The Sun.
London, England, 1838-10-16 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

HATTON-GARDEN.
Yesterday Joseph Price, aged 39, a journeyman watch-
maker, was brought to this office charged with being drunk
and disorderly, and with a series of brutal treatment towards
his wife.

Mr. WITHAM asked the prisoner what he had to say for
such brutal and cowardly conduct. The prisoner, who is
a person of dissipated appearance, affected to cry but said
nothing.
Mr. WITHAM..--I shall order you to find two sureties in 40/.
each to keep the peace towards all her Majesty's subjects,
but especially towards your wife, for the next six months, and
you must give forty-eight hours' notice of your bail.
The prisoner was then locked up.
THE NEW HACKNEY-CARRIAGE ACT, &c.—The attention
of Mr. Witham was occupied for a considerable time yester-
day in the perusal of the New Hackney-Carriage Act.
A cabriolet-driver applied for a summons against a pro-
prietor of cabriolets for refusing to deliver up his license. It
appeared from his statement that he engaged with the pro-
prietor to drive out his horse and cab in order to bring home
as much as chance might throw in his way, but being unsuc-
cessful he was enabled to take his master only 4s. He depo-
sited his license with the proprietor, who discharged him, and
refused to deliver up his license. Mr. Witham granted a
summons against the proprietor, which was placed in the
hands of an officer, but in the course of the day the proprietor
made his appearance with a City officer, having been referred
to this office by the Lord Mayor. The summons was instantly
served upon him, when he said that he had been anticipated by
the driver, against whom he wanted to proceed. He stated
that he engaged with the driver, who, according to the statute,
deposited his license with him (applicant)but he had employed
what is termed a " Buck" to drive his cab, aad on Saturday
night he (the " Buck") drove a captain, upon whom he prac-
tised an imposition, and he actually gave the captain into cus-
tody. He was locked up, and yesterday morning he was charged
before the Lord Mayor and fined. The expenses of the
" Buck" were paid, and he was out of sight in an instant ; and
the infamous trick being discovered, the Lord Mayor directed
an officer to accompany him to this office, to confirm his state-
ment. The driver had brought home his horse nearly killed,
and another driver had brought home another in the same
state, and the animals were then in the stable dying, and had
been seen by the officer.
The officer confirmed this statement.

Proprietor—The most gross i:npositions have been prac-
tised since the Act came into operation. The drivers employ
Bucks, who have also licenses.

Mr:WITHAM said it was a pity that the Lord Mayor waa
net aware that the " captain" had been prosecuted by a
" Buck," as be might have convicted him in the penalty of
five pounds. The law says that no conductor or driver shall
employ another person to drive without the consent of the
proprietor; and that any police constable may apprehend him,
and bring him before a Justice to be dealt with; and if the
license of
. a driver was improperly detained by a proprietor,
the Justice could order it to be returned.
Proprietor __.My horses are cut to pieces. Here is his license,
but I kept it in consequence of his gross misconduct. He
brought me home no money.
Mr. WiTnAm—Proprietors ought to have security for their
property, before they entrust it with such persons.
Proprietor—That is what we were anxious to obtain.
Mr. WITHA D.!, after perusing the Act attentively, said that he
could not see how to punish the driver in this instance, unless
to order him to find bail, and prosecute him at the sessions.
Mr. MALLETT said that the 24th was a general clause, which
inflicted penalties for misbehaviour, and if the master had suf-
fered any injury the Justice could award compensation.
Mr. WITHAM said that complaint must be made within
seven days after. He inquired what agreement he made with
his drivers ? Proprietor—That they must bring home as
much as they can and take care of the property. The pub-
lic, he said, would be imposed upon more than ever if some-
thing was not done to check such proceedings, and it was
by mere chance that he discovered that the captain had been
given into custody by the " Buck," who was employed by his
driver without his consent.

Mr. WITHAM advised him to attend on the day appointed
to hear the driver's summons, and to produce his license, and
that every means should be adopted to bring forward the
" Buck," who had impose upon the Lord Mayor and the
captain.
The parties then left the office.