The Sun.
London, England, 1868-01-02 00:00:00

E SUN, MIND oN, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 2, 1868.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—This Day.

BO W -STREET.

ROBBERY AT TIIE CHARING-CROSS HOTEL.--Fre-
derick Matiney, a kitchen porter at the Cha! ing-
cross Hotel, was charged this morning before Sir T.
Henry with stealing an electro-plated entree dish, a
table spoon, awl fork from that establishment.
Mr. lliggs, the manager of the hotel, said that
the prisoner was a kitchen porter, and had been
some years there. He was a Frenchman, and spoke
very little English. He had an excellent character,
and the heal cook, who was also a Frenchman, had
a very high opinion of him. A few days ago in-
formation was received that the prisoner had given
the articles in question to a woman who was living
with him. Witness communicated with the police,
and the property was recovered. It had been
missed. It was laid as witness's property, he
being responsible to the company.
Sergeant Mathews, of the F division, stated that,
in consequence of what Mr. Higgs said, he went to
the prisoner's lodgings, 30, New Compton-street,
and saw a woman named Elizabeth Ladd. He
told her that he understood she had an entree
dish and cover, which Frederick had left with
her. She replied, " Yes, but it was not there;"
she would take him to where it was. She asked him
not to go into the house with her but to wait out-
side, and she would fetch it to him. She took him
to Little Pulteney-street, went into a house there,
and came out with the dish-cover, spoon, and fork.

Elizabeth Lord stated she lived iu the same room
with the prisoner and three other persons.
Sir T. Henry—Are you living together as man
and wife ?

Witness—Not as I knows on ; not in particular.
There was too many living in the room. The wit-
ness went on to say that Frederick brought the
articles home on Christmas evening and told her he
had bought them cheap because they were damaged,
and he should make her a present of them. After-
wards she took them away because a man named
Paul who lodged with them wanted Frederick to
lend them to him to pawn as he was short of money.
She objected, saying, that they didn't belong to
Frederick now as be had given them to her.
Sir Thomas llenry—What did he want the
money for ; was it to pay him for keeping silence ?

It was because he was short. He
and.his wife wanted some money. I believe he has done
this out of spite because I would not let him have
the things. Witness then said he and all th© rest
were the worse for liquor. They had been drinking
all day in her room. She paid for the drink, at
least for the first two pints of rum, and she did not
know how much was had in or who paid for it.
Frederick was not there, and when at home he never
drank anything, but he had had something before
he came home.

Sir Thotnas Henry remanded the prisoner for a
week, remarking to Mr. Higgs that he would have
a week's solitary confinement.

MARLBORO Gil-STREET.

ROBBERY BY A DISCHARGED SHOPMAN.—CURIOUS
CASE.—George Robert Young, described as a
shopman, was charged before Mr. Knox with
stealing the sum of £2O 4s. 61 in gold and silver
moneys, the property of Mr. J tbez Barnard,
artists' colourman, No. 33, Oxford-street.
Mr. Jabez Barnard said the prisoner was for-
merly in his employ as a shopman, but discharged
about five months ago. On Saturday morning last
his attention was called to the state of the premises,
an entry having been effected by forcing a glass
trap door inside the shop, and £2 4s Gd in gold and
silver were taken from the till and the cash box.
Police-constable George Smith, 133 D, said that
about, three o'clock that morning the prisoner
came to him in John-street, Oxford-street,
and asked him whether he could tell him where
there was a coffee-shop at which he could
get a night's lodging. He told the prisoner that
he would give him a lodging, and that he should
take him into custody for a robbery at Mr. Bar-
nard's, in Oxford-street. The prisoner said he
knew nothing about it, and asked him if he was
going to lock him up. He told the prisoner that
he was and did so, and then went for the prose-
can ; and while in the dock the prisoner said " I
did not do it myself, but another man did, and we
divided the money between us." The prisoner
afterwards said, " No, no, I might as well tell
you the truth ; I did all the work myself, and
I gave the other man a pound, which was half the
money." On searching the prisoner I found £9
103. in gold and silver upon him, and the prisoner
said that he had spent the rest. The prisoner after-
wards said that he had opened the glass-trap with
an iron saw, and that after breaking open the cash-
box and till, and taking the money, he had left by
the means he had entered, and that he wondered he
had not been seen. He also said that he had been
down to the Docks, and was afraid of being stopped,
as he intended to go to New York.

The prisoner, who reserved his defence, was
committed for trial.

WESTMINSTER.

A DRUNKEN R trFFr AN.— John Purchase, a stable-
keeper, was charged on a warrant with assaulting
Mary Ann Maudry and Frederick George Knight.
The warrant was issued in disobedience of sum-
mons.

Prosecutor Knight, who lives at 30, Bessboro'-
place, said—Last Monday fortnight, about half-past
one, the defendant came and asked for 14Ibs. of
coals ; witness's partner, Maudry, said she
would not serve him, and he then said he would
well knock witness's pen down his throat if
he came to the door. He then struck witness and
used filthy language, and when Mrs. Maudry came
and requested him to deist he struck her also.
Mrs. Maudry said the prisoner told the people out-
side not to deal at the shop, said it was a bad
house, and called witness a filthy name, when she
went for the police.

Emanuel Davis, 234 B, warrant officer, said the
prisoner
and was
last night,described
a:eAmlpr .a
company
w
Burgessi t
ho then thewar-
rant,
to
prisoner's
prosecu-
tor, whom he took to identify, he went • soner's
room and read the warrant. Prisoner said he would
not go, and ordered prosecutor out of his room, fol-
lowing the order up by striking him over,witness on
the nose, making it bleed ; he kicked and refused to
go, and had to be dragged by force, and when they
got to the station door he caught hold of an old gentle-
man that was passing, struck him with both fists,
and knocked him fiat on his back ; he was drank
and resisted very much, besides using very bad
language.
Prisoner had nothing to say to the first assault,
but to the second pleaded drunkenness, and that he
ordered Knight out of his room.
Mr. Arnold said his conduct throughout the whole
transaction was most atrocious, and sentenced him
to two months' hard labour, at the expiration of that
time to find a surety in £lO to keep the peace for
six months.

vided a California herring for his supper. He
abused her and threatened her, and said if
she did not obtain a California herring for his
supper he would kill her. She said she had no
money for food, and he took up a table and struck
her with it. She fell, and he threw the table on
the top of her. Her screams and the cries of murder
from the inmates brought Police-constable Clarke,
154 K, to the spot, and as he approached the house
he saw the prisoner throw his wife from the door
into the street. She fell and was insensible for some
time afterwards.

Patrick Rogers, a boy, said that the complainant
was his grandmother, and that he saw the assault
on her.

• Timothy Gix, a police-sergeant, 45 K, and one
of the strongest and heaviest men in the police ft
said the prisoner was a violent and dangerous man,
and had ruined one police-constable and disabled
others. The prisoner once knocked down six police-
men in succession, and as he approached him (Cox)
he struck him on the head with his truncheon. His
stick flew into pieces with the blow. The prisoner
was not injured.

The prisoner growled out in a coarse Munster
brogue that his wife refused to give hiin any supper,
and the police would not leave him alone.

Mr. Benson said the police had suffered from
the acts of the prisoner, and that he had been severely
punished. Those punishments had no effect.
He wai not going to punish the prisoner for former
offences, but for the brutal assalt on his wife last
night. He sentenced the prisoner to three months'
imprisonment and hard labour, and to find sureties
to keep the peace to his wife and all her Majesty's
subjects for six months after the expiration of his
sentence. The bail required would be the prisoner
in his own personal recognisance in the sum of £5O,
and two substantial householders in £25 each.

The prisoner, who is likely to undergo nine
months' imprisonment, was then removed from the
dock, threatening vengeance against his wife and
the police.

SPECIAL CONSTABLES.

The services of the able-bodied men of thoi Corps
of Commissionaires having been offered to Govern-
ment and accepted by the Home Secretary, 150 of
them, headed by their band, were marched on Mon-
day last to the Vestry-hall in Covent-garden, and
there sworn in as special constables. A considerable
number had already enrolled themselves in various
parts of the metropolis. It is understood that this
division will act together in a body--under com-
mand of Col. Sargent, C. 8., one of the executive
committee, and Capt. Walter, the founder of the
corps, who were sworn in with their men—should
any disturbance take place. A second division, con-
sisting of an equal number of men, and comprising
those members of the corps whose former services
have incapacitated them from ordinary wurk, have
been told off to warn the special constables in else
of their being called out for duty. Several of the
principal Government offices are guarded at night
by Commissionaires, and the services of the men
are in such request that there is ample employment
for a large increase in their present number.
Between 60 and 70 of her Majesty's servants be-
longing to the Royal mews at Pimlico were sworn
in as special constables on Tuesday morning last,
before the two coanty magistrates (Alr. Franco and
Major Lyon) who sat during the whole of Tuesday
in Pimlico, swearing in large bodies of men belong-
ing to the General Post-office, London, Chatham,
and Dover Railway Company, and many of the
large firms in the neighbourhood. This district will
muster several thousand constables, under the com-
mand of Captain Philips, deputy-superintendent of
the Out-Wards of St. George's, Hanover-square.
The St. George's Volunteer Rifle Corps will form a
strong body of effective men in the In-Wards. The
whole force is under the command of Major-General
Newton.

In a very quiet and unostentatious manner, the
vast body of special constables which has been
sworn in in the metropolis is beidg rapidly formed
into a well-drilled army, which will be able to play
au important part in any active measures which the
Fenians may render necessary. The orders issued
from headquarters were that special constables
should be instructed with all possible despatch in
the preliminary drill taught in the army and
Volunteer force, such as facing, forming fours,
right, left, deep and about, and forming and march-
ing in quarter-distance column. In Marylebone the
orders were promptly complied with, and Mr.
Superintendent Brown and Drill Instructor Dunn,
of the D division, who had given their services
for the instruction of the others, arranged to
meet the very marked desire expressed for more
advanced drilling and the mysteries of wheeling,
countermarching, &c., have been rapidly acquired
by all of the D division who could spare the time to
attend the parades. In order to suit the conve-
nience of as many as possible, several squads are
formed at different hours on the evenings appointed
for drill. On Tuesday evening a parade of special
constables was called at the School-rooms, Stafford-
street, and the attendance was so large that three
distinct squads had to be formed and drilled sepa-
rately. As on previous occasions, Mr. Superinten-
dent Browne and Drill-Instructor Dunn were pre-
sent to undertake instructions of those who desired
it. All the men, by special order, wore their badges
and carried their batons. The rapid progress that
had been made was strikingly apparent, as iu addi-
tion to the simple facing and formation of fours, &c.,
the respective companies went through the more com-
plicated movements necessary for troops acting as a
battalion with great precision. The success of the
effort to get the " specials" into something like mi-
litary shape at very short notice is in great part
owing to the judicious employment of the volunteer
element. Volunteers in the ranks of the specials
are called to the front and formed into a separate
company, for the purpose of serving as a practical
example to the others. The drills will be continued
with regularity until farther orders. A meeting of
the officers of the division was held last evening for
the purpose of so adjusting the district that each
officer shall have the command of the men in his
immediate neighbourhood.

At the Thames Police-court yesterday a large
number of persons were sworn in by Mr. Benson as
special constables for the metropolitan police die-
trict. Among them were letter-carriers, tradesmen,
mechanics, and Irish ballast men, all anxious to do
their duty in the cause of law and order. Mr.
Pag t, the senior magistrate, was engaged else-
where in swearing inhabitant householders as special
constables. Foreigners have been enrolled in con-
siderable numbers. In answer to inquiries, the
magistrates said their warrants would enable them
to act in any part of the Metropolitan police district,
a radius of 15 miles from St. Paul's Cathedral, and
that was much better than making appointments
for parishes or the Tower Hamlets divisions only.
if that had been done, special constables might see
a disturbance on one side of a street while they
were on the opposite side, and be unable to cross
over and suppress it. Captain John bolt and
Lieutenant W. A. Barrett, of the Tower Hamlets
Volunteers, and Mr. Creer, overseer, have been ap-
pointed superintendent and deputy-superintendent
of the Ratetiff special constables, and the station-
house in Arbour-square, Stepney, has been named
as the rallying point in the event of their services
being required.

Yesterday Mr. J. Phillips and Mr. C. Collambell
(two of the Surrey magistrates) resumed their sit-
ting in petty session at the Vestry Hall, Kenning-
ton, for the purpose of swearing in speciil constables,
and during the day above 50 more persons were
added to the list of " specials" already enrolled. In
consequence of an intimation from the workmen at
several large firms in Lambeth, and clerks engaged
during the day, of their desire to be enrolled as
special constables, the magistrates have notified
their intention of giving evening sittings for swear-
ing in special constables. 'The following have been
selected at officers, and have consented to organise
and lead the specials, should such emergency arise—
viz., Captain Knobel, head superintendent, and
Captains Glubb and Fowlers as deputies ; and Cap-
tains Driver and De Salis, Lieutenants Syms apd
Hassey, associated with Messrs. A. Long, W. Stiff,
and C. Heaton, as assistant superintendents. Toe
corps will extend over seven divisions of Lambeth.
The Vestry Hall is to be the headquarters of the
force.

Yesterday afternoon the Mayor of Newbury and
several of the town justices sat at the police-court
for two hours for the purpose of swearing in special
constables to serve fur the period of three calendar
months from the present date. The attendance
comprised several professional gentlemen and many
of the principal shopkeepers, all of whom expressed
the greatest readiness to serve, and were accord-
ingly sworn in. The justices will sit again to-
Mari 0 W for the same purpose, when the constables
will elect their superintendent and other ottiurs.
The Town Council have met and resolved upon iu-
creasing the strength of the police.force by the ap-
pointment of additional constables for three months
at least. Another precautionary measure taken in
this town is the removal of the Russian gun from
the Recreation-ground to one of the buildings be-
longing to the corporation, where it is to be securely
kept until the Fenian outrages are effectually sup-
pressed.
Last week there was a very full attendance of the
magistrates of Coventry at a special meeting called
to take into consideration the circular addressed to
the Mayor by the Home Secretary, pointing out
that in the judgment of the Government it was de-
sirable that the local authorities should be prepared
to meet any disturbance that might arise during the
winter, and suggesting the enrolment of special
constables. Resolutions were accordingly adopted,
and since then the magistrates have been occupied
in swearing in special constables. Already upwards
of 2,000 have been enrolled. Though the authorities
at Coventry have no idea that any Fenian sym-
pathies exist there, it is very gratifying to find the
invitation of the magistrates so fully and promptly
met. The watch committee of the borough have
also given their hearty co-operation in the measures
taken for preserving the public peace.

SOLICITORS' BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.—Lord
Justice Lord Cairns will take the chair at the anniversary
dinner of the association this year to be held is June next
at Willia'a BMus.