The Express.
London, England, 1864-07-22 00:00:00

GUILDHALL.

Honorah Donovan was charged with atteniptiog to com-
mit suicide by throwing herself off Pin's-wharf Pier into
the river.

The prisoner has on numerous occasions been charged
with obstruction, and during the last week or tee days she
has been brought before the sitting alderman daily on that
charge. The obstruction coosisted in the fact that she
endeavoured to get her living by hawking fruit in the
Farriogdoo -road. The width of the road is said to be 100
feet, but the officers have on all occaeloos sworn that the
foot passengers have been obstructed by the trays ou the
barrows exteudiug from three to four inches over the kerb-
atom, the pavement in that thoroughfare being over ten
feet wide. Oa this plea from five to six poor people are
daily brought to this court, and to ensure a fine their bar-
rows are sent to the greenyard, for the reaels of which
they have to pay Ir. 61, in addition to say trifling fine
the sitting alderman may inflict. In almost all such cases
the poor people have been discharged without fine. and in
some instances an order has been granted to release the
barrows without the payment of any fees. Mr. Ald. Stowe
on hearing theesicases, and Menorah ovan's in particular,
said he thought it lather hard that they should be so inter-
fared with in such a wide road when they were doing their
best to get ao honest living, and at that time he interested
himself to obtain her a station in order that she night be
removed from any further molestation by the police, but on
her being brought before him day after day on the sense
charge and finding that she was a woman of violent temper
his efforts in her favour ceased. The police imputed con-
, stant drunkenness to the prisoner, but this was denied at
very good authority, although it was admitted that abs
might occasionally have been the worse for liquor, and was&
most excitable woman. lo justice to the police it is neon.
nary to state that they are acting under the strictest orders
from the commisaiouer for the removal of the on called
obstruction.

The prisoner, who was in a pitiable state of mental
prostration, was allowed a seat in the dock.
W. Neary said he was one of the pinnies at Paul's-wharf
Pier. About half-past nine on Tuesday morning be saw
the prisoner on the pier, and shortly afterwards she was
struggling blithe water. He got into his haat at once, sad
with great difficulty saved her. He heard that she had
stooped down from the barge close by the mooring ohain
and plunged bead-foremost into the river.
SMr. Alderman Abbies asked Douovan what she had to say ?
Prisoner—Well, I've nothing to say, only that I am tired
of my life. I've tried to get my living honestly, but the
police won't let me. lam hunted about and always in and
out of prison, and when I get out I am again taken into
custody. lam followed up, abused, and called all kinds of
names by the police, and if I say anything I am taken to
the etation.bonse, and I wish I was at the bottom of the
river, as I am prevented from getting my living.
Mr. Webb, the relieving officer of the West London Union,
mid be bad known the prisoner whilst she was an inmate
there. Doriag that time she was very well =Wooled, sad
some time ago dm guardians gave her I.os. to set hemp in the
fruit line, since whisk they had seen oasis( of hie until
within the last two days, when she applied foe edroittanes
at a time when she was is liquor. ESL, was a most excitable
and troublesome woman. but osetisissly look ieltiA hawould
call a drunken woman, although Pi had known her In In
the want tea drink,

Mr. Alderman Abhise—l see by Um book that she has been
here every day for the last fortnight, and, with one freer.
two, for obstruction in each CYO. 1 tbiuk the best thing 1
can do for her is to mend bee to the workhouse to be ta'ete
oars of.