Police court life

At the Scarborough Police Court Joseph Beal, cabman, “Eidenthorpe”, Oriel Crescent, was summoned for being the driver of a hackney carriage who failed to deliver up to the police an umbrella belonging to prosecutrix Mrs Parker within 24 hours of hiring such a carriage on May 21st. Defendant pleaded guilty. The Chief Constable said on the 21st of May Mrs Parker, Wheelhouse Dwellings, left an umbrella in the cab driven by the defendant. She made certain inquiries with regard to it and not having found the same she reported the matter on the 8th of June. Sergeant Bolton made inquiries and he ascertained that the umbrella was left in the cab driven by the defendant. Defendant apparently called the attention of his employer (Mr Beswick) to the umbrella and Mr Beswick told him to put it in the saddle room and it had been there ever since. He (Mr Windsor) hoped Mr Beswick would pay any fine that was imposed as he ought to have known as a licensed hackney carriage proprietor for many years, that he was bound to hand over to the police any left property within 24 hours. He was afraid that things were not restored to owners as they should be because of this neglect. There was no fraudulent intent on the part of defendant. Defendant: Mr Beswick said to me: “Put it in the saddle room. The lady will call for it.”

The chairman (to defendant): You are fined five shillings, and ask your master to pay the fine for you.