The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-08-12 00:00:00

BEIERLEY HILL.
GRATIFYING TESTIMONIAL TO A
SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE.

On Monday morning, previous to the commencement
of the business at the Brierley Hill Police Court, Mr,
H. 0. Firmstone, as presiding magistrate, said he had a
pleasing duty in presenting, in the presence of so large
an audience of the inhabitants of that district, a hand-
some testimonial to Superintendent William Mills. It
was with feelings of the liveliest satisfaction that he had
to offer the gratifying testimonial in recognition—by
the magistracy, the gentry, and inhabitants generally of
that and adjacent parishes—of the able and active
manner in which Mr. Mills had discharged the duties
of a police-officer. After being for something like ten
years in the then turbulent district of Bilston, Wednes-
bury, and Darlaston, Mr. Mills had been appointed
more than twenty-five ears ago to the one he now
resigned. The manner in which he had discharged the
duties was shown by the nature of the testimonial, and
the number of parties subscribing. He (the speaker)
would like to refer more particularly to the difficult
position Mr. Mills had occasionally to hold when there
were disputes between employers and employed. Mr.
Mills, on such occasions, had always behaved with the
utmost firmness, with the greatest humanity, and with
laudable activity. Under the circumstances he had
pleasure in presenting Mr. Mills with a purse containing
250 guineas, a clock valued 26 guineas, a claret jug, and
an illuminated address, hoping he might long enjoy, as
he had in the past, the respect and esteem of the •in-
habitants—(applause).
In accepting the testimonial, Mr. Mills said it afforded
him the greatest satisfaction to find that his humble
services for a period of thirty-six years were so highly
appreciated. He should carefully treasure these ex,
pressions of good will and esteem. He trusted that-his
conduct throughout life would show that the kindness
he had received that day had not been undeservee. • He
desired, in conclusion, to express his warmest thanks to
the Chairman of the committee, the committee, and to
the ladies and gentlemen who had subscribed to the
testimonial— (cheers).

PIGEON STEALING.-At the Police Court, on 'Monday
before Messrs. H. O. Firmstone and H. Smith, Thomas
Wall, jun, and Benjamin Aster, jun, were charged with
breaking into a pigeon house and stealing three pigeons
the property of Thomas Guest, at Kingswinford, on the
sth inst.—John Thomas Guest and Police-constable
White proved the case and defendants were sentenced to
one month's hard labour.

A CAUTION.—Henry Talbot was charged with being
on enclosed premises for an unlawful purpose, at Brierley
Hill, on the sth inst.—Mrs. Woolley proved the case,
and defendant, who has been convicted for assaults was
sentenced to two months' hard labour.
STEALING GLAss.—William Hicks was charged with
stealing a quantity of glass, the property of Messrs.
Davis, Bridgens, and Davis at Au Inam.f— J Imes
Davis and Sergeant Hudson proved the offence and de-
fendant was sentenced to be locked up for 6 hours and
whipped with the birch rod.
HIGHWAY OFFENCE.—WiIIiam Hayes was charged with
allowing the cows to stray on the highway at New Wood.
—Police-constable Farrol proved the case.—Defendant
said he had some pasture at Round Hill Farm, and the
cows were going to that place put New Wood.—Ftned
10a and coats.

DRUNKENNESS.—David Whitehouse was charged with
being drunk and riotous at Brierloy Hill on the sth inst.
—Police-sergeant Lavin and Police-constable Hollins
proved the case and defendant was fined 5s and costs ;
in default 14 days.

ThANsFEas.—The Elephant and Castle, Kingswinford,
from Phcebe Pitt to Job Barker; the Bottle of Glass,
Moor Lane, from William Mullett to John William
Mullett; the Turk Inn, Audnam, from the executors of
Joshua Bridgens to Emma Bridgens ; the New Inn,
Kinver, from Jane Shaw to Henry Millinchip ; the Holly
Bush Inn, Amblecote, from Elizabeth Beard to John
Birt.

ASSAULT CesE.—At the Police Court, on Thursday,
before I. Spooner, Esq., Stipendiary, Samuel Cole wag
charged with assaulting Sarah Bagley, of Cottage Street,
Brierley Hill, on the 21st ult.—Complainant said she
went to the pic-nic on the above date and while going
under one of the booths defendant caught hold of her
and threw her dcwn. The defence wu that he was in

the act of falling when his hand fell upon her. He did '
not assault her and called Sarah Houghton, who ad-
mitted that the defendant did catch hold of her.—Mr.
Spooner: The witness has proved the case and he was
tined 103, 6d and costs ; in default three weeks' hard
labour.
ASSAULTING A WlPE.—Benjamin Siddaway was charged
with assaulting his wife, Lucy Ann Siddaway, on the 4th
inst.—Camplainant said she had only been married
four months. On the above date she went to Quarry
Bank and the defendant said she had been longer away
than she ought to be and struck her on the face, but she
did not wish to press the case.—Ordered to find two
sureties of £5 each to keep the peace for six months.
ANOTHER ASSAULT assn.—Cornelius Deakin was
charged with assaulting Rhoda Brooks, on the 4th inst.
From the evidence of complainant it appeared they had
been c7,urting]and when at Round 105 k the defendant
, went to her and struck her. She did not wish to press
the case.—Ordered to find two sureties of £5 each to
keep the peace for six months.
ASSAULTING A WOMAN--Isaiah Rollinson Was charged
with assaulting Mary Ann Powell, on the 2nd inst. 'the
assault complained of was that the defendant went to
her, caught her by the shoulder and shook her and threw
her head against a wall several times: Defendant denied
the charge and complainant called Phcebe Jones,
who confirmed the assault complained of and defendant
was ordered to find two sureties of £5 each to keep the
peace for six months.
WOMENS' QUARRELS.—Mary Farley, of Quarry Bank,
was charged with assaulting Harriet Harris, on the
sth inst —Complainant said she went to the house where
the defendant lived and asked her for her child's flannel
when the defendant struck her and knocked her down
and she became insensible.—The defence e'as that cona-
plainant first struck her which was denied by complain-
ant —Fined 53 and costs ; in default 14 days.
A WM BEATER—John Scrivens was brought up on a
warrant charggil with assaulting his wife Ann Maria
Scrivens, on the Bth inst.—Complainant who lived in
Cottage Street, said she had been married fifteen months
and had one child. About half-past ten on the night in
question the defendant came home and began to beat
her and struck her several times on the body and face,
knocked three of her teeth out, bruised her face, and
blackened her eye.—Mr. Sooner: You brute what have
you got to say to this ?—Defendant said he went home
and asked his wife to get him some tea ready. She
did not do so and he struck her.—Mr. Spooner said he
should sentence him to four months hard labour and at
the end of that time to find two sureties in £lO each to
keep the peace for twelvemonths; in default four months'
imprisonment. You are a disgrace to mankind to strike
a woman in the most beautiful part of her; Look at
her face you brute and see how you have served her,
knocking three of her teeth out.