§ Mr. CLYNESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention had been drawn to the sentence of one month with hard labour imposed upon William Deacon at the Marlborough Street police court, for placing himself in Oxford Street with a barrel-organ for the purpose of gathering alms; and whether he would take into consideration the circumstances of the case with a view to lightening this sentence?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have communicated with the magistrate and ascertained that this was a case of persistent begging and obstruction of a crowded thoroughfare at a busy time of the day; the magistrate, however, himself reduced the sentence to fourteen days. I understand the police court missionary has given assistance to the prisoner's family during his imprisonment.