The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-12-11 00:00:00

MARY-LA-BONNE OFFICE.

A1.1.1701:D FRAOD AT A COLLECTOi or KING'S T AXES.—
A day or two since Mr. Darcey. a baker, 'ridding in Liston-stmt,
Linton-grove, applied at this tam for a *arrant, for the apprehen-
sion of Mr. Francis Searle, one of the cunt ctors of taxes for the
31ary-Li-bonne district. From the statement made then, and which
was yesterday repeated, a summons, tihrely requiring Mr. Searle's
apperranee at the office, was issued, atal that gentleman attended
accordingly before llr, GRIFTIT
The complainant, Mr. Darcey, being sworn, stated, that in Sep-
tember DUI, he took the house he now inhabited from a Mr. Oar-
ney, and took paseasion under the belief that there were not any
arrears of taxes; however, early in the following month of October
Slit. Searle came and demanded the sum of IL 17s. lid observing,
he would not, on paying that sum, be called upon to pay any prior
rates. Mrs. Harvey, the witness's wife, paid the demand ; but in
a very short time after, Mr. Steele again appeared ant! demanded
41. 13s. !d. for arrears of the King's taxes. Mr. Dareey resisted
the demand, on the grotind that all was paid up to August. Mr.
Searle, after calling ',even! Unita. said he would levy upon the
goods, and plseed a broker names! Smith in peuession. Mr. Dar.
coy not choosing to allow the man to remain, paid the demand.
Mr. Searle called at a subsequent period, and asked to look at some
of the receipts which he had given. and attempted to put one in his
pocket, but was prevented. Mr. Ducey handed in some receipts,
which Varied in the amount of the rate. He had paid all the tura,
and as the original rates bad been paid up to his coming into the
house, he considered himself defrauded. This appeared to be the
entire statement against Mr. Searle.
Mr. lJalrytrit asked him bow he accounted for the two receipts
varying and being given for the same rate?
Mr. Seine replied it was entirely a matter of mistake, and lie
conld give the fullest and clearest explanation of every circumstance
of the business.
Mr. Geserrre—Ent it appears to me there are several mix.
takes in this bttaineve, which emends.. I sunlit, may have occurred
in the hurry of business. Ilhas as these appears some varying in
the amounts paid. I mint tea die table el taxis, which perhaps
would give some explanation as to the increase.
Mr. Searle—Certainly, Sir. Ow my part 1 sin desirous that the
fullest and most public explanation may be given.
Mr. Oftiverrn asked how he could have attempted to put the
receipt In his pocket ?
Mr. Searle_That was no remipt. Sir; it was merely some as
of the broker's, which I was apprehensive would
cause some confusion in the accounts.
Smith the broker here proved being sent to detrain, but Mr.
Darces paid the money : lie did not levy as he was desired.
Mr. Hai Ferris maul. there must be some taulL somewhere, and
he would be thoroughly satisfied on the subject. It had been sworn
there were no arrears. and yet a demand had been made, which was
paid by a compulsory measure, and this required explanation.
Mr. Searle repeated. it was entirely a mistake, there were ar-
rears, and at any time the Magistrate would appoirt his expla-
nation should be given. Mr. Darcey was now three-quarters M a
year in arrears.
Mr. Hewer'. it.—Then certainly this business shall be ex-
amines! into. Will you, Sir draw up a statement in writing, de-
scribing the mune due, the money paid, the dates of those pay.
meats, and to what times, with the number and amount of the re-
ceipts given, and the sums paid on them, on Tuesday next, when
the case can M decided ?
Mr. Searle ',Mad. lie would certainly be ready on that day to
gives full answer to the accusation.

WO RSH I P-STR CET.
Yesterday Jame, A ykeard. a tailor, wno lodged in Colder.
lane, 089 brought before 31r. BEN CT T. the Sitting :Magistrate,
by Tel!, the parish constable, charged with having onunutted a
burglary.
Frederick I.l.wcllan deposed, that he is a LiiloT, and resides at
Na fi, filarket-street, '4 upping. where he keeps a ready-made
clothes shop, in partnenbln with the prisoner's brother, John Ayl-
ward. That he (witness, ts married to the sister of the prisoner,
whose mother also lives with them. [Here the witness's feelings
became apparently much overpowered, but recovering a little he
said, • Your worship, he treated us in the same manner twice before,
when, in order to prevent the exposure of the fancily, we did not
then appear against him; but now a sense of duty, which I owe to
my family, and &regard for the laws of my country. which has been
90 grosaly violated, urges me to follow up the proceedings.l Wit-
ness said prisoner went to their house on Lit Tuesday evening.
about four o'clock, to pay a visit to his mother and sister ; he eon.
tinned thereantil about twelve o'clock. The nest morning witness
observed that the flap outside, which secured the cellar door,
had been completely wrenched open, by which means a passage was
obtained to the kttelien, and front thence to the shop, where, from
the window, every article, consisting of ready-made clothes, was
carried away, as well as goods of the same description. with some
cloth cut out, but nut made up, that were lying in a chest in the
shop. Witness went to the kitchen, and ther: found six silver
spoons hail been taken from a cupboard. He funnel on the kitchen
table the cork of a phosphorous box. Witness then proceeded to
the residence of the prisoner in riolden.lane, and on his way he mat
an officer, whom he took with hint Shmsly after they entered the
prisoner's room, he came in, wher he had him taken into custody.
Fell, the ofiker, suit lie accompanied last winless. and on enter-
ing the room he searched a box, and there found the principal part
of the property. (It was then produced, and identified by the pro-
secutor.) Fell further stated, that he also got a phosphorous box
in the client, which wanted a cork. The cork which was left in the
kitchen was then trice'. and exactly _fitted.
3lr. II al.sani, of Barbican, and Mr. Salsberry. of (.'hiswell.strset,
two pawnbrokers. with whom the remainder of the property had
been pawn. tie clay before, also attended. The goods with them
were also ident:ay.l by the prosecutor; and the clerks of the pawn-
brokers proved that the prisoner pawned them the day before.
Ile was fully committed, suet the parties were bound vier to pro-
secute.