Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 30 October 1841.

Dover police report. Monday.

Mr. Hockley, watchmaker, appeared to answer to a complaint against him by Mr. Elgar, poulterer, for an assault. According to the deposition of the complainant, it appeared that he was an executor to the will of the late Mr. William Watt, of the "Donegal," public house, and that the defendant had a time-piece sent to him, by the deceased, to get a new glass. This time-piece, Mr. Hopley promised the complainant should be ready by the 20th of December last, as a sale of the effects of the deceased was to take place on the 21st.

When the time arrived, however, the time-piece was not repaired, as defendant stated he had sent the rim to London to get the glass fitted in, and it had not been returned.

Complainant called several times afterwards, but was always put off with the same excuse till Monday week, when he (complainant) took the time-piece away, and took it to Mr. Kennett Hall, to get repaired as soon as possible.

A few days afterwards, however, Mr. Hopley's son gave to the son of complainant a rim without a glass, but delivered no message with it. Mr. Elgar sent it back, as he had given Mr. Hall and order for a new one; but a short time afterwards he found the same room in his shop. He then took it and went to Mr. Hopley to state that he had ordered a new rim and glass of Mr. Hall, but that that gentleman had no objection to take the one Mr. Hopley had sent, provided Mr. Hall's order had not been executed when the letter arrived in London. With this, and without hearing any explanation about the case, Mr. Hopley gave complainant a violent blow on the breast, and knocked him backwards on the pavement, and shutting his door left him sprawling in the street.

Mr. Hopley denied the charge and stated that he nearly pushed Mr. Elgar from his door, which is shut in his face. He considered that Mr. Elgar was the aggressor, as it was insulting him in his business to come as he did, in an intoxicated state, and using violent language. He has got a bill of 5s. against Mr. Elgar, for breaking a square of glass when he threw the rim into his shop, and also 4s. for warehouse room for the time-piece, which he should present in case Mr. Elgar pressed his charge.

Complainant said he broke no glass, for when he took the rim back he laid it down on a chair which stood in the shop.

The magistrates said they had nothing to do with a bill which Mr. Hopley brought against the complainant, and if the latter was determined to press his charge, they felt bound to take his evidence.

The two parties, however, could not arrange matters between themselves, and complainant said he should certainly press the charge of assault against the defendant.

The magistrates, after a short deliberation, fined Mr. Hockley 1s. and 11s. costs.

Mr. Hopley said that was paying very dear for a blow, at all events, but it would make Mr. Elgar smart for it, for he would present him with a Westminster writ, to enforce the payment of his bill.

The parties then left the room on as good terms as they entered it.