The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-11 00:00:00

FIRE AT ALDERSHOTT CAMP.

CAMP, ALDERSHOTT, Dec. 10.—A few minutes after
9 o'clock last evening a fire broke out in the officers'
quarters of the Antrim Rifles, being letter H in the south
camp. It first occurred in the hut occupied by the lieu
tenant-colonel, and originated by overheating the stove.
The alarm was immediately given by the sentinel close
by, but so rapidly did the flames extend that the officer
occupying the next room succeeded in saving but a small
portion of his property. A large number of men, many
of them but half dressed, were speedily collected, but, no
officer with authority having appeared, they were unable
to render the least assistance. Blankets were, however,
placed on the top of the next block of huts, and the sol-
diers, anxious to be of use, began to destroy such por-
tions of the building as were still accongible. No water
could be procured. Within 30 yards were some wells,
but there being neither ropes nor pumps great difficulty
was experienced in obtaining it, and the quantity was
too small to be of practical use. In a few minutes the
whole block was a mass of flames, and neither fire-engine
nor iron screens for isolating the block had yet arrived.
The greatest confusion existed, and it soon became evi-
dent that it would be impossible to preserve the next
block of huts ; indeed, the tar and pitch with which all
the huts are covered soon became ignited, and the flames
then spread with great rapidity. The engines now ar-
rived, but were of little use as the supply of water was
so extremely limited. Men were marched to the pumps
in great numbers, and only added to the confusion; while
the screens were delayed for a long time on the road for
want of help, and when they arrived one at leapt was
found to be broken and of no use. The men behaved with
great zeal and activity; several officers also did their bist,
but the want of organisation was most gross, and is the
subject of universal reprobation. For half art hour at
least no effort whatever was made to check the fire ; on
the contrary, the fact of pulling down the doors and win-
dows increased its violence by admitting air to every
part. As it was a calm night, one block of huts might
have been saved had the most ordinary means been
available, but without water, engines, screens, and autho-
rity this was quite impossible.
The stoves used in the camp, although in many re-
spects well adapted for their purpose, are not safe. They
are placed in the corner of each hut, about half a yard
or so from the highly resinous wood of which the walls
are constructed. It is impossible to prevent them getting
red hot occasionally, and the camp is thus in perpetual
danger. The stoves are also placed in iron trays, much
too small, and quite useless for saving heated coals from
falling on the boarded floor. There is scarcely a hut
whore the floor is not burnt more or less from this cause,
which would be easily obviated by a few bricks. The
chimney also is very small and soon gets foul. It would
be very desirable that an order should be issued for the
flues to be cleaned once a week. ; but, above all, there
should be issued some definitive instructions for the
guidance of officers and men
in case of fire occurring in
their quarters. The engines and iron screens provided
by the Government are of the best kind, but they ought
to be in perfect order and readiness, and a sufficient body
of men should be in constant attendance to move them
at once to the point required. The supply of water is
now good and tolerably abundant, yet it continually hap-
pens that it has to be brought a considerable distance,
and but few know with certainty where it can be ob-
tained. Unless more perfect measures be adopted for
checking fire upon its first appearance, it. is not impro-
bable that a large portion of the camp will be sacrificed
should a fire occur when the wild is high.

[ADVERTISEMENT].
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SOW.

Eastern Counties Railway, Secretary's Office,
Bishopsgate Station, London, Dec. 10.
SIR, —I am directed to state for the information of the
public that the executive officers of this company con-
tinue to carry on the working management of the rail-
way with the same efficiency as heretofore, and that the
board being still legally constituted, some of its members
attend daily for the direction of the company's affairs.
The arrangements for the safe and regular conveyance
of passengers and goods remain unchanged.—l am, sir,
your obedient servant,
J. B. OWEN, Secretary,

GUN ACCIDENT.—A sad accident has just occurred on
the grounds of Gloddaeth, the Hon. T. E. M. Lloyd
Mostyn, M.P. The lion. member and a party of friends
were out shooting, when the keeper, Mr. T. Davies, of
Pentre Issa, was unfortunately shot by Mr. Mostyn as
he was in the act of stooping. The shots chiefly lodged
in his arms and thighs. Although suffering severely, it is
hoped that he is going on well. Only about a fortnight
ago Mr. Mostyn was himself shot in the woods of Glod-
dea;;h, and wounded slightly, as were one or two gentle-
men with him, when in pa:,uit of a gang of poachers,
to the number of 20, who made their e,cape after bagging
a large number of pheasants, and firing repeatedly upon
the party in pursuit.
DEATH OF SIR GEORGE BALLINGALL, M.D.--The
death of Sir G. Ballingall, M.D., professor of military
surgery in Edinburh University, took place on Tuesday
evening last, at his ciuhtry residence, Altamont, near
Blairgowrie. He had filled the chair of Military Surgery
in the University for 32 years, his appointment dating
from 1823 ; and, besides discharging the duties of that
office, his able services were long given to the Royal In-
firmary as consulting surgeon. The deceased professor
also held the dignity of surgeon to the Queen and to the
Duchess of Kent. He was a Fellow of the Royal Col-
lege of Surgeons, Edinburgh; a Fellow of the Royal So-
ciety; Hon. Member of the Royal College of Surgeons,
Ireland ; and a member of the medical societies of Paris,
Vienna, St. Petersburg, and Berlin. Sir George began
his career in the army, and was for some years surgeon
to the 33d Foot. The profession is indebted to him for
several valuable contributions to medical literature, the
chief of which are :—" Observations on the Diseases of
the European Troops in India ;" " Observations on the
Site and Construction of Military Hospitals;" and "Out-
lines of Military Surgery." Owing to advancing years
Sir George had, for some time past, contemplated retir-
ing from the active duties of his professorship.