The Express.
London, England, 1866-12-26 00:00:00

THE POLICE COURTS.

SEWAGE OF TOWNS ON THE RIVERS LEA AND
SY, iar.—The committee appointed to inquire into the con-
dition of the water supplied by the East London Water
Company to the Poplar Board of Works district have jthet
us
completed their report. From a personal visit to
several towns and places on the rivers Lea and Stort, they
are enabled to speak with accuracy LB to the condition of
the water supply. At the foot of the town of Bishop
Stortfortl the river Stort forms itself into a small bay, and
on two sides of it were overhanging privies and several
drains from houses, all emptying into this portion of
the river. During the summer the smell from the
Stort was most obnoxious, and there had been a good
deal of fever in the neighbourhood. The whole of
the drainage of Hertford formerly ran into the
Lea, but about half-a-mile from the town the New
River Company have constructed deodorising works, and
the water passes through filtering beds before it flows
into the Lea. At Ware the soil and urine from piggeries
found its way into the Lea, and on the banks of the river
were several overhanging privies, emptying into the water,
which was generally fouled with sewage. At Broxbourue
the mode of drainage washy cesspools. At Waltham Abbey
the Lea passes through the town, and there are several brick
streams and ditches iu and about the place. The whole
sewage of this town was emptied into these waters. At
Enfield Lock is situated the goverment arms manufactory.
This neighbourhood was densely populated, and the drainage
of the locality was received into the Lea. In concluding
their report, the committee state that the source of the
water supply was polluted, before it reached the filtering
beds, in a most disgusting and abominable manner—viz.,
by drainage from land, overflow from cesspools, privies,
factories, and piggeries, &c.—and recommend that all
practicable steps should be taken to enforce a supply of
water free from any kind of pollution whatever.
AN EXCITING SCENE. A most remarkable
escape from drowning occurred on the river on Monday
evening. It appears that the steamer Waterlily, which
left Newßrighton for Egremont and Liverpool at a quarter
to 5, arrived about 1 o'clock at Egreniont, and having em-
barked her passengers, cast off and proceeded towards
Liverpool, having in tow one of the river police-boats and
one of the customs-boats, the latter under the charge of
Mr. Henry Lloyd, tide surveyor of her Majesty's Customs.
When the steamer had reached abreast of Seacombe point (it
was then quite dark) an alarm was raised by the river police
that a man had been swept past their boat by the back-
water from the steamer's paddle-wheel ; but as no alarm
was raised on board the steamer it was considered
doubtful whether, supposing the object was a man,
he could be alive, as, if he had fallen front the steamier,
some one must have seen him fall. Notwithstanding,
however, the order to let go was given by those in charge
of the two boats. the tow rope of the customs boat being
cast off from the boat, and her head turned towards
where the unfortunate man was supposed to be. It was,
as we have said, quite dark at the time, and a very
strong ebb tide was running, which soon carried the boat a
considerable distance down the river. Fortunately, how-
ever, after pulling about for some time, they at list dis-
covered the top of a man's head, which was instant y
seized, and the man was got into the boat, apparently
quite exhausted. He was brought over to Liverpool
and taken to the receiving house, where, after applying
the usual restoratives, he so far recovered as to be pro-
nounced out of danger. It transpired that Le bad, in
company with his brother, left New Brighton in the
Waterlily, and being under the influence of drink hail left
his brother sitting on deck, and by some means ad fallen
overboard unobserved, the brother being unaware of the
accident until informed that be had fallen overboard
and was then in the receiving house. His name is Wilson
Gaageth, residing in Birkenhead. This is but one f many
instances in which Mr.Lloydand his gallant crew ha ore been
instrumental in saving life on the river; and it is
to to beo
e
hoped that their gallantry will not go unnoticed by
who are empowered to reward such prompt and valuable
services.—Lirerpool Mercury.
DEATH STOPPING A PnosEcrvoN. —A charge of
larceny should have been preferred against John filartin, ar.
old man, and Clara Martin, a young girl of 19, who claimed
to be man and wife, before the magistrates at Kirby Moor-
side last week, but the prosecutor dropped down dead. The
prisoners, however, were taken to Helmsley, nud there
brought up on another charge, and on Saturday were com-
mitted for trial. When arrested at Mahon the man was
wearing four shirts, and the woman five chemises and a
shirt, stolen mostly from Ness, North Riding.
CRYSTAL PALACE.—Tho doors of the Palace will
be opened this morning at 9 o'clock ; the yontomiine will
be played at half-past four. The palace will be lighted up
in the evening until the visitors have left.

(THIS DAY.)

CLERILENWEIL
THE CHRISTMAS CHARGES.
Mr. Cooke took his seat this morning at 10 o'clock, and
proceeded to dispose of the night charges. The list was
unusually light for Christmas, there being only 29 persons
charged, whilst on boxing-day of last year the num-
ber exceeded 70. The following was the list of
charges. Y division, Somers-town, drunk and disorderly,
4 ; assaults, 3-7. Caledonian-road, drunk and
disorderly, 2 ; felony, 2-4. Kentish-town, none. High-
gate, none. G division, Clerkenwell, assault, 3 ; felony,
3-6. Old-street, drunk and incapable, 1 ; drunk and
assault, 3 ; found wandering without visible means of sub-
sistence, 1-3. N division, Islington, tumult, 1 ; uttering
counterfeit coin, 1-2. Horton, none. Kingaland, assault,
1. E division, Hunter-street, drunk and incapable, 1 ;
assault. 2 ; cutting and wounding, 1-4.
OWNERS WANTED FUR VALUABLE WATCHES.
Geo'!" e Townsend Rice, aged 32 a boot and shoe maker,
of 134. East-road, St. John's-road, Horton, was charged
with having unlawfully in his possession four gold watches,
three silver watches, two watch movements, 35 pairs of
new boots, and other property, supposed to be stolen.
Inspector Potter, G division, watched the case on behalf
of the Commissioners of Police, and Mr Ricketts, solicitor,
defended.
From information that police-constable Knowles, 200 G,
received he went to the prisoner's residence and asked him
about some watches that he had been offering for sale.
He at first denied that he had had any, but afterwards
said that he had sold one, and then produced from the
copper flue two gold and two silver watches; the constable
made a further search and found two more watches, one
gold and one silver ; the constable next pulled
down • portion of the flue and found in the
soot another gold watch. He asked the prisoner
to account for their possession and he said he had put
chased them at an auction-room, and son- he had got out
of pawn. The boots that he had he ascertained had
been stolen from a house in Old-street, St. Luke's.
Inspector Potter said that some of the watches bad not
been identified, but he bad no doubt that if • description
of them were given in the press owners would be found for
them. The watches can be seen at the King's-cross-road
police-station, and the following is their description :
Three gold English levers, one jewelled in four holes,
"J. L. Money, Birmingham, No. 6,997 ;" one
compensation balance (No. 10,938, "M. D." in old English
engraved on back); one engraved cases (compensation
balance, No. 51,837); four silver ones, three-quarter plate
levers, sunk seconds, enamelled dials, hands set at back ;
ane ditto, (" Samuel Harvey, No. 13,090"); one ditto
silver dial (No. 14,781) ; one Geneva horizontal (No.
30,996). Some of the watches appeared to be quite new,
and one or two he expected had been stolen some time.
Mr. Cook remanded the prisoner for • few days, and
refused to take bail.
A BOY BREAKING A MAN'S ARM.
James Morris, aged 12, was charged with breaking the
erns of Mr. Jones by striking him with a stone.
The facts of this case have already been reported, and
it will be recollected that the defendant was throwing
stones at the complainant's street door. When he went
out to him the defendant was very abusive, and when he
took hold of him the defendant hit him on the arm with a
stone and broke it just above a recent fracture, his arm
having only been out of splints • few days.
Mr. Herbert William Fagge, house surgeon at the Royal
Free Hospital, Gray's-inn-road, said the arm was broken
just above the recent fracture. That portion of the bone
would be very weak, and while in that state it would Lot
take a bard blow to break it.
The prisoner, who made no defence, was sent to the
House of Correction for oneM calendar month.
WESTINST.
" CHRISTMAS-self-ING."
Rosina Keefe, aged 15, and Martha Eastwood, aged 13,
two humbly but well clad girls, were charged with begging.
John Connor, VA B, said that on Christmaselay he
saw the prisoners go to different houses in the
New King's-road, Chelsea, and sing, after which
they received money. They then went inside a
front gate and began to sing at the door of the house.
Some person belonging the house came out, and requested
them to go away, when they refused, the prisoner Keefo
declaring that they would not leave until They brought
them out some of their strong beer." This the people
declined to do, and complainant took them into custody for
begging.
Keefe—We didn't ask for nothing ; and it was Christ-
Malt time.
Mr. Selfe—Yes ; you wanted strong beer to be brought
out. How was that!
Keefe—We was a singing Christmas carols, that
was aIL
They was only " a Christmas-ser-ing," your worahip—
(exclaimed a sturdy female hawker, the mother of fe)
—There's no harm in Christmos-serang. Speak up, RusKeeina,
for yourself.
Rosina spoke up to declare her impression that she had
been doing no wrong, and the mothers of both girls
echoed the sentiment, declaring that it was a Beak
of their children, without their knowledge.
The girls were dis ch treed.
SOUTHWARK.
CHRIATMAS NIGHT AT THE STATION-HOUSE.
Jaws B.rton, a middle-aged man, was placed at the
bar before Mr. Woolrych, charged with being drunk and
incapable of taking care of himself.
A constable of the 31 division said that between 12 and
1 this morning the prisoner came to the Stones-end
Police-station and knocked very violently at the door.
Witness asked him what he wanted, when ho said, " I
want a lodging, lock me up there's a good fellow," and at
the same time he fell backwards in the nand. Witness
picked him up, and finding he was druuk and incapable he
took him into custody.
Mr. Woolrych—What have you to say for yourself ?
Prisoner—Nothing particular. your worship. I was not
so tipsy as what the constable says. I was not incapable
or I should not have found my way to the station-house.
Mr Woolrych—The constable swears you were drunk
and incapable at the door of the station-house, and he
very
.properly locked you up.
Prisoner—l wasn't locked up like other
.people. I had
been out with some friends, spending Christmas-day, and
after I left them I suddenly lost my way and all recollec-
tion as to my locality, therefore I went to the station-
house merely for a lodging fur the night. I assure you,
sir, I only wanted to be taken care of and the inspector
very kindly took me in. (Laughter.)
Mr. Woolrych—There cannot be any doubt that you
were drunk and incapable, and the constable very properly
took you into custody. I advise you not to imbibe so
much strong liquor for the future to take away your me-
mory. You ought to be thankful to the police for taking
care of you. You are now discharged.
Prisoner—l am much obliged to you. take care and
find my way home another time, that is, if I dou't lose my
memory. (Loud laughter.)
WANDSWORTH.
EXTRAORDINARY coNIWCT or A CONST‘BI.E.
Mr. Joseph Mi 'whin, whose eye was discoloured, a baker,
of High-street, Putney. was placed in the dock on a charge
of being drunk and disorderly, and with assaulting Pollee-
constable MilLhouse, 234 V, while in the execution of his

duty.
The constable said that on Christmas morning he was
on duty in the High-street of Putney, when he saw the
prisoner and Mr. Udall talking near Gardener's-lane. The
prisoner cone up to him and wanted his number,
and said he should report bun. Witness then asked
him to account for the possession of a waiter which
be had in his hand. The prisoner said he got
th it
t
front a house opposite. They went to the house,
witness not knowing that it was the prisoners. When
the prisoner got inside Le struck witness with the waitxr.
he
Ile made a second blow, and in putting up the staff
accidentally struck him on the eye and knocked him down.
The prisoner broke some glasses inside Lis shop in the fall.
He tens drunk.
Ity Mr. Haynes, for the prisoner—He did not know that
the prisoner was a respectable baker of the High-street.
He had seen hint before. He knew Mr. Udall as a man
of position. The reason he went to the house was because
he did not The a sathifactoty account of the possession of
the tray. The prisoner struck him on the side of the
head with the tray.
It was sties, elicited that the constable obtained the
assistance of another officer, and went back to the Atop
and took the prisoner into custody.
After some other evidence, Mr. Haynes said his client
had been a respectable baker in the High-street of Putney !
for twenty years. On Christmas-eve he was engaged in
delivering cakes and other things to his customers, and in
the course of his business he had the tray in his hand. He
should be able to prove that the prisoner was talking to a
highly respectable tradesman, who was known to the con-
stable, when the complainant most offensively and impro-
perly interfered with him. He should be able to prove thatnt
the constable entered his shop, and prisoner being indigna
to
at the question put to him about the tray, ordered him
leave. The prisoner was advancing towards him when the
constable felled him like an ox.
Mr. Udall, a contractor and carman, was called, and
proved that the constable would not ea edid nov the sht
leave he
. The
prisoner held up his tray, and said ifl be
would make hint. The constable then knocked him down.
He also proved that the commencement of the affair
was the constable's asking the prisoner how he became
possessed of the tray. He was a little excited, but not
drunk.
Mr. Hayman said the conduct of the constable was dis-
graceful. and that he was not fit to remain in the force.
He discharged th prisoner_

A YOUNG WOMAN ACCIDENTALLY &inv.—An-
other of those melancholy accidents arising from thought-
lessly trifling with firearms has recently occurred. at a
farmstead, near blashain, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. I
The victim is a young woman named Cherry, servant to .
11r. Robert Blackburn, a farmer, Low Maine+, near
an
'
Masbani. About 6 o'clock in the evening a young m
named Taylor, farm servant :it the same place, went into
the house, and observing a gun in the kitchen, which had
been set down temporarily by his master while attending
to some business, he took it up and; layfully remarking
to the girl Cherry that be would 'shoot her, he levelled the
weapon at her head. The girl instinctively
lshielded h
er
er
face with her hands, when the trigger was puled, and
charge shattered the bands of Cherry and wounded her
face in such a frightful manner that but slight hope is
I entertained of her recovery.