The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-02-04 00:00:00

POLICE.

GUILDHALL.
The driver of the hackney-coach, No. 617, appeared to make a
complaint against a 111 rs. Butler, whose female servant had brokeu
one or his coach windows.

S. Poynter, Esq. of Richmond, one of the Middlesex Magistrates,
and a fnend•of Mrs. Butler, stated on her behalf that the mischief
had arisen from the coachman not keeping hold of the check string,
which rendered it necessary to let down a front window to call to
him, and prevent hint from taking a wrong direction. The question,
however, which for the good of the public he wished to Lave deter.
mined was, whether these coachmen could recover the price of
plate.pla.ss, or only of common glass. The complainant had first
demanded S.iv. for the single pane, but in his summons he now re.
totted but 235. Now the value of common glass of the same di.
mensions was 75., and upon inquiry at the office of the Commis.
stoners, he was informed that coachmen were never allowed for
plate.glass, and if he (Mr. P.) had already paid the money, lie
might have the driver brought there, where he would be compelled
to refund it.
Mr; Alderman ATKINS appeared to be of the same opinion
with the Commissioners, but the question was ultimately referred
to the hackncy_coach•ofilce.
In cases where shopkeepers have had expensive panes of glass
broken, the Aldermen have mostly held that the law gives recom.
pence to the extent of the injury sustained.

UNION-HALL.
Yesterday Mr. Smith, a resident of Camberwell, applied to the
Magistrates for advice how he should act in guarding his premises
from the depredations of thieves. He stated that his neighbour.
hood was much frequented latterly by a gang of daring thieves.
Several houses within a short distance of his had been entered and
property stolen—the thieves generally gaining access by clambering
over the garden wall. An attempt had been made • few nights
ago to get into his house, but on hearing the noise, he alarmed
them, end they all scampered off. Now, he (Applicant) always
kept three muskets, loaded with slugs to his hed-room, iu case of
surprise, sire the long nights had commenced, but he wished to
have the opinion of a Magistrate whether he should be justified in
firing at and knocking out the bntlns of any body that attempted to
scale his garden.wall and enter his grounds.
The Magistrate and all who heard Mr. Jones could not refrain
front laughter during the application, which was delivered with
that solemnity of tone and manner that evinced he was bent on no.
thing short of slaughter.
The Magistrate observed that it was • most odd application, and
that he did not sit there to give advice under such very peculiar
circumstances; lie would, however, give the applicant one piece
of advice, and that was to be cautious in the use of those weapons
of which he had spoken.
Applicant—Weil, Sir, it I am not justified In killing a thief'
will you allow one of your officers to reside in my house to pro.
tect it
The Magistrate replied, that he could .not grant this request
' either, for they had other public duty to perform. Ile could not
help thinking that Mr. Jones was mote frightened than there teas
any occasion for ; and told him, that should any fliture attempt be
made to enter his rounds, to give the alarm to the watchmen,
plenty of whom wererationed in the neighbourhood, and should
the attendance of an officer be requisite hi tracing the rag, if
there was any chance of leading to a discovery, one should be forth-
with despatched.
Mr. Jones was fearful there wat no information as_ yet likely to
lead to the detection of the gang. Ile thanked the Magistrate for
his attention, and withdrew.