The Sun.
London, England, 1849-10-20 00:00:00

= 9 OCTOBER 20, 1849.

or he should have committed the prisoner for trial.
As it was, he should fine him 31, and in default com-
mit him for six wceki.

The prisoner said he had no objection to compen•
s::te the mother of the boy, and called a witness
named Day, who said the razor was shut up when the
boy's throat was cut, aiid that the prisoner was only
in p!ay.
Mr. INGHAM finally agreed to remand the case for
a week, and said if he heard that the prisoner had
compensated the mother his sentence would be a very
light one, but he would strongly caution him never to
use a razor in such a way again.

MEETING OF MIDDLESEX
MAGISTRATES.

The magistrates of the county of Middlesex assem-
bled at the Sessions-house, Clericenv.ell, on Thursday,
for the purpose of transacting the financial and other
business of the county. Mr. Pownall, the chairman
of the bench, occupied the chair. There was a full
attendance of justices.
At the opening of the Court, Mr. POWNALL an-
nounced the presence of Von Orloff Brink, who was
sent on a special mission to this country by the King
of Sweden, to inquire into the practice of the police
courts and sessions of the metropolis, and the duties of
magistrates generally.
THE LICENSE TO SAVILLE HOUSE.
Mr. CLARKSON begged the attention of the Bench
for a few minutes, in order that he might bring before
the magistrates
.a subject which he ventured to think
was surrounded with great public importance. It
would be in their recollection that, on Friday last, a
person of the name of Richard Pridmore applied for a
license for music and dancing for an establishment
now denominated Saville house, but known to the pub-
lic as the \Valhalla, in Leicester-square, and that his
Learned Friend Mr. Parry, who appeared in support of
the application, volunteered to the Court a pledge
that, if the license were granted, the place called
Saville-house should be used for musical and vocal
entertainment only, and that dancing should be en-
tirely excluded, as in the case of Exeter-hall and the
Princess's Concert Rooms. At the time that pledge
was tendered, he (Mr. Clarkson), who appeared on
behalf of the proprietors or lessees of the principal
theatres to oppose the grant of the license, doubted
whether that pledge would be faithfully observed, and
some of the magistrates had similar doubts; but when
the applicant entered the witness box, and upon his
solemn oath swore that he woull observe that pledge,
the magistrates thought proper to grant him the
license, the condition being as endorsed upon the brief
of his friend Mr. Bidkin, who opposed the applica-
tion on the part of the rector and parish officers, that
it was-for the purposes of musio. only. Now he (Mr.
Clarkson) held in his hand a bill which informed the
public that on Saturday next, the 20th instant, it
would be opened at half-past seven for a musical and
vocal entertainment; the ball to commence at half-
past eight. To bring himself properly before the
Court, he should call a witness to prove that
Pridmore had received notice of the intention of
the parties who opposed the license to take the
course he (Mr. Clarkson) was then pursuing; that
the advertisements had appeared in the public news•
papers, and that the handbills were distributed at the
door of the premises ; and he should then submit that
the Court had a direct control over the license, and
could compel Pridmore to adhere to the conditions
upon which it was granted. He had next to submit
that, whilst the Court had granted the license for music
only, the license itself had been issued both for music
and dancing—that part which permits dancing not
having been erased. He could cite instances to show
that the Court had the power to call upon Pridmore
for the production of the license, in order that it
might be amended, and its terms made consistent
with those upon which the Court granted it. He held
in his hands a petition of the clergy and parish officers
praying that the Court would insist upon its order
being obeyed.

Air. POWNALL said that most undoubtedly the
Court granted the license upon the understanding
that the place was to be used for concerts, and
not as a dancing saloon, and the applicant
upon the solemn and awful responsibilities of an oath
made a promise to that effect, stating that several emi-
nent vocal professors had applied to him for the use of
the room for vocal purposes. But, at the same time,
the license was granted in the terms of the Act of

Parliament, which did not give them the, power to
grant a license for music only. The license was for
music and dancing, but if the applicant had so far
forgotten himself as to break the solemn pledge he had
given, he might depend upon it that next year when
the application for the renewal was made he would
not have the opportunity to break another pledge. He
did not think the Court could now• interfere.

Mr. CLARK9ON said Exeter-hall was licensed fur
music only, and, as a lawyer, he would say that he
considered the Court had the power to amend the
license according to the order given when it was
granted. He again begged to submit, that Pridmore
be called upon to produce the license.

Mr. G. C. HAEwts, the solicitor for the op-
posing petitioners, was then sworn. He deposed
that he received some of the handbills produced
from a man stationed at the door of Saville-house,
and immediately afterwards he served Pridmore
with a notice of the present proceeding. It was
served personally at Saville-house. Ile produced a
daily paper in which the advertisement alluded to
appeared. The rector and the parish officers signed
the petition now presented, on Wednesday, at his
request.

Mr. Wir.as said he was not aware that when the
license was granted there was any opposition on the
part of the clergy or parish officers.
Mr. CLARKSON was under the impression that they
appeared either by counsel or petition. At any rate
it was opposed by the inhabitants.
Nearly all the magistrates being of opinion that
the Court had no control over the license, nor would
have until the next renewal day, and that it was
granted in conformity with the terms of the Act of
Parliament,

Mr. CLARKSON thanked the Bench for having per-
mitted him to interrupt the business of the day, and
withdrew.

The Court then proceeded with the county business.
Mr. MAuDE, the deputy clerk of the peace, then
read the minutes of the two preceding courts ; and
laid before the Court the various committee reports.
The finance and general purpose committee re-
ported, that they had investigated the accounts, and
upon the motion of Mr. Kempshead, the chairman,
orders were made upon the county treasurer for the
sum of 11,6141. 7s. 9d.

The report of the committee upon the county trea-
surer's accounts was read, and upon their recommen-
dation, a rate of one halfpenny in the pound upon the
county rental was made.

The committee of visitors of the new lunatic
asylum, at Colney Hatch, made a very favourable re-
port as to the progress of the works, and Mr. notch
gave notice that, at the next county day, he should
move for a grant of 5,000/„.for.the purchase of fur

niture and fittings for the establishment.
The Court then executed a mortgage on the
county rates for the sum of 23,0001. (pursuant to
resolution passed in July, 1848) for the new lunatic
asylum.

THE COUNTY PRISONS.
The report of the Visiting Justices of the House
of Correction at Cold Bath-fields state the number
of prisoners now in that establishment to be 1,080,
viz., 842 males and 238 females. In the infirmary
for males there were four patients—not one in that
for females; and the total number of prisoners re-
quiring the attention of the medical officer was thirty.
The report proceeded to state that the Court would
learn from the annual statement of the governor that
the daily average number of prisoners has been 1,154 ;
that at one time the number of prisoners exceeded
1,400, whilst, during the year, the number of pri-
soners was 10,042, or 785 more than the number in
the preceding year, and that with an increased number
of prisoners, the punishments have decreased. The
value of the labour of the prisoners, both male and
female, amounts for the year to 3,5541. 7s. 6,1. ; and
whilst such labour had lessened the expenditure of
the county it had had a very beneficial effect upon
the prisoners, whose health was not only promoted
thereby, but had initiated them into industry and
general usefulness. By the kind and philanthropic
exertions of the chaplains, 132 prisoners, of both
sexes, had been provided for after the expiration of
their sentences—some being introduced into charit-
able institutions; some had been restored to, or had
received the influence of, former employers ; some had
been reconciled to their friends and relatives. 904
males and 283 females had received the benefit of in-
struction in the schools, and much good had resulted
therefrom.

The report was received and adopted.
THE WESTMINSTER HOUSE OF CORRECTION.
The report of the Visiting Justices of this prison
stated the number of prisoners to be, males, 461 ;
females, 180—total, 641. Of that number 93 were
committed for vagrancy and 28 for want of sureties.
The report sated that, in conformity with a recom-
mendation of the surgeon, the visiting justices, on the
15th September, directed that during the prevalence
of cholera and the depressing state of the weather
there should be a general relaxation of the confine-
ments and occupations of those prisoners whose sen-
tences were for long periods. The surgeon having on

[PRICE SD.

that day reported that since the exclusion of potato es
t'rom the dietary, many cases of scurvy had occurred;
and having, without interdicting the use of rice alto-
gether, recommended that to each prisoner, whose
term exceeded three months, half a pound of potatoes
should be given at dinner, the visiting justices issued
directions accordingly, and the surgeon stated that in
consequence of the continuance of diarrlacei the cocoa
caused sickness, and he directed th it a less quantity
Vcocoa should be used, and double the quantity of milk
idled. On Sept. 29 the surgeon reported that there
was a gradual subsidence of the sickness that had
prevailed in the prison, and that during the fourteen
preceding days there had not been one fresh case of
cholera, and only 17 cases of diarrhoea, and during
the last seven days the average of sick of all kinds had
been below the usual rate. The justices, however,
regret to state, that one fatal case of cholera has since
occurred. During the existence of the epidemic, to
prevent any delay in detecting prisoners suddenly
seized, an additional " night watch " was established,
the presence of a responsible officer was required in
each of the infirmaries day and night, and the warders
and day nurses were in constant attendance, taking
the duty on alternate evenings and remaining in the
prison the whole night, in addition to the ordinary
night nurses. These extra services have since been
discontinued on the recommendation of the surgeon,
who has borne testimony to the readiness and promp-
titude with which the governor, matron, and the
wardens and officers under the surgeon's directions
acceded to his wishes, and to the great care and atten-
tion the officers gave to the patients under their
charge. There had been 20 deaths from cholera.