The Express.
London, England, 1867-05-11 00:00:00

TIM POLICE COURTS.
(THIS DAY.)

MANSION HOUSE.
ANSAULT ON A. YOUNG LADY.

A young man named Ikirid Pringle, who described him-
self as a commercial traveller, carrying on business at No.
5, Gutter-lane, was brought before the Lord Mayor, charged
with an assault upon Eliza Crawford.
The complainant was a respectable young lady, residing
with her parents in Bermondsey. and about 8 o'clock on
Friday evening she was walking with her sister in Thread-
needle-street, on their way home, when the prisoner came
up to them, put his sans round her neck, and kissed her.
They walked a short distance till they met a policeman and
told him what had happened, and he returned with them
and found the prisoner in altercation with another female,
to whom, it appeared, he had attempted to offer a similar
insult, and they gave him into custody.
. .

Thu only excuse offered by the ith.;fendant was that he
WAS drunk ; but the Lord Mayor said that this was no
excuse for such an outrar, and be sentenced the defen-
dant to three days' hard labour.

CLERK EWELL.
CHARGE or ARSON.

Henry Allen, of 1, Banner-street, St. Luke's, a shoe-
maker, was charged before Mr. Barker with feloniously
setting fire to the dwelling-house of Elias Coombs, No. 1,
Banner-street, St. Luke's, the said Elias Coombs being in
the house at the time of the offence being committed.
Mr. Ricketts, solicitor, prosecuted.
Mra. Margaret Allen said about half-post 10 last night
three little children belonging to the prisonercame running
downstairs and said that their father had set tire to the
bed. The prisoner was in the room above her. Previous
to that she heard the children crying, and heard them say
" Don't, father, don't." She wee standing on the landing,
and she ran upstairs to the prisoner's room. The &or
was open, and she saw on the floor some straw that was all
in flames. She said, " Oh, you vagabond and be said,
" It is done for now." She saw the prisoner's wife, and
assisted her in getting out her work. She pulled the wife
by the skirt of her gown, being afraid that she would be
burnt. The flames were then coming out of the door. The
straw alight was piled in a heap, and there was nearly a
trues. When she first went upstairs there was no one in
the-room but the prisoner, who was not sober.
Elias Coombs, a shoemaker, said he resided in the next
room to the prisoner, and he heard him make use of very
disgusting language, and say he would set fire to the
house. The prisoner was the worse for liquor, and several
timesH
said he would burn out the house, e came out
of his room to see what the prisoner had done, and the pri-
soner's room was all in flames, a large heap of straw being
alight in his room. The prisoner was in the room by him-
self, and he was laughing looking at the straw burning.
He told the prisoner that he was a blackguard, and ought
to be ashamed of himself: but he merely laughed, and
treated the matter with indifference. He helped to put
the fire out, end the floor was much burnt. The straw was
in the room for a bed.

Charles Bortler, engineer at the Whitecross-street fire-
station, said he found about eight feet of the flooring
partly burnt, and the prisoner said that the fire occurred
when he was lighting his pipe, the match falling acciden-
tally on the straw.
Mr. Barker remanded the prisoner for a week.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.
DAMAGE IN KENSINGTON-GARDENS.

John grew and Tinwthy Shine, two rough-looking fel-
lows, were charged before Mr. Knox with doing wilful
damage to some shrubs in Kensington-gardens to the
amount of 10s.

Benjamin Sims, park-constable No. 40, said that about
A o'clock that morning be saw the prisoners go into a plan-
tation near the Lorg Walk in Kensington-gardens, he had
no doubt for the purpose of looking for ducks' eggs. He
called to them to come out, but instead of doing so they
ran on, the shrubs being very thick in the plantation,
and it being impossible for anyone to go through without
doing damage to them. On going into the plantation he
found the prisoners hiding inside some shrubs which they
h►d broken and damaged to the amount of 10s. (The
constable produced a number of rhododendron branches,
which had been broken off by the prisoners.)
Alainwright, another park constable, gave similar
evidence.

_
The prisoners made a paltry excuse for going into the
plantation.

Mr. Knox said he had no doubt, whatever the prisoners
might say, that they went into the place to look for ducks'
eggs. They could not be permitted to do such things, and
must pay a fine of 10s. or seven days each.
One of the prisoners, in an impudent tone, said as he
was leaving the dock, " Thank your worship."

WORSHIP-STREET.
STEALING ♦ PURKE.

George Strret, as given on the police-sheet, a powerful
and thick-set man, was charged with stealing a purse
containing 1/. 19s. 6d., from the person of William Wood,
living at 22, Edward-square, Caledonian-road, Islington.
Prosecutor, who in • countryman, detailed his loss
quaintly and clearly.
Mr. Newton— What are you ?
Prosecutor—What am 11. Well, I'm a plate-layer—work
on the underbround railway, and some above to be robbed,
that's for martin. That chap (pointing to prisoner) stole my
pane, a steel 'un with • damp. It was gone, bless thee
mon. there—Just in no time. Between one and two hours
ago 1 was in }trick-lane, and saw • boy with some birds in
• cage. Well, you see, my purse was in my trousers
pocket, and as I knows well enough the set as walks about
London streets, why I keeps my hand slap on the purse.
Howeomever, or bless my heart, the birds sour pretty
creatures, and I took my hand out just to touch 'em like.
Dang'd if it didn't go in • twinkling. He got it.
Mr. Newton—Got what!

Prosecutor—The puns, mon,. to be sure, and It. 19*. 6d.
clean gone. I never ses'd it 1111011 Either though I fol-
lowed him into a public-house, and told him I'd give him
into custody.
Prisoner—Why do you say I stole it, eh ?
Prosecutor—You were he as stood bang next to the
pocket, mon. Don't thee be a d—d fool. Come, now,
where is it! (Laughter.)
Prisoner—l know nothing about it. Didn't I tell you so
before.

Prosecutor—Aye, aye.
Prisoner—And didn't I tell you to fetch a policeman!
Prosecutor—Aye, aye.
Prisoner—And didn't I wait till one came?
Prosecutor—Aye. aye.
Prisoner—And didn't he search me, and not find it
Prosecutor—Aye, aye; and bow should be when you
passed it to another man, who left before the constable
came, eh
Prisoner denied this, but
Kr. Newton fully committed him for trial, and prose-
cutor remarked that " All was not quite fair above
ground."

WANDSWORTH.
MINOULAR DI4COVIERY or ♦ ROBBERY.

A young man named Thomas Turiser was charged under
the following singular circumstances :
About three weeks ago a lady was confined at the
Clapham Junction Railway station, and at the instance of
the station-master she was removed to the Windsor Castle,
not far from the line. The prisoner was lodging in the
same house, and for convenience the lady was accommo-
dated withhis room. Mrs. Higerty, the landlady, thinking
the lady would be glad of • few articles of baby clothing,
went to some drawers in the same room, before she
arrived, and to her surprise found that they were gone.
The articles, which were worth about 21., were safe when
the prisoner took possession of the room in February last.
On the following day she spoke to the prisoner about her
property, when be denied knowing anything about the
articles. The prisoner continued to lodge in the same house,
but in another room, and nothing more transpired until
a few days ago, when he was discovered wearing
a necktie belonging to James Johnson, • fiy driver, who
was also a lodger. Johnson asked him what business he
had to wear his tie, and told him that it was " cheeky" of
him to go into his room end take it. He then offered to pay
for the tie, but Johnson told him that would not satisfy him
as be had lost • pair of boots and other neckties, and he
wanted his things to be returned. The prisoner said be did
not have the other things. He was subsequently taken
into custody by Police-constable M'Queen, when he said,
"All right ; I have been expecting to be charged for some
time.'

In answer to the magistrate, the constable said he had
not been able to trace any of the mop,. ty.
The prisoner said he wax innocent of aIL Johnson
accused him of taking the boots two months ago.
Mr. Daman said one charge, the possession of the neck-
tie, was clearly made out against him. He had very little
doubt about the rest, from his own expression, though
there was no positive evidence about them. He then
committed him to prison for two months, with hard
labour, for the unlawful possession of the neck, ie.
An officer from Oxford, who had just arrived, came for-
ward to apprehend the prisoner an a warrant for another
. _

Mr. Dayman explained to him that be could apprehend
the prisoner when hie term of imprisonment had exifired.
The officer, who wee evidently disappointed, said be
should not have come up from Oxford but for understand-
ing that prisoner would be discharged.

UNWELCOME VIKITORN. - Yesterday morning,
about 11 o'clock, the attention of the Manchester police
was called to a number of strangers loitering in the
vicinity of the banks, and they proceeded at once to
charge them with vagrancy sad loitering with the inten-
tion of committing robberies. In this way ten persons
found themselves in the hands of the police, who gave
the following addresses:—James Cox, aged 40, a turner,
High-street, Peckham ; William Bhern, El, a decorator,
3, Waterloo-place, Newington Butts
,• Edwin Turner,
3;3, furrier, 6, Morris-place, Chelsea ; Richard Hall, 39,
jeweller, 6-i, Walnut-tree-walk, Chelsea; Henry Prior,
41, coffeehouse k, 3, Prospect-row, Wslworth ;
William Rowley, blotter, Lincoln's-inn-fields ; Edward
Johnson, 24, clerk, St. George's-road ; and John Jack-
son, 35, lodginghmise keeper, Kennington-road. The
prisoners had been down at Chester races. On searching
them a pack of cards, some trick cards, and some Jacks
(imitation sovereigns) and flub notes were found in their
promotion. Two Manchester men were also apprehended
on the same charge, and they will all be brought before
the magistrates this day.

EXTRAORDINARY AND DARING ROBBERY OF
THE FULHAM NAIL•BAO IN THE OPEN
STREET.

BOW-STRKET.-(THIS DAY.)

Two rough-looking fellows, named George Shan-
non and Richard Neville—the former wearing an old
militia uniform tunic under his great coat—wire charged
with being concerned, with another not in custody, in
stealing the Fulham mail-bag from the mail-cart in
tho Queen'■-road, Pimlico, in front of the South Western
District-office.

Mr. Peacock, from the Post-office Solicitor's office, pro-
necuted.

Mr. Clare, one of the Post-office inspectors, stated th►t
on Monday last he was at the South Western offioe, and
saw the prisoners and the other man standing about when
the mail cart drove up. The driver went inside, leaving
the cart at the door. Shannon went and looked insidie.
It was empty. The three went away. Afterwards lie
mail bag was placed inside and the driver took his place
and drove away. Witness gave instructions to the officers
Reinhold and Smee to keep • watch. They yesterday got
the mail bag out. The prisoners were apprehended but
the other got away.
Neville said the man who got away was the man who
brought them there.
Rumbold, one of the police-constables, proved that from
Tuesday till yesterday he and Smee watched the arrival of
the mail cart a few minutes past 8 o'clock. He saw them
there last evening, when the Pulliam mail bag was placed
in the cart. He proceeded—l saw Shannon pout from
the other two (the prisoner and the one not in custody)
in Stafford-place, which is close by the district office.
I saw him go up to the cart and take out the mail bag.
He then went into the court, where he joined Neville and
another man. They then all three went through Stafford-
place into Palace-street. I took Shannon, Smee took
Neville, and the other got away. As soon sal seized Shan-
non, he threw the bag into the middle of the road. I said,
" What are you going to do with this bag ?" He made
no reply, but put his legs between mine and tripped me
up. We both fell ; he under me. We got up, and I said,
" I am a police-officer, and you had better go quietly."
He said, " All right ; I'll go quiet. Let go my hands.''
I said, "No I shall not." He said, " What have you got
me for ?" I said "Stealing the mail bag." I took
him to the office, where he asked me what division I be-
longed to. I said the A Division. He said, " I suppose
it is all right. You have got me to rights." 'When I pro-
ceeded to search him he resisted violently, and said,
" What I have got I will give you, but you shall
not take it from me." With the assistance of Smee I
se►rched him and took a clasp-knife from him. He said,
" It is of no use now I have got my weapon taken away
from me."

Shannon (violently)—Don't tell lies. Remember you
are on your oath.
Rumbold continued—The knife was not open. I had
seen the prisoners there together on two occasions, the 6th
and ith. I had seen Neville there about four or five times,
and the other man who escaped several times.
In crow-examination, by Shannon, witness repeated
his statement as to the prisoner's observation about the
knife. Did not address Shannon by name. Did not know
it till he heard Neville say to him, "It Mall right,Shannon ;
but never mind, old fe110w."...

Hmee, the Other post-office constable, corroborated.
When Rumbold was searching Shannon, or Chanson,
witness saw • knife in his hand, and drew Rumbold's
attention to it. The prisoner dropped the knife into his
pocket, from which Rambold took it.
_ _

•
Coss-examined by Shannon—l got my information from
Mr. Clare and another person. I did not know your name.
I said I had known you about Clark's-buildings. That is
so, but I did not know your name.
Shannon—You did. It is plain you got your informa-
tion from somebody that you have paid for it.
Neville—Did you call me Bleckey?
Sinee—l asked you if your name was Mackey. There is II
man of that name about, and I thought you were he, which
shows I don't know much about you.
James Trickey, a stamper in the South-Western office,
identified the bag which he himself had placed in the cart.
Edwin Trantin, a sorter, who made up the bag, deposed
that after placing the letters in it he tied it, and bad it
sealed in his presence. He now opened it and exhibited its
contents, consisting of about 200 letters. None of them
were registered.
Mr. Peacock suggested that they had better be returned
to the district office to be delivered at their respective
addresses.
Mr. Flowers assented.
Mr. Peacock then said that completed the case against
the prisoners ; but he should a•k for a remand, that in.
quTes might be made as to their antecedents.

•
Mr. Flowera—Beeides, you might bo enabled to find the
other man.

The prisoners were accordingly remanded.

BETTING IN LONDON. -(THIS DAY.)

HALF-PAST Two o'Cuxi.

A large muster and business good. The Derby
betting showed Vauban to be still firm, 2 to 1 being the
higheet offer. The Rake advanced to 100 to 300, at which
price he wss backed to win 1,0001. Hermit was supported
at various prices, the best bet booked being 1,000 to 100.
Grand Cross had anything but a healthy look, as much as
1,000 to 30 being at one time laid, while ZS to 1 was
always obtainable. The remaining transactions will be
explained by the quotations :

DERBY.
2to 1 apt Vauban (off)
100 to 30 The Rake (t)
10 to 1 Hermit (t & off)
1000 to 80 Dragon (off)
100 to 6 Julius (off)
20 to 1 Marksman (off)
nto 1 The Palmer (t)
25 to 1 Grand Croat (t k off)
1000 to 40 D'Eetournel (off, t 1000 to 30)
900 to 20 Pits lean (t)
1000 to 20 Van Amburgh (eff, t 100 to 15)
1000 to 10 Roquefort (t &w)
1000 to 10 Skyaail (off)
1000 to 10 Taraban (off, t 1000 to 8)
1000 to 8 Corporal (off, t 1000 to 8)
500 to 1 Priority (t)

DEATHS FROM SUNSTROKE.—During the recent
hot weather numbers of persons in the metropolis have died
from sunstroke. Yesterday Dr. Lankester held two in-
quests upon persons who died very suddenly without ap-
parent reason. The first was held at Hornsey, on the
body of a police-oonstable of the N division, who, after
having been essx•ed to the sun the whole of the previous
day, suddenly fell dead upon his beat. It was found that
death resulted from sunstroke. A constable's hat was
weighed and found to be 10 ounces in weight. The jury
expressed an opinion that this was too he 7.—
The second inquest was held at the T ord
Anne, Twyford-street, Islington, on the body ofJosiah
Butternaut, aged 25. The deceased was engaged at the
Imperial Gasworks to convey coals by means of a hand-
waggon from the store to the retort. In doing this he re-
peatedly passed under • skylight through which the sun
came very powerfully. Suddenly he became very giddy,
and reeled about like • drunken man. As he was being
led from the top of the building where he was working he
attempted to jump over the rails, but he was restrained.
Before • doctor could be fetched he expired. Death in
this case also was caused by sunstroke. The juries re-
turned verdicts accordingly.
This week, descending in the morning, the in-
mstes of • house in Kennington-park-road beheld their
plated table-furniture starieti with aquafortis test, and
contemptuously rejected by imitate burglars, who disdained
encumbrance of anything less valuable than silver.—
South London Press.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC R.ECEIPTI4.—The traffic re-
turns of railways in the United Kingdom fot the week
ending May 4, amounted on 12,776 miles, to 736,469/.,
and for the corresponding week of 1866, on 12,512 miles,
to 701,1001., showing an increase of 264 stiles, and of 35,3691.
The gross receipts on 14 of the principal railways in the
United Kingdom amounted for the week on 9,231 miles,
to 616.109/., and for the corresponding week of last year
on 9,0:4 miles, to 588,4141., showing an increase of 177
miles, and of 27,6661. The increase on the Cale-
donian amounted to 228/. ; on the Great Eastern,
to 2,008/. ; on the Great Northent, to 4,363/. ; on
the Great Southern and Western, to 0981.; on the
Great Western, to 1,384/. ; on the Lancashire and York-
shire, to 1,040/. ; on the London and North Western, to
7,777/. ; ou the London and Brighton, to 4,424/. ; on the
London and South Western, to 1,6001. ; on the Manches-
ter, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, to 5261.; on the Midland,
to 1,1641.; on the North British, to 1,1211.; and on the
South Eastern, to 3,890/. ; total, 30,563/. But from this
most be deducted 2,8681., the decrease on the North
Eastern, leaving the increase as above, 27,695/. The
receipts on 52 other railways in the United Kingdom
amounted on 3,545 miles to 120,360/., and for
the corresponding week of last year on 3,459
mile. to 112,6861., showing an increase of 86
miles, and of 7,674/. The goods traffic on the 14
systems. of lines above mentioned amounted for the week
to 338,1101., against 338,6791., showing a decrease of
7691. The passengers, parcels, mails, Ice., traffic on
those lines smoynted to 277,9991., and for the correspond-
ing week of 1866 to 249,525/., .bowing an increase of
28,464/. The total receipts for the past week show nil
increase of 11,399 L as compered with those of the pre-
ceding week ending April 27.