The Sun. — London, England, 1846-05-21 00:00:00

RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (YESTERDAY.) HOUSE OF LORDS. GROUP I. TEE LONDON AND YORZ. The Committee met this day at eleven o'clock. The Earl of Love lace, chairman. Mr. Tat.noT, Q.C., said, he had the pleasure of handing in the traffic tables of the Eastern Counties scheme, as ordered by their Lordships. He would also hand a copy to his Learned Friend (Mr. Sergeant Wrangham), whom he had no doubt would find them very light and agreeable reading.—(Laughter.) At the same time he could not avoid saying, that those tabled were more in detail than those given by his Learned Friend, and he should feel obliged if he would furnish similar details. Mr. Sergeant Waationam would have no objection to give the de- tailed tables wished for by his Learned Friend. He would take that opportunity of putting a question to his Learned Friend, which, if answered, would very materially aid the present investigation. He wished to know what line it was his Learned Friend relied on as the competing line to the London and York ? Their Lordships would see that there were several Bills in the group which had nothing to do with the through communication from London to York. He appre hended it would be desirable recall parties, more especially for their Lordships, to know what was meant to be the competing system with London and York. The latter line speaks for itself, and therefore what he wanted to learn was, what was the combination of lines, or which oat of that combination was the single, if indeed a single line could be relied on, which was to be put up as the antagonist lire to the London and York ? He did not ask their Lordships to be guided by what was done in the other House, but from their report it seemed that they had divided the group iu such a way as to have the district competing trunk lines together. On the one hand was the London and York line; and then they took the Tottenham and Farringlon-street Extension, the Cambridge and Lincoln, and that portion of the Direct Northern which formed the antagonist system to the London and York. Their Lordships would find it stated, in the first page of their report, •, That the Committee, therefore, proceeded first, to hear the case of the London and York CoMpany, which proposes a new and integral line from London to York, and next those of the Cambridge and Lincoln, the Direct Northern, and the Tottenham and Farringdon: s treet Exten sion lines, which, together with the East ern Count' co That was scheme, were recommended for this purpose by the Board of Trade." the course which they took ; but it was not because they took that course that . he asked his Learned Friend the question which he had put to him, but he did so because of the obvious convenience which it would be to the Committee, In the first plaoe, as well as to those whom he had the honour to represent, that they might know the ease wbsch th l ey th w e ou r l e d -e h x a a v m e in to au m o e n et o ar f l f s: . direct their examinations — f or exam') e Cubitt, and the examination of the other engineers. He hoped his Learned Friend would not object to answer the question. The talc tables just handed in referred to the Eastern Counties Railway ex tension from c a moridge to Milford, and from March to Lincoln. Now, he wished to know if the line from March to Li nco l n was to be set up alsoas part of the scheme? Earl Lovetaoz—lf we can have the answer in a few words it would be very desirable, but if it is to involve a long speech we should have two opening speeches, which we certainly do not require. Mr. TALBOT said he feared that if h e attempted to answer the questions it would involve going into the whole case. He should have to explain how his lines became competing with . the London and York. _ Mr. Sergeant WAANGHAM only wanted to know which were the competing lines. Mr. TALBOT said that his brief answer to that question was' that he appeared there in suppert of the Bills which they had laid on the table. After some further discussion on this point, Mr. Cubitt was called and cross-examined by Mr. TALBOT at great length. In the cross-examination of Mr. Cubitt nothing was elicited at all calculated to shake the evidence in chief. At the citueusion of the cross-examination for the ease of the Eastern Counties., Mr. TALBOT said he appeared for his Grace the Archbishop of York, whose property would be affected by the London and York Railway. The cross-examlnation of Mr. Cubitt was then proceeded with — The line would interfere with part of his Grace's farm ; it would divide the farm from the residence, and go close to the kitchen garden. By Lord 'Vim:ft—lt was not a residential interference, and by a deviation the line could be carried out without any interference with this farm at all. By Mr. TALBoT-- , rhe line, as it at present stood on the plan, would interfere with the kitchen-garden, but not so as to injure it ; it would merely touch the wall. The interference with the farm would cer tainly separate it from his Grace's residence. Had had an interview with his Grace upon the matter, and he informed witness that his objection to the railway was not as regarded himself, but as it would affect the property of his successors to the see. The line would not cut off the farm on a level. There would be an embankment of seven or eight feet. The distance at which they would cross from his Grace's Palace was, as shown on the plan, about 24 chains, which was more than a quarter of a mile, and there were walls and gardens and a turnpike road intervening. By Lord VIVaN-1115 Grace did not come to an agreement for a deviation. but he (witness) pointed out how that deviation would leave the farm untouched. _.. Mr. BaiNEs said he appeared for the Cambridge and Lincoln Ex tension, on behalf of which he would put a few questions to the witness. Mr. Sergeant WILINGUA N would object to his Learned Friend appearing, and he would briefly state his reasons. A meeting of the shareholders in this undertaking had been held down in the country very recently, at which meeting it was decided to abandon the line. This he was able to state on the authority of one of the shareholders who had attended the meeting, and who had written to the editor of the Morning herald, not only confirming a report of such meeting in that paper, but also materially adding to the fact of the number of votes for discontinuing the scheme being more than the number re quired by Parliament. This being the case, he could not see what locus standi his Learned Friend could lay claim to so as to appear for that which in reality diet not exist. Mr. BAINEs said that he certainly was not instructed to that effect. His instructions were that he was to appear for the promoters. lie knew nothing of any meeting. He was wholly guided by his in structions. Mr. Sergeant Wait:temp,' said he would not object to his Learned Friend proceeding under the circumstances. Mr. Bacyria then briefly cross-examined the witness, after which he was re-examined by lir. Sergeant Witaxenam. Mr. Ilawkshaw, dell engineer, was then called to speak to the esti mates. Mr. Betts, the contractor, also gave evidence as to the estimate for his department of constructing the line. It being now four o'clock, Mr. DENISoN informed the Committee that there was but one more witness to examine, who would be called on the following morning, and who would only occupy a few minutes. Itwas then arranged that the landowners' case against the London and York should be the next gone into. The Committee adjourned till eleven o'clock to-morrow. HOUSE OF COMMONS. GROIn. X. The Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock, in Room No. 1 (House of Commons) ; present, Mr. Deedea (chairman), Mr. Ark Wright, Mr. Farnham, Mr. Stanley, and Mr. Vivian, and proceedu with the lIIMASGOIXT, AIRDRIE, AND MONZZELNDS 317NCTION. Mr. Annits stated the case for the promoters of this railway which is to commence at a point to the east of the High-street o Glasgow, on or near the site of the College Buildings, and joining the Airdrie and Bathgate Junction, at Airdrie. The length of the main line is ten miles five furlongs and a half. There will be a branch of two miles six furlongs and nine chains, which will join the Clydesdale Junction, near Rutherglen, by which the line would be connected, through the Polloc and Govan and other railways, with the harbour of Glasgow. Another branch, seven miles in length, would termi nate in Mile-End, a very populous manufacturing district of Glasgow. From Coatbridge another branch will join the Wishaw and Coltness Railway, which intersects the extensive upper coal fields of Lanarkshire. The importance of the line required little ar gument. The population of Glasgow is 340,000, and increas ing in a great ratio, and the town is known to be not only engaged most extensively in manufactures, but also a ship ping port of superior coneequeace. The owners of minerals in Lanarkshire, as well as the iuliabitants of Glasgow, were greatly interested in having the means of delivering the vast quantity of coals consumed there at the most itonvenient points, and at the cheapest rates. By the main line the wisole of the eastern parts of the city, and by the branch to Mile-End two-thirds of the factories and public works, would be supplied with coals at a less cost, and with greater regularity than at present. This district of Glasgow, which is chiefly occupied by the labouring classes, is at present supplied with coals from distant pits, by cartage, at an expensive rate, or from the depots of certain railways. The railway will go ,near the agricultural bazaar and the cattle market, which is regarded as a great advantage to all parties. The Learned Gentleman commented at considerable length upon various other direct and collateral advantages of the line, on which a very great amount of passenger traffic is anticipated. The district is at present almost destitute of railway communication. Almost all the proprietors on tho line were favourable to it, and there were no engineering difficulties, no tunnels, and no expensive works. He observed that there were two lines competing with this, and re ferred to the same Committee—the Caledonian (Dundyvan Branch) and the Caledonian (Glasgea-, Garnkirk, and Coatbridge Branches). The Learned Gentleman went Jute a detailed comparison of the merits of the three lines, contrasting strongly the demerits of the other two with the excellencies of tide. The principal points were, that the Dundyvan Branch would pass through the country in a way_ injurious, to the landed proprietors, without giving the same advantages as the present undertaking would give to the factories, public works, and the owners of minerals; the Dundyvan Stench having also:engineering disadvantages, and not supplying , the population of Glasgow with coal to th e eau ; extent, or at the same low cost. The Glasgow, Garnkirk, and Coat bridge branchcs would make the distance between Glasgow and Airdrie twelve miles instead of ten and a half, as by the line now before the Committee. Moreover, the Caledonian Company, by ob taining the branches applied for in opposition to this line, would be put in possession of an injurious monopoly. Mr. M`lizit. (who was with Mr. Austin) examined Mr. Bankie, the provost of the suburban borough of Glasgow, called the Calton, who gave. evidence strongly in favour of this project, as compared with its competitors. Mr. IViimioni, who appeared for the Dundyvan branch, and for certain petitions, eross-exanained the witness with a view to elicit that the parts of Glasgow to be accommodated by his clients were more important than the eastern parts of the city. It Other Witnesses were examined to the same and, and underwent a lengthened cross examination by the counsel for tue competing lines. The details were too minute to be fully reported. The CIi#III3CAN said chat the Committee did not require any fur ther evidence of 'Sallies along the line, and thee would proceed to receive thle engineering . evidence to-morrow at twelve o'clock. _ _ 311. HILDYAILD, sald that the promoters were prepared with further evidence of the same kind, but if the Committee were satisfied in this respect there would be no ad van t. ige i n crow di ng ev id ence. The CitAissuist intitnAted that the Committee were satisfied. It beinifour o'clock' the Committee then adjourned. • GROUP XIII. This Committee met to-day a t 12 o'clock, Sir William Clay in the chair. Other Members !present, Earl Jermyn, Mr. P. Ainsworth, and Mr. Curteis. • GLASGOIXT, IiILTWZIPRIES, AND CARLISLE. The furihereonskleration of the clauses of this Bill was resumed. Evidence Itaviant been tendered as to the - present rate of tolls on the Ayrshire and Glasgow line, the clauses at the Dumfries line relating thereto, a 9 well as the others w hi ch are unoppwed, were read an d seve rally agreed ;The whole to. Bill, with the exception' of the 'clauses relating to the branches with which the Caledonian Extension competes tea certain extent, having been disposed of; the Committee resented the further consideration of the Nownit ExTrISH CAILLISLM EXTENSION. Mr. John Lang, of Nawick, examined- Was a partner in th e fi rm of Dixon and Lang, which employed from 900 to 1,000 persons. He thought the proposed line would bo of great benefit to the town of Hawick. •One of the principal advantages would be a direct commu nication with Liverpool. A considerable amount of woolwa th s at at present brought from Liverpool, and the quantity from quarter was increasing. The wool so ebtained was A ustralian and American.. He bad no doubt if the present line was formed that port in course of time would become the great reart for their wool. Last autumn he bought 500 bales of wool, which took two months before they reached Hawick. They came in a sailing vessel to Annan. • He got also dye stuffs and oils from Liverpool, and from Kendal. Quick dispatch was Important for the fancy trade in which Hawick was principally engaged. and the present line would do much to forward that end. Coals at present were brought from Canobie to Hawick by carts. They test 935.6 d. a ton. The consumption of coal increased last year about twenty-five per cent., and would greatly increase if a railway communication were formed with the Canoble coal-fields. His firm last year consumed about 500 tons; but if coals were cheapened, steam power In many instances would be substituted for water power. Building materials were also very dear, slates for instance were brought from Annan by tarts, a distance of 43 miles. Some American timber and bricks were also brought from Annan. Bricks were also brought I I from Leith: The bricks lie referred to were fine bricks for flues, as the houses were built of stone. Their iron castings for machinery were brought from Carlisle. The railway would be a great benefit In bringing building materials from the south. Nearly a 57 tons of wool were consumed in Hawick last year, to make up. Witness and Mr. Wilson met the principal manufacturers on the subject, and from what transpired, ae well as his knowledge of the trade of the town, he considered the amount stated correct. Cross-examined by air. I:lour/Ds —The firm of which he was a member, had opened a house in Glasgow, • but the other mauufac turers he 6elleved had not. The most of the goods manufactured went northwards ; a great amount to Glasgow. The principal trade of the towetwas hosiery, tweeds, and shawls. Ile could not tell the proportion of the tnanufactured goods that went to London. The carriage of hale goods from Flawick to Lo n d on was from 4/. to 61. The charge for cartage from Il aw i ck to Leith was IL 10s Mr. Sergeant BELLASIS her e o bj ected to of cross-eamlnation on the greund that the only part cthe scheme,was the positi on from Langhol Car- Hale, Caledonian Could object to, Hale, which would compete with their L ang h olm branch. Beyond ar this they had no locus standi, as not a singl e pet i tion had been pree sented against the portion of their (the North British) line from Hawick to .Langaolm. Had the Caledonian intended to appear against it, they should have presented a petition. Mr. RickAans said It was too late to make the objection, as both the Duke of Bucclench and Mr. Wilson had been asked similar questions yesterday. The Caledonian opposed the whole scheme, and from the position of this, as a competing project to the Cale donian, he submitted the latter had a good locus stuncli. The Comniittee overruled the objection as untenable. Mr. Lang's cross-examination continued—He had been informed that the Messrs. Pickford brought goods from Newcastle to London for 31. per ton. Newcastle was 60 miles distance from Hawick. The whole distance from Hawick to London was 350 miles. At present the sailing Veseela from Leith to London took five or eia days to go, but the steamers went, twice a-week, in about forty- ' eight hours. He could not say the exact quantity of foreign wool brought into Hawick, nor the amount of timber or other building ma' erials brought from Annan. He could not say the exact amount of coal consumed at Hawick. He got the whole that he consumed from Canobie, because it was of better quality than the coals down the Tweed. At one time consi derable supplies were got from the latter quarter. He did not know much of the examination of last year, but he believed that some expectation of a supply was held out from the Lothians by the Edin burgh line. Re-examined—He believed that Carlisle was about the same dis tance from London as Newcastle. The Earl of Mints, examined by Sergeant Itxmasts, gave general evidence that he thought the railway in question of the utmost im portance to the district in giving an outlet to the southward. It was a prosperous and important district, and ought to have a communi cation to the south by railway. His estates did not lie on the pre sent line, but on the northern part, sanctioned toEdinburgh• Cross-examined. —He had not c msidered whether these schemes of railway through the south of Scotland were compatible. He had not gone into the question. He knew, however, of no consideration that should or erate to deprive the district in question of the natural outlet to its traffic. Mr. Witham Nixon, wool spinner, of liawick, gave similar evidence as Mr. Lang regarding the trade of the town and district. The ton nage of the slates derived from An nan last year was about GOO tons. The general merchandise to an from 11 awick, in 1845, was 7,000 tons. He was glad' last year 'at the railway to Edinburgh being granted, in order to get coals from the Lothians, but he considered they would be better supplied from Canobie. Cross-examined —He thought a line to the south was highly desir able. He had no hesitation, however, in saying that in comparing two lines, one to the north and another to the south, he should de cidedly prefer the one to the north. He said so last year, and he said so now. He sent about the one-half of what he spun southward, tho E u di h n i but he did not think the others in the trade sent so much. He could not exactly state the tonnage of what he sent. There was no do u bt t greater las g p o r w o p , o v r e ti r o e n th o e f the pri goods ncipal d w e s e t n i n t northwards. ation s. ie Edin burgh the gliandr goods going southwards would go by railway in preference thought goods to steam boats, as the risk was not so great. Mr. James Syme, a manutacturer of Galashiels, examined by Mr. Taman—ln witness's recollection the town of Galashiels had increased from 700 inhabitants to about 5,000. The goods manu factured in that town was beyond a quarter of a million. It was also the centre of an important agricultural district. A great deal of the goods went south ; nearly all his went to London, but Leith was not the most desirable route. The Edinburgh line did not, in his opi nion, supersede the necessity for one to the south. He thought the best route to the south should be through Carlisle. The goods made at Galashiels were of a high priced character. At present the coals used were entirely from Mid Lothian, but he thought it desirable for the sake of competition to open up the Canobei-field to them. Cross -examined—Glasgow was the great market for the goods manufactured at Galashiels. A greater proportion of goods went to Glasgow than to the south. He had not calculated the difference, either in time or distance, between Galashiels and London, by way of Berwick or Leith, and the route through Carlisle. There would be communication by railway with Edinburgh and Berwick, but, when that was completed, he could not say what the expense would be in those directions, and thence by steam to Loudon, compared with the railway to the south. He could not speak as to the quantity of goods consumed annually in Galashiels. He could not say what the con sumption of coals was at Galashiels. Mr. Locke, of Regent-street, London, deposed that he carried on a large trade in Scotch goods, a great portion of which came from Ga lashiels and ilawick. He considered it of the greatest importance to get the fancy goods as soon as possible into the market. He thought this would be facilitated In a great degree by a continuous line of railway. Cross-examined.—There was no other one in London so extensive in this Scotch line as himself. He dealt principally in fancy goods. Supposing the railway completed from Galashiels and Hawick to Leith, the present delays would be much reduced. The delay even then would be injurious to the trade, on account of the time taken by the steamers. The fancy trade was greater at Galashiels, and Selkirk, than at Hawick. If the railway communi cation to Berwick, and from thence to London, was completed, the delay in point of time would in a great measure be put an end to. _ _ Mr. Turnbull, miller of Melrose, examined—He carried on an ex tensive trade in grain and flour, a great portion of which went into Dumfriesshire and Cumberland. A good deal of barley went for the purposes of distilling at Longholm and other parts in that direction. His annual export business in tons was in 1841, 1,181 tons; and in 1844, 1,080 tons. He believed the amount of grain and meal that, went past Moss Paul, a point between Hawick and Langholra, was 3,325. A good deal of grain likewise went by Liddesdale to the south. The present expense of grain from Hayrick to Langhoim was about Bs. a ton. Cross-examined--About one-third of the grain of Roxburghshire went westward, one-third to Dalkeith, and the remainder eastward. He knew nothing about the Dalkeith market. Kelso was the great market for the county. As the greater portion of his own trade went to Dumfriesshire—he was strongly interested in the present railway. He could not say what proportion of grain the other millers in the district sent towards Dumfriesshire. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow at twelve o'clock. GROUP XX. ___...... ......... This Committee met to-day at the usual hour ; Ur. Sotheron iu the chair. LONDON, HOUNSLOW, AND WESTERN. On the assembling of the Committee the case on behalf of this line was proceeded with. The Bill is opposed by the Great Western Company. _ _ Mr. Cocituratt opened the case for the promoters. The line, he said, which was proposed to be constructed was 16 miles in length, being from the west end of the metropolis through Hounslow to Staiaes, in order to accommodate the large and growing population iu that quarter. The traffic was at present enormous, being, he be lieved, greater than that on any thoroughfare out of London, and he had no doubt the line when constructed would yield a handsome divi dend on the capital embarked. The Learned Gentleman having gone through the extent of the line in explanation of the population, traffic, &c., that might be expected, and having detailed the engi neering pe culiarties of the line, which he represented to be generally favourable, proceeded to call his witnesses. Mr. Ashworth, of Isleworth, was examined as to the defective ac commodation given to the inhabitants of his neighbourhood by the present conveyances, and to the necessity there existed for the rail way. The feeling represented to be very strong in favour of the present scheme. Mr. Chapman, market-gardener of Isleworth, gave evidence to tke large traffic in vegetables between that locality and the London markets. Mr. Hammond, also of Isleworth, deposed as to the large amour of traffic. The other witnesses examined were Mr. Grainger, of Brentford, and Mr. 11. Stanbury, whose evidence was generally as to the large traffic in goods and passengers, and the necessity there existed for the present line of railway. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock till to-morrow at twelve. GROUP XXII. WAVENEY VAZLEY. The Committee met this morning. Sir G. Grey, chairman. Mr. Sergeant MIInPFIT opened the case for the promoters of this railway. The Committee intimated their opinion, that they would hear the evidence of this line previous to giving their detision in the case of Ipswich, Norwich, and Yarmouth Railway. The present line pro posed to commence at Yarmouth, and proceed on to Dias: Mr. Rumbold, M.P. for Yarmouth, was the first witness called, who stated that there was a general feeling in Yarmouth in favour of the line. Mr. Blenherrish, chairman of the Beecies Sessions, also gave simi. lar evidence. Mr. Dare and Lieut.. Colonel Smith also gave evidence favourable to the Waveney Valley Railway. Mr. J. Davy, accountant, Yarmouth, gave evidence of the large amount of goods landed at Yarmouth. A greater proportion of passengers now went to London by sea. He believed that this cir cumstance was owing to the great number of accidents which had become so peculiarly the property of the existing Eastern Counties line between Norwich and London. Mr. Lincoln, a fish merchant of Yarmouth, stated that by the pre sent mode of conveyance on the Norwich and Eastern Counties Rail way, it took longer to get his fish up to London than it formerly did by his own vans. It took very nearly the whole of the day to get his fish delivered by the railway. The Committee then adjourned till twelve to-morrow. GROUP XXVI. nov=a =max. This Committee resumed this morning; Mr. O'Connell in the chair. They were occupied during the whole of the early part of the day in hearing evidence given by residents between the Eastern Counties line and the river Thames, who testified to the number of cattle sent to London from that quarter. as also to the quantity of chalk con veyed by water to Battersea. The farmers complained chiefly of the want of accommodation at the Shereditch station, and the pro prietors of the chalk showed that their article is sent from the pits to Battersea for Is. 9d. a ton, while by the railway it cost 55., exclusive of cartage to the line. Mr. Locke. the engineer, was then called by Mr. Comm: ax, Q.C., to show the course and qualities of the line. According to his evi dence, the line is to run a distance of 43 miles, from its junction with the Blackwell extension line, to Wallasey Island, and to be connected with a pier and harbour on the coast, where It wends from the mouth of the Thames, to the north, having branches to Tilbury, opposite Gravesend and to Southend. The country is a rich agricultural district, and offers not thesligh test engineering difficulty. The proposed line would bring Tilbury a mile and a half nearer to Fenchurch-street than the North Gravesend line. The proposition of the company for the latter line for a junction with the Blackwell terminus was impracticable, as it could only bo carried out through the West India Docks, which of course was absurd. The distance to Southend by the South Essex line would be 38 U miles. In his opinion the North Gravesend Rail way was an unwise proposition, as the line would have to contend with the cheap passenger' traffic on the river, and with the North Kent line, which had just been sanctioned by Parliament, and was to run from Greenwich to Gravesend. Part of the line to Wallasey Island would be under high water mark ; but that was no objection, for such was the case with the whole of Holland, and there are already good sea emban%ments. After the conclusion of Mr. Locke's evidence, the Committee ad. Owned till to-morrow. GROUP xXxii. The Committee met tkls morning at 12 o'clock ; fir. J. E. De nison in the chair. CHELTENILA.7I2 AND OXFORD itailivraplr. Mr. Thomas Sheldon gave evidence of the advantage which would accrue to Cheltenham by the projected line, and went at length into details of some opposition meetings held by a party of the townspeople of Chelteharn, and read some proposals tendered by the company to secure the people against any injury which property or wells might sustain. He stated that the most of the property passed through by the line in the town of Cheltenham was very inferior. He was confirmed by Messrs. Bubb and Peckwood, Dr. Gibney, a physician in Cheltenham, who had been connected with the town. hospital fur twenty years, said he himself had proposed by letter in the newspapers, in 1837, a line to London very similar to that now before the Committee. The proposed line passed the hospital, but at the very end of the garden, so that it would be about forty yards further from it than was the high street. Col. Watson, who is property in ornamental parts of the town, thought that these prts would sustain no injury from the railway, as it passes by a deep cutting covered over. He had been among the first to suggest the objection to the ilia from the damage it was like to cause by the drainage of the wells, but he was now satisfied, after much inquiry, that the objection was unfounded. Mr. Gardiner, lord of the mitnor of Cheltenham, and possessed of very much valuable property in High-street aad Pittville, a com missioner also on the various public works of Cheltenham, gave evidence in favour of the line. Hr. Thomas Wright, one - of the surgeons of the town hospital, a ande who had given mach attention to the geolo g y o f Chel na fro the m , said the towu, was supplied with water , ' which . C°4 *.iwAsKi .111118 • on the north side of the town down . nto the sand on wnlch the town is built, and that the sand, reposing in a basin of mei, aete ar and retains the water. He did not believe that affect this water, since, if the sides of t t o cut ctittini - e ;%;, 3 , l 7, ll T. w c s uld su water retarded thereby would rise to an adequate level totikpa; We town. The Committee adjourned till twelve o'clock te-morrow. GROUP LIV. This Committee re-assemblesi to-day at the usual hour. Present, Mr. Bannerman (ekainnaa), and the other Members. MIDLAND (LEICESTER. ANTI SWANNING.. TON ALTERATION Aim SlutrirczEs) . Mr. Joseph Cubitt, engineer, examined by ai r . w Animr the part of the petitioners — Was an engineer of great ex pe ri ence, we ll acquainted with the proposed line before GTO:r, on Committee. "d the That line went through the properties of Mr. Harris and air, Stratton In a circuitous direction. He did not tklnk it was the b est line that could be selected for the proposed junction with the Midland line. Had seen the plans and sections of another line, which p ro p o sed to pass nearer the town of Leicester, which was more direct, not more expensive, and traversed property not so likely to be Injured b y a railway as the property through which the present line would Pass. There were no engineering difficulties in the line which he preferred. The gradients on the longer line were, no doubt, more favourable. Had seen the estimate of the other line, and considered it reasonable and 81416'e:et. He was aware that it was proposed to take the shorter line on a thnber viaduct, and, In his judgment, there was no danger In that mode of constructing a railway. The re mainder of this witness's evidence was In corroboration of the evi dence on the part of the petitioners. The Committee decided upon hearing no further evidence. Mr. WADDINGTON then addressed the Committee on the part of the petitioners, and contended that a careful examination of the evidence must convince the Committee thi.t the petitions of his clients were founded in justice, and that the line before them did commit a wanton injury on the,residential property through which it passed, without any commensurate public advantage. Ills clients were determined to resist this line to the last, from a conviction that they had been most cruelly treated by the negligence of those who had been appointed to inform them of the proposed railway, though they acquitted the Chairman and Deputy-Chairman of any blame whatever. Mr. nILDTARD, on the part of the promoters of the Bill, declined offering any observations, as the Committee had decided on not hearing further evidence. The room was then cleared, and on our re-admission, The Cusramax announced that the Committee had unanimously decided that the preamble of the Bill was proved. The clauses of the Bill were then gone through seriatim. MIDLAND (111711TON—ON-TRENT TO Ntricr- EATON AND ZRELNCRES). Mr. llildyard appeared in support of the Bill, and Mr. Sergeant Allen on the part of the Coventry Canal Company, petitioners against the Bill. Mr.IIILDTARD said that he would endeavour to bo as brief as possible. •I'he present railway might be considered as a line to be constructed from the Moira Collieries to Nun eaton. They proposed by this railway to afford the same communication to the south that had already been afforded ti - ,1 the east and west in the locale of the line by the preceding Bill. THE SUN, It would join the London and Birmingham Railway, and open a communication thence to the mineral wealth of the district through which they would pass. The present mode o f transit by canal was thirty - nine miles, but by their railway , it would be only 28 miles. The distance in this case was not cer tainly diminished to the extent that it was in other i ns t ances ; but a saving of 11 miles in the communication with a mi nera l di str i ct was still a matter of no Insignificant character. By the present mode of communication by canal, Leamington was 80 miles from the Moira Collieries ; but the proposed railway would diminish the distance to 32 miles, thereby effecting a saving of no less than 48 miles. lie would take another town, namely, Banbury, which was the centre of a most important rural district, and required a much more bountiful supply of coals, and at a cheaper rate than it at present possessed. A saving of 55 miles from the Moira Collieries to this town would be effected by the proposed line. The distance to Aylesbury from the same point would be reduced to 42 miles. To Leighton Buzzard there would be a saving from these collieries of 40 miles, the distance by canal being 113 miles, while by railway it would be only 71 miles. There were a great many other places which would receive similar advantages from this railway, but he would not occupy the time of the Com mittee by even enumerating them—such being the benefits that would result from the construction of this railway and the pro posed amalgamation with the Ashby-de-la-Zouch canal, as far as the mineral wealth contained in that district was concerned. There were certainly objections offered to this scheme. In the first place, it was alleged that the pro;osed amalgamation of the Ashby-de-la- Z.Acli canal would operate injuriously on certain interests. But as he had already shown tint the direction of that canal was through a highly important district, he trusted that the principle laid down as related to those amalgamations would in fluence the Committee, and that they would consider the objections urged upon this ground valueless. There were also objections on the part of the landowners, and certainly Lord Howe had a perfect right to petition against this line, but the Committee would perceive that the advantages which this lino held forth were such as to overpower objections purely private. In conclusion, he had to state that he would not trouble the Committee with any detailed evidence ai to the mineral traffic on this line. Mr. J. Manors, agent to the Marqu's of Hastings, was examined by Mr. MACAULET, to show that the distance at present from several places on the line, owing to the moAc of transit by canal from the Moria Collieries, diminished the demand for coals from that district. The Committee adjourned at four o'clock till to-morrow, when the hearing of the evidence on the part of the Bill will be resumed. GROUP LV. MANCHESTER, SHEPPXELD, AND MID LAND JUNCTION. The Committee (Mr. Shaw in the chair) resumed this morning at twelve o'clock, when Mr. Fowler, engineer of the Sheffield and Lincolnshire Junction line, was called by Mr. WHATELEY, Q.C.—He stated that, according to his estimate, the line proposed by Mr. Vignoles was exceedingly bad, the gradients severe, and the cost of it would be 113,000/., and a great difficulty would be experienced in the accumulation of water at Dronfield during wet weather. This difficulty could only be obviated by a sort of zigzag line over the brook thore.l To the cross-examination of Mr. ADAMS, the witness stated that he had been in practice eight years, and had constructed the Stockton and Darlington Railway and the Clarence Railway. His opinion was that the earthworks on the line of the present promoters would be immense, and the gradients worse than on any other line with which he was acquainted. He had taken the average of eight of the prin cipal lines in the kingdom, and found that the average of their returns gave 621. per mile per week. The Great Western, which showed the highest rate, returned 811. per mile ; and the Newcastle and Shields line, which showed the lowest, made 251. per mile ; the Midland Counties line returned 621. per mile—just the average—while It would require 1251. per mile on the proposed Sheffield and Chester field line to obtain the seven per cent. dividend which the promoters anticipated. The line would pass through or over no less than 3! streets in the town of Sheffield, and the station in the town itself would be 18 feet above the level of the street. The ground to be oc cupied is all building ground. The Sheffield and Bakewell line had also bad tunnels and very severe gradients, gradients much more se vere than these of the East Lincolnshire line. Mr. Locke, the engineer, was called to show that tL•e means of communication between the Sheffield and Manchester line and this line would be highly inconvenient. Mr. Harrison,foithirty years a valuer at Sheffield, stated that he had valued the property in the town of Sheffield, and estimated it at more than 850,0001. He further said that it would destroy more than 470 houses, including public-houses and taverns, 77 workshops, and 27 manufactories. The line, however, passed through the worst part of the town.: . - Mr. Fowler, ten., had valued all the rest of the line, and estimated to the junction beyond Chesterfield at something more than 59,0001., and on to Bakewell at a total of 85,0001. Mr. WI ATELEY then addressed the Committee on the general merits of the case referring to the defeat of the Bill last year, and deprecating the supposition that the Duke of Norfolk's opposition was induced by any merely personal motives. Ou the conclusion of Mr. WHATELET'S address, the Committee took the next opposing line. The CHAIRMAN explained that the statements had not been given in, as they ought to have been, two days before the Committee sat. MANCHESTER. AND HYDE. Mr. WORDSWORTH opened the case of the promoters by stating that this was a line between the two places of six miles in length. In 1821 the population through which the line passed was 13,000, in 1841 it was over 27,000, comprising large manufacturers of cotton and hats. The contemplated expense was 150,0001. one half of which was provided by the residents locally interested in the line, and the other half by the Manchester and Birmingham Company, confessedly the persons who were the best judges of the necessities for the line. The opposition offered this line was but small, and chiefly offered by the proprietor of Bellevue Gardens, a place of resort for pleasure by the inhabitants of Manchester. Some, however, of the residents in that neighbourhood were anxious for the destruction of these gardens, though that was not the oject of the promoters, who were quite desirous of giving every recompense to the present holder. The whole of this district was occupied by extensive manufacturers of cotton and hats. There is still further a large coal field at Denton, the proprietor of which, the Earl of Wilton, was a petitioner le favour of the Bill. This coal would be exceedingly useful, and was indeed now much used in the factories in Manchester. The Learned Counsel then stated the opposition of the several newly pro posed lines. _ Mr. liempson, land-steward to the Earl of Wilton, was called to show the existence of coal, and the inclination which his Lordship felt for this line. The manufacture of hate at Denton had much declined of lee, from the great substitution of silk hats, but the people are anxious to enter upon the manufacture of cotton, for which the place was well adapted, and which was likely to succeed if the facilities of railway communication were obtained. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow. . ~ LONDON, THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 2l, 1846 . GROUP LVI. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment at twelve o'clock this morning, when Mr. Ewart took the chair ; the same Members being present as yesterday . They proceeded with the case of the LONDON AND CROYDON (THAMES JUNC TION BRANCH). And the cross-examination of Mr. Cubitt by Mr. num), on the part of the Surrey Canal Company, occupied them for a considerable time. This line crosses the canal, and it is on account of the injury that will thereby be done to the Company that they petition. The Bermondsey, itotherhithe, and Deptford Road Trustees also petitioned against the Bill, and the witness was cross-examined by Mr Powza on their behalf. Mr. Gibson, the lessee of the Dinimans Docks. which will be one of the termini of the proposed line, was then called. He proved that he laud agreed to transfer his lease (for 99 years) to the London and Croydon Railway. The rent they were to pay was 1,5001. per annum, but if they bought it, they were to pay 9,0001. for it. Cross-examined by Mr. POWER—He himself was to pay 1,0001. per annum as rent, to Mr. Evlyn, the proprietor, so that he would have 5001. per annum profit. The case for the promoters being now concluded, Mr. ?own addressed the Committee at great length as to the mischief that would be done by the crossing of the line over Grove lane, which he represented to be a very important and much fre quented thoroughfare. This street is to be crossed on a level, and about twenty trains per diem will pass over it. There will be twelve carriages in each train, and the thoroughfare will be stopped each time for about four minutes. Several witnesses were called to prove the importance of the thoroughfare, and the mischief that would result from the stoppage of the thoroughfare. It was stated that the office of the victualling department was with within a few yards of the crossing. The examination of these witnesses occupied the Committee up to four o'clock, at which time the Committee adjourned till to-morrow at twelve. The case on the part of the Surrey Canal Company will then be commenced. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. MANCHESTER, MAT 19. , STOCK EICHANOZ.—The sales are—Ambergate, Nottingham, and Eastern Junction, % dis.—Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire Junctioa, p.—Blackburn, Clitheroe, &c., 1 dis.—Blackburn, Dar wen, and Bolton, %, dis.—Boston, Newark, and Sheffield, % dis.— Chelmsford and Bury, 16s. 6d. c. dis.—Derby and Crewe, 3% p. Eastern Counties, York Extension, 14 p.—East Lancashire, No. 2, 3% p.—East Lincolnshire, dis.—Glasgow and Dumfries, %c. dig. —Goole, Doncaster, Sheffield, &c., p.—Grand Union, % die.— Lancashire North Yorkshire, 5-16 dis.—Leicester and Bedford, 36 c. p.—Liverpool and Bury, 9% p.—Ditto, New shares, 2 p. —Liverpool, Preston, Manchester, and Southport, par—London and York, 4 c. dis.—Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, 1 5-16 p.—Man chester and Birmingham, 80% —Ditto, ..,luartors (A), 8 15-16 p.— Ditto (B), 8% p.—Ditto (C), Manchester and Birmingham Con tinuation and Welsh Junction, 16s. 9d. dis.—Manchester and Bury Atmospheric, 9s. c. dis.—Manchester and Southampton, par— Northumberland and Lancashire, 20s. c. dis.—North British, Carlisle Branch, ILA p.—North Staffordshire, 4 1-16 p.—Nottingham and Mansfield, dis.—Oldham District, Bs. 6d. p.—Sheffield and Lin colnshire Junction, Gs. p.—Sheffield and Manchester, Quarters, No. 3, % c. p.—South Midland, 144 p.—South-Eastern and Dover, Halves, No. 4,9 s. 3d. p.—Trent. Valley Continuation, &c., 19s. dis.— Trent Valley Midland, &c., c. dis.—Welsh Midland, 14 dis.— West Lancashire Coast, 10s. c. dis.—West Riding Union, 2j p.— Whitehaven and Furness, 2% . dis : =-York and Carlisle, 14 dis. lIUDDtitSFIELD, MAY 19. STocx EXCHANGE.—The sales arc—Ambergate, Nottingham, and Boston, 13s. dis.—Clitheroe Junction, 13s. dis.—Great Grimsby, Quarters, Gs. Ms.—Huddersfield, Halifax, and Bradford Union, 41. Sa. G3.—Lancashire, Yorkshire, and North Eastern, 28s. dis.—Leeds and York, 21, as. —London, Salisbury, and Yeovil, 30s.—Manchester, Huddersfield, and Great Grimsby, 22s. —South :Midlands, 265. Gd. p. NEWCASTLE-Vi'ON-TYNE, MAT 19. STOCK Excuatsom.—The sales are—Eastern Counties, York Ex• tension, 273. Gd p.—Lancashire and North Yorkshire, Gs. 6d. dis.— Leicester and Bedford, .14 p.—North British, Halves (Ilawick), 4 p —North Staffordshire, 414 p.—Newcastle and Darlington Exten isions, 9 p.—Northumberland and Lancashire, 1 Ms.—South Midland —.West Riding Union, 314 p. HULL, MAT 19. STOCK EXCNINGZ.—The sales are—York and North Midland, East and West Biding, 11 A —Blackburn, Darwen, and Bolton, 7 Leeds and Dewsbury, 14A —North British, Carlisle Branch, 495. 6d. —Armagh, Coleraine, and Portrush, 12s. 6d.—Buckinghamshire, 2/. 9s.—Derby, and Gainsboroug,h, 143.—East Coast, 18s.—Goole, Doncaster, Sheffield, &c., 2/. 9s. 6d.—Griaisby, Louth, and Horn castle, 22s.—Hull and Barnsley Junction, 26s.—Leeds, Wakefield, and Midland, 37s.—Leicester and Iletitiml, 255. W.—London and York, 2%—Malton and Driflield Junction, 42s.—Maachester, Bux ton, and Matlock, 34 —North Staffordshire, 61, 7s. —South Midland, 31. 7s.—West Biding Union, 5. SHEFFIELD, MAT 19. STOCK EXCIIANGE.—The sales are—Grimsby and Sheffield, 314 dis.—Ditto, Quarter Shares, Es. dis.—North British, 8 p.—East Lincolnshire, 2s. 6d. dls.—Leeds, Waketleld, and Midland, se. dis.- 31anchester, Sheffield, and Midland Junction, dis.—Manchester and Lincoln Union and Canal, 13s. Gd. dl3.—North Western, Ifs. p. —Sheffield and Lincolnshire, 7s. Gd. p.—Shetfleld, Buxton, Leek, BotterieB, and Crewe, 13s. dis.—South Yorkshire Coal Railway 2s. 6d. dis. YORK, MAT 19. STOCK EXCHINGE.—ThiI sales al. —lpswich and Bury, 6—Ditto, Extension (Norwich), 11. 145.—Leicester and Bedford, 11. 3s.—Lon don and York, 21. 13s.—Malton and Driftield Junction, 21. 4s. Gd. —Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, 31. 14s.—Newcastle a 642 n al, d it ß itou e; :trdrr i h r tzu k 3l: , :na: 2 7ea l stt l i6 : eian — .;ian Newcastie and Darlington (Brandling), 44% North British, Carlisle Extension, 2 1 ,4—North Staffordshire, 61. 9s. ~ 1 1 1e1 I:al.est Riding Union, i—York and North Midland, New (East and West Riding), 11%. RDLNBUItOII, Dee MAT ju 1 16. are—Aberdeen, Banff, and Elgin, and athgate, 535. 6d.—Caledonian, 335.—Direct arriLt and Leith Atmospheric, 20:I.—Edinburgh Ditto, L oc h imu3 , , 235. Junction, 352.—Glasn CEalgrilins,le2.lls.o—LlLapnaerritthanandrthinviern,e,t 4s 3 . - North n, B 34 — ri F s ti. . o — h rt La . h z. ve an t rn e d ns es i e s o l n a y n d t d o e —South Midland, 725. 6d. . alt. — Scottish Central, 161. 65. __ . GLASGOW, MAT 15. STOCK EXCHANOE.—The sales are—Aberdeen, 6 i. —Airdrie and Bathgate, 553.—Arbroath and Forfar, 26%—Bridge of Weir, 445. 6d. —Caledonian Extension, 33s.—Caledonian and Dumbartonshia E._ tension, 31s. &I.—Caledonian Direct Northern, 335. Carnwath and West Linton, 22s.—East Indian Railway, 16s. 94.—Edinburgh ant Northern, 6% —Forth and Clyde Junction, 343.—Glasgow General Terminus, 91. 19s.—Glasgow and Belfast Union, 418.—Glasgow, Kil marnock, and Ayr, 74/.--Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, 39 1. Glasgow and Greenock, 171.—Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan, Belfast, 378.6 d. —G reat Indian Peninsular, 88.—Great North of India, ss. 6(1. Ballymena, E lgin 1 2 5 0 5 8 „... . —LLanarka gaonwd, 478.L0t h 6 i d a n . , -L , o — n L , B ar n ri s e . , tol, and South Wales, 13 s. — Manchester and Southampton, 425. 6d. —Perth and Inverness, 32 s. —Scottish Central, New, 7 X —Scottish Central and Caledonian Junction 303. South Midland, 61s. 6d. R. A rs ind Mrs. Anderson.-Drr.. Stewart, Miss Carew,pr. Garrett Hon . ECENT RRIVALS_ BATH . t Dillon,Brantley AT ~..a 0 e r r . k a c n i d y pl, --(1 Y —any, Sir John Hants, Baron do itoeoec . k e , Major — " ''' r William Wh Led Reeve, Rev. J. W. Aileldloton, Rev. Mr . Coates, Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Mont Edgcumbe and family, Admiral Aylmer, the countess of Captain and Mrs. Sands, Captain Sands, Rev. D'r.Djajor. Makepeace, Mrs. Phippen Phillips, Colonel Barlow, Captain an a d ckson, Mr. and Whish, Dais, and Chamberlains; Captain and M Mrs. Evered, Mr. Browne, Sec. ra. eanter, rev, RECENT ARRIVALS AT CHELTENFIAM . -101 d . rFuller ton and the Hon. Miss Fullerton, Hon. George and Mrs. Irby and 3liss Irby, Lady Arbuthnot, Sir T. and Lady Hesketh, Lady wii: Lamson, Colonel Burns, Major and Miss Burns and "Miss Page, Colonel Harris, Colonel Morris, Lieut. - Colonel Campbell, ma Macntunara, M.P., Captain Mitssingberd, lt.N., and Mrs. V. Mae.. singberd, Captain and Miss Girdiestone, Captain Hammond, Capt a i n Herbert, Captain Owens, Captain Pope, Captain Richardson, Dr. Colligs Robinson, Rev. T. B. Adams, Rev. J. Brks, Rev. and n Mrs. Colton, Rev. C. Cummings, Rev. Mr. oo Foote, Rev. Mr. Jackson, Rev. J. B. Monk, Rev. W. J. Smithwlck and Miss Smith. wick, Rev. Skeili ng ton Thompson, Major Eyre (73d Regiment), Lieut.-Colonel La Touche, Rev. Mr. Mereweather, Major-General Sir Robert Cunliffe, Sir Edwyn and Lady Scudamore Stanhope, Sir John and Lady Mansell and family, Captain Collins. Captain Vickers, Captain Guise, Rev. Mr. Peircy, Rev. Mr. Graham. Rey. Mr. and Mrs. Suckling, Rev. Mr. Brooke, Rev. H. Bloisome, Sec. A Fix.—At Manchester, a man, in attempting to rob a beer-house, got his head under the door, but found, to his horror that he could not get his body in nor his head otit. 110 remainod In that situation until a policeman come to him. - LAW INTELLIGENCE, SECONDARIES' COURT, May 20. (Before Mr. Secondary JAmls.) GAGSTER U. DROADERIDGE. . . The plaintiff in this action is an v architect and surveyor, and the action was brought to recover the sum of 61. 7s. 9d. for designs of some houses for the defendant. The defendant pleaded that he was not indebted. Mr. PARRY stated the case for the plaintiff. He said he believed the defence would be that the plaintiff was in part nership with a Mr. Ancona. It was true that he had been so, but he would call Mr. Ancona to prove that the partner • ship had been dissolved before the orders were given, and consequently that the plaintiff alone was entitled to be paid. Mr. Ancona was then examined, and p rov ed that himself and plaintiff had been in partnership in Lombard-street, but the partnership was dissolved in May last year. Defendant went to plaintiff and gave the orders after the dissolution, and he must have been aware of that fact. Plaintiff had de manded the amount of defendant, and he refused payment then on the ground that he was only acting as agent for a Mr. Woods. In cross-examination he said that defendant took jobs from persona and handed them over to oth er persons. In this case he did not hint that any other party was liable. There was no deed of dissolution. There was no notice in the Gazette. It was quite a private arrangement. They were at the present tie joint surveyors of-the Patent Elastic Pavement Company, but were not partners. , The delivery of the plans to the defendant personally was then proved. The SECONDARY said that if it could be proved that the partnership existed at the time the debt was contracted, the action must fall, but the evidence went to prove the contrary. The jury gave a verdict for the amount claimed. COURT OF BANKRUPTCY, May: 20. (Before Mr. Commissioner FONBLANQUE.) IN RE BURROWES. . _ _ This bankrupt, who had carried on business as a builder at Camden -town, came up to apply for his certificate. He was supported by Mr. T. B. Hughes, and opposed by Mr. Leigh, a From the balance sheet it appeared that the bankrupt had been making 5001. a year clear profit, but his expenses had been 8001. per annum. ME debts amounted to 4,9001., and on the'credit side was only 251. debts "bad." He was now opposed, on the grounds of excessive expenditure and that the accounts were most unsatisfactory. The jefficial assignee agreed that the accounts were most irregular. The COMMISSIONER said it was clear at a glance that no one could tell by them whether there had been any unfair ness in the transactions, the certificate, therefore, would be adjourfied for six months, in order to give the assignees an opport4nity of making further inquiry, and for the bankrupt to give explanation on the doubtful points. The opposition could be continued if any discovery was made. Mr. HuomEs applied for protection to be granted to the bankrupt. The LEARNED COM3IISSIONER said he would grant it for one month, and the creditors could, if they thought fit, come again and oppose its renewal, which would not be granted if the bankrupt withheld any information required. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANS lON-HO U S E. Yesterday, Margaret Glynn, the poor girl who was a few days ago falsely charged with numerous robberies by a man named Francis Bennet, his daughter Maria, and his nephew, who sometimes passed as Thomas Spencer, sometimes as Thomas Thorpe, and who was stated'to have been confined in Newgate under the name of Thbmas Ryder Walker, was brought before Alder man' Gibbs from the Compter, to which place she was sent Ili a voluntary inmate. Alderman Glints asked if any of the parties who had appeared before the young woman were in attendance? Inspector Fosberry said, that not one of them were present, as he concluded would have been the case from the intelligence he had received from the officer whom he had sent to make inquiry into the truth of the state ments made by the girl, relative to the character of her three violent accusers. Sergeant Folger (No. 89 City police) stated to the Alderman that he had ascertained that Bennet, and his wife and daughter and nephew, belonged to an organised gang of swindlers, who had been plundering extensively in all parts of the metropolis, as Margaret Glynn had described. A sergeant of the Metropolitan police was present, who had been long watching their movements, and who could, if the Alderman considered it necessary, inter into a variety of details. Alderman GIBBS, having said that a brief outline would only be required at the present moment, Sergeant Dubois, 14 N of the Metropolitan police, stepped forward, and stated that, to his positive know ledge, Bennet and his wife, daughter, and nephew, were part and parcel of a gang consisting of upwards of fifty persons, who had been for a length of time living upon the public. As the young female had correctly repre sented, they obtained goods upon the strength of false references, beer-shops, greengrocers shops, and other places of apparent business having been taken by mem bers of the gang in different parts of the town as blinds for their operations. The moment promised payments were to be made the whole face of things became changed—neither principals nor referees were to be found, and the goods and the names and addresses of the parties disappeared altogether. Ho (Sergeant Dubois) had himself taken from time to time twenty of the gang into custody, all of whom he knew lived upon swindling and thieving. Eight or nine of them had been committed for trial to Newgate, and five or six had been transported. Alderman GIBBS—Do you know that Bennet keeps a house of infamous character? Sergeant Dubois—Cer tainly I do, and I know that his wife attends to the business of it. The unfortunate girl could not have got amongst a more infamous set, and it was most fortunate for her to have been charged by them with robbery, for the exposure must not only give a check to some of their plans, but will save her from any further connexion with them. I know, beyond a doubt, that she was trepanned into Bennet's brothel by Spencer. I have followed up the inquiry into the transactions in which they have been engaged, and I know that nothing could have been worse. Alderman Gums—The girl says that Thorpe, or Spencer, has been in prison for thievin g . Do you know anything of his committal? SergeantDubois—l know that he was committed to Maidstone Gaol for twelve months for picking pockets, in the name of Walker. He generally used to work with a man of the name of John Scott, a notorious swindler and pickpocket. Scott has opened several beer-shops and chandler's-shops for the purpose of reference. Thorpe resides in Hyde place, Hoxton, and Spencer, besides his counting-house in Oxford-court, Cannon-street, has a house at No. 52, Dnk•-street, Aldgate, to which his wife attended. Alderman GIBBS, after having had a private C9MMU nication with Sergeant Dubois, said to the young woman, " You see into what dreadful hands you have been thrown ?" Margaret Glynn—l do, my Lord. lam thankful that I have escaped. Alderman Gmns—And you are anxious to go to your mother ? Margaret Glynn—Yes. She will gladly receive me. Alderman GIBBS—I do not know that I can do any thing better for you than send you to your mother, and the officer has kindly promised to see you safe under her care. • _ _ wo S u e ld rg d e n an a t ll D i u n b t o h is eir sa p id nw h e e r t w n as ge c t on h lni l n a c e ed f h t e h r e ag g a a i n n g . He was quite sure that several of them were in the neighbourhood of the Mansion-house at that moment. llesh h o a uld ilit t y. ak e care to protect her to the utmost extent of his Alderman GIBBS de : ired the girl to give any of the i t n h t e o r e t h l, e , a s e u a s n t 3 o . d ti; y i o n f g t t h n e h p e ol n i p ce p , re i_f sove reign, which had been left for her by a friend of his, h sPl' i er n s de rn d sh f e r sr o h m me od t t h rh e ea m rd . He then put into her hands a seadw and which she gratefully received. Josephd cork-s rßeeatd,dell were, a wa E ite li r za a b at t he ur ß p u h r y ii n brought before the Lord Mayor under the remarkable circumstances detailed in the evidence below. Mr. Bush, of the firm of Bush and Mullins, solicit ors agedgtoi 713Iotae nl to the Committee of Bankers for protection against felony and fraud, appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. of the office of solicitor to the Post-office, at tended to watch the case, which was stated to possess some peculiar features. The solicitor for the prosecution s'ated that on the 14th of October, 1843, an order of the Eastern Scottish Bank for the payment of 50/. to a Alis Lucy Thompson was enclosed in a letter and transmitted to London. The letter was received by the party to whom it was ad dressed, but the order was not in it, and payment was st ,pped at the banking-house of Barclay, Bevan, Tritton, and Co., where it was payable. Ou Thursday the male prisoner presented the order at the counter of the bank ing -house, and an inquiry was made which led to the apprehension of both prisoners. As from the nature of the investigation, and the necessity of sending to Scot land upon the subject, considerable delay must take place, a remand for a longer time than was usually applied for might be deemel expedient. Mr. Alfred W. Morris, clerk at Messrs. Barclay and Co.'s, said, about three o'clock on Monday, Elizabeth Murphy presented the order I produced for 501. of the Eastern Bank of Scotland upon our house. I referred to our remittance book, and found that the order was stopped. I asked her whether her name was Lucy Thompson, th e name entere d b y Mr. Nl ac h o l ra , of the bank of Scotland upon the back of the order. She said, No. I asked her what her own name was, and she re plied, Elizabeth Murphy. I asked her from whom she brought the order ? She said, from Mr. Hamilton, of Dublin, th at she had received it from him the night be fore, and that he was a lodger at No. 56, Jermyn-street. She gave her own address as 11, St. Ann's-court, War doar-street, Soho ; and she then was directed to go with me to the office of Messrs. Bush and Mullens, of St. Mildred's-court. I heard her repeat the same story to Mr. Bush ; and she added that she had received the order from a servant in Jermyn street, for whom she did some work. The LORD MAYOR asked whether the female prisoner wished to ask any question of the witness ? Elizabeth Murphy—My Lord, when I was asked the question I thought there was something wrong; and to save the gentleman (Baddle), and a large family of small t h e m f r a . 1 s it e h o o r r o i d s i b n e c beingause appealed there children, I told a li e about the business. But the tr u th t I did ad know n e anyt askedha r h mth is, this gent l eman ' s wife came and asked me to get it y w s b el e fa e t r all t . here to so h m yt h h i e n g was wowmroanny whe ther he r she not h but changed, and I th oug h t there was no harm in it. I told anything wrong, replied in the affirmative. Mr. Bush was then sworn. He s • aid, at about twenty minutes after three on Monday, the female brought prisoner was to me, accompanied by Mr. Morris and the principal clerk i n hi s department of the house, and I asked her, upon learning the nature of th case, a few questions, an d took notice of e She said h er her ans we rs in writing. name was Elizabeth Murphy, that she was a widow, and that she lived at No. 11, St. Ann's court, for two years past, and was well known ; that she gained her living by nursing and needle-work ; that she know the house, 56, Jermyn-street, as a lodging house ; that the servant there, who was the only maid of all-work in the house, som e ti me s employed lier ; that she was there the evening before, when the ser vant, whose name she thought was Mary, gave her the letter, and told her she had received it from a Mr. Hamilton, of Dublin, who was lodging in the house, and that she (the prisoner) was to go to the Bank and get change for it ; that she had been to the Bank of England. that evening, and was there directed to go to Barclay and 'Co., in Lombard-street, and that she knew nothing more of it. This statement was made in the presence of Mr. Morris, and he soon afterwards left us. The prisoner then expressed great anxiety to know if there was anything wrong I told her there was, and that further inquiry must be made, as the o►der was payable to Miss Lucy Thompson, and she was certainly not that person. She then expressed some further anxiety about it, and said she had not told me the truth, but a false hood, and now she would tell me the whole truth. I said, I was sorry she had not told me the truth at first, as falsehcod might possibly involve her in some trouble ; and I warned her not to conceal any of the true facts from me. Iliad previously thought well of her. She then made another statement to me. I did not hold out any inducement to her to make any statement, nor had I stated any previous tieenswion against her. I took down her second statement in writing. She said, she did not receive the order from Mary, or any one in Jermyn-street. That she had it from a waiter at i the Burlington Hotel, named Baddell, whom she had known some eight or nine years past ; that he formerly lived as servant to Dr. Philpotts, the Bishop of Exeter, that he had been about twelve months at the hotel in Burlington -street ; that she received the order on the preceding evening from Baddell's wife, who lived in Newman's- tnews,Castle-street,Berners-street, and took in washing, but that Baddell himself did not sleep there. The female prisoner also said that she did not see Bad dell at the time his wife gave the order to her ; that she had seen him on the Friday evening previous, but never saw the order till last (meaning Sunday) evening. That Baddell's wife told her to try to get it paid at the Bank, although she feared that it was too old, and that her husband had given it to her. I accordingly sent up an officer and my principal clerk to the Burlington Hotel to make some inquiries. I stopped the examination at that point, because it then became a question whether the husband or wife was the person to be accused. Mr. W. Base, clerk to - Messrs. Bush and Mullins, said —I went, accompanied by the female prisoner and Wardle (policeman 25), to the Burlington Hotel, in Cork-street, and asked for Mr. Morley, the proprietor, whom I saw, and in consequence of what passed between us he sent for the prisoner Baddell, by the name of Lewis. I then showed Baddell the order in the presence of Mr. Morley, and Mr. Phillips, of the office of the solicitor to the Post-office, (Wardle being outside in a carriage with the female prisoner), and asked Baddell if he knew a person of the name of Murphy. He said, yes, he did. I then shewed him the order, and said to him,'," Did you send this order by Mrs. Murphy?" He said, "I did, it's quite right; I picked the order up in Oxford street, on Wednesday night, between eight and nine or between nine and ten, when I was out. It was wrapped up in a piece of paper." I then left the room and fetched the officer Wardle, and told Baddell there was something wrong about the order, and he must go with me to explain. Afterwards, at Bow-street station-house, Baddell sent for me, and then he made a statement which I took down in writing, in the presence of the policeman and the prisoner Eliza beth Murphy. The statement was as follows :—"ln stead of that statement I made being true, I found it (the order) amongst some letter covers and waste paper at Mr. Morley's Hotel, on Wednesday last." He after wards said in my presence, when the charge was being taken down in the station-house, "I gave it to my wife yesterday." Baddelf—My Lord, the last statement is quite correct. I made the first statement because I did not wish to get my fellow servants into trouble ; but I found the paper in the waste-paper drawer in the coffee-room, where there are scores of unclaimed and unopened letters. George Wardle (policeman 25), stated that he took both prisoners into custody, and was present when Bad dell made the statement at Bow-street to Mr. Base, which that gentleman related correctly. Baddell had made a similar statement to witness. Mr. Bash again called Mr. Morris, the first witness examined, who deposed that from information which he had received, as clerk to Messrs. Barclay and Co. (the house having received advice to the effect), he believed the order produced had been obtained by fraud, or feloniously stolen from a post•office letter, and that if time were given, further evidence would be brought forward. The LOUD MAYOR—DO you know that the letter has been robbed ? Witness—l do. In a conversation which took place between the Lord Mayor, Mr. Goodman, and Mr. Bush, upon the subject of the evidence against the female prisoner, Mr. Bush observed, that if she was not involved in the criminality as to the fraudulent possession of the order, she had got herself into serious difficulty by telling such falsehoods, as rendered it impossible to call upon her as a witness, for she had utterly destroyed her own credibility. Davis, cabman, 6,047, was charged by Mr. Waghorn, of Cornhill. Mr. Waghorn stated that the defendant demanded eight shillings for driving from Cornhill to the South Western Railway and back. He had waited twenty minutes at the station, and was paid 4s. 6d., and h e de clared that he would stay all night at Mr. Waghorn's office if not paid that exorbitant demand. Witness ex postulated with him, but the defendant insisted that Mr. Waghorn was the person he carried, and not Mr. Wag horn's clerk, who was the actual fare. The demand was aggravated by the insolence of the defendant, in catching hold of Mr. Waghorn and pushing him. Mr. Waghorn's clerk proved that the defendant had been paid sixpence more than his fare, and that the man was tipsy. As Mr. Waghorn considered the night's lodging in the station-house sufficient punishment for the defendant, The Loan MAYOR admonished the apparently peni tent cabman, and discharged him. WORSHIP-STREET. DANGEROUS ASSAULTS AT THE BALLOON EXHIBITION. — John Collins, Samuel Humphries, and Martin Armstrong, were charged with throwing bricks and stones amongst the crowd in the neighbourhood of the Albert Saloon, at Horton, from which place Mr. C. Green ascended in his balloon on Monday evening. Inspector Pearse, of the N division, said, that great crowds assembled in the neighbourhood to witness the ascent of the balloon, and a number of people mounted upon the scaffold ing at the top of a new building adjacent. Amongst these were the prisoaers and others, who began a disturbance by throwing water, and afterwards bricks and stones, at the crowd below, some of whom also pelted them. Several per sons were icjured by the missiles thrown from the scaffold, and the inspector said he saw a female with her head bleed ing. A little boy, named Angles, however, was more seri ously hurt, for a brick struck him on the head, and he fell as if shot, and was carried in a state of insensibility to a neighbouring surgeon, who dressed the wound on his head. William Hughes, 13 years of age, now stated that he was walking up at the time, and saw the prisoner Collins throw the brick which struck him, and cut him on the head. Two witnesses corroborated his evidence, and proved that it was Collins who threw that brick. It was not aimed at the boy, but thrown at random into the crowd. The other two prisoners were also throwing, but it was not proved that they did any actual personal injury. The rather of the boy Angles stated that he was brought home in the condition described, and was in a state of deli rium during part of the night. Mr. BROUGHTON, after commenting in severe terms upon the wanton and dangerous conduct of the prisoners, said he should not at present dispose finally of the assault from which the little boy was suffering, and he therefore remanded Col lins for a week. The other two prisoners he sentenced to pay 20s. each, or be imprisoned one month. George Lewis was charged with throwing a large stone from the street at one of the men on the scaffold.—He was fined ss. SOUHWARK. A LEAP FROM WATERL T 00-BRIDGE. Charles Smith, a young man of respectable appearance, was brought before Cottinghatn, charged 'with making a very determined attempt upon his life, by throwing himself off the centre arch of Waterloo -bridg e into the river. Inspector Everest, of the Thames police, stated that on Sunday night, the 3d instant, about twelve o'clock, while on duty in a boat on the river, on passing one of the arches of Waterloo-bridge, the tide running down at the time, his attention was called on hearing a heavy splash in the water. He immediately rowed to the spot, and after some little time saw a snan floating on the surface, and suc ceeded in dragging him into the boat. He was per fectly insensible, and finding him in that condition, he lost no time in conveying him with assistance to the " Feathers" public-house, in the Waterloo-road, and Mr. Hardey, a surgeon, residing in the neighbourhood, having been immediately called in, the usual remedies for producing resuscitation were adopted with success. It was, however, discovered that the defendant had received such serious in juries in precipitating himself from such a height off the bridge, that it was deemed necessary to have bins afterwards taken to Charing-cross Hospital, in which institution he re mained to the present time. The inspector added, that on finding the defendant was sufficiently recovered to be enabled to leave the hospital, he brought him up to this Court to be dealt with as the magistrate deemed expedient. Policeman 72 F stated that on the. Sunday night in ques tion, while on'duty on Waterloo-bridge, as he was walking from the north towards the south side. he observed the de fendant approaching him from the latter direction. When the defendant got near him, he made a sudden spring upon the parapet, and then descended upon the abutment of the bridge, and although he (policeman) in a moment seized him by the hair, yet he disengaged himself from his ; grasp, and 'ejaculating the words "good bye," precipitated himself head foremost into the river. The policeman added that he heard the splash made by the defendant falling into the water; but although he looked over the parapet he could not distinguish •laim, owing to the darkness, and he concluded that he was drowned. He (the policeman) afterwards descended to the steps of the bridge on the Surrey side, and to his surprise the inspector and his man were in the act of removing the de fendant ashore from their boat. Mr. COFTINGHAM questioned the defendant as to his situa tion in life, and the cause of his having made such a deter mined attempt at suicide. In reply the young man stated that he was in the employ of Mr. Maudsley, a cutler, in Wych-street, Strand, and that on the Sunday in question he spent the evening with some friends at Walworth, and was induced to take more drink than he was accustomed to do. He had no recollection of the circumstances above described until subsequent to his removal to the hospital, and he could now assure the re magis trate that he deeply regretted the attempt he had a upon his life. The defendant's mother, a respectable sfvuomneaxne,eaptttioenndehedle, and stated that he was a young m character, and that she was confidaenetahenever that o had it not would havebeen for the liquor he was advised to tak attempted such a rash act. She added that from thatheprhecaidpiutantfionrg tunately sustained such serious injuries himself off the bridge that she was afraid he would never re cover the shock given to his constltutlon. Mr. CorrixisisAar having addressed someieri delivered up into the useful advice to the young man , permitted him to be care of his parent. FIRE NEAR BERKELEY-SQUARE.—On Tuesday even in, about six o'clock, a fire broke out in the house of M r. B erwick, Union -street, Berkeley-square. The discovery was made by a per son going into an upper room, and in a short time the flames spread furiously. Messengers were sent for the brigade engines of tits C and B district, and in the meantime every exertion was used by those In the house to extinguish the fire. 'I he firemen were prompt In their attendance, but before the flames were subdued the greater por tion of the roof was destroyed, and considerable damage done by water. The Are WWI said t 9 have originated froth a fpul chimney, ROBBERY of 2601. in LIVERPOOL. (From the Liverpool Albion.) On Saturday a stylish young fellow, who gave his name John Roberts, but whose real name is Peter Keenan, was brought before Mr. Rushton, on a charge of having picked the pocket of Mr. Andrew Leighton, of the firm of William Leighton and Co., general merchants, South Castle.street, of his pocket-book, containing Bank of England notes to the amount of 260!. Mr. Leighton stated, that he had called at the office of the Branch Bank of England, Hanover-street, about eleven o'clock on the morning of that day (Saturday), and obtained the 260/. in notes, which he placed in his pocket-book.' He then put the book in the hind pocket of his frock coat, and proceeded along Hanover-street, in the direction of his office. He had not gone many paces when he felt a slight twitch behind, and on putting his hand imme diately into his pocket he discovered that the book was gone. On turning round he saw the prisoner, and lie at once said to him, " You have got my pocket-book." The prisoner did not attempt to deny the fact ; he acknowledged that he had it, and, drawing it forth from the pocket of his coat, he politely handed it to the complainant, and begged to be allowed to go quietly about his business. Mr. Leighton said it was impossible to allow so barefaced a robbery to be committed with impunity, and, appealing to a Mr. Williams, of Preston, who stood close by, he asked Lim if he had seen the transaction? Mr. Williams replied that he had. Mr. Leighton then looked about for a policeman, but being unable to find one, he seized hold of the prisoner, and a struggle took place between them. The prisoner mani fested the greatest possible eagerness to be set at liberty ; he offered six sovereigns, the gold rings off his fingers, and the watch from his fob, if Mr. Leighton would relinquish his hold, but finding that the offer was indignantly rejected, he sought and obtained permissioa to walk to Bridewell arm with Mr. Leighton, in order not to attract public notice. They had not proceeded far together, in this manner, when the prisoner suddenly withdrew his arm and ran off at the top of his speed through Cooper's-row. Mr. Leighton followed and overtook him ; and, after he had given repeated pro mises that he would not again attempt to escape, they walked arm-in-arm to the Bridewell. Mr. Rushton—Was your money all right? - Mr. Leighton—All right; it was in the same position as when I had put it into the pocket-book. Mr. Owen, who defended the prisoner, endeavoured to make it appear, on cross-examination, that the book had dropped; but Mr. Leighton distinctly swore that his pocket was deep, and that it was quite impossible the book could have fallen out. Mr. Peter Williams, of Preston, stated that about a quarter after eleven o'clock that morning, he was on his way to the Branch Bank of England, and met three very respectable-looking persons, the prisoner and two others, in Hanover-street. Just as he was passing them he saw the prisoner pick the pocket-book out of Mr. Leighton's pocket. Thinking that they were all friends, well known to each other, and that it might have, been a trick, witness stopped to see whether Mr. Leighton would look serious or pleased on discovering his loss, and observing that he looked serious, he instantly went up and stated what he had seen. Dawson ' the Bridewell-keeper, said that on searching the prisoner, he found 71. on him, a few papers in the shape of bills of exchange, and a credit account similar to a credit ac count on a bank. The prisoner declined to say anything in his defence, and was fully committed for trial at the sessions. • We have said that he was stylishly dressed. He worn a suit of black, black frock coat, black satin vest, and black satin stock, with cream-coloured kid gloves. He was not unknown to Mr. Parkinson, baying been five times com mitted and eight discharged. He made his last appearance at the Liverpool police. court in 1842, and it is supposed that he has been almost ever since then acting professionally in London. Latterly he has been living at one or two very re spectable hotels in Liverpool, in first-rate style. His brother was transported. ROBBING THE DEAD. TUNBRIDGE-WELLS.—George Vousden, Robert Vous den, William Ellis, Mary Waters, Ann Underdown, and Harriet Collins, were charged with robbing the dead body of William Sanders. Thomas Wells, constable of Brenchley. deposed that he savv the body of the late William Sanders on Sunday last. Bi.tween ten and eleven o'clock that morning George Vousden came to him and t , ild him that a man had been found in the Clay's Wood pond. On his arrival at the spot he ob tained assistance, got the body out of the water, and conveyed it to a barn. He saw the prisoners George Vousden and Thomas Vousden at the pond, and they told him that 3s. lid. had been taken from the left-hand trousers pocket of deceased, and that Mrs. Waters had got the money. He saw the whole of the prisoners, as they had all been to the pond, and they all told the same tale—that 3s. lid. had been taken out of the left-hand trousers pocket. He went to Mrs. Waters's, and she gave him the moneys said to have been found in the pocket. On bearing that the decease, the night before he was missed, had several pounds in his pocket, he went to Mrs. Waters's on Tues day morning. Robert Vousden and Thomas Vousden lodge in the same house. He saw Thomas Vousden and Mrs. Waters, and he asked them, "How about the money that was in the pockets of the deceased ?" and they then confessed that 6L 103., nine half-sovereigns and two sove retns had been taken from the left-hand pocket in the trousers. Thomas Vousden said that his brother George took the money out of the pocket, that five of them had a pound each, and as his brother George, they considered, had had most trouble, be had 30s. Thomas Vousden then gave him a sovereign and a half, and Mrs. Waters gave him two half-sovereigns. He next went to Mrs. Collins's. He did not see Mrs. Collins, but he saw her husband at work in the garden; and he went in-doors and brought out two half-sovereigns and gave him. He then went to Mrs. Underdown, and she gave him two half-sovereigns, and said she was very sorry at what had occurred, and also that she wished she had not gone to the pond. As he was going home he met George Vousden, and took him into custody. He said he had not got any of the money. William Ellis also denied ever having any of the money. He took the whole of the men into custody in the morning when he saw them. He did not take the women into custody, as he was satisfied they would not run away. The whole of the prisoners had been the day before summoned to attend the Coroner's inquest. The Bench wished to know if the person who knew the deceased had money in his possession the evening be fore he was missing was present. Witness said no other witness was present but himself. The inquiry was then adjourned till the other witnesses could be brought from Brenchley. The following evidence was subsequently advanced:—Mary Collins, of Brenchley, deposed that she was a widow, and the deceased lodged at her house. She saw him last on Friday in Easter week. He then, after dinner, showed her nine half-sovereigns and two whole ones, 3s. 6d. in silver, and 2id. in coppers. He left her house about four o'clock. He had been drink ing all the week. She had not seen him since. Thomas Diamond, of Brenchley, deposed that he knew the de ceased, William Sanders, and he saw the body of deceased in a barn at Brenchley on Sunday morning.— The prisoners were then committed for trial at the next quarter sessions. WHOLESALE POISONING IN NORFOLK. During the last week the inhabitants of Happisburgh, a village on the Norfolk coast, have been in a state of great excitement in consequence of the exhumation of a number of bodies believed to be poisoned, including those of a man named Jonathan Balls, his wife, and four grandchildren, all of whom recently died under very suspicious circumstances. Information was not given to either of the county coroners after the first death, as the parish officers throughout the county had received a circular from the :magistrates request ing them to make strict inquiries before the expense of an inquest was incurred, there having been a deal of complaint at the magistrates' meetings as to the heavy expense of coroners' inquests. Mr. Pilgrim, the county coroner for the district, received information of the deaths, but was, at first, unwilling to institute an inquiry until a:second and third ap plication had been made to him; and rumours increasing of many persons having been poisoned, he found it necessary for him to issue his warrant for the exhumation of the bodies. They were placed in a tent at the back of the parish church, round which hundreds of people collected. Special con stables had to be sworn in to prevent improper interference and to_ preserve order. On Monday last an inquest was held before Mr. Pilgrim and a very respectable jury, at the Hill-house, Happisburgh. The betties were identified by the relatives, and the surgeons who attended, after making a post morteni examination, re moved the stomachs from the bodies, and stated that the ap pearances created great suspicion in thi;ir minds that the parties had been poisone.l. The Rev. Mr. Birch, Vicar of Happisburgh, and the parish officers, expressed the most anxious desire to have the matter thoroughly investigated, and offered to render any assist ance in their power. The jury having been sworn, The CORONER explained the nature' of the inquiry to them. lie begged they would dismiss foam their minds any rumours they might have heard, and attend only to the evidence. The jury having returned from viewing' the bodies, several witnesses were examined. Ann Pestle, a married woman, living at: Happisburgh, de posed that she had identified the bodies of Jonathan Balls, her father, and of Elizabeth Pestle, her child. Her father had died on the 20th, and her child on the. 15th of April last, after violent vomiting and purging, but -she did not think. they had taken poison. On her return home from washing she found the child very sick, but unabld to get anything up. The child died in a few hours after.. Her father also was taken very ill after returning from asi and partak ing of a slight dinner. He also died in a few hours after. Still she did not suspect that either of them Itad been poisoned. She thought her father died from old age, and the child from a sore throat. , The inquest was adjourned in order to .allow time for the surgeons to analyze the stomachs. Thursday and l t a h s e t, s a n t rg 9 e , n t li s s t. w , assemb led e t r h e e e j x ur a y m r in trf ed. Mr. Clowes, a surgeon of Statham, Hi o ll n lious, at the d Dc e 20th of April last ho was called in to is 7 him vomiting and retching violently. st! T cE.ased complained ed Balls, that and o found n t he t suspect Hutt he had taken soon after. Witness did food.ne Witness ht id examined the of great pain in his bowels and about the sitc,mach. He died poison, but some improper h in that orp,7ari were quite suf ficient stomach. The appearancesl body and found it perfectlyealith with the exception of was undoubtedly tietdcloyntthaienceadusae oflia drgeeatiranHtietvalsonf ticient to account for death. He analyzed a portion o,fatande w t ha h inc e hd atomach of the child, Eliz at )etli Pestle removed stomach, arsenic, e sun ined it chemically, and found a quan - ,,k cy of a rsen i c in 1 't, x quite sufficient to cause death. bl u r. Hewitt, another surgeon, who assisted the last witness the con tents n A examining ..tr. F ia i l ,a t h N e a s r t %% e i n c i h a c s l i n s r , gconfirmed alsoh i s e a ri n . i: I s; z s es d . of the stomachs, and said they container.( arsenic enough a single WOMITI, living in the , to poison t A h n e n w E ho u l z e a p N ar e i a s l l%. , parish, deposed that she had known the d encased Jonathan Balls, and that some years since she refused, at his r equest, to write a note t o M r. Saddler, chemist, ot'N orth Wal t h am , for some arseni c , w hi ch he said he wanted for the purpose of destroying rats. She had previously writt;en a note to that effect for his daughter, Mr-s. Pestle, for that : purpose. Mr. Hewitt, the surgeon, hre observed, .1.. e had reason to believe that all the parties who had recentl y died there came by their deaths in a similar way to those . w - hose bodies had been raised and examined. The Rev. Mr. Birch exceedingly regretted such an occur rence in his parish, and again hoped that tb e matter would be thoroughly i nvest i gated, and that r. o p.ains would be spared to find out the guilty parties. S;ev eral gentlemen present at the inquiry .regretted that an inqnest was not held immediately after the first death, as it nii(Ois have_operated as a check, and been the means of sa• sus g several lives. They believed that an inquest bad not belts held in the first instance in consequence of the circular issued by the magis trates to the parish officers. It was considered necessary that the bodies of three other persons should be taken up and examined, and in order to allow time for this to be done the inquest was further ad journed. Summonses were issued for the attendance of witnesses from Yarmouth and other places. HAPPISBURG (NEAR NORTH WALSHAM), TUESDAY MORN ING.—The investigation concerning the recent murders by poisoning in this village was brought to a close last evening by Mr. Pilgrim, one of the Norfolk county coroners, at the Hasborough-hill House, and the disclosures which were made during the inquiry leave very little doubt that the acts of poisoning must have been going on for years, and it is iin p3ssible to conjecture how many unfortunate persons have fallen a sacrifice. In accordance with the adjournment, Mr. Pilgrim, the Coroner, arrived from Norwich at ni ne o ' c l oc k, a t t h e H as borough-hill House, to prosecute the inquiry. On the jury being called over they proceeded to view the bodies, which had been ordered to be exhumed at the previous inquiry. On reaching the churchyard a novel sight presented itself. The police were stationed at the gates to prevent the crowd pressing their way in. In the churchyard, by the side of the tower, was a temporary tent erected, under which the coffins, that had only that morning been exhumed, were deposited. The lids had not been opened until the jury's arrival, thereby rendering their duty of a most unpleasant character. With the exception of the infant, the bodies were not so &corn posed as to prevent identity. At the conclusion of the pain ful ceremony they retired to the inquest-room, the Coroner directing the surgeon to make an immediate post mortem examination of the bodies. Evidence was then adduced at great length. It was shown that all the deceased had died of poison by arsenic; and one witness swore that she saw old Balls put into his wife's teapot pinches of a white powder resembling flour. All the deceased had died in a short time, and had shown symptoms attendant upon metallic poison. Judging by the evidence, Balls must have wound up the tragedy by administering to himself a portion of the arsenic with which ho destroyed the others. • The three married daughters of the deceased were present at the deaths of their mother and father, but there did not appear to be any ground for suspicion that they partook of the terrible crime. The Coroner proceeded to sum up the evidence. He thought the facts did not fix upon any party so as to warrant them in sending the case to another tribunal. If anyone was inculpated the finger of suspicion most certainly pointed to the deceased Jonathan Balls, and he was beyond the reach of the law. He recommended them to return such a verdict as would enable the officers to have the matter further in quired into should such circumstances arise as required it. It was a case of great suspicion. The jury then found, after half an hour's consultation, " that the deceased Jonathan Balls, Elizabeth Balls, Samuel Pestle, and Ann Elizabeth Pestle, died from the effects of poison, but bow administered there was no evidence to show." 4 SERIOUS AFFRAY ON THE RIVER TYNE. Between 11 and 12 o'clock on Sunday night, a serious affray occurred at the mouth of the Tyne, between two crews of Italian seamen and a body of river police. It ap— pears that three Neapolitan sailors, belonging to the barque St. Francesco, now in Shields Harbour, were on shore at North Shields, trafficking with a man named Field and two of his companions, and a misunderstanding arising, a tight took place, in the midst of which one of the Neapolitans stabbed Field, immediately afterwards running away. Being joined by his countrymen, they jumped into their boat and rowed to their vessel, Field's companions removed him to a neighbouring surgery, when it was found that a very serious wound had been inflicted. In the mean time a report of • the occurrence reached a crew of the river police, who were rowing about' the harbour, and they then proceeded on board the barque, to apprehend the parties. •Two or three of the Neapolitans were identified, and just as they were being transferred to the police-boat, the whole crew suddenly mustered, and with loud cries assailed the police. The crew of another Italian brig, lying near, came to the rescue, and increased the serious affray. The Neapolitans armed themselves with handspikes and similar dangerous weapons, and the police, in self-de fence, drew their cutlasses. Wounds were inflicted on both sides. Eventually, the police, finding themselves unequally matched, prepared to retire from the struggle, not, however, before one of the officers had received an extensive wound on the head, and was knocked between the two vessels. The police being reinforced by a body from the town, returned and captured twelve of the Neapolitans, who were brought before one of the resident magistrates on Monday morning, by whom they were remanded till Friday, when they will be transferred to the custody of the Newcastle authorities. Field remains in a precarious state. The wounded policeman is, however, not considered in danger. M S'l ERIO tTS AFFAIR. --- For the last two or three days considerable excitement has prevailed amongst the authorities of the London and Bir mingham Railway and parties resident in the immediate vicinity of the Camden-town station, in consequence of the discovery of three human bodies, under the following very mysterious circumstances. It appears that about two years ago Messrs. Chaplin and Horne, the railway carriers, received at their warehouse in Liverpool a large square packing. case, addressed to a Dr. Hunter, residing in London. The car riage was duly paid, and the box in regular course brought up to town. After repeated search, however, the owner cpuld not be found, and the package, after being advertised, was removed back to the depot belonging to Messrs. Chaplin and Horne, at the goods department of the Birmingham Railway, Camden-town. At this place it has remained un disturbed until within the last few days, when, in conse quence of some alterations about t o t a k e lace in the build ing, it became necessary to remove the various packages. On coming to the large box in question, the date attracted the attention of some of the workmen, who, by order of the manager of the goods department, opened the box to ascer tain its contents. On doing so, a most unpleasant odour was emitted, and, to the astonishment of all present, three dead bodies were presented to their view: They consisted of those of a grown male and female and a child, and in each case the bodies are so shrivelled up that the flesh appears to be converted to a horny substance, owing, it is supposed, to the dryness of the place in which they have been depo sited for so long a period. Information having been for warded to Liverpool, an investigation has taken place there, but nothing further has been ascertained than the mere entry of the package in the books on the date corresponding with that on the box. Information of the occurrence has been forwarded to Mr. Wakley, and circumstances have trans; pired which have led that functionary to issue a warrant to. Mr. Erasmus Wilson, the anatomist, to make a minute ex amination of the remains, preparatory to holding an inquest • upon the bodies. [The bodies in question are believed to have been brought from South America, and have been preserved by some pro cess apparently unknown in this country.—ED. Sun.] MARKET NEWS.-(YESTERDAY.) C ORN—EXCEANG E. Although the supply of English Wheat on offer was trifling, the demand for that article, owing chiefly to the thin attendance of buyers, was in a very inactive state, at barely, but at nothin g quot able beneath, Monday's currencies. Foreign Wheat, the show of which was by no means extensive, met a dull sale, at the late de pression in value. There was rather more inquiry for Barley, yet we can notice no alteration in value. The transactions in Malt were trifling ; nevertheless previous rates were supported. The supply of Oats was small, yet the inquiry was rather dull, at late rates. Beane. Peas, and Flour as last advised. English • • •• •• [rish • • •• • • Foreign •• •• ARRIVALS. Barley. 480 qrs. Wheat. 420 qrs. Oats Flour. - qrs. 1,360 sks. 1,720 - 2,770 --. 8,090 Malt, 1,200 qrs. WHITECRAPEL. We had a fair average supply of Meat on offer, while the demand was in a very sluggish state, at barely stationary prices. Beef from 2s 4d to 3s 6d ; Mutton, 3s 4d to 48 2d ; Lamb, 5s to Os ; Veal, 4s to 5s ; and York, 3s 4d:to 5s per 81bs by the carcase. TRIALS OF RAILWAY RIOTERS.—At the High Court of Justiciary, Edinburgh, on Tuesday, Henry Brown, Gavin Girvan M'Craken, John Macqueen, John Mackay, John Grant, Nell M'Lean, James M`Killop, Colin Morison, and Donald Shaw, were charged with mobbing and rioting, also wilful fire-raising and assault, at Fushie-bridge, on the 2d of March last, committed against the huts and housQs of the Irish labourers employed there. On the indict ments being called, the prisoners, with the exception of Nei M'Lean. pleaded guilty to certain of the charges, and after evidence was heard to the previous good character of the prisoners, the Lord Justice Clerk solemnly addressed the prisoners, admonishing them as to the highly criminal conduct of which they had been guilty, and wartiing them as to the consequences of a repetition of similar offences. Oils Lordship then sentenced them to be imprisoned as follows :—Henti Brown for two years, G. G. M'Craken for eighteen months, John Macqueen, John Mackay a , .d John Grant for twelve months ; and James M`Killop, Cohn Morison, and Donald Shaw for eight mouths. The case was dismissed as against Neil M'Lean. wasbecrrocw"deemd.ent the distance VISCOUNT HARDINGE'S ANNUITY —The Bill just introduced into the House of Commons by Mr. Hogg, Mr. Astell, and Mr. Lyall, entitled Viscount Hardinge's Annuity Bill (No. 2), con sists of one clause only, which enacts that Lord Hardinge shall be empowered to receive his full salary as Governor-General, notwith standing the grant of 5 , 0001. per annum by the East India Company. PEACMI SOClETY.—Tuesday c ven ng the members and friends of the Society for the Promotion of Permanent and Universal Peace held their annual general meeting at Finsbury Chapel, Di,oer fields. The chair was taken by Charles Hindley, Esq., M.P. 'The report of the committee of management, read by the seerethry. stated the pacific principles, which it was the object of the society to encourage, had made considerable progress during the past roll. Since the last anniversary the committee had distributed an_ll. l _T, wse number of tracts on the subject of the wars in India, and trady, dressed letters to the ministers of religion, calling upoo b t a l l e o in cgu pt,al a cate the cause of the society. The Oregon question had great portion of the committee's attention, and, with Governmentli 0 that long-disputed subject to an amicable close, memorial, praying with a England and America had been presented arbitration• The receipts during them to arrange all differences by arbitrati endlture left a balance Of the year aamunted to 2,3441., and the a view to ring the usual resolutions passed, 6501. The report was adopted, and questionof S dersgate-street. The theatre of the Le w t h pn e i dt n a. In t the Literarynm iseilemttse p arated.tottatitiFso.i IOrF. TRoßultEonPrUe73l Institution , Tuesday evening, at the Citri the taken by Mr. Wrightsen• discussion The 0 in teracting i E E st T a Y t atwA 6R , laic discussion upon the abolition of OP DEATIL—A. pu Was most prevalent. THE pe . opened d c onsiderable o;10y ABOLITION t,shneoaGbetlength.chairetr,awhegteeca Thompson,ev. who addressed punishment o! n institution meetingthe domestic he 3 some YE STR sa n Tuesday half-mile race for death Was most used the c r ime of murder meeting separated at a late hour. decided at Camberwell, The lot., between Belly and Anderton, was isotvfhheetrhee Rt won by the latter, who co v er ed quarter. in two minutes and a On the 14th in s t ., at Exeter IRTHS of a son. , the lady o f th e R ev. Ph i l i p Lew i s , On the 16th inst., in Endsleigh-street, Tavistoek-square, Mrs. Mellor, of a daughter. On the 18th inst., In St. James's-square, Lady Alfred ilerverf, of a eon. On the 18th inst., at the Auberies, the lady of Caledon Alexander, Esq., of a daughter. On the 18th inst., Mrs. John White, of Storey's-gate, Great Goorge street, Westminster, of a son. On the 18th inst., In the Albion-road, Stoke Newington, Mrs. Richard Heathfield, of a daughter. Ag O a n r, t l lt :sq„ elB of fi Elmi nst io a d t ge, Ly o .m fa gh in g gt au on, te n r anta the lady of W. Talbot On the 18th iret., the lady of John Baring, Esq., of a dicughtn which lived only a few hours. MARRIED. On the 14th inst., at the parish church, Hove, Samuel King Scott. Esq., to Georgina, fourth daughter of Dr. Bodley, of Merton House, Furze-hill, Brighton. DIED. On the 16th ult., at Vienna, Mrs. Crompton, aged 22. On the 12th inst., at Swansea, Margarctta Elizabeth, eldeit daughter of J. Jackson Price, Esq. On the 15th inst., James Browning, Esq., Connaught-torrace, Edgeware-road, aged 80. On the 16th inst , at Paris, Elizabeth, wife of William Lock, -Esq• late of Norbury-park, Surrey. On the 16th inst., in Albany-street, Regent's-park, Sarah, the, - wife of Richard Hatton, Esq. On the 16th inst., at Thistle-grove, Brcmpton, Emily, youngllst daughter of Mr. Stones, of Golden-square, aged 22. On the 16th inst., Jonathan Robinson, Esq., of Spring Bank, Sto44 port. On the 16th inst., Mrs. Sarah Heathfteld, of Cottage-grove. Milts end-road. On the 17th inst., at Rushmore, Suffolk, Eliza, the wife efj. Wratislaw, Esq. London: Printed and Published by RitIRDO YOLiNG, of No. 117, , Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, Nr 4 112, Strand, in the Precinct - of tho Savoy, to the County or ldiddlopeze, Thursday, MAY 21, 1646. • 1 f t'