The Sun.
London, England, 1861-12-13 00:00:00

COURF OF COYMON COUNCIL.

Yesterday, at twelve o'clock, a Court of Common
Council was held at Guildhall for the despatch of
business; the Lord Mayor in the chair.

NEW BRIDGE AT PLACKFRIARS,

Mr. Wellington Valiance, chairman of the B ridge-
house estates committee, presented an elaborate
report from that body upon the reference to them
to obtain designs and estimates for the construction
of a new bridge at Blackfriars, and making tem-
porary provision for the traffic. Of this document
the material portions are subjoined. It appeared
to the committee, after mature deliberation, that the
best mode of satisfactorily answering the reference
was to request the most eminent civil engineers to
send in designs and estimates for the proposed new
bridge, and accordingly they sent invitations for
that purpose to Mr. P. W. Barlow, Mr. G. P.
Bidder, Mr. Joseph Cubitt, Mr. John Fowler, Mr.
John lawkshaw, Mr. Thom is Page, Sir John
Rennie, and Messrs. Walker, Burgess, and Cooper.
The invitation was accompanied by an intimation
that having regard to the Royal commission then
sitting for embanking the Thames, and to the pro-
bability of an embankment being carried out to some
extent, it was essential that provision should be
made for that contingency in the designs for the
new bridge. They were also reminded that the
London, Chathain, and Dover Railway Company
had submitted to the corporation of London a plan
for the construction of a railway bridge across the
Thames to the eastward of Blackfriars Bridge.
Subsequently applications were received and com-
plied with for permission to send in designs from
Mr. R. P. Brereton, Mr. James Brunlees, Mr. Thos.
Greenhill, and Mr. R. W. Mylne. The committee
considered it prudent to leave the judgment and
taste of the scientific gentlemen invited wholly un-
controlled and unfettered, so as to obtain the most
original suggestions, and leave each competitor the
opportunity of explaining the reasons which had
guided him in the preparation of the design. Their
anticipations had been fully justified by the results ;
for in every instance the engineers had satisfacto-
rily shown they had carefully considered the most
important requisites in connection with the subject
of the inquiry—namely, the approaches to the pro-
posed new bridge, the roadway and footways over
it, the provisions for the navigation of the river in
the headway and waterway under the various
arches, and otherwise in providing for the obviously
important requirements of the progressive increase
of traffic in the locality of the bridge and the pro-
visions for temporary traffic. The designs submitted
were 20 in number, and comprised four designs for
a stone bridge, five for a wrought iron arched bridge,
one for a wrought iron girder bridge, nine for a cast
iron arched bridge, and one for an iron bridge, not
clearly indicating whether of wrought iron or cast.
The designs so sent in had been exhibited for several
months at Guildhall. The designs for a granite
structure were those submitted by Sir John Rennie,
of three arches, the centre span being 236 ft. 10 in. ;
Mr. George Rennie, of five arches, the centre span
being 150 ft. ; Mr. George Rennie, another of five
arches, each span being 125 ft.; and Mr. R. W.
Mylne, of five arches, the centre span being 150
feet 6 inches. The designs for a wrought
iron arched bridge were those submitted by Mr.
John Fowler, of three arches, with a span of
275 ft. ; the same gentleman, one of five arches, the
centre being 185 ft. ; Mr. John Hawkshaw, of three
arches, the centre and other spans being 200 ft.
each; the same gentleman, of five arches, the centre
and others being 145 ft. each; Mr. P. W. Barlow,
of three arches, the centre being 250 ft. The design
for a wrought iron girder bridge was submitted by
Mr. R. P. Brereton, of 5 openings,tho centre being
220 feet. Those for a cast iron arched bridge were
sent in by Mr. T. Page, of three arches, having a
centre span of 250 ft. ; the same gentleman, of five
arches, with a centre span of 156 ft. Messrs. G. P.
Bidder and Edwin Clark, of five arches, each being
172 ft.; Mr. G. Rennie, of five arches, with a centre
of 160 ft.; the same gentleman, of five arches, with
a centre of 175 ft. ; another of five arches, having a
centre span of 180 ft. Mr. R. IV. Mylne, of five
arches, with a centre of 163 ft. 6 in. Mr. J. Cubltt,
of five arches, having a centre span of 150 ft. • and
Mr. J. Brunlees, of five arches, with a centre of 172
ft. The remaining design for an iron bridge was
submitted by Mr. T. Greenhill, of seven arches,
having a centre span of 120 ft. ; with a tube for a
railway, and he mentioned that it might be con-
verted into a five-arched bridge. During the con-
sideration of the several designs the committee hav-
ing regard to the length of time that would be
necessarily occupied in the construction of a bridge
of stone more than of a bridge with iron arches and
to the facts that the depth required at the crown of
the arches of a stone bridge would prejudicially affect
the gradient of approaches and roadway of the bridge
and the cost of a stone bridge was in all cases so much
more than that of iron, came to the conclusion that
it was not desirable to adopt a design for a stone
bridge. They held it essential to preserve the pre-
sent lines of approach to the proposed bridge on
the north and south sides of the river, and that the
centre line of the new bridge should correspond
with the centre line of the present approaches.
They were fully impressed with the facts that
London, the chief city in England, had become
augmented in population and extent exceeding that
of any other European capital. Its wealth had
increased in farm more than a proportionate rate ;
it was the seat of government and legislation, all
classes of the vast empire being there represented,
commercial, professional, and municipal. In the
exact locality and vicinity of Blackfriars, were being
constructed the termini of the most important rail-
ways that could be brought into London, which
would produce (as the present results of the proxi-
mity of railway stations and termini in the metro-
lis abundantly proved) an increase of traffic, the
amount of which could not be over estimated. The
committee were of opinion that great urgency
existed for all municipal and local authority to be
' energetically exerted to provide for the obviously
certain and enormous requirements that would
shortly arise for traffic accommodation ; nor should
the contemplated vast alterations and improve-
ments in the corporation markets be disregarded, as
affording further evidence that in the locality in
question the demand for roadways and footways
would be additionally increased. Actuated by the
foregoing considerations, and desiring that the City
of London should hold its place, deservedly eminent
as it was, for the useful exercise of its ancient
municipal rights in the promotion of the com-
fort and convenience of the public, which were to be
partially secured by the provision of proper means
of intercommunication from one part of the metro-
polis to the other, as well for the purposes of social
as commercial and manufacturing pursuits, they
thought that the present opportunity should not be
lost of maintaining this great city's well-earned
reputation in contributing extensively to the archi-
tectural decoration and beauty of the metropolis, of
which even at this day so many exquisite and per-
fect examples were to be found in the City of Lon-
don. They were also fully impressed with the actual
necessity which existed for providing abundant
facilities for the navigation of the river, for the
transit of merchandise, and for passengers by road
and footways. They had likewise had due regard
to the time within which the proposed structure
might be erected, its desirability and proportionate
cost of construction. The committee had resolved
to submit for the approbation of the court an iron-
arched bridge, being governed by the important
considerations glanced at in their report, and having
so fully considered the different designs for a bridge
of that character, it appeared to them that the design
of Mr. Thomas Page for a bridge of three iron arches
on granite piers combined the desiderata they had
adverted to, and was the best calculated to meet
the requirements of the public. No disturbance of
the traffic would arise during the construction,
provision for such being made without a temporary
bridge; and Mr. Page had estimated the expense of
executing the whole of the requisite works at the
sum of £245,000. They could not but acknow-
ledge the manifest grandeur of style and beauty
of the proposed structure, which they deemed
worthy in all respects of this great municipality.
They, therefore, recommended the design of Mr.
Page for adoption, omitting, however, the sculptured
ornamental groups on the piers, such being merely
suggestive, that the corporation might, at some
future time, if so minded, in so conspicuous and
suitable position, have the opportunity of comme-
morating any event or circumstance of national
importance. They recommended that in the event
of the court adopting his design, Mr. Page should
be retained as the engineer to superintend the re-
quisite works connected with the erection of the
,_ now bridge and making temporary provision for

the traffic in the meantime. The committee had
not been empowered by the court to report on the ,
ways and means for the construction of the bridge,
but they observed that the reference of the subject
to the Bridge-house estates committee, and other
circumstances, suggested to them the propriety of
rendering those estates available for the proposed
erection. Although primarily charged with the
maintenance of London Bridge, parliament had
already sanctioned the principle of the application
of the surplus profits of those estates for repairing
the present Blackfriars Bridge. They accordingly
consulted with the Chamberlain as to the sum which
could be raised upon those estates after payment of
the annual charges in respect of London and
Blackfriars Bridges, and liquidation of the sums
now due to the government and others in respect
of those bridges, and he had reported to them that a
sum could be raised on the surplus rents of the estates
more than sufficient to meet the estimated outlay of
£245,000 for the erection of the bridge, and as it
wou!d be necessary to obtain the sanction of Par-
liament to the application of the Bridge-house funds
to the erection of the structure, they recommend
that they should be authorised to take the necessary
steps for obtaining the requisite Parliamentary
powers for that purpose.
Mr. Valiance moved that the report be read, and
the discussion on it postponed until a future occa.
sion.
To this an amendment by Mr. De Jersey was pro-
posed, that the document be printed and circulated
amon g the members before the discussion was taken
upon it.
Af or a short discussion the amendment was put
and carried,

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

NORTHERN CIRCUIT.--LIVERPOOL, Thursday.

CROWN COURT.
(Before Mr. Baron Channell.)
CHILD MURDER AT DROYLSDEN.

Late last evening the jury returned a verdict of
guilty in the case of Nancy Armfield, charged with
the murder of her illegitimate child, four months
old. The verdict was accompanied with a recom-
mendation to mercy, on the ground that Sheppard,
the father of the child, had been grossly negligent
in those attentions which the situation of the pri-
soner demanded.
In passing the sentence of death upon the pri-
soner, his lordship said that he should not fail to
forward the recommendation to mercy to the proper
quarter.

THE FULWOOD BARRACKS TRAGEDY.
Patrick M'Caffery, a young soldier, of 20, was
indicted for the wilful murder of Capt.llanham and
Col. Hugh Dennis Crofton, at the Fulwood Bar-
racks, Preston, on the 14th of September last.
Mr. Kaye and Mr. Gully prosecuted; and Mr.
Russell defended the prisoner.
the court was densely crowded, and the proceed-
ings excited the deepest interest.
Mr. Kaye, in opening the case before the jury,
said the prisoner at the time of the occurrence was
a private in the 32d Regiment of Foot. He had
been enlisted in the year 1860, and on the 14th of
September he was present with the depot of his
regiment at Fulwood Barracks, Preston. At that
time there were in Fulwood Barracks depots of five
other regiments, forming what was called a depot-
battalion, of which Colonel Crofton was the colonel,
and Captain Hanham the adjutant. On Friday the
13th of September the prisoner was acting as
" picket sentry" near the officers' quarters. The
officers, it appeared, bad been a good deal disturbed
by the noise which children :made near their quar-
ters, and Captain Hanham had requested the pri-
soner to see that the children were removed. The
prisoner seemed to have obeyed in a somewhat care-
less way, and the captain then requested him to go
and find out the names of the children's parents.
The prisoner went, bat did not appear to have
brought the names of more than one of the parents,
and from the way in which he obeyed the order the
captain seemed to have thought that he had neglected
his instructions, and sent him therefore to the guard
room. Between 10 and 11 o'clock the next morning
the prisoner was brought before Col. Crofton, and
Capt. Hanham preferred the charge of neglect of
duty against him. The colonel, after a short time
for consideration, ordered the prisoner to be
punished, by being confined to barracks 14 days.
Now on this same morning one of the privates, named
Levett, had taken M‘Caffery's ammunition from his
pouch in the bedroom where he slept and had laid
it upon his bed. The ammunition was counted
by Levett and found to comprise two packets of
ball cartridge, each package containing about ten
rounds. When M'Caffery was sent to the guard-
room his accoutrements were sent after him ; and
when he was set at liberty he went back to his
room, which was in K passage. When ho went
back Levett was still in the room, and the prisoner
did not appear to be then excited. He asked Lovett
for his rifle and ammunition, and Levett told him
it was lying upon the bed. The prisoner asked for
a piece of rag or cloth to clean his rifle, and the rag
and cloth having been supplied to him, he appeared
to have gone and taken the ammunition from his
bed. After this he was not for a short time ob-
served, but shortly afterwards a cap was heard to
explode in K passage. Immediately after, or just
about this time, one of the soldiers went into the
passage, and saw the prisoner standing there with a
rifle in his hand. No notice seemed to have been
taken of this ; but almost immediately afterwards
the wives of two colour-sergeants in the barracks
saw a man whom they were unable to identify come
out of the K passage, kneel down in front of the
door of the passage, and after taking a deliberate
aim, fire in the direction of Colonel Crofton and
Captain Hanham, who were walking side by side
across the square. The bullet unfortunately took
a fatal effect, for after passing through Colonel
Crofton, and one of the arms of Captain Hanham,
it lodged in the lower part of the captain's spine,
and the result was that the colonel died on the
following day, and the captain on the Monday
afterwards. The man who fired the shot im-
mediately went back to K passage, and it would
be for the jury to inquire whether that man was the
prisoner at the bar. They must bear in mind that
before the shot was fired a cap was heard to explode
in K passage ; that a soldier who went into the
passage saw the prisoner with a rifle ; and that a
man was seen to fire, and then go back into the
passage. The moment the explosion from the gun
was heard one of the sergeants went directly to the
passage, and found the prisoner there with a rifle
in his hand, which was still warm, and which had
an exploded cap upon the nipple. The sergeant
asked, " Who has done this ?" The prisoner replied,
" Never mind, take this" (meaning his rifle). Im-
mediately afterwards another sergeant came into
the passage, and asked, " Who has done this ?" To
which the prisoner replied, " I did." He was then
taken across from the passage to the guard-room by
the sergeant and one or two of the soldiers. On
their way thither he turned round, and said calmly
to one of the soldiers, " I could not do it with the
first cap, and I put a second on." He was then taken
to the guard-room. When he heard that the captain
and colonel were shot, he said, " Ah, I did not intend
to shoot the colonel, I meant it for the captain ; but
it does not matter much. However, I did not in-
tend to shoot the colonel, but the captain." When
searched, it was found that one round of ball cart-
ridge had bum taken from his ammunition, and that
four caps were missing. Two caps were found in
his pocket, one upon the nipple of his rifle, and ono
had been heard to explode in K passage. It seemed
difficult, under the circumstances, to suggest any
doubt which could arise as to the guilt of the pri-
soner, and he (Mr. Kaye) believed that, if the case
was made out against the prisoner beyond any
reasonable doubt, the jury would not shrink from
their duty, however painful it might be.
Evidence was then called in proof of the learned
counsel's statement.

Mr. Russell then addressed the jury for the de-
fence. He contended that the punishment which
M'Caffery had received at the hands of his officers
was entirely disproportionate to the offence which
he had committed ; that the prisoner had formed no
deliberate intention to murder; and that the act
was committed under a momentary impulse of rage
and vexation, when he found the authors of his
shame and punishment were before him, and when
he had the weapon in his hand.
His lordship then summed up, anti the jury hav-
ing found the prisoner guilty of wilful murder, he
was sentenced to death.

FOREIGN NAIL PACKET LIST.

---
MAILS DUE.

Australia and Mauritius, via Southampton. Dec, 19.
via Marseilles Dec. 13.
Brazil and Cape Verds, by British packet Jan. 4.
Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Helena Jan. 1.
China, Penang, and Singapore, via Southampton Dec. 19.
via Marseilles Dec. 13.
Falkland Islands
Gibraltar, via Southampton Dec. 19.
Imlia (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southamyton I)ec. 19.

via 11Iauoilfes 1 .)ec. 13.
India (Bombay), via Southampton Deo ti 6.

via Marseilles Dec. 20.
Lisbon Dec. 21.
Malta, Egypt, and Men, via Southampton Dec. 19.
via Marseilles Dec. 19.
Newfoundland Dec. 25
Oporto and Vigo
U. S. and British N. America, by Brit. packet Dec. 19.
...

. _ .
by U.S. packet
by Canadian packet Dec. 18.
W.C. of Africa, Madeira, and Tenet:life J• 171. 10.
Bahamas, via New York llcc. 19.
Aic,;.;co ....Dec. 39.
All parts of West Indies, including Chili,
California,alAd 13ritish Cplumbia„„ ... Peru,
Dec, 14,

,711 E

jab in the financial year
The revenue of tli'e Pun:,
1859-60, 12,957,058, as 2 0 lakhs of rupees over
a
that of the previous year, at • increase due in great
roads and canals;
trade tax, extending
part to the imposition of t
et
taxation over the non-ag cultural population.
Large sums were laid out u,?t,
but the entire local experiditu re, including the cost
of the local corps, left asi irplu s £1,187,417. The
Imperial charges, however in respect of the reguls r
army and military public works would go far to-
wards turning this into a 1 eficiency of as large an
amount. The corresTondera-te carried by the post
has trebled since 1855, a prodof the value of rudi-
mental education.
The numh, er of scholars in-
creased largely in the year. A. first-class school
was established by the Governme, nt at Lahore, in
which, to meet the views of the chick's and courtiers
of the old Sikh monarchy resident th, ere, a higher
department was created, into which Insne but the
sons of persons eligible for the Governar-fireneral's
durb2r are aclrnissilA ; without this they would n,nt
be sent at all. The change which may be hoped for
in the Sikh aristocracy may be measured by the
fact that Runjeet Singh used to keep his Royal
accounts by cutting notches on a stick. The police
report a slight increase of crime in the year, but a
larger proportion was detected and punished thaw
in the previous year. Of the cases reported three--
fourths were brought to trial, and of the persons
tried three-fourths were convicted; and above a
fourth of the property stolen was recovered. The
police reports assert the gradual extinction of infan-
ticide, and the extinction of thuggee is only pre-
vented by the number of old hardened practi-
tioners at large. The returns from the district
courts show above 6,000 sentences, of which flogg-
ing was a part or the whole ; a recent change in
the penal laws had extended the list of crimes to
which this punishment is allotted. The practice
of poisoning by giving dutoora has attracted atten-
tion. Dutoora grows in many parts of the Pun-
jab, and it is given sometimes in the form of a
sweetmeat to a traveller, or mixed up in a
family dinner by the poisoner disguised as
a fakeer or a Brahmin, or administered to
a dancing girl in order to plunder her of her
ornaments, or to a cartman for the sake of hs bul-
locks, the accomplices hanging back until the ,drug
has taken effect. One man, a Mussulman, confossed
to 17 of these murders. It was considered that it
would be necessary to make the possession of con-
cealed dutoora a criminal offence. Ignorance and
superstition cause the rople to be easily imposed
upon by designing characters. Some agitation was
created in the course of the yvar by rumours of the
appearance of the "Imam Metiodee," a prophet ex-
pected by the Mahomedans at the end of the world.
Several persons were convicted of p:iblicly uttering
sedition, and sentenced to various sight punish-
ments, which had the effect of putting an end to
the temporary excitement. It came out also that;
there had been a discussion among certain Maho-
medans employed in the educational department
concerning the lawfulness, in reference to their
faith, of serving the British Government. 'EU
frontier tribes were a source of some trouble.
plundering expedition of 3,000 Mahsoods, a prin-
cipal branch of the \Vuzeree tribe, was most gal-
lantly checked by Ressaidar Sahadut Khan, of the
sth Punjab Cavalry, the native officer at the frontier
post of Tank, with less than 200 men at his com-
mand. He led the Mahsoods to follow him until
he reached ground where cavalry could act, and
then, in the midst of their shouts of derision and an
ill-directed matchlock fire, to their amazement the
little body of cavalry faced about, charged the wild
disunited mass of hill-men, and put them to almost
instant rout. Personally brave and of vigorous
muscular frames, these warriors wanted the power
of combination to resist a charge effectually; and
the whole body became a helpless rabble, and lost
a tenth of their number before they regained the
safety of the mountain pass. Our loss was one
killed and 15 wounded. The officer did not go un-
rewarded for his judgment and intrepidity ; a
sword of honour was presented to him, and he was
admitted to the second class of the Order of British
India, with the title of Bahadoor. Upon the whole,
the year was one of progress and prosperity in the
Punjab. The Mahomedan population, excluded
from the city of Delhi on its captuce by our troops,
were allowed to return, and the attachment was
taken off their houses.

COUNTRY MARKLIS.

.~.._._.

MANCHESTER-DEC. 12.

At our market to-day there was a very inactive business
doing, and prices were in favour of buyers, but holders
showed no indication to press sales either for wheat or flour.
For oats and oatmeal a slow sale, and quotations nominally
unaltered. Indian corn is cheaper. Egyptian beans were
Gd cheaper.

BIRMINGHAM—DEC. 12.
At to-day's market there was a moderate supply of Eng^
lish wheat from farmers, which said slowly at is to 2s de-
cline on this day week. Barley, oat', beans, and polo
nominally at former rates.

NEWARK—DEC. 11.
At to-day's corn market the quantity of wheat exhibited
was again limited, and an inactive business was done at
last week's rates. Barley kept up in price. Other articileo
as before.
White wheat, new, 60s to G3s
Red do. 559 to 51s
01(1 white 6os to G3s I
Red do. 46s to 56s
Barley, malting— . 32s:to 39s
Peas,....

Barley, grinding 29s to 316
Oats, old, . oos to 36 f
New do 23s to 270
Beans.. 46s to 470
Beans, new.. 44s to ---0
48s to 545.

CORK—DEc. 11.
The following were the quotations this morning :—lted
wheat, 21s Od to 29s 6cl; white, 25s Od to 33s 3d; barley 100
6d to 18s Gd ; oats, 7s Od to 14s 6d.

DERBY SMITHFIELD—DEC. 10.
The supply of fat beasts to-day was plentiful, and the
quality was generally good, but a clearance could not be
effected. The supply of sheep was good, and the demand
fair. Fat calves more plentiful. Pigs were in very good
supply.
Beet 6d to 61d Veal .......... to 8 1
Mutton 7d to 8d Pork . . . . 6d to sia
Lamb Od to Od Rough ..... ... 8d per stone.
Hides, 3d to 4id ; calf skins, 5d to 6d.

The screw steamship Mauritius, 2,135 tons, 3po
horse power, has been chartered to conveytroops and stores,
and has proceeded to Deptford to be fitted ; also the sere'
steamship Admiral Kanario. to convey 1,000 tons :of stores
to Bermuda.

[ADVERTISEMENT.]—HoIIoway's Ointment and
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The unguent penetrates all diseased and erroneous action.
Whatever or wherever the malady, this invaluable Oint-
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remedial action required without weakening the system or
leaving behind the seeds of future disease. Holloway 'g
Pills greatly assist this curative action. The sick of all
nations have voluntarily borne testimony to the extraor-
dinary cures performed by Holloway's medicaments when
both the faculty and the patients themselves saw no relief
but death.

BIRTHS.

BIRCH.—On the 11th in3t., at 27, Park-street, Grosvenor-
square, the wife of John William Birch, Esq,, of a
son.

FITZMAITRICE.—On the 7th inst., at Southsea, Hants, the
Hon. Mrs. Frederick Fitz Maurice, of a son.
HANWELL.—On the 7th inst., at Charlton, the wife of Car
tain Hanwell, R.A., of a son.
MANSFIELD.—On the 12th inst., at St. John's-wood, the
wife of George Mansfield, jun., Esq., of a son.