The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-07-11 00:00:00

THJ STOTTRPRIDGE OBSFIRVER.

which its purauit is sturounded, invest with
much interest the report of the Royal Com-
mission on Unseaworthy Ships, which lit
just been presented to Parliament. The
Commissioners do not recommend that any-
thing should be done which would be calcu-
lated to diminish the responsibility either of
the shipowner or of the captain and crew.
They believe that the power already in ex-
ist once, of inspecting alleged unseaworthy
vessels, ought to be effectual in bringing the
careless owner to his senses. They point out
that during the past nine months 286 ships
have been surveyed, of which 256 were
found to be unseaworthy. The Commission-
ersagree that with the knowledge that their
vessels are thus liable to a close inspection,
shipowners will take increasing pains to
make sure that their ships can standthe
severe scrutiny to which they are now liable,
even without such an alteration of the law
as that demanded by Mr. Plimsoll. The
Commissioners are also of opinion that the
abolition of compulsory pilotage will have
some effect in bringing before owners a
sense of their obligation to engage good sea-
men in preference to those who are cheap
and incompetent. Neglect and incapacity
on the part of the captain and crew are
oftener the cans" of the destruction of the
ship than its unseaworthy character or its
defective stowage. Instead of special legis-
lation, the report recommends the remodel-
ling of the marine department of the Board
of Trade, the increase of its nautical staff,
and an alteration of the system of offical in-
quiry into casualties which have happened
at sea. The employment of unskilled shore
hands is strongly deprecated, and the com-
missioners think that men who neglect to
keep a sharp lookout at sea ought to be more
amenable to summary punishment than
under the existing system. An entire
change in the principle of marine insurance
is suggested ; but with regard to the restric-
tion of deck loads and the marking of load
lines in ships, the report declares that there
are difficulties in the way of making hard
and fast rules.
Whatever be the conclusion to which Par-
liament may arrive whether to sanction the
more stringent legislation demanded by Mr.
Plimsoll, or enforse the laws already in exis-
te cc, as recommended by the Royal Com-
missioners—the public will expect that
adequate protection shall be extended to our
Maritime population. The attention of the
entire people has been called to this question
in a way w Melt will leave Parliament no
alternative but to give more heed to the
matter than it has hitherto thought fit to be-
stow. We hear of the representation of
classes in the House of Commons; we know
how the landed interest, the capitalist, the
connections of the peerage, the brewer, the
shipowner, and lately even the working men's
member—all find their way into our great
national council. But while the whole of
our political life upon the land is continually
organising and preparing for electoral con-
flicts our sailors are ascending the giddy
mast, running lightly from yard to yard as
the angry tempest is howling through the
hrouds, and treading the deck of a ship
which is being tossed upon the surface of
the tempestuous sea. Poor Jack has no
time for political organization, or for wire
pulling; yet glance at your breakfast or your
dinner table and ask where would your luxu-
ries and comforts be without his hard and in
many cases poorly-requited labour. Tea
from China, cocoa from Mexico, coffee from
Arabia, sugar front the Indies, bread made
from corn imported from Russia, preserved
meat from Australia, Champagne, Burgundy,
and Claret from France, Hock and Johan-
nisberg from Germany—these and a vast
number of other articles of daily consunp-
tion would be utterly unknown in our island
homes but for the work of the sailor, who,
out of sight is apt to be forgotten. We
have now an opportunity of showing that
we appreciate his services, and it ought not
to pass without being made the most of.

were not, as was popularly supposed, originally
gifts from the State, but were the bequests of
pious nobles and others, and consequently were
the private property of the Church, with which
the State had no more right to interfere than it
had with the patrimony of any private gentle-
man.—The usual votes of thanks brought the
meeting to a close.
DRUNK AND INCIPABLE.—At the Petty Ses-
sions held yesterday, before Colonel Fletcher,
Job Bache was charged with being drunk on the
9th inst. Police-constable Jackman proved that
he found the defendant lying on the ground at
Churchill, drunk. He woke him up, and he be-
came very violent. Defendant did not recollect
anything about it. Fined 2s 63 and costs.
1 DAMAGING Rya.—Edward Ostins was charged
with wilfully damaging a qaantity of rye on the
2r.d inst, the property of Walter Webb. in.
Furey said that he saw the defendant, with four-
teen others, go through the field. More than Cl
damage had been done, but the defendant and
I others damaged rye to the amount of 15s. He
would swear that defendant damaged is worth.
Fined 2s 6d, Is damage, and costs; in default
seven days.
WILFUL DAMAGF. John Merchant was
charged nitk wilfully damaging a fence, on the
2ad Mat, the property of George Doody. Ellen
Doody proved that she saw the defendant in the
garden, breaking down a cherry tree. When lie
saw her, defendant got over a fence. George
Doody proved that the damage done amounted
to lid ; but he did not wish to press the case.
He was obliged to take proceedings, as he had
been very much robbed. Fined is and costs,
and 6d damage.
CAUTION TO OWNERS OF DOGS—Christopher
Pain and William Norris were fined is each, for
allowing their dogs to be at large.
ASSAULT CASE.—ThOIDRS Taylor was charged
with assaulting Samuel Bristow. on the Ist inst.
Mr. Addison uefended. Complainant, a youth,
said that he went to John Taylor's shop, at
Messrs. Firmstone and McEweu's, to ask for
work. He told him to come next morning, and
was going away, when the defendant followed
him and struck him on the ear. The defendant
afterwards struck him several times, and kicked
him. He had to be carried home, and Dr.
Campbell was sent for. He bad several fits.
Did not have fits before. After some conversa-
tion, the case was withdrawn by giving the de-
fendant 103, awl paying costs—XL 103 6.
DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Noah Hill Was
charged with being drunk and disollflerly, on the
find inst. Police-constable Webb proved the
case. Fined Is and costs.

TRANSFERS. —At the Petty Sessions, yester-
day, before Colonel Fletcher and Mr. R. L.
Freer, the following transfers took place :—The
Nag's Head Inn, New-street, Stourbridge, from
John Benjamin Chance to George Tomlins ; the
Crown Inn, Enville-street, from John Hill to
John Lawrence.