The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-04-16 00:00:00

April 16, 1541. LIVERPOOL SPRING ASSIZES NI3I PRIUS COURT.-TUESDAY, APRIL 9. -- - ' OLIVERSON AND ANOTHER V. BRIGHTMAN AND OTHERS (Continued from our last Paper.) The f ur th er hearing of this case was resumed this morn ing. Mr. Byrn, of the house of M`Vicar and Co. at Macao, Was called, and stated in effect, that owing to the state of relations between this country and China, it was impossi ble to land the cargo at Hong Kong, as there were no warehouses there, and it was, moreover, not a place of trade. The only port where they could have been d , s- Posed of was Canton ; but a large portion of the damaged cargo was sold at Hong Kong. At the time the . goods ' t l e re transhipped to the James Laing there was no Inten -4,.,n or again putting them on board the Penang. . ta t'antain Joseph Lyas, master of H.M.S. Herald, stated t there was not at the time any declaration of war on ye m part of England against the Chinese; that Hong 11 ,g was preferable to Macao for lying up, and that in May, '4O, the vessels of war were withdrawn from Macao. This closed the plaintiff's case. Mr. K ELLY t h en a dd resse d hi s l or d s hip, con tendi n g that no real question arose or was in dispute that could be properly left to a jury. They had had direct answers on every question from Mr. Byrn ; and although he was a hostile witness, he (Mr. K.) was content to take, liter any and substantially, as true, all that witness had stated, and thereupon to raise the question of law. The law was clearly settled in favour of the defendants, by the case of -frown v. Vean, in 12 East, page 293, which was a deci sion of Lord Ellenborough in the Court of Queen's Bench. There an insurance had been effected on the Ann to certain ports in the river Plate. The vessel pro- Teeded to Monte Video, and, having stopped there, it was ' , Vended to proceed and finish the voyage at Buenos Ara. The fact and intention of the parties were stated. tuthe time the vessel arrived, hostilities were going on at se Z °B Ayres ; and this was exactly analagous to the pre- Plac "se. Hong Kong was here named as one of several disZarrnentioned in the policy ; but the intended place of other Cante as, in the one case. Buenos Ayres—in the m uen n. There was a state of hostilities between State Ayres and the English ; and here there was a Tho ug h I rstilities between Canton and Great Britain. goods e w as quite free to admit that in putting the on board the James Laing, it was intended, it cir cumstances afterwards permitted, and if hostilities should cease, e to send the m on to Canton, and there dispose of them still he contended that when a vessel arrived at one of the places mentioned in the policy, intending to proceed to another, and that, if from existing circumstances which Prevented the parties from proceeding further, they landed their cargo, or put it into any other place in order that it blight remain in safety, on the chance of that state of thin gs ceasing, so that it might afterwards be sent else- Where, the parties made that place the ultimate port of discharge; and the risk was at an end. If he were wrong on this point, the plaintiff /mould be entitled to recover ; and if he were right, he apprehended then that the voy age a lready cited, at an end, and the risk determined. In the Case cited, the verdict was for the defendant. Some discussion followed between the counsel on both si des ; and at length it was agreed to make it a special case. and t o l eave i t to t h e C ourt o f Q ueen ' s B enc h t o decide the question upon his lordships notes, with the un derstanding that if the plaintiffs should be entitled to recover, interest should be calculated from the Ist of March, 1842. verdict was accordingly taken for the plaintiffs, by eavent,Ks for £2,870, subject to a special case. This was AND OTHERS V. WELLS AND ANOTHER. verdict was an act'on precisely similar to the la s t , and a was taken for the plaintiffs, by consent ; damages, 78. 9d , with interest, subject to to the special case vlivers on a . nd another v. Brightman and others. BOLD AND ANOTHER V. ROTHERHAM. Th is was an action of the same nature as the preceding, an d Was disposed of in a similar manner. DORAN V. RITCHIE. A special jury was sworn to try this important case. Mr. Knowles and Mr. James appeared for the plaintiff, toad Mr. Martin, Mr. Watson, and Mr. Crompton for the defendant. Mr. JAMES opened the pleadings. The plaintiff was Doran, and the defendant was Thomas Ritcher, theesecret ary Patrick of the Phoenix Insurance Company. The action was brought for the recovery of a sum of about £5OO, being the amount of a policy of insurance effected on the plai n tiff' s d we lli ng -h ouse , store , ' an d stock-in trade, in Crompt on - s t ree t, i n thi s t own , w hi c h were de stroyed by fire at the time of the great conflagration in l'er mbY-street, in September, 1842. The defendant re fused to pay, and pleaded that the plaintiff had committed t. knowingly, in that in the account and declar a ti on o f th e l oss , L." designedly, and fraudulently, represented it. to be much greater than it really was. This the plaintiff denied, and up on this issue was joined. for Mr . MARTIN was then allowed first to state the case the defendant. In proceeding, he said he appeared on behalf of the Phcenix Insurance Company, to admit that they entered into the policy in question ; but that the Plaintiff, from his conduct, was not entitled to receive any Payment in respect of that policy. Mr. Doran, the plain tiff, had been a marine store dealer, and the action was to recover £483 on a policy entered into on the 16th Octo ber, 1841. The policy provided, that persons who sus tained losses, should send in a true account of the same without delay, and that if there were any fraud in the statement, the claimant should forfeit his claim to resti tution or payment by virtue of the policy ; and the ques tion was, was the claim made false or fraudulent. The policy was for £240 on stock in trade and utensils. £lOO on a wooden shed, occupied as a dwelling-house, and 1 . 60 on household goods and apparel,—altogether amounting to £5OO, at a premium of 10s. per cent. The learned counsel described the premises. The policy was to cover the premises from September, 1841, to September, 1842, and the great fire in Crompton-street, &c. took place on the 23d September, 1843. It was the largest fire since the grea t fire of London, and the insurance offices had to pay — " t ,` ° , ,o oo for the property consumed. The fire began on t.;2, d aY, and these premises being near at hand, the -- suonurs in Crompton-street took away their property to more secure places. On Saturday and Monday they Were told by the police that there was no further danger, and accordingly brought back their goods. Doran r.- moved his things on Friday and Saturday, but there was 1:10 doubt that he never brought them back. On Monda th y bi ght, the 26th, hi s prem i ses too k fi re , an d i n l ess t h an ree quarters of an hour the whole were flat with the i g re end, and all that remeined was a small portion of old r °,,O, and some rags. A suspicion arose that Doran him ;.oernrohwaidnset fire to the premises, and he was arrested, and ent for trial on a charge of arson. He was tried at the spring assizes, and cquitted. With that ac -suittal the jury had nothing to n do; Ill•ried on the claim put in. On the 10th October Doran Ed ae e an affirmation of his loss before the Mayor, and in an inventory, to which the jury would direct their att ention. First, as to the wood en sh e d ; it was s t a t e d t o be occupied as a warehouse, and £lOO was insured on it. next was about four tons of o a ku m , a t £2O p er t on , I .:°- The next was about eight tons of rope. £7O. The xt ,was thirty new flock beds, at 4s. each, £6. The next 608cuatnaged cotton, about 30 cwt., £42. The next was and w i t. of rags, £3O. The next was 25 cwt. of old iron D „,.,, e nains, £7, and this iron, it was admitted, was on the . 1 . - n ' l ses at the time. The next was four beams and scales, Th - ; hfty cotton packs, 50s; and a pack of feathers, £B. de, whole amounted to £267 13s. The next was the -edi ng-house, valued at £lOO, improvements in it £5O; the the various articles of furniture alleged to be there at e time of the fi re wou ld amoun t t o £62 17 s . Th ere was aid to be a chest of drawers there, four clothes chests, 2tnd various oth er art i c l es. I t was t h en state d t h at cer -14 Property had bee n remove d f rom C romp t on - stree t ; i t numerated the articles, and amongst them was 53 cwt. of 'Z . , £7, and cotton packing to the amount of £B. This u m was furnish e d t o the Phcenix Company ;the corn !!4co3l thought it r i g ht t o i nvest i gate b efore they paid, and vcordingly directions were given to investigate it in Li roterP°ol- The fi rs t i nqu i r y was made of the fire-police ,. !I, and a statement was made to them of the various ar kieles which were alleged to have been burned—oakuni, tope, r ags, damaged cotton, feathers, and flock beds ; and ticiSe, said they h a d h ad experience of fires ; that such ar veres_ mwould occupy several hours in burning; that there itospol.ls: circumstances to satisfy them of the absolute Iv as (Ts': fly of such things being there; that the burning after it • t h ra t Pid ; that there were no remains whate v er would be a a bd if there were suc h goods in the place, there that the board'sn k °f Property at the bottom of the fire ; not in, as they:l,ll'll'r: dill ; that t t b h a e ve fallen out, in such a case, and rags ; and, in y t o h n e e re must be . R smell . from the and all said that it was ab- SOilltely iMpoc s 'bi ; e that the property could have been in the store on the night of the fire. Four tons of oakum ,Would occupy a co ns id era bl e t i me i n b urn i ng. Th en e i g h t t ops of rope would necessarily occupy a considerable B ) a ce• They were closely twisted, and would of necessity " c cuPy a consdeable time in burnng. Again 30 new l lock - beds, wh i ch r are made closely together of , cotton, Would lai occupy a long ti me i n b urn i ng ; an d 60 cwt. o f rags, tr l 'n, in a ma r i ne store, were generally damp, filthy, and of dirt, would smoulder and not burn. The insurance "Rice then i nqu i re d from the neighbours. The neighbours . said there was nothing there but some old rags, and Zme iron on the floor. The insurance office directed an 7_ e 4atninatiOn to be made o f w h a t wou ld b e th e measure !!ant of articles on the claim. A young man in London, and afterwards Mr. G ran th am, o f Li verpoo l , was appoint ._oto do this; and the latter would tell them, that in his t o gment, they would occupy 3,960 cubit feet. The corn- Z t eY thus finding the claim not an honest one, refused to and the action was brought to compel them. They wag the claim as a fraudulent one, and also because it tw_s! their duty to the public, as well as to themselves, to ..,!st claims of the kind. se,,eeventeen witnesses were then . examined to prove the . th e ral facts detailed in the opening specrel ; after which ne sL h „ e a d se for th e d e f en d an t c l ose d, an d t h e court then ad - WEDNESDAY. 1,; 434 th le a p „ e court resuming, Mr. KNOWLES asked whether . u eert finned friend opposite would admit that Doran had hat trUring with the Phoenix for five or six years, and 'm Year before the fire he reduced his premiums from then.tsoo. h 1 M A R.T x rep lied in the affirmative, and asked whe- Drenc: B learned friend would admit that Doran held the t r ses at the rate of £25 a-year. i ICN °WLES was understood to make the admission. Plaintiff Proceeded to address the jury on the part of the kg, 31 i The claim w a s not at all extraordinary ; look excerlaeed, at all th e c i rcumstances , it was, he thought, titt,euingly small, and he could not help thinking the re be_nce to it b a d its origin in the fact that Doran had 1. 1 1 1 tried on a c h arge of setting fire to his own premises. the Yial could not but leave an influence, but he begged all SurY to suspend their judgment until they had heard evidence. His client bad been tried, and without „„ Q g a andwitness, acquitted. The case had arisen "'+BPicion doubt arising from the many fires in Li- verpool, and was but slight. The plaintiff had been five or six years in the town, and had been insured in the Phcenix the whole of that time. The year before, too, he had reduced his insurance from £6OO to £5OO. He was moreover a respectable man, and had a good stock for strefx a business. The items claimed were not large for suc h a b us i ness as b e was engaged in. In commenting on the evidence for the defendant, he stated that the wit nesses were, in some instances, labouring under mistakes as to the actual construction of the premises, and con cluded by saying that his clier.t fearles-ly appealed to a Liverpool jury, undismayed by any prejudices that might exist against him, and satisfied of the justice of his claim. Ten or twelve witnesses were then called. The evidence was to the effect that goods to the extent alleged had been on the premises prior to the fire; and one of them stated that, during the continuance of the fir., he saw oakum, rags, and ropes consumed. At the 'close of the case for the plaintiff, Mr. MARTIN replied. His LORDSHIP then summed up, recapitulating nearly the whole of the evidence, and commenting upon it as he proceeded. The Jury retired, and, after an absence from court for two minutes, returned a verdict for the defendant. THURSDAY. POW V. TAUNTON. This case, which commenced on the preceding evening, was proceeded with on Wednesday. The plaintiff was Mr. Robert Pow, of North Shields ; and the defendant, George Henry Taunton, of the same place. The action was for an alleged infringement of the plaintiff's patent right in a certain invention called a nipping wheel, to be applied to the windlasses of shins. It was not of general public interest. The jury found a verdict for the plain tiff. CLAIM ON A POLICY OF INSURANCE. PLATT AND OTHERS V. REPTON. The plaintiffs in this case were Messrs. John, William, and Benjamin Platt, tar and turpentine distillers, of this town, and the defendants Charles Repton, and other offi cers belonging to the Phoenix Insurance Company. The action was to recover the amount of a policy of insurance for the sum of £1,358 Ga. Mr. Knowles, with whom was Mr. Crompton, appeared for the plaintiffs, and Messrs. Watson and Martin for the defendants. Mr. KNOWLES stated the case, from which it appeared that in 1842, the premises of the plaintiffs, situate in Greenland-street, were burnt down, and property to a considerable amount destroyed. The property, the value of which was in dispute, was in the east and west yards, and also in Guyton's warehouse ; it consisted of tar, tur pentine, oil, &c., worth £1358, but which, deducting £603, which the defendants had paid into court, being con sidered by them the full extent of their liability, would, consequently, be reduced to £755. The policy was what is termed a floating policy, and intended to cover mer chandise belonging to the plaintiffs in any cellars, sheds, or warehouses in any part of Liverpool, but not to extend to the assured's distillery. The defendants contended they were not liable for the goods in the yards, they being connected with the distillery, and ought to be covered by the policy of insurance effected on that building. The learned JUDGE, in summing up, said the distillery included all which the plaintiffs used for that purpose, whether in or out of the building, and the yard was, un doubtedly, part of it. Verdict for the defendant. FRIDAY. RIGBY V. RABY. This case, which was brou g ht . on for trial on Thursday afternoon, did not terminate until near three o'clock this day. The jury, after a considerable absence, returned a verdict for the plaintiff, damages £3B. THE WLIS V. M'CA.WLEY. Plaintiff and defendant were formerly in partnership as twist-dealers, at Huddersfield, and during that time em ployed Messrs. Brooke and f that town, as their attorneys. Messrs. Brooke and C0., d0. afterwards brought an action for the amount of their bill against the plaintiff and defendant jointly. The plaintiff, having paid this bill, brought the present action fur his proportion by way of contribution. Verdict for the plaintiff, damages £32 Os. Id. SNAPE V. BROMILOW. This was an action to recover compensation in damages for a breach of promise of marriage. The defendant pleaded, first, that he never made the promise, and, se condly, that it had not been made within six years, and was, consequently, barred by statutes of limitation. — Verdict for plaintiff, damages, £25. WALKER V. TURNER. This was an action for trespass for breaking into a dwelling-house at Warrington, in the occupation of the defendant, as Tenant to the plaintiff. This case, which did not possess the least interest, further than to the par ties concerned, occupied nearly four hours. Verdict for plaintiff, damages, 40s. The court rose at a few minutes after nine o'clock. SATURDAY. PEARSON V. DONALDSON. This was an action brought against the defendant, Hugh Donaldson, to recover commission on the sale of certain property at Windsor and Bootle. Mr. Rotch and Mr. James appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. Martin and Mr. Hoskins for the defendant. The case, which lasted the greater part of the day, was of comparative unimportance, and resulted in a verdict being returned for the defendant. HILTON AND OTHERS V. SIMPSON. TOBIN, KNIGHT, V. SAME. ABEL AND OTHERS V. SAME. BEALE AND OTHERS V. SAME. SAME AND OTHERS V. SAME. ALEXANDER AND OTHERS V. SAME. BARON AND OTHERS V. SAME. BARON AND OTHERS V. SAME. In these several cases, which were actions upon awards, verdicts were returned for the plaintiffs, by consent, sub ject to an arrangement between the parties. PARKER V. CONER. In this case a verdict was returned for the plaintiff, subject to a certificate. Remanedg having been made of two or three remaining cases, the assizes terminated at half-past two o'clock, and Mr. Baron Rolfe left for London by the evening train. His lordThip, who had been sitting here for three weeks, felt much fatigued upon Saturday, and, shortly before the final adjournment of the court, remarked to Mr. Wortley, that it was almost more than human nature could endure to go through the labours of the Northern Circuit. ANNUAL GENERAL VESTRY. On Tuesday last, at twelve o'clock, the annual general Vestry, for the election of churchwardens, overseers, select vestrymen, &c. was held in St. Nicolas's Church, the Rev. Jonathan Brooks, the senior rector, in the chair. The attendance was numerous, a strong muster having been made by the whig radicals, who had previously held a meeting to which reporters were not admitted, for the expressed purpose of devising means " for the better government of the town, " and taken other extraordinary steps to secure a majority of their own party at the meet- The churchwardens' account with the parish for the year ending the 25th ult. (for expenditure out of the church rate) was read, from which it appeared that the total amount paid, for repairs of the several churches, stipends, &c. was £4,743 10s. 2d. The balance from the previous year's accounts had been £2,147 ls. Bd.; a rate of Id. in the pound had been received for that year, toge ther with some arrears for the four previous years ; and the balance in favour of the succeeding churchwardens, was £328 7s. Ild. Mr. BICH{ im objected to a charge of £240 16s. 2d. for repairs of St. Mathias's church. He understood there had been an expenditure of £7OO to £lOOO in unautho rized repairs, and wished to know if the parishioners were bound to pay it. The CHAIRMAN said the remaining £l9O 16s. 2d. was for repairs, for which, under the general church building acts, the parish were liable. Mr. Mather the chairman, had gone beyond the estimates allowed by the churchwar dens of the parish by £3OO or £4oo—not to the amount stated by Mr. Bigham, and the tradesmen he had employ ed, not the parish, would suffer. After a few other questions had been put and satisfac torily replied to, the account was passed. The vestry, after some slight discussion as to the order of proceeding, went to the election of CHURCHWARDENS. Mr Raymond Houghton and Mr Wilkinson having been propoaed for re-election, Mr. Hugh Hornby nomi nated Mr. Joshua Henshaw in lieu of Mr. Wilkinson. On a show of hands, the majority was declared to be in favour of Mr. Henshaw, and a poll was demanded in fa vour of Mr. Wilkinson. Mr Scholfield and Mr. Arthur Henderson were propos ed as sidesmen, and carried without opposition. OVERSEERS. V 11,11...,/.41,//“.7• On the motion that Messrs. Muncaster, Kilshaw, Wm. Henderson, and Thos. Green, be appointed overseers. Mr. JOHN SMITH proposed Mr. Scholfield in place of Mr. Muncaster. Mr. JAMES PARKER was surprised that any one should oppose such an old servant of the parish as Mr. Muncas ter. Mr. SMITH disclaimed any intention of speaking dis respectfully of Mr. Muncaster, but he thought it was time the parish should be better represented on the Select Ves try than it was. The members of the Select Vestry were behind the people in the requisite powers of an intellectu al order for the management of the poor, in reference to educating them, and depauperizing them. He trusted a brighter era was about to dawn. He wanted men who would serve their fellow townsmen as such, without refer ence to their party or clique interests, and who would in fuse new life and fair-play into the board. He repre hended the insult given to the honorary medical officers by the present board, and the neglect of the means within their power of teaching the people industry, and showing them how to assist themselves and cease to be paupers. A show of hands being taken, it was declared to be in favour of Mr. John Scholfield. A poll was demanded by Mr. Houghton, who said Mr. Muncaster was a most effi cient officer. Mr. Woollright was then nominated in place of Mr. Kilshaw, and carried. A poll demanded. Mr. Arthur Henderson was passed without opposition. Mr. M'Gee was named as a substitute for Mr. Green, but the former being withdrawn on some question as to qualification arising from residence, Mr. Green was elected. Mr. George Riding and Mr. Helsby being nominated as churchwardens of St. John's, Messrs. Weightman and Branch were proposed in opposition and carried. A poll demanded. Mr. Wm. Taylor and Mr. Thomas Lyon were elected churchwardens of St. Paul's. THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. Ferguson, architect. And may the Great Head of the Church bless and prosper the undertaking." Dr. M'CULLocit then addressed the right hon. gentle man. He made a few appropriate observations as to the occasion, and to the condescension of the hon. gentleman in coming so great a distance to ley the foundation stone of a church in which, they hoped they and their children's children would worship for ages to come. He then alludied to the great exertions of the hon. gentleman in the cause of the Free Church, and concluded by handing him the silver trowel, on which the following inscription was en graved : (cREsT.) " Presented to the Right Honourable Fox Maule. M.P., on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone of St. George's Presbyterian Church, Myrtle-street, Liverpool, 11th April, 1844." The Right Hon. Fox MAULE then ascended from the place in which the stone was placed. He said that after the speech they had heard from their aged, excellent, and Christian friend, Dr. M'Culloch, it was impossible for him to lay the foundation stone of that church without first returning thanks to him for the kind mention of his name, and secondly congratulating them on the commence. ment of a work, which he trusted would be concluded as happily as it had been begun. It was not in the power of mankind to command a happy conclusion to that event, but be trusted that the prayer which had been offered up that day would not have been uttered unheard, and he hoped their continued faith in Him who had promised that " when we ask it shall be given," and that no prayer offered in sincerity will be cast on the winds, would bring about that happy termination. He had to congratulate the ladies and gentlemen present on an undertaking the most interesting which man could put his hand to—the erection of an edifice where they and their children could worship unmolested, and enjoy that which was the privi lege of this country in particular, namely, the exercise of religious liberty "without any man making us afraid." In Scotland an event had lately occurred—one that would mark the page of history probably more deeply than any which had taken place during their time, at least, and he was glad to find that the spirit which had been thus work ing so nobly there, actuated Scotland's sons, though they might not be absolutely dwelling in their own native land. He rejoiced to find that in that great commercial metro polis of the world, while their sons were busy, as they always were busy in pushing their industry to its utmost legitimate extent, that they were not negligent of the faith of their fathers, and that they erected amongst themselves a communion in which they might worship in that faith, not in any of its modern interpretations, but in its ancient purity for which their fathers fought and bled. (Applause.) Their excellent friend, Dr. M'Culioch, had said that he (the Right Honourable Gentleman) had done them an honour on being present on that occasion. in the fulness of his heart he had spoken, he was sorry to say, just ex actly the wrong way. (No, no.) All the honour, said he, lies on me, conferred by you. It was a proud distinction that he stood that day in the presence of so many of his countrymen in this great and flourishing, city, to promote the cause of the free church of Scotland, being, as l►e held it to be, the cause of pure and true evangelical religion. ,Hear, hear.) He had taken part in that cause not more, perhaps, and not so much from his conviction of its being the inheritance of his country, as from his conviction that it was a pure cause, and one which would always flourish, being co ntenanced from on high. What he had done he had done as a humble individual, whom accident had placed in a position in which, if any other then present had been placed he would have done the same. (Hear, hear.) He was highly delighted to have been able to avail himself of the opportunity, but at that moment he would not detain them longer by referring to the cause itself or to the circumstance of his being there, as he hoped to have an opportunity of doing so more fully that evening. The Right Hon. Gentleman concluded by again thanking the company for the honour conferred on him, and the ceremony concluded with the pronouncing of the blessing by the Rev. Dr. Smith, of Glasgow, The new building will be in the Norman style of archi tecture, and built of white stone. It will accommodate between 1500 and 1600 individuals, and, we understand, the plans, &c. have been kindly and gratuitously furnished by Mr. George Ferguaoo, a member of the congregation. THE SOIREE in celebration of the event, took place in the evening, in the Music-hall, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. About eight hundred individuals sat down to tea, provided, with great liberality, by Mr. Hiles, confec tioner, of Parker-street. The arrangements were complete in every respect, and the attention of the stewards was all that could be expected or desired. The Rev. D. Ferguson, on the motion of Dr. M'Cullrch, was called upon to pre side ; and on the platform, and in other parts of the room, we observed the following gentlemen :—The Right [lon. Fox Matile,M.P., Dr. Smith, of Glasgow, the Rev. J. R. Welsh, the Rev. John Gardener, the Rev. W. M'Gill, of Belfast, Mr. Lyon, of Glenagle, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Durante scc. ,lllr.Acidam, Mr. M'Reen, Mr. D. Macauley, Dr. Rowland, Tea was preceded and concluded by grace ; and after the tables were cleared, The Rev. D. FERGUSON briefly opened the proceedings, and stated he had communications from the following parties, who intended to have been present, but were un avoidably compelled to be absent :—The Revs. Dr. M'Kellar, Dr. Cooke, of Belfast, Dr. Buchanan, of Glas gow, W. Bevan, -- Campbell, of Manchester, Dr. Crichton, Dr. Raffles, and Mr. Alex. Dunlop. The meeting was then addressed by the Rev. Dr. Smith, of Glasgow, Mr. Lyon, of Glenagle, the Rev. D. Fergu son, the Hon. Fox Maule, and othefs. THE ARCHIMEDEAN SCREW PROPELLER, AND H.M.S, " RAT fLER." l A paragraph (from a correspondent) appeared in the Morning Herald, a short time ago, stating " that the result of the experimental trials of the screw-propeller in her Majesty's steam-vessel `Rattler,' is such that it is not likely any other vessel in her Majesty's service will be propelled on that principle." The editor of that paper now states that having received a letter from Mr. F. P. smith, the well-known inventor of the propeller in ques tion, he will, without impugning his correspondent's in formation as to the future intentions of the Admiralty on the result cf the trials of the Rattler, give the relevant points of that gentleman's letter; and adds, in reply to Mr. Smith's supposition that the paragraph was " invidi ously intended," that he bad previously inserted nume rous paragraphs on trials of the Rattler " that had in variably been reported as eliciting approbation." The Herald then proceeds to Mr. Smith's letter:—Mr. Smith states that in consequence of the success of the Archi medes the Admiralty had done him the honour to inquire into the merits of the screw-propeller, and its advantages to the British navy. To test this most fully, they ordered the Rattler to be constructed upon precisely the same lines as the Prometheus, and other steamers of her size, on the paddle system ; the engines to be of the same power, and the draught of water regulated by the "sea trim" of that class of her Majesty's ships-11 feet 3 inches. Mr. Smith proceeds to state :—" This having been strictly done, a trial of the Prometheus was made at the measured distance, in Long Reach, on the 2d of Feb rugry last, and that of the Rattler on the following day. On this occasion their relative speed stood thus :—Pro metheus, 8-757 knots ; Rattler, 9.240 knots. Alterations have, however, since been made to the screw of the Rat tler, which has increased her rate to 9-673 knots, being within a fraction of one knot in favour of the screw, al though under circumstances most favourable to the pad dle-wheel—viz., smooth water, It has been urged that the Prometheus laboured under some disadvantage from resistance offered by her masts and rigging. This lam bound to admit; but as the trials were made alternately with and against the wind, the resistance was very small as compared with her deficiency of speed." Mr. Smith next proceeds to notice an accident that befel the screw, (alluded to in the paragraph,) and explains that in endea vouring to arrive practically at the best and most com pact form, it was thought advisable gradually to reduce it in size, thus throwing a greater stress upon a smaller sur face than it was originally calculated to sustain, whereby a fracture might not unreasonably be expected, as was the case by himself and the gentleman conducting the experiment —a part of their object being "to guide them to • the most judicious disposal of whatever material the propeller may in future be made of." By such means alone could perfection be attained, and future disasters avoided. Mr. Smith concludes by stating that " the Rattler," even in her present incomplete state, " has ex ceeded the highest expectation of the Admiralty and naval officers generally ; and I will venture to assert, without the slightest fear of contradiction, that her performances, in point of speed and facility of roancevring, have never been equalled by any steamer of her class. If, then, the efficiency of the screw has already been so clearly esta blished by comparison on the smooth waters of the Thames, it is, pretty evident, from the acknowledged ' opinions of its superiority for sea-going purposes, its powers in the case of the Rattler cannot yet be said to have been fully tested or thoroughly developed." The Morning Herald appends a note to Mr. Smith's letter as follow :—" Our Woolwich correspondent corroborates Mr. Smith's statement in reference to gradually reducing the size of the screw. We believe by so doing at a certain length (shorter than the original,) they attained the maxi mum speed ; beyond that point, either way, they retro graded." We are glad to find that our contemporary of the Herald has made the handsome compliment to Mr. Smith conveyed in the article of which we have furnished an outline. We had the pleasure of sailing with Mr. Smith in the Archimedes ; we know that he has devoted many years of his life to the development of the screw principle; that he and his friends have also expended a large amount in bringing it to its present state of advance ment, and though many others have taken up the same idea in various ways by adopting the screw principle of the ancient Greek philosopher, whose name it bears, (and who applied it to a different purpose,) he was the first who brought that principle to a practical bearing, while others —by reference to former suggestions, that proved to be failures, and a present plagiarism on his discoveries— would fain claim the honour due to the pi oneer who hewed the way, and who, it would appear, was not sufficiently cautious in the specification of his patent to secure himself from trespass. We once beard of a man (A) who in vented and patented a new kind of borer for a great gun. His borer turned, and his gun was fi xe d d ur i ng the opera tion, and it was so specified. A shrewder customer (B) placese e seeing ogtfh its sa moving,dva t ege made came the u g p with uno t the move,sa m e andbo i e the r but, (which after all was the main thing) to stand still, and overcame the ptteq. The case is n o t qu it e i n po i n t, f or the latter principle is perhaps th e b es t ; b ut i t d oes occur to us that the application of the screw to steam naviga tion is due solely, in a practical view, to Mr. Smith's en terprise and talent ; and however it may be pillaged, or even improved upon by others—(though of this last we have doubts)—palmam qui meruit ferat I The article in the last Quarterly Review, on the Duke of Bridgwa!er's canal, is said to have been written by Lord Francis Egerton. EARLY CLOSING OF SHOPS. PUBLIC MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS. On Wednesday evening last, a public meeting, convened by his Worship the Mayor, in compliance with a requisi tion numerously signed, was held in the Music-hall, Bold-street, for the purpose of considering the most de sirable means of bringing into use such an amended sys -tem of business in regard to the hours of attendance, as might give permanent and effectual relief to a large and deserving class of persons, the tradesmen's assistants, without injury either to their employers or the public. The room was densely crowded in every part, the audi ence in the reserved seats consisting principally of ladies. On the platform we observed the following gentlemen : The Rev. H. M`Neile, the Rev. F. Barker, the Rev. D. Ferguson, the Rev. T. Nolan, the Rev. W. Bevan, the Rev. D. Thom, A. Hodgson, Thomas Blackburn, John Cropper; James Mulleneux, Esq., &c., &c. Tne Mayor (Thos. Sands, Esq.) took the chair shortly after seven o'clock, and called upon the Town-clerk (R. Radcliffe, Esq.) to read the requisition upon which the meeting had been called. The CHAIRMAN then briefly stated the object of the meeting, which he said was to take measures for bringing about a mitigation of the hours of labour as regarded the shopkeepers' assistants, by which a great number of per sons would be benefited, wh le none, he thought, would he injured. He then read the following letter from the Earl of Sefton : " April 8, 1844 " Sir,—l see, by an advertisement, that you have thought proper, in compliance with a requisition to that effect, to convene a public meeting, to take into conside ration the best means of promoting the early closing of shops' in the town of Liverpool. Having, sir, been in duced to sign that requisition to you, I think it right to apprize you that it will not be in my power to attend the meeting, but, at the same time, to express my most hearty concurrence in the object of it, which, I think, might be attained without injury to tradesmen or their customers, and would confer an invaluable boon, both moral and physical, on the assistants whom it is intended to relieve. " I remain, sir, your obedient servant, " SEFTON. " To the Worshipful the Mayor." --- The MAYOR also stated that he had received a note from one of the representatives—the Hight Hon. Lord Sandon—on the same subject, which he would read. It was as follows : " Ingestrie, April 9, 1814. " My dear Sir,—A paper has been sent me, in the shape of a kind of summons, to attend a public meeting to-morrow, at which you are to take the chair. It was sent me, hardly in the expectati on t h at I s h ou ld b e a bl e to comply with it, which, indeed, is the fact, as I have business which will detain me in this part of the country. But I cannot forbear saying, that there are few objects which I should be more desirous to promote than that, and others similar to it, which you are met to encourage —I mean, a shortening of the hours of occupation. " I recollect Mr. Huskisson saying to me, many years ago, that he bslieved there was no animal so much over worked in body and mind, in any country, as the English man. And truly I believe such to be the case. " Competition among ourselves, competition with fo reign countries, the native character of the people, and the stimulus given by our free institutions to activity in every shape—all combine to produce this effect; and I believe it is time that public opinion in some cases, posi tive law in others, should declare loudly that the English man shall have more time for healthy recreation, for thought, and for the development of the social affections. " In this view I have long taken great interest in the exertions which have for some time past been made by and for those who are employed in every branch of busi ness, that they may be released at an earlier hour. I, for my part, cannot apprehend injury either to their employ ers or to themselves. Their employers will have more willing service, and the employed will have more health of body arid mind to give. " Believe me, my dear air, yours, very truly, " To the Mayor." " SANDON. The Rev. F. BARKER moved the first resolution. The case was simply this :—it was calculated there were about 15,000 persons in Liverpool occupied in the various capa cities of assistants, porters, and errand boys, working 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, or even more hours out of the 24, during six days of the week,—that those individuals were preclu ded from every pursuit which might tend to the preserva tion of health; the improvement of the mind, and, what was more important of all others, the salvation of the soul. He paid a marked compliment to Mr. Flower, an assist ant, who had, during the last seven years, endeavoured to bring about this curtailment of the hours of business; and after showing the hardships, mental and physical, to which the assistants were exposed by the present habit of keep ing open the shops to unseasonable hours, concluded by calling upon the meeting for their hearty co-operation. " Only," said he, " give us your assistance, and the thing will be done,—say that yon determine ten hours is suffi cient for you to shop—l think it ought to be a sufficient time for you to keep it cpen—ay this, and the thing must be accomplished." (App ause.) Mr. THOMAS BLACKBURN, in the course of a long speech, which analysed the question in all its bearings, maintained that it was a great mistake to suppose that the real and permanent interests of the employers them selves could be promoted by long hours, and insisted that as much business could be done, and done well, with short hours as with lorg hours, and that they would produce no unfavourable effect in the day-book or the ledger, the cash-book or the bank-book. (Cheers.) They would produce good fife, is on all—the employers and employed ; and there would he as good a balance sheet at the end of the year in the one ease as in the other. He had great pleasure in seconding the resolution, and he did so from a firm conviction, that if this object could be attained, it would be highly advantageous, not only to the assistants, but to the shopkeepers, and the whole class of the com munity; and he trusted that vast assemblage would not only signify their approval of the resolution, but would do something more—that they would consider themselves pledged in signifying, by the holding up of their hands in approval of that resolution, to do all that lay in their power, by every honest and proper influence, to secure the attainment of the object in view. (Loud cheers.) Mr. ADAM HODGSON supported the resolution, for he could not forego the privilege of raising his voice against the wrongs inflicted on a large portion of society. Twenty years ago, when he and his friend Mr. Cropper were in the American trade, they were generally engaged in business until nine o'clock in the evening, and occa sionally till two or three in the morning, and what was the consequence? A resolution was come to to finish the business at six, and since that time the American trade had doubled or trebled in amount. The resolution was carried unanimously. The Rev. W. BEVAN, who moved the second resolu tion, made an effective speech, and concluded by remind ing the meeting of The mottoes of two great men, "Agi tate, agitate, agitate," and " Register, register, register," and he called upon them to adopt those moi toes, to agitate in this good cause, and also to register their names in support of it. (Applause.) The Rev. Mr. NOLAN seconded the resolution. In doing so he observed that the object aimed at by the meeting was one of mighty importance, and the necessity for taking some steps in the matter had already been ac knowledged. The inquiring portions of the community had consented to it, and the associations in this and other towns were sufficient to direct public sympathy to it—all were ready to acknowled,e. It had been admitted, also, that their present position was one which cried aloud for interference—that being so, there had been a desire felt for doing something all along, but every effort bad been stayed by the magnitude of the difficulty that was met with on the threshold. They knew it was necessary to do something, but how was that something to be accom plished ? because, when dealing with things in which there existed conflicting interests, there was required the nicest adjustment, and the most mature reflection and conside ration. It was not their desire to advance the interests of one portion of society at the expense of another : they did not desire to promote bad feeling between owne:s of shops and their assistants; their only object was to carry on the work in such a manner that equal justice might be done to all. These difficulties had been felt, and so, for a long time, a deserving and numerous class of the com munity had received nothing but barren sympathy from the public, from whom they had a right to look for sub stantive support. So far from wishing to injure the em ployers, they wanted the hearty good-will and co-opera tion of the shopkeepers, and when that was once obtained, it was by the mighty power of public opinion the work was to be accomplished. It might appear difficult, but was there ever anything accomplished without? If there were no difficulties, then what was the use of their meet ing that night? He urged them not to remain silent to the appeal of humanity that was then being made to them on behalf of the oppressed of their fellow-townsmen, who were living underthe same enjoyments and privileges that they themselves possessed. He concluded by calling on them to bear in mind the words of the Roman poet Te rence, which, during the performance of one of his plays, were rapturously applauded by the assembled multitude —" I am a man, and all that concerns man concerns me." And surely, said he, the mighty influence of the gospel in this professing Christian country forbids us to be stran gers to those impulses by which the mind of a heathen audience was actuated. (Applause.) Mr. JOHN SMITH was then called upon to support the resolution, and said he could adduce many facts in aid of the object in view, but considering the talent that had preceded him, and that which was to follow, and having the opportunity through another medium of urging what ever be thought useful to the cause (cheers), he would not inflict a long speech upon the meeting. He trusted the committee to be appointed would take cognizance of statements which had reached him of the severe hardships suffered by bakers, carriers' clerks, dressmakers, and others, and that its labours would be successful in esta blishing a general feeling in favour of shorter hours of business. Bankers closed their offices at three or four o'clock, and yet no one supposed they lost any business or any profit by so doing. (Hear, hear.) The Mayor had just reminded him, in reference to the observation made by Mr. Adam Hodgson, touching the public mar kets, that the subject of the late hours there had not passed unnoticed. His worship and himself, accompanied by a clergyman, and by a gentleman now on the platform, had recently visited two of the markets and the neigh bouring taverns late on Saturday night, and had inspected the state of their respective neighbourhoods after mid night, to ascertain what sort of a preparation for the Sab bath late hours of business could admit of; and when the subject should next he introduced in the Council, the Chief Magistrate would be able to give it the effect of his testimony. (Loud applause.) The Chairman then put the resolution, which was car ried unanimously. The Rev. HUGH M NEILE, in rising to propose the next resolution, was loudly cheered. He said a practical resolution had been entrusted to his care, and the best of the proposal was, that it came at an auspicious moment, because it was not practice in theory, if he might so speak —it was not a recommendation of objects to be carried out at their leisure, but the recommendation of an act to be performed there. Having read the third resolution, he proceeded to say, the;e was one advantage in propo sing a resolution of this kind—that the hands which were held up to signify their approbation of it were immediately called into action to sign their names to the document ; and therefore it ought not, in fact no resolution ought, to he passed heedlessly, but that especially, and they should think before they passed it. It was now tbree years since, under similar auspices, —he meant the presidency of the chief magistrate,—they were privileged with the opportu nity of advocating this cause. The progress of events in durm these years had but tended to conrm their con viction of the reasonableness and justice of the arrange ments they proposed, ard the advantages derived and in tended to be derived from their adoption. The practica bility of it; without any serious injury to any class, must be easily seen by every member of the community. The causes which jtistified them some years ago in agitating this question still existed and justified them now. The difficulties that stood in the way still existed, but he was haFpy to say not in undiminished force. Some progress had been made s and, as he was called to practical busi ness, he would read to the meeting a specimen of the pro gress whi c h h a d b een made. [Th Rev. Gentleman here read a printed list of the shops in the principal streets which are closed at seven o'clock.] That, he said, was not a mere dead catalogue, but a living practical list; and. those parties were deserving, well deserving, a decided. preference from persons who wished to employ such shops; a preference not arising in exclusive dealing from any un fair, unjust, sectional, sectarian, or political feeling, but in a plain, broad, practical determination to make known, and make known by action, the determination of the pub lic of this town to carry out this measure, and to gi ve such support to shopkeepers who c l ose at seven o'clock, as to make them, instead of losers, actually gainers by it. (Applause.) He believed all the difficulties which bad been so well expressed already would be overcome if means of the right kind were adopted in the right way. It was the property of practical Wisdom in all her opera. tions, not only to consider the end in view, but also the materials she had to work with, in order that she might at every step overcome the difficulties which stand in the way. Without enthusiasm they could not be truly de voted in a good cause at all times, and with devoted en thusiasm who could be perfectly judicious at all times ? Energy without excitement, and sustained vigour without any vain vehemence, was a combination difficult for fallen man to obtain ; end yet such a combination was absolutely indispensable in the immediate and practical carryint for ward of the cause in hand. Their object could not be obtained by force—legislation was out of the question. They did not contemplate and did not seek that ; and, therefore, he did not think it necessary to enter into any discussion of the opinion as to whether legislation in any such case might be beneficially applied. He considered that a separate question. The object could only be at tained by an amicable arrangement amongst all the parties concerned—an arrangement which, by practical applica tion, will make every shopkeeper of Liverpool feel tk.at it is his interest to enter into the arrangement and cordially observe it. Such being the case, it would be unwise, in the warmth of the discussion of the claims of one party, to say anything to injure or irritate the other party. For instance, to reprobate the existing abuses as if they were willingly encouraged by the master, as if the master had wanton satisfaction in tyranny and cruelty, would not be the way to win the co-operation of the masters; and yet the abuses must be exposed in order that the public might see the necessity for improvement. To enlarge exclu sively on the claims of the assistants, was not the way to gain the employers; and, on the other hand, to enlarge exclusively on the rights of property, and the privileges of employers to make the most advantageous agreement they could to carry on their work, would not be the way to get the right information and promote the object in view; yet the rights of property must be urged, the pri vileges of the employer respected, or, if not, there was an end to all employment and a ll t rue lib erty o f society. He (Mr. M'Neile) would, therefore, rather affectionately ye monstrate than excite strong feeling in this work. He would take the liberty, in all affection, on behalf of the masters, to address the assistants, and then, on behalf of the assistants, to addre ss th e masters, and afterwards, on behalf of both, to address the public. (Applause.) The Rev. Gentleman then proceeded to address the as sistants. He said they ought to remember, that hard ship was not peculiar to their case in this world, and called on them to contrast their skuations with those of young men who were compelled to go abroad. He spoke of the number of little items which were important to their employers. He then said, religion was not to free man from toil, but to sanctify him fur it. To the masters he said, that whilst the rights of property and their privi. leges in making contracts with the employed were re spected ; and whilst they respected their motives in their practice hitherto, yet they ought to remember the parties were not mere machines—they must think as well as toil. If they required them to serve them not as eye servants, but as servants of God, they must let them read the word of God. They must give them out of their premises time for something more than sleep. They were bound to give them time to read, whether they occupied it as they wished or not. He thought the practice would be. that all the shops in the respectable streets would be closed, and those that remained open would be in the back streets. The Rev. Gentleman then addressed the public, advising them not to make late purchases, and to patronize only such shops as closed early. One of the speakers who had preceded him had given them a motto. if they would permit him he would give them a motto before proposed at a meeting in this good cause. The Rev. Gentleman then related the anecdote of the Highlander, who told Napoleon Bonaparte that he could not play a retreat on the bagpipes, and then said to the assistants engaged in this work " No retreat ;" to the masters who had com menced and closed their shops, "No retreat ; ". to the public who were dispoSed to take the Rev. Mr. Barker's advice, "No retreat." Mr. M'Neile then sat down amidst loud applause, but rose almost immediately to say that he had that moment been informed that some of the shop keepers whose names had been read had resumed late hours. The only way, therefore, in order that the public might discriminate, was for those shopkeepers who closed early to have a bill in the window stating the fact. The Rev. D. FERGUSON seconded the resolution, and in doing so observed that it was the duty of every minister to come forward in such a cause now that the ministry bad been drawn forth, and that every minister who did not avow his assent to it was guilty of a crime. Toil was the lot of every man, but when a system was carried on which was likely to bring the life-blood out of him and shorten the period f existence,—and he had been given to understand the majority of shopmen did not live above forty years,—it was evidently a sin, and no earthly gain could compensate for its existence. In conclusion, he besought them to bear in mind what had been said by a more distinguished countryman of his than the one re ferred to by Mr. M'Neile, during the progress of a recent agitation, " Retreat! —no, not a h a i r ' s breadth ;"and to couple along with that the watch word whereby he guided on his party, " Organize, organize, organize." (Cheers.) The Rev. HUGH M'NEILE was sorry to interrupt them, but he wished them to bear in mind that there were books for receiving the names of parties who were willing to subscribe in aid of the cause they were advocating, and as practice was that which brought principle to the test, he recommended them to come forward. The CHAIRMAN said he had seen a note from Lord Sandon, in which he said he was willing to give £5 if the matter were followed up. The CHAIRMAN then put the motion, which was car ried unanimously. W. B. HODGSON, Esq., said he would not detain them, especially as they were now endeavouring to do away with the late hour system. He moved the fourth resolution, and hoped they would not merely strike while the iron was hot, but strike till it was hot, and then continue striking while it was hot. The resolution w s seconded by James Mulleneur, Esq.. and carried. _ _ JOHN CROPPER, Esq., moved the fifth resol u ti on , th at the resolutions be signed by the Mayor on behalf of the meeting, and advertised in the papers, which was seconded by Mr. E. Flower ; and a vote of thanks, moved by Thomas Blackburn, Esq., having been passed, thanking to the chairman for his services on the occasion, the meeting broke up about half past ten. MALT, HOPS, AND BREWERS.—Mr. Benjamin Wood, M.P. for Southwark, has moved for accounts relating to malt and hops, and to the number of persons licensed as brewers, victuallere, &c. , for the year 1842-43. We find that the total quantity of malt made in the United King dom during the year ended the 10th of October, 1843, was 4,459,673 quarters, of which 3,171,441 quarters were used by brewers and victuallers, and 394,857 quarters by retailers. With respect to hops, it appears that the total number of acres of land in Great Britain under the culti vation of hops in 1843, amounted to 43,156 acres. The total amount of duty paid on hops of the growth of last year was £243,796, viz., £133,508, old duty per lb., and £98,680, new duty. It further appears that the total number of brewers in the United Kingdom is 2.644, and the total number of licensed victuallers 86,073; that 31,227 persons are licensed to sell beer " to be drunk on the premises ;" that 27,009 victuallers brew their own beer; and that the total number of bushels of malt con sumed by brewers amounts to 17,719,938 bushels, and the quantity consumed by victuallers to 7,651,603 bushels. The quantity consumed by persons licensed to sell beer "to be drunk on the premises" is 2,761,672 bushels. --- MARRIAGE EXTRAORDINARY. —One of the Ojibbe way Indians, lately exhibited by Mr. Catlin, at the Egyp tian Hall, Piccadilly, has just entered into the matrimo nial stite with a very pretty and interesting young lady, of English birth, about 18 years of age, and of respectable connexions, resident in the neighbourhood of the New road, Somers Town. The Ojibbeway thus honoured with the fair hand of the youthful maiden is named Nottenakm (the strong wind), and is one who acted as the interpreter of the other Indians. He is tolerably well acquainted with both the English and French languages. At an early hour on Tuesday morning, St. Martin's Church and its vicinity presented a gay and animated appearance. About half-past nine o'clock a coach drawn by four grey horses, containing the Indians, their wives, and children, attired in their native costume, followed by two carriages —the first containing the bride, bridegroom, and bridesmaids, and the second the father and friends of the bride—drew up at the church, and the whole of the party entered the sacred edifice, which was crowded by fashionably dressed persons, the majority being ladies. After the solemn ceremony was performed in an impressive manner by the officiating clergyman, the party returned to their equi pages, and drove off amidst the cheers of the assembled multitude. The name of the bride was Miss Sarah Haines ' the second daughter of M r . Haines, of George street, Euston-square (she was elegantly attired, and ap peared tobe in excellent health and spirits)—that of the happy bridegroom, Alexander Nottenakm, a native of Upper Canada, but of French extraction. He was attired in a blu e m ilit ary surtout an d scar l e t t rousers. He very handsome man both in form and features. ,,,__,,,, ra. ..—;—...... iF I C ' ~., ._ t re: ~~ SELECT VESTRY. The mat business was the confirmation or otherwise of the appointments to the vacancies in the select vestry. Mr. HOUGHTON said, the parties appointed were. Messrs. J. G. Scvainson, Ford, and Bremner. who had succeeded Messrs. Henshaw, Wilkinson, and Doke. Mr. BIGHAM here asked who had appointed Mr. Weightman as surveyor, under whom the rate bad been altered and increased? Mr. HOUGHTON replied, the churchwardens and over seers, with the concurrence of the select vestry. Mr. BIGHAM said he had examined the parish books, and went into a long statement to show that in Lancelot's hey and elsewhere, where the buildings were almost ex clusively warehouses, there had been no increase in rate able value, while property in Dale-street, &c., chiefly in shops, had been greatly increased. Mr. RADFORD said the cases cited only showed that shops had been underrated before, and warehouses fully rated. The CHAIRMAN said no surveyor could lay a rate to please everybody. He had himself been assessed at £5O above his rent; he had appealed and had it rectified, and the same course was open to others. The names were then put to the rote. To Messrs. Maynard, Hugh Molyneux, and Ferguson, there was no opposition. The list of those proposed, and those named in opposition to them, finally stood as follows, the latter being all carried, some by a questionable, others by a small, and others by a considerable majority : Mr. Swainson opposed by Mr. Avison. Mr. Ford ~ Mr. M, , uld. Mr. Bremner M r. Snowball. Mr. Hand „ Mr. T. Bryden. Mr. Groom ~ Mr. Thos. Taylor. Mr. Mayor ~ Mr. T. F. Roskell. Mr. Bennett _ A poll was demanded in each case. Mr. SMITH then moved, that it be a recommendation from the parishioners then in vestry assembled, to the select vestry, to admit reporters to their meetings. In doing so, he could say emphatically that he did not desire it as a member of the press, but as a parishioner, anxious to know how the vast sums that passed through the hands of the select vestry were expended, and whether they kept in mind as they ought to do the interests of the poor, and those out of whose means the poor were maintained. He wanted them to do this, and to give to the poor enteusted to their care a moral, useful, industrial, practical educa tion—something above mere theories, above mere dogmas. They had lately applied £32,000 to build a new establish ment at Kirkdale • but unless the system were changed, they would merely be creating a larger amount of vice and poverty. He thou.:ht the presence of reporters in the select vestry would not, as had been alleged, have the effect of encouraging talking, but, on the contrary, that it would check a great deal of twaddling that now went on. (" Hear," and laughter from the radicals.) The CHAIRMAN said, Mr. Smith would be glad to learn that the object contemplated in the expenditure of money at Kirkdale was the very object that he had in view. The school now erecting there would be the first great indus trial school ever attempted in the kingdom. Therefore it was not quite a new era : some little credit must be given to the old ones. Much, of course, would depend upon the mode in which the school was conducted. Mr. SMITH next referred to the parcelling of lands, re specting which he said Dr. Wetherill could give them some interesting information, and show how poor-rates might thereby be altogether abolished. • Mr. PARKER thought it did not become any gentleman to rise in ,hat place to throw a stigma upon the clergy. (Cheers, hisses, and much uproar.) The system in ope ration at the Workhouse had been under the superinten dence of the rectors of the parish. The CHAIRMAN did not think they were paying the rectors a great compliment. (Hear, hear.) Dr. WETHERILL rose for the purpose of making some statements relative to the Workhouse regulations, but was interrupted by The CHAIRMAN, who said the subject was one which they could not there entertain. Dr. Wetherill had better speak to some friend on the select vestry. Mr. URQUHART supported the motion of Mr. Smith. The select vestry seemed so to act as to keep the poor in a state of ignorance. By direction of the poor-law com missioners, a committee had been appointed to report upon the state of education in the Workhouse department. They found in the establishment at Low-hill more than 200 female children and infants without a single teacher; not a single voice was heard, saving those of the children, the pauper nurses, and a few pigs. And what was the state of the other schools, in Brownlow-hill ? Not a sin gle individual was exclusive'y employed in education : the principal teacher was the chaplain's clerk. He did think the case was lamentable. Notwithstanding the re ports that had been made, nothing had been done except ing the appointment of one female teacher. Mr. Urqu hart went on at some length to denounce the constitution of the select vestry, which he said was altogether uncon stitutional. The CHAIRMAN checked Mr. Urquhart. With regard to the long tirade in which Mr. Urquhart had indulzed, against the persons officially appointed, he did not think it worth while to offer a single word in• reply. (Cheers.) He had been fifty years a clergyman of the parish, and he left it to the parishioners. He had been constantly work ing on committees of education during the whole of that period, very frequently on five or six at the same time. (Applause.) Some further discussion ensued, Mr. Urquhart wishing to read a letter from the poor-law commissioners, which the Chairman decided to be out of order. Eventually, on a show of hands, the motion was approved of by a large majority. _ _ Thanks were then voted to the honorary physicians and surgeons of the Workhouse. On the motion for a church-rate of ld. in the pound, Mr. BICH AM moved a direct negative, characterising the rate as unfair. The dissenters supported their own places of worship, and churchmen should support theirs. A show of hands being taken, the rate was carried. The usual sum of £5O was voted to the parish clerks, and £5O for the Welsh service at St. Paul's. The pro posal of £5O to the clergyman of St. Matthias's as before, was opposed, Mr. Bigham moving that it be £3O, in con sideration of the minister having obtained another living; to which the churchwardens agreed. Messrs. Muncaster, Houghton, Riding, Henshaw, Branch, and Helsby, were appointed commissioners of St. Paul's and St. John's, to fill up vacancies. The business of the vestry being concluded, the Chair man named ten o'clock next day for taking the votes, at the church. - Thanks were then voted to the Chairman, and the ves try adjourned. WEDNESDAY.-THE POLLING. At ten o'clock the polling commenced, and was car ried on throughout the day with much spirit. At the close this day, the ten conservative candidates had each obtained upwards of 430 persons, having upwards of 1230 votes. Those nominated in opposition to them had obtained each upwards of 380 persons, and upwards of 1025 votes,—with the exception of Mr. Roskell, who obtained but 5 persons, having 15 votes. At the close, Mr. Mayor was declared to be duly elected, no vote having been tendered for his opponent, Mr. Roskell, for some hours. The polling was, at four o'clock, adjourned to Thursday. THURSDAY. The polling was resumed at ten o'clock, and was again carried on with great vigour. This day, at the close, the majority for the tories «•as increased in persons to 1,281, and in votes to 4,452. FRIDAY. This morning only one vote was tendered for the amended list within half an hour, and the polling was therefore declared to be at an end. Mr. Wilkinson was declared to be duly elected churchwarden ; Mr. Muncas ter and Mr. Kilshaw overseers ; Mr. Swainson, Mr. Ford, Mr. Bremner, Mr. Hand, Mr. Groom, and Mr. Bennett, select vestry-men. FINAL AGGREGATE STATE OF THE POLL. Persons. Votes. Conservative list Opposition list LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. On Thursday the foundation stone wa; laid of the new Presbyterian church, Myrtle -street. The sacred edifice is intended for the use of the congregation which seceded from the Scotch Church at St. Andrew's, Rodney -street. The ceremony took place at half-past four o'clock, when the committee accompanied by the Right Hon. Fox Maule, Dr. Smith, of Glasgow, the Rev. W. M`Gill, of Belfast, the Rev. D. Ferguson, the Rev. J. R. Welsh, D. Macauley, Esq., Kenneth Macauley, Esq., John Gordon, Esq., A. Neilson, Esq., Dr. M'Culloch, &c., reached the ground. uganiw oet 6th tlau T vdtsi bt h eaeparr e spbalscaolese ß ecrs.nte e piddp v oreTlna . idanyh D ot eeet r . tothß, wei F l Dt:a sechvreile:gn.2uGpt2ms centre dteae o on:p n oncetsfeld o uae. Iptimmihoeonenvineehsv which hay-'bhoattionnhchdee: atipwnhnrageods hermetically e taH e hn e e d nn i sungh. inscriptiong offered t F ro h nmYxg sealed,t Maule u t v i e i pa bottle in the stone, which described the secession. The Rev. D. FERGUSON opened the proceedings by giving out a portion of the 122 d Psalm, which was sung from the 6th verse. The rev. gentleman having then offered up a suitable prayer, Dr. M'Culloch and the Hon. Fox Maule descended to the stone. A box hermetically sealed was placed in the centre of the stone, containing the following documents :—Deed of aoenneofthe brass demission and claim of eighty, address of the congrega tion of the 27th December last, coins of the present reign, namely, 4d., 6d., Is., 2s. 6d., and a sovereign, the confession of faith, the large and small catechisms, a copy of the LIVERPOOL STANDARD and the Scottish Guar dian, and pla T te he placed the e s s t e o n n g e r ii..: v e e ele : Chancery, their own Presbyterian Church.—This church was erected by the voluntart contributions of a large body of the congregation (and assisted by their friends) of St. Andrew's Scotch ery, were Church, prevented veeenedt e proceedings gilfsrond from institutedey -S electingt Rodney-street, ee t i , na w t h ph o ae , st i cn n or c un o rg n tr s e e oe q af choice, on the 12th October, 1843; and feeling deeply impressed with the responsibility attaching to them under such circumstances, determined on retiring from that church, and erecting for them and their children a house in which to worship the God of their fathers, under the - ministration of the Rev. Donald Ferguson, whom it was shire, placed their desire to have appointed to that charge, andngtloandbe, a u n n d d s er yn th o e d j o u f r t is h d e ie p ti r o e n sb o y f t . etrhieanPrcehsbuyrctehriynoEf L and solemnly dedicated, through the Presbytery, to the service and glory of Almighty God. — The Right H on . F ox Maule, M.P., laid the foundation stone on the llth d ay of April, in the presence of the members of Presbytery, elders,the Bll, 4 committee, subscribers, and others, George it ley led