The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-24 00:00:00

NEWRY.

The Committee appointed to inquire into this election
assembled this morning for the first time. The com-
mittee consisted of Mr. D. Seymour, Mr. Moodie, Mr.
Laslett, Mr. Repton. Mr. Lascelles in the chair.
Mr. CALVERT, on behalf of the petitioner, announced,
that after going carefully through the evidence, it had
been determined not to proceed with the petition, and
he had only to ask that the usual resolutions should be
passed, declaring that Mr. Kirke, the sitting member
was duly elected, and that the petition was not frivo-
lous and vexatious.

The committee, after deliberating, refused to accede to
this course ; and Mr. Calvert was proceeding to open the
case of the petitioner when our reporter left.

SHERIFFS COURT.-(THIS DAY.)

(Before Mr. Wm. Burchell.)

BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE-1001. DAMAGES,

HYDE V. BLENCOWE

, This was an action to recover damages for breach of
promise of marriage.
Mr. Atkinson appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr.
Sergeant Wilkins and Mr. Lush for the defendant.
The plaintiff's father was the only witness examined—
the plaintiff having been subpoenaed on the part of the
defendant, but could not be received as a witness, as in
cases of breach of promise, the act of Parliament
expressly prohibits the examination of the parties.
It i.appeared by the evidence that the plaintiff ie the
daughter of a respectable tradesman at Brackley, in
Northamptonshire, and defendant is the son of a respec-
table brewer at the same place. The plaintiff and defen-
dant had been acquainted since childhood, and went to
school together, after which an acquaintance of a more
tender kind arose, and apparently continued up to the
summer of last year, when defendant ceased his atten-
tions and married a young lady of Brackley. In 1847 it
was discovered that the result of the acquaintance had
been of the most serious kind, and she was prematurely
confined. Up to that period plaintiff's parents had not
the slightest suspicion of any impropriety between
her and defendant, and after some time defendant was
allowed to visit the house as an acknowledged suitor.
In 1849 plaintiff's father was shocked one night to dis-
cover that his daughter had left the house clandestinely,
by means of a ladder which had been placed underneath
her bed-room window. A fruitless search was made for
some time, but early in the morning she returned home,
and 'admitted that she had been walking out with de-
fendant, but denied that there had been any improper
conduct, and she subsequently gave up a gold watch
.and chain which defendant had given her to take
care of. Hyde did not at the moment take any no-
tice of the defendant, who, however, subsequently ap-
plied for his watch, and at an interview with Mr.
Hyde voluntarily gave a written promise of marriage,
and the acquaintance was again renewed, and continued
up to the time of the defendant's marriage. Several
letters were read, in which were expressions of the most
devoted attachment ; but one commencing " Madam "
evidently appeared to have been written to break off the
acquaintance, unless plaintiff resigned herself wholly to
his wishes, hich she unfortunately did.
Mi. Sergeant Wilkins, for the defendant, contended
that it was not a case entitling for more than very simple
damages, as both parties were of the same age--
both now being about twenty-three. There was
not the slightest evidence of seduction ; and if
that could be shown, plaintiff's father might bring his
action to-morrow. The learned Serjeant contended that
the plaintiff had lost nothing in reputation, for the cir-
cumstances had until now been kept out of public know-
ledge, and as to any pecuniary loss plaintiff had not met
with any, for defendant was a mere clerk at a salary of
1/. a week.

The Under-Sheriff summed up briefly, and after a
short consultation, the jury gave a verdict for 1001.
damages.

BOW-STREET-(THIS DAY.)

ROBBERY.—Catherine Lewis, a girl of the town, was
charged before Mr. Hall with stealing two 101. and one
5/. Bank of England notes, and two 1/. nctes of the
Bank of Ireland, the property of Mr. Michael Edwards,
an Irish gentleman, residing at the Tavistock Hotel,
Covent-garden.
It appeared that the prosecutor met defendant in the
street, last night, and accompanied her to 4, Hanover-
court, a common brothel, and while there she contrived
to take the notes above mentioned from his trowser's
pocket. He immediately detected the robbery, but
thought it prudent not to mention a word about it to
prisoner, and after they left the house he walked
with her as far as Bow-street, and on arriving opposite
the police-station, he called a constable and gave her
in charge. The notes were subsequently found upon
her.

Prosecutor said he did not wish to press the charge
further : he was obliged to leave London to-night for
Ireland, and it would be a serious inconvenience to
him if the prisoner was sent for trial. He had got the
whole of his property back, and was perfectly satisfied.
Mr. Hall at once discharged the prisoner.

RUFFIANLY ASSAULT ON A COFFEE-HOUSE KEEPER.
—William Mason, a sturdy vagrant, was brought before
Mr. Hall, charged with assaulting Mr. John Osmond,
proprietor of the Exeter Coffee-house, 84, Strand..
About twelve o'clock last night, prisond went into
complainant's house, and offered something for sale, and
on being told by prosecutor that nothing was wanting,
and that he never made it a practice of buying of people
in the streets, requested prisoner to leave the place ; the
latter, instead of doing so, became very abusive, and on
Mr. Osmond going to the door for the purpose of put-
ting him out, the prisoner broke a large square of glass,
and subsequently struck complainant a tremendous
blow on the nose, from which the blood flowed
most freely. Prosecutor at length got him into the
street, and gave him in charge to a police-constable.
Complainant added that the value of the square of glass
was 6s.
Sarah Buck, the waitress, corroborated complainant's
evidence.
Police-constable 150 F said he took prisoner into cus-
tody. He was the worse for liquor, and exceedingly
violent in his behaviour.
Prisoner denied the charge, and said Mr. Osmond
struck him first.
Mr. Hall considered the charge proved, and fined
prisoner 405., or 21 days, for the assault, and 65., or 8
days, for the damage done.

EMIGRATION OF DOCK LABOURERS AND MECIIANICS.
—During the last few days a great number of mechanics
and labourers have left their situations in the London
and St. Katherine's Docks, in which establishments
many had been several years, for the purpose of pro-
ceeding to Australia. Some of the men have large
families, and have been saving their hard earnings for a
considerable period, which has enabled many to leave
with their respective families with various descriptions
of manufactured goods, which are intended for sale in
the gold. regions. Others have purchased materials to
employ themselves on board ship. Some of the females
will be engaged in making straw bonnets—others
trowsers and jacket work. The chief portion of the men
are under 40 years of age, and mostly reside in the
vicinity. of Wapping.

THE LAW RELATING TO LIINATICI3.—Lord St. Leo-
nards has three bills before the House of Lords to amend
the law of lunacy. They relate to the regulation of
lunatics, proceedings under commissions, and to the care
and treatment of lunatics. It is proposed by the last
bill to amend the Act 8 and 9 Vic., cap. 100, on the
subject.