The Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1864-09-10 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

NEWS OF THE WEEK.  On Saturday last the coalmasters and Colliers held a Conference, an aieount of which will be iw our columns, at the Star Inn, Brierley Hill„Both parties seemed to argue I om different stan (I points, awl in cense, inenc,. were unable to ehect an adjustment of the prints in dispute The colliers seem deterMined to hold not tili they gain the Zs. per  day; the masters seem equally determined to adhere to the proposal of 6d. reduction. In the meantime the inhabitants of the districts of South Staffordshire and East Worcestershire are suffering intensely. The trade apparently is departing into other parts of the country. What is to be done? A writer in Tuesday's Post suggests that the matter be referred to arbitration. Mr. Kettle, the Judge of the Dudley County Court, is the person in his opinion most adapted for the purpose, being a lover of strict justice, well versed in mining affairs, and altogether a disinterested party. During the week the colliers in considerable numbers have journeyed hither and thither through the district with the necessary accompaniments of tin whistles, violins, clubs, ite. Meetings have been held repeatedly and hitherto no breach of the peace recorded The colliers, as a class, are evidently making advances in the scale of social progress.  At a large meeting near the railway station, at Devfields, on Thursday, it was unaniruotv.ly resolved that the Deep&lds men should strike forthwith, upon condition that the Dndley and Tipton men did not return to work till they (the Deepfields men) got their former rate It was further resolved that the Dudley and Tipton men should not return until the Deepfields men had obtained the wages they required. An extraordinary case has lately been tried before the Magistrates at Duffield One Mrs. Harrison engages one Isaac Watson, as labourer, for one year, on condition that he attends some place of worship once every Sunday. Isaac refuses to accede to his mistress's request, and is consequently "had up" and ordered to pay the cost of the summons and go to Church "like a good boy." The Marquis of Townshend thinks it strange and enquires from the Secretary of State under what Act of Parliament the magistrates' sentence was given. Sir deorge Grey replies that it was done under the 4th George IV., c. 34.  The first conviction under the Penal Servitude and Ticket-of-Leave Act took place in London this week. A young man was shown to have stolen a watch. Other convictions having been made against him the Judge (Mr. Payne) sentenced him to seven years penal servitude, Before this statute was passed prisoners were usually sentenced ta three, four, or five, or more according to the nature of their crime. Now, there can be no term of penal servitude given less than five years. If previous offences have been committed no less than seven years is to be given. Franz Muller, the supposed perpetrator of the diabolical murder of Mr. Briggs, in a carriage on the North London Railway, nine weeks ago, is in safe custody; most probably on his way to England, to receive the sentence of death. On ,the 24th of August, the "Victoria" arrived at New York. Everybody was on the alert to capture the popular German. The London detectives, with Mr. Death, the jeweller, at once boarded the ship, and discovered Muller with Mr. Brigg's hat and watch in his possession. He was removed on terra fienet, and without more delay than the circumstances would justify upon his trial before Mr. Newton, the United States' Commissioner under the Extradition Treaty. In a week or ten days we may expect him back to England.  On Wednesday. morning, George Augustus King, about 51t. 9in, or 10in in height, with straight red whiskers, wiry frame, and of shabby genteel appearance, calling himself a publisher, living at Bow, was brought before Mr. Cuthbert Ellison, at the Worship-street Police Court, by Mr. Inspector Honey, of the K division, charged upon his own confession with being concerned in the alleged murder of Mr. Briggs. He was remanded for a week for further evidence. Thousands this week have flocked to Birmingham from all parts to the Grand Annual Musical Festival. The weather has not been perhaps all that the lovers of music could have wished; still it has been far from being unpleasant. The artistes engaged for the occasion are the most popular of the day. A more perfect success than the Festival has been is seldom attained. Mr. Costa's " Naaman" has received enthusiastic approval; Mr. Sullivan's "Kenilworth" suffers not disadvantageously by contrast with the former. As far as the financial results are concerned the Festival has answered its purpose admirably.