The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-12-20 00:00:00

BBIERLEY HILL.

DRUNKENNESS.—At the Police Court, on Monday
before Messrb. 11. 0. Firmstone and L. Freer,
Samusl Shaw, lahourer, of Kingswinford, was
charged with being drunk in the highway, at
Himley, on the 6th inst. Police-constable Wood-
cock pnved the offence, and defendant was fined Is
and costs; in default 7 7ays.--John Hampton, of
Cradley Heath, was charged with being drunk and
disorderly in the highway on the Bth inst. Police-
constable Gibbons said that defendant was very
drunk and using bad language in the highway in
the parish of Kingswinford. Defendant said he was
very sorry, and he had bsen an abstainer for about
twelve months until the date in question. Defend-
ant had a great many previous convictions against
him but not within the last twelve months. The
Bench said as he had been an abstainer for the last
twelve months they. should deal lightly with him,
and only fine him 2s 6d and costs; in default 7
days.
COAL STEALING.—Thomas Corns (13), of Worn-
bourne, was charged with stealing a quantity of
coal the property of Alfred Baldwin, on the 25th
ult. Police-sergeant Hammond sad he saw the
prisoner near the canal bridge at Wombourne. He
was coming from the dir,etion of a boat with some-
thing under his arm. Witness went to him and
found it was a lump of coal. It weighed 22?;Pos.
Prisoner said he had had it from Mr. Baldrin's
boat. The ease was not pressed, and prisoner was
tined ss. including costs; in default of payment 14
days.
AIDING IN A PRIZE FIGHT.—Four men named
Geary, Padbury, Southall, and Burns were charged
with aidinc, and abetting in a prize fight which
had occurred recently. The case was withdrawn
against Padbury, but the other cases were adjourned
tor a week.

A SERIOUS CHARGE.—AIbert Wilks Pugh, of
Sedgley, was charged with shooting at James Day,
with intent to do grevious bodily Warm, on the 11th
inst. Mr. Addison appeared to prosecute, and Mr.
Stokes defended. James Day, assistant IPeper to
the Earl of Stamford, said he was watching the
" Square Cover," near Camp Hill Farm, at Enville,
on the 11th inst, where he saw the d,fendant and
four other men, who were walking backwards and
forwards by the side of the cover. He went to the
opposite side of the cover and as he was going he
heard a noise in the cover. In consequence of that
he went for assistance and brought back with him
George Mathews, Henry Edwards, and Henry
Field'. They got behind a tree. He peeped from
behind the tree and heard defendant say
"Come out you--, and I'll shoot you", and said
if he peeped again he would shoot hint. He
peeped again and. the defendant rose his gun to
his shoulder and pointed towards him and fired.
He got behind the tree imm( diately defendant
rose the gun. The defendant fired a second time
into a ditch bank. They took the gun produced
from defendant. Defendant 'vas given in charge
of Police-constable Marshall. In cross-examina,-
tion witness stated that he went to the tree next
morning to see if there were any marks on the
tree, but did not find any. George Mathews a
labourer, corroborated the evidence of complainant.
Police-constable Marshall, stationed at Enville,
said he received defendant into custody from
James Day on the 11th inst. He charged him with
shootin;-, at James Day with intent to do him gre-
vious bodily harm. Defendant said it was untrue.
On the way to Brierley Hill defendant said he fired
the gun into the bottom of the hedge. He only
did it for "bravado," to frighten them. The
Bench retired to con Sider the case cud on return-
ing Mr. Firtnstene said they were of opinion that
the evidence did not sustain the charge of attempt
to murder. There was no doubt that he had
committed an unlawful act in firing off the gun
where he did within 50 feet of the highway. and
they thought the charge would be reduced to that
rather than the intent to do bodily harm. De-
fendant was then charged with firing off a gun
within 50 feet of the highway. Mr. Stokes on
behalf of defendant pleaded guilty to this
charge. The Bench said they should take a lenient
view of the case and fine him 20s. and costs; in
default one month.

DRUNKENNESS.—At the Police Court, on Thuts-
day, before Mr. Haden Corser, deputy-stipendiary,
Simeon Corbett was charged with being drunk on
the 29th ult. Police-constable Hicklin proved the
case. Fined 2s 6d and costs.—Nieholas Wood was
charged with being drunk and incapable on the 30th
ult. Police-constable Buckley proved the case and
defendant was fined 2s 6d and costs.—John Pulley
was charged with being drunk and disorderly. The
case was proved by Police-constable Lafford and de-
fendant was fined 2s 6d and costs,
ASSAULT CASE —Thomas Mallen was charged with
assaulting Edward Chance, on the 29th ult. From
the evidence of complainant it appeal's that a dispute
arose about a dog and defendant struck him a violent
blow and he became insensible. Defendant said he
struck in self defence. Case dismissed.

MEETINGS OF CREDITOR. - A meeting of the
creditors of William Harrison, of Quarry BAnk,
engineer, was held at the office of Mr. Addison, on
Tuesday last. Mr. Addison represented the debtor.
Mr. Waldron opposed on behalf of J. Hyland and
Co It was resolved to liquidate. Mr. Evers was
appointed trustee, and Mr. Addison was entrusted
with.the registration of the resolution.—A meeting,
of the creditors of Joseph Siddaway, Reddall Hill_
beerhouse-keeper, was held at the offiet of Mr..A.ddi
son Brierley Hill. Mr. Addison represented the
debtor. Mr. J. Rollinson represented several ereui-
tors, and a number of creditors attended personally.
A resolution of the first meeting was confirmed, to
pay 5s in the pound, the first instalment of 2s 61 to
be paid in six months and the oLher instalment in
twelve months after the date of the meeting.