The Sun.
London, England, 1851-02-28 00:00:00

APPOINTMENT.

WOOLWICH, FEE. 27.—Captain Alexander Murray
(1849), to study steam at the factory at Woolwich
Dockyard. The gallant officer joined to-day.
The Governalli Sardinian steam-frigate, Commander
Persiani, commenced unloading the packages she has on
board for the Exhibition into barges for conveyance up
the river to a con►enient place fur landing them at
Chelsea.

Mr. Macdonald, master-attendant, went on board se-
veral of the store hulks and receiving ships in the har-
bour to-day to inform those in charge of them that they
were to have hawsers in readiness when vessels came
alongside, as several other vessels from foreign Govern-
ments were expected at Woolwich with packages for
the Exhibition.

THE LORD RFCTORSHIP OF GLASGOW UNIVER-
SITY. —G LASGOW, WEDNESDAY A FTERNOON. —The mem-
bers of the University met to-day in the Common-hall,
when Professor Ramsay read the result of the recent rec-
torial election, showing that two " nations " had voted
for Lord Palmerston, arid two for Sheriff Allison, the his-
torian. The Principal then explained that by the consti-
tution of the University the casting vote in case of equality
fell to be exercised by the retiring Lord Rector, or tailing
him, by the immediately preceding Lord Rector. A letter
was read from Mr. Macaulay, dated the 19th of Novem-
ber last, stating that it would be out f his power to ap-
pear personally, and he must, therefore, suffer the casting
vote to lapse into the hands of his predecessor. It was
matter of satisfaction, however, that from two such distin-
guished candidates, he could not choose amiss. The Prin-
cipal then stated that the exercise of the privilege of giving
the casting vote now lay with Mr. Mure, of Caldwell, M.P.,
Mr Macaulay's immediate predecessor. Mr. ➢lure, who
his up till this time been detained in Italy, then rose, and
atter a graceful allusion to the merits of the two candi-
dates, gave his casting vote in favour of Mr. Sheriff Ali-
son, on the ground that he had the greatest number of in-
dividual votes, although the " nations " had been equal.
The election was declared accordingly amid much applause.
The public inauguration of the new Lord Rector takes place
to-morrow in the College, when he will deliver his installa-
tion speech.

SUNDERLAND DOCK COMPANY.—The half-yearly
meeting of this company was held on Wednesday, at the
Royal Exchange-buildings, Sunderland ; Mr. G. Hudson,
M.P., presided. The report stated that the trade and revenue
of the dock had been found, during the few months it had
been opened, in every respect most satisfactory. Although
the dock was opened on the `ZOth June last, yet, in conse-
quence of the unavoidable arrangements arising from the
change of shipment of coals from the river to the decks, no
coals could be shipped in the docks till September, and then
only half the quantity was brought down the Durham
and Sunderland branch railway, and it was not until the
month of December that the whole of the drops in the
river could be taken. The dock having been, during the
greater portion of the past half-year, only in partial ope-
ration, the directors had not deemed it necessary to sub-
mit any detailed statement of the revenue, but the
following were the monthly receipts :—J uly, 1850,
194 16s. 10d. • August, 136/. 3s. Id. ; September, 432/. Is. 7d. ;
October, 583/. 10s. 11d. ; November, 6091. Is. led. ; December,
8371. 14e. 2d. The directors of the York, Newcastle, and
Berwick Company, who possessed so large an interest in the
company, were proceeding actively in making the Penshar
branch line with the Sunderland Docks, on the completion
of which a large increase of trade and revenue would be
obtained. All the calls and interest had been paid on the
3,000 shares standing in the name of the railway company,
and the chairman had undertaken to take up the whole of
the 2,325 shares respecting which the misunderstanding had
uccurred between him and the railway company, and had ar-
ranged the calls thereon, and interest, in the most satisfactory
and honourable manner. The report, as well as that of the
engineer, was adoped.

BIRKENHEAD DOCK COMPANY. —Yesterday the
half-yearly general meeting of the shareholders in this com-
pany took place at the London Tavern, for the purpose of
receiving the general and financial reports, the election of
directors, &c. Sir I. L. Goldsmid, Bart., presided. The
report, as read by the secretary, showed, that the works
being still incomplete, water access could not yet be gained
to the company's wharfs and premises, but it was expected
that the lower part of the float would be open in April next.
To secure an early completion of the entire works, a Bill had
been introduced into Parliament, which bad been read a
second time. The directors had taken up the new lease of
the company's property from the corporation of Liverpool.
The gross receipts or the year had been 950,695/. 17. r. 3d.,
the expenditure 943,162/. ss. 3d., leaving a balance of 7,5331.
1.25. Joseph Bailey, Esq.. ALP., recommended unity with
the dock trustees, who, he understood, were opposed to the
present Bill in Parliament. lie thought during the next
two years that the docks would produce about '25,0t;0/. to
this company, and about the same sum to the dock trustees.
Atter some explanation from the chairman, and some re-
marks from Mr. T. Poynder, urging the propriety of har-
mony and unanimity, the report was adopted. The meet-
ing, after some discussion, was adjourned to the Bth of May
next.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF MR BOOTH, RAILWAY
CONTRACTOR.—Wednesday, Mr. Wakley, M.P., held an in-
quest at the Morton Arms, Hawley-road, Kentish-town,
on the late Mr. John Booth, sub-contractor on the Birming-
ham Junction of the East and West India Dock Railway,
aged 49. The body presented au appalling spectacle, the
skull having been literally driven in. James Stutter said
that he was working the crane at the viaduct by which they
were hoisting stone of 5 cwt., when, in consequence of the
chain being foul, the atone came in contact with the side oldie
viaduct, and its progress was stopped. Deceased, who was
standing on the parapet, leaned all his weight against the
chain to drive it from the wall, when the chain swerved, at.d
deceased, losing his balance, fell amidst bricks and rubbish to
the road below. In his fall he called out, "Hold off, hold
off," and tried to grasp the scaffolding as he fell. Richard
Whittaker, the foreman carpenter, substantiated the above
evidence. Several other witnesses were examined, and the
Coroner summed up, commenting upon the frightful nature
of the fatal occurrence. The jury, after a brief deliberation,
returned a verdict of "Accidental death." Deceased, who
was beloved by the workmen, has left a widow and child to
deplore his untimely end.
We regret to state that Mr. Henry Edwards, of
the Weymouth Arms, who for many months past has been
in a bad state of health, yesterday evening terminated his
existence by hanging himself. Mr. Edwards has long been
highly respected for his unbending and inflexible integrity,
and few men have lived better in the estimation of his
fellow-citizens ; but recently it has been apparent to those
who knew him that his mind hAd undergone a great change,
and that the greatest care was necessary for his protection.
His health had apparently much improved during the last two
months, but yesterday evening, after leaving his usual rou-
tine of business for only a few minutes, he was discovered a
corpse.—Bath and Cheltenham Gazette of Wednesday.