The Sun. — London, England, 1847-04-22 00:00:00

RAILWAY COMMITTEES. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-(YESTERDAY). GROUP I. The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of the schemes comprised in this group, Mr. We at the usual hour this morning in Room 30 ; Mr. W. 0. Stanley in the chair. --- Ting BRIGHTON ran) KENT SCHEME. Mr. Rice, M.P. for Dover, gave general evidence in favour of this scheme. Mr. Selby, land valuer, proved that the value of the land to be taken between London and Tunbridge and Maidstone w as 99,7681.45. 6d., including compensation and severance. Mr. Austin, another land valuer, proved the value of the land between Maidstone and Canterbury to be 60,3871. Mr. W. A. Wilkinson, the deputy-chairman of the Lon don, Brighton, and South Coast Company, was next examined. He stated that no inconvenience had resulted to the public from the joint use and occupancy of the Croydon line. He had for two or three years past attended the various meetings which had been held in the county of Kent to consider the various projects which were from time to time got up for supplying the county with railway accommodation. He attended the different meetings held in February last to consider the two schemes before the Committee, and certainly it appeared to him that their meetings were unanimously in favour of the Brighton line. He was an advocate for applying competition to railways, because it tended to advance public convenience and advantage. The original estimate of the Croydon line was 140,0001.; the actual outlay had been one million. Mr. Wilkinson was cross-examined by Mr. MErtE WETIIER—He was aware of the low scale of fares which the Brighton Company were prepared to submit to the Com mittee, but he had never stated a lower scale at any of the numerous public meetings he had attended, nor had-he ever pledged the Brighton Company to charge the low scale men tioned by Mr. Talbot over all the existing Brighton lines, though he believed that the company were quite ready to do so. Last year he admitted that there was no case for their going beyond Maidstone, or indeed for their going so far as Maidstone, but this year the case was altered. He was decidedly an advocate for competition on railways, that was, so far as biddings for new lines were concerned. Last year the Bent Atmospheric Company bid for their line fares as low as lid. per mile for first-class passengers, and charges in the same proportion for the second and third-class passengers, and had that bid been accepted, he felt convinced it would have succeeded. The first outlay on a railway was of minor importance as an ele ment in estimating fares. The regulation of the charges to the public depended more upon the cost of work ing. What he meant by competition was not the running of two parallel railways to one point, but two companies having the power to work over por tions of the same line upon equal terms. For instance, the Portsmouth Direct line woald be open to the South- Western, and the Brighton Company, and both would have an interest in getting the most traffic, which would have the effect of always insuring low fares to the public. That was a wholesome system of competition, but competition in the case of two parallel lines would ever be ruinous, and produce disadvantageous results to the public. On examination by the CHAIRMAN, Mr. Wilkinson stated that the Brighton Company did not contemplate running the continental traffic rid Canterbury, because with the level line of the South-Western Company the through journey going by way of Tunbridge could be performed in about the same time as going by way of Canterbury, or any extension line from Canterbury to 'Thayer. It was highly probable that eventually there would be an amalgamation, or some arrangement come to between the two companies. EEGINEEEING EVIDENCE. Mr. Sherrad stated that.he had laid out the Brighton line under the direction of Mr. Cubitt. The line of the Brighton Company was four miles shorter to Tunbridge than the proposed South-Eastern line. The new line to be constructed py the Brighton Company between London and Tunbridge would be twenty-five miles, six fur longs, and two chains. The present distance from London to Tunbridge was forty-one miles. To reduce that distance he should have to encounter considerable heavy works, but although costly, they would be easily sur mounted. At Ottord he encountered a tunnel of 2,596 yards in length, similar to the one air. Stephenson had upon his line last year at the same point. The next large work was a tunnel in the neighbourhood of Seven Oaks, 2,886 yards in length; but the strata were firm and good, and the tunnel could be easily made. From that boring to Tunbridge there were no very material works encountered. The Committee adjournei at the usual hour till twelve o'ziock to-morrow (this clay.) GROUP V. The Committee met this morning at twelve. Present, Lord H. Vane, Chairman ; lion. M. Gore, Hon. M, Sattor, Mr. Rice, and Sir E. FThner. WINDSOR, STAINES, IiND SOUTH-WES- TEEN (R.XCRIVIOND TO WIN DSO WINDSOR, ST I XNES, ill VD SOUTH-WES- TEPN (STAINES TO ASCOT. &.c.) Mr. MACAULAY continued the traffic evidence in favour of the projected lines. Mr. Ashby, a bargemaster and coal merchant, said the water carriage to Staines to and from London was 10,000 tons annually, and through Staines about 135,000 tons. At present, in order to reach the south and south-west from the neighbourhood of Brentford, much use was necessarily made of the Grand Junction Canal to convey the goods to London, where they were re-loaded on the railway, and dispatched so far backwards to their destination. A number of other witnesses were examined, and gave evidence of the local advantages at different points on the route to be derived from the lines. Lord Morpeth, as Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests, was then examined in reference to the line from Staines to Windsor. He said the subject of railways to Windsor had been very much under his consideration, with a view to dealing with the property of the Crown Plans were submitted for the projected line by the South-Western in the month of October last, showing that they trenched considerably on Crown property in the neighbourhood of Richmond, Egham, and Windsor. That project seemed to him well calculated to accommodate the wants of the district, and to give access to the heart of the metropolis by London-bridge. He did not think his evidence on the merits of the line would be worth much as against any other line ; but to him the public interest seemed to justify the interference with property. The South-Wes tern line passed through part of the old deer-park at Rich mond with consent of the Crown, and crossed the Thames by a bridge, to be executed to the satisfaction of the Crown engineer. The present line to Egham proposed superior ac commodation over the plan of last year. As for Windsor, it was proposed at first to carry a branch up the south side of the river from Staines, but that was disapproved of positively by the Crown. The consent of the Crown, however, was given to a line on the north side, ending at Black Potts Ayott. The station there, taking the town and the park into considera tion, was perhaps in the most proper place. With a view to that, her Majesty had signified that her consent would be given to a new road being made crossing the Home Park, on certain conditions to be strictly obsen - ed by the South-Western Com pany. (The agreement was here put in.) The proposed new road fell in with certain contemplated improvements on and about the royal residence, and would prove of very material service in carrying them out. A plan connecting the Great Western Railway with Windsor had also been considered by the Board of Woods and Forests, and they thought it would be reckoned satisfactory if both the companies could unite in one station. The Great Western, however, would not accede. Cross-examined by Mr. Aurrix, for the Great Western— There was no inclination on the part of the Crown to oppose the line from Slough to Windsor. The Board had most fully considered the propriety of making the new road along the north front of the Castle, and all the incidents to that work which was intended for public convenience. The other roads to Datchet, &c., would be shut up. The road would be made at the expense of the South. Western Company, to the satisfaction of the Crown engineer. He was at liberty to say, that her Mijesty was extremely indebted to the managers of the Great Western line for the convenience they had in variably afforded her. Cross-examined by Sir Join; BAYLEY—The railway om pany was bound to purchase t wen t y -fi ve acres of land c at Neck Potts, for the station haw, the Crown to have the power to purchase back such of that ground as it might deem proper for planting, or otherwise laying out. That ground belonged to the Dean and Canons of Windsor. By Sergeant WRANGPLUI, for the South Western_ Taking all the schemes together, I should prefer the South- Western. By Mr. AUSTIN—The Crown had no disinclination to the line from Slough to Windsor. He repeated that her Majesty was much indebted to the Great Western Company ; and, therefore, in negotiating with the South-Western, they had always made it conditional that that company should offer no opposition to the Great Western Company's line from Slough. His understanding was, that the Crown would give its consent to such a line as would satisfy the House of Commons. Col. Reid, Sir John Walsh, Sir W. Clay, and several other witnesses gave evidence in favour of the lines. The engineer's evidence will be taken to-morrow (this) morning at the meeting of the Committee, at twelve o'clock, the hour to which they then adjourned. GROUP VI. SAZISBITAT ELND YEOVIL, ELND EXETER, YEOVIL, AND DOECTIESTEIt. The first witness examined this morning was Mr. Seymer, M.P. for Dorsetshire. He stated that he resided in the neighbourhood of Blandford, and considered that a central line through the county of Dorset would be of great advantage to the county. He believed that the line was looked upon favourably by nearly all the landowners through whose property the line was proposed to be carried. He was a director of the South-Western Railway, but did not hold any more shares in the company than were requisite to qualify him for that office. Mr. Bennett, M.P. for Wilts, gave evidence of a general nature in favour of the proposed line. Mr. Alderman Humphery, M.P., was the next witness called, and gave evidence of the great superiority of the South-Western schemes at London-bridge over every other station in connexion with railways running in the direc tion of the west of England. It would afford great conve nience for live stock consigned to Smithfield ; and even if that market s h ou ld b e a b o li s h e d, th ere w ould still have to be a cattle market on the Surrey side of the river, to which the proposed railway would afford great convenience. It would also afford fish, fruit, dead meat,cev:nience for hops, cyder, leather, wool, which were in the utter, and poultry, all the markets for immediate_ neighbourhood. Mr. Oliver, butcheorrientili,thampton, was a contractor to the Peninsular and i t e am - ships, which frequented the port of Southa mpton. consumption of live stock and dead meat by the crews and passengers of those ships, and also of tow inhabitanta a Soulla means w of At present, ing to there being nompton ast_great difficulty , was very great. lion with the west of England, there tolT3,ma b utchers of commanica to pur in obtaining a supply of live stoc g k o , Southampton being often obliged to chase it. If the present lines iyere constructeg',l, be; enabled to go into the west of England and - e Zrould purchases direct from the farmers and graziers, m a n a c jl a h k is . arrangements with them to send the cattle up as they ad-A be wanted, and there would in that case be no necessity-fotr him to come to London. . . Dowling, meat salesman, Newgate-market, gave evi dence of the advantages to be derived by the conveyance of dead meat from the west of England to the London markets. The committee then adjourned till to-morrow (this day), at twelve o'clock. GROUP XI. The Select Committee.ap — poin - ted to consider the merits of the Bills comprised in Group 11 re-assembled at the usual hour this morning, Mr. Forbes Mackenzie in the chair. COLCHESTER .B.ND STOUR. VALLEY (LA • VENHILIK EXTENSION). The general case for this line having been closed , Mr. Peter Bruff was cal led, . and exa m i ne d upon the engi neering features of t h e lThe works were easy, the length about fourteen miles, and the cost 400,0001 ., an d 70,0001. for wide nin g the existing line, and laying it down with a double line of rails. The landholders' opposition was then gone into, and after a few minutes' consultation, the Committee decided that the preamble to the Bill was proved. The remainder of the day was occupied in going through the clauses. GROUP XVI. GREAT NORTHERN (BRANCHES PROM HERTFORD TO ST. 41.1.11.8.N"5). The Committee re-assembled this morning at the usual hour; Mr. Kemble in the chair. At the sitting of the Committee the Chairman intimated that the business was proceeding slowly; before they called any more witnesses to show the necessity of the branch, he thought it right to inform counsel that the Committee were agreed that a line of railway was required between Hertford and St. Alban's. Mr. HILDYARD admitted, on the part of the Eastern Coun ties, that such a line was required. Mr. Sergeant WII.ANGIIA3I said, if the Committee were sa tisfied of that, it would be unnecessary to call any more wit nesses with - respect to the local advantages of the line, but simply to adduce engineering evidence, and evidence as to the advantages which it would confer upon other parts of the country; he would, however, with the permission of the Committee, call Mr. Repton, M.P. for the borough of Saint Alban's. Mr. Repton, M.P., was then called and examined by Mr. Sergeant WRANGIIAM. His evidence went to corroborate that already adduced in favour of the line—that it would be of the greatest advantage to his constituents, and to Hatfield and Hertford, and would open up communication east and west, and, by the existing lines and those to be made, north and south, which the district did not possess at present. Mr. West said he had been employed to ascertain the popu lation in Hertfordshire immediately contiguous to each of the lines which traversed it, and the following were the results :—On the London and North Western, 47,020; the Eastern Counties,44,o9s ; and on the Great Northern, 65,597. The Hitchin population was included in the number allotted to the Great Northern. Mr. Wrigley, a mining engineer, said he was well ac quainted with the coal mines of Yorkshire, Derby, and Lei cester, and that he had visited the district traversed by the proposed line, in connexion with the coal trade. The price of coals, owing to the circuitous and expensive route, was very high in the district. In Hertford the price of the same kind of coal had varied from 18s. 6d. to 325. The Silkston coal had not yet found its way into the district. The consumption of coal in the district was at the rate of one ton per head of the population. By the aid of the Direct Northern and the proposed branches, coals could be brought into the district at 12s. 6d. per ton less than at present, particularly the Silkston coal (Silkston is near Barnsley). Cross-examined—Knew that Parliament had granted a line from Lynn to Ely, thus giving a continuous line of rail way between that port and Hertford; but coals would not be brought by sea to Lynn and transmitted to Hertford by railway, as the price at Lynn would be the same as that at which they could be delivered by railway in the district. Mr. Webb, a corn-factor at Hackney, gave evidence in favour of the line. Mr. Cubitt, jun., the engineer, was then examined at c•m siderabie length with respect to the line. It would be 1! miles long; would cost between 300,000/. and 400,000/., and presented no engineering difficulties of any kind. By the COMMITTEE-It was advisable to carry on the line from Hertford to Ware, parallel with the line of the Eastern Counties, in order to avoid any interference with the traffic of that line, which was considerable between Hertford to Ware ; and because it would be well to have an independent terminus. . . The witness was also examined with respect to the pro perties of the petitioning landowners—Baron Dimsdale, Mr. Smith, and Mrs. Chambers; but he denied that in either case residential injury would be done, as the properties were crossed in the most objectionable parts. Adjourned until to-morrow (this day). GROUP XVIII. The Committee, the Earl of Lincoln in the chair, met this morning at twelve o'clock, when several witnesses were called to show the facility which this branch would give to the trade of Gloucester. THE SUN LONDON, IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Ap . il 21. FACTORIES BILL. _ _ (Continued from our Afternoon Edition cf yesterday.) Sir DE LACY EVANS—The only argument that had been used against this Bill was that it had a tendency to restrict the labour of the poor, but those who took up that position had totally failed in proving it. He considered the arguments of the Noble Lord at the head of her Ma ety's taovernment quite satisfactory, and therefore he felt bound to give the measure his support. He was very much astonished to see the party who was so earnest in denouncing the Protectionists for intolerance, on the subject of the corn laws, now evincing the same feelings on this question. He thought it absurd to say that the glory and greatness of this country were depeneent upon the diminution of the hours of labour of the infants who were engaged in factories. Lord J. RUSSELL did not expect that any discussion would arise to-day on the Bill at this stage, but as it had arisen no one had a right to complain of the course adopted. With regard to the working of the eleven hours they had same experience, and were able to form a judgment of the propriety of adopting it; but with regard to the ten hours they had no such proof, and there fore he had not such confidence in its operation. He very much regretted that that clause should have become part of the Bill, but considering the majority with which it was affirmed, he considered he would not be justified in with holding his support from the Bill at this stage in con sequence of his opinion being overborne. He wished, how ever, to observe that he was not quite sure but the House would have to be called upon in a future session to revise the course which they now adopted. Mr. ROEBUCK was surprised at the course the Noble Lord adopted on this occasion, and was still more at the speech which he had just made. The Noble Lord said be would support the Bill, because the labouring classes did not petition against it; but this was a very strange assertion after the admission of the Noble Lord, that the ten hours' clause would have the effect of diminishing the wages of labour. The House then divided when the numbers were— For the amendment 46 Against it lOl Majority Mr. BROWN then Moved the following clause :—" And be it enacted, that in all cases where, by reason of the resaictions by this Act respectively imposed, as regards the working of persons under the age of eighteen years, and of females above the age of eighteen years, the lessee or occupier, lessees or occupiers, of any such mill or factory as is in this Act referred to, or any part thereof, or any rooms therein, shall not be entitled to or be by law able to enjoy the full aad beneficial use of the steam or water power contracted to be supplied by the lessor or landlord for the full length of time for which the lessee or occupier, lessees or occupiers, would, but for this Act, have been entitled to, a proportionate abatement of the rent payable by such lessee or occupier, lessees or occu piers, shall be made and allowed by the lessor or landlord, such proportionate abatement to be fixed and settled by any two of her Majesty's Justices of the Peace; who shall have full power to hear the parties and their respective witnesses, and to summon them before them, the said justices, for that purpose, and finally to adjudicate and determine in the pre mises if the parties differ about the same. Mr. BROTHER I'ON was in favour of the clause. Mr. ROEBUCK said that it followed from this the Bill did not arise from a feeling of humanity, but from a desire to put a thorn in the side of the manufacturers. Mr. NEWDEGATE opposed the clause, and thought there was no grounds whatever for the imputation of the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Roebuck) against the Protectionist party. Mr. AGLIONBY said there were two legal objections to the clause, and he thought if it was acceded to, it would give rise to endless difficulties. Mr. FERRAND said that when the corn-law measure was before the House no such clause was proposed, and he saw no reason why it should be proposed now. Sir GEORGE GREY thought the object of the clause misunderstood. He hoped, however, the lion. Member would withdraw the clause, as lie did not consider that it would effect the object intended. Mr. M. PHILIPS sai I the change bad been recom mended by the manufacturers themselves, and he thought their wishes should be attended to. It was not for the public advantage to have relays of workers, and the opera tion of the clause would be to prevent this. Sir R. PEEL hoped that the clause would be withdrawn. Though he had given his opposition to the Bill, he could not consent to * this clause, as it would be introducing a most unusual rule, and one that might operate most inju riously. This was not the first time that the hours of labour had been interfered with, and it never had yet occurred to the House to provide such an arrangement respecting the moving power as suggi sted. He could not see how it was possible to ascertain the amount of loss that this Bill would occasion under any such contracts; and, therefore, he could not consent to it. He believed that all such con tracts were entered into with a calculation of their being operated on by causes, such as the Bill now undergoing discussion. He was sure the clause would occasion much heartburning and ill-feeling were it agreed to. Mr. BROWN then withdrew his clause. Viscount EBRINGTON said, as this Bill had already been much discussed, he would not occupy the House with a speech, but move the clauses of which he had given notice, and on which he intended to take the sense of the House. He concluded by moving the first clause :—" Be it enacted, that none of the provisions of this Act, respecting the restric tion of their hours of labour, shall apply to adult women." After a few words from Mr. FERRAND, this clause was negatived without a division. Viscount EBRINGTON then proposed the following clauses :—" And be it further enacted, that no person shall, after the passing of this Act, be appointed as an inspector or superintendent of factories who is not a duly licensed medical practitioner. And be it fur ther enacted, that the inspectors and superintendents so appointed shall be empowered and required to report from time to time on the state of health of the persons employed in factories, or any defect in the construction, or arrangement, or management of the places of work which may effect the health of persons employed there, and on the means of im provement or prevention. ' Whereas, by the Act 42 Gee. 111. c. 73, justices were directed to appoint two persons to visit mills, and besides other duties to direct the adoption of such sanatory regulations as on advice they may think proper; and whereas the Act 3 and 4 William IV., c 103, states that the provisions of the said Act with relation to these appointments were not duly carried into effect, and therefore provides for the appointment of inspectors and sub-inspectors ; and whereas the Act 7 and 8 Vic., c. 14, declares, that no inspector of factories shall have power, in that capacity, to make rules, regu lations, and orders, as authorised by the said Act 3 and 4 Will. IV., c. 103, except as thereinafter mentioned; and whereas in the subsequent clauses no such sanatory provi sions as were authorised by the Act 42 Geo. 111., c. 73, are mentioned.' Be it therefore further enacted, that inspectors and sub-inspectors shall have the same powers, witivrtspecr to defective ventilation or drainage, which they shad; dean likely to cause bodily ill health to any person ernytoyed in such factory, as they now have with respect to unguatded ma chinery which they may deem likely to cause bodily injury." The Noble Lord then proceeded to state the reasons why the clauses were necessary. Their object was to ensure a healthy atmospkere for the operatives in the factories, and to have such inspectors appointed as would efficiently attend to these points. At present such matters were very imperfectly at tended to. The clauses not being seconded, were negatived. Mr. LEADER then moved the following clatise :--"And be it enacted, that if any accident happen to the steam engine, water-wheel, or mill-gearing in any f ac t ory , whereby any part of the manufacturing machinery shall be stopped during the usual hours of work allowed by this Act, it shall be lawful to recover the time so lost, in the following manner, that is to say :—Any child or young person, or any woman, may be employed one hour in each day more than the time to which the ordinary daily labour of children and young persons and women respec tively is restricted by law, until such lost time be rec overe d." Mr. BRIGHT seconded the clause. Mr. lIINDLEY believed that such a clause would be extremely injurious; it would lead to fraud, for when the inspector came round the master would say that they had had some great break down. Mr. FERRAND supported the clause. If a slight accident happened, if the mill stopped fur an hour, there was no op portunity to get up the loss. At the present time, if such an accident happened the mill-owner stopped his mill for three hours, because when be did so he was allowed by law to make up the time at the rate of one hour a day. It would be no advantage one way or the other. Mr. HUME said that it had been represented to him that there was great inconvenience suffered by the present arrangement; he would therefore support the clause. Mr. MUNTZ said that the men were kept lounging about the mill for the three hours; now that was a very serious consideration, for if they were so kept they might as well be allowed to work. Mr. FIELDEN said the working people were quite satisfied with the law as it stood, without any introduction of a clause of the kind proposed. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, objected to the clause, as it would open a door to fraud. Mr. LEADER said that it was his intention to divide the House upon the question. He could not understand the oppo sition which the clause met; it would not introduce any thingnovel into the Bill; it would benefit the manufacturers, but it would also benefit the workpeople in a greater degree. It was really too bad, when any proposition emanated from the manufacturers that it was received with suspicion. The clause was a most just one, and had the benefit of the work ing classes in view, and not that of the manufacturer& The House then divided, when there appeared— For the clause Against it Majority —63 Mr. ESCOTT suggested that there should be a postpone ment of the decision of the House on the question. Mr. BRIGHT conceived that time ought to be afforded the Members who were unavoidably absent to express their opinion on this question. Mr. HUME thought the earliest day that couldbe named was the best, but at all events a day should be fixed. Mr. FERRAND—There was a rumour that Parliament would be prorogued early in June. If that were the c ase, and if there were any lengthened delay, there would b e li ttle chance of the measure being carried this session. Sir GEORGE GREY thought that Friday next would, perhaps, meet the views of all parties to have the question further considered. _ _ Mr. AGLIONI3Y thought that a day should be fixed. He should be very unwilling to impede the Government, but he thought there was nothing that could be decided on next Friday that they were not competent then to determine upon. Ile hoped that when the present question came on it would not interfere with the measures of Government. Sir A. LEITH HAY said that one thing appared to him important, which was, that if the Bill be fixed for Friday it should not come on on that day.—( Laughter.) The third reading was then fixed for Friday, with the understanding that a day should then be fixed when the third reading should take place. NAVAL PRISONS BILL. _ On the motion that the louse do go into Committee on ,his Bill, Mr. WILLIAMS objected to the Bill, as it placed the sailor in a worse condition than he was before. The sailor of this country was subjected to cruelty such as no nation under the sun ever endured. To show this he would only state a case which occurred the other day at Portsmouth, when a marine was tried, under Sir William Parker, for striking his sergeant, and the man was sentenced to be hung at the yard-arm. A similar crime was com mitted by a soldier in the Guards a short time since, and the sentence was twelve months' imprisonment. The sentence of the marine was afterwards commuted to seven years' transportation, but these and other cases of a similar nature showed the inconsistency of the law in both services. He thought that the powers given to the captains were too extensive to be entrusted to the hands of young men, inex perienced in the wo r ld, an d comman di ng men o ld enoug h t o be thei r f at h ers, and well versed in all their duties as sailors. offence. He called upon th e H ouse not to sanct i on any Act which w ouctuiedv:n a trial by ermit a sailor to b e sen t t o pr i son f or 2 8 d ays, with court-martial, for the slightest possible _ - Mr• WARD said that this Bill was kindly brought in by the Admiralty, and with the sanction of eTery gentleman in CIIZLTMITMEA= AND oxponn LINE. Mr. Philpotts, an extensive corn merchant at Gloucester, said that the articles sent from London were chiefly expensive ar ticles for domestic consumption. The line between Oxford and Gloucester had now been for some time in work, and the break of gauge would therefore be a serious evil. To Mr. TALBOT the witness replied, that Wexford was the port to which they principally traded, but the for mation of the Irish railway would, in all probability, change the character of the country, and the goods or corn which had been hitherto sent by Limerick or Wexford might possibly come by Waterford. He feared however, that in the event of the opposing line being formed, that much of the traffic would be driven from the neigh bourhood. Mr. Paul stated that the distance between Cheltenham and London, the railway distance, was miles; between Cheltenham and Oxford the distance was at present 79 miles, and between Gloucester and London, 1031 miles, making a saving of five miles. 'raking the average of fare at 2d. a mile, the saving between London and Gloucester would be Gs. Bd., and between Cheltenham and Oxford the saving would be Bs. 4d. in the double journey. The saving between Cheltenham and Oxford, so far as distance was concerned, would be twenty five miles, The distance to North Leach from Cheltenham would be by the proposed line twelve miles, while by the narrow gauge line it would be fourteen miles. The next station was Burford, and the town after that was Witney, the celebrated manu factory for Witney blankets. There was already a Bill sanctioned by Parliament for a line from Oxford to Witne3,-, and the stations had been devised with an especial view to meet the arrangements for that line. On the contrary, the proposed station of the narrow gauge line was fixed behind the church, upwards of a mile from the centre of the town, and without any communication whatever with the railway which had already been granted. The line, of course, was placed in connexion with the Great Western station already formed at Oxford. The witness then explained from the plans of the several towns the positions of the stations. Mr. Thompson, of Cheltenham, late chairman of the Tring line, and other witnesses, confirmed what had been previously affirmed, and the Committee then adjourned. GROUP XXI. oxroTtE, WORCESTER, AT WOZATEM ZZAVIPTON, AND STOURERIDGE AND WEST ISROPILWIECH. The Committee met this morning at the usual hour; Sir J. Graham in the chair. Mr. Thornycroft, the deputy-chairman of the company, was the first witness examined. He said the line of the Ox ford, Manchester, and Wolverhampton, was absolutely neces sary to complete the railway communication of the district; that the want of it was greatly felt; and that it was, strictly speaking, an integral part of that line. The other project being simply a narrow gauge line, and the Oxford, Manches ter, and Wolverhampton, having both, would not be any thing like so advantageous. The witness detailed at length the advantages which the line would confer upon the district by opening up communications with South Wales and other mineral districts. Mr. Malyns, a partner in the firm of Matthews and Ma lyns, extensive ironmasters, gave corroborative evidence. Some discussion ensued with respect to the Act of last ses sion, which provided that all railways to be made should be laid down on the narrow gauge. Mr. COCKBURN said those for whom he appeared intended to construct their line on both gauges. Mr. WHATELEY intimated that the promoters of the Stour bridge and West Bromwich intended to propose the insertion of a clause in their Bill to empower them to lay down the mixed gauge. The remainder of the day was occupied in hearing evidence in favour of the first-mentioned line. Adjourned till to-morrow (this day), GROUP XXVIII. The Committee, Mr. T. D. Acland in the chair, met this morning at twelve o'clock. SLEAFORD BRANCH.' Mr. Foster was cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant WA /LNG HAM, on behalf of the London and York Company, with a view to show that the Stanford corn market was one of great importance. Mr. Peacock, a partner in the bank of Handley, Peacock, and Company, and raiding at Thorp Hall, which is about ten miles from the town, testisfied that the price of corn at Sleaford is almost always less than at Grantham and Newark, in consequence of the want of facility for transit. Ile therefore decided, from an intimate knowledge of the trade of the three towns, that the branch to Hougham was the best. Lord Bristol's pro perty lay around Sleaford, but he did not reside there, and the proposed branch would be certainly less injurious to it than the opposing lines. This, in fact, would become their trunk line, and it was, of course, necessary that branches should be formed to render it available. He had signed a petition in favour of the Great Northern Branches, but was not cognisant of any in favour of the Eastern Counties. To the CtratnmAN, Mr. Peacock replied that the reason why Sleaford had become so important a market was, the benefit which it enjoyed from the farmers in the neighbour hood being a wealthy and enterprising set of men, in pos session of the capital to carry out their views. The price was lower than at Grantham and Newark, in consequence of the deficiency of communication, but yet there was a large trade in corn, as there was canal communication with the River Witham, which was a feeder of the Humber, and thus there was an open communication with the north of England as well as with the continent of Europe. To Captain HARRIS, Mr. Peacock replied that he had no apprehension that in the event of this line being formed that Grantham would take the place of Sleaford as a corn market. The greater portion of the corn sold at Sleaford was grown chiefly in the neighbourhood of Tattershall, which is about eleven miles to the east of the town, and went prin cipally to the manufacturing districts. Certainly he believed that nothing would disturb the importance of Sleaford as a corn market. Mr. Parker Smitb, an extensive land agent and auctioneer, residing at Caythorpe, a village about two miles from Sleaford and nine from Grantham, stated that se veral important • properties, for ich he was the agent, would be injured by the proposed Eastern Counties Branch, although they would not be affected, except that they would receive a benefit from the intended branch of the Great Northern Company. At any rate, the district lying between the direct line of the London and York, and the loop line of that group, would be quite as well served as by the Eastern Counties' project, and in the event of the latter being carried out, the Great Northern branch would be useless. Mr. Nicholls, of Sleaford, and some other witnesses, gave further evidence to the same effect. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow (this day). A MIRACLE OF AN ENGLISH SAINT.—We have taken our examples very indiscriminately, from less than a tithe of the materials of this description which have been committed to print, and among which may be found many more absurd miracles than any here alluded to. Several, in deed, of the very worst class, are retailed with becoming gravity in the "Lives of the English Saints," which are lying before us. What, for instance, shall we think of the follow ing? We are told of St. Augustine's missionary wanderings, that "there is no record, or even tradition, of his reception in the north of England having been otherwise than favourable, and even hearty. Very different from this are the accounts G h f a h v i i vr_av m el a s in Dorsetshire. While there, we hear of his ng abusive wordsb.h The upon w wretched t t e b h e e d holy people, specie s of ins to ul o t neT r illage where he was received with every heapi with missiles, in visitors, u? con assailed tent themw iwith the sellers ofsfilli work, the place being probably a sea port,„ds, too, sb are related to have been peculiarly ac company, Finding were a i laid upon the Archbishop and his off the dust from their fe et efforts useless, the godly band shook are said to have suffered the and withdrew. The inhabitants distant generations. All e penalty of their the children impieties even to bore and transmitted the trace born from that time shape of a loathsome deformity!"" their parents' sin, in the 327.—The insult put upon the saint .fe °f St. Augustine, p. the tails of fish behind their robes. lae als that of attaching the deformity, it will be enough to atilt:tali: the nature of the narratorof this miracle, the inhabitants of'tbacecording to qtp , stion were ever atlerw.rils born with tail, ! It t y w ill e a ge in bably in reference to this judgment, pronounced on ~os m P e r °, - f their countrymen by their great apostle, that the English crusaders who accompanied Richard I. are reported to have been mocked with the title of caudati, or the people having tail&—Edinbrugh Rreeiw! THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 22, 1847. the House had progressed through two stages without any discussion. He thought that, although it was understood that the discussion of the Bill would be taken to-day, yet that his Honourable Friend had taken this opportunity, most unfairly, to make a general attack upon the service at the moment when the Admiralty were taking means to remedy the very evils which he bad so glowingly described. His Honourable Friend had taken a wrong view of the whole object of the Bill, for, instead of being in tended to oppress the sailor, it was meant to benefit him, by substituting in some cases a period of imprisonment instead of a corporal punishment. Some stringent measures were absolutely necessary to keep up the discipline which was es sential on board her Majesty's vessels, and yet it was the de sire of the Admiralty to save the sailors themselves from un necessary and too severe punishment. There were quarterly returns made of all the punishments inflicted in the navy, and these returns were jealously scrutinised by the Admi ralty, and in cases were that punishment appeared to be too severe, an immediate reprimand followed. By this Bill he only wished to substitute imprisonment, without court martial for corporal punishment, without at all increasing the means of severity now placed in the hands of captains. With these observations he might safely leave the Bill in the hands of the House, confident that it would receive its sanction. _ _ _ After a few words from Colonel Thomas Wood, Admiral Dundas, and Captain Plumridge, Captain PECHELL said that these punishments properly carried out would in some time entirely cease. It was really impossible to carry out discipline on board ship without the power which the Government placed in the hands of the authorities. He was serving off Toulon at the very time which was referred to, and when he considered how badly fed and clothed the sailors were, he was not surprised that there should be mutiny ; he only wondered how patiently the men bore their privations. But the time was now very diffitrent ; the sailors were bet ter taken care of, and, by a proper exertion on the part of the officers, no such circumstances as those alluded to would again occur. Captain FITZROY wished to bear his testimony to the zee' shown by the Admiralty to raise the condition of the men in the service. He was perfectly willing to assist is carrying out the measure, as he believed it was framed as much as possible to do away with corporal punishment. He only begged that those in authority would take due pre caution lest the discipline of the navy should be destroyed. They had only to go slowly in order to go securely. Captain Bgßli." ELM - said that desertion had become very common, and the Admiralty, in order to put it down, had is two instances ordered court martials, the sentences c.f which were more severe than usually would have been in flicted by the captAl the vessel. Mr. 110 WARD said that the frequency of desertion arose from the circumstance of the pay in the American service being much higher than in the English, and he hoped that no false delicacy would prevent the Government from taking the question of pay into consideration. Mr. WILLIAMS had no objection to the Bill if they would strike out the first part of the preamble. Mr. WARD said it was not possible for him to strike out the paragraph inserted. No one could doubt but that, as declared by the preamble, the authorities of the Admiralty had had hitherto the power to inflict corporal punishments. Sir CHARLES NAPIER agreed with the Hon Member for Gloucester (Captain Berkeley) as to the superior treat ment of the American seamen. The sailors in the Ame rican navy were much better paid than those in the British service ; the consequence of which was, from 40,000 to .50,000 British sailors were in the American service. If they could not increase the pay of the sailors at present, they ought at least to increase the pay of the petty officers, beginning with those officers of the first class. He thanked the Hon. Gentleman the Secretary of the Admiralty for the present Bill, as it would be a substitute for corporal punishment, which he had long seen the evil of. It was a measure which was much required. He quite agreed with the preamble and the first clause. With regard to the 9th clause, he called the attention of the Admiralty to it, in order that better measures might lee taken to prevent desertion. Ile could not agree that the power of punishing a deserter should be left to the captain of the ship; but the eeserter should be left to be tried by a court-martial. Admiral DUNDAS thought the clause ought to stand as it was, as it was more practicable than any other arrangement. Sir - CHARLES NAPIER could not agree in that conclusion. Mr. HUME believed that one of the greatest defects in the system was that there was not an equality between the army and the navy with respect to rewards. By an order of the Ordnance Council it appeared that 48 lashes could still be inflicted; but should the question come to be raised it would be shown that this punishment was against law. lie thought the system that had for its object encouragement, rather than punishment, would be found the more cffitient. Such a system prevailed in the army; for instance, sergeants received rewards for good conduct and for activity in the dis charge of their duty; but he would wish to know what encouragement was given to officers of the same rank in the navy? He did think that some reward ought to be held out to them ; and he would wish to E.ee an increase in the pay of the petty officers, which might act as an inducement to those who were placed beneath them. He trusted that the House would well consider a measure in the execution of which there was no law except the will of the captain, who might, perhaps, be rather too warm upon some trifling offence. Mr. WARD wished to remind his Hon. Friend, in bring ing forward this question, that a :plan for the proper pro vision and rewards to petty officers in the marine service was at present under consideration, by which these officers would be most materially benefited, so as entirely to disarm the ob jections of his Hon. Friend. Captain HARRIS wished to know whether the expense attendant upon the operation of the Bill by increasing the pay of the petty officers would be about 40,0004 or 50,0001.? Mr. WARD—Not so much. Captain HARRIS said that if the Bill would only cause an addition of so small a sum, he could not see any ob jection to its introduction. He thought that the law regulating the punishments mentioned in this Bill ought to be read to these officers at least once a month. He thought that the officers in her Majesty's service would receive this Bill with pleasure, as they were as anxious as any other persons in the country for the reduction of punish ment. Captain PECHELL said that the time was getting very short, and he hoped that there would be an opportunity afforded to the promoters of the Bill of giving an explanation on the first clause. He wished to . know whether, after the commander bad made an order for imprisonment, that order was subject to the ap proval of the Admiralty, and if it were so, what was to be done with the man until the decision of the Admiralty was known ? Mr. WAIM said, that the punishment of imprisonment was intended to be inflicted under precisely the same regulations as those under which corporal punishment was at present inflicted. As twenty-four hours must elapse before the man could be brought up to the gratings, so must twenty-four hours elapse before the man was con signed to imprisonment. Mr. WILLIAMS said, that in the case of these punish ments the captain was the witness and the judge, and he sealed and ordered the sentence. He thought that such a power ought never to be entrusted into the hands of one man. agreedl E C I t I: L a L s Clauses 1,2, 3, 4, and 5 were then agreed to. s agreed to. Clause 6, after a few words from C B a w pt a a s in Clause 7 was also agreed to. als A o f c t l e a r us s e o s in fl e , were wa The remaining clauses of the Bill were then agreed to, and the report ordered to be brought upon Friday. The House then resumed. Lord GEORG lco :B avne E drs N al T tli l .o N n, CK then withdrew the following motions An Address for copies of any correspondence or communications which may have taken place at any time, between the Foreign -office and the Go vernment of Spain, upon the subject of the ar rears of pay due from the Government of Spain to the British Legion formerly serving in Spain." Also, "An Address for copies of any correspondence or communications which may have passed between the Foreign-office and the Government of Portugal, upon the subject of the military pensions at any time due from Portugal to the Duke of Wellington and Viscount Beresford, or either of them," as Lord Palmerston had promised to give him private memo randums, which would enable the Spanish bondholders to prosecute their claims. The House adjourned at Six o'clock. STATE OF TRADE. MANCHESTER, TUESDAY.—Although it i 8 generally understood that there is a considerable amount of orders for the purchase of goods and yarn now in the hands of agents here, the amount of business done is exceedingly limited; and, perhaps, on no previous Tuesday, for some time past, have there been so few sales as were made yes. terday. Partly from the stringent proceedings of the Bank of England, and partly from the great instability and uncertainty of prices in the cotton market, neither buyers or sellers seemed anxious to do busi ness. G enera ll y spea ki ng, spinners and manu facturers demanded an advance ; and the little business done was mostly at rather higher rates ; but few buyers were inclined to accede to the demand. The con tinued depression in the market has recently caused some considerable additions to be made to the number of factories entirely at a stand. It is stated that four more have stopped at Rochdale, where the whole num ber standing is said to be fifteen; a very extensive concern in Cheshire has also been closed; in the mills producing coarse yarn in the town and immediate vicinity of Manchester, the consumption of cotton is probably not more than a third or a fourth of that consumed twelve months ago; and it is fully expected that the mills at Stockport, which have been hitherto working four days per week, will be reduced to three days, with the exception of one or two large concerns, which will probably be entirely closed. Amidst all this depression in business, it is satisfactory to be able to state that, so far as we can learn, there is very little alarm or distrust in this district, a striking proof of the caution and prudence which merchants and manu facturers have displayed in the conduct of business for some months past. ROCHDALE, MONDAY.—The announcement in the last week's report of the flannel market, that a manufacturer had stopped payment, occasioned some unpleasant sur mises. The party referred to was a resident in Saddleworth, and not a Rochdale manufacturer, but had been in the habit of attending this market. We have had but little doing in the piece market to-day, but prices aro much the same as last week. The wool market continues dull, at former rates.—Mills stopped : Four or five factories ceased working on Alonday last, and it is feared that many more will be obliged to adopt the same course, if there be not a speedy change for the better. Many mills were standing before the commencement of this week. HALIFAX, SATURDAY.—The dulness that has so long rested on the worsted trade remains unalleviated; and there is no perceptible change either in demand or in prices. The slightly improved demand for yarn noted last week still continues, accompanied by a small advance in price; though the spinners cannot yet obtain a bare remuneration for their outlay. There is no alteration in long wool; the improving effects of increased consump tion and short stocks being fully counterbalanced by the pressure in the money market. Short wools are not active, and the lower qualities have rather a downward tendency. HUDDERSFIELD, THURSDAY.--The market has been very dull. There are a few buyers, but there is no in clination to speculate beyond their immediate wants. The rise of 6s. the quarter on wheat casts a gloom over both buyers and sellers. LEEDS, TUESDAY.—There has been a good attendance , at our cloth halls to-day, but the bu siness done was very I limited, The nnravnurahle state of the corn and money rna•kf-B evi.letrly 'O,; p ‘s'r`di 00 ii 61-ra.gb of commerce.—Manchester Guardian. Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-o ffi ce, from the Governors of the West India Colonies. LAW INTELLIGENCE. COURT OF CHANCERY, April 21. MOSELEY V. ALSTAi.-THE NARROW V. TILE BROAD GAUGE. Mr. BETHELL commenced and concluded his arguments in support of the decision of the Vice-Chancellor of England overruling the demurrer put in by the defendants to the plaintiff's bill. Mr. J. PARKER followed on the same side. In the course of the Learned Counsel's address, Sir F. liran.v, on the part of the defendants, applied to his Lordship for leave to give a notice of motion for Friday next, if it should turn out to be necess iry to dis solve the injunction which the Vice-Chancellor of England had just then intimated to the parties it was his intention to grant. The LORD CHANCELLOR gave the leave asked. 'lbis application was made and granted during the time the Vice-Chancellor of England was giving his judgment. Mr. JAMES PARKER then resumed his arguments, follow ing Mr. BETMELL. At the conclusion of the Learned Counsel's address, Mr. Wn.cox followed on the same side, and had not finished when the Court rose, at four o'clock. The arguments will be resumed the first thing on Friday morning. VICG-CHANCELLOR'S COuRT, April 21. (Before the VICE-CHANCELLOR Of ENGLAND.) MOSELEY V. ALSTON—THE x•nnow V. THE BROAD GAUGE. Mr. ROLT commenced and concluded his address, following Sir F. Kelly and ➢lr. Stuart, :,n behalf of the defendants, against the motion for an injunction made by the plaMtiffs. Mr. G. RUSSELL followed on the same side. Itis lloNoun, at the conclusion of the arguments, gave judgment, granting the injunction. COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, April 21. (Sittings in Banco before Lord Chief Justice DENMAN and a full Court.) THE 9UEEN V. DUNN. At the sitting of the Court this morning, Mr. Dunn, the barrister, was brought up upon a writ of habeas corpus from the Queen's Bench prison, for the purpose of moving an arrest of judgment, and for a rule to show cause why a farmer trial, in which he stood charged with perjury, and in which a verdict of guilty was returned against him, should not be set aside, and a new one granted, on the ground that the evidence which' could have established a clear case in his favour had been rejected. The defendant entered into a long and rambling statement of facts, with all of which the public are well acquainted from the proceedings upon the trial. The principal fact upon which the application was grounded, was the non-admission in evidence of certain letters written by Miss Coutts to Lord James Stewart, by comparing which with certain letters in his own possession, and alleged to have been written by Miss Coutts to him, he would have been able to prove that the letters he had received were in the handwriting of the prosecutrix. Ile also submitted that as Miss Coutts had declined, when on the trial, to give him certain information, for which he asked, she, as a principal witness declining to give all the information in her power upon the case before the jury, was not entitled to any credit, and that the case ought to have been stopped. The question sub mitted to the jury was not a question as to the amount ' mentioned in the affidavit—it might have been 1,000 pence or 1,000 pounds. The affidavit was perhaps false in fact, and false in law; yet the question for them to decide was whether, at the time he (Mr. Dunn) swore it, he be lieved it to be true. He called upon their Lordships to in vestigate the case, and he was sure that if justice had not been clone already, their Lordships would, without hesi tation, remedy the evil at once. With regard to the affidavit which he had sworn, it was not an affidavit under the Act sth and 6th Victoria. The Act was silent as to the form in which the instrument should be drawn up, and it mentioned distinctly the parties before whom only such an affidavit ought to be made, and, as the document had been sworn in the Court of Bankruptcy, a place not mentioned in the Act, it was certainly not a valid one under the Act, which regulated the making of such affidavits, and ordered them to be made before authorities entirely distinct from that Court. Anything relating to bankruptcy was not of necessity committed to the Court of Bankruptcy. The matter when brought before the Court of Bankruptcy, under this particular form of affidavit, was coram non judice.—The applicant concluded his remarks (which occu pied four hours) by lengthened references to the different Acts relating to bankruptcy, in support of the view which he took of the informality of the affidavit. After a short consultation among the Learned Judgee, The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE said—l think it right to read my notes of the trial, in order that if there is any ground of doubt whatever we may take into our consideration. There may be probably some point upon the affidavit upon which, at a!1 events, we may grant a rule. Ido not see any other matter which requires the decision of the Court. (His Lord ship then read his notes of the evidence adduced upon the trial.) _ _ At - the conclusion, some further deliberation took place upon the bench. The Lour) CHIEF JUSTICE said that there certainly was some difficulty about the construction of the Act of Parlia ment, and upon which the decision of the Court would be given at some future time. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANSION-HOUSE. Hawkins, the master of the Citizen steam-boat, letter J., was summoned before Alderman Farncotrb, for having, in violation of the new bye-laws for the regula tion of steam-vessels, acted on board without being licensed. Mr. Pelham appeared for the prosecution. A free vvaterman, named Godfrey, stated. that he went, accompanied by a friend, on board the Citizen at London-bridge, and was conveyed in her to Chelsea ; that he paid for the passage for both, and that the de fendant stood on the paddle-box during the voyage and gave the necessary directions to the people under his authority. The witness knew the defendant well, and had been provoked to the course of complaint by the reckless conduct of the man, who did not seem to care about anybody in passing through the river. This evidence was confirmed by that of another person. Upon the part of the defendant, who did not deny one of the facts stated against him, it was said, that he was upon the point of taking out a license, but he could not do so until the mea.urement of his vessel should be effected; and that the company to which the vessel be longed was remarkable for the observance of all the bye-laws. Alderman FARNCOMB said, it was quite clear that a violation of an essential part of the Act had in this case taken place, and that the defendant must pay the penalty of 40s. and costs. Mr. Goodman (the chief clerk) said, he hoped the captains and crews of the various steam-vessels on the Thames would, now that the season was commencing, pay a more particular attention than usual to the various regulations for their government. The Lord Mayor was determined to inflict penalties in all cases which should be proved before BOW-STREET. John Denby, a young man employed as a letter carrier in the Post-office, was charged with stealing some country notes and securities to the value of 1101. 19s. 2d., which had been transmitted from Ly mington. His wife, Sarah Denby, was charged with negotiating them. The notes, &c., had been enclosed in a letter, which it was the prisoner's duty to have delivered. It was proved that he and his wife went together to a pawnbroker's in Whitechapel-road, and there tendered one of the 5/. Lymington notes in payment for a ring, selected by the latter, and some other articles. The husband endorsed the note, " William Willis." Mrs. Freshwa.er, landlady of the Telegraph public house, in Oxford-street, Mile-end, proved that the pri soner paid her another of the 51. notes for certain chances in a " Derby sweep" coming off at her house. The prisoners were taken at their lodgings in Oxford street, Mile-end, the wife having the ring purchased at the pawnbroker's then upon her finger. From her d‘:,meanour, however, it appeared evident that she had no concern in the robl:r:ry. Her husband at once admitted his guilt and avowed the innocence of his wife, who went into a hysterical fit on hearing the constable's mission. The wife was discharged by the direction of Mr. HENRY, who remanded the other prisoner for further examination. WORSHIP-STREET. A man of respectable appearance, named James Knowles, described as a commercial traveller, was charged with having, by wanton and furious driving, run over and seriously injured a child eleven years of age, named James Bland, the son of a labourer at Mile end. A witness named Locke stated, that while standing at his door at nine o'clock on the preceding evening, he saw a horse and kind of gig- cart, driven by the prisoner, advancing towards bim at a furious rate; and, appre hensive that some children playing in the road, of whom little Bland was one, would be killed, he called out loudly upon him to stop. Witness thought he might have done so had he chosen, but the prisoner took no notice of the caution, went on at the same pace as before, and the next instant the child was struck down and the off wheel of the cart passed over its body. Several persons who had witnessed the occurrence en deavoured to stop the horse, but the prisoner thrashed it violently, and it was not until a considerable time after wards that he was at length secured by a young man named Newell, who had perseveringly pursued him, and gave him into custody. A boy named Page, who was playing with little Bland at the time, saw the cart coming upon them at an ex tremely rapid pace, and called out to the prisoner , brother; upon exclaimed,' pbob he had passed them, that he had run o upon which the prisoner loo ke d back,exla e u poo h! nonsense!' lashed his horse, and drove on as before. Anne Martin also deposed to calling upon the pri soner to stop, and that he merely looked aside towards her, drove on, and the wheel instantly passed over the child. James Bland, the boy's father, deposed to picking up the child in great agony, and carrying him to the London Hospital, and Sarah Bland, his mother, proved that upon visiting him that morning in the hospital, she found him so injured he could scarcely recognise her, and that the nurse who attended him had but slight hopes of his recovery. A certificate from Mr. Nash, the hospital surgeon, was also put in, describing the nature of the injuries the boy had sustained, and stating him to be in con siderable danger. When called upon for his defence, the prisoner ex pressed excessive regret at the unfortunate occurrence, which he declared to have been purely accidental, and said that he had no idea whatever that he had driven over anybody, and was greatly surprised and hurt when he was informed that he had in reality done so. Mr. BROUGHTON regarded the transaction in a very serious light, and ordered the prisoner, who was stated to be respectably connected, to be brought up again next week, to afford time for ascertaining the result of the in juries the child had sustained. CLERKEN WELL. William Bid, a respectable-looking middle-aged man, was finally examined, charged with having committed numerous robberies. It appears that the prisoner for some time past has romraltting hiq depreaqtions on bov•ding-school e i C , o;, ,!, :10 called ur.,:er pro, 1r (1 of inquir ing as to the terms for the board 'and education of two young ladies ; and invariably, after leaving the establish ments, gold watches and other valuable articles were missed. On Wednesday last he paid a visit to Mrs. Lydall, of Tyndal's- place, Islington, and stole a pair of gold spectacles, and an article of silver plate. He was stopped pledging them two hours subsequently at a pawnbroker's in Islington, when he was given into custody. In his pockets was found a variety of valuable articles, the produce of other robberies. Mrs. Elizabeth Watkins, of Seymour-place, Chelsea, and Miss Margaret Johnson, of Canonbury-place, Islington, identified the prisoner as having called at their houses under similar circumstances, and stolen a gold watch and seal, &c. The prisoner said nothing in his defence, and he was fully committed for trial on the above three charges. The court was crowded by parties who had been similarly plundered by the prisoner, and they were re commended to indict him at the sessions. WESTMINSTER. William Frazer and William Wilson were charged with insulting Lieut. F. A. Tracey, R.N., Governor of Tothill-fields House of Correction, and setting on a dog to attack his horse. Lieutenant Tracey said, he was proceeding along the Horseferry•road, Westminster, on horseback, at about half past three that afternoon, where he found a crowd of persons, which bad been occasioned by a vicious dog, which he had since understood belonged to the defen dants, and which flew at several children and other per sons who were passing. As he was proceeding along, Frazer made the sort of noise used by persons to set a dog on, and the latter immediately attacked his horse and seized its legs. The horse, which was very fresh, became exceedingly restive, and it was with the utmost difficulty that he could prevent i!S going over some children who were running away in terror from the dog. Wilson at that moment made use of a most disgusting epithet to complainant, and then the defendants, who were in a cart, drove off at a furious r ste; but a constable (White, 100 B,) came up, and at great risk 'succeeded in stopping them. Mr. BRODERIP inquired whether the defendants had ever been in his custody? Lieutenant Tracey replied, that Frazer had been in his custody, he believed, both fur felony and assaults. He had no doubt that Wilson had also been confined in the prison. In answer to further inquiries, Lieutenant Tracey said, that the dog repeatedly flew at persons in tie street and at his horse. The dog, which was unmuzzled, was a very ferocious animal, and unfit to be at large. He considered the constable entitled to much praise kr his conduct. White proved that the defendants were driving very furiously, that a great number of persons had assembled, and that be saw the clog attack the horse repeatedly, en couraged by the defendants to do so. Frazr declared that he was now endeavouring to get an honest living, and both defendants, in general terms, de nied the charge; but neither attempted to contradict the statement of their having been confined in Tothill fields prison. Mr. BEODERIP said he should impose such a penalty as would deter persons from putting the public in jeopardy by such ruffianly conduct. De endants were fined 40:;. each, and, in default, com mitted for twenty-one days. SOUTHWARK. Mark Blackmon!, the son of a respectab'e tradesman, who was committed some days since from this court for threatening to shoot his father, was brought up from tl.e county gaol for the purpose of being liberated on bail. It appeared that several articles had been stolen from the prisoner's sister, and amongst them a valuable gold watch, which he was strongly suspected of taking ; sod being interrogated by his father on the subject, he threatened to blow out the old man's brains, and actually prepared a loaded pistol for the purpose. The father, however, having previous intimation of the preparations making for depriving him of existence, came off to this court, and immediate steps were taken to prevent it by the arrest of his son. On that occasion prisoner was held to bail, and, not being prepared with sureties, he was committed. Yesterday, however, two gentlemen attended to become his bail, and the magistrate, observ ing from the prisoner's appearance that ho was ex tremely ill, was informed that it was produced by the young man making a most determined attempt to corn• mit suicide in gaol. For this purpose he got into a cor ner of his cell and endeavoured to strangle himself, and was on the point of effecting his object when one of the turnkeys, happening to hear the noise, ran to the spot and saved his life. The circumstance just narrated having been mentioned to the magistrate, and he having pointed out the risk the gentlemen who had offered to become the prisoner's sureties ran in consenting to it, they refused to do so, and the prisoner was therefore sent back to gaol ; and directions were given to watch him closely, to prevent a recurrence of such an act as that he had attempted to carry into effect. IRELAND. DUBLIN, APRIL 19.—The accounts from various parts of the country show that symptoms of discontent and insubordination are apparent during the transition from employment on the public works to the new relief system; but there has been no actual outbreak ; although the peasantry are suffering the deepest destitution. In Youghal, county Cork, and in somo parts of the county of Galway, the authorities deemed it necessary to have military and police in readiness ; but there has been, fortunately, no necessity for their intervention. The unfeeling conduct of some of the local gentry has been calculated to produce a popular ferment. The Ballinasloe Star, a Conservative paper, contains the fol lowing statement on this subject : " We have heard a well authenticated report of some evictions in the neighbourhood of Eyrecourt. Some days since ,& suffering human being begged something to relieve the pangs of hunger from a gentleman not very distant from this town ; although he could afford relief--the unfeeling answer made to the woful tale of destitution was, " Go, eat grass!" The sequel to this disgraceful anecdote is, that the wretched man died of starvation before night. What wonder, then, is it, if we hear daily and nightly rumours of collected mobs in the face of such ungentleness as this ? Such cynical language is more galling than sheer neglect. From this and other causes we are sorry to say that this neighbourhood is not by any means as peaceable as it has been. The cry of disaffection is now at last striking on our ear; several gentlemen have received threatening letters. On last Sunday a report cir culated through this town, that another and a worse visitation was Contemplated by the disemployed labourers from the parish of Moore. The authorities acted at once, by sending for a troop of Hussars to Athlone. The arrival of this force prevented any meeting if such were ever contemplated, and the troops retnrned to their quarters in peace on Tuesday. Instead of an armed band of infuriate peasantry, our streets are every day crowded with numbers of poor creatures in quest of food and employment. STATE OF THE PROVINCES. Further lamentable accounts have been received of the ravages of pestilence in some counties of the south and west. PROVISIONS FOR SLlGO.—Captain Gilbert, RE., Go vernment Inspector, ha* published an address to the relief committee of that county, with a letter from Count de Strzelecki, agent of the British Association, transmitting 5001. worth of provisions for the relief of the destitute. Captain Gilbert thus closes the address : "By an order received from the Commissioners of the Board - of Public Works, the present mode of relief, by employing the people on the public woks, will cease on the Ist of May next ; it is, therefore, quite unnecessary for me to point out the very short space of time remain ing for you and the Finance Committee to make arrange ments for the new system of relief.—l have the honour to be, gentlemen, your obedient, humble servant, "F. Y. GILBERT, " Captain Royal Engineers, Government Inspector." CLON.II , 'L, APRIL 17.—We regret to state that our re spected townsman, James Burk, Esq., and Mr. John Power, of Priorstown, caught fever while attending their duties as poor-law guardians in the workhouse of this union, on Thursday week. The latter gentleman has since died. Fever and dysentery are rapidly spreading. TRALEE, APRIL 17.—The report of Dr. Alton to the poor-law guardians, with respect to the frightful state of Ratass Churchyard, surpasses in horror anything that has occurred in our country for centuries. The bodies of the dead are the chief, perhaps the only food of great packs of famishing dogs, which nocturnally prowl about our grave yards, and scrape up the scaree-buried dead as their food. In Killarney, Lord Kenmore has, we have reason to believe granted a new burial-ground; the old ones in that district, as well as in this, and thoughout Kerry, proving inadequate for the immense mortality. Unless new grounds be opened at once, the heat of next month, acting on the miasma generated in such abundance, may produce a plague, transcending in horror any recorded in history. DINGLE, APRIL 16.—Arrived yesterday her Ma jesty's steamer Blazer, with oats and barley seeds. Since the reduction on the public works, the mortality has been so great that the obituary of this barony would fill a large portion of our space. Fever and dysentery are attacking all classes. The Rev. Mr. Hulooham, P.P., of Dunurlin, and the Rev. Thadee Hamilton, Protestant curate, are slowly recovering. It is supposed that our population—over 20,000 last year—will be reduced one half at least.— Tralee Chronicle. COUNTY OF MAYO, BALLINROBE.—We regret to state that Dr. Molloy now lies ill of typhus fever; he was at tacked on the eve of departure from Ballinrobe, having succeeded in removing fever from the poor-house, whcli had 700 ill when he was sent down by the Board of Health a month since.—Bid. GALWAY, APRIL 17.—At the meeting of the poor-law guardians on Wednesday, there were sixty paupers ad mitted, as several of the inmates, amounting to about two hundred, have left the house having in view the prospect of out•door TIIE CROPS.—TILLAGE OF THE LAND. Notwithstanding the continuance of ungenial wea. ther, the reports of the crops are still favourable, and generally, fair progress has been made in the tillage of the land. REPEAL ASSOCIATION —THIS DAY. The weekly meeting of the association was held this day. Mr. J. II DUNNE in the chair. The chairman hav ing addressed the meeting on some matters of local in terest, Mr. J. CONNELL, in reply to an annonymous letter, which expressed a wish that some authentic state ment with regard to the actual state of his father's health should be published, observed that the accounts published in the Freeman's Journal were strictly correct, and might be relied upon as conveying the fullest information. The Honourable Gentleman sub sequently addressed the meeting at considerably length, censuring in the most emphatic manner the conduct of the House of Commons in rejecting Mr. Watson's Bill. With regard to the Vagrancy Act for Ireland, it was his decided conviction that such a measure would be wholly inoperative, and productive of the very worst results. A vote of thanks having been passed to the Ar.,ericall3 for their sympathy to Ireland, and an addrcss voted to Captain Forbes, of the Jamestown, the rent for the week WAS unuounced to be 341, 15s. 10d. TRADE WITH CHINA. There have just been presented to the House of Com mons, in pursuance of their order of January 22, returns of the trade of the various ports of China, down to the latest I eriod (in continuation of the returns laid bcfore Parliament during the last session). These return's oc cupy some 150 closely-printed folio pages, and contain reports upon the several ports for 1845 an d down to the middle of last year. The following is an interesting ta bular statement, giving a comparative view of l3,.!itish trade at the five ports of China during the year 184,6 --. Ports of trade. Imports. Exports. Canton £2,321,692 £4,392,2 70 Amoy Foochewfoo 43,981 Ningpo 10,398 Shanghae 1,082,107 Total £3,605, 1 772 £5,824;07 Victoria, April 28, 1846. The following is a despatch from Consul Nhegregor to Sir John Davis, relative to the British trad , ...! at Can ton for the half-year ending 30th of June, 18 45 : Sir—l have the honour of transmitting VJ your EX* cellency'returns, illustrative of the British trade at this port for the half year ending the 30th of .7, une, viz. Ist. A return of the quantities of in. erchandise hp' ported in 68 British vessels, of 30,343 tons, and in 47 Hong-kong lorchas, of 2,829 tons, showing an aggrega te value as regards British manufactures a ,nd produce, of 2,162,632 dolls. and productions of and other countries of 2,002,979 dolls. making the total of inVr" ration during the half-year 4,165,611 d oils. at 4s. 2d., equal to 867,8331. sterling. This amourut does not, how" ever, include the quantities imported, from Macao to Portuguese lorchas, nor any others but those that have been reported through this c o n su l a t e and actually psi" duty. 2d. A return of the quantities of mereaandise exported during the same period in 77 British vessels, of 35,242 tons, to the value of 7,917,200 dolls., or 1,649,416 1 . stg. , which amount likewise only includes those articles which have paid duty. 3d. A statement of the tonnage dues znd import and export duties paid upon British shipping during the same period, and amounting in all to 973,406 diulls. or 202,7931. sterling. A comparison of the above mentioned returns with those of the corresponding period of 1844 yields the following results : Ad. 1. The former ow a decrease in he importtion of British manufacture show a decrease in the importation of British manufactures and produce to t the amoun a t of 425,657 dolls., and in that of the productions of Indis, and other countries of 129,718 dolls., being a total defi ciency of imports, upon the half-year ended the 30th of June, 1845, of 655,375 dolls. Ad. 2. A decrease is apparent in the value of exports to the amount of 797.943 dollars. Ad. 3. A corresponding deficiency, amounting. to 140,622 dolls. occurs in the duties levied upon the British trade during the past half-ycar. To account for this apparent decrease in our trade of the first half-year, I will only remark generally, that owing to over-importation in 1844, the stock of Euro pean goods on hand at the commencement of the prefent year was unusually heavy, in conseejuence of which ship' ments to this pert became less frequent, and prices de clined on an average 10 per cent. The diminution in the amount of exports must be chiefly attributed to two o f th e ;mos t important articles, namely tea and raw silk, hating been shipped filo Sharghae to a much greater extent in the past half-yam than in the corresponding period of 1844. The deficiency in the aggregate amount of duties levied in the British trade seems to require no further expian e ; tion, it being naturally dependent upon the fluctuation of ," commerce, and I therefore con fi ne myse lf to s tating tha t the number of British arrivals from the Ist of J an uary te the 30th of June, of the p resent year , am ount to 75 ships, of 32,487 i tons, against 91 ships, of 40,6641 tot wh:ch were reported inwards a t thi s office during t corresponding period in 1844. •• I am happy to add, in conclusio n , that the cone° al i ties which remained on hand at th e commencement of the year having since been disposed of by shipments to Shanghae and Amoy, and cotton manufactures being cheaper now in the home markets than they have been . for some time, there is a fair prospect of a brisk trade " Canton during the ensuing season, the more so as teas and other China produce seem to c om e in freely from th e interior of the country. It appears from various of the returns that the folio!' ing are the amounts of British import and export Va c ': at the several ports du r i ng th e half-year ending Ju l/ - 30, 1846 : Shanghae—lmports, 440,994/. ; exports, 456,9651 Ningpo—lmports, 1,725/. ' • exports, 4,506/.an Fouchow—Consul Alcock states that there h a lf "absence of all forei gn t ra d e a t this port during Me year ending 30th June" (1846). Amoy—lmports, 40,1851. ; exports, 2,4021. Canton—Mr. Consul Macgregor, from pressure of business, was unable to forward the returns from this port at the time the others were made. EXTRAORDINARY ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE EY A RESPECTABLE FEMALE.—On Sunday afternoon, b e t ween the h ou rs of two and three o'clock , the neigbourhood of Man chester-square was thrown into a state of considerable alarm and excitement in consequence of the following extraordi nary attempt at suicide made by a highly respectable female whilst labouring under some temporary mental aberration. It appears that the unfortunate victim, named Fanny Richey, aged fifty-six, had for some months past resided at No. 19, Henrietta-street, Manchester-square, and was somewhat re markable for her eccentric ways and habits, though it was little suspected that she was of unsound mind. At eleven in the morning she was in conversation with the landlady, aft er which she retired to her apartments at the upper part of the house, and at the period specified above she deliberately Pr (). ceeded to the roof of the house by means of a small ladder and at once precipitated herself into the street. She fell in a diagonal direction, and lodged upon the area rails, he r clothes having caught, and thus the unfortunate creature miraculously escaped an instantaneous death. The occur rence was seen by several persons passing by at the tam e, and police-constable 109, D division, states that her dress caught on to the spikes of the rails, so as to break the fells otherwise she must have been killed on the spot. The Ind": tunate creature was then conveyed in a cab to the Middl!set • Hospital, and Mr. Dickson, the house surgeon, ascerta ins that e thee that she had sustained, besides a dreadful wound head, some severe internal injuries. so as to leave little bo Pes of her ultimate recovery. She is unmarried, and verY re spectably connected. A THIEF SHOT.—A party of gipsies having lately pitched their tents in the neighbourhood of GrareP t r ie j one of them, following the occupation of a tinker, e* _ f on Mr. Richard Murton, a farmer in the pa rish Cuby, on Tuesday week,' and inquired if h e bad . 1, 1 1 kettles, pots, pans, or old bellows to be 'Tr os t He was told they had none of those required mending. Outside the bousear,tidehnotwbiezeirs• Was a large brass pan, with water In it ; of he appears, the tinker took good notice , 0 beeen . left the premises. On Wednesday fini n g' three and four o'clock. the farmer s son we* a w out from by the barking of their dog. Re looked de ,.. the window, and saw a man who bad a large. to with him. He called to his father, who told bire, o _. see who the man was. Without putting on aaythi and ran out kenad except his hat, he took a loaded _ barefooted. lie then saw the man going off as fast as De could with the brass pan on his head. Ho pursued the thief, and after running across two fields overtook bins, and ordered him to car r y b ack the pen t o t „k te p l us whence he tock it. The fellow refused, but Mr. Murton insisted on his taking back the pan, saying, " if you don't I will fireatyou." After a few more words, theme( took up the pan and carried it part of the way back, b u t th an „ e j e , put it down, swearing that he would go no f t igth et .7 7 ,i t h it. The farmer's son said ho should, and up on th 4& t h e y bad another altercation, until at length th e W ow p ro duced hammer, and threatened to knock Mr. Murton's brains out, if he did not Ist him go. Murton still insisted on the pan being carried all the way back, and some more word` followed, when, for his own defence, and to secure t he rogue, Mr. Murt on fi re d hi s gun, and shut off part of the calf of one of the fellow's legs. He inetstatiy fell, and Mr. Murton, after examining the irsittry tbet had bee s done, ran in t o t e ll hi s f ather and brother. They came out and carried th e woun d e d thief into the house, Ply him breakfast, and afterwards placed him is a cart, en d took him before Mr. G. W. F. Gregor, a ,ma gistrate for the county. Mr. Gregor ige w as ohl to come out into th e y ar d t o ta k e the depose' Lions of the wit nesses , the Mlles leg being. s o bad tha t be could not be removed fr om th e c art . He Rawcom mitted for trial, and taken on t o St.-Austell ; but, com b ; plaining of his leg, he was examined by a surgeon. w fit directed him to remain at St. Austell until he was in a state to be removed. On Friday last, however, the pry' soner's leg had become so much worse that, after * consultation among the surgeons. it was considered se' cessary to amputate the limb, which was done on the same day at St. Austell.— West Briton. Antalya. On the 12th inst., the lady of Major T. 11. Oahu-, Bombs/ Army, of a son. On the 15th inst., at Thurloe-square, the lady of Liente• nant-Colonel G. Warren, of a daughter. On the 16th inst., at Caiinberwell House, Surrey, the Wif e of John H. Paul, Esq., of a daughter. On the 17th inst., at Cheltenham, the lady of the ReY• Hamilton Thomps(n, of a (laughter. On the 19th inst., at Elthatn, Kent, the lady o f the B ev. ' John T. Plummer, of a daughter. OnotfhAeiolnBttahgte Ormsby Cooper,i nlst.,atlsGr,eatJamesE-ssq.tre, f a James-street,, f te df or d-rort th e lady On the 19 t h i nst. , at Minerva-place, Lambeth, the w if e o f M r. J . H awkins, of a claughtgi rs. J o na On the 19th i ns t., at N ewton-road, BaYlwe ter ' Collins, of a son . s hire, the la o i On the 17th i ns t., a t Alseot-park, Glouee ster of J. R. W es t, E sq ., o f a daughter. the wife of the R cr • On the 17th i ns t., a t Wilton, Norfolk, W. 11. Han son , o f a d aug h ter. Kendnainugtghotner.. green, On the 18th inst., Mrs. Charles Dickens. of stam son. ter, Afro On the 18th i ns t., i n D u k e - s t ree t, y Bruoel, of a daught er . ens MARRIED. On the 17th inst., John Parker Bolding, Esq., of Hamilton terrace, St. John's-wood, to Mary, daughter of the late r* Richardson, Esq., of Flatfield, Perthshire. On the 17th inst., at St. George', Bloomsbury! George Burrow Gregory, E s q., o f B e dford-square, to Marla Teresa Price, second daughter of R. Price, Esq., of Sat_____Ltag DIED. On the Bth of February, at sea, on board the sh i p Welles ley, Sir Walter S co tt, of AbbotstOrd, Bart. , L ieutenant' Colonel 15th, or King's, Hussars. sou - On the sth ult., at Montreal, Lower Canada, G. F eru Esq., late Captain in the 23d Baiiment, aged 33. On the Hilt inst., Mr. Daniel West, of Lidwells, i n Goa' hurst, Kent, aged 73. On the 17th inst., in Bedford-row, Henry Kensit, On the 17th inst., at White House, Musselburgh , ray, al., aged 74. R On the 19th inst., Rebecca, wife of Mr. Tubb, of •-aq court, Fleet-street. M D OD the 19th inst., in Finsbury-circus. Tbnmss Beva n ' • lig, London: Printoil and Publithed by MUILDO YOUR, 01 N& p t Straw], Printer, at The Bun Office, N 0.112, Strand, in t e a, of the savoy, in the County of 111441e4eX, 2114010 7 ' 1847. r ; P\