The Sun.
London, England, 1840-07-20 00:00:00

HATTON-GARDEN.

Apoliceman appeared to prefer an information
against the landlord of the Goat public-house, Task-
street, St. Andrew's Holborn, for suffering riotous con-
duct in his house. The man stated that he was desired
to watch the house, from an anonymous letter having
been sent to his Inspector. The riot consisting in a
party of tradesmen who had a supper in the place, drink-
ing the Queen's health with three times three cheers,
the Magistrate dismissed the information.

COURT CHRISTIAN, NORWICH.

On Monday last, at the sitting of this Court, Mr.
Charles Childs put in his counter-allegation, a docu-
ment setting forth the grounds of his defence to the
claim of the Churchwardens.

In it he alleges that the notice of vestry was not suf.
f.eient—that property is omitted from the assessment—
that the property assessed is not sufficiently described
—that the rate is unequal—that it is also retrospective
—that it has been interpolated in many places since it
was made—and that a previous rate, made for the same
purposes in the same year, was in course of collection
when the rate in question was made.
In supply of proof, Mr. Childs put in a poor-rate for
the same parish, made at ❑early the same time as the
church-rate ; and in doing so, he observed that in a casts
lately hoforo tho C.o.+, the Learned Judge had re-
marked that the defendant did not come with clean
hands to complain of an assessment which he himself
had been mainly instrumental in making.
In the equity of that remark he, Mr. C. fully con-
curred, and as he himself had signed the Poor-rate
which he now put in, he might appear subject to a like
charge unless he explained how the matter stood.

He was last year appointed Overseer of Bungay, St.
Mary. He would not say more of that appointment
than that it was not made in a friendly spirit ; but,
being made, he resolved to execute the office with his
best ability.
Shortly afterwards he was summoned to assist in
making a poor-rate, and was requested to sign it, as the
assessment regularly adopted by the parish. He did
so, remarking that he knew nothing about parish mat-
ters, and his signature was merely formal.
When the next quarter came round, he had
satisfied himself the assessment was not a just one,
and he pointed out one especial instance of
inequality. He added, however, that as he
was resolved to do nothing which might obstruct or
embarrass the collection of the Poor-rate, or which
might subject him to the suspicion of lighting the
Church-rate battle onPoor-rate ground, he would sign the
present rate, on the understanding that during the en-
suing quarter a vestry should be held to consider the
points in dispute. 'Phis was unanimously assented to,
and the rate so signed was the one he now put in.
No Vestry was, however, called, and at the next
quarter he said he thought there had been a breach of
good faith, and he must now decline to sign the rate.
Still, for the reasons before assigned, he pledged himself
not to prevent its being allowed, nor to appeal against
the assessment while he continued in the office.

When the fourth quarter came, he complained of the
neglect with which the subject had been treated, re-
fused to sign the rate, and moved not a specific amend-
ment of the assessment, but that a vestry be forthwith
held to consider the matter. :n deference to the con-
venience of one Churchwarden who was absent, he re-
frained from specifying the day for such meeting, and
the resolution being unanimously adopted, was entered
in the Vestry Book and signed by the other Church-
warden, who was Chairman. _

To his surprise both the Churchwardens refused to
call any Vestry for the purpose, and although he might
have done so himself, and was strongly urged to de it by
the Assistant Overseer, he refi ained from it on the
simple possibility that it might be called a hostile act.
Under these circumstances he thought the Judge
would hold him now entitled to impeach the justice of
the assessment in question.

The JUDGE—Yes, I understand, Mr. Childs, that you
signed this Poor-rate officially, but did not thereby ex-
press your approval of the assessment.

The neat Court was fixed for July 27.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

(LLOYD'S.)

VESSELS SPOKEN WITH.—The Celia, Graham, from Har-
tlepool to Archangel, 4th inst , out 63 days, and supplied
with provisions, lat. 71 N., lon. 17 E., by the Jane, Gol-
die, arrived at Aberdeen ; Dcveron, of Glasgow, 17th ult.,
lat. 47 lon. 59, by the Nancy, Graham, arrived in Pentland
Frith ; Wm Money, Sydney, New South Wales, 26th
Feb., lat. 42 lon. 18; Eliza, from Ramsgate, 29th, lat 3
35 lon. 18; Jane of London, bound to Rio Janeiro, same
day ; Mines, Me Hugh, from Port Rico, 17th April, lat. 35
S., lon 5 E., by the Burnham Bowles, arrived at the Cape
of Good Hope.