The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-16 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—Dec. 15.

M ANSION-HOUSE.—Mary Cain,:aged 40 years
of age, without legs, and who has been in the
habit of crawling about the City for some years, on
a board secured to her body, was charged before
Sir R. W. Carden with begging.
H. Maundrell, constable 404, said that on the
previous day he saw the prisoner pursuing her old
avocation—that of begging—near the Royal Ex-
change. She had with her a child about five years
old, and another who now stood by her side (a
healthy looking little fellow about three years of
age). She was blocking up the footway and occa-
sioning inconvenience to the public. He told her
to go away, but she refused to do so, and he was
compelled to take her into custody. Many com-
plaints had been made to him by the shopkeepers
of the woman being allowed to obstruct the
pavement while begging.
Sir R. W. Carden—Does she ever have more
than that child with her.

Witness--Yes sometimes as many as four.
Sir R. W. Carden—Are they supposed to be her
own children P

Witness—Yes, I believe so. She says she has a
husband.

The Gaoler—Her husband is outside.

Sir R. W. Carden—Bring him in.
The gaoler brought in a big, burly, lazy fellow,
whose face evidently had not been washed for
weeks. The man said his name was Cain.

Sir R. W. Carden—Are you the husband of this
woman ?

Cain—No.
Sir R. W. Carden—What do you know of her ?
Cain—l have been living with her.
Sir R. W. Carden—What are you ?
Cain—l have been a soldier in the 82d Regiment
of Foot.

Sir R. W. Carden—Are those your children ?
Cain—Yes.
Sir R. W. Carden—How long have you been
living with her?
Cain—About five years.
Sir R.W. Carden—Was she in this helpness con-
dition when you first went to live with her ?
Cain—No. She lost the use of her limbs in one
of her confinements.

Sir R. W. Carden—Yox must not allow her to
go about the streets begging in this sad state.
Cain—l do the best I can to keep her, but I have
a bad leg.
Sir R. W. Carden—You seem to be an able-
bodied man.

Cain—l am very much disabled in my left leg,
and very sickly.
Sir It. 117. Carden—How much money does this
woman bring home to you every night ?
Cain—Nothing. What she gets she keeps her-
self with.
Policeman—The truth is that this man follows
her about in the streets, and as soon as she receives
any halfpence from a passer-by, he goes and takes
it from her. I found Is. 91d. on her yesterday.
Sir It. W. Carden—What work have you been
doing lately ?
Cain—l have lived by selling apples and gather-
ing a few rags.
Sir R.W. Carden—No, you have been living
upon this woman. She must not be permitted to
go about the public streets begging.
Cain—l will take her out of London altogether
if you will let her go this time.
Mr. Goodman—When she was here last she said
she came from Clare.

Mary Cain—Yes, and I now say I belong to the
county of Mayo. I don't know why I should be
meddled with. I never interfere with anybody or
ask for money.
Sir R. W. Carden—lt is not necessary that you
should receive money to bring you within the law.
I shall let you go this time, but if the police, who
did quite right intaking you into custody, find you
begging again, they will bring you here, and you
will be punished. You must not be allowed to live
on the charity of the public. (To Cain)—Take
care, for if you are found living on what she gets
by begging you will be taken into custody your-
self.
Cain—l don't want to live upon what she gets.
I will undertake to keep her out of the streets for
the future.
Sir It. W. Carden—The most inhuman act of
which the public can be guilty is that of giving
money to beggars in the streets. I have repeatedly
said that until an act of Parliament is passed to
punish persons who in discriminately give away their
money in this manner, we shall never be able to
prevent begging.
The prisoner was discharged.

GUILDHALL.—Mr. Wontner applied to Mr.
Alderman Copeland for a summons against some
parties forming the sub-committee appointed by
the shareholders of the " Sierra Nevada Lake
Water and Mining Company," to inquire into the
affairs of that undertaking, for unlawfully detain-
ing the private minute-book of the directors, which
had been taken forcible possession of when produced
by the secretary for their perusal.
Alderman Copeland said he would consider the
application, as it appeared to him that the share-
holders had a right as partners in the undertaking
to have the book, and it frequently occurred that
summonses were applied for, for the purpose of
getting out matters in a police court which were
more fitted for a Court of Chancery. The worthy,
alderman ultimately declined to grant the sum-
mons, and said he had considered it very carefully,
and he was of opinion he had no jurisdiction. •

WORSHIP-STREET.---Wm. Matthew Arm-
strong, of gentlemanly exterior and address, was
charged before Mr. Hammill, with assaulting
Cornelius Avis, a farmer, at Cheshunt.
The complainant, whose features were contused,
said--:At ten o'clock this morning I entered a
second-class carriage at the Waltham-station of the
Eastern Counties line of railway en route to Lon-
don, and was told by some gentlemen in that par-
tition there was not any room. The accommodation
is for four on each side, and perceiving the defen-
dant, another gentleman, and a little boy only
occupying one side I replied, " I believe there is,"
and passed on, taking my seat, with difficulty, be-
side defendant. My presence, apparently, was
deemed intrusive, for he observed, "Do not stick
your elbows into my ribs." I assured him that I
was not doing so, but he several times repeated
that I was, and then called me a - liar. Upon
receiving this insult I told him not to behave like
a blackguard. He then rose up, and struck me
with his clenched fist in the face with such violence
that the blood flowed copiously from my nose, and
my eye was cut. One
.gentleman interfered, ob-
serving, " This is too bad," and another gave me
his card, while there was a feeling generally ex-
pressed that I ought not to allow the matter to
drop, but give my assailant into custody, which,
on arriving at the terminus, I did.
No witnesses attending to substantiate this com-

plaint,
Mr. Armstrong thus replied to the charge—" I
was very busily engaged perusing my newspaper,
when this gentleman, whose entrance I had not
observed, rudely thrust himself down by my side,
and so justled and elbowed my ribs, that I was
compelled to complain and request him to desist.
This occurred several times ; then, without the
utterance of one gross Word by me, he called me' a

" blackguard." I resented this foul term by giving
the blow he now complains of.
Mr. Hammill—You do not deny the assault ?
Dofendant—l cannot, sir ; but it was given
under provocation that justified it.
Mr. llammill—What are you ?

Defendarit—A solicitor, at Guildhall Chambers.

Henry Norris—l am a builder at Hertford. Was
in the carriage when complaintant entered, and I
told him there was not room.
Mr. Hammill—And was it so ?

Witness—Well, certainly there were but three
on on c• side—defendant one of them, but he is not
a "little one," and the other gentleman was very
stout, so that with the boy they filled up the space.
This witness confirmed the defence set up, and
in reply to the magistrate's question respecting
the violence of the blow, said, " He hit him as hard
as there was room to do it in."

Mr. Hammill observed, "It is a pity that one
gentleman was not more polite, and the other more
forbearing. Unquestionably there was a fault on
both sides. To stigmatise a man as a blackguard
is provocative of a breach of the peace. Under all
the circumstances, perhaps the matter may be
satisfactorily concluded by allowing the defendant
to put a donation into the poor-box, it being under-
stood that he apologises."
Mr. Armstrong—Most certainly, sir, for I re-
gretted the blow the instant it was delivered.
Defendant laid down a sovereign, and each left
satisfied.

SOUTHWARK.—Messrs. Spinks and Mouril-
yan, the owners of Bethesda chapel, recently pulled
down, in Jamaica-level, Bermondsey, owing to its
dangerous state, were summoned before Mr. Combe,
by order of Capt. Labalmondiere, assistant commis-
sioner of police, uuder the New Metropolitan Build-
ing Act, for refusing to pay to the Commissioners
of police the sum of £36 4s. 9d., being costs in-
curred by them in surveyors' fees, &c., and pulling
down the above chapel, such being a dangerous
structure, being within the meaning of the act
passed in the year 1855.
Mr. Spinks, the solicitor to the trustees of
Bethesda chapel, appeared for the defendants ; and
Mr. Reeves, the chief surveyor to the Commis-
sioners of Police, was in attendance to support the
complaint.
It appeared that as long back as twelve months
ago Bethesda chapel was in a dilapidated condi-
tion, and complaints were made to the vestry of
Bermondsey relative to the coffins being exposed,
and offensive smells emitted therefrom. Dr. Chal-
lice, the medical officer of health, certified to these
facts, and summonses were heard at this court, and
others made to abate the nuisance. Not only that
an order was issued by the Secretary of State to
cover in the coffins and the vaults hermetically,
nothing was, however, done, owing to some dis-
pute about the real owner, but the structure
becoming in such a dangerous state the Commis-
sioners of Police, through their inspector, Mr.
Dodd, summoned the defendants as the owners, to
erect hoardings and pull down such a dangerous
structure. Having neglected to do so the Commis-
sioners of Police performed the, work, and they
demanded L 2 2s. surveyors' fees, and £34 2s. 2d.
the expenses incurred in building the hoarding and
performing the necessary works. The defendants
were ordered to pay these sums, and on their re-
fusing to do so the present proceedings were taken.
Mr. Spinks contended that his clients were not
at all liable to the payment of the demand, inas-
much as they were only the reversionists and
granted the lease of the chapel.
Mr. Combe—Then you are the landlords and
entitled to receive all rents.

Mr. Spinks—Yes, of course, we do, when there
are any to receive. I, however, contend that we
cannot be considered the owners under the miscel-
laneous provision of the act of Parliament. Part 4
and 97th clause, there it says, that all such expenses
must be borne by the owner in possession. I say
we are not the owners in immediate possession, and
cannot be compelled to pay the demand now asked_
Mr. Reeves—The 73d clause specifies who are
the owners. You will see, sir, by that the de-
fendants as trustees are liable. _ _

Mr. Combe—That clause certainly specified th©
parties who were liable. lam therefore of opinion
that the defendants must pay the money. '
Mr. Spinks—lf such is your decision, sir, I am
instructed to say that we shall appeal to a higher
tribunal. We also object to the items set forth in
the accounts produced by the Commissioners of
Police.

• Mr. Combo—l shall make the order for the pay-
ment of £36 4s. 9d., the sum demanded, and if you
intend to appeal you must give the required notices.
I think it a case of vast importance to the public,
which ought to be decided as soon as possible.
The usual notices were given and the order made
out

The coffins it appeared were still left exposed,
much to the annoyance of the inhabitants, who are
loud in their calls on the parish authorities for
their interference again to cover the ground.

THE CRYSTAL PALACE COMPANY.
THE HALF-YEARLY MEETING.

The half-yearly meeting of the shareholders of
the Crystal Palace was held yesterday at the
Bridge House Hotel, London-bridge, T. N. Far-
quhar, the chairman of the company, presiding.
The report, an abstract of which has already ap-
peared, was agreed to be taken as read.
The CHAIRMAN opened the proceedings by stat-
ing`that it was resolved to hold the meetings annu-
ally in future, as that would enable the shareholders
much better to ascertain the exact value of their
property. He entered into some details of the ex-
penditure arising from increased water supply
rendered necessary in consequence of the enlarge-
ment of the refreshment department, the re-arrange-
ment of the picture gallery, and other matters of
an attractive character. The Chairman then went
over the various items of the report seriatim, con-
gratulating the meeting on the improved prospects
before them. The working expenditure was
£56,000 in 1856.7, it had now been reduced to
£50,000, and they hoped they would very soon re-
duce it to £45,000. (Cheers.) As to the Sunday
opening, he could not sec why people who held
shares in the company and objected to walking in
the grounds on Sunday should seek to prevent their
neighbours doing so. (" Let them leave us.") In
adverting to the !proposed Exhibition of 1861, ho
thought that as they, the shareholders, had ex-
pended £1,500,000 in erecting that great build-
ing, they ought to have a voice in the matter.
(Hear.) He had been in communication with the
Society of Arts. *He and his fellow directors had
made a proposition to the Society of Arts to enter
into arrangements for holding the Exhibition of
1861 in the Crystal Palace.
On the motion for the adoption of the report
being put,
Mr. SOUTHEY proposed that the directors should
be remunerated in a manner consistent with their
responsibility.
Mr. BILLING objected, and doubted both the
propriety and capability of such a proceeding.
Mr. PUNCHER was also of opinion that until the
dividends increase it would not be fair and prudent
to increase the allowance to the board. He proceeded,
amid much laughter and interruption to comment
upon what he designated the " very silly speech of
the chairman ;" and which he felt strongly tempted
to pronounce " a mockery, a delusion, and a snare."
He further advocated the continuance of the half-
yearly meeting as a safeguard for the shareholders
in meeting the directors every six months.
Mr. SLACK objected to what he denominated
the " musical specialty" department, and in some
lengthy observations contended that the expensive
concerts did not pay.
Mr. WILSON expressed an opinion that the affairs
of the Crystal Palace had never been so well con-
ducted as during the last half year.
The CHAIRMAN having satisfactorily replied to
several objections about keeping up a police and
fire brigade, as well as the fire insurance on the
building, and other items of managerial expendi-
ture, put the adoption of the report, which was
agreed to unanimously.
The next motion was the rendering of the
accounts half-yearly, when the meeting negatived
it, and decided in favour of yearly balance sheets.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed that the half-
yearly dividend be declared at 2s. 6d. a share.
Mr. PUNCHER moved an amendment of 3s. 6d. a
share, free of income tay.
At this announcement the meeting seemed sud-
denly to awaken and assume the character of
Crystal Palace meetings in days gone by. Mr.
Puncher thought that as the directors had a reserve
of £1,200 it could be very well afforded.
After considerable. banter, and much good
humour, the 3s. 6d. amendment was put, and being
only supported by a few hands, was uproariously
laughed out of court, and the Chairman's proposi-
tion was adopted.
Mr. KERRY, on behalf of the religious section of
the shareholders, began the real battle of the day,
by moving the following resolution, of which he
had- given notice :—" That the resolution—' That
in the opinion of this meeting the opening of the
Palace and grounds to shareholders on Sunday-
afternoons is desirable, and that it be referred to
the board of directors to make such arrangement,
as they, may consider best for giving effect to this
resolution,' be rescinded." The mover proceedei
amidst a perfect-storm to advocate his motion, but

he had not spoken long before he was obliged to
sit down.

Atter some discussion of a most vociferous de-
scription,
Mr. KERRY replied in a few words.
The motion was then put, when a division took
place, and the numbers were— •
For rescinding the resolution by which the
Palace grounds are opened on Sunday Bl
Against it 10,5

Majority

A ballot was demanded by Mr. SOTHEBY, on the
ground that two-thirds of the shareholders present
did not constitute a majority.
The CHAIRMAN said the demand must be signed
by 12 shareholders, representing 300 shares.
This having been complied with, the ballot was
fixed to open on the 12th Jan. next and following
days.
The meeting was then declared to be adjourned,
and, after a stormy day, the shareholders advanced.
into another phase of the Crystal Palace Sunday
war.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

NEWARK-DEC. 1.5

The show of wheat to-day was tolerably good, with slow
sale for good qualities at previous rates. A fair amount of
barley on offer, and inferior sold at a reduction of is to 2s
per qr. Oats and beaus a small show. The young wheats
in this district are looking healthy.
White wheat, new, 45s to 48s Barley, grinding.. 30s to 32s
Red do. 4oa to 42s Oats, old, .. —s to —s
Old white 3Bs to 41s New do 24s to 263
Red do 37s to 40s Beans. 44s to 46s
Barley, malting.— 36s to 40s I Malt.. 6BB to 72s