The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-01-21 00:00:00

BRIEHLEY HILL.

We understand that Mr. J. Boyne, the schoolmaster 01
Bank•etreet School, 13rierley Hill, is just appointed
schoolmaster at the large Wesley Schools, Bratt-street,
West Bromwich, rendered vacant by the resignation of
Mr. James Hall.

The members of the Fifteenth (Brierley Hill) Stafford-
shire Rifle Volunteer Corps have just been supplied with
the Snider Rifle. In making the distribution at the
Armoury Captain J. B. Cochrane announced that En-
sign Firmstone had sent in his resignation, and that Mr.
R. Smith•Casson would probably aucceed him.
DEATH 1,11.,11 BURNEL—On Thursday afternoon Mr. W.
H. l'hillips, deputv-coroner, held an inquest at the
Queen's Head, Dudley-street, upon the body of William
Henry Day, and received such severe injuries that he
died on the 171 h. The deceased was badly burnt about
the face and chest, and the body on Thursday presented
a frightful appearance. The evidence of the lad's father,
a plate layer, allowed that no one was blameable in the
matter, and the jury returned a verdict of " Accidental
death." _

SUDDEN DI/A.lll.—A REIFYING OFFICER CENSURED BY
THE JYRY.—On Thursday afternoon. Mr. Deputy Coroner
Phillips opened an inquiry at the Horse Shoe Inn, Brier.
ley Hill. respecting the death of William Pagett (71), a
shoemaker, who died suddenly, on Tuesday, at his resi-
dence, in Parkes.street.—Sarah Ann Randy, a neigh-
bour, stated that the deceased had been ailing for some
time, and that on the day in question he appeared to be
worse. The Relieving Officer (Mr. Finney) was sent for
on Tuesday. but he did not come or send a note for the
doctor.—Mrs. Roberts said the deceased had not been
able to earn his living for some time past, and he had
not applied for relief.--Sarah Ann Rigby (13j, deposed
that she used to run errands for the deceased. He was
not well on Tuesday last, and he sent her to Mr. Finney's
jars doctor's note. She accordingly went to the Reliev-
ing Officer's house, and made known the object of her
visit. Mr. Finney said, "1 cannot now, you must come
to-morrow morning at ten o'clock." It was then half.
past one. Witness said, " Bat he is nearly dead." Mr.
Finney repeated that she must come on the following
day. He added, "lie must send some one older than you
are in the morning to tell me his (Pagett's) age.—The
Coroner (to witness) : Did you tell the Relieving Officer
(Mr. Finney) how very ill the man was? Witness: Yea
air; I said he was nearly dead. I asked him to come
and see Mr. Pagett, or give me a note for the doctor.
Mr. Finney replied, " I can't awhile, as I have FO go to
Stourbridge. The Coroner Did you not go on the fol-
lowing morning? Witness: No, sir, because Mr. Fagot
was dead.—The Coroner: Did Mr. Finney come at all?
Witness : I think not.—The Coroner: Did any doctor
come? Witness: No, sir.—lt was stated by a witness
that Mr. Finney did not visit the deceased's house till
that (Thursday) morning.—The Coroner said that Mr.
Finney ought to have attended to the case as soon as it
was reported to him, or have sent • note for the doctor.
He could only say that if a doctor had been called, and
had given evidence that the man's death was in any way
attributable to the Relieving Officer's neglect, he the
Coroner) should have directed the jury to have returned
a verdict of manslaughter. It was the duty of Finney
to att. na to the wants of the poor, in cases of that kind,
and lie recommended the jury to append to their verdict
a caution that Finney should be more attentive in future.
i(imately the jury returned the following verdict
" That William l'agett died from nstural causes, but the
jury consider that Finney, the Relieving Officer, should
have made immediate inquiries on receiving a report that
a man was lying in a dangerous state, nearly dead, and
that it would have been more satisfactory if a surgeon
had been requested to attend the man at once."
A RCNAWAY HORSE.-011 Tuesday night, as Mr. Hol-
berton's horse and trap was being driven towards Hales•
owen, and when near the Blue Ball, Quarry Bank, from
some cause or other the horse bolted, and when at Quarry
Bank ran against another vehicle, breaking off both
shafts of the trap, and throwing out both occupants. The