The Sun. — London, England, 1859-12-29 00:00:00

THE _FATAL RIOT AT ALDERSHOT. Since thy; occurrence of this naost unfortunate outbreak at Aldershot a re tars court of inquiry t;o•ate in the most 0 ;es whic;t lcd to has been sitting at Camp, to in searching ma thi o circumstanc _rave breach of discipline. Untii this- inquiry is concluded both the evidence and-the decision at which the Court may arrive will be kept secret, but enough has already transpired to show, as well as how the quiirrel originated, and who were malty to Llanie. As is tamed • always the case iii cai:lp.) and harraek: , , the usual strict bonds of tli:,cipline are relaxed ou Christmas nights, when a liberal allowance is made for any ' slight breach of discipline arising from prolonged and unusual festivities. At the same time, however, while this indulgence is to a certain extent allowed, yet, as a matter of course, in dealing with such a large body of armed men as are always in camp at Aldershot, special precautions are taken on such occasions to prevent fighting or insubordination of any kind. These customary precautions were, we are informed, by no means overlooked at Aldershot on Christmas night last, as it was known, or sup posed, that between two regiments in camp, which we need not name, a bad feeling subsisted, and which in case of the men meeting at the canteens when excited by drink, might break out into open violence at any moment. Against the occurrence of any disturbance between these two regiments therefore precautions were taken, which were quite successful. Between the 2d Battalion of the 24th Regiment and the King's Own, or Tower Hamlets' Militia, the best possible feeling was supposed always to exist, part of the latter regiment occupy ing the same block of permanent barracks with the former. Any collision between these two corps, therefore, it is needless to say, was never for a moment dreamt ef; yet, at a moment when least expected, a drunken squabble among the men in a canteen gave rise to a most serious riot, which, though all• happening comparatively in but a short space of time, actually proceeded to such lengths that the 24th at last attacked and fired upon their comrades in the militia, killing one and wounding three others. As we stated in our im pression of yesterday, the 2d Battalion of the 24th, forming part of the Second Brigade, occupied the west block of buildings of the permanent barracks in the South Camp. As long descriptions of these barracks appeared in The ,Sun when they were re cently finished, we need only say here that those intended for the infantry are built in double blocks in parallel lines, the spaces between the front and back blocks being covered in with a ridge and furrow roof of glass and iron, so as to form a sheltered pa rade ground for the men in all weathers. The backs of each block looking on to this parade have outside each story a wide balcony running along the entire length of the building and giving access to the rooms inside. The faults of commission and omission in the whole of these permanent barracks designed by the Royal Engineers are neither few nor unimportant. Two among others being, first, that none of the regimental officers live in any of the blocks with the men, but some distance apart; and secondly, that all the blocks are too large for one regiment, and too small for two. The result of the latter inconvenience is, that at the west block the 2d Battalion of the 24th with three companies of the Tower Hamlets' Militia are quartered toge ther. The former corps occupies the whole of the front block and the lower stories of the back ditto, leaving the upper story of the latter to the three Militia companies we have mentioned. The other companies of the Tower Hamlets' Militia Regiment were distributed in huts in the South Camp, near head-quarters. As is the custom on Christmas-day, the officers provided the Christmas dinners for the men of their respective companies on last Sunday. At these entertainments, which took place in the middle of the day, there is no doubt but that many of the men laid the foundation for that state of in toxication which was more or lessprevalent through out the Camp on that evening. After the dinners were over, the troops mostly went as usual to their various canteens, the men of the 24th Regiment and those of the Tower Hamlets' Militia going to their own in the west block. It was here the quarrel first began, and like all drunken squabbles of the kind, there are at least 50 different versions of the affair. The most probable account, and that• most generally believed, is that it arose from some men of the Militia treating two or three of the 24th to beer, which other men of the latter regiment, who were not invited to partake of it, drank up. A fight is stated to have ensued, in which the 24th were beaten, though quickly reinforced by large numbers of their comrades, the Militia were soon over powered, and driven to take shelter in their bar racks, where the 24th were also quartered. A running fight appears to have taken place, during which the Militiamen reached the balcony attached to the story in front of their portion of the block. On this place of retreat a general attack seems to have been made by the men of the 24th, armed with sticks, brooms, stones, and large lumps of coal, which was of course replied to in kind from above by the Militiamen. The row had only lasted a few minutes, and the Militiamen, who were outnumbered in the rate of six to one, and appear to have been getting the worst of it, since they were now, many of them, running for shelter to their rooms, when a cry was raised arming the 24th that their opponents were going for their r:fies. Though' this statement appears to have been without the least foundation, yet, most unfortu nately, the men of the 24th believed it, and conceiv ing that they were about to be attacked with fire arms, at once, in their drunken rage, went in for their own. As a matter of course, there were soon obtained, the men appearing to seize whichever fire lock carne first to hand. A most imprudent rule of the service requires that each man in camp or garri son shall always be provided with 20 rounds of ball cartridge, and with these some of the men instantly loaded and fired very many rounds from one balcony across into the other occupied by the Militia. The marks of 27 halls are still to be seen on the doors, walls, and windows, One man, a private in the Militia, named James King, who was standing in one of the rooms warming himself by the fire, was shot through the abdomen by a rife bullet which came through the room door. He fell at once, and, after a few hours of intense suffering, died. Two other men were also wounded with bullets, though not dangerously, and one drummer lad was much hurt by blows from sticks and stones. All those men belonged to the Tower Hamlets' Militia, not one of the 24th being injured, we believe, in any way. All this fighting and firing took place, as we have said, in a very few minutes. Instantly on hearing of the riot, Major Adams, of the Tower Hamlets' Militia, with other officers, hurried to the spot, and, seconded by the exertions of the officers of the 24th, who had also been alarmed, the dis turbance was soon quelled. It would have been known, probably, and stopped before a shot could have been fired if the night had not been an un usually wild and stormy one, the wind sweeping across the heath with such fierceness that not a sound of the struggle reached the officers' quarters till the firing actually commenced. The divisional pickets were marched to the spot at once, and, as a further precaution, the regiments of the second bri gade were also paraded. Both the 24th and the Tower Hamlets' Regiments were immediately de prived of their weapons and ammunition. A careful examination of both was made which showed that all the shots had been fired by the men of the 24th Regiment, for the weapons of the Militia were clean, and their complement of ball-cartridge untouched. About 50 of the men of the 24th were at once ar rested, and of these more than 40 of those most im plicated are still in custody. A few of the Tower Hamlets' Militia were also locked up, but none, we are informed,. remain now under arrest, as there seems not the least doubt but that they were the parties aggrieved, and that the men of the 24th have committed a most cowardly outrage. Of course not the least clue has been obtained to the man who fired the fatal shot. Indeed, most of those who fired at all are said to have been too drunk to tell the direction in which they were level ling, and nothing but this and the darkness of the night can account for so few of the Militia having been hit during the fusillade. The non-com missioned officers who have more immediate charge of the men are much blamed in camp for allowing the riot to progress to the alarming ex tent it did without at once informing the officers of both the corps engaged, when the fatal con sequences,, of the t umu l t m i g h t h ave b een averted. he public also, we think, will be inclined to ask whether it is not high time the imprudent rule which places weapons and. 20 rounds of ball cart ridge in the reach of often drunken men, should not be rescinded, as far at least as regards the troops in England. If on last Christmas night the men of the 'fewer Hamlets' Militia had. yielded so far to their exasperated feelings as to return the fire of their assailants, there is no knowing what the loss of life would have been on both sides, for such a fight once begun could not have been easily stopped. It is much to be regretted that the year, which has up to the present been particularly enarked by the good conduct of all the troops in carefp, should now i close lvida such an instance of murd.eroae nsubor dinathan. The inquest on the murdered man is ti:ccd to take place in the South Camp to morrow (this day). His Royal Highness the Coalmand - in-Chief will visit the camp to-morrow to inquire personally into the circumstances connected with the emeute. The. 24th Regiment still remains in it_4 old quar ters, in the l Vest Block, where the riot took place• It is not, we i ')elieve, intended to change the position of this regim ent, as such a change would be tanta mount to an a Omission on the part of the camp au thorities that they had no means of keeping order, among the trc ops save by keeping the regime Ats apart: Putting aside this unfortunate outbreak of drunken ill-temper, all th® regiments in camp have lately been most unusually well-behaved and healthy. PROPOSED AIIIAI.OAIIIA TIOX OF TILE .LO2N7DON GA S COMPANIES. The details of a plan for the settlement of the disputes between the metropolitan parishes and the gas companies by the amalgamation of the 13 companies into one, have been published in a letter to the Right Hon. Sir George C. Lewis, Bart., by Mr. T. G. Barlow, the chief points of which are thus set forth : " That £5,472,320 in stock of the amalgamated company' shall be distributed amongst the holders of fully paid-up non-preferential shares in the existing companies, in proportion to the net profits realised by each company during the year ending at Midsummer last, after deducting the dividends paid en prefe rence shares ; interest on bonds, mortgages, or loans ; reproduction and redemption funds. for the conversion of all leasehold and copyhold property into freehold ; but, in making such distribution, the additional profits arising from the sale of com mon coal gas by any of the companies withiia the limits of the Metropolis Local Management Act, 1855, at rates exceeding 4s. 6d. per 1,000 cubic feet, and beyond those limits at rates exceeding ss. per cubic feet, shall not be taken into account ; and if any dispute or difference should arise be tween the companies as to the amount of stock in the amalgamated company to which they may be respectively entitled under this condition, the same shall be referred to arbitration, under the provi sions of the Railway Clauses Act, 1845. That the holders of all partially paid-up shares shall have the option of paying up the balance due on their respective shares, and of then receiving stock in the amalgamated company, on the same basis as the holders of fully paid-up shares ; but that in the event of their declining to accept this option they shall receive stock for the amount actually paid up on the same basis. That all preference shares, bonds, debentures, mortgages, loans, or other obligations of the existing com panies shall become charges on the amalgamated company. That the provisions of the Gasworks Clauses Act, 1847, shall be incorporated in the act of the amalgamated company. That the profits to be divided in any one year amongst the shareholders of the amalgamated company , shall not exceed £6 13s. 4d. per cent. on the ordinary paid-up share capital. That the reserve fund shall not exceed one-fortieth part of the nominal capital of the com pany. That all new stock which may be issued by the amalgamated company shall be sold by auction, and if sold at a premium the premium shall not be considered as part of the capital of the company entitrid to dividend. That the maximum price for cannel coal gas supplied by the amalgamated com pany within the limes of the Metropolis Local Management Act, 1855, shall be 6s. per 1,000 cubic feet, except in the City of London and the liberties thereof, and in those parts of the districts of Lime house, Mile-end Old-town,Poplar, and Whitechapel, which are now supplied with gas by the Commer cial Company, where the maximum price shall be 4s. per 1,000 cubic feet, with a rent for the hire of meters equal to 121 per cent, on their cost ; and that the maximum price for cannel coal gas supplied by the company beyond the limits of the before mentioned act shall be 6s. Bd., and for common coal gas ss. per 1,000 cubic feet. That, unless pre . vented by frost, unusual deficiency of coals, or other unavoidable cause or accident, or during necessary , repairs occasioned by such accident, the minimum illuminating power of all cannel coal gas supplied by the company shall be such that a burner consum ing three cubic feet of gas per hour shall give a light equal to 12 sperm candles, each candle burning 120 grains per hour ; and the illuminating power of all common coal gas shall be such that a burlier consum ing five cubic feet of gas per hour shall give the same light. That the Amalgamated Company shall be managed by a chairman and 28 directors, to be elected by the shareholders from amongst the direc tors of the existing companies, and by seven direc tors to be named by the Metropolitan Board of Works. That one or more eminent chemists, to be named by the Board of Trade, shall be appointed to test the quality and purity of the gas supplied by the company, and to report thereon every month. That oee or more auditors, to be named by the Board of Trade, shall be appointed to audit the half yearly accounts of the company, and that copies of the accounts so audited shall be lodged with the clerks of the peace of the counties of Middlesex, Sur rey, and Kent. That the company shall be bound to supply gas to all public street lamps which may be erected by any of the district boards or vestries, at distances not exceeding 75 consecutive yards from each other, at the lowest price charged for gas to any private consumer within the district. That, upon the application of the owner or occupier of any building or premises situated - within 10 yards of any main belonging to the company, the company shall supply gas as may be required to such build ing or premises, and that although the former te nant may be in arrear for gas supplied ; but the company may, if they think fit, require a reason able sum to be deposited with them as security, and if any dispute shall arise as to the reasonableness of the security required, it shall be heard and deter mined by a justice. That, so long as the charge for cannel coal gas supplied by the company within the limits of the Metropolis Local Management Act, 1855, shall exceed ss. 8d per 1,000 cubic feet, and 4s. 3d. per 1,000 cubic feet for common coal gas the company shall not be authorised to divide more than 5 per cent. on their ordinary paid-up share capital, nor more than 6 per cent, when the prices shall have been reduced to the above rates, but that they shall be permitted to divide £6 13s. 4d. per cent. when the prices shall be reduced to Ss. 4d. per 1,000 cubic feet of cannel coal gas, and 4s. per 1,000 cubic feet of common coal gas, within the districts where the present charges are Os. and 4s. 6d. respec• tively. That within three years of the passing of an act for carrying these arrangements into effect the manufacture of gas shall be discon tinued at the Westminster, Brick-lane, and Cur tain-road works of the Chartered Gas Company. That power shall be granted to the Amalgamated Company for the erection of a new western gas manufacturing station on Old Oak-common, or the vicinity thereof; for pochasing the Victoria Dock Gasworks; and for establishing telegraphic com munication by wires between the several stations of the company and a central office. That any salaried officer or servast of the existing companies whose engagement is otherwise than by , the week, and whose services may not be required under the new distribution of districts, shall be entitled to a retiring pension for life equal in amount to two thirds of his present salary." In further explanation of the conditions on which it is proposed that the amalgamation shall take place, it is stated that the amount of fully paid-up non-preferential share capital of the existing com panies is £3,648,215, and as the amalgamated stock on which the dividends would afterwards have to be paid would be £5,472,320, the proposed maxi mum dividend of £6 13s. 4d. per cent. would be equal to 10 per cent. on the existing capital of the companies; and as the present average dividends amount to about 71 per cent. on that capital, the proposed maximum would be 21 per cent, higher than the existing profits. As 10 per cent. is the maximum dividend allowed by Parliament in all the recent acts for the establishment of gas com panies, neither the shareholders nor the gas con sumers can grumble at the rate of dividend pro posed ; and that dividend, it will be seen, is not to be shared until the price of gas has been consider ably reduced ; all subsequent increase of profits be ing devoted to the diminution of price. It is observed by Mr. Harlow that gasworks, from their very nature, must be monopolies, and the great economical question for consideration is, whether the public 'can be better served by one well-regulated and properly controlled body, than by 13 separate and independent bodies, each having a distinct administration and staff, and uncontrolled by any check on the part of the public except the delusive one of being open to short-lived competi tion, the certain end orwhich would be combination. In the proposed amalgamation the interests of the gas consumers, as well as those of the gas com panies, appear to be consulted; and as Mr. Harlow is known to possess the confidence of the latter, whilst he has been called on by the principal organ of the delegates from the parishes to suggest a plan for the arrangement of the gas supply of the metro polis, it may be hoped that both parties will agree to the proposed settlement of their differences. A CHRISTMAS HoAx.—The lovers of the turf were agreeably surprised on Monday morning at seeing an adver tisement in the Guardian of a "novel and exciting steeple chase," to t a k e pl ace th a t d a y, on th e Old T ra ff or d course. The bill of fare comprised a race "between l'ilr. Bell's per forming elephant, and a West Australian goat, six. fences, distance one mile, fur a wager of £100," and sundry other races of a less interesting character. This very novel an nouncement caused considerable interest amongst the sport- ' ing fraternity, the omnibuses carried down goodly numbers to see the strange sight, while cabs, drags, and other vehicles were also called into requisition, - and the road assumed quite an•animated appearance —so many were there anxious to see I,l\e fun. Considerable curiosity was ex pressed as to hoW, the " unwieldy brute" ,would take the fences, and whether the goat would have a rider. The matter, however, was not long in doubt, fur as each vehicle put down its load at the entrance to the course, and as the pedestrians arrived, they were greeted with a broad grin by the rustics assembled there, and bide in very earnest terms to "go whoam" again. Whether the innkeepers htri laid in an extra stock o f Christmas beef, and were anxious to get up a merry party together r to whetheren joy it it, wag and , , s got o pr a u p c , -, tised this hoax upon the people, or by some anti -racing lovers of the turf, wo are unable ttlen I t: d tr e y ei t d h e e ; g b a u l t li w ht h h oe ty v e er f the th e jokers ' nch were they would hav e had a very warm reception lead they presented themselves on the growl.-- Guardian. , . TRE7SIJN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING; DECEMBER 29, 1859. THE FIRE IN WESTMINSTER. Yesterday Mr. Bedford, coroner for the city of Westminster, and a highly respectable jury, held an inquest at the Guildhall on the bodies of Henry John Billson, Sarah Bitlson, Eliza Chapman, and Clarissa Chapman, whose several deaths had been occasioned by . the breaking out of a fire early on Friday morning last, at the premises of Mr. A. C. Hook, land surveyor, situate in Little George-street, in the rear of and adjoining to No. 13 A, Great George-street. Mr. Rogers, vestry clerk of the united parishes of St. Margaret and St. John ; Mr. White, of the County Fire-office; Mr. Hayes, of the Royal In surance Company; Mr. Havard, inspector of the Fire Escape Society ; Mr. Braidwood, superin tendent of the Fire Brigade ; and Inspector Butt, of the A division, were present to watch the pro ceedings on behalf of the various interests which they respectively represented. The jury, havinc , been sworn, went with the coroner to view th:bodies, which were lyiuts in the dead-house in Christchurch churchyard, Broadway. On their return, _ _ Jesse Nye was called and examined. He said he was clerk to Messrs. Hallett and Co., of No. 6, Little George-street, opposite the house burnt down. He knew all the deceased persons by name. Henry John Billson was about twenty months old. Sarah Billson was three years old. They were the child ren of Mr. Henry Billion, who was an articled clerk. Eliza Chapman (mother of Mrs. Billson), was a w idow, and about 53 years of age. Clarissa Chap man, her daughter, was 18 years of age. They all lived in the house where the fire occurred. A little past two o'clock on Friday morning he awoke, and saw from his window the reflection of a fire in the kitchen of Mr. Hook's house. He hastened downstairs, and ran to call a fire escape. There was a bar across Little George street, which would prevent an easy access by that way for the fire escape, and he assisted in re moving it. The escape ladder was then, by the assistance of a policeman, put up against the second floor window. Some of the windows were broken. Charles Nye, also living at No. 6, Little George street, clerk to Messrs. Coutts and Co., said that havin; been on a visit to his sister, he was coming home early on Friday morning, when he heard loud screams proceeding from 13a, Great George-street. He went towards the house, and found the front door open. He drew up the spring of the inside door and immediately saw a flame of light cross the passage. He ran towards the Broad Sanctuary, and assisted in bringing up the fire-escape to the bar in Little George-street, and while going a few steps to get the key of the bar he saw that tk escape had been got through. The ladder wTs placed against the centre window of the second floor of the burning house. The rope which was used for the purpose of raising the additional ladder, so as to reach the third floor, was let loose, but in attempting to work it the upper end of the ladder, on being drawn out from the side of the fire-escape, came in contact with the house No. 6. on the oppo site side of Little George-street. Efforts were then made to turn the escape ladder on one side, so as to admit of the additional length being raised, but in doing so the lever by some accident became broken - . The man who had charge of the ladder then went up the short part of it, but on reaching the second floor staircase window a dense mass of smoke met him in the face, and he could not proceed any fur ther. The escape was then put aside. The fire engines reached the spot about twenty minutes or half an hour afterwards. There was a good supply of water. He assisted in saving the woman and child who were rescued from the flames. The fire escape man appeared to be perfectly capable of performing his duty. He did not believe that any delay occurred on the part of any one throughout the proceedings. He believed the fire originated on the basement of the building. The street was wide enough to have allowed the ladder to be raised to the third floor if the breakage of the lever had not occurred. There was a great deal of wainscoting about the premises, and the staircase ran up to the centre of the building, so that a fire might be burn ing a long time before it would be discovered. Sarah Ann Gadd said she was servant to Mrs. Chapman. She went to bed on Thursday night at half-past 11 o'clock. Her bedroom was on the se cond floor front. She left all the family up, con sisting of Mrs. Billson, Mrs. Chapman, and Miss Chapman—the children, the little girl and little boy were in bed—and also Mr. Billson, who did not sleep in the house. Mrs. aid Miss Chapman and the children slept on the top floor. She had taken her supper in the kitchen by herself, and when she went to bed there was a very large fire in the grate. The family had been washing, and her mistress had placed the clothes on the backs of chairs near the fire for the purpose of drying. Sho knew that it was her mistress's intention that they should re main there to dry. The family were usually up late. They occupied a sort of kitchen parlour, a passage only dividing it from the kitchen. The first thing she heard after going to bed and having fallen asleep was the breaking of glass. She imme diately ran upstairs and examined Mrs. Chapman's door. She met her at the door, and said that she thought the house was on fire, as it was full of smoke. She did not see any flame. She left her mistress and went to Mr. Hook's lumber-room, at the tsp of the house, and opened the window and got out. She had previously seen Miss Chapman in her bedroom. Hearing violent screaming, she turned back, but the smoke was so great that she was forced to get out of the window again, and from a small parapet she jumped down on the roof of a stable in Mr. Serjcant AVran ghara's yard where she believed she remained upwards of three-quarters of an hour, when she was released by Serjeant Wrangham's female servant. She did not know whether any person fastened the front door or not after Mr. Billson had left the house for the nieht, as she had gone to bed before he left. James G. Fleming, engireer of the Fire Brigade at the Chandos station, said he was called to the fire on Friday morning, and on arriving at it he found the house on fire from basement to top. The escape was there, but it had been removed a little way down the street. He got the fire-engine to work, and on going to Sergeant AVrangliam's house he saw the last witness on the roof of the stable. lie sent assistance, and she was released from her perilous position. Between 8 and 9 o'clock in the morning, when the fire had been put out, he got on the roof the adjoining house to obtain access to the the third floor of the building which had been on fire, and there he discovered two bodies. They were lying within three feet of the centre front window. They were the bodies of a woman and of a little boy. He wrapped them up in a blanket and sheet, and got them on to the roof. He could form no opinion as to the origin of the fire. Wm. Woods, of Pool-place, Tothill-fields, car penter, said that on Saturday afternoon he was sent by his master, Mr. Higgs, to put up a hoarding in Little George-street, and that after searching for some time he discovered among the rubbish on the basement flow the body of a child very muck charred, and after making a further search he found the body of a woman. This was about 5 o'clock. An old man named Webley proved the removal of the bodies to the dead-house. Mr. E. Higgs, 8, Dartmouth-street, said he was a builder, and that he had been requested by Mr. Hook to examine the premises, and to enclose them. His man Woods did so, and found the bodies as had stated in his evidence. On inspecting the premises himself he found in the kitchen fireplace one iron hanging on the front of the grate, another on the hob, and a third within the fender. The kitchen was divided from the adjoining room by a wooden parti tion only. There was very little damage indeed done in the parlour kitchen. The whole of the staircase from top to bottom was woodwork, and was entirely destroyed. There was a trapdoor on the third floor landing and a ladder, but any man might have got out without requiring steps at all. There was also good exit from the back of the home. The kitchen had a stone floor, and there was a proper fender at the fireplace. There was nothing to jus tify him in asserting positively that the fire took place in the kitchen, but there was every probability that it did. James Parish, of the A division, said that about half-past 2 o'clock on Friday morning he was com ing down Great George-street, and while passing Little George-street he heard a cracking of glass. The sound came from Little George-street. Reran towards the house No. 13a, and found it to be on fire in the kitchen. He immediately raised an alarm, and after three or four hard knocks at the door he heard some terrible screaming in the house. He then sprang his rattle and called for assistance, and seeing a man coming from the Sanctuary he asked him to fetch the fire-escape. This occupied only eight or nine minutes. He then returned to the house which was on fire, and heard some person in side unbolting it. A woman looked out and asked what was the matter. lie told her the house was on fire, that she must come out directly and not stay for anything. She would not come out, but turned back again and left the door partly open, without saying anything. The sergeant of the division then came up end sent for the engine at the Chandos station, .He remained at the door, and after a t fihw l tt e s. tst o s - ifi a o m io who otl e iriieewr ainncotat h oot a N Nro d , No o mi p stp e hoi : na e bg d ue minute or so a woman (he did not know if she was en ot i ,e. to the chut ild with iooohNtvrhe) her arms. to ild first. She did throw•out the child, ac ht h any and ae he dme uponacna u s g t standing d r h i o t n o l g a th b o r y f o whN:hiretransneesdlf witness's u s t i , d w e, hi cbhir thenhiedr, and i t was cant; wclhSi thereby ie oke fall. Mr, Lavies, surgeon, said he had visited the dead- house, and had viewed the bodies lying there. One was that of a middle-aged woman, but her remains had been reduced to a mer e t run k. The next was the body of a young woman of about 19 or 20 years of age. It was very much charred. There were also the bodies of two children, one a girl about four years old, and the other a boy, apparently about two years old. They were all completely charred. He attended Mrs. Billson professionally. She was the daughter of Mrs. Chapman, and the mother of the two children. She was greatly dis tressed in mind, and would not be able to attend and give her evidence in less time than a week. She had told him that she left her mother downstairs in the kitchen when she herself went up to bed. Mr. Tebbut, the landlord of the Green Man, op posite to No. 13a, Little George-street, described what he called the "blundering" manner in which the man who had charge of the fire-escape attempted to raise it against the third floor window. He did not think the lever was broken when the ladder was first partially put up. The man did not ap pear to be any the worse for liquor. William J. Brown, a news-vender, living at No. 4, Little George-street, said he was aroused out of his sleep by the police, and was told that there was a flue. On looking out of his wind ow , h e cou ld see down the area of Mr. Hook's house, and he saw flames coming up from the kitchen area. This witness also spoke as to the unsuccessful attempt to raise the fire escape to the third floor. The Secretary of the Fire Escape Society here produced a model of the fire-escape, and ex plained how it happened that the upper ladder could not be raised after the escape had been brought into the narrow part of the street, within the bar which has been so often mentioned. The only blame that could possibly attach to the fire-escape man was, that he did not raise the ladder before he got into the narrow, part of Little George-street. The man had always been very steady, and witness had never had any reason to find fault with him since he had been in the society's service. Henry Beard, 12 A, sergeant, was next examined and gave a minute statement of the exertions he made, after Parish had made to him his report, to obtain the services of the engines from the different stations of the Fire Brigade. He despatched men in cabs to the Chandos station, the Lambeth station and to the Horseferry-road station, but he ad mitted he did :not send for the parish engine, although it was under the care of a very competent person, who lived a few doors up Tothill-street, and the engine itself was at St. Margaret's Church which was not 300 yards distant. Mr. Rogers, the vestry clerk, very closely ex amined the witnesses connected with the police on this point, observing that the authorities of the parish of St. Margaret did not complain of the police sending to the Fire Brigade station for en gines, but they did consider it open to censure that they should have omitted to send for the parish engines, which were close at hand. Inspector Butt said that this very question had recently been brought before the Commissioner of Police by the Fire Escape Society. That body wished the commissioner to lay down a rule requiring the police to send for the nearest engine, but he refused to do PO, and said he would leave it to the discre tion of the police themselves to act under the circumstances according to the best of their judgment. He considered that the course pursued by Parish and Sergeant Beard was the proper one to have been adopted. He denied that any prejudice existed against calling for the parish engines, but it must be obvious to every one that the Fire Brigade stations having men always on the spot ready for any emergency, and who were con stantly employed in working fire-engines, were to be preferred to the parish, the engines of which were comparatively seldom employed. Mr. Braidwood, Superintendent of the Fire Bri gade, maid, from the evidence he had heard that day he had not the slightest doubt that the fire origi nated in the kitchen. Perhaps if an engine had been on the spot immediately the alarm was given and under the management of a competent person, the fire might have been put out. He agreed with Inspector Butt, that parish engines were seldom in a good and efficient condition or often under the care of competent persons. Whenever that was the case he knew there existed no feeling on the part of the police against sending for the parish engines. William Crow, of Tothill-street, said he was a constable, and had had the care of the fire engine belonging to the parish of St. Margaret for seven years ; that he had on all occasions been engaged at fires occurring in Westminster until this one, and he mentioned several fires for attending which he had received rewards. He had invariably been called on by the B division, but he did not recollect any instance in which he had been called upon by the A division. Frederick Michell, 70 B, said the fire happened on his beat, and that at about half-past 1 o'clock on Friday he saw a light in the kitchen as that of a candle, which he observed gradually disappeared. There was no appearance at that time of any light from a fire. He saw a woman pull aside the kit chen window after the light had gone gradually away. He had tried the door of the house, and it might be that she was looking out to see who was there. Afterwards he mot a man in the course of his beat who told him he was going for the fire-escape, as a fire had broken out in Lttle George-street. Witness then proceeded to de scribe the attempts that were ineffectually made to render the fire-escape available, in the same manner as they had been spoken to by some of the preced ing witnesses. 'The inquiry was thon adjourned till this day. TIIE TRAGEDY NEAR NOTTINGII.42II. I A brief outline of the murder of George Clark at Lenton, near Nottingham, appeared in Tice Sun yesterday (Wednesday). The full particulars of this horrible event transpired at the coroner's inquisi tion held upon the body on Tuesday evening. It appeared from the evidence of William Weston that he and the deceased were walking across Not tingham-park on Monday night, about 11 o'clock, and ware overtaken by two men—Herbert and Alfred Slack. The two latter without provoca tion commenced an assault. The elder Slack, who was the taller of the two, pushed witness down. Witness did not know then who the men were. After the assault Slack said he would give witness 108. to make it up, and hoped from that time they would become friends. The taller of the two men took witness's arm, and they both walked across the park together. Deceased walked by witness's side in company with the other man, and they all went pleasantly together. They had no angry words. When they got to Mr. Bertram's shop, in the vil lage of New Lenton, the elder Slack called his brother a little back, and uhispered something to him, but witness could not understand what tran spired between them. Witness and the deceased stood still while they whispered, and afterwards Slack took his arm again, and the younger brother ran first. When they arrived at Mr. Henson's shop witness observed the younger Slack coming towards them. The two Slacks lived in the village, and witness supposed he was returning from home. Witness saw nothing in his hand at that time. When the younger brother came up the elder Slack drew his arm out of witness's, and said he was going to pay witness the 10s. He then knocked ' witness down with his fist and kicked him several times while on the ground. The deceased came to pick up witness. Neither witness nor the deceased had during the time struck any blow. While de ceased was picking witness up the former was stabbed by the tall man. Witness could not see with what instrument the wound was inflicted, as it was dark and foggy. While the deceased was stooping down the tall man took a dagger in his hand, and struck the deceased with it. Deceased was at witness's head, raising him: up at the time. He could hardly say which hand the weapon was in, but ho believed it was in the right hand. The deceased received the blow in his left breast. Wit ness was picked up by a woman, and then for the first time he saw blood. After deceased had been stabbed ho dropped down by some palings, and exclaimed, " I'm done, I'm done!" He stood up two or three seconds, staggered back, and then fell. He never spoke afterwards. It was not five minutes from the time witness was knocked down to the time deceased was stabbed. The two men went away directly; they did not stop to renal- any assistance whatever. Several people came up after wards; and the deceased was taken home on a chair, bleeding profusely at the time. Witness would swear that during the whole of the time neither he nor the deceased gave any provocation. After the examination of other witnesses the inquiry was ad journed until Friday morning. The greatest ex citement prevails in the village, and it was not deemed - prudent to bring the prisoners publicly to the inquest. They were taken before the county magistrates on Wednesday on the charge of murder. Mr. Brown appeared for the prisoners, and asked to have a private interview with them. The Bench, however, would only or.nsent to an in terview in the presence of Superintendent , ale tl-orpe. Ile again pressed for a stricter private interview, but the Bench !refused it. Mr. Coroner Swann made application to the Bench for the two prisoners to be present at the adjourned inquest on Friday. This was also declined. They were then formally remanded until Saturday. RECTOR OF ST. ANDREW'S UNIVERSITY.—The following telegraphic message has been received from Sir Ralph Anstruther, Batt, of Balcaskie, the successful can didate at the recent election of rector :—" hog to thank the students for the honour thvy have conferred upon me by appointing 'no Rector of the University, which I accept with pleasure," POLICE INTELLIGENCE-Dm 28. WESTMINSTER.—UNPROVOKED AND CRUEL AssAtvr.—Terence Leary, a labourer, was charged with a most unprovoked assault upon Geo. Emery. The complainant, a respectable-looking man, was passing through Tothill-street on Tuesday night, when defendant, who had just been turned oat of a public-house in an infuriated state of drunken ness, rushed yards him. Complainant, alarmed for his safety, took to flight, but was overtaken by his opponent, who, seizing complainant's hand, violently thrust a portion of it into his mouth, and nearly bit one of his fingers off. Defendant was then secured, and, after some resistance, conveyed to the station-louse. As complainant was suffering very much from the injury ho had received, defendant was remanded till Saturday. MILITARY DESERTION AND FRAUDULENT EN LISTMENT.—Thomas Williams was charged with the two-fold offences of desertion from the 23d Foot and fraudulent re-enlistment into the 3d Foot. He was apprehended upon the first charge, and, the necessary form being gone through to sub stantiate the charge, was recognised as having fraudulently re-enlisted into the regiment above named last Saturday, when in answer to a question from Henry Norwood, of the recruiting staff, from whom he received the enlistment money, he de clared that " he had never served in the army, ma rines, ordnance, militia, or navy, or her Majesty's Indian forces." The case was prosecuted by Lieut. Windowo, adjutant of the London Recruiting Staff; and the prisoner, who made no defence was committed for trial for the fraud, and, after the expiration of his punishment for that offence at the hands of the civil power, is amenable to the military authorities for the desertion. GREENWICH. —CONVICTION OF A MARIN E STonE DEALER.--William Young, a marine-store dealer, of Swan-lane, Rotherhithe, was charged on remand with being in possession of a quantity of sacks, the property of Messrs. Levy and Co., sack merchants, of Rothethithe. Mr. Wontner appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Binns for the prisoner. It appeared that a few weeks since the prosecu tors purchased a large quantity of sacks at a pub lic sale at the Commercial Docks ' being the entire accumulation of such property belonging to the Assam Tea Company, and bearing the marks of the company and different ships. The prisoner occu pied a house between two warehouses of the prose cutors, and his premises being searched ix respect of some stolen metal, by police-constable 225 M, that officer discovered the sacks in question. In spector Reding, M division, called upon the pri soner on the folowing day, and in answer to ques tions put to him, the prisoner at first paid he pur chased the sacks of two young women, and then of a woman and a man, whom he did not know, on which he was taken into custody, the property be ing identified by prosecutors' foreman. Mr. Binns urged in behalf of the prisoner that he had only been in the business a few weeks, and that for 25 years he had b een i n th e serv i ce of! the West India Dock Company, and had borne a good cha racter. Mr. Traill sail that as the prisoner was not know' to the police, he should not send the present case to the sessions for trial. The prisoner must, however, have known from the marks on the sacks, that no man or woman offering them for sale could have come by them honestly, and he should therefore impose the full penalty of Lo or imprisonment for two months with hard labour. The fine was paid. AM BETH.—INDECENT ASSATJLT.—James Bur den, a carpenter by trade, but who keeps a furniture shop at 1, Robert-street, North Brixton, appeared before Mr. Elliott to answer to a summons, charg ing him with assaulting Miss Matilda Smith, a young lady living with her sister and brother-in law, in the same neighbourhood. The complainant, an exceedingly pretty and modest looking young woman, deposed that on Tuesday, the 20th inst., the defendant called, in the absence from home of her sister and brother-in law, to repair some blinds in the drawing-room, and she showed him up stairs. On entering the drawing-room the defendant drew a chair, and got on it to reach the window-blind, while the witness was in the act of removing some articles from the mantel-piece. Among these articles was a photo graphic likeness of herself, and upon seeing it the defendant remarked that if intended for her it was much too old, and more like her sister than her. He then jumped off from the chair, caught her round the waist, and endeavoured to throw her down, but she struggled violently with him, tore herself away from him and ran down stairs into the parlour. The defendant came down stairs some time after and went into the kitchen, where he re mained for some time. Aware that there were some silver spoons and other property strewn about the kitchen, and not knowing what could be his motive for stopping there so long, she left the parlour and proceeded towards the kitchen, where she found the defendant, but kept at a proper distance from him. He then told her he could not finish the blinds then, and asked whether he should tome again on that evening at eight or on the fenowing morning. Aware that her brother and sister would be home before eight o'clock she told him to come at that hour. He then made use of offensive and disgusting language, and frequently repeated the expression, " Then at that hour you will be quite prepared for me, miss." He then left the house, saying he should be back at eight. On their arrival home she informed her brother-in-law and sister of the defendant's conduct, and by their advice had taken out the summons against him. Defendant—Now, miss, did you not show me the picture, and ask me if it was not a good likeness ? Miss Smith—Certainly not. You made the re mark without my being aware of your seeing it. Defendant—Oh, but you certainly showed it to me ; and I said—" It is old enough for your sister." Miss Smith—l repeat that I did not show it to you. Defendant—Did you not open the front door to me, and bow me out, as a respectable person ought to be P Miss Smith—l did nGt open the door to you at all. You opened it yourself, and went away. The brother-in-law of the last witness gave cor roborative evidence, and said the moment ho came home Miss Smith informed him of what had hap pened. The defendant cross-examined this gentleman in the most impudent manner; commencing by saying he very much doubted whether he was married to the lady with whom he lived ; and made some un justifiable remarks on the respectability of his cha racter. The defendant also denied the charge, and said it was nothing more than a conspiracy to de stroy his peace of mind, and disturb him at this festive period of the year. Mr. Elliott observed that it was impossible to doubt the perfect truth of the complainant's state ment, or the fact of his having committed the as sault complained of, and he must therefore pay a penalty of 205., or twenty days. The defendant, who is not wholly unknown at this court, refusing to pay the penalty, was locked up. EXTORTIONATE CHARGES AT GREEN-TARDS.—• Mr. Mansfield, a cab-owner, complained of an ex tortionate charge of 13s. 6d., made for his horse and cab being taken to the green-yard for a few hours. The foreman of the yard attended, and endeavoured to justify the charge by the production of a printed placard, purporting to have been issued by the Counnissioners of Police, but which appeared to have emanated from Bermondsey Paving Board. Mr. Elliott observed that the charge of 13s, 6d. was perfectly monstrous. He said that 6s, was abundant, and ordered the green-yard keeper to re fund Ss. Gd., which order the foreman said should be complied with. 'TIE 1 6 0011.-Box—The acknowledgment of £2 108. for the poor-box from M. S. was requested. SOUTHWARK.—COMMITTAL OF AN OLD POT sTEALER.—•IIannah Lyons, a respeetablo-looking old woman, was charged with stealing two pint pewter pots and a quart pot, the property of Mr. Sambrook, the landlord of the Bricklayers's Arms Tavern, Old Kent•road. _ _ _ Mr. J. T. Sambrook, on of the landlord, said ho had known the prisoner some time as a customer, and had always believed her to be an honest, hard working female. On the previous night she came into the house and entered the public-room. About 3 o'clock witness received such information as in duced him to watch her, and as she wa s a b out to leave the ;louse he stopped her and asked her what she ;ma under her shawl. She said, " Nothing 'what do you mean ?" He told her that she had come pots under her shawl, when she attempted to rush out, but he seized hold of her arms and held her until a constable came up, and he then gave her into custody. The constable took from her a quart and a pint pot, which he identified rs his father's pro perty. Braticy, 291 M, said he was called by last wit ness to take the prisoner into custody. He lifted her shawl and took from her the two pots produced. After he had locked her up he went to her lodgings in the Bermondsey New-road, and found another pint pot marked " W. 5.," which he believed had been st-den from Mr. Spcechley's, the Swan Tavern, in the Dover -road. In answer to the charge, the prisoner said the was too respectable to steal pots. She had them with beer in them, and meant to give them back. . Doran, 280 M, said the prisoner was an old pot stealer. In June, 1857, she was sentenced to two months at this court for pot stealing. The magistrate said there could be no doubt that she was a systematic pot-stealer, therefore he should commit her for trial. HAMMERSMITH.—A young woman, named Lucy Handiside, was brought before Mr. Ingham, charged with robbing her master, Mr. J. H. Great head, a merchant, residing at 48, Inverness-terrace, Bayswater. It appeared from the evidence of the prosecutor and Police constable Smith, of the D division, that the prisoner had been in the service of Mr. Great head between five and six weeks, and some tune between Sunday night and Monday morning last she absconded from the house, taking with her a great many things belonging to the inmates. In consequence of information Smith received he went yesterday morning to Kentish-town, and stopped her as she was walking along the Crofton-road. She at first denied ever having lived at Bayswater, but she afterwards stated that she had, and then took him to No. 10, Ferdinand-street, and in a back room on the ground floor he discovered some of the stolen property, consisting of a cape belonging to Mrs. Greathead, a shirt, two towels, 11 pocket handkerchiefs with Mr. Greathead's name upon them, two holland jackets, &c. Two scarfs and a pencil-case belonging to the prosecutor were found upon her by the female searcher. The prisoner ac oused the cook in prosecutor's house with having assisted her out with her box on Monday morning, and also to obtain a cab. The prosecutor stated that the property produced was worth about £5, but there were several other things they had not been able to find. Mr. Ingham remanded her for a week. A SHOCKING BAD CAB HORSE.—John Stoney, a cab-driver, was charged with cruelty to a horse. Police-constable Hamson said that about two o'clock that morning ho was on duty in High•street, Kensington, when he saw the prisoner driving a horse and cab. He was beating the . poor animal, which appeared in a very low condition, with a whip handle. The horse could scarcely get along, and at last it made a dead. stop. Upon examining it witness found a large running wound on the back, apparently of long standing. Mr. Ingham left the bench to examine the horse. It had a large frame, but was a complete skeleton, and was in a miserable condition. The prisoner said he had just set down a fare and was returning, and could not get the horse out of a walk, which he supposed arose from. weakness. Mr. Ingham said the horse required a good deal of oats rather than the whip handle. Joseph Pocock, of the City-road, said the cab be longed to him, but the horse had be en l en t t o hi m by another man, who was ill and could not work it. The horse had been treated well while he had had it, but he denied that there was any sore on the back the day before. Mr. Ingham was of opinion the sore was o f l ong standing, and inflicted a penalty of 10s., and said the horse would be detained for the money. WANDSWORTH.—STABBING A RATE COL LECTOR.—PhiIip Alexand er M a i r, a nat i ve of Bel gium, residingin Spencer-street, Battersea, was placed in the deck before Mr. Ingham charged with stabbing Mr. Charles Thomas Jones, one of the rate collectors of Battersea. Mr. Reynolds, the solicitor, of Battersea, attended to watch the case on behalf of the prisoner. Inspector Lovelass handed his worship a medical certificate stating that the complainant was unable to attend from the injuries he had received. Mr. Ingham inquired if there was any witness who saw the occurrence. Inspector Lovelass said no person witnessed it. Sergeant Heyret 16 V, said that on Tuesday night, in consequence of information he had re ceived, he went hi search of the prisoner, and at first he could not find him. Ultimately he saw him near his house, and upon telling him he was charged with stabbing- Mr. Jones with some sharp instrument, he replied that he assaulted him first. He also said that he went to Mr. Jones's house, that he had some -wine with him, and they had a dispute about some eggs. Mrs; Jones wanted to know the price, and he (the prisoner) said his price was half a dozen kisses. The prisoner afterwards said it was through jealousy. Witness saw Mr. Jones in bed, and he was suffering from a wound in the back of the head, and from another in the nape of the neck. Four of his fingers on the left hand were cut, and also one of the fingers on the other hand. In answer to questions from Mr. Reynolds, the witness said the prisoner did not offer to run away. He had marks about the head and face. Mr. Ingham asked Mr. Reynolds if he had any bail, as he intended to remand the prisoner for a week. Mr. Reynolds said his client was a ratepayer, and would be able to produce bail. The prisoner was accordingly remanded, but was locked up, as the bail were not present. DARING I IIGIIWAY RUBBERY.—THE INQUIRY DODGE. J oseph Offley, a respectably-dre s sed youth, was brought before Mr. Ingham, on remand, charged with stealing a purse containing money, be longing to Clara Patey, a servant out of place, lodg ing in North-row, Park-lane, Hyde-park. It appeared in evidence, that about one o'clock on Monday afternoon, the 19th inst., the prosecutrix was returning from the house of the Rev. Mr. Bow yer, where she had been applying for a cook's ser vice, and was unsuccessful, when she was accosted by the pri soner, who was dressed in a largo cloth cape, and he asked her to direct him to Clapham common. She told him she was a stranger to the neighbourhood, but that she thought where they were was the common. That answer did not appear to satisfy the young gentleman, for he then wished to be informed the way to Clapham-road, where the " buses" started. He pressed rudely against her, and she became quite alarmed. She again told him she was a stranger to the place and could not direct him. He then wanted to know where he could obtain a cab, and once more she told him she was unable to give him the required information. He at last seemed satisfied, and was turning to -walk away, when sh e felt a suspicious tug at her dress. She immediately put her hand in her pocket and missed her purse, which contained a sovereigd her loss to a n, some silver, and other articles. She communicate gentlema n who was passing, which the prisoner overheard, and he instantly made off as fast as possibly could. He was chased for a considerable distance, e and he was ultimately stopped in the h hl e Wands worth-road by a constable w h o me t hi m as he was running. The prisoner at first said he was runni ng t o hi s aun ts to dinner, in the W andsworth-road, but afterwards stated that it W aterloo_road. He asked the constable how he was untrue, and that he lived in Granby - street, could dis ter by t a ki ng hi m i n t o cus t o dy. and offered him his grace an honest gentleman of his charac watch and a ring and chain if he would release him. The purse was aft erwar d s f oun d i n a ga rden, but a sovereign were missing. Inspector Abrook handed in a long list of con victions against the prisoner, and two constables present proved several of them at Lambeth and Southwark Police-courts under the Vagrant Act. Mr. Neale, who appeared for the prisoner, ap plied to his worship to deal summarily with the case. Mr. Bingham said ho had no discretion in cases where there had been a former conviction. The Go vernment had issued directions for such cases to be committed for trial, and therefore he had no alter native. The prisoner was then fully committed for trial. . LIVERPOOL, Wednesday.—The screw steamer liu!lgarian sailed to-day for Portland with the Canadian and United States' mails and about GO passenget s. On Saturday next the Cunard steamship Europa will be despatched for Boston with the mails for the United States and North America. Letters will be received at the pDst-office on that day until 10 15 a.m., and via Queenstown till 9 30 p.m. [AnvEnTisEmENT].—Holloways Pills.—Disorders of the neact—During winter head complaints arc apt to afflict the old, unhealthy, and debilitated. Giddiness, dimness of sight, or a fixed pain in the head, demand immediate attention, or se rious consequences will soon follow. For this class of Diseases, Holloway's Pills are unrivalled, both for warding off the premonitory symptoms, and likewise relieving the graver diseases, Apoplexy or Paralysis, which often come on after repeated warnings have been neglected, or when the early symptoms have not been removed. They improve di gestion and purify the blood. Many testimonials daily bear witness to the curative properties of tl.ese Pills, which cannot do harm, but must invariably produce beneficial results by expelling all impurities from the entire system. LADVERTISEMENT.]—Among the numerous extraordi nary cures, without medicine, of Indigestion (Dyspepsia), Flatulency, Constipation, Nervous, Bilious and Liver com plaints, Cough, Asthma, Consumption and Debility, effected by Du Barry's delicious Health Restoring Revalenta, Arabic:l, Fed, the following are not the least remarkable : Cure No. 47,121.—" Miss Elizabeth Jacobs, of Nazing Vicarage, - Waltham-cross, Horts ; a cure of extreme ner vousness, indigestion, gathering, low spirits, and nervous fancies."' Cure No. 48,814.—" Miss Elizabeth Yeoman, Got caere, near Liverpool : cure of ten years' dyspepsia and all the horrors of nervous irritability." Cure 3,906 —Thir teen years' cough, indigestion and general debility have been removed by Du Barry's excellent Revaleuta Arabica Food. Athol -street, Perth. James Porter. Cure No. 58,116, Mrs. llolze, aged 107 years, of dyspepsia (indiges tion), debility, irritability and nervousness which had tormented her for seventy years. Cure No. 46,814, Mr. Samuel Laxton Leicester, of two years' diarrhoea. En tins, at Is. Gd. ; 11b., 3s. ; 21b., ss. 9d. ; 51b., 125.; 121 b., 265. The 101 b. and 121 b. tins carriage free, on receipt of post office order. Du Barry and Co., 77, Regent-street, London' Fortnum, Mason, and Co., 182, Piccadilly; Abbis, 60, Gracechurch-street ; 4, Cheapside ; 63, and 150, Oxford street; 330 and 451, Strand - ; 49 and GO, Bishopsgate street ; 85, T o tt e nham-court-road. Also at Dublin, Bewley and Draper ; at Edinburgh, Itaimes and Qo. at Liverpool, Nixon and Thew ; at Manchester, Sharp and Scott ; at York, Raines, Blanchard,: and.co. ; at South ampton, Randall and Svn. AQUATICS. SCULLERS' RACE FOR £4O. We some few weeks ago informed our readers that a match had been mada between Thomas Tagg, of Moulsey, and Philip Parker, of Kingston, and that it was to come off on Wednesday, Dec. 28, from the Ono Tree, at Ham (nearly a mile below Kingston-bridge), to Hampton Court -bridge , for £l5 (open for £25) aside. We were at that time in error in stating that it was Thomas 'Tagg, jun., who was to row, for we since find that it was the elder Tagg, who is above 40 years of age. He has been, consequently, many years on the river ; and, besides rowing for Doggett's coat and badge, and having been engaged in many other races, he has beaten William Smith, of Kingston, John Platt, of Twick enham, and Squires, of Kingston, twice. His opponent is much younger, not above 24 or 25; consequently the chances were greatly in favour of a young and strong than against an opponent 16 or 17 years his senior, and theet-lds were on him for that reason, and not because he had won any races, for we believe his only performances are rowing twice for the Leander coat and badge and being unsuccess ful. The stakes had been raised £5, so that they rowed for £2O a side yesterday—the fairness of the weather bringing very many people to witness the race. George Hammerton of Teddington, was umpire for Parker; Kilfayle, of Mous ley, for Tagg ; and James Messenger, of Teddington, ex. - champion i champion of the Thames, w as r ef ere e. Both men were n excellent condition, and went to their posts shortly after two o'clock. Parker won the toss and took the Middlesex side, and Tagg, besides having the longest side of the river before him, had the greater part of the wind against him. Parker, therefore, took the lead, and inch by inch increased it till, although T agg rowe d very pl uc kily astern, he ulti mately won the race by several lengths. COUNTRY NARKBTS. NEWARK—DEc. 28. There was a small show of wheat to-day, and for best qualities late prices were obtained. Malting barley a small show, and at late rates. Grinding a slow sale. Oats were scarce, in fair request, and at late rates. Beans and peas' in limited request. White wheat, now, 48s to 52s Red do. 44s to 473 Old white 4Bs to 52s Red do. 41s to 47s Barley, malting 38s to 458 Barley, grinding 2Sd to 3U Oat., 01d, .. 22s to 25s New do —3 to —s B eans „ 42a to 45s Beans, now —s to --A HULL-DEC. 27. -- -•- The corn market was moderately attended by farmers' and a slow business was done in English wheat at fully late rates. Foreign in limited supply, and very little business doing in that article. Malting barley fully as dear, and grinding barley in limited demand. Beans and peas had a slow sale. Oats without any noticeable change in price, but the demand inactive. Wheat.... Old white..!. per qr 46s Od to 50s Od Old red New white .. „ New red .... „ Dantzic, Konb , &c. old whits 483 Od to 559 Od Dutch, Belgian, and French 4ss Od to 47e Od Baltic and Hamburg, red 44s Od to 46s Od St. Petersburg and Riga, old 4os Od to 42s Od Barley.... English malting 32s Od to 368 Od Grinding 3OB Od to 32s 01 Saal and Oderbruck Holstein and Danisk 3os Od to 31$ Od Grinding 26s Od to 29s Od Oats English, old Archanc , el and per st Os Ria dto 11d Fri ;lan% and Dutch Oslld 10Ito 03111 d Swedish and Danish Oslld to osllo Beans ....English, old, per qr 46s Od to 48s Od New pigeon. 4os Od to 428 Od New tick. 398 Od to 40s Od Egyptian 3;# Od to 38s 01 Peas Foreign breakers Grinding Tares ... . Winter —s Od to -- -9 0 4 Indian Corn Linseed, feeding sos Od to 528 Od crushing Linseed cakes (dull) £8 10 0 to £8 15 0 Foreign 715 oto 8 A 5 2 Rape cakes Bones MELTON MOWBRAY—DEC. 27. There was a middling show of wheat to-day, with a slow business at the annexed prices :—White wheat, new, 4? 111 Od to 47s Od ; red, 40s Od to 43s per 36 stone ; barley fair supply, at 40s to 43s malting, and 303 t o 333 Od per qr. for grinding; oats, 24a to 34s Od per 24 stone; beans, 42s to 52s for old; new, —s per 38 et. MARKET TIARBOROUGH—DEc. 27. There was a middling supply of wheat , fair demand, at about former rates. White wheat, 38e te 458 ; rod, 4N to 42s per 36 stone. Barley in limited quan" Cities, and a slow sale, on former terms — old , 34s to 40s, new, —s to —s. Oats were a steady sale, from 233 to 24s per 24 stone. Beans (old), at 3 7s to 43 s ; new , 343 to 4311 per 33 stone. which m et s DUBLIN—DEc. 27. Our market was pretty well attended this T wain,' !Ind there was a moderate supply. We repeat the quotations of last Friday for everything. _ s. d. s. d. Wheat, white.. 28 S to 30 0 Do., red 27 0 to 29 0 Do., new .... 0 to 0 Barley Oats Do., black l2 0 to 12 6 o.d. 0. IL Do., new ..... 11 oto 15 • Bere l3 • to 14 6 Rapeseed .... 20 0 to 2 3 0 Oatmeal l3 0 to 1 5 6 Bakers' flow l6 0 to 19 0 Indian. eons 3l 0 to 3 3 0 COAL MARK (Prices of Coal per Ton at ET—DEC. 29. the close of the market.) Walls End. - - - N. d. Durnhope 14 G Lambert's West Hart- _ v. d• is 3 ,16 6 .19 3 .19 6 .20 6 122 6 .19 6 .20 6 .17 9 .19 3 ley _l5 3 Tanfield Moor Bates l5 0 Walker Primrose 14 0 West Hartley l5 3 Gosforth ............. Sheriff Hill .......... Framwellgate ......... Rough Ha 11.......... Haswell .. ........ Powell's Dutfryn Steam South Durhath ..• • • • • South Hetton ........ Thoniley ............ South Hartlepool..... Walls End. Northen&rl;nd --- ..15 0 Cassoii .. 2O 0 Whitworth 15 6 South lielloe 2O 01 FOREIGN MAIL PACKET LIST. In the following table E signifies that letters are despatched by evening . mails from London, and 31 by morning mails. Next DESTINATIONS. Despatch Port of Mail of Mails. Despatch. due. -- ----- Australia and Mauritius, via Southampton Jan. 12, 31 Southamp. Jan. 10 Ditto, via Marseilles Bahamas and Havana via New York Jan. 20, E Liverpool.. Jan.l9 Canada.:. c. (by Can adn. pckt ) Dec. 28 , E Liverpool.. overdue Cape of Good Hope, Ascen- 1 awn, and St. Ilelena China, Penang . . and Singa-' pore, via Southampton ',Jan. 431 Southamp. Jan. 2 ' Ditto, via Marseilles Gibraltar, v'a. Southampton.. Jan. 4,M Southamp. overdue Honduras and Blewflelds ....,Dec. —, XI Southamp. Dec.. — India (Calcutta) and Ceylon,l p. Jan. 2 . . via Southampton IJan. 4, 3 1 Southam Ditto. via 31arseilles India (Bombay), via South ampton Jan. 12, 31 Southamp. overdue Ditto, via Marseilles 'Jan. 3 E lJan. 4 Lisbon, Brazils,Buenos Ayres, Jan. 7, 7 0 , , 3i Southamp. (JanJan: 15 and F. Islands j n Lisbon, Vigo, and Oporto J Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton .Tan. 4, 31 Southamp. overdue o verdue Ditto, via Marseilles Mexico and Havana Jan. 17 MSouihasap. Jan. 16 , , Newfoundland Dec. 31, B Liverpool.. United States and British N I America (by British packet)lDec. 31, E Liverpool.. Jan- 5 Ditto (by U. S. packet) iDec. —, E Southamp. West Coast of Africa, Ma-i dcira, and Teneritfe Jan. 23 E Liverpool.. Jan. 10 West India, California, Vene zuela, Chili, Peru, Grey town, New Granada, &c. ,Jan. 2, 11 Southamp. Jan. I The ballot taken by the General Iron Screw Col lier Company on the question of the proposed disposal of their entire fleet of 12 vessels for £60,000 has terminated in a majority in shares in favour of the proposition of 1, 474 to 1,222. As, however, it is considered that this sale is equivalent to winding-up, for which a majority of three fourths is necessary, the result of tho above veto is virtually a rejection of the proposal. By a resolution pa ain ssed Ally meeting in the early part of last year the direc tors rem empowered to sell the ships of the company. BIRTHS. 'Waterloo FOIFER.—On the 28th inst., at Tillotson - plo oo i bridge, the wife of Mr. Henry Rumsey Forster, of • daughter. Hoon.—On the 24th inst., at St. Audries, Lady Acland Hood, of a son. NORMAN.—On the 27th inst., at 24, Henrietta-street, Ca vondish-square, the wife of Charles Loyd Norman, of a daughter. Tuoarss.—On the 27th inst., the wifo of Sir Godfrey J. Thomas, Bart., of a daughter. MARRIAGES. BURNAND—SIVEW 11r.—On the 2Gth inst., at Boulogne sur-Mer, Norman Burnand, Esq., Coldstream Guards, third son of George Burnand, Esq., of Sussex-square, Hyde-park, to Cora, only child of Edward Sivewrrght, Esq., late Captain 12th Royal Lancers. TionsoN—KEMP.—On the 27th inst., at the parish church, Brighton, George Hodson, of Nash House, Portslde, to Ella tbeth, second daughter of Grov er Kem p , p l ace , Brighton. of 9, York.. DEATHS. ATKINSON.—On the 16th inst., at Leo-road, Blackheath, Richard. Hollier Atkinson, Esq., formerly of Qualitr court, solicitor, aged 47. Buocx..—On the 24th inst., Tames Brock, Esq., of Guam . Bey, and of Stapleton, Gloucestershire , a g ed 54. DENNIAN. —On the 23d inst., at 74, Bolsover-street, Miss Maria Denman, aged 80. LOW.—On the 28th inst., William L OW, Esq., of 67, Wim pole-street, Cavendish-square, aged 85. MACKAY.—On the 28th inst ., Rosa llenriette, w ife of Charles Mackay, Esq., LL.D. MAuDE.—On the 25th inst., at Clifton, Albinia, Maud e, daughter of the late Captain t he Hon. Sir T. A.. Maude , R.N., and Lady Maude. P IP ON.—On the 26th inst., at Chichester, Major Thomas Pipon, formerly of the7thHussars, aged 77. SToxr,nAm.—On the 27th inst., at Crayford, Mr. William Stoneham, aged 81. - LONDON : Printod and P ublished by MU IWO YOUNG, of No. 112, Strand, Pri nte % at The Ss n Office, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the county Of Middlesex, Thurssday,:pecernbor 29, 1859. I'ullci Cha Prat is Sir 17V Sir 1 311. p v, Thcnn John; iohn. 4 Jo h n Jon. Lewr a Joh, Tho7.T ACT 01 linirerm P/*ofits The tohen a le:tat or the p "t th e ' 4l all ar om, s ~..br. I agerou, elltitle Co Leh rnh Eight • hfc Le Go Ch lia Da • Ed Ti Ott t 1 489( T 1 Ti oliar '."-•-- E' Prl -,Lanu T' ()Mee Year. 1 895 1,353 18,58 G' 1 Rfi zi sto ;$Oll.l locks anti 11 tS, 1J of ea Pr! *al OraC 01 II t. AO( Ito Witt Ai m tekd