The Sun.
London, England, 1856-08-23 00:00:00

MARLBOROUGH. STREET.

KILLING ONE OF HER MAJESTY'S DUCKS.—Richard
llobden, was brought before Mr. Bingham, charged with
wilfully killing a duck, value 25., the property of her
Majesty.

Patrick Malone stated that he was a constable on the
Great Western Railway, and that about six o'clock on
the previous evening he was walking near the ornamental
water in Kensington-gardens, when he saw the defen-
dant pick up a stone and throw it at a duck which was
swimming in the water, and killed it. Witness imme-
diately went up to him and asked why he killed the
duck, and ho replied that it was an accident, and he did
not mean to do it. A constable then came up and wit-
ness gave defendant into custody. The duck was worth
at least 2s.

The accused, in defence, said he was fishing, and the
(luck came against his line, and in order to frighten it
away he threw a stone at it, but not with the intention
of killing it.

Mr. Bingham severely admonished the defendant, and
ordered him to pay 25., the value of the duck.

THAMES.

A REVOLT AMONG LASCARS—CURIOITS DIFFICULTY.—
Ur. Crew, a clerk in the service of Smith, Simpson, and
Co., came before Mr. Selfe and asked his advice under
the following circumstances :—The lascars who assisted
in navigating the Schah Jehan, Captain Edington,
master, from Calcutta to London upon wages, were
bound to return in another ship to the East Indies on
the same terms and conditions if the Schah Jehan did
not go back to the East. That vessel was chartered for
another voyage, but not to the East, and the Lascars,
with their serang and tindal (boatswain and boatswain's
mate) were transported to the Tasmania, a large ship
bound to Australia and Madras. The Asiatic sailors
remained on board two days, and the❑ deserted, and re-
fused to sign fresh articles of agreement, which they
were bound to do by the contract entered into with
Capt. Edington. Three appointments were made fur them
to meet Capt. Edington and Capt. Nourse at the shipping
office, to sign the new contract, but they never attended.
Under these circumstances, the Laecars wore brought
before Mr. Yardley on a warrant, and they demanded a
month's advance before they joined the Tasmania, to
which the magistrate said they were not entitled. They
then complained that Ceptain Nourse, the master of the
Tasmania, was a cruel man, and would beat them on the
voyage, but there was no truth in the assertion. Other
frivolous objections were made, which Mr. Yardley said
were frivolous, and severely censured the tindal for
misleading his shipmates. Mr. Yardley did all in his
power to induce the Lascars to sign the new articles and
proceed to sea i❑ the Tasmania, but they all most obsti-
nately refused to do so, and the magistrate was com-
pelled to discharge them, because Captain Edington
had not procured a certificate from the East India Cmn-
pany that the Tasmania was a proper ship for the pri-
soners to serve in; and that the new agreement was is
all respects a proper agreement for the Lascars to enter
into. The 231 section of the " Merchant Shipping
Act Amendment Act, 1855 " required that to be done,
and he was surprised that had been overlooked by the
brokers of the ship.

Mr. Crew said that the certificate bad been applied
fur, but the officer who was at the head of the Marine
department of the East India Company, and whose duty
it was to issue the certificates when applied for, sail he
would not grant a certificate to the captain of the Schuh
Jehan until the Lascars signed the new articles.
Mr. Selfe.—Which they have refused t, d, ? The
owners of the Schuh Jehan are in a serious difficulty.
If the owners of the ship don't send the L tscars back
to India they will be liable to heavy penalties.

Mr. Crew sai,d Mr. Yardley was of opinion he could
not punish the men for not proceeding to sea in the
Tasmania until the certificate was granted.
Mr. Safe was of the save opinion, and thou,;ht the
East India Company's officer had taken a most err menus
view of the matter. It was perfectly absurd to say the
officer would not grant a certificate until the Lasears
signed the articles. He then directed Mr. Crew to go
back to the India House and state the opinions of the
Magistrates, that the certificate should be made out
forthwith, and before the Lascars signed the new con-
tract.

STEALING TEA IN TUE LONDON DOCKS.—James Sin-
clair, a labourer in the employ of the Lf,r.don Dock
Company, was brought before Mr. Selfe, charged with
stealing a pound of tea.

William Cornwall, a gatekeeper, said that he was sent
for to the tea department to search the prisoner, who,
ho was informed, bad stolen soma tea and secreted it
about his person. He asked the prisoner if ho ha .1 any
tea, and he declarei lie had not. He pulled off the pri-
soner's shoes and found in each of them a big containing
half a pound of black tea.
Mr. Selfe—Under his feet ?
Cornwall—Yes, sir.

Mr. Selfe—l wonder how he could keep half a pound
of tea in each shoe. It takes up a large space.

Cornwall—lt was so, sir. Hero are samples of tea
similar to that found on the prisoner which was taken
from a pile of tea. I asked the prisoner where he go
the tea, and he said he picked it up.
The prisoner, is defence, said he was sorry for what

ha had done. He had a large family, and hepei the
magistrate would be lenient.
Mr. Selfe—l can hardly believe you ara sorry. A large
family is no excuse for robbery.
Cornwall, in answer to a question, said the prisoner
bad been employal in the dock nine years.
The foreman of the tea department said the wisoncr
bad been a rnqn of good chtractcr.
Mr. Selfe—l fine him 20i, for the "unlawful posses-
sion" of the tea, or three weeks' imprisonment.

DINNER TO THE GUARDS AT TIIE
ROYAL SURREY GARDENS.

The dinner to be given to the Guards on their return
from the Crimea takes place on Monday next. The ar-
rangements are as follows :—The Grenadiers, numbering
739 men, will march from their barracks in Birdcage-
walk, over Westminster-bridge, past the Elephant and
Castle, by the Walworth•road, up Amelia-street, to the
gardens. The Fusiliers, numbering 708 men, will march
from their barracks at Chad og-crose, over Waterloo-bridge,
following the Grenadiers from the Elephant and Castle.
The Coldstreams, numbering 562 men, will march from
the Tower, over London-bridge, by the Elephant and
Castle, and the same route thence to the Gardens.
The total number of nor-commissioned officers and pri-
vates is 2,009, all wearing medals. They will arrive at
the Surrey Gardens at a quarter to 2 o'clock, and enter
by the usual entrance. An equal number of each regi-
ment will fill the ball, and take their places at the ta-
bles; the remainder will occupy the tables placed in
front of the building, under an awning. While the
men are taking their places the drums and fifes will
play the "Roast Beef of Old England," and the bands
of the three regiments will station themselves in the or-
chestra. The chair will be filled by Serjeant-Majer E
wards, the senior Serjeaut-Major of the Guards, and
the oldest soldier in the army, and Mr. Harker will offi•
ciate as volunteer toastmaster. The soldiers will -then
file off into the gardens, and the music-hall will be cleared
of all visitors in order to prepare for the concert.
Atnuse:ne,nts of various kinds will be found in the gar-
dens to occupy two hours. When ready to commence
the Concert the soldiers will be marched into the hall,
the centre-of which will be specially reserved fur `them.
M. Jullien's band will perform a number of pieces ar-
ranged for the occasion, and conducted by him, and the
bands of the Guards will give their valuable services to
enhance the effect. After the concert the soldiers will
be placed on theground between the ball and tho lake,
and a grand display of fireworks, with suitable devices,
will take place, The sailers will then be mustend and
marched home at 9 o'clock. The second act of the con-
cert will then be performed, and afterwards a finale of
rockets and lofty fireworks will conclude the amusements.
rae dinner provided for the men will comprise meats,
meat pies, salads, tarts, plum puddings, and fruits, with
other accessories. A bottle of stout will be supplied to
each man, a bottle of champagne to every three men for
the toasts, and each man will have a quarter of a pound
of tobacco to take home with him.