The Sun.
London, England, 1838-03-10 00:00:00

affor:,-. 1 dii(rlitful walk, which its inclosure would deprive
the public of. Does not think Mr. White could prevent "the
.., ork of d-rkness" l.eint committed within the inclosure of the
Hippodrome ; " it would be the means, in short, of bringing
th,...r. scrt of thing to Kensington, which it. had been hitherto
free fines." Disapproves of theatres, spectacles. and shows of
.-.:1 descriptions, conZdering tnem immoral and full of evil.
'1 he races afford means for the seduction of servant girls and
ushers, and the consequent misery of many families.
The Rev. Mr. Grinfield was next examined.—Resides at
Nutting-hill. Knows Portobello-lane. It is used for droves
of cattle to go to Smithfield Market. Witness counted eight-
and-thirty bulls, of the largest size, one Sunday, which ren-
dered the place a nuisance. Witness's residence commands a
full view of the race-course, and he is certain that there is
always a congregation of very bad characters, both within the
Hippodrome, and in the neighbourhood. No regulations of
._
Mr. White's could prevent this, as far as witness believes.
Witness and his farn;ly considered themselves close prisoners
on the race-days, and when witness has gone to his butcher's,
&c., on such days, he has been annoyed bl a mob of ruffianly
blackguards.
Cross-examined by Mr. Joy—Witness and his family cer-
tainly enjoy the races from their windows, but they do not like
the rabble, nor being shut up in the house ; would not allow
his family to go into the Hippodrome on race days; or any other
days, for fear of annoyance.
Mr. Hanson, a barber of High-street, Kensington, stated
there were fights and disturbances on the race days, in the
neighbourhood of the Hippodrome; in Portobello-lane, he saw a
lot of gamblers playing at a game, called " under seven and
over seven ;" there were also " hit my legs, and miss my pegs,"
and " prick the garter ;"—( Here Mr. Joy exclaimed " floni
soli qui mai y pease !") witness also saw the game of "thimble-
rig" going on within the enclosure of the race-course. Went
into one of the booths, and partook of a bottle of stout ; saw a
great many people drinking, &c. There is an increase of
beer-houses already in the neighbourhood. The establish-
alent of the Hippodrome will certainly be the means of de-
preciating the property in the neighbourhood of Notting-hill.
Witness laid information before the Magistrates respecting a
gambling-house established in the neighbourhood of the race-
course. Mr. White himself could not possibly prevent these

nuisances.
Cross-examined by Mr. JOY—Gambling went on on al
parts of the spectators' division of the race-course. The police
did not seem to interfere with it, as faras he saw. Altogether
he considered the establishment of the race-course as a great
nuisance to the neighbourhood.
Mr. Stothard, a draper, of Notting-hill, stated, that a mass
of disorderly people were collected on the race dayc close to
witness's shop, who prevented his customers from entering it
for the purposes of business. Many of this mob gave base coin
in exchange for goods, which they nominally purchased. On
raging-days, the retirement and enjoyment of Notting-hill are
completely destroyed—disturbances take place in the neigh-
bourhood until after twelve o'clock at night, caused by the
lower orders, who frequent the neighbouring public-houses.
There has been a great increase of beer-shops in the neigh-
bourhood since the establishment of the Hippodrome.
Mr. Applegate.—This witness lives close to Portobello-
lane. His wife, who is an invalid, has experienced great
benefit from the exercise she took on Notting-hill before the Hip-
podrome was established ; but since its establishment the annoy-
ances have precluded her from such exercise. Witness finds that,
on race.days his business is materially injured, On the las'
race day he shut up his !shop, to avoid the annoyance of a disor-
derly crowd. Witness refused a sum of money for his lease,
before the Hippodrome was established, which he would be
very glad to receive now, but which Mr. 'White's establishment
renders it very improbable he should have offered to him again.
All idea of walking in the Hippodrome, by quiet people, is
out of the question. On race-days all sorts of low gambling
are carried on in Portobello-lane, and all the immediate neigh-
bourhood of the race-course.
Cross-examined by Mr. Joy—Notwithstanding, his wife's
state of health, he took her out with him on the last race-day,
amongst the crowd, to assist in clearing it away, and shutting
up his shop windows.
Re.examined.—Ml scuts of nuisances, such as singing,
drinking, fighting, &c., went on, on race days, until after
midnight.
Mr. Butlin.—Witness lives close to the Hippodrome, consi-
ders its establishment as highly detrimental to his property
there. Would leave his house on account of the nuisance,
but believes he should not be able to let it. His family have
walked in the Hippodrome before its inclosure. Thinks he
should not like to send them there now. Has been across it
once himself since it has been a race-course, with his wife.
Thought the establishment a nuisance, and thinks so still.
It is nu longer a place of recreation for respectable people ;
it is a loss of public right, for private advantage. Witness
considers racing a very unfit amusement for the lower orders.
The Committee then adjourned until Tuesday next, at
twelve o'clock.
SUB-COMMITTEE ON PETITIONS (No. 2).
Mr. R. PALMER in the Chair.
Aylesbury and Thame Road.—Petition for Bill read—no-
tices proved—unopposed. Standing Orders complied with.
Garnock and Glasgow Railway.—Petition for Bill read—
notices, &c. proved—unopposed. Standing Orders complied
with
St. Helen's and Runcorn G,p Railway.—Petition for Bill,
read—notices proved—unopposed. Standing Orders com-
plied with.
Dean Forest Roads.—Petition for Bill road—notices proved
—unopposed. Standing Orders complied with.
Dundalk and Dunleer Road.—Petition for Bill read—
notices proved—unopposed. Standing Orders complied with.
Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly Drainage.—Petition for
13111 read; also petition in opposition to Bill.
It was objected that the Standing Order No. 22, page 12,
directs that affidavits of proof of compliance with Standing
Orders, in all :natters relating to Ireland, are to be sworn be-
fore any Assistant Barrister of that part of the United King-
dom ; whereas one of the affidavits in this case was sworn, not
before an Assistant Barrister, but before a Judge, which the
Order did not authorize.
The Committee decided that on this point the Standing
Orders had not been complied with.
It was next objected that the lands sought to be drained by
this Bill were not the property of the petitioners, the latter
being merely a Joint-stock Company, without one farthing's
interest in the property, who sought for leave to bring in this
Bill for their own private advantage. The parties for the
Bill denied this, which led to considerable argument, but
without eliciting a single fact relating to the title to the lands.
It was hers announced that the Speaker was at prayers,
when the case was adjourned until Monday.