The Manchester Examiner. — 1848-08-26 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

REFUSING OR NEGLECTING TO SERVE AS SPECIAL CONSTABLES.—Thomas Nield, cotton spinner, appeared to answer a spmmons, requiring him to show cause why he should not be fined for refusing or neglecting to serve in the office of special constable, on the night of Monday, the 14th instant (the night Bright was murdered). Mr. Nield admitted being called upon to serve that night, but pleaded in extenuation that he had been upon the moors all day, and returned much fatigued from his excursion, that his son-in-law attended in his place during that night, and he considered he was right, having sent a substitute.—Mr. Alderman B. Mason said, as captain of that division of the special constables, he had been called upon by those who had served to take this step against the parties who had neglected to attend when called upon, and he did not know any person, as a constable' but those who had been duly sworn.—Mr. Lord considered that Mr. Nield had been on the moors for his pleasure, and that he ought to have attended to the call. He should be fined £s.—The magistrates censured the conduct of a few gentlemen in neglecting to serve, while those who had a comparatively little property came out in such a manlier as reflected great credit upon them.—Mr.Nield said, he had no objections to serve under Mr. Jas. Buckley,or some other person ; but he would not serve under Mr. B. Mason.—Mr. Lord said, he could well understand Mr. Nield. Mr. J. Buckley, in 1842, had been fined for not attending, and Mr. Mason had made himself then, as now, a most useful and active officer, and it appeared to him that Mr. Nield wished to serve under a man who would not attend.—Mr. Nield repudiated the idea of cowardice; but expressed his determination not to serve under Mr. Mason.—Mr. Jowett and 'Mr. Harrop agreed to forego the fine, and ordered Mr. Nield to pay the costs.—Mr. Dewhurst was the next called up on a similar charge. He said he did not know he was to have served that day.—Mr. Mason proved that he distinctly told Mr. Dewhurst that he must not leave the hall, and that lie took no notice thereof.—Mr. Dewhurst wished to be excused by saying Mr. Mason spoke to another person.—Mr. Mason declared he addressed -his discourse to defendant and another person, who did attend. The bench considered sufficient notice had been given, but it being the first case of that nature that had come before them, they would only fine him 10s. and costs; and the chairmai! , expressed his d t wouetermination if more were brought they I inflict the full penalty.—Mr. John Hodson was called] upon c u on for a similar offence, but it appeared that notice be proved, and the case was discliarged.—Mr. Eli rcyoer,ironfounder, &c. was the next Called, charged as above, and pleaded not having been called; but Mr. Mason proved having warned him by note to attend a meeting to receive instructions, but he had not attended. He was, therefore, fined 10s. and costs.—Mr. Ledward's, reed maker, was the next case, and he acknowledged hearing the bell, but said he did not know what it meant; this arose from his neglecting to attend the meeting to receive instructions; he was therefore fined 10s. and costs.—Mr. John Hodson, ironmonger, was next called; but it appeared he had not heard the bell, but having been irregular in his attendance, he was ordered to pay the costs.—Mr. J. Thornily was then called upon, but it appeared he was not at home at the time the summons was served. The case was ordered to stand over. Mr. Pollit acknowledged having been called upon, but pleaded in mitigation that the case had so acted upon his mother's nerves that he was compelled to attend to her, she being an aged woman. He was fined 10s. and costs. We may notice one instance of the alacrity displayed by the special constables. Mr. Henry Leigh had been shooting on the same moors with Mr. Nield, and was walking home, when he heard the alarm bells. Instead of going home he walked direct to the Town Hall and served the whole of the night, and was at the attack made by the specials in the blossley Road.