Glasgow Courier. — 1863-01-29 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

GLASGOW CRIMINAL RETURNS.  We have received a copy of the criminal returns of the city of Glasgow, for the year ending 29th Sept., 1862, prepared by Captain Smart, Superintendent of Police, for the Hon. the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and other members of the Board of Police. The following is a brief summary of the elaborate tables contained in the report : I have to report that crime, on the whole, has not increased during this year. Although the number of cases of thefts reported is slightly in excess of last year, yet they are not in general of so serious a character. The traffic in spirits in shebeens, or unlicensed premises, was nearly put an end to by the vigorous application of Forbes Mackenzie's Act. This satisfactory result was brought about by the Magistrates, under the advice of the Town-Clerk, having convicted on circumstantial evidence, instead of, as formerly, making it imperative on the prosecutor to prove a sale in each case. Little now remains to be done in this matter under either the new Public House Act or new Police Act, either of .which is sufficiently stringent to crush any attempts to re-open these dens. Only one murder has been committed this year, that of Jessie M'Pherson, who was murdered in her master's house, in Sandyford Place, by Jessie M'lntosh or M•Lachlan, an old fellow-servant, the disposal of whose case caused so much ferment in the public mind. There is a decrease of 47 cases of offences against property committed with violence. As this includes housebreakings, assaults, and robberies, it is somewhat satisfactory. Notwithstanding, our city is swarming with returned convicts, of whom no less than 46 have been disposed of at the three Circuit Courts, embraced in this return.  The number of thefts reported this year 1a5532, against 5472 last year, being an increase of 60. But still a great number of these cases of theft might be prevented by the parties taking ordinary care themselves, as the police have little or no control over them. Of these thefts, 23 were committed by shopmen and clerks, 33 by domestic servants, 161 by lodgers, 141 of goods exposed for sale, 474 by prostitutes, 169 in brothels, 1710 by doom being left open, and 284 frot.ix intoxicated person!.  The ntimber of youths, under 15 years of age, brought before the Magistrates this year, charged with crime, has been 271, against 390 last year, being a decrease of 119. 3105 men, and 3964 women, received shelter and protection in the various Police Offices during the year. This is an increase of 1837 over last year, caused to a great extent by the stagnation in trade. Only 4 tons, 2 cwt., 3 qrs., and 2 lbe. of unsound butcher meat have been seized by the police, against 15 tons, 15 cwt. last year. The Clyde division of the police force, consisting of one superintendent, one surgeon, two lieutenants, two inspectors, two sergeants, 37 constables, and one waiter, has been removed from under the direction and control of the chief constable. The police of the city proper have been increaaed by two. The pay remains the same. The general average length of service is now six years, which is an increase of three months. The resignations and dismissals have been, as usual, principally amongst the younger members of the force. The fire branch of the service is still in a highly efficient state. Public fires this year 109, against 104 last year. The magnetic telegraph has been in operation between all the District Police Offices and Stations, and Central Police Office and Fire Engine Station, for several months, and all alarms of fire are transmitted by telegraph, as well as reports of thefts, riote, dm.  On Monday afternoon, a woman, named Helen Parker or Holmes, died suddenly in the house where she resided, at 81, New Venue!. She appeared in good health at the time, and had just come in from making some purchases when she dropped down and immediately expired. About mid-day on Saturday a melancholy accident occurred at Crosshill, near the South Side Park, by which a boy named Adam Thompson, about eight years of age, awl residing in Abbotsford Place, lost his life. The boy, it appears, along with several others of a like age, had been amusing himself on the brink of a pond at Crosshill, and while throwing stones into it he unfortunately lost his balance and fell in. His companions of tender years were only able to raise an alarm, and before assistance was obtained the boy was drowned. Deceased was youngest son of the late Rev. J. M. Thompson, of Maybole, latterly 'registrar of the Hutchesontown district.  GLASGOW UNEMPLOYED COTTON OPERATIVES RELira'