The Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-12-21 00:00:00

CROWN COURT.—YESTERDAY. (Before Mr. Justice KEATING.) SENTENCES. Ice of he THE WINTER ASSIZES. Robert Gickson, not in the calender, pleaded guilty to a charge of bigamy, and was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour. John Kelly, not in the calendar, was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment with hard labour, for hav ing committed burglary, to which he bad pleaded guilty. Dorothy Smithson, surrendered to her bail, and on being arraigned pleaded guilty to a charge preferred against her of having, at Blackburn, on the 17th of October, unlawfully endeavoured to conceal the birth of a child of which she had been delivered. The prisoner was sentenced to two calendar months' imprisonment with hard labour. THE CHARGE OF FORGERY AGAINST A LIVERPOOL TEA MERCHANT. Richard Woodward Powell (26), described in the calendar as well educated, was placed in the dock to answer a charge preferred against him, of having, at Liverpool, on the 17th of May last, feloniously uttered and put off a. certain forged guarantee for the payment of £5,000 ; also three bills of exchange for the payment of money, with intent to defraud, he well knowing the same to be forged. The first count was only gone into. The prisoner on enter , ing the dock was attired in an Inverness wrapper, which he, in a cool manner, took off and placed upon the rail of the dock ; he also wore a pair of yellow kid gloves, and throughout the trial stood in a firm posture, holding Lis head high, and looking direct g the judge; with the exception. that tit different portions of the evidence he #fis flaked to. shed tears, and turn his fchcz the iVitness-fox, and more espezialiy when. the ivitnesses were called to pri - fre his previous character. Mr. J. B. Aspinall appeared for the prosecution; 1%1 - - Temple, Q.C., watched tl , - " on nenalf of Mr. Scott, and Mr. Brett, Q.C., assisted by Mr. Deighton, defended the 'prisoner, Mr, Aspinall ) lit stating the Case tot the piiiseeliticiii; 4 : did the pi-hi:*f at the li t er was the junior partner of, a. firni of tea Merchants, who up to recently carried cri business in Literpoot, :tinder the style of Scott, - Powell, and C 0.,. and the indictment Charged hiiii with haling forged the signature ,of guarantee for £5;000, lvhieii purpoitecl to be that of John Scqt, ; the , father of _the,Prisener's partner: The &Cu hient Which thby.alle i ted,fie lia4 fdigecl the Sigriatiire to was a guarantee for £5,066 to Messrs. Absalom, Crocker; and Townsend) wholesale tea merchants in London, who had for some time supplied the firm with tea. Previous .to the month of May last there was a con siderable balance standing in Messrs. Absalom, Crocker, and Townsend's books, against Scott, : Powell, and Co., Who still requiring further godds *tote intotniiiig the . tii•byhttoti Of . thh, fain. &Me cotrt?s took illtirdate!y, eu t cl_cd he DrOsetutori agreeing ti.; t eetti. Powell and On., with OA on . I:lnditioti that they forwarded them a Oirentee for the payment of the money. This guaran ee was pretended to have been obtnined from Scott's father, and on the 18th of May last the prosecutors received a letter in the handwriting of, the prisoner, oh behalf of the firm, in which was enclosed the gtiii-rinteki for any sum which,Stfitt; Cot iiiight be Indebted td them, not eideeditig £5,000, for the next twelve months. tte should be able to show the circumstances under which the guarantee was prepared. In cases of this description it was usually well for counsel to show how the forged document came into the hands of the parties; but although it was a very unusual thing . for persons who committed acts of this sort,, to let g third person into the fact, because ,thq iinsAqpd such bill in this case lie should be able'to kit, through the medium of the witness Rawlinson, and the document itself, that it was in their possession. He would tell theM that he was in the office 4.*. ~n tne 17th day of May, on which the guarantee purported to- bear date ; having been called in by the . prisoner's partner, Scott, and ordered the boy to copy the document, which he did in the presence of the two partners. This, the boy would tell theM, was father ditraordirldfb because he had neVer been allowed td write at hig zrias= ter's desk before ; Mit; upon, this,,oeCasion,, Stott; wild no doubt had taken the ,principal 'dart the transaction,, w i as,,standiug .at the fire, and teld the boy to copy it 'at his desk. The boy, having finished the document, was requested by Scott to attach his signature, as a witness, to the original document; but the lad, being astonished somewhat at his employer's conduct, hesitated some time, when Scott told him it was all right, whereupon the lad wrote his name' upon the guarantee : The lad would also fell them that the prisoner was present at-that time, and would also state that at the' time he simied the guarantee he believed Mr. Scott's father's signature was not at that time attached to the doeument. The learned gentleman concluded by stating that he would prove that the prisoner was present at the copying of the document, and knew what was going on.--Ed ward Absalom was then called and examined. lie stated that he was the, senior : Mel:Aber of the firm of Absalotn; rocker; and Townsend, tea ,merchants, 23, )tae-la ne, Condon. They.,had had,clealing4 for some time with the Liverpbbl frill df Scott, Powell, and Co. The dealings. with them consisted in supplying them with tea; and in advancing the duty. The duty was paid eirery alternate month. On the 17th May last they owed his firm a large amount of money. They were then requiring further tea. Previous to May they had a guarantee from Mr. Scott, purporting to bear his father's signature, which has since also turned out to be a forgery. In May they applied to his firm for some more tea, but having an objection to the form of the former guarantee, he announced to them that they should require a new one, and forwarded a copy of the guarantee they wished to have. On the 18th of May he received the guarantee badki with the ,signature df John Scott Written iipon. it; Thd lead was in the hand tvriting of the prisoner; Tlie Ono litodiiced is it. The tttter was theilitit in, and read by the clerk of arraigns. was ,kite ' ~• Liverpool, 17th May, 1860. Miisks. Absalom, Crocker, and Townsend. Gentlemen,---We beg to enclose you a guarantee signed, &c., and we hope we may now do business to the mutual advantage of all parties concerned. We will thank you to return the other guarantee. Scorr, POWELL & CO. The guarantee was also read, and purported to bear the signature of John Scott, Llangollen, and was to the effect that he would be responsible for any sum which Scott, Powell, and Co. might contract, not exceeding £5,000, for twelve months from the date of the forged document. —Examination resumed : The document, with the exception of the signature, was prepared 'in London. On the faith of this guarantee they supplied them with tea.—Cross-examined by Mr. Brett : We began to do business with Scott, the prisoner's partner, about seven years ago. At that time the prisoner was not in the firm. He became a member of the firm about three years ago. We had done a considerable business with Scott before the prisoner joined him. The terms on which we did business with Scott, Powell, and Co., was the same as that done with Mr. Scott. Scott owed a large amount at the time the prisoner became a member of the firm. I never visited Liverpool at all myself. Scott occasionally came to London, and I from time to time saw him there. I did not see him person ally in London in May last, but I believe he was in per sonal communication with our firm in that month. I never saw Mr. Powell before the 17th of May.—William Edward Rawlinson, a youth 17 years of age, was then examined. He said—On the 17th of May last I was an apprentice in the employ of Messrs. Scott, Powell, and Co., in Pekin-buildings, Harrington-street. I had then been with them about five months. On the day in question Mr. Scott called me into his office. When • I entered I found Mr. Powell was also in the office. Mr. Scott pointed to a document on the table, at the same time directing me to copy it. I made -the. ropy upon ftientVa desk. I had never none coat before.- - rue document produced is the document I copied.. Mr. Scott told me to put my name to it. I looked at him in astonishment, when he said "It's all right." Cross-examined by Mr. Brett—During, the time that I was in. Scott, Powell, and Co.'s service I usually received my instructions from Mr. Scott. Mr. Powell generally kept the books and did the correspon dence. The distance from Mr. Scott's desk to the prisoner's was about six feet ; but on this occasion, when Mr. Scott told me to copy the guarantee, he was stand ing at the fire. When I went into the room, Mr. Powell was writing at his desk. I don't remember whether Mr. Powell left the office while I was copying the document. I will not undertake to say that he did not. I cannot swear that Mr. Powell was present when. Mr. Scott told me to attach my signature to the docu ment. When I had copied the paper, I came into my own office, leaving Mr. Scott in the room. I remained on the premises, until young Mr. Scott absconded on the 14th of November last.—Re-examined by Mr. Aspinall : The fire is about seven or eight feet from the desk.— John Scott was called, and deposed : am-the father of Mr. Scott, the senior member of the firm of Scott, - Powell, and Co., which existed in Liveitool. On the 17th of May last I was residing at Llangollen. I have lived there for upwards of three years. I have two residences. I was•not in Liverpool, on,the 17th of May. I cannot say how long it was previous to that that I was in Liverpool. The name of John Scott, attached to the, guarantee produced, is not in my handwriting. I never authorised anybody to write it for me. I never - signed a guarantee at all for Messrs. Scott, Powell, and Co., nor was ever applied to to do so.—Cross-examined by Mr. Brett : I originally put my son into this business. I am now living upon my means, and have retired from business. I was formerly a draper in the city of - Gloucester. I was aware when Powell entered into partnership with my son. I did not know what Mr. Powell's father was. I understood when Mr. Powell entered into the firm with my son, he brought £3,000 with the business. My son occasionally visited me at Llangollen, and I stayed with him when I was in Liverpool. It was my house where he stayed at in Liverpool. It was situated in Chatham-street. A short time previous to my son absconding, he told me he was going away for ten or twelve days. lam not aware, in fact I will swear I don't know that my son has left the country ; but I understood he went, and was heard of in London. My son never told me that the accounts in London were against him. He never asked me to render them any assistance. There was never any conversation with me and my son to lead him to suppose that I would give him assistance. My son also put £2,000 into the firm.—Laycock, a detective officer in the borough police, was called, and stated that on the Ist of December last the prisoner was given into custody,, and I conse quently apprehended him at his office. I charged him with forging a guarantee upon a firm in London. He replied, "I had nothing at all to do with it. I cau tioned Mr. Scott about it previously." I took him to the police office. When we got there I searched him, and found upon him some cheques, £5O or £6O in gold, and two small tickets. I asked the prisoner what the tickets referred to, and he said to some luggage at the Lime street Railway Station. I went there and obtained three portmanteaus, which I took to the police station. I did not show them to the prisoner. I searched them, and found a large quantity of clothes, a medicine chest, a case containing two revolvers. In one of the portman teaus I found £lOO in gold, in another £lBO, and at the office I found £270, all in gold, in the safe. Cross examined by Mr. Brett : When I apprehended the prisoner he was speaking to his attorney, who was in the office. I said " Are you ready, because I am going to take you in custody upon a charge of forging a guarantee upon a firm in London." Mr. Robinson, the attorney for the prosecution, went down with me when I apprehended the prisoner. The depositions of the witness, as taken before the magistrates, were • then handed to the witness,_ who, after reading , them, said " I will not now swear - that I . used the word 'guarantee' when I took him in custody." (The deposition stated that he swore that he used the words "forging a bill of credit.") I did not caution him before I took him in charge. The cheques I found in the prisoner's possession yere Welsh cheques upon a bank in Liverpool. They amounted to. about £6O. I asked where he had hen living; and he'said at Roby. He did not tell me that he Was going to remove his lodgings to Liverpool. It would be about tYeo when I apprehended the prisoner. ‘Vhett t entered the office, it presented the tistiat appearance of a place of business: There was paper lying on .differea desks. This eoneltided the case,fer the prosecution. Mr: Brett then rose to address the jury on behalf of the t)risOner: He commenced a most eloquent speech by tem.menting upon the nature of the ,Charge prefthed. igaitist the prisoner, and the opinions that Vide entertained by the public with reference to his guilt, and afterwards pro ceeded to argue upon the facts of the case. The pri soner, he said, as they had hoard) was Charged with having forged the signature . tif 111 t, Bdott, the elder, to the guarantee which had been read. The only way in which the prosecution had sought to establish the charge" of forgery Was by saying that he wrote the 'sig nature upon the document, or else that he Was present at the time that somebody else trete the signattire ; but to justify them in iledliii a t erdiet of guilty, he sub mitted that they must make out that either he wrote the signature himself, or that he *as present when another person wrote it, and thus assisted in the aline, It was not so essential that they should show his hand writing as it was essential that they should show that he Was present. They were not able to prove to their satisfaction either that he Wrdte the signature or was present at the tinie When it was written. The nett charge that they clime to wits that he afterwards uttered the forged guarantee with a guilty knowledge. It was not enough to shoW that he uttered. the note for the purpose of making use of it, but they must go further and shoye that at the tinie lie did so lielne3V that 't V" a a forged doCument. It to show that he had *as sefiicierdiOrthe; h,-,a a suspicion that somethi:ng 'was going on wrong on the part of his partner but they must go the l eng th t o prove to their satisfaction that at the tim e I L:, sent the letter he knew it was a — 6 .. 1 . They would, no doubt, have ne difficulty in coming to the conclusion that a forgery had taken place, but there was no evidence to show that the prisoner Cornmitted . forgery: lie challenged any of them to lay hand or! ariy.e:ilderide td shoW teat the sionatUre was in the,p,risoner's handwriting, ',,,NVny, :they ; would see at time, that *lige the prisoner .*as living .in, the town, where there were hundreds of persons who knew his hendwriting,-,andwho were skilled., in reading-the most. difficult handwriting, bowpver :much .altered,: vet not Ode single indiiidiial,had been,enlled to prove that the handwritinc , on the doctiment was his, and therefore he assumed that it was not his. It was more likely that Mr. Scott, who knew his father's signa ture, and who was a man of very reserved and close mind, and while he knew his business was failing, and that he would very soon be in difficulties, yet he had never mentioned the circumstance to his father, who Was a person most likely to assiA and sympathise with him, that. he (Mr.Sciitt,jurt ) bad obtained the sign- WhiEh was dttdatied td .the gnarahtee; without tiakieg the pristine!' acquainted with the fact. , Then, if they Caine, to the, concluiion that, the batiOriting upon the docuMent 'Was,not the prisoner's, what evidence had,theY that be was ,present when °, the .. aignatitre was attached: , The , witness Rawlinso i n - would not swear Whether 411 i. ,Powell, was in the office at ,the ,tinie siglieet tifhtie Wit,deßs; ho, thodglit i tliat after reading the evidence they *mild have no douot that the signature was not put upon it at the time he signed it. Therefore, that, part of the case failed, and he assumed that there was no evidence to prove their satisfaction that he forged the docum e nt ; and if they eatne to atty conclusion that conclusion must be that somebody :else forged the document hi his absence. The learned tdiiti sel.,*€nt,oh p to Adintyleu t t ,dpOn,tb i e Cotintg,titiqing tho d.detinAnt knowing; it to be forged.' He said he-had adoubt to say NViiethef there teas Salciefit eiridertee to justify. them in saying that he uttered it at ail. They found the 'document' in the possession of Mr. Scott, juu.; and the lICA. to Lumg I,lmy c.• head of it was in a letter forwarded to London, which was written by the prisoner. He did not pretend to deny that the prisoner wrote the letter. If they, could conic to the conclusion that he put the document into - the letter, or that he ordered the clerk to take the letter to the Post-office, or posted it himself, or sent anybody elle: The jury was composed of men of business, arid they would know that it was usual fur the healer pahner &f fa t firth to i sinlply att;:;?.d to cdrre spondenee ; and therefore it 'was easy to suPpose-that Mr. Scott said to Mr. Powell " Write a letter, as I am going to send a guarantee to Messrs. Absalom, Crocker, and Townsend; I have got it from my father." If Mr. PoWell did write the letter, and placed it upon. Mr. Scott's desk, then-he apprehended that there was no uttering in the case at all. Mr. Brett afterwards addressed the jury at conside'rable length upOn the eii deuce, and then called several witnesses who had known the prisoner from his infancy to prove , his previous character.—His lordship then summed up the evidence, pointing out to the jury the most material points for their consideration ' • after which, one of the jury, requested that they might have the real signature of Mr. Scott; Senior, Which, after Sonie disCuSsion, was complied With, The jury thin retired. Sin their retnrn, after ,?ti absenee Oil more than ,three • hours, the foreman announced that they found the prisoner guilty of utter ing a certain document, knowing the 'genie to be forged; at the same time accompanying the verdict with a recom;• mendation to mercy, on the - ground that they thought his senior p.irtner had exercised a strong influence over him.—Mr. Aspinall stated that there was another charge against' the prisoner, of forging three bills of exchange, amounting, altogether, to £1,428 19s. 3d. His lordship said he did not think it necessary to go into that, as he had been' found guilty. The prisoner was then asked whether he bad anything to say why the court should not proceed to pass sentence upon hint according; to law; but he , Made lid reply. His Lordship, ih seritending the prisoner, said he had been convicted of uttering the guarantee df £5,000, well kno*hig it to have been. forged. ' He had had the advantage of being tried before a jury composed of men of business,—men who could appreciate the topics and arguments which had been so ably andjudiqioucly used in his defence, but they had found themselves compelled to come to the conclusion that when he uttered that guarantee lie knew it to be forged, but they had accom panied their verdict by a recommendation to mercy, upon the ground that he had probably been influenced by his wily partner, who had absconded. He had also been given a good character. It appeared previous .to this charge their was no imputation upon -his character, and it was certainly a very melancholy thing that a young person, of the character he had had previous: to this occurrence, should stand in the dock that day on such - a charge. He was desirous of giving every considera tion of the character the witnesses had given hilt, and the recommendation of the jury, but he thought it would not.be consistent with his duty if he was to pass upon him a light sentence. The prisoner was then sentenced to seven years' penal servitude. THE RAILWAY ACCIDENT AT LEIGH. Samuel Hindley, a tall, robust looking man, was placed in the dock charged with the manslaughter of Richard Higginson, at Leigh, on Monday, the 26th of November. Mr. Higgins and Mr. Cottenham prose cuted ; the prisoner was defended by Mr. R. Scott. The circumstances of the case, as they came out in evidence, seemed to be briefly as follows :—The prisoner was one of the foremen over the platelayers in the employ of the London and North-Western railway, and it was his duty to look after the rails and have such repairs done as were necessary, and to guard against any accidents the company had laid down a rule to the effect that it was the duty of the person who had charge of any platelayers who were about to make any repairs upon the line to have a man stationed at least one thousand yards from the place where they were about to lift the rails, with a signal to apprise the diiver of any train that might be approaching, or if in a descending radiPnf. to see the signal was placed 1.200 - yards distant before they commenced to lift the rails. On the day in question: the • prisoner proceeded, accompanied by four other plate-layers, along the line between Allerton and Leigh, for the purpose of repairing one of the rails, and on arriving at the portion of the line where they were about to commence operations, he despatched a man in each direction with a signal, but, it was alleged on behalf of the prosecution, that before they had gone half the distance laid down by the rules by the company, he raised some of the rails, and proceeded with the necessary repairs. A luggage train drawn by two engines, and composed cf fifty-seven waggons, mine in sight, and before it could be brought to a stanastill, reached the place where the rails wcra lifted, and conse quently one of the engines was thrown off the line, and resulted in the death of the deceased. It was con tended.that the accident was caused by the negligence of the prisoner by lifting the rails before the men, whom he had despatched, bad arrived at the distance specified by the rules.—The prisoner was, after a long investiga tion, found guilty, and sentenced to three calendar months' imprisonment,• with hard labour.—A question of law was reserved for discussion in a higirer court. NISI PRIUS COURT.—YESTERDAY. (Before Mr. Justice BLACKBURN.) LAWTON V. RADCLIFFE.—ThIS action was brought by Mr. Lawton, an innkeeper, to recover compensation for the seduction, or technically for the loss of his daughter's services, through her illness before, at, and after the birth of her illegitimate child, of which the defendant was alleged to be the father. The case was rather a painful one. It'appears that the girl concealed the birth of her offspring, and a judicial inquiry into the merits of the case was held. The plaintiff and her friends de nied the birth, but the case was proved, and the mother was sent to gaol for one month. That being so, the present action was brought against the defendant, who was said to be the father of a family. From the evi dence we learn that he was an old sweetheart of the girl's, but she stated that at the time of his marriage every connection was broken off. Some months afterwards the defendant renewed his visits to the plain tiff's house, and it was after that it appeared the girl was seduced. Defendant was a particular friend of the plaintiff. Nothing was suspected at the time of the girl's pregnancy ; but for some time previous to the birth, her services became of less value to her parents than they were formerly. Dr. Bradley attended at the birth, and he and the parents endeavoured to obtain from the girl a knowledge of the name of the father of the child. At first, however, she refused to tell them, and at length stated it was a man named Hollingworth, but afterwards admitted that it was the defendant. Yesterday she stated that the defendant had given her a pound, and offered to give her any amount of money to conceal his name. The defence was that the defendant was not the father of the child ; that the plaintiff's daughter had an improper intercourse with Hollings worth and others. A witness for the prosecution, how ever, rebutted this evidence, by showing that the defen dant had told him before the birth of the child that he had unlawful intercourse with the girl. The jury found a verdict for the plaintiff—damages £5O. ALLEGED BREACH OF CONTRACT. PILIMY AND CO., v. GIRD.—The defendant is a Greek merchant in Manchester ; the plaintiff is a com mission merchant and manufacturtr at the same place. The action was brought to recover damages for breach of contract. It appeared from the evidence that on the 4th of April and the Ist of May the defendant ordered 2,000 pieces of cloth, 1,000 at each date. The only dis pute was with regard to the time at which the contracts should be completed. The plaintiffs asserted that the contracts were to have been executed according to the usual custom, viz., within about six weeks. The de fendant, on the other hand, stated that the delivery should have been commenced the week after the date of the contract, and completed within a month, for exporta tion to the East. On the part of the plaintiffs it was suggested that the difference arose from the fall in the market, and consequent loss to the defendant on the contract. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, damages £7 4s. ACTION FOR DAMAGES FOR DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER. ROBraTSON v. ASPINWALL—Mr, Edward James • ; and Dr. Wheeler, Q.C., for; the Plaintiff; and Mr.Motiak for the detericlant. Th alicPre Was hfdilglit by Robertedm working painter, against his late employer, : Mr. Aspinwall, of the former firm of Monkhouse and Aspinwall, painters and decorators of Manchester, for the recovery, of damages for slander or defamation of 'Character, wheretd • the tilaintift shgtainedlos4 employ= meat, &c. .in October; IBdiJ, sonic depofatidfts Were fOluired to lie Made iri an,.Hans4olae; Cheliei,, near Loriari; . a,rirta Wall's brother-in-la*, Pesiderit n . I,oiidoii, , interested in those premises, the firm of Monkhouse and. Aspinwall was engaged to carry out the necessary 4eooratiofis in , question.,, The platritiff was employed td darrY Mit the deedfatiotis, Ykete 6011tlttded 111 February in the present year. Mr. M'Clelland sent for a bill of the whole amount owing without mentioning particulars; and in accordance with that request a bill. for 4780 was despatched. An ' answer was returned &tering . £6 t#. , Mr. Konithdugn wits not .inclined to Ma 'e the reduction of £iod, lint Mr. Aspiti*all *as. Some unpleasantrieSs occurred ; and, ona subsequent Oceasion ,Aspinwall asked .1)11. .Rolaehsori.*hether Mr. MOnkhotise Ittd,desired a specification of the. work dOne hi Chelsea, Mid beib aniwered it; the ri4gative, he told 0. the plaintiff " if he does ask you, to do so, do not comply, Or it will be the worse for you:" Mr; Monkhouse ulti mately asked for the specification,. and plaintiff gave' it acCordingly:, - the beginning pf gay. Mr. Aspinwall 'apOdis to -hafe belieecl. ,tlitit lie Was, the, only party affected by the Chelsea "job"--proceeded, against • his partner's wish, to London, to settle the matter ; and Mr. Monk - house instructed his solicitor to warn 11PCIel- . 11 ,4 to, P 4 'i;th.4 moneyt , j Mr; whO, after ;I,..;;l(ltiltti to .61aoh6stiJe fig plon9y; appegrtd to nave at once proceeded to entry nut his threat dgabist the plaintiff for supplying Mr. Monkhouse with the specification, and he trumped up against him a variety of charges,—amongst them that of inciting the workmen to strike; and also of inserting lies in the specification, which had . the effect of having him summarily dismissed. . Robertson, after his dismissal, wrote a letter to the firm desiring to know why he had been • discharged from their employ without the usual notice.. go answer being received ; plaintiff entered an action the Qininty Coiirt abont £lO, and Was awarded £5 ;, subsequently;* he epteriad Uri action time for. the summer assizes fit Lii ,. erpooh ag,airist,kdlelland fur defamation of eharacter, llut,the ease Was Compro , mised.by i‘Pdlelland paying £lOO to the plaintiff. The firm of Monkhouse and Aspinwall, ,was dissolved, and the former Who carried pn the business on his own account, made the Plaintiff again his foreman, and made reparation for the loss which Dia Pldintiff had sustained through the alleged misrepresentation of Aspinwall.--- The evidence having been completed, Mr. Monk put it to his lordship that the malice had not been proved, and that communications between partners were permitted.-- His Lordship thought that an important co'isideration, and called upon Mr. James, who admitted that com munications between partner':; with respect to their servants was dlldwed, but 60iitHdpd. din the etidenc.e clearly proved LdrdifliP reriirtried that if there s rig other didenne than that 131 .. dugl'A fe'rv!;ard; he should not let tbe,case ge to . the jury. 7 :-Mr: Morik 'house was re-called; and the learned judge,,.after stating • that coniniuniedtioris between tria,sce.r§' is privileged unless indliee be eipi:essly.PrOied, iristrUcted the jury to bring a ferdiet df tfilWard James gave notice that he should proceed with the ease in dde df the higher courts. • SLANDER litYDB v. Cfrtroams.-4....action was brought to tectiver datuages from Gregson, beorhouse.keepor, Little titan, by d. pefscii named Ifeyes, a grocer and provision dealer, of ,tlie The ease Cvcatpd,a graq deal ..of Inirth, in, court: ~tine mortiifig lately, the pliantiff got out .of bed at g 4 eirlier,bodntlan usual, and brdke ddsirri a - 6nte on ,tire defendaqs , premises. Later in the day the parties met,, and had, in the presence of a large number of the rieighbotirs; what is called in the Bolton vocabulary " a trotting match." Theslander complained of was phrases like " You are a thief ; a d—. thief; aG— d— thief, &c., &c." One of the witnesses on behalf of the plaintiff remarked that "each did his best; but the defendant was' the worst."—Damagcs, one farthing. faVERI I OOt2 , • •,• N (Before Mr. G. MELLy.) A NATURALIST IN AN UNNATURAL STATE. Abraham Newby, a youth about 17 years of age, was brought up, charged by an officer with beinz drunk and incapable of taking care of himself. His Worship said it was rather strange to see a juvenile in such a position. He asked him whai he was ? - The lad began to - cry, and said, lam a naturalist. (Laughter.) The officer said the lad was a son of Mr. Newby, of Dale-street, who dealt in living and dead natural curiosities. The bridewell-keeper said the officer got him lying in St. Anne-street, insensibly drunk I he was in volunteer tiniforni; and the officer tarried him tinder his arm to the 'Statienzhouge. (Laughter.) Mr. 3lelley- - - - -Fie *tit in hii uniform, then He was, sir. M. Melly-He is liable to pftnishment for that. I fine him os. for tieing drunk. The lid Cried again and paid the penalty, \Olen he was discharged. MORE DRUNKEN DRIVERS: William Mooney, a car-driver, was charged by a police-officer, who said he was driving a cab with two horses, in Lime-street, the previous night; he was drunk, and not able to take care of the horses. On inquiry, his worship was informed that the prisoner had been charged two or three times before, and had his license revoked in 1855, but got it back in 1858. Mr. Melly said it was most dangerous to have a man driving who . was riot able to take dare of his horses because Of drink, hitt mord particularly in Well weather as the present. He fined the prisoner 55., and ordered him to be reported to the Car Committee, ROI3BETtV AT THE POST-OFFICE, A well-dressed young fellow, named James Roberts, or Robinson, was brought up by police-officer 774 on a charge of having stolen a gold watch from Mr. Robert Horsfall, son of T. B. Horsfall, Esq., M.P. Mr. Cobb appeared . for the prisoner. The officer said, about half past four o'clock yesterday Mr. Horsfall gave the prisoner into custody at the delivery-office, Post-office, on a charge of having stolen his gold watch. The prisoner said, when I took hint, "you know very well I did not take your watch." Mr. Cobb : What was got on him when searched at the station? Officer : I did not search him • but , there was only a gold ring on his finger, and a gold breast pin. Mr. Horsfall said, in the absence of some of the clerks yesterday, I went to the Post-office for our letters, and went to the delivery-office with our card. I saw a good many persons there, and noticed the prisoner amongst them. When the winiow for the letters was opened there was a rush, and I was close up to the win dow, holding out my arm with the card in my hand, when I felt a hand pull at my watch chain ; I looked and got the prisoner close pushing up against me, and at the same instant a second pull was made at the chain, and I distinctly heard the snip of a scissors, and saw the prisoner draw his hand from my pocket, when I collared him. I then found the chain cut and hanging out, but the watch was gone. In reply to Mr. Kehoe, he said there were other persons there, and of course some confusion took place, and there was a woman at the door outside, so that the prisoner could have got rid of or passed a dozen things from him to others in the time that elapsed. Mr. Cobb cross examined Mr. Horsfall at some length, with the view of showing that he might be mistaken, but his evidence was not shaken,' as be was too clear on the whole case. Mr. Cobb then contended that a jury could not *convict on such evidence. Mr. Kehoe said the police knew the prisoner and the woman alluded to, and no doubt she had had the watch. Both the prisoner and that woman had been taken up a short time ago at a bazaar in St. Mary's, Kirkdale, for picking pockets, but the clergyman would not press the case. Mr. Melly said he would not decide the case, but would commit the prisoner for trial at sessions. Committed accordingly. HOW A FOREIGNER WAS TREATED. A foreign 'gentleman, named James Wygan,' was charged for being drunk. In reply to Mr. Kelly he said—l don't wish to say anything, but I want my watch and money. Bridewell-keeper Slack said the prisoner's watch was all right, as it was found in his pocket when brought to the station. He complained that he was robbed of over £4O in money. The police-officer who had the prisoner stated that he took him from amongst a lot of unfortunate women in the streets, and perhaps he had lost his money. The prisoner was fined ss. for being drunk. (Before Messrs. SIZAND and CROPPER,) CHARGE OF FURIOUS DRIVING. Mr. Charles Pemberton, attorney, was summoned by police-officer Parkinson, 648, for having, on the 17th inst., driven his vehicle furiously in West Derby-street. Mr. Bremner appeared for the defendant and asked for an adjournment, which was granted. Thomas Darwin, provision dealer, of Great George's street, was summoned by police-officer 120, for having obstructed the street by allowing his cart to remain for 40 minutes. Mr. Cobb appeared for the defence, and produced witnesses to show that the cart was only alllowed to remain whilst some goods were being loaded, and the case was dismissed. OFFENCE AGAINST THE GAS ACT. John Ruddock, of 84, Scotland-road, was summoned under the 45 Sect. of the Gas Company's Act, for having on the 10th November, at 11, Plumpton-street, Everton, laid a pipe from the house into the Company's pipe in the street, without passing through the meter. Mr. Field appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Bluck for the defence. The penalty in this case is £5. A person named Kelly proved having found a pipe into the house from the service pipe in the street without passing through the meter. Mr. Bluck cross-examined the witness who said the defendant admitted having done it. The house does not belong to the defendant as he was only employed to put in the fittings. The service pipe was laid that day, and they were trying leakage. The witness denied that he wanted drink or money from the defendant, but the latter wanted him to drink. Mr. Bluck called witnesses to disprove the charge. The magistrates were of opinion that the case was proved, and fined the defendant £5 and costs. Mr. Bluck said he would appeal against the decision. TRINITY CHURCH, PARLIAMENT-STREET.--A tea meeting, in celebration of the new National Schools in connection with this church, was held last night. A very large number of ladies and gentlemen sat down to tea, which was served up in a very liberal style. In the room above the church a bazaar was held, in aid of the funds of the schools. It would appear that a debt of £35 has been contracted on the painting and cleansing of the above-named church, there being no repair fund for this purpose. It was hoped that about £l5 of this sum would be realised, and, certainly, from the attend ance, there appeared every likelihood of this being ful filled. The Rev. . Henry Postance and several other clergymen were present, and the proceedings did not terminate until a late hour in the evening. TO:I/TETA GUARDIANS.-Mr. Alpass ' presided at the meeting of this board yesterday ; and the other members present were Messrs. J. D. Carter, W. Baynes, Hunter, Ogden, W. Layland, Joseph 'Wilson, H. Leyland, Alex. Miller, and J. B. Hughes. The number of inmates in the workhouse last week was 417 ; admitted since, 24 ; discharged, 4 ; dead, 2 ; this week, 436. The Visiting Committee recommended that the inmates have the usual treat treat of plum pudding and roast beef on Christmas day. This was at once confirmed by the board. The remainder of the business related to the consideration of various tenders for supplying the work house. Mr. Cross's tender to supply butcher's meat was accepted. The contract for supplying soap and soda was given to Mr. J. Thompson, of Berry-street. The contract for tea, sugar and rice, to Mr. Glover; for flour, oatmeal, and peas, to Mr. John Huntington ; for butter and cheese, to Mr. Willia m Davis. THE DAILY TIMES, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1860. bhit 7off have been subject to the annoyance of tlir summons , The subject theft' dropped.• Mr. , /,'itun, said the chairman' had stated, it iiCfniet meeting, that We half-tide decys in, ,LN ) erpo?l an indemnity was required ft'm vesSc i la ,entring theni. a MT. LOCKETT—It was I who AtAtedtn i at,?-- ni I:fiov'es sels not entering, but lying in them. • • Mr. LAIRD said, to make the cases parallel it should tie tottsideted that if a vessel passed through the, Mor-' peih /look, hitO the (heat Float, it was in tha same 1 poSition• as iessel ihassitig Ottert . the Brunswick half , tide,bas,in into Vriinswick Dock. Mr. LO6KE'fi said the Mrkent'ead DockS they had got tno ~zeVerSe gates'; Ipth tie Riunswick Dock they had, and that ,goe a guatante4' of the s'alidityv of the dock. There were no, rev rse gates .Let...Yeo Morpeth and Egerton DOCk; and between the latter and the great Float, •• Mr. LAlRD—Thef'e . ,relierse itates between' the Morpeth and Egerton Docks. 4 Mr. BROCKELEANK said the question of inuere`rmy jad been referred to the joint committee of Docks and Quays gnd Works. Mr: RANKIN said as the corn trade wished to have cone space assigned to them, he would suggest that that Wafter be also taken into Consideration by the Works dpirimiitce . . I e thoti p mht ,the ftinds Which they were allowed to eptitil an the 1A VetpOol side *as sufficient, and they might Consider vihetWer some' pillion' of the doCks could be devoted eiclusidely td coin sbiltd,—afso Whether a Warelion.6e could be bitilt there.. Mr. LOCKETT had always,considered that the George's jock was for the corn trade.' Be should like to know about widening thtlt. They shOUld have to take down the front of the Goree to have Nlarehouses huilt there. The CHAIRMAN—It is merely an itisirdctionto the works and Docks and Quays Committee to consider the subjeft, The proeeeflings of . tye Master Porterage Committee were then read aitd UntkriPe4l.. commuNieishoMst A letter was read from Messrs. Todd, Naylor, k Co., stating that when they agreed in May last, to twee the land on the north side of the Great Float, it was expressly understood the ground was to be paved, enclosed, and alt the buildings erected on it, so far as ilie board was concerned, and the yard handed over on the ist of Jandary next. Judging by the progress made, the paling, would occupy three months yet, nor would the. sheds b'e fit to occupy before that time: They would therefore, commence on rent at the sate stated. (A la7fgli.Y A aliO'called attentien th'e state Of the Quay opposite theri l The usual donation of ten gtirreasi on,th.e application of Mr. Battersby, was Voted to' the Footle -Asperthary. A communication was next acknowledged frthri the . corn trade, suggesting a scale of charges in reference to quay rent. The proposal was that the rate should be a lialtpeth4l a quarter, which upon 1,000 bags would be £2 is Bd. Tlat tam. fq the first day. On flour in barrels, first day, a farthing pet barrel f or tl Os 10d per 1,000 barrels, the rent in dock waielietaires being 15s ; a farthing per sack.—lt was agreed that It OM lie on the table for a week. A letter was read from Messrs. W. and H. Laird and 0,e;.; stating that the Shooner Mary was in the Queen's Vagri *qh d cargo of South Wales coal, partly dl i schartdi Wit to consequence of the snow it was impossible td' get eatis dlYel horse's to work. 'There were still board,' Mod if Rot discharged at once the vessel Would be Ulion deimkrage: 'b el asked per rdfssion. to land the remainder on the (limy, MO ifertild take it d4g4 ioon i ae . ,the' weather Would permif. • The CHAIRMAN kid it 10. mild lie a' bad' precedent ;. and the application was declined. A letter was next read from the nidiagtei 6t' the Woodside ferry, calling attention to the danger of removing the light from the south-east corner of the river wall of the Woodside Basin. Referred to the Works Committee, eiViiii*Stim reminded the board, as well as the genefalfy, Ant the following gentlemen would retire._ froth bboft c the' ist of January next, on which day the electioU would tale place :—Messrs. 'vans Oharres InMan t Shand, aegar, and Moss. „ . ill' This was the who e e ptli tic busiu s . tHE DOCK BOARD. The weekly meeting of this board was held yesterday at the Dock Offices. Mr, Charles Turner presided ; and the other members present were Messrs. Segar, Fara- Worthjtankin, Arnold, Hubback, Bold; Evans, Brockle i:tank Morttiel ; Tohinvtiodiett, Bonit, Darby ehite; UM/ 1 , Mirintefwere read ohe various meetings bieli hdd 'Adi held. (et,. the Oistttsinin of the now 1/00111 ; Which showed that in reference tq tout; ,pf itr proyisfod there 110 been considerablc ,diversity of, opinion, Ail . rtiairy amendments had been proposed.. At. the . final §iAing on Vi'editeidaY twit, the board in committee having gone throughdatkee of the bill it bad been moved by Mr. inniari and seconded by Ali. Eankini that clauses 11 0,34 be omitted from the bill—for, 8; against, 10 ; so the motion was lost. The chairman had then put the question "that the . bill . as amended be approved," ithiCh was carried by a majority of 13 to 4. ; tItE ViORkS domi;tlttEt:--=IRE CORN TRADE. AND . . The tender of Messrs. Hoylan Brother's, for a supply of bialThei for iWelye nionthi; was reeemniended for addeptarree.--- 7 A later had been..recei4ed, 111;, Feri day Smith, accepting, on behalf of the Etithc df Itridge water!s trustees, the revised terms of the tenure for Bridgewater ; Basin, and the berth and cranes in Egerton Doek,,: at 13'iaenhead,—:Tbe application of, Mr. Myers, to rent rand on the.rdargfri of the UreatFlo . at, for the erection of creosote worts, had Veen' referred' to the. engineer.—The minutes also mentioned the reception .of a depntaiioll from, the corn trade on Saturday. BROCKLEBANk moved the confirmation of the' prc*edings., r ., .; . Mr. nusiinit Wended, the motion: Mr. BOULT asked whethef an - thing really„distinet or, definite had come out as to the subject he referred to at the last meeting of the board, namely, the possibility of any part of the corn trade removing their business to Birkenhead, and whether the accommodation which they could provide them there would suit the wants of the trade, He submitted it was of importance they should bare a 'distinct answer from the trade to that question. gr. BacortLEitArill replied that no distinct proposition liad hden nude: lie thotight the feeling gdnefaily was, fos the present at east, that, it !would not shit their pUrpose to take - r their trade to rliediread: One gen t tle ; : man declared tha't he had tried Birlkenhead;, and, found the inconveniende go, great that he river. would send any grain there again. „Another, fig,' ,riery large importer, look, different view of the subject, and' thought if there was, accommodation. it was possible he might send some of his grain to. Birkenhead. The general ftelifi ß g of the,ttade So far as he could under stand ,was, if they conla net aticoremodation here they, would not go to Birkenhead. • , Mr. RANKIN said the trade of the Mersey l;{a.S . ifi= . creasing so rapidly—it was 16 per cent greater within the last 12' months than it had ever been—he had no dottht it *Old he of great advantage if part of the grain trade could lie allied - to ilitlicifitead, Mr. liitOßLEWilsiii.. said the attention of the gentle -4A:4 6alled to tVe.faejlities Which they would hit at Itrkenh--- - eadthat Wel Op tate the e did away either, by fiats or rai,l*a.yff fliei . 4erte 474, kfdrrned that there was. .a considerable space uneeCitOed the Trpchcarses!which i rnight be ; available for their parvises, and that . .tkey were. very ,large shed,upon Tictoria Wharf; *Vero 6hca ,itcla t ge L. AO without interfering with the digeharge of tb* Rarifoes... Mr. TOBIN thought Mr. Brocklebank's remaitd writ further than the views of the corn trade. The gentle-: men, front their remarks, seemed to hold that so far as Dirkeulted Was dchiedrileti l it heifer would supersede the Litqrodl market; and Whateier WO done at Birken hea'd they ,must hafe dctom'nid.4 talon on this side , It Was tyue .that a gOilgeniari th i he had been. sO.incou vnienced„there that he, Wolf d go! /din btft it was shown to,.hitu ,that :at ,that tlma thefe . +l4l . such organisation or sysetn,iu .existence as theie be 'now. ' One of die Idrrpti'st IT/Jokers' said he:Wonld rent warehOuse at Birkenhead, firo•Hded facilitis,•svere, given for bringing the grain across. That deritleinan had been in the habit of sending his grain to Run Corn and Ellesmere Port, but now with the facilities referred to he would no doubt rather send it to Birkenhead. The deputation showed that a large trade had been and niigilt be carried on in French flour, which was now lest EtirttoA eutirely to this port; and a numbor of fcaseid Calling for orders Went :to 'Goole and Fleetwood, becadse the fekrid the deeortiniodation se insufficient here and the Chargei greater, than they, *ere vdillln td bear. There being no watehoulei ori the que#, there was the cost of cartage. Those gentlemen thought that, all such cases might be provided - for at.Birkenhead. It would be a valuable adjunct. Mr.. BUSHELL begged to add a single word. The corn trade had come there smarting under present difficulties, and loOking only at therri; sand they came to the board to know what could be done to obviate those difficulties at once ; but it was thrown out by the chairman, and attentively listened to by the deputation, that although eYerything Would be done to meet the present wants of the corn trade; it *as desirtals the trade should take the larger view, and looking into the ftittire, Seeing that it Was a trade which would extend alioVe any otha trade . (for he believed that LiierPool, would yet be one of the greatest grain ports in the world), it was suggested that they should Consider hOW far they. abonld make Birken head available as the means of carrying do a great grain trade in Liverpool. One of the things insisted Upon by the grain trade was classification—that they should have docks and warehouses to themselves. Well, they knew almost as well as that board did, that under the present state of things in Liverpool it was impossible that such a classification could be made. That classification could only take place where they had 300 acres of water apace, and two •or three Miles of quay space ; and he understood that since the interVieW, the corn trade with that tisdornifOr which they were proverbial—lot there were, perhaps, not note intelligent men in the World, by dealing in an article subject to all contingencies of climate and weather, they were coritindally on the-look out, wed p repared, rte f..‘• as man:S ingenuity went, to meet them,—he had heard that it was intended to hold a meeting of the corn trade to consider the position, not only of the present gigantic corn trade of Liverpool, but that much more gigantic trade which it would become. Mr. DARBYSHIRE was satisfied if the corn trade would go to Birkenhead, it would be good for them. He pre ferred such a class of produce being placed there to being put in Liverpool. Mr. SEGAR said Birkenhead could only be one part of the question after all, and that board had, of course, the greatest interest .in pushing forward the prosperity 6f Birkenhead. He had no doubt if the board would build warehouses at Birkenhead, with mechanical faci lities, which would give them a preference over Liver pool, they would get the trade fast enough. He and his firm would be delighted to take warehouses there. He understood from Mr. Chapman that in America you could get wheat discharged for one-fourth the cost they could in Liverpool ; and he hoped, in pushing on accom modation at Birkenhead they would not forget Liver pool, but that they should give the trade a dock at the North-end, and build warehouses there as well. (Hear, hear.) The loss upon the dock quays was very great at present. Mr. BROCKLEBANK said Mr.. Boult had asked if any definite proposition was made by the corn trade as to Birkenhead. He answered there was none ; but he was glad to hear from Mr. Bushell that the corn trade were again taking the subject into consideration. Mr. Segar said if they built warehouses at Birkenhead, the corn trade would probably go there ; but they must have some definite request from them before they went to such an expense. (Hear, hear.) The only definite proposition made was that where corn is usually landed, - at the. - Wellington Dock, a certain portion of space which is uncovered might be covered, for the purpose of storing corn for a week or so, till it could be taken away.. , The proceedings were then confirmed. THE WAREHOUSE COMMITnE. The proceedings of this committee comprised several reports in reference to the bursting out of fire in a bale of cotton, ex Ticonderago, discharging into the north stack of the Stanley warehouses, whilst it was in course of removal from tho landing scale. It appeared from the statement of the labourer in charge, that in emptying it from the truck he had heard an explosion, like a lucifer match igniting, and immediately afterwards saw that the bale was on fire. The fire also caught another bale before it could be extinguished. It had been resolved that a copy of the reports should he sent to Mr. Court, the secretary of the underwriters, and also to Messrs. Brown, Shipley, and Co., the consignees of the cotton. vV Mr. HUBBACK, in moving the confirmation of the proceedings, referred to the fact stated, which he sail it was the desire of the committee to be brought before'the public in the strongest manner. This was the second time, within a few months, that hales of cotton landed from ships at the Stanley warehouses had taken fire— serving to strengthen the surmise that it arose from some combustible ,matter being carried into,the Ware houses with the cotton stored there. That was confirmed by the fact that during the last two months not less than three vessels had been burnt - at sea, laden With cotton. Mr. BOULT said only that morning the captain of an American ship reported that his vessel took fire on the voyage. He got it extinguished, and found matches in the bales. He should like to ask why they were paying township rates upon their property on the other side of the water. ' The CILIIRMAN—You had better wait till the soli citor comes. Mr. ARNOLD said the township rates were paid by the advice of the ; solicitor. He thought the warehouse keeper was wrong in suggesting that a lucifer match was the cause of fire in cotton : it was more likely to be detonating matter. It convinced him that cotton was by no means the least dangerous material to put into a warehouse. _ The proceedings were confirmed. The proceedings of the Marine Department included a report from Mr. Gisborne to the effect that the cause of the interruption of the telegraphic communication between Birkenhead and Voel Nant had been discovered. The proceedings were confirmed, as were also those of the Pilotage Committee. THE DOCKS AND QUAYS COMMITTEE. Afessrs. Tobin and Co., having applied, as we under stood, that the strict rule as to the removal of goods from the dock quays within forty-eight hours, should not be strictly enforced, in reference to casks of palm oil being landed from one of their vessels. The request had been complied with. Mr. Locxarr, in moving the confirmation of the pro ceedings, said Messrs. Tobin and Co. were landing a cargo of palm oil. They were landing so much per day. The great bulk went away, but certain casks requiring to be inspected by brokers or competent persons, could not be passed immediately, probably from the brokers not coming down ; and the Committee thought, when there was no obstruction caused,• that it should be granted. He was sorry it was one of the board who required the privilege ; and if they compelled parties to remove palm oil and other articles sold, but not inspected, it would be a great detriment to the working of the port. There were sck many articles which would come under the same category, it was ridiculous to make regulations and rules. The CHAIM/AN hoped they would not discuss the bill over again. Mr. EVANS considered there was a very bad excuse alleged, that they could not get the brokers or overlookers to come down. It was holding out an encouragement to laziness and idleness. Mr. Tosm said—You land a large part of the cargo, you take away as fast as ever it is landed, but it may so happen you don't take the identical casks. That is the thing. You are entitled to the whole of Cie quay, but if you have not taken the identical _casks in the very order in which they were landed, you are summoned to the Police Court. If you can show the magistrate that you have carried away as you can, you are not fined ; THE HEALTH COMMITTEE. .At the usual weekly meeting of this 'committee held itt thu council-chamber of the Town-hall, yesterday, 14r; Alderrnan Doter presided. The other. members of the Cormirittee _present were= - Messrs. ftheil, Beckwith, lob, Ridley, Nicksoni !idSidoelt, and Orellin, The minutes' of . proceedings of the last meeting were read arid signed. 'the, follo'win'g report of the' Medical officer was submitted : The Medical Officer Of Ilearti,` I'4oo that the deaths registered in Liverpool during the Walr, ending 15th December were 166, being fewer than in the Pre vious week, and 60 less than the average (without cor rection for increase of population) of the same week of the preceding ten years. In the parish the deaths were 108; in the -out-townships 60. From diseases of the ivmotic class the deaths were 32, being only one-half of the corrected average. Of these 8 were from typhus, '7 from &cages, 5 front scarlatina, 4 pooping-cough, 4 diarrheia, 2 "croup', and 1 syphilis. Diseases of the lungs, with consuniption; occasioned 'if deaths, against 160 in the week previous; being 26 less than the Cor rected average: 15 persons died from diseases of the heart, a number unusuall late, the average being about seven. The temperature, was above the average on every day except Friday and atitirdaY, when it was one degree below it. The mean 'of the lied( was 43 1-10th degrees. The rainfall amounted to 14-16Iths of an inch. The Medical Officer of Health begs to recom mend that a sewer be constructed in Grafton-street, where many houses require drainage on sanitary grounds. The portion of the street referred to, between Hill street and Warwick-street, is in the estimates for the present year. The cost is stated by the, engineer at X3OO. W. IL DUNCAN Dec. 20, 186 e. nfn,,ne of Ti.L,lth. 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 135 nuisances com plained of by inhabitants had been inspected, and means had been taken to remedy them. 1254 houses in the unhealthiest districts, containing 3692 apartments, and 683 cellars, had been put under examination with a view to improving their sanitary. condition. Mr. HAYDOCK said he had a few remarks to make upon the inspector's report. He said that the inspector had qualified his report by stating that the wharves, at least some of them, were not so well attended to. He himself knew that, for he could appeal to a few members of the committee, who, along with himself, had seen a large deposit of filthy stuff placed near one of the most conspicuous wharves, and no attempt had been made to remove it—it appeared to be a mixing of the night soil with the street sweepings, and he thought it should not be allowed to be placed there. The Inspector replied that the matter was under the consideration of a special committee appointed for that purpose, who would attend to the nuisance complained of. The 'Joint Committee appointed to inquire into the subject' of having the water and sanitary rates collected by one set of collectors, reported that they found that the cost did not exceed 2 per cent ; and they could not by any other arrangement do . the work except as at present. There being no other business to dispose of the com mittee rose. THE TRI-CENTENARY OF THE REFORMATION IN SCOT LAND.—A public meeting in commemoration of the tri.centenary . of the Reformation in Scotland, was held last evening in the school-room attached to the United Presbyterian Church, Mount-pleasant. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. Dr. Chilton, Rev. C. M. Birrell, and the Rev. William Graham and others. The meeting was numerously attended. A lecture upon the Reformation was delivered also at St. George's Church, Canning-street, by the Rev. Dr. McCrie. LIVERPOOL CHEMISTS' ASSOCIATION.—Last night a conversazione of the above association was held in the Royal Institution, Colquitt-street, and was attended by a large assemblage of persons, including a brilliant array of ladies. The whole of the museums and the Gallery of Art were thrown open, and were visited frequently throughout the evening by large numbers. Stereo scopes, debusacopes, chromeidoscopes, photographs, and various other objects of interest and curiosity were exhibited in the Bird-room and other parts of the insti tution. In the Geological Gallery a large variety of objects, illustrative of the subjects named, were exhibited under the microscope, by the following gentlemen : " Diatomacew," by Messrs. L. Hardman, Geo. Mansfield Brown, and Rev. W. Banister; "Objects by polarised light," by Mr. Geo. Williams and Mr. Elliot; "Living objects, and circulation of the blood in the lower animals," by Mr. John Abraham ; "Physiological preparations with the blood-vessels injected (transparent and opaque)," by Mr. C. J. English ; " Insect anatomy," by Mr. James Samuelson; "Foraminifera," by Mr. W. H. Weightman ; "Micro-photographs," by Mr. Nathan Mercer; "Marine zoology," by Mr. T. J. Moore ; " Textile fibres," by Mr. H. S. Evans. Mr. Evans also explained the method of rendering textile fabrics non-inflammable. Mr. I. B. Cooke exhibited Kirchkoff & Bursen's spectra meter; and Mr. Barrow exhibited Soleil's saccharometer. The refreshment rooms were open during the evening, and were supplied with abundance of excellent fare. The. chair was taken, in the large Lecture-room, by the pre sident, S. B. Edwards, ' Ph.D. F.C.S., who delivered explanatory observations on " Spectrum analysis," "Polarised light," " Magnetic and electric light," illus trated by projections by the oxy-calcium lantern, and polariscope, and by electrical discharges in vacuo, &c. Professor T. Way, of London, was present, and exhibited his new electric lamp, adapted to lighthouse illumination. THE LIVERPOOL LAND AND llousEowNEns' Asso- CIATION.—The annual meeting of this society was held last night, at the Clarendon-rooms, Mr. Owen Williams in the chair, and there was a numerous attendance of members. The report, which was read by Mr. Bremner, solicitor, congratulated the members upon the present position of the association. It now numbered 240 members, and a very great proportion of the whole property of the town was already represented in the association. The report then reviewed the various mat ters on which the council of the association had taken action within the year. These were severally the proposed bye-laws, the rage for increasing salaries, . the water rating question, the public offices, town improvements, the increase of sanitary rates, and the library and museum rate. In refe rence to the latter, the members were assured that no more than one penny in the pound could be legally enforced. The report was adopted on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Bannister, when Mr. Bremner at some length dwelt upon the various topics contained in the report, as showing the good which the society had accomplished. The Chair man afterwards addressed the meeting, complaining personally of the system of whitewashing courts at the order of officers of the Health Committee, and which he said had depreciated that class of property. In reference to the Public-offices, he suggested that the Town Council should build a villa on the Newsham-house estate as a judge's lodgings, with rooms for the mayor, a dining room, and ball-room ; whilst, by having all rates collected by the parish, the Town-hall could be made to suffice . for all other departments of the public service. Mr. J. B. Hughes, the secretary, then read a statement of the accounts; from which it appeared that the subscriptions had amounted to £99, leaving a balance due to the treasurer of £l4 ss. Bd. The president, secretary, treasurer, and auditors were re-appointed; and a committee having been chosen for the ensuing year, the meeting was made special for the alteration of one of the rules ; and after the usual com pliment to the chair, the meeting broke up. HIE GRAND CONCERT IN ST. GEORGE:S. HALL, THIS &ENING. Speiiaity intfte the intention of our readers to the ex‘.Ceedili 6 l) ) . .111iYii ltfta eliog lihich awaits them In a • -c nor s- a , r 17,5;.. .n The programme 6+ t. the .naintis e 4 d%tigguished artistes, 6sid' , 4 tVe of sot's - aft 4 tittie assigned to them. it 0? 19e ribtidedltilat on this occasion the celebrated seeiii ga.Cfarien's new grand opera of •`Robin Hood'.' will be irnitrodried fol the first time to a Liverpool audience by Madame' f,enitrreilS Phertinffton, a lady who herself makes her first ap'p F aratte therpool, a circumstance which, combine - d fhe other . . Wreti-Ittrorn names, and the other fa. , ?Otiiite thereedre.f clesdtit'ed in the adver , tisement, cannot ,fair for this toneett a most !brillaht, iashion'able, - and we feritiiire. alfd, etifthirsiastic es.l'e'mtlage: Tlie arra)? Of filent H6'61;1000.4 teget'a.er at an enorilloWs expense; has been manifestly' rarely 'equalled on any similar eetaiibri'. We would' also re mind our readers of the expedier4,- thei . dtisiie to obtain a share in the best places, to apply is tvaily as possible this morning to Messrs. Hime and Son, uncle/ whose spirited direction the concert has been, got up. VENGIER'S. ORME, DALE-STREET. 'lhe present add preceding Week at Hengief's have been most successful ;' the . etttetta*'enfs - m i ost interesting, and' varied. - ISTON#OIty , after nolefty shin the oPenlit hes teen rapidly produeed and,- tnattaff of any slackening ?ri the' efforts,' the marfagenient each succeeding week produCeigtimething stilr mere attractive than the previous one. In additto to the other per formances which we have so often recorded, rwe:have tow to notice particularly the really astonishing perfe manie Of Mr, John Milton Hengleron the tight rope, which. is an absofil i t;.',"woltder. Talk of Blondin—why we have quite as great a man in. the person of this great performer; and although the former may walk across the Falls of Niagara, we think he Woed fail to accomplish the feats that Mr. Hengler accomplishes, With as much ease as if he were on the solid ground, and. With Certainly more agility than he could exhibit on terra fiwict. With perfect truth we can say, that any description of his matchless performance would fall Seff f f ai slibrf of conveying a shadowy notion of the: reality; ereetrib• thrill olives over the beholders, 1 as they gaze with bated' breath"' on Mr. Hengler's agile movements, and aftentafels Venting their admira tion in rounds of vehement applause. it Wotild seem as if there was nothing he could not do on the tight rope Those who have witnessed his performance, and they are deesavdsi are sure to go again ; and to those who have not, we only say, " go, and you will find our notice far behind elagge-latiort," We observe that v there 3s preparation a grand Equestrian Pantomime fort c'l/rlstrnas, to be called " Valentine and Orson ;" and froni the eAcellenee in which everything is got up at the Cirque We can fairly and confidently anticipate a real treat in' this piece. The performances this evening will be tender the patrohage of our new and estimable Mayor, N 4116 ICI ' be' ptesent. The whole of the star company will be in ntfeitdande oh this occasion, and a variety of attractions, in all the spientdouir Which the establishment can furnish, will be produced for the' gratification' of the elite of the town, who are expected to attehtl.• There will be a day performance on Saturday' (to , morrow), and the new pantomime will be produced hi all its gorgeousness on Monday evening, and repeated doling the holidays, so that the public will have one of the I:st and most rational amusements during the festive season. LATEST NEWS. 141,8 1 F DERBY GUARDIANS. The usual weekly meeting of the West Derby Board of Guardians was held on Wednesday/ in the boardroom at the Workhouse. Mr. Reyes was in the chair. The other members present were Messrs. Abrahams, leffery, Ciarrat ,t Richmond, Shaw, Roscoe, J. Edwards, Ware hacm Whiny, and Pilling. Mr. Nevfiands, borough engineer, applied for some stews in Die stcraeledi at east price. The offer Was detlined. , ItfierAlcE ;Dr Tfls AMOUNTS. The folloviing is Mr extract from the proceedings of the Finance Coniihittiee :--- , "llaVirtg investigated the circumstances attendant dpori t'h'e making of a call upon the several townships in the union, en the At November last, have ascertained that the additioti of 50' pet cetit. on the expenditure of the half-year ending March, 1'860., was an error ; should have been £3,210, in lieu of £6,316 and that the said sum of £3,210 may fairly be estimated as an increase during the current half-year,' iti craiiSetpietice of the additional charge . which will fall upon the union for establishment expenses at the hos pital, and the actual inttease hi the price of, proyisions, and the increased number's id the -workhouse together with the balance Which it would be desirable to have in hand at the expiration of the current half-year, to meet the necessary outlay until a further call could be made. The corrimittee, tinder the circumstances, how ever, and to enable thetti tc aseertain the exact financial state of the union and township aftairs itt the present time, recommend that the overseers of the poor of the several townships in the union be requested not to pay the third instalment in the call already made, till further notice or the board, atter the eomplecien of tho procont audit, and a statement of the accounts be placed before the said overseers." Mr..SHAIV in Moving the adoption of the proceedings of the Finance Committee, took occasion to disagree with one portion of the minntes, namely, that which accounted for the increase in the expenditure, by referring to the i ncr eased establishment expenses. He recited a long list of figures. comparing the expenditure of former years since 1852 up to the present time, and showing that in his estimation, that white in the present year the number of inmates had decreased, the eXpendi ture had increased over that of 1852, nearly £lOO. A long conversation occurred, some of the members rebutting the statement made by Mr. Shaw. The pro ceedings of the committee were ultimately confirmed. THE GRAND VOLUNTEER BALL AT MANCHESTER. This long anticipated ball, in aid of the funds of Manchester volunteer regiments was held on Wednesday night, at at the Free-Trade Hall, and passed off-very successfully. The decorations were entrusted to Messrs. R. Anderson and Sons, upholsterers, &c., of Bold-street, Liverpool, who completed their task within an amaz ingly short space of time, and in a manner which gave universal satisfaction. Trophies of rifles and bayonets, surmounted by chaplets of laurel, stood between the pilasters; and there were six very elegant Oriental tents at the back of the gallery, which overshadowed small counters, at which light refreshments were - supplied. These tents, which were surmounted by the Prince of Wales's plume, added very greatly to the effect of the decorations; and the supply of ices, coffee, &e.; in the gallery, must have added much to the comfort of the visitors. The fronts of the five private.boxes were filled with flowers and evergreens, national shields being placed in their centres. Refreshments were supplied at tables under the circular end of the gallery. The orchestra was occupied by Mr. -Goodwin's fine band, numbering forty-five performers. The Committee-room, to the right of the orchestra, was metamorphosed into a reception-room for the ladier, and magnificently and most tastefully fitted up. Every room in the building was in use last evening, and the rooms usually set apart as ladies' cloak-rooms were specially decorated in different styles. The drawing room and the card-room were newly furnished, and they looked very comfortable and handsome apartments. The refreshments and the supper were supplied by Mr. D. Anderson, of the Merchants' Dining-rooms, Liverpool. Both the assembly-room and the supper room proper were used for the supper, and the tables were loaded with perhaps as abundant and as choice viands as were ever served up at any public assembly. The " bill of fare" was exceedingly varied ; and the bill of quantities showed that there was no fear of any visitor not getting liberally supplied. There was silver plate upon the tables worth more than £2,000, and the table cloths used by Mr. Anderson exceeded in the whole a length of 500 yards ! The waiters and waitresses were a small army in themselves. TUB WORKHOUSE COMMITTEE.—The usual Weekly meeting of the members of the Workhouse Committee was held yesterday, iu the board-room of the Work house, Brownlow-hill. Mr. Owens in the chair; the other gentlemen present were Messrs. Denton, Smith, Whitty, Satchell, Jones, Scott; Collins, G-oodacre, and the Rev. Rector Campbell. From the Governor's report it appeared that the population of the house on last Wednesday was 2,404 ; this day (December 19, 1860,) 2,414 ; 10 increase. Number of inmates in the house on the 19th of December, 1859, 2,236; this day 2,414; 178 increase. The medical officers reported that the total number of persons tinder treatment was as fol lows :—Remaining since last report 702 ; new cases since 157 ; cured and discharged 156 ; died as per death book 21 ; now remaining under treatment 682; there were 32 fever cases remaining since last report; new cases since 16 ; cured and discharged 1; died 1U now remaining 36 ; 29 itch cases since last report ; 15 new cases since; cured and discharged 18; now under treatment 26. The total number of destitute persons relieved in the vagrant sheds, was 345 men, 105 women, and 19 children, total 367 being an increase during the week, and of 192 for the corresponding- period last year. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Clerk read a minute respecting 'the' quantity of flour supplied to the workhouse, which the Governor reported was not equal to sample. Mr. Jonei stated that he had examined 50 packs of the 300 pecks of flour supplied to the house by Mr. Phillips, the contras= tor, and found•that they were very inferior as compared with sample. The flour was composed of refuse barrel flour and an inferior sort of Egyptian seconds. Mr. Scott moved that, inasmuch .as the contractor himself admitted to the Governor of the workhouse that 50 packs of the quantity supplied we re i n f er i or to sample, the whole be rejected, which was seconded by Mr. Denton. It having transpired that :the contractor was waiting outside, he was called in before the board, and explained that the 50 packs-which had been considered of an inferior quality were sent to the workhouse by his miller without his knowledge. He averred, however, that the other 250 packs were equal to sample. It was then moved as an amendment by Mr. Collins, which was carried by a Majority, that Mr. Phillips be requested to remove the 50 inferior packs, and that the remaining 250 be subjected to a re-examination, and if inferior also, they are to be rejected, and if otherwise they are to be received. A letter was received from the Chaplain of the workhouse, requesting that the committee would consent to the alteration of the afternoon service from six o'clock to three o'clock, by which arrangement a large number of persons would attend the service. The alteration was acceded to for six months, The board shortly after separated. • • r • . ( t inansfr AND IRISH MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.) FRANCE. It is said that the Empress has sent £4,000 to the Pope. PAtis", Dec. 20. The Muniteur contains a decree remitting the conderonntiens which have been pronounced for infractions of the law in connection with the piess, and nullifying all prosecutions which have been eoniniClided: All the Itiarsh'als . of Fratuce with the exception of Marshal Canrobetti Who' is indisposed, dined with the Emperor, on Tucgday, at the Tuileries, The Globe remarking on the sigiiifkant article in the Constitutionizel of to-day, says it inevitably reminds one of a certain sentence uttered on the list of e'anmary, in 1859, which was followed by a war against Austria. FIZENeII FUNDS. Runs, Dec. 20 c 3.55 p.m. The 13oursd extremely dull, with bvt little doing. Rentes data at 68f. 60e.,, or Ioe. lower than yesterday. FRANCE AND THE TREATY OF MACE WITH CHINA. The 11/mite/4r publishes a despatch from Baron Giros ? dated Pekin, 7th ult., via St. Petersburg, confirming the signature of peace. The Shanghai ultimatum had been accepted by the Chinese. The ratifications of the treaty of Tien-tsin had teen exchanged.• Sixty millions of francs would be paid to France as an indemnity, The emigra tion of Coolies had been authorised by the Government. Churches,. camel cries, and their dependencies, which formerly belonged to the Christians in the whole empire, would be restored. T'e• Dom and Donzine Saloum were to be sung in the . Cathedral of Pekin after the replacing of the cross on its. summit. FRENCH OCCUPATSON OF SYRIA. It is reported at Paris that the. French Ambas sador at Constantinople was on the poivt of con cluding an agreement, in virtue of which the French army in Syria would prolong its occupa tion for six months beyond the time originally agreed upon. The Paris letter in the Daily News says France certainly will not withdraw her troops from Syria at the end of the six months named in the convention, and will as certainly keep them there after the proposed extended period. AUSTRIA AND VENETIA. PARIS, Dec. 20. The Constitutionnel publishes an article, signed by its chief editor, M. Grandguillot, on the ques tion of Austria and Venetia. M. Grandguillot states that solutions of that question are every where sought after because it is instinctively felt that a decisive crisis is approaching. All Europe seems to have apprehensions for the coming spring. He is convinced that the wisdom of the Gotetmnent of the Emperor will know how to prevent a struggle henceforth without any object. The situation of Austria in Venetia is deplorable. Everything is possible in that province except that which now exists. M. Grandguillot also expresses his conviction that Austria, who knows how provinces are gained, will also remember how they are lost. He believes that Baron Von Schmerling sees things in a different light from General Benedek, and that the Baron has already weighed the chances of a new struggle. FAILURE OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH FRANCIS 11. PARIS, Dec. 20. The Patric says the negotiations for the evacua ,ion of Gaeta have failed. The bombardment was ,cP recommence on the morning of the 19th inst. THE BOMBAY MAIL. The' advices from Bombay by the overland mail arc to November 26th, and from Calcutta to November 17th. The Bombay Gazette gives an unfavourable account of the state of India. The European army is discontented, and part of it mutinous. The native troops are not to be trusted, and the whole population is bitterly dissatisfied with the Government that has imposed the income-tax. At Rona several thousand natives had assembled and publicly torn up the income-tax papers. AL tl valtray pop vv. ctrntirni h ad been made against the tax. The Bombay Gazette says it wants little now to entirely stop the collection of the tax. The Bombay Press raises an outcry against the shameful delay in the payment of the Indian prize.money. The local army is also irritated by the delay in issuing the details of the amalgama tion with the royal army. The Government of the Nizam has ceded to us a rich cotton-growing country, including Behar. It will be penetrated in three years by the rail way from Bombay. A suttee has taken place in Najpootana. A band of rebels amounting to about fifty, led by a pandy, has been arrested in Mey war. COMMERCIAL. Bombay import market stagnant. The com bination of the native dealers against the income tax still continued. A rise in cotton had been followed by a relapse in consequence of high freights. Larger quantities going forward for England than for:some time past. In the freight market large engagements made at increasing rates up to 625. 6d. for Liverpool and 575. 6d. for London. ' _ _ • REINFORCEMENTS FOR NEW ZEALAND. The 57th regiment has sailed from Bombay for New Zealand. • - ' MUTINY OF THE. BENGAL EUROPEAN The sentence of death on private William Johnson, for mutiny, has been already announced. The Commander-in-Chief has dist;sstnded the regi ment on the ground of its generally insubordinate and mutinous conduct. The geumal order was that more than a tenth of the regiment had been condemned by courts-martial in a few weAs, yet the insubordination had continued.. The condOct of the non-commissioned officers had been so bad tn . ,at it was necessary to reduce them to the ranks. The privates were to be drafted to other regiments of the local army. While marching to their new destination they were not to be allowed to carry arms. RATIFICATION OF THE TREATY WITH CHINA. FOREIGN OFFICE, De . :l, 20. Sir John Crampton reports, yesterday, that Lord Elgin. in a letter of the Bth of November, informs him of the ratification and publication of the treaty with China, and of the march of the army to Tien•tsin. His Lordship makes no men tion of the prisoners, but says that he is indebted to General Ignatieff for the manner in which that minister had promoted the object of his negotia tions. MASSACRE pF ENGLISH AND FRENCH PRISONERS BY THE CHINESE. FOREIGN OFFICE, Dec. 20. The following telegram has been received this afternoon from Sir John Crampton, dated St. Petersburg, Dec. 20, 1 p.m. :—Prince Gortschakoff has communicated to me the following report from General Ignatieff of the E ur opean massacre by the Chinese : English : De Norman, Mr. Bruce's attaché, Anderson, chief of Lord Elgin's escort, the correspondent of the Times. French : Du ‘ bat,, intendant of the French expedition, one of his aides-de-camp, and a colonel of artillery. These are the only names cited by General Ignatieff, but the total number of victims is nineteen. CHINA MAIL. The next China mail is due at Malta on Satur day. It should bring advices- from Shanghai up to the 7th ult., and front Hong Kong up to the 12th ultimo. If the telegraph is working between Malta and Sicily, we may :expect a telegram with China news, the day after to-morrow. • - AMERICA. • QUEENSTOWN, Dec. 20. The Liverpool, New York, and Philadelphia steamship Company's screw-steamer Glasgow, with dates from New York to the Bth instant, arrived•at this port at four o'clock this afternoon. and sailed for Liverpool at half-past four. She brings 25 , cabin and 212 steerage passengers, and landed '3B here.• No specie: The steamer . - Asia had arrived out.. On the 9th passed the steamer United Kingdom, from Glasgow f or New York; and on the 10th saw a screw-steamer, supposed to be the Arago, bound east. The Glasgow expe rienced moderate breezes on the passage. News anticipated. FEARFUL SUICIDE. An inquest was held. this day, on the body of Mr. Thomas Inee, who committed suicide at his lodgings, Dorset-street, by hanging himself with a rope affixed to one of the posts of his bed, last night. Verdict," Temporary insanity." The deceased was from the neighbourhood of kenny.—Dublin Evening Freeman's louinal of yesterday.. DELAY OF THE ENGLISH AND SCOTCH LETTERS. DUBLIN, Dee. 20. In consequence of the heavy fall of snow last night having blocked up the Kingstown line, the English and Scotch letters were late for the usual mail trains this morning. PLYMOUTH, Dec. 20. Her Majesty's ships Royal Albert, Aboukir, Conqueror, Donegal, and Emerald, arrived here this afternoon. The Centurion was left at Lisbon to await the arrival there of the St. Jean d'Acre. M. A. Lamartine's paternal estate of Milly has at length been sold. The presentation of the freedom of the city of London and of swords of honour to Lord Clyde and Sir James Outram, took plate yesterday afternoon, in the Council Chamber, Guildhall. The London• Rifle Brigade formed a guard of honour on th occasion. The following appeared in our later editionetet yesterday : KING VICFOIt EMMANUEL. The Post's Paris correspondent says that the King has derided not to return to Turin till after the evacua tion of Gaeta, TIM CRISIS IN AIIIERICA, The _tiered says arrangements are already maling: procure additional sums from the Liverpool branch. oft the Bank of Yongland for transmission, in case the ntit' intelligence should not be more favourable. The Daily News stets that there is a growing feeling ott distrust with respect to the nurse of affairs in America. It is feared, that, our market will vet be called upon to contrib u t e l arge ly t o the relief of the country, The increased firmness which prevails in the English markets for the great American staples, corn and uottons, points in the same direction. The late Duke of Norfolk has, it is said, left e legacy , of £lO,OOO to the Pope. The people in Australia express a very anxious. desire , . that the Prince of Wales will pay them a visit. The Bombay overland mail arrived in London this; mcrning, in time for dispatch to the provinces by the morning mail. Her Majesty, the Prince Consort, Princess Alice, and Prince Louis Went to the camp at Aldershott yesterday, and remained at the Pavillion last night. Lord Seymour, who has served with the English Volunteers in Italy, has arrived in town. The Melauo left Naples on the 15th, with 250 of the legion f or England. The correspondent of the Times, at Rome, save that there seems no doubt that the Pope has now, including gensdarmes, between 10,000 and 11,000 soldiers in his service and pay. BROKERS AND THED3 PRINCIPALS. IMPORTANT CASE, Yesterday, at the Court of Common London, before Lord Chief Justice Erie and a special jn,Th the following action was tried : CRAWFORD AND ANOTHER V. NOYES ANT/ JCNBTIVIV3. Mr. O'Malley and Mr. Pollock appeared for till plaintiffs, and Mr. Serleant Shee and Mr. Beresfovd fin(' the defendants. The plaintiffs are shipowners, and at the time tl+6 , transaction in question took place they owned the ship' Jason, which sailed between Lowden and Calcutta; and the defendants were ship and insarance brokers. In January last the Jason was advertised fbr sale, and the defendants inquired of Messrs. Phillips- and Co., the brokers for the ship, what was the freight for spelter- After some bargaining a contract was entered into , at 455. a ton, and afterwards another contract for iron , at the same rate. The contracts were in the name of the defendants, and no principal was named. Under these: circumstances the plaintiffs' case was that the defendants; themselves were bound to pay the freight, and this actiow was brought to recover the amount of it-5164 10s. Bd.. When the plaintiffs applied to the defendants for the , amount at the end of the usual two months' credit, they were referred to the defendants' principal, who, how-- ever, became bankrupt a few days afterwards. In the course of the plaintiffs' case it was stated that the ship ping papers described the goods as "shipped by Messrs. Noyes and Grey, as agents." Mr. Sergeant Shee addressed the jury, stating that it was clear that the defendants had acted as agents only ; and he should contend that under these circumstances, and especially with the additional fact that it was arranged that the defendants themselves should have the " priinage t " they ought not to be held liable in this action as principals. lie had witnesses to custom. A juryman said that the gentleman in the box were themselves twelve witnesses to custom. A verdict was returned for the plaintiffs for £155 15s. 4d., the amount of the claim after deducting thee primage. PRELIMINARY TRIAL OF VESSELS FOR THE ORIENTAL INLAND STEAM CO. On Tuesday a very satisfactory preliminary trial took place on the river of a train of barges in tow of a steamer built by the Oriental Inland Steam Co. on %timers plan for the navigation of rivers in India, which, hems the great dimensions of the vessels composing the treaty. and the novelty of their towing connections, have excited much interest here and elsewhere. The train, consisting of a steamer and five barges, is; 231 feet in length over all, 30 feet beam, and 8 feet. aeptn or liuki. Ph, ;. Art.a with engines om the double cylinder principle, high and low pressure ;. the boilers being capable of working at a pressure of 100 lbs. on the square inch, but on this the first trial at pressure of 50 lbs. only was used. The engines at this. pressure made 26 revolutions, and the speed of the , train ascertained by log was 7 knots. The steamer' alone, with a pressure of only 35 lbs. on the boilers;- attained a speed of 11 knots. The train, in charge off Mr. Alexander, pilot, of this port, went through numer-. our evolutions, and turned round in a complete circle in eight minutes, being completely under control, which elicited from the gentlemen who were kindly afforded an opportunity of being present the highest expres sions of satisfaction with the result. We understand that an official trial will take place forthwith, ander the immediate superintendence of several nautical and engineering authorities specially appointed by the com pany to test the merits of the principle on which these. vessels have been built. The shareholders of the com pany will also immediately have an opportunity of witnessing the performance of their vessels; and front the preliminary trial we feel assured that tkey will he much gratified with their performances_ Mr. Bourne was not present, but doubtless he wilt attend at future trials ; and there is now little reason to , doubt but that these will prove the advantages , of his. system to be such as he anticipates, which wle afford.' subject for much congratulation to all interested, North British Daily Mail. The annual meeting of the Birkenhead Savings' Bank: took place at the bank, in Price-street, on Wednesday' night. TURKISH AND ROMAN BATHS.—As the subject of Turkish and Roman Baths is now exciting great interest through the country amongst all classes, we understand that Dr. Haughton, a young gentleman who has resided for several, years in the east, intends to give a eonversa zione in the Argyle-rooms, Birkenhead, to-morrow evening, when the subject of Turkish and Roman Baths will he fully explained ; and Dr. Houghton will also be glad to answer any questions which the public may think necessary to put to him. BIRKENHEAD POLICE COURT.—At this court yesterday (before Sir E. Cust, Messrs. Fielding, Case, and Youngh us band) William Coventry was charged with having stolen a pig's head in Great Neston. The offence being proved, the prisoner was sentenced to imprisonment for twenty-orye days.—John Glover and Henry Swanwick were appre 'iended for contempt of court, and fined 18s. 6d. and g s . 6d. respectively.—John Montford and Thos. Helrood were . summoned for assaulting John Hurst. The defen dants 1 11 ,'d to pay 7s. 6d.—Jas. M'Comb was imprisoned for twenty:-one days for stealing a tab.—On Wednesday last, Sarah Tones was committed to Chester, upon a coroner's warra.'"lt, for the manslaughter of her child. SOIREE AT KIRIZDA.LE.—The sixth sessional soiree, ill ' connection with the C laremont Literary Association, io The attendance of mem was held on Wednesday e _ ening., in St. Marys school room, King-street, Kirkda, v bers and ladies was nurnero:ts. The school-r oom was c j oeora t e d with the insignia cif the season. Tea was laid iipon the table at half-past L'ix o'clock ; and after was practically discussej, the chair was the qualities of the cup that cheers; and which does president of the societ, Air. Thomas not inebriate , e remaining portion of the eV.9iing was taken by tho pleasantly and v :antageously spent in listening tv papers Nichoand addresses on C.ar.ious appropriate subjects by Mr. W. Rowe, Mr. D. L'nas, Mr. W. M. Emery, and humorous recitations and songs by other members aid friends. A lady played two or three tunes on the piano-forte, and the proceedings were happily terminated at an early hour. VOLUNTEER CORI'S.— COlTlTtlits.:i"S signed by the Queen : 2nd Battalion of Cheshire ;.7ifle Volunteers—. Lieut.-Col. Samuel B. Hamilton, late or the 25th Foot, to be Adjt. from the 24th of October, 180. 4th Bat talion of Ch es hi re Rifl e Volunteers—Capt&!le Ad Fran.c.ig Lloyd,. late 2nd Royal Cheshire Militia, to !. By the Lord-Lieut. of the County Palatine of Ch ester : 3rd Company of Cheshire Artillery Volunteers—SeCond Lieut. Henry Pooley, to be Captain, vice Reynolds, resigned; David Walker, gent., to be Second Lieut., vice Pooley, promoted; James Henry, Esq., M.D., to be Hon. Assist.-Surgeon. Ist Company of Cheshire Rifle Volunteers—Henry Hyndham Laird, Esq.. to be Capt. v vice Cadell, resigned ; George Edward Schultz, gost.,, to be Lieut., vice Ward, resigned. sth Company of" Cheshire Rifle Volunteers —Ensign Arthur Isaac Solly, to be Lieut., vice Wilbraham, promoted ; George Wm. Reade, gent., to be Ensign, vice Solly, promoted. By the Lord-Lieutenant of the County Palatine of Lancas ter : 12th Lancashire .Artillery Volunteer Corps—Josiah Jones, the younger, Esci., to be Captain. Ist Lancashire Rifle Volunteer Corps—Capt. George Hunter Robert son, to be Captain Commandant. 23rd Lancashire Rifle r Volunteer Corps—Edward Lees, gent., to be Ensign. 36th Lancashire Rifle Volunteer Corps—Ensign John Bullough, to be Capt., vice Green, resigned. 43rd Lan cashire Rifle Volunteer Corps—EnsignA A ugu stus Percy Earle, to be L ieut., vire Stagg, resigned; Elward Gad dum, gent., to be Ensign. 13nowN and BACON most respectfully announce to their cus tomers and the public generally, that they keep a large and well-selected stock of articles required for Family Mourning; and that all Funeral and Mourning orders are attended to with the greatest care and economy.—Magazia 8 1, 85, and 85, -3old-street.—Adv. HOLLOWAY'S OINTMENT AND PlLLS.—Acute Rheumatism. In all severe pains in the joints or muscles, after due fomenta tion with warm water, the soothing action of this Ointment is most remarkable • it seems at once to lessen inflammation, ease 'pain,. ream( e the swelling, restore the free circulation, and expel the disease. In these complaints. indeed, Holloway's ffntthent and Pills are an infallible specific. The Ointment should be rubbed as near the p art in pain as the patient can bear; it is absorb ed and directl y conveyed to the diseased textures, where, acting on nerves, vessels, and guiders, it will arrest disease and again establish healthy action. The aperient qualities of the Pills have the happiest effect in assisting the Ointment, .4: 1 14a Sts. iro and of and 11 of hag buts the p be phic ages s, as niptS Lotry nded se to Idopt this to o t a auks turn bout sans, leni- 211t1- Wit, me, ,nco trie l es° er . it the the ,vrn hat