The Express.
London, England, 1862-05-19 00:00:00

WILFULLY DAMAGING A DRINKING FOUNTAIN.

Al/rWirevo;Zes, end 12, s paper
at Aylesbury.plaos, lerkenwell, sad mend maker,
12 a brush maker, of 10, Aylesburppleers, were
c betas Yr. D'Eyomart with wilfully damaging a
• • fountain at Clerkenwell-greee, the property of
the vestry of Clerkeawell, to the extent of Ifs.
The fountain in question was only opened on the lit of
Hay, it having been presented to the vestry by the com-
mittee of the Good Samaritan Temperance Association.
Yesterday afternoon police-constable 72 G saw the two
prisoners endeavouring to poll off the top of the fountain.
He took the prisoners into custody, when they said that
they had not broken the fountain, but had got on the top
for the purpose of getting some water.
Mr. Benz, the surveyor of the parish of Clerkenwell,
said that the tube that supplied the fountain had been
broken, and the water was now running to waste. It must
have taken great force to have broken the tube, as it was
made of iron. He lest saw the fountain safe on Friday last.
The prisoners said that they did not break the fountain.
It was broken before they went, and they only got on the
top to get a drink of water.
Two Irking'''s were called, who stated that yesterday
morning the fountain was broken, and the water would not
ran from the jets. The boys were not big enough to have
broken the fountain.
. . . . . .

The constable added that be did not know when the foun-
t-la was broken. Perhaps the boys intended to take away
the top of the fountain.
Mr. D'Eyncourt said he hoped that the boy's statements
were correct and that they had sot broken the drinking
fountain. It was really too bad to destroy these fountain,
so they were put up as a =Ma of kindness by_charitabb;
persona. If the charge had been distinctly pmved'he should
have dealt very severely with the prisoners, by or-
dering them to pay the full amount of the damage, as well
as a penalty, and in default of payment he should have sent
them to the House of Correction for the full period. As
there was a doubt they would have the benefit of it, and
be discharged.

MARLBOROUGHZTREET.
A WIFE MATER COMM= TO PRISON.

Thonteusßei;n:at;ll,;;;;riai Twitieil;;;;;u charged
with annulling his wife, Ana Behan, of 25, Whitcomb
street. _ _

It appears that the prisoner had greatly ill-used hie wife
at Easter, and she teak out a summons against him, but he
made off, and a warrant was then issued. He came back •
few days ago, but his wife not wishing to enforce it, on his
Sapromising not to atreat her again it was not executed. On
turday night last, however, he mine home drunk, seized her
by the bosom in a savage manner, and pulled her out of bed,
causing her some pain. She then gave him into custody.
Michael aSheughneft.,y, one of the warrant officers of
the court, said he was called out of bed at three yesterday
morning, and then took the prisoner into custody on the
warrant. The prisoner was at this court on the 24th
January, IMI, for assaulting his wife, when he was bound
over to keep the peace.
Mr. Tyrwhltt said it was a very brutal and bad cane. The
poor woman having been Mused got a warrant against him,
and then forgave the prisoner, but notwithatanding that he
had again assaulted her.
The prisoner was committed for a month with hard
labour.

WESTMINSTER.
PRO2ERTI LOST AND FOUND AT THE INTERNATIONAL
EXHIBITION.
Isaac Lftfet, a nun between thirty and forty years of sne,
was chai ;ed withuulawfully poaseasing • lady's sunshade
at the International Exhibition. . .

Police constable Urban Philpott, 183 X, said that at
half-past four on Saturday afternoon, he saw the prisoner
leaving the Exhibition with something under his coat ; wit-
nese stopped him and asked him what he had got there,
when prisoner replied that it was a parasol he had picked
up in the gallery. Witness took him into custody.
Mr. Arnold asked if he was known.
The constable replied that he worked in the Exhibition.
Prisoner said he was employed by Ilr.Hedgeland,sa organ
builder, and on Saturday morning picked up the parasol
amongst his work. He put it on one of the organ pipes,
where it remained during the afternoon, when he took it
out.
Mr. Arnold—is there no place for property picked up
to be taken ? .

Inspector Walthew—lt should be taken to the police
station in the building.
Prisoner—l aware your worship it was a very foolish
innocent trick of miss.
. . . . .

Mr. Arnold—Very foolish it may have been, but I cannot
see the innocence of it. If your account is true you knew
it was not your property, and it was your duty to have
taken it to the police station, in order that it might, if
possible, have been restored to its owner.
Prisoner—My foreman is here who can prove my cha-
racter for ten years, and here is a workman who maw me
pick it up.
The foreman said he bad borne a very good character
for ten years, and bad been frequently entrusted with very
valuable property.
A fellow-workman said he picked the parasol up, and
hid it in an open situation all the afternoon.
Mr. Arnold—You are discharfed, prisoner but your
conduct strongly approaches to criminality.

THAMES
THE LAW OF DISTRESS TOR sew -1 HARD CABR.

Mr. Harry Joseph Wareham, the landlord of the Commer-
cial Stores, a house of publie entertainment, No. 7, King's-
Place, Commercial-roalL East, applied to Mr. Woolryoh for
his advice and assistance under the following circum-
stances :

Mr. Wareham said he rented his house of a Mr. C. Steel,
auctioneer, broker, and apprauier, No. 6, King's-place, who
threatened two days after lady-day last that if him rent was
not paid by the following Saturday, the 29th of March, he
would distrain upon hint. Bs paid his quarter's rent to
Steel on Monday, the 31st of March. The witness put to
a receipt for 81. 17a., one quarter's rent, due Lady-dag;
14;2, signed Charles Steel, and dated March 31, 1862.
Saturday the ground landlord, or landlady, Misa Berner, put
in a distress for 171. 10s., half a year's rent, although nothing
was owing, and a broker named Burden made out an in-
ventory.
Mr. Woolrych—Was the previous quarter's rent paid to
Steen

Mr. Wareham—Yea, sir, my predecessor, Mr. Muscluunp,
paid the quarter'. rent due Christmas last to Steel.
In answer to questions by Mr. Woolrych, the applicant
said that Steel was the lessee of the Commercial Stores and
the auction room and 13111MISeS No. 6, adjoining, and had
not paid any rent to Mies Berner for a half-year.
Mr. Woolrych said it was a ♦ery hard case indeed upon
the applicant, who had honourably paid hie rent, but the
lessor had aperient right to distrain under the circumstances.
The applicant's remedy was against Steel, who could be sued
for demesne is one al the superior oourte at Westminster.