The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-11-08 00:00:00

HALES OWEN.

DRUNK AND INCAPABLE.-At the Po'ice Court
held on Tuesday, before M.ssrs. F. D. L Smith, E.
Gem, H. ll.,ward, and E. B. Phillips, John Andrtws
was charged with lying drunk and incapable on
the 26th ult. Police-constable Barley proved the
case and &d the defendant was drank and lying in
the street. It was with great difficulty he was
taken home. Fined 5s and costs.—Samuel Sauaders
an old offender, was charged with being drunk and
disorderly on the 21st ult. Police-gergesint
Raybould pr,ved the case, and sfiA that the de-
fendant was very violent, and broke a quintity of
flowErpots, and had twice ben previously convicted.
Mrs. Saunders, who appeared for her son, said that
he had left home, and pleaded gui:ty. Mr. Gem
said on that occasion they should fine defendant
20s and costs, and if he came before them again,
they should send him to prison without t'A option
of a fine. Mrs. Saunders said her son would not
trouble them again, es be had left the town, and
they did not care how soon they could set their
house, and leave the town. Mr. Gem: The sooner
the better, we do not wish such people as you in the
town.

THE LATE CHARGE OF STEALING MONEY.—George
Hainge was brought up on remand charged with
stealing £6OO 14s 9*d, the property of Williara
Pratt. Mr. Maunder, of Birmingham, appeared to
&fend. Pro.ecutor said he did not wish to press
the case against the defendant who was his father-
in-law, and as it was a family matter he wanted to
settle it amongst,themselves, which they had agreed
to do. After a short consultation the defendant
was discharged, and the money ordered to be given
up to Hainge ; complainant- to pay costs.
A Dauraczx Word( Higgin was charged
with being drunk and incapable on the Ist inst
Police-constable Parkes said he found the defendant
drunk and incapable in the street. He had to lock
her up. In conAequenee of her having been locked
up for two nights, she was let, off on payment of
costs.

CErAROEC OF CAMINO AN OBSTRUCTION---William
Robins, David Rose, George Robinson, Edward
Pearce, and Henry Withers were severally charged
with causing an obstructien in the street, by roast
ii an ex in the public streets, on the 13th ult. Mr.
W. S. Hars defended. Po.ice-serge itit Raybould
said that on the 13th ult., he saw the two defendants
William Robinson and David Rose, who brought a
quantity of bricks and coil. He saw Robinson take
a shovel of fire, and sot tiro to the coals that were
stackei. The read was obstructed for many hours
Superintendent Kemp said that on the 9th Septem.
ber he received instructions from the magistrates
sitting in Petty Sessions, to see the overseers, and
instruct them to prevent any fire being. made. He
also waited upon the gentleman who meted as
steTetary, and told him if they made a fire it would
be his duty to summons them. Three days after he
alw some bills announcing that the ox roasting
would be cont'nued. and he afterwards had same
bills printed, by direction of the justices, cautioning
them not to create any obstruction, by erectiug
stalls, milling fires, and causing any obstruction.
Police-constable Parkes gave corroborative evidencu
an 1 said that lirthers unloaded a cart of coals ie
the street. He did not take any further p,rt lathe
ohetruebion. It was Withers's ocenpation to draw
coals. Mr. H tyes plea,led guilty to the chars,
for the defendants, 'except in the case of Withers,
who merely acted as a servant to the oth:r defend-
ants, and contended that he was not li.ible. Mr.
Hayes then addressed the Bench at considerable
length, and said for some 28 y-ars the public had
been in the habit of roasting an ox at the statute
fair. It had been carried on for many years under
the management of a committee, who were the real
defendants. He was sorry that some illfeeling
exi.4:4l in the matter. The defendants had pre-
viously entered into certain contracts, which they
thought they were bound to carry out. They
foetid they were in the wrong, and begged to
apologise to he Bench and loea,l authorities foa
what they had don and he (Mr. Ilayes) thought
the ends of juatice would be met by the defendants
paying costs, and promising not to offend again. Mr.
Gem said the defendants had put the authorities at
defiance, but 'hey would and that if they broke the
law it would be too strong for them. However,
they did n :t wish to fine them heavily, as they had
apologised, and they should accede to the wish of
Mr. Hayes, and order them to pay costs only. 104
each. The court was crowded to hear the case.

THE kTEICAL L1.1§,7313.—Mr. Huntou applied to
the Magistrates tor a license to'play stage p!ays in
the Institute. Ile said it was proposed to give
three or four performances for the benefit of local
charities. The Bench suggested that a number of
lectures should he given instesa of performances,
thinning i would be more conducive to the morals
of the public. Af,er a short consultation of the
Bench the application was granted.