The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-10-29 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

DRUNKENNIB3.—At the Police Court on Wed-
nes:lay, before Messrs. W. Bassano and C. Hol-
croft., Joshua Raybculd, chainmaker, of Quarry
Bank, was charged with being drunk in the high
way on the Mhinst. Polico-const,ible Tytherley
stated that the defendant was drunk in the New
Road, Cradles Heath, and he was fined 2s 6d and
costs.—Joseph Parkes, kstone dresser, Halesowen
Road, Blackheath, was charged with being drunk
and disorderly on the 24th inst. Police-constables
Rowlands and. Frost stated that they were passing
the defcndant's house when they heard the de-
fendant quarrelin,; will his wife. The defendant,
who was "beastly drunk", threw a knife at his
wife. They took hiu into custody. Mr. Ba,ssano
said the • defendant was a very riotous man,
and had been convicted several times. Police-vr-
geant Cooper B,id the defendant was a misery to
his wife. Defe,)dant : Don't say that, Mr. Cooper;
don't make it worse than what it is against me.
Bassano :He cannot make it worse. Defend-
ant : Give me one more trial, gentlemen. Mr.
BEl.sano : We shall commit you to prison for a
m lath, without the.option of a fine, and if you
come here again we shall treat you with very great
sevcrily.--James Ward, collier, of Netherton, was
fined 2s and costs for being drunk in Garratt's
Lane, Old Hill, on the 22nd inst.

BREACH OF THE PEACE.—Thomas Barnsley Nock
and Josiah Barnsley Nock, chainmakers. of Lloyd's
Green, Cradlpy, and John Hampton, chainmaker,
of Cradley Heath, were charged with committing
a breach of the peace by fighting on the 15th inst.
—Police-constables Mouni ford and Ty therley
stated that at twelve o'clo..k at mid-night the de-
fendants were fighting together in a field adjoin-
ing Garratt's Lane, at Cradley Heath. There was
a ring formed for the purpose and a crowd cf
about 50 persons standing round.—Defendants
were bound over, in their own recognisances of
£lO, to keop the peace for three months.
OBSCENE LANGUAGE. James Houghton, of
Blackheath, was summoned for using obscene
language in the highway on the 18th inst. Police-
constable Lightfoot proved the case and defendant
was fined 2s 6d and costs, or, in default, seven
days.—Edwin Payne, rivet maker, High Street,
Blackheath, was summoned for a similar offence, on
the same date. Police-constable Lightfoot proved
the offence Police-sergeant Cooper said that the
practice of using obscene language was on the in-
crease at Blackheath, and was becoming a great
nuisance to respectable people passing through the
streets. Defendant was fined 5s and costs, with
the alternative of fourteen days' imprisonment.
John Neale, of Blackheath was fined 10s including
costs for being guilty of a similar offence on the
10th inst.

A COAL STEALER SENT TO GoAL.—Benjamin
Smith (45). labourer, of Gorsty Hill, was summoned
by James Baker for stealing a quantity of coal the
property 01 Messrs. Swindell and Collis, on the
18th inst.—Police-constable Lighfoot said that at
about 4.30. on the afternoon of the 18th just, he
saw the prisoner ta,,e 601bs. weight of coal from
the pits belonging to Messrs. Swindell and Collis.
—Mr. Turner said that the value of the coal was
4d. He wished to press the case against the man
to make an example of bim. Because they had
been so lenient .in the matter the coal stealers
aought they could do it with impunity It was
nt only the valu3 of the coal that was taken but
considerable damage wus done to the fences,
Prisoner, who was committed for fourteen days in
August last for stea:ing beef, was now committed
to hard labour for two months.

OBSTRUCHON.-Philip Wooldridge, ehainmaker,
of the Lye, wa, charged with obstructing the free
passage of the highway on the 14th of June, 1880.
—Police-constable Wickstead stated that the de-
fendar t was tall', g part in a pigeon flying match,
which took place at Beau:y Bank, Old
was fined 6a and celsts (16s 6d).

MEEIING OF NAILERS AT HALESOWEN.

A meeting of nailers was held at the Star Inn,
Halesowen, on Monday ; Mr. Price presiding.
Delegates were present from Halesowen, Lye Waste
Oldswinford, Old Hill, Rowley, Blackheath, Long
Lane, Haysich, Netherton, ltc.
The Chairman, in his opening remarks, stated
that he was pleased to see the attendance of
Councillor W. S. Days and Mr. Chas. Williams,
jun., and he trusted the advice they gave would be
followed. He pointed out the absolute necessity of
combination in the future as the only means of
retaining their privileges.
Councillor Davis dwelt at some length on the
benefits of unionism and gave, in a most striking
manner, illustrations showing that healthy com-
binations of working men not only proved of
incalculable benefit to the men themselves, but
tended to bring about a better understanding
between employer and employed.
Mr. Williams, in a vigorous speech, urged the
delegates to extend their operations, and leave
nothing undone to improve the conditions under
which they laboured. Ile indicated the course they
should pursue, and pointed. out that the efforts of
all well-regulated organisations were devoted to the
extinction and not creation of those unhappy con-
flicts they had 8) painfully experienced.
Mr. Price then called on each of the delegates to
give in his rep )rt, and they all stated that their
respective districts were favourable to a general
amalg imation.
After a long &tate, it was moved by Mr- Hackett
(Halesowen), and seconded by Edward Hadley
(Blackheath), "That the meeting be adjourned
until that day fortnight,. at Mr. Chapman's, Halos_
owen Street, Blackheattt , the delegates in the mean;
time to report to their districts."
It was moved by Mr J. Hill (Oldswinford),,
seconded by Mr. J. Hackett (Old Hill), and carried
unanimously, " That a hearty vote of thanks be
accorded Messei. Davis and Williams, jun., for their
at eiadance at this meeting.
A vote:of thanks to the chairman concluded the
meeting