The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-09-28 00:00:00

4ocal an *Ws,

VICTORIA HALL AN RINR.—It will be seen
by reference to our advertising colums that Mr.
Hainge, the proprietor of the Victoria Hall and
Rink, is about to dispose of it to a Limited
Company in which he will retain one-half or
thereabouts of the shares himself. We believe
that Mr. Hainge's reason for disposing of such
a paying concern as the Rink has turned out to
be, is that his other business eng9gements else-
where are so numerous and pressing that he
cannot give the necessary time to the manage-
ment of the Hall here. From the good attend-
ance that we personally witnessed at the rink
last Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday. we fesl
certain that the coming season will pro's fully
as satisfactory to the Proprietors as the last one
did to Mr. Hainge, and with the extra con-
venience of the Stage and Fittings for holding
diftirent amusements, we predict that it will
contrive to be the most popular place of resort
in this neighbourhood, and we have no doubt
that, still under the head management of Mr.
flainge, and some good working directors, it will
prove a good paying investment for all those
who feel disposed to take shares in the concern.
As will be seen by the Prospectus the shares
placed at a very low rate, so as to give almost
every one a chance to join the Company, and as
holders of five shares are entitled to free admis-
sion to the Hall upon all ordinary occasions, ce.,
think that the shares will be taken up rapidly ny
residents of the Town and district.
BOARD or Grainuacs.—The usual weekly meet-
fag of this board was held yesterday, Mr. Billing-
ham (chairman), there were also present Measre.
Raybould, Haskew, Thompson, Griffiths, Rollinscn.
Wood, Giles, Mills, Baker, klint, Fiddian, Laven-
der, Belly Guest, and Brooks, Admitted into the
house 18: born 1; dileharged 19; dead 2; remaiu-
ing in the house, 394 corresponding week last
year 379; Kingswieford district .926 12s 6d ; Stone.)
ridge district 9s 2d ; rialesowen district .£l6 8s
non-resident 9s ; total .£59 19s 4d; against .4133
144 aed last year. —The usual quarterly contracts
were entered into.

DRUNK AND ThioaDicaLy.—A.t the Police Court,
on Monday, before Mr. J. Holcroft, William Ellis,
a natvy, was charged with being drunk and dis-
orderly in Coventry Street, on the previous Satur-
day afternoon.—Police-oonstable Morgan proved
the case and defendant was fined 6s and costs; in
default 14 days
REFUSING TO QUIT.—George Inca was charged
with refusing to quit the Star Inn, High Street,
when requested. Defendant was farther charged
with refusing to quit the Seven Stars Inn,
Coventry Street, on Saturday night last.—One
case was proved by Police-constable Hollings-
worth and defendant was fined 28 6d and costs ; in
default 7 days' imprisonment.
It may interest our readers to know that the
world-renowned explorer of Africa, Mr. Henry M.
Stanley, will give this autumn a series of lectu res
in the principal towns of Great Britain and Ire-
land. The lecture will be entitled "Through the
Dark Continent," and will be in fact, a narrative
of his last journey through Africa. Besides
giving geographical details, and touching on sub-
jects of scientific interest, Mr. Stanley will re-
count many of the stirring scenes of adventure he
has passed through, the conversion to Christianity
of the Emperor of the vast territory Of Uganda,
details of the home 'life'Of .the inhabitants of
Central Africa ec., &c. Mr. Stanley will be
accompanied by a very interesting African, and
will exhibit a large map, showing his route. Mr.
K. D'Oyley Carte, of Beaufort Buildings, Strand,
London, has the management of Mr. Sta.nley's
tour, and societies and others wishing to arrango
for lectures should apply to Wm.
A PLATELAYER KIMED.—On Tuesday morning
Joseph Nobes, platelayer, was at work on the
Great Western Railway, between Stourbridge and
the Lye Stations, when he was knocked down by
a pilot engine. Nobes was so severely injured
that he died while being conveyed from the spot
to the Guest Hospital, Dudley. Deceased leaves
a large family unprovided for.
FATAL ACCIDENT ON THIS BR AN'CIE RAILWAY.—
On Tuesday afternoon last Mr. Hawkes, borough
coroner, held.an inquest at his court Moor Street,
on the body of Solomon Slade, 35. of Coventry
' Street, Stourbridge. Deceased was employe,l
a horse driver on the Stourbridge Extension Rail-
way, and whilst at work on the afternoon of tho
18th mat, he accidentally fell upon the line, and
his right leg was crushed beneath the wheels of
some ballast trucks. He was conveyed in a cab
to the General Hospital, the journey occupying
about two hours, and he died on the 20th inst,
from shock superv.ining upon his injuries. In
reply to the Coroner, Mr. Suckling, the assistant
resident surgeon of the hospital, expressed his
opinion that deceased would probably have re-
covered if he had not been removed so long a dis-
tance, It was elicited that deceased himself
desired to be removed to one of the Birmingham
hospitals, he and the other men having an objec-
tion to the surgeons of Stourbridge, because some
time ago ona of the gang of labourers who met
with an accident and was treated there did not
recover. The jury returned a verdict of "Acci-
dental death.

---- ---.
1 ESTIMONIAL TO SUPERINTENDENT FREEMAN.—
The committee to the above testimonial met in
the Magistrates' Room on Thursday last at twelve
o'clock to present the testimonial. All the com-
mittee were present with the exception of Mr. C.
Evers who was absent in consequence of the death
of one of his children. The chair was occupied by
Mr. John Harward, who said it- was a great
pleasure to him to look back when Mr. Superin-
tendent Freeman came into the town where he
had been acting for twenty-one years, having
been previously connected with the police foree at
i Upton-on-Severn and had served a total period o!
1 thirty-four yes.rii. He could not help but feel they
had been most fottunato in having goad officers in
Stourbridge. He was old . enough, to recollect
Superintendent Craig, who was succeeded by
Superintendent Burton and the latter was 'suc-
ceeded by Superintendent Freeman. It would
have been impossible for any three men to have
given more complete satisfaction to the district.
His observations however were to be confined to
Mr. .r. reeman himself, who he dad most distinctly
and heartly that after many opportunities
from observations that Mr. Freeman had dis-
charged his duties with courage, tact, firmness,
delicacy, and sound judgoient, rarely to be met
with. To his mind Mr. Freeman had been pre-
eminently successful in the discharge of his duties
I and that this opinion was not confined to himself
I was shown by the testimonial which was respondel
Ito from one end of the county to the other. They
found in the list noblemen wha would do honour
to &Ay Formatatiola arad tile lotwr thol lad &Qom.