The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-29 00:00:00

•
rnE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENINGS JUNE 29, 1P65.

The Lords of the Admiralty in Liverpool.

4----

The half-yearly distribution of prizes to thelkupils
of the school frigate Conway, lying in the Mersey,
took place yesterday; the Mayor of Liverpool (Mr.
E. Laurence), presided, and among those present
were Admiral the Hon. Sir F. W. Grey, K.C.8.,
Admiral Eden, the members of the Conway Com-
mittee of Management, gr. John Laird, M.P., Mr.
J. C. Ewart, M.P., and other gentlemen. The pupils
in their neat uniform stood to the right of the chair-
man, and the remainder of the deck was occupied
by a large assembly of the boys.
The MAYOR said that as that was a Queen's ship,
and as that was the anniversary of her Majesty's
coronation, he did not think they could open their
proceedings better than by commencing with three
cheers for the Queen.
The cheers having been given with enthusiasm,
The CHAIRMAN spoke of the great advantages
which such an institution possessed in training
youths for the sea service, and some of them for
that profession which we in this country were accus-
tomed to regard with so much honour. It was, per-
haps, difficult for any but those who had had expe-
rience in the matter to know the advantage of having
educated men on board a ship. It was quite true
that a man who had really no education might learn
to understand his profession thoroughly ; but the
absence of that culture which stored a man with
useful information, which developed the reasoning
faculties, and enabled a man to apply to present
emergencies the information which not only he him-
self, but others had acquired, was lamentably and
painfully felt, especially in our mercantile marine.
This had been the case in days gone by, but he
was happy that the advantages of an institution
like this were gradually putting an end to it. But,
in addition to this, it was not perhaps generally
known that the general education which was given
on board this ship was such as would fit a boy in
after life for any ordinary sphere he might be called
upon to occupy. He was glad to see that the insti-
tution had been recognised in high official quarters.
They had had the special pleasure and honour of
the visits of the Lords of the Admiralty on these
occasions of late, and knowing that they had had
under their own notice practical proof of the good
work on board this vessel, he thought they might
fairly come to the conclusion that a permanent pre-
cedent had been established. (Cheers.) One more
subject he would refer to which was more than all a
subject for congratulation, and that was the patron-
age which her most gracious Majesty the Queen had
been most pleased to accord to them. He thought
they would all be gratified at the honour which she
had conferred upon Liverpool and upon those en-
gaged in the management of this institution by pro-
mising to give annually two prizes to successful
candidates. (Cheers.)
The Secretary (Mr. Clarke Aspinall) read letters
of apology for non-attendance from Admirals Ro-
binson and Kingcome, the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, Mr. Horsfall, M.P., Mr, Charles Turner,
M.P., Mr. W. Jackson, M.P., and other gentlemen.
He also read highly favourable reports from Messrs.
Norman M'Leod, F.R.S., and H. W. Jeans,
F.R.A.S., on their examination of the pupils. The
latter gentleman stated that he had given to the boys
he examined in nautical astronomy and navigation
many of the same questions asked of candidates for
sub-lieutenants and he had found them able to
answer these questions readily. (Cheers.) Both
examiners complimented Captain Moull and the
other officers upon the proficiency of their pupils.
The Secretary next read a lengthy letter from
Colonel Sir Charles Phipps, dated the 27th inst.,
addressed to Mr. Beazley, the chairman of the com-
mittee of management, stating that he had received
the letter informing him that the Queen's medal had
been awarded by vote to Mr. Oswald Hillkirk, and
that Mr. Henry Sandford had been selected to re-
ceive the binocular glass and £35 towards the ex-
penses of his outfit as a naval cadet. He had had
the honour to submit these announcements to her
Majesty the Queen, and her Majesty had com-
manded him to inform the committee of her sanction
to the selection thus made. The Queen had heard
with great satisfaction that the manner in which the
votes were given by the pupils had proved that they
were not unworthy of the trust reposed in them by
her Majesty, and her Majesty hoped that the pupils
who had been thus distinguished might through life
remember the success which had accompanied their
commendable efforts to distinguish themselves, and
that a continued course of good conduct might
secure to them happiness and distinction in the
honourable profession which they had chosen.
Admiral GREY then made a few remarks prior to
distributing the prizes. He reminded the boys of
the excellent advice given to them last year by the
Duke of Somerset. He told those who had gained
prizes that they would be worth nothing unless their
holders continued to exert themselves hereafter.
Those who had not gained prizes he t old not to be
disheartened, but still to work manfully, remember-
ing that many would rise to the highest positions
who had begun with every disadvantage ; and,
finally, he reminded them all that they were English
gentlemen, and, whatever position they were placed
in, they should never lose sight of that. He would
only add to this excellent advice that, as the life of
a sailor was one of more than ordinary temptation,
which no human power might be able to resist, they
should remember that they were always under the
eye of the all-seeing God, and that He would give
them strength to resist. The distribution of prizes
was then proceeded with.
Her Majesty's Gold Medal—Prize pupil, Oswald
Hillkirk, " Her Majesty's wish in the establishment
of this prize is to encourage the boys to acquire and
maintain the qualities which will make the finest
sailor. These consist of cheerful submission to supe-
riors, self-respect and independence of character,
kindness and protection to the weak, readiness to
forgive offence, desire to conciliate the differences of
others, and, above all, fearless devotion to duty and
unflinching truthfulness." The mode of selecting
the prize pupil consists not only in the testimony of
the commander and head-masters as to hispossession
of the necessary qualifications, but also has the in-
dorsement of the boys themselves, the regulation ap-
proved by her Majesty requiring that the names of
not less than three nor more than five boys shall be
submitted to the other pupils, and the successful
candidate be chosen entirely by themselves.
His Grace the Duke of Somerset's Nomination to
a Naval Cadetship—Prize pupil, Henry Sandford.
Her Majesty's Second Prize, consisting of a
binocular glass and £35, is also presented to Henry
Sandford, subject to his passing his examinatio a at
Portsmouth, the desire of her Majesty being to faci-
litate the entry into the royal navy of the boy who
is fortunate enough in honourable competition, to
obtain this cadetship.
Gold Medal of the Mercantile Marine Service
Association—For the greatest general proficiency in
all branches of training and education, John H.
Warren.
The Mayor's (Mr. Edward Lawrence) Prize—For
proficiency in practical seamanship, Henry Fowler
—prize, brass quadrant.
The Brocklebank Prize (presented by Mr. Ralph
Brocklebank), for Proficiency in Nautical Astro-
nomy—Jocelyn F. Ruthven—prize, brass quadrant.
in the use of Nautical Instruments, &c.—John H.
Warren, prize, sextant.
Capt. Paynter's Prize, for Proficiency in Gunnery
—Robert Wylie--prize, Sir Howard Douglas's
" Naval Gunnery."
The first-class medal of the Liverpool Humane
Society awarded to Richard Darling, pupil of the
Conway, for jumping overboard to the rescue of a
fellow pupil, John Whishaw. Richard Darling also
obtains the first swimming prize and the ordinary
class prizes.
Admiral GREY addressed a few encouraging re-
marks to each recipient, and particularly compli-
mented Darling upon the fine qualities he had
shown in the rescue of his fellow pupil.
Brief addresses were then delivered by Mr. Beaz-
ley, Capt. Sproule, Mr. Laird, M.P., Mr. Ewart,
M.P., Admiral Eden, Mr. Brocklebank, Mr. Rankin,
Mr. E. Moss, and Mr. F. A. Clint.
Mr. BEAZLEY stated that there were now 125
pupils on board the Conway, and that since its for-
mation 312 boys had gone into the naval and mer-
cantile services. Twenty-three boys had obtained
cadetships, and not one sent up had been rejected.

The committee had never received a complaint about
any boy who had left the Conway.
In acknowledging a vote of thanks to him, Admi-
ral GREY said that it had given him the greatest
pleasure to be present on that occasion. He had
heard from Capt. Powell, of the Britannia, an ex-
cellent account of the four pupils who had gone
there from the Conway. He had been oveethe ship
and seen the arrangements, and was much pleased
with all. Education of their officers as well as of
their men was one of the great wants of the day ;
and he would mention, for the information of the
committee, that a knowledge of the French language
was now regarded as an essential in the education of
a British naval officer.

Admiral EDEN promised a first-class cadetship for
competition in the ensuing year ; and Mr. Rankin
placed at the disposal of the committee a sum of
£lOO for prospective prizes.
The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks
to the donors of prizes and the chairman.

After leaving the Conway, the Admirals, accom-
panied by the Mayor, Capt. Paynter (her Majesty's
ship Donegal), and other gentlemen, visited the
Akbar and the Clarence reformatory ships, the boys
of which manned ygrds. On the Akbar there are
about 170 boys, all Protestants, and on the Clarence
about 150 boys, all Roman Catholics. The admirals
went all over the ships, the boys were paraded, and
Admiral Grey briefly addressed them. The party

then proceeded on board the Donegal, where they
were entertained by Capt. Paynter. After this they
visited Messrs. Laird Brothers' shipbuilding yard,
and inspected the progress of the Agincourt, and
then returned to Liverpool and dined with the Mayor
in the evening.

MARKETS—This Day.

METROPOLITAN CATTLE.

There was a full average supply of beasts On sale in our
markets to-day, yet all breeds moved off steadily at quite
Monday's currency. Tho top figure was ss. per 81bs. Sheep
—the show of which was good—were in improved request,
at full prices. The best Downs and half-breds sold at 55 10d
per 81b. We have to report a steady inquiry for lambs, at
late rates, viz., from Gs. to 7s. 4d. per Gibs. The demand
for calves was in a sluggish state. Prices, however, were
supported. In pigs and mulch cows very little was doing.

bliocking Tragedy at Old Ford, near Bow-

ATROCIOUS ATTEMPT AT MURDER AND
SUICIDE THROUGH JEALOUSY.
Last night, shortly after 10 o'clock, the inhabitants of the,
generally quiet district of Bow and Old Ford were thrown
into a state of much excitement by a very desperate

attempt to murder, and the suicide of the assassin; in the

public road. . . .
. The facts, as gathered on the spot and of those who
know the parties, are as: follows f.nv minnfes before
10 o'clock the passers-by in the Tredegar-road, leading
from the Old Ford station of the Great Eastern Railway to
the Fairfield-road, bad their attention drawn to some ex-
cited conversation which was taking plaCe between a well-
dressed man,-now:usccrtained to be Thomas Robinson, a
rigger, about 38 years of age, said to be living near the
ComMercial-road, "and a man and woman who were walk-
ing together along the road as if froM the railway station.
Robinson was heard to claim the female, who wore a hat

and seemed well dressed, as his wife, and asked her to
return to'him and his two children at their home. The

woman replied that she would not live with him auy
more, that he had threatened to murder her, and
and that she did not feel herself safe in his company, adding

that he should not have the children now. He continued

to urge upon the woman to go home with him, and then
addressed the man with whom she was with, saying that

he knew where they were living—that he (the paramour)
had taken two rooms in the neighbourhood, one of which
was occupied by his mother, and the other by themselves,

and then asked him to give up his wife. The paramour re-
plied that he (Robinson) could have his wife if he liked,

but the woman still refused to go with him. This conver-
sation
was going on while they were proceeding along' the
road towards St. Stephen's Church, and their words be-
came more and more angry.. On reaching a part of the
road, the side of which is rendered somewhat dark by
some lofty trees, the woman called out that her husband
(Robinson) had a pistol in his hand, and her companion
instantly closed in with him, with a view of getting the
weapon away from him. A man named Covin, who was
passing at the time, assisted, and the pistol, which was
found to be loaded, after some struggling was taken from
him. This only served to excite the unfortunate creature
more, and he again asked his wife, as she has since been
ascertained to be, to return to his home. She as posi-

tively refused, and Robinson then put his hand into his
coat-pocket and, pulling out a second pistol, presented it at
the head of the man who was with his wife and fired it.
The report was heard by the few people who were about at
that hour of the night, and two or three persons went to
the aid of the wounded man, who had struggled to the
bank by the road side, blood flowing copiously from his
face. And here happened a most miraculous escape of a
highly respectable young lady, living in the locality, who,
in company with a gentleman, happened to be passing
along the road at the moment. Hearing the report, the
gentleman left his charge to assist the wounded man, when
Robinson, who looked the very picture of horror, his eyes
staring out of his head, caught the young lady by the upper
part of her mantle or shawl, and most providentially looked
her in the face before he committed the deed which it would
seem to have been his intention to effect. Something was
seen in his hand which at first was thought to be a pistol,
but which, no doubt, was the open razor with which he
despatched his own life a few minutes afterwards. A mo-
mentary glance at the features of the young lady told the

unhappy wretch that he had made a mistake. His wife
had fled, and he had enough reason left him to know his
error. He suddenly loosened his hold of the young
lady, and darted some 50 yards or so along the road. When
ho halted in the middle of the roadway, and standing up,
inflicted a frightful gash in his throat with the razor which
he hold in his hand, completely dividing the whole of the

main arteries. The wretched creature made an effort to
crawl to a wall by the side of the road, and ho had just
succeeded when the unhappy man expired. Mr. Cornelius
Garman, the divisional surgeon of Fairfield-road, Bow,
was soon in attendance, but the wound that Robinson had
inflicted upon himself completely defied all surgical skill.
Attention was then directed to the man who was shot, and
on being removed to a neighbouring surgery it was found
that the contents of the pistol had penetrated his right eye,
and that side of the face was much scorched and bleeding.
Mr. Inspector Kerressey, of the Bow division of the K
police, was promptly on the spot, and did everything that
was necessary for the care of the wounded man, who was
at once removed to the London Hospital, where he now re-
mains in a sad way, and at' present it is difficult to state
what may be the result of his injury.
The name of the wounded man was ascertained to be
Charles Lewis, a Thames waterman, living at No. 7, Alpha-
place, Old Ford, North Bow, and it was stated that the
wife of the man Robinson had been cohabiting with him for
the last two years or so, and that there have been issue. On
the police instituting inquiries, it appeared petty clear that
the deceased man, providing himself with two loaded pistos
and a razor, co ntemplated the murder of his wife and
Lewis, and taking his own life. It seemed that in the
course of yesterday afternoon he called at the house in
Alpha-place, and asked to see his wife. He was told that
she was not in the way, although it was considered that
she was in the afternoon, for later in the afternoon she and
Lewis went out and took the North Woolwich train at
the new Old Ford Station in Coburn-road, of the Great
Eastern railway, and proceeded to the barge house at North
Woolwich whore they delayed until dusk. And it would
appear thatßobinson had obtained some knowledge of their
having gone down the line from the Old Ford station, as
he was seen in the evening walking about the road
near the station evidently waiting for their return. Lewis
and her companions arrived at the Old Ford station a few
minutes before 10 o'clock, and, on reaching the road, en-
countered Robinson. The wife states that her husband
had asked her to return home with him, but she was afraid
to do so in consequence of his violent behaviour to her.
The body of the deceased man, whose appearance pre-
sented quite a sickening scene, was removed from out of
the roadway on a stretcher by the police from Bow station,
and placed in the dead-house of the district ; and Mr.
Philpot, the coroner's officer, has forwarded the necessary
information to Mr. Humphreys, the coroner, preparatory
,o an inquest being held.