Newspaper Transcripts
Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express
11th February 1837
Uxbridge, February 11.
Country theatres generally are so mediocre as to meet with little encouragement, at least from the more respectable portion of the community. Such however is not the character of Mr.Jackman's company, now performing here, and we feel ourselves called upon to notice the strenuous efforts of the manager to provide entertainment of the highest order, he having, in addition to his own effective company, in a very spirited manner engaged several talented performers from London theatres, including, during the last week, Miss Elpinstone and Mr.Sheridan Knowles. Notwithstanding a severe cold under which the former appeared to labour, she elicited many and continued bursts of applause. Although, we must express our surprise at the limited patronage bestowed upon the theatre by the inhabitants, it gave us pleasure to observe the only appearance of Mr.Sheridan Knowles, in his play of "The Wife," they shewed their scuse of his merit, and rewarded the exertions of the manager with an overflowing house.
Great Marlow, February 10.
A decision highly gratifying to the rate-payers of Great Marlow, took place before the Bench of Magistrates in that town, on Saturday last. Messrs. David Jones and Richard Hawkins had been summoned thither for refusing to pay a composition to the surveyor of the highways, for the year ending at Lady-day last. The rate had been made for the surveyor of that period, Mr.James Brooks, by Messrs. Wright and Ward, Magistrates Clerks. Mr.Brooks appeared to know little about it, as he could not even recognise the book containing it, and had never signed it with his name, and when his accounts were produced for the approbation of the rate-payers last Lady-day, they were objected to as extravagant. The defendants were supported at the request of the Society of Good Intent, by Messrs. Smith of Maidenhead (the same gentlemen who conducted the appeal against the Windsor-footpath-stopping-surveyors with such signal success last October) aided by Mr.May, of Wycombe. Their defence was complete. Their first objection, and they had many, was fatal to the legality of the rate; the summonses were dismissed, and thus the Society of Good Intent has again demonstrated how vain are the attempts of tyranny and oppression whilst unity and amity prevail among so numerous a company, collected for mutual protection and legal support.
The petition for the total and speedy abolition of Church Rates, signed by nearly all the rate-payers of Great Marlow, was taken to their respected liberal Member, Sir.W.R.Clayton, by Messrs. Wright and Francis, on Tuesday last, in order to be presented to the House of Commons as early as possible.
High Wycombe, February 10.
We noticed a week or two since, that the Town Council had directed the Town Clerk to submit a case to the Attorney-General for his opinion, on the subject of the Mayor and the ex-Mayor exercising the office of Justices of the Peace for this borough, in consequence of Mr.John Nash, the Clerk to the Magistrates acting for the 2nd division of the Hundred of Desborough, having refused to pay his poor rates, on the ground that the Mayor and his predecessor had no such right vested in them under the authority of the Municipal Corporation Act, no separate Commission of the Peace, or Court of Quarter Session, having been granted; and that, the Mayor and the ex-Mayor had no power to allow - much less enforce - the payment of any rate; and also, that they had no right to commit offenders to the county gaol. We have been favoured with a perusal of the case and opinion, and in so much as there are other boroughs in a similar situation, and as it is possible (!) that Mr.Nash's high authority in legal matters may have been the means of inducing other gentlemen to adopt his views, we subjoin for the benefit of the public the following extract from Sir.J.Campbell's opinion as to the objections raised by Mr.Nash:-
"The objections to the juristiction appear to be quite frivolous . The Mayor and late Mayor are Justices in every borough, without reference to whether there are Quarter Sessions or a Commission of the Peace within the borough or not. I presume that the whole of the parish for which the poor rate was made is within the borough. In that case the rate is allowed by two Justices, who have concurrent jurisdiction, and is well allowed. I apprehend, therefore, that the payment of the rate may be enforced against Mr.Nash in the manner proposed."
At a Petty Sessions held in the Town Hall on the 24th ult; Mr.Nash, who had been summoned to attend to shew good cause why he refused to pay the last two rates, did not appear. The non-attendance of the learned gentleman was certainly consistent , for how could he obey a summons signed by parties, who, in his opinion had no right to issue it ! The borough magistrates, however, granted their warrant of distress, and the overseers were requested to inform Mr.Nash that it would be executed unless the rates and expenses were paid on the following Thursday. The communication was, we believe, made to Mr.Nash, but he repeated his determination not to pay them, and said he should bring the matter before the Court of King's Bench. On Thursday the distress warrant was executed, and on Saturday Mr.Nash redeemed his goods by payment of the rates and expenses.
Whether the learned gentleman will in vindication of his opinions as a lawyer (to use a favourite expression) immediately proceed to work their ex..flowers (to use another) we know not, but we understand that the Magistrates and Town Clerk are quite prepared to meet him.
The opinion of the Attorney General has also been taken as to the right of the borough magistrates to commit to the county gaol, and to make orders on the county Treasurer. The following is a copy:-
"I am of opinion that the Major and ex-Mayor, as Justices of the borough, have power to commit and make orders as above, in the manner in which they have hitherto been accustomed to do."
"Temple, Jan 30, 1837 - J.Campbell."
Staines, February 10.
Literary and Scientific Institution
On Tuesday last, Mr.Bateman Byng delivered a lecture, "On the process of extracting gas from coal, for the purposes of illumination." He commenced by enumerating the individuals who have made successive discoveries and improvements in this department of science - Dr.Watson, Mr.Windsor, &c. He proceeded to explain the constituent parts of coal; this led him to treat of gases in general. Having thus furnished his data, he concluded by exhibiting various experiments. With the aid of a small but neatly constructed model of a gasometer, he pointed out the mode of producing and purifying the gas in general use. The whole lecture was clearly arranged, and delivered orally in plain and familiar language. We rejoiced to see so large an auditory, who repeatedly and warmly cheered the lecturer. This is precisely the lecture best suited to a popular institution , and most likely to do extensive and lasting good. The great point is, to spread knowledge - not to discover, but disseminate - to give precise and tangible fact, in the place of general vague notions - to impart to the many, what has hitherto been confined to the few. Thousands there are who admire the brilliant light of gas, without knowing what and whence it is. Now, a thorough acquaintance with common things, so far from obstructing the discovery of those which are uncommon, points and clears the way. It is only by "exhausting old worlds," that we become privileged and qualified to "imagine new."
Again, division of labour makes good artists and mechanics, and the practical and exact knowledge thence arising, produces useful lecturers. When Mr.Byng (to whom belongs the great merit of establishing the gas works of Staines and Egham) lectures upon the subject of coal gas, we listen with unabated faith - we feel perfectly satisfied of the reality of his facts, and the testimony of his experience; - success in this case becomes evidence. But follow out this principle - the principle of local and gratuitous lecturers on ordinary subjects, by men thoroughly and professionally conversant therewith - and an institution may arise and flourish in every large, aye, in many a small, town in the kingdom. In every such town there are numbers of men with talents and attainments and ambitions, utterly lost and unproductive, through sloth and apathy. Rear a Literary and Scientific Institution , and these very men become active and social and intelligent - a blessing to their generation and locality; - dormant talent is awakened - industry is rewarded - a motive is supplied - an avenue opened. Many circumstances concurred to ensure success to the institution at Staines.
The main source of well doing, was the fixed determination of its early directors - to suffer no obstacle to defeat their noble work - to exclude all questions tending to strife - to foster local talent - to encourage lectures on familiar topics - and, above all, to be united. Well would it be, were some towns, of prouder pretensions, wise enough to copy and profit by such an example - Mr.Byng, having finished his admirable and ingenious lecture, (being the seventh he has delivered here) the donations to the Institution were announced by the Secretary.
On Sunday, as Mr.Geary was returning home from Stanwell, where he had been dining with Mr.Carpenter, and partaken rather freely of wine, by some accident he diverged from the high road, and, it is conjectured, while dismounting from his horse, must have fallen backwards into a small watercourse, not exceeding two feet in depth, from which, by reason of his being under the influence of wine, he was unable to extricate himself, and was suffocated. The appearance of the horse without its rider, and a hat floating on the stream, led to the discovery of the body.
Chertsey, February 10.
William Soanes, a baker, of Chobham, was fined five pounds, by the Bench of Magistrates at Chertsey, for not having weights and scales in his cart, when carrying out bread for paupers, and selling loaves, as four pound loaves, nearly half a pound deficient in weight.
On the night of Saturday last, the poultry house of Mr.T.Sproston, of Pannels Farm, was robbed, and nearly twenty head of fowls taken away. A reward is offered for the apprehension of the thieves.
The premises of Mr.Pearson, a baker, were broken open some nights since, and a quantity of bacon stolen therefrom.
Surrey Sessions
On Monday these Sessions commenced before Robert Hedger, Esq., (Chairman) and a bench of Magistrates.
Upon the report of the Visiting Justices of Guildford gaol being read; which was very satisfactory as far as regarded the conduct of the officers and prisoners, Mr.Best observed that he feared the county would shortly be called upon to pull down and rebuild that prison. This was in consequence of the visit of Mr.Hockins, who had been sent thither by the Inspector of Prisons, and who had disapproved altogether of the construction of the gaol. Mr.Hockins had, in consequence of having given such an opinion, been invited to attend a meeting of the Magistrates which was called for the purpose, but he declined to do so. Mr.Best contended that the rebuilding of the gaol would entail a very considerable and unnecessary expense on the county.
The Rev.Mr.Foster, the Chaplain of Brixton gaol, having on a former occasion preferred charges against the Governor of that prison, in the course of which he stated that he had lost the confidence of the Visiting Magistrates, and that his duties had become both irksome and dangerous, in consequence of which he had tendered his resignation, the Court referred those complaints to a committee, who on Monday made their report. They considered, with regard to Mr.Foster having lost confidence in the visiting Magistrates, that he had acted upon an erroneous impression, and that he had not been required to do any duties which were not required of him by the Gaol Act.
Polling Places for West Surrey
The Magistrates to whom it was referred at the last Quarter Sessions to inquire whether any, and what, additional polling places were necessary for the western division of the county of Surrey, made their report, in which they recommended the following places:-
The Town of Guildford - The parishes of Pottenham and Compton, and the tithing of Arlington, in the hundred of Godalming; the hundred of Blackheath, except the parishes of Alford, Dunsfold, and Hascomb; and the hundred of Woking except the parishes of Ash and Normandy, Wardlesham and Perbright.
Farnham - The whole of the hundred of Farnham, and the parish of Ash and Normandy, in the hundred of Woking.
Godalming - The parishes of Alford, Dunsfold, and Hascomb; and the hundred of Godalming , excepting the parishes of Puttenham and Compton, and the tithing of Arlington.
Chobham - The parishes of Windlesham, Frimley, Bisley, Howell, Perbright, Pyford, and Chobham.
Epsom - The parishes of Stoke d'Abernon, Thames Ditton, and Effingham, excepting the parishes of Micheham and Newdigate.
Dorking - The hundred of Wootton, and the parishes of Mikleham and Newdigate, in the hundred of Copthorne.
On the motion of Mr.Best, this report was received, and the recommendation of the committee agreed to.
The county business having been got through, the Court proceeded with the trials, none of which however possessed any public interest, excepting the following :-
The Riot in the Guildford Union Workhouse
On Tuesday, nine persons (paupers) who had been committed to prison for riotous and disorderly conduct in Guildford union workhouse, at Godalming, on the 4th of January were placed at the bar. They gave their names George Walker, James Trodd, Edward Larby, William Tickner, William Legg, James Moor, Reuben Stevens, William Sievens, and Thomas Bignold. There was a count in the indictment charging some of the defendants with having assaulted two constables in the execution of their duty, while attempting to quell the disturbance. The defendants are all young men, under age, with the exception of one of them ; who appeared to be about 24 years old. Mr.Chambers stated the case for the prosecution. Thomas Aimes examined - is master of the Guildford union work house at Godalming, in which the defendants were paupers.
On the 4th of January the defendants complained to him of the manner in which their victuals were cooked, they expressed their intention not to partake of any more unless the cook was discharged. Witness told them they should lay their complaint before the committee; and the next day, when Lord King, and another gentleman belonging to the committee, came to the house, they were informed of it, when his lordship inquired if he (witness) or the matron had any complaint to allege against the cook; and the reply being they had not, his lordship then questioned the female paupers in the house as to whether or not they found fault with the cook, and there answer was that they were satisfied. Lord King then went to the place where the men were assembled, and told them that from his inquiries there were no grounds for their complaint, and he returned to the Committee-room. Shortly afterwards a noise was heard proceeding from the men's yard, when witness went to ascertain the cause, and saw the defendants, and remonstrated with them on the impropriety of their conduct. Some time afterwards, when Lord King left the workhouse, a noise was again made, and witness then saw several of the defendants throwing stones at the pallings which divide the men's from the women's yard, and when he desired them to desist, they declared their determination to knock down the whole of the pales, adding that they intended to turn the house topsy turvy.
Witness, on hearing the threats, left the work house, and went off to apprise the Mayor of Guildford of what was likely to occur, and when he (witness) returned, he found that the palings had been thrown down. The defendants were standing in the yard and most of them were armed. One had a chopper, another a spade, another a stone breaking hammer, and others had sticks.
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