The Sun.
London, England, 1860-03-10 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

MIDLAND CIRCUIT.—NOTTINGIIAM, March 9.
CROWN COURT.
(Before the Lord Chief Baron Pollock.)
MURDER.
Herbert Slack, 23, and Alfred Slack, 20 (brothers),
were charged with the wilful murder of George
Clarke, on Monday, Dec. 26, 1859, at New Lenton,
near Nottingham.
Mr. Macaulay defended the elder prisoner; and
Mr. Boden and Mr. O'Brien, the younger.
The prosecution was conducted by Mr. Mere-
weather and Mr. Bristowe.
It appears that in the early part of the day,
two men, named John Weston and George Clarke,
the former a butcher and the latter a book-
keeper, walked over from Lenton (a village a
distance of one mile) to Nottingham, and during
the day dined at an eating-house in Clumber-
street, and also went into several public-houses
drinking together. In the evening about ten o'clock
they started to return home across the park, and
had not proceeded for before. they were overtaken
by two brothers named Herbert and Alfred Slack,
whom they had not known previously except by
sight. Herbert Slack, before any words had been
exchanged, tripped up Weston's heels, causing him
to fall into the dirt. Weston, on getting up again,
remarked that that was not by any means a manly
action, whereupon Slack frankly admitted that
it was not, and inquired what recompense would
satisfy him. Westen replied ten shillings, for
the damage done to his clothes. Slack agreed
to give him this, adding, " NOT, let's be
friendly, and go and drink it out toge•
then" Herbert Slack then took Weston's arm,
whilst his brother did the same with Clarke, and
they all walked on together for some distance, when
Herbert suddenly withdrew his arm from Weston's,
and calling his brother back a step or two, whis-
pered something in his ear, and then Alfred Slack
ran on to his home, and in a short time returned
with a sword stick in his possession. On his return,
Herbert Slack, who, in the meantime, had been
walking on with Weston in as friendly a manner as
before, suddenly turned round and knocked him
down, and kicked him several times about the head
whilst he was lying on the ground. Clarke came
to the assistance of his companion, and was in the
act of stooping at his head to pick him up, when
Herbert Slack, who was standing over 'Weston,
ed I'm d one,
drewthldreedagins
dagger and plunged it into Clarke's body
just under left shculder. The unfortunate
. In the
man staggered
al
i totmhoestinstantly fence,instexpir exeliming "
I'm done,"
meantime several neighbours came amongst them,
and the wifo of Herbert Slack, who persuaded
her husband to go home, and he went away with
her. The deceased was carried to his house in a
chair, and the two Slacks were immediately after•
wards apprehended at their own home. Near the
spot where the crime was committed a sword-stick
was picked up and handed over to the police autho-
rities. The handle had been shattered and broken
off, and the thick blade had been bent by the vio-
lence of the blow.
The jury returned a verdict cf manslaughter
against Herbert Slack, and of not guilty against
the younger prisoner.
His lordship then sentenced Herbert Slack to 15
years' penal servitude.

TILE DRAWBACK ON PAPER.—The London
committee, of which Mr. Chater is chairman, have con •
eluded an arrangement with the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer to the following effect :-1. The committee waive the
right of export for re-importation.-2. The chancellor will
embody in the bill for abolishing the Paper Duty, clauses
securing a full drawback upon paper upon which duty may
be paid between the passing of the Act and the 15th of Au-
gust next; and a drawback of one penny per pound upon
paper upon which duty shall have been pid previously to
the passing of the Act.

PETERBOROUGH.
The committee re-assembled this morning.
Joseph Watson, a non-elector, examined: by Mr. Phinn
for the petitioners—l recollect being at the Talbot Inn pre-
vious to the polling. One of Mr. Whalley's committee was
1 i sitting there. I saw Mr. Miller there. He was sitting at a
table. A man named Kelly, a voter, was also present. We
dm.nk a good deal of brandy and water. I don't know who
paid ; I didn't. After sitting some time, Miller and Kelly
left the house to vote. After the polling I asked Kelly
how he had got on, and he told me he had only got half of
what he had been promised.
1 I

Cross-examined—l have been in difficulty as to money
matters. I asked a person to write a letter
for me to Mr. Whalley asking him to assist
nie, but I never got any money from biw. It
was Mr. Addy whom I asked. holly was the first person
to ask me what I knew about the election. I met him one
Sunday morning by accident, and after making a few re-
marks about the weather, he asked me if I knew anything
about the election. I said yes, a good deal too much, as I
had been working very hard, and had lost a good deal of
time and two market days, and all I had got for my trouble
was two half-crowns. Mr. Addy, during the election, gave
me 10s. He told ms to get as many votes as I could for
Mr. Whalley, and to spend the money. I did the best I
could with it. I can't say I was told to treat voters. I
was only told to do the best I could to sezure Mr. Whalley's
return.

Mr. Phinn--And you thought the best way of spending
the 'coney was at a public-house with people who had
votes.

Witness—Yes. I should not have got many votes if
had not done so.

Mr. Phinn—Well, did you get any ?
Witness—Yes, of course I did. 1 got a man named
Flanders. He always had promised me to vote.
Mr. Phinn—You and he had plenty of brandy-and-
wa ier ?

Witness—Yes, we had a good deal. (Laughter.)
After some further evidence,
The Chairman said the committee had come to the con
elusion that a prima facie case had been made out by Kelly
and they thought it was but fair that counsel on botl

sides should be made acquainted with the fact in order that
the learned counsel on the part of the sitting member
might if he thought proper adduce evidence to meet that
given by Kelly.

The examination of other witnesses was then proceeded
with.

NORWICH.
This committee re- assembled this morning.
On the admission of the public the chairman announced
that the committee had come to the conclusion that
Viscount Bury was not duly elected, and that the late elec-
tion was a void election.