The Sun. — London, England, 1870-06-21 00:00:00

THIS EVENING'S NEWS. (CIWTEZAL PRESS TELEGRAMS.) FRIGHTFUL RAILWAY ACCIDENT. FOURTEEN PERSONS KILLED. Last night, at nine o'clock, an excursion train left King's Cross with passengers returning to Yorkshire. At one o'clock this morning, as it was approaching Newark, a goods train coming in the opposite direc tion ran off the rails, and crossed over to the down line, where it met the passenger train. A fearful collision ensued. Fourteen passengers are killed ; the number of the injured is not yet known. Both lines of rails are blocked up ; but the Great Northern traffic is continued by means of the loop line. A milkman named Thomas Reeves, of Heworth, near York, is said to be seriously injured, and is expected by now to be dead. The majority of the persons injured belong to Leeds. The guard of the goods train narrowly escaped by jumping from his van on to the embankment. The cause of the goods train running off the line and on to the next was the breaking of an axle of one waggon. The following official notification has been forwarded to us from the Secretary of the Great Northern Railway Company : " Sir,—lt is with the deepest regret that I have to inform You of a very serious accident, which happened on the Great Northern Railway, near Newark, early this morning. The brief particulars furnished by telegraph are as follows. A Manchester goods train left Retford station for London at about one o'clock this morning, and when passing about a mile south of Newark one of the axles of a wagon belonging to another cempany broke close to the wheel, that waggon and others were thrown off the up line on to the down line which was completely blocked. At this moment a return excursion train from London to Yorkshire was passing the spot and ran into the Waggons which were thrown on to the down line. A disastrous collision thus occurred, in which, I grieve to Bay, thirteen passengers and the driver are reported as having been killed, or so seriously injured that they died shortly afterwards, and several others are reported as Much hurt. lam instructed by my directors to send this to you at once, and to furnish detailed particulars so soon as they can be obtained from the spot.—l am, Sir, Your obedient servant, " HENRY OAKLEY, Secretary., ARRIVAL OF THE DACIA. (By Atlantic Cable.) NEW YORK, June 21 The Dada, the vessel whose loss was recently reported in London, has arrived at Puerto Rico. She had a plea sant passage in laying the cable from St. Thomas. She begins immediately to lay the line from Puerto Rico to Jamaica. FIRE NEAR BOLTON. A great fire occurred this morning, at a cotton mill belonging to Messrs. Joseph Whittam and Sons, situated of New Bury, near Bolton. The mill contained 28,000 spindles, giving employment to 130 pairs of hands. The damage, which is estimated at £25,000, is nearly all covered by insurance in six offices. THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON FIRE. This (Tuesday) morning, about 2 o'clock, a fire that at one time threatened to be attended with the most serious Consequences happened in that part of the House of Commons facing New Palace Yard, Parliament-street, and under the great clock tower. The discovery was made by one of the firemen employed on the establishment on going his rounds, by smelling fire very strongly. After Making a diligent search be found that no less than four tons weight of cocoanut fibre was in a regular blaze. The alarm was promptly despatched to the Metropolitan Brigade stations, while the firemen employed in the House did all that was possible to keep the fire from rushing up the clock tower. This was a Work of no little difficulty, for the flames had already broken through the doors and windows of the basement- Beck's and Co's. patent hydrants erected in the build ing were called into requisition, and with the assistance of the brigade the flames were eventually extinguished. The damage done is thus officially returned to the Board of Works by Captain Shaw :—"New Palace-yard,- Parliament-street, Westminster. The House of Commons. Cause of fire, heat from furnace in basement. About four tons of cocoa nut fibre. Doors, and windows, and basement of clock tower severely damaged by fire and heat." Owing to the lateness of the hour very few per- Suns, except the firemen and police, were aware of the occurrence. A MILITARY LIBEL SUIT. The Lord Chief Justice and a special jury, in the Court of Queen's Bench, have heard an action for libel arising out of certain reports made by Lord Rokeby to the Com mander-in-Chief, reflecting as Colonel Dawkins alleged, on his conduct. The facts of the case have been repeatedly before the public from the discussions that have taken Place in Parliament and the proceedings in West minster Hall. A similar action was brought against Lord Paulett, and both noble lords pleaded that their reports were privileged communications. The plaintiff de murred to Lord Paulett's pleas, and after the point had been fully argued the court took time to consider its judgment. The majority of the judges were of opinion that the reports were privileged communications, and that the action would not lie, but the Lord Chief Justice dissented, being of opinion that if the plaiViff could prove Malice, the privilege would not protect the noble defendants. The action in that case was withdrawn, but that against Lord Rokeby was continued, and great interest was felt on the point in military circles. The case stoodsecond on yesterday's list, but the special jury, who were in attendance, were informed that they were discharged, the record having been withdrawn. POLICE INTELLIGENCE—Tau DAY. Timothy Lynch, an Irish labourer, was charged at the Thames Police-court with feloniously cutting and wound ng William Macarthy. Ann Cowan stated that she was is Cable-street near her own home, and saw the prisoner with two girls. Macarthy was going along by himself, offering no provocation or offence to anybody, when the Prisoner came up without saying a word and stabbed him In the thigh with a knife, and then ran away. Macarthy walked a short distance, and then fell down and called Police. The injured man being unable to attend the Prisoner was remanded. A. SYSTEMATIC WIFE BEATER.—Thomas D. O'Grady, a rough-looking fellow, living in Princes-court, Newport Market, was brought before Mr. Tyrwhitt, at the Marl borough Police-court, on a warrant, charged with assault ing his wife, Mary Elizabeth. The complainant, who had her right arm in a sling, said that while in Porter street, Newport Market, on the 7th inst., the pri soner, her husband, used a bad expression towards her and then knocked her down, and on her getting struck her again, and her right arm was so badly hurt 1 11 falling that she had not been able to use it since. She had to support herself and four children by working as a laundress, but could not work now through the injury to her arm. The prisoner, who was a systematic wife-beater, was Sent to prison for two months. THE HURSTBOURNE PARK YEARLINGS. Lord Portsmouth's yearlings have been sold at Albert-gate, by Mr. Edward Tattersall. The highest Price was 1,550 gs., which was given for a magnificent colt b y Trumpeter—The Chase (Robin Hood's d am ) , b y Mr. ,s Jefferson. The entire sale realised 2,980 gs, averaging 373 Appended is the list of prices, with th e names of Te purchasers :—B f by Sydmonton — B erette (Mr. „, Brown), 80 guineas ; ch f by Trumpetek— i3iddY O'Rourke (Mr. Graham), 280 guineas ; cby Cramond—Housemaid (Prince Soltykoff) 80 gs ; c by Cramond—Teneriffe (Prince Soitykoff) 50 gs ; . 13 C by Trumpeter—The Chase (Mi- T. Jefferson) 1,550 gs ; c by Fitz-Roland—Typhoon (Captain Machell) 90 gs ; c by Fitz-Roland—Cachuca (Mr. Padwick) 350 gs ; Ivi edec by Sydmonton—Mazella (Mr. T. Brown) 500 gs ; total, 2,980 gs. CHARLES DICKENS' HOUSE AT GADSHILL.—A pro- Posal has been started at Rochester, having for its object the Purchase and preservation of Charles Dickens' favou- Site abod e as a na ti ona l memen t o o f the great author. Dickens passed the morning and afternoon of his last day on earth in the chalet (presented to him by ' l. • Pechter two years since), which is erected in the shrubbery opposite his residence, and approached by a tunnel underneath the turnpike road. This chalet, em bosomed in the foliage of some very fine trees, stands 11 1 )0 u an eminence commanding a magnificent view of the irlth of the Thames, and the opposite coast of Essex. was a favourite retreat of Dickens. THE St N, LONDON, TUESDAY EVESING, JUNE 21, 187 u. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS.-MONDAY. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at five o'clock. PROTECTION OF THE COLONIES. Earl RUSSELL rose to move that an address be pre sented to her Majesty stating that the House had seen with great satisfaction the spontaneous evpressions of loyalty which have lately emanated from many of the colonies, and the House prayed her Majesty to, appoint a commission to inquire into the means best fitted to guarantee the security of her dominions. The noble lord based his motion on two grounds, the great change which had been made since 1853 in the mode of carrying on war ; and, secondly, the great disturbance which had recently taken place in the public mind with respect to the colonial policy of the Government. The noble earl expressed his satisfaction at the granting of a loan to New Zealand, but he expressed his regret that it was the intention to give up the garrison of Quebec, and observed he could not but look upon such a proceeding as a very unsafe one. It might be urged that the British troops could be sent there in the event of war breaking out, but if the calamity should take place in the winter time, great difficulty might be experienced in getting up the St. Lawrence. He did not in the slightest degree wish to underrate the gallantry and bravery of the Canada militia, but he thought the British garrison at Quebec ought to be maintained. He had brought the subject under the consideration of the House in order that the Government might indicate their policy, in order that they might declare that in any case where it was necessary they would protect the colonists, and to af ford them an opportunity of saying what those means of protection were. Lord NOTRHBROOK said the Government were fully alive to the importance of strongly maintaining the bonds by which the colonies were bound to Great Britain. The principle of colonial military defence originally laid down was that we were bound to defend our possessions in ret urn for a monopoly of their commerce ; but of late it had been admitted that as circumstances had undergone a change it was now the duty of the colonists to provide for themselves. They had introduced re sponsible government, and it would be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to maintain troops in time of peace. It was almost generally admitted that although it was the duty of the Government of Great Britain to defend the colonies in time of war, still in a time of peace she was not called upon to provide an armed force for their protecton. As far as regarded Canada, since the confederation of the North American provinces, there was every reason that the dominion would eventually become a powerful nation, and that it would be quite able to pro vide for its own defence. The British Government had, however, granted her a loan for a railroad, which was nearly completed, they had nearly completed the works for the defence of Quebec, and had further undertaken the erection of the fortifications as recommended by Colonel Jarvis. The military force at present in Canada was five battalions of infantry and five batteries of artillery, and it was intended to reduce that force in the course of the financial year, and to withdraw so much of it as to leave only one battalion of infantry and one battery of artillery. In the future reliance would have to be placed upon the militia, 40,000 of whom were re quired to be always maintained in a state of efficiency, and upon the naval supremacy of the seas. The troops would be kept concentrated at home to meet any emer gency that might arise, and that, in hishumble judgment, was the wisest course to pursue. With respect to the motion of the noblt. earl, he hoped it would not be pressed, be cause if granted its operation would be too gigantic to lead to any good result. It appeared to him it would also trench on the responsibility of the Government, which he thought highly objectionable, and upon these grounds he hoped the noble earl would withdraw his motion. Earl GREY said it was most desirable that a close con nection between the colonies and the mother country should be maintained. He condemned the policy pur sued as regarded the Cape, and said if it was persevered in it would lead to another Kaffir war. He thought it would be highly desirable to maintain a garrison at the Cape, as it would be the means of giving great security, and could be done at very little cost. He hoped the Government would carefully consider the present position of the colonies generally, and also that the noble earl would not press his motion. Earl GRANVILLE, in defending the policy of the Govern ment, expressed his admiration at the gallant manner in which the Fenians—a contemptible body of filibusters — were routed by the Conadian militia. He thought that the great source of confidence of the colonists was the per fect state of defence of the mother country and the efficiency of the navy. Such a source of reliance he felt would give a greater feeling of security than having small bodies of troops dotted all over the world. He might observe that if our colonial possessions were attacked, it would be our duty to defend them. He hoped the noble lord would notipress his motion. The motion was, after a few. words from Earl Russell, withdrawn. The Union of Benefices Bill was read a third time, and passed. Their lordships adjourned at eight o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMON S.—MONDAY. The Speaker took the chair at five minutes to four o'clock. ROYAL COMMISSION. The Royal assent was given by commission to the following bills :—County Courts Buildings, War Office, Poor Relief (Metropolis), Railway Powers and Construc tion, Inverness County, &c., Boundary, and Oyster and Mussel Fisheries (Supplemental, No. 2), and also to fifty four private bills. TELEGRAPH COMMUNICATION WITH IRELAND. Mr. Pim gave notice that on going into committee of supply he should call attention to the unsatisfactory state of telegraphic communication between England and Ire land, more especially between London and Dublin. PARTY PROCESSIONS (IRELAND) BILL. Mr. W. JOHNSTON gave notice that on the motion for the second reading of this bill he should propose that it be read a second time that day six months. LOCAL TAXATION. Sir MASSEY LOPES asked the First Lord of the Treasury, when he proposed to introduce the general and comprehensive measure dealing with the whole subject of local taxation, which be promised the early part of last session. Mr. GOSCHEN said in the absence of the Frst Lord of the Treasury he would state that he did not think a posi tive promise had been given to introduce such a bill. A committee was sitting on the subject, and as the report had not yet been presented, he did not think it would be pos sible to bring in a bill during the present session. THE KENSINGTON ROAD. Sir HENRY HOARE asked the First Commissioner of Works, whether it was true that plans showing the devia tion of the Kensington Road into Hyde Park were issued from the Office of Works to a limited number of persons not being Members of this House, five or six weeks since ; and, if so, whether, when copies of plans were promised the House, it would not have been practicable within two days from the promise to serve printed copies of those plans upon every member ; and whether any agree ments existed between the owners of property adjacent to the Albert Hall of Arts and the Exhibition and Ken sington roads on the one side, and the committee of the Albert Hall or the commissioners of the Exhibition of 1851 on the other side, on the subject of the land proposed to be given them by the Kensington Road Improvement Bill. Mr. AYRTON entered into a somewhat lengthy explana tion on the subject, but said it was not intended to pro ceed with the bill that evening. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION WITH IRELAND. Mr. STACPOOLE asked the Postmaster General what steps he proposed to take towards securing for the people of Ireland a " cheaper, more widely extended, and more expeditious system of telegraphy." The Marquis of HARTINGTON said it could hardly be said steps had not been taken to cheapen rates between this country and Ireland, as the shilling rate was now in force, the result ofwhich had beento multiply the business no less than four times. If delay some times arose it must be attributed to the excessive number of messages, and the difficulties occasioned by the breaking of the Wexford and the Haverfordwest cable. Steps were being taken to remedy existing defects and the circumstances connected with the laying of an additional cable were also being carefully considered. FOREIGN POSTAGE. Mr. MONTAGUE GUEST asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention had been called to the fact that a certain coal company, carrying on their business in Eng land, posted their trade circulars from Belgium, to save cost in postage ; and also, whether, in his judgment, her Majesty's Government could introduce some measure to prevent the recurrence of the practice. The Marquis of HAETINGTON said his attention had been called to the subject, but he did not think it would be necessary to introduce. any measure on the subject, as the Government proposed to reduce the inland postage of circulars to one halfpenny, and he thought that would meet the case. FOREIGN NEWS. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) 'HIE ST. GOTHAM) QUESTION Yesterday, in Paris, it was stated that the Duke de Grammont would declare that France would not interfere in the St. Gothard Railway, as they had received proofs of the neutrality of Switzerland. THE MONEY MARKET ANI) COMM ERCIAL I NTELLIOENCE. CITY, Two o'CLocx. Consols have been quiet, but unaltered as regards railways. Metropolitan have been firm at 721, and other stocks have been steady. The tendency, so far as Foreign Bonds are concerned, has been favourable. Consols are now 92a to 921 ; ditto Account, ,21 to 921; New 3 per per Cent. Reduced, 921 to 921; Bank Stock, 234 to 236 ; Exchequer Bills, par to 5 prem.. India Five per Cents., 110 i to 1111; ditto Four per Cents., 102 to 1021 ; and India Bonds, 20s. to 255. prem. In the Foreign Market Italian 1861 are 5.91 to 691; Spanish 1867 Loan, 311 to 31s ; do. 1869, 311 to 311 ; Peruvian, 911 to 911; Portuguese, 331 to 34 ; Brazilian, 911 to 921; Egyptian, 1868, 821 to 82; New Peruvian, 1 to fi prem. ; Quicksilver, 2 to 21 prem. ; . Turkish, 1869, 631 to 631. _ In the Railway Market Caledonians are 77+ to 781; Great Eastern, 401 to 401 ; Great Northern, 1231 to 1241 ; Great Western, 72/ to 73 ; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 133+ to 1341 ; Brighton, 431 to 44 ; London, Chatham, and Wover,. nil to 16 ; London and North Western, 1291 to 130 ; London and South Western, 91 to 92 ; Metropolitan, 71 to 71+ ;. Midland, 1301 to 131. . American Five-Twenty Bonds are 90+ to 90+ ; Ten- Forty Bonds, 871 to 88 ; Erie shares, 191 to 19i ; Illinois, 113 to 114 ; and Atlantic and Great Western Bonds, 28 to 29. Anglo-American Telegraph Shares are 81k; British India, 81 to 81; China, 21 to 21 dis. ; Falmouth, 9i to - - In Bank Shares Affiance are quoted 14} to 15f ; Anglo- Austrian, 15 to 17 prem. ; Chartered Mercantile, 30 to 31 ; Consolidated, 41" to 5 ; Imperial Ottoman, 41 to ; London and County, boi to 511 ; London and Westmin ster, 63 to 64; London Joint Stock, 341 to 351 ; and Union of London, 39i to 40i. _ Canada Five per Cents. - are quoted 98i to 99} ; New South Wales Five per Cents., 104 to 1041; New Zealand Five per Cents., 991 to 991 ; Queensland Six per Cent., 112 to 113; Victoria Five per Cents (1891), 103 to 1041- ; ditto Six per Cent., 111 to 112. In Mining Shares St. John del Rey are 25i to 26} ; Port Philip, 1 dia.' to par. ; Rossa Grande, to die. ; Fron tino Bolivia, to 1; Don Pedro, 21- to 21- prem. ; and Anglo-Brazilian, 4 to die. The subscription for the Honduras Loan will close to morrow for London, and Thursday for the country. Advices from Bohemia in relation to the prospects of this year's harvest state that, after a severe drought of more than three weeks, there have been copious falls of rain, and that, in consequence, it is believed a better crop on the whole than that of last year may be secured. Telegrams from Odessa describe rather less firmness in the price of wheat. The report of Charles Cammell and Co. (Limited) for the year ended March, 1870, to be presented on the 29th inst., shows a total profit of £56,946, out of which the directors propose a dividend of £5 per share, which will leave £6,946 to be carried forward. At the same time the reserve fund of £68,045 will receive an addition of £17,011, raising it to £85,056. J. Berger Spence and Co.'s weekly report says :—The temporary lull which has occurred last week in the market for chemicals has been more than counterbalanced by the orders given out in various branche3 this week. Orders for home consumption are decidedly better than usual at this time of the year. There is no important change to record in minerals, the supplies of most descriptions, with the exception of phosphates, being equal to the require ments. In reference to metals, the iron trade increases in activity, and a large business is being done both in pig and manufactured ; of the latter rails are in special demand. A slight improvement has taken place in copper. In the other metals there is nothing of import ance to report. THIS MORNING'S NEWS, SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. MIDNIGHT BETTING AT THE WEST END. MONDAY. At the night resort Kennington was still in great favour for the Northumberland Plate, 5 to 2 being taken about him whenever that price was offered, while at last 9 to 4 was generally the highest price obtainable. Lord Haw thorn was also in good demand at 7to 2. Kidderminster was firm at 9 to 2, but there was no disposition evinced to accept the offered price of 7 to 1 agst Myosotis. ARRIVALS AT WINDSOR. Lady of Lyons, Gong f, Disguise, Perth, Vulcan Bur dett, Scarboro', /Egean, La Favorita, Skipper, Jersey, Steppe, Appeal, Lady Louise, Anton, Bill of Fare, Forget-me-Not, Candour, Countryman, Constantine, Bonny. Bell f, Cheddington, Vestminster, Cast Off, Bay Roland, Visage, Vidette c, Botheration, Perambulator, Lady Macbeth, Eugenie c, Sauntering Alma, Skipjack, President Lincoln, Sensation, Tom Tom, and Vulcan. The Epsom horses will arrive in the morning. Expected—Thunderoloud and Bonnie Katie. SCRATCHINGS. Queen of Hearts, Queen of the May, Rather High colt, Pax, and Vallation gelding out of all engagements at Windsor. ARRIVALS AT NEWCASTLE. Lackland, Mount Blair. Jarnac, Myosotis, Algeria, La. Risle, Rebecca, Mdlle. de Mailtoc, Merry Bell, Lady Zet land, Hugo, Atreus, Falkland, Brennus, Promptress, Sheik, Produce, The Sea, Torreador, Pretty John, Cateress, Eikah, Agility, Honesty, My Uncle , Brigand Chief, Lady Studley, Morphia, Lady Lanedon, Shannon, Tabouret, Stanley, Queen Mab, Kidderminster, Pene lope, Cap-a-pie, and First Blood. Several others from Watson's, Scott's, Peck's, and T. S. Dawson's in the morning. TATTERSALLS'—LAST EVENING. 2to 1 agst Kennington (offered-5 to 2 taken) 7to 2 agst Lord Hawthorn (taken and offered) 4to 1 agst Kidderminster (off—take 9to 2) 100 to 5 aist Dlyos.4is . (offered) Bto 1 agst Iriegulariiy (offe;ed-9 to 1 taken f. 10 to 1 agst Cap-a-pie (taken and offered) 100 to 8 agst Silverband (taken and offered) 15 to 1 agst Five per Cent. (taken and offered) 300 to 200 agst Kennington and Kidderminster coupled (taken) ST. LEGER. 3to 1 agst Kingcraft (taken to 5220) 500 to 100 agst Macgregor (taken twice) 6to 1 agst Sunshine (taken) 7to 1 agst Normanby (offered) 10 to 1 agst Palmerston (offered) 100 to 3 agst Camel (taken) CITY BETTING—MONDAY. NORTHUMBERLAND PLATE. 100 to 30 agst Kennington (taken) 4to 1 agst Lord Hawthorn (taken and offered) sto 1 agst Kidderminster (taken and wanted) 6to 1 agst Myosotis (taken and offered) Bto 1 agst Irregularity (taken) _ 10 to 1 agst Cap-a-pie (taken and offered) 15 to 1 agst Apemantus (taken) 100 to 6 agst Fleets (taken and offered) 100 to 6 agst Five per Cent (offered) ST. LEGER. No betting. BETTING AT MANCHESTER—MONDAY. NORTHUMBERLAND PLATE. 4to 1 agst Kidderminster (taken) 9to 2 agst Lord Hawthorn (offered) sto 1 agst Myosotis (taken) 5 to 1 agst Kennington (taken) 14 to 1 agst Silverhand (taken) 20 to 1 agst Five per Cent. (offered) sto 4 on Myosotis, Kidderminster, and Ken nington (taken) A pupil at the International College, Spring Grove, near Brentford, was drowned on Saturday evening whilst bathing. The deceased was 13 years old. CRICKET.—On Thursday, the 18th inst., a match was played between the Fourth Eleven of St. Charles' School, Bayswater, and the Third Eleven of the Argyle School. The scores were : St. Charles' School, 81; Ar gyle School, 76. DANGERS OF CRICKET.—George Summers, the Nottinghamshire cricketer, who was struck by a ball from Platts in the match betweenNotts and Marylebone, on Wed nesday, at Lord's Cricket Ground, died at his father's house at Nottingham on Sunday, from the injuries received, the blow having occasioned concussion of the brain. The deceased was only 35 years old. He was a very fine bat, and one of the most respected professionals in Eng land. On . sporting prospects the Inverness Courier says that from all parts of the country it continues to receive the most gratifying reports. Young broods were able to take wing about the latter end of May. Old and young birds appear strong and healthy, and as yet there is no appearance of disease. At the last Suffolk assizes a poacher named Rut terford was convicted of the murder of a gamekeeper on the estate of the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh, near Milden hall, but was respited on account of a malformation in his neck. He was ultimately sentenced to penal servi tude for life, and he has now been removed to Pentonville prison. DISTURBANCES IN BELGIUM There haye been some disturbances in the town of Vervicrs, Belgium, arising from the calling in of the militia. Several persons were 'seriously injured. Quiet has been restored, and precautions. taken. A DEMONSTRATION IN FAVOUR OF SALDANHA. There has been a grand demonstration in Lisbon in favour of Saldanha. Some twelve thousand persons were present. The American Minister has been received by the King. TILE ITALIAN REFUGEES. Count Bolognini, an Italian refugee, is to be expelled from Switzerland, for persisting in remaining near the Italian frontier. GREAT FIRE AT PANAMA. (By Atlantic Cable.) NEW YORK, June 20. A great fire has taken place at Panama. Much of the city has been destroyed, and twelve lives have been lost. The expedition to survey the isthmus, with a view to finding a practicable situation for the construction of a canal still labours without success. The surveys continue. HOME NEWS. (CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAMS.) THE LATE LORD ARTHUR CLINTON. Arrangements have been made for the remains of the late Lord Arthur Clinton to be interred in the cemetery at Christ Church. REPEAL OF THE CONTAGIOUS DISEASES ACT. At a large meeting of men held at Brighton last night it was unanimously resolved to petition Parliament for the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act. REPRESENTATION OF BRISTOL. A large and enthusiastic open-air meeting of the friends of 'Mr. Sholto-Hare, the Conservative candidate for Bristol, was held last night. Mr. Hare was met on en tering the town by a number of his supporters, who escorted him in procession to- the place of meeting. COMMITTAL FOR MANSLAUGHTER. The Cornwall county magistrates, sittingat St. Columb, yesterday committed a farmer named William Rowe, of Falmouth, for trial, for the manslaughter of John Dennis, who met his death while returning from St. Columb Races a month ago with the accused and, others. The evidence went to show that deceased died from a blow struck by Rowe. The case has excited great interest in the county, in consequence of the coroner's jury at the time having returned a verdict of death from natural causes, and the magistrates having ordered another inquiry, which has resulted as above. DAMAGE TO COTTON FREIGHTS. The damaged condition in which American cotton is re ceived at Liverpool has become so serious that the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce has appointed a depu tation to visit Liverpool on the subject with a view to secure greater cars, not only at the ports of shipment, but in transit on shipboard. THE SCOTCH PUDDLERS' LOCK-OUT. At a meeting of the ironmasters of Scotland, held last night in Glasgow, it was unanimously agreed to accept the proposals made by the men. These were to the effect that the men should resume work, the employers withdrawing the lock-out decree at once, that there should be a repre sentative meeting of masters and men to investigate the points in dispute, and as far as possible by conciliatory means to settle the same. That both parties should submit to an independent referee any question whichmay be left undecided by the meeting. THE LANDS' END AND SCILLY ISLANDS TELEGRAPH CABLE. The cable connecting the Land's-end with the Scilly Islands is completed ; yesterday a message was sent through from Scilly to Penzance. The steamer Caroline left Penzance on Sunday morning, and finished her work yesterday. THE BRISTOL ELECTION. The writ for the Bristol election which was received on Sunday was proclaimed from the Council House on Moneay by the Sheriff. The nomination was fixed for Friday morning, and the polling for Saturday. FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT On Saturday night at the Greenock terminus of the Greenock and Ayrshire Railway, Henry M'Culloch, engine driver of a passenger train, stepped on the engine buffers, for the purpose of uncoupling the carriages. He lost his balance and fell on the rails, and the train which was in motion passed over him, completely severing both legs below the knee. He died in the hospital on Sunday morning. Deceased was a native of Kilmarnock. He leaves a widow and a child. The adjourned inquest on the bodies of the two men, Bradley and Parsons, who were killed by an explosion of gas at a colliery at Hasland, near Chesterfield, was concluded on Monday. The evidence went to shew that the men had no business where they were, and that whilst they were at work they were frequently told to come away. Bradley had a safety lamp, but Parsons only a naked light, and from this latter light the gas took fire and exploded. A verdict of " Accidental death " was returned. Mr. Vincent Portilla, the first Spanish-Mexican who has ever been entered at an English University, has just gained a scholarship at Emmanuel College, Cam bridge. Mr. Portilla was educated at Bruce Castle School. COMMEMORATION AT OXFORD.—The Commemora tion Week at Oxford has begun in the most brilliant style, and the city has seldom been fuller than it is at present. The entertainments began in advance ; a concert taking place on Saturday. Yesterday the railway authorities had more than enough to do to accomodate the numerous pas sengers. The Marquis of Salisbury, the Chancellor of the University arrived, and a levee was held, which was well attended. ------- BELHAVEN PEERAGE,—We understand that the long litigation with reference to the succession to this ancient Scotch title has resulted in judgment having been given on the 14th instant, in favour of the claim of Lieutenant-Colonel Robert William Hamilton (late of the Grenadier Guards), to be served heir male to the late Lord Belhaven and Stenton.— Post. Her Majesty's guests at the State breakfast at Windsor on Friday are to be conveyed free of expense fro_n Paddington to the Royal borough in three special trains, which will leave London at short intervals between three and four o'clock on Friday afternoon, so as to reach Windsor before the hour fixed for the break fast. THE LATE UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE.—A contri bution amounting to £12195. 3d. has just been handed to the National Lifeboat Institution by Mr. Robert B. Wor maid of Bell's Life, being one moiety of the surplus fund arising from the hire of a steamer by the gentlemen of the press on the occasion of the late boat race between the Oxford and Cambridge Universities ; the other half of the fund having been generously voted to them by the News paper Press Fund. BALLOON DISASTER AT DERBY.—A balloon acci dent occurred yesterday at Derby to Mr. Coxwell's balloon Express. A fete was held in the Arboretum, and the balloon in ascending dashed against the trees. The five persons in the car were rescued, but the crowd, who wished for a local aeronaut, attempted to destroy the balloon, and Mr. Coxwell was illtreated. The police had a struggle with the rioters, who pelted them with stones. The Grand Jury at Richmond, Va., have indicted Ex-Mayor George Chahoon, of that city, for forgery. He is charged with two Ex-Confederate officers with having conspired to defraud the State out of 7,000 dols. due the State from the estate of one Hornstein, deceased, which money, it is said, they ha ve a pp ro p r iated to their own use. Mr. Chahoon was arrested and released on 10,000 dols. bail. DEATH OF A PROMINENT POLITICIAN.—Jonah D. Hoover has just died at Washington, aged forty-eight years. He was Marshal for the District of Columbia under President Pierce, and previous to the late war was well known in political circles throughout the country, both as President of the Jackson Democratic Association and as a member of the national committees and delega tions. He had been in bad health for the last ten years, and was personally highly esteemed by men of all shades of politics. RAILWAY COMPENSATION. The Select Committee appointed to consider the state of the law with reference to the liability of railway com- Fillies to compensation, resumed its sittings on Monday, . - when Baron Martin and Baron Bramwell, of the Court of Exchequer, were examined. Mr. Headlam, the chairman of the committee, addressing the judges, said : Baron Martin and Baron Bramwell,—The House of Commons have directed us to inquire into the state of the law respecting the liability of railway com panies to give compensation in case of accident to passengers, and in the course of • that inquiry they have had before them several gentlemen representing the inte rests of railway companies. They complain both of the theory of the law and of its administration. We have, therefore, thought it right to obtain the assistance of judges, like yourselves, of the highest experience, to assist us in the inquiry. The learned judges were then examined at great length in respect to the several points raised. Baron Martin said that unless there were some special provisions in Acts of Parliament _to the contrary of which he was not aware, the liability of the railway companies was regulated by the common law of England. With respect to the carriage of goods, the common law of England makes it incumbent upon public carriers to carry all goods that come to them, but there is no such liability by the common law to compel them to carry passengers, and in point of fact he was not aware that there was any absolute penalty if they refused to carry passengers. They carried passengers in the-same way as any other people seeking to make money by business, and consequently they sought to carry as many passengers as they Could. Baron Bramwell said that the idea of the companies was that they could not get rid of their liability to carry pas sengers, and therefore to pay them compensation for injuries ; but he agreed with his brother Baron Martin that they might refuse to take them altogether. Mr. Headlam pointed out the difference in the value of certain lives, and asked whether it would be in the power of the companies to refuse to carry persons whose lives were very valuable, except at an enhanced fare. Baron Martin said that would be illegal. It would be legal to charge them up to the extent of the maximum fare, but they were all re - strained with respect to the fares to be charged to each class of passengers, and therefore all they could say was "We cannot take you." They could not say, "We will only take you if you pay twenty times the amount of the fare." The ordinary mode of performing their duty was to say, "We won't take you at all." Baron Bramwell : My notion is that they could not re- fuse to carry a passenger, but they might say to every pas senger, " If we carry you at the ordinary fares we will not be liable for any accident." I don't know anything that could prevent their doing that, seeing that they are not bound to carry at all. Baron Martin said that if they were called upon to give an authoritative opinion on the subject they ought really to have some little time to consider it, because he had great doubt as to whether a company could say that they would carry a passenger,. but that whatever occurred on the journey, under no circumstances would they be re sponsible. In fact, it would be repugnant to the spirit of the contract. He would rather not answer the question without consideration. The Chairman pointed out that the Act for the general regulation of traffic in 1854, known as the Railways and Canal Act, included not only goods but passengers. Baron Martin said that they could not, under the com mon law exonerate themselves from all liability. The general Act requires that they shall make arrangements forreceiving and forwarding the traffic without unreasonable delay, and that included passengers. Baron Bramwell said that it appeared to him to be really a question of contract. A man taking a railway ticket made a bargain between himself and the company that they would each conduct themselves with reasonable care and diligence in the matter, and if he came to harm on the journey, the bargain was broken by the company. The Chairman said that railway companies thought it a hardship in the law that they were made liable when there was no fault on their own part,and where there had been no positive negligence, and he put the case of the injustice of making the master of a private carriage liable for injury caused by his driver, when he had taken the very best means he could to get the most careful driver. Baron Martin said that that was a question involving the general law of master and servant, which law was as old as any in the country, and it was a well-established principle of the law that a master was liable for the neg ligence of his servants. Baron Bramwell said that if his servant was driving him in his carriage and caused damage to another, he would be liable, because he was driving him as his servant, and he had a right to control him, and tell him whether to drive fast or slow, but if he hired a cab the cabman was not his servant in law, and if he told him to drive so and so h e might say thathe would drive fast or slow just as he pleased so long as he was within the limits of the law. The result was that if he was riding in his own carriage he was liable, but if he jobbed a carriage or a coachman or a day the rule did not apply. There did not seem to him ;to be any sound principle in that, and it seemed to be a relic of the old Roman law in which the servants were really slaves, and consequently the master was liable for their acts just as he would be for the damage done by his cattle in trespassing. It was quite certain that if a coachman, in the absence of his master, chose to drive his fellow servants out for a treat and in flicted any damage either on them or anyone else, the master was not liable. Baron Martin : The master is not held liable criminally at all in the case of an accident caused by his servant, but if he sat on the box of the carriage and encouraged him to drive furiously he would be. Baron Bramwell said that he was a railway shareholder himself, and might therefore be supposed to be in their favour, but his opinion was that it was a matter of bar gain between the passenger and the company, and there fore no hardship could arise. He should have no objec tion to the liability itself provided that none but honest claims were made ; but lie objected to a liability involving dishonest claims, and very often foolish and dishonest verdicts ; and therefore the railway shareholders asked that they should not be held liable to any damage arising from negligence, because if they were, all the rogues in the train would be bringing actions against them. He thought whatever rules the companies made the general law would render them liable ; but he thought that the suggestion made that the railway companies should be allowed to limit their liability by way of assurance was a valuable one. Baron Martin thought that the public would have no right to complain of such a provision as that of being called on to pay for assurance, and that the com pany should not be held liable to damages beyond the amount assured, but he thought that in practice in every instance the companies would be held liable to pay the highest amount. He did not think that so far as his ex perience went the injuries of railway passengers were fictitious. In most cases in which claims were made they had sustained some injury, though they might be exag gerated. He believed that in case such an altera tion were made the highest damages which could be would always be given, and it was for the railway com panies to consider whether they would gain or lose by it. Baron Bramwell thought that it would be perfectly fair to limit the liability in that way. There were now few cases of culpable negligence, but they were extremely rare as was proved by the fact that very few persons had been found guilty of manslaughter in consequence of such accidents. The learned judges were then examined as to the ad ministration of the law, and Baron Martin said that it was not likely that seventeen judges would come to a unanimous opinion as to the precise manner in which the law should be administered, but he had always endeavoured to keep the damages down to a moderate amount. He could not call to mind any one case he had tried in which he thought the damages were outrageous. His brother Bramwell's - experience also was that taking into consideration the nature of the cases he had tried, his impression was that assuming the cases to be really genuine the damages were not excessive. Baron Bramwell said that not only did he not consider the damages awarded too excessive, but he had in many cases been rather surprised at their moderation. He thought, however, that the railway companies were very unwise in having the cases tried by special juries, because as they always gave their verdict according to the value they attached to their own lives and limbs, it was likely that they gave much higher damages than ordinary jury men would give. Baron Martin said that he thought extreme dama/•es were given, from the example set in the early history of railways, when there was a general impression o n th e minds of the public that they were going to be extremely profitable undertakings. He thought it very desirable that there should be an inspection by the Board of Trade, and that a commission should be issued establishing a par ticular court in which to try railway cases. There was no doubt that a certain class of attornies and doctors made it a business to get up these cases—at all events he had seen the same faces very frequently. He was also of opinion that there should be a medical man attached to the court, perfectly independent b o th o f th e ra il wa y com p an i es an d the passengers, who should give their opinion as to the condition of the passenger and the effect of the injury. Baron Bramwell also concurred that in the large majority of the cases they were real, though they might be a little exsggerated, and the amount of damages was not excessive. The learned judges then retired. Sir 0-. Watkin the chairman of the South Eastern was then examined, and stated that the compensation given in cases that were suspected not to be genuine was very great, and the cost bore the proportion of 20 per cent. to the damages, of which 12/ went to the lawyers and 7/ to medical men. He complained that the railway companies were subject to having actions brought against them a year or two after the accident, and when the opportunity of making inquiries into the merits of the case was lost. No claim should be allowed to be entertained in cases in which notice had not been given of the claim within a reasonable time. He approved of the suggestion for the establishment of a separate court for the trial of these cases. Mr. Laing, the chairman of the London and Brighton, was also examined, and expressed his opinion that if some limitation were placed on the cost to which railway companies were put to, the public would get the advantage in cheaper fares. He did not think it would be advantageous to the railway com panies to assure, but it was a concession which they would have to make. He was in favour of arbitration as a means of settling such claims. The committee adjourned at four o'clock. A large number of the Metropolitan police have donned the new helmet, The comb or ridge at the back of the old helmets is no longer seen, and the new one, which somewhat resembles the helmet of the Prussian hat minus the surmounting spike, is, as was predicted a few weeks since by a member of the House of Commons, suggestive of a cocoa-nut. NEW LAW COURTS. Lord EUSTACE CECIL asked when the long promised plans of the New Law Courts would be laid upon the table of the House. Mr. AYRTON said he should be glad if he could name a day. The extreme difficulty of settling all claims was the cause of the delay. RATING PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Mr. CAWLEY asked when the proposed 13111 for the Rating of Public Buildings would be brought on. Mr. GOSCHEN said that at this advanced stage of the session it would be, he feared, hopeless to attempt to pass a bill which would affect many interests, and which would give rise.to a long discussion. THE EDUCATION BILL. Mr. PELL asked the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education whether there was any provision in the Elementary Education Bill as recommitted, securing a limit in the pound to the local rates to be raised with respect to -education ; and, if so, where in the bill such provision may be found. Mr. FORSTER said the provision had been struck out because a larger parliamentary grant would be given out of the parliamentary vote to all public elementary schools. THE HORSE DUTY. Mr. WELBY asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether, as for the future it will not be necessary for farmers to take out licences for horses which might be occasionally employed in drawing road materials, he will recommend that the duty which had already been paid in such cases this year be remitted by the Board of Inland Revenue. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER : No, sir, I am not prepared to make such a recommendation. (Laughter. ) ENGLISH MAILS TO INDIA. Mr. STACPOOLE asked the Postmaster-General whether any contract had been made for the carriage of the Eng lish mails to India via Brindisi. _ - The Marquis of HARTINGTON replied that the Post-office had made no contract for the carriage of English mails via Brindisi. A supplemental mail was despatched via Brindisi, and a certain payment was made to the Italian Government. In order to cover that payment an addi- tional charge was levied of threepence per half- ounce and one penny per four ounces of newspapers. THE SPEAKER AND THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD. The SPEAKER informed the House that he had been in vited to attend at the University of Oxford on Wednesday next, in order that an honorary degree might be conferred upon him, and he asked the permission of the House to attend on that occasion. Mr. GLADSTONE, who congratulated the Speaker on receiving another mark of distinction, proposed that Mr. Dodson take the chair on Wednesday. Mr. DISRAELI, who expressed his gratification at the honour which the Speaker was going to receive, seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. THE EDUCATION BILL. Dr. LYON PLAYPAIR asked the Vice President of the Council whether the term " forthwith," at the end of Clause 9, in the amended Elementary Education Bill, means that the year of grace is now abandoned, and that the measure, if it pass into law, will at once come into operation. Mr. FORSTER replied that it had not been thought necessary to preserve what had been called the year of grace in the Education Bill, and there would be an addi tional Parliamentary grant proposed. The measure as soon as it became law would come into operation. On the motion for the Speaker leaving the chair, on going into committee on the Elementary Education (re committed) Bill, Mr. H. RICHARD moved to insert the words that " the grants to existing denominational schools should not be increased, and that in any national system of elementary education,the attendance should be everywhere compulsory, and that religious instruction should be supplied by volun tary effort, and not out of public funds. In the course of his speech he said he was happy to have received from the Prime Minister most important and candid admis sions. He had acknowledged that that was really the only logical position they could take to escape the objec tions raised by Nonconformists. However, the right hon. gentleman had said that he did not think it implied the slightest disrespect to religious teaching. The hon. gentleman endeavoured to chew that the religious educa tion given in the day schools was nothing comparatively speaking. He was of opinion that if the State trained the faculties of the young, the religious bodies of the country would educate them in religion. Sir CHARLES DILKE seconded the amendment. He challenged the Government to disprove that the country was favourable to compulsion, and said that no one had ventured to call the bill a national education measure, and that it did not correspond with the anticipations of the country. Mr. G. HARDY pointed out that the amendment did not address itself to the bill, but to something which the Prime Minister had stated on Thurs day night. He denied that the religious diffi culty was raised by the people themselves. It was a cry raised in London, and was carried into the country, where the people were unaware of the difficulty until it w as po inted out by' those in authority. He deprecated the abandonment of the " year of grace," and remarked that there was no necessity for such great expedition as "forthwith." He pointed out the difficulty of finding teachers, and contended that there was a large number of schools which might be efficient if they could only pro cure efficient teachers. The right hon. gentleman at great length advocated religious instruction, and sug gested that those who were in favour of a secular system of education should found secular schools, which by the bill would receive State aid. Mr. MELLY addressed the House, but as soon as he rose there was quite an exodus of members. He criticised the main features of the measure, and expressed his disap proval of the system of education which it would intro duce. Sir SAMUEL MORLEY contended that the people were opposed to secular education. He was against any system which should attempt to mould the character of the people by enforcing a system which would wither up all that was fresh and vital in religion. He objected to com pulsion, except as an ulterior resource. If it had not been for religious men what would education have been? After some remarks from Mr. Hope, Dr. LYON PLAYFAIR addressed the House. He said that he was not prepared at present to exclude religion from schools. Sir JOHN PAKINGTON spoke of the importance of the measure, and expressed his approval of the tolerant manner in which the member for Merthyr Tydvil had introduced his motion. He hoped that concessions would be mae on exclusion sides of the House. He did not object to theof the catechism or formularies, but they had heard from the Prime Minister that the people were in favour of religious instruction. Religion must be the basis of education. Mr. FORSTER, on behalf of the Government, stated the reason s why they could not accept the amendment, and also made some remarks on the changes which had been made in the bill. He said their attention had been almost entirely directed to thelreligious difficulty rather than to the general scope and provisions of the measure. He was afraid that " difficulty" would possess their minds until they went into committee, when other important provisions would have to be considered. The religious difficulty was one which they made for themselves. This " difficulty" had for the last ten years or more kept the children of England in ignorance, and it depended upon the House whether their young should be kept another ten years in ignorance, He did not think the proposition as to the reading of the Bible without note or comment ought to trouble their minds much. Those who talked about it had not been inside a school, inasmuch as it was well known that the schoolmaster did not teach theological dogmas, but the simple truths of religion. He stated on behalf of the Government that the House need not expect any further changes-in the matters of whicli the clause treated. The bill, he contended, was a measure of national education. It paved tha way to the future attendance of every child, it protected the conscientious feelings of the parent; and provided the means of education. At the conclusion of the right hon. gentleman's speech, the debate was adjourned on the motion of Mr. Miall. STAMP DUTY ON LEASES BILL. This bill was read a third time. POST OFFICE BILL. The Marquis of HARTINGTON moved the second reading of the above bill, the main principle being the reduction of the pcstage on certain descriptions of matter from ld. told. he second reading was agreed to. CATTLE DISEASES. Mr. C. FORTESCUE obtained leave to bring in a bill to amend " The Cattle Diseases (Ireland) Act, 1866." PILOTAGE BILL COMMITTEE. A discussion took place on the motion of Mr. Shaw Lefevre that Mr. Childers be discharged from further at tendance on the Select Committee on the Pilotage Bill, and that Mr. Baxter be added to the committee. It was objected that Mr. Baxter was unacquainted with the evi dence which had been taken, and therefore was not com petent to give an opinion on the subject. Sir S. IBBETSON moved the adjournment of the debate. The House divided on the motion, which was lost. After some further discussion, Mr. Lefevre seeing the dis position of the House, withdrew his motion. The House adjourned at ten minutes to two. ;tic .31 1 ' )ilt DS '6 [ l ilt iV e iOl, r th ,rtb qr• utY ..... ___-•-• t ide. gup tions Dlo' Ingo