The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-06-27 00:00:00

THE TOWN DUES. LOCAL CHARGES ON SHIPPING COMMITTEE (FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.) HOUSE OF COMMONS, THURSDAY. The select committee re-assembled this day at noon, Mr. Lowe in the chair. The other members of the com mittee present, were Messrs. Beamish, Duncan, Hardy, neaullatn, Lord Hotham, Mr. Milner Gibson, Mr. Vance, Sir John Duckworth, Messrs. Cobden, Feuwick, Moffatt, and Watson. Amongst the parties in attendance from Liverpool, in ltdditi4in to the Town-clerk and Mr. Thomas Baines (who have attended the meetings since the commencement of the sittings), we noticed John Stewart, Esq., mayor of Liverpool; Charles Turner, Esq., chairman of the dock committee ; Francis, Shand, Esq., deputy chairman ; Elias Arnaud, Esq., &c., &C. The Town-clerk of Liverpool was re-called, and pro duced the short-hand writer's notes of the trial in 1833, when the right of the Corporation to the Town-Dues was disputed by the Committee of Merchants. In answer to the Chairman, the witness showed from those notes, and other documents used at the trial, that on that occasion the Corporation claimed the t Dues on the port of Liverpool. By the Chairman: In case of a freeman being a partner in a firm, his interest on goods charged with Town Dues, was taken into consideration at the Town Dues Office, and the proportion of Town Dues reduced. At the request of the Chairman, the witness read several extracts from documents in reference to grants and leases from the Molyneux family, but he desired that it might not be received as his evidence. By the Chairman: In one of the Dock Acts, the dock committee were bound to proilde a small landing stage before the large one at St. George's Pier. The Corpo ration had nothing to do with the clause in the act which compelled the Dock Committee to construct this small stage. As he had already stated, the Corporation were not the promoters of the Dock Acts. The draft of the bill binding the Dock Committee to construct the small landing stage would, of course, come under the notice of the Corporation. The Corpora. tion never took any steps to relieve the Dock Committ.te from the'obliga.tion of constructing the stage, When, the Corporation sold the land at WallaY4 Pool for the con struction of the Birkenhead docks, they obtained Bs. 2d. per yard for it. The Corpora non had not opposed every thing that had been pro";<sed on behalf of Birkenhead. The Chairman : Nniy, is there anything that has been poroposed ref Bence to Birkenhead that they have not °PP's r .a.t? M. Shuttleworth Yes, a great many matters. He, did not think that any proposal originating at Birken nead had been opposed since 1845 Last year a bill was passed for the purchase of the Birkenhead docks by the Corporation, and under that act the Corporation had been compelled this year to come to Parliament for a bill to complete the docks. likThe Chairman: Do you not think that there is a rivalry between Liverpool and Birkeenhead interests ? Mr. Shuttleworth: I do not think that there is any rivalry at all. I know that the interests of the Corpora tion of Liverpool are also the interests of Birkenhead. This closed the Chairman's lengthened interrogations to the Town-Clerk on the various points referred to. Before the Town-Clerk retired, The Chairman said : Have you any opinion to offer before the committee as to the settlement of this question of the Town Dues, by compromise or otherwise? Mr. Shuttleworth: No. The Chairman: You do not feel authorised to offer any opinion as to a compromise? Mr. Shuttleworth: I do not. Mr. Headlam ; Before this bill was introduced to Parliament, was any proposal made by the Corporation for a settlment of these dues ? Mr. Shuttleworth : Not that I know of. Mr. Vance: You have said that the Corporation of - Liverpool do not set up any claim to increase the rates in Town Dues. Now. upon vt hat do you found that state ment? Mr. Shuttleworth: By universal practice. Mr. Vance : But there is nothing in the grants under which you are acting which prevent you from increasing the rates. Would the Corporation like to have the power to decrease the dues on those articles on which they are said to press as a burthen, but which you say they cannot do in consequence of the clause in the municipal act ? Mr. Shuttleworth: They would very much like to have the power, and if they had it, to my own knowledge, such .reductions would be made. The Chairman: Does the reduction, of which you are speaking, apply to anchorage ? Mr. Shuttleworth : No. In answer to the Chairman, the Town-clerk further stated that he believed any increase in the dues had arisen from some clerical errors in regard to packages, and that that applied to the article of coal. Sir John Duckworth:' Have the Corporation taken any opinion as to whethor under the terms of the municipal act they have net the power to reduce these dues, or is it merely their own opinion? Mr. Shuttleworth : It is net their opinion. They took the opinion of an eminent counsel now on the bench, who stated that they could not reduce them. The opinion was that of Mr. Justice Crampton_ This closed the Toss n.clerk's examination Mr. Weightman, the town surveyor, Was next called and pointed out on the plan the various new sheds that had bk•en opened, and other improvements made for the accommodation of the trade of the port. Mr. Francis Shand was next called, and examined by 'Lord Hotham. He said he was a West Indian merchant, and a freeman of Liverpool. He stated that he did not concur in the opinion expressed by a previous witness, that the Town Dues diverted shipping from Liverpool. 'The reason why some merchants shipped certain goods 'to the east by way of London was, that there were cer— tain facilities for this department of trade at London, which Liverpool did not possess. Upon that ground he (witness) was in the habit of shipping goods to Ceylon, via. London. By the Chairman: I think that the Corporation of Liverpool is legally entitled to the Town Dues ; but I am of opinion that they should be looked into, and that every thing should be charged according to value. If the trade of the port of Liverpool increases, the Town Dues must also increase. John Stewart, Esq., Mayor of Liverpool, was next called, and explained the various transfers of land from the corporation to the Dock Committee. He corroborated the statements of the Town-clerk, and shewed that from time to time the corporation had given large quantities of land to the Dock Trustees for dock purposes. By Mr. Milner Gibson : He considered that the Town Dues were a part of the corDPrate estate. No doubt great improvements for the latnefit of the port, and for other public purposes, had been effected, which could not have been done without the Town Dues. The great landing stage, the courts r.,`L' law, custom-house, and other buildings had been ere'.d.ed out of them, and all these places . were for the be ;defit of the public generally, not for the inhabi tants of Liverpool. He would not say that if the Town Dues. went on increasing, Liverpool would be a city of pa'..aces. Mr. Gibson : Then you contemplate the continuance of the Town Dues whatever may be their amount ? The Mayor: We are legally entitled to them. Mr. Gibson : Do you not think that if the Town Dues were applied solely to shipping purposes, instead of relieving the householders of Liverpool, it would be judicious ? The Mayor : It might be judicious, but it would be unjust. Mr. Gibson: But if it was a benefit, I should think they would not care about its being unjust? The Mayor : Oh I Wouldn't they. (Loud laugter.) The Chairman here read an extract from the evidence given before the House 01 Commons by Mr. Bramley- Moore in 1851, in which that gentleman stated, that the Corporation of Liverpool had done nothing for the improvement of shipping out of the Town Dues, and that the Dock Trustees were at the expense of making and repairing the great thoroughfares. The Mayor (on this) said : I beg to say that Mr. Bramley-Moore is under a mistake The dock do not repair the public streets of Liverpool. Mr. Bramley- Moore has not been in Liverpool as long as I am, and I know better than that. The Chairman : He was chairman of the Dock Com mittee for many years, was he not ? The Mayor: No, not many years. Be was chairman for a few years. Mr. Elias Arnaud, late Collo. for of Customs at Liver pool, was next examined, and stated that he never heard any complaints among shippers of the operation ;of the Town Dues. Mr. Hardy was next called, and spoke to some of the grants conferring the right of the Corporation to levy Town Dues. The Town-clerk said he had no further evidence to call. Mr. Alderman Bancroft submitted two plans of the town and port of Liverpool, which the committee had asked him to produce. The room was then cleared, and the committee, after about a quarter of an hour's deliberations, adjourned to Thursday next, at one o'clock, in order to consider their future course of proceedings. THE NORTHERN TIM BIRKENHEAD MODEL YACHT CLUB. The first match of the season of this highly respectable club took place yesterday, under most favourable cir mimstances. The day was peculiarly fine and warm, even for midsummer, and although the water was quite smooth, yet there was sufficient breeze to puff along the boats in good style. The members of the club had provided the Satellite steamer to accompany the yachts, and the atten tion of the committee and the secretary; Mr. Whitham Scott, to all present, was remarkably urbane. The corn pany was large and respectable, and the day was one of ur alloyed pleasure. The breeze that sprung up at the starting of the boats died away after three o'clock, and from that to the finish of the tune it was certainly " plain sailing;" but the best seamanship was exhibited through nut 'the contest, and the utmost gratification Was mani fested by the large company of ladies and gentlemen on board the accompanying steamer, on board of which an excellent band added much to the pleasures of the day. Mr. Morrish, of the Merchants' Dining Itooms, had the care of the refreshment department, and it i 43 only neces sary to state the fact, to proVe that nothing could possibly be better supplied, and that his arrangements were duly appreciated. The sport was excellent, but it was stated to us that the winning boat (excellently managed and manned as she was), had some slight advantage over her competitor, the Electric, inasmuch as the successful boat had what is called a "drop keel" which enabled her to go two or three points nearer the wind than the other craft. Be this as it may, the handling of all the boats was excellent, and proved that the club had arrived as near as possible to perfection, in the modelling and skilful sailing of their yachts. The following were the entries for the first match of the season : CUP, VALUE TWENTY POUNDS. Course:—From Birkenhead ferry round a flag boat stationed off Eastham, thence round a flag boat stationed off the Dingle, back round the Eastham flag boat, thence back round the Dingle flag boat, returning direct to Birkenhead ferry, passing between the shore and flag boat moored off the club house, leaving the last mentioned flag boat on starboard hand. All other marks and flag boats to be left on the port hand. Time—Three minutes per ton for yachts under two tons ; one minute and a half per ton for yachts above two tons, up to five tons. One Minute over. Station. Owner's Name. Yacht's Name. 1 T. Brassey, jun. Spray of the Ocean 2 A. 80wer......... Spray 3 T. Wilkinson.... Glide 4 T. U. Bowen .... Zephyr 5 W. C. Wrenshall Jilt o T. Wilkinson ... Electric 7 Mr. Suthberry... White Squall The start was effected in good style at 2.22 and all got off well, the Spray taking the lead, f glowed by the Electric, the Spray of the Ocean, White Squall, Zephyr, and another yacht, called the Spirit, not set down iu the printed bill. The Jilt was well up, and the Glide in going out dipped her jib, which delayed her for some time, yet she overhauled the other boats in good style on the upward course to the Eastham flag boat. On the first round the Electric got half a mile to windward, but she was tackled by the Spray, and that craft got ahead, and it may be said that from this to the finish, the whole race, which was an exciting one, lay between the Spray and the Electric. The following is the timing of the boats at all the stations :—Ea,stham flag, first round— Glyde. Jilt Zephyr Electric Spray Spray of the Ocean White Squall H. H. s. .2 56 0 3 0 45 .3 0 0 2 58 0 2 56 30 . 55 .2 55 48 2 56 10 The wind died off after the boats got round the flag, and the following three boats only timed at the Dingle flag round-: H. H. 5. 5pray...................... 52 40 Electric 4 55 0 Glyde 5 5 10 The race after this lay between the S ray and the Electric, and the time was as follows :—second time at Eastham H. M. S Spray Electric Second time at Dingle thg boat 5 19 55 5 26 30 B. B. S Spray Electric The run home was timed as follows ,6 27 0 .6 30 15 Spray. ii. M. s. .6 52 30 .6 56 0 Electric This concluded the day's sport The Commodore, Haigh, Esq., then went on board the steamer and presented Mr. Bower, the successful competitor, with the splendid cup, amid prolonged cheer ing. He congratulated the winner and the club generally, and said the club was in a prosperous and promising condition, and he trusted the support shown that day to it would stimulate to renewed exertions. Mr. Haigh then, in highly complimentary.terins, presented the cup to Mr. Bower, and that gentleman returned thanks in brief but appropriate terms, and having asked the ladies to toast "Success to his gallant little craft," he gave his able crew a bumper of the same wine out of the same cup, and the day's proceedings terminated at nearly eight o'clock, to the entire satisfaction of all who had the good fortune to be present. S. B. LOWE IN REPLY Tr) " MACNA.UGHT ON INSPIRATION." TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERNI TIMES. Sir,—l am sorry to learn from the Courier of to-day that Mr. Lowe will only reply to anonymous writers whose letters may appear in the columns of that paper ; and as the Courier will not insert any letters unfavourable to Mr. L., he is pretty safe from the attacks of criticism. Anything more absurd than his refusing to answer cor respondents, except through a particular paper, I cannot conceive. And although he (Mr. L.) positively stated some time ago that he would not answer any such communications, he has replied to one letter of Verax," on the ground that he was an excep tion. Why he is an exception, and why Mr. Lowe has not followed it up, surpasses my comprehen sion to understand. The truth is, I fancy, he has had enough of " Verax" already, whose arguments seem (as we say in slang phraseology) to have " doubled him up " completely, and hence, no doubt, his silence. The editor of the Courier appears to be in Mr. Lowe's secret, and it is probable, therefore, that Mr, L. is also in the editor's confidence. If Mr. Lowe expects by his subter fuge in the Courier, to ride off and escape the disgrace of his defeat in his encounter with " Verax," he is much mistaken ; but even if he does escape " Verax," he has, at all events, a Unitarian hanging on the skirts of his gown in your impression of to-day. Mr. L. puts me ih mind of Dr. M'Neile, when he had the encounter with Dr. Eden's gardener, and came off second best :—feeling that he was worsted, he blandly remarked, " what a beautiful thing discussion is." There is another letter in the Courier of this day, which is only worth alluding to in order to shew what ridiculous conclusions some people can arrive at. Instead of sia• ' nin , himself " Verb. Sap.," it should have been " Verd. Sat. This worthy judges Mr. Macnaught's allies by the papers which they write. I would ask, does " Verb. Sap." himself so act in his every day life? Does he catechise every one with whom he does business as to what their religious, political, and social opinions are before he has anything to do with them? If he does so, I pity hire. I presume that Mr. Macnaught's supporters go to the papers alluded to, without any regard to the religious persuasions of their editors, and simply because they are the daily papers, whose columns are freely open to both parties. But Mr. Lowe and others have written in the Unitarian and Papis tical papers, ergo (according to " Verb. Sap's" logic) Mr. Lowo and his supporters are Unitarians and Papists. But if " Verb. Sap.' prefers it, I will give him another touch of logic. Mr. Lowe writes in a paper, whose editor is a Wesleyan Methodist, ergo Mr. Lowe is a Wesleyan Methodist. I would advise Mr. " Verb, Sap." to digest these crude thoughts, coming, however, from A LOVER OF FAIR PLAY. Liverpool, 25th June, 1856. ATTEMPTED MURDER IN THE MIDDLESEX HOUSE OF CORRECTION. On Wednesday, in the House of Correction, Coldbatl square, Clorkenwell, a warder named Myddleton was Stabbed, so that his life is in some danger. Myddleton, it appears, had the custody of a prisoner named Graham, who was attached to the work of cleaning the dormitory. On Tuesday night Myddleton had to punish him, and he did so by taking away a portion of his allowance of bread. As the prisoner was known to be a desperate character, having stabbed a man on a former occasion, Myddleton was told to be on his guard against him. On Wednesday, about twelve o'clock, Myddleton opened the door of the dormitory, which be had no sooner done than he was stabbed in the right cheek, just under the eye, by Graham ; he fell back and called for assistance, which was immediately at baud, and Graham was secured. Myddleton was attended to by Mr. Wakefield, the surgeon of the prison, who found one of the arteries severed ; he succeeded in stopping the hicinmorhage, and Myddleton was conveyed to his home in a cab. It was not at first known how Graham had got possession of the knife, but it was subsequently discovered that he had broken open a box in which the warders kept their ---- knives and forks. He had torn of f a p iece of gas pipe THE QUEEN IN IRELAND.—We believe we are correct in in the dormitory. with which he forced up the lid of the stating that there is every probability of her Majesty box. To-day there will be a meeting of the visiting visiting Ireland towards the latter end of August next, committee of the magistrates, when it will be decided The occasion of the intended royal visit, so far as we can what shall be done with Graham. learn, is a desire on the part of he r Ma j est y to take leave ,_,., _ ------- ----- of the Irish Militia, prior to its disembodiment , in a grand I NT ERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT. — The Mon teur pub lishes military spectacle, on a scale surpassing anYihing that has yet been attempted in this country. The Curragh, it is the text of a convention concluded un the 19th ult., understood, will be the scene of this display of our national between France and the kingdom of Saxony, for arms ; and we further gather that, in order to give every mutually guaranteeing the copyright of authors and possible effect to the royal review, the various regiments artists. now stationed there will be reinforced by a battalion of IRELAND AND AMERICA. —A. "friendly address" from the Scots Fusilier Guards, also by four troops of Horse the citizens of Dublin to those of New York is now in Artillery, and several companies of Foot Artillery, now course of signature, and has alreat'y obtained the names stationed in Dublin. The whole of the Irish Militia will, of the Lord Mayor and of several other influential per we are informed, be disbanded immediately afterwards ; sons. It assures our 'Transatlantic friends that the Dublin that is, early in the month of September. We may just meniion th it, in anticipation of the Queen's visit, the citizens feel " deep regret that differences ha ve arisen Dublin Regiment of Artillery has been for some time past between the governments of the United States and of actively employed in erecting a battery for the practice of Great Britain, which have been made a source of public irritation." b . at corps.—Dublin Express.; PRESTON SESSIONS,-YE6TERDAY The annual general sessions was hell at Preston yesterday. The Right Hon. M. T. Bttincs, M.P., presided. The fol lowing mag i s trat e s were present t—Messts. Therms II Addison, R. A. Aspinall, Edward Ashworth, William Ainsworth, P.. Ashton, J. Biirstow, R. Been, H. it Brought. n, T., .R. BridiOn, M.i , r Bourne , Thoma s L . l3irley, Callow, J. &attend, Peter Catterall, Dr. Holden, 1101 ert Heywool, John Hoyle, George Hargreaves, W. A. Hutt ,n, P. Dawson, Rev. J. Jackson, Frederick Kemp, John Eccles, James Eden, Henry A. Littledale, Rev. Thomas Macreth, Rev. Thomas Mills, Rev. R. Moore, Thomas Monck, Rev. H. L. Mordacque, J. Master, R. Newham,llet•ry Leigh Trafford, J. Thompson, William IL Talbot, H. Pe :der, Wm. 0. Pilkington; William Preston, J. Paley, Rev. J. 0. Parr, T. G. Parker, S. , mes Rowland, Josiah Radcliffe, John Reason, Richard .Wild, James H. Wrigley, William Winstanley, H. Slater, Spencer J. Steers, William Robertson Sandbach, William A. F. Saunders, and William Shaw. Mr. Ashworth brought up the report of the committee appointed to revise the table of fees to be taken by the magistrates' clerks The report proposed considerable reductions. It was agreed, after some conversation, i hat the nye) , t should be printed and circulated, for the conside ration of the magistrates, previous to the next sessions. The report and statement of accounts referring to the-ex penditure of the county was laid before the court, with the estimates for the ensuinz rates. The following is the amount of the proposed rating to carry on the expenditure of the county from the quarter ending the 31st May, 1856, to the end of Febrhary, 1857 Heads of Accounts for Amount Rate Amount of which Rates are assessed required. per E. Rate. and levied. £ s. d. d. E s. d. GENERAL PURPOSES ...7,647 19 10 i 8,684 10 4 LUNATIC A SYLUiIS .... 1,245 15 7 1-16 1,085 11 3 NEW LUNATIC ASYLUMS, LOAN ACCOUNT , 1,751 12 4 1-12 1,447 8 4 COUNTY BRIDGES .... -- GENERAL POLICE ...1,121 10 7 1-12 1,141 16 2 LOCAL POLICE — North Lonsdale .... 615 10 11 1 599 19 7 South Lonsdale ... 240 2 1 --, 279 15 7 Garstang Kirkham ..........1,179 11 d 2t . , 1,154 811 Higher Blackburn _1,351 4 0 1 1-12 1,355 15 11 Lower Blackburn _1,142 16 0 14 1,169 17 1 Leyland • 759 18 7 1 -,, 725 12 10 Bolton Bury Middleton Oldham Ashton-under-Lyne 1,016 10 11 21 1,034 6 7 Manchester ..6 1,806 14 8 1 3-16 1,780 4 4 Kirkdale . - 2,047 12 9 Ormskirk Prescot. 2,012 7 6 2 2,007 11 6 Warrington 1,369 10 3 11 1,365 16 10 llousEs OF CORRECTION. Preston and Kirkdale,4,ooB 2 9 Salford HUNDRED BRIDGES.— Lonsdalo Amounderness . 81ackburn.......... Leyland ., Salford West Derby *SALFORD SESSIONS --. Chairman's Salary ?,- 3,737 2 6 t• 925 8 5 94 9 6 1.12 91 1 4 11 19 2 - -- 232 16 1 4 290 6 8 61 9 7 1-12 69 2 1 289 12 7 1-24 308 9 6 322 15 7 1-12 310 12 8 The accounts were ordered to be printed and circulated. Mr. Steers presented a Memorial from the inhabitants of Widnes praying for an additional police constable to be stationed there, and moved that the prayer be granted. Captain Aspinall seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. H. lA. Trafford moved that a piece of land be taken, not exceeding 450 square yards, at a rent not exceeding 2d. per yard, in the township of Pendlebary, and a lock-up station house erected there at an expense of not more than £4OO, to be paid out of the rates of the Manchester division. The motion was agreed. Mr. Saunders moved that an additional policeman be appointed for Arkhol me, in the district of Hornby. Mr. Thompson opposed the motion, on the ground that the district was not only a peaceful one, bat one decaying in the number of inhabitants. Several petitions were read for and against the motion, andseveral gentlemen took part in the debate which followed. The original motion was finally carried. The police force of the Garstang division was increased, on the motion of Mr. Catterall, by one man. It was agreed that an inspector of police be appointed for the South Lonsdale division, instead of a superintendent. A pension of Is. 6d. a day was granted, on the recom mendation of the chief constable, to police constable Henry Woodc Eck, out of the superannuation food, upon his discharge upon the ground of ill-health, which rendered him incapable of further duty. It was agreed that in consequence of the Liverpool Standard having ceased publication, county advertisements be inserted in future in the Liverpool Mail. On the recommendation of the Lancaster Finance Com mittee, it was agreed that Mr. James Clegg, inspector of police, be appointed inspector of weights and measures for the South Lonsdale Division, at a salary of £3O per annum, vice Mr. George Armitage, resigned. The Salford District Finance Committee recommended that the salaries of the inspectors of weights and measures in the Oldham Division, and Ash`on-under-Lyrae Division, be respectively increased from £25, the precent salary, to £4O per annum, they not appearing to have been sufficiently remunerated, as shown by a statement which was produced of the sums paid to the credit of the county rate from those divisions since the appointment of the present inspectors, in January, 1852. Mr. H. A. Littledale proposed that an application be made to the secretary at war for his sanction of the appro priation of the North Fort, at Liverpol, for the safe cus tody of the field guns, small arms, accoutrements, clothing, and other stores, of the Lancashire militia artillery, when not embodied, the county of Lancaster paying rent for such accommodation. It was needful that they should provide a place for the safe custody of the stores. It was found that the cost of building would be very great. It seemed that the land which Sir Duncan MtDougall considered requisite would cost £3,300. From the experience the magistrates had of building storehouses, they could not expect to get the requisite starts completed under £7,000 or £B,OOO, so that, in fact, Lll,OOO or £12,000 should be spent upon these stores. Now, the North Fort was not occupied, and a por tion of it might well be devoted to that purpose. He had had an interview with Mr. Monsell, clerk of the ordnance, in London, and asked him whether, in case such an applica tion were made, the government would agree to it. Sir. Monsell said of course he could not give an answer imme diately, without consulting Lord Hardinge, but, on an application being made, he would give an answer imme diately. In the meantime, Mr. Monsell stated that he thought it a very rational and proper application, such as might be very fairly entertained, and that he was sure the most unfavourable answer would be that the fort could only be occupied t'mporarily. Mr. Sandbach seconded the motion. Mr. Ashworth hoped, if the application were not acceded to, the magistrates would be very cautious about the expenditure of building stores. Ue also thought the government might lay aside a little of their routine and red•tapery, and come forward to aid the county. Mr. Mills stated, that in the west riding of Yorkshire, the amount expended had been only £6,000. The motion was finally carried. The following motion stood on the paper For a return of the name and number of the different lockups and police stations in each division of the county, distinguishing those which belong to the county, hundred, or division, from those that are rented ; the cost of the site, buildings, fittings, &c., of such as are the property of the county &c., as also the outlay, fittings, &c,, of such as are rented, with the sum paid as rent for each per annum ; the terms on which they are held, whether upon lease or otherwise, and from whom taken; the number of men located in each station house, the rent derived from such occupation, with the annual cost of coals, water, and gas therein used " The Rev. T. S. Mills, by whom the notice had been given, withdrew the motion for the present, until the pass ing of the bill at present before parliament. Mr. John Rosson, in the absence of Mr. Joseph Pollock, proposed, that the committee of visitors of the Rainhill Lunatic Asylum, be authorised to expend a sum not exceed ing £4OO, in providing farm buildings for the use of the asylum. A magistrate asked, if a sessions would never pass with out money being voted for Rainhill asylum. Mr. Rosson said this would be the last application. After a short conversation the motion was agreed to. Mr. Slater proposed the following resolution :—" That an offer c f the directors of the Town-hall, Haslingden, for police station-house, lockups, and premises, with the use of the large room for petty sessions, for the sum of £34 per annum, be accepted, and the rent charged upon the police rates of the division" After some discussion the resolution was finally carried. PROPOSED RESIGNATION OF THE REV. MR. CLAY, CHAPLAIN TO THE HOUSE OF CORRECTION. The following is the report of the visiting justices cf the house of correeton of Preston : The visiting justices beg to lay before the annual session the following extract from their minutes, under date of the 7th instant. _ . . ..... .._ Tbe . Rev. Mr. Clay, chaplain to the house of correction, stated, that from failing health he was desirous to intimate the probability of his being no longer able to perform his duty, to the county's .ir his own satisfaction, and he therefore offered to put at the disposal of the justices his resignation of office, to take place at such a time as might be most convenient. The visiting justices having received the above intimation, and considering the long services of Mr. Clay, and the high character which the prison has acquired and maintained, owing in no small degree to that circumstance, feel unwilling to loose such an officer ; they therefore agree to report the mutter to the annual session, requesting that court's attention to the question, whether by the appointment of an assistant chaplain, under the provisions of statute 2 and 3 Vict. cap. 56, sec. 16, S.---LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY. of Mr. Clay's valuable or otherwise, as much as possible services may be continued for some time longei Mr. Addison said the intimation which was thus conveyed would be received with regret not only by that court but: by all W ho paid attention to prison discipline, not alone in that country s but throughout Europe. The reputation of Mr. Clay wys of a European character. (Liear, hear.) I3ut, as time passed away, u. was not given to any one to sustain always an equal power of use falness, and the failing health which Mr. C:ay bad cf late experienced, compelled him to give this intimation. The visiting justices felt what the loss by the removal of such a servant. would be to the public, and the difficulty they would have in suppl:ing his place. They, therefore, felt it their duty to sabrait the question to that court, to determine upon the proper course to be taken. They had the alternatitre of allowing Mr. Clay to retire on the pension which be had a right to expect, or adopting the suggestion contained in the report of the visiting justices, and appointing an assistant chaplaiia for the present, by whose aid Mr. Clay might be enable] to carry on his personal discharge of the ditties for some time longer. This latter course Mr. Addison advocated, as well as on the ground of recovery, as of advartage in the discipline of the house of co recti' n. Ile concluded by proposing that the question be referred to the visiting justices, with authority to provide an assistant chaplain until the further order of the court. Mr. Miles seconded the motion. Mr. Ashworth supported the motion, and added, that if Mr. Clay retired his pension would be £230 a year, being twu-thirds of his present salary, which, with the salary of a successor, estimating it at £2OO a year, would be £430 to be paid by the county. If, on the other hand, they con tinued Mr. Clay at his salary of £350, a ,4 .d appointed an assistant at £l2O, the amount would be only £470, being but £4O more than according to the other arrangement. For so small an amount as that he did not think any one would be wall. , g to deprive Mr. Clay of any portion of his present salary. Captain Aspinall thought mere motives of generosity to Mr. Clay should be sufficient to determine the court, leaving the question of amount and economy aside. The Chairman : It is very well when both motives canbe combined. Several gentlemen paid high tributes to the valuable character of Mr. C'ay's long services. Mr. Catterall opposed the appointment of an assistant chaplain, on the ground that tbey could probably only get a man inferior in capacity and ability, but who would, nevertheless, when Mr. Clay finally resigned, be in posses sion, and have a sort of claim upon the county for the appointment of chief chaplain. He therefore suggested that Mr. Clay's resignation be accepted whenever he thought fit to tender it, and that the magistrates advertise for a chief chaplain in his place. Far this purpose Mr. Catterall con cluded by moving the previous question. Mr. Addison stated that Mr. Clay was himself introduced to the court thirty years ago by him in the capacity of assis tant chaplain. The court finally divided, when Mr. Addison's motion was carried by 24 against 10. Sortie discussion took place as to the amount of salary to be offered for an assistant chaplain. The question lay between £l5O and £l2O per annum. Finally a division took place, and £l2O was agreed on by 21 against 10. This closed the business of the day. RAILWAY STRIKE TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES. SIR,—I have not examined into the merits of the dispute between the magnates of the London and North Western Railway Company and the porters employed by them in Liverpool, but would merely express au opinion, in which a great majority of this commercial community ill agree that it is the duty as it the interests of the Railway Com pany to select for porters the strongest, the most intelligent, and the most experienced men they can obtain. Men of this class will, of course, require, and ought to be paid, the highest current rate of wages. The goods stations here of the London and North Western Railway Company, in consequence of the strike , are in great confusion. To-day I had to visit the Waterloo station, to ascertain the 'cause of -the non-delivery of a quantity of goods. At the office door in Great Howard street, I was stopped by three policemen, who said they could riot allow me to enter, I insisted that I would go in, as I wished to ascertain what had become of my own pro perty ; having effected an entrance, I found it impossible to get any information whatever, my only recourse is, there fore, to write to my correspondents in the country, to request of them to send nothing further for me by the London and North Western R iilway Company, until these matters are settled, and this course, I presume, will bo extensively adopted. It is not satisfactory to the Public, who trust the railway company to convey their goods, to be told, that they will soon obtain a compliment of hands. To a great extent the business of a railway porter is skilled labour, in the loading, unloading, and packing of goods, shunting of waggons, the use of tarpaulins, the assortment of waTgons, making up trains, &c . These operations not only involve the protection of property, but the hazard of. human life, of which the railway company have had previous experience, and which will not be forgotten if future accidents occur. Their duties require, even with intelligent men, some months' of experience ; and that such persons should be employed is interesting to the public, as the time and facility of receipt, and delivery, an 4 the condition of the goods when deliv red, mainly depends upon them. The qualifications of a railway director do not re quire such preparation, and if the whole of the present board were to resign to-morrow, as a canse qaence of a change of system, men, equally well fitted, could be found at once to supply their places, without the least inconvenience to the public, and possibly with benefit to the company itself. I would say to the railway company, meet your old servants fairly—if you disagree, refer the matter disputed to a mutual friend—and pay them liberally, according to their merits. To fill your offices with inexperienced boys, and to take the sweepings of the streets for your porters, is not the way to give confidence to the puh'ic, or to realise profit to the shareholders.—l am, sir, yours respectfully, Liverpool, 26th June, 1856. A SHAREHOLDER. A QUERY TO THE POST-OFFICE AUTHORITIES TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES SIR,_ Fill you allow me, through the medium of your journal, to ask the p , st-office authorities of Liverpool, when it is at all probable they will be in a position to supply the public with fourpenny stamps, for during the past few days none have been obtainable ? I suppose it is attributable to that much grieved system " Red-tapeism." June 26, 18E6. A MERCHANT. THE MURDER NEAR DERBY Yesterday we detailed the particulars of a brutal murder perpetrated iu the parish of Spondon, near Derby. Subse quent to the despatch of the rep.irt, two Irish labourers were apprehended in a field near Derby, on suspicion of b,ing concerned in the fatal deed. One of them had blood upon his trousers, and the other blood upon his shirt ; both gave a very confused account of their late proceedings. On Tuesday night a man dressed in the garb of a sailor was likewise apprehended on suspicion, and these three persons, together with a woman whom we mentioned as having been Oven in custody at an early stage of the investigation, are now in the lock up at Derby. The inquest over the body of the unfortunate man (Enoch Stone), was commenced at Spondon on Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Cade and Mr. Gisborne. surgeons, made a post nzortem e x a mination. Externally they - found two roughly incised wounds on the forehead, all five ‘ , . - lAnsed wo.inds on the crown of the head. left ear these we . hluJge adjournt that the deeL on Monday night, eleven o'clock, and tha about half-past eleven from Borrowath, who b. person met two men about t. all likelihood they overtook the rt,„ where the tragedy was committed. ROBI3ERY AT LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S.-011 Wei morning bills were circulated, that the drawinzro ,, .. Lord J. Russell's residence, Pembroke Lodge, Richmorm. had been entered by thieves, when a writing case, work box, gold seal and key, with some valuable papers, had been carried away. A reward is offered for the recovery of the property. TOE MILITIA ESTIMATES.—The Select Committee have prepared the militia estimates for the current year. The number of men required for the disembodied militia is 18,028, and the charge is estimated at £228,950, up to March 31, 1857. 'the numbers last year were 11,916, and the charge £106,200. The charge for raising and training the militia is £176,350, the charge for retired tilowances to officers £27,600, the charge for local militia adjutants £2,60 , ', and the charge of outpensioners of militia and local militia £22,400. GRAND RavtF.W AT ALDERSIEOT.—Her Majesty intends reviewing the troops encamped atAldershot, on Saturday next, the 28th iust. (the anniversary of her coronation). It is Expected that fully 16,000 men will be under arms, including the Swiss and German Legion, sa veral depot companies and regiments of infantry of th.. line, the Kerry Militia, eight squadrons of calvary, two field batteries of Royal Artillery, besides a few regiments that may arrive from the Crimea in the interim. Ms royal highness the Duke of Cambridge will command them. THE PROMISE OF HARVEST. I TO THE EDITOR. OF THE 14 ORTHERN TIMES. Sir,—The continued ample deliveries of grain by our farmers prove pretty much the correctness of Mr. Caird's estimates of last yeat's yield, as compared with the figures put down by " interest" men in the trade in Hull, Birmingham, and here ; and having, within the last week, made a run through ten of our English counties, it ought to bare-assuring to the who want bread to know that everywhere generally the pros pects of abundance were never better. The severe winter and dry spring have brought the land into fine " filth," and with even a fair share of sunshine reaping will be early. The argument is all very good, and may suit the corn trade—let us encourage imports by full prices—but between September and Otiristmas this can generally be done at less cost, and looking at the intelligence from the United States, Canada, all through Europe, except France —partially, it may be, of the prospects with them—l cannot conceive that the present speculative price of 90s per quarter for wheat is justified. As for extra breadth of land in wheat I put little faith in, for the wation of crop must be kept up on most farms, but improved husbandry, drainage, and artificial manure, are doing wonders, not only an extra yield, but by maturing the crops early, which is important in our precarious climate. The hay harvest is general through Warwick, Oxford, Berkshire, and Surrey, and a finer "swath" I never faVir, and everywhere the standing crop is luxuriant, except in Hertford and Buckinghamshire, on the light chalk land, but these had all the appearance of having been grazed in the early spring; and if proof is wanting, it is joyous to nimbi: , through the prairie-like meadosss of Sefton, in our own vicinity, and con template the abundance ; indeed, last year's hay, which, by the war demand, was forced up to 16d per stone, can now be had at nearly half that price, and this will save much food. The corn crops, now all but universally drilled into the land, present a brilliant, healthy, colotir, and uniform appear ance, and here and there the "spike blade" is showing the car of wheat on early lands. In Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Oxfordshire, I was particularly struck with the improved farming. St For potatoes, turnips, and other green crop, the season has been specially favourable, and nothing can look more promising, and, with all their grumbling, I heard no com plain's from farmers of either slight in their potatoes, or fly'in the turnips, Let us only be more thankful to God for our blessings, and we shall have " peace , plenty , and prosperity" in our land.— Yours, &c., CITIZEN. Liverpool, 26th June, 1856. THE REV. J. B. LOWE ON GENESIS TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN 'MIES. SIR,—A considerable portion of the Rev. J. B. Lowc'e Sixth Letter, in the Courier of this day, is devoted to the proof of his assertion that Moses was the sole author of the Book of Genesis, in opposition to that of Mr. Macnaught, who contended that this portion of the Scripture must have been compiled from various ancient records. Probably, the concur rence of most Christians in their acceptation of the elements of divine truth revealed in the book above-mentioned, may render its authorship, as an historical document, a matter of very subordinate importance. It would, however, have been more honest iu Mr. Lowe, as a controversialist, if he had full• stated the grounds adduced by Mr. Macnaught (arising out of the varied titles ascribed to the Divine Being, in different por tions of Genesis), for presuming a plurality of authorship. A. writer of high repute for his profound scholarship, and un- blemished orthodoxy, observes as follows : " The earlier part of the Book of Genesis consists of several distinct compositions, marked by their differences of style, and by express formularies of commencement: It is entirely consonant with the idea of inspiration, and established by the whole tenor of scriptural compositions, that the heavenly influence operated in a concurrence with the rational faculties of the inspired men,—so that prophets and apostles wrote from their own knowledge and memory the testimony of other persons, and written docutnents, to which, indeed, express appeal is often made. From the evidence of language and of matter, we have as slight reasons for supposing that Moses compiled the chief part of the Book of Genesis, by arraying And connecting, ancient memorials under the divine direction, and probably during the middle part of his life." I need not encroach upon your space by extending this quotation, or by referring to the passages of Scripture noted in connection with it, as the above may be found in a cheap and easily obtainable work " The Relation between the Holy. Scriptures, and some parts of Geological Science : by J. Pye Smith, D.D., p. 202, Second Ed . tion." Although Dr, Smith was a Nonconformist, his most important work, the " Scripture Testimony of the Messiah," is a class book in o u r universities ; and his testimony cannot be despised by Mr. Lowo as anonymous, although your present correspondent is SPECTATOR. only a June 25th, 1856 POLICE COURT - Y ESTERDAY BEFORE MR. MANSFIELD HOMES OF WORXING MEN, —A poorly clad, but intelli gent and quiet looking man, named Alexander Quinn, was placed in the dock, charged by his wife with having asaulted her. The crdnplainant was also poorly clad, and looked weak and care-worn, but not dissipated. She was accompanied by her three children, who were all respectably clad. The eldest, a young girl about 18 years of age, is in service, but her sisters, the other two children, are quite young, being not more than 7 and 8 years of age. Mr. Block appeared for the prisoner, who is by trade a painter, and resides in Pellew, street. The case was of a very mel ineholy character, and presented a picture of social life but to common in the homes of the working classes at the present day. The husband, who was described as a sober and industrious man, earns for the greater part of the year about 26s a week, and invariably handed over the amount of his wages to the complainant, She, on the other hand, was described as being extremely slatternly and extravagant in her habits, wasting her husband's substance, and providing for him neither a clean nor comfortable home. On Saturday evening last, he sent her his wages at four o'clock, in order that she might not have to wait for the money until after work, but on his return home he round it in a state of disorder, the bedclothes pledged, and his wife drinking in a neighbouring cellar. Enraged at the sight, he struck her, hut now expressed contrition for the act, and declared that he was willing to allow her whatever the court might order as a separate main tenance. The complainant also agreed to this propo sition, and then Mr. Mansfield asked each of the two youngest children, to say with which of their parents they would prefer to live. One of the little things said that she would live with her father, and the other, that she would go with her mother, hut it was evident that both but dimly felt what would be the consequence of their answers. Mr. Mans field observed that it was well the children had made their choice, so as they would still preserve a common bond between the parents, and ordered that the defend - ant should allow his wife, for the support of herself and ne child 6s a week. To this both parties assented, and -- oct at once discharf,- ----, Thom^ RE-OPENING OF BIDSTON CHURCH. The ceremony of re-opening of this parish church, after its restoration, or, as we may more properly say, its re-construction, took place yesterday, and, as ai matter of course, created an unusual amount of excite - went, not only in the township, but. in the adjoining f this parish possesses peculiar interest, from the fact that it contains a lighthouse, built in the year 1771, which stands on a hill, and is a localities In its - - • beacon mark to ma►iners to the port of Liverpool. This lighthouse, it is stated, was erected on the site of an old summer house, in which Moamouth met his brother conspirators previous to the rebellion of his time. Beyond this, the parish has little to boast of, if we except the telegraph, which communicates with Liverpool and other stations westward to Holyhead to a distance o about 100 miles. The Hall, which was built by the sixth Earl of Derby, and in !reference to which strange tales of gambling transactions are recorded, is not unworthy of 'notice, and to histor ans, archaeologists, and antiquarians, the district contains many subjects well worthy of their attention. The parish itself pre• sents but few objects of interest to a casual observer: Its buildings are of a most unique description, and reminds us of the days of yore, before the science of architecture had made such rapid strides as has been shown by the erections of the present day. The parsonage house, which adjoins the new church, from its appearance, would seem in former times to have been a portion of the church itself, minus the steeple. The original church of this parish, it would appear, was erected about the thirteenth century, but ponions of it were rebuilt in the sear 1547, of which some of the debris bore inscriptions of that date—the gateway and the tower, bearing the arms of the Derby and Stanley families, to whom the land at that period belonged. The old church had fallen into such a state of delapidation, that in September last it was deemed actually necessary that the roof should be replaced with a new one, for the purpose of securing to the attendants of public worship anything like comfort. This suggestion was at once made to R. Vyner, Esq., the. Lord of the Manor, whd proposed that the whole structure should be levelled to the ground, he agreeing to give .4.2 out of his oWni purse to every £1 that was raised by the parishioners. Tais proposition was at once concurred with, and no sooner had the suggestion been made, than the church wardens succeeded in raising a sum of £525, which, added to the liberal donation of the Lord of the Manor, augmented the sum by £1,05), the entire cost of the building being about £1,500. No sooner had this amount been raised, than it was determined to pull down the former ancient fabric, and rebuild a new s t ruc t ure , convenient and suitable to the wants of the (lay. Accordingly, the old church, with the exception of its ivy-covered tower, was levelled with the dust. To erect a new edifice, Mr. J. Had, of Liverpool, was selected to be the architect, and that gentleman has succeeded in replacing the old that is not only an ornament to edifice, by a builair ;; district. The exterior s of the parish, but a credit to a . the building has a very neat apr aarance, and i • erected almost entirely of the materials of the o'.ld church. The the seats interior contains seats for 400 worshipper. being funned of red Baltic deal varnished. jy,o old trippled roof with nave and aisles, polished stone pillars and arches moulded and chamfered, divide the nave and aisle, the encaustic tiles for which were presented by the daughters of Lady Ca st. The floor is well drained, and a powerful heating apparatus has been introduced, by Mr. Alderman Bennett—thus giving comfort to temporary occupants of the sacred edifice. The com munion table cloth, and the fittings for the pulpit, which are of red cashmere cloth, with yellow silk embroidery, were presented by the lady of the Right Hun. Major- General, Sir Edward Cust, as was also the beautiful bible and prayer book. The window over the communion table, which is of stained glass, embodying a scriptural text, was presented by J. H. Hind, Esq., and Thomas Martin Blyth, Esq. It cost upwards of £lOO, and was designed and executed by Mr. Watson, of Dunfermline, Fifeshire, after a competition, in which J. Ballantince Esq., of Edinburgh, was a candidate. The com mittee, which consisted of the Hon. Sir Edward Oust, Messrs R. C. Shaw, Robert Vyner, Thomas Webster, d. 11. Hind, J. M. Myth, acid H. Bell, presented the font, a very neat design, and made of St. Helen's stone. Yesterday being the day appointed for the re openifie• of this structure the Lord Bishop of Chester attended for the purpose of preaching the inauguration sermon. There was a very large attendance on the occasion, and amongst the congregation assembled were the clergymen of the surrounding districts, the principal families of the neighbourhood, and a large number of visitors. The Rev. C. A. Graham read the service, after which the Lord Bishop of Cheiter preached the sermon, taking for his text the words contained in the 54th Psalm, and the 6th verse, viz., " I will freely sacrifice unto thee ; I will praise thy name, 0 Lord ; for it is good." His lordship delivered a most etureetic discourse, after which, a col lection was made in aid of the building fund, and was most liberally responded to. It is only just to say that the contractors were : —for the masons' and joiners' work, Mr, H. Fisher,of Bieken head ; for the plumbing, painting end glazing, Mr. James Holt, of Liverpool; and for the plastering and slating. Mr. W. Goodhall, all of whom have succeeded in completing the works to the entire satisfaction of t h e committee an the parishioners. On Sunday next two sermons will be preached by the Rev. V. F. Taylor, incumbent of St. John's, and the Rev. R. P. Blakeney, incumbent of Christ Church, Claughton, in aid of the funds of the building society. ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS, DUBLIN.—A meeting of the Fellows of this College was held on Tuesday, to take into consideration the provisions of the Medical Bill now before Parliament. The meeting was private, but we understand that the Fellows were unanimous in their condemnation of the bill, and a petition is in course of preparatiou for the purpose of being forwarded against it. YOUTHFUL CURIOSITY.—A Glasgow paper publishes the following :—We are told that three youths from the Gallowgate district went amissing ten days ago, having left home no one knew whither, to the great anxiety of their relatives. One of the youths, a mere lad, has re turned home, and states that he had walked all the way from Glasgow to Stafford and back, for the purpose of witnessing Palmer's execution GENERAL WlLLlAsts.—The Queen has been pleasad to honour Sir W. F. Williams with a command to sit to Mr. Mayall for a full-length photographic portrait, in the dress worn by the gallant general at Kars. Accordingly Mr. Mayall took a sitting after the levee on Wednesday, and succeeded in producing a tine and characteristic likeness. The picture forms one of a series of portraits of distin guished men, photographed by the same artist for her Mjest%'s private collection. THE CHARGE AGAINST A CLERGYMAN AT BIRMINGHAM. —On Wednesday. before the Birmingham magistrates, the charge against the Rev. Patrick King, one of the curates of Aston, of attemp.ing to destroy the life of a child, was further investigated. The facts elicited were in the main as stated in our impression of Tuesday. The male prisoner made no defence. The step-sister (Ann Dounes) was dis charged on plying the cost of maintaining the child in the Solihull workhouse. At the conclusion of the case, the magistrates resolved on committing King to take his trial at the en,uitig Warwick assizes on the charge of an " attempt at murder." The prisoner maintained the greatest cotta ware throughout, BREACH OF LAW BY THE LORDS OF JUSTICIARY.—The and Lord Handyside, when at Inver ' invited the Provost to dine with ord of the Caledonian Hotel ne; such a palpable infringe. mhe superintendent n' cam, Adelaide London on I. of his total ear.. mitted by the cal. return to Liverpool him and his masters a. he left the employment, plainants, however, claimed then gave him into c,todv on a cha Mr. Chilton , leni.sl that the tools . the complainants, and even if they w, been no felonious intent. The prison, six shillings a week at the yard, and tha insufficient to support him, he had been cu go to sea. Mr. Aiken observed that there wen. bargains made in such cases in Liverpool. The I received as wages only six shillings a week, and doubt, he was charged to other parties for wort, at the rate of from Eve to seven shillings a day. court held that there had b. no felonious intent, that the complainants should, by some other prose. establish their right to the property. The prisoner w accordingly discharged.