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

occurred had the edges of the ice not been broken ?
--I believe it would ; but a greater number of per-
sons would have had an opportunity of escaping. In
my opinion the ice was entirely rotten.
The Coroner suggested it would be convenient if
they could take scientific evidence at this part, but
as none were in attendance he thought it best that
Mr. Young, the secretary of the Royal Humane
Society, should be examined.
Mr. Young thought that the man in the boat,
whose conduct in breaking the ice had been com-
mented on by a witness, should be at once
examined. This was agreed to, and

Alfred Ward, No. 5 Royal Humane Society, was
called. He said—l am in the employ of the
society whilst the frost continues. I have been so
employed on two previous years. Printed instruc-
tions are given to all men so employed, but I am
sorry to say I have not studied them as I ought to
have done.

Mr. Spencer was here called, and he recognised
;he witness as the man he had seen in the boat.

Witness continued admit lam the person.
I was on the ice on Tuesday last. I had nothing to
do with the breaking up of the ice round the
island.

Coroner—Did you break any ice yoursels ?—The
ice I broke I did with my axe about 3 o'clock. I
noticed the ice was very dangerous between the
small island and the shore, and was giving way. I
had orders given me to keep the boat where I could
within the channelbetween the two islands. I placed
my boat between the islands, and whenever I moved
it water came up. I cautioned the people off, but
they took no heed. While people see a safe piece
of ice they will stop and skate. Thinking that by
allowing the boat to make a water mark that would
prevent the skaters going to that dangerous point.
While I was sitting in the boat the gentleman
(Spencer) came near me, and I put my axe into the
ice to endeavour to ascertain:the state of it. When
I was doing so the gentleman and I quarrelled and
I lost my temper. I told him to go off the ice and
make no noise.

Coroner—Did you make a hole ?—No, I did not ;
the hole was already made, and it was the pressure
of the boat that brought the water up. About two
o'clock I became alarmed as to the state of the ice,
and I cautioned the people until I was quite tired.
I said to them, get off as soon as you can as we
shall soon have a great calamity.
Coroner—You thought this at two o'clock ?
Yes, I did ; the ice had given unmistakable signs
of breaking up. At this time there were about 700
people on the ice. On Sunday there was scarcely
any ice on the broad water.
Witness continued—l believe that the men who
put on the skates and brought chairs into the park
to persons to sit on, while they are doing so encou-
rage foolhardy persons to go on the ice. On Tues-
day the new ice was only two inches thick. I think
the sun, the great attendance of people on the ice,
the game of hockey, and the jumping that one of
the witnesses has spoken to, combined, was the
cause of the accident, and not the breaking of
the ice around the edges. After the time I
have mentioned the ice kept getting worse.
I know nothing about the cutting the
ice round the edges, further than seeing the
men engaged in the work about half-past ten.
I have always seen this done every winter. I
thought it for the best to remain about the long
island with my boat, as I did not think the ice
would last an hour. I said to our superintendent,
John Green, " for God Almighty's sake get the
people off ; can't you get the police."
We shall give the conclusion in our latest edition.