The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-06-25 00:00:00

June 25, I S-14. CORRESPONDENCE. BIRKENHEAD DOCKS. O I'HE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. 1,.. A proposal f or b u ildi ng docks and warehouses at Bir kenhead havin g b een sen t to me, 1 presume, to induce rue become a shareholder in the contemplated joint stock In t'anY. I have, as became me, given it due considera cm. The first observation I have to make is, that the pro posals contain no name of reference, nor any sponsors , but are cast forth on the world as an unknown foundling ; and another is, that if the scheme was a good one, I think Year own townsmen possess both discrimination and wealth enough to ra i se the sum o f £400,000, w ithout it being necessary to apply to the capitalists of London. I have taken some trouble to examine the plans and the evidence adduced before the committee of the Commons, and I hope sha'l be pardoned if I make a few observe ,,,°_ns upon the extraordinary misstatements which I find scattered through the " proposals" which have been sent i c ; me, for lam w old enough to know that those who v fish to sell no , are anxious to advertise its freshness. The Proposals commence by showing the want of dock accommodation at Liverpool ; and this fact is, I believe, gener altY admitted. But the Dock Trustees of Liverpool are now before parliament to obtain power for the con !traction of 42 acres of additional dock accommodation; alc! 1 I recollect re a ding the speeches of Messrs. Evans and Atkin some ti me ago who declared most emphatically th at when th e Albert who and warehouses were coal- Plated, there would be abundant dock room for soms Years to come, and on this ground they opposed any dock extension at all, as utterly needless. If, therefore, those gentlemen are to be believed, and parliament sanction the co nstruction of 42 acres in addition to the Albert Duck, ,I earhat docks at Birkenhead may not prove a very pro fitablejnvestment, in the face of superabundant accom modationvs at Liverpool. with a power in the hands of the ;Jock Committee to reduce their dock rates one shilling a 4.1 whenever it may suit their purpose to do so ; and 'which will probably take place so soon as the £ 400,000 is 'converted into masonry, and a return for the capital ex pended is begun to be looked for. t 6oo l3n tin addition to the sum now stated for d ocks, Is wanted to form a warehousing cowp on y , or, is the ooo whole a million of money ! I should not object to 7 e7Zient il '' to the plan if I could see any pro s p ect of not t g" return, but I confess that I am ob tuse enou g h o discover the 10 per cent. of which the prospectus 7 a nta• lam told th a t the merchants of Liverpool set their faces again s t ware houses managed by companies, and insist upon doing their own business, and thus opposed a clause in the Fire Bill giving that power tv others which they declared should not go out of their own hands, and the clause was obliged to be withdrawn. I do not say that they were right in doing so, but I mention a fact to illustrate my assertion. It may be the case that warehouses at Birkenhead may Oblige the owners of warehouses at Liverpool to reduce their rents so as to meet the competition ; but that reduc tion would make an awful difference in the per centage at Birkenhead ; and it is probable that instead of it being 10 per cent., it may prove to be like a lady's fortune, a given amount first halved, and the remainder divided by four. Much stress is laid on the contiguity of Liverpool warehouses to other buildings. Now, that danger has been diminished by the alterations made and to be made by the late Fire Prevention Act, and when that act is fully carried out in all its spirit, the ravages of fire will be very limited. The charge of such high premiums by the insurance companies is for two purposes. Firstly, as a corrective of the present system; and, secondly, to reco ver the prodigious sums which they have lost. It is not, my opinion, reasonable to anticipate that mercantile produce will be insured at Birkenhead for ls. 6d. per cent. as the prospectus asserts. I have it from the best author ity here that cotton, upon which so much stress is laid, will be followed wherever it goes by a high rate of insu rance; and in Manchester the rates upon the insurance of cotton stowed in detached and fire-proof buildings has been raised from is. to 205., and yet your prospectus as sumes in your differential charges, Is. 9d! A contrast is drawn between the advantages of Birkenhead and Liver pool in reference to the cartage. Now 1 understand it is a fact, that the cartage of all the produce imported into Liverpool, and usually warehoused, never yet amounted to £ lO O.OOO in any one year. Spread this sum over the !aloe of the goods, and the fraction is so diminutive that I can hardly calculate it. Even cotton, a bulky article, is done for 2d. a bale, worth from £8 to £lO, and in nine c ases oat of ten 10 per cent. is absolutely deducted even from the 2d. Now, if you set against the cartage of goods the expense that might be incurred by lighters for convey log portion s of goo ds across the Mersey, and which will have to be done in assorted cargoes, I think the extra ex penses connected with Birkenhead will be greater than the cartage at Liverpool. Besides, it is assumed in the charges for 1,000 bales of cotton, in all instances , that the r is the third length. This is a gratuitous assump ""'s.e I am assured on good authority , tested by former experience, that the first length only is paid by the im porter,ou ks and the additional lengths invariably by th e ware se- --ever. Exposure of goods on the quays to wea ther is one of the alleged objections to the Liverpool docks. Why, it is notorious that all the dock quays are surround ed with sheds, and that there is no exposure of any thing except timber, to the weather. And it is also notorious, that the Woods and Forests have tied out the Birkenhead Commissioners from erecting any thing but sheds and huts on the margin of the tidal basin and three-acre dock, which the bill, if obtained, empowers them to make. One 111 almost tempted to exclaim with the Frenchman, in re ference to the generality of prospectuses, " They lie like epitaph s. , Pilferage is another alleged evil deprecated in Liver r°l- I dep reca t e it everywhere, and sincerely wish that there may be neither chicanery nor pilferage at the Bir kenhead warehouses ; but the experience of a life has shewn me, that we have in general more to fear from the pilferage of our own servants, than from the professional thief who breaks our locks and carries away our sugar and coffee. Ido believe that the charge of pilfering at Liverpool has been much exaggerated. I have had some knowledge of the state of things both in Liverpool and London, and I unhesitatingly assert that the loss in weight on cargoes has been in general much less in Liverpool than it has been in London. Some time back a public meeting was held at the Commercial Sale-rooms, in Min cing -lane, London, to take into consideration the best mode of redressing the grievances under which the coffee trade laboured by the loss of weight in their goods while under the charge of the various dock companies. The account is so remarkable, that I copy it for your informa tion from a newspaper now in my possession : " FURTHER SERIOUS LOSS, FROM PILFERAGE, IN THE LONDON DOCK WAREHOUSES. " On Friday, the 2 - ,th ult., a meeting of those interested in the colonial and foreign coffee trade was held at the Commer cial Sale-rooms, Mincing-lane. for the purpose of receiving a report from the committee appointed to consider the best means to be adopted to redress serious grievances, to which the trade for a long period has been subjected. The chair was taken by Mr. Edwards. The Chairman said that the committee had lykd interviews With the directors of the principal docks, who had promised every assistance in remedying the evil complained of. He moved that the report of the committee be read. The Hon. Secretary then read the following report That, in pursuance of the desires of the trade, they have solicited and obtained interviews with the directors of the East and West India, the London, and the St. Katharine D ;ck Com p„anies, and have laid before them statements of the losses con tantly sustained, in consequence of the delivery weights of cqnree a ci ng seriously short of the landing weights , on which p a y ments -e made both for coffee and duty. They have also drawn the attenti on ' of the several directors to the great discrepancies Which shown in the delivery weights. and have ventured to express doubts as to whether such discrepancies can be solely t he effect of natural causes. " That the directors of the several dock companies have declared their readiness to act in any manner which may be suggested, in order to prevent such losses, and to exercise the greatest care and vigilance, so that deficiencies may not be the result of want of attention, or any other cause which such care and vigilance may prevent. " ' That not any of the directors seem, however, to subscribe to the opinion that any other cause than that of absorpti n by atmospheric influence has operated to produce the losses com plained of. ' That, notwithstanding this conviction on the part of the directors, the committee cannot hut retain their former opinion, tbat many cases show discrepancies q zite irreconcileable with such conclusion, and also that the business of weighing and . tarring pack ages on l and i ng i s frequently carried through so hastily as not to ensure proper security to the buyers ; and that many coffees are lauded in packages not sufficient y strong to bear further transit, and which the directors of the dock com panies state that they have no power to alter, but with the sanction of the imp or t ers , wh i ch, as entailing expense, ense, is gene rally withheld. " ' EDWARD EDWARDS, Chairman JAMES C. QUICK, Hon. Sec. " 21st Nov., 1842.' " Mr. Moffatt rose to move a resolution that the report be adopted. He expected no redress from the dock companies, and thought that government ought to be to, in order that the trade should not be c h arge d on t h e la n ding Re cently, in a parcel of fire bales of M oc h a coffee,tnere w s. as a loss Of 531bs. One bale was deficient, in another purchase he had made, of 271bs. deficiencies," Mr. Chenery and other parties spoke of great that could not arise from natural causes. " Tile report was adopted. " Mr. Condor had been thirty-two years in the trade, and in the last two or three years the decrease in the weight of bales of coffee had augmented. He moved a resolution in favour of applying to the First Lord of the Treasury against the levying of the duty on coffee at the landing weight. "The resolution was carried, and the committee was strength ened by several parties Of influence in the trade, to give weight to the representations to the government. " The thanks of the meeting were given to the committee, and the meeting then adjourned." When, therefore, you take for your model the docks and warehouses of London, do not consider them to be perfect. They are not, however, crammed with cotton, Bir kenhead at Liverpool, nor as it is intended those at insu rance-offices, should be: and yet such is the caution of the r iVrance-offices, that they will only take a very limited a ; and it is a fact the truth of which you may easily as certain, T. that a great part of the goods in the various L ondon dock-warehouses is not covered at all. Now w an t o f c l a ssification at Liverpool is spoken of. :: 1131 " I am informed that the insurance regulations and the Fire Prevention Bill are not only obliging classifica tion, but actually compelling the alteration of existing W arehouses. The prospectus holds out that the floating dock of 150 acres, the tidal bason or harbour of 37 acres, and the sluices, &c., are to be constructed by the Commissioners ( 2f Birkenhead at an expense of £400,000. How the in terest of this outlay (which will probably be increased when the work comes to be paid for) is to be raised, is not stated ; nor is it for me to inquire. As the Crown i s ," 3 elY takes all the land they ma ke, and as the tidal , a rbour will be non-productive , and will re q uire a consi uarable annual expense for sluicing and dredging, ma- Nernent, repairs of gates, locks, &c. , I must assume 14at the interest will be paid by the ferry, the sale of township land, or by a tax upon the population. Which ever may be the case, it is clear that £20,000 a-year for e ver., must be sunk upon forming a mere entra nce to the t '..,_"k; for it is absurd to suppose that such a s um can - ' 5 O deepen 150 acres of pool, and convert that space into a dock. And yet the prospectus would lead one to sup- pose such was the case. This point ought certainly to be explained for the satisfaction of the pudic. The prospectus goes on to say, " that the land on the south side of the pool is admirably adapted for ware houses, and that the present possessors have given it up on terms exceedingly advantageous to the proposed com pany." I think thos• advantageous terms should be stated in figures, and I think also that it should be at a very low price, considering that the back land will be much " advantaged" by it. lam not a very good judge of the cost of building except by comparison, and I am amazed, I confess, at tho idea that 70,000 bales of cotton can be stowed for £70,000, including land, and the ex pense of a ship dock and railway in front, with canal in the rear, including all cranes and apparatus of every de scription. It takes a buildinc , covering 400 square yards, and 10 feet high, to hold 1,000 bales of cotton. The entire cost of such a building, including docks, canal, railway, cranes, must only at the estimate cost £l,OOO, or £1 per bale. I have compared this with se veral buildings executed by public competition for some railway companies, and I find that (setting aside docks and canals) those buildings have cost a greater sum. On this head, however, I will not enlarge. I subjoin a table of the probable cost of warehousing 1,000 bales of cotton, at Liverpool, and also at Birkenhead, giving also the statement I find in the prospectus : " PROSPECTUS," AS PUT FORTH. " Expenses upon 1,000 bales American cotton from ship's side, including six mont'!s' warehouk rent and fire insurance, and delivering same to carriers, with probable charges for doing the same work at Birkenhead. - - Liverpool. Birkenhead. £. s. d. Fxempt Exempt Dock rates Cartage 3rd length Porterage, weighing, loading, and 1 ghting. sd. per bale Warehouse r nt, id. per bale per wk. Fire insurance, 6 mos. 275. gd. per Cl. Canvas, twine, porterage, weighing, 10 0 9 89 0 0 7 10 0* and mending, at gd. Charges forwarding from warehouse to carriers, 6d. per bale 37 10 0 10 0 0 350 16 St s. d. 145 0 0 " Liverpool charges on WOO bales of cotton fcr six monchs, say Birkenhead charges, say io 0 0 i 0 0 0 " Saving 0f.... £2OO 0 0 on every 1.000 bls. " The import of cotton in 1843 was 1,500,000 bales. " * The premium on goods in St. Katherine's Docks in ware houses not fireproof. is Is. 6d. per cent, for 6 months, being at same rate as charged above. " t In addition t the above Liverpool charges of X 350 163. Bd., town dues are payable amounting to £8 6s. Bd. The Bir kenhead Bill has a clause seeking exemption from them." PROBABLE RELATIVE COST. Liverpool. Birkenhead. Dock rates on 1,000 bales Cartage d. Exempt (qy.) Do. Portjage, weghing, &c., (wages being the same on both sides of the river, the book of rates not being the Gospel) 10 0 0 60 0 0 Wareh - ouse rent, id. per bale per wk. Insurance in an altered or fireproof warehouse.where porterage is done by a warehouse-keeper, 2o per cent. on £B,OOO 80 0 0 15 0 0 Forwarding charges 185 0 0 £. s. d. 35 0 0 i 2 10 0 20 16 8 81 5 0 133 15 0 37 10 0 25 0 0 .e. s. d. 35 0 0 7 1 8 10 0 0 SJ 0 0 80 0 0 20 0 0 , 32 1 8 The difference being £37 Is. Bd., which is supposing full dock rates to be paid at Liverpool, and none at Birken head, and supposing too that there is no extra cost of transit at the latter place. If, however, there are to be no dock rates at Birkenhead, and no reduction of ware house rents in Liverpool, then it must be admitted that the contemplated scheme will be the cheapest by £47. But who is to guarantee such unlikely circumstances ? I have only to add, that if I could see that I was likely to obtain 10 per cent. (I throw the contemplated 161 per cent. to the winds), I would certainly have a slice of such a tempting dish. I remain, sir, your most obedient servant, AN OLD MERCHANT. London, June 19th, 1814. WOOLTON FLORAL AND HORTICULTURAL MEETING. We have had great pleasure in noticing—and that ex clusively—the meetings of the Wootton Floral and Hor ticultural Society sinue its commencement some years ago, and in marking its rapid advancement in utility, evinced by the increased number and beauty of the va rious productions brought up on each successive anniver sary. The society—which gives encouragement not only to the surrounding wealthy cultivators, but to the cotta gers—originated in the praiseworthy exertions of several gentlemen of the village, whose names we have already recorded, and immediately obtained the patronage of the gentry, clergy, &c. of Wootton and the neighbouring townships, as well as of several of the promoters of the peculiar and higher branches of culture embraced in the rules in our own town and elsewhere; and it is gratifying to remark, that our early prediction that it would "go on and prosper" has this year been further verified by the additional extent and excellence of the exhibition, and the improved arrangements—alike creditable to the growers and to the " management." The show of the present season took place on Thursday afternoon last, in a spacious marquee, of double the di mensions of that used in former years—it being forty yards in length; and for this a new and much more ap• propriate bite was chosen than the timber-yard immedi ately below the church, formerly resorted to ; namely, the upper part of a fine enclosed grass-field, higher up the road. on its opposite (and east) side, nearly opposite the mill, and commanding a fine prospect of Gateacre valley, and the richly wooded count' y towards Prescot. Ihe en trance to the ground was decorated by au arch formed of evergreens. The interior of the tent was handsomely or namented with evergreens and flowers in devices and festoons. The company, though numerous, was not nearly so great as it would have been had the weather been more propi tious. The forenoon, and, indeed, up to about three o'clock, was showery, with an appearance of continued rain, which deterred considerable numbers from attend- ing. Among those present were—Henry Ashton, Esq Wootton Wood, and family ; the Rev. R. Leicester incumbent of the parish, and family ; the Rev. Dr. Shep• perd, Gateacre ; 'William Gilgeous, Esq., Belle Vale, and family ; Robert Proctor, Esq., and family; Mrs. Foster; Thomas Rodick, Esq., and two daughters; Robert Ro dick, Esq. • Thos. Rodick, jun., Esq. ; Edward Jones, Esq. ; Richard Alison, Esq., &c., &c. The exhibition, consisting of choice plants, fruits, vege tables, &c. was admitted by all to be superior to any one of the society's that had preceded it, in the number of ex cellent well-grown plants. Amongst those from the stove-house, "in flower, was a fine specimen of the Stepanotus Flora-bunda, with laurel-looking leaves, and fine wax-like star-shaped white flowers—trained round circular wire-work, and about three feet in height. A. lily, " Lilia Excilia," with beautiful large flowers, sent by R. Alison, Esq., was much admired. There was also a fine Zebra plant, with large leaves variegated in stripes of light and dark shades of green. A greenhouse plant, in flower, the " Clematis Leibaltii," produced by 11. Ashton, Esq., was a fine specimen. A " Tripiola Tri culora"' a species of nasturtium, trained on a flat circle of wirework, and bearing numerous flowers of three colours, attracted much admiration. Amongst the " curiosities" of the collection, was a branch in a pot of the " Aristolo chia Hyperboria," a twining plant, (native of the Ilyma laya mountains,) with sea-green leaves, (folio cordalus glaucus) and bearing a number of remarkably-shaped spreckled flowers—a modification of the leaf. This plant, which grows to a length of twenty-five or thirty feet, is curious and rare, and from the brightness and transpa rency of the stems and foliage, is highly ornamental; but it constantly emits a gaseous effluvium, by no means grateful to the n .sal organs, and in contrast with the de lightful aroma of the stands of roses amongst which it was placed, in joke or by accident, excited considerable mer riment amongst those who closely approached it. A slight alteration of the Scottish motto under the thistle would be an appropriate warning in this instance—" Nemo me impune propinquel." It was sent by Mr. Nickson, from the gardens of John Blackburne, Esq., Hale Hall, and considerable anxiety was evinced to obtain cuttings for propagation. The same gentleman sent the best or chideous plant, a very fine specimen. There was a goodly show of pelargoniums. One, in full rich flower, from Ambrose Lace, Esq., Beaconsfield, was at least four feet across at the top. Some of those sent by the cottagers were also highly creditable to their skill and industry. The roses, both cut and in pots, were fair : of the former, a stand of eight , s ent—but not for competition—by Mr. H. Moss, of Aigburth , (g ardener, Mr. Manly , ) was de cidedly the richest in bloom. Mr. Moss is a highly success ful cultivator of this queen of British flowers ; and though we observed no moss-roses amongst them, they were all his own " Moss"-roses. We saw some fine Cape Heaths, but cannot particularize. The fuschias were more tan commonly splendid and numerous, particularly some of those sent by Mr. Gilgeous, (who was peculiarly success g - f vn , h l ie i h n s m h a o n n y e tdheepa'r'tVmeennuts;)Vahnitdrix.M. , r ,) . A T s h h t e o n c , a ( 1 a c e m o o i a n ri a s t s were the finest grown and most beautiful we have ever seen in this locality, especially those sent by Messrs. Davies and Co. of Wavertree Nursery. The whole col lection was much ' admired. Of the baskets of miscellane ous plants, and baskets and devices of cut flowers, we can but say that all were rich, beautiful, and most tastefully arranged—referring to the list below. The show of pan sies was limited but good. Some of the finest were sent by Mr. R. W. Preston, and Mr. Manly, but not for com petition. The fruits shown were not (owing to the early season of the year) in large quantity, but excellent of their kinds, particularly the strawberries, each of which would have been a mouthful for an alderman. The grapes, (black, sent by Mr. Phythian,) were also good, as were the pine apples and the melons. A dish of fine apples, and another of pears, were sent by Mr. Ambrose Lace. The goose. berries were superb in size, and the same may be said of the currants. The vegetables were all of prime q g uality, particularly the early potatoes (kidneys, &c.), the rhubarb (of giant size), the peas, and the autumn-sown onions, which last presented large firm bulbs like those of the superior spring sown. There was no lack of fine lettuce. The articles sent by the cottagers evinced much im provement in the cultivation of useful vegetables, flowers, and window plants ; and the whole exhibition , whic h was enlivened by numerous airs throughout by Mr. Fileen's much-improved " Woolton band," gave the greatest sa tisfaction to all who witnessed it, amongst whom were many of the working classes, admitted after five o'clock at half price. We owe our best acknowledgments to Messrs. Rimmer, Richardson, Wainwright, Smith, Hamer, THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. Dr. Lamb, and others of the committee, and also to the judges, for their attention in furnishing us with every possible information. The following is a corrected list of the prizes : PLANTS AND FLOWERS.-StOve Plant, in flower-I, Mrs. Fos ter ; 2, H. Ashton, Esq. ; 3, Mrs. Foster. Greenhouse Plant - 1, H. Ashton, Esq.; 2, Mrs. Foster; 3, Messrs. Davies: 4, Mrs. Jos. Ashton. Pelargoniums-1, Ambrose Lace. Esq. ; 2. Mrs. Foster; 3, Mrs. J. Ashton. Cut Roses-i, Messrs. Davies; 2, R. Procter, Esq. Roses in Pots-Mrs. Foster. Ericas-Messrs. Davies. Device of Flowers-H. Ashton, Esq. Basket of Cut Flowers-1, H. Ashton, Esq.; 2, R. Alison, Esq. Basket of Plants-1, Mrs. Foster; 2, R. Procter, Esq. Calceolarias 1, Messrs. Davies; 2, D Pansies -1, Mr. John Molyneux ; 2, Do. Orchidenus Plant -1. Mr. Nie,son. Hale; 2, Pattison Ellames, Esq. Fuchsias-;, W. Gilgeons, Esq.; 2, H. Ash on, Esq. Hardy Shrub in Flower-1, H. Ashton, Esq.; 2, Do. Herbaceous Plant-I, H. Ashton, Esq. ; 2, Do. FRUITS.-Best Fine-I, R. Alison, Esq.; 2, P. Ellames, Esq. Black Grapes-1, Mr. T. Phythian ; 2, Do. Cherries-Do. Strawberries-1, Do. ; 2, T, Rawson, Esq. Apples-A. Lace, Esq. Pears-Do. Gooseberries-1, T. Rawson, Esq ' • 2, W. Gilgeous, Esq. Currants-1, Mr. T. Pbythian ;2, W. Gilgeous, Esq. VEGETABLES.—Cauliflowers —l, W. Gilgeous, Esq. ; 2. Henry Ashton, Esq. Cabbages —A. Dunlop, Esq. Turnips—Mr. Geo. Toogood. Carrots—R. Alison, Esq. Cucumbers-1, Mr. John Molyneux ;2, Do.; 3, Do. Lettuce—H. Ashton, Esq. Early Peas-1, R. Alison, Esq,; 2, Mr. J. Molyneux. Beans—Thos. Rawson, Esq. Early Potatoes-1, W. Gilgeous. Esq.; 2, Do. Mushrooms-1, J. Crosthwaite, Esq.; 2, Mr. H. Blunt. Rhu barb-1, T. Rawson, Esq. ; 2, Do.; 3, Mrs. Foster. Autumn sown Onions-1. J. Crosthwaite, Esq. ; 2, W. Gilgeous, Esq. EXTRA. PRIZES —Greenhouse Plants—Mrs. Foster and Rd. Alison, Esq. Stove Plants—H. Alison, Esq., and Mrs. Joseph Ashton. Baskets of P ants—H. Ashton, Esq.. and Mrs. Joseph Ashton Calceolarias—H. Ashton, Esq. Strawberries—Mrs. Joseph Ashton. Celery—W. Gilgeous, Esq. Cabbage—Mr. H. Blunt. COTTAGERS' PRIZES.—Window Plant in Flower-1, William Hill; 2, Samuel Thorpe. The following are the names of the gardeners of the principal successful competitors (not seedsmen) : Henry Ashton, Esq., James Daniels; Mrs. Foster, John Reid ; Mrs. Joseph Ashton, John Hislop; Ambrose Lace, Esq., John Houlgrave ; R. Procter, Esq., Thomas Makinson ; Richard Alison, Esq., Joseph Hill ; P. Ellames, Esq., Thomas Wilson ; W. Gilgeous, Esq., John Leech ; F. Rawson, Esq., John Green ; and J. Cro'sthwaite, Esq., Daniel Hodgett. Mr. John Molyneux, who bore away all the prizes for cucumbers, as well as several others, is a cottager. scurity and decay, having been found amongst the lum ber of a cellar in London. They are considered very valuable, and they are certainly curious as conveying the pictorial taste of tne remarkable people who produced them. We thence, moving on, found onrselves within the mazes of a labyrinthine grotto and cavern, showing at several points, right and left, as we proceeded, a series of wonderful pictorial illusions, formed in recesses, — namely, a mountainous view of the Tyrol ; the basaltic caverns of Fingal, in the Western Islands of Scotland ; an excavated Indian Temple ; the Isle of Elephanta ; the Catacombs of Egypt, a blue cave ; the Isle of Capri ; and coral islands and grottos in the South S'as. These are all very beautiful, and, apparently, faithful resemblances of the wonders and beautiful scenes they reprosent. The light (gas) is admitted from the roof, but the flame is in visible to the spectator. and thus favours the illusion. In one of them the sun is shining forth, and sparkles brightly on the gently rippling waves. The basaltic co lumns, and rocks of the caverns are admirably tbrorn oat ; and the views above g round are painted in a de licate and masterly style. The pictorial part is the work of Mr. Johnson and Mr. Parker, of the Theatre Royal, and the mechanical part by Mr. Wilmore. Descending from this curious labyrinth (the whole of which, together with the views, though intricate, and ap parently of great extent in the perspective, is constructed within a room only 28 feet long !) we reached a still more extraordinary and unexpected scene which occupies the whole of the lower preparatory school—a Glaciariutn, or Alpine Winter Scene, surrounded on three sides by pines and other trees, coated with apparently real snow, and with a frozen lake of artificial ice, on which numerous skaters were busily and rapidly moving in all the evolu tions of their art, while some were here and there gather ing themselves up after a fall—the whole forming a most amusing meld, in no respect different from what may be witnessed during a severe frost on St. Domingo pit, though in an apparently more northern latitude. Tne pond is surrounded on one side and at the ends by fir trees and palings " of the same," with a walk for the spectators, which was much crowded ; and in the distance at the further side rise in pictoral illusion piqued and scow-clad mountains, with straggling and stunted fir trees in the hollows. One could scarcely believe but he was in a frigid region in the depth of winter, but for the high temperature of the place, the exuding drops on the foie heads of many present. convincing them that they were at home in the warmth of June. There is an inclined plane covered with the same glassy material, and down which several of the more adventurous skaters " precipitated" themselves with great velocity, ,making,with the impetus ac quired in the descent, nearly the whole circle of the pond. Not a few, however, fell heavily at the bottom, and in their pain probably exclaimed, (if they were scholastic.) " facilis est descensus ad—." The ice is, we learn, formed of bisulphate of soda, or salts ; is very hard, and when first laid down was smoothed with joiners' planes. It cuts with skate irons precisely like common ice, and a man is employed to sweep off the snowy particles. The surface is renewed every morning with a slight moist coat ing of the material, and then again presents all the ap pearance of the real thing itself, and has apparently all its slippery properties. From " the Alps" we visited the 12 Cartoons in a " higher latitude." These were selected as of superior merit, from the recent exhibition at West ' minster Hall. They are very large, and embrace a variety of historical subjects—British and Foreign. The Plague in London ; the Execution of Wallace ; King Alfred re ceiving prisoners; St. Augustine (we believe) impressing upon King Alfred the beauties of Christianity; Boadicea ; and Nos. 6 and 7 (the subjects of which we could not re cognise) are amongst the best, but we have not yet exa mined the whole with attention. They are certainly one of the greatest - attractions in the exhibition. At the top of the staircase are some beautiful carvings of game, fish, fruit, foliage, &c., in box-wood and apple-tree, by a London artist, so finely and minutely cut that they appear to be exquisite castings. In the picture gallery there are some good specimens, though the collection in this and the drawing department is scarcely equal to that of the last exhibition. Amongst them are M'Clise's fine pic ture of " Snap-apple Night," which, though an early production of that artist, is quite Hogarthian in character and humour ; and Beard's celebrated Slavery picture. When we add that there is an egg-hatching apparatus, a model of a coal-mine, numerous models of locomotives, &c., a vast collection of curiosities and antiquities, auto graphs, dissolving views, a powerful galvanic and electric apparatus, statuary, processes of various manufactures, a fine diorama, a series of concerts, and in the yard a diving-bell (in which visitors may descend to the depths of a large reserloir), &c., &c., we need say no more to induce a visit to the exhibition. TARVIN HALL SCHOOL. The public examination of the pupils educated at Tar vin Hall Schools, under the superintendence of Mr. John Brindley, took place on Thursday week, in the presence of a most. respectable company of ladies and gentlemen ; amongst whom we observed the Rev. T. S. Bowstead, Vicar of Tarvin, and Prebendary of Lichfield ; the Rev. S. Cragg, M.A. of Oxford, now resident in Liverpool, and formerly clergyman of the parish in which Mr. Brindley bell the appointment of Head Master of the Oldswinford Hospital Endowed School ; and many of the parents and relatives of the scholars. The examination papers both in classics and mathema tics, were of a very high order—resembling rather those of a College in the Universities, than such as are in general use at less pretending educational institutions—and had been worked up by the pupils in a manner which did great credit to their own abilities and industry, as well as to the attainments and capabilities of their masters. On this occasion the proficiency of the young gentlemen was tested by questions proposed by their tutors—each master conducting his own department—and by some of the visitors present; when the facility and accuracy with which passages from the Greek of Homer, Thucydides, and Eu ripides, and from the Latin of Horace, Virgil, Cicero, Livy, and Caesar's Commentaries, were read and trans lated, excited general admiration. An examination in the Greek Testament, St. Mathew xxvt. was after wards conducted by the Rev. S. Cragg, M.A. and the result was highly gratifying. An English examination, to illustrate the degree of attention which is given to Scrip tural instruction, was conducted by Mr. Brindley, the subjects being the parables of our Saviour, as narrated in the Gospels of St. Mathew and St. Luke. The pupils then adjourned to the spacious play-ground, where they went through their drill exercises ; after which both visitors and scholars sat down to a cool col lation, which was served up in the Lecture Hall, with the most hospitable liberality. "The health of Mr. and Mrs. Brindley, and prosperity to the Tarvin Hall School, " having been proposed as a toast, was duly honoured; the enthusiastic cheers of the boys giving a pleasing assurance of the cordiality of their attachment to the Principal and his amiable wife. The dormitories and all the school premises were then • • • inspected by the visitors, who were unanimous in their ex pressions of approval to the regard of health, cleanliness, and comfort, with the whole of the arrangements exhibited. The examinations were again resumed, when recitations in Greek, Latin, French, and German, were respectively spoken by the pupils, with marked "emphasis and discre tion, " evincing an evident appreciation of the beauties of the several compositions, from the Medea of Euripides, the ./Eneid of Virgil, La Fontaine's "Le paysan du Danube," the poems of Schiller, and other German autboi s. Ex aminations in Geography and English History followed ; Arithmetical and Mathematical problems, worked by the scholars, were submitted to the notice of the company, with every facility for testing the acquirements of the pupils : the mode of Book-keeping taught in the establish ment was explained and illustrated by sets of mercantile books and correspondence, which the boys are instructed to manage; and the specimens of which, as well as those of Writing and Drawing, were highly creditable; some of them. indeed, were admirably executed. Medd, of Stockport, was again at the head of the Clas sical and French departments; Sprague, of London, was first in Mathematics; Silvester, of West Bromwich, and Gaussen, of Magherafelt, Ireland , in German; P. Moine. Birmingham, in drawing ; and Vernon, Willington, in book-keeping and surveying. It was stated that 500 marks had been fixed upon as the greatest number that could be obtained for the principal mathematical paper. Sprague obtained the full marks, having worked out every proposition without an error. Vernon's set of books, by double entry, and the ground plan of Tarvin Hall, with the outbuildings, gardens, &c., surveyed and drawn on a scale of the twentieth of an inch to a foot, were most creditable performances. The examination bring ended, Mr. Brindley delivered an address with much eloquence and feeling, during which he described the progress of his establishment, his method of management, the qualifications of the different masters engaged, the nature of the studies pursued, and the domestic economy by which the institution was regu hlaatdeda.l r e a n d e y t r h e a c n e v e e d d ;hiasnfdriesntadtsedforthtahte b s o up w po a r a t n w o h w ich in h a e state to carry out, in every particular, the course of in struction detailed in his original prospectus. visiting g h the surgeoncourse of t t o Ii e a the f e t e a t r a n h o l o i s n h , .G e e n o t r , g e na H a d e e r r a i s o v n iv , n Esq., voce report to the visitors assembled in the Lecture Hall, of the sanatory condition of the Institution, which he described as having been remarkably free from disease; a circumstance which he attributed to the domestic trea - ment of the boys, and the salubrious locality of the school. The company and pupils, at the close of the examina tions, re-assembled at the tea-tables, and having partaken of the social repast, the nat'onal anthem was sung; after which the party separated, expressing their warmest ap probation of the proceedings in which they had been en gage I, and their decided satisfaction at the manner in which the educational and domestic arrangements at Tar yin Hall are carried into effect. Tarvin, our more dis- taut readers may not he aware, is a pleasant village, about five miles from Chester. The Hall has a front elevation 113 feet in length. The School buildings, which are de tached, are 130 feet in length, and consist of a Lecture Hall and Refectory, 40 feet by thirty, and 30 feet high ; four class rooms, each 20 feet square, communicating with each other ; and a Gymnasium about 40 feet by 30. These apartments open into a spacious play-ground which bas a southern aspect, commanding an uninterupted view of Beeston Castle and the picturesque scenery of the Cheshire and the Welsh hills. There are also fields and gardens attached, to which the pupils have free access, a swimming bath, and every other convenience suited to a large educational establishment.—Chester Courant. EXHIBITION AT THE MECHANICS' INSTITUTION. The third polytechnic exhibition that has been got up by the active managers of the Mechanics' Institution in this town is already on view, although little more than a week has elapsed since the examination of the pupils of the schools took place in the rooms, prior to their being " let loose" for the summer holidays. When the great accumulation of works of art and science, curiosities, mechanical and other models, and wonders of various kinds, arranged within the walls within so brief a period, is taken into account, the meed of extreme industry and celerity of movement is due to the directors and to the men under them, who must have toiled night and day to accomplish what is done. Additional contributions of value are still daily pour,ng in, and probably will continue for a fortnight to come : much has yet to be done in the 1 mechanical department to bring the whole work to com pletion ; the catalogues, too, (which could not well be prepared sooner) have yet to be printed, so that to at steommpetwhaatdpert:mileadtuarcec.oumrnte a h t av t e h h e o p t r o e u s r e s i e it ly t e i s m , e m w o o re u o ld ve b r e , an someopp o o f r opportunity ty more of attractive taking more thn a portions a of c t u h r e s o e r x y . yg te lea n tn si ch v ea e da e t xhibition, but from what we have seen we can confidently recommend it t o th e pu b lic as furnishing a m ost interesting lounge for a few hours, tn dt i h s iats a tooata com p a ratively moderate expe nse . We opinions 1 0 l f i i n n s d a i t v u i t d e o n al o s c omparisons I:itween its gen era l mer i ts and those of the aexhibitionsccdaccording g at to the he same various place; fo ques tionprevious theiruviwowhich, ich p ? culiar turn of mind or of study, will reso l ve itself into a matter of taste. Sufficec it to say that a sight of the multitudinous works, artistic and mechanical, is worth far more than the money, and we adnodubatlsnootabsuut. many even of those who do not ava il themselves of sea son tickets, will soon, throug h th emselves and f r i en d s, make up the difference to the treas ury by repeated v i s it s. In one room we n b o a t e i cd c h- e is d nteea a rdy great ep t s ,nu headmbaend fo o r of beautifult. b o ar ds b pme e or a db u e t Pl i s f a u Po l i l fe y er paintedningiaacehs6, machinery , and varnished like the finest modern specimens of tea. trays. We thpee found our way into the Egyptian and Eastern curiosity room, in the centre of which stands a splendid Burmese carriage, or coach of state, captured, we believe, from a princ e , an d which in gorgeous and quaint decorations leaves f ar b e h ind the s tate carriage of our metropolitan Lord Mayor. It is surmounted by a gilded erection resembling the top of a Chinese temple ; is panelled and glazed all round • s tudded with knobs of bright metal; has very li g h t well : made wheels, and is extremely curious in all its details. The walls of the same . room are co!ered with the veritable casts in plaster of Paris o . f Egyptian . pictures and por traits, the figures raised in basso . relievo, and coloured, taken by the celebrated Belzoni himself from the originals. These we understand were recently redeemed from ob- LOCAL NEWS, DOUGLAS REGATTA (ISLE OF MAN).—This regatta, fixed for the 26th and 27th, is attracting great attention. The Isle of Man Steam-packet Company very handsomely take all row-boats free of freight. NEW FERRY BOAT. —On Sunday week, a beautiful new steamer, called " The Prince," commenced to ply on the Woodside Ferry. She is constructed on the improved principle of having a rudder at each end. BAZAAR.—It is stated that the receipts at the bazaar for the Roman Catholic Magdalene Asylum at Woolton considerably exceed £l,OOO. The bazaar was held, last week, at Lucas's rooms. IMPORTATION OF AMERICAN ICE.--A large vessel ar rived in the Mersey, on Sunday, with, a cargo of ice from Roston, intended, we understand, for Lynn's Waterloo Hotel. An ice -house, built on the American plan, has been constructed for its reception. DESPATCH.—The packet-ship Ohio, Captain Lyons, from New York, with a cargo of cotton, docked on Tues day last. The lumpers commenced discharging the cargo on Wednesday, and finished their task on Thursday, hav ing dis Charged 2555 and 20 tons of ballast in the short space of 23 hours. _ _ . • ACCIDENT ON THE RIVER.—On Tuesday morning, about half-past twelve o'clock, as three men were warp ing a vessel, called the Yorkshire, into Coburg Dock, the vessel came in contact with the boat, and smashed it into pieces against the pierbead. The men were thrown into the river, but providentially saved by some men who were on the pier at the time the accident occurred. FOREIGN FRUlT.—During the last few days there has been a very large importation of cherries from France, which has been the cause of much plenty in the London markets. They are of quality quite equal to the English, and realize 4d. to 6d. per lb. The present season is most redundant of gooseberries, and there was, on Wednesday, a large supply from the east and from the Isle of Ely, which sold at 2s. per bushel, out of which ls. was paid for carriage, besides commission, &c. THE OTHER £lOO NOTE ROBBERY.—Edward Atkin son, of whose previous remands we spoke in our last, on suspicion of stealing a £lOO note from Mrs. Heywood, of this town, and which he alleges to have received from a gentleman at Doncaster. was brought up again, on Tues day, and remanded to Thursday. On the latter day he was discharged, and immediately after apprehended on a warrant at Manchester, charging him with a conspiracy. He was taken to that town on the charge in question, and set at liberty, we believe, on bail. SEVEN-IN-HAND. — On Sunday afternoon the Waver tree omnibus was driven through Castle-street, Lord street, &c., on its way to Wavertree, with seven horses in hand. The turn-out had a gay and somewhat singular ap pearance, in consequence of the reins being of broad scar let binding. This material, being very light and easily affected by the wind, frequently got tangled, and the driver had some difficulty in keeping the heads of his horses in the right direction. The machine consequently proceeded slowly. On Wednesday last, at the Court of Bankruptcy, Mr. Sergeant Ludlow threatened to commit William Page Ward, grocer, of Byrom-street, unless he produced cer tain deficient leaves in his account-books. The case was adjourned until the following day, to allow the bankrupt to do so; but, instead of complying, he sent a letter to the Commissioner, stating that he did not attend to ap pear. The Commissioner had no alternative but to issue a warrant for his apprehension. The bankrupt has ren dered himself liable to transportation. HEROIC CONDUCT OF A. BOY.—About four o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, as a boy, named Herman Theo dore Hintz, about thirteen years of age, was fishing from the steps at the Brunswick pierhead, he accidentally over balanced himself, and fell into the river. A young sailor boy jumped into the river, and made a rope fast round Hintz's body, by which he was hauled on board a boat, He was then taken to the South Dock Station, and with the assistance of Drs. Cameron and Harbord, he soon recovered. las ZsA an T DEATH FROM inqu e st was T A h K e i ld Na by LAUDANUM.—On A . c U ,Nt on, Es n o an Saturday big _ ton, on the body of a child fourteen weeks old, named Charles Turner, and who had died from the effects of an over dose of laudanum. It appeared that a day or two previous the child had been taken ill, when the mother sent to a neighbour, who is in the habit of taking lauda num, for a dose. The neighbour, not knowing it was for an infant, sent a dose sufficient for a grown person. This was administered to the child, and it fell asleep imme diately afterwards, from which it never awoke. Verdict accordingly. BURGLARY IN CLIFTON-PARK.—On Friday morning, at an early hour, it was discovered that the house of Mr. J. AP Murdo, timber merchant, of Liverpool, who resides at a villa in Clifton-park, had been robbed of a gold watch with its appendages, a time-piece, a gold brooch, a purse containing five sovereigns, and a set of gold shirt studs. It appears that the party had entered the house in the early part of the evening, during the absence of the family, and concealed himself until after they had retired. The gold watch was taken from a pocket over Mr. M`Murdo's head, and the other articles from the bed room. SAVAGE ASSAULT.—On Thursday, Ellen Pentony, whose face bore evident marks of violent ill usage, ap peared at the Police-court to prefer a charge against Louisa Shephard and Richard Lilley for a violent assault committed on her person on Wednesday last. Complain ant stated that she went to the house of the female prisoner to ask for some money she owed to her, when some alter cation took place, and she (Pentony) was struck both by Shepherd and Lilley in a most brutal manner, having received five or six cuts on the head, and two on the cheek. They were each fined £5, and in default of payment to be committed for two months. BIRKENHEAD JUVENILE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.— This society was formed three years ago, for the purpose of affording temporary relief to the deserving poor, by supplying them with food and clothing. S ma ll sums o f money, amounting to £4O, were collected, and placed in the hands of the treasurer, £36 of this had been dis tributed in relieving the poor, and defraying the necessary expenses of the society, leaving a balance of £4 in the hands of the treasurer. Since April, 1843, th e sum o f £l3. 10 s . 7d. has been received, and, during the same period, 248 applicants have been relieved, at a cost to the society of £l3. 6s. 6d. CHANGE FROM A DEEP SLEEP INTO DEEP WATER.- On Sunday. night, about eleven o'clock, a dock gateman, on duty at George's Dock Basin heard some heavy sub stance fall into the water, and on looking to ascertain what it was, found a poor flatman, named Wakefield, struegling for bis life. He immediately threw in one of the life-buoys kept at the bridge for the purpose, which the poor fellow seized and held fast till lifted out by the rest of the crew on board. It appears he was keeping the tide watch, had fallen asleep, and in that state rolled from the dock into the water. THE ATLANTIC STEAMERS.—The royal mail steam ship Britannia, Captain J. Hewitt, sailed fur Halifax and Boston on Wednesday, with the mails and her full com plement of passengers. She had then been in port but five days. The Hibernia is undergoing repairs. She sails on the 4th of July, and has already a large propor tion of her berths engaged. The Great Western , ta Matthews. sailed, on Saturday. for New York. anci p tooT out thirty-five passengers, and a large quantity of fine goods. The smallness of the number is to be attributed to the uncertainty which prevailed until a few days pre vious to her departure whether she would sail at all for t hat city. The steam-ship Caledonia, Captain Lott, which would leave Boston and Halifax on the 16th and 18th ult., may be expected to arrive here early on Saturday morning. IRON STEAM-SHIP BUILDING.—The progress of build ing steam-ships of iron is making way in the most influen tial quarters. The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Corn pany have resolved in laying down a series of iron steam ers of the first class for their Mediterranean service. We trust Liverpool will have her share of this expenditure. Hitherto that company have confined themselves to tim ber-built ships, and it is highly creditable to our old tows that their best vessels are of Liverpool build, viz., the Oriental, the Hindostan, the Great Liverpool, and the Bentiuck. The town and its trade owe much in this re spect to the father of steam navigation on the high seas— Mr. C. W. Will•ams, the managing director of the Dub lin Company, and to Mr. Carleton, formerly a director of that company, and now one of the directors of the Penin sular Company. PUBLICANS AND BEERSELLERS FlNEn.—Huntington, publican, Standish-street, 605., Phillips, Key-street, publican, 605., Quayle, Mersey-street ' publican, 80s., Wright. New Quay, publican , 605., Sumner, Crown street, publican, 605., Watson, Gilbert-street, publican, £5„ Dickinson, Jackson-street, publican, 50s. Barton, Crump-street, publican, £5, Mitchell, Circus-street, beerseller. 80s. Scott, Litnekiin-lane, beerseller, £5., Owens, Dale-street, Windsor, beerseller, 405., Fazakerly, Carruthers-street, beerseller, 405., Connor, Downe-street, beerseller, £5., Chadwick, Carpenters-row, beerseller, 505., Skane, Waterloo-road, publican, 405., Aspinall, Lower Harrington, publican, 40a., Seger, Scotland-read, publican, acquitted ; James Thompson, Denison-street, publican, acquitted. The fines imposed amounted in the whole to £53, exclusive of the costs, which are 4s 6d in each case. GREAT WESTERN STEAM-SHIP. — On the application of the Great Western Stearn Co. the injunction which had been obtained at the instance of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Co. against the sailing of the ship, the " Great Western," for New York, has been dissolved. The Vice-Chancellor observed, that he did not see how he could continue the injunction, as, on looking into the terms of the contract for the sale of the ship, he found great uncertainty and contradiction. He did not, there fore, see how he could frame a decree which could recon cile such discrepancies. He could not, therefore, avoid dissolving the injunction. On the question of costs, the Vice-Chancellor observed, that as the suggestions ap peared merely to be made by the ingenuity of counsel, and seeing that there was so much pinching and scraping, he must refuse to allow them. The Great Western sailed from this port on Saturday. CAUTION TO OMNIBUS-DRIVERS. — On Saturday, the driver of Lawrence's omnibus to Aigburth appeared be fore Mr. Rushton, to answer two complaints lodged aaainst him by officer 231, for having, on the 13th and 16th instant, in going to and returning from Liverpool, been on the wrong side of the road. The defence was, that the driver had no recollection of having infringed the rules on the first day mentioned, and that he was obliged to cross to the wrong side on the second occasion, in order to let down Mr. Kearsley, a passenger. Mr. Rushton said that complaints against omnibus drivers were of every day occurrence, and that, with their lumbering machines and reckless driving, they were constantly upsetting gigs and other light vehicles in the streets. He thought a bye law would have to be passed with the view of meeting such an intolerable nuisance. He then ordered the de fendant to pay a fine of 10s. and costs for each offence; and said that, if complaints continued to be made, the fine would be increased to 40s. CASE OF STABBING. — On Thursday, Friday, and again on Saturday, a foreign sailor, of the name of Ed mund Tell, was brought up on a charge of having severely assaulted and stabbed one of his companions, named Thornton. It appeared, that a number of men, amongst whom were the prosecutor and prisoner, were drinking at the Queen's Head, near Brunswick Dock, and that, a scuffle having arisen among the carousers, the prisoner followed Thornton out and stabbed him with a knife, which, upon being shown in court, was asserted, by the surgeon, to be incapable of giving the severe wounds his patient had received. A host of witnesses were examined in corroboration of the charge ; and eventually the pri soner was remanded until Monday.—Yesterday, in con sequence of the absence, from indisposition, of Mr. Rushton, who had previously heard the evidence, the reading of the depositions was postponed until this day or to-morrow, when it is hoped that magistrate may be enabled to resume his official duties. ATTEMPT TO PoisoN.—On Thursday last John Mur phy, an old man, was comun'tted by one of the magis trates of Salford, to take his trial at the next assizes in this town, on a charge of having attempted to poison his daughter-in-law. It appeared, from the evidence, that the prisoner's son had recently brought home a young wife, at which the old man was much displeased, as, being dependant on his son, he feared be should be turned out. He quarrelled with the young woman, and more than once threatened her with vengeance. The son, a short time since, placed some oxalic acid, which he uses in his busi ness, in a cupboard. On Thursday morning the young woman, after a temporary absence, discovered an extra ordinary appearance in the teapot, from which she was about to take her breakfast. The contents of the pot were examined, when the discovery was made that a large quan tity of oxalic acid had been mixed with the tea. As no person had entered the house save the prisoner from the time when the tea was put in till the discovery that ano ther ingredient had been mingled therewith, the circum stances were deemed sufficiently strong to warrant his committal. Loss OF THE MANCHESTER, STEAM VESSEL.--A communication from Hamburgh, via Hull, dated Tuesday, the 18th instant, reached Liverpool on Saturday afternoon which left little doubt that the Manchester, steam-vessel, with all hands and passengers on board had been lost at the mouth of the Elbe. She was a regular trader between Hull and Hamburgh, and left Hull on Friday week. She had six or seven nassengers on board. On Saturday and Sunday there was an awful storm : a vessel from Cadiz perished near the mouth of the Elbe, and it was believed in Hamburgh that the Manchester shared the same fate at the same time. Nothing had been heard of her except that property said to have belonged to her had been washed ashore. This, however, might have been from off the deck ; but the letter from Hambrugh gives no hopes of her safety. It was generally believed that she had gone down. The Manchester had been in Liverpool, a short time since, getting in her engines, manufactured by Messrs. Fawcett and Co. The following is stated to be a correct list of the passengers :—Mr. Phillips, of Bir mingham ; Mr. Richmond, of Paisley ; Mr. Rothery, of Leeds; Mrs. Smith, her daughter, Miss Emily Smith, 21 years of age, and Mr. St. George Smith, her son, 27 years of age. This family came from Drogheda, in Ire , land, and were going to Graaffenburg, in Silesia, for the benefit of their health. WARRINGTON BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The usual weekly meeting of the board took place on Wednesday last, i❑ the Boardroom at the Workhouse. There were five guardians present, and Mr. West was called upon to preside. From the returns it appears that the total num ber of cases relieved throughout the union during the previous week was 921, and the total expense incurred £B7 15s. 4d. The number of cases relieved by Mr. Cruikshank in the house was 453, and the amount ex pended £4l lis. 7d, ; of this sum £25 10s. ids. was in money, and £l6 7s. in kind. In the corresponding week last year, the number of cases relieved was four hundred and fifty-eight, and the amount expended, £l9 Ss. 2d. In the rural districts, the number of cases relieved was 468, and the amount expended, £45 17s. 9d. ; of this sum £.lO 17s. 9d. was in money, and the balance in kind. The number of inmates in the workhouse at Warrington was 78, and in the one at Newton, 84 ; total in both 162. Balance in the treasurer's bands, due to the union, £219 4s. 10d. The clerk called the attention of the meet ing to the subject of the appointment of a superintendent of pauper labour, in conformity with the orders of the poor-law commissioners, but no steps were taken ; two or three cases which came before the board for relief, it was agreed, should be forwarded to the commissioners for their instructions, there being many of a similar nature in this district. No other business of importance was transated. INCENDIARY FIRES AT BIRKENITEAD.—Two fires broke out at Birkenhead on Monday night week, both of which are supposed to be the work of an incendiary. About eleven o'clock the first alarm was given, and it was soon ascertained that flames were issuing from the win dows of some new houses, which are being erected by Mr. Michael Raynes, near the finger-post, in Grange-lane. Owing to the prompt exertions of two of the neighbo urs , Mr. Boydell and Mr. Walker , the burning materials were thrown out of the premises and the buildings saved. Th e damage, which was trifling in amount, was principally confined to some loose timber. Theree h There atsteroinngclusmirieeisl of turpentine about the p lace : and, since made, it is supposed that a joiners bench and some of the wood-work must h ave been previously covered with turpentine, the better to accomplish the wicked designs of the incendiary. In about an hour after the fire was subdued, the inhabitants .were again roused from their slumbers by the renewed ringing of the fire-bell. Flames were then found to issue from the sheds and saw-pits be longing to Mr. Jam es Taylor, timber merchant, which are connected with a range of new houses in course of erection by that gen tleman, at the back of Grange Farm. The engine belonging to the township was speedily on the spot ; but it w as found impossible to extinguish the flames, and the consequence was, that the whole of the intended wood-work for the new range of houses, con sisting of doors, window-frames, and other property of a considerable amount in value, was destroyed. There is every reason to believe that this was the work of the same incendiary who had previously fired Mr. Rayner's pre mises, the two concerns being not more than ten minutes' walk from each roa d. other, and on the same line of A roan of suspicious character, who was found lurking near the second fire, was taken into custody. OVERLOADING OMNIBUSES.--On Tuesday Philip Condon, driver of John Bradley's Bootle omnibus, was fined 40s. and costs for carrying twelve passengers out side, the legal number being eight.—Francis Priest and Leversage Bradley, both drivers of omnibuses belonging to Mr. William Jones, of Bootle, were mulcted in the same amount for similar offences. Mr. Rushton stated, that although a vehicle was licensed to carry tw enty, if the owner painted the number eight on the outs ide, he was bound by the number adopted. He also said, that the overloading of omnibuses was a growing evil, and in future he would put on the full fine of £5. Rumors RED MURDER.—On Tuesday last a report was current at the north end of the town, that a boy had died. in Scotland-road, in consequence of being struck by a woman. On Wednesday Catherine Connor, the party implicated in the matter, was brought before Mr. Rushton, and evidence produced, to the effect that the prisoner had struck the lad, whose name is John Riley,. though it did not appear that he was materially injured. The prisoner denied that she had struck Riley at all, and said that he had merely fallen down in a fit, having I .booted under a complaint of that nature for some time. Immediately after the circumstance took place, he was removed to the Northern Hospital. The case was adjourned to Thursday, when the boy was able to attend but not being able to comprehend the nature of an oath was not allowed to give evidence. The prisoner was discharged, as the testimony of the witnesses on the whole was unsatisfactory. COMPLAINT OF AN EM IGRANT .-0 a W e d nes d ay l as t, Lieutenant Henry, inspector of emigrant vessels, appeared before Mr. Rushton, to prefer a com pl a i n t aga inst Mr. Holmes, for a violation of the act of parli amen t, i n h av i ng taken passage-money without being duly licensed to act as passenger broker. It appeared that an emigrant, named Thomas Bowley, had paid over to Mr. Holmes £5, for the passage of himself and wife to the United States, but that after the vessel had been out a short time, she sprung a leak, and they were obliged to return. Lieutenant Henry stated that he called at Mr. Holmes's office, and was informed that the passage-money should be returned, but as it was not immediately paid he had thought proper to bring the case before Mr. Rushton. Mr. Bardswell. who appeared for the defendant, said he (the defendant) had acted in ignorance of the act of parliament, and had taken the money merely to oblige the passengers, as the vessel was about to proceed to sea. Lieutenant Henry said the vessel would be unfit to be sent to sea for eight or ten weeks ; that she was almost rotten, being nearly 33 years old. Another emigrant, who had embarked by the said vessel, but who had been shipped by the passenger brokers, Messrs. Byrnes and Co., also complained that he had been kept back for several weeks at great expense to himself. Mr. Rushton censured the parties, and or dered the money to be paid over, observing that if there was any further difficulty in the matter. the passenger brokers must be summoned. The passage-money was than returned to Bowley—namely £7—the sum of Lt having been previously allowed for bread. INQUESTS.—On Tuesday two inquests were held before the borough coroner. The first was on the body of Wm. Poland, a man 77 years of age. who acted as watchman on board the ship Rappahannock, at present lying in the Victoria Dock. On Friday evening week he was going on board that vessel, when he fell headforemost on the deck, and injured himself so severely that he died on the follow ing day.—The second was on the body of Mary Ann. Morris, a child two years old, who, whilst endeavouring to stand on the lower part of a table, drew down a teapot filled with hot tea and scalded herself so dreadfully over the shoulders, head, and arms, that she died 011 Saturday. —Three inquests were held, before the Bo rough Coroner, on Saturday. The first was on the body of John Davidson, a man in the employ of Mr. Joseph Betteley, anchor-manufacturer. It appeared that the deceased was found, in an insensible state, in a field near Park-road, on Thursday morning last, and that he had evidently fallen down a declivity, near where he was lying. Ile was immediately removed to his house in Windsor-street, where he died on Friday of effusion of blood on the surface of the brain, the result of external violence, such as a fall.—The second was on the body of William Kendall, an apprentice on board the ship Helena, at present lying in the Prince's Dock. On Monday evening ast he took hold of the combings of the main hatch, for the purpose of going below to get a broom, and having put his foot on some goods in the hold, one of the bales canted over, and he was thrown with great violence to the bottom. On Tuesday he became delirious, and on Friday he died of concussion of the brain, the result of the fall.—The third inquest was held on an elderly man, named William Collett. On Tuesday morning he went up to Eliza Tweedle, a servant in the employ of Mrs. Curzon, who resides in Wellington-road, and after talking to her for a short time he put his hand behind him, leaned against the wall, fell down, and, after groaning three times, expired. The surgeon was of opinion that death had been caused by a rupture of the hea. t. Verdicts in accordance with the evidence were returned. CHARGE OF MISCONDUCT AGAINST TWO POLICE-. OFFICERS.—On Thursday. John Robinson preferred a complaint against Police-officers, Stee e and Guy, for using violence towards him, and also ill language in committing him to Bridewell. The complaint was brought up on Wednesday before Mr. Rushton, (having been found in Marybone the previous evening, and booked by the officers as a suspicious character) and discharged. Robinson stated that the officers accosted him on his way home, about twelve o'clock, and one of them called him a d—d thief, they then searched his pockets, and took out his pocket-book, observing at the same time that they would do as they liked, for he was a notorious thief. On arriv ing at the Bridewell, in Vauxhall-road, one of them gave him a poke in the back and used the most insulting and threatening language. The Bridewell keeper, (Ramage) remonstrated with them, and said, if they had a charge, they had better let him know, but they had no right to use such language. They were then observed to whisper together, and one of them said, Book him as a eeapici cious character." The statement of the complaint was corroborated by the Bridewell keeper, who said they used the most aggravating language in reference to the prisoner : so much so, that he found it necessary to call them to order : they also came at five o'clock in the morning, and used abusive language, because he (Ramage) had reported the case to Inspector Bibby. Steele and Guy, on being called, denied the charge made against them ; and the former said that he knew the complainant, and had seen him in bad company. Mr. Rushton remark ed that the case was not one affecting the character of Robinson, who, it appeared, had been convicted of a crime six years ago, and once or twice brought into court and discharged ; there might be some justification for suspicion against a man living as he had formerly lived, but from the time the man was brought into Bridewell until he was put down their conduct had been marked by great impropriety ; taking their whole conduct into consideration, the magistrates were of opinion that they must be suspended. DOCK COMMITTEE, THURSDA.V.—Present, Messrs. Moore, Holmes, Chilton, Trotman, Bulley, Roydon, Bold, Sandhach, Shand, Ripley, and Aikin. The Surveyor presented an estimate of the co s t o f co pin g the ri v er wall with sandstone and granite. The expence of the sand. stone was estimated at £36o—of granite at £630. Granite was ordered to be used.—A letter was read from the Finance Committee, stating that in consequence of there bring 100 vessels now lying in the river for want of dock room, the river craft dock had been placed at the disposal of the Dock Committee for a fortnight. Some conversa tion arose as to the payment to be made to the Corpora tion for the accommodation, but it was decided to allow a charge to be made first by the Council, and then the com mittee would discuss the subject.—An account, inclosed in a letter from Harvey and Falcon, was ordered to be paid. —A letter from Sir John Hall as to the Manchester Bonding Bill, having been read, Mr. Ripley said he was glad that the committee had last week decided not to inter fere in this matter. He believed that bonded warehouses in Manchest r would be decidedly advantageous to the mer chants of Liverpool. Here there was a lack of middle men as dealers, and if they infused new blood they would have a new set of dealers, and new capital introduced : If properly understood, he thought the merchants of Liver pool would support the question.—The Chairman said he understood it was a government measure so far as the p r i n ciple was concerred, and any opposition would be unavailing.—Mr. Ripley asked if there was anything new with regard to the new dock bill ?—The Chairman said it was waiting for the committee.—Mr. Ripley said he understood that Lord Haddington never intended to sit on the committee.—The Chairman said Mr. Nicol had made a mistake in stating that Lord Haddington had con sented to sit on the committee. It was supposed that he would, inasmuch as Lord Granville Somerset suggested that he ought to be asked to sit upon it.—Mr. Ripley said the matter had been stated by Mr. Nicol in a way that would lead to a supposition that his Lordship was unfa vourable to the Wallasey Bill, whereas, so far as could be ascertained, he was favourable to it. A short conversation ensued, and the committee proceeded to matters of finance. THE CHARGE OF MURDER.—The inquest on the body of Thomas Spinks, found dead in Limekiln-lane yester day morning week, as noticed in our last, was commenced on Tuesday and continued until Thursday. A great num ber of witnesses were examined, and amongst them Jane Rainford, one of the parties in custody (the two others being Charles Doyle and John Dumford, with whom the deceased had been last seen in company) was also ad mitted, which was to the effect that she, in company with Dumford and his wife, Doyle, and the deceased, visited various public-houses on Sunday evening, and eventually adjourned, about twelve o'clock, to Dumford's cellar, taking with them some liquor, which they drank ; that after being there a short time, she went out along with the deceased, but observing a man coming down the street, whom she did not wish to see, she returned again to the cellar, leaving Spinks in the street. In about five minutes afterwards, Dumford's wife, having occasion to go out, found the deceased lying in the manner described by the police-office; and during the time which elapsed from his leaving the cellar to his being found in the street, a period of about five minutes, no noise was heard, nor alarm given of any disturbance calculated to excite suspi cion. Both Dumford and Doyle were seen apparently assisting the deceased about the time of the event, but the former, when requested by the officer to accompany them to the station, appeared unwilling to do so, as he went a f ew yards and then returned. The statements of Doyle and Dumford corroborated that of the witness Rainford, and did not throw any further light on the matter; some other parties were also called, amongst others Dumford's wife, who detailed the proceedings that took place in the cellar, but with the addition, that when Jane Rainford came in, after being out with Spinks, she said—" 0 God, my chap has just come, and caught me with Tom Spinks." Mr. Edwards, surgeon to the Eastern Dispensary, who made a post-mortem examination of the body, said the deceased had died from an extravasation of blood on the brain, the result of external violence and injury, which might have been produced by a blunt instrument, such as a stick or poker, or by falling against stones or steps. The jury found a verdict of wilful murder against some person or persons unknown. The parties in custody were released. I I