The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-01-25 00:00:00

BRIERLBY HILL.

CHAIM op Gsinee.—At the Petty Session, held on
Monday, before Mr. F. Evers, William Stevens, Chris-
topher Priest, John Webb, and David Pearson, were
charged with gaming on the highway, on the 11th ISt-
Henry Millward said that about seven o'clock at night
he saw the four defendants playing at cards on the high-
way, between Areblecote and Stonrbridge, defendants
were sitting down, and playing at a game called Bank-
ing." There was lfd. on the cards. He took the cards
away, and the money. Mr. Mills said it had become •
great nuisance. As this was their first offence the Bench
ordered them to pay the costs, and dismissed them with
• caution- _

DIUNK{If CARTKIIII —Before Messrs. F. Byers, and H.
Hall, Thomas Hoperoft, a carter, was charged by Super-
intendent Mills with being drunk and incapable of taking
care of his horse and cart, on the 18th, at Wolverley.
The ease was proved, and defendant was fined 51. and
costs.—John Pardoe, of Brockmoor. was charged with
• similar offence. P.C. Cotterill proved the offenee.
Pleaded guilty ; fined 2d. Id. and costs.
Baesca or Peace —lsaac Adams, Wig charged with
committing. breach of peace by fighting, on the Gth.
P.C. Doobar proved that he saw the defendant and
another man, named Joseph Bake, figlitinq. The latter
did not appear, cod Adams said he was obliged to fight
as three sig about bin.. Thid was dismissed.

CAUTION TO WORKSIIN.—WaiIMiI CIITTIIT, William
oorhouwe, Mark Quarry, W. Wyatt, Joseph Brooks,
George Partridge, Richard Baker, John Fletcher, and
Thomas Rigby, were severally charged by Messrs. Brown
and Freer, with neglecting their work on the 15th, and
the latter claimed damages. Mr. Perry appeared to pro-
secute, and said, that the defendants were all paddlers
in the employ of Me ura. Brown and Freer, iron-masters,
On the above date all the defendants came to work, and
after making one heat, they all pat down their tools and
refused to work, and left. The consequence was that
their employers had been put to a loss of from £l5 to £2O.
And if he proved the case he should ask the Bench to
order the defendants to pay the lose between them. And
so let them know that they could not leave their work
in that way. Mr. Ever, said that both the magistrates
were engaged in the same way as Messrs. Brown and
Freer, and if the defendants thought proper they could
refuse to be tried by them. But il they cansentod to let
them try the cases they would endeavour to do them
justice. All the defendanta consented to be tried by the
sitting magistrate.. James Smith. furnace manager, at
Mews. Brown and Freer works, said last week defen-
dants were working days, and on Monday morning each
of the defendants had one heat. After they had don*
so they made some complaint about the iron. Went to
Mark Barnes who said the iron was too gray. Octet.
chants had worked similar iron before, and they did not
make any complaint that it was harder work, after the
first heat they all put their clothes on and went home.
Burford asked Fletcher to charge. He refused to do so.
This witness went under • long crosa-examination by each
of the men, to show that the iron was bad, and that it
, took • longer time to work up the iron. Henry Guest,
night furnace-manager, said that on Wednesday night,
the men did not make any complaint of the iron, and the
, day turn men commenced on the same kind of iron.
1 The first heat of the night turn was drawn at 10 minutes
to 8 o'clock, and the last before six o'clock in the morn-
ing. the iron worked then, was the usual mixture. And
as good on Thursday morning as on Wednesday. Eli
Burford said that the men left work, and refused to go
on with their work, and the loss was from £l5 to £2O to
com?lainanta ; and that it was usual to give and take 14
days notice. He asked Fletcher to go on with hie work.
He refused to do so, and said the iron was bad. Henry
Webb, said that on Thursday morning the mixture was
altered. There was some plate, pat into the pig-iron
Could not say they were all supplied with the new mixture.
This being the ease for the prosecution. William Carver
was put into the box, and said the reason they left the
work was because the iron was bad and they could not
work it up, and the excessive labour required to work the
iron knocked them up Before Christmas the iron was
good and they could make six heats In 10i hours, with
the present iron it took them 14 hours. Mr. Even,
suggested that the case should be settled amicably and
that defendants should pay the costs, and the complain.
ants give up the amount claimed. This was refused,
and several of the defendants were sworn and said they
could not work up the iron, injustice to themselves and
their employers, In consequence of the iron being so
"gray.' Partridge said there were others left work at
, the same time and they have not been summoned, the
I reason was, all summoned were union men, and the
others were .• black leg." Baker said the men had had
several interviews with the maaters and complained
about the iron. who said it should be altered but it had
not been, and it was impassible for • mail to be before a
pudding furnace for two hours and twenty-five minutes
to work one heat. The Bench retired to consider the
case. In returning into Court, Mr. Evers said they had
well considered the ease, and would again suggest to
them the deei aa tility of paying the costs 6s. 2d. each,
return to the work and if they did not like the work to
give proper notice. Each of the defendants refused to
pay, and they were fined Si. sash and wan; in default
of distress 14 days.
Citation ow TRESPASS. Richard Steadman, was
charged with trespassing on laud at Stewpooey, in the
occupation of Mr. Naali. Mr. Addison defended. The
case was adjourned for the attendance of Mr. Nash, who
said that he engaged the defendant to catch rats ; but
never rabbits. The Bench said it was clear defendant
was engaged to kill rats, and that it was possible the
dog might have caught a eebbit, but that was no gaming,
and dismissed the nee.

NIOLLeT Or WORE.—ThoMIe kllden, was charged by
Joseph Dancer, glass cotter, with neglecting his work on
the 28r2 alt. Mr. Clulow appeared for complainant, and
Mr. Waldron for defendant. from the evidence of com-
plainant ii appeared he kept a glass-cutters shop at
Brierley Hill, and had six apprentices. Same time ago
they became disobedient, and he summoned them. But
afterwards withdrew the summons, on the defendant
agreeing to pay costs, is. each. Complainant paid the
money and defendsots agreed to have it stopped out of
their wages. He had stoppli Be. each, and wanted to
stop another shilling. But defendant refused to have
his shilling deducted, and left his work. Defendant was
fined 20s. and costs, £2 34., and ordered to fulfil his
contract.

RZIUL7 07 • Hiss.—At the Petty Sessions, held on
Thursday. before Mr. I. Spooner, Stipendiary, Daniel
Gill. builder, was charged with assaulting Ellen Mills,
on the 16th inst. Mr. Addison appeared to prosecute.
and Mr. Eleock defended. Complainant, • married
woman, said she lived at Chapel Hill. The defendant
came into their house, about half-past twelve, to do some
repairs. While she was engaged at her work. defendant
put his arm round her neck, and kissed her, put his
tongue against her lips, and his hand upon her bows.
She resisted, and gave him • slap in the face. She told
her sister what defendant had dune, and said she shoed
have him up. Defendant said if she would not summons
him, he would pay any money. Mr. Eleoeir, for the
defence, s Lid he must plead guilty, and alleged that de-
fendant did it merely as • joke, for which he was very
sorry. Mr. Spooner said it was • scandalous outrage
upon • married woman, and asked what the defendant
had to say. Mr. Elcock said he must leave the ease in
the hands of the Bench. Defendant said he was a joiner
and carpenter. Mr. Spooner: 'Yes you Sr. • joiner,
putting your tongue to a woman', mouth, and !hieing
her." The Bench suggested • settlement, and defendant
paid £5 and costa.

RETUSINO TO QUlS.—Willi= Handley, was charged
by Benjamin Wood, with refusing to quit the house of
the Britannia Inn, the Laya, when requested. The land-
lord proved the case, and said that defendant was a very
bed character, and gave the licensed victuallers a great
deal of trouble. Fined is. ani CO,tl.
ASSAULTING • WOMAN.—Williaca Cartwright, collier,
was brought up on remand charged with asaanlting
141len Thomas, on the 24th December. He was farther
charged with assaulting her on the 15th inst. Mr.
Waldron defended, and admitted that defendant struck
complainant, but said that he woo excited at the time.
Fined LI and costs; In default Ave weeks' Imprisonment,
as defendaall had already had one week, and ordered
defendant to an. two sureties in £lO each, and himself
in £9O to keep the peace for six months.

Rarascroxv Paorias.—John Marsh, was charged by
Isaac Perry, superintendent of labour laths Union, with
destroying the clothes of the Union. Complainant said
that defendant came as a casual pauper, about tVe o'clock
on the previous night. On Thursday morning he tore
up a pair of trousers. Mr. Spooner said that he should
commit him to Stafford for three weeks' hard labour,
which TM the worst panishment he could give him, and
03...1id and labour being severe.—William Poulston. LB
old offender, and Henry Roberts, were charged with a
similar offence. Complainant proved that the two defen-
dants came to the house with the last defendant. The
following morning, Poulaton tore up his jacket, shirt, and
trousers, and had been several times previously can-
' rioted. Sentenced to three months' hard labour. Henry
Roberta, for tearing up his jacket, was discharged with
, a caution, this being his gest offence.
Tau zzzzz Casa.—Austin Tarpy, station-master, at
Round Oak Station, was charged with ussulting Margaret
}Weary, on the 11th inst. Mr. Holberton defended.
From the evidence of complainant it appeared that she
worked at defendant's house. On the above date defen-
dant shock her, kicked her on the leg, and pushed her
out of the house. The defence was, that complainant
had talscondoeted herself and he gave her • shaking,
and that the case would never have been heard of, but
that a third person interfered, The Bench remarked
that it was • trumpery ease. But as defendant admitted
shaking her, he must pay outs.