The Atherstone, Nuneaton, and Warwickshire Times. — 1883-03-31 (Atherstone, Warwickshire, England)

THE POTTED MEAT MANUFACTURE DONKEY PLUSH AS FOOD.  At the Birmingham Police Court, on Thursday, before Nles.srs. Deykin,llill,and Biggs—John Hall, 237, Lougacre, was charged with having five pieces of donkey-flesh depcmited upon his premises for the purpose of sale as human food, on the 17th inst. Mr. Carter (from the Town Clerk's office) prosecuted. The proceedings were institute(l at the instance of Mr. J. Birckley, inspector of markets, who now stated that on Saturday last he went to the defendant and found under the table there a bag containing the flesh of a donkey which had been partly boiltd. Another bag contain, d pork rinds. He also found twenty-six tins in the house similar to those used for potted meat. The rinds were wholesome, but the flesh belonged evidently to a donkey that had died. Altogether there aas about 70Ib. of donkey-flesh upon the premises. A small amount of potted meat was also found in the house. The defendant supplied small shops with potted meat. He had been cautioned previously for having unsound flesh in his possession. Mr. Carter said that the meat found upon Hall's premises had been taken from a slaughterer's yard, and had been identified as apiece which had been cut from a donkey. Defendant, when charged, said that he been out of work for a long time, and was forced to do something for a living. He did not deny that the flesh found belonged to a donkey. Mr. Hill said that the offence was a very serious one. People who ate the meat were placed in great danger, and ran the risk of losing their lives. It was no use fining such men, for the Bench understood that there was an association in existence which paid the fines imposed. He would be sentenced to a mouth's imprisment. Joseph Matthews, 6, William-street, Lower Trinity-street, was next charged with having thirty pieces of horseflesh deposited upon his premises for sale. Defendant pleaded guilty. Mr Carter said the case was a similar one to the last. The inspectors were making enquiries concerning Hall's case on Sunday morning, when they saw a woman leava the defendant's house with something under her apron. Their suspicions were aroused, and upon going to the house they found the defendant hiding behind the door. In the cupboard they found several pieces of horseflesh upon a plate. There were scales and weights upon the table, which appeared to have been recently used. Several people informed the officers that they had bought horseflesh from the defendant, which he represented as sound beef. William Latham, nuisance inspector, deposed to seizing the meat. A neighbour took him to her house, and there showed him a piece of horseflesh which she had cooked, and which she believed to be beef. No. tewer than six different people had bought meat from Matthews, and they stated that they had been customers of his for twelve months. Mr. Parker, veterinary surgeon, said he had seen the meat. It was undoubtedly horseflesh, and the animal had suffeied from some inflammatory disease. It was very unwholesome, and would be higghly injurious t) anyone who might eat it. Mr Birckley stated that some of the meat hail been sold by defendant for 5.1. per lb., and some for 64d. They hail for a long time suspected Matthews of selling horseflebh for food, but had not been able to obtain a case against him. Defendant was sent to gaol fora mouth.  The Dairy News Vienna Correspondent says that according to adviees from st. Petersburg all attempt upon the Cz tr's life has agtein been planned. A student undertook to shoot Ins Maje,ty while he was !waling with the officers of the Guards in theii barracks. The student obtained entrance disguised as a waiter, but his courage failed him, and he committed suicide by opening the veins in his arm in order to escape the vengeance of hie comiades. NVliile dying he made a confession.  THE LATIS LORD BVACONSFIELD —"Primrose Day" is likely to become an annual institution. Florists are already makinv pieparattons to supply the large demand for thi, clia-ming spring flower emblematically worn on the 19:h April, the anniversary of the de4th of th.. Eail of BeacouAeld— Court Journal.