The Sun.
London, England, 1844-09-16 00:00:00

INCENDIARISM.

BIGGLESWADE, SEPT. 11.—The little village of
Arsley has been the scene of another incendiary fire,
attended by the most disastrous results, as the great
bulk of the property destroyed belongs to persons of
the poorest class, some of whom are literally without
a home. The fire broke out at midnight, and appears
to have originated in a hay rick close to a beer-shop
kept by a man named Livett. The spot was sur-
rounded by a number of cottages, the inmates, of
which had long beforo retired to rest. There was
scarcely a breath of air, but owing to the hay being
thoroughly dry the flames spread to the adjacent
buildings before the arrival of the engines, which
were obtained from Biggleswade, Henlow, and
Hitchin, all some miles distant from the
scene of conflagration. There was also much
difficulty in securing a supply of water, for which,
in rural districts, no provision is ever made. The
Rev. H. Smith, Mr. N. G. E imonds, a large land-
owner residing in the neighbourhood, together with
Superintendent Blunden, of the local police, were
early on the spot; directing the operations of the fire-
men, and encouraging the labourers to exertion. The
fire, however, was not got under until nearly four
o'clock, having totally destroyed six small houses, be-
sides seriously damaging several others. From exa-
minations subsequently made, there is no doubt that
it was the act of an incendiary. The flames were ob-
served in the first instance by constable Link on
going round his beat; and he states that, although he
kept a vigilant look out, he saw no person near the
spot. The part of the stack fired was furthest from
the beer-shop, and could not possibly have been the
result of accident. The presumption is that it was
caused by some chemical preparation, which was de-
posited in the hay at an early hour in the evening
The occupants of the cottages in their terror were
unable to save any portion of their furniture, all of
which was consumed, together with their harvest
gleanings.—Cambridge Chronicle.
EATON SOCON, SEPT. 11.—Last Tuesday evening
some vile miscreant set fire to a large stack of wheat
straw (the growth of 1843), standing in the centre
of the rick-yard of J. H. Day, Esq., in this village.
The flames threw their unearthly glare over the
neighbourhood for miles around, and thousands has-
tened to the spot. The first persons present put a
large cloth over the barley-rick, close to windward,
and wetted it; those were soon aided by the Eaton
Socon and St. Neot's engines, and thus the devouring
element was confined to the large straw-stack, which
was all consumed. Happily the evening was remark-
ably calm, otherwise it is probable no efforts could
have saved the entire homestead. We understand
Mr. Day is insured in the County-office, and that no
suspicion attaches to any individual.—Cambridge
.Chronicle.

-
On Thursday afternoon, about one o'clock, a fira
was discovered on the farm premises at Lymage, oc-
cupied by Mr. Philip Armstrong, of Graffham. It
was first observed by a labourer, who had left his
work in the barn for the purpose of fetching some
water for his dinner, burning at the corner of a straw
stack placed round the yard, and communicating with
the outbuildings of the barns. The most efficient
assistance was rendered on the alarm being given, and
by judiciously cutting off the communication by pull-
ing down an outbuilding the damage was confined to
the destruction of the straw and the outhouse. Had
the flames once got fairly hold of the buildings the
destruction of property must have been great—the
whole of the produce of the farm standing on the spot.
At present the loss is confined to about 30/.; insured
in the Suffolk Fire-office. How the fire originated is
not known, but from happening in the middle of the
day, with but few persons on the premises, it is one of
those cases where the most searching investigation
ought to take place.—Cambridge Chronicle.
INCENDIA.RT FIRE.—We regret to have again to
record the occurrence of an incendiaryy fire in Suffolk,
which occurred on Wednesday evening last. Between
seven and eight o'clock flames were observed issuing
from a barn upon an off-hand farm belonging to Mr.
John Phillips, in the parish of Barton, near Bury.
The entire contents of the barn were destroyed, con-
sisting of 200 coomba of oats, and thirty of wheat, a
large quantity of straw, together with a shed contain-
ing a new broad-wheel waggon and various other
implements. We believe the property was insured.—
Cambridge Chronicle.
FIRE AT BROOM.—On Sunday afternoon, about
three o'clock, a fire broke out from a pig-sty in the
occupation of Mr. Sells, at Broom beds. The flames
issued from two different parts, and there is no doubt
it was the wilful act of some wicked person. There
were several buildings connected with the sty, and if
active exertions had not been rendered, a large amount
of property would have been destroyed on tlns farm
as well as on the adjoining premises, belonging to E.
Lindsell, Esq. The fire was extinguished before it
destroyed the sty.—Cambridge Chronicle.

MILITARY PUNISHMENT.--A Vienna letter of the
28th ult. relates that a few days ago, on the plain of
Sohmelz, near that city, while a regiment of Uhlans was
at exercise, a captain being dissatisfied with the manner
in which two of the privates of his company had per-
formed, called them out of the ranks, and ordered to be
inflicted upon each five strokes with a cane. A crowd
of persons, who had assembled to see the exercises, mur-
mured, and hooted the officer, because, according to the
.articles of war, this was a punishment not to be given
stripped, 1
lfinv e public.
strokes
If the two soldiers, however, imme-
diatelyadeowbanckon hisT
to submit, b but theoannddmreceivedpre-
paringtheperated that they
disposition
to populacepelt h
tefbaface,
second
officer becamewi t
bsosteoxnases-,
and showed a dis proceed to more violent in-
terference. On go thenet'l
fall in, and marched it offotoontelli ordered the regiment to
e barracks, followed by
the crowd, shouting, "Long live the King! No more
corporal punishments!" When the regiment was back
in its quarters, the captain was put under arrest, and
will be brought to a ignanz
court-martial.—Ga t • .
EFFECTS Or TRADE.—Contrary to •
established
custom, most of the mills in Huddersfield have already
come
into to light up. This arrangement has usually -
O
into operation immediately after Honley feast, a period
which is a fortnight distant. Manufactories still con-
tinue to spring up in Huddersfield and its neighbour-
hood. Several of the first magnitude are at present in
cane of erection.—Leeds Mercury.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
COURT OF BANKRUPTCY, Sept. 13.
(Before Mr. Commissioner GOULBURN.)
C. J. BANNISTERS BANKRUPTCY.

The bankrupt in this case was a draper, carrying
on business at Derby. He has failed for about
4,0001., and his assets are said to be under 2,0001.
He was originally connected in business with his
brother, Robert Bannister, of Portsea, who, it will
be recollected, decamped with between 2,0001. and
3,0001., but was captured at Maderia. The fiat
against C. J. Bannister was, in the first instance,
issued in Birmingham, but removed to London, in
order to work the two bankruptcies together, and
thus thoroughly investigate the state of their affairs.
The sitting to-day was for the choice of assignees,
and the only proof upon which any discussion arose
was one tendered by the trustees of the wives of the
bankrupts, they having married two sisters, for
1,1201., cash advanced to enable them to commence
trade. _ _

Mr. M. Chambers supported the trustees, Mr.
Young appeared for the bankrupt, and Mr. Reed,
as solicitor for several creditors, opposed the proof.
An examination of witnesses was entered into,
to show the bona fides of the proof; at the conclusion
of which,
Mr. Commissioner GOULBITEN said he was satisfied
that the money was advanced, and therefore he should
admit the debt. The only question was whether it
was necessary, under the terms of the settlement, for
the bankrupt to join in the proof. As, however, the
wives had joined with the trustees, he did not think
it requisite for the bankrupt to do so.
Mr. REED then stated that the number of creditors
for whom he appeared carried the choice of assignees
in favour of Mr. G. Hitchcock, of St. Paul's-church-
yard, and Mr. D. Ainsworth, of Manchester, both
warehousemen ; and added that they would require
the bankrupt to give a minute and detailed statement
of his affairs in his balance-sheet. Mr. Reed parti-
cularly referred to the deficiency which appeared in
the bankrupt's stock and bank account between Ja-
nuary last and August, the latter the date of his
failure.

The bankrupt said his books would explain all, and
give, he was sure, satisfactory information of the state
of his accounts.

Mr. Commissioner GOULBURN urged the bankrupt
to be assiduous and attentive to his estate, and distin-
guish his conduct from that of his brother, which had
been exceedingly faulty.
The bankrupt promised attention to the request of
the Court, and the proceedings were adjourned till the
28th of September, when the two brothers will come
up for their last examination.:

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, Sept. 14.

IN THE MATTER OF RENTON NICHOLSON.

A petition from the above-named insolvent, who
lately kept the Garrick's Head, in Bow-street,
Covent-garden, was filed in the office of the Court as
a preliminary proceeding to his appearance for hearing.
It appears from the petition and the documents an-
nexed, that the insolvent, who describes himself as
late of Exeter Hotel, Strand, out of business, was
arrested on Friday and taken to the Queen's prison.
He exdeditiously procured the necessary papers, and
was enabled within twenty-four hours of his confine-
ment to petition the Court.
By the description it seems that the insolvent had
kept the Garrick's Head, which place he rented of Mr.
Simpson, of the Albion Tavern, who had distrained
furniture to 901. and books to 101., which were on
the premises, for arrears of rent amounting to 250/.