The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-10-21 00:00:00

THE STEAM-SHIP GOLDEN AGE, • AtrAt FOR AUSTRALIA. Is now ON VIEW in the HUSKISSON DOCK; She is largest and most magnificently fitted steam ship in the world.—For Cards of Admission apply to MILLERS & THOMPSON, 4, Drury-lane, Liverpool. Commercial. fsittio. THIS DAY. On account of whom it may concern. Tats DAY (FRIDAY), the 21st inst., at half-past one o'clock, at the Broker's Office, 10, Brunswick-street, 260 Quarters of Indian Corn, and 2366 Bushels of Wheat. WM. PARKE, Broker, Apply to This Day (FRIDAY), the 21st instant, at 1 o'clock at the Brokers' Sale-room, Derby-buildings, PIV" „-&,„ Fenwick-street, - The brig ELIZA ; About 200 tons o. M., 178 tons x. M. ; built at St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1841. She has had large repairs recently, is sheathed with zinc, well found in stores, and suited for coasting purposes; carries 250 tons dead weight. Dimen sions about : Length, 82 feet ; breadth, 22 feet ; depth, 12 feet 8 inches; lying east side George's Dock. For further particulars apply to TONGE, CURRY, and CO., Brokers. WEDNESDAY NEXT On account of whom it may concern. On WEDNESDAY next, the 26th instant, at two o'clock, at the Hall of Commerce, Hackin's-hey, 500 Ballots Alpaca, ex Bergmann, 70 ~ Peruvian, } WOOL, 12 Bales Australian, ex Panama, 14 2 , ex Shackamaxon, All damaged by sea-water. ABRAM GARTSIDE and CO. Apply to On WEDNESDAY next, the 26th instant, at three o'clock, at the Hall of Commerce, Hackin's-hey, 1500 Bales East India WOOL. ABRAM GARTSIDE and CO. Apply to ON THURSDAY NEXI SINCAPORE GREEN SNAIL SHELLS On THURSDAY next, the 27th instant, at twelve o'clock, at the Brokers' office, 7, Rumford-street, 58 Cases Medium and Small } SHELLS, 45,350 Large and Medium Lying in Albert Dock warehouses.—Apply to T. 0. COOPER and SONS, Brokers. At dare FOR SALE, , Nta\ The splendid Brigantine DARING, J/TaitZa built at St. John's, New Brunswick, in 1849, • - - and has done but little work since built, and has been very well taken care of, nearly all hackmatac, copper fastened, iron kneed, exceedingly well found in every par ticular and in very good working order. She is 152 tons s. m. and 233 O.M. Length Breadth 91 feet 5 inches. 20 feet 4 inches' Depth She will be disposed of as she now lies, in the Queen's Dock, so soon as the cargo is discharged. Further particulars can be had by application to HOLDERNESS & CHILTON HOUSE AGENTS HAVING PREMISES TO LET OR SELL SHOULD A D V TISE IN THE NORTHERN DAILY TIMES AT A CHARGE OF SIXPENCI Offices-19, SOUTH JOHN STREET, LIVERPOOL; 9, PRINCESS STREET, MANCHESTER SERVANTS WANTING SITUATIONS PERSONS WANTING SERVANTS, should Advertise in the NORTHERN DAILY CHARGI TIMES, SIXPE N C E. Published every morning, at 19, South John-street, Liverpool, and 9, Princess-street, Manchester. NOTICI The Proprietors of the NORTHERN DAILY TIMES have now completed their arrangements for securing the delivery of the paper at the following places every morning, at, or before eight o'clock. BIRKENHEAD WOODSIDE TRANMERE ROCK FERRY WATERLOO SEAFORTH I BOOTLE WALTON 1 EVERTON FAIRFIELD AIGBURTII. TO CORRESPONDENTS We have received a letter from " Edward Mundy, 76, Russell-street," referring to a paragraph headed "A Pub lican's Remedy for Intoxication," which appeared in our paper of Wednesday last. The writer says :—" As a tee totaller, I perfectly agree with the publican, who thus honestly and publicly made his statement ; and I am bound further to say, that he manifested more common sense than even the coroner himself, who considered that intoxicating drink was necessary." The rest of our cor respondent's letter is too personal for insertion. ERRATUM.—In our report of the enquiry into the local charges on shipping, yesterday, by a misprint the charge for discharging rice in the Albert dock, ss made to appear as 10s. per ton. It should have been 10d. per ton. No notice can be taken of anonymous communications. Whatever is intended for insertion must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer; not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of his_good faith. We cannot undertake to return rejecteecommunications All communications, Books fur Review, etc., to be for warded to the Editor must be addressed to the Publisher, CHARLES WILLMER, and those from London may be sent to the care of Messrs. Simpkin, Marshall, and Co. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1853 EVERY intelligence that arrives serves but to damp our hopes of an amicable settlement of the " Eastern Question." Instead of appearances lead- ing us to expect a favourable issue, they but alarm us into the belief that an internecine war must be the medium through which this dispute is to be adjusted Indeed, this result seems almost inevitable, Judg- ing from the active organization adopted, and the armed concentration of power employed, by the two Powers, the most sanguine mind is left dis- pirited. Horror invariably gives horrent shapes to thought. And those which the anticipation of a bloody fray induces, recall to our mind the terrible evils consequent upon the previous -conflicts of opposing nations The advices just received from Trieste, by sub- marine telegraph, inform us that the allied squa drons have been ordered to the Dardanelles. They are not, however, to enter the Black Sea, except in order to repel the advances of the Rus- sian forces. The Journal des Debats publishes the following as the reply of Prince GORTSCHAKOFF to the requi sition of the Ottoman PoRTE, that he should evacuate the Principalities :—" My master is not at war with Turkey, but I have orders not to leave the Principalities until the PORTE shall have given to the EMPEROR the moral satisfaction he demands. When this point shall have been obtained, I will evacuate the Principalities immediately—whatever the time or the season, If lam attacked by the Turkish army I will confine myself to the defen- sive." Advices from Bucharest are to the effect that the .troops of (:MR PACHA are in a fit con diti on to make the passage of the Danube; while it is said that the Russian forces are too feeble to oppose them., . Some accounts state that Austria will not re- main neutral:Li the event of hostilities being engaged in Aween Turkey and Russia, but will throw in the weight of her balance against the former power. It is said that the late proceed ings adopted by the head of the Austrian Cabinet, conduces to this opinion If Austria takes such a decided step, Prussia will also be induced to move. The question is, to which Power will she give her support? This is a matter of immense concern Although Monday next will be the last day allowed by the PORTE for Russia's evacuation of the Danubian Principalities, it is thought, how- ever, that a longer time may elapse before hostilities will commence The preyailing opinion in some quarters is, that negotiation has been exhausted and henc 3 that a positive con- flict is sure to ensue. For ourselves, we should be but too glad to view the matter in a different light; but upon examination of all the cireum- stances of the case, we are, however unwillingly, forced to adopt a like conclusion. THE Commissioners appointed to inquire into the local charges on shipping, and also the charges on goods carried in ships in the port of Liverpool, met at St. George's Hall, on Wednesday, and ac complished the duty assigned to them in one day, the Commissioners having previously received the most ample information in the returns Made by the Committee of the Dock Estate, and other per sons immediately connected with our port. The object of the Commissioners sitting in Liverpool was, therefore, to give an opportunity to the public of bringing forward such facts as would enable them to make an unbiassed report. Under these circumstances, we hail the appearance of this Commission, as one of those salutary measures so much needed to utilise the powers of the legislature. But to form a correct estimate on the subject of local charges on shipping it is necessary to bear in mind the nature:and extent of the accommodation afforded. The use of wet docks with wharfs at which ships can load and unload in any state of the tide, and in any weather ; the convenience of sheds, cranes, and a variety of smaller accommoda tions which clocks afford, are matters for careful investigation. When taken in the aggregate they form a serious item under the head of " dock charges," but if shipowners were left to find for themselves all these appliances, so necessary for the despatch of business, and the safety of ships and cargo ; the expense would be immeasurably greater, and the object in many cases unattainable. Still the powers conferred on chartered or incorpo rated companies are so great, that a careful scrutiny, and a perfect right of supervision by government has become almost indispensibly necessary. 'The revenue of the chartered companies of England has been estimated at upwards of £63,000,000 annually. In a great many instances the expenditure of public companies exceeds their income, while others (particularly the gas and water Companies) are netting enormous profits, and still continue their excessive local charges. Commissions of Inquiry then, such as the pre sent, will confer great benefits on the public by bringing before Parliament the operations and charges of those public bodies established by acts of incorporation. But it is a matter much to be lamented that the Commissioners sent to Liver pool were precluded by their Commission from inquiring into the pilotage and lighthouse charges, Sze., which all operate so prejudicially against this port. To show the limited powers given to the Commissioners we here subjoin the Commission at length : " Whereas we have deemed it expedient that the commis sion should forthwith issue for inqniring into local charges upon shipping in the ports of the united kingdom and islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, and Man : Now know ye, that we, reposing great confidence in your zeal and ability, have authorized and appointed, and do by these presents autho rize and appoint, you the said John Henry Thomas Manners Sutton, Charles Ramsay Drinkwater Bethune, and Colin Blackburn to be our Commissioners for the purposes afore said : and our will and pleasure is, that you, or any one or more of you, shall especially inquire into all charges (other than duties of customs payable to us, our heirs or successors, pilotage charges, fees, or other sums payable to the Board of Trade, tolls, or payments payable to the corporation of the Trinity House of Deptford Strand, the Commissioners of the Northern lighthouses, or the Corporation for preserving and improving the port of Dublin in respect of lighthouses, lights, floating lights; beacons, buoys, or other marks or signs for the sea, and rates or payments payable to the said Trinity house in respect of lastage, or ballastage, in or near the River Thames, which are levied or leviable in any part of the ports or harbours of the United Kingdom, or of the island, of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, by any person or persons, body corporate, or local authority, ❑pon ships, or upon goods carried in ships, whether in the nature of passing tolls or otherwise, and to report upon the nature and amount of such charges, the title or authority in law under which the same are levied, the application of the same, and whether and how far they are applied to any pur pose from which the person paying the same derives any benefit; also upon the exemptions, if any, of any particular persons or classes of persons from any of such charges." Now, the exclusion of all inquiry into those charges, which are felt so seriously by every ship bound either in or out of this port, was doing little more than supervising the affairs of the Dock Estates. This was stopping unmeasurably short of what the public was led to expect and really requires. The charges made by the Dock Com panies are matters which can be adjusted by a little extortion .on the part of a few shareholders, and where extortion is attempted, the shipowners have power enough collectively, if not individually, to bring the Dock Company to a sense of any in justice that may be done or attempted ; but it is very different with that Leviathan of Tower Hill— the Trinity House. This chartered body is not only beyond the reach of the combined influence of the shipowners of England, but is deaf to every appeal against all acts of injustice and tyranny. Taking the position of the port of Liverpool, situate as it is nearly at the headof the channel, is it not manifestly unjust, and most injurious to our port to exact light dues from the sea-going ships from this for every light on both sides of the channel, from Cape Clear to the pier head ? The lights on both coasts from Liverpool to the point of departure on the Irish coast, amount to more than forty. One-half of which have been established for local purposes, and are of little more than local use, and, therefore, they ought to be supported by " local charges." But the Trinity Board, with more craft than justice, have arranged it otherwise, and, consequently the local charges on shipping, and goods carrying in ships, in the port of Liverpool are much higher than they need be. Had the Commissioners come down here with power to enter these old preserves of the Trinity Brethren, we could have filled their bags with information of considerable value, and so enabled them to have re ported fully on the local charge of this port generally. As it is, we fear the Commissioners have left us under the impression, that the charges upon Liverpool shipping are more just and moderate than in any other port in the United Kingdom. With regard to the charges made by the Liver pool Dock Committee against ships coming from the Birkenhead Docks into those of Liverpool, there can be but one feeling in the public mind. The idea, in fact, is too unjust and impolitic to escape the severest censure. The following case, which was very properly brought by Mr. Bramah before the Commissioners, is so glaring, that we cannot refrain from directing attention to it : " If a ship left the Birkenhead docks for the purpose of coming over to the Liverpool docks, she paid the whole of the dues from the foreign port she might have left before coming to Birkenhead. That was one point he wished par ticularly to put before the committee. Supposing a ship came from India, and the cargo was consigned to Birkenhead, she went into the Birkenhead docks, and she paid the Bir kenhead dock trustees the dues they were authorised to levy by their Act of Parliament, and she then had occasion for any purpose it might be for repairs, to enter the Liverpool docks, the Liverpool dock trustees charged her with the en tire rates from Calcutta, whatever other foreign port she came from, ignoring the existence of Birkenhead as a dock or as a port. They did not deem it to be one of the docks of Li verpool, although all goods landed and embarked at Birken head were charged or chargeable with town dues. A case had occurred within the last few weeks, which, as example was better than theory, he would detail. A large ship with timber entered the river; in consequence of her great depth of water she could not enter the Brunswick dock. The con signees of the vessel came to the Birkenhead trustees to see if they would take her in. For the purpose of getting rid of some depth, she discharged one lighter of timber in the river, then she went into the Birkenhead docks, and the re sult of the operation was that she had to pay the whole of the dock dues of Liverpool as well as those of Birkenhead. This was the operation of the Act of Parliament of the Li verpool Dock Trustees." tion of 189 d und, Now, seeing the obvious hardships to which the shipowners and consignees were exposed in this case, we are at a loss to conceive what good our Dock authorities hope to achieve by carrying on that childish spirit of rivalry, which has branded their acts with redicule and contempt. Where a commercial advantage is to be gained, there is always a proper course to follow, by which it can alone be attained; but that course has certainly not been pursued by the Liverpool Dock Committee in their conduct towards the Birkenhead Dock Company. An unfair and ungenerous act loses none of its foulest attributes, because it is sanc tioned by an act of Parliament; and if no other good accrues to our port from the inquiry of the recent Commission, beyond taking away the power under which such injustice is committed, it will confer a lasting benefit on the best interests of both towns. The day is not far distant, when Liverpool will have reason to be proud of having Birkenhead as an auxiliary port. Iris unplen sant at any time to have to remark upon a feud between parties, each of whom we believe to have at heart the best interests of the community. Such is, however, our duty at present. A majority of the working pilots of our port are in a position of antagonism with their masters ; and have ap pealed to the Pilots' Committee, for what they con sider as grievances, without success. Disappointed men are apt to resort to violent remedies, injurious in the end to their own interests ; and to prevent this we take the liberty of offering a few suggestions, in the hope that we may serve as mediators in the dispute. The working pilots ask, in substance, for two boons. In the first instance, they say that one master is sufficient to go to sea with each boat, and that a master ashore is superfluous. Such master attends each tide, or should do so, to see that men are duly put on board of the vessels which belong to them ; but there is always in port a companion boat, whose master can attend to this duty. In fact, the business of a master ashore, whilst his boat is at sea, is merely nominal; and, when it is considered that the men whom they have to direct are as deeply interested as themselves in their duty being properly fulfilled, it is perfectly unnecessary. There is this circumstance also to be borne-in mind. If one of the three masters, at present commanding a pilot boat, was put in active service to bring in or take out vessels, we should have twelve effective pilots added to the service of the port. Another of the complaints of the men is that the masters have the power of determining arbitra rily which pilot is to bring in a ship, or in reality who is to make a long cruize, and who is to make a short one ; who is to bring into port a ship which can dock at once ; and who is to bring up one which may lie for a week or ten days in the river waiting for water to dock. The men urge that in every other pilotage establishment, the precedence is determined by lot ; and that where such lot; brings to a working pilot a disagreable vessel it is submitted to with cheerfulness. On the contrary, where the selection depends upon the master, the suspicion of favoritism is naturally created ; the master himself is looked upon as a potentate to whose fiat the men must bow, whether just or unjust; and disaffection on the part of the crew is the result, instead of that cordial agreement which ought to exist amongst parties so situated. For, be it borne in mind, that beyond having the charge of the pilot boat itself, and having an allow ance of about £25 per year, from the owners for acting in that capacity, the masters are in no respect superior in their rate of remuneration to the first class journeymen. They have, however, immunities which the latter do not enjoy. They never, as we have stated, bring in or take out a vessel ; and are thus relieved from all the risks to which the working pilots are subject. It is a grevious pity that this dispitte cannot be amicably arranged ; and we think that the Com mittee, to which it has been recently referred, might have consistently and conscientiously done something towards bringing about such an arrange ment. It is acknowledged that the Pilot Service of Liverpool is the best in the kingdom, if not in the world. It has been thus far managed by a local authority ; and it will be a source of never ending regret, if through a mistake on the part of that local authority, we should see the service handed over to centralization management, and thus proclaim that, even in a matter so peculiarly nautical, the shipowners and merchants of Liver pool cannot conduct their own affairs. SOUTHERN AND TOXTETH HOSPITAL--Weekly re port, October 19.-lu-patients : Discharged cured, 2 ; re lieved, 0 ; at own request, 2 ; irregular 1 ; dead, 3 ; en tered, 14 ; under treatment, 60. Out-patients : —cured, 60; entered, 47; under treatment, 52. ACCIDENTS.—John Kearns, residing in 3, Court, Grenville-street, Scotland-road, labourer, was hurt in Re gent-road, yesterday, by a cask of palm oil rolling on him, thereby fracturing his leg.—Anthony Cunningham, a lad of about 16 years of age, was hawking chips in Sea-brow, James's-street, yesterday, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. He was trying to sell his ware in a public-house, when a dog ran out, barking at him, which frightened him so much that he fell back in the street, and a large wagon passed over his chest, thereby fracturing severely one of his ribs, and he in the fall, received a concussion of the brain. He was brought to the Northern Hospital.—John Carr, fireman on board the steamer Europa, had his foot fractured yester day, by a plank falling on it. Mr. BROWNE'S BENEFIT.—The performances for the benefit of this veteran and favourite performer, took place at the Park Theatre last night. Several amateurs lent their services for the occasion, and the audience testified, alike by their numbers and their applauses, the respect they enter tained for Mr. Browne, and their admiration of the acting which distinguished his benefit. SENTENCES' PASSED AT THE MANCHESTER QUAR TER SESSIONS.—The following are the results of the inves tigations into the charges against the prisoners committed for trial at the quarter sessions, which have just been brought to a close :—Sentenced to penal servitude for six years, two ; do. four years, nine ; to be imprisoned for eigh teen months, one; for twelve months, seven • for nine months, two ; for seven months, one ; for six months,. thirty one ; for four months, nineteen ; for three months, nine; for two months, six; for one month, four; acquitted, twenty four; bills ignored, five ; no bills, six; referred, the prose cutor being absent, one. DISEASE AMONG CATTLE.—In the act of the late session to extend and continue the Act 11th and 12th Vic., c. 107, to prevent the spreading of contagion or infectious disorders among sheep, cattle, and other animals, there is a new provision, imposing a penalty not exceeding £2O on any person bringing glandered horses, &c., into markets or fairs, or turning them out on unenclosed rand. Duririg its transportation from Glasgow to Man chester, the statue of Sir Robert Peel had the misfortune to have an arm broken off. THE NORTHERN DAILY TIMES HEALTH CO3I.iIIITTEE The committee met yesterday, Mr. Alderman LANGSDALE in the chair. The other members present were—Messrs. Beckwith, Hodson, Moss, Henderson, Johnson, Fleming, Nicholson, Bigham, and alhead. Mr. ton, the building surveyor, reported the in, lilapidated privies and ashpits, 140 of which were going alterations and repairs, and 48 of which required Mr. Newlands, the borough engineer, reported nu merous particulars of the work done and in hand in his de partment ; and Mr. Fresh, the inspector of nuisances, re ported the emptying of 1016 cesspools, the inspection 148 nuisances complained of by the inhabitants, and the reference of 68 others to the borough engineer, for remedy by drainage &c., with a detail of the other operations of his staff includ ing particulars of a sanitary examination of 1006 court houses, and 1447 collars, formerly cleared of inmates, in the lower part of the town. It also appeared that the sanitary officers had made special examinations during the week of 2357 different apartments in street houses, and 2742 rooms in court-houses, in these districts, for the purpose of remov ing aught that could generate disease. - The - Medical Officei" of Health again reported favourably of the health of the town, which has seldom been in a more satisfactory state than at the present time. The mortality of the Borough in the week endin g on Saturday last was 186, including 21 deaths of emigrants. The ordinary mortality was thus 165, while the average of the same week of the preceding five years was 190. Twenty-five deaths from Cholera (of which 21 were reported to the committee at their last meeting) were registered during the week : the number in the previous week having been 41. Of the 25 deaths last week, 21 were in the case of emigrants, 2 inmates of the workhouse, and 2 residents of the town in destitute circumstances. The mortality from diarrha continues below the average ; the deaths having been 13 against 15 in the week previous, the average being 16 in the same week of former years. From typus thou) were 10 deaths last week; from hooping cough, 8 ; from scarlatina, 7 ; croup, 5 measels, 1; syphilis, 1; from small-pox, none. Two deaths were reported from delirium tremens. During the present week there have been eight new cases of cholera and two deaths. Two of the new cases were those of Irish emigrants ; the remaining six were foreigners—one the keeper of a German lodging-house. No case of cholera amongst the residents of the town has been reported to the officer of health since the last meeting of the committee. The medical officer of nealth in conclusion recommended the immediate paving of Chapel-plaoo, from Dkunswiok-road to Erskine-street. Notice was some time ago served on the owner, and has expired. The recommendation was ordered to be carried out, as were also several others of a like character from the sub-com- mittees. Mr. Moss conceived that the time had arrived when they should have a permanent floating hospital. It was much better that such an hospital should be permanent, and he thought that Liverpool required one as much, if not more, than London. The CHAIRMAN observed that their sick were decreasing every day. Mr. 13Ecurrit thought it would be useless to keep up such a staff, when the hospital would be required only in case of an epidemic like the cholera. Mr. M'GowAN said that the authorities would always bring the sick on shore, as the best means of insuring their recovery, and would transfer to the floating hulk or hospital onlp the healthy portion of emigrants. Mr. BIGHAM brought under the notice of the committee the great inconvenience which arose from the want of unity of action between them and the gas and water committees. On the 21st of June, or thereabouts, the committee decided to alter the level in Crown-street, and in consequence of that determination Mr. Newlands wrote to the committee in reference to the matter. On the 26th September he wrote again stating that the water pipes were laid bare in Crown street, between M7rtle-street and Oxfordstreet ; but in fact no sooner had the 'bottom been put into the street, and the ground co mmenced to be solidified, than the water commit tee, without any intimation to the health committee, sent down their men, and again tore up the street, to the serious loss and inconvenience of the inhabitants of the district. All this was done from the want of proper unity between the committees, and he should therefore move that the chairman and the borough eagineer be requested to wait as a deputa tion on the water committee, to represent the matter to them. Mr. BEcKWITH observed that there was no use now in finding fault with the gas committee for breaking up the streets. He remembered that the greatest anxiety was expressed some time ago in the health committee to purchase up the gas committee, and to vest its powers in the corpor ation, as the best means of preventing the streets from being repeatedly broke up. But what was the consequence ? Why that now the water committee went in direct opposition to the health committee, and though they had been notified time after time as regarded the breaking up of the streets, yet they still persevered in doing so. The CHAIRMAN thought that before any observations were made on the matter, the deputation should wait on the wa t er committee and send in their report. The matter then dropped. Mr. Moss called attention, on behalf of the inhabitants of the district, to a nuisance in the neighbourhood of Fairfield. The Borough Engineer said that the committee had done all in their power to remove the nuisance referred to, and that they could not do more than they had done. VOTE OF THANKS TO THE CHAIRMAN AND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN. Mr. BIOHAM begged, as their existence as a committee would soon terminate, to bring before them a resolution, which he had no doubt would meet with general concur rence. It was usual, since he had been in the council, that some expression of opinion should pass between the mem bers of a committee and their chairman on such occasions, and he knew no occasion when, from the merits of their chairman, they should be more united in the expression of that opinion than the present occasion. (Hear, hear.) It would not become him (Mr. Bigham) to allude to anything of an unpleasant nature, which might have occurred to wound the feelings of their chairman during their existence as a committee ; nor was there any occasion to do so, in order to elicit from the committee the expression of kindly feelings towards their chairman. They were fully aware of the arduous duties and responsibilities which especially attached to the chairman of their committee, and that knowledge alone, irrespective of any other consideration, was sufficient to insure to their chairman the thanks to which he was most justly entitled at their hands. (Hear). He would allude to a few of the duties which specially attached to that committee. In the first place a most important duty devolved npon them in the assessment of the various taxes which the inhabitants had to pay, and which amounted to upwards of £lOO,OOO a year ; and they had not only to asses these taxes, but their control and expenditure were also mainly in their hands. They were then, and particularly at this moment, a board of much greater importance than any other. They had con siderable influence over the health of the town, for the cleansing of the streets, the emptying of ashpits, the re mov al of nuisances, and all else that affected the sanitary condition of thesborough, had to be controlled by their officers. The duties of their medical officer, of Mr. Fresh, the inspector of nuisances, and of their borough engineer, than .whom better officers could not be had, were in the highest degree important, and he was therefore correct in saying that their committee, if not superior, was at least second to none in the council. (Hear, hear.) And how had they performed their duties ? Let the present healthy position of the town —let its cleanliness, compared with other towns, and its thorough sewerage, compared to what it was twenty years ago,—speak of the efficiency with which the duties of the Health Committee had been performed. But while the com mittee hadbeen zealous and attentive to their duties, and ready to aid in carrying out every useful suggestion, yet he believed that had not their chairman been so thoroughly acquainted with the details of their duties, they should rot have been able to lay before the council a report of the town being in so healthy a situation as it was at present. (Hear, hear.) He did not mean to defend all that had gone wrong within some years past ; for in so large a town certain things would of necessity arise which would meet with the disapproba tion of the inhabitants ; but generally he would say that the duties of the committe had been efficiently performed. And though they possibily might have had a chairman of as great experience as their present chairman, yet they could not have one who would discharge his duties as such with the same zeal and assiduity that he had done. Morning and night saw him at his post ; the performance of his duties was to him a pleasure than otherwise, and therefore it was that the committee felt so deeply indebted to him. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion, he (th. Bigham) begged to move the following resolution : " Resolved,—That this committee, being deeply impressed with the value of the services of their chairman, Mr. Alderman La.ngsdale, qannot permit the municipal year to terminate without placing on record the expression, though feeble, of the sense they entertain of his devotion to the interests and business of this committee ; and they desire further, in an especial manner, to bear testimony to the temperate, courteous, and considerate manner in which, on all occasions, he has conducted himself in the discharge of his duty towards every member of this committee. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Moss seconded the resolution, and in doing so ob served that he fully concurred in every word that had fallen from the proposer of it. • When he considered the indefatig able manner in which the chairman had performed his duties during the past twelve months- the devotion of his time to the public service, and the accessible mode in which he had conducted the business, (and in a public man's character, whether he was accessible or not, was a matter of very great importance)--when he considered all these things, he (Mr. Moss) should say that their chairman was eminently deser ving of that expression of thanks, and that the acceseible manner in which he had performed the duties of his office, not only redounded in the highest degree to his own credit, but also threw into the shade the exertions of every other member of the committee. (Hear, hear.) He (Mr. Moss) could only say that personally he felt deeply indebted to their el airman, for had it not been for his kindness in initiating him into the duties of the committee, he felt that he would have been far more inefficient than perhaps he had been. And he hoped that if it should be the intention of the council, as no doubt it was, to reappoint the committee, they would meet again, and act in the same harmonious spirit they has hitherto done. (Hear, hear.) Mr. HODSON begged to be allowed, before the resolution was put, to bear his testimony to the manner in which the Charman had performed the duties of his office. He (Mr. Hodson) had known him as a boy, and when in after years they met in public life, he found him occupying a high position, attained solely by the qualities for which he was still distinguished—straightforwardness of conduct, unim peachable honesty, and sterling integrity of character— (hear, hear). Mr. HENDERSON also concurred In what had fallen from the other speakers, and have his testimony to the admieable manner in which the Chairman had conducted the business of the Committee. The resolution was then put and unanimously adopted. The CHAiamAN said that, from the kind manner in which Mr. Bigham had brought forward the resolution, he could not sufficiently express his acknowledoments to the com mittee. The resoluti on w p s not required to satisfy him that he had the kindly feeling of every member of the com mittee (hear, hear) ; but the present expression of their good-will came nearest to to his heart, and he should through life preserve the remembrance of it. At the same time, he did not think that he had done anything more than his duty, and as that had met with their approbation, nothing could have given him greater pleasure. (Hear, hear.) Mr. HODSON then moved that the thanks of the commit the be given to their deputy-chairman, Mr. Alderman Dover, for, though not indebted to him in the same ratio as to their chairman, yet the committee fully appreciated his exertions in their and the public service. Mr. H4LHEAD - seconded the motion, which was unani= mously adopted; The CHAIRMAN, in the absence of Mr. Dover, acknow ledged the compliment. The committee then adjourned. DOCK COMMITTEE, The weekly meeting of this committee was held yesterday, CHARLES TURNER . , Esq., in the chair. The other members present were, Messrs. Barber Big ham, Ldngsdale, Littledale, Rankin, Robinson, Steele, Tobin, Royden, Gregson, Evans, Brocklebank, Shand, and Rounthwaite. The CHAIRMAN informed the committee that he had at tended the commissioners who met at St. George's Hall on Wednesday, with the solicitor, the treasurer, and the secre tary, to give any information with respect to the local dues on shipping. The commissioners stated that they had re. ceived full information about all matters connected with the pdrt, and that their principal object to opening the Court was to hear anything that parties might wish to say. Upon . q, several gentlemen who attended Prom Birkenhead complaint- _ sas tc _le injurious effect which the dock laws had upon their shipping. He (the chairman) answered these complaints as far as he Was able ; and he thought his explanation was satisfactory, and that any proceeding on the part of the commissioners would not affect the dock estate. The sub-committee of works recommended that the vacant land which had been enclosed between the railway station and Blundel-street, be let to Mr. Stubbs for the purpose of making spars ; removable at a month's notice at any time— confirmed. They also recommended that the committee assent to the application of Richardson, Brothers, for per mission to store 2000 tons of coal on the west side of Wel lington dock, the coals to be piled under the direction of the Harbour Master—confirmed. The offer of Mr. Abrahams, to take up, level, and repair the street at the south end of George's dock, and to complete the same to the satisfaction of the surveyor within three weeks after the tender was declared, was accepted. The offers of Messrs. Jackson and Smith, to supply a scale and beam complete, for weigh ing palm oil, and also one for fine goods; of Messrs. Jones and Abraham fo r s u pplyi ng provender ; and of Norris and Co., for supplying single and double straps for driving machinery, were accepted. Permission was granted to the surveyor to let George's dock dry on the 30th instant. It is more than five years since it has undergone that opera tion. In the warehouse department the sub-committee re commended that the salary of Mr. Cowan, Superintendent of the Albert dock warehouses, be raised £lOO per annum. The Chairman, at the request of Mr. Bigham, read Mr. Cowan's application for the increase, in which he stated that for the eight years he had been in the service of the com mittee, he had reduced the expenditure, in labour and sala ries, one-third ; and that he saved them £5OO a-year in re pairing the warehouses. He also stated that, in addition to his other duties, which were very onerous, the whole depart ment being entirely under his control, he was also in a mea sure surveyor of ships and dock-master. Mr. ROBINSON hoped the committee would agree to the recommendation, for if they were to search Liverpool they could not find a man more fitted for the duties of his office than was Mr. Cowan. The trustees might indeed be very active and business-like, but yet it would be impossible to prevent great waste taking place, unless by the supervision of a vigi lant officer. Mr. EVANS said it was with reluctance that he declared he was one of the sub-committee who had opposed the recom mendation. He considered that what Mr. Cowan received was quite sufficient, and he should ask the surveyor what had been the repairs done to the warehouses that Mr. Cowan could have effected so great a saving. Mr. HARTLEY was not aware of any repairs unless those which the cranes might require, or work of that kind. Mr. EVANS continued to say that the evil tendency to im mense salaries, now so prevalent, should be checked. They had been going on day after day increasing the salaries, and they were every hour in the council discovering such quanti ties of merit, that he declared he was now afraid of merit. (Laughter.) As it was observed upon one occasion, Liver pool was one of the most fortunate places in the world, for not only did they discover in every man whom they em ployed the greatest merit, but they also discovered that he was the only man in creation who could do their work. He did not know of these situations that if the parties were di vested of them to-morrow, they would not use every in fluence to get them again, and at the present salaries. Mr. LANGSDALE observed that whatever Mr. Cowan might think, he considered neither the place nor the man worth the money. It was only a few weeks ago, that Mr. Cowan applied for fifty guineas, merely for shifting from one house to another, and he was really one of those men with whom they would never be done. Mr. BIGHAM Considered the application a most unfortunate one, particularly when they had but just had the accounts of the Albert warehouse before them. That statement of ac counts might be satisfactory, but certainly the result was not satisfactory. In one paragraph Mr. Cowan said that the whole success of the dock depended on himself; but if the success were to be judged by the results of the year, Mr. Cowan had certainly not much to boast of. He was a most excellent servant, as indeed were all in their employment ; but he (Mr. Bigham) hoped that their observations would go forth into the council chamber, and have a due effect there, where they were most wanted. Mr. Cowan at present had £6OO a-year. The OIAIRMAN : Only £5OO, and we propose to give him £6OO. Mr. ROBINSON : A promise was made when he accepted the situation that his salary would be raised. Mr. EVANS : A promise !—I was no party to any pro mise. Mr. BIGHA.III observed that if Mr. Cowan were to resign to-morrow, and that they advertised, they would receive a hundred applications from men quite competent for the situ tion, for it did not require any extraordinary talent, w h o would be glad to perform the duties for £3OO or £4OO a-year. - The CHAIRMAN said that Mr. Cowan performed his duties in a very efficient manner, and the superintendence of a de partment of this kind, involved very onerous and very disa greeable duties. And look;ng to the way in which Mr. Cowan performed them, he did nit co ns id er £5O O a-year too muchfor his services. His (the Chairman's) opinion was, that they should give him the advance. With respect to the coals, Mr. Austin, the chief clerk, had coals allowed him, and the sub-committee only wished to put Mr. Cowan on the same footing in that, particular. Mr. BIGHAM said, that less than a fortnight ago, he applied that the salary of an assistant light-house keeper might be raised. He only received 12s. a week, and out of that he had to pay 3s. a-week for the ware and tare of his shoes, he having to walk several miles every day across a stoney road, to the place of his employment. His friends had to supply him with clothes, and yet when he (Mr. Bigham) applied for an increase to his salary, he was told that the man's salary could not be raised at all, because he had his chance of promotion. But here was a man who had £5OO a-year, a house, and coals, and yet it was proposed to increase his salary at a time when, from the efficient manner in which he had performed his duties, the receipts from the dock had dwindled down to almost nothing. - They could not afford to give an increase of salary to a man on 12s. a week, and now they proposed to increase that of a man on £5OO a-year. It was really too bad. The CHAIRMAN did not really see what the question of an assistant light-house keeper had to do with the question of the duties of a superintendent of a large warehouse of this kind. The real question was whether they were properly paid, and if either was not, he should be. Mr. BARBER said that he was present at the meeting of the harbour committee,. and he was under the impression that the motion was for an increase of £5O a year. Mr. BROCKLEBANK conceived that Mr. Cowan would not be overpaid if he got an addition of £lOO a year. His' duties were very onerous, and were daily increasing, the tonnage received into the dock having, up to the present time, exceeded that of last year by 45,000 tons. Mr. ROBINSON remarked that for some time they had not had a complaint about the management of the dock, and that the estate was becoming so prosperous, that a reduction of the rates was about being sought for. Mr. BARBER had nothing to say against Mr. Cowan; but he was aware that the parties at the head of those departments had to go through a certain apprentice ship to learn their business, and that while doing so, much loss had occurred to the estate. It was not therefore fair that when they had learned their business at the expense of the estate, they should turn round at the first moment and seek for an in crease of salary. He was of opinion that £5OO a year was quite sufficient for the ordinary detail work which Mr. Cowan had to do, for up to the present he was not aware that there was not a dock master at the Albert dock. The CHAIRMAN : There is a dock master there. Mr. BARBER : Then Mr. Cowan's statement as to his additional duties in that respect, is wrong, and his claim to thc increase so much the less. A:vote:was then taken on the proposition, when there appeared for thelncrease 9, against it 6r. The reconunenda tion wax accordingly adopted. The voting stood thus :-21w• —Messrs.Royden, Littledale, Robinson, R o unthwa g : Brockelbank, Rankin, Shand, and the Chairian.„,;ll,: Messrs. • Gregson, Langsdale, Bigham, Tobin, -r'" mC s ave notice that at the next e would call on it to put its veto Te was sure that if an applica!, next meeting to raise the De' from 18s. to 205., every m em b er would oppose it. In the marine department, the sub-committee rec ded that the proposed new buoy be built of 'o:°° d " harbour master's department, the sub-committee, '4 platform at the Iluskisson! 80 feet long be construetedi Barber. Mr. LANGSDALI the Council commendation the want of recommended that on( The committee ther THE PRESTON COTTON Si - GREAT MEETING OF THE OPER A ' (FROM OUR OWN REPORTER.) PRESTON, Tio‘ - THIS morning, about 5,000 of the unemP l°, ! ' l operatives of this town, assembled in the Orellai;, they were addressed by Mr. Fallowes , of Pre st° presided,) and by a delegate from Stockport. t o The CHAIRMAN said that some parties ha d 51 t hel them, and declared they would not be able to Pal outs is. per head this week. Those parties, llow ece :d perhaps be surprised to hear s that the committe e I enabled to distribute 6s. per head, as heretofore) munications had been received from various , 1 1 15141 country, from which it appeared that an amoun t " 1 their most sanguine anticipations would roll in at tb this week ; for instance, Blackburn had prom £5OO, and Accrington had passed a resolution to its contributions from 3d. to 6d, per loom. This afternoon, an aggregate monster meeting by the committee of tl witbo Of d• ktlB, Zel etiti t t hat t ee4 fordo -433 c LThe I $ R Y 1 to t 1 4t; py,t Mr. a les were present. roi i ikre e Jriefly opened the P 8 114 1 4 Y or k -.ER, t" au About the 13th of July, the operatife ei N er, i nnners, and self-actor minders of Preston iStt t:, 2 3 { M, morial to each manufacturer, soliciting an adcP 11 (1 0 per cent. That memorial was treated with silent c 'llth Subsequently, a second memorial was addressed 0 4 . 10 Th e ployers, all of whom, with the exce pti on of 1 31 0 da y consented to give the required ad vance . Thosell o. 4 00• did not receive the ten per cent., were a uth o rised TO' legal notice to leave work ; and whil s t th a t notice: ko hi Jl served, the associated masters convened a meet' 15th 15th September, when they resolved t o c l os e thee a month from that date, "unless those on strike I t y pared to resume work." The result was, that 3i were closed, and from 20,000 to 24,000 hands t: tt of employment. All their endeavours to settle 3 W e having failed, what were they to do ? (Voice : —Cheers.) The speaker concluded by r e co mmen' ‘ l re' order, and frugality. Wh o Mr. J. TOMLINSON moved the first resolution 0 4 4 1 4 " That our request for an ad vance of 0 per cent. is t!eit, able and just one ." 111 1 04 4 lie said the op era ti ves were a l ways w illi ng to 5 0 t • 1 their masters the loss c o n sequen t u p on a d epre ssion '1(1 4 ) e and, under these circumstances, he thought they " c r e o entitled to participate in the general prosperity. j! Mr. J. MONK briefly seconded the resolution, 511 carried unanimously, as also were those which follo \\/ Mr. J. GREEN proposed the second re so lution 'o' ~kI C II I Tint this meeting vi ews w ith d eep regret the dete(it, have comae to of closing th e i r m ills, an am said meeting is of opinion that such a proceeding , 1., „ t o., judicial to the masters themselves, is attended with 01 : ~.1 3 4) 2 injustice to their workpeople, and to the communite'o 44i e b' lie observed that many would doubtless feel the eg e f, 1 0 11 lock-out very severely, but he hoped that rather 10 ' 0 4 2i , ; they would be content with one meal a day. t 4 19 Mr. T. BRADLEY seconded the resolution. Mr. M. JOLLY was intrusted with the third r e Akg h or, which was as follows : 4 ,)f That we , the operative cotton spinners and „" 1 1, Ana ontl'ilnOdepresrofcePnit.e.sattonth o a s r e e m resolved lls wh t e o r e s t t a h n e d 1 o firm er fo c r eii % - r b oa , ~Y i 53 bees given, and to persist in a perfect adhesion .// ' oa r ' by supporting and subscribing to its funds with ''l3 '- and main." After urging upon his hearers the importance te ~ y .1 6 6 , the masters in their attempt to crush the union, 1 0 i; stated that the self-acting minders of Preston reee est o third less wages than they did in Oldham. In no ; class of operatives sometimes received, some as 4 4 1 and some as high as 16s. or 17s. ; but in earned on an average 28s. per week. (SurPrise) . 1 Mr. LAMBERT seconded the resolution. now 11 OA Mr. E. SWINGLBRURST said they were n- 3 bk ryth vessel egrotoo d o h n aand a dg t e ha m ioun p ee e as s t t t i hm lo ea : in s Stehaane,dafanpvduoburwuheaaotuptdiaiheYoop:o, or , 7,11t11,1 was to guard against the rocks and q uicksands. Th in n u f c o e t u v h hit herto ting in every hour against the tyrants who hacl, e 'd fi46 -t , ;le mills ; for never was a greater piece of injycos body of working men than had been consumes a4e Many of them had been working quietly 5 ,"p el l i. rath„ under their 10 per cent, and no reason had,""iArte'. l titti why the mills were closed, and the operatives a c pre SO e. enjoying that peace and happiness which they sc , Zty entitled to. Wages were not now the quest! - ° ,4 to manufacturers of Preston. They were doternanlsi„ t t up the combination of operatives —to split the! ef :Ott o. tions, and crush them. That object, however, ti -I t l o ee re ' t never accomplish if the operatives were only tr u „ e o f Xl7 selves. Let them be firmly united, and he hau the result. In Blackburn, Darwen, Stockport , „g towns he had visited, they were resolved rather tur e i f the 10 per cent. they were now enjoying; to lose tli o .if Their masters told them they could not continue t° o lli L T , advance unless the Preston masters conceded a ' s ' ttly ` C vance. The Preston manufacturers must be beatell 41 ) was sure they would be beaten; they would g e r ,,) thrashing as they never had in their lives. (C11 e .., e 'eo tq o ferring to the project for co-operative self-emple)— titti speaker stated that such was the countenance it lia L d b 4110 ( k , that they should soon be in a position to set abou t. factories of their own. (Loud cheers.) 0 15, Thanks having been voted to the chairman, i h m ° 0 1 0. terminated " with three cheers for the Union and P . tf, cent." aY ttia spinners and self-actor 1 0 held on the Marsh, under the presidency of Mr. /' gent. Upwards of 10,000 persons were present. The CHAIRMAN having briefly opened the Pr°ll introduced who gave a history of the Pre' the mute pit THE ELECTIVE FRANC HISE AND .L.,E sED) , MONKS.--A case of conside ra bl e i n t eres t cam e ').„° T. J. Hogg, th e rev i s i ng b arr i s t er f or Northulnved Morpeth, on M on d a y l as t , i n w hi c h t h e ques ti o n 31 ; d ther a monk of the order of St. Benedict, who had ; j 0 ordinary religi ous vows o f pover t y an d chastity, e ° 01: property which c o uld en titl e hi m t o vo t e f or am Parliament. The Rev. Thomas Almond, of . 174° '0 Paul's-square, Liverpool, and sixteen other Roma, 12 0 , priests, monks of the order of St. Benedict, C' , vote in respect of each having a share of a ll , , house and garden, situate in Oldgate, Morpe' se other claimants named in the deed could disP ° o t property as they thought proper. Mr. Brumell , ing the claim, said he apprehended it was nu t biet t ; for him to take up the time of the Court on this su appeared that, under the vow of poverty, taken I) : r i .jo persons, such persons could not possess an y proportl Any property which was conveyed to them vce ° og, benefit of the order to which they belonged, all' o cr it in evidence that this particular property was e ° the claimants as trustees for th e b ene fit o f tio n e Mission. Mr. Lowe had stated that it would g . ,; s ifit mission at the death of the parties ; and sna p 1 were so, the present claimants had clearly only a Po. Il ' in the property; and instead of an i n t eres t of 4 , 3 , ,l each being requisite to gi ve th em a qualificat i o, necessary that the property s h ou ld b e o f th e annw o V £l7O at the least, which was not the case. Ilo t :y the vow of poverty was som e thi ng consonan t lc 11 7 ' of chastity. They knew that the vow of c hastity, it, fectly binding on the c onsc i ences o f th ose w h o to, e ur t ,i precluded all possibility o f marr i age ; an d the t), ° , therefore adopt that as a rul e i n cons id er i n g t' ir tP: poverty. Independently of that, it does not aPP e 4 e claimants had been in the receipt o f th e ren t s of t' f a ct for six months previous t o th e p resen t ti m e, 3 er it was of itself an insurm oun t a bl e b ar t o th e Pres be The barrister said the question was as to tbco interest. The claimant s h a d never received allYttbal, the property. The evid ence en ti re l y f a il e d n pou a" and he should strike the n ames o f th e c l a i m ants ° a, 14, account. Claim disallowed accordingly.—Globe' DID You EVER ? —Did you ever kucor,. o 0 1 4 which did not hit th e wor k ma n h ar d er th a n Did you ever know an hotel-keeper whose c ll O l would bear the test of a tallow-chandler ? 91 4 1 know a Continental tourist who, if he unfor.tellfer pened to speak English, didn't everywhere dis, ° „ ° d. 1 1 0 4 charged at least double for it ? Did you ever. fessional" win a game of billiards of you with ing your defeat entirely to his " flukes ?" 3 -',"• o g 9 know a cockney take to boating without dreP, ili eg! up aIdT. P. Cooke ? Did you ever meet a I. `; sufficient strength of mind to ask for cabbag e •90 ever hear a 100-player conf ess t o h av ing w °ll q "just a shilling or two?" Did you ever know ; ,, off without the awful apparition of a " w°P c s * it ever find a penny-a-liner wh o , i n s p ea king el co t"' abstain from calling it " the de v ou r ing clew„ you ever know a Continental shopkeeper whlicl t ° o , i might not be proved a Lucas-a-nonentity ?. t belp l e' start upon a railway journey without hearing o r 4 observation "Now wer'e off ?" Did yen ~et plod alarming sacrifice" which, in practice, did 11 ; e r ;ilBl l completely one of principle ? Did you, , c o iog,, e t/ life hail a city-bound omnibus that wasn'lPilio; c 4o directly" back to Bayswater ? And as a final e w tic, you ever know a cabman who, since the 11 ;.e 1 1)- force, could by any eloquence be induced to for a shilling ?—Punch.