It seems advisable for people to be cautious about announc-
ing an intended Continental trip too openly. Dr. Melia, a Roman Catholic priest, who had signed the contract for the erection of the Italian Church in Hatton Garden, had paid Fish, the builder, the entire sum certified for by the architect up to March last, but certain claims on account of work done beyond the contract, amounting to 2,800/., were still unsettled. Without denying the liability in tote, he naturally refused pay- ment without the architect's certificate. In May, on the pretext that, in order to evade payment, Dr Melia was going abroad, Fish had him arrested on the debt, imprisoned, and held to bail at a large amount. Dr. Melia was subsequently released from bail on his affidavit that he had never had, any intention whatever of leaving England at that particular time, and certainly not until the business connected with the new church was settled. At Croydon Assizes, on Tuesday, Dr. Melia brought an action against the builder, his attorney, and a clerk of the latter, for having arrested him "maliciously and without reasonable and probable cause." The jury considered it a very improper proceeding on the part of Fish, but would not go the length of finding for the plaintiff. The defendants expressed extreme regret, but, notwithstand- ing a strong hint from the judge, claimed costs.
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