December 6—The Worcester Ophthalmic Society formed, and a sharp contest for the assistant surgeonship between Mr. T. Walsh and Mr. Everett, the former of whom had 162, and the latter 130 votes.
December 18—Several daring robberies committed on the road between Severn Stoke and Tewkesbury, and a locksmith named Richard Kington found dead—robbed, and apparently murdered—at Clifton, about midway between Severn Stoke and Kempsey. The coroner’s jury returned a verdict of “wilful murder” against a man of bad character living at Severn Stoke. Kington’s knife and tobacco were found in Tippin’s small clothes, and the waggoner’s whip, which he had been carrying, in an outhouse adjoining to Tippin’s abode. Tippin was tried at the ensuing assizes, but was acquitted of the murder because there was some doubt whether the hurts on the person of the deceased might not have been caused by a cart wheel passing over his body; but he was found guilty of robbing the deceased, and sentenced to transportation for life.
Local Acts—For better assessing and collecting the poor rates in Kidderminster. For repairing the road from Hagley to Birmingham. To extend the jurisdiction of the Kingsnorton Court of Requests.
1842.
Sir Robert Peel’s measures, which he would not disclose “till he was regularly called in,” proved to be a three per cent. income tax, a sliding scale of duties on corn, intended to keep the price at 56s., and a new tariff—all of which, in spite of many dissentients on both sides of the house, he carried by large majorities. Consols averaged 92; wheat, 57s. 3d.
January—New magistrates added to the commission of the peace at Kidderminster and Evesham. At Kidderminster, John Sutton Barber, George Hooman, James Morton, John Welch, and Thomas Bradley, Esquires. At Evesham, E. T. Perrott, Robert Blayney, and John Thomas, Esquires. Of course all were Conservatives.
February 16—In the division on Lord John Russell’s amendment to Sir Robert Peel’s proposal to alter the sliding scale, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Borthwick, Mr. Barneby, Mr. Godson, Mr. Hawkes, Mr. Pakington, Mr. Taylor, General Lygon, and Mr. F. W. Knight, voted in the majority of 351 against the amendment, and Lord M. Hill and Sir T. Winnington, Bart., in the minority of 228 in its favour. Sir Thomas Wilde paired off in its favour.
April 1—The Worcester glove manufacturers met and discussed Sir Robert Peel’s proposal to reduce the duty on gloves in the new tariff, and said that they should be obliged to cease to employ any men at all if it was adopted. A deputation of the glovers afterwards waited on Lord Ripon, and Sir Thomas Wilde very ably stated their case—a plea ad misericordiam.
April 26—Riots in Dudley, in consequence of a reduction of wages amongst the nailors. Several people hurt by the Enniskillen Dragoons, in clearing the streets, and others committed to gaol.
June 27—The Mayor of Worcester (Edward Evans, Esq.), Mr. Alderman Hastings, Mr. Alderman Lilly, and Mr. E. Webb, added to the Worcester Charity Trustees, to fill up vacancies. The Conservatives presented a petition, praying that the number of trustees might be increased from fifteen to twenty-one, of course expecting that the additional names would be appointed from their party, and so they might obtain a preponderance in the body; but this was opposed by the existing trustees, and the Lord Chancellor refused to sanction it.