The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-10-02 00:00:00

HALESOWEN.

A PAINFUL CASE.— At the Police Court on
Tuesday, William Graham. of Halesowen, was
charged with committing an aggravated assault
upon his sister, Lucy Ellen Graham. Mr. Holberton
(Brierley Hill) prosecuted. The facts revealed a
painful state of things. The family of the defend-
ant is most respectable and well known in Hales-
°wen. He has been treated with kindness by his
sister, who has taken him in and found him a situ-
ation. On Sunday night, it was alleged, he went
home very much the worse ifor liquor, and, after
abusing Miss Graham in a shocking manner, struck
her a violent blow on the mouth Miss Graham
said defendant knvcked one:of front teeth out. He
had been left b 3 h's father two houses and had nail
shops adjoining. She did not wish to Punish him
if he would keep away from her. The Bench bound
the defendant over to keep the peace for six months
himself in .220 and two sureties in £lO each.
THE CHARGE OF INCENDIARISM A domestic
servant, named Mary Adams, of Spring Hill, was
charged at the same Court with sAting fire to a rick
at Ridgacre, the property of Francis Kraft.
Evidence was given to show that the girl was seen
at the rick five minutes before the discovery of the
fire, and the rick was fired from the outside, but
the Bench considered the evidence insufficient, and
discharged the prisoner.

THE ROWLEY REGIS MAGISTRATES AND
SUNDAY CLOSING.
•
The adjourned Licensing Ses4ons for the Petty
Sessional division of Rowley Regis were held on
Wednesday, at the Public Office, Old Hill, the
magistrates present being Messrs. B. llingley, M.P.,
W. Bassano, and J. Walker.
Mr. Waldron applied on behalf of Mr. Edward
Mason, the landlord of the Handel Hotel, Black-
heath, for a seven days' license. He explained
that some years ago a number of the licensed
victuallers residing in the district of Blackheath
decided to close their houses on Sundays, and con—
sequently only took out six days' licenses. Shortly
afterwards some of the licom,ed victuallers broke
their agreement and took out seven daya' licenses,
and commenced to trade again on Sundays. The
applicact's house was the largest licensed house in
neiglabourhoo(l, and the best accomodation provided
for travellers, e msequently it was considered to be
only fair that he should possess similar privileges
and rights to those of his fellow-traders. Mr.
Vernon (from the office of Mr. Shakespeare) op-.
posed the application on behalf of the landlord of
the Shoulder of Mutton Inn. Mr. Laister, the
owner of the Handel Hotel, having given evidence
in support of .he application, Mr. Hingley said :
Perhaps if the landlord of the Shoulder of Mutton
Lin will consent not to open his licensed premises
on a Sund,,y Mr. Mason will not press his applica
ion. Mr. Mason said he was quite willing for his
house to be clos,.d on a Sunday providing his
fellow!tradere were prepared to do the same. Mr.

Vernon said he could not consent to do anything of
to kind. Mr. Bassano said the magistrates were
desirous of acting fairly with all parties. The
Bm.ch had received a memorial signed by Sunday
school teac'!ers nd others praying thnn not to
grant the app:ica.tio.), and he was bound to say the
magistrates sympathised with the memoralists, on
ti.e ground that when young pe sons went to the
applicant's hotel to hire vehicles they were tempted
to have something to drink. They considered.some
alteratoa ought to be made in the law with regard
to Sunday closing of public-houses, because as it
now stood it caused great difficulties for the magi-
strates to contend with. As the other licensed
vics.uallers opened on Sundays they (the magistrates)
felt it fink duty to grant the license., although very
reluctantly.
Mr. Talbot, of the Vine Inn, Old Hill, made an
applicatioa for a seven days' license. Mr. Waldron,
who appeared in support of the application, stated
that the applicant resided in a growing district,
several new streets having recently been made, and
the only licens.2d house in the neighbourhood was
that belonging to the applicant. Mr. Bassano sail
as the licensed victuallers in the adjoining districts
possessed seven days' licenses the magistrates
thought it would be wrong to make a distinctior,
and should consequently grant the application. At
the same time they hoped the day would not be far
distant when there would be a law making it com-
pulsory to close public-houses on Sundays.
On the application of Mr. Waldron the magi-
strates granted the transfer of the license of the
Navigation Inn, Gorsty Hill, to Mrs. Smith, widow
of the late landlord.

DUDLEY CONsERVATITE ASSOCIATION.
On Monday night the annual meeting of the
members of the above association was held at the
St. Edmund's School Rooms, Dudley. Councillor
W. S. Gorton presided, and among others present
were Messrs 11. G. Walker, H. Bridgwater, J. 0,
Addenbrooke, J. Hughes, 11. C. Brettell, A. Cart-
wright, E. Poole, and Matthew Smith.—The annual
report congratulated on their great victory in the
recent Parliamentary contest. The borough could
now boast of being:represented by a local gentleman
of greatlability and personal worth,:wholhad already
done much for his native town, and shown his fit-
ness to represent this important borough in the
House of Commons. This success was the most note-
worthy incident of the late general election, and
was a fitting sequel to the prolonged efforts and
exertions of the Dudley Conservatives during the
past 28 years, and it should ;stimulate them with
energy and zeal in the future. The result of the'
Guardian's election in July last was another cause
for hearty congratulation. It was now felt that the
ratepayers would have more careful attention than
they had received lately, and that the Board Room
would cease to witness the unseemly wrangles and
scenes which a short time ago brought not only the
Guardians but the town into disrepute. No doubt,
at the expiration of the term of office of the present
School Board, an effort would he made to secure
for the :Conservative party that majority on the
Board which it was fairly entitled to. The finances
were not in such 'a condition as the committee would
desire,—.The Chairman, in moving the adoption of
the report, said it was not :se .satisfactory as they
could wish, and he hoped that at the next annual
meeting they would be in a better organisation. The
association lost very efficient aid when Mr. Benjamin
Smith had to retire from the kecretaryship. It was
quite evident if that association wzs to be a success
there .must:be a good secretary, and he must
necessarily be paid.— (hear, hear). Mr. Albert
Morton seconded the motion, and it was supported
by Mr. H. Bridgwater, who urged that the
association should endeavour to give effect to the
desire to get more Church members on the School
Board. They should encourage the parents of that
borough to send their children ito Denominational
schools, for by that means they would keep down
the rates, and in addition the children would secure
religious training—(hear, hear).—On the motion of
Mr. H. C. Brettell, it was unanimously resolved
that the Right Hon. the Earl of Dudley be asked to
the association.,— It was then moved by Mr.
Churchill, 'seconded by !Mr, John Hughes, and
nein, die., that Mr. S. Gorton be appointed president
of the association.'—.The Rev. Father IBond, and
Messrs. Bassano, Garrott. Terry, and Henry Smith
were:elected vice-presidents. Mr. H. G. Walker was
re-appointed treasurer, and Mr. J, 0. Addenbrooke
was elected pemarnent secretary at a salary of £lO
per annum.