The Express. — London, England, 1851-08-29 00:00:00

MUSIC. WORCESTER MUSICAL FES TIVAL. WORCESTER, TIII:HADAT. Judging from the present return, there must ine vitably he a considerable falling off in the receipts for the shanty as well as iu those for the general fund, compared with those of the last festival here in 1848. The concert last night at the College Rail was expected to have been the most attractive of the series, although Thursday is eousi dered the " fashionable " evening. The company alto- gether numbered 12S, b.-ing a falling off in point of num- ben of 48 companst with the attendance at the second concert in 1814, when the number was 476. The weather again proved spiteful, for nu sooner had the company all mustered and the concert been opened, than it commenced raining, and never ceased until early this morning. The Jeesonda " music pleased greatly. The overture was faith fully and intelligently rendered the bassoon passages, by Messrs. litUM4llll and Cord, were given with great edict. Mr. Frank More then entered the orchestra and assumed the baton, to conduct his new cantata " Fridolin." lle met with a very hearty reception. This composition, which hes recently been brought out in London, has been so lately under notice that we need not enter into a critical disquisition of its merits or its peculiarities. The pert of Endo in was taken by Miss Birch, the Countess by Miss Dolby, the OHM, by Mr. Silas Reeves, and Robert by Herr Fofllll.ll. Mr. Sims Reeves and Herr Formes sang the two or three songs allotted to them in their sexual judi cious style. The concluding trio, " Father of all," is a very pleasing composition, and was nicely rendered by Miss Birch, Miss Dolby, and Mr. Sims Reeves. The harp ac companiment/Ito the preceding passages were glean by Mr. Trust, who also accompanied Madame Caen:llan in licatint's romansa, " Arpa gentil," which (after the " Ins Naiades" overture) opened the second part of the concert. This was Madame Castellan's first appearance at the festival, and she was welcomed with much cordiality. lien Formes sang the " Sehweig " song from " Der Freischuta " in splendid style, and was rapturously applauded; an encore was loudly called for, but the singer did not comply with the re quest This was the only encore asked fur during the even ing, and the refusal was not a very gracious act, seeing that Herr Formes had nothing to do afterwards. His= however, is a very try iug one. Mendelssohn's " Athalic " closed the concert. After the storm of last night, the morning opened cool and pleasant, and the wrath, r proved finer than it has been since the opening of the festive/. There was a double at traction at the cathedral this morning, two oratorios being eat down fur performance, viz., Ilatidel's " Samson," and Spolir's " Last Judgment." The attendance, too, was rather better than yesterday, th..ugh not at all approach ing, in point of numbers, the attendance on the Thins day of the last festival. 'the overture is well known: it was magnificently played, and tho chorus of bagon's priests which follows was gloriously given. 't he air, "Ye men of Gaza," was sung by Madame Castilian with the utmost eliastiness and purity of expression, and her clear liquid voice told admirably through every corner of the noble cathedral. The " Total Eclipse" was sung by Mr. Sims keens v.ry fin! ly ; but notwithstanding the breath less silence maintained in the church during this snug, the voice was frequently dropped so low as to he inaudible ex cept rinse beneath the orchestra. Miss Dolby's magnificent contralto was heard to advantage in the recitative and air, " Return, 0 tied," and the execution of the arduous snug, 1. Honour and arms," by lien Formes, gave delight to many. The magnificent chorus, " Fixed in hi. everlasting seat," VAS • splendid performance. The atlecting chorus, '• Weep, Israel," was nicely opened, and then followed the solemn "Dead March," which hail a must thril.ing effect. After the march followed the recitative by Mr. Machin, "Come, cease," and then the splendid air by Millie. Cruvelli, "Let the bright Seraphim. ' Between the two oratorios Mira Birch sung Handel'. di vine air, "Holy, holy," with her usual impressive effect, the audience standing. Madame Castellon also gave the ravishing air from the " Creation," " With verdure clad," which came as fresh as ever, though sung at every festival and innumerable concerts in the course of the year. The second oratorio of Spohr, " The last Judgment," was not brought to a close until late. 'the principal vocal parts were taken by Miss Binh, Miss Williams, Mr. Lackey, and Herr Formes. It was nearly 5 o'clock before the audience bad all left the cathedral. 'I he concert this evening will be the last evening concert of the festival, but there is the "Messiah" to be performed at the cathedral to-morrow. THE BISHOP Of BATH AND WELLS has been effiligt,l to have three of his fingers amputated ; mortifies lion ensuing in these puts, the painful operation beams : necessary to save his lordship's life.—Merborsie Journal. MANCHESTER AND SALFORD DISTRICT PROVIDE NT Starart.—A public mecting of the solocribers and frit nds of this association was held on Tuesday, at the Manch. •ster Town hall ; the Lord Bishop of Manchester in the chair. His lordship, in opening the proceedings, said the objects of the society were the eueouragement tat industry, tt ,e sup. preesioe of mendicity and imposture, and the suc mar ef sickness and unavoidable misfortune. lie might state, as an instance of the workings of the society, that in the year ltia) no less than 74,23 W. 11s. hail been saved by deposing* through gratuitous visitation and other means. llf this 74.8:41. odil had been withdrawn at different times from various ea uses. Premiums had been paid by wa y of cocoa. regiment, to the amount of 2,3222 Ils. lid. rem was one of the most important points to the working •1 . the &celery. He did not for a moment attempt to defoud the principle of giring a bosoty or a premium, but he nevertheless tboaekt that it wen orrermry sometimes to give a stimulus of that Net to aid a particular object, though it ought ' ' to be withdrawn oaten the circumstances of the case no longer required it. This society had carried out a system of exanaiiiatiou into caws of destitution, detectiag and exposing imposture, but at the same time afferding lid to thaw who were really in distress. What hail Irma the result of this? Between 11440 sad ISA 36,43 persons had bees visited. Of this number. 13,233 cases had been invsstigated foe dlffaseat method charities, and 11,013 leer private charity. Bother more than half thine had Loco rt-rmulmaded as worthy of relief. lie felt sine that a meekly . like this I d not meet with other thou a favour- , able new by the PA of Manchester, to whom be most Cordially begged commend it. The secretary then read a report, which staled that a retrospect of the last year, is reference to this society, was Rat quite so favourable as its primmer could wish. The amount of deposits had steadily decreased from 4,1581. ss. %1., is 181.1, to 1,876/. Its. 30., in hashes. Appeal after appeal had been made by the society fur an secession of visitors, which had not been responded to. 'the difficulty of obtaining gratuitous visitors was also noticed is the report of the Liverpool l'rovident Society. The esuaimittee had the satisfaction of stating that they had been applied to several times during the past Jeer by persons who were desirous of founding similar socertko is other towns, and after the information afforded by the committee, those societies had in mast instances been seta blisliesl.—Mr. lilailstorm moved the adoption of the seine tail's report and accounts, which was carried ninety moody. The meeting was afterwards addressed on behalf of the association by the Bey. Dr. Vaughan, the Bev. Dr. Beard, the Bar. Canon Stowell, and *them The Rev. Canoe Stowell observed, in the course of his remarks, that it might be said in abatement of the seeming diminution of influrace of this association that to a certain extent its work hail been occomplished, or taken out of their hands by kindred institutions. As regarded the number of visi tors, it must be remembered that there were iu reality a large number of visitors who were not recognised in con nexion with any society. He knew of 35 ladies in his own parish who were constantly visiting the poor, but were, nonetheless, not connected with the society. No doubt many other clergymen had visiting societies in connexion with their churches. lie had no doubt it would be found, on investigation, that the number of visitors had by no means decreased. After a vote of thanks to the right rev. prelate who occupied the chair, the proceedings closed. Essu TraNFIKE TRIAT.—ABOLITION OP TOLie CATEI.-011 Monday the general meeting of the trustees was held at the Shire-hall, Chelmsford, for the purpose of taking into consideration the plea of Sir James M'Adasts, for re-arranging the whole 0 the gates in tie Mask, sad bringing many of them dem the large sewer, mad TaLl.ay stations—a pre ddem veldsh hair grabseed se much excitement, and had called Meth memetials against it from Chelmsford, Rayleigh, Draw, aadl ether places. There was a very lre attendance of 1111411118 from all parts of the district ; a nd H. Bullock. Sq., was felled to the chair.—Mr. Badham brought fanned a shadow, the object of which was to effect an improvamsat In the present sys tem. He proposed to abolish slat gates and to substitute thr.e, which might be placed in melt situations as fully to answer the purpose of those removed. The six gates he to abolish were Stanway, Gosfield, Hedinghara, frarst7: l l, Great Leigbs, and Great Waltham ; and that a fresh gate should be placed at Broomfield, another at High Garrett, and a third at Leaden. Ile apprehended that, by , this plan, the increase in their funds, and the reduction in their expenditure, in the payment of gate-keepers, would be amply sufficient to carry out their purpose, though they were in a state of bankruptcy, and that they should not he und er th e necessity of borrowing money. Mr. Berner diebm luring seconded the motion, Sir J. P. Wood moved, as an amendment, that all the gates be abolished, with the exception of that at Halstead. He was convinced that the road. might be managed be the several parishes in the coun ty at a cheaper rate than by the enormous staff at the pre test moment, and he thought they would do wisely to abo lish all the toll-gates. A conversation ensued, in which Sir J. Troll. L or d Rayleigh, and others, took part, respecting the Ii plity of putting the amendment from the chair, no 'lh toe having been given of the intention to propose it. chairman ultimately put the original resolution to the Meeting, which almost unanimously negatived it. Sir J. P. Wood then took the sense of the meeting respecting his a mendment, and only one hand was held up in opposition. A notice was afterwards signed for a special meeting on the 3rd of November, for legally carrying out Sir J. P. Wood's caution fur the abolition of the gates.—Esser Herald. FAIRER MATHEW IN AMERICA.—TILE TEMPER' ANt I. Cat es.—Father Mathew was to leave Cleveland an the 12th inst. en his way to the sea-board. Singe his arrival is this city, 4th July, 1849, it is estimated that he hisen rolled over half-a-million persons ander the banner of total abstinence ; in Pittsburg, 8,000; in Cincinnati, 12,000. purp.ae‘ to return to Europe during the coming month. fl ,atber M. intend s to visit Sandusky City this week, and wiLt *top at Erie on kis way to Buffalo. The ekr•land The apostle of temperance commenced his 17. - w Sit work of reform by the establishment of the ..n•h Tot a l Ab st i nence Society, on the 10th of April. 1838. low seeeessfully he has laboured, under the blesnug of mirlee Providence , may be judged from the fact that a fledge emblems issued so Cleveland, Aug. Bth, 1651, bears the amber 06,064,251 '." THE BANQUET TO MR. STEPHENSON. We yesterday published a summary of the proceed ings at the grand banquet given at Bangor, in honour of Robert Stephenson, Esq., M.P., together with an epitome of the hon. gentleman's speech, by electric ulegraph. We now furnish a full report of the reply of Mr. Stephenson to the toast of his health, and also the speeches of Mr. Locke, M.P., and Mr. Paxton. The CHAIRMAN (Col. Pennant, M.l'.), in proposing the health of their distinguished and respected guest, ob served that a large proportion of the improvements that had taken place iu this country, within the last quarter of a century, have been owing to the talents of civil engineers. (Hear, bear.) The mineral wealth taken from the earth, and so adapted as to enable our manufacturers to compete with all the nations of the world ; the docks and canals by which the trade of the country was carried on ; and more recently, the various railways and all their concomitant advantages ; each and all bore the impress of the hand of the civil engineer, and to that claw of the community a very heavy debt of gratitude was due. (Cheers.) And among that class no ono stood more exalted for soundness of judgment aid probit of character than tiCirl;;;;;;t 7 d guest, Mr. Robert Stephenson. (Protracted cheering.) In heriting, as he did, a mime already conspieuoue to engineer ing science, he had added to that name a renown not con fined to this country nor to Europe, but which was known and appreciated in every civilised country in the world. (Applause.) The engineer who was unclog to drive through the jungles of India, or to connect the ,chores of the Pacilicwith the Atlantic, must make himself acquainted with the trials and difficulties which Mr. Stephenson had - . surmounted, before he could feel perfect mastery co er those obstacles which might be thrown in his way. The Bri tmania-bridge mast out as a monument of his genius, alike Wilde in its proportions and imperishable in it, fame. (Cheers.) They bad long had before them the production of Telford's genius, the Meuai maim:edam-bridge, and there fore were in some degree able to judge of the difficulties which had atteuded Mr. Stephenson in the accomplishment of his stupendous task. Bay by day they had seen him superintending the putting together of those gigantic tubes; day by day they had seen them floated, and ultimately they had seen them elevated to their present height. The feelings of admiration at witnessing the gradual progress and ultimate completion of the work had elicited th it testi mony of the principality to the genius of Mr. Stephenson. d(Great cheers.) But he believed there were other inure in. irect causes which had contributed to the homage they were then offering him. Ile (the chairman) believed that this Britannia-bridge, by the facilities which it offered, would confer very great benefits on the country generally ; and he might therefore reasonably suppose that these feelings hail to a considerable extent induced the tribute of praise which had given rise to that assembly. (Hear, hear.) It might indeed he said that this acknowledge ment of Mr. Stephemon's services ought to have been made sooner, but he would remind them that the Britanuia bridge had now stood for one year; it had survived the test of the winter's gales, and lie would now like to know where were the prophecies of those who had predicted that it would be unaueeeesful. Some had said the tubes would never be floated, others predicted that they would never be mho,' ,w hilst others again confidently averred that if ever they were raised they would assuredly fall down again. (Laughter and cheers.) Where were all these prophecies now ? (Enthusiaeti applause.) He would not longer delay them, but call,/ , them t.: join in the pleasing duty of drinking the health a their distinguished gust, Robert Stephenson. E.q. The toast was received with the greatest enthuetasm, afar times nine hearty cheers, and the Kentislt life , w in g given. As soon as the cheering had subsided, Mr. STEI'HENSON rose and spoke as follows: s leatle men,—ln rising after the eloquent address which y. prat heard, to return you my heartfelt thanks foe the honour which you haves dose •me un this OLT ,sisal , by making me your guest, I feel that I must rely on y our sympathy and kindness to minue the inadequate- an d im perfect manner in which I am able to eaprcu myself (Loud cheering.) But I will in one weed, with all sin cerity, express to you that 1 feel awed dee ply the honour you have conferred on tae this d a y, day which will be remembuoil l' me, tu merely as one in which I have received this '.ugh a.m. pliment, Mat it will also be remembered b y me ie a test of the thorough appreciation by ...he inhali.tants of this aeighboorhood of the difficulties which have 1 ,ern cabman tered sad successfully overcame in the conetr netiou of that noble and gigantic work the Britannia-bridge. (Renewed cheering.) That this appreciation has been most /arra° on your part I feel, not only from what has fallen limn the chairman, but from the cowedingly kind 'manner ie which yea' have received me. (Rear, fear.) Ye.o have bad ample oreirtunitier of observing the gradual progressof this work; you have watched with wag ety thew perilous eperationa which teem 'tine to time have passed an review before you, end hewing so appreciated these operations, I feel more acutely the puentiun in which you hews now placed me. (Hear, hear.) It wools) hs• expect/ of me I know, that, under the circum stances, should pa into s detailed recapitulation of those difficulties. in the conatrwtion of the Britannia-bridge to which l a aye alluded in generaltenns, and which may not be undeentood to an orffinary observer ' • but I aan happily iclieved from that amenity ea this occasion ; fur all the doubts amt anxieties which existed during the cosetruetion of the bridge, bat which have leeen solved by its completion. have already been given to the world by my friead and valued assistaut, Mr. Edwin Clark. (Load ehenrw) Of the merits of that work I have had ample teeteniony tam almost eery corner of the world, wherever engineering science has made any progress, and I am now daily receiving proofs of the value which it has proved to the whole profession wherever it has been pursued to any great extent. (Renewed cheers.) it is sometimes the case, that when an engineer has finished a work involving many difficulties, it may pass out of his mind; but in my case, I assure you, it is not so, for the Britannia-briolge has occupied my attention, and 1 cannot but think that that work is yet far from having de veloped its influence on society either here or in any part of the priaeipality. (Hear, hear.) You in this immediate neighbourhood may perhaps be, at the present time, par ticipating in its advantages to some extent ; but I feel that the Chester and Holyhead Railway is &edited to form, at no dietaat day, one of the principal railway links in the British empire. (Prolonged cheers.) shall not follow the chairmen in the remarks be has made as to the benefits conferred upon the country by railways, for the tact of their usefulness is now denied by no one. Their influence on society has not only been to give an impetus to commercial pursuits, but they have diffused comfort and happiness throughout every corner of the land, and more especially have they proved beneficial to the working-man above any claw of the community. (h ear, hear.) They have raised that dam in point of locomotiou to a level with the peer, and they are carrying an amount of warmth and comfort to his hearth which he had never befuee the means of enjoying. (Chows.) No one can take a retrespeetive view of 20 years past without feeling that civilisatinit had at that period reached a point beyond which it could not pass without the aid of nscreaaed powers of locomo tion. The powers of the horse were strained to their utmost limit—nay, we had eve. gone beyond what any wen-caltivated mind could jastify. (Hear. bear.) A new species of locomotion was necessary ; and it was accomplished. And how was it moomplished ? What circumstance in our ligation allowed as, in the compass direly short period of twenty years, to raise up stash a stupendous Allen of improvement in locomotion ? lba answer is doh we have bees able to do it from one CiallElP stance alone—the abundance and cheapness of iron. (LW and continued cheering.) And this circumstance reminds me of what occurred to me some time ago during a visit Copenhagen. I there visited a museum, and heard • lose tun from a man who bad spent kis whole life is the Newly of mechanics and philosophy. He had in hie mole= workmen's tools amidst; the rudest state of barbeedism wed also every improvement up to the highest state of refine ment. Ile was most enthusiastic la pointing out to me the gradual improvements made, and, if I did not fully appreciate every article he endeavoured to explain to me, he made me dwell upon it until I did so appreciate it. He illustrated to me the first tools which the artisan used—they were bone ; he traced them up from the rudest state to a state of comparative perfee• Lion, and when he came up to a certain point he said, " You observe how slow has been the improvement up to that time, but (pointing out iron tools) look how rapid it has been since the discovery of iron." Ido not make these ob servations of digression from my immediate subject merely for the purpose of relating to you the eircums'ance, but in order to lay before you the train of thought which it raised in my mind. (Hear, hear.) I thought he was quite right, but I reflected thus :—" How little does this man think what iron is now doing round about him ! He has been deeply engaged to study, but he does not know as well as I do what an influence iron now Gus upon society and the world. He does not know that there has been as much iron taken from the bowels of the earth as would suffice for a girdle to encircle the earth itself." (Hear, hear.) He might have said that we arc now producing iron from the earth which is claim ing wealth and happiness throughout the world. (Cheers.) The all-civilising thing is iron ; and I much doubt whether we are yet armed at that height of civilisation which I believe we are destined to enjoy. I believe we stall be yet more civilised, from the existence of an article of material wealth beneath us—and that is iron. (Renewed cheering.) I will not detain on longer, but return you my most sincere thanks, and let me assure you that I appreciate your kindness most highly. The honourable gentleman, on resuming his mat, was again greeted with enthusiastic applause. Mr. LOCKE, M.P. ' in responding to the toast of his health, said that when he came into that room he had no idea of receiving such a mark of respect as they had just paid him, for the very small compliment which he hail paid ' his friend Mr. Stephenson in coming from London to wit- I ness the floating of this first tube. He sincerely assured the company that be came to their banquet that day to do honour to Mr. Ithephsseen, to whom all honour was due. (Cheers.) In' rising on that occasion he did so with ex treme reluctance, because he felt that he could say nothing beyond ezpreWng his cordial coneumence in a ll the re marks which the chairman had made respecting their dis tinguished guest. He could, however, from personal ex perience, say what must have been the character of that engineering skill which had enabled the difficulties encountered in constructing the Britannia bridge to be overcome. (Great cheering.) The genius and talent which were equal to the completion of so great a work must indeed be of the very highest order. (Hear, hear.) When ho reflected that Mr. Stephenson was a friend of his of 30 years' standing, he (Mr. Locke) thought he might with some propriety say that he did participate in the honour which they had now paid to their eminent pat. (Cheers.) It was impossible for a sea, the mem- bee of a profession to which they both belonged, to wit ness such a proceeding as tho present, and not feel deeply the honour so deservedly paid. (Cheers.) Ile gladly availed himself of that opportunity to say, honour to the man who had conceived and execute.l such a noble work. Might they live long to admire it, and might Mr. Stephen son live long to is cave the homage which intelligence always pays to distinguished merit. (Loud cheers.) The various other toasts on the list having been given and responded to, the company separated shortly Lefore 11 o'clock. TIIE ÜBBERLEY COLLIERIES.-'VISIT OF THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 29, 1851. THE GOVERNMENT INSPEC [PROM A CORREZPONDINT.] Mr. Dickenson, one of the government-insp4otors of coal mines, has just completed his visit to these The greatest posdble secresy as to his views is maintair. e d by the persons employed at Übberley, but we have racer mined that he pronounced the works to be in many essen tial respects very defective. The air-ways, in particular, he altogether condemn+, und suggests that those now in use should be abandoned, and a fresh current of air driv , ,n through some old workings, above the existing levels, w n lich, heroposes, should be connected with the levels in w hi c h the p accident Occurred by means of a new roadway , to be cut for that purpose. Mr. Perrin, the' ground-ben Aid; who accompanied the inspector, pointed out the expensi seem of these altera tions, but Mr. Dickenson's brief re ly was that they were necessary to preserve the lives of the men employee'. The inspector has advised many minor alterations in addition to the proposed new air-ways, but ~ nese form the principal fea tore of a new plan which he I As handed to Mr. Ridgway, the proprietor.. The most painful eicitern , ; tit still pervades the minds of the people here in reference to this melancholy event, and a memorial is about to be pr scntcd to her Majesty, praying for the appointincnt of a ANldent inspector for this county. Mr. Dickenson states th at he first saw the account of the disaster in the London newspapers, upon which he lost no time in visiting the sp at. There are but four inspectors for the whole of the tTni ,e 4 THE COLLI ER? DISASTER AT WASH- INOTOS. After the re port given ht lays Exproie Wa3 deli itched Mr. Nichol is Wood, colliery viewer, Hutton, stated that he, with . a n - amber of other viewers, examined the colliery Monday. , anew of the workmen accompanying then. Ills opinion w: that the pit had fired in the second cast board beyond doors in the cruse-costwey. Observed the way the fire I log taken by the morns and by the cinders against the Pr"' ,P. Wu perfectly convinced the fire had onme out of umc_ ' W. AM tamed. It camp down south, *ea west to the Too b' uncle , and then expaeded towards the pit. lie did not! alert that the fire itself had been a large one, as they 101, d Mad no indication of it towards the Nat. The reason men were lost was net so much from the fire as Al the air being withdrawn. The fro had blown d awl. the end of a crossing nearly at the bottom ' if the engine-bank, which made a communication between the air going in and the retara air to the recast ehi:t. It ones a dusty team, and he thought those not Isurnt lwesild be choked with the dust, or kffled with the ' after riamp. The 'toppings were all replaced when be went dawn. In the breed where Mr. Muir was found there were some picks, eel the bottom of a l)asy lamp, with the ' top off. which he was told had net been removed from where it was Forted. Ile was told *at the top of the lamp was feund at the opposite side of the board, which, coupled with the direction the fire had taken, led him to conclude that the fire must have otigiugeed there, from the man halite; taken his lump top off. There were no blowers. Ile thought something must have checked the vcr.tilation utthe mine ea the time she fired. That would produce a diminution of the quantity of the atmospheric air, and have the efilret of rendering the pit at the quarter where the fire oseurred unsafe. Ile thought that if everything was right, and tight thousand feet of air going down the pit per mi nute, that she would be ia a safe state, and could not have fired. lie was told that the fire took place in two boards near to where there was a fall, which if true, the full would tend to obstruct the return air, and so render the pit unsafe, and alternately cause her to explode. Ile could not tell whether there was ono or two tiros; for at pits he had coder his eagniraince where there had been tiro., it has frequentiy happened that the air being so disturbed has caused every small accumulation of jos in the pit to fire, thus causing several small fires at one tame. Considers this a very simple tire to have caused web disastrous e ff ects. t eas comes off, and act umulatea in this and every Hutton oesw, and requires to he carried off. From the description there appears to have been a mixing of gas. The system of ventilation practised in that part is consistent with the practice of the district. There is as doubt that the quantity of air going iu was quite sufficient, providing the stopping* were good. The gas ouzel from the thill. When a candle burns with a large top, us explained by Hartley, it must be mixed with carbonic acid as well as odd immahle gas. Carbonic acid gas often comes (rem the thill. Should not like to trust a candle with a top of two *ekes on it. Mr. T. E. Foster, viewer, Newcastle, agreed with Mr. Wood as to the cause of the fire. Mr. Anderson, of South Shields, Mr. Southern, of Neb.- blesworth, Mr. aws, of Springwell, Mr. Butkus, of Tram colliery, Mr. Samuel Wood, Mr. Charles W. Anderson, of Harton, viewers, who assisted to make the survey on Mon da), agreed with what had been said. Mr. Phillips., leut he the regulations adopted at the col liery; and Jain Hunter, au engine-wright, was produced, who swore there was plenty of material at hank for bratticcs. The jury expressed a desire to have Mr. Dunn's opinion as to the cause of the fire. Mr. Dunn, being sworn, said he was inspector of mines for the northern counties and fur Scotland. Ile had not been down the mine previous to the accident. Ile quite agreed with the gentlemen who had been examined that the fire had origivated in Sl•Naire's board; mid was also of opinion that there had been a deficiency of air la that eastern quarter. The fire might arise partly from three causes. First, there might be a temporary obstruction of the returns from the falls spoken of. Another cause might be leaving open the rolleyway door, kading south ; or the door leading east to li•Naire's boa rd. lie had uo rea son, however, to suppose that they were left open. A third cause might be the sleekening of the furnaces. Ile had thought it his duty to go down and look at the furnaces; and had gone down again that morning for the purpose. He found one of the furnaces nine feet in width; the other four feet and a half. The upeast is 71 feet in diameter. These furnaces require a heavy fire to keep up the ventilation, and used a good deal of attention—they were also remote from observation. He agreed with the other gentlemen, also, that if from seven to eight thousand cubic feet of air per minute can be steadily maintained it would be sufficient, generally speaking, to keep the pit safe. It being now seven o'clock in the evening, a consultation was held as to whether the inquest should be adjourned mail next morning, or finish that evening—it warthought best to finish it. The jury retired to refresh themselves, and returned at nine o'clock, when the coroner commenced to sum up, commenting upon the strange circumstances, reported by us yesterday, of the backwardness of the pit men in furnishing the government inspector with informa tion when a mine is in a dangerous *edition. If the men upon the colliery had done so in this instance, in all hareem probability he said the bees of those mia, upon whom they WWI WSW holding an inquest, won't not have been seerilised. The kelt' head • venliet to the mowing effect : " The doWgi of et in they& had been caused by it firing .at Wassat's beard, eat they consider that lamps shagd duets boss niallitestend of sases, awl there should have been mere bunglisse • as wasseseml by the government ingeetar." ItE3LtliKaaLß Sabuillitr int all as inquest w commenced before Mr. E. Cox ' borough coroner, at the house of Mr. G. Barnes, the 61:ma Inn, Sevilla Valley, on the body of Themes Modem, aged 34, who died on the preview evening under the following ex traordinary circuinstauew detailed in the evidence : The inquest having been opened, and a witness, who was pre sent at the death of the deceased, examined, it wes ad journed to Tuesday erasing, when lb. P. Mackey, sur geon, said he had attended the deceased up to the day of his death, for about ten dap, for injury,to the throat, .pro duced by a tobacco-pipe being forced down it in a wet of " lark.' He was extremely ill until Thsuada, last, madam that day a large abscess, which bad formed in the *mt. broke ' and to the evening be appeared esosiderably re lieved. The deceased's idea We/ that ho bad drawn the pipe out of his throat, and he did not appear to b• swans that any was left. On Saturday he made a post-mortens 1 examination of the body. He toned a piece of tobacco-pipe, which he produeed,two-and-a-half inches long, imbedded in the muscular part of the neck, after having passed down ward through the windpipe, and lacerated a blood-vessel, which produced death by blood perpetually oozing out into the lungs. This would be likely to produce sudden death. In other respects the deceased was in a healthy state. He had known him some years.—Elizabeth Kelly, waitress at the Hearts of Oak beerhousc, in Bridge street, said she was acquainted with the deceased from seeing him frequent the public-house where she worked. Last Wednesday week the deceased was at the Hearts of Oak, smoking a pipe, and she was passing the table with a pot of beer, when the deceased pulled her backwards by the gown, and in falling she came in contact with the pipe. He said directly, " Mrs. Kelly, the pipe has cut my mouth, and a drop of rum would dome good." She:got three-penny ; worth of rum and gave it to him, he having previously taken the pipe from his mouth. She did not see that it was broken. After he had had the rum he left the tap-room, went to the front of the bar, and she served him with three glasses of sixpenny ale, one for himself and two for other I people . He was then larking with the other people, but i complained of his throat being very sore, and she saw no more of him until the next morning, when he came in about eight o'clock, asked for • glass of water, and said he was going to Mr. Mackey's, as his throat was so bad. He waited in the tap-room until nine o'clock, when he went away, and she neither saw him nor heard of hiss until last Friday eve ning, when she heard of his death. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.—Heists Adoertiver. SOUTHAMPTON RAGGED SCHOOLB.—In consequence of the large amount of juvenile depravity at Southampton, and which has greatly increased of late years, owing to the port having been made • packet station, an eatensive w ed school has founded there. Lord H. Cholmondele7 l Mr. Wilcox, M.P., and Archdeacon Wigram, are amongst its most liheral and active supporters. Dormitoricsand industrial training classes are now about to be established in connexion with it, owing to the numerous applications which the ragged school committee have had for protection and /Mil -1 mum from boys let out from the Southampton gaol. RAILWAY MEETINGS. BRISTOL AND EXETER RAILWAY. The half-yearly general meeting of this company was held yesterday at Bristul ; J. W. Mitten., Esq., the illainnen of the company, presided. TM meal prelintiaary matters having been gone through, The CHAIRMAN called upon the secretary, J. B. Bad bawl, Esq., to road the report; the substance of which ap peared in the Erpress of Tuesday last. The CHAIRMAN cougratalated the proprietors upon the declaration of the best dividend that hail ever been declared by the company ainco it had been independent. The dividend they now had to declare was the balance which remained at their disposal arising solely from revenue atter the deduction of all the etpenditure with which revenue was i arty chargeablo—(char)—in addition to the expeaditare of obtaining the recent act of parliameut, which the direc tors had thought it tight also to charge upon the revenue of the company. it was passible that some gentlemen might think that in so doing the conduct of the directors required some explanation. The propriety of charging the revenue with the expenses of the act of parliament had been Maturely weighed by the directors, and they were of opi nion that no additional caplet having been created, the capital which this act of parliament hail reference to, wan capital which had been owned under former acts of paths. smash and the object of the present one was aims ply to amend the provisions of those passed previously. All that had been done by the act of parliament named last session had been to enable the company to guarantee a pre ferential dividend on certain capital, and to limit the amount. That being the ease, they had thought it right to charge this sum to the revenue account, and ho herd it would receive the unanimous approval of the proprietors. He would further remark that an estimate was presented, he thought about this time twelve months, to the proprietors stating the liabilities of the espital account. In that esti. Mate it was net taken into aceewat that any art of partite Meat would betecessarv, but it. wan not on that neetatat that the directors had charged this sum upon revenue, but they thought that no new capital having been created, it was fairly chargeable upon the revenue of the company. After toucling upon some of the points dealt with in the re• port, the clairmen said thet the directors thought the Yeovil Branch should be at onoceompleted. Abbot 102,0001. had al ready born expended epea it, and a veal . trifling sum snore than that which had the, been expended upon it unproduc tively would complete it, thus not emly advantaging the geneeed traffic of the main fine, but opening up the traffic of that district, and affording the eestommodation se long premised to the inhabitants of the neighbourhood, who now at iustly said they had no railway communication either with Exeter or BeWtol. lie thougt.tit nut only most advan tageous to forthwlCt complete it, but he thought also that the directors were pledged, and lad gale `too far to draw back were it otherwise. He lusty of no other point open which it was aces:wary to say anything—except that be hoped that the accounts were so clear that these was no one but could understand them. With regard to the rest or balance Which they carried over, he thought it ones eery to do so, and he hoped next half-year to carry ever a larger balsam. A considnahle rest or balance was ne cessary to all companies, bat more particularly essential to railway companies, became they had mash borrowed capital ; and it was, therefore, necessary that they should not be too mach at the mercy of their creditors. Most of those sums were lent far periods of hoc years, bat if they were not provided with a rent they would be subject to all the ttuctuatioas of the money marks, and the various suspicions which sometimes arose with respect hi railway companies. Ile did not mean this company alone, but which arising as to any other company, migeit affect this. The chairman then moved the adoption of erne report. After sonic conversation, In answer to a question the Chairman explained, that with respect to the Glastonbury Canal, they had agreed to allow-one-tenth of the grow receipts. Mr. SE ECONIIIE hissing made some observations as to the docks at Plymouth, and being informed that no vote of money was asked by the directors on the subject, the ne mann resolutions, adopting the report and ileclaring a di vidend of 4 per emit.. &e., were passed ; and thauks haring been given to the chairman and directors, the meeting broke up. NORTHERN COUNTIES UNION RAILWAY. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yesterday at the London-tavern, Bishopsgate-street. Major BERMS!' tttttt M.P., took the chair. Tho following report of the directors was laid before the meeting :—" Your directors regret that the parliamentary session has closed without any modification having been made of the Railway Abandonment Act, and, therefore, your directors have considered it impolitic with the feelings generally entertained with respect to the operations of that act, to take the sense of the shareholders upon the question of proceeding under it for the abandonment of such port' or portions of the line and consequent reduction of the capital as might otherwise hay been deemed advisable. Your directors have assiduously prosecuted negotiations with other companies whose interests arc identical with your own, and the progress of those negotiations induce your directors to look forward, not without some confidence, to an alliance which will prove of the utmost importance for your benefit ; and they recommend, that this general meeting should give their authority to the board of directors to apply in the neat session for a bill which willenable them to renew their powers for the construction of such portion of the line as may prove remunerative, and will obtain the cordial support and alliance of other companies. Should this re commendation be acceded to by this meeting the bill would have to be submitted to you at the proper time. Your directors reported to you at the last meeting that an agree ment had been made with the Leeds and Think Company for the transfer to them of about 2j miles of your line, which that company was empowered to purchase by their act, 1818, and that the purchase money should be fixed by valua tion, and, in case of difference, that it should be settled by arbitration under the Companies Clauses Consolidation Act, 18143. Your directors have now to state that the sum has been fixed at 6,0001., payable at the end of twelve months, debentures being given in the meanwhile. Ample power tor using the line so transferred by this company in case it should hereafter oe required has been retained. The directors recommend the confirmation by this meeting of the forfeiture of certain shares (101 in number) on which the call is in arrcar, and of which due notice has been given. The balance sheet is appended hereto, showing a credit balance of 26,3121. 19a. 3d." The accounts showed that the total sum received was 226,1321. 7..9d., and the balance in hand was 26,3121.195. 3d. The CHAIRMAN said he wished to press upon them the necessity of coming to some active and determined reso lution in respect to the carrying on of this company. They were now come to that point when it became perfectly ac tor them to decide upon something definite us to fh es e a rr7uture plans. When they last met it was determined on that they should endeavour to obtain, in conjunction with other companies, some modificatious in the Rail' ways Abandonment Act, which had not been found to operate for the benefit of those companies wishing to dissolve. In consequence of this resolution, the directors of this com pany, and those of other companies, had en interview with the railway commissioners, when they showed the dangers companies had undergone by adopting that act, and those which would follow on others attempting to proceed under its provisions. He was sorry to say that they failed in making any impression upon the railway commissioners with a view to the amendment of that act. If any one were now to endeavour to put it in operation, he would be immediately pounced upon by any parties who might pretend they hada claim. lie thought the proprietors then present would not think that a very advisable course for them to fol low. Another coune,which he also thought very unadvisable, was to let the thing go es and wear itself out. A third ,some was to endeavour to make some money by their pro- /sat, by uniting or selling themselves to some other com pany. He thought this was the only coarse which was likely to be followed by sense benefit for the shareholders. The mere mention of negotiation some time ago had caused their shares to rise from 4s. 6d. to 11. 4s. 6d. in a very few days. This showed that such a course was not de trimental to their interests; besides, it would enable those who dissented from going on to get rid of their liabilities. After consultation the directors thought it advisable to re commend the proprietors to agree to their applying for a bill is the ensuing sestion for the realisation of those ob jects. (Hear, hear.) The chairman, in conclusion, said be would move that the meeting now give the directors an opport p ti . tr ofasking ifor this bill by a resolution w hick' had been pre for that purpose. Mr. SABER considered the bargain made with the Leeds and Think Company a very fair one, and congratu lated the directors and shareholders upon the success of the negotiation. Several lines were interested in getting a connection with this company. Originally they had Oen of a guarantee upon 1300,0001., and when ho re tested that by constructing part of their line 30 miles wiatid be saved in the distance between London and Glas gow. be thought the policy of the. Northern Counties Union Company was to lie on its own oars. (Appisuae.) Mr. MANDE; said it vas matter of --• =Florian to him - - !rectors be and am hereby authorised to enter into such agreements with other companits as the said directors may deem advisable, subject, however, to the confirmatom of a general meeting of the company." ' The CHAIItI4AN then put a resolution, authorising the forfeiture of 101 shams, and it was carried alter an ex planation that the original subscriber WAS prepared to pay up the calls in arrear. The total number of shareholders seas stated at 2;3)0, holding 59,670 shares. After the usual vote of thanks, the meeting adjourned. NORFOLK RAILWAY. The halficarly meeting of this company was held yesterday, at the office, in Cluj!Shall-buildings, City. Mr. Pant, M.l'., took the chair. Major COURT complained that no report had been sent round to the shareholders. The CHAIRMAN said he would simply say, in answer to the hon. proprietor, that it must be evident that the di rectors could not prepare any report till after the meeting of the Eastern Counties Company. The SECRETARY read the report, which stated that the usual half yearly account of receipts and expenditure had been duly circulated. The accounts of the Eastern Counties Company exhibited a small diminution in the receipts of the Norfolk Company during the last six months. The directors were, however, happy to state that since the commencement of the present half year there had been a steady increase of the revenue. The report then alluded to the good feeling now existing with the Eastern Counties Company, and the wish of the directors, as well as some of the largest proprietors, that the existing agreement should remain undisturbed, for the present, so as in the interval to develop the resources of both companies. The subject of the mortgage debt had engaged the serious attention of the directors, the unsettled state of the com pany tendering it imp oasible to renew the securities falling due without obtaining further powers from parliament. It was therefore proposed by the directors at this meeting to tate authority from the proprietors to apply for an act in the next session foe creating a new stock bearing a guar anteed interest not exceeding 5 per cent. per annum, to be placed in the same position of priority as the existing mort gage debt, and to be applied solely to the liquidation of such bt. When it was stated that the sum repaired to pay the ' intend on this debt does not anioson to l-rita of the present ran receipts of the company, the sufficiency of the security Math the company have to offer must be apparent ; besides, It was intended by the same act to regulate the capital of the company generally as to the rights of the various classes of preferesevi shares. The act for authorising the heeds and Halesworth Railway Sty an independent cotnpairt having received the royal assent, the directors wished to have powers from this meeting to make such trade arranceinents with this com pany as would ensure a speedy e:mpletion of a line so likely so add materially to the revenues of the Norfolk Company. The statement of receipts sod expenditure on capital amour: showed a balance of l,e4lit. 124. ad. against receipts which had only amounted to 3,516/. fur the half year, whilst the expenditure had reached the amount of 5,142 t. lbs. Ild. The CHAIRMAN said, in rising for the first tine since his t eking the chair of that company, be felt it due to them and to himself to state the circumstances under which he brut done so. Immediately after the last meeting ho re- oft , yed an earnest request from his friend Major Tyndale, seconded by every member of the board, that in the present position of the emispany he would take the chairmanship of it. Feeling that he possessed some practical knowledge of railway mutters, mad that he could do good service to the company by a zealous attention to his duties ' he agreed to accept of that honourable position in which be was then placed. One of his first duties in bring so appointed was to solicit an interview with the chairman of the Eastern Comi ties Company to require some explanation of the policy of that company. He was happy to say that Mr. Waddington concurred in his views as to the best means of developing the traffic of both lines; and they were both agreed as to the policy of the two companies waiting for a further development of their resources, to see what arrangement would turn out best for their mutual interests. As to the traffic, he found from a statement made out that the total receipts at the Norwich station for ~the six months of last year were 26,6421. 13s. 61., whilst for the six moaths of the present year they were 29,3841. At Yarmouth they were 7,963/. against 9,679/. in the present year. At Lowestoft the revenue was 3,6171. last year, and in the present 3,1134. This latter was without reference to the traffic brought over the line by the Northern Steam packet Company. cllear, bear.) At the last meeting he had stated his confidence in the position of this company. They had an income of about 120,0901. per annum. They must bear that in mind, as showing how large a traffic they give to another 'company. In his consultation with Mr. Gooch that gentleman stated that he could not see the rea son why the working expenses of the Eastern Counties should not be brought within a short time to the same ratio as on other railways. lie regretted there had been a want of courtesy on the part of the auditors of the Eastern Counties Company in publishing that report without a previous communication with himself, the consequence of welch would have been the removal of some of the charges therein mentioned. lie considered they were neither in a condition of despair or helplessness, but one of • progressive development. As to the future prospects he would merely say, that in addition to their 120,0001. ' per annum at present, they might justly look for a large increase from the exertions made to develop the fish traffic. At Yarmouth within the last two years they I had placed out 36 boats in the deep sea fisheries, the produce ,• of which went upon their line ; whilst at Lowestoft 9 boats had been already placed out, the proceeds of which went ' also on the railway. The port of Lowestoft must also ' contribute largely to the revenue of both railways, by • means of the Northern Steam racket Company, which, I from being the shortest route to the North of Europe, must bring a very large amount of traffic. He would now strongly recommend to the consideratiou of the shareholders ' the Beceles and lialesworth Railway which had received the royal assent, as a great benefit would arise from making an equitable arrangement with that company, such as giving them a certain proportion of the nett receipts from ' any traffic they might bring over the Norfolk line. The ' Chairman coded his observations by alluding to the mortgage ' debt, and advising the shareholders to agree to the prime,- r sition of the directors to apply tor an act in the next ses ' aiou for creating a new stock hearing a guaranteed interest nut exceeding o per cent. per annum to be placed in the same position of priority as the existing mortgage delft. Major COURT moved that the report be nut received, as the proprietors had nut had time for consideration, but his • motion was not seconded. Some discussion took place between Major COURT, Mr. ' Tise, and the Cu ti XMAS, respecting the accounts. The report was then adopted. The CHAIRMAN said that the nobility , and gentry of Suffolk had subscribed 150,0001. to make the lieccles line through the county, to connect itself with the Norfolk line, as they hail been infordied by himself that the proprietors of the .Norfolk company had nu money for the purpose. (Hear.) the CHAIRMAN then moved a resolution in favour of a traffic arrangement with the Beech's and Halesworth company, and also one for applying to parliament for an act in respect to the mortgage debt, which were agreed to unanimously. A vote of thanks was then passed to the chairman and directors when the meeting adjourned. MARYPORT AND CARLISLE RAILWAY. The hallyearly general meeting of the share holders in this company was held on Wednesday, the 27tk instant, at the henhouse Anus, Maryport ; F. L. B. Dykes, Esq., the chairman of the board of directors, in the chair. A special general meeting was subsequently held for pur poses hereinafter detailed ; J. P. henhouse, Esq., in the chair. Mr. H. JACOBS, the secretary, read the advertisement convening the meeting, and afterwards, in accordance with • resolution to that etf...et, affixed the seal of the company to the register of shareholders. A rather lengthy diszussion having taken place respecting the coal traffic on the line, Mr. (1. 11AltTLEY remarked that perhaps ;the share holders would like to know something about the passenger accounts and alterations made. (Hear, hear.) He had drawn out a statement which embrace d the seven weeks previous to the reduction this year in comparison with the corresponding seven weeks last year. For the seven weeks last year t'ley had received 159'. more than this year before the reduction took place ; and since the reduction had taken place they had received 1481. more than the corresponding seven weeks last year. (Hear, hear.) Last year, in corn. parison with the latter part of this year for seven weeks, they were 1591. behind ; but this year, in comparison with the same number of weeks in 1850, they received 1484 more shies they had 'reduced the rates and gave return tickets for a fare and a hall'. (Hear and applause.) Mr. SENHO USE then moved the adoption of the report mates- of g reat when he first heard the eats:anent . of the chairman, for he and accounta. always understood that tescresolutieri formerly pawed was, The motion was seconded by Mr. Cowan, and carried that the eempany should be wound wt. (Hear, hear.) But unanimously. certainly it should be borne in miad, that if there were A long conversation then took place respecting the elec prospects of favourable negotietions, and if they could get tion of directors, but ultimately the following list, moved two-thirds of their peel/entente:7 expanses in applying for by Mr. Cowen, was carried :—.I. Scuhouse, Esq., Geo. a new bill paid by other companies, it might be desirable to Harrison, Esq., 0. G. Mountey, Esq., George Saul, Esq., go on. (Applause.) He should have as objection if that 10. W. Hartley, Esq., William Ostler, Esq., Wilfrid Law expense were guaranteed. Had the original line from 'son, Hut. York to Carlisle been carried out, he thought it would I The CHAIRMAN proposed " That a dividend of 15s. on have been a paying concern. each 501. 'bare, and of 3s. 95. on each 121. 10s. share, being The CHAIRMAN was pleased to we the general feeling . at the rate of 3 per cent. per annum, be paid on and after was in favour of the observations be had made. - With re- I the 10th September, 1851." geed to the resolution passed last year, concerting the Carried unanimously. abandonment of the undertaking, this was under flu, idea SPECIAL Mzzrixo.—The meeting then resolved itself that the company would make the general act available into a special meeting, under the powers of the Maryport without risk. (Hear, hear.) But this was not the cu.', for ; and Carlisle Deviation Act, 1861, for the purpose of raising the act did not embrace all the paints promised. All the 91,2001., by the creation of pref.:reuse shares; Mr. See:- directors now asked was to make a legal commencement for noose in the chair. an act. The CHAIRMAN read the following resolution, which The report was then seconded and carried. was adopted after considerable discussion :—" That the sum The CIIAIRSL&N moved the following resolutions : of 91,2001. be raised be the creation of 7,298 quarter shares " That the directors be and are hereby authorised to pro. of 12/. 10s. each, bearing a preferential dividend of 41 per mote a bill in the next sessioa of patlianseut for the &ban- cent. per annum, with participation of profits when the donment of certain portions of the railway authorised to be revenue of the company will afford &dividend of more than made by the compan's acts, and for renewed powers over 41 [per cent. per annum to the shareholders generally. such portions thereof'as should not be abandoned, for a re- That the shares so create dbe issued to the holders of the duction of the capital, and for such other amendments, de- existing shares of the company in the proportion of one new nations, and extensions as the directors may deem advi. quarter-share for each original 601. share, and one for every sable, and that they be empowered to take all such measures four quarter-shares of 121. 10s. each, registered in their as may be necessary for carrying this resolution into effect." names in the books of the coninany on the 27th day of An amendment was moved that the line should not be Auzust, 1851, provided they signify their intention to take constructed even after the obtainment of the act, without the same on or before the 28th of September, 1851 That the consent of one-half of the whole proprietary, but only interest at the rate of 41 per cent. per annum shall accrue two bands were held up in its favour, and the original re- from the date on which each instalment is paid, and shall solution passed, as likewise the following : " That the di- be payable on the let day of January sad the lit day of July in each year. That any proprieto wishing to pay up the full amount of lus shares at once, instead of by instalments, as stated above, shall be allowed to do so, and be entitled to interest at the rate of 4! per cent. re annum from the date on which the payment is made. .Vhst is the event of any of the proprie tors declining or not accepting their proportion of nest shares to which they are entitled the same shall, in the first place, be offered rateably to the other proprietors and its the event of theirdeclinang to take them, the directors shall be at liberty to dispose of them to such parties and fu such manner as they shall think lit." Mr. SENDOUSE, the newly appointed chairman, pro posed : That the las st thanks of the meeting and the shareholders be given to F. L. B. Dykes, Esti., late chair man of the Board of Directors, for his attention to and um, wearied cnsidaity in promoting their interests during so many years, and for his courteous conduct in presiding at the deliberations of the Board." Mr. O. COWEN ec.conded the resolution which wee ear ried with acclamation. A vote of thanks to Mr. Senhouse for hie services in the chair concluded the proceedings. GREAT WESTERN DOCKS COMPANY. PLymourri, THURSDAY.—The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors in the Plymouth Great Western Docks Company was held at the offices of the company, 1, Duck bighorn-place, Stonchouse, yesterday ; Colorel Harris, the chairman of the directors, in the chair. One of the special objects of the meeting was the consideration of raising. 60,0001. additional capital, by the issue of new shares. The reports of the directors Mel engineer, which have , already been published, were taken as read. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said there really seemed to he souse reason now for curlier.. tulation, from the great increase of revenue in the last two TheYcirs—sh athat ol o d f e th e rs were t aware that ear h he o i th ng the upw Dub li n o of and l steam packets, as well as the Cale mails, used the pier at Millbay ; and they eight fairly infer, from the present ' e CiL ork success, that on the completiois of the whole scheme the investment would be highly remunerative. Whatever the reveilles was, that was of minor importance compared with the orostruction of the docks ; and he need hardly say the only chances of the old shareholders being r emunerated was the .. .completion of those weeks. (Hear, hear.) With regard to the change proposed is the arrangement with Mr. all, it would be obvious that by substituting a rent charge for debentures they would coitain the command of 12,0001. for carrying out the docks, and he therefore anticipated that no objection would be taken to that course being adopted. The resolution for the adoption of the report passed una nimously. Mr. John May wes elected auditor in the room of Mr. B. V. Elliott, who had resigned. Mr. witurEroin), the solicitor of the company, ex lained that by the Great Western Docks Amendment Act (ISIS) powers were given for creating new sharisi to the amount of 60,0001., with a guarantee not excuolieg 10 per cent. per annum. This m num being essentially necessary to the completion of the works, the directors now ask for the authority of the shareholders to carry it into effect. Owing to the circumstances in which the Eastern Steam Navigation Company had been placed, and the important character of the relations between that company and Plymouth, the di rectors of the Great Western Docks felt they could not at present lay before the proprietors a complete plan of arrange ments for prosecuting the works, hoping that in their finan cial operations the Eastern Steam Navigation Company would be induced to take a prominent interest. The report had explained the positioa of the Eastern Steam Navigation Company, as not being in a sufficiently advanced stage to admit of any conclusive measures being determined, but the report of the select committee of the House of Commons gave them every encourageinentaind this half-yearly meeting having intervened, the directors of the Great Western Ducks felt that it was desirable to place themselves in a position to commence operations aa promptly as possible. Considering that their interest was the same as the shareholders, and that they had the welfare of the company at heart, they did nut think they were asking too much in . soliciting the pro prietors to give their power to issue the uew capital as soon as circumstances should justify them in doing so. Within the last few days, opportunities had occurred of testing the feeling of the railway companies, and it was gratifying to be able to say they had evinced every readiness to aid in the successful accomplishment of this undertuking. Some time must necessarily be occupied before the capital could be issued, even if the resolutions were passed today. The stock .would bear a preferential dividend, in accordance with the provisions of the act, and the old shareholders would require a reasonable period for considering whether the would take up the shares . Some perhaps would not, and the shares not taken up would then be offered to other par ties. No time ought therefore to be lost in putting the directors in a position to issue the shares, as eircuinstauces might be developed with great rapidity, calling on the com pany for immediate action, iu which the delay of six weeks or a month might be fraught with serious prejudice to the interest of the shareholders. With these views the directors submitted a resolution to the effect that the suns of 60,0001. be forthwith raised by the creation of new shares, bearing a guaranteed interest at such rate, and payable at such tines, as the directors might determine. It was quite impossible for the directors to submit u definitive plan as to the mode in which they would issue the shares. It might be desirable either to make the preferential dividend redeemable or chargeable in perpetuity, but they required the shareholders, under the circumstances, to leave that to their discretion. Mr. CHAPELL inquired whether the 60,0001. would aw cit o p otwoo it ul a di l Lbo, w dan as otdoo s po ub l y o rib o ed f , bo an ry d ow a m e g er complete the works ? Mr. WHITEFORD said that when the whole of the new on tai n de pa be rt ntu p r a c i s d a ut s ' u , s u m of th 26 e ," uni t sx . u o cd mk d i e o be g n o tu t r o to tm un o i f ie l r oo th , e ooo or l ig , in ,, al ii al would be abundantly sufficient entirely to complete the un dertaking. The resolution was supported by Mr. T. WOOLCOMBE (the chairman of the South Devon Railway Company), Mr. Rumor: (the deputy chairman:of the Eastern Swam Navi gation Company), and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chairman and directors concluded the business of the meeting. THE COMMAN DER-IN-CIII EY AT PORTSMOUTH.— We are now enabled to confirm oar report of yesterday, that Admiral of the Blue, Sir Thomas Briggs, G.C.M.U., will succeed Admiral the Hon. Sir Thomas !Haden Capel, K.C.8., as Commander-in-Chief at P orts mouth . The lattur gall Ant officer's term of service will expire on the 13th of September.—Monsing Herald. THE CHALLENGE MATCH BETWEEN TILE AMERICA AND THE TITANIA.—This exciting contest, in which all the yachting world has evinced such deep interest, came off yesterday, off the Isle of Wight. The America was un docked at l'ortsmouth dockyard at half-past 9 on Wednes day night, and went out of that harbour at half-past five yesterday morning, and at 10 a.m. she started from Cowes, and ran down to the Nab, which she left at 11, in competi tion with the Titania iron schooner, 100 tons, the property of Mr. It. Stephenson, M.P., for a rare of 10 miles out and 40 miles in. They started steering S.E., with a strong wind from W.N.W. The America was the winner by a long distance. ----- LYNCH LAW ON A WOMAN.—The San Francisco Pycamente thus comments on the hanging of a woman at Downieville, in the mining district:—" What were the cir cumstances of the case ? A party of drunken men, reeling home after a debauch, forced the door of a private house in which a woman resided, and insulted the inmate. Tho house was not a brothel, nor the woman a prostitute. Of this outrage no notice was taken, but, on one of the party return.. ing for the vilest purposes, and insulting the woman with the grossest epithets, her southern blood boiled over with indignation, and, in a moment of passion, she snatched a knife, and inflicted upon him • mortal wound. For this she was taken to the cross-road and hanged. Now we venture to say that had this woman been an American in stead of a Mexican—had she boasted of white blond, as they call it—as though the caste of the woman, if it affected her case at all, should not have tended to make her executioners more lenient—had she been of the Anglo-Saxon race, in stead of being hung for the deed, she would have been lauded for it; and, instead of an account appear ing in the papers of a ' horrible murder by a Mexican woman,' every press in the state would have rung with acclamations for the ' heroic conduct of a female, or the ' determined defence of her virtue by a lady in the mines.' It was not her guilt which condemned this unfortunate woman, but her caste and Mexican blood. Of her trial we know not how to speak. We know of so terms which are capable of expressing the horrible--the savage brutality of it. Of course, the witnesses were not sworn; the men who tried her needed no testimony ; they thirsted for her blood, and the form of trial was an impediment to their desires, which they cursed se they hurried through it. The judge —John Rose, of Rose's Ranch—let his name be remembered—stated to the witnesses that they must tell the truth, 'just as if they had been sworn ; to which they &wined—and lied; a physician who testified in her beha lf was beaten, a lawyer who endeavoured to get justice done her was threatened with hanging, and ordered to leave the town, and amid the shouts of bloodthirsty monsters, whose rage could hardly be restrained even for one short hour, the upright, intelligent, and impartial jury brought in a verdict of ' Murder,' and condemned her to be hanged in two hours, —which sentence was executed! But one circumstance was wanting to make the murder of this woman unpa ralleled in atrocity. She was in a condition that would have made her life saered, even in the most barharoua ages, and under the bloodiest code that ever cursed the world. An unborn infant perished with its murdered mother, before it saw the light." FATAL ACCIDENT IN A FLOUR MILL—OR Wed nesday a boy named James Price Miles, aged 16 years, was killed at the Creek Flour Mill, York-road, Battersea, in the following manner. On the afternoon of that day the i te p e ly the pump iert in a small l The motion. iron aaddeceased was directed by the engineer of th e wor k s t o enter means t h f e o for pump-roomdo doing s o was and p a in the spindle of' the "fly" wheel. Some few minutes afterwards the engineer went in, for the purpose of axes , taining what had become of the boy, when be discovered the deceased I peg upon the platform quite dead, and the spokes of the wheel striking his skull at every revolution. A portion of the unfortunate boy's skull had been divided by the force of the blows from the wheel, which was calculated to turn 30 revolutions in a minute, and was lying a short distance from the body. It is supposed that the boy, in stooping to place the rod in the spindle, was struck on the head by the fly-wheel and knocked down on the platform, and before he could recover himself he received other blows in rapid succession, which soon put an end to his sufferings. The body wu removed to the Nag's-head public-house to Await a coroner's inquest.