The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1866-12-29 00:00:00

Socal anb pistrict Pius.

MULACULOIIII ESCAPX.—Kr. Wooldridge, of the well-
known firm of auctioneers and surveyors, of thie town,
is engaged in making a survey at Netherend, and on
Monday last, on arriving at the place where his work com-
menced, having his two sons with him (one not quite it,
and the other years old) entrusted the eldest to drive
the horse to the stables at the Maypole Inn, about SOU
yards away. The horse is a very quiet one, end has been
frequently driven by the same boy during the lad two
years. However, from some Cause he allowed him to go
tau fast until he was hardly strong enough to hold him
in, and, passing a steam threshing machine, became ex-
cited and galloped very fast in the direction of the May-
pole. The boy trying to avoid running against one side
of the railway bridge caused the horse to go too much
to the other side. The trap came In contact with the aide
of the bridge, and the boy was jerked over on to the
line below as any thought, who saw it, to be taken up
dead. By a miraculous providence Isis gymnasium prae•
lice at the Grammar School in this town, tory, 4 him in
his need. He caught at some ironwork of the bridge,
and held on. little. This broke the fall, and he was
taken up Insensible by binnacle Mr. S. Wooldridge, who
was fortunately war. After a little time he became on
scions and is now very well with the exception of a few
bruises. The younger boy clung to the trap and gut
flung against the wall as the horse turned into the May.
pole stable yard. Ho was very much frightened, and
those who kindly took him out of the, trap, say they
could hardly get him to loose his hold. He is very well,
but has a little scratch on his face.

BIBLIcAL KNOWLEDGE &CHM: FESTIVAL—The first
Festival of this new society was celebrated on the fitith
tat, in the Methodist New Connexion Chapel and School
Rooms, Kiildvrininater.street. About 300 partook of au
excellent tea, after which all the friends repaired to tho
Chapel, the gallery of which was crowded, and many
occupying seats below. The decoration i lathe Chapel
were most beautiful, plainly showing that they hail Wen
designed and executed by one familiar with the work.
The platform presented an imposing appearance in tea.
poet to its artistic arrangements, and also contained some
of the finest looking young men we have eier seen. The
front of the gallery all round was tastefully ornamented,
and all the gas pillars. The President, the Rev. J.
White, commenced the meeting by giving out • hymn,
nod then prayed. A lesson was read by A. Leonard.
The report of the society followed, by C. Ithickehaw,
whli was very interesting and well read, prodacing •
most favourable impression on the audience. Recitations
were given by the young men chiefly in reference to the
worth of the Bible. Three Scripture examinatieas eon-
ducted by the President and his colleague, the Rev. M.
otcau Winging was imeamon•
ally introduced, and the meeting ebsed with the %anal
votes of thanks. The holding of another festival similar
to this next Christmas, will be hailed by old and young.
VALUMILE YOWLS STOLYN.--Karly on Monday morn-
ing, three silmr-grey fowls and six ducks were stolen
from • abed, not far distant from the engine of the
Waterworks Company. They were Use property of Mr
John Wall, who purchased the fowls for .e 5 ths, at the
Late show in Birmingham. Sampicion attaches to three
men, to whose identity there ii noose clue.
°LOSE/11110ED HIGHWAYS.—A meeting WAS held in the
Oldswintord Schools, on Thursday morning, to consider
the coarse to be adopted by Use ratemers of the parish
iu reference to the proposed amalgamation of highways
in several surrounding districts, into one highway dis-
trict. Edward Weetwood, Eau., occupied the chair.
After explaining how the proposal, if carried out, would
affect the ratepayers, it was proposed 4 Ur. John Chance,
seconded by Mr. John Lay, and unanimously resolved—
That it would be highly objectionable to constitute the
said township part of any highway district, and that one
or more of the magistrates of the County should be en-
quested to oppose it at the tdomter Sessions." A memo-
, rial WY prepared in accordance with Um terms of the
resolution, and signed by the majority of Use ratepayers
l of the district.

Boma tkuomatarde.—The weekly niessMag of this
Bearding held yesterday, Mr. Grainger in Me chair.
There were also present Messrs. Brooks, Richardson,
Doody, Robed., Reybould, Powell, Rhodes, and Beck-
ley, fen. Admitted iato the house daring the week, 12;
discharged, 15; dead, 1 ; remaining, 874. Correspond.
isig week last year, 356. Outoloor relief, Kingswinford
district, 132 14s 10f4 ; Stourbrialge district, Hu 171" 342 ;
Halesowen district, /12 16. did; total 166 Ss 11d;
against 165 94 44 last year. Returns were made from
the overseen of Amblecote, Lye, and Wollaston, as to
the defalcations of Mr. John Meredith, late collector for
these parishes. The returns showed that the defalcations
in Amblecote were 1/433 12 tifrl ; Lye, 221 16, sd; and
Wollaston, £333. 5f4. There was no retsina made for
Upper Swinford, and in Wollescote there was no del.
eiency reported. The total amount reported was gtitis
125 74, and that being larger than Mr. Meredith'. sceu•
rifles, the Bondsmen were liable. The clerk was
instructed to stll3 upon the hoed. The inmate, of the
house received tidar usual treat of roast beef and plum
pudding on Christmas Day, and on IVednesday the chit.
Iron were liberally treated with orangeaand other things
with the surplus money collected at the late Mower Snow,
at Oldswinford, by Messrs. Doody and Nash, and tho
children appeared highly delighted with their treat.
SHOP ItOBBERY.—EdWard (Plirk, puddler, residing in
Bowling Groan-lane, was apprehended last evening on a
charge of robbery. It appears that he had been into
Mr. Uokeley's shop, and while there managed to purloin
a pair of women's boots. His movements were very Bus-
. pieious, and the attention of the police was called to bins
as he stood by Mrs. Jmicelyne's shop. On the officer
going up to him he dropped the Loins. Ile Witd then
apprehended, and, while being taken to the station, he
dropped some pocket knives, which were found to belong
to Mr. Workman. On arriving at the Police-Mallon it
MU found that prisoner had a ladies' cloth jacket upon
hiss, which was found to belong to Mr. Ilionew, draper,
Prisoaer will lie brought up this day (Saturday) to take
kis trial.

Cu tutu.: or Nunn POACLUNG.--At the Petty SCOSIOLIA,
yesterday, before B. Littlewood, J. Hunt, and IL L.
Prem. Bays., George Hall was charged with poaching
on land belonging to Mr. Foley, on Monday night last.
From the evidence of James Brood, a nightruan, it ap-
pears that the defendant was on Mr. Foley's land, poach-
ing. Witness went up to him, and defendant pointed a
gum at him, and then at the dog. The gun did not go
off, sod witaem afterwards took it off him. The Bench
isonaidored the ease proved, and he we. suuteneed to one
mouth's hard labour and at the expiration of that term
to find two sureties for hi* good behaviour for It months;
to default six months insprisonment.
TBK LANK CII.IBOII Or STK•LINO COAL ON THR anKAT
WIIeTEIC RAlLWAY.—Yosterdey, at the Petty tiessions,
Joseph (trees, a platelayer, was brought up an • remand
charged with stealing 22-llbs of coal, the property of the
Uteri Westornlway Company. Mr. Bentley, id Woe.
crater, prosecuted, and Mr. Perry ilefonded. The eel.
given at the last examination having been read, John
Hutchinson wm called, and said that he wee Inspector of
P 011•41 on the Ursat Wester' Railway, mid bad Immo so
for the laoS twenty-lour years. When any seal was
found on the line, it would be the diary of any one to
take it to the neramt statism, sissi report it. Prisoner ii
a sonata of the company, and has been so near Mace Me
liar was opened. P. B. Booth proved that on the 6th
Mat, Harris came to him about balf-pest six o'slock. Us
went with him to the railway, and saw the prisoner about
forty yards from his house on the line. Witness told
the prisoner that he must return with him, as he wanted
to search his home. Harris pointed out the coati, picked
sonic up, nail said ho could swear to it. Prisonur said
that it was not the coal, as he had bought it of a man
who had a cart. This being the case, prisoner was eon.
muted to take his trial at the next Worcester SOASiODA
bail Leiog accepted iu two sureties of £25, and Lis otiu ix
4:40.

T-1114 LATE Cu MOE OF STEALING MEAT.—Yosterday,
at the Potty Sessions, Thionvis 1) nWr was brought op o
• remand charged with stealing Gibs of meat, the property
of Thomas Wall. Mr. Burhury defended. After he:t
lug the etii fence, the Bench considered fiat it was •
drunken affray and very suspicions, hut under toe circuity
stances nf tould dismiss the case. Prisoner, ou leaving
the dock, said it would bc a warning for him, and that
he would quit such company for iver.
CHARGE OF STEALINO COAL—Yesterday, at the Petty
Sessions, Jesse Pearson, residing at entilley, was brougut
up on a remand charged with steal ng a quantity of eo.ll,
the property of Messrs. King Brothers, of Netherend.
Yr. Maltby appeared for the prisoner. This case it will
be recollected, was adjourned for the attendance of a