The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-05-05 00:00:00

HALESOWEN.

SINGULAR CHARGE OF THEFT. At the Police
Court on Tuesday, before Messrs. F 1). L. SmiLh,
H. Howard, and E B. Phillips, Benjamin Spruce,
o dliery clerk, Blackheath, Rowley Regis, was sum.
mooed for stealinst a silver watch, valued at J 34 10s,
the property of George Parry., /Ili .er, Forge Lane,
on the 23rd ult. Mr. T. Well, of Stourb:idge, ap-
pared to prosecute, and Mr. Waldron, of Bri.,q.ley
Hid, defended.—On the day in question the defend-
ant went in company with his brother and another
friend to the New Inn, Whitehall Road, and it w,s
alleged that whilst a boxing match was taking place
defendant took a watch Loin prosecutor's vest.—
For the de:ence it wa3 shown that the prosecutor
gave the defeodatic his watch to hold wialkt he we.
boxing. Defendant forgot to return the watch, but
on finding it in his pocket afterwards he took the
ntcessa.ry steps to return i.—The Bench dismissed
the case.
A CAUTION TO COLLIERS. At the same Court,
George Forrester, miner, was summoned by the
Wently Colli-ry company for neglect of work on
the 23rd ult.—lt was snowu that the defendant lett
his woik on the day in question, and neglected to
go to the colliery again unt:l tile.2Bth ult.—Defeud-
ant said there was In agreement, and he was under
the impression lie could go to work when he pleased
or when it suited him The Bench fined him 10,
and costs.

DUDLEY TOWN COUNCIL. -
On Tuesday the monthly meeting was held, the
Mayor (Mr. J. Garratt) presiding.
His Worship announced that the Earl of Dudley
had promised to present to the town a Mayoral
chain, and that Lady Dudley ha 1 written saying, if
her engagements allowed, she would attend as the
Earl's representative to lay the foundation-stone of
the Free Library.
It was resolved that a pati ion against the Polio')
Superannuation Bill be forwarded to the Home
Secretary.
Mr. W. Smith called attention to the "cabmen's
rest" as a town nuisance in the present positi un.
I: was suggested that the cabmen should petition,
an i recommend a sire.

the Officer of Health reported a death rate of
22.48. Small pox had again broken out.
Alderman Neath said the number of cases in the
hospital was reduced to three, and it had been de-
cided to proceed against persons trespassing on any
part ot the hospital premises, as the continuance of
the' diseate had been traced to that cause.
The recommendation of the Streets and Gas Com-
mittee was approved, and that £4,000 be borrowed
for paviug. purposes.
Alderman George liagott urged the desirability
of taking up and supporting an electric system.
The high•charges made by the Gts Company bad
operated very much against the commercial devel-
o,,manc and prosperity of the borJugli, and by in—
troducing a competing fight they would considerably
btlictit the ratepayers.
'Several formal repor.s were passed.
The annual report of the Borough Surveyor
showed that the approaches to the town to be paved
kerbed, and channellei, are the Castle Hill, Bir-
mingham Road, Tipton Road, Netherton Road,
Halesowen Road, Cradle), Road, Stourb:idge Road,
Elimley Road, and Dixon's Green.
It was resolved that the contract of Messrs. 'Webb
and Round, amounting to £3,325, for the erection
of the Free Library and the School of Art, be ac-
cepted.