The Sun.
London, England, 1844-05-09 00:00:00

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ments were covered over, and the.. me that it was pro-
s bable they did not even know that they were in the
rcom.
Mr. HARDWICK said that lie thought it probable that
these implements had been covered over while the
officers were breaking into the house, and asked Mr.
Baker whether he thought there had been time to do so
in the in.erval between the alarm and the entry ?
Mr. Baker r,,plied that he thought there was.
Mr. IlAnDwicx. thought there was the highest pro-
bability that these prisoners knew that the room was
used for gambling purposes.
Mr. Wilkins said there never had been a conviction
before without a proof being given that play was go-
ing on.
Mr. Hennweex said no doubt play was the strongest
of all possible proofs, but it must be recollected that
there were many other kinds of proof besides that. The
Magistrate here asked Mr. Baker if this house had been
entered before ?
Mr. Baker replied that it had.
After a short deliberation, Mr. Hannweere said that
it was absolutely necessary, in consequence of the ruin
brought upon families by these gaming-houses, to im-
pose severe penalties where convictions took place, in
order that a stop might be put to the practice. He sheltie!
therefore inflict upon Courty a penalty of 60L, and in
default of payment he must be committed to the House
of Correction for three calendar months. Upon Everett
a penalty of 301., and in default of payment three calen-
dar months' imprisonment in the House of Correction;
and upon the other three, for being present, a fine of 31.
each, or, in default, twenty-one days' imprisonment in
the House of Correction.
Mr. Wilkins then intimated that Courty and Everett
would appeal against the Magistrate's decision, and were
ready now to enter into their recognisances to appear at
the sessions.
The other three prisoners paid the fines inflicted.
The prisoner Courty is a respectable-lcoking man,
of about -fifty years of age.
• The next case was the " Pr'nce's" Club, PiccadillY7
Superintend2nt Maclean proved that he went with his
constables to No. 162, Piccadilly, and, on gaining an en-
trance, went up stairs, and found a chess-board and men,
and a backgammon-board, but no other implements of
gaming. There was a place contrived to facilitate escape
from the •house. Two books were also found, which
contained a bill for 1,0001. and another for 1001. Four
persons were taken into custody, who gave the names of
Henry Richardson, Henry Seymour, Charles Moseley,
and John Jones.
Cress-examined by Mr. Wilkins—A door was broken
by the constables, because it was locked. The desk and
boxes were broken by the police. Part of the cloth was
torn from a table, to see what was under it. Did not in-
sist upon having the female servants examined. They
were going to bed when the police entered their room.
The room in which the chess-board was found was bril-
liantly Pghted up.
Mr. lIARDWICK asked if the superintendent had any
more direct evidence of gaming to produce than he had
offered ?—The superintendent replied in the negative.
Mr. HAnoweex—l do not conceive the evidence goes
far enough in this case, to afford legal proof of this
house being a gaming-house. The chess-board and men
I do not think constitute a sufficient case, as they might
have been there without gambling being contemplated.
I cannot receive the belief of any one as to the character
of the house. I must have facts, and as Ido not find
them placed before me, without determining the question
whether this is or is not a gaming-house, I am bound to
say the case is net sufficiently proved, the parties all
being charged not as keeping the house, but as being
there without lawful excuse ; and I shall therefore dis-
charge them from custody.
' The next charge 'was against Thome Wilson, James
Cripps, Henry Scott, and John Godfrey, for being found
without lawful excuse in the gaming-house, 12, Bury-
street.
The case was proved by the superintendent of the D
division, who' entered the house armed with the proper
warrant, and found the defendants in a room up stairs
with implements of gambling in. it.
The fine of 3/. was inflicted on. all of Them.
The next case was against the house 52, Albemarle-
street.
Superintendent Maisey proved that entrance was
gained by breaking through five doors, and by forcing
one of the windows. The constables found five persons
in the room, but no gambling implements.
Mr. HARDWICK asked if there was any evidence of
this being a common gambling-house?
Inspector Beresford. vi as called. He said he knew the
house was a reputed gaming-house, but he had never
been inside.
Mr. Hennwicx said, if he arrived at the conclusion
that a particular house was a low gaming-house, he
must have legal evidence of sufficient strength ; what-
ever the presumption was, there certainly was no legal
proof that gambling was carried on, therefore lie must
order the five defendants to be discharged.
The next charge was against the house, No. 47, Al-
bemarle-street, known as the " New Bentley." •
Superintendent Carter, S division, obtained an en-
trance into the house, and on going up stairs found two
rooms lighted up, but no gaming implements. On look-
ing over the house some dice-boxes, counters, and ha-
zard-table covers were found on the roof.
On cross-examination this witness admitted that si-
milar proceedings had occurred next door.
Mr. Wilkins contended there was no case to answer,
for it was possible that the counters and dice-boxes on
the roof might have been thrown there by persons from
the adjoining house.
Mr. HARDWICK said there was the strongest suspi-
cion, but no direct proof, that this house was a gaming
house. He must give the party the benefit of the doubt,
and discharge him.
The next case was against the " Strangers," Regent-
street.
John Jones, John Watkins, and John Wilmot, wero
charged with being found in the house.
. Superintendent Mallalieu, H division, said he went to
27, Regent-street, about one o'clock, and went up stairs
with some constables. Witness found the rooms lighted
up, but no one was preseet. Witness found a hazard-
table, rakes, pouls, roulette-wheel, and counters. In a
room beneath the play rooms found two persons,
smoking cigars and drinking wine. The defendants
Jones and Watkins said they did not intend to make
any excuse; they were there merely to smoke their
cigars. Wilmot was about going to bed, and he ad-
mitted he was waiter to Mr. Russell, the owner of the
house.
Mr. Howard, for the defence, said this house was a
restaurant, and not a gaming house. The parties appre-
hended by the'police were there on business, and they
were taking refreshment, the same as any other strangers.
Mr. HARDwicx asked Inspector Beresford if he knew
whether the house was a club tavern ? Beresford said
strangers would not be admitted. He had applied, and
had been refused, on the ground that he was not a
member.
Mr. Howard contended that his clients were not called
upon to assign any reason for being in the house, as the
house was not proved to be a gaming house. It was a
house open for refreshments, and he himself when he
hail gone to the Opera had afterwards supped at Mr.
Russell's house.
Mr. HARDWICK was of opinion that the house was
open for the purposes of gaming. He now wished to
-know if the defendants Jones and Watkins were there
without lawful excuse. •
The reply was they were there to sell a horse to Mr.
Russell.
Mr. HARDWICK was of opinion that it was highly im-
probable such a transaction would take place at one
o'clock in the morning.
The next case was the house No. 2, Bennett-street.
The charge was made by Superintendent Grin-
sell, but as nothing had been found to show the character
of' the house, the parties were discharged.
The next case was a rough lot from 1, Leicester-court.
The case • was proved by Superintendent May. The
parties, it appeared, played for such wretched strikes
as
pence.
Mr. Hardwick fined the following defendants 20s.
each :—Barney Riley, the owner; Gray, Wicks, Ralph,
Brown, Smith, Saunders, James, Possy, Pipe, and Lewis.
The case against 75, Castle-street, was dismissed from
want of proof.
at 16i, Castle-
The next case was against the "Nick,"
street, Leicester-square.
Superintendent Lawrie, B division, pr_ecrer, Jones,o,yed the case
against Green, Martin, Lewis, Foster, it.
Rogers, Humphries, Savory, Matthew, Barrett, and Tom
Reedy.
Inspector Beresford said the place below was a 'coffee-
shop, but no one'could obtain admittance upstairs until
he had, what is technically termed, his "picture" taken.
undergo the ordeal of the coffee-shop, to see
that lie was not a disguised policeman.
The next case was 160, Piccadilly, proved by Superin-
tendent-Young. •
John Wilson, George Johnson, and Thomas Stows
were fined 31., for being found in. the house without
lawful excuse.
The charge brobght by Superintendent Grinsell
failed, from the absence of legal proof, l the defend-
ants, Russell, Craycraft, and Onslow, were discharged.
The next case was against the " Old Berkley," 46,
Albemarle-street.
The defendants were John Rechnin, 'George Hicks,
John Ward, William Smith, and two others, and Henry
Wingfield and John Carter, who had not surrendered to
their bail.
Superintendent Bicknell proved the entry into the
house under a proper warrant, and the seizure of
gambling implements, and the capture of the defendants;
who were all charged with being present without lawful
excuse. The police seized also 141. 10s. in gold, and
2,950/. in bills.
Mr. Wilkins said ho would not take up the time of the
Court by offering any defence.
Mr. HAnnwicx then inflicted the fine of 31. on all the
defendants who appeared.
An application was then made for the return of the
money and bills to the owner of the house, who had not
been convicted.
Mr. Hanowrcie said the money was in the charge of
the police, and any application about it must be made to
the Commissioners. He certainly should make no 04017
on the subject.
Mr. Wilkins said, although he had, as it were, 0'44-
no defence in the last case, it % -13:s r.e,spet
Tet becaupeto
iwitne
ocn;
oste'
sidered the case proved. But with
in question, it was certainlyi4 to be considered As for-
feited, inasmuch as.the istelse had not been proved to be:
a gaming-house.
After considers le discussion, it was at length a ett
that the bills should lee sealed IT, anctleittlf4WAlit
of the police for the present. •
There were several other warrants Axecuted, but as
the parties had most probably'reModliniely warning,
the police were Unable. to possesSAlielilielves of sufficient
evidence to warrant them in pressing the charges.

Dispatches wee tent of Ziaterday evening from, thp
Colonial-officifor the'Ciliveritoi-of Gibraltar.