Newspaper Transcripts
Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express
29th October 1842
Election of Town Councillors
On Tuesday next the annual election of councillors to supply the vacancies occasioned by those who go out by rotation will take place at the Town-hall. The out going members for the in-ward are Messrs. T.Adams, Phillips, and Layton; and for the out-ward Messrs. Blunt, Berridge, and Sharman. All the above gentlemen, with the exception of Mr.Sharman, have offered themselves as candidates for re-election, and as yet we have not heard of any other candidate coming forward, not even one to supply the place of Mr.Sharman, who, it is rumoured, declines standing again from the disgust he entertains at the conduct of some of his own party in the council on various matters, but more particularly for ejecting last year from their body a man of such standing in the town as Mr.Bedborough. The latter gentleman has put forward a spirited address to the burgesses, as will be seen in our advertising columns.
The Jubilee services connected with the Baptist Chapel, Victoria-street, commenced on Lord's Day, the 9th inst., when two sermons were preached by the Rev.W.Groser, of London, and on the following Tuesday afternoon, the Sunday Schools connected with this place of worship were examined in the scriptures, rewarded with testaments and hymn books, and regaled with coffee and plum cake, after which the teachers and friends took tea in the vestries. In the evening a public meeting was held in the chapel, when Dr.Prince, from Africa, and several of the neighbouring ministers took part in these interesting services; which terminated in a goodly sum being collected towards the Missionary Jubilee Fund.
Literary Institution
On Monday evening last Mr.Otway delivered his second lecture on "The Tragedies of Shakespere." The subject chosen by the lecturer was the beautiful tragedy of "Julius Caesar," and his illustrations and remarks on this celebrated production of our great poet gave great delight to a most respectable audience.
Alarm of Fire
On Monday morning about 11 o'clock, a fire was discovered to have broken out at the premises of Mrs.Tagg, of Gloucester-place, which occasioned considerable alarm in the immediate neighbourhood. It occurred in an outbuilding built for a stable, but which was used for placing firewood, shavings, &c., therein , and it was caused by one of Mrs.Tagg's children having imprudently made a small bonfire there, which speedily spread to the shavings and wood. The child was himself alarmed, but he ran indoors to his mother without communicating to her the mischief he had been the means of causing. However, the flames were soon at such a height as to be witnessed by the neighbours, who speedily rendered assistance, and the fire was subdued, but not before the building in which it broke out was completely gutted.
Windsor Fair
We had a very full fair on Monday last, and among the numerous places of exhibition was "Wombwell's" extensive menagerie, which was placed into the Bachelor's Acre, and which was very well patronized, - more so we think than the generality of shows and gingerbread and other stalls.
The weather was fine on Monday, which is a rare occurrence on our fair day; during the whole of the second day's fair, however, it rained incessantly , but the third it was fine again. The show of cattle and pigs in the Acre was tolerably good, but those sold realised very inferior prices. The quantity of onions was not large, but there were some very fine samples, and the prices varied from 4s 6d to 6s 6d per bushel, and nearly all were sold. As the numerous vans, &c., entered the town for the fair on Sunday night, there was one which attracted considerable notice, being drawn by a huge elephant, whose strength is stated to be equal to five or six horses, and whose walking pace is five or six miles an hour.
On Thursday, Mr.Wombwell, in the most liberal manner, admitted gratuitously to his exhibition the children of the different charity schools of Windsor and Clewer, amounting to no less than 1,040, viz., 400 from the National Schools, 360 from the British School, 70 from the Free School, 160 from the Clewer-green School, and 50 from the Dedworth School.
Mr.Wombwell had the honour on Thursday afternoon of exhibiting, by royal command, his five Lion Cubs, 10 weeks old, which were cubbed at Southampton, and his two young Tigers, but three weeks old, bred at Reigate, to her Majesty, Prince Albert, the Duke, Duchess, and Princesses of Cambridge, &c., &c., in the New Riding School, and the royal family and illustrious party were much pleased at seeing them. They were taken to the Riding School by Mr.Wombwell and two of his keepers. No less than 130 young Lions have been bred by Mr.Wombwell in the space of eighteen years.
Coursing
There was an excellent private day's sport of coursing on Monday last on the estate of R.Palmer,Esq., one of our country members, at Sonning, when the following matches were run off :-
Mr.Dyson's b b Kate, beat Mr.Minton's r b Lady, after an undecided course.
Mr.Minton's r b Deeress, beat Mr.T.Brown's r b Eton Girl.
Mr.Graves na. , f b Ghuznee, beat Mr.Dyson's r b Anne.
Mr.Coombe's f b Cora, beat Mr.Minton's r d Floss.
Mr.Graves na., r d Fyson, beat Mr.Dyson's b d Cupid.
Mr.Graves na, b b Norfolk Lady, beat Mr.Partidge's b b Bridget.
Mr.Minton's r b Young Maria and Mr.Graves r b Golden Fleece ran three undecided courses. Two or three of the above matches have been made for some time, but the chief match, and one which had caused much interest in the sporting circle of this locality, was that between Cora and Floss for �20. At the latter period of the day Mr.Minton challenged Mr.Coombes to run the two dogs again that day for �5, but the latter declined to do so then from other engagements made for his bitch; he however, was willing she should run Floss again at future day. We hope a second match will be made, as we should like to see them run a second course. The hares ran well, but the courses were not severe. Mr.Gosling, steward to Mr.Palmer, performed the duties of judge, and his decisions gave general satisfaction; and so did his excellent ale, which, with bread and cheese,
he liberally entertained the whole party at his house. A neighbouring farmer (Mr.Simonds) also performed a similar welcome act. The party on returning to Windsor finished the day's amusement by dining and spending the evening together at the Swan Inn, where over some of Mr.Humphris's good wines, a right merry evening was passed.
Melancholy Accident to Mr.Coombes
On Monday night as Mr.Coombes was proceeding to his home at Hampton, accompanied by his nephew, after dining at the Swan Inn, the following melancholy accident befell him. In proceeding along the road to Frogmore, Mr.Coombes accidentally drove against a gentleman's carriage coming in the opposite direction, and the concussion was so violent, that one of the horses was thrown down; the shafts of Mr.Coombe's cart were broken off, the cart overturned, and the two inmates thrown with considerable force to the ground. The younger Mr.Coombes miraculously escaped unhurt, but his uncle, Mr.Robert Coombes, was most seriously injured. With assistance he was brought back again to the Swan Inn, where medical aid was promptly obtained, and it was ascertained that his skull was fractured, and his collar bone broken. The unfortunate sufferer still remains at the Swan Inn in a very precarious state. The only injury to the carriage was the breaking of the splinter-bar.
Chase Extraordinary And Providential Escape From Drowning
On Monday last a notorious character of the name of George Loman, of North-street, Winkfield, was apprehended and committed to Reading gaol by P.H.Crutchley,Esq., who cautioned the constable, Taylor , (from whose custody the prisoner had once escaped) to take him to the gaol that day, but who neglected to do so, and in the night he again escaped, minus his shoes and hat. Taylor then applied to Boult, the well-known active constable of Winkfield, who after some difficulty succeeded in "sloting" of him into the Royal Preserves on Winkfield Plain; he now with the assistance of William Boyce, the son of the landlord of the Green Man and Squirrel, commenced searching these immense Preserves, and after a long drag
unkennelled his game from a thick holly bush; Boult immediately gave the "tally-ho," and away they went, the prisoner, although he had no shoes, cleared the pallings which enclosed the royal grounds into some thick plantations adjoining, with the constable close to his heels; when coming to a pond, and finding no chance of escaping, he dived headforemost to the bottom, and there he lay like an amphibious animal, Boult, without hesitation , rushed in after him, and succeeded in bringing him to the top of the water, when a scene ensued which baffles all description, and it is impossible to say how matters would have ended had not Mr.Boyce arrived,
who like the constable, had some of the water spaniel about him, immediately sprung in and succeeded in getting hold of Boult, who had not relinquished his grasp of his powerful antagonist, and dragged them to land. It really was a most providential escape, for the prisoner, who is a notorious character, it seems he made up his mind to drown himself, or the constable, rather than be taken, and he told the constable when conveying him to Reading, that if he should be sent from Reading to Abingdon he was determined to throw himself out of the train if an opportunity offered. We sincerely hope that the two constables, especially Boult, will get rewarded for their persevering conduct.
Windsor Police - Monday
[Before John Clode, Esq., (Mayor) and Robt. Tebbott, Esq.]
Wm.Simmons was charged with being drunk and disorderly. Sexton, policeman, stated that the prisoner was drunk and disorderly at the Duke's-head public house. Mrs Hester, the landlady called him (witness) to remove him, and he, instead of going home when desired, wished to fight. His conduct was so bad that he was obliged to be locked up.
The prisoner appeared to be sensible of his misconduct, and attributed it to what he had drank.
As this was his first appearance in that character he was discharged with a reprimand.
About thirty persons were sworn in as special constables to act for the ensuing year, in case their services should be required.
The licence of the Stag and Hounds public house at Spital was endorsed from James William Carpenter to Wm.Knowles, which enables the latter to keep the house open until the transfer day, when it can be regularly transferred to him.
Thursday
Perceval Geo. Baker was charged with cruelty to a horse. Stockbore, one of the supernumerary constables stated that on Monday last he saw the defendant in the New-road, near Bachelor's-acre, "showing-off" a horse, beating it with a stick most violently. He broke the end of the stick, and then beat the animal with the hooked end over the head and eyes most unmercifully. Several persons cried out "shame," and so great was the indignation of the bystanders at his conduct that had it not been for the witness rushing through the crowd and taking him into custody, the defendant would have been roughly handled by some of the soldiers, who were present, and who threatened to inflict summary vengeance on him. The owner of the horse,
Mr.Pedder, of the Punch-bowl public house, Colnbrook, abused the defendant, and told him he had no business with the animal. The defendant was very tipsy but he walked quietly enough to the station-house.
The magistrates enquired if the owner of the horse was present.
Mr.Gillman said he was not, and that he had said it would be impossible for him to attend.
The magistrates said he ought to have made it his business to attend.
James Horton, jun., another supernumerary constable, corroborated Stockhore's testimony.
The defendant, in his defence, said the stick produced was not his. The facts he said were these:- The horse at Reading fair killed one man, and so severely injured him (defendant) that he was "laid out" for dead. He had sold it to Mr.Pedder to be killed, and he had told him that he was not safe, and that he would kill any body. On Monday the horse kicked him twice, and he certainly struck at him with his stick in the excitement of the moment, which he thought was no more than any body else would have done.
The magistrate fined the defendant 5s and 5s 6d costs, which was shortly afterwards paid.
Eton Police - Wednesday
John Copelin, who described himself as a grocer at Ealing, and at one part of the proceedings stated that he lived by breaking in dogs for gentlemen, was charged with threatening to murder Lydia, the wife of Joseph Girdler, of Iver.
The complainant stated that on Friday last the defendant came to her house and grossly abused her, threatening to murder her, and using the most violent language. He said he would lay in wait for her master, Mr.Powell, and murder him also. In consequence of his threats she was apprehensive of some bodily harm from him unless she was protected. She had never had a quarrel with the defendant, and she was not aware that she had ever exchanged a word with him in her life.
Mr.Clowes - I believe this arose out of his having trespassed on your master's land, and you very properly told your master.
Complainant - Yes, sir it was.
The defendant denied that he had used any threats towards the complainant.
Joseph Gildler, the husband of the complainant, corroborated his wife's testimony, and added that the defendant had also threatened to shoot him, at the same time levelling his gun at him. Witness stated that he had caught the defendant shooting on his master's land.
The defendant said Girdler was at work three hundred yards from him, and that he (Gildler) came down the field to him and challenged him to fight.
Mr.Clowes - Pray, what are you ?
The defendant, who was exceedingly shabby in his appearance, replied he was "a gentleman."
Mr.Clowes - Nonsense man.
Defendant - Well then, I am a tradesman.
Mr.Clowes - How do you get your living ?
Defendant - I break in dogs for gentlemen.
Mr.Clowes - I have known you to be very troublesome. I have known you
for some years, and this is not the first time you have been here.
The bench ordered the defendant to find bail to keep the peace for six months, himself in �30, and two others in �15 each. During the sitting of the court he procured one surety in �30, which was accepted, and he was liberated.
Mr.Clowes said there was another information against the defendant for a trespass on Mr.Powell's land with a gun in the pursuit of game. As the usual notice had not been given him, he might if he pleased either have it gone into now or at the next bench day.
Defendant - I would rather have it settled the next bench day.
Mr.Swabey - Very well, you are quite right as the notice was so short.
The defendant then retired.
John Elkins, a gamekeeper in the service of Christopher Tower, Esq., of Iver, one of the magistrates of this division of Bucks, appeared on an information laid by a gentleman named Thomas Trevitt Slack, of Yiewsley-lodge, Hillingdon, charging him with being in pursuit of game, with a gun and dogs, and having no certificate.
Mr.Palmer, of Mitre-court, Temple, attended as solicitor in support of the information, and Mr.Darvill, of Windsor, attended for the defendant.
At the last bench day, it may be recollected that the present informant and another gentleman named Thos.Britten, whose place of business was No.5, Suffolk-lane, Cannon-street, and who resided at Grove-end-road, Middlesex, were fined 20s each and costs for trespassing on the land of Mr.Tower. It was then stated that they had gone on Mr.Tower's land by mistake (having permission to sport over the adjoining land of Mr.Mercer's) and that as soon as they discovered, by being accosted by the keeper Elkins, they were trespassing, they went to Mr.Tower and apologised for having done so. Elkins at that time was carrying a gun, and had a brace of dogs, but he had no certificate. As the two gentlemen felt aggrieved of being fined for a mere mistake, they laid the present information against Mr.Tower's gamekeeper for being in the pursuit of game without taking out a certificate.
Mr.Palmer, the complainant's solicitor, opened the case. Having recapitulated briefly the facts relating to the conviction of Messrs.Slack and Britten for unintentionally going on Mr.Tower's land, he stated they were accosted by the defendant Elkins , who demanded to see their certificates, which were shown. Elkins then informed them that they were trespassing, and they then took that course which one gentlemen would take towards another under similar circumstances, by apologizing for their error; and in order that the keeper should not be found fault with, they proceeded to Mr.Tower's, and apologized to him personally. Still after that they were fined 20s each, and upon that case he (Mr.Palmer) would make no further remark. He was now present to support the summons against the defendant, which was taken out under the 1st and 2nd of William the Fourth, chap.23, which
provided that if any person should take or kill game, or attempt to take or kill game, and use any instrument for that purpose, not having a certificate, he should forfeit any sum not exceeding �5 and costs, providing that that did not exempt the party from any other penalty to which he might be liable - the �5 penalty being deemed to be an accumulative penalty. He (Mr.P) should observe that this was not the only penalty to which his client, Mr.Slack, felt under the circumstances that he was bound to proceed for : for he would seek for all the penalties that the law enabled him to do. The present information was only for �5, but he would afterwards proceed for one of �20 under the 52nd of George the Third -
Mr.Swabey - You had better at present confine yourself to this one case.
Mr.Palmer said he would do so. He would show that the defendant Elkins was the gamekeeper and servant of Mr.Tower, who was a magistrate in the county; and this was a case in which it was clearly intended by the legislature that the full penalty should be inflicted. Mr.Tower, holding her Majesty's commission was bound to see that the laws were obeyed, and not to suffer to be done that by which the public revenue should be defrauded.
Mr.Darvill here interposed, and said he could not quietly hear such language as that used towards Mr.Tower.
The magistrates said Mr.Palmer could make his statement.
Mr.Palmer said he would prove that the offence was committed by the defendant. He certainly looked towards Mr.Tower as the responsible party, Elkins being his servant, and of course, acting under his orders, and Mr.Tower being a magistrate, whose duty it was to enforce the laws. The learned gentleman called
Mr.Thomas Britten, who stated that on the 23rd of October he was out shooting in the parish of Iver, in company with his friend Mr.Slack. They had leave to shoot on Mr.Mercer's ground, but by mistake they got on that of Mr.Tower. When there he saw the defendant with a gun and a brace of pointers ranging about in search of game.
Mr.Clowes - Ah ! As you conceive.
Witness - As I know. The dogs were as much ranging as my black dog was. They were as much ranging as any sportsman with dogs would do.
Examination continued - There was a game bag over the defendant's shoulder, which appeared to be pretty well filled.
Witness did not see him start[?] any game. He asked witness which way he had fired, and he told him. Defendant then told him he was on Mr.Tower's grounds, on which witness apologised to him, and desired him to convey the apology to that gentleman; but in order to save the defendant from getting into any trouble, witness went to Mr.Tower and apologised to him, as one gentleman would towards another under such circumstances. Witness swore positively to the defendant and his dogs ranging about as all sportsmen do, and that he was encouraging his dogs in the pursuit of game.
Mr.Palmer said he had a witness to prove that the defendant had no certificate, but Mr.Darvill admitted that fact.
The witness was then cross-examined by Mr.Darvill. He said he had a good view of the whole of the field in which the defendant was - it was a field of six or seven acres. There might have been pigs or sheep there, but he did not notice them; he did not go out to shoot pigs or sheep. He could not say the defendant's bag was filled with game; it was apparently so, for it appeared pretty full; and it was not usual to put anything into the game bag but game.
By Mr.Carter - When witness first saw him the defendant was walking about in the same manner as he (witness) was.
Mr.Clowes - But he had a right in the field.
Witness - What ! With a gun and dogs ?
Mr.Clowes - Yes.
Witness - And without a certificate ?
Mr.Clowes - Ah ! I don't know.
This was the evidence to support the information.
Mr.Darvill for the defence, then addressed the magistrates. He said he had attended in many similar cases, but he had never attended one so curious as this, where it was admitted that the complainants had been actuated by malice. This was a sort of set-off, for their having been previously convicted, and that feeling had actuated them in all these proceedings. The witness, Mr.Britten, was stung with the feelings created by the last conviction. If he had had any good grounds for his information, he (Mr.Darvill) would have had no cause of complaint; or if he had anything to protect, any land, for instance, to protect, he (Mr.D) should not have complained; but he came there without being actuated by any such motive.
The facts of the case as he (Mr.D) would show, were these. On the 3rd of this month it was the intention of Mr.Tower to go out shooting, and he had arranged to be at Mr.Pigott's farm at Iver by two o'clock. Shortly before one o'clock he sent his man, the defendant, with his gun, dogs, and game bag, in which latter were his shot belt and powder, to meet him there, telling him to have his dinner on the road. The defendant accordingly proceeded towards Mr.Pigott's farm. On his road he met a man named Cox, another of Mr.Tower's servants, and asked him if he had heard a gun go off, and where it was. Cox did not know where, and the defendant proceeded in a direct line across the field to where Mr.Britten and Mr.Slack were. He (Mr.D) could
prove that the defendant's gun was not loaded, and that he could not have shot at any game if he wished, because it was fired off with a peculiar description of percussion caps, which caps Mr.Tower himself had. Besides, he would show that in the field the defendant was in, there were a number of sheep and pigs, although Mr.Britten stated that he did not observe them. He (Mr.Darvill) would show that there was not the shadow of a pretence for laying the information, and he trusted that the bench, in the exercise of the discretion given them by the Act of Parliament , would not only dismiss the case, but would award the defendant his costs.
He called
Thomas Cox, who stated that he looked after the sheep and cows on Mr.Pigott's farm. On the 3rd of October the defendant came over the gate towards him, and asked him who it was who had just shot off a gun. Witness thought it had been Mr.Tower. The defendant went across the field in the direction of the place the gun had been fired. There were about 200 sheep in the field, and 40 or 50 pigs. Defendant went across the field with a gun and dogs. He did not tell witness that his master was coming to shoot. The defendant went the nearest way over the field where the shooting was.
Cross examined by Mr.Palmer. - Defendant had two dogs and a gun; the dogs went behind him across the field.
Mr.Britten here declared that the dogs were ranging over the field.
Witness to Mr.Palmer. - I was looking more after the sheep than after the defendant.
By Mr.Darvill - The way the defendant went was the nearest from Huntsmore Park (Mr.Tower's residence) to Mr.Pigott's farm.
Mr.Clowes said the question was, in what capacity the defendant was employed; and it would be better to ask that of Mr.Tower.
Mr.Palmer said he should object to Mr.Tower giving any evidence until he (Mr.P) asked a question or two of that gentleman.
Mr.Darvill said he should examine Mr.Tower as to that point, and he had a right to do so, to prove that the defendant was not in search of game.
Mr.Palmer said he objected to Mr.Tower giving evidence, as, in a case of conviction, he would doubtless pay the penalty for his servant. He was therefore an interested witness. He (Mr.P) should therefore ask Mr.Tower a question or two first.
Mr.Clowes said it was at Mr.Tower's option to pay the penalty or not; he was not obliged to do so. It would be requisite to prove by Mr.Tower in what capacity the defendant was.
The other magistrates coincided with Mr.Clowes.
Mr.Palmer then claimed his right to question Mr.Tower, who stated in reply to him, that the defendant was acting by his orders in taking an unloaded gun and a brace of pointers to a certain place for him. The defendant was ordered not to shoot - indeed he was not allowed to shoot.
Mr.Tower was then sworn and examined by Mr.Darvill. The defendant was his hired servant; he was hired to protect the game, but not to shoot. On the 3rd of October he ordered defendant to go with his gun and dogs to Mr.Pigott's farm. The gun was unloaded. It was fired by peculiar percussion caps, and the defendant had none of them. The defendant afterwards gave him the gun, and it was then unloaded.
Mr.Britten said that percussion caps were common enough, and they could be obtained at any time.
Mr.Tower said those he used to fire his gun were only made by one person, and could not be procured elsewhere.
Mr.Britten observed that doubtless numbers of persons sold those caps.
Mr.Tower, to a question by Mr.Palmer, said that the defendant, when he accosted Mr.Britten and Mr.Slack, was out of his sight and hearing.
Mr.Clowes - Why, it would be useless for this man to range about in search of game when he could not fire off the gun.
Mr.Palmer, in reply to the evidence for the defendant, said it was impossible for any case to be clearer than this.
Mr.Clowes - I think so too.
Mr.Palmer proceeded to state that the words of the act were clear enough, and if the magistrates did not convict, any person found under similar circumstances might escape by merely saying he was the servant of another. The evidence of Mr.Britten distinctly proved that the defendant, with his gun and dogs, were ranging in the pursuit of game, and if that were not sufficient, why to prove that a person who fired at a bird was not sufficient unless he killed it. The defendant was unaccompanied by his master, and not in his master's sight; and it was proved he and the dogs were ranging about as sportsmen and dogs do when they are after game. Under the game laws not even a gamekeeper had a right to carry a gun unless he had his certificate, and to enable him to do so the master must take out a certificate for his man. If the magistrates did not convict in such a case, they could convict in no case. as to the master's having the percussion caps, there was nothing in that, because if his keeper wanted to shoot some birds, he would not be likely to ask his master for the caps which, he could obtain elsewhere. Then if the excuse was admitted that his master did not allow him to shoot, all such information would be useless.
Mr.Clowes said his mind was perfectly made up, and that there was no intention whatover in the defendant to shoot. He did not, however blame the parties for preceding, because there were some peculiar circumstances attached to the case.
Mr.Britten - Then my friend, Mr.Slack, may, under your authority, use my gun and dog without a certificate.
Mr.Clowes - But Mr.Slack is not a servant to another.
Mr.Swabey said he thought it was not a case for conviction.
Mr.Darvill applied for costs.
The bench decided that it was not a case in which to grant costs to the defendant, because there was very fair ground for enquiry.
The summons was then dismissed but without costs.
Mr.Palmer said he should, as the bench had decided that case, go farther. He intended to appeal against the decision , or rather to apply to the Court of Queens Bench for a mandamus and re-hearing of that case. He begged to be understood as meaning nothing personally offensive to the magistrates.
Mr.Swabey - Oh! No , I have been too long a magistrate to feel any personal offence at that course being adopted.
Mr.Palmer then said he would lay an information against the same defendant, Elkins, under the 52nd of George III., chap 53, for the recovery of a penalty of �20, and double the price of the game certificate, which was �3 13s 6d.
Mr.Swabey enquired if that act had not been repealed.
Mr.Palmer said it had not.
Mr.Clowes - Is the evidence in this case the same as in the last one ?
Mr.Palmer said it was. He then formally laid the information, which was made out, Mr.Darvill stating his readiness to meet it.
This information was laid under the stamps and taxes act, and it required at least one commissioner of taxes to hear it. The only commissioner on the bench was the Rev.Thomas Carter, who had taken but little part in the prior case, and who said that he should decline to hear it, advising Mr.Palmer to have it heard at the next meeting of the commissioners.
Mr.Palmer said, all he required was a decision on the case preparatory to future proceedings, and he therefore thought it would be better to take it before the commissioners of taxes.
Some discussion then took place on an application of Mr.Britten, regarding the expenses in the case heard a fortnight ago. When accosted by the keeper Elkins, he gave his address "No.5, Suffolk-lane, Cannon-street," and he had been charged in the list of expenses for two journeys of the constable to town, whereas it was well known, and if the London Directory had been looked at he would have been found at his place of business at once.
Mr.Larkin, chief constable of Iver, said the summons had on it when he received it "Surrey," and he had to return to get it altered.
The summons did not state that it was in the city of London.
To other questions Mr.Britten said, that when he was asked by Elkin where was Cannon-street, he certainly laughed and said any body knew where that was.
This occupied some time, and the magistrates ultimately ruled that "No.5, Suffolk-lane, Cannon-street" was an address but it was an "incomplete" one; they said Mr.Britten ought to have added "City of London" to it to make it "complete".
The parties then retired.
(Without giving any opinion of the law of this case, we cannot but think that it would have been much more gentlemanly on the part of Mr.Tower, after the apology and satisfactory explanation made to him, had he prevented any information being laid against Messrs. Britten and Slack. As it was, the decision in this last case surprised most of the parties in court who heard the evidence.)
Henry Sharpe, was charged with using snares for the purpose of taking game on the 10th inst. He pleaded guilty, and said he was instigated to do so by having a wife and three children, and being out of work.
Mr.Carter asked him why he did not apply to the board of guardians.
The defendant said he did not wish to apply to the guardians if he could get anything "any way". He stated that he was a hay-binder but was out of employ.
The constable said he never knew of the defendant being guilty of the like before.
He was fined 20s and 16s costs, which money was shortly afterwards paid, and he was liberated.