The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-02-25 00:00:00

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS A speCial meeting of the Town-council was held on Tues day, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, in the Council chamber, within the Town-hall. The first subject brought under consideration was the bill " For the improvement, good government, and police regu lation of the borough." The TOWN-CLERIC said many of the provisions had been embodied in former acts, and it had been thought expedient to consolidate all the matter of such local acts with such new matter as might be required in one act. The preamble to the bill recited the various existing local acts, and then the reasons for the consolidation. After sundry minor pro visions, without any new matter of importance, it went on to provisions for extending the extraordinary powers of the Council to take land for public purposes, both particularly and as specified in a schedule, and generally as the rapidly increasing population and trade of the borough may render necessary. This was to compel refractory parties to sell in the line of an improvement, and to enable incompetent per sons to convey such property. Mr. BOLTON chases. Lsked what fund was to pay for such pur- The TOWN-CLERK said there was no fund whatever pro vided by this bill. There was nothing in the fluid which rendered any purchase obligatory on the Council. The MAYOR.—It is only an enabling bill. Mr:G. H. LAWRENCE said the borough fund act gave power to improve the town. Now this bill went for power to compel parties to sell property in the line of improvement. The TOWN-CLERK.—To compel them to sell and capaci tate incompetent persons to make sales. Agreed to. NUISANCES Section 132: " That if any foundry, &c. &c. &c. shall be a nuisance to any inhabitant, or if any steam-engine here after to be erected in the borough, by not consuming the smoke arising therefrom, shall be a nuisance to any inhabi tant, the Council shall order the person, by or on whose be half such nuisance is carried on, to discontinue or remedy the same." Tire penalties for non-compliance are left blank. Provision is made that any person aggrieved may appeal to the Recorder. Mr. ISAAC HOLMES would divide the Council against the clause. If any individual imagined a manufactory to be a nuisance, he might put the proprietors to great expense and trouble. There were individuals who could not consume their own smoke. He had asked a party what they would do in such a case as Fawcett's foundry, and the reply was, that they would stop it if it were a nuisance. Mr. Holmes made some allusions to the soap trade, and to the difficulties which would arise if they attempted to put down all manufactories which could not consume their own smoke. He would move that the words, "if practicable," he introduced into the clause, so that it might be that parties should be compelled to consume their own smoke, if practicable. Mr. Antix and Mr. H. LA:witsrtett expressed their opinidn, that the law would become a. dead letter if the alte ration were introduced. The TOWN-CLERK said he believed all might be consumed by a very simple plan. Mr. YATES said the plan of Mr. Wye Williams might be adapted to any steam-engine. • Mr. HENRY HOLMES 'said the plan had been entirely re jected in Leeds. Mr. H. LAWRENCE suggested that, in lieu of clause 133, which enacted an increasing fine for the nuisance continuing unremedied after notice, it should be enacted that it should be discontinued within thirty days, and remedied within such other time as the Council should order.—Agreed to. The bill contains clauses 135, Penalty on suffering dogs to go at large after notice,-136, Dogs suspected to be mad may be destroyed,-137, Penalty on suffering mad dogs to be at large. Mr. GLADSTONE said if these clauses were what they ap peared to be, he thought they were very hard upon the poor dogs. They were, it appeared, to be destroyed on suspicion. lie wished to have it defined what the suspicion was to be grounded upon. Mr. PRIESTL EY mentioned an instance of a gentleman who had a very fine Newfoundland dog taken from him by a policeman, shortly after the Mayor's notice appeared on the walls, and it was destroyed before he could make any repre sentations in its behalf. Mr. HODGSON said, a policeman who interfered impro perly with a dog would undoubtedly lose his place. After some further conversation the clause was passed. DRUNKENNESS From 138 to 142 inclusive, provided powers for impound ing cattle, &c. 143, penalty on drunkenness. If not imme diately paid, imprisonment. Mr. PARKER said, he hoped this clause would be rigidly enforced. There were hundreds of persons came before the magistrates for drunkenness who were dismissed without any fine whatever. Mr.' COOPER.—It ought to be 10s. for being drunk on a Sunday. Mr. PARICER.—And for every common councilman who gets drunk it ought to be £5. Clause 144 enacts, that drunken persons guilty of riotous or indecent behaviour, are to be fined 10s. Imprisonment in default. STREET NUISANCES Clause 149 enacts, that , as persons may be sick, &c. if one person desired a musician playing in the streets to depart, he roust do so. Several members opposed these views, and it was at length agreed to let the clause stand. HOISTING INTO WAREHOUSES. Clause 1524nflicts penalties on persons hoisting goods into warehouses without proper tackle, and 153 on occupiers of warehouses, &c. permitting goods to be so hoisted in or deli vered out of warehouses without sufficient tackle. Several members were of opinion that the description of tackle to be used should be mentioned. Mr. HODGSON and Mr. EVANS opposed this, on the ground that parties would be tied, so long as the law re mained in force, not to avail themselves of any improve- It was at length agreed to adopt the clause as it stood. Clause 151, embodying very many provisions, was then considered at length. On the first section of this clause, Mr. Nicol, noticed a clause against washing carriages in the streets. He contended at large against it, speaking of the inconvenience which he had suffered from not being per mitted to wash his carriage in the street. The TOWN-CLERK said, it would not be possible to per mit the Atteetto made into a carriage-yard. Mr. H. LAWRENCE suggested that a provision should be inserted for making any driver, not actually engaged in setting down or taking up passengers, move on from any door or shop, so as to allow another carriage to set down or take up. Mr. AIKIN wished some change to be inserted against par ties carrying iron rods on the footway. It was agreed that both propositions should be referred to the finance committee. BOYS' SPORTS. Mr. Ev AN s called attention to a clause which he strongly objected to, as, unless altered, it would enable parties to ex ercise great tyranny on children. The clause commenced, " Every person who shall fly any kite or play at any game, or trundle any hoop, to the annoyance of any passenger or inhabitant," &c. Mr. Evans contended that the boys did not go into the great thoroughfares to fly their kites, but the clause prevented the boys from pursuing their recreations anywhere, and by saying " to the annoyance of any inhabi tant," left it to any ill-natured individual to disturb the boys of a whole neighbourhood at their sports. Mr. GLADSTONE suggested that a clause should be in serted to restrain persons from driving cattle without a suffi cient number of hands to keep the beasts from the footwalk, and from covering the whole carriage-way. Mr. ASPINALL spoke of the practice of driving pigs on the foot-walk, and particularly of the nuisance so common on the sabbath, of pigs being driven in droves through the streets. Mr. GLADSTONE said, in allusion to the subject of hoist ing, that it would be well if the warehouses were to be so altered that, instead of a tackle projecting over the foot-walk, they should hoist in .a recess. It was agreed that all these subjects be referred to the Finance Committee. THE POLICE-SICK FUND After provisions for lighting, &c., the police clauses were read. In relation to 223, which makes provision for the relief of constables in case of sickness, it was stated, that in lieu of the regulation which required every man in the force to be long to a sick club, it was intended to take a certain portion of his wages for the purpose of establishing a fund. Mr. PARKER spoke generally against the sick club, and said it was proposed to take 6d. per week from their wages, and thereby to raise a fund. Mr:THORNHILL opposed the proposition on the ground that the men were paid little enough as it was, and that a man could not think himself justly used if he contributed to such a fund for two years and were then discharged, and dc-• Prived of the power of deriving any benefit from a fund which he had contributed to raise. The measure would be making the good and steady man pay for the idle and the skulker, who would affect sickness for the sake of a week's leisure. When the dock and town police forces were joined there were 33 men in the dock police receiving money from the sick fund, and in one week after, under the new system, the number was reduced to three. Mr. HODGSON opposed Mr. Parker's proposition on simi lar grounds to those advanced by Mr. Thornhill, and Mr. Procter supported it. On the suggestion of the Town-clerk, it was agreed that this subject should be referred back to the committee. Clauses 224 to 243 were considered consecutively. Mr. COOPER drew attention to the large quantites of gun powder kept on some premises in Liverpool. Mr. ASPINALL suggested that the same power be given to officers to search the premises of marine-store dealers as to search vessels. He thought it would be well if marine-store dealers were licensed, and punished with loss of license on misbehaviour. It was agreed that the Town-clerk should insert a clause to that effect. OPENING PUBLIC HOUSES ON THE SABBATH Clause 244 was for consideration and direction of the council the following from the Metropolitan Police Acts : " And be it enacted, that no licensed victualler or other per son shall open his house within the borough, for the sale of wines, spirits, beer, or other fermented or distilled liquors, on Sundays, Christmas-day, and Good Friday, before the hour of one in the afternoon, provided that nothing herein contained shall extend to prevent refreshment to travellers." Mr. PROCTOR moved that the above clause be withdrawn. His motion was in accordance with a former recommenda tion of the Watch Committee. His reason for moving this was, that it ought to be a general bill to act all over the country. All the information that could be obtained from London showed that the clause worked badly, and he thought it incumbent on them to avoid the monstrous absurdity of having one system on one side of the street, and another sys tem at the other. Mr. ASPINALL seconded the motion. Mr. HODGSON said he rose with very great regret to op pose many of his friends in the question which was then be fore the council. He thought the arguments in favour of the clause stood in as much force as they did before, when so many of them avowed themselves desirous of seeing it adopted ; and he was of opinion, that they stood now in such a relation to the government, that they could carry it if they Persevered. One of the arguments used against its introduc tion into their local act was, that it ought to be a general measure. As regarded its partial operation, they might as well apply such an argument to their police or any other thing. They might as well aver that they ought not to have any police here because they would not touch the crime which existed beyond their suburbs, or because they would drive delinquents to other places. He considered all such arguments inconclusive. It was incumbent on them to do what good they could ; and if they could not reform other districts, at least to set them the examp le which the y ought to follow. He would, perhaps, wait for a general law if he Saw any reason to believe that it would be passed. He cal led upon them to proceed at once and apply to parliament for the clause, on the ground that they all agreed that it was desirable. He thought his friends would find themselves in an awkward position if the suspicion were once raised that t hey were drawing back from the high ground which they ought to take from the fear of losing political influence. He feared they might be suspected of yielding to expediency on Political grounds. He would not do so ; and if they were forsaking the high ground of principle, and endeavouring to stand upon expediency, the sooner they came down the bet ter, for come down they assuredly would. He trusted that Ao fear of losing the support of a section of the publicans would induce them to shrink from an important duty, for he was very sure that all the respectable publicans must be in favour of a clause which would prevent men from drinking during the first hours of the Sabbath. It was the best clause of the bill. He should be glad if the clause restricted the publicans from opening their houses at all on the Sabbath. klowever, as it was it was likely to be productive of great good, and it should have his hearty support. He would nave that the clause should remain as it was. Mr. AIKIN seconded the amendment. He said it was most extraordinary to argue, that if they excluded evil from their own doors, it would rise up elsewhere. He trusted, how ever, that they would do their utmost to exclude evil from Liverpool, let it rise up where it would. Mi. Aikin made some allusions to the acts of brewers and spirit-merchants, and spoke of a gentleman, a friend of his, who was a magis trate, connected with the spirit business, who forebore to go on the bench or interfere in any way where licenses or pub licans were concerned. He thought it would be discreet in parties connected with those businesses, to abstain from in terfering in affairs of this nature. He thought if one brewer and spirit-merchant after another were sent on the Watch Committee it might have an effect—(the conclusion of the sentence was lost.) Mr. Aikin proceeded to expatiate on the evils which accrue from permitting public-houses to be open on Sunday mornings, and the disgusting scenes which were the consequence. He expressed his decided opinion that the respectable class of publicans had no hand in such proceed ings, and would be glad to see them done away with. Mr. PARKER said, the merchants set themselves up and talked about the brewers and spirit-dealers as if they did not desecrate the Sabbath. He would yield to no man on earth in respect for the Sabbath. He was surprised to hear mer chants talk this way when it is well-known that they selected the Sunday abwe all other days for their ships to put to sea. Lord Sandon had declared, in his letter to the Town-clerk, that the clause was not likely to pass, and the Town-clerk would inform them, as he had stated in his presence, that Lord Sandon stood so high and was on such terms with the government, that what he expressed was just the same as if the government themselves had said it. _ Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE.—No, no. The Town-clerk did not say any thing of the kind. Mr. PARKER.—He said something very like it then. The publicans would be very glad if it were a general measure. Mr. Parker proceeded to say that the clause did not work well in London, for no law that could be framed would ever stop drunkeness, and if spirits were sold at every shop in the town there would be no increase of drunkeness. In conclu sion, Mr. Parker called upon the Town-clerk to read Lord Sandon's letter. _ Mr. ISAAC HoLams, in allusion to what had fallen from Mr. Aikin, said there could not be favouritism in the Watch Committee, for the informations were all laid by the Head Committee. The TOWN-CLERK said he had not received any letter from Lord Sandon. lie had written on the 15th to Lord Sandon, asking his opinion on the measure, and at the same time to their parliamentary agents and his lordship's reply was em bodied in theirs. The Towh-clerk read the following copy of his letter to Lord Sandon " Town-hall, &c., Feb. 15, 1842 "My Lord,—l am directed by our Watch Com . mittee to request the favonr of your lordship's opinion on the publi can's clause, which 1 enclose, as part of our, general improve ment bill, similar to that of last session. flverything appears to depend on how government or parliament would receive this clause in a local bill. It is in the metropolitan police code ; but it may be answered, that comprises an extensive and peculiar district. OUr parliamentary' agents will wait upon your lordship on this subject, and the committee will, I fully expect, meet on Friday and SatUrday for a report to the council. The clause is considered a very desirable mea sure. &c., &c. (Signed) BICHD. RADCLIFFE." The letter to Messrs. Burke and Venables, bearing the same date, was as follows : " Dear Sirs,— . l ou will be aware that the publicans' clause (taken from the metropolitan police act, 2 and 3 Vic. s. 42,) at present stands N 2-14 in our general improvement bill. The question is whether it would be more proper legislation in our private bill, or in a public bill brought forward by go vernment on petition and very general application from Li verpool ? lam requested by our Watch Committee to de sire, that you will consult with Lord Sandon on this subject, and his lordship might perhaps have the kindness to confer at the home office. The clause is considered with us a very desirable measure ; but the question is, is it proper for lacal legislation ? In favour of the affirmative is the fact, that it is in the metropolitan police code, though it may be said that that code prevails over an extensive and peculiar district. " It would of course not be prudent in us to raise an oppo sition to our bill, and thereby damage other clauses, as well as cause cunsiderable expense, if there were not a reasonable prospect of our succeeding. Everythihg depends on how go vernment would treat it. _ " I sli;ilcibe obliged by your sentiments by return, and by anything further by Friday's post, as at meetings on Fri day and Saturday we must decide, at least so far as reporting to the council. (Signed) " RICRD. RADCLIFFE." Under date 16th February, Messrs. Burke and Venables thus reply : Dear Sir,—The 24th clause of your proposed improvement bill being already in the metropolitan police act, we do not apprehend that there could be much objection to making it applicable - to so large a town as Liverpool. .At the same time we are of opinion that that, as well as other police clauses in your bill, might very properly form part of a general act, and we think it not at all unlikely that Lord Shaftesbury will make the same observation on the bill when he sees it. The question is, however, will the government bring in such a bill, or are you, who are desirous of having these provisions of the metropolitan police act made applicable to Liverpool, to be debarred from the endeavour to introduce them into your improvement bill. because they might properly form part of a public act ? We think not, and we do not appre hend that your whole bill would be placed in jeopardy by the introduction of the clauses in the first instance, even suppos ing them ultimately to be deemed objectionable ; because, if they were so, they might be struck out in committee. We purpose conferring with Lord Sandon to-day on the subject, and will write you further when we have seen him. (Signed) BURKE and VENABLES. The following is the next letter from Messrs. Burke and Venables, dated 17th February. Dear Sir,—We were unfortunately unable to meet with Lord Sandon before post time yesterday, but this morning we bad an interview with his lordship, at his residence, at which Mr. Birkett, of your town, was accidentally present. Tile latter gentleman stated that the clause referred to in your letter would be extremely objectionable, as it would not extend to the suburbs of the borough, and consequently would be evaded, and Lord Sandon concurred in this view. It appeared to us that the object of your letter was to ascertain how far it would be prudent or practicable to in troduce the clause into a private bill, and whether it would not be considered that it should properly form part of a public act, and that the expediency or inexpediency of the clause ally pwrt - of your inquiry, We, therefore, have taken an opportunity of seeing Lord Sandon again this afternoon, and he concurs with us in the view that the clause may, if you please, be introduced in the bill without endangering the other provisions of it ; but he is strongly of opinion, that the clause would be so objectionable in itself, as being insufficient for the purposes for which it is intended, that it would be highly inexpedient to introduce it in the bill, and would only involve unnecessary opposition and expense. His lordship thinks, also, that the provision would more properly form part of a public act than a private one. (Signed) BURKE and VENABLES. R. Radcliffe, Esq. The TOWN-CLERK said, in allusion to what had fallen from Mr. Parker, that he did not say anything which would warrant any inference that he meant to imply that the opinion of Lord Sandon was the opinion of government. The effect of the Town-clerk's saying, as explained by him, was, that the opinion of Lord Sandon, as member for this borough and as a supporter of the government, should have very peat weight in their deliberations. The opinion of any individual standing so high as Lord Sandon, as a supporter of the go vernment, would be equally regarded by parties conducting business for the place 'which such individual represented. Mr. EVANS expressed his gratification at the course taken by Mr. Hodgson. In allusion to what had fallen from Mr. Parker, he said there was no parallel between the case of a ship moving out of port for a continuous voyage and a man going into a tavern to drink and ruin his pocket, his mind, and his family. There was, perhaps, no more harm in a ship moving out of port on the Sabbath, than there was in her continuing to press forward to her destination on many suc ceeding Sabbaths. Mr. THORNHILL spoke of the measure as exceedingly de sirable. He ridiculed the idea of persons going to drink at the suburbs. They were chiefly turned from taverns in Li verpool at night, and it was not likely they would resort to the country to drink after midnight. Mr. Earle, M r. Cooper, Mr. Sands, and Mr. Jordan avowed their intention of supporting the clause. The council divided, when there appeared— For the clause—Messrs. Shaw. Shand, Hodgson, Thorn hill, Sands, J. Holmes, Bolton, Aikin, Bright; Priestley, Yates, Robinson, Cooper, Gladstone, Lloyd, G. H. Law rence, Jordan, Platt, A. Smith, Mather, Harbord, Bulley, Freme, Evans, Earle, Moon, Boughton, (Alderman) Nicol, Molineux, and the Mayor. Against the clause—Messrs. Isaac Holmes, Preston, As pinall, Wood, Procter, Kilshaw, and R. Jones. For the clause, 30 ; against it, 7. Majority, 23. Absent—Messrs. Houghton, (Councillor) Sandbach, Ed wards, Copeland, Barton, Blundell, H. Holmes, Mellor, Rae, Toulmin, J. Lawrence, H. Lawrence, Birkett, Rigby, Bushell, Parker, J. Smith, T. Holt, Harvey, Barclay, Grif fith, Turner, Chilton, Moore, and Crooke. The council adjouined at a few minutes past three o'clock till eleven the following morning. WEDNESDAY The adjourned meeting was held on Wednesday, at eleven o'clock. HEALTH OF THE TOWN AND BUILDINGS' REGULATION BILL. Mr. GLADSTONE said the subject had occupied the at tention of the council previously to Lord Normanby's bill being introduced. Its great recommendation was, that it would exempt Liverpool from the operation of Lord Nor manby's act, which would be a second time on the preceding day. Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE said the subject had occupied the serious attention of the Finance Committee, and Mr. Birkett was now in London doing all he could on their behalf. ' It was generally known that Lord Normanby's bill would prove exceedingly objectionable if it came into operation in Liver pool, and this bill would save them from such inconvenience. It was agreed that the Town-clerk should state the oper ation of each clause to the council. The TOWN-CLERK set forth the preamble. The first clause repeals Acts 3rd Vic. The second gives power to ap point a committee, the third to appoint surveyors, &c. The fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth clauses make certain judicious regulations for the erection of houses, re ferring principally to small tenements, with a view to the health of the town. The following are the tenth and eleventh clause :-10. That it shall not be lawful to let separately, ex cept as a warehouse or storehouse, or to suffer to be occu pied as a dwelling-place, any cellar, under any house, in any court. 11.—That from and after the lst day of July, 1844, it shall not be lawful to let separately, ex cept as a warehouse or storehouse, or to suffer to be occupied as a dwelling-place, any cellar or room under any other house whatsoever, which cellar or room shall be less in height, from the floor to the ceiling, than seven feet, or which shall be less than one-third of its height above the level of the street adjoining the same, or otherwise shall not have two feet at least of its height from the floor to the ceil ing above the said level, with an open area of two feet wide from the level of the floor of such cellar or room up to the level of the said street, or which shall not have attached thereto the use of a privy and an ashpit, according to the enactment herein contained, or which shall not also have a window of not less than three feet square, or otherwise of an area of not less than nine feet clear of the sash frame, and a fire-place with a chimney or flue, or being an inner or back cellar, let or occupied along with a front cellar as part of the same letting or occupation, shall not have a ventilating chimney, unless such inner or back cellar shall be a part of a house built before the commencement of this act. Clauses 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 contain certain sanatory regulations. Clause 20 gives power to the authori ties to compel the cleansing of houses, which, by reason of their filthy - condition, are deemed detrimental to the health of the inhabitants. Clause 21 gives power to enforce the provisions of the act. Clause 22 gives power to make cer tain by-laws and regulations for enforcing cleanliness. Clause 26 enacts that, after the Ist of April 1843, no inter ment shall take place in any burial-ground, unless, on the Ist of January 1843, there were two feet six inches of soil remaining below. the ordinary surface of the burial-ground, clear of e very part of any coffin thereto f ore i n t erre d in such grave.-27. Power for council to appoint inspectors of graves. —2B. Inspectors to make a declaration.-29. Compensation of inspecEors.-30. Inspectors to enter upon burial-grounds to be open for inspection and examine g raves, ascertain clear soil, and report to the Health Committee. -31. Report and perusal, and copies to be furnished, and not i ce of the report and of the burial-grounds to which it relates to be published once in two of the Liverpool newspapers, on e calendar month before the day to be appointed, as herein_ after mentioned.-32. Day to be appointed by the commit tei, after which no interment shall be made In any grave so reported to them as not having, on the Ist day of January 1843, two feet six inches of soil remaining below the ordinary surface.of the burial-ground, clear of every part of any coffin theretofore interred in such grave ; and one calendar month's notice of such day so appointed by them to be published once in each of two of the Liverpool newspapers.-33. That, from and after the day so appointed, no coffin shall be interred in any such grave so reported not to have had, on the Ist day of January 1843, two feet six inches of soil remaining below the surface of the burial-ground, clear of every part of any coffin theretofore interred in such grave. Penalty not ex ceeding £lO.-34. That, from and after the same day so to be appointed for the purpose aforesaid, no coffin shall be interred in any grave in any burial-ground within the bo rough, though not so reported as aforesaid, which shall not leave two feet of soil remaining below the ordinary surface of such burial-ground, clear of every part of the coffin so to be interred in such grave. Penalty if knowingly permitted, not exceeding £lO. Mr. EVAN; said the prohibition was of a most indefinite character. In a certain time the bodies interred would be entirely decomposed. Was it intended to deprive individu als of. their property altogether in their graves, because there happened, on the Ist of January next, to be only a certain depth of soil above the coffins ? Mr. Evans proposed that whenever a grave was found to be filled within two feet six inches of the surface it should remain closed for a certain number of years—say fifteen or twenty. A very long discussion ensued, in "the course of which it was stated by the Town-clerk, that the clauses were framed by an arrangement and understanding by the Hector, who was perfectly willing to have it carried into effect. The Town-clerk also explained that the effect of the clause would be that those graves which had not two feet six inches of soil above them on the Ist of January would remain for ever closed. Mr. Evans and Mr. Aikin strongly objected to this. Mr. Evans was supported by Mr. John Smith, Mr. Cooper, and Mr. Bright. Mr. Anctx proposed that words be inserted to make the clause enact, that no grave should be opened unless there were two feet six inches of soil above the surface. This would give individuals an opportunity to open their graves again when the bodies were decomposed, or when those be low were so far decomposed as to allow those above to sub side. This proposition was opposed by several members. At length the conncil went to the vote on Mr. Aikin's amend ment, when there appeared— For the Amendment.—Messrs. Shaw, Shand, Isaac Holmes, Thornhill, Copeland, Mellor, Bolton, Aikin, Rae, Bright, Robinson, Wood, J. Smith, Platt, Evans, Bramley- Moore, Molyneux, and the Mayor. Against the Amendment.—Messrs. D. Hodgson, Blundell, H. Holmes, J. Holmes, Yates, Cooper, Gladstone, Kilshaw, Parker, G. H. Lawrence, Mather, Freme, Houghton, (alder man) and Nicol. CONSERVANtY BILL. Mr. G. H.'LAW . RENCE pointea out the difficulty oflegis lating on this subject, which had so much roused the jea lousy of those by whom they were surrounded. Mr. Law rence alluded to the importance of the conservancy of the river, spoke highly of the present bill, and said it had the entire approval of Lord Sandon, who had sanguine hopes of its success. The first clause enacts that no person to construct any pier, quay, wharf, jetty, breast, or embankment, in or adjoining to the river from Warrington and Frodsham bridges to the sea, whereby the tidal or other waters may be excluded, im peded, or interrupted, without four months' previous notice, in writing, on the Seasions-house, and to the clerk of the peace of the county within which the work is intended to be made. The second enacts that the notice shall state the name, address, and occupation of the person proposing to make the work, and the place where it is to be made, and the line, situation, nature, extent, and object thereof, and the materials with which it is to be constructed, and the time at which it is to be commenced, and shall show as far as reason ably may be, the extent, if any, to which the work may ex clude, impede, or interrupt the waters. Clause three enacts that the clerk of the peace is to receive notice and give a certificate thereof; and by clause five, a copy of such notice is to be sent to the Admiralty within ten days. By clause ten, any pier, quay, wharf, jetty, breast, or embankment, constructed without such four months' previous notice, or without plan and sections being furnished within one month after being required by the Admiralty, shall be deemed and taken to be a nuisance, and shall be liable to be abated and removed in the same manner as any nuisance may be law fully abated or removed. Mr. EVAN s complained of the procrastination which took place in all parliamentary business. These were almost the bills of last year, yet they were only in the hands of the council just before they had to be considered. Mr. Evans proceeded to find some faults with the new Conservancy Bill, which, he said, did not provide any conservators. It placed Liverpool, the interest of which was as ninety-nine in the hundred, as compared with that of other places, on the same footing as them, while Liverpool was to pay all the expenses. The TOWN-CLERK characterised the measure as the most valuable that had ever been proposed in behalf of the coun cil. It went on the ground of obtaining the public rights, and appealing to the public tribunals of the country. If any party commenced any work on the river, they were to give notice, and furnish plans. If the plans were deemed detri mental, they could appeal to the public tribunals in that stage, and if the parties did not give notice they might treat them as a nuisance and go and destroy them. In the course of the lengthened discussion which ensued, it was stated that thousands of acres of land had been torn from the river Mersey in times past. Mr. PLATT remarked that this would probably account for the jealousy of the Cheshire squires on the subject of these bills. Mr. AIKIN contended that Liverpool was by this bill placed in a position which from her great importance was unjust to her. Liverpool was of more commercial importance than both the counties put together. tier commerce and her prosperity belonged to the kingdom, while the prosperity of the few owners of acres on the banks of the river, though undoubtedly important, was not of such vast consequence to so many individuals. Yet Liverpool was to receive no notice whatever, but was herself to give notice if she contemplated any alteration. He would move that the clause be so altered that the Town-clerk of Liverpool should receive notice. This was seconded by Mr. TURNUR. The TOWN-CLEKK treated the point.as of no practical im portance, while to insist upon it would arouse that jealousy which they were so anxious to avoid. The Coimcil divided on Mr. Aikin's motion, when there appeared— 'or the notion—Messrs. Shand, Thornhijl, Mcllor,,Aikin, Bright, Jordan, Platt, Evans, and Turner. Against the motion--Messrs. Shaw, Hodgson, Copeland, Blundell, J. Holmes, Bolton, Rae, Robinson, Cooper , Kil shaw, Wood, G. H. Lawrence, A. Smith, Freme, Houghton, (alderman,) Nicol, Molyneux, Crook, and the Mayor. For the motion, 9 ; against it, 19 ; majority, 10. MARINE STORE DEALERS. The TOWN-CLERK said clauses had, since the preceding day, been framed and inserted in the improvement and police regulation bill, providing that inspectors of. police should have the privilege of inspecting the premises of marine store dealers, and also for licensing marine store dealers. BOROUGH COURTS' BILL The following is an abstract of the clauses of this bill. 1. —No action, the debt or damages of which do not exceed £5O, shall be moved by any writ of certiorari, unless the party removing, by himself and two sufficient sureties, shall give security to the satisfaction of the court, for the payment of debt and costs, if judgment pass against him. 2.—Process may issue from the Borough Court for the arrest of abscond ing debtors, in like manner as from the courts of Westmin ster. 3.—To enable the court summarily to stay proceedings for debts, under forty shillings, which might be brought in the Court of Requests. The several clauses were unani mously agreed to, and the Council separated. SHIPMASTERS' ASSOCIATION-REGISTRY AND SHIPPING OF SEAMEN. Yesterday, at noon, an extraordinary general meeting of the Members of the Shipmasters' Association, took place at the rooms of that institution, in Old Hall Street, for the pur pose of considering the propriety of acceding to the terms proposed by Mr. Hodson, for registering and shipping sea men, of adopting his plan for twelve months, and, if approved, to enter into an agreement with him to that effect. JOHN FOILMBi, Esq. took the chair; and at his request, Mr. Samuel Moss, master pf the rooms, read the advertise ment calling the meeting; and afterwards, in a very clear and succint manner, explained to the meeting the object in view, and the progress hitherto made towards its attainment. He (Mr. Moss) stated that about twelve months since, the Association had endeavoured to establish a registry of seamen ; but from several circumstances, and amongst others, the em ployment of a person who did not :meet their views.—the matter fell through. Mr. Herbert, dock master, had since devoted much of his attention to the subject, and had drawn out a series of proposed regulations, with a view to obviate the existing evils of the present system, by which those who heard him were aware that men by paying a certain sum, and who were not fully qualified for what they undertook, could be shipped,—whether indeed the were seamen of secondary capacity. or no seamen at all. He then read a synopsis of Mr. Herbert's prepositions, amongst which was, that a third person should be dispensed with in the shipping of seamen, the contract to be only between the captain of the vessel and the man to be shipped. It was also proposed that there should be a muster roll; a blank of which was shewn, and in which should be inserted the time of each man's discharge, and his conduct while on board, which was to be returned to the association, and a certificate given to the party by the master of the room. When a crew was wanted, the Union Jack was to be hoisted at the wain, under the flag of the association ; and men, on applying to be re shipped, were to return their certificates and receive new ones, with a view to their being identified, so as to prevent imposition by transfer. The plan on the whole was a good one, but there were objections to some few of the details, which the committee had, as they conceived, amended,—the whole object being to ship good men, with the least possible trouble to captains, who, during their brief stay, ou, shore, 'had many other matters of business and recreation to at tend to. He then noticed the proposals made by Mr. Hodson, as their shipping master, the whole of which he had gone through seriatim, with a gentleman well versed in the subject ; and it was for the meeting to consider whether they would attach a registry and shipping office to the asso ciation; and if so, whether Mr. Hodson should be their registrar. By that gentleman's plan three shillings would be charged for the original certificate of a seaman, but a shilling would be returned on his applying for the renewed one, so that they would each save a shilling by giving a preference to the association. He then proceeded to detail the several remaining propositions of Mr. Hodson, and the salary he required, with the amendme n ts proposed to the former. The principal object was to establish a central and general register office for seamen, which it would be for the advantage both of the men and the captains of vessels to avail themselves. The certificates (on parchment) were to contain the station of the party, his age, country, and per sonal description, and his character. If a man shipped for any country, (being of good conduct,) and was landed by the mutual consent of the master and himself at an inter mediate port, the latter might back the certificate to that effect, so that it might be available by the bearer. The plan of a muster roll was shown ; it entailed very little trouble on captains, and appeared to be approved of by all present. Some discussion took place with regard to the charges proposed to be paid by mates and petty officers, 10s.. 55., and 3s. according to station ; but it was stated that the same charges had been made for shipping for the last fourteen years'; that they were only proposed for twelve months; that a reduction would be made to mates receiving wages under the usual average, and that the whole scale could readily be modified as circumstances and experience might require. It was also stated that Mr. Hodson's salary was to be £5OO per annum, provisionally ; that if the gross And was to go to the payment of all expenses, and if there were a sufficient surplus he was to receive that amount, and the remainder, whatever it might be, to be received by the association—the salary stated being a maximum ; but if, on the other hand, after the payments stated, there were a surplus of only £2OO to £3OO, he was to content himself with such 'respective amount,—he himself, and not the association having the sole responsibility. The amount, Mr. Moss remarked, ap peared large; but it must be considered that Mr. Hodson was giving up entirely his present private occupation, by which he stated that be realised the annual sum stated; that he would have the books of that department to keep; that he consented to become the servant of the association ; that it was a speculation on his part, and that he was induced to it in the hope, by the assistance of that body, to effect the grand desideratum of concentrating the registry and shipping of seamen at the port, and thus establishing a sys tem mutually beneficial to shipmasters and seamen. Mr. Moss and others also satisfactorily explained the system pro posed with regard to the clerks employed, who would be re quired to find sureties, and against NYIA9In ConiSaintA )0) , any member, of misconduct would be heard, and the grievance redressed; by Mr. Hodson. or the master of the rooms, through the committee to which every member was himself eligible. The salary of Mr Hodson had, we may add, been previously agreed to. It was then moved by Mr. Crur„ and seconded by Captain PENTREATII.—" That there is a necessity for establishing a shipping office, connected with the association."—This was put and carried unanimously. It was next moved by Captain BOTTOMLEY, seconded by Captain SUTHERLAND, and also unanimously carried,— " That the regulations read to the meeting be adopted from tile 12th of May next, and that a legal agreement be entered into with Mr. Hodson to that effect." Til!,tiks were then voted to the Chairman and the meeting TESTIMONIAL OF RESPECT TO MR. BRINDLEY, THE UNCOMPROMISING ADVOCATE OF CHRISTIANITY AGAINST THE INFIDEL AND SEDITIOUS ERRORS OF SOCIALISM. Ou Wednesday evening, a crowded public meeting was held in the Music-hall, Bold-street, for the several purposes of hearing from John Brindley, Esq., the celebrated opponent of socialism, a lecture upon the encroachments of popery, and also to present him with a small testimonial of the respect in which he is held in Liverpool, for his unremitting exer tions in vindicating Christian truth. On the motion Mr. CRISP, the Rev. Stephen Cragg was called to the chair. The CHAIRMAN opened the proceedings with prayer, and in mentioning the objects of the meeting, he highly eulogised the ability and perseverance with which Mr. Brindley had conducted the controversy with the socialists. He had long had the pleasure of Mr.- Brindley's acquaintance, and the more he knew of that gentleman's character, the more reason had he to be proud of his friendship. Mr. Brindley, some years ago held an honourable and lucrative situation in a pa rish with which he (the chairman) was connected, as the head master of the Old Swinford Hospital School. He knew Mr. Brindley well, and lie could assure the meeting that he had made no small sacrifices, both in emolument and com fort, in order to undertake the harassing labour of exposing the infidelity of socialism. At the time to which he referred, Mr. Brindley constantly consulted him as to his proceedings against the socialists; and many times had he witnessed the effectiveness of his (Mr. Brindley's) labours at the com mencement of his career. At length he was called upon by the trustees of the school to gi ve up one or the other of the two duties in which he was .engaged. Either he must cease to oppose the socialists or he must resign his appointment. Again Mr. Brindley consulted him. Foreseeing the difficulties with which he would be surrounded, without any income to sup port him in this holy warfare, and knowing what were the claims of a large family upon him, he urged him well to con sider what course he should adopt. But Mr. Brindley feel ing how useful his past exertions hadiften,. and believing the blessing of God rested upon hislabOnrs, at once abandoned the privileges and pecuniary advantages he then possessed, and with a truly disinterested zeal went forth against the ene mies of our holy religion, relying alone upon God for his sup port. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Brindley, indeed, seemed to have been raised up by the special hand of Providence, for this work, and his labours had been so eminently successful that the socialists were well nigh extinguished. (Cheers.) After some further observations, the reb. chairman introduced Mr. Brindley to the meeting. Mr. BRINDLEY, on presenting himself, was received with enthusiastic applause. He commenced by observing, that though for the last three years he had been incessantly en gaged in opposing Socialism in all parts of the country, he had not been unmindful of that other most dangerous system of error called Popery. He had watched its progress care fully, and he had studied its history; and from his own ob servation he was convinced that it was encroaching upon our Protestant rights in a most rapid but stealthy manner. No one, indeed, could travel through the country without being struck with the amazing number of Popish chapels which were rearing their heads • not in a quiet, unobtrusive way, but with all the exterior forms and characteristics of our own beloved church. (Hear, hear.) The rise and progress of Popery, however, would be best understood and appreciated by a few statistical facts—facts which could not be denied, and which, he trusted, would not be without their influence upon the mind of every genuine Protestant. In the year 1792, or 50 years ago, there were not thirty (only 28) Roman Catholic chapels, and no colleges, in the whole of this coun try ; but at the present day they had nearly 600 chapels, 10 colleges, 60 seminaries, besides institutions for " the sisters of mercy" and "tile sisters of charity." These were start ling facts that ought to excite us to corresponding efforts in support of Protestantism; yet what was the fact? Why, some of those very men who ought to be " the watchmen of Israel," actually, in the face of these things, said, " Oh ! do not stir in the matter, because if you do you will bring Popery into notice ! " (Hear, hear.) These were facts which ought to be mentioned at the opening of every Pro testant meeting. (Hear, hear.) As an evidence of further encroachment, he would mention that within the last few months the Roman Catholics had purchased St. Domingo House, near this town, where they intended to have another Maynooth upon a small scale, and another house for " the sisters of mercy." (Hear, hear.) If they went on in the same ratio of increase for the next fifty years as they had for the last fifty years, the country would be absolutely over-run with Popery, and then farewell to Protestant truth. (Hear, hear.) The number of Roman Catholic chapels in this country at the present moment was greater than existed throughout the whole country fifty years ago, so that Popery had been en croaching far more rapidly than the establishment had ad vanced ; but he thanked God, that through the efforts of zealous and able ministers, she was not only maintaining her position, but extending herself in every direction. (Hear.) The next question was, Popery having so enormously in creased, what had been the cause of the evil so widely spread ing? In reply, he should say it had increased wherever the " let-them-alone " system had prevailed ;—(hear, hear) — wherever there was a feeling in favour of looking upon it as a matter-of-course thing. (Hear, hear.) It, then, became our duty, as consistent Protestants, to continue our exer tions against it. In the year 1838 there was a " Roman Catholic Institute " established in this country, and amongst its supporters he found the names of some of the most wealthy and influential peers and commoners in the realm. Why dared the Roman Catholic's publicly to form this institute ? Because there was a disposition on the part of many ministers in the establishment to say " let them be quiet ;" (hear) and in all probability this institute never would have been formed, had we not had that miserable ministry which we had now happily got rid of, which then not only shielded Popery, but also used unceasing ener gies to give it power and importance. (Bear, hear.) Then we had to contend not only against Popery in its open and avowed appearance, but against that concealed system of Po pery which was put forth through means of tracts from one of the universities of this country. (Hear.) He had been surprised to find the extent to which the errors thus promul gated had spread, especially among the younger clergy. They had become so extensively adopted, that at length many of our bishops had been compelled to interfere. Now, those who were thus engaged were aiding the progress of Popery much more effectually than the Roman Catholic priesthood themselves, because they had the name and office of Church of England ministers. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Brindley, in en larging upon this topic, related an anecdote of a minister, to whom he had letters of introduction from very high autho rities in this diocese, on going into his parish to lecture against Socialism, who told him h e did no t know upon what principles he could expose that infidel system. lie told the minister he should oppose it upon the principles of Protes tant christianity. The minister then said, " Are you going to attack the dissenters along with them ?" He replied " No, because he thanked God the dissenters would not go along with them." The minister next said, " I should like to have a little talk with you, because I can't see how you can oppose these socialists ; and that he was not surprised at them going on as they did. He (Mr. Brindley) observed that he was much surprised at it. The minister repeated that he was not, and then he added, " Why, this socialism is all the effect of your prote.stantism—it is the effect of allowing men to interpret the Bible for themselves, of giving to the people the right of private judgment ; it is just what I ex pected, it is all the effect of your protestantism." " I call the socialists," he added, " ultra Protestants !" (Hear, hear.) Indeed the Socialists were " ultra Protestants," for they protested against every thingthat had the semblance of truth, virtue, or common decency. (Applause.) But was not this a melancholy statement ? Here was a large town, containing thousands of inhabitants, and a man placed in the situation of a Protestant clergyman of the Church of England, actually railing against protestantism, and telling us that socialism was the effect of protestantism, and that the socialists were only " ultra Protestants !" (Hear hear.) What could be a more lamentable fact than this? The effect of these principles would be, unless they were restrained, to put down the right of private judgment, to prohibit the reading of the scriptures, and to destroy our common pro testant privileges. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Brindley then reca pitulated the facts whereby he bad proved that popery was makinc , rapid encroachments 'in this country, and lie con cluded'a most eloquent lecture, of about an hour's length, by mentioning a variety of facts from the New Moral World, showing that socialism had expired in a great many towns, that most of the towns were in debt to the general and com munity funds, and that it had been found necessary to dis charge all the Missionary Staff. Socialism 'was in fact de funct. So much for opposition' against that error. The eloquent gentleman then resumed his seat, amidst the most enthusiastic applause. Lieutenant TRACY, R. N., after a few appropriate obser vations, moved a resolution to the effect that the statement just made by Mr. Brindley was'satisfactory and convincing, and loudly called for the united energies of Protestants throughout the kingdom to stop the torrent of popish en croachments, which was threatening the bulwarks of our Christian and protestant privileges. Mr. RADCLIFFE seconded the motion. The CHAIRMAN then put the question, and the resolution was unanimously adopted. Three cheers where then given for Mr. Brindley. • Mr. JOSEPH CRISP then stood forward, and said the pleasing duty now devolved upon him, as the representative of his operative protestant friends,. to present. Mr. Brindley with a small testimonial of the regard in which they held his arduous services in the cause in which he had been engaged. He was delighted to see in the chair a reverend gentleman who had been a witness of Mr.'Brihdley's exertions and sacrifices from the commencement of his career, and who, having lived in the same neighbourhood with him, could speak of him as he deserved. Mr. Brindley had made great and most laborious efforts in defence of the truth. He had not hesitated to sacrifice his health, his time, and his means. He had been ready at all times to come forward as our champion against socialism and infidelity of every descrip tion ; and it would well become the town of Liverpool to offer him some more substantial tribute than that which his friends had vet been able to make. They had, however, done what they could to shew their gratitude for his ability and zeal in defending the cause of truth. It mus t be gratifying to Mr. Brindley 's feelings to see his exertions against socialism crowned with success. The Hall of Science was now to be sold to the highest bidder. He (Mr. Crisp) should be delighted to see a protestant meeting held within the walls of the Socialist's Hall ' • and he really did not see why that should not be done. We had sufficient power and means for it, and how glorious would it be to convert the Socialist's Hall into a pure Pro testant Hall! (Loud cheers.) He would not longer detain the meeting. On behalf of that meeting, and of the friends of Mr. Brindley, he had the highest gratification in present ing that gentleman with a small testimonial of the respect in which they held him, and at the same time they only re gretted that they had not been able to present a still more substantial amount, as a mark of their approbation of his exertions in their cause. Mr. Crisp then presented Mr. Brindley with a purse containing, we understand, 40 guineas. Mr. BRINDLEY, who was much affected by the mode in which the tribute had been conveyed to him, then rose and was greeted with loud cheers. He said he could assure his friends that be felt deeply indebted to them for the kind ex pressions of regard and esteem which he never failed to re ceive. He held this to be the strongest proof they could have given of their desire to help him in the good work be had undertaken ; and he felt confident—indeed from the sincerity of their expression it never could be doubted —that had they thought he wanted assistance, and stood in need of it, he should have received it from his operative friends to the ful lest extent. (Hear, although his kind f r i en d M r . and cries of Yes, yes.") H e there fore, recei v ed that assistance, Crisp had exp resse d hi s regret that it was not more, with the same gratitude that he should a larger gift. When he recollected how many towns he had visited to oppose er ror, and left them (though with many promises) without one penny of remuneration for what he had done, he received with greater pleasure this spontaneous offering of his op era ti ve friends. He had been informed that the design had been proposed by the operatives,—(hear, hear,)—and it was a large sum which they had given him. He was pleased, however, to be able to state, that notwithstanding the great difficulties he had had to encounter in a pecuniary point of view, for he had gone through this work without any other but chance re sources, and upon many occasions those resources had been by no means adequate to the great labour and great expense he had been at, socialism had been put down, and he thanked God for it. But in this work he had also to contend with attacks upon his character ; it had been said that he was ac tuated by mercenary views, and not by the motive of doing good, and that he was not countenanced by those in station and authority. In reply to these calumnies he could only repeat what he had just stated, also that he had received the support and thanks of some of the bishops and of many of the clergy, and that measures were in contemplation to put him in a more permanent position, among others by the Lord Bishop and Chancellor of this diocese. (Cheers.) These were his answers to those who cavilled at and misrepresented him. (Cheers.) After some observations upon the mode to be pursued for converting the "Socialists' Hall " into a " Protestant Hall," Mr. Brindley concluded by again return ing his warmest thanks to his friends who had so honoured him upo❑ this occasion. He then retired amidst loud cheers. Mr. LEONARD AnnisoN, after some appropriate observa tions, moved a vote of thanks to the Rev. Mr. Cragg, for his able and courteous conduct in the chair, and expressed the pleasure he felt at the accession of that gentleman to the numbers of the Liverpool clergy. The motion having been unanimously carried, Mr. CRAGG returned thanks in a very neat speech, in which be narrated the events which led to Mr. Brindley undertaking the arduous duty of opposing the abominations of socialism, the prospects he had sacrificed, and the success which had attended his efforts. The doxology " Praise God," &c., was then sung, and the meeting separated. SHEFFIELD AND MANCHESTER RAILWAY, (From our own Reporter) The half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors in the Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne. and Manchester Railway Company was held on Wednesday evening last. at the Albion Hotely, Piccadilly, Manchester, for the purpose of receiving the directors' and engineer's reports, the election of four di rectors in the place of that number retiring by rotation, and the transaction of other general business, in pursuance of the act of incorporation. The meeting was fully attended by proprietors. In the absence of Mr. Parker, M.P., chairman of the board of directors, - BURY, Esq., one of the directors, was requested to take the chair. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said he re gretted the chair had not been taken upon this occasion by a person who was better known to the proprietors generally than himself. Mr. Wm. Sidebottom, the deputy-chairman of the board of directors, would have presided, but that he was one of those gentlemen who retired by rotation at this meeting. Under these circumstances, he (the chairman) consented to accept the office. Mr. JOHN PLATEORD, secretary to the company, read the advertisement convening the meeting, after which the register of shareholders was produced, for the purpose of the seal of the company being affixed to it. Mr. BRADSHAW, before the book was signed, wished to ask the chairman whether, under the clause in the act of parliament, he could now legally claim to inspect the transfer book ? He had an object in asking this question which he would willingly explain. The CHAIRMAN thought it had not been usual. It would be attended with inconvenience to allow such an inspection of the transfer book. It would give an insight into the affairs of individuals, which was most objectionable. Mr. BRADSHAW said he had been told that it had not been usual to allow such an inspection on this occasion. He there fore did not feel himself competent to make a certain motion which he intended to do, but he had heard no reasons why the privilege should be withheld. The CHAIRMAN observed, that if Mr. Bradshaw wanted any information which the directors could give, consistently with their duty to the shareholders generally, they would gladly give it to him ; but this application would be attended with inconvenience. Mr. EinAnsi:lAWhad heard no grounds for his request being refused. Mr. TURNER said the reason was the manifest inconveni ence of such a course. One man might pry into the affairs of another man, to the disadvantage of the shareholders, and that was the ground why the register of shareholders should be., kept to the directors. The amount paid up by each shareholder should be kept to the directors only. Mr. BRADSHAW explained that his object was to be ena bled to vote as to the substitution of new directors for the old retiring ones ; that information would give him confidence in doing so, but the want of it would disable him from doing as he wished. The conversation on this subject then dropped, and the seal was affixed to the book of registry. Mr. STEVENSON, the law-clerk, then read the report of the directors for the half-year ending on the 3lst December last. It was of a satisfactory nature, but we have not been able to obtain a copy of it. The CHAIRMAN said the proprietors had now heard the re port. If any gentleman wished either to make any observa vations or to ask any questions relative to it—or if there was any information that the directors could give (and he spoke for them generally), they would most willingly afford every information in their power. _ _ Mr. THOMAS DALTON moved that the report be received and printed for distribution among the shareholders. I\fr. Woon seconded the motion. The CHAIRMAN put the motion, and it was unanimously carried. Mr. PLATFORD then read an abstract of the receipts and expenditure of the company. from its formation in 1836 to the 31st December, 1841, inclusive. It appeared that the receipts from calls, rents of cottages, traffic, and including a balance due to the bankers of £20,906 14s. Bid., amounted to £331,584 4s. II d. The items of expenditure were some what numerous, but they were of a routine character. Among them was one of £1079 ]ls. 10d., as the defalcations of Charles Thomson, the late secretary of the company, who was transported at the last Liverpool assizes for forgery ; from this sum, however, would have to be deducted £3OO, which had been received from his sureties subsequent to the accounts being made up. Another item was £l2OO for direction. With reference to the charge for direction, Mr. Platford said, it would perhaps be as well to explain that during the half-year £538 4s. 4d., out of the sum of £l2OO, had been paid to, and expended by, the directors since the 23d of August; and that the remaining sum was a balance owing from the previous half-year to the directors, and the amount due on the 30th June last was paid on the 23d August. The system was altered at Sheffield on the 23d August, and the directors now received £l6OO a year, which was to include all expenses, out of which they had received £530, and the re maining part of the £l2OO was expended by them between June and August% Mr. BRADSHAW.—Then the resolution was acted upon from that day? _ The CHAIR j ;IAN.—Yes, from that day; it took effect from the date of passing the resolution. Mr. BRADSHAW.—That is very honourable on the part of the directors. Mr. PLATFORD called attention to the defalcations of the late secretary, which amounted, as appeared by the abstract, to £1079 Ils. 10d. since the 31st of December, which was the date to which the accounts were made up, one of Thom son's sureties had paid over to the directors £3OO, which left a loss to the company of rather more than £700; but having been received since the 31st December, the receipt could not be included in the present account. Mr. BRADSHAW enquired whether it was absolutely neces sary for the company to take upon themselves the defalca tions of Thomson? By the act of parliament, the Directors had power to appoint their own servants. It was different in some institutions which were vested in trustees. In that case one could understand why the trustees shonld have the appointment of the servants, and he did not see why the same thing should not be applied to railway companies. If they had the appointment of servants, the trustees must be fairly responsible for the defalcations of those servants; and when the Directors of this company appointed a servant with a fixed salary as in this case they did, the directors and not the company ought to have the responsibility of the acts of that servant. (Laughter) This might appear very laugh able to some gentlemen, but for his part, he thought that £7OO was rather a serious thing to lose. He would ask whether what he had said, was not the practise in public institutions generally? The CHAIRMAN could not answer the question as to pub lic institutions generally. The proprietors of course would be aware that the Directors had the appointment of such officers as the Secretary. Thomson was appointed before he (the Chairman) became a member of the board, but as to his defalcations it was totally impossible for the Directors to have contemplated them. They took what they considered to be sufficient security with him, namely, for £5OO, and as the proprietors had heard £3OO had been paid. If they had been likely to get any more, the worthy proprietor (Mr. Bradshaw) might depend the Directors would not have neg lected their duty. Thomson's was an unusual breach of faith, because he presented forged documents and receipts to the Directors. The Directors indeed could not have sup posed him to be capable of such conduct, because they had with him the most respectable references—references of the first character. He trusted therefore that the proprietors would consider, before attempting to throw the responsibility upon the Directors. They Directors had- done the best they could for the interest of the shareholders, and it should be recollected that they were as largely interested in the welfare of the undertaking as other proprietors. Mr. BRADSHAW said they were not so largely interested. The directors had not exercised sufficient discretion in this matter. He wanted the principle of the responsibility of directors introduced ; and he contended that £5OO was not a sufficient security. As it appeared a matter of doubt whe ther the directors should be held responsible for the defalca tion, he would move that that item be not allowed, provided any shareholder would second the motion. He did not agree in the principle of the responsibility falling upon the com pany, and therefore he proposed the motion. Mr. STEVENSON said, that Mr. Bradshaw's inquiries seemed to be founded upon the nature of the law. His question, in fact, was, whether in point of law 'the directors or the company were responsible for the amount of their de falcations. Mi:iiitADsHAw—l think they are responsible both in law and honour. Mr. STEVENSON continued. There could be no question that, in point of law, the directors were the mouth-piece of the company. Theirs were the hands which did the com pany's work. They were in a situation of responsibility, and they took care to appoint the ir,st,rople they could obtain to every office. They were bound to account half-yearly for their acts, and it behoved them therefore to make proper ap pointments. Mr. Thomson was appointed before be (Mr. Stevenson) had anything to do with the company, and lie came recommended in a most extraordinary way. Every care had been taken on the part of the directors to make a proper appointment. The CHAIRMAN—His testimonials were undeniable. Mr. BRADSHAW said, that they were pitiable sureties, if they were not good for £5OO. Mr. STEVENSON begged to say, that the security was di minished by Thomson's dishonesty. He tampered with the security, and introduced words which made it almost an ille gal document. The surety was a honourable and respectable person ; but in consequence of Thomson introducing words into the deed which almost vitiated the legality of it, the company were prevented from recovering the amount, which they otherwise would have done. It was not, therefore, the fault either of the company or of the directors that the secu rity was not good. The CHAIRMAN.—They thought it better to take £3OO certain, than involve themselves in litigation for £5OO. Mr. TURNER.—And run the chance of losing. Mr. BRADSHAW.—Then why have this formidable double staff of lawyers, if the bond was not made legal ? Mr. TURNER said the bond was valid when the directors got it, but the late secretary got hold of it, by what means no one knew, but in some manner he did get hold of it, and he introduced into it certain words. The directors had been advised, that if they went into a court of law with the altera tions in the bond which Thomson had made, it would be de clared invalid ; therefore they could not do otherwise than compromise the matter, in preference to going into court. Mr. Bradshaw must be aware, that if the directors had gone into a court of law, they could not have brought Thomson as a witness. Mr. BRADSHAW said, the more he heard the defence of the directors the worse he thought of it. Would not some one second his motion ? Mr. APPLEBY declared that the honorable proposer (Mr. Bradshaw) might just as well ask the directors why they did not keep Thomson honest, because the imputation implied by the motion came to that. (Hear.) If any means could be devised by which the directors could keep their secretary,, and every other of their servants , honest , he should be very. glad ; but they were not to be held responsible till t 1.4 had been done. Mr. BRADSHAW.-But you went further; you, placed the security in Thomson:s bands to keep. MT.TURNER.—No, no. Mr. STEVENSON said, althoug,b, 4 security was prepared before he was connected with, VW coP3PaPy, yet it was ready to be signed at that time, and immediately after his con nexion with the company the bond was brought to him. The circumstances were these. Mr. Hadfield, the former solicitor, prepared the bond, and handed it to Thomson unsigned, for himself and the surety to sign ; and it was signed in the presence of a clerk in the office. This security was carried to him (Mr. Stevenson), and it remained in his possession ever afterwards ; but between the time of its being signed and its being delivered to him (which he apprehended was a day or two), Thomson said an alteration had been made in it. Thomson was prosecuted for forgery. After he had been found guilty he sent for his surety, and informed him that he thought be could state something to his advantage, which was, that he had altered the bond after the surety and him self had signed it. This circumstance came before the directors. Mr. Latham, the surety, had confirmed himself by the opinion of coun , o ; counsel had thrown a slur upon the validity of the security, doubting whether it was not in valid altogether. The directors saw that opinion ; they in ves;igated the matter, and, under the circumstances, it was thought more prudent to accept the compromise offered by the surety than drive him into hostility, or at least incur ex pense and the loss of the whole money. (Hear, hear.) r. Mr. B ADSHAIV.—IS that document in existence now? . Mr. STEVENSON dared say it was; but it was given up when the security paid the money, and he (Mr. Stevenson) had not seen it since. Mr. BRADSIIAW said, if people were so convinced as they seemed to be of the propriety of the directors' conduct, he could not succeed in his motion, and there was no use in carrying on the discussion. All that he meant to say, in de fence of himself, was, that their defence (the directors) was a very lame one. The CHAIRMAN said he was not a member of the board when the appointment took place, but he was convinced that every thing had' been done that was proper. It did not ap pear that there had been any want of care upon the part of the then board. We all knew how difficult it was to guard against dishonesty, especially in personsintroduced into a confidential situation. Of course he did not mean to say that the same precaution should not be used towards one in this position that there was to others. The directors had no suspicion of Thomson, or they would not have appointed him. They were deceived, and that was the whole explanation they could give. Mr. BRADSHAW said the fact of the security being invalid was a lame defence. The conversation respecting Thomson now terminated, no one being found to second Mr. Bradshaw's proposition ; and on the motion of Mr. RALPH SIDEBOTTOM, seconded by Mr. WHITELEGG, the accounts were passed. Mr. PLATFORD then read the report of Mr. Gee, the resi dent engineer, upon the state and progress of the works since the last half-yearly general meeting. This document was of considerable length, entering into minute details as to the exact position in which the work of each contract or letting was at the date of the report. The general character of thy works appeared to be highly satisfactory: Mr. BRADSHAW •enquired Whether ,Mr. Locite,.the engi neer, had been over the line lately ? Mr. PLATFORD said he bad, about a fortnight ago. He • was in town yesterday, but whether he went over the line he (Mr. Platford) did not know. Mr. TURNER mentioned that Mr. Gee's assistant would be able to tell. The ASSISTANT said that Mr. Locke had been over the line on Thursday week, but he did not go over it yesterday. Mr. BRADSHAW.—Did Mr. Locke see the report of `Zr. Gee ? The ASSISTANT.—I cannot say. Mr. BRADSHAW said he ought to have done. Mr. TURNER said there was no uwetion that Mr. Locke was aware of its contents. " The CHAIRMAN said, the report of the resident engineer must give great satisfaction to every member of the company. Great efforts had been made in a variety of quarters to raise an impression that the accomplishment of the undertaking was altogether impracticable ; that the sum estimated it would cost would be far, very far, below the actual cost ; and the strongest means imaginable had been resorted to to prove it. Because a tunnel elsewhere, and a mile of railway else where, cost a certain sum, it was said that each mile upon this railway would cost the same sum. The shareholders, however, had now the experience of facts—they had the ex perience of having got nearly one-half of their work executed —considerably more than one-third—to show the absurdity of such a comparison as that. Above all, they had experi ence of the exact nature of the materials of which the hill was composed through which the tunnel was to pass; those materials had proved to be extremely favourable for the work. Though hard in the first instance, yet once gone through, they were very likely to cause no great difficulty ; it was not at all likely that there would be any slipping or tumbling down, or anything to interfere with the progress of the work. And it was a most remarkable feature in this case, that out of £60,000 expended upon the tunnel, about £44,000 had been expended upon works generally applicable to the tunnel which would cease in a few days, upon the completion of the shafts. There would then be nothing to make but an open drift way, which might be of whatever size that was thought proper. If the shareholders regarded the amount expended by the description of the work, they would have the most substantial proof which experience could afford, that the total cost of the tunnel would vary very little from the mark in Mr. Locke's estimate ; and there was quite as good a chance of its being below as there was of its being above the estimate. This had always been a great ob jection, and it had beer, held out as a proof of the impracti cability of making the line, but that difficulty was now over. The shafts which had been sunk showed what the material was, the work which had been done showed what would be the cost of working, and in his mind it was as plain as could be, that they now knew their precise position as to the pounds, shillings, and pence it would take to complete it. The chairman then referred to the experiments now making. under the sanction of the Board of Trade, with reference to the principle of atmospheric railways, and said that the report of Sir Frederick Smith and Professor Barlow, which was expected in a few days, he had reason to believe would be favourable. The principle would be tried in the summer upon the Dublin and Kingston Railway, of which he was a director. If successful it would be applied to this tunnel, and it would most materially lessen the cost, whilst it would increase the comfort and pleasure, of travelling through it. Mr. BRADSHAW inquired whether the estimated cost of the tunnel was not £200,000 ? The CHAIRMAN in substance stated that both Mr. Vig nolles and Mr. Locke estimated the tunnel to cost £200,000 if it had to be lined throughout with brick, but if the mate rial should prove to be of such a nature as to 'obviate the necessity for lining, it would cost only £lOO,OOO. Probably the meeting would like to hear the report of the resident manager of the works at the tunnel.. The chairman then _read the report, which described the state of the works and the nature of the materials at all the shafts. The latter it stated to be peculiarly favourable, and that there was not the slightest foundation for the statements made in some anony mous letters in the Railway Times, that the materials of this tunnel, and those of the summit tunnel on the Manches ter and Leeds line, were similar. Mr. BEDDOME begged to ask the chairman whether he could inform the proprietors upon what ground it was that the Railway Times had shewn so much hostility towards this undertaking, depreciating its resources and prospects, and the general proceedings of the company? What reason could be assigned for this hostility? The CHAIRMAN was unable to assign any reason for it. Mr. APPLEBY hoped that the remark just made by Mr. Beddome would have the effect of extracting the reason of his hostility from the editor of the Railway Times himself; but it would hardly become the directors, or the company, to take any further notice of the subject. For his part, he could assign no other reason than that of blind hostility. The motion for the adoption of the engineers' report was then carried. . . . . . Mr. BRADSHAW said that, however painful it might be, he had to move that 230 shares (the numbers of which he read), which bad been declared forfeited by the directors, on account of the calls not being being paid up, be confirmed. Mr. BEDDOME seconded the motion, which, after some conversation as to the disposal of the shares, was carried unanimously. Mr. BRADSHAW next moved that the directors be autho rised and directed to dispose of the forfeited shares by sale, at such prices, and upon such conditions, as they should think fit. _ . _ Mr. WADDINGTON seconded the motion.—Carried unani mously. It was then moved and seconded, that Messrs. William Sidebottom, William Butcher, John Dalton, and Cornelius Randall, the four retiring directors, be re-elected. Mr. BRADSHAW, seconded by Mr. BENNETT, moved, as an amendment, that Mr. John Wood, of Glossop, be elected a director. He was the largest shareholder in the company. After an animated debate the question was put, when there appeared, For the reappointment of the directors 15 Against Majority 8 The four retiring directors were then declared re-elected. A discussion then followed concerning the appointment of an auditor of the accounts. Mr. Bradshsw contended that three shareholders should be appointed at every meeting, and so on till the entire number had filled the office. Ile pro posed a motion to this effect. On the other hand Mr. Geo. SIDEBOTTOM moved that Messrs. Peet and Hobson be ap pointed, which was eventually carried. The CHAIRMAN, in reference to Mr. Bradshaw's sug gestion for the auditors to be appointed from among the shareholders, said the directors would consider between this and the next meeting, whether it could be entertained. Mr. BRADSHAW said that promise was very fair and proper. After some remarks from Mr. BEDDoME, who enlarged upon the superior results which followed upon a low rate of fares, and suggested that a station should be established at Gorton, Mr. WM . Sim:poil - mkt moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, who returned thanks, and the proceedings termi nated. MEETING OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE The weekly meeting of the Dock Committee was held yes terday, when the following members were present, Messrs. Sands (chairman), Horsfall, Holt, Middleton, Smith, Holmes, Bulley, Bold. Shand, Sandbach, Molyneux, Chil ton, Aikin, Barclay, Evans, and 'robin. Mr. Sands pre sided. The SURVEYOR recommended the committee to reconsider the width of the quays round Saithouse Dock. They were 90 feet wide at the south end at present, and he wished them to be made 110 feet. Mr. HORSFALL moved that the width be 110 feet. Mr. EVANS thought that 105 feet would be sufficient It was eventually resolved that the width be 110 feet. The SURVEYOR recommended that two bridges, with two ways each, should be made for Salthouse Dock. Agreed to, The receipt of dock dues at Runcorn, for the last month. was reported to be £4l 15s. Gd. The SURVEYOR brought up a memorial from certain cart owners, praying for a place to be appointed for them to put up their carts at night. He knew of no place suitable for the purpose except at the north and south ends of Prince's Dock, and the vacant space at Brunswick Dock. The me morial was referred to the Sub-committee of Works. In reply to a question from Mr. Shand, the SURVEYOR stated that the enlargement of Clarence Graving Docks would be completed in about twelve months. Mr. HORSFALL asked the Surveyor if he could point out any situation upon which an additional Graving Dock could be made for the central part of the town ? The ship-carpen ters were very anxious for one in such a situation, and the ship-owners also. The SURVEYOR said he knew of none except at the south end of the Queen's Graving Dock. Mr. HORSFALL said that would not do, as the situation was not sufficiently central. Could not some place near Prince's Dock basin be made applicable for this purpose? The SURVEYOR replied in the affirmative. Mr. HORSFALL enquired wheth , •here was sufficient space there for the purpose? The SURVEYOR, in reply, said there was; but he requested time to consider the matter. Mr. HORSFALL said he had mentioned the subject for the purpose of the Surveyor considering it. Tha Surveyor's request was granted, and the committee sepayated. • COMMITMENT.-At the Police-court, yesterday, James Wallens, a man without any ostensible way of acquiring a livelihood, was charged with stealing a coat. It appeared that a stevedore named Boglan had on the prev ious day centm t ployed on 'board the ship Leodis. and had pu his a ne tween-decks. A fellow-workman saw the prisoner shortly afterwards coming out of the fore hatchway, with a coat on, which he knew to be Boglan's, and had the prisoner appre hended_ The prisoner was committed for trial. CORRESPONDENCE. ANTI-CORN-LAW PETITIONS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, SSR,—When females, and those of that sex who arrogate to themselves the title of ladies, enlist themselves under the banners of the Anti-Corn-Law League, and go from house to house canvassing their own sex to sign petitions against the corn-laws, we blush to think that an English lady, she whose peculiar characteristic is modesty and a love for do mestic retirement, can >u tar disgrace that fair fame which all nations accord to her countrywomen, as thus to interfere in a matter so incompatible with her general habits and proper reserve. _ . I am fearful that those of the fair sex who are thus engaged (and it is a fact that there are such hi this town) have been imposed upon by the specious and one-sided, arguments of the advocates for an abolition of the corn-laws, and recognise in the cry of cheap bread a panacea for the distress now pre valent, and forget to inquire whether when bread is cheap wages will not necessarily f a ll. Th ey can mourn f or the dis tressed mechanic. They reserve no sympathy for the impo verished tiller of their ground, upon whom they war the distress of the mechanic My object, however, is not to argue with, but to expose the system of ladies who disgrace themselves in the manner alluded to ; and, I think, Mr. Editor, if you were to give them a gentle rub, and bring a blush into their cheeks (as I presume they have some delicacy left) it might be the means of deterring others and themselves from so unladylike and unfeminine an occupation. I am, sir, yours very obediently, ONE WHO ADMIRES THE SEX. Liverpool, February 22d, 1842. INCONVENIENCES AT THE POST-OFFICE TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. Stu,—May I take the liberty of requesting you, to bring the following under the notice of the public, by giving it a place in your journal, which will make them aware of a re mediable inconvenience which the merchant's post-office clerk is daily subjected to in this town. The annoyance to which I allude is that of there being only one small window at the Post-office for receiving the payment of letters, al though there is another near it, which, however, is only occasionally used, and, even w h en i t i s i n use, the benefit derived from it is comparatively small to what it would be if further separate from the other, and from this cause the usefulness of both is materially diminished. At the despatch of the London mail, and much more particularly the over land mail to India, there is always a great crowd, and those who are unable to get forward, long before the box doses for receiving letters by these mails, are .almost invariably -under the necessity of paying their letteri late, Irma the' crowd being so great as to reader it impossible to get for— ,ward an d th ooe wh o do get forwent. in'tline snsust AttlYg-reat' chance of being hurled to the bott om ' o f t h e flight :of steps close to the paying window, losing-pocket handkerchiefs, Sm. But, in order to answer the object I have in view,--namely, that of the probability of this paragraph coming under the observation of -some of the' authorities, and consequently being the means of leading to an improvement in the place at present used for receiving payment of letters, in that otherwise admirably-conducted establishment, our Post office,—l think it quite unnecessary to occupy your space further. Suffice it to say, that this is no exaggeration of what is constantly taking place ; a n d it i s n ot until I have repeatedly experienced the inconvenience, that I have at last resolved on addressing you, which trouble please excuse.—l am, sir, your obedient servant, G. ATTEMPT TO MURDER AT STOKESAN (Abridged from the Salopian Jonrnal.) On Monday last, a man of the name ofJoues was brought before the magistrates at Ludlow charged with attempting to murder Diana Briggs, who lives in a lonely situation near Stokesay. The prosecutrix detailed with great clearness the circum stances of the affair. She said that the prisoner called at her house at midnight on the 9th Feb, •He asked' for a drink, and as he was known to her, she told.one of her children to go down and let him in and give him a drink. Wheu the priso ner got into the house, he, in the most brutal manner, and with horribly disgusting language, attempted to violate the person of Mrs. Briggs. The following is her description of of one part of the scene :—" The little girl stood at the room door, and ran dowu stairs to try to get out, when he followed her, and said—`Go up stairs, or I 'll stab you ;" all this I heard, and when he came up I saw the knife open in his hands : she came shrieking up stairs, he drove up before him. then I saw the knife in his hand : I then shrieked put, and he came and struck at me several times with the knife. I begged for mercy, and said Lord have 'mercy upon he said—' B—t your eyes, I'll stab you all : ' I had the blade of the knife in my hand, as he was striking at me different times : I caught at it to save me : I had hold of the sleeve of his frock with one hand and the blade of his knife in the other, to the best of my knowledge : it was a pocket clasp knife or a shut knife : after he had struck at me and after the children saw me bleeding they went screaming into the other room, some on the floor and some on the bed : there were seven of them : he shook the knife at them, and said—' 13---L-t your eyes, if any of you say a word. I'll murder every .of you.'" After the prisoner had proceeded with some further bru tality and indecency, he missed the little girl, and the testi mony of the prosecutrix, as to the concluding part of the affair, is as follows: "I said 'She is up in the other room :' he said 'She is not:' I said She is in bed or under the bed:' he took the candle in his hand, went into the other room, looked into and under the beds: she then ran down stairs, and called the girl by her name, 'Sally,' as she was going down: when he got down he threw the candlestick out of his hand and ran out of doors : I followed him to the door, and bolted it as soon as he was out: I was afraid he would murder the child in the road: I was also afraid to follow him out, and ran to the window to hear if I could hear her cry out: I hearkened a bit, and I thought she was got safe from him : she did not cry out: I got the little baby out of bed, and thought to dress myself, but I was so exhausted with fright and bleeding that I could not stand : I then went to bed to the child, and in a minute or two the little girl brought down James Perry, a neighbour : my niece went down stairs, opened the door, and let Perry in : Perry staid a little while and then went for his wife, and she staid with me the remainder of the night : the prisoner had gone away, and I have not seen him since till now•." The witness's evidence was then corroborated by two of the children, and the prisoner was committed for maliciously stabbing Diana Briggs, with intent to do her some, bodily injury, and also for an attempt to committ a rape. COMPARATIVE EXPORTS OF MANUFACTURED COTTON IN THE YEARS 1840 AND 1811. (Extracted from " Burn's Commercial Glance.") Descriptions of Goods, . —...—. Cotton yarn .... in lbs. weight.. 107,456,575 115,665,483 Cotton thread.... do. .. 2,876,709 4,915,109 Dimities. Quiltings and ribs Lawns and lenos Calicoes, printed and dyed d 0... 253,671,143 278,748,275 Calicoes, plain Cambrics and muslins do... 55,105,473 55,118,166 Cotton and linen mixed Ginghams and checks do... 2,448,956 1,903,462 Printed shawls,handkfs.&c. d 0... 377,071 454,868 Nankeens - 816,016 Velveteens, cords, &c.. .. do. .. 3,259,194 2,019,895 Lace, net, &c. Ticks, checks and stripes . d 0... 157,105 87,550 Damasks and diapers .... d 0... 19,146 7,49,1 Counterpanes & quilts, in number 70,680 71,045 Shawls, handkfs., &c., plain.doz.. 127,387 88,797 Tapes, bobbins, &c do... 51,304 69,831 Hosiery .. d 0... 447, ]93 . 437,982 Unenuinerated cotton goods, value £136,251 £116,823 OXFORD, FEB. 20.—The Rev. Mr. Garbett. the newly elected professor of poetry, delivered the first Bampton lec ture for the present year, at St. Mary's church, this morning. The church was crowded in every part. Mr. Grant, com moner of St. John's College, has followed the example of the Rev. Mr. Sibthorpe, and several others of the junior members of.the university are expected to secede from the establishment. DETERMINED CASE OF SUICIDE IN AUNIONWORKHOUSE. —A very considerable sensation was created in the town of` Chatham a few days ago, owing to a report that an inmate of the Medway union-workhouse had destroyed himself, by seve ring his head from his body in one of the wards of the estab lishment. Upon inquiry, it was found that the man had been an inmate for some time, and confined to the sick ward, as he was labouring under affliction and diseaSe, which, from the nature of his complaint, occasioned him to be irri table. The ward in which the unfortunate man was placed . was about 12 feet square, and had in it 12 sick men, the whole of whom retired to rest at the regulation hour. About 12 o'clock, one of the inmates was awoke by a strange noise in the room, and he immediately raised ait alarm, and it was found that the deceased, Joseph Ander son, had cut his throat in such a determined mariner," that his head held on only by the back of his neck. The body was found outside the bed on the floor, in a bending position, with a case-knife lying by its side, covered with blood. _ THE EAST INDIA COMPANY'S STEAM-FRIGATE :11E:4 - NON.—On Tuesday morning, at a quarter past nine o'clock, this splendid vessel, of 1,100 tons burden, mounting two 64- pounders, and four 32-pounder guns, and having them and all her shot on board, with about 300 tons of coals, and a heavy cargo sufficient to test her capabilities for a long voy age, was loosened from her moorings at Blackwall, and pro ceeded doWn the river in excellent style, for the purpose of ascertaining the efficiency of her engines and sailing qualities. The Memnon was built by Mr. Fletcher, and the engines, of 400 horse power, were constructed by Messrs. Maudslay, Sons, and Field, with copper boilers and change eater appa-• ratus, which keeps the salt water below a certain point, anti by that means prevents any deposit taking place, so that a vessel might proceed to India without incrustation to the ex tent of the thickness of a sixpenny piece. The cylinders are double, on the expansion principle, and the consumption of fuel can be regulated to suit any circumstances of slow or quick sailing; she has also disconnecting gear to work one wheel without the other, if found necessary. On arriving at Long-reach the full power of the steam was applied, and the engines worked with a beautiful motion, the vibration being scarcely perceptible: and the large wheels, 26 feet in diame ter, entered the water with such effect as to propel the vessel, with her heavy cargo, at the rate of 111 miles per hour, 81.- fording the greatest satisfaction to her commander, Captain Powell, and,all the gentlemen present.—Londonpape:::, of ELOPEMENT.—On M on d a y morn i ng l ast th e ta 6: , '"L ii, Mr. , residing in the v i c i n ity of Ite.gent's-park , Iheciuuud were thrown into a stat e o f grea t cons t erna ti o n Y t t b ea uty den disappearance of Miss J., a young lady '''t . g reB A l e tter and accomplishments, and the' ward of Mr. ----: e to was found on the dressing table of the absentee, _d adds oted `her her guardian, in which she stated that she ha a u present line of conduct • ess in ' . • calculated to insure her future havoc] containing a ca . quickly ascertained that a chaise arid four , ,, cin _ ty i at an early under the full impressioln valier, had been seen in the immediatee , i t a . . , b t the fair fugi fethatiitt ~'as hour in the morning, and it was s uspec,; - company with the gallant-looking occupier of the ,a P rd, a 'somewhat ditlerlit tive had flown " on the wings of love, post-chaise, s t.c , i i: i : e n , In whichi .it was discovered had proceeded en t e " d by parties under similar exertion it was aster_ route to the one generally adapted circumstances. After con siderable left town by the whitechaper. arced that the chaise a 11 i m mediately commenced by the road, and a .pursuit. was scompanied by his nephew. As the young lady's guardia,ra,n,, of a five hours' start, the our-. runaways had the . ad .. L. 6 b i distanced in their endeavours to• but after journeying some 50 odd'. overtake the fugitives, t an extraordinary speed, they reached the, miles, nerformedianin H g ford, within 18 mile: fii S F . the parties they were in pursuit of were. suers were consitdi '., o ury t. Ai- little village of mun , " just as sitting down to dinner. The with outpursuers, 'the • rushedinto room any ceremony, and proceeded to , take possession of the lady vi et armis, but the disappoint ment of the worthy guardian may be imagined, when it WP,..; intimated to him that he might have spared himself poonlittheelypoint of the trouble and expense of the journey, for that the '`twain" before him had been united in the indissoluble bonds of matrimony some six weeks previously. After a scene of mutual recrimination betwee n the parties, the lady's guardian refusing all overtures of reconciliation, returned in doleful mood to town, accompanied by his disconso:ate.nephew,, who, it appears, is n (I; -- a disappointed suitor of the lady in ques tion, who will, on attaiiim g her 21st year, become entitled to, a fortune of nearly X.A0,000, there being barely three months to expire before her minority will be completed.—London. paper.