The Express.
London, England, 1858-11-08 00:00:00

(Stamped id. ALiditiowil.) [TWOPENCE.

MB RIVAL OMNIBUS COMPANIES.

INDICTMENT FOR CONSPIRACY.

At the Westminster Court on Saturday, after
oar report left, it was intimated for the don that
the charge was withdrawn against Mr. Bur and Bryan,
who would be palled as witnemen
Mr. Davies urged that his client, Mr. Ram, bad a right to
his costs ; the charges again. him never ought to have been
exhibited ; and se be had been unasommily put to expenses
they ought to be defrayed.
Mr. Poynter mid he could not make an order.
Witnesses having been ordered to retire _and other pre-
liminary matters disposed of, Mr. Edwards belay stated the
nature and denounced the conduct of the London
General Omnibus Company as a conspiracy of no ordi-
nary description to imam the trade end to libel the
members of the rival company. In 18.56 almost all the
omnibus. of this metropolis were bought up by a French
company, with a view, as wee end, of putting the omnibuses
of London on the same footing m those of Paris.
This announcement wee received with great gratification
by the people of London ; for every one who had
bean in Paris knew how much had to be gained by the
asehollation of the London omnibus.' to those of our coati •
metal aslabbows. The Saloon Omnibus Company wee
started, and at lbst had only six or eight omnibuses, which
they pet upon. roads unoccupied by the General Omnibus
Company. No .sear was this done than the General Om-
album Company commistrod a of " nursing "—that in
running an eumfbes I.metlat.Jj in front, and another close
Cootie., behind, seek ef the Salome y'axestsges,,
do so that it
w....verzttvaa.
ail sorts orelrbsel:
=mum, imputing to the Company insolvency,
and had adopted other nefarious practices, with a view to
injure them in the estimation of the public. These were the
leading facts which he should prove in evidence, and be met-
tended that it was highly undesirable that this great foreign
company should come to London and seize Its thoroughfares,
and then prevent other omnibuses from running on the roads.
__ .._ _ __ . . .

Mr. Times Hall, clerk to the General Omnibus Com-
m, ammined, said he entered the service in August last.
Mr. Edwin Chadwick was a member of the council of the
company. There were meetings of the council at the office.
He had seen Mr. Chadwick there. The company had an
°Moe in Paris end another in London. He did not know
which was the chief. Mr. Amain and Mr. Ceeway were '
also members of the council of surveillance. Witness re-
solved his orders from Mr. Church. Mr. Mammals and
Mr. Willing were the minute of the company. He could
not say whether the names of Mr. Macnamara and Mr.
Willing were printed upon all the omnitinaes of the company
—ha had not seen them all. (A laugh.) Brewer, Hartley,
sad odors were road directors" of the company. He dui
not know the names of any of the coachmen.
At the request of the counsel for the London General
Company, the crass-examination of Mr. Hall was deferred,
the learned gentlemen stating that they were hopelessly in
the de* as to the case they had to meet.
Mr. Malcolm was next called, and mid he was originally
an omnibus proprietor on the Bayswater-road. Bnbeequently
he became • coachman, then a tints-keeper, and then the
manager of the Hammersmith Omnibus Association. He
knew ldr. Mecums:a and Mr. Willing, who were general
manager* of the London Gement Compan_y. They were con-
stantly at the office of the aseaptay. Mr. Hartley and the
other persona named bald cans fa the company as managers,
road directors, /cc. The other def Manta he knew as coach-
men of the company. The names marked upon the MlD-
pears omnibuses were Felix Carteret, Arthur Mummers,
and James Willing sad Co. He knew perfectly well what
"Haring" wee. (Laughter.) He new sew a Saloon Com-
pany's omnibus unattended by one, two, three, four, or five
of the London General Company', omaibosr. That had
been the are ever sinas the Woes Coenpany started up to
eleven o'clock this morning. If a Geoerel omnibus in front
happened to get full on the route, the coachman telegraphed
tc man behind, who pulled up to frost, while the front ,1
OW whisk wee fall fell behind, sad kept its pole close to the
door, so that poems amid not get into the Saloon Company's
carriage withont extreme danger.
Examalustna resumed-TM nursing" omnibuses were
driven by Grimm, Bannister, Maddel, Ray, Cranbrook, Sea
ton, Shin, Peters, Ditglas, Miller, Moon, and White. Had
seen theme persons nursing" the Saloon omnibus. Had
seen Garton rod Brewer and Batter, and Price and Puree
riding on the company's omnibus when following and pre-
ceding the omnibuses of the Saloon Company—hunting
them, in foot. (A laugh.) Could not remember the dates
when this " nursing" took place. It was of daily occur-
rence. At twelve minutes past eight last night there were
live anathema attending one of the Saloon miniboom. On one
tweaks be maw a Saloon omnibus at the Manske-house with
two of the company's before it and use behind. Brewer was
• road direekr of the General Company, and he heard him
say to the coachman of the hindermost 'boo, " There he is ;
pull in behind and pole him away." The coachman imme-
diately palled In behind, and got within two feet of the door
of the Saloon 'bus. Witness said to Mr. Brewer, this
eat the promise you made before Mr. Henry to-
desiyirißis SWIM wee, Oh, Mr. Henry be Wowed •we
shall ram our aranibusse when we like and what we like."
(A lanoSeta.t the examination before Mr. Henry, at Bow.
street, Baker, and Garton were present when
Brewer that It was the intention of the company to dis-
continue the realm of " nursing." Wheo the summonses
were heard before Mr. Henry the cues were dismissed, in
consequence of Ns production of the resolution respecting the
stoppage of this system. When witness remonstrated with
Baker about the practice being kept up, Baker said, " Oh,
the men have a ditty to perform, and they must do as they
are told." He had seen Baker a hundred times at least
Moo January hat urge on the men of the General Company
to follow up the Saloon omnibuses.
. .

Cross-examined by Mr. Sleigh—Witmer was a proprietor
of one omnibus about 25 years ago. Since that time had
been time keeper, but was now in the service of the Saloon
Company as a road director." On four different °mations
he had been a commercial traveller, and was a policemen 27
years since. He was discharged from the police because
when on rick leave he had been seen out by the inspector.
Could not fix upon any precise day when he hAd seen Hart-
ley upon an omnibus engaged in "nursing." Had laid
several informations against the London General Company.
Cross-examined by Mr. T. Atkinson—Had seen Miller at
least fifty times this year " poling " the Saloon omnibuses
—eomeumee in King William-street and Sothis place:ask:op
the line to Fulham and Putney.
Mr. Atkinson stated that the omnibuses of the General
Company passed the front of the Mansion-hones not leas
than 2,643 times in the day.
William Byron wee next called, and examined by Mr.
Edwards. He said he was • journeyman coach-builder, re-
siding at Britannia-row, Walham-gtess. Knew Hawkins,
one of the defendants, and was drat acquainted with him
through buiWthg four omnibuses for Mr. Agshford. The
omnibuses were built as much like those of the Saloon Com-
pany es possible, and were painted the same colour. When
Mr. Hawkins called upon witness he declined to see him in
the peessta of his wife. On one occasion Mr. Hawkins
asked him to join him in something which he wee going to
crtwith, and which would be advantageous to witness.
e explained was to file a bill in Chancery to prevent
the !loon Company borrowing any money upon deben-
tures, sad Mr. Hawkins said he did not with
his name to appear in the matter before the public. Wit-
ness bald tea shares in the Saloon Company, and had no
ides of fling an bill of the sort until Hawkins suggested it.
He said that the effeet of filing the bill in Chancery
without ring his name would be to crush the Saloon Com-
pry, and pierce them going on. When witness spoke so
Hawkine about the money, he said that would be ail right,
and that ft would not cost them • penny ; and if they sr-
Deeded In getting the bill he would give him 601. In the drat
onset, and that witness wee to have 1601. in the whole for
the use of his name, if the bill encoseded. The bill wee filed
and dismissed, and Hawkins told witness that they were
erne to appeal against the decrier He said that the
Saloon Company toast break down; they amid not stand It,
for they were losing their horses as fist as they could, and
had not • farthing in their coffers to keep on with. About a
fortnight ago Hawkins told witness that the horses of the
Saloon Company were dropping off like rotten sheep. On an-
other occasion he said, " They're all right, my boy ; they are
well dosed, they will drop some more yet on this road."
Went with Hawkins to Mr. Norton, a solicitor, three or four
times, sad had met then a Mr. Edwards, Mr. Luckey, sad
some other perms, whom he did not know. Witness had
attended, by the request of Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Lloyd Jones,
and Mr. Ayableed, sere of the general meetings of the
Salons Compaq. He err told to disturb the proceeding*
all that be possibly cord. Ms met fourteen other persons at
the public-home =ifte London Tavern ; among them
wen sorer the servants of the Saloon Company.
m It was whispered od room that they were to disturb
the vmatilag. He wee serespenied to the meeting by two
mare, end together they Med to create a disturbance. At
the second maim the sere look place.
Mr. Sleigh threleil to this evidence on the ground that it
did not 00•01111 la my try say of the defendants connected
with the General Omnibus Cos y.
Mr. Poynter said that the arldss skerly gives showed
that four omnibuses had bees built erearellag those of the
Saloon Company for Ayshfard, who had been proved to have
been connected with the Gamer Omnibus Company.
Mr. Sleigh chareeterier the preceedinp es the part of
the prosecution es notideg more than a mare 'thing inquiry
to see If anything self be get out rinse the company.
[This sestenest wee reeler with considerable *henries by
mew persons in the reed, but sunnier on the etagiesste
cedar, these who again reel in such a manner to be rie-
revel from sic court.]
Examination menzeol—Wilars stated that he had re-
rived half-a-mews film Mr. Hawkins, which had bra
given to him by Mr. Lloyd Jews. II was either Mr.
Hawkins or Mr. Jame ebb grand the wirfar, bat be did
not see who it wee thottasil. Mr, there
was a remark ride they sight be a fails sere
" fret," as it would cost rises imilides. He never
paid anything for the sapper, her did be ass coq one
eke pay anything. Witmer vest with Hawkins rood to
the shareholder., to induce lion to pot *dr *Ware to a
paper, to be presented to the ]lerriof Trade, to appoint sons

me to examine the books of the company. He had seen Mr.
Hawkins and Mr. MIKIIIMBATS together, but m each comics
he had been requested by Mr. Hawkins to keep back. Had
seen Hawkins go into the General Company's offices at
Charing-cross several times, and he told witness that " he
was working day and night against the Saloon Company,
and would sell his ooat off his back but what he would
crush than." On the 23rd of October he saw Hawkins,
who saki, " It's all right, my boy. I will tell you what we
want you to do ; they have lost 16 horses at Bayswater,
old Goodman's grey horse, and two in the Brompton-road.
They are dropping off like rotten sheep. Now I want jou
to fti a bill in bankruptcy against them. It won't do for me
to put my name to it, as I have had it there before, and it is
so wall known." Witness said he would not mind assisting
Waif he would give him a note to show that he was not to
be liable for any expenses, and which should hold him
harmless in the matter. Hawkins said he would do so, and
witness had not seen him since that time. Hawkins told
him that he was to have 1,0001. if the plans succeeded. He
mid, " It will be a good for thing for us if we noosed ; you
shall have 1601., and I shall hare 1,000!., and we hare to
pay all the expenses."
After some discussion, the promedings were at thie stage
adjourned until Thursday next, at 11 ci cloak.

CITY POLICE COMMITTEE.
On Saturday alternate a conductor, who wore badge N 0..•
816, and was on an omnibus numbered 7,163, belonging to
the London General Omnibus Company, and running from
the Bank to the Royal Oak, was summoned before Mr.
Alderman Carter, et the City Polioe Committee, for loitering,
on the 27th of October Let, in the Poultry.
The offisw, stated thee be wee on duty In the Poultry
corthe day ht question, and found the defendant following
ckeely a Saloon omnibus, and Ike Saloon omnibus stopping to
take up a , defendant stopped oleo. On every oc-
casion of the Saloon stopping, defendant stopped. The Saloon
was going to the Royal Oak.
Mr. T. Beard, on the part of defendant, raid he had never
been summoned before, and he was not following the Saloon
'bus. The alderman knew that the 'buses and cabs were
obliged to keep in the rank along Cheapside and the Poultry,
and it was eo on the day in question.
Officer—Defendant had room to draw out of the ranks
without inconveniencing the other traffic.
Alderman—Oh I This is a case of nursing.
Mr. Beard—lndeed, it is not ! There is only one omnibus.
Alderman—What is nursing ?
Mr. Beard—One before and one behind.

Aldansan—l think one nurse would prove as effective as
two. It Is very clear to me that nursing wan going on hem,
and I shall line defendant 10a. and oasts.

Mr. Birrd—l an swore yon, sir, there was no nursing.
Alderman—l think there wee.
Mr. W. R. Pope, secretary to the Saloon Omnibus Com-
pany, and the dnver of one of their omnibuses, No. 6,391,
were summoned before Alderman Carter, for wantonly and
cruelly 111-treating, and causing to be ill-treated, two of their
horses.

--Smart, City police constable 411, said—About a quarter
to twelve o'clock on the 22nd of October his attention was
drawn to the defendant', omnibus, in the front of the Man-
sion-house. He stopped it, and, on examining the off side
horse, he found two wounds on the shoulder, under
the oollar, about the size of half-a-clown, each perfectly raw,
and blood sad matter oozing out; and there was :also blood
and hair attached to the collar, corresponding to the
wounds. On removing that horse, be found, under the
collar of the near side horse, on the off shoulder, a much
larger wound than either of the other two, very raw, and
blood and hair attached to the collar. kis belief was that
they were old wounds rubbed off strain."
Mr. Malcolm, one of the Saloon Omnibus Company's ma-
nagers, said they were fresh wounds.
Smart said they were not ; they were old sores.
Mr. Malcolm said the reason these wounds came there was
that the horses had gone out that morning without their Wee
collars, but, ma soon as it was seen that their shoulders were
so bad, they were taken out of the omnibuses.
Smart said Yes ; they were taken out, but that was because
he insisted on it, and would not let the omnibuses go on with
them in it.

Alderman Cuter add such cruelty could not be allowed,
and the poor dumb animals must be protected from the inhu-
manity of their keepers and drivers. He then fined the de-
fendants 10s., and the oast of the summonses, which was at
once paid.