The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-28 00:00:00

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.—(TIus DAY.)

GREAT CONFLAGRATION AT THE FALCON GLASS WORKS.
This morning, at two o'clock, a most destructive fire
broke out on the premises of A. Pellatt, Esq., M.P. for
Southwark, glass manufacturer, Holland-street, Black-
friars, creating the utmost consternation throughout that
district. The discovery was made shortly after two,
when the police on duty observed a glare of light issuing
from the premises.. With the assistance that could be
procured m the neighbourhood, attempts were made to
prevent the fire obtaining ascendancy. Such, however,
proved quite impossible. The reflection of the fire
brought the engines from Watling-street, Farrmgdon-
street, and Southwark-road, and after great difficulty,
owing to the want of water, got to work. Mr. Braid-
wood having arrived, instantly sent for the large floating
steam engine, which was brought from Southwark-bridge
station, and rendered most efficient service ; and, after
most strenuous exertions on the part of the firemen, the
fire was at length subdued. The extent of the loss is
several thousand pounds. During the whole of the
morning, in consequence of the immense heat and body
of fire that remained, it was necessary to keep the en-
gines in constant work. Several thousand persons were
attracted to the spot.
The following is Mr. James Braidwood's official ac-
count of the unfortunate catastrophe :
Two o'clock a.m.—Falcon Glass Works, Holland-
street, Blackfriars, caused by the overheating of the flue.
Insured in the County, Sun, and General Manchester
Fire Offices. Pott-rooms, show-rooms, and stables de-
stroyed. Steam floating engine, fire brigade engines,
and West of England, with a body of assistants and fire-
men.

No. 13, Green-walk—E. Hunt, private furniture da-
maged by removal, and back of premises burnt.
No. 8, Holland-street—J. F. Norton, patent wool
manufacturer. Contents insured in the Royal Liverpool
and other fire insurance offices.

This morning, shortly after two o'clock, another fire
broke out in the premises of Hibbard's dining-rooms and
coffee-shop, 158, Fleet-street. The fire was discovered
by a policeman on the beat, by whom an alarm was
raised and the engines sent for ; but on the arrival of
the London Brigade and West of England engines,
it was found that there was a:• great difficulty in
obtaining a supply of water. After some delay, the
water was procured in abundance, but not until the
premises were nearly gutted.

CRIMINAL COURT-(THIS DAY).

OLD COURT.
(Before the Recorder.)

THE RYE ELECTION-THE QUEEN V. JEREMIAH SMITH.

The defendant, who is the mayor ~of the borough of
Rye, surrendered to take his trial for perjury alleged to
have been committed in the evidence given by him before
a committee of the House of Commons, in reference to
one of the elections for that borough.
Mr. Rodwell, who appeared on behalf of the prosecu-
tion, said that, in the absence of Mr. Montagu Cham-
bers, be was instructed to apply for a postponement of
the trial. He made the application-upon an affidavit of
Mr. Hobler, the solicitor for the proscution, to the effect
that he had not been able until the previous evening, to
obtain "the consent of the House of Commons for
their officers to attend and give evidence in support
of the indictment. He had, therefore, not had
an opportunity to subpcena them, and as it was im-
possible to proceed with the charge in the absence
of these gentlemen, he trusted the court would allow
the trial to stand over to a later period of the session.
Sir F. Thesiger, who appeared =on behalf of the de-
fendant, expressed his surprise at the application. The,
case had stood on the list on the previous day, and it
was specially fixed for trial this morning.' He could not
conceive that there was really any difficulty in obtain-
ing the attendance of the officers of the House of Com-
mons.

The Recorder said he certainly should have thought
that their attendance could have been obtained in halt
an hour.

Mr. Rodwell said that leaye was only obtained on
Monday evening at six o'clook, and the evidence of five
or six different officers of the House of Commons was
absolutely necessary, and there really had been no oppor-
tunity to ascertain correctly, who the witnesses were, or
to subpoena them. •
After some further conversation an arrangement was
eventually made that the case should be postponed to
Thursday.

THE CHOLERA.—DEPUTATION TO LORD PALMER-
STON.—A deputation, consisting of Lords Harrowby,
Ebrington, and Goderich, Mr. I'. S. Cocks, M.P., Mr.
Granville Harcourt, M.P., Sir J. Clark, Admiral
Smyth, Mr. R. Cocks, Mr. Helps, and many other in-
fluential persons, waited yesterday on Lord Palmerston
to inquire what measures the Government were about
to adopt with respect to the apprehended return of cho-
lera. Lord Harrowby having explained the object of
the deputation, and stated what he considered desirable
to be done, Lord Palmerston said Sir W. Molesworth,
as President of the Board of Health, intended to bring
in an amended act to enlarge the powers which the
present law gave to the board. For himself, he should
feel greatly obliged if any member of the deputation
would furnish him in writing with the heads of improve-
ments which any measure of the sort ought to contain,
and he would be happy to communicate with Sir
William Molesworth on the subject. Lord Ebring-
ton stated the difficulty experienced by the Board
of Health in consequence of the little power they
possessed in carrying out the provisions of the Public
Health Act ; he bad resigned in consequence of that
want of power. Mr. Helps having made some ob-
servations, Lord Palmerston again invited the depu-
tation to make any suggestion they considered impor-
tant. Several details were then entered into by different
members of the deputation, and Mr. Ward went at some
length into the proposed remedies for the present evils
of defective drainage and supply of water, and, after
some further discussion on the points submitted, Lord
Palmerston again expressed his willingness to receive
any communication in writing from the deputation.
Thanks were then given to his lordship for the courteous
reception he had given the deputies, and they retired.
Mr. Ward, Mr. Simon, and Mr. Bullar were appointed
to draw up a draught report.
LOCKS AND LOCK PICKING.—The workmen of Mr.
Hobbs, the well-known lock manufacturer, have set a
novel example of combination, which is somewhat re-
markable at the present moment. A rumour having
become current that the locks of their employer were as
subject to the tampering touch of the " pick " as that of
most others, they, considering themselves and their skill
compromised in the charge, have offered to deposit 501.
against the like amount, to be forfeited on either side in
the event of any person fairly picking the American
lock. This is in addition to 200 guineas offered by Mr.
Hobbs for a similar result.