The Sun.
London, England, 1858-01-22 00:00:00

MEETING OF MIDDLESEX M'A OISTRATES.

- -
Yesterday a special court of the magistracy of
Middlesex was held at the Sessions House, Clerken-
well, for the purpose of hearing counsel on behalf
of the ceroners, Mr. Wakley, for the western
division, Mr. Baker for the eastern division, and
Mr. Bedford for Westminster, against the dis
allowance of fees for holding inquests, which, in the
opinion of the Finance Committee, who have to
in vesi igate the coroners' account., were unnece-sary.
Mr. Pownall, chairman of the county bench, pre-
sided, and the attendance of justices was rather

numerous.
It will not be out of place to state, by way of
introduction, what fur some time past has been the
practice of the court in dealing with the accounts
of the coroners. They are referred to the
finance committee, who inquire into the grounds
upon which each particular inquest has been
held, and if it appears to them that the
grounds were sufficient to warrant an in-
quiry as to the cause of death, they recommend
the payment of the fee to the coroner, which is
li. Gs. Bd. in each case, and it is ordered by the
Court as a matter of course ; but in instances
wherein they consider there was no necessity for
an inquest they either disallow the fee at once or
adjourn the mater, requiring in the meantime the
coroner to furnish them with any further informa-
tion he may be capable of affording as to the reasons
for which the inquest was taken. The cost of in-
quests, to the county of Middlesex, amounts to
something like 9,0001. a-year, and as the number
has of late years been on the increase, the magis-
trates, as the guardians of the county funds, have
thought it their duty to allow the coroner's fee only
in such cases where there seemed to be an absolute
necessity for an inquiry. It has been erroneously
supposed that when the fees have been disallowed,
the whole costs of the inquest were included. The
only item that is disallowed is the coroner's own
fee ; the other charges—witnesses' expenses, and
money expended, being paid without dispute.
Mr. Bodkin appeared as counsel for the coroners,
and in a speech extending over three hours, and
exhibiting great research and ability, placed their
case before the court. He said the gentlemen for
whom he appeared performed an important part in
the administration of justice, and it was of the
utmost importance that the office which they bad
to execute should be entirely free and unhampered.
The learned counsel dwelt at length upon the law
baring upon the coroner's duties, from the time of
Edward I. down to the present reign. Formerly
the coroners were unpaid officers, but by the
statute of 25th George 11., c. 29, it war enacted that
they should be paid certain fees in cases "duly"
held. That word "duly" had given rise to all the
difficulties by which the whole matter was now
surrounded, as well as an endless amount of
liti-
gation. The Court of Queen's Bench, in the
case of " The King v. the Justices of Carmar-
theushire," held that the legal meaning of the
word " duly" involved that there must be a
"necessity" for the inquest, but he was prepared
to contend that if any inquest had been formally,
regularly, and properly taken according to law, it
must be considered as having been held "duly,"
within the meaning of the statute. The court
ruled that it was a condition precedent to the pay-
ment of the fee that the inquest was " duly," that
was of " necessity," taken, but that applied only
to the coroner's GAM remuneration, and did net
affect—indeed, nothing at present could affect-
-payments which the coroner had to make, and
charge upon the county. The learned gentleman
made some general observations upon the institution
of coroner, and the vast importance with respect to
the security of human life involved in the office
being freely and independently exerdsrel, quoting
the opinions of many eminent persons to that effect.
He referred to the Reigeley poisonings, where, after
medical certific itee hid been given of natural
death, through the interference of one person,
the coroner's investigation took place, and the result
was, as all the world knew, the disclosure of one of
the most diabolical systems o- murder ever planned;
had it not been for that the grave would have
closed quietly over the victims, and the murderer
still left to pursue Ifs course of crime. In Stafford-
shire the rule was that no inquest should be
held except in cases where there was suspicion
of crime ; the result was that there were no
inquiries into the cause of those deaths which
afterwards beceme so notorious. He went seriatim
through the cases in tee coroners' accounts in
which the fee had been refused, in all of which
they had been called upon to act, and besought the
court to take the whole matter into serious consi-
deration and do justice to gentlemen filling honour-
able positiouu, and haying onerous duties to perform
as pubis s .rvants.
Oa the motion of Mr. P. N. LAURIE, who com-
plimented Mr. Bodkin upon hi ; clear and lucid
argument, seconded by Mr. ARMSTRONG, the jus-
t;ces present formed themselves into a special com-
mittee to take the subject into consideration, and
the court adjourned.
MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL.

It is in contemplation to present an address from
the magistracy to her Majesty upon the occa.ion of
the marl Lige of her R gal Highness the Princess
Royal.
,••••

MABIEET NEWS.—(This Day.)

CORN EXCHANGE.

Since Mon lay, and fresh up to-day, coastwise and by
land carriage, the receipts of home-grown wheat have been
on a very limited scale. The demand, however, for all
kinds still rules heavy, at prices barely equal to Monday's
currency. Over 9,000 quarters of foreign wheat have
come fresh to band. Even the finest samples moved off
heavily, at barely previous rates.
We bad a dull inquiry for both barley and malt, at Mon-
day's quo' ations.
The supply of oats was very moderate. On the whole,
the oat trade ruled steady, at full prices.
No change took place in the value of either beans or
peas.
Tho flour trade ruled heavy, and country marks were
lower to purchase.

ARRIVALS TIM WEER.
Wheat. 1 Barley. I Malt. Oats. Flour.
1,770 1 1,520 1 6,020 1,930 2,340
1,210 --
brls
15,080 780 sks

English
Irish

Foreign

9,010 1 7,870

METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET.

The supply of beasts in to-day's market was limited ;
nevertheless, the beef trade s uled heavy at Monday's prices.
With sheep we were scantily supplied. All breeds moved
off slowly at the late decline in vane. Calves were in
moderate supply and heavy request, at 2d per 8113 i less
money. In pigs scarcely any business was transacted
on
easier terms. Mulch cows were very dull and drooping in
price.

Per Bibs to sink the °Sal'.
d.
s. d. s. s. s.
interior Beasts.... 3 2to 3 4iPrimeSouthdown 410 5 4
Second quality.... 3 6 3 1011...rge cree. calves 4 2 4 8
Prime large oxen 4 0 4 2,Prime small d 0... 4 210 5 4
2
Prime Scots, &a. 4 4 4 qLarge hogs ..... . 3 0
Inferior Sheep ...3 4 3 B,Small p 2 4 6
orkers ... 4
Second quality 310 4 0 Suckling cal ves..2o 0 26 0
Prime orse.-villed.4 2 4 81Quarter old pige.2o 0
0. 26 0
TOTAL soma': FOREIGN SUTTLT
Beasts l2O
Sheep and lambs 70
••
Calves 9O
Pigs

Beasts .
2,400
Sheep and lambs
140
Calves
220
Pigs

NEWOATE AND LEADENFIALL.
Each kind of meat. was in fair supply and sluggish re
quest, as follows :
Per 81bs by the cameo.
e. d. e. d. I e.
Beet, interior 010 3 2 Hutton, Inferior 3
Do., middling..... 3 4 3 6 Do., middling ..... 3
Do. prime large.. 3 8310 ( Do.► prime ..4
Do., du. small ....4 0 4 2 / Vea1...., ....... 3
Pork, large 323 10 / Pork, small 4

d. s. A
2 3 6
8 4 2
4 4 8
8 4 6
0 4 $I

BOROUGH [TOP.
There is a steady demand for the beat new hops, at fully
the late improvement in the quotations. In other kinds,
however, very few transactions have taken place.
Now Mid and East Kent pockets, 70s to 120 s ; Weald of
Kent ditto, 50s to 70s ; Sussex ditto, 503 to 645; Year-
lings and Olds, 21s to 47s per cwt.

COLONIAL.
TEA—There is very little activity in the market, and
prices continue steady. Common Congou is quoted 13Ld to
Vid per lb.
SUGAR—There has been rather less animation ; b Int full
prices are readily obtained for the finer qualities. the
Refined Market the dealings have been extewive, and.
prices are firm. The supply of dried goods, however is
,
not equal to the demand.
COFFEE—For all descriptions there is a fair demand, and
good qualities of plantation Ceylon realised an advance of
about is per cwt. At public sale the biddings were brisk
and slightly advanced rates were in most instances
realised.
Cocoa--The market is very quiet, no business of any
importance being reported and prices may be
quoted fully
103 per cwt. lower.
RICE —At public sale, only a small quantity of that
offered found buyers at prices slightly
under late quota-
tions. Cleaned rice, for home consumption, continued in
fair demand at about previous rates
FRUlT—There is a fair demand for. good old currants and
prices are well supported. Raisins remain steady at fully
former values.
SALTPETRE. —The market remains quiet, and there is
little variation to report in prices. The tendency, how-
ever, is towar,is a decline.
TALLOW.—There is a steady demand for forward de-
livery, but little business
however, continue doing'
for private wants. Prices,
January_firm. P.Y.C. on the spot, 54e. 3d. ;
ctw.Motarch, 545. 91; and last three months, 51s.
6d. per

RECONSTRUCTION OF THB CIRCUITS.—It is probable
that before the commencement of next term there will
he some important changt,s in reference to the circuits 0!
th ,judzeg. York will, probably, bedissociated from the
Northern Circuit and added to the Midland, an agsix,
bring ektablished at Manchester. The Midland will lose
Warwick, which will he added to the Oxford Circuit,
which, in its turn, wi'l lose Hereford and Shrewsbury,
which will be added to the Welsh Circuits. The pro-
posed alterations form a portion of the recommendations
of the commissioners on circuits.