The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-07-12 00:00:00

STOTTRBVIDGE OBSEIRVER.

through this difficult feat each evening, and on
every occasion the plaudits that greeted him
were loud and continuous. Mr. N. C. Bostock,
emnic•singer, elicited roars of laughter from
those present by his capital impersonation of
the " 'The Showman " and the "
There was a very good band in attendance
under the directorship of Mr. Beard's.

Mr. Clulow also addressed the Bench on
behalf of the clients.
Mr. Perry replied on the legal argument
raised by Mr. Stokes, and contended that the
men were not justified in leaving their employ-
ment in the way they did, and that local rules
were of no use whatever,unlessboth masters and
men had assented to them. That the men knew
perfectly well, and there was no occasion for
them to leave the work in the way they had
done.
The Bench retired to their private room to
consider the case. On returning, Major Fletcher
said they had given their best attention to it,
and considered it a very unfortunate thing the
posting of the notice without having any date
upon it. The men might have considered it
binding from that time, and considered they had
a lawful excuse for leaving; and dismissed the
summonses.

TRESPASSING IN PURSUIT OF RABBITS—Before
Major Fletchher, Messrs. B. Littlewood, W. C.
Firmstone, and J. B. Cochrane, Richard Wool-
dridge and Phillip Jones, of the Lye, and John
Hughes, of Quarry Bank, were charged with being
on land in the occupation of Lord Lyttelton, on
the 13th, in pursuit of rabbits. Hughes was further
charged with being found in the highway with
rabbits in his possession, and the other defendants
with aiding and abetting. Mr. Stokes defended.
P.O Somers said he was with a keeper on the
morning in question when he saw four nets. De-
fendants were concealed and when they saw
witness they ran away. P,C Needle proved catch-
ing the defendant Hughes, and finding six rabbits
in his pocket. Moore, a gamekeeper, said he saw
the defendant Hughes after he was caught, but
did not see the others. Mr. Stokes, in defence,
submitted that the officer was mistaken in the
identity of the two ;defendants Jones and Wool-
dridge. P.S Rea said Wooldridge had been pre-
viously convicted for poaching, and fined.£2. The
Bench considered the case proved, and fined
Hughes £1 and costs; in default on month.
Wooldridge, who had been fined before, was fined
£2 and costs; in default one montb. Jones was
fined £1 and costs, or one month.

Tuarr.—James Botiu was charged with stealing
a pair of boot tops, the property of Mr. Godfrey
Rowley Perkin, Coventry-street, on the 10th inst.
Prosecutor said he employed prisoner on the 10th
inst, as a shoemaker. P.S Jones took the boots
tops produced to witness and he identified them.
They were worth 4s. Prisoner had no right to
take the tops. Mrs. Ellen Willmott said she saw
the prisoner go into Mr. Perkin shop between 10
and 11 o'clock yesterday morning. He came back
directly afterwards. Mr. James Kay, currier,
Market-street, said prisoner sold him the boot tops
produced on the 11th. P.S Jones said he appre-
hended the prisoner yesterday morning and
charged him with stealing a pair of boot tops, the
property of Mr. Perkin. He said he did not steal
them, a woman gave them to him and he sold
them. Prisoner pleaded guilty, and was coin-
nutted to the House of Correction for one month.
DRUNKENNESB.—SamueI Amphlett, Hartiebury,
who pleaded guilty to being drunk whilst in
charge of a horse and cart, in High-street, on the
sth inst, was fined 10s and costs. P.S Jones
proved the offence.
STEALING e MlA:K.—Henry Hayward was charged
with stealing a tame duck the property of
Zaaariali Robinson on the 9th inst, at Amble-
cote. Harriet Mills said she lived at Bouchell.
She saw the prisoner pick a duck up out of the
water. She heard someone throwing in the water
and then she saw the prisoner carrying the duck
away. The duck produced was the same. Samuel
Parkes said he lived at Bagley's Mill. He saw
prisoner on the above date, and asked him for the
duck. Prisoner said he had not seen the duck
that morning. He afterwards went into the house
and brought out the duck produced. Benjamin
Robinson identified the duck as the property of
his father. P.S Rea proved apprehending the
prisoner, and charged him with stealing it. He
said," No one saw me throw at it." I picked it
up and took it home. Prisoner said he was guilty
of taking the duck, but it was wounded at the
time and he did not know to whom it belonged.
Sentenced to 7 days' imprisonment.

assault and called John Dearne, brother of complainant,
who said his sister pushed defendant and struck him on
the side of the head, and then defendant pushed her
away, but did not hit her. On the application of com-
plainant the Bench adjourned the case for a fortnight to
enable complainant to obtain further evidence.
RORAIMA CISARGX AGAINST • FATITSR.—John Wood-
bine, a rough- looking fellow, was charged with assault-
ing and ravishing his daughter Elizabeth, 15 years of
age, on the 29th ult. at Huunington. The facts of the
case are of a most revolting nature, proem:an' stating
that prisoner slept in the same room, and that he had
been in the habit of having improper intercourse with
her since she was 12 years old. Prisoner was committed
to take his trial at the next Worcester Assizes.