The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-05-03 00:00:00

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and the clerk, to consider as to the desirability of
making a purchase of some land, belonging to Ms.
Cox, situate in Heath Street, for the purpose of
widening the road.—Proposed by Mr. Woolley,
seconded by Mr. Kelley, that the report Fe adopted,
and that the Chairman, Mr. Edwards an. the Clerk
do purchase the land referred to in the report, on
siren terms as to them may appear desirable. Carried
unanimously.
The Clerk read a letter he had received from Mr.
Turney, captain of the fire brigade, asking them to
erect a suitable place for the purpose of hanging a
bell, to be rung in case of fire.
The Chairman said that he had some conversation
wiLh Mr. Tutniiy on the subject, and Mr. Turney
informed hirrOthat he had bought a bell at his own
expense and only asked the Commissioners to erect
it. After some discussion, Mr. Perkins moved, and
Mr. Kelley seconded, that the Commissioners pay
the expense of erecting a place for the bell to be
hung. Carried unanimously.
The Clerk read a letter he had received from Mr.
G. Perry, agent to the Phenix Fire Insurance Office
in response to one he had received from the Fire
Brigade, asking for a subscription. Instead of a
subscription, they offered to make over the Phenix
Fire Engine, to the Commissioners, for the use of
the Fire Brigade. A resolution wa- passed thank -
ing them for the offer made, but declining to take
charge of the engine, as it was considered the
present engine and hose was sufficieut for any pur-
pose required.— A resolution was passed fir the
bri:lade to have four additional lengths of leather
hose, two of canvas hose, a hand pump, and a dam.
An Improvement Rate of 10d in the pound was
made.

There was no other business of importance.

LOCAL FAILURES.

A petition for liquidation was filed in the Stour-
bridge County Court, yesterday, on behalf of Joseph
Pugh, who is described as a tobacconist and news
agent, 51, Coventry Street, Stourbridge. The
liabilities are set down at £250; assets not known.
Mr. C W. Collis is the solicitor to the debtor, and
Mr. Charles Evers appointed receiver.
I petition was filed in the County Court, on
Tuesday, by John Folkes, of the Lye Forge, Lye,
anvil, vice, hammer, and vice -iron manufacturer.
The liabilties are £1,169. Mr. C. W. Collis is the
solicitor to the debtor, and Mr. C. Evers is ap-
pointed receiver.
AN INTERESTING ADVERTISEMENT.—The adver-
tisement of fortune of Samuel Heckscher, sear.
in Hamburg in the number of our gazette of this
day is very interesting. This house has acquired
so good a reputation by the prompt and discreet
payment of the amounts gained here and in the
environs, that we beg all our readers to take notice
of his insertion this day.
SUDDEN DEATH.—'A very sudden death took
place at Oldswinford, on Monday eveninc, last. It
appears that a man named Charles Adams, aged
30, chainmaker, went with his father, Phillip
Adams' into a public-house, to have a cup of ale.
l'he deceased being out of work for many weeks,
the father paid for two pints of ale, and while in
the act of drinking out of the second cup, deceased
said he did not feel well, and immediately expired.
Deceased has for some time complained of pains at
the heart.
VAGRANCY.—At the Public Office, on Tuesday,
before J. E. Swindell, Esq., William Blow was
charged with begging at Cleat, on the 29th alt,
Police-c3nstable Wallace proved the case, and said
that the defendant had a large quantity of bread
and chee.e in his pockets, also a pair of stockings.
Defendant was committed to the house of cor-
rection for 7 days.
OBSTRUCTING THE HIGHWAY. At the Police
Court, yesterday, before Colonel Fletcher, Messrs.
R. L. Freer and C. Cochrane, Albert Edwards and
Thomas Smith were charge i with obstructing the
highway on the 7th February. Defendants both
pleaded guilty. Colonel Fletcher said if defend-
ants would pay the costs the cases would be with-
drawn. Similar cases had been brought befor.-
them and an appeal had been made to the Court of
Queen's Bench who confirmed their decision. The
Court held that it was illegal to allow horses and
carts o stand on;the highway. Defendants were
fled 8s 6d each, including costs.
CHARGE OF WOBBLING AT THE LYE.—Elijah
Allen, of the Lye, was charged with selling ale, not
being duly licensed to sell. Defendant did not
appear. The service of the summons was proved,
and the case heard in his absence. Superintendent
Wheeler said that he had a warrant to search the
defeqdant's house, and between one and two o'clock
on Sunday morning he executed the warrant in the
house. He found six barrels in the cellar, one 56
gallon fall of ale, one 36 with a tap in it, four empty
barrels, one stone jar half full of ale, one large beer
cooler, 0,.e tun pail, two quart jugs, two brass taps,
and a tab containing barm. In the brewhouEe he
found one mash tub and tap, one seive, a large
cooler with grains in, brewing ladder, and one or two
malt bags. With Sergeant Payne he found two
pint cups containing ale. In the cupboards in the
kitchen and parlour found other jugs. He took all
the things away with the exception of a large mash
tub, which could not be got out. When he got
inside the house defendant said, "You can do what
you like, I shall do the three months for it. My
wife and children will have to go to the Union, and
the parish will have to keep them. You will be
none the better for it, and I shall cut the country."
Defendant then kissed his children. There were
seven men in the house. Three of them were
drunk, and four Under the influence of ale. He
called for assistance and Police-sergeant Jones with
six police-officers went to his assistance. They were
waiting in ambush. Sergeants Jones and Payne
gave corroborative evidence, and said it was with
great difficulty they got into the house. Mrs. Align
was called, and said that after hearing a noise she
came down stairs. Several men, chainmakers, were
in the house. They came to buy some pigeons from
her husband who rears them. The Bench to witness:
Do you mean to say that the men came at one
o'clock at night, to buy pigeons? Witness: They
had been talking together. I went to bed about
eleven o'clock. There was no beer on the table, but
the wet came from some watercress. lam a very
poor woman, with eight small children, and my
husband is very ill. Mr. Freer: It would have been
more manly if Ybur husband had come himself, and
not sent you to fight his battle. Defendant was
then fined i2O and costs; in default three months
imprisonment. Police-sergeant Jones proved that
defendant had been formerly convicted, and fined
£lO.

CITA.RTIE OF DETINICZNNESg. Alfred Chance,
spademaker, was charged with being drunk on the
night of the 29th ult. Police-constable Morgan
proved the case Fined 2s 6d and cosi s.—Phillip
Adams, residing at Oldswinford, was oharged with
being drunk on the 28th ult. Police-constable
Smith said that he saw the defendant in Union
''ar, et, drunk. The defence was that he had been
having a cup of ale with his son, Charles Adams.
who died suddeßly ; that after that time defendant
was like a madman, and had been ill ever since.
Fined 6s 6d, to include costs.—Edward Young was
charged with being drunk and disorderly at Clent,
on the 17th ult. Police-constable Wallace proved
the case and said that the defendant came and
kicked at his door in the night Fined 5s and costs.
—Charles Edge, residing in Church Street, was
charged with being drunk and incapable on the
night of the 27th ult. Police-constable Madeley
said that he found the defendant lying on the road,
helplessly drunk. Fined 2s 6d and costs; in default
7 days.
Holism STRANING.—CoIoy Aston, butcher, was
charged with allowing two horses to stray at Woll-
aston, on the 29th ult. Police-constable Smith said
that he found tavp horses straying in Sandy Lane,
Wollaston. They belonged to the defendant.
P,,lice-sergeant Janes proved a previous conviction.
Fined 2s 6d and c.sts. .

CHARGE OF DAMAGING CLOVER.—ReIIey Smith, a
gipsy, was charged with allowing his horses to be in
Mr. C. E. Swindell's clover field, and doing damage
to the amount of ss. D.:fend4nt denied that the
horses belonged to him and said they belonged to
his brother. Case dismissed.
NON-PAYMENT OF HIGHWAY RA.TES. Before
Colonel Fletcher and Mr. C. Cochrane. A number
of persons were summoned by James Hipkiss, col-
lector, for non-payment of highway rates. The
first case taken was that against Messrs. Edward
Rickards (..t1 13s Od) and Edwin Rickards (7s 90).
Mr. Shepherd appeared to support the summons
and Mr. Prescott defended. Mr. Hipkiss proved
the rate ws,s due and he had made a demand for
the money which had not been paid. Mr. Prescott
contended that the notice was badas it had not the
seal upon it He also contended that it should
have been signed by some of the Commissioners.
Mr. Shepherd said there was a clause in the Stonr-
bridge Improvement Act which provided that it
was not necessary it should receive the seal of the
Commissioners, but that a. notice published, par
printed and part writing, was held to be good.
Mr. Prescott said the rate made was an illegal one.
He had procured the opinions of four counsel and
had shownthein to the clerk, and the Bench could
look at them if they thought proper. The iCom-
missioners hadAtken counsels opinion from Mr.
Griffiths and they had not dared to show it, although
taken at the cost of the town. Mr. Shepherd sub-
mitted that the notice had been propetly published
as required by law. Mr. Prescott raised several
legal objections to the rate. Colonel Fletcher said
he was afraid that Mr. Prescott had given himself
a good deal of trouble, and real several cases de-
cided upon by a superior Court, which he contended
they must respect. Mr. Prescott: Yes it's ~11
very well to appeal; for a poor man to find fifty or
sixty pounds, while Mr. Shepherd has the public
money to go at. Colonel Fletcher said he did not
see any other course open but to sign the rare,
Mr. Prescott said it was a penal case and if the
defendant waa convicted he was liable to imprison.
mei* in owe et so &Otos end their !mai%

would be liable for an action. Colonel Flet ;her
said they had no right to hear any evi-
dence as to the validity ot the rate.
Mr. Prescott complained that the Commissioners
had spent various sums of money out of the high-
way rate for other purposes, for which they had no
right. Colonel Fletch r said it was fir them to
decide whether the rate had been made, and whether
his client was liable. They were of opinion the rate
had been made, and that defendants were liable.—
Mr. Prescott: They are liable for sixpence in the
pound, but not tenpence.—Mr. Shepherd said as the
Bench had decided, he now applied for 12s 9d, an
improvement rate due against Edwin 'Rickards. A
further sum of lis 3d, was demanded for a district
rate. Mr. Hipkiss proved that he had made a de-
mand for the money, and it was not paid; also that
the notice had been duly published. Mr. Prescott
again made several objections 'which were overruled
by the Bench. Colonel Fletcher remarked that the
objections were very proper, but were made before
the wrong tribunal.— -An order was made for pay-
ment. A number of other cases were called on,
and orders made for payment; in default a distress.
CHARGE OF VAGRANCY.—John Hill Was charged
with being found on premises belonging to Elisha
Partridge, for an unlawful purpose. Mr. Waldron
defended. Rebecca Partridge, wife of Elisha Part-
ridge residing in Church Street, Lye, said that she
missed on the 28th ult., two watches from a box.
Cross-examined: The police and bailiffs did break
into her house the same day, and the doors had
been open all day. Do not know anything against
the prisoner. Mrs. Knowles said that on the above
(late she saw the prisoner coming out of Partridge's
house. Cross-examined : Did not see him have
anything. Do not know anything against him.
Police-constable Paynter said he visited Partridge's
house, in company with some bailiffs. Saw the
prisoner in the house. Also saw two watches in a
bor. Had the key from Hill's wife. The Bench
did not think the evidence sufficient to convict, and
dismissed the case.
HAWKING WITHOUT A LICENSB. Susannah
Loveridge was charged with hawking without a
license, at Wassail Grove, on the 29th ult. Police-
constable Widdows proved that he saw the defendant
trying to sell baskets. He asked her for a license.
She said that she had one. As the defendant had
been in custody s'nce Wednesday the Bench were
of opinion she hail been sufficiently punished, and
discharged her with a caution.

CHAR-GE OF TEESSPASS. William Troth was
charged with trespassing on land, on 3rd February
belonging to Mr. C. P. Noel. Henry sketcher,
keeper to Mr. Noel, proved the case. Several
previoui convictions were proved against the defend-
ant, and the Bench fined him 40s. and coats; in de-
fault two months imprisonment.

BOARD OF GUAR-DIANS.—The weekly meeting
of this Board was held yesterday. Mr. Ray,
bould in the chair. There were also present
Messrs. H. Billingham, Haskew, Hodgetts, Barr,
Rollinson, Mullet, Wood, Rev. C. H. Cole, Webb,
Giles, Mills, Plant, Hale, Rhodes, Lavender,
Kelly, Eveson, and Brooks. Admitted into the
house 13 ; discharged 21 ; born 0 ; dead 0 re-
maining in the house 467; corresponding week
last year 443. Out-door relief Kingswinford
district .254 lls. lid; Stourbridge district .236
6s ; Halesowen district 30 5s 8d ; non-
resident 9s 44 ; total £l2l 7s 8d; agninst £6l
15s 8-lid last year. Preceipts have been received
for the following County Rates, Worcestershire,
£596 15s 6d. being an increase of £249 13s. 04;
Staffnrdshire i:204 lOs 6d. being an increase of
.234 is. 9d. An invitation had been read from
the Temperance Society, for the children to
atteni at the ensuing pic-nic in Hagley Park.
The invitation was accepted, subject to the
weather.