The Express.
London, England, 1853-08-05 00:00:00

SOU fUWABK.

Edward Courtney, &journeyman boot and shoe maker,
was charged with committing an assault upon Thomas Law-
ler, another boot and oboe maker.
Complainant said he bad been for some time employed
at Mr. Chester's, in the Waterloo-road, and he lodged at a
beer house in Webber-street. On Monday morning last
he took home some work, and after he had entered his
room a minute or two, he wu called down by the
landlady. He then saw the prisoner and two or three other'
there, when the former asked him whether be worked at
Mr. Chester's. He told him that he did, and was quite
contented. The prisoner then said that the journeymen
had all struck for wages there, and that be ought
to do so also. Witness said that he should not do
anything of the kind, as he had a good shop. They than
wanted him to attend their meetings, and become a mem-
ber, and on his refusal the prisoner called him a scamp,
and palled his nose twice, when he and his companions
quitted the house.
In cross-ezamination by Mr. Solomon for the defendant,
witness said the prisoner was under the influence of liquor,
and be drank some beer with him prior to the assault. He
did not belong to any society, but the prisoner waned him
to join the strike.
Sarah Collard, the landlsdy of the beer-house, said she
saw the prisoner and his companions enter the house, and
ask for the complainant. The latter immediately joined
them, when the prisoner made use of violent language
towards him, and pulled his now twice. The complainant
' did nothing but put his hand up.
Mr. Solomon said his answer to the charge was, that his
client did not commit any assault whatever. He and two
of his companions were drinking some beer at the bar,
when complainant came up and threatened to pill their
1 noses. _ _ _ _

Aiezander Page, a journeyman bootmaker belonging to
the strike, said, that he was with defendant at the time
when complainant came and drank some beer with them.
They were talking something about the strike, when com-
plainant said he would pull their noses. There was no as-
sault committed, and they never knew complainant until
tkey met him in the beerhouse, neither did they know
where he worked.

Mr. A'Beckett remarked that from the evidence before
him perjury had been committed on one side or the other,
and had it been proved against the defendant he oho id
have punished him with great severity. Had he beins
charged with intimidating the complainant (which he
might have been) he should upon proof have committed
him to prison for a long period.
Mr. Hal, for the complainant, here informed the magis-
trate that, if adjourned until a future day, witnesses could
be produced to corroborate his cheat's testimony and prove
the intimidation.
. _ _

Mr. A'Beekett said he had made up his mind to send the
ease. to the sessions, but if that was the use he would ad-
journ it until Tutsday next.

OPENING OF THE OYSTER SEASON.—Yesterday
being the 4th day of Auust, the usual cieremenial of
"opening the oyster season' took place at Billingsgatv-
market. At six o'clock the bell was rang, and the boats
opened for the sale of the fish. At that time 24 muds lay
alongside the market, and the attendance of buyer, wee
large. The demand was exceedingly steady, and the atip_ply
(with the eseeptims of the best " natives") very good. The
prices were as folio.. :—Natives, 21.85. per bushel; com-
mons, Ike. ; Med'eay and &mull, 1/. 4s. The 'awls were
from Milton, Paversham, Whitstable, China Rorl, and
Rochester, and labour appeared to be very plentiful, as
_Iola? ueemployed panne were upon the pea waiting for
ain't lad wilted he went keen is vale.