The Sun.
London, England, 1859-02-04 00:00:00

THAMES.

STEALING A HANSOM CAB.—George Wilson, a cab-
driver, who, notwithstanding his bad character, and a con-
viction for fraud, and another for felony recorded against
him, has managed to obtain his licence, was charged with
stealing a Hansom cab, value £45, and selling it for £25.
The prosecutor in this case is Alfred Budd, a cab pro-
prietor, of 5, Herefoid-place, Devonshire-street, Mile-end.
He unfortunately became acquainted with the prisoner a
few weeks ago, and he employed him to do a little business
for him, and to sell a horse and pony. The prosecutor
was in possession of a Hansom cab, worth £45, which he
had hired for a month of. Mr. Stoneham, cab proprietor, of
Bedford-street, Seymour-street, Euston-square. On Tuesday
last about half-past 12 o'clock the prisoner said he knew where
there was a clarence cab and two horses for sale for £2O,
and recommended the prosecutor to strike a bargain at once
and purchase them. Mr. Budd said he had no money ; on
which the prisoner said, " Oh, I can get the money ; if you
lend me your horse and cab, I know where to borrow it."
Mr. Budd, who was highly elated at this information,
allowed the prisoner to drive away with his horse and cab,
and appointed to meet him an hour afterwards in Arthur-
street, London-bridge. The prisoner never went there, but
drove immediately to the stables of Mr. James Short, a cab
proprietor and licensed victualler, in Old-street-road, St.
Luke's, to whom he represented that the Hansom cab
belonged to Mr. Budd, who was hard up and wanted to sell
it. After some conversation, Mr. Shea agreed to give
£25 for the Hansom cab. The offer was accepted, and
Mr. Short paid the amount in gold to the prisoner, who
immediately absconded with the money. He was appre-
hended yesterday by Copping, a police constable, No. 370
K, who asked him what he had done with the money, to
which he replied, " I have lost it." The prosecutor was
cross-examined by Mr. Gomm, clerk to Mr. Young, solici-
tor, on the part of the prisoner, and by Mr. Wontner, who
watched the case for Mr. Short, and he said he never gave
any authority to the prisoner to sell the Hansom cab. He
never thought of such a thing. The cab belonged to Mr.
Stoneham, and he intended to hire it again.
Copping said the prisoner had been convicted of fraud,
for which he was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment,
and was also convicted of felony.

Mr. Yardley committed the prisoner for trial.

The precise amount of specie to be taken for the
East by the Peninsular an Oriental steamer Indus,i
to-day, is £195,828, of which £63,720 s for India and
Ceylon, and £132,108 for China and the Straits. The
latter sum includes £35,000 shipped on account of the
Government to Hong Kong. Nearly the whole is silver,
the gold being £1,530 only.
EAST WORCESTERSHIRE ELECTION.—Mr. Pa-
kington and Mr. Calthorpe have addressed meetings of elec-
tors at Dudley, Pershore, and Evesham. On Wednesdayboth
the candidates attended at Evesham, it being fair-day, and
spoke in public. Mr. Pakington having beenaccused of being
" bigoted Puseyite" denies the charge. In a speech at
Bromsgrove on Tuesday he admitted that having resided
in the parish of St. Paul's, Knightsbridge, he had attended
divine service there and subscribed to the charities, but that
did not necessarily identify him with the "High Church"
views of Mr. Liddell. Viscount Ingestre attended the same
meeting, and spoke in favour of Mr Pakiugton, and said if
the ballot was to be granted to constituencies he should also
claim the privilege for members in recording their votes in
the House of Commons. Mr. Calthorpe at Pershore on
Tuesday denied that he was a nominee of Lord Ward. As
to the new Reform Bill, it was impossible to say how the
seats setat liberty by disfranchisement of boroughs would
be distributed, but he should oppose any bill that would
give a large majority to the towns, and should insist that
at least an equal number be given to the counties. He
would also vote for an assimiliation of the county and
borough franchise, and was in favour of 11.11- Locke King's
£lO county franchise.
He would decline to pledge himself
to vote for a repeal of the income-tax next year, but would
vote for reform in its assessment. He had never been a
member of a ballot society, and would not pledge himself to
vote for it.