The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-07-16 00:00:00

SATURDAY, JULY 16, I.BBL

from Alfred Freegard to George William Webb;
the Foster's Arms, Tansey Green, Peuswqr, from.
John Knowles to John Eubery.
THEFT.—Amelia Bail was brougl,t up in cuetody
charged with stealing a black cloth jacket and a
shawl, the property of Ann Pearson, of Brierley
Hill. Sergeant Smith applied for a remand for a
week and it was granted.
WILFUL DAMAGE..—Ezra Dunn, of Church Street
Quarry Bank, was summoned for wilfully damag-
ing growing wheat, the property of Thomas Sidda-
way, of Quarry Bank. Police-constable Hyman
prcxed that be saw the defendant going through
the field of wheat Fined is 6d, including costs,
the Bench reminding him that he had rendered
himself liable to a fine of £5 and costs..

CAUTION TO BicYcLisTs.=—Arthur Fox, of Dudley
was summoned for riding a bicycle after sunset
without baying a lamp lit, as was required by the
bye-laws, The case was withdrawn on payment of
costs.

AssAmir.—Johii Jones, coachman, of Wombourn,
wa charged with assaulting George Holland, a
cow-boy, a,so of Wombourn, on the 9th inst. Com-
plainant alleged that the defendant struck him
twice with his fi74. The defendant denied this and
called a witness to support his statement. 'the
Bench believed the evidence of the boy and fined
defendant 2s 6d and costs.
ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO COMMIT A RAPE.-
William Taylor, 33, laticklayer, Queen Street.
Quarry Bank, was charged with assaulting Mary
Matilda liinton, 12, with intent to commit a rape,
on the 7th inst. Mr. Addison appeared to prosecute
and Mr. Waldron to defend. Mr. Addison inti
mated that he was only going to call evidence to
justify a remand, and that being done defendant
was remanded until Thursday, bail being accepted.
POCKET fICKING AT TUE Snow.—Henry Lloyd
(50), of Birmingham, was charged with attempting
to pick pockets on the 7th inst. Sarah Richa:dsen,
of Beauty Bank, Wollaston, said that on the 7th
inst she was on the show ground at Amblecote ane
was in one of the flower booths. As she was look-
ing at some grapes she felt something in her pocket
and on turning round suddenly, saw the defendant
pull his hand out of her pocket. Police- coestable
Pope, stationed at New Cross, Wolverhampton
said he was on duty at Arnblecote on the occasion
of the show and from information he received he
arrested the prisoner. He charged the prisoner
with attempting to pick pockets :Ind he replied
that he knew nothing about it. Prisoner was fined
40s. including costs, with the alternative of ow
month's imprisonMent.—William Harrison, book
maker, of Birmingham, and John C9ok, book
maker's clerk, of no fixed abode, were charged with
attempting to pick pockets on the 6th inst. Jinni -
son was defended by Mr. Hebben, of Birmingham,
but Cooper was undefended. Police-constable Hay-
wood, stationed at Bilston, said that on the 6th
inst, he was on duty at Anablecote, in plain clothes
and about 6 o'clock he saw prisoners there. He
watched them for about twenty minutes and s
them "close in" several places round the ring when
the jumping was going on. He saw Harrison but
his hand near a womans' pocket-, and push it with
his hand. Both moved from that place for about
15 yards and Cooper was carrying the overcoat
which Harrison had now got on. Harrison had
the coat off Cooper and put it on Prisoners then
crushed in one corner ot the ring where a lady was
standing. Harrison pushed by her side and Cooper
behind the lady. They removed from her and went
near to one of the entrances of the grand stand
There was an old man leaning over the rope and
Harrison pushed himself by his side. Cooper eras
behind the man and leaning over him. Whilst he
was leaning against him he saw Harrison take hold
of the man's watch chain. Cooper observed Lim
watching Harrison and touched him. Prisoners
then walked away. He saw the man's guard still
remained. He followed the two prisoners, who
went at the back of the grand stand. Prisoners
saw him following and ran away. With the
assistance of another officer he caught the prisoners
in one of the refreshment booths. He charged
them with attempting to pick pockets and Harrison
replied You did not see me pick anyone's pocket
old boy. I thought you was a b---;old butcher."
Cooper said I have picked nobody's pockets,
have seen you at many a race meeting." He
searched the prisoners and upon Cooper he found
.E 1 Is 11d, and upon Harrison 3s 10i.—Mr. Hebben
addressed the Bench on behalf of Harrison and con-
tended that the unsupported evidence of the officer
was not sufficient to convict. The Bench said the
chargei were clearly proved and fined the defend-
ants 40s each, including costs ; or, in default one
months' imprisonment.

Gen etal m rites, "From a report which I have
1 tely leee lVt'!l 110 lot think that the present Post
at Ric& tuinster is in an unsafe condition
I 1. aye often:sdialittsd th.tt I consider the present
building an 'neon vsnient. one, and. I hope tl at the
building of the new Post Office at Kidderminster
will be soon commenced," The Mayor said he
could endorse the Postmaster General's remarks—
the present building was an inconvenient one. It
was so inconvenient as to cause delay in busi-
ness, and sometimes loss. Two evenings previouQly
a telegram was sent to his firm from Alder shot at
about five, and it did not arrive at their place
until about eight o'clock,when it was too late tocom-
ply with the instruction it contained and b e had possi-
bly lost a good order in consequence. It took them fifty
minutes to take the telegram from Church Street,
to Worcester Cross, a distance of about a half a
mile.—Mr. A. Comber, the Borough Surveyor, stated
that in compliance with the instructions of the Im-
provement Committee be had examined the Post
Office, and found the front window to be in a dilapi-
dated condition. Nothing but a new window would
make any improvement. The panels of the letter
boxes were not all that could be desired, but the
boxes inside appeared to be secure, it slide having
been added to prevent the lettsrs blocking the open-
ing, Mr. W. H. Green then made some remarks
upon the dilatoriness of the Post Office authorities
in erecting the promised new building. For the
last ten or fiteen yt ars they had been constantly
complaining of the inadequacy of the Post Office,
and yet nothing had been done. He concluded by
moving "That the Mayor should appoint a commit-
tee from this Council to communicate with the Post
Office Department in the hope of ascertaining why
the claims of the inhabi, ants of Kiddeiminster iii
.regard to a new Post Office should be so long disre•
garded, and how long such inadequat acconanoda-
lion as now exists is expected to contisiss." This
was a conded by Mr. Holloway and carried. The
following were appointed as a committee to cart y
out he foregoing resolution : The Mayor (Alder-
man Willis), Councillors W. H. Green, G. Holloway,
H. Herring and G. Holdsworth.