The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-21 00:00:00

riLE LATE DLSTURBANCES IN HYDE•

PARK.

INQUIRY INTO THE ALLEGED MISCONDUCT
OF THE POLICE-(THIS DAY.)

The Commissioners took their seats this morning in
the Court of Exchequer shortly after 11 o'clock.
Mr. Joseph Albert Planchard, upholsterer, 41, More-
ton-place, Pimlico, was in the Park from four to seven
o'clock. He saw a man in a cab struck violently by a
policeman with his truncheon. The man's hands ap-
peared to be tied together, and he held them up as if to
ward off the blows. The conduct of Superintendent
Hughes was like that of a maniac. In consequence of a
policeman 'ill-using a boy a female remonstrated with
him on his cruelty, when fie replied, " What the b—
h business have you here?" As witness was about
to take the policeman's number he was told by a man in
the crowd to mind what he was about, because persons
had been apprehended for doing it. He saw police-
sergeant 31 D on a boy on the ground, who was bleed-
ing very much from the mouth. Witness could not say
if the lad was a pickpocket. He thought he looked too
respectahle for that.
Chief Commissioner 'Wortley—Pickpockets are very
respectable in appearance, according to my experience.
Witness could identify the sergeant. He saw police-
man; 375 A strike a man, saying, "he would let day-
light into his b— guts," and kicked him. He saw the
same policeman using unnecessary violence to a lad he
had in custody.
Mr. Z. Berry, engineer, Albion Works, 'Wilton-road,
Pimlico, was in the Park in company with the last wit-
ness, and corroborated his evidence, adding that he saw
the boy knocked down by the policeman. Ile violently
thrust the end of his truncheon against the lad's mouth,
which pushed him down, and the policeman fell over
him. The crowd cried " Shame," and the policeman ap-
peared to be thoroughly ashamed of his conduct. The
conduct of the B division was exemplary. He saw a
lady's bonnet, such as Punch describes as an " oyster,
shell," knocked off her head by a policeman's truncheon,
and her hair streaming in the wind. The people he
hayed well. He saw five or six stones thrown at a cab
conveying persons to the station-house.
Mr. E. N. Ayrton, barrister, of Lincoln's-inn, gave
evidence of the peaceable disposition of the people pre-
vious to the misconduct of the police. There was not
one-tithe of the noise usual on a Lord Mayor's-day. He
saw 387 A strike several boys of twelve and fourteen
years of age violently on the back with his truncheon as
they were running away from the police.
Cross-examined by Mr. Ellis—He would not Fay
positively that 387 A struck the boys ; he struck at
them ' • had he struck them he should have thought they
would have fallen down.
Mr. Thomas Couchman, landlord of the Windsor
Castle, Pimlico, was in the Park from three to half-past
four o'clock. Witness described the conduct of one of the
mounted police, who, he believed, was Superintendent
Hughes He was a pale complexion man, riding a ches-
nut or light bay horse.
Chief Commissioner Wortley said he thought it might
be taken as a fact it was Superintendent Hughes, and
that he had supreme command on this day.
Mr. Ellice said he was there, and bad supreme com-
mand, but there was a discrepancy in the witness's de-
scription of the man.
Chief Commissioner Wortley said that he thought it
had been established that Superintendent Hughes had
the chief command on this day, and anything that was
done wrong in that particular quarter he would have to
answer for. If any spec fib charge was brought against the
superinte. dent, it would be necessary to be particular in
his identity.
Witness stated that when he was more than 50 yards
from the railing he saw the police make an attack on
the people, beating them right and left. Two men were
brutally struck by the police, and had their clothes torn
off their backs. He detailed other cases of ill-usage on
the part of the police generally. He saw Superintendent
Hughes strike at the people with his whip. It caused
great excitement, many observing he ought to be un-
•horsed. The conduct of the police on this occasion was
reprehensible. Their conduct generally was exemplary,
and he had always rendered them assistance when they
required it. lie had no animosity against the police.
He had been- a licensed victualler for 27 years and never
had a complaint made against him. He saw two females
on the ground in the park, but he could not say if they
were knocked down by the police.
Mr. John Blandford army case maker, 24, Tothill-
street, Westminster, was in the park from 4 till 6
o'clock. He was not in the habit of going there,
but did so that afternoon from seeing the prohibitory
notice of the police. He saw a superintendent
on a "pale horse" make an attack on an old grey-headed
aristocratical-looking gentleman. He saw 385 A
strike a young man on the left arm, who was struck by
two other policemen at the same time and felled to the
ground. After this the man on the "pale horse" made
his appearance, which was the signal for general hiss

ing. Another charge was ordered by him, in which 385
A took a prominent part, the leading policeman of the
body saying
"he would have no more of it." 385 A
lifted his truncheon to strike a stout boy—"a buffalo
cut down"—(laughter)—but the boy threatening to
knock him down, the policeman desisted. 385
A caught a man by the collar, and as he held him
struck him a violent blow on the lower part of

. -
the back.— He joined with several in conversation
on the Sunday Trading Bill. The meeting was
anything but political.
Mr. Geo. Kimpton, book-finisber,!3l, Wardour-street,
Soho, was in the Park from four o'clock till Six o'clock.
There was a little hissing as a carriage or horse passed
by. He saw two horses rather startled by the noise, aLd
the police in consequence rush on the .people. He saw
several ladies in broughams, who appeared to enjoy their
ride.
Mr. James Bawstead, commercial traveller, 36, Far-
ringdon-street, was in the park with his wife, from 4 to
5 o'clock, they were on their way to lirompton to see a
friend. The people coming along in a body he took hold
of the railing to protect himself and wife. The Inspector
on the chesnut horse ordered the police to " take that
fellow into custody with the light waistcoat and gloves,"
meaning witness. The police seized him and dragged
him over the railings and along the drive.