The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-24 00:00:00

GREAT EASTERN AND WESTERN

RAILWAY.
A meeting of the scripholders and shareholders in this
company was held yesterday at the company's offices, 5,
Gresham-street, City, for the purpose of determining
whether or not the company should be dissolved. Mr.
Ward, M.P., was voted to the chair.
The advertisernnt convening the meeting having been
read, the following gentlemen were appointed scruti-
neers, viz., Messrs Spackman, Huberstey, and Crosbie.
The meeting then adjourned to the Guildhall Coffee-
house.
The CHAIRMAN having made a long personal expla-
naticn as to the occasion of his former non-attendance,
Mr. COHEN said he wished to know whether the
meeting was duly called in compliance with the require-
ments of the shareholders.
The SECRETARY then read the case put to Mr. Lloyd,
the barrister, and the opinion of the counsel that the
present meeting was strictly legal.
After some desultory conversation,
The CHAIRMAN said that with regard to the delay
that had occurred in the calling of the meeting, in the
first place, till the passing of Lord Dalhousie's Act, they
had no power to dissolve the company. A meeting
would have been called immediately after the Act had
been passed had not the directors been in negotiation with
the Newport and Abergavenny Railway Company. The.
directors had an agreement, by which the shareholders
were secured the possession of one half of the shares in
that Company if they chose to avail themselves of such a
power. The Hon. Gentleman then entered into an ex-
planation of the various meetings which had been held,
and of the reasons for his not attending, and the com-
pulsion to which he was subjected to perform official
duties at the Admiralty, &c., respecting which such
severe comments had been made. Then, with regard
to the subsequent notices that had been served on them
(the directors), there was some informality in all of
them. If the rotices thus served on him had
been legal, he would have attended, as he had ob-
tained Lord Auckland's permission to do so.
From these statements, which he felt it his duty to
make, it was evident that he did not intend to run away
from them. He, as well as the other directors, had no
intention or desire of frustrating the dissolution of the
company as to the terms upon which that disso-
lution was to be effected.— (Cries of " Hear, bear.") An
opinion was entertained that the shareholders had a
claim on the directors for 40s. a share. Now the circu-
lars that had been issued contained a complete perversion
of the facts of the case. As to the legal claims of any body
of shareholders against the directors, it was a matter that
must be decided by a legal test. But it had been put to
them as a moral obligation to meet the views of the
shareholders on this point. If he could see that that
moral obligation existed he, for one, would not be with-
held by legal technicalities from acceding to the views
of the shareholders. But he denied that such was the case.
The documents to which he referred, and which con-
tained the statement as to the obligation of the directors,
altogether omitted the words " preliminary expenses"
in all their statements. Now, it was absurd to suppose
that any men of sense would attempt to carry on
a line of any length for 10s. a mile. Such
a thing was never known in the railway world, and cer-
tainly was never contemplated by him. The simple
question for the shareholders to consider was, whether
or not they (the directors) had discharged themselves
properly of the duties which they had agreed to perform
in the undertaking in which they had embarked, with the
rest of the shareholders. They were all suffering from
the engineer's conduct. (The Chairman here read a
letter, written by him to Mr. Gravatt, the engineer, de-
precating his delay in proceeding with the line, and
concluding with the words, " that if the line was not
prosecuted it would be a disgrace.")
Mr: COHEN—Why then go to Parliament?
The CHAIRMAN—By adopting that proceeding they
were now in a position to resist the whole
demand of Mr. Gravatt, as well as to pro-
ceed against him for the money already paid.
Having given a history of the Parliamentary battles of the
company; he, in conclusion, said he had only to repeat
that be only desired that there should be a satisfactory
arrangement, and as far as he himself was concerned, he
was precluded by his position from any future connexion
with railways.
A most protracted discussion ensued, after which the
Secretary read a financial statement. From this it appeared
that the money received was 103,2311. 4s. 9d., while the
liabilities exceeded 40,000/. The balance in the bankers'
hands was 42,599/., and the outstanding claims were for
the solicitors, 13,1421.; the local agents, 1,782/. 15s. 2d.;

to Mr. Gravatt, 7,500/., &e.
Captain HEAVISIDE then moved, and Mr. GRIFFIN
seconded, that the company should be dissolved, which
was carried.
It was then moved by Mr. GRIFFIN that this dissolu-
tion should not be taken for an act of bankruptcy.
Mr. ENcLisst seconded the motion, which was car-
ried, and the meeting separated.

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE AT A RAILWAY STATION-
-Oa Saturday night last, about half-past nine o'clock,
a number of passengers, many of whom belonged to the
regiment of yeomanry who had been attending the
review at Weteester, booked themselves at the Spetchley
station for Birmingham. After waiting a considerable
time they were informed that the train had been delayed
at Defford by the breaking of one of the axles, and
would not be up for some time, an annoulicement which
was not calculated to give much sati4action to the ex-
pectant travellers. One gentleman demanded the money
which he had paid for his ticket, stating that he would
return to Worcester, but the demand was refused; and
words running high, the person in charge of the office
proceeded to eject the applicant by force from the station.
The altercation, as may be supposed, attracted the
attention of the other passengers, wbo rushed to the
rescue, and a great commotion ensued, ill the midst of
which the ticket manager thought it prudent to take rbAige
in an adjoining office. After waiting several hours, the
mail train from Bristol came up, and the passengers be-
gan to felicitate themselves on the prospect of being at
length forwarded on their journey; but to their extreme
mortification, they were informed that they could not be
allowed to travel by that train, although there was
abundant room in the carriages. The result of this
complication of mishaps and unnecessary annoyances
was, that they did not s:lt out from Spetchley till nearly
Qne o'clock) and instead of arriving at Birmingham at
half-past tell, they did not; reach their destination till
past two o'clock in the morning, while the passengers
,13ttnieneglheabirnaJteoduralutri.ess,
destined for the north lest all ;:hence of pursuing their
journey, and were obliged to stop for the night in
Birmingham.
—Birmingham
London, from a tour through the provillnca:sr,
she was accompanied by two lady pupils,
various journals speak in terms of high laudation.
of whom the
etiunrn,eadietho
DISEASE IN THE CELERY PLANTS.,--Ihe leaves Of
the celery plants are stated to he withering, and on
dividing the two coats of the discaied leaves,, it will; be
found that there are a number of small green insects be-
tween them, which are rapidly destroying the inner parts
of the leaves. This disease is quite new to us, and vvilis
I Wiely to be fetal to Bauch a the celery.

THE DAGENHAM MURDER.

DAGENHAM, TUESDAY EVENING.—This forenoon, at
ten o'clock, the inquiry into the horrible and mysterious
murder of the police-constable George Clarke, was re-
sumed, for the sixth time, before Mr. C. C. Lewis, the
coroner, and jury, at the Cross Keys Inn, facing Dagen-
ham Church.
It would scarcely be imagined, considering the long
period which has elapsed since the perpetration of the
murder, that public excitement should still prevail. So
far, however, from having subsided, the interest felt in
the proceedings appears to have increased with each
adjournment of the inquest, more particularly amongst
the resident gentry, and more respectable:classes, resident
in the vicinity of Dagenham and the surrounding villages.
Notwithstanding the early hour at which the resumption
of the inquest was appointed to take place, long before
that time not only was the inquest room, but every avenue
leading thereto, densely crowded.
Mr. Superintendent Pearce was again in attendance to
watch the case on the part of the police commissioners.
Mr. Rawlings, solicitor, of Rumford, attended on the
part of Sergeant Parsons (still under the strict surveil-
lance of the police); and Mr. Superintendent Macquard
and Inspector Richardson, of the K division, as also
several officers of the detective force, were in attendance.
The Coroner took his seat a few minutes after ten
o'clock, and the jury having answered to their names.
Police-constable George Dunning was first called and
examined—He said, my number is 397 K. I have been
on duty at Dagenham rather better than nine weeks.
Parsons has not during any part of that time been in my
charge. During the time I have been at Dagenham
station Sergeant Parsons has been there. I recollect the
night of August the 27th. Between eleven and twelve
o'clock on that night I was at the station, in a back
room, and I heard quarrelling between Sergeant Par-
sons and his sister, who were at the time up stairs. Ido
not know what they were quarrelling about, but I heard
her accuse him of something. I could not distinctly un-
derstand what it was, but the reply Parsons made to that
was—" Do you mean this affair?" but what affair he
alluded to I don't know. When he said " this affair,"
she replied, " Yes, this affair, and others too." Parsons
then began to cry, and I heard no more. I knew that
he was crying, for he cried out loud, so that I could hear
him. I spoke of this to Sergeant Pearson, who was at
the time in the charge-room, and to Sergeant Corvin,
the acting sergeant. I was called on to make a report
about it on the Tuesday following, which I gave to Ser-
geant Pearson.
By the CORONER—I heard Parsons and bus sister quar-
relling when I was in the street, and I then heard Par-
sons threaten to throw his sister down stairs if she did
not hold her tongue. I heard no other threat. I think
this was a quarter of an hour before I heard them when
I was in the station. I have told you all I have heard, to
the best of my recollection, and all I reported to Ser-
geant Pearson.
CORONER—Don't you know that you reported to Ser-
geant Pearson that you heard Parson's sister say, " You
know that you are guilty of it ?" Witness—No, I did
not report the word " guilty" that I recollect.
CORONER—You must recollect either one thing or the
other, and if you do not you are a most unfit person to
give evidence either before this or any other jury.
George Corvin, police-constable 100 K—l am acting
sergeant of police, stationed at Dagenham. On the
night of the 27th of August I was on duty at the Da-
genham station. Between the hours of 12 and 1, Dun-
ning, the constable, called me to the stairs to listen to
Sergeant Parsons and his sister quarrelling. They were
up stairs and the door closed. I could not hear one
word distinctly that they spoke. Dunning stated to me,
whilst standing at the stairs, that " Sergeant Parsons'
sister had said, You know you are guilty of it." That
Sergeant Parsons made answer directly, "In this
affair? " His sister then said, " Yes, and many
more." Sergeant Parsons then called her an oppro-
brious epithet and burst out crying. That is the report
Dunning made to me. lam certain every word I stated
is carrect.
By the CORONER—I heard a noise as if some ene was
crying when I was at the bottom of the stairs. I could
not tell if it was a man or woman crying.
Dunning was recalled, and said he had no recollection
of making use of the word '° guilty,"
CORONER—Why, you repeated to me, word for word,
in the yard of this house, that which Corvin has now
stated. I was very particular in questioning you, and
the statement made by Corvin is exactly the report you
made to me.
Sergeant Pearson was next called, and declared that
Dunning said to him that Parsons' sister had said to him,
"You know that you are guilty."
Julia Parsons, the sister of Sergeant Parsons, was
here called in and sworn —She said—l recollect being at
the Dagenham station. on the night of the 27th of
August. I was with my brother up stairs on that night.
His wife was away from him, at her father's, at Barking-
side: We had a few words on that night concerning
our own family. I don't know how long we were quar-
relling, but should say halt an hour.
CORONER—Do you happen to recollect what you said
to him during the quarrel? Witness—l said very little
to him. During the time we were quarrelling there
was no allusion made to the death of Clarke. My brother
was making allusion to his brothers not writing to him
ever since he has been under arrest. Ido not remember
what I said to him, but I was in a passion. Ido not re-
collect saying anything about the murder of Clarke. I
did not say that he knew he was guilty of it.
CORONER—WiII you undertake to swear that you did
not say so? Witness—Yes, I will. Ido not remember
having said anything like that. He called me some
names I cannot mention, and at the end of the quarrel
he cried. All I accused him of was concerning our onn
family.
CORONER—Do you recollect his asking you, when you
accused him of several things, " Do you mean this
affair ?" Witness—l do not recollect his saying so. I
would swear he did not say so. I admit I was in a great
passion at the time, and may not recollect all that was
said between us.
By the CORONER—I will swear that I know no more
about the matter than I have already stated. I have no
reason to believe the statement I have previously made
about my brother being at home on the night of the
murder is untrue.
Edward Langley examined—l am a sergeant of the
detective police force. I came to Dagenham on the 16th
of last month. I recollect going to the spot where
Clarke was murdered in company with sergeant Par-
scns, on the 18th, two days after I came here. On my
return I picked up this handkerchief (now produced) in
a meadow adjoining the field where the murder took
place. On attempting to pi ik it up it stuck to the grass,
and I then found that it was clotted with blood as it is now.
The handkerchief was here produced to the jury. It
is of silk, having a blue ground, with a figured orange,
yellow, and crimson border, very old, and much torn.
There was a great quantity of blood- stains upon it.
The CORONER directed that the handkerchief' should
be left at Dagenham station where it could be identified.
That might in all probability lead to some discovery as
to the owner.
[Mr. Rawlings here expressed his wish, on the part of
Parsons, that Inspector Richardson should he examined
as to certain w rds allege 1 to have fall( n fr, r,e,4 t
Parsons, whilst sitting '.t a mtb:ic-house d, by
a witness named Clements.]
Mr. Inspector Itieh,irdson was then sworn—He s- id,
On Wednesday, the Stb of July, I was at Rumford, with
Sergeant Pearson, who wits in front of me walltin;:, and
we wnt into a public-house with Clements. When
there, I asked f7lemerits what his name was? and told
him to sit down. lie turned round and sat down upon
the form, and in doing so Clements gave a very heavy
sigh. Sergeant Parsons was sittin,g, a little to his right
reading the newspaper. I told Clements that I had heard
he has received a heavy blow in the neck, lie aaid,
" No." I asked him to show me, and he took off his
handkerchief. I then observed just under his ear an old
abscess. I examined his chest all the way down, and I
then let him go.
Mr. Rawlings—Will you ask the witness whether he
heard anything drop from Parsons on that occasion?
CORONER—The most important thing is whether
Clements got into the room before Inspector Richardson.
Inspector Richardson—When I arrived Parsons was
reading the newspaper, and Pearson and Clements were
in the room.
Mr. Rawlings wished to know if the inspector heard
Parsons say anything, as stated by Clements ? The
reason he wished to have this question answered, was
the fact that he believed he could show that Sergeant
Parsons was never left alone in the company of Cle-
ments. It had gone forth to the world that Parsonaand
Clements were alone when the alleged observation
(" Ah, poor fellow ! I wish I had not done it, now,' )
was made.
Inspector Richardson, in answer to the Coroner, said,
he certainly saw Parsons in the thoughtful position de-
scribed by Clements, but he did not hear him make the
statement alleged to have been heard by Clements.
Thomas Pearson—l am a police sergeant, 32 K. On
the Bth of July I went to the Lion public-house at Rom-
ford with the man Clements. I first entered the room,
mad Clements followed me. I found Sergeant Parsons
there, sitting on the left-hand side of the room, reading
the newspaper. I remained in the room, I think, about
three ur four minutes, and then left and went to the bar.
I was nut absent I should say more than half a minute.
I returned to the room, and myself and Inspector Rich-
ardson then examined Clements, and I remained there
until Clements went away. Parsons was reading the
paper the greater portion of the time, but I heard nothing
fall from him during the time I was there.
By the CORONER—When I left the room, Inspector
Richardson was standing at the door of the room with
the door-handle in his hand. Parsons and Clements
were, at the time I left there, sitting close together, with
Clements on the left hand side of Parsons.

The CORONER here inquired of Mr. Rawlings if ho
desired any more witnesses to be examined, or if Par-
sons desired to make any statement to the jury.
Mr. Rawlings replied in the negative.
By direction of the Coroner, Kimpton, Farns,
ton, Butfoy, and the other constables placed undf a tb,,
surveillance of the police, were here sent for fz.oca the
Dagenham police-station. On their arrival,
Kimpton was first called, and said, in answer to the
CORONER. that he had nothing further to state, and that
the last evidence he gave was true.
Earns was similarly questioned, as wore also lliekton
and Butfoy, and they also sf.id their last evidence was
tru9, and they had nothing 'further to add.
There being no further evidence,
The CORONER proceeded at some length to address
the jury. lie obserked that the charge which they had
s.) long had in hand could only be viewed as a murder of
a unit mysterious chai%eter. tie had no
,;„.r I; f.xe f.twa.re that it etas their ditty not to
allow their minds to be swayed by a.,.y ren,rts they
might have either heard or read concerning this laments-
,.,.4'; evidence
adduced before them. They would bear in mind the
mrewo,t olet-s 1"" " " gore yo:11;1.
man George Clarke was but 20 years of age. tie had
only al.; ,dirt hat ccu,,
to Dagenham about six weeks before hi fdeath, iu cool-