Lent Assizes.
The Times, 1824-04-03T00:00:00

-nis laz r action on the case for fallsely, fraudulentlv, and de. ceitfully imgosirsg upon the plaintifin te prase of ai pi house. tf,ithpucaeoapul. .It appeared in evidence for the plaintiff, that the defendant hay- ing been apublican forin many years, in several successive houses, ha,in October last, purchased the lease, furnilture, &c.~. of the Two New Giants, Charles-.street, Horselydown from the widow of the previouis owrner, nam-ed Ilibbert. The lease hadl about 11 years and three-quarters to run, at a rent of 401. per annum, After carrying on the business for ahout 3 weeks, he became dissatis- 'le wis bargam, and determin-d to part with it. For this pur- pose, he proposed to a person nanmed Ellison, that if he would get imba epurchaser, he would give him a douceur of 201. for his trou he matte was mcilond lo the plaintiff, who was in- troduced to the deScndanti A public.house broker named Alans- f&sd was called in to ialue the lease, fulraiture, and stock in hand. The defendan: Save a most encouraging account of the house and itsbusincss. eHrepresented that ha drew seven or eight butts of porter per month: and that he sold spirituous liquors to the amount of between 301. and 401. per month, drew a great deal of ale, sold a great quantity of wine; that the parish officers had their feasts at his house, and drank wine as if it was porter; that it was a house of call for watermen, firemen, and lightermen; that sometimes the parish officers in the joyousness of their hearts, did not mind breaking the winAows; as a proof of which he pointed to a glass loor, in which there were two broken panes, which he said some of his customers had demolished with a wine bottle after they became inebriated. He stated that one reason for his quitting the house was, that some of his guests were too fond of skylarking, and that his comnpany were too noisy for him; but the principal reason for his giving up business was, that he had been left a large landed estate in Norfolk, and. he wished to retire to the country to settle upon his property; and sa sincere was he in his intention not to continue a publican, that he offered to enter into any security which might be required of him, not to open another public-house within 50 miles of London, and even nevcr to come to town except 2 or-3 times a year, to look after 20 houses, which -he-said he had in Camberwell. Relying upon the truth of these representations, the plaintiff immediately agreed to take the house, -and paid down a deposit of- 101. An agreement was then drawn up, by which-theplaintiffundertook to pay 3001. for the remaining terni of the lease, anid 2251. for the furniture and fixtures, besides paying for the stock of liquors on hand at a fair valuation. In a few-davy the plaintiffpaid the money, and was let into posses- tion, but he Son discovered a gross deception had been practised upon hIim, and that the flourishing account given of the business was mere colour. Mrs. Hibbert. of whom the defendant had purchased the house, proved that her husband had originally given but 1001. for the lease, that during the year in which she was in possession atler her husband's decease, she never drew more than 3 or 4 butts of porter a month; that sho-neversold more than 101. worth of spirits permonth ; that she had her wine by the dozen, and sold verv little ; had but 5 bottles in the cellar when the-house was sold to the defendant; that shenever dressed a-single dinnerfor the parish officers; thatthe house was not At houise of cd-I for watermen, firemen, or lighterinen; and that infact. be had lost agood4leal of money in the concern. The -parjh' beladle deposed, that during the last 20 years. lie neci- kssei pf n parlish dinoe, having~ been eatent in the house, LENT ASSIZES. KINGSTON, SURRE7FIDA1 A-rt 9 CIVIL SIDE.ELDRIDGE V.ALnuFn.