The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-17 00:00:00

MINES TRESPASSES PREVENTION BILL.

Mr. SHERIDAN, in moving the second reading of this
bill, said that its object was to prevent the depredations
that wete frequently committed in mines, by which a great
loss was inflicted on mine proprietors. By the present law
very little provision was made to meet these injuries, and
serious complaints were made in consequence by parties
who were unable to obtain redress. The only remedy at
present was an application to the Court of Chan-
cery, which was a very roundabout process, or an
action at common law for trespass. Before the commence-
ment of such action, however, the injury was committed,
and very frequently no redress was obtained, as the persons
who were the offending parties were frequently men of
straw, and in many cases the injury was not discovered
until legal remedy was barred by the Statute of Limitation.
What he proposed by the bill was, to enable a mine owner,
on his making an affidavit before the Judges in Chambers,
that he believad an injury had been inflicted on his pro-
perty, to obtain an order for inspecting the same. The
hon. member here read extracts from the evidence of mine
inspectors, to show the extent to which those injuries were
carried.

Mr. PAULL said that, although his name was on the
back of the bill, he informed the hon. member who intro-
duced it that he was opposed to its provisions, as it had mot
the approval of mine proprietors generally,
Mr. CLIVE opposed the bill, which was objectionable
because even on suspicion an underground warrant could
be obtained before the: injury was ascertained, which
took it out of the category of the law relating to injury be-
tween man and man. To justify the introduction of such
a measure, it should be shown that some great public
interest was involved, and he advised his hon. friend to
withdraw the bill.

Mr. DENMAN said he was surprised that the Solicitor-
General (now the Attorney-General) had opposed this bill,
which he believed was in accordance with the liberal
principles which had actuated the present Government.
The hon. and learned gentleman mentioned many cases
which had come within his own experience which showed
that justice had been defeated on account of conscientious
objections to taking an oath. Witnesses in such cases
were not allowed to give evidence, and were not unfre-
quently punished for their refusal. The evidence of such
persons would in many cases be more to be relied upon than
the evidence of those who readily took the oath, and never
thought about it afterwards.

The house went into committee on the bill. The various
clauses having been agreed to, the bill was reported to the
house, and ordered to be read a third time to-morrow.
SHERIFFS' COURT (SCOTLAND) (No. 2) BILL.
This bill was withdrawn,

INDICTABLE OFFENCES (METROPOLITAN
DISTRICT) BILL.
The consideration of this bill was postponed till this day
week.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AMENDMENT BILL.
This bill, as amended, was considered and agreed to.
IRREMOVABLE POOR BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
METROPOLIS 'LOCAL ACT AMENDMENT BILL.
The house went into committee on this bill.
The clauses to 71 inclusive were agreed to.
On clause 72,

Mr. LOCKE said this was a very important clause, and
gave powers to the board of which he did not approve. He
alludel to the case of a church at the West-End, wherein a
most unjust decision in reference to a projection of a church
in the neighbourhood and the pulling down of the chancel,
which deprived 200 of the poor inhabitants of a place of
worship, Vice-Chancellor Stuart decided that the board
was wrong, and an appeal was made to the late Lord Chan-
cellor, who decided in their favour merely on a point of

Mr. BRISTOW said that the board were guided in these
matters by the advice of their architect.
Mr. LOCKE did not consider that explanation satis-
factory.

W
;—. .
Sir G. C. LEWIS said that in his opinion the explana-
tion given was quite satisfactory, and he would vote for the
clause.

After some further conversation the committee divided,
when there appeared—
For the clause
Against it
Majority....
The clause was accordingly lost.
The remaining clauses were agreed to.
SUPPLY.

The report of supply was brought up and agreed
THE TURNPIKE ACT CONTINUANCE BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
PUBLIC WORKS HARBOUR BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed_
The house adjourned at four o'clock.

THE SERIOUS CHARGP AGAINST

BARON- DE VIDIL.

This afternoon the neighbourhood of Bow-street Police-
court presented a scene of the greatest excitement, in con-
sequence of its being generally known that the Baron de
Vidil would undergo a further examination on the chai ge
of attempted murder, preferred against him by his own
son.
The Police-court became crowded long before the com-
mencement of the proceedings. Lord Alfred Paget, M.P.,
Mr. Gaskell, M.P., and several other influential gentlemen
occupied seats on the magistrate's bench.
At three o'clock, in accordance with the arrangements
entered into on Monday last, the prisoner Louis Pons de
Vidil was placed at the bar, in charge of Smith of the de-
tective iorco.

He sat down in the dock, and, as on his former examina-
tion, covered his face with his hands.
Mr. Charles Pollock, instructed by Mr. Ellis, conducted
the prosecution, and Mr. Sleigh and Mr, Orridge defended
the accused.

On the first witness, Alfred John do Vidil, being called
into the witness bog; in a low trembling voice, he said—l
wish to say a worcl.or two before the proceedings com-
mence. I had hoped that, as I am labouring under a very
painful infirmity, I should not have been called upon
to give evidence. When I applied for the warrant, I did
so merely for my own protection, and did not think that
those who had the execution of it would succeed in carry-
ing it into effect. I had hoped such would have been the
case, but it is not so, and I must, therefore, remain silent.
I cannot tell what effect it may have upon me refusing to
speak, or what may be done, but I hope I shall bo able to
undergo anything which may befal me for refusing to
speak. I do not know whether I should speak falsely if I
should insinuate anything against the prisoner. I wish
also to state that those gentlemen who have moved in this
matter have done so at my request, which was made to
thorn solely for the protection of my own life. If the pri-
soner insists that I shall give evidence I will do so, but
before I do so I must say he has been most unfortunate.
Mr. Sleigh—lf any insinuation is made against the pri-
soner, I beg to say the witness is labouring under great
misapprehension.
Mr. Pollock—l must beg that all remarks be reserved
until the case is proceeded with in the regular way.
M. de Vidil—lt is a very painful position I am placed in.
My duty, I think, is to deline going on with the case.
Mr. Corrie—lt is, no doubt, a very painful position ; but
you have a duty to perform, and all must sympathise with
you.
Mr. Sleigh—lf the witness declines to be sworn, there—
Mr, Pollock—l must object to such suggestions
being made by my learned friend, as they appear to be
made for the purpose of influencing the witness.
Mr. Corrie—l have said before that it is a painful duty,
but it must be performed. It is your duty b speak out,
and tell all you know.
M. de Vidil—lt is my opinion that it is the duty of a
child to undergo any punishment in order to protect a parent,
and I do not assent to the law that would compel other-
wise.
Mr, Corrie—Do you refuse to take the oath ?
M. do Vidil—l do.
Mr. Corrie—Then it is my painful duty to commit you to
prison.
Mr. Burnaby, the chief clerk—Officer, take him into
custody.
The young man was then removed from the court in
custody of ono of the detective officers.
Mr. Sleigh— If it would not be inconvenient I should
like to consult with the gentleman who has instructed me
in this matter, namely, Mr. Wontner, on what has just
taken place, and with the learned gentleman who appears
for the Crown in this case.
After an absence of about a quarter of an hour the learned
gentlemen returned into court.
Mr. Sleigh—l have conferred with my learned friend
Mr. Pollock, the counsel who appears on the part of the
Crown to prosecute in this painful case. I cannot but say
the conduct of the young gentleman is both creditable
to his head and heart, and what we propose is that you, sir,
should adjourn the further hearing of this case until Fri-
day, or any other day that may be convenient to yourself.
Mr. Corrie—Friday will do for me very well.
Mr. Sleigh—l am exceedingly obliged to you, sir, for con-
senting to that part of the arrangement. I have now another
request to make, and I don't think after what has taken
place my learned friend will object to it, and that is that the
baron, who has suffered severely since he has been in prison
on this charge, may be admitted to bail. Not in any trifling
amount, but in such large and substantial terms as you,
sir, may think the importance of the case requires.
Mr. Pollock—With respect to the adjournment, I have
no objection. As to the advisability of admitting the pri-
i soner to bail, after what I have seen in court, I shall not
expresi APY
opinion one way or the other, but I shall leave

it entirely in the hands of the Court to act as may be
thought most proper.
Mr. Corrie—When Friday was fixed for further proceed•
ing with this case I did not think of the fact that, as 1 have
committed the young man to prison for seven days, he
would be discharged before that time. We had better fix
some of cr day.

Mr. Sleigh—Friday next, your worship, not Friday week,
is the day we fixed upon.

Mr. Corrie—l have no difficulty in complying with the
first part of your request, namely, an adjournment of the
further hearing of this case until Friday next ; but I can-
not think of taking bail for the appearance of the prisoner,
as the case at present stands.

Mr. Pollock—Then, perhaps, sir, the young man can be
liberated from custody and restored to his friends ?
Mr. Corrie—He will only be kept in custody as a matter
of law; he will be subjected to no punishment, and, there-
fore, cannot suffer much from such confinement. As the
matter now stands he will only be detained little more than
a day. I cannot suffer such a refusal as he has been guilty
of, in open court, to pass over without protest.
Mr. Pollock—Mr. Parker, his relative, is a map,istrato of
the county of Middlesex, and what I have seen of this young
man's state of mind I think it would be better if he was
given over to that gentleman, with the understanding that
he should produce him in court on Friday next.
Mr. Parker—l think his health, which is at present very
delicate, would be broken down by any confinement.
Mr. Corrie—The time he will remain in custody is very
short.

Mr. Parker—l will undertake that he appears here next
Friday.

Mr. Sleigh—l think, sir, with all deference to your opi-
nion, that as Mr. Parker is a magistrate, the young gentle-
man might be safely entrusted to his care until the day he
is required to be in attendance. _ _ _

Mr. Pollock—l must say, from what I have learned,
that many of the young gentleman's friends are fearful,
from the present state of his health, of the result of any im-
prisonment being inflicted on him.
Mr. Corrie—lf you think it more likely to benefit the case
that the young man should remain with his relative, Mr.
Parker, I shall make no further objection.
Mr. Polleck (addressing Mr. Parker)—Will you, sir,
take charge of the young man in yOur capacity as a magis-
trate of the county of Middlesex ?
Mr. Parker—Certainly.
Mr. Pollock (to Mr. Corrie)—l may mention that the
medical gentleman who attend, M. de Vidil is of opinion
that imprisonment would be unendurable at the present
time.

Mr. Corrie—What's the gentleman's name ? Is he here ?
Mr. Pollock—lt is Mr. James. He is in court.
Mr. James here came forward, and having been sworn,
Mr. Corrie said—Are you the medical man who has at-
tended M. de Vidil? If so, do you think any confinement
in prison would be prejudicial to him in his present state of
health ?