The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-02-29 00:00:00

lUTIBRIDGE OBSERVEn:

2876,000, When a co-opeiative society was started all
the members were enstomers, and it did not depend upon
the mere chance of the individual trailer. If they made
is. hd. in the pound, they created Is. GiL of capital; and
that was worth something to a workingman who had to
labour a long time before he earned that amount—
(cheers). Co-operative societies transacted their busi-
ness on the ready money principle ; and they were not,
therefore, tied to any merchant who might supply them
with inferior goods. In Nfooehrster there wis a whole-
sale co-operative store for the purpose of supplying so-
cieties with goods. The capital of £7,000 was raised in
fis shares ; and the business was dune at per cent profit.
There was great injostiee in all their tnannfacturing
triets, ache',, labour was bought in the cheapest market
and the goods sold in the dearest. If the manufacture of
certain articles enriched the man who had capital, and
beggared the men who supplied the labour, he wished to
know if that was an konest system v Whit coudd they
do to change the system Fie lonkcd nikin Sttlken as
tomfo)lery. They wautsd to do away with strikes, and
to realise the principle laid down by Vrince Albert that
the interests of all classes were identical ; and to bring
that about the masters and men must recognise each other
as partners. After some further remarks, the speaker
concluded by saying that the day was not far distant
when the working classes would have shorter hours,
more comfort, and less misery—(loud cheers).
Tim Chairman, in addressing the meeting, Said that he
could see this in co-operation—that they got the trader's
profits, and had to appoints manager. The question for
them to consider was whether the maintenance of the
manager would amount to a trader's profit'? That was
the business way of looking at the thing. There Was a
further advantage, and that appeared to hire the great
one—that they could not trade on credit. They were also
sure of the quality of the proSisions they *ere purcha-
sing. There were rich people and there were poor peo-
ple In the World. lIO* slid the rich people become rich
'lichee were simply the savings of industry, the results
of pradenee and economy. It was a mistake to assume
that all the distinctions al rank and prOperty arose front
injustice. There inidlit be eases o thrit kind :Joni,
speaking generally, these were the evidence of prudence
and self-denial, of painstaking and diligent attention to
businass' of honour and industry of those who had gone
before. What working Men had to do Wan ts follow up
that systern. Werkind Men theuld hot wire to le
partners with their masters. They might to expect a fair
day's wage for a fair day's werk, while the master took
all the sink of foreign Competition. With that slew he
joined the incumbent in wishing the society of the Lye
all snacess—• Miters!:
In the coarse oi ths evening instrumental music was
provided by a brass band, glees were sung, and recita-
tions were given.
A vote of thanks to the Chainnan closed the proceed-
ings.

before E. Hooper, Esq., Coroner, and a verdict of " Ac-
cidental death" was returned.
BREACH OF THE PF.ACE.—M the Petty Sessions, on
Wednesday last, before IL 0. Firmstone and F. W. G.
Bszrs, Lairs., Elijah Law and George Mogg, of Mack-
heath, were charged by Superintendent Mills with com-
mitting a breach of the peace by fighting, on the 1.7 E,
inst. Police.constahle Home proved the offence. De-
fendants pleaded guilty. Mogg was ordered to pay the
, corta, and Law woo ordered to pay is and coats; in de-
fault 11 days.
WARES Cam—Joseph Adams was summoned by
Joseph Morton for f I lie 34 alleged to be due. Com-
plainant said that he was engaged by the defendant at
piece-work, as a rGet maker, end that the above sum was
doe to him for work done. Defendant airman! the
. debt, and said that complainant owed him £1 OA, which
I was admitted by complainant. Defendant was ordered
to pay the balance, Is dd, and they were ordered to pay
the emits between them. ,
SERIOUS COARSE OF ASSAULT. Charles Nicholia,

collier, wasicharged by Eli Willetts with assaulting him
on the 15th inst. From the evidence of complainant it
appeared that both parties were colliers, and worked to-
gether. Defendant also keeps a rifle gallery. On the
above date they had been out together, drinking. On
returning home complainant went to the defendant's
house, and when there defendant, without any provoca-
tion, took up a rifle charged with paper and powder, and
discharged it in the face of complainant, inflicting a
wound on complainant's face. Defendant said that the
rifle went off accidentally, and eoprussed his regret, and
said that complainant had offered to make it up. On
complainant being asked by the Bench if 016 was &tie,
, she replied in the affirmative. The Dosch said it was a
very seriods offence, and defendant might hare been
, committed for trial; but as the complainant was willing
ho settle the matter, the Beneh would allow him to do
so. Defendant then paid the crate, and a day's loss of
: time to complainant.

HALESOWEN.
TEA MEETING.—The annual tea meeting weS heil on
Shrove Tuesday, in the Methodist New Connexion
Chapel, Halesowen, when the attembuice was consider- ,
ably larger than usual. After tea; Mr. Dudley was voted
to the chair, wlic, °vette,/ *be ptOceedings With Mime Per-
tinent and interesting remarks. Addreinies sietc else;
deliverist by the Be,. J. White, and Messrs. Prlee, Hol•
0911 WA Pardee. J. Jordan, of tamber Mill, and D. I
Readriqk, of Colley Oate, each care an excellent recite. I
Deal. The Meeting Was throttgb"out vac of the beat we :
have attended.
Tun LATE CASE Or ASSAULTING COUNTY COURT
BAILITFS.—At the Worcester Adjourned Sessions, on
Monday. last, before Sir 11. Lambert, Bart Charles
Hedge (H), nailer, was indicted toy aasault-
lag, with intent to do bodily harm, one John ilrearley,
on the 25th January last, at Halesowen. Brearley was a
County Court bailiff, and held a warrant from the Court
at Stourbridue for execution at the bowie of a Man
• named Holloway, when a crowd collected, and it was al-
leged prisoner struck prosecutor on the back of the bead
; with a hammer. Mr. Griffiths prosecuted ; Mr. Streeten
t defended. Prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to
I 12 months hard labour.

SIiIALIN4 A, StidleT.M the AMORreed WOreeeter
gesttioui, Mot) ay lual, before the Rev. 1. Pearstln,
William Wheeler (40), abhor, was Indicted tor stealing a
shirt, the property el Samuel Mason, at Ilalesoweti, OR
the 111.11 January lout—Mr. drilirths prose titetl.
ner was found guilty, and sentenced to seven years penal
servitude. Prisoner had several times been previously
convicted.

ALLEGED RODFIRRY.—At the Worcester adjourned Bea.
along, on Monday last, before the Itev. J. l'esrson Emily

Marshall, piies Itarlie±;",was inditted for strafing 13.'s
fret; the 1,..,m0n of Samuel 17hlte, at Itakin,yen; oh
the 12th January.—The evidence was by no means satis-
factory. and the jury acquitted the prisoner.
No Bich.— The Grand Jury, threw out a true bill, ,
against Thomas Slater, nailer, who was indicted for
stealing sweeds.
CanyinN To BiumoEss.—At the Petty Sessions,
oh Tuesday Dst, Fef,re Y. 001T4. Esors.,
‘7llllain Richard,, ba'ser, residing at lia:bory, was sum-
moned by Superintendent Overend for selling bread on
the 17th inst. to one George Swab, otherwise than by
weight. Police-constable Smith sail that on the above
date he went to the defendant's shop, and asked for a
sixpunny loaf. Defendant gave it to him without weigh-
in.,' it: Pefent'.nt; i. simerr tr. the tbasgo, alleged that
I the bread was weighed pre:io4 Li the enirhainAnt te-

ceiving it; bat altailted that it Walli not weig:lted in the
presence of compl..iliant. Ordered to pay costs.—Plia.be
Lau., was charged with a similar offence on the 18th inst.
Pleaded ninny. Ordered to ',ay costa.-B..phia
wai also charged for a similar offence. Pleaded guilty.
Ordered to pay costa.—William Gilbert was also charged
fur aullim bread on the 18th instant, to Angus Kennedy.
Defendant pleaded guilty, and was ordered to pay the
eobts.

CHARGE Op ASSAULT.—StIIIIIIei Withers, of talky, •
was charged by Jeremiah Brown with assaulting him on •
the lqtlt inst. Mr. Hoinfray defended. Complaivant
debt as he was emuifig frdm Iladlry Omen, oil Tuesday
last, he met with the defendant at Littley. Witness was
in company with a man named Bissell, and °theta. De-
fendaut ordered them to go back out of the field or he
would shoot them, and give them the contents of the
barrel of iris gall, which he had in his hands. lie dared
them to advance another step, telling them that if they
did he would shoot them. Defendant said there was no
road there.—Mr. Donau), cross-examined compl•tinant
to allow Mist there was no road, anil that complaimint
norild not have stimmoned the defendant but that he
( lefemlant) Woe going to PUlfillrOOS the complainant for
trespass. Tire Bench consi.h.red the ease a trivial one,
and dismissed it.—Alfred Withers was then elmrg.•.l by
Enoch Bia,ell with threatening to shoot him iiii the leth
inst. The ease Was similar to the above. Complainant
said that he Was a stranger, and was in the field in plea-
tiOß when the def..nilant threatened to shoot him. The
Bench said they did nit believe the defendant intended
to shoot them, and disinis the ease. Mr. Ilainfray
said that Mr. White had been severely beaten arid fee-
gnently assaulted by persons coming front a distance,
and that persons were continently trespassing on Mr.
Withers's land, and that he WAS being continually an-
noyed by thew.
STEALING A Duo—Joseph Wood and Samuel Bayliss
were charged with feloniously stealing a dog on the .11th
inst, the properly of Arthur Wright. Joseph West said
that he saw the defendants calling the dog, and trying to
take him away. Ultimately the dog went with them.
.heiepli Parsons proved that he saw the dog with the two
defendants. He called the dog, and it came into his
house, and he stint the door. Charles Wiliiam
snrgeon, proved that the dog was the property of Arnow
Wright, and that the dog had been out with hini Oil the
day it was stolen ; and stated that the dog was worth
three guineas. Mr. GO111: Three guineas! Why I
would not give threepence for him.—Mr. Illosham : The
dog cost one guinea as a whelp.—Mr. Gem said they
should di ,iniss Bayliss. As regards the other, they con-
sidered hint guilty. It had been stated that the dog was
Worth three gnineas; hut he (Mr. Gem) considered that
it was worth threepence, and he should order Wood to
pay a flue of lit ithe.value) and costs. lie would say
that defendant had rendered himself liable to a penalty
of fa), and he hoped it would be a caution to him in
Mare. If he came before them ugaiu they should have
no option but to send him to prison, an they could not
Sac him for a second offence, and the term of imprison..
intent was eighteen months. Defendant left this dock
SSA ing he would not do it again.
*SUMMONS AGAINST TRH Srotiunntnews RAILWAY COM-
PANY FOR NON PAYMENT OF POOR RATES. —The propri.
etiirs of the above railway were summoned for non.pay-
ment of poor-rates. There eats no one present to defend
the conipany. Samuel Dellieridge said that he was
Overseir of the Township, and that the company was
indebted to the triwnship Lhl.ss, for two rates for Rowley
Station. 'They hail not paid him, but had referred him
to Immlon. Au order was made for the autount to be
paid, and costs.