The Sun.
London, England, 1861-09-18 00:00:00

CITY COURT OF SEWERS.

Yesterday the weekly meeting of the Commis-
sioners of Sewers was held at Guildhall ; Mr.
Deputy CHRISTIE in the chair.
Mr. Deputy HARRISON presented a memorial,
signed by the inhabitants of Throgmorton-street,
praying that an improvement.and
be made,movebdy
that
tenit-
ing the west end of the street ,
be referred to the General Improvements Committee
for negotiation.
Mr. YOUNG seconded the motion, which was
carried.
Mr. Alderman WILSON made an application to
the court on the part of the City justices, in refer-
ence to the " Sale of Gas" Act. He said the justices
in 1860 had the subject referred to them, and had
appointed an inspector under the provisions of the
act, and that that court had refused to pay the
salery of the inspector. He moved that it be referred
to the General Purposes Committee, and that they
st ould meet the justices on the subject.
Mr. Deputy FARRAR seconded the motion.
Dr. ABRAHAM said he thought it was a very sin-
gular act. It gave the power of appointment to the
justices; but the payment of the salary fell upon
that court.

The motion was carried, and the matter was re-
ferred to the General Purposes Committee.

THE ADVANCE IN THE PRICE OF GAS.
Dr. ABRAHAM moved, " That it'be referred to
the General Purposes Committee to consider (with
special reference to the provisions of the Great
Central Gas Consumers Act of 1351) the letter
dated September, 1861, signed by the chairman of
the three City gas companies, giving notice to the
gas consumers of the City, that on end after
Michaelmas next the charge will be at the rate of
4s. 6d. per 1,000 feet for the ordinary coal gas; and
likewise to consider whether the interests of the gas
consumers are sufficiently protected by the Metro-
politan Gas Act, and if not, whether it is desirable
to apply to Parliament for more efficient means to
remedy complaints as to the quantity and purity
of the gas supplied, and for authority to test
the illuminating power and purity of the gas at
the places of consumption, instead of 1,000 yards
from the works, and report thereon forthwith to
the commission." He 'aid the circular issued by
the companies alleged that the Act of Parliament
passed in 1830, under the provisions of which the
companies supplying the City were about to
come, imposed upon them the necessity of sup-
plying gas of a higher illuminating power and of
greater purity than that which they had hitherto
supplied. He said that, referring to the reports of
Dr. Letheby, he found that such was not the case,
for during the last nine years the gas supplied by
the Great Central Gas Company had been equal to
thirteen sperm candies, whereas the new act only
imposed a standard of twelve sped candles. The
Great Central Gas Company, he said, was established
for the purpose of protecting the consumers; but it
appeared that they had entered into a confederacy
with the other companies prejudicial to the public
interests. He then commented at great length upon
the provisions of the Metropolis Gas Act.
Mr. Alderman DAKIN seconded the motion, which
was then put and carried unanimously,
Dr. ABRAHAM then moved that Mr. Deputy Har-
rison Mr. Deputy Farrar, Mr. Henry Lowman Tay-
lor, Mr. Henry De Jersey,Dr. Ross, and Mr. Walter
be added to the General Purposes Committee, to
consider the whole question of the supply of gas to
this City.
Mr. Deputy HARRISON remarked that the Gene-
ral Purposes Committee would shortly be changing,
and he thought it would inconvenient if the ques-
tion were referred to a changing committee; and
suggested that it should be referred to a special
committee formed on purpose.
Mr. Deputy FARRAR thought if it were referred
to a special committee, the members ought to have
, nothing to do with gas shares.
Dr. Ross thought the objection a very proper
one, and thought it ought to go to a special com-
mittee, so that they might be able to remain on the
committee until the inquiry was finished.
A special committee was accordingly appointed,
consisting of twelve members, viz.: Mr. Deputy
Farrar, Mr. Henry Lowman Taylor, Mr. De Jer-
sey, Dr. Ross, Mr. Walter, Alderman Rose, Dr.
Abraham, Mr. Waterlow, Mr. Deputy Lott, Mr.
Houghton, and Mr. Deputy White.
Dr. ABRAHAM then moved " That it be referred
to the General Purposes Committee to cause every
house and building in New Broad-street to be
marked or numbered in such manner as they shall
judge most proper for distingtiishing the same."
Mr. Deputy HARRISON moved as an amendment
" That it should be referred to the General Pur-
poses Committee to consider if it were desirable to
cause every house and building in New Broad-
street to be numbered, &c."
The amendment was ultimately carried.
THE SANITARY CONDITION OF THE CITY.

Dr. LETHEBY, the medical officer, reported on the
state of 184 houses which had been inspected dur-
ing the week, and he submitted a list of 44 places
for sanitary improvements.
All the markets and slaughter-houses had been
duly inspected, and the officers had seized 3951b5.
of meat as unfit for human food, 601bs. of which
were diseased, 1051bs. putrid, and the rest was from
animals that had died from natural causes.

The mortality returns for the week were greatly
below the average, showing a favourable condition
of public health. Only 38 deaths were registered
during the week, instead of 45, which is the average
for the corresponding week of the last five years ;
19 of the deaths were among children of less than
five years of age, and four among old persons of 60
and upwards. The deaths were chiefly from dis-
eases of a chronic character ; six of them were from
phthisis, and six from mesenteric diseases of in-
fancy. There were only four deaths from inflam-
matory affections of the lungs, viz., three from
pneumonia and one from bronchitis. Of the zymotic
class of maladies there were the following :—Con-
tinued fever, 2 ; scarlet fever, 1 ; whooping-cough,
2 ; croup, 1 ; and the diarrhoea of infants, 3
making together but 9 deaths from these diseases.
There were 66 births registered during the week,
of which 43 were boys and 23 girls.

CONFESSION OF A MURDER COMMIT-
TED TEN YEARS AGO.

In August, 1851, a girl of 16, named Sarah Watts,
was barbarously murdered at Woodlands, near
Frome. Her father had left her at home alone,
while he went to market, and on his return he
found her mangled body in the dairy, and the house
ransacked. Subsequent examination showed that
the girl had been outraged and probably drowned
in the milk-pail. Three bad characters, named
Maggs, Sparrow, and "Frome Bob," were appre
hended, and the evidence against them appeared
so strong that they were committed for trial
on the capital charge, but a jury acquitted them.
Suspicion also fell upon a young man named Joseph
Seer, who lived near the Woodlands, but shortly
after the murder he left the neighbourhood, and en-
listed into the army. Within the last few days he
has returned to Frome, being invalided. Yesterday
morning he went to the police-station in order to
get his remittance form filled up, and whilst there
he made a voluntary confession that he was guilty
of the crime of murdering Sarah Watts. At the
conclusion of the other business, the prisoner was
placed in the cloak. He is short in stature, and
was attired in the uniform of an infantry soldier.
His appearance was that of a sullen, pre-occupie4.
man. He was, however, quite composed, exhibit-
ing not the slightest degree of excitement.
Mr. Turner, the assistant magistrates' clerk, read
the prisoner's confession, which he had taken aown
at his request. It was as follows :—" I murdered
Sarah Watts. I hope the God above will let me I
live to see her again in another world. I have it
on my mind a long time ; I have been very unhappy
ever since. I went away, I was so unhappy. I hope
that God will wash away our sins. I done it for love.
It was on a market day. I asked her to go up to
Birch Hill-lane and pick some water-tresses. She
wouldn't go. I asked her to go up on a Sunday,
and then she wouldn't go. I often played with
her. It was in August it happened. About 3
o'clock in the afternoon, I went to the house. I
thought he was worth some money, and she
wouldn't tell where it was. I told her to tell me
where it was and I would marry her and take her
to America. I was very fond of her, then we would
live happy together. She said, ' The money don't
belong to you.' I said, ' If you don't tell where
it is, I will be the death of you.' I took hold of
her by the neck. I had a poker in my hand, and I
hit her in the head with it. I said I would have to
suffer for it either in heaven or in hell. I struck her
in the kitchen, and dragged her into the dairy. I
caught her hold by the feet, and put her head first
into the milk pail, and left her in the dairy, dead.
I took two shillings out of a cup on the mantelpiece.
I went upstairs and searched about, and took some
clothes, and went my way and went to sea. I
had connection with her in the settle before I
knocked her down. I was blamed for it at the time,
and enlisted a soldier to get out of the way. I
have never got it off my mind. I killed her for love.
I was very fond of her."
Mr. E. Deggan, superintendent of the police,
said—On Tuesday morning the prisoner came to
my office to get a form filled up. I took him to
Mr. Turner's office to get him the form. While
there the prisoner appeared very agitated. I said
then, " What's the matter ; you appear to be very
unhappy
in your mind P" I also said, "Is it the
Woodlands murder unhappymakmesaydoeuyousayat
tft
h. p
Dr. Harrison-What
yWesi;tnaenss—l hadhearddl he was
cannot
live
downthsuersep.e”cted. He said
Ithon took,

him down stairs to my office, in company with Mr.
Turner, and he then made a voluntary confession in
my presence. I then took him into custody.
The prisoner was remanded for a week.

THE TRAGEDY AT FULWOOD

B ,IRR.ztarrS.

PRESTON, TUESDAY.

Late last evening Mr. Myres, coroner for this
district, opened the inquest touching the deaths of
Col. Crofton and Adjutant Hanham, who were shot
by a private of the 32d Regiment, under circum-
stances detailed in The Sun of yesterday.
_ _ .

The inquiry was held in the governor's room at the ,
House of Correction. The jury, having been sworn,
proceeded to the Fulwood barracks to view the
bodies. On their return the Coroner proceeded to
take the following evidence
Major Robert S. Coils was first sworn, and said—
On Saturday last, at half-past 11 o'clock in the
morning, I was sitting writing in my quarters at
Fulwood barracks, Preston, and heard the report of
a rifle outside. I thought there was something
wrong, and shot up one of the windows which looked
out upon the barrack square. I saw the late Col.
Crofton and Capt. Hanham standing in the middle
of the square. Just as I looked out I saw Col. Crof-
ton throw up his hands, and heard him cry out,
" Oh, lam shot !" I immediately ran out. On ap-
proaching I saw that Capt. Hanham was bleeding
from the left side. I placed one arm round his waist,
' and he placed his right arm round my neck. Col.
Crofton was assisted to his quarters by myself, and
Capt. Han ham by another officer. On reaching the
Colonel's quarters I placed him in am easy chair. I
stripped him and found a bullet hole in his chest.
That is all. The two bodies the jury have seen are
those of these officers. The colonel died yesterday
and Capt. Hanham this morning, to the best of my
belief. Col. Crofton's age was 47 years and eight
months, according to the records of the battalion.
Capt. Hanham was aged 38 years and eight months.
None of the jury wishing to ask the witness any
question, the Coroner asked the prisoner if he had
any desire to do so?
Prisoner—l wish to ask him if he heard Col.
Crofton say, " Oh, I am shot !"
Major Colls—l have already said so. I heard
him distinctly. ,
The Coroner—Do you wish to ask him anything
more ?

Prisoner—No, sir.
By the Foreman—You said you thought some-
thing was wrong ?_

Major Colls—A knew by the sound of the rifle
that it was loaded with a bullet.
Rosannah Bridgewater was next sworn and exa-
mined. She said—l am the wife of Benjamin
Bridgewater, colour-sergeant at the Fulwood bar-
racks. On Saturday morning, between 11 and 12
o'clock, I was looking out of a window in J pas-
sage. I saw a man come out of K passage. He was
a soldier. I did not know him. He had a rifle with
him. I saw the Colonel and the Adjutant walking
in the square. I turned my head and saw the sol-
dier make a spring and put the rifle to his shoulder.
The man was a yard or two from the passage. The
man was on one knee when he fired. I did not notice
if he took aim at anything. After he had fired I saw
Captain Hanham reel round, and Col. Crofton put
up his hands. I heard Col. Crofton call out, "Oh !
my God, lam shot." I immediately left the win-
dow and went downstairs to the door. I saw Ser-
geant Smedley with the soldier, but I cannot swear
prisoner is the man. I did not knowthe prisoner be-
fore, and do not know whether he was the man
who fired or not.

By the Foreman—When he knelt down he had
his rifle to his shoulder.

By a Juror—l did not see the sergeant seize the
prisoner. _ _ _

- The prisoner declined to ask witness any question.
Sergeant Conihan sworn—He said, I am a colour
sergeant in the 2d battalion of the regiment sta-
tioned at Fulwood barracks. I have seen M'Cafferay
before, and knew him to be a soldier at the bar-
racks. He is a private in the 32d regiment. On
Friday evening last I took him into custody by
Captain Hanham's orders. I can't say what offence
he had committed. I asked him when he was in the
guard room what offence he had committed, and he
replied in an under tone, which I could not under-
stand. I handed him over to the sergeant of the
guard, and he locked him up. I know he 1-as been a
prisoner in the cells before, by order of Col. Crofton.
I do not know how often he has been confined. Col.
Crofton or the officer in command for the time being
were proper parties to order him to be confined. I
do not know what crimes the man had committed.

The prisoner, being asked if he had any question
to put, said—How did you know I had been in the
cells?

Witness—By your hair having been cut.
By the Coroner—No private's hair is as short as
his unless he has been tried by court-martial, or has
got cells.
Prisoner—How do you know that it was Colonel
Crofton gave me the cells?
Witness—Nobody else could give him the cells
except the commanding officers for the time being.
This man was not placed in separate confinement;
he was only placed in the guard-room with the
other prisoners.

Thomas Whatnall sworn—He said—l am ser-
geant in the 32d Regiment. On Friday afternoon,
about a quarter to 4, I was parading the drill in the
barrack-square, and Capt. Hanham told me to come
to him directly, and he would give a copy of M.Caf-
feray's crime. This is it I now produce in the
handwriting of Capt. Hanham. (The first was for
neglect of duty when on picket sentry, and the se-
cond was for not obeying orders given him by the
adjutant at the same time and place.) I made a
copy of this, and it was sent to the sergeant of the
guard. I saw M'Cafferay on the following morn-
ing when brought before the commanding officer.
He had been confined all night. That would be
about half-past 10 o'clock. Capt. Hanham gave
the evidence against him. He was released about
10 minutes after that. I heard the sentence was 14
days in the barracks. I afterwards saw M'Caffe-
ray standing outside the orderly-room. It rained,
and I told him to come inside the passage, and he
did so without making any observation. I did not
see him again until after he had fired. When I
saw him he had to wait for the sergeant to show
him to the men at the gate, after which he would
be entirely free and discharged.
Prisoner—What was the evidence you gave be-
fore Major Colls ?
Witness—Capt. Hanham said there had been
several squares of glass broken by children, and the
officers had had to pay for them. Capt. Hanham
ordered this man to find out who the children were.
He found out the name of one and whom he be-
longed to. There were two others there, and he
was told to go and find them out. He moved in a
slovenly manner, and came back and said he could
not find them out.
The Coroner then announced that this was all
the evidence he then proposed to take, and that he
should adjourn the inquest until Tuesday evening.