The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-22 00:00:00

CORONER'S INQUEST.-THIS DAY.

The investigation, by the coroner, Mr. St. Clair Bedford,
into the circumstances attending the deaths of Edward
Rowley and John Morrissey commenced this afternoon at
King's College Hospital.
The jury having viewed the bodies, proceeded to examine
the witnesses, amongst whom were—
Michael Neal, labourer, who said—l was working with
eceased when the accident occurred. I met a plumber,
who appeared very much confused. I said to him, "You've
done this," and he said "Yes, I know I've done it." I don't
know the man's name. I went up to the spot when the
ganger (Bashford) asked if any one could give him an ac-
count of hcw it was done, and I told him the plumber had
done it. The plumber was at work at the water pipes. We
had broken the water pipes in opening the ground, and he
was making them good. There was one broken near the
spot when the gas main burst. The plumber had had a red
hot iron in his hand when I saw him. He was about 40
or 50 yards from where the explosion occurred. I have
known plumbers' work done while gas repairs, have been
on before. I don't think there's danger in it, but in this
instance I suppose the bladder that was iu the main got
tapped.

By a Juror—l saw smoke coming out of a hole in the
main the men were laying, and it appeared to me that the
hole that was made in the bladder allowed the gas to escape
up the main.

Edward Lee—l am a plumber, and was engaged by Mr.
Smith, who had a contract with the London Gas Company.
I was engaged to repair the broken water pipes.. I did
not notice any escape of gas prior to the accident. I was
working directly behind where the first explosion took
place. I was using a hot iren soldering a joint. I might
have caused the explosion. There was first a flash as if
from a gun, and the next instant there was a report. I
smelt nothing before the explosion. I looked up at my end
of the pipe to see what damage was done, when I heard the
report at the other end of the pipe. If the hot iron would
cause the explosion then I might have occasioned the acci-
dent, but I can't say decidedly that I did. I know Neal.
I met him after the accident. He said, pcinting to the hot
iron I had in my hand, " That's done it. Down on your
knees and thank God you're safe."

After the examination of the house surgeon of the hos-
pital and the consulting engineer of the Commercial Gas
Company, _

The jUiy, after a short consultation, returned a verdict
of accidental death.

LONDON GAZETTE.—(This Evening).

FOREIGN-OFFICE.
The Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint
Spenser St. John, Esq., now her Majesty's Consul-General
in the Island of. Borneo, to be her Majesty's Charge
d'Affaires and Consul-General to the Republic of Hayti.

WAR-OFFICE, PALL-MALL, APRIL 22.
4th Regiment of Dragoon Guards—Cornet Riddell Morri-
son, from the Ist Dragoons, to be Cornet, vice Joice,
promoted to the 13th Hussars.
3d Hussars—Henry Richard Pim, Gent., to be Cornet, by
purchase, vice Doherty, promoted.
4th Hussars—Charles Harrison Hignett, Gent., to be Cor-
net, by purchase, vice Samuel Charles Newton, ap-
pointed to the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards.
13th Hussars—Richard James Agar Webb, Gent., to be
Cornet, by purchase, vice Philip Williams, who retires.
16th Lancers—Sergeant Thomas Dynon to be Paymaster,
vice Paymaster, with the honorary rank of Major, vice
George Frederick Rosser,. who retires upon half-pay.
2d Francis
tn cmis
Lieutenant,e. Georgetof Fhbo
yao
Charles
Foot—Ensign
purchase,El‘vsii Richard Arthur Corbet to
Grenadier Guards—Captain Arthur Edward Augustus
vice Mello William Jackson,
Ellis, from 33d Foot, to be Lieutenant and Captain, vice
William Hemphill, Gent., to be
Stapleton, who exchanges.
who retires;
Ensign, by purchase, vice Corbet ; Gentleman Cadet
Henry Longfield Ricard, from the Royal Military Col-
lege, to be Ensign, without Hemphill, appointed to 26th
Foot.
sth Foot—Ensign Herbert Silverthorne Williams to be
Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Charles Sutton, who re-
tires; Edward
illiams. Drew, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase,
vl2th Foot—Gentleman Cadet George Lyford Barry
Thomas, from the Royal Military College, to be Ensign
without purchase, vice Gray, promoted in the 4th West
India Regiment.
19th Foot—Captain Richard Sweeny, `.from half-pay Royal
Waggon Train, to be Captain, vice Robert Conclly Mar-
tin, who retires upon half-pay.
25th Foot—Lieutenant Arthur Wellington Alexander Nel-
son Hood to be Captain, by purchase, vine char's, E.