The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-04-01 00:00:00

A.NNUAL GENERAL VESTRY On Tuesday the Easter vestry for transacting the affairs of the parish was held in St. Nicholas's Church. At twelve o'clock., the Rev. Jonathon Brooks, rector, having taken the chair, the Vestry-clerk proceeded to read the following report: " The churchwardens and overseers regret that at the as sembling together of the parishioners in general vestry, on the pres en t E as te r Tuesday, it is not in their power to lay before them any comparative statement, or, indeed, any statement in detail of the expenditure on the maintenance and relief of the poor during the past year. It would seem to be part of the system of parochial management under the new poor law, that the churchwardens and overseers, to whom, under the statute of Elizabeth : the management and relief of the poor were peculiarly assigned, should have no voice or discretion in administering to the wants of the poor, except in the cases of urgent necessity, and then in clothe s or provisions only and not in money. \kith so vast a pop ulation as that which Liverpool now contains, and with a great variety of causes of temporary want and suffering, arising from its shipping and commerce, it would be obvious to any one, c onversant with parochial affairs, that the hono rary officers of this parish ought to have vested in them large discretionary powers, and such as we have reas o n t o k now is the declared and reiterated opinion of our respected rep. resentative, Lord Sandon ; and to obtain such a discretionary power, as well as to bring back parochial affairs, for the most part to the satisfactory state in which they stood before the poor law commissioners thought fit to place the administra tion of the poor under a board of guardians, the church wardens and overseers, in obedience to the instructions they received from the inhabita n t s i n s p ec i a l ves t r y, h ave applied to parliament for a local act for th e government of the poor in this parish, and the bill has b een rea d th e fi rs t time. And the churchwardens and ov erseers an ti c ip a t e that the same will be proceeded with, unless the pronosed uo lvernment measure should render it unnecessary by exemi ting arge towns. During their year of office, the churchwardens and over seers have had to lament the loss of their valued colleague, Mr. Joseph Gibbons, and they are sure the parishoners will gladly permit them to record their tribute to his untiring zeal for the interests of the parish, and his unvariable kind ness to the poor." Mr. Hart next read the accounts; and on the they should pass, Mr. GEORGE WRIGHT put a question relative to a grant of money on behalf of St. Matthias's Church, which, he said, had been ordered at the last Easter vestry, but was not yet paid otion that Mr. Churchwarden BIRKETT begged to state, in answer to Mr. Wright, that previously to the last vestry a statement had been made to him by Mr. Spencer, the incumbent of St. Matthias's, respecting the expenses of the church ; and find ing, upon inquiry, that Mr. Spencer was in the nature of a parochial curate, and that the church was somewhat of a parochial chapel, he did recommend the parishioners to vote a sum of money towards the expenses of the church. His understanding with Mr. Hutshinson, who had seconded the motion, was, that the money should be paid into the hands of Rector Campbell, who had had more to do with the church than any one else, and that it should be at his option to pay or withhold it as he might think proper. Since asking for the vote, he (Mr. Birkett) had ascertained that the circum stances were very different from what he had been led to suppqse when he proposed it ; and be did think that Mr. Spencer ought not to have made the statement he had done to him unless he had told him all the facts of the case. In short, he found that Mr. Spencer was better off than he had thought; and he quite agreed with Mr. Campbell that the money ought not to be paid. Mr. WRIGHT observed, that the vote had passed at a ge neral vestry, and the churchwardens had no authority, when resolutions were passed by the parishioners, to act or not act upon them as they pleased. The CHAIRMAN requested to know if Mr. Wright in tended to bring forward any n Mr. WRIGHT replied in th ffirmativc He would move that the £3O voted at the last Easter vestry, towards the ex penses of St. Matthias's Church, be immediately paid. Be had had an interview with Mr. Spencer, who declared that on the faith of the grant he had paid the money out of his own pocket. Mr. KUSH AW seconded the motion. Mr. HARBORD remarked, that the public had a right to expect, that when once resolutions were passed at those meetings, the individuals in office would faithfully carry them out. There was no discretionary power in the parish officers to deviate from the spirit of those resolutions. However judiciously Mr. Birkett might have acted in this instance, and whatever reasons there might have been for not paying the money, he did not think it rested with him to withhold it. Mr. BIRKETT said, Mr. Hutchinson would not have con sented to second his motion, if it had not been understood that the money was to be appropriated under the conditions he had named. The motion, being put from the chair, was carried by a show of hands, and the accounts were allowed to pass. The next business was the proposing of the officers for the ensuing year. ehurchwarden iitmcnissos, seconded by Mr. HENSHAW, proposed Mr. Birkett and Mr. Raymond Houghton as churchwardens. Mr. KILSHAW, seconded by Mr. M`GuFFIE, proposed Mr. Cowgill in the room of Mr. Birkett. A show of hands was taken, and Mr. Birkett was declared elected. Mr. Kusitaw demanded a poll. The Chairman remon strated, but Mr. Kilshaw persisted in his demand, and a Mr. Walker, from the gallery, declared that if Mr. Kilshaw did not insist upon a poll, he would. Mr. HUTCH IN SON observed that it was not Mr. Birkett's wish to be brought forward again, but the wish of the over seers and others, who had worked with him so long, and who knew the value of his assistance. Mr. HARBORD said it was certainly desirable to avoid the expense and excitement of a poll. Although he was disposed to look with a jealous eye upon a person retaining office for several years, and was under the same impression with other individuals, that an occasional change would be beneficial, yet he must be permitted to say, in justice to his own feel ings, and he said it without flattery, that if they were to pay Mr. Birkett £5OO or £l,OOO a year, they would not pay him to the extent of the value of his services. He was a gentle man retired from business. He had been some few years ago actively engaged in business ; he knew the locality, and was familiar with the management and the affairs of nearly every public institution in the town ; and when they had any business in London they found him always ready to attend to the interests of the parish. He did hope and trust, espe cially as they had undergone so many changes of late, that lie would he petmitted to retain office at all events for the ensuing year. They could not afford at the present time to be deprived of his services. However competent Mr. Cow gill might be. he would fall far short of the qualifications of Mr. Birkett. The CHAIRMAN would add to what Mr. Harbord had said, that there was one strong reason which the vestry ought. to be in possession of, and that was, that Mr. Birkett had been actively engaged in the promotion of the bill which he and the other officers of the parish had been directed by the last vestry to attend to, with regard to the new poor law ; and he' conceived that this was one great object in pro posing to continue him. However respectable Mr. Cowgill might be, cr however adequate to the common work of a churchwarden, still, Mr. Birkett having gone so far into that particular business, which was not vet finished, was a strong reason for wishing to continue him in office. Other officers were then re-appointed. On Mr. Hart's name being called over, Mr. WALKER gave it as his opinion that the offices of trea surer and rate-book-clerk were incompatible. When Mr. Dixon was treasurer, the rate-book-clerk had been appointed as a check upon him. The two officers were afterwards joined together to save expense. It was doubtful to him whether sixpence had been saved, or whether, indeed, the parish had not paid more since they were united than it had done before. Be that as it might, the offices were incompa tible one with the other. He, therefore, moved that the offices be divided. He had no one to bring forward to fill either one or the other, but he objected to their being com bined in one individual. The proposition was seconded by Mr. TOULMIN. Mr. HARBORD said, having been the person by whom the amalgamation had been proposed, for the express purpose of doing away with an office created in consequence of the ina bility of Mr. Dixon to perform his duties, he might be per mitted to enter into a little explanation to show that Mr. Walker had no grounds for his opposition to Mr. Hart's re appointment. The rate-book-'clerk had been created in con sequence of Mr. Dixon's inaccuracies. Prior to the appoint ment Mr. Dixon had had the whole of the duties to perform, as Mr. Hart had at present. He did not say that Mr. Dixon performed those duties with the same satisfaction to the pub lic. The term rate-book-clerk, as applied to Mr. Hart, was a mere nominal one. He was neither more nor less than the treasurer, and the system had fallen back to the old form, as far as the law, as it now stood, would admit of. Mr. HENSHAW would mention, as a proof how the two offices worked together, that the arrears of assessed taxes, in the spring of 1838, when Mr. Hart was appointed, amounted to £27,978; now they were £74195, notwithstanding the assess ment had increased, by the augmentation of the assessed taxes, by £6OOO or .£7OOO per annum• (Hear.) Their liabi bility to government had been reduced upwards of £20,000. Mr. WALKER wished to know what the expenses of the treasurer's office were at the date of Mr. Hart's appointment, and what they were now. . Mr. BIRKETT said, since Mr. Hart took the situation a new thing had come up, which had caused great expense and trouble. He alluded to the change in municipal affairs. A large number of paupers—and he did not mean one party more than another—but a large number of persons, little bet ter than paupers, had claimed to be registered. In one year the registry had been lifted up from 8000 to 13,000. Some paid taxes for eleven years, and an enormous quantity of work had been the consequence, in order to make as perfect a re- gister as possible. The books, as an inevitable result, had got behind, and the clerks and officers of the department were working often till four and five o'clock in the morning, from two or three days previous to the 20th of July till the Ist of November. Mr. WALKER said he wanted to know what the cost of the establishment was, and what difference in that respect had taken place. Mr. BIRKETT replied, that the question was one which could not be easily answered, for the reason he had stated, that a great deal of extra work had been created, which had necessitated the employment of a number of temporary clerks. A discussion then arose as to whether, under the new act, the vestry had the power of appointing new officers. The VESTRY-CLERK said the poor-law act enabled the poor-law commissioners to supersede any paid officer; but until they did so the right of appointment continued. Whe ther thp vestry had authority to appoint any new officer was a doubtful point. If there were any department of the parish which, in the opinion of the parishioners, would be better divided, it seemed to him that it was strictly within the scope of their powers to make the alteration. Mr. BIRKETT hoped the parishioners, under the circum stances in which the honorary officers were placed, would not consent to the motion. Matters were embroiled enough without any other cause of vexation being given till some approach had been made to a settlement. If Mr. Walker's proposition were adopted, they would require two sets of books, and there was already so much to do that the hands were quite short enough. As the Rector had stated, they were before parliament, by the authority and direction of the parishioners, for a new bill, by which their affairs would be entrusted to a board somewhat similar to the present board of guardians, to do what they might think best, without having to go to any commissioner in London to ask what they were to do with the money which they had raised them selves. Parties whom they should choose, and in whom they could place confidence, would have the direction. He hoped this motion would not be persevered in. He did not see how it was to be carried out. Mr. WALKER submitted that there need not be much ad ditional expense. There would be new books to purchase, but what was that compared with the control over £60,000, which was annually collected in the parish ? The question having been put from the chair, the original motion was carried. Mr. WALKER demanded a poll. (Shame, shame !) A church-rate of 2d. in the pound, being aid.more than last year, was proposed and agreed to. The explained, was occasioned by an expense of £/00 attending the draining of St. Martin's Cemetery. I t had been found impossible to dig more than three feet without coming to feet; so Now the ground was dry for eleven or t w e l ve so that, besides obviating a cause of just complaint itself.th alteration, by the soil gained, would more than pay for Mr. HENSIIAW would take tbat opportunity of calling the attention of the vestry to the state of St. Marys Ceme tery. The ground had been filled up, and was now being gone over a second time ; and the nuisance which had con sequently been created, and the way in which the ashes of the dead were disturbed, was a great disgrace to the parish. (Hear, bear.) This was especially deserving of attention, inasmuch as the neighbourhood had now become populous. Mr, BIRKETT observed, in reply to Mr. Henshaw, that the churchwardens had had the subject under consideration last year; and had submitted to Mr. Lownues how far, under St. Martin's act, they had the means of applying the remedy. Under that act the churchwardens were empow ered to purchase 30,000 square yards of land by a rate not exceeding 6d. in the whole, nor more than 3d. in any one year. Inquiry was now making as to how far this recourse still remained available, and in all probability something would be done. Mr. HENSHAW proposed selling the ground to the Corpo ration, and obtaining fresh ground elsewhere. The CHAIRMAN said, he hoped he would never see again what, if he had been rector at the time, they never would have seen, a sight like that of the taking away of the bodies from St. John's churchyard. He hoped the dead would be allowed to rest in peace. Land which was consecrated for burial purposes they could not touch. He thought the cemetery in question should be shut up. As it was, it was a nuisance to the town, and might be attended with very in jurious effects to the health of the inhabitants. The sooner a new burial-ground was got the better; and as they bad heard from Mr. Birkett, there was a probability that the churchwardens had funds for the purpose; if not, they must come to the vestry. Mr. HENSFIANV explained, that in proposing the transfer of the land to the Corporation, he did not intend that it should he built upon, but planted with trees, as there was a great talk about public parks and promenades. Mr. BIRKETT called the attention of the vestry to the subject of the illuminated clocks, which had until lately been lighted ' r , ra'uitously ; but the gas company having been limited by parliament to 10 per cent. interest, had intimated that they would be compelled, in justice to the shareholders, to make a charge. There was also a sum of £3OO owing on account of gps, which he moved, in the first place, should be paid. It would then be for the parishioners to say whether they would continue to have the clocks lighted or not. The debt was ordered to be discharged, and the lighting to be paid for. A parishioner moved that an estimate of the expense of illuminating St. John's clock be laid before the next vestry ; which was also agreed to. Thanks were then voted to the chairman, and the business terminated shortly after one o'clock. The polling was fixed for the following day. WALTON ANNUAL VESTRY MEETING On Tuesday last, (being Easter Tuesday,) the annual ves t. v of the inhabitants of the extensive parish of Walton-on the-[sill was held in the parish-church, according to ancient custom, for the purpose of auditing and passing the then churchwarden's accounts, making a rate for the necessary repairs of the church, and transacting the general business of the parish. About a hundred of the ratepayers were pre sent, including . Messrs. Henderion, M`Gregor, Squires (sidestnan), M. Ashcroft, Gandy, Harvey, Sharpies, Alcock, Harrison, Woods, Knowles, Booth, Hall, Chubb, Davies, and other respectable parishioners. The Rev. T. Moss; the vicar, occupied the chair; and the notice calling the meeting having been read, Mr. T. BIRKETT, churchwarden for the past year, read a summary of the accounts, on which he furnished satisfactory explanations. The bazaar at the Walton Nursery, last year, had produced about £BOO ; and a further sum had been re ceived in donations towards the new organ and other objects. Mr. Birkett also stated that be had been blamed for permit ting the body of the church to be spoiled; but that had been the work of Mr. Broadbent, the architect. He had now served the parish officially for three years, and had given his best and most anxious attention to its interests ; and he trusted that the meeting would consent to such a rate as would enable his successor to carry out to completion the improvements in the building which had already so far ad vanced. Several gentlemen requested Mr. Birkett to permit him self to he again put in nomination ; but he respectfully de clined, as having already devoted much of his time and ser vices to the parish. Mr. H ALL inquired whether the churchwarden and other officers had acted under the authority of the ratepayers in pulling down the chancel and re-roofing it; and being an swered in the negative, he remarked that he thought that in that case they ought to have paid the cost out of the funds raised at the bazaar. He complained of the gra* cost en tailed on the ratepayers, and particularly the poorer portion of them, for building and rebuilding, altering and beautify ing the church year after year, after an understanding had been come to at the last vestry meeting that the rate of 2d. in the pound then laid to meet that expenditure was to be final. Mr. DOVER said it was a parish church, and should be made fit and proper for the worship of God. Besides, the rate that would be proposed would not press heavily on the poor. If the rate were opposed, lte should demand a poll upon it, and had no doubt of success. Mr. 111`GnEcon. said that the new roof of the chancel was not paid for out of the parish funds, but out of the pockets of private individuals. Mr. DOVER and others, in reference to Mr. Hall, remark ed that that gentleman had, on a previouS occasion, (two years ago,) proposed a rate of 2d. for church repairs; but that he had afterwards turned his back on his own proposi tion, and had absented himself from the meeting which was to carry it out. Mr. HALL said that he had then concurred in the addi tional rate—the rate for the general expenditure being only Id.—under the impression that it would be final, and put an end to the existing disputes on the subject that disturbed the parish ; and he would have attended the meeting, but was prevented by an attack of gout. Mr. HENDERSON proposed that the accounts read be passed, which was seconded by Mr. GANDY. The former gentleman highly complimented Mr. Birkett for his zeal and exertions on behalf of the parishioners, and who, though he might meet with the opposition of some, had earned the gra titude of many more. Seats for the poor had also been re served. The support given to the bazaar by the poor as well as the rich showed that there was a general feeling for the proper repair and completion of the building ; and even the mass of the dissenters could not but be pleased to see the mother church beautified and rendered comfortable. Mr. BIRK ETT said that the cost of the new tower, and the rebuilding of the church had, in consequence of the liberal contributions, not cost the ratepayers more than £4,000; and if they were now valued they would be estimated as worth £B,OOO. In building the chancel, the best specimens of Gothic architecture had been procured, and the roof woula be no loss to the parish. There was also a considerable sum of arrears to be collected. The expenditure last year had been £B5O, and £350 of new work, including the new organ gallery, new seats, and a new stove. Mr. AsuchoFT said that he found the church in about as unfinished a state as at the last Easter meeting, and com plained that the vicar and churchwarden should go on pulling down and building up, and making call after call upon the parishioners. The accounts, too, had been read in so rapid a manner that the items could not be scrutinized. Mr. HALL concurred in the last remark. Mr. BIUKETT said - that vouchers for every item were on the table for examination ; and suggested a committee, in cluding Mr. Ashcroft and Mr. Hall, to look into them. This was, however, declined, these gentlemen expressing their confidence in Mr. Birkett's accuracy, as he was him self an accountant. After some further desultory conversation, there being no amendment proposed, the motion that the accounts do pass was put and carried without opposition. Mr. BIRKETT then read an application be had received from the churchwardens of Knotty Ash, and a similar one from the churchwardens of St. Mary's, Kirkdale, calling upon them to supply these places of worship with sacramental wine. In reply to Mr. Hall, it was stated that no rate was laid on the pew owners of these places of worship for this purpose. Mr. DOVER stated, in reference to St. Mary's, that they had had the opinion of several legal authorities, who consi dered that they had a right to claim the wine from the parish church. Mr. HENDERSON said the parish had a right to provide the wine ; but whether out of the parish funds or otherwise, he was not aware. The matter should, he thought, be left to the discretion of the churchwardens. Mr. DOVER said that the law gave them a claim, and as they paid rates, it should be put into execution. The matter was left to the churchwarden. Mr. Roskell was stated, by the CHAIRMAN, to be the churchwarden for the ensuing year, in the place of Mr. Bir kett. The appointment rested with the rector. The meeting then proceeded to the election of a sidesman. Mr. Thomas Harrison was proposed, as an old parishioner, and a fit representative of the farmers, who were the princi pal ratepayers, and the motion was seconded. Mr. Chubb, who resides close to the church, was then pro posed, seconded, and recommended as one from whom much improvement was to be anticipated in the choir. Mr. HALL wished to know the duties required from the sidesman. It appeared to him that he had nothing to do. Mr. GANDY also thought sidesmen of no manner of use. The sidemen were always put aside by the churchwarden, and could say nothing and do nothing. Mr. ROSKELL said whoever was elected a sidesman in be half of the parish, him he would consult with on every occa sion. Mr. M`GREGOR supported Mr. Chubb, and said that the establishment of a juvenile choir would be of great advantage to the parish, and at little or no expense. Mr. HARDY supported Mr. Harrison—Mr. MYERS, Mr. Chubb. A show of hands was taken, and about two-thirds were held up in favour of Mr. Harrison. Mr. ARTHUR HENDERSON demanded a poll, but fixing of the time was postponed till the next question was disposed of —the laying of the rate for the finishing of the church. Mr. BIRKETT produced an estimate of the cost of the in tended new work, which amounted to, as we understood him, £767, which a rate of lid. would cover ' • but with other matters, he recommended that it should be 2d. Mr. ROSKELL, after referring to the work to be done, hoped a rate of lid at least would be granted. Mr. HENDERSON and others were of opinion that a rate of 2d. would be required to complete the repairs in a proper manner, and that this, he would say, would be a final rate for that purpose. Mr. ROSKELL said that a rate of 2d. would clear all. Mr. H ARDY complained that a rate of 2d. was successively imposed, but said he would not oppose it if he were assured it would be final ; and the demand for a poll as between Mr. Harrison and Mr. Chubb was persisted in. A long debate ensued, and Mr. ROSKELL moved that the rate be 2d., pledging himself to the utmost economy. This was seconded by Mr. M'GREGoa. ' and on the understanding that the chancel should be completed by private contribu tions, and that the money should be appropriated to the raising of the roof of the body of the church, to plaster work, and the renewing of the rotten parish seats in the centre; and, above all, that it should be a final extraordinary rate. It was put to a show of hands, and unanimously carried. 111 On the motion of Mr. `GREGOR, 1 , 1 vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Churchwarden Birkett, for the great zeal, ex ertion, and integrity that had marked his conduct throughout. Some merriment was occasioned by Mr. Gandy proposing that a monument or inscription, more durable than the record of such a vote, should be fixed in the chancel or some other part of the church commemorative of Mr. Birkett's services,—and which was considered as a proposition to " bury " Mr. Birkett rather prematurely, he being yet hale and hearty. . . . . A conversation ensued relative to an alteration in a church foot-path through the fields, on the south of the building,— of which Mr. Henderson and Mr. Dover vehemently com plained. Others were of opinion that the alteration was a great improvement; and as the subject was not relevant to the meeting it was dropped without any final determination. Mr. Alderman Moox proposed a vote of thanks to the Rev. Chairman for his amiable and accommodating conduct in the chair, which was seconded by Mr. Gandy, and carried by acclamation. The meeting then broke up. A number of the parties afterwards sat down to a sumptuous dinner, at the Bay Horse, and passed a most agreeable evening. Lord Rolle lies in a dangerous state at his country resi dence in Devonshire. His death is hourly expected. The noble earl is in his 93rd year. COLONIAL BISHOPRICKS FUND. — The collections made on Palm Sunday, in compliance with the Bishop of London's pastoral letter, as far as returns had been made up to this day (March 28), amount to £6,400 ; and returns have still to be m a d e from more than 200 places. Among the offerings made at Portma n Chapel was a very beautiful diamond brooch, valued at about £l5O. It was given anonymously, but with the text Exodus xxxv. 21, 22. A few more such noble offerings would secure the early accomplishment of the great object in view—tbat of providing for the endowment of a bishoprick in each of the other colonies of the British Crown. MEETING OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE. The Weekly meeting of the Dock Committee was held yes terday at twelve o'clock. • The following members were present :—Messrs. Sands (chairman), Mellor. Holmes, Moly neux, Martin, Holt, 'Ridley, Tobin, Evans, Shand, Aikin, Nicol, Ripley, Middleton, and Smith. OPENING FROM PRINCE'S DOCK INTO QUEEN-STREET. A report was presented from the Surveyor, to the effect that the doorway which had been ordered to be opened in the wall on the east side of Prince's Dock quay, opposite to Queen-street, could not be made, without materially inter fering with the parapet, there being a difference of five feet between the elevation of the ground on the different sides of the wall. Mr. MELLOR said he was very glad to find that the nature of the ground would not allow of a door being made in the wall, as he had always been opposed to it. Mr. RIPLEY, on the other hand. said it would be a public convenience, and it had been decided by a large majority of the committee that the opening should be made. Mr. MELLOR suggested that it would be well if, in future, the committee would not adopt any alteration without taking time to consider it. This matter had been casually decided upon by the commitee upon the spur of the moment; but he trusted, in future, that whenever any recommendations were made they would not be decided upon immediately, but referred to the Sub-committee. TENDERS FOR SPERM OIL The Sub-committee for the department of the Marine Surveyor reported that the stock of sperm oil was getting low ; and they requested authority to issue circulars for tenders to supply 1,500 gallons for the next half year.— Ordered. ACCIDENT TO TUE NORTH-WEST LIGHT-SHIP-COMPA.RA- TIVE MERITS OF IRON AND WOOD. The MARINE SURVEYOR reported that between 12 and 1 o'clock, a.m., on Saturday last, the 26th instant (March), there being a strong gale, a heavy sea struck the North-west Light-ship, carried away 12 feet of her bulwarks, and threw the vessel upon her beam ends, in which position she lay some minutes before she righted. The man whose watch it was fortunately happened at that moment to be aloft, regu lating the lanterns, otherwise he must have been washed overboard. The vessel made no water, and her bulwarks were being repaired afloat. The present case (the report added) illustrated the necessity for a vessel of enlarged ca pacity ; and he could not close the report without bearing his testimony to the good conduct of Smith, the master of the vessel, and of his small crew, under these trying circum stances. _ Mr. HOLT, chairman of the sub-committee, mentioned that the lights themselves were at the water's edge. Mr. RIPLEY inquired what was the tonnage of the present light-ship ? Mr. IIoLT said it was 140 tons, but the sub-committee had recommended the new vessel to be of 200 tons. Mr. MOLYNEUX said the vessel had fallen on her beam ends by reason of the ballast having shifted ; and the present accident, therefore, pointed out the necessity of having a different kind of ballast. Mr. EVANS hoped that, before any change was made in that respect, proper time would be taken for consideration. It was notorious that vessels which lay low in the water la boured harder than those which were higher. Mr. AIKIN said that was true, but it applied rather to vessels under sail. Mr. RIPLEY remarked that the committee were not aware of the immense weight of the lanterns attached to the light ship. They must not fancy them to be so light as ordinary lanterns. Each of them weighed two tons, which was too heavy for a vessel of 140 tons burthen. The CHAIRMAN said there must, under such circum stances, be an immense leverage. Mr. TOHIN was still of the opinion he expressed last week that an iron light vessel would never do, and if any thing happened to it he begged that his opposition might be recollected. Mr. MELLon added that if he had been present at the last meeting, he should have voted with Mr. Tobin. Mr. RIPLEY said, that connected with this subject he begged to mention that at the last meeting of the commit tee, there had been a discussion concerning iron vessels. Since that meeting he had received two letters, one from Mr. Grantham, who being interested in the John Garrow, iron ship, felt aggrieved by the manner in which that ves sel had been named. He (Mr. Ripley) happened to remark that Mr. Laird had assured him that the iron with which he built his vessels cost £25 a ton, and he would tell the committee how that occurred. On going to Mr. Laird's works, the men were cutting some iron which was exceed ingly beautiful, and on his remarking that it was like sil ver, Mr. Laird said—" I pay £2B a ton for this." He (Mr. Ripley) mentioned £25 in the committee; but this did not apply to the whole vessel ; where it was necessary Mr. Laird said they put it ; namely, to the stem, stern, and keel. He therefore ought to have stated that the iron for those parts of the vessel cost £25 a ton. He also re marked that the iron for the ship John Garrow cost £l2 a ton, but it should have been stated that it cost £l2 a ton register. The reporters had misunderstood him on this point; for it had appeared in the STANDARD that the iron cost only £l2 a ton. It was feared that this would ope rate against the John Garrow, and he had received a letter from Mr. Grantham, which he begged might be read to the committee. He (Mr. Ripley) begged to add that he had since gone over the John Garrow, and examined her, and what he had seen only confirmed his opinion in fa vour of iron vessels. He believed there was not one plate which was the worse for wear, and he was satisfied that if there was an opportunity of knowing the exact weight of each, and if all the rust were rubbed off, there would not be a loss of five per cent. In fact the more he saw of iron vessels the more he was convinced that they would an swer, and eventually supersede the use of wood vessels. Mr. NI AsoN, the secretary, then read the following letter, addressed by Mr. Grantham to Mr. Ripley : " North Foundry, March 30th, 1841. " THOS. RIPLEY, Esq. " DEAR SIR,-1 avail myself of your kind offer to correct some erroneous statements which have appeared in the news paper reports of the last week's meeting of the Dock Com mittee, relating to the John Garrow, an iron ship, upon which I am employed making alterations. Such observa tions, if left unnoticed, might seriously injure her character. " The expressions, as quoted in the STANDARD of Friday last, are these : " First for yourself. He had heard it mentioned that the John Garrow, iron vessel in the East India trade, was in many places injured by rust.' " Mr. Aikin mentioned that an iron vessel (the name of which could not be heard), after having made only one voy age, presented a great deal of corrosion; so much so, that the Corroded pieces had to be taken out and destroyed. " ' Mr. Ripley observed that Mr. Laird had assured him that he paid £25 per ton for the iron which he used : the John Garrow, he (Mr. Ripley) understood, was built of iron which cost only £l2. The builders, indeed, could not afford to do more.' . . W " Mr. Aikin has since informed me that his remarks also related to the John Garrow. Since visiting this vessel with me on Monday last, and seeing the plates that have been taken from her, you have become aware that the statements respecting the corrosion are wholly without foundation. " On requesting Mr. Aikin to inform me how he had ob tained his information, he sheaved me a piece of angle iron that had been brought him from her, and which he supposed had corroded at one end. Any practical man will, however, at once perceive that it was not corrosion, but a scale torn off while driving out the rivets that secured it. Mr. Aikin also stated that he had been to the dock, and had there seen several plates that had corroded through the holes, and some that had become quit , - thin. The facts, however, are these : —The vessel being exceedingly well rivetted, a few of the plates were broken through the holes in separating them (a work of great difficulty); and those supposed to have worn thin at their edges, were formed so intentionally at the building of the vessel. In fact, since iron vessels have been known, there has never been a more favourable specimen of their probable duration than this vessel affords ; and I be lieve, if alterations in her form had not been necessary, not a plate or rivet would have required renewal for 20 or 30 years. Our works are open to Mr. Aikin, if he wishes to make further observations ; and I should be glad to shew him how he has been misled. " With respect to the iron used in the John Garrow, I may state that she is built of what are called best plates, which are of the same quality as those generally used by Mr. Laird and other respectable builders. Their present market price ranges from £lO to £ll Ils. per ton, accord ing to the character of the maker ; the exceptions in these rates being for a few plates used in the keel, and those of extra size. " I trust that my duty to the owners will be my excuse for troubling you with this explanation, and remain, " Dear sir, your most obedient servant, " JOHN GRANTHAM." Mr. RIPLEY here added that there had not been a single plate of iron removed from the John Garrow in consequence of corrosion. She was now being altered from no cause of that sort, but because her form was bad. Mr. AIKIN.—Do you know that of your own knowledge, or from mere report ? Mr. RIPLEY said he knew it from his own knowledge. He was very glad that this discussion had taken place, because he was satisfied that in the end iron would prove to be better than wood, and that the opinions of those who were in favour of wood, would be materially shaken. Mr. AIKIN said, that as his name had been frequently used in the letter of Mr. Grantham, he deemed it right to call to the recollection of the committee, that it was not as the reporters had it, that he mentioned a vessel whose name could not be heard, but he distinctly stated, he thought it was not advisable to name the vessel. Some gentlemen had mentioned the name of the John Garrow, and at the time he thought it was better not to have done so, because he ap- prehended that it would lead to a discussion. If they un fortunately happened to speak of individual ships, they would always have discussions upon those ships. As far as he was concerned, he could only say, that in going round the docks his attention had been called to a great variety of plates, and although he did not pretend to be practically acquainted with iron, he must say, that as far as his humble judgment went, they appeared to him to be corroded. His attention had been called to them by, several individuals upon different occasions. When he heard the report of the Marine Surveyor, he found that it was a fair and creditable report as regarded iron vessels ; generally speaking, it showed their advantages over wooden vessels, such as in capacity, buoyancy, and perhaps, with steam, speed. He (Mr. A.), however, had no hesitation in stating that iron might be better in those respects than wood; but the question at issue was the durability, Now, on this subject it was vain to take the John Garrow or any other vessel which had made only one voyage. What he had meant to say was, that he saw a number of iron plates upon the quay which, as far as he was enabled to judge, and also in the judgment of practical people, were corroded to a great extent. So far, therefore, lie was not prepared to change his opinions, or to abandon the doubt which he still entertained of the durability of iron vessels. He repeated that he was extremely sorry that the John Garrow should have been named in that committee ; and when sbe was named he ex pressly stated that it would have been better not to have named her. The question of durability still remained to be ascertained, and he did not think that the John Garrow pre sented a favourable specimen of durability. Mr. RIPLEY said that every iron ship hither built was named in the discussion upon the subject last w. Mr. AIKIN observed that the John Garrow had only made one voyage. Mr. RIPLEY said that was undoubtedly true, but the his tory of the John Garrow should be known. She was con structed in the year 1838, and therefore she was now rather more than three years old; but before she went out she lay in a dock among coppered vessels, consequently there was a chemical action going on upon the iron by reason of the cop per, which would produce a much greater tendency to corro sion than if the vessel had only been at sea. Mr. TOBIN said Mr. Aikin had mentioned what he called the "able" report of the Marine Surveyor, in which the Marine Surveyor described the advantages of iron over wood vessels. He differed from Mr. Aikin in opinion upon the merits of that report, for he thought he never saw a more partial document in his life. At the same time he did not wish to say one word against the Marine Surveyor, for he thought the estate had derived great benefit from his ser vices; but be thought, that as he was instructed to report upon the comparative merits of wood and iron, he should not have given the preference so exclusively to iron. He reported, for instance, that the cost in each case would he about the same ; but he (Mr. Tobin) contended that there would be the greatest difference if durability were taken into the question. There were three iron vessels and one wood employed in the Niger expedition ; one had not been more than four months in the river before she became good for nothing, and the two others were coming home in the course of the summer. Now, he had had a wood vessel for twenty five years which had never gone anywhere else but to Africa, and she was as good now as ever she was. He had no doubt that for river purposes iron vessels would answer very well, but they would never do for long ma voyages. But here, because an iron vessel happened to have made one voyage to China, the Dock Committee were going to adopt iron at once, although they had the experience of a wood vessel having lasted 25 years, and being capable of lasting 26 more. Then, as to coating, no doubt iron might be preserved by coating, but he had had great experience in seafaring matters, and he had never yet seen an half-inch chain, which, after two voyages to China, would not be half worn away. This would be the case, he apprehended, with iron vessels. Mr. EVANS enquired whether any steps had been taken in contracting for an iron light-ship ? The CHAIRMAN said the subject of a contract was now before the sub-committee. Mr. HOLT remarked that Mr. Tobin seemed to have blamed the Marine Surveyor for the report which he had made. It should, however, be recollected, that the Com mittee had directed the Marine Surveyor to report expressly upon the relative merits of wood and iron ; and he had col lected a great mass of information. •Mr ToeiN.—From the build ers o f iron ships. Mr. HOLT said, not from them only, but from men of great character and eminence who were exceedingly well qua lified to give an opinion. It was not likely, therefore, that he could speak in favour of wood, after he had read such strong evidence in favour of iron. Mr. MELLOR held the rule which was good in common life to be good in this case—" Let well alone." The CHAIRMAN.—It is a good old tory principle. Mr. MELLOR continued. The committee had the advan tage of experience with regard to wood vessels, and they had been found to work extremely w,ell. Indeed if an iron ves sel could be built for one half the price which it was stated at, he should even in that case hesitate to adopt it ; but he should certainly oppose any such proposition when he found that iron would cost as much as wood, with the further disad vantage of uncertainty as to whether it would answer. He could not help regretting that the committee should have de cided to build a light-ship of iron. The CHAIRMAN said that subject had been decided upon by the committee, and it could not now be re-opened. Mr. TOBIN reminded the chairman that the discussion upon iron vessels had been commenced by Mr. Grantham's letter. Mr. MELLOR said that when the contract came before the committee, they would be competent either to adopt or re jectit. Mr. AIKIN confirmed Mr. Tobin's statement that there was scarcely any iron which would stand against the conti nual wash of water, and he also admitted the effect of the chemical action of copper immersed in water upon it. Mr. RIPLEY fancied that the future discussions of this subject would have reference only to the size of the intended new light-ship ; in other words, that the principle had been already adopted. Mr. MELLOR said he understood the chairman to have said the subject would be discussed again. The CHAIRMAN explained that the contract might be dis cussed upon the report or recommendation of the sub-com mittee. •Mr. NicoL put it to the chairman to say whether the principle had not been decided. The CHAIRMAN repiied that it had. Mr. RreLEY.—Then it cannot bere-opened. Mr. Tourzq asked if the question was at an end what need there was for Mr. Ripley to have introduced it. The CR AIRMAN.—It was only introduced in consequence of the inaccuracy into which the reporters were led at the last meeting. The subject then dropped. DOCK ACCOMMODATION FOR COASTERS A memorial from parties engaged in the corn and coast ing trade for further dock accommodation for their vessels was read and received. The committee then proceeded to financial business, and separated about one o'clock. LANCASHIRE CONSTABULARY FORCE MEETING OF MAGISTRATES YESTERDAY AT PRESTON. (From our own Reporter.) Yesterday a very numerous meeting of the magistrates of this county,—we believe the most numerous. that ever took place at any other sessional court in Lancashire,—was held at the Court-house, Preston, to take into consideration the propriety of adopting a series of resolutions, of which notices had been given by different magistrates, relative to the abo lition or modification of the rural police force. Soon after ten o'clock the attendance was very large, in cluding a considerable sprinkling from Liverpool and Man chester. At eleven o'clock the Rev. Jonathan Brooks, our respected rector, was called to the chair, and he briefly opened the proceedings, by giving an outline of the business to be transacted. The presentation of petitions, and the remarks they called forth, occupied above an hour. An immense number from all parts of the county were presented by the several mem bers of the court resident in the respective districts to which they referred. Most of them were in the nature of memo rials, praying that the police force might be disbanded and abolished forthwith, while others recommended modifica tions of the system, and the division of the county into sepa rate sectional constabulary districts. After the preliminary business was gone through, P. E. TOWNLEY, Esq., of Townley, proposed a resolution enuciat ing the " uselessness, expense, and inefficiency " of the force, and desiring that the sanction of the Secretary of State, for its abolition, might be applied for forthwith. The hon. magistrate enforced his motion in a very spirited and ex cellnt speech, which was cordially received by the court. JOHN WHITTAKER, Esq., seconded the motion. Col. RAWSTORNE, of Penwortham, recommended the withdrawal of the motion, and suggested that the discussion should turn upon the improvement and modification of the system, rather than upon its entire withdrawal. He con ceived that in some districts the constabulary were much needed, and therefore ought to be retained. Sir T. D. Trafford, Mr. Marsh all, and Mr. H. Wood, spoke in favour of the 'notion. After which the Rev. P. T. HowroN, of Ormskirk, moved the negative of the motion in a speech of considerable length. He contended that the persons who opposed the police force, especially those who were so forward in petitioning against it, were urged on by the brewers, the publicans, the disaf fected and the disreputable, who were, of cot' e, reluctant that there should be any v igilant supervision at all over the persons and property of the community. Colonel AUSTEN, of Fishwick, seconded the amendment, being of opinion that it would be far more desirable to alter the arrangements of the constabulary system than to dispense with it altogether. After a prolonged debate, in which Mr. C. Townley, Mr. Kadick, Mr. Foster, Sir T. Potter, Mr. Crossley, Mr. NN ood and the Chairman took part, the court divided, when there appeared— For the Amt‘ n d m ent .............. . ..... 81 Against it .............................. 55 M 26 Majority. ................. : The Court then proceeded on the se veral notices of motion, with respect to the fresh construction of the force. The first of these were by Colonel Rawstorne, who had on the notice paper two motions—one as to the direction of the force, and one as to the syste m o f secondary punishments, and as to the adoption of the silent and separate systems. After these were briefly introduced, they were, at the suggestion of several magistrates withdrawn , to give place to some other proposition by Col. Austen. The following propositions were then moved by Colonel AUSTEN. Ist. That each hundred in Lancashire be formed into se parate police districts, the whole to be under the chief con stable as heretofore; the number of officers and men for each division and district to be arranged by the magistrates of their respective hundreds, in their respective petty sessions. 2d. The amount termed the " general expense " to be borne according to the number of men actually appointed, and serving in each petty sessional district, at so much per man per annum. 3d. That when the local committee for each hundred be formed, consisting of not less than seven magistrates, to meet between the 3rd and 14th of each month, for the pur pose of inspecting and approving of the expenditure of the district for the previous month, and be laid before the committee by the superintendent or inspector of the divi sion; and when signed by the chairman, to be transmitted to the chief constable, for the purpose of being included in the general return of expenditure. 4th. That all members of the local boards should be con sidered Its members of the general committee, to meet at Preston on or after the 3d Wednesday in each month, for ordering payment by the county treasurer, of all accounts that have been duly passed and certified by the auditor of constabulary accounts. 5. That when the magistrates for the different hundreds should have arranged as to the number of officers and men they consider sufficient for each division, the result to be intimated to the Clerk of the Peace, for transmission to the Secretary of State, for final approval as to the number of constables required for Lancashire. Charles Townley, Esq., seconded the resolutions, and after a brief discussion, in in which Messrs. Jackson, Hirton, Townley, and Minshull took part, , The third and fourth paragraphs were omitted, and the rest of the resolutions were agreed to nem dis. The clerk then read over the other notices of motions ; but after Colonel Austen's resolutions were disposed of, there appeared to be a general feeling among the magis trates, that they included substantially all that was com prised in the other notices, and it was thereupon resolved that the court should now adjourn. This proposition being assented to without any objection, a vote of thanks was passed to the Rev. Chairman, and the meeting broke up at four o'clock. On Tuesday the congregation of Christ Church, in this town, presented to their late curate, the Rev. Geo. Mansfield A. M., a handsome purse, as a token of their esteem and regard for his indefatigable labours as a minister of Christ. LIVERPOOL FAVOURITES. — Mr. H. Holl, from the Liver pool Theatre Royal, appeared at the Haymarket, as Orlando, in "As you like it," on Wednesday. Mr. Raymond, it is probable, will make his bow to a London audience in the cha racter of Major O'Flaherty, in the comedy of the " West Indian," at the conclusion of the season at his own theatre in Liverpool : Mrs. RayMond, - some years since, as Miss Holdaway, was a favourite actress and vocalist at the English Opera House. Nliss CLARA NOVELLO.—We perceive by the Leinsic pa pers, that Miss Clara Novello has been received with much favour at the winter concerts in that city, where the talents and style of this fair English vocalist are held to rival the most celebrated cantatrici of Italy. TOWNSHIP OF WEST DERBY.—The Annual Vestry Meeting of the inhabitants and ratepayers of the township, was held in the Commissioners-roGms, Harper-street, Low- Hill, yesterday forenoon, when Mr. John Butler, and Mr. J. B. Leatherbarrow were reappointed the overseers. Ob jection was taken to some items in the highway surveyor's accounts, and to the auditor, as not sufficiently known to the meeting, when four other auditors were chosen, and another meeting fixed for next Thursday week. A discussion then arose, as to the expedie nc y of appointin g a Board, for the repair of the highways, with a paid agent, acting under their I direction, instead of continuing the appointment of a sur veyor, as had been done for the last three years. The ques tion was decided in favour of a surveyor as before, by 108 votes to 99. Mr. Freme then moved the appointment of a su rveyor, of Mr. Jesse Winward, of West D er by, (i n th e place of Mr. Pennell), at a yearly salary of £lO5, to act under the direction of the following gentlemen, Messrs. Webb, Kenyon, Willan, and Youd ; Mr. E. Hall, seconded the motion, which was carried with only th ree or f our dissen tients. Mr. Freme mov ed, andr. Brassey e sconded, a vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr. John Taylor, and the meet e ing separated. THE FREEMASONS' BENEVOLENT FUND.—Amongst our usual theatrical announcements it will be perceived that a benefit is about to take place at the Liver Theatre, the pro ceeds of which will be applied in aid of the Freemasons' Benevolent Fund attached to the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Western Division of Lancashire. By means of this fund the hungry are often fed, the naked clothed, and the sorrow ing widow and weeping child assisted in the hour of distress. The distributors of it really " do good by stealth ;" so that those who add to the amount, by their presence, on Tuesday next, may have the satisfaction of knowing that th e i r contri bution is certain of being well applied. The creed of the freemason is ' goo d will to all, and he feels it hi s d u ty t o stretch out a hand to a brother in distress. The good mason must be a good man ; therefore he truly thinks, " the labour we delight in physics pain." On this occasion we anticipate there will be a crowded house, for great exertions are making to cram it to the ceiling. We cannot but notice that Mr. Raymond, in the true spirit of masonry, c ame f orwar d spon taneously and offered the use of hls theatre and company free of any charge. This very handsome offer was followed by kindnesses from other parties, so that almost all the mo ney taken will be applied to the fund. EFFECT OF THE PROPERTY AND INCOME TAX UPON BUILDING SOCIETIES. On Wednesday evening a crowded public meeting of the members of all the building, societies established in Liver pool was held in the Clarendon-rooms, South John-street, for the purpose of considering how far the property and in come tax, proposed by Sir Robert Peel, will affect their in. comes. This meeting was called by virtue of a resolution which had been agreed to for that purpose at a meeting of deputations from the several societies, held some days ago. Mr. William Walthew, president of the Union Society, was called to the chair. The CHAIRMAN in commencing the proceedings said, the meeting had assembled for the very important object of taking into consideration how far the proposed property and income tax would affect building societies. Concerning the extent to which they would be affected thereby there appeared to be a difference of opinion ; some supposing that not only the property mortgaged with the societies would be af fected, but that the profits also of them would be liable. At present, however, it was impossible for him or any other individual except, perhaps, Sir Robert Peel, to give a correct answer to this question. Yesterday, a depu tation, consisting of Mr. Hindle, Mr. Bennett, and himself, had the honour of an interview with Mr. Thornely, the mem ber for Wolverhampton, who listened to the subject which they wished to bring under consideration with great atten tion. The result of the interview was that Mr. Thornely promised to give any assistance that might be in his power in support cf their efforts to obtain the exemption of building societies from the proposed tax, and to send them a copy of Sir Robert Peel's bill as soon as it was printed. On Friday last, he (the chairman) addressed a letter to Mr. Wainwright, Lord Sandon's secretary, upon this subject, which letter he would read, together with that gentleman's reply. The chair man then read his letter, dated the 25th,- to Mr. Wainwright, which requested that gentleman to inform him, as far as he might be able, in time to communicate it to the present meet ing, of the precise position in which building societies would be placed by the contemplated measure, and it concluded by stating, that the general opinion in Liverpool was, that these societies ought to be exempted. On the 28th Mr. Wain wright replied that he had laid the chairman's letter before Lord Sandon, but that his lordship could not undertake to answer the question put to him ; but if his lordship were fur nished with a full explanation of the nature of such societies, he would lay the case before Sir Robert Peel for his decision thereupon. This was all that he (the chairman) had to say at present. There were gentlemen prepared to move certain resolutions upon this important question, and he trusted that in offering their remarks to the meeting, they would be lis tened to with attention and candour. (Hear, hear, hear.) Mr. SHORTHOUSE then came forward to move the first resolution, which said, that in the opinion of the meeting the contemplated income tax upon property might, in all proba bility, affect to a partial extent the interests of building socie ties. From the manner in which this resolution was worded, the meeting would perceive that he was not in a position to give them correct data to enable them to arrive at a decided opinion upon the extent to which building societies would be affected by the proposed measure. Any opinion formed under such circumstances must necessarily he of an inferential cha racter. No judgment whatever could be formed either from the speeches on the subject delivered by Sir Robert Peel in parliament, or from his answers to the questions which had been proposed to him by different members of the house. It was very true that no questions had been put to him upon the subject of benefit building societies, nor had he made any allusion to them in any of his schedules; but in his first speech, when he introduced the proposition, he stated that all the property of Great Britain, meaning thereby the income arising from property of all descriptions, and of course in cluding the rental of all houses. should be subject to the tax, with certain limitations. In Schedule A he estimated the landed rental of the country at £39,400,000, the in rental of houses at £25,000,000 ; and the next item he made up of three things, namely, joint stock companies, tithes, and other matters, realizing an amount assessable for taxation of £B,4oo,ooo—making a total in Schedule A of assessable pro perty of £72,800,000. One-fourth was to be deducted from this amount, being the limitation he had alluded to, for pro perty the rental of which did not amount to £l5O per annum; in other words, rentals which did not amount to £l5O a year were not to be assessed to the tax. But the question in dis pute with regard to building societies was this : Many people said, " If any rental from my houses does not come to £l5O a year, I am clear ;" another party said, " If your rental he only £5O a year, and suppose you have a salary of £lOO a year, your rental will pay, because you will be assessed upon a £l5O income.' 'That was clear enough. Sup pose a clerk had £6O rental, and a salary of £l2O, (of which there were many cases in Liverpool,) he conceived that this man must pay both upon his salary and upon his rental. " But, " some contended, "he has no income from his rental, because he pays all the £6O which be re - ceives into the building society, and £l2 or £lB more." Sir Robert Peel certainly did not appear to have made any pro vision for cases like this ; but he (Mr. Shorthouse) apprehended that such parties would be considered as the landlords and assessed accordingly. The only question which remained then would be this—will the intended bill allow him, the mortgagor, the privilege against the mortgagee of demanding back the amount which he has paid towards this tax ? That was the question. (Hear, hear, hear.) Sir Robert Peel said the machinery to be used for the collection of the tax was to be that which existed before—a considerable time ago. The machinery then, as applied to rental, was in this way—if you had property assessed to the amount of £lOO a year, with what was called an ordinary mortgage, and if you were called upon to pay £5O for the interest upon the mortgage, it was clear that your real income would be only £5O. By the act of parliament the mortgagor had the privilege of deducting the per centage which he paid for the tax from the interest due to the mortgagee—that is, lie paid the £5O less the amount he had paid for the tax. if this was to be the ma chinery employed, we could tell how it would work ; its work ing would be this—if I have a rental of £lOO per annum, and if the property is mortgaged to a building society, I have not an income of £lOO per annum, because I pay the whole of that, and perhaps £2O more ; but the ,5;',,t of parliament will come in and say to the building soci:Ty, who are the mort gagees that I am entitled to receive from you the per centage which I have paid for taxes. This would be the way the thing would work if the old machinery were to be brought in. It would be a matter of little importance if this was to be the mode of working, because in such a case the whole body of members in the building society would bear the burden — which, indeed, he thought to he only just. If, on the other hand, this was not to be the way, and if individual members, who had mortgaged property and who had " bought" at large premiums, were made to bear the burden out of their own pockets—although it might not appear to be a large sum, still it would become an object of prejudice against building societies. On these accounts, therefore, he would say at once, whether the contemplated act of parliament so laid it down or not—rather than wait for an act of parliament to go on in this manner, let all building societies pass a law among their own members, that where any mortgagor is proved to have paid the tax by the production of the receipt, the amount be refunded to him from the society. (Hear, hear.) They would find that a rule of this kind would by no means injure the interests of the society ; but, on the other hand, unless something of the kind were adopted, prejudice would be created in the minds of those who were about to "purchase," and they would not offer quite so high premiums as in the other case. This, he conceived, would be a plain mode of dealing with the matter; but at present being with out information on the subject the meeting would see that they could not consider any definite point, and that he (Mr. Shorthouse) and the others who would address them were necessarily speaking only upon supposition. (Hear.) Now, supposing that this was to be the mode in which the matter was to act, it should be borne in mind that mortgagors un der Building Societies would be in a much better position than mortgagors under ordinary mortgages. (Hear.) Sup pose he had a rental of £lOO per annum, with the old ma chinery in force, and the interest which he had to pay was £5O, he would be at liberty to deduct from that £5O the proportion on the assessment, whatever it might be ; but in ordinary mortgages the mortgagor would have to pay his £5 per cent. and this tax besides. (Hear, hear, hear.) The mortgagor under the Society, therefore, would be by far in the best position of the two. (Hear.) It was too early, however, at present to discuss these points, espe cially as there was another resolution to be proposed which would include all that was material to be done to-night. The most material business at present was to bring the members of the various societies together in order to bring out the real bearings of the case, in order to see how they might best deal with them. (Hear.) They wanted neither to agitate the public mind nor to oppose government ; they had no political views to promote ; they did not wish to sup port either one party or another; but what they really wanted was to set themselves right—to guard their purses if they could ; and, in short, to maintain the interests of the building societies in general. (Applause.) Mr. aorthouse concluded by formally moving the resolution. Mr. BENNETT seconded the resolution. Mr. TURNER had no wish whatever to oppose the resolu tion ; on the contrary, he called upon the meeiing, before they assented to it, to consider for a moment and put them selves in Sir Robert Peel's position at this crisis. (Hear.) Here was a new species of property which had sprung up since the old income tax had been done away with in the shape of houses erected by means of building societies. Now if Sir Robert Peel were to exempt those societies. from his proposed tax, how much would he be able to get from. the other houses in this country ? (Hear. hear.) Did the meeting think that Sir Robert Peel did not know the cha- racter and the circumstances of the people who constituted these building societies ? Yes, just as well as they did them selves. [The CHAIRMAN—I hope he does.] And did not the meeting think that it would be unjust to the public at large to exempt building societies? (Hear, hear.) On considering the subject he thought there could be no doubt whatever that the property of building societies would have to pay the income tax (hear) • and the only thing they had to do was to consider among themselves who should pay the tax—the man who received his money or the society. (Hear.) If building societies should happen to be exempt from the tax there would be such an accession of members to them that each society would require two or three secretaries, — (hear,)—but of that he confessed he had no hope ; and as he had said before the only question was who should pay the tax. If the society refused to pay it, they would be placed in a dilemma,—the members would decrease, premiums would fall, and the termination of the society would be de ferred for three or four years longer than had been originally calculated upon. (Hear, hear.) It would be a most ex cellent puzzle for the solicitors to the different societies to put their heads together and try to solve the problem of which way they should act to obtain the object in view; but at the same time he thought that as sure as they lived they would have to pay the tax. (Hear, hear.) A MEMBER enquired whether it was intended that the contemplated tax should be laid upon the supposed or actual income of the societies? The CHAIRMAN understood that it was to be assessed upon the actual income. Mr. MAGUIRE would like to know how the tax was to be regulated in the case of building societies? Who was the real and bona fide owner of property in a building society ? Had not the man who did not " purchase " quite as much interest in the property as the man who did " purchase," al though the latter had received his money ? How, then, could the tax be defined? Moreover, there were widows embarked in these societies, which operated also as benefit societies ; but passing this by he could not conceive how the tax could be defined, from the nature of the premiums. Parties were constantly paying in who received nothing out of the society, and how could they he taxed ? And in the ease of a " pur chaser," who could tell what his interest might be? He defied Sir Robert Peel himself to say what would be his interest. (Hear, hesr.) A MEMBER said that members of building societies might rest themselves tolerably secure that they would not have to pay this tax, inasmuch as there were very few rentals indeed of the amount. Mr. SHORTHOUSE explained that in all such cases the rental would be added to the amount of the professional in come of the individual ; and the total would be assessed to the tax. The MEMBER.—My impression is, that they will not be put together. (Cries of " Hear, hear," and "Nonsense.") Mr. JONES asked, whether, if a man bought a property worth £2OOO which brought him in £2OO a year, he would pay for the interest upon the capital, or for the actual income ? The CRAIRMAN.-1:pon the rental. Mr. JONES.—Then it will be a mere bagatelle. Mr. SHORTHOUSE.—It will be .£6, however. (Hear.) It may be a bagatelle to you, perhaps. MR. NIELSON said he appeared as the repres en t at i ve of two of the greatest building societies in Liverpool ; an d h e b egged to state his conviction that Sir Ropert Peel w ou ld tax b u i lding societies just in the same way as Joint stock companies. He would take their annual reports and tax them according to the statements in those documents. It was premature. however, to discuss Sir Robert Peel's intentions; and it ree id be much better to defer going into detail s till they saw what his plan actually was. At present they were only t ling weapons into Sir Robert's hands to defeat the sole object they had in view, which was the protection of building societies. (llear hear.) _ The CHAIRMAN explained that the principal end of the meeting was to appoint a committee to watch the measure. MR. SMITH (we believe) thought that instead of passing the resolution as it stood, the meeting should negative it. They should wait for the appearance of Sir. It Peel's bill, and discuss its merits when it did appear. MR. BENNETT, in reply to that, would only say that in anticipation of the bill coming out, it was necessary for the several societies to be ready organized in order to examine it, and to adopt such measures in respect to it as might be most proper to protect the interests of building societies. To negative the first resolution would be to prevent that organization. _ . Uit.SEEoitiiiovsr said that all these points had been pretty fully canvassed ; and what they bad to do now was to see that they did not kindle a flame unnecessarily. Something, however, must be done, in:order to watch the bill (hear hear); because if they waited till they bill was out, before they formed au organization it would be too late for any practical good. Indeed, if it had not been for the very determined opposition in the House of Commons, things would have been more matured by this time than they were. It was for tunate that the holidays happened to come at the time they did. (Hear hear). MR. BANNISTER said the proposed taxation would very seriously affect the interests of the building societies. Sche dule A would affect not only the income, but a great portion of the stock which had been lent to " purchasers." If any further light could be thrown upon the subject, it would be better. The CHAIRNIAN. — We cannot, because the bill is not yet printed. Mr. SMITH said the resolution which bad been proposed presumed too much. It presumed that the bill of Sir Robt. Peel would affect building societies, for which there were no positive grounds. For himself he thought the bill could not at all affect the owners of property, which property was mortgaged to a building society ; and he had some doubt whether it would apply to building societies at ail. By the act of parliament a building society was considered to be a benefit society or institution, and under that acceptation they might more reasonably expect an exemption from the tax than a ground for its imposition. But taking it upon the worst ground, and granting that a tax would be imposed, it was through the ownership of the property mortgaged to it that it became liable. Now, the ownership of the property, as far as regarded the individual member,was nominal, in the first instance at least ; he might not have a shilling in it, but the law said he beeame the owner of it by paying interest to the society ; but he had no real property in it, and he could take none till the termination of the society. To whom, then, did the benefit result ? 'Why, to the society ; and it was for the benefit of the society, for the mutual advantage of the members to encourage poor industrious persons to associate in this way in order to acquire a small property, which might suffice either for their maintenance in old age, or as a provision for their children. He felt satisfied that Sir Robert Peel, however he might be obliged to procure fresh taxes, would never contemplate a tax upon the income of building societies. He concluded by recommending a verbal alteration in the terms of the motion. Mr. SHORTHOUSE replied to Mr. Smith, and expressed his conviction that the income of building societies would be made liable to the intended tax. The motion was then put by the Chairman, and carried unanimously. Mr. 1111SfiBY moved the second resolution, which proposed the appointment of a committee, consisting of two members from each building society in Liverpool, to watch the progress of the income tax bill, to ascertain how far it would affect building societies, and to use every prudent effort to obtain either a mitigation of the tax, or a complete exemption from its operation, if it should appear burdensome or injurious. With regard to the view which Sir Robert Peel took of building societies—of course he was entirely ignorant; but it appeared to him that the right honourable baronet would not pass by the houses belonging to building societies ; and whether he would view them in the light of joint stock companies, or of savings banks, was very ques tionable. It appeared to him (Mr. Rushbv) that the most just principle, if it could be done. would be to ascertain the real profits of each building society in the course of the year, and not to go upon their nominal income. As chairman of a society in Liverpool, he should be willing to recommend that society to pay a fair proportion of their realised income, in the same way as Sir Robert Peel intended to tax the joint-stock companies ; but building societies never could be looked upon in the light of savings banks. Mr. JOHNSON seconded the resolution; but at the same time he thought that building societies were, to all intents and purposes, saving banks for the poor man, as completely as those established by government. On that account he held that they should be exempted, as well as saving banks, from the intended taxation. He believed that Sir Robert Peel was altogether ignorant of the real nature of building societies, and that when he properly understood them he would consent to an exemption in their favour. Mr. TURNER cautioned every building society against showing their annual reports. They should be kept as snug as possible, otherwise they would throw out many a hint to the assessors. The CHAIRMAN then put the motion, and it was unani mously carried. A committee was then formed to carry out the second re solution ; after which the usual thanks were voted to the chairman, and the meeting separated. THAMES HAVEN DOCK COMPANY AND RAILWAY Yesterday a meeting of the shareholders in the Eastern Counties Railway was held in the Clarendon-rooms, South John -street, for the purpose of affording to the secretary of the Thames Haven Dock and Railway Company an oppor tunity of laying before them the affairs of that company, with the view ultimately of obtaining the capital necessary for the completion of the undertaking, and the co-operation of the directors of the Eastern Counties Railway in the working of the concern. Sir GEORGE STEPHEN, the Solicitor, said the ob ject of requesting the present meeting of Eastern Counties shareholders in Liverpool was to lay before them, for their consideration, the state and prospects of the Thames Haven Dock and Railway Company. Seeing the direct in terest which the Eastern Counties Railway had in the suc cess of the Thames Haven Dock and Railway Company, it had been considered expedient to avail themselves of tY is op portunity, on visiting this town upon other business, to re quest influential gentlemen in Liverpool, who were con nected with the Eastern Counties, to take into consideration the general question, whether the Thames Haven Company, which was so identified with the prosperity of the Eastern Counties line, should be supported by that the greater com- pang. Mr. AMSINCK, the secretary to the Thames Haven Com pany, then rose and delivered a long address, explanatory of the circumstances in which that company is placed, and of the objects which it aims at accomplishing. It was an under taking altogether independent of the Eastern Counties' line ; but it would be unnecessary for him to show that it would be of great advantage to that company, seeing that it would run over twelve miles of their line. For running over that length a toll must be paid, whether the Thames Haven answered or of ; and the Eastern Counties, therefore, must derive bene fit. He thought, however, that the merits of the Thames Haven Company were neither appreciated nor known. There was no town or existing establishment at Thames Haven, and consequently people were unaware of its capabilities. The position where the intended dock was to be placed was so favourable, that, if once looked into, it would be at once seen that a great portion of the export and import trade, which now went into the river because it could not go into the docks would go to the Thames Have❑ dock. But it was necessary to obtain assistance iu order to make the dock. At first it was proposed that the dock should be only a coal dock, but it was now agreed to make it into a steam dock ; no better place could be found for that purpose, none more capable of easy adaptation to the purpose, and none more useful. Having explained the purpose why the undertaking, which was commenced about the same time as the Eastern Counties, had not been prosecuted, he said the present was considered a favourable opportunity to ask the Eastern Counties directors to give the Thames Haven Company that assistance which, in consequence of their being a branch, they had been pre vented hitherto from obtaining. The delay which had taken place had been caused by certain parties not paying up their subscriptions, and it had been found necessary to forfeit a considerable number of them ; so that the want of funds had prevented operations from being carried on, but if the desired assistance could be obtained, all obstaclesof that kind would vanish. Mr. Arosinck then proceeded to point out the advantages which the dock and railway presented in a variety of aspects with regard to the coal trade, the warehousing trade, and the carrying of passengers. He had been in com munication with the Eastern Counties Director., and he had found them perfectly willing to negociate, but they felt that that they could not take any steps themselves till the whole of their own capital had been raised, but individual members might take an interest in the concern upon their own ac count. In point of fact the Eastern Counties Directors were desirous to take an interest in this undertaking; but the difficulty lay in taking the first step. lf, therefore, the Eastern Counties proprietors would give them the first lift there would be little or no difficulty in going o❑ afterwards. The proprietors of the Herne Bay Pier were willing to assist, the Margate and Ramsgate people were desirous to do so likewise, but they felt themselves too feeble to succeed with out assistance. The coal owners of the north were anxious for the dock and railway, and the united committee of the coal trade had passed a resolution in favour of this com pany. Their connectin with factors in London pre. vents them from taking the lead ; but if they could once get started in Liverpool all would go on well. The company might be considered as entirely out of debt, and that nothing would be wanted in the way of pre liminary or present expenses ; the act having been obtained, the surveys completed, and the whole so laid down that there would be nu occasion for alteration. It would be impossible for those who subscribed to lose by it. A SIIAREDOLDER asked how many shares had been sub scribed for. Mr. AMSINCK said about 1570 could be depended upon. Altogether 3385 had been subscribed for; 1874 had been forfeited, but they might be taken up within three months. He then entered into some minute explanations of the shave transactions, observing that the Thames Haven. directors had no wish to conceal any thing but to explain every thing. lie also described the dock and •£hames Haven as being easy of construction, and being likely to sbsorb a very large pro portion of wharfage trade. £600,000 would complete every thing they desired. This company would be willing to pay the Eastern Company the toll agreed upon before, which was eightpence for every passenger. Mr. SWIFT said the question would involve the terms upon which the Eastern Counties Directors would admit the traffic of this company upon their line ; but as there was no communication from them, it was impossible to know their feelings on the subject. If he were asked to take shares, he should say " no," in the absence of all information. As a shareholder in the Eastern Counties, it seemed to him de sirable that this line should be made; but whether he should take any shares in it depended upon the terms which the Eastern Counties Directors would require for the use of their line. He moved the following resolution, which being se conded by D. Willink, Esq., was carried unanimously,— " That the directors of the Eastern Counties Railway be re quested to take into their immediate consideration whether it is not for the interest of their shareholders to assist and promote the project of the Thames Haven Dock and Rail way Company, and to communicate their opinion to their shareholders with as little delay as may be." The meeting adjourned for an answer. CHURCH PREFERMENT.—The Rev. Charles Bullen, M.A., late curate of Rainford, has been appointed to the Incumbency of St. George's Church, Chorley, which became vacant by the death of the Rev. Mr. Todhunter ; patron, the Rev. J. Masters, Rector of Burnley. Major Claipchase, of Durham, late of the 76th Regiment, and a highly distinguished and meritorious officer, has been appointed, in the most handsome and gratifying manner, by Sir George Murray, Master-General of the Ordnance, to the office of Barrack-Master at Windsor, on the resignation of the Hon. George Liddell, the new Distributor of Stamps or the County of Durham. THE LATE EARTHQUAKE.—" It will be enough to make your sides shake," as the earthquake of Lisbon said to the Tagus.--Why must the Irish of St. Giles's think themselves natives in London? Because they are of o p inion that theys must be immediately swallowed.—Nl'lly, if this di estntreee 1 fug event occurred, would there have been an end to g ler nerals in this town? Because Paul's (palls) wou ld no loner be seen hanging over London. —Why may we be prepared for a sudden catastrophe? Because London is always within an ell of being undone (L-undone.") --Punch. SECOND EDITr • .4,- Standard-office, Three o'clock LIVERPOOL. CORN EXCHANGE,—Tits DAY. (From Messrs. R. MAKIN & SONS' Circular.) The duty has this week advanced on Foreign Wheat to 275. Bd., on Barley to 21s. 4d., on Pease to 21s. 3d. per qr., and on Flour to 16s. 7-(1. per barrel, remaining upon other Foreign and all Colonial produce unvaried. We continue to be shortly supplied with all articles from Ireland and Coastwise, and with the exception of a fair quan tity of Wheat, mostly from French ports, the fresh arrivals of Foreign Grain arc insignificant, and those of Flour amount to a few hundred barrels only. Although we cannot state any active business here within the past two days, the trade generally has remained, very firm, with a tendency to further improvement ; rather more money having been paid in several instances for fine Foreign free Wheats, the quantity offering being much more limited than of late. Upon a slender attendance of buyers at this day's market, and many of the millers having previously bought sufficient to satisfy their immediate requirements, the demand for Wheat to-day was by no means so lively as in the early part of the week; still, with a moderate sale to needy consumers and a few further parcels taken for Ireland, all descriptions of English, Irish and foreign free Wheats fully maintained the current rates of Tuesday, to which the holders steadily adhered, and in no respect appeared eager to sell. The transactions in bond since Tuesday comprise SOO qrs. of Odessa Wheat at Gs. 3d. per 'Nibs., and about 2,000 bar rels of States sweet Flour at 265. 6d. to 275., with 500 of sour at 235. per barrel; good brands of free, remaining in tolerable request, realised an advance of Is. per barrel, English as well as Irish supporting late prices. Barley, Malt, Beans, and Pease continued to move off sparingly at our last quotations. Oats, in the absence of any material supply, were the turn dearer; and Oatmeal, although much less noticed to-day, maintained its former value. From the ARRIVALS OF CORN, IPth to the aist March, 1842, inclusive DESCRIPTION inx- COAST- CANADA ro- LAND. WISE. SE U.STS.I REIGN. TOTAL Whe a t Qrs.l 184 124 1 1025 ii 4630 ' 5963 Barley Qrs. 14 0 s 1 1 1408 Malt Oats (MC Rye Qrs Beans Pease . Qrs. Shelled Barley . Qrs, Indian Corn . . • Qrs Rapeseed Qrs , Oatmeal .. .. Loadsl 1290 1 i 1290 Flour . Sacks 159 1 200 i 359 ; Ditto Into Runcorn, Ireland and Coastwise :—Wheat, qrs. ; Oats, 55 qrs.: Oatmeal, 506 Ids; Flour, sacks. 1 514 4 I 1000 ? 1514 I 4 EXPORTS.—Foreign. Wheat, qrs.; Barley, qrs.; Malt, qrs.; Oats. 100 qrs ; Pease, 100 qrs. ; Indian Corn. qrs. ; Oat meal, 1 load; Flour, sacks, 132 brls.--Ireland. Wheat, 448 qrs. ; Pease, 1 qr. ; Indian Corn, qrs. ; Oatmeal, qrs. ; Flour, 182 sacks.--Coastwise . Wheat, 72 qrs. ; Barley, 61 qrs. ; Malt, qr. ; Oats, 7 qrs. ; Beans, qrs. ; Rye, qrs. ; Pease, 13 qrs. ; Indian Corn, qrs. ; Oatmeal, 91 Ids. ; Flour, 87 sacks 448 barrels. Average prices of Grain, for the week ending March 25, 1842. Wheat 58s. 4d. I Barley 265. 6d. I Oats.. 18s. 4d. I Rye.. 335. sd, Beans.. 295. gd. I Pease.. 322. Od. Aggregate average of the six weeks Wheat .sgs.lld.lßley 275. gd. Oats.. lgs. 2d. I Rye.. 34 5 . 5d Beans.. I sd. Pease.. 325. gd. Duty on Foreign Grain, &c. this week Wheat 27s.Sd. I Barley 2;s. 4d. Oats .. . 18s. 3d. Rye.. 18s. 3d. Beans 225. 9a. I Pease .. 21s. 3d. I I Ind. Corn Os. Od. Flourltis. Ditto from British Colo;xies out of Europe. Wheat.... ss. Od. I Barley.. 2s. 6d. I Oats ..2s. Od. I Rye.... 38. Od Beans.. 3s. I Pease.. 3s. I Indian Corn.. Os. Od. I Flour.. 3s. ad Liverpool Averages, week ending March 29, 1842. Wheat. Barley. I Oats. Beans. I Pease Qrs 827 ; 1177 Prices .. 445. 10d. Os. Od. I los. 4d. Os. ad LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET, 3 P.M We have much pleasure in being able to report a larger ; attendance in our market to-day than for some time past and not less than 4000 bales have been sold. The public sale of Sea Islands was also well attended ; and the bulk of the Cotton offered found buyers, at previous rates, by private The sales of the week are 18,900 bales, of which exporters have taken 1000, and speculators 1200. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE FRIDAY, Aran. I.—Wind N.W. ARRlVED.—Sheffield, Allen, from New York; sailed 15th March. --Horror, from Zante—Brilliant, from Jersey—Borussik, from Hull —Henry Bliss, from Philadelphia; sailed sth March. On 28th March, in lat. Su, long. I I, spoke the Wakefield, from Hull, for St. John, N.B. Elizabeth, Cousins, and Birkenhead, Brown, hence, at New Orleans. Washington, Wilkie, and Catherine, —, hence, at Mobile. Emerald, Leighton, and Albion, Moran, hence, at Savannah. Scotland, Buchanan, hence, at Charieston. st. Mark, Alexander; Empress, Scott; Chicora, Rogers, and Independence, Nye, hence, at New York. NEW YORK, I4th March.—The Buoyant is reported to be lost off tAle mouth of the Bragos River. Captain, first and second mates, and four seamen drowned. TOXTETH PARK. A public meeting of the rate-payers of the extra-paro chial place of Toxteth-park was held yesterday, at eleven o'clock, at the public-office, for the purpose of examining the accounts of the overseers of the poor and surveyors of highways for the past year, to appoint overseers of the poor and surveyors of highways for the ensuing year, and to transact the usual annual business of the place. Mr. JAMES ROL'S SON was called to the chair, and read the accounts of the overseers of the poor, from which it ap peared that the total liabilities of the township, for the year ending the 25th of March, was £8067 12s. Sd.; of which there was paid for That year £4977 15s. Id. for previous years £lOO6 ss. 10d., maki ng a t ota l o f £59 84 I s . 9d. Th e total receipts for the year, including arrears of former years, were 1:5-151 35., leaving a balance of £532 ISs, 9d. due to the overseers. The debts contracted for the year ending the 25th ult. amount to £3089 16s. 9d. The accounts of the survey ors of highways were next read, from which it appears that the total expenditure during the year was £4763 ISs. 4d., the amount received £3431 7s. 44d., and the amount of debts contracted and not yet paid £2014 2s. Sd. Mr. JAMES HALL moved that the accounts do pass, and was seconded by Mr. CALLAN. A desultory discussion ensued, in the course of which it was stated that a considerable portion of the outstanding accounts, £1,600, it was said, consisted of arrears of a rate laid by the Town Council in 1836, of which the legality has hitherto been disputed by the Toxteth-park authorities and their law adviser. Mr. JAMES LAWRENCE said that he and the law adviser, Mr. Lace, had recently had an interview with the Town clerk, and Mr. Lace was now of opinion that they were bound to pay the rate. It was in the power of the council to levy a certain sum on the township. Within the last year the rate (for lighting and watching) was 24d. in the pound, levied on all rateable property ; but in Toxteth-park, as one third of the property there was not rateable, they laid a rate of 3d. in the pound, which was insufficient to cover the sum they had to pay. It would take 4d. in the pound to meet the levy, and all they could do was now to pay an increased rate, which ought to have been paid in former years. The accounts were passed unanimously. THE I'OOR RATES—THE UNION WORKHOUSE. _ _ Mr. HALL said it was very unpleasant to move an increased rate in these bad times, but they bad no choice. The build ing of the union workhouse had cost upwards of Xll,OOO, and they would have to pay two-thirds of it. Mr. R. HARBORD said that a more wasteful expenditure of money had never been exhibited than in the building of the union workhouse. They had got au architect, and limited him to £6OOO ; but they had allowed him to expend £13,000 for a building which would not give half the accommodation that other architects would have afforded. He blamed the poor law guardians for this. Mr. J. LAWRENCE thought it due to the rate-payers to give an explanation of the increased rate. The committee in laying a rate had been guided by the expenditure of a former year, which they found to be £2,922, instead of which the expenditure had turned out to be 41,000 and upwards ; some of which, as the watch rate for instance, could not be calculated upon. Mr. H. HARBORD thought the increased rate was not so much the fault of the guardians of the poor as their misfor tune ; the fault resting with the new poor law itself. The CHAIRMAN said the increased expenditure might be accounted for in two ways—the very great increase of the township, and the distress prevailing during the last winter, which was greater than was ever known before. Mr. J. HARRISON proposed a rate of is. Bd. in the pound, for the ensuing year, within the parliamentary district. Mr. DosALosoN seconded the motion. As an amendment, it was moved by Mn. Iznyn and seconded by MR. AIAYEIt, that the rate should be Is. 6d. in the pound. This was ta.gatived, and the original motion carried by a large majority. On the motion of MR. JAMES LAWRENCE, seconded by Mn. I - 1 ALL, it was resolved that the poor -rate for the out townships should be 2s. Sd. in the pound. I\lr. Joseph Ilarrison and Mr. Hugh Donalson were re appointed overseers. The following grants Were agreed to after some discussion. To the Dispensary, £5O ; to the Infirmary and Southern Hospital, £lO 10s. each. COMMITTEE. The following gentlemen were appointed to constitute the committee for the ensuing year 'Messrs. C. Horsf a ll, J . H all, T homas R oy d en , —. Pearson, J. Lawrence, —. R o b er t s on, John Sh e pp ar A. Smith, jun., A. L. Trotman T. Huntington , John Payne,, d _ George Davies, T. T roug h ton 'W. Nichol!, H. Robinson, T. H. Cart er , J ame s Wilson, C. Ra wson, W • 13 - Jones, and Tho s . I nman . Chilton, HIGHWAY BOARD. The followinm were appointed as members of the Highway Board : Messrs. C. Horsfall, J. Hall, J. Sheppard, M. Gregson, J. Lawrence, R. Harbord, J. Harrison, Y ates, ASmith, T. H. Harbridge, H. Donalson, J. Fletcher, J. Harrison, Y C. Raw son, A. Ryan, T. Short. Thanks having been voted tcl o t h e Chairman , the meeting separated at half-past twelve o'ock. CURIOUS COISCIEN—So me months ago, the premises of Mr. Wilson, a watchmaker at Spalding, were broken open, pf 00 sreg . d tooi a lt r y et li e t psn y o i al, o L ap i n t ot and . and all the watches and plate stolen from his shop. F or a almost o d s i t s some time nothing could be discovered, and malicious people a rt re o - 1 were not the burglarthe pl a e vilest ew i n n et s nt i t i i i i insinuations. otherio.anss. Cwoahri I: aab dieisctoanin t c h ce e i doaefffnac;e more li a t v b i a n n g 50 become miles, it so chanced that the first Mr. Wilson's father, in High-street, Saint his plunder, -Peter-at-G • owts, and it singularly happened that the watch sale was one that Mr. Wilson personallyhe presented for knew to his son. The man was detained, and had belonged pro perty was found in Lincoln. He was some other spalding, where it was learned that removed in custody to. s i x years past, under the game he had been residing for b e i n g searched, no trace of the of Morley. On his house was tbund, but on a subsequent rest of Mr. Wilson's property was found on a shelf, and search a large stone bottle that a hole had been broken on being taken down, it proved and jewellery put therein in the bottom, and the watches it from rattling. ,. carefully packed in hay, to prevent the whole of his Mr. Wilson has thus singularly recovered in most extensive practice (except two watches), and a burglar to the Hou se of has been detected and committed Newcast/e Atir4alorrection fur the division of Ilolhind.—