The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-14 00:00:00

MINSTER.

EXTRAORDINARY DECLARATION OF THE
INJURED FEMALE.

Since the apprehension of William Luff alias William
Munfield, on the charge of brutally assaulting and
throwing a female out of window, the magistrate, Mr.
Burrell, has, from time to time, inquired after her con-
dition, with a view of ascertaining whether she was
in a fit state to give any account of the transaction, and
on its being reported to him that she was competent to
give a coherent account, although labouring under erysi-
pelas, Mr. Burrell determined to secure her examina-
tion, and on Monday, accompanied by Mr. W. Taylor,
the chief clerk at the Westminster Police-court, pro-
ceeded to the Westminster Hospital, whither the pri-
soner was conveyed in handcuffs, in order that her evi-
dence might be taken in his presence.
The reader will remember till evidence of the parties
previously examined, as to the quarrel, cries of murder,
the wound inflicted on the woman by a poker, and,
finally, her being hurled out of the window, evidently
by Luff.

- The Magistrate and clerk having taken their seats by
the witness's bed, with the prisoner in front, the pro-
ceedings commenced.
Jane Pullen, examined by Mr. W. Taylor.—l am
now an in-patient of this hospital. I lived with the man
who now stands before me, whom I know by the name
of William Luff. I have cohabited with him for about
a twelvemonth. About eight o'clock in the evening of
this day week I came home and found the prisoner in
the room. He began to quarrel with me for not being
at home, and said, " This is fine going on for a man to
come home from work and no fire." One of the lodgers
called me out, and the prisoner persuaded me not to go.
I said if he would not lot me go out of the door I would
get out of the window. He said, " You bad better sit
down," and went to the cupboard and got something to
eat. While he was at the cupboard 1 jumped out of the
window, which I had attempted before, but he pulled
me back.
Mr. Taylor—Do you recollect anything more ? Wit-
ness—Yes ; I recollect a young man picking me up in
the yard.
Mr. Burrell—Did he not push you from the window ?
Witness—No, sir, he did not.
Mr. Taylor—Had you been drinking ? Witness—l
had had a little drop to drink.
Burrell--Was the man sober ? Witness—Yes,
quite.

- Mr. Taylor—Did the prisoner offer you any violence ?
Witness—No, he did not.
Mr. Taylor—Did he not strike you with a poker ?
Witness—No, sir ; I had the poker in my own hand.
Mr. Burrell—Did you strike him with the poker ?
Witness—l was going to, but he took it from me.
Mr. Taylor—Did you scream murder ? Witness—
Yes, sir, I did.

Mr. Taylor—Why did you scream murder ? Wit-
ness—Because he would not let me go out.
Mr. Taylor—Was there any blood about you ?
Witness (he,itatiligly).—Yes, a little.

—alla camestwruk m
c bloyendoaseb: whichOutyou
—I ITLywl Taylor—How
CauWseditintetsos
bleed. There was no other blood on me before I jumped
out of the window.
Mr. Burrell—Did be not strike you ? Witness—He
only gave me a shove on the side of the head.
Mr. Burrell—Did he not say he would throw you out
of the window ? Witness—No, sir ; he did not.
Mr. Burrell—Are you quite sure of that ? Witness
—I am.
This being the conclusion of her evidence, the
prisoner was asked whether he wished to put any ques-
tions to her. He replied "No ;" what she had stated
was the whole truth.
As the magistrate and clerk were about leaving her
bed-side, she requested permission to speak to the
prisoner, and appeared very anxious to do so.
Mr. Burrell intimated that when she was better she
would have an opportunity of speaking to him.
The female still carries marks of brutal violence ; but
her condition is much improved, and unless some un-
favourable change should take place. her ultimate re-
covery is not despaired of. She smiled at the close of
the proceedings.

PRINTERS' PENSION SOCIETY. The anniversary
dinner of this important and valuable Society, which was established
in 1637, tOr the purpose of granting pensions and affording relief to
aged and infirm printers and their widows, is announced to take
place at the London Tavern, on Monday next, the 18th inst. The
Right Honourable Lord Dudley, Coutts Stuart will preside on the oc-
casion, supported by Mr. Sheriff Laurie and Mr. Sheriff Chaplin,
Mr. Sergeant Talfourd, Henry Ottley, Esq., Albert Smith, Esq.,
Charles Dickens, Esq., Gilbert a'Beckett, Esq., Douglas Jerrold,
Esq., Luke J. Hansard, Esq., and a host of highly influential gentle-
men. From the last report it appears that since the formation of
the Society 130 pensioners have been elected, 53 of whom are at the
present time receiving its benefits, and the amount of property of the
Society is 4,170/. 19s. invested with the Commissioners for the Re-
duction of the National Debt, in addition to a large balance of cash
in the hands of the Treasurer.
Green peas from Devonshire were offered yesterday
at Covent-garden market at ten shillings per halt sie,re. The pea
evderyiffetbarenet,
amnacirkinetagaforrwdenaszdinstathtee,naenidghptirmihsocaodaofvethrye
mbicesstrrpoliins
forward cro,i.,

LONDON AND BRIGHTON RAIL-

WAY COMPANY.

A special meeting of the shareholders in this Com-
fpoarn
tyhwe a s
purposeet d ye sot ef r dc
oayn-
s,
iadtetrhi
negt e rEmi
lilns u st
0, L
tohned o
fno-lbl
or
wi digneg,
effect, viz. :—To consolidate the London and Brighton
and London and Croydon Railway Companies, with the
incidental undertakings for making branch railways from
the London and Brighton Railway to or near the town
of East Grinstead, county of Sussex ; to or near the
town of Dorking, county of Surrey, from the London
and Brighton Railway, in the parish of Croydon, to join
the South Western, in the parish of Wandsworth, county
of Surrey ; from the Brighton and Chichester Railway,
to the towns of Bognor and Littlehampton. county of
Sussex ; from the Brighton and Chichester Railway, to
Steyning, in Sussex ; for making a railway from the
Brighton, Lewes, and Hastings Railway, to Eastbourne,
to Hailsham, and to Seaford and Newhaven (with certain
deviations from the line of the said railway), in the
county of Sussex ; and a Bill for vesting the Portsmouth
Extension of the Brighton and Chichester Railway, in
the London and South Western and the London and
Brighton Railway Companies.
The SECRETARY having read the notice convening the
meeting, which contained the above enumeration,
J. P. GRENFELL, Esq the Chairman, said, the object
of the meeting was merely to comply with the sessional
order ; and he would, therefore, proceed at once to
business.

The CHAIRMAN then read the title of the first Bill,
and proposed a resolution to the effect, that it was ap-
proved of, and that it should be forthwith proceeded
with in Parliament.

In reply to a question, the Chairman stated that there
was no doubt that the works would be carried out.
A SHAREHOLDER said he understood from the late
Chairman, that some of these would not be remunerative.

Mr. HILL (in explanation) said, that he did not ex-
press himself to that effect. What he did state was,
that some of these works, considered by themselves,
would not perhaps be remunerative, but they should be
regarded as feeders to the main line, and in that light
they would be highly profitable.—(Hear.) From the re-
port of the last half-year, they had agreed to proceed
with these works, and the present meeting was held
merely in compliance with a sessional order subsequently
made.

The resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
Resolutions to the same effect were agreed to with
respect to all the other Bills, excepting the last. On
coming to that Bill,
The CHAIRMAN said he must call their attention to
the resolution he had to propose. It was that it should
be optional with the Directors either to proceed with, or
withdraw that undertaking, as they should think fit, but
that if they (the Directors) wished to proceed with the
Bill before Parliament, that resolution might be con•
sidered sufficient authority for doing so.
The resolution was then put and carried.
The CHAIRMAN said that it was right to inform the
meeting that he held 23,169 proxies in his hand, which
were more than sufficient to comply with the Act of
Parliament. It was, however, necessary that three-fifths
of those present should give them assent, and he would
trouble them to do so in writing.
This being complied with, the meeting separated.