The Sun.
London, England, 1864-11-14 00:00:00

INDIAN TRAMWAY.

The report of the directors states that there can be but one
feeling, of regret, that the exertions of the directors, the
co-operation of the shareholders, and the support of the local
governments of India, which, if uninterrupted, would have
secured the early completion of a light railway in each of the
presidencies, should have been neutralised by the recent
determination of the Secretary of State, in opposition to the
earnest recommendation of the local authorities, that the
varying characteristics of the several lines in India should
be ignored, that one uniform rule should be applied to all,
and that the precise terms accorded to the Branch Railway
Company should not be departed from under any circum-
stances. The shareholders, under the advice of the board,
at once declined to undertake any new work until the result
of the Arconum line in Madras should furnish authentic
data for their guidance, and decided to limit the capital o
the company to £lOO,OOO, and their operations to this single
line. The board have therefore directed their endeavours to
the early completion and substantial construction of the line,
connecting Arconum on the Madras Railway with Conje-
veram, about 17 miles, and expect its opening on an early
date. The sanction to commence was only obtained by
the chairman in January last, and engines were running
on a portion of the linelin;August. The bridges for the
rivers Cortilear and Pulloor were despatched in Juno, and
the masonry will be ready by the time they arrive. The cost
of these bridges will be reimbursed by the Madras Govern-
ment, who, with their officers, have afforded every faoility
and rendered all the assistance in their power to promote
the undertaking. The report of the engineers. Sir C. Fox
and Mr G. Berkley, states that the earthworks are com-
pleted for a length of 12 miles from Arconum junction, and
the permanent way laid for a length of six miles, upon which
two of the company's locomotives are daily engaged in
ballasting. A temporary staging has been erected across the
Cortilear river, pending the completion of the permanent
bridge. Granite of excellent quality is being used for this
and other works, which will be of a thoroughly substantial
character. The works at the Arconum junction station and
at Pulloor are also in a forward state. 600 coolies are em-
ployed upon the line. From a statement of the probable
traffic on festival days, it was thought advisable to recom-
mend that a fourth locomotive and some ironworks for
waggons available for third-class passengers should be sent
out as soon as possible. The capital account to the 30th of
September shows that £57,483 had been received and
£47,526 expended, leaving a balance of £9,957.

Naval and Military Intelligence.

The division at Aldershot, under the command of Lieut.-
Gen. Sir J. L. Pennefather, K.C.8., paraded on Clayeart-
ridge at half-past 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning, for
field movements, and, after marching past, proceeded to the
westward, and formed in order of battle. The D Battery,
Royal Horse Artillery, with the 14th Hussars, formed the
advance line, covered by skirmishers of the latter regi-
ment, and the Royal Dragoons and the Scots Greys formed
the second line. The three() brigades of infantry ad•
vanced in parallel columns at quarter-distance, and at
deploying distance, covered by skirmishers. A Battery
of Royal Artillery, accompanied two brigades. The two
lines of cavalry advanced at a trot, skirmishers were re.
called, and the 11th Hussars made a demonstration, then
retired by troops from the left, and re-formed in rear
of the Heavy Brigade. The Royal Dragoons and the Seel a
Greys advanced at a gallop, retired, and re-formed in the
rear of the 14th, When they sgain advanced in lino. The
division now changed half righ', dc plcycd into line, and the
Royal Artillery and skirmishers opened fire, the brigades
again advanced by open column of regiment from the right,
changed position half left, and proceeded to the vet:award,
the skirmishers as they advanced maintaining a steady fire
for a considerable distance. Brigadier Hawley's brigade,
which formed the left, advanced upon Long-hill, his left
resting upon Bickley-copse, and Major-General Russell
advanced upon Cocked Hat-wood, which became the centre
of attack. Tho 75th Regiment, on arriving at the edge of
the wood, delivered a volley, which was succeeded by a file
from the whole brigade. While these movements were in
progress Brigadier Grey, with the Ist Infantry Brigade,
advanced upon Belmore. hill, which, atter a severe engage-
ment, was taken and occupied by our troops. The guns of
the Royal Artillery were brought to bear upon the foe from
its summit. Brigadier Hawley's Brigade also came into
action on the loft of General Russell, and kept up a well-
sustained fire. The cavalry advanced in support of Gen:
Russell and Brigadier Hawley. ‘' Cease firing" was
sounded, and the skirmishers again advanced, the 2d bat.
talion 60th Rifles covering the whole of the left brigade.
The infantry soon became warmly engaged again, and the
cavalry, accompanied by the Royal Horse Artillery, were
observed converging upon the scene of action to the right of
Cocked Hat-wood. The infantry then ceased firing, the
skirmishers again advanced, and a regiment of Brigadier
Grey's brigade dashing up a high hill carried the position
and occupied it. At this juncture, however, the enemy
showed in very strong force, and the lieut.-gen. determined
upon a retreat. The artillery and light troops were brought
into requisition to cover the retrograde movement, while the
brigades retired in line. The cavalry covered the Ist brigade,
and the infantry fell back in admirable order to the vicinity
of Claycart-bridge. The troops then broke off to quarters.
During the past week the division at Aldershot has been
exercised in route marching, to the benefit of all branches
of the service.
Assist.-Commissary-General E. B. Fonblanquo, having
assumed charge of the commissariat department at Alder
shot, is taken on the strength of the division.
Colonel A. J. Taylor, Inspector-General of Artillery, has
been inspecting during the past week the men of the Coast
Brigade of Royal Artillery stationed at Colchester, Harwich,
and Landguard Fort.
Deputy-Assist.-Superintendent of Stores J. Bacon has
been appointed storekeeper at Harwich, in the room of
Assist.-Superintendent of stores F. H. Glinn, who has re-
ceived another appointment.
The Marlborough, 121, sorow three-decker, 4,000 tons,
800 horse power of engines, Capt. Charles Fellowes, late
flagship of the Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean,
arrived at Spithead on Saturday under steam, coming up to
the anchorage by the western or Needles passage. On an-
choring the customary salutes were exchanged between the
Marlborough and the flagship of Port Admiral Sir Michael
Seymour, G.C.8., the Victory, lying in Portsmouth har-
bour. The Marlborough sailed from Malta on the 13th
October, and from Gibraltar on the 23d, calling in at Vigo
to coal on the sth inst. She experienced head winds through.
out the greater portion of the voyage. She has brought home
1 upwards of 100 invalided and time-expired soldiers, with.
three women and several children, under charge of Lieut.
Winter, of the 2nd battalion 7th Foot, and also a number of
seamen and marines, invalided and time-expirad men, from
her Majesty's ships in the Mediterranean, with Mesdames
Berry, Irvine, Sadler, and Avery, from Malta. The Marl-
borough will be officially inspected at Spithead to-day, and
will afterwards go into Portsmouth harbour to dismantle
and pay out of commission.
Tho subjects of the first competitive examination at
tho Royal School of Naval Architecture and Marine
Engineering recently opened at South Kensington, and
which will shortly commence, will be as follows :—le
Pure mathematics, including arithmetic, geometry' (Plane
and descriptive), trigonometryland the elements of the diffe-
rential and integral calculus, 2.600 :marks-2, theoretical
mechanics, or applied mathematics, 1,000 marks-3 practi-
cal mechanics, 760 marks-4, practical shipbuilding, 2,000
marks-5, steam, 750 marks-6, physics, 500 marks-7,
chemistry, 500 marks—and 8, mechanical and freehand
drawing, 750 marks. In the subjects marked 1 and 2 reM
spectivoly at best half of the marks will be required. The
second will have a yearly session of six months—viz , from
November to April, and the foe for the full course of in-
struction will be £25 or £6O for the course of three years.
free students will be given in competition if qualified cane
didates enter, and to the two best of these scholarships of
£5O per annum, A large number of naval models have
already been placed in the museum.
The following appointments were made on Saturday at
the Admiralty :—Commander Wm. W. S. Bridges to the
Frederick William—G. E. Hernby, midshipman, to the
Orlando—E. D. Green, assistant-paymaster, to. the Welles-
ley—C. F. Goolden, second-master, to the Victoria—W. C.
Hilder and A. Bothwick, engineers, to the Terror, for dis-
posal—W. Bryan, A. Ritchie, J. R. Butters, and J. Run.
uals, aseigant-engineors, to the Terror, for disposal.