The Sun.
London, England, 1838-03-22 00:00:00

MAGISTRATES.

SPECIAL COUNTY COURT, 11Lincit 20.
Mr. CON ANT was voted to the Chair.
TILE PROPOSED MAGISTERIAL RULES AS TO LICENSED

VICTUALLERS.

Mr. J. B. BEAUMONT rose to propose the series of resolu-
tions received at a former Court, agreed t' by a Committee
of Justices to be adopted, and heretofore published in the
Morning Advertiser.
The CHAIRMAN said, that before the special business for
which the Justices had met was gone into, he had to inform
the Bench that a petition or memorial had been presented to
the Court, together with resolutions, from Gentlemen of the
Licensed Victuallers"frale, and from the Protection Society
Trade, and the National Association. lie did not know the
documents could be received, as notice had not been given.
Were the gentlemen who submitted them in Court?
Two Gentlemen here stepped forward, when an objection
was taken to their being heard.
Mr. WILKS spoke in favour of hearing the gentlemen on
the floor of Court.

After a desultoridiscussion, the resolutions passed at a
meeting of the Trade at tie Crown and Anchor, Strand, on
Weduesday, the 14th of March, called by the Licensed
Victuallers' Protection Society, on the part of the London
Trade, and the National Association, on the part of the
Country Trade, were read by the Clerk of the Peace, but no
definite result was come to thereupon, and application on be-
half of the deputation to addr.ess the Court, was refused.
Mr. BEAUMONT then rose and submitted the first of 12 re-
solutions agreed to by the Committee of Magistrates :—" 1.
That the vice of drunkenness and its worst consequences are
greatly increased by keeping houses open for the sale of in-
toxicating liquors in the night time, and on Sunday mornings,
and also by supplying strong liquors in such houses to persons
when in a state of intoxication." Mr. Beaumont then pro-
ceeded to state, that drunkenness vt as on the iwrease—that
"gin palaces" bad extended, and were productive of the
worst consequences, and entailed misery oa thousands of fa-
milies. He regretted the increasing profligacy at the west
end of the town—( Hear and laughter)—and more especially
in the Haymarket, where houses were kept open all right.
Sir .JOHN JACOB HANSLER seconded it.

Mr. LAURIE rose to oppose the motion, contending that
drunkenness was not on the increase, which could be proved
by official documents. As to the trading on Sunday mornings
in public houses, he believed there could be but one opinion
against it; and he therefore moved as an amendment that it
be recommended to her Majesty's Government to insert a
clause in the Police Act to be renewed in the present Session
of Parliament, that public houses should be closed till one
o'clock on Sunday.
Capt. FITZGERALI) seconded the amendment, which, how-
ever, was negatived, and the first resAution was carried.
Mr. I.3F.AumosT (seconded by Sir J. J. lIANsLER) next
moved the second resolution :—" That the reasonable ac-
commodation of the public nertr,heless requires that house,
affording refreshments, but not being of an intoxicating na-
ture, should be open for their reception in the night time,

subject to strict regulations, and the vigilant inspection of
the police." In doing so Mr. 13eaumont shortly :poke of t
excellency of coffee-shops and houss, and the necessity o'
their being open all night to wayfaring person,, persons :t•
tending markets, printers, and others employed all n'g,t,
stating that they would be under the surveillance of the po-
lice. The woitby Magistrate instituted a comparison be-
tween co&e-shops and public-houses, arguing that frcm this
former murderers and thieves were never apprehended.
(Loud laughter.)
Mr. LAURIE said he considered the proposed resolution the
mcst objectionable—( Ilear)—and very important. The reso-
lution would in effect alter the law, and take from the magis-
trates the controul they at present possessed with the appro-
bation of the Licensed Victuallers.

Sir JAMES WILLIAMS reed with the first resolution most
completely ; but after that he stopped, and could not but con-
sider that no body of persons were more oppressed than the
Licensed Victuallers.—( Loud cries of " Hear.")
y,,f,r. BEAUMONT replied, when " Question" was loudly
called 11;.r, and the resolution was negatived by a majority of
21 to 10.

The third and fourth resolutions were negatived after a
discussion principally upon points of form and rules of Court,
and of no moment.

Mr. BEAUMONT, after expressing surprise at the rejection of
three last resolutions, and briefly reiterating his sentiments on
the whole question, moved the sth and most important reso-
lution :—" 5. Your Committee therefore submit that it be re-
spectfully recommended to her Majesty's Government to bring
in a Bill to limit the hours for the retail sale of strong beer,
wine, and spirituous liquors, to between six o'clock in the
morning and eleven o'clock at night, and that such houses be
cleared of their guests before half-past eleven o'clock at night,
but on Sunday mornings that such be not opened before one
o'clock, F.M."
Mr. CHAMBERS supported it.
Mr. LAURIE opposed the resolution. In conclusion, be
begged to move, as an amendment to the fifth resolution,
" That it be recommended to her Majesty's Government to
insert a clause in ti;!' Police Act, that public-houses should
not be opened on SundajN till after one o'clock."
Capt. FITZGERALD SCCOIHI,..'d the amendment.
After a desultory conversation the amendment was put, when
there appeared, for it, 6 ; for the ori;"; final motion of Mr. Beau-
mont (the sth resolution) 22.
The CHAIRMAN declared the original mo:ion carried.
Several magistrates did not vote, and otheis had left the
Court previous to the division.
The remaining resolutions it was agreed should otand over;
the 9th of April was stated, but there may be an alteration of
the day.