The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-01 00:00:00

THE CASE OF MR. STONOR.

The Sydney Argus contains a letter from Mr.
Stonor, whose appointment as judge in Australia
had been cancelled. He concludes as follows :-,
" When I received my appointment I trusted tht4 the
Colonial-office entertained the same views, and accepted
it with gratitude and confidence, but I must add with
little pleasure. I immediately left England for 'this
colony, at very considerable sacrifices. On my arrival
I learnt that, in deference to opinions expressed in the
British House of Commons, and by the British press,
the Government bad directed the cancellation of my ap-
pointment. The Lieutenant-Governor, Sir C. Hotbam,
has since my arrival carried out the instruction which
he has received upon the subject in a manner which I
shall always remember with gratitude. I shall return
to England, trusting to convince the home Government
of the injustice done to me. As regards the colony."
have no complaint to make. I have met in almost
every quarter the most marked sympathy and conside-
ration,pressing requests to take my place at
the bar.
and
ar.
No false pride prevents my compliance
with the latter ; private reasons alone have led me
to the resolution which I have taken. On the earliest
possible occasion
elxshraelsls leaveo
nt
o havethe been
colony,een the
grieved
cause
oa and
mortified
beyond f
syonimpuacthhy and trouble and turmoil, and truly
exlygpraetitceund.
l for th •
a
kindness
which h
" During the few days, or at most•
main, all I desire is privacy, and after myddeparture
yp-
erre:
thhaepscitrliceumprsetassncmesayofcomnysidcaesre,caanlmdlymaayndicomsepatsostiohneactoenly.
elusion that I did not apply for or accept
beeneptm my ylate office
unwarrantably ; that my dismissal
misfor-
tune, and not my fault ; and that I have been the victim
of a grievous, although unintentional, act of injustice.—
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
" B-ENRT Jells STONOII.
"St. Kilda, June 30, 1854.
" Since writing the above I have been greatly obliged
by the loan of a paper, containing a debate, on the house
resolving itself into a committee of ways and means, in
which Mr. Moore again renewed the subject of my ap-
pointment, and insinuated that it was obtained by my
transferring my influence at Sligo to Mr. Sadleir. That
gentleman fully contradicted the assertion ; and I most
solemnly state that no relative, friend, connection, or
other person whatever in any manner supported my
ap-
plication to the Colonial-office, which was granted solely
on account of my brother's position and claims, and my
own qualifications and testimonials."

METROPOLITAN COMMISSION OF
SEWERS.

Yesterday a Court was held at the chief office, No. 1,
Greek-street, at which the following commissioners
were present : Mr. R. Jebb, chairman ; Mr. T.
Hawes, Mr. T. F. Gibson, Colonel Dawson, and Mr.
L. Redhead.
The statement of accounts was then read by Mr. E.
H. WOOLRYCH, the secretary, from which it appeared
that the balance in hand was 43,135/. 4s. 6d., and the
payments for works ordered amounted to 10,2171.
6s. 2d.

The SECRETARY then read the various extracts from
the returns of the Registrar-Geaeral relative to deaths
from cholera in the Bethnal-green district, alleged to
have arisen from bad drainage, and on which re•
ports had been made by the engineers of the commis-
sioners.

Colonel DAWSON suggested that the works should be
done promptly, and the payments spread over a number
of years by an improvement rate.
The CHAIRMAN observed that other parts of the same
district were in an equally bad condition, and a selec-
tion therefore was obliged to be made.
Several other cases, founded on the Registrar-Gene-
ral's report, were brought under the notice of the Court,
and led to considerable discussion. Ultimately, on re-
port of Mr. G. Roe, engineer, drainage works at an esti-
i
nl all cost of 771. were ordered to be constructed n
f C0..-enor-place, Globe-street, Bethnal-green ; and a
• 4)C4 :on on the other cases of defective drainage was
oiieied to be referred to a committee, and considered,
together with other works now in contemplation.
The owner and occupier of Pig-hill Distillery, Batter-
sea, against whom a complaint had been made at a pre-
vious sitting, was ordered to attend at the next Court,
to show cause why he.should not be fined fur a violation
of the law in the construction of certain works now in
progress.

- Some other business having been transacted, the Court
adjourned.

SHOCKING OUTRAGE.

EXETER, Monday.—lntelligence was received here
this morning of one of the most atrocious highway rob-
beries which have occurred for many years. The person
attacked was a young married woman, about 25 years
of age ; and the sympathy in her case has been consider-
ably increased by the circumstance of her being the wife
of a soldier who is at present engaged in the war in the
Crimea. It appears that theyoung woman, whose name
is Ann Wills, and whose husband belongs to the Bth
Hussars, lett Exeter yesterday afternoon (Sunday) to
proceed to Starcross, on her way to Salcombe, in the
south of Devon, where one of her relatives resides. Her
object in going there was to be confined, as she was six
months in the familyway. She might have travelled the
whole distance by the South Devon Railway, but her
object in walking to Starcross was to save expense. A
friend from Exeter accompanied her a portion of the
distance, but left her after it became dark. At about 9
o'clock Elio bad reached Powderham, the coat of the Earl
of Devon, when two men and three women came up to
her. After some conversation, they passed and re-
passed her, and at length, when she had arrived at
a very lone spot, they seized hold of her, and com-
menced searching her. They succeeded in finding
21., which she had saved up to support herself ;
and, not satisfied with that, they proceeded to strip her
of every article of clothing. In spite of her entreaties
to desist the inhuman wretches deprived her of every
garment, including her boots and shoes, and they were
about to leave her in a state of perfect nudity, when her
bitter cries induced one of the women to throw back her
shift. The night was dreadfully cold, and the unfor-
tunate woman, frightened into fits by the brutal treat.
ment of the ruffians, was unable to proceed on her
way. Accordingly she remained in a state almost of
nudity on the banks of the estuary of the Eze, which
flows just beneath Powderham, until about 1 o'clock
this morning, when some fishermen from Topsham,
who were engaged in their boats, heard groans, and
were attracted to the spot where she lay. She was
then almost insensible, and the fishermen without de-
lay went to the residence of the constable of the dis-
trict, Timewell, who had the woman removed to a
neighbouring house and properly attended to. Mr.
Pycroft, a surgeon of Starcross, was quickly on the
spot, and he gave as his opinion that had she remained
exposed a few hours longer she must have died. In-
formation was quickly given to the constables in the
district, and every exertion is being made to discover
the miscreants. The woman is recovering, but she -is
seized with fits when questioned as to the affair.

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN A PLACE

OF WORSHIP.

Ou Sunday morning last Zion Chapel, on Lansdowne-
bill, in this town (in which the late R9V. J. Crabb offi-
ciated during the latter years of his life), was the scene
of one of the most extraordinary exhibitions ever wit-
nessed in a religious edifice. It appears that during the
illness of the pastor, the Rev. J. Trestrail, the pulpit is
occupied by supplies, and bills were issued on the previous
day, stating tbat on Sunday last "a gentleman from Lon-
don" would preach in the morning and evening, and went
on to say that " this gentleman has been much occupied
in reclaiming penitent adult criminals, and preaching
the gospel to the poor in London." Accordingly,
on Sunthe
peipdtaty,
and morning, the p
Mr.
Lewis
(one
of
the
eesdtn enteredeioheehe
pro-
ceeded to read the morning service of the Church of Eng-
land
theh
e 5 5
chapter,t h chapterhe sOufdldseani al
yl;, s
tbeuptp,
eidn st
oute a do
no f
the goingtop on
of
land as far as the first lesson, when the stranger gave
ewuitth
the pulpit stairs, and violently drew back one of the cur-
tains in front of the organ gallery. He was about to do
the same with the other curtain, when one of the per-
sons in the gallery stopped him, and drew the other to
again. The stranger then re-entered the pulpit, and, ad-
dressing the congregation, said, "Dear friends, I think
it my duty to tell you there are rogues and pickpockets
in this chapel, but the police are aware of it, and will
take them into custody at the close of this service." lia
further recommended all the people present to take care
of their pockets, as he would not be accountable for
who is a most respectable
what should be 'lost. All this while he kept his eyes
rand who at length asked
h the reply was a vehement
the strange f
inhabitanti fixed
m i
fo nb st the person
0(1)3E3
irts
Southampton; n
ein,t thoe
which
ahl
ilce
shout, "I sag rogues
wrath
Gl thieves.iovded a
n. "
dlal
damnation
aa reply
mnvnimat
Meantime,
to, onthawe
o_uld
fur-
ther question from the same person, as to who and what
he was, as he should like to know hisnam,,,,ee,
told him t
past one o'clock. In the
,all leftng the chapel, with 41,
aboutrecon-
gregationst upon
ph oanl f -141:dozen, when the party gave out a text, and
mmeiannstiollf apbreovuetnthianlgf.
a repetition of the above
evening the chapel doors were not Opened, as the only
strange antics.
effectual
ttuthael
It, appears, from what we have heard,
by a person who
e
that this gentleman was recommended
had heard him preach in the neighbourhood, but we tut,
derstand that the unfortunate gentleman is known to
some of the residents of —
_ Southampton as being in a de-
ranged state of mind. Hampshire Independent.
D

weekßAtTolaanonFouTnFicte
tC)haDEdSeTathilliie
oldest inhabitant," a Mr. Wrean
filtbrrAtivr2—x.Ve have this
"the
DoftiThiiEssa._ge7s.-I;:BuoslsievlreiEraccipress.
M.P.,
venerdlebdle
npeNrvsoend.,
Wed-
nesday, ay, the 18th inst., at Stone, in Os" parish,o in the
_ 99th
`SINEyea r
Mr. WGregor,
M.P., Mr. Barnes, A
AP., and several gentlemen con-
nected with our manufacturing interests, aro about to
proceed to France, in order to obtain the most precise
information upon the present stock of wines in the vari-
ous districts, the yield of last vintage, and the capability
of further production. They propose, further, to consult
the chief manufacturers whose products are at present
protected by hign import duties, and, if possible, to
obtain their action upon the French Government, to
modify those duties as regards British fabrics, a conces-
sion that would tend to a large increase in the reciprocal
trade of the two countries, and promote an early aojust-
meat of the wine duty question. It is understood, that
the reception which will await these gentlemen in the
various parts of France within their inquiries, is likely
to be most cordial, and it is to be hoped the result may
tend to commercial as well as political a
a..vantspe to
both 9plultz#l!- : - - ,

.RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

WESTMINSTER TERMINUS.

The first ordinary meeting of shareholders in this
undertaking was held yesterday at the offices of the
company, Great George-street, Westminster.
The chair having been taken by Mr. Wm. Wilberforce
Pearson,
Mr. BILLING, the secretary, read the notice convening
the meeting, and the report of the directors to the share-
holders. The latter document stated that since the
passing of their act, which received the royal assent on
the 31st of July last, the attention of the directors had
been given to the arrangements necessary to the success-
ful carrying out of the undertaking, and that the repriree-
sentatives of other lines had expressed a strong des
to avail themselves of the facilities which would be af-
forded by a west end terminus. The directors also an-
* flounced that they had in contemplation to a ply
in the
next session of Parliament for powers to extend the
company's line to the Crystal Palace and the Brighton
and South-Eastern lines, in accordance with the provi-
sions of the existing act of Parliament.
After a short discussion, the report was received and
adopted, the retiring directors re re-elected, and, a
vote of thanks having been passfi wed
to the chairman, the
proceedings terminated.

BRISTOL, SOUTH WALES, AND SOUTHAMP.
TON UNION.
A large and influential public meeting in favour of this
undertaking was held at Bristol, yesterday, at the Lec-
ture-room of the new Athenaeum, which was attended
by most of the merchants, bankers, and traders of the
city and neighbourhood, and by deputations from Wilt-
shire, dce.
The Right Worshipful the Mayor presided, and, hay-
ing briefly opened the proceedings, called upon Mr.
Adam Jack to read the report of the provisional com-
mittee, of which the following is an abstract :
The report commenced by stating that the time had
now arrived when the establishment of such a mode of
communication with South Wales had become absolutely
essential, and forwhiolavarious circumstances were highly
favourable, viz., the opening of the Wilts, Somerset,
and Weymouth, and of the Severn and Wye railways ;
the enormous and still increasing demand for the
Welsh steam coals, and the necessity which was now
felt for railway accommodation to the quays of Bristol,
and for stations in the heart of the city. A sub-com-
mittee had been appointed to make preliminary inquiries.
Mr. Blackwall, civil engineer, was consulted, and that
gentleman having proceeded to Scotland to ascertain the
working of the steam floating-bridges used in crossing the
Firths of Forth and Tay, in connection with the Edin-
burgh, Perth, and Dundee Railway, reported most satis-
factorily as to the practicability of crossing the Severn
by similar means. The committee recommended that
the route of the proposed railway should be from the
present termini in Temple Meads, passing through the
city by way of Queen's-square, Canon's-marsh, the
Hotwells, thence along the right bank of the river Avon
to Shirehampton, crossing the Marsh to the Severn, and
following it to the New Passage, after crossing which
the line to form a junction with the South Wales Rail-
way at Portskwett. A responsible and experienced con-
tractor had surveyed the projected route, and had given
an estimate at which he was prepared to execute the
works of the line and stations complete. Estimates had
been obtained from several eminent surveyors of the
cost of land and premises and compensations on
the route of the proposed railway. The committee
also held a communication offering the property and
rights of the Bristol and South Wales Junction at
the New Passage. The committee had been most care-
ful in collecting information relating to the traffic of the
district, and were justified in concluding that the under-
taking would yield, after paying working expenses, a
dividend of more than seven per cent. on a capital of
600,0001., being 520,000/. for the line, including stations,
sidings, floating bridges, and other works, and for land,
&c.; and 80,0001. for Parliamentary expenses and con-
tingencies. The report concluded by stating,6 at they
had reason to believe that the railway would iv ive the
approval of the Government on the ground of afford-
ing facilities for the transit of troops and militiq stores
and coals between the great naval arsenals of Pembroke,
Portsmouth, and Plymouth, and that it had the approval
of the Great Western Railway Company and other pub-
lic bodies.
Letters were read from the War-office, from the
' Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, Mr. Wilson (of the Board
of Trade), &c., approving of the scheme, and resolutions
appointing provisional directors, &c., having been car-
ried unanimously, the meeting, which was a highly en-
thusiastic one, separated after having given a vote of
thanks to the Mayor.