The Sun.
London, England, 1868-11-28 00:00:00

EKE COURT OF EXCHEQUER.

The Law Journal, "with much regret," notices the
languishing condition of business in the Court of
Exchequer. The interest attaching to the Court of
Exchequer, from historical and other associations, is so
great, that every one would be sorry to hear of its ex-
tinction. But the expense of the establishment is con-
siderable, especially since a new judge has 'been added,
and there is something highly absurd in the spectacle
of a Chief Baron and three barons sitting in state
with nothing to occupy their time, and, as it were,
living their briefless days over again. The common-law
business of the Court of Eichequer increased very much
soon after the late Lord Wensleydale took his seat there,
though for some time it was said that counsel were almost
invited to exhaust their arguments, as there was plenty of
time for everybody. His lordship passed away, and a great
deal of the business with him. Upon the appointment of Sir
Fitzroy Kelly to the post of Chief Baron, it was expected
that matters would change. But the stream of business
continued sluggish. In one respect this was an advantage.
A rule for a new trial might be obained and cause shewn
against it in the orditary course during the same term--a
result which is not likely ever to be achieved in the
Queen's Bench. But a court must decline in dignity if it
has no more to do than to ask counsel whether they move,
to nominate the sheriffs, or to hold converse with the
Lord Mayor on November 0. Perhaps the Judicature
Commission may find a method for utilising the energies
of the court.

MORE POWDER-MILL EXPLOSIONS.

--4 b-

We have to-day to record two powder-mill explosiOns.
On Thursday one took place at the Allan Blasting-Powder
Works, Truro, but caused no loss of life. The cause of
the explosion originated in the sulphur grinding-house
(which is attached to the saltp3tre and sulphur storee), by,
it is supposed, the accidental presence of a piece of iron
among the sulphur being ground. This, or the stones
striking each other, and so sending a spark into the sulphur,
the latter took fire, which spread to the wookwork, and
rapidly increased. All hands were called, and although a
plentiful supply of water was at hand, the flames could not
be subdued. The roof, the adjoining stores, and the trees
overhead took fire, and the burning embers were carried
by the wind some distance. It was now seen that all
attempts to put out the fire would be ineffectual, and
if the driving embers lodged on either of the build-
ings near an explosion must take place, with, no
doubt, loss of life. The men sought places of safety, and
scarcely had two minutes elapsed when one after another
in quick succession, three charge-houses, in each of which
there were four or five cwt. of powder—the dry-house and
packing-house—exploded. All these houses are corn-
7letely destroyed. Of the packing-house not a vestige
remains, the entire building having been carried to a great
distance, as well as the roof of the other buildings. The stables,
office, cooperage, and engine-house were much shaken
and partially unroofed. Trees are uprooted, and large
branches are torn off by the force of the shock. Near the
sulphur-house was a large iron water-wheel, which was
blown out of its bearings and broken to pieces. The
damage can hardly be estimated as yet ; but it cannot be
very great, as the, buildings were so lightly put together,
and the machinery is but little injured. This is the fifth
accident that has occurred at these works.
The other explosion took place at the Lowood Powder
Works, Lancaster. John Pratt, aged 54, and Thomas
Benson, aged 38, were killed. William Walter, Samuel
Waterhouse, and John Shexton were so seriously injured
that they are not expected to live. So far as can be ascer-
tained, everything was in perfect working order at the
time of the explosion. The premises were considerably
damaged.

NEW ZEALAND ARISTOCRACY.—A laughable in-
cident occurred a few nights ago here, at a ball at which
the elite only were present. Among others, Mete King,
one of the Maori representatives, a savage who cannot
speak English, and who, to make himself bearable, should
use unlimited quantities of eau do cologne, was present.
He " moved " about, scarcely speaking, but at last seeing
a lady with very fine arms, which were bare a little above
the elbow, be went up to her, and pointing to her arm,
said, " Kaipai, kaipai, fat" (good, good, fat), at the same
time smacking his lips longingly.—. New Zealand Paper.
THE CESSION OF GIBRALTAR.—The question of
the cession of Gibraltar is by no means forgotten in Spain,
raid it may be expected to crop up at intervals whenever
a favourable opportunity appears. The last on the subject
is a letter written from London to a Barcelona journal, in
which the matter is discussed at length. The correspondent
does not attempt to adduce arguments in support of ces-
sion, but confines himself to remarking that the question
has been reopened, and that it will be brought seriously
before the new House of Commons. That Gibraltar is
useless for the purpose it is supposed to serve remains to
be seen. The Mediterranean is now our highway to India,
and Gibraltar stands at the gate. But apart from such
considerations is that of prestige. No true Englishman
could be otherwise than wounded at the surrender of a
fortress so inseparably connected with the glories of the
past.•—Gibraltar Chronicle, aYor•. 18.

DOUBLE RETURNS.—The Law 'Tolima gives the
:aw on double returns. A question has been mooted
whether, if a member is returned for two places, his elec-
tion to sit for one of the places has the effect of seating
the candidate who was neat to him on the poll in the
other. A supposition so absuni, and so contrary
to the whole meaning and principle of the law
of elections, scarcely deserves consideration. But
it has been seriously urged that, if Mr. Gladstone had
succeeded in South-west Lancashire, and had abandoned
Greenwich, Sir W. Paiker could have claimed the latter
seat. Probably it never occurred to the propounder of
this theory to ask himself what would have happened if
Sir W. Parker and Lord Mahon had been candidatts,
and had retired on the declaration of the show of hands ;
or, indeed, what would have happened if Alderman
Salomons and Mr, Gladstone had been returned
without opposition, The fact is, that where a member
returned to the Clerk of the Crown elects not to sit for the
place for which he is returned, the place is without a tnem,
her, the seat is void, and a new election must be 11,-.ld, ,A,
member returned for two places must make id
Within one week after the.expipgigH pf thv
Rulted for uregttli;_

EYE
ErNSBERY

FROME.-.,
FLINT .-.
FALMOUTH

FLINTSHIRE
GLAMORGANSIIIRE

GATESHEAD
GLOUCESTER

GRAVESEND ....
GREAT GRIMSBY
GREENWICH ....

GUILDFORD
GRANTHAM

GLOUCESTER., EAST

GLOUCESTER, WEST

HANTS, SOUTH

HERTFORDSIIIRE

HACKNEY

HALIFAX,

HASTINGS

HELSTON

H E RTFORD
HEREFORD

HEREFORDSHIRE

EIuLL

Hrrinc
HANTS. NORTH

HARWICH
HUNTINGDON ,
HARTLEPOOL
HAVERFORDW. ST
HORSHAM

'THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, INOVEAIi3ER 2S, 1868.