The Sun.
London, England, 1860-10-22 00:00:00

THE EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT.

On Saturday night High-street, Shoreditch, was the
scene of a riot which at one time threatened to assume a
most serious character. It appears that for some time past
an attempt has been made to persuade the shopkeepers to
close at an early hour on Saturday night. An agreement
was entered into, and on Saturday night last, after the
time named, a draper named Lloyd did not close, alleging
that some of his neighbours had not kept to their bargain.
A dense crowd collected round the doors, and rotten eggs
and other unpleasant substances were thrown in at Mr.
Lloyd and his customers. So determined were the crowd,
that some persons in it stopped customers who were enter-
ing the attacked premises, and said, " Don't go in there,
you'll be robbed." The aid of the police was called in, and
the result is, that seven young men are in custody.

EXAMINATION OF THE PRISONERS AT
WORSHIP •STREET (THIS DAY).
William Symons, 19, Francis Blackhill, 21, Joseph
Clisby, 19, Charles Allen, 20, Frederick Bennett, 22,
Edgar Balding, IS, and Edward Lidswell, 26, were charged
with disorderly conduct and annoying the complainant in
his business.
The court was densely crowded, and party feeling ran
high.

Mr. Beard appeared for the complainant, and Mr. Lewis,
jun., of Ely-place, for all the prisoners.
Mr. Edward Lluyd, called by Mr. Beard, said he was a
draper, carrying on business in High-street, Shoreditch.
On Saturday night an immense crowd of about 1,000 per-
sons collected round the door, and amongst them were all
the prisoners. Clisby was fastening bills upon the goods
exposed for sale. The bills run as follows :—" Early
Closing Association. Persons are requested not to shop
after 7 o'clock." Witness requested Clisby to desist, and
then the prisoners and crowd commenced hooting, and
some of the prisoners took hold the of customers and said,
"Dfion't go in there; all of you will be robbed." After
some expostulation a riot took place, and witness was
smothered in rotten eggs, dust, and peas pudding. (Roars
of laughter.) The riot commenced at half-past 8 and lasted
until half-past 9. The crowd called out, " Why don't you
shut up ? " Why do you keep open and rob the public r
The prisoners are shopmen to Mr: Rotherham, who carries
on business as a draper five doors from witness. Witness
was much afraid, and the mob threatened to break the
windows. Witness was so terrified that he sent for the
police. The prisoners caused the riot. Symons, Black-
hill, and Clisby commenced the riot. Witness went in
fear of Mr. Rotherham's young men.
Cross -examined by Mr. Lewis—Mr. Rotherham cm ploys a
great many young men. Witness was one of the drapers
who agreed to close at eight o'clock on Saturday in the
winter months, and nine in the summer, and signed a
document to that effect. Witness found that other trades-
men did not keep their word, and wrote a note to Mr.
Rotherham that, lin self-defence, he:must keep open. On
the first night witness closed, bat on the second kept open
until half-past nine. Clisby was the person who came
first on Saturday last, and some of the other prisoners
were behind him. When Clisby was pinning the bills to
the goods witness took up a pole and meant to
drive Clisby away, but not like a heavy dragoon.
Did not strike Clisby in the stomach with the pole. After
this the egg business took plaoe. Most of the prisoners
were recognised and charged at the station-house. Would
not swear the eggs were rotten. Did not intend to close
earlier. Would close when he pleased, and declined to say
what time he opened.
The magistrate was clearly of opinion that the shopmen.
to Mr. Rotherham had_ no right to coerce Mr. Lloyd in his
business.

Mr. Lewis—No. I do not contend they have ; but I
shall show that Mr. Lloyd commenced the riot with his pole.
If it bo Necessary I would rather take the sense of a jury
ipon this case.
Witnesses were called for the complainant, who fully
bore out his statement.
Mr. Beard asked if he should go on, being quito ready,
or whether his worship would rather the case be adjourned ?
Mr. Lewis had been hurriedly instructed, and thought
in justice to the prisoners it should be adjourned. He
could prove that some of the prisoners were not present.
He would admit that Symons, Blackhill, and Clisby were
present, and the others not.
The Magistrate—They are all sworn to; but I will hear
your witnesses as to the three.
After Mr. Lewis had addressed the magistrate,
The Magistrate suggested that witnesses should not be
called, and that it should be sufficient to call upon the three pri
Boners named to enter into their recognisances to keep the"
peace. The conduct of the prisoners was most discreditable
to the early closing movement, and the law would put it
down. As to the other four prisoners, they would only be
required not to offend again.

TEIS DABS HAREEM

CORN EXCHANGE.

The leading country markets, held on Saturday, were
but moderately sup ,lied with wheat; good and fine sam•
pies were in steady request, at very full prices; but in-
ferior parcels ruled inactive. The barley trade was firm,
and late rates were fully supported. All other cern moved
off freely, at extreme currencies.

Throughout the Continent, wheat, and other kinds of
produce have continued somewhat active, at very full
prices, although the supplies on offer are seasonably exten-
sive. In the United States large quantities of produce are
still ou. offer. The shipments to England are very large.
Up to our market, last week, the arrivals of English
produce were limited. From abroad, we received 25,656
quarters of wheat, 4,819 barley, 19,740 oats, 1,400 rye,
6,294 beans, 7 yeas, 917 tares, 2,965 linseed, 14,024 rape-
seed, 317 sundry seeds, 1,870 sacks, and 13,699 barrels of
flour.
The quantity of wheat received fresh up, to-day, both
from Essex and Kent, was very moderate, and, for the
most part, in middling condition. The demand, however,
on the part of millers, was much restricted. However,
good and fine samples were disposed of without difficulty, at
prices quite equal to Monday last, but all other kinds were
a dull enquiry, at irregular currencies. The attendance of
country buyers was less numerous, owing, possibly, to the
large number of floating cargoes reported off the coast last
week.

With foreign wheat we were well supplied. Importers
of both red and white qualities were firm in their demands ;
but the business doing was by no means extensive. In the
value of all kinds no quotable change took place.
Floating cargoes were held at very full prices, but the de-
mand for them was less active.

We were scantily supplied with both English and foreigm
barley. On the whole, the trade was very firm, at extre•.ne
rates for good qualities.

Both old and new malt commanded very full prices, with
a good demand.

Oats were in fair average supply and steady request, at
full prices.

Both beans and peas were scarce, and in demand at ex-
treme currencies.
There was only a moderate inquiry for flour, at last week's
prices.

CURRENCY PER IMPERIAL MEASURE.
Wheat—Essex and Kent, red, new 465 to 685
Ditto, old 590 655
Ditto, white. new 548 625
Ditto, old 6OB 725
Norfolk and Lincoln, red, old 598 66s
Ditto, new
Bye—Old —8 —s
New
Barley—Grinding....,
Malting —8 —9
Malt -Suffolk and Norfolk
Brown
Kingston and Ware 528 70s
Chevalier
Oats—Yorkshire and Lincolush., Feeding 228 289
Potato 2Bs 318
Youghal and Cork, black 228 27s
Cork, white
Scotch, Feeding 2ss 295
Beans—Tick
Pigeons
Peas—Grey
Maple
White 4os 448
Boilers .
Flour—Town-made ........ s4s 575
Suffolk 415 458
Stockton and N0rf01k......... • 4OB 45.