The Express.
London, England, 1849-12-13 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE

ST. Lswincon sxn AT1A24110.-11ta survey of the line
foe the extension of the St. Lamella and Atlantis Railroad
has been completed es far es Melbourne, and the :worn of
levelling down the road is to commence immediately, an vii
expecmd to be finithed between St. Hyacinths and thatlage by next September. The contractor has leased the road
already finished, and all nutehinery, &c. belonging to it,frone
the company for three years, at an anneal rent of six Otos-
send ;auntie. The St. Jiohn's Millwood is also to be extended
to Rouse's Point, and part of the te mok has already been sub.
scribed, and it is supposed that the whole will soon be taken
p. This road is already one of the best investments in the
country, and this extension of it will add staterially to its
vale, Wawa as it will owned it nith slaat ell the na-
med. la the United Sates.

DREADFUL COLLIERY EXPLOSION. About three
o'clock on the afternoon of Friday last the neighbourhood
of Mom, near Wrexham, Denbighshire, was the scene of un-
usual excitement, in consequence of an explosion, which
took place in a pit there, the property of, and worked by,
the Brymbo Colliery Company. In this pit about forty men
were at work at the time of the explosion. From inquiry
nude on the spot, it appears that some of the men, whilst
digging, cut through intoithe level of some old workings
filled with foul air, which nuhed like a flood into the pit
where the men were at rk, and then by some means ig-
nited. Three of the colliers immediately made their way to
the bottom of the shaft, and signalised to the engine-man to
wind them up, which he did after some delay. By this time
the bless was ascending the mouth of the pit, and
whilst being drawn up the poor fellows' clothes caught
fire, and they were dreadfully burnt, two of them
receiving such severe injuries that they have both
since died, and the other man now lies in so pre-
carious a state that he is not expected to recover. The
other men in the; pit, with great presence of mind, crept
- through an aperture into an adjoinint pit, and thus saved
their lives. A long period elapsed before their safety was
ascertained, and in the interval hundreds of people were
congregated round the pit, many of the persons present
being relations or friends of the colliers. Their cries and
shrieks during the awful suspense were of the most heart-
rending description. The fire blued for two days to the
height of about ten feet above the mouth of the pit, and
roared like a blest furnace. Water has been let lute the pit
and the mouth has been stopped up ; but up to this time
(Wednesday) the fire continues to burn with coderable
fury, although it le expected the means adopted will
sentu-
ally_extinguish it.
BATH AND WEST OF ENGLAND AGRICULTURAL
80cm-rt.—The annual exhibition of stock in competition
for the premiums offered by the Bath and West of England
Bocie'y for the Encouragement of Agriculture, de., took
plies on Tuesday. The show of cattle, as far as regards
Numbers, was not so large as usual, which is no doubt attn.
hatable to tee numerous other cattle-shows occurring just
about this time, the Smithfield Club Show and one at flails-
I bury being held the same day; but the quality of the stock
, exhibited was of a very high order. It was a great relief
to find an absence of that superabundant fat on the
animals which used to be considered a point to be mimed
it, but which was anything but gratifying to the beholder,
from the evident incumbronce it was to the poor animal.'
themselves. That this overfeeding of a few beasts, to I
obtain an enormous weight of fat, is neither required by
the consumer, nor profitable to the feeder, is clear from the
practice having been, in a gnat measure, abandoned. It I
might have been useful to show what breeds would get
into condition most quickly, and what was the best food to
force them on, but the great expense attending It, and
the certainty of a vast waste when the animals came to
be slaughtered (a large portion of the fat generally finds
ing its way to the melting pot of the chandler), have I
caused beasts so enormously let to be looked upon with
disfavour. In the present show the beasts exhibited ae
at were only moderately so, but quite sufficient fir the
purposes of the butcher. It will be seen that, for the
Hobbouse premium, there were only two entries. bat the
animals in both were of great merit. Tke decision of the
judges, of course, shows that thou to which the peeniiani
was awarded were the best, but so good were the others
that a bounty was given for them. There were eight I
bells exhibited, of various breeds, all of which commanded I
nude attention. Mr. Farthing's Devon, under three
years old, was a very remarkable animal, as was like-
wise Mr. Brown's short-horn, under two years. They
were greatly admired. Three abort-horn breeding heifers,
exhibited by Mr. R. Stratton for premium five, were very
superior animals, and highly commended by all who viewed
them. Although they were the only ones in the clan ex-
hibited, and, consequently, not brought into competition
with others, the judges unanimously decided that, from
their gnat excellence, they. were fully entitled to the
prise. The sheep exhibited included a pen of wethers of
the Cotswold and Hampshire breed, by Mr. B C. Woolley,
of Wilmington ; they were repeatedly examined and highly
commended by the most competent judges. They wen II
shown as extra stock, and a bounty was awarded then
There was likewise a pen of Southdown breeding eves ex-
bibited by Mr. Moore for premium eight, whico, although
there was no competition in the class, were deemed of such I
excellence as to be deserving the premium. The four fat
Southdown wethere which gained the prize in class two, ex-
hibited by Mr. Spencer, of Little Chalfield, we .ho
greatly
admired. Amongst the pip were some cry bre
ana
apparently profitable ones. One of the Chinese Neapolitan
treed, exhibited by J. M. Tildes, Esq., only lour months
old, was " a perfect beauty." A dinner at which the Mayor
of Bath presided, took place in the evening. Batts
Chronicle.
FOREIGN HOen.—We bare so recently had Wine II
sion to draw attention te the importations of hope which are
taking place this season, for the first time from the United
States of America and elsewhere, that it would preclude the
necessity for further comment on the subject, except as is
now the case, it be to remark an extrooreinary increase in
the arrivals of the kind, which give • distinct i oportance
and interest to this novel article of importation from abroad.
The vessel base Wright. which has just arrived from New
York, has brought E 24 bales of hops, consigned to order as a
of her cargo, the produce of the United States. This
Crptigation is nearly double the quantity of any previous
arrival from the same country, and therefore by so much the
largest importation of foreign hops into this country which
has ever taken place, and so important an increase in the
arrivals of this article which has hitherto been considered
one of home produce in a peculiar degree, is a feature of con-
tideratle iaterest.
THE GROWTH OF FLAX IN THE SOUTH. -- We
learn that already very extensive arrangements are in pro-
gran for introducing the growth of flax into the scuds, So
many as sixty plough', and three hundred labourers, are en-
gage-4i at !Odin in preparing the ground, and Mr. Dargan
is about to have &steeping machine of the most approved
principle erected. It appears that the people generally
would be very ready.to cultivate flu, if they bad a scotch-
ing mill in the vnity, and also if they. could find a market
for the article. A gentleman in the neighbourhood of Mal-
low has expressed his intention of supplying the former
want, and Mr. Dugan, we understand, will undertake to
purchase se much se they an produce. According to dine.
tins from the Belfast Flat Society, Mr. their
practical instrueter in those
of
of Skibberesa, proseeded
to Mallow for the purpose of examining the nature of the
soil, and he reported that there was no ground in the north
so well adapted for flax. Mr. Hiatt, the head instructor
of the society, is expected te be moist at the approaching
ateding--Gork Bromisor.

THIS DAY.

BOW-STREET.

UNLAWFULLY POWILIBINO • Hones AND CAL—J.
Blackman, a cab driver, was charged with unlawfully pa
seising a hone and cab.
Me. J. Brown, an extensive cab proprietor, of Ormond-
street,Lnib's Conduit-s,rdet,stand that last sight he receives
information that the prisoner had possession of one of his horse
and tabs, and driving it about the streets on hire without his
permission. Witness immediately jumped into his gig, and
went in search of the prisoner. After about two hours'
riding witness succeeded in tracing the prisoner to a cab-
wand in Little Queen street, Holborn. Witness went up to
the prisoner and hailed the cab, told the prisoner to drive
hiss to Lamb's Conduibstreet. The pilausr jumped upon
the box, and, after driving • short distance intone called
out to two police constables, and gave the prisoner into cue-
tody. Witness let the hone and cab out to a named driver,
named Henry, who had not been seen sines yesterday
morning.
The prisoner, in his defence, said Henry was in a coffee-
house, and tcld Lim to mind the cab, aid that if the cab was
wanted he was to take possession of it.
Mr. Hall said it was a most scandalous practice need by
mho-drivers, and he hoped Mr. Brown would prosecute his
driver, who was also liable.
lir. Brown said he intended to do too.
Mr. Hall fined the prisoner the full penalty of 405., and In
dehallsi payment to be committed for 21 days.
Locked up in default.
MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

DOG BTEAUXO.—J . Brown, a notorious dog stealer, was
charged with having stolen a valuable spaniel dog belonging
to Mr. Ewan.
About six o'clock last evening the prosecutor was pacing
oat of Ostord.street into Hanover-equate, with a valuable
Vital dog following Lim. Oa arriving in Halewood-
he misted the dog, and while he was looking
a young man came up to him, and informed him that
he lad seen a man pick the animal up, and run up Oeurd-
street towards the Circus. Prosecutor went in pursuit, and
the prisoner was stopped by a constable in Swallow•passoge,
who had seen him drop the dog.
A police-constable proved seeing the prisoner running
along Oxford-streetwith the dog under his arm.
Sergeant Budnick, of the I) division, proved former con-
vie-ions against the prisoner for a similar offence.
Mr. Bingham committed the prisoner for six months to
the lions* of Correction, with hard labour.

FIRE AT CLAPHAM. About half-past two o'clock
this morning a fire broke out in the house of Mr. Harvey,
Claphasa-common. It originated is one of the sleeping
rooms, end the necessary alarm having been given' memo.
gers were despatched to London fur engines. Till their mi-
stral a parish engine had ben most acuvely. worked from a
pond near the house. The property adjoining was saved,
but the building and every valuable of Mr. Harvey, as also
of Miss Hutchinson, were destroyed. The building only was
insured in the Guiddianfire-office.

MECHANICS' INSTITUTION.—A preliminary Meet-
mof a soviet y intended to be formed for the bens fit of the
echanics of the metropolis in connexion with the building
branches, was held yesterday, in one of the committee rooms
of the Guildhall, kindly granted by the City authorities for
that purpose. The meeting was attended by most of the
leading architects and builders of London. Mr. C. E.
Cockerell, R.A. and architect to the Bank of England, was
called to the dish.. In • statement of some length Mr.
Cockerell explained his views which were generally, to found
an institution having similari objects to the "Servants'
Benevolent Institution," for the benefit of the mechanics of
Ludln connected with building and engineering. The
meeting was addressed by Mr. Sheriff Lawrence, Mr. T.
Cubitt, Mr. Hardwick, Mr. Tite, Mr. Ansell, the eminent
actuary, Mr. Piper, Mr. Baber, and other friends of the
proposal, when it was finally resolved, on the motion of Mr.
Fite, seconded by Mr. Hardwick, that a committee should
be appointed to obtain facts and statistics relating to the
subject. The meeting then appointed a secretary and
adjourned. It appears that the foremen of the Builders
have also called a public meeting for Friday evening, to
consider the proposal of Professor Cockerell.
ACCIDENT ON THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY.
—On Monday last an accident of a serious nature took place
eh this line. It appears that the up train from Lincoln, due
at Boston at 11.15 a.m., had reached the first semaphore
from Buton, teem which place there is only one line of rail,
until the station-yard at Boston is reached, when a luggage
train was seen approaching in the opposite direction, which
the fog had before prevented the driver seeing. The brakes
were instantly applied to We lioeuln train, but uwtug to the
slippery state of the wheels they had very little effect, and
in consequence a collision took place. The engine and fart
of the truck' had luckily got on the up line,but the engine of
the down train caught the fifth truck, broke the connecting
links, and threw the truck off the line, and the rensaininz
four trucks were smashed all to pieces, the splinters flying
about in all directions. Luckily no lives were lost, and the
engine of the up train moved with little damage, excepting
breaking one buffer. Several of the passengers were more
or less bruised by the shock of the collision. From the hasty
inquiries we have been able to make, it does sot appear that
any blame is to be attached to either driver. The arm of the
semaphore was down, but the fog was so dense that it could
not be seen 100 yards off. Several of the rails were die.
placed, bat a strong body of workmen were qu'ckly dis-
patched to the spot, who cleared away the fragments, and
replaced the rails, so that no impediment was offered to the
traffic.—Lincolnshire Times.
DEATII OF Toro CHILDREN ON BOARD A STEAMER.
—On Saturday a very distressing occurrence took place en
bawd the steamer Camilla, while making her passage betwixt
Belfast and Glasgow. The night was very
by
uence stormy and a
majority of the passengers were in conseq Welted
sea sickness. Amos' them were two women, who, it subs,.
quently appeared, had been deserted by their husbands, and
had been induced to believe that they were in Glasgow.
They had immediately resolved upon Willing hither in search
of them. They took a steerage passage for that purpose, and
each brought her child along with her. All parties had
been extremely sick, and the mothers were rendered inca-
pable of 'lending to their charge. When betwixt Ailea
Craig and the Cumbrae Bead, it was discovered that the
children were dead. No other cause than severe sickness mu
be ascribed for this lamentable result.—Glasgoic Daily Mail.
AFFRAY WITH POACIIEfts.—On Saturday after-
noon, between four and five o'clock, as two keel en in the
employ of C. W. Packs, Esq., M.P., were proceeding round
the estate, they came in contact with three men between
Stanford and Cotes, whom they supposed to be trespassing
in pursuit of game, and endeavoured to take them prisoners.
The poachers resisted, and a regular fight took place, in
which they availed themselves of the mod and dirt which
lay around them. The keepers, however, succeeded in se-
curing one of their opponents, but the other two escaped.
They then proceeded to Loughborough with their pri.oner,
but unluckily stopped at the first publiehouss they came to,
and whilst one of them went into the town to procure a
policeman, the other was lett to guard the priaooer. After
having sat some time, the captive expressed • wish for some
he
tobacco, which was instantly supp '
lied him and as soon as
had exhausted his pipe, he rushed out of the house and
closed the door behind him. The keeper went in
pursuit of him, and nearly overtook him at the foot of the
Duke of York Bridge. The poacher alarmed lest he should
be ;caught if he ascended the bridge, took to the water,
crossed the canal, and thus escaped from his punnet'.
Derby Mercury.