The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-24 00:00:00

PROMOTION.

WoorAsictr, SEPT. 23.—Lieutenant Henry Baker
(1846), who has been Lieutenant-Commander of the
Kestrel brigantine, on the south-er.st coast of the
American station, since the 30th of May, 1847, is pro-
moted to the rank of Commander.

APPOINTMENTS.
Chief-Engineer James Brown, to the Hecate steam-
sloop, at Portsmouth.
Mate Henry M. Douglas (1850), to the Hecate.
A!-sistiint-Eligineers Samuel Stepham, Thomas
Cole!, and Charles Mackay, to the Hecate.
Midshipman Lionel Lambert, to the Retribution
steam-frigate, at Portsmouth.

Master's-Asistant Charles Guy, to the Hecate.
Clerk Thomas Tilfer, to the Victory, flig-ship at
Portsmouth.
Naval Cadet K. H. A. Brainwaring, to the Port-
land, .50, at Devonport.

COLONIAL RAIL WAYS.
(From the Sydney ( New South Wales) Advocate,
May 4, 1850.)
PROSSER'S LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE.
It was wiql much satisfaction that we witnessed his
Excellency the Governor, and the Colonial Secretary,
inspecting the principle and action of Prosser's guide-
wheels, on the model engine at the Royal Hotel. We
trust that what they saw will induce them to institute
an investigation as to its adaptation as a tractive
poker on exclusively wooden railways. We have
perused the pamphlet published in England, and the
correspondence betwixt Earl Grey and Mr. Prosser
respecting the, at that time, contemplated introduc-
tion of wooden railways into this colony, by means
of English capital, advanced on certain terms pro-
posed by the parties who interested themselves in the
formation of a company, and are favourably im-
pressed with the apparent utility of the invention.
Respecting the durability of wooden rails made of
Colonial timber, when travelled over by an engine
fitted with Proser's guide-wheels, there cannot be two
opinions, and the very great saving to the company in
the expenditure for iron plating would recommend its
adoption, provided the terms of the patentee were cor-
ropondingly liberal. Earl Grey's promises to support
their intro action to the utmost of his power affOrds
sufficient security that the guarantee of the Colonial
Government to the Sydney Railway Company will be
promptly confirmed. There can be no question that
the land applied for and reserved will be at once
handed over to the company, and we are glad to per-
ceive that a sum equal to the amount required by the
Act to enable the railway to be commenced will
speedily be lodged in- the Colonial Treasury.

IRELAND.
NNCUMBEILED ESTATES.
DUBLIN, McecDAY.—Twenty-four petitions for the
sale of estates have been lodged in the Encumbered
Commission Court during the week ending on the
17th instant, including cne from the trustees of the
late Earl of Blessington, making a total of 1,229.
SALE OF THE ESTATES OF TFIE MARQUIS OF DONE-
GAL.—Last week I called attention to the projected
sale, in the kncutubered Court, of some of the estates
of one of the chief proprietors in Ulster, upon which
mortgages had been accumulating foi a long period.
The case to which I than alluded was that of the
Marquis of Donegal, who is the owner of the fee of
the greater part of the laads upon which the pros-
perous, commercial, and manufacturing city of Belfast
has arisen. I have learned that Mr. Turner, of
London, the petitioning creditor, is a claimant to the
amount of 120,0001., and that the encumbrances
affecting these estates altogether are 180,0001. The
rent-roll—not a nominal but a bona fide one—is
29,0001: a year, which, i❑ real value at this moment,
is far more than doubts the amount of the debts. It
is state,' that the Belfast estate, worth about 6,0001. a
year, and the Donegal estate, about the same yearly
value (12,0001, for both), will be sold, in order to pay
off all encumbrances and charges of sale, &c., thus
. leaving the splendid Antrim estate, with a clear rental
of 17,000/. a year, tot lily unencumbered, for the Noble
Marquis and his family.—Chronicle.

THE BEOtreillAM " FORAY."—The recent struggle
in the river Eamont continues to be the sole topic of conver-
sation in Penrith. Discussions on the merits of the case are
now the order of the day. The anti-anglers are stubborn in
their opinion that the watchers will have to sweat for their
attempt on the netters. Complaints for an assault have been
laid in the name of old John Robson, of Eamont Bridge,
against seven of the watchers, dnd five informations have
been laid by the other party against the netters, for netting
with a net the mesh of which was illegal. All the men who
have been in the habit of making a living by netting are of
course on Lord Brougham's side. They drink his health
with loud cheers, call him the finest fellow in Europe, and
make their boast that he has now become one of their sup-
porters. They are confident that his Lordship will annihilate
the Angling Association—that he will order all the spiles to
be taken up half way across the river, as far as Dlr. Tufton's
liberties extend ; and already in perspective they see the
free-trade principle applied to the rivers, and John de Pen-
rith flying over the hills, leaving them " in calm possession"
of their newly acquired. rights. On the other hand, the
anglers are equally proud of their position. They have
made a hold stroke at high game. The informations are
laid. Ptiblic opinion is on their side; and should the
complaint against them for an assault be made out, the ma-
gistrates can but inflict the penalty. They therefore
know the worst, and a•e determined to fight the battle
manfully. It is a question of right against might, and
• the pubii3 are anxiously awaiting the result. There has not
been such a stir in Penrith since the navvy riot.—Kendal
Mercury.

DEATH or Cor.. J. Ross WRIGHT, R.E.—Ort
the 20th inst. this cfiicer died, at Teddington, after a long
illness, aged 75. Cc;lonel Wright served in the expedition to
the Helder, the strong fort of which town was taken by the
English troops in September, 1799.

The Little Western steamer arrived at London
Bridge-wharf yesterday afternoon at three o'clock, making
the passage from Ramsgate in five hours, and calling at the
different piers.