The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-04-13 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

NEGLECTING A FOSSILS—At the Police Court, on I
Wednesday, before Messrs. F. W. G. Barra said N. Ming
-
ley, William Chatham was charged with refusing to
maintain his wife and family. Mr. Warmington appeared
for the family. Mr. Warulington said he believed the
case would not occupy the time of the Bench lung, as he ,!
believed defendant had agreed to pay the amount claimed !
—6s, and costs. Defendant was ordered to pay the fis
and coats.
AGGRAVATED Assauxv.—John Payne was charged with
assaulting Sarah Lowe, on the 7th inst. Complainant
said she lived at the Neptune Inn, Old Hill, and was the
wife of Thomas Lowe. On the afternoon of the above
date, defendant went to her house and beat her Ins fear-
ful manner. Defendant had been drinking, and over-
turned the table. She went 11 to see about the paying
for a jug, glass, and cup, which were broken, and defend-
ant then tried to rush out with his companions. She
attempted to stop him, when he beat her severely. He
struck her about the head and ahuuldera, and she was
,very much bruised. Thontaa Lowe, the landlord, said
he saw defendant beat the complainant. Witnesses were
called in defence. Sergeant Pawner said defendant only
came out of prison the day before he committed the as-
sault. The Bench fined defendant 21 61 and costs, or
21 days.
ASSAULT Clse.—Elijah Williams and William Price
were charged with assaulting Levi Stevens, at Plants
Ureen, Cradley Heath, on the dad filet. Complainant
said that on the above date Williams's brother took •
cigar off him, and the two defendants, with some others,
set upon him and kicked him. Defendant Williams
struck him on the mouth. Witueases were called on both
sides, and defendants were ordered to pay is each, and
Costal.
ANOTHER Case.—Sampson Southall charged Joseph
Harris with assaulting him on the 2nd inst. at Old Hill.
Complainant saiu on the above date defendant set about
him because he had had some words with the defendant's
girl. Defendant said the complainant used very abusive
language to him, and threatened him, and he then boxed
his ears. Defendant was ordered to pay the costs.

BRIERLEY HILL.
KILLING A PHEASANT—At the Brierley Hill Police
Court, on Monday, before Messrs. J. Holcroft and L.
freer, William Meredith, of Smestow, was charged by
Mr. James B. Lacas, head-keeper to the Earl of Dudley,
with killing a pheasant without having a license; and
further charged with killing a pheasant out of season at
Smestow, on the dud inst. Mr. Holberton appeared for
the prosecution. The first witness called was Bartho-
lomew Hodgson, who said he was an under-keeper in the
employ of the Earl of Dudley. On the 2nd inst,.wbout
seven o'clock, he was in the road by defendant's house
at Suiestow. Jeremiah Page was with witness. He
heard a cock pheasant crow in the field. Thv defendant
came down his own garden and shot the pheasant, went
over the hedge and put the pheasant into his pocket, and
then went back home. Witness went in the direction of
defendant's house, and got there before him. Witness
saw defendant about a minute afterwards in his garden.
Page was holding defendant. Witness said, `• Meredith,
thought you were the last man that would have done a
thing like this," and he said, •• The devil was in me; and
I must have them when I see them." The bird was in
the defendant's pocket. Jeremiah Page corroborated the
last witness. Mr. Lucas said the Earl of Dudley IV the
right of shooting over the field in question. Defendant
I had been previously convicted for a similar offence. The
I Bench Said they had never beard a clearer case in their
lives, and fined defendant in the first case—for killing
without a license—X2 and costs, and for killing out of

season, £1 and costs.
TRANSFERS. —The following transfers of licenses took
place :—Crown Inn, Cemmonside, from John Sutton to
Ann Cox; Royal Oak Inn Quarry Bank, from Joseph
Paskins to Elizabeth Frisking; Thorn's Hotel, Thorns,
from Mary Marsh to Wm. Walton; Old Boat, Wordsley,
from Henry Collins to Catherine Collins; Spotted Cow,
Brierley Hill, from Edward Russell to George Gwilliam ;
White Horse, Brettell Lane, from John Lawrence to
_

Mary Ann Saunders,
CRUELTY To a Honsz.—William Jones, a carter, was
charged with cruelly ill-treating a horse by working it
whilst in an unlit state. Police-constable Lavin said on
the 3rd instant he wag on duty at Quarry Bank, when he
traw the defendant with a horse and cart. He examined
the animal, and found a raw wound on the shoulder the
size of had-a-crown, and the horse was not ma fit state
to work. Defendant said there was a lump on the am-
male ahouider, and he put some one on it. Ordered to
pay the costs, Sr.
CLUM FUR \ VIA:EL—Mr. Thomas Parker, of the Mer-
sey Wheel Works, Stourbridge, was summoned by Henry
May for non-payment of El les. wages alleged to be due
to him. Mr. liolberton, who defeuded, ehowed that the
complainant had spoiled two axles, and that he was die-
charged in consequence. No agreement had been entered
into when complainant was engaged, and he argued that,
under the circumstances. Mr. Parker Was justified in dis-
charging him without notice. The Bench entertained is
counter opinion, and the ease ware dismierred.
ArroIaTMENT OF OVERSELLS AND SURVEYORI. The
appointment of the following gentlemen, as overseers,
was approved by the magistrates: —Amblecote : Messrs.
Cooper and Squires. Emilie Messrs. Lawiey mid
Pearman. Upper Arley : Messrs. James and Kirkham.
liiegswmford : Messrs. Ferielay and Whine., Bub-
erugtou : Messrs. Stokes and Briosford. hover: Messrs.
White and Butler. Tryeull and Seminar : Messrs. Yates
aud Carmel'. Himley Dies: rs. Hurspoel and Boddison.
Wombourbe Fenton and Lite... 'I Ire whole
of the surveyor's accounts were passed, with the excep•
tern of Mr. W. Hinton's, Bromley. Mr. Holberton
eap-
ported the accouute. and Mr. Homer opposed them
Mr. Horner remarked that the law provided that the sur-
veyor.' aceormta should be open for the inspection of the
ratepayers, • wituout fee or reward," in order to test their
accuracy. lie wen in a position to prove that Mr. Boston
had refused to show respectable ratepayers to inspect his
bunks, and therefore it was impo,sible to say whether the
accounts were correct or not. lie asked the magistrates
to postpone the passing of the accounts for a fortnight,
an as to enable the ratepayet s to examine the accounts.
—The Magistrates' Clerk observed that the Act of Praha-
merit provided that the book, should be open for the in-
spection of bona frit ratepayers. Mr. Homer: An inepee-
trim has been refused.—Magistrate's Clerk: Well, then,
he ii liable to a penalty of £3.—Mr. Holcroft : I think
it a very reasonable request that time should be given
the ratepayers to examine the accounts.—Mr. Barberton
remarked that the accounts had been duly examined and
passed at a vestry meetings and he did not see what end
was to be served by postponing the confirmation of them.
There was a deal of local feeling in the matter, and he
ticked the Bench not te concede the application.—Mr.
Holcroft : I cannot understand what objection there can
be to the application. II seems a very reasonable one.
—Mr. Holberton : She vestry exonerated Mr. Hinton
from all blanre.—Mr. blamer; No doubt, but we all know
that at times we get packed meetings and I am told this
no-try meeting was. Surely, if the books have been pro-
perly kept, and everything is straightforward, what rea-
sonable objection can be made to my request 7 Mr.
Holcroft : Would it not ho better to aajoutn the matter,
and allow the books to be examined 7—Mr. Holbertou:
We don't know what we have to answer. We are pre-
pared to give any explanation; but, if the Bench think
it desirable, we will consent to the matter standing over
for a fortnight.—Mr. Homer; If there is nothing wrong,
what does it matter if the whole world examined the ac-
counts? We only want the thing done properly and
fairly.—Ultimately the passing of the Bromley aecounts
was adjourned for a fortnight —The magistrates refused
to eanction the decision of the Kingswinford vestry to pay
the pariah constables £5 per year, Mr. Holcroft remark-
ing thabt the rates were quite high enough already.
Look.. BOARD.--APPOIaiIIIZET OW • MEDICAL OFFICER.
—An ordinary monthly meeting was held on Monday.
The members present were Messrs. Jeffries (chairman),
Harris, T. Wood, Walker, I. Itollinson, T. Fereday, Ben-
nett, Preston, Coley, Scriven, Meese, Skidmore, Higgs,
Grove, and Detheridge.—The Finance Committee repor-
ted that the treasurer had a balance in hand of £2OB lbs
4d on the general account, and £253 As on the loan ac-
count —The report of the Sanitary Committee, which
was adopted, showed that 20 deaths had occurred during
the past month, 12 of which were from small-pox. One
had died from ecarlatina, and one from typhoid fever.
Every precaution had been taken by the committee, and
no pains had been spared to induce the inhabitants to
cleanse and purify their premiees. Lime and other ma-
terials for disinfecting had been supplied and freely used,
and an inspection of the district had been made—The
Chairman referred at some length to the reports thathad
appeared in the Laura and Morning News, bearing upon
the prevalence of the disease, and affirmed that the Sani-
tary condition of the pariah was not so bad as had been
stated. Still, he admitted that prompt and energetic
measures were necessary to battle with the malady, and
he trusted that the Board would come to some resolution
that day, in order that they might more effectually pre-
vent the spread of the disease. Nine weeks ago, placards
were issued by the Board, intimating that aa epidemic
disease wan spreading in the district, buildings should be
whitewashed, &ea and all pigsties, wash tuba, and any-
thing likely to give off offensive effluvia should be at a
distance from dwellingliouses, and must be kept clean
and free from accumulation. Since that time the com-
mittee had been zealous in their labors, and it was simply
untrue to etate that they had„been unmindful of one of
their principal duties.—After a discussion it was resolved
on the motion of Mr. Fereday, seconded by Mr. Harris,
that Dr. Walker should be appointed medical officer of
health for six months, his remuneration to be decided
apon at a future meeting.—Mr. Fereday expressed a hope
that the medical gentlemen and others in the district
would assist ) . Walker to ferret out the patients suffer-
ing from the likease, and so by united action stamp out
the lisease.
I }CERT.—An inquest was held at the Duke William
In, . en Saturday, before Mr. W. H. Phillips, on the body
of I.z. Bywater, nine years of age, who met her death
lin Truing, on the 26th of March, and lied on the 4th
in. t. A verdict of `• Accidental death" was returned.
STEALING TimaziL—At the Patty Sessions held On
Thursday, before I. Spooner, Esq., Stipendiary, Benja-
min (*ranger warn charged with steeling a piece of timber