The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-09-02 00:00:00

af - :dr ,7 r:
TfiLP STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER.

i,!p

Ely (stontirke Oberber.

he Clerk read the following reply :
August, 16, 1870.
Sir,—l am in receipt of a letter dated the 11th
ult, signed by the Chairman and ex-Chairman of
the Stourbridge Improvement Commissioners, and
yourself calling attention to the dissatisfaction
which was expressed at
,the last meeting of the
Commissioners, in consequence of the delay in car-
rying out the works of the Stourbridge Branch
Railway, and in reply I beg to state that the
delay has been occasioned by difficulties which
have arisen in respect to the purchase of land,
and especially in regard to one of the roads, but
as soon as those difficulties are removed which it
is anticipated they speedily will do, there will
be no further cause to prevent the commence-
of the works as the contracts have already been
let. Tinder such circumstances the Commissioners
will now deem it to be unnecessary to come to Lon-
don to see the directors on the subject.

I am, sir,
Your obedient servant,
DANIEL GOOCH.

John Taylor, Esq.
After some discngsion Mr. Stringer moved that
the Clerk do reply to the letter.
The' motion was seconded by Mr. Franklin and
carried.

FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

The Clerk read the following report :—Highway
Account due from Treasurer, £283 2s sd. Urban
Sanitary Authority due to Treasurer, .£166 4s id.
The followinr, accounts have been examined and
recommended 'to be paid :—Highway Account,
.09 7s 3; Improvement Account, £l3 is 4d;
Urban Sanitary Authority, .07 12s 10d.
On the motion of Mr. Edwards, seconded by
Mr. Franklin were ordered to be paid.
The Clerk gave an estimate of the rating of the
township.
On the motion of Mr. Stringer, seconded by Mr.
Edwards, an Improvement rate of 6d in the pound
and a Highway rate of 8d was received and signed
by the Chairman.
REPORT OF THE GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE.
Your committee report that a notice has been
received from the Stourbridge Board of Guardians
as the Rural Sanitary Authority for district No. 1
in reference to the Wollaston Pools and the River
Stour. The notice is addressed to Messrs. Norris,
Charles Evers Swindell, John Bradley and Co.,
William Orme Foster, the Stourbridge Gas Com-
pany, the Stourbridge Improvement Commissioners,
C. E. Firmstone, William Jonadab Turney, and
Messrs. Ick and Palfrey. - The notice will be laid
before you.
RePORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH.
—Places and premises in Angel Street, the Cliff,
Mill Lane, Duke Street, Summer Street, and the
Gig Mill have been inspected and instructions
given to the Town Officer for the removal of
nuisances found there. In one case of overcrowd-
ing, where 12 persons were found in two rooms
a summons was issued and a conviction obtained
With regard to the other 'nuisances the notices
have either been complied with or the necessary
works are in progress. The Glue Works belonging
to Mr. William Jonadab Turney have been the
subject of complaints during the month and
21 days notice have been given for the removal of
I the nuisance.

A letter from Mr. Turney has been received
statingithat he has decided to stop the process of
the boiling during the warm weather, whenever
wind is in the East and further that he will only
be too glad to carry out any reasonable sugges-
tion,and wished do all he possibly could to prevent
anything offensive.
The Commissioners • directed the Clerk to write
to Mr. Turney, referring to the complaints made
and that the Commissioners will he compelled to
take action unless provision is made for the abate.
ment or removal of the offensive effluvium„,,
MORTALITY RETURNS.—Number of deaths re-
gistered from June 17 to July 12, 13, viz., seven
males and six females. The death-rate is 16.6 per
thousand.
'IHE MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT.—Although
the death-rate is slightly higher than last month.
The health of the town is quite as good because
out of the 13 deaths five were under one year,
three of whooping cough. Number of births re-
gistered in the same time 31.
TOWN OFFICER'S REPORT.—Nuisances removed
from last month, 16: reported during the month,
54; removed old, 15; new, 48. Night Soil:
Sixty-three privies and fifty ashpits belonging to
eighty-six houses have been emptied and cleansed
during the month. Five cases of overcrowding
have been reported and removed. The slaughter-
houses were reported to be in good..sanitary con.
dition.
The necessity for the drainage of Brook Street
was again
_referred to.

Mr. Kelley remarked that complaints had been
made in reference to a nuisance at the Glue Works
by four or five persons, but he did not think the
Board coulditake any notice of that. Their officer
had notreported that it was a nuisance.
The Chairman slid that might be true, but there
was no doubt that the smell was very offensive
some time ago, and Mr. Turney was quite willing
to do all he could to abate a nuisance and the best
answer to it would be to read Mr. Turney's
letter.
The Clerk then read the following letter:—
From William Jonadab Turney,
. • Glue Manufacturer,
h4,L, Stourbridge, August 25.
Dear Sir,—l beg to acknowledge receipt of your
communication respecting the offensive smell from
my works, and in reply would respectfully submit
the following for your consideration :—First, the
%iterations fhave made during the last few years,
with a view to the removal of any offensive smell

iimounted to upwards of £560, which I tnlnk
you will admit sufficient proof of my willingness
to meet you as far as possible.
Second, the alteration already made though not
entirely successful have without doubt-considerably
abated the nuisance, and the smell which has
recently been complained of was in a great
measure owing to the hot wc *then
Third, I am at the present time giving the mat-
ter my best attention and am in communication
with a leading firm of Sanitary Engineers in Lon-
don. I shall endeavour to meet your wishes in
every possible way and shall only be too glad to
carry out any reasonable suggestion which wi!l
tend to prevent anythins, offensive. As it is evi-
dent the smell is not injurious to the health of
the town, however, disagreeable it may some-
times be, I respectfully submit that a reasonable
time should be allowed for the adoption of the
best means of preventing it.
The report was then adopted on the motion of
the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Edwards.
IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE.
Your committee report that they have received
two tenders for the drainage of Worcester Street,
one from Mr. John Gilliam willing to do it for
£ll7 10s, and another from Mr. Frederick Good-
man, of Kidderminster, offering to do the work
for .4125.

Your committee recommend that Mr. John
Gilliam do the work and it was proposed, seconded,
and carried that Mr. Gilliam do the work. Mr.
Thomas Parkes was accepted as surety.
- Plans of Mr. J. Davis's property, and Mr. J.
Williams's were laid before the Board and
approved of subject to them being in accordance
with the plans.
There was no other business. -

.10111=1,

BOARD OF GUARDIANS: id,

The weekly meeting of this board was held
yesterday. Mr. Granger in the chair. There
were present :—Messrs. H. Billingham Rhodes,
Hall, Htskew, Thompson, Fiddian, Kelly,
Guest, 'Giles, Baker, Wood, Homer, Burr,
Brooks, Pargeter, and Cole. Admitted into
the house 19; discharged 13; died 0; born 0 ;
remaining 314; corresponding week last year
234. Out-door relief Kingswmford district £22
17s 8d; Stourbridge district £l4 7s 6d; Hales-
Owen district £l5 12s. 8d ; non-resident paupers
11s 8d ; total £53 9s. 6d ; corresponding week
last year, £55 is 2d.
A county rate for Worcestershire was paid
amounting to £609 18s 4d.

ADJOURNED INQUEST,—AD adjourned inquest
was held at Mr. Nendick's the Vauxhall Inn,
Foster Street, before R. Docker, Esq., Coroner,
touching the death of William Wooldridge, who
died in a pit as reported in our last week's issue.
The first witness called was John Wooldridge,
who resides in Mount Street, and on of the
deceased. His father; worked at Clatterhatch in a pit
belonging to Mr. Owen, and was at work down the
pit on the 21st ult, and he saw him about eight
o'clock apparently in his usual health. He con-
tracted for the getting of the clay and was going
round the pit and he saw him again in about ‘•en
minutes lying down on his face, dead. John
Walkei was with him andlhelped to raise him up.
They carried him to the bottom of the pit and put
him into a skip and he was got out of the pit.
Mr. Bailey was • sent for and arrived about
twenty minutes after. His father had often com-
plained of pains at the heart and in the back.—
John Walker said he worked in the same pit and
saw the deceased about a quarter to eight o'clock.
He was longer going round the 7orkings than
usual and he went to look after him and found
him in the door way lying on his face. He went
to the bottom of the shaft and told the banksman
to look out. The last witness then came and
assisted him and he (witness) had often heard
deceased complain of pain at the licarts.--Robart

,
Marfa

9%';'

Luther Bayley, surgeon, said he knew the deceased
and saw him a little after eight o'clock on the pit
bank dead. He could not have been dead more
than half a hour. He examined the body ex-
ternally and it appeared well nourished and there
were two small bruises on the forehead recently
inflicted, and three or four scratches on the nose
which would probably be caused by coming in
contact with the ground. There was a large burn
on the right side of the abdomen and the clothes
he wore were also burnt, corresponding in size
some five or six inches. The injury was only
superficial and there was no sign to show the
cause of death, but he had reason to believe that
deceased died from natural causes and he thould
say it was heart disease.—Walker re-called, said
that when the deceased left.him he had a lighted
candle and found it under his body out.—The jury
found that deceased died from 'Natural causes."
DRUNK AND INCAPABLE.—At the Police Court,
yesterday, before Colonel Fletcher, H. 0. Firm-
stone, and R. L. Freer, Esqrs., Sarah Bache, of
Oldswinford, was charged with being drunk and
incapable on the 19th nit.—Police-constable
' Firth said he saw the defendant about twelve
o'clock at night drunk and being led by two men.
—Defendant's daughter said she was with her
mother and she had nothing to drink, but was
taken ill in going home and was led by two men.
—Mr. Brewer was called, and said the defendant
was perfectly drunk and being dragged along by
two men.—Fined is and costs.
HIGHWAY OFFENCE.—John Edward Holloway
was charged with allowing his donkey to stray at
Cleat, on the 16th ult.—Superintendent Freeman
I withdrew the charge on payment of: 8s costs.
CRUELTY TO A HORSE.—Charles Rudge was
charged with 'cruelly torturing a horse, on the sth
lilt; by working it while in an unfit state.—lnspec,
tor Doorbar proved the case.—Defendant.pleaded-
guilty and was fined 5s and cOsts.
OVERCROWDING.—SamueI Hall was summoned
for permitting an overcrowding. Inspector
Williams, the town officer, proved the case.—The
Bench fined defendant 5s and costs and ordered
the nuisance to be abated. _ _ _

ASSAULT CASE.—Ann Cartwright, landlady of
the Crown Inn, Lye, was summonea by Frances
Hart, with assaulting her, on the 29th ult.—Mr.
Elcock defended.—Complainant said she went to
defendant's house for her husband who was drink-
ing there. She asked him to come home but
instead of coming home he called for a quart of
ale and gave a shilling for it and she asked him for
the money, when her husband told defendant his
wife was jealous of her and defendant struck her
several times.—The defence was that she.Oraered
complainant out of the house and she refused to
and tried to turn her out when defendant struck
her first —Fined 2s 6d and costs.
ASSAULTING A WlFE.—lsaac Adams, butcher,
was charged with assaulting his wife Jane Adams,
on the 15th ult.—Complainant said she did not
wish to press the case, but on being toki by the
Chairman to state the case defendant said her
husband struck her in the eye and blackened it.—
In answer to the Bench complainaA said she did
not wish him bound over and the ease was dis-
missed, defendant being cautioned.

BRIERLEY BILL.
WILFUL DAMAGE.—At the Police Court, on Monday,
before Messrs. H. 0. Firinstone and IT. Hall, William
Reynolds was charged with wilfully dainaging a fence,
on the 10th ulti at Kiragswinford, the property of John
Slater.—Complainant said on the above date he saw
defendant in the middle of the field and when defend•
int caught sight of witne9s he ran away and got ov ;r
the fence, damaging it to the amount of 61.—Defendant
said he jumped clear over the fence and did not touch
it and that complainant got on to the fence himself.—
This was denied by complainant and the Bench fined
defendant Gd and costs; in default seven days' imprison-
ment.
CHARGE OF THREATENING.—Joseph Plant was Charged
with threatening Isaiah-Parkes.—Mr. Waldron appeared
for complainant, and Mr. Addison defended.—The threat
complained of was that defendant said he would rub
complainant down with a brick.—Mr. Addison contended
that there was nothing in the evidence for him to
answer.—Mr. Firmstone said he did not think it amount.
ed to a threat, but if complainant choose they would
bind defendant over on complainant paying costs.—Coui-
plainant agreed to do this and defendant was bound
over to keep the peace for six months.
STEALING RABBlTS.—William Piddock and Benjamin
Whorton, two youths, were charged with stealing three
tame rabbit-, the property of Arthur Wall, at Ketley,
Kingswinford, on the I,7th ult.—Mr. Addison defended.
—Arthur Wall said he lived at Ketley, Kingswinford.
He saw the rabbits safe at half-past six in the evening
in the store room behind the house. The rabbits were
his property.—Joseph Wall, moulder, said he lived at
Ketley, Kingswinford. He saw the rabbits safe at half.
past eleven on the night of the 17th tilt, and missed
them about six o'clock the next morning. He next saw
them at Corbyn's Hall at prisoner Whorton's They
were in the shrubs in the garden. The rabbits were
worth 7s.—Police-constable Storer said he was stationed
at Pensnett. He went to the house of prisoner Piddock
wt i a search warrant. He found a basket that had con-
timed rabbiti. He eharged Piddock on suspicion with
stealing three tame rabbits, the prop3rty of Joseph
Wall, at Ketley. The mother was standing by and she
said " You tell the man the truth about the rabbit
andprisoner then said '' It Was not me, it was Whorton.
He ot them and 113fastenecl the door. He fetched them
out and I helped him to carry them." Prisoner also
idled that one of the rabbits was at Whorton's and the
others were at the top of the garden. Prisoner then
went and fetched the live rabbit out of a place in the
wall. Witness then went to Whorton's house but could
not find the rabbits. He apprehended Whorton and
charged him with stealing the rabbits, and prisoner told
witness it was no use looking for the rabbits. They
put them at the top of the garden that morning, but
there had been some lads throwing at SOUP; pears, and
very likely they had let the rabbits out. Witness after-
wards charged both prisoners together but they made
no reply.—Mr. Addison said his clients pleaded guilty
to the charge, but as they had already been in custody
more than a week he would ask the Bench to be as
lenient as possible with them.—Sentenced to 14 days'
hard labour.
ILLEGALLY Fisittna.—John Millward was charged
with illegallyfishing in Cradley Pool, on the 17th nit.—
Mr. Holberton appeared to prosecute.—Defendant
pleaded guilt.—Joseph Hill, Quarry Bank said he was
assistant watchman in the employ of the Earl of Dadley.
He saw defendant fishing in Cradley Pool on the 17th
nit, and the fish he caught were wor.h sixpence. De-
fendant said he was fishing for Mr. Hingley and he had
had permission to
,clo so for 16 years.—Emmanuel
Flavell, watchman, said no leave was given except a
printed card from the office and the cards were not
transferable.—Defendant was fined 2s 6d and costs.
DEATH OF THE STATION WASTEIL—An inquest was
held before Mr. W. H. Phillips, at the Vine Inn,
Wordsley, on Monday evening, touching the' death of
James Corfield (39), late station master at Brierley Hill.
—lnspector Ledbrook and Inspeator Locke, or the Great
Western Railway Company were present during the
inquiry.—lt appeared from the evidence that deceased
had been in the employ of the comp my ten years
There had been some slight irregularities on his part,
but uo chargf Ihad been nat de against him bythe company.
On Friday morning last Corfield left home at about
eleven o'clock and proceeded to the station at Brierley
Hill, where he stayed only a short time. He then went
towards Wordsley' calling at three publia-houses on the
way, and at each of which he had 4d worth of brandy
and water. The proprietors of these houses said they
noti el io .bin 3 strange in Isle demeanour. At five
o'clock in the evening he was seen walking along the
side of the Stourbridge Canal. After this nothing was
heard of him until about five o'clock the next morning,
when his:body was found floating in the canal, near the
Wordsley Junction. There was no ~evidenee to show
that the deceased committed suicide, or that he had
come by his death otherwise than by accident.—The
jury returned an open vedict.
ASSAULTISG A WIEE,—At the Police Court, on Thurs-
day, before Mr. I. Spooner, Stipendiary, Joseph Landers
was charged with assaulting his wife Sarah Ann Landers,
on the 24th ult.—Complainant, who did not wish to press
the case, said she lived at Commonside. On the above
date defendant came home about six o'clock and struck
her several blows on the face and head.—Defendant said
complainant gave him cause.—Mr. Spooner: There is
no cause to justify a man striking his wife. I fine you
£2 and costs; in default six weds hard labour.
CAUTION TO OWNERS OF 'Doos.—Edward Geary,
chemist, High Street, Brierley'Hilr, was summoned by
James Gittings, assistant overseer, for- not keeping a
dog under proper control on the 17th ult.—Comnlainaut
said on the above date defendant's dog bit his son whilst
he was in the street with other children —Defendant
said he had offered to pay the doctor's fee.—Mr.
Spooner: It is a frightful thing to die from hydrophobia.
I order you to have the dog destroyed at once and pay
costs, and for every day the animal is kept alive I flue
you El.
ASSAULT CASE.—John Grennan was charged with
assaulting William Scriven and was fined 53 and costs'
in.default 14 days.
STEALING MONEY.—Clara Fowler and Elizabeth
Manning, two young women from Birmingham, were
charged with stealing da 16s, the monies of Thomas
Keen, at Round Oak, on the 30th ult.—Prosecutor said
he lived at 25, Bank Street. On the night in question
he met the two prisoners at Mr. Phillips's, the Round
Oak Inn, and treated them to two glasses of wine each.
They went to the Blue Brick public-house and he again
treated them to two glasses of wine. Witness had his
coat on his arm and the money was in a pocket of the
coat. He went to the station to see what time his train
left and from there to the urinal and when he came
back the money was gone.—Thomas Newton said he was
behind prosecutor and prisoners on the night in question
and he saw Fowler throw away a pocket handkerchief.
He ran and picked it up and took it to the palice-station
when it was found to contain money.—Prisoners were re-
manded for a week for further enquiries.
ATTEMPTED SUR:WEL—SamueI Hill, a dull looking
young man, was charged with attempting to commit
suicide by hanging himself on the 29th ult.—David All.
port said he heard prisoner's mother cry out and on
going into the house he found prisoner suspended from
the ceiling with a strap. Witness helped, to get him
down and he was nearly insensible.—Prisoner said he
tried to hang himself because his father had not left
him anything in his will. Remanded for a week.
SERIODS ASSAULTs.—Thomas Pearson was charged
wth assaulting Benjamin Robinson, Thomas Skidmore
and James Mallins, on the 28th ult.—Mr. Clulow
appeared for complainants, and Mr. Waldron defender,.
—From the evidence adduced it appears that complainant
went to the house of a man named Cartwright and one
of them put the light out and a row ensued. When
complainant went out of the honse defendant followed
them and struck them all three with some instrument
and out their heads open. Atter he had knocked Skid.