The Sun.
London, England, 1839-10-07 00:00:00

BOW-STREET.

ATTEMPT TO EVADE THE NEW POLICE AqT.—
Hyman Goldsmith, a tobacconist in New-street, Covent-
garden, appeared to a summons charging him with
having sold a certain fermented liquor, called ginger
beer, during the hours of divine service, on the morning
of Sunday last. The defendant pleaded Guilty. Mr. Hall
thereupon desired Inspector Mullins to state the par-
ticulars of the case, and that officer stated that since the
passing of the New Police Act, which compelled pub-
licans to keep their houses closed until one o'clock on
Sundays, several shops had been opened in the neigh-
bourhood of Coveat.garden (among them was that of
the defendant), avowedly for the sale of ginger beer
and soda water, but in reality for the sale of a
beverage of a mucli stronger nature. Those houses
were now the resort of prostitutes and other low cha-
racters, who were unable, as formerly, to take their
drains at gin palaces on a Sunday morning. In the
present case be was only prepared with proof that
the defendant had sold ginger beer, but ho knew
that his house was open on the morning in question
fur the reception of prostitutes and other improper
characters.

Mr. HALL said that, as licensed victuallers were com-
pelled by the new law to keep their houses closed on
Sunday mornings, it could not be tolerated that persons
like the defendant should be allowed to evade that law,
to the great injury of those who complied with its pro-
visions. He hoped the police would look sharply after
houses of that description, for he was determined that
while on the one hand licensed victuallers were compelled
to obey the new law, that on the other its provisions
should not be evaded by persons who pretended to carry
on some other description of business. He then fined
the defendant 20s. and costs.

Mr. White, landlord of the Crown public-house, in
Stanhope-street, pleaded guilty to a charge of having
refused to admit Inspector Mullins of the F division of
police to his house at half past four o'clock in the morn-
ing of Sunday last.

The defendant having expressed his regret, and pro-
mised not to offend again, Mr. HALL fined him in the
mitigated penalty of ss. and costs, which he imme-
diately paid.
DEFEAT OF INFORSIERS.—The clause in the New
Police Act which allows Magistrates to award com-
mon informers a portion only of the fines they may in-
flict on offenders, or refuse to grant them any part of
them if they think proper, has almost knocked up the
profession, and the respectable members of it have for
the last few weeks been hanging about the police-
offices, have nothing else to do. However, on Saturday,
Thomas Ransom, one of the fraternity, again com-
menced business, by summoning a Mr. Drowitr, for not
having his n ►me and address painted on the off side of
the cart. The defendant proved that the cart was
neither more nor less than a truck, that he had lent it to
a neghbour, who had employed it in removing a heavy
load, and had for the purpose attached a horse to it by
means of ropes.
Mr. HALL thought the defendant liable to be fined
five shillings, but refused to award any part of the pe-
nalty to the informer.
In a similar case that was afterwards called on, the
defendant was fined five shillings, and half the amount
awarded to the informer.