The Express.
London, England, 1866-09-08 00:00:00

THE EXPJtESS, . SATURDAY , EVENING, SEPTEMBER -8,- 1866.

THE TRAFFIC ON THE SOUTH EASTERN

RAILWAY.

A public meeting of annual ticket-holders and
other pas. ngers using the South Eastern Railway was
held yesterday at the Guildhall Coffee-house, convened by
printed handbills, " to protest against the delay and in-
convenieuoe they were suffering from the present confused
state of the traffic."

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.

SECOND COTTRT.
(Before Mr. Payne.)

Alfred Croft, aged 18, described as a stable-boy, and
John Williams, described in the calendar as 17 years of
age, but whose real age was 15, were placed at the bar, in-
dicted for attempting burglarioualy to break and enter the
dwelling-houses of William Henry Harwick and Samuel
Cleak, watchmakers, jewellers, &c., and for being found
by night having in their possession, withoutlawful excuse,
an implement of housebreaking called a " jemmy." The
two prisoners were sharp, intelligent boys, with fair hair
and regular features During the whole of the
ings they treated the matter as a joke, and laugh several
times as the evidence was given against them.
Police-sergeant Cole, of the C division, proved seeing the
prisoners, with two others, lurking about the prosecutors'
shops in Soho. He saw them attempt to break open
one shop and some one struck a light and frightened
them, and they ran away. The sergeant then got into a
`cab and followed for some distance, and saw them attempt
to break open the door of another jeweller's shop.
He told a constable to watch and stop any person who
passed at one corner of the street. He went up and
put his arms round the prisoners and took them into cue,
tody. He found some matches, a chisel, and a " jemmy"
upon the prisoners.
The prisoners laughed and jeered at the sergeant, and
treated the case with great indifference.
The Foreman—We find them both Guilty ; and permit
me to say that the jury wish to express their horror at the
prisoners' hardihoo
Mr. Payne—l will attend to it. What is known of them,
Cole?

Sergeant Cole—l have known them for a longtime.
Garnb in the streets is the cause of all this. Williams
i. has onlylately fallen into bad company. They belonged
to a gang of about a dozen, of which a man named Cle-
mente, who was tried with boys last sessions, was tEe
captain, and who was sent to penal servitude.
The mother of Williams got into the box and said her
son had up to June last borne a good character, but had
lately fallen into the company of bad boys.
Mr. Payne—What is his age?
The mother—Sixteen next birthday. He does not want
to go to a reformatory, and that is the reason he said he
was seventeen years of age. I would like you to deal with
him, my lord, as you think fit.
Mr. Payns—As for you, Williams, the sentence is that
you be imprisoned and kept to bard labour for eighteen
months. _ _ _ . _ . .

The prisoner—l would rather have five years' penal ser-
vitude. - -

Mr. Payne—Why would you prefer five years to eighteen
months?
. .

The prisoner made no answer.
Mr. Payne—Will you give me a reason why? Well, per-
haps it will be better for you; the sentence is altered to
five years' penal servitude.
The prisoner (touching hie hat)—Thank you, my lord,
I am much obliged.
Mr. Payne—As regards the other prisoner the sen-
tence upon him is that he be imprisoned and kept to
hard labour for one month, to be well whipped with a
birch rod, and then to be sent to a reformatory for three
years.
The foreman of the jury said he wished, on behalf
of the jury, to express their admiration of Sergeant Cole's
conduct. •
. .

Mr. Payne--Yes, gentlemen, I see that the grand jury
have also sent a long presentment to the same effect. I
suite agree with you, gentlemen. (After some considera-
tion) :—Well, all I can do is to add to what I have said
before of my knowledge of Sergeant Cole's sagacity and
acuteness. _ _ _ _

The prisoner here admitted that he took the dagger, but I
no studs. What the lads took to be studs was a small
paper of tobacco.
Mr. James Stevens, gas enzineer, Southwark-bridge-
road, said that the bag belonged to his brother, who had
just gone back to his business at Glasgow. He generally
had large sums of money in the bag, but witness did not
think that be had when he lost it more than a few pounds.
Witness identified the dagger and whistle.
The prisoner said that he did not think there was any
harm in taking the dagger and whistle, as the bag was
found in the street, but he did not take any money or
studs.
Mr. Buroham remanded him, and rewarded the lads
with 2s. each for their honesty.

FROM LAST NIGHTS GAZETTE.