Star.
London, England, 1831-02-17 00:00:00

STATE OF THK COUNTRY.

Amisowan Tuaso•Y.—Notwithstanding the terrible example lady
set at Winchester, ineendiarism is milling gain in this country—a
farm, the property of Col. Hawker, and situated at Loy Parish, having
been nearly destroyed by fire yesterday morning. A few days ago a letter
was picked up in the vicinity of Long Parish House, the residence
of Wood Hawker, to the effect that if he did not induce the
farmers in his neighbourhood to raise the wages of their labourers, his
property would be destroyed. This stupid and preposterous epistle met
with no attention : it was supposed to be the effusion of an idiot, or
some imbecile old woman—it was not for a moment supposed that any
hostility could exist against the owner of the Long Parish estate, the
labourers employed thereon having bean always liberally paid, and
at a considerably higher rate than is usually given in that part,
of the country. The fire was discovered at halt-past three o'clock
yesterday morning, and it was not completely subdued till four in the
afternoon, in the course of which time property to the amount of 8001. I
was reduced to ashes, including barns, granaries, hayricks, agricultural
implements, &c. The hones were fortunately saved, but a large quan-
tity of poultry was burnt alive. Had it not been for the personal esti-
Sons of Colonel Hawker, and of his judicious distribution of the per-
sons under him, the calamity might have been much greater. The
conflagration was at its height about 5 o'clock, and its appearance at
that time was of the most appalling description.
COvENTAY, Fen. 15.—Yesterday mornieg, about two o'clock, the
inhabitants of this city were alarmed by the ringing of the fire-bell.
On inquiry, it was ascertained that a messenger from the inhabitants
of Brandon (a village about six miles hence) bad arrived for our fire
engine, which was immediatly attached to a chaise, and despatched
with a competent number of firemen. On thcit arrival they found
the barn of Mr. Hanson, a respectable farmer there, In deices,
but with great exertion it was prevented extending to any other
building. The waggoner was awakened about 1 o'clock by the
desperate noise made by a horse who was in an adjoining stable, and on
going to the window discovered the fire The alarm was instantly
given, and by great exertion the poor horse was released ; his situa-
tion was extremely perilous, as the hay la his manger was on fire.
The barn contained about 60 bags of wheat, all of which were con-
sumed, but it is consolatory that Mr. Hamann was insured to the
amount of his loss. It is suspected that this was the act of an incen-
diary, and that the fire was communicated through one of the air holes
in the barn wall, which adjoins the road. As this is the first Instance
of incendiaries having been in this part of the country, go at alarm is
excited. A reward of 100 guineas has been offered tor the discovery
of the offender.
We were in hopes that we should be spared the painful duty of again
recording the destruction of property by incendiarism ; but it now tills
to our lot to publish the most extensive and destructive fire that has
taken place in the county of Sussex, and which occurred on the evening
of Thursday last, at Eastbourne. About a quarter before seven. the '
whole of the property, save the house, on Mead's farm was disco.
vered to be on fire. Seven stacks of hay and four of COTO, with a
double barn, in which was • bailey mow aid sixteen quarters of thrash-
ed what in sack, a fatting stall, a saggoti Wire and granary over. and
several hundred bushel* of potatoes, were entirely destroyed. On the
discovery of the tire, the men hastened to the barn in the hope of
saving the wheat in sack ; but on opening the doors, they soon dia.
covered that to be impossible, as the whole body of the barn pre-
sented one mats of coofiagration. Only • part of one wheat-rick
was saved from the general wreck. Su intense was the heat, that the at-
tention of those present was directed to the preservation of the frani-Linise,
which was in great danger, and which was, with the greatest exertions,
saved from the devouring element. We bare not heard the amount
of property consumed, but the whole was insured. Ihe farm is
tenanted by Mr. Moses Fader, the property is that of Lord
George Cavendish. The buildings, we understand, were not insured.
There can be no doubt but that it was the act of an incendiary, and
must have been the work of sonic time, if only one individual was con.
earned, as the stacks and buildings were no fire at the seine time. We
hope that 51r. Filder's conduct towards the labourers for sets of kind
near and benevolence, will, on inquiry, be found to have deserved a far
different treatment at their hands.—Brigkans Guardia's.
About 6 o'clock last Thursday morning, an out-house belonging to
Mr. Barnes, farmer, of Hording. was discovered to be on fire. There
were a number 01 rattle in the iptace, and it is supposed the incendiary
contemplated their destruction, but they were removed in time.-Bw/es
Gavels.
About two o'clock on Thursday morning last, a haystack and
cowhouse (in which were two cows) were discovered to be on fire at
Scilly, near Scarborough, the property of Mr. Pearson, farmer, of that
place. There is reason to suspect that the act was committed by a man
(a stranger) who had been at &alby and the neighbourhOod fur
about • fortnight, inquiring at different farm-houses for new
calved cows and pip. When the lire was discovered. a pence was
men running from the plan, wearing a velveteen coat with white but.
togs, but who unfortunately was not pursued. A statement of the fall
particulars has been transmitted to the police of Hull, with • request to
keep a sharp look-out for the suspected indlyiduaL-4101l Peeked.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
IRELAND.
Mr D. BROW NF. presented a petition from bettermullen, in the
county of Galway, complaining of distress. He said that the failure of
the pounce crops had reduced a great pan of the Irish peasantry •do a
state of entire destitution, and unless government interfered to tel:eie
them vast numbers must die of warratton. He had letters from the
Alarquis of Sligo, and from other persons, of the first distinction in Ire-
land, all of whom represented the existing state of distress as truly ap-
palling. There was not a sufficient supply of potatoes in Ireland
to last one month, and he thoug! t a day should not be lost in affording
relief to the population of Ireland. The Hon. 'Nemb v added that he
had several petitions on the same subject, but he should defer their
presentation till to-morrow (Thursday), when there would be a fuller
attendance of members.

EILUAYIR-ST REIT SOCIETY.
Sir J. NEWPORT presented a petition from Weverfold. praying
for facilities in giving education to the Irish people; and complaining
of the conduct of the Kildare-street society. The honourable baronet
said. he fully concurred in the prayer of the petition.
Mr. LEFROY said, when the proper time came, he should he pre-
pared to defend the society referred to in this petition.
Sir J. NEWPORT then presented a petition from Waterr..rd, com-
plaining of the Irish vestry act. The petition was. he said, signici
exclusively by the Protestant inhabitants of the city of Waterford
Mr. WYSE congratulated the house on this brilliant display of Pro-
testant liberality. It was, he believed, the first petition on this subject
coming horn such a quarter, and he treated it as a happy omen fur his
country.