The Express.
London, England, 1863-01-03 00:00:00

GREAT FIRS Ar SALFORD.

On Thursday, at midnight, a fire broke out in
the bleaching and finishing works of Mr. Henry Statham,
late Messrs Thorpe and Statham, Sawa& Works, Ordeal.
lane, Salford. These works are very extensive ; they com-
prise a four-story mill, measuring in length about 180
feet ; and two-story finishing, pressing and packing rooms.
The mill runs down to the bank of the Irwell, and is
hugged on both sides by large mills. We are informed
that no work had been in operation during the
day, which, being New You'a-day, is customarily
a holiday. On the appearance of the fire, •
messenger was despatched to the Salford Town
Hall, for the fire engine; and before its arrival a large
number of men voluntarily entered the burning building,
and the houses in the neighbourhood were stored with
the goods that were saved. The mill was an old one,
having was filled with a very valuable stock, business
having been exceedingly good, and all the hands being
in constant employment. The fire made rapid pro-
gress, and before the arrival of the fire brigade had obtained
a complete mastery of the building. The floors buret
through in rapid succession, a loud report marking the
moment that each story. gave way. The roof seemed to bee
burnt through in sections, and as each portion fell, pillars
of fire and smoke shot up into the heavens to great heights.
illuminating the district by the firceness of their glow, and
people in streets a considerable distance off shrank before
the intensity of the hot breams which were borne on the
wind. The Salford Fire Brigade. under Mr. Superintendent
Atherton, worked heroically. The men scrambled up the
roofs of the adjacent building, and standing upright on the
stone window sills of rooms in an adjoining mill which had
caught:fire, directed jets of water upon the flames. Masses
of burning timber fell into the midst of groups of firemen,
who, from the ground, were directing streams of water
upon the interior of the building ; and great apprehensions
were at one time excited for the safety of some men who
had penetrated into the engine room, and, with flames on
every hand, stood with the utmost coolness, stand-pipe in
han playing on the burning mass • a large quantity of
burning debris fell while the men stood in the position des-
cribed, and completely obscured them for a moment from
Night, but when the smoke cleared away they were seen
to be shales in the same position and apperently unhurt.
The mill, which was built up to the wall of Mr. Statham's,
was occupied by Mr. Bilhngton, and was need for the
manufacture of emallwarea. One end caught fire, but
the damage will be, comparatively iidng. slight.
The sight when the fire was its height was most picturesque.
Regent-road Bridge seemed the most favourite spot for
the crowds that were attracted by the fire, as the reflection
of the flickering flames, the showers of redsparks, and pillars
of light in the tree% combined to make up a picture of
unusual brilliancy. There wee a large police fora on the
ground to keep the crowd in order, end as there were many
officious drunken men, the police had plenty of work. The
total damage is upwards of 20,000 i. • but the building, and
contents also, we believe, are insured.

New Banowsra —Lord Palmerston has signified
to our townsman, David Baxter, Esq., the head of the dis-
tinguishedfirm of Baxter Brothers and Co., her Majeety's
pleasure to raise him to the barosetage of the United
Kingdom. "in consideration of his eminent commercial
position and generous conduct to the town of Duo& a."
The patent conferring on Mr. Baxter the title of Sir David
Baxter Baronet, of Bilmaron and Balgarvie, is, we believe,
now being made out, and we shall only anticipate by • few
days the execution of • formal document, in speaking of
Mr. Baxter as Sir David Baxter, Bart. It is understood
that the same honour will be conferred, at the same time,
on Mr. William Brown, the eminent shipowner of Liver-
pool, and Mr. Frank Crossley. the enterprising manufacturer
of Halifax.—Dundee Advertiser.

THE REPRESENTATION OP TOTNES.—Canvassing
wen continued on Thtinday by Mr. Alfred Seymour and his
friends, and on behalf of Mr. Dent. Both parties express
themselves to be well pleased with the result. Large bills
were posted on the walls announcing that "Mr. Dent's dona-
tion of 1001. " would be distributed on Monday next, at 10
o'clock, by the Mayor and Mr. Gill. We have been re-
quested to state that the arrangement with reference to the
management of property under the control of the War-
office, referred to in this paper yesterday was made in De-
cember, 1861, and bad no referent* to Tobias election or
politica, the gentleman appointed having always been a con-
servative... 7 Western Morning New.. _ .

—Tee REPRESENTATION OF EXETER. —Mr. John
Duke Coleridge has issued his address to the electors of
Exeter. In it he states that in consequence of Mr. Sey-
mour's retirement from the contest and departure to
Totnes, he no longer feels any delicacy in coming forward.
He refers to the long acquaintance which the citizens of
Exeter have had with his family, and adds that the electors
have a right to know further what are his own political
opinions. He declares himself to be, as he hu always been,
a member of the great liberal party, opposed to centralisa-
tion, in favourof the ballot, opposed to the unconditional
abolition of church rates, but io favour of relieving dis-
senters from them. He further adds that he approves of
Lord Palmerston's policy, and will give that statesman •
hearty but independent support. Mr. Coleridge will
shortly address the electors at a public meeting.— Western
Morning News.
THE CHANCERY VACATION. —On Wednesday
morning the Chancery offices will open at the usual hours,
in preparation for Term commencing on the following Mon.
day. Hilary Term is fixed for the 11th January, but that
day falling on • Sunday it will date as did last Term, from
the following daz,
FIRE IN • COTTON MILL AT OLDHAM. About
eight o'clock on Wednesday night a lire was discovered in
the spinning room of Messrs. J. Meliowden and Son's cotton
mill. Albion-street, and the Oldham and West of England
fire brigades having been informed, went to the place and
succeeded in extinguishing the fire in about an hour. The
fire wu confined to the flooring of the third storey, which
was burned through to such an extent that it was expected
part of the machinery would fall into the room beneath.
The damage is covered by insurances in the Royal and
West of England offices. The origin of the fire has not
been auertained. _ _

Tun Mt lITER OF Ma. BRADDELL.—SOme of the
constabulary who were qualified to identify Hayes have,
after the searches, returned to their quarters, and two of
the number from America, whither they followed in the
hope of arresting him. The report also prevails that he
was captured in one of the back settlements, but that
whilst he wea in course of being conveyed to New York,
when passing a body of Irishmen he cried aloud that he was
taken one false charge, and was rescued from his captors, one
of whom, it is rumoured, lost his life in the effort to retain
the prisoner. This much is certain, that the expeditions
in search of the murderer have ceased, and that the
belief of his canape to America is entertained both by
the people of his native district and those who seem to
know the opinion of the authorities on the subject. The
assertion made haphazard, that his escape was effected by
the aid of " Ribbonism," is sheer nonsense, u the wretched
minelayer was too coovereent with wiles and ways of travel.
ling, and too intelligent to require any aid, as well as too
wiry to entrust his life to the avidity of parties who would
tlent.a by large government rewards. If he were not
y mistrustful and cautious he would have been put
;;M"gruint by the known eagerness with which it was
ought to sell Walsh, by which that miserable young man
was driven to surrender. It I. believed that Hayes travelled
in disguise to queenstown immediately after the murder,
and took shipping theme for America Wore • search for
him could be well oanised.—illesseter News.
TOTTFNIIAN, LIAMPATIAD, AND HIONOATZ RAIL-
WAY.—TIN Hiegel" Munch proposed by this company will
commence at t main line ie Islington, and terminate near
Swain's-lane by the cemetery on the Net of the Highgate-
road, together with a branch line to the Junetioweeed, et
an estimated cost of 40,0001., the Great Eastern Company
contributing to defray the coat of the undertaking.