The Express.
London, England, 1846-09-14 00:00:00

POLICE.-SATURDAY.

CLERBENWELL.—TIie TRICKS or Baoxzna.—John
Priest, a broker, in Angel-terrace, Pentonville, was sum-
moned by Mr. Thomas Stanfield, John-street-road, for taking
under a distress warrant more than he was entitled to. The
complainant, it appeared, was in sneer for poor-rates, amount-
ing to 31. 10s., to the parish of Clerkenwell, and a warrant
was granted to enforce payment, which was placed in the
hands of the accused for execution. The good- of the com-
plainant were seized and sold, to the amount of nearly St.
The defendant charged for expenses attending the same, as
follows :-3s. for the levy, 2s. 6d. for possession one day, 10e.
appraisement, 2s. 6d. stamp of appraisenicnt, 3s. 6d. van
and removal, 10s. catalogues and tale, and 4s. for two sum-
monses.—Mr. Greenwood having perused the various
charges, observed that the two first items were legal, but the
two next were unjust, because the appraisement was not
made by two brokers, as required by law. The document
not being legal, the stamp could not be charged; further,
the defendant had no right to charge for • van, and
the levy being made 51., the charge for the sale would only
be 6d. in the pound, whereas the Wm of lls. had been
charged, as likewise 4s. for a summons, when the warrant
authorising the seizure only gave 2a.—Tbe defendant said he
had not charged more than he was authorised in doing.—
Mr. Greenwood indignantly told him that he had, and that
his conduct had been most wicked, and would be consider-
ably aggravated by his statement, as the warrant itself
directed 2s. only to be taken for the summons. lle should,
therefore, enforce the powers given him by the act, and
order the defendant to pay three times the amount of the
several overcharges, and the costs.—The defendant said he
should appeal, but was told the law gave him no power.—
Mr. Greenwood remarked on the hardship to which poor
persons were subjected by the brokers levying for rent, and
upon the ignorance of the sufferers in submitting to these
impositions, when ample powers were given to the magis-
trates to redress such cruel wrongs. He then called upon the
defendant to pay the fine and costs.—The defendant
answered that he would not pay, consequently a distress war-
rant was immediately ordered to be issued against his goods
and chattels for the amount.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET. FRACAS. Mr. John
William IlarJcty, ironmeAger, was charged with assaulting
Mr. Stamp, ironmonger, Quadrant. The complainant said
the defendant called at his shop- on Saturday to pay an over-
due bill. He made some remark to the defendant about the
bill in question not having been honoured in due course, and
added that he was not surprised at I,\e circumstance, as " An
ironmongers were thieves." The L'efendant immediately
struck him in the face, and he then wilt for • policeman.
Before the police constable made his appearance the defend-
ant again struck him. A little boy said be was in the shop
at the time. He heard Mr. Stamp say to the,. defendant,
" The ironmongers were all a set of thieves ;" and h - saw the i
c:.efendant strike Mr. Stamp. The defendant admit;ed that
he resented the fosolent and uncalled-for remark of Mr.