The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-03-07 00:00:00

3tont*ibie Obscrinr.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1868.

TIIE MINISTRY.

The Ministerial changes are much to he re-
gretted for many reasons. It is to be regretted
that a nobleman in whom a largo section of the
country bad so much confidence, and whom the '
whole country so much honoured, as Lord
Oerhy, should have had to retire from his proud
position on the ground of illness. It is to be
regretted, too, that Parliament has had an en-
forced vacation of unnecessary length, ea it ap-
pears to us ; and it is also to be regretted that
ails cessation of business came at a time when
the House of Commons was to be called on to
-xpresa its opinion on the Irish policy of the
One, commit. Ireland, as Lord Stanley said, is
the question of the hour, and it is not one which
w;11 well hear delay. This question cannot now
ic taken in band before the tenth, and we can-
not but hope that the additional time which
hiisters have had to devote their attention to
this subject will enable thorn to propose some
olans for the settlement of the Irish land ques-
tion which may command the support of both
political parties and the confidence of the
country.
There are but three great changes in the Min-
istry. The minor appointments are positively
nothing when compared with the principal fea-
tures of re-construction. Mr. Disraeli in be-
coming Prime Minister realises what is said to
have been tho dream of his life. Without the
advantages of birth and station, with no influ-
ential friends, and commencing life as a solici-
tor's clerk, he has made his way to the highest
post of honour by force of his genius and per.
; and his rise is a memorable proof
diat brilliant talent, and force of character will
sometimes make themselves felt in spite of all
the disadvantages that ambition has to contend
against when it is outside the pale of the aris-
tocracy. Somewhat curiously Mr. Ward Hunt
affords another instance of the same sort of
thin., except that even partial friends do not
rank him with Mr. Disraeli as a Milli of genius.
But Mr. Hunt is undoubtedly a man of consider-
able talent, and he owes his rise to the exalted
position of Chancellor of the Exchequer entirely
to having honestly and laboriously brought this
talent to bear on whatever duties he had to fulfil.
too, was not a member of the aristocracy,
and had no influential friends to push him for-
ward. It is but seventeen years since he was
called to the bar ; it is but ten years since lie
was first elected to Parliament; and yet during
these ten years he has so sedulously devoted

himself to the study of political questions, and
especially to finance, that his appointment as
Financial Secretary of the Treasury, in 18,6,
excited no surprise, and commended itself to
most impartial men as the reward of merit.
This post is a natural stepping-stone to the
Chancellorship of the Exchequer, and though
Mr. Ward Hunt labours under a great disadvan-
tage in following so able a financier and so bril-
liant a debater as Mr. Disraeli, we doubt not
that he will prove himself " strong enough for
the place." Lord Cairns who now fills the ex-
alted post of Lord High Chancellor and Speaker
of tho House of Lords, is a third example of
mental power forcing its way without the ad-
vauta,ges of birth, wealth, or station. The
second son of an Irish gentleman of moderate
means, he had to make his own way at the bar,
and step by step he has won wealth and fame,
till at last he has reached the highest post in
his profession at the early age of 49. It has
been said that every French conscript carries a
field marshal's baton in his knapsack. With just
a little exaggeration it may be said that every
young barrister carries the Lord Chancellor's
wig ill his brief bag. At all events the career of
these three leading members of the Ministry
may give "heart. of hope" to young men set-
ting out on life with nothing in their favour but
their own ability, and their determination to
achieve success.

an animated disctioision it was proposed. seconded. and
carried nnanimensly—" That the Bill now introduced in-
to Parliament for the purpose of rlos:nlptihne houses on
Sundaye, be onposei by this society ; and that it is the
opinion of thin meeting thet the present bourn work
satisfactorily." It was also moved end rorried that peti-
tions he forwarded to the members of Parliament for
East Worcestershire. opposing, the bill. Petitions will
lie in front of the Market Hell this day (Saturday), and
Monday, for signatures opposing the bill, and those who
have not received any forms to fill en can have them on
application to Mr. Hughes (the Star Inn), or to the Sec-
retary. A committee was formed to carry not the open.
numb of this district, toast-tiny of Messrs. 11. Brooks.
E. Parkes, T. Parkes, R. Kelly, J. Hughes, S. Green. and
T. Allchurch. It wan proposed and carried that the next
meeting be held at Mr. F. Heming's, the Swan with Two
INecks. .

SERIOUR Arctogicr.—On Monday evening last, Rich-
ard Walter B•oshere had been attending a colliers' club
held at Mr. Hambrey's. Station Inn, when, :n descend-
ing the flight of steps leading from the club room, he
missed his footing, and pitched head foremast from the ,
top to the bottom of the steps, his head coming into
violent contact with a stone. He was picked up in an
insensible stale. and carried home. Mr. R. Bayley found
that he was suffering from concussion of the brain, in
addition to external bruises. The unfortunate man re•
mained unconscious for six hours, and was the worse for
beer at the time of the fall. He had a narrow escape of
having his brains dashed out. It is only about a week
ago since another man, in returning from A club at the
some house fell into a pit, and had a narrow escape of
being seriously injured.

OBSERVETt. sATtIIDAY, MARCH 7, 1868.

and it was true.—Hoth Homer and Mary Williams were
called for the defence, but their evidence went to prove
the charge.—The Bench said it woe a very serious charge.
If they did not elloo4, to work thennielvoi they had no
right to interfere with other.: who were inclined to work.
and should send them to Stafford for 91 dope hud
labour. _ .

CHARGE or CO3IIHTTINO A NrlSlATCE.—Sametel Jones
was sumnioned by James Parkes, Inspector of !lateen-
ces, for stopping up a certain water-course at Old Hill,
and thereby cauxing a nuisance. Mr. Homfray defended.
Complainant proved that in consequence of the defend-
ant stopping up a certain water-course, it bad caused •
nuisance in Garrets-lane. Mr. Homfray contended that
defendant had not caused the nuisance, hut that it had
been caused by other persons : and that sanitarium,'
sbauld have been issued against all persons who resided
where the nuisance existed. The ease was adjourned for
seven days. The Bench, in the meantime, wiU visit the
place.
Wicem-DAMAne.—John Powell was charged by Joseph
Tromans with wilfully and maliciously damaging a win-
dow on the 2501 Mt, at Waterfield Lane. Complainant
said that he collected the rent for a club. He went and
found the windows broken. He then complained to the
defendant about knocking the windows out. Defendant
said he was very sorry for what he had done, and was
short of work. The reason he did it was to enable him
to get the bedsteads out of the window, and for that
purpose be knocked the whole of the window oat. He
was drunk at the time. Witness has since had the win-
dow put in. He did not wish to press the ease, if the
defendant would pay the costs. Defendant refused to do
this, and he was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment
CHARGE or PIGEON STEALING.—At the Petty Sessions,
on Wednesday last, before F. W. 0. Bares, Esq., Joseph
Robinson was charged with stealing two pigeons on the
27th January, the property of Thomas Parsons. Prose-
cutor said he lived at Cradle'? Heath, with his father.
He kept pigeons in a loft, and the two now produced
were his property. He last saw them, previous to their
being stolen, about seven o'clock on the 27th January.
Witness next saw them at Mr. Millinehip's, at Nether-
end, on the 7th of February. Witness had hot two other
pigeons. The Bench asked how it was that the prisoner
tliad not been brought up before. The Poliee-ollicer said
that Millinehip would not identify the prisoner. The
prisoner was then discharged with a caution, and Millin-
chip was charged with receiving the pigeons knowing
them to bare been stolen. This ease lIIS adjourned, the
defendant promising to appear again when called upon.
BARTARDV ORDER.--Samael Walker was summoned bp
Ann Payne for 7s lid arrears on • bastardy order. De-
fendant pleaded guilty, and, as he refused to pay, was
sentenced to one month's imprisonment. —There were •
' --aes called on for hearing, but as there
number ot °toe,
was o
aet2l.,ovneeanheistys.trete picm.nt' they were adjourned
till

BRUMLEY HILL.
&MOBS ASSAULT.—At the Petty _essi one, op
day last, before I. Spooner, Esq , Stipendiary, Joseph
Hensley was charged by Maria Turbevllle with &malt.
ing her on the 4th ult. Mr. Addison appeared for the
complainant, who said that on the above date, about five
o'clock, she went out of her house and found defendant's
two brothers fighting her little girl. She parted them,
and sent the two boys away, and her girl into the house.
Defendant came up, using an oath, and struck her an
the head. Waimea returned the blow, and they fought.
Her husband came up and parted them, and as she was
going home defend int threw 6 brick at her, and Very
much Injured her hand. he learned Stipendiary said
he had nothing to say about the assault as he had nO
doubt they were equal, but throwing a brick was it very
dangerous thing to do. He found that the defendant
had lamed the woman for life, Alla must mark his sense
of Imio using no dangerous a weapon ; and should ~..onunit
him to Stafford for two mouths' haril labour,
. . . .

CHARON AGAINST a Pcimicas.—John Taylor, lands
lord of the Bell Inn, was charge" by Superintendent
Milk with keeping bin house open for the sale of beer,
on the let instant, during prohibited hours. Police con-
stable Fairkinks said he visited the defendant's house at
a quarter to one o'clock. He went into the house and
found five men there, two of whom pretended to he
asleep. 'defendant said that the men were going to sleep
in the home that night, and that his house was open to
accommodate strangers, and that there was no ale. The
Bench: I fine you £3, and if yea come before we again
I will fine you £lO.
131:tiIITIOUSE OFIENCE.—James Guy, landlord of the
Happy Return, Quarry Bank, was charged by Superin-
tendent Mills with keeping Lis house open for the sale
of beer on the afternoon of the Ist inst. Police•conitsble
Fairbanks mid he visited the house shootly after three

o'clock. Ile found one man in the house-With • quart
jug on the table, and some ale in it. Police-cimstable
Shenstone corrobinsted the 144 witness. Defendant
said there was no ale in the jug, and culled Charles
Thomas, who said lie was a butcher, and on Sunday
afternoon. about three o'clock, he went to ask (Jay to
have a walk ti Wordsley. There was a jug and glass on
the table, but no ale in either of them. Police-sergeant
Carroll said he visited the house shortly after eleven the
same day, and found several men in the house. As soon
so they saw him they ran sway. The Bergh : I find
there are two offences in one day, and you put the law to
defiance.. I must see which is the strongest, the law Or
- .

your pocket. I fine you fri and costs.
Diarinium ASSA I:LT.—Joseph Ta'lett was charged by
Alexander Bunn with assaulting him on the 2.ltti Jaioa.
ary last. From the evidence of complainant it appeared
that he was going along the road towards home, when the
defendant threw is quantity of dirty soil at him. Fined
:hid and costs.
A SSICLI Cu.—lidward Andrews was charged by
Noah Oreenway with assaulting him on the 12th ultimo.
Complainant said that he was a collier, sod renided at
Quarry Bank. On the above dnte he went into the Three
Horse Shoes, to have a cup of ale, about five o'clock in
, the afternoon. As he eat there, the defendant came sod
• ~truck him. Witness got up and west into another room.
Defendant followed him, and struck him agnin. Witness
had given defendant no provocation. Defendant had
previously said that he would strike witness th first time
he could get at him. Defendant admitted the asnault.
and lie was fined lUs and costs ; in default 14 days' im-
prisonment.