The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-03-19 00:00:00

Nocal aub istrict

TIM MESSIAH.—On Wednesday evening, the
Stourbridge Choral Society performed Handers
sacred oratorio, The Messiah, to a not very numer-
ous but appreciative audience. The principal
Artistes were Mrs. Bellamy (soprano), Miss
Blower (contralto), Mr. H. J. Bywater (tenor), and
Messrs. C. Perks and Fred Walker (bassos). Tha
Band and Chorus consisted of 150 performers.
Considering the work as a whole we were greatly
disappointed with the utter lack of ;unanimity and
precision displayed by the Chorus, with but two or
three exceptions, in the rendering of the portion
allotted to them of this grand oratorio. The
sopranos were exceedingly weak, both in point of
numbers and in the upper register of their vkic( s.
Without finding fault needle:s'y we would remind
them that the prouunciation ot thc word govern-
ment is government, not "goverment," as we heard
it on Wednesday night ; and the omission of the
top "A" in the chorus "He trusted in God," is
hardly compatible with the manner in which the
music is written. One thing, however, to be said
in their favour, as well as the other parts, is that
the time was rather fast for the proper rendering of
the numerous runs which occur throughout the
whole work, and to such an extent was this per:
ceptible that at times the whole chorus was in such
confusion that it was impossible to follow the
singing even with a book. The solos assigned to
Mrs. Bellamy, Miss Blower. and Mr. C. Perks were
well rendered. We must, however, especially
mention the tenor solos by Mr. Bywater, which
were highly appreciated; also the basso solos
"Why do ye Nations" and "The Trumpet shall
Sound,"by Mr. Fred Walker, were unanimously
received and applauded, especially the former,
which did not suffer from the efforts of the Band
to be heard above the soloist, and which, in a
gbreat degree,.tended to spoil the effect of the latter
solo. We trust that the promoters of the concert
will not suffer pecuniarily by the Hall not being
so wellilfiiled as we wish it had been, but we have
no doubt counter attractions helped to bring
about the moderate attendance.

ANNUAL IN SP ECTION OF THE POLICE. —On
Thursday afternoon Colonel Cobbe made his annual
inspection of the men of the Stourbridge Division
and Kidderminster Sub division, which consisted of
Superintendent Wheeler, 4 sergeants, and 21 con-
stables. The Colonel examined the various books
in the offices, and inspected the cells, after which
Superintendent Weeeler put the men through a
nnmber of drills. They were also drilled by the
county officer, Sergeant-Major Perry, of Worcester.
At the close Colonel Cobbe expressed his satisfaction
and approval with all he had seen. From our own
personal inspection we are bound to say that the
vessels, cells, &c. were everything that could be de-
sired for cleanliness, great improvement being made
by taking out the old firegrates and heating the
cells by means of hot water pipes.
THE FORTHCOMING AGRICULTURAL SELO w.—A
meoting of the Local Committee in connection with
the above show was held at the Talbot Hotel,
yesterday. Among the additional subscriptions
announced was one from the Earl of Dudley £95
and one from Mr. Charles Swindell for £2O. The
total subscriptions of the present amounts to .to
lls Od. A letter was read from the Water Works
Company giving the use of the water for the Show
DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.—At the Police Court,
on Saturday last, before Mr. J. E. Swindell, Thos.
Brooks, labourer, of Wollaston, was charged with
being drunk and disorderly? Police-constable
Cartwright proved the ease. Fined 5s and costs.
Defendant was further charged with wilfully
damaging a tub in the cell. Police-constable Wa-
Lams proved that the damage done amounted to 2s.
The officer stated that defendant was very disor-
derly and they had to take his boots off. Fined 2s
the damage and costs.—John McDonald was charged
with being drunk on the 11th inst. Sergeant Junes
proved the case. Fined 5s and costs.
DRUNKENNESS.—At the Police Curt, yesterday,
before Colonel Fletcher, Messrs. F. Evers and R. L.
Freer, Joseph Bateman was charged with being
drunk at Clent. on the lath inst. Police-constable
Wallace proved the case. Fined 2s 6d and costs.—
William Rose was charged with beim:,e' drunk and
incapable in the public streets, on the 10th inst.
Police-constable Cartwright proved the case, Fined
2s 6d and costs.—Joseph Southall was charged with
being drunk and incapable at the Lye, on the 12th
inst. Police-constable Paynter proved the case.
Fined 5s and costs.—Patrick Gibbons was fined Os
and costs for being drunk and disorderly at the
Heath, on the 17th inst. Police-constable Turner
proved the case.—Samuel Baker, of Wollescote, was
charged with being drunk on the 12th inst. p.B.
Payne proved the case. Fined 2s 6d and costs.—
Charles Perks was charged with being drunk on the
12th inst. The case was proved and also three
previous convictions. Fined 108 and costs.—Wm.
Wallace was charged with being drunk on the 12th
inst. Fined 2s 6d and costs. —James Southall, of
Cradley, was charged with being drunk on the 12th
Inst. Police-constable Clarke proved the case and
defendant was fined 2s 6d and costs.—Henry Griffin
was fined 5s and costs for being drunk and disor-
derly at Bellbroughton, on the 11th inst. Police.
constable Po, le p:oved the case —Joseph Thornton
and John Wattison were charged with being drunk
in the public streets, on the 15th inst. Police-con-
stable Paynter proved the cases. Defendants were
each fined 5s including costs.
DRUNK AND REFUSING TO QUIT.— Willie, 111 Line'-
ley was charged with being drunk and refusing to
quit the Holly Bush Inn, Coventry Street, on the
11th inst. The landlord and Police-sergeant Jones
proved the case, and defendant was fined 56 and
costs.—John Cooper was charged with refusing to
quit the Bell Inn, Wollescote, on the 12th inst.
The landlord and Police-constable Jewson proved
the case. Fined 5s and costs.
ON LICENSED PREMISES DURING PROHIBITED
HOURS.—John Bevan was fined 5s and costs for
being at the Holly Bush during prohibited how s on
the 10th inst. Sergeant Herman and Police-con-
stable Williams proved the case.
NON-PAYMENT OF POOR RATES. -- Thirty-four
persons residing at the Lye, were summoned for
non-payment of poor rates, and orders were made
on them.:
, PERMITTING DRUNKENNESS . —W. J. Hutchings,
landlord of the Holly Bush Inn, Coventry Street,
was tined 50s and costs, for permitting drunkenness
on the 13th inst. Police-constable Webb proved
the cas,-.

Timyr.—Ellen Martin, hawker. of Cornwall, was
charged with stealing a plated table fork, the pro-
perty of William John Hutchings, landlord of the
Holly Bush Inn, Stourbridge. Prosecutor said
that the prisoner was in his house on the 12th inst
and after she had gone out be missed the fork.—
Mr. Perkin proved seeing the fork fall out of her
basket %%hilst she was standing by his shop and
giving it to Police-sergeant Jones.—Police-sergeant
Jones proved apprehending pri-oner Who denied
stealing the fork and said she had it given her. It
took four policenhn to take her to the station and
the, language she used was dreadful. She IA a 3 vety
drunk.—Prisouer pleaded that she had the fork
given to her and did not steal it.—As prisoner had
been in custody for nearly a week the Bench thought
she had suffered enough to meet:the case and dis-
charged her.

HIGHWAY OFFENCE —George Morris, of Cleat,
was charged with allowing two donkeys to stray
on th,3 highway on Sunday last. Police-constable
Wallace proved the case. Withdrawn on payment
of 6s 6d and costs.--Edward Morris was charged
with a similar offence on Sunday last, Police-con-
stable Wallace proved the case. Ordered to pay
6s 6d costs.

CHARGE OF THREATENING, Benjamin Daven-
port was charged with using threatening language
to William llarbage, on the 14th. From the
evidence of complainant it appears that both partiee
live at Bell End. On the above date defendant
came home drunk and threatened to kill him and
turn him out of the house. Defendant has often
threatened him, and was afraid that be would do
him some bodily harm. Two witnesses were called
to corroborate the complainant. DVenda,nt admit-
ted that he wai the worse for beer and did not
recollect what took place, and called his daughter
Alice who said that defendant did not use any
threats, but was in beer and made a noise. He was
bound over in £lO and to find: one surety in .£5 to
keep the peace for six months; in default one
month.

BREACH OF THE PEACE. - Thomas Wooldridge
and Samuel Shepherd were charged with commit-
ting a breach of the peace by fighfng on the 13th
Inst. Police-sergeant Ealipia proved the case.
Police-constable Williams..p.oved a previous con-
viction against Woold.o,ge. Pleaded guilty.
Bound over themselves in £lO and ordered to find
one surety in £5 to keep the peace for six months ;
in default on months' hard labour.