The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-02-20 00:00:00

STOTTIII3.RIDGE OBSPIIVEII.

This was seconded by Mr. Buckler, and carried. 1
The Chairman said he was very much pleased to
hear that the bagatelle table was so much appre-
ciated, and if draughts did not forms part of their
entertainments, he maid have very great pleasure
in
_providing them with some—(cheers).
The election of the Building Committee was the
next business, and the following gentlemen were
elected :—The Rev. D. Maginnis, Messrs. H.
Hughes Taylor, Blurton, and Barratt, on behalf
the Mechanics. For the Working Men, Messrs. J.
T. Short, J. Hicklin, G. Cooke, W. Newnam, and
W. Dunn, Treasure; Mr. Blurton ; Secretary,
Mr. Short.
Mr. Maginnis, who was suffering from hoarse-
ness, next adiressed those present, and said he
owed them an apology for allowing himself to be
induced to say a word that night, on account of the
horrible hoarseness •fronf which he was suffering.
He would not be doing his duty, however, if he
did not move that their very best thanks be given
to those subscribers who hid so liberally given to
the restorotion fund of the association. No one
knew better than himself how readily those per.-
sons had answered that appeal. In only one or
two instances .did they meet a refusal, from gentle-
men who thought that by this time the institute
should have been self-supporting, and had not
ought to have anything connected with it in the
shape of debt. He granted them that as far as
the ordinary expenses were concerned, but in a
case like that, where an extraordinary expense was
unavoidably incurred, he did not think that those
who were not overburdened with this world's
wealth had not a right to appeal for help to those
whose substance was•more ample. The Chairman
must excuse him if he said that Mr. Charles
Cochrane had acted with extraordinary liberality
iu this matter. The subscription which he had
given cua not at all retaesent the extent ha which
he was prepared to go iu order to enable them to
have a clear balance-sheet at that meeting—(loud
applause). He thought he :acted with wisdom in
leaving them to act with his subscriptions in the
way which they deemed best. The bagatelle table
was highly appreciated by the younger members;
in fact, as he was passing the bagatelle room he
saw members who were not very young enjoying
the pleasing game of bagatelle. He, therefore,
had very great pleasure in moving that the best
thanks of that meeting be given to those ladies
and gentlemen who had subscribed so generously
to the rest oration fund—(cheers).
Mr. Joscelyne seconded the proposition, and, in
doing so, said the amount of subscriptions far er-
ceeded the expectations of most of them. He was
quite sure they were all very gatetul for the kind
liberality which had enabled them to renovate sad
restore that building.
The Chairman, in putting the motion said he
must at that moment beg to say that dr. Mag-
ginnis had made more of any little he had done,
than he liked to have made of it. He then put
the resolution, which was carried with acclamation.
Mr. Taylor said that a resolution had been put
into his hand that night, which he thought would
comrc end itself to every friend of the mechanics
and working men's institute. Some time ago,
when those repairs were first talked about, some
some of them had very great doubt as to the way.
in which they should raise the necessary funds
First of all the roof had to be examined, and it
was found to be in a very dilapidated condition.
Then there was the dividing of the reading-room
into a reading and bagatelle room. Then it was
necessary to build this
.class room, and the whole,
place wanted re-fitting and putting into something
like order. He remeinVered some time ago when
the front wanted doing, and a gentleman present
asked them if they would like to have the front
cemented, and blue quarries laid down. They, of
course, wished to have it done, but wondered where
the money was to come from, It was done, how-
ever, and now they had a clear balance-sheet with
£3OO raised by friends—some of them old friends
who had always responded to the calls that had
been made upon them—(applanse). They were
very much obliged to those friends who had assis-
ted them so liberally; but at the same time were
very much indebted for the great alteration in the
building, to a very considerable extent to the ear-
nest—he might say loving—labours of the Rev.
D. Maginnis—(loud cheers)—and if it had not
been for the earnest and constant labours of that
gentlemin, he did not think they should now be
in the position they were—(applause). He, there-
fore, thought they should pass a resolution thank-
ing him henrtily for the efforts he had so success-
fully made in improving the condition of the
institute—(cheers).
Mr. Boden seconded the resolution, and it was
carried amid great cheering.
The Rev. D. 31,taginnis said he felt very much
obliged to Mr. Taylor and Mr. Boden for the kind
way in which they made mention of bim, for the
little services he had rendered. It was with ex-
treme pleasure he had worked in that cause, and
he rejoiced that the response was sufficient for all
they desired. One instance of special services had
been omitted to be mentioned. A noble effort at
ornamentation had been made in their shrubbery
for which they were indebted to the generous sec-
retary of the Mechanics Institute, Mr. Charles
Evers. He (the speaker) felt extremely obliged to
them, but the thanks that would be most accept-
able to him would be their acceptance of the ad-
vantages offered by the institute. He trusted that
the reading-room would be more and more patron-
ised; that more demands would be made upon the
books; and that the classes would be better at-
tended- It was with extreme regret that he saw
from the report of the Church of England Asso-
ciation that their efforts to establish classes was
unsuccessful, through the non-attendance of the
members. There was only one class going on, and
that they (the Associated Institute) could keep
four going was a matter of congratulation. He
would throw out a hint, which had been more than
once thrown out by their friends there. It was
that the different institution should join together
for the purpose of forming classes, and by doing
so they might obtain better attendance at the
classes, kaid they might reierve their efferts for the
special objects they had in view for other occa-
sion. He sincerely wished that they would co-
operate with them in trying to make those classes
successful, and they should co-operate with them,
and all of them would reap the addvantages of the
union—(applause).
Mr. Evers moved a vote of thanks to We chair-
man for his services that evening, which was
seconded by Mr. Pagett, and carried unanimously.
Mr. Cochrane replied, and returned them his
hearty thanks for the kind way in which they had
responded to it. It was a pleasure as well as a
privilEge to come down there and attend such
meetings as those, and he would net in a similar
manner to that which he hadperformcd that night
on any future occasion, if they would permit him
—(long appllnse).
The meeting then terminated.

PRESENIATION.—On Saturday last, a deputation
of tke members of the Ancient Order of Foresters,
(Stourbridge District), consisting of Mr. A. Fin-
ley, Mr. W. Davis, and Mr. H. Male, waited upon
Captain Cochrane, of Pedmore Hall, to present
him with a Foresters' Horn, as a mark of their
appreciation of his kindness in allowing them the
use of his park on the occasion of their last pic-
nic. Mr. A. Finley, in presenting the horn, said
though the present was not a costly one, it was an
emblem of the order, and he hoped Mr. Cochrane
would receive it in the same spirit in which it was
given. The in,scription was as follows :—" Pre-
sented to Captain Cochrane, by the Ancient Order
of Foresters of the Stourbridge District, 1875."
Mr. Cochrane, in reciving the present, said he did
so with pleasure, and was proud to see such a noble
institution in existence, and desired that his best
wishes and thanks be given to the members of the
Ancient Order of Foresters, Stourbridge District.
Alter other remarks from Mr. W. Davis and Mr.
H. Male, the deputation vrithdrew.
FORESTERS' CHAIR.—We were yesterday, by the
kindness of Mr. &-unge• r, Allowed a private inspection
of a magnificent chaii.4which is about to be presented
to the members of Court Foley (which is held at the
Vine Hotel), in this town. Since the migration of
this court from the King's Head, about 12 months
ago, it has steadily increased in both the number and
respectability of its members, amongst them being
a good proportion of the gentlemen and tradesmen of
the district who had been enrolled hononary members
of the order. It was felt that the ordinary chair in
which the Chief RAnger for the time being sits, was
hardly such an one as befitted the dignity of his
office, and it was determined to present the Court
with one in every way worthy of its acceptance. The
commission for the execution of the work was
entrusted to Mr. E. Stringer, of this town, who is
himself one of the honouary members of the Court,
and the way in which the task has been executed
reflects thelhighest credit on all concerned. The
chair, which is 7ft. Gin, high, and is made of dark and
light coloured oak, the two shades of the wood hav-
ing a very pleasant effect in contrast with each
other. The:top; is surmounted with an elegantly
carved stag's head, whilst underneath, in a canopy-
like recess, is a beautifully executed design represent-
ing the Foresters' " coat of arms" consisting of two
forestersiwith bows and alows, their dogs and the
spoils of the chase being near them. Beneath this, ,
in la gilt scroll, ill the Foresters motto, " Unitas,f
Benevolentia, at Concordia," whilst on the back o-
the chair, also in gilt letters are the words" Presen
ted to Court Foley, by the Honorary Members,
February, 1876." The arn4s of the chair are
terminated by two nicely-carvia dog's heads. We
understand that the chair will be presented to Court
Feloy, ea Monday evening next.
VIOLENT CILLRACTERS.-At the Police Court, on
Monday, before Colonel Fletcher and Mr. E. L.
Frew, William Wadham, bawler, of L4no1)111 Ind

Jane, his wife, were charged with a violentassault
on Police-constable Dunn. Between twelve and
one on Sunday morning Dunn found the female
prisoner making a great noise in High Street, and
remonstrance being of no avail, he took hold of
her to remove her to the station. The man lost
no time in attacking Dunn, and the latter, though
no match for Wadham, who is a very powerful
fellow, seized him and held him resolutely. They
went down in the mud and rolled over and over,
the woman helping her liege lord the best in her
power by kicking Dunn. His cape and muffler
were torn off, and he would have had the worst of
it but for the arrival of some men who assisted
him in removing the hawker to the police station.
Mrs. Wadham followed the fortunes of her hus-
band, and Dunn no sooner found her in the yard
of the Police station than he closed, the outer door.
On discovering thQtrap in which she was, she be-
gan hurling piecelef stone at Punn, who had to
1111111111071 assistance Sergeant Jones subsequently
searched the male prisoner, who thereupon struck
hinvin the face. The prisoners were each commit-.
tedlor two months, without the option of a fine.
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.—At the Police Court, -on
Monday, Joseph Hill, labourer, was brought up
on a charge of attempting to hang himself.--Pri-
Boner's mother found him on Saturday night
suspended by a cord from the window fascening,
and when she removed it he fell to the ground.
Police-constable Philpott subsequently appre-
hended the prisoner, and found his neck still red
from the marks of the cord.—He was remanded
until yesterday before Colonel Fletcher and J, B.
Cochrane, Esqs.' ;Mr. Freeman: said that pris-
oner appeared to be very sorry, and, in answer to
the Bench, he said that he did not reccollect the
occerrence, and would never attempt it again.
Colonel Fletcher pointed out to the prisoner that
he had made himself liable to be emit:lifted and
imprisoned, and he could be made to find bail.
Prisoner promised that he would never attempt it
again and was discharged.
COAL STEALING.—John Glazard, a boy (12), was
charged with stealing coal, on the 15th inst. the
property of Messrs. B. Fisher and Co. The case
was not pressed, and defendant was discharged on
payment of costs, and cautioned. .

CAUTION TO BOYS THROWING.—AIbert Good.
head was charged with assaulting Phillip Brooks, on
the 11th inst. Complainant said that the defen-
dant was throwing at another boy, and the ston e
struck witness .on the eye. Defendant pleaded
guilty, and was fined is. and costs.—Thomas
Wellings was then charged with assaulting Albert
Goodhead, on the 11th. Complainant said that
defendant came up to him, caught him by the nose
and wrong it. He picked up a stone to throw at
him, when it struck the obove complainant. Pined
Gd. and costs.

A PUGILISTIC PROSTITUTE.—Mary Ann Ken-
drick was charged with assaulting Henrietta Ethe-
ridge, on the Bth inst. Defendant did not appear
Complainant said that she was in Coventry street
on the above date, when defendant came up to
her, called her bad names, and struck her on the
neck. Colonel Flet.ther enquired if the defendant
was known, when Police-sergeant Jones said that
she was a well known prostitute, and one of the
worst characters in the town. She had been be-
before the Magistrates more than a dozen times.
Defendant was fined 5s and costs; in default 14
days. _

FATAL RESULT OF INTEMFERANCE.AII inquest was
held on Thursday at the Chequers Inn, High-street,
on the body of George Compton Nyho was loup4 dead
in bed on Monday morning last. Mr. Ralph Docker,.
coroner, conducted the .enquiry, and the first wit-
ness called was Martha Edge, a girl 12 years of age,
who was in the habit of sleeping at the house where
deceased lodged. Her evidence was to the effect that
she resided in Church-street, with he father, Charles
Edge. Deceased lodged at Mrs. Saunders's, in Webb's
yard. He was a fish hawker, and was 66 years of
age. On Monday morning last, soon after breakfast,
Mrs. Saunders (whe is herself bed ridden) asked
witness to go upstairs and enquire of deceased whether
he would have any breakfast. She went up and
when she got there she saw him with his head and
one leg on the floor, and the other leg on the bed.
He was dressed. She at once went down-stairs and
told Mrs. Saunders of what she had seen, and the
latter at once sent her for Mrs. Luck, who lived in
Angel-street. Cross-examined by the Coroner:
Witness last saw deceased alive between four and
Jive on.the previous Sunday afternoon. Deceased
called her up to pat the bed-elothes on him. He
had his ewa clothes on at the time. He had been
in bed all day on Sunday.. Hs had not been ill at
all. Caroline Luck deposed that she was the wife of
Joseph Luck, and lived in Angel-street. She went
to Mrs Saunders's on Monday morning last, about
half-past eight, at the request of the last witness.
She saw Mrs. Saunders, who asked her to go up-
stairs, and see if anything was the matter with
Compton, as Martha had told her that he could not
speak, and she Martha) was afraid to go into the
room. When she went up she saw that deceased
was on his back, and his head was resting on the
floor. The body was cold and stiff. She informed
Mr. Freeman of what she had seen, and a surgeon
was at once sent for. She had known deceased for a
long time. He was of intemperate habits and had
been drinking hard for the last month. She was at
the house on the Sunday night, and the deceased was
calling out for beer then. Mr. Alfred Freer, sur-
geon, deposed that he saw deceased about 10 o'clock,
on Monday morning last. He had been dead about
four or five hours. The body was not in the position
in which it lay when found, when he saw it. It had
been put straight on the bed. The position of the
body was pointed to him. From the appearance of
the head and face, it was evident ths head had been
dependent for a long time, as it was quite purple
ond swelled. In addition to this there was a co-
loured mucus running down from the nose and the
forehead. Deceased was in s uch a position as to
lead witness to suppose that he was trying to get
out of bed, and his head from circumstances falling
down, he was unable to raise himself up again. The
cause of death was congestive apoplexy, from the
head being so low down and remaining in that
position. He thought there was water on the right
side, and that pleurisy had been coming on for
some days.—The Coroner briefly summed up, and
the jury returned a verdict in accordance with the
medical evidence.
SUDDEN DEATH.—AN inquest Was held at the
Cottage Spring, Wollaston, on Thursday, before Mr.
Docker, coroner, to enquire into the cause of death
of George Bills, who was found lying on the floor of
his bed-room, on Sunday morning last. Deceased,
who was 68 years of age, was formerly an ironwor-
ker; but three years ago he lost the use of his
remaining eye (the other having been injured some
ten years previously) and was totally incapacitated
from work. On Sunday morning last, between eight
and nine o'clock, he was found lying on the floor of
his bed-room, dead. Mr. Birt, surgeon, was sent
for, but when he saw deceased the latter was quite
()old, and been dead about three hours. He had once
atteuded,deceased for an attack of paralysis. Mr.
Birt, who was tha only witaiess called, having etated
that there were no marls of violence on deceased,
and that there *as nothing to indicate the cause of
death, the Coroner adjoesned the inquest to allow
a post inertem examination to be made.
LENT LECTURES.—The first of a series of the
above was delivered at St. John's Church, in this
town, on Wednesday evening last. by the Rev. J.
E. Gladstone, M.A., vicar of St. Mathew's, Wolver-
hampton.—The Rev, gentleman gave an excellent
and impressive discourse in which he insisted on
the necessity ef going direct to Christ in all cases
of religious doubt and difficulty, and denounced
the arrogance of a class of ministers of modern
days, who, styling themselves priests, declared
that they stood between the sinner and God, and
that it was necessary to secure their intervention
if pardon was to be obtained.—There was not a
large attendance.
knopzury Si..—Messrs Oates, Perrens, and Wool-
dridge offered by auction at the Talbot Hotel, an estate,
at Lutley, near klelsowen, comprising acout 60 acres,
the Mines ander which baong to the Ecclesiastical Com-
missioners. Lot 1, comprising 37i acres of Turf Land,
with /louse and Buildings adjoining to the Wessell Glove
Estste recently to the Maiket, was sold to Mr. John
Griffiths, of Dudley at £3,700. Lot 2, nine acres 2
roods and 33 perches' was sold to Mr. John Hall, of
A mblecote at £1,140. Lot 3, four sores of Turf Land
was also sold to Mr. Griffiths, at £536. Lot 4, Four
cottages and premibes were sold to Mr. Joseph Nock, of
Ilalesowen, at £545. Lot 5, one cottages, let at £6 per
anum, was sold to Mr. W. Moseley of Halesowen, at
1:150. Lot 6, afield of land, 1 acre 2 roods and 30 perches
was sold to Mr. Thomas White. at £155. Lot 7, a field
of land, 4 acres 9 roods awl 14 perches, was sold to Mr.
James Holcroft at £6OO :—Messrs Whateley, Millward
and 'Co of Birmingham were the solicitors.