The Express.
London, England, 1867-01-25 00:00:00

THE REGENT'S-PARK ACCIDENT.

Yesterday all the private gates were closed
to the public, and the inclosure near the scene of
the accident was left in possession of a few labourers
and • small body of police. Indeed, had the throng
that covered tho opposite mound been absent, it
might have been said the spectators, like the ice.
had gradually melted away. Under the genial influ-
ence of a southerly wind and a warm sun, the broad water
towards the afternoon became a smooth, unbroken stream,
and no frozen islands interposed obstacles to the free and
active prosecution of the search. It was carried on with
the same means and appliances, and terminated with the
same fruitier result as before. The excavators continued
to work until darkness set in, when there still remained
several feet of earth to be cut through before the drain
could be got at. They had excavated about twelve or
fourteen feet, and the depth of the drain was variously
stated to be from sixteen to nineteen feet.

Yesterday the Marylebone vestry had this subject
brought before them, and they passed a resolution in
general terms thanking ladies and gentlemen, and mein-
ben of the medical profession who had distinguished
themselves by their kindness and attention to the suf-
ferers by the accident last Tuesday week. This subject
has before been touched upon, but there were several
points of interest brought out yesterday which deserve
notice. Dr. Baehhoffner narrated several incidents which
came under his own especial notice. After referring to
the extraordinary energy with which Dr. Obre laboured
in the tent of the Royal Humane Society to restore the
expiring vitality of these rescued from the water, he said
that the kindness of the inhabitants of the neighbourhood
of the park was marvellous. When a large number of
cabs were called to carry away those who had been re-
stored to their homes the cabmen, naturally enough,
wanted to know to whom they were to look for
payment. Upon this, Mr. Bunsen, who was clove
by, called out that he would pay for the cabs,
and as fast as they were engaged he called the men to him
and paid the fares. (Cheers.) The Rev. C. J. P. Ere
said that a number of those taken from the water were
received by Mrs. Oldgate Foster into her house,
and there Dr. Mott laboured for several hours. He was
sorry to say that not one of those who owed their lives to
Dr. Mott's exertions had so much as written a letter of
thanks, and many of them from some reason or other had
given false auldresses. Mr. Hallam testified to the untiring
exertions of Dr. Ohre. The Chairman (Mr. Roger Kynas-
ton) said that Mr. Cornwall, of 4, Hanover-place, received
several persons into his house. Mr. Tavener said that Mr.
Burton who lives opposite the pink, received eight. Mr.
Cur said the board of guardians having firmed a committee
with the view of raising a fund to reward the officers of the
workhouse, he had already received several letters offering
sums of money towards the fund. One gentleman offered
10/. if a suggestion he made were taken into consideration.
Sir James Hamilton (crown churchwarden) asked Mr.
Greenwell, the vestry clerk, if they could legally appro-
priate any of the rates towards rewarding their officers.
Mr. Greenwell replied that it would be quite legal to do
so. A communication was subsequently read from a num-
ber of mtepayers asking for the use of the Court-house to
hold a public meeting in for the purpose of discussing the
recent calamitous loss of life in the Regent's-park, and the
steps that ought to be taken to prevent a recurrence of
such a catastrophe. Upon learning that it was not pro-
posed to bold the meeting till after the coroner's inquiry
had closed, the vestry granted the request. In answer to
questions, Mr. Greenwell stated that by the order of Mr.
Russell, the assistant-secretary of the Board of Works.
Mr. Edwards, the superintendent of the park-keepers, bad
instructions to employ all the labour required for the re-
covery of any bodies that may be in the lake. The water
was being drawn off, and the government were taking into
consideration the question of filling up the lake to a certain
depth. In reference to re-supplying the lake with water,
Mr. Greenwell has been supplied with the following facts :
The West Middlesex Waterworks Company are bound
under contract to supply, whenever called upon, water at
the Ate of 200/. for 12 inches in depth. The company
do not supply water unless specially required to do so, and
the last supply was given in July, 180.