The Sun. — 1846-10-15 (London, England)

MARLBOROUGH-STREET. CAUTION TO RIVAL OMNIBUS-DRIVERS.—James Sel, way, driver of one of the London Conveyance Company's Paddington omnibuses, was summoned for having, by furious driving, damaged one of Nelson's Eastern Counties Railway omnibuses, driven by James Smith. From the evidence it appeared there was a spirit of rivalry between the proprietors or drivers of these omnibuses. It was alleged on the part of the complainant that it was the practice of the London Conveyance omnibus-drivers to obstruct his omnibus on its journeys, and to endanger the passengers by keeping another omnibus close to the doors of his vehicle. A second omnibus was put on in front, and in this way, with one omnibus in front and one behind, he was obliged to drive through the streets, and to take up and set down his passengers in the best manner he could. On the day mentioned in the 'summons the defendant was driving the omnibus at the tail of his omnibus. Complainant stopped to set down, it lady, upon which the defendant attempted to pass him, although there was not room enough, and in this attempt he ran against the door and did damage to the extent of 40s. Witnesses corroborated the allegation of the corn. plainant that the defendant kept behind him along Oxford street, and drove against the omnibus when it pulled up to set down a passenger. The defendant denied the rivalry. He certainly came accidentally into collision with the door of the complainant's vehicle ; bat this was the fault of the COW plainaut himself, who suddenly pulled up short, and made no signal to those behind him. Mr. HARDWICK said the mode in which rival omnibus proprietors conducted their competition was alike disgraceful to themselves and dangerous to the public. The drivers of rival omnibuses appeared to be wholly regard. less of the safety and accommodation of their passengers ; they were only anxious, at whatever risk, to accomplish a trifling triumph over an opponent. These were prac• tires that could not for a moment be tolerated. It had been proved in evidence that the complainant was dogged by a rival throughout Oxford-street—that his passengers were kept in a perpetual state of alarm—and that positive danger was produced to a lady when she attempted to alight. Here, then, was quite sufficient to warrant him in punishing the defendant with proper severity. If rivalry could not be put down, at least he would take care that it should be so conducted as not to alarm and endanger the public. If pecuniary fines were not sufficient, he should resort to other measures. In the present case he should inflict a fine of 40s. for the public offence, and 40s. for the damage ; but he begged it might go forth that in future instances he should cancel the licenses of the driver. Mary Jones, a girl about 15 years of age, was brought before Mr. Hardwick, charged with attempting to put a period to her existence. Mary Grambler said she resided in Falconbridgecourt, Soho, and the prisoner resided in the same house. Yesterday afternoon she had occasion to go up stairs to a back bed-room, and was surprised to see the prisoner stretched at full length ou the bed. She went up to her and took hold of her hand to wake her up. She was alarmed at the coldness of her hand, and thought there was something wrong. On closely examining the prisoner she found that she had tied a handkerchief tightly round her neck, to endeavour to strangle herself, and had it not been for her going into the room she must have effected her purpose. Joseph Loader stated that the prisoner had been under his care ever since the death of her parents. He had endeavoured to bring her up so as to get an honest liveliho9d, but was sorry to say that she was a lazy, bad girl ; she would not keep any situation she was placed in, but would associate with low and bad girls. The prisoner, in answer to Mr. HARDWICK, said the reason she was tired of her life was that Mr. Loader beat her. Mr. HARDWICK spoke to her upon the sinfulness of the crime of suicide. She was old enough to be aware of the wickedness of such an act. The MAGISTRATE ordered an officer to take her to Mr. Norris, the priest of St. Patrick's Chapel, Suttonstreet, which she was in the habit of Trequ.enting, and in whose school she was educated. The prisoner, in tears, said she was very sorry for what she had done, and would promise not to do the like again, and appeared thankful for the Magistrate's kind ness.