The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-07-09 00:00:00

THE FATAL GUNPOWDER EXPLOSION AT
CRIDLEY HEATH.

MAGISTERIAL PROCEEDINGS.

At the Rowley Regis Police Courten Wednesday)
before Messrs. Hen!), A.W ggin, J. Walker, and J•
H. Smith (magistrates), Henry Mould. ironmonger,
Ili4h Street, eradley Heath. was cLarged on thren
summonses for contravention of the Explosivta Act
by storing gunpowder in a building not a safe dis-
tance from a public highway or dweling housii; tor
removing more than 11b. of powder from a bulk iii
a receptacle which was not made to close in order to
prevent the gunpowder from eseapine; and also for
telling to Joseph Wesson, a miner, 21ba. f powder
which was net labelled “gunpowder."—Mr. :-,tub-
hios (instructed by Messrs, Hawltes Weekes, and
Howlett) prosecuted on behalf of tho Treasury,and
Mr. Shakespeare appeared for the defen 'ant. There
were also pre-ent Major Cundill '(from the Home
Offiee) and Mr E. Hooper (z..ouih Staffordeihire
Coroner). Mr Stubbins said tie had no doubt it
would he within tie recollection of the Bench that
en the 7th April last an explosion of gunpowder oc-
curred on premises in High Street, Cradley Heath,
causing serious loss of life. At too Coroner's in-
quiry it was elicited there had been irregularities,
and that ordinary precautions had not been taken.
Consequently the Home Office had directed priceeil.
ings to he instifuted agtinsi the dso'end it His
instructions w re that on Aprii 7th the defendant
!..ad brought to his ma,eazine a eask cf guopowder,
and during the &yr his apptentiee, d you Ii named
went into the macazins, with an irot
ah.vol, and sui.sevently opened the cask and ook
float it 21bs of powder for a miner. The receptacle
was left open, tee bag contaiping the powder nct
being clnsed, and the authorities in London desired
it to be made known that these irregularities rnieht
easily he prevented, tor the manufactures of gun. '
powder had intimated to the authorities and to iron
mongers ti.at they could be supplifd with th,
aowder in 1,2, or 31b. calico bags, and all this
could be achieved and a great deal of danger
at very little extra xo, nee. Major Candi!)
had already mentioned this tact to a vad nlatt
ii.n:.•rs in the conntry, and it was sta,to4 in evidene-
at the Coroner's inques! that Insp-eti.r Walt..rs soire _
time prior to the explosion advised the defendant CO
have the powdfr in calico bags, eons •que;4ly tt e
lefendatit could not plead_ ignoraacc In this case,and
was insttue:ed to ask for a substantial ; enaity.
He was bound to admit that in the other two cases
flit) defendant was possibly ignorant of the law. and
he (Mr Stubbins) enould only ask for nominal pen.
ttliiss. The prosecution he need hardly say was one:
of great importance, and had not been instituted in
a vindictive sense, but as a matter-of duty. Mr.
z4tiakespeare said his client would plead guilty to
all the charges. He should, however, like to point
out to the magistrates that although the defend tu t
bad only dshort lime been in charge of the business,
the magazine ohich .xploded had feen used how
fifteen to tg7enty years, and hal been re,istereii
since 1875. Mr. Wiggin said the magistrates had
decided to inflict a nominal pena!ty ot is. and cots
in the first and third Cases, and 40s. and costs in tile
second. The fines and costs amounted to £l2 4s.
3:1.-=-George Edwatd Millward, an apprentice in the
employ of Mr. Mould was summoned or not ;alooling
21b packet of powder, and Who for going into tilt,
magazine with ordinary boots on. Mr. Stubt.ins.
pointed out that persons who entered powder msg.,.
zines should wear special slippe s. Watdron,
who defended, said the defendant had only been an
apprentice a few rrKnths, and was notuware that he
was breaking the law. I.lefendant wee ordered to
ay 18s. 6d —A great deal of interest was taken in
the hearing of the cases.