The Express.
London, England, 1855-07-30 00:00:00

THE HYDE PARK RIOTS.

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE
CONDUCT OF THE POLICE.—THIS DAY.
The Conuniesioners ea spin this monies at 11
o'clock, in she coots of Iteoltequer, and roamed the

inquiry.
Mr. 0. H. Ellis appeared for the polio', and Mr. H. S.
Mitchell for the complaisant'.
The first witness called was
Mr. John Hanford, of Bristol, deputy-teauster to the tor-
poratioc, who was eastaissd by Mr. Ellie, end stated that he
was la the park on Sunday the Ist of July, about half-past
sin, on the south aide of the Surinam. There were a large
number of persons there. A man appeared about to speak.
The polies moved towards the place, when there wee a
'sacral shouting and biasing, and a number of stones and
sticks were thrown. In his opinion there was quite suffi-
cient to have induced the police to use their staves,
but be was glad to see they had sufficient
forbearance not as do so. The man was
taken into custody. Saw smother man takes into under
nearly similar CifellallitalSClS. Remarked the mounted
policeman, who acted with great forbearance and kisdnese.
Ha was a pale-faced man on a black horse. He requested
the people to keep back, and always addressed them moet
eourteously.
Crom-ssamined by Mr. Mitchell—Wee in Bristol during
the riots. Went to the park bemuse a policeman
told him there bad been a row. He was surprised
to see the great forbearance of the police, became
he bad beard they had been roughly steed. The men made
no resistance when he war taken into custody. Did not see
any of the stones or sticks bit the police. The object ap-
peared to he rather to annoy than to injure the police.
There were a great number of will.dressed persons in the
crowd—some ladies and children. The ladies appeared
frightened, because the police were running at the moment.
The officer on the black horse then adviied them to move

away.
Mr. Thomas Edward Preston Lefroy, barrister-at-low, of
6, Pump court, Temple, examined by Mr. Ellis—Wu in
the Park from 3 to 3, on the grass on the north side of the
Serpentine. There was • large crowd, consisting of three
duns. 'I be first, • lot of vagabonds and thieves ; the second,
• large hatcher of respectable looking working men ; and
the third, a number of ladies and gentlemen, attracted
by curiosity. The vagabonds were apparently bent
ems making • riot. Too working classes appeared
to have gone with the honest intention of express-
their disapproval of the Sunday Bill; but by their cheering
they encouraged the riotous SIAM The object of the tioters
appeared to he to uput the carrisges. In one call a boy
an before • carriage and endeavoured to frighten the
hones. The crowd cheered him. While witness was there
the police cleared the rails. About twenty of them came
down with their staves is their right hand. Toe mob rushed
away from the rails before the police came up. This was
on the river side of the Drive, about the time the man
jumped into the river. Got behind • tree, to escape being
knocked down by the rush, then walked on, and met the
line of police. They ethred no obstruction, but opened
their rooks. Walked through, and stood against the rails.
Sew several instances of passive resistance to the police,
especially in one respectable man, who refused to move.
A policeman rave him a violent push with his
hand, and sent him reeling. The mon afterwards threw
himself on his back. Did not see • single blow struck with
• truncheon. There were • number of soldiers at the spot.
The polio* allowed them and all other quietly-disposed pu-
mas to come tack to the rails.
To Commissioner Henan na—The object of clearing the
rails was to get nd of those who were hooting ad hissing.
The crowd were crying out "Go to church." A men said,
" Don't say that, say Go to h—l."
To Mr. Ellis—foe interference of the police was called
for. if they hail not interfered the mob would have pro-
Deeded to the destruction of properly, and the riot could
not have been put down without leas of life. Saw two
wonted officers. They acted with the greatest coolness and
forbearance, and took no notice of the stones that were
thrown at them.
Croat slammed by Mr. Mitchell—There was a large
crowd, and amongst that crowd was a mob. At least the
berth of the crowd he saw near the Receiving-house were
thieves and vagabonds The crowd in other parts of the
park was much more respectable. The police walked slowly,
and gave the people ample time to get out of the way. After
the rails had been cleared any respectable person who wished
was allowed to ISMS. In several metanseeobstruction was
offered to the police, bat no violence, so far as he saw. Many
persons appeared iodised to argue with the pollee. Would
swear that the mast he saw fall was not pushed down by the
policeman; he threw himself down rather than retire. The
soldier, who belonged to the 66th Regiment fell back from
the rails the moment they were cautioned by the polies.
To Mr. Lillis—llis opinion was, that if the crowd had
been left to themselves they would have proceened to further
sets of violence.
Mr. Rena Fitzherdinge Berkeley, of the 2nd Life
Guards—Was is the very gnat
half-past four to half-put
seven. There was a very great crowd. The object of the
police appeared to be to prevent the people from collecting
in any particular spot, and else to prevent any person from
addressing them. Whenever • b dy of persons collected
together, the police dispersed them. The crowd appeared
to wish to annoy and provoke the pollee as muck as possible.
The pollee had not much difficulty in dispersing the crowd.
The police were very forbearing, and easidering the pro-
vocation they received, their conduct was excellent.
Crowe:sunned by Mr. Mitchell—There was more hoot-
ing when the cabs passed with prisoners than at other times.
It he had received a stray blow, he though he had no tight
to complain, as he was often in the front of the crowd. lie
was there from motives of curiosity, and did not care much
what the crowd was composed of. (Laughter.) Saw co ill-
temper on the part of the police.
Mr. William Hawes, cf Montague-place, Sistax-square,
merchant, examined by Mr. Ellis—Was is the park from •
quarter-past 4to half-past 5. Remained for some time on
the north side of the Serpentine. There were a number of
persons hissing and hooting, and endeavouring to disturb
the carriages. Saw stones throws. One struck himself. It
was • small Macadam.sed stone. Saw the police clear the
road al times. The crowd generally fell back, bat on
each occasion a few parsons reload to go under the rails.
Saw the two mounted officers. They were walking their
horses up and down, giving instructions to the men. There
was no excitement in their manner, their horses were never
out of • walk. Saw several arrests. When the man was
taken out of the water, the people pressed round the police,
and they appeared to have great difficulty in making their
way through with their prisoner. Saw several handbill, dia.
triouted. Spoke to several policemen; th-y appeared to
be in very good temper. A sergeant pointed out the mark
of a very severe blow he had just received. It would have
been quite safe to take a lady into the park in a carriage
It was the duty of the police to keep the drive
clear ; but did not bee any occasion for thou interference
elsewhere.
Crola-examined by Mr. Mitchell—Was • brother of Mr.
Benjamin Rawer, late M.P. for Lambeth. Some of the
persons in the carriages appeared ve-y much frightened.
One man caught hold of the rails, and refused to go under.
A policeman endeavoured to push him; two others came
up, and they threw him over the rails.
[Loft sitting.]

COMMISSARIAT ESTIMATES. -- This morning the
supplementary commissariat estimates were issued. They
are as follows ; —Fay and contingencies of the Commissariat
division of the War Department, 1,0001.; Land and Inland
Water Transport, including the supply of water provided
by the Commissariat Department, 761,7501. ; freight of
specie, including expenses of shipment, 15,0001.; previ-
si ins issued to the Army Ordnance and Commissariat at
home and abroad, after deducting stoppages in aid, 825,7&51. ;
forage. including money allowances in lien thereof,
785,8001.; font and light, 78,0001 ; miscellaneous service',
102,0001. ; making a total supplementary vote required for
effective services 1855-56 of 2,568,3351.
TBE INAUGURATION CEREMONIES or THE SUSSEX
1133011 AL LT THE ROYAL FUN HOSPITAL. —This day
the Right Hon. the Earl of Zetiand, Grand Master of the
fraternity of Freemasons of England, accompanied by seve-
ral of the nobility and gentry, laid the first stone of the
Busses wing of the Royal Free Hospital, Gr►y's Inn-road,
In full masonic form. The wing, when finished, win bis
120 fest long, by 25 feet wide, and three stories high with
basement, ornamented with stone fittings, capable of con-
taining 120 beds. The rev. chaplain of the Grand Lodge
officiated on the occasion, and a splendid band of music
played frequently during the proceedings. The event will
be celebrated by a dinner at the Freemseons' T
THE FOREIGN LEGION.—This morning a large
number of foreigners (Germans sad Poles) arrived by the
Eastern Counties Railway, having landed at Harwich; they
were immediately marched to the London-bridge terminus,
and proceeded by railway to the encampment at Shomelliffe.
Much curiosity was evinced on the appearance of such •
large body of aliens, who are, genvelly speaking fine looking
use, more particinarly es they were asoompanled b 7 nb•
Mein la sailers whisk le strictly caillasntal.