The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-22 00:00:00

LAW AND POLICE.

THE NEW STREET ACT. —No fewer than seventy-
eight summonses against the New Street Act were set
down for hearing at the Clerkenwell Police-court on
Tuesday. The charges consisted chiefly of driving cattle
through the streets during the prohibited hours, and were
mostly of a trivial character. In one case 130 sheep were
driven about 50 yards down one of the streets adjoining
the Metropolitan Cattle Market ; and it was proved for
the defence, that while the lairs would only hold 15,000,
there were 22,000 sheep in the market. The magistrate
inflicted a fine of one shilling in one case, and Sir Richard
Mayne, who said he did not want to be hard upon the
drovers, withdrew the other summonses.
A WOMAN WITH FOUR HUSBANDS.—At the Southwark
Police-court a tall, handsome, and fashionably-dressed
lady, who was described on the charge-sheet as Mrs.
llickaby, 24 years of age, of independent means, was
brought before Mr. Burcham charged with intermarrying
with Robert Mills, Charles Reeves, and Humphrey Pur-
cell Blackmore, her first husband being then and now
living. The prisoner was attired in travelling costume,
and had with her two valuable dogs, a pair of cana-
ries, and a large quantity of luggage. The solicitor
who appeared for the prosecution said that he was
instructed by Dr. Blackmore, a physician, living at
Salisbury, who had married the accused at Perth,
on the Ist October last. On the previous day the
doctor traced the accused from Exeter to London, and on
her arrival at Waterloo a constable was in waiting to take
her into custody. A witness produced copies of certifi-
c ate e a:-riage of the prisoner with Charles Reel es,
of Cardiff, on the 2nd of June, 1863, and on the 22nd
January, 186 G, at Carlisle, with Robert Mills, and lastly
with his client, Mr. Humphrey Purcell Blackmore,
physician, Salisbury, on the let of October last, at Perth.
During all the marriages her first husband was living. The
prisoner said that the first marriage was void, as Reeves's
real name was Rutter when he married her, and he had
taken advantage of her. The accused was remanded till
Monday, bail in two sureties for £lOO each being taken
for her appearance.

EXTENSIVE ROBBERY OF TOBACCO.-At the Middlesex
Sessions, two men were indicted for stealing thirteen bales
of tobacco, of the value of £385, and the case afforded a
remarkable illustration of the vast amount of property
daily committed to the custody of vanmen and carmen.
The prisoners were employed to carry sixty-six bales of
tobacco from the docks to the railway station, and managed
by the way to pass thirteen of the bales to two confede-
rates, who carried them off in a cart. The stolen property
goes not appear to have been traced. The prisoners were
found guilty, and sentenced each to five years' penal
servitude.

ATTEMPTING TO DROWN A Boy.—At the Worship.
strew ro'ice.court, James Hussey, a boatman, war_
charged with throwing a little boy named Charles Dingley
into the Duckett's Canal with intent to drown him. A
s'ioemaker named Hogg said that he was on the canal
bank, and saw four little boys there. The prisoner came
up and pushed one of them in. Witness asked the accused
what he had done it for, when he replied, " Because he
has been throwing stones." The boy in question being toe
ill to attend, the case was adjourned.

CONVICTION OF MURDER. —At the Dumfries
Circuit Court, the Lord Justice Clerk presiding, Robert
Smith, who some time ago violated and murdered a young
girl in a wood, in Dumfriesshire, and afterwards with a
pistol attempted to shoot a woman who was the chief
witness against him, has been sentenced to be hanged on
the 12th May.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF IRONWORKERS. --
A national conference of ironworkers, represented by
delegates from all the iron districts in the North of
England, Staffordshire, Wales, and Scotland, has com-
menced at Stockton-on-Tees. There was a large atten-
dance of delegates. The chief point for discussion was
whether it was advisable to continue the strike in Staf-
fordshire which has lately occurred against a reduction
of 12 per cent. in wages, and if the decision be in the affir-
mative to devise means for the support of the men on strike.
The meeting had also to consider whether there should
not be one national union instead of the division which
has hitherto existed, one union having its headquarters
at Brierly Hill and the other at Gateshead. The
union was attempted in 18CG, when the "six
months' strike " of the northern ironworkers oc-
curred. The Brierly Hill men, however, on that occa-
sion, refused to combine. Since the strike in Staffordshire
they seem to have evinced a different disposition, and
chiefly, we believe, through the influence of Mr. Kane,
the president of the northern ironworkers, this conference,
having for its objects such important results, has been
brought about. Amalgamation was decided upon, and it
was also agreed to make arrangements to defeat the re-
duction of wages in Staffordshire. The question as to
whether the strike should be maintained was adiourned.