The Sun. — London, England, 1848-09-07 00:00:00

THE FATAL COLLISION ON THE LANCASTER AND PRESTON RAILWAY. LANCASTER, WEDNESDAY.—This forenoon the in quiry into the circumstances connected with the death of Hannah Airey, the woman killed by the coision be tween the express train and a slow train, on the Lancas ter and Preston Railway, on Monday, the 21st ultimo, was resumed, for the fourth time, at the Town-hall, before Mr. J. Gardner, the coroner for the borough. The proceedings again excited considerable interest, the hall being crowded by the inhabitants of Lancaster and its visinity, who, from the first, have looked forward to the termination of the investigation with the greatest anxiety, on account of the dispute between the Lancaster and Carlisle Company and the Lancaster and Preston Canal Company, the latter being the proprietors of the railway between Preston and Lancaster. The following is an epitome of the evidence given on the several occasions of the jury meeting. On the 21st of , igust, the day of the accident, the express train wa3n. e hour and ten minutes late at the Preston station, and in consequence of that and the late arrival of other trains, the ordinary train stopping at all the stations between Preston and Lancaster was not started from Preston until one minute to four, its proper time being fifteen minutes to four. The deceased and the other injured parties were passengers by this train, occupying seats in the last carriage but one. In the journey to Lanoaster some time was lost, and on the arrival of the train at the Bay Horse station the fireman of the engine procured a " cob" of coal, for the purpose of generating the steam quicker. This is not allowed on any line of railway, if known. In twenty-six minutes after the departure of the above train the express train was started from Preston, and proceeded at its usual speed of from 35 to 40 miles an hour, until it got near a bridge called the Fox Holes-bridge, about 519 yards from the Bay Horse station. On arriving at this spot, in consequence of the engine-drivers having received orders to keep a good look-sus, Morris, the driver of the express engine, looked over the side rails and saw a train in the station, but the smoke and steam was so thick that he could not see the signal. The whistle was blown, steam shut off, and the engine reversed, and every" thing done to avert the collision, but without effect. The last tlarriage was shattered to pieces, and the wreck of it fot.fred beneath the nett carriage in which the passengers were, and the whole of the floor ing forced ap. The deceased was found lying beneath the step of one of the broken carriages whilst the engine of the express train was upon the end of it. When the driver of the Preston train first heard the whistle of the express, he remarked to the guard, a man named Dickenson, " that the express was coming." Dickenson, ialteltd of telling the driver to go on, replied, " Then they'll wait till we are ready," but when it was too late prevent a collision he gave the order to "go on." With reference to the Bay Horse station, it was elicited that it is situated on a curve, and that instead of the signsi being seen for 600 yards, in which distance an Engine-driver is enabled to " pull up" his engine, it can only be seen for 519 yards. At this station there is a level crossing, and five sets of points. The signal, " a red flag" by day, is made to serve for both the up and dpien line, and is kept up for five minutes after the de parture tale train, When the wind blows from the south, il . Stiek hal:to be run through the end of the flag to keep it' stretched ont,","but when it blows from the north no stink is necessary. *The whole duty of attending to the signals, oints,,&c.,•devolves upen one man, who acts as station - master as well. lt *ma proved in evidence that 14 do What'lte" (Thee there is absolutely "necessary. Mr. Thomas Mitchell, the superintendent of the Pres ton station, the gentleman who started the express train on the day of the accident, said it was his firm opinion that 2 signals of a proper description had been in use on the Lancaster and Preston Railway, the accident would not have happened. The usual time for the express train to do the distance between Preston and Lancaster is 34 minutes. Mr. J. E. Errington, the partner of Mr. Locke, M.P., and engineer of the Lancaster and Carlisle Railway, &c., said that having heard the whole of the evidence, he was of opinion that the engine -driver, according to the book of rules given him, had complied with the whole of those rules, but that he had not the signals of danger given him which he might have reasonably expected. By the 10th rule it says that the signal of danger shall be 600 yards from the station ; and by the next rule, that should there be any danger then, that a man shall be sent back 600 yards from the signal with a flag. If the latter course had been adopted, although the rails were slippery, the train would have bees stopped, and no accident have taken place. The fact of the driver keeping his position on the engine-plate when the collision took place shows that he had done everything to check the speed. He attributed the accident first to the trains being out of time ; secondly, the slippery state of the rails; thirdly, the want of due and proper signals; fourgaly, the Lancaster and Preston train not moving when the empress whistle was first heard; and, lastly, the state of the carriages themselves, the wood of which was old and rotten. On the opening of the Lancaster and Carlisle line a complaint was made of the ineffipiency 9f the signals to Captain Coddington. If the engine-driver of the Preston train had moved when he first beard the whistle, he would have got 140 yards from the station, and so out of danger. The signals on the Lancaster and Preston line were sufficient for local traffic, but certainly not for any other. Mr. N. Wendell, superintendent of the carriage de partment at Crewe, under the North-Western Rail way Company, deposed to having examined the frag ments of the carriages broken by the collision, and found the main timbers, or frame-work, in an ad vanced state of decomposition. From that exami nation he was decidedly of opinion that the carriage was unsafe. It was his firm opinion that if the last carriage had been of sound wood the accident could not Save been of so serious a character. As far as he could collect from the evidence, the express train was not at the time of the collision going at greater speed than from six to eight miles an hour, and that from the last car riage in the Preston train being in such a bad state, it was broken up. During this witness's evidence some portions of the broken carriage were brought into the room and ex amined by the jury. The wood appeared to be com pletely destroyed by dry rot, and crumbled on being touched. Mr. Worthington, the resident engineer of the Lan caster and Carlisle Company, was the last witness ex amined; but with the exception of proving that one man at the Bay Horse station was not sufficient, his evidence was not important. Since the last adjournment, the jury have met no fewer than three times for the purpose of considering their verdict, but without the least possible chance of their coming to any. On the court opening this morning— The foreman said there was not the slightest chance of their ever coming to any decision, and he, on the part of his brother jurors, begged of the Coroner to use his prerogative and discharge them. The COROMBII—At present I have not the power to discharge you, but can only order you to be locked up Without meat, drink, and fire until you return your verdict. The foreman—We do not fear being locked up, but we shall never return a verdict, we are so divided in opi. nion. The CORONER—If I had anticipated anything of this kind I would have had twenty-three jurors sworn, in stead of only thirteen. The jury having been charged with the body of the deceased, are bound to return a yeediet. I am grieved to think this should have oc curred, for I am greatly opposed to starving a jury into a verdict. Mr. Swift, solicitor of Liverpool, who appeared on behalf of the Lanca.ter and Carlisle Company, said the inquest could be adjourned to the assizes if the Coroner did not lock the jury up until they retureed a verdict. The case he found in " Barn's Justice," and it stated " that if twelve of the jury cannot agree in their verdict, the jury are to be kept without meat, drink, or fire until they return their verdict. Even this may be sometimes in effectual, and in such cases they should be adjourned to the next assizes, when they may have the benefit of the opinion of the judge who presides." After some further remarks, the Cororer with Mr. Maxatead, Ole representative of the Lancaster and Pres ton Railway Company, and Mr. Swift left the room, and On their return, The Cello:CM:I said—lt is necessary that I should ask yon, gentlemen, if you are agreed in your verdict? The foreman—No, nor are we ever likely to be. Coaosxa—Well, then, I am sorry for it, but I must swear the constable to keep you without food until you agree. The constable was then sworn and the jury locked up. After they had been locked up for about an hour and a half the coroner sent for them into court. Conesea—Gentlemen, are you agreed? Foreman— No, we are just as we were. I do not think there is the slightest chance. ConoNEtt—Well, gentlemen, it will be necessary for me to bind you over in the penAlty of 101. each to ap pear at the next general session of assize for the northern division of this palitinate, there to make fur ther in.qiiTry on behalf of our Sovereign Lady the Queen as to the death of Hannah Airey. This proceeding is not discretionary, for if any one of you refuse to be bound over it will be my duty to commit the party until the a es i stee . The jury being " all content," were hound over in the Usual menace. Zl ,: r . itkry were about leaving, ""ca—l think, Mr. Maxstead, the jury, after their oCareful attention to this case, require a little dinner; and j ain ect s i n o r_e the gentleman on the other side will have no m r. g'* w l f i t T2ii tt his share of the expenses. psi. L©t the gentlemen of the tavern bill I will cheerfully iroreman of the jury ---You'll of the jury name the house. Mr. CORONERa-30UhrY---You'll join us, Mr. Coroner? It certainly. wfts then the King's arranged that the jury should dine at Area aordi an hour afterwards; and thus ter minated this A eset r inquest, one of considerable importance, but eonduct'taerdYthroughout in the most sin gular manner. With respectto the opinion of the ju r y upon the case, it waswas n publicly stated i n t h e i quest-room th at t h e majo y of in l e a e verdict of manslaugh against the engine-driverter It is gratifying to know, however,x P rit of them were for retarn rtehss train. twoat all th e su ff erers by the accident, with the exception f Billington and Moore, are rapidly person s , named approachi ng to con valescenee, The following is an extract from Captain LaffAti s t re port to the Railway Commissioners, as to the i mmediate cause of the accident:— " So Islany causes combined to produce this catastrophe that it is not easy to determine to which to give prece dence. I should say that those causes were— "l. The lateness of the express-train and its starting se seen after the slow local train. ".Z. Tito ine ffi ciency of the signals on the line. " 3. The local traia not keeping its time, and taking no precaution when they knew they were late, and that the enrias was behind .them . "4. The uueeretuity as to who is the rightful possessor of the line. THE SUN, LONDON, " 5. The want of a proper understanding between the Lancaster and Carlisle and the lessees of the Lancaster and Preston Railway. ' " " 6. The rule which allows an express-train w' ich often runs at 45 miles an hour to pass a station only minutes after a slow train. " 7. The wane of sufficient station accommodation al Preston, causing all the trains to the north t start late, " I would suize st that the two companies s' ould come to a good understanding, and that every effort should be made to determine the right ownership of this railway,— that the signals be immediately replaced by others of a better description,—that the express be not allowed to pass till ten minutes after the starting of a preceding train, and that means be taken to ensure, as far as pos sible, greater punctuality in the times of starting from the Preston station." THE LATE RAILWAY ACCIDENT AT NE W TON-ROAD-BRIDGE. - BIRMINGHAM, WEDNESDAY .—An inquest OR the body of Colonel James Baird, who died yesterday in conse quence of the shock his system received by the accident which occurred near Newton-road-bridge, on Saturday night, was held before Dr. Birt Davies, borough coroner, at the Queen's Hotel, in this town, to-day. Captain Huish and Mr. Carter, solicitor, were in attendance on the part of the London and North-Western Railway Com pany. The jury having taken a view of the body, the first witness called was— Wm. Gallicas—l am a surgeon residing at Stirling, North Britain. The deceased was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the army, and had served in India, America, and the continent of Europe. He was all along in the 66th Re giment of Foot. The deceased was a married man, but had not lived with his wife for the last few years, He was 71 years of age. I saw him alive and well at Stir ling on F 1 iday last, when he told me that he and his sister, if she was well enough, were going to see General Nieols, an old friend, residing at Clifton. His general health appeared to be good, although his right hand was slightly affected with paralysis. He was very temperate. I was summoned to attend him by telegraph, and saw him at this hotel on Monday night. He was then in sensible and apparently dying. He died about three o'clock on Tuesday morning. Robert M'Cullum—l was in Colonel Baird's service as vale! at Allan Park, Stirling. I left Stirling with the deceased and his sister between nine and ten on Satur day morning last in the express train. We arrived at Stafford in safety. They changed carriages for Bir mingham at that station. The deceased and his sister were in the first compartment of the carriage in which I was seated. They experienced great uneasiness in maintaining their seats. When about six miles from Bir mingham the party in the carriage with myself, consist ing of six gentlemen and one lady, were thrown one upon another to the right side of the line. The car riage fell upon the bridge. We got out in the course of some minutes, and the first thing I did was to look after my master and mistress. They were still in their car riage. I first spoke to Miss Baird. I did not see my master, but I heard him ask if I was safe. When we got the door open, in about a quarter of an hour, Miss Baird came out first. She was followed by another lady, and then by the deceased, there being only three pas sengers in that compartment. The deceased appeared a little agitated. In answer to an inquiry from me, he said he was not injured. I got him over the fence with some difficulty into a field. He went across the field with his sister. The pilot-engine went through our luggage-van before I got out of the carriage. The accident occurred about - twenty minutes to eight. We afterwards came to Birmingham by another. train. When I went to look for our luggage, I foutid one-half of the van torn away. The pilot engine did not affect our carriage. We were going a great deal faster than we bad been going during any previous part of the journey. A gentleman had remarked that he expected there would be an accident; it felt as it the bottom of the carriage would be knocked in there was such a con tinual bumping, and the passengers lifted up their feet with the view to protect themselves. After Colonel Baird had arrived at the Queen's Hotel, he went to the water-closet, and was unable to find his way back. I afterwards led him to the sitting room, and he ordered a sandwich, but he could not eat it; it fell out of his mouth. Miss Baird noticed that there was something wrong, and she directed me to procure a doctor. Mr. Blake was called in in the course of twenty minutes.. The Colonel was unable to speak so that the surgeon could understand him. He pointed to his knees, but he could not speak as usual. The deceased was stripped, but I saw a small blue spot on his knee, but no other injury except a little mark on his cheek. Mr. Blake re quested the Colonel to undress and go to bed. I had great difficulty in undressing hint. Medicines were afterwards sent to him, and were administered as directed. About one o'clock the deceased became sick and insen sible. I supported him until the doctor came. By Mr. Carter—l never knew him have any attacks of any kind, excepting influenza. His hand was a little shaky, but he wrote and potted plants as well as the gardener. It was here intimated by Mr. Gallicas that there was abundance of evidence as to the cause of death. There was on effusion of blood upon the brain, and as the friends of the deceased were anxious that :there should be no more done than was necessary, he wished to ask the Coroner whether the examination should be pro ceeded with? The CORONER, after stating that it was always his wish, as far as possible, to consult the feelings of friends, said he thought, unless they had a very strong objection, it would be more satisfactory if the post mortem examination was full and complete. Mr. Gallicas then retired. Mr. Samuel William Lloyd Titchbourne—l am an ac countant, residing at:Wolverhampton. I was a pas senger by the express train on Saturday evening. The train usually leaves Wolverhampton at twenty minutes past seven o'clock, but on Saturday night it was nearly twenty-five minutes too late. We went at more than the usual rapid rate of an express train, and in my opinion that was the cause of the accident. Just before the accident occurred, the train was going at a tremen dous velocity. The carriage I was in fell on one side, and rested against one of the telegraph posts. A gentleman broke the glass of the window and escaped into a field. Ho smashed the window with his feet. Just before I got out of the carriage I heard a violent concussion. I understood it was occasioned by the pilot engine. We came to Birmingham by another train in about an hour afterwards. I made no remark upon the great increase of the speed, because I had frequently observed it before. Trains were not unfrequently late at Wolverhampton, and more than once, twice or thrice he had noticed a greatly increased speed. I have given ray evidence to the best of my belief. The accident occurred somewhere about eight o'clock. Ido not know at what rate express trains travel. James Parker—l am superintendent of locomotives on the London and North -Westera Railway, and was passenger by the Birmingham portion of the express train on Saturday night, the 2d instant. I was in the last body of the last carriage. We were behind time at Wolverhampton, perhaps fifteen minutes; I do not know /he cause. (Witness here identified M'Cullum as one of 'his fellow-passengers in the same carriage.) At Willen hall, witness observed that the wheel struck against the body of the carriage. He looked out of the window to ascertain the cause. The noise under the carriage ceased for a time, but in a few minutes it commenced again. This was at Newton-bridge sta tion; and then suddenly I found that the leading wheels were off the line. We came to rest in about a quarter of a minute. I heard the noise of the pilot engine going by, and saw it fall over about 110 yards beyond where the accident occurred. I inspected the line immediately afterwards. The rails, chains, and sleepers were ripped up where the engines and carriages left the line. The pilot engine did not touch our carriage at all, nor do I believe that it touched any of the carriages. From my inspection it is my impression that our carriage got off the line first, and that that was the cause of the engine going off. That caused the other carriages to go off, and the guards' van being thrown on to the down line, and the road broken up, caused the pilot engine to be turned off and rendered useless. I considered that the engine, speed, and road were all quite safe. The speed was between 40 and 45 miles an hour. I am sure we did not exceed 45. We consider 50 perfectly safe. The road was perfectly good; there was a little incline. I have gone more than the 50 miles in the hour on the same road. Captain Huish—The express rate of speed is forty two or forty-three miles an hour, according to the in clination. (The investigation was proceeding when this parcel was dispatched). The deceased entered the 66th Regiment of Foot as an ensign in the year 1798, and joined his regiment at Newfoundland, he served in the four quarters of the world, and was at St. Helena during the period of Napo leon's captivity. Upon parting with his commission he returned to his native town, Stirling, where he resided up to the time of his lamented death. He was greatly beloved by his fellow officers, and all who had the plea sure of his acquaintance. THE OCEAN MONARCH. HONOURS AND REWARDS. A meeting of the Liverpool, Shipwreck and Humane Society was held on Wednesday for the purpose of taking into consideration the services rendered by the different parties instrumental in rescuing the sufferers from the conflagration. The splendid gold medals of that society, executed by Wynn, of the Mint, were voted to Mr. Littledale owner, of the yacht Queen of the Ocean; Admiral Grenfell, the Brazilian Consul General of this port; Captain Lisboa, the officer in command of the Brazilian steam-frigate Affonso, and to Jerome, the courageous seaman of the New World. A sum of money was also voted to the crew of Mr. Littledale's yacht. An adjourned meeting of the society was held on Satur day in the Underwriters' Committe-room, to consider the services of those parties instrumental in rescuing the people from the wreck whose cases were deferred from the last meeting. A letter from Admiral Grenfell was read, highly eulogizing the conduct of all on board the Affonso, particularly the officers and four of the seamen. To each of the officers the committee awarded the society's silver medal of the first class, and to each of the four seamen a silver medal of the second class. The names of the officers are Commander Francisco Xavier D'Alcantia, and Lieutenants Genuino Auguste de Barros Torrias, Jose da Cote Agevedo, Joaquiva Lucio A'Aranjo, and Francisco Leopoldo Cabral da Cunta e Teive. The seaman's names are, Joav da Silva, Joav Candido, Mar ques Garcia, and Justino Jose. A:silver medal of the first class was also awarded to Mr. Jotham Bragdon, the chief m . ate of the Ocean Monar c h, an d 151. t o five of the said and pe the command o r ship's crew," .who voluntarily manne d one o f t h e i r ow n bo a ts under s g t o e l a d m mere,drarlin wacoammeese votedof wateand of the mate, and by gr e at coolness we were enabled to save many lives. A to Mr. Dani, th e mas t e r o f the sh, which many the j u d gmen t an d energ y displayed by hi m , b y w m" y were rescued f rom the wreck. The the silver s t medal survivorswas awardedthe occasion, andr. Batty, 2s4 his a sT i ate, who did goo d serv i ce on distribution among his crew. TIIIIRSPAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 7, 1818. forth by this person to be false? Goff—l do, your worship. Mr• -ELLioTT—And that, in point of fact, he is an im postor? Goff—l am satisfied of that, your worship. Ile has not his wife living with him, and whenever he is asked for the book he states he published, his excuse is that it is at the binder's; but who the binder is he does not say. Mr. ELLIOTT, in conclusion, remarked that if a course similar to that pursued by the Roy. Mr. Burton in the present instance were generally adopted, the grossest frauds and imposition might he prevented. LETTERS OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT, &C. The freedom of the Underwriters'-rooms having been presented to Mr. Thomas Littledale, Admiral J. P. Grenfell, and Captain Lisboa, in testimony of the appre• ciation, by the members of the association, of their meri torious exertions in rescuing so many persons from the burning wreck, the following letters from the two first named gentlemen were received by the chairman, on Saturday morning:— Liverpool, Sept. 2,1848. Sir,—Be good enough to convey my most heartfelt thanks to the committee of the Underwriters'-rooms for the most flittering marks of approbation they have shown me, conveyed in their resolution of the 31st ult., and let me thank you individually for the very kind note that accompanied that resolution. But believe me, I only assume to myself but a small portion of the credit that has been heaped upon me. It is to the fortunate circumstance of our position at the time of this fatal catastrophe, improved as far as was in our power, by my friends on board and myself, but most especially by the noble exertions of the crew, that we owe the credit and satisfaction of being the means of saving life. _ _ _ I would have acknowledged !this most marked compli ment sooner had I not been engaged the whole of yes terday in the coroner's court.--Yours very truly, THOMAS LITTLEDALE. W. Rotherham, Esq., Chairman of the • Underwriters' Association. Liverpool, Sept. 2, 1848. Sir,—l have the honour to acknowledge your favour of the 31st ult., enclosing a copy of a resolution unani mously passed that day by the committee for managing the affairs of the Underwriters' Room, awarding to T. Littledale, Esq., Captain Lisboa, and myself, the freedom of the same, in testimony of the appreciation by the members of the association of our exertions to save the passengers from the wreck of the Ocean Monarch. For my own part, sir, I beg you will communicate to the committee the very high sense I entertain of the honour they have done me, and the satisfaction I feel that my conduct on the late sad occasion should have merited their approbation. To yourself, sir, I offer my best thanks for the very handsome terms in which you are ;pleased to express yourself, and I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient humble servant, JOHN PASCOE GRENFELL. W. Rotherham, Esq., Chairman of the Underwriters' Rooms. A correspondence has been published which has passed between the Mayor and the several distinguished persons who were on board the Affonso. To the Prince de Joinville, the Due d'Aumale, and the ladies of the Princess, the Mayor lost no time in transmitting letters of thanks on his own behalf and that of the public of Liverpool. From the Prince de Joinville and the Due d'Aumale the Mayor received suitable replies, the for mer making honourable mention of the exertions of the seaman Jerome, whose conduct has won so much ap plause; and both princes complimented in the highest terms Admiral Grenfell for his noble exertions. The Mayor also wrote to the Brazilian Minister, acquainting him with the catastrophe, and with the admirable con duct of the officers of the Affonso, aided by the French Princes and Admiral Grenfell. SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE RELIEF OF THE SURVIVORS. The committee have been actively engaged in affording relief to the survivors of the unfortunate vessel. On Wednesday they paid the fares home of such as had de termined not to proceed to Boston, and presented each with a sum of money on a graduated scale. The passage money also having been returned by Messrs. Hamden on Thursday and Friday, such as - determined to proceed to Boston were furnished with orders for bedding, &c:, and provisions ; -and orders given on Messrs. Enoch Train and Co., Boston, for a certain sum to be paid each on arrival. Those who had not been previously paid attended at twelve o'clock on Saturday at the 'sheds, at the north end of Prince's Dock. These arrangements (together with furnishing them with clothing) seemed to the committee the most efficient manner in which they could distribute the funds so generously placed at their disposal ; and though they cannot hope to replace the losses many of the passengers have sustained, they have the pleasure of feeling they have enabled all who wished it to prosecute their voyage with comfort to themselves and families ; and those who preferred returning home, have been enabled to do so free from the bitter feeling of absolute penury. All seemed thankful on receiving the sums apportioned to them. We learn that the total receipts from the amateur play, on Thursday night, at the Theatre Royal, wen a little above 180/ 4 and that, after all expenses had been paid, there will be a residue of at least 1501. for the relief of the surviving passengers. The subscriptions now amount to about 6,0001. About 1,500/. were collected at the Exchange News-room, by Mr. Thomas Warburton, the active and obliging master of the room, who has exerted himself in the most praise worthy manner in this benevolent object. Mr. Warbur ton on Monday received a subscription of 51. from Sir Robert Peel. Captain Clarke, of the steamer William Penn, which arrived from Waterford on Saturday morning, reports having seen the heel of the bowsprit and part of the head of the Ocean Monarch above the water, which appeared to be held firmly to the spot by the ship's anchors and cables. The wreck lies in the track of vessels passing the Ormshead. We understand that the officers of the 46th Regiment, at present stationed at Everton, intend giving, on an early day an amateur performance, the proceeds of which will be devoted to the relief of the survivors of the casualty. These gentlemen are at present negotiat ing with Mr. Copeland to play at the Amphitheatre. The fishing boat which rescued many of the passen gers of the Ocean Monarch, was the Town of Liverpool, owned and sailed by William Syers of Seacombe, who is one of the very few left of the crew of the Lord Nelson. His conduct on the occasion was worthy of a British seaman, though he has been comparatively unnoticed.— Liverpool Courier. LAW INTELLIGENCE. LIVERPOOL DISTRICT COURT OF BANK RUPTCY, Sept. 6. SIARTON, IRLAM, AND HIGGINSON'S AIFAIRS. To-day these bankrupts appeared before Mr. Sergeant Ludlow, on their adjourned last examination. The hearing of the case had been adjourned, in order that the accounts of the bankrupts might be amplified. An application was made on behalf of Messrs. Lyon and Bell, merchants, of Bahia, whose names have been repeatedly before the public in connexion with this bank ruptcy, to prove for 7,3201. upon fourteen bills of ex change accepted by the bankrupts for advances made b;y Messrs. Lyon and Bell upon the cargoes of two vessels, the Gipsey and Indus. Mr. LOWNDEB, solicitor for the assignees, opposed the reception of the claims. Mr. Arthur Lyon was examined at great length. In answer to Mr Lowndes, he said he and his partner had received• freights on account of the bankrupts their authority for doing so being an unpaid bill for 2,000/., which had been drawn on account of the cargoes of the Indus and Gipsey. It was not until after that bill was dishonoured that they received those freights. He sent the cargo of one of the bankrupt's vessels, called the Lancaster to Ham burgh. It was sold to meet the bills drawn against it. He received about 11,0001. from the sale of that cargo. The cargo of a vessel called the Alecto was sold, part in London and part in Liverpool. He had received about 5,0001 or 5,5001. from Alecto's cargo. The bill of lading of the Alice was endorsed to Messrs. Carruthers, De Castris and Co., and Messrs. Horrocks, Jackson, and Atherton, jointly. They were entrusted with it to dis• po;e of the proceeds in discharge of the bills which had been drawn against the cargo. Mr. LowNiEs—Then if — the bills of lading of these several ships have been unduly handed over to you, you are debtors to the bankrupts' estate 11,0001., 5,500 L, and 7,000/. ? Mr. Lyon—l do not know how the law is on that point. Mr. LOWNDES-At the late trial, if the Attorney_ General cast a slur upon your mercantile stability, had he your authority so to do ? Mr. Lyon—l am not aware of it. Mr. LOWNDES—If ho did make that statement, W as i t unauthorised by you ? Mr. Lyon—Quite so. Mr. LowNDEs—Whatever the upshot of your transac tions with the bankrupt's house may he, are your means quite adequate to meet your engagements ? Mr. Commissioner LuDLow—This would be a most cruel court if a witness were bound to answer such a question. The witness, in answer to the Commissioner, said, the transactions in favour of the Gipsey and Indus, for which he sought to prove, were altogether distinct and separate transactions from those of the Lancaster and other vessels, in respect of which he held or claimed transfer, mortgage, or security. He claimed no interest or benefit in respect of the debt which he now wished to prove, from the cargoes or proceeds of such other yes s: is ; and if it was considered that he had any such se curity upon them he disclaimed and relinquished it. The gross amount he offered to prove for was 7,3001., but he tendered a proof for 6,6001., 7001. having been received on account of the bankrupts for freights. Mr. Nonnxs, for the creditors, having offered some observations in support of the claim, Mr. LOWNDES spoke in opposition to it, saying that Messrs. Lyon and Bell had already paid themselves out of three cargoes, which two juries had found they had got possession of by fraudulent preference. He argued, that where a creditor, on hearing that his debtor was about to fail, obtained goods from him to the amount of part of his debt, and the debtor afterwards became bank rupt, he was not a ll owe d to prove h i s debt, or any part of it, unless he consented to give up the goods so ob tained. The COIrIISSIONER thought that objection did not r a c te sp ve ec r t m to ig t h h t e d h i a s v p e os b it e io er n i miscond wliVthh of certain property, if an individual concerned had a good debt in respect of another property he must not be precluded from proving it against the estate. It was established that the transactions were quite independent of each other, and therefore the fraudulent preference in respect of one transaction did not debar a creditor from proving when no such objection attached to an en ; tirely separate matter. At the instigation of Mr. LowsnEs, His lioNotta consented to reserve his final decision upon the point until a future (lay. After a proof was admitted on behalf of the treasurer of the Literary Society in Barbadoes, it was agreed that the examination of the bankrupt should be again ad journed, in order to afford the official assignee more h l earing was oarmigpilnealopapn7irsitumnei:ltydeodf b investigating t s. and h r e e c n o e n x c t i was fixed fur the 20th inst. Her Serene Highness the Princess Hohenlohe arrived in London last evening by express train at the Joint Station, London-bridge. One of the private car riages of the Queen Dowager was in waiting for the use of her Serene Highness. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANSION-HOUSE. Henry Herbert, a dentist, was brought before the Lord Mayor, charged, upon his own confession, with having stolen a box of deeds. Mr. Creed, of Bury-court, Bury-street, St. Mary Axe, said that a few weeks ago a box of deeds was left in his charge by a clerk to a solicitor reiding in George yard. It was a japanned box about two feet in length, and with the particulars of the contents he was not acquainted. lie believed them, however, to relate to some property belonging to a Mr. Burney, whose name was on the lid. A few days ago the prisoner called at the house and said he had taken the box and left it in the street, but where he could not say, neither could he tell what had become of it. Witness fancied that who ever stole tho box must have watched him out, and then whipped the box out of the house, the hall-door of which had not been fastened. The prisoner, it appeared, was, upon making the acknowledgment of the offence, for the commission of which he had assigned no motive, taken to the Giltspur street Compter and examined by the surgeon of that gaol, the suspicion entertained being that he was insane. The certificate of the surgeon, however, stated that the young man was perfectly in possession of his senses. The LORD MAYOR questioned the prisoner, who stated, without hesitation, that about six weeks ago he walked into Mr. Creed's house, and walked off with the box. He did not know why he performed so extraor dinary an act, nor did he know exactly the time, but he was sure he took the box to C ttherine-street, in the Strand, and deposited it at the door of one of the news paper offices there. Mr. Creed said he had no doubt that the object of the prisoner was the sinister one of getting a reward. The box was not, he stated, missed for some time after it disappeared, but it was quit e i mposs ibl e t h at i t cou ld hays been taken six weeks ago, as it had not been sent to the house until after that time. Inspector Fosbury said the prisoner's first statement differed essentially from that which he subsequently made, inasmuch as he stated then that he had stolen the box of deeds three weeks ago, and left it in St. Mary Axe. The LORD MAYOR said it was probable that the fact of the loss of the deeds, and the circumstances already disclosed, would, through the medium of the newspapers, lead to the discovery of them, and remanded the prisoner for a week. BOW-STREET. Montague - Douglas Scott, solicitor, who has been under remand for stealing plate from a number of silver smiths, was again placed at the bar. There were several new charges against the prisoner, including one of ' a different character,—namely, ob taining goods by means of a cheque which was dis honoured. Mr. A'Beckett, solicitor, attended for Messrs. Tho mas and Son, silversmiths, of Bond-street, of whom the prisoner hired a number of silver forks, spoons, ladles, &c., in May last, paying the charge for hire in advance, He had called occasionally after the first hiring to renew or obtain fresh articles, and when the prosecutors ulti mately sent to the prisoner's chambers in the Adelphi, to have the goods returned according to agreement, it was ascertained that he had absconded. 'They after wards found that the whole of the things had been pawned on the same slay, and immediately after they had been hired. The prosecutor in another case wished to withdraw the charge out of regard to the feelings of a very re spectable family, who had been made miserable by the prisoner's misconduct ; but Mr. HENRY felt bound to compel the prosecution of every charge of which he had taken cognizance. As the evidence had not been completed in either of the cases, Mr. HENRY remanded the prisoner for another week. WORSHIP-STREET. - - A determined. looking fellow, named Williams Carroll, described as a French polisher, was brought up before Mr. Arnold, charged with having been concerned with others not in custody in the following vindictive attack upon the police:— Skelton Rowley, of the II division, who presented a shocking appearance, his face being very much swollen and disfigured, and one of his eyes closed up, stated, that shortly before nine o'clock on the preceding evening he had occasion to call, upon business, at the Ben Jonson public-hous e , in Pelham-street, Spitalfields; and, after remaining there some time with another officer, both of them dressed in plain clothes, the prisoner, who was an entire stranger to them, entered the parlour, and, look ing stedfastly at him for a moment, hastily left the room. He was only absent a few minutes, however, when he returned, accompanied by four or five other men, one of whom made some observation to attract witness's attention, aud, on turning his head, he received a vio lent blow in the face, rapidly followed by two or' three others on the eyes, which nearly blinded him; and while endeavouring to defend himself, a . simultaneous at tack was made upon him by the whole of the party, who flung him heavily upon the floor, and the prisoner knelt upon his chest and held him down, whilst he and the others kept unceasingly beating him about the head and face with their fists for several minutes, one of the men inciting the others to ill-use him by repeatedly exclaim ing, " Give it him; he's the policeman that hunted down the Chartists." After beating him until he could not see out of one of his eves, and he bled so dreadfully that his clothes were completely soaked with blood, they alt jumped up and hurried out of the room, and on fol lowing them, as soon as ho had sufficiently recovered to du so, he found that they had all effected their escape, with the exception of the prisoner, whom he grasped hold of at the bar, but who broke away from him and ran into a dark room at the back, where, with the as sistance of the other officer, he was ultimately secured and lodged in the station. The witness added, that that neighbourhood was replete with Chartists, and as he had been in the habit, in the execution of his duty, of attending their meetings, and had apprehended one of their leaders, he had been frequently warned to be upon his guard, and several times threatened with summary vengeance for the part he had taken in such pro ceedings. Another constable, named Mosely, who was in the last witness's company at the time in question, positively identified the prisoner as having taken a part in the at tack, and deposed to having been also severely beaten while endeavouring to rescue Rowley from the brutal usage of his assailants. In justice to thw landlord of the house place, and who was out at th e where itsthf e nce,the witness stated that it was n ot which were used by the Chartists as places of r en d eavous, an d t h at h e f e l t tiin oen eof of outrage of took of that locality satisfied the prisoner and his companions must have watched them in, and burst into the room in the manner described, for the sole purp s ose of wreaking their ven geance upon them when they could not procure as sistance. When called upon for his defence, it was intimated by a young man standing near the prisoner that he was formerly both deaf and dumb, and had now only imper fectly recovered the faculties of speech and hearing; but the police stated that he was in perfect possession of both the night before, and on being questioned by the magistrate as to whether he comprehended the nature of the evidence given against him, the prisoner distinctly replied that he did not. A young woman stood forward and asked to be allowed to explain the evidence to him, upon which Mr. Vine, the chief clerk, read his notes over to her, and she interpreted them by broken sentences and gesticulations to the accused, who immediately answered in a clear and unhesitating man ner that he had taken no part whatever in the assault. The sister then stated that she had two or three per sons in attendance who could prove that her brother had iot been actively concerned in the attack upon the police, though he was certainly present while it was going on; but Mr. ARNOLD said that their evidence had much better be reserved, as it was a case of far too serious a descrip tion to be dealt with summarily, and he should therefore send it for the adjudication of a jury. The depositions were consequently taken, and the prisoner, a man about thirty years of age, was fully committed to Newgate for trial. LAMBETH. Mr. ELLtorr received the following letter from the Rev. Henry Burton, vicar of Atcham, near Shrewsbury, and a magistrate for the county of Salop:— " Atcham, near Shrewsbury, Sept. 4. " Sir,—l take the liberty of forwarding to you the copy of an application I have this day received. At this distance, I have not the means of ascertaining whether the statement it contains is true or false; and, there fore, hope you will excuse my sending it to you, in the hope that you will allow one of your officers to make in quiries into the matter. The applicant is totally un known to me. Hoping that you will not think I have done wrong in placing this before you, " I remain your faithful servant, "HENRY BUR rON, Vicar of Atcham, " And Justice of the Peace for the county of Salop." (Copy of Application.) heart,which want kindness n noesfs e h s 1 % 0 1 yl.me fee,most 25, Willi am - s t re et, Nelson-square, Lambeth. d t z pi, and the "Dr. Henry Dewhurst humbly implores to charitably e g u r l a m te o f s u t l. fatal effects seased buy hi s book, The Moral Philosopher,' 83. 6d., for of typhus fever to himself, wife, and two out of four chil dren, have plunged him into the deepest distress. For two days they have not tasted food. His wife is fast sinking from consumption, and want of nutriment. All they had is in pledge, even his clothes for ss. 6d. An early reply is humbly supplicated. " To the Rev. Henry Burton, Atcham, Shrewsbury." Mr. ELLIOTT, in obedience to the wish of the reverend gentleman, placed his letter in the hands of Sergeant Goff, and requested him to make the necessary inquiries into the matter, but at the same time said he had no doubt whatever, from the inquiries he had caused to be made about the same person twelve months since, that Dewhurst would be found to be an impostor. Yesterday Sergeant Goff informed his worship that he had paid Dewhurst a visit at the house No. 25, William street, Nelsen-square, and found him to be the person who bad formerly, and up to the period of his being exposed at this court, about twelve months since, carried on a very successful system of imposture in the Cornwall•road, Lambeth. From inquiries he (Goff) had made, he had no doubt whatever that Dewhurst was at present carry ing on the same system of imposture o n the benevolent. In the cour se o f his inquiries he found that Dewhurst had written within the last few days a letter to the Rev. Mr. Jermyn, of Canterbury, in precisely the same terms as those addressed to the Rev. Mr. Burton, but in which he had described himself as an M.A., and a professor of astronomy, &c. The reverend gentleman forwarded the letter to a Airs. Power, a lady residing in Nelson-square, and a friend of his, requesting that some inquiries might be made about the writer•, and Mrs. Power placed it in the hands of Mr. Tebbitt, a surgeon in the Blackfriars-road. Mr. Tebbitt called • on Dewhurst and felt perfectly satisfied that he was au impostor. Mr. ELLIOTT (to Guff)--Then, from all that you have seen and learned, you believe the statements set THAMES. Four Irishmen named Daniel and Dennis Fitzgerald, brothers, William Downing, and Michael Nagle, and Jane King, a young woman, related to some of the pri soners, were brought before Mr. Yardley, charged with being concerned with others in committing an atrocious assault on several police officers in the execution of their duty while suppressing a riot among the Irish in High street, Poplar, and its vicinity, on Tuesday night. . At a late hour on Tuesday night, Osborne, a police constable, No. 129 K, heard a disturbance in Green Man-lane, and at the same time twenty or thirty persons came out of the Black Horse public-house in the High street shouting and hallooing, and challenging each other to fight. They were all drunk. Osborne directed them all to go away, and, with the exception of the pri soners and two or three others, they did so. Directly afterwards Dennis Fitzgerald, a :powerful ruffian, who hsd previously knocked down two men, fastened a quar rel on Osborne, and asked him what business be had to interfere with his brother and countryman. Osborne told him to go about his business, and threatened to take him to the station-house if he did not do so. The pri soner immediately struck him on the mouth with his fist. Osborne grappled with the fellow, who got hold of his throat with both bands, and almost strangled him. Osborne succeeded at last in extricating himself, and sprang his rattle, which brought Sergeant Hams, No. 21 IC, Collett, No. 283 K, and Penn, No. 350 K, to his assistance, when a ferocious attack was made on them by the four male prisoners and two other men, and stones, brickbats, and earthenware were thrown from a neighbouring house filled with Irish peo ple. Dennis Fitzgerald struck Collett two blows on the head with his fists, seized the lower part of his person with his left hand, and struck him again on the head with his right hand, got him down, and knelt upon him. Osborne pulled him off and Collett got up. Nagle then cause up, and using an opprobious epithet, declared the police should not take either of the Fitzgeralds, and felled Collett to the ground, and while he was down, kicked him on the breast and jumped on hie legs. Nagle was pulled away by Penn and Hams. Collett was scarcely on his legs when he received a blow from Down ing, and likewise a kick on the leg. Collett seized the prisoner, and after a violent conflict with him, secured him and carried him to the station-house. Sergeant Hams, who was in a very weakly condition from the ill-usage he had received, and from lose of blood, came up while Osborne was struggling with Dennis Fitzgerald, and struck the prisoner on the arm with his staff, to prevent his murdering Os borne, and was assisting in taking the prisoner to the station-house, when Daniel Fitzgerald, who was quite furious, came up and exclaimed, " You let him go, you sha'n't take him; we are Smith O'Brien's men;" and he struck Hams on the chest, and also kicked him on the legs. He then went into the road and pulled off his shirt, and came back with a brick in his hand and said, "I am ab- Chartist; I'll murder a policeman to-night." He knocked off the sergeant's bat, and struck him twice on the bare head with the brick. Hams fell down in consequence of the blows, and when down the prisoner kicked him all over the body, trampled upon him, and rendered him completely insensible. When he regained his coesciousness he found a person standing by him, who carried him to the station-house. He was bleeding from the nose and mouth until six o'clock in the morning; and while he was in the court he threw up half a pint of blood. Daniel Fitzgerald made his es cape after he had disabled Hams. He was pursued by Inspector Holmes on horseback, who found him seated on the steps of a door, almost naked, and he directed Penn to take him into custody. Several persons residing at Poplar confirmed the evi dence of the police-constables, and also stated that the woman King was instigating her countrymen to the at tack, and struck one of the policemen. Mr. YARDLEY summarily disposed of the case against the woman King, by sentencing her to 14 days' impri sonment, and at first determined to commit Daniel Fitz• gerald under the Act 1 Victoria, cap. 85, for wounding Hams with intent to prevent his lawful apprehension, and said the offence was punishable with transportation for life; but, upon ascertaining the officer's head was not cut, nor the skin divided so as to constitute a wounding in law, he committed him for trial with his brother and Downing, for assaulting Hams, Collett, and Osborne while in the execution of their duty. SOUTHWARK. Isaac Harding Harris; alias Phillips, a Dissenting minister, was brought before Mr. Cottingham for final examination, charged with obtaining money under false representations. Mr. CoTTINGELur said that the charges against the prisoner were very much aggravated, as he had succeeded in obtaining large sums of money under the cloak of re • ligion. He (the magistrate) should commit the prisoner for trial, but, as the charge was one of misdemeanour, he should adjudge him to enter into his own recogni zance in 2001., and find two sureties in 1001. each, to ap pear to take his trial. ARCTIC EXPEDITION. NEWS OF SIR JAMES ROSS. From the general anxiety felt to hear intelligence of the Arctic expedition, and of the voyage undertaken more recently by Sir James Clark Ross, to ascertain, if possible, the fate of Sir John Franklin and his party, we are sure that any account from that quarter, however meagre, will be gratifying. We are happy to say that we have received, through the attention of a Stromness correspondent, notice of Sir James Ross, and the pro gress he had made up to the date of 2d July. Of course it is premature as yet to expect news of Sir John Franklin, as the ships that went in search of him having left England only in May last have hardly had time to penetrate the higher latitudes. The point, however, which they had reached at the :date above-mentioned, and the cheering account of the condition of the crews, give every reason to hope that before the lapse of other two months the object of Sir James Ross's voyage of discovery may be attained. The information we have received is derived through the arrival at Stromness, on Tuesday last, of a Hull vessel, the cutter Bee, Captain Weldon, which went out for cod-fish, and has returned with eight thousand. From the log-book of the Bee our correspondent copied the following intelligence:—" July 16th. Spoke the schooner Mayflower, Smith, Who had seen the American whaler M`Lellan, of New London. Jackson, master, with 40 tuns of oil. The American reports her Majesty's ships under Sir J. C. Ross as having reached Lievely, Disco Island, on the 2d instant, all well; and Captain Ross had left dispatches for the Admiralty, to be for warded by the first Danish vessel for Europe, and that Captain Ross immediately proceeded in search of his friend Sir John Franklin. The crews were all well." Slender as this intelligence is, it is gratifying as indicat ing the success which had up to that time attended the expedition of discovery. Disco Island lies on the west coast of Greenland, at the entrance to Baffin's Bay, near 70 degrees of latitude. It is a dreary spot, with scarcely any vegetation, and inhabited principally by rein-deer. The bay of that name is extensive, being about 160 miffs in circuit. A voyage of five or six degrees farther north will lead to Barrow's Straits, and those regions where intelligence of Sir John Franklin is most likely to be procured. The circumstances under which Sir James undertook his exploratory adventure were most favour able. The two ships, the Enterprise, of 470 tons, and the Investigator of 420, were built as strong as wood and iron could make them, with due regard to their sail ing qualities. They are larger and more elegant in ap pearance than the Erebus and Terror, which were fitted with screws, worked by steam under high pressure. The disadvantages resulting from this plan were obvious, the most valuable portion of the vessel being occupied with cumbrous machinery. In the present expedition these inconveniences are avoided. To each ship is attached a launch-boat, fitted with a screw-propeller; and these boats are so constructed as to be easily stowed amid • ships; whilst the steam machinery, which is light and portable, occupies but little room, and can be shipped and unshipped in a very short space of time. The in tuition of the launches was for the double purpose of being serviceable in towing the vessels, and in exploring open seas during a dead calm. The ships were fully provisioned for three years, and amply supplied with instruments for magnetical and meteorological observa tions. It is to be hoped, however, that long before the prospective term of these preparations shall have expired, the expedition will have accomplished its object. The discovery of Sir John Franklin must be made in the course of the present year, if he is ever heard of at all; and, therefore, we shall look with great anxiety for the arrival of Sir James Ross's next dispatches.—Edinburgh Advertiser. THE LATE DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN FETTER -LANE. —Yesterday Mr. Payne, the coroner, resumed an inves tigation relative to a fire which occurred on the morn ing of the 29th ult., on the premises of Mr. Th ompson, a machine ruler, of No. 17, King's Head-court, Fetter lane, under what appeared to be somewhat suspicious circumstances. It will be remembered that on the former inquiry it was stated that two fires had pre viously occurred on the premises of Mr. Thompson, and that he was insured in the Imperial-office for the sum of 800/. These were the main grounds of suspicion. Mr. Thompson himself was now present. He was ex amined it considerable length by the coroner and jury with regard to various irreconcileable points, but his evidence threw no light upon the matter, as he expressed himself in total ignorance of the way in which the fire could have originated. At the request of Mr. Thomp son a person named Shaw was examined, in order to prove that the price of paper shavings varied, and that it was worth while occasionally to keep them for some time until the market price was good. However, he should not think of removing shavings from one house to another, but would rather dispose of them at a low price. In answer to a question from the coroner, Mr. Thompson stated that he had a strong suspicion that some person had a hand in the mysterious affair, and he prayed that the inquiry might be adjourned till he should be in a position to prove his suspicions.—Adjourned ac cordingly. MRS. TROLLOPE.—It is not, we believe, generally known that th e new ta l e o f I r i.h life and manners, en titled " The Kellys and the O'Kellys," which is now exciting so much attention among the lovers of fi c tion, is from the pen of a son of the above dis tinguis he d authoress, who has been for some time resid ing in Ire land, and who has succeeded, it is generally al l ow ed, in presenting a more vivid picture of the Ir ish . nation, from the peer to the peasant, than has been given to the worl d since the days of Banim, or Grattan. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE RAILWAY. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at Manchester yesterday, Mr. H. Houldsworth in the chair. The report stated, that they have hitherto excluded from the weekly publication of traffic the receipts on the Wakefield, Pontefract, and Goole Line, which was opened to the public on the Ist of April last. For the future, however, the published receipts will be those of the whole working mileage, including the Cleckheaton line opened on the 18th of July last, amounting in all to 1731 miles. The total gross receipts on the company's lines during the list half-year (excluding the Wakefield, Pontefract, and Goole line) amount to 249,7314, com pared with 231,7861. during the corresponding period of last year. The balance of net income on the Manchester and Leeds line proper, applicable to dividends and interest, together with the balance brought forward from last half year, amounts to 114,0351, out of which the directors re commended that a dividend be declared at the rate of 6 per cent. p.r annum, clear of income-tax, leaving a ba lance, after payment of interest and income-tax, of about 1,0001. The capital account shows an additional receipt of 822,308/, of which 708.619/. have been received on ac count of calls and arrears, and 113,688/. from loans on mortgage. The arrears of calls still outstanding are 390,7704, and the directors regret to say they have been compelled to resort to legal proceedings. The bill for the consolidation into stock of a portion of the paid-up capital of the company, and for assimilating the re inainder into shares of an equal denomination, has received the royal assent. Since the last half-yearly meeting the Wakefield, Pontefract and Goole line, in cluding the Aakern branch, to its point of junction with the Great Northern line near Doncaster, has been opened to the public, and the traffic is increasing. This line, however, must be considered as only partially completed until the opening of the Methley branch to Leeds of the line from Horbury into the Barnsley and Silkstone Coal field, and of the extension of the Great Northern line into Lincolnshire. The Barnsley line is not under the control of this company, but the directors have agreed upon terms to secure its completion in about 15 months; and they have every reason to expect that the Great Northern Company will, at an early period, urge forward the execution of their line from Doncaster southwards, so as to secure a communication with Leeds and the West Riding by that route. That portion of the West Riding line from Mirfield by Cleckheaton to Low Moor and Bradford, which formed the original project of this company in its Bill of 1844, has now been opened as far as Low Moor. The Burnley branch has been re stricted for the present to one line of way, which is ex pected to be completed in the month of October next. ['he land and works have been purchased and executed for a double line. The extension of the Heywood branch to Bury, completing the communication with the Liverpool and Bury line, has also been opened, with the exception of a short junction line under the East Lancashire Rail way at Bury. The Liverpool and Bury line is expected to be opened in October next. The Ard wick branch will be opened in October. The whole additional mile age opened during the present year amounts to 91-i -miles. The shareholders in the Liverpool and Bury line are only entitled to a dividend at a rate of 1 per cent. below the current rate paid by this company for a period of two years; and on the Burnley, Bury, and Ardwick shares, also on the fifth shares of the Wakefield and Goole line, the cost will become a charge upon revenue at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum. The amount also raised by mort age i n eac h case may be calculated at about 4i per cent. The engineer's report stated that several portions of the works bad been delayed in execution or proceeded with slowly, in consequence of the state of the money market. The capital accounts to the 30th of June showed that 8,448,5791. had been received, and 8,242,627/. expended, leaving a 'balance:of 205,9511. in hand. The nett reve nue account for the half-ycar showed that 93,702/. was applicable to dividend, and, after taking 89,9851., the amount required for the dividend, at the rate of six per cent. per annum, a balance remains for the next account of 3,716/. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the re port, observed that, under the circumstances of the half year just elapsed, it viewed correctly, no one could draw from it any reasons for despondency. That there was every probability the rate of dividend could never be less than that now proposed upon the past half-year, even when dividend should be payable upon all the branches now in progress, or to be made by virtue of their existing Acts—however unprofitable it was feared by many some of those branches might be. The actual mileage of railway belonging to the company at present at work, earning revenue, was 64 miles ; the total amount of capital absorbed in which, up to the 30th of June, 1848, was 4,373,0001. The revenue from that amount for the past year could not be taken at less than 380,0001., or somewhere about 5,9001 a mile, upon the extent of mileage now open, or as nearly as possible 6 per cent. dividend upon the capital. Successful as the Leeds and Yorkshire Company once wks considered, their revenue from actual earnings was never more than 6i per cent., and the shareholders could not therefore be surprised that the amount of the fair and honest dividend now declared should be no more than 6 per cent., and there was a time when 6 per cent. was consi dered equivalent to a very considerable premium on their stock; the depreciation of their stock could not there fore be owing to the circumstance that the dividend was now only 6 per cent. During the present year, 1848, they would have opened 91k additional miles of railway, the estimated cost of which—a considerable portion of which had been paid—was 3,000,0001. To be able to continue to pay 6 per cent. upon this additional amount of capital they would require an average receipt of 2,900/. per mile. That is, if they got little more than one-half more than what they were deriving from the 64 miles previously opened they would not be bringing any additional weight upon the old concern.—(Hear, hear.) There were 27i miles more in progress, to be completed at some later period, and these formed the weightiest portion of all their under takings, as they would cost 1,600,000/. There were also 42i miles which would require 1,100,000/., not yet be gun, but which it would be advisable to begin as soon as funds could be conveniently found for the purpose. Taking these together, it would constitute 161 miles of railway. To maintain a dividend of 6 per cent. upon all this additional capital would require that their earnings should average a total of 3,100/. per mile per annum, or only about half the receipt per mile that they at present derived from their 64 miles now open.—(Hear, hear.) It was not necessary, therefore, that the new lines of railway to be opened, should yield as much per mile as the 64 now opened; but even if the additional mileage yielded positively nothing, things would not be so bad as some were desponding enough to expect, for they would still be able to divide upon the whole amount of capital at least 3 per cent. per annum. He saw every reason to hope for the future.—(Hear ' hear.) The report having been seconded by Mr. PARSONS, of London, a protracted discussion ensued, in which it was urged that the directors had been precipitous in the prosecution of works which would always be unpro fitable, and that it was desirable even now not to com plete the Bradford and Halifax West Riding Extension, a portion of which, not yet commenced, but contracted tor, will be of a most expensive character. Mr. HAWIESHAW, the engineer, read an estimate, showing that it would cost the proprietors in the West Riding Union Stock 61. 10s. per share more, and the proprietors of the West Riding Extension Stock 3Z 15s. 10d, to complete that line so as to enable them to receive a dividend; whereas, to enable them to draw out of their contracts, and not finish the line, they would still have to pay, the former 4/. 2s. per share more, and the latter 21. Bs. 6d. per share more, and never be able to receive any dividend. The report was the❑ agreed to, and the dividend, at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum, upon the half-year was declared carried; the chairman pledging himself and the directors that no works not actually begun should be hereafter commenced without the sanction of the shareholders at a future meeting. PORTBURY PIER AND RAILWAY. The half yearly meeting of this company was to have been held at Bristol oniSaturday, but a sufficient number of shareholders not kaving attended to constitute a meet ing, it was adjourned sine die. It appeared from the report of the directors that the Commissioners of Railways had granted an extension of time for the completion of the works. The financial position of the company remained nearly the same as at the last meeting, no further engagements having been entered into. A considerable sum had been paid on the new call, and some arrears of the former •all had been collected. The directors fear they will be com pelled to take proceedings for the recovery of the arrears. They have determined to suspend the works until after the February meeting in 1849. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. BRISTOL, SEPT. 6. STOCK EXCHANGE. —The Share Market remains very flat. Great Western Quarter Shares were done at 3t dis. LIVERPOOL, SEPT. 6. STOCK ExatANGE.—Very few transactions have taken place, and p r i ces are l ower. The sales are—Lancashire and Yorkshire (late Manchester and Birmingham), Fifths, 23 % dis.—London and North- Western, 114 c.—Ditto, New Quar ters, par—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, 201. Shares, 10 dis.—Midland Stock, 87 c. x. d.—Ditto, New Halves, 8 1 4 dis.—South-Eastern and Dover,:.No.2, 10% dis. —Ditto, No. 4, Thirds, 7N ; c. MANCHESTER, SEPT. 5. STOCK ExcHANGE.—The sales are—East Lancashire, Preference, 1 4 p.—Old Sheffield, 52—Leeds, Fifths, '2% dis.—Sheffield, Preference, 10—South-Eastern and Dover, No. 4, 7. BIRMINGHAM, Ssrr. 6. STOCK EXCIIANGE.—A moderate amount of business was transacted to-day. che sales are—Midland, 88—North Staffordshire, 4% dis.—North British, Thirds, 2% dis.— Shrewslyury and Birmingham (A), t:/. Bs. 9d. YORK, SEPT. 5. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The business transacted to-dav was as follows: Great Northern, 71. ls. 6(l.—North British, Thirds, 425.—York, Newcastle, and tierwick, No. 2 (l a t e N ew , Berwicks), 15 3 / 4 —Ditto (G. N. E. Purchase), 81/4. HULL, SEPT. 6. STOCK EXCHANGE —The sales are—H u ll and Selby, 49 ex div.—Midland, 87 1 / 2 —North Briti s h, 201. 3d.—Ditto, Quarters, 89s. c. GLASGOW, SEPT. 5. STOCK EXCIIANGE.—The sales are—Caledonian, Pre ference, 529.—Edinburgh and Perth, 17s.—Glasgow General Terminus, 75R—Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and A yr, 60—Ditto, 5 per cent. guaranteed, 103%—Ditto. Halves, No. 1, 61. 2s. —Ditto, Halves, No. '2, 6—Great Northern, 71. 13. 6d.— North British, Thirds, 5% —York, N ewcastle, and Berwick (G. N. E. Purchase), 8 il. ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—The fine weather of this wee k , and the delightful music conducted by Jullien, have drawn crowded audiences every night to these attractive gardens. The engagement of Jullien is only for tl4o more evenings, this and to-morrow, as he goes next week to Norwich, where he has to lead the music at the musical festival ball. There is no place equal to the Surrey Zoological Gardens for good music, good company, and splendid fireworks. THE POTATO CROP. The following important statements regarding the condition of this valuable esculent in our neighbour' hood have just been prepared for the sheriff of the county, by instruction of Mr. List, superintendent of police, who has directed his attention in a laudable manner to this interesting subject, in order to pro• cure the most accurate information as to how far the disease, which has unfortunately renewed its ravages in several districts of England and Ireland, has affected this locality. The reports are of a character generally favourable, and indeed much better than commonly expected ; they are therefore well calcu lated to dissipate any alarm at present existing on the matter, and excite good hope for the future. PORTOBELLO.—In this district there is no appear" ance of disease in the late potato. MussErmuacif.—ln this district the potato crop Looks remarkably well, and there is no appearance of disease as yet. Three of the principal farmers in this district inform me that the crops are looking as well as they could wish. DALKEITIL—I have looked over the fields by Sheriff.. hall, East Houses, Cowder, Langside Head, by Cow' pits to Dalkeith, and find the potato crop looking re' inarkably well. I lifted some of the potatoes where I saw the shaw withered in appearance, and on exs . mining them, they were perf ec tly soun d. G en erally the crop looks remarkably well. At Cowder there iS an exception, a few acres having failed, but this is at tributable to the bad seed. PATHEAD.—The potato fields in this district aro looking very healthy, with no appearance of disease. In gardens many of the early kinds are diseased. GORERRIDGE.—There is no appearance of disease in the potato crop in this district. In a few gardens disease has shown itself, but not to any extent. I n general the crop is good. LASSWADE."—In this district there is not the least appearance. of disease in the potato. One field in the vicinity of Gourlaw is slightly infected. PENICUIR.—Since the 23d ult. I have careruili noticed the potato crop in this district; the appear ance in general is healthy and strong. The fanner , inform me that disease as yet has not made its er pearance. GILMERTON.—There is no appearance of disease i n the potato crop in any part of this district, with tbs . exception of a few in a garden at Liberton Lodg e ' There are several fields in which the shaws have $ black appearance, but the potato is good. CURRIE.—I have made inquiry regarding the po tato crop in this district, a n d fi n d th ere i s no appearanc e of disease amongst the later kind. They are looking fresh, and apparently an excellent crop. MID-CALDER.—In this neighbourhood and slit' rounding district the fields of potatoes appear to be 0 yet perfectly sound and free of disease. At Howdee , Charlesfield, Calder House, Calderhall, Letham, and West Mill, there are large crops, and all looking well. CORSTOPHINE.—No report as yet. NEWHAVEN.—According to instructions, I ive n A over my distri c t, m a d e i nqu i ry , an d a l so exam ine' the potato-fields. From Granton Farm, the 11101 Windlestrawlee, Bangholm B owe r', Chancelot, other places, the appearance is good, and no disease' In some places fears had been entertained, but they now appear groundless. RATHO.—AII the potatoes in this district are stand ; ing well, and no a pp earance o f di sease . I n some the gardens about Dalmahoy and Wilkieston there P a partial failure, but this is attributed to bad seed- SLATEFORD.—The potato crop in this district is still quite healthy, with the exception of a field $ .l Saughton, of the buff kind. The people empler lifting them say they occasionally find a diseased on e ' WEST CALDER.—The p o t a t o cro p i n thi s distric t has generally a healthy appearance. The disease bsl shown itself at M ea d ow h ea d an d M ossen d , par i s h West Calder. STRAITON.—The field potatoes are looking well is this neighbourhood, quite healthy, and BO tipPear lU f e of disease. A f armer i n t hi s di str i ct reported t h a t' u ' potatoes were so diseased that a person could not g ° near them for the smell. I went with others and as: mined the farm, but could not discover the smell De r anything wrong. STOW.—As yet th ere i s no t th e s li g h tes t appearan c e of disea se i n th e po t ato crop i n th i s d i str i ct. O n t b night of the 24th ult., some fields were much blaste d with the frost, but it has not injured the potato. GENERAL REMARKS BY MR. LIST. " In my tour o f d u t y a b out t h e county, I h ave paid particular attention to the appearance of the field Po' tato, and am enabled to say, that generally they are sound and healthy. In some places they sPi„ withered and blackened, b u t thi s , I un d ers t a nd, itri S re : from the effects of a few frosty nights. A few day s ago, in company with a clergyman, I inspected on! of those blackened fi e ld s , b u t cou ld no t fi n d a diseased potato. I have not, in auy part of the county, found the bad smell that arose from the diseased potatoes 111 the year 1846."—Caledonian Mercury. PEOPLE'S CHARTER UNION.—A public meeting was held on Tuesday, at the Literary and Scientific In. stitution, John-street, Tottenham-court-road, for the purpose of explaining the objects of the above union; and a large attendance was present on the occasion. The proceedings began by Mr. O'Brien coming forward to explain that as some confusion had arisen on account of the room having been enga ge d by th e propr i etors of the suppressed Reformer newsp a p er , as we ll as by the Charter Union, for the same evening, it had been ar: . ranged that he (Mr. o'l3ri en ) s h ou ld b e a l lowe d to a d " dress the meeting prior to the commencement of other business. He then dilated upon the suppression of t he Reformer, on the ground that it was defrauding the re' venue; this he declared to be a false pretence, as, printed in the Isle of Man, it was by law exempt fr om stamp and other duties. He also animadverted upon the haste in which the resolution to suppress that pap er had been carried through the House of Commons , a haste (he declared) only equalled in the case of the fit"' pension of the Habeas Corpus Act. Mr. O'Brien WI . ing sat down, the business of the Chartist meeting CO er menced, Mr. Hyde taking the chair. The chairman explained that the objects of the People's Charter Union were the organis a ti on of a society for the more effect ua l agitation of the question of the Charter, and the diffa' sion of information upon the subject. He spoke of th e great results whi c h h a d always attended legal organg tions of the people. He concluded, amidst much cou nt " sion, cheerin g , and hissing, by announcing that no d ie : cussion would be allowed in the meeting, as t i. k " - committee had no w i s h to b e held responsible for t he sentiments of any one but themselves. The assembli was subsequently addressed by Messrs. Linton, golly' oake, O'Brien, Mi tc h ell, Shorter, and others, upon t he points of the Charter, and the necessity for all their ar tations being conducted in a peaceable and legal manne r ' atter which the meeting separated. [ADVERTISEMENT].--The most effectual Cure for Gout and Rheumatism is Holloway's Ointment 1 1 , 0 frequent caus e o f t h ese comp l a i nts i s the flammatory state of the blood, as t h ey are ge nera lly attended with bad digestion, lassitude, and great showing th e w an t o f a proper c i rculation of the fluids, ael: that impurity o f t h e bl oo d greatly aggravates these pslll_ ful disorders. H o ll owa y' s Pill s are of so purifying " nature that a few defies taken in time is an effectual pre' ventative against the Gout and Rheumatiim,- bt . 4 111 1; one that has an attack. of either Sh ou ld use. Milleweld Ointment also, the powerful properties of w hi c h,eombine, with the e ff e c t o f th e Pill s , ensures a certain cure. —So l d by 'all druggists and at Professor Holloway's estah" lishment, 244, Strand, London. GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.—On Tuesday th e branch of the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth.RailivaY , from the Chippenham station of the . Great 'Weste rn Railway to the Melksham, Trowbridge, and Westbury was opened for public traffic. It is 15:f miles in length. The total distance f rom Paddington to Westbury Ifi 1091 miles. There are seven trains daily each way. ART-UNION EXHIBITION.--Yesterday the collec tion of works of Art, at the Gallery of British Artists, Suffolk -street, Pall-mall, selected by the prizeholders in the Art-Union, was opened to the tickets, from ten till four, to be continued üblic' unt wi il th fo o ur ut o'clock ' on Saturday afternoon next. BIR TEM, 3d • s t at Hampton Court, th e w if e of captain Montgomery, eof2daidnasut.a,nthteer:vifeOf the Rev. H. Go sse , o f R e d-bill, Montgomery, R.N. , of a daughter. P o Reigate, n n t te n On the 3d inst. , the wife of the Rev. G. S. D rew , of Old St. Pancras, of a daughter. On the 3d inst., at Holland-Louse, Kingsgate, the lady o f John Fenton, Esq., of a daughter. On the 3d inst., at Shellingford Rectory, the wife of O. Rev. H. R. Du Pre, of a son. On the 3d inst., in Lordship-lane, Dulwich, Mrs. J. D °° " inst., at Sh oo t er ' s - hill, the lad of 11 m e o l o n wt, the ef 4th h s on y H. gentian. Esq., of a son. s, the On the 4th in s t., at Bury St. Edmund' wife of the Rev. J. W. Donaldson, of , a daughter. MARRIBD. On the 31st ult., at the Grange, Edinburgh, Ci fain J. Wilson, Hon. East India Company's Service, to Maddaie llA sixth daughter of the late Sir T. Dick Lauder, Bart. . On the 31 s t u lt., at Scotter, Lincolnshire, John Lang —b IV? l il Esq ,of the llollins, to Jane, second dtughter of the hat s Lieut.-Colonel Fl etc h er of the Hollins, Bolton-le• M o ° l / 4 ; On the 4th inst., at ' St. John's Church, Paddington , d E. Gain e , E sq., o f Burton -crescent, to Mary, eldest daubb. ter of the late Lieutenant E. J. Cruchley, R.N. On the sth inst., at Marylebone Ch urc h, Richard 11;08e to Coxwell, Esq, Dowdeswell-house, Gloucestersba o Ellen, only c hild o f G odfrey Hugh Massy Baker, DIED. • On the 2d inst., a t Fi tzw illi am-square North, niblll3 Simeon Boileau, Esq., aged 8.5. Ted- On the 3d in s t., w hil s t b at hi ng i n t h e Th ames , , D. dington, Lionel G. T. Eliot, aged 23. only child of L'w Eliot, Esq., of Shenstone-villa, St. John's—wrod. a Jere" On the 4th inst., at St. G eorge ' s -t errace . , Gravesen-t miah Field, Esq., late of the 2d Life GuarJa, aged .5 9 . 0 0, On the 4th inst., at Lee, near Blackh eat h. Mary El e V e nt. seventh daughter of J. B. Sladen, Esq., of R , pplecour t, On the 4th inst , at Bedford-square, C. Hensel), E s9 :lb:W On the 4th inst at Grove-lane, Carnberw ell, John id , - ___, Esq., aged 72. On the 4th inst., at the Vicarage-h ouse , C-ulhanly t e R. Wattle, 8.D., aged 76. Lod On the sth inst., aged 62, John Car ter, Es+ , of the Mayor's Court. office, London. F lei. On the 3d inst., Ann, wife of T. Vamsew, EN.' of bury, near Bude, Cornwall. -/.. at ' London: Printed and Published by MURDO Y °1114 1 ,,1 0 . ti lll No. 112, Strand, Printer, at, The Sun Office , 0 1 Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy_ in tb o Middlesex., Thursday, aepteull, sr 7, 1848. C' The TUR O keeei Pointer fare. The 310 b o `tactic feu hi I.F WAS, la thte Quarto Ualf-p In theF ternoo Aftern tole. 1. F %Ile, i At Rai !.7 kat E T 41 nett this •normi the -, th l- e gi Ani ......__ The it a, 115 "kutlo peg In Trah, Chest Thy P l rlDai res e , Th ( alO u I Moo vri; Aar e $t 1 111 I t et f 1 41 bot 7g, tai AA la 3 , , R :~----