The Sun.
London, England, 1867-09-10 00:00:00

Alarming Occurrence at Birmingham.

On Sunday night, about a quarter to 9 o'clock,
a most extraordinary accident occurred on Soho
Pool, Birmingham, bolonging to Mr. Knibb, by
which about 150 persons were placed in imminent
peril of their lives. It appeared that recently Mr.
Knibb has had a spacious raft constructed, capable
of holding 300 or 400 persons, and on the raft dur-
ing the summer months crowds of young people have
disported themselves. A small steamer has also
been recently launched on the pool. On Sunday
evening the raft was attached to the steamer, and
visitors were invited to go for a ride round the pool.
The cost was ld., and about 150 persons, chiefly
females and children, took their places on the raft.
When the voyage was about half completed a child
accidentally fell into the water, and a young man
immediately jumped in after it and rescued it. The
people on the raft at once heedlessly rushed to the
side on which the accident had occurred, and as the
raft instantly tilted nearly over, the 150 persons
were as quickly floundering in the water, but having
the raft still under their feet. The engineer of the
steamer, seeing how things were, reversed the
engine, driving the raft into shallow water, and,
by means of boats and other assistance which was
at hand, the people were got safely on the bank.
Several females, however, who were up to their
knees in water, and who fancied the raft would sink
still deeper, made energetic • plunges for a place of
safety ; of course, they only found themselves in
deeper water, struggling forlife, but every one who
had gone on the raft was rescued.

officials at Liverpool are
THE ABYSSINIAN EXPEDITIoN. —The Admiralty
pushing on with the preparation
of the ten steam transports for the service between Bom-
bay and Ifassowah, and the greater number of these ves-
sels have gone across to the Birkenhead docks to take in
coal from the tips there. A great deal of practical incon-
venience, however, has been sustained in consequence of
the coalhoavors having taken advantage of the demand for
their labour to strike for an advance of 25 per cent. on
their wages, and,
in order that the work may not be re-
tarded, the Government agents have been compelled to pay
the advanced rate. The ;tillers also, are endeavouring to
make hay while the sun shines'' and yesterday a bill was
issued requesting all men who were about to engage for
the expedition not to accept less than £4 per month wages,
the present rate of wages being £2 10s. It is thought that
for the reason given above this demand will also have to
be complied with.

HARLOW ANNUAL FAIR.—Yesterday this great
Essex fair, at which has hitherto been exhibited the unsold
cattle from Barnet, in addition to the largo contributions of
horn stock from Norfolk and Suffolk, was hold at Harlow,
but the county regulations prohibited the cattle trade being
carried on. In the horse fairyoung and sound harness horses
sold at 35 to 45 guineas, and light nag horses at 25 to 40
guineas, and ponies and aged horses 8 to 14 gitineas.
Several droves of sheep of the Scotch breeds were brought
into the vicinity of the fair, but sheep-dealers experienced
a dull demand.

LA TEST Iti TEL LIG ENUE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

A USTR I A.

VIINNA, Sept. 10.

The Emperor of Austria has granted permission
to Count Apponyi, the Ambassador in London, to
accept the Netherlands Order of the Golden Lion
of Nassau.