'clock. He found about twelve persons in the house,
most of them young. There was music playing. Saw
ale on the table, and some of them drinking. Two wo.
men were dancing. He saw a woman with a jug of ale
in the passage.—Mr. Perry addressed the Bench for the
defence, and contended that the house was not open for
the sale of beer; but that a neighbour was about going
to Scotland, and that he had come to wish then Good
bye,- and that a youth named Allcock was playing a tune
on the fiddle; and he took it that defendant, although
licensed to sell beer, was not debarred from having • fe•
friends.—Mrs. Bruce was called, and denied thm she had
any beer. She merely went to wish the McLaughtin's
" Good bye." She did not see any ale on the table.
Mrs. Stringer gave corroborative evidence. John All.
cock said he was playing the violin for the defendant's
! children and McLaughlin, who was going away. Had no
! ale when the policeman came in, but had a pint during
! the night. Saw Mrs. Bruce and Stringer there. They
were in the passage. Left about eleven o'clock, or a few
minutes past..—Mr. Evers remarked that it was very clear
perjury had been committed by one side or the other.
They were placed in a very awkward position, and under
the circumstances must dismiss the case. Mr. Perry
said he was instructed to take out a summons for perjury
against Police.constable Freeman, and asked that the
case be adjourned for a week.—Defendant was then
charged with allowing gaming in his house on the 23rd
ult. Mr. Perry defended.—Police.constable Freeman
said the defendant is a licensed beerhouse.keeper, at
Amblecote. He went to serve a summons for the last
occasion, and went into the front kitchen. Saw four
youths playing at bagatelle. The board was in the middle
of the room, and they were playing for a quarto! porter.
They appeared to be finishing one game. Just as he got
in, he heard one say" We will go you for another...
They then commenced to play, and witness was talking
to the landlord in the passage. When the game was
finished, the landlord's son brought in a quart of porter.
Can't say who paid for it, but saw the money put down.
Had been walking up and down for an hour. Heard the
play going on, and the balls rolling.—Mr. Perry submit.
ted, for the defence, that there was no case on the evi,
deuce given, as it had not been proved they were playing
for anything; and that the evidence was not supported.
The Bench suggested Mr. Perry should go on with the
defence. He then called Thomas Caner, who said he
was in the defendant's house, and saw William Lloyd
and George Foxhall playing at bagatelle. Saw George
Foshan pay for a quart of porter. He drank a portion I
of the porter. Do not know why he paid for it. Lloyd I
won the game. A man named Payne was not present.
Daniel Haden was called, and gave similar evidence; bet
swore Payne was in the room, and that Caner was pre-
sent. William Lloyd swore he was there, and had a pint
of ale with Fozhall. They paid for •pint each. Would
swear it was ale, and nething also came in. Mr. Evers
said the bench was at first inclined to think the ease a
very weak one, but after hearing the witnesses for the
defence they were of opinion that there was gambling
going on. and fined defendant £3 and Costa; in default
two months' imprisonment.