The Sun.
London, England, 1869-03-06 00:00:00

LAW AND POLICE.

CRUELTY TO POULTB.Y.-At Marlborough-street, on
Friday, Mr. Knox inflicted a penalty of 25 each on the
two Colchester farmers who were charged with cruelty to
poultry in their transit from Ireland. It will be remem-
bered that the birds were kept without food or water for
forty-eight hours, and so closely packed that many of
them died on their way. A summons was also obtained
against the goods manager of the London, and North-
Western Railway.

PROVIDENT SOCIETIES.—At Guildhall, on Friday, George
Reid, secretary to the National and Provincial Union
Assurance Society, was charged before Sir B. Phillips, with
assaulting one of the clerks. The case was dismissed, but
the secretary had to defend another charge made by
a poor woman whose father had subscribed 20 years, but
who was unable on his death to get the £9 due on his
account. Sir B. Phillips ordered the full sum to be paid,
at the same time advising the poor people to invest their
savings in the Post-office savings bank or insurance office.
At Westminster Police-court a similar case was heard. A
man had subscribed to the West London Philanthropic
Burial Society for 12 years, and his wife for 20 years,
but on the death of his wife he could not obtain the
money to which he was entitled. Mr. Selfe granted
him a summons, and said that he wished the Legislature
would put a stop to such proceedings.
EXTENSIVE EMBEZZLEMENT.-At the Mansion House, on
Friday, John M`Murdie, one of the chief clerks in the
London Assurance Corporation, was charged with the
embezzlement of £1,500. The charges were not denied,
but his former excellent character and his large family
were urged in mitigation. He was committed for trial.

THE DARLINGTON MIIRDER.—At the Durham Assizes,
on March 2, John M'Conville, the Fenian head-centre,
who has been tried for the wilful murder of Philip
Trainer at Darlington, was found guilty by the jury after
an hour's deliberation. Sentence of death was passed
upon him.
MR. TENNYSON'S PLANTATIONS.—At the Crown Court,
Winchester, Samuel Kellaway was indicted for setting
fireto a plantation belonging to Alfred Tennyson, the poet
laureate. On the .sth November, a policeman stated that
he saw the prisoner fire the furza, while, on the other hand,
man came forward and said that he had done it himself.
The judge remarked that it was an extraordinary case,
and the jury acquitted the prisoner. The damage was
estimated at £2O.

HEALTH OF MR. BASS, M.P. —We regret to
state that the health of our respected senior borough
member is causing much anxiety to his friends. The hon.
gentleman is suffering from a painful skin disease.—
Derbyshire Advertiser.

ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP A HOUSE.—The Derry
papers report an atrocious attempt to blow up a house
near Raphoe. A tenant had been dispossessd, and the
new-comer received warning that he would be visited with
serious consequences if he entered into possession, and he
obtained the protection of a body of police. A few nights
ago they were claimed by a tremendous explosion, and on
going out to ascertain the cause, found that a barrel of
gunpowder had been placed near the house, and fired by
means of a fuse. Fortunately, no injury was
done.

THE MURDER AT WEDNESBURY. —There seems
be little doubt that the murderer of the woman at
Wednesbury has been discovered. Whcn alleged he sul-
lenly complied with the request of the police. As th y
were leaving Darla,ston one of the heads of the concern
said to him, "Do you know anything of the woman?" and
he answered, " I know her." One of the officers quickly
said, "What woman do you suppose he means?" and the
prisoner made answer, "The woman that was murdered,
I suppose." His dwelling, a miserable cottage at the
Bull Piece, Darlaston, was searched, and in a drawer
there they found the greater part of a muffler, exactly
corresponding in every respect, even to the number of the
threads and the irregularities of their severance, with the
piece left in Mud-lane, where the murdered woman w:
found. The superintendent returned to Wedneshnry, and
formally charged the prisoner with the murder, to which
lalVailiktikailLiliaiDg Aga it."