The Sun.
London, England, 1859-08-01 00:00:00

THAMES.

STRIKE or GAs WORKMEN.—Mr. Humphreys, jun.,
solicitor, who was accompanied by the manager of the
Great Central Gas Works on Bow Common, applied to
Mr. Selfe for summonses against five men who were the
principal ringleaders in a strike of 60 firemen, stokers, and
scoop drivers employed upon the works who had struck for
increased wages, and upon their demands not being com-
plied with suddenly left their work, and put the gas com-
pany to great inconvenience. Mr. Humphreys dwelt upon
the misconduct of the men in throwing up their engage-
ments without notice, and said the chairman and directors
of the company were determined to enforce the
law. The men were liable to imprisonment
and hard labour for three months for absenting
themselves without leave and without notice before the
period for which they were engaged expired. The com-
pany were determined to make an example of the ring-
leaders as a warning to others.

Mr. Selfe doubted whether labourers employed in gas
works came within the meaning of the words of the 4th
Geo. 4, cap. 3L The matter had been repeatedly discussed
before judges and justices, as to whether all labourers, how-
ever employed came within the meaning of the words " la-
bourers or other persons."

Mr. Humphreys, jun., said this was a case of vital im-
portance not only to gas companies, but to the public gene-
rally. If men employed in gas factories could leave their
work suddenly and without notice the metropolis
might be left in total darkness from sunset to
sunrise ; the operations of trade suspended, and
great mischief done to persons and property. The words
of the Act included servant in husbandry, artificer, calico
printer, handicraftsman, miner, collier, keelman, pitman,
glassman, potter, labourer, or other person. He contended
the magistrate had jurisdiction, and ought to issue the
summonses.

Mr. Selfe asked if there was any contract in writing, to
which Mr. Humphreys answered in the negative, and said
the Act applied to " contracts in writing or not in writing."

Mr. Selfe said he would grant the summonses against
the parties complained of, and that the case was one de-
manding a thorough investigation. Any objection to the
jurisdiction could be discussed upon the hearing.
Mr. Fletcher, solicitor, of Arbour-square, Stepney,
watched the case on the part of the 50 men who have
struck for wages, and who had previously instructed him
to sue the Gas Company for four days' wages due at the
time the strike took place.

ETON COLLEGE-ELECTION SATUR-

DAY.

On Friday last, according to ancient custom, the
Rev. Dr. Okes, accompanied by bis two opposers,
the Rev. Mr. Rogers, and 0. Waterfield, Esq.,
arrived in state, at two o'clock, and was received
in the lower school, by the Vice-Provost, fellows,
conducts, masters, and assistant-masters. After
having inspected the school rooms, they proceeded
through the quandrangle to the entrance of the
cloisters, by the clock tower, where the Provost of
Eton was in waiting to receive them. The Latin
speech was delivered by a King's scholar. On the
arrival of the Provost of King's the hospitalities
provided for by the pious founder commenced, and
which are carried out by the college authorities of
the present day in a most liberal manner. The
various entertainments are continued over the
greater part of the present week.
On Sat vrday morning at 12 o'clock the company
assembled in the upper school to hear the speeches.
All the speakers displayed great oratorical powers,
but we cannot refrain from especially mentioning
the names of Bosanquet ma. K.S., Wynne ma.,
Gurdon, and Johnstone, who eminently distin-
guished themselves in their respective parts. At
3 o'clock the company connected with the college,
together with the King's scholars, assembled in
the College Hall, where a sumptuous entertain-
ment was provided for them. The college
graces ante and post prandium were chanted with
fine effect by the seventy King's scholars, ably
assisted by the choirs of Eton College and the Chapel
Royal of St. George. After dinner the loving cup
was passed, and politely brought by the junior
bursers and head master of the college to the ladies
who had assembled in the newly erected gallery.
The company then adjourned to the election hall,
where they partook of an elegant dessert, and drunk
the customary loyal collegiate toasts. At six o'clock
the company began to assemble in the Brocas, and
shortly before seven the boats were manned by
their respective crews, when they pulled to Wind-
sor-bridge, and then left for Surley Hall.
The costumes of the respective crews were the
same as on the 4th of June, excepting the ties of
the select Eton Eight, which on the present occa-
sion were Eton blue. We may here mention that
the Eton crews of this year, under much-respected
Captain (Wynne, ma.), have attained unusual ex-
cellence. The band of the Scots Fusilier Guards
preceded the boats. The crews landed on the op-
posite side of Surley Hall, and partook of an ele-
gant al fresco repast, provided by Mr. Johnson, of
the White Hart Hotel, Windsor. After drinking
the usual customary toasts, they re-manned their
boats and returned to Windsor, where they arrived
as half-past nine o'clock, and were received with
loud cheers by the numerous spectators who lined
the bridge and every available spot in the vicinity.
Here they continued pulling to the Cobbler, and
round the Eyott, until ten o'clock, during which
time a brilliant display of fireworks took place
under the direction of Mr. Bennett, the husband of
the late unfortunate lady, Madame Coton, after
which the band struck up the National Anthem
and the happy crews returned to the college.

THE STRIKE OF GAS COMPANIES' EMPLOYES.
On Friday morning the men employed in the Vauxhall
Gas Works struck for an advance in wages and a reduction
of the time of their labour, which were met by the directors
of the company with a firm refusal to yield to their request.
Finding themselves foiled in their attempt the whole body
of men, amounting to nearly one hundred, proceeded
to the City Gas Works, Dorset-street, Whitefriars, for the
purpose of inducing the melt there to turn out ; but, being
perfectly satisfied with the kind treatment they receive,
they refused to do so. Sergeant Dearlove and another con-
stable having quietly dispersed the men, they afterwards
proceeded to the Pho3nix Gas Works, Bankside, for the
same purpose ; but the directors are, it is believed, quite
prepared to meet any unjust demand with a refusal.
A CHICKEN.—CaII a lady a chicken, and ten to
one but she is angry with you. Tell her she is no chicken,
aid twenty to one but he is wort ARM