The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-03 00:00:00

THE SUNDAY RIOT IN HYDE-PARK.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET POLICE COURT.
A dense mob assembled before the police-court at an
early hour to hear the result of the complaints against
70 persons taken into custody on Sunday in Hyde-park
for various felonies, for throwing stones, and disorderly
conduct. When Mr. Hardwick, the sitting magistrate,
made his appearance in the street, for the purpose of
taking his seat on the bench, the mob began, some to
cheer and some to hoot ; several persons cried out "Act
with justice," and one person flung a stone, which, how-
ever, missed the magistrate and struck a person near
him. Mr. Hardwick having entered the court was in
the act of passing one of the windows, when a stone
was flung from the street, which broke a pane of glass,
but did no further damare. Mr. Hardwick, who took
these attacks with unruffled temper, intimated to the in.-
specter that if the persons outside persisted in their dis-
orderly conduct he would procure the assistance of suffi-
cient civil force and cause the street and avenues of the
court to be cleared,

A pause of three hours took place, in consequence of
a doubt which existed as to the Home-office allowing the
charges to be heard at this court, a power being vested
in the Home-office of removing charges to ,Bow-street,
to be heard there. This power has been several times
exercised With reference to cases arising within the
jurisdiction of this court, and always with great incon-
venience to all parties—prosecutors, witnesses, and pri-
soners. In one instance—the murder of Lord William
Russell—the removal of the case to Bow-street had
nearly led to the defeat of justice, as important evidence
was furnished to this Court which only by something
like an accident reached Bow-street in sufficient time to
insure the conviction of the murderer.

About one o'clock Mr. Ballantine entered the court,
and, addressing the magistrate, said—Sir, I humbly beg
to ask you, as,there are a number of persons in custody,
to older the Police Inspector to bring them into court,
that we may hear what the charges are.
Mr. Hardwick—l am prepared to go on with the busi-
nem which now rests with the police, I believe.

. _
Ballantine —They are here in custody, and again
I ask that they may at once be brought into court ; un-
less, indeed, the inspector does not wish them to be
brought before an impartial tribunal.
Inspector Lester—l have no wish in the matter ;I am
merely waiting for orders.
Mr. Hardwick—The inspector can have nothing to do
with this delay ; he is only acting under the orders of his
superior officers.

Mr. Ballantine—At present I appeal for two of the
accused, but most probably I shall appear for all the
others,

Another delay of more than an hour took place, in
which time the number of prisoners was considerably
augmented in consequence of the conduct of the mob
outside, and the necessity for police interference.
At last Mr. Hardwick informed the professional gen-
tlemen that the charges were to be heard at the court,
and would be proceeded with as soon as the Crown
counsel appeared,

At 3 o'clock Mr. Herring, who appeared for one of the
defendants, applied to have the case heard. His client
had been taken into custody at three o'clock yesterday,
had been kept in custody ever since, and was now in a
crowded room below almost suffocated with the heat.
His client's case was one of great hardship, as he was an
apprentice, and his character was at stake as well as
future prospects. He attributed no fault to the magis-
trate, but he must blame those in authority who were
the cause of this unjustifiable delay.
Mr. Ballantine—l must say that I never in the whole
coy

Jurse of my life witnessed anything so scandalous as
the conduct of Government from the beginning to the
end of this business. The disturbance that occurred
yesterday, it is well known, was occasioned by the bad
management of those in authority, and, after the per-
sons who were apprehended have been in custody so
many hours, I really think they have a right to know
why they are detained. You hear, Sir, that a respect-
able lad is in custody, and yet there is not a soul present
to tell you on what ground or to explain any charge
against him.
Mr. Hardwick—No doubt this delay is extremely in-
convenient to us all. The prisoners may be detained
until a late hour before their cases are determined ; they
are in the custody of the police, and until the sheets are
before me I cannot hear evidence.

Mr. Ballantine—Either they aro before you, or they
are not. I want that tested. The persons accused are
at this court.

Mr. Hardwick— They are in the custody of the police,
but I can have no cognisance of the fact until they are
brought in the regular way before me, and the inspector
proceeds to charge A, B, C, or D with an offence.
Mr. Herring—l do not Wish to cstst the ohghteet re,