The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-11-01 00:00:00

THE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER.

The rcl;cf.t v.-as adopted.
OF TUE I :!IPEOVFZIENT Cox Ir.
.1:our Lornmittee, in ;spat to thu ni,muorial
sign-ri by sov:ral ratopayers, asking for a new road
from Foster Street, in tho direction of St. John's
Church, and Chureh ::itreet, beg to report progress.
Your Coluruitt2e recommend that Brook Street,
(suftee water onl) be drained in..° the 'Washing
Pool 41eadow, and the work to b.? done by contract.
NEw BuiLmNos.—Plans of new buildings in
Easy Row were laid before your Committee.
Proposed by Mr. Kelly, seconded by Mr. Hughes
that the report be received.
ESTIMATE FOR RATESe..... The Clerk produced
estimates for Improvement Rate of Odin the pound;
Highway Rate of id in the pound; and a General
District Rate of 3d in the pound, which were
approved.
REPORT OP TILE GENERAL PURPOSES COMXITTEE.
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HICALTII'S REPORT.—.N
um-
ber of deaths registered in the township for the
month ending October 20th, 1879, 8 males and 7
females. Death-rate 19.1. The death-rate still
c ,ntinues to be very low,land the first time for
many months have to report two deaths from
zymotic disease. Number of deaths registered in
the sanv, period 28, viz :-17 males and 11 females.
The Officer repnrts a house to be limewashed, and
disir,fected. The instructions were carried out.
Another house was also disinfected.

TOWN OFFICER'S REPORT. - Nuisances brought
forward, 13; reported during the month, 48 ; total
61. Reznoveci, old, 13 ; new, 32 ; rv.maining, 16.
One case of over-crowding has been reported.
Night soil removed, 88 privies, 71 ash pits, belong.
to 181 hous,3, have been emptied and cleansed of
their contents. Number of loads 167. The slaughter-
housc-s, .ind the lodging houses are reported to be
in good a.anitary condition. All the latter have
been lime-washed.

Tha report was adopted.
LIGHTING BROOK YOUT Committee
instructed Mr. Kelly and your:Clerk to report on
the matter. Mr. Kelly reported that two more
lanips were required in Brook Street, and Albert
Street. It was resolved to erect the lamps.
THE Lt..TE FLOODS.—The chairman, in answer to
Mr. Woolley. said the Railway Company were going
to remove 2,000 cubic yards of soil from the Stour,
to widen and deepen the bed of the river. He met:
with Mr. Lancaster Owen, of the Great Western
Railway Company, a few days aeo, who said the
company were not only going to take off the angles,
and make the stream straighter, but also to deepen
and take away all obstructions. The Clerk said in
reply to a letter he bail written to Mr. Rowe, the
county surveyor. The htter had stated that the
County Authorities had no jurisdiction over the
Stour and Stream at the bridge.
Mr. Stringer said it was n ,cessary to have tla-
work done as speedily as possible, for fear of the
reoccnrence c f the flood.' three months ago.
There was no other business of importance.

BURIAL BOARD.—The adjourned meeting of the
Board was held on Saturday,- in the Board Room,
Mr. J. B. SHEPERD again presiding. The meeting
had been adjourned so as to give Mr. Guest an
opportunity of consulting a solicitor as to the
I.2(ea.lity of Us claim, and it was anticipated that
bah Mr. Guest and his solicitor Would have at-
tended the meeting. In consequence, however, of
some misunderstanding, Mr. Walker (Mr. Guest's
sodeitor) was not present, although Mr. Guest at-
tended. The Board could not, therefore, discuss
Mr. Guest's claim for nearly .£OOO, and it was ad-
jonened.—The bill sent in by Mr. ':_Smaltnan Smith
tie architect to the Board, for over £lO6, was
next discussed.—The CLERK said the four first
items, amounting to £155, included charges for
plans prepared by the late Mr. T. Smith. He (the
Clerk) read an extract from the agreement signed
by Mr. T. Smith to the effect that the items re-
ferred to were included in his commission. Some
other minor mattets were als., included in the latter
and in fact nearly the whole of tee claim was
covered by the commis,don. It was impossible to
as: art :in what was the proper ansenut of commission
without going into many derails. There was an
item of commission on £760 for "aundries," and he
could not tell what that meant.—Mr. Hueneis : Yeu
think the gr'at majority of the iteme are really
not payable by the Board, but ar- covered by coin•
mission ?—The CLERK : That is my opinion.—Mr.
F. EVERS remarked that there was "something
before the Boa: d" when Mr. Smith was appointed
as to the payment of £5O for the plans prepared by
the late Mr. 'l'. Smith.—The CLERK remarked that
he could not find anything in the minutes bearing
on the point.—Mr. felesnaw called attention to the
fact that on April 15th, 1878 when the work was
supposed to be drawing to a close, the architect
e•timeted that 1 339 would complete the yrhola
With the idea of allowieg for anything extra they
had obtained the authority of the Vestry te raise
£1,500, Now they had three heavy claims coming
in. It was right the ratepayers should know the
ee'imate that %Ise given to them .—Eventnially the
claims ia dispute were adjourned till the next
meeting.
A WOMAN IFOUND DEAD IN A PLOSTYE.—On
Sunday night, an elderly woman, named Martha
Ann Hill, wss found desd in a pigetye, at the back
ef Parkliet House. Tile deceased was a wiriow
and feriaerly lived in Mount Street, but has for
some time past, received out-door rel;ef from the
Union. She was dirty in her hanits, and a short
time ago was before the local magistrate., charged
with sleeping in an out-house belonging to Messrs.
Refford and Ce., but was let off on promising to go
into lodging, but since that time she has been
sleeping in different places, and refused to go to
the Workhouse. Mr. Preece, the landlord of the
Swan Hotel, rents the fields adjoining Parkfield
House, and seeing the woman in a bad state, sent
her some dinner on Sunday. She was then very ill,
and information was sent to the police office, but
from some cause or other the police did not go
until late at night when she was dead.—The in-
quest WAS held on the body, before R. Docker, Esq..
corener, at Mr. Dark's, the Horse and Groom Inn,
on Menday. The first witness called, was Edwin
Prett, who said he resided at the Swan Hozel. and
Mr. Preece, the landlord, requested him to t !ire her
some dinner, on Sunday. That was about two
o'clock. He found her in a pigsty°, and she was
groaning He thought she WOA 1110 VVOne for drink.
She did not appear sensible, and he leff the food
with her. He told Mr. Frank Underwood of the
circumstances, and he, (Mr. Underwood) gave in-
formation to the police, Police-constable Eaves
said that about half-past 11 o'clock on Sunday
eight, he went with Police-constable Williams to
turn her out of the pigsty, and found
she was dead. She was a drunken, disipated
woman. He had frequently turned her out of pig-
sty s out •houses, and brickyards She was before
the Mag.istratce ton days go, anti wee recommend. d
to go into teri Union, tui she refused. He saw her
last alive on Saturday, by the Vidalia-1e rip -trendy
in her usual health. Dr. Bay;ey said he found the
deceased in a dirl, and very filthy state. There
were no marks ef violence. The body appeared to
be well noarished. The cause of death was, in his
Opinion, )ratn the rupture of a blood vessel in the
head. The jury returned a verdict, that deceased
died from "Natural Causes."

CHILD BUUNT TO DnATIL—An inquest was held
at the White Horse Inn, Heath, befoni R. Docker.
Esq., coroner. on Mond Ly, touching the de,th of
Owen Jones, aged ue y-ar and seven months. From
th: evide.4ce adducPcl it appears that the mother
left the deceased in the house with a sieter aged
three years and fo months, and while from home
the child a clothes c ught fire and it was so burnt
that it died in about an hour. There was no
evidence to show how the clothes caught fire. The
mother was censures, and the jury returned a
verdict f " Acci ient ,1 death from burning."
COUNTY COUBT.—At the County Court, on Tues-
day, before Mr. R Re tie, the Gr.-at Western
Ailway Comp,ny sued Dr. Pearse, of Brierley Hill,
for dd tor the carriage anll deny, ry of a .parcel.
Mr. Bentley (Worcester) appeari-4 for the plaintiffs.
and Mr. \ ..ldron (Brierley Hill) for the Oefen.:ant.
—file sum of been paid into Court, and the
real poini in cisi.tre was whether the company
were tn•itled to recover 2d for delivering a parcel
to Dr. Pcitr:ie from Brierley Hill. '1 he parcel im-
mediately in dispute had been seat from Snow Hill,
'oil-mine:ham, to Brierley Hill, on the 31st July,
and the station to station rate was 6d. When the
out-porter took it to Dr. Pearse a demand was
eride for Bd, the additional 2d being for delivery.
Dr. Pearse refused to pay more nal 6d, and this
led to the present action. At some stations there
is a fr e delivery of parcels within a certain limit,
but the company's se-vants stated tlett Brierley
Bill was not one of the free delivery plasm. e
out in cross examination, however, that th O,rn-
pny will de iver Brierley Hill parc. ls free if sent
to Brettell Lane Station, though they will not
deliver them free if sen+ to Brierley Hill Station
itself.—A verdict was given for the company.—Mr.
Waldron stated that representations had recently
bn made to the directors of the company by a
deputation from Brierley Hill regarding this
parcete grievance and other matters of complaint.
ANNUAL lIESTING 07 THE CHICKtT..CLUIL —The
annual meeting of the above club was held
13At Hotel, ou Thursday night, Mr S. Fi h
elndr. There was a ...- 01 attetela:.ce of nynnh, re.
The -iceounts showed the club to be it, a prosperous
condi, ion. The following &era were e:eceel for
the ensuing year :—J oin t Trc. su e. i• and Secrrtaries,
Memo. . Field and A. E. Talward ; Mach Seem
taries, /*Lairs. J. W. Parkes nu 3 C. D ivenport
Committee, Messrs. C. Wesw ci, W C.
Hicks, W. Perry, C. Ps,H. Corthr..ine, and T.
Clulee. A vote of thanks to Mr. J. F. ()el% fa- his
past services, W. s pro. es id by 1‘1,.. C. Rodgers and
I carried it eras proecevi by Afi T r %lire see,onded
' by Mr. Field, and carri .0, that a h.t: h-. presented to
Mr. Edwin Otter. for scorin! 100 runs, vote of
thrinha to the Chairman cicsel he proceeding
• KIMBLE DRAMATIC Cum This club save two
poriormeaces in the GOXil Sseliaoge, on Alou4-4Y sag

Tnewday last to very gooti audiences. Oa Mcnday
Conway Dlw.tvie,' comedy " Heroes " was
pr-
iritcd, followed by the " Arel Belle," and on Wed-
neid:ty the piece selected was " The l‘lerchant cf
Venice." The aoting throughout wa4 exceedingly
good,-alcl the whele hife'r wai a decided suce.c.!ss.

_
-OLD BANDS,-At the Police Court, on Moulay,
before F. Evers Esq., l'ilichael Garraty, brickla er,
was brought up in custody on a charge of being
drunk and disorderly in the highway, on the 25th
ult. He was also further charged with committing
a breach of the peace by fighting, on the same date
and at the Same place. Pollee-constable Williams
said that hp was on duty in Coventy Street about
ten minutes past eleven on the above date, when
he saw prisoner, who was stripped for fighting.
When witness got near to defendant, he ran away,
but he ran after him caught him, and took him
into custody. Defendant was very drunk. As he
was bringing him to the station with Sergeant
Jones someone threw a brick at the sergeant
and broke one of his ribs. 'Mr. Evers
remarked that defendant was evidently a very dis-
orderly person, and he should fine him 20s and
costs, or two months, for being drunk and dis-
orderly,. and for the breach of the peace he should
bind him over to keep the peace for three months,
himself in £lO, and one surety of £lO. If he
could not find a surety he was to have two months'
imprisonment. Edward O'Boyle, labourer, in
custody, was charged with being drunk and dis-
orderly in the highway, on the 25th inst. De •
fendant pleaded guilty. Police-constable Williams
said that about ten minutes to twelve on the night
in question, he was on duty with Sergeant Jones in
High Street, when he saw[the prisoner who was
staggering about the street, and making tame of bad
language. He requested him to go home but he
would not, and witness then took him into custody.
Superintendent Wheeler said that about 12 o'clock
on the night in question he saw the defendant by
the town clock very drunk. He ordered defendant
home but he refused to go, and he then ordered
him to be taken into custody.—Defendant was
further charged with damaging the cell door to the
amount orss. Superintendent Wheeler said that
about one o'clock his attention was attracted by a
great noise. He went to the cell, and found the
' prisoner beating the cell door 'with an iron bucket.
'[here being several previous c,mvictions against
him, defendant was fined 20s and cost'', and 5s
damage; or in default of payment, 6 week's im-
prisonment in each case.
CFIARGE OF DAMAGING FRUIT.—At the Police
Court, yesterday before Colonel Fletcher, Charles
Loates, and Thomas Gould, residing at Stapen
Hill, were charged with wilfully damaging a
quantity of fruit, on the 19th ult., the property of
William Wheeler. After hearing the evidence, the
charge against Loges was dismissed, and Gould's
case adjoined for a week. •
CHARGE.' OF DRUNICENNEB.9.—CharIes Perks, of
the Lye, was charged with being drunken the 26th
ult. Police-constable Widdows proved the case,
and also a former conviction. Defendant, who did
not appear, was fined 5s and costs; in default 14
days.
CHARGE OF STEALING IRON MOLL—William
Lichfield was brought up on remand, charged with
stealing iron tools, in the month of July, the pro-
perty of Henry Mills. Prosecutor, who is a steel
fork maker, said he missed the two pieces of wrought
iron produced. From information received, he
went to Shepherd's marine store, and found the iron
produced, ivhich was his property. James ShJpherd,
marine stoadealer, said the prisoner brought the
iron prodmrd to his house in 'My last, and he paid
him 5d pet score. Prisoner said the iron belonged
to his father, who had bought it at a sale, and did
not want it. Police-eonstable Turner, proved
apprehending prisoner, and charged him with
stealing two anvils, the property of Henry Mills.
Prisoner said he should plead guilty. He was
further charged with stealing seven pigeons on the
16th October, the property of Charles Watson,
Longlands. John •Jowhorn, said he was in charge
of a boat on the Stourbridge Canal. The prisoner
was in his employ on the 16th ult. Prisoner left
his stable about half-past eight at night, and re- I
turned again about half-past nine. Witness saw
some pigeons in the stern end of the boat. H,.?
should say about eight or nine, Prisoner said he
had got them from his uncle, at Sturbridge.
Prisoner got out of the boat at Whittington,
Cookley, and Wolverley, and took pigeons with
him each time, and returned without any, Polic
constable Turner said he apprehended prisoner on
the 22nd ult., and charged him with stealing seven
pigeons, the property diCharles Watson. Prisoner
first denied the charge, but afterwards said he had
taken them. Ann Bdwards. residing at Whitting-
ton, said that on the 17th ult, the prisoner came
to her house, and offered two plgeon4 for sale.—
Prisoner was further charged with breaking into a
pigeon pen, on the 16th ult, and stealing two pigeons
the property, of Thomas Evans, of Hill Strew.
Prosecutor said he had a. pen at the bottom of the
garden. 'They were safe at six o'clock the previous
evening, and next morning he found the pen
broken open, and the pigeons gone. Ann Edwards
aaid she bought two pigeons from the prisoner, and
gave him as for them, and she gave them to anann-
named Johnson for a quiee. Prisoner was com-
mitted to take his trial in all three cases.

•Geecia'a—isress,—William Thompson was charged
with being in search of game on the 21st ult. Wil-
Hem Toy, keeper, said he saw the defendant in a
field at Binver, He had a dog with him, and was
beating the hedges for game. He was watching
him for a quarter of an hour. Defendant was fined
5s and costs; in default 14 days.—Henry Cutler.
Henry Aston, Charles Edwards, and Charles Male
pass were charged with having been on land in the
occupation of John Edwards and others, in search of
game. on the 22nd ult. Defendants pleated not
guilty. Mr. Cones defended. Charles Davis (14),
said he saw the defendants in a road at the Ridge.
ani he afterwards saw then go up by the Cover
lvelge. The defendant Aston had a gun. He then
went and told Mr. Toy. William Toy, -gamelteeprr,
said from information received from last witness, he
went to the cover, and saw the defendants come out,
iteton had a gun. The defendants ran away when
they saw him. Mr. Foley has the right of shooting.
Mr. Collis said that Cutler and Malpass were asked
by Mr.‘Bridgeveter, who has a lotment there, to g
and. looked his potatoes, and
_see How much they
would get them up for. They went and looked at
them, iinA on returning, met the other two defendants
He admitted that Aston had a gun. Several pre-
vious convictions being proved against Cutler, he
was fined 103 and costs; in default 21 days, and the
other defendants 5s each and costs; ia default 14
day:.
CHARGr or DICTRAuDING THE GRIM' WICSTEnN
RAILWAY COmrANT. James Reid, a boy, was
charged with defrauling the above company, by
riding in a second class carriage from Worcester to
Stonrbridge, on the 29th ult, without a ticket. A
porter in the employ of the company said that his
attention was called to the defendant who was
a
riding in a second class compartment nd under a
seat. When the defendant got out he offered Mr.
Noble, station master, a shilling, all he had got.
Pleaded guilty. Fined 5s and costs.
CHABGH or THROWING Sro:res.—lg.ael Burke,
a youth, wee charged with throwing stones at the
police, on the 25th nit, while in the execution of
their duty. Police-constable Tooby said that he
saw the defendant throw something at police-ser-
geant Jones. He could not say it was. Two
witnesses were called for the defence, after which
the case was dismissed.—Col. Fletcher remarked
that if defendant was found in company with
others who threw he was liable. The Act of
Parliament said " An assembly of great numbers
of pFsons, which frost its general appearance and
accompanying circumstances is calculated to excite
terror, alarm, and consternation, is generally
criminal, and unlawful." All persons who form
an assembly of this kind disregarding its probable
effect and the alarm and consternation that was
likely to ensue, and all who give countenance and
suppett to it, are criminal parties.
Scsooe BOARD PRoSECUTIoNa.—A number of
persons wera summoned by W. Jasper, inspector,
for neglecting to send their children to school, and
were fined from Is to 2s 6d each.
LenceT CASt.—Eiward Gwillarr, a boy, was
charged with stealing a round of thread, on the
21th ult, the property of George Woolley. Police.
constable Williams proved that he saw the defend-
ant selling the thread. Pleaded guilty, and ordered
to receive twelve strokes with the birch rod, and
was informed that if he came again before the
magistrates he would be sent to the Reformatory.
Nese RATE.—Mr. 11. Yates, tie assistant overseer,
applied for a Pour rate for Stourbridge, at. is 4d in
the pound; and one for Cradley at Is in the pound.
The ratepayers will be glad to hear that the old
rates are all collected.