The Express.
London, England, 1863-12-15 00:00:00

THE PALL OP A HOUSE AT ISLINGTON.

After oar report left yesterday,
Mr. Wan. CUpmaa, of Lovett-terrace, Victoria-road,
Lim/house, said he was the builder*, the Whistabeet He
built it from a specification of plans supplied by Mr. Wit-
ham'. It wes to be covered is by the 23rd of November,
and the Longmont ready by the 7th of December. It was
rather quick, but he had done another building in less time,
but not at the ism, time of year. The weather made a great
difference. If the surveyor bad given him hi/Studious not
to proceed with the building, he should be bound to stop.
That was the business of the surveyor. The builder was an-
swerable for the materials, and he knew that in this case
they were of the beet quality. The mortar was three and
one, which were the right proportions. Btouepit mod wee
used, and stone lime. There wee no way of ascertaining whir
ther the mortar wu dry except by trying the outside j °iota. He
knew that, in one case the step could not be put in without
striking the shore, but he gave no instruction about it. He
did not think there would be any danger in striking the
shore. Mr. Williams called his attention to the pier, and
he ordered it to be done. He gaw the work was oommenced,
bat he was not there the whale time. Witness gave in-
'tractions that it should be chased, but he now found that
it bad been toothed. He did not think it weed the slightest
oonsequenoe whether it was toothed or thawed. He was
present when the building fell. His attention was called to
the centre piers by one of the men. He saw that they were
beginning_ to creek, the left-hand pier more so than the
other. He endeavoured to stop the progress of this by
putting up shores on each side. The accident could not be
avoided, and he could sot account for the piers bulging.
By Mr. T. Atkinson—He had built two public-houses
under the same architect, and had both engaged during the
last seventeen or eighteen years on large contracts. He
never had an accident before. He was well looked after by
Mr. Williams, Mr. Moseley, and others during the whole
time. The brestaummer, he believed, was quite sufficient
without any pier at that side.
By Mr. Bradlaugh—There was no strain oa the shore. If
the pier had been weak there would have been a strain.
Many questions were put by the legal gentlemen as to the
cause of the accident, but little of consequence was elicited.
Witham knew that the mortar would not set so well in wet
weather as in dry weather, but be did not think there was
any begird in proceeding with the work.
Tbe coroner was asked whether be would like professional
evidence as to the state of the building and the materials.
He replied that, under the circumstances, he should not, as
be knew that on the jury there were ,nary gentlemen who
were competent to form an opinion on the subject, and be
hod no power to pay professional men. In summing up he
said the jury would consider whether the architect, by any
oversight, gave in plans which would isemegarily lead to the
house falling. If his plans were soffieient, they might pea
that, matter over. Then they must ocasider whether the
builder properly complied with all Feria of the plan. They
had also to consider the time taw in the erection of the
building, the cutting away of the shores, the state of the
weather, the nature of the materials, and other points
which had been given in evidence, bat with the details of
which he need not trouble them.

The jury retired at five minutes before four o'clock to roe•
eider their verdict.

They returned iota court at squirter past five.
The foreman said he thought it right to say before he read
the verdict and took the coroner's opinion upon it, that
sixteen voted for it as it stood, and five were against • por-
tion of it. Be himself was amongst the minority. Be did
not know how the circumstance might affect the verdict.
The Coroner—Reed it and we will see.

The Foreman—The jury all agree in the main point, that
is a verdict of accidental death in both owe. But the jury
are of opinion that the accident was caused by the insuffi-
ciency of the central piers, they being much too slight for
the rpose ; and as they were built according to the plan
of Mr. Williams, tee architect, they are of opinion that he
deacon the severest censure.

The Fcesman said it was the latter part of the verdict that
he did not agree to.
The Coroner said that be would enter a verdict of " Acci-
dental death." and thou the jury might embody their views
in a resolution.
This was done, end the protesdiap terminated.