The Sun.
London, England, 1846-08-28 00:00:00

THAMES.

MURDEROUS A SSAULT.—Yesterday John Stevens, alias
Gipsey Stevens, the landlord of the Mulnerry Tree
public house, on Stepney-green, and the proprietor of
the Crown and Anchor booth, erected at various subur-
ban fairs, appeared before Mr. Ballantine, to answer a
charge of assaulting end wounding his wife, Trinity
Cooper Stevens.
On the first examination of the prisoner, who is a
powerful man, about fifty years of age, it was proi el in
evidence that he beat his wife in a very savage manner,

that she was covered with blood, when a—gentleman
rescued her from her husband's grasp, and that she had
received a severe wound on her head. She was taken to
the hospital on the night of the affray, and a certificate
was put in, a hen the prisoner was brought before the
magistrate last week, stating that she was in great
danger. The prisoner was, therefore, remanded to pri-
son, but subsequently another certificate was put in, to
the effect that Mrs. Stevens was out of danger, and her
husband was brought up on Monday and admitted to bail.
Yesterday, on the prisoner being placed at the bar,
Mrs. Stevens, a dark swarthy gipsey, was sworn, and, to
the astonishment of every one, she said that her husband
was not in fault at all, that she was in liquor on the night
in question, and fell upon a fender and cut her head open.
Mr. BALLANTINE—There was evidence last week that
your husband was standing over you and beating your
head against the ground, and it was also stated that he
beat his daughter too.
Mrs. Stevens repeated that her husband never hurt
her at all.
Mr. BALLANTINE—He was caught in the act of ill-
using you, and now you come here to save him. Your
head was cut open, woman.
Mrs. Stevens—Yes, sir, I fell upon the fender; he did
not hurt me at all.
Mr. BALLANTINE—WeII, I don't believe you, but I
must discharge this man. Take care, Mr. Stevens, you
don't destroy this woman. This is not the first time you
have been committing a similar irregularity, and if you
do not mind what you are about, you will not only be
committed to prison, but lose your license. I believe
indeed,
but conduct to this woman has been very bad
but as she declines to make any charge against you, I
cannot detain you any longer.
Mr. Robinson, the prisoner's solicitor, promised there
should be no further cause of complaint, and then alleged
that while Stevens was sitting in the kitchen on Wednes-
day night a police-constable entered and squared at him
and challenged him to fight. The constable remained in
the house some time, and tried to induce Stevens to com-
mit a breach of the, police. lie hoped the Magistrate
would not tolerate such conduct.
Mr. BALLANTINE—CertainIy not. I suppose the
charge will come before me in the regular way, and then
I will hear it:
Mr. Robinson said he intended to make a written
complaint to the inspector, and the Magistrate would
probably hear of the case again.
All the parties then proceeded to the office of Mr.
Macquard, the superintendent of the K division, when
Stevens said he had no charge to make, and it appeared
the constable had not been guilty of the conductim-
puted to him.

UNEMPLOYED SEAMEN.—LabOUT in the vicinity of
the docks is very plentiful,
as well as employment for seamen,
qo much so, that the average number of inmates at the Desti-
',,rs' A.ylum in Wells-street has not for many weeks
~elve who are chiefly invalids or perfect!

ttltO
paU e4ceetle,n,
destitute •

TAFF VALE RAIL W AY.

BRISTOL, WEDNESDAY.—The half-yearly meeting of
the proprietors in this company has been held at the
White Lion in this city. There was a numerous attend•
ance of proprietors. Sir J. J. Guest, chairman of the
board of directors, presided.
The Secretary, Mr. KENWAT, read the report, which
stated that the directors were pleased at having it in
in their power to recommend a dividend of 3/. 3s. per
share (less Id. on each oriinal share), and that the
sum of 4591. be carried to the fund for the depreciation
of stock. Though the accounts showed a slight decrease
in the gross receipts in the half-year, as compared
with the last, yet it should be observed that the
receipts of these six months exceeded the corresponding
six months of 1845 by.the sum of 4,7711. 1 ls. 6d. The
bridges and remaining part of the double line are in a
great state of forwardness, and should the traffic re-
quire it, may be completed before the end of the year.
The extension of the Rhondda branch to the colleries of
Messrs. James and Messrs. Insole and Son is now
finished. The Bill for the extension of the branches up
' the two Rhonddas and for enabling the company to
complete their arrangement with the Marquis of Bute
has passed bath Houses of Parliament, and only awats
the royal assent. The directors congratulate the com-
pany on a final and satisfactory settlement of all
questions with the Marquis of Bute, by which extensive
accommoflation for the speedy shipment of coal.' at fair
rates, will be afforded, and such as no other port in the
Bristol channel can offer to the public. The retiring
directors are Messrs. W. Coffin, 11. Hudliall, and R.
Jones, who are eligible for re-election.
The CHAIRMAN had little to add to the report, but
he must take the opportunity of congratulating them
upon the great amount of traffic which would be brought
upon the Tuff Vale Railway by the formation of the
Aberdare line. Some were sanguine enough to expect
as much as 2,000 tons a day, but the directors calcu-
lated on as much as 600 tons a day
Mr. HUTCHINGS, M.P., asked what expense had been
gone to in opposing the Vale of Neath line, and whether
the committee, who had proceeded to London respecting
it, were authorised by the directors ?
The CHAIRMAN replied that the expense occasioned by

the opposition was about 1,5001., and.
The SECRETARY read the minutes of the directors'
meeting, from which it appeared that the chairman, de-
puty-chairman, and three other directors, had beets ap-
pointed as a Parliamentary Committee, to attend to all
the Parliamentary business connected with the company.
Mr. J. PRICE said that dissatisfaction was felt by many
proprietors about the opposition, and he should be glad
to have some explanation of the circumstances.
Mr. POOLE (one of the directors) said, that if the
directors had not opposed the Vale of Neath line they
would not have been any longer entitled to the confi-
dence of the proprietors.—(hear, hear.) The Vale of
Neath line was put forward as a competinr, line with
the Taff Vale Railway, and Mr. Fisher, who prepared
the traffic tables, relied on much of the traffic now car-
ried by the Taff Vale line being taken by the Vale of
Neath line.—(llear, hear.) Further, their station at
Merthy. was to have been crossed by the Vale of Ncath
line at a height of thirty-five feet, and the only approach
to it would have been by one arch.
Mr. HUTCHINGS condemned the expense as useless.
He did not think that the Taff Vale Railway would
suffer a loss of traffic.

One or two of the proprietors vindicated the conduct
of the directors in opposing the Bill.
In answer to a question put by Mr. J. PRICE,
The CHAIRMAN said that the negotiation for leasing
the Aberdare line had only just been commenced, and,
therefore, nothing definite could be stated. The sub-
ject, before any step should be binding was taken, would
be submitted to the consideration of the proprietors at
large. He would mention, however, that there was an
amicable feeling existing between the directors of both
companies.
Resolutions adopting the report, and declaring a divi-
dend of 31. 3s. per original share, were then passed.
Messrs. W. Coffin, H. Rudhall, and R. Jones were
re-elected directors.