William Taylor, of Droitwich, was charged with cruelty to a horse by working it in an unfit state. Inspector Baker said the horse had been to Kidderminster market in a lame and poor condition and unfit to work. A vet examined it and said it had ringbone in both forelegs. It was so lame on both legs that the one balanced the other out. Mr Parker, of Talbot Hotel, owner of the horse said it was constantly used and perfectly well. The bench fined the defendant 5s (25p) and £2 12s costs £12.63).

AT a meeting of Worcestershire County Council, the chairman presented a report on the past year's work. There was an increase of police by 22 to 424, or one for every 894 of population, and a further increase was needed in the north of the county. The cost of the police was now £41,609, of which £27,300 came out of the rates.

Jephtha Banner, a market gardener from Bournheath, was summoned to court by Ann Jones, his neighbour, for assaulting her. She said she was working in her garden when Banner came out and accused her again of shifting timber which had been put by the defendant against the witnesses' husbands property. He replaced the timber and said if she touched it again he would break her arm with a brick-end. She knocked down the wood so he pelted her with brick-ends. She ran away but the defendant then struck her with a piece of wood. She received scratching and bruising. Banner denied the assault and said she scratched her arm on a hedge. The case was dismissed.

Heber Kendall, of York Road, Sidemoor, was charged with assaulting his brother James Kendall, of Bewell Head. The complainant said they cultivated adjoining allotments in the field opposite the Hundred House. An altercation took place over one having drawn over the other's land and the upshot was the defendant James with a blow to the face knocking him onto the bank. A witness said he saw James go flying onto the bank but saw no blows. The bench said the offence had been committed and fined the defendant 1s (5p) and 8s (40p) costs expressing hope that the two brothers could live better in the future.