The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-07-20 00:00:00

BRIERLEY HILL.

W meta. Pao.—At the Police Court, on Monday,
before Messrs. F. Evers and H. Smith, Thomas Piper
was charged with wilfully damaging a quantity of wheat,
the property of Joseph Webb, at Eingswinford. Police-
constable White proved seeing defendant run through the
wheat. Defendant pleaded guilty, and was lined Is, As
damage, and coats; in default 1-1 days.
STEALING CGAL.—Edward Davis and Edward Skid.
more, two boys, were charged with stealing a quantity of
coal, the property of Mr. James Holcroft, on the 10th
inst. John Marten, labourer, said on the above date he
saw the two defendants go to a boat that was lying in the
complainant's wharf, and each take lump of coal off. lie
spoke to them, and they put the coal back. Defendiults
pleaded guilty, and were tined 10s each ; in default seven
days.
rineaudo STRAW.—John Elcock and John Harding
were charged, the former with stealing and the latter with
receiving three boltings of straw and a truss of clover,
the property of Mr. Henry Evers, at The Thorns, on the
12th inst. Mr. Bonier appeared to prosecute, and Mr.
Waldron defended.—Samuel Mobberley said he was a
brick manufacturer at the Thorns. On the above date
he saw the prisoners pass the prosecutor's farm. He eaw
Eleock put two boltings of straw into Harding'a cart. He ,
waited at his office door until Harding came down from
the farmyard with Ins cart He then went to the cart
and called to prisoner, and said to him, "John, I believe
there is somathing wrong. How did you come by that
straw ?" He said, " Mr. Evers owes me the money; that
is why I have got the straw." Cross-examined • It was
broad daylight. There might hays been people passing
on the road. Harding was by his cart when I saw Elcock
bring the straw out of the yard. I will swear that the
cart did not go into the yard. I have known Eleock all
my life. I have never known anything about him. There
was a truss of clover in the eart.—Police-comtable Lavin
said he was stationed at Quarry Bank. From informa-
tion received he went to the Lye, and visited the prisoner
Harding's house. He went about ail o'clock, but the
prisoner was not in then. Ile found a bolting of straw
in the cart, and took charge of it. He went again about
eight o'clock, and charged the prisoner *Atli receiving a
quantity of straw and clover from Elcoek, the property of
Mr. Evers. lie said, •` I did not have any hay or clover.
had 3 boltings of straw, on account of %wt., and I was •
to come to-morrow to fetch the rest." There was some
clover in the loft. It was skaken up, and quite loose.
Witness asked him how he ;•ould account for it, and he
acid he got it about four days ago from Mr. George
Rhodes. He then brought the prisoners and locked
them up. He charged the prisoner Elcock with stealing
a quantity of straw and clover, and giving it to Harding,
He said, " Harding had the two bolting. of straw and the
truss of clover on account of 3ewt., and he was to go the
next day and fetch the rest, and pay for it. Cross-exam-
ined : When I went to Harding" house the cart was in
the yard. It is an enclosed yard, but the gates were open.
There was no more clover in the loft. There was no
straw in the loft. There were some vetches. He did not
tell me where he had the vetches from. Prosecutor's
son was sailed, and said he was farm manager. He was
away from home at five o'clock on the above date. He
had WWI some straw and clover that Waa brought to his
house by Police-constable Latin, and as far as he could
judge it was his father's property. He did not authorise
Mooch to sell any straw to Harding; nor authorise him
to sell sor 7 cwt. Cross-examined : I have been man.
agar for my father six months. Elcock has been our
servant for five years. He has always borne an excellent
character for being straight-forward and honest. Elena
had sold some vetches for me on the Tuesday. He said
Harding had bought them off him, and he paid me the
money. Elcoek had authority to sell green stuff. He
had no authority to sell straw without applying to me or
my father. Resexamined : I did not give him authority
to sell dry stuff. By the Bench He sold some straw
about six weeks ago, and paid the money over to my
mother—Mr. Waldron, in defence, contended that there
Was no felonious intent on the part of the prisoners, and
' the Bench dismissed the ease.
! ASSAELTING A WomAN.—At the Police Court. on
Thursday, before I. Spooner, Esq., Stipendiary, John
Homer was charged by Ann Cartwright with assaulting
her on the 12.11 inst. From the evidence it appeared
that complainant went to fetch her husband out of a
public.honse, when defendant, without any provocation,
-.truck her twice. Fined 20s; in default one month.—
Defendant was further charged by Superintendent Mills
.sith being drunk and riotous, on the 12th inst. Polies-