The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-06-15 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

THE WROUGHT NAIL TRADE.—A. meeting of members
was held at Mr. Pearson's the Royal Exchange Inn,
Old Hill, on Monday last, which was attended by dele-
gates, from Lye Waste, Halesowen, Old Hill, Gornal,
Sedgley, Old Swinford, Rowley, Blackheath, Gorsty
Rill, and other places, to consider the present position
of the wrought nail trade. Mr. John Price was chair-
man. After a lengthy discussion it was resolved to ad-
imrn the meeting till Ist July to see if the masters
would meet the requirements of the men as regards an
advance in wages. Unless they do so it is stated that
there will be a general strike early in July for the 1875
list. It is urged on behalf of the men that they cannot
live and pay their way with wages at their present
level.

ALLEGED ASSAULT ON A FATIIEII.—At the Police Court,
on Wednesday, before Messrs. W. Bassano and B.
Eliugley, William Westwood was charged with assaulting
his father, on the Bth inst.—Complainant said he did.
not wish to press the case against his son if he would
pay costs and promise not to offend again.—Defendant
said he had not done anything ta pay for.—Complainant
said he told defendant he would have to pay his share
towards the housekeeping when defendant struck him
three times. Witness asked his soh to hit him and mark
him and he did so.—Defendant said his father came
home beastly drunk, in fact as drunk as a pig, and corn-
menceil a disturbance and they had some words and
afterwards fought. —Complain ant said he was not drunk.
—Defendant called his mother who said her husband
was drunk and caused a disturbance, and father and son

fought.—The case was dismissed.
A LIVELY LOT —Matthew I,Vitletts was charged with ,
assaultinr, William Harris. on the 10th inst.—Mr. W. '
Hayes defended. Complainant said he had been
quarrelling with defendant and about half an hoar after-
wards defendant went into complainant's house and
struck him on the head wan his fist, knocking him down.
Willetts and Rebecca Willetts were then
charged with assaulting Sarah Harris, on the 10th inst.
—Complainant, whose face was very badly bruised, said
the two defendants beat her and injured her face. Wit-
nesses were called to prove that two women fought and
twit William Willetts struck Mrs. Harris.—William was
further char-d with assaulting Andrew Harris.—The
case against Mrs. Willetts was dismissed. Matthew
Willetts was fined is and costs for the assault on William
Harris, William Willetts was fined 2s 61 and costs for
a,sv,ulting Andrew Harris and for the assault on Mrs.
Harris he was fined 40s and costs, the Bench character-
ising the assault as a most brutal one.
DRUNKENNE43. John White, of Leicester, was
cnarged with being drunk and disorderly, at Blackheath:
oi the Bth inst.—?olic-coustable Hicklin proved tue
ca,e and dcfeniant, who
,pleaded guilty, was fined 2,
61 and costs ; in default 7 days.—William Worall, brick-
layer, of li'enton Street, 'Brierley Hill, was charged with
being drunk, at Church Br erley
constable Buckley said he fund defendant lying down
in Church Street, Brierley Hill, about twelve o'clock at

night beastly drank. Defend int had been to the Stew-
poney Becher Club and he was so helplessly drank that
the °nicer had to procure a wheelbarrow to carry him to
thepalice-station.—Defendant said it was no good telling
untruths, he was fond of his beer and had a drop too
much but he hoped the Bench would deal leniently with
him as he had only been summoned once before.—He
was fined 2,s 6d and costs, or 7 days' hard labour.
DAMAGING GRASS.—Job Southall, a boy, was charged
with damaging a quantity of grass, the property of John
Lissimoor, on the 6th inst.—Complainant said he was
constantly having his grass damaged and on the above
date defendant did damage to the extent of ls,—The
Case was withdrawn on defendant paying costs and the
aamage and promising not to offend again.
INCI‘ING TO COMMIT A BREACH•OF THE PEACE.—Sarah
Lloyd was charged with inciting Harriet Perkins to com-
mit a breach of the peace, on the 3rd inst.—Tae case
was clearly proved and defendant was bound aver to keep
the peace for three months.
THE " LAWYER " AGAIN IN TltOUßLE.—Sainua Willetts
alias "Lawyer" a well-known visitor at this court, was
charged with gambling on tne highway, on the 25tii u.t.
—Police-con table Wickstead proved seeing defendant
with others playing at cards on the hi;Lt‘slay on toe above
date. Defendant has been convicted at this eouct
twenty-iwo times before for various offences and he was
now fined fis and costs ; in default 21 days' hard labour,
and as he was walking away he said he hoped the officer
Wickstead would have to stand in the court until he had
done la's twenty-one days.