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, nuw rigged and
ready for commission in basin at Woolwich. It appears
that a numb3r 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
undergone a thorough overhaul and repair, at a cost of
upwards of £lO,OOO,
The .chole of Major 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 drys ago from the Horse Guards, was yesterday received
by Gen. Warde, C. 8., Commandant at Woolwich, from the
Earl de Grey and Ripon, Secretary of State forWar,warmly
thanking the officers and 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 usual permissions for 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 Erith, convened by the
churchwardens, was had 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 lei

The meeting assembled in the first instance in the vestry
room of the parish 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
damages inflicted 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 buildieg 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-
ance with the London Insurance Corporation, and stated
that, in reply to a claim, the company had flatly denied its
liability for any damage caused by the explosion. Several
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-
clined 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 remain 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 made. If it should turn out as a result of
the full investigation, which would doubtless be made, that
any culpable neglect existed on 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 Bartridge, it was stated that the repairs
of the church would amount to upwards of £l5O.
After 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 hid on the Sabbath.i
The vestry then adjourned,