The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-09-07 00:00:00

THE DUEL AT WIMBLEDON COMMON

ADJOURNED INQUEST.
The inquiry into the circumstances connected with the late
duel between Mr. Charles Flower Mirfin and Mr. or. Capt.
Eliot, vt hich terminated fatally to the former, was resumed
on Tuesday, before Mr. Carter and the jury, at the Tankard
Tavern, Brooke-street, Kennington-road.
The inquest-room, as on the former occasions, was much
crowded, and additional interest was attached to the pro-
ceedings from its being known that some of the parties
rectly connected with the affair would be examined.
The names of the jurors having been called over,
The Coroner inquired of Inspector Field what further evi-

. .
deuce be was prepared to adduce?
Mr. Field said, the waiter of the Saloon, in Piccadilly,

was in attendance, who could prove that the deceased, and
Broughton and Young, the seconds of Messrs. Mirfin and
Eliot, were at the Saloon on the previous night, or rather on
the same morning that the duel was fought.
The Coroner said he wished to have the testimony, if pos-

sible, of some person who could speak to the identity of
parties when they were on the ground.
Mr. Field said he had not hitherto sneeeeded in obtaining
such evidence, but he_thought the 'witnesses in attendance
would be able to prove who were the persons that were in
company with Eliot immediately before he quitted London.
Robert Mathews was then sworn, and said—l am a waiter
to Mr. Goodered, at the Saloon, 222, Piccadilly. °filly own
knowledge I know nothing of this affair beyond a quarrel
between two gentlemen, which is not unfrequent at the Sa-
loon.

Coroner—When was the last quarrel that struck your at-
tention ?
Witness—A. fortnight since.
Do you know the names of any of the parties ?—t heard
that one of them was called Eliot. _

Did you hear his Christian name ?—No, I did not.
Were you attending to your business in the Saloon ?-1
was.

The witness, in answer to the Coroner's questions, conti-
nued—l think it was about two o'clock on the Wednesday
morning when the parties quarrelled. There *ere only two
persons quarrelling. The one named Eliot I know very well
by sight. I don't know the name of the other gentleman
with whom he was quarrelling. There were several persons
standing about in the Saloon. I am sure I don't know any
of them. There was no conversation that took place between

them that particularly struck my attention. I don't know
what the quarrel originated about. I did not see any ex-
change of cards. I did not hear that the parties had ex-
changed cards, and were about to fight a duel. I know a
gentleman named Broughton. I saw him and Eliot in com-
pany together that night.
Coroner—Why you just now told us you did not know the
name of any person present but Eliot, and now you mention,
Mr. Broughton's name.
Witness—l thought you referred to the gentlemen in this
room.
Coroner—Nonsense! you could not be expected to know
them.

The witness then continued—l thought the quarrel was
between Eliot and Broughton from what 1 heard. I did not
see the parties there before the quarrel. Upon my oath Ido
not know how the quarrel originated. I have not seen either
of the parties since.
Coroner—How came you to say just now that you did not
know whom Eliot was talking to, and now you say it was
Broughton ?
Witness—l only supposed they were quarrelling, because
they were talking rather loud together.
Can you recollect the conversation between Broughton
and Eliot cannot. I was attending to my business at

the time.
How do you know they were quarrelling ?—Because some
high words passed.
What was the language used ?—I don't remember.
Do you know a person named Young ?—No, Sir.
Do you know Mr. Gotobed ?—No, sir.
Not by person or name ?--No, sir.
Did you know the deceased, Mr. Mirfin ?—No, sir.
Was Mr. Eliot a frequenter of the saloon ?—Yes, sir.
Was Mr. Robert Newman there that night ?—No, not to
my knowledge.
Do you know Mr. Newman ?—Yes, I do.
Juror—Was there any appointment made between the par-
ties to meet next day ?
Witness—No, not that I heard of.
Coroner—Were there any females in the company ?
Witness—There were some females in the Saloon at the
time, but I don't think they were in company with these
parties.
Now was not Mr. Mirfin in habit of bringing a female to
the Saloon ?—I don't know Mr. Mirfin.
If you know anything of these parties, or in any way re-
ferring to this matter, you are bound to tell us, not only on
account of this person who has lost his life, but for the good
of society. Now, attend; do you know any person of the name
of Flowers ?—No I•do not.
Was not a person of the name of Flowers in the habit of
coming with a female to the Saloon ?—Not that I an aware of.
Have you missed any person who frequented the Saloon ?
—Not any one, only the parties concerned.
Juror—You say you do not remember any thing of conse-
quence taking place during the quarrel. any
suppose these
quarrels are of very frequent occurrence at your place ?
Witness—They are certainly not very unusual.
Juror—The house then must be very badly conducted.
By another Juror—The Saloon closes between two and
three o'clock iu the morning. I will not swear that gentle-
men have not been received at five o'clock, as I leave the
Saloon before that hour.
Joseph Hall examined—l am second waiter at the Colon-
nade Hotel, in Charles-street, Haymarket, kept by Mr.
Feuillards. I recollect on Wednesday week last, four gentle-
men coming to the hotel. I knew three of them, Mr. Eliot,
Mr. Young, and Mr. Webber. Mr. Eliot and Mr. Young
were lodging at our hotel at the time. Mr. Webber came to
breakfast with them about 11 o'clock. The two former gen-
tlemen had been staying at my master's house between a
fortnight and three weeks. I do not know what became of
the gentlemen. They left our house about one o'clock. They
were all talking in the hall at one time before they left. While
they were at breakfast a gentleman, who is a stranger to me,
came in and entered into conversation with them. I believe
they all left together, as I missed them about the same time.
I did not hear any of the conversation that took place between
them, as I was busy at the time. I heard nothing about their
going to fight a duel. Mr. Young returned to the house the
same evening.
Coroner—Now be careful, did not you see Mr. Eliot return
about four o'clock ?
Witness—No, I did not; that is about the time 1 dress.
Did you see a barouche at the door ?—Yes, but that was
about one o'clock when they were talking together in the
Did you see a little boy put anything into the carriage ?
No, I did not.
Did not Mr. Eliot have a servant boy with hire ?
both he and Mr. Young had.
And you did not see them go away ?—No, I did not.
What time did Mr. Young return ?—About seven o'clock
the same evening, and paid his bill and sent for his luggage
the next day from the hotel.
Did he sleep there that night ?—No, he did riot.
Did Mr. Eliot return ?—No, he did not.
Where was the luggage sent to ?—I don't know.
Do you know who fetched it away ?—No, I do not.
Did you see a street cab drive up to the door of your hotel
that day the parties breakfasted together ?—No, I did not.
By a Juror—Mr. Eliot owed for two days' boarding at the
hotel, and he sent for his luggage, and paid his bill the same
evening. The four gentlemen breakfasted together.
By the Coroner.—Mr. Eliot and Mr. Young were dressed
in Newmarket-cut coats, but I cannot remember the colour
of their clothes. Mr. Webber was dressed in a frock coat.
Mr. Henry Hunt, billiard table-maker, of Broad-street,
golden-square, said-1 know Eliot, and persons who have
been pointed out to me to be Mr. Young and Mr. Webber,
but 1 don't know them personally. Mr. Eliot's Christian
names are Francis Lionel.—l believe his name is spelt with
one "I ' and one " t." I saw Eliot at the Colonnade Hotel
on Wednesday morning.
Coroner.—Now you need not state anything that will im-
plicate you in this affair.
Wituess.—Oh, there is nothing that can do so as I know
nothing of it. I merely went to see Mr. Eliot on business,
to receive some money. I knew nothing of the duel being
about to be fought, nor did I hear any conversation between
the parties in reference to it. The conversation was confined
to Mr. Eliot and myself about business matters. I saw Mr.
Young and Mr. Webber present, and another person, whom
I have since learned I mistook for another party. I do not
know the Christian name of Mr. Young. 1 think I have
heard Mr. Webber called " Harry" or "Charley," I do not
remember which. Mr. Eliot drew me out of the room—but
perhaps I had better state what occurred in my own way.
Coroner.—Well, do so.
Witness.—When I first entered the hotel I saw three per-
sons sitting at breakfast; Mr. Young, Mr. Webber, and a
gentleman with carroty-coloured hair, who sat with his back
to me. Mr. Eliot had not come down to breakfast, and I
waited for him. Mr. Broughton came in shortly after, and
joined the others as I thought in rather a curious way, be-
cause he was usually in the habit of shaking hands and ask-
ing those he met how they were in a very hearty manner.
When Mr. Eliot came down he drew me into the passage,
and soon after Mr. Young and Mr. Webber joined us.
Coroner.—Well, now, never mind the conversation which
you had about your own business; but tell me whether you
heard from first to last anything about a duel?
Witness.—No, I did not.
Coroner.—Have you seen Mr. Webber since?
Witness.—Yes, I agreed to give Mr. Eliot until four
o'clock that day to pay me may account, and I told him if he
did not then discharge it 1 should take proceedings against
him. Mr. Webber, however, called upon me about three
o'clock, and said that he would see my bill was paid on the
following morning, if I would waituntil then, which 1 agreed
to do.
Mr. Thomas Gotobed said,-1 am a proctor, and live at 82,
Russell-street, Bloomsbury.
The Coroner said he was bound to tell hiin that his name
had been several times mentioned in the course of this in-
quiry, and therefore he should be cautious not to implicate
himself.
Mr. Gotobed bowed assent.
In answer to the Coroner, Mr. Gotobed said he had heard
of the duel. He was then sworn, and said, I was at the Sa-
loon on Tuesday night. I know Mr. Eliot, his name is
Francis Lionel. I don't remember seeing him at the Saloon
that night; but I know he left my house that afternoon to go
there. I did not know the deceased. Mr. Eliot, Mr. Young,
and Mr. Webber dined with me at my house on Tuesday
afternoon, the 21st ult. Mr. Webber's Christian name is
Henry, and Mr. Young's John. Mr. Eliot and Mr. Young
left my house together about eleven o'clock, as I understood,
to go to the Saloon. I left soon after with Mr. Webber. On
my arrival at the Saloon I saw Mr. Young, but not Mr. Eliot.
I remained at the Saloon about ten minutes. Upon my oath,
while I was there, no quarrel took place between Mr. Eliot
or any other person. I have not seen either of the parties
since that night. Of my own knowledge I know nothini,
about the duel, nor of the cause of the quarrel, or that it has
been fought.
Coroner.—Then you have no information that you can
give us upon the subject.
Witness.—No, I have not.
Considerable delay arose at this period of the investigation
in consequence of Inspector Field having gone for Mr. Scott,
who, it was understood, intended to come forward on the oc-
casion.
On that gentleman's entering the room,
The Coroner said, Mr. Scott, it is my duty to ask you
whether you have any information to give to the jury relative
to the transaction they are assembled to inquire into. My
object in asking the question is, whether you come here now
of your own free will?
Mr. Scott.—Ceitainly I do.
The Coroner.—Then I must at the same time intimate to
you, that if you come here to give any statement of the cir-
cumstances of which you are cognisant in reference to the
unfortunate proceedings between the deceased Mr. Mirfin and
Mr. Eliot, you must do it with the knowledge that in so doing
you must be prepared to abide the consequences. At the same
time, too, it is my duty to inform you that you ale not bound
to say anything which' can in any way affect or implicate
yourself, because, as you have been meutioned as one of the
persons who was present at the duel, in making a statement
it is not improbable but that in some way or other such state-
ment may implicate you.
Mr. Scott.—l am fully prepared to tell what I know.
The Coroner.—Do I understand it to be your wish to maFe
a voluntary confession of such circumstances as you are cog-
nisant of?
Mr. Scott.—Certainly it is. The witness then said—My
name is Edmund Scott, and am a surgeon, living at No. 23,
Rockingham-row, New Kent-road. I make this statement
of my own free will and accord. On this day fortnight, Toes-
dthaey,h utohese 1 22d of August, I dined with Mr. Mirfin at his resi-
dence.abt remained
haif. therepast 11 o
until
o'clock,
leaving o'clock at night, but
there he left
Nlr. Broughton dined with us, and went away with Mr. Mir-
fin between an hour and half an hour before 1 did. I did not

—Fes.

know Mr. Broughton's Christian name. At the time Mr.
Mirfin went out he promised to return again in half an hour.
He did not so, and therefore I left and went home, where I
sat up reading till between four and five o'clock in the morn-
ing, and then went to bed. On Wednesday Mr. Broughton
came to me about one o'clock. He came into my bed-room
and said that Mr. Mirfin was particularly anxious to see me
immediately, as he had something of importance to commu-
nicate. I accompanied Mr. Broughton to Mr. Mirfin's house,
where we all breakfasted together. Mr. Mirfin then said, "1
wish you to accompany me to Wimbledon-common, and take
whatever you think may be required or necessary with you.
Mind and be there at six in the evening without fail."
The Coroner.—Did he say the purpose fur which you was
to go?

kr. Scott.—No, he did not; but I pretty well understood
what he meant. Indeed, lknew perfectly well what he re-
quired. He then sent his servant for his horse and chaise.
He left me in the yard with Mr. Broughton, and said, "I will
return in an hour, when you will be here," meaning his
house. It was about half-past two o'clock when he left tne
in the gig, but he did not come back until after five o'clock.
He returned in company with Mr. Broughton, and we then
all left together and went to the Elephant and Castle, where
I got into a cab, Mr. Mirfin having called it; he and Mr.
Broughton drove off in the gig. I followed them in the cab.
We drove on until we Came to Wandsworth, where Mr. Mir-
fin and Mr. Broughton were still a little a-head of me. Mr.
Mirfin stopped at a house there, and called for two glasses of
ale, which were drunk, Mr. Mirfin drinking one, and Mr.
Broughton the other. On my arrival I had one also, part of
which I gave to the cabman. We then left, I following them
in the rear until we reached Wimbledon-common. On the
right hand side of the common I saw a carriage, which we
passed. There were two gentlemen in the carriage, and ano-
ther standing near; one of them got out and spoke to Mr.
Broughton. We had previously driven past the carriage.
Mr. Broughton drove the gig, and not Mr. Mirfin. Mr.
Broughton got out of the gig to speak to the other gentleman,
after which he again took his seat in the gig and drove on
about a quarter of a mile, and then came back towards the
mill. I followed them. As we were returning back I met
the carriage. We first,met the carriage near the telegraph.
After this we drove upon the common near to the mill. On
arriving there we saw a gentleman come up in his private
cab. There were now four gentlemen standing together on
the ground. Three of them I had seen in the carriage. I
had never seen any of the parties before. lam positive that
I did not know any one of them. 1 spoke to Mr. Mirfin.
At that moment I had every reason to believe that Mr. Mir-
fin was one of the parties who was about to fight the duel.
They then went two and two down the hill. I followed the
four, Mr. Mirfin and Mr. Broughton being together. At the
time the pistols were being loaded I ascertained the name of
Mr. Eliot, Mr. Broughton and Mr. Eliot's second first walked
down together, and I. followed them. Mr. Eliot walked down
with some other person, whose name Ido not know. When
we got to the bottom of the bill there were five of as. Mr.
Eliot then told me his name, and then it was that I was aware
that he was the gentleman who was going to fight with my
friend. When we went down the hill, Mr. Minim, at my
desire, waited at the bottom. Mr. Mirfin, befere he left his
house, expressed a wish that I should see the pistols loaded,
for the purpose of seeing that no advantage should be taken.
I accordingly saw them loaded. There were four pistols
loaded, all of which were loaded with powder and ball. I
did not take any very particular notice of:the pistols. I had
not seen them before. As soon as the pistols were charged,
Mr. Broughton and the other second tossed up for choice of
ground, which was afterwards marked out. The weapons
were then loaded close by the box in which Mr. Eliot had
brought his pistols. At the time the pistols were about to be
loaded Mr. Eliot was one of the five gentlemen who had gone
down the hill. I asked Mr. Broughton then if either of the
principals was there, and he replied in the affirmative. 1
then requested Mr. Broughton to tell Mr. Eliot to leave the
ground, because, being a principal. he had no business there
at that moment. Mr. Broughton, accordingly spoke to him.
Mr. Eliot then spoke to me, when I asked him if he had any
medical friend there, and he answered in the negative, but
added that Mr. Broughton had kindly offered my services if
anything unpreasant should occur. Mr. Elliot then walked
away to some little distance. The pistols were then all
charged by Mr. Eliot's second. They were all of them fairly
loaded. Ido not know from whom the pistols were procured,
but Mr. Mirfin took a pair he had got from some friend.
When the pistols were loaded they tossed up to see who
should have the choice of pistols, but Mr. Mirfin was anxious
to have his own. Each second, too was anxious on the point.
The first shot was fired with Mr. Eliot's pistols, Mr. Eliot's
second having chosen them. Before the firing a second shot
should take place, Mr. E.'s second expressed himself anxious
that it should be with the same pistols again, but I objected
to such an arrangement. The desire was that Mr. Eliot
should fire with his own pistols. Mr. Broughton here fetch-
ed Mr. Mirfin. and I waited at the bottom of the hill. The
two combatants were then placed on the ground, by their re-
spective seconds, in the position in which they were to stand;
the distance was twelve paces. The seconds then gave to
each of the parties one of Mr. Eliot's pistols. When the ar-
rangement was made, I was standing with the two seconds
about twelve paces on one side. There were also two or
three other gentlemen there; they were connected with Mr.
Eliot, but they did not interfere. The words agreed on were,
" Gentlemen, are you ready? Stop!" and they were to fire
as soon as the word "stop" had been said. That was the
signal for them. to fire. Those words were given, as ar-
ranged, by Mr. Eliot's second. They both fired instantly
and at the same moment; they fired at each other, and nor
iu the air- I saw the ball from Mr. Eliot's pistol pass
through Mr. Mirfin's hat. I walked up and told Mr. Mirfin
of it. The seconds both interfered and wished to reconcile
the parties. Mr. Mirfin, after I had told him, took off his
hat, made no remark, and put it on again, when the seconds
endeavoured to obtain a reconciliation. Mr. Mirfintlistinctly
said he would receive nothing but a written apology, which
Mr. Eliot refused to give. Mr. Mirfin thereupon insisted
on a second fire. They never left the ground, but stood in the
same position, when the second pistols, Mr. Mirfin'e, were
given to them as before; the signal words were then once
more repeated by Mr. Eliot's second. They fired. Mr.
Eliot's fire being a little the earlier. They fired at each
other again. At that moment I did not perceive that either
ball had taken effect. Mr. Mirfin, however, soon walked
about six paces towards me and said " I am wounded," at
the same time pointing his left hand to the left side. 1 said,
" Where? lam exceedingly sorry to hear it." He then
raised his finger to show me where he was wounded. I then
shook my head and said " Good by, God bless you," and he
said "Good by." I then assisted-inlaying him down on the
grass, and immediately undid his garments, when I discover-
ed a wound between the fourth and fifth ribs; I probed it
with my finger. and at once pronounced it to be a fatal
wound, that nothing could save him; not a word Was spoken.
sr.. moughton came.er said, w hat shalt 11°'
said, "-Leas. quickly as possible." The other parties
were standing a few paces off. Mr. Broughton asked me if
it was a dangerous or fatal wound, and I said " Yes." I sup-
posed it to be Broughton by the voice. The other parties
quitted the ground without rendering any assistance. -I...did
not see them go, for I - was too much occupied. After they
had been gone about five Minutes, a tall gentleman returned
and asked how he was on - 1 replied, " He is dying."
This was one of the parties. 'who had beets' present. Mr.
Mirfin died ten minutes after be had received the shot, and
of course very soon after this gentleman had come down to
us. I asked him to wait, observing that he could not be in a
worse situation than I myself was. He promised to remain,
but quickly ran or walked away towards the mill. I never
saw him afterwards. I do' not kneW him by name, but I
should know bim were I to see him again. After waiting
for assistance some time, other parties came down, and they
helPed me to carry the body to the top of the bill. The body
was then placed in the cab in which I had gone down. I
have not seen any of the other parties since, and I do not
know the residences of either of them, except Mr. Brough-
ton's, which is 22 or 23, Bryanston-street, Bryanston-square.
The Coroner.—When you was spoken to to go down to
Wimbledon, had you received sufficient infotmation to know
that Mr. Mirfin was going to fight a duel?
Mr. Scott.—l had every reason to believe that my friend
was riot one of the parties, although I guessed there was to
be a duel.
The Coroner.—Do you think it was by a previous appoint-
ment that they went down?
Mr. Scott.-Yes, but it must have been very suddenly
ar-
ranged, because hen Mr. Mirfin and Mr. Broughton left
me at.the house of the former, I am certain they did not
know of anything of the sort.
The Coroner.—But it was an appointment?
Mr. Scott.—Yes, of course, it must have been. My opinion
as a medical man is, that Mr. Mirfin lost his life by a pistol-
shot wound. Ido not know Mr. Eliot's Christian name. I
had no knowledge when the engagement was made for these
parties to meet, but it must have been when he left me that
night. I was not at the saloon. I never heard Mr. Mirfin
mention Mr. Eliot's name in connection with any circum-
stance. Mr. M irfin had been a patient of mine for some time,
in consequence of a fractured rib on the left side. 1 have no-
thing more to state than that I brought him home, and called
in a professional friend to examine the body. I did not
examine the wound when I came home, and remained in the
belief that the wound was between the fourth and fifth ribs.
Mr. Scott then signed his deposition.
A person of the name of White was then called, when he
stated that the horse and chaise of the deceased had stood at
his stables for four or five months. The witness then pro-
duced a card, which he said had been given to him by Mr.
Broughton, by which it was proved that the name of that
gentleman was Edward Delves Broughton. He was per-
fectly ignorant of the transaction of the duel.
The evidence of Lawson, the servant of the deceased, was
then read over by the Coroner at the request of one of the
jury, when it appeared that a portion of it had been contra-
dicted by Mr. Scott. The man was called up, and underwent
a rigid examination, at the termination of which several of
the jury said it was evident the man would know nothing,
and that he deserved to be committed.
The Inspector, in reply to the questions, said that at pre-
sent he had not any more evidence to bring forward, but
thought that by Friday he should be in a condition to ascer-
tain whether he could carry the matter any further.
A juror thought they might come to a conclusion then.
The Coroner said it was not possible for that to be done,
when in point of fact there was not anything on which they
could legally. decide. Probably -by Friday the Inspector
would be able to produce more satisfactory testimony in re-
spect to the identity of the parties. If he did not, they must
then take the case as it stood. It was true that theme was an
identification of Mr. Eliot, and that his Christian name had
been proved, but that was not enough, for the name of that
gentleman's second was still wanting; some further clue was
therefore requisite with regard to that point.
Inspector Field said he had received last night some infor-
mation, which probably might lead to the acquirement of
more conclusive proof on that point.. But it was not. possible
to describe the difficulties he had to encounter in his inquiries.
Ultimatejy it was agreed to adjourn until Friday. next.
Mr. Sco was then bound in his own recognizances of
EMI, to appear on that day.
Mr. Scott then said that he should have come forward be-
fore but for the advice of a legal friend.
ig I

The late ravages of the small-pox amongst the North Ame-
rican Indians carried off upwards of 100,000 of the poor
savages.

Messrs. Dean, ironfounders, of Bolton, are manufacturing
an iron gate, 27 feet high, for the grand seragolio of the
Pacha of Egypt.
CONFIRMATION AT KNUTSFORD.—We understand that is
fixed that our venerable diocesan is to hold a confirmation
in the parish ehurch of Knutsford on the 27th instant.

FRODSHAAI BIBLE SOCIETY.—The annual meetint, of this
branch was held on Monday last, in the nationarschool,
Overton. The most noble the Marquis of Cholinondeley
presided ' • and the company was most numerous and highly
respectable. _ .

Devey, the murderer of Mr. Davenport, of Birmingham,
who was convicted at the late Warwick assizes, was executed
on Friday last, in front of the county gaol. Upwards of
5,000 persons were assembled to witness the melancholy
spectacle.

PRICE of LAND IN ROCHDAT.E.—On Monday week, a
quantity of land, situate in Baillie-street, Rochdale, was let
by ticket, at the house of Mr. Abraham Tweedale, when the
highest bit for two of the lots was ss. 7d. per squire yard
per annum, a sum double to what has heretofore been ob-
tained.

BRlSTOL.—Political strife has again commenced at Bris-
tol, and plenty of work seems cut fur the revising barris-
ters—there being 1,889 objections to freemen, and about
1,700 householders and freeholders—the radical party having
objected to the conservatives indiscriminately.
Mr. Yates, the director of the Adelphi Theatre, London,
left Paris on Saturday night, taking with him a signed en-
gagement with the celebrated Bayaderes, having carried off
:he prize from the directors of nearly all the theatres in
London and Paris, who were in the field against him. Ile
is, however, under an engagement to return with them to
Paris for the months of January and February, for which he
is secured the large sum of £4,900.

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

The usual monthly meeting of the Town Council was held

on Wednesday.
The Deputy TOWN-CLERK opened the proceedings by read-
ing the minutes of the j.ast meeting.
.....

BYE LAW COMMITTEE.
A bye law was read and confirmed, inflicting a £5 penalty
on any person " letting off any gas or stench."
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
It was stated that the endowment fund was in process
of repayment; and that Mr. Lloyd's bill, amounting to
£1154 ss. 9d. for defending the endowment had been ex-
amined by the Town-clerk, passed and was ordered to be paid.
It was ordered that aboard be put up near Beacon's Gutter,
to warn persons from bathing in its neighbourhood, a fatal
accident having recently occurred there from the dangerous
character of the situation.

THE ASSIZE COURT.
The sub-committee, appointed to take into consideration
the late presentation of the grand jury, on the insufficiency of
the Assize Courts, made the following report:
"The sub-committee appointed to consider the present-
ment of the grand jury at the March Assizes, relative to the
insufficiency of the Assize Courts, reported, that consider-
ing the interest of the town, the great inconvenience at pre-
sent sustained for want of better accommodation for counsel,
jurors and witnesses, and the expectation held out from time
to time on the subject, it is desirable that New Courts of
Assize, in lieu of the present building in Rumford-street,
(avowedly intended for temporary occupation only,) should
be erected with as little delay as possible, upon a.scale com-
►nensurate with the proper accommodation of the southern
division of this county, and the respectability of the town."
" Resolved, That the committee concur in the opinion, with
the unanimous resolution of the sub-committee, and recom-
Mend to the Council to carry the same into effect.
" Resolved, That the sub-committee be requested to take
into consideration, the site and plan for erection, and report

thereupon."
It was set forth in the same report, that steps were to be
taken for selling the remaining Church advowsons.
Mr. Councillor W. Cu RH ra stated, that the Master Gene-
ral of the Ordnance had visited the fort, and orders had been

given for an estimate to be made of the expense of erecting
a new fort, on a liberal scale.
The M Aron stated, that he had the pleasure to say, tha
out of the sum of £7OO voted to the Mayor, for the corona

tion expenses, only £640 was wanted, add that he had re,
turned the surplus only
to the treasurer.

REMOVAL OF THE HAYMARKET.
It was stated that it had been determined to remove the
Market for the sale of hay, from the existing Haymarket,
and that' negotiations for the purchase of land in Great
Homer-street had been completed, where the Haymarket
was in future to be held.

Mr. Alderman FIZEME expressed his opinion that so im-
portant a measure ought not to pass without further conside-
ration. The question as to removing an ancient market,
was one of considerable importance, involving as it did great
interests. The present market was, as any one might see,
on reference to a plan, in the centre of the town, and nearly
all the agricultural produce brought hither was there disposed
of; not only hay and straw, but human food, such as potatoes
and vegetal,les. The subject had, he thought, been brought
before them too suddenly; they ought not to decide on so im-
portant a measure at once; he should therefore propose as an
amendment on the report, that the decision on that portion
of the report should not be confirmed till they had some fur-
ther information respecting the matter.
Mr. Councillor JAMES LAWRENCE begged to second the

motion.
Mr. Councillor CURRIE said the step had not been taken
by the committee without the most deliberate and mature
consideration. He was quite aware that the present market
was an ancient market, but he was not before aware that
Vegetables and articles of human food were sold in this mar-
ket—it being a hay market. The corporation had the power
to remove any market that it was deemed necessary to re-
move; and in consequence of the proposed appropriation of
the site of the Old Infirmary to important public buildings,
as the Saint George's Hall and the Assize Courts, it must
have been obvious to every one that it would be necessary
to move the Haymarket. This was well known that it was
a matter of course that it must be removed. In consequence
of the great increase of the town, it was necessary to look out
for a proper situation ; and it might be necessary to have two
markets; but that would be a subject for future considera-
tion. They found, and their investigation was very minute,
that a great proportion of the hay and straw came from the
north, and that a great proportion was also sold out in that
direction. Under those circumstances they had considered
the situation offered as eligible, especially as it was reasona-
ble in price, and within the borough. It was of great con-
sequence that they should be prepared beforehand ; so that
he conceived the committee had done perfectly right in
taking the best situation that presented itself. He was sure
Mr. Alderman Freme could not point out a better situation.
Mr. Councillor JOHN HOLMES suggested that the site of
the old Botanical Gardens would he a good situation for the
purpose, at the south end of the town.
Mr. BOLTON said he disagreed with Mr. Freme, when that
gentleman called the present an ancient market. He recol-
lected perfectly, some twenty-five years ago, that the market
was held between Shaw's-brow and St. John's Church. He
thought it might be desirable to have another market near
the old Botanical Gardens.
Mr. Councillor THORNHILL remarked that it would soon,
in any case, have been necessary to have provided a more
commodious market, as the present market was quite inade-
quate for the wants of the public.
Mr. Councillor JOHN HounEs thought, at all events, that
there ought to be a market in the south. But he thought the
land-at-the north ought to be secured.
Mr.. Councillor CHAS. LAWRENCE thought a site for a
market °right to be secured at the south. It would be a great
hardship for the producers of the south to go so great a dis-
tance to the north.
Mr. Alderman EVANS by no means wished to pass any
censure on the Finance Committee. With regard to the
land he thought it wonld be well to keep it at the price agreed
upon. He agreed, however, with Mr. Freme, that the pro-
posal bad come before the council unawares. He had never
heard the subject argued or mentioned, but as a probable
contingency that would be desirable; but as regarded Great
Homer-street the matter was never once discussed. He
begged that the members of the Finance Committee would
not always expect that every description of recommendation
must be received without reflection in the council, because
they- (the members of the committee) had reflected closely
upon it previously. The, members of the council had not had
the benefit of reflection when matters of this nature were
brought...before them, and it was, he conceived, merely defe-
rential to the council, that its members should be- allowed
i;,ne co, reflection. ir each of the nommittees were to conic
down 'to them, and say, 'A we have resolved upon such and
such measures, after proper consideration," the business of
the council, as a deliberate assembly, would be altogether at
an end. Hit were only to show that the bringing of reports
before them was not matter of form, he should be inclined to
agree with Mr. Freme in his wish that time should be given
for consideration. He would propose, that Mr. Freme's
suggestion be acted upon, as regarded the postponement,
but that the purchase of the land be confirmed.
Mr. Councillor CURRIE believed Mr. Evans was aware that
the members of the Finance Committee knew their business
. too well to expect that any measure recommended by them,
should pass the Council without consideration. The very ob-
ject of readinr, their recommendations was to subject them to
a revision. In alludingto the consideration which the subject
had received, he merely wished to satisfy them that it was not
a measure that had passed hastily. 11-e was so satisfied of the
goodness of the situation, and of the desirableness of the re-
moval, that he had no objection whatever to a month's delay,
for he was convinced the more they considered and examined
into the measure of the committee, the more they would ap-
prove of it; neither would the public interests suffer from such
delay. When the acts of the Finance Committee were called
in question, he thought it his duty to explain them, and had
done his best to du so.
Mr. EVANS.—II is not my intention to call in question the
proceedings of the Finance Committee at all. •
Mr. COGLAN agreed as to the importance of the removal of
the market, -but he thought it also of great importance that
the public should always be apprised of such measures when
contemplated; the Council ought not to be called upon to
decide instantly upon a point of so much importance. .
Mr. Alderman BROWN.—AIIow me to ask if the now-con-
firming of these proceedings will make the bargain for the land
void ?
The MAYOR.—It is a bargain made subject to your con-
firmation.
Mr. Councillor CURRIE.—Of course, if the Council do not
choose to confirm the proceedings, and the parties hereafter
should not choose to sell the land, the bargain is cancelled-
Dr. CARSON thought the matter of such deep importance,
that the mere value of the land ought not to be any consider-
ation whatever. The interests of numbers of individuals were
involved, and he thought the market ought to be placed where
it would be of the most general convenience, the site pro-
posed he thought quite out of the way. He thought no place
could be worse. He suggested the site of the late Botanic
Garden, as a very proper and convenient place.
At the suggestion of M r. CURRIE, the Town-clerk read over
a statement of the number of loads brought to market by the
north-east and south roads, and in what direction sent away.
From the 20th July to the 4th August, there had been brought
to market by the north road, 838 loads; by the east road, 551
loads; and by'the south road, 1481oads. There had been sold
as follows, in the several districts named. 267, Christian-street
and Islington; 435, Scotland-road and Vauxhall-road; 237,
Dale-street; 342, Park-lane, &c.; 167,` Brownlow-bill and
Mount-pleasant.
It was further stated that the land had been bought from
Richard Houghton, Esq., at 21s. per square yard, subject to
the decision of the Council.
Mr. FREME said he did not make any proposition as to the
site. His only wish was, that the subject should have that
due consideration which its importance and the interests in-
volved demanded.
The MAYOR said, he did not feel that it would be proper for
him to take any part in the discussion, but he would remark,
that there had often been a discretionary power given to the
committees in matters of this sort, and it was particularly ne-
cessary when the purchase of land was concerned; for, if
their proceedings in relation to such purchases were made
public, they would sometimes have to pay double what they
ought to pay.—(Hear, hear.) The Finance Committee, there-
fore, could not be considered as having gone out of tbeir
course in the present instance.
Mr. EVANS-would move, that the part of the report of the
committee which related to the removal of the market, be not
confirmed, leaving the purchase of the land good.
Mr. CHARLES LAWRENCE said, Mr. Houghton who had
been, sitting near -him had retired. He had informed him,
,(Mr. Lawrence,) that he had sold the land at a low price, in
'consideration that there would be a market there. This would
justify him in considering the bargain off, if the land were
'not to be appropriated to that purpose.
Mr. Evans's motion was put to the vote, when there ap-
:peared in its favour Messrs. Mellor, Walmsley, Woolright,
'J. Lawrence, Cooper, Carson, Morecroft, Mason, G. H. Law-
Ramsden, Duncan, Sheil, Booth, Evans, and Freme.
Against the motion; Messrs. Thornhill, Harvey, Shand,
Preston, Jon. Holmes, Rawdon, H. Holmes, Bolton, Birch,
Bright, H. Hornby, Bibby, C. Lawrence, Wood, Lassell,
Higgins, Coglan, Segar, Smith, Jordan, Currie, Brown, Lea-
thorn, Jones, Holt, Bulley, Barclay, Robinson, and the
Mayor.
Against the motion, 29; for it, 15—majority, 14.
The proceedings of the Finance Committee were con-
firmed.
The proceedings of several committees were read and con-
firmed.

WATCH COMMITTEE.

A testimony to-the efficiency of the police, under the admi-
rable superintendence of Mr. Whitty, was read from the
mayor, as an acknowledgement for the important services
they had rendered in preserving order and quiet in the town
during the excitement of the coronation. The proceedings
were confirmed.