The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-02-22 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

CHARGE OF ALLOWING GAMBLING.—At the Police
Court, held on Wednesday, before Messrs. W.
Bassano and B. Hingley, Arthur Dabbs, landlord
of the Junction Inn, Tividale, was charged with
allowing gambling in his house on the Bth inst.
Mr. W. S. Hayes appeared to support the prosecu-
tion, and Mr. Harper defended. Henry Cook, said
that on the above date, he was in the defendants
house, and said to him, " There is not many here
to-night, shall we have a game of cards." The
landlord said, "Yes." He played with the land-
lord for two cigars, afterwards for two pints of ale,
a number of other persons came in, and he played
several games at " All-fours," and afterwards a
game called "Banking." On one occasion won is
3d, and on another is 2d. He was then assaulted,
and summoned them for assaulting him, last Wed-
nesday, and the defendants were fined. Defendant
previous to the assault case, came and offered him
£5 to make the case up. as he said he had not got '
his license yet. William Bawley gave corroborative
evidence. Mr. Harper for the defence said there
was no case against his client, as he was not a
licensed victualler, not yet having received the
license. Mr. Hayes said that he had gave the de-
fendant notice to produce the license. Mr. Harper
said they had not one, and the summons charged
his client with being a licensed victualler, when he
had never received a license. Mr. Hayes said that
the defendant was selling under an interim au-
thority order. Mr. Harper asked for it to be pro-
duced. The Magistrates said they knew nothing
of the license, but that he was selling under an
interim of authority. Mr. Harper said they had
not the certificate with them, and said he should
be able to call several witnesses to prove that the
landlord was not present. John Melson was the
first witness, and said there was card playing going
on, could not say what they played for, and did not
see the ;landlord play. Joseph Downing said he
saw some men playing at cards, at a game called
"Banking," did not see the defendant play, but
saw him give the cards to play, did not see any
money pass. Thomas Melson gave similar evidence
as to seeing card playing, but said he did not see
any money pass. On cross, examination witness
said he did say that the cause of the rows was
through Cook's cheating. The Magistrates con-
sidered it a very bad case indeed, and fined the
defendant .25 and costs, and allowed the solicitor's
fee in prosecution.
APPLICATION FOR Waons.—James Davenport
Brothers, and Elijah Bywater, were summoned by
Isaac Westwood for .22 15s 3d wages alleged to be
due. Mr. Clulow appeared for the complainant,
and Mr. W. S. Hayes defended. A number of
witnesses were called on both sides. Mr. Hayes
contended that it was an attempt to obtain the
money from Bywater, the other defendants not
having any money, and said it had not been
. proved that he was a partner. Mr. Chdow con-
tended that Bywater had allowed his name to be
used, and was liable. The bench made an order
for Bywater to pay the amount. Mr. Hayes gave
notice of appeal.—There were several other cases
against Bywater, and an order was made in each
case for the wages to be paid.
CHARGE OF ASSAULT AGAINST A POLICE OFFICER.
...Police-constable McGorty was charged with as.
saulting George Morrsou on the night of the 15th
inst. Mr. Hayes defended. Complainant said he
went into the Ash Tree, public-house, to have a
pint of ale, the defendant came into the house, and
as he was leaving the house, he stopped to light his
' pipe, when defendant caught hold of him by the
collar, s won°. him round, and he fell upon his knee
and his hate: fell off. Police-constable Winfield
said he was in company with McGorty. and visited
the Ash Tree public-house. McGorty went into the
house, and said the complainant and the other man
were blackguards, and on coming out, defendant
only put his hand on the complainant's shoulder,
and told him to go home. The Bench considered
it a most unwarranted interference on behalf of the
police, who had no right to go into a house and say
that a man was a blackguard. Case dismissed.—A
charge was preferred against McGorty for assault-
ing George Morris on the same date and time.
The charge was not proved. Police-constable
Winfield swore that defendant did not touch com •
plainant, Case dismissed.

DRUNK AND INCAPABLE. Jonathan Morgan
was charged with being drunk and incapable, on
the 15th. Police-constable Sylvester proved that
he found the defendant lying on the road, drunk.
The defence was that a friend paid for some ale,
and he smoked several pipes of tobacco, which
overcame him, and be fell down on the curb-stone,
and became insensible. Dismissed with a cau-
tion.—James Powell was charged with being drunk
on licensed premises, on the 15th. Police-constable
Gaskin proved the case. Fined is and costs.—
David Troman was charged with being drunk
and disorderly at Cradley Heath, on the 15th inst-
Police-constable Sylvester proved the case, and
said the defendant was very disorderly. Fined 2s
6d and Costs.
STEALING STOCKINGS. Daniel Parsons was
charged with stealing on the 16th just, six pairs of
stockings, the property of Elizabeth Aubin, shop-
keeper,of Blackheath. Complainant proved that the
stockings produced were her property,and that they
were hung out by the door, and worth 3s 3d. They
were brought tc her by the police, she had lost a
number of articles, and her father had ffiven in-
formation to the police, who watched and detected
the prisoner stealing them. Polide.constable
Rowlands proved that he saw the prisoner take the
stockings, and put them under his coat, charged
him with stealing them, and took him into custody.
Prisoner admitted that he laid hold of the stockings
to feel their qnality, when they fell down, and he
was in the act of picking them up, when he was
collared by two policemen. Sentenced to three
months bard labour.—Defendant was further
charged with assaulting Police-constable Rowlands
on the 16th, whilst in the execution of his duty.
The case was clearly proved, and defendant com-
mitted for one month's hard labour, without the
option'of a fine.