The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-04-09 00:00:00

received from the Public Hall Company. offering the
whole of their property (freehold) to the Hoard, ate cost
of £2,000. It stated that the proprietors would gain no
pecuniary advantage by the sale, but they were desirous
that the authorities of the town should have command
of the public ball and building. The building and land
cost £3,000, and the shareholders, in offering it at £2OOO,
sunk their shares in order to benefit the town. A mort-
gage of £l,OOO might remain at 4 per cent., and the re-
eeints from the hiring of the hall would cover that inte-
rest. The building, too, was large enough to hold all the
offices the Board would want, and thereby save rent.
The Chairman was in favour of the proposition, and,
after a little discussion, it was determined that the mat-
ter should be fully discussed at the nest meeting, when
the election would be at an end.—The mortality returns,
drawn up by Mr. Wilshaw, showed that 25 deaths had
occurred during the month, area increase of three deaths
upon the corresponding month of last year. Fifteen of
these deaths had taken place under one year of age, and
three at the age of fifty and upwards. The deaths ap-
peared to be spread over the whole of the district.
_

THE LATE CHARGE OP ATTEMPTED RAPE. At the
Staffordshire Quarter Sessions, on Wednesday last, be-
for Mr. T. F. Twemlow (Chairman), James 'Duff (23),
tin.plate worker, pleaded guilty to an indictment cliarg
ing him with unlawfully assaulting Susannah Roden, on
the 19th of March, at Himley, with intent to raeish her.
He was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, with
hard labour.—Mr. Young (instructed by Mr. Burbury)
prosecuted.
AN INCORRIGIBLE ROGER .0113 VAGABOND. At the
Staffordshire Sessions, on Wednesday last, before Mr.
T. F. Twemlow (Chairman), James Jones (21), black-
smith, was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, as an
" incorrigible rogue and vagabond," after having been
convicted of a like offence. The prisoner, as our readers
will recollect, has been convicted six times—twice as a
rogue and vagabond. He had been committed to the
Sessions by Mr. Spooner, the Stipendiary, for haying
been found concealed on the premises of Jane Webb,
glass manufacturer, at Amblecote, on the let inst.

VAGRANCY Cos.—At the Petty Sessions, on Monday
last, before J. llolcroft and L. Freer, E,qtrs , Thomas
Barker, of Manchester, was charged with bagging on
Saturday night last. Poltee•constable Fairbanks proved
the ease. Discharged on promising to leave the town at
once. _

CHARGE OF THREATENING.—GeOrae Jordan, of Worn-
bourne, was charged by Jane Poulton with using threat-
ening language to her on the 22nd ult, and applied for
sureties to bind him over. Defendant was further
charged with being drunk and riotous at the same time.
Police-constable Biddulph gave evidence as to the de-
fendant being drunk and riotous. The ehsrge of threat-
ening was withdrawn upon his promising not to uflend
again. For being drunk he was fined 20s and Costs; in
default 21 days' hard labour.
REFRACTORY PACPER.—WTO. Wilkinson was charged
with destroying clothing belonging to the Stourbridge
Guardians, on the 3rd inst. William Keightley said the
defendant came into the house on Sunday night, and he
tore up his jacket, shirt, and trousers. Sentenced to
one month's hard labour.

-
Assent:L. CAM—Mary Ann Fulford was charged by
Harriet Keeble with assaulting her, on the Ist instant.
From the evidence of complainant, it appears they are
neighbours. They had previously had a disputa about
selling fish, and on the above date the defendant spat in
her face, and threw water upon her. After hearing the
evidence on both sides, the Bench dismissed the came.
Com. STEALING.—Martha Deeley and Mary Hunt were
charged with stealing is quantity of coal, on the 4th ult,
the property of the Earl of Dudley. Withdrawn on
payment of costs.
ASSAULT Con.—Harriet Hill was charged by Ann
Phillips with assaulting her on the 21st ult. From the
evidence of complainant it appeared she kept a public.
house. On the above date defendant's husband was in
her house, with others. Defendant came in, made use
of bad language, and said she would have a knife in
some heart before she left. Defendant afterwards threw
a jug at her, which cot her on the eye. Two witnesses
were called to support the ease. Defendant admitted
throwing the jug, and said she threw it at complainant's
husband because he called her aw—e. Fined 2s lid and
soda.

- -
CHARGE OP FORIOtia DRIVING.—At the Petty Sessions
on Thursday last, before I. Spooner, Esq., Stipendiary,
David Shaw was charged by Elizabeth Dutton with furi•
out driving at Quarry hank, on the 9th instant. Mr.
Addison appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Stokes
for the deleadant. Complainant stated that about one
o'clock in the daytime she was passing by Mr. Dam's
shop, and in the act of crossing the road, when the de-
fendant came galloping up the road at a furious rate oat
horseback. At that time she hail a child in her arms.
The defendant knocked her down, and her arm was much
injured. The baby died next day. In auswer to Mr.
Stokes, witness said she was going to bring an action
against the defendant for injury. Mr. Spooner said after
bearing that he should adjourn the C4lBO Until after the
trial in the County Court. No injury would be done to
the defendant by adjourning it, but if lie decided it now
it might do the defendant a good deal of mischief. The
case was then adjourned for two months.
A JUVENILE DELINQUENT.—EIizabetIi Lane (12), was
charged with feloniously stealing a dress, the property of
Mary Terry. Complainant proved that the dress pro.
&iced was her property. John McMillan, pawnbroker,
proved that the prisoner brought the dress to his shop,
and pledged it for Is bd. Police-constable Street°a
proved apprehending the prisoner. In passing sentence,
, Mr. Spooner said he was very limn ts see one 50 young
placed in the dock on so serious a charge, and from the
enquiries he had made he was homy to say they were not
favourable. However, he would put her in a place where
she might have the opportunity of recovering her char-
acter, and 61) become honest; slid sentenced her to one
month's hard labour, at the expiration to a Reformatory
for five years.