The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-05 00:00:00

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From the accounts rendered by thpro,
of the magazines, who are best able to speak upon
the subject, it appears that the whole quantity of
gunpowder which was exploded aniounted to about
1,040 barrels, or 104,0001 b, there being 1001 b to a
barrel. Of this, 75,0001 b were stored in the maga-
zine of Messrs. Hall, 20,0001 b in their barges which
were being unloaded at the time of the explosion,
and 9,0001 b in the depot of Lowood Gunpowder
Company, or which is commonly known es that of
Messrs. Daye-Barker and Co., the previous owners.
The Lowood Company were expecting a large sup.
ply of powder from their mills at Newton-in-Cart.
,net, Lancashire, which had been delayed through
export and other orders deliverable at their other
depots.

tetors.

PRICE
STAMPEA....Sd.

fled, he could ask as many questions as he chose. He then
announced that he would do the vest trick, which Fay would
seldom do before a public audience, but reserved for the edifi-
cation of believers, in private circles, as the spirits had told
him that it was too mysterious and sublime for unbelieving
eyes to behold. About this time, the Faye began to show
strong symptoms of wishing (hey were somewhere else; but
still H. Melville put as good a face on matters as possible.
It was evident the sympathies of the audience were fast
running towards the Rev. Mr Dobbs. He was succeeding
admirably. A. vest was borrowed from a gentleman in the
audience and placed in the box, not in reach of the operator
—for it must be remembered that during all these demon-
strations he was not only tied tightly down to his seat by
strong cords, but his hands and feet were so securely
fastened that it seemed almost impossible for him to move.
The doors were closed, the room darkened, and on less than
a minute he called for light, and there was a vest, with one
arm of the operator pas Jed through the armhole, and his
hands still tied as tightly as before. The applause now
was deafening, and the heads of the Fays and some of their
more ardent admirers, and firm believers came down
another peg. The great flour test Seemed to be Fay's
best holt, as he had alluded to it ones or twice dur-
ing the evening, Mr Dobbs now gave notice that he
would attempt it. The committee placed in each of his
tied hands a small portion of flour, and in less than two
minutes the spirit hand and other demonstrations were
made, but when the doors were opened he walked upon the
stage with the full amount of flour still in his hands, The
audience now rose in one wild shout. The wonderful and
miraculous ficurtest!! was triumphantly wept:6olEl*d:

Their magazine at ThAvedere was about 40 fat
long by 30ft in width, and consisted of two floors.
It wa,2 erected about four years ago, and stood at a
distance of 60 or 70 yards from that of Messrs.
Hall. Like that, too, it hud a wooden jetty pro;
jecting into the river for the loading and unloading
of gunpowder. No one had entered it on the morn•
ing of the explosion.
The number of persons killed and wounded by
the explosion has now also been ascertained with
tolerable accuracy. Five have died, and there are
five mere missing—namely, a man named Wright,
who was employed as under.storelleeper at the
magazine of Messrs. Hall, and four men who navi•
gated the two barges that blew up. The names of
the latter are William Jemmett, master, and Luke
Barker, mate, of the barge Qlxxl,pAlitltP'AM

Down went the crest of the Faye and their friends another
notch.

-arialTanTF,--mate, of
the barge Harriet. The dead are George Rayner,

Mr Dobbs then proceeded to explain to the audience: the
whole minuts3 of these tricks. He was tied in a chair by the
committee on the stage, in the full glare of the gaslight,
where all had a good view, and untied himself with the
greatest ease, and in a very short space of time. He demon-
strated fully how the knots were tied, and lucidly explained
how the " tricks in the box" were accomplished. He did
many more remarkable things during the evening than we
have raentioned, but as they are done in a similar way it is
unnecessary to go into further detail. Suffice it to say that
it was a most searching, thorough, and successful exposi-
tion of one of the boldest humbugs ever practised upon a
confiding community, and the Rev. Mr Dobbs deserves the
thanks of all who hold religion sacred, and we hope he will
not give up the good work commenced, but will follow not
only Fay, but the Davenport Boys, and expose them in
every town in which they may attempt to exhibit.
It seems that Fay is an old practitioner, and has been
often exposed, though never so thoroughly as by the Rev.
Mr Dobbs, who showed him up in the winter of 1863, hav-
ing been appointed on the committee to examine Fay, who
was then giving exhibitions at Titusville, and having dis-
covered the modus operandi of the affair at that time he fol-
lowed the fellow up, through Western Pennsylvania, ex-
posing him everywhere, and drivin; him out of the country
into the east. He received a splendid gold watch for his
efforts in the matter.

storekeeper at the magazine of Messrs. Hall; John
York; a boy of 13, employed there ; Elizabeth
Wright, about the same age, daughter of the miss-

ing underastorekeepor ; and John Hubbard and

James Eaves. The two last named were labouring
men, unconnected with the magazines, but who
were engaged in constructing a river wall in their
immediate vicinity, At the time of the explosion
they were collectiug their tools in an outhouse at-
tached to the cottage of Walter Silver, the store-

keeper at the Lowood magazine, preparatory to
beginning work for the day. Seven of the sufferers
are at Guy's Hospital, and all doing well, with one
exception. There are also a few others in and
about Erith who are more or less injured. One of
these, John Simms, a boy of 11, was gathering

mushrooms, with an elder brother, at the time of

,he explosion, about 100 yards from the principal

magazine. He sustained serious injuries, but his
brother escaped unhurt. He was struck on the

head with what he thought was a brick, and which
tore off the scalp at the back and depressed a por-
tion of the skull partly upon the brain. He is now
under treatment by Dr. Tipple, of Erith, and hopes
are entertained that he may recover. William
Yorke, aged 6 years, a younger brother of the boy
John Yorke, who was killed, was pick€d up among
the ruins just after the explosion, badly injured.
'Two pieces of wood about two inches and a half
long, and one a quarter and the other half an inch
thick, have since been extracted from his head,
where they were completely buried, and one of
which pressed upon the brain. Captain Maillop
kindly took the poor little sufferer into his house,

It is to be hoped that this revelation will open the eyes
of the people to the manifold devices which the Davenport
Boys and other mediums are constantly palming off upon
them. Let them no longer be deceived.

HEALTH OF LONDON.

(From the Registrar-General's Report.)

The deaths registered in London in the week that ended
on Saturday were 1,284, showing a slight increase on the
number in the previous week, which was 1,229. If the
deaths from epidemic cholera in the 39th week of 1854 are
excluded, it will be found that the average number of deaths
in corresponding weeks of tea years, 1854-63, was 1,138,
and if this result be corrected for increase of population, it
becomes 1,252. Therefore the deaths registered last week
exceeded the estimated number by 32.
Zymotic diseases were fatal in 404 case., the corrected
average being 438. The most fatal disease in this class is
scarlatina, which caused 95 deaths, being an increase of 23
on the number in the previous week, Seven deaths from
this disease occurred in the sub-district of St. Paul, Dept-
ford, 4 in that of Lambeth Church first, 4 in that of Mile-
end Old-town eastern, 4 in that of Haggerstone East, and 4
in that of South Hackney. Ten children died from diph-
theria. Typhus caused 70 deaths. Smallpox was fatal to 11
persons, 2 of whom were adults. The mortality from
diarrheoi is decreasing, under the influence of lower tempe-
rature ; last week G 3 persons died from this disease. Three
children died from cholera.
Phthisis was fatal in 151 eases, 70 persons died from bron.
chide, 57 from pneumonia, and 26 from other diseases of the
respiratory organs.

where he still remains, but in a somewhat preca-

rious state. Three children, between 8 and 11

years of age, were staying with Walter Silver

at tho time of the explosion. One of the three,
Samuel Fletcher, his nephew, he had sent to
post a letter. The boy had just left the cottage

when the explosion was heard, and he was thrown
down and had two of his ribs broken. He
was at the moment passing the man Hubbard, who
was killed on the spot. Another of the children

escaped with a few scratches, while a third, Eliza-
beth Osborn, with whom it was playing, received
injuries from which she:is not expected to recover.
The escape of Silver himself was little less than
miraculous► Hs was straining mili through a sieve
just within the back door of his cottage when ho
was startled and thrown down by the first explosion
in the barge, while the second and still more ap-
pAling one in the magazine shattered the house about
his ears. He was afterwards dug out of the ruins
with a few bruises about the bead and body, and
has since being going about.
A public meeting has been he'd in Erith with

One hundred and thirty-four persons died from diseases
of the brain and nervous system, 46 from diseases of the
heart. Seven deaths were caused from delirium tremens,
and 4 by carbuncle.
Forty-three deaths were caused by accidents. Seven per-
sons were kill, d by vehicles in the streets; 8 infants were
suffocated, 5 children were burnt, and 7 persons drowned.
Eight persons committed suicide. A carman, aged. 53, died
from taking an overdose at Epsom salts.
Four nonagenarians and ono centenarian died during the
week ; the latter, who was fcrmerly a carman, died in St.
Pancras Workhouse at the age (as stated) of 100 years.
Last week the births of 1,062 boys and 901 girls, in all
2,032 children, were registered in London. In the 10 cor-
responding weeks of the years 1854-63 the average number
(corrected) was 1,900.

th© view to obtain compensation for the serious
damage occasioned to property in the town and
neighbourhood by the explosion, or, at all cvents,
protection from any similar catastrophe in future.
It was attended by the principal inhabitants of the

At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height
of the barometer in the week was 30078 in. The barome-
trical reading was 30.24 in. on Monday, and decreased to
29.91 in. on Thursday. The mean temperature of the air in
the week was 54.5 deg , which is 0.2 deg, above the average
of the same week in 43 years (as determined by Mr Glashier).
The highest day temperature was 68.8 deg. on Sunday,
The lowest night temperature was 42.0 deg. on Thursday.
The entire range of temperature in the week was, therefore,
26.8 deg. The mean of the highest temperatures of the
water of the Thames was 61.5 deg; that of the lowest was
59.2 deg. The difference between the mean dew-point
temperature and air temperature was 6.0 deg. The mean
degree of humidity of the air was 80, complete saturation
being represented by 100. The direction of the wind was
variable.

The births registered in Dublin during the week ending
the Ist of October were 161, and the deaths were 100, in a
population of 254,808 (in 1861), spread over an area of 3,808
statute acres.

The Wreck of the Brig Arthur MiCenzie.

The following is the report of Mr It. 0. Stewart, resident
magistrate, principal officer of Customs at Port Waikato,
who was assisted by Mr D. Simpson, marine surveyor, and
Mr G. It. Breton, superintendent of water transport, and
formerly a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, as nautical asses-
sors, to inquire into the cause of the wreck of the brig
Arthur M'Kenzie, at the mouth of the Waikato River on
the Ist June, 1861:

To the Honourable the Commissioners of Customs for
the Colony of New Zealand.
We, the undersigned, having met and carefully inquired
inta the circumstances attending the loss of the brig Arthur
M.Kenzie, have the honour to report as follows :—ln our
opinion the loss of the vessel may be attributed to the fol-
lowing circumstances :-1, That the beacons of the port as
at present erected aro not of sufficient dimensions to ensure
their being seen from the offing. 2. So the fact that, at the
time of the brig running in, the schooner Daring happened
to be ashore on the South Bank, with all sail set, and her
head pointing towards the harbour, in such a position as to
lead to the impression that she was a vessel entering the
port. Such appears to have been the opinion of the Master
of the Arthur M'Kenzie. 3. To the want of judgment on
the part of the Master of the brig in using Drury's chart of
1857 in preference to Boulton's of 1863, both of which
charts were on board at the time of the wreck, and to the
apparent want of attention in neglecting to keep the proper
bearings on after making one of the beacons, and further to
a want of discretion on his part in taking the bar (to which
he was a total stranger) with the last of the ebb tide, no
sufficient reason having been shown for his anxiety to got
into port. We respectfully recommend the Colonial Govern.
ment forthwith to carry into effect the suggestions of Capt.
Fisher and Mr Todd relative to the buoys, &c., for showing
the channel and anchorage, as fully detailed in the evidence.
From the evidence of Mr Marshall, it would appear that
the bar is liable to shift, but for the last 27 years (since
1837) the change has been so trifling that, if the outer of

the large beacons now in course of proparaqon were erected
on a slide such alterations might at all times be indicated.
We have the honour to annex hereto the depositions taken
before us yesterday, and to recommend the valuable infor-
mation therein contained regarding this port to the atten-
tion of the proper authorities.
Dated at Port Waikato this 9th day of June,
in the year 186 k. _ _ _

R. 0. STEWART.
DANIEL SimpsoN,
G. R. BRETON.

A WHALE IN ROTHESAY BAY.—A few days ago
a whale, estimated at some 40 or 50 feet in length,
was discovered disporting itself in Rothesay Bay.
During its gambols it approached within 150 yards of the
shore at Huntly Place; but, finding itself getting into
shallow water, rose to the surface through a shoal of her-
rings, or some other kind of fish, over which were hovering
an immense flock of gulls. These latter were so terrified
by the presence of such an unwelcome visitor, that they
instantly dispersed, screaming in all directions. The whale
gave one of his peculiar snoring blasts, then a tremendous
plunge, turning the sea all around into foam, and quickly
made off into deep water. It rose to the surface afterwards
on each occasion baring about 20 feet of its
murkyl
bamckes,

place, and also of Belvedere. Archdeacon Smith,
the vicar, who acted as chairman, commented upon
the vast and almost overwhelming calamity which
had suddenly befallen that district. There were,
he said, some points connected with the catastrophe
which were not unworthy of remark. Among these
were the zeal and alacrity displayed by the entire
population to render every aid under the direful
circumstances, and the singular sobriety and praises
worthy demeanour manifested,by the thousands of
persons, from remote places, whose curiosity led
them to visit the spot. They had, indeed, reason
to be thankful for that ready aid, which doubt.,
less prevented a mighty river from asserting
its dominion, and again flowing over the broad
acres where it no doubt at one time found its
original bed. The great sacrifice of property
was, after all, as nothing when compared to the
sacrifice of human life; and he hoped it would go
forth to the world that the sympathy of that meet-
ing with their fallen brethren was paramount. He
conceived that the meeting had assembled for two
objects. First, it desired to make a well-considered
and temperate expression of regret, or he might in.'
deed say remonstrance, against the re-erection of
powder factories so near populous localities ; and
they wished also to consider the question of loss and
compensation, and to come to some decision as to
who was responsible. Resolutions were afterwards
passed to the effect that the disaster clearly proved
the impropriety of large quantites of gunpowder and
other explosive materials being allowed to be main.
factured or stored in the vicinity of populous places,
and that communications be made to the Home•
office and to the licensing' magistrates, pointing out
the dangers attending the establishment of guns
powder manufactories and warehouses in such places,
and urging the discontinuance of existing licensee
and the refusal to grant new ones for such places in
future. A committee composed of 17 of the chief
inhabitants, with the Archdeacon at their head, was
appointed to carry out the objects of the meeting.
The committee was also instructed to consider the
mode of carrying gunpowder in barges and the dan-
gers attending it, as pointed out by Capt. M'Killop,
with the view to make a proper representation to
the Government on the subject. Before separating
the meeting passed a unanimous resolution marking
their high sense of the services rendered by Mr
Moore, civil engineer, Mr Webster, the contractor
at Crossness Point, and his men, and of the military
authorities at Woolwich on the sad occasion—ser-
vices which, by the speedy restoration of the ems
bankment of the river, tended to preserve a large
district of country from inundation. It was stated
that Messrs Hall had undertaken to provide for the
widows and orphans of the men who perished • by
the catastrophe.
It is but due to the authorities of the North Kent
Railway to state that in the enormous pressure put
upon them on Sunday by the thousands upon thous
sands of visitors to the scene of the calamity they
had recourse to a stringent regulation which no
doubt greatly conduced to the safety of the p ,ssen-
gers in the emergency. The trains as they filled
were dispatched one after another at intervals sufs
ficiently long to prevent danger from collision, but
in addition to that no train was allowed under eny
circumstances to leave a station until a telegraphic
message had been received that the train immedis
mei', preceding it had left the station in advance of
it. So imperatively was this rule adhered to that
in both the down and the up journeys the trains
were often detained a considerable time at a sta■
titan. This, of course, with respect to the up-journey,
caused great delay in bringing such an enormous
number of people back to London, but it was justis
fled by the paramount consideration of the public
safety.