The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-03-13 00:00:00

HALESOWEN.

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY ON LICENSED PREMISES.
—At the the Police Court, on Tuesday, before
Messrs. E. Gem and E. B. Phillips, John 13ateman
and Christopher Bateman, miners, of Blackheath,
were charged by Major George Cox, brewer, of
Rowley. with being disorderly and refusing to
quit his li,ensed premises, the Astley Hotel, Black-
heath, on the 21st ult. Mr. Stokes prosecuted, and
Mr. Hayes defended. Complainant said that, the
defendants came into his house together. While
he was in one part of the building his attention was
attracted by a disturbance in the smoke room. He
then went into the smoke room and found the two
defendants quarrelling. He asked them to leave
several times but they refused. He then put John
Bateman out and whilst putting the other defend-
ant out John came in again. He then asked a man
to assist him, who, in doing so, was knocked down
by one of them. His business was suspended for a
length of time. John Alfred Charlton said he was
in the house at the same time as the defendants
began to quarrel. They were ordered out several
alllo4 ViI.AUIO4 Jig ?teat W coapliiKkaut'il

assistance, but got knocked down by one of thorn
Mr. Hayes alleged that there was some dispute
about some money that cmiplainant was holding
which b. longed to defendant, and defendant refused
to go without complainant gave him the money
back. John Bateman, tiro defendant, said he went
into the house about five o'clock and remained nere
till the row began. They were playing at cards for
some ale. Mr. Cox held the money and he r,fuscd
to give it him back and he would not leave. Mr.
Cox denied that they were ',laying at cards, and said
that one of the company introduced a pack of cards
and they placed some money on the table and he
said the should not allow it. Defend[oats refused to
pick the money up and he did so. There were
twelve previous convictions proved against John
Bateman and five against Christopher Bateman, and
they were fined 5s each and costs ; in default 14
days.

ASSAULTS.—John Bateman, the former defendant
was charged with assaulting John Alfred Charlton,
on the 21st ult. Complainant said he went to the
assistance of Mr. Cox and the defendant struck him
several times on the head. Cox did not strike de-
fendant again. Defendant was fined 2s 6d and I
costs : in defaut 7 days,—Deftudant was further
charged with assaulting Police-constable Knowles
whilst in the execution of his duty on the same date.
Police-constable Knowles said he was sent for by
Air. Cox and he went to his house and against the
back door he folutd the defendant drunk. Mr.
Cox requested him to leave in his presence. There
I was a crowd of 30 or 40 persons round him. When
he got the defendant near the Police-station defend-
ant kicked him on the 1-g. He had to int him in
by force and when in the cell he began to kick the
door. Defendant was fined 10s and costs ;in de-
fault 28 days,
KEEPING OPEN DURING PROHIBITED HOURS,—
James Adams, landlord of the Anchor Inn, Gorsty
11111, was chalged with keeping- his house open
during prohibited hours on the 16th ult. Police-
c3nstable Raybould said that on the day in question
he was on duty at Gor-ty Hill, and when going by
the defendant's saw it was open. tie went into the
tap room and found five men. They said they were
not aware that it was after ten. It was then turnel
a qua ter-past ten by their own clock. The land
Iddy then came down stairs and told him there bad
been nothin; filled since ten o'clock. The defence
was that the eeiendant was ''bedridden" and just
!,efore ten his wife was called up stairs as defendant
was in a fainting fit, and it was a quarter past tan
when she came down again. The Bench inflicted a
tine of Is and costs.

ASSAULTS. —James Hendrick, nailer, of Spring
Hill was charged with assaulting Samuel Farley on
the 21-t ult. Complainant seid he was on his way
home when he met the defefendant. After they had
had some conversation together the defendant
struck him. Defendant was fined Is and costs; in
default 7 days —Albert Webster, forgeman, was
charged with assaulting Ellen Huggins on the 21st
ult. Mr. Hay€ s defended. The complainant said
she was staniling at her house door and saw tLe
her husband fighting. She went to fetch her hus-
nand away and the defendant struck her and
knocked her down. The defence was that defend-
ant was going quietly home when the complainant
and her husband came up to him and assaulted
him. They wero both drunk. Alfred Wire cor-
roborated. The Bench remarked that they thought
there were six of one and half-a-dozen of the other
and should dismiss the summons.—Mary Barton
was summoned for assaulting Maria Holloway on
the 23rd ult. After hearing the evidence of both
sides the Bench dis.nissed the case. _

.OBSTRUCTION.— Ge-o;ge Attwood was charged
with causing an obstruotion in the highway on the
3rd inst. Police-constable Hardwick proved that
the defendant's cart was standing two yards on
the highway. Defendant pleaded guilty and said
he was very sorry. He had been in the habit of
leaving it there for many years and had not been
summoned before. Defendant was ordered to pay
costs.

AssAuryrrica THE POLlCE.—Phineas Parsons, land-
lord of the Furnace Inn, Dudley Road, Halesowen,
was charged with assaulting Police-constable Hard-
wick while in the execution of.his duty, on the 2ed
inst. Before the hearing of the case Mr. Phillips
addressed Superintendent Kemp, and said that a
man named Harris went to his house, and he had
a very severe wound on his eye. He said that police-
eonstable Hardwick gave it him, al.out 11 o'clock
on Slturd ,y last, wrh a loaded cane. He said he
did not do anything, and asked him that if he came
again he would sign a summons f.r him. He said he
would. !'e heard that on the Sun-lay, between
twelve and one o'clock, I hat he sent Police-sergeant
Ilaybould to compromise that case. Superintendent
Kemp said in reply that the fact was that about 12
o'clock on Saturdfty last, Mr. Harris came to his
house. He at eeert wit to tho policeman and found
that he was porfectly sober, and had in his hand
an ash-plant stick. He told Mr. Harris that he
should see that the ma ter was inve4iga, ed. _Retold
him that be was going to have him summoned. He
at once reported it to the chiof constable, and the
full facts were now laid before him in writing. He
had not attempted to compromise; he only sat
the ,ergeant to make enquiries. He did not elver
into any terms about paying costs. The Bench
said they wee quite willing to leave it in the ha.ds
of the chief constable. Police constable Hardwick
was then sworn, and said that on the day in question
he was passing the defendant's premises, and heard
some people talking outside. He saw the defend-
ant and another man standing by the back door.
He asked who was there and he replied " Hardwick
the policeman." They said "You b—off, you have no
rights there" It was about half-past eleven. He
went to go into the house and they both pushed him
away. Police-sergeant Ra,ybould said that on the
nivht in question, from infor 'nation be received, he
arranged to meet Hardwick at the house. Hard-
wick was there previous to him. He went to the
back door of the defendant's,and the defendant was
using bad language. He did not see defendant push
Hat dwick, but he saw the other man push him.
They searched the house both together but did not
find any but whom they said were their relatives.
The ease was adjourned for 14 days, to make further
enquiries.

-
REPORT OF THE 17,STITUTE.—The report of the
Institute for the year ended 31st Dec. 1879.—1 n
presenting the first annual report the committee
congratulate the:members upon the acquirementA
ot premises which supply a long-felt want and feel
sure thai the members and the public generally
will evince their gratitude to Mr. Gibbons for his
magnificent gift to the town, by rendering to the
ins itute every means of support possible, so as to
ensure a lasting benefit to the neighbourhood. The
members are aware that Mr. Gibbons not only
elected the excellent building (the benefits of
which they have enjoyed since March last) and
presented the same at a mere nominal rent to the
town, but also contributed a sum of £B5 to the
furnishing funds. This has been followed by
donations from the gentry, tradespeople and
others, residing in the district, amounting to £B2.
here is still a deficiency of £lOO to be provided
so as to el ar the furnishing and other preliminary
expenses, and the committee urge upon members
the necessity of making special individual ani
collective efforts to raise the sufficient sum to
liquidate thiduriug the current year, and thus
render the institute free from debt.—The mem-
bers who joined the institute during the year
number 219, being composed as follows :
honorary members 29, ordinary yearly members 57,
qua. terly and orhers 133. Tne committee with
each member w uld feel it incumbent upon him
to procure an additional number to join the Insti-
tute during the ensuing year, as every addition to
the receipts tend to place the institute upon a
nrmer oasas.—ine c.ornfiaittee are pleasea to INI awe
o state that the ordinary expenditure is below the
income derived from membrs subscriptions and
other eurrent sources, and are sanguine of the
future success of the institute, provided the mem-
bers are sensible to the great benefits and advan-
tages arising from such an institution, and that
they will do all in their power to promote and
extend the same.—The principal London and
local papers (daily and weekly, and also several
popular satirical and illustrated papers and other
periodicals have been provided for the reading
room, which has been well p ttronized by the
members siu e the opening of the institute. The
committee have subscribed to the Worcestershire
Union of Clubs and Institutes, and the members are
thus enabled to participate in the advantage and
enjoyment of an excellent library. A. considerable
number of interesting and thstructive books have
been presented to the institute by the Venerable
Archdeacon Hone and Mr. Jacquis ; and others
have been promised by the Rev. J. H. Thompson
and Mr. Phillips, and the committee appeal for
assistance and for further contributions of books,
so as to furnish a thoroughly good library for the
instruction and amusement of the members. The
committee exceedingly regret that the removal of
Mr. 3. Boswell from the town has deprived the
institute of the service of an excellent librarian
His assiduous attention during the few months he
filled the office have given great safzisfaction.—
The game room has been a source of great attrac-
tion and amusement, and the committee are
pleased to be able to state that the conduct of the
members u-ing the room has been everything that
could be desired.—The committee expres a hope
that their labours have given satisfacti )fl to the
appeal of the members, and although it has been
impossible to comply with the wishes of each
inclividuallmember, it vill be undrstood their
sole object has been to promote the welfare of the
institute. The committee would impress upon the
members the desirability of selecting offio rs "rho
will give every attention to the work to be done, as
the continual success of the institute depends
great measure upon careful managemeat.....l ne
management officers for the ensuing
year wer
elected.e