The Sun.
London, England, 1845-08-16 00:00:00

Captain Bruyers said, he resides at 65, in the Haymarket.

Is the general superintendent of the London and BirMingham
Railway. Has no fixed time fur his duties. Humswerth, the
driver, had a book of instructions given to him. His arrival
at too early an hour is provided for by the fifth article of in-
structions, which enjoins him to take a time table with him,
and regulate his speed according to it. The fifth article men-
tions no punishment consequent upon a breach of its regula-
tions. The time-keeper of the tram is the upper guard. The
engine left Trigg at 20 minutes pa.t four on the morning of
the accident. The strict time for starting is 21 minutes past
four. The engine arrived in town at three minutes past five ;
thus performing the distance in forty-three minutes. The dis-
tance from Trigg to the spot where the accident occurred is
more than thirty miles. The train arrived nine minutes before
its time. The proper time allowed to run thirty miles is sixty-
one minutes, but three minutes are allowed for stoppage, so
that the distance is performed in fifty-eight minutes.
A Juror—Has Humsworth, the driver, ever been fined for
being before his time before this accident ? Witness—Yee,
he has.
Mr. WAKLEY—Do you know this for certain ? Witness—
I believe he hat, but 1 cannot say for certain that he has been
fined.
Mr. WAKLEY—Was he reported to you? Witness—Yes;
he was ten minutes before his time at Leighton, on the 24th
May, and came into collision with the goods train. He was
reported to me on that occasion.
Mr. WA K LEY—And you reported the fact to the Directors?
Witness—Yes; there are directionsgiven that in foggy weather
no train shall come farther than Chalk Farm-bridge, and that
the whistle shall be kept constantly going.
Humsworth was then called into the room, upon which
Mr. WAKLEY said it was his intention to have called him as
a witness, but in consequence of the evidence just given he
could not do so. If he (Humsworth) wished to call any wit-
nesses, he would have an opportunity of doing so. It would be
well for him to watch the proceedings, as there was a great deal
of responsibility attached to him.
Mr. Mum, the Deputy Coroner, then read over Captain
Bruyers' evidence to Ilumstvorth.
Mr. WAKLEY—It has been shown that the proper time for
the starting of the goods train was a quarter past four o'clock.
It does not appear that there was anything to delay it on the
morning of the accident.
The witness here observed that he had already stated that
the York mail contributed to delay it, as did also the fog.
Mr. WAKLEY—Do you attribute blame to any person?
Witness—No.
Mr WAKLEY—Then what is there to be corrected? Here
is one train 48 minutes behind its time, and ano.her 19 minutes
before its time, and these facts must be attributable to some
person. Witness—The goods train was detained by the fog,
the York mail by the delay of goods and the trouble of forming
the train. The length of the train was not so much as 350
yards. Allowing 15 feet in length for each of the 47 waggons,
the length would be 235 yards. 'lle guard of the tram is
bound to remain until he is instructed to leave by Mr. Frost.
The signals at the Camden Town Station are a red board by
day, and a red light at night. If the weather were foggy,
the signal could not be seen. The policeman has no in-
structions to go down to the tunnel with the light when the
weather is foggy.
Humsworth handed in a statement of the time of his arrival
for corns time past. It differed slightly from the one given in
by the last witness. He in some insances admitted a greater
number of minutes before time than the foregoing statement
presented.
Captain Bruyers said, in reply to a question from the Co-
roner, that the engine-drivers generally carried watches,
but they knew the time by long practice, and also the speed
at which they were going. Humsworth was never reported
to him for his premature arrivals, nor was he punished. M.
Berry is the superintendent of the locomotive department.
There is no specified amount of fine for arriving before time.
It is quite a discretionary power. Witness does not engage the
drivers ; that falls within Mr. Berry's department, and witne,s
has no control whatever over it. The book of instructions is
about to be revised and remodelled.
Mr. WAKLEY then asked Mr. Frost if he had any witnesses
to call. It appeared that he had the control of the train, which
was behind time when it was struck. If ho had any statement
to make it would be listened to by the jury ; but he had a
right to say that it might be used against him afterwards. He
might, if he could, show that delay was unavoidable, or that it
was a part of the system of the railway.
Mr. Frost said that great difficulties often wesented them-
selves with regard to the luggage-trains, and rendered it im-
possible to get up the train for the appointed time.
Mr. WAKLEY asked for the record of the time of starting
of the luggage-train during the past month, and it was sent for.
Humsworth then expressed a desire to call Wm. Finch, one
of the engine-drivers of the luggage-train.
William Finch was accordingly called and sworn—lie stated
that he was an engine-driver belonging ,to the London and
Birmingham Railway. Was present when the accident oc-
curred, and was engaged in oiling the engine of the goods-train.
At five o'clock witness remarked that the mall was nearly due ;
she would go off the line. He accordingly backed the engine ;
but it was ordered back on the line to have some waggons at-
tached. The number of engines was 67. He obeyed the
order, and went down as far as Chalk Farm-bridge, and there
stopped. A delay of three or four minutes then occurred be-
fore the collision took place. Did not see the engine until it
was close on his own. Heard the whistle, but there was no
time to get out of the way. Has known Humsworth six or
seven years, and has always known him as a good driver. Had
crossed the main rails about four times on the morning cf the
accident. Cannot say who should be blamed for the delay of
the luggage train. It had not more waggons titan usual at-
tached. Has had as many as seventy or eighty waggons and
three engines to the luggage train. Has received no instruc-
tions with reference to his time. The rate allowed for goods
is twenty miles per hour. Has driven passengers. There are
certain times to stop at the stations, and the engine must be
true to that time.
John Sheppard, a stoker, was examined—ls stoker to the
engine which Humsworth, the driver, was on—the Liverpool
mail—at the time of the accident. On leaving the tunnel, the
signal of " all's right" was made by the policeman ; remembers
the fact distinctly. The engine was going at the rate of eight
or ten miles an hour when it struck. Could not see the red
signal on account of the fog. When there is anything in the
way on the line, they expect a signal at the mouth of the
tunnel.
In reply to the CORONER, Capt. Bruyers said the cost of
such an engine as No. 91 would be about 1,400/.
George Walker, the foreman of the locomotive department at
Camden-town, was then called, and said the value of the engine
was at least 1,0001.; the value of the tender 300/.
Mr. WAKLEY summed up. After going through the main
features of the evidence, he said that there had been no evi-
dence to explain the cause of the premature arrival of the
train. These arrivals were explained by Captain Bruyers
to be dangerous. The irregularity of the arrivals and
departures involved serious consideration, and the only
wonder was, not that an accident had taken place, but
that many more accidents had not occurred. The Coroner
al'uded to the difficulty which existed as respected the law
in this case ; and observed that the parties most in peril in this
case, in consequence of the accident, were Humsworth, the
driver, and James Frost, whose duty it was to forward the lug-
gage train according to the instructions which he had. At the
same time, he could not but observe upon the want of precise-
ness which existed as respected instructions to the servants of the
Company, and the want of a system of fining the men for being
either too early or too late in their arrival at, or their departure
from, the stations.
The jury retired at half-past three o'clock, and returned
at a quarter to five the following verdict :—‘t We find that the
deceased, Charles Dean, died from an injury to his left leg,
caused by accidental collision of trains on the London and Bir-
mingham Railway, near to Camden-town ; and that the engine
No. 91, belonging to the Company of that railway moved to
the death of the deceased, and that its value is 1,0001., and they
make a deodand of the said engine to the extent of 1,000/. In
delivering this verdict, the jury express their opinion that the
rules and regulations of the London and Birmingham Railway
Company for the guidance of their servants have been carried
out very inefficiently for some time past ; and further, the jury
consider that' the area of the Camden-town station, and the
system of rails there laid down, arc too much cramped consis-
tently with the public safety."

CLONMEL, AUG. 13. FROM A CORRESPONDKNT.)
—I beg leave to inform you, that the weather since Saturday
evening has been very fine —this day is beautifully so. If it
continues so for ten days the wheat will be generally cutting
here, and the crop will be an abundant one. By reference to
one of my former letters, you will find that I was right as re-
garded the quantity in the hands of factors and millers. A
field of wheat in the suburbs of this town is being cut down
this day. We never had so good a crop of barley, oats, and
oEa TO TE SONS or BUNS.—e learn from
tP:etia)/t:lNiNerse•rness HR W
Courier that the inhabitants of that city gave a
grand dinner on Wednesday week to the sons of Burns, who
are at present on a tour in the Highlands. Upwards of ninety
gentlemen sat down to dinner at the Caledonian Hotel, and
the evening was passed in the true spirit of old Highland hos-
pitality. The honoured guests were presented wi.,11 the free-
dom of the city.

RUNNING MATCH ON WATERLOO-BRIDGE.—On
Thursday morning the 120 yards' race between Warne and Tit-
brig came off, over the stipulated distance, on Waterloo-
bridge. The stakes were 10/. At the start Warne took the
ead, but was quickly passed by his opponent, who won easily
oue lard.

THE ROBBERY BY CUSTOM-
HOUSE OFFICERS.
At the Th:mes Police-court on Thursday the parties charged
with purloining five watches from a case in the West India
Dock, on the 23d of June, 1842, and Henry Osborne, fur re-
ceiving the property, knowing it to be stolen, were brought
before Mr. Broderip, for final examination. The Court was
crowded to excess with persons connected with the Customs
department and the Dock Companies, and the knowledge that
other robberies of a similar description hid been committed,
and that 1,000 sovereigns had been stoh'p from a box on its
way from a merchant's counting-house to the ship
Stag, bound to Calcutta, which mast have been effected
by the connivance of some persons connected with the
Customs, gave additional interest to the proceedings.
Soon after twelve o'clock, William Stickland, the pro-
prietor of the Wheatsheaf public-house. in A nthon v •
street, St. George's-in-the-East, who, at the time of the
robbery, was in the employ of the Crown as a Custom-house
officer, and Edward Lewis and William Bonham, Cestom- house
weighers, together with Henry O•borne, landlord of the large
public-house called the Crooked Billet, No. 1, King-street,
Tower-hill, were put to the bar, the three first charged with
stealing one gold and four silver watches, the property of
Messrs. Savory and Son, Col nhill, and Osborne with receiving
the property, knowing it to be stolen.
Mr. Ballantine, the barrister, and Mr. Watford, solicitor of
Customs, prosecuted on behalf of the Crown, and the following
legal gentleman were retained for the defence —Mr. W'ylde
( with Mr. Clarke, solicitor), for Stickiand ; Mr. Pigott (with
Air. Taylor), for Osborne; and Mr. litottllestone ( with Air.
Williams), for Lewis and Bonham.
For the better understanding of the proceedings yester lay,
it may be necessary to give a short summary of the evidence
adduced on the part of the Crown on the last occasion. On
the 2.3 d of June, 1842, a case, containing clocks and watches,
was forwarded to No. 1 wat•eirou e in the West Italia Dock for
exportation, from Messrs. Savory's. The case was a deuble
one, the inner being of tin, soldered, and the outer of wood,
screwed down, and the watches were deposited under the clucks
in the inner case. It was opened in the shed, in the presence
of the prisoners Bonham, Lewis, and Stickland. and another
Custom-house weigher, named henry Richard Turner (who
has been admitted as evidence for the Crown), for the purpose
of ascertaining the nature of the property. Two of Messrs.
Savory's clerks were present at the examination, and when it had
concluded, the eases were again soldered anti screwed down, and
lett in charge of the Customs. After the depariure of Messrs.
Savory's clerks, it was stated that the prisoners lionliatn,
Lewis, and Stickland, and the accomplice Turner, broke open
the cases, purloined the watches, and, after a fruitlesa attempt
to dispose of them to a Jew, named Moss, they were entrusted
to Stickland to sell, and he afterwards reported to his confede-
rates that he had obtained 20/. for them, and gave each of them
51., reserving the same amount for himself. More than twelve
months elapsed before the robbery was discovered, when Messrs.
Savory received a communication from their correspondent in
the West Indies that the case had been plundered of the watches,
arid that only the clocks had arrived. Messrs. Savory had to
make good the loss. Strict inquiries were made, and a reward
of 50/. was offered, but without success, and it was not until
lately that a clue was obtained to tire thieves and the receiver.
On Friday last, Inspector Haynes, of the detective force, went
to Osborne's house with a search warrant, and in the course of
a long conversation he had with him, he admitted that he
bought five watches of a man he did not know, and whom
he never saw before about three years ago, when he
kept the Lamb in Lamb's Conduit-street, and delivered
to the inspector a gold watch with his wife's
initials engraved upon it, and a silver watch which bore his
own initials, and said he sold one of the watches to Mr. Yeo-
man, a job master, in Guildford-street, Russell-square, who
produced it at the last examination, and another to Mr. Taylor,
his solicitor, but he could not recollect what he had done
with the fifth. The two watches received from the prisoner,
and the one produced, were identified by Messrs. Savory's
clerks, and the numbers upon them tallied with the numbers
inserted in Messrs. Savory's books. It was nut shown that
there was any connexion between Osborne and the Custom-
house officers, further than what was deposed to by the ac-
complice, who said that about the time of the robbery he heard
Stickland mention Osborne's name. It was also stated by
Haynes, that when he apprehended Stickland at the Wheat-
sheaf, he directed his wife to send for Air. Osborne to look
after his cellars.
Yesterday Mr. Ballantine said he had further evidence to
show that Stickland, Bonham, Lewis, and Turner had access
to the shed and the case, and were employed in the West
India Dock on the day in question, June 'A, 1842.
Mr. John Robinson, clerk to Mr. Savory, who was examined
on the last occasion, was again called, and proved that a packet
of watches for exportation were delivered by hint to Mr. Faris,
another clerk, who saw the cases delivered ire the West India
Duck.
Mr. Henry Webster, a watch and clock maker, stated that
en the 4th of September, 1842, Mr. Osborne brought hint
two silver watches, and directed him to engrave upon one the
initials " H. 0." (the prisoner's own), and utpen the other
J. G.," and he did so. In the course of the following
October the prisoner brought to him a gold watch and directed
hint to engrave Airs. Osborne's initials upon it. The pri-
soner, at the same time, asked his opinion of the value of the
watches, and he valued the silver watches at 61. each, and the
gold one at 12/. The prisoner said he was going to buy the
watches of a friend who was in want of money, or that he had
bought them.
Alr. William Skinner, an appointer of weighers in the Cus-
toms' Department, was examined at considerable length, and
he stated that Bonham, Lewis, Stickland and Turner were ern .
ployed in the West India Dock on the 23d of June, 1842.
'Their names were ticketed off as they answered to them in a
book which he produced. lie also produced an appearance-
sheet for the same day, w ith the signatures of the pr isoners and
the accomplice upon it. The four men were employed as ship-
ping officers, and they would be in No. I shed to examine the
packages anti their contents.
William Laycock said he was an apprentice to Mr. Wales,
tinman and brazier, in June, 1842, and recollected solderirig a
tin case containing clocks anti watches, in the West Bella
Dock. He recollected Stiekland was there, and be believed
Bonham was also there, but he could not Teak with certainty
of him. He recollected Stickland sending lira upon an errand
to inquire after some shrimps. lie at first refused to go, but
Stickland earnestly pressed him to do so, and I roinised him a
' jolly good glass of brandy-and.weer on his return. lie at last
consented to go en the errand, and, instead of shrimps, brought
• back some whitebait.—(Laughter.) When he returned with
the shrimps—he meant the whitebait—Stickland and others,
were in No. 1 shed, close to the case, drinking braetly-anit-

water.
In answer to questions by Mr. Broderip, the witness said he
opened the case and soldered it down again. Ills business was
always in No. I shed, except on one or two occasions. Tur-
ner, the approver, was here put forward.] Witness said he
recollected him very well indeed. lie was in the shed at the
time. lie was sent for the shrimps after he had soldered the
case.

--, ~..-.

Mr. John Taylor, solicitor, was called, and stated that he
bought a silver watch of his client (Osborne) in the autumn
of 1842, and gave him four pounds or four guineas for it. lie
(lid not pay Osborne any money, but took it in part payment
of a debt for professional services.
The watch was handed to Messrs. Savory's clerk, who iden-
tified it as one of those stolen from the case, and it was given
into the charge of Inspector Haynes.
Joseph Moss, an elderly Jew, was then sworn. his evidence
created a great sensation, and was often interrupted by the
laughter of the auditory, who were much amused, as well as
disgusted, with his odd manners, and his flippancy. He said
he was a general dealer, and lived at 3, Elizabeth-street, St.
George's-in-the-East, and dealt in anything and everything.
—( Laughter.) He did not know any of the prisoners, but he
might have seen them.
Mr. Ballantine— Will you swear that you never saw any of—
Moss, hastily—l will swear it.
Mr. Broderip—Don't answer so hastily, sir.
Moss-1 might and I might not have seen them.
Mr. Ballantine—Have you ever seen them or not? Moss-
-1 don't know, Sir ; l'il swear it.
Mr. Broderip admonished the witness, and told him to recd.
lect he was on his oath. Did he mean to swear, on his solemn
oath, that he had never seen any of the prisoners ? Moss—
Yes, Sir.
Mr. Broderip....km 1 to understand distinctly that you never
saw the prisoners? Moss—Perhaps I have seen thew.
Mr. Broderip—Have you seen any of them within twe:ve
months, or two years, or three years? Moss—l may or I may
not. What do you press me for ? I don't know.—( Laughter. )
Mr. Ballantine—Can you recollect having seen them in June,
1842, or about that time ? Moss-1 don't keep dates.
Mr. Ballantine-1 want an answer, yes or no.
Moss—l had no books in 1842.
Mr. Ballantine—Are you in a large way of business ? Moss
—No; and I keep no books about watches, or anything else.
Mr. Ballantine—l have not said a word about watches, Mr.
Moss. You have anticipated me.
Mr. Broderip was about to ask the witness a pestion about
his " general dealings," and he anticipated it by answering
that he was a respectable general dealer.—( Laughter. )
Mr. Broderip—You can't look into my mind, and if you
answer in that way I cannot believe a word you say. How
long have you been a general dealer? Moss—Twenty years,
your Worship, upon my word.
Mr. Broderip—And you have never kept any books? Moss
—None at all—not one, Sir—none.
Mr. Ballantine—Did anybody call upon you in 1842 about
some watches? Moss—l don't recollect.
Mr. Idallantine—Did you ever go to the West India Docks
to inspect any watches ? Moss-1 did see watches.
Mr. Ballantine—Where did you go to see the watches ?
Moss—Where did I go to?
Mr. Ballintine—Yes. Moss—You ask where Igo to see
them ?
Mr. I3allantina— Yes ; now answer the question. Moss—
I did not go to see them, they were brought to me.
Mr. Ballantine—By whom, Sir ? Moss—By neither of
these men (looking at the prisoners).
Mr. Ballantine —Who brought you the watches? Moss—
Turuer, the accomplice, brought the watches to my house.
(This answer caused a great sensation in court, Turner having
sworn on the last occasion, that Stickland took the watches to
Moss's house. )
Mr. Ballantine—Will you swear that Turner brought the
watches to your house? Moss—Will I swear it? Yes. lie
called upon me, and asked me if I would buy them at a price.
%offered hira 18/., I think, for five watches—one gold and tour
silver.
Mr. Ballantine—Do watches come within the meaning of
the term " general dealer ?" Moss—Yes, and diamonds too.
Mr. Ballantine—And jewels ? Aloss—Yes, and jewels and
money, anything—all general dealing.—( Roars of laughter.)
Mr. Ballantine—The watches were left with you i Moss

them, and
Tonellvler.r
—Yes.
them' Moss—Yes.
Mr. Ballantine—Did you return
TuArlnre.r.BallHanetienaem—eßteotumren
at
to persist that you never saw them afterwards.
saw
any one Turner before.
Mr, Ballantine—Have you ever been at the West India
but Turner about those nhdemdweamttocahnwedhseo?dnit h?M
Moss—Yes, yes, I do.
Areelaqr:u ently.
Dock,l havelr
Mi 3 beenral.la!
vnitoi acquaintedpo you
ut
Mr. Ballantine—Did you go there about June, 1t3.1•??
310,5 I mean to swear that 1 was not there six months be-
fore or after that time.
Mr. Ballantine—Now look at the prisoners (the Magistiee
directed them to put on their hats), and tell me whether you
ever saw them before or not, Moss—They never came to my
house at all.
mell.lr.Mßoaslsl_anNtvinun,e
Did you ever see them ? you understand
Then, I never saw one of them before ;
that's coming to the point at once.—(Laughter.) They have
not come to my house, and therefore 1 can't know them.
Mr. Broderip—Did you ever have any communiestion with
the prisoners about the watches ? Moss—Never.
Mr. Broderip—And never went to the West India Dock'.'
Moss—Not for six months before or afterwards.
Mr. 13allantino said he could not carry the case any farther,
and submitted that there was ample evidence to justify the
magistrate, and that it was necessary for the ends of justice,
that Moss should be compelled to find bail far his appearance
at the sessions. Unless Moss was compelled to enter into
sureties there was no certainty of his appearing at the ses-
sions, and if he did not find bail he ought to be detained in
custody.
Moss—No, no, I'm not a receiver, but an honest man.
Mr. Bro3erip said that Moss was very hasty, and desired him
to stand down. He certainly felt it to be his bounden duty tc..
order Moss to enter into sureties for his appearance at th
sessions, and unless he did so, he would have to remain iq
custody.
Mms—Will your Worship answer sae a question ?
Broderip—Stand down, Sir. I don't sit here answer
questions. It you do not find bail, I shall commit,