ABSTRACT
At HAMMERSMITH Henry Barrett was brought up on a warrant at the instance of Mr. Edmonds, the relieving-officer of Kensington, for neglecting to maintain his wife, who is an inmate of the workhouse. The prisoner, on being asked to plead, said he belonged to the band of the 2nd Life Guards, and he claimed an exemption from prosecution by the request of his commanding officer. He then referred the magistrate to the Mutiny Act. Mr. Edmonds informed the magistrate that the prisoner held a private engagement as one of the band at the Highbury Barn. Mr. Dayman thought that would not matter if his engagement with the Crown exempted him from the liability of supporting his wife. Mr. Edmonds said the Marines were not exempted. The prisoner said the Marines were under the authority of the Admiralty and not the War-office. Mr. Dayman looked at the Mutiny Act, and found that attested soldiers could not be taken from the army for any claim which parish officers had upon them for the maintenance of their wives. Mr. Edmonds said he was surprised that a British soldier should take an advantage of a woman in that way. He asked the magistrate to adjourn the case to enable him to communicate with the War-office. Mr. Dayman refused, as the law was clear on the point, and discharged the prisoner.
