The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-14 00:00:00

Naval and Military Intelligence.

On Wednesday evening a wicker basket, containing a
quantity of cotton waste, was discovered on fire in the fore
part of her Majesty's screw corvette Niger, now rigged and
ready for commission in basin at Woolwich. It appears
that a number of the factory men had been employed dur-
ing the day in a wooden shed erected for their accommo-
dation in one of the coal bunkers, where they had used a
lighted candle. The candle had most probably ignited
the waste used for wiping oil and other cleansing pur-
poses, and which, when the fire was discovered, was together
with the basket partly consumed. It is customary for a
police sergeant and constable, accompanied by an in-
spector of shipwrights, to make a tour of the yard and to
inspect every ship in the fitting basins and docks, as well as
each shed and workshop, subject to fire, soon after the men
cease work at night. On making their usual rounds shortly
after the men had left at night, the discovery was fortu-

nately made, and little exertion was consequently required
to extinguish it, beyond a slight application of the fire hose,
ready at hand, The Niger, it may be added, has recently
uneergone a thorough overhaul and repair, at a cost of
upwsrds of £lO,OOO,
The shole of Mcjor Reilly's B battery of Horse Artillery
have arrived at Woolwich, from Aldershot, consisting of
six officers and 180 non-commissioned officers and men.

A special notification, independently of that published a
few days ago from the Horse Guards, was yesterday received
by G,n. Warde, C. 8., Commandant at Woolwich, from the
Earl de Gr, y and Ripon, Secretary of Sta e forWar,warruly
thanking the officet r end men of the garrison on behalf of
the Government for their gallant exertions at Erith, and
commending the unexampled readiness and energy with
which they set themselves to the task of preventing the
threatened inundation of the country. The notification
was yesterday circulated throughout the garrison, and gave
great satisfaction.
Major-Gen. Warde having closed his outdoor drill session
at Woolwich the mutt' permissions tor leave of absence were
yesterday made known, and will be extended to March 15,
1865.

The Explosion at Erith and the Insurance
Companies.

VESTRY MEETING AT ERITH.

Yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock a numerously-attended
vestry meeting of the ratepayers of Erich, convened by the
churchwardens, was hcld for the purpose of considering
what steps should be taken for the speedy restoration of the

parish church, which was severely damaged by the gun-
powder explosion, which took place on Saturday, the Ist

The meeting assembled in the first instance in the vestr3
room of the pariah church, but the discomfort arising from
broken windows, &c., was such that it was found impossible
to proceed with the business, and it was resolved to adjourn
to the National Schoolroom.

The chair was occupied by the Rev. Archdeacon Smith
the vicar, who stated that the vestry had been convened to
ascertain the best course to be adopted with reference to the
damagesinflicted upon the church by the late fearful catas-
trophe. As they were all aware, the ancient edifice was
now so dilapidated that it would be impossible to open it
again for divine service until a considerable sum had been
expended for repairs. The buitdisg was insured, but it
appeared that the insurance companies generally had repu-
diated any claim for damages caused by the explosion.
Mr Churchwarden PARISH produced the policy of insur-
alinacbeilwity for iththaeny damage caused by the explosion. Several London Insurance Corporation, and stated
that, in reply to a claim, the company had flatly denied its
individuals had made claims upon the company with a
similar result.
On the policy being reed, several ratepapers expressed
opinions that by the terms of the document the company was
clearly responsible.
Dr BROWNE said he was not so certain upon this point.
It was true that the remote cause of the catastrophe was fire,
but the immediate cause was explosion. If they went into
a court of law it was probable that the issue would be deter-
mined by the immediate cause. At the same time, there
was no special exemption in the policy which would do
away with the liability of the company.
Mr PARISH said he understood that the opinions of coun-
sel had been obtained by various companies, and those
opinions were in favour of non-liability.
After some conversation it was resolved, on the motion
of Mr Read, that a deputation, consisting of the vicar and
churchwardens, do wait upon the directors of the company
to represent the case, and obtain a final reply.
Dr. BROWNE observed he thought it was advisable that
an interview should be had with Mr Hall, the proprietor of
the magazine which exploded, as he would probably be in•
cling d to render assistance should it be found impossible to
obtain satisfaction from the insurance company.
A Ratepayer considered it would be the wisest plan to let
that matter rem in until the termination of the coroner's
inquest and the verdict of the jury was known. It appeared
that a letter had been found, and which was sworn to be in
the handwriting of Rayner, the manager of the magazine,
which complained that the barrels containing gunpowder
were not properly mado. If it should turn out as a result of
the full investigation, which would doubtless be made, that
any culpable neglect existed Gn the part of the proprietors
of the works that would put a different aspect upon the

matter.
Mr. BUTLER thought it would be advisable to see Mr
Hall, who might render assistance voluntarily, but it would
be unwise to raise the question of responsibility with that
gentleman at present.
In reply to Mr liartridge, it was stated that the repairs
of the church would amount to upwards of LliO.
Alter some discussion it was resolved that the vicar and
churchwardens be requested to confer with Mr Hall on the
subject.
A conversation then took place with reference to the
necessary discontinuance of divine service at the parish

church.
The Rev. CHAIRMAN observed that a great difficulty
existed in obtaining a proper place for public worship ; but
he would arrange that the schoolroom should be fitted up,
so that at least one service should be held on the Sabbath.l
The vestry then adjourned,