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

TO THE EDITOR OF TRH TIMES.

SlR,—Ever since Dr. Rae's account of the discovery of
the remains of Sir John Franklin's party appeared in the
Times I have been anxiously waitingin the hope that some
notice would be taken, either by you or some of your
numerous correspondents, of that part of Capt. M'Clare's
report, published in the Times of last year, which had
reference to a statement made to him by some Escpti-
ntaux to the effect that they Lad met with a party of
" Whites," had attacked them, killed some, and
dispersed the others. They also pointed out to him
the place where some of them were buried, and
offered to conduct him to the spot. Captain M'Clure
says, if I remember rightly, that ho was unable to
take advantage of this information on account of the
foggy state of the weather and the situation of his ship.
With regard to the question of how our brave
countrymen came to their melaicholy end, I think the
evidence is presumptive of their having been mur-
dered. Besides the positive evidence to this effect of the
Esquimaux reporting to Captain M'Clure, it is hardly
to be believed that starving men would prepare their
food as stated, and then lie down and die without par-
taking of it ; and certainly it is not likely that they would
mutilate caore than one corpse at a time. If, as these
people stated to Dr. Rae, they were not the party who
discovered the remains of our countrymen, then how
do they account for the possession of so much plate !
Putting all the evidence together, it is more reason-
able to suppose that our men were murdered, and that
the possessors of the plate were themselves the authors
of the foul deed,

I am, sir, yours, &c.,
Sunderland, Oct. 28. MHDICI:7B.

THE LANCASTER GUY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY NEWS.

Sir,—The suggestioi of your correspondent "Con-
jecture," as to the probable cause of the bursting of the
Lancaster gun, deserves the attention of the military
authorities. It struck me, when I first heard of the
bursting of one of these guns, that it had arisen
from an inequality of the thickness of the barrel, and
that in order to secure safety there should be an equality
of thickness, which could be attained, as your corres-
pondent suggests, by giving an elliptical form to the
outside as well as to the inside of the gun. A rope of
unequal strength, from being thicker at one part than
another, will give way under a strain which one equal
throughout only to the weaker part of the first would
easily sustain. The same principle holds good with re-
gard to a sack not of uniform strength filled with grain
The sack may burst at the weaker part, whereas if it had.
:lab\ e It
to
been alike weak, it would sustain the same, owr even a
along the
greater amount of pressure without giving
might be urged that the same objection is applicable
the
of otherthe parts,
adeil
fothuanldt irtio answer well in
the common rifle, the barrel of which is thinner
iinngtewrnhailcghroitoviess
coursenot
practice ; but when the yielding nature
lt hosft at nh de
rifle bullet is compared with the stubborn n
cast iron ball the reason is obvious.—Yours,at ,
nature of a
Dublin, October 30. &c.
W. C.

NEW ZEALA.ND.—We have late papers from the New
Zealand settlements, reaching from Nelson to the 6th
of August, and from Auckland to the end of July, but
they contain nothing of importance.

THE CA

'. STONOR.

_ ._
The Sydney Argus contains a }tier from Mr.---- -, .
Stoner, whose appointment as judge ip. Apstralia .-%,
had been cancelled. Ile concludes AS 10116W4
" When I received my appointment' I, ousted that the -1
Colonial-office entertained the same vie.wa,and-accepted •
..,
it with gratitude and confidence, Nit tinust-add with .-1 4
little pleasure. I immediately left,Zpghtnd :for this of
colony, at very considerable sacrifices. -Qn..tiiYilvirrival
I learnt that, in deference to opinions exPeessedbiti the's.:
British House of Commons, and by the British press,
the Government had directed the cancellation of my ap-
pointment. The Lieutenant-Governor, Sir C. Hotham,
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 isjustice done to me. As regards the colony, I
hate no complaint to make. I have met in almost
every quarter the most marked sympathy and conside-
ration, and pressing requests to take my place at
the bar. 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
grateful for
np:osrstiibaleedobcecyasoinedn
elxsphraelslsiolenavteo thhaev.ecobloeanyn,
ttecvaeudseanodf
x p e n
_n ce d . the
esyommpueethhytraonudblke
few days, or at most weeks, I may "During the turmoil,c hall dh
atrulyve e
kindness ess wh i
per-
haps the press may consider re-
main, all I desire is priva.dceyr,
to the con-
clusion calmlyafter
and
nmdyddi
seppaasrstiuorneapt
eelry-
the circumstances of my case, and may come
°see
that I did not apply for or accept my late w
misfor-
tune, unwarrantably tna
obtlym;
ythat l
tm;yadn ids mi s
that
i hhaasveb
beeneen my
the
victim
of a grievous, although unintentional, .act of injustice.--
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
" HENRY JAMES STONOB.
"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 btate that no relative, friend, connection, or
other person whatever in any manner supported my ap-
plication to the Colonial-office, which was granted solely
OA 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. WooLnyma, the secretary, from which it appeared
that the balance in hand was 43,1351. 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-General 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 work at an esti-
mated cost of 771. were ordered to be constructed in
Grosvenor-place, Globe-street, Bethnal-green ; aid a
decision on the other cases of defective drainage was
ordered to be referred to d 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 for 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 the young 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 is 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 he bad reached Powderham, the seat 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, welt '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 hei
way. Accordingly she remained in a state almost of
nudity on the banks of the estuary of the Exe, 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.

On Sunday morning last Zion Chapel, on Lansdowne-
hill, in this town (iu which the late Rev. J. Crabb of&
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 that 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
ion party
(one Accordingly,
entered
on Sunday morning, the
in reclaiming penitent adult criminals, and preaching
the gospel to the poor in London."
inquestion
oo ff t thheec dheuarccohnosf)
pro-
ceededthepultpoitr,eaanddthMe
morning service n
g
Eng-
land as far as the first lesson, when the stranger gave
eut the 55th chapter of Isaiah, but, instead of going on
with the chapter, he suddenly stepped out on the top of
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 pei-
sons in the gallery stepped 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." He
further recommended all the people present to take care
to aof their pockets, as he would not. be accountable for
alsntorewphlye
fixed on the person in thegal ,
and
who at length asked
what should be lost. All tiebriys
whoisam oskterpetspheiscteaybeles
inhabitant of Southampton, l
him if he meant him, to which ther,ep y was a vehement
fur-
thers If o u shout,
and what
he was, as he should like to know
Gd his name, the stranger
told him that the wrath of o and damnation would
Pasrtepoellteitioo
rest upon him as long as he lived. Meantime, the con-
' I
question s a yf from rogues
the and
same person, thieves.
'ncleocfkt.helabove
gregatien had all left the chapel, with the exception of
in till about half-party gave out a text, and
kept them
In the
ev„ing the chapel doors were not opened,
about half-a•dozen, when the
effectual means of preventing a • • as the only
strange antics. It appears, from what we have heard,
that this gentleman was recommended b
had heard him preach hi the ,ya
person
who
but we un•
derstand that the unfortunate
gentleman is known to
some of the residents of South
ranged state of miud.—H Southampton as being in a de-
amps/tire Independent.

DEATH OP
of that venerable person,
i-Illt'--OI.DPB
week to announce the (,1, :t
Mr. Wren, who died on Wed-
li"et.sliea
they°,lcie t ilnSbtahbilta INHARITANT.—We have this
death
nsnt.t,' at Stone, in this parish, in the
'l(.)tli year of his
WINg age.—Sussex Expres.e.
E DUTIES.—Mr. Oliveira M P. , Mr. M`Gregor,
M.P., Mr. Barnes,
ATP
---- •, and 'several gentlemen con-
nected with our manufacturing interests, are 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 high 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 nojust-
ment 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
is o d
t to be most cordial, and it to be hpe the result may
tend to commercial as well as political advantages tO
• both countries.

_

RAILWA.,Y 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 repre-
sentatives of other lines had expressed a strong desire
to avail themselves of the facilities which would be af-
forded by a west end terminus. The directors also an-
nounced that they had in contemplation to apply 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 were re-elected, and, a
vote of thanks having been passed to the chairman, the
proceedings terminated.

BRISTOL, SOUTH WALES, A.ND SOIITHAMP-
TON UNION.

A. large and influential public meeting in favour of this
uniertaking was held at Bristol, yesterday, at the Lec-
ture-room of the new Athenmum, which was attended
by most of the merchants, bankers, and traders of the
city and neighbourhood, and by deputations from Wilt-
shire, &c.
The Right Worshipful the Mayor presided, and, hay-
lug
briefly opened the proceedings, called upon Mr.
Adam Jack to read the report of the provisional corn-
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 for which various 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. Blackwell, 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 80,000/. for Parliamentary expenses and con-
tingencies. The report concluded by stating that they
bad reason to believe that the railway would receive the
approval of the Government on the ground of its afford-
ing facilities for the transit of troops and military 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.