The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-20 00:00:00

LICENSE FOR VAUXHALL GARDENS.

Yesterday Mr. Locke applied to the magistrates at
Kingston on behalf of Mr. W. Fowler, for a license for
the Royal Gardens, Vauxhall.

Mr. Harper, who formerly practised as a solicitor at
Kennington, appeared to oppose the granting of the
license. After some discussion as to whether Mr. Har-
per could be heard, the chairman (Mr. Penrhyn) ruled
that Mr. Harper might state, upon oath, as a witness,
the grounds upon Which he objected to the license being
granted.

Mr. Harper was accordingly sworn, and said that he
first objected to the lateness of the hour for the fireworks,
which were a very great nuisance on that account ; but
the principal complaint he wished to bring before the no-
tice of the Court, on the part of himself and the other
inhabitants of the neighbourhood, was the disgraceful
scenes that took place upon the occasions when there were
bat masques at the gardens. The gardens were upon these
occasions not opened until 10 o'clock at night, and at l
dancing commenced, and it was continued until 5 or 6
o'clock the following morning. Nearly the whole of the
women present were prostitutes, and the greater part of
them were dressed as men ; and at six or seven o'clock
in the morning they were turned out of the gardens in a
half-drunken state, when the scenes that took place in
the neighbourhood were of the most disgusting character,
so much so that no respectable female residing in the
neighbourhood could look out of the window of her
house. The consequence of this was, that the most dis-
reputable persons assembled together, and the greatest
possible nuisance was created. .
Mr. Jones, a surgeon living close to the gardens, gave
evidence of a similar character. He also said that his
bell was rung at all hours of the night, and, when he
complained to the police, they told him that it was im-
possible for them to prevent it.
Mr.Rossitor, one of the magistrates, said that although
he did not desire in any way to prevent the legitimate
amusements of the gardens from being carried on, he felt
bound to express an opinion, from professional observa-
tion, that these bal masques were a great nuisance.
Upon the occasions when they were given, mobs of dis-
orderly persons, women dressed as men and men dressed
as women, in a drunken state, were about the neighbour
hood, and the greatest disorder was created.
Mr. Locke said that the proprietor of the gardens,
or, rather, the trustee, for Mr. Fowler only acted. in
that capacity, had no desire to do anything calculated
to annoy the public or contrary to the wishes of the
Court. A very large sum of money, 21,0001., was in-
volved in the question, and it was, of course, an object
to make the Royal Gardens, which had, as the Court
was aware, now existed for 150 years, as attractive as
possible. If, however, the magistrates considered t hat
bal masques ought to be abolished altogether from this
country, Mr. Fowler, so far as he was concerned, woaild
bow to the decision, but he must say that it appeared to
him that it would be rather a hardship that they shoiald
do so, particularly as at another establishment of a
similar kind on the other side of the water, no objection
had been made to them.
The Chairman, after consulting with his colleagues,
said, it appeared to the Court that the bat masques at
Vauxhall-gardens had been proved to be a source ,of
annoyance to the inhabitants of the neighbourhood, an d
the license would only be granted upon the condition
that no more such entertainments should take placv.
Two other conditions would also be attached to granl;-
ing the license, namely, that the fireworks should no t
go off later than eleven o'clock, and that the gardenil
should be closed at three in the morning.
Mr. Locke, on the part of Mr. Fowler, consented to
these terms, and the license was then granted.

AUSTRALIAN MAIL STEAM COMPANY.—A meeting of
the Australian Mail Steam Company, took place yester-
day, when it was agreed to reduce the number of direc-
tors to seven. With regard to future operations, little
definite information transpired, and a further adjourn"
ment was agreed to for the purpose of allowing time for
the proposed alteration in the deed of settlement pre
viously to the election of a new board.