The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-24 00:00:00

tion the superintendents bad obtained they had every
reason to believe there would he a large meeting on the
Ist of July in Hyde park. He received them on the
Friday previous, and that with the statements
he read in the public papers caused him to
communicate with the Secretary of State, when a notice
was issued cautioning the people against assembling in
the Park on the Ist of July. It was posted on Satur-
day afternoon and evening, and on Sunday morning at
all the entrances to the Park. The notice received the
sanction of the legal authorities, and of the Secretary of
State. The notice was read stating the illegality of
such a meeting, and called on well-disposed persons to
abstain from going there.
Chief Commissioner Wortley—When a disturbance is
anticipated, is it not usual to have a royal proclamation?
Sir R. Mayne—No ;he had never known a Royal
proclamation issued under such circumstances. He
then read the police notice he issued to the body, dated
June 30, 1855. One inspector, 2 sergeants, 20 con-
stables, were to be stationed at half-past 9at Lord
Robert Grosvenor's residence, and remain until 11
o'clock, and then, if all were right, to return toVine-street
station ; patrols, however, to be in the neighbour-
hood of his lordship's house at an earlier hour,
and observe if any persons were likely to .as-
semble there or cause a disturbance, and report
immediately to the inspectors if anything occurred. A
similar precaution was to be observed at 2 o'clock; and
later four superintendents, six inspectors, 24 sergeants,
and 250 men were to be stationed at different places in
Hyde-park, who were instructed to act in accordance
with the printed notice ; and any person addressing, or
attempting to address, the people, shouting, or acting
calculated to create a disturbance or frighten horses, to
be cautioned as to the consequences, and required to
desist. If not desist to be removed, and, if necessary,
taken into custody and sent to Vine-street Police-'.ta-
tion. Persons standing at ease or sitting down on the
grass were to be requested to move about. Reports
were to be forwarded to the Commissioner's office. Su-
perintendent Hughes, in consequence of the absence of
Superintendent May, his senior, had charge of the force
in Hyde-park, and was directed to report to the Com-
missioner every half-hour. Superintendent Hughes
joined the H division in 1830, was promoted sergeant in
1831, inspector in 1836, and superintendent of D division
in 1844. At 2 o'clock he reported all was quiet and but
few persons about ; half-past 2 o'clock all perfectly quiet,
at present very few persons about and those orderly. 3
o'clock. Since I last reported the number of persons have
increased, and are wending their way to the receiving-
house and waiting about on the grass on the north side
of the Serpentine. All is quiet—no speakers ; half-past
3 o'clock, there is considerable noise and commotion
near the receiving-house by large numbers of persons
assembling there. A reserve of fifty men has
been sent for from the Marble Arch. 4 o'clock.—Large
numbers of persons are about, and several have been
taken into custody. It has been found necessary to dis-
perse them by force from the railing. No accidents
have yet occurred to horses or carriages. Very few
passed the receiving-house. Half-past 4 o'clock.—The
number of persons do not seem to increase ; occasionally
shouts arise. 12 prisoners have been sent from the re-
ceivirg-house. Very few carriages and equestrians pass
the receiving-house. 5 o'clock.—The numbers are not
on the increase near the receiving-house. Six-
teen persons, or more, having been seen sent
away in cabs to Vine-street, has produced
effects. (Laughter.) There is not so much noise as there
wag. The numbers in the Park I expect will shortly
greatly diminish, and not require harsh interference.
Half-past 5 o'clock.—The number of persons in the Park
is diminishing. Few carriages are passing, and it is
quieter than it was. I do not see much necessity for
the police to actively interfere. 6 o'clock.—The number
of persons in the Park is sensibly diminishing every
quarter of an hour, and the police is sufficient for every-
thing. All is quiet, no noise or shouting, and by 7
o'clock no doubt the Park will be deserted. 50
prisoners have been taken to Vine-street station. 7
o'clock.—All is quiet in the Park. No persons are now
arrested ; and by Bor quarter-past 8 o'clock I think the
police, except 50 or 100 might be sent away. The
greatest number present is estimated from 40,000 to
50,000. 8 o'clock.—At 20 minutes to 8 o'clock appli-
cation was made by a sergeant from the Magazine Bar-
racks for a number of police, as the people were
pelting the soldiers with stones. 50 men were in-
stantly sent. All is crow quiet, and I intend to dis-
miss the men of the S T and G divisions at 9 o'clock, and
the others gradually after that hour. ' In reply to the
above reports, and from information he obtained from
the messenger, who was a policeman in plain clothes,
he sent back instructions to Superintendent Hughes.
One was to disperse all attempted rioting, and another
was that all persons who took part in the shouting, or
causing any disturbance, or encouraged others to do so,
should be removed at a distance from the carriage way.
Any assemblages or groups of persons of a disorderly
character to be dispersed. He received another report
from another inspector relative to the stoning of the
soldiers. He received a report, dated half-past six
o'clock, from Superintendent O'Brien, who had charge
of the police in Park-street. It stated that a riotous
mob of about 4,000 persons had assembled in Park-
street from the park in front of Lord Robert Grosvenor's
house. The police soon dispersed them ; but he was sorry
to say that whilst doing so some were hurt.
Mr. Chief Commissioner Wortley—What do you un-
derstand by that ?—Was it the police or the people who
were hurt I
Sir R. Mayne—Some of the people ; but some of the
police were likewise injured. The report further stated
that no prisoner had been taken to Vine-street previous
to their arrival. All was then tranquil. A return he
had made from the charge-sheets showed that 10 per-
sons were apprehended for felony ; 20 for assaults on
the police, of whom 9 were discharged, 5 of them by
entering into their own ree egnisances ; 18 for re-
sisting the police, 13 of whom were discharged ; 24 for
throwing stones, none of whom were discharged. He
found that, connected with the proceedings of the Ist
July, 4 police were assaulted ; 1 struck in the
back with a stone slightly, 1 knocked down by
a blow on the head, and slightly cut ; 1 thrown
down and slightly injured ; one eye blackened from a
stone thrown at him. Sir Richard then read further
45 assaulted, 7 kicked, 25 struck with stones, and 13
struck with sticks and pieces of hurdles. One prisoner
rescued, but not injured. He considered Superinten-
dent Hughes eminently qualified for such a duty as that
on the Ist of July from his antecedents, and Sir Richard
entered at length into his past services, observing
that public bodies had petitioned for his services
on account of his tact and judgment where large num-
bers of persons congregated. The stewards of Ascot
recently presented Superintendent Hughes with 101.
gratuity for his services at the races over his expenses.
Every policeman has a book of regulations presented
him before his appointment, and he belongs to a pro-
bationary class, where he is questioned as to their
regulations, before he goes on duty.
Mr. Chief Commissioner Wortley asked Sir Richard,
seeing that in the regulations inspectors had the power
of taking bail in cases of petty misdemeanour, or offences
of summary conviction, how it was that bail was refused
to persons apprehended on the Ist of July ? Were any
special instructions regarding bail sent by him to the
police-office ?
Sir R. Mayne—There were.
Mr. Chief Commissioner Wortley—What were the
instructions ?
Sir R. Mayne—At 10 o'clock on Sunday night the
superintendent of Vine-street station sent to know, as
the cells were crowded, if he Might remove some of the
prisoners to Marylebone station. He was at that time
speaking to an inspector as to the propriety of taking
bail, and he (Sir R. Mayne) thought, from looking at
the act, that the persons in custody, being apprehended
for rioting, did not come within the meaning of the
act relative to bailable cases. At that time
probably the parties might have been charged with the
serious offence of rioting. It was no until after consul-
tation with the law authorities that he knew how the
prisoners were to be charged. It was a matter of pru-
dence, and not of law, that made the charges of
summary convictions, that the feeling of excitement
might sooner die away.
Mr. Chief Commissioner Wortley—On Monday night
bail was taken Were any fresh instructions given ?
Sir Richard Mayne—No, none whatever. He pre-
sumed then it was known the persons were to be charged
with minor offences. He had seen no occasion to alter
his opinion. It was not his duty to inspect the cells in
Vine-street ! The station was•the old watch-house, and
had been much improved of late. The cells were neces-
sary for ordinary purposes. •
Mr. Chief Commissioner Wortley said the commis-
sioners had inspected the cells, and considered them in
tolerably good, condition. They were small and dark,
but many of the witnesses they thought had been mis-
taken as to the ventilation.
Mr. Commissioner Armstrong—The long cell it ap-
pears to me, can never keep dry.
Sir Richard Mayne said he must refer the Commis-
sioners to the surveyor with reference to the state of the
cells. . •

ditauhylreserves
placed near
_......
Cross-examined by Mr. Mitchell—He received no
communication from the Home-office in particular
relative to the arrangements he made other than the
issuing of the notices. No orders were given him in writ-
ing, because it was not usual to do so.
Mr. Mitchell—As to carrying out the police arrange-
menti do you take the responsibility on yourseif?
Sir It. Mayne—The question is so comprehensive I
cannot understand it.
Mr. Mitchell said be thought Sir Richard was inclined
to fence with his question.
Sir Richard Mayne said he was not.
Mr. Chief Commissioner Wortley said he thought that
1 wwaosulnadorlt,rithe case. Sir Richard had been questioned as
tob his instructions, which were of a confidential manner
to Parliament,
stated no him and the Home-office, who was responsible
ment,
i\,ainadyintewas not to be expected Sir Richrud
p 4:
On Sunday,
Richardethean2
thfs were
of
the
notice
echonufidential communications. He
u‘nnvo specific directions given by the Secretary
of State.
said that with the exception of the
received no special instructions.
he had about 30 men in the
instruc-
tions were given to prevent carriages
at hand- No
the park. Arrangements wecrarriages from going into
made on the 30th June
to prevent a meeting taking pleace
when he went to the park and saw
he was amazed.
d saw the turn it
had taken and the people hooting. If
he thought he might have had a thousandg. men
necessaryi
n the
park in two or three hours. Although he had but 120
men in the park that day he had a sufficient force a
hand to interfere if necessary. There were instances
of violation of the law on that day, but the police did
not take the persons into custody, because, he being
present, did not order them to do so. He thought it
would not have been judicious in him to have had no
larger force on the Ist July on the ground than on the
124th of June. That number could not have kept the
park in order on Ist July, but would have resulted more
seriously. He looked on the Ist of July as a meeting