The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-06 00:00:00

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NOTES BY THE WAY. BY THE MAN
ABOUT TOWN.

_
PEOPLE who read "Notes by the Way" as they James Williams was charged with stealing, on
sit at home at ease" have but little idea of the the 21st Nfey, a mare pone, the property of Edwin
troubles and difficulties the Man about Town Morris.—Mr. Evans prosecuted.—The pony was
encounters in his multitudi ieus pesegrinations. missed from a field, wiiere it was at tack, and
Only the other day, for instance, I sauntered into subsequently it was diseovered that prisoner hau
sold it to a Mr. College for ..t4 10s. Prisoner.
one of the resorts where gossips "most do con-
gregate," and lounging in an unstudied attitude when apprehended by. Superintendent Tyler, said
of grace against the door post, asked in an airy he purchased the animal in the Wolverhampton
careless way.—" Anything fresh to-day ? "—" Ya- market, but could not tell who frem.—He was
as" drawled the proprietor of the resort afose- co victed, and sentenced to seven years' penes
said. Out flew my pencil and note book. e w„gi, servitude, having been previously convicted.
what is it ? "—" Oh, only the paint on that door AN INTERESTING ADVERTISEMENT.—The elver
you're leaning against.' —I left. tisement i ,f fortune of Samuel Hecescher, senr., in
IT is rather amusing to hear the various guesses Hamburg, in the number of our gazette of this
at the identity of the Man about Town. I have day is very interesting, This heuse has acquire,-
been told who I am several times. I take this so good a reputation by the prompt and dissre, t
opportunity of informing my friends who "watt payment of the a-limits gained here and in th,
to know, you know," that guess whom they wiil environs, that we beg all our readers to take
it isn't I and I don't know who it is? notice of he- insertion of this ia„e,
BRINVILLIERS and Medicis have not died with. CONSTITUTIONAL ASSOCIATION.—At a useetieg of
out leaving behind practised adepts in their the committee of this association on Monday even
diabolical art. Modern poisoners however confine
ing, it was decided to send two delegates to the an-
themselves to the lower animals and more nual conference of the National Union of Conser
especially to dogs vatiye and Constitutional Associations, which will
cases of dog poisoning
have recently occurred, chiefly in the Hagley Road be held at Nottingham on the 17th inst, and
and neighbourhood. One unfortunate gentleman notice has been given that they will bring forward
who has just lost a valuable dog in this way had the "Free Trade Polity" question, which it is hoped
the body opened and discovered by the state of will be the means of eliciting much valuable infor-
the animal's stomach that the cowardly scoundrel mation.
is no mean proficient in his fienslish business. He rHE RETIREMENT OF MR. SUPERINTENDEN-L
mixes meat and horsehair into a ball which is FREEMAN. —At the Worcester Sessions, on Monday
anointed with strychnine. Consequently when the following was contained in the isoliee Commit
the dog licks the ball the horsehair is swallowed tee's Report. Superintendent Freeman, of Stour-
and becoming lodged in the crevices of the coats bridge, has become phy, ically unfit for further
of the stomach cannot be dislodged by any emetic service in the force, and has requested to be
allowed to retire. He is 66 years of age, and has
or other means and the doom of the poor animal
is sealed. I believe the officers of the Society for served with diligence for 37 years, during 30 of
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are on the which he has held the position of superintendent
track of the dastardly ruffian aucl:doub,less a weh Your committee recommend the Court to sanction
merited punishment is in store tor him, his retirement, upon the maxi ',min pension allowett
TALKING of the Society for the Prevention oi by the statute, viz. two-thirds or his pay, or £66
Cruelty to Animals who is responsibie tor the as 44 per annum, to commence from the 14th Jul:,
imitation mahogany toilet table which has bee.. instant. With regard to Superintendent Freeman,
fixed at the foot of the Bagley Road? Formerly the chairman said he was suee that every member
there was a sensible looking horse trough and of ths Court who was aware of his services to the
dog basin there but I conclude all the money has county woeld coincide with the recommendation
been spent on the mahogany and none left to s,t that he shoulclbe allowed the maximum amount,
up a basin for the dogs. It is only to be expected of pension. He had served in the force for net:less,
of Stourbridge benevolence that during the winter than thirty-seven years, thirty years of that tims
months 'water in abundance should be supplied as superintendent, and he had served with gr at
for them, and that as "dog days" approach the -ability ant fidelity, and wes always careful in the
supply should be cut off. Might I suggest the execution of his duty: Uader the circumstances
addition of a cheval glass and curry combs and the Court was bound to provide that he should be
stable brushes to complete the tout ensemble." made comfortable for the rest of his life. Major
lam informed that the Rink Band is dissatisfied Lavie, from thirty -two years' knowledge of Super-
with the statement I made last week as to the intendent Freeman, spoke highly of his character,
length of time they played "Nancy Lee' on a and of the manner in which he had fulfilled his
.
recent evening. I stated that the performance duties.
lasted fifty minutes which they say is an exaggera- DRUNK AND INCAPABLE.—At the Police Court,
tion. I hereby beg to apologise to the band for yesterday, before Colonel Fletcher, Captain Coch-
such exaggeration and to be quite exact to say rane,and Mr. H.IO. Firmstone, Joseph Fleming was
that the said performance only lasted forty-sevea charged with being drunk and incapable on the
minutes and nineteen seconds as taken by St. sith ult. Police constable Davis proved the case.
Thomas' clock and Benson's chronograph. Fifty Fined 2s 6d to include costs; in default seven days.
minutes is too much for one tune but forty-seven APPLICATION FOR THEATRICAL LICENSE.—At tlu
minutes and nineteen seconds is "quite anothe, Public Office, yesterday, Mr. H. J. Hainge, pro-
sort of thing." prietor of the skating rink, made an application to
MR. Prescott has not demanded a poll on th. the Bench to grant him alicense to play stage plays
et the rink, for twelve months. Mr. Prescott
question of the Rink license. Why this thus-
ness ? opposed the application on behalf of himself and
HAS the idea of a new Public Hall for Stour ratepayers, and contended that drinking was going
bridge quite dropped through? I can add on, and the band was a nuisance playing all hours
nothing to what has already been said as to the flee Magistrat, s expressed a wish to view the
desirability of such a building or the total place. Mr. Hainge said he should be pleased to
inadequacy of the present structures, hut surely ,how them the rink, anti denied the remarks wade
the question oely wants reventilating to be taken by Mr. Prescott. Ilse Magistrates then went to
up anew. And while the local big wigs are dis-
the rink. On their retura, Colonet Fletcuer Buie
' cussing the subject could not some one edge in a they had exemineo the rine, and were very much
word as to the advantages of a series of public pleased with it. Before granting the application
baths. No one will deny the utility, indeed teey 'wished to ask Superintendent Freeman how
necessity, of such accommodation, seeing that at the rink had been conducted. Mr. Freeman said
present the only available water for natatory pur- that he had frequently visited the rink and it was
poses is the sepia-hued canal. ways well-conducted. Mr. S. Field and Mr. J. E.
MRS. Besant's prophecy as to the speedy die-
Southall also corroberated. The Bench granted
solution of Parliament has not yet been verified the apolicetion. The two bondsmen were Mr. E.
and doesn't seem likely so to be. Can Urs. Besant Stringer and Mr. J. T. Green.
have made a mistake. COMMISSIONERS v G. W. PRESCOTT.—MT. Coch-
Ir is not of enrich use to shit the door when the rane said it was a question whether the proceeding
steed has gone and no great advantage for a fire was taken under the Stourbridge Improvement
engine to be brought up at a gallop when the Act, or the Public Health Act, 1875. Under sec.
3
house is burnt. But I should like to know what ,ei and 12 Vic. he should refuse to issue a
distress warrant which would enable the Commis-
present remedy exists in the shape of two engines sioners to go to a superior court.
(which by this time must he rickety with age) and CHARGE UNDER TH.7I BAILEE ACT.—Before Col.
no one to use them. Why cannot we have a Fletcher and Colonel Borrows( George • Partridge,
landlord of tle Two Gites, Cradley, was sum-
volunteer fire brigade? I knew many yoeng
eder the Bailee Ac , for refusing to de-
fellows who would willingly join and go into the "1"12.
matter with spirit if it were establishel and lam liver up the sum of £274s Bd, due to the memberr
told that an engine, apparatus, and uniform corn-
of a sick society. Mr. Holberton appeared to
plete would only cost .2250. We should thus prosscute, and Mr. Shakespeare defended. Mr.
tlceberton opened the case and called Myra Worton
have some means of protection against the fire
fiend if ever and whenever he made his appear-
r -siding at iwo Gates, Cladley, who said she was
ance in our neighbourhood. When the fire a member of an unregistered society, held at the
defendant's house. and one of the stewards. Mary
occurred at Stourton Court a man was sent to
bring "an engine" and the sharp fellow went Ann tioagetts was the other stewards. On the
up to the railway station but finding those 13th of June, there were 34 members and he had
" engines " unavailable he came into the town in the box, £2l 4s 6 n it was of asu given to the
again where he was unable to get people to volun_ defendant who send i het he would take care of it,
teer to go and work it at that hour so what with that he would be mks' onsi'sde for ii, aud that she
one difficulty and another an enorme a time
could have it on the
.draw days. The box be-
elapsedbefore the engine reached Stourt on. Now longed to the members. In consequence of a
if we had a brigade and the usual alare. g irig a death they applied to the defou'.ant's wi e for three
very short time would suffice to get the engine poaeds. She paid one sovererign on account.
at work and everybody would know just what to That was on the 13th of June. She heard of a
do. robbery the next day, and had not had the money
I had often wondere I why in ',catches Stour- up to the present time. Mary Ann Hodgetts gave
bridge cricketers fail so egregiously in fielding corroborative; evidence, and said she asked the do
and I do not think the fault is cunlin-d to Stour- lenient for the money. He slid it was gone, and
bridge. However I happened to stroll on the ordered them away, She afterwards saw a money
Amblecote ground the other evening whilst te bag. Defendant said " Here is your bag and
club was at practice and what I saw there has money, and if you want it you will have to get it"
materially decreased my astonishment. All the "Jr. Shakespeare said that complainants had their
practice seems confined to batting and bowling, remedy in the County Court. Mr. Holberton said
, and the fielding is entirely left to the little rage defendant had got the money. Mr. Shakespeare
muffins who infest the place. Persons at all con- said if the complainants had come no them prop-
versant with the game must often have noticed erly they would have had their money, and they
that in school matches the play all round is pretty were buite willing to give it up. The Bench re-
equally good. This I attribute to the fact that fused to convict,
whenever boys meet for practice they almost in- CHARGE OF EXPOSINJ BAD FISH AND ASSAULT.
—Sylvester Wils an lislitnong,er, was summoned
variably "pick a side" and play a scratch match,
and so every player gets his share of fielding as for exposing a quantity of mackerel for sale, the
well as bowling and batting. I think this same being unsit for human food, on the 22nd
principle is worthy the attention of the Stour- ult., and was further ch irged with obstrueting Mr.
bridge Club. Another point too which I noticed Williams, Inspector, while in the execution of his
was the extreme danger to which the children duty.—Mr. Perry appeared to prosecute and Mr.
who frequent the ground are exposed. I repeat- Wall defended. Complaints :t said that about 7
edly saw balls driven with the full power of a o'clock defendant went to him and said he was to
muscular man's arm whiz within a few inches of examine his fish previous to exposing them for
a young child's head. I suppose when one or two sale. Witness told him it was not his duty to ox-
infants have been killed the matter will be taken amine them and advised him not to expose them.
up. Defendant soon afterwards brought four trays con-
TALKING of cricket lam told that a country taming mackerel. He examined them and found
club has a bowler so swift that it is the rarest 21 rott .n on‘s. Whilst making a further examine-
thing imaginable for a batsman to carry out his tine i f "-1 . nit picked up art' . en fish and struck
het. The moee usual course is for him to walk him . ..,s the face with it. ,he contents flying
off triumphantly with • the-largest remnant he can over , s face and clothes. -- _lr. Co,lutm, surgeon,
find While the agents of a local match factory proved that the fish was unfit for human food.—
(which contracts with the club for the exclusive The defence was that the fish was not exposed for
use of the splinters) gather up the other scattered sale and called a witness who said he wanted to
fragments. (Query. Can these matches be called purchaae a mackerel but defendant refused to let
cricket matches?) The same club rejoices in a him have one. For the assault defendant was
bowler so slow that the batsman has plenty of fined 20s and costs, and the first case was dis-
time to run to the opposite wicket, judee of the missed.
pitch of the ball, and to return to his own w ie.-et CHARGE OF STEALING IRON.— James Gauden,
much in time to play it. When this man bowls ' night watchman, an old man, was charged with
in a match people take season tickets as it is no stealing a quantity of steel and iron on the 3rd
unusual thing for a match to last a fortnight,
inst, the property of the Mersey Wheel and Axle
Wli
,ance bicycles are he. Works Company. Mr. Addison de:ended. Several
coming.AT aynouinteoalner,tablge nuetout of their way. Cilr) . witnesses were called, and after healing the
where you will, like Banquo's ghost., you'll find a . evil nc e eri,oner we. sentsueed to 7 days impri-
bicycle. In most towns bicycliste who ride - so:),nent.
through the streets without bellsare fined.
Can't BOARD 0,- . erernaere—The usual meeeting
the polio take some to of it? They would 0911. lof this &aid wiut hold yestordayo ALL 11,

Billingham in the chair. There were also presen t
Messrs. Haskew, Pargeter, Hingley, Burr, Wil- -
liam,, Thompson, Griffiths, Wood, J. Billingham
Mills, Baker, Fid.dian, Lavender, Kelley, Eveson,
Guest, Brooks. and E. B. Phillips, es-officio. Ad- ,
mitted 24; discharged 28; born 0; dead 0; rerr ain-
ing, 403; corresponding week last year 384. Out-
door relief Kingswinford district £26 19s. 7d;
Stourbridge district £lB 16s ; Halesowen ilia -
trict £l5 5s 2d; non-resident 9s 4d; total £6l
103 2id, against £55 15s 5d last year. Mr. Bar-
ratt tendered his resignatiou as relieving officer,
having received the appointed as sub-registrar for
Stourbridge district. A. resolution was passed by
the Board thanking Mr. Barratt for his valuable
services as relieviug officer since December, 1859.