The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-15 00:00:00

euem

"1. The amount of money to be pal to a widow,
widow and children, or other relatives of an officer
killed in action, or dying of wounds received in face of
the enemy within six months after being wounded, shall,
whatever branch of the service he may have belonged
to, be the regulation price fixed for commissions in ca-
va'ry and infantry of the line, as set forth in the follow-
ing scale, vi'.,--To the widow, widow and children,
lather, mother, sister or sisters, of—

Lieut.-Colonel ...

Cavalry. Infantry.
£6,175 ... £4,500
4,575 ... 3,200
3,225 ... 1,200
1,190 700
840 ...

Maj )r
Captain ...
Lieutenant
Cornet ...
Ensign 450
But it shall in no case exceed the sum of money actually
paid, in conformity with the regulation price, by the
officer for the purchase of his commission or commis-
sions.

"2. When an officer so killed, or so dying of his
wounds within six months, shall leave a widow only,
the num thus fixed shall be paid to her for her sole and
absolute benefit, provided she be not left in such pecu-
niary circumstancas as would 'otherwise preclude all
claim to a.pension ; and she shall be required to esta-
blish her claim, and to sign an,acknowledguient of bar-
ing consented to receive such sum in lieu thereof, and
as a► full compensation for all pension and gratuity to
which she may or might have proved herself entitled in
consequence of the loss of ker husband, according to the
forms prescribed by the Secretary of State for War,
and described in the Appendix as forms 10, 15, and A.
" 3. In the event of an officer leaving a widow arid
children, who may or plight have established a claim to
the pension, compassionate allowance or gratuity, then,
in that case the money awarded in lieu thereof shall be
held in trust by the Secretary of State for War, and the
interest thereof, at the rate of 3L per cent. per annum,
shall be receivable by the widow until her death, when
the money shall he divided then and there alike among
the children then alive of such deceased officer, provided
they shall have attained the age of 21, otherwise the
money shall still continue to be held in trust, and the
interest applied for their benefit up to that age. In the
event, however, of the widow surviving her said chil-
dren, the money shall then become her sole and absolute
property, as laid down in Article 2 ; but should such
children survive the widow, but shall die before attain-
ing the age of 21, then and in that case the money, after
discharging all just liabilities, shall become the property
of the Crown.

" 4. In the event of an officer leaving a child or chil-
dren, but no widow, the money shall be held in trust, and
the interest thereof, at the rate of 31. per centurn per an-
num, as stated in Article 3, shall be applied by the Secre-
tary of State for War for the benefit of such child or
children, until he, she, or they shall attain the age of
21, when the money, as in the case of the widow, shall
become the absolute property of such surviving child- or
children, share and share alike. Should, however, such
child or children die before attaining the age of 21 years,
then and ia that case the money, after discharging all
just liabilities, shall become the property of the Crown.
"5. In the event of an officer leaving at his death
neither widow, child, nor children, then the money
shall be paid to his father ; and, if he leave no father, it
may be paid to his mother, for his or her sole and abso-
lute benefit, provided that he or she shall establish a
claim thereto, according to the forms described in the
Appendix, as the case may be. And in the event ef
there being neither father nor mother, then the money
shall be paid to the sister, or sisters, as the case may
be, share and share alike, provided they shall have at-
tained the age of 21 years, and that their claim shall L 3
established according to the forms described in the Ap-
pendix, as forms 13, 15, and E, or forms 14, 15, and F,
as the case may be. But should aoy sister, or sisters, be
under that age, then the money shall be held in trust by
the Secretary of State for War, and the interest be ap-
plied, as stated in Article 4, until such sister or sisters
shall become 21 years of age, when it shall become the
absolute property of the survivors or survivor. Should
no survivor or survivors attain the age of 21 years, then
the money, after discharging all just liabilities., shall be-
come the property of the Crown.
" 6. No grant of money under the provisions of this
warrant shall be made to any person who would not be
eligible for pension, compassionate allowance, or gratuity
under the provisions of the Royal warrant of June 15,
1855 (s father alone excepted, whose claim must be estab-
lished as sot forth in Article 5) ; but the ineligibility of a
widow to any, grant under this warrant shall not affect
the interests of the legitimate child or children of a de-
ceased officer for whose benefit she money shall be held
in trust, and the, interest applied by the Secretary of
State for War, as stated in article 4, except they be left
in such pecuniary circumstances as would disqualify them
for the compassionate allowances under the provisionseof
Article 3. Should, however, such child or children die
before attaining the age of 21, then, and in that case,
the money, after discharging all just liabilities, shall be-
come the property of the Crown.
" 7. In the event of it being represented and eat;efac-
torily proved to the Secretary of State for War, that any
widow on whose behalf money shall be held in trust fur
the benefit ef herself and children under the provisions
of this warrant, shall thereafter so conduct herself as to
become unworthy of the bounty of the Crown, or shall
neglect or Bluest her children, then in that case the
Secretary of State for War shalt feave}ell power to make
such arrangements for apportioning the interest of the
money and making better provision for the children as
in his judgment may seem most advisable.
" 8. The allowances to be granted under the autlic-
rity cif this warrant are not applicable_ to the cases of
officers killed in action, or dying of wounds before the
declaration of war with Rossia, hut it is to take a raro-
spctive effect up to that date ; and, therefore, any offi-
cer's widow to whom there may have b;-:en granted a
pension, compassionate allowances for children, or gra-
tuity fair herself and child! en' or any other relative of an
officer who may have received a pension under the warm
rant of the-15th of Juee, 1855, who may wish to com-
mute such pension, allowances, or gratutee for the sum
fixed under the provisions of this warrant, shall be per-
mitted to do so ; but in that case, whatever sums tray
have been received by. or on account of the widow or
children or other relatives, will be deducted from any
amount to be paid under the terms of this warrant.
But in, every case of a sum of money being awarded
under the provisions of ehis warrant, interest thereon, at
the rate of 31. per centum per annum, will be allowed
from the day of the officer's death.
"a. Should the widow or any other relative of a de-
ceased officer, who, prior to the'23d of Oct., 1855, has
been granted a pension and other allowances under the
provisions of the warrant of the 15th of June, 1855, wi-h
to commute such pension and allowances for a sum of
money in lieu thereof, in conformity with the terms of
this warrant., it will be necessary that application to that
effect be made to the Secretary ef State for War within
a year from the 23d of Oct., 1855. And should the
widow, or any other relative of a deceased officer, who;
since the 23d of Oct., 1855, may have already, or may
hereafter be granted a pension and allowances, wish to
commute such pension and allowances for a sum of money
in lieu thereof, under the provisions of this warrant, it
will be necessary that application to that effect be made
to the Secretary of State for War within a year from the
(tete ef the said pensions and other allowances being
granted.
" 10. A return of all sums paid under the provisions
of this warrant shall be laid annually before Parliament
on or after the Ist of April.
" Given at our Court at St. James's, the Ist day of
March, 1856, in the 19th year of our reign.
" By Her Majesty's command,
" PANMIIRE."
The Pearl, 21-gun corvette, Capt. Sotheby, was token
into the fitting basin at Portsmouth yesterday to be

docked for repairs.
The Chanticleer, No. 88, etsam-transport, went into
Portsmouth harbour yesterday to discharge her cargo ;
and the Imperial, No. 183, left for the Thames.
The prevailing easterly winds have driven a consider-
able fleet of merchant vessels into Plymouth Sound.
Among them are the steam-transport Eagle, No. 71,
from the Mediterranean ; the clipper ship Heroes of
Alma, Capt. Noble, from Wbampoa ; the Britannia,
Preat, from Ceylon ; the Helen Douglas, Welch, fruits
Calcutta ; and the French brig AlalLerbe, with maho-
gany and coffee, from Gourvee.
RETIREMENT OF THE OLD COMMANDERS.—We under-
stand that, following up Sir C. Wood's promise, an Ad-
miralty circular has been issued to the old commanders
on the list, inviting them to make the necessary appli-
cation for retirement from the active list. We say again,
we trust that there will be no necessity to make this
measure a compulsory one, but that those officers who
encumber, the active list only to impair its efficiency,
will make way for those who have served actively afloat
for the rank and opportunity they bare years ago most
justly earned. The good of the service demands that
there shall be no favouritism or partiality exercised in
this retirement of the old commanders. We must have
no more promotions to the active list of captains of offi-
cers whose time has gone by for serving afloat. Not a
commander should be promoted to the active list who is
not eligible by age and service for active command afloat
now and for ten years hence.

CIVIL ERVIGE ESTIMATES.--PUBLIC
WORKS AND BUILDINGS.

Yesterday have been issued the Civil Service esti•
mates, &c., for the year ending March 31, 1857, as far
as relates to public works and buildings. The following
is the statement for 1856, compared with the estimates
for 1555 :—Public Buildings and Royal Palaces, 1855,
154,9521. ; 1856, 195,141/. ; compared with 1855, iu-
crea.se, 40,189/. Buckiugham Palace, 1856, 7,8681. ;
Royal Parks, Pleasure Gardens, &c., 1855, 69,544/. ;
1856, 91,6841. ; increase, 22,1401. New Houses of
Parliament, 1855, 122,209/. ; 1856, 99,333/. ; decrease,
22,826/. Holyhead Harbour Roads, &c.,1855,122,8411. ;
1856, 207,305/. ; increase, 84,464/. Harbours of Refugo,
1855, 234,0001. ; 1856, 233,0001. ; decrease, 1,0001.
Port Patrick Harbour, 1855, 375/. ; 1856, 3841. ; in-
crease, 9/. Public Buildings (Ireland), 1855, 30,963/, ;
1856, 41,221/. ; increase, 10,2581. Kingston Harbour,
1855, 5,2776; 1856, 19,350/. ; increase, 13,474/. Re-
pository of Public Rec ,rds, 1855, 6,000/. Total, 1855,
746,760/. ; 1856, 895,336/. ;
siti6erL neeasle,creoamse m
compared with
e
1855,.178,4041. ; decrease, 29,2
with 1855, 10;0764

011P"itsti: 4.4
41C t 4 '
4,:fr 4;jl q:443 ttt
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SUN OFFICE, Seven, o'Ci:ock

THF, DESTRUCTION OF COVENT-
GARDEN TEEATRE.

Meeting of the Proprietors.—(This Day).

This afternoon a meeting of the proprietors of this
unfortunate building was held at Mr. Robins' rooms,
Piazza, Covent-garden, to answer any inquiry relating
to the property.
The chair was taken by Dr. Stnethwick.
Mr. SURNIAN said as he bad been instrumental in
calling the present meeting, he felt it incumbent on him
to make a short statement with respect to the theatre.
The budding was held under six leases from the
I,uke of Bedford, of...which. thirty-eight years remain
unexpired, at a rent of 2,8501. The speaker then entered
at some length into the details of the arrangements that
had been made since the building in 1509 down to the
present time. He declined on the part of the proprie-
tors to have anything to do with the re-erection of the
theatre, but thought it would be a good speculation for
the shareholders to do so, He entered into details re-
lative to the returns of the theatre, and stated there
was a claim on Mr. Gye for 1,7001., which was 2001.
over the profits. At the time the theatre was burnt
down there was an arrangement existing whereby Mr.
Gye W.r.13 to pay 8001.
An Annuitant said they were not shareholders, but
annuitants. Under the deed they were to be paid 251.
per annum, and have a free admission.
Mr. M. SHARP said that the proprietors in letting. the
theatre had been very remiss in not calling the renters
together before it was let to Mr. Anderson, especially as
two theatres had been burnt down whilst in the hands
of that gentleman. . . .

Mr. bIjIIMAIN said that the theatre was let to Mr.
Anderson by Mr. Gye. It was impossible to let a thea-
tre as they would a private house, binding persons down
to certain things. Mr. (.;,ye bad been a good tenant.
Mr. Gye was at Madrid when he heard of the Bal
Masque being announced, and ho telegraphed immedi-
diately to say he disapproved of it, a:Ad was returning
home t) prevent it when the fire occurred.
Mr. M. SHARP said he :;as prepared to show that the
fire might have occurre I from the use of a galvanic
battery, by which he understood Professor Anderoo
did many of his tricks, lie moved a c)annittee of in-
quiry to be appointed.
The CHAIRMAN said the question to be considered was
what had better be done with the land ? fie thought it
would be valuable for the enlargement of Covont-garden
market.

Mr. SIMIAN said the Duke of Bedford had been in-
formed that the proprietors could not pay the rel:t nor
discharge the covenants in the lease. They were in ar-
rears a year's rent, and it had been suggested to the
noble duke to take possession of the land. Nothing was
said in the lease about rebuilding or insuring against fire.
Dr. ROWE said the annuitants ought to take a share
in what the property wai worth.
Mr. SURMAN said the proprietors could not take upon
themselves any liability without the annuitants gave them
a release. Thirty-eight years' lease was a bad one. The
annuitants had better obtain a new lease from the Duke
of Bedford, :yid rebuild the premises. The proprietors
were ready to give up their title to the land. He under-
stood the noble duke would prefer the land being added
to Covent-garden Market than the theatre be rebuilt.
The question of what must be done with Mr. Gye must
stand over for consideration.

Mr. TiiomPsoN reminded the meeting that Mr. Gye
had recently received 4,0001. for concerts, 2,000/. from
Mr. Andoron, and would receive 3,000/. from the in•
surance offices.

The CHAIRMAN said no doubt the land would be worth
6,0001. a year for market purposes. The proprietors
bad only paid 1,5001. or 2,000/. a year for it.
Mr. ScanAN said that the direct charge on the land,
after deductions, was 1,235/. He did not consider the
proprietors were perso❑ally responsible to the share-
holders or annuitants. It would be u.eles to carry that
question elsewhere. Kemble's interest was in Chan-
c_ry, and Harris's affair, for which he (slr. Surman)
was trustee, were in a hopeless state. The patents of
the theatre were now useles:.
Ultimately a committee of 12 renters was appointed
to inquire into the renters' position and report thereon.
The meeting she rtly after separated.
The following distinguished individuals hold shares in
the theatre :—The Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of
Devonshire, the Earl of Dartmouth, Lady Henrich, S;r
John Dodsen, Lady 13-auchatnp, the Duchess of St.
Albans (executor), the Marquis of Salisbury, and Sir R.
imirke.

Mr. Gye's lease IVA 4 for ten years, commencing in
1353, at a rent of 6,000'. per annum for the tirzt three
years, and 7,0001. per afr,um fur the last seven.

Official Inquiry—(This Day.)

This afternoon at three o'clock the inquiry into the
circumstances attending the total deAtruetion of Covent-
garlen Theatre 4vxe resumed by Mr. Bedford, the co-
roner fn. Westininver.
The names of the jury having been called over, and
each ;If entlewan having answered to his name,
A Juror s before the proceedings commeLcod he
has heard— .

Corouvr said the jqr.r3 hal better not mention
what they bad hear;.

The Juror said he merely wished to mention the situa-
tion of the carpent,r's shop.
The Coroner said as lio model of the theatre had
been ssvcd, it could nut be presented to the jury.
There wits one,lhoweve-i, in construction.
After a short conversation, in winch it was arrange I
that, the witneses to he examined shouhl leave the
roc.in, the intinicy c.nnnienceti. h s first witness called
was

;Ven Marie m, 8, Eeete r-•treet, machinist, who stated
that he was employed by Mr. Andersen at the theatre
in the capacity of inachini•t and general mmager of h
hIShieSS. By machinist he meant the niakieg and le
pairing of the magical apparatus of Mr. Anderson. Ile
heel no regular duty in the theatre but to look efter
carpenter and caieinet maker lamed Laenine., who was
employed in Ina:dug a pr iscenium far a texcable stage
ter Mr. Anderson iu toe ceri.entere' shoo, who w;44
employed up to the evening of the tire. He (witness)
visited that room on the day before the fire, and found
Denning planing come wood. There were two other
persons employed there named Finlason and Deuiton.
There was not a very great quantity of " shavings," but
a large quantity of wood and old " properties "
about the carpenters' shop. At about a quarter
before five on the evening of the fire he tin t
Liaoning, leaving the theatre, and ho spoke to him, when
he said he Waa merely going to sec if all sins right.
The carpenters' shop was generally very hot, from the
heat ari,ing from the body of the theatre; indeed, Lanning
irequently opened the window to let in a little air. Tin re
was no fire-place in the shop. The painting-roost was
a portion of the carpenters' shop. It was partly parti-
tioned off, althoueh the floor of the paiiitieg-room was
twenty feet below the shop, There was a
ventilator in the shop, but nothing snore. The
room was a very hot one for men to work in.
The heat in the shop came front the body of the house
generally, as it cevcred the whole of the house, and had
two entrances. One led from the fliee, and the other
led to the Duke of Bedford's box. He was net in the
house when the fire broke out ; he left it about a quar-
ter before three, at which time he heel not even
smelt the gas. He never was in the carpenters' shop
when the performances were going on, except on one
occasion, and that was during a Saturday performance
of the pantomime. Any one could get into the carpen-
ters' shop. Lanning was using glue in the shop that
day, but the glue was melted a long way frem
the shop, in the property room. There was a
steam-apparatus to inane the glue will iii the shop,
but it bad not been used. He could only account for
the fire by the spirit with which the gas-men had satu-
rated the flambeau having been repeatedly spilled, and
had, on the evening in question, taken fire.
I3e the Vestry Clerk—The wires used by Professor
Andereen's magic could not come in ccntact with
the gas. There was no gas near the wires. He
knew of no combustible matter in the carpenters'
shop ; but a month ago Lanning brought some spirit
to polish a box with, and he was told not to leave the
polish about. He also used a lamp to keep the
glue wart, and ho was told it was not allowed, as Mr.
Anderson said he would have nothing dune by candle-
light, and Lanning used to leave off work before dark.
After Lanning left he had not entered the shop, so ho
could net say whether there were any shavings lying about.
By one of the entrances of the carpenters' shop (the
private box entrance) the place where Lanniiig was at
work, could be reached. The middle of the shop was
perfectly clear, there was no wood lying about.
By a Juror—He bad not been in the carpenters' shop
since three o'clock in the afternoon previous to the fire.
By the Coroner--The shavings at the side of the
carpenters' shop could easily be thrown together in the
centre of the shop.
By a Juror—The wires used by the Professor were
of copper.
Ey the Coroner—During the Professor's tenantry
he employed ail the hands. He never heard that there
had been any threat of any description ised by any of
the workmen employed in the theatre.
Benedict Albano, 22. King William-street, Strand,
civil engineer, slated—He rebuilt the andie :ce part of
the theatre, from the floor to the ceiling ; or rather it
was built under his personal superintendence. He had
nothing to do with the construction or renonstruction
of the carpenters' shop. From what ho knew o
the general construction of the theatre there was
nothing to fear as to fire. There could be no accumukt•
tion of gas in the shop, for two reasons—first, there
were plenty of windows to let it out, and also the funnel
which he had constructed, and from which then) was a
great draft. The funnel was 30 ft. in height, and 8 ft. in
diameter. lie had been in the carpenters' shop whilst
the performance was going on to see how the funnel
worked, and he hal not found the room inconveniently
heated.
Sydney Smirk, 79, Grosvenmestreet, architect—On
searching his brother's drawing, he found that there was
a wall originally so placed in the shop which would have
prevented the fire travelling from one part to the other.
He bad been over the ruins and he found that that wall
had been removed, which accounted for the fire extend-
ing so rapidly from one end of the shop to the other.
George Thos. Lanniog, 43, Theobald',--road, carpen-
ter, was employed at the theatre by Mr. Anderson. He
had been employed every day for five weeks previous
to the fire making some frames for the new stage. lie

was engaged in this occnpation on the day of the fire'
hut had not had occasion to use any glee or spirit of any
kind that day. He wr.rked till five in the evening,
and during the day in question he was visited by several
workmen. Na one could come into the shop without
being seen by him when he was at work. The place was
very warm when he was last at work there,
and there was also is strong smell of ga., but
he accounted fur it by the men being at work
at the pipes underneath the shop. There wan a
little shavings about, but the shop had been cleaned np
on the Monday previous to the bal masque. There was
no cloth of any description in the room, and when he
left at 5 o'clock all was safe. The corners of the shop
were filled with `• old stuff," but there was nothing but
his woodwork in the centre of the room, which
consisted of 12 old and 12 new frames. It was 35 feet
from the funnel of the chandelier to the place where h•
was working. There was no wood nearer the chandelier
than 12 feet. He had used nothing inflammable on that
day, and had no Lucifers about him.
By a Juror—There was no oiled cloths or polishing
rags lying about the shop.
By the Coroner—The doors of the carpenters' shop
were locked, and the public could nut get into it.
By a Juror—The whole of the wood of his work
would not fill a cart.

Beojamia DAlliston, a carpenter, employed by Mr.
Presscote fur Mr. Anderson, stated that he vim cm•

played up to the day of the fire. On the morning of
Tuesday he was employed carrying away the pantomime
tricks, and during the day he had frequently to go to
the carpenters' shop. Ho was np there as late as ten
o'clock on Tuesday night. Ile went to the shop Len-
sing was wc'rking in to fete i his clothes, which were
under his bench. His son lit him up as far as the step
lad,ler, and then he went on in the dark. There
Witt plenty of light there to enable him to find
what he wanted, seeing he knew the place so
will. He had no inciters about him ; he merely asst
in for his clothes and returned to his son, who was wait
ing for him. The only thing he did was to shat the
dormer window, which been left open. Toe place
was dreadfully hot, and that was the reason no person
cared about stopping there.. Mr. Anderson had had the

key to the shop, bat he had lost it ; the door Was always
open, and anybody from tie boxes could get to the shop.
The carpenters of the theatre are so accustomed to the
swell of gas that they don't notice it. He could onl♦
account for the fire by the batten lights being turned
full on that day by order of Mr. Anderson, and
that the " borders" took fire in cmsequence. lle.did
not thiuk that people when they were evjoying them-
selves would think of looking up to see it All was right
above.
By the Vestry Cerk—The gas from the battens might
ha ce ignited one of the ropes by which they were worked,
and by that means the flames might have been com-
municated to the ceiling.
The witness hero described the battens used in thea-
tres. They consisted of a gas pipe, guarded by wire
work, and suspended across the stage by ropes, the gas
being conveyed to the pipe by leathern hose. Ropes
were used to higher or lower as might be desired.

By the Coroner—lie heard Mr. Anderson say to Mr.
Palmer, the gasman, "Let me have the gas on full to-
nigbt."
By the Coroner—Mr. Anderson raised his hands,
and p to the batten lights, said, " Let me have
the lights turned on full." He could mean no other than
the ba tens. The gas was turned on full, The borders
and beams bang very thick and close together under
the floor of the carpenters' shop.
. .
By a Juror—Was not aware the barrels of the battens
were hot on the night of the ball, but from the force of
gas turned on they soon would be. If the ges escaped
from the battens and got near the front of the house and
under t iat part of the carpenters' shop it inielit explode.
At the time Le was last in the carpenters' shop there
wee no appearance or smell of fire.
William Jones, carpenter, employed at Covent Gar-
den Theatre by Mr. Slonian. He was at work from 6
in the morning till 5 in the evening on the day of the
fire. He was engaged in the flies underneath Vie car-
penters' shop, hanging burden, and doing other
things for the evening's performance. He was
in tke flies at a quarter before four on the
morning of the fire. Toe top flies, in which he was
engaged in the early part of the day were about
ten feet below the cerpenters' shop, and the distance
the gas light in that place from the fluor of the eat pen-
ters shop was more titan six feet. if the burners were
turned full on the flame would not rise more than two
inches and a-haif. Ho saw several persons go to the
carpenters' shop during the clay. He was on the stage
when the fire broke out, having left the flies about 20
minutes. He was standing on the eve when he saw a
spark fall, but it was about twenty feet from the spot
at which he had been working. If the fire had lir ikon
out in the flies it would soon have spread, as the things
were very closely packed about.
At the request of the Coroner, the witness here
pouted out on the plan where be was standing on the
stage at the time he saw the spark fall.
By a Juror—At a quarter-past four, although ho was
only ten feet from t•he spot at which the fire broke out,
he smelt nothing like fire, neither was there any unusual
smell of gas at that time. He was not aware that there
• was any dispute between the workmen, Mr. seonan,
and Mr. Anderson ; if there had been, he thought he
must have heard of it.

James Cooper had been employed in Covent-garden
Theatre ever since it had been au opera-!manse. Ile waa
employed by Mr. Pabnir on the evening prev;ous to the
fire. He ht part of the great chandelier. lie lit the
lower part. The upper part had been lit during the day,
bat it was not all ht till he fiai.died it. flu lit the chan-
delier as usual with spirit supplied by Mt. Palmer ; he
took it up to the chandelier in a ginger-oeer bottle.
The witrie:is bele produced a portion of a " li,htiug rod,"
and explained how it was used. It was a piece of wire
about tour feet look:, with a cotton ball attaebe,i. After
be bad lit the chandelier be took the 'pint bottle hack
to the prompt box. Mr. Cantles was with him when ha
was at the chandelier.

By a Juror—Was sure it was spirits of wine. No
naphtha was used.
By the Coroner—He was not in the theatre- when

the five first occurred. After he hail received the
ceivii that the theatre WZIA On fire he ruched to the atige
door and met Mr. Palmer with Vie valve key, end they
both ran to the valve nearly oppoi,ite the station•house„
He then lifted the lid while Mr. Painter turned the gal
oil'. The gas wto4 off live miontes after the nlartn. wair
raised. He had no idea how the fire had occurred.

Mr. J. H. Anderson, 16, Cecil-etreet, Strand, an
artist in natural reagic, stated that he rented the theatre
from Mr. Gye for a period of ten weeks from the 26th
of December, 1555, and had the appointment of every
person connected with the theatre except the firemen,
who were employed by the proprietors of the theatre.
Tile duties of the theatre are conducted by heads, such
as the painting-room, tie wardrobe, the gas, and the
carpenters. Mr. Sloman was hie master carpenter, and
was responsible for tire whole of the men. He knot teest
iri the carpenters' shop on Tuesday morning at one 7..;n.
for the purpose of inspecting the portable stage he
was Laving constructed for the purpose of exhib tirrg
Lis pantomime in Glasgow and other places. He had
not the slightest idea how the fire occurred. He bad
had no notice of any dispute between himself and the
men. Mr. Palmer and Mr. Slornan certainly had a die.
pute, but he arranged the matter between them. Tbere
was a summons from the police for one of them, and he
told them it was unseemly that men holding their situa-
tions in the theatre should have such disputes. His lots
by the fire was considerable; he could not say how much,
as he had not yet had an opportunity of making
up his loss. He was insured in the Sun Fire office
for 2,0001. He had been called often by gentlemen in
the private boxes, who comp!ained et the ti.ench arising
from gas. He felt perfectly convinced, as ter as expe-
rience went, that the tire could not have been
occasioned by the gas. he had been connected for
yeas with theatres, and Lad had a theatre of his own
ournt dean. He could not account ter the accident.
Ile felt perfectly satisfied with the servants he had em-
ployed ; they were all of the most orderly and b:st de-
scription. He was standing near the orchestra with Mr.
Palmer, asking trim whet was the usual termination of
bal masques, when Pelnier seemed as if he bad a fit, and
he said the house was on tire, and immediately rushed
to turn the gas off. It was not a beam that felt and was
the occasion of the dievovery of the fire; it was a por-
tion of the scenery used in the opera of the " Favourite,"
and when he looked up the whole of the upper part of
the thew re was one mass of flame. There was a great
quantity of light on the stage which accounted for the fire
net being seen before the piece of scenery fell. At dif.
ferent parts of the evening, almost every hour, he had
been frequently through the hon-e to see that no ac-
cident occurred, and to prevent smoking. He had saved
a portion of his property in consequence of its standing
neer a window o;. the theatre looking into Princes-place,
other eise heshouid have lost everything. He had changed
the gas companies in consequence of its being rept e..erited
to him that the London Gas Company could give a
better supply. The gas metres were outside the theatre.
He did not think cigars were sold in the theatre, bat
was not positive. Mr. Payne had no arrangement -for
selling cigars.
By a Juror—His insurance expired a week after the
fire.

By the Cqroner—His insurance was regulated by his
term of the theatre. Th property insured consisted of
the scenery, properties, and dresses of the pantomime,
and other things.
By a Juror—There was a stringent order that no
person was on any pretence whatever to go about the
theatre with a candle. A fireman's lamp was always
order el to be used.
Richard Jones, engineer of the London Gas Works
and a civil engineer by profession. He bad beard the
description of the carpenter's shop, and he thought
it would he highly improbable that gas could
accumulate there in any large quantity if
it bad done so it would have exploded, and have blown
the roof off. A loud report must have accompanied the
explosion. It would have been impossible for the gas
to ignite without the applioation of white heat.
He was quite convinced from all he had heard that the
gas had nothing to do with the fire.
The inquiry was then adjourned till Wednesday next,
at three o'clock.

e regret to announce the demise of the venerable
Lord Boston, who expired on Wednesday last, at his
seat, Hedsor, Bucks, iu the 79th year of his age.
. _ .

ETON COLLEGE, March 14.—The examinations for the
Newcastle Scholarship have just concluded, and the bl•
10%111'; was declared by Dr. Goodford, at 11 o'clock
school this morcing, to be the result :—Scholar—diadg-
son, K.S. ; Medallist—Prothero. There were 33 can-
didates. It was announced by Dr. Goodford this morn•
ing that a week extra would be given these holidays, an
consequence of the visit of the King of Sardinia to brr
Xtejesty.