The Sun.
London, England, 1836-08-09 00:00:00

NORTHAMPTON.

(Abridged from the Northampton Chronicle of Saturday.)

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN THE JUSTICE ROOM.

This being the day for the transfer of Licenses, H. L.
Stockburn, G. Buxton, and D. Hewlett, Esqrs., met ; the
two former Gentlemen, after waiting till after ten o'clock.
dispatched Mr. Ball, the police-officer, to the residence of
Charles Freeman, Esq., the Mayor, to request that he
would favour them with his company. The Mayor shortly
after arrived.

Captain HEWLETT opened the business by saying that
he was not aware that this was the day for the transfer of
licenses, as he had a gentleman with him, Mr. Walker, who
cbjected,to the license of the Cook's Arms, lately kept by
Mr. George, being transferred to a house in Commercial-
street, near the Independent Chapel, on account of the im-
moral character of the Cook's Arms and the bad manner
in which it had been conducted by Mr. George. He (Capt.
H.) had told Mr. Walker that it would not come on for a
month.

The MAY on said that Mr. George had paid for a month,
and that he did not leave the licensed house, but that it
was pulled down, and he quitted it on the promise of bay-
ing his license transferred. Though it was a noisy house
at the fair, and all houses were noisy then, there had never
been a complaint made against it. The lowest order of
people came to it, but there were houses in the Market-
square infinitely worse than the Cook's Arms ever was.
He should therefore like to know in what consisted the
nuisance.

Captain HEWLETT said, as far as Mr. George was con-
cerned, he 'never knew a more undeserving mane of o. The
worthy Magistrate then went over a lowe catalog
fences committed by Mr. George, and did not forget the cir-
cumstance of his having formerly cheated the Corporation
funds ; he also dwelt upon the duty that the Magistrates
had to fulfil as trustees, and expressed his opinion that, as
Mr. George was undeserving, they should consider the offer
of Mr. Walker, of the Trooper.
The MAYOR attacked Captain Hewlett in strong terms,
and said that the house of the applicant was as well con-
ducted as any in the Market-square ; he also proceeded to
abuse Mr. Collins, and said that any information that Cap-
ed from Mr. Walker, he (the
Lain H. might have received
Mayor) should take no notice of, as he had not received
it himself.—We were prevented from taking notes of what
passed, for a considerable time,
an;., the attacks made upon
Captain Hewlett were so strong and so frequently re-
peated, that
Mr. BUXTON at length said (under considerable excite-
ment) that as a brother Magistrate, he could not sit there
and hear such unwarrantable remarks made upon Captain
Hewlett.
The discussion, however, continued, the Mayor growing
more heated every minute, till at length he declared he
would never come to the Town Hall again to transact
business with them. Just previous to the public being
admitted we began' to take notes, and
Mr. BUXTON remarked that hitherto' they had always
received uniform kindness and courtesy from the Mayor,
but he co,itainly thought the attacks that had been made
this morning on Captain Hewlett were such that could not
be excused.
The MAYOR—I hope that I have behaved with as much
courtesy to you as any one ; but I will not be ridden over
roughshod (striking the desk with his clenched fist) by
Captain Hewlett or any body, and nothing shall deter me
from doing my duty.
Mr. BuxroN did not believe for one moment that Capt.
Hewlett would be a party to any one or be influenced by
the opinions of others to the injury of the applicant. He
(Mr. B.) had always understood the house to be such a one

lied represented it, and had intend&
0 circumstance himself.
jin HEWLETT—I know nothing of any of the ver-
ses. Jr.s Collins is stated to be what I hope he is not.
I have always found in him everything that is right.-
has- stated to me that the house was badly kept, and that ist
was so is notorious to the whole town. • It has also been
stated by Mr. Walker, the tailor, that he feared it woulol
be such a nuisance to the Dissenters in Commercial-street,
that he hoped the license would not be granted ; and though
I am a Churchman myself, I have too much respect for
others to allow their feelings to be insulted when I can help
it ; and are we to go in the thee of all these and grant a
license to a man who, from his former conduct, proyed him-
self never to have deserved one ?
The MAYOR said he considered meeting-houses as bad as
b--y houses.—(This remark, singularly cnotsh, passed
unnoticed.) Captain Hewlett mustfirst show that. it did
annoy the meeting-house. It was an arbitrary, and be
would go further, he would say it was an unjust act.
Mr. BUXTON would never charge any man with doing an
unjust act on such slight grounds as this, and—
The MAYOR would not, but he came there in a domineer-
inn manner, and demanded that the license should be with-
held. He supposed this to proceed from his having' been in
the army.
Mr. George and his son were then called in, and
Captain HEWLETT said, I have individually, objections to
your license being moved clown to Commercial-street ; in
the first place; I consider it unnecessary that a license
should be granted there. It is quite uncalled for, and I have
other reasons which I need not mention to you.
Mr. George—Gentlemen, have a little consideration.
Captain HEwecerr—l have considered it as far as I am
concerned. I have known you and your house for many
years—and I have kisown your character for many years,
and have considered your case.
The MAYOR—No one can prevent your keeping a beer-
house, and if you chose to keep a good tap I think it will
be better for you.
Captain HEWLETT—COM Plaints have been made, and
why should we annoy the whole neighbourhood? I shall
certainly vote against it, and Mr. Buxton may do as he
thinks proper.
Mr. BUXTON--I should Very muchoprefer having the
opinion of the other Magistrates.
The MAvon—l am very glad to tell you, George, that
I have no reason, nor have I heard of any, for keeping Tour
license from you. There have been no complaints mad,
here—there have been surmises--hut lam satisfied. lam
satisfied that your house has not enticed worse people than
other houses. You have not kept late hours ; others have
—and no complaints have been to about your house.
Captain HEWLETT said that the house was notoriously
laid, and that, if it were neceessry, . would be proved by
every resident on the Market•squere. Indeed,, during his
Mayoralty he had to place a constable there every night to
see that the house was cleared.
Young George—Shall we apply at the general licensing
time ?'

Captain HEWLETT—I have given .try opinion, and I
shall not alter.
The MAYOR—And, I too, have givdry mine, and I sha
not alter unless I see eause.—The parties then retired.