The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-04-27 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

COAL Srusuho.—At the Police Court, on Wednesday,
before Alessre. F. W. Cr. Burrs and N. Ringley, John
Stvcer and Francis Taft, two little lads, were charged
with stealing a get mtity of coal, the property of David
Rose. on the 20.11 inft. Police•constable Isein yard in
the afternoon of the above date Inc WAS OD duty at the
complainant's place, and he saw the two defendants
tome. 'they were picking coal up and filling their apron.
They were at the place were the coal was tipped down,
&LAI men were employed to pick it. on'. Deftrolahts were
coming towards bun, and when they saw him Ddy
&upped tee coal down and ran away. The value of the
cod they hid would bc about 21 each. Thome. Wood,
asinsger at the colliery, maid LO our had a tight to take
coal iron airy portton of the colliery. He lie:d a MAD to
pica the Lod out from toe place where the defendants
Look tee coal front, lie had trunnioned both the defend-
ants before. Defendants pleaded gui.ty, and were tined
da midi, or 14 dap; and if they canto again they would
no reel to a Itebtleutery for five
WADES Coil.— Caleb Durhy charged William Mills
for nou-paymeut of Al 9s do for wa4es due to hint as a
likatlinr. Darby said he told liii partner were engaged by
tleten last to fetch timber from litegswood at the rate of
lla per day; that Was for the horse, a boat, and their
DOW labour. 11 was a verbal agreement. They worked
nose data; and received for it rd 16s in ca.ll, and Li
woitn of manure, and their claim sus for the balance
left. Defendant disputed the claim, and said they were
longer on the voyage than they ought to have been. The
magistrates said they had no jurisdiction, as it was a
case for the County Court.
A WILFD BEATER.—Jesse Jones was charged with as.
saulting Mary Jones, his wife, on the 20.1 i nun, at Spring-
fields. Complainant said on the above date defendant
came home. He cursed her, threatened her, struck her,
stud turned her out all night. She had got five children.
Mr. Hingley raid he wished they could give the defend.
ant two strokes with the cat, and it would be a good job
when the bill came in for giving wife beaters the eat.
Defendant pleaded guilty, and Was ordered to find one
aurety of to, and hound himself in one surety of .£lO to
Use peace for six months. _ . _

STEALING YOUR SOVEKSIOSS.— Francis Bowen was
charged by James Westwood with stealing four sovereigns
on the lelli instant from his person. Mr. W. Hayes ap•
Feared for the defence. Prosecutor said he was a general
dealer, and resided at Netherton. vu the above date
about 12 o'clock p.m., he weut into prisoner's house. He
went and milked them if he should light his pipe. A man
named Joseph Homer was in the house, and he asked
witness to drink. Prisoner 5e.,11 there. He had some
drink, sod sent for a quart. Prisoner's wife fetched the
drink. After he had drunk once or twice he felt sleepy,
and he asked them to let him lie down. He did he down
on the Bench, and slept till daylight. He thought he
felt prisoner's hand.in his pocket. He had four sove-
reigns in his inside breast pocket. He felt in his pocket
and said," Oh, good Lord, my money is goee and you
have got it. He said that to the prisoner. Before lie
went to sleep he showed Homer his money, and it was
all right. The prisoner was there at the time, and he
saw the money. Homer wished prosecutor "Good
night." When he got up he said to prisoner, "You have
got my money. If you will please give it me I will give
you half-a-sovereign, and say no more about it." Priso-
ner said to him "If you say I have got your money I
will soon have you locked up." Prosecutor said he could
have him locked up if he liked, bat he was not going oat
of the house until he had got his money. They were
together until about fire o'clock. Prisoner said be had
not seen the money. Prosecutor said he had, for no one
else had been near him. Prisoner said to his wife about
half-past five o'clock, he would go and have prosecutor
took to. He went out and was drinking all day, and the
prosecutor did not see him again until he was in the
hands of the police between five and six o'clock at night.
He was sober when he went into prisoner's house. Cross.
examined: I felt his hand in my pocket, but did not see
it. It would have ruined my character. I have got a
good character. I have been charged with receiving
stolen property at Dudley, belodging to Mr. Dawes. I
have not been charged with receiving stolen property be-
longing to Mr. Pearson, nor for receiving some cross
metal bars from Bumble Hole. I was charged with buy-
ing • copper kettle a week or two ago. I have not been
charged with receiving • stolen watch. When I went
Out that night I received £5 from Thomas Perry. That
was between six and seven o'clock at night. I had three
or four pints of drink before that. I went into Mason's
between eight and nine o'clock. I changed a sovereign
there, and had two or three quarts between myself and
the company. I had some drink at prisoner house,
and after that was gone I sent for another quart. I like
beer. Prisoner said I should not sleep there; it might
be another Joe Whitmore's job. Joseph Homer said,
" Let the man sleep for an hour, and then he could walk
after." I went after Homer the following morning. The
prisoner went with me. I asked Josh in the presence of
Mrs. Smith if I had my money safe and sound when he
was there. He did not Joy he did not see my money.—
Joseph Homer said about half .past twelve at night he left
prosecutor at prisoner's house. He had got his money
sate. Witness SSW lour sovereigns. Prosecutor pulled

_
with. _ th!ews
..".oweil night," BBINRLtIY 8/LL.
_

A Harr To TRI LOCAL BOARIL—We extract the fol.
lowing from the Birmingham Morning Sews of Wednee.
day last:—" A correspondent calls attention to the 'bad
state of the roads from Brierley Hill to fitontbridr,
particularly Brettell Lane," and asks " when the Local
Board intend to folly recognise their responsibility in the
matter of keeping the roads in their district 111 decent
repair?' During the past winter holes were to be seen
in Brettell Lane two feet deep, and it was a miracle that
many serious accidents did not happen to persons driving
down the lane. Frequent attention has been called to the
dangerous state of the road, but the Local Board has
merely ordered cinders to be scattered about the roads,
and in many instances they have been shovelled off within
a fortnight. A glance at the roads at the present time
will convince any man open to conviction that the roads
must be covered with Rowley rag, and until this is done
the roads will ever remain anything but a credit to the
Local Board. Even the soi-disant economical champions
on the Board admit that something must he done, but
then they reply 'Where is the money to come from? To
carry out the work it will require another sixpenny rate,
and we are paying a shilling rate already.' So you see,
Mr. Editor, these obstructions admit the bad state of the
road, but rather than do their duty, and in order, perhaps,
to gain a little popularity with those of their constituents
who tenaciously stick to the penny wise and pound
foolish' system, they cry out, 'Where is the money to
come from ? ' Supposing (and it is • very reasonable
'that o- '^v to the bad state of the roads, a

- .
supposition), owing
vehicle containing a number of persons is upset and in-
jury is done to life and property, where will the money
come from to pay the damages the persons so injured
can legally claim mom the Board in the County Court'
am credibly informed that a letter has been received
by the Clerk from a local resident magistrate, in which
he says he shall hold the Board responsible for any in-
jury caused by the present bad state of the road. I
would respectfully urge upon our local governing body
the absolute necessity of giving the matter prompt and
(+truest attention, The result of the recent election has
returned some new members to the Board, and they will
show their appreciation of the honour conferred upon
them by introducing the subject when they take their
seats for the first time on Monday week.''
Tan PENSNETT ACCOUNTS.—At the Police Court, OD
Monday, before Messrs. E Evers and H. O. Finuatone,
Mr. Holberton said in the matter of the Pensnett sc.
counts he had to apply for an adjournment on the ground
of the illness of Mr. Hinton. That gentleman was un-
able to leave his room, and he (Mr. Holberton) had a
medical certificate signed by Er. James Bradley, and
under the circumstances he would ask for an adjournment
for 14 days. The adjournment was granted.
DRUNZINNIIIII.—CharIes Southall was fined 5s and
costa, or 14 days, for being drunk and riotous at Quarry
Bank, on the lfitli inst. Police-covetable Lavin proved
the cue.—John Collier was filled 5s and costs for a
similar offence at Brierley Hill, on the 20th inst. Police-
constable Grady proved this offence—John Marten was
fined 5s and costs Sara like offence at Brierley Hill, on
the 21st. Police-constable Bret.n proved the race
Joseph Thomson was also fined 5, and costa for being
drunk and riotous at Breltell Lane on the 13th instant.
Police-constable Freeman proved the case.
Cern., TO BAKERS —Mr. John Davis. confectioner,
Market-street, Staarbridge, was summoned for deliver-
ing bread at Amblecote, on the 13th, without having •
beam and scales in his cart. Police-constable Freeman
said on the above date he was on duty at Coalbournbrook.
He saw • horse and cart there belonging to defendant.
The cart was full of bread. Defendants then was deli-
vering bread to shops and houses. Witneas examined
the cart, but did not find any beam and scales. Defend-
ant said it was negligence on the part of his servant in
not taking the scales with him. The Bench said defend-
sit could recover the fine they were about to inflict on
him from his servant if he could prove it was negligence
on his part. Defendant wee fined 23 fid and costs.

Woisies'a Qussiums.—Jane Morris was charged with
assaulting Caroline Dovey at Mount Pleasant, on the 14th
inst. Mr. Barbary appeared for defendant. Complain.
ant, who appeared in the witness hoe with a badly bruised
face, said on the above date the defendant accused her of
taking a two-shilling piece from her little child. She
denied having done so, when the defendant struck her a
violent blow 011 the face with her fist. Mr. Burbury, in
defence, said the complainant was the first aggressor ;
that she struck the defendant first, and the blow was
then returned. Three witnesses were ca.led, whose evi-
dence went to prove that complainant struck defendant
on the aide, and defendant then struck complaisant on
the face. After hearing the evidence, the Bench dis.
missed the case. _

ROBBERY BY • DRUGGIST'S ASSISTANT. Frederick
Henry Ethel, druggist's assistant, was charged by Mr.
James Wilshaw, chemist, Wordsley, his employer, with
stealing a number of brushes and other articles, his pre•
perty, on the 20th inst. Prosecutor said he was a drug-
gist, at Wordsley. Prisoner was an assistant in his em-
ploy. He had missed things from his shop for a month
or two. He missed the last things ahors a week ago.
The whole of the goods produced were his property. The
private marks had been removed from all the goods *Lb
the exception of • nail-brush, and his own mark which
he put on himself was still on that article. He had never
sold any goods to the prisoner.—Police-constable Taylor
said he was stationed at Wordsley. From information
he received on Saturday last he went to the prosecutor's
shop. He went upstairs and foond the prisoner and Mr.
Wilahaw there, and the whole contents of prisoner's box
were on the floor. Prosecutor informed him that be had
taken the things from prisoner's box. Mr Wilshaw said,
This young man has been robbing me. There are a
quantity of articles here belonging to me." Witness
found the articles produced, which consisted of note
paper, envelopes, toilet soap, cocoa, tea, hair brushes,
nail brush, combs, and other things. Witness charged
prisoner with stealing the articles produced, mentioning
them, and he said he had not stolen them, but he bought
them in Birmingham, and they were his own. He
searched prisoner, aud found upon him money and the
key produced. Witness asked him what the key belonged
to, and he said it belonged tea box at home. Witness
gave it him bask, and he threw it on the tire and tried to
make away with it.—Mr. Wilsbaw lie-called) said that be
paid prisoner and told him he might go. He followed
him upstairs and said he would look at his box. Psis°.
ner said he had not got anything there belonging to him.
What he had he bought in Birmingham. The value of
the articles produced was XI Be wished the Magis-
trates present would deal with the prisouer
pleaded not guilty, and said he got the goods at dliferent
shops in Birmingham last week. lie was committed to
take his trial at the next Stafford Sessions.

DRUM AND HEYIDus.—At the Po:ice Court. on Thurs-
day, before Mr. 1. Spooner, Stipendiary, Mary Jonas
was tined 5s for being drunk and riotous at High-street,
Bs ies ley Hill, on the 24th inst. Police-constable Hollins
ptcved the Case.
111/tKAIDNING A WlPE.—Glarles Corbett was charged
with using threatening langusge towards n embett.
his wife, on the 17th inst. Mr. Ilona-non appeared for
the defence. Complsinant ssid she dist not wish to press
the ease against her husband. Mr. Fpooner intimated
that he should like to hi at the lb', Ott, that Viol, made
use of. Complainant said doe had Lad her husband up
four times for similar ollsimes, and on the above ditto he
threatened to cut her b skull open with sonic azalea
and ws igbts. Mr. 11,1berion, in defeneo, said defendant
WAS a uniet respectable was. Mr. Spooner : 1 mast bear
it iu mind tout the delendatit has brie bound over be-
fore. Mr. Holberton said be had a witness named Jsmen
Wood, who toad prove that most of the lanlottge:tbst
was used came from complainant, and she had not shown
tust she was afraid of her husband. Defendant was
hosed over in two sureties of £2O, and himself in one of
10, to keep the peace for twelve nionths.

AbSACIAIND A WOMAN.—Betsy Fawcett, Fanny Gin.
nett, Sarah Kelsall, sod Emily Roberts, four women,
were charged with assaulting Sophia Taylor, at Brettell
Lane, on the 13iL instant. Complainant said she was a
boat-loader at Brettell Lane, and worked under Thomas
Kelaall (defendant Kelsall'e husband). On the above
date defendant Kelsall went into a hovel weere she was
sitting with Thomas Kelsall, and struck her on the head
with a brick. Witness struck her back, and defendant
screamed. whereupon Emily Roberts rushed up and
struck her on the back of the neck two or three times.
Fawcett and elinnett then got her down and kicked her.
Defendant Kelsall was jealous of witness because she was
in the but along with Thomas Kelaall. Henry Hill.
miner, Dennis Park, corroborated. Kelsall was dis-
charged, and the other defendants were fined 5s and coats
each, or 14 days.
DAMAGING MACHINLRY.—Enoch Cartwright, an ap-
prentice was charged with wilfully and maliciously dams
aging machinery belonging to his employers, Messrs.
Richardson and Smith, glass manufacturers, Holloway
End, on the 23rd inst. Eli Skelding, an apprentice, said
on the above date, between three and four o'clock in the
afternoon, be was in the engine-house. Defendant came
from the direction of the cutting shop, and went into the
engine house. Defendant went into the pumice place
that adjoins the engine-house, and was looking at the
main band that works the shafts. He went and looked
through • hole in the wall, and then went back to the
band and cut it with his knife twice. Witness called to
him, but he did not take any notice. He gave informa-
tion the next morning to the foreman.—The prisoner
here said, " There has some nue else been and cut it
since I did.”—Henry Wakeman, the foreman, said that
on the Wedneiiday morning be received information
from Mr. Smith that the band had been cut. He exam-
ined it, and found that it had been cut in two places. It
would endanger the life of the engineer and the boy.
The engine was not safe to work. Ile went into the shop
and asked who had cut the band. Defendant was there,
and he said he had not done it, and the other boys in thet
shop said they had not—Police.constable Freeman was
sent for, and the witness Skidding said defendant was the
one that had cut the band. Defendant then said he did
not cut it so much. The damage done amounted to over
El.—Police.eonstable Freeman said he took defendant
into custody on Wednesday morning at the: works, and
charged him with wilfully damaging the machinery by
cutting the band of the driving wileel. Ile said. "1 ent
it, but not quite through. I did not think it would break.
The reason I did it was because I wanted a day or two's
play. Witness found a knife upon defendant. The band
was about 61 inches wide. There were two cuts opposite
each other.—Wakeman (re•called) said if the band had
broken it would have stopped the work, and no doubt
serious consequences would have resulted.—Mr. Smith
said defendant was a very bad boy.—Defendant was sen-
tenced to two months' imprisonment.
PROSECUTIONS CNDER THB FACTORY ACT.— MT. Ben-
jamin Careles, manager of the Corbyns Hall New Com•
psnv. was charged, at the instance :of Mr. T. A. Jones,
Sub.-Inspector under the Factory Act, with having six
young persons at work who were not registered accord-
ing to law. The plea of Mr. Careless was pressure of
business. The Stipendiary imposed a fine of gl and
costs in each case, making. a total of All 2.—Messrs.
Perrins and Harrison were also charged with a similar
offence. There were six young persons in this case also.
Defendants were fined £1 and coats in each case, am-
ounting to Ell I.le.—tdr. Spooner said he should not
deal so lightly with the next batch of offenders tbat came
before him.

AN EVILNING BKVERMIE.—C•CA'OINS. —The Food
Journal says:—" By anew process to which the nibs are
subjected, the principal part of the oil is ecectually r.-
moved; a thin beverage, well adapted for afternoon or
evening use, as • substitute for tea, being the result. The
flavour of eaceoine will, in addition, be • great attrac-
tion to all."—Each packet or tin is labelled, " thine
EPPS & Co., Homeopathic Chemists, London." Also
makers of Epps's Milky Careioine (Caca'oine and Con-
densed Milk).