The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-15 00:00:00

COLONIAL.

TEA,—Thero has been a moderate amount of business
transacted in greens from the late arrivals, and prices have
in most instances been well supported. Congou qualities
are rather dull, but remain at about former quotations.
bu GAR.—The Market has exhibited very little animation
owing to the firmness of holders. Good grocei7 descriptions
of West India maintain full rates; while in the refined
market there is little change of importance to reoord as re-
gards values.

COFFEE.—The enquiry for plantation Ceylon has been
steady, and prices are well sustained.
RicE.•—Only a limited business has been recorded, and
quotations show little change of importance.
TALLOW.—A steady business has been done for both
present and forward delivery. P.X.C. on the spot is
quoted 41s. Gd., and last three months, 445. 6d. per owt.

THE CALAMITY AT SHEFFIELD.

MEETING IN AID OF THE SUFFERERS.
Yesterday a numerous body of gentlemen obeyed
the call of the Mayor to attend the preliminary
meeting at the Council-hall at 11 o'clock. Lord
Wharncliffe came in in the course of the meeting,
and was received with cheers.
The MAYOR, on taking the chair, said that Mr.
Roberts and Mr. Housefield had attended as an in-
dication of their sentiments on this melancholy oc-
casion, but as an important meeting of the direc-
tors of. the Water Company was going on, they
would be under the necessity of going there.
Alderman llYcomi was afraid the retirement of
those gentlemen would bo ascribed by the public to
some other cause than want of time. He thought
they ought to have the directors of the company
present to explain the position in which they stood
with reference to the awful calamity. No interest
or power ought to prevent the directors from ex-
plaining their position. (Hear.)
Mr. DUNN said the meeting was called by a cir-
cular to consider the means to be taken in this
emergency to relieve distress. (Hear.) It was not
for them to consider the liability of this body or of
that. Their present business was with a calamity
from which many were actually suffering, and
without stopping to inquire about responsibility
they must see what they could do to provide
relief. (Cheers.) He was a sufferer to a consi-
derable extent, but he did not come there to enter
upon that question. They could not expect the
directors of the Water Company to state their views
on this occasion. These gentlemen represented a
body of shareholders for whom they were trustees,
and those shareholders had not yet been called to-
gether. Those directors were not here in that capa-
city, but to show their sympathy as Sheffield men.
The time would come when other questions would
be raised. At present the only question was the
relief of distress, and before they came to other
questions he hoped the feeling would be a little
lowered down, and that they should be prepared to
treat them more calmly as business matters. Ile
hoped the Mayor would limit the discussion to the
subject for which they were met. (Cheers.)
Mr. IRONSIDE said the truth must come out.
There must be no attempt to stop it. (Cheers.)
The MAYOR said the whole truth would pine
out at the inquest. The object of this meeting was
to make arrangements for a town's meeting.
Mr. HOUNSFIELD said that at the meeting of the
directors of the company that morning the question
had been considered whether the directors had
power at this meeting to put the company down
for a subscription. It did not appear that they had
power to do so. Mr. Roberts and himself would
be glad to subscribe in their individual capacity,
but not ae representatives of the company.
Mr. ROBERTS said it was not in their power to
give any explanations at present, however anxious
they might be; but nothing would be kept back.
In fact, it was not in their power to do that if they
desired it.
Mr. HOUNSFIELD said the meeting might rely
upon it that every explanation would be given.
Mr. Hounsfield and Mr. Roberts then retired.
The MAYOR.—It is unnecessary for me to speak
at any length in regard to the dreadful calamity
that has been the cause of this meeting. At noon
on Saturday a communication was made to me that
a great number of persons were assembled in the
neighbourhood of Hillsborough-bridge and 0 wler-
ton, and that some were carrying away furniture
and property that did not belong to them.
("Simmer) Finding that the civil power was not

considered sufficient, I immediately applied to the
commanding officer at the barracks,and he at once,
and with the utmost readiness, placed at my dis-
posal any number of men that I might, require.
(Cheers.) The soldiers were on duty during the
day, some of them during the night, and on Sun-
day. Yesterday, in consequence of the admirable
arrangements of the constables everything went off
exceedingly well as far as the maintenance of order
was concerned ; and from the police reports this
morning I find there are only two cases in which
persons have sought to take a dishonest advantage
of the confusion that prevailed. (Rear, hear.)
That fact speaker volumes for the good order and

he good feeling of the inhabitants of Sheffield,

(Applause.) I will not detain you longer, as this
is merely a preliminary meeting to the town's
meeting that will be held to-morrow. I should
wish it to be held on that day, in consequence of a

letter which I have received from the noble Lord •
Lieutenant of the Itiding. The Mayor then read
the letter. In it Earl Fitzwilliam said he had
heard rumours of the dreadful calamity, and he
asked for information as to its extent and the steps
that had been taken to relieve the families of the
sufferers. He had no doubt but that the inhabi-

tante of the town, who had on all previous occa-
sions shown such a large amount of liberality,
would attend to the immediate wants of the suf-

fuer& He hoped a large and systematic scheme
of relief would be inaugurated. To any committee
that might be appointed he begged that his name
might be added, and said lie would be ready to at-
tend a meeting on Tuesday at noon. While the
Mayor was readirg the letter Lord Wharncliffe
entered the room and was loudly cheered.
The MAYOR read letters from several gentlemen
who were unable to attend. A barrister named
Munster, of London, enclosed a check for 20
guineas, and offered to do ail in his power to ob-
tain subscriptions in town. (Hear.)
Mr. E. VICKERS—I agree with every observa-
tion the Mayor has made but one—namely, his
reference to this as a preliminary meeting. I be-
lieve it would be a great mistake so to regard it.
This meeting is certainly large enough to com-
mence a subscription. We are all met here
for the purpose of relieving the unfortunate
people who are sufferers by this calamity
—(cheers)—and there is no time like the
present. The town's meeting
alludes may be called at a later date, but the feel-
ing of the town ought to be expressed at this meet-
ing. (Hear, hear.). to which the mayor

1...__
he.
l‘i
AFitzwilliam
i titz(Hear, desirable that we should
opportunity of attending
This can only be a pre-
liminary meeting, but a subscription will be entered
into and will be exhibited at the meeting to-mor-
tghi give
meeting. Lordil l
ltia is
in
hear.)anvery
row. (Hear, heir.) It is very desirable that there
will commence the subscrip-
tions, eete in ; but no doubt many of
inform Lord Fitzwilliam of
shouldttihoens,
gentlemenanb ed another
wi
Ipresent en
the result of this meeting.

Mr. T. DUNN moved a resolution authorising the
tMheayroerlietof
ocfaltlhae pduisbtlrieosmseede.tmg to-day (Tuesday) for

The resolution was seconded by Mr. I. BROWN,
and carried.

ruction of property, neces•
life and
Lord " That this fearful
inundation, which has caused such an awful loss of
moved
sarily occasioning widespread misery and desola-
WimHmAßeNnsCeLldFeFsEt
tion, calls upon the inhabitants of this borough and
neighbourhood to sympathise and subscribe, so as
to alleviate as far as possible the distress that
exists." His Lordship made an urgent appeal for
support.

Mr. W. BUTCHER, town regent, seconded the
motion, which was carried.
Mr. F. HOOLE read the following telegram from
Mr. G. Hadfield, M.P.

"I will send £5OO to-morrow (Monday) for the
relief of the surviving sufferers." (Cheers.)
A list of subscriptions was made up in a few
minutes to £5,000, 10 of the principal firms putting
down their names for £2OO each.

It was agreed that the Mayor should communi-
cate with the Lord Mayor of London.
liberal relief
The Chairman of the Sheffield and Ecciesail
Unions
intimated
Promptest and most
"with-
out reference to consolidated orders or districts, or
anything but the necessities of the eufforers."
had
in thaten given
to the survivors
MONDAY NIGHT.
Further inquiries show that the number missing
exceeds any previous estimate. There are 238
known to be missing; of these there are 131 iden-
tified, 56 not identified, making 187. Twelve
bodies were found to-day in the submerged gardens
in the town. The property owners damaged by
the flood have held a meeting, and have resolved to

_
tee united action egaiwit the Inter comptiny, _ A

clause in the company's Act, passed the year after
the Holmfirth flood, specifically fires upon them the
damage caused by the failure or giving way of em-
bankments or r3servoirs on any of their works.
The damage is estimated at half a million, which is
more than the capital of the company.
The authorities here have communicated with
the Home-office, and Sir G. Grey has sent down
Mr. Rawlinson, C.E., who arrived to-night.

We are requested to state that the Lord Mayor,
in compliance with a wish of some gentlemen in the
city, convoyed to him yesterday, has undertaken to
receive contributions towards the relief of the
sufferers by the distressing calamity at Sheffield.
Mr. R. N. Phillipps, a member of the Court of
Common Council, has also given notice that at their
meeting on Thursday next he will move that a
grant of 200 guineas be made from the funds of the
Corporation for the same humane object.