The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-08-22 00:00:00

CRADLEY HEATH.

LErruee.—On Monday evening the well-known lectu-
rer the Rev. Arthur O'Neil, of Birmingham, delivered a
lecture In the Baptist Chapel, Four Ways. The Rev. O.
eosins occupied the chair. The subjects upon which the
lecturer dilated were, Peace, Arbitration, the Alabama
claims, and the Irish questions of Land and Church.
He gave the present government due homier for keeping
out oi forstigu quarrels, and said Disraeli spoke the
truth when he said that " England was looked upon now
as a neutral nation, and as having no desire for war." He
strongly discountenanced war, and advocated peace.
Congresses were in his opinion of incalculable value,
preventing war and bloodshed, and settling claims in a
peaceable and quiet manner. Richard Cobden was, ac-
cording to his statement, the first to introduce the ques-
tion of arbitration into the senate. Ile proposed that
the Queen should be requested to insert in all future
treaties she might make with foreign nations a clause
, proclaim that all disputes which may arise should lie
settled by arbitration, if possible, instead of war. The
motion was negatived in the Commons, but in the very
next treaty made the Queen had this cluse inserted, and
no beneficially had it worked that no less than five wars
had been pen vented since then by its instrumentality. It
was iiliserved that as arbitration worked no admirably in
sltiing international disputes, it would answer quite as
well in the settling of personal disputes. Consequently
disi tit is which were before settled by expensive law trials
were now decided by arbilration, and a vast amount of
money saved and justice equally respected. The lecturer
advocated this as a sure remedy for strikes and lock-oats,
a remark which the large audience greeted with loud
applause. Ile next pointed out the merits and demerits
of the Alabama claims, and in strong terms denounced
the conduct of the majority of England's nobility, who
during the war in America lent their aid to the South,
and sought to uphold slavery and tyranny. It, his
opinion the beet possible way to setUe the dispute between
oar government and the American government, was for
us to pay the damage claimed. It may be hard for us,
hut better pay than go to war, especially as they had es-
tablished • printd facli case, and fully shown the neglect
of our government. With regard to Irish Church ques-
tions, lie spoke in bitter and sarcastic terns of the con-
duct of the Church authorities, and of/course condemned
the Church in that country. He gave instances of its
uselessness, and, amid great applause, advocated its
instant disestablishment. Thu land question was dwelt
upon, and its evils pointed out, and the proposals of
John Bright fully examined and endorsed. The lecture
was listen,' to with the greatest attention, and at its
close a hearty vote of thanks accorded to the lecturer.
SEILMON3.—The tinemel anniverssi V sermons were
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DISORDERLY CmcnreT.—At the Petty Sessione. OD I
Monday la-t, befwe F. Evers and H. Smith. F.sora..
Thomas Evans, of Wordsley Green. Was charged by Su-
perintendent Mills with being drnnk and disorderly.
Police-eonstable Clark proved the ease. Fined Is and
costs: in default it daya.—John Mallen was charged
with being drank on the Sth instant. Police-constable
Clarke said he found the defendant drank at Wordsley.
lying down in the street. Witness got him up. but he
could scarcely stand. Adjourned for a we, X for a wit-
ness for the defence.
1 A BRUTE OF A Hrantwn.—LENlF.NT SENTENCE.—
, Joseph Knight. of Quarry Bank. was charged by Sarah
Knight with assaulting her on the 27th of July. Cons. I
plainant said that she was separated from her husband.
On the above date he came to her house and best her.
so that she was unable to work. Defendant behaved very
had to her. and she luta had to have him op three times
before. Mary Ann Williams, daughter of complainant.
corroborated the assault. Fined Is and costs: in default
11 days.
CHARGE OF STEALING A So/WT.—Thomas Brooks was
charged with stealing a hen fowl on the 15th instant, the
property of Sarsh Fellows, of the Thorns. Mr. Pontnn,
of Stoorbridge, defended. Prosecutrix said that at half-
past six o'clock she flaw a hen fowl on the roost. She
left the door open to go out to milk. About half-past
nine she returned, and found the fowl gone. It Was worth
is fid. She has had the fowl four years James Pearson
said that about seven o'clock on the above date, he was .
in • field at the back of the garden. which is about 70
yards from Mrs. Fellows's house. He saw the prisoner
go up to the shed, catch the hen fowl and put it into a
bag. and take it to his own house. Police-constable
Hammond proved apprehending the prisoner. and search-
ing his house. He did not find the fowl: nor any
l feathers. _ Mr._ Ponton addressed the Bench for the de-

fence, and ;aid that it v-eiSs a malicious prosecution. The
protecotrix had imprisoned his client's father, and AP
was trying to send the lad to prison. He contended that
there wagtail evidence to show that the priioner took the
fowl except that of the lad Pearson. who admitted in
croes-examination that he was watching the fowl to lay
eggs so that lie may take them RA lie had done before.
He should call witnesses to prove that the prisoner was
in bed at the time the alleged offence took place. If he
did, he should ask the Bench to discharge him. Math
Brooks said she was sister to the prisoner, and lived at
Caledonia. On the above date James Pearson called at
the house a little after seven o'clock, an asked for Tom.
meaning the prisoner. She told him he was not op, and
he went away. The mother of the prisoner also gave
corroborative evidence, and said she did net call him up
till near eight o'clock. The Bench remarked that they
had a doubt in their minds, and should give the prisoner
the benefit of it, and discharged him with a caution.
Ccii. STEALIIIO.—SemneI Holden was charged with
stealing a quantity of coal on the 13th inst. the property
of the Earl of Dudley. Samuel Howes said he worked
at the Robin Hood Colliery. On the above date he saw
the prisoner picking coal. He filled two baskets full,
weighing about one hundred weight. Prisoner said he
was at work down the pit at tha time, and called John
Pritchard, collier, who said that the prisoner was at
work for him at the time. Prisoner was discharged.—
Emma Badger was charged with stealing a quantity of
cant on the dish all, the property of the Earl of Dudley.
Police-constable Cotterell said that on the shove date
lie saw the prisoner coming from the pit with a basket of
total on her head. When the prisoner saw him going
towards her she ran away, and he lost sight of her for a
time, hut now her again. The Beach did not think the
identlty proved. and dismissed the case.—John Price (15)
and Mary Ann Taylor (Id), were charged with stenling a
quantity of coal on the 3rd in.tant. the property of the
Earl of Dudley. Police•constable Moore proved tlia
ease. Price oil 9 fined is. or La default seven days and
Pay toe is, in default :24 hours' imprisonment.