The Express.
London, England, 1867-11-14 00:00:00

THE LATE EXPLOSION AT WOOLWICH.

.
The Coroner, in summing up, said if the jury were
of opinion that the explosion was caused by the
act of any single individual, they had no need to inquire
into the system of manufacturing the article, for if amen
employed in making razors took • finished blade and com-
mitted suicide, that would clearly have nothing to do with
the mole in which the article was manufactured. If any
boy had carelessly or recklessly exploded a cap, and so
caused the death of others, he was guilty of manslaughter,
but the jury must be certain that there was absolute wil-
ful negligence before they could find such • verdict.
The jury then retired, and after an absence of twenty
minutes they returned with a verdict to the effect "That
the deaths of Hubert Newby and others were caused by an
explosion on the sth of October, 1867, which explosion was
occasioned by the act of one Walter Pigge, who with a
mallet struck and ignited • percussion cap, but the jury
believed that such act was not maliciously done." The
jury added a rider to the effect that they regretted that
the means of egress from the building were to • great
extent impeded by the erection of fixed gas appliances
outside the doors, and in conclusion expressed • hope that
better hospital accommodation would be as speedily as
possible provided.

GAS EXPLOSION AT LIVERPOOL. —A gas explosion
of a very serious nature took place yesterday morning at
the new public offices, Liverpool. About 8 o'clock the
joiners engaged in the building were taking breakfast in
one of the large rooms at the east end of the building,
when • terrine explosion of gas suddenly took place,
smashing all the windows to atoms, tearing up the entire
flooring, and shivering the furniture to splinters. A num-
ber of wen were injured, the force of the explosion lifting
cue little fellow to the ceiling and breaking another's leg.
There were four other people injured, but none seriously.
Af 4er the thbris hail been cleared away, it was discovered
thick there was a large hole in the two-inch pipe, and by
the appearance of the hole it was evident that it had been
es by a rat eating at it. The damage done to the new
building le very considerable.
THE MYSTERIOUS MURDERS IN STAFFORDSHIRE.
—Mr. Woodward's men, assisted by the police, have com-
pleted their explorations of the old pit shaft in the coppice
at Kpper Arley, in which shaft the remains of three
children were found under circumstances which have given
rise'to so much grave suspicion. They have drained off
the 'water, and have reached what seems the bottom of the
shaft, but which may, nevertheless, be an artificial bottom
only. Here they came upon a large quantity of soil, lying
beneath what is evidently putrid animal matter and booed.
Tbeliones, however, are chiefly those of quadrupeds. But
amongst them were found two leg bones, a hip bone, and
the feet bones of boy or girl. These ire supposed to be a
portion of the remains of olio of the elder children, for
they correspond with the other remains of the same child
prevhinsiy in the possession of the surgeon. The inference
derived from the search is that there are no other human
remains in the pit, and that it was correctly stated to the
polieie that some years ago it was the practice of • person
wishing to destroy worn-out horses to back them into this
pit. Subsequent to the time of this habit it is clear that
the Children were thrown in ; and that at least one of them
was murdered there is unfortunately very little room to
doubt the cord still attached to the wrist and ankle bones
afforffing some proof of the crime that has been committed.
No doe to the perpetrators Las, however, yet been die-
coveted.

- ROYAL HOSPITAL FOR DISEASES OP TIM
CREAT, CITY-10A D.—Dr. A. IL Samosa, M.R.C.P., of
Dearan-torrace, City-road, baa been appointed • physichin
to this hospital vice Dr. A. Leered, rimed.
LONDON GENERAL. OMNIBUS COMPANY (Laffilita).
—Traffic receipts week ending Nov. 10, 9,9981. 19e. lid.