The Sun.
London, England, 1847-10-20 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON,

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
THE BRIG SQUADRON.

PORTSMOUTH, TUESDAY.—The Amphion, 36, screw I
steam-frigate, Captain W. J. Williams, returned to
Spithead yesterday afternoon, after trying her sailing
properties in company with the Recruit (iron), 12,
Commander Slade ; the Arab, 12, Commander Mor-
ris ; and the. Nautilus, 8, Lieutenant Commander
Rivers ; which all returned to Spithead last night
and this morning, the Recruit being last, and the
Nautilus first of the brigs.
This squadron beat out in company with the Howe,
120, Captain Sir J. Stirling (having the Queen
Dowager on board), yesterday morning week, being
ordered by the Admiralty to knock about in the
Channel, and compete in sailing, &c., for a week. The
squadron parted company with the Howe off
Helen's on the morning of sailing,
.and made their
own way down channel, when their trialsimme-
diately commenced, running free, under all plain sail,
wind moderate. After four hours' trial the results
were adjudged by the senior officer (Captain Wil-
liams) to be nearly equal between the Amphion and
the Arab. The Nautilus was astern, the two former
baying run the latter out of sight.
Tuesday—No trial. The Amphion went into
Wednesday—A trial under all plain sail, off the
Lizard, stiff breeze, working to windward. The trial
lasted about five hours. In this trial the Arab beat
the Amphion nearly three miles dead to windward!
Thursday—The Recruit, 12, Commander Slade,
joined off the Lizard, and competed in the trial, off
the wind, with a strong breeze. At the conclusion,
the Amphion and the Arab were nearly equal ; the
Recruit considerably astern ; and the Nautilus " no-
where."

Friday—Squadron still in the channel, working
up for the Lizard ; very strong breeze. Important
trial to-day. The Amphion under double-reefed
topsails; the Arab, the Recruit, and the Nautilus,
treble-reefs ; with a very heavy head sea on. In this
trial the Arab showed a decided and great advantage
over all on every point ; the Recruit proving herself
equal to the Amphion ; the Nautilus showed also
very well in this trial, but still was astern.
Saturday—The brigs parted company with the
Amphion. which made for Spithead; the brigs follow-
ing easily.
The Amphion, during this short and partial cruise,
showed some very valuable sea-going qualities; with
wind abeam she goes along most beautifully. In
" running" she is reported to have had the advantage
over the others.

The Arab, like all Sir W. Symonds' small craft, is
a " clipper," and ran away easily from her com-
petitors in the above trial under all circumstances.
She is a very handsome, roomy vessel, well manned
and officered, and very skilfully commanded. She
is in remarkably good order considering the short
time she has carried the pendant. She has five months'
provisions, and stores complete on board for her term
of commission on a foreign station, which makes her
deep of coarse ; therefore her performances in her
brief trial with the above vessels are the more cre-
ditable to her and her commander, the other vessels
being in good trim, with well exercised crews, and
sundry other important advantages. The Arab will
proceed to the Cape of Good Hope station in a few
days, and will take out to that colony Mr. \V. Main
as an a, sistant to the astronomer there.
In common fairness, it must be stated and con-
sidered in judging of the merits of the Recruit, that
her bottom is exceedingly foul, having weeds ad-
hering to the starboard side of it, nearly a foot long,
in some places, notwithstanding which, it seems, she
" held her own" with the Amp Lion, and outsailed the
Nautilus.

The Nautilus is a very stiff little brig. She was
first at the anchorage after parting company with the
Amphion, and came into harbour this afternoon.
The Cambrian, 40, Commodore Plumridge, sailed
this forenoon for the East Indies, to relieve the Fox.

The Lightning steam-tender was paid offyesterday,
and re-commissioned to-day by Master Petley, to
serve out his time.

Orders have been received here to expedite the
outfit of the Centaur steam-frigate as much as possible,
and on her completion to set the same men on to fit
out the Retribution steam-frigate.
It is expected the Amphion will come into harbour
again to have fresh alterations made.
Wind S.W., moderate breezes ; weather fine— five
o'clock, P.M.
PLYMOUTH, 18.—Three French men-of-war
have been off this port since the 13th instant. They
consist of a 60-gun frigate, a sloop-of-war of about
20 guns, and a brig carrying 16 or 18 guns. At
eleven o'clock yesterday (Sunday) morning the
frigate, under topsails and topgallant sails, was off
the eastern entrance to the harbour, between the
Mewstone and the Shagstone, about a musket shot to
the eastward of the latter. The water was quite
smooth, there being scarcely any wind. The frigate
was not lying to, but remained nearly stationary for
about an hour, with her maintopsail and tnaintopgal-
lant sail shivering. The lead was working all the
time. The French Consul went into the Sound in the
expectation of the entrance of the strangers. The brig
was on the same tack, to leeward of the frigate, and
the sloop was between the two.

Betw-een four and five o'clock in the afternoon the
frigate, with all her sails set, royals and flying jib,
was reaching to the south-east, the wind casting a
little from the southward. The sloop and brig, under
similar canvass, were to windward of the frigate, on
the same tack.

Among other shipping hanging off and on at this
port during the last week., in consequence of contrary
winds, was the barque David Clark, from Jamaica for
London. She was in sight on Tuesday the 12th, and
supplied with provisions by a pilot on Wednesday,
the 13th. On Saturday, the 16th, she was compelled
to come in, and is now lying in the Sound.
WOOLWICH, OCT. 19.—The William aad Mary
yacht is ordered to be paid off here on Saturday next,
when her present commander, Commodore Sir Gordon
Bremer, Superintendent of the Woolwich Dockyard,
will hoist his broad pendant in the Fisgard, recently
returned from the Pacific, which will now be per-
manently stationed here. Captain Austen, C. 8.,
with a party of about fifty men, will be accommo-
dated on board the Fisgard, to be ready when their
services are required to attend and navigate vessels
ordered for experiments down the river, and there will
be ample room on board this fine 42-gun ship to ex-
ercise the riggers of the dockyard and others in the
large ship gun exercises, in connexion with the dock-
yard battalion, in case their services should be re-
quired for the defence of this important naval port.
The Onyx steam-vessel, after having undergone a
thorough examination, has been taken out of dock,
and left Woolwich yesterday for Dover, to resume
her duties as a packet steamer at that station.
The Acheron steam-vessel, recently commanded by
Lieutenant Dunlop, was recommissioned yesterday by
Commander Stokes, and when ready for sea, will
proceed to New Zealand to be employed in the sur-
veying service in that quarter of the world. The
Acheron is at present in the basin under the shears,
having her masts put in.
The Perseus, stationed at the Tower, under the
charge of Lieutenant Greet, Is ordered to be paid off
on Saturday next.

The Hecate steam-vessel, Commander Moorman,
is under orders to leave Woolwich on the 25th inst.
for Spithead, where she will be paid in advance.
The Sinbad is loading for Portsmouth.

THE RECENT CASE OF HIGHWAY ROBBERY AND
SUSPECTED MURDER IN WESTMINSTER. Yesterday
Mr. Bedford, the coroner, held an inquest at the
Grosvenor Arms, Kensington-place, Westminster, on the
body of Mr. John Bellchambers, aged 57, an engineer,
lately residing at No. 44, Wilton-street, Vincent-square,
who it will be recollected, was robbed and most brutally
.....1111zed by a gang of thieves on the morning of the 11th
\Vett:l-ill Mr. H. F. Holt, surgeon, 30, Abingdon-street,
saw ster, stated that he knew deceased well, and
him two or three days prior to the occurrence, and
he was then in
attend him at health. Witness was called to
week, and faotutiSld him quite
in the morning of Monday
the right temple of quite insensible, with a wound on
length, a graze on the right
an inch and a quarter in
under the left eye .
both eyes
cheek, with a small cut
orbits. From all'
a7pLenareyes were blackened above the
concussion of the brain. Bytmce: he was sure there was
to think that the wound on tt e Coroner—Was inclined
of some deadly weapon. Saw
the
,forehead was the effect
from this period till his death. He three times a day
expired on Sunday evening. By
th never rallied, and
dered the wounds were the result of me Inspector
-
Inspector Taylor, of the B division, in ien than one blow.
Coroner, said that George MeKay =d Thomas
to the
were in custody, and remanded to Thursday Doyle
being concerned in the affair. The Coronera then
next, as
served, that the case still being in the handsoe ob-
served,
police, he thought that some mischief might be
done by
proceeding with it any farther et present in that (the
Coroner's) court, and especially as all the pirties sus-
pected were not yet apprehended. The inquest was then
adjourned for a fortnight.
THE BALLANTRAE SYSTEM OF HERRING FISHING.—
The destructive Ballantrae fishing, practised on the
spawning ground off that place, early in the spring, has,
and is yeerly, injuring the quantity and quality of the
Lochfine herrings, the take of which is gradeally dimi-
nishing, and in a very few years will be one of the
things that were, if the Legislature do not interfere and
grant protection, as is done in the cases of salmon and
game. Last session, Parliament was busily engaged in
enacting laws for regulating and protecting muscles and
oysters, and surely the protection of the herring is not
less worthy of their attention. The Campbelton fisher-
men, at last election, brought the twitter before Lord
James Stuart, M.P., who pledged himself to bring it
before the House of Commons. Toe fishermen in the
other parts a the coast are also determined to send peti-
tions, so that this all important
subject may come before
the House the incoming
session.—Ayr Observer.
ARCHITECTURE AT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.—The
course of architecture and construction
College commenced on Tuesday, andu
willon at University
Tuesday and Thursday, for the first year's class, at continue every
pad for the second year's class, at a quarter pasastsevesnix,

COURT OF ALDERMEN.
Yesterday a Court was held for the dispatch of
business.

WHITECROSS-STREET PRISON.
The Sheriffs presented the following report of the
state of the debtors' prison, in Whifeeross-street:—
" Middlesex, 115 males, 4 females ll9
Prison of Ludgate
Poultry Compter •. • •,• 12
Giltspur-street Compter

" Total 146
The Governor respectfully reports to the Worshipful
the Court of Aldermen that he hail carried into effect
the classification and regulations *commended by the
Secretary of State, and confirmed by your Worshipful
Court on the 29th ult. Alrea.dy thirteen belong to
the remanded ward,' and when commitments are
made under the City of London Small Debts Act'
an increase may be looked for. The average daily
numbers for the last quarter do not show an increase,
although the annual number committed in the year
ending the 29th of September gives an excess of no
less than 453 on the two preceding ones. The pri-
soners have been generally healthy during the past
quarter, and their conduct has been very quiet and
orderly.
" THOMAS BURDON, Governor."
THE ROYAL HOSPITAL RETURNS.

The returns from each of the Royal Hospitals
having been read,
It was stated by the TOWN CLERK that the only
return made according to custom was that made
from Bridewell and Bethlehem Hospital.
Alderman FAREBROTHER hoped there would be no
attempt to revive the late conflict between the City
authorities and the governors on the subject of
precedence. The public were not likely to be in-
structed or benefited in any way by a collision,
whatever increase it might attach to the dignity of
the Court.—(Hear, hear.)
Alderman CHALLIS fully agreed with Alderman
Farebrother's discreet view of the subject; and the
returns were received and referred to the General
Purposes Committee, after a few words from Sir
PETER LAURIE, who said the Court ought not to
forget that the Corporation stood no chance in a con-
test with the governors.
The LORD MAYOR laid before the Court a letter
which he had received from Mr. Goodman, the
chief clerk at the Mansion-house. It was as fol-
lows :

" My Lord,—ln the early part of your mayoralty
I received permission from your Lordship to examine
the contents of several large boxes of books in the
cellar of the Mansion-house. I have the honour now
to report to your Lordship that I found the books
contained the minutes of the various mayoralties
(with some exceptions) from 1686. They were in a
most neglected condition, being very damp and co-
vered with mildew and dirt, and had had been depo-
sited without the least regard to order or date. By
your Lordship's direction I had them removed and
carefully cleaned, dried, and arranged, and they are
now placed in the bookcase ordered by the Court of
Aldermen.

" A few extracts from and reference to the minutes
will show that they refer to matters of interest, not
only as illustrative of the usages and customs of
London, and the power of the chief magistrate, but as
matters of history.
" I have the honour to be, my Lord,
" Your obedient humble servant,
" October, 1847. " S. R. GOODMAN."

The LORD MAYOR said that, as his year of office
had nearly expired, he could not perhaps take a better
opportunity than the present Court afforded, to bear
testimony to the services of Mr. Goodman, to his
knowledge, zeal, and integrity, and his distinguished
abilities.—(Hear, hear.) It was impossible to speak
too highly of that skilful and indefatigable officer.
Alderman Farebrother, Sir P. Laurie, Alderman
Musgrove, and Alderman Sidney, spoke in similar
terms of the conduct and character of Mr. Goodman.
The paper was ordered to be entered on the journals.

TUB BLOWING UP OF WRECKS IN THE THAMES.

A sum of money, not exceeding 466!., was voted to
the di3posal of Captain Fisher, the principal harbour-
master, in the useful duty of blowing up vessels
wrecked in the Thames and forming dangerous ob-
structions to the navigation. The principal harbour-
master, upon whom the responsibility of removing all
impediments of the kind rests, has already cleared
away a number of wrecks by explosion, which is
found to be the most economical as well as the most
efficacious mode of operation.

NUISANCES AT THE WEST LONDON UNION.

Alderman CHALLIS brought up the following re-
port :
" In obedience to an order of this Honourable Court
of the 29th of September last, to examine the report
of the Commissioner of Police with the report of the
inspectors of the division, upon the petition of the
inhabitants of West Smithfield, relative to the nui-
sance they are exposed to from the congregation of
vagrant and disorderly persons applying for admission
into the workhouses of the West London Union, and
to report our opinion thereon, we, whose names are
hereunto subscribed, your Committee for General
Purposes, do certify that we proceeded to consider the
whole subject, and were attended by Mr. Daniel
Whittle Harvey, the Commissioner of the City of
London Police, who was heard upon the said reports
and petition.
"That we were also attended by Messrs. Boyle,
Turner, Strugnall, Shank, J. Pratten, and other
petitioners, who were heard at considerable length,
and represented the great and serious nuisances they
are continually exposed to, in consequence of the
improper and disgusting conduct and behaviour of
numerous persons of both sexes, thronging the im-
mediate neighbourhood of, and applying for admission
into the said workhouse.

" That we also heard Mr. Miller, the relieving
officer of the establishment, and, after an attentive
consideration of all the circumstances, we recommend
this Hon. Court to direct the Commissioner of Police
to provide for the constant attendance, both by day
and night, of two additional police-officers in that
neighbourhood, to endeavour to remedy the evil com-
plained of, and having communicated our opinion to
the Commissioner, he expressed his readiness to com•
ply therewith, and to present a report to this Hon.
Court, at the expiration of a month, as to the effect
produced in consequence of such additional attend-
ance. At the same time your Committee feel that
the board of guardians have not provided adequate
accommodation in their premises for the numerous
parties applying for admission into the same."
Alderman SIDNEY said it was impossible that he
could be induced to believe that the want of accom-
modation for the poor wretched applicants for shelter
was not the origin of the evil complained of. There
were but two miserable rooms, into which when they
were crammed, almost to suffocation, there were 40
to 70 more applications nightly for admission. How
could order be expected, or decency, or anything but
what was revolting ? It was stated, that many of the
applicants were thieves of the lowest description. He
regretted if such happened to be the case, but the law
commanded that even thieves should be sheltered, and
certainly the casual poor at the West London Union
were infinitely worse treated as to room than were
the most abandoned criminals.

A copy of the report was then ordered to be sent
to the board of guardians of the West London Union,
Adjourned.

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE BY FIRE.

About four o'clock:yesterday afternoon a dense volume
of smoke was seen to issue from the wine stores
under the pit entrance of the St. James's Theatre,
King-street, St. James's.
As might be supposed, the greatest alarm prevailed
in the neighbourhood, and it was thought necessary
to send for the engines without delay. Fortunately
those from the County, King-street, Chandos-street,
Crown-street, West of England, and several of the
City engines arrived, when, be it spoken to the
credit of the water company, a most excellent supply
was procured.

As the theatre itself was supposed to be on fire, the
alarm of course increased to the utmost extent ; but
on the arrival of the firemen, they poured forth tor-
rents of water.into the cellar from whence the smoke
proceeded, whilst others tendered their services to
the theatre; fortunately, it was ascertained that
although situated so near the entrance to the house,
not the least damage was likely to accrue to that
establishment.

All that the firemen could see was the smoke, and
Staple, the foreman of the brigade, on finding such to
be the case, sent to Watling-street for the fire-proof
dress, which on its arrival he put on. By pumping
air into this dress Staples was enabled to find out the
exact seat of the fire, which was nearly 300 feet from
the spot the firemen at first imagined it to be. By
attaching additional lengths of hose the lire was ex-
tinguished, but it was nearly half-past seven before
that could be :accomplished.
Mr. Braidwood, in his official report, returns the
damage as follows:--" Fire in the Bazar-buildings, St. James's-street and King-street ; oc.mpier, Mrs.
Sarah Croxford ; used as wine cellars. Cause, spark
from a candle. Contents and building insured in the
Alliance. About one load of straw burned in the
cellars. Stock damaged by heat and water, and
several squares of glass broken?'

A HINT FOR PUBLICAN S. -- Thechlaarnacdtloorrd at
Dalmacardoch is a worthy man, and a.
plays many practical jokes on his neighbours. He. once
told us a capital plan of giving notico to quit. In winter
°
a number of the shepherds msemble at his house to
drink, and crack, and whil#Faway the long nights.
Sometimes they got quarrelsome. When a fray is
brewing, our hero puts a quantity of cayenne pepper in
a bit of brown paper, makes the tongs red hot, lifts the
packet with them, and holds it at the bottom of the door.
Tile result seems almost magical.,An inveterate sneezing
commences, which is instantaneously succeeded by a
rush to the door, and a dissolution of the company.—
Border Watch.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
COURT OF BANKRUPTCY, Oct. 19.
(Before Mr. Commissioner EvANs.)

IN RE BROOM.

The bankrupt, 11. C. Broom, who carried on busi-
ness as a grocer, in Laurence Pountney-lane, appeared
before the Court to obtain his certificate. He was
opposed by Mr. Lawrance on behalf of the trade
assignee. The debts amounted to between 7,0001.
and 8,0001.
Mr. LAWRA/CCE said that be opposed the bankrupt
on several grounds. It appeared from an inspection
of the bankrupt's books, that a great many erasures
had been made in the cash-book and ledger; and it
was suspected that the bankrupt had not given a
a faithful account of his affairs. It appeared that the
bankrupt had been chosen to take charge of the
estate of a person of the name of Varney, and that he
purchased the accounts due to the estate that a
fiat of bankruptcy was subsequently issued, and that
in consequence of that a very gross alteration had
been made in the books by the bankrupt and his
clerk, Mr. Harwood, whereby the assignees were de-
frauded, and a large sum of money not accounted for.
The erasures were not done for the purpose of cor-
recting a simple inaccuracy, but with the view of al-
tering the state of accounts, and with the intention of
concealment. It also appeared that, in February last,
this Harwood, who was book-keeper to the bankrupt,
had helped himself to a sum of upwards of 300/.,
and the reason assigned by the bankrupt was, that
Harwood kept the cash, and could help himself with-
out the sanction of the bankrupt. Since that time,
however, Harwood had not been heard of, and it did
not appear that the bankrupt had taken any pains to
discover him. If Mr. Harwood had taken the money
without the sanction of the bankrupt, it looked very
much like felony. Harwood was, in fact, a debtor to
the estate. It appeared that he was in the habit of
signing bills for the bankrupt, and when he signed
them he entered them to his own credit, as if they
had been paid by him, but when the bills arrived at
maturity they were not paid by Harwood, and he
was consequently indebted to the estate to the extent
of the amount of such bills. He also wished to call
the attention of the Court to another transaction of a
most suspicious nature. It was under the head of
loss. A Mr. Simpson, a son-in-law of the bankrupt,
and who was in his employ, had, it appeared, ab-
stracted upwards of 1,0004, and this sum was placed
by the bankrupt to the profit and loss account. Now,
it was most extraordinary that so large a sum of
money should have been abstracted without the
knowledge of the bankrupt, and he hoped the Court
would not be satisfied without a sufficient explanation
of the matter. He had nothing to say against the
bankrupt on the score of extravagance. Of the sum
of 3,127/. put down as losses a great portion was ac-
counted for by the sums taken away by Harwood and
Simpson. .The assets would not pay a dividend of
4 s. in the pound.
A Gentleman, who appeared for the bankrupt,
stated that the erasures had been made without the
knowledge of the bankrupt; that he had suggested
that a supplemental cash-book should he made out,
which was done, and satisfied the official assignee.
With respect to the affair of Varney, he begged to
say that Varney was indebted to the bankrupt ; that
the accounts due to Varney's estate were purchased
by Harwood, who managed the affairs of Varney's
estate, and the alteration in the books was made in
order to avoid the suspicion of a fraudulent preference.
As to the sums taken away by Harwood, the fact was
that Harwood was in the habit of getting bills dis-
counted for the bankrupt ; and finding that his affairs
were in a precarious condition, he took the money and
paid it to the parties who had discounted the bills, to
prevent loss to them. With reference to the sums
abstracted by Simpson, when the bankrupt discovered
that he was injuring him he at once discharged Simp-
son. He begged to state to his Honour that the bank-
rupt, in January, 1846, received a severe injury by
being thrown out of his gig, and he was for a long
time unable to attend to business, and it was during
that period that the erasures complained of had taken
place, and that the other misfortunes had occurred.
The bankrupt had commenced business in 1839, and
had conducted himself throughout with propriety,
and he hoped that his Honour would, therefore, grant
the certificate.

Mr. Commissioner EVANS—It appears that ha was
attending to business, notwithstanding his accident,
and it appears to me that he must have been cognizant
of the erasures. The alteration in the affair of
Varney was evidently a fraud. If Harwood had
taken away the money without the sanction of the
bankrupt he had committed a felony, and should have
been apprehended ; and if he had abstracted the
money with the sanction of the bankrupt, the latter
must be made liable. He had throughout, to say the
least of it, acted with great carelessness and impro-
priety, and he should suspend his certificate for twelve
months.

The bankrupt hoped his Honour would grant him
his protection ?
The COMMISSIONER—That depends on the other
side ; do you object, Mr. Lawrance ?
Mr. LAWRANCE—No, sir, we have no objection.
The protection was then granted.

CITY SMALL DEBTS COURT, Oct. 19.
(Before Mr. Commissioner BULLOCK.)
SILVA V. EUSTON.

The plaintiff, who is a bootmaker by trade, sum-
moned the defendant, who was his landlord, for 11. 103.,
being an overcharge of rent, which the defendant com•
pelled the plaintiff to pay.
The plaintiff stated that he had been a tenant of the
defendant's for several years at a rent of 30s. per
month ; that he paid his rent on the 9th of July,
when he was clear with his landlord. On the 26th
of August he gave the defendant 11., and in a few
days afterwards 103., being in full of that month's
rent. He remained in the house for two months
longer, when the defendant made a demand for 41.103.,
and refused to permit the plaintiff to take away his
goods unless it was paid. Although 31. only was due
he was compelled to pay in order to get his goods
away. He subsequently applied to the police, the
Lord Mayor, and a solicitor, but they could give him
no redress, and he therefore applied to the Court.
The defendant denied the statement of the plaintiff,
and said that he was still owing him a month's
rent. The defendant entered into a rambling state-
ment with reference to the accounts which was quite
unintelligible.
The COMMISSIONER, after taking a great deal of
trouble to master the accounts, which was no easy
task, decided that the defendant had overcharged
the 11. 10s., the sum claimed, and must pay.
The defendant wanted time, and was allowed to
repay the money by instalments of :is. a month.

SURREY QUARTER SESSIONS.
The general Quarter Sessions for the county 01
Surr-y was held yesterday at Kingston, before Mr.
E. Penrhyn, chairman ; Earl Lovelace. Lord Lo-
vaine, Mr. Alcock, M.P., Mr. Locke King, M.P.
Messrs. Briscoe, Trotter, Freshfield, Puckle, Bonser,
Austin, &c.

From the reports of the governors of the gaols of
the county, it appeared that they were most incon-
veniently crowded with prisoners, particularly Guild-
ford and Brixton.

Mr. SMALLPIECE, the county treasurer, made a
report of the state of the county flounces, and it
appeared that he had a balance of more than 8,0001.
in his hands, and that a fresh county rate would not
be required.

Colonel CHALLONER called the attention of the
Court to the heavy charges for coroners. During
the last quarter the expense of coroner's inquests was
more than 8001, the preceding quarter it was 6901.,
and during the year the cost to the county under this
head had amounted to between 3,0001. and 4,0001.
He wished to know how it was that the expense of
coroner's inquests had increased so much of late.
Mr. SMALLPIECE said that coroners now were em-
powered to pay witnesses and other expenses, which
very materially increased the cost of inquests.
Colonel CHALLONER said the effect of the alteration
was to throw a heavy charge upon the county, but he
supposed there was no remedy.
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