The Express.
London, England, 1867-05-21 00:00:00

WOODCOTE STAKES. T.Y.C.

Franchise, Brown Jug, Weather, Baker, Lord Palmers-
ton, Ulan, Northern Star, Innards's, Carlotta o, Balsam c,
La Serrayin, Lady Highthorn, Speculum Forest King,
Berrie Or T, Lord Derby, Restitution, King Alfred, Kings-
land, and Thorndyke are here.
HORTON STAKES. T.Y.C.
_ _ _

Musa, Oracle, Lilly, Rennie, The Returned, Master
Robert, Tina, Venturesome, Adjutant, Osprey, and Flying
Jib. All are here.
ROUS STAKES. One mile.
- - - -

Sultan, Skirmish, Bradamante, King Victor, Sweet
Anne, Jasper, Tyndale, Leases, Cheltenham, Prelate,
Alrnna, Seringapatam, Lady Rosehill, B►rrington, and la
Vedette are here.
HEATHCOTE PLATE. One mile and ► half.

Cranbury, Brilliant, Lady Valentine, Queen of Trumps,
&Met, Mr. Pitt, Scotchnian's Pride, Sultana, Paul Jones,
Master Robert, Tina, Sycee, Nike, Ninny, Cecil, Clay-
more, Grimaton, Thermometer, and Ostreger are here.
ADDITIONAL ARRlVALS.—Hatchment, Arapelle, Palmer,
Catherine Hayes f, Christmas Carol, King of Spades, End-
sleigh, Dick Turpin, Manton, Bamblekite, and Ganymede.

THE DREADFUL ACCIDENT AT BLACIFRIARS
NEW BRIDGE.

INQUEST.—(THIS DAY.)
At 12 o'clock to-day Mr. Wm. Payne, the City
coroner, held an investigation at Guy's Hospital, touching
the circumstances attending an accident at Blackfriars
New Bridge, by which Thomas Cranfield, aged 37 years,
lost his life, and three other men were seriously injured.
Messrs. G. H. and S. Brandon, solicitors, of Essex-
street, Strand, attemded to watch the proceedings on
behalf of Messrs. Thorne, the contractors for the erection
of Blackfriara New Bridge.
The tint witness called was

Thomas Jones, who said that he lived at No. 22, Groat
Guildford-street, Southwark, and that he was employed as
a labourer at Blackfriars New Bridge. He knew the de-
ceased, and had worked with him as a diver, and he had
dredged the cylinders out On last Saturday morning, at
20 minutes to 10 o'clock, witness was at work on the No.
4 stage concreting. The deceased was then lying in the
water outside an iron cylinder, and between that and •
timber pile. Witness then helped to get him into a boat.
Witness did not see anything that happened. Witness
then saw the cylinder, or iron caisson, near the water, and
it was broken. It had been intended to have lowered that
caisson into the river for the purpose of allowing
men to work inside it, so as to enable them
to make the foundations of the pier of the
new bridge. It wee twenty feet diameter bur more.
Witness thought that it weighed about forty tons.
The iron caissons were lowered into the water by means of
chains and pulleys. There was • piece of iron rivetted on
the iron caisson for that purpose. There was • hole made
in the piece of iron for the purpose of slipping the chain
through before it was lashed round the o•uson, which in
the present instance was • " cutwater" one. In
the present case • piece of iron had been
rivetted at three different parts of the caisson,
and chains were "lashed" round it three times. The
chains were then passed through three " block'," or pulleys,
and then they were worked by • " crab" or wynch, and by
means of turning the handles of the wynch the men on the
platform gradually lowered the caisson into the river.
Witness had assisted in putting the chains on the crab on
the Wednesday preceding the f►tal occurrence.
By a juror—The chain was not • new one. It was
rusty. Witness noticed that when he put it on one link
was " cracked through." Witness continued—l called
the attention of our ganger to it. His name is Walter
Smith. He is now in the hospital. We bad • convers►-
tion about it. Smith told the foreman, " One of the
links of the chain is bad." He said, " Take it to the
blacksmith."

The juror—Was that done ?
Witness—Not while I was there.
The juror—Was it that chain that gave way, or was it
that part of the chain?
_ . . _

Wiimese—l do not know. All the chains were old. Ido
not know whether they had been used in lowering other
caissons. I have not been employed at the works long.
By Mr. Brandon—l do not know whether the chains
were kept specially for the purpose. When I say that the
chains were old my definition of the word " old" is that
they were not new. They were coated with rust. I do
not know whether they had got old from use.
[The inquiry was proceeding when our report left.]

CHARTERED MERCANTILE BANK OP INDIA,
LONDON, AND CHINA.-(THIS DAY.)

The ninth annual meeting of the shareholders
was held at 1 o'clock, at the offices, 65, Old Broad-street ;
Mr. G. G. Nicol. in the chair. The following report was
presented :
" The directors now submit to the shareholders the
audited balance-sheet, profit and lass and reserve fund
accounts, for the period ending Slit Dee. last. From these
it will be seen that the profit 'mounts to 102,2211. 34 2d.,
to which has to be added 2,7131. 14a. 2d., brought
forward from the previous year, making a total
of 104,9341. 17s. 4d. A sum of 75,0004 has been
paid in two half-yearly dividends of 6 per cent. each.
The shareholders will probably have anticipated from the
disastrous events of 1866, that the results of the Bank'.
operations for that year have been unsatisfactory. Looking
forward to the possibility of continued danger, the directors
considered it their duty to curtail ea much as possible their
business at all points, and it will be seen from the accounts
that this policy has been strictly carried out, though at the
oat of a very material reduction of the usual profits of
the bank. In the report of last year it was stated that
losses of an exceptional character had been incurred at
Bombay in 1865. Full provision was made for them on
closing the simnel' for the year, in accordance with the
report received from the branch, but the amount proved
to be insufficient, end this added to losses incurred in
1866—though these have been comparatively small—
has necessitated a heavy sum being withdrawn from
the reserve fund, which now stands at 145,9021. 14a. Bd.
The directors, however, express the confident opinion
that all further danger having now passed away, a pros-
perous future may be fairly reckoned on, more especielly
as the previous excessive banking competition im much
reduced, and the great laxity ooasequent thereon no longer
exists. Since the date of the last report, Mr. Robertson,
the chief manager, has personally inspected every branch
India, China, and Japan, and the directors are gratified in
being able to state that the result of his inspection has
been perfectly satisfactory. The directors retiring on this
occasion are Mr. George Garden Nicol and Mr. James
Murray Robertson, who, being eligible, offer themselves
for re-election and the court recommends them accord-
ingly. The shareholders will have to appoint auditors
for the current year."
The CHAIRMAN. in moving the adoption of the report,
observed that the board had adopted the policy of restrict-
ing business for the present as much as possible, and not-
withstanding the looses which had been incurred, the
bank was in a sound state, adding that 20.0001. more
had been set aside for losses than the board expected
would be ultimately sustained.
The report was adopted, and the proceedings terminated
in the usual manner.

Dr. Celeriac, has issued a pastoral addressed to
the clergy and laity, announcing that now it had been
aszstained that there wet to be no appeal from Lord
Romilly's judgment. the time had oome for him to vindi-
cate his authority for maintaining order in his rhumb.
He bade the clergy, if they thought him in error, to
teach what they themselves believed, but required doe
caw-mica obedience.

BUIVILARY. —The police have received inform&
tion of a burglary having taken place last night at Meows.
Cameron's, silk fringe manufacturers, Marshsll•atreet.
Golden-square. It appears that an entrance was gained
by the outer door being opened by means of a false key,
and the warehouse then broken into, and silk and other
articles of the value of shout 3001. carried off.

DROWNED WHILSTATTELTPTIN4; —TO SAY' A
Doo.—A very painful case of drowning took place in the
river Don, near Doncaster, on Sunday morning. A painter
at the Railway Plant Works, named Wharton, end who
was only tbirty-one years of age. went with his wife for a
walk in Crimpeall, by the river side. They took their little
dog with them, and were accompanied by a friend and his
wife, who had also a dog with them. When opposite
Newton the deceased suggested that the dog should be
sent into the water, but his dog being a very young one
did not take the river so kindly as was expected, and
Wharton asked his friend to throw it in. This was done
when the poor little animal was seen struggling as though
it were drowning, thereupon deceased, who was a good
swimmer, took off all hie things, save his stockings and
trousers and jumped into the river to the rescue of his dog.
Directly he got into the water he appeared to struggle vio-
lently, and almost immediately went down. He rose again
on his side, and his friend rushed nearly up to his neck in
the river and put out his hand to save him. At the rune
instant the poor distracted wife rushed to the water im-
ploring the man to save her husband or to let her die with
him, and it was all he could do to prevent her jumping in
after her husband. In the meantime the unfortunate man
had disappeared, whilst the little dog had struggled to
shore. The body of the deceased was recovered about two
hoar afterwards, and an inquest was held last evening
bean Mr. John Lister, the borough coroner, when a ver-
dict was returnedin accordance with the above fasts.—
Lear Mercury.

MONEY MARKET.-(THIS DAY.)

On o'Clow.

The English funds opened this morning at an
improvement of i per cent., but have since re-
lapsed to the last prices of yesterday, in the
absence of purchases for the Sinking Fund
by the government broker, combined with sales
by recent speculations for a rise, with a view to
realise profits. British railways are still in active
request, partly on orders from the provinces, and
exhibit a fresh advance. South Eastern stock is
in prominent demand. Some of the foreign bonds
are flatter. The dulness of the weather, and the
circumstance that many of the dealers will be away
from the City to-morrow (Derby-day) tends to
check fresh business at the moment.

The demand for discount to-day is very mode-
rate, and the supply of money has increased. The
rate for choice bills, however, is unaltered, at 21
per cent. The charge for short loans in the Stock
Exchange is 11 per cent.
Consuls are now quoted 93 to 1, with div.,
for money, and 91,1 to 1, ex div., for the ac-
count (June 6); and the Three per Cents. Re-
duced and New Three per Cents., 91 to 1.
As regards foreign stocks, Greek and Italian of
1861 are in request, and have risen to 1 per
cent. ; but Spanish Passive and Certificates have
declined to the same extent. Turkish of 1865 and
Mexican are also 1 lower. Turkish Bonds of 1865
are quoted 311 to ; Greek, 141 to 15 ; Spanish
Passive, 221 to 1 ; ditto Certificates, 141 to 1 ;
Italian of 1861, 521 to 1; Mexican, 17 to 1.
American securities are without change of im-
portance. The 5-20 bonds are quoted 721 to ;
Erie Railway shares, 421 to 1 ; and Illinois Central,
761 to 3.
Anglo-American Telegraph shares are 2s. 6d.
better, at 18 to 1, but Atlantic Telegraph Eight
per Cent. Preference show no variation at 41 to R.
The improvement of yesterday in financial
shares is maintained, and miscellaneous are steedy.
International Financial are quoted 21 to 2 dia.;
London Financial, 22 to 21 dis. ; General Credit,
21 to 2 dis. ; Credit Fonder, 51 to 1 die. ; and
Hudson's Bay, 161 to 1.
Bank shares are firm. Imperial Ottoman and
Union of London have risen Si. to 10s., being
quoted Ito dis., and 391 to 401, respectively.
Alliance show a favourable tendency, at 10 to 91
die.

A petition for the winding up of the National
Provincial Marine Insurance Company (Limited) is
to be heard before the Master of the Rolls on the
let of June.

The ordinary general meeting of the Malta and
Mediterranean Gas Company (Limited) will be
held on the sth of June, when a dividend will be
declared. An extraordinary meeting is also con-
vened for the same day, for the purpose of increas-
ing the capital of the undertaking, exercising its
borrowing powers, and authorising the purchase
of a concession, contract, land, and works, for
lighting Bari, iu Italy.
Subjoined is an extract from the report just
issued, of the Madras Navigation and Canal
Company :
' "An account of receipts and expenditure in Eng-
land and India to the 31st December last has been
duly audited, and a balance sheet properly certified
is appended to this report, by which a balance of
34,8511. 6s. 4d. cash unexpended on the above date
is shown. The guaranteed capital will, it is
calculated, be wholly expended in India by the
middle of next month (June), from which period
the expenditure on account of the agreed advance
of 600,0001. by the Secretary of State will com-
mence."

The amount of gold now awaiting disposal here
is about 350,000/., including 277,0001. reported this
morning by the City of Paris, from New York. The
whole is expected to be taken to the Bank during
the next few days.

HALP-PAIIT 01411 O'CLOCK.

The stock markets are generally flatter, upon
speculative realisations and a renewal of sales
for a fall. Console are now quoted 92k to 93,
with div., for money, and 91} to $, ex div., for
the account, being i per cent, lower than the price
given above. Midland Railway stock has fallen
to 104 to 110, and Great Eastern to 31/ to }.
In the English funds yesterday there was a
further clear rise of per cent., and though this
intimation may seem a very ordinary one, its im-
portance will be appreciated when we bear in mind
that, spread over 730,000,0001. of 3 per cent. stock
(Consols 398,000,0001. ; Three per Cent. Reduced,
107,000,0001. ; and New Three per Cents.,
225,003,00014, it means that fundholders through-
out the kingdom see their property worth up-
wards of 3,600,0001. more than it was on Saturday.
For several years past the British funds have been
depressed in price, owing to the constant creation
of competing securities, mostly yielding higher
rates of interest ; but for the last twelve months
there has been a material slackening of the supply,
and distrust of many other investments has natu-
rally driven money into our funds. The public still
buy with caution in some railway stocks, and are
evidently desirous of receiving more definite assur-
ances with regard to the extent of the floating en-
gagements of the various companies, and the neces-
sary reforms in their financial administration. It
will be matter for grave regret if the satisfaction felt
by railway shareholders at witnessing the present
partial recovery in their property should have the
effect of lulling them into supineness, and inducing
them to desist from vigilant criticism of such
gigantic extension schemes, for example, as those
which the Midland Railway board are now endea-
vouring to push through, in defiance of tho clearly
expressed wishes of a large portion of the proprie-
ry
ta body.
A meeting of the Venezuelan bondholders of
1864 is convened for Thursday next, for the pur-
pose of electing a committee, and for the adoption
of such measures as may be considered best for
their interests. _ .

--Wiihieier;nce to New Granada Bonds, Messrs.
Baring Brothers and Co. have given notice
that the dividend warrants due the Ist June on
the Three per Cent. Bonds and on the Old Active
Bonds, at 12s. 50. per 1001., and on the Deferred
Bonds at 3s. 6d. per 1001., will be paid in due
course. _ _

About 20,000 sovereigns from Egyptand 38,0001.
in bar gold were sent into the Bank yesterday.
a Including 450,0001. justannouneed as havingbeen
Onpped from New York, the total of gold on the
way from the United States and Australia to Eng-
land is close upon 1,750,0001., the great bulk of
which, according to present appearances, will be
retained here.
The City of Paris has arrived from New York,
with 1,388,709 dollars in specie ; the Malta, from
the same purt, with 26,500/. ; the Damascus, from
Sydney, with 15,500/. ; and the Tanjore, from
Alexandria, with 5,750!.
The South Eastern Railway traffic return shows
this week a decrease of 7901. compared with the
corresponding week of 1866.
The Committee of the Western Railways' Share-
holders' Association have forwarded to the share-
holders of the Briatol and Exeter Railway Company
a circular soliciting them to pronounce upon the
advisability or otherwise of extensions or increase
of capital. We extract from the circular as fol-
lows :

At the request of the committee of tbeWsidera Railways'
Shareholders' Association, we forward you a form of

proxy in favour of the delegates appointed by the associa-
tion to attend the Wharuclifte meeting of this company—
for the purpose of voting against unnecessary extensions
or increase of capital. We have the pleuure to inform
you that the delegates have carefully considered the state-
ment forwarded to the shareholders in reference to the
bills to be submitted to the meeting, and they
are of opinion, having regard to the existing
liabilities of the company fur extensions, that ik
is most undesirable for the shareholders to sanction
the guarantee of the interest on the debenture de*
(166,000/.) of the North Devon and Somerset Company,
as proposed in the further powers bill, and quite unneces-
sary for them to sanction the Exe Valley Extension, as
they are advised that any pledge given by directors to
parliament is known by parliament to be subject to the
approval of a Wharneliffe meeting. It is a subject fur eon-
gra.nlation to the committee of this emaciation that the
directors of the London and South Western Company have
withdrawn their bill which had reference to the Devon and
Cornwall and Central Cornwall Railways, and that the
shareholders of that company, at their Wharncliffe meet-
ing on Thursday last, unanimously rejected their projected
extensions.

At an extraordinary general meeting of the East
India Land Credit and Finance Company (Limited),
held yesterday, special resolutions were passed fog
reducing the number of directors, and the amount
of remuneration, with a view to the eventual closing
of the business of the undertaking.
At a meeting yesterday of Liebig's Extract of
Meat Company(Limited)interest was declared at tha
rate of 6 per cent. per annum, in addition to a
bonus of 3s. per share, both free of income tax.

Vice-ChanCellor Stuiut has appointed Mr. George
Scott ofticisl liquidator of the London and County
Agency Aaaociation (Limited).

MONDAY EVI3IIIIO.

Consols. which closed on Saturday at 90,
"buyers " ex div., for the 6th of June, opened
this morning at 91} to 1, and closed at 91if to 1.
For money the last price was 93 to }, with div.
The Three per Cents. Reduced and New Three per
Cents. were quoted at 3 o'clock 91 to 91}. The
official business report is as follows :—Three
per Cent. Consols, for money, 921, 3, I ; ditto,
for account, 9q, #, ex div. ; Three per Cents.
Reduced, 90f, 1} ; New Three per Cents., 90i,
f, 1} ' • ditto Three-and-a-Half per gents., 98 ;
Bank Stock, 252* • India Stock, 219 ; ditto Five
per Cent., 112, 4, 3 ; ditto Four per Cent., 944,
ex div. ; ditto Five-and-a-Half per Cent.
" enfaced" rupee paper, 108 ; ditto, Bonds, Ws.
prem.

MINES.-(TI118 DAY.)

ONI o'Ciocx-

The mining market is steady to-day, with a fail
amount of business. Wheal Seton and Prince
of Wales shares are inquired for, at 1174 to 1224
and 51s. 6d. to 525. 6d., respectively. Wheal
Basset are quoted 65 to 70, being firm ; West
Chiverton, 64 to 68 ; Chiverton Moor, 44 to 64 ;
Clifford, 4i to 5 ; West Seton, 135 to 140 ; Great
Retallack, 31 to /1; North Treskerby, to ; and
Chontales, 24 to 34.