The Sun.
London, England, 1870-06-09 00:00:00

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS.

By an Order in Council, published in Tuesday night's
Gazette, it is provided that the principle of open competi-
tion shall on and after the 31st of August next, be ap-
plied to all Civil Service appointments, except such as
are included in the following schedule annexed to the
order :-1. All situations to which the holder is ap-
pointed directly by the Crown. 2. All situations included
in any Order or Warrant made by the Commissioners of the
Treasury under section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 181,9.
3. All situations which are filled, in the customary course
of promotion, by persons previously serving in the same
department. It is, however, provided that in cases where
the chief of a department and the Lords of the Treasury
may be of opinion that for the sake of special knowledge
or other reasons of public interest, examination should be
wholly or partially dispensed with, the Civil Service
Commissioners may dispense with examination, wholly or
partially, and may grant their certificate of qualification
upon evidence satisfactory to them that the person to be
appointed possesses the requisite knowledge and ability,
and is duly qualified in respect of age, health, and cha-
racter. By Clause 3it is provided that, with the excep-
tions mentioned above, no appointment shall be made
unless the person to be appointed shall be reported by
the Commissioners to have satisfied them that he pos-
sesses the requisite ability to enter on the discharge of his
official duties. Clause 6 contains the following provi-
sions :-- After the candidate, reported as aforesaid by the
Commissioners, has been appointed to an office or employ-
ment, he shall enter on a period of probation, during which
his conduct and capacity in the transaction of business shall
be subjected to such tests as may be determined by the
chief of the department to which he is attached, and he
shall not remain in the public service after six months
from the date of his appointment, unless satisfactory
proofs of his fitness shall have been furnished to the chief
of such department, and a certificate of his qualification
shall have been issued by the Civil Service Commis-
sioners.

SUPPOSED LOSS OF THE DACIA WITH ALL

ON BOARD.

Some doubt is felt as to the reported loss of the steamer
Dacia, one of the six vessels engaged in the expedition of
laying the West Indian and Panama Telegraph cable.
The Dacia was owned by Sir Charles T. Bright. The
telegrams report that her wreck took place on the
northern reef off Bermuda, and all hands on board except
three, were lost. The amount of cable shipped on board
from the India rubber, Guttapercha, and Telegraph
Works at Silvertown was about 1,000 miles.
The remainder of the cable, 3,000 miles, was
in sections on board the other steamers. The Dacia
cleared from the Chops of the Channel on the 19th
of May, with instructions to call at Fayal for coals. She
was then to proceed to Jamaica, but how she came to
get to Bermuda is unaccountable, excepting that she may
have become disabled. She was a powerful iron built
steamer, and had been strengthened for the voyage. The
vessel, which was of 1,472 tons net, was built in 1867.
She was 242 ft. 4 in. in length, 34 ft. 5 in. in breadth,
26 feet depth of hold, with five bulkheads, and fitted
with engines of 250 horse-power. The insurance effected
on her later cable is distributed among the underwriters
and marine insurance companies—most of the latter have,
it is said, £30,000 lines on her ; the premium paid was
about 265. per cent., and the total is represented at
£270,000. It is expected, however, that there will be
some chance of picking up the cable, though the steamer
may have foundered.

A. telegraphic message has been received from
New York stating that nothing is known there of the re-
ported loss of the Dacia steamer. As the first telegram
came from New York, it is possible, therefore, that the
whole affair is a hoax.

The Shipping Gazette says :—" We have reason to hope
that the report of the loss of the Dacia is totally desti-
tute of foundation. It is said to have been originated
for stock-jobbing purposes, in order to run down the
shares of certain Telegraph Companies, the Dacia
having on board a portion of the cable for connecting by
a new line the West Indies with South America. It is
impossible to denounce in too strong language the detest-
able heartlessness which, for mere purposes of gain, could
suggest and circulate a rumour involving not only loss of
property but loss of life, and given with a circumstantiality
of detail calculated, for a time at least, to secure unwilling
credence. We cannot but think that this case calls for
immediate action on the part of the com-
mittee of the Stock Exchange, with a view of
ascertaining whether the report in question origi-
nated in that institution, and, if it shall appear
that it did, to take such steps as may render the repetition
of any such act of inhumanity peculiarly hazardous to
those concerned in it. To say nothing of the value
of the property in the Dacia, which has been estimated
at £300,000, most of which is insured, there are nearly
150 persons on board. Some idea may, therefore, be
formed of the cruel anxiety created by a report asserting
the loss of that vessel and the ship's company, three only
excepted.

The report that the assumption by the King of
Prussia of the title of Emperor of Germany will form the
subject of negotiations between him and the Emperor
Alexander at Ems is, we hear, says the Eastern Budget,
very improbable, as it is only a short time ago that Herr
you; Mile, in the absence of Count Bismarck, positively
declared to Lord Loftus that his Majesty had no such in-
tention, and the Kinghimself subsequently confirmed this
declaration to his lordship.

The Right Hon. Thomas O'Hagan, Lord Chancellor
of Ireland, has received a letter announcing his elevation
to the peerage under the title of Baron Q'Hagan. His
lordship, who is now 60 years of age, was appointed
Solicitor-General for Ireland under Lord Palmerston's
second administration in 1860, and to the Attorney-
Generalship in 1861. He sat in the Liberal interest, for
Tralee, from May, 1863, till his elevation to the bench in
1865, when he was sworn a member of the Priyy Council
On Mr. Gladstone taking the reins of power in December,
1868, he was made Lord High Chancellor of Ireland,

LAW AND POLICE.

THE COUNTESS OF DERWENTWATER.—Mr. Bennett, tax
collector, Winlaton, at the Gate: head County Police
Station, has applied for a number of summonses against
certain persons for non-payment of poor rates, amongst
whom was the " Countess of Derwentwater." The re-
quired summonses were granted.
IMPORTANT SALMON FISHERY QUESTION.—In the Court
of Common Pleas the appeal of Lord Leconfield against
the decision of the Salmon Fishery Commissioners was
argued. Lord Leconfield had a fishing weir in the river
Derwent ; and the question was whether such • weir
in a non-navigable part of the river was legal
when it presented an obstruction to the p as-
sa,ge of salmon up and down the river. Mr.
Holker, Q.C., argued that the Salmon Fishery
Acts of 1861 and 1865 made all weirs that pre-
vented salmon from getting to their spawning-beds and
returning to the sea illegal, though on non-navigable
rivers. The Court of Queen's Bench had held that the
Salmon Fishery Acts referred only to navigable rivers.
The court took time to consider its judgment. .
A SECOND COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH.—A practical step
has been taken in the way of law reform. Under the
provisions of the Act passed in the varly part of the pre-
sent session, Mr. Baron Pigott has been drafted from the
Court of Excnequer to sit with Mr.. Justice Mellor in the
Bail Court, thus constituting a second Court of Queen's
Bench, for the holding of sittings in Banco. In the chief
court the Lord Chief Justice, with Mr. Justice Lush and
Mr. Justice Hannen, have been occupied with the new
trial paper, and Mr. Justice Mellor and Mr. Baron
Pigott with the Crown paper.
THE BANKRUPTCY OF MAJOR HEA'HCOTE.—The exa-
mination of this bankrupt, now of Brussels, major on half
pay, was proceeded with. The petitioning creditor is Mr.
J. P. Whitmore, money dealer, of 6, Norris-street, St.
James's. The unsecured debts are stated at 23,029 15s. Bd.;
creditors partly secured, £3,156 14. ; estimated value
of the securities, £1,921 145.; the total assets being
returned at the sum of £52 10s. Mr. Lawrence, as re-
presenting the trustee, applied for an adjournment on
the ground that the cash account had only just been
delivered, and a great many items required strict exami-
nation. Mr. G. Lewis, on the part of the bankrupt, con-
curred in the proposed adjournment, and the examination
was postponed.
BETTING IN THE PUBLIC STREETS.—TWO young men
named William Tripp and Robert Leader were brought
before Mr. Vaughan, at Bow-street, charged with
bettinc, and obstructing the public thoroughfare
in Tottenham-court-road. The defendants were ap-
prehended by a constable of the E division, who
had been deputed to watch the district. He saw
the defendant and eight others. Tripp made entries in
a little book which was found in his pocket. The
defendant denied that any bet had been made, or any
obstruction caused. Mr. Vaughan said he had no doubt,
from the evidence, that the defendants were there for the
purpose alleged. He fined Tripp £5, or one month, and
the other defendant £l, or ten days' imprisonment. Both
the fines were paid.
KILLING A STEPFATHER.--Charles Thompson, a youth
of about 16 or 17, was indicted at the Central Criminal
Court for killing his stepfather, George Reece. on the
16th of May last. The prisoner lived with his mother and
the deceased at No. 42, Medway-street, Westminster. On
the day in question the deceased, who was a very pas-
sionate man, entered the house, and a quarrel ensued
respecting some money which the boy should have
paid for his clothes. He called the prisoner
bad names, and struck him, and he, in self -
defence, took up a salt-cellar and threw it at
his step-father. The latter, happening to turn round,
was struck by the missile in the forehead ; and although
th w:lincl was apparently only a slight one it ultimately
ended in death. The prisoner admitted the offence, but
stated that he had no intention to hurt his stepfather.
The jury returned a verdict of guilty, but strongly recom-
mended the prisoner to mercy. The counsel for the prose-
cutien made a similar recommendation. Mr. Justice
Blackburn said he did not doubt that the prisoner
had no intention to inflict severe injury upon, or cause
the death of, the deceased; and he should therefore only
pass a light sentence of one month's imprisonment with
hard labour.

BARNED'S BANKING COMPANY.-At the Rolls Chambers,
before the chief clerk, Mr. Church, several matters
connected with Barned's Bank were brought forward, and
in the course of one case it transpired that the Master of
the Rolls had authorised the employment of a detective
to look after a runaway-shareholder. The chief clerk
inquired
:of Mr. Lording whether anything had come of
the employment of the detective. Mr. Lording said that
at present there had not, but he was still engaged in the
matter. Mr. Lording applied for a "balance" order to
enforce the call of £4O on a contributory to upwards of
£7,000 who had declined to pay, and the order was
granted. Certain shareholders and the representatives of
deceased shareholders had paid calls, and now, as credi-
tors, they asked to be paid the dividends declared,
amounting to ss. in the pound, to which they were
entitled, having paid all the call. The Chief Clerk ap-
proved of a suggestion of Mr. Lording, that summonses
should be taken out, and the dividends paid thereon.

DUCKING A POLICEMAN.—At the Central Criminal
Court, five boys, from fourteen to eighteen years of age,
named George Proctor, William Proctor, Tohn Cliff,
William Walsh, and Richard King, were charged before
the Common Serjeant with feleniouSly assaulting
Jacob Smith, a police constable, and oCcasion-
ing him actual bodily harm. The indictment
was originally for attempting to murder, but
with respect to that charge the grand jury threw out the
bill. It appeared that while the constable was attempting
to take a little boy into custody for bathing in the Regent's
Canal, the prisoners interfered, and while George Proctor
was struggling with him they both fell into the water. The
struggle continued fur some time, and eventuallythe boyran
away, and the constable then got out. Mr. Collins sub-
mitted that the whole affair was a mere lark, and that the
policeman and Proctor fell into the water accidentally.
The jury convicted George Proctor of a common assault,
and he was sentenced to be imprisoned for three days.
The others were acquitted.
STRANGE INQUIRY IN IRELAND.—An inquiry has been
commenced at Drumshambo, in the county of Leitrim,
before Mr. Coffey, Q.C., in order to determine whether
a Mr. Francis M`Keon was eligible to sit on the.bench of
magistrates. The investigation took place by order of the
Lord Chancellor of Ireland, it having been alleged bg Mr.
M'Keon's brother magistrates that he was unqualified by
education, social position, or means for serving on the com-
mission of the peace. On the part of Mr. M`Keon wit-
nesses were called to prove that, although he was the weigh-
master of the town, he did not personally weigh butter or
any other commodity ; and that his name appeared in
the 'Government valuation books for the Poor-law Union

as being rateable at £129105. —A
point was raiseda;tO
whether other Irish magistrates held the office of weigh-
master, and Mr. Coffey adjourned the inquiry until the
11th inst., to allow him an opportunity of informing
himself on the subject.
ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE.—Joseph Fountain,
36, butcher, was indicted at the Central Criminal Court
for feloniously wounding Henrietta Corn on the 14th
April last, with intent to murder her ; and also
with attempting to kill himself by cutting his
throat. He pleaded not guilty. The prisoner and
the prosecutrix had lived together for some time, and
about a week before the occurrence the latter left him.

On the 14th April they met at a public-house in King;:-
land-road, and the prisoner wanted Corn to return and
live with him, which she refused to do. She walked
into Cavendish-street with him' and he again asked
asked her to go home with him. She said she would not,
and he then put one arm round her neck, and was seen
by a man named Harvey and his wife to draw some-
thing from his pocket and pass it across her throat.
She then ran across the road, and it was found that her
throat was cut. The prisoner attempted to cut his Own
throat, and when taken into custody had in his hand a
razor, with which he attempted to cut the constable's
hands. He said that he intended to kill both the pros ecutrix
and himself if he had not been prevented. A statement made
by the prisoner was read, to the effect that the woman, after
several times leaving him, and returning to live with him
had followed him to where he was serving in the Militia
with his regiment, and had threatened to " shew him up "
before all the regiment and every one who knew
him, and had agravated him by striking him and in other
ways. He said he had saved her live upon one occasion
when she had attempted to hang herself, and also when
she trled to poison herself and to cut her throat, and he
had no intention to kill her. lie threw _himself on tha
mercy of the court. The jury returned a verdict Of guilty
of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and
the judge passed a sentence of fifteen years penal servi-
tude.

It has been resolved by the Rochdale Chamber of
Commerce to petition Parliament in favour of the motion
Mr. Muntz intends to bring forward declaring that
Government manufactories are injurious to commerce and
a burden on the taxpayer, and that it is unseemly for
Government to compete with commercial houses for con-
tracts with foreign powers.

Preparations are being made at Windsor Castle for
the grand State breakfast which will be given by her
Majesty the Queen after the return of the Court from
Scotland. A number of marquees and tents will be
erected upon the lawn in front of the East Terrace, and
cc mmanding some lovely views of the Castle slopes, the
vale of the Thames, the park, and Frogmore grounds. It
is understood that nearly 1,000 guests will have the-honour
of being invited.

The Co-operative Congress, which is being held at
Manchester, have resolved to establish a newspaper in the
co-operative. interest with as little delay as possible, and
have appointed a committee to arrange the plans. A.
dinner took place at Chesterfield last evening in connec-
tion with the holding of Manchester unity meetings in
that town. Lord Frederick Cavendish, M.P., the Hon.
Captain Egerton, M.P., and the Hon. H. Strutt, M.P.,
were present.

BUILDING TRADE IN PARIS.—A. petition has
lately been presented to the C. rps Legislatif by the build-
ing contractors of Paris, which sets forth a very dismal
state of things. Great distress prevails among the work-
men, who have been until recently in the employ pi the
master builders. They are two hundred thousand in
number, and many are in a deplorable condition. The
worst of it is that the masters cannot get the large sums
of money that are due to them from the city. This un-
fortunate state of affairs has been brought about by the
creation of works which were necessarily unproductive for
a time. The expenses could only be met by organising
loans, and if that was impossible the difficulty had to be
surmounted by disbanding the army of workmen which
had been collected. The suspension of the public works
in Paris has given rise to much discontent, and the Corps
TAgislatif has made some provisionary arrangements to
meet pressing emergencies. he Chamber and the Govern-
ment will, it is expected, use every exertion in order that ,
the extraordinary budget for the town of Paris may Jae
voted and submitted to the Senate,