The Express.
London, England, 1851-05-01 00:00:00

HAMMERSMITH

GrilNol, aged 18, w.ts charged with robbing a
swan's acct near the River Thames.

William Greening, a labourer, residing at Mortlake, said,
about two o'clock on the previous afternoon he saw a swan
sitting on lice nest in a meadow cline to the River Theme.,
and he saw the prisoner go up to it and knock the swan off
into the mud. Ile then put his hand into the nest. Wit-
ness followed him, and asked him what he had in a tin
kettle he was carrying, and he said "water creases." Wit-
nets searched the kettle, and under some cresses found the
two swan's eggs produced. The corporation of London
paid fur the maintenance of these nests along the river
2s. 6d. a head fur each young swan hatched. Witness had
made this ii-it and generally attended to it. Ile believed
the swan belonged to the Queen.
The prisoner said he did not know it was any harm to
take the egg., which were lying on the mud near the nest.
Themagi.trateatated that prisonerhad been seen to knock
the swan off the nest, which, to say the least of it, was* cruel
and mirehievous act, and even if he did find the eggs on
the mud he had no right to take them, and was liable to a
fine of ss. for each egg, but as he had already been in
prison two day., he would only fine him 3s. 6d. each egg,
or to be imprisoned 10 days.
Defendant was then locked up, but after some time his
mother paid the moni.7, half of which was given to the in-
formant fur his loss of time.

PROPOSED ALTERATION IN THE MODE. OF ELECTING
Punk L.ksV GUARMANs.—A meeting of the ratepayers of
Leeds convened by circular, was held in the Court-house,
on WC:dm:Allay, to consider the propriety of memorialising
the Poor Law Board to alter the mode of electing poor
law guardians. Darnton Lupton, Esq., one of the borough
justices, presided, and the meeting was addressed by T. W.
fottie, Esq., a borough justice, and one of the oldest mem-
bers of the legal profession in the town ; Frederick
Baines, Esq., Mr. Alderman Richardson, Mr. Bissington,
I and other gentlemen. Resolutions were unanimously passed
' setting forth that the existing law regulating the elms-
tion of poor law guardians is unsound in curtain of its
principles, objectionable in various details, and most
unsatisfactory in its practical operation in the township
of Leeds. A memorial to the Poor Law Board was also
adopted, praying fur an alteration in the existing system,
su7h memorial to be presented to the ratepayers for
signature, and then forwarded by the chairman to the Poor
'1 Law Board.

DARING ROBBERY AT BRIeTOL.—A man named
Henry Parker was committed at the Bristol Police-court for
ahighway rubbery, committed under circumistancesof much
daring and atrocity. Capt. Need, of the Dapper packet,
was passing through Broadmead at about nine o'clock in
the evening, when he was attacked by three men, who
knocked him down and robbed him of a gold watch and
about 21. in gold and silver. When first they met him the
prisoner Parker stood in fr.nt of him, and said to his com-
panions, " Now, go it." Immediately upon which, the
others struck him two blows ou the head, which felled him.
As soon as he was down, the others threw themselves upon
him, and one of them forced some pasty stuff upon his
lips which must have contained an acrid matter in its com-
position as it left considerable soreness of the lip. As they
were robbing him, a lady who was passing observed what
was going on, and called for assistance, upon which the
fellows ran off in opposite directions. Capt. Meed afterwards
met and recognised Parker, and gave him into custody,
but the others have not yet been discovered.

THIS DAY, NooN.
Ceara of Wind. Btryneri of Wind. MAU of the Welder,

W.
Gentle Bret7e.
Clear.
The returns from the following places did not reach thig
office in time for publication yerterday - they therefore
indicate the state of the weather on Tu'esday morning at
nine o'clock.
Gum

Mora -
H urrwai
Cam'
1 OM

N. W. rtrung breeze
N. retire Isregur
W. Strung Krone
B.W. Meg ,ttrece
W. I Gentle itreere
W. Gentle Ewa.

Partially Cloudy
HeavyAul
Showery
Partially cloudy

ATLESI3URT Ericrtox.—The petition presented
to the House of Commons against the return of Mr.
Bethell, sets forth that he was by himself and agent* guilty
of bribery and corruption at the last election, and did, by
means of money, promises of employment, and intimidation
procure votes and forbear to have them given in favour of
Mr. Ferraris!, the opposing candidate ; that meat, drink,
and entertainment were given, intimidation and duress re-
torted to, and gross and systematic bribery ; that Mr. Cal-
vert, whose return had been declared void, became an
agent, friend, manager, and partizan of Mr. Bethell ; and
that Messrs. Acton Tindal, J. and J. Ward, C. Wheeler,
It. Benson, O. l)efraure, J. James, J. Jones, J. Priekett,
and a certain individual known as the " Man in the Moon "
alias Crouch, and others who had been the agents of Mr.
Calvert, were the agents, friends, managers, and partizans
of Mr. Bethell ; that the votes of many persons not legally
entitled to vote were accepted ; and that many votes were
not allowed as good votes on behalf of Mr. Ferrand. The
petition, which is of unusual length, concludes by praying
that the Rouse will declare the return of Mr. Bothell null
and void.

THE THREE lIENDREDTR ANNIVERSARY OF THE
FOUNDATION or SIINEWSBUDT SCHOOL was celebrated
last week in Shrewsbury by a series of festivities, which
were attended by a large number of the gentry of the
county, the old pupils of the school, and other persons
interested in the establishment. The festive proceedings
on Wednesday consisted of a public breakfast, an oratorio,
and a fancy dress ball. On Thursday a dinner took place
in the Music Hall, under the presidency of C. W. Hoskyns,
Esq. Addreskes were delivered by Earl Powis Viscount
Hill the Bishop of Lichfield, lt. A. Slaney, Esq., M.P., Dr. Kennedy, &c.
A WINDFALL FOR FEARG US OVONNOR.—On Tues-
day. en inquest was held in Mixenden on the body of Mr. W.
Haigh, who formerly resided in Halifax, but of late has
lived at Mizenden, and was found dead in his bed on Wed-
nesday morning. The ease was one of an ordinary na-
ture, and only derives interest from the fact that the de-
ceased some time ago made a will constituting Mr. F. O'Con-
nor his sole heir. The value of the property is said to ex-
ceed 2,oool.—Nottinglscurs Mowry.