The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-08-07 00:00:00

TOWN COUNCIL. th„ .( r ie usual monthly meeting of the town council was held in Stewart, ti Rall, at eleven cha o'clock yesterday, th e M a y or , J o h n sch -E. , in he ir. • FINANCE COMMITTEE. theTfbeell g proceed aof thi s comm i ttee were read, and contained r ecommendations— Recommendation to increase the salary of the chaplain . of tbhee. `,Ol bgorough gaol f rom £ 350 to £4OO per annum, the c h a plain ', all owed to o ccupy hi s house free of rent. ssecon unendation to grant, in consideration of £604, the reversion of land at the corner of Catherine-street and Can nhlS-street, with the church erected thereon.. R ecomm en d ation to grant, in consideratien of £220, the rever sion of l an d i n Pleasant -street, with the chapel, now and hereafter to be used as schools, erected thereon. s Recom mendation of a new arrangement for conducting the kbition law, in London chanc ery , an d genera l business of the corporation , The latter recommendation referred to a representati l on tiu m n ad u e b y the town clerk of the expenditure of the corporation resenti conducting their legal business in London under t GYsten'• After having maturely considered the sub'e P ct, the "nlmittee resolved, with a view to diminish the expenditure, j and to avoid the frequent and protracted absences of the town eletk in London, to recommend that offices be takenin_ a L w on . d u o s n .. , b d a gentleman appointed to conduct the common ata s l aary b 1 salary not " e 'S of the council, under the town u clerk, also stated that in e/eseding £6OO per annum. The minhetesHouse of Cam accordance with an order from the re are the 111 " s the town clerk had been instructed to 1 fullest information he could collect with regard to the . follow.. .) :--- Returns from the town of Liverpoolof the earliest tart :' , , l ewn dues including anchorage; turns of the present tariffs, S," any other tariffs which have prevailedre from . time to time, -411 the chirges made, accompanied by lists of tolls, &c. ; with accounts returns for ei . els year of such tolls being levied, of expenditure also for each year; the amount of debt .v n i o n w g les,bargeable directly or collaterally on the borough fund, giving l eo slates and particulars of the contraction of such debts ; ' e ttlrns cf the quantity of land reclaimed from the Mersey by 'I by the of monies belonging to the dock estate, and claimed `'Y the corporation as their property, with the amount o dates, i Inbsequent grants or leases of any such land, giving "Pecifications and plans, and maps of such arrangements accounts of all purchases by the corporation on the Cheshire li r d '' of the Mersey, and of all sales or leases by the corporation 15 ° ' ' a nd on the Cheshire side. The town-clerk was also ern 's:ale:l.°i to obtain any extra assistance he might require in „ - "'ng this return, and to keep a special account of the . 'Pens() rendered necessary, The proceedings included, in addit i°n, a report from Sir'iVilliam Cubitt of the progress of the works of the new ding stage, „, 4r. Alderman.S. Holme, in the absence of Mr. Hornby, - "ved the c onfirmation of the proceedings, in reference to the rteconitriendation to increase the salary of the Borough Gaol 'e " aPlai n• He observed, that since the last council he had Zll'scertained that the case in which the chaplain had to make uir ies, with reference to children ping to the reformatory, hu lately on an average of five or six each week. It was not . a s "`elY awn average of salary, inasmuch as the chaplain had t 4 OO a y ear, havin to find his own house rent outside, but n e w a house had be g en erected in the Borough Gaol, in cense luene of the great increase of the duties, and the finance is cLeoneittee recommended that the chaplain should have h "Tp rent free with the same salary. ;b....a1r. Gladstone said, although he entertained very strong ,'"vs on the manner in which some of the clergy discharged ,neir duties in various instances, still he hoped no one would be more ready to accord the full measure of approval to which' °th ers Were entitled. In this instance he believed that Mr. Carter had for a series of years entitled himself to very great '''lntnendation for the manner in which his very responsible :. n o lld not very pleasant duties were discharged. (Hear, hear.) 7.cte? therefore, trusted the council would not in this instance s;sitate to acquiesce in the present proposal. The mere question so 45 ° a'year surely was a matter of no moment, when duties of 'hr, C ar and onerous a nature had to be discharged, and h a ' "arter was fully entitled, so far as he could form a j, o 'grnent, to the gift of £5O a year in the shape of a free - s ilse • (Hear, hear . ~,. se accordance with, he standing orders, the recommendation "Cli,!ben allowed to stand over until the next council. te en Reline se moved that the recommendations , gard in to the land in Canning street and Pleasant -street b withe •o nufied. ear-trierd.Alderruan Parker seconded the motions, which were i o f r• /Lime : The next subject, sir, is one of much greater , P ,,'l, a nce, to which I now beg to direct the attention of the council. It is a recommendation to adopt a new arrangement oijucting the common law, chancery, and general business . 0,47 corporation in London. The council will be aware, sir, i • „ peri , i not eye "ery considerable expense, but very great incon the Pee ha curred in consequence of the mode in which transacted business of the corporation had been of necessity I %acted in London• great a Constant attention is required by the - mount of legal proceedings constantly taking place in the Inet to „ Issii. cunt and, although the agencies which we have had, I In, I s e ' have given every satisfaction, so much inconvenience an - e n the result of re the prese n t system, that after ittelenvestigation had been made by the sub-com ars of '° ap p oi nted by th e f i nance committee, we lothimself ln the des, that the ti me has arrived when it will be necessary The re co uncil to eff ect an entire change in our proceedings. 11 0 : s se r e a number of bills certainly passing through the de cree oh Commons, with clauses which affect in a remarkable ths , e tee interests of Liverpool, and not only the interests of „o"eviaelo,rporation itself, but affecting us commercially as well as i tffi4LY, and requiring the constant vigilance of our . law 1 k r, on the spot. Those who are acquainted with the l'ee nli 6 latis aptly of Parliamentary business, and the way in which ' NI e s can be suddenly inserted in hills on the third reading, e 0,,. nnd!rstand well to what I allude. They require direct t ab le with parties in London, and the constant i s th nee of the town clerk has been felt to bo detrimental to iveriPliblic business in Liverpool. The town clerk has been at oete.essltY absent from his duty in Liverpool for months . 1 in t o ' .. i n,c, in attending to the law interests of the corporation ' slo sso "non, and when we have been desirons of bringing him laketi here, some sudden and unlooked for occurrence has ask' Pace by which he has been obliged to be hurried hack de s i r e again Until we have had inconveniences which we are all ous tishould no longer exist, The business of the corpora "isof , th ee _ a very peculiar description, and although I have said, io trlntittee has felt satisfied with the able agency we have had arsk,ensden, they are also satisfied that the time has just now *e b;.:hen the whole system requires to be altered, because e sono rn u i ve the business can be much better and much more eoate„ cal lY . done by the change which we now propose to the t o b _". It is very inconvenient also for the staff of the council L ond e Go often engaged in travelling between Liverpool and likss?n, and of necessity living so much in hotels. It is co_sovnse.a very important matter, looking at the value of the L ol3 c : oration documents, and the valuable deeds which are oped to be deposited and kept for lengthened periods in e.don, and it is absolutely requisite that there should be a safe 1 . .!,t0dy for those deeds and documents in the hands of some- Cvmy in whom we can have the most perfect confidence. To 4e. increased efficiency, therefore, in conducting the law Itenealness of the corporation in Load on, we think it necessary, ; la , use the naagnitude of the municipal interests of Liverpool, ' la ve a resident officer in the metropolis, who shall watch 111 the bills Otsislo, tt i which are passing through parliament, who n a,:' ,Ostend to all the law business, not only our common f I,4li.nese, but our chancery business and the conveyancing .11151:e:8 which occasionally requires ever.' Mr. Topham to go ar gon I' o which in consequence of the want of local knowledge i bee 11 gentleraen there, and who shall, in point of fact, ' e so ,!et in lieu of the present agents the resident a the :thi r : rat ion of Liverpool. Gentlemen may, perhap gent s, sa of y that taisielos likely to in vo l ve a considerable expense to the cor e p r o- Ivrrw' *, Y i 4t is qui te the reverse. Mr. Lloyd went very h suh that n Eli ee i a nd t well underst questi and s i. nto he hle n—he was one of t ? i a " kittt w ° - • and he is'aatisfied, w i th us , , o t, kof • - saVing will b e effected for the corporate estate, instead Thet'sb,eing burthened with one shilling . of additional expense. ha,s_lnbsconinaittee have closely investigated the matter, and fina nce detailed to the finance committee their proceedings, the I ;s'l" committee were unanimously of opinion that a change ll , : f °t , Only required and called for in itself, but that it will bo 411 'tided advantage to the corporation, and they, therefore, I ,i's4irrunisly recommend the establishment of such an office. , iessould rather, for the present, just confine myself to the Ol.aeral principle which it is my duty to bring before you, than to e any peptic I s now, ular indi v id ual for the office. I only speak o f i 35 appoint ?" It ' " because gen " le mon may ask, when are you goin g st 3 " ' 0 happen, that the corporation have in e :, building, several are who have been as it were ...sni t a lip here, who are perfectly familiar with the who ...la si, t of the corp t state who are in ' ' l l i g a e r ele n i th our lays poa e t b r i a e uii , ness e , it . and familiar ,Icith,The property of the cor and is not at all u a bo e 'Y that some one or other os these gentlemen may, for Olit I know to the contrary, be selected ; but, under any islaeurestances, the town clerk will take care that some gentle S' t is a PPointed to that office—which we propose should be i n a Wary not exceeding XPbeursiatars:mor-w ho shall be, sin 1 ver Y r e 6 Pect, fit to conduct the documents the corporation, t° W a h t i c t h h i l s stage 11 ( , tn bay charge of the valuable `ill e ft vssinld be quite unnecessary for in s Derr,' p ro ceedings, to ge into any details . whatever; but i O ld e Wet satisfied that the law business of the council would poi "ell done, and that a saving of from £2OO to £3OO a year egf:elitebe effected. That there would be some saving in the h ata : , I think we are all pretty well convinced.. The ad elstklT therefore will be these s--First, instead of the town ill be pearly th s elng so constantly absent in London, he will be ,t'vhole of his time in Liverpool ; second, there will be the he staff ZO saved in constant travelling, and the expenses of t resident seen this and London. There will next be a .. " 1 , r, having the constant charge of the corporation docu . ii ' ' l s, who will transact all the legal business, and watch all rit' Passing through Parliament, Then we shall have in llsotrised efficiency in the mode of conducting the business, '65,..)_111 London and Liverpool ; because in Liverpool, as I ti,e''''ed before, We shall have the almost constant presence of to wn cle • Ais„ tas step excepting for a few weeks during the Parlia ss 17 ses sion, and the business will b done by officers r„,._;,,,ilitiethdhdir,ectly by the corporation, instead of having it done Feretitos i , lso y letter, as it was now obliged to be done with the s,,e, slaw agents. Next, and last, instead of being an in '' x nse, we shall get the whole of the business done THE NORTHERN TIMES.---LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY. with a direct saving to the corporate estate. For these reasons, I ask the council at the present time to sanction the principle, the recommendation of which, I beg to assure you, was only arrived at after a very grave and careful investigation, and therefore I now move the confirmation of the recommendation, for a new arrangement for conducting the common law, chancery, and general business of the corporation in London. Mr. Alderman Preston seconded the recommendation. Mr. Woodrnff asked if the 4600 would be the full amount the officer was to receive ? Mr. Holme : Yes. Mr. Gladstone asked if he would be allowed to do private business? Mr. Holme replied in the negative. Mr. Gladstone said it would be well if the committee could state with confidence that a certain amount of expense would not he exceeded, because the council had frequently embarked in a scheme, having a fair prospect of economy, and ended by incurring double the expense. He begged to ask what had been the nett expense, during the last year, at the Burlington Hotel ? The Town Clerk said one of his principal objects was to avoid the necessity of such expenses. Mr. Gladstone : It has been reported that you have charged a very considerable sum for the occupation of three or four rooms in the Burlington hotel. The Town Clerk : It is so. During the last year I had rooms at the Burlington hotel for eleven months, and in consequence of the number of valuable papers I had there, I was obliged to take more rooms than I absolutely required for my own prsonal accommodation, and the expense, therefore, was very considerable. Mr. Gladstone r - A; you prepared to state what the charge may have been for the occupation of these rooms during the eleven months? The Town Clerk : I cannot state the amount precisely with regard to the rooms I myself had, because when the mayor and other gentlemen were up their rooms were also charged. Mr. Gladstone : These have been exceptions, I think. Do you suppose there has been £l,OOO charged for them? The Town Clerk : Yee, sir ; about £l,lOO. Mr. Gladstone : Then it is indeed high time some change should he made. Mr. J. B. Lloyd said the corporation had lost the services of the town clerk from August, 1855, up to last month, and gentlemen belonging to the different committees knew how these committees had to wait for the town-clerk's opinion on almost every detail, and the detriment which the business of the corporation had suffered by his abzence. It was full time now that they should consider how the town clerk's valuable services, and not only his services, but his health were to be retained in the most advantageous manner. They all knew the divided responsibility he had to bear. He had the respon sibility of the most important questions going on before par liament and i❑ the courts, while, at the same time he had the responsibility of the committees going on week by week in Liverpool. When they considered these points, he thought it was quite time that the council should consider, first of all, the manner in which the business should be conducted, and, in the next place, how they should protect the health of the town-clerk, and support him in the very onerous position in which he had heen placed with respect to the last two years' business between Liverpool and London. He had gone into the question somewhat in detail, and he quite agreed with what had fallen from Mr. Holme, that the business of the corporation was so peculiar that a resident clerk was required in London. Without taking as a standard the exaggerated scale of the last year, when there was a peculiar amount of business before Parliament, but taking an average of five years, there could be shown au absolute saving of £4OO or £5OO a year, independent of every other consideration. He therefore asked the council now to sanction the principle, suggesting that a detailed report should be brought up by the finance committee before taking any definite steps. The Town Clerk stated that, in his opinion, there would be saving effected of about £4OO a year. The recommendation was then confirmed. Mr. alderman Parker proposed, amid much laughter, that the council should return the hospitality they had recently received from the dock committee, by inviting the latter bo ly to a steamer excursion on the river for the inspection of the Wallasey embankment and other portions of the corporate property, the expedition to wind up with a banquet worthy of the corporate hospitality, for the providing of which he suggested the services of Mr. Alderman Bold should be requested. Mr. Fernihough seconded the motion, which however was not pressed to a division. The general proceedings were then confirmed. WATCH COMM TTEB. The proceedings of this committee were read. They included a letter to the Mayor, from the Marquis of Chandos, thanking him on the part of the directors of the London and North Western Railway Company, for the prompt assistance afforded by the police to the company, on the occasion of the recent strike, and expressing the belief of the directors who attended in Liverpool at the time, that it was chiefly owing to the tact and prudence of the police, that that event passed off without intimidation or disorder. On the motion of Mr. Gregson, the proceedings were confirmed. bear.) He wished that Le possessed the powers of speech of other members of the Council, in order that he might fully develop° the most important of those plans, but as he was deficient in eloquence, he would treat them simply as a mere matter of business, about which, and the wants of the town of Liverpool, he presumed to know something. (Hear, bear.) In the plans before them it would be seen that the most valuable part of the property upon which it was proposed to erect the new offices, was already in the hands of the corporation, and he believed that if they carried them out in their entirety, they would be laying the foundation of th a t which would at a future day be of essential benefit to the town. jt was well known that the immediate neighbourhood of the Town Hall was being fast covered with buildings for com mercial purposes, and where were they to look for those con_ veniences, the want of which would increase with the growth of the town, unless in the locality now under consideration. (Elear, hear.) But quite independent of the commercial aspect of the question, they were bound to consider it in a sanitary point of view, and he should maintain that the Health Committee could not effect a greater improvement in the town than by removing the property at present in question. (Hear, hear.) A few years ago it was proposed to make a street from Cook Street to the St. George's Hall, but unfor< tunately that great public improvement had been prevented by a short sighted policy. He hoped that the same policy would not now prevail, but that they would agree to what he could c _ not fail to believe would effect a great benefit. By the plans the whole area that would be required would bo something like 8,946 square yards. Of that space they would want for the public offices 3,700 yards, and there wou'd then be left to be disposed of 5,200 yards, which, as the improvements extended, would bo valuable for commercial purposes. Ho might be met with the statement that it would be time enough to do all this when necessity called for it, and that private enterprise would provide for the commerce of the port, but he thought it was their duty to set individuals an example, and by enterprise themselves encourage and stimulate enterprise in others. The imports into Liverpool last yeir were £24,806,000, while its exports amounted to one half of the whole of the exports of the kingdom, and with such facts before them he considered they were bound to make every exertion to preserve their present grand position, and that they could in no manner better do it than by carrying out such improve ments as those now proposed. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Alderman Parker opposed the motion. He contended that if the public offices were too near the Exchange, the business would never be done, as members would attempt to discharge their public and private duties at one and the same time. He denied that it would be an improvement in the sense contended for by its promote^s, and urged that the tow❑ was not at present in a position to bear such an outlay. As to the convenience to the public, there were the parish offices at Brownlow•hill, and yet no person complained of their distance. Mr. G. Holt also doubted the wisdom of the change, and dissented from those gentlemen who contended that it would be an improvement, Mr. Banner thought it a very important question, but urged that more time should be allowed the council for its con sideration. He would therefore move that it be adjourned far a month. Mr. Aiken seconded the amendment. Mr. Hodson ridiculed the idea of further time being required for the consideration of a subject which had already been a month before the council, They, as artisans of the wealthiest and most prosperous town in the kingdom, should he ashamed that such a mass of disease and wretchedness as was contained in the locality in question, should be suffered to exist amongst them, and he should contend that no inprove ment was more required, nor one which would confer a greater benefit on the town. (Elear, hear.) Mr. B. Hall observed that some improvement was undoubtedly required in that part of the town, but lie feared the council was not prepared, either financially or otherwise, to carry it out. Mr. Alderman Gardner thought that there was no improve ment more desirable, or one which would be more beneficial to the town. Mr Alderman Turner urged the propriety of postponing the question for further consideration. Mr. Alderman S. Holme declared that if the proposed altera. titans were to be made for the mere convenience of members, he would not support the proposed outlay; but if it were brought forward as a great sanitary improvement to the town, he would then give it his decided support. He expressed a concurrence in the views of Mr. Hodson, regarding the character of the streets and houses which it was proposed to sweep away, and declared his conviction that if Alderman Parker had visited the locality, as he did, and seen its wretchedness, he would be one of the most strenuous advocates for the change. When they were all so ready to expend sums of money in improving their lines of docks, and giving facilities to the commerce of the town, they ought to show at least an equal readiness in carrying out measures which would tend to diminish the wretchedness and squalor by which many portions of the town were disgraced. He urged that this question had already received a very fall consideration, inasmuch as it had been before the town for upwards of a year, and was one of the measures to which the improvement committee gave their sanction. He stated that he took a deep interest in this question, inasmuch as the former proposition to make a wide street from the portico of St. George's Hall to Castle-street, through Cook-street, was rejected, and was now regretted by every one ; and ho felt sure a similar regret would prevail it the present measure of improvement were not carried out. Mr. Woodruff supported the removal, and instanced the inconvenience felt at present by the poorer classes in going up to the offices at Brownlow hill, as a proof that a situation not decidedly central was very objectionable. Mr. Sheil strongly supported the proposed re-noval, and urged that, in a metal aad sanitary point of view, they could confer upon the town no greater benefit than by opening up the locality where it was intended the new offices should be situated. Mr. Robertson Gladstone said if the cause of human pro gress had been originally confided to the tender mercies of some of the members of the council who had spoken that day, only one result could have been expected, and that was, instead of seeing the country filled with noble institu tions for the purpose of forwarding the cause of literature, art, and science, in all probability tha only erections would bo confined to institutions for the blind, and a sort of ophthalmia would cover the eyes of mankind. That in such an age as that, theyllshould be told time was a nothing, and money alone was the consideration, was a positive disgrace to such a community, Money, he declared, was of no value at all when compared with time. For any member of the council to pretend, as some, in fact, had done to day, that it was wiser, and better, and more for the good of the community that the public offices should be three quarters of a mile distant from the spot where the business and duty of the great majority of the public called them to be, than that they should be close to it, was certainly a perfect anomaly. If that principle were correct, why did not men who had property in offices near the Exchange remove them to Cornwallis-street ? Why did not the finance committee hold their meetings in Cornwallis-street? Why did not the water committee hold all their meetings there ? Now, the members of the health committee were the representatives of the people. Did they ask too much of the people when they said—" you expect us to think about you— to devote our time and energies to your service—is it unreason able on our part to require that you will furnish us with decent accommodation, and in a situation which will be convenient to ourselves." (Hear, hear). Now, that was not an outrageous request, and no one could persuade him that the people were against their having that accommodaaion provided. (Hear, hear). Members could only bear a certain amount of annoy ance of mind and body. By the removal, he contended, that the public must, of necessity, he thp gainers. The energies and the time of the members would be theirs in a much larger ratio than could be possibly the ease if they had to attend in a building at a considerable distance. If the enlarged scheme proposed by Mr. Holm was carried out, and managed prudently and wisely, he contended they would got nearly as much for the surplus land, if they choose to sell it, as would pay for the outlay. (Hear, hear.) The council then divided, when there appeared— For—Councillors George Holt, Harmood Banner, John C. 'eruihough, Walter P. Jeffreys, John Gladstone, jun, Time. Wagstal, John Lawrence, James Aspinall Tobin, Francis A. Clint, John Aikin, ; Tames Robertson, and Bernard Hall. Aldermen Thomas Bold, James Parker, Joseph Cooper, J. Hayward Turner, Thomas Toulmin, and the Mayor.—l;. Against—Councillors Thomas D. Anderson, John Woodruff, Archibald C. Stewart, Richard Shell, William Nicholson, Roger Haydock, Oliver Holden, John It. M'Guffie, James Tyrer, Joseph G. Livinwon, James Holme, Alexander Shand, Thomas Fleming, Robertson Gladstone, James Johnsen, Joseph Kitchen, T. Llewelyn Hodson, and Hilton Flalhead. Aldermen Wm. Preston, Thomas Dover, Richard C. Gardner, and Samuel Holme.-22. The amendment was accordingly lost. Mr. Parker moved another amendment, to the effect , that the question be referred to the improvement committee. Mr. Cooper seconded the amendment. Mr. Jameslme objected to any fttrther . postponement. The improvement committee had' already sanctioned the principle. He hoped it would now be proved that in a large town like that their refuse property could ho improved, and very great improvements carried cut with very little loss sus tained to the community. (Hear, hear). He objected to the amendment, and rather than cousent to it he would poll the town. (Hear, hear.) Th.e amendment was then withdrawn, and the proceediq! were then confirmed. On the motion of Alderman Uolme the contra adjourned to Wedneeday next. DEATH FROM FIRE. -Mr. Bennett, one of the sufferers from the late fire in Covent-garden, died on Monday morning in Charing-cross hospital. His widow, who still remains in the same hospital, continues in a very precarious condi tion ; but the children, who were also severely burned, are much better. COURT AfARTIAL.-A court-martial assembled on Friday, on board the Impregnable. at Plymouth, to try Lieutenant Joseph George Shanks, Royal Marines, of H.M.S. Queen, for haring, on the 10th of July, used reproachful language towards Lieutenant William D. D. Selby, I?. Y,, cf the same ship. The evidence proved that the prisoner had taunted the prosecutor with having hid himself under a gun car riage while in action ; but he afterwards offered to apolagise. The Court adjudged him to be severely reprimanded, and placed at the foot of the list of the first lieutenants. ST. HELENS CANAL AND RAILWAY COMPANY, The adjourned general half-yearly meeting of the directors and shareholders of this company, was held yesterday, at the railway station, St. Helens, for the purpose of disposing of the usual business. Amongst the gentlemen present we observed Messrs. Holland, J. Blundell, R DaTilsit. J. Smith, James Gorton, R. Filder, H. G. Taylor. Algernon Jones, Samuel Taylor, and some others. Gilbert Greenhall, Esq., M.P., the chairman of the board, presided. Mr. Sinclair, the secretary, then read the advertisement convening the meeting, and also the following REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS The Directors have to report that the increase in the gross traffic receipts for the six months just ended, when complre I with the same period of 1855, is £4,505, against which must be placed an increase of working and renewal charges of £1,409, and of interest of loans and preference dividends of £836. The gross revenue for the half-year, as shown £ s. ci. in the statement of accounts circulated 37,026 12 1 among the Shareholders, is And the working chargcs, rates, taxes and 1 13,900 16 11 rents. amount to Or 37i per cent. on the receipts. Leaving a surplus of Deducting from which for } £6,944 13 4 interest on loans For renewal of per. way.. 3.50 0 0 And for additional works 472 210 .. 23,125 15 2 7,766 16 2 Leaves To which mustbe added the balance left, after payment of the dividend declared at the 898 9 2 last general meeting 16,257 8 2 Out of which the Directors propose that a dividend should be declared for the past half-year, at the rate of 2 per cent. per an. on stock (A) £3,168 0 0 5 f t 7/ (B) 3,600 0 0 6 „ ~ (C) 3,757 10 0 4,1 ; „ ~(D) 2,674 2 6 CI „ the £25 shares 1852 16 4 0 4A „ £2O shares 1853 1,602 11 3 6 „ £2O shares 1855 1,419 3 0 16,237 10 9 Leaving a balance to be carried to the next } 19 17 5 account, The number of passengers carried during the half-year was 274,621, or 11,513 more than in the same portion last year. while the weight of coal and merchandise conveyed was 301,963 tons on the canal, and 340,21.5 tons on the railway, being an increase of 62,647 tons on the weight conveyed in the corresponding period of 1855. Not withstanding that Garston has not hitherto contributed its fair share to the generally increasing and highly satisfac tory local traffic, yet there can be no doubt of the future large and profitable development of that part of the undertaking, as the peculiar advantages of the docks, and facilities for trade there, become daily more known and appre ciated. The Directors find that an improvement can be effected in the authorised line to Rainford, which will produce considerable economy in its construction, and they therefore recommend that they be authorised to apply to Parliament for its sanction, and also to provide the necessary funds for the execution of that and the Eceleston branch. Mr. Cros• field, one of the Auditors, and Mr. Barlow, Mr. Daglish, Mr. Rushton, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Steers, five of the Direc tors, retire on this occasion by rotation, but all are eligible for re-election. GILBERT GREENALL, Chairman. The report having been read, The Chairman said it was at all times the desire and wish of the gentlemen who were associated with him in the management of the affairs of the company to present the accounts, from time to time, made up in such a clear and intelligible form as to be understood by all. From the first they had their objects and reasons in view, and having adopted a certain form of laying that statement of accounts before these meetings, they had, finding it satisfactory to all parties; continued to pursue the same plan. He thought that such a system must have been felt to have been suceesful, as it had been attended with great advantages. By such a course the shareholders had been made quite familiar with the account. of the company, and he (the chairman) had also found it to be of great advantage and assistance to himself, as they were the better enabled to follow him in the figures, and make comparisons with those he quoted, in bringing before them the remarks he might feel it his duty to make. From the report they had just heard read, it was evident that the gross revenue of the company for the last half-year—and he could not help but congratu lating them on the result—was £37,026 12s ld. Now the income for the half-year ending in June, 1855, was £32 321, therefore it would be seen that they had had an increase in the income of £4,605. Thus the gross income being £37,026, after deducting the expenditure for working charges, rates, taxes, &c., amounting to £13,9q0, it would leave a balance in their favour of £23,125, being at the rate of 37i per cent of income over expenditure, and over the expenditure of the year 186.5 of nearly 40 per cent ; so, after deducting the interest on loans, the renewal of permanent ways, and for additional works, they would have a surplus left of £l5 358, to which, after adding the balance left, after the dividend declared at the last general meeting, a balance of £16,257. Out of this balance they proposed to give a dividend at the rate of two per cent on stock A, which would amount to £3,168, and the remainder to preferential shareholders, after which they would have a balance left to be carried to the next account of £l9, He considerd such a state of things to be most satis factory. He then said he would show the progress the company was making by a comparison with the state of the traffic and trade in 1845. If they compared the three half years ending in June, 1845, and added them together, they would find that the gross receipts were £38,708, while for the last half year the receipts had been £37,026, thus showing that the traffic during the last six months had excelled those of three half years ending in 1845 by nearly 3 per cent. Having expressed it as his opinion, that the affairs of the com pany were in a most satisfactory condition, and that as the merchandise traffic of the district began to increase, as it would ultimately, and go over their line, that the company would be much benefitted. He concluded by moving that the report and the statement of accounts be received, adopted, and printed, at the same time observ ing, that he should be most happy to answer any ques tion, or give any information on the subject that might be requested by the company. Mr. Blundell said he had much satisfaction and plea sure in seconding the proposition. The motion was then put from the chair and unani mously adopted. Mr. Holland then moved, that a dividend of 2 per cent per annum be paid to stock A, 5 per cent to stock B, 6 per cent to stock C, and 41 per cent, to stock D, and that 42 per cent be paid to the shareholders of the £25 shares of 1852, 44 per cent to the shareholders of £2O shares of 1853, and 6 per cent to the shareholders of £2O shares of 1855. In so doing, he said he quite con curred in the remarks that had fallen from the chqir f blwaaysouornaefeaePt"tihtiaqtriiil which the com p any occurred to him, w hi c h stood.man , a s There e was, that during the last five weeks the gross traffic account showed an increase of .ClB5 over the gross traffic of the corresponding weeks of last year, and he th oug ht by that that the traffic would still fprther increase before they had to make another statement in December nest. This he thought would compensate for any disappointment that might be felt by there now being only a dividend of 2 per cent, as they might anticipate what might be the result in December next. There was no doubt that the increase, as the Chairman had said, since June 1845, had been most extraordinary, but he trusted it was only a criterion of what the in crease of traffic might be expected to be. In the year 1851, a large outlay had been made in the purchase of the Garaton docks and the railway to Warrington, at a cost of .R 400,006, and for which outlay, he Ras sorry to say, they had not met with the support such a large outlay warranted, but he did hope when the docks and the railway became to be fully developed, that the results they anticipated would be fully consumated, and if such was the case, a larger dividend might he antici pated. It was clear that dock property took a much longer time to develope its resources than railway or any other property. H e conc l u d e d b y moving the resolution. Mr. Gorton seconded the resolution, which was unanimously carried. The Chairman said the next resolution he had to propose, was in reference to that paragraph of the report which stated, "the directors find that an improvement can he effected in the authorised line to Rainfurd, which will produce considerable economy in its construction, and they therefore recommend that they be authorised to apply to Parliament for its sanction, and also to pro vide the necessary funds for the execution of that and the Eccleston branch." It was a subject which had received the serious consideration of the directors, and he blieved that it would be found most beneficial to the interests of the company. Mr. G. Taylor wished to know from the chairman, why it was that they were going to parliament for a second act to raise money, when they had the power of doing it by the first act. The Chairman said the reason was, that when they applied for the fi rs t act , t h ey b e li eved they had sufficient powers, but he was sorry to say, that the works they had undertaken had exceeded those powers, and it was necessary to apply again, to get clear of cer tain liabilities. Mr. G. Taylor said if it really was necessary, then he hoped that it would he done as expediously as possible, and that they would take care not to have to make a third application. The Chairman replied that it was essentially neces sary, and he would therefore move, " that the directors be, and are instructed to apply at the next session of parliament, for power to alter the authorised line to Rainford, and to raise .t 1.09,000 with the usual borrow ing powers ; and in the meantime to take such steps as appear to them best adopted for procuring such capital." He might say, that although they asked for such an amount, it was thought that all of it would not _be required. Mr. Tailor : At any rate it will save the expense of going to parliament again. Mr. A. Stock seconded the resolution, which was unanimously adopted. Mr. Taylor then moved the re-appointment of the retiring directors, which was seconded by Mr. Stock, and carried. The Chairman : The next business will bq the select ing of an auditor to fill the place of Mr. Crosfield, whose ill health would for some time at least, he regret ed to say, prevent him from attending to the duties. It was then unanimously resolved, that Mr. James Gorton should be Mr. Crosstield's successor, as auditor to the company. The Chairman proposed, and Mr. Stock seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr. Crossfield and Mr. Jones, the late auditors, for the valuable services they had rendered to the company. Mr. Jones acknowledged the compliment. Some conversation followed, in the course of which The Chairman observed, that from the present favourable position in which the company stood, his firm belief and strong conviction was, that for the future they might expect the affairs to be in even a more favourable position than they were on that occasion. A vote of thanks was then passed to the Chairman, who briefly acknowledged the compliment, and the pro ceedings terminated. THE LATE COLLISION IN THE RIVER INVESTIGATION BY THE BOARD OF TRADE An enquiry, ordered by the Board of Trade, into the circumstances connected with the late collision between the Mail and Excelsior steamers, took place yesterday, in the Sheriff's Court, George's Hall, before Mr. Mans— field and Captain Schomberg, chief emigration officer at Liverpool. Mr. Tyndall, the local solicitor of the Board of Trade, conducted the case on behalf of that body and Mr. Blair appeared as counsel for the captain of the Mail, along with Mr. Squarey as attorney ; and Mr. Aspinall, with Mr. Bateson, was for the captain of the Excelsior. Mr. Bremner was present on behalf of the pilot. When the court had assembled, Mr. Tyndall in brief terms proceeded to open the case, which he said was held under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 17 and 18 Vic., chap. 104. It was to enquire inTo the facts of the collision which took place in the river between the vessels mentioned, and which was well known to the public. Under the Act, an enquiry of this sort must be held in Liverpool before the stipendiary magistrate, Captain Schomberg being present as naval assessor. The steamers engaged in the collision were both screw steamers, and on the morning of the 6th July the accident took place, very near New Brighton, and, unhappily, many lives were lost on that occasion. That loss of life was the cause of the present enquiry. The act authorised the Board of Trade, when life was lost by collisions, to hold an investigation into the circumstances. He begged to call the attention of the court to some of the sections of the statute. By the 29th section, the Admi ralty is empowered to make such rules from time to time as shall be deemed proper both for the regulation of sailing vessels and steamers, on entering and leaving ports, and the regulations relative to steamers apply to screw as well as paddle vessels. Before the act passed, certain regulations prevailed on this point. He had that morning obtained a copy of the present regula tions, and these were the same as the regulations that were in force when the collision took place. The direc tions as to steamers, are that every steamer shall exhibit a green light on her starboard side, a red light on her port side, and a bright steady light on her masthead. - Mr. Aspinall said these regulations were provided by the Act of Parliament. Mr. Tyndall replied they were, and there was a rule laid down that steamers should keep to the right or starboard side of the river, as they leave the port. and to the left as they come in. The 229th section of the act applies to a breach of that rule, and enacts that every breach of it should be a wilful default or violation by the person in charge of the deck at the time. They then came to the 340th section, which referred to pil o t s , and the 356th section, which directed that all home trading steamers should carry a pilot, unless the com mander or person on board had a certificate authorising him to act without one. Mr. Tyndall then said, he would proceed to off,:r such evidence to the court as bore upon the case, and proposed, as a means of saving time, to read a printed copy of the depositions taken before the coroner, which had been furnished to him, if the court agreed to that course. Mr. Mansfield agreed to the suggestion, and Mr. Aspinall did not see any objection, each party being at liberty to ask such questions as might be suggested as the witnesses listened to their evidence. The reading of the depositions (already published) were then proceeded with up to four o'clock, when the court rose. WRECKS.—During the month of July the number of vesQels wrecked amounted to 104. In the month of January the number was 265 ; in February, 174 ; in March, 145 ; in Apiii, 157; in May, 112; and in June, 84; making a total in the past seven months of 1,041. SUICIDE.—On Tuesday evening, a man named Joseph Haslop, a hostler, in the employment of Mr. Ford, publican. Oldhall street, hung himself' in astable. It is Eid love aud jealousy were the cause of the unfortunate man ending his days in such a manner. An inquest will be ;held on the body this day. ACCIDENT TO THE WILLIAM M'CORMICK STEAMER.— Intelligence has reached this town that on Tuesday the William M'Cormick steamer, on her passage hence to Lon donderry, struck, in a fog, on the west of Ennishowen head. We are happy to add that the crew and passengers had been landed in safety. Du Brow Rum" OF BACON.—We are informed by the local committee that, only one happy couple having in 1856 sent in their claim to the flitch of bacon promised by W. IL Ainsworth, to those who prove their title to the prize, it is not intended that the ceremony should take place at Dunmow this year, but to defer the presentation to the summer of 1857, when it is expected that the claimants will be more numerous. DOCK COMMITTBD, On the proceedings of this committee being read, Mr. Bernard Hall begged to ask the chairman whether it was the intention of the committee to board in any more of the sheds on the dock quays, and particularly those at the Queen's dock ? There were great complaints, and he believed justly, as to the inadequate protection to the goods exported from this port, as whilst under the sheds they were exposed to the rain and weather, and very serious damage, in consequence, often occurred to them. When they considered the large amount of the export trade of the port—that it amounted to something like £50,000,000 per annum, and that one-eighth per cent. an it gave £60,000, he did think that the interests of the trade deserved every consideration, and that everything possible should be done to protect the goods from the damage which they now suf f ered from the want of the sheds being boarded in. Twelve months ago, the committee promised that progress should be made in this direction, and he wished to know whether it was their intention to continue that progress, and, particularly, to board in the sheds at the Queen's dock ? Mr. C. Turner replied, that Mr. Hall should be aware that the subject of the improvement of the dock sheds engaged the constant attention of the committee, and that during the last twelve months a shed had been opened on the east side of the Salthouse dock, for the sole accommodation of the export trade. (Hear, hear.) He was, therefore, a little surprised that Mr. Hall, when animadverting on the committee, did not allude to that shed, which was allowed to be, without exception, the finest shed in the kingdom for the export trade. (Hear, hear.) Within the same time, also, the committee had spent £lB,OOO on new sheds, and on the improvement of those already existing, and it was their intention to continue progressing in the same direction. As regarded the Queen's dock, they had not as yet determined what was best to be done on the east side of it—whether they would erect the single or double sheds, but the subject was receiving every consideration from the committee, and would not be neglected. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Hall observed that the explanation would be received out of doors with gratification, for there was a feeling that this matter was neglected by the committee. Mr. C. Turner said that he did not believ() Mr. Hall fairly interpreted the public feeling on this matter. (Hear, hear.) What the dock committee had done could be seen by any person who walked along the docks, and if any such feeling as that described by Mr. Hall existed, it was most unjust and un founded. (Hear, hear.) . . . The proceedings were confirmed. The proceedings of the courts of law, markets, education, and goal committees were also confirmed. HEALTH COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee were read. They com prised a report of the smoke (sub) committee, in which it was declared that the smoke nuisance arising from glass bottle manufactories could be easily prevented, and also the following recommendation, to authorise the recinisite steps being taken for the removal of the public offices from Cornwallis-street to Dale -street, and for effecting improvements according to the plan submitted. Mr. Alderman Dover, on proceeding to move the recom mendation, was “opped by Mr. Fernihough, who rose to order, on the ground that the question could not be entertained until the resolution of the council in April, negociating the removal of the *aces from Cornwallis -street, was first rescinded. After some discussion it was resolved by 20 to 13 to suspend the standing order which rendered that course necessary, and to proceed with the discussion of the recommendation. Mr. Alderman Dove, in moving its confirmation, begged to assure the gentlemen representing the South end of the town, that the present recommendation would not at all interfere with the public improvements that he believed to be necessary, and which before long would take place in that quarter. All that tho committee now proposed was to lay down a plan for pubic improvements, part to be carried out now, and the remainder perhaps by virtue of an act of parliament, at some future day. ([Tear, hear.) Their object at present was to remove the offices from Cornwallis -street to Dale-street, but as they considered it would be scarcely consistent with a recent resolution of the Cot . i.neil, merely to propose that end, they now come forward with a ft;rt4er proposal tacked to it, which would be of vast benefit to the town. It would open a part of the town most necessary to be clear, and it would sweep away a class of houses which were not fit for human habitations, and which could not by any possibility be improved. The part of the pl an proposed now to be effected, could be ca rr i e d out b y the health committee, under its present powers. The land was in the hands of the council, and though, for the accom• plishinent of the whole plan, other land adjoining would be necessary, yet they merely now asked the sanction of the council for the removal of the offices from Cornwallis-street. The total eTpense would be about £l,OOO per annum, one eighth of a penny in the pound on the ihabitants but by that one eighth they would not onlyeject a great sanitary improvement, but they would also obtain a fatge quantity of valuable property. Mr. Dover the„ alluded to the convenience which the centralisation of the Public offices would afford, both to the public costa end ton e luembets of the council, who had to attend recommendation. committees, and concluded ntly by moving the seconded the motion. It was Mr. Alderman James Trolnie seldom, he said, that he intruded on the time of the council, and he, therefore, hoped that they would bear with him while he made some remarks uu the plans before them. (Ilea,, CHESTER ASSIZES -YESTERDAY, CROWN COURT. TILE ALLEGED MURDER AT 13IRKENREAD.—We ha►e to make a correction in reference to the case of Thomas Cross, charged with killing and slaying an officer, of Wapentake-court, at Birkenheud, on the 2nd of April. In the calendar the prisoner was indicted for man slaughter, but on looking over the dep Aitions, the learned Judge directed the grand jury to return a true bill for murder. The cases tried to-day in the Crown Court were devoid of any public interest. NISI PRIUS COURT 1 (BEFORE MTI. JUSTICE WILLIAM S AND A SPECIAL JURY.) SIIUFFLEBOTTTM V. ALLDAy.—This was an action brought against the defendant, who is a resident in Bir mingham. There were three mints in the indictment. The first, false imprisonment on the charge of felony ; the second, a charge of felony against the pl a i nt i ff in imputing to him that he had either robbed him of a certain amount of pr. , perty, or had assisted in th e same ; and the third count was for• a malicious pro secut i on. The damages were laid at 5001. The plaintiffis a farm er , and a dealer in pottery wares, at Biddulph, in Stafford shire, and the defendant is a wire manufacturer, resident in Birmingham, and also distinguished as a local preacher in connection with the Wesleyan body. Mr. Grove, Q.C., and Mr. Macintyre, appeared on behalf of the plaintiff, and Mr. Welsh) , and Mr. Bevan for-the defence. Mr. Grove stated the case on behalf of the plaintiff, from which it appeared, that at the last. Nantwich fair, on the 4th of December last, the plaintiff and the defendant were both in Nantwich. In the evening, the defendant met a woman in Heath Entry, in that town, and whilst engaged wi•h her, he suddenly felt his pockets lightened, and the woman made her escape. He then felt his pockets, and found that £45 in gold had been taken out, and a note. He then rushed nut of the entry, and stated that he saw two men, one of whom he alleged was the plaintiff, and that they had rushed up to the woman, and "covered " her in order to prevent him (the defendant) from recognising her. The learned counsel in continuation, stated that as far as the plaintiff was concerned, the defendant's conduct had been most unwarrantable, inasmuch as the plaintiff knew nothing whatever about the transaction. The defendant had him taken into custody on the charge, on th ree diff erent occasions, viz., on the sth of December, and the 17th December, 1855, and also on the 29th of July, in the present year, ever since the present action was brought, and on all these occasions, the charge was dismissed by the mag's. trates. Evidence having been adduced in sup port of the plaintiff's case. Mr. Welsby took an objec tion that there was no case for the jury on the first count, on the ground that the defendant had not imprisoned the plaintiff, but that it was the police officers and the. magistrates who put the law into motion against him. He also objected to the jury taking into consideration the third imprisonment on the 29th July, because that might form ground of a separate action on the part of the plaintiff. The learned judge having received Mr. Welsby's objections, Mr. Grove and Mr, Welsby, respectively, addressed the jury, after which his lordship summed up the evidence, and the jury then retired for about an hour. On their return iota court, they found a verdict for the plaintiff on the first count, for false itnpr:sonment, damages £5. On the second count, for slander, damages 40s ; and on the third count, for a malicious prosecution, damages £43. On the application of Mr. Welsby, his lordship gaye him leave to move the court above on the whole case, THE LATE DOUBLE MURDER AND ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. Dedea Bedanius, the murderer of Caroline and Maria Back, lies in a very precarious state in the hospital, at Canterbury. He appears to be a man somewhat above the common level of his countrymen ; he is a Servian, and comes from Belgrade. His countenance is rather mild and intelligent. Dr. 'Most, a linguist at St. Augustine's College, been to see him, but he does not appear inclined t0..54 much at present in reference to the crime be has, committed. He merely allu:les to it in general terms, and states that "he did it out of love." During the night, when he was quite composed and sensible, one of the nurses in attendance asked how he could have clone it ? Bedanius merely replied that he stabbed her, and she was dead in a minute. About eleven o'clock on Monday evening it was expected that he was near his death, and upon being asked if he should like to see the priest, Bedanius replied in the affirmative. The Rev. Mr. Siddens, the Roman Catholic priest of the district, was therefore sent for. tipon the arrival of the rev. gentlemen, the usnal ques tions were put to the sufferer, and subsequently the rites of the Roman Catholic church were administered to him. At a later period, however, he asked for his knife, as he wished to finish himself. He is watched by a constable, in case he should make any further attempt upon his life. NTANS L AU GITTER-7EXTRAORDINARY ARREST OF THE PRISONER, On Friday last an inquest was hell by Mr. W. C ar t er , Coroner f or E ast S urrey, on the body of Mr. John William Adams, a traveller in the employ of Mr. Fleet, soda -water manufacturer, at Walworth ; and the evidence tended to show that the death was caused by his having been s . ruck under the ear by Frederick Fisher, also in the same estab lishment. A verdiot of manslaughter was returned against Fisher, who was in the court at the time, but when his name was (Idled by the coroner it was found that he had suddenly disappeared. The warrant for his committal to Newgate was placed in the hands of Thomas Cooke, the coroner's officer, for execution. The funeral of the unfortu.. nate deceased took place on Tuesday, and on account of some information he had received, the officer proceeded to North•strect, East-lane, where the mourning coaches were in waiting, and on op en i ng th e d oor of one of them he saw Fisher. Co ko was about to arrest the accused, but he begged so earnestly, and with the greatest pertinacity, to be allowed to attend the funeral at Old Deptford churchyard, th .t the officer consented, but also got into the coach and accompanied his prisoner, having previotisly to starting read the warrant over to him. After the funeral ceremony, at, the officer's request, Fisher immediately took off the mown_ ing cloak an d b an d , and entered a cab which Tian w4l° j Ang and Gaol, proceedings was conveyed to Horsemonater-lane connected with the arrest were carried - ut in such a manner that not the s'ightest disturbance look place, and it is but just to add that Fisher ra g deeply affected, and evidently felt moat acutely 0 .16 position in which he was placed, the deceased and himself having known eaoh other for several years. On the day preceding the funeral Fisher called at the residence of Cooke to give himself up, but that officer was not at hone, SOUTHERN AND TOXTETH HOSFITAL.—WEEKLY REPORT, AUGUST 6ih, 1856. -In patients : —Di sc h arge d : cure d , 16 ; relieved, a; at own request, 2 ; irregular, 0, Dead,;_2 ; entered, 25 ; under treatment, 51. Out patients ; cured, 56 ; entered, 73 ; under treatment, 61. Treasurer, James Houghton, Esq. Visitors, James Ingram, Esq., and James Houghton, Esq. Honorary chaplain, Rev. D. T. Barry, B.A. Physicians and surgeons for the week, Dr. Cameron, and Mr. Murton. House surgeons, Mr. E, C. Garland, and Mr. William Townsend. DISSOLUTIONS OF PARTNERSHIP.—J, Turner, yen., R. Turner, sen., J. Turner, jun., A. Turner, jun., llort , m, Yorkshire, worsted spinners, so far as regards J. Turner sen., and 11. Turner, sea. J. Scott and W. R. Meldrum' Liverpool, merchants. W. Kearsley, jun., J. Robertson; and E. Ragg, Kirby, Yorkshire, wood dealers. W; Singlehurst and E. Singlehurst, Liverpool, general brokers. A. Bibby and W. Bray, Rotherham, Yorkshire, pawn brokers J. M‘pernaot and Mary Jones, Liverpool, boot makers. W. Fisher, W. Fisher, jun., and C. Fisher, Sheffield, merchants. THE Fau TRADE.—A. great sale of pine apples took place in Liverpool, yesterday, Messrs. Fletcher and Firth, fruit brokers, having to dispose of upwards of 700 West Indian specimens of this delicious fruit. The first class sorts brought from its to 20s per dozen ; second class, from 5s 6d to 5s 9. 1 per dozen, while gourmands, who are not over particular in the outward appearance of what they esteem and " relish," might have picked up third class sorts at as to 4s per dozen. These "cheap lots" soon found their way to the public' palate, for yesterday evening fruit hawkers were disposing of pine apples at " a penny a slice" in some of the lower streets of the town. ' av accident oe- AUSTRALIAN SIIIPS.--Two vessel‘ of the' Mersey Line," the Lady Westmoreland, for Melbourne, with 1,600 tons of On Monday evening last a fatal yl curred at a place called Howler Bottoraiblwetw'een Stubbing cargo and thirty passengers, and the Dundonald, for Sydne with the very large cargo of 2,500 tons and thirty passen- and Ewood-bridge stations, on the Earns; Lancashire Ran gers, sailed yesterday from this port. The Acadia, for w ay. About a week ago a temporary crossing of the line I m as ig t h o t e r ß em ae o u y p e Melbourne (a splendid ship of 2,000 tons register), and the awaganamnatidtey, ofin oeia-drethr:,tahttacti ethnembaelnlaasat waesvaegngionn; iedfrcte, when the engine suddenlyp James Cheston (a fine Baltimore clipper), for Sydney, belonging to the same line, wilt b s despateked on, the 25th train, consisting of five carriages, w y a gostsieng the rails at wheelsst and steam comtely enveloping all aronild ai : of this month. We understand that the 6ttings and venti- The fore of the c a lo r u a N Wien of the Acadia are, peculiarly well worthy of notice. A and the entire eng ine stuck fast, and the hincs large number of passengers are already booked for this portion mounted into the . splendid craft, tons, was . air, making a complete s.omeraet, Engine, weighing upwards of twenty WEST DERIIY *UNION. —The usual weekly meeting of thrown down the embankment with the the Board of Guardians of this union was held yesterday, wheels u most. The carriages became uncoupled at the Board-room at the workhouse. The Rev. William from the e PpeF th e gme, but got off the line, and sty noise at Badnall, the chairman of the board, president. The other kept bum b umpi ng guardians present were : Messrs. IL Edwards, Morris, made, whic h Ig again s t the sleepers a Iran:tend Lunt, Abrahams, Pickup, Craig, Whitby, Wilson, Johns, 'silence. The stunned, and 04 was immediately follovred by a death 40 passengers were ooznpletkly Reyes, Leyland, Sh aw , Evans, Callis, Sager, and the Rev. some of them recovering an inspection was immediately Dr. Hume. The clerk reported that he bad examined all made, The engineer, John Fielding, was found in a most the books kept by the several officials connected with the deplorable condition under the second carriage, being union, and found them oortectly made up. He also bruised and scalded, and one arm fractur e d. He died immediately. Joseph Mason , the stok er , was also found reported hatt there was a balan ce i n the hands of the under the second carriz_tg r e, scalded and bruised, and in a treasurer amounting to £962 16s. id. The master of the state of insensib ility. tli was seriously Morris, of Longholme. workhouse, and the master of the hospital, having brow ht y , injured. We understand the several cases before the board, coming under their g near tlit R d a u w rin e g ns the night he as only known t o speak Harrison, tho Nl cognizance, cheques to the amount of £235 were voted to once. a Josep h , but the several relieving officers connected with the uuion, for injured on the thigh not guard seve of l the iwr train, Richard the maintenance of the out-door poor within their respective Ashworth, printer and stationer, B re acu Y p . , had several districts. The Clerk then submitted the monthly state- ribs br4en, and his face was bruised. Mr. Lawrence meats of the differentcollectors b 1 • e onging to the townships, . Hargreaves, loom Jobber • II 1 . d , Carr IVIIII, near as-, ing en, had his thigh broken, and his face injured. which were received. The usual routine I, h • usiness avi ng Arr. Henry I been disposed of, it was agreed, an the motion of Mr. ' the injured ony lowarth, foreman of a stone quarry, was sengers were eone hand, his chest, and his chin. Other pas- Edwards, seconded by Mr. Wenslev, that glob of more or less maimed. The first carriage members of the board as chose should form a committee for after the e r n e ' was smashed completely to atoms, and it visiting the lunatic paupers in the several asylums, but that was remarka ble that the passengers, about eight is the expense incurred should not exceed what the board had numb . er, escaped so well The second carriage, the first paid for similar visits during the last five years. After compartment of which ' formed the gua rd 's va n, was some discussion on the subject, the board adjourned. broken to pieces, EXECUTION OF MURDOCK. LEWES, Tuesday.—The extreme penalty of the law in the case of this maw py culprit for the murder of the Hastings gaoler, Wellerd, was carried into effect to-day at twelve o'clock, at the east end of the county gaol. Since the culprit's condemnation his demeanour has been in everyway befitting his position. At times he exhibited signs of intense grief, and in reference to the murder, although he admitt e d th e d eed, he has always qualified it by saying he had no intention to take the old man's life. On Saturday last his mother and stepfather visited him, and the meeting and separation was a most painful scene. At the hour appointed for the execution, there were not more than from 1,500 to 2,000 persons present to witness it. The unhappy man walked with a firm step across the prison yard, and ascended the scaffold without assistance. Ile took a slight glance at the people, but made no attempt to speak. On being placed in proper position, Calcraft put on the white cap, adjusted the roper and then withdrew the bolt, and the wretched criminal appeared to die almost without a struggle. The crowd was very erderly, but some few gave expression to their feelings by exclaiming "Shame" and " Murder." RAILWAY ACCIDENT AND LOSS OP LirE,