The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-01-03 00:00:00

THE PROPOSED REGULATION OF CLENT
HILLS.

He saw a man drunk, go into the defendant's house. He
followed him in the house and told defendant's son and
barmaid not to fill the man any ale. He saw the man
pick up a glass of ale. The man asked witness if he
wanted it and he told defendant's son that he was drunk,
he said he did not think he was so dru. k. Witress
told him he should report the case. The man Cart-
wri,ght had, previously to going into Mr. LinKhes howe
ben making a noise in the street, and throwing his hat
in the air. 'Roland Dance, Police.sergeant Jones, and
Police-constable Williams also gave evidence to prove
that Cartwright was drunk. Mr. Perry addressed the
Bench and contended that the police did not caution
defendant's son or barmaid until Cartwright had the
ale and he should call several witnesses to prove th•it
the man was not drunk. The defendant:himself was not
lin the house at the tim-. Col, Fletcher said, they had
I a doubt, and they should give the defendant the uenefit
I of that doubt and dismiss the summonse, but considered
I the police had- done their duty in bringing the ease be-
fore them.

A special meeting of the Stourbridge Improve-
ment Commissioners was held on Thursday night,
Mr. H. Hughes in the chair. Mr. Jos. Walker
solicitor, who has been instructed to act for the
Commissioners in the matter of the application for ,
an order for the regulation of Cleat Hills, was pre-
sent at the meeting, and stated that he had written
to the town clerks of Kidderminster and Dudley,
and the clerk of the Local Board at Brierley Hill,
asking them to co-operate with the Stourbridge
Commissioners in regard to the inquity. He also
wrote to the Enclosure Commissioners asking them
if the inquiry could not be held at Stourbridge
instead of Hagley. He had received a reply
Lla cub 1.1 1,. “6... r a. lap or. th
place tor the inquiry from its bal.-' the most con-
venient place near the Hills. If it should be found
necessary, a future meeting could be held at Stour-
bridge or elsewhere. The Commissioners took
that opportunity of saying that no enclosure was
intended, but the regulation of the Hills is a totally
different proceeding.
In answer to a remark by the chairman, Mr.
Walker said he believed a certain set of bye-laws
existed which were applicable to different commons
sought to be enclosed, and such bye-laws might be
adopted as were suitable in individual cases.
Mr, Kelley asked who would be the committee to
see to the execution of the bye-laws.

Mr. Walker said that was another question. He
did not see anything in the Act about it. Perhaps
Mr. Taylor could tell them who the Board of Con-
servators would be.

Mr, Taylor (clerk to the Commissioners, and
agent for the promoters of the application) said he
took it the provisional order would contain the
names of the Conservators.

The Chahman But who would appoiat them?
Mr. Walker: I cannot say anything about that.
The Clerk : Nor can I. If the Cleat land owners
have to bear the expense, I suppose would appoint
the conservators, but if you decide to contribute
towards the expense, then you wiuld appoint your
chairman for the time being as one of the conser-
vators.

Mr. Edwards : What is the obje-!f- of our meeting.
The Chairman: The object is what w e ere doing.
Mr. Walker : I should think the first thing will
be to get a copy of the applications and grounds for
making it, and the questions of the Enclosure Com-
mie.sioners and replies of the landowners, and we
shall then see what their plans are. The object of
the application seems to be to get control of the hills
and to regulate their use by the public, and to enable-
a Board of Conservators to prevent injuries to the
common and trees, and indecencies.
The Chairman: That can all be done by the com-
mon law of the land.
Mr. Walker said the Conservat)rs would be en-
abled to issue licenses to the owners of ponies. He
thought,itoo, they would have a right to charge the
public for admission to the hills. Section 14 pro-
vided for the raising, from time to time, by persons
interested in the common—that would be the Board
of Conservators—of money, to be applied towards
the protection and improvement of the common
either by means of rates to be levied on persons
and property and by a sale of a portion of the com-
mon. Persons might be charged for entrance to the
common for the purpose of keeping it up.
Mr. Kelley said he thought they required further
information before they could deal with the matter.
It was a suspicious Act of Parliament under which
these proceedings were taken, and if the present ap-
plication was not well opposed by the inhabitants of
the whole of the neighbourhood, it would
tow wa oi
The Chairman: We must have a public meeting in
Stourbridge.
Mr. W. Edwards expressed his strong opposition to
the proposal with regard to Cleat Hills. It would
be a great blow to the rising generation if they
were to go to the hills to be stopped walking on
them unless they paid 6d for admission.
,Mr. Walker: Provided they get a provisional
order for the purpose.
Mr. Edwards : If they get a provisional order
they might charge 6d or even is. This was im-
portant. In his opinion there was a collusion among
a lot of people to debar the public from what they
had enjoyed for 50 or 60 years t 6 his knowledge.
How was it Clent Hills had become such a nuisance
to the public. There might be a few people who
had come latterly who did not like to see even a
cottage at Cient. Some of them had bought cot-
tages and pulled them down. If they ever let them
get the thin end of the wedge in they would soon
get in the whole edge.
Mr. Walker: If they got a provisional order, they
could not then enclose the Hills without going for
an Act of Parliament.

The Chairman said he understood the commoners
were totally opposed to this movement and he
would move, " That our solicitor, Mr. Joseph
Walker, be instructed to oppose by every means
available, any attempt to restrict the present free
use of the common called Cleat Hill-4, by the whole
of the public, as heretofore."
The Clerk: D 9 you say, Mr. Walker, that in this
application it is intended to restrict the free use of
the common.

Mr. Walker: Not so far as I have seen. As far
as I can see there is nothing in the application but
for the purpose of regulating the Hills, but what
the nature of the provisional order may be, neither
you nor I can tell, because I don't know what your
evidence is going to be.
The Clerk: You see by the papers,
Mr. Walker: I see by the
carry it much farther. papers, but you may
The Chairman said he could not consent to the
Clerk taking any position in the discussion.
The Clerk: Perhaps I had better retire—(No, no).
I have not the slightest interest in the m4tter, but
only wish the Commissioners to be well informed on
the subject.
The Chairman: You are acting as an advocate.
Mr. Walke: The answers to the inquiries are mild
enough, but in the provisional order we dolnot know
what powers may be given. You campt tell what
Mr. Marcy may ask for when he gets before the
Assistant Commissioner.

_
After further discussion the resolution was carried.
Mr. Edwards moved that a committee be appointed
to conduct the opposition to the application, the in-
tent of which was to deprive the public of the rights
they had enjoyed from time immemorial.
This was seconded by Mr. Scott and carried.
1. tie uht,:rm..n. M.0.9e1,3. IV. J. Turnoy, Green,
W. Edwards. and Spnte wcsc uppulutt,l WS too Com-
mittee.

It was also resolved to call a town' a meeting on
the subject.

LOCAL FAILURE. A petition for liquidation or
composition with creditors was filed in the Stour..
bridge County Court on Thursday by Mr. Robert
Wilcock, solicitor, Queen Street, Wolverhampton,
on behalf of James Cook, of the Bull's Head Inn,
the Lye, in the parish of Oldswinford, public.an and
miner. Mr. Charles Evers, of Stourbridge, is the
receiver. The liabilities are estimated at £260, and
assets unascertained.

HIGHWAY OFFENCE.—At the Police Court, yester-
day, before Colonel Fletcher, Messrs. F. Evers and
R. L. Freer, Richard Brooks, butcher, was summoned
for allowing his cart to stand in the High Street
longer than is allowei, on the 19th ult. "Withdrawn
on payment of costs, 6s Gd. A similar charge was
preferred against James Shepherd. Withdrawn on
payment of costs.
DRUNKENNESS.—Henry Hill, of Oldswinford, was
charged with being drunk and disorderly on the 26th
Police•constable Eaves proved the case. Defendant
pleaded guilty and was fined ss.
DRUNK AND DIS3RDERLY AND REFUMNIS T 0 QUIT.—
George Tombs and Charles Merrick were charged with
being drunk and disorderly and refusing t 3 quit the
Railway Inn, Church Street, when requested, on the
26th tilt. Elizabeth Ridley, servant, proved the case
and said she had to pat Merrick out of the house.
Police-constable Eaves corroborated. Fined 10s, each
to include coats; in default 7 days. —David Gauden was
charged with a similar offence and refusing to quit the
Ball Lane Tavern, when requested on the 26th nit.
Thomas Pardoe. the landlord, proved the case and said
he had to put defendant out three times. Defendant
pleaded guilty and was fined 10s. and costs.
HIGHWAY OFNENCE.—WiIIiam Bn-ith was charged
with being drunk on the 23rd nit, while in charge of a
horse and cart at Clent. Police-constable Wallace
proved the case and said the defendant was so drunk
that he had to put him into the cart. Defendant fell out
and the wheel of the cart went over the defendant's leg.
lined 53 and costa .

STEALING SWEDES.—Joseph Grove was cliar4ecl with
sealing on the 12th ult, a quautity of swedes, the pro-
perty of Richard Stevens, 01 Colley Gate. Po ice-con-
stable pokey proved the ease, which was not pressed,
and as the prisoner was not at all times acloun'abl3
for his acts. lie was discharged.
OJAI. STEALING —Maria Bretlle in), was charged
with stealing cJal on the 15:h ul', the property 01
Messrs. King and Co, Police-coustabe Oakey prayed
the case. Fined 73 61 ;in default 7 days. . _

CEI tRGE oV DRUNKE NNE h Sn
Thomas Flave!l, of Irl o laston, were c!.arged with being
drunk on the 28. h ult. Police-coustanl.: tartwright
proved the case. Fined 5s to include costs.
DRUNK AND ASSAULTING TGE POLICE —William Cart-
wright was charged with being drunk and disorcierly
at the Lye on the 25th ult. Defendant was further
charged with assaulting Police constable Widdows
Police-constables Widdows and Jewsun. and William
Evans proved the case. Defendant a twitted striking
the police, but the police struck him three times first
and he only struck in self-defence and called Georg.
Cook who swere that the police struck Cartwright three
times fist, and that Cartwright was quite sober. Two
other witnesses swore that the otlicer struck ft:fen-hint
first and the Bench dismissed the summons of- assault
and fined him ss. for being drunk.—Eli Baggot was
tined 56 for being drunk at Vie Lye on the 23ta ult ;
Joseph Southall of Cradley, was charged with being
drunk and disorderly on the 25th ult. Police-constable
Uakey proved the case and defendant was lined 5s
,and
costs.—Wisdom Cartwright was charged with being
drunk and disorderly in Coventry Street, on Sunday
night last. Police.conitable Williams said the defend-
ant was singing a song and making a noise. Police-
constable Cross corroborated. Fined 58.

•
CHARGE Or PERHITTING DRUNKENNESS. - John
Hughes, landlord of the Star Inn, High-it., was charged
with permitting drunkenness in his house on the 30th
ult. Mr. Perry defended. Police-constable Cross said
he WU OA duty about 8 o'clock on the day hi quet4iNt

was granted.
DINNER To THE AGED Poo.—.On Monday after-
noon. between 300 and 400 aged and poor persons of
the towir, who had been selected without respect
to sect or creed, were entertained to dinner in the 1
Wesleyan schools, the repast having been provided
out of a fund of about £25, raised in public sub-
scriptions by the members of the Brierley Hill
Ladies' Benevolent Society. Over 3001 b of meat
and 4001 b of potatoes, besides a large quantity of
bread, tea, and plum: pudding were provided; and
with the ladies of the society as waitresses, together
with a numeroas staff of ge•ttlemen helpers, the
feast became very successful. .In the evening there
was a public meeting, when articles of elothing &c.
were distributed to the guests.
THE CHARGE AGAINST A WORDsLEY MILLER.—At
the Police Court, on Thursday, before Mr. Haden
Corser, Deputy:stipendary. In the case of Job

CHARGE OF DRUNKENNESS. Jessie Cartwright W2B Alwen, miller' Wc;rd4ey, who was charged with
charged wiih being drunk on the 30th ult. Mr. Prescott obtaining 88 bushels of wheat by false pretences,
defended. Defendant was fined 5s and costs ; in default
14 days. from James Holder, corn merchant, Tewkesbury,
IL SING A HoßSE.—Samuel Marsden was and with forging a bill of exchange for £26 195., Mr.
LL
charged with cruelly illusing a horse, by working it Holberton, who appeared for the defendant, informed
while in an unfit state on the 22nd ult. Inspector the Deputy-Stipendary that the charge had been
Dance proved the case and defendant was fined 5s with drawn.
. BEING ON LICENSED PREMISES DURING PROHIBI-
THE CHARGE OF THROWING A MAN OVER A CANAL
TED HOURS.—Edward Chew and William Worrai
BRIDGE.—Thomas Barnbrook, Level-street, Brierley
were fined 5s and costs each for being on licensed • Hill, who has been remanded on bail from week to
premises during prohibited hours on th 3 26th ult. week for some time. surrendered, and was charged
kowl. STEALING. Thomas Dunn was charged with unlawfully wounding Joseph Cartwright,
with stealing 4fo w Is, the property of Thomas Hooper, miner Amblecote, by throwing him, it is alleged,
of Hagley, on the 13th Aug. Sarah Hooper, wife a over the canal bridge.—Mr. Holberton appeared to
pri.secutor, said that the fowls were safe on:the night prosecute, and Mr. Waldron def end ed.---The Deputy-
of the 12th of August. The n.t day she Inisaed four Stipendiary having to sit again that day in Wolver-
hampton, the case was furtl- adjourned for a week
fowls. She recogenised the fowi produced as her aim •
property. Thomas Smart. bricklayer, residing at
Halesowen said that in August las.t ho saw prisoner
at Lowerß.agley, with 3 -fowls under his arm.
Warwick Plant, fishmonger, of Cradley, said that he
saw the prisoner at Old Hill Station on August
13th, he had three fowls tied by the legs. Witness
bought them for 6s. Joceph Pearson said the
thn Qamnhe bou,ht of the last
witness Police-constable Wallace said that Oa
the 14 August he received the fowls produced from
Mr. Pearsoneand afterwards apprehended the prisoner
After the usual caution, prisoner said he knew no.
thing about it. and he could get witnesses to prove
that he was 15 miles away at the time. Committed
for trial.
ASSAULTING Tun POLICE.—James Beavon landlord of
the Rose and Crown, Coveutr), street, was charged wins
assaulting Pelice-constable Cro,s on the 25th nit.
Police-constable Cross said he was on duty in Coventry
Street at 11.30 on the 26th ult. in company wain
Police-constable Williams, and they heard loud talking
in the house. They were admitted into the house, aua
on going up stairs found two men named Woirall and
Chew there. Chew was in bed but both men had got
their clothes on. Defendant went up stairs and paled
witness down and struck him. Police-constable Williams
corroborated and defendant was fined 40s. i actuiing
cott4.

HALES OWEN.

. DRusKErrmass.—At the Police Court, on Tuesday,
before Messrs. E. Gem and E. B. Phillips, Joeeph
Darby, stonecutter. of Blackheath, was charged
with being drunk in the highway on the 14th ult.
Defendant was fined is. and costs.—Charles Hair
urnQ o.l,n.rorml with boing drunk in the highway on
the 20th ult. Fined, is. and cost.—Betijamin
Preedy, bri,!klayer, was fined 2s. 6d and costs, for
a similar offence on the 21st ult.