The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-23 00:00:00

INQUIRY BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES.

Yqsterday morning 4 prisoners, taken into custody by
;he police, were placed at the bar before the bench of

magistrates at the Town-hall, Coydon, the magistrates
present being Mr. Byron, Mr. Kemmis, and Mr. Sather-

land.

Inspector Julien took the men into custody upon his
own responsibilty, and has received the strong approba-
tion of the magistrates for the course he has adopted.
The prisoners are Robert Simpson, engine driver of
the excursion train, and James Sladden, fireman of the
same, both in the service of the South Eastern Railway
Company, with Edward Boynelt, the driver of the bal-
last engine, and Edward Knivett, the fireman of the
same, in the service of the London and Brighton and
South Coast Railway, and they were charged with caus-
ing the death of James Gammon, a gardener, residing at
East Peckham. Mr. Burgon attended on behalf of
Simpson and Sladden, and Mr. Church on behalf of the
South Eastern Raikray Company. The Brighton Com-
pany was represented by a solicitor.
Mr. William Brown, the superintendent of the Brick.
layers' Arms station, said he was in the Dover excursion
train when it came up, and was looking forward when
the train approached the Croydon station. They passed
the auxiliary signal about 600 yards below the station ;
that signal being down indicated that all was right at
the station, and the train therefore went on, although at
a reduced rate of speed. The auxiliary signal was the
protecting signal of the station. When the train arrived
at the second bridge from the Croydon station, he Faw
that the danger signal was up, and at the same moment
ho saw the station man run out and hold up his red
light, showing the driver that he mast reduce his speed.
The driver did the best he could, but it was impossible
for him to stop.
In answer to a question from the bench,
Mr. Brown stated that when the train was at Steat's
`Nest it was telegraphed to Croydon, and the driver
would•have every reason to believe that the line was
clear when he saw that it was all right with the auxiliary
signal.

-A. magistrate stated that he had before him a docu-
ment which showed that the train was telegraphed at
Stoat's Nest, and that it was not answered at Croydon,
showing, he presumed, that no one was in charge of the
telegraph there.

Mr. Brown said this accident would not have hap-
pened if the telegraph had been properly conducted.
Sergeant John Julien, 28 P, stationed at Croydon,
deposed to arresting Boynett and Knivett.
The latter prisoners admitted to the court that they
were on the ballast-engine. Boynett said that he stuck
to it, but that Knivett jumped off.
It being here suggested that an adjournment was ne-
cessary, in order to complete the evidence,
Mr. Burgon addressed the bench, and submitted that
nothing bad been proved against his clients, and there-
fore hoped that they would be liberated on bail.
The chairman remarked that they had the interests of
the public in charge, and to see that they were not ex-
posed to any neglect while travelling upon the railway.
At present the case was in the hands of the police, a
serious charge had been preferred against the company's
servants, and therefore it was the duty of the bench to
investigate it. They, however, would adjourn the
further hearing of the case until five o'clock that after-
noon. •

On the re-opening of the ca
e the signal men
tn examine discussion, it was proposed
s Skinner, and Thomas
Davis; but the bench ascertaining
at the Croydon Station, Jam!
s. e at that hour, after some
signals on the up-line and might
be that
imp
examining them. • tlihcen3r ortewd,dkeecdlintehde
t-
Mr. Burgon inquired upon whose authority the pri-
soners bad been apprehended?
Mr. Lund, the superintendent of the police, said that
he bad acted in a similar way as where a party might_ be,
killed on the public highway. Being informed of the
o
circumstances attending the collision, he had felt it
received
his
' duty to take the men into custody. He had since
further instrnetions from Sir R.
Mayne, the Commissioner
of Police ; and he should be prepared at•a future day to
.
produce further important evidence.
Mr, Everett, solicitor, who had been retained for
Boynett and Knivett, contended that aeno satisfactory
evidence had been offered the men ought to be dis-
charged.
The chairman said that, considering the serious loss of
life and the injury sustained by other parties,, coupled
with other circumstances; they should not bedoing their
duty if they did not institute the most searching inquiry.
They therefore could not allow the liberation of the pri-
soners, . , ..
The prisoners, •
were then remanded till Frida

Ly next.

DGuat.x 'DiRs.-- li, thei\lyear 1687, when the Dutch
A .I— '
destroyed our..shipg in the
edway, filling the breasts
of the inhabitants of Lond„„ s .
gallant heart, true to his heroic'th alarm and dismay, one
country's cause. Captain Douglas,name, perished for his
having.defetided his ship with the greatest
of the Royal. Oak,
ate
pursuance of the orders he had received
dst
"to maintain
obstinacy, in
his post to the last extremity," at length found his ship
in flames from stem to stern, the enemy ha
succeeded
in firing her ; his crew finding further resistance
useless,
retreated to the shore, and Captain Douglas was urged
to accompany them ; he replied that he had noem
muds to retire, and " that it never should be said;
Douglas had quitted his post without orders ;" and thus
resolutely continued on board, and was burnt with the
ship, falling to discipline and-- obedience' to command,
and setting an example worthy all Greek or Roman
fame,—,Deeds of Naval Paring.