The Express.
London, England, 1846-12-22 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 22, 1846.

new project was a government project, but he most decidedly
stated that the government had no funds to place at the dis-
posal of the projectors, and that he did not contemplate pro-
viding funds, whether for the bridge, or to compensate
parties who might be injured should the construction pro-
ceed. He simply said that the project emanated from the
Commissioners for Metropolitan Improvements, which ass
all he knew about it officially. Hereupon the directors of
the present company had proceeded to communicate with
the shareholders on this so vital subject. A very
numerous meeting had taken place in the Westminster-
road, at which • committee for taking active measures of
oppcsition was formed, and that committee was now in
operation. A public meeting was that day to be held in
Westminster; General Sir Do Lacy Evans in the chair. It
had been a frequent question, who were the promoters of
the new scheme ; that appeared to be a mystery. In the
first instance Mr. Barry had been named, but Mr. Grissell,
who was intimately acquainted with Mr. Barry's views on
the subject, distinctly denied at the former meeting that
Mr. Barry had anything to do with it. Again, it had been
said that the South-western Company were the promoters
of the project, but he (Mr. Hawes) had every reason
to believe and judge that that was not the case.
The convenience of that company, on the contrary,'
was wholly opposed to the project. In his opinion, the
whole thing simply arose from the determination of the
Metropolitan Improvement Commissioners to appear to be
doing something, indifferent at what cost to existing interests,
or whether that which they did benefited the public. The
existence of three bridges so close to each other as would be
Waterloo-bridge, the Hungerford Suspension, and the new
bridge in question, would be very dangerous to the naviga-
tion of the river, more especially with the low arches which
it would seem were in contemplation. What the directors
now proposed to do, therefore, was to appoint a parliamen-
tary committee to watch the proceedings of the projectors of
this scheme; the committee to consist of the deputy-chair-
man and two directors of the Charing-cross-bridge Company,
of one of the largest shareholders, and of the deputy-
chairman of the Market Company, whose junction, if they
would consent to it, would have the double advantage of
aiding the views of the present company and the interests of
both, and of renewing generally that friendly intercourse
which was so essential to the settlement of various matters
which had hitherto remained in an unsatisfactory condition
for both companies. (Hear, hear.)
After a brief conversation, the CHAIRMAN proposed ;
That this meeting has heard with extreme surprise of the intended
application to parliament for powers to erect a new free bridge from
luring-crone, at a distance at the latter place of Mho, yards only
from the bridge so recently constructed by the company under the
express sanction of parliament That the projected measure, while it
fa altogether uncalled for by the public, would bu most ruinods *.o the
property of this company. That the directors be, and they are hereby
authorised, by every means in their power, to oppose the intended
appliaition to parliament, and t. adopt such measures for the protec-
tion of the proprietors as they may deem expedient
The resolution was unanimously adopted.
Mr. SyttreLY, the deputy chairman of the Market Com-
pany, said that he felt hound to consult his fellow-directors
before he consented to act on the proposed committee ; but
he had every disposition to meet the friendly overtures of
the present company, and to aid its views in the present
matter.
Thanks were then voted to the chair, and the meeting
rated.

BANK OF AUSTRALASIA.—A half-yearly meeting,
numerously attended, of the proprietors was held yesterday,
at the Board-room of the Company, Austin-friars. Oliver
Ferrer, Esq., in the chair. The Chairman said the present
meeting was called in consequence of the resolution of the
proprietors that a second meeting in the year should be
called, in order that the proprietors, if they had anything
particular to communicate inielit have an opportunity of
doing so.. It was his duty, therefore, to give them scone
information with respect is the progress of the company 1
since last June, and the state of their colonial establishments.
He was sorry to say it Max not so satisfuetory as he could
wish, but he thought it right that they should be made
acquainted with the precis position of affairs, however
gloomy they might appear. With regard to Sydney, the state
of business there had increased, though not to a very great
extent. Some of the old accounts had turned out worse
than they expected in the lea half year, and had proved
a loss to the establishment; but setting these aside,
there was an increaae of business on the whole, and
the reputation of the bank was high. But their great anxiety
was with regard to the state of affairs at Launceston.
The chief ground for suspending the payment of the
dividend in last June, was the state of affairs there. They
were in a very unsatisfactory position there, in cousequence
of the failure of • firm, which involved the bank in a less
they did not anticipate. There were, besides, other heavy
accounts, on which losses were expected. What the amount
might he it was impossible for him to say then; but every
precaution was taken to make things as secure as possible.
With regard to Melbourne, their affairs had improved there.
and there were no additional losses. At Adelaide
there was a great increase of business, particularly
with respect to mining. They participated in that increase
of business, but they instructed their manager there to take
every precautior., not to be led away too much, but to found
his business on real commercial transactions. With regard
to Bohan Town, there was little business doing there; but
there was an increase over former years. That was the state
of affairs with respect to the branches, and the directors
would he happy to congratulate them, if it were not for their
fears from Launceston. With regard to their calls on the
Bank of Australia, they were prepared to have their case
heard before the Privy Council ; and they had that morning
received the paperswhieh were necessary in the matter, with
which they would now proceed as rapidly as possible. The
manager, in his letter, stated that, since the opinions of the
judges were published, the proprietors of the Bank of Aus-
tralia seemed more uneasy. In answer to questions from
Mr. Newsom, and other proprietors, the chairman stated that
the failure to which he alluded was that of James Henkey,
that the amount of his debt wag about 26,000!., and that
they expected a loss of about 10,0001. The brother of this
gentleman, Mr. Charles llenkey, was manager of the bank
at Launceston ; but he was not connected with the other in
business. He was not a manager now. Mr, Newsom
thought that the affairs of the bank had been greatly mis-
managed. He believed that the directors were imposed upon
by their servants abroad, and that they had consequently de-
ceived the shareholders. Ile thought that a searching in-
quiry should be instituted as to the way in which their seve-
ral establishments abroad were conducted. The Chairman
said it had been, and it would be, their duty to investigate
in every way the conduct of their officers abroad ; but it was
a most difficult thing to get competent persons to fill situa-
tions in the colonies. If they could get a person in whom
they could repose full confidence, they would send him out as
especial messenger. Mr. Newsom begged toknow if the bank
of Australia had not lately made proposals for a compromise,
and offered 60,0001. cash, besides securities, which would
realise 14s. 2d. in the pound. Mr. Brownrigg, M.P., one of
the directors, said that some such proposition was made to
him, but he found, when the matter was tallied over, that
the parties who made it had no power to net for, or to bind,
the shareholders in the colonies. The Chairman said if they
got judgment against the Bank of Australia, the parties here
were competent to pay the debt and a much larger sum. Mr.
Wilson and several other proprietors were of opinion that
this matter should be leg to the discretion of the executors.
Mr. Newsom having remarked that the directors did not treat
their officers well, the Chairman denied that there had been
any ill-treatment of them, and said there were not more dis-
missals than might be expected in any large establishment of
the kind. The directors haring received a vote of thanks
the meeting separated.
LAW CLERKS AND GENERAL PROVIDENT INVEST-
KENT Assocuriose—The first annual meeting of this ema-
ciation was held at the Crown and Anchor, Strand. last
evening. Mr. Aldridge in the chair. The objects of this
institution are similar to those of the general building socie-
ties, with, perhaps, some advantages over them. The sub-
scriptions are raised in sums of 241. each, payable in ten years,
by monthly instalments of 45. per share. One distiuguishing
feature of the association is that no biddings take place, by
which system, in similar societies, borrowers do not obtain
anything like the amount of the money professed to be lent.
The society is fixed to terminate ou the first Monday
in December, 1855. It appeared from the report that
during the past year 809 shares have been takes.
upon 80 of which the full sum of 241. per share has been ad-
vanced, enabling seven members to be possessed of campers-
tively valuable property at a trifle more than the rack-rent.
On the capital account, 2,2031. 18s., and on the profit no-
count 1334. 17s. had been received. The net profit on each
of the 80 shares, upon which advances had been made, would
be 151., yielding a sum of 1,2001., or 11. Os. 6J. per share on
the number of shares subscribed for ; and therefore each
sum of V. Bs. per share paid by the twelve monthly in tal-
meats might be estimated at 31. 17a. 61. Some general
routine business having been transacted, the meeting
diasolved.
GASPE FISHERY AND COAL-MINING COMPANY.—
Fowl. MEETING.—A meeting of the proprietors of this com-
pany was held yesterday, at their offices, N 0.2, New Broad-
street, at twelve o'clock. R. G. Barclay, Esq., who took the
chair in the absence of Lord lugestre, who is the president
of the company, opened the proceedings by calling upon the
secretary, Mr. Dyken, to read the report, which was so full
as to render it unnecessary for him to make any remarks on
the progress of the company. The report was a voluminous
document, the principal statements in which went to show
that their fishery in the Gaspe district and Gulf of Saint
Lawrence was calculated to be productive of large profit to
the company. It, nevertheless, stated that the expectations
entertained of the efficiency of Mr. Philip Vibert, from
Jersey, who was appointed to manage their affairs in
that quarter, were far from being realised, in consequence
of which Mr. Dyken was sent to Gaspe to remedy his mis-
takes and to replace the business on a sound footing. The
misaplication of the funds of the society had in the first
instance been so unproductive a+ to temporarily defeat, or
rather to delay, the plans of the directors, which might
otherwise be attended with success. From the efficiency,
however, of the present manager, Mr. Jo hn Sineroclair, it was
expected that the undertaking would be prospus. The
timber trade, which was entered into by the proprietors on
the failure of the mining project, which resulted in
a loss to them of 10,0001., was successful, which
statement was confirmed byoffer having been made to
them by certain parties to take their saw-mill at rabic,
which was erected for 5,5001., on a five years' lease at an
annual rent of 5001., and to supply the company with 120,000
deals per annum. The receipts of the company on account
ef shares sold and liabilities to be paid, in 1816, amounted to
6107)161. Os. Bd., which covered their expenses. The value of
fish
now in hand was calculated at 4,150/ , and the profits
realised front the timber trade, amounted to 174 per.c-nt. on
the capitalexpended. The report MU adopted unammoady.
The declaration of the dividends was post oned until the
p
realisation of the profits ono the fish in hand. The fir.st Thurs-
day in February was appted for their next meeting. Ihe
directors were se-appointed at a remuneration of tlOOl. for
their services annually ; 101. 10s. were voted to the auditors ;
and 3001. per annum to the secretary. The thanks of the
meeting having been given to the chairman and directors the
meeting dissolved.

DISTRIBUTION OF QUEEN'S BOUNTY.—Yesterday,
according to annual custom, • distribution of Queen's bounty
took place to the poor of good character of the City of West-
minster. The money given was all new coin from the Bank
of England ; the sums to each recipient being not less than
se.' and to some as much as 51.
ALARMING FIRE IN THE STRAND.—Thia morning,
about ono o'clock, an alarming fire broke out on the pre-
mises of Mr. Crowe, tailor, corner of Bedford-street. The
flames were first discovered by the policeman F 146, who
immediately raised an alarm, and in a short space of
time the brigade engines, with the West of England, County,
and the fire-escape from Charing-cross, were on the spot. The
flames spread with rapidity, but with • plentiful supply
of water, aided by great manual exertion, were eventually
subdued, being confined to the premises in which theybroke
out, which, however, were entirely gutted. The firo is sup-
posed to have originated in an escape of gas.
SUPPOSED SUICIDE. —Wu have already given
particulars of the discovery of two bodies is the Thames.
Throughout the whole of yesterday the police were engaged
endeavouring to identify the bodies, but without success.
No letter or anything else was found upou the deceased
which might serve as a clue. A. notice was sent to every
pollee-station in the metropolitan and city districts for the
police to make inquiries of the inhabitants as to whether
they had missed any persons answering the description of the
woman and child. From the likeness, there is no doubt
that the woman was the child's mother, and frm the
fact of one of her breasts being found upon the check of
the child, the probabfity is, that it was suckling when it
met with its death. Tho clothing of both parties having
been washed, it was found that the child had on a white lace
cap, and • light-coloured hood, a chocolate and blue-coloured,
woollen turnover, a pair of worsted leggings, and two frocks.
It is believed to be not more than 10 or 12 months old. It
was a fine child, and had cut two of its upper teeth. The woman
had on a speckled straw hamlet, trimmed with black crape,
Adelaide boots, black worsted stockings, a dark silk and
cotton shawl, with bunches of flowers on it, and • pair of
dark jean stays. Her under-clothing and stockings were
extensively darned. Sbe had no wedding-ring on her finger,
and the only thing found in her pocket was a small box key.
lier age was apparently from 26 to 30 years. She was at
middle stature, and had dark brown hair. It was fouled,'
upon examining the bodies, that neither of the deceased had
a single bruise upon their person., proving that they could
not have fallen from any great height. The appearances of
the bodies are such as to lead to the supposition that they
had not been in the water more than 12 or 18 hours, but at
what part of the river they went in it is impossible to tell.
The ligature which bound the two together was what is
termed lay-cord it was passed three times round their
bodies, and fastened to the bonnet and cap-strings of the
female. The police who have seen the female declare that
she was not known to them, and they are of opinion that
she did not belong to the neighbourhood of Lambeth.
INQUESTS, YESTERDAY.—DEATH FROM NEGLECT.
—By Mr. W. Baker, at the Waterloo, in Samuel-street,
St. George-in-the-East, respecting the death of William
Avent, aged 75 years. It appeared deceased had been •
tailor. He bad *mewed a little property, and his daughter
managed his household affairs. On Thursday, the 10th inst.,
he was struck with a paralytic stroke, and continued unwell.
On Thursday his youngest son could gain no admittance
into the room, and on entering by the window, the daughter
of the deceased was discovered lying on the floor in a state
of iatoxicatinn. By her side were three pots, containing
gin, rum, and beer. A surgeon attributed death to apo-
plexy. The jury expressed their great indignation
at the heartless conduct displayed by the daughter, and
cold not separate without expressing an opinion that
the deceased had been most grossly neglected. Ver-
dict of " Found dead, apparently from natural causes."—
DEATH FROM EATING UNROILED RICIL—By Mr. Baker,
at the Adam and Eve, Homerton. on the body of Maria
Webb, aged 22, an inmate of Hackney workhouse. Eliza-
beth Graham, also an inmate, deposed that the deceased
assisted her in removing some articles into the kitchen on
Thursday afternoon, in apparent good health t about seven
o'clock she complained of a violent pain in her right side.
She was conveyed to bed, and medical aid sent for. De-
ceased was in the habit of eating of raw rice, sago' arrow-
root, and other indigestible articles, to which she had access.
Mr. Howell, surgeon, bad made a Most mortem examination,
and found a large quantity of undigested rice, with ordinary
food, in the intestines, which were enormously distended.
The whole stomach was loaded with undigested matter. Had
no doubt that deceased died from obstruction of the bowels.
Never before saw a case of distention ofso violent a character.
Deceased was not pregnant, nor were there any suspicious
appearances of irritants in the stomach. Deceased had a
vitiated appetite. J. Boote, Esq., deputy chairman of
the guardian., said deceased, four years ago, was a robust,
healthy-looking girl; but her uncontrollable appetite for
rice had sallowed her complexion, and reduce.' her frame to
an eat itt scarcely conceivable. Verdict, " Natural death,
accelerated by eating rice in a raw state."

IRELAND.
DUBLIN, Dec. 20.
The few country journals received to-day are busied in
speculating on the destitution of the country, and the mea-
sures of the government. Of the former there can be little
doubt, and on the latter the diversity of opinion is very
slight. All agree that the late steps in favour of reproductive
labour tend to most beneficial results, and the
last Treasury Minute, enabling parties, em`:arrassed
by family settlements, to take advantage of the
Drainage Act, is of that class of useful licenses,
which greatly facilitate improvement, and attach
confidence and regard to the government. It will be seen
whether the landlords are ready to occupy the ground thus
cleared for them. Ministers are doing all that reason and
justice could expect. They facilitate by all means in their
power the cultivation of the soil and the employment of the
labouring classes ; but what they cannot do, and
what is not to be expected from them, is the
conversion of dearth into abundance. A government
can do little to prevent such universal suffering
as prevail., but it may do much towards its diminution. Dis-
tress cannot he cast aside, but its effects may he softened in
various ways. Few will question the anxiety of the govern-
ment on this head, but a step is about to be taken, which, if
the atrhority on which I rely be correct, ift likely to contri-
bute much to the increase of food in Ireland. I have been
informed that the government is about to employ a portisn
of the navy in the transport of grain from foreign markets, a
measure which may not be agreeable to the shipping in-
terests, but is likely to prove very agreeable to the poor of
Ireland. My information will prove to be perfectly correct.
A change will be effected to-morrow in the relation between
the press and the Repeal Association A motion will be
made to sever all direct connexion between them, and leave
both perfectly free. The Nation has for some time ceased
to be circulated by that body, and the other repeal journals
will now follow the example. The circulation of newspapers
by the association has lately been very limited, its funds
being inadequate to the task, so that the repeal press will
scarcely be affected by the change. Onto-morrow, also, Mr.
O'Connell will close the conference.
A hamar will be held in Belfast on Tuesday next for the
relief of the Connaught poor. Many of the chief manufac•
turiug towns of England and Scotland, including Liverpool,
Manchester, and Glasgow, have contributed very liberally.
At the other extremity of the island, private charity is ex-
erting itself in behalf of distress. Captain De Salis, of the
Bth Hussars, scut 281. to the mayor of Limerick as the con-
tribution of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and pri-
vates of the company. There is another generous act on
behalf of the military. Eleven companies of the 47th,
stationed at Kanturk, co. Cork, subscribed 301. to the relief
fund A that town. Returning north, the large sum of
2321. was collected at Lame, co. Antrim, on Wednesday last.
George Ensor, the son of the late and well-known gentle-
man of that name, has remitted to all his tenants, without
exception, 33 per cent., or 6s. &l. in the pound, together 1
with all outstanding arrears. The northern landlords are
certainly far in advance of their southern brethren in libe-
rality, as well as in affording employment. In the county of
Down a number of landlords met on Thursday last and came
to an unanimous resolution of providing useful employment
for all the unemployed labourers on their estates.
PRESENTMENT ttESSIONS.—A presentment sessions for
the barony of Condons and Clongibbons was held on Friday
at Fermoy. Capt. Collis presided. Considerable discussion
occurred as to the amount to be levied for employment. The
Earl of Kingston insisted that the full value of the rates of
the barony should be preaent.d for ; but other gentlemen in-
sisted that so large an amount would not be needed for the
drainage of any estates in the barony save his lordship's;
that he could assess any amount he pleased upon tho electo-
ral division of Mitcheistown, which his own property, of
course, must pay. I.ord Kingston utterly refused this ar-
rangement, and said :
I wrote to Mr. Redington mid Mr. Labouchere, stating that I con-
sidered the destitution of the people such, that I would not be a party
to anything legs than the entire valustion.—Chairrnan But if we grant
that to Mitabelstown, we are bound to grant the valuation to places
that don't want it.—Karl of Kingston:. Then I maw we present for
the entire valuation of the barony, and f that be not agreed to let the
responsibility rest on the government.—Chairman: Is there any
one to second his lordship's motion? (Cries of " No, no.")
—Karl of Kingston : Then I will be no party to any other
arrangement. The Parliament will soon assemble and I'll
tale care to get satisfaction, for I'll move—l'll get a friend in the
I louse of Lords to move—for copies of my letters to Mr. Labouchere
and Mr. Bedington.—Rev. Harry Disney : And will you let the
poor starve until then'—Earl of Kingston : I say let them starve.
(Oh, oh.)
Subsequently, however, his lordship consented to apply
for less than the full valuation ; but it was then too late to
proceed with the schedule for that day, and an adjournment
took place to Saturday.
The Board of Works hare sanctioned presentments to the
amount of 10,0001. for public works in Limerick.
STATE or SEIRREREEN.—The Cork Constitution, a Con-
servative journal, received this morning, publishes the sub-
joined letter from a Conservative magistrate of Cork :--
TO HTS GRACE FIELD lESIIsHAL TEL TWEE or WELLINGTON.
My Lord Duke,—Without apology or preface, I presume so far to
trespass on your grace as to Mate to you, and by the use of your illus-
trious name, to present to the British public the following statement
of what I have myself wen within the last three days :—I went on the
15th inst. to SI ibbereen, and to give the instance of one townland
which I visited, as an example of the state of the enure coast district,
I shah std.: simply what I there saw. It is situate on the eastern side
of Castleha harb.mr. and is named South been, in the partrh of
MST*, Bven
aware that I should have to witness scenes of fright-
ful banger, provided myself with as much bread as five men could
carry, and on reaching the spot I was surprised to find the wretched
hamlet apparently deserted. I entered some of the hovels to ascer-
tain the cause, and the scenes that presented themselves were such as
no tongue or pen can convey the :tightest idea of. In the first, six
famished and ghastly slelevrtui, to all appearance dead, were
huddled in a come on some filthy straw, their sole covering
what se2med a ragged horse cloth, their we tehed legs hanerne
about, naked above the knees. I approached in horror, and found by
a low moaning tees were alive—they were in fever, four children, a
i
woman, and what bad once been a man. It is
impassible to go
through the detail: suffice it to s ay, that in a few minutes I was sur-
rounded by at least 200 of such phantoms, such frightful spectr.s, as
no words can describe. By far the greater number were delirious,
either from famine or from fever. Their demoniac yells are
upon
All
ringing in my ears, and their horrible images are :land
my brain. Mr heart sickens at the recital, but I must go on.
In another case decency would forbid what follows, but it
must be told. My clothes were nearly torn off in my en-

clamour to emspe from the throng of poMbees armed, whoa my
peek depth wee embed from baled by a Ff.' which empelkd me to
tuna I bead myself paged ler • WIIMMI vlth se MOM emu.
rattly just les labersnas, sad the morel= rl Slay MON
her lales—tbe oak ereirMs of lismelf set boha The Gime monism
the pones wird • loess ea the adPieing bade, which was
abierved shot lbw army deb, awl two MM. Mires
were Mel Wag upa the mud goer, Ulf demeret by
the ma. • Moder lerestf herr, we ama the semi deg to
*tog owl the mom at Mr WM, a Orlalsalt 11. PAW/ sabsols sad
Lave It ball emend with Pam la madarar►amtoilllia Foga
of the samby shake at Ildblarees, the dlsponesay dozier Mal
seven inotehrolylng enable to inure elder the mass Walt One had
been deed nestylreme, bat the others were unable is move either
themsriveser She wept—N. it. Commies, J. P.—Auss-Yount, Cork,
Dce. 17, lota
The apprehension of the " Popular Armament " is fast
subsiding. The number of firearms 'really sold was very
small, considering how the manufacturers sought to force a
sale, and how anxious many of the peasantry might be to
obtain possession of such a plaything, as a gun.