The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-07-12 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

A BIALICIOOII ACT—On Tuesday morning, a large
straw iik belonging to Mr. John Darby, of Blackheath,
was discovered to be on tire. Every available means
wan brought into requisition, but it was useless, as the
rick, which was about 14 tons was burnt to the ground.
It is believed to be the act of an incendiary.
COAL STEALING. —At the Police Court, On Wednea.
day, before Major Smith, Meson, fr. W. a Barra and
N. Hingley, a little boy named Thomas Salt was charged
by Joseph tkoodliall out behalf of Messrs. Bassani., and
Co., with stealing a quantity of coal on the '22nd tilt, at
Cherry Orchard. IC Cooper proved the case. The
Bench said defendant was too young to be sent to
prison, but they should order hint to receive 12 stripes
with the birch rod.

A.AULT.—Joseph Weston and John Pratt, were
charged by Sarah Crampton, with assaulting her on the
24th ult. Mr. Addison appeared for complainant, and
Mr. Prescott for defendant. Complainant said she was
wife of Win. Crumples, miner, Blackheath. On the
above date she wan iu llarby's public.house with defen-
dants and several others. They stayed at Darby'. until
the house was cleared. After that they went to • house
kept by a nian named Hiscock. Pratt the defendant
took eorne ale there. They were quite tipsy when they
left Darby'a. They all stayed at iliseock's until about
two o'clock. There was quarrelling going on. Pratt
knocked the table over and broke the .• crocks."
ilitnuaa'a husband said it was a nasty trick and he would
be lid towards the damage. befendant said he did
not want his money and struck her husband. Pratt
Blend: her on the dile of the bead and broke her ear-
ring and comb. She had been unwell sod under medical
treatment since. Weston attack her in the mouth and
hurt her. .She went out and the tato defendants fol-
lowed her into her own house. Weston laid hold of
her and pushed a stick down her throat sod severely
injured her. .1 he defendants burst the door open. Wm.
Ciumpton corroborated his wife. P.O Stiorthouse
statiened at Blackheath, said on the 24th ult. he saw
complainant. She appeared excited and as though she
had had drink, but was not drunk. Croes-examiuctl :
All the rest were drank. Mr. Prescott said lie should
not occupy the time of the Bench longer then necessary,
and Called Henry Iliscock, who said he lived at Black•
heath, and was a miner. On the above date, several
men Caine to his house. He carried a b ittle of ale
there and they had something to eat oust drink. He did
not see defendant Pratt strike Mrs. Crampton. Com-
plainant; was drinking at Darliy's and at his house.
He did not see Crampton use a poker in his house.
Crumpton's son IVilliam used iine out of ihi,oin. Joseph
Rhodes corroborated. Weston was lined les and costs,
sod Pratt was dismissed.

CIIAROK ITSURR Tile FACTORT Act—James Slynn,
rivet manufacturer, Bowiey, was charged by Mr. J. A.
Jeans, sub-inspector of factories, for having unlawfully
einpoyed a child named John Cook, more than 61 hours
per day. Mr. Homer defended. Mr. Jones said he was
nub-inspector of factories. On th.• 2nd inst, ho visited
defei.ilant's shop and found Jaini•a Cook there. The
lad acknowledged in the presence of defendant he had
been working the previous day from nine till six. The
lad was horn on the 2nd of March 1862. James Cook
arid he worked at defendant's shop. He worked at de-
fendant's the day previous to Mr. Jones's visit, from
nine in the morning till six at night. Cross-examined :
I ho not know which day it was that Mr. Jones mime.
Wm. Rushton was his masterand he paid him his wages.
Mr. Heys said defendant was the occupier of the premises
where the boy worked. Wm. Smith was celled for the
defence, and said on the day in question the lad
worked until one o'clock. They all left that morning as
there were no breezes. Win. Rushton, the lad's master,
Raid he lived at Blackheath, and was ii rivet-maker. He
engaged the lad and payed him his wages. On the day
in question the boy left off work at one o'clock. There
was no remon for them leaving off work for want of
breezes or anything else. The Bench considered the
case proved, and fined defendant 203 and costs. Defen-
dant was further charged with employing Neri Dingier,
a boy, more than 61 hours a day, on the 2nd inst.
Hingley was call,d. and said he worked on the Tuesday
from 7 o'clock till dinner time. Mr. Jones said the boy
w•knowledged to him that he worked until sin o'clock.
The case was dismissed. Defendant wm further charged
witti allowing John Green to work more than 61 hour.
per day, on the 2nd Mat. Green said he worked on
the Tuesdayfrom seven in the morning till three in the
afternoon. Mr. Jones mid the lad admitted in Mr.
Slynn'a presence that he worked the previous day from
7 till 6, and Mr. Slynn mid he was not responsible. W.
Rushton Was called and swore that no boy worked after
two that dm. Samuel Mole and Win. Smith made
similar statements. Defendant was fined 20a and costs.
--John Clay, rivet mannfacturer, Blackheath, was
charged with employing Edward Crump for more than
64 hours, on the 30th ult. The lad said lie came to
work at 8 and left at one. Mr. Jones said the lad told
him in the presence of Mr. Clay that he worked from 6
till 4, and defendant did not deny. The Bench said
they believed the boy had been tampered with and had
been brought there to commit wilful perjury. They
did not say who had done it. This case was dismissed.
Defendant was charged with employing John Crump
without obtaining a certificate of attendance at school.
Defendant pleaded guilty, and was fined 20s and costs.—•
George Cook was charged with neglecting to send his
child to school. Defendant pleaded guilty, and said the
reason he did not send the boy because he had not
proper shoes to go in. He had been to school before
and he intended him to go again. Mr. Jones said he
merely asked for a nominal flue and defendant was fined
6d and costs. Neri Hingley, George Green, and Wm.
Crump, were fined 6d each and costs.