The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-13 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.'—'(YESTERDAY.)
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Balby and Worksop Road Bill was read a third
i me and passed.
The following bills were considered and ordered for
third reading :—Carlisle, Laugh°lin, and Hawick Rail-
way ; London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway.
POOR-RATES (METROPOLIS) BILL.
Mr. AYRTON noved the second reading of this bill,
the, object of which is to equalise the poor-rates of the
metropolis. He did not anticipate that the measure would
receive any strong support from the house, as few members

resided in those parishes which came there for justice.
There could be no doubt, however, that only an insig-
niicant minority of the ratepayers of the metropolis
were opposed to the measure, and that minority was

made np of the wealth and rank of the West-end, the
occupiers of offices and residences in the lons of Court

arid other extra-parochial districts. He wished the
house, by giving this bill a second reading, to reaffirm
the principle that whenever it was possible the area of
taxation should be extended, and which was generally
acknowledged by the administrators of the poor laws ;
and, after the bill had been read a second time,
it could be referred to a select committee to see whether
there were any local circumstances connected with the me-
tropolis to justify its exemption from the operation of
that principle. For his own part he was convinced that
only an imaginary distinction could be drawn between
the wealth and rank of the employer in the west, and
the misery and poverty of the employed in the east.
Both districts were areas of taxation and according to
the extent of the areas and not the number of
their poor they ought to be made to contribute to
the general support of the poor in the metro-
polis. The honourable and learned gentleman then
quoted a number of instances showing the glowing in-
consistency in the poor-rates between the East and
West ends, and commented upon the injustice of the
latter reaping the benefit of industry, while the former
had to support the labourer who contributed to their
luxuries. The principle was to increase large houses in
St. George's, Hanover-square, and alter districts
at the west end at the expense of the poorer
parishes, the richer districts rejoicing in the
fact that by so doing they get rid of their
own poor, and reduce the rates by driving them into
poorer districts, Those who could best pay for the re-
lief of the poor were gradually relieving themselves from
the expense, whilst the poor in districts who can least
bear the burthen were having it daily increased. That
was a state of things that ought not to exist. It was
said the change proposed would be a tax upon property,
bet that might be said in respect of every tax. The
old law of 40 days' living gave a settlement, and,
were that the case now, the rates of St. George's,
Hanover-square, would be greatly increased. When
12 months' living gave a settlement the rates were
double what they now were. That had been altered,
and immediately on the change from 12 months' living
to five years' tesidence the rates of St. George's,
Hanover-square, fell to one-half. (Hear.) The poor
man on 501. or 601. alear residing in the poor dis-
tricts paid as much as the man of 4001. or 5001.
who lived in some more favoured locality. That was
a grievance tbat was loudly and justly complained
of. Petitions, signed by 60,000 or 70,000 cf the middle
class ratepayers, had been presented to the house claim-
ing an equality of this burden. The house ought to attend
to the appearof the people and endeavour togive them the
relief they asked. In illustration of the distress existing
in the me.ropolis the hon. and learned gentleman re-
ferred to the deaths from privation. In 1848, including
deaths from neglect, cold, and infants from want of breast
milk, &c., 222 deaths were registered ; in 1855, they
amounted to 460 ; in 1856, they were 414, and in 1857,
they were 416. The number of the ratepayers and the
amounts paid by them in the returns that had been
made, did not fairly show the burthens complained of.
If the number of poor persons who were summoned for
non-payment of poor-rates were ascertained, it would
be found the burthen was much greater than was ima-
gined. He predicted that such a return would show
a most startling result, and that they were more
numerous than those who resided in the favoured
parishes, and were relieved at the expense of the former.
He warned the house that it was unwise in them to
resist this measure, and allow 500,000 able-bodied men
to believe they were suffering injustice at the hands of
shout 500,000 nobility and gentry in the favoured
parishes, who were strong enough to laugh at their
complaints and that house, and resist their appeal
for relief. There was a time when the people of
Wales were not heard in that house. A change
had taken place in that respect, and he assured
the house that the 500,000 residents in the poorer
districts would sooner or later be heard in this matter.
(Hear, hear.) The only objection he had heard to the
measure was that extending the area of taxation would
tend to make a new tax in the administration of the por
(Cheers.) He contended that the bill effectually pro-
vided against that and he asked the house to read the
laid. Any defects in the bill could be amended in com-
mittee.

Mr. S. ESTCOURT complained that the speech of the
hon. and learned gentleman partook of the character of
a menace (Hear) hear) which generally had a
tendency to defeat the object it had in view. (Hear,
hear.) He (Mr. S. Estcourt) denied that that house
laughed at the complaints of the people, and he chal-
lenged hon. members to state a case where that house as
a bodyJrad sacrificed a principle to save their pocket.
He was anxious the bill should be introduced, from there
appearing to be a prima facie case that the hardships
complained of really existed, in order that the house and
different Boards of Gt.ardians interested might have an
opportunity of reading its provisions. The opponents
of the bill would place the law relative to the rating of
the metropolis in the hands of an irresponsible board.
He complained that many of the irregularities c implained
of resulted from local mismanagmeut. He considered
the provisians of the bill would encourage wasteful ex-
penditure in connection with the administration of the
poor, and his main objection,to the bill was, that those
who contributed the money for the relief of the poor
would have no share whatever in its expenditure.
(Hear, bear.) With regard to the general amount of
rating in the metropolis, he found that in 1850 the ave•
rage of the rate was is. 61d. in the pound, whilst the
average throughout England was ls. 7d. 1-10th in the
pound. He also found that in the metropolis the num-
ber relieved was 3 9-10tha in the 100, and therefore it
could not be doubted that the amount of pauperism in
the metropolis, however hard it might bear on particu,
lar classes was less than throughout the whole of Eng-
land. He also found that in 1800, the popul etion of tt e
metropolis was 960,000, and in 1857 had increased to
2,500,000. In the course of the same time the value of
rateable property in the metropolis had trebled, viz.,
fr en 4,000,0001. to about 13,362,0001. The amount of
poor-rates raised in the metropolis in 1803 was 457,342/.,
and in 1857 it had increased to 875,0001, just doubling
the rates, whilst the property had trebled. In 1803 the
amount the poundage raised was 3'. 9,td , and in 1856
it was ls. qd., being not so much as one-half it was in
1803, whilst the value of the property had trebled. The
right hon. gentleman then referred to the difference in the
amount of rating and value of the property of the pa-
rishes of Bethnal-ereen, St. George's, Southwark ; St.
George's, Whitecapel; Shoreditch, Stepney, St. Paul's,
Poplar, and other parishes, from 1803 to 1857. He said
that the variations in the amount of the parishes were
not such as to call for legislation, but he thought White •
chapel and Southwark had some reason to complain. In
those parishes a question arose, whether the labouring
population might not mitigate them and improve their
own condition. It wan, however, said that the inhabi-
tants were dependent on certain circumstances, and that
the plan adopted was to employ the men by the day, and
even hour, and pay them off at the end, which contributed
greatly to the pauperism existing in those parishes.
That might be so, but he thought it was too delicate a
question—the relation of the employer and the employed
—to be dealt with by legislation. The right hon.
gen-
tleman having referred to the evils urged against the
present poor law system, said that he believed the
Penar-
rowness of the area of taxation in reference to the
bad worked beneficially for them, and he called upon
poor
the house to support the present parochial system by
rejecting the bill. He moved its second reading this day
six months. (Hear, bear.)
Mr. BYNG supported the amendment.
Sir B. HALL opposed the bill. He considered most
of the inequalities complained of arose from local feria-
management with reference to the valuation of the pre-1
Pertv and the assessments resulting therefrom.
Mr. J. LOCKE (Southwark) spoke in favour of the
bill. He complained of the taxation of the metropolis
generally, and urged that the right hon. gentleman (Sir
B. Hall) ought to have investigated the subject before he
laid on fresh taxes by the passing of the Metropolitan
Board of Works Act. He defended the course pursued
by the bon. and learned gentleman the member for the
Tower Hamlets, and in reply t) the retort of the right
hon. gentleman the President of the Poor•law Board, he
reminded the house that great changes were often made
under a menace, and he instanced they assing of the
Corn-laws—(no, no)—Catholic Emancipation,
but he (Mr. Locke) did not approve cf them. 110
was content to rest the case on its necessities, none
of which had been disproved, and he had hoped that
. this bill would have been read a second tinte, and re-
ferred to a select comaii.tee. The principle of equali:.a-
ton cf rating in the metropolis had been adopted by the
house in paesiiig the bill of the right hon. genaernan
(Sir B. Hall). By that bill Southwark was taxed for
blarylebone, and the Tower Hamlets for W,sieninster,
and the whole of the metropolis for the benefit of the
_ whole. (Hear, hear.) He (Mr. Locke) contended that
the same principle applied to an equalisation of rating
for maintenance of the poor. It was very simple to
u
iCe an average to be collected from the re-pective
parishes within the etropolitan area. Referring to th.
petitions thathad been nrdeseuted in favour of and again t
the measure, the hon an learned gentleman said no peti-
tion had been presentedl.hoonits favour from Marylebone,
but not because -Mary
liv,Las averse to 'mutiny.
(Heat) The names of Mr. 0
.and Mr. Nicholay
were so often put forward in connection
in that parish as showed they were not withy meeting'
believed the reason why a petition laa,deL:ncotethectif, caeuhndprh:-
tented from Marylebone was in conseq
of the vestry ball being refused the inhabitants ftoretuhaet
purpose.
• Mr. MILLER objected to the second reading of the
bill on the ground that it violated the principle on which
'taxation ought to rest, viz., giving those who paid taxes,
a share in their disposal.
Mr. V. DUNCO MBE daid he bad come down to the
house with the intention of supporting the second read-
ing, but after what had been stated in the course of the
debate he doubted if anthing would be gained by sub-
mitting this measure toy a select committee, He recom-
.

mended the hon. and learned gentleman not to proceed
further with this defective measure.
After some remarks from Mr. AYRTON, who said
he would introduce the subject again next session,
The second reading was withdrawn and the order dis-
charged.
PATENT LAW AMENDMENT BILL.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE moved the second reading of
this bill. Its object was to reduce the fees for taking
out a patent about one-half. Before 1852 it cost between
3001. and 4001., and afterwards it was reduced to its pre-
sent amount of 1751. In committee, if the fees were
placed at too low a figure it could be altered.
Sir J. SHELLEY seconded the motion.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said if the bill bad
ereprowponsehde tsohoruedlducueotthheavfeeoepspoofeetalliet.lTawheohffiiiic,ehrsowoeftehre,
contained two provisions, one with reference to. fees,
ees,
and another, a simple mode for increasing the business
of patent agents, in making worthless appicatrtnhse,
which he thought objectionable. The reduction of o
fheeesroasadperogpoosoedd wouotuldof catuhsee ac
odueefiocliiednactyedof
Flou,oodo.ol. A
it to
surplus of 7,0001. had accrued, which was proposed to
be expended in the erection of a suitable building on a
piece of land near the South Kensington Museum for
the reception of models of patents, books, &c., to be
opened free
All the
which it would be necessary to
keep up. All the fees taken were paid into the Cons°.
lidated Fund, and regranted by Parliament for the pur
poses of the Patent Office. The surplus would be re-
quired for the above purpose, and he did not think they
could be better applied than in keeping up such an
establishment. He moved the second reading of the
bill this day six months.
After some remarks from Mr. T. Duncombe, Sir J.
Shelley, and Mr. Bovill,
The second reading was negatived without a division.
REFORMATORY SCHOOLS (IRELAND) BILL.
Mr. Sergeant DEASY moved the second reading of
this bill. Its object was to extend to Ireland the benefits
of those measures that had been found of so much advan-
tage to England and Scotland.
Lord NAAS assented to the second reading of the
bill. Though he approved of the principle he did not
pledge himself to its details. He did not, however,
think the necessities in Ireland were so great for such a
measure as in England. Juvenile delinquency was not
so great in Ireland as in England, and he was afraid it
would encourage vagrancy in Ireland, and get children into
these schools. He thought it was their duty to prevent
juvenile crime, and he regretted to say that the prisons
of Ireland were no better than schools for the propaga-
tion and dissemination of crime. (Hear.) He believed there
were ample means at present in existence in Ireland for
checking juvenile crime, if properly carried out. The
prison discipline of that country required thorough in-
vestigation and improvement.
Mr. BAGWELL spoke in favour of the measure, and
defended the manner in which the Irish prisons were
regulated.
Lord NAAS explained—His remarks referred to the
want of the separate system.
Mr. BAGWELL said juvenile criminals must be con-
fined, and he thought it was better to keep them in re-
formatories than in prisons.
Mr. HATCHELL supported the principle of the bill.
Mr. LEFROY also supported the bill.
After some remarks from Mr. STAPLETON and Mr.
DEASY'
The bill was read a second time.
STAMP DUTY ON PASSPORTS.
Mr. HAMILTON obtained leave to introduce a bil
to reduce the stamp duty on passports.
BURIAL GROUNDS (METROPOLIS).
Mr. H. BERKELEY moved far an address for re
turn of all burial grounds (distinguishing consecrated
from unconsecrated) which still remain open for inter-
ments on Ist Jan., 1858, within the liniqs of the "Bu-
rials within the Metropolis Act," their ex'ent in area ;
the number of interments which have taken place in each
during the year 1857 ; the number of bodies buried in
each grave (not being a private grave) ; and the date of
closure of such as are under any order for immediate or
future closure.—Agreed to.
The house adjourned at five o'clock.

ROYAL MAIL STEAM PACKET COMPANY,

It appears from a parliamentary return just
issued that the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company
undertook to assist the Australian Mail Packet
Company to carry out their contract, on condition
that the Government should extend the Royal Mail
contract to 1864 ; that five days longer should be
allowed for the Australian mail to reach England
during the monsoon months ; that the Royal Mail
Company should be permitted to convey all the
maiis in screw vessels, and a few other minor altera-
tions in the existing Royal and Australian mail
contract. The Government declined these terms,
but offered to extend the Royal Mail contract to
1864, on condition that the Royal Mail Company
expedited the Brazilian steamers by not calling at
Madeira and Teneriffe. The company accepted
this offer. The passengers to and from Madeira
furnished a considerable revenue to the Royal Mail
Company, but as far as the mails are concerned,
the leaving out of Madeira from the Brazil will not
be of much consequence, because the African mail
steamers call there, and they also call at Teneriffe.
Madeira and Teueriffe tookthe Brazil packets about
100 milts out of their course, and the stoppages at
those two' places amounted to about a day addi-
tional. By the new arrangements, the Brazil
packets will arrive in England on the sth instead
of the 16th of themonth, and as the outward packet
leaves England on the 9th, there will be four days
to reply to letters, and the course of post to the
'Brazils will thus be reduced from 68 to 57 days,
and to the River Plate from 98 to 87 days. The
Tamar will take out the first Brazil mail under the
new arrangements on the 9th prox. She is one of
the fastest steamers belonging to the Royal Mail
Company's fleet, and there seems to be no fear of
her not returning to England by the sth July. The
company are also building three other fast steamers.
It is undentood that the company is not committed
to a permanent amalgamation with the Australian
Mail Company, and that it is possible the grand
experiment of taking the Australian mail across
the Pacific Ocean may erelong be tried. The Royal
Mail Company are now working in concord with
the Pacific Steam Navigation Company. Return
tickets, which last a twelvemonth, are issued by
the former to any place in the West Indies or o'i
the Southern Pacific coast of America, and through
tickets are issued by the Royal Mail Company to
any place along the route of the Pacific Steam Na-
vigation Company's steamers. Thus a man may
book himself in London for Valparaiso, a distance
of nearly 8,000 miles.

DESPER 4TE BURGLARI 1N THE
NORTH-EAST TOWNS.

During the past 10 days great alarm has been
caused in Shields and its neighbourhood by a series
of audacious burglaries which have been perpe-
trated in the residences of some of the leading in-
habitants of those towns. Last week Etal Villa,
the residence of the Mayor of Tynemouth, was en-
tered while the family were asleep, and every room
was ransacked. Above 150/. worth of silver plate
was stolen, and since then three notorious fellows
have been apprehended offering for sale from 60 to
70 ounces of silver melted down in bars. The
residence of Mrs. Hall in North Shields was also
entered last week. The thieves took away all the
keys of the house, and made an attempt to effect a
second entrance the same night, but were fright-
ened away. The next night they administered
poison to a large watchdog and attempted the resi-
dence of Mr. George Baines, but did not succeed in
making an entrance ; and on Sunday morning the
residence of Mr. John Carr, of King James-street,
Gateshead, was robb d of silver and electro-silver
plate. Mr. Carr, having been alarmed, got up,
and saw one fellow leap out of the window and es.
cape. Having discovered that part of the stolen
property was eleotro-plated, they had deposited
what they considered the worthless portion on the
sea shore near South Shields on the same day. Two
persona have been apprehended on suspc on of
havingcommitted this robbery. On Tuesday morn-
, ing one of the most audacious burglaries on record
was committed in Western Villa, near South
Shields, the residence of Mrs. Wood. The
family retired to rest about half-past 12
\
o'clock, and about 3 some of the howehold
having g at up discovered that in that short time the
1 house had been broken into through the only win-
-1 dow that had not abell, and that every room had been ran
thesacked. The villains had entered the bed-
rooms where
the.domestics were -sleeping, and took
what litt!e money y admit of their dress pockets
of
and a small sum out a chest in one of the girls'
rooms. It is Supposed theyhehard used chloroform to
the girls to cause stupor. e is little doubt that
they had also "doctored"
two dogs thhtehahetyoauhrseaedwkeitpht
about the place. After clearing out of
some 10/. or 121. in gold and silver,t
o'urtYo. the
m f
re-
galed themselves on the green with provisions and
beer, which they
a seriousheyhadst accidentofolenout a
tlrosepali On
Axlocieaygh ent consequent on these burglaries. Persona
excitement
are arming themselves, and it seems that aii„
Emma Waun, daughter of Mr. J. T. Waun, a
county magistrate rtsiding at West Belden, found
a pistol in one of the bed:001115, and attempted to
ti eis out of the wiudow. As it misted fire, she
an,i, putting a cap on it,
thought it was not loadod,
she ran down stairs, an I
presen! ing, it at her com-
panion, Miss Niece, said in a playful manner,
" Your money or your life !" Mias Niece bent her,
Lead aside and said, " Don't point that at me,'
and by swerving her head she appcars to have saved
her life, for the pistol went off and its contents
were lodged iu her shoulder. Sixteen shots have
been taken from her shoulder. She is not in any
danger.

EMIGRATION FROM MILFORD HAVEN.—A party of
emigt ants for Auckland, New Zealand, will embark at
Neyland, the terminus of the South Wales Railway on
Milford Raven on Wednesday next, the 19th inst., and
sail the following day for New Zealand. The steam r
Lord AsLley is one of several ateamers intended for tivo
intercolonial mail packet service.

THE FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE TRENT
VALLEY RAILWAY.

NUNEATON, WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

The coroner and jury empanelled yesterday to inves-
tigate the circumstances attending this disastrous acci-
dent reassembled to-day at the Bull Hotel, in this town,
for the purpose of further prosecuting the inquiry.
The Marquis of Chandos, chairman of the London and
North• Western Railway, Mr. Bruyeres, superintendent
of the southern division, ani other officials of the corn-
pany were present. Mr. Cleather, from the office of
Mr. Carter, of Great George-street, attended to watch
the proceeding for the railway company; and the in-
terests of two of the deceased wera professionally repre-
sented,—in the case of Mr. Richmond by Mr. Moordaff,
of Cockermouth ; and in that of the Rev. Mr. Miller,
by Mr. Girdwood, of Belfast, brother-in-law of the de-
ceased gentleman,

The jury consisted of 14 highly respectable inhabi-
tants of the parish of Attleborough, among whom were
three clergymen. Mr. H. R. Harper, a magistrate for
the district, was unanimously chosen foreman of the
panel.

After the jury had returned from viewing the scene of
the accident yesterday,
Mr. Girdwood made a formal complaint against the
railway company for having, as he stated, effected im-
portant alterations in relaying the rails since the acci-
dent. He said he was informed and believed that the
metals had been raised from their previous level fully
11 inches.
Mr. Cleather assured the learned gentleman that no-
thing had been done beyond restoring the rails to the
original position from which they had been displaced by
the accident, in order that the traffie over the line might
not be interrupted.
The identification of the bodies was then proceeded

Mr. W. Morgan, of London, identified the remains of
Mr. W. J. Morgan as those of his son.
Mr, W. Girdwood, of Belfast, identified the body of

the Rev. T. Miller, who was witness's brother-in-law.
Mr. Bruyeres here handed in a pocket-book and other
property taken from the deceased, which he had re-
ceived from the conductor of the train.

Mr. Girdwood identified the pocketbook as having be-

longed to the deceased, and complained that an insur-
ance ticket, which he understood his brother-in-law had
upon him at the time of the accident, could not be found.
Mr. Bruyeres said the property produced was in pre-
cisely the same state as he received it from Edgar, the
conductor of the train, and he knew nothing of an in-
surance ticket.
Mr. Girdwood inquired if Edgar was in attendance ?
Mr. Bruyeres said he was not. He was so much

shaken by the accident that he bad not been able to
leave London that morning. Care would be taken to
insure his future attendance.

Dr. Allenby, of Leamington, identified the remain@ of
Mr. J. Richmond.

The evidence as to the accident was now proceeded
with.

Robt. Wyatt was first called. He said—l was guard
of the 9 a.m. Scotch express from Euston on Monday
last. We proceeded on our regular course over Trent
Valley line until within about a mile and a half on the
south side of the Nuneaton station. I was then in my
van looking out for signals, and while so engaged I ob-
served a cow on the rails, about 100 yards in front cf
the engine. I immediately put the break on. While my
hand was on the break the engine seemed to strike some-
thing, which I supposed was the sow. I was knocked
by the shock into the bed of the van, which was thrown
off the rails on to its side into a field. I broke the win
dow and got out. The 9 o'clock train is not timed to
stop at Nuneaton ; but I think we ought to pass Nun-
eaton about 23 or 25 minutes past 11. After I got
out of my van I saw a portion of the carcase of the
cow on the line, and I have no doubt that it was the
cow which I had previously seen, and which was struck
by the engine. The train was going about 40 miles
an hour. We were running at our regular speed. I saw
nothing but the cow on the line. Ido not know that
a part of the cow's hide with the horns had got en-
tangled in some of the carriage wheels. There is rather
a sharp curve near the place where the accident oc
curred, which prevented my seeing the cow sooner. I
have no doubt that the collision with the cow was the
c iuse of the accident. There is an auxliary signal near at
hand, but I did not observe it. I only looked at the cow,
and my first thought was to do all I could to stop the
train. We cannot see the signal till we reach a bridge
near to which the accident occurred. The collision took
place instantaneously on my seeing the cow.
.Tames Harrison was next called. He said—l am an
engine-driver in the employ of the Landon and North-
Western Rail xay C,..mpany. I drove the train which left
London on Monday n o ning at 9 o'clock. The train iu
gee ;lion consisted of six carriages and two vans. I saw
toe cow coming towards me on the rails near Attleborough
crossing. I immediately shot off the steam, told the fire-
man to apply his break, and also whistled for the guard
to do the same. Directly that was done the engine struck
the cow, and the carriages were scattered over the line.
The couplers broke, and the carriages fell over the shallow
embankment to the right and left of the line. The engine,
tender, and the last van were l.fc on the rails. After the
collision the train proceeded about 40 yards before the
couplers broke. The gateman at Attleborough was in an
adjoining fitld, apparently striving to get ahead of the
cow and drive it off the line. I was not knocked down,
because I held on to the engine with both hands. The
gateman waved his danger signal flag to IP, but I saw
the cow before he did so. If the gateman had been at
his post I should not have seen him before I saw the
cow. After the accident had happened, and I saw the
damage done, I ran my engine to Nuneaton to obtaitl
medical and other assistance, and stop all coming trains.
I returned with my engine back to the place of the acci-
dent, and did all I could to alleviate the sufferings of
the wounded passengers.
Duringlhe examination of this wite,ess Mr. Gird wood
complained of the manner in which the inquiry was being
conducted, and at length carried his interruptions to
such an extent that the foreman severely admonished
him, and desired that he would desist from further in-
terference with the jury.
John Reeve, being sworn, said—l am a guard on
the Trent Valley Railway, and accompanied the train,
in the rear break van, on Monday morning. When we
at rived within about a mile and a half of Nuneaton the
driver sounded his whistle. I immediately put my break
on, and the col ision instantly occurred. As soon as I
got clear I told the signalman, who was on the other
side of the hedge, to go back and stop all down trains.
He was waving his red flag at the time the accident oc-
curred. Everything that could be done was done to
stop the train. My van was not thrown. off the rail.
The first intimation I had was the whistle of the engine.
I did not see the cow. I went up the line about half a
mile, although I had sent the signalman to stop any
train. I stopped a train of empty waggons. When I
gotioack the bodies had been removed. We were as
near as possible to our time, having started from Rugby
at the proper hour. The witness was then examined as
to the signals at Attleborough erossing. He said it was
in possible, considering the speed at which the train was
travelling, to have pulled up in time to avoid the acci-
dent. At 40 miles an hour it required at least 600
yards, and probably more, to bring the train to a stand-
still. _ _

John Gust, stoker to the train, was next examined,
and gave evidence corroborative of that of the driver.
This closed the proceedings of yesterday. On re-
lossemb'ing
Mr. Joseph Thompson, farmer, of Attleberough, was
called—He said he occupied a farm closely adjoining the
scene of the accident, and sublet a small piece of land,
..omethina less an acre, to the owner of the cow which
had caused this acciden'. On Monday list, about ha f•
past 11 o'clock, he was walking near the railway, when
he observed a cow upon the line. She was then walking
up towards Rugby, and "lowing" as if lost. He called
to the gatekeeper to assist him in geeting the animal off
the line, and together they endeavoured to turn her
back and get her out of danger. Tney failed to do this
before the down express hove in sight, and irnaie-
diate'y afterwards witness saw the engine come in
contact with the cow, and the carriaees of the
train topple over and fell down the embank-
ment. The remainder of the cow's carcass was
scattered along the railway for about 50 yards. The
accident occurred almost opposite to the slip of land out
of which the cow escaped. The land was separat
from the railway by a " cut and laid" quickest hedge,
which, when he last saw it before the accident, was a
very good one. That was soeae three months back. A
cow might leap such a Lame, but it would be a good
jump. Witness had known a cow jump over a five.
barred gate. Where this fence might be considered in •
sufficient was in places where the posts and rails, placed
on either side of it when the quick,,ot was planted, had
been removed. Had they been allo wed to remain, wit-
ness would have considered the fence strong enough for
anything.
By Mr. Cleather—Witness had never heard of stock
getting out on to the railway in that neighbourhood
before. He considered the fence good enough fir quiet
cattle, but, in consequence of the field in which this par-
ticular cow was confined being " ridge and furrow" the
land rose near the hedge, and the fe. cc was less difficult
ti clear. Witness did not examine the hedge on the day
of the accident after it had been broken down by the
carriages, and trampled upon by many persons in their
endeavours to assist the wounded persons. There was
no delay in extricating the,e who were killed. Witness
,ent for wine from his house for the injcred persons, and
did all he could t ) relieve their sufferings.
Mr. Cleather wee very glad to have an opportunity of
conr;p'any
During
he begged to thank him fur it.
l'hornpsoa had rendered, and in the name of the
PvNultatiloilY:leltkhfrieloomtvwxl;rig..nianGtgl the valuat,la aver whiz',
resented by roin of
dthish.wiitnesrse siriermoabristery.
threatened
het I
it hul
ticsavj el I tyth e; iwur °cIPU upon
s which
room,hicicl hhel‘alnrd Gse'red wif°'h)ei
another tribunal.
purchaesZ
eouGldeotrigoet
Baker,jun
~,fl;f.t.hepeer of the Bull I n, at Attie-
abcocrioduegnht,,
suani(dl ohwenehraii.
Cotwtv,heicahuio.4cacriwotiitehd
bet
calf calf on the previous Friday at
cook 'away her calf, and turned her into market. He
xithe piece of
Lind adjoining the railway on Saturdalyntuo
tber with a pony. The cow now and then lowed" for
ber calf, but wiAese took no notice of that. Nothing
had ever strayed out of this field before during the three
o • four years he had held it. The fence was "cut and
1 tid" about six or eight weeks ago, and some of the old
posts and rails were then removed. After that witness
told his father that he did not think the fence was so