The Express.
London, England, 1846-11-04 00:00:00

PROVINCIAL.

e.e.se.sannte.
THE LATE STEAM-BOILER E sPLOSIOX.-3111.F.LIRBAIRN'ti
REPORT.—On Monday the adjourned inquest upon the bo-
dies of the three unfortunate persons who were killed by the
late explosion at Ashton-under-Lyne, was held before the
county coroner. In consequence of its being known that
Wm. Fairbairn, Esq., C.E., had been directed by the coroner
to draw up a report of the disaster, the room was thronged
by many manufacturers from different parts of the country.
There were also several scientific gentlemen present. Kr.
John Bayley, one of the masters, said, My partner's name is
Richard Dewhurst ; we have had the mill sixteen months.
The engineer we employed is named Marshall ; we had no
fireman, he did all the work. I got to the mill on the
morning of the accident about a quarter to six. I went
into the boiler-house for a light; the engine-man was at-
tending to the fire. I lighted up the warehouse, and re-
turned into the boiler-house, and lighted a gas which looks
over the steam-gauge. According to the gauge, the steam
stood about five inches. I then looked at the water-gauge,
and that was within an inch of the ordinary working
height. I again went into the warehouse, and bad not been
in more than two minutes before the explosion took place.
The ordinary working height is from ten to twelve inches of
steam. I never exchanged a word with the engineer. I had
confidence in Marshall's ability.—ln answer to Mr. Barlow,
one of the owners of the property, witness stated that the
engine was of 18-horse power, and that it turned 9,600 mill
spindles.—Oeorge Brandon said : Mr. Bayley sent for me to
start the engine. It was stopped, and I found a stud of the
eccentric loose. The lly.wheel caught the wall plate and
broke it. The engine did not start again that day. John
Thomas came on the Monday morning in Crook's place; but
Mr. Bayley sent him home. Some questions being asked
about the safety-valve, Mr. Fairbairn said, as he understood,
there was a wood prop ucder the lever of the valve which
kept it down, and prove ted any escape of the steam ; wit-
ness said, The prop was under'when I went there, and I left it
so; I did not apprehend clinger when the engine was at
work. I always disturbed the prop when the steam was about
12 inches. If the gauge was stopped by dirt, as it sometimes
was, I had no criterion to go by only my own judgment. In
reply to Mr. Earle, the witness said the duty of the engineer
is to look after the gauges and salves, not the master's. I
told Crooks he must keep the steam at twelve inches, or it
would plague him. I looked in the boiler when it was
being cleaned yesterday week, and said at that time to a
joiner named James Stafford, this boiler will cause some
accident. I was not aware hut there was a star from end
to end, but it has not. Stafford said tell Mr. Bayley, and
I Raid I would, but did not do so in consequence of being
taken sick.—Thomas Crooks said, I live in Cotton-street, and
went to fire up for last witness. I saw the safety-valve was
last. I said to one of the young masters that it was danger-
ous. The peg of the steam gauge stood about 20 inches
high. Brandon had it that high when I went ; it's no use
telling a lie about it. The engine was stopped at this time;
the gauge should be 13 when the engine is on. I was
friahtened in consequence of the safety-valve nut acting.
The boiler had no stay over the fire-place, and it ought to
have had four.—Mr. Fairbairn said that he had no doubt
whatever hut the accident was caused by au over-pressure of
steam. For the purpose of giving the fullest information on
the subject, he had written out a report which he read.
A portion of this only need be quoted :
"The true enure of the eruption, namely, that the safety valve was
fast, and the engineer haring been engaged in cleansing and charging
the furnace for nearly half en hour previous to the esplesion (with no
escape for the steam), the boiler, as in all such reef, brume an in-
strument of destruction, Involving the most ruinous results to all
those within the reach of its influsnee. This fact, therefore, removes
all doubt as to the cause of this lamentable occurrence, which, like
most others of the same kind, has arisen from culpable negligence of
the engineer, and a callous disregard of consequences too rations to
be contemplated. On no account whatever should the safety valves
of steam boilers be allowed to be touched alter they are
once loaded and set, excepting only for the purpose of
ascertaining its free working condition. • • • • • The
salty valve being fast, and all escape for the seam being closed,
it is easy to conceive what would be the result, namely, that of ex-
cessive pressure, which acting upon the weaker parts of the boiler,
would bear down 'hat over the furnace, and hence follows the total
dc-tenetion of the buildings, and the ruinous ore sequences which
ensued. It will be observed that the boiler in its descent made a
complete somerset and reversed its position, which can only be
a- counted for by the reaction of the forms upon the furnace end of
the boiler, thus prodnc westative motion daring its assent. In
almost everycese where hl steam is suddenly fib erated the boiler
becomes a projectile of enormous force, which no erection, however
solid, can resist. Before closing these remarks, I would respectfully
direct attention to the henry responsihility attached to the manage-
ment of steam-boilers, a little more attention would go far to prevent
accidents of this kind, if it did not entirely remove them altogether.
On a former occasion I vassal the liber'y of adverting to the pre-
sent imperfect state of our knowledge, as regards the education
of an exceedingly useful body of men. I mean that clam of engineers
into whose hands the lives and property of the public are 'entrusted.
At prevent engineers are far from poeaessing inadequate knowledge of
the elements of their profession, not yet has their moral condition
attained that high standard of character so essential to a faithful die
charge of their respective duties. It will yet require sonic years
before such men can be trained for the public service, but I still hope
in thin age of steam and steam-engines to see the whole of our steam
111M', railways, and manufactures, guided and governed by a body of
men at once inspiring conlideNce and respect- This desirable object
cannot, however, be attained but through the joint aid of the govern-
ment, railway and steam navigation companies, including miumfac-
liners, in the erection of normal schools for the education of engineers.
In conclusion I would recommend the same suggestions which I urged
on the occasion of the boiler eaplorion at Holton, that the following
regulations be observed.-Ist. That the practice of placing boilers
under bugdings where the work people are employed be
diroccinued.-2nl. That two safety valves be attached to
each boiler; one of them to be weighted from the inside
to the required pressure and to have a long ascending
discharge pipe out of the reach of ink, fs.eoss . the other to be
under the control of the engineer. These valves, in order to be per-
fictly rife, should hare, respectively, nn area equal to one-half of the
steam pipe, or about one square inch to every two horse of the com-
puted power of the boiler.-3rd. flat in cases were boilers are
situated under mills, a mercurial gauge, indicating the pressure of
the steam, and an ascending column of water corresponding with that
pressure, will be found of great value in rases of negligence on the
pert of the fireman or engineer. Lastly. F.ach boiler should have a
water gauge and two fusible fire plugs composed of suitable

After the reading of the report, the coroner and jury were of
opinion that no other witness was necessary. A juror wished
the last engineer, Marshall, called in, which was done, and,
in answer to questions, put to him, said he had taken out the
prop, from under the boiler, the day before the accident. The
jury were then left to themselves, and, after a few minutes
deliberation, returned a verdict of " Accidental Death,
caused by an over-pc esure of steam, and by reason of the
safety-valve of the said steam boiler having lseen overloaded
or pressed down, but by whom, or by what means, is not
known."—Crowds of persons were congregated in the street
to hear the result.

LEEDS MUNICIPAL E i.ic-rTo;i::The annual election of
councillors on Monday parsed off very flatly at Leeds, except
in two or three wards, were there were smart contests. The
number of councillors to be elected wu 16 ; those who retired
by rotation, comprising 11 Whigs, 3 Tories, and 2 chartists
and they were supplied by the election of 11 Whigs and
5 Tories. _ _

A JEREMY DIMMER AT Yoaa.—lt appears that a fel-
low about five feet eight inches high, with large grey eyes,
light hair, moustaches and imperial to match, representing
himself as "the Right Hon. E. F. Vernon," by some ex-
traordinary stratagem, managed to introduce himself to a
highly respectable elderly lady, who resides near York, and
informed her that he was the son of a peer of the realm, but
was obliged to leave his borne in consequence of youthful in-
discretion. Having received 20,0001. from his noble con-
fiding parent, and having lost the whole, he was obliged (as
the policemen say) to "step it;" and having made York his
head-quarters, he fell upon his knees before the above
lady, and in the most supplicant voice implored her
protection. Being touched with his misfortunes, and
particularly as he was considered the son of a proud
aristocrat, the lady promised her assistance, and the
prodigal son rose from his knees, apparently with the
strongest feelings of gratitude and repentance. The lady
then immediately discovered that the clothes which " the
right honourable " wore had seen the best of their days, and
directed him to call on the following day, when he was
ordered to get measured for • suit. Having thus obtained a
firm footing iota the good graces of his benefactress, he was
in the course of a few weeks, introduced to many of the most
respectable families in York, with whom he feasted to his
heart's content. During this acquaintance, which conti-
nued about three months, he managed to make divers calls
upon the exchequer of his benefactress, to the amount of
3001., when he took it into his fertile imagination to take a
trip in a wager boat on the Ouse and passing by a window
looking on the water, he espied two young ladies and an
elderly one, most industriously working at their needle. He
immediately gave a sudden " them," when the interesting
group raised their heads, and discovered the gay Lothario's
hand in rapid motions to his lips. The young ladies replied
b.y a alight motion of the head, the mother at the same
time taking a most scrutinising glance with her eye-
glass at the nautical young blade. When the next
day arrived, the " right honourable " drew his little
bark opposite the window at the same hour. He
again commenced kissing his hand, and continued to do so for
several minutes, the movement being occasionally returned,
first by one sister, and then by the other, and last, although
not least, by the mother herself. This recognition was
apparently just what the nautical swain desired to obtain,
for he immediately pulled his boat to the bank side, and at
once went to the door of the home, and having given a most
aristocratic double knock, was in due course of time shown
into the parlour. The amorous swain then threw himself at
the feet of the elder daughter, laid hold of her hand, and
in the most fervent manner pressed it to his lips, at the
same time declaring himself the son of a peer, and un-
governably in love with the " adorable girl before him."
After a great deal of conversation, during which Jeremy
told the same story as he bad done to the lady alluded to
above, he modestly hinted his earnest desire to stay and
spend an hour or two with his charming girl, when the
mother replied, that " his lordship " could scarcely con-
descend to take tea with them in their humble abode.
Whereupon, "his lordship" declared that he should be
proud to stay in the company of his "adorable girl ;" and,
after numerous apologies, " the right honourable" remained
to tea. The next day arrived, when " his lordship " took
tea and supper at the house, with diverstrilmassves of port and
to sherry assist digestion. In this way • went on for
a week, and the husband being away from ome, was ap-
prised of the lucky nibble his family had made in catching a
lord. The father, of course, came home, and was at once
introduced to his " lordship," and an arrangement for a
grand Sunday's dinner having been made, it was also
another day of triumph for the " right honourable," who,
having enlisted himself in the go opinion of his future
father-in-law, a fortnight's acquaintance managed to bleed
him of 501., and in the course of another fortnight, of 10/.
more. Thus things went on for nearly ten weeks, when
the lady (the mother) became tired of the expensive and

constant visits of " his lordship," and made arrangements
to accompany her daughter to Scarborough, as the lady rid,
to put to the test the strength of his love, no doubt thinking
that " absence makes the heart grow fonder." One of her
daughters and the servants were left at home, with instruc-
tions not to allow " his lordship" to dine at the house during
their absence. His lordship was also requested not to call
during their stay from home, and readily promised acqui-
escence. But, lo ! the next day came, and the good dinners
coved the
too great a fascination, " his lordship" called, and
the young lady to allow him to dine with her, to
which she consented, and " his lordship" continued to do so
during the week, occasionally assisting the young lady in
making cheese cakes, &c., for tea, the overplua finding their
way to " his lordship's" pockets. When " dear mamma"
arrived at home, she discovered in her larder a large bundle
of cheese and currant cakes, with cold mutton chops,
&c., which were packed for the " right honourable's " sup-
per and breakfast. Next morning the lady waxed wroth,
upon hearing that her disobedient son-in-law had dined
there every day that week; but this matter was soon
made up by kisses from "the right honourable" to all
the members of the family. On the following day, " the
right honourable " went to the house in a great hurry, say-
ing he wu going to London, to take a casket of jewelle7,
which bad been his mother's, for safekeeping tohisbanker a,
being the jewels which were to adorn his dear " Dora "
upon her presentation to the queen. The contents of this
case, in reality, were two pounds of tongue, two cold par-
tridges, cheese, and currant cakes, with a bottle of sherry,
provided by his female benefactress above alluded to; and it
will scarcely be believed that the father credited every word
of this accomplished swindler, and actually gave him 51. to
take him up to London. The next day, however, discovered
all, by a clergyman calling upon the father of the young lady,
and explaining the true character of the fellow, who was a
strolling actor, and a most adept swindler. We. Fork Courant,
understand he his taken with him a valuable gold watch,
and other jewellery, to the amount of 601. belonging to his
female benefactress.

DURHAM.
CITY OP Dußßase.—The municipal elections for the city
of Durham took place on Tuesday, and have resulted in the
gain of one vote for the Liberals, three of each party having
retired in rotation, and four Liberals and two Conservatives
having been elected. In the St. Nicholas, or principal Ward,
a Tory retired, and no other coming forward to supply the
vacancy, Mr. N. Oliver (L.), was chosen in his place, and
Mr. W. Marshall (L.), was re-elected. In the South Ward,
the two retiring councillors, Mr. G. Shaw (T.), and Mr. E.
Shafto IL.), were re-elected without opposition. In the
North Ward alone was there any contest, and that alsoended
in the return of the retiring councillors, Mr. R. Stafford (T.)
and Mr. E. Beckwith (L.), who polled, respectively, 163 and
162 ; their opponent, Mr. G. Robson, chemist (T.), only
polling 133. The corporate body uow consists of sixteen Li-
berals and eight Conservatives, the mayor (a Liberal), being
an alderman likewise. The bells of St. Nicholas' Church I
rang several merry peals in celebration of the issue.
WESTMORELOin.
KENDAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION.—SeVen Liberals and five
Conservatives contested the three wards into which the town
is divided. Four Liberals and two Tories were elected. The
latter were so elated at their success, that they paraded, with
fillip and a band of music, through the town.
wARWICKSIIIRE.
TUE OPENING OF TUE POEM—BIRMINGHAM, TUESDAY.
—A town's meeting was held in the Town-hall here to-day,
convened by the mayor, in compliance with a requisition to
his worship, fer the purpose of memorialising ministers to
open the ports for the free admission of all kinds of food, in
consequence of the high price of provisions, and because of
the failure of the potato crop, combined with the alarming
famine in Ireland and in many of the highlands of Scotland.
The great Music-hall, in which the meeting was held, was
well tilled. W. Scholefield, Esq., moved the first resolution That this meeting view with sentiment., of alarm and deep com-
miseration the starving condition of a large portion of the Irish
people, and the severe suffering felt in many parts of Scotland, from
the almost total failure of the potato crop; and that the subtraction
of so large a pot ties of the eu..toinary supply already prollbe• hrovily
on the whole of the United Kingdom, as i 4 fully proved by the ad-
canoed and still advancing price of all descriptions of human food.
Mr. Ald. Death moved the second resolution :
That while the meeting is grateful for the late changes in the Cove-
law, it consolers that the duty which is still levied on the Importation
of foreign earn, tends greatly to enhance its price, and its retention in '
the present state of the nation is altogether indefensible.
Robert Kelly Douglas, Esq., moved the third resolution :
That it appears to this meeting that the issuing of an immediate
order of council for the opening of the ports to the free unrestricted
admission of all descripeloini of human food is the only means of
mitigating the minting evil, which is much too pressing and great to
await the slow remedy of enactment by u parliament which may not
assemble for some months to come.
This was seconded by Mr. Blasland, and carried, as were
also the two following resolutions:
That this meeting does resolve to niemoriallse her Majesty's cabinet
council, calling on them at once to issue such an order, and that the
following be the form of the memorial :—That the memorial now
agreed upon be signed in the name of the meeting by the Mayor, and
that he, together with the movers and seconders of the resolutions,
(with power to add to their number), be a committee to carry the
resolutions into effect.

George P. Muntz, Esq., M.P., defended his conduct with
reference to the corn-laws for the last 30 years. He was
opposed to them from the beginning, and he was opposed to
them still. With reference to the four shilling duty, he de-
clared that he told Sir Hobert Peel, when he brought in his
bill, that he was wrong; that the corn-laws ought to be
repealed at once ; that the duty he imposed would deceive
both the consumer and the grower ; but at the same time
that he advocated a repeal of the corn-laws did be also
advocate, and they would be driven to adopt his principle,
eventually a repeal of all protective duties whatever. He
wanted free-trade in reality, not in mere words; and it
would not be very long before it would be seen that the
taxed labour of this country could not compete with the
untaxed of other countries. He perfectly agreed with their
resolution as to the expediency of opening the ports, but
for very different reasons to theirs. The opening of the
ports would not cause corn to be sent in, because
there was very little to come, except from America ;
but by opening the ports it would bring that about
sooner which he had contended for years must be
the result of a repeal of the corn-laws—an altera-
tion of the laws, and of the whole mode of taxation.
The whole system of legislation at present went to make the
rich richer and the poor poorer; for although that did not
entirely regulate the rate of wages, in the long run it would
be found to do so. That was the opinion of Adam Smith,
and, said Mr. Hunts, " I am convinced that when the corn-
law is repealed, your money law won't stand six months."
As to Ireland, it was the wretched state of the body politic
that brought that country to the condition in which she
then was. The condition of the people in his opinion,
would have been nearly as bad had there been no failure of
the potato crop whatever. My opinions (said the hon.
gentleman) have undergone no change since you knew me.
lam proud to be your representative. I defy any man to
say I am not honest, but I will never be your delegate.
(Cheers.)—Mr. Spooner, M.P. next addressed the meet-
ing,. and a memorial having been adopted embodying the
spirit of the foregoing resolutions, the meeting separated after
a vote of thanks to the Mayor.
WORCESTERSHIRE. _ _

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS AT WORCESTER have added
the names of three Conservatives to the list of the council,
which now displays eight Liberals and four Tories.
Daoirwica MUNICIPAL ELECTION.—In this borough the
elections have passed off very quietly. The Council of this
borough is composed exclusively of Whigs.
KIDDERMINSTER MUNICIPAL ELECTION.—This borough
is divided into two wards. There was no opposition in either
ward. The corporation consists of six aldermen and 18
councillors, of whom there are only five (councillors) of
Liberal politics.

..... .
THE RESULT OF THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN LINCOLN
is to leave a majority of three in favour of the Liberal party,
in the Town Council of that place.
L.-COMMISSION HY THE Loin, LIEUTENANT.—The Right
lion. W. J. Baron Monson to be Deputy Lieut.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.
THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS at Northampton gave rise
to a contest. A correspondent says : " In the East Ward the
.Conservatives gained a majority. The Reformers kept the
head of the poll until three o'clock, and would have beaten
their opponents but for the expedient resorted to by the
Tories to return Mr. Markham, their candidate, who fills a
multiplicity of posts in the town of Northampton and its
vicinity—namely, clerk to the Hardrystone union, clerk to
the Property Tax Commissioners, clerk to the Assessed Taxes
Conimianonen, solicitor to the Northampton Union Bank-
ing Company, and numerous turnpike trusts, clerk to the
Northampton Improvement Commissioners, and uncle to the
recently appointed Clerk of the Peace for the county of
Northampton ; and last, and to crown all, this pluralist of
public offices appears as the Political Registration Agent for
the Northampton Tories, sad suffers himself to be put in
nomination as Town-councillor." Four Reformers and two

Conservatives went out ►y the annual rotation ; four Re-
formers and two Conservatives were returned so that the
relative position of parties is the same, viz. twenty Reformers,
and four Conservatives.

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION AT OXFORD has passed off
vermuietly. Out of the five wards, one only has been con-
tested, and that was the west, where a Radical (Mr. J.
Green) succeeded in ousting a Whig (Mr. R. Chaundey).
In the south ward an ultra-Liberal (Mr. J. J. Faulkner)
was allowed to walk over the course, on the retirement of
Mr. W. Walsh, a moderate Whig. It was fully expected up
to the last hour almost that the Conservatives would have
started a candidate for both these wards. A correspondent
attributes it to the expiring state of the " Oxford City Con-
servative Association, which he positively asserts can never
raise its head again. The council, as at present constituted,
consists of 23 Conservatives, 13 Whigs, and 4 Radicals.
GLOUCESTERSHIRE.-
-- . -

AN INCIVEST was commenced on Monday upon the body
of the policeman who was murdertd at Bristol on Sunday
afternoon. The chief facts of the case appeared in this paper
yesterday.—H. P. Webb, inspector of police, after deposing to
the fact of deceased being a member of the police force, with
which he had been connected about seven years. said, on
Sunday evening I was in the charge room at the St. Philip's
station, on duty, about half-past five, and a fly drove up to
the door, and Mrs. Ferris got out of it. Shewshed into the
office in &frantic manner, saying, " Oh, Mr.llstbb, you must
take me into custody." I asked her what feN. She said, "I
have cut a man's throat." She did not say what man's. She
was affected with drink. I asked what she meant, when •he
said, " The man at my house ; go to bim ; go to him."
I immediately set out, accompanied by a sergeant, and on
the road was informed that White was dead. Upon that I
returned to the station, and placed Ferris in custody. I
afterwards went to Lion-street, and found deceased lying on
a press bedstead. He was quits dead. I noticed a large
wound in his throat, and also that his shirt was saturated
with hlood. It was evident that parties in the house had
been drinking, as there were glasses and spirit bottles on the
table.—The Coroner remarked, that though no doubt pro-
bably existed in the minds of the jury as to the cause of
death, yet it was desirable that an important point should
be proved, namely that death was net occasioned by inter-
nal disease, for which purpose it would be necessary to have