The Sun.
London, England, 1858-07-14 00:00:00

CATING HEAVY GUNS.

A paragraph in our journal of yesterday is calcu-
lated to give the public an erroneous impression.
We refer to the following :
"Th 98-pounder guns recently east at the Royal
Standard iron Gun Foundry, Woolwich Arsenal,
were yesterday subjected •to a series of proofs, in
the presence of numerous Royal Artillery officers
and other members of the seluct committee for con-
ductiog experiments. As previously stated, these
experiments were regarded with more than ordi-
nary interest, in consequence of the whole of the
guns heretofore cast at this establishment having •
been condemned on proof."
For some time a series of misstatemen's have
been in circulation, and it appears that our corre-
spondent was misled by some of these. So far from
"the guns heretofore cast having been condemned
on pr,o''," none had been provcd, owing to some
defect in the proof-butt. In the House of CAn-
mons, on Thursday last, Mr. H. Vivian asked the
Secretary of State for War " whether it was a fact
that the new gun foundry at Woolwich for casting
iron ordnance had, up to this time, proved a failure,
and from what cause ; and whether any service-
able guns had as yet been produced there ; and if
so, how many ?" Gen. Peel, iu reply, said "it was
not a fact that the new gnu foundry in Woolwich
had, up to that moment, been a failure. On the con-
trary, he. had reason to hope and believe that un-
der its present able superintendence, it would ho
successful. It was true it was found inaposAible,
though from no fault of the foundry, to complete the
number of gnus ordered last year. Several of the
heaviest guns ara.l six-pounders were to be proved
on Monday next."
In this statement the various anonymous attacks
made upon the royal gun factories were flatly con-
tradicted. Many important improvements hay:;
been
effected in these esiablishnient4 end operations
have been carried on with great SUC 'CE-SS. A cons:-
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solely on account of necessary repairs in the proof-
butt. As General Peel stated on Thursday last,
this defect has now been remedied, and some of
the guns ready for proof were on Monday last put
to the test- The manner in which the different
operations have been conduced leaves nothing
whatever to be desired. The officers presiding
orer the different departments have performed
their duties with zeal and ability.—Herald;.

PENSION TO THE WIDOW OF HOG AN, TEE SCULPTOR.
—We are gratified to learn that Lord Derby has con-
ferred a pension of 1001. a year on the widow of John
Hogan. For this kind consideration his family aro
largely indeb' el to the zeal of the Earl of Eelintoo, who
warmly seceroled the exertions of Hogan's numerous
friends and admirers, and pressed the claims ef his
family on the Government —Dublin Freeman.
ELECTION OF THE POOR LAW AUDITOR FOR ST.
PANCEAS.—Yeaterday the directors of the poor of St.
PanCras were specially summoned to meet in the vestry-
hall, Camden-town, to elect a poor-law auditor, by order
of the Poor-law Bard. There were many candidates,
but Mr. F. Streeten, barrister, was elected by a very
large nejorily. Mr. Streetea is a member of tee Burial
Board, but will now resign that position.
HOLYHEAD NEW WORKS —A new jetty for facilitating
the lauding of the mails is about to be erected in the
new barbeur at Holyhead, the necersary sum having
been granted for the purpose. The works are to be ina•
medittely proceeded v,ith by MessrF. J. H. Rigby, the
contractors. This work will be but a temporary wooden
jetty to expedite the delivery of the American and other
math Her Maje:ty'e ship, the Hastings, 60 guns, with
the gun boat tender, has left the harbour for Liverpool,
but ihe will return next month.
MANUFACTURED PRIZE CATTLE.--The Ayrshire Ex-
press states that a criminal prosecution is about to be
made against Mr. Paton, Bankhead, Partick, whoFe
name will be remembered in connection with the " doc-
toring" of cattle at the last exhibition of the Ayrshire
Agricultural Association, when two of his animals were
found to have been operated upon by inflation, and the
decoration of artificial horn, on which grounds the
prizes ;:warded them were eel bsequently viiiiblitl. I.
COURT OF ALDERMEN. —Yesterday a Court was held
for the ritspatch of ousieess. Aldermen Hale and De-
P 4 C•mdere the teale-el,cced ebeeeffe, ger,. bend ;o
th`-' Ce-rt for tl-,s ptrfermaoce of the duties of the effice,
Ahlerman Se!ornons moved, in accordance with hie
notice :—" That no action or suit be instituted for this
city, cr any cation or suit be defended, without previous
cornrouniez:tion with the Committee for General Pur-
poses of the Court of Aldermen, to whom a report shall
be made from tirue to time as to the progress of the
suite." As the motion weaet the carrying out of ar-
rangements which had been alre.aly made' with regard
to the prosecution of criminals, it was not his intention
to trouble the Court with any comments up Ai the sub-
ject. Alderman Wire seconded the motion, which was
carried unanimously. Adjourned.
AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL COMPANY. —Yesterday
the general meetin of this cnmpany took place at the
g
I offices, Cannon-street—Mr. J. G. Cattley in the chair.
The report was adopted, and a dividend of 15a. per share
declared, as recommended therein, which, added to the
sum of 1/. per share apportioned in February lee% was
A said to be eqniyalent to 9 per cent, per annum.