POLICE
Mr Prince, an omnibus proprietor of Peckham-rye, stated that he gave the defendant an order for an omnibus apron, and wished it to be made of a certain depth. The defendant, however, thought it ought to be shorter, and made it according to that opinion. Witness, upon receiving the apron, paid for it, and got a receipt, but, finding that it would not answer, he sent it back to be altered. The agreement was that the apron should be altered to suit the intended purpose without any additional charge, but the defendant demanded an additional sum of 5s, and refused to deliver the article until the money was forthcoming. The price agreed to be paid was 1/-.
The clerk to a merchant in Austinfriars stated that he was present when Bottle measured the omnibus for the apron, and said he would alter the apron, if considered necessary, without any expense.
Sir J. PIRIE said, the conduct of Mr Bottle was very untradesmanlike, and advised him to settle the matter.
The defendant (sulkily) contended that he was right, and said, that as a proof of the correctness of his conduct he had refused to let the complainant have the apron without payment of the additional 5s.
Sir J. PIRIE. - You have just strengthened the case against yourself, for you let the complainant have the apron in the first instance before he gave you the 20s; and your refusal to let him have it, in the second instance, without first paying the additional 5s showed that you knew he had a right to it. You must return the apron to Mr Prince.
The defendant. - I can't. I have taken it to pieces, and cannot return it.
Sir J PIRIE. - That won't do here. You are find 20s and costs.
The defendant stated that he could not pay.
Sir J PIRIE. - Then a warrant shall be issued against your goods.
The defendant, who had been bragging in the outside office that he knew the law better than the Lord Mayor or any other magistrate said he had neither money nor goods.
The LORD MAYOR. - Then we shall see if we can't find a law that will suit your case. I have it here. If you don't pay the penalty and costs you must go to prison for 14 days.
The defendant showed great symptoms of dissatisfaction at this intelligence, and was about to make a reply, when
His LORDSHIP ordered the commitment to be made out.
The defendant then slipped his hand into his pocket and produced the amount of the penalty and costs; and Mr Prince was presented with the money he had paid to his tradesman.
His LORDSHIP observed to the defendant that such conduct was not likely to increase the number of his customers.
The decision pleased all but one.