The Sun.
London, England, 1858-06-17 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—June 16.

MANSION-HOUSE.—The court was crowded
with fish salesmen, and others connected with
Billirgsgate-market, in consequence of a large
number of summonses for breaches of the market
regulations being then returnable.
They were supported by Mr. Pearson, City
Solicitor, while Mr. Tindal Atkinson appeared for
the principal defendants.

The firsi case called on was that of Mr. Thomas
Baxter, in opening which
Mr. Pearson said the defendant was summoned
for a breach of the third bye-law of the market, by
which any person who placed any basket, tub, or
parcel of fish in any other part of the market than
that marked out by the clerk of the market for
that purpose, should be liable to a penalty of 501.
The defendant, who held four stands out of sixteen
in the lower or shell-fish market, had so offended
on several occasions, and, as it was found neces-
sary to enforce the regulations, the present pro-
ceedings were instituted against him and others.
Mr. Gearing, clerk and inspector of the market,
was then called, and deposed that there was au
understood limit, beyond which the defendant
had no right to place any goods, but he admitted
that " no limits" were marked out, as the bye-law
required, in the lower market.
Mr. Pearson said that, under the circumstances,
he could not support his case.
The summons was, therefore, taken as with-
drawn, and
Mr. Atkinson suggested that, as there had been
a good deal of uncertainty on the matter in the
minds of the salesmen, the same course should be
taken with regard to the other summonses of a
similar character.

Mr. Pearson, after conferring with the Chair-
man of the Markets Committee, who was in court,
said he was quite willing to adopt that course, upon
receiving a satisfactory assurance from Mr. Atkin-
son that his clients, for the future, would respect
the regulations of the market.
Mr. Atkinson attended there principally for Mr.
Poland, who might almost be said to have been
cradled in Billingsgate-market, since he was first
carried there in a basket by his mother—(laughter)
—and bad risen to his present position by industry
and integrity in his dealing. That gentleman com-
plained that he was brought into that Court upon
a charge of which he was quite innocent,—namely,
of exposing for sale fish unfit for food ; but he and
the other salesmen were most anxious that good
order and harmony should prevail in the market
for the future—that the regulations should be
carried out in a conciliatory spirit ; and he (Mr.
Atkinson) suggested that, as a peace-offering upon
the part of the authorities, all further proceedings
should be suspended for the present.
Mr. Pearson said he was assured by the clerk of
the market that be entertained no hostile spirit
towards the clients of his learned friend ; and the
Chairman of the Markets Committee accepting the
declaration just made, as to the desire of the de-
fendants to respect the regulations for the future,
was willing to abandon all further proceedings ;
and he (Mr. Pearson) hoped that for the future,
Billingsgate-market would be a pattern of good
temper, good order, and general content.
A loud burst of cheers, which could not be sup-
pressed, followed this announcement, and the sales-
men then rushed out in a body.
Two master lightermen named James Smith and
Thomas Riley, waited upon the Lord Mayor to
call his attention to the present state of the docks
and the river, the effluvia arising from which was
often so overpowering as to prevent them from
following their occupation, and sometimes seriously
to injure their health. They said the state of the
river was well known generally, as it had already
been made the subject of comment in that
court and other places, but it did not appear to
be so generally known that the docks were
in a state as bad, and they thought much
worse, than that of the river. In support of their
statement they produced three bottles filled with
water from the London Docks, the St. Katherine's
Docks, and the River Thames respectively, and
upon the corks being removed it was found that,
while the contents of all three of the bottles smelt
most vilely, the water procured flora the
river (if possible) was somewhat less noxious than
that from either dock—a fact that may probably
be accounted for by the comparatively stagnant
condition of the docks and the everlasting motion
of the river, which tends in some degree to throw
off its noxious properties. The applicants also sated
that a man, who fell into the London Docks a few
days ago, was found to be quite dead, although he
had only been under water two minutes, and had
received no bodily injury, having been actually
poisoned by the deadly properties of the water.
The Lord. Mayor said he was afraid some terrible
pestilence would arise during the present hot wea-
ther, unless something were done to cure the evils
complained of ; but he could only advise the ap-
plicants to take their bottles, and make their re-
presentations to the Board of Conservancy.
The applicants, who promised to do so, then
thanked his lordship and withdraw.

SOUTH WARK.--UNwHoLEsomE MEAT. -Mr.
Wellman, the sanatory inspector of St. George's,
Southwark, entered the court with about 301 b. of
beef in a filthy state, which he had seized from a
shop in Kent-street, where it was being manufac-
tured into savoury saveloys for the million. He
informed his worship that he saw it in the shop
about bring cut up and mixed by the shopkeeper
for saveloys, and finding that it stunk and was un-
fit for human food, he seized it, and brought it for
his worship to order it to be condemned under the
Nuisance Removal Act.

Mr. Combs having examined the inspector on
oath, condemned the meat, and ordered it to be
destroyed. Re also, at the request of Mr. Well-
man, granted a summons against the shopkeeper,
who, on conviction, will be liable to a penalty of
101. and cost,.

GREEN WI CH. —ErtrLov MENT OF POLICE IN
PLAIN CLOTHES.—Mr. Josiah Andrews, landlord
of the Rising Sun Tavern, Rushey-green, Lewis-
ham, appeared to a summons, at the instance of
the police, charging him with having his house
open for the sale of liquors before one o'clock on
Sunday, the 6th inst.
Mr. Hobler attended for the defendant.
Police-constable George Nunn, 374 R, deposed
that he was employed by his inspector to watch
defendant's house on the morning of Sunday week.
Witness arrived there about half-past nine, and
haxing walked about for an hour, went with four
or five men into the defendant's house. They had
some beer, and on witness being asked by the
men to stand treat, he did so, and received id.
change from 6d. for a pot of half-and-half. Wit-
ness then called the defendant's wife and asked
her if she was the landlady, and on her telling
him she was, he told her that he was a police-
constable, and that she was doing wrong, to which
she replied that she was sorry for it.
In cross-examination by Mr. nobler, the con-
stable stated that he did not know any of the
men whom he followed into the house. 13 e was
not aware they were haymakers, and that they
had walked a considerable distance, one of them
as far off as Faversham. Had himself walked,
on the morning in question, from Keston to de-
fendant's house, a distance of six or seven miles.
Did not wear his uniform at the time, but was
in plain clothes. He did not see the defendant
at the time.

Mr. Hobler said the answer of the defendant
to the charge was, that the men in question were
haymakers, who were in the habit of coming from
year to year into the neighbourhood, from long
distances, and lodging at the defendant's house
during the season. They had so arrived on the
morning in question, and were, tog ther with the
constable, simply treated as -travellers. The de-
fendant's house had always been well conducted,
and under the circumstances stated he hoped his
worship would not consider him guilty of the
offence with which he was charged. _

The defendant here said that he had kept the
house for a period of 25 years, and had never be-
fore been complained against.
Mr. Inspector Wilson confirmed the defendant
in this statement. _ _ _

The defendant said the constable was found in
the kitchen of his house a quarter of au hour after
the others had left.
Mr. flobler remarked that two of the haymakers
had promised to attend as witnesses, but he sup-
posed that the nature of their work would not ad-
wit of their being present. .

Mr. Seeker said he would give the defendant the
benefit of his having conducted his house for so
long a period without complaint, but that he had
been guilty of a breach of the law, and for which he
would pay a penalty of 205., and 2s. costs.
The money having been paid,
Mr. Hobler, on leaving the court, turned to the
constable giving evidence in the case, and, in a sup-
pressed tone of voice, said he considered his con-
duct very reprehensible, on whi 1
Mr. Seeker expressed a wish that whatever con-
versa' ion or remarks Le (Mr. Hooler) might have
to make to officers, should be done in some other
place than within his (the magistrate's) hearing.
Mr. nobler replieJ, that he had no intention
that his remarks should reach his worship's ears.
He 4ad simply told the constable that he consi-
dered his conduct exceedingly reprehensible iu
going into the defendant's house as he had done.
He repeated that he still considered the constable's
conduct in such light—o•ng in plain clothes—hav-
ing,,by his own statement, walked a long distance,
ands apparently being considered, with the other
men, as travellers. It was a very difficult thing