The Sun.
London, England, 1836-12-29 00:00:00

HATTON-GARDEN.

Yesterday Messrs. Macpherson and Pickering, the over-
seers of the parish of St. Andrew, Holborn, and St. George
the Martyr, were summoned before Messis. LAING and
ROGERS, to answer the complaint of William Roberts
James and others, for that they did, on the 13th of Decem-
ber instant, unlawfully and wilfully disobey a certain order
mado by them and others, as guardians of the poor of the
Holborn Union, to deliver Richard l3ardons and Charles
Merchant, collectors, the respective receipts, check-books,
and rate-books, in collection in the said Union, contrary to
the Matute, &c. After the facts of the case had been gone
into at some length, the defendants contended as to their
right of possession to the receipts, &c., and to collect as
usual under the local Act, and expressed their readiness to
ent.er fully into the merits of the case.
Mr. LAIDIG said that Mr. Taylor, Clerk to the Board of
Guardians, wits not in attendance as was his intention. He
had received a communication that he was at Brighton,
end he had been prevented coming to London in conse-
quence of the late inclement weather, and the heavy falls
of snow, which had impeded the passage of the mails. It
was also the intention of one of the Assistant Poor Law
Commissioners to have been present, but he had been pre-
vented by a similar cause, and it was not known where he
wag to be found.
One of the defendants said that twenty-two gentlemen
were present wino bad been taken from their homes and bu-
siness, ann. y;-pre anxious that the case should be entered into
and detitled at ()net.
Mr. LAINO said that (!;,., parties must be aware of the
late inclement welitißl, Ile had it from good authority
Taylor,
t osr easto the Assistant
and
that the mails had not attit
inclement 4 in consequence of the snow
and it o
ab,ec expectcl that
Commissioner,Mr. Te
could attend if prevented by that cause.
Several persons expressed their dissatisfaction.
Mr. LAING said that, under the circumstances, the case
should be adjourned sine die, and the parties quitted the
Court.

Subsequently MeSsrs. Macpherson and Pickerlug
re-
turned to the office, we understood to apply fur summonsel
for rates, when a long private consultation took place be-
tween them, the subject of which we were not made as
with. _ _ _ - •

On Monday evening last a well-looking respectably-at-
tired young Scotchwornan, who gave her name Sonic).' was
placed at the bar before Mr. LAING, charged by Mr. Ash-
ley, the overseer of Islington, with having deserted her in-
fant, a fine little creature, about a year and a half old.
The prisoner became acquainted with a gentleman re-
siding at Islington, who promised her marriage, and she be-
came pregnant by him, and was delivered of the child. He
contributed towards its support for a short time, whilst it
was at nurse in the country ; but then dropped rendering
assistance to it or the mother, who had ever since had the
child in her possession. She made repeated applications to
the father, who did not deny the fact of the child being his ;
but, taking advantage of the infant havingr, been born sub-
sequent to the passing of the new Poor Law Act, lad re-
fused to afford her the least assistance, and she left it at
his house a short time since, when she was brought to this
office, and discharged, under a promise not to repeat such
conduct. On Monday afternoon, however, not being able
to contribute to her own or her child's support, she resolved
on leaving it at the workhouse, which she did, and she was
given into custody.
Mr. LAING, it will b 0 recollected, passed a sweeping cen-
sure on the father of the, child, saying that he ought to be
scouted from all respectable society if he refused to maintain
the child, if he was conscious that it belonged to him ; and,
after explaining the law to the prisoner, regretted that it
was out of his power to order her any relief, but he advised
that the overseer should see the father, and endeavour to
come to some terms of arrangement with him.
Yesterday Mr. Ashley attended before Messrs. LAING
and RocEtts, with the prisoner and the child. He had an
interview with the lather, who was agreeable to allow 3s.
per week for the support of the child, but the prisoner would
not agree to the arrangement unless he consented to pay a
bill of 41. or .5/. for nursing, which be refused to do.
Mr. LAING—If he feels conscious. that he is the father
of the child, if he has an honest heart and proper feeling,
be would pay the bill and support the child ; but if she

Prisoner—l wish to
of the money.
Mr. LAlNG—Unless you agree to the terms prt'Posed,
there is no other remedy than to pass you and the ch.•ld to
your settlement in Scotland. I explained the law to yott.
the other night, and you may now take your choice.
Mr. Ashley stated that the prisoner stated if she was
passed to Scotland she would return and leave the child at
' the house of the father. •
Mr. LAING—If she does, she must abide by the conse-
quences. However bad the conduct of the father might
be towards her, she must be aware that she had repeatedly
annoyed him, which she was not justified in doing, and she
must recollect that she was the mother of the child, and
that compelled her to protect it, and she was as muck
hound as the father to contribute towards its support.
Prisoner—So I have done, but he has not.
Mr. LAlNG—There is the offer of Bs. per week, and I
will give you time to consider whether you will accept it or
be passed to • Scotland. There is the law, and we cannot
alter it. You are acting foolishly to refuse what is offered.
The prisoner ultimately agreed, reluctantly, to receive
the sum offered, and she was discharged.
The child was then handed to her, and the parties
quitted the office.