The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-20 00:00:00

AUSTRALIA- AND THE PARIS EXHIBITION,

DEANn nr A TUN.—Mr. Charles Picky: brewer, has
threalarge stock tuns placed in bis Yard,: at.the back of
the.counting:hoUse, one of which had beell emptied
about a fortnight ago, and required ceaning' previOus.to
being used again. Mr. Dick, had issued strict orders that
before going into them, the Men should lower a lighted
candle through the hatch ii) ascertain whether or not
`the air. Was, Strong and required to be: purified by
Pouring in water. A Marc named Bird,: after having
id :0,-_.state of insensibility. descended .into the tog „for the-,purpose of •cleaning it,
gfelli_v etno,
tti4liee
alarm,
~,i
_w‘aii :arlso iliffodated. Tjhireiseel°3:len
, ~.,„ :....
were rescued in a,greatly
Paiii6n w9nt dawn, _airao.o imincuiately, after having
kbyyoanneabhuetrtolife.tYbe brewers
4'wxehnatudsteowddsotartete
, who took the
lareCaution to go down _With ropes -for:,the puriose of
having them pulled up at the risk of his own safety.
!Bird and Boyle were: bath- dead before they could' be
koim up.—gaii*OV6 1Vei4,14:., ' -.. r •
.. . .

•s•

As you are aware, the Executive GoVernment here
has consented to advance 3,0001. to defray the expense
of Collecting specimens of the natural prdductions of
New South Wales, to be sent to the Great Exhibition
at Paris in 1855. There is a general impression that.
this colony was not adequately represented in the Lon-
don Exhibition of 1851. As the discovery of gold was
only Made here about the time the Exhibition opened;
Australia sent nothing so striking and brilliant as the
fine specimens of the precious metal; in solid" nuggets,"
dust, and scales, it could'now furnish. But these are not
the only fonts in which it is found ; many of the aurifer-
racks, thrOugh which the gold is scattered in threads
or grains, are more beautiful to the eye than the Solid
metal itself.. Parts of the gold region have also produced
gene and stones, which have yet to be confirmed in a full
right to the name of " Precious ; ' and the opinion of Pari-
sian lapidaries on the diamonds and rubies of Australia
will be worth.taking. There is also a great variety of
other minerals, quite enough to fit up a splendid cabinet
.of specimens. The ores of copper are very rich ; stream
tin has been found among the black dust of the gold fields,
and' more recently a mine of pure steel is said to have
been discoVered near Bathurst. A block of Sydney
sandstone will be Sent to show that we have excellent
matetialafor building, and some of the pure white sand
of the coast, in hopes of tenapting over a few glassinakers
for Whom there is a capital opening. 'Specimens of all
the cereals at present cultivated will be sent, and per-
haps a few cases of colonial wine, thodgh the coin-
yarisons challenged by submitting it to French criti-
cism maybe slightly hazardous. It is proposed also to
give European eyes a better idea of some of the Austra-
lian scenery by means of models than can be derivedfrom
pichires or descriptions. The harbour and ihereS of
Port iapkson, from the Roads to Parainatta; ineltiding
-thy city of Sydney and its suburbs, with ail the
cc s and creeks of the bay, have' been suggested as .
fu ishing a fine subject for this, the heat kind of illus..'
trh. m, if it is well executed. Specimens of the colonial
floi could not be sent in their finest condition, but
clost imitations of the best native varieties may, it is be-
lievec., be prepared in wax. Our frbits are all introduc-
tious; and the , European sorts would have no direct no-
yelty„ but some degree of interest might attach to them
as familiar friends returning from their distant home, in
appearance nothing the worse for theclimate.. The na-
:tire woods did not attract so much attention as they de-
served in London, as the specimens sent Were in planks
and blocks for 'the Paris Exhibition it is proposed to
work them up intoarticles of furniture, that the French
manufacturers may the better appreciate their merits.
We should 'send some colonial silk if we had any, but
we have gqt in ftirther towards prbillicing it thin grow-,
ing a'few mulberry trees. In the production of cotton we
are further advanced, 18 bales h aving been recently shipped
fin; Liver Pool from the Moreton Bay district. Olives
have been grown in the. Botanical-garden at Sydney,
to the extent of two tons in a season, but we do not
know how to preserve them, or press them for the oil,
qo the commercial value of this capability, like that of so
many others, ie nil. Tvvo experiments with'coffee have
lately been announced as failures at Moreton Bay ; in
one the plant withereq"..itho other the seed would not
grow, It is a safe rul,. fy, assume that any kind of:cul-
tivation that requires sti. Aar knowledge and close
atten-
tion, cheap, labour and ipany. hands, (lees not an_:::111
not exist in Australia for very many: years. ) ttle
breeding and agriculture, according to the most ordinary
English methods, are the only be added productive industri"
practised on alarge scale, to which mayher.
liciilture enough to furniil a meagre supply of -the
commonest English kitchen Vegetables and fruits.—
Times correspondept.

TLIUNDER-STOR3f IN LIVERPOL L.—On Tuesday night,
and early yesterday morning, Liverpool was visited by
a very severe thunder-storm, which lasted several hours,
accompanied by very heayy Showers of rain, and a great
deal of lightning. We are glad, h o 'wever, to add, -that
there were no injuries to the shipping or property in the
town or neighbourhood reported.
THE NEW REORDER OF BRISTOL—The Attorney-
General, Sir A.. E. Cockburn, took Ida seat on Tuesday
at tbe-Guildhall, Bristol, as successor to Mr. Crowder,
Q.C., elevated to the'bench. The court was filled to
hear the learned geiatlernan's•first charge to the grand
jury, svhich was of the ordinary character.'
MR.' SCOTT, TIME LATE CANDIDATE FOR ,THE CITY
OHAMMIJAINSIIIP.-Mr. Scott, so well known and
respected•among the citizens of London, ceased his long
connection with the corporation in January last. Having
withdrawn for a short period from public notice, that gen-
tleman has re-appeared in the new character of manager
or presiding genius of an establishment in which an-ex-
periment is being tried to supply the people with
entertainment combined with solid +instruction. The
extensive premises in King William-street, Shand,
.
which were lately occupied as the Oratory of Saint
Philip Neri, Have been taken and converted into .a
commodious depot and show-rooms 'for the sale of dia-
grams and other aids for popular lectures, while the
Chapel of the Oratorians has' been transformed into one
of the most elegant halls of entertainment in the metro-
polis. Dioramas are daily exhibited, accompanied
aty
leotures, at three o'clock and at eight o'clock thoseS;cott him
three o'clpok are generally delivered by
self to audiences from the hip.;. 'lasses, and ra.nbdytvh:rsieotling
the evening _for " the million" .
lecturers illustated by dioramaa.; slivered'
week, and at a charge. of -a4t ;.„ ,O
Illgeot4 'low that the
ch night in the
fans evening's bene-
ficial clue may avail theraSet 0,:-.,
entertainment. '

,

PROCEEDINP-.0F..T11E MEDIATION r.„
' 17' 100 a.XITTEE. -
• . PRESTON, Alsrt-19.
The 'Mediation Committee appointek4:o6
figddle class meeting -has- 'dose& it 0.. lsents hd.,prer
liXiWd..--,a'report of its' ,prc;Ceedirig N6hielklit4
beenlgrnished to us prior- to publication:; it is as fa.
lows -
" IP2oli'r .-BOB,WABDBD BY NB. W. Cattlatfid TO MB.
itILLEN. 41-,7
"The Mediation •Corninitteeeh was neintnated at
the public Meeting held-frillni Theatre,on the-29th of last
' March,
~net for the firstlifiniaii-T-nesday evening, -the 4th
of April. It be proper here to remark, that two or
,ree.person'S Whowere nominated at the Meeting declined
to act as members of the committee.
At.its first meeting the counnitUe resolved that pro-
posals should be obtained from the operatives as to the
terms on which they would resume work ; and that the
Rev. J. O. Parr, the vicar (who officiated as chairman of
the committee), should endeavour to ascertain the Views
of the employers in respect to the proffered mediation.
The second meeting of the committee was held on Tues-
day evening, the 11th of April, when the report of the vicar
and the propesals of .the operatiyetwere received. The
operative spinners proposed to accept an average rate of
~wages, high and low :paid in the principal manufacturing
distiicts of Laneaduge. The -weavers were willing to
abide by any one of the four following conditions :-1.
They would resume work at the prices - that were paid
when the Mills were closed. 2. They would resunie work
at the-prices now offered by the employers, provided that
Within a certain 'specified and reasonable period, say a
fortnight, the employers wonld4iire them .the same wages
they were receivinvithen the mills were shut up, 3. They
would, like the, operative spinners, Accept. an average rat*
of wageschigh and low, paid in, the, pri.nO.Pal Mantfactnr-
, ing district of. Lancashire.. 4. They would agre4 to arbi-
tration, and would.pledge themselves, that. in the event of
the Arbitration deciding in favour of the prices present
offered by the emPloyers, they Would immediately return
to work.

"The vicar, on behalf of the•empleyers, inti Mated that
fwm inquiries I have made, I am convinced of the inuti-
lity of any attempt at niediatiOn ofV* &dory question.
Wincltley-square, April 15.

"ANSWER OF MR. W. MILLER.
"Preston, Aprill7.
".Dear Sir,—The note sent by. you and Mr. Shaw,
along With the,repoxt, will he laid before the oonimittei
of the Associated Masters, at their next meeting, 'MI Moue
day morning.--I am, dear sir, yours faithfully,
" Mr. W. Corless. 44 T. MILLER.

"REPLY OP THE A ssocatinD MASTkite COMMITITI.
"Gentlemen,'—l am directed by the Committee of the
Associated Masters to say, that they have had-a letter
placed before them signed by Messrs. W. Carless and G.
Shaw, enclosing a report from a Mediation Committee,
tppointed at the Theatre
on the 29th ult. The committee
believe that the gentlemen who haie'undertairen this task
are actuated by the most disinterested motives and a sin-
cere desire to effect the object far which they were ap.
pointed.
" The anly matter now in.diSpute between the masters
and the operatives is the amount of wages to be. paid. It
is simply the offer of certain wages by onnparty, and the
refusal of them by the other.
"This same difference might, and no doubt daily does,
exist between miter and servant in all other trades, as
well as in domestic circles.
bpylymaned4iation, but
must" Rates tteelsefotf :Arse
fcreaennoopet
rabteiosuetotfled sup
demand.
"The committee cannot, therefore, recommend the
eociated Masters to' accede to any mediation in such a case,
as it would be the acknowledgment of a principle most
dangerous and mischievous in its tendency, a Principle
alike subveive of the rights of the working man in the
disposal of his. labotir, and of the rights of the master in
the employment of his capital:
" The committee,, entertaining these views, respectfully
decline, on the part'of the As4Ociated Masters; the proposed
,
mediation. ' • - , • •

" I am, gentlemen', your obedient servant,
EIVA.N, Secretary.
"Messrs. W. C,orless and G. Shaw, bon. secretaries
to a' Mediation Committee 326 Noith-road,
Preston.'

"ItEPLY OF THE MEDIATION CCPIDIFITEE.
Preston, A.prill9.
•
"Sir,—We are requested by the Mediation Committee
to acknowledge the receipt of your not/41n whichyon coin•
teously state the determination of the Committee of the
ASsociated Masters to decline any services which it might
be irrthe power of tlie'Mediation Committee to give. They
deeply regret this determination, espeCially so, as in their
opinion the reasons you allege on behalf of the Committee
of the Associated 3.f asters will not bear the test of any very
. strict or profound investigation. • • ,
The Mediation Committee, in accepting offices imposed
upon them by the unanimous consent of a large assemblage
of their fellow-townsmen, have had no intention of allow,
ing themselves to be drawn-Into any discussion concerning
disputed points in political economy.
,In reference, how-
ever, to your remarks about sirpply and demand, they
cannot forbear expressing the opinion that the state of
the town of Preston is a striking exemplification a the
fallacy of the doctrine you have so unconditionally
enunciated. Labour here is in great demand, the supply
is small, and yet the wages offered are considerably less
than such as were paid some six or,: seven months ago.
There are evidently other elements,, not, perhaps, as yet
well defined or scientifically determined, that enter into
the true solution of the question.
"You state that to-admit of mediation in such a case as
this would be the admiision of a principle dangerous and
mischievous in its tendency. ."Such. a supposition appears
teethe Mediation Committee to be based upon'an exagge-
rated notion of the ,necessity defending and enforcing
abstract iddivithibliighti: • Now,: abstract personal rights,
if rigidly enforced, tend not to the consolidation, but to
thedissolution of. the boudwof society. Society, in short,
is' made up of compromises. Moreovr, there is a legal
-maxim to the effect thatpersons shall souse their property
as not to injure tli property of others. Whether in law
. , the maxim be sound or the reverse, it evidently is so in
equity and common sense. Now, the skill, industry, and
capital of biasses unconnected with this dispute are ma-
terially damaged and depreciated by it
.; said they, in the
opinion of the Mediation' Committee, have a perfeet right
to use all legitimate means in defence of their property,
even to the extent of applying toTarliament for powers to
do what our chivalrous, siliewthe French are, under similar
circumstances, in the habit of doing—namely, to.make the
settlement of this dispute compulsory. The Mediation
Committee are sure that the members of the Committee of
the Masters' Association will, upon calm consideration,
coincide in the' principles now propounded, inasmuch as
to hold the contrary would •be equivalent to 'maintaining
that 'persons may, when they choose; appropriate to them-
. selves-all the advantages which the institution of society
originates and secures, and repudiate the obligations of
that institution when it suits their convenience to do so.
"We are, Sir yours truly,: '
" W. CORLEW
}Hn. Secretaries.
" G. SHAW, .
"To Mr. J. A. Ewan, Secretary to the'
Masters' Association."