The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-24 00:00:00

THE FATAL COL_LIER7 ACCIDENT AT

IV E IVCASTL.E'.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Stn,—ln connection with your remarks on the late de-
plorable accident at Newcastle, I am sorry to concur in your
opinion as to the extreme improbability of any survivors
being found in the pit, and that from considerations which
have not (so far as I am aware) received the attention
which their practical bearing demands.
It is clear, from the property usually denominated the
dijission of gases, and from the laws by which this property
is controlled, that those who may have remained near the
shaft, and those who have retreated to remote passages or
chambers, be they generally ever so safe, must have suffered
one fatal doom.

The object of my addressing you is, however, to make a
practical suggestion as to the ftture, which may escape the
attention of those who are on the spot, and necessarily,
both mentally and bodily, overworked with their appalling
duties,

When an entrance has been effected, and the process of
ventilation commenced, the greatest possible precaution
should be observed in entering spots which are generally
free from injurious quantities of carbaretted hydrogen,
carbonic acid, and carbonic oxide, for, by the well-known
law alluded to, these gases cannot be floating about in dis-
tinct masses, but must be all intimately mixed ; nor let it
be lost sight of that they act with fearful rapidity on the'
human frame by rushing through the walls of the air cells,
and at once poisoning the blood ; with di/ere/it rapidity,
indeed, for carbonic oxide passes through the membranes of
the cells 30 times more rapidly than carbonic acid, but still,
in practice, these laboratory observations may be totally
neglected.

Those also, who, in their zeal and anxiety, wish to render
their earliest assistance, should also bear in mind that,
though after a short exposure for a few minutes to the
noxious gases, they will speedily get rid of inconvenience
by freo draughts of pure air ; if too long expand they will
assuredly meet with permanent injury or even fatal con-
sequences,

Well organised relays, in these eases, rapidly exchanged,
are of the last importance.--I am, sir, your obedient
servant,

GEO. KEMP, M,D., Cantab.
Hereford, Jan. 23d, 1862.

PROPOSED TESTIMONIAL TO M. W. BALFE.—WO
understand a musical amateur, as well known for his kind-
ness to artistes as for his love of music, is organising a sub-
scription for a testimonial to be presented to M. W. Balfe,
Esq., the popular composer, on Friday next, the 31st Jan.,
when, for the 450th night, his last charming work, " The
Puritan's Daughter," will be performed. It is not as yet
determined where the presentation will take place, but it is
more than probable it will be on the stage of Covent-garden
Theatre, where he has lately achieved so many triumphs
by the performance of his popular operas, " Satanella" and
"The Rose of Castille," &c.—[We are gratified to have the
opportunity of making the above announcement, and
heartily wish success to the project of a testimonial des-
tined to evidence the appreciation by the public of Mr.
Balfe's long and brilliant career as a caterer for its intellec-
tual amusement.—En. Surf.]
PRINCE OF WALES YACHT CLUB —The annual
ball of the above club took place last night at their club-
house, the Freemasons' Tavern ; and, by the number and
condition of those present, evinced the advancing prosperity
and popularity of the club. The stewards had meritori-
ously exerted themselves to make this reunion superior to
any of those which had proceeded it since the establishment
of the club, and were eminently successful, the assemblage
being much larger than heretofore. Putman's band was
engaged for the occasion, and had full employment for
several hours. Dancing was relieved by a very excellent
supper, at which the commodore (Mr. R. Hewitt) presided,
and gave the toasts of "The Queen," "Albert Edward,
Prince of Wales," "The Prince of Wales Yacht Club,"
and " The Ladies."

THE VACANT SCOTCH JUDGESHIP.—AIthough
the appointment to the judgeship vacated by Lord Wood has
not yet been made nor decided upon, it is, we (Scotsman)
learn, very probable that it will be offered to Mr. Robert
Macfarlane.
THE LATE DREADFUL COLLIERY ACCIDENT.—
At a meeting of the Common Council yesterday the sum of
one hundred guineas was voted to the fund for the relief
of the widows, orphans, and other sufferers by this melan-
choly accident.
The Memorial de la Loire states that M. Alliod,
who was engaged as counsel for the woman Dumollard, the
wife and accomplice of the man now awaiting his trial at
Bourg for the murder of several maid-servants, has in•
formed his client that he cannot undertake her defence, as
he has been appointed substitute to the Procureur Imperial
at St. Marcellin. A new incident has just oecurred in
Dumellard'a case. Two servant girls have recognised him
as the man who attempted to strangle them in 1856. There
is a general conviction that all Dneaollard's victims have not
yet been discovered. The number of articles that will be
laid on the table of the Court as proofs of his crimes already
amount to 1,250.
A few nights ago the house of M. Fontaine, an
old man who resides with his wife in the neighbourhood
of Mons, was attacked by robbers. The proprietor was
aroused from his sleep by the noise of glass breaking on
the ground floor, and jumping out of bed laid hold of a
fowling-piece. The next moment a man entered the room
with his head muffled up in a handkerchief, and seeing the
gun in M. Fontaine's hand rushed forward to obtain pos-
session of it. A struggle ensued, the old man keeping his
hold, but not attempting to pull the trigger. The robber
was asked what he wanted, and on his replying " Money,"
M. Fontaine said ho had none in that room, but would go
with him down stairs. They went together, M. Fontaine
still keeping the gun in his hand ready to fire. Mme.
Fontaine, who was much alarmed, then gave the man 15f.,
with which, although he expressed himself dissatisfied, he
prepared to leave the house ; but before ho did so, ho stipu-
lated that M. Fontaine should give the gun to his wife,
which was consented to, the fellow doubtless fearing that
M. Fontaine might fire at him as he was leaving. The man
then took his departure.
FIRE AT THE PRISON, SIVAFFHAM, NORFOLK._
On Suaday evening last, at about half-past 8 o'clock, the
inhabitants were alarmed by cries of fire, when it was dis-
covered that the roof of the now prison was in flames. The
Governor and officers promptly removed the prisoners to
safe quarters in another part of the prison. Great exertions
were made to stay the progress of the devouring element,
which, providentially, was confined to the roof. The origin
is at present unknown. It is supposed it may possibly be
owing to a beam resting near the chimney, where there
probably was a deposit of soot. The roof of the new part
of the prison is entirely destroyed, together with three looms
and a large quantity of stock, both raw material and manu-
factured articles. The damage done is very considerable.
The prison is insured in the Norwich Union Fire office.
SURROUNDED BY THE TIDE,—A young man Lamed
Thomas Hayes, of Farrington, about four miles from Pres-
ton, who was a member of the Preston Rifle Volunteers,
has been missing since Friday last. On that day he took
his rifle and said he was going to Hutton marsh to practice
shooting, which was his favourite pastime. In the even-
ing of the same day he was missed from the usual drill, and
his absence was the more remarkable as, though he had
four miles to walk each way, he had never been known to
miss a single drill, and he was a very sober man. It is
supposed that, while he was absorbed in the practice of rifle
shooting at the butts on Hutton marsh, he was surrounded
by the advancing tide and drowned. Notwithstanding that
his friends and the county police have been indefatigable in
their end avours to learn something of his fate, nothing
further can be gathered than that he was last seen going 1
towards the marsh.

ANOTHER CAD OUTRAGE.—A cabman named
John Hargreaves was committed for trial by the Liverpool
magistrates yesterday on a charge of committing an inde-
cent attack upon Mrs- Mary Ann Clarke, wife of a captain
at present in Baltimore. The prosecutrix stated that she
had been shopping in Bold-street on the previous day, and
that she called the prisoner to drive her to the London and
North-Western station in Lime-street; instead of doing so,
however, he drove her past the station and stopped near
some waste ground opposite the Everton Reservoirs, where
there were no lights and few passengers. Here he made
his attack. The prosecutrix resisted, and ultimately a Mr.
Clement Bryer, who was passing, heard the noise which
she made, and her appeals to the cabman to desist, and,
having obtained the assistance of an officer, both parties
were brought to the police office. For the prisoner it was
contended by his solicitor that the woman was intoxicated,
and that she had been seen on the previous day in the com-
pany of the prisoner at several public houses. This was
strongly denied by the prosecutrix, who stated that she had
never seen the cabman before, and that she wanted to be
driven to the Lime-street station in order to meet her brother
to proceed with him to London. Mr. Bryor stated that
when the officer and he came up to the cab, the complainant
was vying upon the floor, and the driver standing over her.
She was imploring him to desist, and said that she would
give him anything in the shape of money if ho would leave
her.

INGENIOUS FRAUDS UPON MANUFACTURERS.—
An ex •Coventry weaver, named Guttoridgo, together with
Isaac Smith, his partner, were charged before the Liverpool
magistrates yesterday with obtaining money from a num-
ber of manufacturing firms throughout the country by re-
presenting themselves as an established firm in the manu-
facturing of trimmings, &c. They dated their circulars
and letters from a room in Roscommon-street, Liverpool,
which they ambitiously styled their manufactory, and from
which their various orders emanated. On one occasion,
having given an order to a Mr. Lowe, silk manufacturer,
of Derby, they referred that gentleman to Mr. Brown, of
Warrington, for a character. Mr. Brown was a fictitious
person, and one of the swindlers went over to Warrington,
received the letter which Mr. Lowe wrote to Mr. Brown,
and returned a highly satisfactory reply; in consequence
of which Mr. Lowo was induced to send them silk goods.
Other manufacturers throughout the country—including
Mr. Perkins, of Market Harborough, and Mr. Stenson, of
Derby—were similarly victimised. The prisoners were re-
manded, Large quantities of letters, &c., were found upon
them.

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