The Sun.
London, England, 1859-06-17 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE—June 16.

MANSION-HOUSE.—COMBINATION OF AP
PREI4TICES.—John Brennan, Philip Holland, and
Edward Davis were summoned for assaulting John
Williams. Holland pleaded guilty, and the other
defendants not guilty.
Mr. Wontner, who appeared to support the com-
plaint, said he was instructed by Mr. French, cork-
cutter, Crutched-friars, who was anxious to protect
his workmen against violence. Mr. French re-
quired a great number.of hands in his business, and
recently had been compelled to take fresh hands
into his,establishment, in consequence of the exten-
sion of his business; This step created some dis-
satisfaction in his- establishment, and several of
the men left, among whom was Williams, the com-
plainant, who, however, seemed to have repented
of his folly, for he returned to his work on Friday
last, and was aftewards set upon by the defendants,
who were apprentices to Air. French, and pelted
with rotten eggs and flour. As this was part of a
system of general annoyance, the defendants were
summoned to that court, hoping that the result
would give a salutary warning to all who were
employed in the place.
The Lord Mayor, before -ale case was gone into,
suggested that Brennan and Davis should follow
the example of Holland by pleading guilty, in
which' case be would hold over his decision, while,
if they refused to do so, and the case were proved
aainst them, he should inflict upon them the full
penalty of the law.
Brennan and Davis, however, asserted their in-
nocence, and the use proceeded.
John Williams--I am journeyman to Mr. French,
and the defendants are his apprentices. I have
been in the service of Mr. French about five years,
but there was a strike recently, and I left with
some other men. After some reflection I returned
on Friday last, and went to my work as usual on
Saturday morning. Between nine and 10 o'clock
the apprentices set on me. Holland threw the first
egg, Davis the second, and I saw Brennan throw
also, but it did not strike me. Several others threw
at, me, but the three defendants I can identify. I
was going downstairs to inform Mr. French, when
some pint pots were thrown after me. The egg
thrown by Davis struck me on the back. They
had said nothing to me at the time.
Wm.' Cordell, managing foreman to Mr. French,
said that on hearing a noise he ran to the workshop
and found all the apprentices in a tumult, and the
walls covered with eggs and flour, as were also the
cliithes, face, and whiskers of the complainant. He
spoke to the defendants, warning them of the con-
sequences likely to arise from such conduct, when
Brennan said he had made up his mind to take his
share of the punishment, whatever it might be.
They all said tt-ey wished to show Williams the
feeling they had towards him for returning to his
work.
" Mr. French deposed that Brennan admitted to
him that he had thrown one of the eggs, and that
they had all intended to do it.
Brennan denied that he had thrown anything,
and said he had witnesses to prove the truth of his
denial. He first called
William Helps, a fellow-apprentice, who, after
being cautioned by the Lord Mayor, said—l have
been with Mr. French about five years. On the
morning when Williams came it wasp roposed to
pelt him with eggs, flour, and water. I do not
know who proposed it.
The Lord Mayor—Who seconded it ?
Witness—l don't know; but I know that Bren-
nan did not throw his flour, for he had it after-
wards. (Laughter.) We did it to show our feeling
towards Williams. We all took part in it. They
all brought their own flour or eggs, except me.
(Laughter.) Mine was brought for me.
The Lord Mayor—But you paid for it, I suppose?
Witness—Yes, I paid a penny, but I did not
throw it. 1 hadn't a chance to get at him, or else
I should, I daresay. (Loud laughter.) Every one
of the apprentices took part in it, and we all con-
tributed money to buy the flour and eggs.
The'Lord Mayor—Mr. Wontner, do you wish to
ask this witness any questions ?
- Mr. Wontner—Oh no, my lord ; he has admitted
quite enough for me already. (Laughter.)
The Lord Mayor—Yes, he must take care he
doesn't go up to Holloway Prison. They all stand
a very good chance, I think, if they persist in such
conduct. Have you any more witnesses, Brennan?
Brennan—Yes, there's William Webb.
Webb got into the witness-box, but evidently
with a little reluctance.
The Lord Mayor—Well, what do you come to
prove ?
Witness—l come to prove that Mr. French is
under a.misunderstinding.
The Lord Mayor—And what else ?
Witness—l beg, further to say that there wasn't
a single rotten egg thrown.
The Lord Mayor—Well, that makes the affair a
little more savoury, certainly : but what right had
you to throw any eggs at all ?
Witness—And with regard to this misunder-
standing, Mr. French seems to think it was meant
as an insult to him, and to injure him in his business.
The Lord Mayor—Well, so it must ; besides the
injury to this poor man, with whom you had been
working for years.
Witness—But he did injury to us first, by giving
us a bad character to other men in the trade. It
was done more as a practical joke than anything
else. (Laughter.)
The Lord Mayor—Practical jokes very often lead
to serious consbquenees, and that is likely to be the

case now.
Brennan—Did you see me throw anything ?
Witness—No.
The Lord Mayor—lt does not matter. If you