Star.
London, England, 1820-02-23 00:00:00

POLICE. .

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telltrlON IFIODSTHESAiMION rtstrentas.—;-yet-
S Mi.-Bell and Mr, Waugh, two respectable
Agents for the Salmon Fisheries, waited upon the
LORD MAYOR with a Tequest, that his Lordship would
assist in removing an impression whiCh had been
made on the public mind, by an article which ap-
peared in the Newspapers, upon the subject of the
practice of selling kepper and shedder salmon. The
public statement to which they alludgil was, they
were fully aware, most necessary, as it called into
action the power of the law in preventing the de-
struction of salmon brood, and there now existed
the most undeniable evidence of the good effect of
Ithe representation ; for not a single pound of un-
wholesome or unseasonable salmon was to be found
ire the markets of London. There was, however,
one misfortune attending the publication of what
had occurred, which, if the same powerful engine
, did not interpose to remedy, would be very generally
and severely felt. The Public had supposed that sal-
mon. could not be in prime season in the earlier part
of the year, and looked upon all fish of the kind as
coming under, the prohibition now so universally
known. The absurdity of the idea was palpable, for
those who were not themselves qualified to decide
upon
~the goodness of salmon, must be aware of
the penalties and disgrace to which a fishmonger sub-
jected himself, by exposing for sale any of the pro.
hibited kind. The fact was, the salmon now brought
to market was in as fine condition as that which might
be caught in the month of June, and the words " out
of season" did not apply to the time of catching, but
to the state and condition of 'the fish. Mr. Mitchel-
son, the Under Water Bailiff, stated, that the sale
of salmon had suffered greatly, in consequence of the
prejudice that now existed. The decision at the Man-
sion-house had effectually put an end to the practice
of exposing for sale objectionable salmon ; but the
cry was tamed, and the Public, with the exception of
the very lowest orders, refused to purchase. The
most unremitting efforts had Leen made to detect
dealers in " old salmon,' but no dealer was to be
found. The salmon now in the market was as fine
as ever he tasted. Mr. Bell said, that even the poor,
to whom it hacUsecome necessary to dispose of sal-
mon, since the representation had been made to the
Public, frequently turned up their noses, and re-
fused to give the miserably reduced price it was be-
come necessary to ask for the very best fish in the
market. The losses sustained by the vast numbers
engaged in the trade, might be estimated by hii loss,
which he believed to be about £2OO a week. It ap-_.
peered, that the Under Water Bailiff had, imme-
diately after the decision, which caused such a de-
preciation in salmon, seized a great quantity of kep-
per and shedder salmon in one of the northern smacks
neatly packed up. This prohibited fish was brought,
in quantity about a ton, before Alderman BIRCH, and
instantly condemned. The LORD MAYOR, in allu-
sion to this condemnation, stated, that from what he
Couldlearn, a complete period was put to the traffic,
and that the last decision made would probably finish
charges upon that subject. It appeared to him, that
those from whom the complaints of this illegal deal-
ing first issued, were amongst the most severe suf-
ferers, as their object was to obtain a greater quan-
tity of wholesome fish for the market. The fish cer-
tainly appeared in quantities, and of most excellent
quality ; but the impression that. it was all bad had
gained ground, and he regretted that the subject
had not been sooner mentioned, as there could exist
no doubt Of the readiness upon the part of the respect-
able Press, to remedy the hardships enumerated.

At a Court Martial held on board the. QUEEN
CHARLOTTE, Thomas Woods, marine, of his Majesty's
ship LIFFEY, was sentenced to receive twenty-four
lashes, for having made use of expressions subver-
sive of discipline and good order.
GLASGOW, FEBRUARY 19.—0 n the night of the Bth
inst. a fire broke out in one of the houses belonging
to Kirktonfield Bleachfield, near Neilston. The house
in which the fire originated, was.immediately adjoin-
ing the 'dwelling-house ; . but by the assistance of
those who poured in from all quarters of the parish,
the roofs of the two houses were separated, and the
dwelling-house was saved- On the roof of the for-
mer house falling in, a tremendous hurricane, which
increased the fury of the flames, carried a piece of
burning wood to an adjoining row of thatched
houses. These immediately took fire, and, notwith-
standing evet y exertion, three of them were consumed
before the fire was got under.

Wednesday, a-melancholy occurrence happened in
Hutchesontown,Glasgow. Owing to some cause not
yet explained, a quantity of gas escaped and forced
its way beneath the pavement and floor of a house,
until it communicated with the fire, when it exploded
with a frightful noise, and tore up the deal floor and
drove oat a partition. None of the family in this
house were hurt, but an old pensioner of the name
of James Hastie, and his infirm wife, who lived in the
same entry, were less fortunate : the gas had such an
effect upon them, that the old man expired on Friday
morning, and but faint hopes are entertained of his
wife's recovery.
DURHAM, FEBRUARY 19.—Thursday, this city was
disgraced by one of the moss blackguard disturb-
ances that we ever witnessed. A couple of drunken
ruffians, stripped from the waist upwards, bruised
each other, in.the very heart of the city, for upwards
of an hour, to the great amusement of the assembled
mob, and not a Constable interfered during that time.
Several minor fights grew nut of the first, and most
of the shops in the Market-place were shut up in con-
sequence.—A rather singular assault occurred here
on Monday last. A young man, named Thomas
Young, intoxicated with liquor, met a Gentleman
named Bowes, and accosted him with some insulting
expressions, of which no notice was taken. Young
then threw something at Mr. Bowes, who snuck his,
assailant with a stick which he had in his hand, but
which was instantly wrested from him by the :ag-
gressor, who belaboured the owner of it without
mercy. Alderman WsuciNSON, who witnessed the
transaction, interfered ; but Young, who it seems
had no respect for persons, only exchanged the shoul-
ders of Mr. Bowes for those of the worthy Alderman,
who had reason to complain of thelveight of his op-
ponenfs arm. The fellow was, however, at last se-
cured, and has been held to bail. This circumstance
has formed a topic of tittle-tattle during the week.