The Express.
London, England, 1868-07-03 00:00:00

WW-STREET.

An important question as to the operation of the laws
relating to the reguttration of newspapers was yesterday
raised before Mir Thomas Henry, upon a charge preferred
at the instance of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue
against Mews. IL and J. Widdicombo, the proprietors of
the Camden and Kentish Towns Gazette._ _

The prosecution was conducted by Mr. Archibald, in-
structed by Mr. E. H. 'Maley, of the Solicitor's-office, In-
land Revenue Department; and Mr. Macrae Moir de-
fended, instructed by Messrs. Ashurst and Morris, sohcitors
to the Society for the Abolition of Taxes on Knowledge.
Mr. Archibald stated that the summons was only taken
against Mr. Robert Widdicombe, as it was not thought
necessary to increase the penalties and costa by taking
separate summonses against the two proprietors; but
there was no doubt that both wereproprietors of thepaper,
of which indeed the fact of their names appearingaemnittel
imprint was evidence, and it was perfectly un
that the proftedings were virtually taken as against the
firm. The summons specified two offences, relating to the
publication of two numbers of the paper, on different days.
For the defence Mr. Moir said there appeared to be
some doubt as to the question of law, and the defendants,
whose only wish was to act legally, would be satisfied if
the nia • ate granted a case.
Sir Thomas Henry said he should have no objection to
give a case, and the defendants could choose the court in
which it should be argued. He should impose fines of
2W. on each count (making 401.). Notice must be given
to him, in writing, within three days, and he would then
drew a case. The parties must come prepared with sure-
ties to abide by the decision of the superior court, and, if
it should be against them, to pay the costs upon those
proceedings.
Mr. Macrae Moir said these details would be duly at-
tended to.

The parties then left the court.
THAMES.

Two women, named Sweeney and Free, were charged
before Mr. Benson with stealing six ornamental images
from the shop of Mr. John Sudenberg, a furniture dealer,
in Morgan-street, Commercial-road East.

Twonen, named Michael Levy and Frederick Napper,
in the service of the prosecutor saw the prisoners appa-
rently looking at a chest of drawersi exposed for sale in
the front of the shop, but in reality putting some chimney
ornaments placed on the top of the drawers under their
shawls. The women were walking away with their booty
and were stopped, when Mrs. Sweeney said to Mrs. Free,
"Then you intend to buy the images 1." "To be sure I
do." was the reply of Mrs. Free, who at the same moment
dropped one of the images she had stolen on the ground.
and it was broken. Four other ornaments were found
under her shawl. The women were violent, and tried to
strike the prosecutor's men. They were given into custody.
Both prisoners loudly protested their innocence. Ulti-
mately, however, they pleaded guilty, and
Mr. Benson, after stating that there could be no doubt
of their guilt, sentenced them to be imprisoned and kept
to hard labour for 14 days.
Mrs. Free begged that she might be allowed to take her
infant with her to prison.
Mr. Benson—What is the age of your child
Prisoner—One year and eight months.
The officers of the court said the child was not sticking,
and by the rules of the House of Correction would not be
allowed to remain with the mother.

The prisoner said she would not part with her child.
Mr. Benson said he could not interfere with the regula-
tions of the prison authorities. He advised the woman to
part with her invalid child, and allow it to be taken to the
workhouse. He would take care that it was well pro-
vided for, but he was afraid it was not likely to survive.
The woman then partod with her dying child to a police-
constable, who conveyed it to the workhouse.

LICENSED VICTUALLERS' SCHOOL.—The
second anniversary dinner of the subscribers of this
charity took place yesterday afternoon at the Crystal
Palace. Upwards of 1,400 perms connected with the
trade were present. The chaar was occupied by Mr. C. A.
Hanbury, of the firm of Messrs. Truman, Hanbury,
Buxton, and Co., who was supported by Mr. J. Locke,
M.P., Mr. Harvey Lewis, M.P., Mr. T. Chambers, M.P.,
Mr. Sitter (the governor of the institution), Mr. J. J.
Homer, Mr. Helms, Mr. Smalley (the secretary), Mr.
Winterbotham, Mr. James Grant, &c. It appears that the
expenditure for the p year amounted to nearly 8,000/.,
inclusive of about 4601. laid out for general repairs. Since
its establishment the institution has admitted 1,736
children, about 400 of whom have received 31. each
on going to service, and 850 61. each upon being appren-
ticed. The income from vested capital is under 9001. per
annum. The scale therefore upon which the insti-
tution is now maintained requires atleust 4,500/.
per canons to be raised to provide fur the con-
stant expenditure. At pre-en there are upwards
of 180 children in the school, and the committee state that
unless a large amount of support be given their desire to
maintain 200 children in the institution cannot be carried
out, but, on the contrary, that the largo expenditure ne-
cessitated by the maintenance of the increased number of
children already participating in the benefits of the insti-
tution must circumscribe the number to be admitted at
future elections. lu the course of the proix-ediugs 'sub-
scriptions amounting to 2,1100/. were announced.
tiIIOCKING OCCURRENCE AT LIVERPOOL.—Our
Liverpool coisespondent telegraphs last night : —A fearful
roan of suicide and attempt at murder occurred at half-
past six o'clock this evening in the office of Messrs.
Ackers, Whitley, and Co., coal proprietors, James-street.
It appears that Mr. Joseph Jones, managing clerk to
Bessnt. Ackers, bad been called upon by his wife, and an
enervation having taken place between them the husband
took hold of a letterpress handle, and attempted to
murder his wife by striking her over the head, and hail
almost actxunplished his object when the wife, after a
desperate struggle, succeeded in wresting the iron handle
from his hands, and flung it through the office window,
and at the same time her cry of murder attracted the
attention of several men who were outside. They at once
proceeded to the office, and on opening tie door the first
person they saw was Mr. Jones, who then appeared to be
quite sober and rational. Ou being questioned as to the
cause of the breaking of the window, he rushed behind
the counter,. opened a drawer, took out a razor, and
nearly cut his head off.
A COAL PIT oN PYRE NEAR BOLTON.—One of
the coal pits belonging to Messrs. Andrew Knowles and
Son, at Little Lever, near Bolton. is now on fire. At a
very early hour on Tuesday morning a large volume of
smoke was observed to be ascending the upcsst shaft.
Fortunately 110120 of the workmen, and only a few ponies,
were down at the time. Steps were immediately taken to
extricate them, and the frantic animals were successfully
got oat ; meanwhile the pit was found to be thoroughly
on fire, the heat became more intense, and the smoke
came up in larger Quantities. It was decided to cover in
both the up and down cast shafts, and with that object a
number of the men were set to work. finished at
late hour on Wednesday evening, all air, it is expected.
being( now excluded from the mine. The pit will have to
remtun covered for some weeks.