The Express.
London, England, 1861-09-10 00:00:00

THE :2,XPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 10, 1861.

TIIS ACCIDENT ON THE HA 311'STE.ID
.117NCTION JULILWAY.
(Continued from yesterday's am/e-....1
George Frederick Verey —1 am signalman and porter
at the lieutiebtowu station, and was on duty on the 2nd
September. 1 went on dirty that morning at half-past le
um Vlar them when tee treiu trans Kew, dm, u.:,7, mired
at 7.2. I was acting as eigualman at that time, and had to
attend hi the telegraphs. 1 maned a cotuniunkatMo from
Hemp-hail that that trail was coming about two minutes
before lor arrival. she stepped • resume or a minute mud
a half. I did Out telegraph to Hampstead station " line
clear " after she left, for as soon as the train had left I left
alai. 1 had received no Application from the Wilma-train
on the siding turkey., to COUMUIit before ! left ; soil I gavels
leave. I heard uowhistle after I gotaway from the statioo. It
wr. not a part of m duly to telegraph to Hampstead that
the hue was claw alter the train bad left my station. My
time was over then, and I amt. off duty. Henry Rayner
was ..ignaltnen then. The ordinary train carried no tailboanl
to show that any excursion train was coming. If it hail
1 should have left, am my time to leave u after the 6.7,7
train.
By Mr. lark--The bellastdrain was oo the skiing when I
left. I saw no shunting; and no telegraph about an PI-
Conioo train had arrived before I left. if they had the
s4joid, the Wheat-train would commence shunting directly
alter the ordinary train had pissed, if they had leave front
the snails. While shunting is going on we protect the
train by putting up both main and auxiliary signals at &ti-
ger.
. Both signals were at danger when I left duty. No
driver has a mg' ht to Imes the signal. when they are no.
Rayon and I have been working together about eight
mouths, and during that tuue I have never known any act
oaf neglect on Lie part.
11. Mr. Lewis—We generally get our reply from Cam-
dim-torn four or five minutes after telegraphing " train on,"
and then if the line is clear the danger signals are taken
down. When I went away I left ltayuer at his post
By the Jury—The afloat tram was perfectly rare when I
went away.
By Mr. ;rant—l knew the trucks could not leave the
sidie,,• immediately I left, as the engine was then stealing
on the down line ; but the shunting might take place a
renege or two afterwards If I had been in Rayner s place
I *Mthl not have telegraphed to Hanipataid that the line
was not clear, because my signals would be my protection.
The trucks bad been there mice before that day, sod 1
blocked the line by signal, but trot by telegraph, while it
ass slimitieg the first time. We only block the line by
telegraph in that ere, when the weather is had, and the line
is slippery. The distance between Hampstead and Kentish.
town is between half • toile aid three quarters.
By Mr. Metcalfe—Kayser would have to ;mewed to the
sumo duties that I bad performed before going away. Ile
was !here as well as I when the regular train came up, and
it a! his duty to telegraph when it had passed. It would
also be his duty, if an excursion or other train was costing
up of which he received telegraphic notice, and the line
war Dot clear between hun end Camden, to tele-
graph " train on line," and keep his signals up. The
train might then draw up within the auxiliary and protect
itself. The ballast-train has no right to leave the siding
until the signalman gave him leave. Before I left I said to
Rayner. "If the hallasttrain wants to come up see that all
your four signals are up?' That would block both lines.
1 tell lam that every night before I leave. If the ballast-
encine wax en the siding, and wanted to come out after leave
hum me, it would be protected by my signals.
By Mr. lark—lf I had stopped I should have taken the
signals down after the ordinary train was passed in the
usual any, but if the ballast-trisiu had whistled I should
have put them up again.
Be Colonel Yolland—l acted as signalman that day from
7.A1 a.m. till 7.2 p.m. I have bee., at the Kentislitowu
station • year and time months, and since the siding has
Leer, in course of construction 1 have only blocked the
lice by out-of-door signals, except in lied weather, when I
telegraphed.
lty the Jury—The signals were lit before! left that night.
I lightish the ruin, andßayner the auxiliary.
By Colonel Tolland —There was a down train five or six
niinuteei before the up-train at 7.2, and the ballasteogine
followed that train up to the down auxiliary near the siding,
where it was standing when I left.
By the Cormier-1 don't know whether, when a siding is
being formed, it is usual to have signal poste having re-
ference only to that riling.
By Mr. Park-1 saw a copy of the notice that the ex-
cursion trains were to return front Kew from 8 o'clock
to 9.30.
Robert Colman—l am a porter doing signalman's duty
at the Edgware-reed station. The ordinary 6.35 tmiu from
Kew wes about four minutes late at our station. We got a
communication from WilleadenJunction that it was passing,
sad after that had pared liuchley-rosal station I received
another telegraph from W Wade° Junction that a assuager
train was coining. It came very slowly into the station,
and I said to the men on the engine, " What are you going
to stop here fur ?" but they nude no answer. The guard
sprang hem the break, awl said, " We have passengers to
pat down here." I then west and assisted the passengent
to alight. I then asked the gaud if he were going to stop
at the other stations. He sad, " No, we are right on to
Camden sow ; are 'veriest I replied, "Right," when
be blew his whistle and the train went on. The men on
the *ogles did not look as if they were at all drunk. I
should say the train stopped at the station for about three
minutes.
By Mr. Park—l should say from 710 to 100 passenger got
down at our statim. I did nut notice how many people
were in the guard • van.
By Mr. Lewis—Dixectly it bad left and pealed my signal
peat I telegraphed on to Finchley-road. The distance is
about • mie. The instruments are in the hut.
Mr. Richard Home station-master at Kew, recalled—The
excursion train contained about five hundred passengers.
There were about 400 in the previous train. I average
about forty persons to one carnage. There was only one
guard to each train ; but they had strong break vans which
break three
By Colour—tea have bad these breaks in use
about two years.
By Mr. iletcualfe—One guard with these breaks is equal to
three guards without therm.
Park, the signalman at the Kentish-fawn station, after
the departure of leery, the other signalman, on the night
of the collision, was then called, but did not answer to hi.
name ; and Murray, the summoning officer, stated that he
was not, so far as be could ascertain, in the neighbourhood,
although be bail been duly summoned.
Mr. Metcalfe said the railway companies were extremely
anxious to produce him. He had been ordered to atten
and they expected that he would do so.
Mr. Beresford, pnlitrasuperintendent to the London and
North Western Railway, said he saw Rayner in the signal
room on Friday, but bad sot seen him since.
The Cormier said other evidence must be taken in his
absence.
Mr. William Adams—l am locomotive superintendent of
the North London Railway,. We use the continuous
Chambers' Patent Breaks. 'The break van has the faculty
of applying the break to two or three, or more carriages,
with it, and it acts very efficiently. Break power is an
essential element of safety. Supposing there was a break
yea in front and another in the rear the result would be to
give greater facility in stopping the trains if they were both
worked together, but I am of opinion that with • train of 12
!Magas, with 500 people, fur ordinary purposes one conti-
nuous break of three breaks is sufficient. We have, in ad-
dition, a very powerful break acting on the driving and lead-
ing wheels of the engine. I think it very doubtful that anis-
ther continuous break in the rear of this excursion train
would have prevented a collision. There was hardly
time fur the break to act, and the guard at
the rear of the train might not have got the signal of
danger before the collision itself took place. If the train
was, se has been stated by a wittier, within 50 yards of
befog pulled up when the collision took place, soother
break might have pulled it up ; but I think it very doubt-
ful. It would take 600 yards on the level to stop a train
going 30 miles an hour, to pull up • train of 12 carriages
arid carrying 500 people, under the most favourable circum-
starices, and going down an incline of 1 in 101 it would pro-
bably require 700 or 800 yards • ' but I am not speakiog from
actual experiment, and it depends very much upon the
weather amid other circumstances.
By Mr. Metcalfe—Scott, the driver of the excursion
Buhr, war under me. He has been in the employ of the
compnoy for seven or eight years. He was • sober, steady
MD, and oue of the beet drivers we have. From what I
know of the line, and what I have heard, I donut believe
it possible that the excursion train could have been pulled
up so as to avert the accident, nor do I think it possible
that the ballast train could hare got out of the way.
By Mr. Park—lf • passenger had been admitted to the
gurd's vas, it would out have been his place to handle the
Weak. As a usual thing passengers are not allowed in the
break van, but when the train is very full, one or two are
sometimes put them. If Charles Cox was in the break yen,
the guard ought to have worked the break, and I believe he
would have dune no, fin Bridges is • steady, sober nun, and
a very old servant of the compuiy.
By Colonel Yollaud—lf • train were to break in two
coming dowu an incline from Kew, or part, it might rundown
the incline, but practically I know that trains of this
length do not break away from the engine. We have
found great benefit from these continuous breaks in dimi-
nished lops of time for stopping and Mermen' safety to the
public. There might be additional safety with a break at
each god of the iTiILI; but I don't like the . plan of two
guards working the breaks, as one may be suing his while
the tabu is taking his off. it might be ao advantage if the
same continuous Meek were applied to both ends of the
train by skipping three or four intervening carriages ; but
we have mere break poeer than must of our asighbouni,
sod practically I believe we have enough for all ordinary
purposes.
Colonel Yolked—But if the witness has spoken the truth
the train was within fifty yards of being brought up
when the collision occurred.
Witness—But from what I know of the spot, and looking
at the state of the carriages, I cannot think it, wear.
Celesta 1-Gilead—But the carriages were mashed by the
fall. You do sot think it was caused by the caries?
Wiliness--Partly boy the cotieussion, 1 think.
Colonel Tolland— But about the ballmt train. Do you
sot think it would have been better if the:engioe had been
reversed.
Witmer —No, because then the two ander would have
come is contact, and the concussion would have been
greater. I think it a most fortunate thing fur the public
that the two engines did not come in contact ; there would
have been two heavy objects instead of • heavy object and •
light tine.
Cobra Yolhiad—l can't agree with you. I think it

lunch Letter Out two bodies should conic into contact
than a Leavy ob'ect gird a light oue. The lou of life would
h..ve hew much. les.. . .

Wituees-1 do not thwa o.
.3lr. Illetcal&—There am sufficient in the debris
• Lich I saw w lead we to the conclusion that the train was
guittg zit consider-4b1.: speed ut the time of the actual coal.

By tLe jury-1 WWI oa the spot within two hours. The
gro.ite,t umber ut c.irriager we have bad connected by breuk
i. Rix ; hut we tied the effect is better with throe car-
We tau add Um coutiouous break to half a &Ara
oirruares, but the break power 0113 be more quickly applied
to three. .

lir call it a simple break comparing it
wise (Abele. . . . .

Toe coruuer here directed that Rayner should be called
again.

Mr. Metcalfe said Mr. Mt resford, the superintendent of
p 011..., had just sent to Riquer's house and aacertained that
be lull not time seen there since Sunday.
The Coroner then said lie proposed this morning on re-
assembling to go to the University Hospital to view Rush-
brook's body and take the evidence of Biidges, after which
he pmposed to go to Bow to take the evidence of Scott,
the eugme-driver, with which, and the evidence of Rayner,
he thought they might close the inquiry.
An adjournment then took place till this morning at
I u o'clock.

not hove gone the right way to work, being a foreigner,
but certainly he had intended nothing wrong in what Le
did. A gentleman of peat respectability, Mr. Hamilton,
who was present, advised him to go to the police.statuni,
when the defendant was refened to Mr. Brown by one
of the inspectors, who actually wrote Mr. Brown's address
on a card. It was possible that the defendant might have
said he WAS sent by the superintendent, not understanding
the term to be different (ruin " Inspector ;' but there was
no ground for the charge of faille pretences, and he (Mr•.
Beard) considered it disgraceful to the police that they took
such a paltry• charge at the station.
It being admitted that the defendant did obtain Mr.
Brown's address at the station,
Mr. Currie said he did not think the defendant had any
improper intention, and was willing to believe that a mis-
understanding bad led to the present charge. The defen-
dant, therefore, might be discharged.
Frrthrick Goldir,o, a young man under twenty years of
age, was brought up on several charges of forgery, preferred
by Messrs. Shuolbeed and Cu., the extensive drapers, a c., of
Tottenham-court-road.

Mr. A. Warrand, the solicitor to the Association for the
Prosecution of Swindlers sad Shoplifters, appeared for the
prosecution.

From the evidence of Mr. J. J. Knight, one of the firm,
and Mr. T. Harrison Durham, their managing assistant, it
appeared that the prisoner's mother was employed to make
hassocks for the establishment. and when they were de-
livered the prisoner was in the habit of receiving the money
for them on her behalf. He usually presented the bill for
examination, and when the initials of Mr. Knight and the
signature of Mr. Durham were endorsed upon it, they
constituted an authority to the cashier to pay the amount.
Evidence was given, however, to show that three bills, for
the amounts respectively of 1/. Se. :id., 1/. is., and
D. Us. Id., were entirely fictitious, the prisoner having made
out the bill; and imitated the signatures with sufficient
skill to deceive the cashier, who paid the money accord-
inSiirr. James Shoolhred stated that the prisoner had suc-
ceeded in defrauding the firm to the extent of 151. in this
ingenious manner.
The prisoner, who offered no defence, was fully committed
for trial.

TBE WOOLWICH MURDER.

The execution of Peter Masterson, who was cou-
victcd at the last se.sion of the Ceutral Cnorival Court,
before Mr. Justice Blackburn, of murder, has been flood
by the Sheriff of Hest to take place on Thursday, the 19th
inst., at Xaidatons. The prisoner, it will be recollected,
was a private in the Royal Artillery, stationed at Wool.
wich. He was taken into custody by the picket for
being drunk and disorderly in the town, and brought
to the guardroom, where the deceased, who was a sergeant
in the same regiment, was engaged in the performance of
his duty of mitering the charges that were made against
the different soldiers who had been miaconductiug them.
selvee, and upon his asking the prisoner his name he made
use of very bad language, and refused to tell him, and
he was ordered to another part of the guardroom,
appropriated to military offenders. Here he con-
trived to get possession of an iron bar that was
used as a poker, a very heavy and dangerous instru-
ment, and then made his way stealthily to the place
where the sergeant was sitting, and while in the act of
stooping forwardorriting, he struck him a tremendous
blow on the beck of the head, which fractured his scull,
and caused almost immediate death. The jury recom-
mended the prisoner to mercy on the ground that he was ru
liquor at the time the offence was committed ; but the
evidence showed that the desperate act was committed with
a good deal of deliberation, and the prisoner, who bears a
very indifferent character in the regiment, and who has been
repeatedl punished for various offences, was evidently
actuated • feeling of malice towards the deceased. It
appeared at upon • previous occasion the latter had been
assaulted by the prisoner, and fur this offence be had been
sentenced to three months' imprisonment, and the prisoner
had repeatedly threatened that he would commit some act of
violence towards him. The recommendation of the jury
has, it is understood, been forwarded to the Home Secre-
tary, and Mr. Justice Blackburn was applied to for his
opinion upon the case, and the learned judge stated in reply
that he did not see any favourable circumstances in the
case, or any that would justify the clemency of the crown
being extended to the prisoner, and the law was cons.).
quently left to take its course. The prisoner, who is only
22 yearn old, is an Irishman and • Roman catholic, and
since ho has been in Maidstone Gaol has been visited con-
stantly Ay Fatber Emanuel, a priest of that persuasion.
The prisoner for a considerable time appeared very
hardened, and not to entertain the least idea of
the awful character of his crime or the dreadful sentence
that awaited him, but upon being informed within the last
two days that the day was fixed for his execution, and
that them was no longer soy hope for him in this world, he
became slightly affected, and since then he appears to be
more sensible of his awful position. In the orthompeourse
the execution of the prisoner would have taken on
Thursday next, the 12th inst., but as that day isfixed for
the review of several regiments of the Kentish Volunteers,
and will be regarded as • sort of holiday, it was considered
advisable that an execution should not take place on the
someday, and the High Sheriff, therefore, in the *serene of
his discretion, delayed the period for a week.