The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-04 00:00:00

THE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER

11.—All Members must punctually attend the
drills, and -while so ongaged, shall submit to the
discipline of, and obey all orders given them by the
officer in command. The Committee shall have
power to fine or dismiss any Member using improper
or insubordinate language, or who may be found
drunk, or guilty of practical joking, or disorderly
conduct at the drills or assemblies ; such no not
to exceed ss. Smoking to be strictly prohibited at
all drills and assemblies.

In," by Masters T. Jennings, and G. Garrett, and
which deals with lccal topics, has proved a great
success; on lbursday evening the singers were
thrice recalled before the curtain by the audience.—
The J2e3ditch Indicator.

STEALING MONEY.—At the Worcester Sessions on
Tuesday, David Catwriglit pleaded guilty to stealing
9s. 9d., belonging to John Hughes, on the 7th Septem-
ber.—Two months hard labour. _ _ _

HousEnnEAKlxo:llenry Fellows (55), pleaded
guilty to breaking into the dwelling-house of Amos
Valentine Carter, on' the 26th October, with intent to
steal —He was sentenced to five years' penal servitude.
THE WHOLESALE SWINDLING. —At the Worcester
Sessions on Wednesday, Henry Lowe (39), potato
dealer, was charged with stealing a bay cob, the
property of William Dudley. Mr. Selfe prosecuted ;
Mr. Cook defended.—Prosecutor is a pawnbroker,
living at Blackheath, and in October lest he had a bay
cob, which he advertised for sale. Prisoner called
about the cob, and said he thought it would do for
him very well. Prosecutor, however, was not dis-
psed to let the cob go, as he did not know prisoner.
Lowe, however, said he was a vholesale potato
merchant, and produced a billhead ii which he was
so described. Prosecutor asked him 20. for the horse,
and prisoner said the money woud be all right.
Prosecutor: however, did not let tie horse go, and
some correspondence took place between them, pri-
soner dating his letters from Hollr Cottage, Clent.
Eventually prosecutor let him have the cob on trial,
prisoner promising to pay in a few tags. The money,
however, was not paid as promised, and on prosecutor
making enquiries he found Holly Cottage empty. The
horse was subsequently discovered at a public-house
in Birmingham.—Theldefence ww that prosecstor had
absolutely parted with his property in the horse, and
that his remedy against prisoner therefore lay in a
civil court.—The jury found bim guilty.—Prisoner
had previously undergone pena: servitude, and there
were three other indictments against him in the pre-
sent calendor. Onci was a charge of obtaining by
false pretences 163 bags of potatoes from James
Montague, of Ca-tre Finn, treland ; another of stealing
, a Whiteehapel dog-cart, the property of William
Beddoes Moore, at Upper Swinford ; and a third
indictment charged Lowe, jointly with a man
named Andrew Farrer, (34), labourer, with obtain-
ing by false pretences a set ofharness from Daniel
Percival Cooper, of Steurbridge. The last-named
case was proceeded with. Mr. Selfe again prosecuted,
and Mr. R. Ampblett defended Lowe ; Ferrer was un-
defended. In October Lowe went to the shop of
the prosecutor, who is a harness-maker, and ordered a
set of harness of the value of £6 Ws., saying he was a
potato merchant, and had been recommended to the
prosecutor by a gentleman ofStourbridge. In conse-
quence of these representations the harness was made
for Lowe, and some days afterwards the prisoner
Ferrer, who acted as Lowe's servant, called at pro-
secutor's and asked if the harness was done. The
harness was given him, and next day Ferrer again
called with a letter from Lowe, ordering some other
articles of harness, which were supplied ; Farrer
intimating that his master (Lowe) was the largest
potato merchant in the kingdom, and had at the
station more than 100 bags of potatoes waiting to be
fetched away. These potatoes, it was found, had been
obtained by fraud from a planter in Ireland. Eviden IP
was given to show that Lowe did not carry on business
as a potato merchant; that he and Farrer were going
about together; and that they had been concerned in
the other fraudulent transactions.--The jury found
both prisoners guilty on this indictment, and Ferrer
also admitted a prior conviction. Lowe was sen-
tenced to seven years' penal servitude in each of the
two cases in which he was convicted, making four-
teen years in:all , and Ferrer was sentenced to the
maximum punishment of five years' penal servitude ;
each of the sentences to be succeeded by police super-
vision for seven years.
DRUNKENNESS.—At the Police Court, yesterday,
before Colonel Fletcher, Lord Lyttelton, Messrs. C.
P. Noel and F. Evers, William Pearson, of the Lye
was charged with being drunk and disorderly at
Clent, on Sunday the loth ult. Police-constable
Wallace proved the case and said defendant made
u-e of bad language. Fined 2s 6d and costs; in
default 7 days. _ _ _

12.—Any Member being absent from three drills I
of the Brigade in succession, without leave, or
neglecting or refusing to attend at a fire, without
giving to the officer in command a satisfactory
reason for his absence, shall be reported to the
committee, who shall have power to fine or dismiss
him from the Brigade.
13.—The Officer in command must see that his
men have proper refreshments when they have
been on duty for several consecutive hours, and
prevented attending their ordinary meals. No
Spirituous Liquor shall be supplied to the men
except by the directions of the said officer.
14.—When the alarm of Fire is given, the mem-
bers of the Brigade will see that immediate in-
formation is given to the Captain, Lieutenant,
Superintendent, the Chief of Police, and the
Foreman of the Water Works.

16.—At each call to attend a Fire, the Brigade
will, with all speed, assemble at the Engine House,
and fall in, in sections of fours, section No.. 3 to
act as supernumeraries, and assist at pumping,
until the Superintendent has obtained sufficient
persons to man the Engine, when they will report
themselves to the Captain, and work under his
orders at the Fire.

16.—Every Fireman is expected to appear in uni-
form at Fires or Drills, lie will readily obey the
orders of his Officers, and at a Fire will not leave
the premises for refreshments or otherwise, unless
with the permission of the Officer. He, should
take every opportunity of perfecting himself in the
drill throughout, so as to be well able to take the
place and perform the duty of any absent officer or
member, and so avoid any confusion at a Fire, as
it is necco3ary that the Captain be able to place
implicit confidence in the men, he being responsible
should any blame attach to the Brigade. He will
distinctly understand that, at a fire, he is solely
under the control of his own Officers, and is on no
account to take orders from any other person. All
enquiries mind be referred to the Officer in com-
mand.

17.—Tbe Hand Reel and four lengths of Hose
belonging thereto, shall not, on qny pretence, be
allowed to be taken out of the Commissioners'
district, except for any neceassau repair to the
mule.

18.—Also, that no person rides upon either Fire
Engine, in going to or returning from a fire, unless
such person belongs to the Fire Brigade Service, or
is a member of the Fire Brigade Committee.
19.—When suggestions are made by owners of
property on fire, or parties having property adjoin-
ing, such suggestions mint be communicated to
the Captain, who will give the necessary instruc-
tions. All orders must be given through the
Captain.
20.—None of the foregoing rules shall be altered
or any new ones made, except by a two-third vote
at a general meeting, and three days' notice of any
such proposed new rule, or alteration, shall be
given to each member, but the committee shall be
empowered to frame any necessary bye-laws for the
working and government of the Brigade.
The - Stourbridge Improvement Commissioners
shall, from time to time, fix the amounts that shall
be paid for Salaries, Rewards, and Allowances, and
the charges to be made for the use, and wear and
tear of the Engines and their Appurtenances at
Fires, and for the hire of Horses and Drivers,
without their District.

The general management, regulation, and control
of the Fire Brigade, and of everything belonging
or attached thereto, shall, subject to the foregoing.
rules and regulations, and to any alteration or
amendment of the same, and to the instructions,
directions, and resolutions, which may from time
to time be given or made by the Commissioners,
be vested in, and exercised by, the Committee for
the time being.
Mr. Evers asked if there was any compulsion
upon the Commissioners to provide a fire engine.
The Chairman:Yes, to provide proper appliances
as fire engine, ladder, and other necessary things
for extinguishing fires.
Mr. Evers: Would the Fire Brigade be controlled
by the Commissioners.

BREACH OF THE PEACE. - Eli Timmins, Joseph
Timmins, Boyd Ketley, and -William Cook were
charged vi ith committing a breach of the pcace by
lighting on the 26th ult. Police-constable D Avis
said he was on duty at the Heath. On hearing a
great noise be went to the place and found all the
defendants fighting and a large crowd round them.
Defendants were bound over to keep the peace for a
month.

NEGLECT or Worat.—Geerge White, a carter, in
the employ of Mr. G. J. Eveson, was charged with
neglect of work, and complamant'claimed 8s 10d.
William Evans said it was the duty of defendant to
deliver four loads of coal and be only delivered one.
A witness said the horse was standing for more than
an hour. Defendant said he had to have the horse
'• roughed' as the toads were slippery, and when at
Hagley the animal hurt its 'hip and Ws was ordered
to put it in the stable, and the remainder of the day
he was engaged cutting chaff by order of Alfred
Wheeler, who was instructed by William Evans.
Case dismissed.

The Chairman: Certainly, the Board would have
to provide a proper place for the engine, and he
gave notice that he should move at the next meet-
ing, the rules be considered and sanctioned.
The clerk then read a letter he had received from
Mr. G. Holloway, clerk to the Guardians, enclosing
a copy of a resolution passed by the Board. And
asking for the decision of the Commissioners upon
it. The resolution was. "Resolved, that consider-
ing the difficulty there is in obtaining suitable land
for irrigation purposes for the drainage of Amble-
cote, and other places in the Union, and the great
expense attending thereon, this Committee is of
opinion that an effort should be made to obtain the
co-operation of the Urban Authorities within the
Union, in order to develop a scheme for the drain-
age of the whole Union area. By the united
action of all the Authorities concerned, and with
this object in view, the several Urban Authorities
be invited to send a deputation to an early meeting
of the Authorities, to consider the propriety of
joining in an united scheme for the draining of the
Union. The Commissioners would suggest the
second Friday in January next, for such meeting to
take place.
The chairman said the question was, could they
entertain the proposal, and if so, how? He thought
it would be quite right to et nd a deputation to the
conference, to ascertain the views of the several
Authorities.

TimAim—George White was then charged with
threatening William Evans, on the 28th ult. Com-
plainant said defendant threatened to murder him.
Defendant pleaded guilty and was bound over to
keep the peace for one month, himself in £lO.
ROBBERY BY A SERVANT GIRL —Eliza Blunt was
charged with stealing a silver pencil case, silver
ring, ear drops, jet t chain, needle case, seal, and
pendant, the property of George Henry Newnam, at
Hagley. Mary Newnam, wife of prosecutor, said
prisoner lived with her as domestic servant for about
four months. She missed several articles and ac-
cused prisoner with taking them and prisoner pulled
them out of her pocket. The articles produced were
worth £2. Police-constable Wallace proved appre •
heading the prisoner who said "All right." She
was sentenced to six weeks hard labour.
CHARGE or AssAurr. Samuel Cave, boot and
shoe manufacturer,
High Street, Cradley Heath,
was charged with assaulting Elijah Pearson, on the
30th ult. Complainant said h 3 was in a trap and
met the defendant at Park Gate about six o'clock.
Witness was on his rigi-A side as also was defendant
who, without any provocation, commenced to beat
him across the shoulders with a whip. Witne s
got out of the trap and demanded defendant's name.
Defendant gave him his name and struck him again,
knocking his hat off. Defendant accused witness
with being drunk and he at once went to Dr Ker
and a police officer who both said he was sober.
Defendant denied the assault and said that com-
plainant was driving down the Park at a rapid rate,
and he thought he would have run into him. He
shouted to complainant and put up his whip, but de-
nied striking him. Jesse Billingham was called to
corroborate, and said that clmplainant was driving
at a furious rate but he dld not see defendant strik
him with the whip. He saw him" twirl "it round.
The Bench considered the case proved and said it
was an unprovoked assault and fined defendant 5s
and costs 15s; in default 7 days, Defendant said he
should like to appeal against the decision, as it was
not a pleasant thing for an old tradesman to have a
conviction against him. The Clerk said there wog
no appeal Defendant then demanded a receipt for
the money paid, which was refused. He pulled out
a piece of paper for a receipt and continued asking
for one when be was told by Colonel Fletcher that
if he interrupted the busicreas of the court he would
ba removed. Defendant then left the court, stying
he should like to have a receipt to look at.
NEGLECTING TO SUPPORT A MOTHER. -- John
Skelding, shoemaker, of the Lye, was summoned by
John Mills, relieving officer, for neglecting to pay
towards the support of his mother. Mr. Mills pro-
ved that an order was made on delnidant and there
was £3 48 date. Defeniant said he had been ill and
unablet o work, and that his property was mort-
gaged. The Bench ordered defendant to pay the
amount due and costs. ,

Mr Evers moved that a deputation be appointed
to attend, and report what took place at the con-
f2rence.

Mr. Woolley seconded the proposal, observing
that opinions seemed to be changed since the last
conference respecting the advisability of co-oper-
ating. _ _ _

Mr. Billingham thought there was no question
of the desirability of a conference to ascertain the
views of the several Authoritits. Brierley Hill was
against co-operation formerly, but now was strongly
in favour of a gr,at joint scheme. Probably if the
Aathorities joined, as large an area as possible
might tie dealt with, and the cost made as low as
could he for the various distlicts.

The Chairman adhered to the opinion he had
held all along, that Stourbridge woull do best by
awl?, but saw no objection to the deputation going
to the conference.

Mr. Mi Is expressed a doubt if it would be practi-
cable for Stourbridge to keep separate.
Mr. Evers observed that that was not to be dis-
cussed at present.
The deputation was then appointed.

The Stourbridge Kemble Dramatic Club are go-
ing to give three performancs in the Corn Ex •
change, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, the
13th, 14 li, and 15th insts, and frou the b:Ils and
dvertise:nents it will be seen that the Club aro going
to give the public one o the bcst treats they
have hid for some time. It will be the first enter-
tainment in the New tear, and we hcpe they will
be patronise las well as they deserve, We think
that when some twenty or thirty young gentlemen
aLd ladies take the trouble to get up some really good
things, at a loss of time and great expente to themselves
aud also render them in the manner they have
hitherto done, they should meet with areception from
die public sufficiently gratifying to induce them to
continue their eff es to amuse and instruct es. By
reference to the bills and posters in the district it will
be seen th it the Performances on each evrning will
be thoroughly interesting and will doubtlless give
pleasure and satisfaction to their audience. We have
heard that thc Town Commissioners' are taking steps
towards erecting a suitable stage for the Club's per-
formances in the Corn Exchange:

VIOTORIA HALL AND Ritur..-:--On Wednesday even-
ing last, a musical wad skating entertainment was
given in the above Hall for the benefit of Messrs.
Roby and Pear on and also the other employees of
the Rink who ! ave suffered by the failure of the late
proprietor. The attendance was not so great as was
anticipated, owing to the bad state of the weather, but
still there were a sufficient number there to show that
the lovers of rinking in the town are as numerous as
a ver. At eight o'clock the rink was cleared of slaters,
aid the programme commenced with an exhibition
of skating, the graceful and difficult evo I.J:ions
went through eliciting great applause. Mr T. B.
Mapp, hen gave a comic song, " When I took our
Nance to Church,' and was loudly cheered and evored.
kating was then resumed for twenty minutes, when
the rink was again cleared and Mr. F. Walker song
" Will u' the Wisp " in his usual capital style an& was
warmly received and encored. Mr. Alfred Wall then
song a "Topical Song" composed by himself, which was
undoubtedly the greatest " hit" of the evening He
was recalled several times, and each time had another
verse ready. After another interval for skating, Mr.
'l'. B. Mapp sang 'Bank Holiday," and Messrs. A.
Wall, and H. J. Bird sang the duet, "Upper Ten sad
Lower Five." both of which were loudly applaud.
Skating was then resumed and continued until closiag
time. To judge from the general pleased look of the
visitors to the rink, we think they all thoroughy
onjoyed themselves; and we hope the proceeds will
materially assist those for whom the entertainment
was got up.
'JENNINGS' ALEXANDRA THE/TUE.—The PANTO-
mime of "Aladdin" which is now performing at the
aLove Theatre is without thubt the best in every
respect ever produced to the Redditch public. The
Scenery which includes one or two local views is
admirably painted by Mr. G Jennings, and the
several characters in the piece are well sustained by
the members of the company. The song—" Bun 'em

land, 3 ; schooner Eva, of Runcorn, 4•, coble Sarah, inflicting bodily injury on Drew. He had to force his
of Scarbonugh, saved vessel and 3; Whitby fishing- way into the house, and on doing En he W 9.4 ASS lultel by
bo its, rendered assistance ; smack Ann, of Berwick, the prisoner with a crane ant also with Illobenzoline lamp
2 : schooner Caroline Marton, of Dumfrie?, 4 on the head. The defence of tha prisoner was to tho
schooner ViiioniNt, of Berwick, 5 ; schooner Star- effect that he was first assaulted by the police. -- The
jury found the prisoner guilty of assaulting the police,
the IVest, of Bridgewater, awed vessel and 5 ; and the Chairmr sentenced him to six calender months
brigantine Donna Maria, of Swansea, assisted to imprisonment with hard labour
save vessel and 6 ; Staithes fishing-cobles, rendered
assistance ; schooner Jane Shearer, of Thurso, 4 ; !
schooner Ann, of Runcorn, 6; Newhi.gin
fihiug-
boats, rendered assistance? schooner /venisot, of
Douglas, 4 ; smack Wasp. of Belfast, 3 ; schooner
Emerald Isle, of Drogheda, saved vessel and S;
schooner Lark, of Aberdeen, 4; pilot-boat Southern ,
Cross, of Montrose, saved boat and 2 ; schooner
Charlotte of Portmadoc, 4 ; barque earn Taal, o f
Liverpool, 9; smack Swallow, rendered as4s'ance ;
schooner Smithfield, ef A berdeen, 7 ; barque Dusty
Miller, of Liverpool, remained by vessel ; schooner
F. Edwards, of Grimsby, 5 ; sloop Raven, of Liver-
pool, 3' • steamer .Dryad, of Glasgow, 4; dandy
Henry, of Bridgwater, remained by vessel; cutter
Mystery, of Great Yarmouth, saved vessel ; s.s.
Germ' of Copenhagen, 21; schooner Zosteria, of
Colchester, alsisted to save vessel and 5 ; schooner
Margaret, of Goole, .5; schoomw Milky Ray, of
Fraserburgh, assisted to save vessel and 4 ; brigan-
tine Seajlower, of Seahan‘ 5; schooner Zephyr, of
Mostrose, assisted to save vessel and 5; brigantine
Old Goody, of Faversham, assisted to save vessel
and 8; schooner Escape, of Hull, 7; brig Menta, of
Blyth, crew and beachmen, 16 ; barque Rideulale, of
Southampton. assisted to save vessel and 12 :
steamer ±,lbe, remained by vessel ; barque Johann
Benjamin, of Memel, 9 ; barque Cochrina, of Cardiff
remained by vessel; brig Matilda, of Laurvig, 10;
schooner Marianne, of London, 4; and dandy Fairy,
of Wexford, 6. This long list shows ti total of 471
lives rescued by the Society's Lifeboats during the
' year, in addition to 17 vessels saved from destruction.
In the same period the Lifeboat Institution voted
I rewards for saving 14.5 lives by fishing and other
boats, making a grand total of 616 lives saved last
year, mainly through its instrumentality. Alto-
gether, since its formation, the Society has con-
tributed to the saving of 26,051 shipwrecked persons
for which services it has granted 980 Gold and
Silver Medals, besides pecuniary rewards to the
amount of 56,850/. The character of these noble
Lifeboat services has varied much, sonic having
been performed during the darkness of the night,
others in the daytime; but nearly allbave been
rendered during stormy weather, which would have
preven ed any ordinary open beat from accomplish
ing the rescue. Again, it is most satisfactory to
know that, notwithstanding the peril and exposure
incurred by the gallant crews, not a single life was
lost last year from the 269 Lifeboats of the Society,
although about 12,000 men were out in them on all
occasions. We are not assuming too much in ex-
pressing a confident hope that an Institution so truly
national and benevolent in its character will con:
tinue to maintain its firm hold on British sympathy
and support. We will only add that contributions
are received for the Lifeboat Institution by all the
London and country Bankers. and by the secretary,
Richard Lewis, Esq., at 14, John Street, Adelphi,
London.

KIDDERMINSTER.

STEALING A TIN CASE. - kt the Worcester Sessions
on Tuesday, William Ward, .on bail, was charged with
stealing a tin case and 21bs of beef, on the 23rd of No-
vember, the property of the Great Western Railway
Company. Mr. Streeten prosecuted; Mr. Selfe defended
—On the day in question, a truck was unloaded contain-
ing a quantity of boxes, which were left safe on the
" deck" for delivery at 12 o'clock, Prisoner was a
carter in the employ of Messrs. Bantock, delivery agents
and, together with two other carters, went to the railway
station to fetch the goods for delivery in the town.—
James Williams, one of the two carters, stated that one
of the boxes was in a loose state and he saw the prisoner
pull the lid off the box with a hook and take out a tin
of beef.—Priest, the other carter, cmroborated. The
jury found the prisoner guilty, but recommended him to
mercy on account of his good character.— In answer to
the Court, Inspector Revening of Paddington, said there
had been a great deal of pilfering going on for soma timl
at Kiddeqmin,ter. The Court sentenced prisoner to
three months hard labour.

—.—
FALSE PRETENCES —Elizabc.th Hatton (15), spinner,
pleaded guilty to obtaining 103 from Jane Cooper by
false pretences, on the 13th Dec umber. She was sen-
tenced to one month's bard labour.
THE DEATH OF Mn. DONE —Oa Monday evening an
inquest was hell at the Railway 801 l Inn, bet ire Mr. M,
Corbet, deputy coroner, on the body of Mr Joseph Done,
aged fifty-three, who died on the previous Thursday
under melancholy circamstances.—Mrs.Done stated that
her husband went to bed in good health on Tue iday
even'ng, but early on Christmas mordinw he complained
of violent pains in the lower part of the bowels. He
continued to get worse, and Mr. John Hillman was sent
for, and her husband died on Thursday afternoon.—Mr.
Hillman said be had made a post mortem examination of
the body, and found that deceased had died from stran-
gulation of the hernia. There was no foundation for the
rumour that deceased had taken poison, or had suffered
any bodily injury during his short incarceration in tha
police cells. The jury returned a verdict of " Death
from natural causes."