The Express.
London, England, 1857-03-14 00:00:00

THE LUXI)IIILL COLLIERY EXPLOSION.

[From the !rat Merreery of this day.]
On visiting the pit yesterday, everything ap-
peared of the most monot. ODOUR character. Scarcely any-
thing in the shape of life was to be sots in the neighbour-
hood, and the whole pier appearing as if deserted.
The cupola, which on WelnetAiy and Thursday sent
out a moil quantity of black suede, which was an in-
dication that the lire was anitathlcring in the pit, now
shows not the slightest smoke, Inuit which it may ha
inferred that the water has at least reached such a
height as to overcome the tire. This is further borne
out by the feet that the maximum height of 80 feet was
nearly reached on Thursday, the water at two o'clock on
that day being 29 font 4 inches; and before night, al-
' though not examined, there is net the slightest doubt but
more than 30 feet was attained. It had been agreed upon by
Mr. Wood and the other engineers, at their meeting on Satur-
day hot, that, when the water reached the height stated, they
should be telegraphed for; and if that should not occur before
Saturday (this day), they would meet on that day to discuss
the steps to be taken. The water, however, during the
whole of yesterday (Friday), was wtht into the pit, but
owing to the dry weather, the quantity was considerably
diminished. rib' ofte isle at the pit stated, that although
the water had reached such a height yesterday (Friday) as
to justify them in telegraphing for the engineers, yet nothing
could be gained by SO doing, as they would he there in the
just as early as if telegraphed for. Such 'wing the
mooningtaof affairs, it is confidently expected that operations
will be commented this day (Saturday) for getting out the
water.
For this purpose the chair was on Thursday night fixed
at the mouth of the shaft, ready for descending, whilst the
large iron boxes for drawing the water out are almost
ready for putting in. A new and powerful break for stepping
the engine haft also been put up, and a new rope attached to
the chair. The repairs in the Melton-field seam are now
nearly completed, and everything that science and skill
can euggeet for emptying the pit and reaching the remains
of the unfortunate seen scents to have been carried out by
the proprietors, regardless of expense. For the letter secu-
rity of those who will have to descend, air pipes are about to
be flied so that a current of air can be taken down as the
paths descend, as it is expected that noxious gas will have
to he encountered.
Yesterday (Friday) afternoon the thermometer was put
down the cupola and the other shaft, and after reinaining
for some time the temperature was found to be so follows :
Temperature of repast shaft above the water 66 degrees
Fshrenheit ; ditto in the water 61 degrees; temperature of
downcast shaft in water 48 degrees ; temperature of water
before running in 42 degrees. The depth of water in up-
card shaft at the same time was 26 .10 in., whilst the
water in the downcast shaft had reached 32 ft., being 2 ft.
more titan Mr. Wood and his colleagues had calculated upon
as being required to completely subdue the burning-matter.
It is thought that the meeting of engineers to day (Satur-
day) will result in the iiumediato conuuenese,....

'oper,

Subeetiptims continue to enmo in from nil parts of the
country to the central committee.

OTTOMAN BANK.

Subjoined is the report of the directors for pre-
sentation to the meeting of the registered subscribers, to be
held en Thursday, the 26th March
"By the royal charter of incorporation, which was issued
on the 24th of May, 1856, it is required that, within one
year, a deed of settlement, approved by the treasery, should
be entered into by the shareholders. This deed fixes the
month of March as the period for the annual meeting of the
company ; and, although it has not been found practicable to
complete that instrument. so as to admit of its being exe-
cuted by the shareholders in sufficient time to hold a meeting
under its proviriens during the present month, the directors
have considered that it would be satisfactory to the
shareholders to be called together, for the purpose of
receiving a report of the pant operation. of the bank,
its present position, and future prospects. Hence the
present meeting of the registered euleeoribero. The ac-
counts, from the date of the commencement of business
up to the 31st December, 18.56, audited by Mr. Coleman,
the public accountant, are appended, and show a balance
to the credit of profit and lon of 31.4791. 19s.
The directors recommend that a payment of 154. per share
(being equal to 10 per cent. per Emmen on the called-up
capital to the 31st December last) should be made to each
registered shareholder on his signing the deed of settlement,
which will lie at the offices of the hunk for execution on and
after the 26th March indent. The proposed payment of
interest will leave a balance of 12,729/. 19s. to be carried to
the credit of the current year. account. The dilators feel
jmtitied in oongratulating the shareholders upon the 9Ureeritl
which has hitherto attended the operations of the bank.
They have the satiofitetion of knowing that the advantages
offered, by the introduction into Turkey of a legitimate •
syetem of banking, are appreciated, and that the credit and
usefulness of the bank is daily increasing in the East. They
confidently anticipate that the results which wen. contem-
plated when the Ottoman Bank was established will be fully
reelised. The proejectus contemplated the establishment of
narwhal not only in Constantinople, but in some of the prin-
cipal ports and Mica of the Turkish empire; and, accord-
ingly, the operations of the bank have already been extended
to Smyrna, Ileyrout, and Gantt. Although at the prevent
' moment it does not splicer to the directon nunsary to
make a further cell, they deem it right to notify to the
shareholders that a profitable extension of business may neces-
sitate the payment of the remaining instalment on the shares.
The directors have been fortunate enough to secure the see-
: vices of Mr. Falconnet, a gentleman of large continental
banking experience, as their general manager, under an
arrangement calculated to advance the interests of the un-
dertaking. Mr. Falconnet is absent on a tour of inspection
of the establishments, and the directors anticipate much ad-
vantage from the practical experience which he will bring to
bear upon the working of the several branches, and the
knowledge which a personal inspection cannot fail to afford
him for future guidance in the general management of the
bank. The establishment of a Turkish National Bank has
received considerable public attention during the last twelve
months. The directors have taken such steps in the matter
as In their judgment were consistent with the intereste of
the shareholders of the Ottoman Bank, and in furtherance
of which, and for the general interests of the bank, the
chairman has, at the request of the board, twice proceeded
to the East. In conjunction with influential French paean,
the directors mode proposal', to the Porte which were, they
believe, best calculated to give full effect to the *ire of the
Turkish government to place its finances on a satisfactory
footing; but—fin common with the home of Rot hrehilds and
the Association of Native Banker,. at Constantinople)—the
directors ameidered it their duty to decline the counter pre-
pocial made by the Porte, on the emend that the tenna rug-
&voted involved speculative considerations not within the legi-
timate operations of a commercial bank. Should the very
important differences which ore undentood nt present to exist
between the parties who accepted the Porte's terms, rind the
Turkish government, be adjusted, and the large amount of
capital necessary, for the establishment of the proposed Na-
tional Bank be forthcoming, the directors will lee prepared to
avail themselves of the advantage which cannot fail to result
to the Ottoman Bank from any amelioration of the present
uwaitioftsetory condition of the Turkish currency."
The accounts, as made up the 31st Deeemeher, were aa
follows:
Liabilities.—To capital called (25,000 shares at 20/. each,
upon which 15/. hoe been called), deposit due in February
last, 1'25,000/.; first call duo 17th May last, 1'2.,.000(.;
second call due Bth October last, 125,000/.: total, 375,0001.
Len outstanding-2nd call, 13,450/. ; making total capital
paid up, 361,550 L To bills of exchange, and amounts duo
by the bank and Ito branches on deports and current ac-
counts, 340,3141. 16e. ; profit and ion account, 31,4,9/. 19a.:
total liabilities, 733,3411.
Aesets.—By_ciudi on head in London and at the branches,
112,898/. 6s. 3d. ; by bills of exchange., promisoory notes
discounted and balance', duo to the bank m current accounts,
283,74.51. 15s. Id.; by loans and securities, 325,668/. IM.
d.;
by leasehold premises,furniture, ftc, in London and at he
branches, 5,0311. 15s. ; by balance of prel
iminary. expellees
carried fervor'. 6,0001• total mete, 73,341 15s
The profit and loss account to 31st December ehows
565/33Dr77, 41.rs3116dIcumEd.. ;; twot re.buine'tPme.'oefsLoniik
Lodonnt,l,:ffigmecomPbj't,c,
.3rdotltage'NfDeedireetctteiociii
3.4571. 19e.; written off on Recount 00
1.), expenses
(leaving for liquidation hereafter 6,00 W.), 1,4961. 20. 2d.
balance, 31.4791. 19e. total, 37,3361. 18e. 7d. Cr.—Sy
profits, 37,3361.185. 7d.

The Lord Bishop_ of London has appointed the
Rev. G. E. L. Cotton, M.A., late Fellow of Trinity College,
Cambridge, Muter of Marlborough College, to be one of LM
examg rhaplains ; and the Rev. Edward Parry,
of Balliol College, Oxford, to be bin domestic chaplain.
Union.
The Rev. James Bradby Sweet, M.A , haa been
instituted to the rectory of Colkirk with !Ribber:l annexed,
in Norfolk, on the presentation of Henry Rosen, of Staple-
hunt, in the county p
re Beat, Beck.