The Express.
London, England, 1864-12-17 00:00:00

THE CHARGE OF SCUTTLING A SHIP.

Joseph John Mitcheson White, marine captain,
and Robert Sutton. chief mate, were again placed at the
bar of the Maosion•boase, yesterday, in custody of Detective
Sergeant Moor, before the Lord Mayor, charged with
scuttling tie vessel called the Snowdrop.
Mr. Lewis, jun.. prosecuted ; Mr. Sleigh, instructed by
Mr. Stollens, appeared for White; and Mr. Beard for
Sutton.
_ _

The case, it will be remembered, was completed upon the
last occasion before Sir Robert Carden (the Lord Mayor,
before whom the previous examination had taken place,
being unavoidably absent), and Mr. Sleigh having together
with Mr. Beard, addressed Sir Robert with a view to obtain-
ing the discharge of their clients, upon the ground, as they
contended, that the evidence was not sufficiently conclusive
to justify their commitment., Sir Robert, however, not
having heard the evidence given at the previous examine.
tion, nod that given then before him being only relative to
the apprehension of the prisoners, declined to give any
opinion in the matter, and it was arranged that the case
should be remanded. in order that it might beagan brought
before the Lord Mayor for his decision.
Mr. Sleigh addressed his lordship, and hoped that if he
thought the evidence was sufficient to send the case before
a higher tribunal, he would at least admit the defendant
White to bail.

Mr. Beard, as upon the last occasion, submitted that
whatever the evidence against the captain might be, there
was none at all against his client Sutton, and hoped that if
his lordship thought the evidence was sufficiently conclusive
against White, he would discharge Sutton from custody. If
not, be argued it was at all events a case in which bail
might be accepted.
The Lord Mayor said he had heard the evidence, and
carnet* the conclusion that it was ruch that he had no other
coarse than to send the case to a jury, and he also declined
to admit the prisoners to bail.
The prisoners were committed accordingly.

VaLun or CITY PROPERTY.—The lease for only
five years, at a rental of 80/. per annum, of ao old house to
Little Tower-street, built after the fire of London, was sold
by auction by Mr. T. Sidney Smith, on Thursday list,
for the large sato of 755 t.

INDIAN BRANCH RAILWAY.—The fourth ordinary
general meeting of the shareholders was held yesterday at
the London Tavern. LieuteoanteGeneral Sim was in the
chair. The report of the engineer is chief was laid before
the meeting. It spoke very favourably of the condition and
progress of the works. The chairman, in moving the adop-
tion of the report, maid he presumed the shareholders were
aware that this railway was the first undertaken without •
guarantee from the government of India. But although a
guarantee was not given, assistance was afforded in another
form, which the directors believed would be better than a
guarantee of 5 per cent. Besides this, the company
would have the advantage in the economy of
construction and the very fertile country through
which the line would pass—all of which advantages
they believed would roods: it the most remunerative
railway in India. The provinces through which the rail-
way would per were very direct, and their principal rail.
way, 500 miler in extent, ran parallel with the drainage
of the country, and there were very few rivers to cross, so
that the construction of the works would be compara-
tively easy. It was calculated by the board that the cost
would not be more than 5,0001. pee mile, including rolling
stock, although their own engineer put the cost down at
from 4,000/. to 4,500/. per mile. This was about one-fourth
the coat of Indian lines. With regard to the experimental
line mentioned in the report, the result might be coital-
dered perfectly satisfactory. They did not know exactly
the cost of coostructios, nor the precise amount of traffic,
but they believed that the expeoditure would not exceed
2,600/. or 2001. per mile, and that the traffic was probably
equal to 5 per cent. on the outlay—more than had been
naiad by any Indian company. The first section of the
line wee what was called the Cawnpore line—from caeo-
pme to Luckaow, 44 miles in length, and front Luckaow to
Byratighat, 12 miles more. These lines were commenced in
May last, and they woes progressing satisfactorily. The
pernmeent way would be rent out early next year, and they
expiated that early in 1806 the line would be opened for
traffic. After some further observations he moved the
adoption of the report, which having been seconded was
carried unanimously. After some formal resolutions had
been carried, • combal vote of thanks to the chairman and
direekea clog the proosediap.