The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-16 00:00:00

rHE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 16, 1865.

girls at work there. I searched the room and found
a number of watchmakers' tools. I also found about
50 new bows for watches. I took the prisoner to
the station, and he said he was a weaver.

Mr. J. T. Walker said—l have the management
of the establishment of my father, at 68, Cornhill.
The other establishment is under the management of
one of my brothers, and on Feb. 4 I left the shop in
Cornhill at about half-past 5, and at that time I left
the whole of the stock in the window. The value of
the stock Iso left was about £6,000. It would be
the duty of Smith, as he has informed the Court,
to place that stock in the iron safe. After the
robbery I made a list of a portion of the property,
in the window. The list produced contains particu-
lars of the watches forming a portion of the pro-
perty stolen. The whole of the goods are not men-
tioned. The watch produced by Foulger, numbered
3,040, was part of that stock. It has the name of
my father, with the address, 68, Cornhill, on the in-
side. The value of the watch is £55. There has
been a name on the dial of the other watch, and I can
see by the glass that a name has been erased. I can
see distinctly the trace of the letters " Jo." My
father's watches are marked " John Walker," and
the " Jo" is in the same position as the same letters
would be in my father's name. It is clearly percep-
tible that a name has been erased. The case is the
same class that my father makes, having crystal
front which was brought out by my father. I saw
Foulger take the movement now in the case from
the workman's shop in Wilderness-row. The move-
ment fits that case and is of our manufacture. I
have examined the movement and can see that a
name has been erased from it. I cannot say what
name has been erased.

The Lord Mayor—But you can see a name has
been erased ?
Witness—Yes. There has been another name
placed on it, " Hilton, Wilmington-square." There
has been a number erased. There is a new number
now on the watch-3,740. I have no doubt this is
one the watches that were in stock on the night of
the 4th February. The value of it is £45.
Mr. Lewis—Upon that evidence I ask for a re-
mand, my Lord.
Lord Mayor—This is so important a case that I
shall give all the time you may require to prepare
the evidence.

Mr. Lewis asked that it might be remanded until
to-morrow (this day) week, and the prisoner was
remanded accordingly.

The Burglaries in the City.

Wm. Munday, aged 43, described as a bookbinder, re-
siding at 29, Margaret-street, Clerkenwell, was yesterday
charged before Sir James Duke, at the Guildhall Police-
court, with receiving 15 dozen of skins, value £5O, well
knowing them to be stolen.
Wm. Roland, a City detective, said—From information I
received I went last night to the warehouse of Mr. Nevett,
where I saw the prisoner. I asked Mr. Nevett if he had
been offered any skins for sale, and he told me the prisoner
had offered him these (produced). I asked prisoner how
he came by them, and he said he had been applied to to
sell them on commission. I asked him who employed him
to sell the skins, and he said he did not know the man. I
then asked him where they came from, and he gave the
same answer. A few minutes before this Mr. Epstein, from
whom the goods had been stolen, came in and stated that
they were his skins. I then told the prisoner that the skins
had been stolen on the night of the 9th inst. from the pre-
mises of Mr. Epstein, of No. 11, Newgate-street. On the
way to the station the prisoner said, " I wish to behave
like a mars and will tell the truth about it. A man of the
name of Jimmy Dunks, living in Cow-cross, employed me
to sell them." The prisoner gave a correct address, and I
went there the same evening. He told me that I should
find more leather there, and on searching "the first-floor
back room I found 191 dozen skins in addition to the 15
dozen which I had taken at Mr. Nevett's.

Mr. Joseph Nevett said—l am a bookbinder, and live at
66, Snowhill. I have known the prisoner for more than
20 years. On Monday last, about 4 o'clock, he came into
my warehouse and asked me if I wanted to buy any leather,
shoWing me some samples of morocco. After some conver-
sation, he said he had a great quantity, and asked me to
buy it. He offered the skins, which were real morocco, at
about half their value. He said he would take 345. per
dozen for them. I told him to bring them for inspection
the next night, and closely questioned him as to the quan-
tity, as I knew that a burglary had been committed where
articles of this kind were stolen. After he was gone I at
once communicated with Mr. Epstein, and took proper
measures for that gentleman to have an opportunity of
identifying and recovering his property.

Mr. J. H. Epstein said—l carry on the business of a
leather merchant at 11, Newgate-street. My warehouse is
on the first floor, and I left it all safe on the evening of the
Bth inst., but when I returned the next morning I found it
in the possession of the police ; and I missed 15 dozen of
morocco skins and 22 dozen of roan, value about £B2. I
recognise the skins produced as mine. My warehouse door
had been forced open. There were workmen repairing the
upper part of the house, which was empty. When my
people left, the outer door was closed with a spring lock.
Joseph Ricketts, a plumber, said—On the Friday morning
I went to do some work a little before 7 o'clock at 11, New-
gate-street, and obtained the key from Mr. Broom, the
landlord. I at once said the place had been broken into,
and gave information. I found a dark lantern in the ware-
house, which had been left by the thieves.
George Brook, manager to Mr. Brown, the landlord, ex-
plained that, the house undergoing repair, the thieves must
have secreted themselves the previous evening, and carried
off their plunder about ten o'clock, as his own men came
before four o'clock. The outer door was well closed with
a spring lock.
Sir James Duke—l understand that these spring locks
can be picked with any pick-lock key.
Witness—Well, Sir James, and so can any other lock by
an experienced cracksman. From late events it would seem
that neither iron safes or brick walls stop them.
James Dunks said—l am a beer-shop keeper, and carry on
business at 51, Turnmill-street, Clerkenwell. I have lived
there for the last 13 years. lam also a clogmaker, and
make high clog boots for the brewers' men. I have known
the prisoner for 12 years. I never employed him to sell
skins for me. I never had any skins in my possession.
The prisoner frequents my house. I saw him last evening,
and also on Monday afternoon, when he was tipsy. I also
saw him on Saturday. He called upon me last night about
four o'clock. He is a pocket-book maker. I called at his
house on Saturday morning, as he owed me a sovereign for
money lent, which he had not paid me. He then said he
could not pay me, but that he had a job lot of skins for
sale, and if I could advance him £lB he would give me £2
interest and the £1 he owed me on the following Monday
I lent him the £lB and left him.

Sir James Duke—What. You moan to tell me that you
lent a man £lB who could not pay you a sovereign.
Witness—Yes, I often do so ; and they sometimes make
£5 by it. He came to me about 7 o'clock in the evening
and told me that he had purchased the leather, and on
Monday he would give me the money. I never saw the
skins or any samples of them. I have not been repaid the
£lB, or any part of it.

The Prisoner—This witness is telling lies all through,
and nothing but lies. I never received £lB, or any other
sum except the £1 which he did lend me. He had the
skins, and it was by him I was employed to sell them.
Witness—The prisoner said if I met him at the Cock, in
Snowhill, at 6 o'clock, he would have a cheque and would
pay me the money. I went and met him, and had some-
thing to drink with him, but did not see him again,although
waiting for him until he was in custody. I saw an empty
cart going up the hill. It belongs to a man of the name of
Wells, of Baker-street, Warner-street. I never saw the
cart with skins in it. I had some drink with Wells. Roland
said Dunks had at first denied knowing anything about the
cart.

Prisoner—lt was on Saturday that Dunks called on me
and told me to sell the skins. I was merely to sell on com-
mission.

Sir James Duke—This caso I shall remand till Friday,
and then tho carman Wells must be produced; and with
respect to the witness Dunks, I shall require him to enter
into his own recognisances in the sum of £4O to appear on
that day and give evidence.

Two lads, named Joseph King, 18, and John Thompson,
18, were also brought up on remand before Sir James Duke,
at the Guildhall, yesterday, charged with burglariously
breaking into and entering the dwelling-house of Mr. John
Pullar on the 10th instant, and stealing therefrom 94
cigars, 5 pairs of plated sugar-tongs, 3 pocket-handker-
chiefs, 1 salt-spoon, 1 pearl spoon, a snuff-box, a gold eye-
glass, a table knife, and 2 letter stamps, also an album
and jet brooch.

City Police-constable Walter Johnsono,olonk said—On. the 11th
_isnt the morning, I
wofaFnebp:uassinryg, ab:lountghaLlfi-tpuaset
Htwnieghtrider evfite, r
nD ol.cht ooraer'd-
commons, and when I came to the Horns Tavern
"Now,
Jack,was
some one talking inside. I listened for abouta five minutes,
when I heard some one say, " Open the door,"
said a second time. I then heard the words
let me out," and the door was opened by, the prisoner
Thompson. I stopped him, and asked him what he was
doing there. He said they had not been doing anything,
and asked me to let them go. I told them I should not let
them go until they had given a satisfactory account of them-
selves. I saw the prisoner King in the house at this time.
They then endeavoured to push themselves by me. 'pushed
them back into the house, and they tried to pass me a second
time. I sprang my rattle for assistance and alarmed the
inmates, and Pearson and a police-constable came up almost
immediately, and they were taken to the station-house. I
searched them, and upon King I found 49 cigars and two
pairs of plated sugar-tongs, and on Thompson 45 cigars and
three pocket-handkerchiefs.
City Police-sergeant Robert Pearson said—On Saturday

morning last, about half-past 2, I was in Great Carter-lane,
when I heard the rattle sprung, and went into Knightrider-
street to the Horns Tavern, where I found the two prisoners
in the lower part of the house with the officer Johnson. I
searched Thompson, and found on him three chisels (pro-
duced). While searching him,Thompson said, "It is all
right, we have got some things about us." I found on
him three pairs of plated sugar-tongs, an album, and other
things. I also found at the feet of Thompson this dark
lantern (produced). On examining the. premises I discovered
that an entry had been effected by the first-floor window,
where I saw fresh marks of footsteps. Some drawers had
also been broken open. _

Mr. T. John Pullar said—l keep the Horns Tavern,which
is also a district post-office. It has been a post-office for
the last 16 years. About the time mentioned I was awak-
ened by the barking of a clever little dog of mine, which
keeps watch at my bedroom door. He is not a courageous
dog, but a very watchful and faithful one, and I understand
his ways. I told him to lie down, and instead of doing so
he again went to the head of the stairs and barked. I then
got up and called two of my men servants, and was dressing
to go downstairs when I heard the constable's rattle. lam
in the habit of taking my valuables up to my own room,
and on the evening in question I had taken up over £3OO.
I believe that it was their intention to rob the post-office,
and communicated my suspicions to the Post-office autho-
ties, and also the promptitude with which the constable
Johnson obtained the assistance of his brother constables.
Sir James Duke—Well, after all, it seems that there is
some activity shown by the City police.
Mr. Pullar—So the Post-office authorities think, sir. In
this instance the prisoners got in at the first-floor window.
Sir James Duke—Was it fastened ?
Witness—l think not.
Sir James Duke—What is the object of not fastening
your windows ?
Witness—lt was carelessness.
Sir James Duke having duly cautioned the prisoners,
who had nothing to say, they were committed for trial.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

MIDLAND.

The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yes-
terday at Derby. ; Mr. W. E. Hutchinson in the chair.
The report was taken as read.

The CHArnmAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
congratulated the shareholders on the increase which had
taken place in the traffic during the past half-year: That
increase had been spread over all the different denomina-
tions of traffic, except that of cattle, which showed a small
decrease, owing, he believed, to the unfavourable season
last year ; it might also have been occasioned by the pro-
sp3rous state of the manufacturing districts, in which case
they would require more cattle at home instead of sending
them to the London cattle markets. The increase in the
passenger department for the half-year had been £32,000 ;
this was a gratifying fact, because some time back the Mid-
land passenger traffic was spoken of as being rather small
for a line of such :magnitude. The increase in the traffic
for the conveyance of merchandise was nearly £30,000
more than in the corresponding half of last year, a proof of
the increase which had taken place in the trade and manu-
factures, not only of their own district but of the country
at large. The increase in the mineral traffic was over
£55,000 ; indeed, he believed that, with the exception of
the Stockton and Darlington Company, they might claim
to be one of the earliest in developing that description of
traffic. The total amount of their increase was £116,000 ;
but this result had not been achieved without adding con-
siderably to the working expenses, inasmuch as they had
been obliged to put on an additional number of trains. The
increased cost of maintenaace of way was a little over
£14,000, the additional mileage opened being 63 miles.
They had relaid 28 miles of permanent way during the last
Half-year. The price of rails and ;other materials had been
much enhanced ; they had also incurred expenses in pro-
viding increased station accommodation, and the price of
coal had advanced, so that they had been unable to renew
their contracts on the same terms as before; in fact, fuel
alone had cost them £B,OOO more than in the corresponding
periodbanp,of
whichlB63.
enabled Afterbpaying
all charges they had a balance
in them to offer a dividend of £3 17s.
6d. for the half-year, against £3 10s. for the corresponding
half of 1863. They were also able to carry forward a much
larger.balance than they did in 1863, and the rolling stock
was in good order. After alluding to the various new pre:
jects in connection with the Midland system, the particu-
lars of which were detailed in the report, he remarked that
a great number of bills in Parliament would affect the in-
terests of the Midland Company; some of them would be
injurious and must be opposed, others were favourable ;
but the particulars would be made known to them at the
Wharncliffe meeting. He adverted to the £l,OOO which had
been placed at the disposal of the directors for the purpose
of presenting a testimonial to their late chairman, their
honoured friend Mr. Beale. That sum had been expended
in a service of plate, which was presented by the directors
on the 31st of last month. On that occasion Mr. Beale ex-
pressed a wish to present to the shareholders the life-like
portrait of himself, which was now placed by the side of
that of their former highly valued chairman, Mr. Ellis.
(Hear, hear.) After remarking with regard to the increase
in rolling stock, that it was no economy to work their en-
gines too much, and that the increase in traffic had been
so great that it would be advantageous to place a few more
engines on duty, he moved that the report and statement of
accounts be received and adopted.
Mr. W. P. PRICE, deputy chairman, seconded the motion.

Mr. HADLEY expressed a doubt as to the reliability of the
estimates of the cost of the new projects which were men-
tioned in the report.

Several other shareholders having addressed the meeting,
Mr. BATEMAN inquired whether any of the officials of the
company had received a copy of the Queen's letter on the
subject of railway accidents. As a shareholder, and as a
magistrate, he was naturally anxious, not only that railway
accidents should be diminished, but that they should be
altogether prevented.
The CHAIRMA.N., in reply, said that no such communica-
tion as that alluded to had been received.accTidheenatsttewnotuiolnd
of the company's officers was constantly directed to the pre-
vention of accidents, but he was very much afraid that so
long as they depended on human agency

After some further discussion the report was unanimously
adopted.

The various dividends were declared as recommended,and
the proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the
chairman.

NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE.

The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yes-
terday at the London Tavern ; Mr. T. Brodrick, the chair-
man, presided,

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said there had been an increase of £6,772, or 12i per cent.,
in the passenger traffic, and to earn that increase it had cost
them very little. Between 1862 and 1864 a large amount of
capital had been called up. In the corresponding half of 1862
£52,287 had been divided among the ordinary shareholders,
at the rate of 31 per cent. per annum ; for the same half of
1863, £64,600 had been divided among them at the rate of
4 per cent. per annum, and for the past half-year they pro-
posed to divide £72,678 among the ordinary shareholders
yielding a dividend at the rate of 41 per cent. per annum.
This showad that there was an increase from 1862 to 1864
of £20,000, or over 38 per cent., in the sum available for
dividend. This had been accomplished, notwithstanding
the depression of trade and other matters, including a re-
duction in the fares. On the whole, he thought the pro-
gress of the company had been satisfactory. They had
no great schemes before Parliament this Session, the only
bill being for the Potteries line, which would give great
satisfaction in the district, and be remunerative. (Hear.)
During the last 18 years they had never applied for
Parliament for an increase of their capital, which he be-
lieved no other railway could state. They now proposed to
raise £355,000 to construct some branch lines which were
required in connection with the railway. After adverting
to the reduction in the working expenses, he concluded by
moving the adoption of the report.
Lieut.-Col. PEARSON seconded the motion.
Dr. RILEy expressed the gratification he felt at having,
after waiting so many years, a•4i- per cent. dividend, and
attributed that result to the election of Sir A. Anderson to
a seat at the board. He hoped the shareholders would con-
tinue to look more than ever to their interests. The South
Devon Railway was an instance of what might be done by
shareholders looking ihto their own affairs ; the dividends
for years on that line had been less than 2 per cent. per
annum, and even a few months past the stock was at 33 ;
it was now at 60, and a 3.1 per cent. dividend was to be de-
clared at the ensuing meeting.
Mr. LINDO thought the company should see what they
could do by an alliance with the Midland Company, who
would soon have an extension into London. He concluded
by moving a resolution to the effect that the remainder of
the sum to the debit of the suspense account for the renewal
of the permanent way be
carried to capital, and also all
further sums necessary for the complete renovation of the
line.

Mr. HERAPATH expressed his dissent from that proposi-
tion. The renewal of the line belonged to revenue account,
and should not be charged to capital. They were uow going
on very well, having increased dividends, and were getting
out of debt ; if they continued that course their property
would become of greater value than by adding anything
improperly to capital. He suggested that a map of their
lines should at future meetings be hung up in the room.
The CHAIRMAN considered the latter a good suggestion,
and said it should be acted upon.
The report was then adopted, and a dividend at the rate
of 41 per cent. per annum for the past half-year was de-
clared on the ordinary stock of the company, payable on
Mhrch 1, less income tax.

Sir A. ANDERSON, a director, said he would second the
motion for carrying the remainder of the suspense account
to capital. He thought it a hard case for the present share-
holders to go on paying so much every half-year out of
their dividends for past neglect. They were at present
expending £2OO per mile on the maintenance of the per-
manent way, which he believed was quite an ample charge
on revenue.

The motion was carried by a large majority.
The directors were then authorised to lease Sneyd's'rail-
ways on such terms as they might deem expedient.
The meeting was then made special, and the directors

were authorised to subscribe £BO,OOO to the capital of the
Macclesfield, Bollington, and Marple Railway, and to gua-
rantee 5 per cent. upon that sum, the Sheffield Company
having decided on subscribing a similar sum towards that
undertaking.

A resolution passed at the meeting hi August last for
raising £lOO,OOO was rescinded, and the directors were
authorised to raise £355,000 by the issue of 5 per cent. pre-
ference stock rateably among the ordinary shareholders.
The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the
chairman and directors.