The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-01-14 00:00:00

BRIERLEY HILL.

WESLEYAN BENEFIT SOCIETY. The ninth annual
meeting of this society, which is carried on under the
auspices of the Wealeyan body in this town, was held in
the Public Hall on Monday night. Mr. Thomas Davis,
of Hill Top, West Bromwich, occupied the chair, and
there were about 500 persons present. The report, which
was read by the Rev. W. Humphries, showed that the
society was in a flourishing condition, both financially
and numerically. The document concluded as follows :
—"lt may be proper to mention that industrial and fru-
gal habits are constantly inculcated, as the following
statement of materials paid for by the women will show :
2.071 yards of calico, 254 flannel, 237 dowlas, 152 print.
199 brown holland, 143 burden, 512 winsey, besides
counterpanes, sheets, J.:c. The financial statement
Showed that last year's deficiency had been paid, and that
there was a good balance in the treasurer's hands. The
following donations had been received :—Mr. W. H.
Sheridan, M.P., £1 is; Sir Smith Child, M P., £l.—The
report was adopted, and ordered lobe printed.—On Tues-
day addresses were delivered by the Rev. J. Stone (rec-
tor), Rev. It Eland, Rev. W. Humphries, Rev. A.
Palmer; Messrs. Davis, J. Rawlings, and E. Dunn.—
The meeting closed in the usual way.
LOCAL BOARD.—An adjourned meeting was held on
Tuesday afternoon at the Surveyor's Offices. There were
present Messrs. W. Jefferiee (Chairman). Walker, ell.Oll,
Coley, Grove, Bennett, Fletcher, Fereday. Cook, Cart-
wright, Detheridge, and MOllingoo.—Mr. Fletcher (the
Chairman of the Roads Committee) reported that notices
had been served on the property ownera in Meeting Lane,
calling upon them to repair the road. They had failed
to comply with the notiees, road under ordinary circum-
stances it would be for the Board to do the necessary re-
pairs, and charge the owners with the expenses. But it
had transpired that the Great Western Railway Company
intended to apply to Parliament for powers to make ano-
ther road, and in all probability the existing road would
be done away with. The Clerk said he did not think the
company contemplated doing away with the road.—Mr.
Bantock, Great Western Railway goods agent, entered
the Board room, and said he had been deputed to learn
when the Board intended making the necessary repairs
of the road in Meeting Lane, which was in • very dan•
germs state. The compaey's goods traffic had been very
much impeded, and unless prompt measures were taken
by the Board the company would be obliged to take seine
steps to put • stop to the long-standing evil complained
of.—ln reply to the Chairman, Mr. Bantock said he did
not think the company contemplated doing away with the
road in question. They intended to make another road
in order to put a stop to the necessity of crossing the
line in Meeting Lane.—The members of the Board gene-
rally were glad to hear that statement—Ultimately it was
decided that step, should be at once taken to repair the
road in question, and the clerk received instructions to
advertise for tenders. The question of next year's rate
was then discussed, and ix the course of a lengthy dis-
cussion it was urged that it was time the debt due to the
Treasure, was paid off. This view was endorsed by a
majority of the Board, and it was resolved that • Is rate
should be at once prepared.
DRUNK AND RIOTOUS.—At the Police Court. On Mon-
day, before Messrs. H. 0. Firmstone and 11. Smith, John
McFaddin was charged with being drunk end riotous on
the 31st ult, at Brettell Lane. Police-constable Good-
fellow proved the case, and the defendant, who pleaded
guilty, was fined 2s 641 and coats; in default seven days
Daunt AND INCAPABLE. George Humphries was
charged with being drunk and incapable of taking care of
his wagon and horses on the 41h instant, at Brierley Hill.
Police-constable Maland proved the ease, and defendant
was fined is.

THRHATENING.—James Gough was charged with threat-
ening Louis Freightly, on the 4th instant, at Coalbourn-
brook. Mr. Addison appeared for complainant.—The
complainant said he lodged with a man named Taylor. at
Coalbournbrook, and on the above date defendant went ,
to the house, and without rapping at the door walked •
'straight in, and begun of complainant. He threatened
that the first time he caught him out he would squeeze
the life out of him, and put his hands up in fighting atti-
tude.—James Taylor gave corroborative evidence.—The
defendant called Susannah Hughes. his sister, who said
on the above date she asked complainant what he had got
to say about her and her family. She made a communi-
cation to her brother, and went with him to Taylor's
house. Be rapped at the door. and Mrs. Taylor told hint
to come in. Defendant asked complainant why he was
slandering his family, and told him if he did not stop it .
that he should make an example of him. There were •
no blows struck. but Mrs. Taylor got up and said if the
defendant did not go out of the house she would dash
his brains out. Defendant did not threaten to atiike Mr.
Taylor nor complainant. He did not say he would
squeeze the life out of complainant—The 'Bench dis-
missed the case.
C•RRYING A GUN WITHOUT HAVING A LICENSE,—
Thomas White was charged with carrying a gun without
basing a license, on the '2Bth alt, at Amblecote.
sergeant Breton said he saw the defendant in Amblecote
I Lane, on the above date, with a single-barrel gun in Lid
Land. The gun was loaded. He asked defendant for
his license, and he said he had not got one. Defendant
said he was not aware that it WU necessary to have a
license to carry a gun. If he had known that it was he
should have had one. The Bench fined him the lowest
penalty, 50s, with a recommendation to the Excise to
reduce the penalty.
CRUELTY TO A HORSH.—Benjamin Evans was charged
with cruelty to • horse whilst in an unfit state for work,
on the 4th instant. at Brettell Lane. Police-constable
Freeman said he wad on duty in Brettell Lane at about
three o'clock, when he saw • horse attached to a cart be-
longing to defendant, come down. A man named Ingram,
is the employ of defendant. was in charge of the horse
and cart. He examined the horse, and saw a wound en
either hip. The one on the left was as large as witness's
hand. There was also a wound on the shoulder. He
afterwards saw the defendant, who said the horse hid
been bad for some time, mut he did not think it would
hurt the animal to fetch a load of coal with it. In defence

difendaut.said.the horse had been bad for twelve weeks,

and had kicked some of tbe skin off it. He bad worked
it for two or three days, and he had put sacks over the
wounds to keep the straps from rubbing them. He called
several witnesses to speak to the state of the horse. The

Bench adjourned the ease
.for. some
.time, in.order that

defendant' might send for the horse for the Magistrates
to see it. After they had seen the animal, Mr. Firmstone
said the Bench had heard the charge against defendar,,
and had examined the horse, and thought that the horse
was not in a lit state for work last week, and is not now ;
but they would take as lenient a view of the case as they
could. They did not think Le had tried to use the horse

cruelly, as he had done all he ettuld-V;iirevenTtri:X;
torturing the horse. They should fine defendant 5s and
coats; but if he appeared again on a similar charge he
would be punished severely.
A FISACLT .—George Squires was charged with assaulting
Selina and Samuel Husselbee at the White Horse Inn,
Brettell Lane, on the 31st ult. Mr. Addison defended.
—Samuel Husselbee said on the above date he went into
the White Horse Inn, Brettell Lane. When he went in
defendant and several others were there. He did not
speak to defendant. Defendant asked him to shake for
some oranges. Witness refused to do 80, and defendant
challenged him to fight. Witness said he should not
fight: but defendant got up, took on his coat, and hit
Mrs. Husselbee on the head. He also struck at witness,
and kicked him on the lip. Cross-examined : Did not
know any one in the room. The landlord did not order
me oat of the house. He struck me; but did not put me
out. I did not return to the house with some stones in
my handkerchief. I do not know who struck defendant
on the eye. I did not strike at any one. I fetched the
police.—Samuel Lee corroborated Husselbee.—Siasann a h
Husselbee, wife of Samuel Husselbee, said she went into
the White Horse with her husband, on the above date.
She swore defendant struck her on the head, and that ho
kicked her husband.—Police-constable Freeman proved
that Samuel Husselbee went to the Pollee Station. His
mouth was bleediag, and his lip was cut. Witness went
to the White Horse and saw defendant, who was quite
drunk. Complainant was sober. Defendant did not
leave the house until 20 minutes past twelve.—Mr. Addi-
son, in defence, said he was instructed that if there was
any disturbance in the house it was caused by complain-
ant, and not by defendant. He should call witnesses who
would prove that a girl came in with oranges, and that
complainant asked defendant to shake for oranges. Tho
girl wan turned out of the house by the landlord, who
would not allow her there. He should also prove that a
lad named Careless went to Wordeley for the police, but
could not find one ; and also that complainant atruck the
defendant in the eye; and he should bring witnesses to
state that defendant did not hit complainant.—Henry
Cresswell said that he lived at Brettell Lane. and on the
above date was at the White Horse Inn. Complainants
were there. Husselbee said Squires was the man that
had caused all the bother, and struck him. Defendant
did not strike him back. The landlord requested corn.
plainants to leave, hut they would not go, and the police
were sent for. Defendant did not touch Mrs. Husselbic.
—John Lawrence. landlord of the White Horse Inn, said
he recollected complainant being at his house on the 31st
ult. When he went into the room, he saw a woman sel-
ling oranges. He told her he did not allow any one in
the room begging. He told her to go out, and pushed
her out. After she was gone a quarrel arose between
Husselbee and his wife, and be told them if they did not
stop it he should have them put out. He sent for the
police. Complainant struck at him, and also struck at
defendant, and hit him. Defendant did not bit him in
return. Defendant did not touch either Husselbee or
his wife. He ordered them out of the house, and he arid
two others put complainants out.—William Careless said
he went to Wordsley, but could not see any policemen.
"' "

--
He did not go to the Station. He saw the complainant
strike defendant; and also saw complainant put some
stones in his handkerchief and go back to the house, but
he did not go inside.—The Bench said the evidence was
very contradictory, and dismissed both cases.
NEOLKCT OF Wong.—Francis Roper was charged with
absenting himself from his work as a shoemaker in the
employ of Edwin Badger, of Preetwood. After hearing
the evidence the Bench adjourned the MC in order for
tl.e parties to come to an agreement.
A QOARRY BANN Row.—Eliza Raybould was eliargA
with assaulting Benjamin Dunn (9 on the 3rd instant, at
Quarry Bank.—Mr. Addison defended.—Complainant
said he wss going to his sister's on the above date, and

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