The Sun.
London, England, 1862-10-25 00:00:00

SOUTHWARK.

A SKITTLE SHARPER CAUGHT IN HIS OWN TRAP.—
John Bruce, a middle-aged man, was brought before Mr.
Burcham charged with defrauding James E. Lane out of
£lO by skittle-sharping.

When the case was called on the prosecutor did not make
his appearance ; but police. constable 302 A said that last
night he was on duty in Kingsgate-street, Holborn, when
he was called in by a gentleman, who pointed at the pri-
soner, and said that he had swindled him out of £lO in
June last. Witness asked him in what manner, when the
prosecutor replied that in the middle of Juno last he met
the prisoner near London-bridge, and got into conversation
with him. They afterwards adjourned to the Flying Horse
beer-shop, when a game of skittles was suggested. Wit-
ness asked him if he played with the prisoner. He replied
that he did not; but he put a £lO note down as a bet,
and the prisoner called out that he had won it, and
snatching it up, bolted out of the house. The
prosecutor further told him that he went in pursuit of
him, but he escaped. He saw no more of him until Sunday
evening, when he happened to call on a friend in a coffee-
house in Kingsgate-street, Holborn. Singular to relate,
about half an hour afterwards the prisoner came in, and sat
down at the same table and suggested a game of cards.
The prosecutor at once recognised him, and said he had no
objection, but he must retire for a few moments. He ac-
cordingly came out of the house and called in witness. As
soon as he entered the prisoner begged hard to be allowed
to go, and passed something to the prosecutor, which turned
out to be a £5-note and three sovereigns. Witness took
him into custody, but he was satisfied that Mr. Lane did
not intend to come forward and prosecute.
Mr. Edwin, on the part of the accused, urged his wor-
ship to discharge his client, as there was nothing to show
that any fraud had been committed.
Mr. Burcham observed that as there was no prosecutor
the prisoner must be discharged.—Discharged accordingly.

THAMES.
NON-COLLECTION OP A POOR RATE.—At 12 o'clock,
Mr. Isaacs and Mr. Creighton, overseers of the parish of
St. Paul, Shadwell, sought the advice of Mr. Selfo on a
i
matter of great importance which was exciting much n.
terest in the district, and had caused some amount of dis-
cord. The parish of Shadwell had been for a long time
in litigation with the London Dock Company as to the
assessment of the dock company's premises. An award
had been made in favour of the parish, and the dock com-
pany paid £6,40'), one moiety of the debt owing. A rate
was made in July last, but the parish having sud-
denly become possessed of so much ready cash,
there was no necessity to collect the rate, and a notice to
that effect had been distributed among
the parishioners.
Mr. Selfe—You must collect the rate. It has been duly
made, and signed and allowed by me. It is as broad as it
is long. When you have obtained the money you will
have no occasion to make another rate until it is expended.
Mr. Isaacs---We acted on the advice of Mr. Peter Mel-
lish, our vestry clerk.
Mr. Selfe—Mr. Mellish has advised you wrongly. A
poor rate once made and signed must be collected. You
ni c
agreedadjournrat rate
had better set about it as soon as possible.
Mr. Creighton said there was a stormy vestry meeting on
Thursday night, and the majority of the rate payers were
of o pin that
the t
ocollectthede.op
opinion
was,on
o f
however,
oughtth e vestry b
e until
the magistrate who signed the rate had been taken.
Mr. Solfe said the majority of the vestry had decided
rightly.
Mr. Isaacs—And we can enforce payment of the rate
made in July last.

Mr. Selfe—Certainly you can. You are not authorised
to forego the rate. I have to congratulate you on the
parish of Shadwell being so rich. You had better make a
small rate, and collect it each quarter, till the money is ex-
pended.
Mr. Isaacs—When the dock company pay the other
moiety, £6,400, we shall be able to do without another rate
for three-quarters of a year.

THE POPE AND FRANCIS lI.—A letter from
Rome, in the Debate, says—" King Francis 11. is still at
the Quirinal, which he is preparing to leave in order to in-
habit the Farnese Palace. I believe I am able to assure
you that the young Queen is expected shortly, in spite of
the report of her intention to remain in the convent of
Wurzburg. The Pope, who consults less the state of his
finances than his natural generosity of mind, has endea-
voured to dissuade the ex-King from his intention to remove.
He has represented to him that when inhabiting the Palace
of the Quirinal he is under his immediate protection,
whereas at the Borghese palace it would be no longer pos-
sible to provide him with a Swiss guard, and render to him
the honours due to a King. Francis 11., however, does not
the less persist in his project. It is perhaps from a motive
of discretion, for he must be aware that his stay in the
Pontifical palace, with 120 persons in his suite, is exceed-
ingly expensive. The furniture has already been consider-
ably injured; a part of the plate and linen have dis-
appeared ; extravagant orders fer new articles are given
from time to time, and the steward of the palace
is obliged to purchase secretly what is wasted
in order to replace it The opening of the rail-
li prelate
not
thetrivialannoyancesan
luggageenemyto
passports,
their
that
the
disgraceful
verybuthadbeenfor, and
last
two days before the Coriectional Tribunal of ' ontmorillion
(Viende), has just been terminated. The Abbe Bieron,
some youths who had been placed under his
ctowfievoef ytehaer se' i ° mimprisonmentraprisonment and 300 fr. fine for exciting to,
debauchery
Care,