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

SUSPECTED MURDER IN BROOKE'S MARKET,
HOLBORN.

Yesterday Mr. Brent conducted an inquiry into the
circumstances-attending the death of Mary Ann Allan,
an aged spinster, who was found dead in her room, 4,
Beauchamp-street, Leather-lane, having a severe wound
on her forehead.

It'appeared from the evidence that the deceased was
of eccentric and miserly habits, and that she would
never let any of her relatives know where she wal re-
siding. She occasionally visited her brother, Mr. Wm.
Allan, button-maker, No. 118, St. Martin's-lane, and
her aunt, who lives at No. 2, Peter's-court, Fleet-street.
She was with her aunt on Thursday and Friday last.
On that (Friday), as she appeared unwell, a cab was hired
to take her home. She was accompanied by a female,
and directed the cabman to drive her to Greville-street,
Holborn. There she felt annoyed at the presence of the
female, who, in order not to annoy her, sat on the box ;
and she observed that she did not wish any of her rela-
tions to know where she was living. She then gave di-
rections to the driver to take her to Aldersgate-street,
Gravel-lane, &c., when, after going about for some time,
he 'again went to Greville-street. She got out there and
was recognised by Mr. George Sims, optician, No. 9,
Greville-street, who took her home. She proceeded to
her room, but was not again seen alive.
Deceased's landlord deposed that on Sunday last, as
nothing had been seen or heard of his tenant, he entered
the room, and found her dead, and her body injured as
described. He immediately procured the attendance of
a policeman and a surgeon. The latter attributed death
to the wound, which he said might have been caused
either by a fall from a great height, or a blow from some
blunt instrument. She could not have walked after such
injuries, which, moreover, must have been inflicted
within 24 hours of their discovery. He believed that
they were caused by a violent and wilful blow.
The Coroner said it was necessary now that they should
adjourn the inquiry for further evidence. It might be
that the deceased had drawn some money out of the
savings bank.

The summoning officer, Mr. Stripland, here remarked
that the rent-book was found on the stairs leading to an
upper story, where deceased was not in the habit of
going.

The jury unanimously observed that under the cir•
cumstances it would be advisable to adjourn.
The Coroner then bound over the witness to appear
at a future day, and the inquest was adjourned. The
Coroner directed the officers to make inquiries at the
savings bank, and of the stockbroker whose name was
on the receipts.

EAST INDIA SHIPPING.

The East India and China Association have published

their usual comparative statement of the number of
ships, both British and foreign, with their aggregate
tonnage, entered inward and cleared outward with cargo
from and to places within the limits of the East India
Company's charter in the years 1852 and 1853.
According to the statistics of vessels entered inward,
the increase in the case of the port of London has been
7 vessels and 27,90 D tonnage-the difference between
711 vessels, with 384,531 tonnage, in 1853, and 704
vessels, with 356,622 tonnage, in 1852. The return for
Liverpool shows an increase of 52 vessels and 46,672
tonnage - the difference between 255 vessels, with
155,741 tonnage, and 203 vessels, with 109,069 tonnage.
There is also an increase in the case of Bristol and Hull
of 6 vessels and 2,356 tonnage, the arrivals in 1852 hav-
ing
been 30 vessels, with 11,613 tonnage, and in 1853
36 vessels, with 13,969 tonnage. The return for the
Clyde exhibits a decrease of 7 vessels and 3,281 tonnage
-the difference between 39 vessels, with 14,577 ton-
nage, and 46 vessels, with 17,858 tonnage. The increase
on the whole statement is 58 vessels and 73,656 tonnage
-the difference between 1,041 vessels, with 568,818 ton-
nage, in 1853, and 983 vessels, with 495,162 tonnage,
in 1852. Of this increase the principal consists of arri-
vals from Sydney, Bombay, Madras, and Ceylon.
The statistics of vessels cleared outward show the
large increase in the case of the port London of 312
vessels and 143,412 tonnage-the =Terence between
954 vessels, with 485,972 tonnage, is 1853, and 642
vessels, with 342,560 tonnage, in le. The return for
Liverpool shows an increase of 139 vessels and 52,493
tonnage-the difference between 515 vessels, with
280,054 tonnage, and 376 vessels, with 227,556 tonnage.
Bristol and Hull figure for an increase of 18 vessels and
2,894 tonnage, the clearances in 1853 having been 21
vessels, with 4,888 tonnage, while in 1852 they only
comprised three vessels, with 1,994 tonnage. The re-
turn for the Clyde exhibits an increase of 103 vessels
and 20,138 tonnage-the difference between 188 vessels,
with 61,552 tonnage, and 85 vessels, with 41,414 ton-
nage. The increase on the whole statement is 572
vessels and 218,942 tonnage-the difference between
1,678 vessels, with 832,466 tonnage, and 1,106 vessels,
with 613,524 tonnage. Of this increase, nearly the
entire amount arises from an augmented trade with the
Australian colonies and New Zealand.