Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-06-18 00:00:00

ROBERT MULLINER, (Successor to GOIC9T SE CO.), (Late with Wra. Rome, London), ;CA.RRIACIE AND HA.RN'RSS NIANUFACTURER., 59 and 51. GREAT CEIARLOTFE-STREEP, LIVERPOOL, MANUFACTURER OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF FASHIONABLE CARRIAGES. Sote Agent for the Patent Dioraples. for which a Prize Medal was awarded at che'Gre.it Exhibition. A Great Variety of New and Fashionable CARRIAGES always on view, which are ready for immediate use. Estimates given for repairs. CARRIAGES TAKEN IN EXCHANGE. Good Standing on moderate terms. Carriages sold by Com mission. Merchants supplie I With Carriages for exportation on liberal erns. Contintrctat :6,11:5.—E1Ji5 Dan, At twelve o'clock, at the brokers' office, 16, Exchange-bn idings, a quantity of Mustard Seed, American Tar, Baltimore Bark, and Argols.—J. H. Rayner and Co. At one o'clock, at the brokers' office, 11, Exchange-buildings, 106 bales Cotton.—William Clara and sons. At ten o'clock preciseiy. on the qnay, south-east corner of Bamswick Dock, a quantity of Timber.-- dward c haloner. At half-past twelve o'clock, at the Common Hall, Hackin's-hey, 600 chests Congou Tea —Brodriob and Miller. At twelve o'clock, at the brokers' office, Royal Bank-buildings, about 93 bales Catton.--Newall and Clayton. At one o'clock, at the brokers' office, Royal Insarar.ce-buldings, North John-street, 25 hhds. and 18 barrels 3 randy, 3 butts of sherry, and 50 quarter-casks spcnish Red Wine.—Christopher Bushell and Co At half-past twelve o'cloe'r, at the Common Hal', Hackin's-hey, 910 half-ctiesta Young Hyson Tea.—Vorrie and Co. At twelve o'clock, at the brokers' office, York-buildings, Dale street, 1,415 b-gs Rice.—Pattinsou and (lark. At twelve o'clock, 643 'sags Ye:low Alward Seed.—Fialay, Lawrence, and Lance. At twelve o'clock, at the broker's office, 7. Exchange-chambers, •05 barrels Rough Tturpentiae.—Francis J. Eaton. At twelve o'clock, a quantity of Lucca 0.1, Sienna, Aloes, Ceculus I ndi cus, Colombo R o and tins Vom ca. Jaiikson and Bl‘Calloch. At twelve o'clock, at the broker's office, 18, Hackin'A-hey, a quantity of Lemon Juice, Luca 0.1, Rhatonia Root, sarsaparilla, Cassia Fistula, Essence of Lemon, Essence of Bergamot, and Flask 011.—Balmain and Hill. Ilea - For particulars see advertisement,. A •lUSEAIE':TS, PUBLIC lIEErINGS, &c. THIS HAY. ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE—Dr%MEM PerfOrMSZICe-7 p.m. HENGLER'S GRAND Caw:aura Va•tiz re, Dale-street-7 p.m. TEUTONIC HALL (Upper), Lir e-street—Diorama or India-2 p.m. giREMASON'S HALL—Gallery 0. Inatomy-11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Ausop's CRYSTAL PALACE, ~.ime-street-10 a.m. to 10 p•ra. ROYAL COLOSSEUM—GeneraI Entertainrnelt-6.30 p.m. ZOOLOGICAL GALDENS—Grand and Varied Entertainments. For particulars see advertisements. if qc (;.• 4 1"; ilj:(:‘ 4 , 1 11444' THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1857 THE DAY'S NEWS. In the House of Commons yesterday, the Registration of Long Leases (Scotland) Bill passed through committee On going into committee on the Industrial Schools Bill, Lord A.Howard condemned the power given to the police to interpret the words " begging" and " vagrancy." Sir George Grey said that no new power was given by the bill, and that its object solely was, that children charged with offences, under existing acts, should be liable, at the discretion of the magistrates, to be sent to an Industrial School. A long discussion here took place, and clause 5 was struck out. Clause 6 was amended by the insertion of words, allowing dis cretion to the magistrates to discharge the child without security, and the security required to be given by the parents of the child was also struck out. An amendment of Mr Deasy, to limit the time for which children should be sent to refor- matory institutions to two years, was lost by a vote of 197 against 63. At the meeting of the West Derby Guardians, yesterday, much iissatisfaction was expressed at the conduct of the township of Toxteth-park in not paying their arrears, amounting to £645 135., for the support of the poor, and had Mr. Wilson not promised faithfully that that sum should be forthcoming in the course of a week, the Board }lava raactarl a roardiitinn .C>S , CI seers to be summoned for the amount. The other business was merely of a routine character. . . Rogers, Mills, and Seymour, the former captain and the latter mates of the ship Martha Jane, recently arrived at this port from Demerara, were again brought up before the magistrates yesterday, charged with having caused the death of a seaman named Rose, by a course of ill treatment during the voyage. The particulars of the case are already in the possession of our readers ; some additional evidence was given, and a remand took place until one o'clock this day. In our impression of to-clay will be found the particulars of a scene which occurred in the Police Court yesterday. Mr. Mansfield, it will be observed, has determined to crush the disreputable system of " touting" for attornies—and not before it was necessary. In another column we give a report of a rather remarkable trial which took place yesterday, in the Court of Queen's Bench, in which a militia captain was indicted for feloniously abducting a young girl. The question involved in this prose cution is one of much social importance, and we believe the sentence of the court on this Captain Erlam, whom the jury found guilty of the crime, will be looked upon as totally inadequate. A hungry urchin, who stole a loaf of bread would be as severely punished as this gentleman, who is sent for three months to prison for deliberately and with falsehood ruining a child of tender years. At the same court the case of the celebrated Wiseman trial was brought up, and adjourned until Friday, the 26th inst. A very severe sentence was passed on a woman for sending threatening letters yesterday, at the Central Criminal Court. Rebecca Price Hamilton, an unmarried woman of 38 years of age, was placed on her trial for feloniously sending a letter to a Mr. Allingham, a surgeon, threatening to accuse him of an infamous crime. She demanded money and threatened to whisper about that the prose cutor had been guilty of incest, and also an abomi nable crime, so that his, practice would be entirely destroyed. She was found guilty and sentenced to transportation for life. It is some time; since we have heard any thing of the Administrative Reform Asso ciation. On Tuesday, however, it appeared in the Court Queen's Bench, as the defendant in an action brought by one of its late servants. A Mr. Henry Wait Hall was installed as the " legal officer" of the Association, at two guineas per week, and sat in an apartment marked " Legal Departmeat" on the outside. As described by himself, Mr. Hall was entrusted with great duties. He was to conduct Parliamentary contests, and support or oppose election petitions, from which source his sanguine mind saw 1,0001. a year flowing into the pocket of Henry Wait Hall. He was to compile " a gazetteer of constitu encies," and give information on registration matters. He was to write letters to Mr. Roe buck " on real and imaginary grievances." What amount of work Mr. Hall did we know not. But one thing he did. He wrote and published a 1 pamphlet on the " degraded condition of the House of Commons," which Mr. Roebuck did not object to, but which the Council of the Association did. Mr. Hall was dismissed after little more than two months' service in the cause ; he was only paid two guineas a week for his time ; and he brought an action for roll, 18s Unfortunately the account given of Mr. Hall, and the circum stances attending his engagement, by Mr. Revans, the honorary secretary of the Association, an account believed by the Jury, did not coin cide with that of Mr. Hall. According to this statement the " legal officer" was appointed at a salary of two guineas a week. As a reason for adopting a weekly engagement Mr. Revans told him that " the funds of the Association were derived from subscriptions that might fail at any moment." Mr. Hall was not told to attend to election petitions. As to the pamphlet, which engrossed the time of Mr. Hall, the Association would have nothing to do with it, and even grum bled at the author for writing it in " office hours?' The result was that Mr. Hall, Attorney-General of the Association at two guineas a week, was dis missed because " his views and those of the Association were not in harmony." The jury believed this evidence of Mr. Revans, and gave a verdict adverse to Mr. Hall. As the Parliament has been, in a political sense, so inanimate, political parties out of doors have imitated its example. All that we can hear of in the way of political gossip is, rumoured Con ferences of the Conservative party, no doubt to decide upon a policy. The problem which the Tories have to solve is how they are ever again likely to ascend to power with, opponents in office quite as Tory in their opinions as themselves; and it is stated in more than one quarter that the solution of the problem will be found in the Con- servatives taking more liberal views of the Reform Bill question than those who profess to be guided by Liberal principles. In fact, this is so generally believed to be true, that it is time to say so, and the question will be whether her Majesty's Minis ters will give the Tories the opportunity of becom ing more popular than themselves. Lur Continental intelligence this morning is not of much importance. The staple French intelligence will, for the next week, be the elections, which now may be truly termed an epoch in French modern history. Un favourable rumours are once anore current in financial circles with regard to the affairs of the Grand Central Railway, and its claim on Count de Morny, It was generally thought that the difficulty in question had been settled by means of arbitration, but this does not appear to be the case. Intelligence from Teheran of the 28th April states that the Shah has the intention of sending one of his elder sons, Muz4ffar Eddin, on a visit to France, England, c:,.ustria, and Russia. It was expected that this young p;itsce, who is described as possessing great intelligence, would leave Teheran with his suite towards the end of July. Telegraphic Accounts from Constantinople of the 7th, mention that the Circassians are drawing up a memorandum which they have the intention of strbmitting to-Lthe congress of •Paris. As intimated in our impression of yesterday, a letter from Ferhard Pacha (Stein) to the Austrian consul of Hustchoult, has b. e❑ seized, and its contents seriously compromise the former, who has long been supposed to entertain secret relations with the Austrian Government. These relations, it is said, date back as far as the Hunga rian war. IT is only a few days ago since we alluded to the aspect of political affairs in Belgium, referred to the grasping powers of the priesthood in that generally peaceful and happy kingdom, and expressed approval of the mild and considerate conduct of King LEOPOLD. Since that, his Majesty has given fresh proof of his solicitude for the welfare of his subjects, and a desire to acquit himself in the eyes of the world as the impartial sovereign of an affectionate and attached people. lie has, in the emergency to which we alluded to on on a former occasion, seized the hAm of state, and with the aid of a constitutional council, steered clear of a most serious and disastrous conflict between two great parties, the Church and the people. In such an emergency, his Majesty might have sought oppor tunity to increase his power, and to add to his already limited prerogative. He did not adopt that coarse, and, while the Roman priesthood, panting fur the exercise of ecclesiastical tyranny over the population at large, swelling with the pride of political victory, exacted from the conscience of the Senate, and while the army, for the first time during twenty-six years, was brought into ~,,..tuut with the populace, displaying those glittering symb)ls which freedom has, by bitter experience, been taught to despise and hate, King LEOPOLD stood calm and collected, called his Ministers around him, and in a few concilia tory words, uttered however in the full con sciousness of their truth, and the accuracy of the judgment that dictated them, at once put a stop to the riot, tumult, and bloodshed on the one hand, and resolutely prohibited the band of triumphant Jesuits from embittering, by their selfish and pernicious cupidity, the best feelings of a sensitive but enlightened people. Every one who has perused the debate in the Belgian Chamber, which caused the late emute, must feel satisfied, as we do, that that clerical campaign was an adventurous conspiracy to rob, by an act of the legislature, the people, of their money, land, and jewels. 'For more than eight centuries, the Roman Church has been accumulating riches, nevertheless it is unsatisfied, and fresh schemes of aggran disement are concocted in all lands where the system has influence or sway. The recent trials which have taken place in regard to the religious charities of this Country but too' clearly prove that the Roman Church converts the confessional into a ladder of ascent to the treasury of the enthusiast and the penitant. It so arranges all its plans that it may carry captive to its will the minds and bodies of all men, so that it may command in all cases servile homage and obedience. The Charity Bill introduced into the Belgian Chambers was, no doubt, a project ventilated at Paris, to render the people of Belgium what Jesuitry has made of the French—a community bereft of civil and religious freedom. Under such circumstances, the Liberal party rejoice in the defeat of the priestly attempt to legalise a Charity Bill, the operation of which we have already described, and places confidence in the KING, whose conduct in the crisis is justified by the admirable letter he has addressed to the Minister of the Interior, proroguing the Chambers, and adjourning further debate on the hated question. The letter appeared in Tues day's NORTHERN TIMES. Whatever others may think, we regard this manifesto of King LEOPOLD as a calm and conciliatory step in the right direction. Some may say that it was an act of Kingly power, seeing that the Legislature of the country was in session, and able to give full effect to the wants and wishes of the people. Those who argue thus seem to forget that Belgium is peculiarly situated. On the one hand she is bordered by the military imperialism of France, and on the other by the Pontificia] I tyranny of Rome. According to the laws of Belgium, King LESPOLD is the constitutional and legitimate bead of his own Cabinet, so that THE NORTHERN TIMES.-LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY, JUNE 18. 1857 when the Legislature seeks to place itself in antagoilism to the feelings of the populace, it is his duty to step forward and allay the excited jealousy of the one by arresting the mischievous activity of the other. This was King LEOPOLD'S course. He merely acted under and with the advice of his Cabinet; he prorogues the Chambers, stops the angry debates, and thereby satisfies and quells the infuriated feelings of an outraged and indignant populace. This contrasts strongly with what other king doms in Europe would have done. Take France, Austria, or Naples, for instance. The histories of these countries tell what would have been the coercion, the imprisonments, and the brutal and tyrannical treatment which such political offenders would be subjected to in these lands. It is, however, gratifying to find that, in Belgium, a public outcry arifl a solemn and emphatic protest against ecclesiastical aggression and Pontifical arrogance is not answered by a dragonade or carnival of promiscuous butchery. The ministry refers to the crown ; the crown consults the people, and the sovereign, abstain ing judiciously from either—approving or dis approving of the abnoxious Bill—pronounces that whatever the Ministers originate, or the Parliament sanction, no principle shall have encouragement on Belgian soil which is anta gonistic to the declared wishes and desires of the Belgian people. Admitting that it is sometimes better to compromise than to argue or contend with an infuriated opponent, his Majesty suggests that the discussion of a measure repugnant to the popular intelligence, shall be given over, at least for a time. Conduct such as this clearly proves that, in Belgium at least, there is constitu tionalism, and that a people so treated will not fail to rally round a sovereign who guards their civil and religious liberty with such extreme jealousy and effect. The King of Belgium did not hasten the absolute dissolution of the Legislative Chambers. He was watching the progress of events, consequent upon the elections in France. It might be deemed matter of political ridicule to see so small a nation exercising a free suffrage, while its neighbour, under the sway of the Imperial NAPOLEON, was going through a farce, paying for votes as it would pay taxes or hordes of salaried officials. LEOPOLD deserves not only credit, but the thanks of all civilised Governments for the tact and skill which he displayed in averting a crisis, which at one time threatened the stability of his kingdom—for ousting priestly aggression, and giving to the people the power of a fair and candid disapproval of measures of political iniquity. Da EVIL EFFECTS or STRIBES.—" It is to be regretted that the stone-cutters employed by Mr. Wallace at St. John's new Cathedral, and who were in receipt of 245. weekly wages, have struck work, because of Mr. Wallace engaging a native chimney-piece maker to execute two red marble columns, which were to be polished for the edifice."—We cut the above paragraph from the Limerick Chronicle. We are sorry to find that workmen generally are qn qinw in ceninz their nwn intprPqta, and that, after the many instructive lessons taught them recently in reference to " strikes," they still persist in such suicidal folly. The meaning of the extract we have given is rather ambiguous, but we dare say the " native" referred to happened not to belong to a society of which the com binators were members, and, therefore—although they have no objection to their wages, and although, doubtless, they are aware their conduct will seriously inconvenience the contractor—they have " struck work." No doubt it is a hard matter to labour during this rather hot weather, and there is little doubt also but that they expect the chest of their own and other societies will supply the needful to maintain them in idleness. This silly affair will end in this way :—After a few weeks' fruitless talk and bluster, and, after spending funds which should be devoted to more useful purposes, the stone-cutters referred to will again resume their wonted avocations, having gained nothing, and lost much. Moamomim.—A Mormon preacher at Southampton said, in his sermon a Sunday or two ago : •' Shall I tell you, my brethren, when the comet shall come and strike this earth ? When Brigham Young chooses to say the word, then will the comet come and strike the earth." MR. JOHN BRIGHT.—We have much pleasure in stating that Mr. John Bright has arrived in London. We are able to assure our readers of the improvement in Mr. Bright's health, and of the probability of his return to active public life at no very distant date.—London Paper. POOR RATES AND PAUPEKISM.—In the last week of the quarter, ending Lady-day, 1857, 128,901 in -door, and 763,544 out-door paupers, were relieved in England and Wales, the entire population being (census 1851)17,666,030 In the corresponding week of the preceding year the number of paupers relieved was greater by 31,116. HEALTH OF LONDON.—In the week that ended on Satur day, June 13th, the total number of deaths registered in London was 934, of which 519 were deaths of males, and 415 those of females. Last week the births of 824 b and 778 girl 4, in all 1,602 children were registered in London. In the the tea corresponding weeks of the years 1487-56 the average number was 1,396. COAL ►STATISTICS.—In the year 1856, the quantity of coal, cinders, and culm carried coastwise from one British port to another was 9,110,076 tons, and of patent fuel 86,335. The exports abroad in the same year amounted to 5,879,779 tons of coal, &c., and 69,462 tons of patent fuel ; the declared value of all these exports being £2,869,230. France is the largest cestomer, and after it Germany, Thnmark, and the Mediterranean States BRIGANDAGE IN TURKEY.—" Emin Paella." says a letter from Janina, in the Augsburg Gazette," has arrested more than 150 bandits. They were divided into three bodies, commanded by three welt-known brigand chiefs. Their last exploit was to capture a school and hold the children of wealthy parents to ransom. Of these bandits thirty-six have been hanged and the remainder sent to Constanti nople, where they will probably be conknned to the I galleys." ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN COURT. —At the Middlesex Sessions, on Tuesday; Frances Richards, a married woman was indicted for stealing a purse containing £1 124 6d from the person of John Sparkes. She was found guilty, and evidence of former convictions having been given, the court sentenced her to four years' penal servitude. On hearing the sentence the prisoner, a determined-looking woman, fell upon her knees, and in an instant took a silk handkerchief from her pocket and twi.,ted it round her neck, pulling the ends with all her strength, apparently with the object of strangling herself. The officers at once seized her by the arms, and compelled her to loose her hold upon the handkerchief ; and, having removed her to a cell, handcuffs were placed upon her to prevent any further attempt. AN URGENT REASON FOR PARLIAItsINTARY ABSENCE.— At the time of private business in the House of Commons on Tuesday night, Mr. Alexander moved that leave of absence should be granted to Mr. Bruen for three weeks "on urgent business." Mr. Wilson Patten, who is the faititful guardian of all the privileges of the house in reference to committees, objected to the motion on the ground that a large number of committees were to be struck in a few days, and that no leaves of absence should be granted to members unless some very strong reasons were shown for such a course. Mt, Alexander was then compelled to explain that the " urgent business" on which Mr. Bruen claimed to be absent was that he was about to be married. The house, amidst peals of laughter, admitted that that was a sufficient reason, and granted hiaa leave of absence aCcvardiugly. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. (By British and Irish Magnetic Telegraph.) HOUSE OF COMMONS—WEDNESDAY. The SPEAKER took the chair at twelve o'clock. NATURALISATION OF A PRINCESS. A bill providing oaths necessary to be taken by the Princess Guistiniani, before naturalisation, passed a second reading and committee, on the motion of Mr. Monsell. LONG LEASES (SCOTLAND) BILL. The Registration of Long Leases (Scotland) bill passed through committee. INDUSTAIAL SCHOOLS BILL. The house went into committee on the Industrial Schools Lord A. HOWARD, condemned the power which was given by the bill to the police, with regard to the inter. pretation of the words begging or vagrancy. Unless they defined the words more definitely, a child sweeping a crossing and asking for money might be placed in one of the reformatory institutions ; and in the case of a poor family travelling to a port from whence to emigrate, and any of its members asking for money or food on the road, that family might be broken up and emigration prevented, by the provisions of this measure. Sir GEORGE GREY explained that no new power was given by the bill, and that its object solely was that children charged with offences under existing acts should be liable, at the discretion of the magistrate, to be sent to an industrial school. _ Mr. PALK considered that many of the clauses required a more clear definition. Mr. MooRE stated that a case had occurred of a Roman Catholic child being placed in a reformatory, and compelled to attend Protestant worship. The parents were refused an application for the child when they were about to return to Ireland, and that decision had been confirmed by the Home Secretary. Sir GEORGE GREY said he would make inquiry into the case. Mr. DE VERE objected to the measure on account of its interference with the parental tie. Mr. ADDERLEY observed that his bill would only operate when the parental tie had ceased to exist. Ultimately the sth clause, upon which the general dis cussion arose, was struck out. Clause 6 was also struck out. Clause 7 was amended by Mr. BARROW, by the insertion of words allowing to magistrates discretion to discharge a child without security. On the motion of Mr. HIINLEY, the security required to be given by the parent for the child was omitted from the clause. Mr. Lowy moved to limit the time for which children should be sent to industrial institutions to two years. After a brief discussion upon this question, a division was taken, the numbers being— For the amendment Against it Majority Mr. HENLEY then proposed to limit the period to four years, but withdrew his amendment after a brief discussion. Mr. BARROW gave notice of his intention to move an amendment at a future time. He should move to alter the age of discharge from fifteen to twelve. Ultimately, the clause was agreed to. Clause eight was agreed to. Mr, BOWYER moved to report progress, but was defeated by a majority of 170. Discussion up to a quarter to six o'clock, when the house resumed. The Grand Juries (Ireland) Act, HA Amendmsnt Bill was read a third time, and passed. The house adjourned at ten minutes to six. THE MERSEY CONSERVANCY AND DOCKS BILL. (PROM OUR OWN REPORTZRO HOUSE OF COMMONS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17. The committee re-assembled this morning at twelve o'clock, Sir J. Graham in the chair. Mr. Hope Scott, Q.C., addressing the committee, said : I propose to call one or two witnesses before Mr. Shut tle worth is examined, and, in doing so, I think it right to advert to what took place in this room yesterday, in my absence, in respect to the conduct of our case. Sir J. Graham : Do you think it really advisable that you should address us upon that point now ? lam sorry to interrupt you, but I must remind you that the com mittee came to the unanimous decision yesterday not to prosecute that question further, but to leave the gentlemen, in whose behalf you appear, to conduct their cass as they think fit. I, therefore, think that it will be better for you to call your witnesses at once. Mr. Hope Scott : You certainly gave up that point to us, but only under the burden of an imputation of having committed a breach of faith, which is an imputation we are not liable to. Sir J. Graham : Excuse me; you were not present ; and it would be better that you should not revive a question on testimony which is only hearsay on your part. Mr. Hope Scott : Allow me to state that the feeling 1 have mentioned has weighed considerably on the minds of my colleagues who were present. I have looked through the minutes of the evidence taken yesterday, which extends over 48 folio pages, and I find that about one fourth is occupied by inquiries made by the committee. That is a matter over which we had no control ; I do not make any complaint ; on the contrary, I am glad to see it, because it shows the great attention which the com mittee are prepared to devote to the case; but, at the same time, I mention the fact, in order that you may understand the difficulties which we have to contend with, when we find such an element in the case. Sir J. Graham: Have the kindness to call your wit nesses. _ _ _ Mr. Rope Scott : Certainly. Mr. James Aspinall Tobin was then called, and said : lam a merchant in Liverpool, and was Aayor in 1855. I have read the evidence of Mr. Charles Sanders, Secretary to the Great Western Railway Company, and I have to say that 1 never uttered one word that would lead any one to infer that the Corporation would complete the Birkenhead Docks according to the plans of Mr. Rendel; on the contrary, I always stated that we should ask Parliament to sanction other plans ; and I stated that fact to Mr. Booth, of the Board of Trade. I mentioned the intention of the Corporation to have other plans pre pared, and Mr. Booth said, as far as any alteration of plans was concerned, the Board of Trade would be very glad to render any assistance. The alteration to which I alluded was one in principle, not in detail. To Mr. Webster : The alteration in principle referred to the construction of the Great Low Water Basin. The wish of the Corportion has been to have cheap docks at Birkenhead to relieve commerce generally. As regards works at the north end of Liverpool, I believe works are being proceeded with in connection with the bill of 1855, and I don't believe that anything else, as has baen insinuated, is being done. To Mr. Hope Scat • It has been the instruction of the committee of the Corporation to Mr. Hartley to carry out in its integrity, and in its best development, the expressed desire of Parliament. _ By the Committee : We had no communication with the Great Westein Company prior to the purchase of the Birkenhead Docks. The bill of 1855 was opposed by the Corporation of Manchester. Mr. Milner Gibson gave notice of an ametriment on the bringing up of the report, and in consequence the Corporation sought the aid of the Great Western Company. lam not aware that the Great Western Company have petitioned in favour of Mr. Rendel's scheme ; and I am quite confident that, when the aid of the Great Western was sought, no assurance was given to the company on the part of the Corporation that docks would be carried out substantially in accordance with Mr. Rendel's plans. No such assurance could have been given, because it would have been in entire opposi_ tion to the views of the corporation. In November, 1856, the Great Western Company agreed to give Mr. Brunell full powers to enter into an arrangement, if the corpora tion would delegate similar powers to Mr. Hartley. Mr. Thomas Bold was the next witness examined. He said : I am a merchant and alderman of Liverpool, and took an interest in the transfer of the Birkenhead Docks in 1855. My name is mentioned in Mr. Saunders's evidence as one of the persons who gave an assurance respecting the mode in which the works would be constructed. Mr. Saunders's recollection in regard to such an assurance having been given is incorrect. No assurance was ever given that the docks would be substantially in accordance with Mr. Rel. del's plan. By Mr. Webster : A. low water basin was always in sisted upon by the Great Western company, as an impor tant part of the scheme, in order to give access to the great float. I contend, however, that we give a much better access to the great float than if we adopted Mr. Rendall's plan. I have had repeated interviews with Mr. Saunders. We sought the assistance of Mr. Saunders and the Great Western company, in opposing Mr. Milner Gibson's clause, and we obtained it. Mr. Webster: I believe that no member of the corpo ration has taken a greater interest in the dock question than yourself. Can you tell the committee what the corporation are doing on the north shore ? Witness : We are completing a dock sanctioned before 1855, for the completion of which money was given to us. We are also erecting a wall. Mr. Webster : What is to be the cost of the dock 1 Witness : I a' not prepared to answer that question. Mr. Webster ; Will it not be upwards of £200,000? Witness: Certainly. ' Mr. Webster : And the seawall will cost .£50,000 ? Witness : I cannot say. Mr. Webster : What have you expended in land ? Witness : £23),000 , Mr. Webster ; Have there not been loud complaints on the part of the merchants, of the want of dock accommo dation at Liverpool ? Witness: I belive that letters to that effect have ap peared in the newspapers. Mr. Webster : And I believe that you have ventured to tell the gentlemen making such complaints, that Parlia ment has insisted upon the completion of the works at Birkenhead, before further dock accommodation should be provided at Liverpool. Re-examined by Mr. Hope Scott : The money expended in works on the Liverpool side of the river, is the money of the doek trustees, while that expended on the Birken head side is the money of the Liverpool C3rporation. Contracts to the extent of £120,000 have been let for the deepening of the pool at Birkenhead, but considerable difficulty bas been experienced in finding a place where the spoil could be deposited. It is now deposited upon Mr. Viner's land. In point of fac', the corporation are now doing for Mr. Viner what the dock trustees have done for the corporation. There is no ques'ion that Mr. Hartleys scheme provides a better entrance to the float than the original plan. Sir J. Graham : The Great Western Company were originally opposed to the bill of 1855. Witness : Yes. Sir J. Graham : How did yon overcome their opposi- tion ? Witness : They saw it was impossible that the docks could be finished in the hands which they were then in, and having faith th';t the corporation would fini,h them if they came into their possession, they were anxious that the corporation should ob.ain them• Sir J. Graham : OW you give Mr. Sagnders an assur ance generally that the works should be carried out ? Witness : Do you mean in accorlance wi h Mr. Rendal's plan ? Sir J. Graham : No ; generally. Witness : Certainly we did. Sir J. Graham : Did net Mr. Saunders press for some- thing more specific then a general a.smraricc? Witness: No. If Mr. Renda!s plan had been mentioned I should have said at once that it was impossible to carry it out. Sir J. Graham: I em sorry to press you upon the point, but are you quite sure that you only gave the general assurance that the docks should be executed, and that you did not discuss wits Mr. Saunders. before he changed from an opponent to a supporter, the particular pans which would be carried out. Witness: Most certainly not. I assured him that, as soon as the bill passed, the corporation would honesly set to work on the principle sanctioned be the act of parlia-' ment, so es to accommodate the trade of the Mersey in connecion with the dock estate. Mr. North : You say that you gave Mr. Saunders and the Great Western Company to understand that the docks would be carried out in connection with the Liverpool docks? Witness: Yes. . . Mr. North : Will you have the goodness to explain to the committee what you mean by " in connection with the Liverpool d. cks ?" Witness. I will explain a; well as I can. S) long as Birkenhead was separate and diitinct from Live , pool, and had different interests, it required docks of an entirely different construction ; whereas, if it evere connected with Liverpool, it might be desirable to have the steam trade over at Birkenhead, in which case wider entrances to the docks would be required. It might also be advisable to take the timber trade to Birkenhead from Liverpool ; and the construction of timber docks is upon a different principle to the construction of general docks. That is all the explanation I can give. Mr. John Laird, examined by Mr. Hope Scott : I am an iron shipbuilder at Birkenhead, and 1 rent a large s`lip building yard of the corporation between Monk's Ferry and Birkenhead Ferry, I have been chairman of the Bir kenhead Improvement Commissioners for the last two years. I was also a considerable shareholder in the Dock Company, and I ir , ld extensive property in Birkenhead. As an owner of property, and as a large ratepayer, my interest in Birkenhead is very great, I took part in the negotiations for the purchase of the docks. The manner in which the works were to he completed was frequently discussed in the negotiations, but the corporation invariably sail_, that they would not be bound by Mr. Rendel's plan, but that they would insert a clause giving the Birkenhead people a year in which to propose their plans; and if plans were not proposed in that period, the parliamentary plans would be carried out. As chairman of the Birken head Improvement Commissioners, I reported all that had taken place in the negotiations and also before parliament. The people of Birkenhead were most anxious that the works should be placed in the hands of the Liverpool Corporation. Changes were made in Mr. Rendel's plan from time to time by Mr. Bendel himself. The low water basin was originally proposed to cover 37 acres and now it is proposed to cover only 29 acres. I took part in the negotiations last autumn between the corporation, the rail way companies, and the Birkenhead Improvement Com missioners. I prefer Mr. Hartley's plan to Mr. Benders, and my impression is that Mr. Hartley's plan to a great extent was the plan agreed to by the Great Western Company. By Mr. Webster : In 1851, Admiral Beaufort and Mr. Robert Stephenson, to whom the plans had been referred, reported against Mr. Abernethy's plans and in favour of Mr, Rendel's, but the evidence upon which their report was based had been altered without the consent of the witnesses. The Birkenhead Trustees were unanimous in supporting Mr. Abernethy's plans, and opposing Mr. RendePts. The learned counsel here read a leter from Mr. Laird to a Liverpool newspaper, dated May 12th, 1857, in reference to a report that Messrs. John. Bibby and Son were about to remove their steam trade to Southampton, in which Mr. Laird stated that the best way of encouraging increased accommodation at the port and deep water entrances, which were the great wants at present, would he for the Dock Committee to support the Corporation in endeavour ing to carry the Dock Bills now before Parliament. He added that the Dock Committee must learn to consider Liverpool and Birkenhead as one interest, and that if they would give all the facilities which the present docks were capable of affording, there was no ground for believing that Messrs. Bibby and Son would take their trade to Southampton. Mr. Webster : Did you write that letter ? Witness : I did, and the views expressed in it are the views which I entertain at present. I have always hid a strong 'opinion that the corporation of Liverpool would do much more justice to Birkenhead than the Dock Com• mittee, because I have invariably found that the repre sentatives of the ratepayers are the parties to preso on the North Shore Scheme, and to do what they can to obstruct the progress of Birkenhead. On the contrary, so far as I have observed, the corporation would have been further on at this time with Birkenhead, had it not been for their being mixed up with the Dock Committee. I have no interest whatever in Liverpool, but I have a very great interest in Birkenhead. Sir J. Graham : When you say " ratepayers," do yo mean the dock ratepayers P Witness : I mean the representatives of the dock due payers. The corporation have already done a great deal to promote the interest of Birkenhead, and they have a large stake in the property on that side of the water. I have generally tound that people who have a large stake in property do all in their power to promote their own interests. By Mr. Webster : I was a large purchaser of leasehold property from the Liverpool Corporation in 1843, shortly before the Birkenhead commissioners resolved to apply to Par.iament for power to construct docks at Birkenhead. Mr. Shuttleworth was then called, and resumed his evi dence. lie said in answer to Mr. Burke: In 1812 the corporation voted £5OO towards an application to Parlia - ment to open the East India and China trade to the general merchants of the coutry. In 1813 the dock trustees were impoverished in consequence of the pressure caused by the American war. They passed a resolution stating that they were anious to allow a sum of money to assist them in the prosecution of their works, and the corporation lent them £5OOO, which was repaid with interest in the course of a few years. The corporation have also been at the expense of erecting a landing stage, which is very necessary for the accommodationof passengers and is also available to a certain extent, for the landing of goods. It is open at all hours of the night and at all times of the tide to the public, free of charge. It cost altogether, including machinery, a sum of £35,157, and was erected in about the year 1835. The annual cost of the stage t') the corporation is about £9OO ; but it been found insufficient for tthe accommodation of the public, and another stage is now in the course of erection which will be 1,000 feet long, and will cost £130,000. The Lords of the Trecenry authorised money to he borrowed for defraying the expense of eonstruceing this stage, and a sinking fund is provided for extinguishing 'he debt. The annual cost of mairoeining the stage will he £B,OOO, and the debt will be extinguished at the rate of £2,600 a year, which sum is included in the £B,OOO. The corporation also expended upwards of £30,000 in 1829, for the erection of a lighthouse near New Brighton, and in 1830 they contributed a further sum of 1,000 towards opening out the Cbina trade, Money has also beon expended in putting up a chain and cable machine. They spent X 11,144 in the machine, and gave the land upon which it has been erected. A small charge is made for testing chains and cables, but there is a deficit of £lOO in the receipts as compared with the cost. Prior to 1835. the assizes of the county were held at Lancaster. There was no railway at that time open to the north, and as the business of the i county increased, which it did very largely , great ncon venience was experienced by the jury men and witnesses who were required to be inattendance.awAaiilnarggetheexir trial pense was also incurred in keeping prisoners at Lancaster. Petitions were presented with a view to obtain the removal of the assizes for the southern division t of the county to Liverpool, and after considerable negociA- tion with the Secretary of State, the petition was acceded to, and an order in council was passed under the provisions of an act of Parliament enabling the assizes for the southern division to be held at Liverpool. The Southern division comprises Manchester, Bolton, Wigan, and the principal manufacturing districts of the county. When the Assizes were removed, the corporation undertook to allow the use of the courts which already existed in the town, and which were constructed for the purpose of session courts; and they also undertook to provide lodgings and accom modation for the Judges. The assizes were held in the stssion house for several years, but the buildings were found entirely inadequate for the enormous business trans acted, and the corporation therefore determined upon erecting new assize courts. Mr. Burke : I believe that at that time other persons in the town proposed to extend the building you proposed to erec, and lipply it to other purposes Mr. Shuttleworth : About that time it was intended by private individuals to erect a Hall for musical testivals and purposes, of that description. Plans were advertised for both by the Corporation and by the gentlemen who proposed to erect a Music hall, and the architect selected in both cases—Mr. Elmes—was the same. Subsequent'y the two buildings were amalgamated, and the whole cost was incurred by the Corporation. Mr. Burke : What has been the cost up to the present time ? Mr. Shuttleworth : About £200,000 has been ex pended, and the building has been used for a considerable time for holding the assizes, the local courts, and the court for the Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine, but not for the purposes of a Town-hall. The county fund did not contribute one farthing towards the expenses of erecting St. George's Hill, and, consequently, so far as the county business is concerned, the corporation of Liverpool have made a free gift to the county. In 1830 representations were made to the corporation respecting the dangerous state of the gunpowder magazines at Liseard. It was said that the magazines were not in accordance with the requirements of modern science, and the Board of Ordnance inspected them, and suggested numerous alterations. The corporation expended £9,826 in the erection of new maga zines. In 1851 a representation was made to the Home Secretary that the storage of gunpowder in the immediate vicinity of Liverpool, where the popula tion increased so rapidly, was dangerous, and the Board of Ordnance issued a commission to inquire into the subject. They reported to the government, and recom mended the removal of the magazines. A bill was brought in for that purpose. The bid contained a provision for the payment by the corporation of £9,780 in the shape of compensation to tne persons by whom the magazines had been leased. The nr.rev Yeas paid out of the borough fund, and the land is let for £lOO a year. In 1840, the Corporatian gave Lind for the purpose of erecting a sailors' home and a savings bank for saiiers. The merchants subscribed a large sum of money for the erection of the building, and the land, which was worth £8,500, was a free gift on the part of the Corportion. The Corporation also expended money in 1840, in commencing the erection of an observatory. The cost of the bull ling and the instru ments was £10,342. The Corporation defray the expense of maintaining the establishment, and charge a small sum for the use of the instruments. There is an excess of expen diture over the receipts of about £6OO a year. At one time fires were common in Liverpool, and as they were suspected to be the work of incendiaries, the insurance companies refused to insure buildings in Liverpool, except at very heavy premiums. The pre miums ranged so high that 20e. was charged for the in surance of the same description of property as would be charged 2s. 6d. in London. The corporation obtained acts of parliament authorising the construction of warehouses at a considerable cost, and the result was that the rates charged upon the policies were greatly reduced. In 1848 the corporation gave land to the value of £30,009in widen ing a street at Wapping. They also took powers in 1855 to widen the streets near the docks, so as to make a street five miles in length and 72 feet wide, but the bill was abandoned iu consequence of the agreement to take the Birkenhead works. In 1844 they gave land worth £6,000 for the construction of the Northern Hospital, which was required in consequence of the accidents which happened at the docks. In 1838 they erected a dock for the accom modation of the river craft, at a cost of £94,000,. which produces an annual revenue of £2,500. Mr. Shuttleworth was then examined by Mr. Burke in reference to the conservancy of the river, and his examina tion was not concluded when the committee adjourned, at four o'clock. THE GREAT HANDEL FESTIVAL, THE JOURNEY BY RAIL AND ROAD. It is many years since the fashionable neighbourhoods of Belgravia and the Vauxhall-bridge-road, Pimlico, presented such an animated appearance as they did yesterday morning, if we except a Derby or an Oaks day. From the early hour of nine o'clock the carriages of the Foreign Ambassa dors and the nobility and gentry kept pouring in rapid succession along the route and over Vauxhall-bridge, from the West-end, whilst the scene at London-bridge station was almost as exciting. The royal procession, which con sisted of eight carriages accompanied by outriders in scarlet livery, and an escort of the 11th Hussars, left Buckingham Palace a few minutes after twelve o'clock, and reached the South Lambeth-road at half-past. Her Majesty occupied the right hand side of the first carriage. The royal cortege proceeded at a slow pace along the road towards Stockwell en route by the private road to Dulwich. On reaching the Crystal Palace her Majesty was received by a guard of honour, consisting of a squadron of the 11th Hussars, and was long and loudly cheered. HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT'S EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE; The arrangements for the educational conference, over which his Royal Highness Prince Albert is to preside, have been completed, and a large number of distinguished per sons from all parts of the country have intimated their intention of being present. His royal highness will take the chair at the opening of the meeting, which is to be held on Monday next, at three o'clock, at Willie's Rooms—the Earl Granville, president of the Council, acting as vice president. CONVOCATION OF THE CLERGY. Her Majesty has signified her gracious pleasure to receive the address of the Convocation of the Prelates and Clergy of the province of Canterbury on Ba`urday, the 20th instant, at Buckingham Palace, at three o'clock. The prolocutor and clergy of the Lower House will assemble at the Jerusalem Chamber, Westminster, at two o'clock, to attend his Grace the Archbishop of Canter bury and the bishops of the province, who will proceed to Buckingham Palace► at half-past two o'clock. MARINE INSURANCES.—The revenue demand for stamps on marine insurances in 1853, amounted to £271,541. The value of the entire tonnage of the United Kingdom was £3,969,158, In 1856 the marine insurance duty had risen to £325,688, and the tonnage £4,304,460. Unuacti &zoom' ANNIVERSARY —Yesterday being the anniversary of the Church Schools, the day as usual was celebrated by a procession of the children connected with them through the town. They assembled at the Blue- Coat Hospital, and at ten o'clock, headed by the band of that School, commenced their procession. At the Exchange they were met by his Worship the Mayor, Francis Shand, Esq., Mr. Alderman Parker, and Mr. J. B. Brancker, and headed' y these gentlemen they pi oceedel to St. Peer's Church' and assisted at the Service. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. M'Neil, after which a collection was made in aid of the schools._ _ PRESENTATION.—Nir. John Pierce, late of the Customs of this port, who has recently baen promoted to London, was, on Tueslay.last, presented with a handsome silver ink- srand, bearing a suitable inscription, the workmanship of Mr. - ,vlayer of Lord.sleet, by the principal and clerks of the warehousing department. The presentation took place after the hours of business, in one of the principal offices of the department. Mr, J. G. Thom, the Comptroller of Accounts, took the chair, and, after an excellent and well timed address, presented the gift. Mr. Pierce, in an equally happy strain, replied, in the course of his remarks highly eulogising the collector, Mr, S. P. Edwards, for the great benefits he had conferred on the department. The pro ceedings then terminated in a manner well calculated to promote unanimity and further the good of the service.— Acidtess :—"To John Pierce, Esq., Comptroller of Ac counts, London Docks.—The Principal and Clerks of the Wareheuseing Department of this Port, offer to you their warmest congratulations on your most deserved promotion to London, To mark also their sense of your public and private worth, e.s well as to commemorate your long service here, they beg to present to you a silver inkstand, which it is the sincere wish of the subscribers you may for maul years, in health and happiness, continue to show to yout London friends as a slight evidence or the estimation in which you are held by all your co‘of6,olals here.—Signed on behalf of the establishments J. G. 'rum.',