The Sun.
London, England, 1829-07-24 00:00:00

MIDDLESEX MAGISTRATES.

Yesterday an unusually numerous Meeting of the
Middlesex Magistrates took place at the Sessions
House, Clerken well-green, for the despatch of
county business.

The Chair was taken by F. CONST, Esq.
A discussion took place as to the salary to be al-
lowed to the new Governor of the House of Correc-
tion. From the report it appeared the late Go-
vernor (Mr. Vickery) received 4001. salary, and
perquisites of the value of 180/. more. It was de-
cided by a large majority that the perquisites should
be abolished, and the salary raised to 6001.
The next question was, whether any, and what,
retiring pension should be granted to Mr. Vickery.
Mr. Sergeant PELL, adopting the recommendation
of the Committee, proposed 2001. per annum.—
Carried.

PAUPER LUNATIC ASYLUM.

On the motion of Mr. Sergeant PELL, it was or-
dered that 63,2001. be raised by mortgage of the
county rate, for the purpose of erecting and finish-
ing the proposed Lunatic Asylum at Hanwell.

EXPENCES OF CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS.
Sir PETER LAURIE brought forward the motion of
which he had given notice, for the appointment of a
committee to consider the expediency of having two
Grand Juries for the county sitting at one time, and
adopting other measures for facilitating the course of
criminal justice at the Old Bailey, and lessening the
present enormous expences. In his capacity as a
Magistrate, both of the city and county, he had pe-
culiar opportunities of seeing the heavy expences
attending their judicial proceedings. In the May
Session alone the expences allowed to witnesses
were not less than 2,9171. In the May Session, no
less than 1801. was paid to witnesses on bills which
were thrown out. In one case, at the May Ses-
sion, a man, named Grey, was indicted for stealing
some tips, value is. 6d. He begged Mr. Brough-
ton's attention to this case, as he held in his hand a
certificate signed by that gentleman, allowing a wit-
ness for six days' attendance at the office. There
was a further allowance of five days' attendance be-
fore the Grand Jury. The bill was finally thrown
out, and yet the county was saddled with an ex-
pence of no less than 61. for this trifling eighteen-
penny case. In one Session he found, upon inves-
tigation, that while the amount of property charged
to have been stolen was only 8001., the expence of
the prosecutions was between 3,0001. and 4,0001.
The city was subjected to an annual expence of
15,000/. for maintaining the county debtors and cri-
minals, and all they got for it was the empty honour
of electing a sheriff; but he had reason to believe
the time would soon come when the city would de-
cline retaining that honour at so great an expence.
All he wanted was a committee to investigate the
subject. After some further observations, the wor-
thy Magistrate made his motion to the effect as
above given.
Mr. Serjeant PELL admitted the importance of
the subject, and he was free to say, that if Sir Peter
Laurie could succeed in reducing the present enor-
mous—he would add, scandalous—expences of our
criminal proceedings, he would deserve the lasting
thanks of the country. With respect to the esta-
blishing two distinct grand juries, it could not be
done without a breach of the Constitution, and he
should tremble to see it attempted.
Mr. MILLS would vote for a committee if Sir
Peter Laurie would consent to limit it to an inquiry
into the best mode of expediting justice, and lessen-
ing its expences, and omit altogether the question
about an additional grand jury.
Sir PETER LAURIE having amended his motion
in the manner suggested by Mr. Mills, it was put
and carried unanimously.
It being now four o'clock, the ballots, which had
been going on for the offices of Governor of the
House of Correction and County Surveyor, were
closed, and the numbers announced, when Mr.
Chesterton was declared to be zhe successful candi-
date for the former office, and Mr. Moseley for the
latter. The Court then adjourned.