The Express.
London, England, 1863-01-21 00:00:00

THB SEIZURE OF THE DILAPIDATED HOUSES

IN STANPORD-STREET.

For many years past a great eyesore has ex-
isted in the parish of Christchurch, Blackfriars-road. con-
' lament upon the number of untenanted and dilapidated
' houses 'Ending a the southern side of Stainfoedetrest,
extending fromthe corner house in Blackfriars.road nearlyup
to Broadwall. It Is about 25 years since the majority of the
houses were occupied, and the last tenant was the vestry
clerk, who about 18 years since occupied the house at the
I earner of the street, a very large and spacious one. The
property, together with several houses in the same condition
lon Scow-hill, City, belonged 30 years since to a gentleman
named Atkinson, who about that time went abroad, as it
was said, and has not since been beard of. Alter some
years, and many mysterious reports, the property was takes
possession of by two maiden sisters of the missing man,
residing in Stamford-street, and of miserly and acentric
habits. From some reason, known only to themselves, they
served notices on the various tenants of the houses to quit,
and as they became empty refused to let them spin, and
11 they have thus fallen into their present dilapidated
state. The two sisters meanwhile continued to live
together in a large dirty-looking house in Stamford-
street, and whenever they appeared out of doors
presented a most wretched and miserable appearance.
A short time since one of them died, and about the same
time some claimants for the property came forward and de.
dared themselves to be sons and daughters of the long-
missing brother. The surviving sister at once repudiated
the claim, and employed a man to secure the doors of the
houses. Yesterday morning, however, soon after day-
break. about twenty men and women, apparently of the
humbler classes, several of the women having children in
their arms, made their appearance in front of the house at
the corner of Stamford-street and Blackfriars-road, and at
once proceeded to take possession by breaking opts the door.
Having obtained ingress they barricaded the doors sad win-
dows. A crowd of people assembled to wham the pro-
misdates, and loudly cheered the parties in possession as
they appeared at the windows. They retaised possessionduring the whole of yesterday, and up to a late hour last
night no attempt had been made to dislodge them. Such an
attempt, however, is expected to be made, end a strong body
of police have been placed on duty to prevent any breach of
the peace.

LATEST PARTICULARS.—(THIS DAY.)
Contrary to expeetatiou, the parties who yesterday morning
obtained pomeseice of them premime by a forcible entrance
have remained undietnebed. Several policemen, however,
were kept on duty during the whole of last night
in the event of any disturbance taking place. do
many ooetradictory reports are in circulation that it
' is difficult to get at the exact truth, but it would appear
that the chief claimant is ► young medical man, who states
that he is the son of the owner of the property, who went
abroad moms yean ninon and died, and that he
is furnished with the registry of birth, and
all other necessary documents. To-day possession will
be taken under his instructions of the houses in Snow-hill,
Oily, emend is Whitechapel, and other' at Camberwell,
all in the same dilapidated condition. It is also stated
that the two maids. sisters who have so long held the pro-
perty are oily the sisters of the agent of the owner sad
not el the owner himself. The whole affair is full of mystery,
but will doubtless be elucidated on Friday morning next,
whoa all the pular have to appear before the magistrates
at Southwark police-court.

THE STORM.

(Fran the Liverpool Mercury of today.)

- .
The Belfast steamer Blenheim tailed from the
Clarence Dock in the foreseen, sad rumours were
afterwards current that she had sunk in the Chan-
nel ; but fortunately she returned wifely into the
river with all on board eak in the coarse of the
afternoon. Her bulwarks were carried away. The
Isle of Man steamer was also prevented from
nailing on her stated trial trip *win to the violence of
the gala. She will sail to-day should the weather permit.
The demist Great Britain, amouneed to ma yesterday for
Australia, remains at her moorings in the Bramley-Moore
Dock._

So far as we could learn up to yesterday evening the
casualties in the Channel had not been so numerous
u might have been expected considering the
violence of the pie. These will be found
recorded in our shipping intelligence. The big ship
Green Eastern, respecting which some apprehen-
sions were eatartainsd, kept to her moorings, and
up to last evening rode oat the ple in perfect
safety. The ship Admiral. Captain Clarke, hese.
for Bombay, and the John H. Elliott, hence for New York.
bosh el which sailed on flatariky, were yesterday reported
as being aground on Burins Back, in the Rock Climatal.
Oa the receipt of this intelligence, Mr. Breathing,
the out-door manager to the New Steent.tug Corn -
pany (limited) despatched the powerful steamer
Reliance. to the sondem* of the disabled ves-
sels. The Admiral was the fast ship fallen in with, and
after some difficulty Captain Summers succeeded in getting
the tug alongside and rescuing the captain and crew,
numbering about 30 persons. They ware after-
wards landed safely at this port, with all
their clothes sad other effects. The captain and crew
of the Admiral expressed their thanks to the commander
of the steam tog for his prompt and well-timed
exertions in rescuing them from their perilous wadi-
non. The crew of the other vessel referred to were
taken off by the lifeboats, manned by those gallant boat-
men who are ever reedy to render assistance its the
hour of need. The ship Medea, Captain Baylis, from
the Cameroon', went on shore at Holyhead, sod will
probably become a total wreck. The crew ware saved, and
it is thought that a large portion of the cargo may be re-
covered. The vessel was the property of Messrs. Charles
Horsfall and Co. She was a fine ship of 623 tons barthen.

EXAMINATION or ATTORNEYB.—This morning a
public examination of persons under articles of clerkship to
attorneys was held in the hall of the Incorporated Law
Soviet , Chancery-lane. Papers were delivered to each
containing gnostical' to be answered in writing,
damn under the mama heads of common law, sioavey•
awing, equity, and book. keeping.
Pius AT KENTI9H-TONN.—CrIIIB DAY.)—This
amnia( about 3 o'clock an alarming fire broke out on the
premises of Mr. Lenten, tea-dealer and grocer, Morelos-
terrace, Keotish-town. The sho was aroused by a
'Moog smell of iire, and discovered that the lower part of
the house was burning. He immediately gam an alarm.
The inmates were got out, and the Penniman Fire-brigade,
recent)) established by the inhabitanta of QuadenglA
Kentish towns, waa soca on the spot, and a supply of water
being obt.iinen, the flames were subdued, but not before
considerable damage was dam to the house. The origin of
the lire has act bee, discovered.

O.IIIIIIIIC 8111;T BY ANOTHICIL —A shock-
ing affair took piece oo Saturday last. on the estate of Sir
Mousse Wiebcote. Bart., Ash 'why, sear Slasford. The
hod sad under gamekeepers were out rabbit shooting. the
former taking the line of the hedge, sod the latter occupy-
mg. Position is the field some distance away. Soddenly a
rabbit maned front the hedge bottom, sad the head keeper
lied, killing it instantly. Some at the slat Fronk the root
of a tree, and one, glimaisi off at as &dupe eagle, entered
the eye of the under keeper, penetrated the brain, sod
killed him on the spot. An inquest on the body of the
poor fellow has just been held. and a Terd.ct in scoordasee
with the above facia was returned.