The Sun.
London, England, 1848-10-16 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, OCT. 14.—The most strenuous exertions
are being made to bring public feeling and opinion
to bear upon the Government, with the view of in-
clueing them to spare the life of Mr. Smith O'Brien.
Radley's Coffee-room, where the memorial lies for
signature, has been thronged with the citizens during
the last three days. The memorial already contains
the names of ten Catholic Bishops, the Provost of
Trinity College and all the Fellows, several Peers, all
the Members of Parliament now in Dublin, and some
thousands of the most wealthy and respectable of the
gentry and trading classes.
Yesterday evening a meeting of the committee was
held at Radley's ; the Lord Mayor in the chair.
Mr. JAMES HAUGHTON proposed that the secretary
should write forthwith to his Excellency the Lord-
Lieutenant, requesting him to appoint a day when it
would suit his convenience to receive a deputation to
present the memorial on behalf of Mr. Smith O'Brien.
Mr. S. CRAWFORD, M.P., suggested that the letter
should be written by the Lord Mayor.
Mr. J. REYNOLDS, M.P., seconded the proposition,
and a motion to that effect was accordingly adopted.
It was then agreed that the public should be in-
formed by advertisement that the committee would
still continue their sittings at Radley's, to receive
signatures to the memorial.
The LORD MAYOR mentioned that when he called
upon the Provost of Trinity College for his signature,
he was told that he had already signed a memorial to
the Queen, which was forwarded on the previous
night, but that, nevertheless, he would sign that ad-
dress also with the greatest possible pleasure.—(Hear,
hear.) He understood that the memorial alluded to
by the Provost was very extensively signed by the
fellows and students of the College.
The following is from the Freeman's • correspon-
dent, dated " Clonmel, Friday evening :—There is
one Catholic on the jury, though it was stated in court
yesterday evening that they were all Protestants.
There was a Catholic on Mr. M'Manus's jury also,
but the result of the trial was not the less satisfactory
to the soi-disant exclusive loyalists and upholders of
law and order. I understand that Mr. Murphy, the
Catholic juror in this case, is a gentleman of intelli-
gence, and upright independent mind, who will judge
for himself, and agree to such a verdict alone as the
evidence will justify."
I have just heard that Mr. Meagher's trial is fixed
for Monday. He may be arraigned to• morrow, but the
case will not be further proceeded with until Monday.
His trial will occupy the week, and, from the course
adopted in the case of Mr. O'Donohoe, it seems to
have been determined that, if possible, nothing shall
be allowed to interfere with the other, or prevent it
from being proceeded with on the day fixed.
Mr. O'Brien continues to enjoy excellent health.
He is perfectly cheerful and composed, and in his
usual good spirits, not in the least depressed by the
circumstances of his painful and perilous position.
Mrs. O'Brien, whose fortitude and strength of mind
. .

under her misfortunes are the admiration of all, visits
,„„.her,hushand each mbrninm nine o'clock, and re-
mains with him all day. None but the nearest mem-
bers of his family are allowed to see him. He
s ill occupies the same apartment as before his con-

v:ction.
The Dragon, 6, steam-frigate, Captain W. 11.
Hall, has proceeded from Waterford to Cork, and
there awaits orders to receive on board the Irish
p litietl convicts for transportation to any place
" beyond the seas."

An awful accident, accompanied by loss of five
lives, happened yesterday morning in Cathedral-lane,
from the falling of two of the wretched tenements in
this neglected and impoverished part of the city. The
houses were occupied chiefly by women of bad repute.
The melancholy occurrence took place about eight
o'clock, before the inmates were out of bed. The
two buildings fell literally into one indiscriminate
heap of rubbish.
ANOTUER, MURDER.—A most cruel and wanton
murder was committed on the townland of Drum-
hilla, between Cootehill and I3allybay, on the night
of the Bth or morning of the 9th instant. The name
of the unfortunate victim was James Conolly. Ilis
body was found with the skull smashed into pieces,
and it was evident that more than one person must
have been concerned in the murder. An inquest was
held on the body shortly after the discovery, and the
jury found a verdict of murder againstsoine person or
persons unkn,3wn ; ailing, that strong suspicion
existed against the son of the deceased, Philip

Dr. Cooke, of Ballast, has resigned his ministerial
charge ia that town, after nearly twenty years' ser-
He has received the liveliest token of sympathy
the c,mgreption and Presbytery,
The Belfa,t pipers report a daring attempt of some
co:1 v iets in Carrickfurgus gaol to malce their escape.
The Wtempt proved unsuccessful. One of the gang
was shut dead by a guard of the prison.

vice
fro,:

THE SPECIAL COMMISSION.
TRIAL OF O'DONOIIOE.

CLONMEL, FRIDAY EVENING.—The Court opened at
the a cal hour this morning, st which times great crowd
of persons surrounded the building to catch a glimpse of
Mr. AP.Manus, who, it was supposed, would be seri-
tereed to death before O'Donohoe's trial was proceeded
with. This supposition was strengthened by the fact
that the convict was taken down to the Court-house in
the vnn with the other prisoner ; but, on the Judges
taking their seats, evident disappointment was created
by the Attorney-General telling the officer to put O'Do-
nohoe to the bar. M`Manus was afterwards taken back
to prison.

The public interest in the proceedings of the Commis-
sion S. eems to have almost totally subsided for the pre-
sent, but whether from the monotonous sameness of the
evidence adduced in each successive trial, or from a
diminished interest in the fat© of the persons yet to be
tried, it is not easy to ascertain. Certain it is, how-
ever, that this morning the Court presented a most
deserted appearance, there not being a single individual
present with the exception of those who were obliged to
attend in order to assist in the administration of justice,
or discharge some business of a public character.
The jury having answered to their names, the follow-
ing additional evidence was adduced on the part of the
prosecution:—

Timothy Sullivan, one of the Mallinahone police, re-
peated the testimony given by him on the former trials,
and identified the prisoner, Mr. O'Donohoe, as having
been one of the persons whom he had seen with Mr.
O'Brien upon the occasion of his visit to the town of
Mullinahone.

Cross-examined by Mr. BUTT, Q.C.—I left the polico
in May last. My sub-constable, Mr. Fitzgibbon, broke
a report once. He did not suppress it, but he broke the
real of it. The report contained a charge of drunken-
ness against Fitzgibbon in it. He did not forward the
report alter he broke its seal. In fourteen days after-
wards I reported it to my superiors, and an investiga-
tion took place. I was not dismissed for keeping it
secret, but I was deprived of a year's service for not
reporting the matter in sufficient time. I went before
Mr. Despard to give my informations of my own
accord. Before I gave my information I sent a
writtea statement to Mr. Despard of all I knew
about the matters I have deposed to. That state-
ment did not contain all I stated here to-day. I told
Mr. Despard all I knew of these transactions the first
time I went to him. If any man swore that there
was more than one person upon the car with Mr. O'Brien
when he came into the town of Mullinalione he would
swear falsely. About eight or nine o'clock in the even-
ing I was observing the movements of Mr. O'Brien in
the town. Lost sight of him from one till three or four
o'clock P Saw him go into Mr. Wright's, probably
to eat his dinner. He could not have a meeting without
his knowing it. Would swear that no speeches were
made at the chapel gate. Mr. Cahill entered the town
about an hour and a half after Mr. O'Brien came in.
Mr. Cahill was as faithworthy a person as he was. Mr.
Cahill said he was totally opposed to Mr. O'Brien.
Mr. Despard was here callod and examined in refer-
ence to the depositions of the witness. He said that he
forwarded them to the Castle, and produced a letter from
Mr. Reilington acknowledging ,their receipt, and inti-
mating to him that Mr. Kemmis had directions to return
them to him.

Mr. Kemmis said he believed that he had forwarded
the informations which he had received from the Castle
to the Clerk of the Crown.
Mr. BUTT, Q.C., gave the Attorney-General notice
that if he did of examine Mr. Kemmis, he would call
upon the jury to believathat the information was still in
his possession.
The Clerk of the Crown here read one of the two in-
formations sworn by the witness.—Witness—That was
the information he swore at Dublin. Recollected a
thing better sizr weeks after it occurred than at the time
of irs occurrence. Meant that his memory was refreshed,
but it was not a refresher in the shape of a fee.—ls it
true that two persons came into Mullinahone with Mr.
O'Brien, as appears in your information? No, only one;
it was taken down wrong.—Are two or one persons
named in the information sworn before Mr. Despard?
Only one.—At all events I have one falsehood in the
information. Not from me; there is a mistake, but not
a falsehood.—Witness continued—He did not swear he
saw Mr. O'Donohoe coming iu with Mr. O'Brien, but
that he followed him in about an hour after, or that he
saw him on a car. Told Mr. Dunne in Mullinahone
what Mr. O'Brien had said in his speech. The informa-
tions were correct when they said that Mr. Dillon re-
marked in his speech that the time was come when the
people should arise and arm.—Did you ❑ot swear upon
your direct; examination that the crowd hustled you so
much that you could not hear what Mr. Dilllon said,
though you heard his voice? I heard those words. I
said I heard a few words.—ln your informations you
swore that Richard Wright ordered the church bells to
be rung, and did you not say to me you did not know
who got the bells rung? I said I did not know who
rung the bells. Doing and ordering to do a thing is very
different.

To a juror—There was only one person and the driver
of the ear with Mr. O'Brien.

Mr. Kemccis was here examined with reference to the
information of Sullivan, sworn beti)re Mr. Despard
.After Le made copies of all the original informations he
Teturned them to the Clerk of the Crown. He did not
recollect having received the informations of Sullivan,
but was sure they had been cent to him, from the pecu-
liar and proverbial accuracy of Mr. Redingtoa in for-
warding documents. Witness looked through a variety
or papers, but could not find the informations.

Michael Tobin examined—linew Thomas Kicken of
Mullinahone. I heard of the " row" at Farrinrory. The
prisoner, to the best of his belief, was one of the two men
he drove to iMullinahone. He was much like the man.
On returning back he overtook a great number of armed
men going into Ballingarry, but he could not see who
headed them, as he was in the rear. When the witness
got to the cross of Ballingarry, the two gentlemen came
off the car.
To a juror—Saw the two gentlemen whom he drove
in Ballingarry, but could not say that the prisoner was
one of them.
After some unimportant testimony had been elicited,
Dutton Mathew was examined—Lived in Killenaule.
Identified the prisoner as one of the gentlemen he saw
about Walsh's Hotel on the Friday. Saw Mr. O'Dono-
hoe go to the barricades along with Stephens, Dillon,
and M'Manus. O'Donohoe was not armed. Witness
detailed the facts connected with the removal of the
barricades, the cheering of the hussars, and stated that
an offensive word was not said to a single man. Did not
see the car stir from the hotel door. Got a whisper to
go home, and took the hint.
Capt. Longmore and a private of the Bth Hussars
were then examined, but their evidence was precisely
the same as on the other trials.
Sub-Inspector Trent was then examined in reference
to the attack upon the Widow Cormack's house, the
particulars of which have been repeatedly published.
On cross-examination, the witness stated that Father
Fitzgerald came to him to make peace between both
parties. He replied that he would lose his life before he
would surrender his gun. Did ❑ot know where Father
Fitzgerald then was. Did not hear that he had died
since the occurrence.
Police-constable Moran identified the prisoner as one
of the persons whom he saw outside the Widow Cor-
mick's house. He had a gun. The firing was not going
on at the time. Observed him before the firing began,
about five minutes after they got into the house. He
was outside the wall to the right of the wicket.
Cross-examined by Mr. MEAGHER—Did not see any
person in the enclosure when they commenced firing.
Witness fired the first shot from the gable window.
Witness could not be mistaken that Mr. O'Brien used
the words, " Slash away, boys, and slaughter them all !"
Be!ore he used the words he shook hands with Mahony
and Rafferty, police-constables. He saw the prisoner
behind a wall pointing his gun towards the enemy where
he and his comrades were. He (witness) desired them
to take care or they would be shot. He, however, did
not fire. I fired at a man that was certainly very near
some women. There might be some one besides myself
who could say that that the prisoner was at Farrinrory.
I did not ask any question upon the subject. I do not
recollect that the prisoner complained of the manner in
which he was identified by me in Kilmainham gaol.
Nor do I remember he remonstrated with Mr. Fitz-

manrice on the unfair manner in which he was dealt

with. The witness was not told that the prisoner had
taken off his whiskers when he was going to identify
him in Kilmainham, but ha made the remark himself
ofter he saw him.

Police-constable Ford was next examined relative to
the same facts. The former witness told him that a
man was presenting a gun at him and to mind himself.
Witness told Moran that if he minded him he would
mind him (Moran). Drew back his heal, and shortly
afterwards a shot was fired.

Chief Justice DonEnTY—You thought it prudent to
keep you head out of the way? Witness—Yes, my Lord.
Mr. SeoTT—llad the firing commenced at this time ?
Witness—lt was nearly over.—Did you hear Mr.
O'Brien use the words " Slash sway ?" I did not.—Are
you not a little hard of hearing? lam not, sir.
Police constable Robinson was preducfd for cross-
examination—He saw a man present a gun outside the
wall when his attenion was called to the fact by Moran.
Police-constable Cornelius Mahony examined—Was
at the Widow Cormack's:house the day of the fight.
Cross-examined—Heard Moran tell him and the rest
to keep back, as a man was presenting a gun at them.
Did not see the man, ncr did he hear the expression,
" Slash away, buys." -

Mr. Kenniais pioved the Order of Council to try the
prisoner for high treason.
Police constable John Carroll was next c xamined.—
IL was the persoa from whom Mr. O'B.ie.i took the
horse, and who had con:: from Kilkenny with dispatches
for Mr. Trant. Ile detailed the facts i,f his detention
as a prisoner, the rencontre with Mr. O'Brien, the meet-
ing with M'Manus, and his preserving him from vio-
lence by taking him into a fit id, and the interference of
Father Fitzgerald with Mr. Trant to surrender his
arms. Witness heard Father Fitzgerald say to Mr.
Trani, " What if I take yourself and your arms, and
protect you out of that?" Mr. Trant replied that he had
seen clerical influence fail before, at.d he would rely upon
his own resources; but he asked him to protect him
(witness). lle also stated that when Father Fitzgerald
came back from the house after the interview with Mr.
Trant he desired the peop4s to go home, saying, " As
many of you as are here to-day, there will be twice as
many of her Msj,sty's troops to:morrow, and if you
injure the police the country will be left waste."
Mr. BUTT—Am I to undt•rstand you that Father Fitz-
gerald dispersed the people? Yes.—After his exhor-
ts:ion the crowd was thinned? Yes.

Sub-Inspector Cux was next examined, His evidunee
was the same same as that given by him upon the two
previous trials.

Police-sergeant Madden examined— On the night of
the 12th of August arrested the prisoner about eleven
o'clock at night near to Holycross and Rathkennan.
Mr. Meagher and Mr. Layne wore with him. Sent
three men after them, who called them back. Witness
Lteppe-d forward, and spoke to one of them, who turned
out to be Mr. Th)mas Francis Meagher. Asked him
his name. After :lorn; hesitation he replied. 1.• My name
is Meagher." Then he asked the prisoner his new', and
ha replied that it was O'Donohoe. Told the persons
whom he thus met that they should come with him to
Ratheannon. They atikt,d him what steps he would
take. He replied that he would bring them before a
magistrate. Upon arriving at the barrack there was a
short delay while the orderly was opening the
door. Witness complained that Mr. Leyne would not
tell his name. The others asked if they had not told
their name. Ile replh.d that they had done so.
O'Donohoe had a prayer book and a small bottle in his
breast. lie (O'Donohoe) said he had no objection to
go before Mr. Jones, but upon arriving at ITolycross be
complained of being fatigued. Got a car for the party,
and marched them into Tharles.
At six o'clock, Mr. Burr, QC., informed the Court
that as he had been retained late in the case, and his
Learned Friend, Mr. Meagher, was more familiar with
the evidence than he was, they had arranged between
them that he would speak first, and after the evidence
had been given be would address them.
Mr. FRANCIS MEAGHER then asked the Court to ad-
journ to the following morning, and he promised them
that he would be able to save the public time by con-
densing his observations.
The CHIEF JUSTICE said that he and his Learned
Brothers very much regretted that they were obliged to
call upon Mr. Meagher 'to proceed with his address that
evening.

Mr. F. MEIGEIErt then proceeded ss ith his address.
He dwelt upon the publicity that had been given to
the previous proceedings, and the risk which
his client ran that his case would be preju-
diced by the jury. As to the constitution of the jury,
he said it was only reasonable for his client to have de-
sired that some persons who entertained his political opi-
nions would have been on it. He then undertook to prove
that his client had not levied war against the Queen.
Having referred to the circumstance connected with the
enactment of the 25 Edward 111., and stated and com-
mented upon the law of high treason as it now exists,
the Learned Counsel stated that the defence which he
intended to submit to the jury on his client's behalf was
that which had been put forward in both the trials
which had been conducted, viz., that although the ge-
neral designs of an insurrection had existed in the
minds of Mr. ('Brien and his friends, yet during the
whole of the transaction alleged by the Crown to con-
stitute the overt acts of an actual revolution, no single
step had been taken by any of the parties accused with
a view to carry out the general object imputed to them.
With respect to the allegation of the Attorney-General,
that Mr. O'Brien and his friends could not, unless they
intended a rebellion, have gone into such a wild part
of the country, and called on the people to arm, under
the circumstances set out in the evidence for tho pro-
secution, ho contended that the fact of their pre-
sence in such a situation was perfeetly consistent with
the real object they had in view—namely, to protect
Mr. O'Brien and themselves from arrest. What, let
him ask, could have been more natural than that a num-
ber of gentlemen situated as these persons had been, ap-
prehensive of srrest, yet unwilling to be apprehended,
should withdraw into some place, which from its inac-
cessible character, or some other reason, was calculated
to afford them a chance of temporary concealment ? It
was natural to suppose that if the object were the levy-
ing of war, an open avowal of the intention would be
at once made; but the declaration was merely that the
object was to escape from arrest. This was the avowal
made by Mr. O'Brien, before a single act was done. He
asked them would they think of acting on the evidence
of the witness Sullivan, if it involved merely one week's
imprisonment of his client, and pointed out discrepancies
between his informations and his evidence, and the ab-
surdity of supposing that Mr. O'Brien, who was re-
presented as engaged in a revolutionary movement,
sang a song about " Sweet Tipperary " in the open
street, before a multitude of people. The Learned
Counsel continued try argue with much ability on behalf
of his client.

Tho Court, at a 'ale hour was adjourned till next
Torning, when evidence for the defence will be pro-
duced, and it is very probable that the ease will close in
the evening.
CLONMEL, SATURDAY.—The proceedings in Court
opened to-day with evidence adduced by the counsel for
the prisoner to show that O'Donohoe was not at the fight
on the Commons of Boulagh, but that he, Meagher, and
Leyne had left Smith O'Brien on the Friday night. To
prove this a respectable farmer was called, who proved
that these three gentlemen came to his house between
three and four o'clock on Saturday morning, and stayed
with him till eleven o'clock that night. A girl, who had
been in the house at the time, was called in corrobora-
tion. Though the Crown used every exertion to in-
volve these respective statements in contradiction, they
met with no success.
Mr. BUTT was then heard for the prisoner, and the
Solicitor-General rciled for tho Crown in a speech
disfigured with several undignified squabbles between
him and Mr. Butt. Admitting that the prisoner might
have left Mr. O'Brif n on the Friday night, and gone to
Nine-mile House, as the witnesses for the defence had
stated, the Solicitor-General contended it was still for
the jury to consider whether they had gone with a view
to separate themselves from Mr. O'Brien's treasonable
intentions, or whether they had gone to form another
position for the rebel camp.
Mr. Justice MoortE then charged the jury, confining
himself scrupulously to the laying down the law of the
case, and to a summary of the bets given iu evidence.
The jury retired about seven o'clocz.

[No verdict had been returned when this dispatch
left.]

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

OPENING OF THE NEW RAILWAY BRIDGE

ACROSS THE TWEED.

The opening of this stupendous structure for the
convenience of public tratlic cannot but be regarded
as an event of the highest importance in the railway
world. Whether it is considered in a merely com-
mercial point of view, or regarded as a proof of the
advancing skill and science of the age, it is equally
calculated to excite our wonder and admiration.
Temporary though it is, does it not excite unwonted
ideas when we see the work of a few months produce
what the continued labour of twenty years, two or
three centuries ago, hardly sufficed to realise ?
Another point which lends an additional interest to
the opening of this great bridge, is the fact that it is
the last connecting link in that mighty chain of com-
munication extending from the metropolis of the
south to that of the north. London and Edinburgh,
the capitals of two nations for centuries at enmity,
now shake hands with each other. They are no longer
separated—no longer divided. They are now united
by a bond of iron which, the longer they flourish,
shall render their connexion more indissoluble. Not
less interesting are the historical associations connect-
ing with the situation of the bridge, but upon these
we shall not at present enter.
The bridge and viaduct were formally inspected on
Tuesday by Captain Symonds, Government Inspector
of Railways. He arrived at the Tweedmouth station
by special train from Newcastle, about half-past two
o'clock, accompanied by Mr. Harrison, the engineer
of the line. Shortly afterwards an engine, with a
first and second-class carriage attached, containing
these gentlemen, Mr. Bruce, resident engineer, seve-
ral of the railway officials, and some ladies, proceeded
at a slow pace from the station along the immense
viaduct and the temporary wooden bridge to the
North British Railway station, where a large assem-
blage had been some time waiting in anticipation of
Captain Symonds's arrival. On the approach of the
train three hearty cheers were sent forth, accompanied
by the booming of three pieces of artillery, planted
about the centre of the bridge, and which were fre-
quently fired i❑ the course of the day. Numberless
flags were also hoisted at various parts along the line
and the bridge.
The wooden structure, as we stated a few weeks
ago, was then completed, only a portion of the adja-
cent earthen embankment being unfinished. The
utmost exertions have since been made, day and night,
to complete this part of the line, in order that the
bridge might be opened by the time specified in the
contract, and it was so far finished on Monday morn-
ing that trains could have passed, a portion of the
ballast only being required to be filled in. On Tues-
day forenoon, about twelve o'clock, a train of 14
trucks laden with coke, drawn by two engines, pro-
' ceeded from the Tweedmouth station to that of the
North British. It is estimated that the total weight
of this train could not have been less than 180 tons.
Beyond a very slight vibration, the train went as
smoothly as upon the firmest rock. Several trains of
the same kind, and one or two goods trains, subse-
quently passed over during the day, and the regular
passenger trains commenced running along the bridge
on Wednesday morning.
The opinion of competent and uninterested persons
skilled in engineering represents the wooden bridge
to be perfectly substantial, anl in fact as trustworthy,
and perhaps more so, than any stone structure. The
names of the scientific men under whose direction it
has been raised are a sufficient guarantee for its secu-
rity, and will put at rest any fears that might be en-
tertained. The bridge was commenced in the early
part of this year, and the quantity of timber employed
in its construction amounts to nearly 300,000 cubic
feet. It is 39 feet wide at the base, contracting gra-
dually as it ascends to 13 feet in breadth. The bridge
itself is 1,200 feet long, and the height frem the bed
of the river 120 feet. Along the bridge is laid a double
line of rails, the second line being within those on
which the carriages run, and is raised two inches
above them, which plan is adopted to pre-
vent oscillation, and render their passage safe
and smooth. The embankment, extending from the
bridge to the station at Tweedmouth, nearly half a
mile long, is estireafed to contain 1,100,000 tons of
earth. But while every exertion has Lem made to
complete the temporary structure within the specified
time, the permanent stone bridge, which is being
erected on one side of the, other, has already made
considerable progress. This bridge, which it is ex-
pected will be finished in July next year, will contaih
twenty-eight semicircular arches, eleven of which,
we believe, will be required to span the river—the
others, on the Tweedmouth side of the river, are al-
ready nearly finished, and form a continuation of
the present wooden erection. The whole length of
the stone bridge will be 2,000 feet, and its extreme
height from the foundation to the Broadway 134 feet.
—Berwick Warder.

Captain Binstead, R.N., general manager of the
Lancashire and Yorkshire system of railways, has
resigned. Mr. Saunders, the secretary to the Wa-
terford and Limerick Railway, also resigns, and is
expected to be suecee.led by Mr. Charles de Lacy
Nash, known for his exertions in connexion with the
late "railway robberies."
GREAT NORTHERN OPENING OE THE LOOP.—
This company will open, on the 17th instant, the
principal portion of the loop line, extending from
Peterborough to Lincoln. This, in conjunction with
the East Lincolnshire line, lately (as noticed in our
last) entirely opened, and the Eastern Counties line,
or the London and North-Western line to Peter.
borough, as well as by that part of the Manchester,
Sheffield, and Lincolnshire from Great Grimsby to
New Holland, opposite Hull, furnish a new route
from London to Hull, no less than forty miles
shorter than the present route, and effecting a saving
in the fare of about 33 per cent,. It will be, doubt-
less, very satisfactory to the shareholders of the Great
Northern to find that their directors have so far ful-
filled their promises nearly to a day, notwithstanding
the pressure upon them of adverse circumstances.—
Herapath' s Railway Journal.
SOUTH DEVON.— file key-stone of the eastern end
of the arch in the tunnel at Mutley-plain was fitted
in on Saturday last, and the timbers will probably be
removed in the course of the present week. The
directors on Thursday passed a resolution reducing
the salaries of all the men employed on the line. The
policemen and porters are to have 14s. a week, in-
stead of lis., and those of a higher grade will be re-
duced about twenty per cent. A great number of
hands have recently been discharged all along the
line, and a further reduction in the number of porters,
policemen, and clerks is contemplated. The reduction
that has been made in the salaries of the officials is in
accordance with a suggestion that was made at the
is
sued
notices half-yearly meeting. The secretary has
notices for the sale of GSO tons of atmospheric railway
iron pipes, averaging about S cwt. each, now lying at
Bristol ; also for the sale of about 1,600 tons Scotch
pig iron, and about 1,000 tons of Welsh cold blast
iron, deliverable at Bristol and Bridgewater.
CORNWALL.—Mr. W. H. Bond, the secretary of
the Cornwall Railway, has issued a letter to the share-
holders, in which he says :—" The board of directors
having had under consideration the propriety, in the
present circumstances of the company, of paying the
interest in respect of the calls paid up, have, for the
present, resolved to suspend the payment thereof."
The works on this line in the neighbourhood of Ply-
mouth
have been entirely suspended fir some time
past.

EXTENSION Or THE IRISH GREAT WESTERN INTO
GALWAY.—A meeting of the nobility and gentry has
just been held at Ballinasloe, to take measures for the
extension of a great arterial line into Galway, so as
to provide the people with reproductive employment
during the winter. The Earl of Clancarty expressed
his conviction that great advantage would result, not
only to Connaught, but the entire kingdom, from' this
extension; and the Marquis of Sligo was of opinion
that every man should exert himself to promote it as
a means of providing reproductive employment for
the people. Mr. Reynolds thought that Government,
if properly applied to, could not refuse a loan of
500,000/. for the purpose, and the majority of the
landowners would give their land free of charge.
IRISH SOUTH- EASTERN.—The works on the above
line, from Bagnallstovvn to Kilkenny, were discon-
tinued on Saturday last, by order of Mr. Darman, the
contractor, and it is not prqbable they will be resumed
before next year.—Carlow Sentinel.
SCOTTISH CENTRAL.—After a good deal of nego-
tiaton, we understand that the details of the arrange-
ments for leasing this undertaking to the Southern
Companies are now finally concluded, and that the
agreement has been signed by the chairmen and other
officials of the companies interested therein. The
Scottish Central is now guaranteed in perpetuity
seven per cent., and half surplus profits by the Edin-
burgh and Glasgow, Caledonian, Lancaster, and
Carlisle, and Ltindon and North-Western. The
agreement between the same parties and the Scot-
tish Midland, with six per cent. guarantee and half
profits, has also been ratified.—Perth Courier of
Thursday.

THE CITY SEWER COMMISSION. —During the
whole of Saturday the Select Committee helongirg to
this Commission were engaged in the reception and con-
sideration of proposals for the ventilation of the sewers.
Some of the plans were of an elaborate character, most
of them contained propositions of considerable merit,
the Evjority being much admired by the Committee. At
the close of the pry ec.eding
Mr. Deputy Petcock, the
chairman, announced to the several parties that a writ-
ten answer would be sent to each of them iu the course
of a few days.

At a recent meetng of the Edinburgh Chamber of
Commerce a resolution was agreed to, on tha motion of
Mr. Cowan, M.P., to attempt to get Government to
allow a higher rate of interest to depositors in the Na-
tional Security Savings' Banks. In all quarters these
institutions are suffering from the minimum rate of in-
terest presently allowed.