The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-14 00:00:00

ALARMING AND DESTRUCTIVE FIRE

THIS DAY.

About six o'clock this morning an alarming and de-
structive fire broke out on the premises occupied by Mr.
Jas. White, timber merchant, Yardley-street, Clerken-
well. It appears that as several workmen were proceed-
ing to their employment they observed flames issuing
from the counting-houie of the wood-yard, when the
alarm was given, and messengers despatched to the
several fire-brigaie stations in the district. Meanwhile
the flames had communicated from the counting-house
with the premises, Nos. 1,2, and 3, John-street, which
are immediately adjaoent. These houses being in-
habited, the utmost alarm prevailed amongst
the inmates, most of whom were awakened from

sleep, and with much difficulty escaped. The de-
structive element prevailed uncontrolled for some time,
despite the utmost exertions of the workmen employed
on the establishment, and detachments of the West of
England Fire Brigade. Much valuable timber was de-
stroyed, and nearly the whole of the implements and
tools belonging to the workmen. The fire, in its course,
next seized the houses occupied by Mr. Patten, eating-
house keeper, and Mr.• Cole, furniture broker ; and they
also shared the same fate—goods and household property
alike falling a sacrifice. The attention of the Fire Brigade,
who seeing their efforts almost fruitless in arresting the
flames, which had so strongly prevailed, was now
directed to cut off communication with the adjoining
premises, and in their endeavours they were ultimately
successful. Fortunately there was 'no loss of life.
The losses are estimated at between 20,000/. and
30, 0001.—Mr. White himself having lost, it is con-
sidered, no less than 10,0001. A similar conflagration
occurred at the same establishment about four years ago.

LONDON AND SOUTH-WESTERN
RAILWAY.

Meeting this Day.

The ordinary half-yearly niteting of this company was
held this afternoon at the \Vaterloo•road Terminus; Mr.
W. Chaplain, M.P., in the chair.

The report of the directors, and the statement of ac•
counts, which have both been published in Me Still, were
taken as read.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the reception and adop-

tion of the report, congratulated the meeting on the
satisfactory state of the company's receipts over expen-
diture during the past year, compared with that of the
previous one, and which he hoped showed them that
their interests were properly attended to by the direc-
tors. A resolution would be submitted to them for
their approval, empowering the directors to carry
to the capital account 23,6921., for plant and
20,2491. for new works that had been paid out of revenue
during the past year. The gross receipts up to 31st
Dec., 1855, amounted to 817,7011., and the plant
charged to capital, including the vote to be asked for
that day, 686,6651., which he thought showed they had
not charged so much to capital as many other com-
panies had done. During this half-year in comparison
with that of 1853, they had received 12,000/, for warlike
an excess of 20,0001.; and he was san-
guine Aldorshott
. and 8,0001.
fortr traffic, fu,
merchandisesu cas t 1
traffic,e e onv e
iynacnl
uc ed onfgt troops, l
Camp, making
that if they }tad peace that the legitimate traffic
of their lines would greatly exceed the amount that had
been received for the past halfyear.
Mr. LACEY (director) seconded the motion.
A. brief discussion ensued, after which the report
was adopted, and a dividend declared at the rate of
61. 123. 6d. per annum.

A resolution for capitalising the expenditure for the
past year for plant and works was also agreed to.
Mr. Sergeant Gazelee and Mr• Hutchings, M.P.,
were re elected directors, and IlIr• A. Hayes, auditor.
The meeting shortly after terminated.

SIR JOBEITJA WALINLEy'S g*tmoN.—The following
is the precise form of this motion, as it appears in the
Votes and Proceedings of the House :—" Sir Joshua
Wallasley,—British Museum,
&c.—that, in the opinion
of this house, it would promote the moral and intellec-
tual improvement of the working class.-s of this metro-
polis if the collections of natural history and of act in the
British Museum and the National Gallery were open to
the public inspection after morning servi‘,e on Sundaye.'