The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-31 00:00:00

GREENWICH.

Snrcely a day passes at this court without several
cases being brought before the magistrates, under the
Act of the 3d and 4th of Victoria, for using abusive
and threatening words. In one which occurred yes-
terday, Air. Jeremy stated it to be his determination
to put down, if possible, these sorts of cases, as they
were as disgraceful to the parties who appeared in
them as they were disgusting to the public, whose
ears were continually assailed with the most filthy
and blackguard language. He should, therefore, fine
the defendant 40s. for using the language imputed to
him, ss. the cost of witnesses, and 2s. costs.
WANDSWORTH.
Yesterday, a lad, about 14 years of age, was con-
victed of throwing stones at the trains passing on the
South-Western Railway.

Mr. Dalby, the superintendent of the railway
po
ro said that there had latterly been a great many
,
complaints made of stones being thrown at the trains
whilst in passage, and it had been found necessary,
in order to abate this dangerous nuisance, to solicit
the aid and interference of the metropolitan police.
Inspect(r Buisane said he had, in consequence,
instructed his men, to take into custody all persons
whom they found throwing stones upon the railway.
Mr. PAYNTER observed that the lives and limbs of
railway passengers were endangered by such a prac-
tice. What defence had the prisoner to make to the
charge ? The prisoner said the train was too far off
for him to hit it.

The mother of the prisoner said she was a widow,
left with nine children, and she hoped the magistrate
would deal leniently with the case.

Mr. PAYNTER observed that the prisoner was not a
mere child ; he was old enough to know that he was
committing a very serious offence. He considered
the prisoner's conduct was most wanton, and unde-
serving of any leniency ; he should therefore convict
him in the sum of 51., and if that sum was not paid,
'he would be committed to the House of Correction
for six weeks.

The prisoner was committed in default of payment

BROMLEY.

(Before Viscount SYDNEY, 61;keV. Sir C. FARNABY,
Bart., and J. GOODUURST, Esq.)
TREATMENT OF TILE POOR.—Several poor persons
residing within the district of the Bromley union
were summoned to show cause why warrants of dis-
tress should not be levied upon their goods and chat-
tles for the non-payment of poor-rates. The sums
for which the parties were in default were very small
—in no case exceeding 3,. 6d.
The first case was that of Mrs. Doolan, of Hayes,
who was summoned for non-payment of 3s. 6d.

The reason given for non-payment was, that her
husband and family were very poor, and they had
lately been put to expense by reason of one of
their sons being sent to Maidstone on a charge of
felony, of which he was acquitted, but the expense of
defending him had very much impoverished them.
Lord SYDNEY said the rate must be paid.
The Clerk and the Bench said that the costs
amounted to 3s.
Lord SYDNEY—Three shillings ! How is that
amount made out ?—The clerk said it was the regular
charge for summons and service.
The BENCH said the amount of the rate and the
costs must be paid in a fortnight, or there would be
a distress warrant, which would create additional ex-
pense.
The next case was that of a person named Bryant,
who was summoned for non-payment of two rates of
one shilling each.
The wife of the party summoned said she thought
it was very hard that poor people like her and her
husband should be put to the expense of a summons,
when they were willing to pay without. She said
the collector had put the rate through the window,
but he had never applied to her for the amount.
The collector declared that he had made two or
three applications for the rate, but could not see Mrs.
Bryant nor her husband, and he was therefore obliged
to take out a summons for the amount.

Mrs. Bryant said ill :t she and her husband had
gone out, hoping to try and earn something to sup-
port their family, and the collector might have left
word for the rate to be paid, and thus have saved
them the expense of being summoned.
In answer to a question from the BENCH, the col-
lector said that the house occupied by these parties
was rated at 2/. a year.
Mrs. Bryant said, that although it was called a
house, the place was formerly merely used as a shed,
in which a gentleman in the neighbourhood kept his
coals and firewood ; but they put a fireplace in it,
and made it into a sort of dwelling-house, and she
and her family had occupied it as such; but it was, in
point of fact, nothing but a shed.
The collector aaid the parish authorities had