The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-18 00:00:00

BLAST OF CLIFF AT DO FEB.

On Saturday last the removal of a mass of cliff to
the eastward of Dover Bay by the process of blasting
took place. We have before drawn attention to this

dangerous overhanging body of rock, situated near
East Cliff-terrace and Athol-terrace, which this ope-
ration was intended to remove ; and have anticipated
with considerable satisfaction the means which have

been for some time past put in motion by Mr. J. C.
Nazer, the proprietor of some property in the imme-
diate neighbourhood, in order that it might be dis-
lodged, conceiving that the completion of the under-

taking was necessary to the security of public life and
property. It is, perhaps, matter of regret that a more
. .

.
united desire has not, existed in the minds of other
owners of property in the vicinity with reference to the
subject, and that Mr. Nazer should have been left to
conduct the transaction totally unaided by any other
proprietor ; but, on the contrary, should have been in
some measure opposed, notice having been served upon
him by the owners of adjoining property to the effect
that he would be called upon to repair in every parti-
cular any damage be might be the means of causing by
the operation in question.

Notwithstanding the extraordinary rough aspect of
the weather, an easterly wind blowing with great in-
tensity, and pelting showers of rain falling at intervals,
a great number of spectators assembled on Saturday
afternoon to witness the novel and interesting spectacle.
Several ladies were among the number, their curiosity
inducing them to stand the repeated and drenching
squalls which were swept from the sea with a hardi-
hood well becoming even the rougher sex. A
gallery for the deposit of powder, about 60 feet
in length, had been dug in the cliff about 100
feet from the summit ; entering the same at
the side, and extending along its face to the east-
ward, and it was expected that the whole of the mass
above the gallery would be precipitated by the shock.
Mr. Bennett, the agent of Messrs. Lee and Son, go-
vernment contractors, had charge of the galvanic bat-
tery. From some slight defect, owing it was said to
the state of the weather, the first attempt at explosion
was ineffectual. On the second being made, however,
the powder ignited, and a loud crash of falling chalk
instantly followed. It was immediately seen that al-
though a ponderous mass had been precipitated, the
effect desired had not been accomplished, and that
scarcely a fourth of the quantity which it was hoped
would have been loosened had fallen. The operation
was therefore comparatively a failure, but this result, it
was stated, was attributable to the direction in which the
gallery was dug, and the inefficient charge of the com-
bustible material. On the other hand, Mr. Nazer was
necessarily and advisedly cautious as to the results of
the proceeding ; and feared that another description
of shaft, or a heavier charge of powder, would have
laid him open to a heavy loss in the shape of repara-
tion of damages.
Since the above one or two other minor explosions
have taken place, with small effects ; but we understand
that it is intended entirely to remove the whole of the
perilous substance, the completion of which will confer
a boon on the public, as well as upon the individual pro-
moters of the operation, for which we cannot be too
thankful.—Dover Chronicle.

LONDON COFFEE AND EATING HOUSE

KLEPERS" ASSOCIATION.

valuablen the
ed the
at Freemasons' Tavern. Mr. Stanes in the chair.
theOsnuMbscorindbae
The minutes of the last meeting having been read and
Monday s eavnedn ifnAcetnhdepoaflft-hyiesa the—half-yearly
associationl y general meetingwa heldf
confirmed,
The SECRETARY, Mr. Rogers, read the report of the
oomoaftsusnilaoctEstioetnrhs,e.
bsoumtbhsacasnryi breergsardo
ad-
ditions had been made to the list of members within the
fun
last few months. The interest of the stock for the last
dc:sny:tpnt edr progress
oe slnst
number
congratulated
half-year was 521. lls. ld., which had been added to
the original fund, and which, with 871. 13s; 3d. in the
hands of the treasurer, made a total of 2,8821. lls. Bd.,
clear of all demands. The meeting would be called
upon that evening to elect another pensioner, the widow
of a subscriber from the formation of the association,
who, it was believed, was fully entitled to the benefits
of the society. Allusion was then made to some pro-
posed alterations of the rules, in consequence of the
increased benefits offered by the association. The altera-
tions suggested by the committee were the following :-
1. That no person should be a candidate for a pension
unless he had been a subscriber for 5 years, instead of
3 years, as hitherto, and unless he had also been in the
trade for the former period.
2. That the admission fee should be increased from
10s. 6d. to 2 guineas.
3. That candidates for the pension must be 55, instead
of 50, years of age, the latter having been the limit
hitherto.
4. That widows and orphans of members should not
be entitled to relief unless the deceased member had been
a subscriber for 5 years.
On the motion of Mr. HAMMOND, seconded by Mr.
STATHAM, the report was received.
The report of the auditors, which bore testimony to
the entire accurrcy of the accounts, was, on the motion
of Mr. COLLEGE, seconded by Mr. YOUNG, unanimously-
adopted.
The meeting then .proceeded to the election of an ad-
ditional pensioner. The person chosen was the widow
of a deceased member who was a subscriber for 14 years.
She is 57 years of age, and, from the facts stated, she
appeared very eligible 4or the benefits of the institution.
The election took place on the motion of Mr. J.
MOBSBY, seconded by Mr. BAKER.
A discussion ensued on the proposed alterations in the
rules. In reply to a question • , the Secretary stated that
the changes recommended by the committee had been sub-
mitted to Mr. Tidd Pratt, and had receivedhis sanction;
and, with the exception of the third, they were severally
agreed to by the meeting.
Several new members were enrolled in the course of
the evening.
'slated with a •
The proceedings terminated de of thanks to
the chairman.