The Sun.
London, England, 1860-04-06 00:00:00

111 E SUN,VLONDON, FRIDAY EVENING APRIL 6,1860. E

~..--............,
oetween individuals, and receivable in payment of
taunt which has been so frequently cast upon us 1
in these debates, that ours is revenae and all demands of Government.
' A vulgar party race, That the issue shall be by the agency of commis-
Struggling by dark intrigue for place. sioners in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, fully
And at the public meetings held during my ele c- empowered, bound to observe the regulations laid
tion, I repeatedly stated that the Liberal leadr 2rs, down, and released from all obligation to obey in
.. confi- Legislative Council. That there shall be a division
btiyonth, recent slues- this respect any other commands than those of the
deuce; and of Lord Palmerston my war-die were, of all India into circles, each presided over by a
that he was ' doubly disqualified, from having trifled deputy commissioner at the central town of each
with Reform and truckled to France.' circle. The notes all to be manufactured in Cal-
" And, at the meeting of the Liberal peaty at cutta, and the notes of each circle to be at all times
Willis's Rooms, when it was determined summa- convertible into specie at the treasury of the circle,
rily to eject Lord Derby, I deprecated that hasty and also at the Presidency. The commissioner in
course, because I said that no strong and durable Calcutta will despatch notes to the districts for dis-
Liberal Administration could then be formed, and tribution to the public in exchange for silver.
it could only be attempted by a compromise of prin- That every commissioner shall retain at all times,
ciples and coalition of enmities that must eventually and under secure checks to ensure it, one-third the
embarrass public interests and damage public men. amount of the notes issued by him in silver, and the
,—And, holding so strongly and repeating so fre- , remaining two-thirds in public securities.
quently these views, which were the result of long, The whole was described as being a secure and
close study of our Parliamentary condition, how self-acting system, based upon the issue department
could it be expected that I should place confidence of the Bank of England ; and security against for-
in a Ministry that had gained power, as I thought, fiery of the notes will be ensured by the aoption of
by questionable means and must pursue an ambi- the well-tried means of the Bank of England,
guous policy? That Ministry has presented for through whose manufactures and machinery the
our consideration four great questions—the Com- paper is to be made and the preparation of the
mercial Treaty, the Budget, the Reform Bill, and notes to be effected.
foreisn policy. On the two first time will pro- He proceeded to show how this system would yield
nounce its verdict, and of that verdict I entertain a great profit to Government, and as no private
no doubt. "The Reform Bill is an affront to the company could compete in circulating an issue
country ; and the foreign policy of the Cabinet has against the Government, the provision in the charter
produced such complications that it is difficultio see of the Presidency Banks permitting them to issue
how it can escape uncensured. notes would be rescinded under due notice, and
"It was my duty and my determination to deal with all possible care that their interests should
with every measure of the Government as it de- suffer as little as possible under such a change.
served. Several of my constituents wrote to me He alluded to the intended means of utilising
expressing a hope that I would support the treaty. the treasury balances, seldom less than 10 to 12
I gave them my reasons for not doing so. Did they crores, and also to means already in operation of
not know I should act upon them ? In the month getting out from England 10 lakhs of copper coin-
of January, 1857, I was summoned to a meeting of age, as well as to establish new copper mints in
my constituents, of whom no less than 500 signed Calcutta and Bombay.
a pledge not to vote for me again unless I would Having thus detailed the main point of
engage to vote for a repeal of the income-tax. I 1. A fixed standard of silver,
refused to do so. I told them I was a representa- 2. An absolute convertibility of paper,
tive, and not a delegate; and I read to them a por- 3. Full security for reserves to cover the issues,
tion of Mr. Burke's address to the electors of Bris- he wound up with an assurance of his conviction
tol, concluding with this paragraph : that the great interests of India which were in-
"' But if I profess this impolitic stubbornness I volved would be secured, and the measure prove a
may not be again elected to Parliament. It is cer- sure basis of growing prosperity. The speech oc-
tainly not pleasing to be put out of the public ser- cupied two hours in delivery.
vice ; but I wish to be a member of Parliament to At a later stage of the day's proceedings Mr. Wil-
have my share of doing good and resisting evil. It son announced that Government had nearly pre-
would, therefore, be absurd to renounce my objects pared, and would soon submit, a Consolidated Cus-
in order to retain my seat. I deceive myself in toms Act.
deed, most grossly, if I had not much rather pass
the remainder of my life hidden in the recesses of
the deepest obscurity than be placed on the most
splendid throne of the universe, tantalized with a
denial of the practice of all that makes the greatest
situation other than a curse.'
" It was supposed that by the boldness of my
language on that occasion I had lost my seat, but I
have since been twice elected unopposed, and my
views therefore, of the relations subsisting between
a representative and his constituents cannot have
Leon misunderstood. I hold that men of busy avo-
cations judge of events as they are passing, but it is
the function of legislators to try to read the future,
and by that reading to steer their course, even in the
face of popular disapprobation. I have endeavoured
to pursue that course, and I shall continue to do so,
receiving always with deference and respect every
communication made by my constituents, but ac-
knowledging at the same time even higher respon-
sibility than I owe to them. I opposed the financial
measures of the Government ; I condemn their Re-
form Bill; and, if a fitting opportunity be given, I
may censure their foreign policy.
" In this course I believe I shall ere long be sus-
tained by the voice of the country, not excepting the
electors of Stroud.
" But, should this last hope unfortunately not be
realised—should Stroud be an exception to the
general feeling—and, when the time for reviewing
my public conduct arrives,:should the constituency
of Stroud not approve it—l can assure them and
you that I shall be the first to sever, though with
much sorrow, a connection which, under such cir•
cumstances, must be as embarrassing to me as it
would be distasteful and unfair to them.
"Believe me, very truly yours,
"EDWD. HORSMAN.
" Since writing the above I have received a letter
from a leading politician in London, who writes
thus :—' My friends in Paris are furious at the con-
duct of your constituents, and they write to me for
explanations about it. Apparently you have
thought less about the matter than the people on
the Continent. The Moniteur put the paragraph,
taken from the English papers, into large type, and
in a conspicuous part of the paper.'
" The conveners of that meeting could little have
foreseen the use that was to be made of it by a
dexterous enemy of their country."

(From the Indian Field, illarelt 3.)
Pursuant to previous notice Mr. Wilson brought
in this morning at the Legislative Council, a bill
for the introduction of a system of paper currency.
The right hon. gentleman deprecated piecemeal
legislation. and stated that the bill did not confine
the benefits of the paper currency to the presidency
towns, but extended them to the whole country.
The ingenious contrivance of coinage was invented
to promote barter and facilitate commerce. But the
circumstances of India were unique ,and peculiar.
There was a cumbersome coinage which was not
easily transferable, and which therefore enormously
enhanced the cost of conveying treasure from one
place to another. Mr. Wilson was not in a position
to state exactly the actual cost to Government, as he
had no returns in his possession, but he believed
that nearly 30,000 native troops had been employed
for escorting treasure. Mr. Wilson said that silver
had been the standard in India from time immemo-
rial; all existing debts and obligations were con-
tracted on the understanding of being met in silver.
It would, therefore,be a breach of public faith to
alter the standard. He was of opinion that the
amount of metal in coin was pro tante an abstraction
from their productive resources of the country. The
country would be unquestionably benefited if a por-
tion of it could be released and permitted to circu-
late, so as to be productive, instead of lying as now
unproductive.
Mr. Wilson stated that since the establishment of
the Mint in 1835, 106 millions had been coined,
and that the annual average for the last four years
had been 12 millions. Taking the 100 millions ster-
ling in circulation, the portion hoarded up by native
millionaires, the portion melted for jewel and orna-
ments and plates, and the amount transmitted by
merchants to their agents and others in absence of
bills ofexchange, it would be found that a consider-
able part of productive capital was needlessly locked
up. Mr. Wilson next adverted to the several pro-
posals put forward. He was opposed to a gold cur-
rency, as it would be an organic change in the pre-
sent currency, which would not answer. It would
not do to have coins of equivalent value in gold and
silver respectively ; they would be variable. The
relative value of gold and silver could never be sta-
tionary. The institution of two coins as the standard
would place us in an anomalous position. To have
a gold currency, the value of which was to be fixed
from day to day, according to the rise and fall, was
impracticable. It would be ridiculous to make at one
time a gold coin representing a sovereign or ten
rupees a legal tender, and at another to fix the value
of it legislatively at rs. 20. 1n order to illustrate
the absurdity of the proposal, Mr. Wilson instanced
a Convention of the German States to introduce a
gold currency, but the Convention (he could men-
tion on the authority of Adolphus Loftus) was a
dead letter, and that gold circulated only amidst
the higher classes and the opulent bankers. Mr.
Wilson was likewise opposed to the adaptation of
the Indian coinage to the English system, simply
because it was an impossibility. He should like to
see the English Minister who would attempt to
alter the standard of the country.
The remedy which Mr. Wilson had to propose
was no increase to the amount already in circu-
lation ; what he wished was merely to substitute
paper, an article of no intrinsic value, for one
of value. During his visit to the Upper Pro-
vinces he was greatly struck with the inconvenience
experienced by native bankers for want of paper
currency. He would mention an instance. In
Miizaporc the bankers and traders used sealed bags
said to contain rupees 1,000 each ; these passed
from hand to hand. How much a paper currency
would have facilitated their transactions ! He
then mentioned the conditions of a sound scheme
of paper currency. Convertibility was the first
condition, and he hoped that such steps would be
taken as to ensure payment whenever a note WAS
presented ; this would fix a limit to the issue of
notes. Agency banks, he said, had power to issue
notes. The Bank of England only was allowed to
issue notes which were taken as legal tenders.
Acts 44 and 45 were passed expressly to prohibit
other banks from issuing.
Mr. Wilson said that the Government of India
possessed peculiar advantages. Government trea-
suries were all over the country, and also revenue
officers were located in all the districts. The Go-
vernment of India was at once the largest revenue
receiver and the largest disburser. There was, how-
ever, one danger to which all writers on the sub-
ject had drawn attention, and against which he
must guard, viz., the danger of Government issuing
more notes than they were justified in doing by
the cash balances—he cited Russia as an example.
To guard against this danger he proposed an Indian
Commission to be appointed, and regulated by the
bill he held in his hand ; they will act in concert
with the three Mints in the Presidency towns. All
notes were to be manufactured in Calcutta, and
supplied to the other Presidency towns and the
Mofussil according to demand. The country was
to be divided into circles, and the chief station,
containing an European force and the residence of
the chief officer of the district, to contain a local
office, in charge of deputy commissioners, for the
issue of notes.
Mr. Wilson would make the commissioners in-
dependent of Govermrent. He would vest them
with powers direct from the Council of India, and
make them responsible to that body. They were to
act under the acts of the Legislature.

A PAPER CURRENCY FOR INDIA.

(From the Bombay Times of March 13.)
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MARCH 3.
MR. WILSON'S BILL FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF 4

SYSTEM OF PAPER CURRENCY.

The Legislative Council sat this morning, and
after the routine business was disposed of,
The Right Hon. J. WILSON rose according to
notice to move the first reading of a bill for the in-
troduction of a paper currency. He said that when
he had the honour a fortnight since to make his
financial statement, it would be remembered that
among the needed reforms of the administration of
India, few things had been considered of more im-
portance than the adoption of a well-considered
improvement in the currency. In fulfilment of the
pledge then given, he now proposed on behalf of
the Government to introduce this bill, which em•
bodied principles of the soundness of which there
could be no possible doubt—but he felt anxious only
that he should find the power of fully expounding
and clearly expressing principles and measures of
such great importance. Whatever difference of
opinion might exist on some points, there was but
one opinion in England or India, that the present
system required great amendment—it was most
unsatisfactory, and called for prompt remedy. He

detailed the w—ell-known defects Of the cumbrous
system based upon the standard of a silver coin, the
risk and cost of the necessary transfer for which

from district to district it was difficult to estimate;
one mark of its cost was Sir C. Napier's declaration
that at that time not fewer than 30,000 native
troops were occupied in the guard and transport
of treasure. Even if it could be considered solely
as an economic question, it would be of great im-
portance. To-day he was prepared to propose for
remedy a scheme at once large and comprehensive ;
the Government felt it their duty not to legislate
piecemeal on such a vital question, but to put be-
fore them a well-considered plan, based on sound
principles, so wide as to embrace all India, capable
of being extended to any required limits, yet
secured by checks within itself which should pre-
vent possibility of wrong or failure. In the peculiar
position of India it would be well to premise what
was the object proposed to themselves, in order to
decide upon the best means of its attainment. Start-
ing with the fact that from time immemorial silver
had been the standard of Indian monetary systems,
he sketched forcibly the evil attendant upon its
difficulty of transport, upon the withdrawal of so
much of the precious metals from profitable use to
be locked up in the unprofitable form of coinage ;
Upon the limitation of commerce, and great loss at-
tendant upon remittance of a great bulk of silver
the same districts to be returned possibly to
from out-
of o-morrow ; and having explained
the theory commercethat
tth which lies at the base of
all currencies,eo commodities,
areh condensed modes of
rtgi nation of Gwoh;ieerhneele
proceeded to declare
Government to do nothing in
tehxechdaenteg
breach of faithouth by any possibi-
y the adoption of which
o f
anyth e
it they proposedinvol
ve anychanges
system.b He
soilltnustrated the
changepublic icno could
nsduaffredr
r loss
naheerace from
1836-40 was
enormous development of Indian
the returns, which showed that while t
importation of bullion for the years 1836
£4,000,000, the average of the last four years we..
nearly £12,000,000, and that this was all required
s
for the coinage was proved by its being taken to
the Mint for conversion, though there was a charge
of 3 per cent. upon the coinage. He ran over the
theory of exchanges, through which nations, and
banks, through which individuals conducted their
business operations. He ably exposed the fallacies
by which a gold currency, either at a fixed value
or a fluctuating one, had been supported, and
showed by the experience of France and Austria
how it must inevitably fail here. He declared a
double standard to be a misnomer—the thing could
not exist; and so arrived at the purpose of the Go-
vernment to adopt a sound and well-considered
paper currency, leaving the standard unchanged
and retaining its full value. There would be thus
a great profit in the release of the precious metal
from its profitless form, and a well•regulated paper
currency would not be an addition to, but a sub-
stitution, in a cheap material, for the existing coin.
Ile illustrated the inconvenience and absurdity of

Mr. Wilson then said that notes were to be de-
livered only in exchange, and on no other condition.
the issuing officers would keep one-third of the
amount of the notes in circulation in coin, and in-
vest the rest (two-thirds) in public securities. The
two-thirds invested in securities would advantage
the Government, because it would lead to the dimi-
nution of the Fiblic debt. He next came to the
nenomination of notes. The character and wants
of the. people were, he said, to be chiefly considered
icne3filxoinn,gtitlhleladtenlomination. They had in England
have notes for rs.ey
last he hoped,
ewfoul,slici
£5. The United States, 5 dols. Mauritius, 5 rs.
i‘lr.wrbialsgosi: .51se0:,
eventually
a 25a Olc, sy 100,supplant1 l ea
nd l , proposed:ohOeo ,
mys-
terioustlttoe
said
eaal:3l:
tthe p
re v innumerableprevent
the
notes smallerf e. He considered five-
graleaethtbso.on, on account of
rupee notes would b
from being
care would be taken
forged. They would
be manufactured of the sameeingehosiszeeo.fGtiole-
eaer hesame
adnisd-
tßiliilentkivoefwEantgerla-mnda.rksl,lalenYd the t
bwouldeof paperbt h i sas
atm
governor
isl
ee gtehse insa
etfavoure o
paperf
a s
the India,
used.and in al-
lowingvernment of India had to thank
directors of the Bank of England in waiving their
year would b
etfoednieseontintheire
He was of opinion that
legislatihveerptroilu•
no
,i3el :11..tIoVtilliseo Wilson
Presidencys a i d that
P
issues, and arrangements would be made with thein
no private übpaztr couldrloss. meet the wants of the
for making
country.
In conclusion
Wilson said that the measure
propose
on well-tried lbuysiohnim M
N;sr:as based
prin-
ciples. -..............

the present mode by an allusion to the sealed bags
said to contain 1,000 rupees which were circu-
lated by endorsement, probably without actual
value, in the North-West Provinces. He then
developed the Government scheme of paper
currency, the leading points to be secured by
which were, Ist, absolute inconvertibility ; 2d
due limitation of the issues. The outline of the pro-
visions of the bill are,
That there shall be an absolutely convertible
paper currency, in the form of notes of Its. 6, 10,
20, 50,
100, SOO, and 1,000 each.
That these notes shall
be made a legal tender as

RAPID OUTWARD PASSAGE OF THE GREAT
B. =Am—The Great Britain, as appears from the Austra-
lian advices, arrived at Melbourne in the very short space
of 55 days, one of the quickest passages on record.

THE BEIRRADON COLLIERY EXPLO-

SlaY.

dox's Board it would be safe. If the air was flying
three feet per second the place would be perfectly
safe. If the air was slack in Maddox's Board the
gas might come from the goaf to where the men
were working. If there was no air at all in the
board the gas would not explode. If there were
four volumes of air to one of gas it would not ex-
plode. If you go on until there are eight portions
of air to one of gas that would be the most explo-
sive mixture. Then if you go on until there are 14
volumes of air and one of gas, then the gas will not
explode.

NEWCAS'T'LE-ON-TYNE, APRIL 4.
The adjourned inquest on the bodies of the 76
pitmen and pit lads killed in Burradon Pit on the
2d of March by an explosion of gas, was resumed
this morning at Burradon, ample time having been
given by a lengthened adjournment for a careful
and scientific examination of the mine. The
chapel where the inquest was held was crowded,
and the proceedings were of an exceedingly exciting
and singular character. Mr. Sergeant Ballantine
should have been down to examine the witnesses
on behalf of the relatives of the deceased persons,
but he was unable to be present, being detained
in town. Mr. Elliott, an eminent viewer, belong-
ing to the county of Durham, who had examined
the pit, and who was to have been a witness, had
also been called away, -having had to proceed to
Paris to consult with the French Government upon
some matter of business; and Mr. Phillipson, who
had heretofore condieted the inquiry on behalf of
the owner of the pit, refused to call any more wit-
nesses that clay. The responsibility of producing
evidence was thus thrown upon Mr. Blackwell, bar-
rister, who appeared for the relatives of the deceased
in the absence of Mr. Sergeant Ballantine, and as
he was not ready with his witnesses the coroner
threatened to commence to charge the jury, where-
upon Mr. Blackwell said he would go into the
enemy's camp, and examine Mr. Thomas E. Foster,
the well-known north country coal viewer, a gentle-
man of great experience in the coal trade. Excep-
tion was taken to the remark made by Mr. Black-
well, and a scene followed. Mr. Foster said that he
belonged to no party, and that he was only anxious
to elicit the truth, so as to prevent accidents in
future. Mr. Foster was then examined at length by
Mr. Blackwell ; but when Mr. Harle, who repre-
sented the Government Inspector, who was present,
got up to put some questions, Mr. Phillipson de-
murred to Mr. Hanle appearing ; the Coroner also
objected, on the ground that the Government In-
spector should examine the witnesses himself. Mr.
Harle then said he would ask for an adjournment
until he had consulted with the Home Secretary as
to the course of proceedings.

Mr. Foster having been examined at great
length by Mr. Harle the Court adjourned at four
o'clock until Thursday.

PRES_ERVATION OF LIFE FROM
SHIPWRECK.

A meeting of the Royal National Lifeboat Insti-
tution was held yesterday at its house, John-street,
Adelphi, T. Baring, Esq., in the chair. There were
also present, amongst others, Lord H. Cholmondeley,
Sir T. Herbert, K.C.8., Sir E. G. L. Perrott, Bart.,
Admiral Cator, A. Boetefeur, Esq., W. H. Harton,
Esq., and Capt. Ward, R.N., inspector of lifeboats
to the institution.

The Secretary- having read the minutes of the
previous meeting,
A reward of £l3 was voted to the crew of the
institution's lifeboat stationed at Palling, on the
Norfolk coast, for putting off in the night and re-
scuing the crew of seven men from the brig Eliza,
of North Shields, which in a heavy sea had missed
stays, and become totally wrecked off Palling, on
the lath ult.

A reward of £6 10s. was also granted to the
crew of the Winterton lifeboat, on the same coast,
belonging to the society, for going off in her and
saving the crew of eight men from the brig George
and James of London, which during a fearful gale
had stranded off Winterton.
The Cullercoats lifeboat, belonging to the insti-
tution, had also recently been instrumental in as-
sisting to bring safely to shore a fishing coble and
her crew of three men. The lifeboat's crew had
declined to make any claim for helping their com-
rades in distress.

Mr. Harle was at last allowed to go on, but had
not proceeded far before Mr. Phillipson interfered,
when an extraordinary scene arose. Mr. Harle
ordered Mr. Phillipson to sit down, and called upon
the coroner to put him out. The Coroner, however,
turned his wrath upon Mr. J. B. Langley, a gentle-
man who has taken an active part during the in-
quiry, and whom he espied whispering to Mr.
Harle, whom he threatened to put out. The pit-
men in the body of the chapel had by this time be-
come very excited, and commenced to hiss with
great vehemence. The coroner threatened them
with expulsion, and there was every prospect of a
riot if he carried his threat into execution ; but he
fortunately did not attempt to do so, and Mr. Harle
proceeded with the examination uninterrupted.
Mr. Thomas Emmerson Foster, viewer, said that
he had been down the pit several times since the
explosion. The first time he was down was on the
9th of March, but the pit was not then in a proper
state to make an examination. The stoppings and
other things wore so deranged that a proper exa-
mination could not be made. The next time he was
down was on the 11th of March. The pit was not then
in a proper state. The ventilation was not at all re-
stored. The next day he was down was on the 21st
of March. The pit was then in a much better state,
but still the airways and stoppings were not pro-
perly restored. The last time he was down was last
night. On the 21st of March he came to a conclu-
sion, according to his view, as to the occasion of the
accident. His view was that the first explosion oc-
curred in Maddox's Board. That explosion was
not a very serious one. It was occasioned by the
gas accumulating between the east middle rolley-
way and Maddox Board, to the north. The cause
of the accumulation was a fall of stone immediately
behind Maddox Board in the single part of the
north return. The gas came from the solid coal.
His view was this, that up to a certain time before
the explosion there was a sufficient ventilation
from the middle east rolleyway to Maddox Board,
to keep the workings at those two points clear from
gas.
.Atthe time when there was a slight explosion
on Williams's candle the fall had partially taken
place. Between that time, and shortly before the
explosion occurred, the fall of stones had so in-
creased that it had almost if Rot entirely stopped
the airway in the return. Hence the first explosion
of gas between the east rolleyway and Maddox
Board. The reason for his coming to a conclusion
that the first explosion had not been a serious one
was this, that he found that there were 24 people
killed at the top of the inclined bank under a fall
of coal ; and he was clearly of opinion that they
had arrived at that point before the second explo-
sion took place. He found William Urwin at that
point, and he, when he was at work, wrought at the
fourth board from the middle east, towards Mad-
dox's Board. Thomas Beadlen wrought in the board
from the middle east towards Maddox's, and his
body was found among the 24 lying under the fall.,
There'ivere several more from the same district, and
also from the middle broken. He came to the conclu-
sion that the first explosion was not a severe one
from the men having got to that point ; and so far
from where the first explosion occurred. He thought
the men had arrived at that point when Alder-
son, the back overman, came up the inclined plane.
After hearing the explosion, his opinion was that
he induced the rcen to remain there until he
went to see what really was the matter.
The consequence was that Alderson had not
got 100 yards south from the top of the inclined
plane before the second explosion took place. These
24 people that he had already alluded to were killed
by the second explosion drawing the timber, and
the roof came down upon them. That was the con-
clusion that he. had come to with regard to the first
explosion. With regard to the second explosion,
he was of opinion that the first explosion took a
south westerly course from Maddox's Board, blow-
ing out stoppings on bath sides of the straight up
east rolleyway, and which separated the whole coal
and the broken ; that the first explosion disturbed
some gas in the middle broken, which had been
driven on to the middle east rolleyway, where, meet-
ing some men from the south making their way out,
the gas fired at their candles. He was of opinion
that the men in the far south-east quarter had come
out after the second explosion, and had got within a
few yards of the air-crossing between the top of the
first incline and the middle east rolleyway, when all
of them had been killed by the after damp. If they
had got nine yards further they would have been
safe. He thought that he was corroborated as to
the first explosion not having been a serious one by
the fact that a number of the men in the middle
broken continued at their work and were lost,
whereas those who left the middle broken after the
first explosion were saved.
Mr. Foster was cross-examined at considerable
length by Mr. Blackwell upon his evidence in chief.
He gave various reasons for coming to the conclu-
sion that the first explosion had been occasioned by
a fall of stone in the return, which, deranging the
ventilation in that part of the pit, had produced the
second and destructive explosion of gas. He said
that as soon as the fall of stone was removed Mad-
dox's board became clear and the gas all passed
away.
By Mr. Harle—Has been a viewer 37 years. Had
examined the Burradon Pit several years ago. It
was at that time the property of the Messrs. Carr.
Examined the pit at that time for a professional
object, on a financial question. From that time
until his recent visit on the 9th of March he had
not visited the pit. If he had been a viewer in that
colliery he would have conducted the ventilation
in the same way as it existed on the 2d of March,
the day of the explosion. If to-day they could place
the pit at. Burradon in the position in which it was
on the 2d of March at 8 o'clock, when Kerkley left,
he should be quite satisfied. If the pit was in as
good a state as on the 21 of March, he could not
suggest, nor was there any necessity for, any im-
provement. No human power could have prevented
the fall of stone. Such accidents happened without
any netieb. He thought Kerkley acted prudently
in setting on the " putters" with lamps, because
they had to go into the whole workings and the
into
the workings, and they might have gone
the pillar workings with the naked light. If six
men complained of the ventilation in January or
February of the present year he could give no rea-
son for the complaint. Witness went down the pit
on the 4th of March as a neighbour. His services
had been volunteered. He had not been asked by
the under viewer or the men to go down. Kerkley
did not give his theory as to the fall in the north
return when he went over the place o March 4th.
He had not formed an opinion on thelth of March
as to the fall, not having seen it. His opinion was
that the explosion did not occur from the gas at
the north goaf. If it had occurred there, there
would have been one gi eat explosion, and not two.
He considered the pit quite safe if gas came within
three or four pillars of Maddox's Board from the
great goat*, where candles were used, provided a
current of air passed alongthe face of the workings
and down the north return behind Maddox's
Board. This being the case he should have trusted
entirely to the air and wrought with candles. He
should not have caleulaled upon the contingency
of a fall of stone in the single return course.
Had no suggestion to offer as to a fall in a return
course. If there had been two returns instead of
one, if one had fallen the other might have been
kept open.,, Unfortunately there was only one re-
turn. 'They
Were not in a position for two. If he
saw gas upon the candle so that the use of it had
become dangerous he would have discontinued it,
and would have used the lamp. If there were 5,000
or 6,000 feet of atmospheric air passing ints Mad-

A reward of £l7 was voted to the crew of the
Portmadoc lifeboat, belonging to the National Life-
boat Institution, which had been instrumental on
Sunday morning last in saving 15 persons, in a most
exhausted state, from the barque Oberon, of Liver-
pool, which, during a heavy gale of wind, went on
the Sarn Badrig Rocks, in Cardigan Bay.
A reward of £lB was likewise voted to the crew
of the Yarmouth lifeboat, which belongs to this in-
stitution, for putting off in her and rescuing, in
conjunction with a steam tug, the crew of six men
from the brig Zephyr, of Middlesborough, which
was totally wrecked a few weeks ago during an
awful gale of wind on the Scroby Sand.
It will thus be seen that some of the lifeboats of
the National Lifeboat Institution have, within the
past few weeks been the means, under God, of
snatching 39 of our fellow-creatures from a watery
grave, and that many households have again been
made to rejoice by the valuable services of the life-
boat. The saved crews themselves, some of whom
had navigated the world, and braved every possible
danger, are not insensible of the important services
which the lifeboat renders them in the hour of
distress, for their expressions of thankfulness for
such services are of the most feeling character.
Nevertheless, the Wreck Chart of the British
Isles tells us that 1,416 wrecks took place last
year in our seas and on our shores, and that 1,646
persons perished from them. It is, therefore, evi-
dent that much still remains to be done in main-
taining and extending the lifeboat system of the
society, which reflects an honour on the philan-
thropy of the age in which we live, and which ex-
cites the admiration of all the maritime nations of
the world.

Payments were also made to the crews of the
lifeboats of the institution stationed at Teignmouth,
Padstow, and Ayr, on the west coast of Scotland,
for putting off to vessels in distress, and for as-
sembling, so as to be ready to go off, if their ser•
vices should have been required.
A reward of £9 was voted to the crews of two
open boats for putting off and saving, at great risk
of life, the crew of four men from the schooner Hope,
of Gloucester, which, during a heavy gale of wind
and snow storms, was wrecked, a short time since,
on the coast.

The silver medal of the society was also voted
Captain Ridge, R.N., Inspectiig Commander of
the Coast Guard, in testimony of his gallant con-
duct in wading into the surf, on a cold wintry day,
at the imminent risk of his life, and rescuing one
man, who had been capsized from his boat while
attempting to save the crew of the Austrian brig
Tikey, wrecked in Dundram Bay. A benevolent
lady had offered the institution to defray the cost of
an additional lifeboat in this dangerous bay. She
had also promised to pay the cost of the New Quay
and the St. Ives, Cornwall, lifeboats, and another,
to be stationed at Buckie, on the north. coast of
Scotland.

Some additional liberal contributions were said to
have been given to the institution by Lloyds, the
Junior United Service Club, and the Royal Thames
Yacht Club.

Communications were read from the Ambassador
at this Court and the Minister of Marine of Den-
mark and Sweden, expressing the appreciation of
their Government of the philanthropic objects of
the British National Lifeboat Institution, and
stating that its useful and practical pamphlet on
the management of boats in a heavy surf had been,
by order of the King, translated into Swedish.
It was said that this little book had been trans-
lated into French, Spanish, and Swedish, and that
it was not improbable it would be likely to be ren-
dered into the languages of all maritime countries
in the world, and thus the National Lifeboat Insti-
tution may be the means of saving life in many parts
of the globe.
An excellent photograph of a lifeboat of the insti-
tution, supposed to be proceeding off to a wreck
near to Scarborough, was exhibited at the meet-
ing. Both the original picture and photograph
were the work of Mr. L. Walters, of Bootle, near
Liverpool, and reflected high credit on his artistic
skill.

It was reported that the Admiralty were taking
some steps to provide her Majesty's ships with life-
boats. It is remarkable that hitherto our men-of-
war have been unfurnished with lifeboats. The
National Lifeboat Institution, through its little
quarterly publication, had for years past advocated
their adoption, as well as the supplying of our in-
trepid coast guard men with lifeboats.
It is a lamentable fact that in our mercantile
navy such a thing as a really useful ship's lifeboat
(excepting 'White's) is hardly ever to be seen. The
natural consequence is that in both services valu-
able lives, like those of Capt. Foote, N.N., and Capt.
Harrison, of the Great Eastern, are too frequently
lest when communication is needed, in stormy
weather, with the shore.

An interesting report was read by Capt. WARD,
R.N., inspector of lifeboats to the institution, of his
recent tour of inspection of the 19 lifeboats which
the society has on the Irish coast. These visits of a
thoroughly practical officer to lifeboat stations are
of great service in securing the permanent efficiency
of the establishments. It is his custom to take the
lifeboats out to sea himself, howerer stormy the
weather may be, and thus practically explain to
their hardy crews their qualities, and how they are
to act in cases of emergency.
The institution decided on taking into connexion
with it the Margate lifeboat, and to make the station
thoroughly efficient. The boat was presented some
time ago to the town by Miss Burdett Coutts:
A small legacy was announced to the institution
from the late Mrs. Anna Braithwaite, of Kendall.
Capt. N. de St. Croix having been elected a mem-
ber of the committee of management, and payments
amounting to £23G having been made on various
lifeboat establishments, the proceedings closed.

Two FEMALES DROWNED IN THE AVON.—On
Tuesday afternoon, a party consisting of three males and
three fernalts left Bristol in a boat, and proceeded up the
Avon, intending to spend apleasant evening in the country.
About six o'clock the boat capsized, all being precipitated
into the water, except one man ; and then commenced the
desperate struggle for life. Four of the party were speedily
rescued, and the bodies of two unfortunate females, Jones
and Westerlite, who resided in Alfred-street, were after-
waids recovered, but not until life was quite extinct.

[AuvEnTisEMENT].—The possibility of abandoning me •
dicine altogether is shown by the numerous extraordinary
cures without medicine of indigestion (dyspepsia), flatulency,
constipation, nervous. bilious, and liver complaints, coughs,
asthma, consumption, and debility, effected by Du Barry's
delicious Health-restoring Rovalenta Arabica Food. The
following are not the least remarkable :—Cure No. 46,270.
Mr. James Roberts, timber merchant, of Frimley, of 30
years' diseased lungs, spitting of blood, liver derangement,
partial deafness.—Cure No. 58,816. Mrs. llolze, aged 107
years, of dyspepsia (indigestion), debility, irritability, and
nervousness which had tormented her for 70 years.—Cure
No. 46,814. Mr. Samuel Laxton, Leicester, of two years'
diarrli(ea.—Cure No. 52,612. The Dowager Countess of
Castle Stuart of many years' nervous irritability, bile, and
indigestion.—Cure No. 54,812. Miss Virginia Zeguers,
cured of consumption, after her medical adviser had aban,.
Boned all hopes of recovery.—Cure No. 180. " Twenty--five
years' nervousness, constipation, indigestion, and debility,
from which I have suffered great misery, and
which no medicine could remove or relieve, have
been effectually cured by Du Barry's food in a very
short time.—W. B. Reeves, 181, Fleet-street, London."
En tins, at Is. 6d. ; 11b., 3s. ; 21b., ss. 9d. ; 51b,, 125.; 121 b
26e. The 101 b. and 121 b. tins carriage free, on receipt of post.-
Alobis,
office order. Du Barry and Co., 77, Regent-street, London;
Fortnum, Mason, and Co., 182, Piecadillf
'l5O, Oxford-
street ;4, Cheapside ; 63, an
Atreet ; 330 and 451, Strand ; 49 and 60, Bishopsgatt,
street ; 85, Tottenham-court-road. Also at Dublin.
Co.'
Bewley -and Draper ; at Edinburgh, Raimee and
at Liverpool, Nixon and Thew; at Manchester, Sharp and
Scott ; at York, Raimes, Blanchard, and co...ititt so_
la.
r.mpton, Randall and Sou,