The Express.
London, England, 1853-02-21 00:00:00

THE INQUIRY AT CROYDON.

On Saturday Anne Duff, who, it will be remem-
bered, in the previous week had made a complaint against
the medical (Meer of the Croydon and Epsom union of
having assaulted her under very extritord'
circum-
stances, sad which charge was dumiseed by the eh, ap-
peared to answer a charge of wilful and corrupt perjury
arising out of the transaction.
The ease suited very great interest on account of the
position of the gentleman against whom the charge was
originally made and the other circumstances connected with
it, and the Town-hall was crowded during the inquiry,
which occupied several hours. Messrs. Byron, Huard', and
Bytes were the presiding magistrates. r. Everest, of
Epsom, appeared to support the charge; and Mr. Burg=
attended on behalf of the defendant.
Mr. Joseph Henry Shorthouse, the defendant in the
former inquiry, now appealed as prosecutor, and he swore
positively that he had never on any occasion assaulted the
defendant, or had any improper intimacy with her, and
that, in feet, her story upon that subject was an entire
fabrication. He also gave some evidence, which was of a
character not farther to be alluded to, tending to show
that the condition of the girl at the time the assault was
alleged to have been committed, was such as to render it
impossible for such as act to have been committed.
His case was somewhat weakened on erces-examination.

The inquiry was postponed for • week, bail Wag taken
for the appearance of the girl at the neat eaantaation.

BIRCKBECIC LIFE

COMPANY.

The first annual meeting of this society was held
at the company's oMees, 8, Moorgrunstreet, last week—
W. E. Snow', Pe% , M.R.C.S., of Lewisham, in the chair,
in the absence of Douglas Jerrold. Rag-
The report, which was reed by the secretary, coagratts-
laud the shareholders on the hopefol condition of the com-
pany. Already the most important mechanics' institutes
in the country had jolood it, and its adaptation to the pecu-
liar wants of the industrious clamors promised to extend its
operation over the entire country. Its sickness rules were
calculated especially to meet the wants of working men,
and to lure them from the public-house societies, to which
they were now too often attached. The Berl of Carlisle
had consented to act as the president of the company, and
the directors felt confident that his high name would be of
great service to them.
The adoption of the report was moved by Mr. Boozes,
seconded by Mr. EITWIENII, and carried unanimously.
Mr. CriAru.cs H. MDMANDS then moved that the com-
pany's rules for giving certain benefits to working men be
referred to s committee of working men selected from a
large body of the working classes, and that they should re-
port thereon to the board.
This wee unnnimoualy carried.
Mr. W. BLANCII/111D JIZSOLD then moved a vote of
thanks to the tribleman whose name was associated with so
many good works—the Right Hon. the Earl of Carlisle.
He believed th it under the presidency of that popular and
enlightened noldeman—that graceful lecturer and liberal
politician—the company would prosper for the benefit of
the working clines, and as a consequence for the advantage
of the shareholders.

earned mass, mously.
The meeting than separated after the usual Tote of thanks
to the chairman.

COLLIERY EXPLOSION AND LOSE OF LISS NEAR
AnzaoA•u.—Our Bristol ourres,onlent writes, that letters
I received in that city announce the occurrence of a fearful
explosion of gee et the Blaengewr colliery, belonging to Sir.
David Davies, near Aberdare, and which explosion was
accompanied by the loss of two lives, besides serious injury
to a third person, who lies in a very precarious state. It
would seem that the miners were engaged in their eccupa-
, tion in the pit, when all of a sudden an explosion of gas
took place. The noise made by the discharge of the com-
bustible fluid announced to the managers of the colliery
that something unusual had taken place, and no time was
lost by the h►nds in repairing to the spot, for the purpose
of rendering easiatance. They found, unhappily, that the
explosion hail been attended with fatal consequences to two
poor fellows, Bees Meredith, aged 31 years, and a youth of
about 17 years old, named Thomas Price. A third man,
Griffith Thomas, was also dreadfully shattered, but still
survived. Poor Meredith had made every preparatios for
Lading for Ati.,uvila, and would have tette his departure
in a short time, and the fatal occurrence has east quire •
gloom over the neighbourhood, throughout which he wee
well known and generally respected.