The Express.
London, England, 1866-11-24 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OP THE EXPRESS.

explain in your issue to-morrow
that Mr. Howell, in his affidavit, has fallen into an error
is placing my name amongst a list of concerns which he
swears, " Of his own knowledge were then (previous to Ist
August, 160) being or had been wound up either in bank-
ruptcy or under arrangement." I beg to say the statement
so sworn to is untrue, and I am sorry ' his own know-
ledge" should have deceived him.
Mr. Gurney, in his affirmation, states the fact that the
accounts appearing in my name were, " Railway accounts
actually belonging to the firm, but under care of Mr.
J. E. C. Koch."
lam a creditor on and not a debtor to the estate of
Overend, Gurney, and Co.—l am, &c.,
J. E. C. KOCH.
1, Threadneedle-street, London, E.C., Nov. 23.

WIFE MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SU ICIDE. —A
month or two ago an unhappy scene shifter murdered his
wife in Birmingham by cutting her throat ; and yesterday
morning another wife murder was committed. The mur-
derer in this instance is a journeyman engraver, named
John Hampton, who resided with his wife in Nurnery-
terrace, Hunter's-lane. The two have lived very unhap-
pily together for a long time—the husband having grounds
fee- suspecting his wife's fidelity. Their bickerings have
been so frequent as to excite the attention of neighbours.
A short time ago the woman attempted to commit snicide
by poison, but a doctor was called in, and she recovered.
The husband at that time showed the utmost solicitude
for her recovery ; his jealousy, however, was so great that
he consulted Dr. Poncia, their medical attendant, on the
subject, and was advised by him to shake off all such feel-
ings. On Thursday night they had a quarrel before going
to bed. Yesterday morning the eldest son was awakened
about seven o'clock by the report of a gun ; going into his
father's bedroom, he found him lying by the window ;
there was a wound in his left aide produced by a cannon.
Assistance was procured, and then his wife was found
dead in bed, she having been strangled. He now lies in
the hospital in a dangerous state.
THE MURDER IN NOTT INGHAAISHIRE. —The ad-
journed inquest was resumed yesterday upon the body of
Mr. Henry Raynor, who was found, as it is supposed,
murdered on the lines of the Midland Rrilway last Satur-
day evening. The police have been making every exertion
since the adjournment of the inquest to discover the watch
and hat of the murdered man, but as yet without success.
The supposed murderer (Watson) and his wife (who has
also been apprehended on suspicion) have up to the pre-
sent time held a respectable position in Carlton. There is a
good deal of mystery about the affair. Soule further evi-
dence—which, however, did not throw much additional
light upon the matter—was taken, and the inquiry was
again adjourned.
A MINING COMPANY'S DIFFICULTIES. —At the
half-yearly meeting of the Caldbeck Fells Consolidated
Copper Mining Company (Limited), held at Wigton. Cum-
berland, on Wednesday, the chairman (Sir Hobert Brisco,
Bart.) stated that the directors had no report to present,
because their secretary (Mr. Powning) had absconded. On
the 7th of November, Laving received a cheque for 30V.,
which they expected was paid into their credit at the
bank, they signed cheques in payment of several accounts.
Those cheques were returned dishonoured, the cheque for
305/. not having been paid into the bank. The directors
had not yet examined the accounts, but they feared
there were other irregularities and defalcations. As
to the financial position of the company, he said
the receipts for ore last month were SOO/. ; this
month, nearly 900!. Their bank book showed their
assets were nil, except 21. or 3/., and there was a
month's pay due to the men. He expected • tender for
some ore, and bad a bill for about 900!. payable three
months after the delivery of some ore ; and perhaps about
3,000/. due for arrears of calls. Their expenses were about
9001. a-month. —Mr. Brockbank, of Carlisle, asked how it
was their prospectus said the mine was then making 2,000/.
a year, whereas this company had not sold 2,006/. worth
of ore in three years? Mr. Banks, of Wigton, said the
2,0001. a year was likely made by " picking the eyes."
Mi. Davis, of London, said be was a shareholder in three
mining companies, which would suffer by Mr. Downing,
the secretary. The chairman moved for a committee of
investigation to examine into the company's affairs and
report. Dr. Cowan, of Lanham, near Edinburgh, one of
the largest shareholders, urged that the committee should
inquire as to whether any " promotion money" was paid
when the company was formed. He had heard as much
as 10,000/. was so paid. A committee was appointed, the
secretary was dismissed, and the meeting adjourned.
CRYSTAL PA.LACI. 02111 88/LUNG DAY.
FRIDAY, Nov. 23.—Admindons on payment, 494 ; ditto
by meson tickets, 748. Total