The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-03 00:00:00

LAW AND POLICE.

Suoitx Num.NcE.—Mr. Henry Hall, proprietor
of the Burlington Hotel, Old Burlington-street, appeared
bofore Mr. Knox, at the Marlborough-street Police-
court, to answer a summons under the Smoke Nuisance
Act, for having a furnace on his premises not constructed
so as to consume its smoke. Inspector Shaw, C division,
watched the ease on the part of the police. Mr. Beres-
ford appeared for the defendant, and took a preliminary
objection to the summons, on the ground that a hotel-
keeper was not a trader within the meaning of the Act of
Parliament. Mr. Knox said that although it had been
ruled that the keeping an hotel was not a trade in matters
appertaining to the Bankruptcy Court, it was a trade as
contemplated by the Legislature in framing the
Smoke Nuisance Act. Police-constable Morgan,
55 C,Tproved seeing black smoke issuing from the
defendant's chimney on different occasions. In
reply to Mr. Beresford the constable said the defend.
ant was cautioned, but not by him. Mr. Sandison, ap-
pointed by Government to carry out the proceedings under
Act, explained that police-constables were strictly pro-
hibited from cautioning persons offending, and that a
short time ago two constables, who had been some years
in the force, were dismissed, it having been ascertained
that while cautioning a baker they had received a smal
gratuity. Mr. Knox said it was a very proper order of
the Commissioners. Mr, Sandison said he had inspected
the defendant's furnaces, and found all but one properly
constructed, and they would act properly if proper fuel
was used. Two gentlemen, who described themselves as
practical engineers, were called for the defence to prove
that all the furnaces were properly constructed, and to
rebut Mr. Sandison's evidence. Both of them were
subjected to a cross-examination by Mr. Sandison on the
scientific construction of furnaces, and also as to the
principle on which smoke was consumed, but Mr. San-
dison's questions appeared to be beyond their capacity,
and Mr. Knox, after a patient hearing of the case, over-
ruled the legal objection, and fined the defendant 40s.
with costs, at the same time stating that he should have
no objection if asked to state a case so far as the legal
objection was concerned.
Mrs. Harriett Greenham, of 11, Woodstock-street,
dining-room keeper, and Mrs. Caroline Balding, of 13,
Charles-street, Soho, dining-room keeper, for a similar
offence, were ordered to pay the costs, £lss. Bd.

IMPORTANT TOLL DECISION.—One of the collectors at
Vauxhall Bridge was summoned, at Westminster police-
court, for extorting more than his legal fare. The com-
plainant was Mr. Moon, sign writer, and his labourer went
through the toll gate of the bridge driving a horse and
cart, with a cart lashed behind. For the lashed cart as
well as the other the defendant charged, and that was the
offence now imputed. After a brief argument it was de-
cided that the complainant eould not recover, and the
summons was dismissed.
SEIZURE OF GUNPOWDER INTENDED FOR THE FRENCH
ARMY,—Mr. Alston, acting inspector of the Thames
Police, applied for three summonses against a master
carman and his two men, for unlawfully carrying two
van loads of gunpowder in excess of the quantity allowed
by law. Mr. Alston seized two vans, each laden with 2i
tons of gunpowder, on Monday night last, at Blackwall-
stairs. It was about to be shipped on board a vessel
bound to France. The law allows 30 barrels, covered
over with a tarpaulin, to be coveyed in waggons and carts,
and no more. Each van contained more than 30 barrels,
and the danger of an explosion was great. It was con-
sidered necessary to summon the master as well as the
men actually driving the van, to prevent the plea being
set up that the men were acting without the legal authority
of their principal. The summonses were immediately
granted.

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