The Express.
London, England, 1853-07-28 00:00:00

NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE RAILWAY.

The foaming._ la the report of the directors, to be
submitted intim f-yearly meeting of the company, to be
held at ffesime-upes-Trent to-morrow
" The at with the London and North Western
Company bt been carried out according to the roma-
osen4atieo tithe arbitrators, appointed for the settlement of
all differentia between the two companies, the director,
have little to announce to the shuttles:len beyond the pro-
sal to declare the stipulated dividend of --re. 3d. per share,
being at the rate of 3 per centum per annum for the first
year, in pursuance of the sward of Masers. Stephenson
and Hope, and in acoordsate with the aceosats
sow submitted. It may be as well again to re-
peat that the dividends secured will be increased
to 3i per cent. in 18.54, and 31 per cent. in and all
future years. The directors had hoped that they would
have been able to inform their proprietors that the 'suc-
tion of parliament to the bill introduced for the amalgama-
tion of the two companies had been obtained, but the
int lion of Mr. Cardwell's committee has for the pre-
sent prevented the passing of such measure. The report of
that committee is now before the pubi.e, and the directors
do not anticipate any difficulty in carrying the bill is the
ensuing session. Under any circumstances the very large
increase in the local traffic of the line, averaging upwards
of a thousead pounds per week, is a sufficient guarantee of
the prosperity of the undertaking, and, if not promising an
immediate security equal to a 31 per cent. preference stock
of the London and North Westin' Company, at all events
demonstrates its safety and value as ea investment. In the
mean time both companies will act in strict conformity with
the arrangement already sanctioned, and it will be the duty
of your directors to neglect no precaution to provide against
all contingencies ; under the Fest nt circumstances, how-
ever, and with a bill before parliament which has been so
prominently referred to in the amalgamation committee,
they deem it advisable in the interest of the undertaking
to *void, as far as possible, entering into details.
The amicable relations subsisting between the two
companies have, under the advice of +heir j riot committees
appointed fur the purpose, led to arrangements of traffic
operating much to their mutual advantage, as well as to
the increased convenience of the public, and further trains
for both passengers and goods will be passed over the
North Staffordshire Railway, so soon as the details neces-
sarily connected with such changes can be completed. The
permanent way, the rolling stock, the stations, and other
buildings on the railway are in a satisfactory state of effi-
ciency ; sal the directors have the pleasure to make an
equally 'gratifying report of the state of the canal and sU
connected with the navigation depLrtment. There are
still claims that will be chargeable when fettled to the pre-
vious half-year, and which, therefore, prevent the division
of the small surplus carried over born the revenue of 31st
December lost."

Lebo intelligence.

CONSISTORY COURT.-YESTERDAY.
11,10111 Dz. U. 1117,97011.
r.

Dr. Tuner said that this was a suit fur separation pro-
moted by the wife against hrr husband. on the ground of
adultery. The marriage hail taken place in March, 1349,
and the huribud was charged with haring committed tuts
of adultery with Ro-e Andrews, and another person named
1)••neh. Ile bud put in no appearance.
Dr. Lushington said he was perfectly satisfied with the
proofs, and decreed the &ram prayed for accordingly.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT.—YEstenDAY.

Barome Me. Comm:ma Law.
IN THE MATTER Or RICHARD DCHN.

This else again came before the learned commissioner,
and attracted a crowded court. The former proceedings
were reported on Saturday. It was understood that Miss
Burdett Coutts would he ctlled as a witness, and public
curiosity, from the details already given, was ticked.
Mr. Cooke appeared, as on the preceding occasion' Icy
n
Miss Burdett Con', and the insolvent was himself his
own attorney and mist cite.
The case was specially fixed for 12 o'clock, and at that
hour Mr. Commiss:oner Law proceeded from his own court
to the court of the Chief Commissioner, to whom the case
had been allotted. Every part of the court was soon filled,
and Lord Barrow by and Lord Charles Wellesley had seam
on the bench.

The insolvent announced that although he had issued
subvenas for flies Burdett Coutta and Mr. Majoribanks he
had not served them, on which Mr. Cooke observed that
they were in attendance. Miss Bursle.t Cuutts entered the
court accompanied by a lady and the noblemen mentioned.
and being accommodated with a seat on the bench, the case
proceeded.
Miss Burdett Coutta was examined by the insolvent. She
stated that she wes at Harrogate in 1538. She received
two letters, signed Richard Dunn, and she applied to •
magistrate of the peace for protection. She saw the Rev.
Mr. Rhodes who was • magistrate there. Mr. Majoribanks
did not stow her and• of his (insolvent's) letters, or she
should have declined to have read them. If he had aid
he had a communication train MIA COUtts it would have
been a falsehood.

The laminae referred to some letters which be said be
had reeeivrd from Mr. Majoribanks, requesting an inter-
view with Ma. The letten were road, and continual re-
marks were made as tho case proceeded. Miss Coutta had
to bear a number of letters read and obeervations made by
the insolvint. Ths learned Commissioner repeatedly inter-
• .

tered, in order that the examination might proceed in a
proper manner.
bliss Burdett Coatis, in reply to other questions of the in-
selvent, said Mr. Majoribanks bad told her generally what
passed. That gentleman was now in court.
The insolvent asked Miss Coutts what was her opinion as
to a lady receiving letters from a gentleman
Mr. Cooke objected to the question.
Mr. Commissions r Law said it was a men waste of time.

The insolvent insisted he had a right to pat the qusstioa.
He would hate the question answered.
Mr. Commissioner Law decided that the lady had liberty
to answer or not the question.
Mr. Cooke recommended bliss Coutts not to answer.

Min Cosine said she did not think a lady was called upon
to answer the question.
Some more interlarded remarks were made by the insol-
vent, who referred to some papers, and was requested over
and ever again by the court to proceed with the gamins-
lion of the lady before the court.
The insolvent wished to refer to a letter from Sir Francis
Burdett, her father, and said he did not wish to hurt her
feelings.
Miss Burdett Coutts, in reply to questions, said a stranger
had got admissi,n to Sir Francis Burdett, and he did not
know who he was til: he waggons.
The insolvent wished to put in a letter of Sir Francis
Burdett.
Mr. Cooke submitted that it was not evidence.

Mr. Commissioner Law said it was not evidence in any
shape or way.
In answer to other questions put by the insolvent,
Miss Burden Comets stated that she recollected when the
insolvent was belie, the magistrates in Yorkshire, she re-
collected generally what passed, but not the details.
The insolvent said he would read what passed.
Mr. Commissioner Law told the insolvent he would not
be allowed to read from the pamphlet he held in his hand.
Miss Burdett Cuutts stated in answer to the insolvent,
that she stated that she was alarmed by being addressed by
a stranger. She did not recollect what he (the insolvent)
had said to her.

The insolvent wished to know what he had done to
frighten her or put Ler in fear. lle declared that he had
never done anything of the hied. He met her in the
fields and took off his hat, say;:einghes.was very sorry if he
had don. anything to hurt her
Miss Burdett Coutts was then examined by Mr. Cooke—
She stated that she never knew the gentleman till he came
to Harrogate. She told any of her servants to give
him any encouragement to come down. She received two
letters signed by this person. She went down to Harro-
gate for her health. She went to a hotel there. She heard
that Mr. Dunn Lad taken apartments there, and from what
she had heard she was apprehensive of danger, which
mad* her apply to • magistrate. She had before
visited llarrogate without being annoyed. The eir-
eurnstance she had mentioned occurred about August, 1833.
She applied to Mr. klajetibanks, and he came down. Mr.
Dunn was committed to custody to the Petty Sessions. She
left lierrogate, and took no further notice of the matter.
After Mr. Dunn's release he came to London, and continued
his annoyance. She was obliged to have a policeman in her
house. She could not visit • plane of Divine worship. She
went to a chapel near her house, because she thought it
would be more safe. She understood this person was there,
but she did not see him, and the clergyman took some
steps to prevent this annoyance. She had applied to a
magistrate in London to protect her.
Mr. Cooke asked the lady whether she had ever written
to the insolvent.

Miss Burdett Coutta declared that she never bad writ-
ten to him, or authorised any letter to be written. The
letters she had received from him she handed to her at-
torney, Mr. Humphries. Further, Miss Conn", in her
examination, said she sent the letters to her attorney, with
the view of being protected from the insolvent's annoyance.
She never authorised this pawn to draw on the bank in the
Strand. She had been examined before Lord Denman,
when be was indicted for perjury.
The authority, as it was called, to draw the bill for
100,0001., beginning " Send to Coutes your bill, then's lots
in the till," was banded to the lady, and she stated that she
did not authorise him to write it or anything like it. She
had exhibited articles of the peace against him in London.
The re-examination of the lady then commenced, and
continued for some time. The insolvent read some doggrel
and made observations. He called for mime letters,
which be said he had received from Stratton-street, and
Mice Ciotti was all the time seated on the bench.

Mr. Commissioner Law interposed several times, re-
questing the insolvent to fioiah his examination of the lady.
Mr. Cooke several times asked whether she might retire.
The brelvent further read some correspondence, which
be sell be had received and which he answered.

ILL Olatiaissioner Law at length said only one more
letter abissid be read.

—Veer asme farther examination the lady was allowed to
retire, bombe bees la court nearly three hours.
la armee le the mutt, the insolvent admitted that the
letter settles the authority was a " queer " one, but not
inch as est thee a lady would not write.
Mr. Makelbeeks was examined. He told the insolvent
the authority was not in the handwriting of Miss Coutts,
and Mr. Robinson, a clerk, also said the same.
The insolvent then gave his evidence, and made churn-
amts. He had acted bona fide in the matter, as be believed
the letters were written by Miss Ceuta. He alsocomplained
of the manner in which judgment had been obtained against

Mr. Cooke addressed the court, and at 6 o'clock the in-
solvent begged an adjournment, as he was unable to reply
at that late hour.
The cue was adjourned to Saturday, and as the reply is
not given, the complaint of the learned counsel is re-
served.

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE
NORFOLK CIRCUIT.-IPSWICU, JULY 27.
Coors Curier.—Bavosz Stu khans.

---- ---.— --..—.—
CIIAROZ or STIALITC! o•3.—Tus COMMITTAL or •

iVngiss:

William Cook (on bail),••;;ber of the Ipswich cor-
poration, a paving and lighting commissioner, and •
plumber and gas fitter, carrying on an extensive business
us this tows., was charged with having, on the Ist of March,
stolen 50.00 cubic feet of gas, the property of the Ipswich
Gas Light Company.
The manager of the works and the foreman were requested
to remove the meter from the closet where it was fixed in
in the cellar if the prisoner's premises, take it down to the
gas-works, and test its accuracy. This was done, and the
result tamed out to be that the meter was correct in every
particular. The meter was ordered to be taken back by
Sidney Smith Themes, • workman in the service of the
company, to replace it from where it had been taken. A
workman of the company, when in the act of fixing the
prisoner's meter, discovered a secret pipe, what is tech•
nically called a bye-pass pipe—a pipe which secretly
conveyed gas to all parts of the premises, thus enabling
the prisoner to consume gas belonging to the company,
without passing through the meter, thus defrauding the
Gas Company. Atter the secret pipe was discovered, on
the lfitia instant, it was soon after partly removed by 80111 P
one on the prisoner'a premises, the ends of which were bat-
tered up, so that the gas would pass from the company's
pipe, and then through the meter. It was also shown that
a cooking-stove, heated by gees, and which was also seen in
the prisoner's house the same time as the secret pipe was
discovered, was removed a day or two afterwards.
Mr. VAlallsy, in addressing the jury for the prisoner,
said he could not dray but that • large portion of the gas
consumed upon the prisoner's premise, had not passed
through the meter, and, consequently, had not been paid
for to the company. The question then arose, had the pri•
senor a guilty knowledge of the gas being fraudulently ap-
propriated ? lie then called far the defence,
Charles Farrow, the fireman of the prisoner, but be-
. fore this witness was sworn,
..

EIWINDLIERA IN DEVONSIIIIIE.—During the last
few daysseveral respectable lodging-bonekeepersin Devon-
shire have been swindled out of the:r property, by a gang
of " artful dodgem," who are prowling about, under the
Pretense of being invalid gentlemen " in quest of health."
Them fellows go into reepectab:e lodg:nr, and after a few
days, having succeeded in winning the confidence of the
people with whom they lodp send out the servant to
change a tea-pound note, and having rot the change, make
off as speedily as_ possible, and try the same game on in
other towns. At sunionth, last week, • set of these fel-
lows ',Needed in paring off two forged ten. pound notes,
which are clever imallstions of the satins article, and, of
mane, were NOG found maws to the flimsy of their
whams, whom Naldenes wee tins so avidly *bend, and
Wilk wag le Oft Itoils kim thlua•

The Judge, addressing the witness, said—Before you
give your evidence I will tell you that
_you am not bound
to answer any questions put to you. If you do give any
evidence aaything you say will be liable to be used against
yon, as I have employed a shorthand writ's to tab down
your evidence.
The wituess was then easagsed et some leaoh, is the
wane of which be said, hi mode all the dinettesa fa the

THE EXPRESS, TIIURSDAY EVENING, JULY 28, 1853.

pipes wi'hout the order or knowledge of the prisoner. Be
put on the secret pipe for the purpose of enabling him to
get mere gu in the workshop, for the purpose of warming
the shop.
By the Judge-1 hiss been in the service of the prisoner
seven ye an. lam cousin to the prisoner's wife.
The Judge—You had a gas store upon your shop ?
Witness—Yes.
The Judge—What did the prisoner say when he saw that
stove ?

N 1 antes-110 sometimes turned the gas off, because he
said it was not necessary.
The Judge—How many weeks or months did you use
that stove after you had put up these fraudulent gas pipes ?
Witness—Some months.
The Judge—Did the prisoner say anything about your
having had a gas stove upon the shop
Witness—Only by sometimes turning out the gas.
The Judge-1 have nothing more to say to you. Officer,
take Farrow into custody, and head him over to the gaoler.
Send him immediately before the grand jury on ■ charge
of stealing gas belonging to the Ipswich (ha Light Com-
pany.
The prisoner was accordingly taken into custody.
John Creasy, who was in the service of the prisoner in
1851, proved that he made the joint on the secret pipe by
the order of Farrow.
The following gentlemen were next called to speak to the
previous character of the prisoner :—Mr. J. D. Burroughes,
a borough and county magistrate ; Dr. Beck, Mr. C. Burton,
a borough magistrate ; Mr. J. A. ltansonse, of the firm of
Winsome and Sims ; Mr. John Ansell, of Hadleigh ; Mr.
J. Head, a member of the Society of Friends; Mr. George
Mason, and Mr. J. Jennings, some of whom had known the
prisoner for upward, of IS yokes, and gave the prisoner an
' excellent character up to the time of his committal.
Mr. Prendergast having replied upon the evidence ad-
dueed for the defence,
The Judge summed up the evidence, remarking that
while he was Attorney-General Escise cases had come before
the court in which parties had been charged with having a
private still upon their premises. The defence in those
cues had generally been, as in the present, that the servant
had done it. But as in those cases so in this—who got the
benefit I Having remarked upon the prisoner retaining
She witness Farrow in his service after he had confessed
himself to have been guilty of felony, he con-
cluded by leaving it for the jury to say—after
reminding them that the station of the prisoner in life
must not weigh for one moment on their minds—whether
they believed, from the evidence adduced, that be was aware
of the secret pipes having been laid on, either at the time
of their being fixed, or at any time after.
The Jury, attar consulting ha about three minutia, re-
turned a verdict of Guilty, with a recommendation of

mercy.
The Judge said he quite concurred in the verdict, and
after strong observatious upon the prisoner calling Farrow
as a witness, who beyond all doubt had committed perjury,
he sentenced the prisoner to 12 months' hard labour.
After a short interval Charles Farrow was placed at the
bar charged with stealing gas, the property of the Ipswich
Company.
The prisoner pleaded Guilty, and he was sentenced to
12 months' imprisonment with bard labour.

NORTH WALES CIRCUIT.-OARNARVON,
JVLT 26.

THZMITIIDiIt RIAU CONWAY.-SINFENCE OF DIATII.

John Roberts, aged 2.5, labourer, was charged with the
wilful murder of Jesse Roberta, teacher in the British
School, Conway.
The murder took place on an isolated part of one of the
nr,untains near the village of Roe, near Conway, in May
last, and the circumstances will be fresh in the memory of
our readers.

The prisoner pleaded not guilty.
A number of witnesses were examined, and their evi-
dence fully ce:acided with that given on the inquest.
The prisoner, who during thn entire trial had put on the
appearance of a maniac, made his defence in Welsh, to the
same effect as when before the coroner, namely, that de-
ceased shot himself in the act of falling • that he lifted him
up intending to carry him home, hut had not the necessary
strength, and so left him on the grass, with his
bat lying beside. He accounted for the possession of
the deceased's watch by saying that he bad previously
bought it from him. He said " his heart was too heavy
to inform deceased's friends of the accident.

The Judge in summing up pointed out the discrepancies
between the prisoner's statements and the facts incontro-
vertibly established upon evidence. The wounds by which
deceased met his death were from gun shot lodged in the
beck of his head ; and his hat was perforated behind. The
body also was not found lying on the prase, but was hidden,
being closely jammed into a rocky cleft, at the complete
back of which his hat had also been thrust by some long
instrument. The deceased was in possession of his watch,
and had been seen to look at it.

Verdict—Gui/ty.
The Judge, in passing &tutelars of death, held out no hope
of mercy, and said that a more barbarous murder had
n been committed.

This closed

IDDLESKIE SESSIONS.-YESTERDAY.
BOORt MI. SWUM' ADAMS, AISOITANT

George Feogky, a boy eleven years of age, was indicted
for unlawfnlly stabbing and infVetiost upon Thomas Lodge,
another boy, grievous bodily harm.
The prisoner and one or two other lads had a quarrel in
Underwood•street, Mile End, on the ith inst., and being
aggravated by them to desperation, he threw a atone at
one, upon which the prosecutor, a bigger boy than the
prisoner, interfered. The prisoner run into his father's
house, and came out with a table knife in his hand, and
dared the prosecutor to molest him further, and then with
the view of depriving him of the knife, the prosecutor
rushed at him, and received a cut on the left aide of the
face, extending nearly from the nose to the lower jaw.
The jury found the prisoner Guilty of a common assault,
and the court sentenced him to 14 days' imprisonment.

THE POLICE COURT&
MANSION-HOUSE.

John Morley and James IVilson were brought before the
Lord Mayor for final examination, charged with having at-
tempted to pus forged couatry bank notes.
The following is the additional evidence against the pri•
wnets, who it will be remembered had been followed by the
police, and were co-operating in the endeavour to pass •
forged note in the shop of Messrs. Cory and Williamson,
cheer...mongers, in BO'tomato-street.
Mr. George Wade, clerk in the York Union Banking
Company, at York, slid—l have been clerk in the banking
company 14 years. I sometimes countersign the notes
issued from our beak. The note produced, purporting to
be a U. nets, is made apparently to resemble one of our
notes issued within that period. I know nothing of either
of the prisoners. My name upon the note is a forgery.
Mr. T. IL Smith, manager of the Nottingham and Not-
tinghamshire Basking Company—The note produced, pur-
porting to be a fig. not* of that beak, is a forgery. I sign
the notes of our beak. The signature to this note, T. H.
Smith, is not mini. There Is no other person of my name
connected with the bask.

Little (City police), upon apprehending Wilson, saw him
take something out of his pocket and put it into his mouth,
but, with the assistance of another °film, made him dis-
gorge the morsel, and found that it caudated of the two
forged notes.
The prisoners, upon being asked whether they wished to
say anything in answer to the charge , said " No, no," and
appeared to be anxious to be committed at once.
They were then committed for trial.
Henry Sims was brought up for final examination,
charged with having been found in possession of a number
of Bash notes, and with having attempted to impose upon
Captain Patrick, of the brig Itiga, of Dundee.
The prisoner had fixed his eye open the prosecutor,
as a flat, and had followed him up for some time, seconded
by another sharper, no doubt, in the hope of robbing him
of some money, which he had drawn from the Bank for
the purpose of paying his crew. The prosecutor was in-
vited to take some refreshment by the generous strangers,
who not only said they had plenty of money but exhibited
what appeared to be bank notes and gold, but he was not
quite so raw as they supposed him to be, and he headed the
prisoner over to the care of • polleenum, who had been
observing them just as the prisoner was becoming very
urgent in his invitation, and when the accomplice had re-
tired with the view of p ting suspicion.
Two:persons attended upon the part of the prisoner, and
said they had known him about two or three years ago as a
respectable man, doing business in the name of Williams.
The Lord Mayor committed the prisoner to Bridewell for
21 day*.
BOW-STREET.
Mr. Acton, of Queen Anne-street, waited upon Mr.
Jardine, to ascertain if the New Hackney Carnage Act
enabled a cabdriver, who was hired by time, to charge
2s. for the fraction of an hour.
The applicant stated that having hired a cabman for one
hour, he had °erasion to detain him • few minutes over the
time. Ile consequently gave him 2.e. Bd.—that is, 2s. for
the hour, and Gil. for the overtime, which, being within
fifteen minute., was all, he conceived, that the driver was
eatitled to charge for. The man, however, demanded 45.,
on the ground that, when engaged by the hour, drivers can
claim 2s for every fraction of time exceeding the hour.
He (Mr. Acton) was rather startled at this interpretation of
the act, but, being in ignorance on the point, thought it
best to pay the demand, and apply to his worship for
information upcn the subject.
Mr. Jardine was of opinion that the cabman was right.'
On looking at the schedule of the act it was clear that a
cabman, hired by time, could claim an additional two
shillings, if detained even for a minute only beyond the
hour. The only doubt that could arise might have been
suggested by the term, of the 4th section, which admits of
a division of the time, and directs • payment of sixpence
for every stoppage of fifteen minutes; but this section
only referred to fares by distance, and was intended for the
protection of cabmen, who, being engaged by the mile,
might be detained at intervals during the hiring. There
could be no splitting of the hour under the now act where
the hiring was by time.
Mr. Acton—The feet is, then, that I am bound to pa
41. under the new act, instead of le. Bd. (or at the most 3a)
under the old act. (A laugh.)
Mr. Jardine—l am afraid that is so.

Mr. Acton said his only object in making this application
was to put the public on their guard. Ile, in common with
so many others, had derived a great deal of useful in-
formation upon the subject from reading the polite reports,
but this was a point he had not yet seen mooted. He hoped
thetaLrees would take notice of it for the benefit of the