The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-17 00:00:00

WNDON, TUESDAY EVENING,
.AUGUST. 17, 1858.

The LATE MYSTERIOUS DEATH at ACXON,

EXTRAORDINARY DISCLOSURES

The adjourned inquest on the body of John GateS, who
was found dead on the Actbu-road, ou Monday night, the
9th inst., stabbed to the heart by soate sharp instrument,
was resumed yesterday afternoon before Mr. Wallley.!
The inquest-room was crowded with persons anxious to
hear the proceedings, a report having been circulated that
two officers in. her MPjesly's navy were inculpated in the
death of the deceased. _

On the assembling of the jury sevcral of them complained
that an erroneous statement had appeared in the papers, to
The effect that the inquest was to be held on Tuesday (this
evening).
Mr. Wakley stated that he believed the " inaccuracy"
complained of was intentional.
Henry George was the first witness examined—l live at
Ealing, and am a groom. On Monday night last, about 10
minutes to 12 o'clock, I found the body of the deceased close
to the Priory on the high road near the railway bridge. It
was lying in the middle of the road. There were two men
standing close by. I would not know either of the men
again. They cried out to the man that was driving
the Uxbridge waggon, on which I was seated, "Don't
run over that fellow." The men were going to-
wards 'London. One of them was swinging a stick or
cane in his hand, but I could not tell what it was exactly, as
it was a very dark night. One of the men was tall and the
other short. The man who was driving the waggon said,
" Why don't you pull that man out of the road ?"
but they made nPanswer. I then got down and dragged
the body from the middle of the road on to the path. There
was a loaf and a handkerchief lying close to the body. There
was blood flowing from his mouth. I then met two police-
men, a►►d told them to go to the aSsistanee of the wounded
man.

The Coroner—Did you see any weapon near the body....
sword, dagger, or stick ?
Witness—l did not.
A Juror—Did you see either of the men hit the deceased?

Witness—No; I only saw one of them swing a stick.
Mr. Henry Bailey Lingham, member of the College of
Surgeons, residing at Acton, said—l first saw the body on
Monday night shortly before 12 o'clock. It was lying 100
yards from the railway bridge, close to the Priory wall.
The deceased was then quite dead. A quantity of
blood bad flowed from the mouth and face, and
the lower part of the face was covered with blood.
There was also a quantity of frothy blood on the road near
where the body was found. I examined the clothes parti-
cularly, thinking the man might have been run over, but
they were not disturbed. At that time I noticed no sign of
violence about the body. I ordered it to be taken to the
nearest public-house, the George Inn. It was afterwards
taken to the dead-house, because the landlord refused to
allow it to lie in the coach-house, as he expected carriages
to be brought in. I made a post mortent examination on
Wednesday last. On the previous day I made an examina-
tion, and found blood exuding, which could not have come
from the mouth. I found the clothes saturated with blood,
and a small cut in the coat, and a corresponding one in the
shirt. On examining the chest, I perceived a wound half
drt inch in length corresponding to the cuts in the
shirt and coat. The cut was two and a half inches
to the right side of the right nipple. A very small
quantity of blood had been discharged from it.
I subsequently opened the chest, and on removing the skin
I found blood under the cellular tissues and slight crepita-
tion. On opening the chest there was a corresponding
wound in the pleura. It extended into the left auricle of the
heart, through the right lung. A great quantity of blood
remained in the cavity of the chest and the pericardium.

The Coroner—Was the wound sufficient to cause death ?
Witness—Yes; no man could have survived such a wound.
I believe he died instantaneously.
The Coroner—Do you think he could have lived a mo-
ment?

Witness—He could not possibly have lived a moment.
The wound in the lung was so large that I could put the
tip of my finger into it.

The witness here produced the clothes, which were
marked with blood at the place where the incisions were
made. Thexoroner and the jury minutely examined the
places where the weapon had entered, which were very
small, and must have bten effected with a very sharp in-
strument.

Mr. Liogham further stated that there was a small punc-
ture near the pit of the stomach, but that he could not say
it was done by any weapon.

John Mansell, No. 1 T division of police, deposed that he
searched the pockets of the deceased, and found a pair of
spectacles in a case, three halfpence, a small piece of pewter
pipe, some tobacco, and a piece of soap. There was also a
parcel lying beside the body containing a half-quarters loaf
and a piece of bacon. There were no other cuts in the clothes
except those deposed to by the surgeon.
Mr. Edward Tarlton, superintendent of the T division
of police, here addressed the coroner, and stated that it had
become his duty to arrest that morning Mr. Henry Augus-
tus Clavering, of 61, Inverness-road, Bayswater, a lieute-
nant in hsr Majesty's navy. He bad taken Lieut. Claver-
ing before the magistrate at Hammersmith, who held him
to bail in sureties of £2OO and £lOO to appear before him
on Friday next at 2 o'clock.

The Coroner inquired whether Lieut. Clavering was
present ?
Mr. Tarleton said he was in the house and would attend.

Lieut. Clavering, a gentleman very fashionably attired,
and about 30 years of age, here entered the room and took
a seat close to the superintendent of police. Ile appeared
to treat the matter very lightly.
The Coroner—Are there not other witnesses ?

A gentleman, who stated that Ms name was Thomas
Miller, and that he was a post-captain in her Majesty's
navy, then stepped forward 0 give evidence. He said—l
reside at the Grove, Exeter, and came to London this after-
noon. I am staying at 61, Inverness-terrace, Bayswater.
That is the residence of Lieut. Clavering. I was in the
Acton-road, near the Priory, on Monday night last, about
12 o'clock. Lieut. Clavering was with me. We were on
foot. As we approached the railway bridge we thought we
had lost our way. I imagined we were on the road from
Turnham-green towards Acton. We had been out for a walk.
We emerged into the high road from Acton, out of a narrow
dark lane. As we got out of the lane, at a point about four
miles from town, we observed a man at the opposite fide of
the way evidently intoxicated, swearing, talking to himself,
and making a great commotion. I said to Clavering, " We had
better let that fellow pass on." He did not go on very quick,
so we waited a little and then proceeded. On coming nearly
up to him he turned round furiously towards us, and to the
best of my belief said, " What the business have you
heie—what are you up to here ?" I thought the accent was
that of a foreigner, and I said to Clavering, "He is some
discharged ♦alet or barber." Clavering said to the man,
" We are two gentlemen taking a walk for our amusement,
and I should like to know what business that is of
yours?" What the man staid to this I cannot say, but
I heard disconnected sentences, such as "Do for you,"
and then he made a rush right upon Clavering, who
happened to be nearer to him than I was. Clavering
struggled with him with a swordstick in his hand. (A
very formidable swordcane, nearly as large as the regula-
tion sword, was here produced.)

The Coroner—What do you mean by " struggling witb
him ?"

Witness—The deceased caught hold of the swordstick.
and Clavering told him to mind what he was about, as he
had a swordstick in his hand. He repeated this two or
three times. The night was very dark. I did not myself
see the sword leave the sheath ; but I saw the man strike
two or three severe blows at Claveriog, and one
came right down on his head. I then saw that Claver-
ing's sword was drawn, and it seemed to me be
was endeavouring to keep the man off the point.
I then thought I saw something glitter like a knife or,p
polished pistol in the unfortunate man's hand. I then
sang out, "Take care, Harry, he has a knife or pistol in his
hands, so look out." I grasped my own stick tighter, and
got a little nearer to the man to ascertain what it was that
he bad in his band. I heard Clavering say distinctly to the
man,
when endeavouring to keep him &from the end of the
sword, "Take care or I may do you an injury." He then
said, "This is the third time, I tell you take care, I may do
you an injury." The man made another rush after that
warning, and he fell. I never saw Clavering strike a blow
or make a thrust, but I saw him retreat to the side of the
path. When I saw the man fall I said, "Come along,
Harry, I expect there are more of them about." He re-
plied, " Hold on a minute [until I pick up the end of my
swordstick." I did not know until then that it was with the
sheath of the swordstick that the deceased had struekClaver-
lug. We then went on. Claveriog remarked, " I fear I may
have pricked the fellow." I said, "Nonsense, Harry. I
was close to him, and could swear you never touched him ;
I expect his drunkenness has been the cause of his fall."
He said, " Well, I don't know ; but I will tee directly
whether there is any blood or stain on the point of my
sword—possibly he may have got pricked in the arm while
rushing on me." I said, "Well, if that's all it will do him
no harm, and serve him very well right; but I could al-
most swear you hav'nt touched him." A cart was passing
by at a slow trot in the direction of Acton, and Clavering
sang out, "There is a drunken fellow on the road-side;
take care and don't go over him." I also sang out, " You
had Letter pick the fellow up, and put him in the cart."
After going oti a little further, we came to a light place on
the road-side, and Clavering said, " Hold on until I see
whether that fellow was really pricked or not." Clavering
then drew the sword, and we examined it minutely, and there
was no mark or stain of blood of any description on the
sword, and I remarked " There, you see, I told you you bad
never touched the man," or " he was never touched."
Clavering said, " I am very glad of it; but if he had been
pricked it would have been his own doing." then observed

that a little bit had been chipped out of the sheath of the
swords k. Befoilethis I had said, " Shall we go back and
look at the felltem," and I 1?, said, " No; I don't see the use
of it." That Is ill i have to say.
The Coroner—Then, gentlemen, I am bound to tell you
that, on every protind, it is right that we should adjourn
this inquiry in oettiß to have additional evidence.
The Foreman °title Jury—May eve not, cross-examine
Copt. Mince?
The Coronee-ei cannot alloW him to be cross-examined.
It is a very help tent cas.!, and I must bind the witness
over in hea‘y recd ;uieanees to appear here again. He vo-
lunteered the statement ha has just made, and I did not
think it necessary to caution him as to what he was about
to say; but alter thestatement he has made, and considering
that he was prtsent during the affray, I think it would be
wrong to cress-examine him. 1, therefore, propose to
adjourn until Thursday next ; and as bath Capt. Miller and
Lieut. (slavering must appear before me, it is possible they
may avail themselves of legal assistance.
Lieut. Clavering then s!epped forward and said—l have
only got to say that if a man has run through another in-
tentionally his conscience must accuse him; but I will take
my oath, and may God strike me dead if I tell a lie, that I
never pointed my sword towards him. He struck rue three
times.

Ttie Coroner—l think you had better say no more at this
moment.

Lieut. Claveripg—l wish to make that statement before
my couotlymen.

Capt. Miller—Am I to consider myself a culprit in cus-
tody. I am quite ready to appear, and I knew nothing of
the affair until I read it. in the newspapers.
The Coroner—I certainly cannot allow you to leave the
room until you have entered into your recognisances to
appear on Thursday.
Capt. am quite ready to appear.
The Coroner (to Mr.Tarlton)—llid Lieut. Clavering give
himself up tl you ?
Mr. Tarlton—He went to Sir Richard Mayne ; and, from
information, I went to Inverness-terrace, where be made a
statement,.and said he was willing to go before a magistrate.
I met bitn by appointment at the Broeliqreen station. We
then went before the magistrate at Hammersmith, when some
evidence was teku, and the further hearing adjourned until
Friday next-at two o'clock.
Lieut. Clavering was then bound over in his personal
surety for 4500, and Capt. Miller in £3OO, to appear at the
adjourned inquest on Thursday next.
The Coroner—Then the inquiry will be adjourned until
Thursday next, when I hope the whole of the evidence will
be completed. The case is one of great importance. The
public attention is intensely directed to it, and I recommend
the jury between this and Thursday not to enter into any
discussion with other persens upon the features and general
character of the case as at present they have only heard one
side.
The case was then adjourned until Thursday.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

ROYSTON AND HITCHIN.

The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at the
offices, in Great St. Helen's, yesterday—Mr. Wm. Reid in
the chair—when the guaranteed dividend, at the rate of .6
per cent. per annum, was declared, short income tax, and
lid. every ,E 6 ss. stock for expenses.

MID-KENT (BROMLEY TO ST. MARY CRAY).
The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at the
offices, South Sea House, yesterday—Mr. Dent in the chair.
The SECRETARY read the advertisement convening the
meeting, and the report, which said—

" The directors have the satisfaction ofcongratulating the
proprietors on the opening of so touch of the Hid-Kent
Railway as lies between Shortlande and Southborough;
and they look with confidence to the arrangements which
have been entered into with the South-Eastern Company
for working the line proving beneficial to both companies,
The directors have the pleasure of stating that, during the
time the railway has been open, namely, six weeks, the
gross receipts at the Brotnley and Southborough-road
stations have amounted to £a7l Bs. 9J., which show an
average of £95 ss. per week for passenger traffic alone.
The accommodation for passengers, goods, and coal, at
13rondey, is being provided upon an enlarged scale, at the
request of the South-Eastern Company. The cost of these
works, therefore, will exceed what had been previously
considered sufficient by the board; but looking to the im-
portant and obvious advantages which the Bromley station
will afFord to a large and increasing traffic, the direc-
tors have felt themselves justified in adopting the re-
quirements of the South-Eastern Company. As re-
gards the working agreement which had been entered
into between the twcs companies, the directors have to ob-
serve, that in consequence of an informality in advertising
the extraordinary general meeting which took place on the
22d of June last, it is necessary, at the close of the business
of the half-yearly meeting to-day, that the meeting be de-
clared special, for the purpose of again submitting that
agreement for your approval. The directors believe that
the total expenditure for the present purposes of the line
will have to be ascertained during the current half-year.
The consent of the shareholders will be this day requested
to the exercise of the company's borrowing powers, to the
extent of f'23,000, in pursuance of the provisions contained
in the Act of Incorporation. The directors have to report
that the bill referred to in the last balf-yearly report for
powers to lease the undeitsking to the South-Eastern
Company has been rejected by Parliament ; and they deem
it necessary also to acquaint you that Parliament has saec-
tioned the bill promoted by the East Kent Company, for
enabling them to extend their railway from Stromd
to join the Bromley and St. Mary Cray, Railway; re-
jecting the line promoted by the South-Eastern Company.
Although the recent contest between the South-Eastern 8114
the East Kent Companies necessarily led to Parliamentary
action on the part of the Mid-Kent Company, and at a cost
disproportionate to the length of its line; yet inasmuch as
the result has been that your directors have been enabled
to perfect their relations with their original allies, the
South-Eastern, and by means of the working agreement
hereinhefore alluded to have secured to the proprietors the
advantages of a fixed income; and, moreover, as they have
made an agreement with the East Kent Compaey for the
exercise of the running powers granted by Parliament over
the Crays Railway, by which agreement the East Kent
has bound itself to pay 80 per cent. of all the traffic it
may carry over your line, guaranteeing likewise a minimum
payment of El,OOO per annum from the time of opening
the line from Strocd to St. Mary Cray, sad for three years
afterwards, unless in the meantime the East Kent system
shall have been opened to Dover, when £1,500 per annum
will be the minimum. The directors entertain the opinion
that such outlay has been advantageous to the interests of
the proprietors, and they hope that there may now be a
termination of the costly struggle which hes existed for
several years. They have the satisfaction of further report-
ing that the bill to authotise the construction of a station
near Victoria-street, Pitelico, and of a railway to connect
the same with the west end of London and Crystal Palace
Rails ay, hrs received the royal assent. Your directors are
satisfied that the improved communication which will
thereby be afforded at no distant period between Mid Kent
and the West-end of London will be of the greatest value
in developing the traffic of the Bromley and St. Mary Cray
Railway."

The CHAIRMAN moved the adoption of the report, and
stated it was a matter of sincere congratulation that the line
to Southhorouith-road was opened on the sth July last, and
the traffic had been so satisfactory as to promise a good
return to the South-Eastern Company, who was to work
the line for ten years. It was a matter of regret that this
company had been driven into Parliamentary contests, the
expenses of which pressed heavily on so short a line. The
East Kent Company had obtained powers to extend their line
from Strood to St. Mary Cray, with power, if the line was not
completed beyond the Southborough-road by the Crays
Company, to complete it themselves, and probably this com-
pany might leave them to do so. The South-Eastern Com-
pany evidently expected large traffic on the line, and had
called upon them to make the necessary arrangements at
Bromley, which they were now completing. The result of
the Parliamentary contests had been to enable them to
complete their arrangements with the South-Eastern
Company, and also to enter into a satisfacto:y agree-
ment with the East Kent Company. The irregu-
larity of the last special meeting arose fr.)m a
mistake of the newsman, by which the notice calling the
meeting was not advertised fourteen days, and the Board of
Ti ode called upon them to re-advertise, and again take the
opinion of the shareholders on the question. He considered
the present slate of Parliamentary committees with respect
to railways the most unsatisfactory and disgraceful that
could well be devised—the only certainty being that the
decision would be in accordance with the private views of
the individual members, without regard to the justice of the
case; and it was certainly a most extraordinary position
in which to leave £300,000,000 of capital embarked in these
undertakings.
The report was adopted, the board authorised to borrow
the amount as mentioned in the report, and £l,OOO voted to
the directors for their past services.

The meeting was then made special, ar.d the agreement
with the South-Eastern Company for a minimum dividend
of four per cent. again approved, Mr. Simpson explaining
that the engagement with the East Kent line had been
entered into for the protection of their allies the South-
Eastern Company, and not in opposition to them. It was
to protect the South-Eastern that they insisted on having
a guaranteed amount from the East Kent before they (the
Mid Kent) would withdraw their opposition to the East
Kent Bill. _ _

A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.

MID-KENT.

meeting of this company was held after
The half-yearly
the above at the London Tavern—Sir J. W. Lubbock in the
chair. _

•
Mr. BELLAMY read the advertisement convening the
meeting, and, after the other usual formalities, the follow-
ing report was laid before the proprietors :
" The gross receipts eaTned upon the lice during the past
half-year amount to
831 17s. Bd., showing an increase of
£766 13s. 6d. upon the corresponding period of last year.
The arbitrator to whom the question of the deductions
claimed by the South
.Eastern Company was referred, hav-
ing decided that the Mid-Kent Coinpaby are entitled, under
the agreement, to a clear 6) per cent. of the gross earnings
of the line, free from all seductions, the company's net pro-
portion of the above will amount to £1,715 17s. sd.
From this sum must be deducted the expenrs of manage-
ment, which have been apportioned this half-year as last,
and for the same reasons, and the debenture interest,
amounting together to £698 16s. 2d. ; and leaving, with the
amount brought forward from last year, a balance of
£1,248 3s. 5(1., out of which the directors recommend a divi-
dend of 11 per cent. for the half-year, or at the rate of per
cent. for the year. Notwithstandiag the general falling off

in the receipts en the railways throughout England during
the last six months the traffic on the line has steadily improved,
and
firolusiitycerintlites )tiptvlbir,irgoti
got
.ti.loaaroS, t;n Atlhaeryl
etCroafy3Rualyil:vi at y
hastn
shown such a nia, keit increase that h considerably higher
rate of dividend may be anticipated for the next hal-year.
The directors reprd with satisfaction the passing of the act
in the late session for the Es ,-.1. Kent Extension from
Strold to Sr. Mary Cray, which caitimt but be the means of
throwing a considerable additional traffic upon this line.
The renewal of the application for the Croydon Extension
by this company has ltd to au arrangement with the
Brighton Company, by which nearly all the objects sought
by the bill will be attained at a much less cost. Under this
arrangement it is intended to construct a short line froai the
West London and Crystal Palace Company's Extension,
near Penge, to the Brighton line at Nor.vood Station, and
to form the western jutic!ion, of the Mid-Kent line with thp!
West-cud line at Beckenham. Direct access will thus be
given from all places on the North Kent Railway to Croydon
and other stations on the Brighton Company's system, which
will undoutstedly bring a large accession of traffic to the
Mid-Kent line. There is one subject in connection with the
revenue account on which the directors wish to give an ex-
planation. The item of maintenance of the line and works
usually dppears as one of the heaviest charges against this
account. Under the agreement the South Eastern Corn-
pany are to work the line for 40 per cent. of the gross
receipts for the first two years, during which time the Mid-
Kent Company are to maintain the way and works; (after
that term the maintenance falls on the South Eastern Com-
pany, who are then entitled to 50 per cent. of the gross
receipts.) It was, therefore, arranged with the contractors
that the term for which they were bound to keep the line in
good repair, viz., 12 months, should be doulaled ; and a
small additional sum was added to the contract for that pur-
pose. After the close of ibis year the arrangement for main-
tenance by the South-Eastern Company comes into effect."
The report having been adopted, the CHAIRMAN congratu-
lated the proprietors on the increasing revenue of the com-
pany. During the last mouth the traffic bad still further
increased, and their prospects were more flattering than ,
they could have anticipated at so early a date.
The dividend was declared, and a vote of thanks to the
chairman closed the proceedings.

TAFF VALE.
The report of the directors states that adverse circum-
stances have caused a considerable diminution in the trade of
the railway during the past half year. A considerable reduc-
tion has been effected in the working expenses on the amounts
charged for relaying the permanent way and maintenance of
way and works, but, as these outlays will be heavier during
the current half-year, and there are also other circumstances
which may affect the revenue account, the directors have
felt called upon to reduce the dividend. The balance of
the revenue account, assisted by the reserve in hand at the
end of the llaA half-year, enables the directors to declare a
dividend at the rate of 7 per cent., per annum, payable on
the Gth September next, with a dividend in the same pro-
portion on the preference stock No. I. They have also ap-
plied the usual sum of X 750 to the depreciation fund. Pre-
parations are being made for the prosecution of new works,
under the powers of the last Act of Parliament, on a scale
calculated to afford increased accommodation to the trade.
Since the last meeting a distribution of the new capital
has been made among the proprietors, and a deposit of £2
per share bas been paid thereon. The capital account to
the 30th of June last shows a total receipt of £1,133,367,
and a total expenditure of £1,145,31, leaving a balance of
£41,924 against capital. The revenue account for the half-
year shows a total receipt of £98,076, of which amount
£53,615 has been expended, leaving a balance of, £44,401.
'Of this sum £21,745 has been applied to the payment of
interest on debentures, preferential stock, &c. The balance
of £22,716 is carried to the general revenue account.