The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-02-15 00:00:00

" To W. Akrnyd, Esq., TEuh
Foley House, StJurbridgu."

Mr. Perry then proceeded to read the letters that ac-
companied the foregoing. Their purport was that 0
limn hint conference of a rival publign to injure Colej'a
businesa ; that a certain charge preterits' by Geilliun
agailint Coley lout been dismissed, and was untrue, and
that he bad been guilty of perjury; that Gailliam had
ben tricking at his house and treating too w men;;
that he wds guilty of prostitution with a woman ; that he
(Coley) bad given information to Mr. Freeman, who hail
not reported it, and afterwards gave inform dim to the
Chief Countable. Mr. Perry went on to say that ntaking
Built statements waalikely to injure Gwilliam's character.
If he proved that defendant made those ntatcmenta,
which were libellous, he should ask the Bench to send
the (Mile to a jury.
John Glwillima deposed: I was formerly a Pollee-con.
stable in the parish if Oldswinford, and left on the 11th
of January, as I resigned. While in the force I gave
sonic information respecting Mr. Coley. In the tient
instance I charged him with permitting gambling, and
he was acquitted. The second charge woo on the 17th
November last, and was for selling ale during prohibited
hours.

Cross-examined: Have been in the police force five or
sit years. Ih ft because I was out every night, and my
wife did not like it, and I got a better situ ition. I did
receive a note from Mr. Freeman, but have burnt it. It
was ordering me to bring thy clothes and things in. At
that time I hail given notice to resign. Did not have a
letter from Mr. ilernin. An investigation took plate.
Mr. Freeman read a report to me which had been sent
by the defendant. Do not know whether the investigai
tion took place previous to my sending in my resignation.
I did not understand I shimid be dismissed. I might
have been fined. I have been at Oldswinford two years.
Did not ask for a certificate of recommendation to get
my present office. Have had the charge read over tome.
had been promised the situation are mouths previous to
my getting it. Did not tell Mr. Akroyd anything about
the charges against me. I kuow Mrs. Marks and Mrs.
Harris. Did not see them at Mr. Coley's On the morn-
ing of the sth November, but have seen them in Coley's
house previous.and since. Dia never treat them. Have
voinething to drink there when I went to Uldswin-
ford first.

Akroyd deposed : I am High Bailin', of the
County Court of Worcester. I received the letters pro•
ducelon the 11th of January. They were left at my
house by some one. Cannel tell the exact day I engaged
him, but he came into my service on the low.
Cross-examined: I received a good character of the
complainant from Mr. Freeman, who said he was a very
good Policeddlicer, and regretted his leaving, and that he
had been injured in the discharge of his duty, and that
he occasionally had to relieve him from night work.
I made the enquiries because ho was a public officer.
I asked Mr. Freeman how I coal I get him released as
soon as possible. Ito said by application to the Chief
Constable. I made the application, but previous to that
tiwilliam told me that he was going to leave, and that
there hal Leen a difference between himself and Coley,
and that Mr. Coley had preferred a charge against him,
and th2a he had preferred a charge against Mr. Coley.
Mr. Freeman each he did not believe the charge against
Gwilliam. Mr. Freeman did say there had been au ex-
amination before Mr. Harris.

Henry Edward Stevens proved that the letters pro.
dosed were in the handwriting of the defendant.
William Freeman deposed: I am Superiutuident of
Police stationed in Stourbridge. Heinlein was formerly
in the police force. Is not now, lie sent in his rLsigua-
tion, which I sent in to the Chief Constable.
cross-examined: I have not the examinations. Sint
them doxn ti Worcester. I had informa ion of Civil-
liam's caution, and retch the littira to Lim, and sent
them to Mr. Harris. Did not advise him to re.ign. if
proved I knew he would he punished; and if the char,pi
had been proved he would have been dismissed. Mr.
Akroyd cause to me, and what he said is as fact. I told
him that the Court of Quarter Sessions rewaided
Liwilliam was injared in taking a thiof, and he was re•
. . . .

worded with money. I did tell Mr. Akroyil the purport
of Mr. Coley's charges. I do not believe them. Sergeant
Booth Leek the statement of the woman, which has
been sent to the Chief Constaide. and I made my com-
ments, which were to the effect that I dull not believe it.
This was the ease.
Mr. Bartlett aldreseed the Bench for the defence. He
Contended that what ('clay had done was II privileged
communication, and quoted " Black c l'infeld," and
" Harris r. Bush," whieli wont to show that if any person
bad dodo it with a bona fide inteution—aud defendant's
case was precisely similar to those quoted—there could
be no case against him. Mr. Owilliam was a licensed
constable, and in the exercise of his duty hail preferred
• charge against Mr. Coley, which was heard and die.
irilorl ; the :Aker (Gwilliain) not being believed. He
did not think that Mr. Coley should suffer because he
truly believed that awilliain had committed perjury ; and
when he understood he woo to lie engaged be Mr. Akroyd
tie very properly wrote to that gentleman and informed