The Express.
London, England, 1866-12-20 00:00:00

BARNSLEY, Wtroreenar EVI2IIIIO.
Another explosion, but of an extremely alight
nature, happened at the Oaks this morning. The filling up
processes are going on r heretofore ; but it is not too much
to say that the danger of descending the pit is not a whit
diminished. As fact after fact is added to the general nar-
rative now that calmness is succeeding the confusion and
excitement of the past week, some minor points of detail
are amplified, but the public have been placed in poore-
ron of the mar outlinesef the reident. It will be • long
time before it is known how many bodies are in the pit,
and it is certain that a large proportion will neverbe re-
covered, :30 Toes to the proprietors will be
inimirsat' course, and the Barnsley tradespeople
are*** exesedingly gloomy at the depressed trade
that is hisvitaile.- The times have been more prosperous
with theni of late than ever they were before, but ruin has
now eveitaken away • small shopkeeper. Temporary
inconvenience will be felt by the large iron manufacturing
establishments in Sheffield and Leeds, who depended
upon their rid supplies from the Oaks, but it is pleasing
to know that the winter fires of the poor in Barnsley will
not be lessened by the prices of household coals being in-
erred beyond their present sensible price of ilea. 6d. per
ton. The only ground for the rumour mentioned in yes-
terday's letter of digesters at other collieries was the
refusal of a shift of men to enter one of the neighbouring
pits. They declared that the recent unseasonable weather
had checked the ventilation to a dangerous degree. In
one pit the men demanded to be drawn up soon after they
had descended to their day's labour, and their desire
was promptly granted, notwithstanding the managers
did not share in the men's apprehensions. One young
collier went so far as to assert that the paper
in which his dinner was wrapped had been singed
by the foul atmosphere. But while these alarms
were considered unnecessary by the persons hold-
ing authority, the fright amongst the families of the
colliers was palpable enough to induce he police
and • doctor to hasten to the mine, to render assistance in
case of accident. Of course they soon discovered their
fruitless errand, and the mild panic subsided in an hour.
The officers of the Miners Association have gone forth
this morning on errands of mercy to the desolated houses,
and the heavy money bags they received from the
treasurer on starting will be often emptied before the task
is completed. The town committee appointed on hion-
day will proceed at once to administer the funds placed at
their disposal. The determination expressed by Lord
Wharnchrfe to withdraw his subscription if the guardians
of the poor lessened their grants in consequence of public
subscription was not made without reason. On occasions
of similar widen* and at times of distress from other
muses, such as the Lancashire cotton fernier+, continual
complaints were made that the guardians, against the
wishes of the ratepayers, doled out unreasonably small
sums if the applicant had been relieved in other quarters ;
and it is but fair to add that the occasional discovery of
caws where the distressed were receiving grants from
many sources made at least discrimination a duty.
In this instance these difficulties need be few. The guar-
dians here, remembering bow much they were fettered at
the Lundhill and Edmond's Main accidents by the red-
tapeism of the Poor-law Board, wrote a few days ago to
Whitehall, to inquire how far the old regulations were to
be acted upon. The district poor-law inspector accord-
ingly sought a conference with the Barnsley guardians, and
recommended them to adopt a liberal policy, always ewer.
taining, of ootuse, that the cases they deal witharegenuine.
In • small place like Barnsley this can easily be done, as
imposition is almost impossible where the parochial dis-
trict can be so easily compassed. The poor-law in vector
emphatically laid down the principle that " any money
expended in educating the children, paying apprentice
fees, or giving marriage portions to widows, ought not to
be taken into account in considering whether the indivi-
dual is or is not destitute." It is important that the
guardians should act upon clearly defined principles in
this matter, because their work of relief will continue
long after the immediate pressure of the present.
Miners are frequently charged with being a dissatisfied
race, and there is no branch of the great body (numbering
282,000) of whom it can with more truth be said they are
never without a grievance than collier. Their gigantic
strikes and 'formidable combinations are notorious. The
National Association, with its branches and lodges in every
coal field, is managed with perfection, and, for good or
evil, their will in the majority of conflicts becomes law.
In the next county to this, at Staveley-bill, the men have
been locked out by the masters, and are now thrown upon
the reserve funds on a by-question of union or non-union.
The grievances of which the colliers generally have com-
plained, and which lost session they carried to parliament,
chiefly refer to hours of labour and payment. The South
Yorkshire colliers have no reason to complain on the first
point, seeing that they have succeeded after along and hard
struggle with the united masters in reducing the hours of
work to eight a day. In other parts of the country the
obnoxious twelve hours' system is, however, con-
tinued, causing, it is stated, such an exhaustion of the
human power, that the average term of a collier's life is
but 27 years. To keep a young boy twelve hours in a
dark unwholesome mine certainly seems to be indefen-
sible cruelty. Another universal subject of complaint is
the plan adopted for weighing the coal. The miner is
paid according to results, and objection is taken to the
ton consisting of 28 cwt., to non-payment for fractions of
cots., to deductions made f r inferior coal, to the manner
in which the work is checked, and to various smaller ar-
rangements ; but the worst part of the whole business is
the warm feeling on both sides when, on the one hand,
the employed strike, and on the other the employers
lock out. Even in the midst of this calamity grievances
are not forgotten, but are loudly discussed wherever
groups of colliers assemble.
be,

THE STAFFORDSHIRE COLLIERY EXPLOSION.-
The Queen has sent 100!., and a letter expressive of sym-
pathy with the friends and relatives of the deceased.
Four more bodies have been found, making the total up
to this time 89. The inquest was resumed at the Swan
Inn, yesterday, and evidence for the
identification of the bodies having been taken, the inquiry
was again adjourned indefinitely. If any more bodies are re-
covered the jury will be immediately again called together,
but otherwise the inquest will not meet until the scientific
evidence is completed, in about a week. Over 3,000!. has
already been subscribed towards the relief of the sufferers
by the calamity. Throughout, the whole of the
at a
northern
division of Staffordshire funds are being raised, and
meeting yesterday large subscriptions were annod
ovrunced.
The proprietors of the colliery have already raisee
1,300/. It is stated that the cause of the explosion is not
through the fault of the blacksmith. The chief me
no havn at tbee
pit deny that this is the case, as also do others w
facilities for obtaining authentic information on the sub-
ject, Neither the managers nor the government inspector
are aware as yet how the accident came about, and
come.
it is
likely to remain a mystery for at least a few days to

The subscriptions and donations received yester-
day up to four o'clock at the Mansion House on behalf of
the sufferers from the recent accident. amounted to up-
wards of 1,300/. The Court of Common Council have
voted 3001. towards the fund.

THE YELLOW FEVER ON BOARD THE TASMA_NIAN.
—Southampton, Wednesday Bight.—The Tasmanian's
passengers were landed hero this evening. The ship has
not yet obtained pratique.
Ms. Grant-Duff, M.P., and Mr. Grote, the
historian of Greece, were nornMetecl for the rectorship of
Aberdeen University at • general meeting of students. On
a division being taken in mass there was a majority in
favour of Mr. Grant-Duff. The election, however, is
decided not by a numerical majority, but by the majority
of " nations." There are four nations, :—Angus,
Buchan, Mar, and Moray. In cane of an equality of votes,
the outing vote devolves on the Chancellor of the Uni-
versity, the Duke of Richmond. The election takes Own
to-morrow, the 21st inst.
CRYSTAL PALAcz. Oza Samoa DAY.—.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. Aamiesione on payment, 671 ;
ditto by ma= tic.
s,l
Total Alike's, 2,207.

The exact scene of the accident was that portion ei the
railway just outside the Alderegatastreet station, when
the works of the new dead most market are now in pro-
gress. Theis works are being carried on under the super-
intendence of a joint committee composed of members of
the corporation of London and of directors of the
Great Western and Metropolitan Railways. K.
Kelk has the general contract for eonetree-
tion of the market, which is to rest upon
• net-work of wrought-iron girders thrown over the large
space recently excavated in Smithfield. Several of the
main girders have been already placed in position, and the
cross girders are now in process of being laid by the
Thames Iron Works Company, who have taken a sub-
contract under Mr. Kelk. The engineers had taken the
precaution to give the sontractors notice not to proceed
with this operation at any time when trains were passing.
Unhappily this regulation was not strictly adhered to yes-
terday, and at the moment the down train to Kensington,
leaving the Moores-to-street station at 12.40 p.m.,
approached the now open area beneath Smithfield,
the workmen of the Thames Iron Works Company,
under the orders of Mr. Maldon, one of their foremen, were
swinging into position, by means of the " &hanky,"
a eras girder about 40 feet long and 20 inches deep, and
weighing nearly four tons. The train consisting of four car-
riages, eschabounuet.pllai6 ynardsed
mlanongne,r,hadwidalmtheosgin
tipasseder
felltheoh.
point of danger when the euspending tackle became dia.
plawd in some
licinele, one end burying itself in the ground at a few feet
distance from the rails, the other end falling with dasher,-
tire force upon the roof of the last carriage in the train—a
second-class one, containing six compartments. The first
compartment escaped, and the enormous weight of
the girder falling upon the second swept through,
and utterly destroyed the hindermost compartment,
in which, by a fortunate chance, there happened
to be only three passengers—lwo gentlemen sad.
one lady and Squires, the guard of the train.-
The poor woman was instantaneously killed, her skull.
having been frightfully fractured and her neck broken..
The girder completely gutted the four last compartments
of the carriage, which was dragged on some 40 or 50 yards
before the engine driver could cheek the impetus of the:
train. The girder, sweeping the carriage, carried with it,
the ill-fated male passengers and the guard, who were
found upon the ground crushed by its weight. The body
of the woman remained on the floor of the wrecked car-
riage. The crash of the falling girder speedily attracted
a number of workmen in addition to those employed in
placing it, and the huge mass of iron was removed
OA quickly as possible from the mutilated bodies of
I the sufferers. 'information was at once conveyed to St.
Bartholomew's Hospital, and Mr. Cuddeford, the house'
1 surgeon, sent two of his colleagues, Messrs. Moere and
Humphry, to afford all the succour in their power.
Under the superintendence of these gentlemen the injured
passengers and guard were carried to the hospitaL One of
the gentlemen died almost immediately upon entering
it—indeed before he could be removed to a ward. He was
barely able to take a little stimulant, and then sank at
once. Both legs and thighs were frightfully mutilated,
and the abdomen considerably torn. A clue to his identity
is afforded by an envelope found in his pocket, and ad-,
, dressed " Rev. R. G. Holcomb, Bromley." There were
I also on his person a gold watch, several gold studs, some
loose silver, the half of a return ticket from Bromley to
I Ludgate-bill and back, and a ticket from Moorgate-street
to Baker-street, with which he was travelling. The other
passenger, whose name is stated to be Partnere, was in
1 a state of extreme collapse upon admission, having fracture
of the thigh and dislocation of the fibula, besides mina
I injuries, lie never rallied, and died at 5.30 p.m, The guard
is suffering from severe fractures of both legs, besides
various other injuries, and remains in a very precarious
condition, under the care of Mr. Holmes Coote, one of the
senior surgeons, and of Mr. Cuddeford, hones surgeon.
The poor woman, although dead when taken from the
carriage, was also received at the hospital, where the
medical gentlemen ascertained that her skull and neck
were fractured and her jaw broken. She has not yet been
identified. The fact of her wearing a wig and having upon
her person the half of a return ticket front Kensington to
Moorgate-street may lead to her recognition by her
friends.
Amongst the passengers in the two first compartments
of the carriage who escaped injury were— Mr. J. W.
Grimes, 11.51.5. Excellent, Portsmouth, at present staying
at 15, Finsbury-square ; Mr. J. S. Ellis, surveyor, of
Nicholas-lane, E.C., and Edmonton ; Mr. Henry Crane,
builder, 151, Hampstead-road ; and Mr. W. Blomfield,
contractor, of Ludgate bill.
Soon after the sad occurrence, Mr. Myles Fenton, ge-
neral manager of the railway, accompanied by Mr. Par-
sons, chairman, and Mr. Gilpin, M.P., a member of the
board of directors, with Mr. Ilurchell, solicitor to the com-
pany, arrived upon the spot, and after having had the
circumstaoces explained to them by Mr. Armstrong, Mr.
Kelk's manager, they proceeded to the 3loorgate-street
terminus to inspect the Meth of the carriage which had
been removed thither. Indeed, that was all that re.
rosined to be seen, for notwithstanding the lamentable
consequences to human life, the line was quite uninjured
—none of the carriages had left the rails, and the half-
hourly traffic over the broad gauge system between Moor
gate-street and Kensington proceeded almost without in-
terruption.
A close investigation into the circumstances of the acci-
dent will be immediately instituted by the directors, who
have already communicated through their secretary with
the Railway Department of the Board of Trade.
At a late hour last night Mr. Gibbons, inspector of the
Metropolitan Railway, went to the dead-house of St. Bar-
tholomew's Hospital, and there caused a secoud search of
the body of the lady to be instituted. She was expensively
and elegantly dressed. Nothing but a lump of sugar and
a corkscrew were found in the pockets. But in her stays,
which were made of red stuff, was found an envelope with
the name " Mrs. Johnson," and the address "40, Pem-
broke-road, Kensington." In two secret pockets in the back
part of the stays were Bank of England notes to the
amount of 2001. The notes were for 201., 101., and U.
and they all bear date either 11455 or ]feat. If er wig and
bonnet have been found, and are now at the Moorgate-
street station.
In this se death mus have been instant%neous, her
skul cal
having been penetrated apparently by an iron bolt
from the girder.
The body of the gentleman, who was at first unknown,
was identified by William Fletcher, a ticket collector at
the Ludgate-hill station of the London, Chatham, and
Dover Railway. He was Mr. Luckey, a partner in the firm
of Nash and Luckey, linen drapers, of High-street, Brom-
ley, Kent. He has left, it is said, a wife and family.

SHOCKING RAILWAY ACCIDENT. —An inquest was
held on Monday afternoon at Preston on the body of Mar-
garet Banks, 16 years of age, daughter of Mr. T. Bulks,
secretary of the Preston Spinners and Minden' ASBOCil-
tion, who met with a moat frightful death on the after-
noon of the previous day. The evidence given showed
that recently a number of young girls have on Sunday
afternoons being in the habit of going to the Deepdale-
road station of the Preston and Longridge at Pres-
ton, for the purpose of playing and " larking." Last Sun-
day afternoon Margaret Banks and three or four other
girls went to the station with that object in view. About •
quarter to 3 o'clock a train from Longridge came up, and
just when it had stopped at the platform side a man named
Henry Whittaker, who is a woolstaper at Haslingden, in
East Lancashire, and who was travelling from Longridge,
pushed one of his bands out of the carriage window.
The girls fancied that he was offering them something,
and Banks, with another girl named Mary Flyni,
to the side of the carriage. Banks pushed Flym on
one side, and said, " Let me have it," and directly
afterwards she was seen with her hand in his.
Five minutes later Banks was seen moving at the aide
of the train for a few yards, when she fell between the
platform and the carriages and was killed instantly.
After the accident Whittaker was apprehended, taken to
the police station, and then let out on his own reomui-
winces until the inquest, which he attend
eturned ed, but at
eh
dict
ich
he declined to give evidence. The jury ra vr
of " Accidental death." Their supposition was that the
deceased seized Whittaker's hand after the guard bad
given the signal to the driver, and bad got into his van,
and that while going by the side of the train she slipped
of the platform, and the. got run over. In reply to •
question from the jury, the secretary of the railway coon'
piny said that the station gates were only opened oa
Sundays when trains were about due, and that the de-
ceased and her companions had got upon the platform at
such a time on she afternoon of the accident.

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