The Sun.
London, England, 1868-10-02 00:00:00

THE DISASTER TO THE IRISH MAIL.

The examination of Samuel Eaton, charged upon the
information of Henry Cripps with the manslaughter of
Charles Cripps on the 20th August, was resumed before
the Rev. T. Williams, Mr. Hesketh, and Mr. Wynne, at
Abergele, on Thursday. Mr. Edwards Wood appeared
on behalf of the nominal prosecutor, and Mr. James for
the defendant Eaton. Mr. Preston appeared to watch
the case on behalf of the London and North-Western
Railway Company ; and Mr. Davies for the breaksmen.
The first witness called was Richard Williams, the
senior breaksman of the goods train. Mr. Davies said he
was not there to object to Williams giving evidence ; but
if any question was put which in his (Mr. Davies's)
opinion tended to criminate his client he should draw
their worships' attention to the fact. A legal discussion
hereupon ensued, Mr. Wood objecting to the course
suggested by Mr. Davies. The witness was then duly
cautioned by the bench to the effect that he was not bound'
to give any evidence which would criminate himself, but
that such evidence as he did give would be taken down in
writing and might be used against him at his trial.
Richard Williams, examined by Mr. Wood, said : I live
at Bang-or. I am not in any situation at present. I have
been out of employment since the accident. On the 20th
August I was breaksman in the service of the London and
North-Western Railway. _ _

Mr. Davies here rose to object to a question put by Mr.
Wood, but he was informed by the bench that he could
not be permitted to interfere. If the witness was of the
opinion that any question put to him had a tendency to
criminate him he might himself decline to answer it, bit'
not Mr. Davies.

Examination continued: There was another breaksman
beside myself in charge of the van. I decline to say what
was done at Rhyl. I decline to say whether I took charge
of the train. I decline to say how far we went. There
Was a break vaa with the goods train. I decline to say
what was the state of the break van.
Mr. Wood here requested the witness to stand with his
back to the solicitor's table, so that signs might not be con-
veyed to him by his solicitor.
Mr. Wood, to witness: Was there a ring and chain on
the break van ?
Mr. James objected to this question. They were there
to inquire into a charge of negligence brought against the
station-master, and whether there was or was not a
chain and ring on the break van had nothing to do with
the case.
Examination continued : I was at Llandulas station
on the 20th August. I refuse to say whom I saw at
Llandulas.
Mr. Wood submitted to the court that the witness was
bound to answer all questions referring to the defendant
Eaton, and which at the same time did not criminate
himself.
Thcamination resumed I object to say whether I saw
6amu,A Eaton at Lland nine station. I decline to say how
long I was at Llandulas station. (His objection was made
t the suggestion of the bench.) I decline to say whether
Xunhooked any trucks on the day of the accident, or
whether I saw anyone else do so. I decline to say whether
I saw two trucks standing on the line, and also whether I
saw them running away. I have been a breaksman in
the service of the London and North-Western Railway
Company for three years. I refuse to say how long it
would take to shunt the pick-up train on the 20th August.
I decline to say whether I saw any truck kicked off at
Llandulas. I decline to say what was done from begin-
ning to end at Llandulas on the 20th August: I decline
to say whether ur not I ran after any trucks on that day
I decline to say whether I gave any signal.
Mr. Wood said he felt that he was entitled to put this
question. It was due to the judge and due to the gram'
fury before which the case would go.
The Bench said it was competent to the witness to object
to answer the question.
Mr. Wood, after attempting to learn from the witness
whether he had received his wages up to the day of the
accident, and whether he bad been in Ireland since—
questions which were objected to by Mr. James, upon the
ground that they had nothing to do with the inquiry—sat
down with the observation that the witness had been " too
well schooled" for him.
Mr. Wood said he had to apply for a summons for the
attendance of Dr. Pierce, the coroner, fur the purpose
of putting in and proving the depositions taken before
him. He had been stopped on a former occasion, when
examining Mr. Mason, from referring to the evidence giver
at the inquest, and Mr. Mason being now present he
proposed to take the opportunity of re-examining him on
this point.
Mr. George (magistrates'.clerk) said it was too late to dc
so now, but Mr. Wood said he should require the attend-
ance of the coroner at the examination of the breaksmen,
and he should apply for a summons upon the adjournment
of the court.
Robert Jones, the junior breaksman of the goods train,
was next called, and sworn, but his scruples proved
greater even than those of his companion, and he decline('
to answer nearly every question that was put.
Mr. Wood said that was the case for the prosecution.
General Cartwright said he was still engaged in the
investigation of the circumstances attending the action ot
the police in the matter of the warrant for the apprehen
sion of the breaksmen. He bad not quite finished the
inquiry, but he as:ured the bench that be was not neglect.
ing it, and that when concluded he should report' to Hi(
proper quarter.
Mr. Wood said he would take the opportunity w
stating that it had come to his knowledge that there wat
a person in the neighbourhood who had in his possessior
a quantity of property taken out of the cutting after the
fire. He should consult the clerk to the magistrate!
privately as to what means might be taken for having it
given up. There was also a very valuable diamond rill
which had been found in the ddbris, and being unclaimed
had been taken up to London, where it remained to the
present time. This, he thought, was a very improper
proceeding, and he begged to call General Cartwright'.
attention to the fact.

General Cartwright instructed the chief constable to
Inquire into the matter.
The magistrates deliberated for a hour and a half. The
chairman delivered a lengthy judgment, reviewing the
whole case. He concluded by expressing the unanimous
opinion of the bench that a jury would not convict upon
the evidence adduced. The station-master was accordingly
discharged. The decision was greeted with appla se, ant
the station-master was loudly cheered outside the court,
The breaksmen were remanded till Monday, but wer
admitted to bail.

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