§ MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAMasked the Secretary of State for the 1704 Home Department if his attention has been directed to the sentence of 28 days with hard labour inflicted on Eliza Cole, of Cradley Heath, at the Old Hill Petty Sessions, for stealing some coal the property of the Earl of Dudley, and, if he can see his way, considering the girl's youth, to remit some of the penalty?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS,) Birmingham, E.Yes, Sir. I have received a Report from the Justices on this ease. There had been three previous charges against the girl, who is 18 years old, for a similar offence. She had been once cautioned and twice convicted, and was sent on her second conviction to a reformatory for three years. She had since her release from the reformatory on more than one occasion been detected stealing coal and warned by the watchmen at the same colliery. Under the circumstances I see no reason for interference.