A VERDICT of accidental death was returned at the inquest into the death of eight-year-old Ernest Hewlett. The youngster was in a fatal accident while transporting coal between Dunhampstead and Galton Arms in Himbleton. Ernest's father said he was in charge of the wagon, which was being drawn by three horses with his son Henry, 16 and the deceased accompanying him. He told the coroner he had looked back at his sons to see Ernest lying in the road. There was no evidence he had fallen underneath the wheel of the wagon but he had a large bruise on his head.

BIRMINGHAM-based dentist WA Vincent and Sons was offering townsfolk pain-free extractions for 1s (5p). The practice visited 131 High Street, Bromsgrove, every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

FASHIONABLE women were invited to a special show of the season's latest millinery at Bromsgrove Market Place. Thomas Johnson would be showing the very latest shapes in hats for autumn, along with a range of dresses and blouses. Readers were advised the season's colours would be blue, brown and dark red.

BROMSGROVE Urban Council was inviting tenders to build new sewers, manholes and lampholes in Clent. Specifications were to be considered by the office of Mr Stephen Knight, of Belbroughton, and they must be submitted no later that October 12, 1903.

MR T Petford, of Cattespool Farm, advertised in this week's situations vacant section of the Messenger requesting a good all-round man to drive a pair of horses and make himself generally useful.

BEWELL Head nailmaker Abel Hall, aged 32, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Stourbridge Road. Magistrates fined him 2s and 6d (12p) and gave him seven days to pay up or face a jail sentence.