The Sun.
London, England, 1841-11-22 00:00:00

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.

PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
ACT.—Thomas Bleese, the keeper of a chandler's shop at
No. 31, Ray-street, Clerkenwell, was charged by Mr.
Childe, the Inspector of Weights and Measures, with
having in use an unjust weighing-machine.
It appeared that there was a deficiency of nearly a
quarter of an ounce in the defendant's weighing scale,
which fraud was occasioned by a farthing being affixed
to and underneath the balance.

Defendant said he had not long been in the bnsiness,
and that he was told by the person of whom he took the
shop, that if he wished to get a living he must have an
ounce draught against the purchaser.
The Magistrate—The advice of your predecessor, then,
has led you to commit v. robbery, by making persons
pay for what they never had, and the Court adjudges
you to pay 20s.
Christopher Wire, described as an " Irish provision
merchant," 141, Great Saffron-hill, was summoned.
This was the second visit which the defendant had been
compelled to make before their Worships for defrauding
the poor. On the occasion of the last inspection by Mr.
Childe of the defendant's weights, there was a deficiency
of three quarters of an ounce against the buyer. - „
Defendant—l am very sorry ;we are obliged to give a
lumping weight.
Mr. WILsoN—Do you live now where you resided
when you were here before? Defendant—No, your Wor-
ship. The exposure in the newspapers drove me away.
Mr. CHAPMAN—What does the defendant weigh in the
scales you found so abominably short? Mr. Childe—As
small a quantity as two ounces.
Mr. CHAPMAN—WeII, I never heard of such a case in
my life.
Defendant—Don't believe that I did wrong in such a
small quantity.
Mr. WILsoN—We do believe it, and fine you 40s.
Defendant—Let me off a little cheaper, and if I come
here again do what you like with me.
Mr. CHAPMAN—You must pay that sum, or else a war-
rant will be issued.

Sarah Day, of Bride-street, Liverpool-road, chandler,
was complained of for having a half-penny under her scale.
Defendant said it had not been put there by her. She
had been in the business but a very short period.
Mr. WILSON—It was your duty to see that your
weights and scales were correct, and you must suffer for
your neglect. Fined 10s.
Wm. Owen, butcher, near the Half-moon public-house,
Holloway, appeared to answer the following charge :
Mr. Turner said, that fastened to one of the defen-
dant's scales was a piece of fat weighing nearly an ounce.
Mr. WILSON (to defendant)—What have you to say?
Defendant—Purchasers want consideraby more than
that draught. lam poor, and what am Itodo ?
Mr. WILSON—Why, be honest. Honesty is the best
policy.
Mr. CHAPMAN—You pretend to give good weight, and
still are plundering. Yoti must pay 10s.
John Hanbury, a grocer in Pulteny-street, Islington,
was summoned on the following charge :
Mr. Childe said this was a case that differed very
of complaints which he was in
to the Bench. There were a
tmheu much
habitfr from
ft the generalityintroducing
number of weights and scales in defendant's shop, and
the only fault he had to find was that one scale was
against a purchaser to the extent of seven drachms, oc-
casioned by some butter adhering to the top of the
wsceailgehilnvagsscof a ale ;
when the butter had been wiped off the
just balance. The scales being to that
incorrect, he thought it incumbent on him to take out a
summons against Mr. Hanbury.
Defendant--Do you suppose the butter wa's there for
the purpose of fraud ? Mr. Childe—Certainly not ;it
was only neglect.
Mr. WILSON—But neglect will lead to fraud. If we
supposed ter a moment that there was an intended evil
in the neglect, we should fine you heavily ; as it is, you
must pay 30s.
George Clothier, a coal-dealer, in Collier-street, Pen-
tonville, was next heard on his summons.
Mr. Turner said that defendant's coal-machine was a
pound and a quarter against a purchaser.
Mr. Childe—This is a second offence. When he was
last here, he was fined 41.
Defendant—Yes, and I have been starving ever since.
Mr. CHAPMAN—Your poverty ought to make you feel
for your poor neighbour.
Mr. Childe—Allow me to plead for him, your Wor-
ships. He is very badly off, and his children are suffer-
ing from scarlet fever.
Mr. WILSON—Then we will be merciful, hoping that
he will amend his ways. Return him his weighing-
machine, and let him pay ss.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
BOW-STREET.

Samuel Williams, a man of very respectable appear-
ance, was brought up on the following charge of robbery:
The Rev. Dr. Giles stated, that he resided at Wind-
lesham Hall, near Bagshot. In May last, it being his
intention to go abroad for six months, he determined on
letting his house, furniture, Sac., for that period ; and
the prisoner having given several respectable references, it
was agreed that he should have witness's house, and the use
of the furniture, &c., for the above period. At the time of
prisoner's taking .possession, witness showed him a ca•
binet in one of the rooms, in which was upwards of 200/.
worth of plate, and securities for money of the value of
about 1,2001. more. Witness locked the cabinet, and then
left the whole of his property, in charge of the prisoner.
Witness returned to England in the early part of Sep-
tember last, and soon afterwards went to Windlesham
Hall, where he saw the prisoner, and told him that he
should shortly require to take possession of his house,
and in the course of their conversation asked if the plate
was all safe, whereupon the prisoner said, that some
months before he discovered that an attempt had been
made to force the lock of the cabinet, and that he fearing
that the plate might be stolen, had himself broken open
the cabinet and taken out the plate, and removed it to
the house of a friend for safe custody. Witness inquired
who his friend was, hut the prisoner declined answering
the question, assuring him, however, that the plate should
be all restored to him in the course of a few days. Wit-
ness wrote frequently to the prisoner; and received letters
in reply, stating his property was safe. He had never been
able to get an interview with
the prisoner or to recover
his property, and his patience being completely exhausted
he gave information of the whole affair to the police, and
on Friday night Sergeant Weston traced the prisoner to
a house in the Strand, where he took him into custody.
Prisoner afterwards confessed to the prosecutor that he
had pledged the plate at the shop of a Mr. Kirkham, a
pawnbroker, 318, in the Strand; who had advanced him
upwards of 1001. upon it. Upon being asked what he
had done with the duplicates, he replied that Mr. Kirk-
ham had them, and had advanced him a further sum of
61. upon them. On hearing the above evidence, Mr. Jar-
dine dispatched a constable to request the attendance of
Mr. Kirkham, vho returned an answer that he was par-
ticularly engaged and could not come. Mr. Jardine
then sent a summons to compel his attendance, when he
refused to come, saying that his solicitor had informed
him that he WAS not bound to attend on so short a notice.
The officer then told him that he was wanted to give evi-
dence respecting
pledged with him by Williams, and described the differ-
ent articles, some stolen plate, that had been
when he declared that lie had no such pro-
perty in his shop, and that he did not know such a person
as Williams. Mr. Jardine now issued a search warrant,and
on the officer going to Mr. Kirkham's shop to execute it he
could not find any of the prosecuta's property. The officer
was again sent to Mr. Kirkham desiring his attendance,
and informing him that, if he did not come, a warrant
would be issued. On this Mr. Kirkham thought proper to
make his appearance. He stated that lie thought he had
seen the prisoner before, but could not tell. He might
have taken plate in pledge from him, but did not know.
Mr. JARDINE said that sort of fencing with questions
would not do, and he advised witness to be cautious, or
he would most assuredly be indicted for perjury. The
witness; notwithstanding this caution, answered the
questions put to him in such an evasive manner, that at
length Mr. Jardine ordered him into custody, and he was
placed at the bar with the other prisoner. In the mean
time the shopman of Mr. Kirkham was sent for, and he
attended, and gave his name James H. Stewart. He
stated (after having been cautioned that all the facts of
the case were already known, and that, if he did not
speak the truth, he would be indicted for perjury) that
he had seen the prisoner in his mister's shop. The first
time he came there was about three months ago, when
witness showed him into his master's private room, and

afterwards made out duplicates for 401., which was lent
to prisoner on some plate that he brought with
him, and which he pledged in the name of Wynd,
ham. Could not say how often he had seen him in his
master's shop, or when he saw him there last. Had
known him to pledge plate there several times. The
greatest sum advanced at any one time was 401. Wit-
ness always asked prisoner if the plate was his own pro-
perty, and he invariably replied in the affirmative.
Prisoner had since obtained an advance of 51. or 61. on
those duplicates: Did not know where th© duplicates
were now. Had looked for them, but could not find
them. Often advanced as much as 401. on plate to gen-
tlemen of respectable appearance, though they were
strangers to him. When, such persons came to his mas-
ter's shop he always showed them into a private room.
Mr. JARDIgE—You must go with an officer, and en-
deavour to find the duplicates. Witness (impudently)—
I dare say they are in the warehouse, but I am not the
warehouse boy.
Mr. JARDlNE—Whatever you may be, you had better
go with the officer, and bring back the duplicates.—The
witness went away with an officer ; and in a short time
returned, and said he had again searched for the dupli-
cates, but could not find them.

At this moment another of Kirkham's shopmen en-
tered the office and produced the required duplicates, say-
ing he had just found then) in the shop till. Mr. Kirk-
ham here said that he hoped the two last witnesses would
not be detained, as he had no one else to mind his bu-
siness. Mr. Jardine, however, ordered them not to leave
the office.

George Jones, the shopman who brought the dupli-
cates, was here examined, and he having sworn as to
finding the duplicates, Mr. Jardine broke open the
sealed packet in which they were contained. There were
altogether sixteen duplicates for various articles of plate,
several of them dated within a day or two of each other,
and on which altogether 1021. 10s. had been advanced.
Stewart re-examined—Admitted that one of the dupli-
cates was in the handwriting of his master, and said the
rest had been made out by himself, and that he had sub-
sequently advanced Williams 61. on those duplicates.
Sergeant Weston proved having taken the prisoner
Williams into custody, and the subsequent occurrences
at the shop of Mr. Kirkham, as above stated.
Mr. White, an attorney, here stepped forward, and
said that the prisoner Kirkham was his cousin, and had
acted under his adviee throughout the whole transaction.
He was willing to give up the plate, which lie would ad-
mit was in his possession.
Mr. JARDINE—You mean in your client's possession ?
The Solicitor—No, Sir. It has been removed from his
house by my advice, and is now in my custody.
Mr. JARDINE—ReaIIy this is the most extraordinary
conduct I ever heard. of on the part of a professional
man. The Solicitor—Well, if I have done wrong I am
ready to abide by the consequences.
Mr. JARDINE.—You must go at once with an officer
and deliver up the plate to him.
The Solicitor—l have no objection to do so.
The solicitor and the policeman then left the Court
together. After lapse of nearly half an hour,
Mr. JARDINE said he had no objection to admit Mr.
Kirkham to bail, himself in 2001., and two sureties in
100 t each, to appear again on Saturday next. The other
prisoner would be remanded until that day.
Mr. Kirkham sent to his friends, and the required re-
cognizances were entered into, Mr. Jardine consenting
to take one bail in 2001.

Kirkham then left the office, and up to eight o'clock
the plate was not forthcoming.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

Mr. Ingram, landlord of the Three Tuns public-house,
Rupert-street, was summoned before Mr. Hardwick by
the police for having his house open after twelve o'clock
on Saturday night.
Police Sergeant Valiance stated, that he went into the
defendant's house about half-past twelve on Saturday
night, and found persons assembled in the parlour, tap-
room, and before the bar, in number between twenty
and thirty. Some of the persons were smoking.
Mr. Ingram, in--answer to the charge, said his house
was a house o€ call for. bakers, a class of persons whose
work did not cease until a-,very late hour, and they, as
a matter of course, had no other time for refreshment
than after the period of their daily labours. The persons
seen by the police were lodgers, and one or two neigh-
bours, but though some were smoking none were drink-
ing, and he could prove that he did not draw a drop of
any kind of liquor after twelve o'clock.
Mr. HARDWICK said it was idle to plead that the num-
ber of persons found in the house were lodgers. That
was a common excuse with all publicans, ,and deserved
as little attention as the excuse of beggars, that they
were not begging but selling inciter matches.
Mr. Ingram said he had 16 lodgers in his house, and
on Saturday night, in particular, he frequently had to
accommodate four or fire and twenty.

•
Mr. HARDWICK replied it was his duty to clear his
house by 12 o'clock. If the lodgers would not retire to
their rooms, he had the resource of putting- out the lights,
and this would oblige them to disperse.
Mr. HARDWICK having inquired if the defendant had
been summoned before, was informed that he had been
summoned a few weeks ago for keeping open during
Divine service, and let off on payment of the expenses.
Mr. HARDWICK—I fine the defendant 2/. now, and if
he is brought here again I shall put on the full' penalty
of U.—The money was immediately paid.
The next case was against Mr. Slograve, landlord of
the 'White Horse, Rupert-street. for a. like offence.
Police Serjeant Valiance proved that after half-past 12
o'clock he went into the defendant's house, and found a
number of persons in the tap-room and parlour with
measures containing gin and beer before tkem.

As the defendant lied been fined two years back for
some offence, the penalty of 40s. was inflicted and paid.
The third case was against Mr. Shandon, Horse and
Groom, Richmond-street.

In this case the police sergeant proved that seven per-
sons were in the parlour, some of whom were amusing
themselves at a game of chess.
The landlord said the company were his lodgers, and
they had no drink served to them aft©r 12 o'clock.

lcfr. HARDWICK was informed that the house was well
conducted, and no complaint had been made before. The
reduced fine of 103. was inflicted and paid.
A female, about 19 years of age, whose name was
stated to be Mary Carter, fashionably dressed and of
interesting appearance, and who was accompanied by her
mother and brother, was charged with making an at•
tempt to throw herself into the Serpentine River.
Police constable, 201 of the A division, stated that
about ten minutes before seven on Saturday morning
while standing on the bridge over the Sepentine River,
he saw several persons standing together, and on pro-
ceeding to them found the defendant lying on the wet
ground divested of her bonnet, shawl, and stockings and
shoes, and some of the bystanders informed him that
she had made an attempt to throw herself into the river.
Watching an opportunity while witness's attention was
engaged she made another effort to get to the water, but
was prevented by him, and she then burst into tears, and
on being questioned refused to give any account of
herself.

The mother of the defendant stated that her daughter
had been married about nine months to a highly respect-
able tradesman at the West-end, bnt that he so con-
tinually and cruelly ill-treated her, that she (the mo-
ther) had no doubt but that her poor child's mind had
been overwrought to madness by her wrongs, and that
in a fit of desperation she had purposed making away
with herself.

After a lengthened conversation, it was settled that
Mrs. Carter should, for the present, remain in charge
of her relations, and that proceedings should be in-
stantly commenced against the husband fur personal and
most brutal violence to his wife.