The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-03-20 00:00:00

SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST A BANK.

RU I' Ti AT STO U BRI DGE • •

At the Police Court on Wtdnesday, befcre Messis
H. 0. Firatstone, T. D. Thomas, and W. J. Turney,
John Millward, a bankrupt (of the firm of Millwaru
and Gartner, spade manufacturers), was brought.
up to answer a charge of obtaining under false
pretences and carrying on business and dealing in
the ordinary way of his'trade with certain property
—to wit, divers anvils, vices, and other articles—on
credit, not intending to pay for the same; and
tarther with attempting to account for part of the
above property by dcticious losses ; and a third
charge of fraudulently removing part of his property,
of the value of lOs and upwards, within four months;
before his bankruptcy. It. was stated that prisoner
had also been served with summonses on other
charges.
;Mr. Hooper, who appeared to prosecute on behalf
of the Treasury, said the prisoner had just been
fetched in a car. Ho was to have come up on
Monday for his public examination, but he did not
come on account of ill-health. It was a question
with the Registrar whether he was bsnh fide ill, or
whether he was feigning illness as an excuse for his
absence. The Court sent a doctor to him, and it
was upon his responsibility that the prisoner was
brought there that day. The facts of the casa were
very simple. The bankrupt commenced business
with Thomas Ganner on the Bth of June last. Mil-
ward had carried oa the business for some time
previously, but it was not until the Bth of June aat
Thomas Ganner joined him. The business was
ca.rried on at Swan Pool, Stourhrid,ge, and it was
that of spade and shovel manufacturers. Practi-
cally they closed their business on the Ist of Jan.
lust, as upon that date they issued a circular calling
a private meeting of their creditors. According to
a statement at the examination of the bankrupt it
' appeared that during the time they lost a sum over
.t1.,400, or repressnting an average of about £55 per
week. They made no loss by bad debts, and the
bankrupt was wholly unable to account for the
deficiency. On the 17th December Harry Mill-
ward, the bankrupt's son, who was in the employ
of Messrs. Millward and Gautier, ordered by
prisoner's instructions from Messrs. Mouutford and
Co. certain ensile and vices. He thought before
he (Mr. Hooper) proceeded further the Court would
like to hoar the statement of the medical man who
' had seen the prisoner,
Mr. George Unclerhici, surgeon, was then called,
and said he had seen the prisoner Millward on the
previous day and that morning at his house at eight
o'clock. He did not think he was by any means in
a good state of health. He seemed to be suffering
from a gosd deal of nervous debility. He was,
however, capable of being brought there that day ;
but whether he could understand it was difficult to
say. It was one of those cases in which it would
be difficult to say how far a man could understand
evidence, or pretend not to understand it.
Millward, who was conducting himself rather
strangely, was brought forward.
The Bench said that, under all circumstances,
they thought they should adjourn the case until
Monday next. They should allow bail—prisoner
in his own recognisances of £6OO and two isureties
of £3OO each..
Mr. Hooper said he felt bound to oppose bail. It
was only right to say that a serious charge was
hanging over the bankrupt and his son with respect
toa sum of £l3B which they said had been lost, but
which had since been traced to the son. A warrant
had been issued for the apprehension of the son,
and he had absconded. He was to have been ars
rested on Monday, but he had left, and up to the
present had not been heard of. Under tho,e cir-
cumstances. and as representing the Public Prose-
cutor, he (Mr. Hooper) must object to bail being
extended to another member of the family.
The Bench then decided to remand the prisoner
to Birmingham Gaol.
At the Police Court yesterday, Mr. Homer ap-
peared on behalf of John Millward and applied for
bail. There was no great risk in letting the man
out on bail, as he lad already been out on bail.
Mr. Thomas said that the last time he was let out
he got into a state of drunkenness and therefore
was not in a fit state to hear the prosecution.

Waldron, on behalf of mr.-Hooper, said there
were some facts in the case that made it undesirable
to grant bail. There were six charges in this case
including one specific charge of misappropilting
£l3B, which had been traced to the prisoner's son.
who had absconded. If the prisoner was let out
justice would be defeated, as communication, no
doubt, would be carried on Prisoner's wife had
now disappeared. On the last time prisoner had to
be:ser.t for, and he most respectfully submitted that
he ought not to be let out On bail, as he had to
come up on Monday next for examination, and then
would '.(3 the proper time to fix whether he would
be allowed bail or not.

Mr. Thomas said under the circumstances they
did not think they could grant bail.
Prisoner =gas then remanded till next Monday, at
10 o'clock.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH ORGAN RESTORATION FUND*
—The third concert in aid of this fund was given
in the Corn Exchange on Thursday evening, when
there was a good attendance. The first part of the
programme consisted of selections from Handel's
Judas Maccabmus. The principals were Miss
Fraser Brunner, Madame Fielding, Mr. Newns, and
Mr. Riley. Taken as a whole the solos anti choruses
were capitally rendered, and were well received,
The second part was miscellaneous. Miss Brunner
naet with a ihearty reception, and for her sonz.
" Softly sighs" gained a double re-call, and gave
in response" A summer shower." Madame Field-
ing was also very successful in her song " The
Worker." She was loudly encored and sang
"Angus Macdonald." Miss Hudson and Mr. H.
Peuley gave a charming rendering of the duet
"Wanderer's Night Soria," and had to respond.
Mr. Newns was in good voice and was loudly ap-
plauded. Mr. Riley for his song was deservedly
encored, and gave "Th., Diver" in a masterly
manner. The piano-solo by Mr. H. E. Platt was
beautifully played, and gamed him an encore. All
the part songs were well given. The singing of the
National Anthem brought a most enjoyable concert
to a also _ _ .

_
BOARD OP GUARDIANS.—Mr. H. Billingllan pre-
sided at the meeting of this Board yesterday.— kd-
mitted 12, discharged 7. born 1, remaining 682
against 572.—Relief, Kingswinford £47 41 2d,
Steurbridge .233 19s 11FI. llalesowen -C27 18i I Id,
non-residents £2 7s 2d, total £lll 10s J against
£lO3 17s 9d.
PEOPLE'S CONCERT SOCIETT.—The fourth concert
of this season was held in the Corn Exchange on
Monday night. The first part of the concert was
Van Bree's cantata, "St. Cecilia's Day." and a
miscellaneous conert followed. The principals
were Mrs, Arthur Nash, Miss Melvina Field, Mr.

C. Perks, Mr. W. Griffin, Mr. W. J. Thomas, al a
Mr. S. Simms. Mr. Hedley Satchel' conducted,
and the chorus numbered about one hundred voices.
We understand that Mr. lledley Satchell has re-
si ;nod his position as choir-master at Oldswiuford
Church. and will shortly leave Stourbridge for
Leipzic to pursue his musical studies tiler). Dur-
ing his connection with Stourbridge ha has done
much to develop a taste for good music in too neigh-
bourhood.

ALHAMBRA THEATRE. Messrs. Collings' and
Clarke's company have been:oo,cupying the boards
here during the week. The audiences have been
rather poor, which, doubtless, may be accounted
fc rby the inclemency of the weather. The pieces
represented to the public were "Clear ahead," and
•'Current coin," two very well written dramas,
but they are not portrayed with that effect which
is likely to make a thing "take." The company,
we are loth to say, do not reach the average of
previous companies, but the exciting scenes make
this less apparent, and occasional rounds of ap-
plause are accorded the performers. i! To—night
(Saturday) is the last night of this company when
we hope they will be favoured with a good audience
to recompense them for their loss during the early
pLrt • the week.
DBUNICENNESS.—At the Police Court yesterday,
before Messrs. T. D. Thomas and A. Freer, James
Hatton was fined 28 fid and costa for being drunk
at the Lye, on the 13th inst.—Arthur Timmins was
fined 5s and coste for being drunk in the township
of Sturbridge.

CHIMNEYS or FIRE. Mary Jane Smith and
Sarah Pratt were fined 2s 6d including costs for
having their chimneys on fire. •
BREACH OF THE PEACE AND OBSTRUCTING THE
POLICrE —Josiah Nock was charged with commit-
ting a breach of the peace at Cradley ; and Thomas
Barnsley Nock was charged with obstructing P.C.
Hyrons in the execution of his duty.—P.C. Hyrons
saw Josiah Nock fighting with a man and on
catching hold of him, Thomas Noek came and
pressed his elbow in hi chest three times and parted
them.—Mr. Thomas said they had intended dealing
severely with all who obrstructed police officers in
the execution of their duty, but in this case, as it
was not a severe one, they should deal leniently,
and fined him 7s 6d including costa ; Josiah Nock
was also fined is 6d including costs.
CAUTION TO BAKERS.—George Field, baker, of
Brierley Hill, was charged with allowing his servant
to carry out bread on the 9th inst. without being
supplied with scales.—Mr. Waldron defended,—P.S.
Oakey said he saw a man delivering bread and
asked him if he had any scales. The man pro-
duced some scales but no weights. The scales were
not in a fit condition to weigh anything. Mr.
Waldron made an able speech for the defence, but
the Bench thought the ease was prayed and fined
defendant 2s 6d and costs.
VIOLENT AND DISORDERLY MEN.— Joshua Wal—
dron and Abel Gould were charged with assaulting
John Evans at Fairfield, Bellbroughton, on the 10th
inst • defendants were also charged with being
disorderly and refusing to quit the Swan Inn,
Fairfield, on the same date. Mr. Perry appeared
for Evans, and Mr. Waldron defended both of the
defen,lants. Complainant said on the evening of
the 10th inst he went to the Swan Inn with a man

named Davenport. Witness ordered a pint of ale.
Defendants both came in soon after him. He was
talking to the landlady, when Waldron said •'He
was on the old game." He also insulted him.

The landlady told him that she did not want any
bother there, and asked him to go oat. After this
Waldron said that if he didn't pay for the beer he
would punch his head, and the landlady said she
would not have her customers molested on any
account and she stood between them. The landlady
was called away and Waldron caught him by the
throat, and Gould assisted to get him out of the
kitchen into the passage. He was knocked down
awl struck when he was in the passage by Waldron
Both defendants then got him into the road when
they kicked and punched him till he was uncon-
scious. Waldron said he would kill him, and ho was
in fear that he would do him some bodily harm.
lie could not give any reason why they assaulted
Lim. Cross-examined : He was perfectly sober
whoa he went to the Swan. He would swear he

was Amok without any provocation.
Gib-
bone, landlady of the Swan Inn, saw Waldron as-
sault Evans, and ordered both of the defendants
o.:t of the room. She saw Waldron raise a chair
to strike Evans, and she took hold of him. She
saw Waldron kick Evans when he and Goulel were
dragging Evans out of the kitchen, through the
passage into the road. She did not see Gould
kick Evans, but she saw him strike Evans.
Waiter Davenport said he was in the Swan at the
time Evans came in. Evans called for a pint of
ale, and whilst talking to the landlady about the
money for it Waldron and Gould came in. Wald-
rou told him to pay for it. He saw Waldron aud
Gould pull Evans into the porch. He did not see
Gould strike or kick Evans ; 'Waldron kicked and
truck Evans two or three times. He heard Mrs.
Gibbons. the landlady, order them out.—Charlotte
Hughes, Nicholas Ilancox, Arthur William Griffin
ad John James gave corroborative evidence.—
Alter hearing the defence, the Bench said a most
brutal assault had been committed and sentenced
Waldron to 2 month's imprisonment with hard
1 thour and to pay coats, 14s, or go to prison for 14
days, to be consecutive. Gould would be fined 30s
and 14s costs, or one month.

SHOCKING CASE OF CRUELTY. Trevis Richards
was charged with illtreating a pony by neglecting
t) provide sufficient food for the same,—P.S. Oakey,
George Pardoe. William Davis, Alfred Davis, and
Mr. James Blakeway proved the case.—The pony
was found lying on us side in a stable at Matnble
There was only a little bran and chaff in
the stable, but the poor animal could not get to it;
hut on some food being put to it, it devoured it in
a ravenous manner. There were bruises on the
eye and hips, and a post inortem examination
showed the bowels healthy, left lung congested and
body devoid of fat.—The Bench said it was the
grossest case of cruelty that had over come before
them, and fined defendant .23 and £2 65 6d costs, in
default two mouths.

°WELTY TO A COCK. Alexander Collins was
charged with cruelly illtreating a cock on the 27th
Feb.—Matilda Dunn said she saw the defendant
Loose his cock on to her son's cock, and she asked
him to jetch it off as it was bigger than her sons.
lie said he should not part them no moi e. Cross-
ezamined iler son had not told her not to part
the cocks if they ever had a fight.—Lucy Brettle
also gave evidence.—Defendant said that it was
quite by accident that the cocks met, as the cock,
which Nsas his brother's, was always kept in a yard
to himself.—Thomas Moore, Emanuel Taylor, and
Mrs. southall gave evidence.—The Bench thought
from the evidence that he caused the cocks to fight,
and fined him 5s and costs.

FACTORY ACT CASE.--Alfred Bills was charged
that he being the occupier of a workshop did employ
a young person after 7 o'clock in the evening on
the 4th February.—Mr. Hoare, inspector of
factories, prosecuted.—Mr. Platt, assistant in-
spactor, said he visited the defendant's workshop at
7.10, on the sth February and found a young per-
son at work there. He had previously cautioned
defendant. about employing young persons after
time.—The Bench said defendant had committed a
breach of the law, and had done so after being
warned. Defendant was fined 12s and costs :in de-
fault a distress.