The Sun.
London, England, 1846-08-10 00:00:00

THE LATE AFFRAY BETWEEN
THE MILITARY AND THE POLICE AT
SUNDERLAND.
SUNDERLAND, SATURDAY, AUG. B.—Yesterday the magis-
trates of this borough were engaged nearly the entire day in
investigating into the above affray, and also as to the con-
duct of the picket of the 69th Regiment, who bad gone
through the streets with drawn bayonets, on Friday evening,
in a state of great excisemen, attacked some of the police,
and thrown the inhabitants which were in the High-street,
into great terror and alarm. The police-court was crowded,
and Captain Paxton, the commanding. officer at Sunderland
Barracks, was in attendance, and took notes of the pro-
ceedings.
The soldiers King and Brennan, and two civilians, who
bad formerly been in the: militia, named Roberts and White,
were placed :at the bar, charged with having cut and
wounded George Holmes, a police-constable, with intent to
maim or disable him.
The town clerk prosecuted, and Mr. Hayton, a solicitor,
appeared for the civilians. •
The principal witness was Holmes, who was in a very
weak state from the-injuries he had received. He deposed,
I was on duty in the High-street, on Tuesday evening, be-
tween eight and nine o'clock. I saw three soldiers come
down the street, one of them appeared to be very much
intoxicated, and the others were not so bad. After they
passed me I saw a soldier strike a sailor on the breast.
I went up to him, touched him on the arm, and said,
" You had far better go to y-our barracks quietly, and not
make any disturbance in the streets." Brennan and
King were two of the soldiers. Brennan said, "I shall
not go ; I know what you are," shoved me with one
hand, and struck me with the other. after he struck
me my hat fell off, and, on stooping to pick it ap, I
received another blow from the same man. I then
attempted to take hold of him, when he shoved me
again. King and a third soldier took hold of Brennan, and
I said to them, if you will only take them away to the
barracks, I want nothing to do with them. Then Brennan
made another rush and struck me on the breast. I laid
hold of him to take him to the station-house. Either King
or the other soldier held him fast, and said I should not take
him. I drew my truncheon, and told King, if he did not
leave hold of him, I should be obliged to strike him on the
arm. I asked him several times to leave loose, and, as he
did not, I struck him on the arm with the truncheon. All
three then seized hold of me .and struck me. Whilst this
was going on, I saw King draw off his side-belt, and I re-
ceived a severe blow on the head, which made me insen-
sible. I did not see who struck the blow. After I came to
myself a fourth soldier interfered. He came behind me
and put my hair into his mouth. Some person took him off.
After that he got hold of my coat back with his teeth, and
shook it for a long time. I Was removed into Mr. Nesbitt's
shop. Witness then spoke of having seen Roberts and
White excite the crowd, by shouting " don't see the soldiers
beat," abusing the police, and hurrahing when he was
struck at.
Mr. Wetherell, Mr. Nesbitt, and Mr. John Thomas gave
corroborative testimony.
James Croucher, a private, was called for the purpose of
giving the names of his comrades on the evening in question.
He deposed—l left the barracks on Tuesday; 1 don't know
what time of the day; I cannot tell exactly with whom I
went; I do not know the name of a single man; I do not
know the men ; I have been about five months in the com-
pany ; I do not know the names of half the men. I came
out of the barracks by myself. I was in the Noah's Ark that
afternoon; I did not take notice whether any soldier was
with me or not. I picked up a belt, put it over my own,
and carried it to the guard-room. The picket did not
take any person into custody.
The prisoner, upon being called upon for his defence, ad-
mitted being concerned in the affray, but denied having
struck the officer with the brass breast-plate. One of them
said they had defended themselves, and what would civi-
lians have said if they bad allowed policemen to strike 'at
them without doing so—would it not have been said that
they were cowardly fellows ?
The magistrates retired, and on their return the Mayor
said they had resolved to deal with the case summarily ;
they should fine each 51. and costs—in default of payment
one month in the House of Correction--and they much
regretted that the law would not allow them to fix
a greater penalty for the offence. They had also requested
him to express their strong dissatisfaction with the disre-
putable manner in which the military bad given their evi-
dence, and their hope that Captain Paxton would assist
the police in detecting the offenders who were not yet in
custody.
The captain promised to afford every assistance in his
power, and the proceedings on this charge terminated.
The Bench next entered into an investigation relative to
the conduct of the picket on the evening in question.
After examining witnesses,
Captain Paxton expressed his regret at the misconduct of
his men. He wished the bench to understand that he had
no desire to interfere with the police, in sending for his
picket; his only object was to prevent further disturbance,
and it was not by his authority, or in accordance with his
wish, they had drawn their bayonets.
The Mayor said no blame was imputed to the gallant
captain ; and as they had no prisoner before them the bench
would not proceed further with the investigation.

THE DOG ENILE.—M. Wellens and his celebrated
dog, Emile, whose appearance at Astley's created such a
sensation, about four months since, had the honour of ap-
pearing at Buckingham Palace, on Thursday, before her
Majesty and Prince A lbert, and the Royal Family of
Belgium. A distinguished party of noble and illustrious
visitors were present. Her Majesty was graciously pleased
to express her admiration of the unique performance of
Emile. His Royal Highness Prince Albert also eulogised
the thorough-bred appearance of the dog—one of the finest
specimens of the Russian shepherd's dog in the world—
while the delight of the juvenile branches of the royal
family, who were present on the occasion, may be better
imagined than expressed. Emile is certainly the most
wonderful quadruped performer who has yet appeared upon
the boards. His owner, M. Wellens, is decorated with
various medals and crosses, which he has received for saving,
with the assistance of Emile, on several occasions, various
persons from drowning. On a recent occasion, at Ghent,
Emile saved the lives of three persons. We hope to sea
this popular performer on " the boards" again shortly.
His recent provincial tour has been, we understand, very
successful.
DESTRUCTIVE FLOOD.—BRISTOL, AUGUST 9.—Last
night the inhabitants of the neighbourhood of the docks in
this city were thrown into the utmost consternation by the
sudden destruction of the new and extensive works in pro-
gress. Upon inquiry as to the particulars, I find that for
several months past works of the most extensive character,
the estimated cost of which will be 50,000/. or 60,0001., have
been in progress at the Bristol docks, for the purpose of
making new locks capable of admitting shipping of the
largest size, such as the Great Britain, &c. The construc-
tion of these works rendered it necessary that the river
Avon should be piled, a very large coffer-dam constructed
and sunk, and the ground in front of a row of about
sixteen -houses so far cut away as to render it necessary
to prop them up until the works were finished. Last
night at about nine o'clock, the tide, which was one of
the highest springs, in consequence of the prevailing
westerly wind, rose to a very great height, overflowing
the walls of Cumberland basin, and being met by the
fresh down the Frome, which, in consequence of the tre-
mendOus thunder-storm of yesterday, had swollen the rivers,
Frome and Avon very considerably, suddenly broke into
the new works, carrying destruction everywhere before it.
Fortunately, only one man was in the works at the time, who
perceiving a crack in the wall, went to stop it with some
cement, when he saw the timbers in the works which were
used as shores suddenly cracking; he at once fled to the
ladder to get out of the works, but before he could do so the
mingled tide and fresh from the rivers rushed in with the
utmost fury, and it was with the greatest difficulty that he
escaped. 'The huge timbers of which the works themselves
were composed were snapped in pieces and swept away, as if
they had consisted of a mere collection of reeds. Upon the
shore and in the river at the moment the greatest consterna-
tion prevailed; the inhabitants of the neighbouring houses
bearing the sudden crash, and perceiving the sudden re-
cession of the tide, which had the moment before over-
flowed the land for several feet, rushed out in the utmost
alarm, believing that it was an earthquake. The sailors in
one or two vessels which were lying near the coffer-dam,
perceiving the sudden agitation and the rush of the water,
participated in the alarm, and Captain Parfitt, of the Swift,
who, following his men, endeavoured to jump on shore, fell
into the tide, but was happily rescued, although not until he
was much exhausted. A little girl also had her shoulder
fractured by the fall of a piece of timber; but, fortunately,
no lives were lost, and, beyond these accidents, I have not
heard of any that have occurred. The neighbouring houses
which I mentioned in the commencement of this communi-
cation are in a very dangerous state, and considerable fears
are entertained lest they should be washed away by to-night's
tide. No estimate of the damage can be accurate at present,
but, from all that I can learn, if no further accident take
place, it must amount to at least 5,000/.
THE CHOLERA IN LONDON.—Two members of the
Academy of Medicine has just set out for London, in order to
watch the progress of the sporadic cholera, many cases of
which have shown themselves in that city. It is said that
several peculiarities are observable in the complaint in Lon-
don, which renders an examination interesting and useful to
medical science.— Galignani's Messenger.
THE LATE FIRE AT THE DUBLIN ROYAL EXCHANGE.
—A great portion of the eastern side of the roof and fan-
light and lecture-room of the Mechanics' Institution was de-
stroyed, and that part of the roof which covered the stair-
case leading to the board-room has also been entirely re-
moved. The damage done has been estimated at 1,500/. or
2,000!., but we cannot undertake to say with any degree of
accuracy what the real amount of the injury has been. We
have mentioned what parts of this fine old classic structure
have been ruined, but it is a more pleasing duty to enume-
rate what parts have not been touched by the fire. The board-
room and outer room are safe; the floor and more than two-
thirds of the roof of the lecture-room have, as far as we
could ascertain, sustained little injury ; the room where the
mechanics meet, its roof, and the fan-light over the western
staircase, have also been uninjured. The interior of the
building on Tuesday morning (before the removal of
the rubbish and the drying up of the water enabled the spec-
tator to estimate the actual extent of damage done) bore
some resemblance to the ruins of Pompeii; and the statues
of Lucas, Grattan, and Drummond, disfigured and covered
with dust, ashes, and water, appeared as if they had been
dug out of the burning pile. The police were very active
in extinguishing the fire; indeed, upon all such distressing
and dangerous occasions they spare neither time nor trouble
in discharging their onerous duties. Colonel Browne was
on the spot. We understand that the fire was not totally
put out till eight o'clock, *.H. The Lord Mayor, Alderman
O'Brien, M.P., and several other members of the Corpora-
tion, were at the Royal Exchange on Tuesday, inspecting
the premises and rendering every suggestion and assistance
in their power to have the rubbish removed, and to ascer-
tain the amount of injury done to the property. The pre-
mises were insured in the Royal Exchange and lCational In-
surance-offices for 2,sool.—Dublin Paper.
DARING SHOP ROBBERIES BY A GOAT.—On Friday
afternoon a large goat belonging to some person in the neighbour•
hoed of Drury-lane, which is generally allowed free perambulation
of the streets throughout the day, went into a pastry-cook's shop,
where a board with pastry of the previous day's manufacture was
displayed for sale. The goat took a liking to the tarts, and having
demolished no small quantity, he was discovered by the mistress.
She, of course, endeavoured to start the animal off, but the latter, as
the owner of the property approached him, attacked the frightened
woman with his horns, and she wisely withdrew into the parlour.
After remaining a minute or two longer, the goat travelled into the
shop of Messrs. Mumford, the com chandlers, of Neweastie-street,'
Strand, where corn, beans, and other things had been left outside the
counter in boxes. Finding no opposition he made the most of a short
time in helping himself, but having been seen by the shopman, the
man laid on the cart whip well, and thus with no difficulty soon get,
rid of the thief.

DEATH FROM INTOXICATION.—On Saturday night
au inquiry was instituted at the Crown, High-street, Shadwell, re-
lative to the death of Mr. T. Tucker, aged 37. It appeared that the
deceased resided at Gateshead, where he carried on the business of a

pipe manufacturer. He was the author of two dramatic works,
%% Melt he was desirous should be published by a London publisher.
He came to town for that purpose on Tuesday, In company with a
Mr. Cook, a glass manufacturer of Oateshead. On Thursday they
obtained a tasting order for the London Docks, where the deceased
drank about half a pint of different wines. On leaving there they
went to the Old Rose, Shadwell, where deceased had two glasses of
brandy and water, after which he became insensible, and in that

state he was removed to the station-house in King David-lane,
where he was left by his friends. In about half an hour, as he
seemed in a dying state, Mr. Ross, a surgeon, was sent for, who
tried to bleed deceased, but without effect, and when his friends
called for him they were informed of his death. Mr. Ross made a
. .

post mortem examination of the body, and was of opinion that the
deceased died from the effects of drink. Verdict—" Apoplexy from
excessive drinking." _ _ _

NARROW ESCAPE.—On Saturday morning last, a
gardener of Toddington, Beds, when on his way to this market, had
a very narrow escape. lie was near Leighton Buzzard, when a
violent flash of lightning appeared to descend as it were directly
upon his head, causing it to ache slightly, but without his sustaining
any other injury. He had not gone much further, however, when a
suffocating smell, as of something smouldering, attracted his atten-
tion, and on taking off his hat great indeed was his astonishment to
. .

.....
find it on fire, the lightning haVlng ignited it and burnt a hole about
two inches in diameter.—..elylesbury News.
WHIRLWIND.—On Thursday morning, about two
o'clock, a whirwind or waterspout, passed with the greatest rapidity
over Rochester, coming front the east. The upper portion of the cloud
was of a pitchy darkness, while the apex was silvery white ; Its

rotatory motion was accompanied by a-strange loud rushing noise.
and vivid Sashes of lightning marked its course. In passing over the
houses the windows were violently shaken, as if by a sudden gust of
wind, but fortunately it moved off without doing any mischief. The

approach of this phjnopenon was truly terrific; the moonlight was

suddenly obscured, and persons who were out of doors at the thee,
not knowing what danger was impending, ran for shelter wherever
it could be found.

THE RIVER NUISANCE.—For upwards of two years
the river from Bankside as far as Richmond, has been rendered In-
tolerable, owing to the practice of barges laden with manure, com-
posed of the excrement of the streets of the metropolis, as well as
rotten fish and animal matter, being allowed to load and unload in
many parts of the river during the day time, and daring the passage
the hatches being never put on, so that not the least effort on the
part of the bargemasters has been made to lessen the nuisance, the
greatest. portion of the horrible stuffs being landed at Mortlake, which
has caused such a stench for some months past that the inhabitants
have at last made an appeal to the magisterial interference, and it
is understood they will communicate with the Lord Mayor upon the
subject of the removal of so dangerous a praetice, it having been
aflimed that various people in Mortlake had lately been taken very
ill, owing to the nauseous effluvia which they were compelled to in-
hale. Several medical gentlemen have expressed a decided opinion
that unless the nuisance is removed, a pestilence will be the
result.

ALARMING STEAM-BOAT ACCIDENT.—On Saturday
afternoon, about half-past six o'clock, an alarming accident occurred
to the Primrose, one of the small steamers plying between West-
minster and London Bridges. It appears that she was making for
the Shades Pier, when she was nearly ran into by another steamer
coming out, and to avoid the collision, her course was altered, and she
was carried by the strength of the tide against the bridge, and
through the arch. The crash was very alarming, and the larboard
side of the bow was much damaged, the bulwarks and stanchions
with a large iron pin, and the seats, being stove in, and some of the
planks of the deck ripped up. ,The greatest consternation prevailed
at the moment, as it was tlnitight, from the violence of the shock,
that great damage was done, and that she would sink. Had the other
vessel, the Matrimony, which is an iron boat, not shut off her steam,
the most fatal result would have probably taken place.
DINNER TO THE MARQUIS OF GRA.NBY AT WALTHAM.
—On Friday last a dinner was given to the Marquis of Granby, at
Waltham, by the Protectionists, W. F. Norton, Esq., Elton Hall, in
the chair. The speakers were—the Duke of Rutland, the Duke of
Richmond, the Marquis of Granby, Lord Charles Manners, Lord John
Manners, Sir Henry Halford, Mr. Disraeli, M.P., Mr. B. Hild-
yard, M.P. Mr. Farnham, AI ,P., &c.
The ibilowitg remarks made
by the Duke of Richmond, alone deserve notice :—" I would not
have you to consider that Parliament will not be dissolved at pre-
sent, for the general opinion in London is, that a dissolution will
come very early.—(Hear, hear.) Ido not consider that Lord John
Russell—who is not an enemy, but we have a right to be in a state
of armed neutrality against him—l do not think that Lord John
Russell will permit the present Parliament to meet again, because I
feel convinced that as he knows the effect of free trade will soon be
felt, lie will dissolve before the shoe pinches severely."—(Applause,
and Hear, hear.) The other speeches were similar to those deli-
vered at Lynn on the occasion of the dinner to Lord G. Bentinck, on
Tuesday last.
THE RICHMOND RAILWAY.--At the Richmond Police-
office, on Saturday, John Kizzard and George Ellis, two boys about
ten years of age, were charged with having placed a number of stones
on the Richmond Railway, at Mortlake. The case was proved, but
at the request of Mr. Chapman, solicitor to the company, the delln •
queues were discharged, on their parents entering into recognizauces
for their appearance at the sessions, if necessary. Mr. Chapman
told the defendants that for a trespass of this kind they were liable
to two years' imprisonment, and recommended them to communicate
that information to their companions,
TIIE LATE STORM.—In consequence of the destruc-
.tian of property through the late storm, the inhabitants of Clerken-
well, where the diem: were most severely felt, have determined on
holding a public meeting for the purpose of raising a subscript4en for
the relief of the sufferers, many of WttOZD liars boom is tqgreat
Matron by We oulaw.

MONDAY EVENING, AUGUST 10, 18

IRELAND.
DUBLIN, AUGUST 6.—ADDRESS TO LORD BIZSBOROUGIL
—The citizens of Waterford, with many of the respectable
inhabitants of the county, have called a meeting to address
Lord Besborough. At the head of the requisition is the
name of the Roman Catholic Bishop, Dr. Foran, a staunch
repealer. The father of Mr. Meagher, the " Young Ire-
'ander," has also signed this document.
In the county of Clare, parties of men are going round at
night ordering that labourers shall nut cut down hay at less
rate of wages than five shillings a day.
LIMERICK AGRICULTURAL SITOW.—This show Com-
mences on the 12th. The Limerick Theatre is fitted up for
the council dinner on the 12th, and the grand banquet on
the 13th. 279 head of prize cattle have been entered for the
show.

•
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RESPITED Coisvviers.—A respite has been received at Li-
merick for Patrick bl'Afahon, convicted of the murder of Da-
niel Leahy ; and at Ennis for James Sexton, convicted of the
murder of Timothy Kenny.
The Limerick Chronicle' states that Capt. Larcom, of the
Irish Ordnance Survey, has been appointed a Commissioner
of Public Works in Ireland.