Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-10-07 00:00:00

MERSEY DOCKS AND HARBOUR BOARD At the weekly meeting of the Dock Board yesterday, Mr. CHARLES TeuNER, the chairman, presided ; and the other members present were—Messrs. Anderson, Lang ton, Graves, Rankin, Inman, Mondel, Hubback, Little dale, Shand, Boult, Forwood, Arnold, Smith, Bushell, Farnworth, and Segar. THE WORKS COMMI'TTEII-THE APPROACHES TO THE RIVER, &C • " • 'de a Fromthe proc eedings of this oommt e, at appeared that a letter had been received from Messrs. Sharpies, Jones,.ir C0,,-intimating their intention to give up, after a certain .date, the 2,681 yards on the Harrington estate, of which they are at present the tenants. A letter had been read from Mr. Feriday Smith, ap plying for a reduction of the half-year's rent, for the six cranes at the Bridgewater Dock, on the ground that arrangements for the timber trade at the North-end had not been completed as promised.—Referred to the Engi neer and Harbour-master. to ascertain whether or not the cranes had been in full operation. A letter had also been received, inquiring whether 500 yards of land, three cranes, and water space, could be had by the Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Company, for the purpose of carrying on their timber business ; and an answer had been returned that, till the docks for the inland carrying trade be farther ad vanced,.the board would not be prepared to make an arrangement. A communication from Mr. Drysdale, inquiring the rent of 1,000 square yards of land, on the east of Regent-road, had been referred to the Engineer. An offer from Messrs. Joseph Bagley & Co., to supply a quantity of tow ; and from Mr. James Mackay, to supply 5,000 feet of American oak, were recommended for acceptance. . A letter was then read from Messrs. R. Newell and Co., inquiring whether the Birkenhead Docks would be again opened by. the Ist of June, 1860 ; and it had been re solved that the board could not give any pledge that .they would • be opened then, although the Engineer .capected that he would be able to accomplish it. The following very important report was then sub mitted • REPORT or Tux Wonxs COMMITTEE as to the New Approaches to the Landing Stages at Liverpool and Birkenhead, for Horses, Carriages, Carts, and Goods Traffic, referred to them ' by the following Resolution of the General Board, dated 7th i April, 1859 :--- " That in the opinion of this board, it is of the highest im portance to the interests of this trust, which are now so deeply involved in the progress and success of Birkenhead, that every possible facility be obtained for the passage of the river, as regards goods, produce, and passengers. " That it be:referred to the Works Committee to ascertain the cost of meeting the suggestion of the Birkenhead Commis loners, and to communicate with them and the Corporation - Liverpool, as to the proportion of the cos: to be borne by respfctiye bodies interested therein, and that the commit `all be at liberty to consider and report upon any other ey may conceive - Calculated to carry out the objects tby the aorentlssioners of Birkenhead. minittee have to report that, in pursuance of this 4 had an interview with the Finance Committee of the ToWn Council, and ascertained ,that the Corporation declined to bear any portion of the expense. Your committee liare also ascertained from the Birkenhead Commissioners that, ?s all the improvements at Woodside will be made upon the estate of this board, they would prefer paving a fair percentage on the gross amount of their luggage traffic. Your committee have to report, that from the best informa tion they have been able to obtain, the present cattle, carriage, cart, and goods traffic between the various Cheshire ferries and 'Liverpool amounts to about £7,000 per annum. The committee consider that, with the facilities whichwould be ifforded by the engineer's proposed plans, this traffic will be greatly Increased, not only by similar traffic to that from 'rich the present revenue is derived, but also by a large of dock and railway traffic, when the docks are fairly •eso?utiou, th completed and in operation: The engineer reports the cost of the proposed new approaches on the Liverpool side at £38,500, and at Woodside at £20,000, being a total of £58,500. .He estimates the annual cost of maistaining these in efficient repair at £1,099 ; but say .. £1,200 The cost of poliee, &c., may be estimated at... 350 To' which must be added interest at 4 per cen:.. 2,340 Making a total annual r The engineer reports that by us,thr timber instead of iron girders h can reduce the cost of the bridges from Viz.:—On the Liverpool side of , 0A of 43,890 .ver, from. And at Woodside in the cost of the floating road to the • proposed £38,504 to £33,500 stage, from £20,000 to £15,500 and this plan, if adopted,' will reduce the annual charge £3BO, being the interest at 4 per cent. on the saving of cost, £340. The annual charge, therefore with iron girders will be £3,890, and with wood £ 3,510, and the expease of inaintaining the structure will be the same an either plan. Your committee are of opinion that the different Cheshire 'ies. using the proposed approaches, should contribute i.rds the interests and other ehars . pent on the fair basiA of ioneay, and the follow rrangernent appears to them to be That the Birkenhead Commissi should contribute 25 r gent. of the gre I.by them all traffic, in fact, given with any additional fulness since. At present, they were •asked to accept a tender for tow_ and American 'oak. Now, the American ()al, was five thousand feet, amounting to a good many hundred pounds, aid of what it was for, no information was given whether for the Dock-yard—to be sunl: in the " bottemless pit"—or applied to any useful purpose. In the next place, he wished to atik the Chairman,of the Works Committee, or his representative for the time being, whether his attention had been called to certain sales of land, or negotiations for sale, which had recently taken place at 13irkenheall The board were made by award to pay 14s. a yard for land at Wallasey pool, most part of it covered by the tide every day in the year, and which had never yielded rent, or any value whatever. Now, at Birkenhead, the Commissioners were recommending the sale of a picked piece of land in Hamilton -square, for 15s. a yard, with four frontages. The CnAtumAN---Ready now, Mr. Boult, the sale of land is not before the board, in any shape or way. Mr. BOULT said the valuation of land which they had to purchase at Wallasey Pool, they had to do with. It was before the board, because it was going on ; and he wished to ask the question, as fixing its value. He was merely going to say that the Birkenhead Commissioners sold land in the Park for 3s. 4d., and a discount of 20 per cent. eff, which made it 2s. Bd. That land was already enclosed. The CHAIRMAN—ReaIIy, you are zoing not before the board. Mr. BOULT said he had merely mentioned this, that the chairman of the Works Committee might bring it before the arbitrators, because they were paying far too much. Mr. RANKIN, in reply, said, if Mr. Boult had looked through the proceedings, he would have seen that the oak was for coveting bridges. It was much less expen sive than teak, and Mr. Hartley thought it would answer the purpose as well. The other matter was entirely in the hands of the arbitrators, and whether the price fixed was too much or too little, he was afraid t hey could not help it. ' The proceedings were then confirmed. The Engineer obtained leave to run dry the Queen's half-tide dock, after evening tide on the 23rd inst., f.r cleaning and repairing, giving the usual notices. The proceedings of the Warehouse Committee were then read and confirmed. The Marine Committee had not met during the week. TRE PILOTAGE COMMITTEE.—LICENSING MASTERS AND MATES OF COASTING STEAMERS, The following very important resolutions were sub mitted : The Pilotage Committee having again proceeded to discuss the subject (so often already under their consideration) of the propriety of licensing, under the 340th section of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1854, the master or mate of any coasting steamer to pilot his owa vessel ; and having also considered the opinions expressed by the Board of Trade, in .letters dated 30th July last, and 12th ultimo, and the apparent determination of that board themselves to issue such licenses under the 342nd section of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1854, if their committee should still decline to do so, and having very fully weighed the whole question In all its aspects-- It was Resolved—That under the circumstances, it be recom mended to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, upon the application of the owners of any coasting steamers, to admit to examination, and, if he shall be found competent, to license the master or mate of any such steamer, to pilot the vessel to which he may for the time being belong, and while such vessel shall continue the property of the same owners, but subject to all the existing rules and regula tions relating to Liverpool pilotage, except in so far as they are necessarily varied by this present resolution. Resolred---At the same time, that that this. committee con sider it their duty to record that they adopt this resolution, principally in deference to the desire and determination so expressed by the Board of Trade, and without being able . . to divest themselves of the apprehension which they ha' entertained, that the change is hazardous. Mr. SHAND moved that the proceedings be confirmed; mad that the resolutions read be adopted. He did not mean to say that the resolutions contained all that they recommended to do; but they were called upon to do no more. The only thing that could be found fault with, was the expression of the feeling of the corn mittee as to the policy of such a course, though they had passed it without any other reservation than basing a resolution upon it. £38,500 to £49,00 I Mr. Bon= seconded the motion. Mr. EVANS observed that the Pilotage Committee' were going- contrary •to their judgment. Now he apprehended that the Board of Trade had- not asked them to do anything of the sort ; and he should put it to them, whether it was consistent with the dignity of the board that such a document as that should go out — that a resolve should go out contradicting itself—the one resolution recommending a certain course, „ and the other immediately condemning it. He should move that the latter resolution be left out altogether, as quite both the committee 'an unnecessary, and in other respects injurious; . and, I would state, derogatcir bard Mr. BUSHELL seconded the amendment. He quite agreed with Mr. Evans, that if the' Pilotage Committee thought it right .to act upon the' suggestions of the Board of Trade, they should do - it more graciously than the second resolution would indicate. He thought they were stultifying themselves . by passing a resolution, ad mitting they were subject to pressure, against their own convictions. He did not quarrel with the first res' lution, because he thought it a necessity. He objected to the second. - - The CHAIRMAN said the Pilotage Committee was composed not only of members of that board, but flier- Chants of standing in the town. One-third, at least, must not be members of that Board ;I:and he thought it would be rather hard—the committee feeling, no doubt, a difficulty upon ,the subject—if they could not record their own convictions. He thought, so far as the board was concerned, that they might pass the first resolution without adopting the latter, but leav ing it upon the minutes to show the feeling of the com- mittee.' Mr. EVANS-Why is it submitted to us, if we have not power to reject it ? The CHAIRMAN—It is open to you, but I think it would be rather hard. Mr. GRAVES thought the committee had a perfect right to record upon their own minute book their convic tion on the matter. The reception of it would not bind the board in any way. As a matter of courtesy, they received it. The Dock Board he supposed, as the responsible parties, would have to communicate with the Board of Trade upon the subject; and he had no doubt that communication would be based upon the first resolution. Mr. 13otnir said, as he was one of those who concurred in passing the resolutions as they stood, perhaps he might say a few words ,in reply to the speakers who had just sat down. In the first place, he might say that they were,' in fact, acting under a compulsion of this kind. The Board of Trade placed before the Pilotage Committee a choice of two evils. They said, you shall either have separate independent authority for licensing pilots for the port withbut your concurrence, or we shall do what we require yQII ick,..do. The Pilotage Coin mittee thought a divided authority was a greater evil than any hard' that might arise from - licensing those other men, those mates and captains, and they therefore determined to yield. He (Mr. Boult) did not profess to have-a: practical opinion worth anything upon this question; but he had found that those members longest on the committee, and best qualified by their nautical experience to judr, did feel great apprehenSion that serious mischief might arise, involving the loss of many lives, by the adoption of the course forced upon them; and he therefore felt bound to defer their view of the matter, so, far at least as that they should put the moral responsibility of the act where it lies, namely, upon the Board of Trade, who' had compelled them to adopt it. He thought they had been too mealy-mouthed' upon many occasions ; they had spared to speak out, and lay the responsibility where it ought to be. He thought the interests of the Trust had suffered thereby, and he should never be a party to keep back •the full expression of sentiments which so nearly and dearly interested:them. them.. Mr. Bushell, in the remark he made, most surely had forgotten that the whole policy of that T to rust,. for th e l ast f ew years, had been to give way preessoniurep.uisiTon,heyanwderewespreendniontg allowed millions t 'ofo spend . moneyjudgment. upon that money acco r di ng to their own The practical manag emen t an d control of their own affairs had been taken out of the hands of the ratepayers most undeservedly, impertinently, and unjustifiably' It had been done by Act of Parliament. The present was one little consequence of their first giving way. However, they were in difficult circum stances, and must make the best of it. They must either submit to yield, or have two independent pilot authorities in the rye ; and he thought that, as they were yielding under compulsion, they should let the fact be known. After- a few words from Mr. Langton, which, were inaudible, Mr. Slum) said they might shape as . they pleased' their communication to the Board of Trade ; but as the chairman had remarked, the Pilotage Committee was peculiarly constituted, and they had recorded what their opinion was. • • Mr. ETAws---But we need not endorse it. Mr. SaLarp—lt is not necessary that you should en dorse anything, but that you have received such a de- ;sengers, and flf, , ,gage yea on the Cheshire side should pay 20 per cent. of the gross receipts for goods and cattle traffic, being 5 per cent. less than the, amount proposed to be elarged to Woodsi2e Ferry, as the other fel proaches to them at their own cost. tentage to be baser , on the same scale of eh, at Woodside Ferry. Them may be a difference of trafflo the improved approaches will create, bu he other fen cries m The ist improve the ,ount of such per ges as that levied on as to the arnolint for from. £7,000 calculated a, the avera,ie of the fi It 9 only 210,000 per creased big the 'e years to be increased he W " d- ) £6,666 13 4 ide Ferry, ♦?z At 25 per cent And one-third by all the ! 3,333 6 8 other ferries At 20 per cent Estinnatedrevenue, £1,666 13 4 £lO,OOO 0 0 666 13' 4 Estimated annual cost withiron girders Estimated deficiency And if the Engineer's reduced estimates should be adopted, there will, as before stated, be a saving of interest on outlay of £2,333.6 '8 3,890 0 0 £1,06 13 4 sso o o Estimated deficiency ' 1,176 13 4 In considering this apparent .d e fi c i ency, the com..aittee beg to call attention to the fact that the present ferry traffic has reached £7,000, without any - proper facilities for carrying it on ; MIT as they have assumed a very small increase conse quent on the proposed improvements, they may reasonably expect, in the course of a few years, the traffic will increas, so as to fully meet the expenditure. _ , ite useless for carriages, ,er portion of, each tide, Your committee"must o'bserve also that the p: to -the large Landing-stage being qn carts, or heavy traffic for t necessary the [option of t bridges Plan pioposed by the itOn - ICommittee, therefore, strongly advise that the pro posed approaches to both Landing-stages should be constructed, as they consider the interests of the Trust, and of commerce generally, will be greatly promoted by any facilities which tend to connect more closely the large property held by 'the Trust on both sides of the 'Mersey. The sub-committee subniit to the Works Committee the pre rixed report, which they recommend.to be adopted. RALPH BROCKLEBANK, ROBERT RANKIN. JOHN LAIRD. LiTepool, Sept. 30, 1859. JAMES SMITH. Attached to the report were two tables, one showing that the average quantity of goods conveyed across the various ferries, yielded, at the rate of the Woodside tariff, about £22 a day ; and that the present amount of cattle and goods traffic crossing the river might be assumed to amount to about. £7,000 per annum. The second table contained a return of the traffic at the North Landing -stage, from which it appeared that in the month of Au,, ,, ust last, 466 sea-going steamers had landed or embarked goods and passengers at the stage ; and that the number of wheeled vehicles bringing or removing luggage or goo d s amounted, including hand carts; to a total of 1,265. Mr. ANDERSON asked, might not the report be de ferred a week for conideration ? It might be taken as read, as they had all got copies? Mr. RANKIN—Yes ; and the reporters could have a copy, The CHAIRMAN said it then.only remained for them to sap; what day they would. fix. for the discussion. 'Mr. RANKIN suggested thatsky fortnight, which was agreed upon ; and the - chairman announced that, in the intetim, the pans would lay upon the table. Mr. EVANS—Then it is proposed to put. all the expense upon the dock estate'? The CHAIRMAN—It is prbposed to take the report as read, and defer the discussion. Mr. EVANS wished to know. if that was the spirit of the proposal ? He wanted to knoW if the Dock Board were to pay the whole of the expense for what would be eminently useful to the town;—a great deal more So than to the dock estate ? Mr. RANXIN said they had better not enter upon the discussion that day. Mr. - Evans would see, on reading_the report care f u lly, th a t the refenne . derived from it in a short Per i od wou ld bo—mOre- tharislifficient to pay a 1 1... the- interest and - expenses ; and,• perhaps, it was - better that no one should have anything to say on the matter at present. • Mr.-BOULT, before the confirmation- of the proceedings, wished to ask a feNe questions. A month .or two ago, they had a, slight discussion as to the imperfect informa tion given to the boa r d of the purpose to which the various articles tenderedfor, - were to be applied; and, he was sorry to tab that those particulars had not been myrTHERIT DAILT cla?"atical'9Pt. the- part of.. thetilotageT Cor.inittee.,T At Mr. Boult;has stated, iliey,pq you in this.predieament ; if you do not givp, way, they, are going to establish a new tysteiri of pilotage inli - iverpooL Mr. MONDEL defen - dedlthe resylutions.as they stood. The CnAtint4li sutestul t'aey might pa.ss. 4 resolu tion, stating that the board not conenr in:ihe.second of the resolutions, hilt adoptig : the first, Mr.-RINKiN titought, to §ave any,reEc upon the committee, it wOhldite :better for tfte hoard just to give the first resolution, and Make no reference to thesesoud. . . I don't.think • you can sny,yon, don't n aresOlutioil which is based upon another which SHAND- You adop liusuEir it not do to number the. ye& ie LoArtl :confirm, the first .resolutia -Wo pia To adopt 'the first, would, he theuc,fht, nd say nothing bout the second, Ir. SMIT:i said it ap,i)eard to. hi there Was a dif- fientt;• in (1( line witli this arising _ from. the consisted of .thirteen rentlenaen, members of that board, and thirteen who fact, that Commit the best way were .not members. Icession was, would be to refer tt with the view of a. c!solutions: back to, the cpramittqe, taiailig if they could not, brim them . befoke be at ()nee theil forwarded s to. tla Lerstpod this subject Ding Act of 1854, cer= pat on Frilar. This was al graving dock, it was to gc application for Extension of time It was then resolved. --that the appliCation shouldbe declined M s LLANEous :A:letter was read from Nr; Thomas Jones, of the Clarendon Newsr&m, making application for. permission to rent the top part of the'docK-wall facing Waterloo road; and eitendirig.further northwards, for the purpose of exhibiting notices . and other and addresses. of LiverpoOl merchants and tradeSmen; The CII4IRMAN----I Suppose,, declined. We have refused all inch applicatioti;.. BOULT thouglt Ag . sy had better refer it. Tf they could make money out' of aeir, blaak walls, it would be The CHAiitmix:—. cry well , refer,it. sTANCT7 TO: tptbA.TIONA A. letter was read from Mr. William Forbes, stating that an effort *as now ling, mad,e to erect National SchOols, iii connection with St. Jzitues's ca-eottates arch, a t Birkenhead,' and respectfully solicit, c 'were at preSent 1,200 for whose instruction ing aid frOrnlte board. The] children at Cie Dock-cotta es there was no adequate or perlllaliQnt provision )ecii ' their estimated cost, in addition to the Government criant. was 1.000-. Mr: EVANS did not think they could entertain it Mr. Mimi Act moved that:it. be, refeqed 'to St Jommittee. ila taougnt ny tne new act tney had liowey to grant aid to any charitable object. •The CHATit , IAN-At the same time, ,we don't make grants of that kind. Mr._llusltmA seconded Mr, ilubback:a motion. They took an immense: number' of lahourers from other dis tricts where educational' facilities abound ;, iud,.,from Finance . , . . their fathers being at 'work is - tin isolated 'place, were those ehildreit'to be dep'riyed of the blessings of iedup- ever obtain it He tho ht they ought noCto Miss by such an 'application,, *ithOut aacertainiva whether they Could entertain it ornot. ' : The CitAilnic4 asked under whose care those scholars were to be"? 'Were they to be" Itornm Catholic. ChUrch of -England, or Independent?' By granting the appli cation, they would be introducing rciigious discussions at the board. No doubt thiS would be followed by .other Applications, this side of ilac . water as . well as the : other. EvANS said no one had niore're4pect for Mr. he had - ; he'.had never heard 'Bushel's opinions thai anything so - wild aS'tli dea he had Vare.wh oul gentlemati eras biiilding• a lions paid his workmen Well, - was their children'g•edn,:!ation a the country, and he jng printiples' of social economy Mr. 80 - ULT said these v of Doak- Now, 't he to be awssvCrable subvrt all e.ist- it Schools, Church of the.tab6a; rs in the ttages were Catholics. • If they could establish a school utterly utisectarian, so that, all the children could go in, he should feel dikposed to support it.' Mr. EVANS—Give your awn money, then. (Laughter.) MT. BOULT'said he should be glad to give his-own Money, but not fo'i a school on so narrov as'that. It would involve them in nci e bility and difficulties. mindation ,nct of resnonsi- I'6.ll:latter was referred to the Finance comniittet THB DOCK BOARD AND THE BIRERNELBAD RAILWAY The following letter was read:— ary's 0111 head, Oct. 4th, 1859, LIVERPOOL POLIkE -COURT.--'izsrzßDAy [Before Mr. MINIS7IILD.) STAnnING IN PETER-67REET.----MTS. Dyas, keeper of a beer-house in Peter-itreet, appeared to prosecute a disreputable woniin, named Ann Swain, for stabbing her. From the evidence of Mrs. Dyas, it appedied that on Wednesday evening, there was some dispute in the house of the prosecutrix, during which the prisoner came in, used most abusive and insulting language, struck the prosecutrix on the head with a poker, and stabbed her in •th-a arm with. a knife. A militiaman gave similar evidence.—Mr. Bluck, who appeared for the defence, called- :two • witnesses, who swore that the assault was not committed .by the prisoner, but by " Nick Hannen, a fighting-man.'' They also described the hone of the prosecutrix, as being a brothel of the worst character.—The' prisoner was convicted, and ordered to pay' a penalty of 40s. andcosts,,Or to suffer two months' imprisonment. _ _ ASSAULTING' THE POLICE.—Ross Campbell, a tall and powerful Scotchman, was, charged with assaulting Police; officers Thomas Kerse (249), and Wm. Howe (435). The prisoner, it appeared, was in Eyrom-street the previous evening, carrying one of the forbidden po lice sticks. With this he commenced knocking on the ground in'suCh a manner as led the Officers- to - believe it was the inspector who was calling, and that there was some alarm of a serious character. They ran to the spot,, and asked prisoner what he wanted ? His re- Ply was, " How dare a man in uniform like you address a gentleman," at the same time seizing the beard of Officer 249.---Mr. Mansfield : I suppose he wanted to see your number ; but you gentlemen wear such long beards, that they totally cover the figures."—Ultimately the prisoner was fined in 20s. and costs, or, in default, to suffer one month's imprisonment. RIVAL LODGING-lIOUSE KEEUILS.-7—Andrew Kirwin, an emigrant runner, __was .charged with assaulting Thomas : Gill ; lodging-house keeper, Carleton-street. m - Frothe j videnee of the prosecutor, it appeared that he vas- iq'Waterloo-road, on the afternoon of the 26th September. Kirwin overtook him, and struck him three or four times ; they were separates, and Gill went h‘riae..!• About an hour afterwards he was in Waterloo-road, and met Kirwin, who again struck him with his fists, took out his brass badge and struck him on the head and face with it. He also attempted to kick 'him.—Mr. Cobb,, who managed the prosecution, brought forward two witnesses to prove the above facts. Mr. Bluck, on the part ;of 'the defendant, said the real culprit, was. Gill, ,who was jealous of the. defendant, because the fatter could get' more lodgers than the pro secutor, Who took every possible means of insulting and annoying Kirwin. On the evening in question, Gill strack , Kirwin.first, and, the latter returned the blow. Several witnesses were examined for the defence; whose evidence was to the effect stated.—A surgeon from the Northern Hespital said that whea Gill was examined by him, he had a severe scalp wound; several other injuries about the face, arid a slight cut on the nose.. The injuries might, have been inflicted by a porter's badge.—Defendant was fined 40s. and costs, which were irianediately paid. . SERIOUS CHARGE. AGAINST A TRADESMAN.—Itobert M'Kee, a mildle-:aged and very respectable-looking man; described as a general dealer, having a warehouse at 17, Manesty 7 laue, was charged with stealing a quan tity of lea froni the Warehouse of, Mr. Miller, 3, Ohuroh-lane:Poliee. officer flOO said, that on the pre iieus' evening, he was called into the office of Mr. Miller, and told,by an assistant that •Mr. M'Kee had been . in the Warehouse, and had stolen some tea. A clerk accompanied him (the officer) to the warehouse of Isfr."M'lcee. When there, - they accused Mr."M'Kee of stealing the tea, when he replied—" For God's sake, say nothing aboat it : you'll ruin me." They found 11 oz. of tea 'sPiread on the counter. He was then taken into Custody.—James Lowe, an assistant to Mr. Miller, said that on Wednesday afternoon, shortly be fore three o'clock, the prisoner came into the warehouse of .Mr.! Miller, and-asked for half-a-pound of tea. When Putting it up, he (witness) observed the prisoner taking some loose tea out of a -box and putting it into his pocket. He also , took some tea out of a drawer.—Mr. Bluck, who appeared for the defence, said : Did you not ask the prisoner to treat you ? Witness : Yes. But it was fof the purpose of detaining him till an officer arrived ; I had sent another clerk in search of one. Witness accompanied the Police-officer to 17, Manesty-lane, where they found the prisoner behind a counter examining the stolen tea.—Mr. Black : How do you know that •the tea was stolen ? I saw him take it, and I know the particular description of tea which was taken.—Mr. Bluck addressed his Worship,, contending that there was not the slightest evidence - to • show that the prisoner hid taken the tea, and asked for an acquittal.--Ilis Worship said that the value of was, very . trifling,., yet there was a question of honesty in the case, and he would not take upon himself to deter , mine the credibility of the witness, or the innocence or guilt of the prisoner. He should send M'Kee for trial, but wciald aCcept sureties in £5O each. [Before Messrs. CROSTHWAITE and HounirroN.] - SEAMEN'S WAGES CASES.—A seaman, named James GriSiths,:'sned Captain Pierce s of the ship Devon, for £4 75., balance of wages. The complainant had shipped in the Devon as boatswain to Seville, on the 14th of July last, at £i wages per month. The amount claimed was balance now due. Captain Pierce was examined, and said that he refused to pay for two reasons —one, that the :complainant 'was found incapable; and : the other; that he (the complainant ) had to g o into hospital at Seville, , which cost Whim (the captain) £4 75., the amount claimed, a receipt for which he produced. Mr. Bluck contended that the receipt was not valid, be cause the complainant did not authorise the captain to pay it ; and secondly, if the man was ill, the captain was obliged to keep him. The magistrates gave judgment for the complainant, with full costs. John Dowling, late steward of the ship Fort George, summoned Captain John Smith, master of that vessel, for' £4B dia. Bd. " The. complainant gave the following account of the circumstances connected with his claim. Re had,-been in the naval service, and had certificates of character and ability. On the 4th of August, 1858, he shippeden board the Fort George, for Calcutta,. at £4 a Month. 'On the voyage out the captain was always quarrellinc , with him, and having been assaulted at Cal cutta, he' 2 ct ) lie'cOmplainant) brought both the captain and mate efOre the authorities there, who fined the former ten, - and the latter five rupeeS. The captain threatened to be revenged on him, and would not con sent to let him have. his discharge at Calcutta. On arriving in the United" Kingdom, the,captain offered bim .he refused. The captain produced the official log, and- read several entries over, which had previously been read to the complainant, charging him with 'negligence in the performance of his duties, and of using violent lanpage.—The magistrates ordered the captain to pay the : whole of the claim, de ducting £1 a month from the 2nd March—in all, L 42 28..8d.. • _ the tea ILLEGAL WA TWITS A;ND MEASURES.--The following persons, summoned for using illegal weights and measures, were fined in the sums named, in- addition to the usual costs in each ease :—Margaret Smith, mush room dealer, St. James's Market, quart measure 11 gill deficient, 2s. 64.—Arthur Muntz, provision dealer, 16, Bell-street, butter scale 6 drachms against purchaser, ss. —Joseph Lavezzolo, provision dealer, 64, Lower Har rington-street, butter scale 5 drachms against purchaser, ss.—John M'Millen, provision dealer, 29, Robert-street, Toxteth Park, machine 6 drachms against purchaser, 2s. 6d.—Robert Smith, hide merchant, 14, Redeross street, three light. weights, 100.—Jahn Wilkinson, -fish dealer, 118, Mill-street, scale- 3 oz. against purchaser, ss. Bessy. Dougher, fish dealer, 18, Albert-street, 2 lb. weight 2 oz. light, ss. Mary Langan,.- fish dealer, 5 Court, Henderson street, two light weights, 53.—Mary Ann Gerrard, mushroom dealer, Great Charlotte-street, pint measure a gill short, 2s, 6d.—Mary Sullivan, mushroom dealer, No. 65, Upper Mann-street, quart measure more than half a pint deficient, 2s. 6d.—Ann Develin, fruit dealer, Islington (house, 9, Orange-street), quart measure nearly half a pint deficient, 10s. Fined four times pre viously.—David Jones, provision dealer, 67, Bostock street, machine oz against purchaser, 2s. 6d.—Thos. • Jones, provision dealer, 336, Scotland-road, 41b weight 3oz,light, 10s,—Thos. Hanley, marine store dealer, 2, Grenville-st., scale 7oz. against seller, 56.—G. Bainbridge, provision dealer, 429, Scotland-road, scale oz. against purchaser, ss.—Bridget Byrne, marine-story dealer, 245, ne l e 4 r , 0 6 2 5 . against Tho s. 14 4 Ard Vauxhall-road, scale 12 oz. against seller, 20s.—Thos. Somerville, coal dealer, Burlington -street, selling coal by measure, ss.—Thomas -Hanley,. marine-store dealer, purchaser, 55.. 2, Grenville-street, Fille s - 9,, stree H t, o s r e n a b le y.. , s 4 tr o e z e, oz. a gainst se Mr.. R. STsrnEzisorr, M.P.—The health of Mr. ,B,obert Steph e nson, the eminent enginee r , is- re establised. Mr. Stephenson's indisposition was very much exaggerated in the journals in which it was noticed, and the hon. gentleman is now pronounced convalescent, inffimpd, and be Merchant Sh tain clauses were introduced; by w:•ich the Board of Trade, if the Dock Board declined to do it, should hav( power to license the masters or mates pf coasting steamers. He believed, when the bill passed' through Parliament, it Was opposed: at the time by the Pilots' Committee, as decidedly and strongly as it could be. It was -unsucCessfullyppposed, 'and there fore- the opinion of 'Parliament was, that the masters . and - matEg of coastinz vessels and eoastinz steamers it in Then our Pilot .s it, is, does not agrc and, the think. having „-assumed le Board of Trade, having. also„ he:dared -were likely . . to, .proceed to,appoint examiners of their own. The committee now,:spoke'of under compulsion, bat ,admitted, it. was desirable, ather than have two pilotage,authorities, to . submit to ;he Board of Trade. It appeared is him,.then, that such a resolution as the second one was not desirable: was not desirable that:..such :a resolution . itth that Act of Parliament this shape, ken opium: to the I3oard of Trade and he CO'nfessed' he did not himself see anything hazaraous in Lhe proposal. . Mr: RANKIN said. the latter part, that objected to, could not be called d;.esolutiou : it was merely a com- F6RWOOD decidedly concurred in the ftpcond He thought the Pilotage committee were better qualified to judge than .the Board, of. Trad er They should go before tberkin a false position, if they merely passed the first resolution. : Mr. AnNoLD said it. appeared to him, not being a nautical member, that there was something :in the resolution, second resolution the second resolution that it was hazardous to license masters and mates. In the first, that they were to be licensed, "if found competent." . (A laugh.) The CHAIRMA.N said the, suggestion of the Solici Was, that they sh .adictOry. of t stated in .d get over .ills difficulty by passing a specific resolution almost in the words-of the first. Mr. EVANS-Wlyy do you wish to: wriggle out ? Here .the s( ;ond is :cOndenm- The.CILAIRVAN—We , shall not .put the, second,reso ltition upon the books of the Mersey, Board, but it will be upon the books of the PI it's C9ninlitt said there was .no, real contradiction in the resolutions, as Mr, Arnold.apprehended.: A man might be competent, and yet he might Misconduct him self after he had been licensed. He might so miscon duct himself as to become ineqmpqent ;and yet, after being once liCengeil;the Pilotage Glonainittbd would have no power or control over him. (.Bear.) After some farther conversation; the - board divided upon Mr. Evans's amendment; simply adopting 'the first' resolution, without sreference : to the SeCencl; which was carried: by a- majority of 12to :6. - The following was the division : _ _ -For the Amenciment.—Messrs. Arnold,'Thisht;Vl, Evans, Graves, Bubback, Inman, Langton, Littledale, Rankin, Segar, SMith, and the Chairman. Against the Amendment (and for the-adoption of both resolutions).—Messrs. Anderson, Boult, Farnworth, Forwood, Mondel, - and Shand. Mr. MONDEL moved, as an amendment, that the but not ha The pro !k to the Pilot ground ided, it fell to the nas were' then confirmed. a question of the Mr. `BusitEd •wishect- to ask Chairman of the Pilots' Committee, and that ' waS, whether his attention had been dri*n to the fact:that a large vessel, the Monica, had been soine days moored in the very track of the ferry steamers; and he understocid that the river was perfectly free* from ships; and that there-was no necessity, or justification for this whatever ? There - was a heavy fog upon the river that morning for' three hours, and the captains of the ferry' steamers had' the greatest difficulty innvoiding the vessel. -Mr. ItANKth made some reply which was inaudible. . Mr. MONDEL said he had called the attention 'O'f the inspector to two vessels moored in the direct track of the ferry boats; and he had said he was instituting inquiries as to who Were the piloti. • Mr. BusilLt, 'expressed himself satisfied. The proceedings . of the Decks and Quays' Committee, and of the Master Porter's Committee were Olen ie44' and confirmed. -' • ' • ' REPAI4 OF LARO VESSEL% IN. THE LOCK OF 'ME c4.NA.DA DOCK A letter was read from Mc. John Laird, stating that he had yesterday applied , to the Harbour-master for the steamship Jason to remain in•the Canada Dock till Tuesday. She wouklzequire to sail from Galway, on the 15th inst., with mails and passengers. The matter had been referred to th& Docks and Quays Committee, who stated that they were not in a position to grant the application, unless he , could give a, guarantee that .she would be out on that day. It was quite impossible to give a guarantee to that iffeit;lint fie fully expected that the_repairs would be ,completed by that ten sidering the urgency of the ca-se, and the great loss that would be occasioned if the ship were floated out-before thework was completed, it was hoped the board would take the matter into favourable consideration. The CHAIRMAN said the subject of that letter had been before the Pocks and Quays Committee the day before, and they thought, at the time, they were:rather stretching a point ia allowing the vessel to remain in the Canada-dock,, with guarantee; till Tuesday, be cause it rendered the entrance to the.deck quite useless. The Persia, was expected 'at thd.end of .the week, and might require to go in on Saturday night or Sunday morning. Now, this vessel came here as a coaster ; and,' of course, she was entitled to every accommodation, but not to the displacement of other. vessels: The 'applica tion was, in fact, for the lock to be Shut - up for an indefinite time, because Mr. Laird would, give no guar antee ; and the Docks and Quays! Committee were unanimous in declining it. - • Mr. RANKIN-Mr. Maclver seldom sends the Persia into dock. • • The CH AIRMAN—But as she was going out, she met with an accident, .and till . she conies in, we cannot say whether she will enter or. not. The Jason being there, is shutting up the deep water entrance into the dock. Mr. INMAN said it happened that a steamer of his own was expected up that night or in the morning, and she a could on not occupyingge into nt o t h a e single position do it did. in consequence of the Jason Mr. GRAVES must certainly confess he should rather any other vessel lay there than tie Jason, because there was an. idea abroad' that Liverpool was antago nistic, to any vessels but its- own. • Ile exceedingly regretted that this should have' occurred with one of another line of packets not-using our own port; and, if it were passible to grant the concession, he thought they should do so, even if they did not financially gain by it. The CHAIRMAN—That is not the qnestion at all. Mr. GRAVES—But you called it a coasting steamer ? The -CHAIRMAN—It shuts up the deep water entrance. The matter had been anxiously considered, and a great point stretched in consequence of the existence of that very feeling which had been named. Mr. GRAVES was glad that drawn from the chairman that explanation, which would be satisfactory to the public at large. He thought this a case of peculiar emergency ; and if it got abroad that we could not grant facilities to vessels that came here in distress, the work of those steamers would be seat to some other place. Mr. Eva.rrs thought that a very wrong inference to be drawn from the fact. Mr. BOULT said this was a question of tides. At present, no.vessel of any heavy draught .of water could dock in any dock in Liverpool. By Saturday or Sunday there would be water enough for the Persia at the Canada-dock entrance, but no other. Mr. ibtrrn said, when the vessel was admitted into the DEAR- STR,-T .. am Mersey Docks and , llarbour Bciard, a copy of a report from the manager of the company to the board of directors, and ,to '"intimate that claim will be made by us upon the Mersey Board for the extra expenses and loss to which• we are being •put in con.4equence of the workd now in pry completion of the Birkenhead` Docks. I am,' Aformation'of th , gress for th clear sir, yours faithfully, W. JOHNSON, S • Daniel :Mason, Esq., geCreta Mersey Docks and lla,rbourßoa.rd, Lfverpabl The following is the report above referred to :-- Birkenhead Railway Colnpariy, General Manager's Office Birkenhead, Oat. Ist, 1859. _ GEFTLEMEN,-.--I have to report that - since Friday, the 2ard ult., the conapany's gOods . traffic has been seriously inter rupted in consequence of the running off of the water in front of the:conapany'S wharf. The business: as been conducted on the Morpeth Dock quay, where but two cranes, and frequently only orie,"have" been allowed to be used bythe company. There is no•covered wharf for'our use, and other traffic is mixed up with that. of the company. The Mace is most inconvenient, and the fine iron and dry goods we were obliged to load in the rain, having to be cleaned and made good before deliveries could be made ; the cost of this, and of extra labour and shunt ing, is very considerable. The coal and coasting traffic are .together suspended. I purpose reporting in detail every :fortnight the extra leaned by the company in consequence of .the stop s elsewhere.--- Ithe wa page of their own station I am,, yours obediently, • (Sign To. the Directors ce, the: Birkenhead Railway CHAS. MASON' Mr. SMITH—And they will make a claim in the face of all that we have done ..for their according to our agreement ? Mr. BouLr--Well, sir, the force of impv,dence can. no further go. (Laughter.): • . The letter waa referred to the Works' Committee. The board then proceeded to determine •by lot' the order in which. he elective ;members shall retire from office on the Ist , ofJanuary,lB6o:442-3, after which the annual retirement will proceed by rotation. The result was as follows ~ .4—Tanuary,lB6o—Messrs. Graves, Tobin, Maclver, Brocklebank; Smith, and Farnwerth. January, 1861—Xessrs; Evans, Turner, Inman, Shand, Segar, and Moss.:. Jarivary, 1862—Messrs'. Langton, Arnold,i Rankin, Reline,: Lockett, and Anderson. . Mr. EVANS , '--" , ' This • is electioneering ' gambling.' (Laughter.) January, 1563—Messrs. Bo" Ilubbacki -Rounth waite; lintehiSon, Mondel, and Ter*dod. Mr. EVANS—These are the evergreens, (Laughter.) The following regulations for the use of the graving dock blocks; horizontal scores, 'stage ,poles, and planks, recoinmended by the Docks and Quays Committee for adoption by the board, were then considered :—BlockS:' One set for•the length given at the time'of regulating. — Horizontal' Shores One for every fifteen 'feet' of the leiili given at the time of regulatin g .—Stage Poles and Planks :' A sufficient number to make ° one tier of stages round the vessel,`to consist of two , plan's in breadth, and a gangway stage of two poles and five planks.—Any perion using or taking any graving dock block, horizontal shore, Stage pole or plank; or othdi artiele belongiiig to the dock estate, without permission .from the inspoltor Of graving dock stazci, &c., orrefusiug or neglecting to replace any of the articles aforesaid, as required by the inspector of graving dock stages, &e., will be subject to a penalty 'of .£S.—Damage done to any of the articles sapplied by the Dock. Beard for the use of vessels whilst in any of the graving docks, will be charged to the, owner, or master of the vessel, who will also be charged for the use of extra horizontal shores,. stage poles, or planks, at the rate of, sixpence per day for each shore, pole,' or plank. • . _ _ On the, motiop of Mi. Graves, seconded by Mi. Lang ton, the regulations were Confirmed. _ This was the whole.of the general business, and the board then proceeded,to matters of finance. IMPROVEMENT IN GENTLEMEN'S HATS ' Liver Pool, April 15, 1859. Messrs. KINNBAR and SIMPSON, St. George's-crescent, ‘.....,-.,. .. . , GENTLZMZN,—The-Hat you sold me,tgree days since I pro nonnc,e the most easy and comfortable Hat I have ever pre vionisfy worn—in fact, it is a luxviry to put on and take off tile head.—l aid, Gentlemen, yours truly, Bootle, April 20, M. Messrs. KixNiziat and SIMPSON, Hatters, St. George's-crescent, GENTLICXEN, — The Hat you made for me fits me better, and is more. comfortable, than any new. Hat I have ever had or worn prior to this, and I wish you success with your, new invention.---Yours truly, (signed;) COmmanderShip This letter was accompanied with a present of a very 'rich and beautiful otter skin. , MeE6r6. KINNEAR AND SIMPSON, „--- . DEAR SIRB,-1. have great pleasure in beanng my testimony to the comfort afforded me by your improved Hat, and iii windy weather it holds comfortably and firmly to the head. Tours truly, Goree Piazzas, Liverpool, April 23, 1350. • . Lancaster, June 30, 1330. Messrs. KINNEAt Aarn SlxesoN LiverpooL Giormaxaa,---I have much pleakure in infolining yen that the Hat which I receivedirom you through Mr.*-- satisfies me in, every respect. The improvement in the head-lining renders it, in my opinion, one of the most comfortable and con venient Had ever yet produced; and I beg to assure you that I can confidently recommend it to the publle.---Yours, faith fully, The above letters, with numerous others, ix reference to Simeiung's EAST-Firriao RATS, have been received by Meows. Kinnear and Simpson, and may be seen at their shops, 6,9 T. GEORGE'SCRESCENT - , and 9, DALE-STREIT, LIVERPOOL' NATIONAL SOCIAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION. The arrangements for the: National. Social Science meeting at Bradford aro now almost completed, and the sitting of the association will-commence - by a special service in Bradford: parish-.church, on Monday afternoon next. The. Lord .Bishop'Of Ripon will preach a sermon on this occasion.' " The-opening - addtess m St. George's Hall *ill be delivered by the Earl of Shaftesbury. Lord Brougham, Mr. Adderley, • M.P., Mr. Cowper, M.P., Mr. Monckton Wines, M.P., Mr. Titus Salt, MY., and other gentlemen are expected to attend. OCTOBER 7, 1850. HEALTH COMMITTEE. The usual weekly meeting of this committee was held' yesterday, in the Council-room of the Town-hall, Mr. Alderman DOVER in the chair. The other members present were—Messrs. Beckwith, Vernon, Crelirn, Shea, Stitt, Bowling, Avison, Anthony, Gladstone, au& gay-- dock. The Borough Engineer, Building Surveyor - and- Inspector of Nuisances, reported various particulars of the operations in their several departments during the week, from which it appeared that 124 nuisances com plained of by inhabitants had been inspected, and means taken to remedy them; 994 houses in the unhealthiest districts, containing 3,027 apartments and 431 cellars, had been put_ under examination, with the view of improving their sanitary condition ; 227 lodging-houses had also been examined and reported upon. _ Mr. BECKWITH remarked' fn reference to a portion: of the Inspector of Nuisances' report, regarding a quantity of stinking fish and meat in the market that had been complained of as a nuisance, that such things ought not to be allowed to remain to stink the whore neighbourhood. He thought a remonstrance of some kind should be sent from the Health Committee to the Markets' Committee on the subject, Mr. k VERNON asked why this had not been dealt wit as a ny other nuisance ? Mr. GLADSTONE—Because it requires too. much -com mon sense—more than the Corporation of Liverpool - . has got. - Mr. STITT asked if the calling of a jury was accord inc to to a bye-law ? M‘GowAx answered that they were obliged to call a jury of tradesmen to say that the articles com plained of were bad; but - they could call a jury in five minutes. Mr. BzcxwlTH asked Mr. Higgins how long the fish remained after being complained of ? Mr. HIGGINS said the officer told him that the psh had been - seized in the morning, and remained after for two or three hours. Mr. CRELLIN said the matter could not have been dealt with sooner. - It was then agreed to send the report to the Markets' Committee. The Medical Officer of Health reported that the mor tality of the borough continues unusually low. The. - deaths which, in the first week in August, were 245: have, in the subsequent weeks, been successively 235, 226, 215, 205, -194,--190; - 189, and (last week) 170. The mortality of last week was 91 below the correeted - - average (excluding cholera) of the same week,ot the preceding ten years. Of the 170 death's last week, 114 were in the parish, And the out-townships. Of the deaths from zymotie diseases, 13 were from typhus, 15 from diarhoea, 10 from scarletina. 6 from hooping cough, 2 cholera, 1 diphtheria, 1 syphiles, and 1 measles. Diseases of the lungs caused 45 deaths. -During the quarter, 2,922 deaths were registered in Liverpool, in cluding 215 sudden and voilent deaths, and deaths in hospitals. This number is . 408 less than the corrected averag,e (without cholera) of the same quarter of the preceding ten years. The deaths in the metropolis, during the same period, were about 1,000. in excess of the average, excluding cholera. The deaths from diseases of the zymotic clasS numbered 897, about 200 less than the average ; more than one-half the number (4.58) were caused by diarrhoea ; 10.5 by typhus, 89 by hoopinougli, 82 scarlatina, 42 dysentrYr 21 cholera, 21 croup, 19 syphelis, 17 diptheria, 16 measles,- 10 erysipleas, 6 thrush, 3 purfuria, 1 scurvy*, 1 carbuncle, 1 quinsey, and -1 small-pox. The mor tality from small-pox is lower than ever previously recorded, only one death having occurred during the last four months—that of a child who had neverr - been vaccinated. Disease of the lungs occasioned 57 8 deaths, including 323 from consumption, giving a lower' mortality than in any previous corresponding quarter. Mr. STrei asked if Dr. Duncan could point out to the committee any particular reason for the decrease in mortality ? Dr. DUNCAN answered that the diminution was not confined'to any particular district of the town, foi there was a great improvement over the whole of the town. He could not, point positively to any particular cause, but he attributed it in a great measure to the sanitary works that had hem carried out ; and he thought it was partially owing to the atmosphere for some time past. Mr. GLADSTONE asked if his remarks referred to a length of time back or recently ? The committee were to bear in mind that they had no severe weather at all during the spring of this year, but they had weather after r y hot Dr. DUNCAN said he intended his remarks to apply as far back as January, in which month, for two weeks, the mortality was above the average. Mr. BECKWITH said he understood that proceedings were to be taken against the Lyceum for recovery of the rates. Mr. AVISON - slid, if the resolution was carried oat, it would, in _his opinion as a professional man, be less expenditure of money. Mr. SHELL said they had a question befOre the 'Fi nance committee not long ago. The case was drawn up and laid before the first barristers of the country,- and they gave a most distinct opinion on it; -but, when it was taken into court, it was decided against tbat opinion,—so much for the opinion ola lawyer. The matter then dropped: - • Mr. BOWRING pioposed that a sub-committee be appointed who would be answerable for the carryinc , out of that branch of the committee's business which reTated to lodgin,g.-honses. The CHAIRMAN said he understood that Tuesdaro committee would take it under their charge. Mr.. BOWRING was quite satisfied, so long as taw' matter had not been lost sight of. An agreement was come to -that Bath street, and Li number of other streets near the dock estate, were to b e swept in future by the - Mersey Board, in consideratio n of which the town was to pay the board the. soul l o f 14'7s. per' annum. The CHAIRMAN said Mr. M‘Gowan felt somewhat" annoyed by a letter that had been written by All . ' Theodore Rathbone on the subject of lodging-houses - The letter had been handed. to Mr. M'Gowan by Vl' Woodruff. Mr. BECKWITH asked for the letter to be read. Mr. MGowAN said.ho nnderstood it to be private. , Mr. BEciriviill said they could not deal with without they heard it. • - Mr..M'GowAri observed that, though the letter Wa s marked private, so long as he had the committee'o approval he. need not care what people outside said- The letter_that Mr. Rathbone had written was chargkot him with giving the committee very bad advice with respect to lodging-houses. Mr. SHELL said, in that case Mr. Rathbone had not paid any of thema high compliment, in charging therl with acting on bad advice. The CHAIRMAN—It is understood that we don't interfere. Mr. BEcirwmr—l really . think that the Town-cler k should have a fair stage. Now, the fact is this, Theodore Rathbone is going to make an amount of stock-in-tra de of this matter when he goes to the Social Science A °- elation at Bradford. I think the Town-clerk should down there and hear his statement, and then give 1:' opinion. It was then stated that it had been arranged that M r ' 31'Gowan, Mr. - Newlands, and Dr. Duncan' we re all t ° go to Bradford, to attend the meetings of the associ tion. • • The committee then separated. , .. . r. TRICENTENARY OF, THE ItEFORMATION. IN Er ns ' LAND.—The program me of arrangements for cornme-• morating the Tricentenary of the Reformation in Scot . land, has been published. It appears there is to be is .series 'of - "Meetings held in Idinburgh anring‘four dar, beginning on Tuesday, the 14th of August, Pro't ' t ° which not only Protestant Siachmeiiit home, bu testants from all lands, and of - all'eVangelical denomi nations, are invited; and at which papers forming th e basis of conversation will be - read,- illustrative of h e Lamont, vonnger, of Knockdow, civil and religious history of Scotland before, at, sin subsequent to the Reformation: CRUISING IN THE ARCTIC SEAT.--The fine schooner' yacht .Grittevra,'-of. 142 tons; belowing .to. Mr. J ames on Sunday, from. ' Spitzbergen, bringing her owner all Lord David - Kennedy, who • have' passed the suisrn er cruisin is the Arctic Seas, where w e understand their rifles: have made ave . 4 bl havoc •rr consi era e amon g tile r. walruses, the Polar • bears, the seals, and the reindfcb. The . Oinevra has on board t w o young Polar bears; 'h o ic t _ • these enterprising * sportsmen ' capfured-aliie after sh o :the. ing the.old ones. Mr. Lamont, whO hi , a Fellow of _ arrived in Leith Rosdid4 Geological Society,of London, has devoted much t e i:l 6 ! and attention to the eindy of numerous extensive gla 04, 1 Z . on the coast. of -Siitzbergen, and has Made alargirie ess % lection of shells, fossils, and other geological seleciientige o to f t these remote which no doubt will prove interesting la world, as illustrating the natecal.,bisto_ri sogynen. and comparatively u.aknovrn regions.