The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-01-06 00:00:00

Jan. 6, 1846. ?Loral anb probincial gavo. FATAL ACCIDENT.-A. man named Higham was killed, ,•,- together with a donkey which he was driving, on . the Mr. Perry, of Tranmere, has paid to the Birkenhead - -, evening of Tuesday last, by a luggage train from beer- Dispensary the sum of £5O, to secure to the poor of pool, on the Grand Junction, not far from Warrington. Tranmere far ever the benefits of that institution. The bodies of the man and the animal were shockingly On Wednesday last, George Corfield, car-driver to G. mutilated. Higham be was rather deaf, to which misfortune A. Green, was fined 40s. and costs, for driving furiously the calamity may attributed. down Bold-street the preceding day. THE EXHIBITION, POSTOFFICE-PLACE.--The num ber of persons who had attended at the charge of Is. each BEES IN WINTER.-On Christmas-day, a sworm of w bees were seen sporting in the sunshine at Charleton, in was 11,931, and the number of season tickets issued 657. the Fylde, as if it had been a summer's day. The committee, with the view of meeting the means of The screw auxiliary steamer Massachusetts arrived the working classes, reduced the prices to 2d. for adults here on Wednesday, after a run of twenty day s from New and Id. for children, and during eleven days 8987 persons York. had availed themselves of the privilege thus afforded ; On New Year's day Messrs. Bennion and Healey, 3,050 children had also been admitted, belonging to va coachbuilders, Berry-street, treated their workmen to a rious schools. The sum collected by the art union was sumptuous dinner in a room handsomely decorated for £678, being rather less than the amount last year, but as the occasion. they distributed an engraving the previous year, there On Wednesday, Mary Jones was fined 40s. and costs would be a larger sum actually available on the present for illegally pawning a waistcoat, worth £l, with which occasion. On Wednesday, the drawing took place for she was intrusted by her lodger, William Owens, who the Art Union, when the following prizes were distribu had left her house for a few weeks. sad :-Miss Yates £6O, Mr. H. N. Winstanley £5O, Mr. Allan Potter £4O, Mr. John Mather £3O, Mr. John At- Government has directed Mr. Rushton to investigate kinson £25, Miss Fairhurst £25, Mr. Herd £2O. Mr. and report upon all the circumstances attending the erni- William Taylor £2O, Mr. S. J. Steers £2O, Mr. Richd. grants who have been so much distressed by the condem- Houghton £2O, Mr. J. A. Syers £2O, Mr. Alex. Harley nation of the American ship Robert Isaacs. The coroner's inquest on the bodies of the persons Maxwell £2O, Mr. John Turner £2O, Mr. H. C. Stan killed by the bursting of a steam-engine boiler at Bolton, nistreet, £l5, Mr. Jos. Bramwell, £l5, Mr. Thomas has terminated in a verdict of manslaughter against Mr. Smith £l5, Mr. Alex. Shaw £l5, Liverpool Academy Kitts, one of the proprietors of the mill. £l5, Mr. Colin Campbell £l5, Mr. Jago £lO, Mr. J. A verdict of manslaughter has been returned against M`Grindle £lO. Miss E. A. Atkinson £lO, Mr. War rington £lO. Mrs. Clapperton £lO, T. T. Hornby the driver of the Blackburn and Preston coach which £lO, Mr. John Lamb, £lO. Mr. Robert Henderson was recently overturned, and by which one of the pas £lo, Mr. Wm. S. Fletcher £lO, Mr. J. R. Isaac £lO, sengers was so much hurt that he died a few days since. The driver was intoxicated at the time. Miss May Sothern £lO, Miss Bentham £5, Mr. Thomas BURNING OF A COTTON MILL.-On Friday afternoon, Blackburn, jun. £5, Mr. Robert K. Carter £5, Mr. T. ' about five o'clock, an alarm of fire was given in Manches- Romer £5, Mr. F. W. Lapuge £5, Mr. C. O Neil £5, ter, which proved to be at a cotton mill in Peter-street, Mr. William Macgregor £5, Liverpool Academy £3O. Knott-mill. The entire property (a mill of considerable HIGHWAY BOARD, THURSDAY.-A. report of the Sub-committee on the collection of taxes was read, re size) was completely destroyed. Scarcely a vestige of commending an alteration in the present mode of paying anything was saved. The value of the property destroyed the collectors • it also recommended that Mr. A rms t rong , is estimated at about £lO,OOO. the collectors, who, it appeared had been, accord- ROYAL LIVER THEATRE, CHURCH-STREET.-The statement of the treasurer, guilty of a dereliction performances this week have been the " Pickwick Clash, , should be allowed the usual bonus of £2O, thus with the inimitable Sam Weller of Mr. W. J. Hananibn placed on a footing of equality with the other col and the Christmas Pantomime. The houses have to clots. It was stated that th e W a t c h C omm itt ee h a d full ones, and the applause of the right hearty kind w Made a distinc ion as regarded Mr. Armstrong, by giving John Bull loves to give to favourites deserving of his ap- instead of £2O. A long and exceedingly ir regu l ar proval. dssion took place on the subject of the allowance t o On Saturday evening a Welshman was "done "out 0 f aqu £3O by the old horse-trick. He was met in Gr - Armstrong, when Mr. Whitby, seconded by M r . A s - Charlotte-street by a man whom he had never seen befo I, moved that he receive the full bonus of £2O. Mr. ' and who induced him, for the promise of a sovereign, tee, seconded by Mr. Higgins, prop ose d an ameral buy for him a horse for the amount, from a " gentleman " ant, that he receive only £l5. O n a di v i s i on , th e on the opposite side of the street. He bought the horse, amendment was carried by 12 to 3. It was afterwards a and when he had paid the money the other negociator had agreed that the suggestion, as to the alteration in the decamped, and he was left with an animal only worth the mode of paying the collectors, which formed part of the report, should be left to the conference between the price of his skin. Watch Committee and the Sub-committee of the board. The leading nobility and gentry connected with the -Mr. James Lawrence moved for a return of the ex county of Oldster have unanimously come forward to pro- p ence of paving in each street during Rest- with a view to their reformation. The Marquis of the last six m nth-, vide an institution for the refuge of juvenile offendeerst - offende rs, as he was of opinion that th e wor k d one by thi s t rus t was m minder and Mr. Wibraham Egerton have respectively more expensive tban in other places.-A mo ti on was given donatiqns of £lOO, and the Marquis of Cholmonde- made at the close of the proceedin gs by M r . Hi gg i ns, an d s ley, Lord de Tabley, Mr. J. Tollemache , M. P., and Mr, seconded by Mr. Gladstone, which was also supp or t e d b y Mr. George Wilbraham, are each donors to the amount of £5O. excellent conduct of Mr. Ashlin, the treasurer, in the di s - FATAL ACCIDENTS.-A few days since a child named charge of his duties, and particularly in respect to th e faithful acid independent course he had pursued in r e - Callow, sixteen months old, at Bridge-place, Brid ge- gard . Armstrong.-Mr. Ashlin briefly ret urne d t o Mr water-street, was smothered in his cradle, by the clothes Navin in some way got over his head.-On Friday, Thomas thanks, and stated that he had originally been the me ans Roberts, aged 37, fell down stairs, and died the same af- of introducing Mr. Armstrong into the office, and was actuated towards him by any thing but hostile feelings, ternoon, of concussion of the brain.-On the same day, while it had been extremely painful to him to bring the a child named Aaron, in Back Berry-street, died from conduct of that o ffi cer now before the board, and then having, a fortnight previous, had a tumbler of hot water not until after previous warnings. accidentally spilled over it.-On Tuesday, a female named Marigold, in Henry•street, died of injuries received from a fall down stairs. THEATRE-ROYAL,WILLIAMSON-SQUARE.-ThegraCe ful performances of the Viennoises Danseuses at this theatre, with the excellent acting of the company and the attraction of the pantomime have continued throughout the week to attract excellent and fashionable audiences. We observe that the manager is about to give a series of juvenile nights, which will enable the rising generation to witness the frolics of the clown and pantaloon and the graceful evolutions of harlequin and columbine, without the necessity of being out of their beds at the untimely hour at which the performances ordinarily close. DON'T LETC HILDREN PLAY WITH LUCIFER MATCHES • -Notwithstanding the many warnings which have been put forth of the poisonous qualities of these matches, a child, at Little Dewchurch, was, on Saturday week, suf fered to possess himself of some. He swallowed a portion of the phosphorus, and expired shortly afterwards in great agony. A factory, at Blackburn, was nearly set on fire, the other day, by a little boy who was playing with lucifer matches. The dreadful event which occurred a short time since, near Norwich, when the outbuildings of a farm were destroyed, and three children burnt, in conse quence of a servant having given them Lucifer matches to play with, will be fresh in the recollection of most of our readers. SHIP LAUNCH.-On Thursday, a ship was launched from the building-yard of Mr. Thomas Royden, Baffin street. She is built expressly as a packet to trade be tween this port and Valparaiso, is 113 ft. 2 in. long, beam 26 feet 5 inches, and depth of hold 18 feet. Though the wind was high at the time of the launch, not the least da mage was sustained by the vessel, nor was there any loss of the trappings which accompanied her. After a beauti ful launch the vessel was towed into No. 4, Graving Dock. She will be commanded by Mr. Richard Bartlett, who together with his cousin, Mr. John Bartlett, are the sole owners of the vessel. The cabins are fitted up in a most superior style, and she appears every way adapted for the trade. DOCK COMMITTEE..-At the meeting, on Thursday, on the recommendation of the Sub-committee of Works, it was agreed to close up the west entrance to the Victo ria Dock, The Marine Surveyor reported thatthe North west Formby Light-ship broke from her moorings during the gales of the 23d instant, owing to a flaw in one of her chains ; no difficulty was, however, occasioned, as she was moored again the following morning. Thomas Charnley was appointed to the situation of Dock Master to George's Dock. A plan of a steam-engine for ship ping timber, the invention of Mr. Jones, was laid on the table for the inspection of the members, but no proceed ings took place in reference to it. The other business was unimportant. IR:INQUESTS.-Three inquests were held on Friday-the first on the body of Thomas Highdale, an extra tide waiter, who was pitched into the water from the deck of the Douro, on Saturday last, then lying in the basin of the George's Dock, by the roughness of the weather. He was taken out immediately after, and conveyed to the receiving house, where he rallied so far as to be able to go borne in the course of the same evening, but he became worse subsequently, and died on Thursday. The second was on the body of Eleanor Harris, aged three and a half months, who was overlain by her mother, while in a state of intoxication, on Wednesday last, at 15, Gerard-street The third was on the body of a passenger, name unknown. who died on board the Mayflower, from New York, on, Monday last. The cause of death, as it appeared from a post mortem examination, was disease of the lungs and rupture of the blood vessels of the lungs. WEST DERBY UNION, TUESDAY.-It appeared from the relieving officer's accounts that during the last quar ter he had disbursed amongst the out-door poor of the union, resident therein, for the several townships, as follows :- West Derby .. £249 6 0 Lunt.... ~. . Everton Walton Bootle ... Fazakerley .... 12 11 0 Thornton Kirkby 1216 0 Childwall ...... 212 6 Aintree .. 119 6 Allerton ... . Great Crosby .. 12 5 0 Garston . 23 3 0 Little Crosby .. 17 15 6 Wavertree Ince Blundell .. 19 19 0 Kirkdale... ..... 42 10 6 I Lithcrland .... 5 6 6 Toxteth-park.... 545 12 6 A letter was read from Mr. Christopher Watson, rate book clerk of Toxteth-park, complaining that the overseers bad kept from him, within the last eight days, certain books which he required in the execution of his duties. A motion was carried to the effect, that the overseers be requested to state, in writing, to the board, their reasons for withholding the books. THE "MONSTER TWELFTH CAKE NIGHT."-Messrs. Feeney Brothers, of 20, Berry- s t ree t, ( an d a l so o f S t. James' -stre e t and South Castle-street,) have, at this anniversary of old English festivities, produced another Twelfth Night Cake, which they please to denominate a " monster "; but we must demur to the nomenclature, excepting in so far as it is huge in size ; for it is rich in material, beautiful and attractive in design, and altogether so inviting and irresistable, that, saving in bulk, it par takes of nothing of that repulsive property which apper tains to veritable " monstrousity." It is compounded, in fact, of the most delicious ingredients; baked, we believe, in pieces (for no oven yet constructed could receive it entire,) and soldered together with molten sugar, so as to form one immense whole. To view this cake properly one must stand at a considerable distance, and, even then, a telescope or an opera glass would be no bad auxiliary to descry its proportions and minutiree. It is not less than one ton in weight ; is 18 feet 5 inches in circumference, and 2 feet in depth. In the centre stands a magnificent tower, of the Chinese or composite eastern character, crimson without, and resembling ivory in the interior, colums, and archwork. This is 5 teet 10 inches from the base to the surmounting banner, and is enlivened by figures and groups, in diversified costume, all in the richest confectionary, yet bearing the semblance of life. The summit of the " mountain" cake, is covered with numerous figures, Cupids, Venuses, dancers, with wreaths, &c., &c. ; and above all, be it remembered especially by young men and maidens-that the real value is not exterior. Within the cake, which is to be cut up THIS DAY,---" the great, the eventful day"-big with the fate of those who aspire to connubial felicity-there are cunningly deposited by the " Gipseys of Norwood" twelve solid gold rings, each having its distinctive virtue, to secure felicity to the fortunate purchaser of the portion containing it ! Messrs. Feeny have already greatly con tributed greatly to the delight of Twelfth-night parties on the two last anniversaries, by this innocent and laughter exciting device ; and the extraordinary value of the rings on this occasion, induced by the former patronage which their former efforts have commanded, will, we doubt not, ensure them proportionate encouragement on this occa sion. The whole cake is in truth "doomed" to be speedily sold to thousands of customers, and we advise all love-sick youths and damsels to make early application lest they be disappointed in obtaining their wished-for share. On each side of the "great cake" there stands a splendid tower of sweets, 5 feet 5 inches in height, and the whole is spanned by a gorgeous triumphal arch, enriched with wreaths of flowers and supported by goddesses. Immense Crowds have already thronged the shop, and the street op posite the window. The quality and elegance of the ge. neral confectionary, &c., around, is also great, including four vases of wax fruit, admirably executed, and coloured 10 nature. The devises in gas are also loyal, beautiful lind 1 PprOPriate. ~,mL DREADFUL SHIPWRECKS Never, perhaps, for the last half century, has there been such a coctinuation of tempestuous weather, as during the last mouth. We give, in our shipping intelligence, an account of several distressing shipwrecks, and amongst them that of the St. David steamer, trading between this pert and Havre. There were, including the crew, nearly forty persons on board, all of whom perished, and the vessel must have gone to pieces; but no distinct account can be obtained about her. The steamer Tom Bowling, belonging to North Shields, was wrecked off the Dutch coast, and all hands perished. The Dutch Indiaman, Twee Cerucleleuses, wrecked in Pevensey Bay, near Eastbourne, on Sunday morning last, had a cargo valued at £30.000, which was totally lost with the ship. Two other Indiamen were lost more to the westward, one called the Kate Nicklebv, belonging to Glasgow, laden with rum, sugar, and other West Indian produce ; and the other named the Ness, from Demerara to Bristol. As regards the loss of the former ship, no• thing has been mentioned as to the fate of the crew. She is insured, we believe, for several thousands. The other wreck happened on Tuesday morning, on the coast near Padstow. Part of her cargo has been saved, viz.: about twenty casks of rum, and the same number of hogsheads of sugar, none of the latter seriously damaged, The wreck is under the protection of the military, who were called out by the custom-house authorities to prevent pil lage The ship and cargo is valued at £40,000. Within a short distance of the spot where the Ness went ashore, a vessel, which turned out to be the Albion schooner, 160 tons burthen, belonging to Brixham, and laden with iron rails, was totally lost, and all hands except one man. She was from Newport, bound to Ramsgate ; her cargo of rails being for the intended railway of that town, now in course of formation by the South Eastern Railway Company. To the westward of Dungeness Bay, near Rye, two most fatal wreeks happened during Christmas-day and the suc ceeding night. The names of the ill-fated vessels were the Elizabeth, coal laden, from Sunderland to Rouen, and the Eliza, of North Shields, the property of Mr. Fleming, also coal laden, for Flonflour ; and, dreadful to relate. every soul belonging to them, amounting to 20 persons, were drowned. Similar catastrophies occurred off Wisbeach, Cromer, Yarmouth, Robin Hood's Bay, and Calais. That at the first-named port was the loss of a brig called the Young Adam, of Skegness, and seven of her crew perished. Off Cromer, the Richard, of Elsi nore, foundered, and all on board, nine in number, went down in her. At Yarmouth, some miles out, two vessels were seen to founder, and as their crews have not been seen or heard of. it is supposed that every soul belonging them was sacrificed ; and at Calais, the Montague, of Newcastle, for Honfleur, also foundered. The crew, eight in number, took to the boat just before she went down, and were making for the shore, when the boat cap sized, and the whole of them perished. Since then their bodies have been picked up, and it was owing to some papers being found upon them that the name of the ill fated craft was ascertained. Round the neck of each of the bodies were medals of the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Benevolent Institution, 1845. Thirteen coasting vessels were driven ashore during the gales off different parts of the Welsh and the more distant portion of the Western coast. Along the Dutch coast the sacrifice of property has been equally as great as off the English. The total num ber of vessels reported to have been lost amounts to 16. The Belgian and French ci ast have been visited with si milar disasters, also occasioning a deplorable loss of life. LIVERPOOL JULY MEETING, 1846 The following entry for THE MERSEY STAKES, was closed on Thursday last, January Ist :—Wolverton— c by Simoon, out of Cassandra—Tribute—Miles's Boy— Daring—Glentilt—Projectile—b f Meeanee, by Touch ston—Eryx—Van Tramp—b fby Lanercost, out of Quilt Arnald's dam—The Maid of Motherwell—Tyrone—ln fringe—ch f by The Provost, out of Manilla—Chat— Mary Stuart. CHESTER SPRING MEETING, 1816 The GROSVENOR STAKES for all ages. To name on the day of entry for the plates. Subscribers : Lord Geo. Bentinck—Mr. E. J. Irwin—Lord Chesterfield—Mr. A. W. Hill—Mr. Mcstyn—Mr. Meiklam. The following entries closed on Thursday last, Ist Jan. The TWO-YEAR-OLD SWEEPSTAKES.—LeporeIIa, by Touchstone—Semiramis ; Glentilt ; Projectile ; f by Don John—Arachne ; The Prairie Bird, by Touchstone—Zil lah. by Reveller; Nerissa, by Launcelot ; f by Lanercost —Quilt Arnold's dam ; f by St. Martin—Royalty ; Cre dential ; Saddleworth, by Dick ; Wintonia, by Wintonian; Tribute, by Record ; Miles's Boy, by The Saddler ; Dip thong, sister to E. 0. ; Foreclosure, brother to Freeman. The TRADESMEN'S PLATE. 142 subscribers.— (Eolinc, Black Strap, Best Bower, Clumsy, Miss Elis, Marquis of Conyngham by Slane, Blackbird. Camera Obecura, Laird o'Coek pen, Lothario, Peasant, Muscatel by M us, Pompey, Lycurgus, Plaudit, Valiant by Vigo, Pal by Confederate, Anti-Repealer, Spur, St Lawrence, Winchester, Wea therbit, Stream, Astonishment, Rose of Cashmere, Intrepid, Turk, The Roper's. Daughter, Pythia, William-le•Gros. Mickey Free, Warp, Patriot, Polish, Ould Ireland, Faugh,a-ballagh, Needful, Eboracum, Salopian, Pedometer, Winesour, Trueboy, Inheritress, Rowena, Brother to Sir Henry, The Hero, Colleen Dbas, Roderick, The Warrior, Queen Pomace. Cataract, Con naught Ranger, John Goldham, Lady Wildair, Game cock, Javelin, Jenny Wren, Crim. Con., Sir Diggory Diddle, Punch, Event, Fitz-Allen, The Pride of Kildare, What, Little John, My Mary, Sweetmeat, The Libel, Ironmaster, Teetotaller, Portrait. Columbus, Johnny, Deodara, 'I he Magnet, Artist, Lancashire Witch, Extem pore, London, Prince Royal, Discord, Hope, Zanoni, Redstreak, Queen of l'yne, Beaufront, Sarah Rebecca b y Touchstone, Miss Burns, Alice Hawthorne, Isabella, Mountcharles, Xanthus, Elena Clara by Epirus, Tell by Record, Glossy, Flattery, Finvaragh by Harkaway, Dr. Husband, Baotou, Coranna. Little Hampton, f by Rust, Outcast by Despise, Ruff. Moss Trooper, Pilot, Surety by Muley Moloch. Whinstone, John Davis by Emilius, Mermaid, Wolf Dog, Highwayman by Freney, Arthur, Vates, Billy Purvis by The Bard, Example, The Baron, Sorella, Petit Morceau, Mervis by Hornsea, Joe Lovell, Rowland Hill, Morpeth, Vitula, Yardley, Little Cassino, Merryman, Due an Durras, Flabowlagh, Colleen Bawn, • lonian, King Cob, Devil's Dust, Valerian, Vol-au-Vent, Elemi, Mongrel, Correct Card, Judea, Advice, Satyr. The DEE STAND CUP.—Felix, Harry, Ould Ireland, The Pride of Kildare, Sweetmeat, Tractarian, Midlothian, Wolf Dog, The Warrior, John Goldham, and The Duke of Richmond. The MARQUIS OF WESTMINSTER'S PLATE.—Laird Cockpen, Best Bower, Midlothian, Arthur, Miss Burns, Chertsey, The Pride of Kildare. Warp, Ironmaster, The Warrior, Trueboy, Philip, Godfrey, Lancashire Witch, Hope, Example, Joe Lovell, Rowland Hill, Yardley, Fair Char lotte, Flattery, Fitzallen, The Cossack Maid. The CHESHIRE STAKES.—Weatherbit, Intrepid, The Pride of Kildare, Polish. Warp, Ould Ireland, Trueboy, Philip. Godfrey, Extempore, Lady Wildair, Best Bower, Discord, Blackbird, Marquis of Conyngham, Eboracum, Arthur, Fitzallen, Pompey, Lycurgus, Plaudit, Queen of Tyne, Beaufront, The Libel, Salopian, Dr. Husband. Sorella, Petit Morceau, The Roper's Daughter, P ythia, Event, Pilot, Whinstone, Morpeth, Y ardley, Colleen Bann, Flattery, and Judez. THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. THE CORPORATION OF LIVERPOOL AND THE BIRKENHEAD DOCK COMMISSION ERS. - IMPORTANT ENQUIRY PRELIMI NARY TO ARBITRATION. The arbitrators appointed by the two bodies named, to decide upon the value of the reversionary interest of the Corporation in the land held by them, on seventy-five years' lease, on the south side of Wallasey-pool, met on Tuesday last, at the Adelphi Hotel. Mr. Sergeant Byles was the arbitrator appointed by the Corporation, and Samuel Martin, Esq., Q.C., by the Dock Company. The Solicitor-General, Mr. Fitzroy Kelly, and Mr. Crompton, appeared as counsel for the Corporation, and J. H. Lloyd, Esq., for the Dock Company. The two arbitrators, accompanied by the Town-Clerk, Mr. M`Gre,gor Laird, and the Corporation surveyors, crossed over to Seacombe in the morning, and returned by Wood side, after taking a cursory survey of the land, as was agreed upon by the parties. At one o'clock the enquiry was resumed. The Solicitor-General opened his case in a speech which occupied two hours. An adjournment then took place until ten o'clock on Wednesday morning, and on that day the Corporation examined their wit nesses. Mr. HODGSON, clerk of the peace for Chester, gave evidence as to the plans, and produced sections of a dock and other works proposed to be constt ucted on the south side of Wallasey-pool, which had been duly deposited, according to the standing orders of the House of Com mons. Mr. Jorisr STEWART, architect and surveyor, of Liver pool, was then examined by the Attorney-General. He said he had been thirty years in business, and that during that time great improvements had arisen in landed pro perty, particularly at the sides of the river. He had ex amined the plans of the Birkenhead Commissioners' pro posed works, according to the several acts, and he now explained what they were, in do c k s , sea-walls, &c. Such works would not have been undertaken except with a view of Birkenhead becoming a great commercial town. The intended great dock would be of very little use un less the land on the side of it were converted to mercan tile purposes. The land belonged to the Corporation of Liverpool, except the part between high and low water, which belonged to the Crown. The two properties, to be useful as an investment, mustlbe united. He had been employed by the Woods and Forests to value the Crown portion of the land, and had valued it at £57,000. He would consider it advisable for persons having a seventy five years lease of the other land, to purchase the Crown land for that sum, so as to make an uninterrupted pro perty. Except for commercial purposes, the Corporation land was not worth £lBO,OOO or £200,000, or whatever it might be. A railway was to terminate upon it, which would give it additional value. It was suitable for docks and quays, &c., only, and would be worth little without them. Without them it might not be worth ss. or 6s. a yard. For docks, it would be advisable to lay out the money upon it according to the plan produced. The south side of the pool was preferable to the other, for there was there the nucleus of a great place, which the other side had not. It was on the Birkenhead side which had extended largely and wonderfully, giving great addi tional value to property on that side. The construction of the proposed docks and warehouses would occupy about five years, and if they were completed, the annual value would, he estimated, be £153,287, and the fee simple, in possess i on , a t £2,483,262, at eighteen years purchase. After deducting 10 per cent. for repairs and maintenance, the net clear annual value would be £137,957. He esti mated the land at 355. per square yard, including the docks and warehouses upon it. After giving his estimates for warehouses, counting-house, sheds, docks, walls, &c., draining, engineering, interest, &c., separately, the wit ness gave the following items as a total : Works Land .. Interest £1,093,000 949,900 294,855 £2,336,755 This would be about the cost, and in five or six years the property would be worth more if a revenue could be shown to anything like that amount. A good warehouse in Liverpool produced, of annual rent, a guinea to 25s a yard, for every yard of land they stood upon, and if they were close upon the dock sides they would produce more. He put 355. throughout for land per yard, and £8 lOs for building. This included the outlets and approaches of the warehouses. The actual land on which they stood he would estimate at £5 or £6—say £5 10s. for the land, and £8 10s. for the buildings, so that £l4 would be the fee-simple. He then went into calculations relative to warehouse property in Liverpool, concluding by valuing the fee-simple of the land there at £l7 10s. per yard, and these not close upon the docks, which those of Birkenhead would have the advantage of in cartage, &c. The Birkenhead docks, warehouses, &c., would in 6 or 6 years be north between two and three millions sterling. and from his experience he thought it would in crease in a great ratio in 40 or 50 years. In Liverpool land on the water side has greatly increased, in some in stances ten or fifteen fold. In cross-examination, witness admitted that he con sidered property in Liverpool more important and value able than in Birkenhead. Liverpool was a fact ; Birken head a contingency. His calculation made the return 6 or 7 per cent. upon the project. The Trustees of the Liverpool Docks purchased the Harrington Docks two years ago, at 325. a yard, and about £50,000 had then been expended in forming part of a dock wall. The slob and shore land, at the North Shore, cost them less than £1 in fee-simple. An outlay of upwards of £1,000,000 would be required to call out the value of the land at Birkenhead as it now was. If the money could not be raised for the completion of the project the land would let, near the water, for trades requiring water frontage, but not for much One shilling a yard might be the minimum. At Wallasey Pool, 3U years ago, the land would not have let for pasturage for more than ten shillings an acre. Though Birkenhead town had increased, the pool was not a place for building houses upon. The crown land would have to be made, and if it were an cicsed between the sea-wall and the corporation land, it would reduce the latter to very little value. In this point of view the crown land was as valueless as the other, if a power was had to interpose the crown land between the water and the corporation land. Either, alone, are of little value, but put together they are valuable. The crown land (86,700 yards,) he valued on an average at 12s in cash for the fee-simple. He considered £7OOO the relative value of the reversion or three per cent. upon £37,000 which would be £1,7101a-year, and he took 4 years' purchase upon that as a return. (Much was here gone into relative to the manner of striking the reversion.) He reckoned a 16 years' purchase for a lease of 75 years, and the interest an equivalent of 6 per cent. to the lessee. On this plan the corporation proceeded. The formation of Docks at Birkenhead was discussed in Liverpool and through the papers, but little in the council. Many years ago there was a talk of a ship canal through Wallasey Pool. Plans were made for it to the Dee. At that time the Corporation purchased the land from Tobin, Laird, and others. Some of it cost 18s and some 30i; but he did not know the average. He believed the land was pur chased in order to stop the project. He remembered the sales of land at Wallasey made by the corporation. It was said in the council that it was well sold. 1 would not have parted with it, as I thought something was going on which would make the Pool valuable. Others thought so too. The Pool would have been a valuable adjunct to Liverpool whether Birkenhead had risen or not. If made into a floating dock it would be valuable to Liver pool, by receiving vessels from the overcrowded docks. The witness here explained a number of transactions in hand which he was agent for, for the Earl of Derby. He had sold 5000 yards of land on both sides of Great Howard street, for 30s. a yard in fee simple. The value of a re version depended on no abstract value of land, but on the probability of what it would be when buildings covered it. On re-examination, Mr. Stewart said he believed the Crown land would be sold to the Birkenhead Commis sioners for the sum he had valued it at—.£57.000. He considered the lessees would be amply indemnified in the 73 years after erecting all the docks and buildings. The greater part of the witness's evidence afterwards given was in explanation of the principle he adopted in regard to reversionary interests. Mr. WM. TITE, surveyor of London, said he thought the Birkenhead Commissioners would be justified, and act wisely in laying out the amount stated on the docks and warehouses, as it would bring them into successful competition with the Liverpool docks. He approved of Mr. Stewart'aprinciple of reversion. Eighteen years pur chase of such property war, be thought, moderate. Mr. JOIIN NN , EIGHTMAN, architect and surveyor of Liverpool, examined.— His evidence was much to the same effect as Mr. Stewart's, as to the rising value of the land at the Pool, if laid out for mercantile purposes ac cording to the plans. It was desirable in a lessee of the corporation land to purchase the lease for 73 years only, of the crown land a ijoining, though at the end of that time it would pass from him. (In questioning this wit ness and Mr. Stewart on other points, the interrogator always put the supposition that the Dock Company's Act had never passed.) If the property were so converted as intended, and its value should be £2,400,000, at the end of five years, it would be much more valuable at the end of 73 years. The fair value of the reversion to the Corporation was what at three per cent. would make up the entire value at the end of the term. Mr. JOHN H ARTLEY, assistant surveyor of the Liver pool and Hull Docks, was next called. He handed in a detailed estimate. In reply to Mr. Lloyd he said he es timated the cost of the sea-wall along the margin of the pool and the others, at £3O per running yard. A wall bounding the property at lease, and not built so strong as a river wall, would cost £l3 a yard, and satisfy the con servators. The proportion of frontage to the depth back wards of the Harrington Docks land was more than two thirds. Mr. RICHARD EARLE, agent to the Earl of Derby, spoke to the vast increase in the value of his lordship's property contiguous to the new North Docks, and the quantity of property built on 75 years' leases there and over the town. In rising neighbourhoods there was no thing so valuable as reversions. He thought 3 per cent., as required by the corporation, the proper sum, at the end of 75 years. Mr. W. S. SHERWOOD attended for Mr. Leigh, a large proprietor of Liverpool. Be concurred with the other witnesses as to the rise in the value of property in the contiguity of commercial improvements. He adduced instances in Mr. Leigh's property. The operations in Bir kenhead would increase the value of property here : it would give an impetus to this side. "'There was nothing like bringing people out a little."—The Solicitor-General here remarked, that Birkenhead would no more injure Liverpool, than the Surrey side injured London. Mr. FRANKLIN, the corporation surveyor, said the part of the Birkenhead corporation property let on lease to Mr. Cole, was formerly let for £1 an acre—at least about 53 acres of it. That part was sold for 73 years, on lease, at £l2OO an acre. This he certainly considered a good bargain, as they bad only paid £1 an acre. . . This closed the case for the corporation, and the inquiry was adjourned. On Thursday, (the third day,) it was resumed. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL - ,s'aid that as no witnesses were to be called on the other side, he should address a few words to the arbitrator; and again with respect to the duties and difficulties touching the right of the corporation to compensation, in respect to the reversion of this crown land, and the power of purchasing the reversion for .£7,000 ; and he had put his observations on paper, which he should read, so as to allow Mr. Lloyd to reply to them. Mr. LLOYD claimed permission to reply in writing, which was agreed to. The document read by the Solicitor-General was of considerable length. It was to the effect that, under the Ist of the commissioners' acts, the corporation had ac quired a power of purchasing the reversion of the crown lands, as owners of the reversion of the adjoining land ; that the surveyor had valued it for sale to them for £7,000; that if the Dock Company's Act had not passed, the corporation would have purchased the reversion and absolute right to that land, with all the buildings upon it, at the end of 73 years • that the company thereby take from the corporation the power to purchase for £7,000 about one-sixth of the combined property, which in five years would probably be worth two-and-a-half millions, and in 73 years five millions. But he did not admit this to be the legal effect, and would the crown sell at that price ? He submitted that the arbitrators should ascer tain, by a communication with the Woods and Forests, whether they were about to sell for that price, and also ascertain whether the company were about to purchase it. If the company have actually purchased, they have, undef the compulsion of their act, taken from the corporation the power of purchasing the reversion of the property, and made the corporation no compensation at all. The corporation, he added, were willing that these proceedings should be put an end to, the company going on with their 75 years' lease, if they left the corporation the reversion. And if there was any doubt that the corporation, as owners of the adjoining land, could obtain the reversion from the crown for £7,000, he suggested the postpone ment of the award for two or three weeks, and in the meantime the corporation would obtain a conveyance from the crown at that price. If the crown refused to sell, or demanded more than £7,000, he would be content to stake the case upon it. It appeared that if the award were not made in three months it fell to the ground. Mr. STEWART, on being further questioned, said the average price per yard of the land in fee-simple in pos session, the valuation of which he made at £7OOO was about 12s. in its rude state. It was an universal price for free-shore land, except under such circumstances, under an act of parliament. He never before heard of the rights of shores being valued so high, but his attention was called by the crown officers to the fact, that the crown had given very lengthy free rights of shores for the foun dations of commercial ports; and that that land was to adjoin certain works, and to form part of those docks. After some further unimprtant matter, Mr. LLOYD proceeded to remark upon the case, in be half of his clients, in an address which occupied three hours. No doubt, he said, the Solicitor General would fain that the Birkenhead Company should withdraw from these proceedings, leaving the Corporation of Liverpool to the enjoyment of their reversionary interest, but that was but a bait. The commissioners knew that without an act of parliament they would nover overcome the obstacles between them and the corporation ; they also knew that the certainty of the obtaining the whole title to themselves was indispensable to the complete success of their schemes. The objects of the corporation were obvious. Twenty years ago when a project was started to improve the whole of Birken head ,they had stepped in and purchased the land to prevent. They bad kept that land unproductive for 20 years ; and now they asked the company not to take the fee-simple, but leave it to the corporation of Liverpool. The solici tor-general had not fairly put the question between the parties, in requiring any doubt to go in on behalf of the claimants ; for the scheme it was admitted would be of public benefit, and though the company had private in terests in it those were not to be treated unjustly. So much as the land was worth, so much the corporation should have, and no more. No person should be allowed to stop a public benefit. A fair value was all that should be given. The land should be taken at its marketable value. The mode of assessing it by the mere contingent and speculative value of property—which never might be improved was fallacious and unjust. The question to ascertain was, what was the improved rental on which the years' purchase was to be calculated. The rule was in property to be improved, to look to the class of buildings to be put upon it, then to the rental, and what rental will be produced ; then to say so many years' purchase for the lease, and so many for the reversion, and the difference between them according to the term unexpired, will be the value of the reversion at that moment. The Corporation proceeded, according to Mr. Stewart, on the same prin ciple, in renewals. It had been said that Birkenhead was to become a second Liverpool, but this was speculative and visionary. The scheme might go on well, and the Corporation at the end of seventy-five years, pocket a million and a half, whilst the adventurers, the company, might lose their all. The Corporation were to be paid an enormous sum for the lease of their land, and would have that over and over again in the shape of reversion. The assumption was that Birkenhead would become a most magnificent port, but history furnished many instances of failure in schemes still more flattering in the beginning. It was quite clear the Corporation sold the land, with a full knowledge of what was to be done. The first act enabled the purchasers to dam up the pool. The second went further ; it enabled them to enclose the sides by a sea wall, and make a roadstead. The mere contracting the pool, rather went to injure than benefit the lessees, by the second act, unless something else were done. War it fair to suppose that £4,000,000 of money, besides the interest upon it while the works were going on (making it not less than £2,000,000), should be laid out by a few individuals simply purchasing a lease of the property ? The lessees were not bound to lay out the enormous sums stated by Mr. Stewart, in order to bring themselves round. The speculative value of the reversion being gone, the arbitrators must put out of their consi deration the existence of this company, and of this project, and they must assume what, at the end of 75 years, would be the value of the reversion, just as of any ordinary pro perty belonging to the Corporation. Here was the datum then : that with the buildings it would be worth Is. a yard, or very nearly 7 per cent. on £294,284. Taken at 18 years' purchase, the reversionary value would be £362,450 at the end of 73 years. The present value, therefore, of this sum, at 3 per cent. per annum, was £42,700; at 4 per cent. per annum, it was £21,092. Either way, taking Mr. Stewart's own calculation, it came to very much less than he had supposed. Why should the company be saddled down with the burthen of this very heavy rever sionary price, which it was now sought to fix upon them ? They were called upon to lie out of their interest for five years, and pay £141,000 as a permanent charge on the land created by the co-property too, at the end of 75 years to go into the hands of the corporation. The cor poration would then, forsooth ! be content; but it would put an end to the speculation on the other side of the wa ter. They (the corporation) knew that ; their object was that. That corporation was made up of individuals hav ing interest in warehouses in Liverpool, and they would exert themselves to prevent anything coming into play which they suppose wonld injure Liverpool interest so far as they were their own. The witnesses called were all (with the exception of one) were interested in preventing the scheme on the other side from being carried into effect. In conclusion, he said that it would be incorrect to adopt the system pursued by the witnesses, and assume property in Birkenhead to be estimated according to the improved value of property in Liverpool—the latter being a great fact, the other a speculation, the success of which was still uncertain. He left the case with confidence in the hands of the arbitrators. The arbitrators then appointed Mr. Leigh Andrews as umpire between them, in the event of their differing upon any point ; and it was also agreed that counsel should af terwards be heard on those points. After some conversation relative to the payment of costs, to which the corporation were entitled, the case closed. TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS On Thursday a special meeting of the Council was held, for the appointment of trustees, &c., under various local acts. Messrs. Wood, Mann, and Atherton were appointed commissioners under the Birkenhead Improvement Act. The Mayor was appointed a trustee under a local act for enabling the trustees of Mrs. Ann Molynenes chari ties, in Liverpool, to pant building leases, and for other purposes, for the benefit of the charities. Mr. LACE remarked that he hoped the Mayor would look after the property. The attention of the Health Committee had been called to some of the dwellings, which were the most filthy and unwholesome of any in the town, fifteen pigs being kept in one of the rooms, and that in property appropriated as a benefaction for the poor. The MAYOR said the subject should have his best at tention. Messrs. Turner. Thornhill, and Swaiwon, were ap pointed three trustees, under the local act for establishing St. James's Cemetery. Messrs. J. 11. Turner and W. Birkett were appointed the two members of the Council to execute the powers given to the Mayor and Senior Aldemen by the local act relating to the School for the Indigent Blind, at Liver pool, and the chapel attached thereto. The following forty-one members of the Council were appointed commissioners, to carry info execution the act for the better regulation and encouragement of pilots : Messrs. Mann, Turner, Harbord, Griffiths, J. B. Lloyd, Atherton, Kilshaw, Molyneux, Sothern, Higgins, Pem berton, Shand, Preston, Plunipton, Lace, Birkett, Law rence, Middleton, Toulmin, Thornhill, James Lawrence, Sands, Horsfall, Leigh, Procter, Moan, Houghton, Bushhy, Swainson. Henderson, hoyden, Chalmer, Blun dell, Glazebrook, J. Holme, Hornby, Rathbone, Thomas Lloyd, Aspinall, and the Mayor. The following gentlemen were appointed auditors under the same act :—Messrs. Tinne, Thornhill, and the Mayor. The following were appointed commissioners under the act for the embankment on the north-west side of the Leasowes, in Wallasey and Great Meols :—Messrs. R. Houghton, Braneker, and Atherton. Messrs. Nicol, Kaye, and the Mayor were named as directors under the local act of the Liverpool and Har rington water works. In reply to a question from Mr. Rathbone, the Town- Clerk said these gentlemen had no interest in the water works. Mr. RATtinoNE thought there should be some instruc tions given to them to inquire into the causes of the late accident, as the public had a right to be assured that every precaution had been taken. His own impression was, that every precaution had not been taken. The committee could also inquire how far the Harrington Company bad complied with the conditions on which they were incorporated. He conceived they bad forfeited those conditions, and the Corporation had a right to claim those works, and bring them back, and if so, be did not know a greater blessing than that they should be in vested in the Corporation, who would have no other in terest except that of the town. He did not mean to throw out any imputation against the water company, as to the keeping and maintaining the works for a profit, but it was of importance to the town that both water and gas should be in the hands of the authorities for the benefit of the town and not for the profit of an individual. There had been a long discussion going on respecting water, but he had never been satisfied that a true answer had been given to any one part of the company's engagement, which was, that the mains should be full. It was no t that they should be full now and then, but always full. That was the undertaking they gave when they incorpo rated. At a recent fire, which took place in Falkner street, water could not be obtained for several hours, and the consequence was, that property to the amount of £B,OOO or £lO,OOO was lost—millions had been lost for the want of water at the proper time. Was that a state of things which ought to he tolerated in a town like Li verpool ? He understood the llarrington Company were applying for other powers, but let them see that they did their duty under the present acts before they were per mitted to have any extension of powers. He concluded by urgine that the three gentlemen appointed should re port on those points to which he had alluded, and the Council would be in full possession of the circumstances. The MAYOR observed that the gentlemen could not have such powers given them as those suggested by Mr. Rath bone. They were appointed for the purpose of seeing that the profits which might accrue to the Corporation as Lord of the Manor were received, and that the affairs of the Company with reference to that object were properly managed, that the accounts were properly kept, and that the management was that which the Corporation bad a right to expect, so far as their interests were concerned ; they had no right to interfere in the management of the concern in connexion with the distribution of the pro perty for the benefit of the parties concerned. As the company were about to apply for extended powers, an occasion would arise to bring the matter before the Coun cil, when it could be considered. Mr. Nrcor, said - tiiar;;;;pointment had been made since the Municipal Corporation Act came into operation, and then not until the formation of the Harrington Com pany. He had on all occasions experienced the greatest courtesy from the directors of that company, and had been allowed to take part in all the discussions, whether the Corporation were a party interested or not. They had also thrown open the books, and admitted a person from the Treasurer's office to inspect them ; and the re sult would, in a short time, be laid on the Council table. The accounts showed - the Corporation had no distinct right to claim anything. Allusion had been made to the companies that they were unable tc•give the supply which the town necessarily required, but by the proposed bill they intended to take further capital and extend their works, showing they were desirous of carrying out the principle of aecommodation to the public as far as possi ble. The bill would be before the Council, and then it could be discussed. As to the accident which had taken place he did not think it would be the province of the committee to lay before the Council any report on the subject, as it might, under present circumstances, have an_ injurious tendency. EvAss said, lie had never heard such laudatory sentiments in a case where there was nothing to commend and everything to discornmend ; they had been told of the great merit due to the companies for exhibiting their books ; why the law compelled them ; and the law would make them if they did not. He complained of the defec tiveness of their pipes, which were insufficient for the pub lic convenience. They had, by the course they bad pur sued, exposed themselves more to censure than to praise ; and he looked upon it as a great aggravation that it was a private concern. They got the shares up several hundred per cent., and yet left the public reason to complain of them. He contended that if the law gave them the right to possess themselves of the company, they should do it without any scruple whatever. In Manchester and other places they had an example of the advantages accruing from having the supply of gas and water in the hands of the authorities; the rates were lower for those articles, besides which there was a profit almost suffi.ient, when applied to public purposes, to exonerate the community from every other charge. They ought not to sit with their arms folded, and let those people poke the eyes out of the community; but the Council, when they had the opportunity, ought to use their endeavours for having both water and gas supplied in the cheapest and most ad vantageous manner to the community at large. Mr: KAYE observed, that as he was a member of the Highway Board, and they were applying for an act to sup ply the town with water, he might, by being one of three members appointed, be placed in rather an anomalous position, and what he was doing with one hand, he might be knocking down with the other. Mr. HORNBY thought the Water Company on showing the books had only done what they had a right to do. As to what they were now doing in seeking fresh powers and privileges, it was because they were in danger of losing in consequence of the management during former years. No doubt they were anxious to do it, but they should not have done all those things when the public did not make them, and there were no complaints. Mr. MANN thought they ought not to throw so much blame on the Water Company, inasmuch as they had the power of electing three members, who could have inter fered ; but it appeared the parties were doing all those things, and nothing was done to prevent it, M. G. H. LAIVREECE.—Ana if they had not invited us we should not have been there till this day. Mr. HORSFALL did not conceive the Harrington Com pany were deserving of censure because they wished to make a profit. The great mistake the Council had made was in allowing the Water Company to go out of their hands. With respect to the accident, he thought the public should be in a position to know whether there had been any neglect as regarded the construction of the tank which had given way. After a few remarks from the Mayor and Mr. Lace, Messrs. Nichol, Rathhone, and the Mayor were ap pointed Directors in accordance with the act of Parliament. The meeting broke up shortly after twelve. INQUEST ON THE FIVE PERSONS KILLED AT THE HARRINGTON WATER WORKS. On Wednesday an inquest was held on Mary Ann Smith, Sarah Eliza Smith, Catharine Gibson, John Deaveney, and Catharine Gibso n , th e fi ve persons killed by the bursting of a tank at the Harrington Water Works, in Rock-street, on Christmas Day. Mr. Jamieson ap peared on the part of the Corporation : Mr. Stanistreet on that of the Harrington Company ; and Mr. Miller on that of the Hawarden Company. Five witnesses were examined to prove the finding of the bodies, and the cause of the deaths. We subjoin such portion of the additional evidence as will be of general interest, premising that we are obliged very much to con dense it. Thomas Thompson, sworn.—l am manager and chief' clerk to the Liverpool and Harrington Water Company. During the summer of 1844, the directors of the company resolved upon having a tank made, capable of containing 200,000 gallons of water, for their station in water-street. The object of the company in having so large a tank was, to have an abundant supply of water in case of fire, so that the mains might be filled at a moment's notice, and to supply the shipping at that end of the town. I was instructed to send applications for tenders to several engineers, and, amongst others, to Messrs. George Fur rester and Co., Vauxhall-road, to the Hawarden Iron Company, in Flintshire, and, I think, to Pearson and Co. There were four or five in all. We received several ten ders. We bad a tender from Bury, Curtis, and Co. to make a tank capable of containing 200,000 gallons of water for £1,441 ; to make a roof to it they asked £137 more. Forrester and-Company's tender was for £1,243105. The Hawarden Company's tender was for £1,150, and, if bearers were required for it, £lOO more, making a total of £1,250, and they offered to make a cistern of any re quired size for lid per gallon. The directors were not pledged to accept the lowest tender. The Hawarden Company had previously done a great deal of work for the Harrington Company, and always very satisfactorily. The tender of the Hawarden Company was accepted. Mr. Stanistreet put in the contract - by which Messrs. T. P. Williams and John Williams, trading under the firm of the Hawarden Iron Works, agreed tr. erect for the Water Company for £1,250, a cast-iron cistern capa ble of containing 200,000 gallons of water, together with all necessary screws, &e., for fitting up the same in a proper and substantial manner, according to the instruc- tions of the Water Company or their clerk, and the Ha warden Company engaged to uphold the cistern in good order for twelve months, and also to be answerable for any loss or damage which might happen to the said water company, or their works, or to any neighbouring property during that time, by reason of any defect in the said cis tern. Witness.—Mr. Howell, who is the manager of the Hawarden Works, submitted a plan of a tank, which was adopted by the Harrington Company. Plates composing the tank were brought to our yard at various periods when they were ready, and they were put together under the direction of Mr. Howell, and his clerk Mr. Maine. The tank was completed and ready for use abi‘ut six weeks or two months ago, and the reason it was not immediately used was, because Mr. Howell had to make some service and other pipes not connected with the contract, which prevented it from being ready for use until Christmas day. Mr, Maine waited upon me on Christmas eve, about eight o'clock, and said all was now quite right, and he re quested me to attend at the yard the following morning at nine o'clock to see it filled, and also to see what an ex cellent job they had made of it. I was prevented from attending at the yard of the company the following morn ing, and did not hear of the accident until half past two o'clock in the afternoon. One of our own workmen in formed me of it. There was no roof to the cistern. I proceeded to the premises and there saw the houses in Rock street demolished, and both sides of the tank gone. I had my own opinion as to the cause of the accident, but it was a mere opinion. By Mr. Miller.—The tank was to be erected on a founda tion to be prepared by the Harrington Company, and that foundation fixed the situation; the length, breadth, and depth of the tank showed the quantity f water it was to contain. Christmas-day is a sort of half-holiday at our works, and the arrangement for filling 'he tank, that day, was made between Mr. David Maine and David Hum phreys, an engineer, as being a most convenient day for the purpose ; otherwise, it would have been filled in the night time. No notice was given by me to either of the Messrs. Williams, but Mr. Maine told me that Mr. Howell was coming over on Christmas morning, and hoped we should have the pleasure of meeting together in the yard to see the excellent job. I think he said nothing about going to Hawarden himself. During the whole time that the foundations were being put in, Mr. Howell superintended and gave directions about them. In my opinion the foundations and tank were done in a very complete manner. We always had great confidence in the work of the Hawarden Company. George M'Gill sworn,—l am foreman in the employ of the Harrington Company, and have heard the evidence given by Mr. Thompson. The filling of the tank was under my direction. On Christmas eve I was in it with Mr. Maine, and also on Christmas morning. He reported it all right to me on Christmas eve, and gave me direc tions to have men there on Christmas morning, to have it cleaned out and filled. It was 70 feet in length inside, 24 feet 6 inches in width, and 19 feet to the top of the overflow. It was capable of holding about 195,510 gallons of water. I was not in the yard when it burst, but about an hour and a quarter before the bursting I was there. There were then between 5 and 10 feet of water in it. It was about half filled, and would contain at the time about 400 tons of water. 1 can form no opinion as to the cause of the bursting. Mr. Maine was present when the first drop of water was pat into the tank ; he remained there all the time it was being filled ; and 1 left him there after me. By Mr. Miller.—l have seen tanks before and did not apprehend such serious damage from the present one. Joseph Howell sworn.--I reside at Hawarden, in Flint shire. I was brought up at the Hawarden Iron-works. I was apprenticed to William Rigby and Son. William Rigby was the head of the firm at that time—twenty-six years ago. I h ave b een ever s i nce emp l oye d t h ere. I had the entire management and superintendence of the works from 14 to 15 years. The Hawarden Company are steam-engine manufacturers and general ironfounders. The company have executed many orders for Government and others, and have made tanks for most of the principal merchants in this town. We have had a good deal of experience in tank-making. There was a contract entered into between the Harrington and Hawarden Companies for the erection of a tank. I was requested to make a drawing of it. [A copy of the first drawing that was made handed in.] A drawing was submitted to the directors of the Harrington Company, and approved of. The tank was then made at the works in Wales, and brought over here for erection. It was made of cast iron. It was formed of various plates. The tank was 71 feet in length, 24 feet six inches in breadth, and 20 feet in depth. It was calculated to hold 200,000 gallons. It was not intended that there should be any variance in the thickness of the plates, but they did not taper from the bottom to the top. Some of the plates were the full length of 20 feet. The tank was altogether cotnpo-ed of 115 plates. Every second one of the lateral plates ran from the bottom to the top. The intermediate plates were in two parts, larger and wider. The thickness of the plates that ran the whole depth were 1 inch at the bottom and itlis of an inch at the top. The plates at each end of the tank were similar to those at the sides. The side plates were joined together by flanges and stay rods. The stay-rods consisted of cast-iron binders or braces. There were three tiers of them. They went inside, and they were secured to flanges on the bottom and sides of the tank. They held the plates altogether. There were both horizontal and diagonal stays, which were fastened to the braces, as well as other diagonal stays, which were secured to the flanges. The stays were fastened by means of bolt-holes. There were four tiers of horizontal tension rods and three in each tier, fourteen feet apart. Several diagonal rods extended from ribs at the bottom, to which they were fastened, to the first and second tier. About 750 tons weight of water would be in the tank, supposing it to be filled within three feet of th I top. The mean pressure on the sides would then be 34 is per square inch. After the cistern was erected, I ha not examined it to see lhat all was secure and safe. It was my duty to examine, and:l was waiting for infor ma i on that it was comp l ete. I sent over the young man, Da id Maine, who had been an apprentice of mine, and is low out of his time, to assist in joining the pipes con = iing the engine with the tank. I requested him, the moment he had completed the pipes, to return home and inform me. He did not do so. When I requested him to come home when he had jointed the pipes, my reason was, that I might go over myself, and inspect the cistern, and, if I found it all right, that I might appoint a day for having the water laid on. Maine was not armed with any power to direct the water to be laid on. Maine came over on Christmas evening and told me of the accident. I certainly intended to make a personal examination of the tank before 1 ordered the water to be put on. _ _ The other witnesses were David Maine, who denied that be had ever authorised the tank to be filled, and Mr. John Grantham, the engineer, who gave general evidence as to the construction of the tank and the cause of the bursting. The Coroner summed up at considerable length ; and at twenty minutes past ten o'clock at night the jury, which consisted of fiftein respectable house holders, were locked up. After an absence from court for an hour and a quarter, they returned a verdict of " accidental death," being unanimously of opinion that the tank had burst from un foreseen causes. OFFICIAL LIST OF THE MINISTRY. The Standard of Friday published the following official list of the administration. Sir Robert Peel, First Lord of the Treasury. Sir J. R. G. Graham, Secretary of State for the Home Department. Lord Lyndhurst, Lord Chancellor. Duke of Buccleuch, Lord President of the Council. Duke of Wellington, Commander in Chief. Earl of Aberdeen, Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Earl of Iladdington, Lord Privy Seal. Earl of Ripon, President of the Board of Control. Right Hon. H. Goulburn, Chancellor of the Exchequer. Lord Granville Somerset, Chancelor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Earl Lincoln, First Commissioner of Land Revenues. Right Hon Sydney Herbert, Secretary at War. The following are the new members of the Cabinet : Earl of Dalhousie, President of the Board of Trade. Earl of Ellenborough. First Lord of the Admiralty. Earl of St. Germans, Postmaster-General. Right lion. W. Glad tone, Secretary for the Colonies. IMPORTS AND STOCI DECEMBUR 31 S OF 1845. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT of COTTON for the PORTof LIVERPI Sea Island.. Stained ..... Bowed Orleans Alabama and Mobile... Pernambuco_, Aracati, &c.. I 5295. M Bahia and aceio 24641 Maranham Mina and Para - - 11 14734 Z } 68490 Surinam Demerara Barbadoes Laguira •. Cartha;ena 14051 Peruvian Common West India, &c Smyrna Egypt .. Swat .. Madras Bengal I 151 149191 TOTAL IMPORT and STOCK of C 31st December 1843, rrox f 44, and IMPORT L'pool. !London. Glasgow American 1374589 I 5330 I 98980 Brazil I 111720 Demerara .. W. India, &:( Egyptian East India 117 .... 5761 1357 79118 165 79521 61404 JO6O 214-0 9450 4.670 T020,1845..11650826 I 68234 1 111630 Total, 1844.. !1491911 Total, 1843.. 1556982 I, 61247 1105853 American Brazil.... 624170 1700 I 52250 140 40 1 .... Demerara .. W. India, & Egyptian .. East India.. Total, 1845..1 885480 Total, 1844 STOCK 'Other ports.' Total 1500369 111728 117 8178 81423 155045 1856860 1683710 1743418 I L'pool. London. Glasgow Other ports.! Total 690450 52390 167740 238380 5620 500 150 62190 70 5480 141210 87650 9520 90060 I 79730 Total, 1843.. 1 653900 I 84160 I 46692 We add the following from the United Brokers' An nual Circular : " Liverpool, December 31, 1815. " On a reference to the annexed ti , bles, it will be found that the total import into this port, during the present year. has amounted to 1,650,826 bales, being an increase of 158,915 bales compared with last year, and exceeding that of 1813 by 93,844 bales. The export from this port amounts to 79,300 bales, against 83,900 bales in 1844, and 77,000 bales in 1843. The stock in Liverpool. as declared this day, is 885,480 bales, against 749,580 bales in 1844, and 653,90 bales in 1813. The total deliveries for home consumption from the ports of the United Kingdom are 1,570,797 bales, being an average weekly delivery of 30,207 bales, against 27,241 bales in 1844, and 26,750 bales in 1843, withoi,t allowing for any diminution in the stock of the spinners, which are generally admitted to be less than on the 31.. t of December, 184.1." THE CHASE SIR W. M. STANLEY'S HOUNDS Will meet on Friday, Jan. 9, at Say ton Mill Beeston H all At eleven o'clock. The CHESIIIRIS HOUNDS will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Thursday, 8, at. Saturday, 10, at Stamford Bridge .... Peover Hall Each day at half-past ten. SIR W. W. WrINN'S HOUNDS will meet on Wednesday, Jan 7, at Friday, 9, at Saturday, 10, at Broxton Egerton Arms Each clay at half past ten ROBBERY OF TWENTY WEDDING RINGS.—AbOUI half past five o'clock on Saturday evening, a young, stout, fair-faced man, dressed in a dark velveteen coat, broke a pane of glass in the shop window of Mr. Painter, silver smith, Church-street, and stole thereout either eighteen or twenty gold wedding-rings, value £l5. He made off in the direction of Williamson-square, and has not since been heard of. We beg to call the attention of our readers to the ad vertisement of Mr. Donovan, practical phrenologist. 3 _ BATHS.-Our friends will be glad to see that irs. Wright (late Mrs. Penn) still continues to carry . on the baths warm wit baths .—See hherusuaads'. spirit—and a she has re duced the price of the COTTON, 'S and ST Dec. 1844 31 stDec 1844. 'OCKS of andlB4s. , 31st Dec. 1 1845. 640 155340 341860 122730 16840 11810 23600 130 62190 139270 1940 the KINGDOM, 870 126750 261510 101580 26720 11810 23890 } lo 220 38070 142560 1290 100 ▪ 1 1 V. 19 V. ll . 10 -* 4