The Sun.
London, England, 1852-09-11 00:00:00

Mr. Melvili's evidenee, as well as that of Mr. le Al,
shows the inaccuracy of Lord Derby's statement—sue -
ported though it was by Lord Ellenborough—that the
Directors have in reality no political power. Those who
write and forward dispatches must heve some influence
over the policy to which they give t ffeet, even though
an independent functionary may possess a veto en all
their proceedings. With respect to the practical vvei k-
ing of the present system, there is no necessity tor rely-
ing on coujecture. The Secretary to the Company fully
explains the method in which the public business is ;Jon-
ducted. All dispatches from India are addressed in du-
plicate to the Court and to the Board: but the Directors
have the initiative of dispatches which are sent froen
home. These documents mast, ecoording to
law, be
-
submitted within fourteen days ter the approbation of
the Board; but the practice is for the dratta of all im-
portant documents to be forwarded by the Chairman to
the President of the Board, as " previous communion-
tions"—or, in the language of the office, as " P. C. dis-
patches." The Commissioners, if they think fit, alter
the draft, and the Chairman either adopts or declines
the alteration before submitting the dispatch for the ap-
proval of the Court. The subsequent official reference
to the Board becomes, therefore, in most cases, a matter
of form; but, if a difference of opinion should still exist,
the decision of the Commissioners is, after cer-
tain specified delays, conclusive. Mr. Melvill says:—" I
have ascertained that, of the P. C. drafts, more than
ahnays,a alteration half are returned unaltered; and a very large proportion
of the remainder is returned with alterations generally
the directors on financial and
only verbal, or with corrections of facts and figures, • • •
Of the drafts which go out of the state of P. C. into that of
other consequences, concen-
trated ute
the
takes
ke
one
ost
m.
placei
commercial
ethrceai
as
thefu functions proportion
ca Board:onseo
officialTtrhaeteadbtohl
abolition,
communications,nt:ninti
01n34c:
political questions, and increased the preponderance of
those members of the Court who possess
a personal
knowledge of India. Between 1814 and 1834, twenty-six
tthhoes ec ionmwpahni which
directors were elected, seven of whom had not been
previously resident in the East. Since 1834, there have
been twenty-one directors elected, only one of whom
had not formerly resided in India. As might na-
turally have been expected, individual directors
take a more active part in the general busi-
ness of the Court than they did prior to
that
year ; but the member of the Committee
who seems least disposed to acquiesce in the
presents Indian constitution fails to extract from the
witnesses any admission that the power of the Chairs
is inconveniently affected by the change. Mr. Melvill
considers that the w rk. •
o ing of tee Court is greatly
im-
proved; and it is stated that a general indisposition exists
to oppose the Chairs unnecessarily. " Is there not:'
Mr. Mill is asked, "ti "
great practical alteration in the
system of government?" Ido not think it is a great
practical alteration." he di
practical alteration." gut,"
replies; it is some
t,' his interrogator proceeds,
" we have now to consider
' whether it is expedient to
retain a Government very different
existed in 1834?" " I should no
from that which
t
the reply; " in some degree it is diaffYeruty very different," it
which simply consists in the increased efficiency A change
piece of constitutional machinery can scarcely be of a
be
consi-
dered a revolution. It is satisfactory to find
that the
body which is popularly supposed to form the Home
Government of India is not, as Lord Derby supposed,
mere convenient fiction. Except in cases where domea
or European politics have interfered, the authority of
the Board of Control has probably been far more nomi-
nal and formal than that of the Court of Directors.
Chronicle.

THE SHEFFIELD _MURDER.
The inquest was resumed on Thursday afternoon,
in the sessions-room, at the Town-hall, which was
greatly crowded with spectators. The deputy.
coroner, after calling over the names of the jury, in-
formed them that the police had obtained evidence
tracing the prisoner and the deceased within a short
distance of the field where the latter was afterwards
found murdered. He believed the evidence would
show that midway in the interval between the pH.
soner leaving Naylor's with the deceased, at two
o'clock on Thursday, and the prisoner calling at the
Royal Standard, a little after four o'clock, and leav-
ing the pack of the deceased, the two were seen walk-
ing along the footpath of the field adjoining that in
which the murder was committed. _ _

dootffiniecfetoc Wilfulero:—erf s
At the conclusion of the voluminous evidence,
bearing out the deputy-coroner's assertion, address-
ing the prisoner, he said—You have heard all the
evidence given by the witnesses. Would you wish
me to read it over again to you. Prisoner—No.
The DEPUTY•CORONER—As we have heard in your
presence all the evidence to be adduced, it is now my,
duty to inform you that I am ready to bear any vo-
luntary statement you may please to make in refer-
ence to the object of this inquiry. You are not bound
to say anything ; and whatever you may say will be
taken down, and will be used for or against you on
your trial.
The prisoner, in a firm voice, and repeating the
words dictated by his solicitor, said—l am not guilty
my defence to the charge.
of this supposed murder; and, if sent for trial, I re-
serve The prisoner signed his name to the statement
" James Barbour," though throughout the proceed-
ings the name had been treated as Barber.
The DEPUTY-CORONER then addressed the jury,
laying before them a clear and concise summary of
the evidence.
The jury retired, and after an absence of 20
We unanimously agree in a verdict of
minutes returned into court with the following ver•
‘A‘iurder against James Barber:, Mr. Renton,
under hum, for their indefatigable exertions in
the jury, added that they thought it their duty,
nnancnattaitltetccii.
asYaorwkiteueasist,le.
separating, to thank Mr. Raynor,
holeywcoausel.d
be
detained
in
deposition,
y and the
The Coroner, at. once made out his warrant for the
vvas brought
M'Cormack,
bceeo
up
in custody, and after signing hisd
wa'sl the
magistrates could consult as to the beunttlaken
means to
to secure his a6tendance on the trial.
whopri prisoner's nheards
in-
formed thisine
melancholy

ACCIDENT
FATAL
regret
LegAreCt
SHEFFIELD, and LI.NCOLIV RAILWAY on
happenedtrain
Wednesday night to the 9.10 Great Northern
from Sheffield, near the Woodhouse
the
unction. The
grounds of
line passes on a high embankment,
~,_ T. smith, jun.),
Dore House (the residence of oe',•traie of two pas-
near liandsworth. It was a '
aeotsrod a
guard's break
senger carriages, a luggege vailsengers besides the
van. There were only x
Si P Through some cause,
driver, the stoker, and guard' ot off the line, and the
as yet unexplained, the sowntr
the embankment on
engine and tender went
learnE N
that
a t 0 n
anth
accident
ccmideNtCHESTER,
the carriages, luggage
the right aide' , wbreak went down on the
van, and guard srd
was killed on the spot.
other. The gr with the fire-box of the
The driver fe
Ka and there lay horribly roasting.
engine 00 his legs, and
and terrified that he was
The stoker was t
At length the passengers extri-
„,, ble ef effor ' -
in- ' a Ives, having fortunately escaped danger-
cated therase
Two of them made their way to Dore
jejuries•
for assistance and lights. Mr.
ous nd begged
lieu"' a diatel accompanied them, getting fur-
wab ;wine Y
Mr. liabbershon
aid from his nearest neighbour, .
fur-
ther
On reaching the spot Mr. Smith found that the train
just had cleared a small viaduct in the embankment,
leading to certain fields, when it had got off the line,
and lay as we have described. It was quite impossible,
till much further help arrived, to help the pour driver,
and he lay with the fire upon his legs in a state of
agony, which makes it surprising that life could con-
tinue. On the other side the luggage van lay on the
flat at the bottom of the embankment, smashed, and
its contents, consisting of files, scissors, teapots, white
lead, and other articles, scattered in all directions.
Next it, going up the embankment, were the first class
carriage, the second class, and lastly the guard's van,
between which and the second carriage was found the
guard crushed and lifeless. It seemed that he had
been caught between the carriages in slipping out of
his compartment, and was killed instantly. Mr.
Smith sent for other assistance, and among the rest
for that of Mr. Ball, surgeon,
of Heedawortht; and
knowing that the time was approaching for
thdeo
ar-
rival of the express train due at 10.30, he went
wn
the line with a red light to meet it. e
red lights and went
that train he took one
of his --*- from coming
still further to prevent any other train
also took the to the scene of the disaster.
$e
ethen somewhat pre-
cautionre-
of sending the stoker,ard,
Sheffield, to stop any
covered from the shock: towards
0_
bailee to be going lad.
goods train which might
further aid arrived from Darnall
ward. After a timeb
t still there was no chance of
and from Sheffield,
; ~ off the poor driver, and he was at
raising the eng'a-o digging away the ground beneath
last extricated by
that
could be given was afforded
him. All the aid
and the passengers were refreshed
to the poor man, and
A accommodated for the night at
by mx. smith, -
Handsworth.
--

AEISTOCILATIC DIGGERS,—A member of the Legit I.
lative Council of Victoria was seen a few days ago retailing
apples at the diggings. Another gentleman, well known in
South Australia as an old colonist, hospitable country gentle-
man, and M.L.C., is now wending
same centre of attraction, his outer man clad in a blue shirt,
and carrying a heavy '° swag,"—Australian Australian and New Zealand
Gazette. his way on foot to the
The Duke of Hamilton has, it is stated, left the
bulk of his personal property—amounting, it is said, to
mom tlaa 100,00040.40 his ;laughter, 1.647 lAnola•