The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-09 00:00:00

FALL OF THREE HOUSES, AND LOSS

OF LIFE,

This morning, shortly after 7 o'clock, one of those
dreadful calamities—viz., the fall of houses—tool: place
in Tottenham-eourt-road, and we regret to say that, in
this instance, loss of life has also occurred. The pre-
mises in question, Noe. 145, 146, and 147, were in the
occupation of Mr. Maples, furniture dealer, and
familiarly known as the "Hen and Chickens." Of
course, at the present time, it would bo impossible to
state with positive certainty the causes which lad to the
accident, but as far as we have been able to ascertain,
they ar• as follows :—The adjoining premises, Nos.
14S and 149, in the occupation of Mr. Hunter,
also a furniture and carpet dealer, a few months
1 ago were seriously damaged by fire, and ever since
1 that accident they have been in course of repair, and at
the present time it is supposed that the premises of Mr.
Maples were damaged either by the conflagration or by
the building operations that have been going on there.
At the hour above stated the three houses in the occu-
pation of Mr. Maple fell to the ground with a tremendous
crash, burying the several unfortunate persons who re-
sided therein. Of course the greatest consternation pre-
vailed in the neighbourhood, and in the shortest time
possible the police arrived at the spot, and it was with
the greatest difficulty that they prevented a number of
persons ezeosingr themselves to danger by approaching
too near the spot. Immediately it became known that
a number of T ersons were on the premises at the
moment they fell, the most active measures were
taken for their release, and in a short time a
young man who was in bed when the calamity
occurred was rescued. As he was not seriously injured
he went into one of the adjoining houses, and, having
dressed himself, returned to the spot and gave such in-
formation as enabled the police to direct their search in
the proper quarter. Another man was afterwards
taken from the ruins very severely injured. This pet-
son, we were informed, was the son of a budder, who
was engaged is improving the shop fronts of Mr.
Maples' houses. He was conveyed to the Univer-
sity Hospital, and there received the utmost attention.
The police next succeeded in rescuing another man,
but it was discovered that, from the shocking nature of
the injuries he had received, he had ceased to exist.
The lifeless body of another unfortunate individual was
next taken from the debris. Toe name of this person
was said to be Byng, a workman in the employ of
Mr. Maples. Up to the time of writing this ac-
count no other persons had been rescued, although
it was known that there were several unfortunate in-
dividuals beside those taken from the ruins upon the
premises at the time of the accident.
Tue greatest ezoitement prevails in the neighbourito )d,
and the most intense interest is manifested by the
immense body of persons asemblel in the operations
at present going on under the direction of the police.

INDIA Housg.—A deputation from the Madras Irri-
gation and Canal Company, consisting of the Hon.
Philip Pleydell Beuverie, M,P., Colonel Philip An-
struther, U. 8., Lieut.-Colonel Onslowan(' Jas. Thomson,
E4q., directors, accompanied by John Mackrell, Esq ,
the solicitor, and John Westwood, Esq., the secretare of
the company, had an interview yester lay with Ross
Donnelly Mangles, E.q., M.P., the chairman of the
E tat India Company, and Sir Frederick Currie, the
deputy-chairman.
TER COLONIAL 'POSTAGE SEIVTICE.—In most of the
colonies the Post-office is at present conducted at a loss,
and the loss seems hitherto to have been increased gene-
rally by the reductions that have been made in the rates
of postage. In. 13 colonies postage stamps have been
introdued, and in five—New South Wales, Victoria,Tasmania, Western Australia, and Trinidad, prepay-
ment is compulsory. In India, South Australia, Mau-
ritius, and Barbadccs, prepayment is not compulsory,
but an increased charge is made when the payment is
delay ed.— Ciril Service Gazette.
THE COUNTY OF MAYO ELECTION.—The petition
against the return of Mr. Mtore for the county of Mayo,
which was the first presented t i the House of Commons
at its assembling on Thursetey evening, contains most
serious allegations respecting the conduct of the C
priests at the election. Colonel Higgins, the petitioner,
asserts that he was defeated by a combination of
the bishops and working Catholic clergy ; that
they instigated the people to acts of the grossest
violence and terrorism ; that voters dared not
freely exercise their franchise ; and that be and
his supporters were publicly denounced at the altars of
many chapels in the county. The subject excites much
interest in the house and abroad, and the petition will
probably be the first tried. A. Speaker's warrant has
been issued for the attendance and examination of Dr.
Miele, the archbishop of the diocese. Mr. Edwin
Janice, Q C., will conduct the case for the petitioner,
and in his hands we feel confident that a most searching
investigation into priestly mieeenduct and spiritual in-
timidation will be ar.compli-de l —_ldvortiscr.
DRAINAGE OF TRH METROPOLIS.—The referees tai
whom the plans for the main drainage of the metropolis
were re:erred by the Chief Commissioner of Works, have
addressed the surveyors of the several districts and
parishes in the metropolis for information on the subject
of the drainage of the several localities, and inquire :
The length of covered sewers in the district or parish.
2. The length of open sewers, and the estimated cost of
re-constructing and covering the same. 3. The length
of streets and places, irrespective of uncovered sewers,
which require to be drained ; and the estimated cost of the
sewer works thereon. This information is required ex-
elusive of the principal lines of sewers which are pro-
posed to be carried out by the Metropolitan Board of
Works. Inquiry is also made whether the plan pro-
posed for the main drainage by the Metropolitan Board
of Works, as described in Mr. Baaelgette's reports, dated
May 22 and Dec. 1, 1856, will, in their opinion, be euffi
cleat for the district or parish, and whether there will
be any sewer at such a low level 39 not to be suscep,ible
of drainage by the proposed works ; also the addition
of any general information as to the state of the local
drainage, with a description of any ftiodings which may
have occurred from defects of the main drainage. From
the information received in answer to these inquiries, a
vast body of information respecting the drainage of the
metropolis is being received which could be obtained in
no other way, and which will materially affect the de-
cision of the referees.

MRT2OPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS.—Yesterday at
its weekly meeting, this board discussed the appro-
priation of the vacant space of ground at the south-
eastern angle of St. Paul's churchyard, and also received
a deputation from the Royal Institute of British Archi-
tects, who were anxious that it should not be occupied
as a building site, but preserved for public use and en-
joyment. A deputation on the same subject was also
received from the Improvement Committee of the City
Corporation. From remarks made by the members of
the deputation it appeared that it had been in contem-
plation by the corporation to build on one-fifth of the
ground, and to leave the remainder unoccupied. There
was a willingness to give up the whole plot if the board
would aid in the contribution. The value of the whole
of the area would be 75,0001. The ground had been
purchased by the corporation for the improvements in
Cannon-street, and would involve a serious loss on the
City if the coal-tax ceased in 1862. After some dis-
cussion the whole subject was referred to the Committee
of Works and Improvements. A number of miscella-
neous resolutions were then passed. Among other
things it was resolved that the several houses and pre-
mises in Maddox-street, Hanover-square, be re-num-
bered ; and that, subject to the approval of the Commis-
sioners of her Majesty's Works, &c., the several names
of Clark's-place, Hedge-row, York-building, Gloucester-
place, Oddy'e-row, Islington-green, Frederick's-place,
Commerce-row, Barnsbury-place, Trinity-row, Hapkin's-
buildings, San's-buildings, Sebbon's buildings, and
Wells-row, on the west side of Upper street, be
abolished ; that the whole of the west side of such street,
from the Liverpool-road to the Holloway-road, be called
Upper street, Islington, and that the houses be num-
bered consecutively ; also that, subject to the same
approval, the line of buildings at present callled Great
Cumberland-street, Great Cumberland-place, and Cutu.
berland street, be called Great Cumberland-place ; and
further that application be made to her Majesty's Com-
missioners of Works and Pa6lic Buildings for their
approval of the alteration of the names at present exist
ing in the New-road, between the Edgeware-roal and
the Angel Inn at Islington, to those of Marylebone-
road, Euston-road, and Pentonv:lle-road,