The Sun. — London, England, 1867-05-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 17. 1867. IRELAND. DUBLIN, 2if ►ay 16. The Dublin Special Commission, which hid been adjourned from Saturday, resumed yesterd. - 11T morn ing, when John Flood, Edmond Duffy, an ,d James Dunne, alias Cody, were arraigned for: -treason felony. Duffy was one of the persons ar:ested with James Stephens at Saudymount ; he was said at that time to be.suffering from consumption., and he was discharged from prison on account of iLi-health. Mr. Butt, Q.C., applied yesterday to have his trial postponed for the same reason ; but the Attorney- General resisted, and the application was xefused. There was an indictment for high treason. against Flood and Duffy on the same facts, and Mr- - Butt ap plied to have that indictment quashed. It -was ob served by the Court that if acquitted on Vie charge of treason-felony they could not be tried again on the same facts, but Mr. Butt replied that if the jury disagreed the prisoners might be again arraigned for high treason, and he argued that the Crown should make its election between the two forms of indict ment. Ultimately, the Attorney-General consented to enter a nolle prosequi on the indictment for high treason. After some other objections on the part of the prisoners' counsel, they handed in pleas of abatement on behalf of Duffy and Flood. The pri soners pleaded " Not Guilty." As they refused to join in their challenges the long panel was called over, and each of the three challenged 20 jurors peremptorily, and as many as possible for cause. After much delay a jury was sworn, but More the trial proceeded— Mr. Butt read an affidavit made by the prisoner Flood, in which he stated that he believed it would be unsafe for him at present to proceed with his trial without the attendance of four witnesses who resided in Manchester—Mrs. and Miss O'Neill, and Mrs. and Miss Coghlan,—and whose attendance here he was unable to procure, as he had no means. Mr. Butt asked that, under the circumstances, the Crown should defray the expense of the attendance of those witnesses. The Attorney-General opposed this motion in all its parts. If he thought it was a bond fide applica tion, he would deal with it otherwLe. As to Mr. Butt's insiauation that an attempt was male to bribe a . witness, that assertion was founded upon a letter which the learned counsel knew could not be read or relied upon. He asked the motion to be allowed to stand over for a quarter of an hour in order that he might prepare affidavits to oppose it. Mr. Butt said that as the letter had been referred to in orie of the affidavits he bad a right to read it, and would read it in reply. Whether he read it or not, he had other means of making it public. The Attorney-General said he knew well how a certain portion of the public would be prepared to receive that letter, and he thought that, in justice to the Crown, he should have an opportunity of contradicting it on oath. Mr. Butt said he held the letter in his hand, and he wished it to be made public. The Chief Justice—We don't wish to hear this statement. We do not care what you wish to go to the public. We have no power to interfere, and it is for the prosecutor to yield to the application. There is no ground for postponing the trial, and we refuse the motion. The Attorney-Geaeralthen stafcd the case for the Crown. He declared at the outset that no case that had come before the Commission was of more im portance than the case he was about to state. If the information against the prisoners were esta blished in evidence - he thought that the jury would have little doubt that the three prisoners at the bar were among the most mischievous and active of the leaders of the Fenian organisation, and therefore for the sake of the country, and for the sake of the prisoners themselves, he would bespeak the anxious attention of the jury. They were members of the Fenian conspiracy. They procured arms and levied war against the Queen. In combination with others they had actually planned the insurrection or out break against the authorities which took place through so many parts of Ireland on the night of the fith of March last. They were also charged with having entered into a plan to attack Chester Castle and seize the arms which were deposited there, and to take them over to Ireland for the purposes of the insurrection. These parties were als9 charged with inducing American officers to come over here to levy war against the Queen, and with having been con tinuous in their efforts to seduce soldiers from their allegiance. Flood was appointed by Stephens to the command in England, of which he was the head centre. One of the worst characters of that conspi racy was Cody. As to the third prisoner, Duffy, it would be proved that after the arrest of Stephens he was appointed to take the most leading part. He was the chief officer in Ireland in the absence of Stephens. To him was assigned the charge in the west of Ireland, but for the credit of that part of the country he should observe the prisoner met there with signal failure. It would be proved that while Flood was promoting the objects of the con spiracy in England, Duffy was employed in Castle bar, where he was most active in endeavouring to seduce the men of the North Mayo Militia Regi ment. The Attorney-General then referred to the evidence which would be given by John H. Cory dun, who he said was a remarkable man, of great intelligence, and who had, fortunately for the best interests of the country, given information to the Government respecting the designs of the Fenian conspiracy. He then referred to the Fenian police, of which it would appear Cody was the head, and to the efforts made by leading members of the organi sation to seduce from their allegiance soldiers who were quartered in different parts of the country. After ,the first arrests by the police in 1665, the Fenian organisation appointed a select body of men, called the Fenian Detectives,' to counterwatch the movements of the police, and assassinate any one who should give information. Of that body Cody was the chief, and that the appointment of men for so diabolical a purpose had not been without its fruit was evident from the murder of the unfortunate man George Clark, on the Royal Canal, a consider able time ago, and the subsequent attempt on the life of the soldier Maher, at Bonham-street. Maher, it appeared, had given information to Col. Feilding, of the Guards, an officer whom everybody respected for his praiseworthy energy in checking the attempts of the Fenians to seduce the treops, of a Fenian meeting to be held in a publichouse in Leeson-lane, and Col. Fei[ding, with ten picked men and Acting Inspector Entwistle, of the Detective . Police, pro-, ceeded to the place, where they found five men, one of whom was the prisoner Cody. They arrested them, and Cody was seized first, as he was drawing something from his pocket, which was afterwards founded to be a five barrelled revolver, capped and loaded. Ile was also found to have another loaded revolver and a dagger on his person when he was searched, and he with the others was put into pri son. This was in Jan.,1866. In the following August he was, strange to say, released, and he immediately returned to his old pursuit. He went to Liverpool, where he was made one of the principal centres, mixing with the men and the women who were the most active agents there in promoting the affairs of the Fenian organisation there and in Manchester. In September, 1866, a meeting was arrested at Lambert's Hotel, Birchfield-street, where, among various articles seized upon, was a leather-bag con taining a letter written by the prisoner Duffy, ad dressed to somebody a: My (Lax Friend,' and say ing that Mrs. O'D. (that was Mrs. O'Donovan Rossa, who was actively engaged in carrying on Fenian work here) had made a mistake in publiA ing in the 1 rishnutie a letter which was not intended for publication. There was also found in the bag a letter signed by Mrs. O'Donovan Rossa, explain ing how it was she had made the mistake, and say ing she would have a, few lines inserted in the next week's Irishman to remedy the mistake. There were also put into the same paper lists of subscriptions of money, such as the following :—" Fenian Sweet heart, Gd. ;" "A Red Irishman, 2s. .6d. ;" " A Protestant Republic tn, 2s. ;" " A Fenian, 2a. 6d. " Heart of Steel, 2s. ;" " A Militiaman, Gd.," &c. ; as well as proclamations signed by Mrs. Luby and Mrs. O'Donovan Rossa, one of which warned their friends against a man professing to be a brother-in law of O'Donovan Rossa ; cautionint, them not to be deceived by a second Talbot, as the man in cities tion was one of the detective police. Duffy was again arrested on the 9th of March last, four days after the rising, in a hotel at Boyle, under the feigned name of Moran, and in company with ano ther man and woman, who gave their names as Egan. Duffy was one of the principal leaders of the organisation, and a great authority in it. Cody made a furious attack on the life of a policeman who was about to arrest him for disorderly conduct, a little more than a week ago, in Grafton-street. A second policeman eventually overcame him, being obliged to strike him a severe blow on the bridge of the nose, by which he was still marked. The in strument with which Cody had attempted to take the policeman's life was a seven-chamber revolver, fully capped and loaded. On his being searched, another loaded revolver was found on him, as well as a dagger, and a paper containing a list of names and private addresses of the judges now presiding in the Court, the names and private addresses of the counsel for the prosecution, and the names and private addresses and places of business of the jurors who had tried Burke and Doran. If the people who organised this business thought to intimidate theirlordships, or the counsel for the prosecution, or the jury, they took them for different men from what they were. After some further observations the Attorney-General con cluded. Mr. Butt then rose, and said he had to apply to the Court that the Crown should elect either to try the three prisoners together on the same evidence, including the assassination committee charges, or to abandon those charges. As the matter stood, he could not go on to trial. Language had been used by the Attorney-General in reference to the con duct of an assassination committee and the conduct of the prisoner Cody calculated to inflame the feel ings of the jury, and, if it were possible—for their Lordships were but men after all—to inflame the minds of the Bench. But those acts were in no way whatever connected with the other two pri soners, Duffy and Flood. He therefore asked that the Crown might be obliged to say whether they would try them all for being members of the assas sination committee, and for the attack on the police man in Grafton-street; or whether they would abandon that and try the prisoner Cody for the acts they were ready to prove against all. The circum stances of the case loudly called for an election, for the prisoners Duffy and Flood had no more to do with the drunken brawl in Grafton-street than he had. The Attorney-General--My Lords, I do not con descend to notice the motives imputed to me by the counsel who has just addressed the Court. I shall, therefore, confine myself to a simple repudiation and denial of there being any case made, or any legal call upon us to make what I have never before beard of in any such case—an election. I bring them into union and concert in reference to all the prior portions of those transactions for which they are to be tried. Mr. Butt—l did not introduce anything to excite personal feeling. I can perfectly afford to have the Attorney-General condescending. Certainly it will create some surprise when it is known that the At torney-General made use of such expressions. I really do not know whether my proper course would not be to retire unless there is an election. Mr. Butt concluded by saying that the prisoners had been put on trial together in order that Flood and Duffy might not have a fair and impartial trial." The Lord Chief Justice observed that Mr. Butt had made his application with rather more warmth than the Court thought the subject required. His learned brother, who would try the case, would take care that no evidence that only affected one of the prisoners should be given against the others. Mr. Butt said that nothing but his perfect confi dence in their lordships doing everything the law would allow for the defence of the prisoners induced him to remain in the court. The Attorney-General disavowed any intention of affecting any one of the prisoners by acts which ought only to affect another. J. J. Corydon, the approver, was then called and examined by the Solicitor General. He stated that in 1865 he met the'prisoner Cody at a Fenian meet ing in Camden-street, and proceeded : " I saw him in company with Col. Kelly several times, and I met him in Col. Kelly's house. I saw Cody receive money from him to give to soldiets. Cody held the rank of deputy to John Devoy, who was told off to seduce soldiers from their allegiance, and he was also head of the Fenian detective police, which was formed to watch the authorities. A party was also organised, and it had the approval of Col. Kelly, for shooting informers and prominent detec tives, and with reference to it Cody told me that a body of five or six men, armed with revolvers, were banded together in order to shoot informers and de tectives. He also told me he thought a soldier of the King's Own Regiment, named Mears, was giving in formation. He spoke of the murder of Geo. Clarke, and the parties present commented on the bad way that murder was committed. I heard from Colonel Kelly, in presence of Cody, that he (Cody) was the head of that party. After going back to Liverpool I met Cody there in company with Flood in Novem ber or December. He held the rank of Centre in Liverpool. Subsequently to the meeting of the di rectory, Flood and M'Afferty told some American officers in Liverpool that they had just conic from the directory, and that they had got a sum of £2O to pay their expenses to Chester, in order that they might be present at the rising there. I knew ladies in Ireland to act as treasurers of the Fenian funds. When I came to Dublin after the failure of the raid on Chester, I met at a house on Brunswick-road General Massy, Edward Daffy, General Halpin, and all the American officers then in Dublin. On that occasion Duffy said he wanted some officers for the rest of Ireland, and he thereupon picked out some two or three, to whom Massy gave money. I got orders from Massy and Duffy to go to Cork, and thence to Kerry, to announce there that the risifit would be on the night of the sth of March. Cody went by the name of Byrne in Liverpool, and on one occasion he gave the name of Fitzgerald to the police. Cross-examined by Mr. Butt—l have known the prisoners since 1865, and have been intimate with them. I heard Flood was an attorney, but I don't know what his occupation was. I believe myself I was a good deal in the confidence of the Fenian leaders, and of James Stephens, whom I saw only three times. I did not see him after his escape from Richmond. I gave information of every important meeting that was held to the authorities, and up to the present I have received about £5O or £6O alto gether from them. I did not receive a penny from them since I erwore-a - gainst . flarlre. It wasbeforeihe' seizure of the Irish People office I heard a committee was to be formed by Cody and others for the purpose of shooting informers and detectives, but I did not believe it until Colonel Kelly told me such a com mittee was formed ; that was in November, 1864. Cody talked of the murder of Clarke, both in Dublin and Liverpool. After the Special Commission last year, and a meeting in Camden street, at which Cody, Brophy, a man named Ander son, and others were present, a conversation took place respecting the shooting of Nagle, the informer, and one of the judges. Cody took part part in that conversation. I saw Colonel Kelly give money for the purposes of the shooting committee, but I don't know at what time that was. I believe James Stephens was opposed to the formation of the coin ' mittees, and I heard his advice that no violence be offered to the authorities lest martial law be pro claimed. Colonel Kelly, though the trusted friend of Stephens, was, however, in favour of its forma tion. To Mr. Justice Fitzgerald—Some of the American officers I have referred to were arrested. The Court adjourned at 7 until half-past 9 o'clock this morning. The Freeman's Journal states that the Govern ment have determined to spare the life of Burke. The fact might be inferred from the leader in the limes of yesterday. This is the wiser course, and it is well that it has been _adopted promptly and spontaneously. The news will cause much disap pointment to the American Fenians, who had pro bably discounted Burke's " martyrdom." Royal clemency will send down the Fenian funds rapidly. It is to be hoped, however, that an execution would not be necessary to induce them to respond hberallT to the appeal made to them to send over money for the defence of the prisoners. Possibly it is some of the cash intended for this purpose that has fallen into the hands of the police at Passage, near Cork. The Cork Reporter states that when the Bristol boat arrived there on Tuesday, Constable Geary seized a small linen bag, containing £750 in sovereigns. The possessor gave his name as John Creman, a native of Ireland, just returning from New Zealand. He was taken into custody pending inquiries. An aggregate meeting of the tailors of Dublin was held last evening in the Mechanics' Institute, for the purpose of expressing sympathy with the tailors now on strike in London. The attendance was ex tremely limited. Two turnkeys have been dismissed from Longford Gaol as the result of an investigation into their con duct relative to the Fenian prisoners. Thursday Night. A man named Aylward was waylaid on the Royal Canal this evening and fired at by a number of men, supposed to be Fenians. lie escaped with two slight wounds in the head. Railway and other Companies. LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH COAST. The adjourned special general meeting of this company was held yesterday, at the International Hotel, Islington, London-bridge, to receive the result of the poll on the amendment proposed by the chairman, at the meeting on the 9th inst. ; Col. Barttelot, M.P., in the chair. The Assistant-Secretary having read the notice of adjournment, The CHAIRMAN said he had now to declare the result of the poll taken on the amendment. The number of votes in favour of the amendment was 10,200, against it 51,399, showing a majority of 41,199 votes against the amendment. (Hear, hear.) Ile bad, therefore, to declare that the amendment was lost. He had now. to put from the chair the resolution of Sir Charles Jackson, but be fore doing so he hoped that all . angry feeling might now cease—(hear)—and that no time would be lost in adopting the best course for the interests of the proprietors. He hoped the meeting would pass off with good temper, and that all differences would now cease. What had been done had been done for the best ; but whether it was for the best or not time would show. This he might say—that his most anxious wish was for the welfare of the com pany. He had now to put the resolution. Mr. CONNINGHAM, a director, thought it neces sary to explain why he had written a letter to the newspapers tendering his resignation. He regretted that Mr. Schuster was not present to defend the policy he hod pursued for so many years. He had often opposed that policy at the Board, and was sorry he could not succeed iu preventing many of of those extensions. It had been said that Mr. Schuster had sold his shares ; but that was not true, as he now held £36,000 stock in the company, and Mr. Schuster and his family held in the aggregate between £60,000 and £70,000 stock in the com pany, so that he presumed he had backed his policy by his holding. He believed that Mr. Lawrie had met with considerable difficulty at the Board, and also held a large amount in the company. He trusted the company would deal with the bankers of the company in a most conciliatory spirit, and do what was right in that matter. He had for the last ten years opposed the policy of Mr. Schuster at the board, particularly in paying larger dividends than he considered they could pay. He regretted that at the interview of Sir C. Jackson and other mem bers of the committee with the board the latter did not at once withdraw the bills for taking over the Surrey and Sussex and other lines, and thus prevent the circulation of the report of the committee. The depreciation in the value of the company's stock was not from anything the directors had done, but from the change in the policy of Parliament. The CHAIRMAN then put the following resolution from the chair, which was proposed by Sir C. Jack son and seconded by Mr. IL L. Lopes : "That this meeting is of opinion that no vacancy should be filled up in the present board of directors until a report by a committee of investigation, to be appointed at this meeting, shall have been presented to the shareholders, and that this meeting be ad journed to the 30th inst., to receive such report— the committee to consist of the Bight Hon. Lord Westbury, Sir Ch a rle,sJackson , Mr. Ralph L. Lopes, Colonel Meller, M.P., Mr. Jonas Levi, and Mr. Henry John Anthony Goez, with power to add to their number. That such committee shall have full power to inspect and take copies of or extracts from the company's books, papers, and documents, and to obtain such legal and other assistance as they may require ; and that the directors and officers of the company are requested to render to such com mittee every assistance and information in their power. That the directors be, and are hereby, re stricted from entering into any agreement or other important arrangement with any other company without the full sanction and co-operation of the committee. That the present directors be requested to place their seats at the disposal of the sharehold ers, with a view to a reconstitution of the board at the adjourned meeting." The resolution was carried unanimously. Sir C. JACKSON thought the directors had adopted a right course on that occasion in not demanding a poll, as any fresh effort to prolong the contest be tween directors and shareholders would have only tended to exasperate those who were already irritated by the state of the concern. He believed that nothing short of a full and thorough investigation of the affairs of the company would have the effect of re storing confidence, and of protecting and improving the property of the company for the future. He be lieved that nothing short of the whole truth was necessary to establish the company in public opinion. It would require a most candid judicial investiga tion conducted in a moderate and careful manner to arrive at the truth; in fact, a thorough investiga tion into the whole transactions of the company. As to the proposed agreement with the South Eastern Company, that would require full consideration be fore it was sanctioned. The committee were anxious to add to their number suitable members. He bad seen Mr. W. B. Horn; who had been proposed by the chairman, and he was informed that he was a very large shareholder, and from what he knew of him he hoped that Mr. Horne would not only join the committee in their investigations, but he trusted that he would eventually be elected a member of the board. He thought there Was no chance of the com mittee being able to report on the affairs of the c res7ol p u a t i i l o y p, o b n ut th t e he 3 y ot N h vou iri ld st.' g i a y s e mduenotinoonteid in notice to the resolution, but they would give du3 notice to the proprietors of therso fancyomrempoitrtteehad no d they had atoveisrssuc feeling issue. The members e C e v a er o t f o d a o n in y g o f n u e l , i j b us u t t ic A e Ve to re th s e ole p ly rop ac e t r u tyf at : dby the the company. a (Hear, hear.) Thel a HAIRMAN said they could not hold the V drnc sffes emweasetinagf formal ilnl one, o'clock. and bill they he thought that th had a to i n s a u n b c m i a l wha it retained in it would assist the company l e it c 1 in point of view. examined the clauses of S t hire C. in A i J ias C i t. JACKSON Onow said sto h o ehad _ . stood, and saw nothing objec tionable Some discussion having arisen with regard to extensions generally, Mr. LOPES hoped the proprietors would allow the committee to deal with all the questions, as they were fully aware of the views of the shareholders. He concluded by moving a vote of thanks to the chairman for the manner in which he had presided on that occasion, and it was carried unanimously. At one o'clock the adjourned IVharncliffe meet ing was held; Colonel Barttelot, M.P., in the chair. The notice of adjournment having been read, The CHAIRMAN proposed a bill to enable the Lon don, Brighton, and South Coast Railway to execute certain works, to purchase additional lands in the counties of Surrey, Sussex, and Kent ; sanctioning' agreements with the South-Eastern Railway Com pany, and for other purposes. He said the 'bill in its present form only enabled the company to make a few alterations and improvements in the works, one of those works being to build an arch under a road. The bill also authorised the purchasing of very small quantities of land at some of the prin cipal stations. it also contained clauses for enabling the company to raise capital already authorised with greater facility, and in a better way than they could now raise it. The bill had been carefully examined by Sir C. Jackson and Mr. Rose, the solicitors, and they had found no fault with it in its present form. Sir C. JACKSON seconded the motion approving the bill. He stated that the clauses respecting the Surrey and Sussex and the other two lines had been struck out of the bill. The chief object of it now was to enable the company to raise money at a higher rate than 4 per cent. on debenture stock, to which rate they were at present limited. The resolution approving the bill was then carried unanimously, and the proceedings terminated. tensions. He brought to their notice the great loss which extensions had inflicted ; some of them did not pay working expenses. The fact was that all the railway companies throughout the country wanted rest for some years to come. It would be foolish to say that there should be no more exten sions, but there was no question that railway pro perty would greatly benefit if extensions generally were abstained from as much as possible. A long and rather stormy debate arose as to how a permissive clause to grant a loan to the Waterloo and Whitehall Company came into the Bill, and Sergeant Gaselee having expressed himself as un aware of the clause being in the bill, be was re minded that his name was on the back of the bill, with the contents of which it appeared be was unac quainted. (Laughter.) The CHAIRMAN read a letter which the Board had sent to Mr. Garth, stating that the Board would submit the scheme to the proprietors, but from the strong feeling agaiust extensions it would not be surprising if they rejected the bill. They had, how ever, explained the matter to the meeting. Mr. E. WRIGHT moved that line No. 1 (the Wimbledon and Kingston) be not sanctioned. General JOHNSON seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. After further discussion, Mr. PADDON moved a resolution to the effect that the bill be approved, with the exception of railways No. 1 and 2, but authorising the company to carry out the line not made by the London, Chatham, and Dover Company to enable the South-Western to run into the Ludgate station. This motion was unanimously agreed to, as was also one approving the Elayling Bill, which gave the company running powers over the substituted line. A vote of thanks to the chairman and directors concluded the proceedings, during which strong op position was shown against all extensions. SOUTH-EASTERN. A special general meeting of this company was held yesterday at the London-bridge Terminus for authorising the directors to create and issue new :hares or stock and debenture-stock in lieu of de bentures, and borrowing on mortgage ; Mr. E. Watkin, M.P., in the chair. The CITAIRMAN said that when he was inducer] to take the chair he stated that his efforts would be directed, first of all to establish peace and union among themselves, and peace, if possible, with their neighbours. Then to close the capital account of the company and open for public traffic the whole of the railways in course of construction. The directors had received in favour of the course they were pur suing 1,723 proxies, representing £4,159,000 stock, and as to peace abroad they would have laid before them the heads of agreement which had been entered into with the Brighton Company. The amount re quired to complete the variousunfinished works was estimated at £98,000, and the remaining contingent outlay on branch lines was £782,500, but looking at the present financial state of the country he would advise going to Parliament next session for the abandonment of some of those works. The Hon. J. BYNG seconded resolutions for the creation and issue of new shares, and for the issue of debenture stock in lieu of debentures, which were carried unanimously. 111 r. EBORALL, the general manager, then read the heads of agreernentwith the Brighton Company, which were as follows :—" That there shall be a fusion and amalgamation of the two companies on the basis of their respective values in accordance with the North-Eastern principle, by agreement between the two companies, and in case of difference to be settled by arbitration. In addition to every other matter the value of thepresent metropolitanstations of the two companies, the present state of the per manent way and rolling stock, and the present state of repairs of all other stations, works, and buildings were to be considered; secondly, debts, engagements, and liabilities of each company was to be borne by the respective companies ; thirdly, that in case of difference the question of the respective values of the two companies were to be referred to Mr. T. E Harrison and Mr. J. H. Lloyd to settle on behalf of both companies ; fourthly, that the award of the referees should not be binding on either company until approved by a majority of proprietors of each company ; fifthly, that an application be made by both companies to Parliament in the present or succeeding session of Parliament to authorise the fusion and amalgamation of the two companies ; sixthly, that t t w ha h t ic i h n th t e he tw m o e c a o n mp time, and pending such be fusion, there should a division of traffic at all proportion as might b e agreeadn•jue;ocnombeptewteed in enth s e u m ch ; also that all avoidable capital outlay should be at once suspended, and power be sought to abandon all new lines and branches which could in good faith and with due regard to the public interest be abandoned ; also traffic arrangements with the view to the economical working of the two undertakings and affording every facility to the public by an interchange of traffic ; and, further, that the London and South-Western Railway Company be invited to unite with the two companies either on the basis above referred to, or in some other arrangement for effecting permanently cordial co operation for mutual benefit ; and when so united to consider how far they could aid in working and developing the traffic of the London, Chatham, and Dover Company with mutual advantage." The meeting was then formally adjourned for a month. LONDON AND NORT 11-WES rERN AND MIDLAND. A long correspondence between these companies has just been issued ; respecting an allegation that the Act for making the line from Settle to Carlisle was applied for by the Midland Company-in conse quence of the London and North-Western Com pany having refused to concede the necessary faci litiesen:hg for the use of their Lancaster and Carlisle line. This allegation is met by the Loudon and North- Western Company, who state that three alternate and Carlisle to Lancaster become p ro p os itions were made by them bwitohmte occupiers wo s f inducing Companyeoetiation went off sol e ly i n line;join consequence 1- b l y u with t h t i tte Midlandm o oa t them the thedland Company' s re f usa l t o submit to arbitration any difference that mightarise about rates to be charged upon competitive traffic to and from Carlisle. LONDON a soPegsaateneesryw ary a s pal generalOUT il meeting for the Consideration of the W m ES ee T t E in it g N' Y t of this held at the Waterloo S ta ti on, to con siderei‘noioam certain bills now before Parliam en t ; C apta i n A e lsi c i D S having read th e no ti ce convening the meeting, The CHAIRMAN said that a lth oug h this was Clark presidede, the. Mr.secretary, accounts, he thought the proprietors would : n o n o a t h debentures aan d balanceit: 17 like to hear the position of the company. The net revenue of the half-year had £95,440 ; the preference dividends amounted which a dividend of 4i per cent. to £90,810 ; been £379 £43 742 leaving of ,5 8, 30 0. ; :thoe inte p res ,or t ts to £ 1 74,762, leaving ibwrali7sd6g,e9, paid,rents,Bs oamountingu t of a balance of £2,223. Thus the shareholders would see that the dividend paid was honestly earned. With re spect to the company's bill , which he had to submit, it was for authorising the company to make new works, to make divers arrangements with other rail way companies, and for defining and regulating the capital and debt of the company, and of which the short title was " South Western Railway (General) Act, 1867." The bill proposed to enable the company to make extensions at Wimbledon and Merton, to divert a public road at Wimbledon, to alter the line and levels of part of the railway authorised by the ' company's act, 1865, to abandon the line authorised by the Kingston Further Extension Act, 1865, to enter into arrangements with other companies, to give this company the right to exercise the powers given to the London, Chatham, and Dover Com pany, to form a line No. 7, which the London, Chatham, and D over had not made, an d w hi c h ought to have been completed in 1866. The whole of the extension s authorised by the b i ll amoun t e d t o 37 miles of line and £8 . 00,000 of capital. lie was glad to say that th e Ilfracombe Railway, w hi c h was an extension of 13 miles, was not authorised. lie assured the proprietors that the directors were not in favour of extensions, but these extensions were forced upon the directors. Instead of blaming di rectors a greater amount of blame ought to be attached to the Parliamentary committees. People talked about the uncertainty of the law ; but the uncertainty of the law was a s nothing to the un certainty of the decisions of Parliamentary com mittees on railway bills. The directors got nothing from extensions save trou b le an d the displeasure of the proprietors. li e was glad t h a t the Devon and Somerset bill had b e e n w i th d rawn , and concluded by congrat u l at i ng the sharehol d ers upon the fact that the tr a ffi c d ur i ng the last t h ree weeks of fine weather Variousha q d I : e h s o: o r n n B an were increase asked, of the corresponding period of last year. and 500 a day over The CHAIRMAN explained that the first line which the bill was p roposed to aut h or ise was between Kingston and Wi m b ledon, an d was known as " Garth's lin e ," a l an d owner o f the district. The estimate was £50,000, but the bill proposed to give the directors power to raise £66,000 for the purposes of the line. A long discussion•ensued on several questions, in the course of which attacks were made upon exten sions generally. Mr. PADD ON , am id l ou d an d g eneral cheers, call ed upon the director t o a b an d on these proposed ex- THE ITALIAN RAILWAYS. The total recepts of the Italian railways in 1865 amounted to £60,814,826f., and in 1866 to 70,313,873 f., or an increase during the year of 9,531,017 f. BRITON FERRY DOCK. The shareholders in this dock have received their usual dividend warrants from the Great Western Company, and the same are to be paid in cash. The proprietors have secured the advantage of a cash dividend owing to its having been provided in the terms of amalgamation that they should have a first charge on the undertaking. RAILWAY BILLS. Yesterday in Lord Redesda.le's Committee the Waterloo and 'Whitehall (extension of time, &c.) Bill passed, with amendments ; the Waterloo and Whitehall (abandonment, &c.) Bill was withdrawn ; and the North London was adjourned until to day. Before Lord Lifford, in Room C, the Metro politan and North Metropolitan Bills were ad journed. Before the House of Lords' examiner the Surrey and Suseex Junction was postponed. In the Committee of the House of Commons, presided over by the Chairman of Ways and Means, the Carnarvonshire and Nantlle Bills was passed ; the Carnarvonshire was adjonrned ; the Bristol and Exeter (further powers) was passed ; the Carnarvon and Llanberis was passed ; the Ryde Pier and Ryde Station Bill was passed ; the Great North of Scotland Bill was adjourned; and the Devon and Somerset (extension) Bill was passed. In group 7 the Midland and Glasgow and South- Western Bill was again proceeded with and ad journed ; the Midland, the Tewkesbury and Mal vern, and the Wolverhampton and Walsall Bills were adjourned. Before the House of Commons' examiner the It : de Station (deviation) Bill was passed. Naval and Military Intelligence. The First Lord of the Admiralty held a levee yesterday afternoon at the Admiralty, Whitehall. Tha-sailing Indianian Essex, Capt. John Lash, belonging to Mr. George Marshall, of 18, Philpot lane, City, arrived at Spithead yesterday, from Bombay, with officers, men, women, and children on board, from various regiments serving in India, in the following strength :—Capt. Tennant, 45th Regiment, in command ; Lieut. .Hook, 45th Regi- • ment ; Limit. Mackay, Otjth Regiment ; Lieut. Richards, 103 d Regiment ; Staff-Assist.-Surgeon Bourke, in medical charge of the troops ; Miss A. Hough, private passenger ; 178 invalided non commissioned officers and soldiers, 11 women, and 17 children. The Essex will discharge the troops this morning at Spithead into a Government steamer for transfer to the Royal Victoria Military Hospital at Netley, and afterwards proceed to Lon don to deliver her Indian cargo. The ship left Bombay on the Bth of February, and passed St. Helena on the 2d of April. On Wednesday night Mr. W. 11. Bayley, coroner for Aldershott, held an inquiry at the K canteen, North Camp, touching the death of Thomas Lilley, aged 31, late Sergeant Instructor of Musketry of the 70th Regiment, who was killed at the rifle butts at Ash-common, as detailed in The Sun on Tuesday. The first witness called was Corporal Patrick Gil lespie, who deposed—A little before 12 o'clock on Monday I was at ball practice, volley firing with the deceased Serg. Lilley. We had fired 10 rounds when the order was given to throw away empty cases and close the breech until the order was given to reload. The deceased told us lie would explain how to use tha rifle without raising the back sight. He then marched us down to the 300 yards' range. He then told us to take aim at his eye. He commenced with the right-hand man (Serg. Pear son) and went down to the left. I was on the right of Private Warburton when I heard the shot, and saw the deceased fall. I afterwards acted as corporal of the escort in conducting Warburton to the guard room. I did not hear him say anything. He has lived in the same hut with me since the arrival of the regiment at this station. He has always been a very steady man, but he was very awkward at drill. The proper way of ascertaining if the rifles are un loaded is for the rear rank of the party to take " open order," each man then opens the breach of his rifle and the officer examines it. This course was riot pursued on the occasion of the accident. Serg. Henry Page Pearson said—l am a sergeant of the 70th Regiment stationed on the North Camp. I was acting as sergeant of the section which was volley firing on the morning of the 13th. After 10 rounds had been fired at the 400 yards' range the deceased gave the order to " throw empty cases." We then advanced to the 300 yards' range to commence independent practice. While the markers were checking the targets deceased told us to take aim without using the back, sight, but that no man was to load until he was ordered. I was righthand man of the squad. I snapped my rifle, and deceased then passed down the line, and when he had got to the end I heard the report of a rifle. I leant forward and saw deceased falling. I ran up to him and knelt down beside him. There was a wound in the right cheek from which the blood was issuing. He was quite dead. I have known War burton as a steady man, but he had the character in the regiment of being an awkward one. I examined his cartridge pouch after he was taken into custody, and found only nine rounds. I asked him where the tenth was, and he gave me to understand that it must have been the one that had killed the deceased. The section had never used the Snider rifle before this course of ball practice. Colour-Sergeant John 'Hasler corroborated the previous witness's evidence, adding that Warburton had a good character, but was stupid. Capt. Wright, the officer in charge of the squad, was also examined, and said the company was efficient in the use of the Snider-Enfield rifle, but he considered Warburton very clumsy, and not intelligent. Surgeon T. o. Hession described the nature of the wound, which was sufficient to cause instant death, and the Coroner having summed up, the jury, without hesitation, returned a verdict of " Accidental death." 'Yesterday the infantry, including the five regi ments of Militia in camp at Aldershot, had a field day on the Queen's Parade, North Camp. This was the first occasion during the training of the Militia of their taking part in any manoeuvres with the regular troops of the line. The regiments hay ing formed mass of contiguous column, awaited the arrival of General Scarlett, who at 11 o'clock rode on to the ground, attended by the entire staff of the division. After a most minute and searching in spection, the 11 regiments marched past the salut ing point in open column of grand divisions in quick time in the following order : —Pioneers, bands, and drums of the Ist Infantry Brigade ; Major-Gen. Really, and staff of brigade; 56th (West Essex) Regiment, Ist Royal Surrey, Hampshire Infantry Militia, 2d Royal Surrey ; pioneers, bands, and drums of the 3d Infantry Brigade ; Brigadier-Gen. Sir Alfred Horsford, K.C.8., and staff of brigade; 70th (the Surrey) Regiment, Royal Berks Militia, Oxford Militia, and 72d (the Duke of Albany's Own) Highlanders ; pioneers, bands, and drums of 21 Infantry Brigade; Major-Gen. Campbell, C. 8., and staff of brigade ; Ist battalion 18th (Royal Irish) Regiment, 65th (2d North Riding) Regiment, and the -14th (East Essex) Regiment. The regi ments next marched past from the reverse flank by brigades at quarter-distance column, and again by brigades in contiguous column also at quarter dis tance. The troops were then put through a number of field movements, embracing the following : Forming line, advancing, retiring by fours, chang ing front to the right and left, marching in echellou by regiments and brigades, and finally forming square and resisting cavalry. The movements were skilfully executed, and the marching of some of the Militia regiments would do no discredit to those of the line. It was understood that yesterday's ma nceuvres were in anticipation of a Royal review to be held next Tuesday. Some interesting experiments were carried out at Shoeburyness on Tuesday for the purpose of ascer taining whether it was possible to manufacture armour-plates capable of resisting Palliser's shot, For this purpose eight plates were manufactured by Messrs. Brown and Co. and Messrs. Cammell and Co., of Sheffield. Some of these plates were made of wrought-iron faced with steel, others with alter nate layers of steel and iron, and a few with steel in the form of a sandwich between the iron plates. The exact thickness of each plate was seven inches, and the gun from which the shot were fired was also seven inches in bore. The results may be summed up by saying that the shot ob tained a complete victory ; with reduced charges of 201 b. and 181 b. of powder the massive plates were shot through and through, masses of iron and shat tered beams being hurled about in all directions. With the small charge of even 151 b. of powder, all the plates, excepting two, were completely pene trated. The best plate appeared to be one of Messrs. Cam:nell's, which had upon it a hard face of steel. A number of distinguished visitors witnessed the experiments, including Admiral Tegethoff, who commanded the Austrian fleet at the battle of Lissa. The following appointments were made yester day at the Admiralty :—Dover Farrant, master, to the Asia, additional, for service in the Ariadne ; and W. Johnson, paymaster, to the Dauntless. THE UNIVE 3,SITY OF LONDON. A meeting was held on Wednesday for admission to degrees of the London University. Earl Gran ville, Chancellor of the University, presided, and he was supported by Lord Belper, the Right Hon. W. Cogan, M.P., S. Gurney, M.P., A. C. Sherriff, ALP., Professors Taylor and Martineau, and the following members of the Senate :—The Vice-Chan cellor, Mr. G. Grote, LL.D., Earl of Kimberley, Dr. Billing, Right Hon. E. Cardwell, M.P., Sir J. Lubbock, Sir G. Shaw Lefevre, Sir E. Ryan, Right Hon. R. L owe , M . P ., D r. W . W . G u ll , M essrs. heywood, Hutton, Jessell, Miller, Oslar, Quain, Sharpey, Sibson, Wood, and Dr. Storrar. Earl GRANVILLE, addressing the assembly, said, in reference to the difficulty of dealing with a sub ject like education, there was a remarkable address by Mr. Mill, and in so far as the course of education advocated by Mr. Mill was concerned it corresponded exactly with the curriculum (now, however, greatly improved) which had been adopted by the London University from the beginning. One important feature in the address was the advocacy of the in troduction of scientific instruction, together with classical instruction. This was the old battle. The fault at first was--that while those who were the a lvocates of classical teaching looked upon scientific instruction as damaging to their object, those who went for science were apt to run down unduly clas sical education as practically useless. Mr. Mill, however, put in clear words what he wculd recom- • mend, and what was, in fact, the course pursued in that university—viz., to combine the two in fair proportions, and the result was, as in all institu tions where the same course was adopted, to assist those who devoted themselves principally to classics in the attainment of honours, and to aid in the same way those clevotingthemselves more to scientific studies in carrying out their object and gaining dis tinction. The importance of this subject was becom ing greater every day. T wo events h ad happened rec ently IN inch brought that importance prominently to our minds. There was the war in Germany. The other event was of a peaceful character, but was by no means flattering to us, the Paris Exhibi tion. He believed that in the application of science as applied to art we had made nothing like the progress of outer nations of late years. Competition and comparison, however, he trusted, would remedy this. At all events, the London University was not obnoxious to any rep roac h on this subject. They had always insisted upon science as an essential point in all examinations for degrees and matricu lation, and recently they had established a distinct branch for science. Some, he was aware, contended that the science branch had failed, but the most competent to judge were astonished at its success: But what he anticipated was that it would acquire force by moving on, and it was necessary to teach candidates that they must not rely upon books to enable them to obtain a degree, but upon them selves in the results of a systematic course of prac tical teaching. In some of the views of Mr. Mill he did not altogether agree, but he agreed with him when, in pointing out that the present mode of teaching Latin and Greek was defective, he sug gested that talking Latin as well as writing and reading it should be taught. With regard to mo dern languages he thought conversation was even more important. His view was that reading, writ ing, and talking should go together in teaching foreign languages, and the late Lord Palmerston, Mr. Gladstone, and many other eminent linguists, agreed in the opinion that examination in speaking a language as well as in reading and writing it should form part of every examination. Another point put by Mr. Mill was that an University should be an institution to give general not special know ledge. This theory he did not adopt, nor was it adopted by the London University, which, how ever, if it had departed from it, had done so with the greatest advantage to those who were instructed therein, and to the University at large. Fears had been expressed that in regard to medicine the exa mination did not insure that amount 'of scientific attainment which was necessary. Then it was said, on the other hand, that they gave their medical stu dents so much theoretical instruction that it de stroyed their practical usefulness in after life. The answer to that was the high position held by the former medical students of the university in Lon don, or wherever they established themselves. It would be out of place in him to embark in any discussion on that now all-engrossing topic, the reform of the House of Commons ; but as, when any question of reforming an institution was enter tained, it was always better to look into it, he would offer a few words upon Reform, as it affected them selves. This University of all institutions was the least open to the accusation of being unwilling to reform itself, and one of the many charges brought against them was that they had so many charters, and were so constantly changing their by-laws, that there seemed to be a race running between the Senate and the Convocation to find out little de fects in order to introduce changes and new reforms in their system. Be that as it might, no one pre sent could say that the success of the University had not been great and undeniable. Outside their walls, however, there were reformers of a different opinion. A gentleman of great ability, and who was a high authority in reference to Irish univer sities, but whose arguments, nevertheless, he could not regard as conclusive, had stated that the Lou- don University neither deserved nor had obtained success, but that it was a failure. The objection brought forwar I by this gentleman was to that par ticular point which was mooted nine years ago, viz., throwing the university open to others than those who were educated in the affiliated colleges. The majority of the Senate thought there were good reasons for throwing open the doors of the univer sity wider, and that it was hard and cruel to close them against those who, perhaps, had not the means of entering the affiliated colleges, and who might therefore have received their instruction at some other educational institution, at a private school or at home. But what had been the result of the change ? Ile believed, like that of many other mea sures of free trade, it had been eminently success ful. Then it was said they had a large number of students who passed the matriculation examination but were not able to pass for high honours. Ile believed that if the very strict examination they required for the matriculation examination were exacted in all similar institutions very great benefit would follow, and he was quite certa in that the course they adopted had operated as a n enormous stimulus to the schools which prin cipally supplied the candidates who come up to the examinations. The number of candidates ba d steadily increased ever since the University w as established, and had risen from 22 in the first year to 1,250 in the last. Again, it was a mistake to suppose that those who came up and failed were in jured by the examination. According to the plan of reform advocated by the gentleman be had re ferred to, they would have not only again to shut their doors against all who were not admitted un der the old charter, but they would have to exclude all the affiliated colleges except King's College and University College, which two colleges would then constitute the London University ; such a proposal, he was confident, was not likely to meet with the approval of those he was addressing. Before con cluding he wished to express the gratitude of the university to the present Government on two points. The first was as to the new building. That was, he hoped, the last time they would meet in that room ; for whatever might become of the lodger franchise of the Reform Bill, it was not, he thought, becom ing that the London University should be merely in the position of claiming only that peculiar fran chise. (Laughter.) It was due to Lord John Man ners to say that he was the first who, some years ago, brought forward the proposition to give th e University of London a house, and the first thing he (Earl Granville) did after the change of Govern ment last July was to write to him calling bis at tention to the scheme for giving them proper accom modation, and exhorting him not to neglect the subject. his lordship, in reply, promised to do all in his power to expedite the object, and he carried out that promise in everything, and as to the inter nal arrangements and accommodation of the ne vi , building had paid every attention to the wishes of the university. With regard to the other poin t ' whatever faults may be found with the Government scheme of Parliamentary Reform in other respects , he doubted whether any objection would be offered to the clause which proposed to give representatio n to the London University, unless it were an ob jection emanating from a wish to advance their claim from one member to two. But, whether one or two, he was justified, he knew, in saying tha t the representatives elected would be such as would do honour to the choice of those by whom they wer e elected. (Cheers.) COITNTRY MARKETS. BIRMINGHAM—ThuitsDAY. At to-day's market there was again a short supply of English wheat, and the trade was rather slow ; to effe ct sales is per qr less had to be taken. Barley sold at fully' late prices. Oats realized quite as much money as last week, but only taken in retail. Beans and peas firm, and quite as dear. MANCHESTER—THURSDAY. At our market this morning there was a good attend" ance, and w heat met a fair inquiry, but prices must be quoted at 2d per ceutal decline upon the currency o f this day se'unight on foreign and is per qr on English. Flour in limited demand, and Gd to is per sack lower. Oats and oatmeal as of late. Beans Gd and Indian corn fully is pe t qr higher. BURY ST. EDMUNDS —WEnxEsDAY. There was a fair show of wheat at this market to. del, and the trade was firm at about previous rates. Grinding barley was in fair request. O a ts, b eans, an d a middling sale. Average prices : Wheat, G3s 5d ; barl e y, 38s 8d; 05t.5 ' 22s Od. peas met vilt BRIS TOL—TiIuRsDAY. There has been a total change in the weather since last week, from great heat to extreme cold. This morning there was only a small show of wheat, and little business doing, at last week's prices. Other kinds of grain witho ut alteration. EDINBURGH—WEDNESDAY. Wheat on the top, is 6d up average, is Od d°° l:l ' Barley on the top, Os 6d down average, 2s 8d down' Oats on the top, is Od down... werage, Os 5d down• Beaus on the top, is Od up average, is 5d up- Total supply and sales. Wheat 1198 qrs sold 89 1 Barley 1673 qrs sold 496 Oats 1229 qrs sold 700 Beans lB5 qrs sold 93 Average prices. Wheat, 61s Od 1 Oats, 31s 3d Barley, 42s 6d 1 Beans 50s Od Town-made flour sells as follows :—White, 55s Od; ex" superfine, 53s Od ; superfine, 51s Od ; fine, 49s Od. GLASGOW—WEDNESDAY. To-day's market was well attended. Wheat and flour sold at last week's extreme rates, but business was dulJ Barley, beans, and peas were also at last week's p rice°. Oats and oatmeal in fair retail demand and quotations un altered. Indian corn 6d to 9d lower. Foreign Mail Packet List. MAILS DUE. Australia and New Zealand, via Southamptol ,MaY 20 ' Ditto, via Marseilles June 13. Ditto, via Panama Brazil, Buenos Ayres, and Monte Video • June 4. Ditto, by French packet may 21 " Cape Verde, by Brazil packet June 4; Cape of Good Hope. Ascension, and St. Helena May China, Penang, and Singapore, via Southampton_ MaY 20 ' Ditto, via Marseilles . MaY 28 ' iraikland Islands Gibraltar, via Southampton MaY India, via Southampton may 20. Ditto, via Marseil es May 23 ' Malta, Egypt, &c. MaY Ditto, Marseilles • May 23 Mauritius, Cape of Good Hope, and Natal, via Southampton May 20. Ditto, via Mareei les May 20 ' Newfoundland M a y 22. Portugal June 4. Ditto, by private ship to Oporto Ditto ditto to Lisbon United States, Canada, California, dtc., by British packet Ditto, by United States packet Ditto ditto (New York) Ditto ditto (New York) Ditto ditto (Baltimore) Ditto, by Canadian packet May 17' West Coast of Africa, Madeira, and Tenerin Juae o• West lacks and Pacific ,except Mexico and Baha mas) Cuba and Mexico May l 29 " 31). Bahamas, via New York e "' Bermuda, via Halifax Births. LATHAM—On the 15th inst., at 69, Lansdowne-road , It fr - ting-hill, the wife of Francis Law Latham, Esq., b arn - ter-at-law, of a daughter. MACNAGIITEN-0 LI the 16th inst., at 100, Eaton-place, the wife of Edward Macnaghten, Esq., of a son. POWER - On the 15th inst., at 42, Cleveland-square, Le'4l Power, of a daughter. Marriages. KOHLRECK —GRAVES—On the 15th inst at St. 3ve°' Hart-street, John C. F. Kohlbeck, Esq . " o f Lime-s ti ls, London, to Jessy, younger daughter of W. C. Gr 4" le Esq., of St. Katherine Dock House. •clt, STERRY —Foun—Ou the 15th inst., at the parish avata. Beddington, Surrey, Arthur C. Sterry, Esq., of Peckirwr. rye-common, to Eleanor 13rogden, eldest daughter 0, B. Ford, Esq., of Croydon. Deaths. BRABANT —On the 15th inst., at Sloperton Cottage , L la ham, Wilts, William 11. Brabant, Esq.; of Saville. ' London, aged 59. v i n o.• BROWN— S udden Iy, Samuel J. Brown, Esq., o f 10, ',ire, bury-circus, London, and Merriott, So uiersets' aged 42. Jen kja LEWELYN —On the 15th inst., at Tunbridw H. Leelyn, Esq., surgeon, Bth Hussars, ag ed 44. a fsti M'CONNELL On the 14th inst., William 31.‘Connell, 11' of 17, Tavistock-street, Bedford-square. WATKINS - On the 14th inst., at Newport, Monraout Mr. Thomas Watkins, of Elmstiold, Cardiff. wS London: Printed and Published by WILLIAM .A.ND of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at TH E SON Office, 0 i Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, irt tho CouritY Isliddlesox.—Friday, May 17,1667.