The Sun. — London, England, 1845-12-20 00:00:00

The Secretary then read the following report : " The Directors are most anxious to lay before you a Full and explicit report of.the resources and prospects of the Company, being fully aware that in the present agitated state of the. railway interest, nothing but the most perfect eonfidence and co-operation between all parties con cerned can bring any project to a successful termination. Commencing under the most favourable auspices, and supported by a numerous and highly respectable provi sional committee, the applications for shares amounted teabout five hundred thousand, and were declared by the allotment committee to be the most respectable they bad ever witnessed. Of these 118,865 were applied for either personally or by letter to the Provisional Com mittee. The panic occurred at the time when the allot ment took place ; and, as under the circumstances it uld have been unfair, as well as imp o liti c , to press the applicants, it was deemed advisable to allow a reasonable time to pay up the depo sits. The 20th of November was named in conse quence for that purpose ; few, however, had availed themselves of that extension of time; still it was thought that the best course for those who bad paid would be to perfect the plans and sections, which was accordingly one. The engineer had completed his survey in time, the plans, &c., had been deposited, and the whole had been calculated to be completed at a cost of 1,200,0001. In fir t, everything had been done to perfect the scheme, and nothing was wanting but for the committee to take up the necessary number of shares to which they were pledged, so as to go forward in the ensuing session of Parliament. The report further set forth that the pre bable returns on the line had been estimated at 6i per cent. on the capital subscribed, and that nothing now was wanting but the co-operation of the provisional se cretary to carry the project to a successful termination. The report concluded by stating"that the Company had decided to amalgamate with another company that almost took the same course, and that the sanction of the shareholders was only wanted to carry out that ar rangement." After the report had been read, The CHAIRMAN said that, perhaps the meeting would like to hear Captain Moorsom, the engineer of their own Company, and a statement of Mr. Gibbs, from the rival line, as to the prospects of their Company. Captain MOORSOM then came forward, and said that, when he first looked over this line, he thought that the scheme was not one that would be of public advantage ; but he found, upon a more careful scrutiny afterwards, that the line under consideration would be of great pub lic advantage. He found, on examination, that there was a series of valleys extending from ravesend to Reigate, and again, from Watford to Hertford, which would allow them to construct a line with a due regard to economy. A very considerable extent of the line could be constructed at 7,0001. per mile, but other por tions required a larger amount ; still no portion would be so expensive as the Eastern Counties, the London and Birmingham, or the lower portions of the Great Western, towards Chippenham. It was intended that the capital subscribed should be reduced, as the peculiar circumstances of the line would war rant ; and, without troubling the meeting with any mysterious expressions as regarded gradients and other matters connected with the engineer ing department, he would endeavour to give them a plain statement of the matters as connected with the Company. As they then stood, they bad many cir cumstances to consider in treating this matter. They could not flatter themselves with the expectation that " long " passengers would go by their trains through out the entire distance ; but it might be supposed that, from such a town as Birmingham, they might expect that a portion of the passengers would require to go on to Chippenham. When they looked at the towns that lay upon the line—Watford and the intermediate towns to Hertford on the one hand, and St. Alban's and Chelmsford on the other—they might properly appre ciate the importance of the line. They looked for large traffic on a hundred miles of distance, and he knew no line of an equal distance that would be equally remu nerative for " short " passengers. He wished them thoroughly to understand what he meant. Supposing, for instance, that a passenger were coming up from Bir mingham, if he wished to go to Southampton he should go to Watford; thus saving a journey round by London. Be thought, therefore, that this line was worthy of Tory aupport in the forthcoming session of Parliament, because it afforded every convenience to the district it was intended to supply. In answer to several questions, it was stated by ThA CHAIRMAN that 250,0001. was the capital sub scribed, and that it was intended to be a double and not $ single line. There were no peculiar difficulties throughout the line, and the money subscribed would be quite sufficient to construct a double line. After paying every preliminary expense they would bare enough to spare for the purposes of the line. To a question from a Shareholder with respect to amalgamating with another company, The CHAIRMAN stated that the Metropolitan Railway Junction had lodged their plans and sections with the Board of Trade. It was added, that after paying all expenses there remained 11,0001 in the banker's hands, and tho outstanding debts amounted to 3,000/. The Company with which they were going to amalgamate were richer in funds than they were, but as the present Company had lodged their plans, and as the rival Com pany had not done so, they were in an equal position. A resolution was then passed for the amalgamation of the two Companies, and a vote of thanks being given to the Chairman, the meeting separated. GREAT LEEDS AND LONDON RAILWAY. A meeting of the shareholders of this Company was held yesterday, at one o'clock, at the George and Vulture Tavern, Cornhill, to consider and determine what course it was expedient to pursue under existing circumstances. On entering the room each person was presented with a printed circular, signed " One of yourselves," calling on thane, instead of dissolving the Company and receiving back their deposits, minus expenses, to amalgamate with the London and Nottingham Railway, a line that pro posed to supply the district of country for which the present scheme had been projected, and which had suc ceeded in depositing its plans and sections, and had every prospect of obtaining an Act in the ensuing session of Parliament. The CHAIRMAN (Mr. Riddell) opened the business by stating that the present meeting of the shareholders had been called by the Provisional Directors, to lay before them a statement of their present position ; and he was serry that they had not been convened under more f avo urable circumstances. Still, th e C omm i ttee o f Management had . considered it to b e th e i r d uty to g i ve a n account of bow they stood. He would now call on the Secretary to read the report prepared, after which he would be open to make any further remarks, or give any explanation that m i g ht be deemed necessary. The SECRETe RI then read the report , which was in sub stance to the folio wing effect :—lt set out with stating that at the first meeting of the Company, held on the 7th of October last, the so;.;citor had stated that the survey of th e li ne wou ld h e competed in good time to comply with the standing orders of Parliament. The whole number of shares iu the Company was advertised at 100,000, which application had been made to at least the extent of 500,000. The Committee issued the letters of allotment immediately after the applications were made, but before the deposits were paid the panic came ; the consequence of which was, that only 12,000 shares were paid on, realising 3.0,000 L. and representing a capital of 300,0001., On the !aril of October the Committee were led to be lieve that the survey of the portion of the line south of Chesterfield would be at least half, if not the whole line; but finding early in November that Mr. Higgins was not in se. forward a state as was expected, Mr. Mil ford was employed to finish the northern portion. It 'vas the 11th of November before the first sheet was re ceived from the engineer; and on inquiry, finding that the piens and sections could not be got ready by the 30th, or, if ready, in a most imperfect state, it was deemed best not to proceed further, but to call together the shareholders, to take their advice as to wharf course it was best to pursue. An amalgamation of the present Company had been pro posed with the Lorulon and Nottingham Company, which would be brought under their consideration that day. The financial position stood thus :—A great many claims bad been made upon the Company for payments, which were overcharged and unwarrantable, especially the ang ineering and ad vert i s i ng bill s . The princip a l items charged against the Compaq .y were, for advertising, 3,395/; engineering near to 10,0001. ; solicitors, 2,2001.; making, with the smaller sums, a total in round numbers of 18,0001. The .Committee had objected most strongly to the engineers' and advertising bills, and on remonstrating with Mr. Higgins and Mr. Milford, the runner agreed to accept I n full payment 3,5001., and the latter 6ao/., thus reducin g th e i r c l a i m upwar d s of 5,000 1 . T he advertising account had not yet b e en settled, but th e Comm leaving entire, repudiated the which we re charges leav i ng a balance d ue o f 7 ,5111/. As, therein made. pwards o f 10,5001. had been settled , had given up so much o f t h e i r however, the enginee:s . claim, and as it was prouilhle that the advertising ac count would he much reduced,it was beli eve d that the whole expanses would .bc redu ce d under 10,000/. The Committ ee h a d considered three courses which the Shareholders might pursue r—lst, .to hang back till another session of Parl ia ment, and with correct plans and sections seek for - an Act; 2d, toarnalga. mate with the London and Nottingham; or , 3d, to d issolve the Ccinpany - , and return the deposits to the Share holders, minus expenses. The Committee were opposed to the first course in the present state of the railway market ; the second they recommend to the careful consideration of the Shareholders; and, with regard to the third, they recommend a dissolution at the earliest period practicable, in which the meeting would have to consider what steps It would be necessary to take regarding the settling of CliiiWS and the returning of deposits. The report being finished, The CrtaxamAN said he was now ready to answer any question. With regard to the advertisement account, he begged Leave to state that the agent at first had put in a bill for 1,0431, whioh at the time of delivery was r?lilpefittattit,XTA,N TtAti, WAYS JUNCTION COMPANY. 'epler shareholders of this Company was elte—idar. at to Offices, No. II , Clement's-lane, consideration what s t e p s it was 60y t o pursup,• under existing circumstances. The ,cb 4we, alititakestat4half-past two by M a j or C ro f t. ' ,LTheliiiiintoi . ,l+4 . l,. opened by the S ecretary rea di ng the v Ssatintcalimg the meeting, when SA* eif rose to address the meeting. He said t a e wished to inform them that negotiations for an amalgamation with the Northern and Southern Com pany had been commenced, and a communication bad been received from them on the 11th of the present month. The communication was signed by Mr. De Bourg, and they, in consequence, called a meeting of the Board next day. From that date they (the Company) had no doubt that the amalgamation would hare been carried out, but the future prospects of the negotiation 'would be better told by the report which would now be read. objected to by the Committee as preposterously incorrect, since which another bill had been received for 2,200/. A SHAREHOLDER wished to know what the amount was received in deposits ? The CHAIRMAN-29,620!. 88. The expenses on the other hand had been generally set down with the addi tional claim of the advertising agent, at 18,044 L, but he had nolloubt the deductions would bring it down to one half. Mr. SMITH conceived that no good could result from the appointment of that committo e, and that if it were granted, from his experience, it would end in their getting, instead of twenty, only ten shillings a share. All the gentlemen were there, and let them interrogate them. He suspected those committees of ir.quiry. They had already lost a portion of their money by folly, and pro bably the whole of ti ( money be squandered in law proceedings.--(1....var, hest...) Sir JosurrA WA...ffISLET said that it was necessary for them to understand, that unless the money was paid before the 30th of December next, they would lose the concession of the first section from Aviles to Leon. About one-third of the shares had been sent to Madrid, and the Directors did not distribute them, but kept a large portion for themselves. They did not subsequently take more than 1,900 shares. It had been attempted to throw ridicule on the names of those gentlemen of the Peninsular Railway Company which had been submitted to the meeting. These gentlemen permitted the Share holders in the Royal North of Spain Railway Company to take shares in their railway. But he conceived it was not right to make those reflections on such names as the Duke de Sotomayor, Messrs. Laffitte, and the other gentlemen named. LAW INTELLIGENCE. • COURT OF EXCHEQUER, Dec. 18. (Sittings at Nisi Prins, in London, before the LORD CHIEF BARON and a Special Jury.) CASTLEaSAN t'. CAPPER. This part-heard case was resumed this morning. It was an action of assumpsit, brought to recover the sum of 1,000/. on a policy of insurance, effected on the brig Alarm with the Marine Insurance Company, of which the defendant is deputy chairman. The defendant had pleaded, denying his liability, except as to 5001., which he paid into Court. Mr. Crowder and Mr. Cleasby appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Jervis, Mr. Martin, and Mr. Wilde, for the de fendant. The plaintiff was a gentleman of property, residing in Dor • setshire, and the defendant the deputy-chairman of the Ma rine Insurance Company. In August, 1842, the plaintiff, being the mortgagee of a brig called the Alarm, effected a policy of insurance with the defendant's company upon the vessel for 1,000/., the sum he hLd advanced upon her, which was to extend over and -remain in force for a period of twelve months. The Alarm was engaged at the time in the coasting trade of South America, and continued in the same trade till the subsequent June of 1843, when she sailed on a voyage from Monte Video to Paraguay, a small place lying between Monte Video and Rio, and in the course of this voyage she encountered some very severe and bois terous weather. She was struck several times by the sea, and once touched upon a bank on the coast, known as the English Bank. On her return to Monte Video it was found that she had received so many injuries as to render her not sea-worthy, and past all repair. She was, therefore, sold as a condemned vessel to a Spanish ship-breaker for 200/., and the plaintiff ultimately brought the present action to recover the amount of insurance he had effected upon her. The master of the Alarm was called to prove the manner in which she had received her injuries, and one of her Majesty's Marine Surveyors, named Hodges, spoke to the nature and extent of the injuries. She was, he said, so much damaged, that it would have cost more to repair her than she would after wards have been worth. Had she been in England the cost of her repair would not have amounted to more than one quarter; but both labour and materials were cheaper here than in South America. The carpenters of Monte Video received double and sometimes treble the wages of an English carpenter, and one of the latter would do the work of four of the former. Besides, the Monte Videan carpenters and artizans were quite independent of their employers, and if the latter happened to say an angry word to, or remonstrate with, them upon their idle habits, they would eollect their tools and leave the work they were upon undone. Mr. JERVIS, for the defence, contended that the injuries of the Alarm were not so great as to justify her condemnation, sinoe the expense of her repairs might have been most extra vagant in Monte Video, but she might with safety have been brought over to this country at a very moderate out lay, and then made equal to a new vessel at a trifling cost, compared with what it would have been in South America. The injuries, therefore, of the vessel must be taken in the light of a partial loss, and not considered as being suffi cient to entitle the plaintiff to recover the same damages as in the case where a total loss had ensued. The plaintiff had been amply remunerated by the money paid into Court for the partial loss, and he submitted that the verdict ought to be for the defendant. Another SHAREHOLDER—Have the Provisional Direc tors paid up ? The CHAIRMAN answered that they had not. With respect to the Board of Management, he might say that no shares were originally allotted to them. All the shares were allotted to the public, with the understanding that, should they not all be taken up by the public, they should be taken up by the Committee; if otherwise, then they were to purchase in the market. Mr. WHEELOW—How many of the Provisional Di- . rectors have paid up? The CHAIRMAN—Twenty-four of them have paid. Mr. WHEELOW stated that the original number of shares which it was agreed should be allotted to each Provisional Director was 150 ; now, in the case of the party he represented, 20 more than that number had been allotted, 170 in all, and paid. The CHAIRMAN replied that the extra number had been sent in mistake. Mr. WHEELOW—Then the money ought to be re turned. He wished to know how many shares the Com mittee of Management bad taken up ? The CHAIRMAN.—We took as many shares as quali fied us to act—two shares each; but we had none allotted us. I can only say that I hold 600 shares in the Com pany, but none of us in the Committee ever received any allotment whatever. A SHAREHOLDER remarked, that the Chairman had stated that in the event of the public failing to take up the shares, the Committee would take up those that were left. He wished to know if they would do so now ? The - CHAIRMAN, in reply to a question, stated that if the resolution were agreed to, the money would be paid on the 31 it of December next. The CHAIRMAN then, in reply to a question, said that the money would be paid before Christmas, if they agreed to the resolution. The CHAIRMAN then put the amendment, which was negatived by a large majority, and the original resolution agreed to. _ _ A vote of thanks was then given to the Chairman, and the meeting separated. IRELAND. ANOTHER HORRIBLE MURDER IN TIPPERARY. CLONMEL, DEC. 16, 1845.—The south riding of this unfortunate county has become the scene of a blood stained and cruel murder. The victim in this instance is Mr. Charles Acheson, formerly a respectable and ex tensive trader in this town ; but who, being unfortunate in business, was obliged to take a situation as clerk in the employment of Messrs. J. Stein and Co., the eminent distillers, at Marfield, near this town. He came into town on yesterday evening about some business, and delayed some tine at the house of Mr. M'Glissan, town clerk, which he left about nine o'clock, and was accom by Mr. Glis-an as far as the union workhouse, where he bid him good night, and the unfortunate man proceeded on his way alone. He was waylaid in a lonesome part of the road near Birdhill, and within forty perches of his own house, and beaten with stones on the head and breast in a most frightful manner; the eye-balls were dislodged from their sockets, and his brains dashed about the road! The lifeless body was found this morning in the horrible manner above de scribed, on which an inquest will be held at four o'clock this evening. The only cause that caa be assigned for this horrible murder is, that Mr. Acheson discharged three men from the distillery last week for miscon duct.—Dublin. Evening Mail, Dec. 17. CRIES' JUSTICE PENNEFATHER AND ALPHABET SMITH.—It. was reported in the Four Courts yesterday that Chief Justice Pennefather had forwarded his resignation to London, accompanied by the mo dest request that Alphabet Smith should got the vacated office ! What is almost as extraordinary, this piece of cool impudence, if true, was credited by the majority. All we can say is, that it would not be be lieved of any other man out of a straight waistcoat. The Government which would appoint Alphabet Smith to such trust would be as mad as the man ‘s ho would recommend. him. But we cannot believe either the one or the other.—Dublin Pilot of Wednesday. RAILWA r COMMITTEES IN DUBLIN.--The Limerick Repo, ter ccmtains a requisition, signed by the Catholic Bishop, the Mayor, High Sheriff, and many of the leading gentlemen of the city and county, calling a meeting for Wednesday, to memorialise the Government to grant that the Committees on Irish Railways should hold their sittings in Dublin. The example of Limerick should be at once generally . imitated. All parties are interested in the matter, and the Conservative as well as the Liberal press agree in its justice, and appreciate the benefit it would confer on this impoverished city, as well as upon the shareholders, by facilitating the settlement of their business. We are disappointed at not seeing Dublin in the van of this movement. Major 8., late of the Life Guards, and who gallantly fought with his troop at Waterloo, has been so reduced to the lowest ebb of misery, by the pernicious effects of gambling, that he is now employed as a porter in a house of business in this city, having been previously in the workhouse. For months he has been in rags.—Cork Southern Repot ter of Tuesday. The CHAIRMAN—We were only at liberty to do so i we thought fit. A StiirtEsor.DEß contrasted the conduct of the Com mittee of Management of the Direct Manchester with the present. In that Company only 200 shares had been returned, and the Managing Committee had had from 300 to 500 shares allotted to each of them ; it was quite a different system here. The CHAIRMAN said that the Committee had acted from the very best intentions in the course they had taken. It was furtherconsidered that when it was found that the Great Leeds and London could not go forward, and when there was a probability of an amalgamation with the London and Nottingham, that the Committee should secure themselves, as in the event of an amalgamation they would have to qualify themselves, by taking up a num ber of shares in that concern. After somefurther discussion on this point, the CHAIR MAN directed attention to the amalgamation question, explaining that that Company was willing for the union. Some time ago the Deputy-Chairman of that Company in tinaated to him, that if the Great Leeds and London would abandon the incurring of any further expense, that he had no doubt the amalgamation would be acceded to ; the terms which were named being, that the Directors should have 100 shares in the new company, and the shareholders 20 each. They had, in consequence of this, stopped all further proceedings; and after reducing all expenses to the lowest point, he had no doubt they would be able to return 355. per share to the share holders, providing the Company was dissolved. A SHAREHOLDER called the attention of the meeting back to the deposits. He thought none of the claims ought to be paid, or the money parted with, till all the Provisional Directors had paid up ; and if they did not pay, proceedings ought to be taken against them. The CHAIRMAN said if they adopted that course, they would be obliged to file bills in Chancery against them and they would be put to enormous expense in conduct ing the suits. The CHAIRMAN, in answer to a Proprietor, stated that 162 of the Provisional Committee had applied for shares by letter, but that out of that number only 24 had paid their deposits. A long and most irregular conversation, for discus sion it could not be called, then took place, in the course of which several motions were made and amendments proposed, some of which were adopted, and many not put to the meeting, in consequence of the most irregular manner in which it was conducted. One of the motions put to the meeting, but which was lost, was to the effect that those- members of the Provisional Committee who had written for shares, but had not paid their deposits, should be informed that if their deposits were not paid within a certain time their names would be advertised in the newspapers for a cer tain number of days. The only motion carried was, that the Company should be dissolved, and a return made to the Proprietors of 11. 10s. per share, the original de posits being 2L 12s. 6d. per share. We have found it utterly impossible to give anything like a regular report of so irregular a meeting, and the diffi culties of our reporters were increased by a total want of that usual courtesy displayed towards them at other meetings, of furnishing the names of the speakers, to gether with a copy of the report. On our reporter ask ing to be allowed a sight of the report, be met with a distinct refusal. Witnesses were called to substantiate this defence, after which Mr. CROWDER replied, and The LORD CHIEF' BA.nox summed up, explaining that a con structive loss did not mean that the vessel was totally de stroyed, but that it had become utterly useless to the owner, and leaving it for the jury to say whether a prudent man, who was not insured at all, would have sold the vessel for 195/, under the circumstances related by the two wit nesses for the plaintiff. In point of law, a vessel could not be condemned on speculation, or, as in this case, where the actual damage had been guessed at, but not ascertained. The jury found a verdict for the plaintiff. SECONDARIES' COURT, Dec. 18. (Before Mr. Secondary JAMES.) GEARY V. LATTER. The plaintiff in this action is an ironmonger, in Holies street, Clare-market, and the defendant, a surgeon, in the Adelphi- terrace. The action was brought to recover the sum of 8/. Os. 6d. for goods sold and delivered. The defendant pleaded that he never was indebted. Mr. Cross, for the plaintiff, said that the delivery of the goods was unquestionable, and the only defence which could be anticipated was, whether the plaintiff, who carried on business undQr the firm of Geary and Son, was in partner ship or not. 1 1 1. Fox examined--Was formerly foreman to Mr. Geary, sen., deceased. Went in June or July last to do some trifling jobs at defendant's house, when defendant desired him to make him a pattern of some wire screens for his approval. Witness caused one to be made, but it was not approved; two others were made, neither of which pleased his taste, but they were ultimately left with hi m . Th e c h arges were fair; the master was entitled to charge one-third more on wages, as well as profit on the material. Cross-examined by Mr. CHARNOCK—Mrs. Geary had two sons. Witness was consulted about their being taken into partnership, and he objected that one son should be set be fore the other, and the bills were made out " Geary and Son." He always looked on Mr. Atlas Church (Mrs. Geary's son) as master; he hired and paid the workmen and ser vants. There was a common cash-box between the two, and each had a key. The bills produced were signed Geary and Co., and he kept the book. Mr. Atlas Church was called, and swore positively that he was not a partner, but a servant, at 225. a-week, an d th a t there was no cash-box, as described. BANK OF ENGLAND. (From last Night's Gazette.) An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and Bth of Victoria, cap. 32, for the 1% eek ending on Saturday, the 13th day of December, 1845. Mr. CDARNOCK addressed the jury, and said it was a painful case. On either side one party or the other was guilty of deliberate perjury, but the only one interested in supporting the action was the last witness. He called A witness, who estimated the value of the work at 41. 15s. The SECONDARY left the case to the jury whether there had been a partnership. If so, the verdict must be for the defendant ; if not, then the jury would estimate the value of the goods. Verdict for the plaintiff—Damages 5/. ROYAL NORTH OF SPAIN RAIL WAY COMPANY. The annual general meeting of this Company was held at the London Tavern yesterday, and was very numerously attended. The SECRETARY having read the motion convening the meeting, The CHAIRMAN (W. R. Collet, Esq.) said that he was perfectly aware of the difficulty with which he had to contend, and it would facilitate the business if he were to read to them the report of the Board of Di rectors.—(The Chairman here read the document in question.)—The original concession of the line, bearing date the 31st of December, 1844, bad been granted by the Government of Spain to Mr. Richard Cayley, from whom it had been purchased for 40,0001., half of which was to be paid on the bringing out of the first section from Aviles to Leon, and the remainder on the com mencement of the line from Leon to Madrid. It further appeared that the shares had been speedily taken up upon the issuing of the prospectus for the first part of the line, and that Sir Joshua Walmsley had been sent out by the Company to make the requisite financial arrangements with the Spanish Board of Directors. It stated also that Mr. Cayley, in consequence of the negotiation that ensued, had been induced to aban don the second moiety of the purchase-money ; and thus an unfavourable opinion had been formed of prosecuting the first portion of the line, but it was believed that the second section, from the capital to Va ladolid, would open a profitable field for investment. It stated also that it was deemed necessary that a provi sional directory should be organised, to give greater power to their operations, but that the directors, in fluenced by the altered state of public feeling, deem it advisable to return to the scrip -holders 50 per cent. on the shares issued in France and Eng land. It stated, moreover, that the shareholders would be entitled to an equal number of shares in the United Per:insular Railway Company. There was no desire on the part of the Directors to shirk any inquiry that might be made into their conduct. They had been induced to carry out the project from a conviction that it would benefit this country, and it was thought that had caused them to enter into the arrangements they had done with Mr. Cayley. The Chairman then went into a detail of the motives and the conduct of the Directors, which are all embodied in the abstract we have given of the report. In conclusion, he would move that the report be adopted, that the thanks of the meeting bo given to the Directors, and that the Company be dis solved. Mr. Wuxi/viol; inquired, before agreeing to that re solution, whether the gentlemen who were originally Directors continued to be so still? The CHAIRMAN, in reply, stated that they had re signed the management to the gentlemen named in the report. Mr. WiLitiNsosi then said he had to propose, as an amendment, that a committee of five shareholders be appointed to investigate the report of the engineers, to see if what was there stated as to the expenditure was correct, and to report the same to the shareholders at a general meeting for that purpose. Mr. D. W. HARVEY, in seconding the resolution, said that though there had been great candour on the part of the Chairman and the other gentlemen present, yet he considered that it would be right to have time afforded them to look into a report of sixty pages in extent. Before he proceeded further, be would wish to know if the Hon. Chairman was willing to accede to the amend men COURT OF BANKRUPTCY, Dee. 19. (Before Mr. Commissioner FANE.) IN RE SAMUEL ELPIIICIC. The bankrupt in this case was described as of the Green Dragon, Bermondsey, victualler, and this day applied for his certificate. His debts are about 6001. He was supportod by Mr. Duncan, counsel, and opposed by Mr. Pyke, solicitor to the assignees. upon the grounds of untradesman-like conduct, and disposing of assets to favoured creditors, instead of allowing them to be distributed by the Court. It appeared that the untradesman-like conduct was founded upon the fact of his not giving notice, as is usual in the line of business that the bankrupt had carried on, to the whole ' sale tradespeople, that he was going to dispose of his stock on the 29th of May last, which he did for 20/. ; and giving a preference by paying . certain persons, and absconding the day after he sold his business, and also residing at Brighton, expending part of the 2001. he received from the sale of his business, instead of coming to the Court and allowing it to be fairly distributed among the general body o f cre dit ors . Mr. Duncan, in reply, said that certain individuals had ad vanced the bankrupt certain sums of money, which had been used in his business, and, therefore, such creditors were en titled to have the preference; and that at the time he gave the preference he did not contemplate bankruptcy, and had not kept anything for his own purposes. Mr. Commissioner FASE was of opinion that the bankrupt had not conducted himself in a way to entitle him to the benefit of the bankrupt law; that lie had ac t e d i n an under hand manner in distributing the major part of his assets among favoured creditors, and with th e rema i nder l i v i ng in the country. :It was impossible for this Honour to say that this bankrupt had acted fairly, and, therefore, under all the circumstances of the case, he must mark the censure of the Court upon such conduct, by suspending the allowance of the certificate for two years from the date of the fiat. CRIMINAL COURT. CENTRAL O L D C O URT. 'Before Lord Chief Justice TINDAL and Mr. Baron _ALDERSON.) Tui FORGERY ON THE BANK OF NORWAY.—Knot Bull, 29, described as an artist, and Peter Schmidt, 39, wi'o was stated to be a merchant, were jointly indicted under the statute fur having unlawfully in their posses sion a block of brass, upon which was engraved a por tion of a promissory note or order for the payment of money, purporting to be a note of a foreign state—to wit, the kingdom of Norway. There were upwards of thirty counts in the indict ment, varying in different respects the precise form of the charge, and in some of the counts there was given an impression from the alleged fraudulent engraving. Mr. Clarkson, with Mr. B alkin, conducted th e prose cution ; Mr. Doane appeared for the prisoner Bull, and Ur. Beilantine defended Schmidt. The trial occupied the Court a great many hou rs , b ut as the facts have very recently been detailed, it w ill not be necessary to give the evidence of each witnessin full. It appe are d th a t th e prosecution was in s ti tuted by [he B an k o f N orwa y, w hi c h cor poration, it was all ege d, wigs attempt e d t o b e d e f rau d e d by the act o f forger , imputed to the prison ers . I t wo uld seem th a t t h e com mencement ofthe transacti on was at Stockholm i n A ugust, in which city the pri soners we re seen tog e th er, and Bull was there seen in po ssess ion of a Norw a y bank note fu~ one hundred dollars, which, it would appear, was the amount of the notes that were intended to be forged; and Bull was then traced from the city of Stock holm to London, where he arrived in the beginning of Septemb.-r, and took an apartment in Gloucester-street, Queen-square, Bloomsbury. It was then proved, that hi., tlte prisoner 13u11 exerted himself to get paper of a particular descrip tion, such as was used for the genuine Norway bank notes, and that he also employed a wire-maker to pro vide the necessary apparatus to make the water-mark ; and, in order to lull the suspicions of those who were engaged in the transaction, it was cunningly contrived that the word " lottery" should be introduced, but in such a manner that it could be omitted when the plate was finally worked off. To show the connexion the pri soner Schmidt had with the transaction, it was proved that when he was taken into custody, a letter was found in his possession, signed Henry Klemford, which very clearly came from the prisoner Bull, and in which lie addressed him in the most familiar terms, and detailed all his proceedings in England, of course in ambiguous terms, but very clearly referring to the particular trans action. Ho expressed himself very anxious to see his friend, for he said that " London was very dull, and he could not tell how Englishmen amused themselves," and evinced great anxiety for his friend (Schmidt) to come to England to join him. An answer to this letter was found in the possession of the prisioner Bull, and it appeared that, very shortly afterwards, Schmidt arrived in London, and took up his abode in another part of the same house occupied by Bull. It was then shown that the prisoners went together to the engraver's, and the other parties concerned in providing the plates and the paper, and upon the final proceeding, when Bull ob tained possession of the plate upon which a portion of the note was engraved, they were both taken Into cus tody by .John Forrester and his brother, and upon searching Bull, several portions of a genuine note were found in his p , :ssession, as well as the plate in question ; and upon searching the lodgings, a genuine one hundred dollar note was found, but some portions had been cut from it, and the omissions were supplied by the pieces of paper found upon the prisoner Bull. jurychoi Chief t j h u e s i t r i c b e e h T a i l N f, D b A u L t s d u i m d In n o e t d call up an and w i t t h n e e s ses jury. The Learned C ounse l f or t h e pr i soners a dd resse d th e re tired at a quarter to seven o'clock. They were absent about ten minutes, when they again came into Court, and returned a verdict of Guilty against both prisoners. Mr. DotNE said, on behalf of the prisoner Bull, he believed the prosecutors would say that he was the least guilty party in the transaction. Mr. BODKIN could only say that it was believed that Schmidt was the principal in the transaction. Chief Justice Timm', said be could only look at the The CHAIRMAN said that he conceived it would be a proceeding not justified by the circumstances of the case, and repeated his statement as to the zeal with which the Directors had discharged their duty, as well as the re gret they felt that the project should not have suc ceeded. Mr. D. W. HARVEY said, notwithstanding, he con ceived that this inquiry should be granted. He did not wish to throw suspicion on any party. He came there as a man of business, who could not afford to lose his money, and therefore he considered that every person should support the amendment.—(Hear, hear.) It could not be concealed that the doings of the Royal North of Spain Railway Company had been the subject of public criticism and censure. He wished to know if the gentlemen who wore fondateurs had obtained shares or reaped any benefit. This might be as unfounded an idea as ever was entertained since the London Tavern was erected. Nevertheless, he conceived that it should be clearly es tablished that they had not, if such an idea were entertained. From the letters in italics it would appear that the whole wealth of Spain was embarked in the projected railway.—(Hear.) Now they were aware that it was quite possible that some of those Spanish grandees might repudiate those shares. Ile would not, for one, be satisfied until the inquiry was made. Mr. JacicsoN said he should not be doing justice to himself and his brother Directors if he did not correct some mistakes that had been made. In the first place, Mr. Cayley had obtained the concession for himself; and not as one of the Bcard of the Com. pang. They were perfectly justifi e d in making__ the surveys they had made, and in ping to the expenditure they h a d done. He would ask any gentleman conversant with railway matters, whether a survey of three hundred miles in length could be surveyed at a cheaper rate than that at which they had effected their survey ? They found out that they had made a bad bargain with Mr. Cayley. The Directors acknow ledged that they had spent the money of the share holders, but they erred through ignorance, and he n io z n ious on that th e e v i e r ry i h n o g n u o ir it y r should grantin g th a t i nqu i ry w r e e r fl e ec a t to them whether ? be Th a ey w ap •o p u e l a d led not Weridinteg made. Mr. Mr. MoxoN considered that the Directors had brought this very demand for inquiry o n themselve s by their mode of proceeding, and that they should court inq u i ry themselves. (Hear, hear.) 111 , II 1401_ SAT fritDAY EVENING, DECEMBER s'2o, appeal, he did not wish to act with severity against the defendant by pressing for his commitment. He would like Mr. Newbon undoubtedly either to pay the money in fourteen days, or to appeal. The undertaking was at once given. Mr Newbon, who complained of so great an array of legal talent and personal influence as had appeared against his unassisted advocacy, then stated that the Company he represented laboured under very considerable hardships from the course the Corporation had pursued. They had favoured the rival company by allowing them to ply at the new pier at the precise period when the Waterman's boats had been in the habit of calling at the old pier. He denied the right of the Corporation to erect the new pier and to hike these regulations. The LORD Mavon—l do not sit here to try the ques tion of right. The City Solicitor trusted his Lordship would permit Mr. New bon to state his grievances, whatever they might be. That learned gentleman had indulged very freely in his observations upon the Navigation Committee upon a former occasion at the Mansion-house, when no one was present to answer him. It would have borne a more manly aspect if his learned friend had apprised him (the City Solicitor) of his intention to cast these imputa tions upon the City authorities. He would leave found him (the City Solicitor) prepared with an answer. The City Solicitor hoped Mr. Newbon would be allowed to proceed, as it was not improbable that a little discussion might lead to a termination of those disgraceful conflicts which were day by day repeated, in consequence of the attempts of this Company to violate the wholesome regu lations of the Corporation, and to establish for them selves a close monopoly by preventing other vessels from approaching the pier. The object of the Waterman's Steam-boat Company throughout the affair was quite apparent. Before the erection of the new pier, boats of a large capacity. like the other Woolwich boats, could not get alongside the pier. The consequence was, that the Waterman's Company had established a close monopoly. They had been acoustomed to go to the old pier as often as, and no oftener than, their own conve nience dictated, without reference to the accommodation of the public residing in that locality. Sometimes they went every twenty minutes, at other times every half hour, and sometimes only once each hour. The other company started from Hungerford pier regularly every half-hour, and Mr. Newbon's Company wanted, by run ning their own boats alongside, in the manner the wit nesses had detailed, to drive their competitors out of the field, and so restore the close monopoly which had existed in the days of their own inconvenient and unsafe land ing-place. Mr. Newbon said that Mr. Pearson's statement was founded altogether in error. The Waterman's Company only wanted to have an opportunity of keeping their own time at the pier, of which privilege the Navigation Committee had deprived them, by giving it to the Wool wich Company. He denied the right of the Corpora tion, and desired to have an opportunity of trying it, if the Corporation would bring an action against any of the officers of the Company. The City Solicitor said he would at once put that statement to the test. He could but condemn, in the strongest terms, the conduct of the advisers of the Com pany, in endeavouring to effect their objects by force, and by that means placing their more humble instruments in a situation which rendered them liable to fine and im prisonment for acts for which their principals ought to be made amenable. Mr. Newbon—That is what I want to try. Don't be alarmed about the men we employ ; they shall be suffi ciently protected. The City Solicitor—You, Mr. Newbon, were, I under stand, on board one of the Waterman steamers, exciting and urging the passengers and crew to invade the pier in spite of the force then prepared to resist the aggression. If you really wish to try the question of right with the Cor poration, and you will make an appointment to come up in the steamer to the pier in half- awhour, or at any time you please, I will be there to receive you, and if you put your foot en the pier, I pledge my word that you shall meet with no resistance, but, within an hour afterwards, an action shall be brought against you personally to put the question of right in course of trial. Mr. Newbon—No ; I decline to do so. ,I offered it a fe sr days ago ; but now I shall bring an action myself for the treatment I then received. The Chairman of the Navigation Committee said that if the Waterman's Company really suffered any incon venience, it was their own fault for not coming before the Committee to state what it was they desired. Per haps some accommodation might be devised which would suit the convenience of all parties. Mr. Charles, jun., the Chairman of the Company, said the directors were anxious to confer with the Naviga tion Committee, and wrote to them to that effect, but received no reply. Mr. Joyce said he had himself made a communication to Mr. Charles, which, if attended to, might have pre vented ad the confusion that had occurred. As a large shareholder in the Company, he felt that his pro perty was being injured by these contests, and was anxious for their termination. The Navigation Com mittee would meet the next day at twelve o'clock, and if the Company wished to confer with the Committee, it would be easy for them to attend. The City Solicitor said he was afraid that would not suit either his Learned Friend, Mr. Newbon, nor him self.—(A laugh.) The present bellicose aspect of affairs promised a plentiful crop of law suits, actions, indictments, and law proceedings in all forms. It their clients got to ther and talked over the matter as gentlemen and men of busin as, it was to be apprehended that these suits would vanish into thin air.—(Laughter.) It was very well to vapour about trying the question by a case in the superior courts, and very tender and sentimental to express pity for the poor men who were put in jeopardy by the violent course now adopted ; but it was quite obvious that that pity could not be sincere on the part of himself or his Learned Friend, or means might be readily found to give effect to their generous and judi cious feelings upon the matter. If his Learned Friend would permit his very respectable clients, the directors, to meet the Navigation Committee next day, and if he would do the City Solicitor the honour to pair off with him into the next room, where the preliminary arrange ments for the actions against Mr. Newbon and himself might be settled, he made no doubt that their respective clients would improve the opportunity and end their dis putes, and they might rely upon it, there would be no litigation amongst the inferior actors in the scene. Mr. Newbon did not assent to the proposal, and an appointment was made for hearing the other informa tions on a future day. The LORD MAYOR then expressed his determination, by every means at his command, to preserve the public peace, and, in case of any violation of the law, he was prepared to sit and hear the cases as often and as long us circumstances might render it necessary. . CLERKEN WELL. AN TRISH WAKE,-.-Mr. Goodman, landlord of the Ship, in Saffron-hill, was charged with having had his house open for the sale of spirits at an unlawful hour. Police-sergeant Wilkinson deposed that on passing the Ship, at twenty minutes to four on Sunday morning last, he heard sounds of merriment proceeding from the first floor. He knocked, obtained admission, and on entering the front room on the first floor saw several persons sit ting round a table drinking. Mr. COMBE—What was on the table? The sergeant— Several pewter pots containing beer. Mr. COMBE—What else? The sergeant—A coffin, in which the corpse was. They were all drinking round the body. Mr. COMBE—Did the man die there? The landlord admitted that he did nut. Mr. CO MBE—Then it would appear the corpse was brought there for the purpose of selling the beer. The landlord denied that such was the case. Here an Irishwoman, "in weeds of woe," vociferated from the body of the court " I am his wife," and at the same time flounced up to the witness table. Mr. COMBE—Whose wife are you ?—My husband's. Mr. COMBS—The defendant's ?—No, the dead man's. Mr. COMBE—What do you mean ?—The lady, in a stentorian voice, went on to say that she brought the re mains of the deceased there because she had no place else " to wake him decently in." The defendant was fined 11. and costs. The widow left the Court vowing vengeance against the police. John Peters, a strong built, powerful man, was charged with assaulting police-constable 432 N, in such a manner as to place his lite in danger. About twelve months ago the prisoner was convicted and punished for a very brutal assault on the com- ISSUE DEPARTMENT. X. X. Yotes issued....... 26,626,350 Government debt 11,015,100 Other securities.— 2,984,900 Gold coin and bul lion , 11,054,501 Silverbullion... .. 1,571,849 £26,C26,350 £26,626,350 M. MARSHALL, Chief Cashier. Dated the 18th day of December, 1845. BANKING Dl Proprietors'capital,l44s3,ooo Rest . .... . Public deposits (in eluding Exche quer, Savings banks, Commis sioners ofNational Debt, and divi- FARTMENT. Governmen t secu rities (including Dead Weight Annuity) Other securities 16.135,637 Notes Gold and silver coin 642,421 dend accounts) 8,684,374 Other deposits...... 9,089,705 Seven day andother bil3 £36,486,266 M. MA Dated the 18th day of Decen £.36,486,266 RSHALL, Chief Cashier. nber, 1845. COURSE OF EXCHA Amsterdam CF. 12 9 Ditto, at sight l2 4 Rotterdam 2U. 12 9i Antwerp 26 10 Hamburgh M.B. 13141 Altona NTGE.—(YESTERDAY.; . . — Leghorn 3O 75 Gonoa 26 5 Venice ..... Naples 40 Palermo, per oz ll9l Lisbon Oporto... Rio Janeiro . 23fr Bahia ............ ....... Buenos A yr.'s NewYork,2ldyssight Philadelphia . - PRICES OF BULLION, PER OZ. Foreign Geld, bars...o 17 9 PortugAl Gold Coin 3 17 5 New Doubloons.-- 0 0 0 New Dollars 0 4 9A Silver in Bars. 0 4 111 Paris,3 days' sight 25 75 Ditto, 3 months 26 5 Marseilles Bourdeaux 26 i Frankfort on Maine 123 Petersburgh, 3Us Berlin — Vienna, effee. fle. Trieste, ditto Madrid 36 Cadiz Bilbao Barcelona — Seville PROMISSORY NOTES. (From last Night's Gazette.) An account of the Average Aggregate Amount of Promis sary Notes payable to bearer on demand, which have been in circulation by the Banks in Scotland, by the Bank of Ire land, and by all other Banks in Ireland, during the four weeks ending the 6th day of December, 1845, pursuant to the Act of 4th and sth Victoria, cap. 50 : SCOTLAND. Chartered, Private, and Joint-Stock Banks X 3,804,031 IRELAND. Bank of Ireland Private and Joint-Stock Banks Total Nothing could be better devised than Nicoll's Re gistered Paletot to suit the aver-varied nature of our climate, forming, as it now does, not only the sine qua non of the railway traveller, but is equally so adapted for any gentleman taking out-door exercise. It may be said distinctly to mark the costume of the nineteenth century, if that is rightly called marked which is only conspicuous for an unpretending and graceful bearer, the wearer feeling so much at ease. Certainly as an over-coat it is patronised highly, and is also a general public favourite, being so peculiarly English, and avoiding all foreign extravagance of style. It must be ac knowledged as a vast improvement over the old great coat, associated in our remembrance with an uncemrortauie sensa tion of tight buttonings, which, from its very clumsiness, defeated its object, the warmth of the person, as interfering with the proper circulation of the blood. The principal hues are black, blue, brown, and olive;_ also the clerical mi x tur e called Oxford, and can be bad of the patentee, or only of the most respectable clothiers out of London. Every winter paletot is three guineas, and is stampted in the lining with the words, " Registered G and 7 Vic., sap. 65. 11. J. and I). Nicoll, 114, Regent-street, London. [ADVERTISEMENT.] —DEFECTIVE SIGHT AND HZA az wa RELIEVED. Instruments and Spectacles sent into the country by post, 39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, Newly-In vented Srectacles, Powerful Telescopes, Opera Glasses, Micro scopes, &c.—Patronized by his Majesty the King of Hanover, her Grace the Dowager Duchess of Bedford, their Graces the Archbishops of Canterbury, York, and Dublin, the Dukes of Devonshire, Norfolk, Argyle, Marlborough, and Manchester, Bishops of Exeter, Lincoln, Cork, Elphin and Kildare. Messrs. S. and B. Solutions, Oculists and Opticians, have invented Spectacle Lenses upon a new construc tion. Immediately they are placed before impee sect vision, either by day or candlelight, that mist and dullness which appear before the eyes is at once removed, and every object becomes clear and distinct, so that the most aged defective sight becomes bright and brilliant, and is brought to its youthful, natural, and original state. Also the most Powerful Achromatic Telescopes, Opera Glasses, Microscopes, Invisible and all kinds of Acoustic Instruments for relief of extreme deafness. Caution—Messrs. S. and B. Solomons, Opticians, are not in any way connected with a person of the same name in their immediate neighbourhood, ner in any part of the country. To prevent mistakes be cautious, and observe—Only to he had at 30, Albemarie-street, opposite the York Hotel. [ADVERTISEMENT.] —CURE OF FEARFUL :ULCER OUS SORES, IN MALTA, BY HOLLOWAY'S PILLS AND OINT MENT —Mrs. Duncan, whose husband is employed in her Ma jesty's dockyard at Malta, suffered for more than two years from ulcerous sores in her feet. She formerly resided at Corfu, and was treated by the best practitioners there, from whom, however, she derived no benefit whatever, when, after using five or six boxes and pots of Holloway's Pills and Oint ment, a perfect cure was effected. The truth of this state ment is so notorious at Malta, that the editor of the Malta Mail newspaper was induced to insert the particulars of the case in his paper of October 31, Iti4s.—Sold by all druggists, and at Professor Holloway's Establishment, '244, Strand, London. SIMPLE METHOD OF RAISING SUNKEN VESSELS. — Captain Manby, of the Royal Navy, has addressed a letter to Lloyd's, upon the subject of a simple and economical method of raising sunken vessels, and removing channel ob etNetions. case ns it appeared before the Court. If there was any ground for it, an application might be made to the Se cretary- of State. The; prisoners were then called up for judgment, and upon being asked whether they had anything to say iu arrest of jtvlgment, they made no answer. Chief Justice TINDAL, on passing sentence, said they had been convicted of a most grave and serious offence— that of forging the notes of the country to which they belonged, no doubt with a view to their own benefit, but to the injury of the community at large. If they had been successful it was difficult to say what might have been the injury to individuals and to general credit, and as a warning to others, he felt it to be his duty to pass upon them the full penalty fixed by the law, which was that they be transported for 14 years. Mr. BODKIN then applied for the costs. He said that he did so formally, at present, because he believed that when an answer wag received to a communication that had been made to the Norwegian Government, it would be found that they would not receive the expenses. The COURT granted the application. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. MANSION-HOUSE. BLACEFRIARS PIER—WARE U. KINCHIN.—As early as ten o'clock yesterday morning a considerable number of persons connected with the steam-boat companies were in attendance at the ,justice-room, in expectation that some cases would be brought before the Lord Mayor relative to the proceedings which are creating so much public excitement at Blackfriars-pier. The Lord Mayor and Aldermen Musgrove sat to ad judicate. Mr. Ryland, the senior City Pleader, and the City Solicitor, were present, together with Mr. Bedford, the Chairman, and Mr. Hall, Mr. Condor, Mr. Bower, Mr. Joyce, Mr. Charles, &c., members of the Naviga tion Committee. Mr. Newbon, the Secretary to the Waterman's Steam-packet Company, attended on behalf of that Company, for whom Mr. Clarkson, the barrister, had been retained. As Mr. Clarkson was obliged to conduct an important prosecution at the Old Bailey, the weight of the defence lay upon the shoulders of Mr. Newbon. The Chairman of the Waterman's Steam packet Company was also present. The interest excited was extreme. Mr. Ryland said he bad the honour to appear before his Lordship under the 52d of George 111., which autho rised the Lord Mayor to adjudicate in all matters affect ing obstructions in the Thames, according to the provi sions of the 50th of George 111., under the 16th section of which an information had been laid by the pier-master of Blackfriars-pier against the captain of th e W a t erman steamer, No. 8, for having, in the language of the Act of Parliament, so =navel his vessel as to impede the regular passage of other vessels in the river. He should prove, to the satisfaction of the magistrates, that, on the 16th of December, the captain of No. 8 steamer drew up alongside of the pier at Elackfriars, and, apparently by preconcert with the master of another boat belonging to the same Company, and also lying by the side of the pier, effectually blocked up the gang way, so as to prevent all access to the pier from other boats, which, by observing the regu lations passed for the protection of the public, had a right, at stated times, to land and embark pas sengers at the pier. It would be proved in evidence that the Syron and Niobe, two other steamers, the one going up and the other coming down the river, arrived at the pier, with several passengers desirous to land, and that they were effectually prevented by the Waterman's steamers, which occupied the whole...length of the pier— sometimes making a feint to leave the pier, but, the mo ment the other boats attempted to get in, backing their vessels so as to keep the others out altogether. That was clearly such an obstruction of the navigation of the river as was contemplated by the Act. The Niobe and ti:e Syren were prosecuting their voyage from their starting to their arrival-place at the time when they were thus obstructed, and to impede them in their pas sage to the pier was as clearly a violation of the provi sions of the statute as if they had been impeded in any other part of the stream. He understood that the soli citor for the defendant would attempt to bring into the case mater which had nothing whatever to do with it. It was pretended that the Waterman's boats had a right to ply at the pier. If they had any such right, or if they fancied they had any such right, they ought to assert it in a proper manner, and in a proper court, and not, by obstructing the river Thames, expose the public to danger and inconvenience, as was now the case. That the Legislature did not intend that the Thames should be made the scene of contests of such a nature, was very apparent from the omission in the Act of clauses which, in statutes relating to tre: pesse3, and assaults especially and in words, excluded the jurisdiction of the magis trates in all cases where it typeared that they took place under circumstances which involved questions of right or title, either real or assumed. There were no such words in the present case, and the only real ques tion before the Court was, whether the passage of the Niohe and Syren had been impeded, and whether the obstruction hal been occasioned by the defendants. The Corporation had no vindictive feelings against the Wa terman's Company, or against the defendant : all that was required was, that the Waterman's boats sh, uld ob serve the regulations, and keep the agreement into which they had entered. Mr. Ryland here read the agree ment, which was, he said, signed by Mr. Newbon, as secretary or solicitor to the Company, and bound the Company to observe all such regulations as the Naviga tion Committee had made, or should hereafter make It further stipulated that they should pay sixpence each for every time they stopped at the pier. That was to constitute a fund for t!'e payment of the pier -master and others in charge, and for such repairs as necessity might require. It appeared that the Corporation erected the pier at a cost of' nearly 4,0001, in substitution of an old floating pier, which was so f au lty i n mater i a l an d ftruc • ture that persons were constantly in danger who landed or embarked there, and on two or three occasions fatal accidents had ensued. The Corporation did not seek to gain a shilling by the pier. They made the outlay for the accommodation of the public, and they endeavoured to afford equal accommodation to all, but, unless they maintained the regulations, nothing but confusion would prevail. The Learned Counsel then called Mr. Thomas Joyce, who stated that he was a member of the Court of Common Council and of the Navigation Committee, and a large shareholder in the Waterman's Steam-packet Company. He was on board the Water man's steamer No. Bat the time stated. There was also another of the same Company's boats (No. 6) alongside the pier at the same time. They continued there up wards of ten or twelve minutes, and occupied the whole length of the pier, to that no other boat could get in. The Syren and Niobe shortly after came up, but they were effectually excluded from the pier, and, after hay ing waited some time, they continued their voyage with out being able to land or embark passengers. Upon their departure the Waterman's boats also left the pier. In his cross-examination by Mr. Newbon, Mr. Joyce said he had put himself forward in this case, if possible, to terminate the disgracecul proceedings which were going on, and which would prove seriously detrimental to the interests of the shareholders, whose true interest required that as much as possible should be done to in crease, by increased accommodation, the means of cheap and expeditious transit on the river, and not by obstruct ing and impeding each other. The agreement entered into by Mr. Newbon on behalf of the Company, had been put an end to by the Corporation in consequence of the infringement of the regulations. Mr. Newbon called for the order of the Navigation Committee prohibiting the Company from using the pier. Mr. Ryland said that no notice had been given to pro duce the order. It was, of course, in the Company's possession, and if Mr. New bon wanted the entry in the Committee's books, it was in the room, and might be read by that gentleman as part of his evidence. Mr. Newbon submitted that the whole question turned upon the order. It was necessary in such a case that the whole proceeding should be conducted in a legal and impartial manner, and it was not because the Navigation Comeumitee chose to make an order, that such order must necessarily be such as the law recognised. The LORD MAYOR—I do not consider that the ques tion before me has anything at all to do with the order. I shall have nothing whatever to do with what Mr. New bon is aiming at, but proceeed to hear the evidence as to the obstruction on the river. Mr. Russell (examined by Mr. Ryland) said he was on board the vessel referred to. Our boat could not get to the pier to discharge its passengers in consequence of the defendant's boat and another belonging to the same Company being alongside. Our boat was detained upwards of ten minutes more than she need have been had it not beeirfor the obstruction, in consequence of which he was too late for the railroad train by which it had been his intention to go. Richard Wheeler and George Cruise, captains of the INiobe and Syren steamers, confirmed the testimony of the former witnesses as to the alleged obstruction, and stated that the two Waterman's. boats, Nos. 8 and 6, used every exertion to prevent them from landing or taking in passengers. Mr. Newbon declared' that, if the captains of the Waterman's boats endeavoured to accomplish anything of the kind, they acted in disobedience to the orders of the directors. He then called upon the Lord Mayor to look strictly into the Act of Parliament, which stated that the party liable to penalty must have been at the place without lawful excuse—what evidence was there to show any pretence for alleging that the defendant was there without lawful excuse ? He could prove that the defendant had been exercising a right, and had been infringing no law and no regulation. The magistrate could in such a case know nothing except what would be proved formally and judicially before him, arid the defendant claimed, as a right, an adherence, upon the part of the prosecution, to the established rules of evidence. Mr. Ryland declared that in the Act upon which he was proceeding there was not one word about " lawful excuse." The LORD MAYOR, after having conferred with Alder man Musgrove, repeated that he should consider nothing but the obstruction to the navigation, the charge under the Act of Parliament. He had nothing to do with the right of the Corporation to erect the pier, and the right of the Steam -boat Company. These rights they must contest before another tribunal. He had but one duty to perform, which was, to preserve the public peace, and to prevent the navigation of the river from being ob structed. Mr. Ware, the pier -master, who laid the information, was then examined, and he confirmed, to the fullest ex , tent, the evidence of the former witnesses. The LORD MAYOR-It has been proved to my satis faction that the defendant in this case did wilfully im pede the passage of the Syren and the Niobe, and I, therefore, fine him in the mitigated penalty of 5/. Mr. Newbon said he understood that the Act gave him the power of appeal, but he wanted some little time to consider whether he should take that course. Mr. Goodman (the Chief Clerk) said the latter Act required that the penalty should be forthwith paid, or the defendant should be committed to the House of Cor rection. The City Solicitor said, as one of the statutes under Which the information had been, laid gave the right of plainant, against whom - he has since harboured a grudge. On the night of the 7th ult., the constable was quietly standing at the corner of Southampton street, Pentonville, when the prisoner went up, and in an insolent manner directed the constable to give him a light fir his pipe. The constable replied, " I have not got one, sir." The prisoner, who was sober, said, " Then go up the lamp-post and fetch it." The officer, of courie, refused ; whereupon the prisoner attacked him, knocked him down, and kicked him violently in the groin and abdomen. At this moment Police-con stable 333 came up : he was lifting the prosecutor, when the prisoner, with his hob-nailed boot gave the nnfortunate man another kick on the stomach, from the effect of which he became insensible. The police-con stable 333 N then attempted to secure the prisoner, who beat him severely. The constable, however, clung to him, and, with brutish ferocity, the prisoner fastened his teeth in the officer's band, producing four wounds. As sistance came and the fellow was secured. Police-con stable 432 N (the prosecutor) was for several days in a very critical condition, and is still weakly, and looks ghastly. For the assault on police-constable 333 N the pri soner has undergone a month's imprisonment. He was now sentenced by Mr. Combo to another month's im prisonment without fine. Prisoner—" I'll sky the beaver ;" and so saying threw up his hat to the ceiling of the Court, catching it on its fall with great adroitness. SUBSTITUT E FOR POTATOES.—Perhaps the best sub stitute for potatoes is the Swedish turnip ; the best method of preparing which, though well understood by agriculturists and cowkeepers, is not generally known to housekeepers in town, who are apt to complain of the intolerable length of time the root takes in boiling. This is really the case only when the Swede is cut into lumps or slices; the proper way being to boil the root entire, afterwards divesting it of its outer integument. In this way the smaller-sized roots are reduced to a fine pulp; and the flavour is so much improved as to be preferred IT many to the white globe. Those who wish to keep a stock of Swedes for family use should choose the middle-sized, cut off the collar straight with the bulb lay this end downwards in a cool but dry situation. Do not place them in heaps.—Brighton Gazette. Some of the coal proprietors in Lancashire have raisel the price of coals one shilling per ton. On Monday, the 1 / 4 sth December, the Rev. John Vane, M.A., &c., of Dulwich College, distributed the annual rewards to the boys of Mr. Walton's school, Albany-house, Kent-road. The old scholars will read with delight that their respected friend still continues to watch over the best interests of the pupils. APPREMENSION OF A NOTORIOUS BURGLAR 0:0; NorrixcirA3l.--On Tuesday morning, Super i nten dent B and Inspector Wilki nson went to the house of a sweep yaw • East, who had long been suspected of being accessorYcw____ William Wakefield, residing in Balloon-court, Mount-stree; great many of the burglaries which have been lately o .e. witted. They found concealed in different parts of the mises property which had been stolen Mr. Roberts, cotton agent, Castle-gate, Mr. Tennant, Of L'_,`; rington-street, and Mr. Beardall, of Carrington-streeti from the hol?!-?_n buried under some ashes in the coal place, they fount', L i es, silver table-spoons, half a dozen teas oon4, and other airtfi, sl with the initials of Mr. Bradbur p of New Radford, i r . v g. whose house they had been stolen -, early last Friday to °11 ,:l l is Raynor and Wilkinson apprehended W. Wakefield isou ln _ wife Ann ; and about eight o'clock the same moriog! spector Meldrum went to the house of William Wi'"e1111-t e d an mother, named Dorothy, i n C rown - cour t, Sandy-.- t having discovered some s t o l en property, h e apprehen„ , eh d beeroo and her son Abraham. Th e whole gang were brought the the borough magistrates on Monday, and removed t" err county gaol. They were examined on Wednesday On - a y, ing the property s t o l en f rom t h e h ouse of Mr. Bradt' . the New Radford. The t wo men were comm itted for trial t or sessions; but the wo man was aga i n rema nded for for,,eo examination before th e bo roug h mag i s t ra t e s yesterday' 1r " she was discharged.—Nottingham Journal. DE C ' THE PRES IDENT ' S M ESSAGS .—L IVER POO— r , 9 no .. 19. -Our telegraphic a ccounts to-day from Holyhead 'era sent the wind as blo w i ng a full gale from the. wes',4,4- This has set folks all o n th e qu i v i ce f or t h e American I c c'o_ dent's message, and it i s fully expected that if the Win d , t his tinues in its present quar t er we s h a l l b e i n possess ion 0 ' ce j document early in the next week. The ship Sea, an i n, ll ., / ? ri ed to sail from New York on t h e I st, i s pos i t i ve l y to be 1, to for the message, and th a t i mme di ately i t i s on board she 7 oec " sail. This vessel has made very rapid passages on ol° s l, cie sions. The packet-ship Europe is also reported to " t oss tamed for it, and therefore it will be a struggle betwe en , - ent ships as to which will reach first. According to P' - e • appearances, therefore, it seems fully certain that the g l a ce sage will arrive early next week, as the Sea and Europe now been out fifteen days. gt io n _ the Lords of th e T reasury h av i ng directed t • coo" the port of Aldborough, on th e S uf f o lk coast, s hould, In; „ e a sequence of the d ec li ne o f revenue b usiness t h ere , be ree i t - 0 . to the position of a cree k w i t hi n the neighbouring, por Woodbridge, and o f a pr i nc i pa l coast officer only beog t shtT tioned at the former pl ace i n li eu o f t h e esta blishrneo„. therto maintained there, it h as b een d eterm i ne d that toe. i .; duction of Aldborough s h a ll ta k e e ff ect from t h e oth Jan u- ' His Royal High ness P r i nce proximo. George of CAW' b ridge ble d s t the circle asseo l left town on Wedn es d a y l ast, to join Deene Park on vi s it s t o t h e E arl of Cardigan. BIRTHS. On the 17th inst., a t Kentish-town, Mrs. William iti v ton, of a son. On the 17th inst., M rs. C . B arron, Denmar k-hill, of it, t he, On the 15th inst., a t Ab ercrom bi e-place, Edinburg'', lady of Lietenant-Colonel Cavaye, of a son. +l , lady of On the 1 , 1 u 411 inst., at Coblentz on the Rhine, A. Jordan, Esq., of a son. Mrs. Stain' On the 15th inst., a t Q ueen - street, Edinburgh, - ton, widow of the late J. Stainton, Esq., of a daughter. „ e . On the 18th inst., a t El t h am, K ent, the w i fe o f I sa ac Gil l " mard, Esq., M.D., of a son. adl On the 19th inst., a t Addi son -road, Kens i ng t on , the - of Walter T. Fawcett, Esq., of a daughter. MARRIED. On the tab of Novembe r , a t H a lif ax, N ova S co tia, Charl e t Binney, Esq., Royal E ng i neers, to E mma L ou i sa , daughter co J. T. Walford, Esq., late of the 64th Regiment. r y of On the 18th in s t., a t I s l ewort h , Mr. 'William G 4ll 'l New Brentford, to Sophia, eldest daughter of Mr. Jan ie Norris, of Sion-hill, Isleworth. DIED. f o urth On the 18th inst., at Camberwell-grove, Emily, daughter of the late W. March, Esq. On the 12th of August, at Cawnpore, Geore Leona rd . Parish, of the Bengal Artillery, fourth son of Sir Woodbine Parish, K.C.11., aged 20. On the 7th inst., in Switzerland, John Ellis, Esq., nephew' of the late Lord Seaford. On the 12th inst., at Mayfield Hall, Staffordshire, the Hon- Henry Vernon. - On the 14th inst., Elizabeth, widow of the late John Ifai" ehison, Esq., of Cairogall, Aberdeenshire. On the 14th inst., at Gloddaeth, near Conway, Da me Charlotte Margaret Mostyn Champneys, widow of the lat• Sir Thomas Swymmer Champneys, Bart. On the 16th inst., in Lower Belgrave-place, Pimlico, gr a ' Rear, aged 56. On the 16th inst., Mary, the wife of Thomas Perkins, Esq* of Chelmsford. On the 16th inst., at Clifton, Thomas Ellis Adlington, Etq• On the 16th inst., at Paul's Cray-hill, Kent, James Char man, Esq., aged 79. On the . 16tH inst., Mr. Joseph Trumpery of Thorney House, Iver, Bucks, aged 72. London : Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Once, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct 4rf the Savoy, in the County 44 ktiddleaex, Saturday, Datembilr 2t, 345. -- - MA RKET INTELLIGENCX. (From the London .A'elo Price Current of 'Dec. 19 ' ) SuGAu.--To-dav importer* of Colonial Sugar evinced ill; ness, and refrained from offering any at public sale; t he _, was, however, no increase in the demand, intact less busin; was done. For British Plantation of all thscriptions the rat s previously established were insisted upon ; but the gems al was very limited for all purpoSes, the quantity disposea_ A amounting to only 100, making the total sales for the Ivc`" 1,000 hhds and trcs. REFINED.—To-day refined goods were purchased with l ° 0 ; creased freedom by the ho me tra d e , and advanced ratesre„. given, standard lump s b r i ng i ng 65 s t o 65 s 6d, and b grocery lumps 64s to 64s 6d per cwt. Bonded crushed Sag at present is not to be had under 34s for the fine quality MAURITIUS.—The business transacted has been 5 10 1 0 exclusively confined to a public sale of 2,639 bags and tine casks of the new crop, which went at the compare 3, market value of British Plantation, but at prices 2s Gd to per cwt under those of the highest point of the mark et f is, Mauritius Sugar; fine yellow 535, good 5Qs 6d to 51s middling 48s Gd to 49s d, l o w, 47 5 t o 48 s , fine brown 46s to 475, middling grey 48 s , washed 44s to 495 6 d , s)• ur PY 48s Gd. EAST Isinia.—lmporters of Foreign East India descriptions. have refrained from offering any a t auction. The purchase. made privately by e x p or t ers an d t h e h ome trade have be id e ; extremely limited, although there are sellers of Java , t h Manilla upon rather lo wer t erms . B eng al has met wi more attention, but merchants have been compelled to accep! previous reduced rates f or a ll descriptions. In Ma d ra s there has been little busi n ess t ransacte d privately, but holders o not inclined to take lower rates. • at FOREIGN. — Holders have refrained from offering any public sale since Friday last, and at present little is declar; but privately there is still a fair quantity of all description' on offer. The business transacted in Yellow Haven n been extremely limited by private contract theftahou dr' are inclined to realize. Notwithstanding late cons' our able decline that has occurred in the value of Brazil, still h ° , refiners purchase with caution, and there are very few s • c ub: ping orders. All other descriptions of Foreign are of sale. at- Cocoa.—This afternoon Bahia Cocoa met with little 3 for tention, and 230 bags were nearly all taken in at 36 32 , good bright red, and first class sea damaged at 30s to per cwt. e . COTFEE.—This afternoon Ceylon Coffee was in " -ss s ale quest, but holders were firm, and 2,401 bags at publicka were all taken in at full rates. Of Rio 36 tierces 3 9 V e t 122 bags and 301 barrels offered, a small part only 5a„ .6 4 rather lower rates; mid blue went at 63s 6d to %n ine ghnhaohlders mid mixed 60s to 61s Gd, low mid unclean 52s to 6 59, ,, n4 . fine ordinary brownish 42s 6d to 455, good ordinary 505 sea damaged 30s to 33s • the remainder was taken i n Ojai to 60s for sound, and inferior 40s. 307 bags of Bahia I„dis drawn at 31s for good ordinary. 1,174 b a gs of East In di' withdrawn. TE.t.—The purchases made in all descriptions of C on d egf ri have been on a more extended sc a l e thi s we ek, but lg ' bo sg are unable to obtain any advance in prices. In a fair business has been transacted at late rates, ordn and low ordinary selling at 31d to 4id, and middling te b ting 5d to 10d. Twankay is held with firmness, the supply r ises small, and the trade in want of it. For Ilyson P nd , deals do not improve, there has, however, been a better t wo e al there and a fair business has been transacted. In sa l P -11 rates' has been 'more business transacted at about fortuerst any Of Gunpowder a large quantity has been sold, but not cool improvement in prices. The value of good and fi l ' e t s r ock Orange Pekoe is 2s Rd to 3s per lb, but there note to demand for this kind of Tea. None has been subriu, public competition, but there is still a large quantity or and green on offer by private treaty. d ant SPlRlTS.—Leeward Island Rum cannot be Obtaine h a ve been further decline in prices; but the purchases made Pouc, bs calcut n it extremely limited at 2s to 2s ld per gallon pront: „ s aes' has met with a dull sale : but there are not senera_Thi n g to proof with certific a t e . H o ld ers o f J ama i c a are na"7, or aers• take lower rates; but th ere are f ew h o me sh/PlN e s' er s ates Demerara has been p urc h ase d w i t h cau ti o n, and f ° , rin n u in is , are not obtainable for a n y ki n d. The stock n tbel however, on the decrease, and prices are lower to_a d i s ill were last season. Brandy is held with firmness , a e ", :d d to s good demand. Geneva for exportation has bee Th e v alue fair extent at 2s ld to 2s 2d for common quality.,'British of fine for home consumption is 2s 6d to 28 t es 3d Corn Spirits are wanted at lOs 9d, nett cash. Gin a, os 9d for 17 per cent., Os 2d for 22 under proof, and a'„ na liff• to 13s 6d per gallon for Malt Spirit, according t" 1 0 put' RICE.—To-day there was little disposition shea r: 6d chase East India ; a t p u bli c sa l e 680 b ag s of Beng al flin g a t per cwt cheaper—ordi nar y d usty an d b r oken whit e f i rs t clas s 14s 6d, middling ditto 14 s 6d t o 15 s , s ea damaged damage d 14s to 14s 6d, second ditto 13s, third ditto 9s, n' d repa cked 13s 6d, sea and tar damaged 7s 6d, sea damaged la 13s 6d. 41 hags of Java were withdrawn. f Benga l SPICES.—This afternoon at public sale 802 bags o f Ginger were taken in at 21s for small home cotTi_4oll sort ; 8 packages of Nutmegs were mostly taken in , a ir s , Oda limed Batavia Is 9d, mouldy brown Singapore sold ,_, at. rather wormy 2s 7d ; 6 packages of Mace were bo_t!g_a'arinas 3s for middling quality; 102 casks of Batavia law taken in at 8s for low quality. ss nffh bo t h u s t a FRUIT.-The prices of all descriptions rema in same as last. There hav e b ee n off e red at public %ceiling, 7,000 drums Turkey Pulled Figs, a few lots 0r n i.Y., 20, 81 from 36s to 535. 221 boxes Red Smyrna brls at 355, and 273 boxes Eleme Raisins at 2 a _,, ds boxes and 400 half boxes Valencia Raisins sweaty o s " cin „ maged 29s to 325. 766 baskets Debi Rarnesatel maged, from 23s to 275. 200 boxes . a nd raisins in layers taken in at 70s, 200 half-boxess at Jordan Al -158 one-eighth boxes bunch at 81s. 30 box: R isins there is month taken in at 101 ss. For new Sultana a a , and the price a very limited demand, the stock being large, treats- Self required of 77s being much too high. 13Y Private at - 47 s to _ss.a LOOO Zanthe and Cephalonia Currants have been 48s, Patras 47s to 495 and old 46s pe r cwt. sap i bee - - a chelNstjsm fGo goodshipping Be n sale's rates have d ct accepted; inferior ki n ds h ave b een forced off at a re __i ou on last sale's rates o f 4d t o Gd per lb. Madras and _ n u o al s , still qualityp u r c h July s l y e u d with caution ;or nearly fetch last sale's valuations, but they are little vro t itt Although Spanish is to be o bt a i ne d at very l o w prices , ' there are few buyers to be met with. p r oA TETRPENTINE.—Spirits have been purchased with dst freedom at 63s to 645. Of Rough some parcels were 6°l s ad 138 to 13s Gd. The value of Stockholm T ar i s 15s to 4 per barrel. u gh, SALTPETRE.—The market has a dull appearance for 698 although there are sellers under late rates. At auctiooresf bags of Madras were only in part :old rather under the d of the last auction. English refined has been Pat u lf cb o a p s eratio i n ile caution at 30s Gd to 31s. In Nitrate of Soda teri- Ons.—This afternoon Cocoa Nut Oil met w tine white Cey tion, and 95 casks &c. at auction were sold ; are upon a more extended scale at 14s 6d to 15 it s h t p m er o c r w e asss per ton. lon at 32/ 10 te tiger 31/ 15s ood 40s to TaLeow.—Thisneon at public sale 37a tralian Tallow were sold, fine at 41s to 41s 3d, g . _ asks 40s 6d, middling 39s to 39s 9d, low 37s to 38s 6( 1 , 3 % ' 9 6d to Italian 39s to 40s; 53 casks of South American 40s 6d; 55 casks of Petersburgh taken in at 41s per cwt. t it ' t casks of Aus tralian ~ ^ x r~ J i„., 1t ..,..... ..4 5 , „ted 4,0, %% 11 : 11 t jetDll, 0, 4 4 e1 it 1 1tt 4' 0 44 b, 4° D 1) % 1 7't tilktV