Mr. Simcox Lea at great length entered into the subject of the rural police, and moved, as a resolution, that their benefit had not been equivalent to their cost. He wanted the Bench to adopt the plan of paid parish constables in their stead, and insisted particularly on the inefficiency of the chief constable. Mr. Noel seconded the motion. The chairman made an able defence of the police, and adduced several instances of their efficiency. Mr. Scott would vote for the motion, because the police were too few to be of much use. Mr. Onslow complained of the number of offences that were committed without detection ensuing. Colonel Bund, the Rev. Thomas Pearson, Mr. Benson, and Colonel Clive, spoke in favour of the police, and the motion was rejected by 34 to 13. 1843—At the Michaelmas Sessions the magistrates determined that the Lord Lieutenant’s letter, in Mr. Ellins’s case, should not be placed upon the records of the court. Mr. Scott was the only magistrate who added anything to the few words which were spoken from the chairman; and he said the whole proceedings ought to be erased from the records, or the Lord Lieutenant’s letter to be added as the conclusion. 1844—At the Easter Sessions, Lord Lyttelton read a paper _in re_ Mr. Ellins’s case, declaring the magistrates’ proceedings in the matter to have been altogether irregular, and suggesting that they ought to be entirely struck out of the records of the court, or his own letter of animadversion on them inserted. As his lordship concluded with no motion, the chairman would not permit any discussion, and the court passed to the next business on the paper. 1844—At the Midsummer Sessions, Mr. Scott again brought this matter forward, by moving that the letter of the Lord Chancellor to the Lord Lieutenant should be entered on the minutes of the court. This was seconded by the Rev. John Pearson, but opposed by the chairman and others, and at last rejected by 28 to 17. 1845—At the Easter Quarter Sessions, the police committee recommended that Dudley, Shipston, and other districts, surrounded by other counties, should be taken into this county for police purposes, and that, to this end, the force should be increased by twenty men, including a superintendent and two sergeants. Mr. Merry moved that only twelve men be added to the force, but this was negatived by 26 to 6, and the original motion carried. Mr. Hanford’s motion to do away with the carts and horses kept by the rural police was negatived by 20 to 17. 1845—At the Midsummer Sessions, Mr. B. L. Stable was elected Governor of the County Gaol, in the room of Mr. Lavender, who retired, and was voted a pension of £149. 10s. per annum.