The Express.
London, England, 1866-01-29 00:00:00

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THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, JANUARY 29, 1866

IRELAND AND THE CATTLE PLAGUE.

A deputation of the council of the Royal Agricul-
tund Society of Ireland waited on the Lord-Lieutenant,
at the Castle, at Dublin, on Saturday, pursuant to a resolu-
tion passed at the last meeting of the council, for the pur-
pose of urging the necessity of the adoption of stringent
measures by the government to prevent the spread of the
cattle plague in that country.
Colonel lt,xox Goer., is introducing the deputation,
said that ie consequeuoe of the shortness of the inti-
mation which the council had received of the intention
of has excellency to receive the deputation, several of
the country members of the Domicil, who would other-
wise be present, were absent. The deputation, how-
ever, represented the unanimous opinion of a very
large meeting. The immunity of Ireland from the cattle
plague up to the present was owing to the instantaneous
exertions of the Irish government in prohibiting the impor-
tation of cattle. They hoped that the government would
strengthen their hands by giving them such powers as
would be the means of keeping the csttle plague absolutely
out of the country. Re begged to hand his excellency the
following resolutions, adopted on the subject at a meeting
of the council of the Royal Agricultural Society :—" Re-
solved—That the council of the Royal Agricultural Society
of Ireland feel it to be their imperative duty to aid and
strengthen the government in the adoption of such stringent
measures as may prevent the passibility of the fatal sad
ruinous cattle plague reaching this country, and as one mea-
sure that appears absolutely required to take effect memo's
possible, theypropose that governmentiespeoton be appointed
at each of the ports of Great Britain and Ireland which
export and import cattle, who will be authorised either to
prevent owners being allowed to go over from Ireland with
cattle, and not to permit them to enter the port of import,
and to prevent any person who had been in charge of cattle
is Great Britain entering an Irish port until disinfected, and
a certificate handed to him by such inspector. In ewe the
government feel that they cannot effectively carry out the
resolution of Colonel Knox Gore, it u then resolved that
the commit consider that the moat stringent measures are
requisite to prevsst the introduction from England of the
cattle plague into this country, and they beg earnestly to
impress upon the government the necessity for forbidding
entirely the export of live cattle from Ireland, and the ins-
portaoce of encouraging in every way the exportation of
dead meat. That the council conceiving the time may 'Ar-
rive when it will be considered advisable to interfere with
the exportation of live cattle to England, beg to direct
the attention of graziers, feeders, maleamasters, aad butchers,
to the importance of at once making the preparations se-
coesary for supplying the English market with deed meat."
Hie EXCELLENCY said he had read these resolutions,
which had been forwarded to him. The matter bad been
very frequently brought under his notice, and he bad given
it a good deal of oonsideratioo, but very great difficulty
seemed to arise as to the specific measuresto be adopted.
It was brought under bin notice a short time since by • de-
putation, which, however, could not suggestany definite
arrangement for carr7ing out the priociples they had in
view. That deputation thought that inspectors of police
could carry out the arrangements which they suggested. At
present there was no legal power to carry into effect the ar-
rangement proposed by the resolution ; bat assuming that
there was, he wished to know how they could be carried
into effect.

Colonel Goa' said there were many means of carrying
it out. Persons landing from a steamer, for instance,
should be required to produce a certificate that they had
not been near infected cattle in England.
kfis EXCLUIRICT—If partis had not the required certi-
ficate there would be, of course, a penalty. Who then
would determine the party liable to that penalty?
Colonel Gimte—These are details.

Hia Exuma:KY—The difficulty is about these details.
I have received several deputations on the subject ; I have
asked them how these measures could be carried into effect,
and it did not appear that they could mate any satisfactory
suggestion. . . . . . .

Colonel Gott said strong measures should be adopted ;
and he referred to the manner in which the cattle plague
was kept out of Prussia. He thought that in the end
sprdiar eters; should be taken in this country.
His EXCZLLENCT wished to know whether they thought
the prohibi,ion of the export of live cattle, or the sug-
gestion in reference to drovers, would be more practicable
Colonel Gott said the second resoloton was passed
merely as a supplementary one, in the event of the first
one not being acceded to.
Mr. Merelfstwxt said the second resolution was adopted
in case the government would not be disposed to adopt the
more stringent measures. They doubted that measures
would be taken in reference to drovers. There was a mis-
take as to the term "drover," which bad been applied to
persons merely going over with cattle ; but the danger
was to be apprehended from the class of small cattle
dealer, who went over with their own cattle and sold them
in Ifegland to save the commission.
After some further conversation,
His Mould's= said he took a great interest in the
matter, but the Irish government had at present no legal
way of dealing with the question ; and until legal powers
were given by parliament they oould not attempt any-
thing. He bad already suggested what could be done un-
der the existing state of the law. Whatever would be
done should be done on the express views of the Irish
members of parliament, who, no doubt, would take the
matter up very strongly. Eeery suggestion on the subject
should receive serious consideration, and when they had
discovered the right way of dealing with it, instant action
was demanded. He would forward the resolutions to Sir
Geore Grey, and ascertain from him if any practical re-
gulations could be made.

THE QI7ZEN AND THE CATTLE PLAGOL—OH
Saturday afternoon Major-General the Hon. A. N. Boodpre-
aided at an adjourned meeting of agriculturists and
landowners from Berke, Middleeer, Bucks, and Surrey,
held at the Town-hall, Windsor, for the purpose
of promoting the formation of the Windsor Mu-
tual Association for the Insurance of Cattle. General
Hood read the report of the committee, and in the
course of his remarks stated that a circular had been issued
to the landowners and others inviting them to subscribe to
the guarantee fund to collect statistics of the number of
horned cattle in the proposed district, and informing them
that the rate of insurance would be 10 per cent., of which
sum 2g per cent the insurer would be called upon to pay
at once, and that no animal should be valued at more than
251. They had received returns from less than half of the
parishes included in the district, and in those there were
about 5,000 horned cattle. He regretted that they bad Dot
got all the returns, but the) had found that many of the
smaller farmers were very desirous of insuring their stock.
He was happy to say that the guarantee fund now
amounted to 2,5001., and there was every reason to believe
that it would become still larger, and then the association
would be founded upon a very substantial basis. They had
obtained the opinion of counsel as to whether the associa-
tion ought to be formed in accordance with the provisions
of the Limited Liability Act of 1662, and the answer
was that it was not Deaconry, as the association
was to be formed for indemnity and not for pin.
Mr. R. B. Harvey. M.P., proposed, and Mr. Lambert,
High Sheriff of Buis, seconded the adoption of the re-
port, the latter gentleman remarking that of all plus the
formation of the association was the beet, and much better
than all the restrictive measures that had been passed by
the quarter sessions of the country. The adoption of the
report was cirried unanimously. The chairman stated that
her Majesty would give a gunnies to the sum of 5001.,
provided the rules, when submitted to the Queen, were ap-
I proved of by her, and if it was shown that it was the wish
' of the inhabitants of the neighbourhood that the associa-
tion should be established. The rules of the association
were adopted, and the proceedings terminated with a vote
of thanks to the chairman. The Court Journal states that
the greatest precaution has been observed by Mr. Tait, at
the Queee's Royal Dairy Farm, in the Home-park at
I Windsor, and the Prince Consort's Model Farm, adjoining
I the Great Park, known as Shaw Farm, against the intro-
!duction of the cattle plague, which up to this time has
ben successful, no symptom of this dire complaint hung
presented itself on the royal farms, notwithstanding the
serious loss of cattle among the farmers and gentry of the
neighbourhood of Windsor. On Friday all the cattle on
the two royal farms, up_wards of 200, were vaccinated.
THE LIVERPOOL MAOISTEATEN AND THE LIVER-
: POOL AND IZNIK CATTLE naDo.—The resolutions of the
county magistrates for South Lancashire prohibiting the
driving of cattle for three-quarters of a mile beyond the
borough, have created a perfect consternation amongst the
butchers and cattle salesmen of Liverpool, while it is felt
to be friught with the meet serious consequences with re-
gard to the food of the working classes. During the week
an influential meeting has been held, und-r the presidency
of the Mayor, at which the inconvenience and consequences
involved by the order were explained. It was stated at
this meeting that as • great portion of the Liverpool trade
is in cattle imported from Ireland (where the disease has
never yet appured), the magisterial order was unduly hank
and uncalled for. A deputation appointed by the meeting
was sent uplo London in:order to represent these facts to Sir
G. Grey ; and his lordship, after hearing their statements,
sent a letter to the comity magistrates' clerk at Liverpool,
recommending that a meeting should be held, with a view
to modify the regulations. A meeting, however, could not
be summoned for Saturday, and the result is that it will be
necessary to hold the market to-day (Monday) in a field
' within the borough boundary. It is, however, expected
that the suggestion of Sir George Grey will be taken into
consideration at a meeting to be held to-day. The following
is a copy of the latter :—" Whitehall, Jan. 1, 1866.—5ir,--
I am directed by Secretary Sir George Grey to transmit to
. you herewith a eopy of • letter which he has received
from Mr. J. Townsend, on behalf of the Liverpool
Cattle Market Company, teprwatins the great public
inconvenience which will be occasioned if the Old
Sean Market is prohibited oe Monday next, Mr.
. Townsend has been informed that the matter was ass
within the discretion of the justices, and with which the
I Secretary of State has no power to interfere ; but consider.
• ing that it affects the supply of meat to a very large popu-
lation, Sir George Grey feels it his duty to bring the repro-
! sentation made to him under the oonsideration of the jum
tins, and lam therefore to re9uest that you will lay it
before the Court of Quarter Sessions or any committee at
the justices which may have been appointed for cattle
plague purposes, and I em to suggest that if they think fit
they shiadd communicate on the subject with the Mayor
of Liverpool, who also alluded to it in a letter recently
addressed by him to Sir George Orey.—l am, sir, your
obedient servant, T. G. Boma—The Cfaks to the Jum
bees, lhorast44linsiv Liverpool."

LAW INTELLIGENCE.

MRTROPOLITAN COUNTY COURTS.
(Sitting days appointed for the present week.)
St. Martin's-lane —Monday. Jan. 29.
BLooluituiT, Poribuld.road.—Tbureday, Feb. 1.
W BROMPTON, bllebeaurs-grove.—Tuesday, Jan. 30; Wednes-
dazit;u2FgAay, Feb. 2.
1.14 Duneau-terrace.—Tuesday,Jan. 30: Wednes-
day, 31; Friday, Feb. 2.
SHORED/TM Old-street-road.—Tuesday, Jan. 30; Thursday,
Feb. 1.
Bow, Bow-road.—Friday, Feb. 2.
Sousswasx, Swan-street—Tuesday, Jan. 30 ; Wednesday, 31;
Friday, Feb. 2.
LAMBiTH, Camberwell Newssad.—Tuesday, Jan. 30.
GRWWICH. Wednesday, Jan. 31.
WOOLIVICIL—Thursday, Feb. 1.
CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.
Monday, Jan. 29.

order to test Its value. The amount he received for
his watch was 44, of which he was almost imme-
diately deprived on his return by the prisoners,
under the plea that he bad backed Snow, who was betting
with the others. Turner then said he would go to his
office to get more money, and asked the prosecutor to go
with him. After going some distmce he (Turner) left, and
on the prosecutor returning to the public-house the others
wens gone ; he afterwards met them near the same place
and gave them into custody. On • former heariog Sir
F. G. Moon cautioned the prosecutor as to entertaining
any offer to compromise the case ; but on the last hearing
the prosecutor did not appear, but a solicitor said be was
about to proceed to Scotland, and that he wished to with-
draw from the prosecution, on hearing which Sir F. G.
Moon directed a summons to be issued to compel his
attendance.
The prosecutor now appeared in obedience to the sum-
mons, and said—l never betted with the prisoners ;
neither did I win a shilling or any other money from them.
Since the last examination I have accepted back the money
which 1 had lost. It is because I have taken back my
money that Ido not now wish to prosecute. There was a bet
made all rouod at startirg, and I touched hands with
them, but I did not understand them.
Robert Gold, 395 A, said—l bad the prisoner Turner in
custody in March, 1862, for being found in a dwelling-
house without lawful excuse, and he received three months'
imprisonment, and being a ticket-of-leave men he was
sent back to finish his time. I have known both him and
Snow as skittle and card sharps for many years, and have
had Soow for stealing a watch.
Turner—The prosecutor is as big a rogue as we are, and
be took ss. over his money to compromise.
Sir F. G. Moon committed them both for trial, and or-
dered the prosecutor to find one surety in Ha to appear
sad prosecute at the Old Bailey.
BOW-STREET.

Elizabeth Fitzgerald, a well-dressed and rather good-
looking woman of about 30 years of age, was charged with
wilfully damaging paintings and other articles to the value
of 1751. and upward., the property of Mr. Aston, of 42,
Russel-square.
Mr. Payne, the barrister, who appeared for the prose-
cution, stated that Mr. 'Woo, a gentleman moving in the
first circles of society, had some years ago the misfortune
to become acquainted with the prisoner, and like many
other young men be was foolish enough to get into • habit
of visiting her ; but he never took apartments for her, or
sated in any way that could give her a claim upon him.
Hs had several times lately been annoyed by the prisoner
making repeated applications for money, and lately,
when going out of town, he bad some apprehension of her
probable conduct, and left word that it she should give any
annoyance or do any damns in his sheen as she should be given
intocustody. Whether she took advantage of the circumstance
of his absence, or whether she was ignorant of that fact,
was not known ; but a person who turned out to be her
landlord called at Mr. Aston's house with a note from her,
applying for mosey. That letter coat sioed some isfamous
imputations, but nothing amounting to a positive threat.
The landlord was told that there was no answer. After-
wards the prisoner drove up to the door in a cab. The cab-
man knocked at the door, and, when it was opened, waxed
whether there was any answer to Mrs. Pitnerald's note.
He was told there was not, and then observed, " We shall
make repeated applications till we do get an answer," thus
identifying himself with the parties. A few minutes
afterwards another knock was heard at the door.
and upon its being opened the prisoner rushed
in, and, with a short hooked stick like • gentle-
man's busting whip, smashed the ball limp to fragments.
She then rushed into the dining-room, whither she was
followed by Mr. Aston's sister. She seized that young
lady by the wrist, and demanded, " Are you his intended
Are you his sister, or who are you r Miss Aston made
no reply. She then with the handle o' the whip smashed
Mr. Aston's portrait, exclaiming as she did so, " I only
wish it was himself instead of his picture." In a similar
manner she destroyed the portrait of his mother, and
three other family pictures, each of which was valued at
35 guineas. She also destroyed a chandelier and clock.
ease.

Witnesses were called is support of this statement.
The prisoner paid she bad been living with the prosecutor
as his wife for eight years. They had been for part
of the time unhappy through jealousy, and she
bad suffered in health from a cause which could
not be mentioned here. Lately, contemplating marriage,
be bad expressed a wish to separate, and offered her
2001. if she would consent, and abstain from annoying him.
She was entitled to this at least, as she had spent 1351. of
her own money in furnishing a home. She had been in
great distress through his not keeping his promise, and only
went to the house to try to get an answer to her note. She
had then no intention of doing any damage ; but she found
the stick in the bottom of the cab, sod being exasperated
at receiving no reply she lost her temper.
She was committed for trial.

On leaving the dock the prisoner exclaimed, May the
curse of God light on all the family of the datons."

WORSHIP-STRKET

Mr. Joseph Jones, a tradaman, applied for the anis-
trate's signature to a declaration for the following object
Be stated that a young man named David Jones and his
wife had shipped on board the London to proceed to Aus-
tralia. Their names ware not in the lists either of the
saved or the drowned, but applicant had seen two of the
sailors who sur►ived the wreak of the ship, and had shown
them a photograph of David Jones, which they had recog-
nised as the hkeness of a man who was on board the Lon-
don when she went down. The object of the applicant
was to prove David Jones's death, that he might draw some
money due from a benefit society, in order to forward it
to Jones's mother in Australia. The two sailors, Richard
Lewis and Benjamin Shields, survivors of the crew of the
London, now presented themselves, and made a formal de-
claration to the effect that David Jones was on board the
ship, and one of them had shaken hands with him five
minutes before leaving.
Mr. Ellison affixed his signature to the declaration, and
presented the seamen with half a sovereign each.

VIZ MURDER IN 811ROPSHIAL-ARREST OP

TH UNCLE.

CLEOBURY MORTIMER, JAIL 27.

Mr. John Meredith, the uncle of the deceased
young man, Edward Edwards, ii now in the lock-up In this
town, charged on suspicion with being the murderer of his
nephew. There was • desire on the part of the Shropshire
police to arrest Mr. Meredith • week ago, but the magis-
tracy, through the chief unstable having sent to Sir
Richard Mayne for • &dentine, determined to post-
pone this step till such an officer had been upon the spot.
The evidence upon which the arrest his taken place, and
upon which the accused will be examined, is each
as to make it far otherwise than certain that it
can be shown that Mr. Meredith is the murderer.
It was shown at the isqueet that Mr. Meredith bad made
complaints of the deceased's neglect of his duty at the mill
even on the Friday before the Sunday on which the murder
was perpetrated, and that that complaint led to • dispute
between them on that afternoon. And Mr. Meredith. in
his evidence at the first acting of the moues jury, de-
posed that the day-book which the deceased kept at the
mill was not made up as Bought to have been to the close
of the week preceding the murder, and that be put in one or
more omitted entries himself on the day after the murder.
Idr. hieredithshows thathe was at the mill on the morning of
the murder ; and blood, it was also shown at the inquest,
was found upon his trousers and upon an overcoat belong-
ing to him. Whilst the officer was examining the over-
coat, the evidence is that Mr. Meredith said,
You surely can't detect blood after being washed."
This *oat, it was added, appeared to have been
sponged. At one time it was stated that Mr. Meredith
wore this °oat when he went to the mill in the morning ;
but this is not now stated. The blood upon the trousers
Is conspicuous, and the opinion of the surgeon given at the
last sitting of the jury was that it was not likely that
blood could have fallen from the body as it was being
taken upstairs, upon which occasion Mr. Meredith as-
sisted by holding one corner of the sheet upon which the
deceased was being moved. The garments are still in the
possession of Dr. Taylor, the eminent chemist of London.
Dr. Taylor has not yet completed his examination of the
clothes in respect to the quantity of the blood upon them,
but the examination has proceeded sufficiently far to
enable him to my that there is human blood upon
the sleeve of the overcoat and upon the trowels. Against
the supposition that Mr. Meredith is guilty of the fearful
crime upon which he has been arrested is the fact, which
is well knows in the district in which he lives, that he is
of a kind, hospitable, and charitable disposition • ever
ready in puree and person to prove a good Samaritan'to his
needy neighbours. Re was, it is said, extremely fond ad
the deceased, and had cherished him from the ago of 6,
since which time be bad been to him as his ; and we
are assured that, in the spirit of that affection, Mr. Mere-
dith, who is a man of considerable property, bas in his will
left to his nephew the mill in which he was so cruelly mur-
dered.