The Express.
London, England, 1858-01-04 00:00:00

STATE 0! THE WELSH 1507 DISTRICTS.

(11101( 0171 OWX CONAUTOXDIXT.)
NEWPORT, JAN. 2.
Throughout the whole of South Wales the iron
and coal trades are at present in a most depressed and unsa-
tisfactory condition. The cessation of the American trade
led to an almost entire suspension of business, and the felling
off in the demand for home consumption further added to the
embarriusment of ironmaaters. To prevent serious losses
rages were reduced throughout Glaroorganahire, and the ee-
nous strike at Aberdare was the consequence. Two weeks
ago a large number of the men returned to work, but daring
this and the preceding week they have again struck, and
refuse more obstinately than ever to ieturn to their furnaces
and pita. On Christame-day large meetings were held for
the purpose of inducing the Monmouthshire (*there to join
in teh strike. In that county the men at all the works were
under notice of a reduction of five per cent., in addi-
tion to • previous fifteen per cent,. to expire at the
close of 1837 and this was deemed a suitable opportunity for
spreading disaffection among them. Unfortunately. these
efforts snot:ceded. On Monday last the hands at the artqr,
Pontypool, British, and Golynos works turned out, and held
meetings, at which it was resolved to refuse the terms
of the masters. This Mete of things continued up till
Wednesday, when the colliers and furnace men attached to
the British works at Abersychan had an interview with the
manager and agreed to accept work at the re-
duced tonna. This example has been followed at Varteg,
but at Pontypool the cos. still bold out, although there is
every reason to hope that they will give way by Monday or
Tuesday. At present about 3,000 men are on strike in Mon-
mouthshire, and from 8,000 to 9,000 at Aberdare. At the
latter piece no hope* of a reconciliation are entertained at
present.

FIRE AT ROTHERHITIIII—DESTRUCTION OP
GOVERNMENT BOATS AND OTHER PROPERTY.
A very destructive fire happened yesterday (Sun-
day) morning, in the premises belonging to Mr. J. Thomp-
son, government ship boat builder, Honeferry-stairs, Mother-
'tithe. The property in question stretched from the land
aide to the edge of the river Thames, nearly 200 feet ; it was
two etories high, nearly 60 feet ide, and contained not
fewer than sixteen large boats, built for the British govern-
ment, and a great amount of ships' stores, whilst piles of
timber were stored in the open yard. Adjoining this, on the
south ride, stood the private residence of Captain Smith, the
superintendent of the works, which was several floors high.
Between those buildings was the thoroughfare leading to the
Thames, termed the Honorary, and on the east side
were the premises of Mr. George Marshall, shipowner and
merchant, and within a few feet were the premises belong-
ing to Mr. G. Thomas, a shipwright.
About two o'clock yesterday morning police-conatable No.
174 of the M division, whilaproceeding along hie beat, no-
ticed an unusual body of smoke proceeding from about the
centre of the boat-building houses of Mr. Thompson. At
that time no fire was perceptible ; bat the smoke hovering
oolong over the roofs, convened him that the interior of the
main building was in flames ; and, without delay, be gave an
alarm, and sent off Lir the necessary attendance of engines
and firemen belonging to the neighbourhood, but before even
those situated within a mile on the land side, or the steam-
float at Rotherhithe had time to get on the way, the ere
rushed forth from every window and loophole in Mr.Thomp-
aon's factory ; and by the time the engines arrived, pile after
pile of timber and vessels, together with • dwelling-hones
standing on the ground, became completely enveloped in
lime. The firemen, under the personal directions of Mr.
Braidwood, the superintendent; Mr. Henderson, the chief
offic,..r of the D section ; Mr. Holloway, the engineer ; and
Mr. Connorton, of the West of England Office, went to
work , but the mains of the Kent Company not
yielding any water, the gratings of the sewers were
pulled up, and the hoes of the engines were
dropped through the apertures, and by that expedient the
land etgines were fed with water, whilst the two powerful
steam floats kept pouring many thousand tons' weight of
water per minute on the flame, ; but the fire could not be
entirely extinguished for six hours. The origin of the Ore is
not known.

FIRE IN OLERKENWELL-GREEN.—On Saturday,
about one o'clock, • tire broke out at No. 1, Clerkenweil-
green. The lower pert of the premiere is occupied by Mr.
Tripp, oonrchandier, the upper being let to lodge's. On
the third floor lived a man named Wilkins (who has recently
been laid up with rheum*, ic fever), Mende and daughter, and
his wile's mother, who is 83 years old, bedridden and blind.
The Are originated among some hay in the beeemeot. In •
few minutes the house was filled with volumes of
smoke, and though several persons endeavoured to
ascend the stairs they were driven back, and neither could
the Wilkins's, who were almost suffocated, get down them.
At last a ladder was procured, and while several peaces
held it firtn, Mr. A. Smith, butcher, of Aylesbury-street, went
up with a rope, sad succeeded In bringing dowse Mr. and Mrs.
Wilkins and the daughter. The old woman still remained,
but the flre-eacape from Rosoman.atreet coming opp at the
moment, she was rescued in aefety. Mr. Smith, on
aeecend-
ing, was loudly cheered. The parish and other engines,
which arrived promptly, entingnithed theft* in a short time.
Mr. Tripp was thawed in the Sun office.
ACCIDENT TO A PANTALOON.—We regret having
to record an accidnet which happened on Wsdneader.
htigt
to Mr. Feshrookir, the talented low comedian at our
Royal. Mr. Fosbrooks had been playing Pantaloon In the
final harrnquinade, and amongst other tricks la one in which
he and the Clown pest themselves in two rovolviog chairs
connected with the back scenes, and upon • given signal are
turned, b • sort of somersault, to the Wok of the scene.
On the night in question the men employed in working the
trick committed some error, by which Mr. Foebrooks, who
unfortunately released his bold of two chair anew provided
for safety, wee theme with great violence on the floor. lie
was stunned by the fall, and for two wanes was unable to re-
appear on the stage. He contrived, however (although
suffering considerably), to work through the piece; but on
reaching his home, became to mach worse se to be obliged to
lake to his bed. Mr. Lang, surgeon, was called in, and under
hie are be is progreesing as favourably es a concussion of the
spine will admit of.—Bristol Mercury.
TUE MEDITERRANEAN EXTENSION TELEGRAPH.—
The report received In London from the company's engineer
at Melte represents the state of the cable, stool it has been
submerged, as most satisfactory. That der also writes,-
0 I em convinced the traffic will exceed cur greatest expo,-
tations." The government subsidy at 6 per cent. on the
Lal Is now is fall effect.
AUNCH OF A VESSEL FOR THE KING OF PORTUGAL.
—Oa Saturday a fins =seal was launched ban the yard of
Mame. Oran, at Blackwell. She is intended as a powerful
ma yacht far the King of Portugal. She is 1,500 tons rnes•
sureental, 240 feet ling, pierced for 22 dons, and will be
worked by a screw. The Poetugaa« wed Brazilian
minis-
tee were among the visitors. The dosibiere of the Porte-
=at minister named the ship iro Diaz. The
was effected with safety; and the mak after drift-
ing a sheet takendistsaaweastte in tow nod hauled into the
Beet lidia Dock to ue
be