The Sun.
London, England, 1855-11-23 00:00:00

QUEEN'S BENCH.

:Sittings in Banco, before Lord Chief Justice Campbell,
Justices Coleridge, Wightman, and Erie.)

THE QUEEN V. THE MAIDSTONE LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH.

Mr. Bramwell, Q.C., moved for a rule calling on the
Local Board of Health of Maidstone to show cause why
a writ of mandamus should not issue, commanding them
to make such sewers in the town as were necessary for
the effectual draining of the district for the purposes of
the Public Health Act. The board, though formed by
a considerable minority of the persons empowered to
elect the members, was legally constituted. They had
levied rates, and had plans made with reference to the
drainage of the town, but nothing had been done by
them to remedy the defects complained of, and some of
the members had stated they would not entertain the
question, and the consequence was that the public
health suffered.

Lord Campbell said if the board had considered the
question, the Court had not the power to review it and
compel the board to make a drain on any single applica-
tion. It was for the board to say if certain sewers were
or were not necessary. Had they refused to consider
the question the Court might compel then to do that.

Mr. Bramwell said he was unable to state whether
the board had or had not considered the necessity of
making the drains in question, but read from his in-
structions that several of the members of the board had
stated they would not construct any drains unless com-
pelled to do so.
Lord Campbell said the statement referred to might
have been made by the parties over their ale for what
the Court knew to the contrary. The Court was will-
ing to assist in putting such an important act as this
into effect. He was afraid there were leagues formed in
certain towns to prevent its application to the districts,
and the Court would be happy to assist in defeating
them. The rule could not be granted on the present
state of the case, but the Court would allow the appli-
cation to be again made on other facts.

Rule refused.
THE GRAND JURY PRESENTMENT.

The grand jury empannelled on the sitting of this
Court to investigate any criminal charges that might be
preferred before them came into court this morning, and
were formally discharged by Mr. Justice Coleridge.
The Foreman of the Grand Jury then read the follow-
ing presentment:—"The jury, of which we are mem-
bers, beg humbly to present to the Court the opinion
that such juries as these, of which they have this day
formed a part, are summoned to appear to this Court
for purposes altogether needless, and that, in fact, the
days are past since they were of real benefit to the coun•
try ; and they believe that, if the Court abstained from
summoning such juries, unless in cases of necessity, they
would be much more satisfactory to the community
liable to serve on juries ; and to such cases as would (if
any) probably come before them could with greater pro-
priety be decided by a preliminary examination before a
magistrate and tried in the ordinary course. Humbly
hoping your lordships will be pleased to receive this our
petition of the grand jury of which I am a member—l
am, &c.,

" JOHN FLETCHER."

Lord Campbell said the summoning of a grand jury on
the sittings of this Court had regularly taken place in
accordance with the laws from time immemorial, and it
was a. matter in which the Court had no discretionary
power. The Legislature alone could absolve them from
discharging the duties. It had very often occurred that
grand juries summoned had had important duties to per-
form, indictments for high treason having been preferred
before them, and it was of importance both to th• Crown
and the people that in the event of any complaints
arising they might be speedily investigated and decided.
Happily such capes were now of rare occurrence, and he
bad much pleasure in congratulating them on the light-
ness of their labours.
The jury then withdrew.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.--(This Day.)

SOUTHWARK.

ROBBERY OF FOREIGN HlDES.—Three young fellows,
named Marney, Morris, and Mahoney were brought be-
fore Mr. Combe for final examination, charged with
stealing four foreign cow hides from Pickle Herring
Wharf, Tooley-street.
William Sitwell, foreman in the employ of Messrs.
Margetson and Son, White's-grounds, Bermondsey, said
that on Tuesday morning week, about eleven o'clock,
Marney came to him and asked him whether be would
purchase any seals. Witness replied that at present
they did not want any. Marney then said be had four
cow hides which be wanted to sell, at the same time
asking what he would give fir them. Witness having
some suspicion about him told him he roust see the hides
before he could say anything about the price. Marney
then went away and witness immediately communicated
with the police, and a constable attended and remained
about the premises. About twenty minutes afterwards
Marney and Mahoney came to the warehouse, each
carrying two raw cow hides. He examined them and
found marks on two of them, which induced him to be-
lieve they had been stolen from some wharf re-
eently. They were foreign bides, and worth thirty-
shillings each. The constable came in while he
was examining them, and took Marny and Mahoney
into custody. Morris, who was waiting outside, was
also secured.
William Hobbs, the foreman at pickle Herring
Wharf, said that on the Monday and Tuesday they were
unloading hides from a vessel just arrived from South
America. The prisoners were not employed at the
wharf, neither had they any business there. The hides
iu question were stolen from the place on Monday even-
ing, as he had missed four, and they bore the marks of
the shipper.
Henry Hunt, 34 M, said he received information from
the witness Sitwell, and went to Messrs. Margetson's
warehouse, where he took all the prisoners into custody.
Marny and Mahoney said Morris had picked up the
hides under the archway of the railway, and had given
them to them to sell.
Mr. Combo said it was not likely that any one could
find such valuable property under the arch of a railway.
He should commit each of them to three months' hard
labour under the new Criminal Justice Act.

WESTMINSTER.
ROBBERY THROUGH STARVATION.—AN EXTRAORDI-
NARY REQUEST.—A nn, Stevens, a thinly-clad, miserable-
looking old woman, was charged with stealing half a
pound of bacon. The prisoner went to a cheesemonger's
in Ebury-street last evening, and, thinking she was un-
observed, took the bacon and placed it under her shawl.
She was, however, seen to commit the theft, and given
into custody.
Mr. Broughton (to the prisoner)—What have you to
say I
Prisoner—l did it through starvation.
Mr. Broughton—Have you applied to the parish
Prisoner—Yes, often ; but they will do nothing for

me.
Mr. Broughton—What reason do they assign ?
Prisoner—They give none ; but they leave me to lie
about the streets and starve. I am in a wretched con-
dition.
Mr. Broughton—You look so. I believe you are; but
still you must not steal. I shall commit you for fourteen
days.
Prisoner—l have a particular favour to ask of your
worship.
eitit? 21 days.
Prisoner
—O,
—ayWdohamtaiks
Mr. Broughton—WhY
Prisoner—Because I shall get some meat then, but I
shan't if its only fourteen, for I have not tasted a morsel
of meat for a month.
Mr. Broughton good naturedly complied with her re-
quest, and she was accordingly committed for 21 days.