The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-06-01 00:00:00

+ BRIEBLEY HILL.

THE BROMLEY SURVEYOR'S ACCOUNT —At the Police
Court, on Monday, before Messrs. H. Halt and H. Smith,
the question of verifying Mr. W. Hintou'a accounts was
again considered. Mr. Holtaerton appear. it for the Bur- .
veyor. and Mr. Homer opposed the passing of the ac-
counts—Mr. King (magistrates clerk) explained that the
duty of the Bench Was confined to the examination of the
surveyor on oath. If their were any substantial inaccu-
racies the accounts could not be verified —ln reply to
Mr. Hall, the Clerk stated that the Act of Pal'lament
limited the power of the magistrates to examine the nor.
veyor only.—Mr. ilo.berton said the accounts had been
open for the inspection of the ratepayers. and he ban veil
that, according to the rule ~I/ the magistrates' C,3 k, the
accounts could not be verified that day.—Mr. Hinton
was then examined by Mr. Homer. Ile said the rate for
1870 nod 1871 was sixpence in the pound, and if tie whole
rato had been collected it would have produced about
£272. From 1670 to 1871 the amount expend. it on the
roads was £261 us lid. The arrears were £l6 is 6d,
and voids, &a , £3B. After examining the rate books, the
Magistrates Clerk said there was great difficulty inn going
into the matter at all. The Bench had to de .1 with ac-
counts from 1871 to 1872, end yet the books contained
items connected with 1870.—Mr. Homer: Have you pre-
pared a summary according to the Act of Parliament?
Mr. IIHMOD: They are all there, I suppose.—Mr. homer:
You receive the whole of the rates of compounders 7
Mr. Hinton: They say so. I did not know until lately.
—Mr. Homer: You have in twenty or thirty instances
allowed persons compounding so much for voids ?—Mr.
Holberton objected —Mr. Homer: We are here prepared
to prove that the accounts have been improperly kept,
and that he has excused persons compounding. Mr.
Smith: That may prove his (the Surveyor's) incompe•
tense, but does it clearly show that the hocks are incor-
rect ,—Mr. Homer: I will prove that h. has received
money and not accounted for it. Take this book and look
at the entry No. 57.—Mr. Homer: Does it say you
received a certain amount ?—Mr. Hinton : I do not know.
—Mr, Homer: Did you have the money and gives receipt
dated 9th March, 1871, for it '—Mr. Hinton: I do not
know. I cannot say.—Mr. Homer: Very well. Look at
No. 66—Mr. Geo. Smith. What is the entry ?—Mr.
Hinton: Received £.2 8s 114.—Mr Homer: Did you re-
ceive more than that 7—Mr. Minion. I cannot tell.-1112.
Homer: Did you receive £4 13s 4tl from Kr. Smith?—
Mr. Hunt* u: I cannot tell.—Mr. Holberton objected to
any qeestion being put to the surveyor that would crimi-
nate him.—Mr. Homer: I have nineteen cases where re- '
ceipts have been given, and the money has not been ac-
counted for.—Mr. Hinton: I cannot tell how it happened.
It was not done intentionally.—Mr. Homer: As regards
the books, I defy anyone to understand them.—The
Magistrates' Clerk: The accounts are wrong under any
circumstances.—Mr. Holberton : They are right in the
main. The fact is, Mr. Hinton is not a good account-
ant.—Mr. Homer (to Mr. Hinton) : Look at the item of
John Thrupp. What have you returned as the amount
received by you P—Mr. Hinton : It is very evident that
is wrong. It should have been put in another column.
I have received the money, and yet it appears as reco-
verable arrears. I shall admit that there are inaccura-
cies, but they were made when I broke my leg.—Mr.
Homer : I feel bound to state that the ratepayers intend
to have a warrant out, and prosecute the surveyor.—Mr.
Holberton advised his client not to answer any further
question ; and, ultimately, the Magistrates intimated
that they did not intend to sign the accounts.—Mr. Hol-
berton: Mr. Hinton is an honourable man, and he is
very PRltOtle and willing that his accounts should be
minutely examined. It will be found, notwithstanding
that there are some inaccuracies, he has well served the
parish.
A WOBBLE 8110 P.—At the Police Court, on Thursday,
before Mr. I. Spooner, Stipendiary, William Homer was
charged with unlawfully selling beer without having an
excise license on the 19th inst. at Quarry Bank. Polices
konstable Lavin said on the above date be was in Vine.
street, Quarry Bank, about twelve o'clock, near defend-
ant's house. He heard several people talking, and went
and stood against the wall. He saw several persona in
the yard. They had caps and jugs. Two men were
drinking, and he heard one man say, "Pill this cup
again." He then saw a woman come out of defendant's
house with the cup in her hand. He heard the money
" jingle." He remained there a few minutes, and the
defendant's son said, " Oh, by G—! he's come.- As he
went round he saw a man come out of the house, drunk.
Defendant said he was not guilty. Defendant was fined
.C. 5 and costs, he having been convicted before. Mr.
Spooner said he wished the Act of Parliament enabled
him to double the fine.—John Andrews, of Quarry Bank,
was charged with a similar offence on the sth. Defend-
ant did not appear, and a warrant was issued for his ap-
prehension.
Asuccr Casz.—Joshaa Hammond wu charged with
assaulting Joseph Angel, at Moor Lane. on the 21st ult.
Complainant said on the above dale, about one o'clock is
the morning, he was at the Cock Inn, Moor Lane. The
defendant came in and struck him several times. The
complainant was singing, and defendant struck him for
doing so. Defendant said complainant pushed against
him, and kicked bum. Defendant wan fined Is and costa,
or seven days.
CRILDOXIeII QUARRILL-111111211 Harvey was charged
with assaultiag Dimariea Dough, at Pawaatt. Cow

alb •%• going to amity some Water oat o
I pan. ..h ~.tere.,dsst an scratched her. Both
parth, wet, leit:d to pay 1 31 each, the costs.