The Sun.
London, England, 1860-11-08 00:00:00

TILE ROAD CHILD MURDER.

ROAD, Nov. 7.
Mr. T.B. Saunders resumed his inquiry at Road
this morning, at the Temperance-hall in this village.
The proceedings were adjourned from yesterday till
halt-past 11 this day, but it was more than an hour
after that time before Saunders arrived. The
public interest had manifestly decreased, as at the
commencement of the proceedings there were
scarcely two dozen persons (exclusive of the re-
porters) present, and the majority of them were
women.

Mr. Saunders having apologized for not having
reached Road:by-the time appointed, and stated that
he was detained by important communications, in-
quired if the man Quance was present.
Mr. Wilkins, of Tellisford-mill, near Road, the
employer of Quance, to whom reference was made
in the course of yesterday's proceedings, and who
was supposed to have made some statement as to
having seen Mr. Kent at 5 o'clock on the morning
of the 30th of June, stated that Quance declined to
attend unless he was properly summoned.
Mr. Saunders stated that he was not sitting as a
magistrate at present, and therefore should not issue
any summons for Quance's attendance. At the
same time he regretted that that person had not
thought proper to come forward voluntarily.
Inspector Pitney stated that Captain Meredith
was engaged at Salisbury, and was not able to be
present, and that Mr. Superintendent Foley was
specially occupied at Trowbridge sessions.
It was stated by one of the reporters that Mr.
Superintendent Wolfe had gone to Bath that morn-
ing, with several of the jurymen, who were about
to make affidavits in support of the intended appli-
cation to the Court of Queen's Bench for a writ of
ntelius inquirendunz.
Mr. Saunders explained that, with reference to
the young lady mentioned on Saturday as having
been seen by himself and Inspector Pitney going in
the direction of Road-hill-house, he was now satis-
fied that she was not the same person that had been
subsequently observed at one of the windows of Mr.
Kent's house, and he was exceedingly sorry if the
observations which had been made had given that
lyoung lady any pain. He (Mr. Saunders) had re-
et iv ed several letters on the subject of the present
inquiry, and among others one from a gentleman
who resided at Frome, containing information which
he deemed to be of vital importance. The writer,
however, was not in a state of health to make his
statement publicly, and he (Mr. Saunders) there-
fore, proposed going to Frome to have an interview
with him. Under these circumstances he asked the
reporters what would suit their convenience.
Mr. E. Austin took the liberty of suggesting that,
as an application was about to be made to the Court
of Queen's Bench for a writ of ad melius inquiren-
duns to re-open the inquest, with powers, of course,
to examine anybody and everybody whom it might
be thought could give any information on the sub-
ject of the rnarder upon oath, it would further the
ends of public justice if the present inquiry were
adjourned to await the result of that application ;
and in the event of the application not being acceded
to by the'Court of Queen's Bench, then Mr. Saun-
ders could resume the inquiry he had hitherto been
conducting.
Mr. Saunders was extremely obliged for the
suggestion. Something of the sort had passed
through his mind, and he had fully considered it ;
but until he saw the newspapers that morning he
was not aware of what had taken place yesterday
at Trowbridge, or that there was any intention of
such proceedings. He had, however, the best means
of knowing that no application had yet been made
to the Lord Chief Justice of England for a writ of
melius inquirendunz. Such an application could have
been made on the 2d, the first day of term, and
this was the 7th. There were certain other things
which he knew, but which he felt it would not be
prudent or!proper to mention, but not having re-
ceived any special communication on the subject
from London, he was of opinion that it would not
be conducive to the ends of public justice if he
were to cease in going on in the course he had de-
fined for himself. It must be quite clear to every
one that the proceedings which had taken place
in that hall since Saturday morning last must have
been brought to the knowledge of those who had
the power, perhaps, to put a stop to the course he
was taking; but, not having received any such
intimation, he thought it best for the interests of
public justice that he should proceed. If a tele-
graphic message should come for him he should,
no doubt, receive it there without delay, and
should be prepared to act on that message, what.
ever it might be. While therefore he was extremely
obliged for the suggestion which had been made,
he begged leave to follow out his own course, be-
cause he saw it stated in some of the papers that it
was not likely this application would be made to
the Court of Queen's Bench under 10 days, and
that the affidavits upon which it was to be supported
were to be submitted for the concurrence of the
Attorney-General. If he should not acquiesce then
he (Mr. Saunders) apprehended that the application
could not be made except upon the personal respon-
sibility of some private persons, and they would
then be answerable.for the consequences both in
person and purse. Now, his object was to avoid
what he considered unnecessary cost to the public
or to private persons. He did not, however, see how
any ad melius inquirendum writ could in the slight-
est degree improve the position of affairs as left by
the constituted authorities. "Wilful murder against
some person or persons unknown" was the highest
verdict which could have been brought in, except a
verdict of wilful murder against some particular
individual or individuals. On this, however, he
would give no positive opinion. He understood the
suggestion which had been made to be in the alter-
native, and that in the event of the application to
the Court of Queen's Bench not being granted, he
should resume his inquiry ; but as it seemed likely
that the application would not be made and dis-
posed of for ten days, and as in ten days a great
deal might be done to defeat the ends of public jus-
tice, he thought it best to proceed, though he would
say that an immediate decision on the point of re-
opening the inquest might alter his opinion. In
reply to inquiries from Mr. Saunders,
Mrs. Edward Truman came forward and stated
that she believed Mr. West and Morgan, the parish
constable, with some others who were on the jury,
were gone to Bath to attend at Mr. Slack's office,
for the purpose of swearing affidavits in reference
to the manner in which the inquest was conducted.
Mr. Saunders then inquired if any person
wished to come forward and state anything
with reference to' the events at Road-hill-house
on the 29th and 30th of June last, but no
one volunteered. Having asked one or two persons
whether they wished to state anything, ant.d each_e
having declined, the inquiry was adjournedll th
following day.