The Sun.
London, England, 1850-12-25 00:00:00

ST. ALBAN'S ELECTION.

ST. ALBANS, DEC. 24.—The polling commenced
this morning, but for some time it was carried on
very languidly.
At nine o'clock the numbers were—
For Mr. Bell

For Alderman Carden

Majority . 7
AT TEN O'CLOCK.

Bell

Carden

Majority
AT ELEVEN &CLOCK.

Bell

Carden

Majority . . l9
♦T TWELVE O'CLOCK.

Bell

Carden

Majority
AT ONE O'CLOCK

Bell .. .. ... 122
Carden .. ......

Majority .. .. 40
Very soon after the polling had commenced the
following placard was issued :
" ST. ALBAN'S.—We, the undersigned, being elec-
tors for the borough of St. Alban's, hereby give no-
tice that Jacob Bell, Esq., has by himself and by his
agents been guilty of bribery and treating both be-
fore and during this election for the borough of St.
Alban's, and is thereby incapacitated from sitting in
the present Parliament, and that all votes given for
the said Jacob Bell will be thrown away.

(Signed)

" JOHN HORNER- RUMBALL.
" WILLIAM BENNETT."

About two o'clock Mr. Rumball, one of the gen-
tlemen who had signed the above notice, came up to
vote, and he addressed Mr. Bell, and said that he
had not signed the document without ascertaining
facts to justify it. He had nothing to allege against
the character of Mr. Bell prior to his coming to St.
Alban's ; but he said that if he chose to work with
dirty tools he must take the consequences. He was
not in the habit of barking at elections, but now he
meant to bite; and he assured Mr. Bell that he should
not be suffered to remain Member for St. Alban's,
even if he were elected.
The polling then proceeded, and at two o'clock the
numbers were—
Bell .... •• • • • • • 147
Carden .. ..• • •

Majority ... .
AT THREE O'CLOCK.

Bell

.. 140
Carden . .
...11.11h.t.

Majority .. B6
At four o'clock the Mayor declared the final state
of the poll, as follows :
Bell ....
_ _

Carden ...................• 147

Majority for Mr. Ball.. ... 129
The announcement was received with loud cheers
by the friends of the successful candidate.
Mr. BELL stood forward to address the electors, but
the uproar was so great that not a word he said could
be heard, and he at length merely said that he thanked
the electors for the honour they had done him in elect-
ing him as their representative, and desisted from any
further attempt to make a speech.
Alderman CARDEN was received also with a good
deal of noise and interruption. He was understood to
say, that although he was defeated at the poll, yet he
felt in reality he was victorious. He then referred to
the proceedings by which he said bis election had
been defeated, and expressed his determination to take
the necessary steps to upset the election. The placard
which had been published would not have been put
forward unless there were good grounds for it; and
he said that facts could be established which he had
no doubt would render the election void. He also
said that he had not administered the bribery oath,
because he was fearful that the man who was base
enough to take a bribe would not have scrupled to add
to that crime the commission of a greater.
A vote of thanks was then proposed to the Mayor
by Alderman CARDEN, for his very impartial conduct
during the election, and that officer having returned
thanks the proceedings terminated.

DESTRUCTION OF THE C.HARTHAM

PAPER MILLS.
CANTERBURY, TUESDAY.—A destructive fire took
place yesterday on the extensive range of premises
belonging to Messrs. W. and W. Weatherley, well
known as the Chartham Paper Mills, situated on a
branch of the river Stour, and nearly adjoining the
Ashford extension of the South-Eastern Railway,
within three miles and a half of the city.
The fire brok out at an early hour in the morning,
and owing to the fewness of the persons on the pre-
mises when first discovered, and then the length of time
which elapsed before engines could be procured from
Canterbury, the fire had obtained a strong hold.
The instant the engines arrived they were called
into operation, but several hours elapsed before the
mastery could be obtained over the flames, and not
before the engine-houses, machine-rooms, drying-
houses, rolling-rooms, and the spacious stores were
entirely or nearly destroyed. Some of the machinery
it is hoped will be rescued from the ruins, and it is
expected that the salvage of the manufactured stock
will realise something considerable. The firm had
recently fitted up the mills with new and most expen-
sive machinery, which makes their loss greater than it
would have been had the fire occurred some months
earlier.
The total loss is estimated at a sum much beyond
the amount for which Messrs. Weatherley were in-
sured, but that cannot yet be ascertained with any-
thing like precision. Insurances to the amount of
16,0001. are effected upon the property destroyed in
the Kent, Sun, and National Mercantile offices.
Respecting the origin of the fire nothing accurate
is known. One thing, however, is certain, that it
began either in or very near the drying-rooms, and,
owing to the dry state of that part of the mills, the fire
spread with unusual rapidity.
Fortunately there was little wind at the time, or
the private dwelling of Mr. Weatherley, sen., and
much farming produce, with numerous other build-
ings, must have fallen a prey, to the flames.

STATE OF TRADE.
MANCHESTER. —Publishing a day earlier in the
pt.( sent week, and so excluding Tuesday's market, we
have necessarily little to say as to the course of
business. There has been a very slender attendance
on 'Change to-day, attributable no doubt to the holi-
day season; and the very extensive operations of last
week have naturally been followed by somewhat less
of the animation which we had up to Thursday
evening, but, with a smaller amount of business,
there is no diminution of the firmness with which the
sellers of yarns and goods maintain what was then
gained in point of price. Remarkably free from stock
in most things, and well supplied with orders for many
articles, the spinners and manufacturers are looking
forward, with a good deal of confidence, from this
merry Christmas time, to a still active business in the
beginning of the new year. The German merchants
were this morning disappointed of their letters by the
non-arrival of the mail. Letters are received, by the
West India mail, containing favourable accounts, on
the whole, of the state and prospects of the Brazilian
west coast markets in regard to British cotton menu-
factures.—Manchester Guardian (Tuesday).
MACCLESFIELD, DEC. 23.—Trade here continues
much in the same state as we last reported it : there
is more employment for the weavers; and in the
throwing department all the mills are working full
time, and the hands are fully occupied. The dyers
continue fairly supplied with work. In the thrown
silk market, the inquiry noticed in our last continues,
accompanied with a few orders from the continent.
In the raw silk market no alteration from last week.
HALIFAX, DEC 21.—There is no noticeable change
in the aspect of our Piece Hall since this day week,
except that there is an increased inquiry for low
lastings, which are very scarce, as but few are now
made. There is a moderate business doing in mix-
tures of low quality ; but fine goods are not much
sought after. The pacification of Germany has
brought the export houses again into the market ;
and the demand for yarn has greatly improved, at ad-
vanced rates. A considerable quantity of wool has
changed hands; and the quotations are decidedly
higher.

THE RECENT DREADFUL COLLISIONS ON
TIIE L ASTERN COUNTIES _RAILWAY.

OFFICIAL INQUIRY.-LIST OF THE WOUNDED
PASSENGEUS.

An invustigation was instituted yesterday by the,
directors respecting thu alarming collision on that line
during the dense fog of Monday evening, and from
the facts elicited they proved to be of a more serious
arid distressing character than the brief details which
appeared in The Sun of yesterday convey.
It has already been mentioned that the unfortunate
event took place at Stratford, and near the Brick lane
goods' station. In the first instance the half-past four
o'clock down train to Hertford was standing at the
Stratford station and on the eve of resuming its jour-
ney, when the Enfield express, which left Bishops-
gate at a quarter to five, came in fearful contact with
it, and diet considerable injury to the passengers in
the two rear carriages, a first and second class. The

fog was exceedingly dense, so much so that the
signal lights could not be observe--d a yard distant.
The usul precaution, however, was adopted in
laying down tog signals, and it is sail that had the
driver of the Enfield express observed due care in
attendirg to them, as also the rule in his book of in-
structions, which limits the rate of an engine over
a junction during a fog to three miles an hour, the
catastrophe would have b.,en avoided. The train,
h ,wever, went on, and, as previously described, ran
into the Hertford carriages. The first struck was a
second-class, which was shattered in all directions, the
unfortunate occupants, with fractured limbs and con-
tused wounds, falling among the debris. The next
carriage, a first-class, was then driven in, and the
escape of a lady and gentleman (Mr. and Mrs.i Head)
who occupied the coupe, was most surprising. They
were exposed almost to the full force of the collision.
On being extricated, however, although much shaken
and bruised, their limbs were found not to be frac-
tured. The density of the fog tended much to
create alarm and confusion, while the injured persons
were removing from the wreck of the carriages their
cries for aid excited much sensation. At length they
were all extricated, and apparently every one who
was seated in the last two carriages was hurt more
or less. Among those whose injuries were more
severe were a Miss Ann Oliver, of Enfield, who sus-
tained fracture of both legs; a Mr. John Kirby,
plumber and glazier, of Tottenham, compound frac-
ture of right thigh and petty fracture of left leg ; and
Mr. Thomas Airey, a clerk in the Bank of England,
living at Tottenham, fracture of both bones of the leg.
In consequence of their critical condition their removal
to the London Hospital was suggested, and an omnibus
being procured they were conveyed thither with every
care. The other parties more seriously hurt were
Mr. James Robinson, of Edmonton, whose elbow joint
W 29 so much injured as to require amputation; Mr.
Hooper, jun., son of a gentleman connected with the
East India ouse, broken leg ; Miss Mills, toe nearly
cut off, the next fractured, and legs seriously bruised ;
and the son of Mr. Greaves, thigh broken. Having
preferred to prcceed to their respective dwellings it'
practicable, the train, after some difficulty, was re-
formed, and those who could proceed by it did so,
while others obtained medical aid on the spot and
were taken to neighbouring taverns. It should be
here stated that the company, in order to secure the
safe working of the through trains, bad directed the
withdrawal of the short and local ones---a precaution
which tended much to keep the line clear.
The following are the voluntary statements of the
drivers and guards of the trains, as laid before the
directors, and probably the facts they contain may
furnish an accurate idea as to the cause of the col
lision

John Barnes, driver of the engine of the Hertford
train, said that they were eight minutes late in start-
ing from Bishopsgate. It was very foggy. They
did not stop at Mile-end. The green light was shown
there. They approached Bow at a speed of eight
miles an hour. About 200 yards on the London side
of the Bow station they met a man. Did not hear
any explosion, but the man said that he had put a fog
signal down. He bad a flag in his hand, but he
(Barnes) could not see its colour. On nearing the
Bow station, at about two miles an hour, he perceived
the tail and side lamps of the 4.20 Brentwood
train standing at the station. He instantly reversed
his engine, and told the fireman to put on the break,
and also gave the whistle for the guard to put
his on. They came slightly in contact with the
Brentwood train. He had been employed on the line
four years—three and a half as a driver. They re-
mained at Bow station five minutes after the Brent-
wood train left, and their guard told the station mas-
ter to be sure to look out for the Enfield express and
caution it. They proceeded at about five miles an
hour from Bow to Stratford. About 100 yards on
the London side, by the Woolwich junction, they
went over one fog signal, and the man in charge of it
told them to proceed as all was right. The green
signal was on at the Woolwich junction. Could not
see the light until close under it. Oa approaching
the central junction he sounded the steam whistle
three times and proceeded slowly—about three miles
an hour—at which speed he-could have stopped before
passing the signal post had the red light been on. The
green light was on, and they passed up to the station.
As far as he could state, the time was about five
minutes past five, and it was about three minutes
afterwards that the Enfield express ran into his train.
Did not hear the train coming. He was propelled
forward about 30 yards from the violence of the con-
cussion. Was detained at Stratford one hour and
thirty minutes before he was allowed to proceed, and
reached Hertford at 7.50.

Thomas Feitch, fireman to the above train, spoke of
hearing a fog signal on nearing Bow. When within
a quarter of a mile of the Woolwich junction passed
over a signal, and then over another about ten yards
from the central junction. If necessary they could
have stopped before passing the junction.
William Blake, guard of the train' confirmed the
statement of the driver and foreman. Had been at the
Stratford station about three or four minutes, and was
getting his break ready to. start, when he heard the
Enfield train coming, he should say, at the rate .of
twenty miles an hour. He at once saw a collision
was inevitable, and threw himself off the train. Saw
the collision. The Enfield train at the time was going
from ten to fourteen miles an hour. Had been with
the company from three to four years.
James Hofeild said he was the driver of the Enfield
express train engine. They left London at 4.50 (five
minutes late). It was very thick weather. Never
saw it so thick in his life. About forty yards on the Lon-
don side of the Woolwich junction they went over a fog
signal,and a man said, All right." The green light was
shown at the Woolwich junction. He was then
going at about 10 miles an hour. (The regulations
state three miles an hour.) About midway between
the two junctions went over a fog signal. He sounded
the steam whistle three times. The steam had been
shut off about 100 yards before coming to the Wool-
wich junction, and had not been put on again. The
rails were very greasy, and the breaks took very little
effect. When the signal exploded between the two
junctions he told the fireman to ease the break, as all
appeared right there. Ihe fog was so dense he could
not see the semaphore signal,
but he saw the junction
man with his hand lamp. Its red (danger) lens
was on. He was then close under the signal-
post. They were then going at from five to ten
miles an hour. He reversed the engine, and called
to the guard to put on his break. After passing
the junction the men standing about called " Hold
on ! hold on !" When two or three yards from
the Hertford-lane he saw the red tail and side
lamps. He kept the engine reversed, and the steam
against her, but she was slipping the reverse way.
Had been in the employ of the company since the
strike, and all the time had worked the Enfield
express. Had been twelve months on the North-
British Railway as fireman, previously was with the
Shotley-bridge Iron Company as stationary engine-
man, and previously to that was four and a half years
as fireman and driver on the Stockton and Darlington.
Was 25 years of age. Had a copy of the company's
printed regulations, but did not recollect the clause
No. 70, which limited the speed in passing round
junctions to five miles an hour, and in a fog to three.
Knew that there was notice board on the line to go
only at five miles an hour there. Had been cautioned
in passing round the Stratford junction, but that was
on the occasion of his first driving on the line.
At present it is not known what course the direc-
tors intend pursuing in the matter.
The public are already aware of the fact that the
second collision was similar to that of Stratford--
the Norwich evening express overtaking the Colches-
ter Parliamentary train near the Brick-lane goods
station and running into it. Both trains were over •
due—the Colchester above half an hour, and the
Norwich an hour. On the Colchester train leaving
Stratford, Mr. G. Richardson, one of the superinten-
dents of the line, who had been engaged in providing
relief for the sufferers in the former accident, directed
the station-master to stop the Norwich express, should
it arrive, and not restart it until the former train was
a quarter of an hour in advance. It accordingly
proceeded, Mr. Richardson% with another gentleman,
accompanying it on the engine. What with the
density of the fog, the heavy character of the train,
and the greasy condition of the metals, it made but
very slow progress. Oa arriving at BJW Mr.
Richardson instructed the porter to hasten down the
line with fog signals, so as to give timely warning
to the Norwich train of their close proximity. The
Parliamentary train got on to Mile-end, and there
the same precautions were adopted. Happily
for the preservation of most of the lives in the train it
had again got in motion for Bishopsgate, but barely
had two or three minutes elapsed before the Norwich
express came up at a speed of, it is said, from 10 to
1,5 miles an hour. The last carriage in the Colchester
train, into which the Norwich express engine dashed,
was a strong horse box. This was icatantly cleft in
two, and the next carriage crowded with third-class
passengers, met its force. In fact, the whole train was
hurled forward some 30 or 40 yards, and some ides