The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-30 00:00:00

lIE2 111A.TESTI'S SHIP 111EG4 -RA.

A writer in a contemporary says :—After the
numerous delays mentioned in my former letter,
and breaking 'down once at sea, the Megeera has
managed to reach the Mediterranean, and is now
actually on her way home, in a condition which I
venture briefly to bring to your notice—crowded
beyond all precedent in every part with officers,
officers' wives and families, invalids, discharged
soldiers, troops (one-third of wnom had to be left
behind), horses, a donkey (but he was the com-
manding officer's donkey, and therefore to be re•
spectfully spoken of), baggage, and, lastly, women
and children, who, poor things, had gradually been
reduced in accommodation until, at the time of the
;hip's leaving Malta, they were so huddled together
thai the hope of ever finding a child once gone
astray would be to the last degree remote.
The accommodation for the officers' families was
proportionately limited ; in one small cabin, the
only ventilation of which was to be obtained through
a tiny scuttle, were packed a lady, her nurse, and
seven children. The state of the decks occupied by
the troops, invalids, and women, simply beggars
description ; it waa far worse than anything I saw
in the tram:ports during the Crimean war, and with
its fetid and stifling odours, the., groans of the sick,
the curses of the sound, and the howls of the child-
dren, reminded one vividly of the description of
slave vessels when captured with a full cargo on
board.

I do not know, Sir, or care to know, on whose
shoulders the blame of this disgraceful herding of
British soldiers and their families should rest, but
I think the country should insist on its not being
repeated. Surely it would be possible to find out
the exact number of persons for whom transport to
England is required, and then to provide the ne-
cessary amount of transport. But this, I suppose,
is too direct and obvious a way foe "them" to go to
work in. "They" prefer, as in the present case, to
decide that a certain ship shall " perform this ser-
vice," without caring whether that ship be avail-
able, whether she be in a proper condition or even
whether she be large enough to do all that is re-
quired. The consequences are three months' de-
lay, the death of many poor fellows while waiting,
and having to leave behind half the invalids and a
third of the troops after all.

SUPPLEMENTARY MAILS FOR INDIA AND Aus-
TRALTA..—The contract packet Mooltan, which sailed from
Southampton on the 20th inst. with mails for India, Aus-
tralia, and Mauritius, having broken down, the mails will
be transhipped at Gibraltar to the Delta, which left South-
ampton on the 27th inst., and orders have been sent by
telegraph to Suez to detain the outward-bound packets
until those mails arrive. In the expectation that such
orders will be received in time to stop the sailing of the
packets, supplementary
mails for Point de Galle, Calcutta,
Madras, Mauritius, and the Australian colonies will be
made up on the evening of the 3d proximo, and forwarded
via Marseilles, with the Bombay mails. By command of
the Postmaster-
General Poet-office, July 29,
General/ ROWLAND HILL, secretary.

BOTAL PLILITA.BY AC. DIAIY, WOOL-

W ICS.

Th.? following is a list of snecessful candidates
for admission :
Order

of Index Marks.
Merit. No. Gained.
1 64. Corbett, F. V., Cheltenham College 6,028
2 154. Stone, J. G., Royal Naval School, New_•
cross, Clapham Grammar School, and
abroad
3 204. Law, W., Eton and Rev. E. A. Claydon's,
Lee
4 161. James C , Mr. Fleming's, Tonbridge 5,041
5 126. Rawes, W. IV., Harrow, and Mr. Taylor's,

Woolwich
6 87. Savage, J. W., Dr. Bridgman's, Woolwich 4,960
7 101. Spence, J. K., Cheltenham College
S 7. 011ivant, E. A., Rugby, King's College,
London, and Mr. Pritchett's, Old Charl-
ton 4,922
9 128. Bucknill, J. T., Mr. Hopkirk's, Eltham,
and Mr. De Burgh's, Dublin
10 239. Elsdale, H., Grammar School, Moulton,
Spalding, and Mr. Wilson's, Old Charlton 4,787
11 240. Poole, W. S., Rev. C. Hughes, St. John's-
wood, and Mr. Keizer's, Blackheath 4,670
12 149. North, W., Marlborough College
13 209. Mascall, F., King's College, London
14 125. Biscoe, J. S., St. Peter's College, Radley,
and the Priory, Croydon
15 62. Dillon, H. P. C., abroad, and Mr. Scale's,
Twickenham
16 164. Denny, F. M'G., Portara Royal School,
Enniskillen
17 76. Ottley, J. W., privately
18 100. Gower, G. H., Royal Academy, Gosport 4,332
19 1. Siddons, H. G. F., Mr. Fleming's, Ton-
bridge

20 214. M'Arthur, A. D., Mr, Brackenbury's,
Wimbledon
21 60. Westaway, N., Victoria College, Jersey
22 217. Moubray, P. H., Adelaide School, Jersey 4,206
23 98. Denison, W. E., Rev. E. A. Claydon's, Lee 4,162
24 211. Murray, J. G , Kingstown School, near
Dublin
25 41. Clayton, A. G., St. Andrew's College,
ilradfield, Reading 4,147
26 117. Fitz Gerald, R. G., Mr. Sherratt's, Batter-

sea
27 227. Gerard, M. G., abroad, Stoneyhurst Col-
lege, and Mr. Taylor's, Woolwich 4,106
28 71. Curtain, J. A., The College, Southampton 4,102
29 221. Simpson, J., Mr. Rennett's, Aberdeen 4,071
30 230. Kirkwood, IL P., Mr. Taylor's, Woolwich 4,057
31 231. Penny, T. C., Harrow, King's College,
London, and Mr. Smalley's, Old Chariton 4,01:4
32 44. Lambert, S. J., Kingstown School, and Mr
De Burgh's, Düblin

33 167. Jones, W. P., Mr. Brackenbury's, Wim-
bledon
34 194. Taylor, F. H., Mr. Hopkirk's, Eltham
35 229. Wynne, G. C., Mr. Taylor's, Woolwich 3,928
36 200. Wood, E., King's College, London
37 203. Adams, W. 8., privately, and Mr. Hop-
kirk's and Mr. Wilson's, Eltham
38 155. Harrison, C. T., Clapham Grammar School 3,881
39 58. `mace, R., King's College, London, and
privately
40 179. Salmond, J. M., Glasgow University and
privately
41 178. Murray, S., Mr. Brackenbury's,Wimbledon 3,833
42 17. Dorward, J. F., High School, Edinburgh,
Cheltenham College, the Priory, Croydon 3,826
43 237. Ewing, J. 8., privately, and Mr. Wilson's,

Old Charlton
44 136. Baddeley, P. F. M., Mr. Fleming's, Ton-
bridge
44 159. Ommanney, M. F., Cheltenham College '3,766
46 111. Davies, J. A. S. M., Repton School, Bur-
ton-on-Trent, and privately 3,760
47 85. Kelsall, T. A., Collegiate Institution,Lower
Leeson-street and Trinity College, Dublin 3,742
48 97. Fox, W. R., Queen's College, Stockbridge 3,729
49 84. Wallace, R. 11., Mr. Fleming's, Tonbridge 3,727
50 129. Carlow, R., Chelttnham College
51 9. Richardson, T. A., Dr. Burke's. and Mr
De Burgh's, Düblin
52 113. Russell, F. 8., Blackheath Proprietary
School, and the Rev. L. Edward's, Dor-
ney, near Windsor 3,708
53 77. Mundy, R.E., Marlborough College, and
Mr. De la Mare's, Woolwich
54 124. Cotton, W., North Cheam School, and Mr
Sherrat's, Battersea
55 23. Dugdale, A G., Mr. llopkirk's, Eltham,
and Mr. Pritchett's, Old Charlton
56 69. Kennedy, G. M., Cheltenham College 3,623
57 142. Bruce, E. S., Mr. De Burgh's, Dublin 3,566
58 55. Plunkett, R. H. W., Cheltenham College 5,554
59 59. Cripps, E. W., Kensington School and pri-
vately
60 195. Domvile, B. F., Mr. Hopkirk's, Eltham
61. 10. White, A. W., privately
62 184. Browell, E. T.,Mr. Pritchett's, Old Charlton 3,444
63 116. East, D. 8., privately; Truby-house, Wood-

ford ; and Clyde •house, Tonbridge-well 2,435
'64 153. Watkin, H. S. S., privately, and Mr. Kei-

zer's, Blackheath
65 86. Bally, J. F., Mr. Pritchett's, Old Charlton 3,400

DOCKYARD 2XTE? SION.

The select committee on the proposed extension
of Chatham Dockyard have reported to the House
of Commons that there is not at present a sufficient
extent of floating basins or dry docks, especially
for the larger class of ships ; in 1830 the largest
vessels did not exceed 245 feet in length, but they
have now reached 380 feet, and the construction of
a ship of 400 feet is in immediate contemplation ;
the draught of water has extended to 27 feet, caus-
ing a complete change in the whole system for
which our dockyards were originally constructed.
Hence even now, in time of peace, much delay,
risk, expense, and inconvenience have to be incur-
red in fitting out i❑ the stream, a practice which
is prejudicial to the service and unnecessarily ex-
poses the crews. In the event of a maritime war
"It would be wholly impossible for us, with the
existing means, to equip rapidly and safely such a
fleet as would then be required." The facilities
possessed by ether Powers for fitting out ships of
war are incomparably superior to ours. We have in
England 40 acres of floating basin ; in France there
are, or soon will be, 260. It was stated to the
committee that until this moment (one being just
finished at Portsmouth) we have not had a dock
that would take in the Warrior ; the French have
four at Cherbourg alone. Nor can any :reliance
be placed in the doelcq constructed for the merchant
service; with perhaps one exception, they all fall
far short of the requirements in depth of water.
The engines of the Royal Navy have been nearly
doubled in the last seven years, and now amount to
about 130,000-horse puwer ; as these come to require
repair the existing basin and dock accommodation
must be found wholly inadequate even in time of
neace. Rear-Admiral Robinson, Controller of the
Navy, observed in his evidence before this commit.
tee, " After a naval engagement the country that
can first repair its ships damaged in action will
thereby double its force." The committee were
assured that the requisite depth of water in the
Medway can be secured; that the cost of forming
the channel would not exceed £40,000, and the
annual cost of maintaining it would not be above
£l,OOO a-year, and that the channel may be formed
in six years. The site proposed to be taken is far
removed from danger of being shelled by hostile
shits of war, and is protected by the fortifications
which form part of the system of, national defence.
The committee recommend, therefore, the proposed
extension of Chatham dockyard as the best and
most economical mode of increasing the existing
accommodation for the fitting and repair of the
ships of the royal navy.

Captain John Vine Hall, late commander of the
Great East.rn, has been appointed general manager of the
Intercolonial Royal Mail Steam Company in Australia and
New Lealand, and proceeded to Sydney from Southampton
on the 20th inst.
COLLISION AND Loss OF LIFE IN TILL BRISTOL
CHANNEL.—SINKING OF A SHIP AND CREW.—lntelligence
has been received at Bristol of a terrible catastrophe which
happened at an early hour on Sunday morning, and by
which an entire ship's crew (excepting only three hands)
were hurried into eternity.. The name of the sunken vessel
was the Mary Ann Duffus, barque, of Newport, Capt. Geo.
Groves, commander, and the cause of the terrible and fatal
occurrence was a collision between her and an American
vessel, the name of which is not stated in the report which
has come to hand. The Mary Ann Duffus had taken in a
cargo of coal for a foreign port, and would have sailed some
days ago had it not been for the adverse winds which have
prevailed, and by which she has been detained in the
Penarth Roads. On Saturday there was a bit of a shift for
the north •west, and Captain Groves thought that he would
endeavour to beat down Channel, and got under sail for
that purpose. All went on very well until just after mid-
night, when the man on the look-out called out " A sail a-
head." It must have been thick at the time, for before the
vessel's cours3 could have been altered the two ships came
into collision. The shock is described as having been a
terrific one, as indeed it must have been, for the Mary Ann
Duffus went down with such rapidity that the captain and
crew had only just time to jump into the boat and cut it
adrift before she sunk. Time was not even allowed them
to push off from the doomed and sinking vessel, and shock-
ing to relate, the boat was drawn down in the gulph or vor-
tex. The first mate, a son of the captain, who was on board
and one of the crew, rose again, and swimming for their
lives were picked up when all but exhausted, but the mast-
ter, Capt. Groves, and all the others, sank to rise no more
As there are possibly three survivors of the terrible tragedy,
more light will probably be thrown upon its cause. The
sad event has cast quits a gloom over Newport, where Capt.
Groves was greatly respected.

RAILWAY S AND PUBLIC C,';MPANIES.

BOMBAY, BARODA, AND CENTRAL INDIA.
The adjourned half-yearly meeting of this com-
pany was held yesterday at the office, Liverpool-
street, Colonel French in the chair.

Mr. C. Kennedy, the secretary, having read the
notice of adjournment,
The CHAIRMAN expressed the great regret the
directors felt at the loss of their old friend and col-
league, Sir J. C. Melvile, who, until a short time
before his decease, had attended every Board meet-
ing. They had derived great advantage from his
experience, advice, and valuable assistance. They
had just received a copy of the report of Colonel
Rivers, the Government engineer, cn the progress
of their works, and it was highly satisfactory. He
was glad to inform them that the terminus at Bom-
bay had been decided on, the plans were being pre-
pared, and the arrangements for goods traffic were
extensive. It was also intended to form a junction
between their line and that of the Great Indian
Peninsula Railway. The Great Bassein Viaduct
had been commenced, and some piles were driven to
the full depth. The Government engineer had re-
ported that althnugh the waterways were numerous
and extensive between Ahmedabad and Bombay,
they did not offer such obstructions to the construc-
tion of the railway as might have been expected
owing to the successful mode adopted by the com-
pany of crossing them. He (the chairman) was
bound to mention that for that cheap, substantial,
and expeditious mode of constructing their viaducts
and bridges they were entirely indeted to Colonel
Kennedy, their consulting engineer. The last
girder was placed on the Nerbudda bridge on the
27th of May, and on the 11th of June the bridge,
3,700 feet in length, was tested by three of the
heaviest engines on their line passing over it to-
gether several times. The opening of this bridge
:would reduce the working expenses and increase
the traffic. It was the opinion of the Government
engineer that when the line was opened to Bombay
it would be a good and profitatle undertaking.
The directors looked forward to the early corn•
pletion of the line to Bombay. The business left
undone was the re-eleetion of Mr. Hayman, a re-
tiring director, which he now proposed.
Mr. ROOFER objected to the re-election of Mr.
Hayman, on the ground that a committee of large
shareholders who had been appointed to investigate
certain matters of complaint had expressed an opi-
nion that his re-election was not desirable.

Mr. HAYMAN entered into an explanation at con-
siderable length with a view to show that the com-
plaints were groundless.

The Chairman, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Hartridge, and
Mr. Wild, members of the Board, defended Mr.
Hayman, and said they would vote for his re-elec-
tion.

Major VEREKER, a director, thought the com-
mittee were right, and he would vote with them.
Mr. HAYMAN proposed that the question in dis
pute should be referred to Mr. R. W. Crawford,
M P., or to that gentleman's nominee, in case he
should decline to act.

his proposition was seconded by Mr. Wild, and
negatived by a large majority.
On the motion for the re-election of Mr. Hayman
there appeared 14 for it and 17 against it. A poll
was then demanded, and a long discussion ensued
as to the proper mode of taking the poll.
Mr. DOLLMAN, the solicitor to the company, con-
tended that proxies could be received up to 48 hours
of the time of taking the poll.
The CHAIRMAN, acting upon this advice, refused
to take the votes that day, and adjourned the
meeting to Thursday, the Bth August ; the poll,
in the meantime, was to be taken on Thursday
next, and from the following Monday to Thurs-
day, the Bth August, between the hours of ten
and two, after which the result of the poll would
be declared.

The proceedings then terminated with a vote of
thanks to the chairman.

NORTHERN OF CANADA.

The traffic on this line for the week ending the
29th June amounted to £2,037, against £1,493
for the corresponding week of 1860, showing an
increase of £544. The total receipts on the 94
miles amounted from the Ist January to the 29th
ult. to £41,325, and for the corresponding period of
1860 to £32,730, showing an increase upon the
same mileage of £8,595.

ILLINOIS CENTRAL.

The officials of this company state that they have
had for several weeks past some uneasiness in rela-
tion to the traffic, the value of grain being reduced
to the standard of gold. Indian corn, upon which
they had particularly relied for a large traffic, was
realizing very little money. The farmer got only
12 or 15 cents, per bushel, and the value of wheat
at Chicago was too low to afford the expenses of
transporting it from Southern Illinois, where there
was an abundance. Thus the blockade at Cairo
affected the railway with peculiar severity, depriv-
ing it of the southern market at a time when the
great abundance of grain had reduced it in the
northern markets to so low a price that there was
no profit left to the producer. Moreover the war
caused a hoarding of specie in the West, and a very
great economy which affected the circulation and
consequently the consumption. In the land de-
partment there were steady retail sales going on
from day to day, chiefly in small plots of 40 acres,
which they hoped would amount to over 100,000
dols. this month (July). It was out of the question
to press collections while the prices of wheat and
corn were so low.