The Sun.
London, England, 1844-07-22 00:00:00

(Before Sir J. WIGRAM.)

His HoNoun;after disposing of a cam; which had been
set down for judgment on further directions, proceeded to
hear short unopposed causes, which formed the list for
the day.

SHERIFFS' COURT, July 20.
PEGLER V. SOMERS.

This was an action brought by Mr. Samuel Pegler,
the landlord of the Ship, Phcenix-alley, Long-acre, to
recover of the defendant (William Somers), the son of a
tailor, living in Harleyford-road, Vauxhall, the sum of
5/. 18s. 11d., for meat, drink, and lodging, supplied by
the defendant. To this the defendant pleaded, first,
never indebted ; secondly, that he was an infant ; and,
thirdly, the Statute of Limitations.
Mr. CHARNOCX appeared for the plaintiff, who ad-
mitted that the defendant was an " infant" when the debt
was contracted, but rejoined that the articles supplied
were necessaries ;and Mr. Thomas for the defendant.

The LEARNED COUNSEL having briefly stated the case,
called the following witnesses :
Mr. Wm. Perkins said he was brother-in-law to the
plaintiff, who, in the year 1838, kept the Durham Arms,
Vauxhall. About the latter end of July in that year,
the defendant became a frequenter of that house, stating
that he was a clerk in the London docks. On the 3d of
August, he took up his abode there, and had his meals
every day till the 29th, when he left suddenly. On one
occasion he said that, on the night -previous, he had been
in the company of some military officers in the coffee-
room, and had treated them to three bottles of wine.
Whilst at the Durham Arms he smoked cigars, and
talked very largely. He appeared about 22 years of age,
and was a handsome fellow. The defendant, on one oc-
casion, invited him to the Docks to taste, but when he
got there no such person was known.—(A laugh.)
Cross-examined--Did not know that he was an appren-
tice to an ivory turner, nor that the whole amount con-
tained in the bill was lost at skittles. He saw him play
once, but that was for a " leg of mutton and trimmings,"
The plaintiff was his partner, and they lost.
Miss Lucy Pegler, daughter of the plaintiff, remem-
bered the defendant coming to her father's house, as to
his sleeping there, and having his meals. He never
drank any spirits, but only negus and ale, with cigars.
A month or two ago he called upon her father, and
invited him to dine with him in the neighbourhood of
Tottenham-court-road, but when he got there the de-
fendant could not be found.—(Laughter.)

Cross-examined—The defendant's father lived near
the Durham Arms, and she knew him by sight, but did
not know that the defendant was an apprentice. Ile
said he was a clerk in the docks, and he dressed as dock-
clerks usually do.—(Laughter.)
Mr. C. Yeircy, clerk to plaintiff's attorney, said that
he called upon the defendant, accompanied by the plain-
tiff, in April last to ask him for the amount. The
plaintiff said, "you know it has been owing near five
years," to which the defendant rejoined—" you know it
is above six years, and above 5/., so you may get the
money the best way you can." Witness then served
him with a copy of the writ. _

The Learned COMMISSIONER, in summing up, said the
principal question fur the consideration of the jury was,
what was necessary for an apprentice to an ivory tur-
ner. He did not think three bottles of wine necessary,
anti with regard to cigars, never having smoked any, he
could not say whether they were necessary or not for a
person's existence. If they believed any part of the bill

were necessary they wouldsay to what amount, and he
thought there could be no doubt about the things having
been supplied within the six years.
The jury, after consulting for a short time, returned
a verdict for 4L 11s. I hi. fur the plaintiff, striking out
of the bill the cigars, three bottles of wine, and the
" leg of mutton and trimmings," as unnecessary.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
(SATURDAY.)
MANSION-HOUSE.

A very bulky, rosy-cheeked, fd!ow, of the
name of Clarke, was charged by Mr. Dixon, eating-
house-keeper, of No. 156, Lipper Thames-street, under
the following circumstances :
Mr. Dixon stated that the prisoner, who had been a
few times a customer, called one day, and after dinner
said he wished to speak with him. When they went
into a private room, the prisoner said he did not fancy
his present lodging, and he would, if they could agree,
remove with his son to witness's house to board and
lodge there comfortably. They soon came to an un-
derstanding, and the prisoner informed him that he had
a consignment of goods to the amount of 921. in a vessel
which lay at one of the wharfs. The prisoner then pro-
duced an invoice, and having stated that he wanted
money to pay the freight, prevailed upon witness to ad-
vance him upon that representation the sum of U. lOs. It
was soon palpable that the whole business was gross
humbug and imposition.
Sir JOHN KEY—Have you made inquiry about the
goods at the wharf ? ►=fitness—l have, and they say
they know nothing at all of the man or the goods.
Sir JOHN KEY—Well, prisoner, what have you to say
in answer to this? Prisoner—Well, I have to say I was
roight. I did not make no misrepresentation.
Witness—You said you were a respectable man ?
Prisoner-oy, oy, so I be, very respectable.
Sir JOHN KEY—Perhaps if you try at the wharf you
will find these good ? Prisoner—No, I don't s'pose they
be there yet; but they're on the way, they're on the way.
--(Laughter.) 'Pend upon it lam the man I said.
Witness—There are three of them concerned in this
plan of swindling; one of them this fellow passed upon
me as his servant. After I gave the prisoner the 2/. 10s.
he came to me drunk to try me again, and then I knew
I was done. Prisoner—No, no ; lam respectable. I'll
prove I am the right thing.
A man here stepped forward and said, please your
Lordship, I am a publican, and keep the Fox and Goose,
and this man came to me along with his son, and they
lived upon me three weeks without paying a farthing. for
lodging or the boy's board.
Prisoner—Well, well But I paid for what I had my-
self, and that's something these bad times.
Sir J. KEY (to the complainant)—Do you believe you
can produce evidence confirmatory of your statement ?
Complainant—l do.
Sir J. KEY—Then I shall remand the prisoner to give
you an opportunity.
Complainant—l have no doubt that a great many more
persons will appear against him.
Prisoner—Your Lordship will let me go and change
my dress ?
Sir J. KEY—You must go to the Compter directly.
Prisoner—Let us go ; do, my Lord, I shan't stay long?
Sir J. KEY—No, you may send for your clothes,
the officer can't wait upon you to your lodgings.
Remanded.