The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1850-02-05 00:00:00

Fell, 5,11151 i. THE WATER INQUIRY. 45 FD INVESTIGATION STEPHENSON BEFORE MR NI Fr;d .....___. s nPali aYi the public inquiry respecting the water li.p . was resumed before Robert Stephenson, Esq., kr. c 414 I v 41% ItsuLtx, with the concurrence of the Parc!.. k r , on" theaterar mittee, read the receipts and expencli lit firit i ;• "'As C. HauvEY then came forward as the Ile said he against the sufficiency of the local supply. 'tibia l. L ' e was the occupier of a mill near Soho-street llot the n lt was a distance of 100 yards from it. He was 't,sil w" c ellyier of the mill until .some time after the kalat 6, 84 " ; but he had occasion to know something Th e w ,a circumstances connected with the sinking of it. te et h, 4 '7 came from a fissure, and they were then per- Ito,.te sm A sat ' s fied as to the quantity of water. It produced 'allio- - ", to 6000 gallons per day. He observed ee i § aff m the water four weeks after they commenced for the hours. The falling off had The iivel4_,P to the present time to a serious extent. te feetiZeel)th of the water in the well was from 13h hours, apd floe they commenced isatnping twenty-four . ou , tin e t :,...it w... . p, r -. not more than 21 feet deep. It did not ttc,-1.-ieet when they gave over pumping. It would l iellt t jise above 21 if they stopped for twenty-fou r .te itelk n -ape was not more than 21 feet N , fte t r he in we h ll 14 t b , Sattiard!"daY morning. He was down in - " e 'iY "Y night, and found that the fissures that for than a 111410481!PPlied the well did not now produce more now bLi water a minute. The quality of the water was would' It was not fit to drink, and sometimes his men the waterboeot let the horses drink it. The quality of % tata r . h gfto, to deteriorate as soon as the severe pumpingsay tilatiCweect. it smelled very bad. He could not _ re. a tt eatl r l'tbrackish. It was so bad that the ho . rses . f k ritersi,,,ternised to drink it. They had to get their drill - 't th --. "Two the neighbourhood. He could not account e wat e nlau % Li er in the same neighbourhood being better 2.1 e, to. - ' 44 11°44 - 8 B dd a number of tabular re f oZiktv,ge liad received from owners ard occupiers o tt",Rlliejltineeihbourhood of Green- an , l e in answer to to them, with the view of 44 0 2, had . forwarded . Il e h a aleetL'oe private wells in that neighbourhood had a aim since the sinking of the Green-lane well. 1 - 11 si these forms returned, .and out w iteliZ t l i eret w I tY-three of them in which the ~ Ms there was only one of . 4411 1 gc ) t bee • I'd dry or draine . d Mr. Bold opt ad , _ n either ai . l rs —Of~ the sixty-three 01;t:Ithe'ueee:ollowing particulars ng tables the . whole have been dry e eleePti Mener tr Yl and all deepened with th °II 4 two. since 1845, Ib tre In 1845. 1846. 1847. 1849 32 T ip be % er e d ry .. 13 38 tw en tf• . y ed f s • ... 0 11 1, 11 0 d . r l y i t ice, fourteen have been deep -1111,01;0`' inch thirty-five have been deepened, and 4,7 : . 1) 1 , 4r ' °eePened. Irepllb o „_ 4l, spoke as to sinking a well at Edge-lane. u l tter e ".` sank a well three years ago, and now both Ille te t lghh o ,l k ,9 o o l l spoke of the water in his own well in tlnfit,lta d of Vauxhall-road having become lat .q nrink„ * - 6 1) , iEN 50N...--It is not far from river. ki t); - 'EGok ' bout 1200 yards. It is on the eas Dm.,°erd vtoXhall-; ad Forty-eight hours' pumping the %., -i to 4 a.l" r ained ° l l But he was anxious more draw t Mr. ewe Ste henson's attention to the tt,.`loed r Water. He had P found that it at present I r d g r ains of . salt oer gallon. He had analysed tOZ*; ° _ t analysT to Mr..B . erkeley. h eL sAt k r e ia en here said he might remark in reference tir,"'dez 4 `Gregor had just stated, that in June, 1848, s,""' fop 4 .l 4 'ned the wells in the town for the Corpora- . Ste ltn se - ' e n ..,,Purp . ose of ascertaining the proportion of laietu o „tnt which they contained. He thought Mr. th:Nr would find by the documents before him . that It c 'roa :Penoer) made the common salt seventy gram_s_to 11." ‘ e er ' a i gallon. The statement now made by Mr. Ne i ; gor h, astonished him, and proyed that 14g 4 ' ° . 151:41i ° 1 1 of salt in the wells was continually increas ek, was her azainst the capabilities of the local supply k. 4 tr called; but did not answer to his name, on which h,..4ll,ienitt7te4bai,ladh,eraeuddewsiaresd that Mr. Edward Binney might proceeding to give his reasons for eNe4ot. j•E"perekPaPlication, when and said,—l must object to this k ft4 tid; ' l, e ju. l ose ad'ourned for a week to allow our ejr b Z i n the o r the w r as side j an opportunity of producing spied', e ,nee. We had expected that they would have Vole our whole of this day. Alr. Binney has been suggestion, and is only just arrived from ly almost this moment entered ea l4)o , know as nothin g of the particular subject "ie4 he will be s examined, nor the nature of the „•ste e , e e k that hewill be required to give. I must, there ii:,`crot to expected that beforethe court had beenoen one 'tour, that our friends on the other side . would t uta al,p . brought to a dead lock for want of evidence. R ot t e , - . 4c e--We are not in want of evidene. You 4 0: D 44 3 11 (A make those remarks. They are improper r hear, from Mr. Earle.) I;r:oeit:....srviednaettr..ab le H c e o a n fu h s i i u on took place, owing to Mr. s ti ; oti,. i , o s n u s N , s o a n id w , h it was understood that the e a y s i u - Non, the other side was closed ; but it was also a l p. th 4 l t tie ti tn at if evidence was given against it, and a 111e,,_ as rnade to receive further evidence to rebut Ir [meld not shut it out. it is to be given now as a reply to our I think it is irregular. The most regular course . e t hat we should be allowed first to finish our evi- L' t e 4 4 , 1) ,t1 that then the additional evidence on the other dot h " ul d be brought forward. If such an arrangement - Lade the inquiry may last for ever. •-rtAir'reenEN Well, that might be ; but I should •Ittch.'l Pursu e it the powers you have given me, V?, of course, my own discretion. S ')l " t' to ltlPPE ß. I must call the attention of the et st..ex v. r .— e_ssi l o r k which has just fallen from Mr. t skl it heLr Lace has said that I was impertinent. I can ttltzhemaeree,saeundinp the public, and allow such a re agss unnoticed. tll k t.3 4c E.--I said so, I admit. to ec 'ti ,t + lrPg itY•—Then I place myself in the hands of th - ,Vland at . once ask that Mr. Lace may be requested 1.4414_1t-s"ztatlll: observatin.. 4e. 'e xsoN.—This is certainly not proper lan to lt h t the I, • "'nuoNE —We are all here, I presume, sitting .41e ue°e fit . fthe public, and all ought to have the Lerrlds vie o w, and— agtr,eD"f "Nam ' name," and " Who is he ?") sli ‘ a „,._ tl 'elC s t i ti t inntvE e (much Rathbone ! lint; . "at Mr. Lace has said, and say that Mr. Jeffery's yer. ' ? vas impertinent. (Great uproar, and hisses.) P3 ' eP t ixicsoN. —Upon my word, I must say this is langmge. ire r ' think, sir, that—(Hisses.) 4 1 - t tP ßEtcsoN —Now, gentlemen, I take it . that we 11_ hers in search . of the truth, and such insulting 41 t Ot 0 ' has just been used must have a tendency to Our arriving at the truth. I do not think it is at 31;h Pe e k e r t lhie to - make use of such language. (Hear, tte t ‘"k w r 4 . ll l l) . R_INNEY, of Manchester, was next called I tit } ,tt li t s ee c om i ro nt i i t e t y ee 's t i t u ttendance had been procured by consequence of his great emi- Vton:_g e ologist, and his intimate knowledge with the kr. E t ded coal measures of Lancashire.) ittkthe o p z ed st t a h t e e r d e. that he was not aware on whose I ' 4l Etl ieNsoN expressed his satisfaction at this, L, (41 41 eh got I 3 otWas clear to him that the investigation Se i t ' i st °tl properly if remarks similar t . o those they L eat 'd Were permitted, indeed he said were they / litih" e innst leave the court. He then . explained to t hat toti. ti e . he was desired to give his views as to the 1 1 14; too: . and yield of the local wells in the red sand uotts,*ete Ile was very likely ayvare la resent 1/ . f th1: 10 d . 41 "Iraber of wells sunk in the to n% and .neigh-Nii' l °O; 'ion were yieldin . g . from four to five millions 10 1 ,4(4 , a Per day. An additional supply of water was 4 4 " Binney's opinion as a geologist was B .., t°o 4 l „;_he question, whether the capabilities of the - ‘htl,7die r ,"ett under Liverpool were sufficient to afford ). 1 4" .°11 0 , .. 444 supply, and whether the water in the aia,-„114,148 supplied ' from below or from above. f sk k 14e ''tY replied that he should have liked to exa iotZtkeeartieular districts referred to, and to have . en beh,Parti r points. The only practical in ""ttle. - 1 , 4 4 11 ,, r - i,e, had as to the strata under Liverpool itself e - : Le h he had derived from a communication he Neeral‘,°,lth Professor Ansted. Mr. Binney then, ik 3( 44 le V i tt as length, explained his views regarding the al e ic generally, as it applied . to South Lanca- LV this°r ownat in the districts east and vvest, hef u : and Alanchester. In a paper which tiNtj'a g w e ; the Geological Society, when Professor tth; , 1 1 14 L_,Pore!ident, h re resented the sandstone t?datn g indicated by a P thick bed of clay, next 4 111 147 0 e r's l inaestone, and underneath this was the L i ktu s ke •,, ° ch, which contained, as he had gener . ally t tZtq e 7e l anense v l me of water. The water derived ith,` , I ) `,, W o e : . sandst o o u ne was nothing in comparison wit to a Nl t i,tt NJ: He had put the depth of it down at 150 bq setting it . down at that depth, he had ehNIS I I of Oh eight miles . of Manchester it extended th' l tt t „ , 4 _ o o feet. Mr. Binney the traced the con top 'ne sandstone from east to west from Man palit'n:"NattniS this town. The marl and the lime,. with h-cierlo-`014,"e Under tile found to exist at Patricriz..ft, tiiilesi,;?, Chat Moss,A tl and Edge-green. With I°oollt-ti,Loe Salford water works eY Mr. Binney said he did pet-I.LillE:Net,,t,ll,e Manchester people knew that the suatndtu cd ' V e ld any water at all, before t s h t ey v : y e sun. e4r he r ) He had been positively 44 k& ell est th e . a w, e 4 . quantity of water that had been raised in AZ I Y g; il Y„ ° '" tie 14. By dipping t,hrough the 4 - I int" t e sandstone below, the water ra 't t° t he t tetticl e th evel of the river Irwell. With res tAtLetu oudstorie in the neighbourhood of Liverpool, t r ,4, - "` at n at e, d that the lower sandstone bad been pe- Cha111C:40.442-arTekhouse-bridge, near the town. Not t th give Y ezPeriments relative to this point,. he tl ttr e t ttea c a nY detailed oninion • but it would seem -4h o °I the sandstone Was considerable there ; he gist ti gh h l ' e tnal 4 11 * e h ex Periknents to theoretical opinions, sik4,titto.`le.hdavtgreat respect for the opinions of geolo- Q v , for in thi •ee n What Dr. Buckland had sa . id . o m f p t u h s e .. thue4los, gel o n e l ghbourbood, anfl thought it t o k to b w et gist to say how far it would exte hew e er ther th • - n‘ter e would be in the porous sandstone ~.Aat tl.t tt tverpool and the neighbourhood. He Wl' Of that Ctinehester, with all the immense quantity RI)1Y head B P ° ken of, that they had not any one git qui t te, n acres in extent. (Hear, hear.) I . n 144 to ' r nra Mr Ste henson Mr. Binn said ;the ° tied th • tY ‘s k ir h e 2 3 for their water was on account of its the q " iteeli t ., 8 ° Procured is beautifully soft ; he of expense had nothing to do with He further stated, that as much as 40,000 gallons of woe, per hour had been got from wells in Manchester within at, area of less than ten acres ; this water was from the lower sandstone. He had never known adjacent wells affected when the new well was sunk deeper. EDWARD Hinsu, foreman at a ropery about a mile from Greenlane, gave evidence to the effect that two wells on his master's premises had beep materially affected by the Green-lane works. Mr. EDWARD LEATHER, a well sinker, residing at West Derby, was next examined. He had had many years experience in well sinking. Six weeks ago he was engaged to deepen a well belonging to Mr. Rawlinson, about one hundred yards from Green-lane. He was told to deepen it because it was dry. He did not think its being laid dry was to be at all attributed to the Green lane works. It was because the spring was low. Mr. SMITH here suggested to Mr. Stephenson that if the witness was allowed to tell his own story, more parti culars would be elicited from him. Mr. STEPHENSON consented, and the witness pro ceeded. I was at Mill-bank some time since, sinking a well there, and we had no difficulty in getting a supply. Had you water soon at that well ? • Yes, we had too much water. It stopped me getting money, there was so much of it. Cloud Laughter.) Then you got water before you had sunk very deep ? Yes. And what did you want to sink deeper for after you had got a sufficient supply of water ?—We always keep sinking as long as we can. _ _ _ _ _ c, Butdo you think it right to keep sinking after you have found water ?—Oh, yes ! if we can make money. (Roars of laughter.) Mr. STEPHENSON. — Then you think there is plenty of water to be had by sinking ?—Oh, yes ! Keep finding me money, and I'll find you any quantity of water. (Re newed laughter.) What was the depth of the well of which you are speaking ?—I don't know exactly. I think about 251 yards, but I never take much notice when I am working day-work. (Loud laughter.) Mr. KENNEDY was the next witness called. He was of opinion that there is a limit to the supply of the wells. He considered the engines at Bevington-bush and Hot ham-street ought to be stopped, as they were in bad order. Mr. OWEN, who has a well 700 or 800 yards from Green-lane, found that a sympathy existed between that well and the Green-lane one—tlie works at the latter draining his, which however was replenished by sinking. Mr. THOMAS SPENCER had his evidence prepared in the form of an abstract, with respect to the supply. As this gentleman's evidence has appeared so fully before the public on various occasions, a repetition of it here is deemed unnecessary. _ _ _ Mr. BENJAMIN PLATT spoke of a well in Parliament street, that had been drained by Mr. Pennington, of Wavertree. He bad deepened several wells in that neigh bourhood—they were now generally from seventeen to thirty-five feet deep. Mr. GARDNER was acquainted with several wells in Green-lane. Had known them six or seven years. Never knew any of these wells to be affected by public wells. He knew Mr. Fletcher's well at Tuebrook, and was there that morning. There was from 3to 4 feet of water in it, and it was from 13 to 14 leet deep. Mr. STEPHENSON was surprised that in the neighbour hood of Tuebrook, where it was evident there was such an abundant supply of water, they should have to sink so deep before finding water. Mr. GARDNER, in continuation, spoke to the water in the other wells near Green-lane. There was one about a quarter of a mile from Green-lane 21 feet deep, and there was always 6 feet of water in it. Mr. STEPHENSON. — Have you heard what Mr. Bold has stated this morning as to several wells in the neigh bourhood of Green-lane having been dry since 1845, 46, and 47 ? Mr. GARDNER. — Yes. _ _ iNfr: §TEpHENsoN.—Could you suggest any cause for it ? Mr. GARDNER replied that he considered it had refer ence to the level of the wells; and regarding one of the wells named in Mr. Bold's statement as being dry, he explained that it was owing to the bore-hole in the well being plugged up. When the well was cleaned out, and the bore-hole was opened, the men had to run out of the well, the water came up so fast upon them. Several witnesses followed, whose testimony went to show that various wells in the locality were so plentifully supplied that means had to be resorted to to keep them down. . Mr. THOMAS MURRAY GLADSTONE, at considerable length, showed that the geological nature of the district was peculiarly favourable to an inexhaustible supply. Mr. GAGE, jun., followed on the subject of the hard ness of the water, and attempted to show that such water when boiled became extremely soft. He denied that the wells being near the river was the cause of the saltness imputed to the water. He disputed Mr. Spencer's state ment,—viz., that the wells of the late Harrington Com pany in 1848 contained much more salt than in 1846. when examined by Dr. Playfair : at that time they con tained six grains to the imperial gallon, but Mr. Spencer said they now averaged fourteen. _ _ . Mr. SPENCER denied that he had ever said there wt re fourteen grains of salt to the gallon in the water in the late Harrington Company's wells. If Mr. Stephenson would refer to the documents in possession of the Corpo ration, he would find that his statement was that the water contained nine grains to the imperial gallon. The inquiry was then adjourned to Saturday. 5,1 that sual e/14 0 !ter, 10 "./1 a ted to _.j, o we a '."" T ilt* LING 0 "i Thurs ail ' r o f ie ar now: s whichip a ching , bil j, in 1 845 1# 1184 7 : v 0d e .t roue Tt ss heers)• c alicoes' b l • ll .4 l sora et, l lll ear, n° jnfOP • bet N o; to Aor a ll proPt?,"" 1 0, coun tri e s cal fre e I —Thee; la, at j ° The irnstirdeesrsolboo, ,os Mr. s ` cee f ol tj ;er, giSO at half•Psof re a s ce lpo al cle. s— ted lich las 'e free-Grn arned Be i l; the sr.,'" f i k, dl inn° o rar as the d I o follow 1,1 men d el d i o er aloe° Jr. :S' ocieti Instil, 10 0 )fishing il [l's P st r r i )3, the ° peril ' le ing n° consists su perb; tb e ,r t o . fler, Mr. .r4_e ppri. veal, Ids nap Os. y e ":;" tbst: to/ be lei dlord, SAN ri Oa n 1 ,d e the cor ealed boo chat 1).!,40 to ioau of va l. ' iis piria do e EloW 0 [lat O '• y repe n t the r I Li.' r oe a, rek,ol TICUMU.:;I rn tbe , - 0 1 lot V I:1 y the I ' o lie 01 _ If n y 0 0 ;41 .elf tb.,,i„0,, Of the ear vere O coi n fret 18 49. g beep T 111 0 4 1 at rat ti ,on I,fr 1 0W bO 9 , Orl re° ly C le l ' . 0 bee" cow. p o 'he r e , li g le SATURDAY, The first gentleman called this morning was Mr. ALFRED HOLT, who stated that two wells at the Edge-hill railway station, which yielded on the 22d Jan., 1850, only 1464 gallons of water per hour, yielded on the same day in 1849 2,362 gallons per hour. Mr. GRAHAM, steward of the steamer Orion, stated that he always used the Liverpool water for the steamer, in preference to that of Glasgow, which, after rain, was sometimes as red as blood. Captain HERON, a shipmaster out of Liverpool, stated that the water procurable here was preferable to that which he could obtain in any other place in this kingdom or any other. Dr. THOMPSON then made some elaborate statements as to the quality of the Liverpool water, which he had analysed after it had been taken from many of the wells in town. He came to the conclusion that the water of Liverpool was more impure than that used by the people of Glasgow, Stirling, Edinburgh, London, &c. Mr. WEST, civil engineer, said that he had had a good deal of experience as to the yield of the red sandstone, both in Devonshire and in Liverpool, and he had no doubt but that an abundance of water could be obtained in this neighbourhood from the wells. Mr. LANGTON said that he had been employed to make a sounding of an artesian well near the copper works at Wallasey Pool, and that the water had so decreased that the works could not be carried on. In 1836 he sunk a well on the site of the Albert Dock, which was 63 feet deep, with a borehole of 313 feet. Except on Sunday and at night the water was always below the pipe, and he presumed that the well was affected by some other. Mr. HAWKSLEY then appeared, and made a very long and important statement. He went into a history of the various schemes for supplying the town with water, stating their cost and capabilities, from the beginning of 1846 to the present time. He then proceeded at great length to comment on the report of Messrs. Simpson and Newlands, and pointed out what he considered important errors and discrepancies both of practical facts and figures in that report. He did not deny but that a sufficient quantity of water might be procured from the sand stone rock, but the quality was very much deteriorating, and the expense of procuring it was greater than would be the outlay for obtaining an ample supply of pure surface water. A conversation then took place as to the future course which the enquiry should take. Mr. STEPHENSON said he proposed to go to Rivington with Mr. Hawkesley, and if anything turned up which led him (Mr. Stephenson) to think that the court should be opened again, an intimation to that effect should be made. Mr. JOHN SMITH observed that there was a great gap between stopping at Liverpool and going to Rivington, and that if necessary they wished Mr. Stephenson to sug gest a scheme of his own—his written instructions autho rising him to propose " any other plan." Mr. STEPHENSON promised to expedite the enquiry as much as possible. After it had closed it would be nearly a month before he could make his report. Mr. JEFFERY proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Ste phenson, which was seconded by Mr. Lace, and supported by Mr. Alderman Procter, and carried by acclamation. Mr. STEPHENSON expressed his sincere thanks. He was fully alive to the onerous nature of the duties he had undertaken. In advancing to a decision he had two great objects in view, that of quieting the town, if possible, and the other was to take care of his own reputation. The court was then adjourned, sine die, on the under standing stated above. Korai PC11.15. The Messrs. Willoughby have found it necessary to re duce the fare to Tranmere from 2d. to Id. A black man, named Wilson, was killed on Friday, on board the Zetus, lying in the Brunswick-dock, by the capstan bar striking him on the breast. The Roscoe Club has been granted the use of the Town Hall, for the purposes of a soiree and ball in aid of the Roscoe Ragged Schools. On Wednesday last a man named George Reed, aged 40, a shoemaker, whilst walking through Stanley-street, fell down and expired immediately. Mr. J. Co)ke, superintendent of pilots at this port, and a practical man of great experience, attributes the loss of the Hottinguer and other vessels on Blackwater Bank, to the want of a light on Arklow Bank. William Taylor, an old man, aged 74, No. 3 Court, School-lane, fell down and broke his leg on the 14th ult., from the effects of which he died in the Infirmary last week. Mr. Hausburg, of Church-street, is making a superb cabinet, on which he has been engaged four years, the value being estimated at £5OO, which will probably be one of the articles at the great exhibition in 1851. A set of fellows, during the last few days, have obtained possession of teas sent down to steam vessels, by going immediately after their delivery, and saying that there was a mistake, and that they were sent to bring them back to the shippers. On Wednesday evening a peal of grandsire caters was rung on St. Peter's Church bells, by a joint band of six of St. Luke's with four of St. Peter's ringers. The peal consisted of 5,219 changes, and was accomplished in three hours and fifteen minutes. THE PROPOSED SANITARY BILL.—At a meeting of the health committee, on Thursday, it was resolved, by a majority of nine to three, to postpone the measure until next year, in the hope of mitigating the hostiliy of the heuseowners and landowners to the sewerage and building clauses. All past experience has shown the futility of cencessions like these to vested interests in public nuisances. VIII LITIRPOOL STANDARD. The shipping trade is exceedingly depressed at Liver pool, and freights are wholly unremunerative, A Man chester house has just chartered an American ship from Calcutta at £2 15s. 6d. Freights are at least 15 per cent. lower, on the average, than they were last year. On Monday week an old man named William Tyrer, 74 years cf age, whilst walking on the ice in School-lane, slipped his foot and fell down. On being carried to the Infirmary it was discovered that one of his legs was broken. The deceased lingered till Thursday last. A few days since Henry Jones, a child five years old, son of Thomas Jones, shipwright, No. 1 Court, Hill street, Toxteth-park, fell from a chair on which he was climbing, and injured his head, from which inflammation ensued, which caused his death. The professor of music in the University of Oxford (Sir Henry R. Bishop, Knight) has addressed a highly complimentary letter to Mr. Hackett, M. 8., since his return from Oxford. It will be seen from an advertise ment in this day's Standard that Mr. Hackett resumes his professional duties during the present week. DARING BURGLARY.—On Monday night a most daring burglary was committed at the house of Patrick Duffy, provision dealer, Fontenoy-street. The thieves carried away £6 14s. sd. in money, a pair of shoes, two sides of bacon, and 71bs. of butter. The following day ten men were committed for trial, charged with the robbery. Dr. W. M. Fisher gives his lecture on astronomy, tides, eclipses, comets, &c., this evening, at St. James's Schools, St. James's Road. It requires no comment. The lec turer is already known, his ability appreciated, and his apparatus of such a character as to promise a high treat. For particulars we refer our readers to our advertising columns. PRESENTATION.—A handsome and massive silver snuff box, manufactured by Mr. Mayer, was presented to Mr. James Clegg, of the Pontack Inn, Christian-street, on Monday, " by the Liverpool Operative Plasterers' Society as a small token of respect, and in remembrance of his many acts of kindness rendered to that body." The box is valued at £9, and was presented by Mr. Richard Eason. Several alterations are now being made at the Exchange News-room. The two doors at present existing on the west side are to be removed, and their place, we believe, supplied with windows. One principal entrance is to be made at the window next the more southerly of the two doors now in use. The outer doors of this new entrance will admit into a compartment boxed from the room, on each side of which double doors will open into the room. WELSH CHORAL SOCIETY.—The fourth quarterly per formance of this society took place on Wednesday even ing, at the Concert-hall, Lord Nelson-street, and was so numerously attended that it was with difficulty several parties could gain access to the gallery and reserved seats, in the centre of which we observed his Worship the Mayor, who seemed to take much interest in the proceed ings of the evening. The programme comprised seven English compositions, and the same number of Welsh. DREADFUL ACCIDENT.—On Tuesday afternoon, about two o'clock, as Mr. Charles Jankins, a respectable plumber and glazier, in Islington, was assisting to lift a large sheet of glass on the roof of the Lime-street station, when the glass broke, and he fell backwards to the ground, a distance of fifty feet. His legs were broken, and he bled profusely from the lower part of the body. He died at seven o'clock the same evening. The sheet of glass was 12 feet by 5 feet, and the breakage was the cause of the fatality. _ _ EARLY CLOSING ASSOCIATION.—On Tuesday the members of this association celebrated their anniversary by dining together at the Queen's Arms Hotel, Lime street. About sixty sat down to dinner, amongst whom were many of those who took an active part in the estab lishment of this useful institution, and have subsequently been engaged in prom9ting its interests. The chair was occupied by Mr. J. Reyner, and the vice-chairs by Mr. Furnival and Mr. Hyde. There were also present Mr. E. L. Morris, the secretary, Mr. Kirkham, treasurer, Mr. Mirams, Mr. Fidler, Mr. Ball, &e. MONSTER LOG OF MAHOGANY.—On Thursday last, there was landed from the vessel Atlantic, Capt. Hughes, from Honduras, in the Birkenhead Docks, the largest log of mahogany that ever came into the Mersey. It mea sures in length 20 feet, depth 5 feet 5 inches, thickness 4 feet 7 inches, and contains 5,958 feet superficial mea sure. This log is one of three which were cut from the trunk of a gigantic tree felled by Messrs. Carmichael and Co., at Honduras, the trunk of which, without branches, was 50 feet long, of sound wood, and contained 17,000 superficial feet. This monster log, together with the one cut off the end of it, which measures 6.490 feet. are now in the possession of Messrs. Holme, Slater, and Crook, and may be seen, where they are placed for sale, in the Honduras Shed, Birkenhead. CURIOUS CASE.—On Monday last, an inquest washeld before J. Heyes, Esq., upon the body of a young man named Richard Prescott, son of Mr. George Prescott, Slack-house Farm, Bickerstaff. On Saturday last de ceased visited Liverpool with a cart load of produce drawn by one horse. In the evening he was seen returning to wards home quite sober ; but when the horse arrived there it was without a driver. On the following morning, about seven o'clock, deceased was found lying on the road near the railway bridge, Aughton, about three miles from his home. He appeared to have been dead for several hours, and his clothes were very dirty. Deceased's money was found quite safe in his waistcoat pocket, and his watch was found lying at some distance from the body. The jury were of opinion that he met his death by an accident. THE TIMBER TRADE.—The leading members of the timber trade are now taking efficient measures to prevent the removal of their business from the south end of the town. They have held several meetings lately which now stand adjourned, as they deem it advisable not to proceed further until the result of the interview with the Dock Committee should be known, leaving it open for them to take whatever course may be required under the circumstances. It is understood that the Birkenhead Dock Company are desirous of securing the timber trade, which employs about 260,000 tons of shipping, and that they have offered land at a mere nominal charge. The question is one requiring the deepest consideration, seeing that so many important interests are involved. The de putation waited on the Dock Committee, and the result of the interview will be found in our report of the dock proceedings in another column. PRESENT OF GREYHOUNDS TO THE PACHA OF EGYPT. —An interesting collection of animals having been pre sented to the Zoological Society, by the Pacha of Egypt, it was determined to acknowledge his kindness by for warding a number of greyhounds of the best blood this country could produce, the officers of the Society hearing that his highness had been disappointed in some dogs from France. The Earl of Derby was requested by the Society to apply to Lord Sefton, and E. G. Hornby, Esq., and the result of the application is that six have been selected from the kennel of the former gentleman, and two from that of the latter. To those conversant with coursing matters it may be interesting to know that the dogs chosen from Lord Sefton's kennel are Superfine, Speaker, three bitches by Marquis, out of Synedocke, and (we believe) Sailor. Mr. Hornby's contribution to the Pacha's pleasure are Homily and Handicapper. CALIGRAPHY.—The dispositions of men, say some persons, are indicated in their writing. The Duko of Wellington, for instance, mates bold tall letters, signifi cant of daring and ambition ; while the compact style of Mr. Brougham betrays an intellect acute and cogent. Mr. Moore writes a lady hand, from which it is inferred that gentleness prevails in his mind over more masculine feel ings. But here the theory is at fault, for Byron's writing was very like his biographer's. Perhaps, as Lord Chester field said, we can write in whatever style we please ; and on looking over some specimens at Mr. Thompson's, the other day, we were forcibly struck with the correctness of this observation. Mr. Thompson's pupils learn in a few lessons to correct the most inveterate habits, and some of our friends have had the good sense to profit by his in structions. We would recommend one or two of our cor respondents, if they wish us to read their future commu nications, to lose no time in applying to him. ACCIDENT, AND DETENTION OF THE MAILS, ON THE LONDON AND NORTH - WESTERN RAILWAY. — On Monday evening, the Newcastle express train had nearly reached the Roade station, about sixty miles from London, when it encountered an impe diment—supposed to have been a stone detached from the high cutting at the side of the line—and was forced violently off the rail, dragging the carriages after it, which swung round and formed a complete barricade across the line. The passengers were at once got out; and efforts were promptly made to raise the engine, but failed for want of force at hand. In due course the mail train from London came up, and was of course stopped. Hands were then set on to clear the line blocked by the carriages ; and, after some hours' labour, the passengers for London were forwarded by an engine and carriages procured from Wolverton. The mail passengers for the north were next provided for, an engine and carriages having been procured from Rugby, into which they were hurried higgledy-piggledy, luggage and every thing being mixed indiscriminately. At Rugby they were sorted, and sent on to their various destinations. The mail arrived here at a little after 12 on Tuesday, being eight hours behind its time. The only injury sustained was by the stoker, and it is not serious.—With reference to some remarks in our last week's paper, upon the non-arrival of a por tion of our telegraphic news, we have learnt that the company's wires were thrown down by the accident. DARING BURGLARY AT TRANMERE.—On Thursday evening last, a most daring robbery was committed at the house of Contain Prowse, Whetstone-lane. About eight o'clock a knock was heard at the door, and on the servant answering the summons she was knocked down, and five or six rough looking fellows entered the dwelling. The screams of the girl brought Mr. Prowse to her assistance, and though that gentleman is considerably advanced in years, he seized one of the robbers, but just at the moment another of the gang presented a pistol at him, and threatened to shoot him if he offered resistance. The scoundrels then ordered Mr. and Mrs. Prowse to turn their faces to the wall and demanded their purses, which jointly contained about four pounds, and were given up. Three or four of the party proceeded up stairs, and ab stracted £4O in notes from Mr. Prowse's drawer : they also carried off a silver watch and three sovereigns from the servant's drawer in the bed-room. The fellows ab stracted the money from the purses, and left them behind. After locking the family in the parlour, they effected their escape. Mr. Prowse was obliged to cut a hole through the door in order to liberate the family, and as more than an hour had elapsed before his purpose was completed, the thieves succeeded in effecting their escape. The scene of this desperate transaction is in the vicinity of the Park Hotel; and the fact that this is not the first outrage of the kind which has been perpetrated in the neighbour hood, within the last few weeks, proves beyond dispute the necessity for more efficient measures for the protec tion of the inhabitants on the Cheshire side. There is reason to believe that the burglars are still in the neigh bourhood, and it is supposed that they attempted to com mit a similar outrage at a house in Clifton-park, on the following (Friday) evening. A gentleman was talking to his wife about the robbery which had taken place at Capt. Prowse's when a knock was heard at the door. The gen tleman answered the door himself, merely opening it a short distance with the chain on. Directly the door was opened a rush was made from the outside, but without effect, and a man who was seen standing on the step com menced begging. The gentleman told him to go about his business, and on closing the door h e heard two or three men making off. The same night, about eleven o'clock, s bad character, named John Lynch. was observed loitering about in the neighbourhood of Clermont, and attempted to break into a house in a similar manner. He was taken into custody by P. C. Evans, and has been committed to prison for a month. Elistrirt Pe On Monday a drunken reprobate at Blackburn died in an instant after drinking a quart of rum. On Tuesday last the waters of the Ribble overflowed the banks, and the whole of the valley was covered to a considerable depth. At Preston station, on Saturday week, a loaded waggon passed over a breaksman, named Woof. He died soon after. On Friday the boiler at Mr. Marsland's foundry, Burn ley, exploded, and did considerable damage to the premi ses. A carter named Dugdale had his legs broken. Lately, a boy residing in Cross-lane, S'alford, was affix ing a pair of gutta percha soles to his shoes, when the composition took fire, and in endeavouring to extinguish the flames, he let the box fall on a little child, who was so dreadfully burnt that she died a few days afterwards. On Monday evening, at a tea party in the Wesleyan Chapel, Haydock, Mr. William Fort was presented with a silver tea and coffee service by his friends and admirers, as a token of their esteem, and as a memento of their regard for him, on the occasion of his leaving Haydock to reside in Liverpool. The Manchester Courier mentions having seen, at Messrs. Chubb's establishment, a padlock, made of gold, of such tiny dimensions, that it only occupies the cavity in the shield of a gold signet ring, the whole, with two keys, weighing but 16 grains. This Lilliputian lock was perfect, and its wards answered with as much accuracy to the keys as those of larger dimensions. EXTRAORDINARY.—The Manchester Examiner relates that, yesterday week, Mrs. Burke, of Chorlton-upon- Medlock, being absent at Southport, had so singular a dream that, considering it ominous of evil, she hastened home next morning, and found her husband dead. He had retired to rest in his usual health the night before, but was found dead by his servant next morning. The shock to the lady was so severe that her life his been despaired of. SIGNS or THE TIMES.—For the first time since the restoration, the bells of the Manchester cathedral omitted to rinc , a muffled peal on the anniversary of the Martyr dom of b King Charles. This omission took place by the express orders of the reforming churchwardens. We take this to be an ominous indication that the days of old Oliver are rapidly coming back again upon the then plun dered Collegiate Church. MANCHESTER AND LIVERPOOL AGRICULTURAL SO CIETY.—The next annual meeting and cattle show of this society is to be held at Warrington, on the 25th Septem ber. In lieu of the ploughing match, which has generally been held in the spring, there will, this year, be a trial of implements, in some field near the town of Warrington, the day before the show. It appears this town is nearly in the centre of the society's district, which comprises South Lancashire, North Cheshire, and all other places within thirty miles (in a direct line) of Newton-in-the- Willows. Mr. Wilson Patten, who resides at Warrington, has accepted the office of president, and the Mayor of Warrington IMr. Benjamin Pierpoint) has consented to be one of the vice-presidents. Next year, Cie society's anniversary is expected to he held in Manchester. REFORM MEETING AT MANCHESTER.— On Tuesday evening an aggregate meeting of the National Financial and Parliamentary Reform Association was held in the Free Trade Hall, Manchester. The platform was filled with the ancient notables of the league, George Wilson, Esq., presiding, and introducing the business of the even ing by an exceedingly appropriate and effective address. There was but one resolution—which was moved by Mr. Archibald Prentice, and seconded by James Kershaw, Esq., M.P., affirming the reduction of public expenditure to the standard of 1835—the extension of the suffrage to all householders, according to Air. Hume's plan—the re distribution of parliamentary seats—the adoption of tri ennial purliaments—and vote by ballot. Long speeches were delivered by Mr. Cobden and Mr. Bright •, after which a vote of thanks to Messrs. Cobden and Bright was moved by Mr. Henry Ashworth, seconded by Alexander Henry, Esq., M.P., and carried by acclamation. _ . . ROCHDALE SAVINGS' BANK.—The committee of the depositors had an interview with the trustees of thoobank this week. Mr. Howarth's factory has been sold for about £4,650, although it cost £30,000. The greater part of the trustees have put down their subscriptions condi tionally—that is to say, each promised to give £l,OOO, on condition that £25,000 were subscribed in Rochdale. All the trustees, with the exception of the Rev. Dr. Moles worth, the vicar, have now agreed to give their £l,OOO each without any restriction. It has been discovered from Mr. Howarth's accounts, that he took as much as £20,000 from the deposits of the savings bank within the first three years after he began to abstract those funds. In the first year he took £5,000, in the second £6,000, and in the third £9,000. It has also been discovered that depositors have been receiving parish relief, and have been buried from the parish funds. The overseers will now have a claim on such deposit equal to the sum expended by the parish on behalf of such depositor. THE ST. HELENS SAVINGS' BANK. -The examination of John Johnson, the actuary, and Win. Johnson, his brother and sub-actuary, took place on Monday, at the Town-hall, St. Helens, before Robert Neilson, Esq. (chairman), the Rev. J. R. S. Evans, and William H. Brancker. Esq. Mr. Aspinall, barrister, appeared for the trustees of the bank ; Messrs. Taylor and Whitley ap peared for the defendants. Mr. Aspinall said the charges would relate to a sum of £2OO, which was alleged to have been received and not accounted for by Mr. Johnson, on the 15th of August, 1842. The prisoner, William John son, so far as this case went, would be charged as an accessory after the fact; his brother as principal. Mr. John Haddock, trustee of the St. Helens Savings Bank, and other witnesses were examined, after which the magistrates committed the prisoners —John Johnson for the embezzlement of £2OO, and William Johnson as an accessory after the fact, with a guilty knowledge. They were also committed for conspiracy to defraud and cheat. William Johnson was admitted to bail, but his brother remained in custody until the amount of his bail should be decided by the Court of Queen's Bench. LIFE IN A HOVEL.—DEATH OF A STRANGE INDI VIDUAL.—On Tuesday Mr. E. Herford, coroner for Manchester, held an inquest at the union workhouse, New Bridge-street, Strangeways, on the body of Robert Dunn, a ropemaker, aged 66 years. The evidence showed that for some years past, the deceased had evinced a strange disregard of what are usually considered the first requisites of personal comfort. It was stated that for up wards of nine years he had worked at a rope-walk, near the Carpenters' Hall, Charles-street, belonging to a man named Joseph Oint. The deceased, and one or two men who worked with him, made and sold ropes on their own account ; and, it was stated, that the deceased's earnings usually averaged from 10s. to 12s. a week. During the whole of the period referred to, he had lived in a small and ruinous brick hovel, at one end of the rope-walk, which was not floored, and into which the rain and wind had free access. He had nothing like a bed, and was never known to lie down, as he usually passed his nights seated on a wooden stool, leaning his head against a sort of opening in the wall, which was designated a " window stone," but which was no more than a hole filled with wrappering. From the mud, caused by the rain, which found its way into the place, the hovel was " as bad as any pig cote." The deceased did not stint himself in food ; but the principal part of his earnings was accounted for by a witness, who was acquainted with him, who said that "he used to drink and enjoy himself very well." He had the scurvy very badly in both legs, but he never took off his clothes, and seldom washed himself. On Friday he did a little work at the rope-walk, but on Saturday he did not appear at his usual time. About three o'clock in the afternoon he was found in the hovel referred to, seated in his usual position, but almost speech less. Some spirits were given to revive him, and, in the course of the day, the necessary steps were taken for his removal to the workhouse. It was, however, between ten and eleven o'clock before he reached that place ; and when he was taken out of the van, he was found to be almost dead, and he expired within a very short time.-- Mr. J. H. Coveney, surgeon, found evident signs of con sumption in both lungs. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. ALLEGED ROBBERY.—On Wednesday, Anthony Fitz patrick was charged with stealing a purse containing £2l, the property of Frederick Stephens, a traveller, staying at the Trafalgar Hotel, Waterloo-road. The prosecutor had placed the purse on a sofa in a room in the hotel in which the prisoner and two other persons were sitting, and after being absent a short time, missed the purse ; but on re turning to the room the men had disappeared, as well as the purse.—Remanded for seven days. ALLEGED ROBBERY OF TEA.—On Thursday, Henry Burke, a delivery officer in T. and H. Littledale's office, was charged by Mr. George Tinnewell with having, on Saturday last, stolen a quantity of tea which should have , been deposited in Mr. Tobin's warehouse, 297, Denison street. It appeared that on the day in question, the pri soner, having got possession of the tea, called at a public house, asked for a glass of ale, and left the tea there in a sack. The prisoner was remanded.—Samuel Jones, a carter, was also charged with having secreted, in his van, after discharging a quantity of tea into Mr. Tobin's ware house, about thirteen pounds of that article, although stating that the van was cleared. Remanded. SERIOUS ASSAULT. COMMITTAL OF Two POLICE. OFFICERS.-At the police court, on Wednesday last, a serious charge of assault was preferred against police Offi cers No. 486 (Page), and No. 809 (Sheridan,) by Mr. John Kilshaw, timber dealer, Bootle. It appeared from the evidence adduced, that on the night of Monday, the 21st ult., the complainant and some others went to a public house, and had some bottles of wine. A scuffle ensued between the parties, the wine was not paid for, and the police interfered. A man named Dodd was taken into custody, but subsequently released, and Dodd and Kilshaw, after going to the public house, and getting a hat, returned home together. The police went to Mr. Kilshaw's house, who, on hearing the rap at the door, went into his yard, accompanied by Dodd, to see that everything was safe. The police followed them into the yard, a scuffle ensued, the police used their cutlasses and sticks, and Mr. Kilshaw was severely wounded. On the part of the police, it was attempted to be shown that a charge of felony had been preferred against Mr. Kilshaw, and on Wednesday evening the case was adjourned to next day. On Thursday the case was again resumed, but the police failed to prove they were justified in following Mr. Kilshaw into his yard, and using such violence as they did, and Mr. Rushton committed them for trial. 9(0161101ra! anb 3Portinittural COLUMN, it is high time that some steps were taken to improve the nomenclature of florists' flowers; the country has long been looking to the metropolitan societies for some change, but as yet nothing has been done. Every year the catalogues teem with names most incongruous or meaningless. Not only are flowers christened with ridi culous names ; but fruits also come in for a share of the absurdity. We should willingly take the initiative from the Lon don florists, who are in every respect competent to set an example; but we think that much longer time ought not to be allowed to elapse before some radical change is ef fected ; and, if need be, we believe the Liverpool horticul turists are as capable as any of making the commence ment. What can be more absurd than such names as Marchioness Cornwallis, Oakley's Surprise, and Sweet meat, for three Dahlias? The first is unexceptionable, if it were part of a uniform system ; that is, if florists were to name all deserving flowers after some distinguished member of the aristocracy : the light colours might be named after the female celebrities, and the dark-coloured ones after the male. For such flowers as tulips the names of military men might be used. Classical names, ancient and modern, with the distinction of male and fe male, or light and dark, as proposed for dahlias, would serve for roses. Numbers would do for many flowers of inferior note, as pansies, pinks, calceolarias, &c. A little ingenuity would soon supply all that is necessary to com plete a system. Scientific names might easily be sup plied to designate every new variety, but this is not wanted. Where species and genera are concerned, the case is different; the universal language of science is then absolutely necessary, that all may be able to recognise the individual designated ; but varieties have generally only a temporary, and even in some instances a local in terest; sometimes they are mere matters of trade, or of fashion, and generally cease to be remembered as soon as newer favourites are produced. This is no objection, however, to the proposition we have made, for introducing a regular nomenclature ; system in this, as in everything else, would increase the facilities of studying floriculture. But facility is quite a secondary object to be gained ; the real benefit would be in avoiding that medley of vulgar and absurd names which makes the cultivation of florists' flowers positively annoying to persons of refined taste. We give the following, which is only a fair sample : Tulips: Dangerous and Do-little. Carnation: Premit's Bendigo. _Ranunculus: Quaker Lady. Verbena: One in the Ring. Pansy: Privateer. Dahlias: Box, and Triumph de Peck. Pinks : Smallthorn and Harkforward. Polyanthus : Cheetham's Lancashire Hero. A nice se lection for a lady's garden ! We can hardly fancy such names tripping from a lady's tongue ; besides which, their incongruity must strike every one. To begin with the list, there is a dangerous tulip and a lazy one, a prize-fighting carnation, a quakeress ranunculus, a verbena (like the carnation) " one of the fancy," a buccaneering pansy, a dahlia called box, from no resemblance, we presume, but probably to add another to the many meanings of that little word ; and one named " Triumph de Peck," most likely to shew that some Mr. Peck admires the French language. These absurdities might be multiplied ad infinitum ; we believe they only require to be com pletely exposed, and they will then soon be abolished : the sooner the better; and we should like to see the step first taken by the Liverpool horticulturits. PAPERS ON AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY. NO. XVIII. The loss of manure in this country is almost incredible, and the money expended in bringing it from distant parts is also immense ; in the article of night-soil alone it is calculated that at the present price of manure not less than £2,000,000 worth is annually wasted in the river Thames alone, every particle of which might be saved with ease, and rendered totally inoffensive; besides which, it would become as easily transportable as guano, more effi cacious, and infinitely cheaper. Whence then the in fatuation which allows not only its waste, but the mischiefs which it causes by polluting our rivers ? Public attention is becoming awakened to the importance of this subject, and money is beginning to be realised, in the metropolis, by the conversion of night-soil into manure, which has all the advantages, and even more, than guano. It is calculated that if the sewage and night-soil be added together they would furnish sufficient to raise all the corn which this country at present produces, and yet they are thrown away, to create sickness and death, and the hardly-earned money of the agriculturist is expended in the pu!chase of foreign manures. In order to render night-soil fully available, as a manure, it is absolutely essential to have large tanks in the farm yard ; into these tanks not merely the liquids of the manure heap should be allowed to drain, but also all the refuse of every kind from the house ; the solid manure of the stables should also be mixed from time to time, in small quantities, that it may be thoroughly decomposed, while powdered char coal and calcined loam should be mixed at intervals, to fix the ammonia, and destroy the offensive effluvium. Of course, this must be applied in a liquid form, and the best time for administering it would be after the crops bad commenced growing—this of course could easily be done by liquid manure carts. These admit of great room for improvement, and doubtless may be made much more convenient than those at present in use. A great object would be gained in manuring two ridges at one time ; this might be managed by mounting a square wooden tank on the centre of a long axle, which would carry the wheels into two furrows, while the horses could be led along the intervening one. The tank should have per forated delivery pipes, corresponding with the length of the axle; these would spread the liquid over two ridges with ease ; the front of the tank would have to be sup ported upon another wheel, which would run in the centre furrow ; thus the liquid manure could be distributed without the slightest injury to the growing crop, and not one particle would be wasted, which is not the case when manure is applied to the soil before the seed has germi nated. We have, (on a small scale,) tried the difference between manuring before the germination, and after the plant is up ; the difference in favour of the latter is two fold. MISCELLANEA We regret exceedingly to find that the plants of Victoria at Kew, which last September were in such vigorous health, and promised so much, have also failed during the present and late severe and very dull, " lifeless" weather. Some of the plants were found, after death, when the centre of the stems were examined, to have the flower buds perfectly formed ; showing, we think, if anything can, that the plants were checked, not for want of water or suitable earth—not for want of any essential ele ment but one. Autumn had returned, and brought with it long, dark nights and dull days, and of course a diminution of light. Thus autumn arrived a month too soon. Had the plants been provided with a suitable tank in June or July, instead of September, we cannot conceive anything more certain than that the plants would have matured their flowers early in the autumn. The fate of the Chatsworth plant will determine, to some extent, whether or not it is an annual. We understand Mr. Veitch has also lost his plant. Such of the plants at Kew as may be preserved through the winter, will now, however, be in a condition to make a fair start on the return of brighter weather and longer days ; and no doubt they will be seen in flower in these gardens early in the summer. It is gratifying to be able to state that the large palm house and the heating apparatus at Kew have all answered completely during the late severe weather. In the large house the plants look remarkably well ; and, notwith standing the severity of the weather, it had not been found necessary to call the whole of the heating apparatus into use. It is a remarkable circumstance that on the morning of December 29th, when there were in the Regent's Park 18 degrees of frost, there should be exactly the same degree of cold at Kew, and at Exeter, in Devon shire. We are in the habit of calling Devonshire a mild climate, We fear many of the Devonshire plants, which usually stand the winters there, will suffer during the present winter.—Gardeners' and Farmers' Journal, Our attention , has been called to the culture of the New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) as a suitable plant to grow under the shade of trees as a cover for game, and as an article of utility and value on account of its fibre for the purpose of cordage. As some of our readers may not be familiar with the plant, we may say it belongs to the natural order Asphodelete, and is associated with such genera as Narthecium. Scilla, Alium, Asparagus of our British flora ; and Dracaena, Dianella, Thysanotus, and others as exotics, and resembles a gigantic sweet flag or Iris. In many gardens about London it stands ; it will survive without much injury such winters as the present, that is it will bear 18 degrees of frost in an exposed place, with such protection as, if thickly planted, the foliage of the plant itself would supply. That it would therefore grow freely, and with a large amount of certainty, along the south coast, and especially in Cornwall and the south of Ireland, no reasonable doubt can be entertained ; but as to how far it could be made profitable, is a question the solution of which is involved in considerable difficulty. The plant, as most of our readers are aware, abounds in fibre, from which cordage and fabrics of various kinds are manufactured in New Zealand and Norfolk Island, where, indeed, they have no other.—Gardeners' Journal.— [With care we feel sure the Phormium tenax might be grown in the neighbourhood of Liverpool. In pleasure grounds it would produce a fine and novel effect.—Hort. Ed.] Dr. Hooker, the enterprising botanist, now in India, has been made a prisoner by the Rajah of Sikkim, but no evil is apprehended more than the delay. OPERATIONS FOR TIIII WERE Stoves, Conservatory, kc.—The frost having been suc ceeded by mild weather, has given an impetus to vegeta tion under cover ; and many things, such as roses, azaleas, both Chinese and American dentzia, scaber, &c., may now be placed in the stove for forcing. Pot heaths and the autumn struck cuttings of Pelargonium. Prune all stove and green-house creepers in pretty closely. Give air freely to the conservatory and green-house in fine open weather. Flower Garden.—Active operations must now be re sumed in this department. Alterations of all kinds should be made as speedily as possible ; lay down box borders where required, and finish planting deciduous trees and shrubs. Kitchen Garden.—Ground must now be got speedily into order for spring crops ; a successional sowing of early peas and beans may be made ; and if the weather conti nues mild, it will be advisable to commence potato plant ing. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. A new arrangement has been made respecting the Wool ton Flower Show for 1850. We will give the particu lars in our next. "J. SHILLITO, PRESCOT."—No. 1 is Euphorbia Jacqui- niflora, and No. 2 Adiantum cunestum. " J. Cuaviss."—Your plan of cementing the edges of the panes of glass in Horticultural structures would not answer at all; the laps are of the greatest utility for ventilation. LOCAL MEETINGS. Tin PENITENTIARY.—On Tuesday the annual meet.. ing of the friends of the Liverpool Female Penitentiary. was held ; John Cropper, Esq., in the chair. It appeared from the report that the aspect of the institution is en couraging, the experiment of making it industrial having proved successful both in a financial and moral point of view. The admissions and dismissals during the year have been as follows :—ln the house, as p er l as t report, 46 ; applicants for admission, 54 ; applicants refused as unsuit able for want of funds, 19 ; applicants taken into the probation ward, 35 ; total in the house during the veer, 81; restored to their friends or plac e d i n serv i ce, 14 ; left by their own desire or disobedience of rules, 10 ; proved imbecile, 1 : eloped, 3 ; did not return from hospital, 2 ; remaining in the house at this time, 51; of whom there are on probation, 10, and fully admitted, 41 ; total num ber admitted from the commencement, 1,518 ; expelled, 190 ; eloped, 38 ; left by their own desire or for disobe dience, 598 ; restored to friends or placed in service, 520 ; removed to other institutions, 98 ; died, 22 ; remain in the house, 52. The ladies' committee report very favour ably of the gerteral conduct of the penitents during the year, and have supplied a few extracts from their minutes in illustration of the good effects of the institution. The Rev. F. Parry moved the first resolution, in an effective speech, in which he pleaded most ably the claims which the charity possessed on the public for support. TEA AND TIMBER DUTIES.-At the public meeting, held at the Sessions-house, on Thursday, the proceedings were unanimous, and assumed the form of resolutions, (see advertisement,) and a petition to parliament for the reduction of the above duties. The speakers were Messrs. A. H. Wylie, William Rathbone, Francis Boult, Charles Robertson, R. V. Yates, John Smith. R. W. Ronald, H. Crosfield, and Richard Sheil. The meeting was a de cided failure, as is admitted by the radical papers. The Journal says, " All possible publicity had been given to the fact, that such a meeting was to be held—all the ma chinery of the Financial Reform Association had, doubt less, been put_ in motion to secure a decent number of unemployed persons as an audience; and it might reason ably have been expected, just at this juncture, after some two or three years of speech making and tract publishing, on all the interminable topics of financial reform, that such a number of the inhabitants of Liverpool would be present as might, at least, serve to inspirit the contem plated orations. The result was, however, most depres sing : entering the hall from the crowded 'Change, the effect on the spectator was as if he had been intruded on a tomb ; at least, it might have been imagined, from the sombre aspect of those around, and the melancholy ex pression which crept over the features of the orators, that a trial was going on, and that sundry very respectable gentlemen were acting as advocates in defence of the Fi nancialßeformAssociation—indicted before John Holmes, Esq." WEST DERBY GIIARDIANS.-At the weekly meeting, on Wednesday, considerable discussion took place as to the claim of Mr. Shaw, the guardian, for work done at the fever hospital. Mr. Shaw's claim amounted to some £25, and, in consequence of it being considered too high, the board some time ago refused to pay the money, and Mr. Shaw commenced an action. The solicitor to the board attended, and stated that he could not defend the action with any degree of confidence that he should suc ceed. It was, however, determined that the action should take its course. Mr. Sidney announced his intention of retiring from the board, and complained of the attacks made on him through the press and other sources. Several members said that, in cons-quence of the decision. come to, they should retire from the Finance Committee. Messrs. Griffiths, who had been engaged in erecting the new buildings, attended the board, and stated that Mr. Shaw, the guardian, had interfered with them, and had endeavoured to induce them to send an extra bill into the board. Mr. Shaw charged Messrs. Griffiths with not having done the work according to specification ; and also complained of Mr. Edwards, the architect. Mr. H. Edwards expressed disapprobation at the reflections orc his son's conduct. Mr. Shaw—lt shall not be smothered. Mr. Edwards—My son would smother a fellow like you, who go about like a beast of prey, seeking whom you can devour. (Confusion.) If my son had the spirit he ought to have, he would make the dust fly out of your jacket. (Great uproar and confusion.) The Chairman with difficulty succeeded in putting a stop to the perso nality. Ultimately the matter was referred to the Build ing Committee. The salary of Mr. Chalmers, medical officer for Everton, was fixed at £6O, and that of Mr. M'Culloch, for Bootle, Litherland, Orrel, and Ford, at £5O. DOCK COMMITTEE.—At the weekly meeting on Thurs day, Mr. Littledale presided. A conversation took place arising out of a letter from Mr. Salter, offering to reduce his estimate for supplying a model of the docks, &c., to the forthcoming exhibition in London, to the sum of eight hundred guineas. It transpi-ed that the secretary to the committee at the Town-hall had written to Mr. William Brown to inquire whether, in the case of a model being prepared, it would be acceptable to the committee, but an answer had not been received. Mr. Fisher moved, and Mr. Preston seconded the motion, that the Dock Committee did not think themselves justified in contribu ting to the expense of any such model for the purpose intended. An amendment was proposed by Mr. Bold, and careed,—" that the subject be deferred until Mr. Brown's letter should be received."—A deputation from the timber trade, consisting of the following gentlemen: Messrs. Halhead, M. Gregson, Owen Jones, Jas. Smith W. H. Anthony, Farnworth. James Bland, and Quin ton Fleming, was received. The Chairman expressed his desire, both as an individual and as chairman of the com mittee, and also the desire of the members of the com mittee generally, to afford every facility in their power to forward the interests of the timber trade. Mr. Halhead, on the part of the deputation, said the object they had in view was to ask that accommodation might be afforded to the trade at the south end. They had seen the plan relative to the north end, and they wished to remain at the south, as their connexion and establishments were all there. The Chairman said the subject of the extension of the south end had been under consideration for some time, and last Saturday the surveyor had instructions to prepare plans for the Committee of Works, for their meeting on Saturday next. When these plans were com pleted, the Dock Committee would be very happy to sub mit them for the inspection of the timber trade, either through their deputation at that committee, or they could, if they thought proper, meet the Sub-committee of Works. Mr. Smith (one of the deputation) said the only question was, whether accommodation could be given to them at the south, equal in quality and as cheap in price, as they could get elsewhere. If an answer was given to this, and this accommodation could not be afforded, the trade could then take other steps.—Mr. Gregson (one of the deputation) spoke of the importance, in a financial point of view, to the Dock Trust itself, that accommodation should be provided at the south.—After a lengthened conversation, an assurance was given that the representations made should meet with every conside ration from the committee, and the deputation withdrew. On the motion of Mr. Bold, it was resolved to add the names of Mr. Rankin and Mr. Lockett to the Committee of Works, and that the whole subject of affording accom modation to the timber trade be referred to that com mittee. SELECT VESTRY.—A special meeting of the Vestry was held on Tuesday, for the purpose of taking into considera tion the resolutions proposed by Mr. Charles Willmer, as to the rating of cottage property. The Rev. Rector Camp bell occupied the chair.—Mr. Willmer proposed the reso lutions, which, with slight modifications suggested by the Chairman, in order to make them legal, were exactly those of which he had given notice :—" That this Vestry is of opinion that a large majority of the population of this parish, living in tenements assessed at fifteen pounds and under, are totally unable to pay the whole amount of the poor's rates legally payable by them. That in considera tion of that general inability, and in order to prevent, as far as possible, any oppression of the poor, it is expedient that a uniform system of remission should be established. That with a view to the accomplishment of this object, the members of this Vestry shall be divided into seven committees of four members each, and that each of these committees shall meet once a week, and superintend the collection of one collector. That it be a recommendation from this vestry to each of these committees to remit the rates, as far as practicable, to the following proportions, viz. :—To persons inhabiting houses assessed at ten pounds and under, to one shilling; to persons inhabiting houses assessed at eleven, twelve, and thirteen pounds, to one shilling and sixpence ; and to persons inhabiting houses assessed at fourteen and fifteen pounds, to two shillings in the pound. That in future years when the rate levied is three shillings in the pound or over, the scale above mentioned shall be acted upon ; but when the rate shall be less than three shillings, then persons inhabiting houses assessed at ten pounds and under shall pay one third of the rate ; persons inhabiting houses assessed at eleven, twelve, or thirteen pounds shall pay one-half; and persons inhabiting houses assessed at fourteen and fifteen pounds shall pay two-thirds of the rate. That in order to collect these rates with success to the parish, and without oppression to the tenants, it is desirable that the bills should be rendered in small amounts, say twice a year ; and that an intimation be printed upon each bill setting forth in the clearest and most explicit words, that the rates will be received and called for by the collectors, in amounts varying from threepence to two shillings and sixpence monthly ; the first payment to be made one month after the delivery of the bill. That no proceedings shall be taken to enforce the rates against the occupier of any cottage tenement, except in special cases, until the failure to pay the third consecutive instalment shall have been made, and no summonses shall be applied for, or warrants of distraint put into force until they shall have been specially ordered by one of the committees. That a memorial from this Vestry to the Town Council be pre pared and forwarded, praying that in cases where sum monses and warrants may be required for the recovery of _ these reduced rates, that they may be granted free of cost." —Mr. Cafferata seconded the resolutions, which were op posed by Mt. Brown, Mr. Abraham, and Mr.M , Knight. —Mr. Harbord left the room, prot estin g against the le gality of the proceedings altogether.—After a lengthened discussion the Vestry divided, wben there appeared for the resolutions, 15 ; against them, 7; namely, for—Messrs. Clarke, Wylie. Denton Denton, Savage, Fairhurst,M Mellor, Cafferata, Whitby, hitby Gard ner, Blair, Molyneux, Woodruff, Hodson, and Dover. Against--Messrs. Brown, M'Knight, Came, Hindley, Jeffery, Ireland, and Abraham.—Mr-.Br9wn gave no ti ce o f hi s i ntent i on to pro p o se the r esemding of this res o l u ti on ; an d M r . Hod son gave notice of hisintention to renew his motion for fixing the amount of rates to be levied on cottage property at . five per cent.—A co mm itt ee was appo i n t e d t o c arry into effect the resolution adopted by the Vestry. The rule nisi against the proprietors of the Morning Post, for a libel on Count de Thomar, of Lisbon, was made absolute on Wednesday, but no further proceedings will be taken, as the proprietor, though legally, is not morally responsible, not having been proprietor of the ; paper when the libel was published.