The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-24 00:00:00

SHIPPING.

The Hero, fr3m London, arrived at Geelong, Nov, 22,
The Thomas p,oydon, sailed from Sydney for Manilla,
Nov. 24.
On the lit of Decemly,r_, at Melbourne, the wreck of the
Lowrance Frost 143,3 14014 by auc.tion_fo.r_l7o/._

The Edward Oliver, hence ; the Light of the Age, from
Loildon; and the Clialina, from Batavia, hire a-rived at
Sydney.
The Brims, from Glaigow, Nor. 20, and the Lucy
from the Mauritius, hs.ve arrived at Melbemne.
The Raritan sailed from Melbourne for Bombay. Nov.
22 ; the Black Swan, 24th, and Echo, 26th; for Caillo ;
the Nestorien, 26th, for Calcutta, and the Cirribeao,
28th, for Guam.

SYDNEY, Nov. 23.
Exchange—The present rate is llaf, per sterling for
Six nionthi,' sight bills on Bagland. No Australian Bank
bills at SO days' sight have been offering of late ; nominal
value of 11 45-10)f. per £ sterling. On Singapore 2 78•
100 f. to 2 80-100 f. per dollar.
Specie aad Gold—Sovereigns continue readily saleable at
124 f. each, and llexican dollars at 2 80-100 f. Australian
gold, in ingots of 23 carats and upwards; much wanted,.;
and would readily fetch 47,1.- per dollar wiiight (about 416
gi ains troy).

DRIMDFUL COLLIERY EXPLOSION

NEAR BARNSLEY.

Yesterday Mr. T. 'Badger, coroner, opened an inquest on
the body of Abraham Turner, who was one of the men got
out of the pit alive shortly after the accident on Thursday,
and died on Saturday morning. The inquiry was opened
at the house of the deceased, at `Path.
The proprietors of the pit were in tattendaece, as also
Mr. C. Morton, the Government inspector, Mr. W. H.
Peacock, solicitor, Barnsley, app red on behalf of the
proprietors, who, ho stated, would'have- pleasure in ren-
dering all the assistance in their power in the investigation
of this deplorable uccident.
The Coroner, in opening the inquiry, said he had had a
conversation with Mr. Morton, the Government inspector,
and -thought it would be the best course to take some .pre-
liminary evidence to-day and then adjourn the inquest for
a week, by which time it was not improbable that a num-
ber of the bodies left in the pit would be recovered. He
was aura the jury would co-operate with him in fully, fairly,
andpatiently inquiring into all the circumstances of the
dreadful calamity.
The following evidence was adduced :
Mr. W. H. Peacock, of Barnsley, solicitor to the pro-
prietors of the Lundhill Colliery, said the names of the
proprietors of the pit were W. Taylor, of Redbrook, near
Barnsley, Thomas S. GaUand, of Brampton, barrister-at-
law, E. T. Simpson, of Walton, near Wakefield, soap..
maker, and W. Stewart, of Wakefield, gentleman. Joseph
Coe, of Hemingfield, is the uudergrounu steward.
Alice Turner, mother of the deceased, identified the body
of the deceased as that of her son, who was 21 years of age,
and was a harrier in the Lundhill pit for his brother, Ste-
phen Turner. lle went to work at the usual time on the
morning of the explosion, and was brought home between
5 and 6 o'clock the same afternoon very 'much barnt. He
died at half-past 4 o'clock on Saturday morning.
William Colbridge, of Lundhill, fireman at the Lundhill
Colliery, said—l saw the deceased in the pit several times
on Thursday. The explosion occurred about 20 minutes
past 12 at noon. It was of a most serious character. I was
in the pit at the time, and got to the bottom as soon as I
could. Abraham Turner came to the bottom an hour and a
half after me. He complained of cold, and of being very
badly burnt. I took off my jacket, and put it upon him.
He sat beside myself and the other men until we were
drawn up. There were 15 or 16 of us when he arrived,
and two or three others came afterwards. Nineteen were
got out between 4 and 5 o'clock. Only two were burnt, so -
far as I know—the deceased and Aaron Nixon. Five of us
were drawn np in the first draw, and six in the second. I
and deceased were taken out by the second draw. When
the explosion took place I was in the cabin, which is 12 or
14 yards from the bottom of the drawing shaft, and five
others wore with me—viz., Thomas Smith, Henry Chip-
chase, and Joseph Tunnercliffe, three hookers-on ; Abra-
ham Levitt, a packer; and Wm. Hartley, the horsekeeper.
It was the dinner hour, which was the reason of our being
there. Therkwere five men and a boy on the dip side, about
130 or 140 yards from the pit bottom. Their names are
Thomas Hammerton and his son, John Ellis, Edmund Sim-
mons, Thomas Bell, and Kitching, and all of them were
got out alive. George Warrander and John Booth came
from the north levels to the bottom. Aaron Nixon, who is
a hurrier, was sitting on the top side of the pit bottom
when the accident occurred. I went into the pit on Thurs-
day morning at 4 o'clock, and want round all the work.
ings on the south and west sides of the pit, until I met
Wm. Illingworth, the other fireman, in the centre or fur-
nace board. I found all the pla.es I visited in excellent
working order ; they were never better. Wm. Illingworth
had to examine the north levels and workings, and it was
after he had done this that we met. It was nearly half-
past 5 o'clock. It was my duty to examine the working
parts of the pit before any of the miners were allowed to
descend. No man was allowed to leave the bottom before
we gave thesignal.
Mr. Morton—The rule is that they shall not descend
until the examination is made.
Witness proceeded—Some of the men have at times de-
scended before we have completed our examination, but
none of them were allowed to leave the bottom until we
said all was ready.
By Mr. Morton—From half-past 5 o'clock until noon I
was employed in going round the workings on the north
side, putting up brattices, and seeing that the men attended
to their duty. I did not see any brattices put up in other
parts that day. The brattices were properly placed, and in
what we called good working order.

The Coroner-I-Can you form any opinion as to the cause
of the explosion?
Witness—l cannot. It is supposed there are over 160
persons now in the pit. Naked candles were used in sonic
parts of the pit, and Davy lamps in other parts, where it
was thought necessary to have them. Candles were in
general use ; wo thought it safe to use candles. It was part
of my duty to order Davy lamps where I thought them
necessary, according to rule 7—namely, wherever there
was fire,—and I attended to it. I did not order Davy
lamps to be used on Thursday last by the miners. The
packers used them regularly. The lamps have locks, bat
aro not always locked.
Mr. Morton—That is contrary to rule ; they are required
to be locked.
Examination continued—l saw the packers using Davy
lamps on Thursday as usual. The lampkeepers are Joseph
Grimahaw and Joseph Hartley.
John Warhurst, another fireman, said—l was at home
when the explosion occurred. I went there immediately
afterwards. I found the chair for the corves was blown up
into the hoad-gear. ' Power was applied to remove it, but
without success, and the rope was cut as quickly as pos•
sible. We got into the pit as soon as we could • it was
about half-past four o'clock. I, Joseph Coe, and William
Beavers were the first to descend. Some distance down
we found two sheeting boards loose, and took them to
the top of the pit. I and Beavers then went to the
bottom, Mr. Coe having got out. As we descended
we heard men at the bottom screaming for assistance.
We found a number of men congregated at the bottom,
and sent thorn out as soon as possible. I left a man
named Hammerton assisting to get the men out and pro-
ceeded to look round. On reaching the cupola (upcaat
shaft) I found that it was on fire about the furnace. I
found a man lying on a heap of burning coals, and took
him off. I could only get a few yards further up the
board-gate, as the fire-damp fired in my lamp. I returned
into the level and there met with another dead body. Did
not recognise either of them. Further on the south level
I found a third and fourth body, after which I returned to
the shaft, not thinking it prudent to go further by myself.
I had gone 70 or 80 yards. I returned, went out and re-
ported what I bad seen to Mr. Coe, Mr. Webster, Mr.
Maddison, Mr. Utley, Mr. Ellison, and Mr. Coe then went
down the pit along with me. We went on the south side
until we got between the second and third board-gate.
where we found four or five more dead bodies. It was about
250 yards. The lamp showed fire, and we were afraid to
go further lest it should explode again. We returned to
the shaft. I ascended and took some more men down. Mr.
Coe and Mr. Webster told me to take these men to the dead
bodies and then return to them on the north side. After
going to the dead bodies I and Benjamin }Leyland wenttiltes
fat as the fourth board-gate, which is 400 yards f
five or
bnootttgoomfuorftthheer.pitT.
heOnboaderesuwnetroefle
down, after which I
the shaft by the men I had fetched _
enfireto-datiabworotetratcribdf
six more dead bodies near the end o
oved about half of
15 or 16 bodies in all, but only
Nv m
went to Mr. Webster on the north side.
is l*eveelf.ouWnde
afraid the shafts would
all to the bottom, because we were
went to the cupola and found the fire burning
them to the bottom of the shaft. ree
did not remove them
fall in. I
about 25 yards each way, and I went and told the other
persons that the furnace would fall in. Indeed I saw the
north
stables o a on
rd.
arches of the furnace and some masses of burning coal fall
from the sides of the drift leading to the furnace. I
u ex-
pected that if we remained we should all be killed, and the
fire, We could not get to both ends of the stables, for the
g a othersfir
fired
innwtehree of the
aboutsame
lamps
3O opinion.yards I
psaw
the the
b
We went up every board, both north and south, as far as
we could get. We found inflammable gas up board.
The greatest distance we got up every
any board was about 40
y ards.
The Coroner—Can you form any opinion as to the
cause of the accident?
Witness—l cannot form any opinion, unless it be that
en p in one
some trapper had left a door open in of the boards.
This is a mere supposition.
A conversation succeeded, durin„e. which Mr. Morton
stated that he was afraid man of the bodies left M the
pit would be very much burnt,yand that he could not give
an opinion as to when the pit would be raopeeed. fanned
were reopened prematurely the fire would be again
into a flame, and a further explosion might result.
next at
The inquest was then adjourned until Monday
the Ball's Head lun, Brampton.

------------'--_____
--Southampton, Feb. 23
starting, a breaks.
ened to-day. Jus
t goto couplebetween the
tande-,
FATAL RAILWAY ACOIDFNT.
ba
as a Londe!' goods trainveined the train to return for
man, named Turner, signalled vi
line'PYP
foot
commenced, and he could not ex-
-A. shecking railway !tccidasnenctthfhlieos
came upon him, struck him on
dtional wager° . .
ri
back, knocked him uown, and nearly cut him in two.
the • ,
more waggons.nslntogethtei
I GoAsoow,•
Fee 21. In the early part of the wetk
tfaoi
1 ocr cotton market was COUBiderat ly excited, and large
sales were made at an advance of id. to id. on the prices
current last Friday ; but since Wednesday the demand
railst
"atwe hiterbeefaorluthnetintrgai?
has subsided, and the market closes tame r t about id.
advance. The advises from New York received here
yesterday have had no effect on the market. Goods and
Yarns—There is no change in goods and yarns since our
last, and a moderate business is doing at full prices. In
goods there :.as teen a manifest improvement in the
demand this week.

CTRAND T HEAT RE.—M3nager, Mc. T.
Payne.—This Evening will be per;orrned
a powerfnl new drama, THE PRIDE OF POVERI'Y ; or,
The Real Poor of London.
Affer which, THE DEATH OF EVA, in which the
Howard Family will appear.
Ti concludo with DON'T LEND YOUR UMBRELLA.
Comm:mce at Seven. Stalls, Is. ; Boxes, 2s. ; Pit, Is. ;
Gallery, 64.

H E A.T RE ROYAL, S ADLER'S-WELLS.
Under the MlorTement of Mr. Phelne.
THIS EVENING, Shakespere's tragedy of MACBETH.
Macb th, Mr. Phelps.
To conclude with THE SENTINEL.

ROY AL OLYMPIC,' THEATRE,
Lessee, Mr. Alfred Wigan.
THIS EVENING, a new drama, by Tom Taylor Esq.,
called A SHEEP IN WOLF'S CLOTHING. ,
Followed by the new farce, by Bayle Bernard, Esq.,
called A SPLENDID INVESTMENT.
A new Fairy EKtravazanza, by J. R. Planch6, E3q.. called
YOUNG AND HANDSOME. Me,lsrs. F. Robson, Rof,rers,
Leslie, G. Cooke, Danvers, Misses Scvanborough,
St. Case, Castle ton, Prornley, 1111s:cell, ,ed Mrs. Melfort,
Commence at half-Just Seven.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooko.
Continued and unabated Success.
THIS EVENING, will bo presented the theme of the most
flattering ouloginm from the whole of the press. the operatic
drama of ROB ROY, with Equestrian Illustrations invented
by Mr. Wm. Cooke, and with the original music. Rob
Roy, Mr. James Holloway.

After which, the Equestrian SCENES in the CIRCLE.
To conclude with the equestrian comic pantomime of PAUL
PRY ON HORSEBACK.
Commetce at seven o'clock. Dress %Ices, 4s. ; Upper
Boxes, 3s. ; Private Boxes, from 11., no charge for booking ;
it, 2s. ; Gallery, Upper Gallery, 6d.
hox•ofice open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager,
Mr. W. West. Equestrian Director, Mr. W. Cooke, jun.

CANTERBIJRY HALL, Westminster-road.—
OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow.
biz company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of
Selections from all the popnla'• Operas, Madrigals, Choruses,
Glees, Duets, die,, viz. :I#:"Miss E. Pearce, Mrs. J. Caulfield,
Miss Brunell, Miss Summers, and Madame Marietta; Mr. J.
Caulfield, Herr F. Jonghmans, R. Grover, T. Farrant, S.
doves, J. Barker, W. Melling, P. Corri, Senor Antonio M.
de Solla, and E. L. Hime ; Masters Austin, Bennett, and
Corn ;•Messrs. Sam Collins, E. Mackncy, and C. J. Wilkins.
Pianoforte, Mr. Cecil Hicks; harmonium, J. Caulfield, jun.;
director, Mr. J. Caulfield. Commence at Seven o'clock pre-
cisely. Suppers, (Sze., until twelve o'clock.

G, the LUTON ‘,A wiItORDON
give hisCUMMIN new and popular ENTERTAINMENT descrip-
tive of his EXPLOIT. and ADVENTURES In SOUTH AFRICA
every evening, except Saturday, at 8. MORNING REPRESENTA-
TION every SATURDAY, at 3 o'clock. The Lion Hunter's Bush
People, from the great Kalahari Desert, will appear incidental to the
Entertainment. riano by Mr. Berries Wilson. Area, Is. ; reserved
seats
at the 2.. ; stalls (which may be taken daily between eleven and
, ), aa.-232, Piccadilly.

aioa WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
THIS OAT—Morn. 55 min. aft. I—Evening 15 min. aft. 2
MORROW—Morn. 34 min. aft. 2—Evening 55 min.aft. 2

THE WEATHER—SUN OmOE, FEBRUARY 24.
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
53—highest since noon yesterday.
43—lowest this morning and during the night.
49 —this day at noon.
BAROMETrit, 3025:
WIND, Easterly. —Light, with fine weather.

A, 4.
. s '441.<
IMI * ?-"'s+yr-e-i'H--4- §All
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q,e„(=,-...,-1,:;:: ,---,-..__`'-'•:-----, " 9

LONDON, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1857.

Well, the debate has been brought to a conclui
slop, the division taken, and Government has re-
corded a majority of eighty in favour of the pre-
cious Budget I A good working majority, so far
as numbers aro concerned, but composed of such
heterogeneous materials that no reliance whatever
can be placed on the motley group in reference to
any other question that may be ventilated.
Never, we believe, even in the House of Commons,
was such a scene witnessed. It was " con fusion
worse confounded." " The shindy "in Zing
Agramont's camp was nothing to it. The heaviest
blows were aimed by men of the same party
against each other ; and those who, under ordinary
circumstances, were bitter opponents, cast aside
their animosity, and, for the time being, were
firm friends and allies. Generally speaking, the
merits of the case were altogether disregarded.
The friends of economy and retrenchment
spoke and voted in favour of extravagant
estimates. Those who professed an earnest
desire for the modification of the unjust,
inquisitorial, and unequal assessment, endea-
voured, to the best and utmost of their powers,
to perpetuate the flagrant grieyance, and to pre- ,

THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LANE.'...
Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith.
Acting Manager; Mr. C. Mathews. Stage Manager, Mr. It
Roxby. Scenic Artist, Mr. W. Beverley.
The eminent Comedian, Mr. Charles Mathews, every evening_
Great Success of the Grand Christmas Pantomime, the
most magnificent ever produced on the English stage.
THIS EVENING, her Majesty's Servants will perform thq
popular Comedy,
MARRIED FOR MONEY.
Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, A. Younge, R. Roxby,
.Templeton ; Mrs. F. Matthews, Miss Mason, and Miss M.
Oliver.

After which will be produced
SEE, SAW, MARGERY DAW ;
Or, Harlequin Holiday, and the Island of Ups and Downs.;
The reduced prices as follows, varying throughout the
house to suit every one :—Galleries, 6d. and Is. ; Second
Circle of Boxes, ls. 6d. ; Pit, 2s. ; First Circle of Boxes,
2s. 6d. ; Dress Boxes, 3s. ' • Stalls, ss. ; Private Boxes,
108. 6d.,1'. Is., 1/. 11s. 6d., and 2/. Is.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
THIS EVENING will be performed
A GAME OF ROMPS.
After which, a new grand Christmas Pantomime, called
ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP;
or, Harlequin and the Genii of the Ring. Harlequin, Mr.
Cormack ; Clown, Mr. Huline ; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo ; Co.
lumbine, Miss C. Adams.
To conclude with
THE CORSIZiAN BROTHERS.
Fabien and Louis dei Franchi, by Mr. C. Kean.

THEA.TRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
THIS EVENING, to commence at Seven,
with the successful new Comedy, in three acts, entitled
DOUBLE-FACED PEOPLE. Characters by Mr. Buckstone,
Mr. Chippendale, Mr. Compton, Mr. W. Farien, Mr. Rogers,
Mr. Clark, Miss Reynolds, Mrs. Poynter, and Mrs. E. Fitz-
wil iam.

After which, for this night only, " When at Home in the
Ira's," by Fanny Wright.

- - -
Followed by (Bth time) a new drama, called A WICKED
WIFE.

After which (57th time) the new comic pantomime, entitled
THE BABES IN THE WOOD, or Harlequin and the Cruel
'Uncle. The scenery of the opening story painted by Mr W.
Callcott, The pantomime produced under the direction of
M. Milano. Harlequin, NI. Milano ; Columbine, Fanny
Wright; Pantaloon, Mr. Mackay ; and Clown, Mr. Driver

OYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Lessee, Mr. C. Dillon.
THIS EVENING, will be performed the new play, in
five acts, by Westland Marston, Esq., entitled A LIFE'S
RANSOM. Lord Revesdale, Mr. C. Dillon ; Bancroft, Mr.
Stuart ; Felicia Revesdale, Mrs C.
After which, a new farce entitled MY FRIEND FROM
LEATHERHEAD, Mr. Toole, Miss Wilton, and Mrs. B.
White.
To be followed by

CONRAD AND MEDORA;
or, Harlequin Corsair and the Little Fairy at the Bottom of
the Sea. The burlesque opening by W. Brough, Esq.,
founded upon the ballet of Le Corsair, as produced at Her
Majesty's Theatre. The harlequinade upon things in gene-
ral. The new and magnificent scenery painted by Mr. F.
Fenton.

Conrad (the Corsair) Miss Woolgar
Birharto (his lieutenant) Mr. J. L. Toole
Medora Mrs. Charles Dillon
Clowns
Mr. H. Marshall
The box-office open daily, from 11 to 5, under the super-
titendence of Mr. Chatterton, jun.
Carriages conveying parties t ► the Private Boxes to set
down at the State entrance in Burleigh-street.

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI.
Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster.
THIS EVENING, will bo performed the popular drama
of IRELAND AS IT IS. Mr. and Mrs. Barney Willianr.
After which, A NIGHT AT NOTTING-HILL, in which
Mr. Wright and Pal Bedford will appear.
Followed by a new Piece de Caractere, entitled IN AND
OUT OF PLACE. Mrs Barney Williams.
To conclude with the new original comic drama, called
BARNEY THE BARON. Barney O'Toole, Mr. Barney
Williams.

OYAL SURREY THEATRE,
al Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Creswiek.

THIS EVENING. an original play, in three acts, entitled
A BIRD IN THE HAND WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH.
Roderick Praiseworthy, Mr. Shepherd.
After which, HARLEQUIN AND THE SUMMER
QUEEN. Harlequin, Mr F. Glover; Clown, Mr. Buck ;
Pantaloon, Hr. Bradbury; Four Sprites, the Fillis Fa.
milt' ; Columbines. Me3darnea Marie and Agnes.