The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-08-16 00:00:00

L° DUN AND NORTH WPSTE COMPANY. RN RAILWAY lIALF-YEARLY MEETING (ERNA OUR OWN REPORTER.) The hair yearly meeting of the proprietors of this Z " P a nY was held a t t w el ve o ' c l oc k, y es terday, at the 14!aisrton -s quare station. London. LI the absence of the dquis of Chand os , w h o was p reven t e d by indisposition na at tending, the chair was occupied by Mr. Benson, lnity chairmen. fis T_ he Secretary, Mr. C. E. Stewart, read the minutes of w '",.!, last meeting, which were confirmed. The report Ny tn eh was Previously circulated amongst the shareholders t aken as read. After stating that the rolling stock an c i , rKS of every description have been maintained . in tak_e,fficiency at the cost of revenue, it gave the following eo"„ular statement in illustration of the progress of the Iter e.ptsi from Passengers. Par./ 47(19 , 30s 712,275 32 D •c ,967 el s Mai a, Ilk, front Merchandise, 8/c...- 137 , 6. Increase 711.689 748,347 £1 420,997 .e 1,490,622 -e69,625 De: cease ping expenses..... £600,719 .5'597,399 £3,320 er centa ge of Diibunioent to Recei r It t.fienPsiatcd that the contest with the Great Northern m„"aft been settled, and as the award is to be for a term of arten years, , th e directors trust that the companies "" 4 3' not again be subjected to the evils of simir contests, and that they may be enabled to carry on the traffic of :,neir respective districts to the advantage alike of the nareholders and of the public. The arbitration . under by West London Act of 1854, has resulted in an award, Y,kr 'Il • k haw that the lessees shall pay to the prt?- eleter . s of the west.' London Railway, for the use of their ene, a sure of .el,BOO per annum, from' the Ist July, 1856, plieu 0 . f the undefined and fluctuating payments provided 4 ' l ' in the original lease, and which have led to so muc i. . r. i gAtion. The arrears and damages awarded . amount to ' 1 ,127, of which .e 2,000 are charged in the accounts of th e t • Past half year. The directors reported that the bill burye. deviation and completion of the Crewe and Shrews , line, and for the necessary powers to provide station ele°rinonodation at Shrewsbury. and at Bolton, and for . ' d the sanction of parliament , Purposes, has receive time allowed for taahealso the bill to extend for one year the ii„_,.:onstruction of the worksof the Hampstead Junction b: e They also reported that an act has been obtained e Parties locally interested for the construction of t a raii waY from Shrewsbury to a junction with the Oswes ry an I ' l t e ew own Railway near Welehpool (a . distance of -om it • e sixteen miles), with powers to enter into working illrangements with this company. As the construction of tea is railway would tend materially developing to aid ' 111 the lard e t te over the Crewe and Shrewsbury line, en::se,„under consideration the terms of a working agree. t o "'.; and they requested the authority of th? proprietors e : rl e e lude an arrangement on such conditions as l r ril e a r ,"' , ucem expedient. Nearly the whole of the and epe t osite for the construction of the Crewe and Shrews eririi% Northampton and Market Harborough, St. Albans, p,—,, Ranipstead Junction Railway, has been purchased an d th Contracts for the works have been let on . satisfac °l" ' ter ra& The directors requested a vote of the pro ;°ielors for 1.t'10,000 being the cost of a warehouse to Plar, now occupied by the company at a rental eq r u o a ses. The e encon the cost an for various othe c r th p e u coprres „,. • profits of the half C earayxceeded those o . Ir li ne period by .R5B 405 15s lid, and the directors are tselilire enabled to recommend a dividend at the rate of „er cent per anrum .`"e Chair-man, in na . oving the confirmation of the te th l) %rt, said that the directors hid on this occasion, for r ""t time, circulated amongst the shareholders the h ad with the accounts, and he was sorry to see that it e e d „ t he ef f ect, which they feared it would have, i n p e r - e ' v r i t n n ,, g . a smaller attendance at their meetings than o y ear] t) occasions. On the occasion of the last half dish Y Me eting the chairman had announced that the p ro r n te With the Great Northern Company as in 4 er: P" of being settled, all parties having signed v an . bed to to refer it to arbitratiou ; and he (Mr. Bens i o la n , l be ee to "figratulate them that day that that course an en carried out that the agreement had been sealed, d as it would be submitted to Si r ee ' B ° o ll as it was executed . • william i„is e ~ Ewart Gladgone for arbitration, In the ref °I the North Staffordshire Company, they had tlai. erred the case submitted to them in the action brought 1101nst them, and it now rested with them to prosecute 814 . There was no probability, however, of any (leuele,"elog tenefitted by it except the lawyers— tell when it would terminate, he could not re' a i,e u e might congratu l ate t h em genera ll y on t h eir ee n r d e t ee .l ls with other comp an i es . Th e i r v ar ious traffic tt ee'ents were working satisfactorily, on the whole, th were, he believed, accomplishing the object which placednnrerliai ntlf y expected to derive from them. In the in which railway companies were at present the,ton'ards each other by parliamentary regulations, te„„IY course which they could adopt for the protec ...„ esr .1 . Item .. In. ell. intrests was by making such . traffi . c infinitely arrange better e f or them t o ma k e certa i n concess i ons to friendly tr°a%P ani es rather than eat e r i n t o w ild compet i t i on f or seb• to th e var i ous po i nts on which they were now 40 bested to competition. (Hear, hear.) And he load seki e e e s t i tation in saying, that the m ore h e cons id ere d th e the e ' the more convi nce d was h e o f t h e propr i e ty o f tet e "r se in the v ar i ous regu l at i ons i nto w hi c h t h ey h a d had re in With neighbouring comranies. The directors arre e "' to bring under their notice two new traffic Which genaents of however, a minor character, but for 4 , . , Fan eti LneY wished to have the proprietors' approval and enep t .") as in the case of all their important arrange teas,' The two arrangements to which he alluded fe ees sfir e st, that which affected the projected railway th'-• niirevvsbury. On referring to the report, tevY would find that the parties interested in iti: neighbourhood in question had projected a short le e fr°M Shrewsbury to Welch pool, and looking at the e r ge stake which they (the London and North Western h e ° „ M panY) had in the Montgomeryshire Canal, and the r_ietokersfisthwrheNiveshhtstruch a valuable extension would be to Y and Crewe line, they had thought it c u e % able to enter into certain arrangements with that Pa nY• They After paying entail no loss were of such a nature that they would eentage,eihnaoriler to meet work to in teed to themselvesa they certain t g a t t i a n r a p n e r . lwineeu.odp.to theei°r Ti ra a i l i l li t , r a a y ffi . e coming from that projected If there were no traffic, there 1 ‘ ,..2 1 . be no loss ; and if there were traffic, it would pay `to'levenalinn another shape. He had no hesitation in recorn ,:lai g that °tiler eteree agreement for their approval.' The Wends, f ' the m_ent was one recommended to them by h th t e h i e r ~ Manchester and Sheffield Coman, wit _ th at FTgton end Stockport company. The y nature of coeptte e rern ent Wes, that that line should be worked in e b - •w een eet irt° with, an d as a continuation of, the line t w ar enabl e th ri ngton and Altrincham; and as it w o uld tr a ffi c e Sheffi e ld Company to develope their mineral emp i ,' "Pecially coal, and as by directly benefitting that besil a a l l Y , it would indirectly benefit them, he had no approvals in al so recommending that agreement for their getting approvals ("ear, hear.) Th ey bad no t succee d e d i n th e i r the extension of time which they had hoped for % lee, various new works in connection with their new been and they had, in consequence, in some instances, ev er, e.°Mpelled to commence them. He was glad, bow ie, ti _io be able to inform them, that the contracts,. so far he estinluey had gone, had been very much within t tutpiaiee--(hear, hear)—and that the directors were li ee :ng their, best attention to the construction of those they' ° n the most economic principle. The only vote oh‘lould have to take for capital and expenditure, th e e Present occasion, was that which was stated in refe represent and the chief item in it was that which ori: t re d to the Poplar warehouse. That warehouse was Th 41411 3' built for them at a cost of about £lB 000. it, butad rented it, not having the powers to purchase de now that they had those powers, they thought it p a str Ale that they should be possessed of the property, darnel riieularly as the rent which they paid was very large, y, s i x per cent on t' , e cost. Re had never heart 4111 tha reholder doubt the propriety of their possessing the ri e ,, — ; ) Ydon Square warehouses, and the one in question 14— ' 1 in precisely the same relation to them. It was P r roper that they should have it, and it was therefore eee"mMended for purchase. The other items were cl"Inall, and would speak for themselves, hut he should be ad to give an answer to any shareholder who might envire about them. With regard to the caoital expen diture, the directors had been desirous t o carry opt t h e aherenolders' directions in regard to it, in order to cheek and curtail it, in every manner they could. (Hear, hear.) The question was constantly before them, but i nany of gorseonourable friends thought that in pursuing t h e actually chargi c they bad, they had been ng too much to revenue. He did not Mean to say so, but if they had erred on that side, they had, at all events, ere e e --and by doing so, on the right side—(hear, hear) had added to the stability and value of their property. ree ve'ear, hear.) At the same tim e , with their growin g r evenue, hold out to them the he could not expectation of finally closing t heir capital account. It ems . ng trade, to say that they impossible, when "leY considered their growi should charge all to revenue, but still they might approximate to it, It was the desire of their board to dB so, and it was receiving their constant attention. the very Ifear, hear.) Turning now to the statement of accounts, sownpesen he thought be might congratulate them which were especially P‘ r nniising features which their affairs in the first Place, the expenses, under the control of their executive, had not increased, but rather decreased, while, on the other hand, the receipts had increased—(hear, hear)—thougli during the last half Year they had to pay larger prices for coke —a n tleportant item in locomotive expenses—the difference in price in the half year alone amounting to £B,OOO. And when they bore in mind that their rolling stock i hdaclubbieen efficiently maintained, they might consider I. their Y encouraging teat, with an increasing trade, __ working eepees With regard to th had increased. (Hear, hear.) Sea not th 'lhad more than now held certificateson any previous occasion, and they . "'Ms ass • 1 - from the heads of those depart- , uring t hem, in the strongest terms, `that the g stock was most thoroughly and eißciently main- THE tained, and he (Mr. Benson), had no hesitation in sayinz that it was now in a better condition than in the last half ye , r. (Hear, hear) Keeping on the same side of the account, he was sorry to say there had been an increase in the rate of interest they had to pay, but it had arisen from the fact thatithey had to renew in January, and before the peace was concluded, a large amount of debentures e.hich had been running at a low rate of interest. The average rate was £4 6s 3d per cent, but he could assure them, that on any future renewals, they should be able to reduce that rate, so that he hoped they had now got to the maximum on that point. There was one other subject which had caused considerable discussion out of doors, and which had been frequently discussed amongst themselves—he referred -to the renewal of road account. They were aware that many years ago, it was decided, with their concurrence, that the road should be strengthened—th it they should put down stronger rails, and in various other ways improve the road. It was also decided, that improvement should be charged to capital, and for that purpose they opened a suspension account, so that until the whole line was relaid, that suspense account should be kept open. When that was concluded, whatever would he charge able to improvement would be passed to capital account. Every half year now they credited that account with what was added to the maintenance and renewal of the road, and the account was so treated, that in the first half-year, they only charged one-third of the annual expense, and in the second half-year two-thirds, because of the receipts of the second half-year being so much larger than those of the first. That was the mode in which they treated the account, and he had not the least hesitation in saying that it was treated so with the shareholders' cognisance and knowledge, and under their directions. The shareholders' committee, in the report which they presented at the last half yearly meeting, gave their en'ire approval to it and he had no hesitation in telling them that it was the right principle to charge to capital the cost of strengthening the road. It was what the shareholders ordered to be done, and the account was both faithfully and properly kopt. Turning to the other side of the account, he had to congratulate them, for the first time, in being able to point to an increase in their passenger receipts. They had long to complain of competition, and their passenger receipts had suffered, but there now appeared a prospect of revival in that respect. It was an the goods, however, in which there had been the largest increase to traffic, and it was to goods he was persuaded they should look mainly for an increase in their revenue. Their attention was closely directed to the goods manage ment, with the view of getting more remunerative rates for their traffic, and he could assure them, that gradually, though slowly, there was an improvement in that direction. (Hear, hear.) They had, since their last meeting, appointed a goods committee, in pursuance of the recommendation of the committee of investiga tion, from whose labours he, for one, expected great results, but still it was a question of great magnitude, and they must allow them time to develope an increase in the various branches of their traffic, He thought it was a most advisable step, on their nart, to appoint this goods committee, and it was a good omen that they commenced this half year, with an income of something like £22,000, as compared with the corresponding period of 1855. It was, also, an encouraging statement in their accounts that they enabled them to give a quarter per cent. more, and he thought it might be considered, from it, that they had passed through the crisis of their affairs They had great competition to contend with, south, west, and north, and they had yet been able, not only to maintain, but to add to their receipts, without adding in proportion to their expenses—(hear, hear) — and he had no hesitation in saying, that they might now look forward to this great undertaking prospering with the growing prosperity of the company. (Applause.) Mr. Benson concluded by moving the adoption of the report. Mr. Hadfield, M.P , complained that no reference whatsver was made in the report to the suggestions which had emanated from the shareholders' committee as to the general policy of the company—the rate of expenditure, and the best way of increasing the dividends in proportion to the immense capital invested. He was sorry, then, to say that the report of the directors did not satisfy him, and that, as a member of the investigation committee, and speaking for himself, he was dis. appointed with it. He should like to ask what had been done towards economising their extravagant expen diture I (Hear) If they referred to the committee's report, it would he seen that they did not investigate the details of expenditure, and for this reason, that they were informed it was in better hands, namely, in those of Mr. Moon's committee. They were satisfi d with that explanation, and considered that a double investigation on that head would be unnecessary. They only went generally into those details, but he would ask why it was that the committee had not been honoured by one single observation in the report, or from the lips of the chairman ? If anything had been done, let the hoard have credit for it by all means, but he should like to know what they had done towards carrying the com mittee's suggestions into effect. (Hear, hear.) The reduction of the board was one of those suggestions, and yet not a word said about it. The reduction of the multifarious establishments which they had was another, and one that was particularly dwelt on, and yet not a remark was made on it. There was a growing opinion, and one in which he firmly believed, that one per cent. as a minimum might be saved in econo omising the conducting of their property; but if they were to have a stereotyped management, their dividends would be as they now were. (Hear, hear.) Looking at the report, he was afraid they were working for the public and nat for the shareholders—(hear, hear) —and though the public might, for the moment, gain by it, they yet would be ultimately the sufferers. Nearly every other company was increasing its dividends. The Lancashire and Yorkshire, and the East Lancashire, had materially increased theirs, and yet they (the London and North Western Company), could not do it. The cause of that lay with their own managemint, and if something were not done by the next half yearly meet ing, he would propose the reappointment of the com mittee of investigation. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Mitchell followed on the same side, and observed that he considered five per cent on such a capital as theirs as being merely at zero in point of profit. He condemned the practice of carrying traffic at a low rate, and still more at unremunerative ones, and contended that every branch of their trade, no matter how small, should bear its own profit. Mr. Deane regretted that the re-laying of the rails should be carried to capital in the manner described by the chairman. He considered that there should be a searching enquiry into the sums expended on that account —that perfectly independent engineers should be appointed to examine it—that the cost of re-laying and the sum expended on the former rails be ascertained, and that the difference between those two sums should be written off to capital account. They would then start afresh, and thay would continue so, if the same course were pursued with regard to the work done on that account every half year. He had also to complain of the parliamentary and legal expenses, and should like to know what was gained by such an extravagant outlay ? Mr. Puncher complained on the same ground, and asked how it was that every half year the exact sum of £lO,OOO should be set off for legal expenses ? He should like to know whether, in the figure set down for compensation, the defalcations at Liverpool were included? In conclusion, he observed that the fact of their working expenses being now less than what they were, showed that there was still room for reduction. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Dickenson thought that they had now arrived at the period, all their lines being nearly completed, when they should reduce the number of their directors. As for the general arrangements of the line, he travelled over it much, he considered they were admirable. He did not coincide in the opinion expressed he believed by the pre vious speaker, that the servants of the company were at all overpaid in any instance whatever. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Puncher: I did not say they were overpaid. I merely complained of their numbers and the management. Mr. Dickenson then referred to the diminution of their dividends, and contended that it had been the obvious result of the number of lines they had been led to con struct. (Hear, hear.) A Shareholder drew attention to the large item £260,000, for the delivery and colleclion of goods, and urged that the system should be discontinued. They were told by Captain Huish that it paid its own cost, but he should like to know how that conclusion had been arrived at? The Chairman replied that they could not drop the system of collection, which would be a complete reversal of their principle of action, unless other railway companies took the like course. In regard to the number of directors, they were aware that the number was fixed by Act of Parlia. ment, and that they were bound to fill up vacancies. They could not alter the Act of Parliament, and though they might at a future time introduce a provision for that pur. pose into another bill, whenever they would have one beforo parliament, yet he did not think that they would authorise the directors to propose a special act to accomplish that end. (Hear, hear.) With regard to law expenses, he was sure the directors would only be too glad if they could avoid them ; but when he told them that the cost of contest with the " Little Northern " last year amounted to the opposing parties £50,00Q, they would see the difficulties which directors had to contend against. They should protect their property, or leave it a prey to all parties who might choose to attack it. (Hear, hear.) As to the amount of compensation it could not be considered large, when they recollected that it was compensation on the carriage of one million pounds worth of goods. Mr. Puncher : Does it include the defalcations at Liver pool ? The Chairman : There are no defalcations—none. (Hear, hear.) The chairman then continued to say, that as to the estimate for the permanent way, any shareholder could have it by calling at the office, and when they had read over the reports of the most eminent engineers in the kingdom on the subject, they would be satisfied that the dire ctors had not neglected the question. Hp could assure them that it would bear the fullest investigation. (Hear, i hear.) All usion had been made to the great increasen their receipts without a corresponding increase of profit. It was true that such a discrepancy existed, but it arose from the fact that the class of goods they had to carry were of a low desc ription. B u t if they did no t t a k e these goods, they would have no business. There was great competition, and they shouldZtake low traffic or NORTHERN TIMES.---LIVERPOOL, SATURDAY none. As to the oal traffic, the directors were of opinion that it was the most profitable trade—paying better even then the express pas , emser trains ; and that opinion was shared in by the Great Northern Company, which took them at a lower rate than they did. As to the remarks of the hon. member for Sheffield (Mr. Hadfield), he was wrong in saying that the stiggestions of the Committee of Investigation had not been attended to. A Goods Com mittee had been appointed in accordance with them, but t're result of their labours could not be seen at once. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Pitt, M.P., endorsed the views of the Chairman, and urged that their misfortunes might be traced to the act that they had been compelled to fight the battle of the guages. If the guage all through England had been the same, they would have witnessed none of those evils which they hal now to deplore, nor would they have suffered from that r.:ckless competition and mischievous and factious rivalry which had been forced on them. There was another circumstance from which they suffered, but in a less degree, and he mentioned it from the fact that it alone could be redressed by public opinion being brought to bear on it. The act known as,Lord Campbell's act, giving compensation in cases of accident, was a just and wise law, bit he could not say the same of the manner in which it was carried out. From the reports of such cases in the papers, he was surprised at the decisions arrived at, frequently by special arid nearly always by common juries, contrary oftentimes to the opinion of judges, and he could only account for them by supposing what, per haps, was near the truth, that railway companies were looked upon as fit bodies to be plundered. (Hear, hear.) They were also unfairly assessed by vestries, but as these were grievances which could only be redressed in the manner he before pointed out—by the force of public opinion—he trusted that the public would soon see that it was for their own interest that it should be fairly dealt with, and would so act towards then. As to the remarks of Mr. Hadfield, he thought they were premature. The fruit of the labours of the Committee of Investigation could not!so soon be seen, and for his own part, he felt bound to speak in terms of commendation of the report which had been presented for their approval. He differed with the chairman in one particular. He thought it a wise course to circulate the report before the meeting, and he trusted it would continue to be done. (Hear, hear.) The report was then adopted mem. con. A dividend of five per cent per annum, payable on the 19th of August, was thclared, and other formal resolutions adopted. It was announced that, in consequence of the works now going on, the balance on the £2O Manchester and Bir mingham share, and the £lO C. shares would be called up, to be payable on the Ist of December. Thanks were voted to the chairman and directors, after which the meeting separated. SOUTH LANCASHIRE ASSIZES.- -YESTERDAY CROWN COURT. BEFORE MR. JUSTICE WILLES. UNNATURAL OFFENCE.—James Harrison, aged 19, a butcher, was charged with having committed an unnatural offence, at Walton on the Hill, on the 28th April last. The prisoner was in the employ of Mr. Lacey, a provision dealer, of that township. who, on the night in question, witnessed such conduct, that he gave him into the custody of the police on the following morning. For the defence, it was urged that the ch-trge had been trumped up by the prosecutor in a fit of jealousy. Before the case was completed, his lordship directed the attentoin of the jury to a certain portion of the evidence, upon which the jury, at the suggestion of his lordship, returned a verdict of acquittal. FRIGHTFUL CHARGE OF RAPE. AT MANCHESTER. Peter Donohoe, aged 21, striker, James M'Guire, aged 28, striker, Deorge M'Clarence, aged 18, a bobbin turner, John Brady, aged 24, a cabinet maker, and Samuel Falkner, aged 18, a moulder, stood indicted with having, on the 9th of June last, ravished Mrs. Ellen Wilkinson. In this case the prosecutrix, was a middle aged female, the mother of one child, who had been deserted by her husband, and by her industry had maintained herself for the last ten years, had been visiting at the house of a friend, Miss Grimes, on the night in question. Shortly after twelve o'clock they left the house, and went to a pie shop, where she purchased a pie. They then separated, each to retu'n to their respective homes. The prosecutrix sat down on the step of a door, in Scott street, for the purpose of eating the pie, but had not been there long before six men came up to her. The prisoner Donohoe was the first who caught hold of her, and the prisoner Brady grippped her by the arm. The six then carried her up the brow into Shepley's yard, where they threw her down, and to her certain knowledge Donohoe and Brady committed the offence complained of. Others did the same, but she become insen , ible, and did not know exactly what followed. After that they carried her into another yard, where they stripped her of all her clothing, and then pushed her into a privy. She was found shortly after in a state of insensibility, and was conveyed to the police office, but did not recover from the shock she had received until the following day. At the time the prosecutrix was attacked by the prisoners, she had had a glass of ale and a glass of rum. She had endeavoured to give an alarm, but a hand was kept over her mouth to prevent her eo doing. Several witnesses were called, who spoke to the facts as narrated by the prosecutrix, one of whom had witnessed the committal of the offence by . the prisoners, but was so much afraid that she dare not give the alarm, ar.d identified all the prisoners as taking a part in the committal of the offence. The articles of clothing taken from the prosecutrix were found in the posses sion of the prisoner Donohoe, and the ring taken from her finger was found immediately after in M'Guire's pocket. A surgeon was also called, who stated that he believed that the prosecutrix had undergone some very rough treatment, but his opinion was that she had been in a state of intoxication at the time the offence was committed. The several counsel for the respective prisoners addressed the jury Lt considerable length, arguing that the imputed offence had not been committed, as the prosecutrix was drunk at the time, and was an assenting party. Besides, they also contended, that the evidence of identity was not sufficient, resting almost on the unsupported testimony of the prosecutrix to trace it to the prisoners. His Lordship summed up the evidence, explaining the point of law involved in the motion, and the jury returned a verdict of acquittal against Faulkner, and guilty against the other four. M`Guire and Donohoe, who had each been previously convicted of a similar offence, were sentenced to six years' penal servi tude, Brady to four years' ditto, and M'Clarence to six months imprisonment. _ . . ASSAULT UPJN A CHILD AT WEST DERBY. —Michael Nolan, aged 19, a labourer, was charged with having committed a violent assault upon a child, named Mary Oldcock, under ten years of age. The jury acquitted the prisoner of the capital offence, but found him guilty of the attempt, for which he was sentenced to two yews' imprisonment with hard labour. CRIMINAL ASSAULT ON A CHlLD. —Joseph Silcock, aged 43, a chairmaker, stood charged with having, at LAwton, assaulted Elizabeth Eddlestone, on the 25th of April last. Guilty.—Two years' imprisonment with hard labour. CAAROE OF CHIL , ) MURDER AT WARRINGTON.—Mary Stringer, aged 42, stood charged with having caused the death of a child named William Baker, by administering to it a large quantity of lodanum. In this case it appeared that the prisoner was the aunt to the deceased child, who was about ten weeks' old. On the day in question the prisoner went to see the mother of the child, who, shortly after, left the child under her care. The prisoner was told to get the child to sleep On her return site found the child on the prisoner's hp, and a cup and spoon on the table. The mother asked her what she had been giving the child, and on being told it was spirits of poppies, the mother said she should not have done so. The child was soon after taken very ill, and died a few days after. The prisoner afterwards admitted that she had given the child some of the lodanum she had purchased for her mother, and expressed great regret at the result, as she was very fond of the child. The prisoner was found guilty of manslaughter. His Lordship strongly reprobated the conduct of drugging children, and, as a caution to others, sentenced the prisoner to one week's imprisonment. MANSLAUGHTER AT ST. HELENS.—Richard Harrison, aged 24, a glass cutter, was indicted for having caused the death of James M‘Guines, at St. Helena, on the 9th of May last. The prisoner and the deceased were employed in the St. Helens plate glass works. On the day in question a dispute arose between the parties, after which they got to fighting, and in the course of the conflict which ensued, the blow which caused the death of the deceased was struck. The jury acquitted the prisoner. MANSLAUGHTER IN LIVERPOOL.—Susan Donlan, aged 62, was charged with having caused the death of James Conner, a rigger, on the 30th of May last. The deceased lodged with the prisoner. On the day in question, he wont home in a state of intoxication, when the prisoner pushed him from the door, upon which he fell from the step, and died soon after. The prisoner was acquitted. MANSLAUGHTER ON BOARD A SHlP.—James Powers, aged 2G, a seaman, was charged with having caused the death of another seaman, on board a vessel, on the 27th of March last. In this case, the prisoner was seen to kick the deceased on the head several times, so muell so that he was rendered incapable of performing any duty. On the vessel arriving in Liverpool, the deceased was taken to the hospital, where he soon after expired from the injuries he had received. Guilty. Twelve months imprisonment with hard labour. The court then adjourned nntil nine o'clock this morning: the best thing he could do was to break off the match. He begged the jury not to ask themselves whether, under the circumstances, the breaking off the match was the best thing he could do, but to put the question to themselves, to what amount of damages was the young lady entitled to when this promise was made and then broken. She had lost the advantages which he had held out to her, and she had lost what to her was of far greater importance, the company, the society, and the consolation which a marriage could afford. When it was discovered that the defendant was paying his addresses to another young laby, he did not deny that he had acted like a villain to the plaintiff, but wsote to her a letter, in which he begged that she would forgive him, and not seek to punish him by law. The learned sergeant con cluded by calling on the jury to award such damages to the plaintiff as would compensate her for the injury and loss she had sustained. The first witness was George Frederick Scholes, who deposed that he was the father of the plaintiff, and bad formerly carried on business in Manchester, whence he removed to Southport, 13:came acquainted with defendant in 1853, in the beginning of which year defendant first visited his family. He appeared to pay witness's daughter very marked attention, which he continued to do for some months. On one occasion, as they walked home t)gether, witness asked defendant what his intentions were—whether they were merely friendly or otherwise Defendant said Mary knew whether they were not more than friendly. Witness asked what his intentions actually were, and the defendant replied thatliis intentions were to marry her but that he wished to wait until his circumstances were some what improved, as he expected to be taken into partnership in the concern in which he was engaged, and where his services were indispensible. He was then manager of Messrs. Clayton's nankeen and jean uasnufactory. Witness said time was no object so :that he knew what his intentions were. After that he continued visiting at witness's house frequently. This was during the residence of witness in Manchester, and about the end of August, last year, he removed to Southport. The defendant visited his daughter at Southport frequently. Witness was under the impression, for some months, that the engagement was broken off, but ho afterwards came to know that such was not the case, and that the plaintiff and defendant were meeting constantly without his knowledge. The attensions of defendant were, therefore, afer some time again openly resumed with witness's consent. Defendant visited them at Southport, and frequently took his daughter out as before. Heard something there which induced him to 'visit Mr. Clayton's house. Mr. Clayton asked them to go to investigate the matter. Defendant was there. A great many questions were put to defendant, and the result was, that they all pronounced him guilty. (Laughter.) Mr. Clayton told him he had acted like a villain to witness's daughter. Defendant tried to excuse himself ; but, finally, expressed his sorrow, and offered to do all in his power to make good the wrong he had done. Miss Clayton said he had deceived both her and witness's daughter, that she could never place any confidence in him, and that she never would marry him. Remembert seeing a little book, called A Gift for all Seasons," presented to his daughter by defendant, and enclosing a piece of poetry, headed, " Forget Me Not." It was inscribed inside—" Presented to Miss Mary Elizabeth Scholes, on her twenty-first birth-day, by her affectionate friend," That book came to his daughter during the time that witness supposed the engagement between his daughter and defendant was broken off. The Clerk of the court then read, amid much laughter, the following exquisite and touching poetic outpouring of the defendant's affection : "FORGET ME NOT." To flourish in my native bower, To blossom round my cot, I cultivate a little flower They call "forget me not." Though oceans wide between us roar, And distant be our lot, And shou'd I never see thee more, Dearest, " forget me not." Mr. Sergeant Wilkins then took up the reading, and delivered the following verses, in which the reader will perceive that the only original portions are those in which the defendant's memory failed him, and he introduced some happy alterations of his own composition, " thrown off" without any particular reference to the expression of any meaning : FORGET THEE Forget thee ?—lf to dream by night and muse on thee by day; If all the worship dee,, and wild a po't's heart can pay ; If prayer in absence, breathed for thee to heaven's protecting power If winged thoughts that flit to thee, a thousand in an hour; If busy fancy blending thee with all my future lot— .. _ _ • - - If this thou e :ilest "Forgetting," thoii indeed shalt be forgot Forget thee? —Bid the forest birds forget their sweetest tune Forget thee?-13 , d the sea forget to swell baneath the moon ; Bid the thirsty flowers forget to drink the eve's refreshing dew ; Thyself forget thine own dear land aid its mountains wild and blue Forget each old familiar face, each long remembered spot; When these things are forgot by thee, then thou stialtioe forgot. When eyes are beaming What never tongue might tell ; When tears are streaming From their crystal cell When hands are linled that dread to part, And heart is met by throbbing heart, Oh, bitter, bitter is the smart Of them that bid farewell When hope is chidden That fain of bliss would tell, And lave forbidden In the breast to dwell ; When fettered by a viewless chain, We turn and gaze, and turn again, Oh, death were mercy to the pain Of them that bid farewell ! Burn this as soon as read, please. Now 12 o'clock. Feb. 21 , 1855. J. M. B The following letter was then put in and read, addressed by the defendant to the plaintiff, subsequent to the discovery of his second engagement : Manchester, Nov. 29, 1855 Dear Mary,—l am put to the utmost stretch of mind how to begin this letter. I cannot tell you by this means my real sufferings of mind, body, and soul. I only wish I might be privileged to see you. I would gladly acknowledge all my faults. I pray for forgiveness. I know and feel I have not treated you as I ought to have done. I have been anything but honourable in my engagements with you. I hope and trust you will forgive, and I earnestly and heartily beg of you not to use lawful means to bring me to punishment. I know and feel I richly deserve it. But don't take that means, for the sake of Mrs. Clayton and family. I learn that your father is determined to punish me. (When will my punishment be over ?) I have fallen into the mistake i have mercy upon me. Father tells me that yqu have been suffering much since I saw you last. I feel sorry when I know that. I have been the cause. I wish I could undo all that has been done. Mary, ask your father not to put me into the lawyer's bands. If he does, lam lost and ruined. I have had my share of trouble, but this is the greatest. lam more fit for bed than to be at the warehouse. I don't wish to injure your character, far from it. lam willing to give you a written acknowledgment (that you can show to any one) that I have treated you unkindly, wickedly, and deceitfully, and that your conduct throughout has been blameless and virtuous. (You know me, Mary.) I am sure this would be better than punishing me. I hope you will beg of your father to forgive, and not to pro ceed against me. (" Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us ") (The parable of the debtors.) I hope you will excuse this scribble. I shall be glad to hear from you or any of the family, or see them, and beg from them pardon.—l am, your most unfaithful creature, JAMES M. BRIERLEY. Witness cross-examined by Mr. Wheeler : The marriage of defendant took place last June. It was some time after the interview he spoke of that the letter just read was written. Never heard that defendant was paying attention to Miss Clayton, until I heard he was going to be married to her, Witness's daughter was not receiving the attentions of any other man in September. Witness did think that matters had gone too far between his daughter and Mr. Clegg to be broken off. To Mr. Sergeant Wilkins : Wrote a letter to his daughter when under that impression, and received an answer from which he felt satisfied that Clegg was not her suitor.— Mrs. Mary Scholes, wife of the former witness, said that she remembered defendant beginning to pay attentions to her daughter, rather more than three years ago. Remembers her husband speaking to the defendant abont it. Defendant continued to, pay attentions to her, and came as an accepted suitor. He did net in witness's presence say anything about marriage. On the 28th of November, 1855, witness and her husband went to Manchester, to Mr. Clayton's. They told Mrs. Clayton they heard Miss Clayton was to be married to Mr. Brierley in the following month. Defendant came in soon after, and Mrs. Clayton and her family accused him of being deceitful, and of carrying on a doable correspondence at the same time. Mr. Clayton said he had acted like a scoundrel. Defendant said he did not deny it, but said he did not run after witness's daughter, that he had not to ask her twice to get her likeness taken. Witness grew vexed and said she would not bear her daughter spoken of in that disrespectful way, belause she knew ho had to ask her very often. Defend ant did not express hie sorrow, but was more inclined to be insulting. Remembers, in the February previous, a hook coming to her daughter in a sealed envelope. This was during a time when witness and her husband thought the engagement was broken off Witness did riot see him from February of that year nntil August. This closed the plaintiff's case. Mr. Sergeant 'Wilkins briefly addressed the jury, recapitulating the effects of the evidence produced. Mr. 'Wheeler then addressed the jury for the defendant, contending that it was not a case in which the plaintiff was entitled to receive any large damages—that the attentions hed not been of a very serious nature, as WAS evidenced by the inscription in the book,which was merely signed " her affection. ate friend," and that the attachment was at most of the merest platonic character on both sides. Ilk, Lordship having summed up, the jury, after a few minutes consideration, found - for the plaintiff, with £l5O damages. BENNETT AND ANOTUEB, V. IRELAND. —This was an action to recover an arrear of rent of certain mills, and a piece of land, taken by defendant f rom p l a i ntiffs, Mr. Hugh Hill, Q.C., and Mr. Tomlinson, appeared for the plaintiffs ; and My. Attorney-General Knowles, Q C., with Mr, Cole, for defendant. The defendant had paid £lO iato court, and pleaded a set-off of £2 16 - , paid by him, on account of property tax. The jury found for the plintiffs—dama ges £lB 14s. DUNCAN V. CROITEII.—This was an action for work done and ser,vices re n d ere d . M r. Duncan was a civil engineer, au, the defendant, M r. C ropper, an extensive railway contractor, Mr, of Liv er p oo l . M r. Tones appeared for the plaintiff, and n.L.' • E. Ja mes , Q.C . , w i t h Mr. Crompton Hutton , f or the dc. IT fondant. The case for the plaintiff was, that, in 1845, he wag engaged by the defendant to superintend some works which the defendant had in hand, in connection with the Ashton branch of ►he Lancashire and Yotkshire railways. In 1848 he was engaged to make certain calculations to assist the defendant in tendering for othf.r works, which he did. He con , inued to do work for th,t (lefndant. until 1853, when In 1834 ho was also engaged by left his serve( defendant to make calculations, to assist him in tendering for works on the I ive:pool and Southport line, and also on a line called the Furness line. In these transactions the plaintiff alleged that be bad incurred various expenses for travelling and other matters. He made several applic ttions for payment, but it appeared that at that, time defendant had a partner named Harding, and as there were several etcconnts transacted between them, he postponed setzling with plaintiff until he had settled with his taco partner. Portions of the plaintiff's claims were disposed of by the statute of limitations, and the action was ;brought now to recover £5B 7s. Defendant had paid £25 into court. The questions involved were wholly details of account. The defence was that the plaintiff had been receiving a regular salary for much of the work alleged by plaintiff to have been extra, and that some of the other items were overcharged. The jury found for the plaintiff with damages £3O 15s above the sum paid into court. ATK NS v. BELLOTT.—This u'as an action of ( - jectment. The plaintiff was Mr. Ambrose Atkins, grocer, residing upon his own property at Broughton, near Manchester, and the de. fondant, a gentleman, occupyirg property adjoining that of the plaintiff. The latter property belonged to a gentleman named Skelton, whose tenant Bellott was. This action was brought to recover possession of three small separate portions of land, which tho plaintiff considered of importance to him, and to which he alleged he had a clear title. It was alleged that the defendant hal not kept within the proper limits to which be was ertitled by his lease, but had infrioged unlit the property of the plaintiff in these portions of land which were the subject of the action. Mr. Atherton, Q.C., and Mr. Russell, appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. - Hugh Hill, Q.C, with Mr. Baylis, for the defendant. On the suggestion of his Lordship, an arrangement was entered into between the parties, and a juror withdrawn by consent The Court the ljnuined NORTH AND SOUTH WALES BANK The twentieth annual meeting of the proprietors of this bank was held yesterday, at the Clarendon-rooms; Richard Griffith, Esq., presided. Mr. Rea, the general manager of the bank, read the following THE OVERLAND MAIL. Despatches from India, in anticipation of the Ovcrland Mail, have been received. The dates are—Calcutta, July 3 ; and Bombay, July 10. The following is from the Bombay Times of June the 10th : The rains, which at the dare of our last despatch had been for three weeks in a great measure suspended, resumed on the last day of the month, and from that to the present date we have had two feet of fall. Already we have had in all forty inches, or two-thirds of what is due to the monsoon ; and though we are once more in the mi dle of fair weather, we have every reason to expect at least our ordinary supply Rice planting is now proceeding rapidly, and the agricul • turist goes on favourably with every division of his labour. - The Bengal government have been taking precautions for protecting some jtxty miles of country along the line of the railway in the neighbourhood of the Santa! Pergunnahs. The Ssntals themselves seem all but starving, endeavouring to sustain life on roots until the ripening of the wet weather crops. They are generally believed to have hid their weapons in the jungles, but at present it would be found impossible from want of provisions to subsist a hundred men on any given spot, and the arrangements in contem• plation are precautionary, and not the result of any serious apprehension: The news from Central Asia is, as usual, of such a con fused and conflicting character, that the only thing to be made of it is, that the Affghans are fighing amongst each other, as they always are, and that we need give ourselves no concern whatever about their quarrels. The magnificent Persian armies around Herat are now set down at somewhere about a couple of thousand men, and the princes and chiefs are engaged in endeavouring to shoot, poison, or entrap each other—enterprises in which every honest man will wish them all success. The Cahn]. and Candahar brothers are quarelling as diligently in 1856 as they were in 1836, when we entered on the sagacious task of seek'ng to recon cile their differences, the moral of the whole being that civilized countries, unless they wish to burn their fingers, should leave this laud of Ishmaclites alone. There have been some serious outbreaks in the Nizam's dominions, and so long as his Highness is suffered to retain in his service some forty thousand ruffianly mercenaries, always in arrears, and ready to compensate themselves by robbery, nothing but disorder is to be looked for. The late disturbances in the northern districts of Madras have disappeared, and throughout the British dominions universal tra .quillity prevails. We had oce eion to notice in our last the munificence of Sir ,Tamsetjee Jejeebhoy, in having, since 1825, bestowed close upon half a million sterling on chamity. It appears that within about the same period a sum not greatly less than this in amount has been bequeathed by voicing rich Hindus for purposes of benevolence, nearly the whole of it having been estranged from its intended uses by reason of the informality of the deed of bequest, by the kindred of the bequeathers. A Natural History Society has just been established in Bom'ay, the chief characteristic of which is that the monthly meetings are to be accompanied by excursions, the members bringing with them for discussion and examination the fruits of their rambles. The most distinguished naturalist amongst us, Dr. Leith, has accepted the office of honorary president. The office of president is held by Dr. Don, inspector general of hospitals, for twenty yesrs one of the best known and popular members of the medical service. The Governor General, who is still at Calcutta, has directed that on Sunday, the 20th of July, public thanks giving shall be offered to Almighty God throughout British India, fir his great goodness in restoring to England and to all Europe the inestimableblessings of peace. The Lieutenant General of Bengal, Mr. Halliday, was to have left Calcutta on the 2nd instant, on a visit to some of the stations in the interior. Sir George Anson is about to proceed on a searching inspection of the Bengal army, and will make Meerut his principal place of residence during his stay in the Upper Provinces, and thence march to the points to which he is more especially anxious to direct his attention. Lord Harris is at Madras, having opened the railway officially at Arcot, a distance of seventy miles, on the 28th of June. Lord Elphinstone is about to proceed almost immediately to the Deccan, where he purposes s , journing for the remainder of the monsoon. _ The Bombay bank has just declared a dividend for the half year ending the 30th of June of fifty rupees per share, being at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum. Trade, as is usual, at this season, is quiet, but the market for imports is firm. Money is easy; freights are dull and lower, and exchange is favourable for remitters. ASSAULT ON THE POLICE.—John M'Entyre was charged for having assaulted police officer 44. The constable saw the prisoner drunk, and going into one of the docks, which he prevented him from entering, as he feared some acci dent, whereon the prisoner struck complainant and knocked him down; he also kickel him.'""The prisoner said he did not remember what happened. He was fined fined 10s. and costs. LIST OF PASSENGERS PER R.M.S. P PRSIA, CAPTAIN JIMISINS, FROM NEW YOBK.—Mr. C. Yank, Mr. John B. Boyd, Mr. Albert Mathews and lady, Mr. A. Schwarzer, Mr. P. llorwadh, Mr. WAdo and lady, Mr. MacKenzie and lady, Jacob Abbott and lady. Mr. C.issin and lady, Mr. S'za-,lady, and servant, Mr. Z M. Hidalgo, and lady, Mr. Jose RPquelin and lady, Mr. W. J. Pust, Mr. Charles Green, Mr. Haugensen, Mr. Charles Taylor, Mr. Henry Foster, Mr. Charles Heess, Mr. S. Marto Allgrett and two children, Mrs. J. P. Rattazza, Miss Verdi and maid, Slr. J. Kingh, Mr. M. Lyn, Miss Elizabeth Hooper, Mr. M'Mun, Mr. R-bert Leslie, Mr. F. B. Harris, 1 idy, and three children, Mr. Holland, Mr. Fo.bes, Mr. Victor de Gonwal, Mr. W. B. Thompson and lady, Mr. Gassiot, Mr. L. Sharp, Mr. Burden, lady, and daughter, Mr. W. Lay, jug., Sir Allen M'Nab, daughter, and servant, Hon. J. J. Roberts, Mr. R. Humphreys, Mrs. Dorson, Mrs. L. Ridiali and servant, Mr. Oxley, Mr. Rodewald, Miss Holland, Miss Stock, Mr. Gould and son, Mr. J. F. Bernder and lady, Mrs. David son, Mrs. Fitzgerald, Mademoiselle le Comtesse de Couval, Mr. An , o Hero Tamaring, Mr. Alfred CArtwrigbt, Mr. W. J. Harwood, Mr. Samuel Higgs, Mr. L. Levi and lady, Mrs. G. Marston and child, Mr. Edward Jacott, Mr. Ranson Just and servant, Mr. Pyke, Mr. Thomas Peile, Mr. Andrew Wester, Mr. Alfred Edmundson, Mr. Henry ROdewald, Mr. A. &burly, Mr. James M. Calder, Mr. Eugene Langdon, Mr. A. de Pereda, Mr. Orrell, Mr. B. Sidney Smith, Mr. Moore, Mr. H. S. Dexter and lady, Lieutenant A. Crown, Mr. Frank Field, Mr. Ottenheimer, Mr. E. Carrier ' Mr. Aikin, Mr. F. Von Loebbecke, Mr. Zangroniz, Mr. M. J. Wilson, Mr. Eladio Rubina, Mr. H. Dubord, Mr. R. M. Gourdin, Mr. William A. Gourdin, Mr. Thomas Machado, Mr. Rodriquez, Mr. Dunlop, Mr. Lange, Mr. D. Dunlop, Mr. John 4. Dunlop, Mr. Schmidt, Mr. Kerby, lady and two children, Mr. Heynernan, Mr. J. Charlea White, Major General Home and servant, Mr. Gourdin, Mr. L. F. Green, Mr. W. Mertens, Mr. Aug. Adderley, Mr. J. George Anderson and lady, Mr. John Jones, Mr. FLrnandev, Mr. H. E. Kirk, Mr. James Harrison, Mr. William Wilkins, Mr. Voorhies, Mr. J. 11, Kingston, Mr. H. J. Barbey, Mr. Kirbery, Mr. Douglas D. Bannan, Mr. Duncan Kennedy, Mr. Cry senter Boves, Mr. R F. Kirkpatrick, Mr. Duncan Gibb, junior, Mr. Dan. Kennedy, Mr. Wm. B. Feltman, Mr. Flegenheimer, Mr. W. 11. Brown, Mr. D. W. Clarke, Mr. Isaac Meyer, Mr. C. Thompson, Mr. George C. Kem hardt, Mr. Heard, Mr. W. Wilson, Mr. jOhn James, Mr. Wilson, Mr.' Richard Barr, Mr. Themes I. Williams, Mr. Mr. Jos. Bissicks, Mr. J. W, Scott, Mr. Alfred Sliner, Mr. B. Corr, Mr. John L. Swift, Mr. Frederick Farrand, Mr. Thornton, Mr. R. M. Claypole, Miss E. Williams, Mrs. Gill and infant, Mr. William Oppermanne—Length . of passage, 8 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes, NISI PRIUS COURT.-YESTERDAY. Mr. Baron Bramwell took his seat upon the bench at nine o'clock yesterday. BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.— SCHOLES V . BRIERLEY.—This was an action for breach of promise of marriage. The plaintiff was Miss Mary Elizabeth Scholes, residing with her parents at Southport, and the defendant Mr. James Bvierloy, the manager of a jean and nankeen manufac tory at Manchester. Mr. Sergeant Wilkins and Mr. Fearnley appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Wheeler for the defendant. Mr. Sergeant Wilkins, in stating the case for the plaintiff, said if he were well instructed she had good ground to complain that the defendant had behaved to her in a most treacherous manner. He had entered into a solemn contract with her, which contract he had broken, but it was a contract which must be treated like every other, which a man had deliberately entered into, and was bound morally as well as legally to fulfil. It was for a man well to consider before he entered into that contract, whether he had made it upon sufficient grounds, and whether his mind had been properly directed to the consequences of the contract, and if he broke it he was bound in law, in honour, and in morals to atone so far could for th a t b reac h of contract. H e appre as he possibly hen3ed that when th e j ury had heard the facts of this case, they would be of opinion that it was a breach of contract which especially called for damages at their hands. It appeared that the plaintiff in this action was the daughter of a respectable tradesman, a tailor and draper, residing in Southport. The defendant was the manager of some important works in Manchester, holding a respectable situation, and a good position in society, and living in very good, ho would not say extrava gant, style, such as might probably induce a young woman to suppose that a marriage with him would be advantageous to her if they were uni , ed upon pure and proper principles. The plaintiff and the defendant were, he believed, both members of the Wesleyan connection. Their first acquaintance was farmed at a Sunday school in the year 1554. The defendant visited at the house of the plaintiff's parents, and paid her very marked attention, but did not say anything about mar riage until the attentions had become too palpable to be mistaken. The plaintiff's father then deemed it his duty to ascertain what the defendant's in tentions were. On one occasion, when walking home together, the father, in consequence of something he had heard, asked the defendant what his intentions were. The defendant then distinctly told the father that his object was to marry her, but expressed a desire to postpone the match for some time until his position had improved, as he had reason to believe that he was shortly about to be taken into partnership in the firm of which he was manager. The father immediately replied that time was of no importance, that his only object was to know what the intentions of defendant were, and having ascertained that these were honourable, of course' he had no objection to the continuance of the addresses; Things then went on without any remarkable incident until at last the young lady received intimation that defendant was paying his addresses to another. It would indeed appear that for a considerable time the defendant had been paying his addresses to both these young ladies at the same timer Let the jury then call to mind such a case, and ask themselves what would be the state of things if such a man were to be allowed to come into court, under such circumstances, and say : "It is true I did make a promise, it is true I did court this young woman and led her to suppose I would make her my wife, bui I have changed my mind, and the best thing I could do both for her and myself, under such circumstances, is that we should break off the marriage.'.' It was true they heard such defence4 sometimes set up, and heard it said, " What could he do he had changed his mind, and was he to marry her after having changed his mind ?" But who brought the yo ung l a dy into the dilemma ? Wh o ma d e t h e prom i se ? W ithout attend i ng seriously an d solemnly to the consequences of such a promise, what right had any man to enter upon such an engagement, and then after having won the affections of the young lady, and induced her to believe that she was to receive his protection through life, to turn round and say he had changed his mind, that he had made a promise, but, Under the circumstances, REPORT By the directors to the proprietors of the North and South Wales Brink, at their twentieth annual meeting, held at the Clarendon-rooms, Liverpool, 15th August, 1856. The directors have pleasure in submitting to the proprietors the following statement, showing the results of the operations of the bank during the past year : The nett profits of the bank for the year ended 30th of June, 1856, after making provision for bad and doubtful debts, in terest due to depositors, rebate of interest on bills, and all other charges and expenses Out of these have been declared and paid Iwo half-yearly dividends at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum each, viz : For half-year ended 31st December, 1855 £4,847 12 6 For half-year ended 30 th June, 1856.. £4,R47 12 fi Income taN paid by bank •. £ 646 6 6 .--.---£10,341 11 8 Leaving an undivided surplus of It will be seen from these figures that the ne tt profits of the bank, if entirely distributed amongst the shareholders, would have enabled the directors to declare a dividend for the year of 94 per cent., but they have deemed it best to continue the dividend at its usual rate (six per cent.), and to carry the surplus entirely to the credit of reserve fund, the balance of which, according to last annual report. amounted to £9,657 5 11 And surplus of the year as above stated ... 5,469 6 8 The rescrvo fund therefore will now amount to., With regard to the position of the bank in other respects, the directors have to report favourably. The business transacted in the Principality has largely increased of late years, and is still increasing, and its further development at certain points appearing to the directors to be a legitimate and desirable object, they established in the earlier part of the present year a branch at /UM, the progress of which is satisfactory. And on the first of last month they established a branch at Knighton, in Radnarskin, in pursuance of arrange ments entered into with Messrs. Davies, Cranmer, Oliver, and Green, whereby their business as private bankers at Knighton was transferred to this bank on advantageous terms, It has further to be stated that the active revival of building operations at Birkenhead has already enabled the directors to commence sales of land there at satisfactory prices. The directors have to record, with sincere regret, the death, since last meeting, of their esteemed colleague, Mr John Prys Eyton, of Llanerchymor, one of the original shareholders of the bank, and an earnest supporter of its interests, The vacancy thus occasioned at the board, the directors have filled up by the re-appointment of their former colleague, Mr. John Ravenscroft, The directors who g►o out by rotation this year, are Mr. Richard Griffith, and Mr. Jamos Procter, both of whom are eligible for re-election. The Chairman then moved tho adoption of the report s and Mr. William Williams seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. 'Mr. E. G. Salisbury then moved that Richard Griffith, Esq., and James Proctor, Esq., be re-elected. Mr. W. Piere seconded the motion, Ws' unanimously. I,?,ti was p A warm vote of thanks was then unanimously passed to Mr. Rea, the general manager of the bank, and a like vote to the other officers. The Chairman having returned thanks for his re-election, and some routine business having been transacted, the meeting terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the chairman for his conduct in the chair on that and on all other occasions. POLICE COURT.-YESTERDAY (BEFORE MR. MANSFIELD) MORE WOMEN FIGHTS.—The eoufliais between females through town seem rather to increase than abate ; far the number who present themselves before the magistrates at the police court diurnally is very considerable, and much, time h lost by hearing the details. " Such things," it ap. pears, " can he, and overcome us like a summer cloud, without our special wonder; but the wonder is how it all happens. Mr. Clough —not a bad authority on these points --says, the fault is attributable to faurpenny beer. Other philosophers say " the dog , star rages ;" and an unit of humanity positively alleges, that the heat of the weather, and one pair of hands is quite adequate to Bedlamise all creation Townsend and the adjoining -street have, for the last four or five days, been in a state of siege, in con. sequence of the bombardment of the dwelling of one Kitty+ Jones by a party of the Hughes' The " difficulty" in thia case arose about three months ago, but, like most other " wars," neither the parties enraged in it, nor any one else, could tell aught about it. The result, however, was the destruction of divers doors, windows and other things, consisting of sweeping brushes, washing crocks, teapots. pokers, gridirons, and three-legged stools. "Now and then" a head or an arm-..by pure accident, of course—got squeezed between a paving -stone and the wall, and occa.. sionally an eye was closed up, or an ankle put out of joint by the same process. Hostilities were brought to a close on Thursday evening, by some half-dozen police constables. who put the whole of the parties into the " coalhole," out of which they emerged into the dock, and by a system of transibr known only to the police, they were removed from the latter in the " black caravan," and this vehiele, in a sweeping trot, deposited them at the door of the new jail a t Walton. The governor of that benevolent institution will take care of them for the next three months, during which time peace has been proclaimed in the regions of Westmoreland -street, and the streets lying and being situate, and so forth, thereunto belonging. MORE MAD CONDUCT.—A respectable-looking young man, who was dressed as an officer of a ship, and who gave his name as Evan Salisbury. was charged by two young women, named Mary Anne Wilson and Margaret Williams, with tearing and damaging their clothes—the one to the extent of los., the other to 9 61. From the evidence of the girls, it appeared that they had been net rather late, having spent the evening with a friend, who had just come St, from Australia, and will. it Seemed, h a d b rought home more money than discretion. Tney were going along Paul's churchyard, when the prisoner rushed out of e t passage, secured both, arid tore their clothes to pieces. One lost a mantle worth 9 5 . 61., and the other had her w h si l a d w n l o a t n g cl iv d e r n es t s he prisoner y to the provocation am on n t o deteriorated h f l a 2 t s e . ver Th , nor had they ever seen hi m before to recognise him. In reply " to the charge, the prisoner said one of the girls had stolen half a crown from him, but this was positively denied. Mr. Mansfield obierved, that many people seemed to be going mad altogether, judging from their conduct. Hs ordered the prisoner to pay the amount of damage dope, or to be imprisoned for 4 days. The amount was at woo paid, and the prisoner discharged. MOHR STADRINQ.--.A.S a sequel or supplement to the above, Raise Anne Carr was put forward, on a charge of having stabbed Anne Cusac, who resides In a court off Banistre street. It appeared in this ease, that "beer" was the decided cause of the affair. The prisoner and the presecutrix's daughter. and some other women, were engaged in a drinking boat," and some quarrel followed. The woman who was stabbed , however, did not mix in the " spree, as " she was out at work. On h er re t urn h ome in the evening, she was attacked by the prisoner, who, after repeated assaults, stabbed her in the forehead in a dangeio •us manner with a knife. The prisoner was fully committed for . trial. — Robert Hartz, a sailor, who lodged with Thomas . S. S no wden at 27, P ar k slane, was charged with having dangerously wounded him, by stabbing him with a fork in the chest and arm. It appeared that the parties were not quits sober on Thursday, and that a dispute arose between them about some money due by Hartz to the complainant—the latter offering to detain some clothes, whereon the prisoner took up a fork and stabbed corn-. flainant in the chest, and two places in the arm, inflicting serious wounds. 11c1 was fully committed for trial.]