The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-15 00:00:00

isENIVG. NOVEMBER 15,

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
MANSION-HOUSE.

Yesterday Mr. H. Crunliffe, a gentleman who, it was said, is
connected with Stock Exchange transactions out of the market,
appeared to answer the complaint of George White (police-
man 24), for having obstructed the pathway in Bart holomew-
lane and Capel-court, commonly called The Stags"-alley.
Mr. Corney, the Deputy of the Ward, and some of the paro-
chial authorities and inhabitants, were present during the
examination. _

George White stated that, an Wednesday, the Bth of Oc-
tober, he was on duty in the neighbourhood of the Stock
Exchange, where he was placedlfor the purpose of keeping
the jobbers away.

Tile LORDMAYOR—You mean, to prevent the public-
way from being obstructed. You cannot know anything of
this gentleman as a jobber. •
George White said he had been placed on the spot to keep
a free passage on the footpath, which was much obstructed
by the jobbers, to the great inconvenience of the men of
business residing in the neighbourhood, and while in his
usual place the defendant walked bp to him, and asked him
how he dared to allow three cabs, which were near Bartholo-
mew-lane, to stand in such a place? To which witness re-
plied that he had no power to prevent such a thing, and
that they were waiting for three gentleman who had
business in the building. The defendant said he understood
very well the system between witness and the cabmen.
Witness then called the servant of a gentleman to %,hom
one of the cabs belonged, and asked him, in the presence of
the defendant, whether it was not waiting for his master?
The man replied that it was, and Mr. Cunlitre then said to
witness, "Never mind, old fellow, I'll do for you if you give
me but half a chance."

111 r. Cunliffe—l deny that.
White declared that the words he had used were the words
which the defendant had used. He then asked the defendant
his name and address, but the defendant refused to give him
either, and told him he might find them out; after which he
walked to the bottom of the court, and on his return said to
witness, " Come along, I'll walk with you to Daniel Whittle
Harvey now." Witness said " No, we do not do things in
that way; I shall summon you before a magistrate." The
defendant then walked away, but soon afterwards returned,
and said to witness, " Never mind, I did not mean to affront
you," and wanted to shake hands with him. There were a
great many jobbers and others about the place, and an ob-
struction occurred for about ten minutes, to the immense
annoyance of the public.
The Loup MAYOR—Do you wish to ask the officer any
questions, Mr. Cunliffe? The defendant—l merely wish to
ask hint whether I did not, at the very outset, say I was
sorry for what took place, and that I was not aware that I
was doing wrong?
The policeman said the facts were exactly as he described
them.

The defendant—The fact is, my Lord, that these cabs
come down daily to the spot, and I thought such a thing
ought not to be allowed, and said so to the policeman. At
the same time, I never had an idea of offending agalnA
the law.

The Lonn MAYOR—You must be aware, Sir, that this
man has a very troublesome duty to perform, and it is ex-
tremely unbecoming in a gentleman to aggravate the diffi-
culties lie has to encounter.

The defendant—l know it perfectly, but I really did not
think I was acting in violation of the law.
Deputy Conley said the nuisance had become most ter-
rible. the pathway was completely blocked up by the
agitated children of speculation, who seemed to be in-
fluenced by but one thought, and to be determined to stick
fast in the one neighbourhood. Complaints were hourly
made to him that ladies and gentlemen were obliged to walk
in the mud, because the accommodation of a free passage was
not to be had. _ _ _

Mr. Goodman, the chief clerk, mentioned to the Lord
Mayor that numerous complaints had been made to the late
Lord Mayor on the subject, and that, whenever a fine could
be legally inflicted, it was inflicted.
Mr. Corney said the nuisance had vastly increased, and
the crowds were become so great at present, that the exer-
tions of one policeman, who was appointed to perform the
duty, were actually ridiculous, in opposition to such a body.
Nothing, in fact, but the resolute interference ofa magistrate
would answer. The policeman could, no doubt, make a pas-
sage for himself through the crowd, but as he passed the
opening closed, and the Stock Exchange operations went on
without the slightest interruption or postponement.
The LORD MAYOR—The only plan I can think of upon
which those gentlemen can manage to do business is, to
select a room for their operations where they can cease from
being a nuisance to any except each other.
The defendant—That is, I believe, about to be the case, my
Lord.

Lhe LORD MAYOR—I am glad to hear it ; but in the mean-
time I must endeavour to protect the public from a further
continuance of these obstructions. There are two Acts under
which I can inflict penalties in this case, the " Sewers Act "
and the " Police Act." I shall choose the former, as I can
fine to a greater amount upon that Act. I can impose 5/.
for an i fringement. Now, as this is the first case of the
sort in my mayorality, I shall only fine the defendant in the
sum of twenty shilli cgs; but in every future case that is
proved here, I shall most certainly inflict a penalty of 5/. ;
at the same time, I shall recommend that this be followed up
by applications to the Police Committee and to the Court of
Aldermen.