BLACKPOOL.

RAIKES HALL PARK, GARDENS, AND AQUARIUM COMPANY, BLACKPOOL.—The report to be presented at the first general meeting of the shareholders of this company has been printed and circulated.

It states that the number of shares applied for exceeds that to be allotted, and that nearly one-half of the shares have been taken up by the inhabitants of Blackpool and vicinity, “who have thus shown their confidence in the success of the undertaking."

The directors had offered premiums of £70, £30, and £20 for plans for laying out the grounds, and showing designs for a pavilion, conservatory, fresh water and marine aquaria, and other structures, and 12 sets of plans had been sent in. The report makes mention of the fact that at the annual licensing session, held recently at Blackpool, the justices granted, provisionally, a license for Raikes Hall, and it had since been confirmed by the Home Secretary, Alterations were now being carried on at the hall for the purpose of making it into an hotel. The directors had engaged an experienced head gardener, who would carry out the works of laying out the gardens according to the plans selected. A collection of rare ferns and plants had been purchased on very advantageous terms, so that a fine display might be made as soon as the gardens were opened.

BLACKPOOL PETTY SESSIONS, MONDAY.

Before the Rev. R. Moore (chairman), and T. L. Birley, J. Bryning, T. Hoyle, R. Dunderdale, and J. Hardman, Esqrs.

Permitting Drunkenness.

Thomas Lunt, of the Commercial Hotel, South Shore, was summoned for knowing and unlawfully permitting drunkenness in his house on the day of the South Shore Races.—Mr. Blackhurst appeared for the defendant.—P.C. Durham said that on Saturday night, the 30th September, at ten minutes past ten o'clock, he visited the defendant's house. On going into the vault he found about a dozen men in it, amongst whom were two men fighting and lying on the floor. Lunt was watching the fight, along with the other men. Defendant said to witness that he could not help the two men fighting, left the two men, and went behind the counter.

Witness had some difficulty in getting the men separated, and when he had succeeded he found that they were both drunk. The men in the vault were all cursing and swearing, and urging the men to fight. Constable Camp came into the house at that time, and they went forward into the taproom, where they found a man of the name of Fisher fast asleep in one corner of the room with a glass of ale before him. They awoke him and found that be was very drunk, and was unable to walk. In another corner of the same room they found a man of the name of Jolly, who was also asleep and drunk. Jolly was hardly able to get across the floor, and a friend of his came and took him away.

Witness told the defendant that he would report him for permitting drunkenness and disorderly conduct in his house.—P.C. Camp corroborated.—Mr. Blackhurst said that there was no evidence to prove that the defendant had permitted drunkenness in his house, or that the men had got drink there.—The Bench thought the case proved, and fined the defendant £1 and costs. William Jolly, John Kirkham, John Fisher, and John Fenton were charged with aiding and abetting-—P.C.'s Camp and Durham proved the offences.—The Bench ordered a warrant to be issued for the apprehension of Jolly, who did not appear, and the other defendants were each fined 5s. and costs.

Riding without Reins.

A youth, named Septimus Lee, was summoned for riding without reins in New-road, Blackpool, on the 11th October.—P.S. Whiteside proved the offence, for which the defendant was fined 2s. 6d. and costs. 

Assaulting a Police Sergeant.

A young private of the 8th Regiment of Foot, now stationed at Fleetwood, named Edward Barnes, was charged with assaulting Sergeant Eastham whilst in the execution of his duty in Fleetwood, on Saturday evening last.—The Sergeant stated that about nine o'clock on the night named, there were two soldiers stripped, going to fight in West-street, Fleetwood, with about 40 soldiers around them. He went to them, and upon his interfering two or three of them struck him in the face. He got away from them, and whilst against the wall he drew his staff. The prisoner then came up to him, and struck him on the jaw with his belt, causing blood to dew from the wound-—Prisoner was fined 10s. and costs, in default 14 days' imprisonment in the House of Correction.

Obtaining Money by False Pretences.

Gross Imposition.-A respectably-dressed woman, named Alice Thompson, was charged with obtaining money by false pretences.—The Rev. James Pearson, of Queen's-terrace, vicar of Fleetwood, said that the prisoner came to his house last week. She said that her name was Miss Grunton, and that she was collecting contributions for the Blind institute in Preston. She produced a book containing names of those who had given her money. Dr.Orr, she said, had given her half-a-crown. She said she was staying at the Victoria Hotel in Fleetwood, and had done so for some time. Witness gave her five shillings. He afterwards made inquiries at Dr. Orr's and Mr. Gaulter's, and found that her statement was false.— Prisoner was remanded for a week, and was committed to the House of Correction to await that time.