The Sun.
London, England, 1841-01-22 00:00:00

EXCHEQUER CHAMBER.

The Judges met yesterday in the Exchequer
Chamber, for the purpose of choosing their respective
Circuits for the ensuing Assizes. The following was the
List as settled by their Lordships :
HOME CIRCUIT.—Lord Denman, Mr. Baron Parke.

MIDLAND. —Lord Abinger, Mr. Justice Pattison.
NORFOLK. —Chief Justice Tindal, Mr. Justice Bo-
sanquet.
OXFORD.—Mr. Baron Gurney, Mr. Justice Coleridge.
WESTERN CIRCUIT.-Mr. Justice Erskine, Mr. Baron
Rolfe.

NORTHERN CIRCVIT.--Mr. Justice Maule.
WALES —Mr. Justice Williams, Mr. Justice Coltman.
It is not yet finally settled that Mr. Baron Rolfe shall
go the Western circuit, he holding himself ready either
for that or the Northern, according as it shall be found
convenient when the new Judge is appointed.
Mr. Baron Alderson will be the Jute in town.

SHERIFFS' COURT.
GOLLING V. PAGE.

This was an action in which the proprietor of a tavern
on Tower-hill, licensed for singing and theatrical represen-
tations, sought to recover the sum of 4/. 15s. from the de-
fendant, who had been engaged as scene-painter, and who
also occasionally favoured the patrons of the establishment
with specimens of his histrionic abilities.
From the facts adduced in evidence it appeared that pre-
vious to the present action there had been much litigation
between the parties. The plaintiff now claimed the sum
of 4/ 15s. for refreshments supplied to the def,mlant.

.
A number of witnesses were examined on both sides,
most of whom described themselves as "professionals,"
and their evidence kept the Court in roars of laughter.
One of them described himself as " a skin-dresser or flesher
by trade"—by profes.ion, " stage-manager of Mr. Golling's
establishment."

For the defence it was contended that the refreshments
supplied ought to have been gratuitous, as the defendant
received no salary.

A verdict was eventually returned for the plaintiff.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE

MANSION-HOUSE.

COALS.—Mr. Rowland, the harbour-master at
Greenwich, waited upon Alderman Wilson, at the Man-
sion-house, in consequence of an application from Mr.
Cooper, of the house of Smith and Cooper, of Harp-
lane, coal agents, for expediting the delivery of what
are called free coals, i. e. coals brought from pits not in
the combination, and which are sold at a much lower
rate on account of not having anything tacked on the
price for demurrage, factorage, or combination dues.
Mr. Richmond, the Lord Mayor's coal merchant,
who has supplied the Mansion-house in the last three
Ma; °rattles, with what are called Lord Mayor's coals,
and are much abused by advertisers, also attended and
aid, that Mr. Cooper was his agent, and he thought
that he had not received those facilities for the passage
of his ships up the river upon their arrival, which he
had reason in justice to expect.
Mr. Rowland produced several letters and papers,
showing that application had been made at Gravesend to
allow the King William to pass up, on its arrival, to un-
load in Deptford Creek, the coals being sold. The order
was promptly given as the ships arrived, and lay in the
Thames for three days, when on the 2d of January a
letter arrived fro:n Mr. Cooper, requesting an imme-
diate order for the pool, as the letter said he could not
get the ship into the Creek. He (Mr. Rowland) know-
ing that the ship drew but eight feet of water felt a little
annoyed at the application, and stated as much to the
Captain. Soon afterwards he received a more peremp-
tory letter from Mr. Cooper, to whom he wrote in an-
swer that he had given an order to admit the ship into
the pool in her turn. Mr. Rowland complained that
there were all sorts of tricks resorted to by the Captains
of vessels to get into the pool, where the Captains and
crews preferred lying till their cargoes were sold to wait-
ing at Gravesend:
Alderman WILSON said that since Mr. Cooper had
been last at the Mansion-house ho had made it his bu-
siness to inquire into the subject relating to the free-
trade coal ships. He had seen three of the harbour
Masters, and he was well convinced that the harbour
service had never at any period been so efficiently con-
ducted as at the present time. He believed that it met
with the approbation of the cord trade, and he was sure
the public would shortly admit that they were greatly
benefited by the exertions of these officers. He found
in his inquiries that the ships coming from the north
laden with coals from the non-combination pits, and gel!.
ing their cargoes before their arrival, their unloading
without delay and returning immediately had made so
many more voyages than the combination ships, that
the owners of the latter were becoming alarmed, and
had declared that they would no longer submit to the
factors' regulations, and that that sort of mutiny had
already taken place. If he happened to be wrong as to
his information he knew well how delighted some per-
sons would be to contradict him.
Mr. Cooper said he believed that the Alderman had
received correct information.
Mr. Richmond—The shipowners have long been
annoyed at seeing my ships and others returning so
much. oftener than their's, which were compelled to
wait the pleasure of the Committee of Factors before
they can unload. It will now put the coal owners to
the test, and we shall see what they will do.
Alderman WILsoN hoped they would continue their
combinations, far the longer they continued them the
greater would be the number of pits opened ; and
these mighty motiopolkas would find to their cost that
the public could, and would get coals, in spite of all
the.r res.;ulation3.

Mr. Richmond—The number of new workings within
the last tro years is quite astounding. If a ship trans-

guilt the factors' regulations, instead of being thrown
out of work, or having to pay a heavy fine to procure
nre coals, as formerly was the case, they can now get
served directly from the new pits, which are not in the
combination.
Alderman Wusort—lf that part of the public sell°
dislike a coal that burns to white ashes, would he"
submitted to the inconvenience for one season 00110
they would have taught the combinatory a lesson far
better than any legislative enactment could instruct
them in, and which I think they are now learning. 81.
though there may be some further delay before thel
can become perfect. I continue to burn the same sett
of coal I burned when in the Mansion-house, and eut
entirely satisfied with them, though they burn to whit°
ashes. I have no complaint of dust or damage to the
furniture.
Mr. Rowland said he bad been informed some alters.
tion was in progress.
Alderman WlLsow—With regard to the grievance
now stated, I think Mr. Cooper has no ground of cow
plaint. The Harbour Master has most difficult del
to perform. I have seen the buyers of this ship ?
coals, and I believe the circumstance has occurred °
consequeace of a misunderstanding between the roil°
themselves as to who should pay the expenses of ee.;
tering the Creek, which the captain encountered on hi
arrival. The Captain refuses to pay, the buyer rehol'
and the seller refuses, and something like a deception 11
practised en the Harbour Master to obtain an order f°l'
the pool.
Mr. Cooper—lf so, then we have been wade tb°
dupes of the Captain.
Alderman WILSON—Be that as it may, lam Old
the Harbour Master knew his duty too well to be dulSt
by any one. lam sure the Lord Mayor will supper
the Harbour Master, and do all in his power to (MO
a free trade in coals for his fellow-citizens. No one ie.
sinuates that Messrs. Smith and Cooper willed to de'
ceive these zealous and active officers.