The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-08-10 00:00:00

HALESOWEN.

REJOICINGS AMONG Via SAILMAKERS.—Last Monday
WAS obseived as a day of jollity and mirth by the nail
-
makers of Spring Hill and the surrounding neighbour•
hood, as was the previous Monday by the inhabitants of
Islington, in consequence of the recent advance in the
lint prices for nails, New Street was profusely decorated
with garlands, banners, evergreens, crowns, crosses, and
other devices, which had • pleasing effect. Some of the
banners bore inscriptions Sual as, "Mr. Ball and John
Price for ever," " Success to the nail trade," S:c. It was
intended that tea should be provided in the open street,
but the weather was so unfavouraqle that that part of the
day's programme had to be abandoned, and the day was
ended with mirth, glee, and conviviality under cover.
TRANSPER.—At the Police Court, on Tuesday, before
liliniere. E. Moore and E. Gem, the following transfer
took place : The Cross Gunn Inn, Birminghamutreet,
Halesowen, from Joseph Beach, sen., to Jcvieph Beach,
jun.
ASSAULT CASE.—John Williams Was charged With As-
saulting Joseph Hodgetts, on the 21st ult. Mr. Shake-
speare appeared for complainant. This case came on at
the last Court, but was adjourned for a fortnight to rush ,e
Williams to obtain witnesses. Complainant said he was
a labourer, at Bristenhall Fields, and he bad been friends
with defendant for BOMA time. On the above date he we
defendant outside David Hodgetts' public-house, and they
went in and had AOO2O drink together. They bad some
conversation, and defendant struck him and gave him two
black eyes. Witness did not strike defendant back. De-
fendant said complainant struck at him first, and be then
hit him back. Witneeses were called on behalf of Wil-
hams, and after hearing their evidence, the Bench fined
defendant 2s lid and costs.
RAPE CASE.--lhowas Webster, Foley Billingham, and
William Manden were charged with assaulting Ellen Hill,
widow, en the 4th inst, at Homeley, with intent to car-
nally know her, contrary to the statute. Mr. Shakespeare
defended prisoners. After hearing the evidence, which
was of a most disgusting nature, the Bench committed
prisoners to take their trial at the next Worcester Ses-
sions. . . .

STEALING TooLs.—Edward Harris, of Cleht, wheel-
wright, was charged with stealing two augurs on the 15th
ult. at Hulesowee, the property uf Wihiam Green. Mr.
Shakespeare appeared for the prisoner. This case, oar
readers will recollect, was adjoin ned from the last Court
day for the purpose of having the evidence of Police-con.
stable Hall, the officer from the Cleat district. Police.
constable Hall said from information received on the 15th
tilt he went to the prisoner's Louse at Lieut. He asked
prisoner to let him look at the two augurs he had in the
shop the week before. Prisoner said, You can't have
them; 1 have soil, them to Birniingharm- Ile said,
said, Old Green would not have trouLled about them if
I had went and finished his trap." Witness then asked
him if he world let him go to Lis shop and look at his
basket. They went to the shop, and prisoner gave him
the augurs produced. He then gave them to Police.
constable Knowles. Cross examined : 1 have told every-
thing 1 know relating to this case. lam the man that
took a piece of board with a hole bored in it. I went
there and said, Have you got au augur that would bore
• hole this size ? ' I did not say I limited to put it in a
cooler that size. I believe William Taylor was there. In
the presence of William Taylor I did not say I wanted
to put it in a cooler. Prisoner told me he had some au-
gurs. He did not attempt to conceal anything. I went
along with him to the public-houne. I did not want to
, borrow the augur for any own use. It was with a view to
catch the man that I had theta—Mr. Moore : Is that
your duty to go and trap a man ?—Officer: No, sir.—
Cross-examination continued: I never spoke to Mr.
Green in my life. Police-constable Knowles brought me
the board to my place. This is not my district. I stayed
in the public-house about ten minutes, and we had one
pint of ale before we found the augurs, and three pints
after. I will not say that the prisoner had any ale with
us. I will not swear that he did not have any ale. I did
not know that Mr. Green had paid for the drink. All the
drink had been paid for by the next morning.—The Bench
did not consider that there wa; sufficient evidence against
prisoner, and dismissed the case.
STEALING PlGEONl3.—William Walker was charged by
George Smith with stealing six pigeons, his property, on
the 17th ult, at Kalesowen. Mr. Shakespeare defended
prisoner. Prosecutor said he lived at Lapel, and was a
labourer. On the lfith of July he had thirteen Ogee--
safe in his shop, but on the following morning .
them were gone. Be had seen two of the birds niece.
Those produced were his, and he could swear to them
from certain marks.—Eli Shilvock, labourer, said he ez•

changed two pigeons with prisoner for the two produced.
—Poiice•constable Budge proved apprehending prisoner,
and charged him with the offence, towhieh he replied
that he did not steal them.—Prisoner was committed to
take his trial at the neat Worcester Sessions.