The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-09-24 00:00:00

BRIERLEY HILL.

A FIT no Fier..—Shortly after four o'clock, on Tues-
day morniag, the pit held on lease by Mr. John Ray.
bald, in the Wallow Colliery, " fired." The watchman
heard the roaring of the flames in the up.cast shaft, amid
at once obtained assistance. Three valuable horse.
were rescued by the downcast dial that two others were
destroyed in the part of the pit where the fire origin-
ated. Fortunately there was no night shift, or the
result might have been far differ,. at. The manager bail
both shafts covered, and sanded up, and an adjoining
pit was also closed, for greater safety.
On Saturday evening last, Mr. J. M. Hodge delivered
A Incline entitled " Litermy Societies," to the members
of the Mutual Improvement Society, Baptist Chapel,
South-street. Mr. Carder occimied the chair, And at the
eloire a eordiel vote of thanks was accorded to Mr.
[lodge.
NON-PAYMENT or Pools RATES.--At the Petty Ses-
sions held on Monday last, before It. Si. Firm,-tone and
Li Freer, Esgrs., ISO persons were summonsed by .1.
(kitting and W. Pargeter, assistant-cyerseers, for non-
payment of poor rates. An order was Wed,. ill each ease
to pay in seven days.

(.'.:111110k: ow STE'ALING tiLASS.—Thonuts Brooks, Salt
Wells Coppice, was charged with feloniously stealing a
quantity of glass, the property of Thomas Morgan. Mr.
Addison defended. Prosecutor said he was a glass en-
graver and cutter, and had a shop at Buck Pool. The
prisoner was in his employ, and had been for more than
six months. Had missed a quantity of glass for sonic
time. The tumblers, sugar basin, wines, and other glass
produced, were his property, and he could swear to them.
the glass he had missed since the prisoner was in his
employ, during the last six months. The prisoner had
hitherto borne a good character. Police-sergeant Breton
proved finding the glass produced at the house of the
prisoner, and charged him with stealing it. Prisoner
said, I suppose be will snow me to pay for them."
Jamds Street, miner, resoling at the Salt Wells Wood,
:aid the prisoner lived at his house, and married his
daughter. Some of the glass produced the prisoner
..rought to his house. discs. not his (witness s) property.
Elizabeth Street, daughter of the last witness, said she
t•wk up a pair of tumblers to Mr. Washington, at the
...quest of the prisoner. Louisa Hampton proved re•
.•civing two tumbler glasses and giving thou up to Su-
„erintendeut Mills. James Mallen and Sarah Bennett
were also railed to prove the case. Mr. Addison ad-
dressed the Bench for the defence. sod contended that
it was not done with any felonious intent, and that it
seas a common practice for men to take glass to their
employer's to cut. He thought it would be much better
I .r the prosecutor to be paid for it, and not to blast his
client's character for tile; and hoped the Bench would
take • merciful view of the case. The Bench considered
there was a pet tan facie cairn, anti comuiitted pi loaner to
take his trial at the next Stafford Sessions, bail being
accepted—himself in £2O, and two in £lO.
DUONK AND DISORDERLY.—Henry Price WAS Charged
ith being drunk and disorderly at Wordsley. Pellet:-
constable Clark proved the case. Fined Is and costs.

BREACH OW THE PEACE.—Charles Southall and Tho-
mas Weaver, of Quarry Rank, was charged with commit-
ting a breach of the peace by tightiug, on the 10th inst.
Iwo witnesses were called to provo that defendants were
taalitine a pitched battle. Defendants were ordered to
had one surety in £5, themselves ii. £lO, to ke.n the
peace for six months; in default 11 days,
COAL STEALING.—NI.ry Dunn and. Matilda Homer
were charged with stealing a quantity of coal on the 15th
itint, the property of the Earl of Dudley. Police-con-
stable Cotterell provid the Case, mid the defendants were
ordered to pay HIP costs, 5. 3d emit.
FIRING • Pfiarm..----Job Bullock was charged by Su.
perintendent Mills with tiring off a pistol ou the high-
way, on the 12th instant. Caroline Iron. proved the
11',-uce, and defendant was ordered to pay costs.
CHARGE OF Tune resixo.—Job Bullock was charged
o itli using threatening ianguage to Mr. Irons, the hen-
aid of the complainaut in the preceding case. Ihe
case was withdrawni an defendant paying the coats, aud
I:remising not to repeat the offence.
ASSAULTING • LITTLL GIRL.—At the Police Court, OR
1 hursday, before 1. Spooner, Esq., Joseph Simms, aced.
dler, Pearson-street, was charged by /Margaret Price,.
httle girl, with assaultiug her .m iho lfith in-t,
ley Hill. Thomas Carroll, grocer's assistant, said on
tite above date about half-past four o'cfock. he was by
donkius' shop iu High.street, when he saw defendant hit
c implainaut on the face with is whip. She was picking
•OUR bits of biscuit out of some boxes that were stand-
ing by defendarit's door. Mr. Spooner said he could not
uuderstand • mail like defendant hitting • young child
ike complainant across the face with a whip. Defend-
ant said he did not hit the child with the intention of
hurting her. Mr. Spooner said if defendant would pay
Vie mother of the child £2, and pay costs he would not
commit him. Oth,raise he should do so. The money
was paid.
STEALING A SHIRT.—WiMaIII MOTOR, a lath, was
charged with stealing a shirt, the property of Richard
l'avis, at the Round Oak Iron Works. Prosecutor said
I o put the shirt by the next furnace to his, about half-
past nine, and when he went for it at ten minutes past
bn, it was gone. The shirt produced was hi,. Police-
c•instable Msland proved apprehending prisoner, and
ebarged him with stealing the shirt. He said, "I took
it because I wanted to put it on. Mr. Spooner said he
Was very sorry for the lad, and lie should send Lim to
Wellington Indurtrial riettool for hive years.

CASE.—Williatil Shirrlid WilS summoned
to show catiae why he should not support the illegitimate
child of Matilda Nicholson, of whom she alleged lie was
the father. Mr. Addison appeared for the complainant.
After bearing the evidence, defendant was ordered to
pay 2a 61 per week, sad costs.