The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-31 00:00:00

HEALTH OF THE METROPOLIS•

(Fran the Registrar-General's Weekly Report.)
The following is the weekly return of the Regis-
trar-General of births and deaths in London and in
12 other large towns of the United Kingdom.
In the week that ended on Saturday, January 27,
the births registered in London and 12 other large
towns of the United Kingdom were 4,681 ; the
deaths registered 3,243. The annual rate of mor-
tality was 28 per 1,000 persons living.
In London the births of 1,090 boys and 1,059
girls, in all 2,149 children, were registered in the
week. In the corresponding weeks of 10 years
1856-65 the average number, corrected for increase
of population, was 2,110.
The deaths registered in London during the week
were 1,363. It was the fourth week of the year,
and the average number of deaths for that week is,
with a correction for increase of population, 1,605.
The actual number is less than that obtained by com-
putation by 242.
Nearly equal numbers of deaths were referred in
the week to phthisis and bronchitis ; to the former
169, to the latter 171. The corrected average for
phthisis is 170 ; that for bronchitis is 245. The low
rate of mortality from bronchial disease is appa-
rently due to the mild character of the season.
There were 15 deaths from smallpox, 43 from
measles, 37 from scarlatina, 47 from whooping-
cough, 56 from typhus, 12 from diarrhoea.
At 52, Clarendon-square, Somers-town, on the
17th Jan., the daughter of a commercial traveller,
aged six years, died of " cholera morbus, accelerated
by a clot of blood in the heart." (Inquest.)
On the 24th January, at the London Hospital, a
turner, aged 30 years, died of " hydrophobia from
the bite of a dog."
At 6, Chamber-street, Whitechapel, on the 25th
January, the son of a tailor, aged three weeks, died
of " exhaustion from want of nourishing food."

An engineer, aged 18 years, died in St. George's
Hospital of " hemorrhage from the bronchial artery
severed by the glass of a skylight." The deceased
slipped when removing snow from the skylight, and
died in 14 hour. A man, aged 36 years, died in the
same hospital from " thrombus of the basilar artery."
The two following deaths by carriage accidents in
the streets were registered in the week :—A porter,
aged 61 years, run over by a cart in Fleet-street ;
died on the 23d January. The daughter of a la-
bourer, aged one year, run over by a cart ; died on
the 22d January in Vhitefriars-street, Fleet-street.
The deaths in the city of New York in the two
weeks ending on the Ist and Bth January were 406
and 433. The population in 1860 was 805,658.
The annual rate of mortality last week was 23
per 1,000 in London, 28 in Edinburgh, and 27 in
Dublin; 42 in Liverpool, 33 in Manchester, 34 in
Salford, 26 in Birmingham, 38 in Leeds, 31 in Shef-
field, 33 in Bristol, 33 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 26
in Hull, and 29 in Glasgow. The rate iu Vienna
was 37 per 1,000 during the week ending the 20th
inst., when the temperature was 10.6 deg. Fahren-
heit lower than in the same week in London, where
the rate was 26 per 1,000.

At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean
height of the barometer in the week was 30.138 in.
The mean daily reading was above 30 in. on every
day after Monday. The barometric pressure fell to
29.63 in. on Monday, and rose to 30.50 in. on
Thursday. The mean temperature of the air in the
week was 43.1 deg., which is 5.3 deg. above the ave-
rage of the same week in 50 years (as determined
by Mr. Glaisher). The mean daily temperature was
above the average throughout the week, and on the
first two days this excess was about 11 deg. The
thermometer fell to the freezing point of water on
Wednesday, and to nearly the same point on the
two following nights. The difference between the
mean dew-point temperature and air tempera-
ture was 3.6 deg. The mean degree of humidity
of the air was 87, complete saturation being repre-
sented by 100. There was rain to the amount of
0.23 in., all of which fell on Monday.

The Shocking Gun Accident near Windsor.

Yesterday afternoon Mr. W. Weedon, deputy-
coroner for Berks, held an inquest on the body of
Win. Cantrell Ashley, the young gentleman who,
with his head frightfully shattered by the discharge
from a double-barrelled gun, was found lying dead
in a pond on Mr. Hall Say's ground, near Bray, on
Saturday morning. The inquiry took place at Water
Oakley-house, the residence of the father of the de-
deceased; Mr. Superintendent Iremonger being in
attendance on the part of the Berks constabulary.
Mr. Charles Henry Ashley, wine merchant, of Exe-
ter-street, Strand, stated that the deceased was his
youngest child, and that he had just entered his 14th
year. On Friday last he understood the deceased
went out with a gun, though the last time he saw
I him alive was on Thursday. He did not see him
again till Saturday night, in the condition he was
then in. His son was in the habit of shooting, but
not with a double-barrelled gun. Witness also be-
lieved that the deceased took a pistol with him, and
he was a good shot for a boy. Deceased was of a
cheerful disposition, and not likely to commit sui-
cide, as he had everything to make him happy, and
was in excellent spirits. Mr. Charles Carl Ashley
deposed that his younger brother left home on Friday
last with a double-barrelled gun, as he was in the
habit of going out shooting on the neighbouring
land with a dog. The gun was a hired one, as his
own was being repaired. Witness did not go with
his brother, who never returned home on Friday.
Ile assisted in the search, which commenced at 6
o'clock on Friday till the body was found on Satur-
day morning. A man named Hunter discovered his
brother's corpse, and witness was the second person
upon the spot and saw deceased before he was
moved. The body was in a pond on a field belong-
ing to Mr. Hall Say, and lying on the left side in
the water, with the head and legs covered and
limbs contracted. He could see one side of the face,
the top part of the head being blown away. The
gun was lying nearly three feet from him, in the
water, and when the policeman examined the weapon
he found both barrels had been discharged. Deceased
was on the bank, near the hedge-side, and at one
part the clay had slightly given way. He could not
say there had been a slip, but it had that appearance,
and the body was near the place. Deceased was placed
upon a hurdle, but witness did not know what was
taken out of his pocket. Henry Hunter said he was
the coachman of Mr. Hall Say, who lived at Oakley-
court. Witness joined in the search on Saturday,
and found deceased about 11 o'clock in a small pond
on Mr. Hall Say's farm. Deceased was covered by
about 2ft. of water, his legs being lower than his
head, and the body hanging upon its left side. His
head was near the mouth of the pond, and his feet
near the bank, from which he thought he had slipped.
He was quite dead, and the upper part of his head
was gone. The skull was on the grass, and the
cap in a ploughed field. Witness had often seen
the deceased out shooting. Geo. Morrell deposed
that he saw the deceased on Friday, about a quarter
to 1 o'clock, in Mr. Parker's yard. He had a gun
with him and a dog. Deceased spoke to witness
about some work his father wanted done, and then
went round to the house and entered into conver-
sation with Mr. and Mrs. Parker. Ile next went to
a rick about 50 yards off, after which witness lost
sight of him till about a quarter to 11 on Saturday,
when he helped to get him out of the pond, which
was about 250
h
yards from the spot where he had
been talking to
*ln—actually within sound of the
gun, the report of
which he heard almost directly
after he left,
and another about a quarter past 1
o'clock. Witness heard
o
g
to attract his attention. no screaming or
of
fr an
deceased'sythin
head was completely blow Ja away. It seemed to him
as if he had slipped down 1 the bank, as there were
marks upon it, and from its being overgrown with
bushes it was difficult to get along it. Part of the
bank had given way, rand deceased's feet were not
more than a yard from the bank. Police-constable
Hailey, of the Berks constabulary, said he assisted
to take the deceased out of the water and carry him
to the Queen's Head I) in. He searched the body

and found two flasks—one for powder and the other
for shot, a small breach-loading pistol, some car-
tridges, and a turban cap, which was cut through
the centre of the crown by the shot. Witness also
found the top of deceased's skull some 15 yards from
the body. His hands were at a little distance from the
gun, and there were marks upon the bankas if he had
slipped off. Neither of the barrels of the gun was
loaded, but there were portions of the caps upon the
nipples. The pistol had also been discharged. Ser-
geant Smith Noble, of the Windsor police, stated
that he was fetched from Windsor on Saturday
morning, about 9 o'clock, by Mr. Charles Ashley.
He assisted in the search, and with the last witness,
Hailey, helped to get deceased out of the pond.
Deceased's clothes were not torn. Witness himself
nearly slipped at the spot where the marks were.
The jury, upon a consultation, returned a verdict of
" Accidental Death."

The Earl of Lichfield on the Emigration of

Criminals.

On Monday the Earl of Lichfield presided at the
first annual meeting in Wolverhampton of the South
Staffordshire Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society, of
which his lordship is president. The society has
been in working order only about three nronths,
during which time it has afforded employment for
80 discharged prisoners at a cost of Bs. 7d. per bead.
The noble chairman said that too much importance
had, he thought, been attached in some quarters to
emigration as a means of reclaiming our criminal
population, and he was a little disappointed that at
a large meeting which was held in Manchester a
short time ago, at which Lord Stanley presided,
emigration seemed uppermost in the speakers'
minds. He could not say that he at all agreed
with them. (Hear, hear.) On the contrary, he
thought that a society which sought chiefly to find
the discharged prisoners employment in this coun-
try was the most likely means of solving the diffi-
cult problem of what was to be done with our cri-
minal population. Practically, the country had been
obliged to give up transportation, and he believed it
was proving an advantage, not only to the criminal
himself, but also to society generally, that the at-
tention of the country should from self-interest be
called to that class of persons. Formerly nothing
could be so simple as the manner in which he who
was called the "confirmed criminal" was dealt with ;
he was sent out of the country, and in a distant
part of the world was enabled to get his livelihood
without injury to those whom he left behind. But
now that we were obliged to keep these criminals at
home, we saw plainly that in order to protect our-
selves
.it was absolutely necessary that we should
take some measures to prevent these persons, after
they have left prison, from continuing in a life of
crime. He could not imagine anything more simple
or better• calculated to effect these objects than a
society of the description of the one before them,
which sought to put the discharged prisoner who
earnestly wished to amend his course of life into that
position in which he might honestly earn his own
bread. In doing this he denied that the society was
doing more for a criminal than it would for an honest
man. It was frequently desirable to avoid the ne-
cessity for a criminal's return to the associations
among which he had been accustomed to practise
his criminality, and in some cases it was absolutely
requisite that this should be done but all this could
be accomplished, except in the rarest instances, and
yet the man be kept in this country. This would
become still less difficult as societies of that class
multiplied, and existed, as they ought to exist, in
every part of the country. To send them abroad,
although it might be with the aid of funds obtained
in the manner available by such societies, would be
regarded by the colonists as only another way of
carrying out a practice to which they bad previously
successfully objected, for it must not be forgotten
that Discharged Prisoners' Aid Societies obtained
funds not only from private persons, but also from
Government and from local taxation.

The Shropshire Murder.

CLEOBURY MORTIMER, Tuesday.

The examination of Mr. John Meredith before
the Cleobury magistrates on the charge of murder-
ing his nephew, Edward Edwards, at Duddlewieh-
mill, Salop, on Sunday, the 14th inst., was con-
tinued to a late hour last night.
The witness Elizabeth Harris, servant to the pri-
soner, was cross-examined by Mr. Kennedy, and
said that she was present when Police-officer Cox
and Sergeant Christie came to her master's house on
the day of the funeral, some days after the murder,
and examined the clothes of the inmates. ller mas-
ter was in the house, and said to Christie, " Here's
a lot of my clothes." A pair of trousers were on the
bed, which her master said he had on on the Sun-
day. As the officers were looking at the trousers
by the window the prisoner said the blood on them
was caused by his helping to carry the deceased up
stairs. He did not say that he helped to carry him
from the mill. Had heard her master speak of the
blood on his trousers before then, and witness had
herself seen it before. Remembered her master ask-
ing Thomas Edwards to go to Mrs. Howell's, of
Stottesden, to tell her to come down. She after-
wards came to the house. It rained and there was
a high wind. Edwards said he could not carry an
umbrella, and he took an old coat of her master's.
Edwards was about an hour away. Witness did not
see the coat again that night, but saw it next day,
when it was brought by Police-constable Clarke,
who gave it to witness, and she hung it up in the
kitchen. Sergeant Christie took it away with the
prisoner's trousers. Her master was subject to
bleeding at the nose, and she had often seen blood
on the wrists and sleeves of his dress.

Samuel Harris, a boy, brother to the last witness,
and also in the prisoner's service, who was the last
person known to have been in the deceased's com-
pany before the murder, deposed that he was with
the deceased in the fold-yard soon after 8 o'clock on
the Sunday morning, and that deceased left him at
about half-past 8 and proceeded in the direction of
the mill. Did not see him again until his body was
brought from the mill in the evening. At dinner-
time on the Sunday his master asked him whether
the key of the mill was in the bedroom window,
where it was sometimes kept. He looked for it
there, but did not find it. He found it over the
mill door, where it was usually kept when left at
the mill, and took it to his master.

--~--

Mr. Wm. Dorrell, farmer, residing about 100
yards from the prisoner, deposed that on the Sun-
day after dinner the prisoner came to him, told him
that the deceased was missing, and asked him to
help him to look for him. They walked down the
side of the .Rea-brook and afterwards gave up the
search. About 4 o'clock Mr. Meredith came to him
and said the boy Harris had found the key of the
mill, and said he would go into the mill for a feed
for the horse. He immediately returned and said he
was afraid something had happened, for there was
blood on the mill floor. They then both went into
the mill and found blood on the mill floor. The
prisoner said, " There's blood at the bottom of the
steps leading to a room below," but that he was
afraid to go down the steps. Witness went down
and saw the deceased lying on the floor. Witness
assisted in carrying him into the house. There was
a stick lying by the deceased cracked at the top and
covered with blood. [lt was a walking stick, not
very thick.] Assisted in searching deceased's clothes
after he was removed from the house. Inhis pockets
were two pocket-knives, a tobacco-pouch, some
gun caps, and some matches, but no money.
While walking down the Rea side after dinner the
prisoner said he had been to the mill in the morn-
ing to look after " Ted," but that he had not
been inside the mill. The prisoner helped to
carry the deceased upstairs. Witness assisted and
took off his coat and turned up his sleeves
so as not to get blood on him. The stairs
were curved and awkward, and the prisoner said
Stealy, steady," while at the same time the body
rolled towards him, and probably rested on his thigh
at the moment. Saw the pris,ener at church on the
Sunday morning. He wore u new pair of leggings.
Witness had a good view of him, and if there had
been blood on him he must have seen it, although
he did think of blood then. Walked home with him
from church. On the day of the funeral of the de-
ceased, when the police came to examine the clothes,
witness was at the prisoner's house. The prisoner

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 31, 1866.

said, " The police tell me they can detect blood after
the clothes are washed, lam glad of it, and hope
it will be found out."

It being now late, and several other witnesses to
examine, the inquiry was adjourned to Friday. This
morning the prisoner was removed to Bridgenorth
by train ; crowds of people at the stations passed to
see him. There is a general belief in his innocence
of the foul crime charged against him.

Royal Institute of British Architects.

At the ordinary meeting of the members of the
Institute of British Architects, on Monday evening,
on which occasion Mr. Beresford-Hope was in the
chair, a paper was read by Mr. I'Anson on the
restoration of the Dutch church in Austin-friars.
At the time of the partial destruction of the church
by fire in 18G3 it was proposed to pull it down, and
build a new church in some other locality more con-
venient to its members, and on a site less valuable;
but there was so loud an outcry raised against the
destruction of one of the finest mediaeval churches
in the City of London that the architects and those
immediately connected with the building reconsi-
dered their plans, and determined to restore it.
Mr. I'Anson, to whom the work of restoration was
entrusted, alluded in his paper to the history of the
church, which was originally built in the 12th cen-
tury, but it had undergone several alterations at
subsequent periods, and in general features it re-
sembled the Temple church. On commencing the
restoration it became doubtful how much of the
building it would be necessary to pull down, for the
columns and arcades were in many places much out
of the perpendicular; but on examining the foun-
dations they were ascertained to be sound, and Mr.
I'Anson therefore thought the columns might be
safely preserved. In its restored condition, conse-
quently, the interior presents the appearance of
leaning columns, that might be supposed to be in
danger of falling, though in reality perfectly safe.
The church was completed and reopened for Divine
service in September last, and it has been restored
in exact correspondence with its previous architec-
ture, with the exception of a new postern. The
cost of the restoration was £ll,OOO, and the value
of the site, had the church been pulled down, was
also estimated at £ll,OOO, the latter sum having
been for the most part sacrificed for the purpose of
retaining in the City one of the fine works of me-
dizeval architecture so many of which have been de-
stroyed for modern improvements.
In the discussion on the paper, Air. BERESFORD-
HOPE congratulated the institute on the very suc-
cessful restoration of a remarkably beautiful
memorial of past times, which, he said, had formed
the model on which Mr. Pugin had constructed St.
George's church in Southwark, and its leading fea-
tures might be traced in the works of other eminent
architects.

Mr. WOODTIIORPE said that on his own responsi-
bility alone he should not have ventured to have
the church rebuilt on the leaning arcades and
columns, but he had full confidence in the sound-
ness of the structure.

Mr. WHITE and other gentlemen made remarks
on the means adopted to restore perpendicularity to
leaning walls by tie-rods with screws at each end.
The rods, when expanded by heat, are screwed up
close to the walls, and on the contraction of the
metal during cooling they are drawn nearer together
until they become perpendicular.
Mr. I'ANsoN also read another paper on the
churches in Auvergne, noticing the general resem-
blance of all the churches in the district, and the ad-
mirable application of differently coloured towers
for the purpose of ornamentation.
In the course of the evening Mr. BERESFORD-
HOPE mentioned that the Queen's gold medal,
which is given in successive-years to English and
to foreign architects eminent in their profession, bad
been awarded this year by the council to Mr. But-
terfield, subject to the approbation of a majority of
the fellows.

The meeting adjourned to the 12th of February.

St. Bartholomew the Great.

STATE OF TRADE.

Yesterday afternoon the ceremony of inspecting
the remains of this church, and the works of resto-
ration now in progress, took place under the auspices
of Mr. Tite, the chairman, and of the committee for
the restoration, those gentlemen having invited the
members of the Corporation of London to meet the
London and Middlesex Archeological Society on the
occasion. A large number of gentlemen were pre-
sent, and amongst them were many who have dis-
tinguished themselves by their knowledge and pur-
suit of architecture. The disordered condition of
the building rendered it somewhat difficult, in
de antodundigested" mass of
form any definite tbhreiams id
astn
dofmaorgt‘arru,
con-
clusion as to the appearance it will assume
when the restoration shall have been com-
pleted, but the interest attaching to the time-
honoured interior was certainly enhanced by the
fact that an opportunity was afforded to the visitors
of observing the wide distinction between the old
work and the new, although, as Mr. Tite
observed, particular pains have been taken to
preserve the character of the church in all its origi-
nal integrity. In addressing the assembled com-
pany, Mr. Tite, who took up his position on the top
of a loose heap of old bricks and mortar at the fur-
ther end of the nave, gave an interesting account of
the history of the edifice, stating that it was founded
in the year 1102, in the second year of the reign of
Henry 1., by a gentleman named Rahere, said to be
a Saxon, and who was called the King's jester and
minstrel. A reckless profligate in early life, he be-
came towards the middle of his career ecclesiastical
Pilgrimage of repent-
he had a remarkable
ainneheistoteintdonelnec.ies,coannhdismraedtuerna
dream, in which he saw St. Bartholomew, who di-
rected him to build an hospital and found a church
in his name. In 20 years' time the choir was con-
secrated by Richard of Beauvais, Bishop of London,
the other portions not being completed until ten
years later. Rahere himself was the first prior, and
dying in the year 1144, he was buried within the
building ; a classical monument, still preserved, be-
ing erected to his memory. In the year 1133, Ra-
here obtained from Henry I. a charter, endowing
and supporting the church, and the King also con-
ferred upon the priory the privilege of holding a
fair, afterwards confirmed by Henry 11., and last-
ing over three days—the eve, the feast day, and the
morrow of St. Bartholomew. In the year 1410 the
church had fallen into decay and was restored. In
the year 1510 it again required reinstating, and
Prior Bolton expended a large sum of money in
effecting that object. In the year 1544 King Henry
VIII. sold for £1,064 11s. 3d. to Sir Richard Rich,
the Lord Chancellor, the prior's house, infirmary,
dormitory, chapter house, cloisters, galleries, &c.
The cloisters and many other parts had long since
disappeared, but there were certain portions which
had not disappeared, and amongst these was an apse
which, though now interfered with by a neighbour-
ing resident, who had doubtless a perfect claim to
his premises, would, it was hoped, be fully restored
in process of time. It was interesting
to observe the
striking contrast between the present comparatively
small building and the mighty Norman church
which originally occupied the site. Many changes
in parts of the building had undoubtedly taken
place from time to time, and in some respects the
Norman character of the architecture had been par-
tially modified ; but the committee who were now
engaged in restoring the edifice believed that they
should succeed in making a comfortable and com-
modious parish church for the benefit of this ex-
tremely poor and crowded neighbourhood. For
this very laudable purpose a sum of about £1,500,
in addition to what they had already received, was
required ; and those who might be disposed to con-
tribute to that amount would be
glad to learn that
it was the intention of the restorers to preserve in
its integrity the ancient characteristics of the build-
ing, so that it might still remain a curious and in-
teresting monument to the piety of our ancestors.
Mr. Tite was much applauded at the close of his
address, and a vote of thanks was voted to him for
the valuable information he had afforded to his
hearers. A similar compliment was paid to Pro-
fessor Lewis and Mr. Slater (the architects), and to
the Rev. John Abbiss (the rector), and Mr. Thos.
Kitt (the honorary secretary to the committee).
The company then paring round the building to re-

Railway and other Companies.

GREAT NORTHERN AND WESTERN.

ceive front the architects any further information
they might desire, and the proceedings were brought
to a close.

MANCHESTER, Jan. 30.—Our market for shipping
yarns has been dull, but still we find a fair amount
of business in the aggregate has been done, and
there is a disposition to buy considerable quantities
at rather lower prices than spinners are yet inclined
to take. This branch of the market closes tolerably
steady, many spinners believing that prices have
already given way as much as they are likely to do.
Many spinners are well supplied with orders, and
appear indisposed to take new contracts at such
prices as buyers are willing to give. For home trade
yarns the market has been quiet, and there has not
been much business to-day. Prices are fully id. per
lb. in the buyers' favour. In cloth a fair amount of
business has been done since Friday, but the demand
has been less active than for some days previously,
and buyers have, to a great extent, satisfied their
wants. Although we have less business offering to-
day, we have little change in prices to quote, as the
protracted deliveries which alone can be secured
prevent buyers operating, even where they find rates
a little lower than last week. Any goods ready for
immediate delivery would fetch last week's prices.
The contracts in the hands of manufacturers are
large, and most of the makers of favourite staples
are well engaged. Cloths generally are steadier in
price than yarns. Messrs. John Slagg and Co. re-
port of the cloth market :—" The active demand of
the week has now to some extent subsided, and,
buyers having pretty well satisfied their wants, we
have to-day to report a smaller business. Makers,
as a rule, are well supplied with orders, and we have
therefore but little variation in price to notice."
CARDIFF, 29th.—The late favourable change in
the weather has had a marked effect on the steam
coal trade of the district, and the exports have been
pretty brisk within the past few days. A large num-
ber of vessels have been able to clear out, while there
has been a good number of fresh arrivals ; in fact,
operations at the docks have not been so lively for
some time past. The collieries are fairly employed,
and proprietors' books are tolerably well filled with
orders. The foreign trade looks cheerful, and
although at present only an average quantity is
being sent to the continental markets, there is every
prospect of a considerable increase in the exports
before long. The trade between the collieries in
the Aberdare and Rhonda valleys and Birkenhead
is steadily increasing, and the business done with
the metropolitan markets is gradually assuming
greater importance. Quotations remain about the
same. The local demand for house qualities con-
tinues limited. In the iron trade there is no change
to note ; prices remain firm, and the future pros-
pects :are encouraging. The high rate of discount
still keeps home buyers backward iu giving out con-
tracts. Pig iron maintains its value, and it is with
difficulty contracts can be placed. Remarkable
activity characterises the tin plate trade.
LEEDS, 30th.—There was a better attendance of
buyers in the cloth-halls to-day than last Tuesday,
and more business was done. The shipment of
spring goods is a little more lively, and the prospects
of the trade generally show more improvement.
Meltons and tweeds, both plain and fancy, secure
the readiest sale. Black unions are a little more
inquired for than we lately had to report. There
is a steady sale for good all-wool blacks, the supply
of which keeps little at all in advance of the demand.
Wools keep very firm in price. The flax trade is
in a fair active condition, and the price of yarns,
threads, and the raw material are steady.
NOTTINGHAM, 30th.— We had a moderate atten-
dance on 'Change to-day. The demand for yarns
was less active, buyers holding off in the anticipa-
tion of a reduction in prices ; late rates were, how-
ever, generally made. The demand for hosiery
yarns was scarcely so good as last week, and prices
may be written somewhat irregular. Silks a slow
sale, but firm in value. For brown nets the demand
was less active, but prices underwent no important
alteration.

ROCHDALE, 29th.—The flannel-market has to-
day, as for the past few markets, been devoid of
much animation, the attendance of buyers being
small, and their purchases few. Dyed and fancy
goods are chiefly in request, and they maintain late
prices. The home trade demand for all descriptions
of plain white goods is flat. A few orders have just
been given out for goods for shipping, and upon the
whole the manufacturers are fairly employed. Wools
keep very firm in price.

The report of the directors states that the traffic
had increased during the past half-year, and the net
receipts were sufficient to pay interest at 4 per cent.
per annum on the gross expenditure on the portion
of the undertaking which had been worked. The
capital expended on the Westport Extension had
been hitherto a heavy charge, but this line was now
completed and opened, and the directors anticipated
that it would prove remunerative. The accounts
showed a net disposable balance of £6,838, and the
directors recommended the payment of a dividend at
the rate of 5 per cent. per annum upon the original
preference capital, and also upon the new preference
capital ; and 3.312 per cent. per annum on the
£113,350 ordinary share capital held by the Midland
Great Western Railway Company of Ireland ; also
3 per cent. per annum on the ordinary share capital
of the company other than that held by the Midland
Company_-paid up to the 31st December, 1865, less
income-tax. The directors had found it expedient
to apply to Parliament for an extension of time to
complete the works to the harbour of Westport and
to the town of Ballina, and to be allowed to increase
the preferential stock by £30,000, with the usual
borrowing powers. The capital account to the 31st
of December showed that £595,629 had been re-
ceived, including £11,480 from revenue, and
£s6s,o6s`expended, leaving a balance of £30,564.
The revenue account for the half-year showed that
£14,916 had been received, £5,848 expended in
working, £2,260 in payment of interest on deben-
tures, leaving a balance of £6,838.