The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-02-07 00:00:00

Pgat attb gistrict et u.

LIBERAL ABSOCIATION.—The annual meeting of
this association was held at the institute Lecture
Reom, on Saturday evening last. Mr. J. B. Shep-
herd presided, and in addressing the meeting
explained the steps which were being taken with
the view of securing the candidature of two Liberals
for East Worcestershire at the general election. The
resolution carried at a meeting at Droitwich, in
December, affirmed the desirability of the polling
districts organisieg themselves and taking steps
with a view to united action for carrying two
Liberal candidates; and it was resolved that a
meeting of representatives of the different districts
should shortly be held in furtherance of the matter.
The names of Mr. W. H. Gladstene and Mr. G. W.
Hastings have, since been mentioned in connection
with to proposed efforts of the Liberals to regain
their seats. Mr. C. Evers moved that the follow-
ing gentlemen be elected repres .ntatives of the
Stourbridge Association at the meeting to be held
at Droitwieh : Messrs. J. B. Shepherd, C. Cochrane
G. Green, G. K. Harrison, F. Evers, W. H. King,
J. Cartwrig t, C. E. Swindell, and M. Palfrey. Mr.
G. Pert), seconded the motion, which was carried.
On the motion of Mr. C. Cochrane, seconded by Mr.
G. Green, Mr. Shepherd was re elected president
of the Stourbridge Association. Messrs. C. Coch-
rane, G. Gretn, H. Hughes, H. Billinghatn, Rev.
J. Richards, and Rev. D. Maginnis were elected vice.
presidents; Mr. U. Perry, treasurer; M. M.
Palfrey, secretary; and as the committee the
ewin, :—Mesers. J. Woolley, J. Low , W. H.
kwo.a.C. Evers,..W. Lewis, jun., J. T. Short,
W. Thomas, J. carte/right, J. Fawkes, G. Ii Per-
kin, G. Litchfield, J. ragett, E. Cooke, T. E.
Sou .hall, and C. Mills. The President, in u.taw i•nv
attention to the election of delegates to the NationZ
Federation of Liberal Associations, remerked on the
value and usefulness of meetings which he had at-
tended in Birmingham, and said though it was sup-
posed they were very hot Radicals in Birmingham,
and dangerous to go near, he had not found any-
thing of the kind, and he regarded their discussious
as eminently practical and sensible. Mr. G. Green.
proposed the President, Secretary, and Rev. D
Maginnis as representatives of the Stourbridge
Association at tho meetings of the National Feder-
a, ion of Liberal Associations. Mr. C. Evers
seconded the moion, which was carried, and the
proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the
President.
LETTS'S PoPuLAR ATLAS.—We fully endorse
Messrs. Letts's claim to have produced a work
en'itling them justly to use the above title, for they
have given us in their first part our money's worth
most liberally. The maps are clear' the points of
interest selected are judicious, and, as far as we have
tested, the geographical accuracy is Equally satis-
factory. A good useful map of the world, show-
ing the British Empire at a glance, with the
telegraphic system of the whole univer-e before his
ears, must be useful to any Englishman; and if he
area to follow Stanley or Major Pinto into Central
Af;ica, or Captain Nordenskjold round the nerth
coast of Asia, he can do so, and find es en this new
ground well prepared for him. We wish the pub-
li4hers every success, the more so as they have
vtntured on,untrodden ground in cffering such a
work at so lew a price to the " English-speaking
c )mtrei lity throughout the wold , as sevenpence
pr pa t, which their well-arranged schedule of
priz-s ought materially to benefit.
VICTORIA HALL AND RINK—.t this well-knowa
and highly appreciated place of amusement there
will take place on Wedne.day and Thursday even-
ings next a name•e- of :ft",3 the rollers for
valuable medals. On liednesday there will be a
half-mile steeplechdse handiclp and a half-nai!e
handicap for boys under 14
a quaiter-mile
On Thurtday there
will be a half-mile handicap and
ch
backward race.
I,V
CRIIRCE OF ENGLAND ASSOCIATION.—, beg
to
call the attention of our readers to an advert •
ment in tha front page referring to the eweeip
&inn in corie..Von of the above Association
takes place in the Corn Exchange, on Tuesday
evening next. A number of well-known amateurs
have very kindly consented to give their services
ces
tnd there is no doubt the affair will, as usual, prove
successfnl. Our distinguished townsman, tir.
fhe accompanyist.
STRzirrow(ht Mulch

I

morning, a fire broke out on premises known as
the " Wheat Sheaf Inn," Goventry Street, in the
occupation of Mr. Thomas Moody. 'lhe property
attacked was the roaand chimney. Being an old
house there has been apparently a con iderable
quantity of wood used in its structure, especially
in the shape of beams running into chimneys and
flues. It is surmised that some of thes,-; took fire,
and, ass'sted by a small accumulation of soo‘,
caused the alarm experienced by the inhabitants
of the house. On discovering the fire the alarm
was given and in two minutes the Fire Brigade,
under the command of Lieutenant Ford and Super-
intendent Williams, arrived. Hose having beon
attached to a hydrant near, two jets of water were
speedily direct( d with good effect to the seat of fire.
Great praise is due to the Brigade for their prompt
attendance. Should there have been any delay
in getting to work, no doubt the whole
building would have been burnt to the ground.
The property, which belongs to Mrs. Brown, is
insured.
CHARGE AGAINST A LICENSED VICTUALLER-At
the Police-cow t, yesterday, before Col .nel Fletcher
and Mr. R. L.Freer, Edward Mills, licensed victualler
was charged with being drunk in the public streets,
on the night of the 27th ult. Police-sergeant Jones
said that on the above date defendant was drunk and
wanted to get into the Foster Street School, on the

_
thy of the election, and witness had to put him out.
Police-constable Cross and Superintendent Wheeler
corroborated.' De fendant was further charged with
be:ng drunk on the 4th inst. Police-constable Wil-
liams proved the case and said he found defendant
lying on his backl.A man picked him up, and placed
him against the wall. Defendant complained of the
illtreatment he had received, at the hands of the
_

police, while in tre cell, He was got down and the
officer put his Knee on his chest, and he was black
and blue all over, be had befla in Stourbridge for
48 years, and never been summoned before, Fuel 2s.
6d. and costs in each case.

DRUNKENNESB.—Henry Littlewood, of the Lye,
was charged with being drunk at the Lye. Police-
sergeant Payne proved the case, and also proced live
previous convictions. Fined lOs and costs, 19s.—
George Childs was charged with being drunk at
the Lye, on the 31st ult. Sergeant Payne proved the
_ _ _ _
ease.

Fined 2s 6:1 and costs. —Joh-n Pi-trdoe was

charged with being drunk at Oldswinford, on the
3rd inst. Police-constable Eaves proved the case.
Fined 2s
_6d and costs.—Edward Perrens was charged

with being drunk and incapable on the lst,
Police-constable Cross pr,-ved the case. Fined 2s 6cl
and costs. John Clews, of the Lye, was charged
with being drunk and disorderly on the 31st ult.
Police-constable Widdows proved the env. Fined
2s and costs. Elias Cartwright was charged with
being drunk and disorderly at the Lye, on the 3rd
inst.—Police-sergeant Payne proved the offence.
Fined 5s and costs. —,Joseph Dudley was charged
,vith being drunk at the Lye. Police-constable
Widdows proved the ease. Fined ss.
SUNDAY TRADING. - John Perks was charged
with trading on a Sunday, on the Ist inst. Police-
constable iewson said he s.aw a little girl come out
of defendant's shop with astick of suck, for which
she paid a half-penny.
,Withdrawn on payment of
ck,sts. William Weaver, Wollaston, and Ann Cutler.
C.,&ch Street, Stourbridge, were ordered to pay'
costs for similar offences.

CAUTION TO eARTERS. Philip Hodgkiss was
charged with allowing a cart to stand on the road
longer than is allowed. Superintendent Wheeler
and Police-constable Aladefey proved the case.
Fined is 6d.—David Shaw, of the Lye, ;..was fined
7s 6d for a similar off ere.
OBSCENE LANGUAGE —Walter Dovey was charged
with using obscene language in Market StreA, on
the night of the 31st ult. Mr. Waldron defended.
_ _

Police--constable Cross proved the offence and said
defendant was kicking at Mr. Young's door. Mr.
Waldron, for the defence, denied that defendant
made use of bad language, and called a Mr. Brice
who said he was wi h defendant in Market Street,
and he deried that defendant made use of bad lan-
guage. Fined 5s and costs) in default 14 days.
CHIMNEY ON FIRE.—Mr. G. W. Prescott waS soul-
moped by Superintendent Wheeler for having his
chimney on fire, on the 28th ult. Police-constable
Williams and Superintendent Wheeler proved the
case. Mr. Prescott for the defence, contended that
as the police were not acting under the Commis-
sioners the Bench had no jurisdiction, and call,d a
witness named Rider, who said he was silting in the
room and the fire appeared to have been fresh lit;
and there was no appearance of so )t The Magis-
trates said it was a proper case to bring before them
and from the evidence given there was a doubt in
the case and gave the defendant the benefit of the
doubt and dismissed the summons.
CHARGE OF STEALING IRoN.—John Leivesoa (11),
was charged with steaiing on the 21st ult, a quantity
of iron the property of the Great Western Railway
Company. Richard Goburgh, platelayer, proved
that he saw the prisoner run away with the iron
and drop it down. Ordered to receive 6 strokes
with the birch rod, and cautioned that if he cwe
beiora them again i R
iaey :mould sena aim to a e -
formatory.—Susan Weymuth (13), and Amy Griffin
(11) were charged with stealing iron the property of
the Railway Company. William J. Payne, plate-
layer- proved the case against Weyrnuth. Fined
ss. to include costs.
DRUNK AND D,SORDERLY.—George Ev ins was
charged wi h being drunk and disorderly at Wollas-
ton on the sth inst. Police.constable Cartwright
proved the case. Discharged on promising to leave
the town at once.
CHARGE OF STEALING A Box.—George Sharp (11),
John Minton (10), and Harry Smith (18), were
charged with stealing a wood box on the 4:h
just, the property of William Yardley. Prosecutor
identified the box as his property.- Pleaded guilty.
Sharp and Minton were sentenced to receive six
strokes with the birch rod, and Smith was fined
lOs and costs,
CHARGE AGAINST A COLLIERY PitOPRIEToR.—
Gsorge Henry Timmins, colliery pioprietor, was
summoned at the instance of Mr. 13 die:, Mines
Inspector, for that he did not comply with the Mine's
Regulation Act, on the 2nd October. Mr. Walker,
of Wolverhampton, appeared for the complainant,
ad Mr. Perry for defendant. Mr. Walker, in open-
ing the case, said the proceedings were taken under
sec. 20. On the above date Mr. Scott, Deputy
Inspec:ororisited the defendant's works, and found
an accident or-cured in the pit. Mete were no means
getting them rut according to the Mine's :Regulation
Act, and called the first wi:ness William B. Scott,
As-istaut InTector of Mines for South "Staflordshire,
said on the 2nd October he viste,i the defendant's
colliery. He asked him what available means he
had to get men out of the mine in case of accident.
He said he had nothing in use, or ready fer use.
There were two shafts in front of the winding engine
Dime was bu-, one drum, lie drew Mr. Tinimis's
attention to sec. 20, which was made January, 1878.
Tnere had been nothing done to supply the de-
ficiency. Mr. Perry ad iressed the Bench ani maid
'lie should ISDOST as a fact that there was on the premises
a loose 4-in winch and rope for the means of lower-
men in case of an accident. Elie question put by
Mr, Scott to Mr. Timmis, reveals trait the authoiLies
were seeking to enforce what he maintains the Act
of Parliament did not reqtere. The se.ti .n did not
show that every man should li .ve two apparatus: s on
each shaft. The defendant was sworn an 1 said the
winch was on the growl 1, and a r..pe connected
with the apparatus for the use of lower.ng men in
ease of an accident. The winch cou:d be worked by
manual power. It would take 14 minutes to get it
ready or work. It had been on the premises about
I two years. 'lhe Bench sail :he tuesiion was one of
very great importance, and they were not ut present
able to decide up in it without having further evi-
dence. The case was adjourned until the 12th of
March.

PITCH AND Toss.—William Taylor was ehaugcd•
with playing at pitch and toss at Woilescate, on th.,
Ist inst. Police-sergeant Payne proved tho
Fined Is. and costs, an default 7 days.
A LOVERS QUARREL.-ThoMtiB Bennett was
chargedawith assaulting Lemaday Petry on the 27th
ult. From tne evedence of complaina..t it appeared
they both worked at Mes,rs. Timmis's Clay Works,
and were :for,-nerly lovers, but complainant had
another young man and the defendant another young
woman. The defendant struck complainant on tt.e
mouth, and cut her lip into two. Fined 2s. Gcl and
costs.