The Sun.
London, England, 1855-11-22 00:00:00

MILITARY OFFICERS AT MALTA.

On the Bth of November 11,'"
two officers, Capt. Crofton
Peddie and Lieut. Robert Henderson, both of the 21st
Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and four naval seamen, named
Thomas Starking, Robert Gunn, William Pearson, and
Walter Slader, belonging to-her Majesty's ship Rodney,
at present in port, were placed at the bar of the_ police
court, before the magistrate, Dr. Zammit, charged by
the police with having on the night previous assembled
with others in the streets of Valletta with the intention
of attacking We police, and having committed a disturb-
ance and insulted the police officers in the execution of
their duty.

From the evidence produced, it appeared that, to-
wards ten o'clock ou the night above-mentioned, anum-
ber of officers belonging to the different depots in gar-
rison
collected at Marich's cigar-shop, in Strada Teatro,
and one of them wantonly insulted a constable, named
Paolo Deguana, who was on his beat, by snatching his
staff out of his hand, and throwing it across the street.
They then proceeded as far as the door of the theatre,
where they were joined by others, and having repaired
to Shepherd's cigar-shop, in the same street, commenced
insulting in various ways another police constable,
Michele Atard, on duty there. On the performance of
the theatre being over they entered the shop of. Fran-
cesco Mercieca, the Cafe di Europa, and other drinking
shops, and by promising them money
,induced 'the
men-of-war seamen who were in these shops to ac-
company them to attack the police. At about mid-
night some thirty officers and sailors were gathered
together in Strada Ponente, Some with sticks in their
hands, evidently with the intention of creating a dis-
turbance, and effecting their object with having a
row with the peelers. One officer, stated by a witness
to have been Lieutenant Henderson, but which was
denied by that officer, struck a constable with his shoul-
der, addressing him at the same time in a contemptuous
manner. A collision between the officers; sailors,'and
constabulary being imminent the police collected a strong
force and narrowly watched the proceedings of the mid-
night disturbers, who seeing the odda against them
seemed inclined to return to their ships and quarters,
and took the may up Strada Teatro, the officers aria in
arm with the seamen ' • but np.on the police marching past
them towards Strada Reale, jeers and cries from some of
the party, and larious military expressions, such as
' "Left shoulders forward," "Quick march," "Halt," &c.
were addressed in derision to tho police. Upon this the
Inspector ordered his men to arrest Capt. Peddie and
Lieut. Henderson, and four sailors, who were most' con-
spicuous amongSt the disturbers. This was accordingly
done, and notwithstanding cries of " Rescue, reseue,"
the fficers and sailors were soon safely lodged without
much difficulty in the lock-up for the night.
The• worthy magistrate, after patiently listening to
the numerous witnesses examined, and hearing read be-
sides a former police charge and sentence against Lieut.
Henderson for distUrbance in the streets, for which he
had been fined 51., sentenced Capt. Peddie to pay a fine
of Si:, Lieut. Henderson 101. (it being his second offence),
two of the seamen N. each, and the two others ;/, each.