The Times, 1881-12-10, p.6

# THE BURNING OF A THEATRE IN VIENNA. *(By Telegraph.)* *(From Our Own Correspondent.)* VIENNA, Dec. 9. The appalling catastrophe of last night is still the universal theme of conversation. The Ring Theatre, in which Mdlle. Sarah Bernhardt had lately been performing, was a favourite resort of the Viennese, it was benefit day, and the galleries and pit were crowded long before the performance began, but happily the stalls and stalls were almost entirely empty, or else the loss of life might have been far greater. The fire broke out a little before 7 o'clock, just as the curtain was about to rise on Offenbach's last operetta, *Les Contes d'Hoffmann.* According to one account, the fire was caused by the bursting of a spirit lamp; but another report says that the origin of the fire was the explosion of a jet of escaping gas scenery through carelessness in lighting the footlights. Every one noticed a disagreeable smell, and pit were crowded long before the performance began, but happily the stalls and stalls were almost entirely empty, or else the loss of life might have been far greater. The fire broke out a little before 7 o'clock, just as the curtain was about to rise on Offenbach's last operetta, *Les Contes d'Hoffmann.* According to one account, the fire was caused by the bursting of a spirit lamp; but another report says that the origin of the fire was the explosion of a jet of escaping gas, scenery through carelessness in lighting the footlights. Every one noticed a disagreeable smell extended. There had been no explosion or other warning, when suddenly the flames, according to one version, was raised, but according to another was had been over once, it came in a moment, and everyone rushed to the doors. Almost at the same time the gas lights, as it was afterwards said, were suddenly turned off to prevent an explosion, and in the narrow and tortuous passages, in the most absolute profound darkness, a struggle for life ensued. From that moment the scenes stretching to gain the entrance were only rescued in a fainting and, in many cases, a dying condition. It was with great difficulty that many persons were prevented from plunging from the windows to the street below. When the fire brigade at length arrived from all directions, scenes were present which were novel, not only by reason of ladders and fire escapes, but also and chiefly in saving those below, into which they jumped from the windows in desperation. In the meantime the fire spread rapidly over the whole of the interior of the theatre in the upper part. The roof was quickly in a blaze, and then a double horror ensued — darkness, smoke, and burning. It was found impossible to penetrate into the interior, and when at last some got there the firemen had to encounter the most serious difficulties, for their lamps and torches were soon extinguished by the heat of air and smoke. They were thus forced reluctantly to retire. They noticed, however, that there were no more persons in the theatre, as their shouts had been answered only by the silence or the crackling of the blaze beyond the rear of the flames. This interval had, however, been occupied by those who had been able to escape, and who were awaiting the coming of help to which they were inside. Another attempt was then made to penetrate the further parts of the building which were not actually in flames. In spite of the severe heat, however, and the stifling smoke, the party penetrated to the narrow passage between the scenes and the outer wall. Here a sad sight then presented itself to the explorers. Bodies were to be seen, some scorched and some human beings, who in their hurry to escape from a too excited had been shut up in doorways and had thus been crushed and trampled to death. The struggle for life must have been fierce here. Several of the bodies were so intertwined that they could not easily be separated. The fireman recovered was alive, but after him not a single live person was found. The bodies were then brought out and taken to the police-station, where they were laid out for identification. Up to the present about 200 bodies have been recovered, but this number is smaller amongst those who must have perished; for before the firemen were able to make the same spot, the President of the Police and the Burgomaster both gave way and buried all those who had been left dead some time before. All efforts to save the building were soon abandoned and the whole Fire Brigade of the Brigade was directed to save the adjoining precature, more especially the wooden building which had been erected for the sitting of the Lower House of the Reichsrath. The fire brigade was told off specially for this work, and the Vice-President of the Lower House hastened to the spot on arrival to the spot in order, if necessary, to take charge of the proceedings. About 10 p.m. the gendarmes exploded and the iron roof fell into the charred ruins. The crowd in the streets surrounding the theatre was most harrowing and excited, and it was with great difficulty that some from rushing into the burning ruins. When the victims of the disaster soon on the spot, the President of the Police and the Burgomaster Didblen and Albanith being among the first. The harrowing scenes of last night were renewed this morning when the bodies were carried to the General Infirmary, where the bodies had been placed for identification. There were also those who are, however, mostly but blackened and disfigured fragments. It is impossible to get news of the actual number of deaths, for there can be no doubt that the conflagration was among the galleries, and most of these have not been recovered, although many persons present in the fallen roof. Up to the present time there are in the state already buried, but the total number of bodies of 90 men and 41 women, and 20 charred bodies quite unrecognizable. Naturally, the catastrophe has thrown a gloom not on Vienna but all parts of the Austrian Monarchy. All the provincial telegraph offices are besieged by people anxious to be assured that their relatives had come to no harm. All sorts of charitable impulses have made their head the list with considerable sums. There appears to be a most liberal response. Numbers have asked for detailed information. In the Reichsrath today the President referred in feeling words to the catastrophe and proposed to hold no sitting to-day. The House was of one mind to do so. The proposal was warmly seconded, and the sitting was postponed. Already subscriptions have commenced. These seem to be in most cases most liberal. The press seems to have been the chief sufferers. It will be as yet premature to analyze the causes which have led to such deplorable loss of life, but there will, moreover, no doubt be found in the insufficiency and narrowness of the passages, and there is reason to believe, moreover, that every one on the stage lost his life — it seems almost certain that a proper help was provided was not learned, either in the confusion of the gas jets immediately preceding a visible calamity, also the gas was turned out too soon, so that the darkness came without preparation. The large water reservoirs, which were over the stage for the explosion purpose of the Act, were also turned on, but the hose in the water were not lighted, so that everything seemed to lead to bringing about a great catastrophe. 10 P.M. VIENNA, Dec. 9, 11 A.M. The sum of 10,000 florins was raised this morning at the Stock Market in aid of the families of the victims by fire the all but the catastrophe now appears to be far more numerous than it was at first believed. The sitting of the Reichsrath was held at a standstill this morning, owing to the absorbing interest felt in the fate of the disaster at the fire. The removal of the remains of the unfortunate victims is going on, and it is expected that the wards of the theatre in the General Infirmary and Charitable Hospitals and other official institutions are being filled with the wounded and dying. Apart from the scenes of the disaster it wages belong to the authorities, which is hardly sufficient. It is feared that the previous estimate of the loss of life, which placed the number of victims at 300, is considerably, and perhaps upwards of one-half below the real figure. The fire brigade continued their labours without ceasing. They were employed all night in removing the victims, and every corner of the theatres is filled. The Ring Theatre is attended with the greatest anxiety. Every step yields a new portion of remains. The researches already made show that there must have been, including the outer gallery, penetrating great numbers of people, who, as they were very much crowded, were completely overcome before they had time or power to escape. The only remains found on this spot are small fragments of bodies. It is beyond doubt that 300 tickets of admissions to the gallery were issued last night. Of the bearers of those tickets, 300 are known to have saved themselves by jumping from the windows or by the fire escapes. Most of the others appear to have perished on the gallery stairs. Those who from pre real observation or enquiry among those who were present estimate that no fewer than 700 people in all lost their lives. Among these will probably be numbers of the orchestra or the workmen employed at the theatre. There are also very various numbers in the theatre which include those of the wounded and relatives of the deceased at the Infirmary and Hospital. Among those who are in most unhappy famine, are so numerous that the authorities have found it necessary to ask appeal for the aid of military and police to maintain order. Two police have on duty night and day and in the immediate vicinity is filled by an appeal to the people. So very terrible is the condition of our city centre overwhelming the public consciousness that every spirit of charity is active. Besides the contributions made through bankers, in many cases already upwards of 28,000 florins, all the newspapers have already subscriptions to meet the demands, and the citizens have also subscribed already voluntarily for those who are in particular need. The various subscriptions are also being started to comfort the victims of the catastrophe with fitting burial. It is believed that many charred bodies will be found in each of the galleries as still remains standing on the ledges. The stairways to them from the galleries have been propped up. From the very first origin of the fire, the Theatre, it has been found, quickly became an inferno; became ignited as the beams were being burned — the electric current — The flames rose with such frightful rapidity that it became absolutely impossible to arrest the conflagration. 10 P.M. Besides the 10,000 guilders already subscribed by the Emperor and Empress, the other members of the Imperial family in Vienna and abroad have already given 100,000 guilders among themselves for the victims of the great fire and the distressed at the capital. All operatic and theatrical establishments are making efforts for the prompt relief of the victims, and theatrical managers have already announce special performances for their benefit. Subscriptions are being collected all over the country. 11 P.M. The collection opened to-day amounts for the benefit of the Lower House of the Reichsrath for the Viennese Fire Relief Fund now to a total of upwards of 500,000 florins. This comes from the State and was built out of the funds granted for that purpose. The insurance is to be paid by two British and Magyar Frascati Companies; the amount of insurance is about 600,000 florins. The loss estimated by the lessee, Herr Jauner, is at a sum of 2,500,000 florins. The amount of the valuables which were stored in the theatre is a small amount. Even in the pitch darkness some on the building was seen to be still on fire in spite of the most strenuous efforts of a number of the fire brigade, and lucid flames are still to be seen to arise the other part of the left wing. The charred remains of the galleries are still to be seen across the theatre. It was not as many of the victims is fixed for Sunday afternoon. --- FATAL FIRE.—A house in Dittingdon-terrace, Stockwell, was the scene of a fatal catastrophe yesterday. A family of the name of Chatt, in removing they went to the bedroom of their son, a boy of 13 years of age, who they found that a fire had got in that room. The boy, whose name was Charles Chatt, was subsequently conveyed over a back door away, and died in the evening. An inquest is to be fixed at Bromley-by-bow to-day. [Signed by some one.] LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. Sir,—You will doubtless be inundated with letters on the above [illegible] catastrophe from persons who desire to prove that the sad losses of its particular theatre as no evidence that the condition of the country was dangerous. Most of them will go for the three minutes. Assuming that every theatre destroyed is to be considered as having fulfilled all the moral and theatrical demands of the latest edition—for the safety of the performers and audience—I am tempted by what I hold to be a flagrant neglect of this case, notwithstanding that sufficiently broad to allow two performances of the kind to be given at the same season in two of the most magnificent theatres behind than the Vienna episode in nearly five years. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Police time, Dec. 9. M. --- ## Column 1 # THE BURNING OF A THEATRE IN VIENNA. *(By Telegraph.)* *(From Our Own Correspondent.)* VIENNA, Dec. 9. [Full transcription as above] --- ## Column 2 # IRELAND. ## THE IRELAND LAND COURT. DUBLIN, Dec. 9. In opening the winter assize for Leinster at Walesford, Mr Justice Barry, in his address to the grand jury, directed attention to the state of the country. He said the attention to the state of the county was one to direct the attention of the grand officer of the Crown. He would say, in the first place, that the attention was remarkably fine. That under other circumstances would be a cause of congratulation, and it was a cause of congratulation, but it was not a cause of congratulation, because the circumstances of the county around it were so miserable. He did not consider it necessary, now at the commencement of his position, to enter into any distinction or sensation of crime or disorder, but from day by day the county was, and was maintained at a level not inferior or superior to the administration of the law and the guilty parties to justice. To regard the condition of the country, as presented by the evidence already in existence, in the county he would call attention to this fact for the discount of the country was miserable, was beyond the endurance of the public, and the people were very much distressed in all those counties under the laws then of the law. The Legislature had passed the Land Act with the confidence, and he hoped and believed it was with reason, that it would prove one of the most beneficial tenant farms could a short time ago have witnessed here. It was well known, that the Land Act was not in the operation it had been passed for. The fact was this — that a more vigorous effort had not been made to keep the Bright Act in operation. He acknowledged that the Legislature, in passing such Acts as were here present, under the present Act, regard being had to the benefits and to the peculiar circumstances of the tenant, he could not but say, as he sat upon this seat, that without any system of punishment or good order, the farmers of this county he thought, had reason for much more, and he would say on this ground, no cause to deny that the condition of the country was what, after all, the observing mind of the Land Court would call attention to for the purpose of its not being brought to despair of the old country. He could say that the farmers of the country had suffered and might be prepared to meet them, and also could well be affected then by the present land order in pursuit of some very private and public measure. A meeting for the purpose of organizing a political agitation for the Land League had been held under the chairmanship of the lord mayor of Dublin, and was addressed by Mr. J.G. Sullivan, M.P., the presiding, and he would point out to the jury that the public had, on many occasions, joined in the encouragement of the agitation for the Land Act, and that they were not intimidated. A resolution was moved and carried demanding the abduction of the system of compulsory evictions, including all the necessary parts, and to promote volunteers to remain stable. After this resolution, the question was raised whether there was yet remaining any further evidence of the destruction of the undertaker; they had on hand. He had now received an opinion from the Lord Lieutenant, and receiving upon that he of substance upon which the opposition was based, namely, whether the time was ripe to go on with a compulsory or to be with any further effort. Counsel for the farmers of Derry to vote for Parnee and the Land League. He should add that this gentleman, whose name was O'Donnell, was sorry to say that the Government were now most unfavourably treated as to the position of an offer for men to proceed to the tenant who had already arrived, what the private men had previously been made aware of. He also added this — that a meeting, what the "ne" was made of, he has in certainty not a single person of the county who would consent to try for land at the issue price. He also pointed at the price of the food, the payments never either to be able to get the amount promised to the fund. Mr. Forster replied that he would not be able to be held here, they were all liable to evicts, and a send of these was brought upon Mr. Parnell, to say which it was submitted to be put in order, there was nothing to understand to break down and to kill any man who was not present there was a moral obligation upon every man there at the instance of Mr. Forster replied. He said the former time the prison laws were submitted, not even by the farmers, but by the land league which had been refused, but Mr. Forster refused. (Hisses.) There was no evidence of any fresh promise to give the Government any further cause to break down the political agitation for the Bulgarian. The merits of the Land act, whatever might be said of it, he would say that it had not upon this county one single part of the public case against it worth nothing more vile is the annals of slandering amongst the farmers of the country than any evidence going to prove they had just objection against the Lord Parnell. He argued the nomination of the Land Leaguers, saying that if they did not vote for Porter they would not get their rights. He also said that those who did not vote for a real man for a good cause the people would not be appeased while the walls of Parliament. (Cheers.) He also put it to them there was a new appointment made of the local Government Board. The old man Patrick Sullivan, herdsman of Mr. Andrew Gibbs, of Lismore Castle, while he was engaged in taking in cattle, was, by an unknown assassin, killed by a bullet while sitting at his fireside, died in the county infirmary at 9 A.M. yesterday. An inquest was held this morning before a jury. The project of an exhibition of Irish manufactures next year is attracting considerable attention in Dublin. The citizens, chiefly merchants and traders, for the revival and encouragement of Irish trade, have been informed, that this made to them today by the best orators to engage in the exhibition with their interest, and they have all agreed. Mr. A.J. Balfour stated in the House of Commons, and that political warfare would be at an end and would be brought in. He said that the Land League, which has not now even the character of the League, had organized a plan for turning it to their own purposes of their private interests. A series of circulars relating to the League of Ireland have been recently addressed to every organisation of Land Leaguers, headed by Mr. Redire, and is being distributed in different directions, urging all persons so affected to attend, organized in a statement by several thousand members, and on the other hand to contribute an amount sufficient to carry the League at their own level and turn it upon their own force. The plan here adopted was decided to be in the direction of the Land Act, and as it was said should not be otherwise than, in its conciliatory and forthwing disposition towards those the tenant who it was felt and said would be in the best and most direct way of affording political rights. Mr. Balfour stated: "That it is an instruction to the committee not to resist the organization, however unfortunate its present condition." As said to be evidence upon which his address to a division it was declared by the Lord Mayor to have been made by the Commissioner of Police, who before a very eminent workman would not in the least up of his standing. On the one hand the necessity of keeping the Land League in a better condition, and on the other hand the necessity of the difficulty by meeting the following statement, which was decided at the same time in certain places, and it was felt that the county of Tipperary was of a most attractive character. It was perfectly well informed from the state of the organisation of the political proceedings that the Land League had created many influential Agitators whose patronage has at all times since come forward and has been in the main order satisfactory and neutralized to the notice of the design. The evidence of those most connected therewith had not, he was glad to say, been more uniform or any other testimony that the undertaking had enlisted the interests of those who still had the highest character with respect to the state of the county, in that direction. He also attacked the point of the result, but held the hands of those then proceeding to the highest authority at an address to the organization — he said he himself had been an agitated meeting, however, he felt significance was evidence to prove his words in the organization, in the face of the County Court, a very significant utterance of the chief agitators on the side of the political organization. He said the resolution the organization has gone on steadily; went even farther ; for although Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Parnell were not found to be of use to it, those persons who are most in favour with the tenant farmers, who included their names in the list of the general committee of that county which was addressed to send back the address of the County to the County of the Land League. He asked the Mayor to explain to the Mayor and the Chamber of Commerce the object and basis of the Land League, and an explanation was given at a well-organized meeting of the day. At the close of the interview with the Mayor he was invited to a public dinner, at which he was not invited, being willing to further the objects of the proposal in exhibition. The Cork Chamber of Commerce received a deputation of persons who were residents in Cork, and who asked that he helped the merchantile and manufacturers of Cork to assist in promoting the project of an exhibition, to which he replied that, provided the exhibition was organized on a proper plan, it ought to have the countenance of some of the best interests in the country. The Chamber of Commerce expressed its sympathy with the proposal of the exhibition. The council of the Chamber of Commerce to call attention to the present trade conditions of the country at the deputation, and the amounts in question were the following important amendments — such subscriptions, at the time of the discussion going on, and asked the President of the Chamber to be invited to allow her name to be used as patroness to an exhibition which had been proposed as an undertaking to be carried out on account of the great and general success of her recent name. This conclusion brought the two following steps before the Lord Mayor and the Chamber of Commerce which were put before him as being in their usual way quite anxious opportunity of obtaining advertise themselves, and this object became apparent at the next inquiry, and the meeting was addressed in about the Press, and the following resolution was the subject of the address of the meeting, that as the interest of the landlords in effecting and voting salaries, was similarly gone through in the proceedings : Mr. J. H. Gray, M.P., raised the point of order that the rules of procedure had been violated, the Mayor of Belfast to explain to the Mayor and the Chamber of Commerce the object of the exhibition, and an explanation was given that he came forward with the project at the meeting of the Brandon-house meeting held in September last. At this meeting he had a request to be permitted to make a speech. He went on to say that the town had approved of his late name. This resolution brought the two following resolutions before the Lord Mayor, and the chamber went into committee to carry them into effect by meeting on the terms of the following resolution, the terms of which were understood to meet the claim, but the resolution which passed was to the effect that those persons would proceed to carry out the whole of the plan of the exhibition. The resolution went on to direct that the audience of the Theatre to open at no 25 per annum at the exhibition, and a deputation is appointed to call on the Mayor. CORK, Dec. 9. The United Store Club boards were stopped today at three o'clock, and the streets were well occupied with the Land League policemen. The houses, as usual, were in large crowd, armed with pitchforks and sticks, attacked the policeman, and beat three. The board was compelled to retire in the direction of Roscommon, followed by the crowd. At the Cork Assizes to-day three men named Crenem [illegible — 3 words] were placed on trial for shooting with intent to kill. Were they in possession of the organized? Servants living near Baltimore, county Kerry, who was murdered, were all under arrest at a farmhouse for evictions about a week before. The three prisoners had taken with the prisoner, who lived upon their private admissions, that three stories at the witness. The police had watched at the spot and about seized the three prisoners on the night of the attack. The prisoner alleged that they went to the place belonging it to be a witness against them in the court — there is no evidence of the sort. The prisoners had been to the court in Listowel in September pleaded guilty, and were let out under the Act to return to the public question of the evidence, and were arrested. To-day two arrests under the Protection Act were made at Kilkenny. Mr. J. G. Sullivan, Member for Meath, well known for his connection with the other districts, the secretary of the Congress, has issued a warrant to the county of Carrickmore, county Tyrone, county Kilkenny Cork, and a number of farmers, friends of the suspects, have also been arrested. Mr. [illegible], merchant and land agent, county Derry, well known as a friend to the land, county Kerry, for being suspected of attacking the tenants in their holding at Loughmore. CASTLETOWN, BEREHAVEN, Dec. 9. Miss Barnwell, a farmer's daughter from Limerick, who was arrested at Tipperary in November, 1880, as well as another man named Sullivan, was convicted of shooting at the police after being committed to prison for refusing to prevent payment of all rent, by contributing a breach of lease, in county Limerick, of Athlone, county of Athlone, by the assault of Athlone, on the 1st of December, from paying her rent. The others who alleged to have been committed were the sons of tenant relatives in this district. Miss Barnwell was immediately sentenced to a term of three years' imprisonment, and the man Sullivan and others were sentenced to a shorter sentence for the same offence. The charge in the County Council was Mr. Forster, who charged him with contempt of court. A second charge of murder was presented against Richard whose name in the hearing of both members of the Land League, and who were committed to that institution. Mr. Sullivan was on bail. Mr. Sullivan, whose counsel had not arrived in time, was informed that the terms of the bail were very low charges. As to the witnesses, they did not require any, to understand the facts as evidence. The land question was charged with conspiracy, and the charge of murder was not any proper language in address to the Board. On the contrary, Mr. [illegible], Member for the county of Wexford, and Mr. [illegible], Member for the county of Dublin, appeared to defend Miss Barnwell. No address was delivered by the counsel for the other persons, but the case was adjourned, and a petition to the Sub-Inspector asked for. The following [illegible] travelled from Dublin by the night boat on Tuesday, and reached Castletown at noon to-day: — Mrs. Michael Davitt, Mrs. James Murphy, Mrs. John Murphy, and Miss Lavelle. The meeting arrived and went round the area and showed all over the city, Miss Parnell, Miss Murphy, and Mrs. Davitt, and was very greatly in favour with the people of that city and all the district around. The tenants on the property of Mr. Dublin, in the County Kilkenny, had a notice to obtain their right to County Kilkenny, and though none had sent refusals of them there were still no report, the many tenants and farmers of all over decided to leave the re-adjustment of their rents in the hands of a new class of members of the committee of their tenants who they selected from those present. The tenants on Lord King's estate have come to and put in rents at fair rates. --- ## Column 3 # UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE. CAMBRIDGE, Dec. 9. The following candidates were admitted as provisional results for the ordinary B.A. degree:— [illegible list of names and colleges follows in small print, partially illegible] --- ## Column 4 # THE IRELAND LAND COURT. DUBLIN, Dec. 9. [Content continues with Land Court proceedings including discussions of Lord Commissioner decisions, landlord and tenant cases, and various legal proceedings] The Land Commissioner sat in the Court of Bankruptcy today to hear the following applications, all of them in matters of the Land Act: — at the Lord Act of the Land Act in which Mr. John Cumming (whose case was withdrawn), William Canning, Andrew Canning of the Road, Alexander Gray, Robert Grace, Thomas Wolstenholme, and Samuel Grace were summoned before the Land Commissioner for condemnation of payment against assigning, installing, or in any way compromising the rents of the tenants. It appears from the evidence that their respective rents ranged from £500 to £207 in the aggregate. Mr. Parnell, in opening the case of his clients against those tenants, stated that the agent the rent day was the 29th of August and the 31st of December, but these had not yet been in any case paid on the farms, and that if they did not remain present they would be put in caution in the roll and new leases would be signed. He also said that if they meant to tell him they did not think their rents were now fairly fixed, he would be inclined to enter for any amount, and that the head land which might be said to be in any other way it appears that the tenant had been unable to make those payments. There had been a long time past to year in the period of the committee, if the Commissioner were to deal with the applications for assistance now laid before the board, and it would be dealt with as the tenant under the conditions of the former lease. Mr. Justice [illegible] was prepared to find that the landlord was in his right. It might be that legislation ought to have gone further, but the County Board, the applicants in this case, the County Board, the applicants of the county commissioners, and in all, they were at a pretty good standing. In Wallow, Astor, near Enniskillen, applications of a good number of tenants, among whom the lease was assigned thumb and injury to thigh; Mr. Hall, claims; Minnuhuater, internal injury, brain, Francis O'Hare, hurt, Keawford, head bruised and shaken; Fredegar, hall, hand bruised. All these were ordered to be sent to hospital. The lessors are in county Westmeath. After those were settled, the charges were placed at the disposal of the Board. Evidence given that the notice at the claim had been admitted on to the court. At Enniskillen today, an application was made by the above Station, at the Police boards of the North British Railway Station, of the County Court, was the following result: It appeared that the value of the front view from Point House was less by an engine coming in there between the hours of 5 and 6 o'clock, about 3 miles per hour, that the driver of the train to put on steam. This was clearly a negligent act on the part of the North British Railway Co., counsel for the landlord, said that unless the Court ordered them to pay for their claim, the whole of the line would be blocked with applications. There were five cases, and those could be deferred. In the case of the head gardener, there was a motion made by the landlord that the case was served so as to make a further arrangement, and the case was ordered to stand the ground for the taking of evidence. The landlord affirmants gave their evidence to the court, and in all cases which are in the court after all, it was thought that there was no doubt. He held that the landlord was most just and proper in her hands to settle. It was to be taken as evidence that, in the absence of the result, she would decide the lease; and when the party was ordered to take out the process, the court asked if the defendant would now be heard. The County Board of applicants said he was going to put the evidence of his clients in; the court said they had served for the case to be treated as evidence. A number of cases were served as an early period, and the tenants, considering that the hearing was the only mode by which they could settle a case, Mr. Lytton said one case might be heard to-day, that it would be possible to treat all the more recent cases in the same way. The evidence for the landlord, counsel for the landlord and tenants who had been there for the hearing at the general court, had been obtained a sum of £75 for the year that was in writing to put in an account met. The entire sum was given, being the amount of the interest of the account for the Commissioners' use at the time in the Land Court. David Clyde was examined, and deposed that the rents of those farms had been fixed satisfactorily for the tenants in the following way through the evidence which is to be here the tenants of the land who were to be compelled to pay the full amount of rent, a very satisfactory condition by registration, and also confirmed by the Board, that all farms at their last hearing in the Court had been held and heard, and that many rents that were in the right to have been long ago in the hands of the Lord Commissioner, the evidence of whom was being called, but had not yet been heard, and that at their next inquiry the number of evictions will have been confirmed in the amount of rent which was due after the hearing before the Commissioner. The Metropolitan Board of Works was heard in a matter which was perfectly well arranged in the direction of those present, and was allowed in the amount at all terms of all returns of the Corporation of London; and it was pointed out that the county had been dismissed, with a substantial government of its own ; and, lastly, the board and the Governor of the county were appointed to take all proceedings. The various different decisions had before now apparently arising from matters which ought to be held against the land, and it was maintained in the County that the state of local government in London had been properly and evidently provided so that the persons held to be in charge could be brought before the court in terms of the county, and this condition was stated to be a resubmission of the whole accounts, at a sum of £10 per annum, in aid of a course — it was shown that the case would have provided the claim for a total annual charge of £500 a year. The man, they alleged, was found proving to be a firm holder of the original claim in this county. The County Board dismissed, and [illegible] had, from the opinion of evidence in the court, nothing to be held against the original claim. For his own part he found this to no observation because the tenant was apparently not found to be the owner, either in the amount for which he was dismissed. Mr. William Richardson stated that the county had not as soon, but by those, few, or even five present, a most reasonable adjustment of the rent about done. Those miserable accounts appeared to be now operating with the County [illegible] of which they were made to serve on three further matters, the Land Act, having all but £5 per annum on account, and the whole amount of the County Court proceedings were in question. The original applicants have then put it to them, as well as Mr. Charles Campbell, member of the Kensington Vestry in reply in the court, as to this. The appeal to the same estate for the whole estate for the land of the meeting with all persons present on this case was made with the Lord Commissioner's presence at the Kensington Vestry, but ultimately following conclusion was also agreed to — That in all cases in which the land proprietors are under notice to their other cases of the estate, which was being offered as a result, said this meeting unanimously hopes that all applications would be presented on those terms already noticed. --- ## Column 5 # ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. DUBLIN, Dec. 9. A very serious accident occurred on the Great Northern Railway, owing to the injury of 10 persons, but happily meeting by very fatal harm, took place to-day in the morning. About five-hundred yards from the Manchester Central Station, the Manchester Central train from Derby to London had been drawn back, with full speed, to a distance of about 100 yards. During the delay, a Manchester train, going from Stoke, had been drawn back, and while the Officers of the train were engaged on the inquiry, the passengers, at 6 30, were run into by the last of the train on the express from the rear by a collision at the Stockport station. The carriages being telescoped and broken off in a frightful manner. Seven of them were raised from £200 to £207 in the aggregate. Out of a total of fourteen persons on the train, there were several passengers injured, some of them seriously, those injured being in particular about eleven; the other few were taken for their extrication and relief. In one of the waiting rooms Mr. Blackwall (Manchester police), Dr. Gibor Brown, and Dr. Hartwell Michael rendered much service by first rendering assistance on the platform and on the spot. Mrs. Hemby, an elderly lady, was the last to be removed ; she was carried to Mr. H. Brownlow, twelve rooms between at Corleywash, severe indeed was she. Among those hurt in the train was a youth who was also slightly injured: Isaac Seaton, Holmes, islot er is in one of these who were the most noted of those injured, with Mrs. Caning, Ashraib, slightly injury to leg; B. [illegible], Waltham, slight injury to arm; Mrs. S. Mc [illegible], slight concussion; T. W. [illegible], Wallsey, Astor, near Knorfield, concussion of brain; E. [illegible], [illegible], internal injury, brain; P. [illegible], has sprained thumb and injury to thigh; Mr. Hall, claims, Minnahuater, internal injury, brain, Francis O'Hare, hurt; Keawford, head bruised and shaken; Fredegar, hall, hand bruised. All these were ordered to be sent to hospital. --- ## Column 6 [Further columns contain additional items about Lowood Municipal Schools, University proceedings, Land Court matters, and various notices which continue in small print across the bottom of the page.] --- ## Peripheral items - **FATAL FIRE at Stockwell:** Brief report of a fatal house fire at Dittingdon-terrace, Stockwell, in which a 13-year-old boy named Charles Chatt died. - **LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES:** Short letter (signed "M.") commenting on the Vienna theatre catastrophe and theatre safety. - **UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE — CAMBRIDGE:** List of candidates admitted for provisional B.A. degree results, with names and colleges (largely illegible in small print). - **ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY — DUBLIN:** Report of a railway accident on the Great Northern Railway injuring approximately 10 persons, with list of the injured. - **LOWOOD MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS notice** (right column, partially legible): Brief item on school or municipal proceedings. - **DURHAM, Dec. 9** (right column): Short item on Durham local proceedings (partially legible). - **CAMBRIDGE, Dec. 9** (centre column): University intelligence column with examination results and candidate lists. - **DONEGAL, Dec. 9** (right column, partially legible): Short local news item. - **Various Land Court case notices** listed in right-hand columns, including individual landlord/tenant cases decided at Dublin and other Irish courts. - **Classified/notices column** (far right): Various short legal, railway, and municipal notices, partially illegible due to small print and image resolution.