The Press. — London, England, 1857-07-04 00:00:00

thus proved one of two things, either that the " All cleared up " had not been received, or that Lewisham had acknowledged the departure of the 0.30 train. The stationmaster at Lewisham swore that the Strood train arrived at Lewisham at 10.40, and that he stopped it in obedience to the telegraph, the indicator showing "Stop all up" from Lewisham : The collision took place at 10.53. The semaphore and distant signals were at " danger ;" the whole of the line was stopping, and the 0.30 train, on approaching the station, had the same signals against them which had brought up the 9.15 train. I first became aware of the approach of the 9.30 train by seeing it dart under the bridge, the engine having two white lights in front of it. I do not know of any telegraph signal being received from Blackheath between the time of the 9.15 train stopping and the collision. The under guard of the Beckenham train said : I saw the LeAisham junction signals when between the two bridges from Blackheath, and applied the break. The signal was a red light. We were going at a good rate, what I should call " full swing." I also saw the station signal as well as the distant signal. Both were red lights. On seeing the distant signal it is our duty to stop outside the distant signal, but we could not do so on Suuday night, because we were going so fast. The signalmen of the Blackheath and Lewisham stations have both been arrested. Two dials were produced at the coroner's inquest held yesterday at Lewisham by Mr. Carter, and the working of the instruments explained by Mr. Tyer, of Cornhill, who is connected with the railway electric signals of the company. It appeared from explanation to be as perfect as possible for the prevention of a collision. To the instrument is affixed a gong and a bell, for giving notice to each station—the gong being struck for down trains and the bell for the up trains, and on no occasion could they be struck by mistake. If Lewisham signalled to Blackheath " Stop all up," the latter could not have altered it until there was another signal from Lewisham that the line was clear. Blackheath with two beats should have called the attention of Lew isham to the train being ready ; and even admitting Lewisham might have given a wrong signal, pro. vision was made for rectifying such a mistake before the train leaves the station. The signals are struck by the pressure of a button, and not by clockwork. At the inquest Mr. Nelson, the station-master at Lewisham, said that immediately after the collision be ran to the Lewisham signal station : He looked at the telegraph needles and sawthat they stood " Stop all up." He asked Wild, " How is this?" Wild said, " I can't say ; Blackheath gave me two beats on the instrument, to which I gave no reply, as the needle stood Stop all up.' " Two beats indicated that the up train was ready to start, but on receiving no reply the train ought not to have been started, and the Blackheath station master ought not to have detained it. If an answer had been given for the train to proceed one beat would have been sufficient ; that might have been given without altering the needles pointing " Stop all up." The origin of the accident lay in an old and common cause of complaint : The 9.56 Woolwich train was the brat cause of the stoppage. It was stopped at New Cross for the collection of tickets. Photographs, taken by direction of the company of the line by Mr. Beard, the photographist, of King William-street, were produced before the jury, showing that the signals at Lewisham were distinctly visible at distances greater than necessary for the driver to bring his train to a stand, and one of the photographic views was taken from an engine placed on the main line of the railway at the Blackheath station, a distance of three-quarters of a mile, the other from the engine when at the dis tance of 800 yards from the Lewisham station. In both views the danger signal was most clearly deli neated, and in one, the guard who ran back on the night of the accident to warn the approaching train was also most accurately represented, as holding out his lamp as a signal of danger. But this terrible accident is not the only one of the week. A Wigan excursion train on Saturday night last met with a precisely similar accident from a precisely similar cause. On its return home with its Lad of 1,400 persons, it stopped at Kirby, and one man and a boy proceeded to collect the tickets. After twenty minutes' delay, a luggage train from Liverpool came in sight; the danger signal was up, but the gear of the luggage engine was out of order ; the engineer could neither stop nor reverse her, so he and the fireman jumped off, and left the excursionists to Providence and their own legs. As many as could, jumped out of the carriages, but sufficient were left behind to give a list of seventy severely injured by the collision. No deaths as yet have occurred, though many dreadful injuries were sustained. This is sufficient for one week ; possibly as the season has begun we may have occasion to renew the subject next week. .10••••0•••••.•••... THE PRESS, JULY 4, 1857. dloneg Abdul net ditg Intelligence. FRIDAY EVENING. TILE return of the Dank of England for the week ending the 27th ult., chows the following cuanges compared with that for the week preceding:— Increase in Circulation Increase in Public Deposits 443,635 Decrease in Other Deposits Increase in Securities ... Increase in Bullion Increase in Rest Decrease in Reserve Bullion in Both Departments Circulation, including Bank Post Bills This is again a favourable return, for although the Reserve shows a falling off, the diminution is inconsiderable, having regard to the demand for money which prevailed during the week, as shown by the increase in the Private Securities. The Bullion continues to increase. It now amounts to nearly 11,400,0./01., with the certainty of further additions in the succeeding, retorn. The Public Deposits now amount to nearly 8,250,000/. Money has been in active demand the greater part of the week. This indeed was to be expected, considering the ap - proach of the period when commercial acceptances to a large amount have to be provided for, the incidence of heavy re venue payments, and the gravity of the feelings caused by the first shock of the Indian news. The pressure, however, has not been excessive. Occasionally, good hills have been taken at a point or two below the Bank minimum, but in the general market there has been no change. The Indian intelligence completely diverted attention from the French elections. The first effect of it was perceived in a sensible increase of caution in dealing with certain classes of hills, and in a generally unfavourable turn of opinion ; but a reaction afterwards occurred, especially upon its being announced that the East India C ompany had lowered their rate for drafts on the several presidencies one per cent., a measure which will diminish the expos t of silver to India. Yesterday, and again to-day, the market was generally easy, with less demand than might have been looked for. A reduction in the rate of discount to five and a half per cent. is expected next Thursday. Some persons in dulged in the hope that a change of this sort would have been made yesterday, but it proved unfounded, and much dissat afaction was consequently both felt and expressed. A little consideration, however, might have induced the reflection that in the present condition of the market, with the possibility of sudden checks to its improvement from natural and political causes, it is more prudent to wait for a consolidation of the existing improvement than to peril its advantages by a reduction that might not be warranted by the results. _ . The specie imports of the week amount to rather more than 900,0001., by far the greater portion of which remains in this country. The known exports at present are under 150,0001. The Bank has purchased during the week abut . 240,0001., besides receiving an influx of sovereigns from Scotland and also from Ireland. About 400,000/. is overdue or nearly so from Australia, and the next royal mail steamer will bring not much less than 1,000,0001. The prospects, therefore, of increasing our stock of the precious metals are very satisfactory. The steamer leaving Southampton to-morrow takes out 895,220/. for India and China. Silver declined I to-day. I'he Continental Exchanges continue to be tolerably well supported, though in some places they are rather flatter than they were last week. The English Funds have not been animated; and their general tendency, in consequence of the mutiny in India, has been downwards. Last Friday Consols left off at 93} ex div. The Indian news sent them down to 922 at once, and subsequently they fell to 9:22 to 2. which was the lowest price of the week. Yesterday there was a little revival, as they closed at 922 to 2. The Bulls have been discouraged all the week, and the Bears have not been inclined to support their opinions by operating to any material extent. Speculation, consequently, has been exceedingly dull; and of bona-fide business little or none has taken place, nor, indeed, is much expected until the dividends become pay able, towards the end of next week. To-day there was more strength in the market, and the final quotation was 921 to 1. The Foreign Market has not presented any features o importance beyond a rise of about two per cent. in Peru vian stock. Railway Shares have been heavy, business beingf hindered by the set - demert and by the political causes which have adversely affected the other departments of the Stock Exchange. Quotations, consequently, are all lower than this day week, the rates charged for continuations to the new account having been neutralised or lost. Canadian stocks have been exceedingly depressed but today they showed a tendency to recover. Grand Trunks declined at one time to 13, sellers. Little more• than a fortnight since this stock was at 16. South Easterns have also declined, in consequence of the lament able occurrence on the North Kent line. Foreign lines generally are also depressed. Joint-stock Bank, Miscellaneous, and Mining Shares are very dull. Exchequer Bills have been as low as 10s. dis. ; but they have recovered to 4s. dig. to par on some strong put.. chases. The directors of the Eastern Steamship Company have announced that the vessel may be launched in September, but that the trial trip to Portland, Maine, must be deferred to April, 1858. The total cost of the ship, including all contingencies, is estimated at 597,1951, or which MAO/. remains to be met. Of this amount, 92,0001. will be pro. vided by calls at present in anear ; and to supply the balance, the directors have been empowered by the share• holders to borrow 100,0001. upon debentures. 661 The Peninsular and Oriental Company have made a deduction of twenty-five per cent. in their rates of passage money for all officers on unexpired furlough compelled to return during the next two months. The number on fur lough is said to be about 800. At a meeting of the Creditors of Messrs. Gotch, the bankers of Kettering, who failed on the 9th alt., it was resolved that the estate should be wound up under inspec tion. The assets are 82,0001., against 132.0261. liabilities, and it is expected that 10s. in the pound will be realised. The failure is ascribed to advances having been made without adequate security. A committee of management has been chosen by the shareholders in the North British Australasian Company, consis ing of two of the old directors and four other share holders, of whom three were members of the committee of investigation. The Westminster Improvement Bondholders have re• solved to oppose the Westminster Improvements Bill No. 3, now before the House of Commons, and a subscription of 2s. per cent. is being made to constitute a fund to meet the expenses. It is stated that the Royal West India Mail Steatu.packet Company and the European and Australian Royal Mail Company will be amalgamated, if the shareholders concur with the directors. The Provincial Trade Reports are upon the whole rather favourable this week. BANK OF ENGLAND. An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Bth Victoria, cap. 31 for the week ending on Saturday, the 27th day of June, 1857. 1880 C nEPARTYZNT. Notes Issued .... 425,179,230 Government Debt A 11,015,100 Other Securities .. 3,459,000 Gold Coin & Bullion 10 704,250 Silver Bullion .... --• 125.179,250 L 25,173,230 BANKING DI ProprietorsTapital9l4,9s3,ooo, Rest Public Deposita , — 8,243 297 Dther Deposits Seven Day & other Bllls Government Soon- rides (including Dead Weigh tAno 110 327 122 Other Securities .. 18 987 881 I Notes G 0144 Silser Coin 674 623 t36,026.5*0 • Including Exchequer, Commissioners of Notional Debt avings' Banks, and Dividend Accounts. Z 36,026,280 . BRITISH FUNDS.— Closing Priem. OFFICIAL QUOTATIONS. 3 per Cent.Consols Ditto for Account i per Cents Reduced 3 per Cents Long Annuities Bonk Stock 7 per Cent New 2t , per Cent Annuit I.:sell. Bills, 2id... (June) Indiaßonds,(l,oool.) Per Cent. REIGI Mond. 1194 FUNDS. Brazilian -- 1 Danish a Mai. ( Ex 12 Guil )21 French 9 Do. 4l Do. Bank Stock Mexican 3 65f f 70e, ! z - f. Peruvian 44 Portuguese 4 Rusaian 4i Spanish 3 I furkieh Aco.6 26; i Mond.,Tuesd. Wed. ,Thurs. Friday 231 92f 1, 021 924 u r2l 921 921 92± 22* 41 921 92/ 1 921 921 ; 92k 92; 1181-16'2 7-18 18k $ 7-18 1 212 k 2134 213 2131 5 3d 2d 2 6d 1 5 1 64 'lO 7dl , i 124 ! Mead. Wed. Thairs. i 102 1 102 ,1024 854 84 id; 1 87f 45c, 86f 800;87f40c t e , f a' f. f.l f. 22 I 80 1 804 72? —l I 98 xcl 964 :di 42 404 id, 96 5i 954 5 , 984 Friday. 100 j f a f a • ii , Mon 961 i Aberdeen Birrn. Wolv.kStourVal Bristol and Exeter ' Caledonian Chester and Holyhead Cork and Bandon Cuban It Belfast Junc.' East Anglian Eastern ilnior.(B) East Lancashire Eastern Counties Great Northern Gt. Sth. and Wet of Ire Great Western Lancashire& Yorkshire Lon.,Tilbury,& S. Brkg. Lon., Brighton ,&e London and Blackwell London and Nrth•West. Midland Newmarket. Newry and Enniskillen Norfolk Nrthrn. Counties Union North British North Staffordshire North-Western Oxf., Wrcstr., and Wolv. Scottish Central Scottish Midland South Devon South-Eastern and Dov. South- Western South Wales Waterford & Limerick M ISCELLANEOUS- Australian Agricultural Canada Crystal Palace Crystal Palace of France North British Aug. Land Peel River Land & in.' , icottisli Aust. Invest. South Australian Lane Van Diemen'a Land 1 SHARES Tueed. Pred.l7ltur. 184 91 22 3d '7} I s7j 11912074 19:4 14 97 e 911 14 :04 6 184 100 41 184 92 ) 8 91 9 14 2 '744 1744 5 354 64'354 GI d' d 194104;39420. 354 84451 84 j 97 8 ,97 t! lli # i ll I 9SI 9084 91 :04 5'104 5 644 i'd4l 5 IGO} iloo4 lI iii 9 91 93 76 54 36 7 d 20 201 351 I 17 8 114 i 981 9 1041 5 65 6 100 f 1 IP 112 14 103 64 4 f 831 6 62 4 XI 2 14 42t 11 4 1 4 5 105 7 IA 9 11 S 88 94 19i 20/ 188 LS la I i 11 3S I 1 111 12 i9i2OW [43 47 If 2 i19;10i 1 140 45 111_ 2 X 2B rik 33 5 11 12' .1 i=ll 1.1 1.4 o 111 12 1..".11111, Afond. so 9 91 021 to 36 37' -- di 1904 i 35g o, 07 98 llg 08g AV :04 6 1 1 UOI .1?1 112 .1 . 4 103 A I 83i t, 62 64! 3 i id 43 i 4 1 d 7f 8 1 33 f 106 8' W 11 1 '8 SO 4f 3fl 10+2' 88f lif :112 Gi 103 i t .d 3 1 - I /112 1 4; '62 et 3 *d 43 # 41 ti 1 7i 8 33 'Me 8 !e9 71 !62 ! 4 2 tdi 11 4i& 7i 8 33 106 ,G 9 71' 74 101 i 2 88i 3/1 101} ittB4 •1: 12J ;In 1: 16i .103iA '33A 6 t 103 .34 !62 el id! 1421 Bii 4 id! 1 :1 8 j 1 330 4il 1 1 ° 5 71 169 71 A 9 ISei 94 119001 f :4O 45 I 1 1 lj i2 l le i!ii lA