The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-29 00:00:00

THE S [IN, LONDON, TUESDAY"*EVENING, SEPTEMBER 29, 1846.

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that the exceptions must be allowed generally, and that
a venire de novo do issue."
Sir P. LAURIE, asked whether the judgment was final
or whether the subject might not be matter for other
judgments ?
Alderman WOOD replied that the judgment was final,
upon the new trial which had taken place, and in which
the verdict had been returned for the plaintiff. Ho felt,
as well might be imagined, the deepest anxiety on the
occasion, for the most desperate prejudices had been
raised against him. The full report from which he had
made the extracts for the convenience of his brethren
would, upon strict examination, show that he was com-
pletely exonerated from a participation in anything like
fraud. The Alderman entered into a long detail of the
circumstances attending the difficulty in which he be-
came involved by his connexion with the Talacre Com-
pany. The particulars differed in no respect from those
which have appeared already before the public; he denied
in the most solemn manner the mostremote knowledge of
any intention of fraud upon the part of those with whom
he was concerned in the transaction ; but he declared
that he with others had been the victim of fraud, and
upon his head had fallen all the obloquy.
Sir P. LAURIE said he was no lawyer, but he should
be sorry to take the dictum of a judge as evidence of the
incorrectness of the verdict of a jury. He had not seen
nor heard of, except from Alderman Wood himself, that
the second trial had taken place.
Alderman WOOD said the second trial had taken place
and been decided by a verdict for the plaintiff. He had
not the notes of the trial, but he should be able in a few
days to produce them. He had the information upon
the most unquestionable authority.
Sir P. LAURIE said it was necessary, not only that the
Court of Aldermen should be pure, but that, like Cremes
wife, they should be free from the imputation of impu-
rity. He should feel the utmost gratification in taking
Alderman Wood by the hand upon the removal of the
ground of the imputations against him ; but he could
not see that the papers just presented to the Court were
calculated to accomplish that object.
Alderman WILSON did not consider that the case thus
brought before the Court had anything to do with the
great questions shown by the Committee to be involved
in the charges of corrupt conduct brought four or five
years ago against Alderman Wood.
Alderman HUGHES HUGHES wished that the findings
of the Committee to which Alderman Wilson alluded
should be read.
Alderman FAREBROTHER said, that he had evinced
the greatest and most sincere desire to assist Alderman
Wood in getting out of the difficulty in which he had
been placed by his connexion with the company. He
wished Alderman Wood to go to the Livery and state
to them his anxiety to clear up everything—to show
that the charges and suspicions which had been accu-
mulated against him were unfounded, and to assure them
that until there was not the slightest apparent founda-
tion for accusations he would not claim their suffrages.—
(Hear, hear.) By such a course the public sympathy
would 'be most powerfully engaged, and upon the proof
of the groundlessness of the charges, the triumph of the
accused would be indisputable. It was not too late to
adopt that course at the present moment. The produc-
tion of the papers which had been laid before the Court
was not, in his opinion, an answer to the charge, having
been privy to the stratagem of sending to Ireland coals
taken from an established pit as coals the produce of the
Talacre Mine. He did not say that Alderman Wood
was concerned in that project, but upon finding that such
a fraud had been perpetrated, he ought to have indig-
nantly come forward and exposed and denounced it.
The Towsr CLERK here, by the desire of the Court,
read the findings of the Committee of the Court in the
year 1843, upon the examination of the evidence in the
Talacre case. The document stated, amongst other
things, that it appeared that Alderman Wood had acted
in the Talacre Company as vendor, and purchaser, and
chairman, and director, and secretary, and solicitor.
Alderman HUGHES HUGHES said, he had that mo-
ment heard for the first time that document read, and
he could not help saying that the evidence produced by
Alderman Wood did not in the slightest degree affect
the serious charges contained in the simple enumeration
of the different offices held by him in the company.
How could such an imputation be removed by any pro-
ceedings taken in Alderman Wood's ward ? He would
most willingly devote any period of time to an investi-
gation, with the view of removing from a brother alder-
man the heavy imputations against him, but it was
quite impossible to give a vote in opposition to the re-
port of the committee without rational grounds. There
were other things, too, which: it would be necessary to
clear up. It was necessary for a Lord Mayor to have
a local habitation. It was necessary, too, to have an
explanation as to a certain sum of money which Alder-
man Wood, in connexion with others, was in honour
bound to pay to the present chief magistrate.
Alderman WooD.—What money ?
Alderman H. HUGHES said, report stated that the
present Lord Mayor had been obliged to pay a large
sum of money which ought to have been defrayed by
several persons, of whom Alderman Wood was one.
Alderman WOOD.—It is paid.
The LORD MAYOR.—I have not received it.
Alderman WOOD said that some delay had taken
place in consequence of the want of punctuality in
others, but he had certainly paid the amount for which
he was pledged, to the last farthing.—(Here some per-
sons in the Court, as well as below the bar, stated that
the money had been paid that day.)
Alderman COPELAND expressed deep regret that the
question had been thrust upon the Court of Aldermen.
He had expressed similar regret three years ago, and
since that period there had been brought forward other
cases connected with the matter in which the name of
Alderman Wood had been treated with as little cere-
mony as it had been in connexion with that which had
first given cause for complaint. He implored Alderman
Wood, for the sake of his own character, for the sake of
his family, and for the sake of his brother aldermen, to
pause before he determined to make another experiment,
until ho should have used every effort to wipe away the
stain which at present attached to him.
Alderman SIDNEY said, he did not consider that any
imputation attached to Alderman Wood, except one of a
pecuniary nature. He had voted against Alderman
Wood upon a previous occasion, because he considered
that Alderman Wood's pecuniary circumstances were
not such as would justify him in taking the office of
chief magistrate at that time. The imputations of
another kind against him were such as might be made
against others of the Court.—(A laugh.) He (Alder-
man Sidney) believed that he and other members of the
Court might be charged with having been connected
with companies, the characters of the concoctors of
which they had now reason to suspect. He had been,
he was ready to acknowledge, imposed upon, and he did
not see why Alderman Wood should not have suffered
from the base conduct of others.
Alderman WOOD entered at considerable length into
a reply to the observations made by the several speakers
who wished him to postpone his intention to become a
candidate for the mayoralty for another year. He had
been, he said, assailed by the most atrocious slander.
He had been selected, from the position in which he
stood as the head of the company, to be aimed at with
all the shafts of malice, although he was as free from evil
intention as any man in the Court. He had, single-
handed, overcome all the charges with which
he had been assailed, and that day he produced
evidence to show that the only accusation which
had not been fully answered upon former occasions
was completely removed by the reversal of the
judgment, which was considered to reflect upon
him. He had done as much as man could do to
prove that there was not the slightest foundation for a
charge. It had been stated that he filled five or six dif-
ferent situations in the company. Why there were seve-
ral members of that Court, whose names had been used
without their authority, in connexion in various ways
with companies ; and was he, because he had been treated
in a similar manner, to be accused of a participation
which was T.Ol only absurd but impossible. He denied
that such a sale of coals as had been imputed to him
had taken place, or that in any trensactions with
the company he had derived the slightest pecuniary
advantage. He wished that all the members of the
Court acted with such candour as Alderman Hughes,
who in a manly manner had openly stated what others
were whispering about. He had answered one of those
charges, and he was able to prove that he was a resident
householder in the city of London, and therefore that he
had a local habitation.'He had been, as others bad been,
most grossly dupe 4, but in no one instance had he done
any act which he had cause to regret. Under all the
circumstances, he begged to say that, although so
stronz,ly solicited not to stand for the mayoralty, he cer-
tainly should beg leave to be excused from declining to
act upon the suggestion, and come forward the next day
on the hustings to ascertain whether the public would
not sympathise with a man who had been most grossly
wronged. (Several parts of the speech of Alderman
Wood were applauded by the strangers behind the bar.)
No motion being before the Court,
Alderman H. HUGHES moved the adjournment of the
Court.
Alderman COPELAND gave notice of a motion for an
application to Christ's Hospital to know whether there
was any foundation for an imputation against one of the
Court contained in an article in the Morning Herald,
attributing to that member the corrupt bartering of a
presentation to the hospital.
Adjourned.

TILE MINER'S SAFETY LAMr.-A committee of
colliery owners and brewers in the counties of Durham
and Northumberland, at the head of whom are the Mar-
quis of Londonderry and the High Sheriff of the county
of Durham, Ralph Pemberton, Esq., have commenced a
subscription for the purpose of presenting a testimonial
to Dr. Clanny, of Sunderland, as the first inventor of
" the Safety Lamp." Dr. Clanny's attention being di-
rected to the subject of colliery explosion, he first con-
ceived the expedient of a safety lamp, different indeed
from those now in use, its principle being that of an in-
sulated light being fed by atmospheric air from without.
The committee do not assert any peculiar merits as be-
longing to Dr. Clanny's lamp, they only claim for him
originality of conception, and the construction of the first
safety lamp.
Mr. Gesner, of Prince Edward's Island, has made
a discovery of some interest. During a geological exa-
mination of the colony, he obtained from the Indians
two kinds of farinaceous roots " as promising in their
appearance as were the indigenous potatoes of Virginia,
carried to Ireland by Sir Walter Raleigh, from which
the common kind was derived." These roots are called
by the Indians respectively " mus-qua-sete," and " san-
gaa. ban." Mr. Gesner says of the former—" As an ar-
ticle of food it is excellent, and as such is highly
esteemed by the Indians, who generally remove every
root as soon as the habitat of the plant is discovered. It
contains much nutritive matter, is wholesome, and, I
have no doubt, if properly cultivated, it will prove to
be prolific." The other root is less liked by the Indians,
but Mr. Gesner says, " I have eaten some of the roots,
and found them dry, meally, and palatable."
Dispatches were sent off last night from the Colon:Al-
t:6m for the GoTernor of the Gold Coast.

THE REGISTRATIONS.
WESTMINSTER.

Mr. D. C. Moylan resumed the revision of the electoral
lists for Westminster on Saturday, at the Vice-Chan-
cellot's Court, Westminster Hall.
Mr. William Cribb. of Covent-garden, who had been
objected to by the Liberals, appeared to support his
vote, and stated that previous to the making out of the
list of scot and lot voters he went to the vestry-clerk and
inquired if there were any rates due, at the same time
offering to pay them.
Mr. Trott observed, that the tender was made, not to
tht' collector but to the vestry-clerk. The parish autho-
rities could not alter an Act of Parliament, and in this
case it was clear the rates were unpaid.
Mr. MoYLAN—With respect to the first point, the
word of the Act, " overseers," would include the vestry-
clerk ; and with regard to the second observation, it is
true that the overseers could not overrule an Act of
Parliament, but it would be hard to disfranchise Mr.
Cribb for their error. The Learned Gentleman said the
vestry-clerk must attend on Monday to prove the tender
of the rates spoken of by Mr. Cribb.
Mr. W. J. Barry's claim on Friday stood over, 'the
Learned Barrister doubting its validity in consequence
of the assessed taxes of the house occupied by the
claimant not being paid. This omission being upon the
part of the landlord, it was urged that it did not vitiate
the right of the claimant to be on the register.
Mr. D. C. MOYLAN said he had felt a strong adverse
opinion upon the point yesterday, and that opinion was
now still more hostile to the claim. Upon looking at
the Act of Parliament regulating the payment of as-
sessed taxes, he found that if the landlord was charged,
and neglected to pay them, a levy could be made upon
the goods of the occupier. Therefore in this case Mr.
Barry had become liable for the taxes at the expiration
of twenty days after the sth of April, and it was his duty
to see they were paid.
Mr. Trott said there had been decisions in the City of
London by Mr. Milne, and he thought also by Mr.
Arnold, in favour of similar claims.
The BARRISTER said, as he wished to admit the vote if
possible he would not decide until he had consulted those
gentlemen.
In the parish of St. George, Hanover-square, James
CovinsPn's name was objected to by the Liberals.
Covington said he was street-keeper to the Grosvenor
Trust, and resided in a house built by and belonging to
the trustees. Before living in that house he had been
allowed 151. a year for rent, but that was discontinued
on accepting his present dwelling.
Mr. Trott contended that the occupation was merely
permissive, as that of a servant for the better gurdian-
ship of his employer's property.
Mr. Score defended the vote.

The Learned BARRISTER said, the man Covington paid
rent indirectly, but virtually, and therefore the vote must
be allowed.

The vote of John Southerwood, objected to upon
similar grounds, was also retained.

The 'n'ame of Lord Francis Egerton was expunged
from the register, his Lordship having been created a
peer.
In the parish of St. John, James Massey Wood,
claimed to be placed upon the resister. In 1841 he
made a claim and was put upon the list. The landlord
farmed the taxes.

Upon inquiry it appeared that Mr. Wood had made
no claim to be rated this year.
The claimant said he had done so in 1841, and did not
think it necessary to repeat it every year.
Mr. MoYLAN said it might be hard, but the Court of
Common Pleas had decided that such must be done.
Claim disallowed.

Cornelius O'Driscoll's claim was disallowed, because
the landlord had not paid the rates of 1845. The
claimant was rated now, but the rate for which he was
liable had been made since April 6th, the period up to
which the Act of Parliament requires all taxes and rates
should be paid.
Mr. Trott endeavoured to show that as no rate had
become due on the electoral year, from July to July, the
claim was good.
The BARRISTER, however, held that although the un-
paid rate was made and became payable in May, 1845,
it remained so in the July following, and, not having
been paid, the requirements of the Act of Parliament
had not been complied with. _ _

Several other parties who had claimed were in a simi-
lar situation, and their names were consequently omitted
from the register.

At four o'clock the Barrister adjourned until Monday
at eleven o'clock.

SEPTEMBER 28.
Mr. MOYLIN resumed this morning the revision of
the lists of the parishes of St. John and St. Margaret.
Mr. Cribb, of Covent-garden, who had been objected
to by the Liberals, as not having paid his rates, this
morning called _ _ _

Mr. Moseley, the vestry-clerk, who said that a few
days before the printing of the lists Mr. Cribb called
upon him and asked whether there was to be any
" trickery" about the rate which had just been made.
He (Mr. Moseley) replied he believed not, and in proof
the lists were being printed with Mr. Cribb's name.
Mr. Cribb rejoined that he was willing to pay the rate,
if necessary, but did not exhibit any money.
The BARRISTER said he was afraid he must allow the
objection. It was a pity that Mr. Cribb had not gone
to the proper person, the collector, instead of the vestry-
clerk.

• Objection sustained.
In the case of a claimant whose name appeared upon
the rate, and against whose elegibility no doubt was
raised,

Mr. Trott complained of the conduct of the overseers
in omitting this person, whose right to be on the register
they must have been fully aware of. He hoped that the
Barrister would think this a fit case for the infliction of a
fine upon the parish officers.
Mr. MOYLAN said the case was so clear that the
claimant should have been placed upon the register that
he coul3 not think the overseers had omitted the name
by any wilful neglect, but purely by mistake.
Mr. Keene was objected to by the Liberals, on the
ground of non-occupation. It appeared that the house
had been let furnished during two months, Mr. Keene
reserving to himself one room, used as a store-room, and
also the wine- cellars.
Mr. MOYLAN retained the vote.
In the case of W. J. Barry, standing over from Satur-
day, in which the assessed taxes due by the landlord of
the house of which the claimant held a portion had not
been paid,
The Learned BARRISTER said, he was of opinion that
the claim could not be sustained, but would grant a case,
if desired.

A case was then drawn up for an appeal, Mr. Score
consenting to become the respondent.

The following result of the first two days' proceedings
was promulgated by the liberals ;

REFORMEB3.

Claims.
Dis-
allowed.

Allowed.

St. Ann I 3
St. Clement. 5
St. George .l 31
St. Martin I 4
St. Mary 1
St. Paul

Savoy

44

Failed,

Of the Conservative claims two were allowed, one for
St. George and one for St. Martin; and three disallowed,
two for St. Anne and one for St. Clement. There were
no objections.
The Barrister on rising adjourned till Friday next.

and sentenced to six months' imprisonment and bard
labour.

Thelnisoners were committed for trial, the woman as
a principal, and her paramour as an accessory after
the fact.

WORSHIP-STREET.
THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.— A decent-looking
countryman, named Benjamin Daniels, was placed at the
bar before Mr. Broughton, charged, in the language of
the police charge-sheet, on suspicion of having absconded
and stolen the sum of 34/, the property of Mr. John
Baxter, a master butcher residing at Norwich.
Thomas Ashton, an inspector of the Eastern Counties
Railway, stated that between one and two o'clock on
Saturday afternoon a communication was received at the
Shoreditch terminus, through the medium of the electric
telegraph, from Norwich, to the effect that a man named
Benjamin Daniels, whose dress and person were circum-
stantially described, had left that place by the eleven
o'clock train, and directing on its arrival in 'town that
he might be given into custody. The' nature of the
offence he had committed not having been specified, a
telegraphic dispatch was at once transmitted back for
further particulars, the answer to which was, that the
accused had absconded with 341., and that the prosecutor
would come up by the next train to substantiate the
charge. About three hours after the above interchange
of communication, which occupied only about five
minutes, the train in question arrived at Shoreditch, and
as the person of the prisoner, who was one of the pas-
sengers, corresponded exactly with the description they
had received, he was given into custody.
Mr. John Baxter stated that he had had frequent deal-
ings with the prisoner, who was also a master butcher at
Norwich, and about a week since sold two bulloeks to
the latter for 34L, which the prisoner promised to pay
when they met at market on the following Saturday.
The prisoner, however, failed to keep his appointment,
and having ascertained that he bad started by the rail-
way that morning for London, witness instantly hastened
to the office of the electric telegraph and gave the neces-
sary instructions for the prisoner's apprehension.
In answer to the charge the prisoner denied being ac-
tuated by any fraudu)ent intention, and expressed his
readiness to satisfy the prosecutor's claim, notwithstand-
ing the harsh and injurious treatment to which he had
been subjected.
Mr. BROUGHTON considered that the prosecutor had
been very ill-advised in the course he had adopted, as
the transaction amounted to a mere matter of account
between the parties, which ought not for a moment to be
made the subject of criminal proceedings, and he should
therefore order the prisoner to be discharged.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.
THE SQUADRON OF EVOLUTION.
PORTSMOUTH, MONDAY.—The Retribution steam fri-
gate, Captain Lushington, arrived this morning at Spit-
head, about nine, and saluted the Commander-in-Chief
with seventeen guns, in smart style, which was duly ac-
knowledged by the Victory.
She left the squadron of evolution under the command
of Vice-Admiral Sir W. Parker, on Tuesday night, at
nint P.M. The squadron then consisted of the Rodney,
21, Captain Collier; the Vanguard, 80, Captain Willis;
the Albion, 90, Captain Lockyer; the Superb, 80, Cap-
tain Corry; the Trafalgar, 120, Commodore Sir Gordon
Bremer'.; the Cyclops steam frigate, Captain Lapidge;
the Terrible steam frigate, Captain Ramsay; the Phoenix
steam sloop, Commander Dennis; and the Spartan, 26,
Captain Symonds. The Euridice, 26, Captain Elliot,
parted company on the same night as the Retribution,
for England. The Polyphemus steam sloop, Comman-
der M'Clearty, parted company on the same day for
Tangiers; and the Rattler steam sloop, Captain Smith,
for Gibraltar; the latter, on the day previous, having
lost her fore and maintop mast in a heavy squall. The
admiral seems to have given the superiority to the sur-
veyor's liners in all weathers. The Rattler among the
steamers beat every thing; the Terrible was the next in
his estimation, and the Retribution next.
The Retribution sailed from Cork on the 31st of July,
in the evening, at eight o'clock, and arrived at Gibraltar
on the 6th of August, at six P.M. (Terrible in company
the whole time); she sailed again from Gibraltar on the
9th of August, and arrived at Corfu on the evening of
the 16th ; left Corfu with the right wing of the Rifle
Brigade, on the 21st of August, and took the route by
the Straits of Messina, arriving at Gibraltar on the even-
ing of the 27th. On the 28th the Fairlie and Equestrian
transports arrived, and on the 29th left Gibraltar with
the Rifle Brigade for the Cape. The Retribution left
Gibraltar on the 4th inst., and on the evening of the sth
observed Sir W. Parker, with his squadron, standing
in to Lagos Bay, where she joined company. All the
ships were then present except the Trafalgar and Ca-
nopus, which latter was at Lisbon. The Trafalgar re-
joined the fleet that same night, about twelve o'clock.
The squadron sailed from Lagos Bay on the Bth inst.,
after hiving completed water with great expedition,
much to•the satisfaCtion of the Admiral, and arrived at
Cadiz on the afternoon of the 11th of September. The
steamers, except the Rattler, were rather behindhand in
getting into the anchorage at Cadiz, particularly the
Retribution, which vessel had her floats on and did not
anchor before nine that night, owing to strong adverse
winds (all the steamers the whole time above detailed
being under sail alone). The Terrible carried away her
maintopraast in going in, owing to the bad way in which
the topmast rigging is fitted, having so little spread for
their lofty masts. This is a defect which all the steamers
have to contend with.

The squadron again sailed from Cadiz on the 17th
inst. This time the steamers had all their floats off, and
were well able to keep company with the squadron. It
must, however, be said that the squadron were never
under a very heavy press of canvas, except in light
winds, and almost always close hauled. From the 17th
to the 22d inst. the squadron were performing various
evolutions (about 20 miles to the southward of Cape
Spartell), consisting of " forming lines of bearing,"
" columns," and " line of battle," which were well
performed.

- It was seldom, after long nights, that any ships of
the squadron were found out of their stations, and those
but very little who were so.
The Retribution left the fleet about 40 miles due west
of Cape Spartel, on the evening of the 22d inst. (Tues-
day), bringing dispatches from the Admiral, and arrived
at Spithead, as above detailed, having been under steam
and sail the whole way, with fine weather.
The St. Vincent, Queen, and Eurydice may be ex-
pected shortly, the latter having left the same night as
the Retribution; the Queen and the St. Vincent five
days previous.
Both the Retribution and Eurydice supplied the Van-
guard with all the provisions they could spare (at sea)
before leaving.. The Eurydice had beaten the Spartan
(her competitor), both on and before the wind in all the
trials they bad had, and it is said the Eurydice carried
the "cock" at her masthead.

With regard to the Terrible, she is reported to be the
finest of all the steamers except the Rattler, but might
be much improved, especially with regard to her rigging.
The crossjack and mizentopsail-yard do not appear to
hare found favour in the eyes of Sir W. Parker, inas-
much as she was required one day during trial to set
those sails, and she signalled " have none," clearly prov-
ing she only crossed those yards for show (which our
readers will remember we hinted at, in drawing a com-
parison between her and the Retribution, whilst both
were in this harbour prior to the sailing of the squadron
for Spithead), and which were spare yards belonging to
her fore and main masts.

On the evening of the Retribution leaving, it was un-
derstood the Admiral would put his helm up for Tangiers;
the same morning, however, the Phoenix arrived with
important dispatches from the British 'Minister at Ma-
drid for the Admiral, which would perhaps alter the
position of the fleet. It was at the same time reported
that the Terrible whs ordered to proceed to Malta to
bring to the fleet as much provision as she could carry.
The Retribution was inspected by Sir W. Parker; at
Cadiz, who expreiaa himielf much pleased with her
efficiency and qualifications. Before she left Corfu her
port main crank was cracked, and found defective, and
condemned as unserviceable at Lagos Bay, after a strict
survey, and her machinery being too powerful, she works
much, and cannot stand up under her canvas as a vessel
of such immense tonnage ought to do, but this matter
is perhaps better explained in the following extract of
a private letter from a scientific officer of much expe-
rience:—

" However much the opinions of nautical men may
have differed in regard to the Terrible and the Retribu-
tion steam frigates, there cannot now, I presume, be two
opir ions upon their respective merits. That either of
them answer perfectly as frigates is very doubtful; that
either of them are worth the large sums of money
which have been expended upon them, is equally doubt-
ful; and that the latter vessel is the greater failure of
the two there can be no doubt whatever. On the Ist
of August both vessels started from Cork together for
Corfu, and, generally speaking, the Terrible was en-
abled, from the great power of steam, to proceed nearly
as fast with two boilers as the Retribution could with
three. When the latter became very light she certainly
got on better; the consequence of this was, that the
Terrible burned much less coal on her voyage than
her companion. With regard to the stowage of troops,
the Retribution bad the best of it, owing to her having
a lower and flying' deck, the latter stowing the whole
of the baggage, whilst the Terrible had to carry much
on deck, thereby cumbering her guns, &c. This, in-
deed, is the great fault of that ship (the Terrible),
owing to the manner in which her constructor has placed
her boilers, viz , in line, extending over two-thirds of the
main deck; the consequence is, that though upwards of
200 tons larger than the Retribution, she has, in
reality, a shorter main deck. In point of sailing, how-
ever, she certainly in a breeze has a great advantage,
being enabled to stand tfp under her canvas, whilst the
Retribution is buried, heeling over in a royal breeze 10
and 11 degrees. In fact, the crankness of the latter ship
was the astonishment of the whole fleet, and well it
might, for when at anchor she never has a list either to
port or starboard (according to the anchor down) of less
than four, and sometimes five degrees ; and this I fully
believe to be the sole cause of the Retribution's being
now sent home disabled, for what machinery could staid
being eternally laying over on its side ? Moreover, the
ship is not strong enough for the heavy (800) horse
power machinery, even if she did stand upright. * *
" The Eurydice beat the Spartan both off and on the
wind ; Captain Elliot, however, has declared his inten-
tion of leaving her.

" The Vanguard beat the Superb and the rest on a
wind.

" The St. Vincent, Queen, and Eurydice are on their
way ; the first and last to Spithead, the Queen to De-
von port.
" The Admiral is gone to Tetuan ; the Terrible to
Malta for provisions."
The Favourite, 18, Commander Murray, was at Sierra
Leone on the Ist of August.
The Spanish felucca, name unknown, driven ashore
by her Majesty's ship Flying Fish, off Elmina Cbika,
on the 17th of April, lost, by capsizing in the surf, and
drowned, H. J. Robins, senior Lieutenant of the Flying
Fish, and four seamen. It was a new vessel and direct
from Barcelona ; her main yard VMS upards of 120 feet

in length, and she was capable of carrying between 300
and 400 slaves.

WOOLWICH, SEPT. 28.—The Grappler steam vessel
has been commissioned at Woolwich by Lieutenant H. S.
Hawker, who will command her, and she is taking on
board stores for service.

The Black Eagle steam-vessel, Master Commander S.
B. Cook, is under orders to proceed to Rotterdam on
the Ist of October, with her Royal Highness the
Princess of Prussia. It is expected that another Royal
Princess will return in the Black Eagle, on a visit to this
country.
The Lightning steam-vessel, Master Commander
Petty, when passing through the Downs, made inquiries
of the various Government vessels she met in her course
if they had seen the Kestrel yacht, having been ordered
to Portsmouth to meet that vessel and tow her, with the
remains of the late Earl of Yarlborough, to Grimsby, for
interment in the family vault.
In one of my former communications I stated that
Captain Johnson, when adjusting the compasses of her
Majesty's vessels at Greenhithe, had been under the ne-
cessity of framing tables for iron vessels to steer by,
varying from those constructed of wood to a full point of
the compass, and that in some instances the variation
was so great, that a vessel steering due north would have
her compass pointing west. It is more than probable it
is owing to the Great Britain being constructed of iron,
and the possibility of alterations being made in her with-
out again adjusting her compasses, that she ran aground
on the coast of Ireland.

The Plover surveying-vessel, Captain Collinson, C. 8.,
arrived at Woolwich yesterday from China, and is to be
paid off here. The men commenced taking down her
rigging to-day.
The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having
given Mr. Haig the use of the Ariel steam-vessel,
formerly one of the Dover packets; she has been
fitted with his smoke-consuming apparatus, and went
down the river to-day to ascertain its operation and
capabilities of generating sufficient steam for the
service of the engines. Mr. Haig's invention re-
quires no steam funnel, and the principle of its construc-
tion appears admirably adapted for the consumption of
smoke. Lieutenant Vansittart, of the Gladiator, and
Mr. Lloyd, chief engineer at Woolwich dockyard, went
on board shortly before twelve o'clock, and the furnaces
having been previously ignited the steam was got up,
which is effected by five or six men turning a winch
attached to wheels and pinions causing the rapid revolu-
tion of a fanner, across which the smoke endeavours to
escape on its emerging from the furnace; but instead of
escaping into the atmosphere, it is mixed with pure air
and forced below the furnaces to nearly the front, where
it is conducted by tubes, and, ascending through the
bars into the fire, is partly consumed, and any portion
that escapes is again arrested in its progress to the at-
mosphere by the fanners, and passed through the fur-
naces until every portion is consumed. On the Ariel
leaving her moorings an endless belt was made to give
the motion to the fanners, and they revolved with great
velocity, causing a bright clear fire in each of the four
furnaces, and generating, although in old and incrusted
boilers, a sufficient quantity of steam for working the
engines. The vessel proceeded down the river beyond
Erith, and made several turns with and against the tide,
without any smoke appearing to emanate from the works.
The inventor laboured under considerable disadvantages
during the trial, in consequence of the leather strap becom-
ing loose several times. A similar disadvantage occurred
the first time the screw-propeller was tried in the
Rattler steam-vessel, but the difficulty was easily over-
come by the introduction of cog-wheels, and the screw-
propeller now bids fair to supersede paddle-wheels for
propelling steam-vessels. The application of cog-wheels
to Mr. Haig's invention would give any degree of power,
and prove regular in their operation, and in large vessels
propelled by the screw, or even in vessels of moderate
size, the whole apparatus could be fitted between decks.
The Ariel returned to Woolwich at 5 o'clock, and during
her progress appeared to surprise the passengers in the
numerous river steamers who witnessed her going at full
speed without a smoke funnel.

Bence relating to the prospective value of the mine is of
the most favourable kind.

The directors have thought proper to issue 100 new
shares, at par, amongst the holders of the original 500
shares ; but this issue has bad no visible effect upon the
market value.

Notwithstanding the excitement produced by the gold
mine, the Burra Burra mines and the Association's
shares still maintain their high repute and upward ten-
dency, shares having been sold by private contract, as
well as at public auction at 331. and upwards per share,
being 560 per cent. or more advance upon the original
cost.—lbid.

Intelligence was received yesterday in Sydney from
the Bellinger River, dated the 17th instant, stating that
Daniel Devlin, his wife, and Dennis Cleyne, all living
on 'John Robertson's cedar cutting station, had been
inhumanly murdered by the blacks. The same letter
also states that a civilised black, who had been living for
a considerable time with Commissioner Massey, has
been decoyed away and murdered by the Maitland tribe
on the M'Leay River. The white population of these
districts are said to be out in pursuit of the savages.
The particulars may be expected in Sydney in a few
days. Mrs. Devlin has left a child nine months old.
Her parents reside at the Fire Islands.—Sydney Morn-
ing Herald, March 30.

A number of coolies were lately landed in Sydney,
brought down from India in the Orwell, under indenture
to Mr. Towns, Mr. Wentworth, and Mr. Campbell, of
Bligh-street, as " menial servants." Some few of them
suffered from the voyage, but the great majority appeared
to be in good condition. Amongst them were some
women and a number of piccaninies, who seemed healthy
enough. They are to receive at the rate of five
rupees per month, and a weekly ration of 71bs. rice,
I Vbs. dholl, ilb. onions, Vb. salt, lilb. oil, and a suit of
warm clothing each year. Besides this the parties to
whom they are indented engaged to find a free passage
to this colony, and to put on board for each of the coolies
"a brass pot, a brass plate, blanket, cup, and dhooty,
and jacket." Further, the parties to whom they are in-
dented, are bound to provide a return passage in five
years from the date of their arrival. This importation
of human flesh has excited a good deal of discussion by
the colonial press, the indentures being looked upon as a
mere evasion of the crime of slaving.

NEW ZEALAND.
HORRIBLE MURDERS ON THE HUTT.

The town of Wellington was thrown into great ex-
citement, on Friday morning, by the report that Mr.
Andrew Gillespie, an intelligent and industrious settler,
together with one of his children, a promising youth of
thirteen years of age, had been found dead—murdered
—the preceding evening, near his house, on the banks
of the river Hutt, between the bridge and the encamp-
ment. It appears that, towards dusk, one of the militia
men, who was returning home from the bush, heard
groans as if from some person in great agony, in the
direction of Gillespie's house. On approaching the spot,
he discovered to his horror and surprise the father and
son, lying on the ground, brutally mutilated, and ap-
parsatly quite dead. lie instantly gave the alarm, and
a number of the settlers speedily arriving, the bodies
were conveyed into the house. The lad merely uttered
a❑ exclamation of " my poor mother," and then expired.
The father, though not quite dead, was utterly in.
sensible to all around him. The father and son were
discovered lying, one on each side of a tree which
they were engaged in sawing, when struck down by the
murderers.

On examination, it became evident that all the wounds
were inflicted with tomahawks, similar to those in use
among the natives.
The son, Andrew Gillespie, jun., had no less than 11
wounds, principally on the head.
The father had seven wounds, most of which were also
on the head.

We forbear shocking the feelings of humanity by re-
lating the fiendish mangling of the bodies.
Gillespie's tongue was not cut out as reported, but was
contracted, owing to his severe sufferings.
On Friday an inquest was held on the body of the son,
before J. Fitzgerald, Esq., M.D., coroner, and a respect-
able jury of Hutt settlers. The evidence received merely
related to the fact of finding the body, and to the number
and description of the wounds, and the jury returned a
verdict of " Wilful murder against some person or per-
sons unknown."

SATURDAY, APRIL 4.—The Rauparaha sent in a
letter, by Mr. W. C. Cowper, to the Rev: Mr. Hadfield,
informing ham that the murders had been committed by
some natives from Porirua, and that if the Governor
would ssail five or six constables, he thought he should
he able to deliver up one of the murderers. Acting on
this letter, Ensigns Cervantes and Symonds, Mr.
Fitzgerald. Mr. M'Donogh, and four constables, set
out for Porirua. On arriving at Jackson's, they ap-
prehended two deserters of the 99th Regiment, who
were staying there. The party stopped at Jackson's
all night, and in the morning proceeded to Mr.
Cowper's. An interview took place between Ensign
Cervantes and Rauparaha, who informed him that
Rangihaeata would not give up the murderers without a
struggle, and that he had espoused the cause of the Hutt
intruders, heart and hand.

SUNDAY.—A native arrived in town, bringing dis-
patches to the Governor, containing this intelligence.
Orders were instantly issued for her Majesty's steamer
Driver and her Majesty's ship Castor to prepare for sail-
ing, and 260 men of the 58th, 86th, and 99th regiments
were conveyed on board.
At half-past five o'clock in the morning, poor Gil-
lespie, after lingering for two days and three nights, ex-
pired. During the whole time no word escaped his lips,
and he appeared perfectly unconscious. We trust he
may have been unconscious both bodily as well as men-
tally. The body of the son was brought over from the
Hutt, and placed in the Episcopalian church.
MONDAY.—An inquest was held on the body of An-
drew Gillespie, before J. Fitzgerald, Esq., M.D., coroner,
and another jury of settlers, empannelled for the occa-
sion. After receiving the evidence respecting the find-
ing of the body, &c., the jury returned a verdict of
" Wilful murder against some person or persons un-
known."

The foreman also gave the following letter:—
"I, on behalf of the jury assembled on the body of
Andrew Gillespie, do hereby state that it is our opinion
that every attention and possible care was paid to the
unfortunate deceased till the time of his death by Dr.
Turnbull, M.D., of the River Hutt, and all other per-
sons about them.

" April 6.

" On behalf of the jury,
" A, LUDLAM, Foreman.

" To J. P. Fitzgerald, M.D., Coroner, Wellington."
The body was brought-over and placed in the church,
there to remain till the funeral.

At seven P m. her Majesty's steamer Driver, six guns,
C. 0. Hays, with his Excellency Captain Grey and
suite on board, and a body of the military, departed
for Porirua. Her Majesty's ship Castor was compelled
to remain at anchor, owing to the unfavourable S.E.
weather.

Ensign Cervantes and party proceeded to Paramatta,
the pah of Rauparaha. He delivered an address to his
followers, of three hours' duration. About one o'clock
the steamer hove in sight, and, on the anchor being
dropped, Rauparaha went on board. He stated to Cap-
tain Grey his determination of taking part with the
white men, and that if Rangihaeata would not give up
the murderers, he would instantly go against him
Rauparaha also told his .followers, that if they fought
against the Europeans they would ultimately be entirely
cut off. It is further stated, that from Wakanai to
Manawatti the entire native population are prepared to
join Rauparaha.

Rangiliaeata has left Taupo, and thrown himself into a
fortification lately built by the Ngatirangatahi, about
four miles from the Bay. We are informed that the
position is admirably chosen for defenee ; however, we
think the tiger will soon be driven from his lair. His
associates are murderers and robbers—determined and
desperate men, and the sooner these hornets' nests are
destroyed the better for Port Nicholson. The Wairau
murderers—the Hutt robbers—and subsequent mur-
derers are amongst them. And Captain Grey, we trust,
will hold no parley with these savages.
Yesterday morning, her Majesty's ship Castor, 86
guns, Captain Graham, got under weigh, and proceeded
to Porirua.

At one o'clock, the remains of the unfortunate Gil-
lespie and son were interred in the public cemetery.
The Rev.:R. Cole performed the funeral service. About
one hundred and fifty of the inhabitants paid their last
tribute of respect by following the funerals.
From what we can learn, it appears that a party:of
natives came down on the Hutt from Porirua, bent on
sacrificing any unfortunate white man they might come
across. That three or four crossed the river, and per-
petrated the cruel deed we have above recorded, whilst
the remainder covered the retreat of the murderers to
the bush. Some blankets and a few trifling articles
were taken from the house. The elder son of Gillespie
had been sent down to the bridge on a message. Had
he been present, there is every reason to believe that he
would also have been sacrificed by the monsters. Gil-
lespie has left a widow and one son to lament his un-
timely end.
We are also informed that the natives visited a
dwelling-house lower down the river, but that, for-
tunately for the owners, they were absent at the time.
The Government must now take energetic means to
protect the out- settlers.
Since the murder, a body of natives have been ob-
served hovering about the Hutt. In consequence, we
believe, orders have been issued to the troops stationed
there, under command of Captain Armstrong of th•
99th, to fire upon any armed body of natives who may
make their appearance.
Her Majesty's steamer Driver returned to port last
night, and her Majesty's ship Castor this morning.
Various rumours are afloat. We believe a combined
movement will shortly be made against Rangihaeata.—
Wellington Independent, April 8.