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

THE CALAMITY AT SHEFFIELD,

Mr. HOUNeFIELD said the meeting might rely
upon it that every explanation would be given.
Mr. Hounstield 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.
("Shame!") 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. (Hear, hear.)
That fact speakes volumes for the good order and
the 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 Riding. 'The Mayor then read
the letter. In it Earl Fitzwilliam said he had
hoard 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. Ile had no doubt but that the inhabi-
tants 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-
ferers. lie hoped a large and systematic scheme
of relief would be inaugurated. To any committee
that might be appointed ho begged that his name
might be added, and said he would be ready to at-
tend a meeting on Tuesday at noon. While the
Mayor was reading the letter Lord Wharneliffe
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 all 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 cortainly 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 to which the mayor
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.)
The MAYOR—It is very desirable that we should
give Lord Fitz william an opportunity of attending
the meeting. (Hear, hear.) This can only be a pre-
liminary meeting, but a subscription will be entered
into and will be exhibited at the meeting to-mor-
row. (Hear, hear.) It is very desirable that there
should be another meeting ; but no doubt many of
the gentlemen present will commence the Subscrip-
tions, and I will at once inform Lord Fitz william of
the result of this meeting.
Mr. T. DUNN moved a resolution authorising the
Mayor to call a public meeting to-day (Tuesday) for
the relief of the distressed.
The resolution was seconded by Mr. J. BROWN,
and carried.

Lord WITAIINCLIFFE moved " That this fearful
inundation, which bas caused such an awful loss of
life and immense destruction of property, nem•
early occasioning widespread misery and desola-
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 targcat appeal for
suFport.

Mr. W. BUTCHER, town regent, seconded the
motion, which was carried.

Mr. F. HOOLE road the following telegram from
Mr. G. Hadfield, M.P.:—

"I will send £5OO to-morrow (A:onday)
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 nacres for £2OO each.

It was agre6d that the Mayor should communi-
cate with the Lord Mayor of London.
The Chairman of the Sheffield and Eeclesall
Unions intimated that the promptest and most
liberal relief had been given to the survivors "with-
out reference to consolidated orders or districts, or
anything but the necessities of the sufferers."
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
take united action against the water company. A

MEETING IN AID OF THE SUFFERERS.
Yesterday a rumeroua 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 Mvcocx. Was afraid the retirement of
those gentlemen would be 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 shareholdors for whorl they were trustees,
and those shareholders had nct yet been called to•
gather. Those directors were aot hero in that capa-
city, but to snow 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. lie
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 come
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 as tepresentatives 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.