The Express.
London, England, 1861-04-06 00:00:00

BRADFORD.

At noon yesterday a meeting, convened by the
Mayor, was held at Bradford to devise measures to aid the
effort to relieve the appalling distress arising from the
famine in the north-western provinces of India.
The MAYOR IT. Wright, Esq.) presided, and stated that,
000sequeoce of receiving a circular from the Lord Mayor
of London, he felt it to be his duty to convene his fellow-
towismen.

Several local influential gentlemen exproned their deep
sympathy with the famine•eudering millions of India, and
urged their fellow•townsmen to contribute to their relief.
Several resolutions were passed ; his worship was formally
thanked for convening the meeting ; a subscription was
opened ; and a committee was appointed to moves& the
principal firma for donations. Several hundred pounds, in
sums of Wt., 201., 101., and 51, were contributed in the
meeting towards the fund ; the donors including Messrii. T.
Salt, Sons, sad Co., Mr. W. E. Forster, M.P., Mr. Wm.
Musgatroyd, Mr. C. Hardy, Messrs. Rand, and Messrs.
Harris.

METROPOLITAN STREET RAILWATII.—YCHterdIty
• large body of workmen under the direction of Mr. Charles
Hathaway, street railway contractor, formerly of Philadel-
phia, U.S., and now of Great Gurge-street, Westminster,
were actively eugaged in breaking up the surface of the
roadway, laying down longitudinal sleepers, and the metals
for another street railway ID Victoria-street, Westminster.
This railway, like that in the Bayswater-read, is to consist '
of a single hoe of rails at first, and is being laid • little
north of the centre of the nod, with the necessary sidings
from the west-end of Victoriastreet to Westminster Abbey,
terminating at the Broad Sanctuary, a distance of about
two-thirds of • mile. The original intention was to have
carried the line directly to the Victoria and Pimlico Rail-
way Station, but in consequence of the opposition to the
scheme by the vestry of St. George, Hanover.equare, sad
their peremptory retusal to accede to Mr. Train, applies.
tion to lay his line across • small strip of their parish from
the end of the above street to the railway station, that had
to be aboodoned sod the commencement to be made at the
livening of St. John's and St. Margaret's district, a short
distance off. The construction of the line was commenced 1
on Monday last, and about half the proposed length WAD
completed yesterday and carefully covered over with ma-
cadam in under to consolidate it. The completion of this
line is expected 12y the end of next week.
ALARMING FIRE AT THE COBURN SCHOOL, BOW,—
Yesterday morning about four o'clock a serious fire hap.
posed at the Coborn School, Fannon quid, Bow, which was
nearly attended with very disastrous consequences. Upwards
of •lOU children are educated at the school, which is main-
tained out of the large revenue of what is known as the
Coborn estate, the gift of Mies Cohere, more than II
century and half since. Owing to the Raster holidaye, the
mister, Mr. Marshal, was out of town, Mrs. Marshal and
her son being left in charge of the establishment., their reai.
deuce being attached to the school. At the time above-
mentioned Mr. Marshal, jun., was awoke by a noise which
induced him to get up, and on reaching the lauding be
found the place filled with smoke. He aroused his mother,
and on making his way to the basement discovered that the
tire had broken out in the kitchen and had communicated
t. the board room and parlour, threatening the destruction
of the entire property. He instantly ran oat and called to
his aid the neared neighbours. The police under the direc-
tion of Mr. lierriseey, the inspector, were soon on the spot
with the Bow district engine, which was at once got into
operation, and after much exertion succeeded in checking
the flames. The damage done to the building, however, is
eouiderable, and the meat unfortunate part is that the
deeds at the Coburn estate, which yielded the revenue for
the school, have hem destroyed. They were deposited in •
ease which was not fire proof. The fire is supposed to have
°flouted in a lumber room. It was moat fortunate that
the Ire was so early discovered, as a few minutes later would
have resulted in the destruction of the whole building. It
is stated that Mr. Marshal, the muter, is insured.
THE JOINERS' STRUM AT BLACKBURN. —The men
still remain out, although it is far from the unanimous
opinion of the body that they should continue on strike in
the present circumstances of trade. Our correspondent is
informed that upwards of 100 of the EtO out en strike are
prepared to recommence •work at the old rate of wages.
Maasterter Onandisa.