The Sun.
London, England, 1862-08-22 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY B v.B `461T1, A.Ol-13ST 21, 1862.

BRITISH POSSESSIONS.

Closing
Share Railways Paid. Price. Business done
100 At! an
Bt i ca
rtto
dSattL.
ca,
ewnrteinnctd- all 5B 62
f 80i,n.,
( Gu. 5 per cent.. . .... : 100 101 102 1015
204 Buffalo and Laae Huron 5* 54,1
I I:011:0: c B uppf fooa. 1 oPN, Preference
nr .et.dz.c eG
o. . .d. r i"c.h. 141 all
7-88 • 8284
( 6 p. ct. bds. Aug. 1, 1872
100 Do. do. July 1, 1873 100 76 79
100 Do. do. June 1, 1879 100 76 79
st Clcutta.&S,Eastii. (Lir, ) 100 101 103
st Cape Town &Dock Seri] 100 1074 1083 1081
174 Demerara.. all
Stock Eastn. Bengal gu. 6p. c 100 1035 1043
stock East Indian, gu. sp. c. 100 1044 105 105
20 Do. do. G Ext..... 2 I ip
20 Do. do. H do. .. 2 * 41)
stock Grand Trunk of Canada 100 203 213
100 Do. 6 per cent. Pref.. all 64 68
100 Do. 2cl Pref. 6 per ct.. all 54 56
100 Do. 6 per ct. Debentr. all 30 32
100 Do. 7 per cent. 1862 .. all 10 43
100 Do. do. 1867., all 30 32
100 Do. do. 1872.. all 30 32
tock Gt.lndiaPenin.gua.sp.c 100 102 103 1024 2
20 Do. New gua. sp. c... 12 5 4 p 125
20 Do. January, , 862 .. 2 I 4p
tock Gt. South.of India(Lim
guaranteed 5 per cent. 100 1014 1024
203 Gt. W. oI Canada Shares all 12} 124 125 2
20 Do. New .. . ... .. . . lB 84 8
100 Do. 6 p.c. '73 with't opt. all 98 100
100 Do. 54 p. c. do. '77 c 0... all 89 91
100 Do. 1878
10 Indian Branch Limited 1 I dis par
'ock Madras guar., sp. c.
:ock Do. 45 p. c. Extension 100 95 96 '
,ock Do. 44 do..
,ock Melb.Corp. 6p. o. Bnds. 100
20 Newßrunswick a Cands
Ry. dzLand(Lim.)g.6pf
all 5 7
Class A Capital Shar
... Do. do. Land do.. ..... .
20 Do. do. B Capital do all 4 e
.. Do. do. Land do.
N.Rl.C'da6 pc Ist pi bds 100 85 48
took Scinde ..... A 4 100 1024 1035 20 Do. Punjaub .... i,l ,z 15 pr 4 P
tO Do. Do. _.. .. `c; e all 1003 1014 1005
{
ock Do.lndus.St. Flo.. LI . 100 ; 98 100 i

17i
stock
stock

stock
100
100
100
100
100
100
stock

stock
20
20e
100
100
100

stock
stock
stock
stock

stock

stock

LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN
RAIL WAY.

HALF-YEARLY MEETING THIS DAY.
The ordinary half-yearly meeting of the proprietors was
held this day, at the Euston station. R. Moon, Esq.,
chairman of the company, presided.
The report, which has already appeared in The Sun,
having been taken as read,
The CHAIRMAN, in moving its adoption, said the direc-
tors were not content with the amount of the dividend, yet,
taking all the circumstances into consideration, they felt
satisfied, and he hoped that would be the feeling of the
shareholders, looking to the great depression that
existed in the trade of the country generally. Of
course the distress prevailing in Lancashire considerably
affected their receipts, but there had been one circumstance
in our favour, and that was the traffic brought upon the
line by the Great Exhibition. The falling off of in the
Hull and Grimsby district had amounted to nearly one-
third, while the loss from the decrease of trade of Man-
chester, Liverpool, and Stockport amounted to about
£20,000. The directors, of course, could not count upon a
continuance of the traffic occasioned by the Great Exhibi-
tion, yet the directors thought it was on the whole improved,
and they confidently felt that they had turned the corner of
the depressed state of affairs and that an improvement would
not be too much to look for. (Hear, hear.) One very
favourable circumstance, however, that he could fairly
congratulate the proprietors on was, that notwithstanding
a very large increase of mileage the expenses had, by the
greatest exertions of all the officers of the company, been
considerably reduced. (Hear.) As to the condition of:the
works and plant he had to say, that everything was in the
best possible condition, and he did not believe any other
company was in so perfect and complete a condition
as they were. The increase in the repairs ac-
count, which, he had no doubt, would have struck
many, had been occasioned by the frost of last year. At
that period they had a peculiar kind of wheel in use on their
line, but it was found that the weather so influenced them
that it was felt necessary to replace them by others of a
much better description, and thus the expense was increased.
The chairman then referred to the bills which had been
submitted to Parliament, and said that although the cost to
the company had been large, yet it was very considerably
below that of other companies. Referring to the accounts,
the net proceeds for the half-year, including the balance
from last account, amounted to £485,067 12s. 4d., as against
1491,613 12s. 2d. The insurance fund, it might be inte-
resting to the proprietors to know, was satisfactory, as they
had set aside £30,000 more than they had taken from it.
Having referred to the other topics mentioned in the report,
the chairman concluded by moving its adoption, which
recommended the payment of a dividend at the rate of 831
per cent. for the half year.
Mr. WESTHEAD, M.P., seconded the motion.
Mr. MITCHELL did not think the affairs of the company
were as satisfactory as could be wished. He felt that they
were not exempt from the causes that had led to the present
state of affairs of the Great Western, viz., amalgamation
guarantees and Parliamentary contests. He, for one,
thought the dividend was not very favourable, because they
had had to take something out of the reserve fund, and the
only thing upon which he could congratulate them upon
on the present occasion was that they had not to take as

much out of the till this hrlf•year as they did thela;thaff:

year. He felt gratified that the Parliamentary expenses had
not been more than £27,000; other companies had not been so
fortunate. (Hear.) He found the directors were committed to
no less than 22 schemes, and taking the cost at a very
moderate calculation, it would involve an outlay of three-
quarters ; or, to be more correct, a million sterling.
Mr. GOETZ said the chairman had given
great proof of
the interest he took in the line, and he did not think the
position of the company was to be attributed to the present
board.

Mr. WILLIAMS wished to know what the board intended
to do with the million and a half of money which appeared
in the accounts, and which was not capitalised.
Mr. MORGAN thought the accounts were not made out as
clearly as might be. He did not say the object of the board
was to make the working expenses appear less than they
were, but such was the result, which was produced by the
way in which certain items were entered. It was to be re-
gretted that a diminution of confidence had taken place as
regarded the stock of the North- Western, and he always
found that whatever the circumstances of the line there was
always an excuse for small dividends. Sometimes it was
rain, frost, and snow altogether, but this half year it was
frost alone ; but the real circumstance he considered was
the injudicious competition that was going on with other
companies. (Hear, hear.) The directors of this company,
instead of addressing themselves to the proper management
of their line, wasted their time in a perpetual game of
chess. Doubtless they'did the best for the company in the
old jog trot style, but he thought that if more energy was
evinced by the directors their affairs would be in a much
better condition.

Mr. TAYLOR wished to know if there was any intention
of extending their system into Gloucestershire ; no good
could come of such a proceeding.

The CHAIRMAN said the question of Mr. Taylor, as he
was a shareholder in both companies, ought to have been
put to the chairman of the Great Western--(hear, hear)—
as the directors of the North Western have nothing to do
with that part of the country, and have had nothing to do
with the parties mixed up with that line. The explanation
about the million and a half referred to by Mr. Williams
had mentioned was merely a typographical error.
The matter had been satisfactorily explained
to Lord Redeadale, as they might be sure he
was not the person to pass over such a mat ter with-
out being perfectly convinced. The chairman then read a
•statement of the dividends on the North Western Railway
for the last 20 years, from which it appeared the average
dividend paid amounted to 41 18a. 10d.—(hear, hear)—
which, he considered, was a satisfactory proof that there
was no need of dispairing about the value of their property.
(Hear, hear.) The directors had most anxiously endea-
voured to live on terms of amity and peace with their neigh
hours ; they had offered the Great Western and North
Midland every inducement, but it was not the fault of the
North Western that the present state of things, existed,
as the directors of the North Western had put it as strongly
as they could before the other companies, that if their
interests were united, a better income would be most un-
doubtedly made by all parties.
After some further discussion, the report was adopted.

CALAMITOUSTHE FIRE IN CUMBE.
LAND-STREET.

ADJOURNED INQUEST ON THE SUFFERERS.
Alton o'clock this (Friday) morning, Dr. Lankaster, the
coroner for the central division of the county of Middlesex,
resulted the painful inquiry respecting the deaths of
Samtel Uriah Barrett, aged 50, Julia Victoria Barrett,
agedl4, and Helena Blanche Barrett, aged 12 years, who
unfortunately lost their lives through the outbreak of a fire
in tisir father's mansion, No. 9, Great Cumberland-street,
nearthe Marble Arch, Hyde-park, on the morning of Fri-
day week, the particulars of which appeared in this journal.
Theinquiry on this occasion appeared to create greater in-
terett than at the opening, and large as the court room was
it was crowded to inconvenience, but the learned
cornier had made ample accommodation for the
reprsentatives of the press and other officials engaged.
Am'ngst those who attended to watch the
proceedings were Captain Shaw, the Superintendent of the
Fin Brigade; Mr. Staples, the chief officer of the C die-
trici; Mr. C. White, Of the County Fire Office ; Mr.
Ha; es, of the Mercantile Fire Office ; Mr. Low and Mr.
Ins)ector Spencer, of the Royal Society for the Protection
of life from Fire ; the Rev. Brownlow Maitland ; Mr.
Grenwell, vestry-clerk, and several vestrymen and other
infltential members of the parish.
will be remembered that on the former occasion the
inqiiry was only opened pro forma in order that the bodies
miglt be viewed by the jurors and identified by the rela-
tives, so that the coroner could give an order for their in-
terment. the funerals of the unfortunate sufferers conse-
qumtly took place on Tuesday last, and scarcely a window
in the neighbourhood could be seen without having the
blinds closely drawn. One universal feeling of regret ap-
peered to pervade every inhabitant that such a melancholy
catastrophe should have occurred.
The jurors having answered to their names it was
elicited that they had with the coroner visited the ruins
fcr the purpose, if possible, of gaining from personal ob-
servation, as well as the scientific evidence to be adduced,
in what part of the mansion the fire commenced.
From the survey made it seems that the fire must have
commenced in either the back or front kitchen—the former
the most probable—and then have rushed up the massive
stone staircase, to the backrooms in the building as well as
to several in the front.
The jury grounded their opinion from the fact of the
stone staircase having fallen—the steps having been splin-
tered into a hundred pieces.
This may, however, be accounted for from the fact
that stone, like cast iron, when exposed to an
intense heat and the sudden application of cold
water upon the heated bodies, will, as a natural con-
sequence, make the material fly in every direction. Owing
to the many letters that have appeared in the public jour-
nets, respecting what was alleged to have been the inade-
quate power of the engines, including Shand and Mason's
steam land engine, it will be seen from the subjoined evi-
dence that such machines worked most admirably with the
exception of a length of hose attached from the parish en-
gine to the steamer, which burst, but another length was
replaced in 1 min. 5 sec. This caused the drawing-rooms
to be, to a certain extent, saved, although the heat was so
intense as to blister valuable pictures, demolish great
looking glasses, and even melt the bell-pulls, and the
wires of musical instruments. The rooms on the top
of the front house as well as those at the back part are en-
tirely destroyed and all that they contained. It will be
also seen from the evidence, notwithstanding what has been
written by persons unacquainted with the practical work-
ing of fire-engines, that, had it not been for the service
rendered by them, every part of the mansion must have
been consumed, and in all probability those on either side.
The learned coroner having made a few prefatory re-
mark's as to why the inquiry was adjourned, he called upon
the summoning officer to let him have the list of the wit-
nesses he had.
The first person examined was—
William Cornwell Brown said that he was called to the
fire on the morning in question, and he attended with his
engines and firemen. He got his engine to work, and after
ten minutes the door was broken open, when Langdege,
another fireman, discovered the bodies of Mr. Barrett and
his two daughters. They were all dead. They were re-
moved. In the ruins, after the fire was extinguished, he
found some cans which contained a liquid (a sample of
which he produced. LThe Rev. Mr. Maitland said that
the liquid produced appeared to be nothing more than dirty
water.] Witness found some lamps.
By a juror—The fire must have commenced in the pan-
try, but from what cause he could not tell.
By the Coroner—The object in forcing the door was to
get to the seat of the fire.
Mr. Bridge, parish engine-keeper of Marylebone, said
that he got through the panel of the door after it was forced,
when Summers came out, and be lifted Mr. Barrett, who
was lying on the ground, in order to allow the door to be
opened. The door was eventually forced by a pole. As
soon as the door was forced, he got into the passage
through the panel. and they saw Mr. Barrett lying on the
floor.
Alfred Moore, police-constable, 59 D, said that he was
on duty in Cumberland-street on Friday morning, and
about :20 minutes past 12 o'clock be saw a light in the
kitchen of 9, Cumberland-street, and upon examining it
he saw flames. His attention had not been called to it by
any other person. He sprang his rattle, rang the bell, and
shouted " Fire." A gentleman came and opened the door.
Witness said to him, " Your house is on fire." He said
"Oh my family," and he then closed the door. Witness
made a rush at the door not to make it fast, but it kept
closed. He did not hear him bolt the door, but he heard
the lock turned.
By the Coroner—He kicked the panel of the door and
went to the foot of the steps, and sent two men after the
Royal Society's fire escapes, another for the turnock, and
others for the engines. About a minute elapsed from the
time he rang the bell till Mr. Barrett appeared. The
escape arrived in two minutes afteri being sent for. He
sent for the escape before Mr. Barrett made his appearance.
By a Juror—He heard Mr. Barrett unbolt the door be-
fore he opened it. There was no knocker on the door.
Neither blinds or shutters were closed.
By Mr. S. LOW—Not two minutes elapsed after he dis-
covered the fire before he sent for the escape. He passed
the house 20 minutes before, but did not notice anything
particular.
By another Juror—He did not notice that any of the win-
dows were broken, leading to the inference that any com-
bustible had been thrown in.
Joseph Roberts, 52, Seymour-street, said that on the
morning of Friday week he was going to bed when he heard
a female scream violently. He ran to the spot and assisted
the escape conductor. He saw Hutchins, the conductor,
raise his upper ladders and bring down a child from one of
the upper windows and two or three females—the exact
number he could not remember. When he ran to the house
he saw a female standing on the steps screaming. He
should imagine that she did not belong to the house, as she
was fully dressed. He saw a tall gentleman open the door.
He had his dressing-gown on. He said to him, "close the
door, your house is on fire." He then closed the door, and
he did not see him again alive.
Mr. Lewis Calise, insurance agent, said that he was the
first person to arrive at the fire, when he saw flames in the
basement. He rang both bells and kicked at the door, as
there was no knocker on the door. Having confirmed the
previous witness's evidence, he spoke in high terms of the
conduct of the fire-escape conductors, and also of the
firemen.

Conductors Elsden and Hutchins gave most thrilling ac-
counts of the peril every one in the house was exposed to.
The latter saved six, and the first one eight. It was impos-
sible for any one to get the child in the top floor. He was
unable to tell in which room the child was found. He
tried to get through the trap door, but the flames were then
issuing through the aperture. It took him from two to
three minutes in rescuing the other persons.
Mr. Robert Rathbone said that he lived at No. 9, Cum-
berland-street, and was the butler. He was in bed when
th' alarm was given. He came out of his room on the
fourth story, and met the nurse, who said the house was on
fire, oh, save the child. He got as far as the third floor, but
the smoke was so dense and hot that he was obliged to
close his eyes and feel his way up stairs. Prayers were said
at 19 o'clock, and he retired to bed at half-past. He turned
the gas off in the pantry, and went into the housekeeper's
room, There was no grate in the pantry, but there was one
in the housekeerper's room and another in the kitchen, in
which was a very small fire. There was a lamp burning
in the drawing-room whilst the family were at prayers. He
did not know what sort of oil or spirit was burned in the
lamp. The deceased always trimmed the lamp himself. The
gas was kept on full at the main.
Sarah Horne said that she slept in'one of the upper floors
and was awoke by the nursemaid calling "Fire." She got
up and found the nursemaid with a child in her arms.
Witness got out of a door and passed along the leads and
was rescued from the next house. The night before there
was a strong smell of fire in the kitchen. Mr. Barrett
made a search, but could not find any, and he came to the
conclusion that the smell arose from a chimney on fire in
the Bayswater Road. (By a Juror—lt was the reg-ular
nurse she met with the child, not the monthly one.)
Char]otte Wentertou, upper housemaid, said she went to
bed directly after prayers. She slept in the third floor and
,
' was awoke by the nurse screaming " Fire." She made her
way on 'o the leads and was saved by the escape. She tried
to get back to the other parties, but was unable.
Hannah Bevell, under nurse, said that she slept on the
second door along with Niss Barrett and Evely Rose Bar-
rett. Witness was awoke by a sensation of suffocation.
She went to the window to see where the fire was, and then
aroused the children. She opened the door to give an alarm,
but the smoke was so dense that she was obliged to close
the door again. Mr. Barrett came into the room and asked
whether any one was present, sad witness replied in the
affirmative. Mr. Barrett put his hand upon the head of
Miss Barrett and asked who it was, and she told him. The
escapeman took the child, and passed witness into the can-
vass of the bag. She did not know why Mr. Barrett and
Miss Barrett did not come down the escape.
Elizabeth Mills, head nurse, said that she slept in the
third floor front. The two youngest children but one slept
with her. Sne was awoke by a suffocating sensation. She
opened the door and called fire. She caught one of the children
but she did not know which, She neTer thought of mak-