The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-06 00:00:00

COMMITTEE ON THE SALE OF BEER

OW SUNDAYS.

Yesterday this committee met for the first time,
shortly after 12 o'clock, to inquire into the practical
working of the Sunday Beer Bill. The members Were—
Hon. Grantley Berkeley, chairman ; Major Baring, Mr.
.
Cheetham, Sir W. Clay, Mr. Cobbett, Sir W. Jolliffe,
Mr. Massey, Mr. P. O'Brien,
Sir J. Pakington, .Mr.
Scholefield, Mr. er Seymer, Lord Harry Vane, and the
Hon. C. P. Villiers.
K

of Tthheerbeowdyasofa
Lcoionesnidseerdabyleioatuttaellnedras.nce of the public and
Mr. Hall, the chief magistrate.at Bow-street, was the
first, witness examined. He deposed that no case had
come before him under the act, in his official ca.nacity,
as to what was intended by the term "bona fide tra-
veller," but he had given attention to the decisions of
other magistrates. He thought a man ought not to be
considered a bona fide traveller who, merely for health
or recreation, or to relieve his mind in quest of pleasure
or fresh air, went out to Hampstead, Highgate, or
Greenwich. He thought it should be shown that there
was something approaching to an absolute necessity for
travelling something to call him out urgently, and be
did not think that the Legislature contemplated the case
of a person who went out merely for pleasure, and
placed himself on a steam-boat to go down to
,Greenwich.bonasde
If such a wide construction was put upon the act they
would never be able to give it effect. He would not,
however, put too limited a construction upon it. In one
case that bad come under his consideration be found
that one had decided that no person was a ,
traveller " unless he was travelling on business, while
others bad put so wide a construction on it as to make
the act perfectly inoperative and nugatory. He (Mr.
Hall) would draw a distinction between the traveller on
business. He thought that a person who was ordered
to leave London for Dover, for the benefit of his health,
might be looked on in the light of a traveller, and in the
light of a case of necessity, and in passing through he
thought that any publican was bound to receive him as a
traveller and give him refreshment. As most of the
magistrates put a large and liberal construction on the
act he did not consider that the public suffered any in-
convenience, and there were one or two magistrates who
held that business alone should be the excuse.

The Chairman—Then, in your opinion, an act of Par-
liament that gives rise to such conflicting opinions can-
not
be a good act of Parliament t
Mr. Hall—Precisely. It becomes almost inoperative.
The Chairman—Do you not consider that some alter-
ation in the act is necessary, which gave rise to such a
contrariety of opinions among the stipendiary magis-
trates of the metropolis, who were good lawyers, and
which gave an opportunity to those who were not law-
yers throughout the country to turn and twist it accord-
ing to their own opinions ?
Mr. Hall—Yes ; I think an alteration in it would be
beneficial to the public, and I think it would be desira-
ble to have the terms of it better defined, so as to arrive
at something like a uniformity 'of decision.
The Chairman—Do you consider that drunkenness on
Sunday since the passing of the act has been checked ?
Mr. Hall—l think it has. There are fewer charges
on Monday at Bow-street than before the act came into
operation. From the returns made from charge-sheets
at Bow-street, it appeared that from March 20, 1854, to
Ju1y,1854, the total charges on M onday mornings amount-
ed to 604, of which 381 were for being drunk and dis-
orderly. From March 19; 1855, to July 3, 1855, there
cases of drunkenness. lie was strongly of opinion, and
were 444 cases on Monday mornings, of which 339 were
could see no other reason for this, than that it was attri-
butable to the operation of the act, that a check was
given to the number of eases that were brought before
him. He had not ixcluded in his calculation the cir-
cumstances of the country since the operation of the act,
being under an increase in the price of provisions and
taxation, and the pressure of war, such as did not exist
in the year 1854 ; but he did not think those considera-
tions made much difference. He did not, however,
think that, comparing the 11 months before the act
passed and the period that had expired since, drunken-
ness had diminished ; for, although there were fewer
cases of drunkenness on Mondays, yet there were more
snaundb of men who had been e:Wednesdays than there
dursuednkfoenrmcearsleys
tounbTe.uesday
The
number
taken away in the army might have had something to do
with this diminution, but in Bow-street he did not think
it had much to do with it.
The Chairman—ls it not a hardship on the working
classes to debar them on the only day they have for
health and recreation from the means of obtaining re-
frediment ?
Mr. Hall—lt is known that they take refreshment
with them. Ido not think the working classes suffer
so much in that respect as the wealthier classes, such as
'shopkeepers, who go out to enjoy thenaaelTers ou that
_

rpRICE 4D. STAMPED

ler. Under the present law, if a man went to Brighton
and back he was afraid he could not be called a traveller,
and that a publican serving him would be liable to a
penalty, though it was a hardship on the public, for
whose benefit, socially and morally, these restrictions
should be removed. He did not find any diminution
of drunkenness in his district, and he thought the pre-
sent law was not equitable, but objectionable. The law
as it stood scarcely touched the drunkard, but affected
the sober portion of the community. He thought the
onus of proof should be on the publican, though that
was open to doubt. If a party on a wet day, and
through muddy roads, went to a christening,. he could
not legally call them travellers, though he should be
strongly inclined to except them, and no man under the
act was a traveller, who went out for fresh air and re-
creation, intending to return tie same day ; but at the
same time he thought that, socially and morally, pro-
hibitions in the way of persons obtaining refreshments
were inexpedient and impolitic. He saw so much misery
and mischief produced by drunkenness among the poorer
classes that it was of the greatest importance to stay
the evil, and when it became a habit among the poorer
classes, particularly among women, they stopped short
of nothing to indulge in it. He thought that clandes-
tine drinking" was indulged in to a considerable extent
in unlicensed houses since the new act had been passed,
and this was open to greater objection than drinking in
licensed public-houses, as policemen could not enter,
whereas, on the other hand, there was a penalty conse-
quent on refusing the admission of policemen into pub.
lic-houses.
The Chairman—no you think, as the question stands,
you could do anything like justice to the country by
the continuance of the present law ?
Mr. Arnold—That is a very wide question—(laugh-
ter)—but I think that closing at ten o'clock on Sundays
is too early. People could get ginger beer after that
hour, but not porter.
The committee here adjourned to Tuesday next.

P.A.RtiAME:NTIIIY

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—JULY 5.
TENANTS' COMPENSATION IMPROVEMENT
(IRELAND) BILL.
Clause 14.—Question put, " That the clause, as amended,
stand part of the bill." The committee divided—Ayes,
102 ; Noes, 138.

AYES-102.
Acton, J. Freestun, Col. Monsell, W.
Anderson, Sir J. Goderich, Vis. Morris, D.
Baines, Rt. lion. M. Gordon, A. Mulgrave, Earl
Ball, J. Greene, John Mullings, J.
Bass, T. Oregson, S. O'Brien, P.
Raster. Iv. Greville, Col. F. O'Brien, J.
Bcamish, F. Grey, Sir G. O'Flaherty, A.
Bethell, Sir R. Hadfield, G. Otway, A.
Bland, L. Hall, Sir B. Palmerston, ViSct .
Bouverie, Hon. E. P. Hamilton, Lord C. Pechell, Sir G.
Bowyer, G. Heard, J. Peel, Sir R.
Brady, J. Herbert, H. Peel, F.
Brand, 11. B. W. Hervey, Lord A Pollard-Urquhart, W
Burke, Sir'T. Heywood, J. Russell, F. C.
Burroughes, H. Higgins, G. O. Russell, F. W.
Butt, I. Hindley, C. Sadleir, James
Cairns, 11. liorsman, E. Sadleir, John
Castlerosse, Viscount Hume, W. Sc-illy, F.
Chambers, T. Johnstone, J. Scully, V.
Cockburn, Sir A. J. E. Jones, Adm. Seymour, H.
Cogan, W. H. F. Keating, R. Shafto, R.
Cowan, C. Kennedy, T. Shee, Serjt. W.
Cowper, W. F. Keogh, W. Sullivan, Michael
Cubitt, W. te,,,, Kershaw, J. Swift, R.
Deasy, R. Lee, W. Thompson, G.
De Vere, S. Lewis, Sir G. C. Tite, W.
Duncan, Viscount Luce, T. Vernon, G.
Duncan, G. M`Cann, J. Villiers, C.
Dunlop, A. Magan, W. H. Wickham, H. W.
Esmonde, J. Maguire, J. Willcox, B.
Fagan, W. Maxwell, J. Williams, W.
Ferguson, Sir R. Meagher, T. Wilson, J.
Fitz Gerald, Sir J. Miall, E. TELLERS
Fitz Gerald, J. Molesworth. Sir W. Hayter, W.
Fortescue, C. Mon creiff, J. Berkeley, G.

NOES—I3S.
Adderley, C. Galwey, Sir W. Mundy, W.
Alexander, J. " tiladstone, Capt. J. Naas, Lord
Antrobus, E. Goddard, A.
aNapier,
Pknhumj. , T. H.
Archdall, M. Gower, F.
Bailey, C. Graham, Lord W. Paktngton, Sir J.
Baird, J. Granby, Marquis of Palk, L.
Barrington, Viscount Grogan, Edward Peacock°, G.
Barrow, W. Guinness, R. Peel,*Gen
Beaumont, W. Gurney, 5. Pennant, Col. E.
Bentinck, G. Hale, R. Perry, Sir T.
Beresford, Rt. Tin. W. Hankey, T. Pilkington, J.
Blackburn, Peter Pestle, Alex. Portal, M.
Bolder°, Col. H. G. Headlam, T. Renton, G.
Bramley-Moore, J. Henley, J. Ricardo, 0.
Brockleburst, J. Hill, Lord A. E. Reit, P.
Brown, W. Holford, R. Sawle, C.
Buck, G. Horsfall, T. B. Seymer, 11,
Campbell, Sir A. llotham, Lord Seymour, Lord
Caulfield. Col. 5. Rutchins, B. Shirley, E.
Cayley. B. Yr ton. S. Smith. W. '
Cecil, Lord B. sr jolnire. Sir W. Smoilett,tA. ?
Child, Smith Beating, H. S. Somerville, Sir W.
Cholmondelcy, Lord Kinnaird, A. Spooner, R.
Christie, Samuel K nal ehbull, W. Stafford, A.
Clive, lloil. R. 11. Knightley, R. Staftle, Le C,
Coorineton, Sir C. W. Knox, IV. S. SArlin.g, W.
Cole, 11. A. Laiuton, W. Stewai t, Sir M.
Colville, C. R. Lam, ton, 11. G. Stuart, W.
Coote, sir C. H. Leslie, C. P. Sutton, J.
Corry, 11. T. L. Liddell, H. G. Taylor, Col.
Crauford. E. Ti. J. Lindsay, Col. J. Tomline, G.
Dering. Sir E. Lockhart, W. Tyler, Sir G.
Disraeli, B. Lovaine, Lord Vance, J.
DungaiYan, Viscount T,,,wz. I: Vansittart, G.
Donne, Col. Lushinton, C. Walpole. S.
Elaington, Viscount Macartney, G. Welby, Sir G.
Egertol, B. C. Macgregor, Jas. Whitmore, H.
Flee E. Mslins, R. Wilkinson, W.
Ewan, W. Mandeville, Vis. Winnington, Sir T.
Swart, J. Manners, Lord G. Woodd, B.
Farnham, E. Manners, Lord .T. Wyndham, Gen.
Fenwick, 11. Marjoribanks, D. Wyndham, W
Fergus, .1. . Meux, Sir 11. Wynn. Lieut.. Col.
Ferguson, sir J. 3lills, T. Wynne. W.
Fitzgerald, IV. Michell, W. TELLERS
Fleyer, J. Montgomery,, IL Phillimore, J. G.
Forester, Col. Mowbray, 5. B. George, J.

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, , , + Handicap Plate of 70/. for three-yr-011K.nialiTpiards. - .:.-4
BM. N ‘'..'--"'•-,- : i • /
4111 /mssP*75, ~
. - Mr. Payne's Spinaway, 4 yrs, Bst 7lb .2iattnatt) si. .
Baron Willamowitz'sGeorgy, 8 yrs, 7st 51b (T.S ~.: gles)
m.
Mr. Swan's Freckle, 3 yrs, 6st 1111) (J. • ogeri)3
Roving Betsy, Foam, and. Julia also ran.
13etting-2 to 1 agst Freckle, -4 to 1 each agst Spin-
• away and Georgy. Won by a length and a half ; a head
between the second and third, and half a length between
the third and fourth. The others were tailed off.
The Chesterfield Stakes of 30 says each, 20 ft, for two-
yr-o,!s ; colts, Bst 71b ; and fillies Bst 41b ; the winner
of the July
Stakes, 9113 ; the second horse, 41b extra.
Last half of B.M.
36 subs.
Mr. Fenning's Flyaway, Bst 4lb (J. Mann) 1
Lord Exeter's f by Alarm—Little Fairy, Bst 41b
(Norman) 2
Mr. H. Thornton's Lawn, Bst 71b (T. Cliff) 3
The following also ran :—liiird-in-hand, Blue-rock,
Maid of Masham, Pincher, Brother to Orinoco.
Betting-5 to 4on 13ird-in-band, 4to 1 agst Flyaway,
5 to 1 apt' Brother to Orinoco, 6 to 1 agst Pincher, 10
to 1 agst any other. Brother to Orinoco, with Flyaway
second, and Little Fairy filly third, made the running to
the foot of the hill, where Flyaway
went in advance,
followed by Little Fairy filly ; a good race in with the
two ended in favour of Flyaway by half a length ; same
distance between the second and third ; Brother to Ori-
noco [and the favourite, who was evidently g, all to
pieces," were the next two ; the former being about half
a length behind the third, and a good neck befOre the
favourite, who was fifth.
Plate of 501., for two•yr-olds and upwards. Optional
selling weights. Last half of B.M.
Mr. Payne's Strutaway, 4 yrs (801.), 7st 51b
(J. Steggles) 1
Capt. Lane's Persia, 2 yrs (801.), sst 21b (Plumb) 2
Mr. ICenyon's Merry Monk, 4 yrs (40/.), est 121 b
(T. Cliff) 3
The following also ran :—Maid of the Mill, Loybourne,
Footstep, Masquerade, Latitude, and Saba.
Betting-5 to 4 agst Strutaway, 4to 1 agst Maid of
the Mill, 5 to 1 each agst Merry Monk and Persia.
Won very easily by two lengths ; a length each between
the second, third, and fourth. Brilliant weather made
amends for the paucity of sport. The attendance was
scanty, most of the professionals having left on the pre-
vious afternoon for Worcester. The last train being at
half-past one, a special train steamed out from the station
at three, and the journey back, to London was _
.110041, -: .
comfortably performed in about two sours. . - .

y

WORCESTER SUMMER MEETING.—TuunsDAY:
The Trial Stakes, a handicap of 5 trove each, with 30
added. One mile and a quarter. 9 subs.
Mr. Waller's Octavia, 6 yrs, Bst (Wakefield) 1
Mr. Hewitt's Postulant, 5 yrs, 7st 91b (Wells) 2
Mr. J. Davis's Titterstone, aged, 9st (W. White)
Evangeline and Timotheus also ran.
Betting-5 to 2 each agst Octavia and Timotheus, 3
to 1 agst Evangeline, 4to 1 agst Postulant. Won by a
head. Timotheus bolted, and rejoined the leading horses
by a short cut ; he came in third, a head behind Postu-
lant, and about three lengths in advance of Titterstone ;
Evangeline close up with the latter.
The Two-Yr-Old Stakes of 10 sovs each, with 50 added ;
colts, Bst 71b ; fillies, Bst 41b ; certain winners extra.
T.Y.C. 6 subs.
Mr. E. Parr's Stork, Bst 71b (Quinton) 1
Mr. Halford's Fisherman, Bst 71b
Mr. Capel's Duet, Bst 41b
The following also ran :—St. Dunstan, La Victime,
and Pretty Boy.
Betting—Even on Stork, 5 to 2 agst Fisherman, 7 to
2 agst Duet, sto 1 agst La Victime. Won by a neck,
a head between the second and third, and a length be-
tween the third and fourth. The other two beaten off.
The Worcestershire Stakes, a handicap of 10 sovs each,
5 ft, and 3 only if declared, &e., with 100 added.
The second to save his stake. The winner of a handis
cap value 100 sovs after the declaration of the weights
51b extra. About one mile and a half. 77 subs, 41
of whom paid 3 sovs each.
Mr. Barber's Domino, 4 yrs, 7st 91b (J. Forster) 1
Mr. T. Dawson's Herald, 3 yrs, Est 41b (Bates) 2
Mr. J. Osborne's Gamelad, 4 yrs, 6st 51b (Bearpark) 3
The following also ran :—Whalebone, Eulogist, White-
lock, Alma, Field Marshal, and Lucy Lockit.
Betting-5 to 2 agst Herald, 9to 2 agst Eulogist, 5
to 1 agst Domino, 6 to 1 agst Lucy Lockit, 8 to 1 each
agst Whitelock and Whalebone, 10 to 1 agst any other.
Won after a good race in by a head, a neck between the
second and third, a length between the third and fourth;
Whitelock was .fifth, Lucy Lockit sixth, Field Marshal
and Alma were seventh and eighth. Eulogist was
pulled up, and did not pass the post.
The Selling Stakes of 5 soya each, with 30 added ; for
two-yr-olds and upwards. The winner to be sold for
2001. ; allowances if for less, &c. One mile and a
quarter. 7 subs.
Mr. I. Day's Eothorpe, aged (401.), Bst 31b (Wakefield) 1
Mr. Morris's Virtuous, 3 yrs (801.), 7st ...(Munday) 2
Mr. Holman's See Clear, 3 yrs (401.), Est 71b
• . (Holman. jun.) 3
The following also-ran :—Cockspur, Sleeping Partner,
Pyrrhus the First, Shelah.
Betting-2 to 1 agst Virtuous, 3to 1 agst Hollorpe •
5 and 6to 4 betted on the two. Won by six lengths.
A. length between second and third ; same distance be-
tween third and fourth. Shelah bolted, and fell into a
ditch. The winner was bought in again for SO guineas.
The Witley Court Handicap of 5 sovs each, with 30
added. One mile and a quarter. 6 subs.
Mr. Doughty' s Blossom, 4 yrs, 7st 81b (Wells) 0 1
Mr. Morris's Eulogist, 5 yrs, Bst 41b (Basham) 0 2
Mr. J. Hewitt's Postulant, 5 yrs 7st 121 b (Ashmall) 3
Mr. J. Davies's Gaylad, aged, Bst 101 b (W. White) 4
A fine race in ended in a dead heat with Blossom and
Eulogist, who beat Postulant by a neck.
Deciding Heat-6 to 4 on Blossom, who won by a
bead.