The Express.
London, England, 1864-10-04 00:00:00

PUBLIC MUTING AT ■RITE.

Last evening a crowded and influential publics meeting
of the inhabitaote of Erith, Belvedere, Plumsteed, sad its
vicinity was held at the Rice: Tavern, 'Era, to " consider
the serious ►mount of damage done by the explosion on Sa-
turday last, mid to adoptauch resolutions as might be deemed
necessary thereto." The chair was occupied by the Pee.
Archdeacon C. J. Smith, vicar of Eritb, the Revs. T. Remit
and J. Wood, Captain M'lCillop, R.N., Messrs. A. Russell,
of Dartford* C. H. Smith, Greeewich;Hall, Beadle, Why,
Webber, Shaw, Dalton, Everitt, Berle, with other influen-
tial residents were also present. The rev. chairman, corn-
moaned the proceedings by alluding to the vast and almost
overwhelming calamity which bad suddeoly fallen upon that
district. There were some points connected with the cata-
strophe which were not unworthy of comment.
Amongst throe were the zeal and alacrity dis-
played by the entire population of the district
to render every aid under the direful circumstances, and the
singular sobriety and praiseworthy demeanour manifested
by the thousands of persons, from the most remote Oboes,
whose curiosity led them to visit the spot. They had, in-
deed, reason to be thankful for that ready aid, which doubt-
less prevented that mighty river from asserting its dominion
and again flowing over those booed acres where it so doubt
at one time found its original bed. The great sacrifice of
property was, after all, es nothing when compared to the
sacrifice of human life ; and he hoped it wiridd go forth to
the world that the sympathy of that meeting with their
falls. brethren was paramount. He conceived th►t the
meeting had assembled for two objects. First, it desired
to make a well-considered and temperate expremioe of re-
gret, or he might indeed say remonstrance against the re-
erection of powder factories so neer populace Realities ;
sad they wished also to onsaider the question of
lom and compensation, and to come to some decision as to
who was responsible.—Mfr. Churchwarden Parish moved the
following resolution :—" That the dinette which recently
occurred in this neighbourhood proves clearly the impro-
priety of gunpowder sod expletive material being allowed
to be manufactured in the vicinity of populous places, and
that communications be made to the Home-office and the
licensing magistrates, pointing out the d►nger attending the
establishment of gunpowder manufactories and warehouses
in such places, and urging the discontinuance of existing
licensee, and the refusal to grant any more new licenses for
such plum in future."—Mr. Everill seconded the resolution,
which was supported by Dr. Hallos and other gaittlemen, sad
unanimously adopted.—Captain WIC illop urged the neceseity
of more stringent regulations with regard to the removal of
powder in barges from the mills to moraines. Them
barges ought to be constructed in a peculiarly safe manner,
and to have some distinctive sign that they were laden with
• dangerous cargo. On the motion of Mr. Everitt, seconded
by Mr. Hall, • numerous and influential committee wu ap-
pointed to carry oat the objects of the meeting. On the
motion of Mr. Beadle, it was reed Ted to recommend the
committee to represent to the government the massity of
enforcing more stringent regulations with respect to the am-
'manes of gunpowder by teed and water. The Rev. J.
Wood, Mr. Hall, and other gentlemen then addressed the
meeting, and • discussion took place repeating the question
of compensation to the parties injured, but it was ultimately
resolved to adjourn the consideration of the subject
notd inquiries bad been made, and legal opinions obtained.
Mr. Russell, of Dartford, proposed that • subscriptioe be
commemed to raise a fuod,for the sufferers ; but the chair-
man and others considered that the subject Lad better be
deferred for the consideration of an adjourned meeting, as'
it was oousected with the question of oompensatioa. It
was, then stated that the arm of Masers. Hall bed under-
taken to provide for the widows and orphans of the men
killed ; and, after a vote of thanks to the chairman, the
meeting was adjourned.

With refereoce to the cooditlon of the sufferers the Mow.
big particulars have bees furnished as by Mr. 8. Tattier, the
house surgeoo at Guy's Hospital : Elizabeth Wright died 10
minutes after admissioo ; James Eves died at four o'clock
p.m. on Sunday ; Elie. Osborn is in a very daogerons state.
bat still some hops may be entertained of her ultimate re-
covery. All the others are doing well. There was another
accident brought in os Sunday sight. Luigi Lomedi,
rod, admitted 12 30 p.m. frail Erith, with a composed frac-
ture of the thigh just above the kne►joint, arid the
whole of his leg below much Iseerated and cootused. He
was in a severe state of collapse, being quite told and
almost palaeleas. Amputation was requisite, but he could
not possibly be prevailed epos to submit—pot that it could
have given much chance of hie recovery. He died at 1.16
p.m. Him own account was that he was pushed ander the
oarriage whilst it was starting, and that the wheels went
over him right lag. There was as error in the name of
Dinah Rayner, who is doing well. It should have beset
Eliza Osborn, who is is a dangerous state. Mr. and Mee
Hall and sever►l friends have been most kind in venting
the poor sufferers bringing Gem grapes, kc."

The shock of the explosive at Belvedere was distinctly
felt ►t the Crystal Palace. On of the sliding doors on the
podia side of the building was forced out cf its bearings,
and blown inwards ; other door were also forted. The
fireman's bell, at the eolith entrance, was loudly twig. Some
pictures standing against a wall were thrown flat. Some
alarm was felt by the workmen on the roof, and by the
gardener■ who were watering the plants inside the nave,
from the girders of the Fret stage. Fortunately, however.
no more serious consequences followed, and a minute ex'.
111/1111U0111 of the fabric by Mr. Rose, the company's clerk of
works, showed that so perceptible injury whatever had been
sustained. The smoke of the explosion wee plainly to be
seen from the Palace, rising over Shooter's-hill ie the font
du gigantic mushroom.