The Express.
London, England, 1866-07-13 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURTS.

MANSION-HOUSE.

Mr. Frederick Fisher, described in the charge sheet as
being an agent, residing at No. 31, Norfolk-street, Strand,
was brought up in the custody of Detective-officer Bull,
and charged before Mr. Alderman Sidney with stealing, on
the 9th inst., from Brewer's-quay, Lower Thomas-street,
300 grsebe skins, value 701., the property of William
Henry Johnson.
Mr. Thomas Beard, of Basinghalletreet, appeared to
prosecute, and the prisoner was defended by Mr. G. Lewis,
of Ely-place.
From the evidence of the prosecutor, who described him-
self as being a merchant, residing at St. Paul's-road,
Islington, it appeared that on Thursday last be was intro-
duced to the prisoner at the Evans' wine stores, Throtr-
mortonetreet, by Colonel Waugh, who stated that the pri-
soner was in his employ, and managed his monetary and other
matters, and that he was a respectable party. At another
interview, Colonel Waugh, addressing the prisoner, said
'that the prosecutor had some skins to dispose of, and
asked him if be could sell them for him. The prisoner
replied in the affirmative, and the prosecutor supplied him
with a sample of the goods. The following day (Friday)
the three parties, Colonel Waugh, the prosecutor, and the
prisoner, met again at the same place when the prisoner
stated that he could dispose of the skins on oertam terms
which he mentioned, but which the prosecutor did not
remember. To this the prosecutor did not agree, and told
the prisoner that he had no occasion to interfere further
in the matter, as he (prosecutor) would endeavour to sell
the goods himself. The next day (Saturday) the prisoner
met the prosecutor at Evans's, when he told the prosecutor
that be had seen Colonel Waugh, who was very
anxious that the prosecutor should lend him 107. on
that day. The prosecutor, on this, intimated that
he was unable to comply, am he bad failed to
dispose of the skins, but asked the prisoner if he thought
he could get an advance of Mt. upon them. The I risoner
replied that he thought he could do so, and if the prose-
cutor would wait for half an hour he would come back
and let him know. The prisoner went 'mar, but returned
in a much leas time, and stated that his friend would not
do anything unless the prosecutor furnished him (prisoner)
with a written authority to act in the matter. On this
the prosecutor gave the prisoner a note, to the effect that
he might take a loan of 25/. on the goods, payable back in
a mouth. With this note the prisoner went away, but
speedily returned, and stated that his friend would not
advance the money on sample, but must see the goods in
bulk, and he asked the prosecutor to supply him with the
necessary papers for that purpose. The prosecutor con-
sented, and supplied the prisoner with the bill of lading of
the goods, the receipt for the freight of the goods
from Constantinople, and also the receipts for the
customs duties which he had paid. Before he
gave the prisoner these documents Colonel Waugh
bad stated, in answer to his inquiries, that the
prisoner might be trusted with them. The documents
were delivered to the prisoner on the condition that if he
did not obtain the advance of 25!. they were to be returned
to the prosecutor on a certain day. It eventually turned
out that the prisoner had got possession of the goods, and
when applied to said he should do what he liked with
them, and that the prosecutor might act as he thought Bt.
Eventually the prisoner was given into custody on the
charge of stealing the skins.
The prosecutor Ina cress-examined at considerable length
by Mr. Lewis, but his direct testimony was not shaken.
Mr. T. Beard said that this was as far as he was pre-
pared to go at present, and therefore he must ask for a
remand.

Mr. Alderman Sidney granted the remand for a week,
but on the application of Mr. Lewis admitted the prisoner
to hail, himself in 200/. and two sureties in 1001. each.
The bail was forthcoming on the instant, and the case
was remanded to Thursday next.