The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-17 00:00:00

WESTMINSTER.

THE MARQUIS OF TOWNSHEND AND TURNING POOR
PAUPERS otrr OF WORKHOUSES.—When the presiding
magistrate, Mr. Selfe, took his seat on the bench this
morning, a communication was made to him by the Mar-
quis of Townshend, which was followed by a person of
respectable appearance, standing in the witness box at the
magistrate's request, to make a statement.
Applicant said he went last night to the outside of the
Westminster Workhouse, York-street, and there found a
number of poor persons without home or habitation, and
in a state of destitution. He felt it his duty to make some
inquiries amongst them, and they told him that they were
there for the purpose of obtaining shelter, and explained
to him that the course was to receive a ticket there from
the porter, which they took to the workhouse at Kensing-
ton, where they were admitted for the night, but deprived
of shelter by being turned out in the morning.
Mr. Selfe—What do you want?

Applicant—l wish to know whether in either the spirit
or the letter of the law such a thing is right as to eject a
poor person from the workhouse on such a morning as
this ?

Mr. Selfe—l must decline to give opinions upon either
the letter or the spirit of the law without any case
before me.

Applicant—What is the remedy for the poor who are
expelled from the workhouse into the inclemency of the
weather ?

Mi. Selfe--The course I should propose to you is to me-
morialise the Poor Law Board on the subject. Ido not at
any time shrink from the expression of my opinion in any
matter which comes under the cognisance of the Court, but
I cannot be expected to give general opinions upon the
propriety or impropriety of the exercise of the functions of
others exercising authority.

Marquis Townshend—Ten or twelve poor creatures
were turned out this morning, notwithstanding the great
severity of the weather.
Mr. Belle—ls there any person here to complain of any-
thing over which I have jurisdiction ?
Applicant—One of the poor persons can be called ; they
are here.

A young man stood forward and said—l slept at Rom-
ford the night before last. I applied to the Westminster
Workhouse at 6 o'clock last night, and had an order I took
to Kensington last night.
Mr. Selfe—You do not seem by your appearance—which,
however, may be deceptive—to be unable to obtain your
living.

Poor Man—l have just come out of the fever hospital.

Mr. Selfe—Did you have any food when admitted last
night ?

Roor Man—Nothing—they refused me; but they gave
me four ounces of bread this, morning.
Mr. Selfe—What brings you to Westminster?
Poor Man—l was strongly recommended to go there. I
did not want to leave this /willing.
Mr. Selfe—Your appearance is that of an able-bodied
man, and I don't think that a porter or person of that de-
scription, giving answers at the workhouse door, is required
to do more. He certainly would not be the person required
to give permanent relief. When is the relieving-officer
sitting ?

The police said at that moment.
The poor man and those by whom he was accompanied
were directed by the magistrate to go to him.

THAMES.

A QUIET MORNING.—There were only four night charges
at this court, three from the H division and one from the K
division. The district contains 300,000 inhabitants, besides
the St. Katherine, London, West India, and East India
Docks, in which there is always a large population of all
nations.

John Mullins, an Irishman, was charged with breaking a
large pane of embossed plate glass, valued at 305., in the
Black Horse publichouse, in Well-street, adjoining the
Sailor's Home.

The landlord of the house said his plate glass was in-
sured ; and Mr. Partridge sentenced him to pay a fine of
7s. only, or suffer 10 days' imprisonment.
Caroline Hawes was charged with making a disturbance
in the house of Mr. Palmer, baker, Hardwick-place, Com-
mercial-road. Her excuse was that she went after her
husband, who is in Mr. Palmer's employ.
The prosecutor said the husband of the prisoner was a
very hard working, steady, and sober man, and that his
wife was on the town.

Roche, the gaolor of the court, and Inspector Allison,
one of tho K division, said the prisoner was a very bad
woman, and had been frequently in custody.
The prisoner said her husband would not maintain her,
and she was compelled to have recourse to the streets.
Mr. Partridge said she must not annoy her husband's
master, and if she had any legal claim on her husband she
must apply to the officers of the parish in which she
lived.

Two cases of felony were then heard. In the one the
prisoner was discharged, and the other remanded for a
week. The details were devoid of interest.

Mr. Partridge said he must oo ngratulate the public on tho
quiet state of the district, and adjourned the court for a
quarter of an hour. He ordered the court to be cleared for
the sake of ventilation. He would take the remanded cases
directly they were ready, and afterwards proceed with the
summonses and warrants.