The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-29 00:00:00

THE SUN. LON-DONT, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE 29, 1863.,

COURT CIRCULAR.

CITY COURT OF SEWERS.

THE CAMP AT aIIOBHAM COMMON.

A. deputation from the Birmingham and Midland
Counties Society for the Better Protection of Sacks had
an interview with Viscount Palmerston yesterday, at
the Home-office. The deputation was headed by Mr.
G. F. -.Kuntz, M.P., and consisted of Messrs. John
Evans, W. Lucey, J. H. Bodington, and Edward
DaVenport (Birmingham), Mr. Perks (London), Mr. T.
Lucey (Worcester), Mr. C. Lowe (Sheepy), Mr. J. P.
Adkins (Northampton), and Mr. J. Staley (Banbury).
Mr. James Sadleir was among the company that dined
with the Chief Secretary for Ireland on Saturday at
Greenwich.

Yesterday a court was held ; Deputy Peacock in the
chair.
-- •

Bxperientia docet, and perhaps after yesterday the
public will not be so ready to rush off to Chobham upon
the faith of parties promising them all sorts of evolutions
on certain days. Thousands visited the camp, and all
the roads leading to it were as crowded with carriages
and pedestrians as upon any day since it has been formed,
always excepting that of the Queen's visit. It is need-
less to say that the whole of the force were in as quies-
cent a state as even the Peace Congress could have de-
sired. And in spite of the anxiety which the assemblage
manifested to witness the least evolution, the authorities
in the camp seemed inexorable, and not a man stirred
beyond the lines, except to saunter about the heath. It
was confidently expected that the pontoon practice
would have been commenced yesterday at Virginia
Water, and at that place also a very considerable atten-
dance of ladies and gentlemen were present, though, un-
like the parties upon the common, the majority of these
visitors were of the higher ranks, and included many
members of the beau monde. Of course they were like-
wise disappointed about the arrival of the troops, though
the inspection of the pontoon-bridge, which has been
thrown across the water, repaid them in some degree for
the long journey, which would otherwise have been un-
der taken in vain.

There was nothing special upon the paper of business,
but the following interesting conversation took place
after the several reports of the inspectors had been read.
FEES TO OFFICERS CONNECTED WITH ST. FAITH'S CHURCH-
YARD, BY ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL.
Upon the report of the medical officer of health being
brought up, with regard to the reference made to him
as to the desirability of discontinuing interments in the
City graveyards in general, and that of St. Faith's un-
der St. Paul's in particular,
Deputy HOLT observed, that it would be in the recol-
lection of the members that at the last court he stated
that servants of St. Paul's Cathedral were in the habit
of receiving 31. 4s. fee for every parishioner buried in
the graveyard of St. Faith, and 1/. 17s. 6d. for each
non-parishioner, over and above two a year, which the
cathedral allowed the parish of St. Faith to enjoy.
(Hear, hear.) To this statement a person in office of
the name of Cummings had objected. In the Morning
Advertiser of Friday last a letter appeared, challenging.
him (Deputy Holt) to prove the statement made, Cum-
mings alleging that such statement " was a gross per-
version of the truth." Now, then, he (Deputy Holt)
begged the commissioners' attention to a book which
he held in his hand, and in which there appeared
several entries of amounts in the shape of fees paid
by the sexton of St. Faith's to this very officer, and to
these amounts that individual's signature was affixed.
(Hear.) He (Deputy Holt) would with this explanation
leave the matter in the hands of the commissioners.
(Hear.) In conclusion he wished to say that he felt it
to be a great abomination that interments should be
continued in such a place of public resort as St. Paul's-
churchyard. He (Deputy Holt) was glad that he had
the opportunity of reporting to the court that he had
seen a document from the official authorities directing
the ground to be closed without delay. (Hear.)
Mr. H. L. TAYLOR, considering this matter to be of
public importance, highly complimented Deputy Holt
on the activity he had displayed in its exposure ; and
The Medical Officer said that he hoped in a short
time the whole of the City graveyards would be au-
thority be closed.
The matter then dropped.—Adjourned.

It is now some two weeks since 140 men of the Sap-
pers and Miners pitched their tents near Virginia
Water, and commenced making preparations for throw-
ing over the pontoon-bridge. Had all the materials
been upon the spot it woud have been accomplished in
20 minutes at the most ; but the delay was caused by
the whole of the complicated apparatus being in store
at Chatham, from whence it had to be forwarded in de-
tail. As the visitor enters the grounds of Virginia
Water from the Wheatsbeaf, the bridge is about 100
yards down a kind of inlet, which stretches from the
main body of water on the right hand side.
The first impression which it makes, as you see it in
the distance lying like a pathway of timber over a series
of apparently ugly boats, is unfavourable ; and one can-
not help thinking that it is but a rough and clumsy
contrivance after all, and one which reflects little credit
upon the inventive faculties of the officers of the Royal
Engineers. But this opinion is only momentary, and
soon gives way before a more minute inspection, when
the admirable fitness of the means employed to bring
about a certain end strike even the most casual observer.
It is impossible to imagine any mechanical contrivance
more suited to its purpose, or one which could be made
when fixed to combine in a higher degree the essentials
of unyielding strength, great lightness, and perfect
flexibility.
As, for the future, most of the evolutions of the troops
will be confined to pontoon operations, we shall, in order
to make future descriptions intelligible to our non-mili-
tary readers, endeavour to convey some idea of what a
pontoon is, and how a pontoon-bridge is formed in a few
minutes, so as to enable the largest armies in Europe to
cross some of its widest and most rapid streams. A pon-
toon is a hollow cylinder, about 20 feet long and nine in
circumference—lined, in most instances, with a thin
casing of wood, about an inch thick, and covered care-
fully upon the outside with sheet-copper, the edges of
which are firmly rivetted together. In comparison with
its size its weight is a mere trifle, and therefore, as a
matter of course, its powers of buoyancy are very great.
On its outer surface there are a number of rings and
bars set in the copper for the purpose of allowing the
rafts to be lashed to it, while upon either end of the
pontoon itself are strong metal rings, to which cables
and small stream anchors are attached, to moor it, as it
were, fore and aft, in the centre of rapid rivers. Two of
these pontoons having been placed at the required dis-
tance, a timber raft, about 12 feet broad and 12 feet
long, made of strong planks, is'placed upon it, and firmly
secured in its position, so as to form a little bridge, of the
length we have mentioned, and rising by the buoyancy of
the pontoons about three feet from the surface of the
water. When a general is about to effect the passage
of a river by means of these pontoons the Sappers and
Miners, who always have charge of them, form a number
of these rafts in the manner we have indicated, and when
the materials are at band in the course of about seven
minutes. Six privates of the Sappers and Miners, and
one corporal in charge,' to steer, is appointed to every
raft, which is fitted at each outermost side with three
rowlocks. When these preparations are completed, the
first raft, supported at both ends by a pontoon, is pushed
out into the river, where the men in charge of it, from
long practice, manage and direct its course with the ease
of a little wherry. The proper situation having been
reached, the stream anchors are instantly thrown out,
and the first raft is firmly secured by stakes and ropes
to the shore of the river. By the time this has been
effected the next raft has been anchored in its place, and
the crew (if we may use the expression) of the first raft
instantly proceed to bolt the plankings of the first and
second rafts together ; the men upon the second being
similarly employed in securing their raft to the third,
and so on. In this manner a perfect bridge is formed
with a rapidity that is almost beyond belief. Some idea
may be given of the
,marvellous celerity of this work,
when we state that a pontoon bridge, capable of trans-
porting across an army of 100,000 men, with all their
heavy baggage and artillery, could be thrown across the
Thames at Greenwich in the space of about half an hour ;
that at Virginia Water, which is 360 feet in length and
about 12 in width, can be carried across in something
less than 20 minutes, and pulled to pieces and packed
upon the waggons in the course of 30 minutes more.
To prevent the fire of an enemy's cannon from taking
much effect, each of the metal pontoons are subdivided
inside into seven distinct water-tight compartments, so
-that Should they be struck and two of each of the com-
partments staved in (a very likely mishap when the pan
sage of a river is disputed), it barely makes the difference
of an inch and a half in the rise of the pontoon from the
water. The bridge used at Virginia Water is composed
of the pontoons of Blanchard and Paisley, but the differ-
ence between the two is merely nominal—those of Blan-
chard being cone-shaped at the terminations, and those
of Pasley round. It is arranged in what is called the
"intermediate" order, that is, for the passage of the
oeneral baggage of an army, with artillery and calvary.
When thus disposed (and it is rarely used otherwise)
each pontoon is moored 8 feet 4 inches apart. In open
order, for the passage of infantry only, they are placed
12 feet apart ; while in close order, for the transporta-
tion of the very heaviest descriptions of baggage, they
are moored at intervals of about one foot, or some-
times 18 inches. But this latter mode is so seldom
used as to render the very term " close order" for
pontoons nearly obsolete in military or engineering
tactics. As we have said, the bridge at Virginia
Water is formed in intermediate order ; but even this,
owing to the strong timber supports, eight in num-
ber, which are secured under the planking of each raft,
is sufficient to bear the weight of a heavy breaching
train of artillery, or even of 68-pounder guns ; 15 rafts,
each having two pontoons, are used in this bridge, the
whole of which has been carried across under the super-
intendence of Colonel Jones and Captain Ross of the
Royal Engineers. Upon the southern bank of the lake
a deep road has been cut for about 50 feet in the turf,
leading to the bridge, as it was found to have too steep
an incline to permit of artillery being brought down it.
Beyond this trifling alteration, the beautiful velvet ap-
pearance of the grass around is uninjured. Yesterday
evening General Lord Seaton rode over from the camp
to inspect the bridge, with which we believe he expressed
the highest satisfaction.
The troops at Chobham will parade to-day at ten
o'clock, and we believe will immediately afterwards march
to Virginia Water, there to commence the pontoon exer-
cise. Fifteen rounds of ammunition per man were served
out yesterday evening for this purpose.
A party of the Life Guards were also sent out for the
purpose of inspecting the roads, and reporting upon the
best way to be pursued for the passage of the forces from
Chobham to Virginia Water.
The exercise was to commence, we believe, at Virginia
Water at eleven.

SOCIETY FOR IMPROVING THE CONDITION
OF THE LABOURING CLASSES.

The ninth annual meeting of this society was held
yesterday at Willis's Rooms ; the Earl of Shaftesbury in
the chair, supported by Lord Fever Sham, Lord Haddo,
Lord Brackley, Lord Ebrington, Lord Radstock, Cap-
tain Scobell, M.P., R. M. Milnes, Esq.,,-M.P., Major
Little, J. Sperling, Esq., H. Roberts, Esq , &c.
The CHAIRMAN, at some length, dwelt on the domi-
ciliary improvement which the society and kindred
institutions had already effected in the working
classes, arguing that a moral improvement was
its concomitant, but regretted that the French Go-
vernment should have the triumphant boast that it
had gone beyond the cast of English benevolence,
in voting 200,000/. to build model lodging-houses for the
labouring classes of Paris. Health he considered to be
the thing most economical, and looked upon virtue as
cheaper than vice, and, therefore, thought that a close
attention to the sanitary state of the dwellings of the
poor would have the effect of rendering the people them-
selves happy, decent, and vigorous.
The report stated that the society had now in all 1264
sets of apartments, which were all paying it a remunera-
tive interest upon the capital invested in their construc-
tion, while the health of the inmates was far above the
average. The income had been 91261. ss. 2d., and the
expenditure 96961. 10s. 4d., leaving a balance of 29/.
15s. 10d. in favour of the society.
On the motion of Lord Haddo, seconded by Mr. R.
Slaney, the report was adopted.
Several other gentlemen then addressed the meeting,
when the proceedings terminated in the usual manner.

THE LATE SEWERS ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF

LIFE IN HOLY FELL-STREET.

SPECIAL VERDICT.

Last evening a lengthened investigation was held by
Mr. Higgs, the coroner for the Duchy of Lancaster, at
the Cheshire Cheese Tavern, Milford-lane, Strand, rela-
tive to the circumstances connected with the death of
James Phillips, a labourer, aged 36 years, which resulted
from the falling in of the tunnel of the sewer now in
course of re-construction in liolywell-street, Strand, on
Monday last, some particulars of which appeared in our
impression of yesterday.
Alex. Lettuce, a labourer, of 7, Wright's-buildings,
Bath-street, Shoreditch, deposed that on Monday evening
last, about 11 o'clock, he was engaged with deceased in
driving a small heading for he new sewer in Holywell-
street. Having got through several feet, timber supports
were put up, and every precaution taken to prevent
accidents, but the brickwork of a vault or cellar of one
of the houses suddenly gave way on either side, causing
the ground above to fall alio. Witness saw the earth
fall upon the deceased, who, at the time of the accident.
was standing close by the side of the vault. Every
means was taken to get the deceased out, but it was not
until an hour and three-quarters after the accident that
he was extricated. He (deceased) was attended by a
surgeon, but he was found to be quite dead.
George Stop, a carpenter, deposed that he resided at
No. 46, Holy well-street, and that the vault belonged to
his house. On Saturday last he descends i into the
vault, to see if the walls ware cracking, but found every-
thing safe. The men ergaged in tunnelling were at
work exactly underneath the vault. He (witness) gave
information that there was a vault, but no one-attended
to examine it.

Mr. Edmund Cooper, engineer to the commissioners
of sewers, said that he was requested to state that the
commissioners had taken the greatest care that their
contractors were men of the greatest experience. The
deceased was a very careful and practical man, and had
in consequence been receiving more money than the
other workmen, and was well acquainted with the wank
he was engaged in at the time of the accident.
Mr. Charles Anderson, special clerk of the works,
Mr. George Frederick Fry, clerk of the works for the
district, Mr. John Phillips, and other witnesses, were
examined at great length.
The coroner having summed up,
The jury, after about an hour's consultation, returned
the following verdict :—That the deceased died from acci-
dental suffocation ; and we, the said jurors, strongly re-
commend that greater caution be taken on the part of
the surveyors of the contractors to see that the lives of
the men employed be more carefully attended to for the
future."

The proceedings occupied nearly five hours.

PRICE OF GOLD.—The quotation of gold at Paris is
about at par (according to the last tariff), which, at the
English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 10-4 d. per ounce for
standard gold, gives an exchange of 25.17 ; and, the
exchange at Paris on London at short being 25.02 k, it
follows that gold is about 0.58 per cent. dearer in Paris
than in London. By advises from Hamburgh the price of
gold is 427 per mark, which, at the English Mint price of
3/. 17s. 104 d. per ounce for standard, gives an exchange
of 13.6 ; and, the exchange at Hamburgh on London at
short being 13.41, it follows that gold is 0.59 per cent.
dearer in Hamburgh than in London. The course of ex-
change at New York on London for bills at 60 day's
sight is 110 per cent., and, the par of exchange between
England and America being 109 23-40 per cent., it
follows that the exchange is nominally 0.42 per cent. in
favour of England ; and, after making allowance for
charges of transport, the present rate leaves a small
profit on the importation of gold from the United
States. _ .

ARRIVALS OF AUSTRALIAN GOLD. The Brooksby
has arrived from South Australia with 25,751 oz. of gold,
value about 113,0041. She left Adelaide on the 18th of
February. The Henry Gillespie has also arrived from
Port Philip with 4,000 oz. of gold, value about 16,0001.
This vessel left Melbourne on the 4th March. The Aber-
foyle, also from Port Philip, has likewise arrived with
16,120 oz. of gold, value about 64,480/. She left Geelong
on the 17th March, and reports the Melbourne steamer to
have left Melbourne on the 13th of the same month
(four days previously) for England, with 29,391 oz.
of gold, value about 117,5641. The Australasia and
the Southern Cross from Hobart Town, Van Die-
men's Land, have also arrived, but the amount of
gold they bring is not at present known. The date of
departure of the Aberfoyla is not so late by a week as
that of the Electricity, arrived at Madras, en route for
England, but we have received some additional intelli-
gence respecting the colony not previously made public.
The discoveries of large lumps of gold at the Ballarat dig-
gings were not so numerous, but the yield was neverthe-
less large, and a very great number of persons were at
work in this district. At the Ovens there had been a
falling off in the yield, caused by the number of dig-
gers having decreased from 12,000 to 4,000 persons.
The greater proportion had been attracted to the Bal-
larat field, in the hope of participating in the many
valuable discoveries lately made there. There had not
been much business done in gold, but the price was
steady at 765. 6d. per oz. The arrival of gold from the
diggings for the week ending March 14 had been, exclu-
sive of the escort from the Ovens, which had not arrived,
41,696 oz , which, with previous shipments, made a total
of 514,715 oz., value in England about 2,068,8601.
There had been an arrival of 2,975 persons during the
same week, against departures amounting to 656, which
made the total increase to the population for that period
2,319. From Geelong we learn that the news received
there from the mines was generally of an encouraging
character. The price of gold was 765. 6d. per oz.
ST. PRTERSBURGIL—The advices from St. Petersburgh

...._. _
reach to the 22d of June. Nothing further was known
- -

regarding political affairs, and business was apparently
little disturbed by apprehensions. In stocks there were
few transactions, but prices were steady, and in all the
staple articles of produce there was much firmness. The
quotation of exchange remained at a point that would
admit of the export of gold—namely, 38d., but as the
rate at Odessa was equal to 390., a rise at St. Peters-
burgh was certain to take place, so that there was no
prcspect of any continued remittances being made to
London, even supposing them to be allowed by the
Government. From Odessa the accounts are to the
17th of June. The next steamer from Constantinople
would bring the final answer of the Sultan to the
demands made upon him, and was anxiously looked
for ; but, meanwhile, commercial affairs were pursuing
their regular course, and the extent of operations was
rather large, causing a considerable amount of bills to
be drawn on England, and the rate of exchange to be
less favourable for this country. About 40,000 quarters
of wheat had been purchased during the week, princi-
pally for the Mediterranean, and the general arrivals of
grain from the interior were abundant, the total for the
month ending the 12th of June having been 240,000
quarters of wheat, 80,000 of Indian corn, 72,000 of rye,
and 27,000 of linseed.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

NOTES FROM NEWCASTLE.

The opening day was marked by untoward incidents ;
the sport was scanty, and the weather unpropitious—the
rain descending with drenching effect just before the de-
cision of the last race. The attendance of general com-
pany and business men, too, was below the average,
and a marked falling off was perceptible in the number
and character of carriage company. Nevertheless,
should the "skyey influences" be propitious, an immense
gathering of all sorts and conditions of people is expected
to-morrow (Wednesday).
The sport to-day was comparatively uninteresting,
and occasioned no active speculation. Evadne having
walked over for the Triennial Produce Stakes, the
first race. The Trial Stakes brought out five competi-
tors ; King David was the favourite at 6 to 4, but after
a capital "set to," Bold Davie beat him by a neck.
The race between Evadne and Sir Robert for the
Members' Plate was finely contested, and until the
judge's decision was delivered in favour of the former,
the spectators believed it to be a (lead heat. Indeed,
after the horses had passed the post even money was
betted between Evadne and Sir Robert. Within a few
strides of the chair only did Evadne " collar' Sir Robert,
when by a vigorous effort she succeeded in defeating
him on the post by a head ! Seven others ran ; the
Sally Warfoot colt finished in the extreme rear !
For the North Derby, Honeywood was drawn, his
owner having an interest in Audubon, whom he deemed
good enough to win. Audubon was consequently an
immense favourite, 3 and, in some instances, 4 to 1
being betted on him. Hs, however, wofully disap-
pointed his backers, Honeydew agreeably surprising the
"fielders" by beating him somewhat cleverly by a neck.
Audubon made all the running, the winner challenging
him when nearly opposite the Grand Stand.
During the afternoon some heavy investments were
made on the Northumberland Plate. Goorkah re-ap-
peared in the betting with increased price at 6 and 7 to
1 ; Goldfinder receded to 11 to 2, and Colsterdale was
out of favour. The race, however, will probably be de-
cided before these remarks meet the reader's eye.
The opinions which I expressed on Monday, as to the
result of to-day's races have been fully borne out. For
the Member's Plate, I named the first and second horses.
I assigned the Triennial Stakes to Evadne, and indi-
cated the " movement" relative to Honeywood and Au-
dubon for the North Derby !
At the time I write it is difficult to collect any satis-
factory information respecting Thursday's races. For
the Gold Cup I still deem Kingston's chance preferable;
Brown-brandy appears likely to carry off the Grand
Stand Stakes, and Honeywood and Vindex are likely to
be the most formidable competitors for the Gateshead
Lottery Stakes,

lan unable to express a definite opinion on the Cor-
poration Plate, as the race will be materially influenced
by the running for the Northumberland Plate. At pre-
sent I think Audubon's chance is entitled to considera-
tion.
Newcastle, Tuesday Night. A FRESH MAN.