The Sun.
London, England, 1841-10-09 00:00:00

MARSHAM.

DISGRACEFUL OUTRAGE by POLICEMEN.
This hitherto peaceful and quiet town was, on Friday
evening last, the scene of great riot and disorder, from
the following circumstances, which have been detailed to
us by a correspondent, upon whom we can rely. On
the Thursday evening, some idle boys assembled to
perform what is not an unusual ceremony in country
towns, to " ride stang," as it is called, in consequence
of supposed ill-treatment and assault, by Swiuburne,
the police officer, upon his wife. To say the least
of it, it is a foolish and at the same time a harmless
proceeding, and would doubtlese be more honoured in
the breach than in the observance, Swinburne was, as
might be expected, much annoyed at this proceeding,
and after some altercation with the parties, succeeded
that evening in puttipg a stop to their sport. On the
following night, about nine o'clock, the accustomed ce-
remonies were resumed, and Swinburne, with a police-
officer from Bedale of the name of Macpherson, whom
Swiuburne had brought to the town, immediately sat
about with groat violence to disperse the persons who
were assembled in the streets, and their manner of
doing so excited general disgust and indignation. These
peace officers had each of them a brace of pistols in
their hands, and, in a state of great excitement, were
presenting them at any person who dared to remon-
strate with them upon their mad career. A young
man who was crossing the street, and taking no part
whatever in the disturbance, was instantly seized try
these fellows, and was about to be dragged to the lock
up, when many respectable bystanders remonstrated
with the officers upon their behaviour, and desired
them to release their prisoner. rine only reply given
was a determined threat on the part of these men, that
if any person interfered with them they should have the
contents of the pistols, which, by their owe confession,
were loaded. By this time the people were so exasperated
that an outbreak was momentarily expected, which, in
all probability, would have ended in bloodshed. Swin-
burne and Macphers'on were, however, at last prevailed
upon to release their unoffeading prisoner, and Messrs.
Jackson and Ascougb, the town's constables, at the re-
quest of the respectable inhabitants of the place, under-
took to quell the riot which at this time had arisen to
a great pitch. They immediately insisted upon Swin-
burne and Macpherson going home, assuring them that
if they did not, they would not be answerable for the
consequences, and that the peace of the town would be
soan restored. To this they assented with much diffi-
culty, and in a very short time the persons quietly dis-
persed, and the streets were completely cleared in less ,
than half an h our. The two police officers were, how-
ever, determined to have their revenge that night,
and about elesea o'clock, when all was peaceable, they
proceeded to the house of one Robert Atkinson, who,
the evening before, had taken some part in the pro•
ccedings above alluded to, and with the assistance of
Captain Harcourt's keeper and watcher, succeeded ;n
gaining an entrance into the house. They immediately
proceeeded up stairs, where some females of the family
were in bed, and dragged Robert Atkinson out of his
bed and took him, at that time of the night, to the
lock up. It should be observed that this person had
never been out of his house that night, and had taken
no part in the affray whatever, except that on the
Thursday evening he had refused to assist Swinburne
to stop the proceedings of that evening, for which offence
he had obtained a warrant. These ruffians then pro-
ceeded to the house of a person of the name of Benson,
accompanied by their colleagues, the keeper and watcher,
and there attempted to force an entrance into the house
for the purpose of apprehending one of his sons. In
this they were unsuccessful, though they broke the win-
dow to pieces and fired off their pistols several time, to
the great alarm of the neighbourhood, presenting their
'pistols to the inn rtes through the window of the house.
They remained about the house till two o'clock in
the morning. Oa the following day the general
feeling of disgust and indignation appeared to increase
rather than diminish, and on hearing that it was the
intention of Captain Harcourt to send down a number
of his labourers as special constables to keep the peace,
a meeting was immediately called at the school-room,
at which all the respectable inhabitants attended,
and it was unanimously resolved that no such step was
at all necessary, but on the contrary, if taken, would
lead to a more serious outbreak. Information was sent
to Captain Harcourt that the respectable inhabit ants
would be answerable for the peace of the town, and
would undertake to stop the riot and confusion, which,
in their judgment, was solely attributable to the officers.
At this meeting a resolution was also unanimously
adopted to the effect, that Swinburne and his colleagues
were the cause of all the disturbances, and that he was
wholly unfit to hold the office, and that application be
immediately made to the inspectors for his instant dis-
charge and removal from the town. Alter this meeting
the town became as peaceable as possible, and nothing
could more clearly show the good feeling and peaceable
demeanour of the inhabitants, than the readiness with
which all parties cooperated in restoring harmony and
quiet. A meeting of the inspectors would be held yeea
terday, when we doubt not the decision come to would
be such as to guard against any such turbulent and dis-
graceful proceedings in future.—York Courant.

THE WATERMEN AND POLICE.

The following case came before the sitting Magistrate
at Greenwich on Thursday. We are glad to rind that Mr.
Grove is not always wrong. It is certainly strange that
the Commissioners of Police should allow a constable to
interfere between the rival Companies, and be paid by
one of them. 'We should like to know if the salary for
the constable who receives 21s. a week for acting as pri-
vate Waterman, is also cliarwd to the parish rates.
George Little, a waterman belonging to the steamer
Waterman No. 3, was brought before Mr. Grove,
charged with committing an assault on Joseph Holloway,
a Police-constable 197 E. It appears that a furious
rivalry exists between the original 'Woolwich steam-
boat Company, of which Mr. Nokes, Clerk of the Court,
is Solicitor and -Sedretary, and the Waterman's Com-
pany, more recently- established. The Watermen's boats
land and embark passengers at the ancient plying-
place, called the " Bell Water-gate ;" the Old Company's
boats at Rofrs Wharf, adjoining to which there is egress
from the street, called Bell Water-gate as well as from
the High-street. Several persons were coming down
the street towards the water-side on "Wednesday evening,
and from the testimony of the policeman it seemed that

Little went up to them for the purpose of touting for the
Waterman No. 3, then about to depart fin- London. The
policeman interfered, and told Little not to obstruct the
passengers, het to let them proceed to which boat they
pleased ; and observing a hostile movement on the part
of Little, as if he was about to strike him, he collared
him, and said he must take him to the station-house.
Little resisted, and said he would not go, and a struggle
took place, during which the policeman was struck ; and
other watermen taking part with Little, who they believed
was ill-used, doclareithat he should not go to the cage,
and the. policeman was severely beaten and thrown down,
and it was not until other assistance arrived from the sta-
tion-house that the riot could be put down, and Little
secured. In cross-examination, the policeman said Mr.
Rolf paid 2ls. per week to the Commissioners of Police,
for him to be stationed at Roff's Wharf, to keep good
order, and that Rolf- received pier dues from the old
Company, and it was his particular duty to attend to
Roff's Wharf. He swore that he never interfered with
passengers for either Company, but he cleared the way
as much as possible for people coming to the old Com-
pany's boats, at Roff's Wharf, and that Rolf employed
touters," with whom he did not interfere. Bell Water-
gate was a plying place for watermen, and was marked
with the broad arrow, according to Act of Parliament,
but he did not consider Little was plying, although he
knew he belonged to the Waterman steamer.
John Young, a touter in the employ of the old Wool-
wich Company, swore that the passengers coming down
the Bell Water-gate, which was the direct way to the
Waterman No. 3, were on their way to the old Wool-
wich Company's boat, -and that he spoke to them before
Little, who caused an obstruction ; and when the police-
man interfered, Little severely beat him, and other
watermen joined in the affray.
On cross-examination it appeared the watermen had a
legal right, derived from immemorial custom and the
statute law, to ply for hire in the plying place, and that
all that could be charged against Little, who was a large
shareholder in the Waterman's Company, and a very re-
spectable man, was that he was about to speak to the
passengers coming down the plying place, previous to
Holloway interfering with him.
Mr. Grove said the policeman had mistaken his duty,
and had no right to interfere, and that the assault he
complained of was consequent upon the illegal caption.
It was a great pity that policemen were employed in the
matter, and they should only interfere when they saw a
breach of the peace committed, and not act as partisans.
He doubted whether there had been any obstruction at
all. The policeman had no right to step any man from
standing on the public footpath, or to push any man off
the pavement. The defendant had as much right to stand
on the footpath as he had to walk upon it. Although
Holloway was not paid by the Old Company for his ser-
vices, the Commissioners were, and it was evident he had
much feeling and partiality for them. Holloway had no
right to apprehend Little, or to lay a finger upon him.
Mr. Grove discharged the defendant.

PRESENTATION OF PLATE.
(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
On Friday last the clerks and work people employed
at Cambridge-street Works, Birmingham, presented
Mr. R. W. Winfield with a handsome service of silver
plate, weighing 205 oz. 17 ciwts., manufactured by
Messrs. G. R. Colles and Co., in their best style, on
which was engraved the following inscription :
" This testimonial, consisting of a salver and two
dishes and covers, was presented to Robert Waiter
Winfield, Esq., proprietor of Cambridge-street Works,
Birmingham, by his Clerks and Workpeople, as a token
of their high respect and attachment towards him, in-
creased by his enterprising conduct in so largely ex-
tending his business, and in admiration of his general de-
sire to promote their welfare and happiness.

" oct. 1, 1541."
An intimation having been conveyed to Mr. Win-
field of the intention of his work people, be very hand-
somely invited them to dine with him in the new build-
ings at the top of Great Charles-street. Two hundred
and sixty individuals sat down to an excellent dinner,
the rooms being tastefully decorated for the occasion.
Mr. Winfield presided, and was supported by his son
aaid the principal clerks belonging to his establishment.
After the usual loyal toasts had been drank, an address
to Mr. Winfield was read by the Senior Clerk, expres-
sive of the feelings which actuated the parties in making
their employer so handsome a present. Mr. Winfield's
health, with long life and prosperity, was afterwards
given, and drank most heartily. The compliment was
acknowleded by that gentleman in a feeling and ap-
propriate speech. Several other toasts were afterwards
drank, including Mrs. Winfield and the respective mem-
bers of the family. The Band of the Fifth Local Mi-
litia were present, and pl ►yed many favourite airs, in ad-
dition to which many songs were given in good style.
Several balloons ascended and fire works were displayed.
Tea .and other refreshments n ere liberally supplied dur-
ing the evening, and the enjoyments were prolonged
until a late hour with dancing. Nor did the festive
scene close here ; on the following day the wives of the
workmen assembled and enjoyed themselves with
dancing. Tea was provided for a large number, and
in the evening the party were entertained by Mr. Win-
field, jun., who gave a lecture, and several amusing phi-
losophical experiments on electricity, &c., &c., with
which all present were much gratified.