The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-20 00:00:00

LORD AMBERLEY.

Mr. HENNESSY drew attention to a correspondenco
with respect to tho position in which Viscount Amberloy
travelled on board one of her Majesty's vessels. He was
called an "attache." Now, if that was so, he should like
to know whether ho passed the civil service examination,
the date at which ho did so, and whether he received a
certificate from the civil examiners.

Mr. LAYARD said it was a mistake of the officers
of the ship to call Viscount Amberley an attache.
He travelled as private secretary to Mr. Elliott, who had
been appointed to a special mission, and there was
nothing out of the usual course in so doing. The whole
thing was a very simple matter, and a great deal more had
been made of it than there was any occasion for.
On the order for going into committee of supply, Mr.
GRIFFITH asked the Premier whether he was prepared to
take into consideration the great disadvantage to the har-
monious co-operation of military authority and constitu-
tional government which arises from the absence of the
Secretary for War from the House of Commons, and
moved that it would be convenient, under present circum-
stances, that the Secretary for War should be a member of
the House of Commons.

Lord PALMERSTON, who opposed the motion, con-
tended that, according to the constitution of the Govern-
ment, it was impossible to concentrate all the heads of
departments in the House of Commons, as the hon. mem-
ber seemed to desire. There were certain members of the
Government who must be in that house ; there iv as one,
however, tho Postmaster-General, who could not sit
there. With regard to tho others it depended upon the
particular qualifications which the members of the Govern-
ment displayed in their respective departments, whe-
ther they should have seats in that house or in the
House of Lords. There was a constitutional power
in the former to investigate and judge of the
conduct of every member of the Government, whether he
was in ono house or the other. And so far as the War
Department was concerned, every ono who had observed
the masterly way in which the Marquis of Hartington
treated all military subjects would agree that no such
change as the one proposed was necessary in that depart-
ment. The same observation was applicable to the navy ;
he was not, therefore, prepared to agree to any motion that
would introduce a new principle and limit so seriously
the discretion of those upon whom the responsibility of
forming a Government devolved.

The motion was negatived.

Colonel DUN NE having called attention to the state of
the ancient records of Ireland, Mr. Peel briefly explained
the steps which had been taken for their preservation and
publication.

Mr. HUBBARD brought under the notice of the house
the sth clause in the commericial treaty with the German
Zollverein, to the effect that the contracting parties engaged
not to prohibit the exportation of coal and to levy no duty
upon such exportation, and pointed out that the precaution
had not been taken of inserting a provision that the parties
would also abstain from levying an import duty upon tho
article so exported free of duty. Why, he asked, should
England herself give her coal and iron, those essential
elements of her commercial superiority, manufacturing pre-
eminence, and warlike greatness, to other countries, with-
out any consideration whatever. For example, the Zoll-
verein levied a tax of £5 a ton upon tho exportation of
rags ; and one would have naturally expected that in con-
cluding a treaty to let them have our coals duty free wo
should ask them to give us their rags upon the same terms ;
but no such engagement had been entered into. Ile ob-
jected to this kind of treaty, because it created an embar-
rassment that would continue for years to come. For 12
years the treaty would bind our hands from dealing with
the important article of coal, and he thought the Govern-
ment should have been satisfied with extending to the
Zollverein the same indulgence which had been accorded
to France—namely, ten years, and to which, indeed, they
would have been entitled under the favoured nation clause
of the treaty. _ _ _

Mr. GIBSON reminded the hon. member that Parlia-
ment had deliberately abandoned the export duty on coal
as impolitic in a national point of view, and as an impost
that was oppressive to a considerable branch of industry ;
for coal was only valuable after having been got out of the
pit by the application of human labour. By admitting this
clause into the treaty with the Zollverein this country ob-
tained the benefit of all the concessions which the Zolive-
rein had made to France, Belgium, and Austria, after many
years' negotiations. Those concessions were a reduction
on the import of cotton, woollen, and linen goods, hard-
ware, earthenware, and many minor articles. The treaty
was altogether commercialin its nature, and in no respect
affected the belligerent rights of the Crown.
In reply to a question of Sir E. DERING,
Lord C. PAGET said there was no ground for the state-
ment that the Government contemplated abandoning the
dockyard at Sheerness.

The house then went into committee of supply, and
agreed to the estimates for the Post-office packet service,
and the Office of Woods, and to the supplementary esti-
mates for Landguard Point Works.
Mr. COWPER, in moving a supplemental vote of
1'20,000 for the enlargement of the National Gallery, ex-
plained that the amount asked for was intended for the
purchase of that portion of the space in the rear of the gal-
lery which was now occupied by St. Martin's workhouse,
Archbishop Tenison's library, the parochial offices and
schools. No plan, he observed, would be complete unless
it included the reconstruction of the façade, which might
be done in two ways—one by removing that most offen-
sive object, the dome, and adding an additional floor to the
centre of the building; the other by making a new facade
in front of the present, thus giving an additional gallery of
30 feet. To enable the pictures to be seen with advantage
it would also be necessary to establish a system of perfect
♦entilation, and the safe introduction of gas. At that
moment he was not in a position to say what all this
would cost; but he believed that £lOO,OOO was the maxi-
mum sum, beyond which it would not be requisite to go. If
the house acceded to the vote the next step would be to
make an agreement with the vestry and the trustees for
the purchase of the site, and when that had been settled
the £20,000 would be paid to them as a deposit, to enable
them to procure land for a new workhouse and premises
elsewhere. Next year Government would be prepared
with a plan and estimate for the proposed works.
Lord ELCHO urged that if the existing site was to be
retained a fire-proof building should be constructed, capable
and worthy of containing the national collection, together
with such bequests and additions as might from time to
time be reasonably expected, and that any monoy that
might be required for the purchase of land at the back of
the gallery should be voted on the understanding that
plans for its reconstruction should be forthwith obtained,
by competition or otherwise, and laid before Parliament
early next session.

Mr. TITE agreed that it would be better to reconstruct
the building, but at any rate the house ought to have the
plans and estimates for the proposed enlargement before
making any grant of money.
Sir G. BOWYER condemned the project of the Govern-
ment as a mere piece of patchwork.
Mr. LOCKE was of the same opinion. A part of the
proposal was to put on a new face to the present wretched
structure without improving the interior. It would, in
short, be no improvement at all, for the same miserable
entrance and low roof would be still retained.
Mr. H. SEYMOUR suggested that the plan to be pro-
duced next year should include a scheme for inadequate
approaches to the building.
Ur. GREGORY hoped the plan would be submitted to

the house for its approval before being adopted by the
Government.

Reference having been made in tho course of the discus-
sion to the contemplated razing of Burlington House,

Mr. COWPER assured the house that no intention of the
sort was entertained. The vote had no bearing upon the
buildings, but was simply for the preliminary step of ac-
quiring the site behind the gallery.
Sir J. PAKINGTON was willing to entrust the Govern-
ment with the sum asked for towards purchasing the land
at the rear of the gallery, which was indispensable for the
erection of a fitting building, on the understanding, how-
ever, that there should be as little harmony as possible
between the old and the new structures, and that the gal-
lery should be made worthy of the purpose for which it
was to be adapted.
Mr. HENLEY, in assenting to the vote, declined to
pledge himself to any scheme that the Chief Commissioner
of Works might, for aught ho knew, have in his head at
that very moment.
The vote was agreed to, as were also X 700,000 for the
site of the new courts of justice and offices, and £53,500,
the supplemental estimate for Greenwich Hospital. With
these votes the estimates for the year 1865-66 were disposed
of, and the fact was hailed with a loud cheer by the house.
The Greenwich Hospital Bill was considered, and seve-
ral amendments having been agreed to, the third reading
was appointed to bo taken at a morning sitting to be held
this day.
Tho Fortifications (Provision for Expenses) Bill was
passed through committee.
The other orders wore also gone through, and the house
adjourned at a quarter past two o'clock.

The Catastrophe on the South-Eastern.

THE INQUEST.

COMMITTAL OF THEDISTRICT INSPECTOR AND
FOREMAN PLATELAYER FOR MANSLAUGHTER.
STAPLEHITRST, Monday.
The inquest on the bodies of the 10 unfortunate persons
who were killed by the oversetting of the up tidal train, on
Friday, the 9th inst , was resumed this morning by Mr.
Neve, at the South-Eastern public house.
Mr. Freeland, the solicitor, Mr. Eborall, the general ma-
nager, Mr. Knight, the traffic superintendent, Mr. Harris,
the deputy traffic superintendent, Mr. Ashcroft, resident
engineer, Mr. Cudworth, the locomotive engineer, and
other officials of the South-Eastern Railway Company
were again in attendance. The relatives of the various
persons killed or injured were represented by the follow-
ing solicitors :—Mr. Steele, of Bloomsbury-square ; Mr.
Vining, Moorgate-street-buildings ; and Mr. Abrahams, of
Gresham-street. Mr. Minter, jun., of Ashford, appeared
for Gallimore, the district inspector, and also for Henry
Benge, who was brought up from Cranbrook in custody of
Mr. Superintendent Ovenden.
rhe jury having been sworn, the following evidence was
called :

Mr. P. Ashmore deposed—l am the resident engineer of
the South-Eastern Railway. I live in London. The repairs
to the viaduct were done under the order of the district
inspector, who would see the necessity for them, and apply
to the stores for the necessary timber. Mr. Gallimore is
the district inspector, and I believe I appointed him nearly
11 years ago on this line. He had been with me nearly 20
years. I may have seen the bridge as I passed down, but
I had no notice of the repairs, but if they had been of a
protracted character that could not be done safely be-
tween trains, I should have had notice from Mr. Galli-
more three days before the repairs were begun, and I
should give a like notice to the general manager, that
printed notices might be issued to all the officials on the
line. Mr. Gallimore was responsible for the proper carrying
out these repairs, and, I apprehend, to see that fog signals
were supplied. It is his duty to report any irregularity. Ho
did not report these repairs, as I presume he thought—as
the Government inspector had said—that it was such work
as could be done between trains, and without the necessity
of diverting the traffic on to a single line.
By the Rev. Mr. Moore (the foreman of the jury)—lt
would be the duty of Mr. Gallimore to report any habitual
disregard of instructions by the platelayers or signalmen.
We have it in evidence that the signalmen went out some
500 yards only habitually ? Ought ho to have seen that ?
—Yes, if it was habitual.
Aro you aware that it is habitual on the lino ?—Certainly
not. If I had seen it I would have had it corrected. I con-
sider Bongo quite capable of taking charge of the three as-
sistants under him, and the signalman has been in the ser-
vice 20 years, and he ought to have been able to do his duty.
I consider, if there has been an habitual disregard of duty
by the subordinates, it was clearly the province of Mr. Gal-
limore to correct it.

By Captain Usborne juror)—l think a man who has
been a signalman for 20 years should know his duty, and
the inspector should know that he does know his duty.
By Mr. Abrahams—Mr. Gallimore appoints the foreman
of the platelayers, and should see that ho is properly pro-
vided Nith a watch, tools, and every-thing necessary for tho
works.

By Mr. Minter, jun.—Mr. Gallimore would have perhaps
twenty gangs under his charge. He could clearly not be
present at everything that was being done in his district.
Whiles, the signalman, is a steady, moral man.
By Bev. Mr. Moore—Whiles ought to have known that
he should have gone out 1,000 yards. Bengo should have
seen he did so, and had Mr. Gallimoro known that the
signalman habitually went out only 550 yards he would
have corrected it. Though it may have been habitual that
the signal flag was only sent out 550 yards, yet it is possi-
ble that Mr. Gallimore may not have noted it.
Mr. Steele, who appeared for Major Francis, was about
to put some questions to the witness when the coroner in-
quired whom ho represented.
Mr. Steele said that when he first attended the inquiry it
was for Major Francis, ono of the injured, who was then in
imminent danger, but now happily much better. He was
aware that he had not any locus standi, as he did not appear
for any of the parties into whose death the inquiry was
being held; but he had postponed many important questions
until one of the superior officers of the company were called,
which would show that the directors, and the directors
alone, were in fault. Not, however, having any locus standi
he would refrain from asking anything further.
By Mr. Fraeland—lf Mr. Gallimore saw the signalman
standing out, it was his duty to decide whether that was
the proper spot for him to be at.

By Mr. Reeves, a juror—Every platelayer furnishes a
report to his inspector of the requirements, and the inspector
sends it in to my office, and whatever is required is furnished.
If no fog signals had been applied for, it would be imagined
that ho had some in stock.

Joseph Gallimore, having been cautioned by the coroner,
said—l am district inspector of permanent way from Ash-
ford to Tunbridge and Paddock Wood to Maidstone, about
36 miles. I have about 150 men under my charge. Benge has
been under me ten years, but as foreman only two years and
ton months. Bongo signed the usual declaration, but was
never sworn in as a special constable. I gave Benge instruc-
tions as to the work, and told him to be very careful and
mind and not break the road till he was quite sure he had
time to got the timbers in and the road properly repaired. I
told him to take care and send the proper signals out. I
said nothing about the fog signals; he had his rules, and I
considered he would act up to them. He ought to have sent
the flag out 1,000 yards. I was only present once when the
road was broken, and I saw the signalman out nearer tho
viaduct than Sloman's crossing. I did not go down to see
how far it was, nor that fog signals were down. I supposed
he had all the proper signals, or that ho would havo applied
to mo for them.

By a Juror—l object to say whether I have any other
business than that which I have under the railway company.
By Mr. Abrahams—Benge had a guinea a week, and other
platelayers 18s. Ho was called foreman. It was his duty
to see the line was well kept, the keys in, and so forth ;
that when the line was broken the signals wore sent out, and
the fences and gates in proper order. He had to examine
the metals on the bridge once a month specially. I have
never seen him write, but I receive a report weekly from
him. Bonge's district is two miles. I have seon him
examine the line in the usual way. lam obliged to leave
the line to Benge and others without supervision, as I can-
not be everywhere. I have not been suspended from my
duties.

By Mr. Minter, jun.—l have 150 men under my control
and also some extra men. Igo over the line every day, and
part of it twice a day. Before wo began the work I consulted
with the foreman carpenter and agreed on the work, but
had no idea that it would be so long a job, as we found some
of the timbers worse than we anticipated. The rails are
being removed all over the line. When I give the foremen
the book of rules I tell them to read them, and give them a
few days to do so before they sign for them.
By Mr. Freeland—l do not think that Benge was ever
sent out as a signalman before he was foreman. I have been
on railway works, and was for eight years on the Great
Eastern, as it now is, (A laugh.) _ .

By Captain UsbOrne juror)—l have seen the fog-sig-
nals down and the men out the proper distance when I
have been with them. We count by the telegraph posts.
Henry Martin said—l am signalman at the Headcorn
Railway Station. The up-train before the tidal passed Head-
corn on Friday the 9th inst. at 2.44. The " all right" signal
was up when the tidal passed at 3.10. I knew the bridge
had been under repair for two months. They never asked me
to put up a caution signal. I could not seo the bridge ;it is
a little over two miles off. On that day I could perhaps
see a man with a flag half a mile off. '

George Crombie said—l am engine driver in the employ of
the South-Eastetnßailway, and have been so for ten years
and a half. I had charge of the tidal train on Friday, the
9th, and left Folkestone at 2.36. I passed all the stations
at the usual speed. I was about 350 yards from the danger
signal when I first saw it. It was in the six foot, about 100
yards from the bridge whore the rail was taken up. It was
a red flag, and the man waved it in his hand as I was ap-
proaching.

Are you positive as to the distance ?—I cannot swear. I
had not time to measure it. I don't know Sloman's crossing.
I shut off the steam, gave the guard the whistle, reversed the
engine, and did all I could do. I slackened a great deal. I
should think we went over the viaduct when we were going
10 or 12 miles an hour. We did all we could as rapidly as
possible ; but I cannot say whether it was a minute or not.
I had seen the men at work there several days, but I was not
aware the plates were being taken up, nor did I have any
cautim whatever. The Ileadcorn signal vraq "all right." I