The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-08 00:00:00

Alderman Gums observed that the complainant certainly
must have some motive for staying away after having so
deliberately complained of a violation of the law. It
was not as uncommon practice, he knew, with some of
the inferior dealers in Billingsgate market, to exchange,
for the good fish they purchased, fish that was unfit for
use. He should know how to deal with persons who
resorted to such an expedient, if any such were brought
before him.

Mr. Woods said, that apprehending the intention of
the complainant not to appear in support of the sum-
mons, he had sent a message to Prescott, offering to
pay all expenses if he would voluntarily come forward
to prove his case. It appeared, however, that the
complaint was to fall to the ground for want of evidence.

Alderman GIBBS.—In cases of the kind the reference
is to be made to Mr. Gold ham and the inspectors appointed
by the general body of the fishmongers, who, if they
are appealed to, will take care to protect the injured
party. . . . .

Mfr. Goldham said that the complainant applied to
him on Saturday, and produced some mackarel which
l►e said was bad, and had been purchased of Mr. Woods
by him. Finding that the fish was good, he (Mr.
Golelhani) stated his opinion to that effect, and desiring
the Min to select the worst mackarel in the lot., caused
it to be cooked. and it was proved before Sir Chapman
Marshall, on Monday, to be unexceptionable.
Mr. Woods said he was salesmae to one company,
which employed twenty-five vessels for mackarel fish-
ing, and upwards of 300 men. Every one knew in how
short a time mackarel became tainted in hot weather.
It was, indeed, frequently the case that in a very short
time after purchases were made, the fish changed, and
it would be most desirable to be informed how long a
salesman was responsible for the soundness of the ar-
ticle after delivery. The dealers were as good judges
as could easily be found of the quality of the article
they dwelt in, and it was a trick with some of them to
sell as many as they could, and to return with those
which they could not sell, and after having knocked them
about, to the great injury of their appearance, demand
an amount of money corresponding with the alleged
loss, tk[c. Between that practice, and the trick of sub-
stituting bad for good fish, as had been already stated,
[ complaints of the kind were doing an immensity of
[ mischief.

Mr. Goidham said, there was no doubt of the truth of
the representation made by the defendant, and of the
effect of the practice described. If dealers brought to
him any fish of which they complained, he and the in-
spectors, than whom none could be better judges, had
only to decide upon its quality, and if that decision
proved to be against it, it was destroyed. The great
object of the salesmen now was, to know how long after
the sale of fish they were to be responsible for its sound-
ness.

Alderman GIBBS said the absence of the complainant,
and the consequent dismissal of the case, prevented him
from going into the merits of the question ; but he
should be ready to deal out impartial justice in any case
involving the responsibility.
It is necessary to mention, that frequent disturbances
take place in Billingsgate market, on account of disputes
referring to the above matter.