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Leader (1850-1860), 14th August 1852, Edition Town of 2, Page 771, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENT . « TSB Northumberland Agricultural Society held their nniversary exhibition of implements and stock , in the ^ neighbourhood of Belford , on Tuesday . There were two reap ing-machines exhibited , one from Crosskill ' s , Ibeing a modification of Hussey ' s , and another invented ! by Mr . Dixon , of Woller , which bore a great resemblance to Hussey ' s , the corn when cut being delivered fby a moving canvass . The ground was crowded with visitors , when a violent storm of rain and thunder drove them helterskelter into the tents , and kept them imprisoned there for above three hours .

      The company dined at four o ' clock , in the goods shed of the railway station , which was fitted up for the occasion . The chair was taken by Earl Grey ; and among the visitors were , Lord Lovaine , M . P ., Sir George Grey Sir W . Trevelyan , the Hon . Captain Grey , Sir M . W . Ridley , Hon . H . T . Liddell , M . P ., Mr . H . G . l / ddell , M . P ., Rev . Dr . Gilly , Mr . O . Cresswell , Mr . G . Burdon , Mr . C . W . Orde , Mr . Riddle , Rev . Mr . Pulfcine , Rev . R . Bosanquet , the Mayor of Newcastle , Mr . < 3 L Walker , and Mr . Hodgson Hinde .

      Earl Grey , in proposing " Success to the Society , " spoke very favourably of the prosperity of the Society . He compared the present spirit of improvement and enterprise in agriculture with the apathy which had existed for the last sixty or seventy years among those engaged in that art . This change , he thought , was in a considerable degree to bo attributed to the labours of the Royal Agricultural Society , of which this society was a very useful auxiliary . The great improvements in drainage , which had taken place in the last few years , he thought had been brought about mainly through the discoveries made known by these societies . A tenant now would not take a farm unless it were

      drained , or he were assured it would be . He thought that in this county the same gentlemen who had been most active in promoting the success of this society had likewise taken a leading part in setting on foot the great improvements made in providing comfortable dwelling-houses for the working population . A few years ago the cottages of the peasantry in Northumberland were a disgrace to the county ; now improved and comfortable cottages were seen , rising up in all directions .

      The Honourable H . T . Liddell , in proposing the health of the Duke of Northumberland , pointed to the example of that nobleman in improving the dwellings of the labouring classes , as one worthy of imitation by all proprietors of land . In every part of this county ifc was well known how much those improvements were needed on the duke ' s great patrimonial estates ; and now in every part , day after day , and month after month , might be seen comfortable and commodious dwellings for the labouring class rising up under the especial care and superintendence of the noble duke lumself .

      Other toasts were drunk ; and Mr . Walter Johnston , the Secretary of the Society , read the list of the premiums which had been awarded .

      Untitled Article

      RAILWAY ACCIDENT . The inquir y into the circumstances of the accident on the London and North Western Railway , near Coventry , was continued on Monday . Mr . Joseph Mosedale , being again examined , said ho had examined the engine since the last meeting of the jury . He hud found that one of the . stays on the left-hand side , which attached the ash-pan , had evidently been broken for some time previously to the accident * . The two on the other side wore defective . The fact of one stay'being broken , would much increase tho strain upon the others , especially if the engine oscillated . Ho thought these faults could not have been detected by anyone looking at the

      engine casually ; it would have been necessary to go under the engine with a candle , to examine tliCHo parts of the machinery , and this could not bo done while the tiro won alight . Ho had no doubt that tho ash-pan fell through tho breaking of the stivys . Mr . Thomas Fuirbuirn , an engineer and locomotive builder , at Manchester , read a report , which he had drawn up after examining tho cngino , and tho place where tho accident occurred . Ho demonstrated that he HtayH , in their ]> orfcct state , were quito strong enough to bear a load vastly greater than that of tho f

      'wh-pim . j'j , appearance of tho two right-hand supports , at tho point of rupture , ho thought clearly nhowed that they had been Hound previously . Ono of the left luiiul HtayH , ho admitted , had boon cracked , but 11 l M ) I'tiou of tho Koctlon even of that ono appeared to have been still Hound . He thought that nothing but a violent collision with houiu weighty obstruction upon the roiid could havo caused tho accident . Ho was surprised that such an obstruction should not havo been neon by tho engine-driver . Tho two right hand stays "howed clear proof that great forco had been applied ,

      one of them being connected with a strip of plate torn from the side of the ash-pan . A train had passed over the spot an hour and a half previously . He did not think one person could , in that interval , have placed on the line a stone large enough to cause the accident j he thought it must have been produced by an up-standing rail . Captain Laffan , of the Royal Engineers , who had examined the engine , and the scene of tho accident , thought that the ash-pan had given way , in . consequence of the failure of the supports . He did not think there could have been any obstacle on the line that could have torn off the ash-pan .

      Mr . Galton , a gentleman of Leamington , a passenger by the train from that town , said that he examined the spot immediately after the accident , and could find no trace of any obstacle on the line . Fifty yards from the spot where the train ran off , the line was covered with splinters . Another passenger , Mr . Letts , of Leamington , saw fragments of iron about the line after the accident . He saw a bar of iron three feet long , about seventy or eighty yards from the place of the accident ; he thought this might have been the cause of the accident . The ballast had been ploughed up about this place for ten or a dozen yards .

      The verdict of the jury states that they " are of opinion that the immediate cause of the accident was from the defective state of the stays of the ash-box , thereby causing the death of William Floyd , and the jury cannot separate without expressing their decided opinion that the inspection of those constructed engines should be made more minutely and more frequently , so as to ensure ' the safety of the public . " The inquest on the body of Mr . John Thomas Beddington , the other passenger who was killed by this accident , was held at Dockers-lane , on Wednesday . The evidence given was , of course , to a great extent the same as that brought before the jury at Coventry , but some fresh facts came out .

      Jenkinson , the engine-driver of the up-tram , stated , at first , that he had , on the 22 nd of July , ten days before the accident , reported his engine for certain repairs , including one of the bolts of the ash-pan and one of the stays ; he thought it was the left-hand front one , ( the same which Mr . Mosedale said had been broken . ) He could not explain how it was that this report had not found its way into a book in which he usually entered such repairs . On further consideration , he thought he had not reported it , but had mentioned it in conversation to a smith , and it had been repaired . Crawford stated that , on the 22 nd of July , an old stay , the same left-hand front one , had been welded up . Supposing it to have been improperly welded , this defect could not have been seen on examination .

      One of the passengers by the Leamington train , was inclined to attribute the accident to the guard ' s break not being properly screwed up . It had been before observed to " wabble about . " The inquest was adjourned .

      Untitled Article

      VERDICT ON THE DUCHESS OF KENT ACCIDENT . The inquest relating to tho collision between tho Duchess of Kent and the Bavensbourne was closed on Wednesday . Some additional evidence was produced , which did not , however , throw much new light upon the case . Tho testimony of the master and chief mate of the Meteor , and a waterman who was on board that vessel , tended to confirm the previous statements that tho Duc / iess of Kent was out of her right ' course in crossing tho river at that place , and that the accident might havo been avoided had she ported her helm . Ono of them thought that tho man in charge of her seemed confused . On tho other band , they considered that tho llavensbourne wns in her proper course , and could not havo avoided the accident by starboarding her helm . The chief mate of tho Duchess of Kent , who hud charge of hor at tho time of tho collision , said ho intended to pass between tho Jtavensbourne and the Meteor , thinking that there was plenty of room , and expecting the former vessel to starboard her helm and move to the northward . All at onco ho saw her move to the southward ; he thon gave orders to turn tho engines astern— " hard-a-starbourd" tho helm . This was against tho law , but be could not port the helm , being nl h wart tho tide . Three seamen , and a gentleman who had l > een for many years accustomed to a seafaring life , gave evidence to show that tho collision would not havo taken

      place if tho Jtavvnabowryte hud ported tho holm . Some of thorn stated that tho engines of tho Itavensbouriw wore going at full Hpeod at the tiino of tho collision . Mr . Hind , on the part of tho friends of Mr . Sard , complained of tho conduct of tho Steam Packet Company in having taken no steps for nineteen days to find out tho friends of tho drowned man . Among his

      luggage was a small portfolio , containing an order for 50 Z . and two circular 101 . notes , and inside the portfolio his name and address was written in full . The jury returned the following verdict : — " That the deceased , John Sard , came by his death through an accidental collision between the Duchess of Kent and the Bavensbourne steamers , off North Fleet , on the 1 st of July , 1852 . The jury cannot separate without expressing their feelings in terms of strong condemnation , in consequence of the neglect . of the owners of the Duchess of Kent not advertising the property of the said John Sard in their custody , they having had the means of ascertaining the name from papers found in his luggage which was saved from the wreck . "

      Untitled Article

      IRELAND . The inquiry at Six-mile Bridge is so slowly conducted , and the evidence so perplexed and obscure , that public interest in it is dying out . Several witnesses have been examined—Mr . Cronin , a stipendiary magistrate , and Mr . Keane , brother to " Marcus Keane , " agent to Lord Conyngham , " whose voters" were being driven up to the poll , among others . Mr . Cronin stated that he saw the soldiers fire ; that afterwards he examined the muskets of the escort when drawn up , and by putting his finger in the barrels ascertained who had fired Subsequently the military authorities , after much boggling , agreed to bring up the men into the Court " house , and they were brought . Mr . Keane ' s evidence showed that there was a good deal of pelting , and that the soldiers were much exasperated . But he gives a very confused account of the affair ; and it is clear his memory is none of the best , for he speaks of there having been hundreds of thousands of people present —• Anglice , about three hundred . Here the matter rests , and it is impossible to say when a clear-headed witness who really saw the conflict , and can state what he saw , will enter the witness-box .

      The Freeman ' s Journal of Tuesday announces that two converts to the Protestant belief , who had become exalted members of the " Priests' Protection Society , " in Dublin , have recanted , and gone back to the bosom of the Roman Catholic church . The names of the wandering sheep are the Rev . Richard Well , a priest of the diocess of Lismore , and the Rev . Andrew Hopkins . Father Andrew ' s " conversion" is sketched in a little melodrama , which was enacted in the presence of

      Dr . M'Hale , who had been on a tour in the region of Belmullet . The " conscience-stricken prodigal , " it seems , heard that the " archbishop" was in town . He formed a firm resolve ; he sent " his Grace" a , humble message , imploring reconciliation with the church ; and " his Grace" pronounced the coveted absolution . Thus restored to his status , the " prodigal , " by way of making the amende , fell foul of his former patrons . Ascending the steps of the altar , Mr . Hopkins , says tho enthusiastic narrator , briefly addressed the people : —

      " His first exclamation was , 'Oh , how I am to bo pitied , ' and at once burst into tears , which drew forth tho exclamations and tho tears of every one present . On his partial recovery from his excitement tho same exclamation was repeated , and lie proceeded to state his sincere sorrow for the scandal ho had given ; his shame at , and unworthiness of , appearing at all in their presence , or in that holy f > lacc j and his determination to tho last momont of Ins ifo to expose to tho whole world tho hypocrisy , tho lying , and tho base traflic carried on in tho name of religion by tho hireling proselytizers who infest this part of tho west of Ireland . Ho can and will bear testimony to tho exaggerations to which these wolves havo recourse to induce tho simple and bigoted zealots of all parts of tho united kingdom to subscribe largo funds towards their dishonest and unholy purposes as well hero as in all parts of tho west . " An intimation of Lord Derby ' s favourable disposition towards the representations of Irishmen , irrespective of all political considerations , is thus noticed in tho Dublin Evening Mail of Monday : — " Last year an application was made to the late Government , praying that means mig ht be taken to translate and publish tho ancient laws and institutes of Ireland , usually known as tho Brohon Laws . These laws—which wero actuall y in operation , the potential codo of tho people of Ireland for more than 1 , ( KX ) years—have never yet been translated , and are supposed to exercise an influence , perhaps now traditionary , upon tho JriHh character , which may solve some of tlie anomalies which beset every thing Irish . Lord John Russell last year appropriated tho . 1111 ( 1 ) 1 sum of . £ 200 for Homo preliminary inquiry . . Lord Darby has given authority within tho last few days for tho translation and publication of tho whole , and hits transmitted it to Dr . Todd and Dr . Graves . " Tho Dublin limning Post of Tuesday furnisheri the following accurate return of the wiles in the lOncuinbered Estates Court , from tho opening of tho commission until tho i ) Lh instant : — Tho number of estates sold was 777 , in 4 , 00 . 1 lots . Court Hales .... i ! 4 , 7 l « , 267 1 <> O Provincial mhn . - - l . d ' MHUH O O Private . sales . < - - 1 , 003 , 280 12 8 J Total . . . £ 7 , 353 , 730 2 8 J

      Untitled Article

      August 14 , 1852 . ] THE LEADER . 771

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 14, 1852, page 771, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1947/page/7/