The Sun.
London, England, 1867-01-21 00:00:00

GREECE AND THE PO RTE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)
PARIS, Jan. 19.
The Memorial Diplomatique of to-day publishes
;he following :

The recall of Photiades Bey, Turkish Minister at
Athens, has been wrongly interpreted as the pre-
lude to a rupture between Greece and the Porte.
Photiades Bey was recalled because, belonging to
the Greek nationality and religion, he was placed
in a very delicate position.

The same journal states that the Porte has de-
cided to accede to the demand of Servia to evacuate
the fortresses, including that of Belgrade.

THE GREAT LOSS OF LIFE AT THE

REGENT'S-PARK.

CORONER'S INQUEST—Tins DAY.

The Coroner's inquiry into the causes attending
the terrible calamity in the Regent's Park on Tues-
day last, by which so many persons lost their lives
by the breaking up of the ice, was commenced this
day before Dr. Lankester and a jury, at the Court
House, Marylebone-lane.

The Coroner, on opening the inquiry, said he pro-
posed, in the first instance, to take the evidence of
such persons as were on the ice, and then to hear
evidence as to the causes, such as the breaking of
the ice, or the running off of the water, and other
theories which would be put forth that led to the
accident. Mr. Russell was present from the Com-
missioners of the Board of Works, and he would
state what had been done in the matter, as it was
suggested that the water in the lake should be run
off to ascertain whether any other bodies remained.
Mr. Russell said Lord John Manners was unable
to remain in town, but he was sure he need hardly
say that there was the utmost desire that every
assistance should be rendered.

A juror asked what steps had been taken to em-
ploy persons to clear the ice, because it seemed very
improper that collections should have to be made
to pay the poor men engaged in recovering the
bodies ?

Mr. Russell said the only person who had not
been paid was Mr. Heinke, who volunteered the use
of his diver, which was very willingly accepted.
The Commissioners were, he need hardly say, very
anxious to render every assistance in their power.
A Juror—l saw a gentleman make collections,
and I think such a service should not have to be
paid by voluntary contributions.
Mr. Russell—All persons except Mr. Heinke
have been paid. The That Commissioner of Works
is anxious that everything possible should be done
in the speediest manner.
The first witness examined was

Mr. Lawrence Parnell Phillips, 35, Hunter-street,
Brunswick-square, who said—l was on the ice on
Tuesday last at about half-past 2 until the time of
the accident. I was on it at the time it took place.
Previous to the accident, speaking of the whole body
of the ice, I should say it was in a very bad con-
dition. I first went on the ice by the boat-house
and crossed over towards Hanover-gate. There the
ice appeared in good condition, and haying put my
skates on and skated up towards the island, I found
the ice in that locality very like a tesselated pave-
ment, being starred in all directions with large
pieces, as if the ice had been broken and refrozen
again. The pieces were from two to three feet square.
I continued along the surface until I arrived be-
tween the islands, where there were a number of
large cracks, through which I saw water gently
oozing. On getting nearer the larger islands the
water came up in sharp spurts, and rose above
the surface for a few minutes; and why I mention
this is, I believe the ice there was not resting on the
water, and, seeing that this was not the case with
the ice in the middle, I went there, but when I
wanted to get off I found the ice had been broken
all round the edges.

The Coroner—Did you see anybody breaking the
ice 7—No, I did not.

But you say that the edges:of the ice were broken
while you were thereon ?—Yes ; of that I am
certain.

Witness continued—Finding I could not get off,
I then went to the smaller island, and there I found
a portion of the ice covered with water.
Coroner—You cannot say whether there were
holes there ?—No, I cannot.

Witness—Finding I could not get on the island
I went to the other side, and there I saw a number
of persons struggling to get off the ice by means of
a ladder. Some persons went in, and then a sort
of panic seemed to seize them, and they all rushed
to the middle of the ice, which immediately broke
up. I then laid myself down on the ice, and in
about half a minute I was in the water.
I saw a Royal Humane Society's man at
the corner near the larger island advising
the people to leave, and pressing them on to where
the ladder I have referred to was lying. Ido not
know his number. Whilst I was down on the ico I
saw a young man go past me, and he went into
the water, and I never saw him rise again. I
should suppose he was skating from the rapidity
with which he went past me.

Coroner—You then fell into the water. How
did you get out ?—That I can't tell. I suppose I
must have swam ashore or supported myself on
some large pieces of ice. I saw an aged person
screaming for
Whelp, also a gentleman holding up
two children. I saw numbers go down and never
rise again.

What did you do at this time ? —I held on to
the ice and took hold of different pieces, and by
the aid of treading the water I managed, I suppose.
to get off. My feet never touched the bottom until
I arrived near the edge. When I got there I found
the men and boys were scrambling and drowning
each other, and I then moved back and remained in
the water until a favourable opportunity presented
itself.

The Coroner—Why, you must have travelled
about 200 yards in the water.
A Juror—l have just measured the plan. It is
exactly 100 yards from the point mentioned by
witness to that at which he got out.
Witness—While I was in the water I saw a boat
pass me, and I pushed it on as well as I could to
where I saw the gentleman with the two children.
Coroner—Did they pick up the gentleman and
the two children ?—Yes ; and having seen that
done, I made the best of my way to the shore.
Coroner—Have you any other observation to
make about the matter?—No. I think the ice was
resting on the water. The ice was bending, but
I think more than under ordinary circumstances.
Before the ice broke there were two or three very
heavy waves. From the first my impression was
that the ice was dangerous.

The Coroner—Then did that tempt you to go
on ?—No, I did not become aware of it until I got
on, and in the middle. I walked about to ascertain
before I went on to see whether any caution bills
were posted up, but I could not.
A juror—You did not think about getting off
until you had been on nearly an hour ?—I was the
whole of that time trying to get off after I found
the iceswas bad.

Coroner—Your opinion is that the break-up was
occasioned by the whole of the persons who had
been driven to the ladder being seized with panic
and rushing to the centre ?
A Juror—What do you moan by " driving ?"