The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-09 00:00:00

DUDLEY.

THE lisw RAILWAY.—The opening of the new lines
between this town and Old tuCk and Lfalesowen
is likely t.,) prove of mach advantage to this town.
On market day (Saturday) 2,000 people arrived by
the new trains, and on Monday (fair day) a large
number of persons from the above districts again visited
the town.

THE TRADES UNION CASE.—At the Police Court, on
Monday, Reuben Lovell, secretary of the local Miners'
ssociatica, appeared on remand in answer to a sum-
mons charging him w,th refu•ing to pay a mediber
named James Hatton the sum of £6 16, 6d, alloivaneu
due.-24r. Stokes defended, and if will be recnetub,red
that at the first hearing he pointed out that the s,eiety
was registe:ed under the Trades Union Act, which co.-
taied a clause to the effect that the association cculd
neither sue nor be sued under any circumstances."
The case was adjuurned in order that the Act might be
looked into.—On Monday Mr. Charles Cochrane (pre'
siding magistrate) said the Bench had been advised
that Mr. Stoke's view of the matter was correct,
and that tho Trades Union Act specially excluded the
operation of the Friendly Societies Act in such cases.
They could not but deplore the fact that members
should have no redress, and that how.,ver great the
injustice there was no reinedy.—Defeudant was dis.
charged.

Cuuacu NEWL—Services in connection with several
funerals were held in the new Alortuiry Chapel at the
Cemetery, Queen's Cross, on Sunday Mal. The com-
fort and convenience afforded to attendants evoked
fresh expressions of gratitude to Mrs. Chorlton, who
erected the church. As a further adornment to the
handsome building, Mrs. Bennitt (sister of the above
lady) has promised the Rev. •Dr. uosens to provide
stained glass for the whole of the windows. This will
be an additional cost of &boat £lOO. The Vicar has
also accepted an offer made to him by friends in Read-
ing. Thankful for the mission he has held in that
town, they have promised to subscribe a sufficient sum
to complete the fittings of tha chapel. Everything will
be provided to render it suitable for ordinary as well as
funeral services. During Lent arrangements have been
made by Dr. Cosens for religions worship every Tues-
day evening, and on special occasions the place will be
used as a mission chapel for the benefit of the people
residing in the immediate vicinity.
FATAL PIT ACCLDENr.--On Saturday last an inquest
was held bet ire Mr. Robert Watts, at the Old Windmill
Inn, St. James's Terrace, on the body of John Dether-
idge (39), miner, who was fatally injured at the Oakham
Colliery. Mr. Elijah Davies attended on behalf of the
proprietors of the pit,—George Hawkes stated that he
was near the deceased on the 23rd all, when a fall of
coal occurred Detheridge took up a " dresser " to
knock out a lump of coal for the loaders when part of
the roof came in on him. There was plenty of timber.
—Jeremiah Hill, overman, said he examined the place
on the morning of the accideat, and he considered it
quite safe. Mr. Scott, the sub inspector of the district,
had since visited the place.—A verdict of "Accidents
death" was returned.

0317147 Y COI:MT.—NAYLOR v. SMITE,—In this case,
which was heard before Mr. Rupert Kettle, on Tuesday,
plaintiff sued defendant for £2B damages for breach of
warranty.—Mr. Stokes appeared for plaintiff. and Mr.
Pinmptre (instructed by Mr. Barrow) defended.—The
evidence on behalf of plaintiff showed that he ex-
changed a horse with defendant, and that mutual
warranties were given.—Defendant denied this, and
on his part witnesses were called to prove that there
was no warranty on either side,—His Honour be. vedthe evidence for plaintiff, and gave a verdict for
421.

Coutton.—On Tuesday evening the Mayor (Mr.
w. North), presided at the monthly meeting of the
above Council.— rue Mayor read a letter showing that
the Local Government Board was willing to advance
the Council £39,000 on the sewerage works, repayable
in 30 years, at .E 8 103 per cent. The Mayor also read a
letter from the Gas Company, showing that they were
willing to reduce the gas Etl per 1,000, raking 3s 34
per I,ooo.—The report of the Railway Committee hay.
tug been read, Mr. Stokes said the deputation which
waited on the directors of the Great Western Railway
Company had reason to think that a new stition would
be erected at Baptist End, and a second at Woodside.—
Alderman Hassell could not believe this, and several
members for Netherton thought the place was neglected.
There ought to be good approaches to the stations.--
The report of the Medical Officer showed that 116
deaths had happened during the month, and this gives
a death-rate of 32.3 per 1,000. Thirty-two of the
deaths had occurred under one year of age.—lt was
agreed to send a letter of condolence to the family of the
late Mr. W. H. Brooke, for so many years Town Clerk
to the Connell.

FORMATION Or A CONSIRVATIVZ A.SSOCIATION.—A ward
committee was held on Tuesday night last, in S.
gdmand's. at the Angel Inn, and resolutions were
passed, pledging the meeting to join a Conservative
Assosiation to be formed. It was also resolved to ask
the other wards to move in the matter.—On Wednesday
night "a conference of Conservatives" was held at
Brierley Hill. The programme of resolutions included.
the following:—(1) The desirability of forming associa-
tions in the portions of the Parliamentary borough
where they did not at present exist; (2) That it was
desirable to have a permauent central council, meeting
periodically ; (3) That it was desirable/ to engage
lecturers " in order that Conservative principles might
be disseminated among the working classes ; " (4) That
a contribution, to be fixed, should be levied to form a
central fund. The meeting agreed to all the resolu-
tions.

A DISHONEST RAILWAY SHRVANT.—On Wednesday, at
the Police Court, John Farmer Hobday (17), Kate's
ugmber-taker, in the employ of the Great Western
Railway Company, was charged with stealing £lO worth
of jewellery belonging to his employers.—Mr. Underhill
(Messrs. Underhill, Wolverhampton) prosecuted, and
Mr. Stokes defended. Mr. Mason (Paddington) was pre-
sent on behalf of the company. The prisoner was
suspected of inure than one robbery, and finally, when a
rzvolyer was missed, his boxes were searched. A. pearl
card-oase sent from SNSOSOA, with £lO worth of jewel-
lery, was found at the bottom of the box. The pri-
suner, after being cautioned, pleaded guilty. He was
then charged with stealing a revolver belonging to
George Nieklin. a fellow servant. The prisoner took
the weapon from a drawer, and when Nicklin bewailed
, his loss, Hobday told him he would " be;sure and find it
, again." He now pleaded guilty to the robbery, and was
further charged with stealing two meerschaum pipes,
and this was also proved.—Detective Lukin and Police-
sergeaat Sansom proved the case for the company and
the police.—Mr. Stokes appealed to the Bench for a
light sentence, on His grounds that prisoner was young
and had borne a good character. Mr. Stokes denied
that his client had had the jewellery, and said he had
found the card-case. He only pleaded guilty to the
charge because it had baeu explained to him that retain-
ing the case was technically a felony.—Prisoner was
then sentenced to six months' imprisonment, with hard
labour, being two months for each case.
CHARGES OF EMBEZZLEMENT.—At the same Court, be-
fore the Mayor (Mr. W. North), Aldermen Bagott and
Rudge, and Mr. John. liateman, Ewing Stevens (44),
clerk, 8, Parade, Eve Hill, was brought up on remand,
charged with feloniously embezzling 1:40 and upwards,
the moneys of George Albert Smith, wholesale grocer.
—At the outset of the case, Mr. Stokes, who defended,
said he had no time to get up the prisoner's defence,
and asked the ease to be adjourned for a week, so that
it ockild go to the Assizes rather than the Sessions,
which Were BO close. 'lbis was agreed to, and nine wit-
nesses were examined. They showed that various sums
had been paid to the prisoner and not mounts

for. It was stated in Court that other cases Could it
proved.—Prisoner was committed to the Assizes, ham
being allowed.
ASSAULT ON ISM POLICI AT THS
HoBI
Junin Smith, snap dealer. Gomel, and Thomas Seel'
coal dealer, wan charged with assaulting Police CO
stable Maguire. The officer took into custody a giP'•!
who was fighting in the Horse Fair. Immediately
the horse °haunters in the neighbourhood sommeeeed
pushing backwards and forwards, and so prevented the
officer taking his prisoner. The gipsy at last cried
out, "Into him," and the two defendants, se:Ong
others, assaulted Maguire. The gips), escaped, but the
defendants were arrested. Evidence as to the officer's
bravery having been given, each of the defendants 01
fined 101 and costs.