The Sun. — London, England, 1865-02-16 00:00:00

The Late Robberies in the City. Yesterday afternoon a meeting of the inhabitants of the ward of Cheap was held at the Guildhall Coffee-house, to consider police matters. Mr. Alderman Allen occupied the chair. The CaAmmANhaving briefly opened the proceed ings by reading the requisition, Mr. J. BENNET'. said he was not satisfied with the efficiency of the City police, and some time ago he ventured, to question the infallibility of the City Police Commissioner. Under a police force properly organised and rightly officered and manned the string of burglaries which had happened ought not to have occurred. Ile contended that the mise rable salaries paid to the police leftthe City without its protectors, as the men could get better salaries in the large firms and at the railway stations. When anything was wrong they went to the police com mittee, and they said that their functions were those of finance. They then went to the higher branch of the corporation, viz., the Court of Aldermen, and no doubt there our aldermen were preparedto say what they could do, and how they could meet the ques tion by fair discussion and inquiry. Their magis trates assumed to themselves the direction of the police. Mr. GIBBONS said the magistrates did not assume that position. They were acting under an act of Parliament. Mr. BENNETr said he was not satisfied with the conduct of the aldermen with regard to the conduct of the police. He took up the question not only for "their sakes - but for the public good. Some time back they stood up for theindependence of the City police, but if anything wrong took place in the performance of their duty, it was right of the inhabitants to make their complaints. He trusted that such a memorial would be presented to the Court of Common Coun cil as wouldprevent the recurrence of these robberies in future. He moved the following resolution : " That, considering the vast amount of valuable property accumulated throughout the City, it is the duty of the police authoritidto afford every possible protection for its security against thieves, and this meeting is opinion that such object will not be at tained without the aid of a higher class of men, for whose retention in the force a more adequate remu neration must be provided, and by an increase in the number of constables." Mr. BARNES seconded the motion. Mr. GIBBONS, as a member of the Police Com mittee, defended the constitution of the police, and said that what was required more than the increase in the number', of men, was better pay and accom modation. The alderman reminded the meeting that Sir R. Mayne stated before the committee of the Houses of Parliament that the duties of the police were to take care of the outside of the house, and that they did not appertain to the taking care of jewellers' stocks inside the house ; that, so long as the streets were properly patrolled, that was sufficient for the policeman. Mr. STEWART defended the Commissioner of Police, Col. Fraser, against the attacks which had been made upon him, and contended that he had done more for the interests of the City in the manage ment of the police than the late Mr. Daniel Whittle Harvey. He drew a comparison between the lan guage of Mr. Bennett two years ago, when he was a member of the Police Committee, and that uttered recently. He concluded by moving the following amendment :—" That the investigation into all the circumstances attending the late robbery on the premises of Mr. Walker, of Corrthill, having been undertaken by the General Purposes Committee of the Court of Aldermen, and by the Police Commit tee of the Court of Common Council, it is at pre sent inexpedient that this ward meeting should ex press any opinion thereon." Mr. BAINES spoke in favour of Mr. Bennett's motion. After some further discussion Mr. Bennett with drew his resolution, and the motion of Mr. Stewart was put as a substantive motion and agreed to. A vote of thanks to the worthy alderman in the chair closed the proceedings. The Great Burglary and Robbery of Watches arid Jewellery in the City. A respectable-looking, elderly man, who gave the name of David Roberts, and described himself as a weaver, residing at 45, West-street, Devonshire street, Mile-end, was yesterday placed at the bar of the Mansion-house, in custody of Detective Ser geant Theodore H. Foulger, before the Lord Mayor, charged with feloniously entering the premises of Mr. John Walker, of 68, Cornhill, between the night of Saturday, the 4th, and the morning of the 6th inst., and stealing therefrom a large quantity of watches and jewellery, value about £6,000. Mr. Lewis, jun., appeared to prosecute. It having become known that some one was in custody upon the charge, the court was crowded, and the case created a great deal of interest. Mr. Lewis, in opening the case, said he appeared on behalf of Mr. Walker, of Cornhill, watchmaker and jeweller, to prosecute the prisoner for having , been concerned in a very ingenious burglary. Be tween the night of Saturday, the 4th, and Monday, the 6th inst., the premises of Mr. Walker, situate at 68, Cotnhill, was entered into, and property, con victing of watches and jewellery, stolen therefrom, to the value of about £6,000. The premises of Mr. Walker, on the Saturday afternoon in question, were left in charge of Mr. Walker, jun., and the shopman, whose name was Smith. About half-past five o'clock, Mr. Walker, jun., left the shop for the purpose of proceeding to Mr. Walker's other pre mises near Regent-street, to see them safely locked. His brother generally had the charge of these pre mises, but on that occasion he had gone out of town. Mr. Walker, jun., left the premises in Corn hill in charge of Mr. Smith, the foreman, who locked up the premises, and left them, as he supposed, per fectly secure. Before doing so, he put the whole of the stock in the iron safe. When the shutters were up there were holes in them, and mirrors were placed so that by looking theough the holes the police or the VASPTSt by could seethe iron safe and the water closet, the door of which was left open, so as to expose the interior to view, that being the only place on Mr. Walker's premises where anyone could conceal them- selves. On Monday morning, nothing having trans. pired to attract attention, the foreman proceeded to the shop as usual, and upon opening the back shop the first thing that attracted his attention was a hole in the flooring. He then looked to the iron safe and as he did so it opened to his touch, and when he looked in, to his surprise he found the whole of the Property he had placed in it on the Saturday night previous had been removed. He (Mr. Lewis) said e need hardly observe that a burglary committed under such circumstances had given rise to great excitement. Of course the inquiry was one of ex treme moment, as it was extremely hard that when Persons left their property, believing it to be per fectlysafe, on going to their business as usual they should find the whole of it removed without having attracted the attention of those who had to guard eircumatal 7 ,_ tirse the s t reet, who passed the premises. The Mr.to to wakese:taJiof course, given great uneasiness place 'without the that such a thing should have taken property very noses ;and that police vras having the slightest trace of he feit as it were, stolen under their that it could not have been committed but by some burglars. Little was very expert and experienced be forehislordship, to ju d ge from nown uf tthhee i a d n e v c h e c e w w a s o u adduce, whether or not he had this very extensive robbery. Abeen large concerned in been offered for the apprehension ofth e reward had con cerned, and a very clear description had been given parties of the property lost, which had been ad the public. Mr. Walker had determined, advertised i t seci to the cost might be, if it were within human a ' t s e k v ' to bring the perpetrators to justice, despite the ex pense. Nothing, however, was heard which would the give the slightest clue until previousday (Tues• day), when Sergeant Foulger, who had been engaged in the matter, and who had shown a great deal of tact and experience, followed the prisoner into a watchmaker's shop in Wilderness-row, Goswell street, and saw on the counter the movement of a watch. Ile asked the prisoner where he got it from, and the prisoner attempted to go away, but Foulger caught hold of him and again asked him where he got it from. He said he picked it up in the street. Foulger said that would not do for him, and the HIE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 16, 1865. prisoner commenced a struggle , u p on which the him• Mr. Walker and officer put the handcuffs on Inspector Hamilton, who were outside the premises, having accompanied Foulger, went into the shop, and Foulger coramenced to search the prisoner, and found on him a gold case of a valuable watch which corresponded in every particular to the movement which was on the counter, and by the use of a strong magnifying glass the name of Mr. Walker was found to have been erased. Mr. Walker was, however, perfectly satisfied that that watch was his property, and that it formed part of the stock that was placed in the safe on the night of Saturday, the 4th inst. In another pocket of the prisoner's was found a per fect gold watch ; and as far as that was concerned, there was not the slightest possible doubt it was Mr. Walker's, as the name and number had not been erased, and that particular watch was described in the list of articles stolen. There could, therefore, be no doubt that the prisoner was in the possession of two watches forming a portion of the stolen pro perty, which he accounted for by saying he picked them up in the Hackney-road. The Lord Mayor—That will not weigh with me. Mr. Lewis went on to say the officer took from the prisoner's pocket an envelope on which there was an address, and the officer proceeded there, although the prisoner at first gave another address, and found he resided there. He found that he was carrying on the business of a weaver, and in addition he found a number of watchmaker's tools and a quan tity of " bows" of watches, which, if the prisoner were engaged in any nefarious transactions in watches, it could be well imagined the purpose the bows would answer. It was, as his lordship was well aware, the general plan, when a watch was stolen, to break it off at the bow, and it was, of course, very convenient to have a bow to put on a watch which had none. Mr. Lewis then proceeded to examine the wit nesses, and the following evidence was adduced : Wm. Smith was examined, and said—l live at 1, Bath-cottages, Grove-street, South Hackney. I am in the service of Mr. Walker, watchmaker and jeweller, 68, Cornhill, who also carries on business at 48, Princes-street, Leicester-square. I have been in his service about twenty years. On Saturday, the 4th inst., Mr. Walker's son left the premises at Cornhill at about half-past five, and left me in por session of the property and shop in Cornhill. It was my duty to superintend the shutting up of that esta blishment. I commenced at about a quarter past six, and removed the stock from the windows and placed the whole of it in an iron safe, and secured the safe by locking it, and took the key with me. I then sent the boy upstairs tc see that the office doors were all locked, and see that no one was secreted there, and when he came back, from what he said, I proceeded to lock the outer doors. Mr. Walker occupies the front and back shop on the ground floor, and the upper part is let out in offices, and the basement is occupied by a tailor. The occupants are only there in the day time. The outer door leads into Sun-court. I locked that door on the inside, and locked Mr. Walker's front door and barred it, and passed to the front door and put up the shutters to the door, which are secured by an iron bar fastened by a padlock on the outside. There are two doors to the shop, one leading to the other, one being the shop-door and the other the street-door. I then shut the street door and locked it and put a bar across the lock, which I fastened on the outside by a padlock. By that means I left the premises of Mr. Walker thoroughly secure, It took me three quarters of an hour, or so, andl left about halfpast seven. There were three jets of gas left burning in the shop, and there are apertures in the shutters, through which persons in the street can see inside the shop. They are made for that purpose. I placed two looking glasses in the shop. The Lord Mayor—Those glasses are not fixtures? Witness—No. I put them in such a position that they reflected the iron safe and the inner part of the water-closet, towards Sun-court. The water-closet is the only place in which anyone could secrete him self in Mr. Walker's premises. The keys never left my possession until I went to the premises on Mon day morning. I went there on Monday morning about half-past eight, and found all the fastenings as I had left them. I opened the shop door, which was locked. I first observed a hole in the flooring of the shop from the basement. I immediately cast my eyes to the iron safe, and touched it to see if it had been tampered with, and it opened as I touched it, and I found the whole of the contents which I had left in it on Saturday gone. I did not make out the list described in the bill. I put in the safe all the goods that were in the window and on the counter. William Hamilton said—l am an inspector of the detective department of the City police. From in formation I received, I went to the premises of Mr. Walker on Monday morning, the 6th of February. I made a minute examination of the premises, and first saw that an entrance had been obtained into the back shop of Mr. Walker, behind the pannelled screen which forms a partition. The hole was.large enough to admit a man through it. By the Lord Mayor—lt had not been done by a chisel or saw. Hamilton—By a hand gouge. Lord Mayor—That would not make any noise. Witness—l found the iron safe broken open. I found marks of violence on the door. I should think it had been opened by leverage and wedges. One of the wedges was found. I found considerable violence. One of the doors was entirely bulged. I proceeded to the first floor and in one of ,the rooms there I found a hole large enough to admit a man, which had been cut in a similar manner to the other. ' The hole led into the tailor's shop. The thieves had then apparently gone into the basement which is arrived at from a staircase in Mr. Mitchell's shop, and from there the hole was made in the ceiling, and a hole had then been made between the joists, and so admittance had been obtained to Mr. Walker's shop. I did not find any indication of the premises having been broken into. I form my own opinion as to how the entrance was effected, but there were no indications. The small padlock on the outer door leading into Sun-court had been cut away from the woodwork, but the door was left on the latch and so apparently secure. Theodore H. Foulger, sergeant in the detective t force, said—The case of Mr. Walker's burglary had been under my no ti ce as well as other officers. I wason a e bo o ut five os those h o'clock wit with In.esapewctthe prisoner orHamiltgno. int s a t night working watchmaker's shop in Wilderness-row, Goswell-street. I went i n t o th e s h op and went up to the prisoner. I told him I was an offi cer, and the prisoner tried to walk away. I laid hold of him, and pointing to a watch movement that lay on the coun ter, said, " Where did you get that?" He said, Let me go and I'll tell you." I said I should not let him go. He struggled to get away from me and tried to drop something which he had in his hand. While we were struggling I pull e d from my pocket a pair of handcuffs and slipped one on one of his wrists. The prisoner being over poweredj , said, "Now will you tell me where you goi it from ?" he said, 4, I picked it up in the Hackr road." We still strugg , led and I slipped the other handcuff on his wrist. Inspector Hamilton and Mr. Walker, jun., c,ame in to the shop. I proceede d to search the prisoner and f ou nd a gold watch - cas e, in which , e counter has since been the movement found on th ket I found a gold watch placed. In another poc ket 0 and Mr. Walker' s name perfect, numbered 3,04 , and address on it. I found £ll 14s. in money on him. Lord Mayor—Rath e r more th an weavers carry with them. (Laughter.) er w ith an address, Witness—l also found a pa.D Devonshire-street, Mile-end. asked hi m w h ere he got the go ld I 45, W est - street gold watch, and he said he picked wattchhLasuepanind the Hackney-road. I gave the watch-case and the move ment.the m to Mr. Walker, and I saw him put it case. Th e name of Walker had been erased from the wat c h movement, and the name of Hilton, o f Wilmington-squar e , su b stituted. The name o f M r. Walker was on the perfect watch, not erased. Pre vious to my finding the letter, the prisoner said he lived in Duncan-street, Mile-end, but when I found the letter on him, he said he lived at that address. I went to a room on the second floor in that house, leaving the prisoner outside in custody. I found the room fitted up as a weaver's shop, and saw several girls at work there. I searched the room and found a number of watchmakers' tools. I also found about 50 new bows for watches. I took the prisoner to the station, and he said he was a weaver. Mr. J. T. Walker said—l have the management of the establishment of my father, at 68, Cornhill. The other establishment is under the management of one of my brothers, and on Feb. 4 I left the shop in Cornhill at about half-past 5, and at that time I left the whole of the stock in the window. The value of the stock Iso left was about £6,000. It would be the duty of Smith, as he has informed the Court, to place that stock in the iron safe. After the robbery I made a list of a portion of the property in the window. The list produced contains particu lars of the watches forming a portion of the pro perty stolen. The whole of the goods are not men tioned. The watch produced by Foulger, numbered 3,040, was part of that stock. It has the name of my father, with the address, 68, Cornhill, on the in side. The value of the watch is £55. There has been a name on the dial of the other watch, and I can see by the glass that a name has been erased. I can see distinctly the trace of the letters " Jo." My father's watches are marked " John Walker," and the " Jo" is in the same position as the same letters would be in my father's name. It is clearly percep tible that a name has been erased. The, case is the same class that my father makes, having crystal front which was brought out by my father. I saw Foulger take the movement now in the case from the workman's shop in Wilderness-row. The move ment fits that case and is of our manufacture. I have examined the movement and can see that a name has been erased from it. I cannot say what name has been erased. The Lord Mayor—But you can see a name has been erased ? Witness—Yes. There has been another name placed on it, " Hilton, Wilmington-square." There has been a number erased. There is a new number now on the watch-3,740. I have no doubt this is one the watches that were in stock on the night of the 4th February. The value of it is £45. Mr. Lewis—Upon that evidence I ask for a re mand, my Lord. Lord Mayor—This is so important a case that I shall give all the time you may require to prepare the evidence. ' Mr. Lewis asked that it might be remanded until to-morrow (this day) week, and the prisoner was remanded accordingly. The Burglaries in the City. Wm. Munday, aged 43, described as a bookbinder, re siding at 29, Margaret-street, Clerkenwell, was yesterday charged before Sir James Duke, at the Guildhall Police court, with receiving 15 dozen of skins, value £5O, well knowing them to be stolen. Wm. Roland, a City detective, said—From information I received I went last night to the warehouse of Mr. Nevett, where I saw the prisoner. I asked Mr. Nevett if he had been offered any skins for sale, and he told me the prisoner had offered him these (produced). I asked prisoner how he came by them, and he said he had been applied to to sell them on commission. I asked him who employed him to sell the skins, and he said he did not know the man. I then asked him where they came from, and he gave the same answer. A few minutes before this Mr. Epstein, from whom the goods had been stolen, came in and stated that they were his skins. I then told the prisoner that the skins had been stolen on the night of the 9th inst. from the pre mises of Mr. Epstein, of No. 11, Newgate-street. On the way to the station the prisoner said, " I wish to behave like a man, and will tell the truth about it. A man of the name of Jimmy Dunks, living in Cow-cross, employed me to sell them." The prisoner gave a correct address, and I went there the same evening. He told me that I should find more leather there, and on searching ;the first-floor back room I found 194 dozen skins in addition to the 15 dozen which I had taken at Mr. Nevett's. Mr. Joseph Nevett said—l am a bookbinder, and live at 66, Snowhill. I have known the prisoner for more than 20 years. ,On Monday last, about 4 o'clock, he came into my warehouse and asked me if I wanted to buy any leather, showing me some samples of morocco. After some conver sation, he said he had a great quantity, and asked me to buy it. He offered the skins, which were real morocco, at about half their value. He said he would take 345. per dozen for them. I told him to bring them for inspection the next night, and closely questioned him as to the quan tity, as I knew that a burglary had been committed where articles of this kind were stolen. Alter he was gone lat once communicated with Mr. Epstein, and took proper measures for that gentleman to have an opportunity of identifying and recovering his property. Mr. J. H. Epstein said—l carry on the business of a leather merchant at 11, Newgate-street. My warehouse is on the first floor, and I left it all safe on the evening of tho Bth inst., but when I returned the next morning I found it in the possession of the police ; and I missed 15 dozen of morocco skins and 22 dozen of roan, value about £B2. I recognise the skins produced as mine. My warehouse door had been forced open. There were workmen repairing the upper part of the house, which was empty. When my people left, the outer door was closed with a spring lock. Joseph Ricketts, a plumber, said—On the Friday morning I went to do some work a little before 7 o'clock at 11, New gate-street, and obtained the key from Mr. Broom, the landlord. I at once said the place had been broken into, and gave information. I found a dark lantern in the ware house, which had been left by the thieves. George Brook, manager to Mr. Brown, the landlord, ex plained that, the house undergoing repair, the thieves must have secreted themselves the previous evening, and carried off their plunder about ten o'clock, as his own men came before four o'clock. The outer door was well closed with a spring lock. Sir James Duke—l understand that these spring locks can be picked with any pick-lock key. Witness—Well, Sir James, and so can any other lock by an experienced cracksman. From late events it would seem that neither iron safes or brick walls stop them. James Dunks said—l am a beer-shop keeper, and carry on business at 51, Turnmill-street, Clerkenwell. I have lived there for the last 13 years. lam also a clogmaker, and make high clog boots for the brewers' men. I have known the prisoner for 12 years. I never employed him to sell skins for me. I never had any skins in my possession. The prisoner frequents my house. I saw him last evening, and also on Monday afternoon, when ho was tipsy. I also saw him on Saturday. He called upon me last night about four o'clock. He is a pocket-book maker. I called at his house on Saturday morning, as he owed me a sovereign for money lent, which he had not paid me. He then said h e could not pay me, but that he had a job lot of skins for sale, and if I could advance him £lB he would give me £2 interest and the £1 he owed me on the following Monday I lent him the £lB and left him. Sir James Duke—What. You mean to tell me that you lent a man £lB who could not pay you a sovereign. Witness—Yes, I often do so ; and they sometimes make £5 by it. He came to me about 7 o'clock in the evening and told me that he had purchased the leather, and on Monday he would give me the money. I never saw the skins or any samples of them. I have not been repaid the £lB, or any part of it. The Prisoner—This witness is telling lies all through, and nothing but lies. I never received £lB, or any other sum except the £1 which he did lend me. He had the skins, and it was by him I was employed to sell them. Witness—The prisoner said if I met him at the Cock, in Snowhill, at 6 o'clock, he would have a cheque and would pay me the money. I went and met him, and had some thing to drink with him, but did not see him again,although waiting for him until he was in custody. I saw an empty cart going up the hill. It belongs to a man of the name of Wells, of Baker-street, Warner-street. I never saw the cart with skins in it. I had some drink with Wells. Roland said Dunks had at first denied knowing anything about the cart. Prisoner—lt was on Saturday that Dunks called on me and told me to sell the skins. I was merely to sell on com mission. Sir James Duke—This case I shall remand till Friday, and then the carman Wells must be produced ; and with • respect to the witness Dunks, I shall require him to enter • into his own recognisances in the sum of £4O to appear on b that day and give evidence. Two lads, named Joseph King, 18, and John Thompson, l a B t , t w h e e re G a u l i s .l o d b h r a o ll, ug y h e t a u te p r o d n a remand before Sir James Duke, breaking into and entering the lortsaltth-spoon, edwelling-house charged vi i with bur o f a r r . ous Johnl y 1 pearl spoon , c i gars , 5 pairs of plated ins t ant , and stealing therefrom 94 B ret: , pocket-handker chiefs, o C x k , a t - g h Indd eye glass,k e r a table knife, and 2 a snuff-box , P ch u i l le r stamps, also an album and jet brooch. City Police-constable Walter Johnson said—On the 11th of February, about half - past two o'clock in the morning, wa s passing along Little Knightrider-street Doctors' I conunons, and when I came to the Horns Tavern l in heard some one talking inside. I listened for about five minutes, when I heard some one s a y , " O p en the door. " That wass, said a second time. I then heard the words, "Now, Jack, let me out," and t he door was opened by the prisoner Thompson. I stopped him, and asked him what he was doing there. He said they had not been doing anything, and asked me to let them go. I told them I should not let them go until they had given a satisfactory account of them selves. I saw the prisoner King in the house at this time. They then ende avoured to push themselves by me. 'pushed them back into the house, and they tried to pass me a second time. I sprang my rattle for assistance and alarmed the inmates, and Pearson and a police-constable came up almost immediately, and they were taken to the station-house. I searched them, and upon King I found 49 cigars and two pairs of plated sugar-tongs, and on Thompson 45 cigars and three pocket-handkerchiefs. City Police-sergeant Robert Pearson said-0n Saturday morning last, about half-past 2, I was in Great Carter-lane, when I heard the rattle sprang, and went into Knightrider street to the Horns Tavern, where I found the two prisoners in the lower part of the house with the officer Johnson. I searched Thompson, and found on him three chisels (pro duced). While searching him Thompson said, "It is all right, we have got some things about us." I found on him three pairs of plated sugar-tongs, an album, and other things. I also found at the feet of Thompson this dark lantern (produced). On examining the premises I discovered that an entry had been effected by the first-floor window, where I saw fresh marks of footsteps. Some drawers had also been broken open. Mr. T. John Puller said—l keep the Horns Tavern,which is also a district post-office. It has been a post-office for the last 16 years. About the time mentioned I was awak ened by the barking of a clever little dog of mine, which keeps watch at my bedroom door. He is not a courageous dog, but a very watchful and faithful one, and I understand his ways. I told him to lie down, and instead of doing so he again went to the head of the stairs and barked. I then got up and called two of my men servants, and was dressing to go downstairs when I heard the constable's rattle. lam in the habit of taking my valuables up to my own room, and on the evening in question I had taken up over £3OO. I believe that it was their intention to rob the post-office, and communicated my suspicions to the Post-office autho ties, and also the promptitude with which the constable Johnson obtained the assistance of his brother constables. Sir James Duke--Well, after all, it seems that there is some activity shown by the City police. Mr. Pnllar—So the Post-office authorities think, sir. In this instance the prisoners got in at the first-floor window. Sir James Duke—Was it fastened? Witness—l think not. Sir James Duke--What is the object of not fastening your windows ? Witness—lt was carelessness. Sir James Duke having duly cautioned the prisoners, who had nothing to say, they were committed for triaL were authorised to subscribe £BO,OOO to the capital of the Macclesfield, Bollington, and Marple Railway, and to gua rantee 5 per cent. upon that sum, the Sheffield Company having decided on subscribing a similar sum towards that undertaking. A resolution passed at the meeting in August last for raising £lOO,OOO was rescinded, and the directors were authorised to raise 055,000 by ►e issue of 5 per cent. pre ference stock rateably among the ordinary shareholders. The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman and directors. • LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at Manchester yesterday ; Mr. H. W. Wickham, M.P., pre sided. The report was taken as read. The CHAIRMAN said the hopes indulged in from the traffic of the first half of last year had not been realised in the second half, in consequence of the paralysis of the trade in cotton goods, so that from an increase of £5,000 or £6,000 per week at the beginning this traffic fell off to a decline at the endof last half-year; but, notwithstanding this unfavour able state of things, there had been received an increase of £70,000 over the corresponding half-year of 1863, making the aggregate a larger amount than had been attained in any half-year. It was, in fact, £1,341,635 ; against £1,031,631 in December, 1860, which was at that date the largest amount the company's lines had ever earned. The intervention of the cotton famine reduced this total in De cember, 1861, to £982,000, with a dividend of 5 per cent. ; in December, 1862, to7£9o3,ooo,iwith a dividend of 3 1 per cent. ; in December, 1863, to £971,000, with a dividend of 4f per cent., and it had now risen to £1,041,000, with a dividend of 6 per cent. To earn the increase of £lO,OOO over the same half of 1860, their trains had carried 1,299,816 more passengers and 414,977 more tons of mer chandise. Had not steps been taken to enlarge stations and increase the working stock they could not have had such a traffic nor such an increase of dividend, and it was evident that if they were to go on increasing their traffic and divi dend there must be a further supply of rolling stock and further enlargement of stations. Acting upon this convic tion the directors asked for £75,000 towards enlarging sta tions in the coming half year, and of £50,000 for engines, carriages, and waggons. The increase of working expenses was £17,095 for earning an increased revenue of £70,100, or 251 per cent. There was cause for congratulation that the antagonistic schemes coming before Parliament this year were not very numerous nor of very great importance. Some of these would have to be opposed, and others watched, with a view of rendering them as little objec tionable as possible. With reference to the applications of this company, it was the wish of the directors to have had as few as possible. If they had been let alone they would have been content with the existing lines, and to have done their best to serve the interests of the various dis tricts through which the lines pass. The Doncaster and Wakefield, the York and Doncaster, the Hull and Don caster, the Blackburn and Chorley, and other lines, applied for or threatened with a view of denuding this company's lines of their traffic, had rendered it necessary for the directors again to introduce into Parliament bills for lines of railway more or less important with the object of preserving the traffic on the existing lines and of opening additional sources. The most important application was that for the Lancashire and Yorkshire and Great Eastern Junction line, which had many advantages passing through a level country, which would have the advantage of the expensive and commodious stations of the Great Eastern, without contributing a penny to their cost, and, with the excellent passenger station which the Great Eastern Company would shortly have in the metropolis, it could not fail to have a satisfactory passenger traffic. For goods traffic the Great Eastern had great advantages in London, and for coal traffic their position was such as to insure them the command of that portion which was intended for the eastern part of London, where the chief of the manu factories, breweries, and gas works were situate ; and tak ing the small cost of the line into consideration, say £12,000 a mile, it was evident that a comparatively small traffic would make a large return upon the cost. It might be said that they would be provoking other companies to re taliate, but he appealed to the past to show that no consi deration for this company had ever prevented others from invading their territories where it was to their interest. The CHAIRMAN concluded by moving the adoption of the report. Mr. G. WILSON seconded the motion, and after a few words from Mr. Roberts, Mr. J. Fielden, and Mr. Lever (of Manchester), who mostly spoke in approval of the policy of the company, it was carried. Resolutions were carried declaring a dividend on the capi tal stock at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum ; re-electing Messrs. Wickham, Andus, Barnes, and Blacklock to the board ; re-electing Mr. E. Harper one of the auditors ; and (the meeting having been made special) authorising the directors to borrow £57,000 on mortgage. SAN PAULO (BRAZILIAN), LIMITED. The half -yearly meeting of this company was held yester day at the London Tavern, Mr. R. A. Heath in the chair. The report, an abstract of which has appeared in The Sun, was taken as read. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said that at the last meeting it was mentioned that arrange ments had been made with the contractor for the payment of extra sums if the works were pushed on, so that it could be opened before the time specified in the contract, and he was happy to say that these arrangements had been so far carried out that there was every probability of the early completion of the undertaking• The railway, he stated, started from the port of Santos, a post with which formerly only vessels drawing very little water could com municate, and here the company had made a large project ing pier, with landing places fitted with cranes and all other appurtenances, alongside of which vessels drawing 18ft. of water could load and unload. The rails came down to the water side, and a ship could be loaded or unloaded direct from the trains. The line to the first station from Santos— namely Cubatoa, had been completed, and on the work beyond this, through the Sierra, including the formation of a viaduct, which was the most difficult work on the line, great progress had been made, so that the opening of the line from Santos to San Paulo might be expected in Jan., 1866, or even earlier. The completion of the undertaking to Jundiahy would bring the produce of the plantations of the Campines district over the whole of the company's line, in addition to the produce from the districts on either side of the railway. He stated that in addition to the capital of;£2,000,000, which was required for the completion of the line, a further sum of about .L 500,000 would be required for the payment of interest, and on the whole of which there was a guarantee of 7 per cent. per annum. Mr. BIRD seconded the motion for the adoption of the report, and stated that the directors might keep the line unopened untillB7o, but that they were so desirous of ad vancing the interests of the shareholders that they were making strenuous endeavours to complete the undertaking within five years of the time specified in the concession. After some observations by Mr. NicitoLsoN and other shareholders, the report was adopted unanimously, and a vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings. RAILWAY BILLS. Yesterday the following bills were heard before the Ex aminers, and were declared to have complied with the standing orders of Parliament : SURREY AND SUSSEX JUNCTION.—For connecting rail- ways between the London, Brighton, and South Coast and the East Grinstead, Groombridge, and Tonbiidge Wells. Capital, £710,000 loan, £236,000. FAREHAM AND NETLEY.—Fora railway from the South ampton and Netley Railway to Fareham, with branches. Capital, £105,000 ; loan, £35,000. • BEDFORD, NORTHAMPTON, AND WEEDON.—For railways between these points. Capital, £500,000 ; loan, £166,000. DOWNHAM, STOKE FERRY, AND BRANDON.—For rail ways from the Great Eastern at Downham to these places. Capital, £180,000; loan, £60,000. EVESHAM AND REDDITCH.—For an extension to the East and West Junction, and to the' Great Western at Stratford on-Avon. 'Additional capital, £BO,OOO ; loan, £26,000. NORTH-EASTERN AND CLEVELAND.—For an amalgama tion of the two undertakings and the construction of branches. The capital of the North-Eastern to be increased by £129,000, and £43,000 loan. A second bill is to enable the company to construct the Pelaw and other branches and works; £.320,000 additional capital, and £lOO,OOO loan. WEST HARTLEPOOL HARBOUR AND CLEVELAND AND NORTH-EASTERN.—For amalgamation with the latter com pany. PRESTON AND WYEE.—For the widening of the Black pool branch. TEIGN VALLEY.—For a deviation on authorised line, and power to raise additional capital of £30,000 and loan of £lO,OOO. BUMS CANAL AND LAUNCESTON JUNCTION.—For a rail• way from the Bude Canal at Werrington to Lawhitton, on the Launceston and South Devon. Capital, £20,000 ; loan, £6,600. BRECON AND MERTHYR TYDFIL JUNCTION, AND HERE FORD, HAY, AND BREcoN.—For amalgamation, with power to raise further capital of £350,000 by creation of new shares. DUBLIN, Wictmow, AND WEXFORD.—For connecting railways and a tramway to Sandymount, Dublin. Capital, £60,000 for new works, and £90,000 for completion of rail ways and works already authorised ; loan, £50,000. , . ATILENRY AND Exrus.—For power to raise further capi tal of £30,000 ; loan, £lO,OOO. NAVAN AND KINGSCOURT.—For a railway between these points, and working arrangements. Capital, £120,000 ; loan, £40,000. DRAYTON JUNCTION.—For a railway from the Cambrian Railways at Hanmer to the Shrewsbury and Crew branch of the London and North-Western. Capital, £750,000; loan, £250,000. 4. Non-compliance in certain points was declared in the cases of the Glasgow (City) Suburban and Harbour Rail way, for local railways in and about Glasgow. The bills withdrawn were those of the East Essex Rail way and the Oxford Canal Navigation. The Malacca, 20, screw corvette, fitted for com mission at Portsmouth, yesterday made her " fac tory" trial previous to being handed over by the officers of that department to the Steam Reserve Department for commission. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. MIDLAND. The half-yearly meeting of this compauy wail held yes terday at Derby ; Mr. W. E. Hutchinson in the chair. The report was taken as read. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, congratulated the shareholders on the increase which had taken place in the traffic during the past half-year. That increase had been spread over all the different denomina tions of traffic, except that of cattle, which showed a small decrease, owing, he believed, to the unfavourable season last year ; it might also have been occasioned by the pro- sperous state of the manufacturing districts, in which case they would require more cattle at home instead of sending them to the London cattle markets. The increase in the passenger department for the half-year had been £32,000 this was a gratifying fact, because some time back the Mid land passenger traffic was spoken of as being rather smal for aline of such ;,magnitude. The increase in the traffic for the conveyance of merchandise was nearly £30,000 more than in the corresponding half of last year, a proof of the increase which had taken place in the trade and manu- factures, not only of their own district but of the country at large. The increase in the mineral traffic was over £55,000 ; indeed, he believed that, with the exception of the Stockton and Darlington Company, they might claim to be one of the earliest in developing that description of _ _ traffic. The total amount of their increase was £116,000 ; but this result had not been achieved without adding con siderably to the working expenses, inasmuch as they had been obliged to put on an additional number of trains. The increased cost of maintenaace of way was a little over £14,000, the additional mileage opened being 63 miles. They had relaid 28 miles of permanent way during the last half-year. The price of rails and other materials had been much enhanced ; they had also incurred expenses in pro viding increased station accommodation, and the price of coal had advanced, so that they had been unable to renew their contracts on the same terms as before ; in fact, fuel alone had cost them £B,OOO more than in the corresponding periodn hanp, half-year, a 3 br After e . f eyne aa c payingall charges they had a balance them to offer a dividend of £ 3 17 s. d f against £3 10s. for the corresponding half of 186 3 . They were also able to carry forward a much l a rger balance than they did in 1863, and the rolling stock 6 a o ur ofn the which was in good order. After alluding to the various new pro jects in connection with the Midland system, the particu lars of which were detailed in the report, he remarked that a great number of bills in Parliament would affect the in terests of the Midland Company; some of them would be injurious and must be opposed, others were favourable ; but the particulars would be made known to them at the Wharncliffe meeting. He adverted to the £l,OOO which had been plaCed at the disposal of the directors for the purpose of presenting a testimonial to their late chairman, their honoured friend Mr. Beale. That sum had been expended in a service of plate, which was presented by the directors on the 31st of last month. On that occasion Mr. Beale ex pressed a wish to present to the shareholders the life-like portrait of himself, which was now placed by the side of that of their former highly valued chairman, Mr. Ellis. (Hear, hear.) After remarking with regard to the increase in rolling stock, that it was no economy to work their en gines too much, and that the increase in traffic had been so great that it would be advantageous to place a few more engines on duty, he moved that the report and statement of accounts be received and adopted. Mr. W. P. PRICE, deputy chairman, seconded the motion. Mr. HADLEY expressed a doubt as to the reliability of the estimates of the cost of the new projects which were men tioned in the report. Several other shareholders having addressed the meeting, Mr. BAmmAx inquired whether any of the officials of the company had received a copy of the Queen's letter on the subject of railway accidents. As a shareholder, and as a magistrate, he was naturally anxious, not only that railway accidents - should be diminished, but that they should be altogether prevented. The CHAIRMAN, in reply, said that no such communica tion as that alluded to had been received. The attention of the company's officers was constantly directed to the pre vention of accidents, but he was very much afraid that so long as they depended on human agency accidents would occur. After some further discussion the report was unanimously adopted. The various dividends were declared as reconunended,and the proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman. NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yes• Lerday at the London Tavern ; Mr. T. Brodrick, the chair. man, presided, The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said there had been an increase of £6,772, or 12i per cent., in the passenger traffic, and to earn that increase it had cost them very little. Between 1862 and 1864 a large amount of capital had been called up. In the corresponding half of 1862 £52,287 had been divided among the ordinary shareholders, at the rate of 31 per cent. per annum ; for the same half of 1863, £64,600 had been divided among them at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum, and for the past half-year they pro posed to divide £72,678 among the ordinary shareholders yielding a dividend at the rate of 4}, per cent. per annum. This showed that there was an increase from 1862 to 1864 of £20,000, or over 38 per cent., in the sum available for dividend. This had been accomplished, notwithstanding the depression of trade and other matters, including a re duction in the fares. On the whole, he thought the pro gress of the company had been satisfactory. They had no great schemes before Parliament this Session, the only bill being for the Potteries line, which would give great satisfaction in the district, and be remunerative. (Hear.) During the last 18 years they had never applied for Parliament for an increase of their capital, which he be lieved no other railway could state. They now proposed to raise £355,000 to construct some branch lines which were required in connection with the railway. After adverting to the reduction in the working expenses, he concluded by moving the adoption of the report. Lieut.-Col. PEARSON seconded the motion. _ . Dr. RILEY expressed the gratification he felt at having, after waiting so many years, a per cent. dividend, and attributed that result to the election of Sir A. Anderson to a seat at the board. He hoped the shareholders would con tinue to look more than over to their interests. The South Devon Railway was an instance of what might be done by shareholders looking into their own affairs; tho dividends for years on that line h a d b een less than 2 per cent. per annum, and even a few mont h s pas t the stock was at 33 ; it was now at 60, and a 31 4 per cent. dividend wa s to be de dared at the ensuing meeting. Mr. LINDO thought the company should see what they could do by an alliance with the Midland Company, who would soon have an extension into London. He concluded by moving a resolution to the effect that the remainder of the sum to the debit of the suspens e account for the ren ewal of the permanent way be carr i e d to capital, and also akll further sums necessary for th e co mplete renovation of the I line. Mr. HERAPATH expressed his dissent from that proposi tion. The renewal of the line belonged to revenue account, and should not be charged to capital. They were now going on very well, having increased dividends, and were getting out of debt ; if they continued that course their property would become of greater value than by adding anything improperly to capital. He suggested that a map of their lines should at future meetings be hung up in the room. The CHAIRMAN considered the latter a good suggestion, and said it should be acted upon. The report was then adopted, and a dividend at' the rate of 41 per cent. per annum for the past half-year was de clared on the ordinary stock of the company, payable on March 1, less income tax. Sir A. ANDERSON, a director, said he would second the motion for carrying the remainder of the suspenseaCCOM to capital. He thought it a hard case for the present share holders to go on paying so much every half-year out of their dividends for past neglect. They were at present expending £2OO per mile on the maintenance of the per manent way, which he believed was quite an ample charge on revenue. The motion was carried by a large majority. The directors were then authorised to lease Sneyd's rail ways on such terms as they might deem expedient. The meeting was then made special, and the directors The W Parks Yesterday the Serpentine in Hyde Park, which the previous evening had been quite open, was coated with a sheet of smooth ice. In the morning it was not, however, more than half an inch thick, but towards nine o'clock last night it was an inch in thickness. The thermometer at the Royal Humane Society's Receiving-house in Hyde Park during the night of Tuesday was as low as 16 deg., and at nine o'clock a.m. yesterday it was no higher than 17. Even at noon, after the fog had dispersed, and the sun was shining brightly, the mercury was only 21. The barometer stood at 29.93 deg. The wind in the morning was north-east, but in the evening it veered round to the west. On the Long Water, in Kensington Gardens, there were yesterday 2,000 persons, including 30 members of the Skating Club ; two of the latter fell in, but they were able to extricate themselves, and they went home drip ping withwater. About three o'clock in the afternoon two gentlemen fell through into water seven feet deep. A number of men employed in sweeping the ice for the club rushed to the spot and tried to get them out, but instead of succeeding the ice broke and they also fell in. The Royal Humane Society's icemen, however, with their boat succeeded in saving the whole of them. During the afternoon the ice broke, and ten persons fell in. Upon one of the icemen endeavouring to push the lifeboat across the ice the latter gave way, and the iceman also sank. A young man named John Harvey, of 8, Padding ton-green, managed to lay hold of one of the society's ropes stretched over the ice, and by that means he rescued all the ten persons. One of them, named George Deree, of 2, Middle-street, Brompton, was nearly exhausted. Charles Daley, of 9, Walmer street, Marylebone ; Daniel Dunnige, of 5, Notting ham-place, Long-acre ; Jonathan Parker, of 12, Connaught-terrace, Edgware-road, were taken to the receiving-house and were attended by Dr. Christian and Superintendent Williams. Another person, named Frederick Schlock, of 11, Mont pellier-row, Brompton, was also received at the same house, so that at one time all the beds in the place were filled. The exertions of Harvey are described by the society's officers as being most praiseworthy He in the first instance got up to his middle in water. It was necessary to attend to him also at the receiving -house, - where he was put to bed. Captain E. R. Testing, of the Royal Engineers and the South Kensington Museum, fell in, but suc ceeded in rolling himself upon the ice. One of the society's men was pushing his boat towards him, but the ice broke, and the iceman and he again fell into the water. They were, however, re scued. James Lanning, of 2, Lenton-place, Edg ware-road, besides being in the water for a conside rable time and greatly exhausted, had his hands terribly cut. He was also attended to by Mr Williams, who strapped up the wounds. Altogether 50 persons fell in at Kensington during the day. Yesterday there were about 2,000 sliders and skaters upon the water in the Regent's Park. At 11 o'clock James Eger, of 8, North-street, Maida-hill, broke through the ice, and before he could be rescued he had been five minutes under water. He was taken out by the icemen, removed to the tent, and at tended to by Dr. Norton. At 5 o'clock Mr. Vincer, of 4, Stanley-crescent, Westbourne-grove, broke into deep water and could not be extricated by the icemen for four or five minutes. At St. James's Park while 3,000 persons were upon the ice a dis orderly mob commenced pelting the icemen and Park constables with snowballs. A riot ensued, during which several robberies were committed ; but Deputy-. Superintendent Perry, sending to Scotland yard, procured the services of a strong body of police, and order was restored. A lad named John Holland, struck by a snow ball or stone, was found by Deputy-Superintendent Perry insensible. He was taken to the society's marquee and was placed in bed for upwards of an hour. He was attended by Dr. M'Cann and recovered. Two of the Park constables, Bartlett and Wicker, and one of the Humane Society's men were terribly knocked about by the rabble. During the day 50 persons fell in. They were attended by the society's officers and Dr. M'Cann in the marquee. Alleged Inhuman Treatment of a Sick Pauper in St. Giles's Workhouse. Yesterday afternoon Dr. Lankester opened an investiga. ion at Turnham's Oporto Stores, Broad-street, Bloomsbury on the body of George Gibson, aged 40, an inmate of St. Giles's Workhouse, who is alleged to have died from negleci and ill-treatment in the infirmary of that establishmen It appears that some days ago Sir Thomas Henry, chief magistrate at Bow-street, received a letter from Felix John Magee, a fellow inmate, drawing such a frightful picture of the negleet and inhumanity to which deceased had been subjected, that he placed the matter at once in the hands of Sergeant G. Manners, warrant officer, to investigate, who, on arriving at the workhotise and seeing deceased, reported that the statement made in the letter was by no means exaggerated. The deceased having subsequently died, the letter was handed to the coroner. Mr. Poland appeared on behalf of the authorities. Felix John Magee said he was an inmate of St. Giles's Workhouse, and knew deceased, who was in the infirmary. He slept a part of the time in the same bed with Gibson. Understood he was affectedwith scurvy. He attended to him when he wanted it. Witness once washed him with soap and water, for which he seemed very grateful, and gave wit ness twopence for doing so. Deceased has meat every day, about four ounces. He had four ounces of bread and half a pint of milk for breakfast. That was at about 8 o'clock. He had nothing between that and dinner at 12 o'clock. At 4 o'clock he had tea—four ounces of bread, and tea with milk and sugar. The tea was very weak. He had nothing after 4 o'clock till next morning at breakfast, unless he saved from other meals. By the Coroner—Deceased had some extras. Two dap previous to his death he had a pint of beer ordered each day. The doctor came into the ward every day, but he was not ordered any extra diet besides the two pints of beer per day. He had medicine—how often he could not say. There were about eleven or thirteen in the ward, and one nurse to the ward—a female nurse. Was a fortnight in the ward with Gibson, and deceased was sometimes taken out of bed to the fire. Had known him lie in bed five days and nights without having his bed made. Witness wrote a letter to Sir Thomas Henry, the magistrate of Bow-street, complaining of deceased's treatment, and he was then moved out of the ward. There was no bed-pan or any conveniences allowed, and the other patients had to assist him. The letter which the witness had addressed to Sir Thos. Henry was here produced and identified by witness. He said he wrote it last Wednesday week at the request of de ceased. The letter was read, and was as follows : " Sir, —I wish to bring under your notice the case of a pauper named George Gibson, at present an inmate of St. Giles's Workhouse, 47 ward. His disease is scurvy, and through weakness he has been unable to wait on himself, and therefore has been inhumanly neglected. On Sunday morning he asked me to wash his face, and he would give me twopence. I took it, for it enabled me to write. I washed him, and such a sight of suffering may I never see again. He was covered from the crown of the head to the soles of the feet with scabs and sores. He has sores on the back, and his legs are in a shocking state from neglect. I have never seen them dressed since I have been in the ward, and I can say on oath that they have not, and so will others. Tho bed he lies on was not made for five nights. It is an iron bedstead, with wood laths for the bottom, with no mattress, in a dark corner of the underground ward, and it is only through a part of the day that you can discern his features. On Sunday when I washed him I took out of his head half a pint of scabs. His hair is unusually long, and was matted from constantly lying in bed, and his hand was, as it were, enamelled with his own soil—it was an eighth of an inch thick on the palm of his hand and fingers, for I see no night-stool and bed-pan in this ward. Sir, I hope you will send an officer as soon as you can, for should he die the ends of justice would be evaded. If the officer keeps the object of his visit a secret, I will be able to get the under nurse and helper to own to it themselves. He is now delirious, and cannot last long, and if he dies the proof of guilt will be removed.—l remain your servant, " FELIX JOHN MACIEE." Evidence continued—Deceased complained of his treat- ment, and witness complained to Mr:Craig, the assistant surgeon, as Mr. Bennett the surgeon was away ill, on leave. By Mr. Poland—The surgeon used to come round every day. The deceased has complained of being sore. Never heard deceased refuse to be moved. A barber came to shave him, but the place was so dark he could not see to do so. Deceased never refused to be shaved. He wanted to have his hair cut, and offered to pay twopence to have it done. At the time witness washed him there was a clean shirt for deceased to put on, but ho did not have it on. Never com plained to the doctor himself about Gibson's state, because once he did so, and no attention was paid to what he said. The Coroner said it would be necessary io examine Mr. Craig. Mr. Poland said that was impossible to-day, as he was unfortunately laid up with typhus fever. The Coroner said it would be necessary to adjourn the inquiry, and therefore he would only take the evidence of the nurse of the ward to prove the death. Elizabeth Bison said she was head nurse of St. Giles's Workhouse infirmary. Deceased, George Gibson, came into the infirmary in January. Saw him there every day after he came in. He never complained to witness of anything. He once refused to change his shirt. He was very dirty in his habits, and used to swear at the nurses and other pa tients. He was removed out of No. 47 ward on Thursday, after the visit of a police-officer. He was moved by order of Mr. Bennett, the surgeon, and died on the Friday. He was then ordered wine, eggs, brandy, and porter. He was removed on the Thursday from No. 47 ward to No. 42 ward, an upstairs ward, where he died about four o'clock on the Friday. At this stage of the proceedings it was arranged to ad journ the investigation, and the body was directed to be buried without delay, as its condition is truly frightful to contemplate. In addition to its emaciation, the hair of the head, which is very long, is completely matted together and swarming with vermin, the nostrils closed up with filth, the beard one mass of filth and vermin, and vermin swarm ing all over the body, which is covered with sores. Mr. J. S. Beale, divisional surgeon of the D division of police, of Paddington, has made a post mortem examination, and, although his evidence has not been officially taken before the coroner, it will correspond with the foregoing descrip tion, his opinion being that the condition of the body evi dences old standing disease, arising from want of nutrition and poorness of blood, death having been occasioned from effusion of blood on the brain, arising from that cause. The inquiry has created a great amount of excitement in `te district. Melancholy Death of Two Brothers, Two brothers, named Joseph and John Bourne, aged 19 and 16 years, the sons of Mr. Bourne, builder, of the Vines, Droitwich, were drowned in the pool of Westwood, the seat of Sir J. Pakingtou , Bart., on Sunday afternoon. The two young men met their deaths under circumstances of a most me lancholy nature. With a number of other people they went to the park at Westwood on Sunday* , afternoon, and commenced skating on some old ice which lay between the centre and the shore. T h pool is a large sheet of water, of some 80 or 90 acres in extent, near to Westwood House, and the centre of it had been frozen over for about a couple of days , and consequently was unsafe for skaters on Sunday However, several lads and youths ventured on this new ice, and amongst them was the younger Bourne' The ice gave way with him as he made a turn vial his skates, and he sank in deep water. °D; rising his cries for help he caught the ears °I people who were around, and his brother immedi ately rushed in to the rescue. While endeavouring to liberate his brother from the perilous position ill which he was placed the ice on which Joseph standing proved unstable, and he was precipita tu : into the water, and for some moments both Yolln' men struggled together. Joseph eventually s u r e ceeded in getting a portion of his body on the east of the ice, and then he called loudly for hell)? I P ' tus i the spectators seemed to be terrified, and no effe° I'o, means were taken to rescue the drowning Plit'ear Eventually a boat was procured, and carried as n as possible to the spot, and then a hole was roadep. the ice with axes, and a man named Gillman , ° to was secured by a rope, succeeded in raisi n g the young men with a boat hook, but not befor e is o hour and a half had elapsed, and consequen tl y hopes of saving their lives had fled. As a°°;i4e, possible they were conveyed to their father's at Droitwich, a distance of a mile and a half , Dr. Bennett, of the Droitwich Lunatic AsY lll Cros ier Dr. Roden, the Mayor of Droitwich, and Dr. but, tried every means known to restore a nimati° ll '4o their efforts were useless. The deceased I ° 7 t ad i lls were highly respected, and the elder lad 1 finished his apprenticeship as a draper, with dls% Edkins, draper of Droitwich. An inquest nsed with. COUNTRY MARKETS HULL.—TUESDAY. g Since our last a somewhat improved business .. 11 , t i o uS, done in vain. English wheat sells at previous clll°,`SA,lO and foreign has been in retail demand. Mixed Dow - 45$ made 40s ; high mixed, 428 ; fine high mixed, 4 4 $ to Nag choice old, 46s to 475. At our market to -day there off fair supply of wheat from the farmers, which nincerebeia freely at the extreme rates of last week, 36s to ans was supply, and fully as dear as for red ;up to 42s for white. In foreign there business passing. Grinding barley in moderate !KV-tot at 24s per 4481 b. In malting little doing. Oats in Su_ ns steady at late rates. last week. Peas and be!,.v- NEWC AS T LE-ON- T YNE.—T unsnAl:. pa Northumberland wheat sold from 32s to 445, Norf ( "26s ; Suffolk, 39s to 45s ; Dantsic, 39s to 46s ; oats, 368 21 0 t ° , 0 14 barley, 26s to 51s ; beans, 36s to 408; rye, 27 s to 51s to 62s per qr. ; flour, 26s to 28s per sack. , an d The averages were—wheat, 365; barley , 26s ; oats, 19s per quarter. LYNN.—T UESD AY. i fi 09 , 7" The weather since Thursday has been fine ar t d to At to-day's market the supply of wheat was fi n mull , :Rive; demand was good at fully last week's PrioL,s•9falities 01'4 gr ul u ' 2l barley was scarce and quite as dear ; a slow sale at late rates. new 39s red, r 3715 . , i d w hite, 3 6 stolle a : rs , 260 t° g E s 0 '' for to 39 ' Bar ley 41s to 42s ; old red, 38s io New wheat, 43s to 44s •28s malting, 32s to 34s ; secondary, 30s ; ordin„. 9o ;, large , per qr. Oats, 20s to 22s per 24 stone. P v to Ms ; small, 34s to 36s per 38 stone. r. New w i t stone. Barley, fine , new, 20s heETat,H4Ais7oo4R4soUnGewll.re—uiT,,l7:3l:o 101,6 Qg to 40S pe Oats, to 4s ; old, 25s to 28s per qr. 40s to 425 ; new, 34s to 38 fin 2 e, 34s ; other' kinds, 260 to 13eans , 01 0 1 38s per qr. • SALISBURY.—TtrEsnAs% ws s in . 7g The grain transactions taking proved condir f vibe' • de , offered at minacrrkeasetedtbissupmpolyrntg ,liAottl::'1 d an improved feeling prevailed iLicie's,2v:ii, were fully maintained. The attendance of farrae',7 fool place at last week's curreu lers, and dealers was an average one. Wheat ealisen's, 404 36s to 42s ; barley, 23s to 34s ; oats, 19s to 28s ; b ea n 1.0c 1 ; to 465; and peas, 34s to 48s per qr. Best b re w household ditto, 9d per 81b. loaf. COAL MARE Price per ton at the s. d. Buddles'WestHartley. 15 9 Byass's Bebside West Hartley ................ 15 0 Carway and_Duffryn Malting ............... 22 0 Holywell Main......... 16 6 Ships at marks ET, Fin. 15. - close be of rtth,sewni.alirlcaertt.lo3l 11.56.4 North Peltonipas•••• • 15 0 West Hartley ....... /3 0 Walls End Hetlou • /3 0 Stewart's ............... Tees ..................... 3t, 19 ; sold, 18. Foreign Mail Packet List. Is , -4.--- . reb . s. Australia and New Zealand, via Southampto n **** .FeD , 6 Ditto, via Marseilles ......................... . 3 1ar• 0 , Brazil and Cape Valls, by British pac.et ......... fen' 1 9. Ditto, by British packet ........... . Fe u. 4 ''s, Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Ileleds•f • . f e tt ~, China, Penang, and Singapore, via Sou hainPtn'. yen' Ditto, via Marseilles ........................... Falkland Islands .................. . .............' 'fel) , s , Gibraltar, via Southampton ....... • • ":yeb , ',, India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton." . ref). Is , Ditto, via Marzeilles .... • - ... .14' 0. ...... India ( Bombay ), via 50uthampt0n . ............... .01). 0, Ditto, via darseilles ... ...... .' AV. 9 , .. r• Mauritius, via Southampton Te a ..............:: l6. Ditto, via Marseil e 4 .. • .................... . ' .f l). 6. Newfoundland .. ......• 0 ..•• • Portugal Ditto, by private ship to Lisbon.— ... * 1;3;1314' United state; and British North America, • " I ..•••• tish packet. Ditto, by United States packet, via S outh ang Y tcn Ditto, via Cork ...... Ditto, by Canadian packet, via Londonderri*.g&f. West Ccast of Africa, Madeira, and Tenerife iS West Indies and Pacific (except Bahawas, C . gee' g. and Mexico .................. .............. ••• .01P 0, Bahamas, via New York. ........................ . yet"' 0. Bermuda, ditto.. . . .................................. Cuba and Mexico ........................... • • • ,et, 16' ..... ~ il" iev. Bis 0 10: Burr. —On the 14th inst., a t 2 h 6, . W e stbourr te-5 0 4 1 A 0 ° ,i ° o 0 1 wife of Edward Bury, Esq., of L i neo ln's-Lu il l, D e ill' - LErrli.—On the 11th inst., at Bournemouth, Major James Leith, V.C., of a daughter. 10 + PAGE.—On the 14th inst at 18, Douglas-r°au' H. Page, of a son. op Marriages. riiir istel'„ li c r eri KANE—PRICHARD.—On the 15th in t et '''` Ch s- t ° Lancaster-gate, G. J. Kain, Esq., F. 5.5.7 ° I ~ of t lj ins t., 697 0 lane, to Annie Catherine, younst dauf r h e t: t l - ~aOO Richard P. Prichard, Esq., Sydenhaini -D -LANDON—PERCEVAL.—On thei 130'.g.A1 14th • t a "' me .7 Land o on ktrx Church, Hants, the Rev. Edward Henry 11011. to Caroline Adelaide, the daughter of the late Rev. Arthur Philip Perceval.- C A c t TF o d E e r L , di Deaths. 0 1 °' , John Caulfeild, of Bloomfield, Mullingar, Irel o ii P I COODE.—On the 13th inst., at St. Austell, Co DE.s—q.o, aged 72. inst., in Dublin, sudden i a. ~,, ELLis.—On the 14th inst Edward Ellis, er:r)"...".7 of Cit'''' ~ til e HILL.—On e l z hill,Rev. . Epsom, Thomas°h e algitidlh43isn. incumbents inst., . a t o , f Littleiioly j r i u r i il it i i ts ; il l a i 111 1 ..°'rl. (°'' sßE Ed ßßA var TT d . ll2 o g n gin t s, ho E l sq 3 . t , h of I I u a s _ t o g r e _ e o l d e ui t s , s 7 . G -. 0 0 1 d n e the n -sg 14thuaGolden - square, e , in s aged t., 57. at Brent Lodge , __ Oro inst., a Sherratt, Esq., aged 44. the Lion IB3r;h_beells: .rr, 0, WO London : Printed and Published by WILLIAII A— 140 11 t O s No. 11 2, Strand, Painter, at THE STIN °llleCe6oool Middlesex. —Thursday, in the Precinct of the Savoy , in t 4 February 10,1865' Il e9pi t1 1 : 4 0 1 tbo: jt tl T , . till 'tti kti * ,9l a 45a nii