The Sun.
London, England, 1836-10-05 00:00:00

CHELSEA PETTY SESSIONS.

Yesterday morning the Adjourned Sessions commenced
at the Board-room of the workhouse of St. Luke, Chelsea.
It will be recollected that yesterday week Mr. William
Edwall, a member of the board of overseers of the above
very extensive and populous parish, entered the justice-
room, and introduced to the notice of the Bench a young
female, who appeared to be in the last stage of consump-
tion, and who, from her exhausted and debilitated state,
was accommodated with a chair, for their advice and as-
sistance, under circumstances of a very melancholy and dis-
tressing nature.
From the applicant's statement it then appeared, that
her name is Hards, and that she is the wire of Mr. Gabriel
Hards, a gentlemen fiLling a situation in the establishment
of the Royal Household at St. James's Palace, and like-
wise a commission salesman and fruiterer, carrying on an
extensive business in Covent-garden market, who had de-
serted her and left her to starve by refusing her any pecu-
niary assistance, he being in affluent circumstances, his in-
come amounting to about 3001. per annum.
Yesterday, for some time previous to the Magistrates
taking their seats on the bench, the avevues to the Court
were crowded by a number of persons who, from the publi-
city already given to this distressing case, bad interested
themselves on behalf of the unfortunate Mrs. Herds ; in-
deed, one gentleman, in particular, a solicitor, had ten-
dered his professional services gratuitously.
On the case being called on,
Blackwell, the officer, had that morning attended at the
Palace for the purpose of executing the warrant, by taking
Mr. Hards into custody, whom be found not at the Palace,
but engaged in his business at Covent-garden-market. Mr.
Hards stated that he was on duty, and consequently could
not be apprehended. Mr. Blackwell added that he then
returned to St. James's, and on searching a register disco-
vered what Mr. Hards had said was correct.
The CHAIRMAN, addressing the applicant—What situa-
tion does Mr. Hards hold in the Royal household ? Mrs.
Hards—He is a Gentleman-at-Arms, Sir ; by some called
a Yeoman of the Guard.
The CHAIRMAN—Where are you at present residing ?
Mrs. Hards—At No. 1, Union-row, Queen's Elms, Chelsea.
The CHAIRMAN—How many children have you? Mrs.
Hards—l have three to maintain, Sir.
The CHAIRMAN—I will thank you, Mr. Cornell, to read
the letter you have received from Mr. Hard:.
Mr. Cornell complied. From Mr. Hard's letter, it ap-
peared that he considered Mrs. Hards was not in that dis-
tress which she had represented herself to be in. He had
called at her house last Sunday evening, and there disco-
vered the children at their meal, with a plentiful supply,
and a servant kept by Mrs. Hards to take care of them.
She had received moneys, if not directly from his hands,
indirectly from his purse. He had left an order with Mr.
S. Dukes, Bridge-row, Lambeth, who would, on Mrs.
Hards making application to him, afford pecuniary assistance.
Mrs. Hards—The major part of the assertions in my
husband's letter are incorrect, Sir.
The CHAIRMAN—Your case truly is a most unfortunate
one, and merits much commiserition. You must follow
the directions contained in Mr. Hards' letter until my col-
league (Mr. France) returns to towb, When no doubt a
permanent arrangement will be effected between you and
eived when you
and your husband. If you find you are det:
apply to Mr. Duke for assistance, the Bench will issue a
fresh warrant for the apprehension of Mr. Hardt..
The applicant then retired.