The Sun.
London, England, 1860-11-29 00:00:00

CROWDED THEATRES.

IMPORTANT DECISION.
Two cases of some interest to playgoers were tried
yesterday at the Westminster County Court, in
which the question at issue was whether the plain-
tiffs, having paid for seats in the pit, and finding
afterwards there was only standing room, were
entitled to have their money returned. The first
case was that of " Thornburgh v. Smith." The
plaintiff, a Government clerk, sued Mr. E. T. Smith,
lessee and manager of her Majesty's Theatre, to
recover 25.6 d. ke had paid thereatfor a seat in the pit,
which, being so full at the time, he could not obtain.
Mr.:Lew isotreasurer of the theatre, represented defen-
dant. From plaintiff's statement it appeared that on
the night of the Ist inst., a few minutes after the
doors were opened, he and Mr. Bell, a friend, entered
the theatre, and after inquiring of the pit money-
taker if there was " sitting" room, and receiving
a reply " plenty," they paid 2s. 6d. each ; but
on going in, they found every seat occupied, and a
large body of the audience obliged to stand. Not
feeling inclined to do the same, having paid
their money for " seats," they returned to the
money-taker to complain, and were by him referred
to the treasurer, who offered them seats in a box, but
taking them to an extreme end one at the top of
the house, where they could hardly see or hear ;
they would not stop, and requested their money
back, which, being refused, these proceedings wore
taken. Mr. Lewis submitted that the money-taker
was not supposed to know the pit was full when
plaintiff and his friend went in, and the seats he
offered them in the box were ss. each. His
Honour said that might be so, but they were not
bound to accept the offer. They had a right. to
seats in the pit, for which they had been misled ieto
paying for by being told there wasp lerntry
bofe
"sitting" room; the money must
.the_re
_oere
the
returned. The judgment was according' f
plaintiff. The other action was brought b Y the Mr.
Bell referred to, a student of ExeterayleCeollege
given'
Oxford, in whose favour judgment was
on the same grounds

THE BURNING OF THE ROYAL MALL
ASTEAMBI2 COIVICAUGHT.

The protracted inquiry into the circumstances 1
attending the loss of the above vessel, on her voy_
age from St. John's, Now Brunswick, to Boston, on
the 7th ult., was concluded yesterday evening, at
the Greenwich Police-court, before Mr. Traill,
police magistrate, and Captain Harris, nautical
assessor.
The evidence having been completed,
.Mr. Trani said it was not usual to express what
the opinion of the Court was in these inquiries, but
to make their report to the Board of Trade. In
migl t mention that
that report, however, he
would be in nothing it would contain
condemna-
tion of the officers of the ship, but would contain
suggestions as to cautions necessary under similar
circumstances as those which led to the loss of the
vessel.

Mr. Valiance inquired when the report might be
looked for. _

Mr. Traill said it would bo forwarded to the
Board of Trade as early as possible ; but now that
the officers of the vessel were known to be acquitted
of blame, there would not be that anxiety there
otherwise would have been.
The inquiry then terminated.

THE JEWEL ROBBERY.---YeSterday Graham, in
the Third Court, pleaded guilty to stealing 60 gold
chains,
seven seven gold brooches, four bracelets, and fire gold cha
Sentence was postponed till nest session.