The Sun.
London, England, 1870-06-28 00:00:00

THE LORDS AND THE LAND BILL.

The Times considers that the vote on Lord Clanricarde's
amendment was a painful interruption to a discussion
otherwise marked by a different spirit. Remembering
who first used the epithet, the Times cannot but regret
an alteration of the bill that would enable "felonious "
acts to be still committed with impunity if it were
allowed to k t tnd unredressed. The glaring insufficiency of
the argument of Lord Cairns on the subject, its want of
point as an answer to the speech of Lord O'Hagan, is ex-
plained by Lord Kimberley's statement that Lord
Cairns delivered it without having had the advantage of
hearing the previous debate. This fact makes intelligible
what would otherwise b e hopelessly dark, and it affords some
additional reason for looking forward to an easy reversal of
the mistaken vote of last night. Long before the subject
comes again before the Lords there will be opportunity
for examining and appreciating the real facts and reasons
bearing on the question, and we may trust to the House
to abandon a conclusion which is at variance with the
principles admitted on both sides as those that ought to
govern the Land Bill.

RAILWAY COMPENSATION FOR

ACCIDENTS.

The select committee of the House of Commons ap-
pointed to consider the question of compensation for
railway accidents met again yesterday. Mr. Headlam in
the chair.

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Dr. Pemberton, consulting surgeon of the London and
North-Western Railway Company,and of various insurance
companies gave evidence in respect to the question of
false claims. In the course of his examination, Dr. Pem-
berton expressed an opinion that by the present law.
railway and insurance companies had been compelled to
pay much larger for compensation than they ought.
With regard to the development of injuries sustained by
accidents, he said his experience was that a very serious
injury was attended by immediate symptoms, although of
course there were exceptions occasionally. He had never
seen a serious spinal injury, for instance, develope
at a remote period from the accident causing it. But at
the same time in case of injury to the head no surgeon
could determine at once the extent of the injury. As to
the costs of contested claims, he said one of the chief
causes of the excessive costs was the heavy charges which
medical men of high position made to come into
court. He believed that if the plaintiff in an
action knew beforehand that his claim would come
before a tribunal of experts, he would never go before
them • and by a tribunal of that description, a large
number of fraudulent cases would be frustrated. Juries
almost invariably gave damages in relation to the imme-
diate accident, and not with respect to any previous
ailment of the claimant. Both medical men and railway
companies were at the mercy of the patient as to his suffer-
ings ; it was a question of bond fides.
Colonel Yolland, an inspector of the Board of Trade,
was also examined. He stated that inspectors were
frequently required to give partial opinions of accidents,
which they ought not to be called upon to do ; and they
were not empowered to ask any questions or to call any
evidence or to hold any inquiry in reference
to an accident. They merely reported for
the information of the Board of Trade, at the
instigation of the Board. He was strongly in favour of
the aoption of the block system of telegraphing, espe-
cially where the traffic was large ; and he thought it
desirable that it should be made compulsory by Act of
Parliament, or at least by some public body or department.
He advised this course because different companies would
never adopt the system until some serious accident
occurred on their respective lines, which compelled them
to do so. He believed that the present working
of the railway system was admirable.
Mr. Vian, Secretary of the Railway Accidents Insur-
ance Company gave some particulars of the working of
his office. The compensation for a 3d. first-class ticket
was £l,OOO in case of death, and £6 a week in case of
disability. ; for a 2d. second-class ticket £5OO for death
and for injury £3 a week; and for a ld. ticket £2OO for
death. He stated in reference to the late lamentable ac-
cident at Newark, a large number of third-class passenger
had paid a premium of 2d. for £lOO ; while the first
class passengers had paid Gd. for £l,OOO, because the
company considering the greater risk to excursion trains,
charged a higher premium. Five of the persons killed
held insurance tickets, for which the company had received
about 10d., and would have to pay £5OO. The suggestion
that the company paid premiums to persons.to secure and
bring back insurance tickets in case of accidents was quite
false.
Captain Tyler also gave some evidence. He designated
the present system of compensation in this country as a
scandal to the country, and the injustice arising there-
from was rather on the side of the railway companies.
Therefore there ought to be an improved system of in-
quiry ; and not only should there be limited liability, but
a better tribunal for assessing damages. He thought that
if the Board of Trade had power to appoint arbitrators,
it was a plan which would work well, and diminish the
costs.
The committee then adjourned.

A late junior student of Christ Church has been
appointed tutor to a younger brother of Prince Hassan,
and will proceed to Egypt immediately.
A marriage is arranged, and will take place about
the middle of next month, between Eleanor, second
daughter of the Hon. and Rev. Edward Harbottle Grim-
ston, rector of Pebmarsh and Great Henny, Essex, and
niece of the Earl of Verulam, and Mr. Wauchope late
of the 16th (the Queen's) Lancers, cousin of Lady 'Ross-
more.
There is a great strike of shoemakers going on in
Massachusetts, and, according to the New York Tribune
just received, it seems that the arrival of 75 Chinamen
from California has brought discomfiture on some of the
Boston turnouts, for all the foreigners were taken on at
one of the large establishments which had been thrown
idle.
The Echo thinks it highly probable that Lord
Granville will be invited to remove from the Colonial
to the Foreign Office. He has already occupied
the position, and is by his knowledge of the Continent
and by his mastery of foreign languages, no
less than by his genial and courteous manners, will
fitted to lead the diplimotic service of the country.
A strange case of cannibalism is reported from
Swinton. In the course of a fight between Thomas Sykes
and Thomas Askin, the latter is said to have nearly bitten
off the under lip of his antagonist, who is now under the
care of Mr. Blythman, surgeon, and must have suffered
most excrutiating pain from his injuries, which are de-
scribed as presenting a most revolting appearance.

Two young men, clerks in Liverpool, were drowned
while boating at Birkenhead on Saturday evening. They
were seen struggling in the water, and were prevented
from sinking by three youths, who were also boating, and
who went immediately to their assistance on observing
the capsized boat. Unhappily, owing to the delay which
elapsed before medical aid was obtained, both their lives
were lost.

General Lord Strathnairn has left Ireland, and has
ceased to be commander of the forces. General Sir Wil-
liam Mansfield, his successor, with Lady Mansfield, will
arrive in Dublin in a few days. Lord Strathnairn is to
return to Dublin the first week in July, and on the 6th
of that month will receive from Trinity College the
honorary degree of LL.D.