The Sun.
London, England, 1868-06-08 00:00:00

Tilt SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JUNE 8, 1868.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.—This Day.

COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.
;Sittings in Banco, before the Lord Chief Justice
and Justices Blackbuin and Lush).

THE CASE OF GOVERNOR EIRE.-PERSONAL EXPLA:'.TA-

TION.

This morning the Lord Chief Justice, on taking
his seat on the bench, said that he must take
the opportunity to make a statement with
regard to Governor Eyre's case, to contra-
dict a rumour which bad been circulated, to
the effect that the charge delivered by
Mr. Justice Blackburn was really the opinion of
the other judges, whilst in reality it was only his
individual opinion. Mr. Justice Blackburn, as
senior puisine judge, addressed the grand jury, but
any member of court could have done the same,
and if he had known what Mr. Justice Blackburn
would have said he should have been in his place on
the bench. With some parts of the law as laid
down he did not concur, but entirely dissented
from. Mr. Justice Blackburn was merely the
mouthpiece—the organ of the court. Tile Lord Chief
Justice then alluded to the opinion expressed as to
national law as laid down in Regina v. Brand and
Nelson. If Mr. Eyre acted conscientiously in the
matter, according to the advice of those competent
to advise him, he would not be responsible for what
ensued. He did not make the statement in any
vain spirit, or with a wish that he might not be in-
consistent when they looked at his charge in the
case of Brand and Nelson and the charge in the
case of Governor Eyre, but with a sense
that the world not only at the present, but
in years to come, when he should be no snore,
would not be under the impression that
the law as laid down by Mr. Justice Blackburn was
the law that he and other members had laid
down, if in any future years an insurrection should
take place. Therefore he hoped it would not be
thought that the law laid down in the address
of Tuesday was that held by all of the members
of the Court.

Mr. Justice Blackburn said that if an impression
had prevailed that the opinion delivered was that of
the whole court, he was anxious to correct that im-
pression. It was his opinion alone, and he was
ready to abide by it.
The subject then dropped.

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT—(This Day.)

The June Sessions of the Central Criminal Court
commenced this morning before the Lord Mayor
and the Recorder.

The calendar contains the names of 86 prisoners
for trial.

The Recorder, in charging the Grand Jury,
remarked that although the cases that would
be laid before them did not exceed the
usual number at this leriod of the year,
yet some of them were of the most serious
description. There were two charges of murder,
one of which was against a young woman named
Davis for strangling her infant child ; and the evi-
deuce, as was usually the case, was of the most
painful description ; they would say, after considL4-
ing the whole of it, whether there was a prima
facie case against her. If so, it would be their duty
to return a true bill. A man named Joseph Smith
was also indicted for the wilful murder of Daniel
Bradstock, who at the time of his death was an
Inspector in the A division of police. The
prisoner, it appeared, was taken into custody for
a minor offence, committed whilst in a state of
drunkenness at a public house, called the Mitre and
Dove, King-street, Westminster, and some hours
after, ou being visited by the inspector, he made a
violent attack upon him, and stabbed him
with a large pair of shears. The wounded
man survived for some considerable time,
but erysif elas intervened, and death afterwards
ensued. The state of mind of the prisoner at the
time the attack was made would not have to be
considered by them, that would be dealt with by
another jury, but if they felt that the evidence
clearly proved that death had been caused by the act
of the prisoner they would find a true bill against
him. There was a very serious charge against two
boys of very tender age, and which might have re-
sulted in very serious consequences, but fortunately
the aged woman, who was, so seriously assaulted,
survived the injuries, and therefore they would not
have to take their trial for the capital offence.
There were, as usual, a number of cases of fraud
in commercial matters, and also several prosecu-
tions by the authorities of the Mint, but as they
presented no peculiar features from those usually
brought before them he would not detain them by
a reference to them. The Court would, in the
event of any difficulty arising, give the grand jury
every assistance.
The grand jury then retired to their room to
commence their duties.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.-THIS DAY.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

DAMAGING THE FLOWERS IN HYDE PARK.—Jas.
Thomson was charged before Mr. Knox with da-
maging some geraniums in Hyde Park.
Police-constable Hook, 217 A, proved seeing the
prisoner pull up some geraniums, and on telling
hini that he had done wrong he threw them away,
saying that he did not know that he had done any
harm.

The prisoner said that he was sorry for what be
had done, and asked the magistrate to deal leni-
ently with him for the sake of his family.
Mr. Knox fined the prisoner 10s. or seven days.
George Burgess, a middle-aged man, of respect-
able appearance, was charged by John Martin, 287
A, with a 'similar offence.

Mr. Knox asked the prisoner what business he
had to take the flowers.
The prisoner said he did not think there was any
harm in taking a few flowers.
Mr. Knox said the prisoner was totally without
excuse, and he considered it a most disgraceful act
for a man of the prisoner's age. The prisoner
would have to pay 20s, or 14 days.

THAMES.
DISCRETION IS THE BETTER PART OF VALOUR.—
William Hofferman, who was also called Hatter-
man, a tall, rough-looking fellow, was brought be-
fore Mr. Benson, charged with assaulting Mrs.
Smith, the landlady of the Black Bull publichouse
n Brook-street, Ratcliffe.

The ccinplainant, a respectable woman, has been
sadly persecuted by a cab driver, named Taylor, who
has 'requently been at this court, and punished.
0/ Friday last, Mrs. Turner, the daughter of
the complainant, charged Taylor with an aggra-
vated assault upon her, and Mr. Paget com-
mitted the fellow for trial. Mr. Allen, the prose-
cuting officer of the Associate Institution for im-
proving and enforcing the laws for the protection
of women, has taken up this case. On Saturday
night the complainant, Mrs. Smith, was subjected
to a fresh persecution from the prisoner, who is
a friend of the cab driver. He made a disturbance
as the house was being closed, and got up a sham
fight in front of the bar. On Mrs. Smith and her
barman asking him to retire, he swore at them, and
the prisoner said he should like to knock down
Mrs. Smith. The barman retreated into the bar-
parlour, while Mrs. Smith went into the front of
the bar with a view of suppressing the disturbance,
and the prisoner struck her, to use her
own words, with all his force on the nose and
caused it to bleed profusely. The prisoner then
ran out of the house. A policeman was called,
and the prisoner was sought after and given into
custody.
Mr. Benson asked why the barman did not sup-
press the row, and he replied that Mrs. Smith went
into the front of the bar, because it was thought no
one there would strike a woman.

Mr. Benson—Discretion is the better part o
valour. (A laugh.)
The barman said that a blackguard had threat
ened to kill him.

Mr. Benson—And that is the reason you did no
expose yourself ?
The Barman—Yes, sir.

After a long investigation,
Mr. Benson had no doubt the prisoner struck
Mrs. Smith, but he did not believe he had done it
with all his force. It was a cowardly blow. lie
fined the prisoner 10s., or 14 days.

"WELCHERS" AT THE RACES.

At the Salford Town Hall, before Mr. Trafford, john
aalford, Percy Roland, and William Linney, three " welchers",
were charged with conspiring to defraud a person named
Yates. The officer who took the prisoners into custody
stated that they had made a bet with the prosecutor, and
he horse he backed having won they ref usta to pay him.
The prosecutor said he was in the grand stand on Thurs-
lay, and made a bet with these men. He gave the money
£4) to ono of them, who.passed it`to the others. When the
)et was decided he could not find them. Mr. Trafford—l
ceally don't see how you can make out a criminal charge
egainst these men. If a man makes a bet with another, I don't
;eo how the money has been got by false pretences. If you will
exercise no more common sense than trust these men, I can-
not prosecutor said the prisoners had got a
considerable amount of money upon them. and he suggestep
.hat the magistrate should make them return his. Mr.
Trafford— I will do nothing of the kind; if parties will not
exercise more common sense they need not come to me.—
r he prisoners were discharged.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.—This Day.

VICTORIA CLUB BETTING.—THis DAY.

ASCOT STAKES.
6to 1 agst Maid of Masham mare (taken)
7to 1 agst Satyr (taken and offered)
Bto 1 agst Ruric (taken and offered)
ROYAL HUNT CUP.
7to 4 agst Eastley (offered-2 to 1 t and w)
100 to 9 agst Maid of Masham c. (taken and offered)
1001/4 to 8 agst The Dean (taken and offered)
100 even on Eastley, The Dean, and Maid of Masham
colt agst the field (taken)
NORTHUMBERLAND PLATE.
10 to 1 agst Philosopher (taken and offered)
10 to 1 agst Fortunio (offered—take 12 to 1)
10 to' 1 agst El Cid (offered)
BT. LEGER.
3to lon the field (offered)
.8 to 1 agst Rosierucian (offered-10 to 1 taken
and wanted)