The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-02-29 00:00:00

BRIEBLEY HILL.

MEETING OF PUDDLERS AND IRON.

WORKERS.

trCillit6T.—tin Monday last, an inquest was hell at the
Rock's Rill Tavern, befere the Deputy-Coroner (Mr. W.
M. Phillips), on the body of John &Mee, p aiuker, forty
years of age, living at Rock's Ilill. Mr. J. Pleteher Was
fertmfan et the Jury. DeCeased came bv hie death under
the following circumstances —Henry; Walters aeposed:
I am driver of the night mail cart ttldirit runs between
Stourport and Wolverhampton. I was returning, tern*
Wolverhamptonion Thursday morning last, and when
near the Wnimiwy Ina, Brierley Hill, at about a quarter
tit tulr o'clock, I saw the deceased lying in the gutter on
the right hand side of the road. He was lying face
doanwarfis. I railed g Woman rip gt a boas() near, and
told tier to look after the Mart. Deceased Wan then alive,
lint was leschailitc; Deceased had his lint on.—Altar
some other witneateS lied been heard, the Coroner asked
if there was any further evidenee. Polia-sergeant Car-
roll repliml that he could produce the two men who left
the public-house in coxipany with the deceased. They
ilbl not, however, remember anything ab out the deceased
leaving them. One of the men was found lying on the
tossing Path ;-ff tlfe canal, with his head overhanging the
side, and nearly toncliin, the *Cater mod the other man
said that all lie knew was that lie " found hilneelf the
next morning in Wheeley's works." The Coroner briegy
addressed the Jury. He said that the deceased had
bruises of a slight character on hits right arm and left
hand and wrist, which might have been caused by a fall
or Lilfs. it ,sn :,-,ideut that be (deceased) had been
drinking heavily, and this no thttfht accounted for the
very decomposed state in which the Jury foetid the body.
It was also evident that he had been lying Borne tinie In
the road, arid that, tan, on a frosty night. It would be
for the Jury to say whether this would be enough to
canoe death; otherwise ha would adj men the enquiry,
andatirect p rh.tt VtOrie lit eaoniinstiou of the body to be
made to itaefifftlin the direct cause of death.—After a
short deliberation, the intl. returned a verdict to the
effect that the deceased stied from the effethrof eacessice
drinking and exposure to the cold-
ItssisTiso THE Pomes.—At thi Petty Sessions, on
Thursday last, before I. Spooner, Esq., Stipendiary,
William Homer Wil9 charged with thwarting Police.con.
stable Shenstone in the execution of his duty, on the 10th
Inst. Police-constable Shenstone said that he went to
defendant's house, in company with three other Police-
officers, with • warrant to search the hollie. Witness
demanded admittance. when defendant said on b--
policeman sloinld search hie premises. Witneas kicked
the door, end it was opened. Defendant then demanded
their authority, and Smith produced a warrant and read
it. There were from sixty to seventy pertains in the
house, and a number of per!,/119 rushed to obtain the
warrant : but Smith put it into his pocket,book, and then
put it into his pocket. Smith had a stick in his- bend,
and the defendant tried to take it ill him. Defendant
could not, and then struck Smith, who said thirst if he
struck him again lie should return it. Defendant then
strack witness. who told him that if he did that Muhl lie
should strike bins. Witness then pulled out 'del staff and
struck defendant, and knocked him Joan. Smith stud
Hammond then searched the house. Mr. Spooner said
it woo n very serious offence l'risoner bad no right to
interfere faith the police. They had a properly executed
warrant, and they had no right to loose it out of their
hands. If they bad done so. they would have been liable
to be punished. He would take into consideration the
blow that prisonar had received on the head, but must
make an es ortiple of him, and should fine bins tri and
costs; in default six weeks' Isar I labour.
Penult or rile PEtet:.— Mary Moore and Sarah
Geary were chmged by Superintendent Mills with com-
mitting a breach of the peace by fighting on the tigna
inst. Police-sergeant Carroll proved the offence, and
the husbands of defendants were ordered to be bound
for them to keep the peace for His mouths, end to pay
the coata.

WILFUL DAIIAGE.—JoRepIi Tollett was charged by
(Alixander Bunn with wilfully damaging hia coat. Com-
piainant said he lived at PAM-tett, and rata going Immo,
when the defendant threw a cabbage at his coat, which
lied been dipped in privy manure, and damaged his cont.
The coat was prodneed, and the learned Stipendiary did
not think there was any (inning,: done to it, and would
dismiss defendant. Complainant should have summoned
him for an assault, and a summons was accordingly
issued.
SELLING ALB DURING PRORMITED 11,uns. —Emily
Tranter, landlady of the White horse, Quarry Bank, was
charged by Superintendent Mills with selling ale on the
16111 instant, during prohibited hours. Police-constable
Ilemmond proved the pinnace, and fold there was one
man in the house, who had a pint of ale before him.
Fined 40s and costs, £2 Os.
AssAULTING THE POLlCE.—Joseph Green was charged
with assaulting Police-constable Fairbanks on the 18th
inst, while in the execution of his duty. Complainant
said he was on duty at Brierley Hill on the oh ore date,
about roe o'clock. Defendant and several others were
snaking a great disturbance. Ile ordered them home.
They all went except defendant, who refused, and struck
witness a blow on the mouth. Fined Is and costs, lie
6d in default 10 ,lava.
BREACH or arms Pram—John Welch and Samuel
Hand were charged with committing a br, ach of the
peace by lighting on the 23rd instant. Police•constable
Mapland proved the offence. Ordered to find two sure-
ties in £3, and themselves in 1:10, to keep the peace for
six months, and pay costs.
Ass,LULT CASE.—John Dobson was charged by Andrew
Bloomer, horsenail maker, of Quarry Bank, with assault-
ing him on the 22nd inst. From the evidence it appears
that there was some dispute between them, wh.o the
defundant struck the eomplainaut a severe blow on the
eye. Fined Is and costs, lie.
CHARGE or FHEI. STEALING.— Benjamin Wood and
William Bishop were charged with stealing a fowl on the
22nd not, the property of William Thomas. Complain•
ant proved that he had two fowls with bins when he went
into Jarvis's pnblic-house, at Brockmoor. lie was
"rustled" against, and some one took them from him.
Could not say it was the prisoners who took them. After
some further evidence, the Bench thought it was s pub-
lic-house 'task:' But it was a cruel thing to take the
old mall's fowl, and under the cireumstntices he would
allow them to settle it. Thi3, at first, was not alone, sod
they were remanded for a week; but afterwards the pri-
Boners paid lit s and costs.

A large meeting of paddlers and ironworkers, called
by circular, was tall on Monday morning„ at the Public
Hall, Brierley Hill. 'Pile chair was taken by Mr. Doh.
son, the secretary of the Brierley Hill Executive. It
will be remembered that a circular was issind by Mr.
Frederick Smith the Earl of Dudley's agent, to the fol-
lowing effect :—" Notice to the peddlers and undurhands
of Nos. 3 aud 4 Forges. After the Idiot instant under-
hands' wages will be paid from this oilice (through the
pnddlers' note) at the rate of tliree•teutlis for the under-
hands and seven tenths to the puddler—that is, three-
pence on every tenpenee earm d by the puddler, will be
due to the underhand. The same rule will apply to the
draw.-1". Sutra." The men throughout the diet: jet
appear to have taken umbrage at the proposed change,
and it was rcsolved that a meeting should be held and all
ironworkers invited to attend.

The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said that
the meeting must be taken as a merely representative
one, as the greater portion of the working men were
absent, consequent upon it being requisite for them to
take rest for tire night turns. lie was pleased to see no
mail firms represented. The question they bad met to
discuss was one affecting all their interests, and it was
for them to decide as to what steps should be taken con-
sequent upon the circular issued by Mr. F. Smith. It
was for them to calmly consider, and to decide or reject
this proposal for the new mode of paying the underliands.
An alteinut had keen mole to bring about an amicable
settlement, but this hail failed ; but upon that matter he
should not dwell. Ile lamed every workman present
would speak his mind fearlessly upon the subject. Hit
Opinion was that ironmakers were being oppressed more
. than any ether class of artisans in the king lone Their
hard ha at was not respected, and there were complaints
frequently ma le against them when they were working
against difficulties, and doing their best according to the
abilities they possessed—(clieers). In many instances
they had to labour under the disadvantage of woiking
up inferior iron without receiving extra remuneration. ,
Extra labour WU also required in the fettling of furna-
ces, and this did not appear to be taken into account.
He believed it would be greatly to the intererte of the
men if they met oftener, and he especially wished to
impress this remark upon the puddler,. as it had been
stated before the Royal Commission on Trades Unions
that the wages of all other ironworker, were regulated
by those of the paddlers. He was convinced that the
movement they were met to consider was intended to
take direct advantage of the men, and he foresaw other
shadows to their disadvantage ln.anii,mg in the distance.
Orders were eoming is to skstus,ust .tens which would Wks
three years to complete, and yet into thin wage, had in
some instances been reduced without a correspondius

_
REFESINO TO ADMIT THE POLlCE.—William Isaacs,
beerhouse-keeper. of Quarry Bank, was charged with re-
fusing to admit the police on the evening of the 2.2nd
inst. Police-constable Hammond proved the offence.
Fined Is and costs.
Citsmor. or NEGLECTING COLLIERY RULES—William
Weaver and Thomas Booth were suummned by Mr. Baker,
Her Majesty's Inspector of Mines, for disobeying the
Colliery Ruhe on the ISth November last. Mr. Walker
(of Wolverhampton), appeared to support the charge,
and Mr. J. Hoinfray defended. Mr. Welker said that
the charge against the defendants was that of disobeying
the 2Stti colliery rule, which says that where any holing
has been done the coal shall:be properly spurned jr
spragged. lie should show that on the above date the
defendants were engaged at work in a colliery at Brettell
Lane, and that they did not comply with the rules, and
that in consequence a boy lost his life. Ile niast say
that the information was taken from evidence: given be-
fore a Coroner's Jury. The hornet Stipendiary said he
could not take the report in the paper as evidence. Mr.
Walimr said he would ix tinier the witness, and prove it
by his evidence.—Willimu Driff ths. Deputy Charter-
, master, said lie was employed at the Brettell Lane Col-
liery, on the ISth of N wember last. Knew the two de-
fendants. They were at work on the above date getting
some spoil from under the white coal, which is called
riding," and it was then spragged up. The holing was
begun two day previous to the ISth of November, and
finished on that date. It was not spragged after the
holing, because it did not require it.—Mr. Walker said
witness's evidence was very dffLrent now, to that whileh.
tin had given before the Coroner.—The Bench: If he
does not give his evidence truthfully, you can indict him
for perjnry.—Mr. 'Richard Grow.:utt, Miue Agent, WAY
also examined, and after hearinlhis evidenee Mc. Walker
said he could not carry it any farther, and the defendants
were dismissed.—There was a charge against William
Griffin, but after hearing the evidence, that was also
dismiss,d.

reduction in the price of iron. His opinion was that the , "The Sailer Sighs "—Miss Ibbotson NA Be,. T. R.
present attemnt to invade their rights wan made because iltthisly : solo finfr —lFleetboven's " Adelaide -'-Mr. Mt.
hitherto they had not anfficiently respectei themselves ; thews; aong—' 0011 at Thrum "—Mr r. Essington: glee
and he felt sure that the more they donned and cringed, —"TraTtr Cllot3s"—'°Pr2" 14'
solo by • G"
I.'
the more they would be oppressed—(eheers). He im. I, Entnn. Seemd parl,—Overture to Massasiello—Plann-
impressed upon them the necessity of maintaining corn. ; forte duet, with fir:'-e, violin and . violoncello—Mirm Ib-
'siltation, so as to he Able to mist such pressure in the botson, Hon. Caroline Iytseltou. Mr. Mattews, Mr.
future. He thought Mr. Smith had acted inconsistently Knobel, and Mr. Benson; 11,S4f!gat—st Fo
"ra es I earelesti
sh
in not baring given notico of the change to the whole of . strayed;' song—" We'd better b:de *wee —MnI. Glover
the foresees, instead of Non. 3 and 4 only. In his ; Eaton; trio—" Ti Prego
opinion it would have looked wore honourable if notice son. and Rev. T. B. Mmily; sold p:.:1e;"."11,'„,;i:i."„2 of,
had been given to all, instead of acting in detail for the the lark "—Mr. Matthews; sextett—" 12'e e'"""—""""'
Rev. T. B.
noire of experiment. They had also been Direntened Towers "—Miss Ibbotann, Mr. P. Daphne. -
that if the demand was not corralled with the furnaces Mundy, Mr. Drewry. lion. C. G. Ml:tenon, a.2'l Me'
"......ii,:n. Ergington. Bliss Ibbot•
would be closed. The Chairman concluded by inviting (Mitten ; met'—" Hark 'tis the breeze of twilight " Ye,."
those present to speak openly and without notion Mg- Glover Eaton and Mrs. Essington ; solo violin—" Ito-
gentles). mcnee"--Itr. Knobel ; song—" Out on the Rock') "
Mr. Jones said it ass necessary they should be decided Miss Ibbotson ; (lice—" Onaway, awake beloved "—sole
either one way or the other in their action in this matter, and chorus—" shal save the Queen." The Hall Barn,
no as to check the pressure which was Omit being tried in which the concert took place, had been previously de-
la he forced upon them. Ile argued that the plddlers corated for the occasion by some ladies, and was well
having the nr!! rnsponsibility and the underhands core.. I filled by an audience which gave nnmistakeable tokens
posibility, that the puddlera were justified is, paying their I of Its appreciation of the performances. The two over-
own terms, and that men were not dissaibtfied with the I lures Were beautifully played, no were alra the solos on
present mode of procedure. Mr. Smith had lid more 1 violin and flute respectively by Mr. Kriebel (a gentleman
moral right to control a workman labia terms with his teem Burton-on.Trentl and Mr. .11n0Pfl Matthews. Mrr,
undelhand than he had to dictate to those to whom he Glover Proton charmed evorybody with her singing, and
gave orders as to the rate of pay the workman engaged was twice mar—,7. Her "Echo song." accompanied by
should receine—(cheers). He said that undtrhauds Mr. Matthews, gelfing the most hearty re-demand of
would be under-paid by the arrangement, and that sin the evening. The part songs and glees, however, were
necessity ousted for its introduction. ; not all of them perfection, the "Vale of rest 'and " Blow
MOMS. Thompson, Bennett, Pugh, Harper. and Dunn gales," being a little faulty. Tbe "Tramp chorus," with
also addressed the meeting, advocating a resistance to . soprano solo by Mrs. Glover Eaton, was capitally given,
Mr. Smith's project. and quite deserved the hearty em,re which it received.
Ultimately the following resolution Ong proposed by " Soon as I isearoely strayed," was also very well sung.
Mr. Harper, soeonded by Mr. Marlow, and carried unani- The concert concluded with the National Anthem, Mrs.
Motel, ;—" That this meeting haring beard the state- Mover Eaton taking the solo for the first verse. sad Mrs.
merits advanced by the puddlers working in Nos. 3 and 4 Ermington that for the second. The entertainments this
forges (Hound Utak Work.) respecting the alterations in I year have been well kept up, as regards their character.
the mode of payment (three-tentha of their earnings) I and the arrangements for the convenience of the midi-
ventured to be enforced by the principal agent of such ' enee have certainly been more perfect than in former
works, considers the project an innovation lathe contract sermonic We hope that the Ilagley Recreations Com-
o( service if succulacd Sot and this meeting pledges mittee will be able in future yearn to provide an pleasant
tteelf to render the puddler', shinglers, and rollers all evenings for their neighbours as they have hitherto.
the Moral and pecuniary aid poseible peeling the settle-. : —.----- -
ment of the aerate ; and Wig meeting further reeora• I
mends the men to meet Hr. eleeith oil Tuesday or some
convenient day, in order to effect a settlemegrt by induc-
ing that gentleman to forego his decision and ahow the
Men to tcsnirte opetrationn on the usual system."
Before the meeting separated a decision was come to
the effect that the alleged arbitrary working of the Forge
Managers' Union should, if possible, be brought tinder
the notice of the Royal Commission on Trades' Union,:
by iti rasnnembling in Morels next,
tes of thanks 40 the Chairman and the press con•
eluded the procemlingi.