The Sun.
London, England, 1845-10-28 00:00:00

FATAL COLLIERY ACCIDENT.

BRISTOL, OCT. 27.—0 n Saturday night a fatal accident, which has
tinfortunazely been attended by the sacrifice of live lives, occurred
at the Upper Soundwell coal-pit at the Fishpond, about four miles
'rum Bristol. The report of the accident speedily spread through the
neighbourhood, and caused the utmost consternation among the
tinnille3 of those persons engaged in the pits, who ran franticly to the
neighbourhood of the pit in order that they might learn the extent
of the calamity. It appears that on Saturday afternoon the work-
men employed at the tipper Soundwell pit, the property of Air.
Samuel Whittuck, were leaving their work, and live of their numbee
had entered the basket, or " cart," as it is termed by the coal-miners.
far the purpose of being drawn up to the mouth of the pit, when the
rope suddenly broke when they were upwards of half way up, and
they were precipitated to the bottom of the pit. In addition to the
rive who had entered the cart, a sixth man was getting into it, and
was also dragged down with it. Four of the unfortunate men were
killed instantly, and the fifth expired, after lingering in great agony
Ca' about three-quarters of an hour. The man who had not entered
the basket was dreadfully mangled, his arm being fractured in so bad
a manner as to require immediate amputation, which was skilfully
performed, but the poor sufferer now lies in a very dangerous state,
which almost precludes all hope of his recovery. The alarm having
been given, a rope was procured as soon as possible from another pit,
and the bodies were drawn up, presenting a frightful spectacle. The
scene at this moment was truly heartrending, the mouth of the pit
being surrounded by children calling for their fathers, and wives for
their husbands. We have ascertained that the names of the five men
killed arc William Harris, 60 years of age, leaving a wife and large
tinnily, most of whom are, however, married ; Thomas Bird, aged
40, leaving a wile and five children ; William Bassett, aged between
60 and 70 ; Benjamin Wilshire, 33, leaving a wife and three children ;
and John Porter, 30, leaving a wife and six children. The man who
has been injured is named George Britten, and has also a wife and
large fluidly.

The inquest on the bodies will beheld on Wednesday.

THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.
OPENING OF THE SANDWICH PARLIAMENT.

Tue following curious intelligence had been received from
Mexico at New York, by the Petersburgh, a trading vessel :

The Legislative Council of the Sandwich Islands, consisting of a
House of Nobles and a House of Kepresentatives, convened on the
20th of May. The opening of the Council was conducted with all
the formality of the opening of the British Parliament—Guns
were gred from the forts, and the foreign vessels responded.
The King's speech is In imitation of that of the kings of Europe.
Peace is announced with all nations, and the attention of the
Legislature is directed to all matters of local or public concerns.
The following paragraphs conclude the King's speech :

" We consider it the first of our duties to protect religion, and
promote good morals and general education. It will, therefore, be
your duty to consider by what means those blessings can be best
promoted and extended among the people of these islands, and also
among the foreigners resident in our dominions. We are well
aware that the Word of God is the corner stone of our kingdom.
Through its influence we have been introduced into the family of
the independent nations of the earth. It shall therefore be our
constant endeavour to govern our subjects in the fear of the Lord ;
to temper justice with mercy in the punishment of crime; and to
reward industry and virtue.

" The Almighty Ruler of nations has dealt kindly with us in
our troubles, in restoring our kingdom, togother with special gua.
rantees for its existence as an independent nation. May He also
aid you in your deliberations, and may he grant his special protec-
tion to us, to you, and to our people."
The Sun, which furnishes us with this news, says that when
the King's speech was concluded, one of the nobles, Governor
Young, offered resolutions of thanks to the Governments of Great
Britain, France, Belgium, and the United States, for recognising
the independence of the islands, which passed unanimously.
On the next day, the 21st, both houses replied to the King's
address, concluding with " God preserve the King."
At the opining of the Legislative Council on the 20th May, the
new national banner was unfurled, differing little however from the
former. It is octo, parted per fess, first, fourth and seventh argent;
second, fifth and sixth azure, for the eight Islands united under ono
sovereign, indicated by crosses saltire of St. Andrew and St.
Patrick quarterly, per saltire counter charged, argent and gules.
A coat of arms has also been adopted which is, quarterly, first
and fourth stripes of the national banner, second and third, or ball
argtnt on a staff sable—in escutcheon Yea, triangular banner
argent, leaning on a cross saltire.

ACCIDENT ON THE EDINBURGH AND DALKEITII
RAILWAY.—About ten o'clock on Thursday evening, an accident of a
serious description occurred on the Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway.
It appears that t carriage from Dalhousie Mains came into contact
with one from Dalkeith, at a point near Sheriff-hall, where the lints
meet, and so violent was the collision that both carriages were upset
npon the rails. The greatest alarm prevailed for several minutes,
and fears were entertained that the consequences were even more
serious than they subsequently turned out to be. The driver of the
carriage from Dalkeith, whose name is Duncan M`Donahl, had both
his legs broken; and Mr. Scott, the manager of the railway, who was
in one of the carriages, received a severe wound on the lid of the knee.
With the exception of some slight contusions in one or two instances,
the rest of the passengers escaped unhurt. We understand that the
driver of the carriage from Dalkeith was more than once called on to
pull up ; but lie either did not hear, or could not stop insufficient time
An investigation has been ordered by the authorities.--Sculsetan.

NEW V CHANCERY ORDERS.—The new Chancery
orders, 128 in number, which were issued by the Lord Chancelor on
the Bth of May last, take effect from this day. The extension of
railway communication has, amongst msny other benefits, at length
affected Chancery practice, and removed the delays ar sing from the
difference in the times al:owed in procedure in town and country
causes. 113, the 16th of the present orders, the distinction in the
periods allowed for process in t wn and country causes is wholly
abolished. Tile orders are known to have been prepared with great
care, and after much deliberation. They will remove many of the
grounds of complaint made by suitors of the delay and expense in
Chancery procCedings. Many of them relate to the technicalities in-
eidelit to equity pl,adings, which will hereby be muchsimplified and
fiteilitated.—lierald.

Till. CJIIRCH.—OXFORD, OCT. 25.—The Rey.
C. 11. Collyns, M.A., Student of Christ Church, and late Curate 01'
St. Mary Magdalen Church, in this city, has resigned his Student-
ship, and entered the Roman Catholic Church at Prior Park, Bath.
The Rev. F. Oakelty, M.A., has resigned the Senior Fellowship of
Balliol College, in consequence of the late decision of the Court of
Arches, which precludes him from performing its duties. Mr.
oakeley has, on similar grounds, resigned his stall in Lichfield Cathe-
dral.

We regret to learn that Sir George Murray has
been suffering lately from very delicate health.

The Right lion. George Dawson and Captain R.
P. Dawson have left Sir Robert Peel's, Drayton Manor, for Castle
Dawson, Ireland. Mrs. Dawson is visiting her brother, Mr. Lawrence
real, at Kemp-town, Brighton.