The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-11-27 00:00:00

SATURDAY; NOV. 27, 1876

'hum, for one, they would not haveseen him there
as their chais man if he understood for one moment
that any such person would be admitted there—
(applause). He spoke for his position, and not for
himself. It was for that reason that they (the
licensed victuallers) asked persons in his position
to come and take the chair, in order that they
might testify to the world that they believed that
they (the licensed victuallers) had carried on their
business profitably and honourably—(cheers). It
was customary at such meetings for the chairman
to say a few words with reference to the trade.
He did not mean to say much with regard to the
legislation that had taken place with reference to
the trade. They knew how he deplored that pro-
ceedings were not taken in 1872 and 1.874 to con-
solidate the whole of the laws that had reference
to the licensed victuallers. They knew he looked
upon that as a hardship of their laws that they
should have to go back as far as the days of the
Third Edward to see what were the laws which
affected the licensed victuallers. He hoped the
day was not far distant when Mr. Cross or some
other Secretary of State might alter the law so
that one page of the statute book might contain
the whole of their liabilities and their duties—
(great cheering). It was not to be expected that
persons could possibly act in strict accordance with
the letter of the law in their transactions if they
had to turn over page after page of the statute
book before they could ascertain how the law bore
upon their business. In fact it required men who
were eminent in council to know what were their.
duties and liabilities. When he (the speaker) was
at Brierley Hill a gentleman put a question to
him as to what had been done by the Licensing
Justices in Birmingham. Within the last few
days a case had been submitted to him with regard
to the alterations and extensions of premises and
, where, on iaccount Of those, attempts had been
r made to revoke the licenses. That question hav-
ing only been subia- itted to him recently, they
Would have to wait a few hours more to hear what
might be the law in this case on the subject. He
would, however, anticipate the official declaration
of the law, by making an unofficial statement on
the subject. From the oldest times it had been
within the discretion of the Justices to reilew
license, but the discretion of the Justices was
limited by this, that wherever by the legislature
of the country discretion was committed to any
man it must be within the bounds of precept
and old practice in law. It was not for one
moment to be supposed that Justices could depart
from an old practice and alter the law, and inas-
much as that by recent statutes no more power had
been given them than before, they had no right to
demand from any one seeking a renewal of a
license anything more than before 1872. From
that it was evident that no one seeking a renewal
of a license need attend the meeting of the Jus-
tices for that purpose, unless notice had been pre-
viously given to the person against whom the
objection had been made, and the objection must
be made upon oath. That limited the discretion
of the Justices. And when they came to the Act
of 1874, section 2(, they would find that no re-
quirement could be made by the Justices to any
licensed victualler seeking a renewal of his license
to attend before them except for some matter per-
sonal to the business of the licensed victualler.
It would seem, therefore, that, Justices had this
discretion, they may entertain objections of which
due notice had been given; they may hear evi-
dence given upon oath; and they may require the
person Ito attend where there was some matter
personal to the license of the victualler himself.
It would seem to follow upon that that there was
no power given to the Justices to require anything
from a 'man seeking a renewal of a license on an
extension or alteration of his premises. He
must not be supposed to say that he was carrying
this too far. He did not mean such an extension
as might in reality constitute new premises. Such
an extension as that was not within his meaning.
He knew they were all anxious to hear what his
opinion upon this ,subject was, and he had given it
them—not in words of law, but in words that were
plain, easy, and intelligible, he explained what he
believed was the proper view to be entertained of
this matter. Hei could not understand that any
Justices had any more jurisdiction in those cases
than they had before the Acts of 1872 and 1874.
He could not find any jurisdiction beyond that
-which they exercised 'before that period.. -There
was nothing.in those Acts of 1872 and 1874 to
justify them in doing now what they Were not
,emporered to do before. They would nowlstake
that opinion from him then as ex cathedra. In a
' few hours the official opinion of himself and the
'Attorney General would be in the hands of all of
them. As he was one of the two counsel whom
they had entrusted to advise them in that matter.'
he thought he would allay as far as possible any
anxiety they might feel on the subject. Having
done that, he would speak to them on the subject
that had brought him there that evening. They
Sight believe him when he said their future was
,in their own hands. If the trade was.conducted
as it had b.itherto been conducted—for the
good
. of the public—they need be under no apprehen-
sion. They were, he knew,:carrying on- a trade
loaded with a considerable amount of expense, and
fettered with:numerous exactions and requirements.
. They had, however, before them a future of use-
fulness, and, he hoped, of wealth and happiness—
(applause). There were those who took a very
strong view with regard to the consumption of
liquors, and who looked upon all who dealt in them
as their natural enemies. But those present and
himself hated to see drunkenness as much as any
of them, and perhaps more—;hear, hear, and ap-
plause). He said this the more advisedly because
they all knew that a little sort of feeling of pride
would arise when a person saw an adversary in a
humble position. They gave their best wishes for
the prosperity of those who had at heart the
greater temperance of this British nation, whilst
providing for them their working men's clubs, free
libraries, and other places of resort for 'social and
intellectual enjoyment. He was quite sure they
wished them " God speed," in their philanthropic
enterprise-:-(hear, hear). It was not by legislation
that they would prevent drunkenness. There was
a time when those in his sphere used to go to bed
every night drunk, but education had stepped in,
and public opinion, and it was now looked upon as
, a disgrace for a gentleman to be seen drunk. Let
that same education step in, and they would have
drunkenness removed from the lower classes. It
was about a quarter of a century ago when he (the
speaker first went to London, and he remembered
the scenes of drunkenness that were then constantly
before him. Some few years ago. when the thanks-
giving for the recovery of the Prince of Wales was
celebrated, he went along the whole length of the
procession, and through the millions of people who
thronged' ,the streets during that tim9—where a
quarter of a century previously there would have
been countless thousands drunk—he counted 'but
two. He went purposely for the discovery, and
that was the result, There Wat a time when it
customary for gentlemen to get drunk frequently;
.but that habit had passed away from the great
bulk of the people. It was passing away from
others, and by the means he had spoken of he
hoped it would be made to pass away entirely from
amongst us. In such a meeting as that if there were
to be a man drunk he would be looked upon as a dis-
grace to all present, and he believed that that feel-
, ing would eventually so pervade society that it would
be nearly impossible for a man to give way to. exces-
ye drinking. He, therefore, assured them that the
future of the trade was in their own hands; and he
drank success to the Licensed Victuallers' Associa-
tion, to those who were there that night he wished
success, and to the Stonrbridge Branch of the Asso-
ciation. He joined with it the health of the Chair-
man of the Society—(tremendous oheering).
Mr. J. Edwards (President) returned thanks on
behalf of the members of the Stourbridge Branch
of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, for the
light which had been thrown upon their duties and
responsibilities by the Chairman. He would not de-
tain them by making a speech, as it was getting late,
and there yet remained a considerable number of
items on the programme to be gone through. He
would, therefore, content himself with giving them
a few facts relative to the present position of the
society. Last year they had a balance in hand of
.259 11s Bd, this year the balance was £93 5s 2d.
The payments this year had been much heavier than
usual, which had no doubt been owing in a great
measure to their friend—if they could call him a
friend—Sir Wilfrid Lawson. Twelve months previ-
ously there were 15 honorary members, now thexe
were 30, so that the number had been doubled in the
*muse of the year.
Song," John Barleycorn."

was i

Mr.-W. Walker neit proposed, "The Town and
Trade of Stourbridge." Ile said that toast had
been entrusted to him, why he knew not. He had
been here but a short time; but, nevertheless, he
had a great interest in Stourbridge. There he found
what most men desired to find—.a good wife—(laugh-
ter and applause). He thought the toast naturally
divided itself into two parts--the town and the trade
of the town. It was not the largest town he had
visited by any means; neither was it the best looking
by any means. He should like to make it a little
larger by means of the building society he was trying
to start in the town—(applause). He should like to
establish a music hill and a cottage hospitgitini the
town—(clieers). Ai' for the tfiida 'Of thp tc•wli he
need not-say much. Those •gentleinen-present who
ljvel by ,the aal e of luxuries were a' living' proof of,
the,excellence of its trade, and aslong as they looked
as well as they (lid there •was 'need to fear for
them--(laughter).. When he heard Mr. Wall speak
of himself as being a brewer, a lawyer, and a malt-
ster, he thought he had got into• some. No-Man's
Land. Since he (the speaker) had been in the town
he had found the trade very good on the whole, and
he would try to make it a little better. He hoped it
would continue to improve. Wherever the trade was '

------------- At oei
goon there was sitte to be a great
victuallers, and they were always BUT to fr
(laughter and cheers).
Mr. W. Edwards replied to tl'e tof
" The Solicitor to the Licensed. \ jot." 411e,/„,16'
next proposed by Nv. CeFi, and,
Mr. Perry, responded to by Yr. Wall.
The following toasts were also given and 1,5
to: "The Treasurer of this Society," " TileA '
"elle Press," "Our Absent Friends," an"
Host and Hostess."
Mr. :Randle, organist of St. Thew" "ni.ti(
presided at the pianoforte during a great Fi„9
the evening. Several songs were swig
which we have noticed above, and the tittle r
away pleasantly.

ASSAULT CASE.—At the Public Office,
sto%before Colonel Fletcher, H. 0. Film
L. Freer, Edward McToy was charged 15,1,„.
ing Alfied Hall on the 6th inst. CO 15j1,
as he was walking up Kidderminster sired
the defendant came up to him, challeilAgew,3,
fight:and struck him twice on the eye $l3" gja,
fendant admitted striking the complainant,
otik
-Le was provoked by him. Fined 10s and ell ejo
NEGLECT OF WORR.—Geolge Squires wit,;" Ole I
with neglecting the work of G. J. Evesoll 10
lust, and claimed Se as compensati*l3,,' jot_
Worrell proved that he engaged the daY
de'v,; pot
work and he was to give. and take 7 bad
The defendant left on the above date, suumppen
been at work since. Ordered to pay 50
tion and costs.—George Pardoe was charge, 1;!'
peoatiuzu, 10,
similar offence, and claimed 12s cora
fondant pleaded guilty, and was ordered tc)drAsol9l/
and costs.—A similar charged was prefer" .00'
James Cartwright, but was withdrawn On I*
costs.
CHARGE OF STEALTNG AWL
was charged with stealing a •
last, the property of Noah Ktl
Mill. Prosecutor said the watel
box. in September, and he missei
Prisioner had previously lodged
watch produced was his property.
•Lutley proved that he bought the
prisoner about three months ago, and
for it. I afterwards gave it to my
J. E. Wraight ,assistant to Mr.
that that the last witness's wife
to pledge. She asked 13s From
ceived from the police, he did not '
but sent for the police. Police,
apprehending the prisoner.
month's hard labour.
ASSAULT CAM—Martha ITiminin. •
and costs for assaulting Thomas Poole-
EleErrrat SUNDAY.—The fol.lowing 5141)13311 pri
issued by the Hospital Sur day Committee,
of the collections. The amounts paid rmileellah.clif)
James, the treasurer, were as follow :•-"Tu
St, Thomas' Church, £l5 4s 7d • Wollaston
no 11
4s 5d • congregational Chapel. £7 14s 7d;
Chapel, £5 •, Lye Church, £7 8s; Arobleootf.o7
£1 is; Catholic Church, £6 128;
Chapel, £2 13s; Society of Friends, £6 1.60 6;1: Foc., 'l,
an Chapel, £l5 ss; St. John's Church, 700
11i, •
Maginnis for share of expenses, 35 t'
,;t4",;;;l's
This amount was thus disposed of :—BY P47.itels
tat, Birmingham, £2l 9s 5d ; guest flotif"rpriali-,
£34 8s; Stourbridge Dispensary, £29 4s 11" ;•;ii ,1
ttc £2 4s 9d ; total, £B7 7eid
Stamber Mill, amounting to Xfi I°_,6the
direct to the Dispensary, and the collet.
byterian Chapel, atuoumting to £2O 130, In
the Guest Hospital. 1:-he Collo:0o

-with

.
brouOt

110V6r/°.

,-Berges3't

tonioJe4

iction

rsonliDgf

THE LYE.
aDEATF/ FROM A FALL.—On Saturday
.ptr if

seven o'clock, a man,named WilliaW
years a trusty servant fin the employ of
Esq ,of Wollaseote House, having been Bei
fell down stairs. He was at once picked UP
to bed and Dr. Birt was. soon in attendance
tunate man lingered until seven o'clock on
ing when he died from the injuries he
Deceased was not conscious after the fall.
was held on the body on Tuesday afterr
way Inn, Lye, before Mr. R. Docker, .
hearing the evidence of Anne Murphy, Bit,
and Mr. Birt, surgeon, the jury returned '
accidental death.
OLD HILL. -
„A
IMPORTANT TO COLLIERS. At the x-0,,f—,z str-do.
Wednesday, before Messrs. N. Hin'gley an.d'.l4y, 5e,700
Charles Ward, a horse driver, was siiininOne" yor'
h Of'
John and William Pearson, for neglecting
the 24th ult, and they claimed 30s as coraPeil; sell;
Stokes defended. James Guest, undergronowt, 01,
said the defendant Was engaged as horse :dr,l'opirgsr,
left work on the above date and had not
They had to pay a man eight days extra re,.,u't;sete
Stokes, in defence, contended that eolnPm"oll;,;,gi
broken the contract by not finding' defendseto
the contract must be mutual between theta. „el Obi
engaged men to work they were bound to
but if he went to work and only did a 9111110
got 2s for it—it would be impossible for the rel., 04
his wife and family on 2s. Defendant bedrtilo ,
two quarters in two IdayB. The Bench d 4.1
case, and suggested that some mutual rills'
bet"
made for the guidance of masters and inen',„ 0 !ige
A Win BEATER.—John William D 5114% AG_As'ssl'
maker, was charged with assaulting ;hie --d'aele7,,,ot
Banks, on the 16th inst. Complainant
came home and she asked him to give her
He refused to give her any and left her to tetsel'as
mother's. She followed him and he struck:, elel •
times. Defendant said his wife had pasyned
an] run him in debt. He was quite willing bielteA
good home, but he should spend the Mond oci
Defendant was ordered to find his wife si g°
and not beat her, and pay costs. &lied "00
DRUNKENNESS. William Jeavons w5200..tdi
costs for being drunk and disorderly, ee'JP--
SERIOUS Assauvr.—Thomas Briant and t
were charged with an assault of an aggravateu
Susannah Piodry, on the 30th ult. From til3:4oePsy.
of complainant it appears that on the igbt'olo4
her daughter's child came to her house. •—e„eo,
fenclants came to the house, burst the door °r od /..•
they both beat her until she became insensible,
had been under the doctor's hands ever el131;e0
wituer sea corroborated complainant. peOtte/
they went to claim the child and denied 11.;
Complainant produced a certificate showisigit6a.
she had sustained, and the doctor's fee Ireg
fendants refused to settle, with somrilainauto—A fP '
lam.
was fined 10s and costs and Eliza was Oa' .
costs. 11024.
tot

uOO

------
NEGLRCT OF WORK —Catherine
thews, Mary Burne, Mary Cartwright, Ell"
Busannan Crumpton were charged by Mess" Os
of the Brades, with neglecting their work on.
inst. Defendants were tined 53 each and Oso

4,A
st
FOtelleiot
r•
,ePt°soi
i
of
on • ,
oefen".-
ib°

BRIERLEY XIJX
STEALING WOOD.—At the Police Court,
before Messrs. H. Hall and L. Freer, Sarsh,i
Elizabeth Rhoden, two women, were chargeuA4
ing a quantity ofiwood and damaging a fencet''
of George Dudley, on the 16th just, at Kinvet'is
Griffin, gamekeeper, said he saw the deletiOn ,
above date. They both [had bundles of woo
got over the fence and damaged it.
mitted having the wood but denied clamagwo
Fined is and costs each; in default 7 dq°'‘ErlifOr,°
CHARGE OP ASSAULT. Benjamin 611
charged with assaulting Eliznbetli Thol
15th inst. complainant Aaia.
and tried to reach her but did - not do
was dismissed.
\ea
lost,
with

-4
,rO. 00,
pgro
k
A elle
110 o'
• oa•leoliol,
of
bila 14$
ail Al Si!,
trot .• Air
:Ae.
;lad:stip
oip