The Express.
London, England, 1862-11-15 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 15, 1862.

THE GREAT BARK ROBBERY AND FORGERY.

The inquiry into this extraordinary mum was
resumed yesterday at half-pest one o'clock at the Mansion-
house before Alderman Cuban, the late Lord Mayor, who
had presided at the previous examinations, and who being
well conversant with all the material facts that had been
brought forward in evidence in support of the charge,
kindly consented to continue the inquiry to the elm.
Soon after the time appointed for the examination, the
six prisoners, William Burnett, George Buother, Robert
Cummings, Richard Brewer, James Griffiths, and Henry
Williams, were placed at the bar in the custody of Moss and
Webb, the detective Aosta There were seated upon the
bench, besides Mr. Alderman Cabal, Alderman Sir R. W.
Carden, Mr. K. }lodge" M.P., the deputy governor, and
Mr. Holland, one of the directors of the Bank of England.
Mr. Freshfield, the solicitor to the Bank of England, again
attended to conduct the prosecution. Mr. Pater, the
banister, appeared for Buncher, and Mr. Lewis, of Ely-
place, for Brewer. The other prisoners, as on the previous
occasions, had no professiorial assistance, and they put no
questions to any of the witnesses. Captain Hodgson, the
chief superintendent of the City of London police, and Mr.
Hamilton, the principal of the detective department of that
establishment, who have rendered most invaluable assistance
in the detection of the parties concerned in this serious
offence, were also present during the inquiry, and had fre-
quent communications with Mr. Freshfield in the coarse of
the examination of the different witnesses, in refererce to
the facts that were within their knowledge, thus rendering
v
eryuseful assistance in the course of the inquiry.
Henry Brown, the accomplice, was recalled, at the in.
stance of Mr. Freshfield. and a key, represented to be the
master key of the establishment at Laverstock, fromwhenoe
the genuine Bank note paper was stolen, was shown to him,
and he said, " This key I believe to be the one that was
given to me by Brewer (one of the prisoners who was em.
played in a confidential capacity at the paper mills). He
told me to take it to Burnett in London, and he gave it me
back, and I returned it to Brewer. At the time I took
the first lot of paper from the machine I was engaged
in doing some repairs to it. My father was work-
ing with me. We did the wood work, and Mr. Soper,
the oversee-, did the iron work. A girl was sit-
ting at each end of the machine when I snatched the paper
out, but they. could not see me do this in the position I
was standing in. The last time I ever received any of the
Bank paper from Brewer was about five weeks before the
reward was offered. I remember Burnett going along with
me to Basingstoke a few months ago. I got out at the
Basingstoke station and Burnett went on to Whitchurch,
and I a.terwards proceeded by a later train to a pace
Overton, on the South Western line, and at eleven o'clock
at night I walked from this place to Laverstock, and as I
was going along I met a man named Lichfield, and be walked
with me part of the way. I had a black bag with me.
Mr. Arthur Kitchener said—l em an engineer employed
at the mills of Mesas. Portall, at )(overstock, and part of
my duty was to see that the machinery was oiled and in
proper order. I remember going to the machine room on
the morning of the Bth of September last year for that pur-
pose and on my trying to unlock the door I found a strange
key in the lock. I believe it to be the same key that has
been produced to-day, and when I took it oat of the duo
I gave it to one of the clerks. The general hours for closing
the mills were four o'clock in winter and five in summer.
but I have frequently seen the prisoner Brewer let himself
into the premiss after they had been locked up. I have
seen him do so at six, at seven, and so late as half-part
eight o'clock at night. The key that has been produced, I
believe, is a master-key, and I believe that it would open
every part of the mill.
This witness was cross-examined by Mr. Lewis.
Mr. J. B. Soper,.an engineer, carrying on business at
Basingstoke, said—l am in the habit of putting up machi-
nery at the Laverstock Mills. and in 1859 and 18601 put up
the sire drying machine that has been referred to, and is
1860 1 was employed to re-arrange it, and the vitamin
Brown did some portion of the work that was rreeaqaired
while the machine was in use. The witness then peodund
• model of the machine, and said that it was used for drying
Bank note paper, and he explained its mode of action. A
young woman sat at each end of the machine, and tee et
them placed paper upon the roller, and it then
passed over a number of other rollers to the opposite end,
where it was taken out by the other. He said
that he remembered seeing the young man Brown em-
ployed in doing some work at the machine, and the plr
where he was so employed and • iimilar spot on the other
side were the only parts of the machine from whence piper
might have been snatched as it was passing through
the rollers without either of the young women seeing what
had taken place. These places were both about ten
from the end where the machine delivered out the paper,
and it could have been snatched out without eit'ier of the
girls seeing it. I remember the morning on which the
reward was offered by the Bank for the discovery of the
parties who had stolen the paper from the mills.
I had a conversation with the prisoner Brewer on that
morning. Some of the workmen were employ, I
in assisting to sink • rain-water tank, and the p^isoner made
some observation to the effect that it was very bard work
for them, an.' the conversation then turned upon the neor-.-
ally for working men laying up something as • provision for
old age. In the course of what took place the prisoner said
that he had got • little game of his now to play out, and
that when he had done so he should quit the mill. While
I we were talking, George Brown, the father of the witness
Henry Brown, came up, and Brown maid that he thought
be was a curious old man, and he believed him to be a
dangerous man, and I replied that I bad always found
him attentive to his work and ready to oblige. Witness
was mos-examined by Mr. Lewis.

Mr. Chapman, the intim master at Overton, and a young
man named Lichfield were then ,-11 ed to ooi.oborate the
statement made by the approver Henry Browo, that he
was at the station and at Laverstock at the time he men-
tioned.
Mr. Freahfield here stated that he had othe- evidence to
being forward bearing upon the charge of robbery at the
paper mills, but as no evidence at all bad yet been given
against one of the prisoners,lienry Williams, he proposed to
examine some witomes in reference to the charge that
would probably be preferred against him of engraving, and
having feloniously in his possession, a plate upon whichwae
engraved portions of snots of the Bank of England.
Mr. Pater and Mr. Lewis both objected to this course
being taken, on the ground that it might tend unfairly to
I prejudice the case of their clients and the other prisoners.
The latter gentleman observed that unless it was shown that
Williams had engraved forged notes upon some of the
genuine paper that bad been stelae, he clearly could not be
connected with the charge at present under investigation,
which had reference only to the robbery of the paper.
Alderman Cubitt said it appeared to him that in a case
of so much itnportarce, and of such a peculiar character, be
ought not to interfere, but that the proper course was to allow
Mr. Freshfield to conduct the inquiry in the fogthat he
considered moat advisable and best calculated to further the
ends of justice.
The following additional evidence was then given :
Henry Webb, detective officer, said—ln consequence of
instructions I received, I went on the 30th of October to
the Victoria-road, Ashton New-town, in company with In-
spector Manton, of the Birmingham police. Wedugin abank
for some corsiderable time, end Mr. Manton found the
copper-plate which I produce doubled up. The pla.ai has
" London, Oct. 13, 1862, W. P. Gatti," engraved upon it.
I brought the plate to Laidon and mile inquiries, and on
Thursday, the 6th of November, I went to No. 85, St.
Paul's-road, Kennington-park. I was then accompanied
by Sergeant Siloock. On the door of No. 85
wee a zinc plate, with the name " Jackson, en-
graver," on it. I knocked at the door and a boy came
and opened it. From a communication I made, the
boy went upstairs, and the prisoner Williams came down.
J said, " Mr. Jackson," and he said, ' Yea." I mid, "My
name is Webb. I have come respecting a parcel containing
a copper-plate which was sent by you on Saturday. 25th
October, directedto Mr. Morris, care of Mr. Crisp, Bullmer-
place, Ashton New Town, Bi.mingham." The prisoner said
ho dui not know anything about it, and he did not send
such a penal. I said I could show him the copper-plate
which was sent. I showed him the plate, and he took it in
his band, and after turning it about and looking at it he said
Ico knew noshing about it, he never sew it before. 1 said if
he would allow um we would go u_petaira into his workshop,
there was a better light there. We all three went into a
front room ca the first floor, which was the prisoner's
workshop. I this said to the prisoner, "We are two Polito
officers. We don't wish you to criminate yourself,' sad
told him to look at the plate again and see if it was not
I engraved bhim. He took it, and after looking at it again
Ihe said, "Well, I did engrave it." I asked him who for,
and he said "For the man Griffiths, who is in custody
,for forging Blink of England notes I have worked for
hire for years." I asked him if be knew it was pastel a
Bank of England sots, and he said he was not altogether
ignorant of the.... I told him he must consider himself is
custody. He said be was very Lorry, as he had sorra plates
to finish for Meears. Petrie*. which no man in England
I could do but himself. I found on him three-halfpence and
three duplicates.
Mr. Murfill, inepecto • of Bank notes at the Bank of
England, said—Printing taken from the engraved plates
produced would be an imitation of part of a Bank of
England note. The engraving spoears to be an imitation
of the Beak type. The signature, W. P. Cair, is en evi•
dent etempt to imita.e the signature of a 51. note.
S. Bromley, foreman to Messrs. Pootrefix and Soos, St.
Martia'a-lane, mid—l know the prisoner Williams by the
name of Jacinto°. I have known him about fouryears. At
the lr end of October I received a note from him, in con-
sequerce of which I got him a small copper plate. The plate
produced by Webb is similar. I believe it to be the plate.
I took the plate home and left it on the mantel-pieoe for
my wise to give Mr. Jackson when he called for it. I re-
cater dis 4d. for the plate from my wife. I cannot swear
positively that that is the same p'ate.
Mn. Breeelity, wife of the last witness, said—The prisoner
Williams was in the habit of calling at our hones to order
plates. He called ia October with a note. My husband was
out, and he wanted to know if the not* would reach him
that day, as he wanted the plate at night. I said it would.
My husband said he received the letter, and brought home
a plate at eight. I gave the prisoner Williams the mine
plate my hothead brought, and received la. 4d. for it.
On being stem-examined by Williams, the witness said—
, Yon received a small plate at the same time. Yon may have
bad other plates.
Henry Sibley, copper-plate maker to Meagre. Netters:
' sad Sons, St. Martin's-lane, said—The plate predaced by
the officer Webb was manufactured ley me. I pre it to
the wither S. Bromley.
By Mr. Pater—There is a meek on it by which I indsstify
I i ,aad which I made at the tiara made the plate.

Mr. Freshfield said that was all the evidence he proposed
to adduce, and he suggested that the ease should be
adjourned.
The prisoners were then again remanded. Mr. Alderman
Cubitt refusing to entertain an application of Mr. Lewis to
admit Brewer to bail.
The prisoners were then removed from the bar.

tutu intelligent&

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.—Nov. It

Whiny in Baoao..7lße(ore Lord Chief Judie* Cockburn,
and Justices Otinza, Blackburn, and Ileflor.)

YOUNG O. 'CALCIUM-LIBEL.

This was a demurer to a declaration for libel, claiming
special damage in the depreciation of the plaintiff's paraffin
oil, by the publication of a circular which stated : "I certify
that I have carefully tested the above oil, and I Sod it a
colourless and somewhat aromatic liquid, while Young's
Scotch baa a reddish brown, and has a more disagreeable
odour."
Mr. Milliard supported the demurrer, contending that no
action would lie. _ _

Mr. Edward James, Q.C., opposed the demurrer. The
content. of the circular were disparaging, and had
injured the plaintiff in his Widen's, which was clearly libel-
lous. It drew an unfavourable comparison both with re•
gard to colour and smell between the plaintiff's oil and the
defendant's.

The Lord Chief Justice said he did not consider the circu-
lar libellous. It was very much like the advertisements
about cod liver oil. One recommended his as being colour-
lees and tseteless, and arotber as brown cod liver oil.
(Laughter.) Each relied on his peculiar colour.
Mr. Jams—Perhaps each libels the other. (Laughter.)
It was not to be assumed such advertisements werenot libel-
lous became no actions had been brought.
Mr. Justice Blackburn said the circular was no more than
saying, " My wares are better than yours."
The Lord Chief Justice said the judgment of the court was
in favour of the demurrer. He was far from saying that if •
man feloniously and maliciously disparaged an article manu-
factured and sold by another man (without casting any impu-
tation on bin personal or professional character), and special
damage arose, an a Ition would not lie. A grievous wrong
so inflicted on another ought not to be without its
remedy by means o: au &Mon.:This declaration did not allege
facts sufficient to support it.
The other learned judges concurred.
Mr. James asked to be allowed to amend.
_ .

The Lord Chief Justice declined. The learned counsel
must bring another action. The easiest way to settle the
question was for the plaintiff to get another professor to
give another report. (Laughter.)
Judgment for the defendant.

COURT OF PROBATE AND DIVORCE.
Nov. 14.
(Before the Judge Ordinary.)

BULLOCK-WI:MYR V. BULLOCK-WEBSTER AND YONGL

Dr. Spinks appeared for the plaintiff.
The parties were married in 1853. and they had had four
children, two sons and two daughters. They cohabited first
at Hendon, next at Lyon's-hall, Herefordabire, and then on
a farm in Rutland. Here the plaintiff was unfortunate in
business ; and soon afterwards the respondent's father, who
had allowed him 120/. a year, also failed. Theo troubles
seemed to have soured the respondsan temper, and she left
him for • time, but she soon afterwards returned, and the
went to live at Tenby. Mr. Bullock-Webster sr
came up to London and obtained a situation as secretary at
the Dental Hospital, in Soho. A number of letters
were put in showing that his absence was with the
fullest concurrence of the respondent. While these letter
were written, however, it wu proved that the respondent
had formed a guilty liaison with the co-respondent, Captain
Vonge, of the dist Foot, who was at that time quartered in
the neighbourhood.
Mary Price. the servant of the respondent, proved that
her mistress had first begun to be visited by Captain Tongs
about Good Friday, 1861, Mr. Bullock-Webster having
left Tenby in the previous November. The captain came
every Sunday, and sometimes oftener. He generally arrived
while wares wee at church in the evening ; and he went
away about ten, but sometimes he stayed later. When he
came in the daytime Witll3ll used to be bent out with the
children. His visits continued till December, when the
respondent left Tenby, and went to Haverfordwest. She
returned in about five weeks, and told witness that she bad
had another baby. She did not bring it back with her.
Proof was then given of the birth of a child
at lodgings in If averfordweet, which bad been taken
for her by Captain Yonge, and of an offer which
bad been made by the co-respondent for its suppoe
The child was repaired by the respondent as "Henry
William, son of Henry and Rose Winter." In the March
following the respondent, with the permission of the
Registrar General, made • new entry, " Henry William,
son of floury John Bullock-Webster."
A number of letters from the respondent to her husband
and to • female friend of here were put in, expressing with
painful earnestness her sense of the enormity which bad
entailed upon her • life'of disgrace and wretchedness, but
imploring the petitioner to allow her at lent one of her
children.
The Court made a decree nisi, with costs.