The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-08-31 00:00:00

The election of Commissioners will take place
the first Thursday in September.

STOURBEIDGE WATER WORKS COMPANY. A
meeting of the Shareholders was held at the
Company's Office, Church-street, on Monday
last. Present: Mr. W. B. Collis (in the (Asir),
Messrs. A. Freer, Chas. Williams, and E. B.
Marten. A dividend at the rate of 5 per cent.
per annum for the past half-year was declared.
THE OPERA COMPANY.—The London Opera
Company (under the direction of Mr. Isidore de
Solla), Commenced a most successful series of i
perfcrmances on Monday evening last, n the
Corn Exchange. The company comprised seve-
ral old favourites, and those that were new to
Stourbridge have become favourites during their
stay. The operas have been given in a style
never before witnessed in this town. The scenery
and effects, the dresses, and, in short, the tout
ensemble of this excellent company fully deserve
the very great success they have achieved. Up
to last night crowded houses have been the order
of the day (or rather of the nights). Madame
Isidore de Solla, the prima donna, Miss Ella
Collins, and Miss Carrelli, the principal ladies,
have made hosts of friends by their elegant and
charming presence as well as their cultivated
voices, while the principal gentlemen—Mr. F.
Gaynar, Mr. R. Lansmere, and Mr. B. de Soils,
have fully proved the value of fine voices when
combined with all the finish of art, good stage
presence, and dramatic power. There are many
of the minor members of the company who de-
serve special notice, but our space prevents us
from particularising them. We can only say
that Miss Clementi, Mrs. Potter, and Miss Leigh
(the latter possessing a charming voice), Messrs.
Potter, Courtley, Bradshaw, and Turner gave
most valuable assistance. Mr. Isidore de Solla,
also, in his capacity of conductor, proved him-
self master of the situation, the music and study
required, together with the concentration and
readiness necessary to fill his post, cannot fail
to command admiration. To-night is positively
the last night of this company, when "The
Bohemian Oirl " and "The Waterman" will be
performed; and the performance will commence
at half-past seven instead of eight. We have
not the slightest doubt that with such a bill of
fare provided (the merits of the artistes being
now so well known) the gentlemen for whose
benefit the performances are this evening, will
have a" bumper."
DIWWILINTIIIIII.—At the Petty Sessions, yester-
day, before Major Flercher and Mr. C. Holeroft,
Alexander Knowles, of the Lye, was charged
with being drank at the Lye at half.psst three
o'clock, on Sunday morning. Police.sergeant
Rea proved the case. Fined 65 and costs.—
Richard Whitehouse was charged with a similar
offence on the 21st inst. Parish-constable Bird
proved the offence. Fined 65 and costs.—Enoch
' Pritchard, of the Lye, was charged with being
drank and incapable, on the 25th inst. Police-
constable Tomlin° proved the case. Fined Is
, and costs.—Joseph Hill was also fined 55 and
costs for being drunk on the 25th inst.—Thomas
Cartwright was charged with a similar offence
on the 25th. Police.constable Harrison proved
the offence. Fined 5s and costs.
CRUELTY TO • DOG. Keziah Oxford was
charged with injuring a dog, on the 15th instant,
the property of Septimns Bills, of Cradley. The
complainant produced a white terrier dog, and
said the defendant threw a stone at the dog and
broke its leg. He gave 7s lid for the dog, and
had been offered 20s for it. Fined Is and costs
for the offence, and is the value of the dog; in
default 10 days.
STONE TiniowlNo. Arthur Mills (7), and
Anne Mills (the mother), were charged with as•
saulting Kate Tonks (9), on the 28th instant.
From the evidence of complainant it appears
that on the above date she was returning from
taking her father's breakfast. On passing, the
boy threw a stone and cut her head open. The
boy was severely reprimanded and discharged.
ALLEGED INTIMIDATION. Edward Mason,
John Kermock, and Jabez Thickbroom, of Crad-
ley, were charged with assaulting FrAncis Hal-
liday, on the 21St. Mr. Collie appeared for the

SATITRDA

ecomplainant, and Mr. Romer for the defendants.
Complainant said he had worked for Mr. Chas.
Hodgetta, of Cradle!, as a fellmonger. The
defendante also worked for Mr. Hodgetta. On
the above date he had some words with Mr. An.
drews, the foreman, shout some work. Shortly
after the foreman said the defendanta had struck
and walked oat, and would not work if he (wit.
noes) did. He told the foreman the work was
done well, and that he should not go off the
ground until the master came. The defendants
came again into the shop. Mason caught hold
of 'Maim by the Dollar, and said, We will give
the old Irishman the mak." The other two de.
fondants struck him and knocked him down.
They afterwards dragged him some distanee
along the road, struck him again, and rendered
him nearly insensible. Witness's head and arms
were injured, and he was afraid to go back to
work. Witness had not been discharged by his
master.—Caleb Harris and Thomas Bowen,
summoned witnesses, gave evidence which was
against that of the complainant, and the Bench,
considering that the case was not made out, dis-
missed the summons.

WHOBBLING CASE—Elijah Allen, of the Lye,
was charged with selling two pints of ale on the
18th just, he not being duly licensed.—Mr. !Ad-
dison defended.—From the evidence it appears
that on the above date Edward Billingham went
to Hagley with his daughter. On returning
home, and when opposite defendant's house,
Matilda Billingham and her father went into the
defendant's house. She had some water. Bil-
lingham had something to drink.—Billingham
gave his evidence in a very reluctant way, and
was repeatedly cautioned that if he did ;lot give
his evidence properly he would be committed.
Ha denied having ale; but said that what he
had tasted was something like beer. He (witness)
had often made better beer from herbs. Saw
Police-sergeaut Rea, who said he would force
him to speak against Allen —Matilda Billing.
ham proved that she went to the defendant's
house with her father, who had some ale. She
had some water.—Police-sergeant Rea and Po-
lice-constable Tomlin° said that hearing a noise
they went to the defendant's house. A number
of men were drinking. Some one paid money.
Had often seen men in the house. The house
had been watched for some time through com-
plaints having been made. Whilst watching the
defendant came out of the house and said if he
caught any policeman on his premises he would
put a stone through his skull.—Major Fletcher
remarked that defendant had had his license
taken from him, and they ware satisfied with the
evidence, and fined defendant £lO and costs; in
default a distress.

STRALING APPLEIL-411101011 Woud, a youth,
was charged with stealing • quantity of apples,
on the 80th just, the property of William Coch-
rane, of Cradley. Mr. Cochrane proved the case,
and said he caught him in one of the trees. He
had 16 apples upon him. Pleaded guilty. Fined
2d, the value of the apples, and 5s and costs;
in default 14 days.
Cruses or Timm—Richard Fozhall, baker,
residing in Church-street, was charged with
stealing a wash-jug and basin, on the 24th inst,
the property of James Cuzick. William Wil-
liams, Town Officer, proved that he sew the pri-
soner taking the basin and jug (produced) away.
He stopped him, and found the goods belonged
to the prosecutor. Defendant said that he was
taking the goods to sell. This being his first
offence, prisoner was discharged with a caution.