The Express.
London, England, 1866-07-02 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, JULY: 2, 1866..

*parting Intetligtna.
-4.
THE NEWMARKET JULY MEETING.

SEVERE TRUNDER STORMS.-FATAL ACCI-
DENTS.

Since noon on Saturday a series of thunder storms,
attended with deluging rain, have passed over the metro-
polis. The forenoon of Saturday was very sultry, and towards
noontide dense clouds gathered in the west and north,
evidently highly charged with electricity. Shortly before
t&wolm. the distant thunder washesrd, and soon after-
the lightning became very vivid. Except in the
western and northern suburbs, however, at that time but
little rain fell—in the City but a few drops, but they were
very heavy ones. At three o'clock the sun broke forth
cheerfully, and it appeared as though the storm clouds
had passed over the metroplis in a north-easterly, direction.
Before five o'clock huge mares of black cloud came up
from the south-west, and the storm recommenced with
increased violence, attended by heavy rain, which shortly
flooded the streets and pavements. For upwards of two
hours the rumbling of the thunder was heard, the inter-
mittent lightning being occasionally of a forked character,
the sheet lightning being continuous for some time.
Gradually the air cooled, and throughout the night and
yesterday morning the rain continued to descend heavily.
As the day wore on the sun shone between the showers
which fell at intervals, the evening proving exceedingly
fine.

The storm which visited the metropolis and its neigh-
bourhood ou Saturday was productive of s melancholy re-
sult in the neighbourhood of Wormwood Scrubs. We learn
from the Observer that in this immediate locality there is a
subscription shooting ground, which is supported by gen-
tlemen of position in society, and who are fond of the
sport of pigeon shooting. About noon on Saturday Mr.
Lancaster, the gunmier of Bond-street, and some
persons in his employment, were on the grounds in ques-
tion, together with some pigeon fanciers and gentlemen
who were about to shoot a match. In oonsequenoe of a
violent shower of rain which fell, the parties had to take
shelter in the tents on the ground. When the rain had
ceased, which it did about two o'clock, the parties came
forth to commence proceedings for the shooting match.
The lowering clouds, however. indicated that the storm had
not wholly passed away. The traps were set, and the
match was about to begin, when a " thunderbolt " fell
amongst the party and exploded, by which seven or eight
persons were at once struck to the ground. Those who
were uninjured ran to the spot to give what assistance
they could to the persons who were thus struck down,
when the found that • young man, named
Offer, aged 17, the son of a pigeon dealer in
King-street, Hammersmith, was dead, and that
his dog, who was at his feet, was also killed. The brother
of Offer was also found to be much affected by the shook,
but restoratives having been administered to him, he re-
covered. The other persona who were thrown upon the
ground were fortunately only stunned, and were able to
leave shortly afterwards. The body of Offer was conveyed
to an inn opposite the ground. The top of the hat which
Offer wore when he was struck was much torn, and one
side of it was cut clean through ; the hair on his bead on
that side where the hat was cut through by the lightning
was burnt off, and the face had a swollen and blackened
appearance..

REPRESENTATION OP WORCESTER CITY.—It being
understood that Mr. Padmore, one of the sitting members
for Worcester, is about to resign his seat, addresses have
been put forward by two liberal candidates, viz : Mr. F.
Lyoett, one of the newly-elected sheriffs of the City of
London (who is a Worcester man), and Mr. T. R. Hill,
alderman of Worcester. Mr. Lycett, in his addrow, says:—
" lam in favour of a reduction of the franchise, the vote
by ballot, and the extinction of some of the smaller bo-
rough' and the transfer of the privilege to large and im-
portant towns which are now unrepresented. lam also in
favour of the abolition of church-rates, and I should advo-
cate larger grants being made for the general education of
the people. Mr. Hill grounds his claims on his known
attachment to liberal principles. Mr. Levick, the censer-
vate candidate at the last election has also been in Wor-
cester, and is certain to offer himself again.
„ . -

Ax " ADULLAMITZII" EXPLANATION.—Mr. T. P.
Crosland, M.P. for Huddersfield, issued on Saturday an
address to the electors and non-electors of the borough, in
which be explains his principal votes since ho entered
parliament, and particularly his votes on the Reform Bill.
In reference to the latter Mr. Crosland states that he
voted for Lord Grosvenor's amendment that the Franchise
Bill without the Seats Bill was not satisfactory, because
he had stated in his address that theprogran of reform was
" rather retarded than otherwise by the discussion of
isolated measures," and in his speeches during the contest,
and in the remarks he made when introducing a deputa-
tion on the claims of Huddersfield to • second member to Earl
Russell be had held that no measure would be satisfactory
which did not go for a redistribution of seats as well as an
extension of the franchise. Mr. Crosland also says—" When
the ministry conceded the principle contended for in the
amendment I gave the government an earnest and hearty
support, and on every question upon which I was not per-
sonally pledged to an opposite course I voted with govern-
ment." In reference to his last vote for Lord Dunkellin's
amendment the hon. member states that he supported the
principle of a rating franchise in accordance with his
announcement in his address—" I would support •
measure based on a 61. rating for boroughs and •
10/. rating for counties "—considering a ratal test
safer than a rental ; but he did not support
Mr. Waltole's amendment, as that not only the
rating principle, but fixed the amount at a figure incom-
patible with kis views. He would have supported an
amendment for a 101. rating in counties, and would have
voted for a 61. rating in boroughs if government bad
assented to the rating principle. He regrets the govern.
ment should have staked its existence on a mere matter
of detail, and with reference to the future says, as he said
in his address, " I would afford a cordial and tilling sup-
port to Lord Derby or any other minister introducing such
measures and so conducting the government of the country
as would, in my judgment, promote its prosperity and
maintain its honour and dignity.

Tan RZTORM Lucius. —A crowded meeting of
the council of the above league took place on Friday even-
ing last, at their rooms in Adelphi-terrace ; Mr. Beaks
occupied the chair. A large amount of correspondence
was read, including letters from Mr. Gladstone and Mr.
Bright. A great number of meetings were reported from
various parts of the country, as being held by and under
the auspice* of the league. The urgent necessity of calling
together the various reform associations to confer upon the
present crisis was again discussed and a sub-committee was
appointed to complete the arrangements. The council theq
entered at some length into the question of the open-air
meeting
evening at eight o'clock. Thecommittee:of the branches
superintending those meetings explained to the council that
they bad reconsidered the question, and bad decided that
Whltehall-gardens was an inconvenient and unsuitable loca-
lity for the purpose, and they had therefore resolved to hold
the meeting in Trafalgar-square, as on Wednesday evening
last. With, this alteration the council entirely concurred.
The president, at the request of the council, entered into
an explanation of the legal bearings of the case, and stated
that the police were not entitled to interfere with meetings
properly and orderly conducted in suitable localities, and
which were not held in contravention of any act of parlia-
ment, and that he considered meet' in Trafalgar square,
for the purpose of the people present discussing their claims
to an extension of the franchise, and expressing their
opinion on the subject of the late Reform Bill, without
founding thereon any petition or address to parliament or
the crown, was a meeting which could not be interfered
with without illegally encroaching on the constitutional
rights and liberties of the people ; and he further urged
that every care should be taken toprevent everything of •
riotous or tumultuous character. The committee were then
instructed to continue their labours incarrying out the
proposed demonstration. The council resolved to attend
early, so as to make every arrangement to prevent oixdruc-
tions or any disorderly conduct on the part of those as-
sembled. Deputations were then appointed to attend
various other meetings, and the council then adjourned.

OUT-DOOR PUBLIC MRETII4OB.—A crowded meet-
ing was held on Saturday evening at the Middlesex Arms,
Clerkenwell, for the purpose of arraapthe details of the
great Reform Demonstration pro to be held at
Whitehall-gardens to-day. The c 'r was taken by Mr.
Osborne. Mr. Davis brought up • report adopted at •
meeting of the Reform League on the previous evening, to
the effect that Whitehall-gardens, being a military point
to some extent, it was undesirable to hold the meeting
there, and that it should be held in Trafalgar-square. Mr.
Howell, secretary to the Reform League, said that Mr.
Beale, the president of the League, was quite prepared to
take the chair on the occasion, and, if prevented from pre-
siding, to try the question as to the right of the public to
meet. It was afterwards agreed that the assemblage of
people should be divided into three sections, • chairman to
be appointed to each. Mr. George Potter detailed a con-
versation held with Sir Richard Mayne, who said that he
, would most decidedly take measures to prevent the
meeting.

" FESS SUNDAY" DEMONSTRATION A? KEW.—
Yesterday the National Sunday League and its friends and
supporters held a demonstration at Kew Gardens in
favour of the " Free Sunday," when there was a very large
attendance of visitors beyond the usual Sunday avenge.
After promenading the gardens during the afternoon, the
committee of the league and friends, to the number of
about 500, assembled together in the grounds of the Coach
and Hones hotel, and took tea together, Mr. B. Langley
presiding. At 7 o'clock a meeting was held on Kew n,
by permission, very numerously attended by the public, at
which Mr. Davis took the chair. Mr. R. Morrell, the secre-
tary of the league, addressed the meeting in explanation of
the principles and objects of the lesgue,which were to obtain
the opening of the British Museum, and institutions of a
similar character, on the Sunday afternoon, the same as
Kew Gardens and Hampton Court were now open to the
Fttle. He alluded to the great moons attending the
ormance of the bands in Regent's, Victoria, and
ermea parks, which afforded innocent recreation to
thousands of people every Sunday evening during the
summer. He bad much pleasure in stating that her
Majesty had acceded to an application to allow the play-
ing of a band in Hyde-park on the Sunday e and
as soon as the necessary authorisation warn received from
the Commissioner of Public Works a band would play in
that park. Mr. Baxter Langley then delivered an addren
on the ptfn 'pies of the league,and after a few remarks from
Mr. Wynne the proceedings concluded. The whole pro-
oeediap of the day permed in the mad orderly maws&

tato Intrittgertrt.

METROPOLITAN COUNTY COURTS.
(Sitting days appointed for the present week )

- - -
WININIXBITS, St Martheulane.—Monday, July 2; Tuesday,
3; Wednesday, e: Thursday, 5.
Portland.road—Wedseaday, July 4 ; Thurs-
day, 5 ; Friday, &
KuzyLsiums, Idarylebone med.—Tuesday, July 3 ; Wednes-
day, 4 : Friday, 6.
WAIDIFTOII2H. South-street —Tuesday, July 3.
Cuazionrsza., Duncan . terrace. Tuesday, July 3: Wednes-
day, 4 ; Thursday, 5 ; Friday, 6.
811011DIT014, Old-street-road.—Tuesday, July 3 Thurs.
day, &
50u2WW.4674 Swan-street —Tuesday, July 3 : 'Friday, 6.
Bow, Piew-road.—Monday, July 2 ; Friday, 6.
LAstaltei, Qualrwe6 14w-road—Tuesday, July 3.
GlinSWlClL—Wednesday, July 4.
WOOLW3ol4.—Thanday, July 5.
CrTT OP LOUDON, allilhall-bulldlugs. —Friday, July 6
Saturday, 7.