The Express.
London, England, 1858-07-30 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURTS.

MANSION-HOUSE.

O. W. Brews, a fellowship porter, was charged with being
In illegal possession of half a bushel of oysters, the property
of Mr. Redmond, a smack owner, of Billinrtggssggaato market.
Mr. Wontner appeared for the complt ; the defen-
dant was also assisted by a solicitor.
Mr. Wontner said Mr. Redmond was one of those persons
who imported large quantities of oysters into the metropolis
in their own smacks, and was likewise one of those who con•
Mitered that in paying the recognised and legal metage dues
they did all that the law required, and who from public mo-
tives refined to pay more, and considered that having
ones paid the daft of eight shillings per score they had
a right to employ whoever they chose to remove
the oysters from their smacks without the intervention
of theoyster-meters. These meters fur a long time pest had
not performed these duties themselves, but, being content
to gel the emoluments, employed others to perform the
duties. In consequence of this, Mr. Redmond had recently
come to an arrangement, which he considered to be accepted
ea tatidectot7 by the meters, that he should pay the Damage
charge, and then employ what porters he chose to remo re
the oysters from the smacks without the oysters being meted,
upon his undertaking that teeth sack should contain half a
bushel and no more. Bnt Mr. Redmond appeared to have
laboured under some mistake la this respect ; for on the pre-
rims day the meters, oiatrary to their usual custom,
went to the market, accompanied by a mob of about
two hundred tellowship-porters and others, and in-
sisted upon their right to remove the oysters from
Mr. Radmond's smacks. Upon this a some of riot
sussed, such as had seldom hem aeon in the city of London.
The men went on board the mucks, and, taking forcible pos-
session of the oysters, commenced removing them to the
shore. Mr. Redmond, who bad been away, was fetched to
the spot, and upon arriving there he met the defendant with
a beg of oysters, which be desired him to put down. De-
fendant did so, but returned to the smack, took up another
=the pupae, of conveying it to the shore, and, as he
to quit possession when desired, Mr. Redmond called
in the aid of some colleen& to put an end to those riotous
=logs, for taking pert in which the defendant wee now
t before the court.
The Lord Mayor—But I think there is a question of right
involved, which should be tried in a court of law.
Mr. Goodrean—Them is a particular regulation which
eves to the fellowship porters the right to carry the oysters
frees the smack' to the market ; but then this was not a
proper way of exercising that right.
The Lord Mayor—The question is whether I have juris-
diction in such a ass.
Defendant's Solicitor—l think not.

-
Mr. Wontner—Mr. Redmond paid the metsge doss; and,
further than that, he fulfilled the requirements of the law, or
custom, by employing the followehip-porters ; but ho
oonai-
derd binieelf to be entitled to choose front among these
porters the particular ones whom ha wished to employ.
The Lord suppoee all these matters will be dealt
with by the new act of parliament; but as the question now
stands, I think It is one which I cannot decide here.

Mr. Goodman—l believe the fellowship-porters contend
that they are not to be picked oat at pleasure, but taken in
order, according u they stand on the roll.
Mr. Redmond—These fellowabip•porters twee on board
and took away the oysters as they pleased. Yesterday I
found about 10 bushels short, worth ft., and do not know
what has beoome of them.

TheLordMityor—Well, if they exercise their rights or
privileged in an impmper way, to your lose, bring an action.
Mr, Redmond—What is the use of bringing an action
against poor men like these?
Mr. Goodman —But if they are employed by the meters,
u you say, would you not have your remedy there ?
Defendant's Solicitor—My client, in taking his turn, only
exercised a legal right.
The Lord Mayor—But he bad no right to go on board and
take forcible possession, or do anything likely to lead to a
broach of the pews.
Defendant—My learned lord, you are being robbed every
deg:your lawful does, and so are your fellow-citizens..
Lord Mayor—You appear to be the ringleader, and I
shall bind you over to keep the peace in your own recog-
nisance' in M. for three mouths.
Defendant—Then I shall starve.
The Lord Mayor—You must keep the ram, at all events.
As for the general question, that meat be settled Ina superior
court.

Defendant then entered into his own recognisance*, and
was thereupon discharged.
Gnus Stood, a well droned roan, of powerful dimensions,
was brought up charged with having been found in a house
on Friday night, under circumstances which allowed that he
intended to rot) it.

F. dole; of 33, Great Tower-street —At 11 o'clock on
Friday night I saw the prisoner in the great roam of the
first door in the house next door, No. 32. It was the only
door unoccupied in the building, and I lout after it. He was
standing in a corner of the room. He was a stranger to me,
end I raieed an alarm.

James Brain—The prisoner came on Thursday (the day
before) and looked at the offices with another men. There
were some valuable pictures in the room, one of them baing
worth 601. He said be wanted the place for a corn factor,
that It would do, and that he would call next =orator, but
he did not call.

-4orireoiUi said—l beard a cry of " Thieves," and went
to the hones NI. 32, before which there was a greet crowd.
There wee a skeleton key in the first-floor door, and the pri-
soner wos in the room, aced was given tato my charge. There
were *three in the room. The primer said the key bad
been given to him by the gentleman who was to take the
prem6us, and who desired him to wait in the room until his
return, and that he fell asleep there.
The Lord Mayor having directed that strict inquiries
should be made with regard to the prisoner, ea adjournment
of the crass took place, and
This day the prknam wee again put to the bar.
The os-ofileirre said they had not been able to ascertai a
anything about themes.
The Lord Mayor—Prisoner, if you do not give a satisfac-
tory account of yourself, you shall be dealt with se severely
as possible.
The prisoner—l cannot give any other amount thin I
have gins. lam only jaw rime to town, and I live is a
street in the Heat-mad. I'm sure I ain't deecribs it ; bet I
am from Grime/ nook, near Chesterfield. I suppose they
know me there.
_ . . .

The Lord Mayer—l ►acs no doubt that your object was to
sisal the vsluable picture.
The prlsocer—The picture was ton large for me to carry.
Your acme would not let me pees through the streete with
eau► a thing on my back.
The Lad Mayor—No doubt your friend was outside to
assist you. I shall remand you for another week, in order
that further Moulds* may be made about you, and I atilt
then commit you as a rogue' and vagabond at least.
The prisoner-1 can't give any more information on the
subject.
The Lord Mayor—l shall remand you for another week. I
am satisfied that you are an old housebreaker.