The Express. — London, England, 1848-08-22 00:00:00

Petilin!fZexTresseTil hi;asi4;iiihinent , with a " Wail ease I Leg protracted and tedious oorrespondence en lied. The responsible commissioner actually consti tatad himself "a board" every other day, and the illtior clerk found so many letters to copy that he almost felt disposed to ask for a retiring perm,. A t length „ the hoard" dictated "a minute," in which they specified their terms. The railway was not to go this way, nor that way, nor the other way. It was to pass to the right of this plantation, and to the left of that wood. It was to go oTor this marsh, and to avoid thacrising ground. In tact, it was to go the most roundabout way that it could go, and it was to pay the crown an enormous sum for letting it go at all, and to expend some 40,0001. or 60,0001. in order to go precisely where the engineer declared that it ought not. "A minute" once passed by "my lords" is as un alterable as • law of the Medea or Persians. The promoters were obliged to accept the terms. The line was made. The company did not wait to open it, until the sides thereof were made as picturesque as the old mail coach roads ; and the consequence was, that when the directors went down and opened their railway the secrets of the New Forest stood re vealed. • . Very different, indeed, is the scene presented to the passenger by rail to that which met the eye of the former traveller by the old coach road. Entering the forest just at the foot of Hounadown-hill, decidedly one of the most picturesque spots of the old South ampton and Lyndhurst road the railroad comes first of all upon the union workhouse. It is an admirable frontispiece to the book of nature which is about to open. For eighteen dreary miles, from the Lyndhurst road Station on the east, to the town of Ringwood on the west, the line of railway passes, with two short exceptions, through one long, dreary, wretched, dismal waste ! " Forests !"—the idea is all moon shine. " Timber !"—the notion is a thorough gag. The place is a morass, one-half of it a swamp ! The thing is patent, palpable, to be seen of everybody. You need, "my lords," no commission of inquiry, no government inspector to go down about it ; just take a first-class return ticket, and you may judge for yourselves in six hours, and unless you are absolutely blind, there is no doubt as to the decision you will arrive at. 64,000 acres of lard in all ; 10,000, or thereabouts, supposed to have old timber on it, and 6,000 more en closed, under act of parliament, for young plantations. Such is the New Forest ! 16,000 from 64,000 leavei 48,000, and gives the number of acres of unproductive nate possessed by the crown upon what ought to be this magnificent estate! In Lyndhurst church, on Sunday morning, there was a sermon preached upon the gospel of the day, and the congregation heard from the spiritual teacher that "there was a certain rich man which had a steward, and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his substance." Was it natural, or was it wrong, that the minds of the congregation should re ' vert to Whitehall-place ? Fifty thousand acres of uncultivated land, with a railroad passing through it, which brings it within three hours' easy access of tbo London market. The world almost may he searched for a parallel. What would be said in America could such a thing be found in the states of New York or Pennsylvania? What a triumphant argument for the friends of emi gration, could you find such an al:otment within three hours' ride of Sydney . or Quebec ! '1 here are absolutely portions of the line of railroad passing through the New Forest from which a tree can scarcely be discerned. There are other patty which have nothing but heather and furze within a mile of the line in any direction. Nothing is wanted but proper drainage to make this land cultivable, and but little more to make it in most parts highly pro ductive, and to a great extent readily so. Yet, here it Hee, and has been lying for years past, producing not one single farthing to the state, and maintaining not a single human being beyond the keeper, who is paid by the state for riding over it. How came such a state of things to pass? Th.! simple answer is, that " the system" has existed for years ; and that in the perpetuation of the system has been at least the fancied interest of all immediately and personally concerned. "We have seen no good reason to alter the system of the office" was the de claration of one of " my Lords " when the abuses of the Woods and Forests were exposed. It is a way we have in the public departments of Great Britain, of shielding all individuals from blame by throwing it upon that irresponsible commissioner " the system." Very great, however, is the responsibility of the system which has permitted these things to exist: infinitely more serious will be the responsibilities of those who permit them any longer to continue. g e ath Airtrsha has already a surplus revenue, and Western Australia costs us annually upwards of 7004 w ith no more prospect of it s ever barin g an ett ate revenue than on the d a y Mr. Pam. first set 'for it. Why ? Because when South Australia ,as handed over to the Colonial-office, a system of eslonitation was baud d over along with it, which the office could not in decency allow to drop ; while, with regard to Western Australia, the colonial autheritiea in Downing-street have acted upon their recogii•ld system of keeping a government on foot, sad leaving the growth of a colony . to chance. Some hints were thrown out while these and the other colonial votes passed last night were on the espie, about the expediency of relinquishing the patronage exercised by the home government in the colonies, and leaving the colonies to ageman their own Orin, as the beat means d p r omoting economy. These rennrks elicited some rather startling averrnents from Lord JOUN 11C$SELL and Mr. NIACGREGOR. Lord JOIIN de clared chat " many of the colonies could rot produce persons qualified to take some of the offices which n evus were sent out from this country to fill." We aemur to the justice of this imputation on colonial intellect. We believe that the British colonists of our day are in every respect quite equal to the colo sista of the era which r eceded the American revolu tion. Yet before that event the very highest offices in the colonies were habitually filled by native colo nists, and AD.iat SMITH has borne testimony to the great efficiency and economy which charac terised our colonial . governments in those &ye. But even admitting that "some" colo /dal offices should require a degree of talent which cart only be found in natives of the mo th e r country, this sirely is no reason for con tinuing to fill up with ministerial dependents all the colonial offices which at present are so filled. Surely there are some colonists competent to act as land surveyors, or customs collectors, or district magi strates, and yet, year after year, young Ecglishmen, for whom their friends and patrons can find no other way of providing, are tent out to hold such posts, to the entire exclusion of natives of the colonies. Mr. MACGREGOR said that since 1832 " great care had been exercised in the appointment of officers to the North American and West Indian colonies." This testimony is so cautiously worded that it cannot be easily impugned. We must, however, be allowed to remark--and we do so from a very intimate obser vation of the exercise of official patronage in the West Indies during the period referred to—that if great care was taken in the appointments for these colonies, the condemnat.on of the system of home patronage is complete ; for it would be difficult for the local legislatures to make such a large propor tion of inefficient, and sometimes positively discre ditable, appointments within the tame time even though they were to try. FANCY and romance have combined to paint a delicious picture of the varied beauties and delights of the New Forest. A greenwood ringing with horn and hound, a close, umbrageous shade of pendulous boughs, verdant swards, and sunlit glades, herds of red deer bounding from the fern into the deep recesses of the woods, shades in which the sylvan deities might dwell, and openings in the deep forest to which fairies might be supposed to throng— Ar el A one i.og ; In minus game and rere.r.e to past The summer night, as riltae atones tell. There is not a charm with which the royal chase is not invested by the imagination of poets and novelists. By " my Lords Commissioners," and by the passing traveller. the popular idea of the New Forest might, not unreasonably, have been deemed well founded. Nothing can be more charming in summer weather than the forest scenes which present themselves to the traveller upon the old mail coach forest road. Every thing along the roadside is u well ordered as a scene at Madame VESTRIS'S theatre. Not a single object can be discerned to raise a doubt as to the excellence of the forest management. Here a young plantation, well preserved—there a group of fine old oaks or birch : a-head of you a keeper in green livery, mounted on his forest pony, and looking about him with a practised eye; to the right a dozen or so of felled trees, legibly marked with the red arrow, and just prepared, of course, for carriage to the royal dockyard; to the left a pile of cuttings, lotted out for sale by auction to the highest bidder, at the great half-yearly timber sale ; not a gipsy nor an uncomfortable looking day-labours to be met with in five hours' ride ; not the slightest prospect of a squirrel leaping from one bough to another without its being known to every bow-bearer , ranger, verderer, steward , regarder, and forester, whom her MAJESTY keeps specially to report to herself, through " my lords," as to all that is done, doing, or attempted. "My lords," of course, had even superior reason for satisfaction and gratulation. Once a year, having signified his approach a month before, down there came, just when the forest was gayest and the venison fattest, the great permanent and responsible commis sioner from Whitehall-place, to see with his own eyes everything that was going on. At the entrance of one of the nine bailiwicks, or fifteen walk', " my lord" was met by steward and lieute nant, and all the forest officers, and conducted in state procession to the Queen's house, or the more refined privacy of the new park. The pasty being washed down with a cup of claret, and "my lord" being proportionately refreshed and jolly, he was considered in sufficient condition to receive the official report of the " Purveyor for the Navy" and the " Sarveyor-Oeneral of the Woods," to both of whom he, of course, expressed his high satisfaction and the pleurae he had in assuring them of the undiminished confidence of their sovereign conveyed through her commissioner. "My lord " being then trotted out was taken down the roads and through the show places of the forest, was s hown the great osk and the last new plantation (of which he was pretty sure to ask something, as a bill for a few thousands on I account of " finery, &c." had very recently received the official signature of his department) and after having gone sufficiently far to acquire an appetite, was brought home again to partake of the turtle brought from London, the ham ch expressly pre pared for the occasion, and the other good cheer made ready for the purpose, and understood to be adapted to the palate of "my lord." The age we live in is, however, a decidedly commer cial, practical, businesslike, and money, making age. It in also a somewhat prying and vexatiously invest igating age ; and such being its character, it is scarcely wonderful, though, upon the whole, it mast be decidedly annoying to " my lords," to have the fact discovered for them, that there is such a thing as " a-behind-the-scenes," even to the fairy visions of the New Forest. Some two or three years ago it heppened that a body of gentlemen took it into their heads that they should like to have a railway from Southampton to Dorchester. Now, as every one knows, to construct such a railway you must cut right through the New Forest. The gentlemen in question accordingly ap plied to "my lords." "My lords" took time to con - eider. They asked the warden, deputy-warden, lieu - tenants, bowbearers, verderers, and all the other officers for their opinions. Their opinions were de cidedly and unanimously unfavourable. "Oh ! it would never do • the forest would be ruined ; the old timber 'wasted • the young plantations cut through ; the timid deer alarmed ; the rights of the commoners prejudiced; the crown pro- Petty irreparably impaired." "My Lords," ac cepting these reports, set their faces against the railroad. " The Woods and Forests were re solved." But these railway people were, u most of their class are, a somewhat dogged, obstinate, and de termined body of people. They had " resolved" also. They were not to be treated that way. To the asto nishment of "my lords," they were not to be pat off hj a short letter on a large sheet of paper. They had the audacity to reply thereto, and they sealed with as such wax and used u big and as official-looking a as any in Whitehall-place !" My lords" had ' nuer met with such a thing in their flve-and-ibrty years' experience ' • and even the *dor clerk, as he Pared the nail of his bedew with as cdleial FRANCE. PARIS, Mostar, It A.M. M. Andrian, 'vice-president of the Assembly at Frankfort, has passed through Paris, en route for London, on a special mission from the Lieutenant- General of the German empire to that court. M. Frederick de Reaumur, the eminent historian, has arrived in Paris, charged with a mission from the Lieutenant-General of the German empire to General Cavaignac, offering, as is understood, on the part of the lieutenant-general, to join in the friendly negotia tions for the settlement of Northern Italy. M. Sylvan, advocate at Florence, has just arrived at Paris, on an extraordinary mission from the government of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. M. Syl van, on leaving Paris, is to proceed to London. M. Royer, one of the editors of the Lampivn, was arrested yesterday. M. de Villemassant, another editor, could not be found, and the director, M. Magna, was arrested, but afterwards released. COLONIAL. WESTERN AUSTRALIA.—Pann, MAT 29. We are still kept on the tip-toe of expectation for the advent of the new governor, Capt. Fitzgerald, from whom, rs with all new governors, much is expected. The colony has been of late very quiet ; indeed provokiegly so. Some few mat ters of interest have transpired, which have kept us (rem fall ing into ennui. As the period of Lieut.-Col. Irwin's acting governorship is nearly at its termination our townsfolk re 1101V841 to present him with an address on his retirement, which wee signed by about 150 persons. It has been pro weed in council to grant a pension of 1001. per annum to the widow of the late colonial secretary. On the 30th of Marsh Mr. Nash in the legislative council, proposed that the sum of 1,0001 should be offered by the colony for the encouragement of steam communication via the Cape of Good Hope. Mr. Leake, looking at the slender means of the colony, thought that more than 6001. oughtnot to be voted, or, in lieu thereof, to offer any company that should convee steam to their doors a ease of the Western Australian coal mines free for a term of years. The AdvecateHeneral re. marked, that as the colony was already 5,0001. in debt, the home government would naturally turn round, and say before being liberal pay your own debts first. Mr. Leaks, in reply, stated that South Australia was 80,0001. in debt, and had yet voted 3,0001. a year for stems, communication. The subject here dropped, and we suppose will remain quiet until our colonial finances aced prospects improve. LABUAN.—Our latest advice§ from this new colony are down to June 29 per Auckland steamer, arrived at Singapore. On June 9 tee Phlegethon steamer left Singapore for Labuan, to relieve the Auckland of the duties of guardship, and reached Labuan on the 18th, haying called sp... Sarawak on her way. During the Auckland's stay at Victoria Bay disease broke out, t hey orneo fever attack ing most of the officers and :several o crew. So long as they slept on board the vessel all was right, but the impru dent step was taken to paint the steamer, and many of the officen took the more imprudent step of sleeping on shore, and thus caught the fever. Dr. Jackson, the surgeon of the Auckland, ell a victim to the insidious disease. Until the island is cleared and drained, much fatality must ensue. The Phlegethon conveyed to Labuan Mr. Surveyor-General Scott and Master-Attendant lioaken, with their establish ments. Mr. Dutrouquoy. of the London Hotel, Singapore, also reached Labuan in the PhlegstLon, and was to erect and establ i sh a MAI bows or csub. The day fixed for throwing open the coke, Angssfl, notice of which was published in the Singapore thrusts Timm aid Free Prat, and is here given: Nourscalson.—lt Is agrees intim that law liedosh's army ef Lhasa will be aimed es enders smd saw lemnifrowds hem tai after the.lsl day ethogeM zest, mil that all gamer Mktg sal weal ( awr""!Oloosatar soatiot tonsils lOW the wad Wow t hog steal doh reislos the ) releilsa if the laws le toolo. Woof WI llMMllleftlhe UMW Kingdomt et ONS 4 aslmpas anot be er elheat hold. Lbws tie be free pm; whams omy gsges is = op WOW or sers=ws ea oe= the seollMt with the el the sWel mg the =lf Masa will be mob dor the depsol of bads by pistils empollthe whits the limits medgmel h emit r the mom end ebmothsre sod, paid. hog the iate wasst midder su s Ohs mom; or, le lioalliii.eks= IN 011011.1 111 O.IIIOMIL 1111.111 SCOW 61111.1.1101 1 I% 1111Wrarf TO -01111101/01 OMNI but ash mil own& mrwYewWt a flok en mar so tobeterer et Mb So sas lon1"7"018111.911; sod all ohms is bed wlthla the MK edegy, Midge freeklisseposy, prier to the hum gilds sells% gurishor allorewles lownormer. Inn be held se 4 =y__ , lN ! BIM Ida, save ash thlss velar greats Om the Gomm" ef ffnedlose• eimigm.r.:Zgessimmolet ef Imbeetn--Imbass KevernmentOtboo, hime.ll4l. THE WAR IN THE INDIAN ARCHIPELAGO. The following communications from our Singapore correspondent contain the details of the defeat experienced by the Dutch troops in Bali, and of their indecisive action with tbi Boeloo pirates, to which we briefly adverted yes terday : BALLY.—Dsrusg ON TEN DUTCII.--011 MITI" Of the India and China mail of Jane last we were enabled to give particulars of the preparations made by the Dutch fOT the rabjugation of Bally, and then noticed that operations would not oontineno• until inteuigence reached Beasoe•Koe, the Dutch rendezvous, of the state of sake in Holland. It wits THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 22, 1848. also stated In the Daily Nem that such active preparations had been made ley the Balinese as to embolden - them to anticipate success. The result has terminated in a most signal defeat, attended with great loss. The Rajah of Loa bock, to whom the who:. of this variable territory at one time belonged, had agreed to co operate with the Dutch, and left Lombock for that purpose on the evening of June 3rd, accompanied by a large force, consisting of a square rtgeea barque and a large number of war embus. The Dutch. confident of success, did not wait the arrival of their ally, but having received final instructions from Batavia, the expedition mailed from Beane-Hoe, in the Straits of Bally, for Bally Bailing. In addition to the blockading (ores which for two months had remained at Bsl!y, the expedi Lion consisted of war steamers liekla, having on board his excellency Mejor-Gen. Jhr..l. C. Van der Wijck, commander in chief of the lend and naval forces, blenpie, Etas, Vesuvius, brig &puma, schooner Zeemieuw. maniports Amboina, with troops, A. R. Fslck, Anna Morgareths, Pictor Floritz, Staataread Batik Van Galen, Hector, Maxi =alias Theudoor and 200 coolies, Nassau and 300 coolie', Futul Buie. Anna en Elise, and Minerva. The expedition left Beazoc.Koelbetween May 28 and June 3, accompanied by gun boats and ether smell craft. The force comprised about 2,700 infantry, 300 cavalry, and the like number of artillery men—a force deemed more than sufficient, not only to take but to retain permanent possession of Bally. The result turned out otherwise ; the Dutch were forced to retreat after a loss of 238 killed and wounded, including 14 officers and 114 European troops. The navel authorities were of opinion that much larger force was necessary ; the military were of a contrary opinion. The distance of Djaga Raga from the seashore was four miles, so that the naval forces were only enabled to cover the landing end re-embarkation of the troops. During the absence of the major general en shore the naval (ores was under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Staercke. The landing was effected with little difficulty. It was at Djaga Raga where the issue of the contest depended. So deter mined was the attack, that during the space of two-end-a half hours, the time taken up in the battle, the Dutch ex pended the whole of their ammunition, consisting of 300 grenades 80,000 rounds of ball-cartridge. The Balinese are ri makable fur their skill in the use of the rifle, but few of their number were thus armed, or the destruction would have been greater. Toe fire from the batteries was ill di rected, or it is probable that not &single Dutch subject would have inesped to tell the tale. It is confidently stated, that diecour-ged by the fai.ure of the expedition, the war of subjugation will be abandoned until another and more favourable opportunity offers for a trial of arms against so powerful an enemy. The following particular', translated from the Javoache Courant of June 17, a government paper published at Batavia, supply many interesting particulars, and may be consider. d as denti.othcial. By his Majesty's steamer Etna, which reached Batavia on the 13th inst., there • d Capt. EC. C Steinmetz of the Genie, and the captain-adjutant of his excellency the Governor-General, T. Van Capetian, both officers belonging to the Bali expedition, and bearers of deipatches concerning the affairs which have transrired at Dina Raga, on the island of Bali, of which the following is a correct narrative. (The above named officers It ft on the afternoon of the 14th inst. with the steamer Onruat, to return to the place of their destination.) The intelligence received is not favourable. It would ap pear that in the afternoon of June 7 such activity was ob served on the part of the enemy that it was deemed neces sary to take possession of a eampong situated on the strand, which would afford sufficient protection on our landing. The campong was occupied on the evening of that day with out any resistance being offered, with the exception of an attack made by the enemy at about half-peet seven o'clock, when they were so well received by the alvance-guard, con silting of the 4th company of the 13th battalion, that they retreated with wounds. On the morning of the Bth the 2nd column (Major Sorg) stood in position in front of Boenkoelan, which was occupied by thousands of the enemy, of which, however, only few were armed with muskets, almost all basing very long lances. The landing of the three remaining columns and of other troops was effected under the protection of the second column. The first co lumn, under Lient-Col. Sutherland, reached the shore at about six o'clock, and took up a position on the left of the second column. This was followed shortly after by the 3rd column, under Lieut.-Col. Le Bron de Vexels, and lastly by the fourth column, under Major de Vos. These prepare,- fiats occupied Much time, which was probably construed into fear by the 'alloy; for they thereupon grew bold and defied our few skirmishers in front by various cries end terms of abuse, creeping under shelter of the undulating ground to a very short distance. At length, when all the ineintry was landed, the commander-in-chief determined to attack the Campong Benkoelan at once, without waiting for the artillery, the manmuvring of which in the heavy paddy fields would have been found difficult. For this purpose the second division, as intended, stood fast and occupied Timor Sangseat so as to prevent any attempt to turn out position. The 4th column received orders to form sections in column, with its two flank companies on the wings of its deployed centre company, in which movement one half deployed sad the otner kept in close order to protect the left wing of the line, which could easily be threatened on aocouet of the great extent and half-moon form of the Campong Benkoelan, which, so to speak, nearly enveloped our position, and therefore the nearer we approached the dew the *re we should be overilanked. His Ida;esty's steamers Etna and Merapie threw grenades along our right wing, and thus completely protected us. The Ist sad nos were now formed in platoon columns, with one company in front spread out as skirmishers, and attacked the Campong, which movement was crowned with great success. At half past tea o'clock the enemy was driven out, leaving a great number of dead in aid in front of the Cam ping. Our loss was estimated at 1 officer, 2 European and 5 native soldiers killed, and the like number of wounded. Favoured by the conste -nation which must have ensued, the ornmander-in-chief wished to proceed the same day to ' Djaga Riga, to threaten that strong *rums and to attack it. The weal• as of the troops and the necessity of maintaining a communication with the beach, from whence many things must be brought, prevented this. The Campong Beaker• fan was occupied as quarters for the night, during 'he whole of which we were annoyed by ravaging parties of the enemy. At six o'clock in the morning of June 9 the troops ad vanced towards the fortified position of the Mega Raga, to a distance from whence it could be bombarded, leaving the second column to keep the communication open with the fleet, with two companies at Benkoelan and at TIMM Sangseat. The first column in front then followed *a thitd, and atter this the fourth column. At the diseases of one peal from Diggs Raga there is a holgaeli, which runs two or three peals and is then Jolt again. Here they were oblieed to fall out of flank, and march in Indian defile. The 'ninny likewise (taking the difficulty of the ground into considers don) got through very well. In the centre of a dry paddy field, where the paddy bad been already cut, there were twie large redoubts, with very high beat:-works (about 12 fest), surrounded by deep ditches of about 30 feet broad, with bam boo hedges and chevaux-de-frize. The fleet redoubt kid several cannons mounted, so as to flank the other redoubt In the most perfect manner, with cannon and loop-holes on the front face. Both redoubts were united by a straight ditch from 20 to 30 feet deep, in such a way that it was impossible to peas between them. The second redoubt was protected by four or five others, which perfectly flanked each other, the innermostone inclining towards anunapproachable ravine by which it was supported. The space lying between these redoubts was protected by rows of bamboo.work, which notwithstanding their temporary character, were very difficult to clear away; being supple, they did not yield to the knife or the sword, from the blows of which they sunk, but rose again. At the distance of from 400 to 600 yards, the commandevin-chief had eight mor tars placed, from which a constant discharge was kept up on the two redoubts. It was at this moment the enemy opened their fire. In order to support the artillery, which was very much exposed, rockets were thrbwn out, and with such suc cess that the artillery under command of Capt. Keller. man, approached the second redoubt to within 60 or 100 paces, with admirable courage, and planted there a battery of four three.ponaders, two 114-inch howitzers, and eight hand mortars, which latter were spuially placed under the direction of Capt. Vout.-Coln Maanen. The third column, commanded by Lieonel Le Bron de Vexela, received orders to try and turn the enemy's right wing, but he met with nneonquer. able difficulties up to the edge of the ravine, which covered the enemy's right ming with a chain of strong works, that rendered the approach most difficalt. The 4th column was held in reserve. The fire was maintained, and one of the most obstinate battles fought by a force considerably less in number, end exposed to the enemy's fire from loop-holes to which there was little acmes to stuck the enemy's petition ; the opposing force consisted of three times our strength, protected by high breastworks. The . tiring_ was kept up for b a b ou t halt-an - hour, when First ent. Van Smitten, fol lowed by about 20 native soldiers, was seen scaling the breastwork of redoubt No. I. Before this the enemy had abandoned redoubt No. 2 also; but all the latter could only be approached by the gate, and the way was barred by the ditch between the two redoubts, it was anapproschable, and could not be got possession of quick enough, the coosequence of which was that ene-half of the retreating enemy from the redoubt No. I threw themselves immediately into there- doubt No. 2, and noommenced their fire with renewed ' force. The other half of the garrison of redoubt No. 1 threw th( =elves into a very deep ravine, turned our right wing completely, and attacked us most furiously in the rear; they drove in a platoon of infantry which had beenntion placeded solely for the purpose of observing the abovem• movement, and rushed in on three platoons of infantry which Major de Vos had posted to prevent being turned in the manner which had taken place. A good stand and a well-directed fire, by which the front ranks of the enemy fell, forced them to retreat from an attack which, if followed up, might have been most s/trona We lost several men by the enemy's lances. In the meantime Captain Dieters company, sup ported by Lieutenant-Colonel Le Bron de Veoela, with a company of Europeans, had taken the firtifications . in tke re ar. Twice this company was driven back ; three tunes it renewed the attack ; but fresh enemy:Es **toady de fended it; and as it Ins open it was ins ble to get a last possession of it. Lieut.-Colonel Bath , sediftd by the engineer, Captain Seine's, and TIM Lieut. Designian, who, with much bravery, threw a bridge seer the uniting ditch, and made an attempt to take redoubt No. 2; but this courageous attempt was fruitless. Captain Boon, with the African company of the 3rd column, who had made an en trance in the front and right face of the redoubt, could not get rid of the hindrances which stood in the way of soiling. It was about three o'clock when all our ammunition was exhausted. Nct a single grenade was left ; the infantry had not a cartridge remaining ; two wheels of the howitzer be longing to Lieut. Netee'der had boon shot away; a car riage- of one of the guns was destroyed. The general cadned the empty ammunition chests to be sent for a fresh supply, under *e protection of Captain Couple*, with his human, and ordered the redoubt No. Ito be strongly invested ; the hoops were desired to rat, mid to renew *0 attack at a kW period. The ttoops were literally worn out. On this height there was no water, or mesas of obtaining any. The coolies wen all away, conveying the wounded to the hospital ship , as is always the case, accompanied by some of the troops. The great force of the enemy then marched to lateroept the coolies. The latter had thrown all their provisions away. This made it imperative to retire to the strand, where the troops might repose and refresh themselves, to to-organise the co. lawns, and the more so as the boldness of the enemy was so great that they made a sally upon our troops. A retreat wu now cemmanded ; a very difffeult operation under existing circumwances without being attacked, having to pus a defile where only one man could much behind the other. The artillery having passed the defile, the remainder of the troops followed. Lieut. Vat Swieten, who still kept possession of the redoubt No. 1, found means of retiring and joining the re't of the trolis, fortunately without loss, although comp'etely hemmed In. The retreat from place to place was so well conducted that we reached the beach with out being attacked, where the last of the troops arrived at about helf-put 2 p.m., where they took up a position so as to prevent a surprise during the night while all bivouacked. The list of killed and wounded during the Bth and 9th of June comprised 14 officers, 104 European, 25 African and 113 native soldiers. It is unfortunate that we have to mourn over the loss of so man! brave men; their memory will ever be held in honour, and many a tear of sorrow will be shed for them. This loss will not be compensated by the great number which the enemy are maid to have lost. The above statement shows that our troop!, af'er a most daring attack which does them the greatest honour, having overcome a contiderable force, were obliged to retire from their conquest for want of ammunition and wave, end ehrcted a most dangerous retreat in the best order. In con sequence of circumstances of state of a most important end genet al suture this expedition was hurried and shortened as much as pis 'ibis. DUTCH EXPEDITION AGAINST THE 800L00 PIRATES. Notwithstanding the very severe lesson the Sooloo or Balangigni pirates received from the Spaniards in Fe bruary last, it would appear they bad, in a great mea sure, recovered from the shock and returned to their old pi actices with new vigour. The Dutch from Ba tavia have lately made a wait to the Sooloo Archipelago, with the view of suppressing piracy, either by inducing the Sultan to diecountenanee the peanuce, or, in the event of his refusal, to punish him. The Dutch force way too weak to effect much good, and risked • defeat. The following, translated from the Jarcychs Couran I, 28. h June, furnishes an account of the Dutch expedition : It was last year determined by the Netherlands-India revernment to make representations to the Sultan of the Soule° Archipelago against the continued piracies committed by has subjects against the Dutch pro vinces, and to demand front him the delivery of the Netherlands subjects who had been kidnapped, amongst whom was the brother of the Sultan of Batjar, in the Moluccas, and to make the Sultan of Sooloo answerable for the depredations committed by his subjects, particularly on the coasts of Bence and Borneo. Capt. Lieut. Van Bream Honckquest, commanding H.M. brig Koerier, was charged with the conveyance of the letter concerning this matter, assisted by the pensioned official, Van den Dungen Urono vials. The Koerier sailed to Macassar, from whence she was to be accompanied by H.M. brigantine Bank, but this vessel hang absent on • cruise the embassy was undertaken in company with H.M. brig De Heal, under command of Capt.- Lieut. Stavenise de Brasuw. After touching in the Roads of Kerns, both vessels reached Sooloo on the 18th April, and anchored in front of the town On the same day Mr. Vanden Dungen Gronovius landed to inform the Sultan be would band him a letter from the Governor General of Netherlands India, and requested that, according to custom, it might be sent for. He was receive d by the S,tltan, Mahomed Faidlal Alluthier, and 112M0 Datoos in a friendly manner ; and it was agreed that the letter should be sent for on the following day, under • mutual 'elute of 21 guns. On the afternoon of the 19th five mes sengers from the Sultan aroceeded on board of the Koerier to get the letter; half an hour afterwards they returned, accompanied by 11. r.: Van den Dungen Gronovius, under a salute of 21 run, &flu having in vain endeavoured to per suade Captain Van Bream Honckquest to go on shore with them. On reception of the letter another salute of 21 guns was fired; after the lapse of half an hour, Mr. Van glen Dungen Oronovius returned, and stated that he was received in an assembly of the most gorgeously-attired chiefs; but this meeting was not so amicable as that of the previous day. Several Datooe wi-hed Mr. Drowning to remain while the letter was being read; thrice he took leave of the Sultan, but still the Datoos insisted on his being seated; however, the Sultan at last allowed him to depart, and he again re turned to the vessel. On the 20th three Orang Kya came in the name of the Sultan to any that they had searched everywhere for the brother of the Sultan of Hatpin without finding him, and that they were ordered to proceed to the islands to make • further search, but for that purpose • longer time would be necessary than the three days mentioned in the letter as the limit. They were answered by an uouranoe that the in structions received admitted of no longer delay. Towards sunset • flag was hoisted in the Sultan's fort, under a salute of eight guns, and shortly afterwards two Arabs, scum- panied by some followers, brought a letter containing the si Sultan's reply. These Arabs remained on board while t h e letter was read. The letter contained an seknowl of the truthfulness of Balangigni having done muc h to the Netherlands subjects ; that the Sultan's ad had no effect, being ~is dad by the inhabitant,. and thee on that account he (the Sultan) had . agreed te punk the Spaniards to make war on Balangigni ; that the Spaniards had successfully conquered them—one part of its popu lation were killed, and the other half had either fled or been carried away together with the women and chil dren ; that such of the 13.1langigni as returned in three days prayed for pardon, and had been repeatedly forgiven, after having sworn to forego piracy, and that the Sultan would make war upon them as soon as ever they broke their oath. The Sultan also acknowledged the reasonableness of the demand for the delivery of Netherlands subjects, stolen by the people of Balangigni, and promised that every one should return to his country, but that it was a difficult matter, as black rulers had less command over their subjects then Europeans. And further, that he had now for the first time heara the news of the capture of the brother of the Sultan of Batjan, and that they would hasten to examine if he was still in Balangigni •' that it was possible he was dead, or carried away by the Spaniards, and that search should. be made for him and his followers, and if found they should be sent back. Captain Van Brunt Honckquest remarked to the musengers that several points had been left unanswered, and sent these back with the message that not only the brother of the , Sultan of Batjan was not delivered up, but that not one of the number of Netherlands captives now on the Sooloo Wands were forthcoming, from which he should conclude that the Sultan was inimical to the Netherlands government. Capt. Van Bream Honckquest also demanded to know why they . were then occupied with a number of men erecting and arming batteries, and declared to the Sultan that he would allow the full stipulated time of three days for the Sultan to reply Wall the demands contained in the letter. At about 12 o'clock oa the `22nd the Sultan sent some fol lowers on board, who pretended they were tome to watch any evil-dispond persons; they were rent back with the remark that those on ban would keep watch themselves, sr treat as enemies such as were bold enough to undertake anything against them. In an hone afterwards the Sultan sent confectionery, fruit, &a. on board, part of which was kept and pert returned ; upon which one of the Arabs, to wards evening, came testifying the Sultan's sorrow at their having sent back the presests and offering some goats whisk were not accepted, as a satisfactory answer was not given or the delay accounted for. On the evening of the 22 nd the I stipulated term of three nays expired. tape r Van Brunt Honckquest did not, however, open his fire until 8 o'clock mei the 23rd. At 10 o'clock the usual flag was hoisted at the fort'' although our firing from both ships was kept up for fully 20 minutes, it was answered on their side slowly but with effect from invisible port-holes or openings. After continuing for an hour to discharge our guns on the enemy, without per ceiving the slightest indication of a conflagration, boats were sent on shore, which set tire to houses and vessels in fear different places, so that the flames were soon seen rising. About half-past twelve o'clock the enemy's fire slackened considerably, and it was determined to get turther out from the batteries. At half-put three o'clock the anchors were weighed, and both vessels went further out, still firing and receiving the enemy's fire, and answering it whenever the position of the vessels permitted. The firing was kept up until sunset, when it anted on both sides, and last on ours. In the meantime the conflagration r.n shore continued and the flames increased, until the appearance was weakened ay the lig fire was ht of the discovered beh risin moon. h in d I the n the afternoon great batteries according to accounts given by the fugitives, it was in the dwelling of Captain Lent, from whose bat tery_ no more guns were fired afterwards. Oa board of H.M. brig de Haat, one boatman named A. De Jong, sad the mandoor of the native sailors, were killed, and sena European sailors were wounded slightly. Oa board of the Koerier there were none either killed or wounded ; the latter vessel, however, received seven shots in her hull, sad part of her rigging was damaged ; the Hsi had her prinsipal rigging cut away by the enemy's shot, and received three balls in her hull (12 and 18 pounders). During the engagement twen.y-six person thud mans to escape from the shore, and were taken en board the vessels; they were from different islands of the Indian Archipelago, and almost all taken by Balangigni pinta. Of the fugitive' eight Manilla men were given over to the resi dent at Menado, to be sent to the Spanish possusions: six from the Moluccas remained also /length; of the remaining 12, all Chinese from Sambas, Pontianak, and Banes, eight re quest to be allowed to remain at Macassar, which was granted, to that only four men were brought on to Batea:a, from whence they will be sent to their homes. From this expedition greater effect mould net hesepeeted. The minion was executed with care and orange worthy of the name of Netherland, and it shove, on the part 0 the. Netherlands government, that piney will not be permitted to go unpu • ed ; that no composition for = tax will cause them to be spook awl that the N Torment deems it me es Its first duties to protect C safety of the sea whom/ ins leg is seen. No amount is given or asides oak of or mianteomm Mr. Windham, or of his aroma Yekdrib, °Mt. Welk. Mr. Windham his resided at Mae flts mon than twenty years, and his loam soar the Oars, romit.have boon di smayed bi the andlogration. ham tie dionsoince of no motion being mei of the miaow Veisidgele, kalde that well was away wadies at lam pies ef the ArCill pale. It wadi most that kw, if any. a( Os Sodom sell daring the engsgmoot • drawls( thoonlika soil bamboo dwellings will net sit astraskallY, an time Na 1128. b e re plead. The Dalub, hem was manifestly toe wok. sad will incite the p =ea= the amok by again re-visiting the un of the Dutch provinces. The Dutch edam to Sooloo entirely failed in Its object Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial dam from the Governor of Omsk, and also frees the goeernors of the osha North amebas colonise.. fbt (Scutt. OSBORNE, MONDAY. —The Prince of Holieslobe Lanimbourg and Prime Victor Holssnlobe took leave of her Majesty and left Osborne this morning. His Serene Mgbnese returns immediately to Germany. The Princess of Hobertlobe Langenbourg and the Priapism Bliss. Ade laide, and Feodors, remain at Osborne. Captain Huish, of the London and North Western Railway Company, had an interview with the C011:1111i•- stoners of Railway., yesterday, at their office in the Board of Trade. M. de Beaumont, the French Minister, Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston, and the Earl of Mints, dined with Lord and Lady John Russell, on Saturday, at their residence, Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park. THE EXPLOSION IN ALBANY-STREET. The adjourned inquest was held yesterday before Mr. Wakley, at the London University College Hospital, and afterwards at the Orange Tree, New-road, respecting the death of Mary Bentley, nursemaid to Mr. Loten, late of 60, Albany-street, Regent s-park, who tut her life by the explo aion which occurred on the 7th inst. The Coroner having been informed that Captain Leten was not able to lease his rosin, proceeded, accompanied by the jury, to the ward in which that gentleman was lying, and took his depositions. He said he had been visit. ing his brother at No. 60, Albany-street. On the 7th inst., at five minutes before 10 o'clock at night, he went down stairs with Miss Burgh into the back-parlour. He smelt gas very strongly, when MU Burgh said, • Had we not better go and see where the gas escapes? " Witness took up a candle, and opened the shop door when the 'aphis oceurred,andhe knew nothing more until he found himsei. .n the ruins at the back of the hems. He was then covered with dust and blood so that he could hardly see. Having groped about he laid hold of Miss Burgh, and succeeded in getting her into the Windsor Castle public-house. She and witness were after wards conveyed to that hospital, where they had remained ever since.—By the Coroner : For three weeks previously he had experienced a strong smell of gas in the building, but could never find tut where it came from. The explosion took place before the door was opened a foot. It. curled the candle rather higher than his head. Ile was quite sure there was no gunpowder or gun cotton in the place.—ln an swer to a question from a juror witness said that whilst the boy was shutting up the shop, in drawing one of the shut ters out of the box he accidentally struck the meter and turned off the gas. Miss Jane Burgh, sister in law to Mr. Loten, deposed to the main facts in the previous evidence, and added, that she had lived in her brothee in-law's house about 12 months, during which time she had been greatly annoyed by the gas escaping. Her sister had written to the gas company, and the inspector came and examined the meter. He said that thus) was too much wate tin the pipes. lie examined the pipes before last Christmas. Mr. Howell, living in the same street, came repeatedly t examine the meter. He at last said that he could not attend to it any longer, unless he re ceived en order from the gas company. There were two burners in the window, one in the shop and another to light toe stairs.—Croas-examined : Wanes ' as she came down stairs, smelt gas stronger than usual . usual . Captain Loten asked her to go with him into the shop and see that all was safe. He took • candle in his hand, and was opening the door when the explosion took place. Witness could not recollect whether there was any flash or report. tihe believed she was found on the balcony at the back of the house. Captain Lotto got her out. She was very much burned. Witness eentrally turned off the gas. She did so on the night of the explosion. The meter was kept in the shutter-box, under the stall board of the 'hop front. On tt.e daht of the explosion the gas was turned off nine o'clock. The meter was not injured. A Ater said that meters were formerly made of iron, but now for cheapness they were made of tin, and it would be tamest se safe if the gas could be wrapped up in a sheet of brown paper instead of the cheap machines. The Coroner said it would be desirable to see a meter fixed like the one at Mr. Loten's. Dr. Arnett, of 38, Bedford-square, said that explosions had engaged much if his attention. He maintained that coal gas, if sufficient quantities could be got, would produce almost any effect. One measure of ordinary coal gas and 10 d atmospheric air would give the greatest explosive power. 1 1% his opinion the gas had been escaping for some time, and bad filled the apertures in the wells and under the flooring. If an opening was made in the chimneys, it would be almost impossible for an explosion to take place. GAS ascends to *be top of • room, and there remains usually at the top of the air as oil does upon water, as it become. mixed with I atmospheric air the more explosive it becomes, and the pro bability* in this instance, had Capt. Lotto held the candle lower there would have been no explosion. The surest remedy is to have a ventilator at the top of each room in the chimney. Gas ascends about much mote freely than or dinary smoke, and the draft in the chimney would be sure to carry it of, inasmuch as • chimney is always an air- pump. Mr. Loten said be had occupied the house since Midsum mer, 1847. The gas was laid on when he went there. The meter and pipes were in the same condition as when he went there, up to the time of the explosion. About three weeks before the explosion, the gas escaped very much and smelt strong. There was nothing unusual in the construction of the shop, except that leather had been placed round the doors. On Monday or Tuesday before the explosion he smelt gas and took • lighted match, but found no escape. Oa the Sunday before the explosion, witness and his wife went to Thames Ditton, and were not at home when the explosion took place. The Coroner said the results of that expiation were most extraordinary. He thought the parties who had had their houses damaged would be more than re-imbursed, if they were to make an exhibition of their places. Other witnesses having given corroborative evidence, polies constable Francis, 146 S, who was on duty in the Col losseum on the night in question, said that on hearing the report he went and found the whole of the gas lights in the street extinguished. lie found the deceased lying on the pavement opposite the third house from Mr. Loten's pro mises. Her head was knocked to pieces. The coroner said it would be most desirable for the jury to see a meter fitted up similarly to that at Me. Loten's, and he adjourned the inquiry till Wednesday evening next to allow the officer time to inquire in the neighbourhood whether any meters were so fitted up there TUTOR FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES.—It is ru moured is well-informed quarters that the choice of a tutor, during the early period of the Prince of Wales's education, has fallen upon one of the sosistant-masters of Eton College, from whose success in engaging the attachment of his pupils, as well as the cenfldence of their parents, the best results na y be anticipated in the more prominent sphere to which it k proposed to transfer hint. THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION concluded its proceed ings at Swansea on Saturday. The report of the treasurer showed the number of tickets issued at the recent meeting' to be—old life insaiben, 149 ; new life members, 3; new annual subscribers, 23 ; old annual subscribers, 61 ; asso- Mates, 388 ; ladies, 20.5 ; foreigners, 16 ; reporters of the metropolitan journals, &c., 13 ; making a totalof 847: while the number at the sessions of preceding meetings are as fol lows, viz. :-1844, at York, 940 ; at Cambridge, 1,090 ; at Southampton, 860; at Oxford, 1,260; at Plymouth, in 1841, 650; and at Cork, 370. It was then publicly announced that the next meeting would be held in September, 1949, at 1 Birmingham, to which plats Lord Northampton invited their attendance. THE SALE AT STORE,—The sixth day's sale took iplace yesterday, and included the mli'ction of sculpture and the busts from the Temple of Friendship, erected by Lord Cobham. Atnoag the noticeable lots were the following : 697. The Marine Venus arranging her hair, a beautiful an tique statue, about 4ft. 6in. high, found in excavating the baths of Agrippa at Rome, and brought to England by the present Duke of Buckingham when Marquis of Chandos. This statue has since its arrival at Stowe been placed in an alcove in the music room. The slight injuries it had suf fered have been very carefully repaired, and it is now per haps one of the most complete and beautiful antiques in existence. The competition it excited was most spirited ; 167 guineas was given by Mr. Gruner, a Gentles ecsaciimear. It was reported that the purchase wasmade for Prises Albert. 732. The Mercury of G. di Bologna, a copy, the size of the original, on a marble half column-1121. 733. The cele brated Laocoon, a bronze by Carbonnesux, the sip of the antique marble. It was disposed dm Foothill for MI, and subsequently slid for, we believe, the same amount to the Duke of Buckingham--540 guineas. 741. liygeia, a fine antique statne,• the head and hands restored, 5 test fl inches high-61 guineas, to Lord Nugent. 761. A bast of Prior, the post, by Roubiliac, one of, the finest efforts of the muter, 180 guineas. TI • day's catalogue concluded with two marble groups by 6eheemaken, formerly at Canons, the seat of the Sent Duke of Chandos, in Herat Makin, repre senting respeotively Venus and Adonis, and Vertumnus and Pomona—the first 85 guineas, and the other 82 guineas. The day's sale realised nearly 3,0004 A Howls RAS DESTROYED yesterday in Queen's place, Great Queen-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields. A tall stack of chimneys was blown down, and falling upon the roof carried it away, sad famed down every floor, demolish ing the whole of the taimitare, and nearly killing a child, the only person in the beam state time. TIMBER SALES IN THE NEW FOREST. The following is the evidence given on this head by Mr. Osage Fletcher, of Millbroik, Southampton, to . Lord Duncan's committee : What is your occupation I ars *ti mber-merchant and valuer —How long have you resided in the vicinity of the New Forest? For 24 years I have resided in the neigh bourhood of the forest; bat I have known the forest well for the lest 16 year..—Have you been in the habit of valuing timber for timber sales ? I have been in the habit or m • timber trees in the fore*, with my father, who hes pure had timber in the forest.- -Row long have you been acquainted with the deputy surveyor, Mr. Reed, and his eons? For between seven end eight yearn.—What is the nature of your acquaintance with them ? I have been to look over ember, and I have applied to them for • catalogue of the sales of the timber, and of the contents of the timber, in order that I might compare it with my measurement after I had been aver the timber.—Did you ever hear that Mr. Reed, the deputy surveyor, surveys on ether estates besides the estates of the mown ? Yes, liesurveysfor Sir Beery Panted, and other gentlemen in the neigh - hood What does he eereey ? Tienber.—Do you know aay thing with regard to the sales of the timber, or the pasties who buy it ? It waa always sold * Mr. JIIMIG4 it, previously to Mr. Reed's massatiat. to be sold by pub lic auction? It mad.—Do you Mr. Junes Reed ? Yee, very assn.—Re is a eon of Mr. William Reed Yes. — Is he employed by hie father la OM foreat ? Yes, at 601. a year; I have heard that be wee offered • eitsiestion o[' 2001. a year, which he refused. Did _you ever hear any farther particulars about Yr. James Reed i I heard that he was very much in debt in the village where he resided, land the timber-merchants that he used to favour by allowing them to have the timber by private conned. paid his deb's.—What timber merchants are those ? Mr. Sign, Mr. Light, and Mr. Pudney.—Do you perrooally know what you hers stated,or is it merely hearsay evidence ? I know it t• be the ease; they let him have =oar, , o pay his debts.—Do you know what the duty of the regarden to the New Forest is ? The duty of the retarders is to go roand with Mr. William Reed. the elder, to see that the timber is measured before it is advertised for sale.—Can yon state the particulars about Mr. George Barnes' election as I regarder ? Mr. Barnes was an apprentin to a saddler and harness maker in Lyndhurst, and upon the death of a re- Raeder, he put opts one of the candidates against Mr. Brad shaw, Sir George Rose's butler; there was a great contest, and prior to the election at Winchester, George llamas went to Portsmouth, and nearly all the dockyard people at Ports mouth had a vote for the county of Hann, and they said to him, " We shall not give our votes unless we have halea crown a day and our expenses paid ;" and he said, " Very well, if you come to Winchester I will pay all your ezpertacs, slid there will be an open house." They came and voted, and the expenses of the election were over 5001.—1 s that the son of Mr. William Birnee, the woodman ? Yee—What does Mr. William Barites gat? He gets 391. a year.—Did he pay the money for his eon? Yes; his son had no means of paying the money.—What was the whole nor ? Upwards of 6001.—When was that ? In 1817.—Did you ever hear of any regarder in the New Forest that was paid by the timber merchants for measuring timber? I have heard observations made by several parties that that has been the case. I was at Mr. Sign's, the timber merchant's, within these last four weeks. I went there to see him on some business, to ink the price upon tie.ber, and other matters, and whilst I was stay ing there his housekeeper told me that Mr. Sign had gone oat. I asked, " Where is he gone to ?" and she said, "He is gone with Mr. Barnes and Mr. Laegstone, measuring timber." She said, " I will send for him." I said, " No; I will wait till he Comes home." I waited till Mr. Sign came home, and I Jound that Mr. Barnes and Mr. Langston returned there, and that they had been out measuring some timber, which he had purchased by private contract, without Mr. Reed being with them—With whom did he ' strike the bargain ? He must have struck the bargain with Mr. Reed; but Mr. Reed, I presume. sent Mr. Barnes and Mr. William Leinson to measure the timber.—Did Mr. Sign ' arrange the price that he was to pay with those two parties? I suppose Mr. Rea i arranged the price, but they were sent out to measure the timber.—Do you mean to state that Mr. Sign purchased the timber by private contract on the day you called there ? No; he had before purchased the timber by private conrract; and on the day I called there they had gone to measure the timber, and not only to measure it, but they had teams waiting there, and when it was measured they brought it home immediately. and I saw the timber I dropped within 200 yards of Mr. Sign's house.—The con , ditions of rale had been previously arranged? I presume so; the sale was by private contract, and not by public auction. Are you able to say whether or not the timber which was so purchased by private contract had been previously sub mitted to public auction ? lam not; but there is • quantity of timber ljing now is the New Forest, which Mr. Sign has purchased, which was never offered at a public sale.—Are you aware of that tact? Yee—State the particulars. On the 24th of March I understood that there were going to be inquiries made into the New Forest; I was perfectly aware, end others were as well as myself, of the system which had been carried on by different parties, Mr. Reed and others, and 1 went into the forest; 1 know the conditions of sale generally say, ' No lot shall be removed unt I it is paid for and hammered by the crown, and providing that it is re moved the parties shall be committed as felons and they net only put it under the hammer of the crown, bat they put a mark on with red paint, such as ' Lot 1,2, and 3, none of this timber had any mark upon it; I went to the hewer who had hewn the timber, and asked him whether ho knew anything about it, and he said, " If you go to a certain place you will see a quantity there that my brother has hewed; he hewed it very late in the evening, or early ia the morning, and he had strict orders to take away the cuipe end other pieces of timber that belonged to that, before six o'clock in the morning."—What class of timber is that ? Oak umber.—What is the name of the person ? The name of the party who purchased this timber is Mr. Sign ; lis timber carriages were up at five o'clock in the morning. I was up early, and I saw his carriages going. —What age was this timber ? It might be 200 years old Heavy timber? Yes; long pieces of timber, 60 and 70 and ujo to 120 feet —Did you measure that timber? Yes. — Where did you measure it? At Lyndhunt—Where it was met? No, they had removed it at that time.—Where did they cut it? At different planes in the New Forest—What quantity ? About 2001. worth.—Are you now speaking of the timber which you say Mr. Sign has recently purchased, or are you speaking of the transaction which occurred when you called at hie house? I was speaking of that which was recently purchased; that which was purchased at the time that I called at his house was beech, but this was oak.—Ham you beard the price that he gave for it ? I believe le. a foot, but it fetches 2a. • foot at a public sale.— What would be the value of that timber altogether? It was worth 2001. when it was hewn ; he might have given per haps 1201. or 1301. for ie—You are now speaking from your own knowledge t Yes.—How do you know whet Mr. Sign gave for the timber ? A shilling a foot is the price paid for the windfalls.—How far had it been removed from the place where it was cur.? Six miles.—Do you know who had removed it ? Mr. Sign's own teams had removed it. — From whom had the party who gave you the information received those strict injunctions to remove the chips? Mr. Sign sent up a party to Cull, his own hewer, and told him that be was to send up his cut some morning before six o'clock to remove the chips, as it would not d for any per son to see the chips lying on the premises there—Did - Mr. Sign receive strict injunctions to remove the chips ? No ; Mr. Sign gave his man strict orders to remove the chips.— From where ? From the spot where it was hewn.—Havo you any means of knowing what he has paid for the timber ? No, I have not, because the timber merchants get long credits.—Do they get long credits now t They did ; but since this committee has been sitting they have been much pushed.—From whom did you ascertain that Mr. Sign had given • shilling a foot? I presume that he gave the same tor that as for the windfall timber.--la the windfall timber worth as much as the other timber? I consider that it is worth as much, for it is better for the navy.—You are cer tain that for the windfall he gives a shilling a foot? Yes.— How do you know that be gave a shilling a foot for that timber? Ido not know that be has, but I presume he gine dee same price for that as for the windfall ; this was the best timber he could pick out of the forest. Is it within your knowledge that this timber was never sold by public auction? It was never sold by public auction. —When did this happen? On the 24th of March.—When was the last sale by auction in the forest ? Since the 24th of March.—What price did the timber fetch ? The price varies from Is. 9d. to 2s. a foot.—Are you able to name any timber merchant who attended that sale, and who gave that price feer it ? No, I was not at the last sale; I was in the north. —How do you know that the timber fetched from Is. 9d. to 2a. afoot? I have been informed so by my cowin.—Will you name the person who informed you of the pries that the timber fetched ? Mr. J. Griffin, and other parties who were then; he was there, and took an account of the seve.al lots; and I also Ireardirom the party who originally hewed the tim ber, that was Mr. Cull.—lf the committeeshuuld desire it, Mr. J. Griffin will be able to state what the various lots leeched at thatede ? He went there from curiosity and betook an ac count of the lots, which many timber merchants do as a guide to them; they, perhaps, have a great deal of Mater on hand, and they wish to see the mark :t price of timber, in order to decide about sending their timber to the north or no*.—Mr. J. Griffin would know the prim that the timber fetched ? Yee—Did you ever hear of any timber merchants settling with the maiden by placing money on the slab ? It has been so stated, but I would not undertake to say that that is the fact; I have here the contents of those pieces of timber I which I tool an account of ; this is part of some timber near Lyndhurst.—ls that part of the limper that Mr. Sign gave only ls. a foot for ? I would not undertake to say that Mr. Sign gave only Is. a foot for the timber be bought. Are many of the *Warden persons competent to measure timber ? I should say five out of the loe—Are the rest quite incompetent to measure timber? Yes, I should soy they are.—Do you know the regarders personally ? 1 know them nearly all personally.—Can you state what any of them were before they were regarders ? Yes ; Mr. George Barnes was en apprentice to • saddler and harnesemaker in Lyndhurst, sad afterwards, when a vacancy came, he put up for the office of regarder, and succeeded in getting elected, and since that be has resigned the saddlery and harness-makiag ; Mr. Fullers son-in-law of Mr. William Read ; Mr. Young, I should say, never measured a stick of timber in his life ; he was butler to Sir George Rose. Mr. Thomas White, I do not think, ever goes out into the wood to look eta stick of timber. Mr. Robert Brown is not by any means a compe tent person to measure the timber.—Are all the regudere employed indifferently to measure timber ? About three or four of the needy parties who are in want of money live en ' Seely upon the forest, and go out to measure timber. There it an election going on at the present moment upon the death of Mr. David Whitbome. There were three curie- ate* for the office, but one has resigned.—Do the regard'se usually dine at Mr. Lowman's, the Crown, in Lyndhurst. Yes.— How often ? Twice a year, sometimes three times a year. —Mr. Lowman is at present candidate for the vacant to that Yee, and be is sure of succeeding.— You state that you have been in the habit of attending sales of timber in the forest? Yes, for the last six yeers.—Do you k n ow where the timber chiefly goes to after it is sold ? It goes to Sunderland, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Shields, and A r b r eath.—Does it go to the ship-building port? Yes; the parties building ships have advertised that they will not allow tray timber in the north to be used for firstclaaa vessels, vessels classed AB at Lloyd's, as the timber in the south of England is so superior.—Can you state what ar rangements are made for the sale of timber in the forest ? Mr. Reed goes round sad marks what timber be thinks fit to be sold.—h the timber put up in lots for sale ? Yes, the first thing that takes place is that the bark is sold, or offered for eels—When the timber is offered ;or sale how is it put up ? It is put op, so many trees, and so many lots, and a price is put upon them.— If • lot does not fetch that price, is it bout_ht in? Yes; but it is always sold a ft er the public salt.—How soon after ? Within 20 minutes or half en hoar, or at all event* KM after the sale.—ls the timber offered for sale by public coot net ? Yes, generally ; but tt is sold is the forest in this wa the party who buys the largest quantity of timber, Jeer the sale is over, has the first offer of the timber which se bought in, sad if he refuses to take it, it is offered to the pal who has bought the seemed largest quantity.— Are as hi prime realised by private sales as by public auction ? menet say.—Did you ever bear of any com bination among tbe pa:shame of the timber. Ne,th at would never answer the purpose, because they are liable to be convicted by the crown ; but Mr. Reed takes very good are that lir. Sign shall bay the timber, bonus I have heard It said Sum his own mouth, " 1 will make it up to A • Is i car tho ,p3BL