The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-10-22 00:00:00

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1881.

that the collector had paid over to the treasurer
£ll6 16s 5d on the General District Rate; .2273 16s
9d on the Highway Account; and £2 9s id on the
Special District Rate.
MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT.—Mr Beasley, the
medical officer, said he had to report a higher death-
rate than they had had for some time—in fact the
hig: est this year. The deaths numbered 46, which
was 10 in excess of thcse for the last month, and 3
in excess of those for the corresponding period of
last year. The annual average per thousand vas
21.6. Since the Board last met the epidemic of
typhoid and scarlet fevers—mentioned in his report
as existing in the parish—bad assumed a much more
serious aspect. Typhoid fever was mcst prevalent
in Rowley Village and i ipperty Green. Scarlet
fever is scattered over the whole of the upper divi-
sion of the parish, but is chiefly located at Tividale
which was due to a great extent, he thought, to
the scarcity of water. In consultation with the
chairman and the clerk he suggested that handbills
for giving advice "How to prevent infectious dis-
eases spreading" should be circulated through the
parish; also that circulars should be sent to neigh-
bouring medical men requesting them to make a
weekly communication to him of any cases of in-
fectious disease under their treatment; also to allow
the inspector of nuisances to spread disinfectants
in different parts of the parish, and ta gratuitously
supply them to any person applying for them; to
request all head teachers of schools not to allow any
child, in whose family sickness was known to exist,
to attend school, without producing a medical cer-
tificate stati ig that the disease was not contagious.
Their chairman aho undertook to see the secretary
of tbe South Staffordshire Water Works Company
in reference te the water supply
,of Rowley. He
now asked the Board to sanction the steps already
taken, and also give instructions for disinfect ants
to 1).- freely used at all public schools, more especi-
ally in the lavatories and closets. During the last
two months 97 cases of fever, typhoid and scarlet
had been under his own observation and 26 had
been reported to him by various school teach ers,
but not confirmed by medical evidence. Of the 97
of his own 31 typhoid cases have been recovered,
6 had died, and 6 were still under his treatment.
Of the scarlet fever cases 28 had recovered, 1 had
died, and 16 were still under his treatment.

Goulder, the assistant medical officer, re-
ported that in the course of the last month, 19
deaths had taken place ix the lower district. The
average per week had been 47 and the mean annual
rate per 1,000 was 16.4. OF the 19 deaths, 8 were
males and 11 females. Twelve of the deaths
occurred under 5 years ol age, 6 of those being
under one year. The remaining seven took place
between 50 and 80, with the exception of one which
was a woman who died at 10 years of age. Dis-
eases of the respiratory organs had induced 4 deaths.
There had been one death from typhoid fever,
which be regrettel to say had again appeared in
this district. At present he knew several eases
mostly in the vicinity of Old Hill and Reddal Hill
though none of them, he believed, were of a
severe type. Most of the cases were in Reddal
Hid, which was the locality where it entered
principally last year and from enquiries he believed
it had broke a out again :n tliat locality first of all.
Mr. Beasley and himself had signed notices of in-
structions which had been printed and eireulated,
but he found at present they had not been very
well circulated in that district and advised a more
general and extensive distribution .—lt was agreed
to have more of the notices /rimed and circulated.
A letter was read from Mr. F. Goilder, assistant
medical other, tendering his resignation from
the office.

The surveyor was instructed to communicate
with the South Staffordshire Water Works Com-
pany with regard to te water supply at Rowley
SURvI,YOR'S REPORT - The Surveyor reported
that in reference to the drainage at Old Hill the
committee appointed a:. the List Board meeting had
gone over the ground and in accordance with the
stuzestions there made the cost of the necessary
work may be very considerably reduced. The
heaviest item, as before, wonld be the culvert near
the Ttinity Hall for which buth extra labour and
materials would be required. He estimated the
cost of the work to be about £389 2s id. As
regarded the making of draining of Fox Oak Street,
he had seen most of the owners fronting to that
street. Most ot them pleaded badness of tbe times
and acknowladghlg the necessity of the proposed
work would prefer that it was delayed for a time. The
course of remedying that would cost about £4O.
He had taken possession of the horse roller from
the Dudley Corporation and had had it at work.
For plans Mr. Harper asked the sum of 4227, which
he thought was very reasonable. He had also
received the tracing of the parish from Mr. Harper
which he was to furnish at the last meeting.
The draining question was allowed t 9 stand over,
but the plans were accepted.
TherEmvas no other business of importance.

—Prisoners were each fined ss. including costs.
ASSAIILL—SeIina Guest, of Shef&ld Street,
Quarry Bank, as charged with assaulting
Rosannah Little, on the Bth inst.—Mr. Waldron
said that in this case he appeared for the com-
pli,in int. It appeared that the complainant and
the defendant lived in the same street. The com-
plainant's husband keeps a grocer's shop at Quarry
Bank, and Mrs. Guest had run up a score there, a
rather large one nod on Saturday week, his client
went to ask for payment off the defendant that was
due from the defendant to her husband for grocery
goods that had been sold. Mrs. Guest became very
violent; she was a violent woman and her character
was well known in the neighbourhood of Quarry
Bank and in that Court also She violently pushed
her out of the house and injured complainant
seriously.—Complainant said that she lived in
Sheffield Street, Quarry Bank, and her husband
kept a grocer's shop. On Saturday week she
went to the defendants house. She owed her hus-
band some money for grocery and she went to ask
her to try to begin to pay something towards it.
Defendant said she would soon pay her for it and
struck her on the side of her head and pushed her
towards the door. Defendant ran to fetch a knife
and said she would cut her b-- heart out. De-
fendant pushed her down in the yard.—A witness
was called and said he heard a noise and went to
defendant's house and there saw Mrs. Little lying
on the ground outside defendants door.—For the
defence it was contended that thq complainant
commenced using bad language and defendant told
her to go out of the house. Complainant refused
to go and defendant then pushed her out and that
the complainant fell over a bucket of water and
injured her leg. The defendant was fined ss. and
costs, with the alternative of one month's imprison-
ment.

MORE COAL STEALlNG.—Elizabeth Wassell, of
Tackeroo, was fined ss. including costs. for stealing
a quantity of coal th. 2 property of Messrs. Harris
and Pearson, on the 14th inst. Police-constable
Lafford proved the case.
STEALING AN ULSTER.—EIiza Jane Haywood (22),
of Brick Street, Kidderminster, was charged with
stealing an ulster on the 20th June last, the pro-
perty of Emily Bradley, dressmaker, of Brockmoor.
—On the day in question prisoner went to the
prosecutrix shop and spoke to prosecutrix about
making an ulster for her. Prosecutrix lent prisoner
her ulster under the pretence of her showing it to
her mother and she was to return it in ten minutes
afterwards. Prisoner did not return the ulster and
when she was arrested at Kidderminster she was
wearing it. Prisoner pleaded guilty and was com-
mitted to prison for one month.

BREACH- OF THE PEACE.—James Riley, labourer,
of Stourbridge, and Benjamin Gordon, miner, of
the Lye, were charged with committing a breach
of the peace by fighting.—Mr. Wollaston asked for
the case to be adjourned for a week to enable
him to get witnesses. It was a prize fight that
took place early on the Sunday morning of the 9th
inst. at Amblecote. The case was accordingly ad-
journed.
D LA:WIC AND INCAPABLE.— Thomas Weston of
Dudley Road, Brierley Hill, was charged with bCing
drunk and incapable on the 7th inst. FinQd. 2s.
and costs.

HALE S OWEN.
DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. —At the Police Court,
held on Tuesday, before Messrs. F. L. Smith, H.
Hickman, anu B. Phillips, Saainel urainger was
charged with being drunk and disorderly, on the
10th inst. Police-sergeant Raybonld proved the
case. Fined 2s 6d and costs.—William Edmunds
was charged with a similar offence on the 7th lust,
and fined 2s 6d and costs; in default 7 days,—John
Coley was charged with being drunk and disorderly
oa the 10th inst. Police-constable Hardwick
proved the case, and also several previous con-
victions. Fined 5s and costs.—Henry Field and
Alfred Hackett were charged with being drunk and
disorderly on the 10th inst. Police-constable
Roper proved the case which was corroborated by
Enoch Moore. Witnesses were called for the de-
fence who swore that the two defendants were
quite sober, and the Bench dismissed the sum-
monses.—Joseph Moore was charged with being
drunk and disorderly on the 7th inst. The case
was proved, and defendant was tined is and custs.
—Elizabeth Taylor, a married woman' was fined
is and costs for being drunk on the 11th inst, in
the pubic street. l'olice-sergeant Ray houldproved
the case.—Joseph Walker was charged with being
drunk and disorderly on the 10th inst. Folic,-
constable Roper proved the case. Defendant was
fined Is and costs; in default 7 days.
ASSAULTING THE POLlCE.—George Cossgell was
charged with assaulting Police-sergeant Raybould
on the 2nd inst while in the execution of his duty.
Complainant said, he was on duty and met the de-
fendant who struck hin ttlice on the face before
he could Stop him. The man appeared to be very
penitent anti had been locked up a day and a
night. The summons was withdrawn.
BREACH OF THE PEACE. Henry Field was
charged with committing a breach of the peace by on the 10th inst. with another man. De-
fendant denied fighting and said he was struck by
a man but did not strike again. The case was dis-
missed.

TRESPASSING IN PURSUIT OP GAUL InaC
Parkes was charged with trespatsing in search of
game, on the 26th ult, in a field in the occupation
of Thomas White, of Lutley. Police-constable
Oakey proved that he saw the defendant with a
dog in the field, and the defendant put up his hand
and the dog beat a field of swedes. Defendant
had a gun in his hand ready to shoot. Fined 5s
add eosts.—James White, Thomas Morris, Joseph
Cattier, Eli Moore and John Cattier were charged
with trespassing in a field in search of game on the
9th just, in the occupa4ion of William Green. Com-
plainant and Thomas Crew proved the case and
said they had two dogs beating. kined 2s 64 and
costs.

STEALING POTATOES.—.-ThOMaS liaCkett, all old
man, was charged with steaiing a quantity of
potatoes, on the 12th lust, the property of Thomas
White. Police-constable Oakey proved that he
saw the defendant pull the potatoes up by the
root and put them into his pocket. Mr, White was
called and said that he had a great quantity of
swedes and potatoes stolen. Fined Is and costs,
and id. damage; in default 7 days.
Cauxiox TO WAGONERS. -- George Smith was
charged with riding on the shafts of the wagon
without having reins. Police-constable Hardwick
proved the case. Fined is and costs.
STEALING A BOTTLE OF WlNE.—Edward Pearce
was charged with stealing a bottle of wine on the
11th mat, the property of George Dexter, Mr.
Shakespeare defended, Mr. Dexter wished to
ask who was going to prosecute as he should not,
and that he had not given the man into custody.
The facts were he said, he had a quantity of wine
delivered to his house. His wife handed them to
him, and in one case there was a bottle short. He
called the attention of his wife to it, and he thougilt
one of the company had done it for a lark, as he
knew the bottle had not been taken out of the
house after some time he appemea to the customers
and asked then to turn it up, and one of the men
nodded to Pearce. He went to Pearce and found
the bottle in his pocket, where it had been put
by another man, and he considered it was a
lark. He was quite satisfied that he had got his
wine back, and did not give the man into custody.
The magistrates remarked as there was no pro-
secutor, the man must be dischaiged.