The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-12-21 00:00:00

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES AT HALES-
OWEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

On Wednesday afternoon Lord Lyttelton distri-
buted the annual prizes to the pubils at Halesowen
Grammar School, in the presence of a number of
ladies and gentlemen of the neighbourhood.
In an address to the scholars Lord Lyttelton said
he could not allow the occasion to pass without an
allusion to the great distress which was existing
around them, and to which he wished specially to
drawjtheir attention, It was difficult for boys to
feel such a thing as the distress of others very
keenly, and with sympathy and fellow feeling,
taken up as they were with their games and
school competitions; and when they went home
for their holidays they were not to be expected to
think very much of other people's affairs. Never-
theless it was a fact that there were thousands of
people suffering, and he hoped they would do what
they could to express a kindly feeling for those
poor people, even if they could give them no small
contributions in relief of their sufferings. The
winter was apparently going to be a severe one, and
as there would be a great amount of distress, the
sympathy of young and old ought to be freely given
during the hard times.—(here, hear). Some of
their parents might have been pinched by the dis-
tress, and they might have been deprived of many
comforts and luxuries they were accustomed to;
but there was no age at which luxuries might be
dispensed with more easily than their own. The
taste for luxuries, he pointed out, was an acquired
taste ; the simple necessaries of good food and
warm clothing were all ;they required. This ap-
plied to other and larger schools than theirs. He
hoped they would exercise self-denial, and learn
not to ask their parents for unnecessary luxuries
which they would be ill able to afford. The great
suffering of the present time was to o certain ex-
tent caused by the habits of luxury and self-in-
dulgence which had prevailed in this country so
very considerably during the last few years. They
were told on all hands, and he thought it was very
true, that if they did not mend their ways in that
resist ct, and do what they could to return to the
more severe and simple lives of their forefathers,
it was very possible that the great country of
England might lose its place among nations—the
place that had been earned for it by the energy
and hardihood of their forefathers. He thought it
right to lay considerable stress upon that point,
because he was sure that there was no age better
than theirs for easily putting in practice the simple
lesson he had tried to urge upon them, and no
time at which it was more required to be put in
practice by the people of the country—(applause).
In conclusion his lordship thanked his audience
for their patient attention, and he then called upon
Mr. Smith, who had conducted the examination of
the boys, to read his report—(loud applause).
Mr. Smith read his report, stating that the re-
sult of the examination generally was to show
careful instruction on the part of the head master
(Mr. Mai hewes) and his assistants, and pains-
taking study by the boys. He congratulated the
feoffees and head master on the promising charac
ter of the school. There was good and intelligent
material to work upon, and, with patience and per-
severance, the results would be much better in the
future than they had been in the past. Lord Lyt-
telton then distributed the prizes, which consisted
of valuable and handsomely-bound books.
The names of the winners were :—Examination
prizes:—(l) G: Melly; (2) W. Palmer: E. Dixon,
Wilson, Brettell. Master's prizes :—W. Palmer,
T. Palmer, Wilson, Turnlev. Scripture :—G. Melly,
Wilson. Arithmetic :—G. kelley, Adam. Writing:
—G. Melly, W. Palmer, Birch. Drawing :—A.
Hodgetts, E. Palmer. Attendance :—W. Palmer.
F. Hodgetts, Wilson.
Mr. G. Dunn proposed a vote of thanks to Lord
Lyttelton for his kindness in presiding.
The Rev. Archdeacon Hone, in seconding it,
referred to the very satisfactory nature of the
report as to the school work, and remarked that
this fact would gratify parents. He also spoke of
Lord Lyttelton's interest in the school, and pro-
ceeding to speak of the distress to which his lord-
ship had alluded, he urged upon those present the
necessity that they, as well as all who were not
dependent on labour, should do what they could
for the comfort, the health, and the sustenance of
their poorer neighbours. He hoped the parish-
ioners would speedily make a movement in the
way of relief. The Ven. Archdeacon afterwards
congratulated Lord Lyttelton on his recent mar-
riage, and expressed the good feeling of the
district towards him and Lady Lyttelton.
After a few remarks by Mr. Mathews, the head
master, the vote of thanks was cordially passed,
and his lordship acknowledged it in suib
able terms. He mentioned the satisfaction he
felt at having anything to do with an institution
which gave such good promise, and was going on
so successfully, as the Gransmar School.
Mr. Trewolla moved a vote of thanks to the
Head Master. - .

Mr. Bissell seconded; and the proceedings
ended with a similar compliment to the examiner

-HACTLEY.

The Hagley Stock Sale and Show of Christmas
Beef and Mutton was held on Tuesday last. There
was a very good supply, both of beef and mutton of
first-class quality though no specially large animals
were exhibited. There was a very good attendance.
Prices were in accordance with the times. One
prize Li open to tenant farmers, was awarded to Mr.
H. Pagett for a heifer sold to Mr. B. Cattier at £2B.
Ptize Z 5, open to all corners, was awarded to Mr. G.
Wilson for a heifer sold to Mr. G. Ellis for £26 53
Od. A second prize of a was awarded to Mr. Jno.
Braithwaite for a heifer sold to Mr. Bennett, of Bir-
mingham for £23 5i Od. The first prize £2 for the
best 10 wethers was awarded to Mr. Trow, of Ismere ;
second prize £1 was awarded to Mr. Cooke of Bel-
lington. Purchasers pr zes were awarded to Messrs.
B. Cattier, O. Bennett, and J. and it, Wool-
;laic

EA LESOWEN,
DRTTNEENNF.s9.—At the Police Court on Tue day. be
fore Messrs. E. Gem, E. B. Phillips, and J. S. Gibbous,
Thomss Hill was charged by Superintendent Kemp. with
being drank on the Bth jest, at Huunington
Pollee-
constable Bull proved.finding defendant lying down in
the road quite drunk. Fined is and costs.
WAGES CASE.—William Haines, coal loader, was sum-
moned by James Davis, for neglecting to pay him 6s. 6d.
Wages due to him Complainant said defendant engaged
him and others to load at a wharf, and had received the
money but had not paid thene—Defendant's wife appeared
and admitted that her husband owed tile money. The
following persons also summoned defendant for wages
due, Joseph Davis GA 61; Abel Harris 4s 100 ; and
William Hewitt 5s 91. In each ease defendant was
ordered to pay the amount claimed and costs, and als.o
to each complainant is 61 for loss of the day's work in
attending the court ; the whole to be paid within 14 days.
CHARGE OF FIRING A GUN OFF ON THE HIGHWAY.—
Herbert Dearne was summoned by Superiutendent Kemp,
for firing off a gun within 50 ft. of a carriage road. Police-
constable Knowles said on the above date about 3 o'clock
in the afternoon he was on duty at Causeway Greece
He saw defendant on the highway. He ha I a gun with
which he fired at a bird and hit it. He gave the gun to
a man that was with him and fetched the bird. Defend-
ant had no license for the gun. There were frequent
complaints about firing guns off on the highway, and
horses were being continually frightened. Defendant
denied the offence and called Joseph Taylor who said
he was in the road when the gun was fired off, but did not
know who fired it. He saw the officer, Knowles, come
out of a public-house ten minutes after the report of the
gun. Jane White said the officer went to their house
aud asked them who fired the gun and they said they did
not know.—Knowles said he asked the witness which
way the persona had gone who tired the guo.—Charlotte
Cutler, sister-in-law to defendant said she heard A gin
fired and at that time defendant was in her house having
his tea.—Mr. Superintendent Kemp said that if their
worships were not satisfied with the evidence of Knowles
he should ask for an adjournment of the case for a fort-
night to enable him to call a witness who saw defend-
ant pick up the bird and hand the gun to another man.
The case was adjourned for 14 days.
STEALING A Wxrcif.—Phillips Jones, a respectable
looking youth was charged with stealing a silver watch
and chain, the property of John Yates, Quinton, on he
3rd iced. Prosecutor said he was an innkeeper at Quinton.
He knew prisoner who was in the habit of going to his
house. On the 2nd December prisoner was in the back
kitchen, and remained there about two hours. Two
watches were utually hanging up in the kitchen, and they
were hanging there that day. The following night he
missed one of the them Information of the loss was given
to the police, and an officer brought the watch and chain
'to him. The watch and chain produced was his pro-
perty, and was worth £3 103.—Charles- Bullingham
said he was a watchmaker at Halesowen. He kuew
prisoner who went to his shop on Tuesday the 3rd lust,
and took the watch produced, which witness after-
wards handed over to Police-constable Taylor. Police-
constable Taylor said prosecutor complained to him
respecting the watch and he went to Halesowen in
search of it Having found it at Bullineham's shop lie
showed it to proseculor who at once identstied it as his
property. He apprehended prisoner and charged him
with stealing the,watch and he said he knew nothing about
it On searching prisoner witness found the chain pro-
state, d. This was also identified by prosecutor. In
answer to the charge prisoner pleaded guilty and said he
took the watch on the 2nd inst bat not the chain, which
he took from the watch and put on oue side of the fire
place. sir. Gem said it was a sad thing to see a re-
spectable looking young man in such a position as
prisoner, but he hoped he would have time to re-
flect upon his conduct the next three months as he
would be committed for three months hard labour.