The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-03 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONIDON, MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 3, 1854,

will embark on Thursday next from this port by the
Royal mail steam-ship Trent, both these regiments being
under orders to proceed to the East. The Orinoco and
Trent will proceed, probably, to Gallipoli, without
touching at Malta. They are coaled, and provisions for
al6 days' run. Large quantities of military stores, in-
cluding Minis rifles, musket ball, cartridges, &c., have
been shipped by them, the whole of the hammocks,
bedding, &c., for the men are on board, and the vessels
are quite ready for active employment in the transport
service. Fatigue parties of 50 non-commissioned officers
and men are expected to arrive here on Monday from
each regiment to attend to the shipment and stowage of
the heavy baggage, and to make the requisite arrange-
ments for the embarkation on Wednesday and Thurs-
day.

The Royal mail steamer Medway is, we under-
stand, to leave Southampton en Monday or Tuesday
next, for Portsmouth, to embark the 42d Highlanders
from that regiment.

PEMBROKE DOCKYARD.

The recruiting for the navy has been pretty successful
in this neighbourhood, and, as a recruiting officer is
much needed here, Lieutenant Robinson has been ap-
pointed, and is to be borne upon the books of the Saturn.
A few men have been raised for the naval coast volun-
teers.
The principal force of the establishment is now en-
gaged upon the Curacoa, 30, steam•frigate, Admiralty
orders having been received to launch her on the first
spring tide in the present month. Great exertions are,
consequently, being used to expedite her completion.
When launched, her port of equipment will be Ports-
mouth.

Orders are expected for the line-of-battle ships Vic-
toria and Brunswick to be altered to receive the screw
propeller. Another ship of the line, the Repulse, is pro-
gressing, and is to have engines of 600-horse power.
The progress made in the building of her Majesty's
new yacht is but small, the demands of the public ser-
vice requiring a concentration of force upon the other
veAsels. The coastguardmen required for service have
now been draughted from all the neighbouring stations.

LIVERPOOL, APRIL 1.

The British and North American mail steam-ship
Niagara, Leitch commander, is under orders to sail for
Malta with the 88th Foot (Connaught Rangers), now
stationed at Preston ; but the date of her departure is
not yet known. Sixteen sailing vessels are being fitted
in Liverpool for the conveyance of troops, and notices
have been issued for tenders for more transport ships.
The screw steamer Albatross is about to be surveyed by
the Government authorities as 'a preliminary step to her
being chartered for the conveyance of troops.

SHEERNESS, APRIL 1.

The water tank schooner in use at this port for supply-
ing the navy with water was sent off yesterday to the
Downs, victualled for one month, for the purpose of at-
tending on the combined squadron of English and French
ships passing through the Downs, to supply them with
water preparatory to their proceeding to the Baltic. The
Myrtle, steam tender to the Wellington, towed the
watertank schooner as far as the Girdler buoy, on her
way to the Downs.

The crew and officers of the Majestic, 80, new screw
steamship, Captain James Hope, have this day shifted
from their hulk, the Minotaur. From the trials of her
machinery which have taken place in the fitting
it has been considered quite unnessary to take the Ma-
jestic on a trial trip. She will, therefore, on being ready
for sea and coaled (which will be in about 10 days time)
proceed direct for the Baltic.
The Waterloo, 120, Captain Lord F. Kerr, has sent
down her jurymasts, yards, &c., as a flagship, and her
seagoing masts, yards, &c., have been sent up. She is
now all ataunt and ready for sea at the shortest notice.
Her crew, supernumeraries, &c , are daily deing drilled
to qualify them for active service.
The Miranda, 14 guns, screw-steamship, Captain E. M.
Lyons, returned here from the Baltic at 2 a.m. this
day, and moored on the west shore. At 8 a.m. she
saluted the Waterloo, 120 guns, at present flagship at
the Nore. The Miranda has received considerable
damage to her bows, both above and below her waterline.
Nearly the whole f her copper is torn off from both
bows by the ice, and she is partially damaged fore and
aft by forcing her way through it for 100 miles, in
order fully to reconnoitre the Russian ports—Port Bal-
tic and Revel. In performing this service the greatest
difficulty was experienced, broadsides of shot and
her swivel 8-inch shell gun being fired in the direction
she was required to go ; by these means and steaming
she effected satisfactorily the mission she was sent on.
It has been ascertained that the Revel squadron of the
Rus ian fleet got over to Helsingfors last autumn previ-
ous to the setting in of the frost ; they consisted of 10
sail of the line. After the Miranda had communicated
with Sir Charles Napier in the Belt, she proceeded to
Elsinore, Wingo Sound, and thence to this port. She
spoke on the 29th ult. at 1 p.m., off the Scaw, the
Boscawen, 70 guns ; the Boscawen was running to the
south ward.

Sir Charles Napier had adopted the passage through
the Kattegat and Great Belt, as proposed by the survey-
ing masters on board the Hecla. The Miranda has run
over above 2,500 English miles since she left this har-
bour. Her screw-propeller has not received the slightest
damage from the ice, although on repeated occasions
they had to turn astern at a brisk speed, in order to
freshen her headway through some of the heavier bodies
of ice that intercepted her progress.
During the time the fleet was at Wingo Sound pleasure
steam-boats were constantly running between the Sound
and Gottenburg with large parties on board, who cheered
loudly as they passed each ship.
The fleet proceeded from Wingo Sound on the 23d
ult., and after running down to Moruptongue lighthouse,
hauled across to Furness Point, passing to the south-
ward of Anholt.

Admiral Corry had joined the fleet with the Neptune,
120, the Monarch, 84, the Bulldog, 6, paddle-wheel.
steam-sloop, and the Vulture, 6, paddle-wheel steam-
sloop. At 10.30 p.m. the same day the fleet anchored
off Forness.

On the 24th the fleet weighed at 11 a.m., and en-
tered the Great Belt, anchoring under Reefness at 5 p.m.
On the 25th a strong northerly wind prevailed and
the fleet remained at anchor.

On the 26th (Sunday), at 9.30 a.m., the fleet weighed
and proceeded with a fair wind towards Nybourg and
Sprogo island.
A fatal accident took place on board the Miranda on
her entering Kiel Bay. Gibeon Batt, the carpenter's
mate, while in the act of preparing the accommodation
ladder, unfortunately fell overboard and was drowned.
The life buoy was let go immediately, and the boats
were lowered in an incredibly short time, but, owing to
the intense cold and his heavy clothing, he sank before
any assistance could be rendered.

The following officers have this day joined the Miranda,
from the Waterloo, having been here some time waiting
the Miranda's return :—Lieutenant Thomas A. Swin-
burn (Nov. 9, 1846), Assistant-Surgeon Benjamin
Crabbe, and Mr. James Wicker, clerk.
In consequence of the injuries the Miranda has re-
ceived she will have to be taken into dry dock to make
good the damage done. Her machinery, although
severely tried, has acted very satisfactorily.
Captain E. M. Lyons left here early this morning for
London, after communicating with the Port-Admiral.
Captain Christopher Wyvill (22d of February, 1832),
aide-de-camp to her Majesty the Queen, and now ap-
pointed to fill the office of Captain-Superintendent of
this dockyard (vice Captain Charles. Hope, retired on
promotion), arrived here at 1 p.m. to-day.

WOOLWICH, APRIL 1.

The Tonnings steam-vessel was taken into the basin
to-day to embark the horses of the staff of Lord Raglan,
but so late in the afternoon that it was considered ad-
visable to defer the embarkation of the horses until
Monday next., She is expected to leave on Tuesday for
her destination.

The City of London steam-vessel was brought down
from Deptford to Woolwich to-day, preparatory to em-
barking troops for the Mediterranean.

APPOINTMENTS.

Captain Christopher Wyvill (1832) to be superintend-
ent of Sheerness dockyard, vice Captain Charles Hope,
who has been captain superintendent of that dockyard
since September 29, 1851, and has resigned at the com-
mencement of the quarter, being next for promotion on
the active list to the rank of Rear-Admiral.

Commanders—James Wood (1850), to the Fisgard,
flagship, at Woolwich, for surveying service ; J. G.
Harrison (1842), to be an Inspecting-Commander of the
Coastguard.
Lieutenants —Lacon U. Hatnmet (1846), serving in
the James Watt, 91, screw steamship, to be flag-lieu-
tenant to Rear-Admiral Plumridge. Charles G. Mac-
Grigor (1846). serving in the Illustrious, 26, training
ship at Portsmouth, to the James Watt, vice Hammet ;
C. G. Paterson to the Illustrious, vice M‘Grigor.
Paymaster—William Hickman (1849), to be secretary,
to Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas J. Cochrane, K.C.13:, Com-
mander-in-Chief at Portsmouth.

PRO3fOTIONS.
Lieutenants—Robert M'Cole (1812), William Pitman
(1806), who has a Greenwich Hospital pension, and Ro-
bert Lethbridge (1811) to be retired commanders of 1830.
Lieutenant Charles Leckie (1845), who was promoted
to be Acting-Commander while serving in the Penelope
paddle-wheel steam-frigate on the west coast of Africa
station has been confirmed to the rank of commander,
dated March 24.
Lieutenant F. H. Stirling (1848), recently serving in
the Penelope steam-frigate when serving as flagship on
the west coast of Africa station, to be commander, dated
March 25.

DUBLIN, SATURDAY MORNING.
A body of men, numbering over 60, belonging to regi-
ments not ordered immediately on active service, have
volunteered from their several corps in the Rifle Brigade,
and will embark this day for England, en route for Malta.
It is stated that no less than 40 non-commissioned offi-
vceerlism(tseeerrgeed as privates
and corporals) belonging to regiments
not ordered abroad, have relinquished their rank and
privates in the fighting regiments destined
to take part in the approaching war in the East.
The 46th Regiment, quartered in Kilkenny for the
last four months, has received orders to hold itself in
readiness, and the route is hourly expected. The desti-
nation of the corps is not yet known.
The second division of the Royal Artillery, consisting
of 86 horses and 43 men, under the command of Captain
Marriott, sailed yesterday (Friday) in the Juverna, Cap-
tain Gilmore, from Cork, for Woolwich.
On the same day 100 volunteers from the 2d Rifle
Brigade, commanded by Captain WKenzie, sailed in
the Preussicher Adler from Cork. They were accom-
panied to the quay by the Bands of the 39th and 89th
Regiments. A second division of the same regiment
arrived by train on Friday for shipment from Cork.
The demi-battery of Artillery at present in Kilkenny
garrison are wader orders tot Dublin. Their horses

have been already withdrawn for the purpose of aiding
in the equipment for the Eastern expedition.
By an order just received from the War-office it is
directed that the head-quarters of the recruiting staff for
the northern district be transferred from Newry to Bel-
fast. The removal will take place during the present
month.

THE DEATH OF THE LATE COLONEL
GORDON.

In consequence of information received by the rela-
tives of the late Colonel Gordon, R.A., it was deter-
mined to institute a further inquiry into the circum-
stances accompanying his melancholy death, which took
place in a railway carriage, between Stafford and Crewe,
on the night of the 15th ult. The body was accordingly
exhumed on Saturday, the 25th ult., and conveyed to
Crewe, where it was viewed by a jury, and identified by
the son-in-law of the deceased, Mr. William Duckett,
of Russell's-town-park, Carlow.
The inquiry was then adjourned to Friday last, when
it was resumed at Crewe, before Mr. Henry Churton,
coroner for the southern division of Cheshire.

Mr. Blenkinsop, of Liverpool, on behalf of the London
and Worth-Western Railway Company, attended to
watch the inquiry, and expressed the desire of the com-
pany to afford every facility in their power to aid its
prosecution. Mr. Phillips, of London, attended on
behalf of Saunders, the night inspector at the Stafford
station. Mr. John Henry Gordon, son of the late
colonel, was present during the inquiry.
Mr. James Gibbs, an engineer in the service of the
Peninsular and Oriental Steam-packet Company, was the
first witness examined. He stated that he left Euston-
square station by the 8.55 mail train on the night of the
15th of March, accompanied by his wife and family. He
was in a third-class carriage, and in the compartment in
front of him was the late colonel and two other gentle-
men, Mr. Russell and Mr. Boyd ; behind him there was
a drunken man and some other persons. This man got
out at a station before arriving at Stafford, and brought
four pint bottles of ale and porter into the carriage with
him when he returned. He drank from these, and be-
came much more intoxicated and very noisy. The man
who was in that compartment complained of him at
Stafford to the inspector there, for being intoxicated
and using bad langurge, and he was removed from
that compartment by the inspector, and taken to the
one where Colonel Gordon was sitting. The colonel re-
fused to admit him, and on the inspector insisting on his
admission he repeatedly offered his card, saying he would
take all the responsibilty of refusing admission to the
drunken man, and asked why he should be taken out of
one compartment and brought there. The inspector re-
fused to take the card, saying he neither cared for him
nor his card, and, after some altercation, rushed into the
compartment where the colonel was, seized him by the
shoulders, and said he must go out. He pushed the colonel
towards the door, and witness heard a slight kn,,ck.
The deceased and the other two gentlemen said they
never saw such treatment before. Tne inspector after-
wards let go his hold of the colonel, and put the man
who was tipsy into the compartment where the deceased
was, the conductor of the train going in with him. Col.
Gordon asked the two gentlemen who were in that com-
partment to oblige him with their names, as he intended
to take the matter up as an assault. He did not,
however, take down the names, but sat as though
asleep, and about ten minutes afterwards his head be-
gan to drop forward, and he was near falling, when lie
was caught by Mr, Russell. Shortly after this the
train reached Crewe, where medical aid was obtained,
and the colonel was found to be dead. The deceased
appeared in good health and spirits up to the time when
the altercation commenced. He was very much excited
when the inspector refused his card, and spoke in a
loud tone.

Mr. Russell, manager of the firm of Lawrie and Co.,
shipbuilders, Glasgow, stated in addition to the evidence
of the former witness that both he and Mr. Boyd ob-
jected to the man who was intoxicated being put into
the compartment where they were sitting. The colonel
told them not to interfere —he could manage it. The
man was taken to the compartment by the conductor
of the train (Teddy) before he was brought by the in-
spector. The colonel positively refused to admit
the drunken man, and repeatedly offered his card to the
inspector. The inspector said, if any one would give
the man in charge he would detain him. Witness re-
plied, it was the duty of the gentleman who first com-
plained to give him in charge. When the inspector was
endeavouring to thrust the colonel out, the latter placed
his hands against the side of the carriage, and the in-
spector struck him on the left arm, which caused it to
fall. The inspector was then pressing against the de-
ceased, who appeared exhausted, and said, in a tone in-
dicating exhaustion, "Let him come." Witness after-
wards heard the inspector's name was Saunders.
Mr. James Boyd confirmed the account given by the
last witness, and added, that he walked with the colonel
for ten minutes on the platform at Euston-square station
before starting, and he then appeared in good health,
said he did not mind the long journey to Aberdeen, and
that he was going cheap. It is hardly necessary to say
that no one in the carriage or at Stafford knew the
deceased.

Mr. Hayes here asked the coroner if he thought it
necessary for him to call witnesses on behalf of Saun-
ders, as it did not appear t o him (Mr. Hayes) that any
charge could be brought against any persen ; to which
The Coroner replied that he thought the case was
serious as regarded the inspector, Saunders.
Mr. Hayes then called Saunders, the inspector at
Stafford, who, after the usual caution from the coroner,
gave a similar account of the affray at Stafford to that of
the other witnesses, but added that he and the conductor
and a Mr. Moore, had previously done everything they
could to persuade the deceased to admit the man, who
(the witness said) was not drunk. The train was some mi-
nutes behind time, and he was obliged to do something
to get it started. The conductor offered to go in with
the man, to keep him quiet, and did accompany him
when he went in. Witness denied that the colonel
offered his card to him, but admitted that he heard
something about it said to some one else.
William Teddy, the conductor, confirmed the evidence
of Saunders with respect to the determined opposition of
the deceased to the entrance of the man into the com-
partment. He did not believe the man was tip-y. He
was very quiet after he got into the carriage. In answer
to Mr. Blenkinsop, witness said it was not unusual to
find third-class passengers who had taken a few glasses
of liquor !
Mr. M. Richards, superintendent of the Stafford bo-
rough police, and who was on the platform on the night
in question, stated that the man who was said to be
drunk appeared sober, and walked into the carriage with
his hands in his pockets. _

Four porters at the station gave similar evidence to
that deposed to by Saunders.
The inquiry was then adjourned to Saturday, when
Sir John Liddell deposed to having made a p'st mor-
tem examination of the deceased. Death was caused by
an affection of the heart, to which deceased had long
been subject, and any sudden excitement would be likely
to cause death.

The jury returned a verdict of " Manslaughter"
against the inspector Saunders, and the coroner issued
his warrant for h►s apprehension for trial at the ensuing
assizes at Chester.

Bail was subsequently offered and accepted for his
appearance on Tuesday next.
The late Colonel was proceeding to his residence in
Kincardineshire when he met with his death under the
painful circumtances narrated above. He was 67 years
of age, and was a distinguished officer.

STRIKE OF THE MIDLAND PORTERS.— DERBY, SATUR-
DAY EVENING.--The above strike terminated this even-
ing, the men having gained their ends. At half-past
four o'clock this afternoon, Mr. Allport, the general
manager, requested the whole of the men on strike to
meet him in the goods shed at the Midland station.
They did so. Mr. Allport addressed them at some
length, saying he had no desire to injure them, but that
he would rather pay them fortnightly for the convenience
of the office. If the men, however, preferred the old
system of weekly payment, be would accede to it. The
men consulted for a short time, and then informed Mr.
Allport that they must be paid as heretofore (every
Thursday evening) if they resumed work. Mr. Allport
then said he would agree to their request. The men
resumed work this (Monday) morning. The strike
caused the greatest confusion in the goods department,
the station-yard and approaches being choked up with
delayed luggage trains.
THE FRENCH MINT.—It is announced from Paris that
from the Ist of April the French Mint will deduct 2 per
mille per kilo from all gold brought for coinage, this
measure having been adopted to meet the extra expense
of coining the new 5 franc pieces. Under these circum-
stances, it will no longer be profitable at present rates
to send gold from London, and hence some of the recent
Australian arrivals will find their way to the Bank of
England. _ . _

LETTERS FROM AUSTRALIA.—The number of letters
and newspapers from Australia by the overland mail is
very limited, owing to the extent of the despatches by
previous departures. On the whole, it appears, that
business was more steady than could have been antici-
pated, while, with regard to the gold production, there
is no reason to believe that any permanent falling off
need be apprehended, although continued immigration
is necessary to insure full activity at the mines, as
there is a constant tendency on the part of the
older settlers to fall back on other pursuits. Va-
rious statistical returns have been published of
the comparative production of gold in 1852 and
1853, but they do not agree in their totals. It
seems, however, that the amount for the colony of Vic-
toria was equal to about 12,000,0001. sterling, being
rather less than in the preceding year. During the
month of December last the quantity brought by escort
into Melbourne showed a good increase, the sum being
176,535 ounces, against 149,581 in December, 1852, a
result which was the more important from the fact of
the previous five months having presented an uninter-
rupted decrease. Stress continues to be laid by many
writers on the probable shortness of the clip of wool this
season, and also on the increasing difficulties of getting
it to the ports of shipment, but these statements must
always be regarded with some reserve.
Tau NEW BILL oN MORTMAIN.—On Friday, Mr.
Headlam's bill to consolidate and amend the laws of
mortmain, and the laws regulating gifts to charitable or
religious purposes, was print d. There are 25 clauses
in the bill, affording facilities for giving land as sites for
buildings, &c., for schools, with power to sell lands to
trustees for charities. Specific legacies for the promo-
tion of art may be given without restraint. The Charity
Commissioners are to register notice given to them under
the new measure.
PRIVATE AND JOINT-STOCK BANKS.—At a meeting
of the committee of private bankers yesterday a reso-
lution was a iopted to consider the question of admitting
joint-stock banks to the clearing-house, and the matter
it is now believed will speedily be brought to a satis-
factory conciusion,

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

MEETING OF RAILWAY DIRECTORS.

A meeting of railway directors and others interested
in railway undertakings was held on Saturday at the
King's Arms Hotel, Palace-yard, to consider the best
mode of preventing certain clauses being introduced
into railway bills by Mr. Cardwell's committee until the
general bill, of which the clauses in question are intended
to form part, shall have been submitted to Parliament.
The Marquis of Chandos, M.P., presided.
The CHAIRMAN explained the object of the meeting,
and said the of to these clauses was that, if they
were adopted at all, they should be made the subject of
a general bill. They were of too extensive a nature to
be sanctioned in a private bill without coming before
the House of Commons, and that opinion was shared in
by others, many of them largely connected with the rail-
way interest. A meeting was held on the 30th of last
month, and a committee was appointed, consisting of the
chairman and deputy-chairman of each railway company
(with power to add to their number), to take such steps
as might be con'idered ❑ecessary for bringing the pro-
posed alterations of the law fully and fairly under the
consideration of Parliament. It was the opinion of
that meeting, and he hoped it would also be the
opinion of the present, that the merits of these
clauses were for the present wholly beside the ques-
tion, but the question of real importance to
them was, whether railway interests and railway
property of great extent were to be dealt with in a mode
not applicable to other property and in a very under-
hand and undignified manner by Parliament. In the first
instance copies of those clauses to be inserted in all rail-
way bills were only sent to the sub-committee and Par-
liamentary agents, but they were not issued to the
members of the House. That was a most unfair mode
of legislation. He believed such a mode had never been
adopted in the House of Commons lefore. It was
usual to have general resolutions proposed in the form
of a motion pledging the House to agree or disagree to
the proposition. They had had an interview with Mr.
Cardwell on the subject, and the result was unsatisfac-
tory. Mr. Cardwell said he would endeavour to intro-
duce his general bill on Monday next, and to have it
read a second time before Easter, It appeared, how-
ever, that Lord John Russell could not arrange to intro-
duce the bill on Monday. The committee of railway
oirectors bad applied to Lord John Russell for a suspen-
sion of these clauses until the general bill had been in-
troduced, but they had not received his answer.
After some observations from Mr. Waddington, Lord
Alfred Paget, Mr. Malins, and other directors, on the
mode of proceeding, Mr. Leeman suggested that they
should confine themselves to the mere constitutional
question of whether railway property should be dealt
with in the arbitrary and underhanded manner proposed.
He believed at the former meeting there were gentlemen
representing 150,000,000/, of railway property, and he
believed at the present meeting about 200,000,0001. of
property were represented. He therefore thought they
ought not to be lightly treated.
It was agreed, after some conversation, to leave the
management of the matter in the hands of the committee
of directors, who are to meet every day at 11 o'clock,
with a view to carry out the objects of the meeting.
An abstract of the clauses above referred to has ap-
peared in The Sun.