The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-22 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER.

DARING STREET RossEny.—Michael Branlan, a low
looking fellow, was charged with the following daring
street robbery. .

Philip Taylor, 18, Lower Eaton-street, Pimlico, said—l
was walking in Victoria-street, near the hotel, between
seven and eight last night, when the prisoner and three or
four other men suddenly came up to me and asked me the
way to Victoria station. Then they asked me the distance,
and put the question over and over again, and were not
satisfied. While they were asking these questions they
got round me pretty closely all together, and suddenly I saw
the end of my watch guard sticking out, and on looking
down I missed my watch, and then I saw the prisoner run-
ning away with it. I pursued him, and he ran very sharply.
I was joined by others, and we kept sight of him through
Belgrave-street. Ranelagh-street, and Eaton-square. I
ran him to a dead standstill in Brewer-street, and then I
asked him to give me my watch, and he took it out of his
pocket and gave it me. It is worth 10 guineas.

Mr. Selfe—Do you wish to ask the witness any questions,
prisoner ?
Prisoner—Yes, I do, your worship. (To prosecutor)
Now, mind you're on your oath, and will you swear that
I came up and asked you any questions ?
Prosecutor—Yes, I will. You were one of the party that
asked me so many questions, and that is how you got the
opportunity to take my watch.

Mr. Selfe—ls prisoner known ?
Policeman—He has been in custody, and I think I can
produce a former conviction against him.

Prisoner was remanded.

THAMES.

During the last fortnight the public business of the Thames
Police Court has been carried on in a small room in front
of tho building in Arbour-street, East, while the Court,
has been under repair: This morning the Court was re-
opened and was soon filled with the usual motley group of
listeners, among whom the disorderlies, roughs, and prosti-
tutes of Ratcliff Hignway, Shadwell, and Tiger-bay, were
most prominent. The ventilation has been improved, and
it is hoped that people frequenting the court will in future
be relieved of the foul smells which have been so long com-
plained of. There is a special entrance for solicitors, but
people of every description are permited to pass through it
to the manifest discomfiture of those with keys who have the
entree. The passage leading from the street to the principal
entrance was as usual nearly filled with prostitutes wearing
large and ugly crinolines, and it was difficult to pass
between them. This long-standing nuisance should be
discontinued, and the solicitors' entrance reserved for those
for whom it was intended, instead of permitting it to be
invaded by the tagrag and bobtail of the district. The
housekeeper, Mr. Denny, does all in his power to regulate
the traffic and accommodate respectable persons, but the
influx of roughs and prostitutes is so great that his efforts
are quite ineffectual to preserve order and decency at all
times. The words "magistrates' private entrance" on the
large door in the middle of the building have been erased.
It was considered that their worships and the clerks of the
court were so well acquainted with this place of
entrance and exit that there was no occasion to make it
known to the world at large, more particularly as the prin-
cipal entrance to the court is sufficiently indicated by the
words "Thames Police Court, Public Entrance," being
painted in large letters on the door. Many foolish and
wicked persons believe they can influence the magistrates
by sending private letters to them on matters pending before
the Court, but directly it is ascertained that any communi-
cation relates to a case to be heard it is consigned to the
flames immediately, while the writer if discovered is sure, to
receive a severe rebuke in the course of the hearing.
._? ho
removal of the inscription on the magistrate's
door
w;ilvj,
ate
is believed, go far to abate the illegal Prae!lede-coaftfon of a
letter writing, for there will be no longer any
" private door" where they are to be lett, at lestiscwhhisiltehae
opinion of Mr. Denny, the housekeeper, althoughh
letter-box exists in the door, ands he ble re is suc
preve anntinfesetilteutainond
as the Post•ofThre it will be irnpito
rogues writing to the magistrates whenever they think
proper.
r. Woolrych commenced hearing the applications for
M
and warrants The
hatearng of the night
lil o'clock. The
advice, eummonsesy
la
applicants were 60 in number.
charges were thenproceede ewrith, and are likely to be con-
tinued until a late hour. The black eyes, bruised faces,
broken heads, and other casualties were more than usually
numerous.