The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-28 00:00:00

QUEEN'S BENCH-(THIS DAY.)

(Sittings at Nisi Prins, before Lord Campbell and a
Special Jury.)
THE QUEEN V. MASTERS.
This was a prosecution instituted by order of the
House of Commons against the defendant for perjury,
said to have been committed before the Southampton
Election Committee. The alleged perjury consisted of
a statement that the defendant had seen Mr. Andrews,
the then mayor of Southampton, take a reluctant voter
named Oakley by the shoulder and take him up to the
poll to vote for Sir Alex. Cockburn and Mr. Willcox.
Sir F. Thesiger, with Mr. Welsby and Mr. Baddeley,
appeared for the prosecution ; Mr. Andrews, Q.C., and
Mr. Ballantine for the defendant.
Mr. Andrews and other witnesses were called to prove
the falsity of the defendant's statement. Their exami-
nation was proceeding when our report left.

AUSTRALIA.—The advices from Australia by th e
overland mail telegraphed yesterday are exactly a
month later than those previously received. While the
gold production is stated to have been steadily main-
tained, the rate of exchange still indicates that the
supply of money for its purchase has been ample, and
that there is consequently no chance of any renewal of
shipments of coin from this country.
EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA..--The departures from
the port of London for the Australian colonies during
the past week show a slight increase. They have com-
prised altogether 12 vessels—seven to Port Philip, with
an aggregate burden of 3,507 tons ' • two to Hobart
Town, with an aggregate burden of 577 tons ; one to
Sydney, of 904 tons ; one to Adelaide, of 524 tons ; and
one to Launceston, of 288 tons. The shipments of
manufactures and ordinary merchandise have been rather
larger, but the rates of freight continue to present a
heavy appearance.
NOUVEAU MONDE COMPANY.—The following memo-
randum is from the Nouveau Monde Company :—" The
Nouveau Monde Gold Company have advices from their
superintendent in California, dated Mount Ophir, May
11, that on the 4th of that month a trial was made to
work some ores in the Chilian mill, and that, after two
charges, it was found necessary to make some altera-
tions, which he expected would be completed in the
course of a week ; that a conical arrastra, would soon
be in its place, and that so soon as the quicksilver
which was on its way from San Francisco to the reduc-
tion works arrived, he expected to set to work in
earnest. The mining captain's report is also favourable.
The lode in No. 1 crosscut of the Pine-tree sett was then
39 feet wide, and looked more promising than when first
cut. All the other setts continued opening out in a
very satisfactory manner. He adds, that the cost of
transport and the price of provisions were lower and
labour more abundant." ,
comminteur, TRAVELLERS' BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.—
The half-yearly general court of the governors of this
institution was, yesterday, held at the London Tavern,
to receive the report of the board of management, and
to elect two annuitants upon the funds. In the ab-
sence of Sir J. Duke, Bart., M.P., Sir Charles Podmore
was called to the chair. The report stated that the pro-
gress of the institution was encouraging, and that the
public dinner at Bristol in behalf of it had been produc-
tive of very beneficial results, not only pecuniarily, but
also in extending wider a feeling of interest in its suc-
cess. The income for the half-year, including 7771.
16s. lid. balance at Christmas last, amounted to 1,1801.
11s. 81d, The expenditure for the same period was
871. 17s. 5d., leaving a balance of 1,0921. 14s. aid. in
favour of the society. The report was unanimously
adopted. Several alterations in the bye-laws were then
agreed to, altering the numbers necessary for quorums,
and a law was passed to the effect that after the 25th of
December next, no person shall be eligible to become
a candidate for the benefits of the institution, excepting
widows, whose total disability, whether from age, in-
firmity, or any other cause, shall have occurred previous
to their becoming members of the society. The poll was
then opened, at the close of which two annuitants were
placed on the funds. A vote of thanks to the chairman
terminated the proceedings.
LONDON ORPHAN ASYLUM, CLAPTON.—Yesterday,
the half-yearly general meeting of the governors of this
institution was held at the London Tavern ; Mr. Kerby
in the chair. The report stated that it was gratifying
to the managers to enlarge for the present half-year the
number of children to be admitted by election from 30
to 35—making the total number benefited by the society
to be 2,074. The institution, which accommodated up-
wards of 400 destitute orphans from all parts of the
world, particularly those descended from respectable
parents, was last year supported by an income of
10,6911. 17s. 4d., and cost in its management,
10,2411. 168. Bd. ; so that it was in possession cf
4501. Os. Bd. to commence the operations of the year.
Of this sum of 10,2411. 16s. Bd., the item of expenditure
of 2,1221. 13s. 6d. was a special account, occasioned by
the enlargement of the asylum, &c. The report was
unanimously agreed to. The chairman then opened the
pool, when 10 girls and 25 boys were elected from a list
of 132 candidates ; of whom 39 were females, and the
remainder males. A vote of thanks to the chairman
terminated the proceedings.
CURIOUS INVESTIGATION ABOUT CONVERTS.—III Con-
sequence of a statement made at public meetings re-
cently held in Dublin and Belfast, by the Rev. Mr.
Seymour, rector of Tuam, to the effect that he had
made ninety-four converts amongst the Roman
Catholics of that town, including a Roman Catholic
priest who bad been officiating fol• upwards of
seventeen years, a challenge was given by the
Roman Catholics of Tuam, and accepted by the
Rev. Mr. Seymour, to hold a public meeting to in-
vestigate the facts of the case. Accordingly, on Wed-
nesday last a meeting was held in Tuam, over which two
chairmen presided—Mr. John Bodkin, D.L., on the
Roman Catholic side ; and Mr. Denis Kirwan, D.L., on
the Protestant side. The Rev. Dr. Drew and the Rev.
T. F. Miller, the chairmen respectively of the meetings
held in Dublin and Belfast, attended the meeting,
on invitation, and examined the Rev. Dr. Trench
and the Rev. Mr. Fowler, curate of Tuam, who, accord-
ing to a statement signed by the Rev. Messrs. Drew
and Miller, gave " most satisfactory testimony, sup-
ported by legal affirmation, that the number of converts
stated by Mr. Seymour was strictly correct." Consi-
derable discussion then took place as to the order in
which the investigation was to be conducted, and a
demand was made that the names of the converts
should be openly stated. To this the Rev. Messrs.
Drew and Miller decidedly objected, but those gentle-
men proposed to examine two persons on the Roman
Catholic side, which was declined, unless the list of con-
verts was given up. The chairman on the Roman
Catholic side then declared that his sentiments re-
specting the evidence already tendered were not
those of the Rev. Messrs. Drew and Miller ; and
the chairman on the Protestant side said he did
not feel himself called upon to express any opinion.
Theproceedings then, according to the statement signed
by
en t Messrs.version
is givenDrewand by
Miller, tphuresemcozsluldeeud2..nal, diffe-
rent
stating, on the authority of a letter from Tuam,
that "even Mr. Kirwan, the Protestant chairman, was
obliged to admit that the Rev. Mr. Seymour had failed
to substantiate his statement."

AMSTERDAM AND ROTTERDAM PRODUCE MARKETS.—
The weekly reviews from the Amsterdam and Rotterdam
produce markets mention that business continued inac-
tive. The operations in coffee had been limited, but
prices were maintained with steadiness. No change
had occurred in sugar ; the rates for tea were regarded
as exhibiting firmness, and rice brought former quota-
tions. An active demand had sprung up for the various
descriptions of fruit, and considerable purchases had
been made on English account.
We understand that the following gentlemen will be
called to the inner bar during the present term :—Messrs.
Montague Smith, of the Western ; Edward James and
Stephen Temple, of the Northern ; and W. R. Grove,
of the South %lea circuit,