The Express.
London, England, 1867-10-29 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 29, 1867.

THE FATAL EXPLOSION IN WOOLWICH

A ESEIVAL.

INQUEST.—(THD3 DAY.)
This morning Mr. Carttar, coroner for Kent,
resumed at the Town-ball, Woolwich, the inquiry into the
circumstances relating to the deaths of five lads who lost
their lives by the explosion which took place in Woolwich
Arlene' on the sth inst.

Mr. Clulow, aseiatent solicitor to the War Department ;
Colonel Boxer, superintendent of the Royal Laboratory ;
and Captain Majendie, appeared on behalf of the govern-
ment.

Mr. J. Merriman (Merriman and Buckland, Queen-
street, Cheapside) attended, at the request of Mr. J. B.
Langley, in the interest of the friends of the deceased.
At the opening of the proceedings
Mr. Clulow said he was bound to tell the coroner and
jury that he had received &letter from Mr. Merriman con.
taming charges of so grave a nature that, unless they were
withdrawn immediately, he should be compelled, in the
discharge of a public duty, to rad them and make them
public

Mr. Merriman insisted upon the reading of the letter,
and hoped the reporters would cause it to be published.
The Coroner wished to know if the letter had immediate
reference to the inquiry. If it had not be thought neither
the jury nor himself ought to interfere.
The Foreman concurred in the coroner's view.
Mr. Merriman—ln the postscript of the letter I reserve
the right to publish it, and if I can I shall certainly do so.
The Forman—The publication of a letter written since
the last inquiry would be • reflection on thury, which
is as respectable as any that can be found in Woolwich.
Mr. Merriman—For the first time I discovered that Mr.
name is not in the law list.

_--- ---
Mr. Clulow—l am afraid you have not been sufficiently
careful in your investigation. lam astonished at a gentle-
man of respectability coming here and saying that I repre-
sent myself to be what I am not.
Mr. Merriman—lf by accident I have made a statement
which is incorrect nobody will be readier than I to with-
draw. I have searched the law list, and I did not see Mr.
Clulow's name in the list of solicitors.

The Coroner—Law list or no law list, Mr. Clulow comes
here in his true capacity. Any imputation of that kind
should be withdrawn. Any person to come here and
represent the government, and say I am so-and-so when
he had no locus standi would be monstrous.
Mr. Merriman—Do I understand you know what he is!
The Coroner—l know he is the assistant solicitor to the
War Department.
Mr. Merriwan—A certificated solicitor?

The Coroner—l really don't know:— •
Mr. Clulow—l daresay Mr. Merriman forgot to look at
that part of the law list which contains the 11•31363 of
solicitors of public departments,
Mr. Mammon—The explanation is sufficient to induce
me to withdraw my statement. With retard to the other
matter in the letter, I desire to publish it and the answer
to it.

The Coroner here privately read the letter, and said—
I look upon this as a reflection on me and the jury. I
consider it not worthy of my notice.
Mr. Merriman—There is nothing in that letter that
reflection the Coroner or any gentleman of this jury, but
it reflection the Arsenal department. I shall take measures
to have it published.
The Coroner—We must go on with the evidence.
William Arnsets, a lad who was employed in the Arsenal
at the time of the explosion, was then examined. He
stated that shortly before the occurrence be saw a boy
named Clare playing with one of the cartridge cases. Clare
struck a percussion-cap on the table with the case, and a
dash immediately followed. He (witness) ran out of the
place and heard the explosion.
A lad named James Brown said be beard a cap struck
and immediately sew a flash. He ran towards the door
and left the building. He did not know who struck the
cep, but be saw Clare near the spot where the explosion
originated about five minutes before he saw the flash.
(The inquiry was proceeding when our report left.)

Three days ago the seals were removed from
the papers of the late M. Fould, at his hotel, Faubourg
Saint-HonorC, in presence of M. Rouher. As is known,
the papers of the great functionaries of State are always
examined after their death in order to discover those which
may interest the government.

Mont© Rotondo is a small town of 1,200 souls,
ten miles north-east of Rome, in the province of that
name.

SOUTH LINCOLNSHIRE. —The death of Mr. C. W.
Pack., 311. P., creates • vacancy in the representation of
South Leicestershire, for which dividon the deceased
gentleman had sat since lit 36. No contest has taken place
since 1841, the conservative majority being considered so
great as to render opposition fruitier. It is said, how-
ever, that the liberals have been considerable gainers at
the registrations, and they have now resolved to have a
trial of their strength. Mr. Paget has been chosen as their
candidate.

--- -----
ETON COLLZGE.—His Royal Highness the late
Prince Consort's prises for modem languages have been
awarded as follows : French—Elliot ; inch Hatton.
German—De Grey ; Hosier. Italian—Lsoaita ; Christy
Miller.

Tnz BETTING FRATERNITY.—Thuraday next will
be the last day for the betting fraternity assembling at
their usual haunts. Only two peewits will be able to
consult, as three meeting together will be deemed an ob-
struction in the stmts.