AN inquest was held at Powick Lunatic Asylum into the sad death of 49-year-old inmate George Spicer, from Droitwich Spa. George died from haemorrhaging caused by a four-and-a-half inch long beef rib bone having been lodged in his gullet for a week. Staff, who were cleared of any blame by the coroner, said he had not complained of being in pain.

TWO 13-year-old Bromsgrove boys, who admitted to Bromsgrove magistrates that they stole a 12/-(70p) watch belonging to labourer John Wood, who lived at the Roundhouse, Red Cross, Bromsgrove, were each ordered to receive six strokes of the birch. They were George Fisher, from Hill Top, and William Taylor, from Hanover Street. Richard Pearse, 13, from Worcester Street, and Walter Depper, 13, from Rock Hill, who were also involved, were bound over. Another lad, William Simmons, 12, from Rock Hill, was let off.

A BIZARRE accident befell Droitwich resident Lieutenant Walsham How while playing golf with his friend Captain Peake. He was about to drive off when he slipped and dislocated an ankle and broke the small bone in his leg. Three doctors were summoned to his aid and he was last reported to be progressing satisfactorily.

THE escalating cost of keeping a patient at the infectious diseases hospital at Hill Top Hospital in Bromsgrove was causing concern. In 1898, when the temporary hospital consisted of tents, it cost 6d (2.5p) a day per head, now that figure had doubled to 1/- and was rising. The cost of gas and coal was said to be one of the main reasons for the increase.

BROMSGROVE Police held their dinner at the Coach and Horses Hotel in High Street. In recent years they had substituted the meal for a summer outing instead but now looked set to enjoy both. After numerous toasts, including one to the press, 11 officers sang popular songs and PC Phillip played a banjo solo to the accompaniment of gramophone records.