The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-16 00:00:00

GROUP LIV,

This Committee assembled to-day at one o'clock in room 23 of
the New houses of Parliament. Present, Mr. Bannerman (chair-
man), Marquis of Douro, 'Viscount Adam, Sir E. Filmer, and Mr.
Waddington.
The following Bills have been referred to the Committee, viz. :
Grand Trunk or Stafford and Peterborough Union.
Oxford, Coventry, and Burton-on-Trent Junction.
Trent Valley (Abrewas Branch.)
London and Birmingham (Coventry to Nuneaton Extension.)
Leicester and Tamworth Junction.
Midland (Leicester and Swannington Alteration and Branches.)
Midland (Burton-on- Trent to Nuneaton and Branch.)
Direct Birmingham and Leicester, Leicester and Birmingham and
Branch to Coventry.
Coventry, Nuneaton, Birmingham and Leicester.
Grand Trunk, or Stafford and Peterborough Union.
This Bill was withdrawn, as well as the
Leicester and Tamworth Junction.
Some difference with respect to the priority of the Bills having
arisen between the respective Counsel,
The CHAIRMAN said, that the Committee had determined to pro-
ceed with those Mlle which had been read a second _
It was then agreed to give precedence to the Midia d, Lei ,
to
proceed,ant Sw n
the
g t
on The
. parties,
in twelveieren,hotwever,n o'clockotbein 3refoadindnaesar.
Committee ad

GROUP L
The Committee met at one o'clock in No. I I Committee-rotan ;
Mr. Shaw, the Recorder ofDublin, In the chair.
The following Rills arc comprised in this Group
Manchester and Hyde.

2. Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne, aad Manchester (Whaley-bridge
and Hayfield branches).
3. Sheffield, Buxton, Leek Potteries, and Crews.
4. Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland Junction.
5. Congleton and Crewe.

6. Manchester. Sheffield, and Midland Junction.
7. Sheffield, Asbton•under-Lyne, and Manchester (Dukentleld and
Gloss:.p Branches and Sheffield Junction).
After considerable discussion the Committee expressed their Inten-
tion of first proceeding with

TUE MANCHESTER, SHEFFIELD, AND

MIDLAND JUNCTION.

The usual formal proofs having been given,
Mr. WILKINS proceeded to open the case, on the part of the pro-
moters. He said the line was proposed to run from the town of
Manchester, through Pennistone, Chesterfield, and even to Sheffield,
where it would form a junction with the Midland Railway.
Sheffield, as they wore aware, was a manufacturing town of con-
siderable importance. It contained a population of 120,000, accord-
ing to the last census ; and Chesterfield, which was also a line of
considerable importance, possessed a population of 80,000. By the
present circuitous route, persons going from Sheffield to
Chesterfield had to go twenty-two miles, which this line
would reduce to twelve miles, thus saving nine miles.
In order to accomplish this important saving, the line
was proposed to run almost perpendicularly from north to south,
This would also reduce the distance to the same extent between
Sheffield and Huddersfield, and, in fact, all the important towns in
that district ; and, besides, it would convey coals to these towns at
a much cheaper rate than they could now be obtained. Altogether
the line, with branches, would be 23 miles in length, and there
would be eight tunnels altogether of an aggregate length of six
miles. The ruling gradient was 1 in 150, and the worst 1
in 100. They, however, would enter the town of Sheffield
by a viaduct, with a gradient of 1 in 84, but such a gradient in the
improved state of locomotion, presented no difficulty. The estimate
was 1,050,0001., and the traffic would realise 7 per cent. after the
payment of all expenses. A great portion of the capital was sub-
scribed in the locality. They had to encounter the opposition of the
Duke of Norfolk, but his opposition could only be expected when it
was considered that he had an interest in the conveyance of coals
from Sheffield.
Several witnesses were then called, who gave evidence in &your
of the line, and the Committee adjourned until Monday.

STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEES.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The Committee met to-day at three o'clock, and decided that in
the case of the

EDINBURGH AND PEEBLES,
the Bill should be allowed to proceed on certain conditions.
LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM EXTENSION (NORT/lAMP-
VN, DAVENTRY, LEAMINGTON AND WARWICK),
standing orders not to be dispensed with.
NORTHAMPTON AND BANBURY,
not allowed to proceed.
COLCHESTER AND STOUR VALLEY,

allowed to proceed•
The Committee than adjourned.

Green peas from Devonshire were offered: yesterday
at Covent-garden market at ten shillings per half sieve. The pea
blossom in the different market gardens in the neighbourhood of the
metropolis is very fine, and in A fOrffard OtOMI, and prongee4 a very
carpal crap.

EXTRAORDINARY NUMBER OF
FIRES IN OIE DAY.
Thursday, between the hoursof four, A.M., and five, p.m.,
no fewer than seven fires occured in the metropolis, some
of which were attended with considerable damage. The first
• brake out at a few minutes past four, upon the premises be-
longing R. and R. Soulters, ship-chandlers and
! sail-makers, carryme-n
"3•frzess in Lower Shadwell. The
flames originated in the ground near of the back work-shop.
Owing to the prompt assistance affornea vT the firemen,
police-constables, and strangers, the fire was conianw to
that portion of the premises in which it commenced. The
damage will be covered by an insurance in the Phcenix Fire
Office. At half-past five, the same morning, considerable
alarm was created in the neighbourhood of Holborn, by a
report being raised that the premises of Mr. C. Meeking,
silk-mercer and linen-draper, situate at No. 62, on the hill,
were on fire. Engines of the Brigade and West of Eng-
land Office attended with all expedition. It was then
ascertained that the flooring and trimming joists in the
dining-room on the second floor had become ignited.
The inmates, &c., by great exertion, got the fire out,
but not before considerable damage was done by water,
not only to the apartment in which the disaster occur-
red, but also to the floor under and the stock in one
part of the shop. The fire is returned to the insurance-
offices to have arisen from smoking tobacco. Mr. Meeking
is insured in the Sun, Phoenix, the London, the Union,
Atlas, Norwich Union, and Scottish Union Offices. Be-
tween four and five in the afternoon, a fire, of an alarming
nature, was discovered burning on the premises belonging to
Messrs. Bowler and Son, hat manufacturers, situate at No.
1, Crescent, Southwark-bridge-road, next door to the bri-
gade station. Upon the alarm being given, the firemen
from the adjoining station entered the building, but they
were unable to get the flames extinguished without setting
their engine to work. Upwards of a quarter of an hour
elapsed before any water could be obtained from the South-
wark mains. There being, however, a large tank full in Mr.
May's livery-yard, close by, the firemen threw the same on •
the flames, but before they could get them subdued the
drying- room in which they commenced was burned out, and
the stcck of hats therein consumed. The proprietor was in-
sured in the Sun Fire Office.—About the same time that
the last fire occurred another broke out at No. 12, Mitcham-
street, Lifson-grove, belonging to Mr. Thomas Greenwood,
pianoforte-leaker. it was caused from some fire falling out
of a stove amongst a heap of shavings. Owing to the ig-
nitable nature of the stock, five or six pianofortes were
quickly in a blaze. These were standing in the workshop
on the first doer, and for some time it was feared that the
Whole. building would haN a been destroyed. The parish en-
qgunicekslyloaut attended, no df e tdh, e
butbrigade,
the
uhaneds England
wile)ereNnitoetstexo.ftingui
considerable Injury laad been done by tire, water, and has
Office.—The other fires had at 65, the s hpe extinguished until
:::itrexi
Upper 'Charlotte-
street, Fitzroy-square, at 24, Coach
Bond-street, and Wells-street, Oxford.eatnredetHor6es-yard, Old
prompt assistance, the damage done at the three wing to the
latter fires
was trifling.

THE NAVY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Sin,—lt has been reported that Sir Robert Peel the other
day, in his place in the House of Commons, stated that the
corn-laws were not only impolitic, but they were unjust. If
it is true that the Premier of the greatest country in the
world gave utterance to these expressions, he conveyed a
moral truth which does as much honour to his head as his
heart. This great moral principle expressed in so solemn
a manner, not only thrills the heart with delight, but
carries hope and pleasure home to the breast of
every honest man. But the same great principle, if car-
ried out, is equally applicable, and applies with as much
force to other things. Why not then apply. the same great
principle to the interest of the navy ? Who could have
read the speeches and statements of Commodore Sir Charles
Napier and Captain Rous when the navy estimates were dis-
cussed, last session, without being astounded at the millions
spent in altering and building ships ? Surely the ships
taken from France and Spain were the finest models in the
world, and all built on mathematical principles! Suck
' models were a beacon and a guide, and might have been
improved upon without spending such extraordinary sums!
Again, have recourse to Haltain's New Naval List, you will
see some officers about six months lieutenants and com-
manders—others, twenty years and upwards ! These glaring
and crying acts of injustice call aloud for redress. When the
Admiralty established the just rule of suffering every officer
to serve for three years successively, why did they confine
it to the favourite few ? If that just rale had been carried
out fairly there would have been no need of a retirement,
because officers refusing, or unable to serve, might have been
shelved, and had a retiring allowance according to their
services. It is not my business, Sir, to detail to you cases of
officers abandoned, without hope, which this bad system
creates ; but I could a case unfold that would " adorn a tale"
and " point a moral." Besides, it is a stumbling• block to
merit.—l am, &c. A LOVER OF JUSTICE.
Cheltenham, May 13, 1846.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
THE SQUADRON OF EVOLUTION.
PORTSMOUTH, THURSDAY.—The Canopus, 84, Captain
Fairfax Moresby, arrived at Spithead this morning about nine
o'elock, from Halifax, last from Plymouth, with the re-
mainder of the 43d Regiment on board. She spoke the
squadron of evolution yesterday, between three and four
o'clock, working down Channel, and saluted the Commo-
dore whoa the latter was off Dunnose. When spoken, the
squadron was running down under single-reefed top-ails and
courses, except the Trafalgar, which was astern under top-
gallant sails. The steamers were to leeward under canvass,
the:Terrible leading, and the Retribution heeling over with
every puff of wind in a very extraordinary manner.
The strong easterly gale which blew from half-past one
yesterday, and continued during the night, prevented the
Canopus making Spithead until this morning. She left
Halifax on the 28th ult. After disembarking her troops she
will proceed to join the squadron.
' Numerous casualties are reported to have occurred yester-
day. Two Gosport wh.erries are missing; they went out full
of compapy, but neither boats nor freight have yet made
their appearance, and it is feared the squall came upon them
unawares, and swamped them. The Bee tender had a
narrow escape ; so Trail a vessel was but as a sheet of paper
upon the water; however, we are happy to say, she brought
all her company safely home about 6 o'clock. The Emerald
tender, with Makr-General and Lady Pakenham, family,
and party on board, could not beat up at all against the gate,
and to save herself and party was compelled to make the cir-
cuit of the Isle of Wight and come up through the Needles,
larding her party at nearly 12 o'clock, drenched, of course.
The Lady de Saumarez steamer, with between 200 and 300
passengers on board, was driven ashore, and remained
stranded some hours, but eventually got safely off, the pas-
sengers having, Halle interval, been taken out in the coast
wherries. An aged waterman said he never witnessed a
squall so sudden in his life, nor a gale o soon spring up from
a summer breeze.

The Collingwood, 80, Captain Smart, flag of Rear-Admiral
Sir GeorgaSeymcur,;Commander-in-Chief in the Pacific, was
at Valparaiso on the 28th of January. A private letter of
the above date says—" We are still here (Valparaiso), and
do not expect to sad much before April next. The Spy
brigantine, Lieutenant-Commander Woofridge, has been
hove down in consequence of getting ashore in the Straits of
Magellan, and having damaged about 50 feet of her false
keel and copper. She is row ready for sea, and expects to
sail shortly for the Leeward Islands. The Admiral has beya
on a week's cruise in the Cormorant steam-sloop, Commander
Gordon, with his family; he returned on the 23d inst. Our
mizenmast is repaired. and we are now all right again. The
officers intend to give the inhabitants a grand entertainment.
The Cormorant will sail in a few days for Panama for our
Admiral's dispatches. The 'Fisgard sailed on the 6th for
Callao. The Collingwood, Cormorant, Spy, and Nereus, 42,
store ship, are in harbour, all well. The French brig Genes,
20, arrived from Rio on the 22d. I believe the affair of
Callao, mentioned in my last as likely to lead to hostilities,
is amicably adjusted, but I will not fail to put you in posses-
sion of the facts in my next."
The Athol troop ship, Master Commanding E. J. P. Pearly
took on board some detachments of regiments from Park-
hurst barracks, Isle of Wight, yesterday, brought by Echo
steam-tug, and sailed this morning for the westward.
The Royal Yacht hauled alongside the dockyard this
morning to replenish fuel.
The Penelope took out her guns yesterday by the shears
alongside the dockyard jetty; she hauled off again to her
hulk this morning.

THE OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION AT TEE POST-OFFICE.
—On Thursday; several of the men connected with the
,
ofun dtherewePnotst-aoffirreeee,
Import-
ance, our informant has reason to believe, grievances of re-examination
whiciiwthhy
is most probable, will last several
licitor
1.
stilt will be reported by the so
rn aster-Gene-rel..—
STATE OF _ RADE.--
further has at pTreltrhatswistpthreed owfro
layer made cut-ape have an a In. Several facts of import-
i were elicited, but nothing
public interest. The inquiry, a
after which the re-
ba questioned t
o o
mbeforeie)themiva,, Mr.
minutelyco kr
esptheectinsoglicittoher
Lord st. Germans. the Post-
tight cotton hose branch
dditional preponderance over it ; as
- I hi* in rather a better state of demand. The cotton
they are, Iran.) t ' 1,
is still slowly on the decline, atldit ,disajn'owloneg:llnt that the thread
glove trade Is Still pretty good, but the silk and the lace gloves and
mitts have retrograded. The pantaloon and drawer still keeps in its
slightly amended state. The silk glove trade, of every kind, has so
witch declined that it can scarcely be called now a national manufac-
ture. The fancy bobbin net trade has so far changed with some
houses, that they have had a sort of clearing out ; but with some
others it is worse than ever. The warp lace trade is in much the
same condition as it has been in for weeks past.—Nottinghatn, Review.
WINDSOR, THURSDAY EVENING.—FrOIn instructions
which were received at the Castle this morning, from Buckingham
Palace, to prepare certain of the apartments for the reception of her
Majesty, so that they may be in readiness at a short notice, it would
appear that it is not improbable the Court way visit Windsor at a very
early period. Indeed, it is now reported that it is not unlikely her
Majesty's accouchement may take place at the Castle. It may be
mentioned, however, that no official communication on this subject
has been received by Mrs. Foster, the housekeeper of the private
apartments.

WOOLWICH, MAY 14.—The Sea Queen, hired convict-
ship, sailed from opposite the Royal Arsenal, on Monday, with female
convicts, for Sydney • and the John Calvin, hired convict-ship, on
Wednesday, with male convicts, for Norfolk Island. One of the con-
victs on board the latter vessel attempted to escape on Thursday last
by jumping overboard, and the sentry had his gun presented to fire at
him, when a waterman's boat, belonging to one of the Woolich water-
' men, named Davis, came in a line with the convict, which prevented
the sentry from firing. The waterman, on being made acquainted
with the convict's attempt to escape, rowed towards him, and brought
him back to the John Calvin. The convicts for the Maitland convict-
ship, still lying off the Royal Arsenal, have not yet been brought down
the river.
IRISH SOCIETY or LONDON. The twenty-fourth
annual meeting of the members of this society was held on Thursday at
tke Hanover-square Rooms. The Earl of Galloway presided ; there
being also in attendance, Lord Ashley, the Hon. W. Cowper, M.P. ;
the Rev. Hugh Stowell, the Rev. H. Beamish, and a great number of
clergymen and gentlemen. According to the report, there had been,
during the past year, an increase of 4 districts, 25 schools, and of 2,319
pupils. There had been distributed amongst the poorer classes who
still use the Irish language, 109 Bibles, 1,109 Testaments, 10,864
Primers, 91 Prayer-books, and a great Lumber of other religious publi-
cations. From the financial statement it appeared that there had
been an Increase on the former year of 5861. The sum of 3,5501.
had been forwarded to Dublin for carrying out the objects of the
society. There was a balance remaining, atter all disbursements, of
6331. 10s. '7d. Lord Ashley, after a lengthened address in support
npdulibngliCinhyaovrke,oren
a le .
nedduedcabtyionth,
emniagd.
Mr.the ia:leoapmtlisohn,oefhthapelareinpotrc. The me-
the Earl of
tolfonScwriapsturse
Bandon, and carried. Several other speeches were.delivared, and
the proceedings closed by the usual vote of thanks to the chairman.
eSilttl'lnNsiDveLEsynsSte.—molfhswie
of those who be
several occasions been cautioned against the operations a a gang of
reseamicuengtheairt
worthless personages, [principally discarded attorneys' clerks, who
shrvictiteeiti
phraLeenbteZ carrying
glves as sharebrokers, and, by giving false '-
THE YORK SoC.RanIP
On Monday last a gentleman named Cooper,
menials, ontatafing the conndence
Shrews-
bury, gave information to the York poll
of one of the gang who had returnedce, which put them on scent
to his old lair. Mr. Cooper
having been induced by fair representations to intrust a parcel of
scrip of the Northumberland and Lancashire
Com-
pany to Thomas Lawton, formerly Junction Railway
one of a firm of sharebrokers an attorney's clerk, and latterly
York Exchange rokers whose names did not appear on the
list, he found that his York broker was " wanting,"
and as applications by letter were fruitless, Mr. Cooper proceeded to
York forthwith, and duly arrived in that a ncient city late on Satur-
day night. Next day he ferreted out Lawton, who told him at
once he had sold the shares, but on being requested " to settle," it
was found that this was not settlement-day with him. In fact. to
i cut a long story short, he had sold the scrip to Mr. Barnabas Mit-
chell, of York, and the proceeds (some 301. or 401.) he had appro.
printed to his own use. The York police undertook the case, and oft
Monday morning Lawton was arrested and brought before the York
magistrates, by whom, after the circumstances were fully; investi.
gated, he was committed for trial at the next York sessions, on a
charge of misdemeanour, and
,the parttea wore bound over in ra•
coguizances W appear aud prooecut