THE vicar of St John's Parish Church in Bromsgrove, the Rev E Vine Hall, had been ordered to rest for two months on health grounds. He proposed to leave forthwith for Mentone where he would escape the worst of the British winter. His illness had also prevented him from taking up a temporary post as chaplain of Lucerne for part of the winter.

A VALUABLE mare worth £55 belonging to Mr Jesson Price, a market gardener from Wildmoor near Bromsgrove, was killed when it collided with another horse and cart travelling at considerable speed coming in the opposite direction at the Whetty in Rubery. Mr Rutherford the Bromsgrove vet was called to the scene but could not save the unfortunate animal.

HENRY Duffill, 23, a labourer, pleaded guilty to a charge of bigamy at the Worcester Quarter Sessions. Duffill had married Miss Emma Goddard of Wychbold in 1891, and in May this year he had also married his cousin, Lizzie Duffill. The judge's comment was that the case was not a "very serious case" and sentenced Duffill to two months' hard labour.

ABSENTEEISM among pupils at schools in and around Bromsgrove was still on the increase with another crop being dealt with at the town's magistrates court this week. However, new rules now allowed magistrates to hand out heavier fines that the usual 5/- (25p). In some parts of the country the authorites had come up with the idea of periodically taking youngster's photographs and giving them a print to keep free. Pupils who habitually skipped lessons were likely to miss out having their photo taken.