The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-08-22 00:00:00

THE NORTHERN TIMES.---LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY I RE FIRE IN SHAW S-ALLEY. INQUEST ON TEE SIX BODIES b _ ,,, erctay, the news of the frightful and fatal d i saster 471n g spread through town, in consequence of the exclusive . por t contained in the NORTHERN DAILY TIMES of the er afr4ir ' the neighbourhood of Shaw's Alley was densely wd el• It is a narrow passage running in a north east• erly direction from nearly the upper end of Mersey Street , tau is chiefi • inhabited by poor people. The house where th e dreadful catastrophe took place, was a small narrow one bf tyr o stori es hi gh. The lower portion was used as a k„,. concern by Mr. Dodd, who resides in Hurst Street, clos e bY. The upper portion was let in tenements to p oor IP e °l 3l e, and we deeply regret to say that six of these ,Idividuals met with a horrible death. These were John b a g", his wife, and three children, and an old man named O 4Tliel Wade, who kept a school for children in the top -chrn • It is stated that the leg or arm, apparently of a 1 , 4 „ 1130' 5, is protruding from under some of the ruins, but t 0 this time the police have been unable to get it out, " t he remaininc , walls, &c., are in a very dangerous a , t-5 * Poo r Fagan was well known as a book and chart "er, at the corner of Canning-place, near the docks, and as much respected, although in humble circumstances, for " integrity and industry. From what we could collect o ester daY, it appears that at about a quarter past el even c lack the previous night, Mr. Dodd left the shop all tshlie an d retired t o hi s h ouse . It wou ld seem t h a t a b out is too, poor Fagan and his wife retired to bed Nith their family —one boy and two girls, ranging in age from about t wo to eight years. The only other persons at present known to have been in the house was a man nam ed John Gallagher, and a boy named Patrick Roche, --, e(l ab out 13 years. This poor lad gives the best account ostlhee tra.gic affair. He was allowed, being very destitute, eP in the lobby of the house. He states that he was tw e :P7 When, about twenty minutes to two o'clock he was j'e b the smok e w hi c h came up from un d er t h e sta i rs. fh e j d :Ped up and saw t h e f i re blazing on the stair; and out of kp • n r and wind ow. He shouted as loud as possible, and l:b l b v g 11° Way of esc a p e, h e at once jumped out through the calledwindow into the st ree t, as th e on l y means l e ft . H e „ 4 , the police at once. He says he saw poor Mrs. Fagan but l t it her scre am i ng, and that she might have escaped, t s eemed to him that she went back for her children, tro'bsalperished. Ile says the old man Wade would have th us 1 Y esc aped, only h e wa i te d to put on hi s c l ot h es, an d Part °Bt t ab is life. The man Gallagher was in the lower es esp : f til l e v house, and he was fortunate enough to make his ithabita e understand from Mr. Carpenter, a respectable s f ew . 11 t of the neighbourhood, that he saw poor Fagan at and Was notes after 11, and that he was then quite sober, beyer waa Pr"eccling home to the fatal bed, from which he fri tic arc ". The se are all the facts connecte d w i t h t hi s gutful affair, ll ct at present. and Lon o,which ' ll ) we h ave b een a ble to coe we hear, is covered by insurance in the Liverpool 4 r. ti e °II Company. We have heard great praise given to 11 e wit occasion t and the fi re b r i gade, for the i r a b le exert i ons on ‘, has }, THE INQUEST cor oner at at two. o'clock, before Mr. Statham, deputy call ed "d a highly respectable jury. The first witness ao. u Was Mr. Michael Sohan, publican, of Dutton -street, li ? said I knew John Fagan, his wife (who atisdter) Margaret, and the children—Thomas, Ca \ t v h a erine y In th e dead Jane Fa gan' I saw their bodies this morning vir'elowadseadhouse. Jcfin was about 50 years of age; his bat ti.. 3g' but I do not know the ages of the children ; "eY were, as I have heard, about six, four, and two Years r... it in :they li ved in a house in Shaw's-alley, and I saw " -,°tit ruins th is morning, from fire; but I knew nothing I\ - ,. 8, the fire ' — Timothy Moylan, a joiner, who lives at ' wan ' Par ling-str eet, said : The deceased, Wade. b e rRY father-in-law. He was about 71 years of age, as il , t , l ° ,_ id ! tie in June last. I have seen his body in the 1,--I°llse this morning.. He lived in Shaw's-alley, in the 4io nse from that was burnt, and I have seen the house in ruins, fi re 1112 T . ' this morning. I saw him last on Monday even lat3e.i..o was generally a sober man. He kept a school the i r, In the house where he lived. I know nothing of h , re,--Nlr. Thomas Carpenter said : I am a boarding- J ohn B%,keeper, residing in Charlotte-place, and I knew in B iia,;.' a g a n v ery well, and also his wife. They lived '' ' s-all f . They have lived there about t _ Y, and I have been there. I'M w ° Years. I knew Mr. Fagan, who was a bosom 1140:1 amine for twelve years. They lived on the top a glass a I was there on last Sunday. The deceased had (lliarts: of Punch in my parlour with me last night at a In, 1 , -1 ' Past eleven. He was perfectly sober when he left is'a"°llse. 'ver His wife was not with him at the time. She of i.Y e r woman, and I never saw the sign of a glass small a 4111 " on her. H e was a chart and bookseller, and had N vas ' shop and stall at the Customhouse. Mr. Fagan i)Tit:rrnseest respectable man in his line of life. (Mr. Car ---patrie'kemied very much affected at the loss of his friend.) Yea rs . Roche, an intelligent boy, aged about 12 or 13 1 ,, ' said : I used to live in Shaw's-alley. Last night t l . was glee • I - ME; on the stairs of the house that was burn r4gn.about cleaning shoes. There was an old man sleep ,,ll the cellar, and that is the bakehouse. The man is h air _ Present. I h eard him call fire, and that was about tali ' _Prast one, wh en it was dark. When I heard the man 4 , 4 e, I sh outed fire up stairs to Mr. Fagan, but could "` get 11 5 t .. an y answer. I then got out through the window. piae4aw the fire coming out of the door of the oil-skin Poli, e ;,_ W hen I jumped out of the window, I went for a 14,1,0"`"ati t 0 Park-lane. I came back with a policeman, ath en sl/rt lug his rattle. There were other policemen there Sh e he came up. I knew Mrs. Fagan lived up there. out, bate me leave to sleep there. I heard her scream a ' did ,ehooirnastert)loetarnseee her afterwards. The old man (the _%se t d to i to the top room window, where he glee ) I saw him come to the window and call (,) , " Is there no help?" 131 1 t a„,,,__ n o , ri .red to He did not say anything else, go back from the window then. I w .d ss . I ' '0 the bakehouse at all.—John Gallagher said f . Robert4°3 00 w a worker in the bakehouse o d Dodd, 14, S haw's-alloy. For the last two years my Way , -a s to assist the baker and attend the ovens. There and it ° o, e , tie . else looking after the baking except myself and Slep t bakehouselives th ere• I went to bed about 11 o'clock. Dodd in th u the Tevv-road Wapping. There were two ovens . o'el ue ,.. °ll . B ei but neither of them were heated after six the N last k night. There was a great deal of bread were hu,.,,b,,a.-ehouse, baked on Tuesday.. The ovens There were very ~,, 1 " (1 in the forenoon to bake dinners. " , v ,,, e , hi Ps in the bakehouse, as we heat the ovens with 's u a- "ust, but there was not much of it there, as it was one done. I went to bed at 11 o'clock, but there was no t he eLse there, and everything was then safe. I put out l gas and lit a candle, and put that out after, when W ent to bed. I was awoke by the cracking of the fire 'cinder the stairs, and I ran into the street and gave the alarm; when I came back I found I could not get my Clothes, and was then taken into one of the ne ho llses."l Did not see any of the bodies removed. ighbours There are three bakehous e. fIA. ours to the h ouse, and the ground floor was the m an named M`C arthy occupied the first floor, and used to m a k e oilskin co a t s f or sa il ors ; h e d i d his work. He not li ve there, but occu pied it si nce a b out Christmas for ter was not is the house when I went to bed, d o I think there was a ny one i n h i s room. Mr. Fagan d an hi s family lived in the t op room, and the schoolmaster liv ed in the front, Mr. Pag an mebeing nced. The place where in the back p ar t. I kle n ot know how the fire com I saw th e fire, the stairs, come on to the g round floor, and ar' open to the bakehouse. The fire w the b akehouse, but not on the first fl or s o n the floor in, when I saw it. hee wa s n o t a quantity of chips undiers:livieAsltra.iri3s.eddl w to quite sober when I went to bed. %t about a quarter to eleven, but he did not giv , o , me any to do. I instruetions—the last word he said wtoh:elNvhaasd, ba r ..,_ ~,. no t and go to bed," as I knew . ',P I not see Mr. Fagan nor his wife at all that flight after lisrk. I often saw Mr. Fagan, generally in the mornings, ii?:l23°4)`-titnes in the even i ngs. As f ar as I saw of him wife as a sober man, as I never saw him unbecoming. His was a particularly sober woman. There was. illy Other li ght in candle I 1:,,, the bakehouse but the and clot h ' was in the centre of the bakehouse on a bench, his lit. I‘l_ 1 ,„ -es on a chair beside. Mr. Dodd was setting R i -ngo before he went awa,y.—Alr. R o b er t D o dd sa id T he p : a baker, and had a bak e h ouse, 14, Shaw's-alley. e are two ovens at the back, and Mr. Fagan's rooms lay 43 1 ,,, t , baled "ern. I have held them three years in May last. I it was bread for family use, and baked dinners there, as bair.2. public bakehouse. Baked three times a day—at the gist ten, half-past twelve, and at half-past five for o ut b _t• The ovens never cool, although the fire is all "aro half-past five, We heat the oven with sawdust, by putting it inside on the bottom of the oven; we put in about five baskets of dust to the small oven. We spread:the dust over the bottom of the oven, and lights it in the morning. I bake for myself and other people, but mostly for myself. I had a good quantity of flour in the bakehouse yesterday. It was all in sacks--close on a dozen at least. I was at the bakehouse the previous morning, and again at halt-past five. We drew the ovens at half-past nine, and everything appeared safe when I left, I rented the whole house, and let off the upper rooms to the other parties named. They brought their own furni ture. I was insured in my , stock in trade in the London and Liverpool, to the amount of £lOO, only for the goods that would be in the bakehouse. I had generally goods to the value of £lOO in the bakehouse, consisting of flour, tins, and fixtures. The value of what I had there yester day, was above £lO3. I cannot at all account for the fire, as I know nothing about it.—Bartholemew M'Carthy said: I am an oilskin-maker, and reside at 17, Mann-stre-t. I carried on my business in the house of the last witness, 14, Shaw's-alley. I make oilskin coats, jackets, trowsers, and other things of that sort, for sailors. They are covered with oil and vegetable black, but it is not heated before just put on, as I get it from the oil painters in a liquid state. I was at the workshop up to half-past nine last night. Ido not keep any fire there in summer, and had no fire there yesterdey, but I had a light last night. It was a candle. I put it out when leaving, and left everything quite safe, There was no smell of fire in the house when I left. I had no oil there yesterday, and only some coats and leggings, which are in the back room now, and not burnt.—William Ryan, a sailor boy belong ing to the Isaac Webb, said : I was passing Shaw's-alley last night, when I saw Gallagher coming out of the door, clapping his hands, and crying out " fire, fire." I ran off to the Custom House for a policeman, and found one. We both then went into the back yard, and the fire reel was brought, and played on it. In about 12 minutes, we got into the house—the policeman got in first. Saw the dead bodies of Fagan, his wife, and children in the room. Saw them brought down in sheets and put into a neighbouring house. Saw the body of the old man brought down, and saw them all removed to the dead-house. When I first saw the fire the people could not get out of the windows, as the flames were so great all the way up the house. They could not get out with a ladder, as it would be burnt. It was about half-past one o'clock at the time. Police-officer James Lindsay, 325, said he smelt the fire, and discovered it in Shaw's-alley, and went there. The fire was coming out of every window in the house. A woman told me there was a family in the house, and a man in the bakehouse, and I pushed the door open and found an old man inside, but could not tell who he was, Told him to come out, and he picked up a bundle of clothes from behind the door, and came out. He said he was the only one below. I heard there were people up stairs. I tried to get another door open, but could not do it. By that time the fire was all through the house ; the most in the middle story. Some other officers came up, and we found a ladder going up a passage into the back yard, and I was then ordered to Olive-street Bridewell. lam of opinion that no person could have escaped by a ladder from the front windows, after I first saw the fire. The same observation applies to the back. The old man had nothing but his shirt on at the time. Thomas Williams, police-officer 341, said : I found the fire in Shaw's-alley. He corroborated the evidence of the last witness, and said they could not break open a side door of the house. The fire was coming out of every window at the time. Seat for the Fire Brigade. Officer 618 rushed through the flames in the passage at the back part of the house, accompanied by 468, and a civilian. The engines came very soon, and got two branches with a good supply of water to play on the flames. It was somewhere about half-past one o'clock at the time. lam not aware that there are any fire escapes in the town. Mr. Blake, the beadle, said there were fire escapes at every station in the town, but the witness did not know it, as he was not a fire policeman. The witness said the fire was got under in about half an hour, and he saw the dead bodies taken out, but it was supposed first that they had escaped over the roof.—John Ridge, a fire police officer, 650, said : I heard of the fire at two o'clock, when I was on duty in Soho street. I went to Shaw's-alley and saw the firemen playing on the ruins. Tho fire was partly got under then. I went into the back and saw a ladder against a window, and I went up immediately and got into the window with a branch, and played in the room for about five minutes, and then ordered the men below to stop the water. Three or four officers then came up to me, and I called for a light, which was brought. I saw the dead body of a woman on her back—her legs were up. Found the body of a man and one child, and saw the whole of the bodies removed into a house in the neighbourhood. There are fire escapes at every fire police station in Liverpool, and there are eight or ten stations. I did not see any there, but they are carried on the cars that bring the reels.—The Coroner said, in London the fire esapes were on wheels, and ready for all occasions ; and in this case if they had been present, perhaps some life might have been saved. lie was of opinion in this respect that Liverpool had not the means of saving life that ought to be in it—they were far behind London in this respect. It was quite possible that a fire escape might not be effective in the case of this fire, but it was quite possible also that they might have proved effective. The witness said, he never saw the escapes used at a fire, but did for exercise. He was hurt by a slate falling on his head. To the jury : The fire escape should be put up with a ladder. The people from Temple-court always bring the escapes with them. The coroner said this was all the evidence, but he was far from saying it was satisfactory as to the main point at issue. The witness Gallagher was recalled in reference to the value of the stock in the shop, but he could not tell the amount. The coroner the❑ proceeded to sum up the evidence, and again repeated that the evidence as to the origin of the fire was unsatisfactory, and the only verdict he could suggest was, that the death of the persons, who unfortunately lost their lives, was caused by the fire, but how the fire originated there was no evidence to show. It anything transpired hereafter, another investigation could be held. The jury, after a consultation of a few moments, found, that the deceased came by their deaths by fire, but how the fire originated there was no evidence to show. One of the jury said it looked very like an accident. The coroner said the police had acted very well on the occasion, and seemed to do all they could to save life. The foreman of the jury said, it would be most desirable if fire escapes were established in Liverpool the same as in London. The coroner said, he could not attach that to the finding of the jury, but no doubt the gentlemen of' the press would notice it. Tho foreman said, it would be of importance that the opinion of the jury should go before the public, as perhaps some good would come out of it. The case then terminated at half past five o'clock. The premises belong to Mr. Robertson Williams, of Castle-street. [Poor Fagan! He deserved a better fate. lie was, perhaps, one of the most extraordinary men in his way of the present ago. He was allowed, on all hands, to be tho best judge of the value of ancient, classical, and other works ; and there was hardly a work of any note turned from the Press, since printing was invented, that he had not a catalogue of in his head, and if the work was to be had in Europe, he could tell where, and i❑ what library. lie was formerly in extensive trade in Dublin, where he was well known and much esteemed. He was one of the first oral story-tellers that could be found, and many of Lea ver's and Carlton's best stories were furnished—the groundwork and foundation—by poor John Fagan, to both these authors. He was rich in rare anecdotes ; and all who knew him valued him for his honest and straight forward dealings, his natural humour and abilities. Some rich sketches, written by him, have appeared from time to time in the periodicals ; and had his circumstances been of an easier description, so as to allow him to devote more of his time and genius to literature, he would have been a remarkable man.] TRB RUSIANs IN CENTRAL AsIA.—A letter appears in th e Dar ßiles . ian Gazette respecting the fortifications on the Sir thetYtehhne :"--.‘ From various authentic sources . we learn np the the Russians have not succeeded in advancing higher sie ge a ndr-Darya than they aid in the year 1854, for the the capture of the As-Met,hek forts (Pe . rovski) ; on - contr ary t to abandon o ne of have been compelled, by various causes, v a, and a eofthe Darforts, situate on a branch of the Sir. the . line considerablealreadyta. time may possibly elapse before fortified for properly keeping be considered to be sufficiently hordes of the SteppL :epin— g within due bounds the robber far as the fleet on the' Ar ti o the left bank of the Sir. In so according to the most recent and the Sir is concerned, addition to a number onili accounts, it consists, in the Perovski, Obrntshey, with craft, of five steamers— Constantine, and Michael. Of thet the schooners Nikolai, the former is forty and the lattervrot first -named vessels, both were built in 1850, at Motalal, in Sweden horse power ; vveden, and both were launced into Lake Ara, in 1853." DOCK COMMITTEE.-YESTERDAY, The usual weekly meeting of this committee was held at one o'clock, yesterday, in the Dock Offices, Mr. Charles Turner, chairman, in the chair. The other members present were—Messrs. F. Shand, Palmer, Chaloner, Hubback, Rankin, Smith, Littledale, Gregson, Robertson Gladstone, Mondel, Rounthwaite Robinson, and Lockett. The minutes of the last meeting were read and con firmed. The Committee of Works recommended that the offer of Messrs. Weaver and Co., for the construction of the lattice work of the Wapping warehouses, for £1,340, exclusive of painting—the same to be completed in about four months from the date of order—be accepted. Con firmed. An application from the London and North Western Railway Company was read, requesting permission to cut a gateway through the east boundary of the Water loo Dock, for the purpose of forming a junction with the goods station there, and of working their waggons over the whole of the dock line of railway.--Granted. The arrangement to be subject to the same conditions as those contained in the arrangement with the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company of August, 18.55. A report from the Surveyor on the supply of granite for the dock works, stated that, the present quarries failing to supply an adequate quantity of granite, they had been compelled, after trying a number of places in vain, to have recourse to Penrhyn, in Cornwall. They could there obtain an abundant supply at 2s. 3d. the foot; and that price being very little, if anything, more than what they already paid, they had ordered 2,000 feet to go on with. The Committee of Works also recommended that the hydraulic crane at the north-east corner of the Queen's Dock, be removed to the east side of the Union Dock —Confirmed. The Warehouse Committee recommended that Robert Bourne, cargo clerk of the second class, at the Albert warehouses, be pro►noted to cargo clerk of the first class at the Wapping warehouses, at a salary of £l3O a-year. —Confirmed. The Marine Department reported that the stock of oil for the use of the lighthouses was reduced to 600 gallons, and recommended that tenders for 1,500 gallons be advertised for.—Ordered. The Harbour Masters' Committee recommended that permanent berths on the north east side of the Wellington dock be provided for the steamers sailed by Papayanni and Mussabini, in their Constantinople trade, and at the west corner for Mr. W. Laird's steamers, engaged in the African and Hamburg trade, and that a permantnt berth on the east side of the Huskisson dock be provided for the vessels sailed by Mr. W. Inman. A letter was read from Messrs. James Daglish and Co., requesting permission to use the dock railway in export ing locomotives for Canada. Granted, subject to Mr. Hartley's approval as to weight, he having reported that the bridge across the Stanley dock was not suited for heavy engines. A letter was read from Messrs. William Jones and Son, requesting a reduction in the graving dock dues on their ship William Carey, in consequence of her tonnage on re-measurement being found less than it was as per register on her entering the dock. The Chairman observed that the application could not be attended to. Every vessel should pay on the tonnage she measured on going into the graving dock— in other words, on the registered tonnage. A letter was read from Messrs. Humble, Grayson, and Co., complaining of the serious inconvenience to steamers from so small a portion of the graving dock space being appropriated to their use. They suggested that if the present regulations be persevered in the steamers should not be restricted to any particular graving docks, other wise serious disorganization of the whole trade of the port would ensue. The letter was referred to the harbour master's committee. The following letter was received from the compass committee : "D. MASON, ESQ., SECRETARY TO THE LIVERPOOL DOCK COMMITTEE. " 40, Tower-buildings East, Liverpool, Aug. 21,1856. " am directed by the Liverpool compass com mittee to send you the following copy of a resolution which was unanimously adopted at a special meeting of the com mittee held at this office on Saturday last, Thos. Brocklebank, E‘q., in the chair : ' Resolved : That the best thanks of this committee are due to the members of the dock committee for the ready attention which they gave to the suggestion for painting the magnetic beariegs of Vauxhall chimney on the line of dock wall facing the river, and the bearings of other conspicuous objects on the boundary walls of the Wellington and Clarence half-tide basins. Also, for their liberality in carrying out the suggestion in so full and efficient a manner as to make the port of Liverpool pre eminent for the facilities which it affords for ascertaining the deviations of the compass on shipboard.' I am further directed to append to this letter a few extracts, selected from a number of communications which have been forwarded to the committee from the highest authorities on the subject, as to the utility and value of the plan which your committee have so faithfully carried into eff,:et.—l am, sir, your very obedient servant, "W. W. RIINDELL, Secretary." " No. 1. Extracted from a letter from my Lords of the Privy Council for Trade, dated Whitehall, July 23, 1856 : ' I am directed to state that my lords consider the plan pro posed, viz , that of testing ships' compasses on the Mersey by the transit of a distant object with a near mark upon the pie-, is very good ; and they hope it will be attended to in the case of shippin g frequenting that river. The masters of vessels should, however, be impressed with the necessity of these bearings being observed after everything containing iron in any considerable quantity has been placed on board, and stowed where it is to remain. My lords do not consider that any further remark is called for from them, beyond the expression of their opinion that owners of vessels should make it imperative upon their masters to attend to and compare their compasses with these bearings, and to take every opportunity, when at sea, to re-attest them by azimuths and amplitudes. J. BooTn.'" " No. 2. Extract from a letter from Captain Fitzroy, R.N., of the Marine Department, Board of Trade : Your plan is undeniably good.' " "No. 3. From the Astronomer Royal.—' Royal Obser vatory, Greenwich, May 14, 185G.—Daar Sir,—l think that the facility which you are about to give (by reference to the Vauxhall chimney) for the examination of the errors of ships' compasses is most important, and I congratulate you on the probability of success in this matter.—l am, dear sir, faithfully yours, " G. B. AIRET." "Again, in a note to the secretary of the compass committee, dated August 12, the Astronomer Royal says : Ido not see that I could suggest any improvement. I think the mercantile interests of Liverpool, and the nautical interests generally, have reason to congratulate them. selves on the course which the compass committee is taking,' " " No. 4. From Archibald Smith, Esq„ &c,, a special authority on the subject of compass deviations in iron ships :—' The plan which has been adopted appears to me an excellent one, and I do not see any way in which it could be improved.' " "No. 6. From Frederick John Evans, Esq., superinten dent of the Compass Observatory, IVoolwich. With respect to the plan adopted for enabling vessels in the Mersey to obtain their compass deviations by the system of magnetic bearings of a fixed object being painted on the long line of dock walls, it appears to be simple and thoroughly practical, and must he attended with considerable benefit and ad vantages.' " " No. 6. From Dr. Scoresby's report of experiments on board the Royal Charter.—' The reverend doctor eulogised the well bestowed confidence and liberality of the dock committee,' and stated that had it not been for the facilities which these marks afforded, he should have been unable to swing the Royal Charter immediately on her return to Liverpool, and his experiments would have thus been essentially deficient. He thought the plan deserved the highest commendation.' " Similar opinions from compass-adjusters and captains of iron ships could be added ; but it is thought that the above will be sufficient to show the dock committee, if this were necessary, that the large expense which they have incurred in carrying out the suggestion of the compass committee has been for a purpose the utility and importance of which cannot be reasonably questioned. "W. W.R." SPECIAL DOCKS FOR STEAMERS Mr. Mondel observed that, the ; . 1;;;;; - masters' com nuittee had the question of steamboat accommodation so frequently brought before them, and applications were made to them so repeatedly for permanent berths for such vessels, that they really knew not what to do in their extremity. They had already apportioned a considerable portion of the dock space in permanent berths. Th e y admitted that steamboats could not be worked without such berths; but what could they do towards meeting the applications which were constantly made to them on this head, they having already apportioned all their available space ? It behoved them, then, to consider how they could meet the requirements of the port in this re spect, and whether they should not construct docks sp,:cially adapted for steamboats. He had intended to bring before the committee a motion with that view ; but as he understood there vas an objection at present to such a course, he would lay his plans before the sub committee, and if they sanctioned them, he would then bring forward statistiys, showing the amount of accom modation they would afford, the probable revenue, the cost of construction and of land, and all other particulars. Mr. Lockett said, there were now applications before them for three or four permanent berths, but they had no places to give. Mr. Gladstone was glad that the subject had been brought forward in such a manner by Mr. Mondel. was their duty as a committee, not only to minister to present necessities, but to look forward to future wants ; and those who turned their attention to the subject, were satisfied that steamboats would, in the course of a few years, take the place of sailing vessels, just as they had seen railways take the place of stage coaches. He believed that the whole trade of the world would eventually be carried by steamers, and, therefore, the subject intro d aced by Mr. Mondell was one of very great importance. There was an objection to its being pressed immediately on their attention, but he hoped that it would not pre vent their considering it at an early period. The Chairman also expressed himself as glad that the subject had been brought forward, and declared that it was well worthy of consideration. This concluded the general business. SOUTH LANCASHIRE ASSIZES.-YESTERDAY CROWN COURT. BEFORE MR. JUSTICE WILLES, His Lordship took his seat on the bench this morning, precisely at nine o'clock. THE STRIKE OF THE BRICKSETTER'S LAB •URERS AT MANCHESTER.—MichaeI Gauley, (senr. and junr.), Edward Weormick, Michael Burke, John Drumgoole, Patrick Keenahan, William Broderick, William Walsh, Larry M‘Laughlin, Patrick Leeson, James Flanagan, John Bohanna, Michael Duggan, Anthony Hardyman, John O'Neill, Andrew Stracey, John Collins, John Connelly, and Thomas Morley, all described as fellow labourers, stood indicted with having unlawfully, riotously, and tumul• tuously assembled together, and with bricks, stones, and other weapons, unlawfully assaulted Robert Jarvis, Thomas Nelson, and others. Mr. Ovens appeared for the prosecution and six counsellors, held briefs for the prisoners. Prior to the case being gone into, the centre benches of the court were closed for the accommodation of the witnesses engaged in the case, when a formidable array of at least thirty took their seats. The learned counsel, in opening the case for the prosecution, said the prisoners at the bar are charged with a serious riot at Manchester, on the 30th of May last. The riot took place in consequence of a dispute existing there between the bricksetters and their labourers. Just prior to the 30th of May, the labourers complained of the rate of wages the bricksetters were giving them, the labourers were dissatisfied, and the result was that they went out on strike. Such being the state of things at this time, the bricksetters had to work for each other —that is they had to assist each other, be cause the labourers would not work. The class of persons, who were most employed in the dispute, were the Trish labourers, who were out on strike, and were in the habit of asseml:aig at a public house, called the Red Bull. Shortly before the 30th of May, it was evident that some thing was coming, as one of the prisoners at the bar, Morley, went to a place where some of the bricksetters were employed, and called upon them to leave off, or he would fetch the boys from the Red Bull to them. That was on the 29th. On the morning of the 30th, the prisoner Flanaghan went to another building, where some brick. setters, were also employed, and called upon the men to leave off work, saying, "if you do not, you will all have broken necks before night." About half-past one o'clock on that day, from 150 to 200 of the Irish labourers, amongst whom were the prisoners, went to a building being erected by Mr. Hall, at a place called Gorton Brooke, armed with blud geons, sticks, life preservers, and other weapons. They were seen by the bricksetters running towards the buildings, and shouting all sorts of cries, amongst which was—" Take the knob-sticks' lives." Some of the bricksetters who were at work ran away, some sheltering themselves at the Pine apple public-house, others ran to the police station for safety. There were some, however, who were not able to get away; and those who were left behind were very much ill-treated, and received such injuries that many of them were confined for a considerable period, After that the rioters went to a hill, near the police station, where they formed themselves into a body, and again rushed down upon the building, and destroyed a quantity of tools, and committed great havoc, and drove away the men who remained. The mob then rushed in a body to another place, the brick croft, where they acted in peecisely the same manner. The learned counsel then detailed the several places in the locality where the mob had acted in a similar way, after which, they returned to the Red Lion public•house, where they were subsequently apprehendei by the police. There was no doubt but it was from that place they had left in a body, and, after committing the depredations they had done, they returned to the same place from which they had left. He then said that, as to the riot, there could be no doubt on that point, and he should therefore have to call a very great number of witnesses to identify the prisoners as being engaged in that riot. Mr. Hall, the first witness, gave evi dence as to the attack of a number of the labourers upon the bricksetters on the day in question. At his Lordship's suggestion, Mr. Ovens sa►d the prosecution were willing, if some of the parties would plead guilty to being engaged in the riot, to have them discharged upon entering upon their own recognisances to be of good behaviour, and that the others who had been guilty of violence should be tried. The counsel for the prisoners (six), and those who conducted the prosecution, by the sanction of his Lordship, then retired, and after a consultation of about twenty minutes they returned into court, and all the prisoners, after instruc'ions from their respective counsel, pleaded guilty under the indictment for a riot. THE REAL RIOTERS.—William Welsh, Anthony Hardy man, Andrew Stracey, John Connolly, and Thomas Morley, Were then selected out of the prisoners and placed at the bar, on a charge of having been guilty of acts of violence to persons during the riot. An almost innumerable number of wi nesses were called for the purpose of identifying the above prisoners as taking an active part in the riot, and as to having been guilty of various acts of violence, by using weapons or otherwise, to the persons who were then engaged in their employment at the various buildings they attacked, and in most cases some of the parties thus attacked bad been rendered insensible, had had their tools destroyed, and were most severely and violently treated. Each of the counsel for the accused addressed the jury on behalf of their respective clients, contending that, although they were present, the evidence was insufficient to connect them with taking an active part in the riot. Several witnesses were called to prove an alibi on behalf of Morley, who had been identified by several witnesses as being present during the violence that was enacted on the day on question. Mr. Ovens replied on behalf of the prosecution, arguing that the alibi was not sufficiently proved to contradict the three witnesses for the prosecution, who had distinctly proved that he was present during the disturbances on the day in question. Several witnesses were called as to character, on behalf of the other prisoners. His Lordship, in giving a resume of the evidence adduced in the course of the trial, observed that the prisoners at the bar, together with thirteen others, who had pleaded guilty, stood indicted with having been engaged in a riot, at Manchester, on the 30th of May last. On that point the law was clear and definite, for it stat.d that if three or more persons assembled together for the pu.pose of carrying out some private object of their own, and for the purpose of compelling other persons to be of their opinion, that was a riot. There was no doubt but that the law, and very properly, allowed large assemblages of persons to meet together for the purpose of discussing any grievances, or fancied grievances, so long as they confined themselves to the discussion of that matter, but so soon as they attempted by coercion to compel others to act with them, then the law interfered. Masters were not allowed to force the men to certain acts, no more than men were allowed to force their masters. Such a system, when adopted, must be put down, or it would not only prove injurious to private persons, but would be a great public calamity. There were certain modes which could be adopted for redressing grievances, when they were supposed to exist, therefore, all means pursued by endeavouring to force people must be put an end to. There was the right of petitioning parliament, one of the greatest privileges that could be conferred, and so long as the people met together for that object, the law did not interfere, but rather encouraged meetings of that description. This was shown in hundreds of instances in this country, where persons regularly met together for that object, and it was only when such assemblages endeavoured to take the law into their own hands that the authorities interfered for the protec'ion of the people at large. Such being the law, the only question the jury would have to consider was—Did this body of people assemble together for a peaceable purpose, and did they conduct themselves in a peaceable manner ? if they did, then the jury would say there had been no, riot. Then, again, if they come to that conclusion, they would h ave t o consider, did the prisoners, or any of them, take any part in that riot? His Lordship then proceeded to recapitulate the evidence adduced in the course of the trial, and left the jury to say, which, or if any, was guilty. The jury con sulted for a short time, and then returned a verdict of Guilty against Hardyman, Stracey, and Connolly, but acquitted Morley, who was instantly discharged. There were other indictments against the prisoners, all resulting out of the same affray, which, having been disposed of, all the prisoners were again placed in the dock, when his Lordship, after a suitable admonition and caution as to their future conduct, expressed the deep regret he felt at seeing such a number of the working classes placed in the situation in which they then stood, through the folly of taking the law into their own hands. His Lordship then sentenced Michael Qauley, who had been guilty of using great violence, to twelve months imprisonment; Patrick Leason, John Bohanna, Anthony Hardyman, and Andrew Stracey, to six months imprisonment, and john Connolly to three months ; William Welsh, Michael Gauley, yen., Edward M'Oormick, Michael Burke, John Drumgole, Patrick Keenahan, William Broderick, Larry M'Laughlin, James Flanagan, Michael Pagan, John O'Neil, and John Collins, to three weeks imprisonment, to commence from the first ' day of the assizes, Saturday, August 9th. CRIMINAL ASSAULT.—James Bevington, a lad, about 20 years of age, was charged with having criminally asseulied a young female named Harriet Watts, at Stretford, near Manchester, on the 7th of the present month. The prose cutrix's statement was to the following effect :—On the day in question, she, as the servant of Mrs. Baker, was left in charge of the house. The prisoner called with the bread cart, and left a loaf. He asked wheth , r she was going to pay for it, when she said her mistress was out. 11e then said that eh anted to make an entry in bis bo o k, an d walked into e w house. Having shut the door, he caught hold of the girl, and after takin' some indecent liberties with her, dragged her into a sitting room, and comm itt e d the offence with whi c h h e stood _charged. In cross-exami nation, the girl m os t positively denied that she had ever given the prisoner the least encouragement to behave as he had dope. A surgeon was called, and clearly proved that the offence h a d b een committed For the defence, a girl, a a fellow-serv an t, was ll t d r ,wh . o ike t a o n havingseen the prison er an d the proc called, together,secuhad since r e p ea t e dl y called upon her, and req4uetbstaetdththealtaathteer would not mention what she bad seen, as she had denied it all, and if her poor mother knew, it would break her heart. Each of the counsel having addressed the jury, his Lordship sunlmed up, when the jury consulted together for about twenty minutes, and then returned a verdict of acquittal. TH E RAILWAY FRAUDS.—On his Lordship taking his seat on the bench this morning he expressed a doubt as to whether he should be doing his duty if he was to try the prisoner, Wm. Parsonage, on the other indictment, seeing that on the two two former trials he had been acquitted in consequence of the absence of a witness who had be. n subpcened (Mr. B. Poole) for the prosecution, but who ht d not appeared. He did not know that he should be doir g right if he did not order an indictment against Mr. Poole for refusing to attend to the subpcena which had been served upon him. At a subsequent period of the day Mr. Irwin, on behalf of the London and North Western Railway Company, stated that they had used every means, by telegraph and otherwise, to secure the attendance of Mr. Poole, but as there was was no probability o f hi s appear i ng, the c , mpany had withdrawn the indictment, and conse quently the prisoner, William Parsonage, was discharged from custody. The court adjourned at half mist eight o'clock. HEALTH COMMITTEE.-YESTERDAY, The usual weekly meeting of this committee was held at half past two o'clock yesterday, in the Town hall, Mr. Langsdale, chairman, in the chair. Other members present—Messrs. Beck with, Robertson Gladstone, M‘Guffie, Dover, Thine, Halhead, Sheil, Crosthwaite, A. C. Stewart, and Ittydock. HEALTH OF THE TOWN. Dr. Cameron, acting for the medical officer of health, reported that the mortality of the borough continued below the average of the season, the deaths registered last week being 226, showing 76 fewer than the corresponding week of the last eight years. Zymotic diseases caused 91 deaths, of these there were from fever 2, small pox 1, scarlet fever 4, diarrhoea and other affections of the bowels 67, looping cough 4, measles 4, croup 3. Apo plexy and diseases of the brain causA 18 deaths, con vulsions 17, diseases of the lungs and consumption 36, debility and old age 33 ; diseases of the lungs caused 5 deaths, liver 1, dropsy 3. The mean daily temperature for the week was 66 degrees ; the highest on Tuesday, the 12th, when the thermometer rose to 76 degrees. The mean reading of the barometer was 29.84 inches. In answer to a member, Dr. C imeron replied that bowel complaints were not more prevalent than they generally were at this season of the year. 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 104 nuisances com plained of by the inhabitants had been inspected, and means taken to remedy them ; 320 houses in the un healthiest districts, containing 1,002 apartments, and 153 cellars had been put under examination, with the view of improving thiir sanitary condition. The Inspector of Nuisances' report included the following :—" With reference to the provision of a proper depot for seized meat in this borough, and which came under the notice of the committee by memorial last week, the inspector begs to report that a sufficient depot has long been wanted in this town, not only for the reception of seized meat, but also for smothered cattle landed from steamers in stormy weather. This matter has several times engaged the attention of the health and finance, as well as the market, committees, but nothing effectual has yet been done. In the event, however, of any large system of slaughter houses being adopted outside the borough, such an establishment for boiling and destroying seized refuse could easily be allied therewith. Complaints have also long existed of bad smells being occasionally emitted from cellars in the neighbourhood of St. John's market, where fowls arc kept, killed, and dressed, and which places have almost been considered as necessary evils, but the prompt removal of refuse therefrom is necessary to the health of the neighbourhood, and the health and market officers are using stringent measures to enforce it." THE REMOVAL OF SL AUGHTEK HOUSES OUTSIDE THE BOROUGH.-THE DEPUTATION TO PARIS. A conversation took place on this subject, and par ticularly in regard to the appointment of a deputation to proceed to Paris to enquire into the working of abattoirs there. _ _ _ Mr. Beckwith, who was named as one of the deputa tion, denied that any job had been contemplated in it. It was the first time that he was accused of a job, and, as regarded himself, nothing could be more unjust and unfounded. He was a member of the sub-committee appointed to procure information in the matter, and when he was informed that he was appointed a member of the deputation, he expressed his readiness to discharge, as he had always done, the duties which were deputed to him. Mr. Sheil observed that what he complained of was, that a sub-committee should take upon itself to appoint a deputation to go to a foreign country at the public expense. They might have recommended such a course to the general committee, but to so act upon their own determination was what he believed had never before been done by a sub-committee. He should say that lie also was a member of the sub_committee, that he had attended its meetings, but that he had never heard a word about the deputation until the last meeting of the general committee. Mr. Crosthwaite expressed himself in like terms. The deputation had been formed out of doors, and he should therefore protest against it. Mr. Dover thought that the resolution referring the matter back to the sub-committee, with instructions that they should procure further information, might fairly be take❑ by the sub committee as authorising them to appoint a deputation to obtain that full and perfect information which they so much required. The depu tation on the smoke nuisance had been productive of great good, and he thought the like result would have followed in this instance. The matter then dropped ; but before the committee separated, the deputy law clerk, Mr. M‘Gowan, men tioned that the resolution of the sub-committee, autho rising the appointment of the deputation, had been before the general committee, and approved of by them. The applications for increase of salary referred to the committee by the council were referred back to the sub committee. This conclude.l the business. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE YORK Y - ESTERDAY. LATEST BETTING EBOR HANDICAP. 5 to 2 agst Coroner—offered 7.. 2.. NV,rlock —taken freely 8 .. 1 .. Brother to Grey Tommy—taken 1 1 . . I .. courtenay —taken 20 .. 1 .. Pretty Bay—taken 100 .. 6 .. Merlin—taken ST. LEGER. 3 to,l agst Fazzoletto—taken • DERBY, 1857 1000 to 60 agst Goldfinch—taken 50 1 ... Lord of the Hung—taken 40 .. 1 .. Sharoshooter—taken 25 .. 1 .. Blink Bonny—taken 25 .. 1 .. Colonist—taken 22 .. 1 .. Scheidam—taken 20 .. 1 .. Lady liawthorn—taken YORK RACES.—YEsTERDAT BTENNIAL STAKES. Augury .. 2 I Red White and Blue.. 3 ST. LEGER. Artillery .. %Von by a head, and a half between 2nd and 3rd. PRINCE OF WALES STAKES. I gnoram us Twelve ran. EGLINTON STAKES. Augury........... 1 I Prince F o o f u O r r r a a n n. ge.. I Yorkshireman . 3 F,BOR HANDICAP. _ _ Warlock .......... I I Merlin Nine ran. IroPEFUL STAKES. Fisherman PRODUCE STAKES. _ _... Gortschakoff LOTTERY STAKES. Spelah Four ran. FILLY SAPLING STARES. Vanity.. Three ran. ARRlVED.—Derrick, Fazzoletto, and Vidette. BIRTHS Ou the 17th inst., at Southport, the wife of Mr. John Gibson (since deceased), of this town, of a daughter. On the 18th inst., the wife of Thomas Lea, Great Homer-street, of a son. MARRIAGE On the 19th inst., at St. Michael's Church, Toxteth Par - 4. by the Rey. Joseph Dixon Claxton, M.A., brother of the bride, a:,isted by the Bev. Widiam Banister, James Burman, Esq., F.R.A.S., of Castletown, Isle of Man, to ElzaYeates, second surviving daughter of the late Wm. Claxton, Esq., South-hill Grove, near this to - yen. DEATHS. ---- --- On the 19th inst., at Southport, Mr. John Gibson, cement mer chant, of this town, deeply regretted by a large circle of friends. On the 20th inst, at Stanley-house, Eleanor, the Infant daughter of Mr. Charles Clans. tc Births, Ai arriages, and Deaths, are only inserted when sent to our Office duly authenticated, ‘ PURE" MILL—The authorities at Paris continue an active crusade against the adulterators of milk. The day before yesterday thirteen wholesale milk dealers were con victed, and sentenced to three months'. imprisonment and 50fr. fine. The quantity of water added to the milk by some of these fraudulent dealers was in one instance as much as 66 per cent., and the general proportion varied from 30 per cent, to 50 per cent. " DRESSING " IN AMERICA.—A lady writes from Newport, an American water i ng p l ace ,—" W e h ave to d ress about nine times a day here. First, we put a dress on to dress in; then we are ready for breakfast. After that we dress for the beach, then for the bath, then for dinner, then for the drive, then for the ball, and then for the bed. If this isn't being put through a regular course of dimity'and diamonds, then I am no judge of such performances," MUSICAL TAST E IN TEE E4SIT. —A letter from Constan tinople s a y s• The European taste for music has of late made i mmense progress here. The Sultan has at present for his harem an excellent orchestra composed of women alone. One, in particular, is remarkable for her perform— ance on the violin, her style of execution resembling exceed ingly Theresa Milanollo. Very few harems are now with ou t a pianoforte, and many of the Turkish ladies are excellent performers. Th e Sultan has s i g nifi e d h is intention of 1)111411nic a theatre at Top•Hane,". NISI PRIITS COURT. His Lordship, Mr. Baron BRAMWELL entered the Court se nine o'clock yesterday. TYER V. CARTER.—This was an action brought to recover damages for the stopping up of a watercourse or sewer, whic'a communicated from the premises of the plaintiff. through the premises of the defendant, with the main sewer. The plaintiff's premises extended from St. Anne-street to Back Clare-street, and the defend tnt's premises were adjacent. Both parties derived under leases from the same granter, a person named Williams, and the lease held by plaintiff expressly conveyed to him the same rights, ways, watercourses, &c, held by the. granter. On the part of the defendant it was admitted that in building his premises the drain was discovered by him, and that he bricked it up. The only question, therefore, in dispute was, whether the plaintiff had a right to send his refuse water through the defendant's rremises, by means of the drain in question, to the main sewer. Mr. James, Q. C., and. Mr. Raffles, appeared for the plaintiff ; Mr. Hugh Hill, Q.C, and Mr. Melluish, for the defendant. A verdict was found for the plaintiff, with £6 damages, leave being reserved to defendant to move for a nonsuit, plaintiff undertaking not to compel defendant in any event to open the drain. His Lordship strongly recommended that no more should be heard about the case, and that to decide a question of £6 and costs the parties should not go to an undefined expense. Mr. Hill :Itis a very nice point of law, my lord. His Lordship : Oh, it is a very delightful point of law. (Laughter.) We will have two arguments over it, in fact. We will make it a very expensive affair for thorn, if they like. (Laughter.) It is one of those affairs which remind one of the old saying, that " the winning cock loses his feathers," (Laughter,) SPECIAL JURY CASES. His Lordship then proceeded to take up the special jury cases. BE ATTIE V. RYLAND3.—Mr. Cuttingham opened the plead ings in this case, which was an action brought to recover £1,034 14e. 11d. awarded to plaintiff by ar bi trators appo i nte d by the joint consent of the parties. Mr. Hugh Hill, Q,C., stated the case. It was an action brought against Mr. John Rylands, manufacturer of cotton goods, carrying on business in Manchester, under the firm of Rylands & Son, to receive an amount awarded to the plaintiff with a portion of costs under the same award. The plaintiff, Mr. Beattie, was in the employment of Mr. Rylands, in the year 1853, and in that year he went out upon a commission from defendant's firm, the terms being agreed to in writing between him and them, to North America, for the purpose of selling their goods. By the terms of that agreement they were to pay him a certain commission for the sales he ef f ected, subject to certain deduc tions to be made if bad debts were incurred, and a sum of £3OO was deposited by plaintiff with defendant as security for the due performance of the agreement, that sum to bear interest in the defendant's hands. The plaintiff went out to America and effected sales there to an amount exceeding £50,000. After he returned in 1855, a dispute arose between the parties as to the amount of commission payable, the plain tiff claiming a larger sum than the defendant was willing to pay, the latter being, indeed, only willing to pay a very small sum. The plaintiff was, accordingly, compelled to put himself into the hands of Messrs. Sale, Worthington, and Shipman, solicitors, of Manchester, and defendant put himself into the hands of Messrs. Worthington and Earle, solicitors, of same city, both firms of high respectability. An arrangement was come to, that as the dispute would involve questions of mercantile dealings and several matters of account, which could hardly be conveniently enquired into in a court of justice, it would be desirable to refer the whole matter to the arbitration of three mercantile gentlemen, one to be appointed by Mr. Beattie, the second to be appointed by Mr. Rylands, and these two to appoint the third. It was agreed that these three gentlemen, or any two of them, if the third should differ, were to have power to make an award. Mr. Henry Pope, merchant, of Manchester, was appointed by Mr. Beattie; Mr. George Wadsworth, agent, of Manchester, was appointed by Mr. Rylands, and these two parties agreed to appoint Mr. Hugh Fleming as the third arbitrator. Ultimately, in con-. sequence of Mr. Wadsworth having differed, the award was made by the two other arbitrators, on the Ist July, 1858, after eighty-four meetings had been held, commencing on the 14th of January—long meetings—at which the whole matters between the parties were gone into. The arbitrators awarded to plaintiff £730 8s 3d, as due to him by Mr. Rylands, and they awarded that each party should bear a portion of the costs. They assessed the costs at £456 100, of which Mr. Beattie was to pay £132 3s 4d, and Mr. Ryland. £304 6s Bd. If either party, on taking up the award, paid the whole, then he was to be reimbursed the share of the costs. The award, was taken up by Mr. Beattie, who then called upon Mr. Rylands to pay the amount awarded, as due, and the portion of costs assessed to him, making together £1,034 14s l ld. Mr. Rylands, however, refused to pay, and this action was accordingly brought to recover that amount. Tho agreement under the reference made, was admitted, Mr. Hill briefly glanced at the nature of the defence, the principal points of which were that before the appointment of Mr. Fleming as arbitrator, Mr. Wadsworth distinctly told Mr. Pope he would not consent to have any person appointed who was a friend of either of the par ties or the two arbitrators, and it was alleged that Mr. Fleming was, without Mr. Wadsworth's knowledge, a friend of MN Pope's, and also that Mr. Wadsworth did not differ in any such sense as to allow the other two arbitrators to make the award without him. Mr. Hill contended that the first of these pleas was one which ought never to have been put upon the record, if it attributed to Mr. Pope any unfair object in having Mr. Fleming appointed, with whom he had no such acquaintance as could render him a prejudiced arbitrator; and, in regard to the second ground of defence, he argued that Mr. Wadsworth dis tinctly expressed a difference of opinion as to the conduct of the arbitration, and refused to proceed, so that, as the time of the arbitration was limited, the others had no alternative but,. after giving him notice, to proceed with their award. Mr. Pope, Mr. Fleming, and other witnesses, were examined, to prove the plaintiff's cage. The evidence of both arbitrators stated that at a certain stage of the enquiry, Mr. Wadsworth had some dispute relative to the production of defendant's books. Mr. Wadsworth said the books were only to be produced m a matter of favour, and not of right. Mr. Pope said they were produced as a matter of right. Mr. Wadsworth then, it was stated, ordered the books to be taken away, and said be would proceed no further, and after notice had been served upon him, the other arbitrators then proceeded with their award. Mr. Noggins, Q.C., who, with Mr. James,. appeared for the defence, addressed the jury, contending that there had been no difference between the arbitrators, such as would justify two of them in proceeding to deliver their award, unassisted by the other. The absence of Mr. Wadsworth, he stated, was due to other causes, of which that gentleman had given notice, and the learned counsel charged Mr. Pope and Mr. Fleming with misconduct in giving their award in so hasty a manner, and urged that they had done so to secure their own payment. Mr. Wadsworth was called, and I deposed that he never absented himself from any of the meetings with the view of obstructing a decision, and denied that ho ever ceased to be ma arbitrator. Hie Lordship asked the jury whether in' their opinion the arbitrators differed. Tho jury expressed their opinion that the arbitrators did differ. His Lordship said that was in point of fact a verdict for the plaintiff. The jury found for the plaintiff accordingly. r• • J • BEkRO v. THE SOLVENCY MUTUAL GUARANTEE COM PANY.—This was an retion brought to recover the amount of a bad debt guaranteed by a policy granted by defendants. Mr. Attorney-General Knowles, Mr. Hugh Hill, Q.C., and Mr. Aspland, appeared for the plaintiff ; and Mr. Watson, Q Cy with Mr. Ctuaine for the defendants. The plaintiffs were Messrs. Beard, well-known merchants of Manchester, and the defendants an insurance companye la s e ta b b e l s isl i i n ed mnaont cl V t e e s r t y er IQ anl i since in London, and having bia other large provincial towns for the purpose of guaranteeing tradesmen from losses by bad debts incurred in the course of trade. The policy which the plaintiff effected was dated Jug 23, 18,13., and the amount of th e b ad debts on which they now claimed £3,020 6s. sd. A verdict was given for the plaintiff for and £74 b 6 l Os., the insurance being for nine-tenths or the debt, su j ect to several deductions whe re t h e amount on which the elv,im was.: founded exceeded the average of bad debts returned on proposing for a guarantee. SEDDON AND ANOTHER V. MATHER.—The plaintiffs in this cas e were John Seddon, a bleacher, residing at Bohm* and William Elliott, a tenant of his, and the defendant William Mather, a beerseller. The action was one of eject. ment brought to recover possession of a strip of land in the township of West Houghton, on the road between Bolton and Chorley. Mr. Atherton and Ifr. Kempley appeared for the, plaintiffs, and Mr. Hill and Mr. Millward for defendant.. Several witnesses were - called to prove that the principal plaintiff, Mr. Seddon, had for many years back exercised acts of ownership over that piece of land. One witness, an old man, when asked how long since he first went to live neat that land replied that he went there " the very year after the last Preston guild but one." His Lordship appeared considerably puzzled to understand what particular era this might refer to, until Mr, Atherton explained in a few words what " the Preston guild" was. It was ascertained that the year to which the witness referred was 1823. This case had not concluded when the court arose. LIVERPOOL BANX.RIIPTCY COURT.—Yesterday, before Mr. Commissioner Stevenson, John Stananaught, builder and publican, of Liverpool, applied for his certificate. His Honour granted an immediate certificate of the second class. STEAMER PACIFIC.—This fine vessel sailed from the Landing -stage at a quarter past twelve o'clock yesterday with portions of four regiments, in all, 864 men and twenty-six officers. It was hoped she would reach Dahlia in time to land the troops last night.