The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-08-28 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

INQUEST.—An inquest was held on Tuesday, at Enoch
Westwood's, the Engine inn, before Mr. E. Hooper,
Coroner, touching the death of William Goodwin, aged
four years. The evidence went to show that deceased
lived with his parents in Blackwagon-street. He was
missed. Search was made for him, and he was found in
a well by a man named Priest. When got out he was
quite dead. A verdict was returned of "Found drowned,"
and the well was ordered to be filled up.
ASSAULT CASE.—At the Petty Sessions held on Wed-
nesday, before Messrs. N. Hiligley and W. Bassano,
Charles Brettle was charged by Albert Dunn, with as-
saulting him on the 14th inst. The case was proved, and
defendant fined is and costs.

CHARON, AGAINST A BEERTIOUSE-KEEPER. Edward
Bastable, landlord of the Royal Oak. Haden Hill, was
charged by Superintendent Mills with keeping his house
open on the 15th just, during prohibited hours
Police-constable Cooper Said that he visited the derend-
anti house at twenty minutes past ten. He found four
Men in the house, and there were two pints of ale on the
table before them. On calling the attention of the men
to the circumstance, they said the ale was tilled before
ten, and they did not think it was so late. Mr. Stokes
addressed the Bench for the defence, and the case was
mitndrawn upon payment of costs.

CAUTION To DitlNKEßS.—Joseph Price was chatted
witli being found on the licensed premises of the Royal
Exchange, Old Hill, during prohibited hours, on the Bth
inst. Police-constable Giles proved the case. Fined ls
and costs.

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. --Joseph Woodhouse was
charged with behrg drunk and disorderly at Cradley
Heath,-on the 17th inst. Police-constable Stiles proved
the case. Five previous convictions were proved against
the defendant. It was also said that on the above date
defendant beat his soother. Fined 20s and costs: in de-
fault one month—Daniel Holloway was charged with
being drunk on the 16th inst. Police-constable Silvester
proved the offence. Fined is and costs.—Joseph Llylor
was also charged with b.2ing[drunk at hiteheath, on the
17th inst. Police-constible Giles proved that he found
the defendant drunk in the road asleep. Fined 24 6d and
costs. —Thomas Bill was charged with being drunk and
disorderly, on the 17thth. The case was proved, and
also a previous conviction, by Police-constable Giles.
Fined 5s and costs.—Beujamin;Tranter was charged with
being drunk and disorderly, on the 17th inst. Police.
constable Given proved the case, and former convictions
having been proved, def6ndant was fined las and costs.—
John Jones was charged with a similar offence on the 21st,
and fined las and costs.

CHARGE OF GAMINO.—James Nock, Samuel Siveter,
Levi Oliver, and James Oliver were charged with playing
at cards on the 20th inst. Police-constable Given said
that he saw all the defendants playing at cards. This was
corroborated by Police-constable Giles. Defendants
denied they were playing at cards, and called a witness
who said they were not playing. The Bench said it was
possible the police might be mistaken, and gave defend-
ants the benefit of the doubt and dismissed the summons.
—Edward Strong was charged with playing at cards on
the highway, on the 16th inst. Police-constable Giles
proved the offence, and produced the cards he took from
them. A previous conviction was proved, and defendant
fined 5s and costs.—William Glenn was charged with
using obscene language, on the 16th inst. The case was
proved, and defendant fined 5s and costs.

SERlotis ASSAULT I3Y A ScHooLNASTER.—Robert Daley,
a cenificated schoolmaster at the New Connexion Schools,
Old Hill, was charged with assaulting a boy named Wil-
liam Partridge, on the 18th inst. Complainant said that
he attended the above schools on the day in question.
[he defendant said all those who had not done their les-
sone were to stand up on the bench. Witness had not
done his lesson, and he was told to put his hand out
He did so, and the defendant struck it with a cane. He
told witness a second time to his hand out, but he refused,
and the defendant thrashed him all down the school-
room with a cane, on his back, until it was covered with
bruises. Joseph Edward Thomas, another scholar, gave
corroborative evidence. Mr. hingley It was a shame-
ful and disgraceful beating. The boy's back was covered
from top to bottom with bruises. What have you to say?
Defendant said the boy had transgressed the rules, by
not learning his lessons. He went to chastise him for
not learning his lessons, and told him to hold out his
hand, and the boy refused to do so. He saw that the
boy was stupid, and gave him five minutes to see if he was
stilt rebellious. On returniog to,the boy he still refused
to put out his hand, and he gave him two cuts across the
back. He asked him again to hold out his haad. He
still refused, and he struck him again two or three blows
on the back. At last the boy put out his hand, and sub-
mitted himself, and he did not strike again after he had
gained the point, but let him off—The Clerk: I should
not like to be under your care.—Mr. Ilingley : The boy
is black and blue all over him, and I think you ought to
be made an example of.-31r. Bassano : The boy was
beaten very badly indeed. His back is covered with
bruises at the present time. You have done wrong.
Don't you think you had better give the boy some small
compensation, say a half-crown.—Defendant: I would
rather leave it with you. But just as you like.—Mr.
Hingley : I think your conduct very bad, and you ought
to be made an example of.—Defendant was then fined 20,t
and costs.