The Express.
London, England, 1866-07-10 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURTS.

GUILDHALL.

Mr. John Grant, pawnbroker, of London-wall, was sum-
moned on Saturday before Alderman Salomon'', to answer
the following complaint.
Hubert tirant, the complainant (no relation of the above),
said he was a draper and lived at No. 2, Bishop's•road,
Bayswater. On the 2.sth of June he pledged at the defen-
dant's shop three pieces of skirting, two pieces of white
net, and a remnant containing 2(4 yards of black silk. He
got (I. on them, and received the duplicate produced
(a hieh contained a list of the above goods). On Monday
last he went to redeem them, and paid the 61. and inte-
rest ; but when he examined the parcel the silk was not in
it. The value of the silk was (M.
_ _ _ _

By Mr. Ncate—NVitness did not open the parcel and
abstract the silk from it. He had not been long in busi-
ness iu the Bhihop's-road. Before then he was in business
in the Kingsland-road, and there was a f.re there. He
declined to answer what amount he claimed from the in-
surance company, or whether it was 1,0001. or no. He
declined to answer the question as to whether he had been
charged with obtaining money by false pretences.
Mr. Neate—lt is a question I am entitled to have an-
swered, and I must have an answer.
Alderman Salomon—Do you mean charged at a police
court?
Mr. Neate7T mean convicted at the Old Bailey.
. . - .

Alderman Salomons—Well, that is a question I think
you should answer. Were you convicted at the Old
Ridley ?
Robert Grant—l was, sir, about four years ago. May I
explain!
Alderman Salomon—Certainly ; you are entited to
explain: Grant—l ran away from my father's house. an d
was living with a person. I had not money enough, and I
got goods in my father's name. I was punished for
that, and lam now doing very well. I ern a house-keeper,
and the rent is 200 guineas a year. My landlord's name
is Ward, but I do not know where he lives.
Mr. Neste said this was a most impudent attempt to
defraud Mr. John Grant. The complainant went into
defendants shop with the goods he had specified, and asked
13/. on them. Mr. Weedon, the manager, after examin-
ing them refused to lend more than 6/. on them, and put
them on the counter. He then went about his business
to the other end of the shop, leaving the complainant by
himself with the parcel for about 20 minutes, at
the expiration of which time he offered to take
the 6/. The parcel was then done up as it was
when he gave it to the complainant back, and
without again undoing it he made out the duplicate and
gave complainant the 6/. It was then taken to the ware-
house, and in the same condition brought down on the
previous Monday.
James Ramsey Weedon, assistant to Mr. John Grant,
gave evidence in support of this statement, and Henry
Winterbourne, second assistant, corroborated the last
witness in the most material parts of his evidence.
Alderman Salomon, said after such evidence he must
dismiss the summons ; and on the application of Mr.
Neste, ordered the complainant to pay 10a. coats.

SATURDAY EARLY CLOSING. —A meeting of
drapery firms connected with the Borough, Newington-
causeway, Wslwortb-road (north end), and London-road,
has just taken place at Messrs. Olney and Son's, Borough,
to consider the question of joining in the Saturday early
closing movement. Mr. John Olney was called to the chair.
A unanimous decision wns come to in favour of closing at
sin p.m. on the day in question. Employers present at
the meeting are accordingly waiting upon their fellow-
tradesmen in the hope that the whole of the trade will
endorse the proposition, so as to make the effort successful
in the interest of the employed.