The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-09-21 00:00:00

RIFLE CORPS DINNER.

. This annual dinner was given to the Stour-
bridge Rift,' Corps at the Talbot Hotel, on Thurs-
day evening last, Captain F. Grazebrook in the
chair. He was supported on his right by Adjutant
Wolrige, and F. Evers, Esq. ; on the left by
Lieutenant Hammond, A. Freer, Esq., and the
Rev. G. Gilbanks. An excellent dinner was
placed on the table by Miss Round.
After which the Chairman gave "The Health
of the Queen." He said the last year had been
an anxious one. They had been threatened by
war but happily they had drawn the sword. He
considered that they had much to be thankful
for. The Queen was the head of England and he
was pleased to propose her health.
Drunk with cheers.

The Chairman next gave "The Healths of the
Field and Staff Officers of the Battalion."
(Cheers.) The Chairman spoke in high terms of
Colonel Knight, Adjutant Wolrige, and Major
Walker. He read a letter from Major Walker
expressing his regret in being absent from
amongst them. He was pleased to say that the
battalion had some very good field officers and he
was sure they could not find a better one than
Adjutant Wolrige. He kept them well to the
front.

Adjutant Wolrige thanked the Chairman for the
eulogistic manner in speaking of Colonel Knight,
who is the commanding (Alcor of the battalion.
There is no man that takes a greater interest than
Colonel Knight. He had received a letter from
the Colonel expressing his regret at not being
with them. Being a Member of Parliament and
a large landed proprietor he had duties to attend
to, but while in London the Colonel said he was
up at six o'clock in the morning drilling with the
Guards. A committee of enquiry alto the ser-
vices of the volunteers sat a short time ago and
Colonel Knight had notice to attend. The sitting
was adjourned but will shortly be resumed when
the Colonel will have an opportunity of expressing
his views of the volunteers. He considered the
battalion well officered. Major Walker was an
excellent officer and he himself had been with
them eighteen years, and while he was with them
it would always be his pleasure to do the best he
could for them. He had been asked many times
about going into camp and his reply was that he
was willing to go into camp when the Government
paid for it. (Cheers). The Captain then referred
to the difficulties he had met with in getting
field to drill in. Some of his neighbours had
refused him but he was glad to say that Mr. F.
Evers had not and he begged to thank him for
the use of his field. (Cheers.)
Tho Rev. G. Gilbanks proposed the next toast
that of "The Healths of the Subscribers to the
Corps." In doing so he said the Government
grant was tolerably insufficient to support the
corps and it is still neeessary to get subscriptions,
and ho hoped they would be continued.
Mr. F. Evers said in 1860 he was the first
ensign elected to the Stourbridge Corps. At that
time the officers were elected by ballot and him-
self and Captain Walker were nominated, and he
thought they had made a mistake in electing him-
self, however he continued amongst them until
he met with an accident and. injured his leg and
he had to retire. He was pleased to se'e the corps
go on so well and so far as lending the corps a
field to drill in as referred to by Captain Wolrige
he should always be willing to do that when
convenient and to support them. (Cheers).
Mr. A. Freer also replied and said he claimed
to be more than a visitoi and subscriber—he
claimed to be a membQr. He had no doubt shed
as much blood as those present. (Laughter). He
was pleased to see the corps in such a state of
efficiency and that their services had not been
required and had they been the company would
not have been found wanting.
Captain Wolrige said he had to propose the
next toast, which was the toast of the evening,
"'('he Health of Captain Grazebrook.'? (Great
cheering). Ever since he had been connected
with the corps—the name of Grazebrook had been
fornilin, in tha rnay o.ii hitn hi.youug
friend and neighbour as he had known him from a
boy and living near each othey they often talked
matters over about the corps. Major Walker was
formerly captain and a good one he was. He was
followed by Captain Grosvenor who is succeeded
by his young friend and he had great pleasure to
44rink his good health.
Drunk with musical honours.
The Chairman, in reply, said he had to thank
Captain Wolrige for the knowledge and informa-
tion he had received. He regretted very much
that he could not attend to his duties better, but
his engagements prevented him. He was always
pleased to be among them and he concluded by
thinking" The Health of Lieutenant Hammond,
who he said spent a good deal of time with the
company.
Lieutenant Hammond briefly replied and pro-
posed "The Health of the Non-Commissioners."
Sergeant Roued replied.
Mr. F. Evers proposed "The Healths of the
Privates," which was responded to by Private
Morris.

The speeches were interspersed with songs, and
a convivial evening was spent.

PARIS EXHIBITION.—We are pleased to an-
nounce that Mr. G. King Harrison, of this town,
was awarded a silver medal for superiority for
fire clay, fire bricks, gas retorts, &c., at:the Exhi.
bition.

ENTERTAINMENTS AT THE RINR.—On Monday
and Tuesday evenings la,t Henry Wardroper and
Company gnve two entertainments at the Victoria
Hall and Rink. It is needless for us to say much
in favour of Mr. Wardroper as he is so well
known. He appeared quite equal in his various
characters as on former occasiouB he visited us,
and appeared to give general satisfaction. The
attendance was not so good as it ought to have
been. We are pleased to see the Rink open again
to the public, which has been fairly patronized
during the week.
CHARGE OF DRUNKEXITEM—At the Police Court
held yesterday, before Col. Fletcher, (chairman).
Lord Lyttelton, Hon. Spencer Lyttelton, and F.
Evers, Esq., Benjamin Taylor, of Cradley, was
charged with being drunk and disorderly on the
7th. Police-constable Oakley proved the case, and
said the defendant had is el, files off and wanted to
fight. Pleaded guilty. Fined s and costs; in
default 7 days.—S•imuei Southall was charged with
being dru. k and disorderly on the 7th. Pleaded
Police-constable Eaves proved the case.
Fined 2s 6d and costs.

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Michael Reading,
wa.B charged with being drunk and disorderly on
the 11th ult. Policc-constabie Madely proved the
case, and defendant was tined 10s aro costs.

_
CHARGE Op PERMITTING A NUISANCE. 13611j-
amin Hingley, of the "Aye, was
.summoned by Henry
Eveson, for permitting a nuisance to exist on his
pte:oises. The nuisance complained of was that the
defendant kept;three pigs,ou his premises, within
7 yards of a dwelling house, and the sock overruns
into the defeir.ants feld, and is injurious to health.
The case was adjourned for the attendance of
medical officers.—David Brooks, publican, residing
at Cradley was charged with permitting a nuisance
by keeping six pigs near to dwelling-houses. Mr.
Homer, defended, and said that the pigs were sold
'and the nuisance removed and called the defendant
who swore that he had no pigs in the stye since last
Tuesday. The summons was dismissed.—A simular
charge preferred against John Parson. MrHomery
Homer latorsthe defence, proved that the pigs were
removed, and the case was dismissed.—Similar case
was preferred against William Edwards and Samuel
Edwards, and adjourned for a week.
BELL RINGING.— Sarah Garbett, a young girl was
summoned for disturbing G. W. Prescott on-the 12th
tilt by ringing is door bell. Mr. Wall appeared on
behalf of the defendants' fatLzr and said the girl
had apoligised to Mr. Prescott, and asked him not
to press the case. Mr. Presott said he did not wish
to press the case but the nuisance had continued
some time, defendant was cautioned and ordered to
pay 9s costs.

CHARGE OF STEALING 1 BRASS BELL—Joseph
Webb, Henry John Holly, and Charles Griffiths, boys
were charged with stealing a brass bell the property
of William Clulee. Holly was discharged and gave
evidence, he said that he was with Charles Griffiths,
and Joseph Webb at Ambleeote about a month ago.
Henry Webb and myself got. under the stable door
and stole a bell. Webb had it he then gave it to
Grieeths, who gave it to his brother, prosecutrix
proved that the bell belonged to him, and last saw
it on the 31st July, missed it on the 2nd of August.
Police-constable Moron proved a ,prehending Webb
and Griffiths. Police-constable Madley proved re-
ceiving the bell from Griffiths' father. Defendants
pleaded guilty, and were ordered to be kept them
/our hours, and to receive 10 stripes with the birch
rod.

SERIOUA ASSAULT liAsE the Polico Court, on
Nfondsc, h:•fore Colonel Fletcher and %tr. R L. Freer:
Mlahr;C Garrity was brought Op on a warrant, charged
with asesultivg Thomas Pardue. on the 10th June last'
—C ~uplainaut s9id on the above date he was in
oventry Street. Prisoner caine up to him and asked
himt fight and he told him he did not want to fight.
Defendant then struck him several blows, knocked him
down, and kicked him while down:—.Elijah Cartwright
aaicl be residiel at etauaber Milli Oa Vibit•Mouday Las

be was in ':oventry Street. He saw Pardle knocked
down and kl.cked, but he couldn't swear it was the pri-
soner who kicked.—John Cox, of the Old Star.lnn
Coventry Street, said lie heard a noise in the street
and he went to see what wls the matter. He saw
homes Pardue come down th,., street and he saw
Garrotty strike Pardoe several times in tit', face. .He
heard the compla nant cry out "Don't kill me."—Alfred
Green, who resided in Coventry Street, said he heard a
noise in the street. When be went out he saw Garrotty
fighting with the c.,mplaiiiant. He saw prisoner kick
complainant s,veral times while down.—Phiiip Drevrery
gave corroborative evidence.—Prisoner was sentenced to
two months' hard labour.—Prisoner was further charged
with assaulting Gorge Pardoe, of Wollaston, on the
same date.—Complainant said he heard a disturbance in
the street. He went to see what was the matter and a
man named Lane came up and kicked him down and as
he was falling some one kicked him on the head.—
Alfred Green said he saw Garrotty and Lane strike
George Pardoe They kicked him down and while
down both kicked him. Pardoe waa left for dead in the
street.—Philip Drewery said he saw both the men kick
complainant after he was down.—The Bench considered
it a serious assault and sentenced the prisoLer for a
, second term of two months' imprisonment.