The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-12-14 00:00:00

THE

! rifts-

PINE DOIIINOR.—A company of London artistes,:
from the Criterion Theatre have given three enter-
tainment in the Victoria Hall and Rink during
the week. The valious characters were ably sus-
tained and caused roars of laughter. The atten-
dance was not so large as might have been ex-
pected. No doubt owing the weather setting in
cold.
FIRE BRIGADE FOR STOURERIDOIL—A number of
influential gentlemen a 'tended at the Commis4orers'
Room last evening to :confer with the Fire Plug's
Committee, and with them to consider the desirability
of forming a fire brigade. Mr. H. Hughes occupied
the chair. Messrs. Henry Hughes, Charles Mills,
Henry Williams, Robert Broomhall, Henry Turney,
Thomas Wall, Thomas :Ford, William Walker, and
Allan Pearson were appointed a committee to draw up
a scheme and draft rules. _

The Stoarbridge Christmas Sale and Show of Beef
and Mutton, held on Tuesday, December 10th, 1878,
included 7 grand short-horn oxen the property of the
Right Hon. the Earl of Stamford SI Warrington, one of
which took the prize of £5 open to all comers and was
sold to Mr. Evans. ofSutton Coldfield, for £37 15s 0,
the 7 averaged a little over £33 each. A neat heifer of
Mr. Whitehouse, of Chadwick Grange, took tenant
farmers prize £s,and was sold to Mr. Gill for £24 7s 6d.
In sheep, Mr. James Yardley took first and second
prizes £3 3 0, for the best 20 Wethers, the highest pen
realized 95s each, the 20 averaged 81s each and were
principally purchased by Mr. W. R. Brooks of Stour-
• bridge. The attendance of purchasers was as usual
numerous, though the supply was rather deficient in,
consequence of the inclemency of the weather- Mr.
H. King offiviated as auctioneer.
Ihturixsicrtzss. At the Police Court, yesterday,
before Colonel Fletcher, the Hon. Spencer Lyttelton,
Messrs. R. L. Freer and 3. B. Cochrane, William
Tromans was'eharged with being drunk and disorderly
on the 7th inst—Superintendent Wheeler proved the
case 'Lind said defendant was very disorderly in
Coventry Street. Fined 5s and costs; in default 14
days.—John Brown was charged with being drunk in
High Street; on the sth inst. Police-constable Hol-
ings worth proved the case.- Fined .2s till and costs.
ROBBERY FROM THE PERSON,—Mary Ann Bryant,
a prostitute was charged with stealing from the
person of William Green, 4s 8d on the 7th inst.
Prosecutor, who resides at the Thorns, said that the
prisoner called him into her house in the George
Walk. At that time he had two florMs, a rixpnce
and two-pence in coppers. She refused to give the
stoney up. He then went for the police, and as he
Nrcl.l going out he saw her put a two shilling piece
on the screen. Police-sergeant Jones said from in-
formation received he apprehended the prisoner
and charged her wait stealing 44 Bd. She said "I
can't help it.' She was afterwards searched by a
female and money found upon her person. She
deniel taking any money, and was coramitt rd to take
her trial at the next Quarter Sessions.
CHARGE OF DRUNKENNUSEL—WiIIittiII MeOCllO.lll,
wagoner to Mr. Colley, of Belbroughton, was
charged with being drunk while in char4e of a wagon
and three horses at Clent, on the 4th inst. Police-
constable Wallace said the defendant was very
drunk and fell against the wheel of the wagon. He
took him home, and when there defendant insulted
Urn. The Bench remarked that it would have
served him right if he had been locked up. Two
previous convictions were proved against the defend-
ant, and he was fined lOs and costs; in default one
month's hard labour.

FRAUDULENTLY REMOVING Goons.—Caleb Bloomer
was 'charged by Charles Harrison, with removing a
quantity of furniture on the Bth November, with
intent to defraud him of the rent. Prosecutor said
that the defendant was a tenant, on the above date he
owed 33s for rent. The goods were removed on the
8 h ult. Elizabeth Harrison, daughter of compla;nant
proved that on tne 4th ult., she saw a Eet of chests of
drawers, a table, and o:her things. Complainant said
that Mr. Mallen saw the defendant remove the goods,
bat could not atlend to-day. Remanded for a week
for him to attend.

CHARGE OE STEALING POTATOES.—Henry Lowe
and Andrew Farrer were brought up on remand,
charged with stealing 163 bags of potatoes in
October and November, the property of James
Montague, of Castlefin, Ireland. Mr. Tanner, on
behalf of Lowe, asked if the prisoner was to be
charged with the Enville burglary. There had not
.been any evidence against the two prisoners, and
if the case was not withdrawn or gone on with he
thought it great injustice to the men and Lord
Stamford. It is was well known that the prisoner
had nothing to do with the burglary. Is to the
charge of stealing potatoes he had a complete
answer to that charge, and should ask the Bench
for the charge of burglary to be withdrawn against
them. The Magistrates remarked that the case
would go on, and any remarks he had to make he
o and reserve them until the proper time. James
Montague, potato merchant, residing at Castlefin,
said in October last he received a memorandum for
Henry Lowe, asking for a list of prices for potatoes
also a second memorandum asking for the five tons
tJ Stourbridge station as samples. In the month
of October he sent to Henry Lowe, Holly Cottage,
Clent, 113 bags of potatoes. There were upwards
of two ton weight in two lots. Lowe was to pay
earriage. The bill produced was sent to him, signed
and so :opted, the amount being .1233 18s Od. Mr.
Tanner here objected to the bill, as it had not been
roved it was in their hand writing. Colonel
Fletcher: Please sit down, it is not the proper time
for you to speak. Mr. Tanner: I hope I know how to
1 conduct my case, but if the Bench have decided to
rale against me on every point it is no use my ob-
jecting. A number of memorandums were then
put in and read. Prosecutor said, in November he
sent 5 tons of potatoes directed to Henry Lowe,
Holly Cottage, Clent. The res son he sent the
goods was because he thought him a man in
the trade and that his payments would be regu-
lar. He thought so from the memorandums sent.
Cross-examined: Never had any communication
personally wish the prisoner until I saw him in
prison. Do not know the prisoners writing, but
believe them to be Lowe's handwritings E lward
James Davis wholesale potatoe merchant, residing at
50, Bishop Street, Birmingham, said that one day in
October, about the 16th Lowe came to his place of
business, and said he had ten or twelve tons of
potatoes for sale. Bought 11 ton 6 cwt. gave £4 per
ton for Skerry Blues; which was the market price at
the time, and £3 16s per t n for Brown Rocks; this
also was the market price at the time. In November
bought 38 bags of" Brown Rocks at .£4 per ton,
which was the market price. He said the potatoes
were at Stourbridge Station. Was in the habit of
having potatoes from Londonderry, and from Mr.
Montague. :Had been in the business all his life'
Cross-examined: Knew the prisoner Lowe for the
last three years. Have had previous dealings with
him, when he lived in Great Hampton. Street, Bir-
mingham. Bought some corn of the prisoner some
seven or eight months ago. It was beans. Had not
bought a horse of the prisoner. His mother bought
some potatoes from the prisoner at Lawley Street
Station. Re-examined: He had business with Lowe
as a retail salesman, when he was in Hampton Strf et.
Alfred Price, Carman porter at the Goode Station,
Stourbridge, laid all goods in and out of the Station
came under his knowledge. Never knew but two lot
of potatoes come to Stourbridge for Lowe, a 113 ba:2B
and a 50. Never knew any fruit come to the
Station for Lowe. Prisoner Lowe came to the
Station for the consignment, also Mr. Devia. Twelve
bags were sold on the cornpanys premises by the
direction of Lowe. Edward Jarvis said he was an
engineer by trade, and lived with his mother at
Cienr. In October last was in Holly Cottage, and
about the hong:, and stables generally. The room he
was in was partly furnished. There were some
paintings, five chairs, and a table. He could not
say the value. Had not seen any potatoes or fruit
about the premises. Cross-examined : On the night
of the alleged burglary at Enville Hall, he called at
Holly Cottage &bow nine o'clock, saw Farrer there,
asked for Lowe, Farrar said that he had gone a drive
with his wife. Fairer did not look to him as if he
had been out from home. Richard Price residing at
Cleat, said he kept a general shop, and sold potatoes
Prisoner Farrer cams to his shop and purchased a
quarter of potatoes on three occasions. They were
had in October and November. Superintendent
Wheeler said on the night of the 22nd November he
searched Wily Cottage and found nothing. Also a
house at Round Oak, the same night, and there
found two or three trusses of hay, and some part
bsg4 of cop in the kitchen, found some old chairs
and tables, worth about five ehiqings. Went up-
stairs. There were a few empty bottles in the cellar,
found one empty cask, and others in the back ki:ohen.
This morning charged the prisoner Lowe with ob-
tain'ng 113 bag. of potatoes and 50 bags 'h property
of James Montague, the prisoner said " very well.
Cross-examined: I was present when the . prisoner
was charged with the Enville Hall burglary, but
have nothing at all to du with that case.
Mr. Tanner contended that there was no evidence to
show that the letters put in were in the handwriting
of the prisoner Lowe and that there was not a particle
of evidence against him in the case. Pris mers were
further charged with stealing a Whit chapel dog-
cart the property of William Bsddoes Moore, at
' Oldswinford. Prosecutor said he was a coach-builder
, at Oldswinford. In the month of October last he re-
ceived the memorandum produced from the prisoner
Lowe, asking him to send a light trap by prisoner
Farrer, and state how much it would be per week.
Witness let prisoner Farrer have a dog-cart at Os per
week. Both prisoners called with the dog-cart.
Lowe asked witness if he had another that would suit
him and witness said he had-not but he could take
another and he should have one that would suit him
in a day or two. The second dog-cart he took away
on hire at 5s per week- Lowe called upon witness
before he received the memorandum and told him he
was a potato merchant at Holly Cottage. They had
a third dog-cart. Farrer took back the second one.
Lowe asked witness how much he wanted for the
trap and he said £2O, or £l5 and his old dog-cart,
but it was to remain on hire until the cash was paid.
When Ferrer wont for the dog-cart he said his master
had sent him to exchange the dog-carts. Some time
afterwards he saw Lowe and asked him for the hire
mow or the cash if he intended buying it, and told
him it he did not buy it or spy for the bus he Would

fetch it away. Shortly after that he saw prisoner
who said he had no Money then as he had been to the
Corner Bank to get a draft to send to Ireland for some
potatoes. If witness would wait half-an-hour he
would pay for the hire and send the trap back the
following morning as he had got another. The third
dog-cart witness had seen in the police-station yard
It was his own dog-cart and the one prisoner had
Witness was at Holly Cottage two or three times
while prisoner was there but dial not see any signs of a
wholesale potato trade being carried on there. Cross-
examined Lowe had the last trap on the 11th Nov.
Farrer took it away from my place. In a day or two
arterwards I had a trap from Lowe. I have it now
It is being repaired. I fetched it from his place. I
never exchanged the last trap he had from me for his.
I swear I never exchanged with him. I put it onto
paper the amount he would have to pay me if we did
exchange. I left it with thewoman at Holly Cottage
Part of the bargain was that I should have his trap
and £l5 in exchange for mine but my trap was to re-
main on hire until the cash was paid. I did not
limit the distance he should drive the trap. He could
drive it where he liked. Nothing was said as to
where he was to keep it, providing he paid me the
hire. If he did not pay the hire I was to have it
back. He was to pay the hire every week. I left
the paper produced at prisoner's house and gave it to
the woman. I have prisoner's trap at my house. I
hope t ohave my Own trap if prisoners are convicted.
Re-examined I had Lowe's trap to Kepair the wheels
and re-paint it. I have done some part of the repairs.
When I heard of Lowe being locked up g stopped re-
pairing it. I did not make a bargain with prisoners.
Edwin James Devis said that the prisoner called at
his shop with a Whitechapel dog-cart. It was after-
wards brought by police-sergeant Jones. Prisoner
said he had given .£l5 to boot and his own trap.
He offered it to him for sale. It was the same one
brought to him by Police-sergeant Jones on the sth
December. Superintendent Wheeler said on the 29
ult, he charged prisoner with stealing a White-
chapel dog-cart, the property of Mr. Moore, Old-
swinford. Prisoner Lowe said, " I did not steal it
but bought, made a swop, and gave £l5 and
another dog-cart." Farrer said he had nothing to
do with it, as he was only a servant. Police-ser-
geant Jones proved taking the dog-cart to Devis.
Police-constable Buckley said that on the 29th ult.
he brought the two prisoners to Stourbridge, in a
ab. Mrs. Lowe said to her husband that they had
fetched the trap from Birmingham. He said" Did
not I tell you to keep that out of the way." That
being the case, Mr. King said there would be a
count charging them under the'Bailee Act. Henry
LOwe was then charged with obtaining a-horse by
false pretences from William Dudley, of Blackheath
Prosecutor said he advertised in the Birmingham
Daily Post, a Grey Cob for sale. The prisoner
called a few days after and asked to see the cob
that was for sale. Shewed it him and he said he
thought it would suit him, and should like to have
it a day or two on trial, and that he had just bought
one which had turned out to be a jibber. Demur-
red to him having the:cob until he had heard some-
thing about him. Prisoner said he was a whole-
sale potato merchant living at Holly Cottage, Cleat
and that there was no fear about the money if the
cob woald suit him. Agreed to sell it him for £2O
The cob was not bought that day. It was arranged
that he should have the cob for trial, and if it did
not suit him the cob was to be retnrned in as
good condition, or pay ..220. He let the prisoner
have the cob on the representation that he was a
wholesale potato merchant, and a man of property
and would pay the money down. Had faith in his
word, and thought he was the man he represented
to be. Received the two memorandums produced.
On the 22nd November went to Holly Cottage, and
found it shut up. On the 29th November found the
pony at the Plough Inn, Rea Street, Birmingham,
Prisoneriafterwa.rds came to him on the Wednesday
and said he was sorry he could not pay, and offerred
him a bill. Told him he never took bills. Gave him
until the following Monday- Prisoner had not paid
the money. Superintendent Woollaston said he
charged the prisoner with stealing the cob. He
laid that he had bought it, paid for it, andhe had
got the receipt. Afterwards searched the house at
Clent. Found one article of furniture. Henry
Lowe and Andrew Farrer were charged with ob-
taining a set of harness and other goods from
Percy -Cooper, under false pretences. Lowe was
commited to take his trial on the first charge, and
the two prisoners were remanded until this day
Saturday, for the completion of the depositions,
CONSTITUTIONAL ASSOCIATION. OM Tuesday
evening a special meeting of the committee was
held in their room for the tcraasaction of business of
considerable importance, Mr. J. A. Smith presided.
After the disposal of the business for which the com-
mittee had met, speeches in reference to the Afghan
Question and the proposed vote of censure on the
Government were delivered by the members. The
chairman said despite the clap-trap of the Liberal
party offlate, and at the present time, it was an in.
disputable fact that the Liberals were using liberal
means in the endeavour to turn the opinion of the
country to their side, 80 that when a general election,
which they seem to think was close at hand, took
place they migut recover the reins of power. But he
(the speaker) dared to predict that when the time did
(OW, as in 1874 so it would be again, there wouldbee
a Conservative majority. The Liberals said, " Givt
the working man the ballot and a Tory Governmene
will never be in power." The working men at tit
first general election under the Ballot Act showed
their gratitude by rejecting a Liberal majority. The
Government, instead of receiving all the support pos-
sible under exis' ing circumstance., were hampered
and harassed in every possible manner by the Oppo-
sition. Speaking about the Afghan question, the
chairman remarked that it might not be generally
known that General Roberts, who had displayed such
tact and achieved such brilliant success, was a native
of this district, and he had no doubt that when he
pays a visit to his native place he would have a
splendid reception (hear, hear). It was stated during
the evening that the business of the association would
be conducted in other quarters very shortly, of which
due notice would be given. A vote of thanks to the
chairman terminated the proceedings.