The Express. — London, England, 1864-03-25 00:00:00

Thii - wii.U•sdustrated his cue by a chalk diagram. The Coroner—Theo you are of opinion that from the way in which the Bradfield embankment was constructed, there wale probability of unequal pressure, which unequal pres sure might injure the pipes so as to cause the pipes to leak. Witness-1 lure not the lust doubt but that it was so. But my plan at Melbourne is more likely to occasion a frac ture ; and this at Bradfield more likely to occasion a drawn joint. 1 heard yesterday the mode described of keeping down the water in the puddle trench. The evidence of Mr. Gums to • great extent dispelled the doubt I pre- viously entertained as to whether the water had got under the puddle trench, and risen immediately under the out side elope, isduciug a settlement sod slip just before the burst took place. I am now inclined to think that inch was not the case, and that the puddle trench was a good job. But, judging from Mr. Leather's and Mr. Gunson's evidence, it is hardly satisfactory that the puddle trench was dry when they walked through it. Still, taking the evidence as a whole. I think it was a good puddle trench, and that it was upon an impervious foundation. The Coroner—Then from your experience and observa tions at Bradfieldlyou think that when the reservoir filled it mused the embankment to settle, occasioniog a spring, or starting, or drawing in one of the jointa of the pipes? Witness—Yes, and if a pipe was once sprung at the joint the internal pressure of the water itself would be sufficient to blow the lead from the pipe-joint. The promotion taken of having the pipes east narrower at the entrance to the socket (as described by Mr. Comm in his evidence) is very Mr. Rawllnson—l think it is what we technically term • dovetail joint. wanton—lt is. It is possible that the pressure of the water on the valve may have started a joint between the valve and the puddle gutter, and any sudden opening or closing of the v.aves would increase the probability. The liability of a joint being drawn from this cause would be diminished in proportion to the number of pipes outside the valve. 3lr. Rawlisson—And there are four or five pipes outside of the valve in this case. . . Witness continued—The passing of the water between the outside surface of the pipes and the puddle is s thing veer likely to occur. The Corooer—Yon mast understand sir. we are elides,. outing to find all the faults we can. We are not trying to find out good work. There has been no doubt a fault some where. and we must find it out in order to discover why the embankment bunt. According to Mr. Leather and Mr. Cuutoo, the work is so perfect that it is almost impossible to improve upon it. But our object is to show that there is some imperfection either in the desist] of the embankment. or in the execution of the work. By your assistance, and that of other engineers, I hope we shall succeed is coming to a conclusion. Mr. Smith reminded the coroner that Mr. Leather on the previous day had given it as his opinion that a landslip was the cause of the accident. _ _ The foreman of the jury—l should like to ask Mr. Leather wh-ther he has env other theory besides that Thu Coroner—We will ask him that by and bye. Per he has found one, sir. Mr. Jackson (continuing his evidence) said—l have exa mined the stratification near the reservoir. and I do not see any objection to baring the rocks inside, sod taking the:.cc the material with which to construct the reservoir, Tr -v' led proper means were taken to drain off all water might percolate through under the outside slope of th- Lank. The question of baring the rooks inside the re ierr,,:r is more one of waste of water, to be considered by the , ,noany as against the possible economy of using the 5....ter..,L No damage to the embankment would bs comp from this cause. It by no means follows that be eau— the water enters the tank it would appear nodes the ic:vt of tbe ernbaLk ment. It might appear half a mile off. Ti... t 'oroner--Now, what do you think is the came of f.e ' making of this embankment ? W.trres -I have not the slightest doubt that the approxi r . ass the drawing of the joints of one or more of ; or the leakage on the outer surface of the ween them and the puddle ;or both combined. I L. fl..t add that it is possible that there might have been thro%ll the thiourea of the rocks, which reap r. m.ne.iiarely under the seat of the outside slopes, or eIL aeie adiaci.ot. This might be prevented by a proper oi drainage, provided the bottom of the le- I e ail pet. lam distinctly of opinion, judging from evideoce, that this was not needed at Brad . I .1-n't think the water did soak through the fissures p..k and ..ppea r under the outside of theembaokinent. mined by Mr. Rawlinson—lf the pipe be corn ' • eel :t dies not follow that the paddle on the top would w.tti it. _ _ ;:le: . mson said it must be remembered that whet ' 'N•re was the slightest vacancy the water would be 'br- • sit '- find out the The Coroner—You most remember, gentlemen, Mr. Leather is consulting engineer, and the meaning of that is that he is on ornamental officer—that is all. (A laugh.) He knows nothing at all about the works. He is called in once a year to report, but there is an end of it. Mr. Smith, Mr. Gansu, and Mr. Leather pointed out and argued that there was • special clause in the specifica tion to providefot any alterations the engineer might think fit to order. The Corooersaid that after all he had heard he came to the conclusion that • specification was • mere throe, and calcu lated to mislead rather than to guide. Specifications ought to be carried out to the letter, u the jury no doubt expected. (Several of the jury assented.) Bat here the ' specifications bad not been carried out. He was oat of all patience with the engineer', and if the lima at Agdea was being made on the same principles it was too bad. The engineers admitted no mistake at all, and the public would have no oonbdence in tun who represented themselves to be perfect. Mr. Gunson—Perfect no far u our knowledge allows us. The Coroner —Then lam very sorry you have so little knowledge. (A Loeb.) The Coroner continued in • similar stress about the engi neers, and upon telling Mr. Gansu that Mr. Leather ought to he ashamed of himself, one of the jury suggested that the Coroner ought to take things more deliberately. Mr. Smith, in answer to a question from the Coroner, said, if the jury were not satisfied that the reservoir had been properly constructed the company would be ready to call the eviduce of finteclass engineers to rapport their case. The company would spare uo expense to have the matter thoroughlnvestigated. The Coroner — Well, you had better call your witnesses. I will adjourn the inquiry for the purpose. Mr. Smith—lf the jury wish to hear more evidence they shall have it. The Coroner—Can you tell us the cause of the breakage! Mr. Smith—No ; nor can any of the witnesses. Nothing but coojecture has been given. TheCoroner—Then, if you cannot give us any reason, we bares right to assume that the works have failed, and that they have been constructed with bad workmanship. Mr. Smith—l demur to that. One of the witnesses die. tinctly said he thought it was caused by a luid-slip--the natural weakness of the ground. The Coroner—Yes; but that was only a timid conjecture. The Foreman of the jury—l should like to ask Mr. Leather whether he bee formed any other theory since Yesterday. You hays said he might consider himself free irom imputations of criminal neglect, and that may give him a little more latitude, and relieve his mind from the fear he would have if he thought the result would be to fix upon him criminal liability. The Coroner (to Mr. Lestber)—Can you form any reason able conjecture—not such a one as you gave us yesterday— of the cause of the bursting of the embankment Mr. Leather—After the evidence of Mr. Jackson this morning I certainly think it just possible the widest was caused by the drawing of the pipe joints. At the same time 1 think if such an event had taken place the result would have shown itself a long time before the accident happened. The bank below the puddle wall was composed of such porous materials that if there had been an escape it would have shown itself at the foot of the beak or in the valve house. But the evidence goes to show that there was not the least leaking through the bank, and therefore the theory seems to be very doubtful indeed. Mr. Jackson, how ever, speaks so confidently that it threw some little doubt into my own mind. I still think the breech his been caused by a slip of the ground which no human foresight could enter into. lam sure 1 hope no trouble will be spared to find out the cause. The Coroner—We have got to this position. 13e cause of the betokens of the embankment is either bad workman. ship or the drawing or springing of the pipes so as to came • leak, or a landslip. It is one of those three causes. Of coarse is to the laodalip, and the startles of the joints of the pipes, that is mere conjecture. As to the workmanship, whether it is good or bad, or in accordance with the specifi cations, that will be for you to decide when you retire. Mr. Guosoe said them was • home opposite the embank ment which showed signs of • landslip having occurred in the vicinity. Mr. Leather, in reply to the Coroner, said he did not dis approve of the contract under which the Bradfield eeeervoir was made. Mr. Haw Union, the government inspector, having been sworn, said-1 have carefully inspected the Bradfield em baokment which has failed ; the company's other reservoirs ; and the embaukrneet now being constructed at Arden. I think that no waterworks should have a line of pipe put through an embankment w as to preclude the possibility of examination and repair in case of injury, or of renewal when the pipes are worn out. I know of many instances of failure where pipes and culverts have been laid through the made embankment. Cast-iron pipes having plain socket joints, like there at Bradfield, although tested to four times their working requirements, are occasionally fractured in use, io the ordinary trench of a street. with only four feet of covering. With the most careful jointing the joints ire sometimes defective, leaky and blown. Pipes proved to be so defective in a street mu be repaired. A defective pipe or blown joint beneath the Bradfield embankment may have worked this mischief. end no human ingenuity could have prevented it under the circumstances. 1, therefore, come to the conclusion that this is not a legitimate way to lay pipes for the working of a reservoir. In my own practice I have formed a tunnel or culvert through the solid stratificatioe OD one side of the valley, and perfectly free from the loose earth of the embankment. That culvert or tunnel is executed in the best manner with hydraulic line, and riddled to make it watertight on the top. Within this tunnel the pipes are laid. and provision is made fur closing the pipes on the inside of the reservoir, the brick work roiled the outlet being perfectly watertight. Valves are placed in the usual way to work the reservoir. Arrangements are made to prevent mischief from the injury of the pipe, and for repairing it when damaged. When I have laid pipes in puddle with a small had of water I have found it neceseary to put on collars or washers to prevent the water creeping along the pipe. Ex perience has taught me that, even with five or six feet of water, I could DOC make the puddle adhere to the skin sur face of the cast iron. My conviction is that pipes drain as much by their exterior surface, as by their internal capacity. The result of my experience teaches me that a smooth line of pipes, with the ordinary socket-joint, are not to be trusted to make a watertight piece of work in such an embarkment as that at Bradfield, although lined the whole length with puddle. From Mr. Guam's evidence as to the way in which the pipes were laid, I was surprised to learn that an artificial trench had been made at the flat slope from the bottom of the puddle ins* until at the surface trench it Mr. Nathaniel 13eardmore, G.E., mid he was sent down by government to assist Mr. Rai/Imams, with the object of reporting upon the bursting of the reser►oir. The puddling at Bradfield was excellent. The probabilities pointed to the pipes being the source, if not the cause of theaccident. Mr. Beardmore generally confirmed Mr. gewlinson's and Mr. Jackson's endenee. Mr. Smith said, under the circumstances, the company would not offer any evidence. If the jury did not Mink there was a criminal charge against my one it was no um to occupy further time. The Foreman of the jury asked the coroner to retire with them, to consult on the subject of criminal responsi bility.. . . . . . Uo their return into court, The Coroner mid—Mr. Rawßoson and Mr. Smith (the chairman of the Water Company), the jury have come to a verdict in this matter, and it will be unnecessary for me to make any further remarks, and I am glad of this, bemuse if I had entered into the 'video", I should have spoken very strongly, and in a manner some people would not like. I should very likely have expressed my opinion in such language as, in many people's opinions, would out have been fit from this bench, but would, I think, have been peifectly justified under the circumstances. (During the coroner's speech there were one or two at- tempts at applause, which were at once checked. j The Foreman of the jury then read the verdict :—" We find that Thomas Elstou came to his death by dr°. Wog in the inundation caused by the bursting of the &shield Reset +mon the morniog of the 12th of March instaut. That in our opinion there has not been that engineering skill and that attention to the coostroction of the works which their magnitude and importance demand. That in our opiniori the legislature ought to take such steps as will result in • governmental inspection of all works of this character, and that such an isspectiou should be frequent, sufficient, and regular. That we cannot separate without expressing our deep regret the fearful loss of life which has ocouited from thedisruotiou of the Bradfield Reservoir." This ClOdt.i the proceedings, and the formal business yet remenieg ass iixed by the coroner to be disposed of on Monday. THE BRADFIELD RE4ERVOIR.—It appears the company were absolutely attempting to form • large reser. voir to hold Ili millions of cubic feet of water, in *district when no water-retaining material could be found, and the substrata of the sides and bottom were rock, with, it is asserted, numerous open fissures and springs in it, which fissures would probably afford • passage for the water, as fast almost as it would How off the gathering ground. is it not knoao, if not it should be, that the proper site and substrata generally selected by our engineers for reservoirs, meals, &c., are compact, close, and impervious, such as will not permit water to percolate through or escape, even in infinitesimal quantities ; and that if a spring is found within its area, it is generally carefully stopped or diverted (as was the case at Holuthrth, by Mr. Leather). Our canals are lined with puddle, &e., throughout, bottom and aides, in porous strata, so that they hold water like a dish ; and why should Dot reservoirs be so also ! We hear it elm aunosuced that the works of this reservoir bad been ex amined and passed by a government inspector, and that, as • consequence, it is stated the company are sot liable for the damage occasioned by the Whim—Bat/dm throozh - : Thee were sitting to find out the f al. thsaater, and he had no desire to say one azainst any parties concerned. It was 'Mown • .' • e%,i ~nktuent had been destroyed, and there was •n,ewnere. •r- , e , -And that cause is • fault of some sort. 'I . I: °Co.- Ido not go so far as to say that. r • , ren,. o of the jury said they bad hoped the gen- in the formation of the ressevoir would ;: , en their opinion unreservedly. But they were no - th to they were before. •••,-.. in reply to questions from the jury, said- -1 , ve been better to have had some other more r • of discharging the dam than the two 18-tech I ..,141 have devised better means than those at ”radfieltl. I should stagiest the malting of . •111,c completely through the solid, and to my ~ r the beat way is to lay the pipes in such a ...ill never again. if I could help it, lay pipes Another method is this—the stream sup- - r-servoir might have been detoured round the ' to the bye,nudf, as it wee when the reser- . •• ' :-t started on. I apprehend, a higher level. n.:,n of the Jury—ln other words, you would • -..:h e w,. e r as you wanted to come into the reservoir, •• ft •t tt. iIOW away. .Intl sea. acid the principle of diverting the stream THE SHEFFIELD INUNDATION. CONCLUSION OF THE INQUEST. The inquest ryas resumed yesterday morning in the Sheffield Towa•bell, before Mr. J. Webster, the :oroner. - Mr. R. Rawlinaon and Mr. N. Beardmore, government 2Dgineen, represented the Home-office ; Mr. Smith (eon citor) represented the Sheffield Waterworks Company ; ind the Mayor and Mr. Yeoman, the town-clerk, appeared for the corporation. Amongst the gentlemen on the bench were Sir John Gray, chairman of the Dublin Waterworks t• au peny, and Mr. Neville, the Dublin city engineer. At a late period of the day on Wednesday Mr. Raw boson made the following remarks. He said—Mr. Holmes has got a map and has coloured the entire tract affected by the flood. He has also ascertdoed that the total fall of the river was 450 feet from the Bradfield Reservoir to Owlerton, or 72 feet per mile ; and he has calculated that the velo city of the flood was no less than 18 miles per hour, or 26i ' , e t per second, approaching an area of the cross sections between the4same points of 3,,80 feet, or 40,170 cubic feet of water mains every second. This rate would empty the reservoir in 47 minutes. The force of the water was really tremeodona, and perfectly inconceivable. There are viz and a quarter gallons in • cubic foot of water, being 101bs. per p iton, or Gibs.) per foot. The velocity of the flood was something awful, and after the dam bunt not even • Derby horse could have carried the warning in time to save the people down the valley. T. M. B. Jackson, of Sheffield, civil and rrechanical engi neer, said-1 have often been engaged in the construction ci reservoirs in Australia. 1 was chief engineer of the Mel bourne Waterworks, consulting engineer of the City of Ad e l a ide Works, consulting engineer for the Ballarat Cor poration Works, and first engineer of the Beedigo Works. 1 was on the embankment at Bradfield on Saturday. I have examined the works three times since—ones with special reference to this inquiry. lam of opinion that there is no fault to be found with the material or the dopes of the embankment, although in my own practice I should have preferred a slope of three to one. The puddle em aloyed in the embankruert is good, aod quite truffle* ,t • nd I have no fault to,find with the weir. I have examined the structure of the embankment csrefully, end heard tram the evidence yesterday how it had been formed. I should not have formed an embankment in the isms way myself. I should distinctly prohibit the use of waggons and rails ' upon a bank of that kind, moss especially on the inside slope. 1 object to them on the inside because, in the first place, I should use layer, of about two feet thick ; and • railway waggon always travelling on the same line tends to unequal consolidation, while band-earte travelling all ways would have a contrary effect. I should have insisted that each layer of two feet should be perfectly honked before another was commenced. On the outside slope 1 would not object to • tip of three feet, because it is not so necessary for theouteremhankment to be impervious ; in fact, it is rather better to be open, because the water then ha. free exit. By open I mean it should be composed of more porous materials. The embankment at Bradfield has not been erected in that way. There are railway waggons upon it now, showing that the) have been used there ; and it is obvious that the layers of earth have been laid on at a greater distance than two feet. I have seen the reservoir at Agdeo, and there the bank is built on the same principle—one la yer is not finished before the other is commenced. If the reservoir at Bradfield had been constructed the same as that at Again, I should apprehend that there would be an unequal settlement, which of course is dangerous—dangerous because it is Labia to cause • slip, and peculiarly dangerous if • pipe is passing under the beak through a puddle trench. The beet plan I have seen is that or Mr. Leslie, of Edinburgh, who advocates tips restricted to six inches, evenly spread over the whole surface, each layer being finished before the next is begun. I also of Mr. Leslie's stipulation that the puddle wall should brought up to and kept six inches above the adjoining por tion of the embankment. In my works at Melbourne we bad two fractured pipes under the embankment, but in the grouol Mr. Rawliesea—Do you mean the same as at Bradfield? Witness—No, the pipes were laid on flags up to the edge of the puddle trench, and in passing through the puddle, each piped each main, which was only six feet six inches in length, was supported on an ashlar pillar. No doubt these pipes were fractured by unequal settlement of the embankment, although made in even layers. There is no question at all that a bank will settle more in the middle than at the _ . THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 25, 1864; which was adopted when the dam was under construction might have been timed with effect in case of • flood. Mr. Jackson maid be had another method to suggest for the more rapid discharging of the dams, and he was in. debted to Oolooel Porde for it. It was this—in the first plum, the bye-wash should sot be oonstancted to its ulti mate level, but considerably below, until the reservoir was Lerpermanent' settled and oonsolidited. It was better to vn n he valves on the inside than on the outaide. If his valves at the Melbourne darn bad not been inside, it would have burst. Croix mined by Mr. Smith—The plan of taking pipes through embankmente is the cue generally adopted, and until now no serious accident has to my knowledge been the consequence. It is an error of judgment that has been committed by the best eogineers, from Telford downwards. The Coroner—The question is this—is the plan a good one! Are not all engineers to blame in this matter to adopt such a plan ? Mr. Jackson—l think the whole profession is to blame. A Juror suggested that to hays proper evidence the pipes must be laid bare._ ThrCoroner—Then we should have to adjourn for twelve months. We can shorten this inquiry if the Waterworks Company will pay the expenses of laying the pipes bore. Mr. Smith said the company wet u anxious as anyone to Wive at the came of the excident. The question wee whether anyose was criminally responsible. The Coroner—Oh, if you wish ns to do that we can very soon find Mr. Leather guilty of manslaughter, and let the question be tried at the York Amigos. NMMr. Smith—That will be wording to the verdict of the The Coroner—Well, the jury have made up their minds not to return a verdict of manslaughter against anyone. The causes of the accident are too remote for that. Mr. Rawlinson said the inner end of the bank might be lined, and the pipes plugged up, and at the outer end might be bared and hydraulic preemie applied. Mr. Smith—The fact that the pipes were broken now would be no proof, because the ground ham been so mach disturbed. 46.aielmon—Bare the pipes where you will, if they are broken you will find it is =Mick the puddle-walL Mr. Rawlins= said be wished to explain that undo exist ing circumetaness the pewnt condition of them pipes would not be received es evideow of the condition before the ac cident occurred. It might be said with some show of reason that the [rectum of the pipes was the result of the ac cident. - intuswee to a question from the jury, Mr. Jackson said, from the time the crack appeared in the embankment the mischief was practically done. The Foreman of the J ury said he would give up this point —the baring of the pipes —if the Sheffield Waterworks Com pany would for ulterior purposes cause the pipes to be ex amined. Other reservoirs were beiag made in the neighbour hood on the same principle as that at Bradfield, and they all felt how desirable it was to put an sod to the suspicion which must naturally exist in the minds of so many on ac count of the gentlemen who knew most about these Brad field works haviag stated that they had learnt nothing about the accident. It therefore followed that at any mo ment these other reservoirs might give way with most disas trous result. If the jury were satisfied that the company would lay bare these pipes, and tsks such measures in refer ence to other works as would be dictated by the discovery, they would came to request that the pipes should be laid bare for the purposes of the present inquiry. Mr. Smith—l undertake, on behalf of the company, to place the matter ig the hands of Mr. Basilisks. Mr. Gammon, the company's acting engineer, was recalled and questioned es the specifications under which the Brad field Reservoir was made. He stated that the terms of the specification had been slightly deviated from ; that a sped fication was more for guiding the works than for biding the engineer to certain details ; and that no &Rangoon had beep made but what were absolutely geometry. He repeated that the Agden Reservoir was being constructed similarly to that at Bradfield._ A jaryrnan asked several questions u to Mr. Luther's visit to Bradfield while the works were in progress, and Mr. Gowan corroborated Mr. Leather's admission that he had been there once or twice. exceeded 200 feet in length ; that this had beenfilled up with puddle to the depth of &I feet at the puddle trench, limit ing itself told inches of puddle on the solid at either end, and leaving upwards of 200 feet of pipes, in nine feet lengths, with no bottom supports, other that the puddle • beneath in the metre, and in that portion of the embank ment where the greatest prewar* would bear. In many in stones which have come under my notice this plan has pro duced serious fractures or total destruction ; therefore. where you have a naturally compassable substratum I should dread placing jointed pipes on an artificially formed compressible substratum. If that line of pipes has been carried down into that compressible material, in all human probability it has not gone down equally in the pud dle trench, and under the loose embankment. But if it can be proved that it has gone down equally, as • whalebone would bend, it has left a cavity in the puddle trench above it; because the puddle is an artificial and well-formed material, chopped and made as solid as possible in thel act of puddling, and therefore it could not have followed the pipes down in the compression, which I expect has taken place. Hence there would be • tendency to leave • cavity on the upper side of the pipe in the body of the puddle. The inference from the statements made in evidence is that the water in the reservoir, permeating the bank as it rose, would ultimately find its way to the puddle wall, and search out the weakest place. The reason why that embankment did not show signs of weakness on the admission of the first 50 feet of water may arise from the fact that the lowest part of the bank being upwards of 200 feet wide at the base, may have been sufficiently tight to prevent the water finding access to the puddle wall. As the water rose foot by foot in the reservoir, it narrowed the space between the water and the puddle wall 21 feet. From my inspection the upper half of the bank is not made with watertight material, but contains • large proportion of rubble stones. I measured one 4 ft. long, 2 ft. 6 in. wide, sad 9 in. thick, not on the surface ; and as the water rose to the surface of the bank it would penetrate to the puddle wall, creep down vertically the face of the puddle wall, and inevitably find out the weakest point. On the opposite ' side of the puddle wall there is the same defective arrange ment of rubble stone, in dangerous proximity to the puddle walL That this was so through the deepest part of the bank is evidenced by the description of the ultimate breaking down of the top of the bank. The first top water has been described as coming over in sheets and waves of foam—that water was absorbed vertically into the bank, showing that the material was of the °penult possible cha racter. Having seen the Agden embankment, and the mode of tipping the waggons, and the materials used, I have no hesitation in coming to the oxidation that the subetsoce of that bank is as porous as a sieve. The specifications say that the " tips " shall not exceed 3 ft. in thickness; but the "tips" at present in work at Agden are double that height. This method of working rolls the largest stones continually to the foot of the tips, and makes • rubble embankment, open and porous, in layers. 1 hold it is most objectionable to take the =twirl for making the embankment from within the reservoir below the water line, except the trial shafts prove that it is quite watertight. la the Bradfield reservoir several acres of sur face have been bared within the reservoir. Many square yards of fissured rock have been bared. Into that rock surface water readily flows without pressure, and with pres sure the discharge of the water would be greater. ho en gineer ran tell what is to become of that water. It may mete itself harmlessly below ; but there is • possibility of its communicating with fissures immediately below the outer slope of the embankment. sod io such • case the engineer has so right to bare the rock and allow filtration. Ido not say the water has done injury here, but there is no evidence to the contrary. The byewash Ido not think ode . (mate to convey away the flood waters of thatdistrict. 1 would • have made a mach longer byewasb In this case, however, the byewaah bas not been the cause of any injury, as the water never rose to it. Ido not approve of • sloping bye. , wash, such as is used in all these reservoirs. I think it • better to break the channel by • series of steps. For such • capacity of water, and such a drainage area, those two lftinch pipes are quite inadequate to give safety in case of apprehended danger. The byeivaah mod the pipes ought always to be equal to the largest flood on • full reservoir. By the Jury—l would have used larger pipes, butt I would not undertake to say that if the valves were in the I inside the danger would have been averted. I am sates Dished that the engineers cut off the river course used to divert the water during construction. By the Coroner—lt will be almost impossible to come to • conclusion as to the cause of the strident. A fractured • pipe, • drawn or blown joint, • pressing down of the pipes in the puddle wall by the heavy materials on both aides of the embankment, or a washing away of the outer slope, as suggested by Mr. Leather, by • landslip cause Iby uodis• covered fissures or springs communicating with the inside of the reservoir—these singly or combined may have caused the accident. My opinion is that it was • most fatal mis take to lay that 200 feet of pipes through the embankment. I believe the tips" at Agden are too high, and the mate rial used insufficiently sorted. By Mr. Smith—You might never have heard of this accident had the materials composing the „istabankmeot • been impervious. Up to • certain height this embankment was safe. It stood with 30 feet of water from June, but when the water mounted to the brink, something took place which altered all the conditions. . . BOARDINGLSCROOL REVBLATIONS. At the Wolverhampton County Court a few days ago, before Mr. Skinner, the judge, Mr. Outer, henchman. keeper, in Oharlee- et resi, in that town, was sued by the Mimes Greet, enhoolinistresses, of Clarendon-street, for the sum of 71. 10s., half of that amount for one quarter's board and lodging sad education of John Carter, aged aim, his child, and the other half for compensation for the boy being taken from the school without squirter's notice having been previously given. The case wee tried by • jury. Mr. J. E. Un derhill conducted the case for the plaintiffs, sod Mr. James Walker that for the defendant The liability of the defendant to pay the money sued for was admitted, but the defendant declined to pay it because of alleged improper and inane& tient food having been given to the boy. A similar action had at a previous wart, it will be remembered, been tried before the judge, in which the Mines Greet brought an action against another defendant, and the case went in their favour, the judge ruling that minute who put their children out on terms so low as ISt a year for education, board, and lodging, could not expect tint-class diet. The Mires Green gave evidence to the effect that they bad received no statement from the defendant er his wife se to the cause of the child's being taken away. The child, when he went home for a few days holiday on the 2nd of April, 1863, the eve of Good Friday, had a chilblain on his foot, but was otherwise in his usual health. He had been • scholar with them since the previous Michaelmas, and name to them when he was eight years old. Mrs. Sarah Green, the mother of the plaintiffs, and who imperintended the dietary of the school, deposed that the boy only none took nettle-broth, and then at his own re quest. She had understood that nettle-broth was good to purify the blood if given nine mornings in succession, but bad told the children that she would vary it. She con sidered that the dietary of the children was good. She went to Mr. Pope when he was attending the boy, and Mr. Pope said that if the child was having the food that Mrs. Carter had stated it war not fit for • pauper. The children had meat every day but Friday and Monday. The children who did not prefer meat had pudding, tad sometimes they had two plates of pudding. Mr. Pope, surgeon, deposed that he attended the boy on Easter Monday, April 6, 1863. He attended him for six weeks. The boy was in a very emaciated state, and the intestines thin. There was he organic disease, end the evidences were all those of "lend scurvy." The injuries to the foot were the giving way of the small blood vessels through their not having received sufficient nourialannet from the larger blood vessels. The gums were of • livid colour and swollen, and blood was exuding from them ; the blood that was so exuding was also of • pale colour. The bleeding from the nose was of • light oolour, another proof of the impoverished state of the blood. The break ing out on the lips was likewise in this case an evidence of impoverishment Having =tidied himself that there was no organic disseas, he could reornmde these symptoms with nothing else than imperfect feeding. The toy was suffering from impoverished food, and insuthcient nourishment. A clamor case he had wen. Dur ing the three days the boy was at home after he left school, and before he (Mr. Pope) was called in, the boy could not have kept substantial food on his sto mach if it had been given to him. An occasional dose of netUe por ridge might not doe person in full habit hurt, but rather good, but to give it to • child in this boy's weakly condi ' tion would be to injure him ; still, one dose would not do him harm. As an occasional meet sheep's head soup would not act injuriously. Alter examining the boy, he asked his mother if he went to school ° She replied, "Yea." He then added, " Whatever school he goes to, he is badly fed." if he were right in his conclusioos, the child must have exhi bited symptoms of ill-feeding three weeks before he was called in, such as could not have souped the notice of an attentive mother. Nothing would have occasioned the evidences in the boy's system that he had described but poverty of blood and bed diet. He lied had twenty-five years' experience in public institutions, and he was satisfied on this pouit. A half supply of good food would not have produced the evidences. The food which the child took must have been bad. if the child had been fed with bread and milk, or tee, for breakfast, meat four times • week, with always pudding, cocesiosany soup with sheep's head for dinner, and tea or bread sod m , lk for tea, the child could not have been ill. The child was ill three weeks. When the irritation of the stomach was removed, he took nourishing food, sod he then began to get wall. What the boy told him as to the food he received confirmed him in the views he had formed. UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE. CAMBRIDGE, MARcu 24. CLANSI. AL TRlro , .—Examiners: Jamey Lew priere Hammond, M.A., Trinity College; John Pelle, M.A., Christ's College; H. C. A. Toyler, M.A., Tritity College ; H. IL 'Jolley, M.A., SL John's College. First Class. — Moss, John's ; Moule. Trinity, and Myers, Trinity ; James, King's, and Morindio, King's ; Swainson, Trinity ; Morley, King's, and I'retor. Trinity ; Spratt, Catherine ; Stow, Trinity ; Lee Warner. John's, and Young, King's ; Bryan, Clare, C. B. Dories, Trinity. and Dunn, Peter's ; Ainger. Trinity, Holliogworth, King's, Prestos, Magdalen, and Lardy, Trinity ; Cruiksbank, Trinity. Second ChM. — J. N. C. Davies, Trinity, Rhoades, Trinity, sod Terry, John's ; Greatheed, Trinity ; Wallace, Emmanuel ; Gooch, Clare ; Lewis, Coins ; Champneys, Trinity ; Trinity ; Croft, Caine ; Holmes, Trinity. end Poem, Trinity ; Kitson, Christ's, and Millington, Clore ; Bowan queL Trinity ; Pater, Trinity, and Raven. Jesus ; Bescbey, Caius, and ()slinky, Trinity; Hudson, Trinity, and Orr, Jesus ; Beard, Jesus, and Beilby, Corpus ; B us well, Queens', and Penny, Trinity ; Payne, Downing ; Turnbull, Trinity ; Hon. C. Lyttelton, Trinity. Third Class.—Coore, Trinity ; Reece. John's ; Carter, King's ; Quayle, Johu's ; Draper, Magdalen ; Whittington, Clare ; Rogan, Trinity ball ; H. Croft, Trinity. and Rowsell, Trinity ; Clay. John's ; Lord .1. W. N. Hervey, Trinity ; Fox, Trinity ; Jardine, Christ's. We learn from the Illustrated Landon News that the late William 31.kepeum Thsekeray died without making a will. Letters of administration of his estate and effects have been granted to his two daughters. The per sonalty was sworn under 20.000/. ANOTHER FIRE AT THE QUEEN'S COLLEGE, CORK. —On Wednesday night a fire broke out in the western wing of the Queen's College, the same that was previously burnt. It is stated the fire originated from some embers left by the workmen, but great excitement and doubt exist as to the canes. At 12 o'clock the fire was got under before any great amount of damage was dons—Coot Datly Herald. Judge, Mr. Pope said that the child was deadodly eat suffering from memetaric disease. If he had been so suffering he would not hays come round so quickly. Eliza Marlachlan, a servant girl, who had lived with the plaintiffs, said that for their morning meal the children had flour and water mixed and boiled to the consistency of thin paste, with a little skim milk. at one penny • quart, stirred into it, and • half-round" of bread. If they did not take this, they had to go without, but if they were poorly they had tee. At other times the children had for breakfast water-gruel, seaweed with salt ; or oatmeal and water, seasoned with nettles and salt and onion,. For dinner the childree had on Sunday meat and plenty of vegetables, and always pudding. On Monday, pudding ;oa Tuesday, the cold meat left on Sunday, mid vegetables, but no bread ; on Wednes day, boiled rice with treacle, or " treacle roley ;" on Thurs day, stewed rice with " lights" cut in it ; on Friday, rice pudding, but very seldom meat ; and on Saturday, a piece of boiled bacon or a pig's face, with rice or grey pera For tea the children bad one round of bread and lard, and • cup or more of tea if they wished. She did not partake of the same kind of diet as was given to the children, but similar to that partaken of by the plaintiffs. On " pudding days' the Misses Green always had meat. The children at the school numbered eight. They had meat three or four times • week, two at three times a week they had soup, and pudding four times a week. Mrs. Carter (the defendant's wife and the child's mother) said that finding her child so weak she took him away from 'school, aril three days afterwards called in Mr. Pof O. During that three days the child took no more then half • ' bun and • little milk, the first on the first day, nothing on the second day, and the milk on the third day. The child was called, and said that he bad nettle broth eighteen or nineteen times during the time he was at the school. The children used to go out in the summer sod gather the nettles in the lanes, and Mrs. ;men used to gather them in the winter. At tea time he used to save half of his round of bread (trim • threepenny loaf in all cues) to eat for his breakfast with the nettle broth or the water gruel, but it was always gone before the morning. He always felt hungry when at tea time be put by his bread for the next mornings breakfast. He did not tell his mother, because he feared be should be punished at school. He had a chillilain on his foot some time before he went home. _ .... A healtby.looking young boy, now at the plaintiffs' school, was put into the box to rebut young Carter's evidence, but the Judge ruled that heoould sot be examined. The Judge, in sending the case to the jury, said that a more important case had never in his experience name into that court, on account of the importance of the youth of the country being properly fed. When Mr. Pope left the box he thought that his evidence could not be with stood. but when Mrs. Carter said that her boy took nothing 00 Good Friday last but half • bun, nothing at all on the following day, and only a little milk on the Saturday, he certainly thought that this &Wiliest:oi might have mused the evidences which Mr. Pope described. He only regretted that Mr. Pope had left the court before Mrs. Carter gave her evidence, and that he had not inquired from Mrs. Carter what her son had taken whilst he was at home. _ . The jury returned a verdict for the plaiatiffs for the whole amount claimed, to be paid on the 12th of ApriL Mr. &Ahern will shortly attempt an impersona tion of David Garrick, in • threeeet piece, which has been written expressly for him. new MOTIVE POW ER. —Professors Barsanti and Matteucei of Flo have inveoted a new mode of pro ducing m otive power. Then engine may be described as se atmospheric engine, • vacuum being produced in the cylinders, under the pistons, by the explosion of • mixture of atmospheric au with au inflammable gas. The explosion is said to be without nose and free from danger. The result of a long aeries of experiments upon two machines—one of :hem being of twenty horse-power and the other of four— proves that the consumption of the gas used is one-third of a cubic nwtre per horse-power per hour. The gas is said to be produced at • cost of less than a peony the cubic mitre ; consequently, • horsepower can be obtained at about one third of a penny the hour. The machines constructed are reported to work satisfactorily, and the principle to be equally applicable to Math., and locomotive engines. Several patents have been taken out In this country for machines of this class. Hitherto, however, all explosive engines have failed to ful6l the promises of the investors. Athr nu um. . . TIIC 31CRDER AT HARTLEPoot..—Another man has been apprehended at Hartlepool on suspicion of being implicated in the murder of the oFt man, Harrison, near that town. The inquest was opened on Wednesday, and teverel whams.' were examined, but the evidence, so far es it has proceeded, does not seem to have any decided bearing on any of the three men in custody. No verdict, however, has yet been returned by the jary.—Neircast4 Chronicle. AssASSINATION IN IRELAND.—At the assizes of the North Riding of Tapperaiy, held at Nenegh, Mr. Justice O'Brien on Wednesday passed sentence upon Philip Hayes, convicted of attempting to assassinate Mr. Gore Joe's, a stipendiary magistrate. The prisoner had been iden tified by Mr. Gore Jones, who showed the greatest coolness and courage even when the murderous at tack was about to be renewed. Two days after be at once recognised the prisoner, who with another person had been hired to shoot him. The prisoner himself, though duly cautioned, confessed the crime. His lordship dwelt upon the heinous nature of the offence, and said that tinder the circumstances he could not pass a lighter sentence than penal servitude for twenty years. The convict's wife was in the gallery, and on hearing the suttee:, she ex claimed, " Oh, Philip, I will never see you again; but, Gore Jams, I rill see you." PATTERN POST TO INDlA.—Accorliog to a notice just issued by the Postraester•General, there will be a re duction of rates on the lit of April next, and thenceforward, no the pattern post to the East Indies. Patterns may be fowarded either via Southampton or via Marseilles at the following rates of postage, which must in all eases be per paid by means of postage stamps, six. :—Via Southampton —For a packet not exceeding en., 4d. above 4os. sad Dot exceeding Ph., Pd. ; and every additional alb., Pd. Via I Marseilles—For a packet not exceeding Cos., 6d. ; above 401.. and act exceeding ph., la, ; and every additional lb., la. At the annual meeting of the Protector Endow ment Loan and Annuity Endowment Society yes terday, Mr. Alfred Smee, F.R.S., iu the chair, a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum was declared. Special resolutions were adopted to empower the company to adopt measures to extend its business. A vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman and directors for the active measures they had taken in promoting the business of the society. The share certificates of the Mexican Bank (Limited) are now ready for delivery. Subjoined is Messrs. Culverwell, Brooks, and Co.'s report of yesterday's hide sales : At the sixth series of hide sales for the year a good de mand was experienced, and in some cases improved prices were realised. Boat India, Ox and Cow—Calcutta were in good request, both the home trade and exporters competing freely, and full prices were obtained ; while upon Dacca slaughtered an occasional advance of Id. to id. per lb. was realised. Madras, Pondicherry, Sc., were well com peted for and brought higher prices. The analysis of the sales is 101,866 Calisitta bow parcels, 6,929 brought forward from former sales, and 5,612 Madras, Pondicherry, &c., in all 114,437 hides, of which 99,961 were sold. East India—Buffalo were °sly part sold. Leather—East Indian sold well. Australian was in active request, mid realised rather higher prices. talked Hider —Australian were in food demand at late rates to an occasional advance of Ad. per lb. Cape brought former prices. Miscellaneous— Mogsdore kip. sold well. West Indian brought fair prices, also German. The return of the Bank of England for the week ending Wednesday,MarchZ, compared with that for the previous week, shows the following changes : Circulation iaaue Circulation ective....- Public deposits ....... 9,841,323 loaves* 1,270,612 Other deposit. Government securities in . - — Vanking day;iutinent — 11,273,114 Inman 98,530 Othereecnrities us basking department Ooin and bullion in both _ _ -- -- departments 14,449.201 femme 502,258 Seven day and other bolls 509.70 Isere-tee 26.143 The Rest 3.873,582 leerease 7,078 Notes in reserve Total reserve (notes k coin in banking departmeet) . 9,212.21 Increase 495,098 These changes are highly favourable, an increase of about half a million having taken place both in the bullion and the reserve. The rise in the latter is caused by the heavy influx of government de posits. SAM( or ILN OLAND —An Ac sod WA Vic.. C. Is. gar the wook 1904. 11601 DUN Notes Usual L2 .552,1;i0 mount pursuant to the Act 7th ending on Wedneeday, March U, 428.34.130 114111L010 DI =atom' Capital L 14 4 871.600 653,000 PAIIIIIIIIT. Government debt L 11.015,100 Other securities . 3.634.90e Gold corn and bul lion Bther bullion L 23,362,130 rarrirri.r. Government !teen. Title' luclo.iing Dead Weight .th wittri Other securities Notes Geld and 64ret Coln 717,071 Piddle Deposits (In. chiding Facheq., Sae. Danko, Com mis. el Natiosal Debt. and Div. Areta.) Other Deposits 12,430,1541 Seven day and other BUla 209,725 i 441,2-57,244 Y. /.41,25',e04 IIXL3IfALL. Ch!ef Castacr. Match 24. IS6I. THURSDAY ErMING. Console, which closed yesterday at 91i to 3 for the Bth of April, opened and closed to-day at the same quotation. For money the last price was 914 to The official business report is as follows :—Three per Cent. Consols, for money, ; • ditto, for account , 911 ; Three per Cents. ReLct:d, f ; New Three per Cents., 89}, ; India Five pvr Cent.. Stock, 104 i, 3 ; ditto Fuur per Cent., 981 ; ditto Four per Cent. Debentures, 1864:•, 991. g ; Five per Ceut. " enfaced" rupee paper 103 ; ditto Five-and-a-Half per Cent., 113. The India Five per Cent. Stock remains firm. Exchequer Bills were quoted Be. to 3s. die. Mexican Bonds opened heavily, and, prior to the commencement of regularbnsiness, tr.tuaactious are said to have taken place as low as 43j. Re- newed confidence was shown, however, in the afternoon, and the closing price- -- la to i—was above that of yesterday. International and Imperial Financial shares were firmer, and London Financial rather flatter. Credit Mobilier shares have risen. The closing quotations are annexed, viz. :—lnternational, GI to 7 prem. ex div. ; General Credit, 4 to I prem. ; Loudon Financial, 11 to prem. ; Imperial Financial, sto itoPrein. ; Mercantile Credit, 8 to 4 prem . ; Credit Mobilier, 3} to 4 prem. ; and Credit Foncier, 5 to 5 1 Preto- OR Tuesday evening, in the course of an address, at the conclusion of the Carlisle Panay Remlin" Mr. Potter, M.P. for that city, said the year 1832 Charles 'Knight published what was then a charming and useful pub lication. Why it did not scooted 1 hardly know—perhaps it was before the age. and society was not educated up to it. I allude to the Penny Maja:iste, • weekly illustrated publication, which many of us, I do not doubt, remember. In 1840, Sir Rowland Hill gave us the best of all our penny blessings—the Penny Postage Stamp. (Cheers.) In a short sketch of its marvellota progress just issued, he tells us that there was no increase whatever sa the Post-office revenue, whether gross or set, during the twenty years preceding 1831, and therefore probably none in the letters. There was a alight increase up to 1810, in which year the penny postage was established. A comparison as to the number of letters between the years 1 , 63 and 1838, the last under the old system (there were some changes and reducinons between 1838 and 18W), shows that the number of chargeable letters had risen from iti.ooll,ooo to 642,000,000, and that the revenue has risen from 2,346,0001. to about 3,870,000 f. gross. The net revenue, owing to the increased cost con sequent naturally upon the great mass of correspondence, has risen only from 1,660,00()1. to 1,7tr0,000f. They have • very profitable, well-earned source of revenue—one likely to increase—capable, too, I think, of one yellow expansion in many ways and of profit to the community. (Cheers.) "For the future," says Sir Rowland tfill. " there must he a large and ever-increasing gain." The money-order system counerted with the Post-office, under the same management, has been enormously developed. Apart from the business gain to every class, what scores of millions of letters must pass annually with cheering messages of love or of condolence to many thousands of house holds, cheap and wholesome pennyworths. (Cbeere.) Next in value we get the penny newspaper—a valuable and most useful means of information on every variety of sub ject, giving throughout the length and breadth of the land telegraphic news, not quite, but nearly within a few hours from the uttermost parts of the earth, and this, too, for the cost of what we paid for a trumpery ballad, only • generation ago, on a bit of flimsy paper the size of one's hand. (Cheers.) Coe striking fact must not be forgotten in connex,on with the penny paper. When we had the threepenny stamp and the seveopeney paper, we had also a circulation of unlawful nnstamped papers of the wont possible description, mo rally and politically. (Hear, hear.) They have been en tirely superseded by the competition of the high-class pettily papers, now edited with just as mach talent as regards their leading articles, and conveying the mine telegraphic Dews to • great enact, as the great leader among papers, the Tinusitaelf. (Cheers.) One admission, however, I must make, and Ido so sorrowfully. I fear then is growing up a large production of wretched halfpenny and penny publi cations of the worst possible sensational and immoral tales; but they never invade the penny reading rooms, or tempt those who frequaat such places. (Hear, hear.) They can only, to my mind, be extirpated, as were the illegal unstamped papers, by the competition of more healthy matter in cheap, open reading rooms. We have, too, peony receipt stamps, peony savings banks, peony e mits traim on railways, and last, not least, penny readings. (Appleton) Cannot they, like the penny postage. be widely exteeded, brought home nearer to tinny, many door As they increase, their very existence will develop new metes of making them valuable, by the introduction perhaps of popular scientific lectures ; though I rather fear the title " lectures" may lead us to think they would prove toodry— not popularly amusing or attractive. Above all things, think we ought to keep close to the Woad making ail our recreations; healthily amosiag. We want them as • relax ation, a change, and • contrast from the working day. They moat be for themultitude. (Hear, hear.) From them will follow, no doubt, other institutions springing from the plumy well invested ; nay, it is within the bounds of possi bility, that some of those among my audience may at some not very distant time ioquire after the health of some loved friend or relative, and receive an answer within an hour or two from the United States or Canada for a few pence—we hope for a single penny telegraph. (Cheers.) Well, let the penny saved, the penny well turned, for thrift or healthy amusement, be our first starting point; but do not let us be too ambitious. Let us keep fi.at oar modest, simple, honest origin, graft on that cs on the penny postage many useful adjuncts, and lend such aid to caches we can in our positions to all healthy amusement ; combined with the best mond, and, becaum moral, reli gious influence'. (Cheers.) In conclusion, Mr. Potter retested to the retiring pension which had been allotted to Sir Rowland Hill (2,0n)/.)—a pension which. in his (Mr. Potter's) opinion, was entirely inadequate to Sir Rowland's great Bethnal services. (Cheers.) This opinion was shared la by many others ; and be was acre, if • contribution were made say of a farthing a head from each individual paying taxes, it would he a more just acknowledgment of his labours, and it would be grudged by none. (Cheers.) MONEY MARKET.-(TEIS DAY.) To-day being Good Friday, and a general holiday, the Stook Exchange was closed in every department. The Bank of France yesterday reduced its rate of discount for bills to six per cent. The rate fur advances on securities, however, will re main at seven per oent. Owing to the approaching holidays, and to the period of the quarter, there was a very heavy de mand yesterday, partly for ' advances ' at the Bank of England discount office • and this circumstance, combined with the renewal of the demand for gold for exportation, doubtless contributed to the reso lution of the directors yesterday to keep their rate at seven per cent., in face of the reduction just made by the Ben of France and of the increase Li the resources of our Bank, as shown by' ast night's return. In the ganeral market the terms for good bills remain at bite 6 per cent. In the Stock Exchange yesterday there was a very active demand for loans at 6 per oent. ou English government securities. . . - • Simultaneously with the return of the whole of the deposits on the Bolivian Government Loan it is intimated that "arrangements are now being made for the re-issue of the loan within a fortnight." The fortnightly settlement in shares and fo;eign stocks will commence on Tuesday, and terminate ou Thursday. On 'Change yesterday afternoon there was a good demand for bills ou the continent, but the rates were not materially different from those current on Tuesday. Subjoined is our usual list : Amsterdam, 3 months, 11.19 to ; ditto, 3 days' ILI6 to 17; Rotterdam, 3 months, 11.191 to 1 ; Ant werp. 3 months, 25.60 to 65; Hamburg, ma. troop, 3 maths, 13.71 to 8 ; Paris, 3 days,' 25.15 to 25 ; ditto, 3 mouths, 25.571 to 65 ; Frankfort-on-the-Maine, 3 months, 1191 to 1; S4 Peawsburg (per rouble), 3 months, 331 to 1 ; Vienna, of 60., 3 months, 12.10 to 15 ; Trieste, Mi. 60., 3 months, 12.10 to 15 ; Madrid, 3 months, 481 to 1 ; Cadiz. 3 mouths, 471 to 48 ; Leghorn, 3 months, 26.75 to 80 ; Gases, 3 mouths, 23.75 to 80 ; Milan, 3 months, 25 .7 5 to 80 ; Naples, 3 months, 25.73 to SO ; Palermo. 3 months, 25.75 to 80 ; Messina, 3 mouths, 25.75 to SO ; Lisbon. 30 days, 521 to 1 ; Oporto, 90 days, 521 to 1. At Paris the rate of discount in the open market is now 5 per cent. ; Vienna , 6 ; Hamburg and Ber lin, 4 ; Turin, 64 ; Frankfort., 3 ; Amsterdam, 5 ; Brussels, 4} ; and St. Petersburg, Si percent. The first annual meeting of the shareholders of the Imperial Ottoman Bank is convened for the 15th June, at the London Tavern, to receive the accounts or the year ending the 31st December, and to declare a dividend. A minimum holding of 30 shares qualifies shareholders to be present. The North Eastern Railway traffic return shows this week an increase of 4,864/. over last year ; the Lancashire and Yorkshire an increase of 4,710/. ; the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnahire,an in crease of 6,316/. ; and the Midland an increase of 9,7501. The South Eastern Banking Company have taken suitable premises at No. 12, Fenchurch street, as their London office, and will commence business at the different branches to-morrow, the 26th instant, viz. :--anildford, Farnham, Chidal ming, Epsom, Aldershott, Chertsey, and Egham. Arrangements are being made for opening other branches in the counties of Surrey, Kent, Sussex. and Hampshire. It is intimated that the Albion Bank (Limited) has purchased the old-established banking business of Messrs. Challis and Son, of Smithfield and the Metropolitan Cattle Market, and that the active partner will become the managing director of the new bank. The half-yearly interest due the Ist April on the debentures of the Trust and Agency Company of Australasia (Limited) is advertised for payment in due course. The closing (but in some cases merely nominal) quotations for shares in new undertakings aro subjoined, viz. :—Land Securities, If to 2 prem. ; Consolidated Discount, 1 dis. to par ; Financial Discount, Ito 2 prem. ; National Provincial Marine, Ito 1 prem. ; Central Argen tine Railway, to prem.; Mexican Bank, par to Iprem. ; West of England Woollen, to 14 prem.; Warrant Banking, par to 1 prem. ; Fore-street Warehouse, sto prem. ; London Commercial Hotel, to prem. ; Dutch Tramway, Ito 1} prem. ; City O ffi ces, 3 to 3} prem. ; British Columbia and Vancouver Investment, 1 to 1 prem. ; Silver's Indiarubber Works, to 11 Prem.; London and Californian Bank, 11 to 2 prem.; Ottoman Financial, dis. to f prem. ; Bonelli's Telegraph, to 1 prem. ; and Smith, Knight, and Co., 21 to 21 prem. MINES.-(THIS DAY.; The directors of the Devonshire Great Consoli dated Copper Mining Company, at their board meeting, yesterday, declared a dividend of 10,2401., being 10/. per share, arising from profits on sales of copper ores sampled in the months of Decem ber and January last. After payment of the same there remains in band a balance of 28,0331. Bs. 11d. 1 1 At Dist Russell meeting yesterday a call of 3s. 6d. per share was made. MR. POTTER, M.P., ON EDUCATIONAL INFLUENCER. COTTON SUPPLY ASSOCIATION. At the weekly meeting of the Executive Com mittee on Tuesday, a letter was read from the Brisbane River, Queensland, stating that the writer had lost no time is planting the seed which was granted to him by the eau ciation on lassie% England hot year. A coannenceineat mu made early in October with Sea Island seed, and the work of planting was continued as long as the edvancal mown would allow. The plants appeared in flower early in January, and promised to afford satisfactory results. A letter was received from Governor Hampton, Western Aus tralia, acknowledging the receipt of a large Maearly gin, placed at his disposal by the association, and which he had consigned to the most enterprising and successful cultivator of cotton in Western Australia, with instructions that it should be lent to other cotton grower, who may require its...orrice.. A letter was read from her Majesty's consul at Jassy, forwarding a sample of cotton grown in the neigh bourhood of Jesay. Although no care had been bestowed upon the cultivation, and the ground had been in ao way prepared, the cotton is, nevertheless, of a good, useful description. A quantity of Egyptian seed, sent through the embassy, bas been distributed to different proprietors, and will be tried this spring. Owing to scarcity of labour and want of communication, it is doubtful whether cotton can be grown at a profit, except daring the prevalence of very high prices. The results of further experiments, which are is progress, will be communicated. A despatch was received from the government of Madras. fowarded by the India-office. reporting the result of the cultivation of Egyptian and Peruvian cotton in the district of Malabar, and accompanied with five samples of the cotton which had been grown. The collector of Malabar enter tains no doubt that Egyptian cotton will thrive well in mace parts of that district. The native growers io most Talooks appreciate the importance of its cultivation, end it is highly desirable to persevere in distributing seed as ex tensively u possible in small quantities to each recipient. As they raise a few plants they find promise of returns and extend their number, tied in a few yean the aggregate result becomes important. With the exception of parts of Palghat and Wynad, it is not expected that Malabar will extensively produce cotton for foreign consumption. The locality which promises to grow the best cotton io Malabar is the Cherakal Talcok, the Ponom lands of which are very well adapted to it. The proper time forsowing is August or September, and it is expedient that supplies of seed should be furnished in June or July next, in order that plaster. as well as natives may have an opportunity of giving it a fair trial. A letter sou read from the Foreign-office, stating that a copy of the meniorial from the association, on the subject of the forced labour employed at the Suez Canal, as affecting the production of cotton in EJypt, has bees transmitted to her Majesty's agent and oonsuLgeneral in Egypt, with instructions to urge the matter on the attention of the Viceroy. The de putation reported that Earl Russell had received them with Snail courtesy, and assured them that he was fully aware of the evil results pointed out, and had been already in communication with the Egyptian government on the ques t:on. A letter was read from the seameary of the Royal Italian Commission, /Latium that the sidle me the president of the association to the Exhibition of Turin had afforded much gratification and encouragement, and conveying the unanimous thanks of the commission to the association for its sympathy end help. Samples° ! Peruvian cotton ginned in Lima by an American cleaning machine were fomented for examination, and also samples of cotton grown on the north-weet coast of Mexico, near Mazatlan, valued at 23,;.1. per lb. Grants of seed were made for Sicily and Grimes. OBNITAL PALAOL ONE SRILLINO DAY. THUIRDAY. 31 A nclt 24.—A.droimes. of paroset, 1114; iinbi by *ISOM Laois, 697 ; toial, 1,379. ,fr