The Sun.
London, England, 1862-06-04 00:00:00

THE SUNI, LONDON, WEDNESONV EVENING, JUNE 4, 1862

Mr. M. Gore proposed the first resolution, to the
effect that the conduct of those who had risked their
own lives in the rescue of others was deserving the
approbation of the meeting. Sir W. Fraser sezencled
the resolution, and in doing so remarked how small
a proportion of the inhabitants on our coasts were
able to swim. He thought that measures should be
taken to force people to learn ; in many cases the
lives of swimmers were imperilled by their at-
tempting to rescue those who were unable to do so.
The resolution was carried. The Chairman regretted
that there were only two persons present to receive
the rewards which had been granted by the society
during the past year; the others, however, would
be forwarded to their respective owners. He then
presented the silver medallions to Mr. H. O'Dono-
van and to Mr. Ramsay, who both returned
thanks. The other cases were W. Williams, Cap-
tain Heneage, Lieutenant Oxford S. Cameron, and
Mr. M'Farlane, of her Majesty's ship Isis. Mr.
T. E. Baker then proposed a vote of thanks
to the chairman, and observed that, although this
was called the Royal Humane Society, it received
no grant from Government, but was supported en-
tirely by voluntary contributions. Sir W. Stirling
seconded the resolution, which was carried, and the
proceedings terminated.

THE EXPLOSION AND LOSS OF LIFE IN
SHOREDITCH,

Yesterday Mr. John Humphreys, the coroner for
Middlesex, resumed, at the London Hospital, the
adjourned inquest respecting the circumstances
attending the death of Hannah Smith, who unfor-
tunately lost her life at the explosion which oc-
curred in Church-street, Shoreditch, on Wednesday
evening last. Some particulars of the occurrence
and a report of the former inquest have already ap-
peared in this journal.
Mr. Sergeant Ballantine, instructed by Mr. Pugh,
appeared for the Commercial Gas Company ; Mr.
Karslake, Q C., for Messrs. Brassey, the contractors
for the sewer ; Mr. Padmore, for the husband of
the deceased ; Mr. Moss, for several of the persons
injured; and Mr. Fry, from the Commissioners of
the Board of Works.

The jury, and also the coroner, in the first ia-
stance, viewed the body, and also the sewer.
The Coroner said that his colleague (Mr. Wakley)
whilst in Madeira was upset out of a boat and took
cold, was seized with coughing, and by the exertion
he ruptured a blood-vessel, and on the 15th became
insensible from haemorrhage, and he died on the
16th. Previously to his becoming insensible he
wrote several letters to his family, and drew up
certain legal documents. Owing to his decease, he
would not be able to go as fully into the case as he
intended, as it was necessary that he should take
two cases that afternoon in the western division of
the county. He should therefore sit only during
the morning, and then adjourn the inquiry until
Monday next.

Geo.W. Wright, a bellows maker, of Church-
street, Bethnal-green, said on Wednesday evening
last my attention was called by a Mrs. Manning to
the pavement, when I saw the pavement sinking,
and in the course of a few minutes the explosion
took place. The kerb and pavement were slanting
towards the cutting, whilst men were employed in
removing the weight from the arch of the pavement.
By the Coroner—He should say that the weight
of the stones piled upon the pavement had caused
it to slant into the cutting. There were banks, and
one or two of them kept up the water-mains. After
the explosion the banks gave way. It would appear
to any reasonable being that the banks gave way
before the explosion, bnt be was not certain. There
was confusion before the explosion by men shifting
the engines. He had apprehended danger before,
owing to the men placing such heavy weights of
stones upon the pavement. He had spoken to one
of the gangers, whose name he thought was Lund,
upon the danger of placing so many stones on the
footpath ; but he only laughed at him, and said it
was not his place to go and ask his neighbours
where he should place the stones. He told him that
his house was a heavy one, and he thought the men
were not using proper precautions to protect it. The
man then said if the house was waxed together it
would fall, but if it was well built it would stand.
John Drown, 22, Mark-street, Paul-street, Fins-
bury, said that he was at work for Mr. Brassey in
the cutting, and noticed the earth giving way at 12
o'clock in the day, in front of the house blown down,
The planks at the side did not go to the bottom of
the cutting. The men were there busy putting
boards up at the side of the cutting at that time.
The ground at the same time was curving. The
timber man and ganger were then busily employed
in the cutting, endeavouring to keep the ground up,
but the weight was too much, and it forced the
ground down. There was a clerk of the works, but
he did not mention to him what he had seen before
the explosion, as it was not his place. He told Mr.
Blunder, as he called him, but his name was Lund,
on Thursday morning, that the earth was settling
the previous day at 12 o'clock. He said " Don't
open your mouth too wide. I don't do so myself."
The day before the explosion took place the ground
was settling towards the cutting, and he assisted in
removing the engine. At the time of the explosion
the engines was working.
By a Juror—There wanted two or three frames
in the cutting when the fall took place, When he
mentioned what was the cause of the accident, he
was told to keep his peace or Mr, Brassey would
have to pay for it.
At this stage of the proceedings the inquiry was
adjourned.

ITYSTERIO LpISAPPEA_RANCE OF A

GENTLEMAN.

-- ~--

Great and painful excitement has been caused at
Wimbledon ever since Friday of last week, in con-
sequence cf the sudden and inexplicable disappear-
ance of Mr. Dodd, a well-known solicitor, of the
firm of Tate and Dodd, 32, Bucklersbury, London.
This gentleman has for many years occupied a cot-
tage belonging to Mr. William Bradfield, on the
common, near the National Schools. There ho
resided in unusual privacy and retirement alone,
scarcely any person ever being permitted to cross
his threshold, although out of doors he was familiar
with many, and possessed a genial flow of spirits,
and was fond of instructive conversation and the
arts and sciences. For some time previous to the
above-named day Mr. Dodd had been unwell, and
his medical adviser, strongly in opposition to his
own wishes, enjoined a season of rest and medical
regimen as being absolutely necessary. This was
reluctantly acted upon, and returning health
evinced itself so much, that for some days preceding
Friday he was enabled to take, with his attached
dog, short walks upon the common, which afforded
him great pleasure. On that day he went out at
about one o'clock, and as punctuality was one
characteristic in which he at all times prided him-
self, his return wes expected at three o'clock. That
hour, however, arrived, and also four, still, how-
ever, he did not return ; when Mr. Bradfield's
family became alarmed, and immediate search was
instituted. The only tidings gleaned, however,
were, that he had been seen conversing with some
gipsies, encamped on a portion of the common,
during the afternoon. These were interrogated,
and at once admitted having seen him, and
that he had conversed with one of the tribe,
after which they saw him no more. Within
a few minutes of this the gipsies in
great haste struck their tents and pre-
cipitately decamped in various directions. The
search, thus commenced, has been continued
up to the present moment without, we are sorry to
add, success. Every portion of the common has
been explored, and the woods adjoining searched.
Detectives have been down to Scotland-yard, and
rewards of £5O have been offered for the recovery
of the body if dead, and the same for information
of Mr. Dodd's whereabouts if living, but all are
unavailing. The whole matter is at present wrapped
up in mystery. That the gentleman could have
strolled off the common unperceived is out of the '
question, as he is well known, and so many per-
sona were working there, erecting the boarding for
the forthcoming rifle competi:ion. That foul play
has ensued we cue reluctantly compelled to admit.
This is our fear, as Mr. Dodd had on his person a
gold watch and chain, worth 60 guineas, and up-
wards of £25 in gold and silver, besides other Yalu-
ablekl.—SusBex Exprem