The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-02-10 00:00:00

Vocal anb Tlistrict getus.

LIFE ASSUR.INCE COMPANIES.—A very olear,
concise, and interesting pamphlet has just been
:eritteu by Mr. W. P. Pattisou, Actuary, of Corn-
hill, London. To intending insurers tho work
is invaluable, as it teaches how to discriminate
between solvent and insolvent assurance com-
panies ; and makes reference to the recent fail-
ures of tho Albert and European societies. This
work becomes of great importance to intending
assurers.

limy WORKSHOPS' Ac-r.—At the Petty Ses-
sions held yesterday, before Messrs. B. Little-
wood, H. 0. Firinstone, W. C. Firmstone, J. B.
Cochrane, and Major Fletcher, Dudley Hill, of
the Dark-lane, Lye, was charged by Edward
Brown Fitton with employing a boy under 13
years of age, in a workshop, contrary to the
Factory Act, on the 30th January. Mr. Fitton,
sub-inspector, said the information was laid
under the New Factory Act, 30th and 31st Vitt.,
c. 144, sec. 5. He waited upon the defendant,
who refused to give him a certificate as to the
time the boy Squire Hill had attended school,
and defendant had rendered himself liable to a
fine of 20s.—Defendant was also charged with
employing a boy named Joshua Pearson at work
on the 2nd just, at ten o'clock at night; and
further charged with obstructing and threaten-
ing the inspector, on the 2nd inst. Complain-
ant proved that he visited the defendant's shop,
and found a boy at work who was evidently
under 13 years of age. He told defendant he
was breaking the law. Be then asked defendant
for a certificate of the time he had been to
school. Defendant said he had not one. Enoch
Richards gave corroborative evidence. Com-
plainant then gave evidence as to finding one
Joshua Pearson at work in defendant's shop,
after the hour of nine o'clock, which was con-
trary to the Act. At that time defendant refused
to tell him anything about Pearson, and gave
his name as Timothy Cox. Defendant ordered
him out, and caught hold of a red-hot nail rod
and threatened to put it through hint, and fol-
lowed him out of the workshop, threatening and
shouting after him. He told defendant that he
had rendered himself liable to a penalty of X2O
for obstructing him in his duty. Joshua Pear-
son was called, and said that he did not work
after eight o'clock that night; but that he went
into the shop, and heated a piece of iron hot to
light him to see if the window was fastened.
The Benfli considered all three cases proved,
in the first two cases inflicted a fine of is each.
The obstruction they considered a serious
offence, and for that fined him .g 5 and costs;
in default two months.

CHARGE OF THREATENING. Benjamin Hin
was summoned by Joseph Hill, of Oldswinford,
for using threatening language to him on the
2nd inst. Complainant said that the defendant
accused him of giving information to the police
against his brother in stealing pig iron, and the
defendant threatened to break his head, and wit-
ness was afraid of him. Emma Hill gave cot,
roborative evidence. Defendant denied using
any threats, and called Susannah Haden, who
said she heard no threats, neither did Elizabeth
Haden. Adjourned for a week.
WOMEN'S QUARRELS. Caroline Westwood
was charged with assaulting Hannah Pritchard
on the 3rd hat. Complainant said she had been
living with the defendant, and paid for her lodg-
ings. The defendant told her she should not
take the goods until she had paid her the 2s she
owed her, and as she was taking the goods out
of the house defendant struck her several times,
pulled her hair off her head, and injured her
arm. Mary Pardoe was called to support the
case, end Hannah Haggett for the defendant.
The latter said she saw them both on the floor,
but did not see any blows struck. Fined Is and
costs: in default seven da3 s.
CRUELTY TO A HORSIL—SaInUeI Robinson, of
Cradley, was charged with cruelly illtreating a
pony on the 3rd inst,h3 working it whilst in an
unfit state. Police-constable Roe proved that
pony had a large wound on the back it appeared
to be an old wound. Police-constable Cooling
corroborated. Fined 2s 61, to include costs.

THE SMALL-PDX QUtsTIoN.—At the General
Purposes Committee fleeting, Dr. Campbell, the
medical officer of health, reported that since
the 81st January ouly one case of small-pox had
occurred which was at Bouchill. The total
;lumber was 8; 5 were.coavalescetP. One child
had died. Dr. Campbell reported that the drain
al. the back of Enville-street was very bad, and
no,Aces were to be served upon the owners of
the property.