Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-01-05 00:00:00

AUSTRALIA. We have received letters and papers from Mel bourne, dated Nov. 19, and from Sydney, Nov. 11. The following summary of news is from thu Melbourne Commercial Report : MELBOURNE, Nov, 15, 1858. There is but little commercial news of interest to report for the past month. At this time of year there is generally considerable activity in trade, as the summer season is the most im portant one in point of demand, and all classes of the trading community are confidently expecting and pre pared for a favourable movement in business. Instead of that seasonable demand there appears to be a settled dullness, from which even the large consumption going forward, and the movements of a few speculators, afford no relief, so great are our stocks, and so constant and heavy the arrivals, that but little difference is perceptible, erchants, as usual, are complaining of the absence of business, and the want of profit attending their operations. In fact, it is extremely doubtful if, for the past two years, importing has b een a pro fi ta bl e Lusiness. • and the Stable's circular advises us of the overpowering ship bleats being made from England and elsewhere ; but, large as they are, they fall far short of the actual quanti- in this city We are not only overstocked with goods, but also with and traders, and too little capital to' support result of which is, that in order to keep up a sad position to induce consignments, in too many instances erroneous statements of the market are sent home, false hopes of improvement and profit are held out to shippers, and so month after month we have the same tale to tell of glutted markets, and the same unprofitable results to exhibit of our shopkeepers and up-country traders, taking advantage of the fall in prices, have'laid in large stocks of goods at the reduced rates, more than their ordinary trade requires, prices continue to fall, and they find themselves with large stocks purchased at higher rates than those ruling in the mallet. Com etition and very high rents have reduced their profits, and they experience great difficulty in meeting their engagements. They are, therefore, not in a posi tion to enter i n t o mac h grea t er liabilities; extraordinary high rates of interest are paid for loans, money becomes tight, extreme caution is exercised in giving credit, and the baneful effects of this system of overtrading is long felt throughout the colony. Very much of the depression we are now suffering from may 'be traced to the extraor dinary system of indenting lately practised, and the facilities for inordinate speculation given to men who, possessed of bat small means, havinz, little to lose, are reckless of consequences, go in to win largely, or lose a little. The severe losses lately sustained by many of the firms giving these facilities, will, we trust, check this unwholesome system for the future. To account for the continued excess is shipments from home, in the face of the heavy losses so long sustained, and the repeated warnings given, is almost impossible. It was forMerly the custom Of a few merchants' to ship immediately on receipt of advices of a glutted market, as the majority got alarmed and ceased to ship, and the result was generally satisfactory, as the market had time to clear itself, and so left the few a fair margin of profit ; but TIOW it appears the rule is for all to continually act upon :this principle. • The sales effected by auction have been comparatively small, with the exception of a heavy sale of brandies and ether spirits, at much lower prices than those previously ruling, the holders being anxious to quit their stocks before the advice of the shipments of the new season brandies (which are anticipated to be heavy) are received. The telegraph was opened through from Melbourne to Sydney on the 30th ult., which has : already had the effect , et assimilating prices in the two markets, and will 'doubtless be of great benefit to both colonies. The mail ffrom England, due on the 6th inst., has not yet arrived. Great anxiety is felt for the advices to be received -respecting the new postal service, as the inconvenience ,and loss sustained by the irregularities of the late service, it is hoped, will be remedied in the new arrangement. The advices of an improvement in the English wool market have had a very cheering effect.; as many of our merchants are largely interested. There has been con siderable competition at the recent wool sales, and very full rates have been (riven, in anticipation, we presume, of a further r i s e otherwise unwarranted in our opinion by prices ruling at home. The extraordinary excitement connected with Port Curtis has completely.died away, .the reported rich gold fields having proved .ft failure, and after experiencing much suffering, the greater portion of those who landed have returned, whilst ship loads of passengers have come back without setting foot on. shore, several vessels going • only as far as Sydney, and on receipt of the bad news have set sail for Hobson's Bay. There are still a few prospecting at Port Curtis, hoping to discover a paying gold-field. This was , -p er haps, one of the most extraordi nary and sudden manias ever witnessed, some thousands of people rushing away to a tropical climate, upon the strength of a mere rumour. As if in counteraction to the Port Curtis mania, new and rich gold-fields are being discovered in Victoria, which will eventually attract a considerable population to our port. Large finds of golds are advised as having been made at Buninyong, in New South Wales. The disputes between the shareholders and directors of the National Bank of Australasia continue, 'Out there is not the same spirit and determination to oppose .the directors manifested, and we expect ere long to see the opposition die away, and the bank take that favourable position which it promised at its commencement. The bank is now open for business, and has lately opened a :branch at Echuca, and is about to open one at Adelaide. It is feared the unseasonably hot weather we hate lately I will have caused serious damage to our crops in fact, we are advised that such has been the case it many of the country districts. The money market is still tight, and it is difficult to ~discount any but really first-class bills. The greatest caution is used by merchants in giving credit, which, although it restricts business operations, must eventually be productive of beneficial results. The arrivals of oats during the past and previous months have been unusually large. From Sept. 11 to Oct. 2 they were 210,984 bushels ; from Oct. 2 to Oct: 30 they were 120,300 bushels—Total, 331,194 bushels. Our stocks are exceedingly heavy, and the quantities known to be on the way very considerable. It is thought that California, Russia, the Baltic, and other northern ports will supply us with considerably more than we expect; so that although a small advance has been ma r de - upon late prices by a few speculators, and others interested in keeping the market up, we scarcely think it will be permanent. The favourite horse-feed has been Californian oats, the consumption of which has greatly increased, and several large parcels have changed hands lately, at ss. to ss. 3d. ; and but little doing in Scotch and Irish. Other descriptions of horse-feed have been quite neglected. Within the last Week the arrivals have been very heavy, besides large parcels by almost every vessel arriving. The Dream brought 30,000 bushels, although the published manifest showed only 3,000 bags. The Koenig Willem 11., from San Francisco, in on the 9th, had 34,000 bushels, and more is to follow. The cargo of the Carrie Leland was sold, in Sydney, at about 4s. per bushel At the rates quoted in San Francisco, viz., $1 55c., oats would pay to sell here at 55., consequently we may expect shipments to continue. The Beau Monde, 1,017 tons, arrived in the bay on the 11th instant, from San Francisco. ..,rhe banks lowered the rate of exchange on the 2nd to par for sixty days sight bills on London, and purchased a t A new co 1 per cent. discount. commercial er is about to be published, to be called the Nell) Melbourne E conomist. the above was written, advices have been 1, via Sydney, stating that a very large amount of shipping had be en l a id on at San Francisco for these colonies, and that oats were being shipped very heavily, one vessel alone bringing about 60,000 bushels. CA} ADA.-THE STATE TRIALS The Canadian Courts of Queen's Bench and Common - gave judgment, on the 18th December, in the two cases of "Macdonell ". Macdonald," and "Macdonell Nr• Smith." Each of these two prosecutions arose out of the conduct of several members of the present administra tion in Canada, who, having been members of the former cabinet of the Governor-General, which was dismissed, returned to office without the formality of a re-election. The trials have caused immense excitement in Canada, lhasnauch as the Brown-Dorion party considered that what was regarded as the very unfair displacement of its leaders from office formed an additional reason why the consti tents should have an opportunity of passing judgment on those in favour of whom they had been removed. The judges were unanimous in arriving at the conclu sionthat the accused parties had kept strictly within the Letter of the law, and were therefore not liable to the fellalty for its infraction. With the intention of the egislature in passing the law they had nothing to do, nor could they recognise any extraneous matter or thing interpreting th e l ang uage of the statue. In all pro prsability these cases will he sent before her Majesty's rnvy Council for Appeal. • INDIA. THE BOMBAY MAIL. The Bombay Times of Decembe7.9Th states that the intelhgence from Oude is extremely gratifying, the Talookdars universally submitting themselves wherever our arms appear. The chief and most active of our opponents is Beni Mandoo Sing, but Lord Clyde (who entered the city of Lucknow on the morning of the 27th of November) is threaten ing him with a n i mme di a t e c h ec k ma t e by th e closing in of our columns upon him. "He may succeed in forcing himself through the cordon being drawn around him, but it will be by leaving his 25,000 men and 12 guns behind him. Serious fighting is no longer expected in the province." Oomrao Sing of Kantha, another rebel notoriety, still holds out, and made an attempt, it is said, to surprise Poorna a short time since. The work of reducing the province between the Gogra and the Ganges is proceeding rapidly, the rebel forts being demolished as they are surrendered. The seat of rebel power and influence, Trans gogra, is still at Bounree, where the Beghum and Ikba Shah hold court. The whole, however, are reported to be preparing for flight. The miscreant of Bithoor is still, it is supposed, on the confines of Nepaul. Brigadier Smith reports having surprised Maun Sing, and about 2,400 men, on the 14th of Nov., at Koondry, and having pursued them to Rajpore, killing six hundred. A, forced march of twenty ,miles from Mongroulie on the Betwa brought the troops to within two miles of Attakaria, on the 13th. At four o'clock the next morning the column started again, and came upon the enemy at daylight. The surprise was complete, and the route immediate. The guns of Blake's troop arrived at the gallop, and poured in round after round of grape and canister, the 95th Regi ment advancing in line on the right of the guns, and sweeping the insurgents before them. The Bth Hussars and Ist Lancers were now let loose at the flying mass, and pursued them for eight miles, accounting, it is said, for 600 of them. Mann Sing himself escaped by flinging himself, half naked, upon horseback. General Grant,. on the 21st November, en countered the enemy on the other side of the Goomtee, 4,500 strong, and dispersed them, killing 100 men and taking six guns. Captain George 'Hare, commandant of the.sth Infantry Hydrabad Contingent, was shot dead by a Sepoy on the evening of the Ist inst., whilst sitting in the officers' mess at Ellichpore. Of Tantia Topee the Bombay Times reports : The interest of the"war may almost be said to be con fined to the pursuit of this man, who with a body of followers supposed to consist of about 2,500 f?ghting men, besides women and children, has again contrived to elude our troops, and is now supposed to be in Guzerat. Parke, whose pursuit of these insurgents over half of Central India had been hitherto so constantly baulked, seems at last to have come up with them by dint of hard marching, upon the morning of the Ist instant, and to have given them a severe defeat. The only particulars as yet received of the engagement are contained in the following telegram from the Resident at Baroda. tfrigadier Parke writes as follows from Chota Oodeypore on the Ist instant.:— The force under my command attacked the rebels under Tantia Topee and Rao Sahib at Oodeypore at daylight this morning. The enemy lost at least three hundred men, chiefly Irregular Cavalry and Sepoys in British uniform. Our loss comparatively trifling-, not yet ascer tained. No European officers killed. The rebels dis persed into three bodies ; pursuit was impossible, my 'troops having marched upwards of 200 miles since 23rd November, the last twenty miles through the densest jungle. The latest intelligence received is that Tantia Tepee has at last entered Guzerat, where vigorous efforts are being made to meet.him. Sir Hugh Rose cannot be far behind Parke, and has with him a powerful and well appointed force. It will be in the recollection of our readers, that Tantia Topee was orig inally attended in his flight by the Rao Saheb (nephew of the miscreant Nana) and the Nuwab of Banda The Rao still remains with the insurgents, but the Nawab surrendered himself to Lieutenant Kerr's force near Charwa, on the 17th ultimo, from sheer inability, it is alleged, longer to sustain the privations and sufferings of the flight. Whether the hands of this man are stained with the actual murder of our ecinntrymen seems doubt ful, and his fate has not yet, we believe, been decided upon. The surrender to Lieutenant Kerr was made upon the single condition that his life should be spared until the instructions of the supreme government were received. _ An insurrectionary movement on a small scale has occurred in Burmah province, in which the village of Thorantay, distant about ten miles from Rangoon, was temporarily in tie hands of a band of insurgents led by a fisherman who announced himself subsequently as prince. During the affray the civil officer of the station and his nephew were wounded, the latter, we regret to add, dying the day after. The rebels do _ not appear to have been guilty of the excesses which ha-Ccmarked the xevolt in India. "To _prevent the poSsibility of any assistance being rendered by the Burmese of Rangoon, the guards were ordered to be strengthened, and SeNys were piequeted over the town. Two steamers were immediately dispatched with all the available troops, and in a couple of days, fifty-three of the gang were secured. There was at first a difficulty in c - apturing, the soi disant prince, but the offer of a reward of a thousand rupees, induced the villagers to give him up. He is now in jail, awaiting only his trial and transfer -to the gallows. In extenuation of his treason, he pleads instigation on the part of a Burman official at Wallah, on whom the authorities here placed much confidence." DEATH OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN JA(10B BOMBAY, December 9, News has just reached Bombay, by electric telegraph, of the death of Brigadier-General John Jacob, of the Scinde Horse. This melancholy event took place on the sth instant, at Jacobabad, Scinde, brain fever being the cause of death. At a time like the present, a casualty of this kind is little less than a public calamity. Brigadier Jacob held Scinde and the entire frontier in his grasp. The wild tribes regarded him with mingled feelings of fear and superstition, and even the rudest of their chiefs respected his authority and obeyed his mandates. Brigadier General Jacob was an artillery officer, hay ing been appointed to the Horse Brigade in 1827. He was a complete soldier, and like Napoleon had mastered all the details and duties of his profession. The Scinde. Horse, of which he was for so many years Commandant, are regarded as the finest troops in the world. Whatever he undertook to perform he performed well, and whether we look upon him as a soldier, a general, an inventor, a philosopher, or a politician, we perceive only the highest and most brilliant qualities. ' - His death will be deeply and generally. regretted. THE LADIES OF LUCKNOW The following letter appears in the last number of the Homeward Mail: Having read a well-meritedeulogium on Lady Inglis, which appeared in a letter from " A Friend to the Lucknow Garrison," in the last number of the Homeward Mail, I am induced to ask, through the same medium, a question relative to the other ladies, who, as well as Lady Inglis, are so inseparably connected with the history of the memorable siege of Lucknow. Sir J. Inglis, in his famous despatch, calls special attention to " the honoured names of Birch, Polehampton, Barker, and Gale." Now, wt public ' - -- , IA. written at such sen in uespam., time, the gallant writer, draws the attention of a whole nation to the names of four ladies as " honoured" for their unwearied attention to the sick and dying, under circumstances of unparralleled trial, the question naturally arises—" What has been done for them or their families to testify that England is not unmindful of their truly licroic conduct ?" Nobly did these four ladies tread in the footsteps of Florence Nightingale, unselfishly disregarding their own heavy and hfe-lasting sorrows: We know that Lady Inglis has been justly honoured with the per sonal sympathy of the Queen and royal family, and has the happiness of having had her good and brave husband spared to her, and she shared .the honours so liberally and deservedly bestowed upon him. But no one can discover that any acknowledgment has been made in any quarter of the services rendered by the four ladies whose honoured names are proudly remembered by all Englishmen. To me, as doubtless to the majority of your readers, these noble women are known only through, Sir J. Inglis's despatch, but all Englishmen look upon them in conse quenee as in part public property, and would like to k no w the answer to the question, which is always, and eve r will be, asked- by th ose w h o rea d the history of ek "What has be en d one f or these four honoure d ss. me n s o ilv ~, _ y o ur obedient servant. L a u Zion FIAT. THE NORTHERN TIMES WEDNESDAY, JA_NVARY 5, 1859• BIRKENHEAD COMMISSIONERS aeniea, however, that the gardens had been offs red to the Commissioners by any one authorised to do so. The subject then dropped. The minutes of the last meeting were read and con firmed. The monthly meeting of the Birkenhead Commissioners was held at seven o'clock last night, in the Offices, Hamilton-square. The chair was taken by Mr. J. Harrison. The other members present were Messrs. Gill, Cook, Bailiff, Barnett, M'Whirter, M'Donald, Golborne, Baylis, Verelst, Keightley, Willoughby, Brad ley, and Rae. Mr. Gough was also in attendance. Mr. Gough said : Before the business of the evening commences, I beg to say that I have not taken the neces sary declaration, not having been here for a few months now through some informality. lam now here to take the necessary declarations. Mr. Wain has not thought proper to send an intimation to me, although I came here as an elected commissioner, and I will now suhscribe the declaration if he chooses to give it to me. The Chairman : What have you to say, Mr. Waln ? Is Mr. Gough duly qualified to sit here ? Mr. Waln : Perhaps , the correspondence between myself and Mr. Gill will sheiv the position of the question in the best and the shortest way. I have this day received this note from Mr. Gill. Mr. Gough : I ordered it to be sent yesterday. Mr. Waln : It is dated 30th of December last. Mr. Wain read the following correspondence : - " To Ambrose Wain, Esq., Clerk to the Commissioners of fflrkothead. " Birkenhead, 30th December, 1858 " Dear Sir,—l have to inform you, as clerk to the Commissioners of Birkenhead, that on the Bth day of November last, at the instance of Mr. Henry Gough, who was the relator in the proceedings, a rule nisi was granted by the Court of Queen's Bench calling on Mr. Thomas Stanton Eddowes to show cause why an information in the nature of a quo u'arrento should not be exhibited against him, to show cause by what authority he claimed to be a commissioner, upon the ground that he was not rated as by law required. The rule nisi was argued on the 25th Nov. by Mr. Welsby on behalf of Mr. Gough and in support of the rule, and by Mr. Mellish against and on behalf of Mr. Eddowes, and the rule was made absolute. Mr. Eddowes subsequently filed his disclaimer. I send you herewith a copy of an office copy of the proceedings, and the office copy you can at any time see at my office. Mr. Gough has been advised by counsel that he was duly elected a commissioner at the last election in June, and that Mr. Eddowes having renounced his claim to be a commissioner, Mr. Gough is entitled to take his seat at the Board of Commissioners. I hope the commissioners will take this view of the case, and permit Mr. Gough, who will attend the next meeting, to take his seat.— I am, dear sir, yours, truly, " JAS. GILL." " To James Gill, Esq " Commissioners ; Office, Jan. 4, 1859 " Dear Sir —I have to-day received your note of the 30th ult.- informing me, as clerk of the commissioners, of the proceedings which have been taken in the nature of a writ of quo warranto against Mr. Eddowes ; also that Mr. Gough has been advised by counsel that he was duly elected a commissioner at the election in June last, and that Mr. Eddowes having renounced his claim to be a commissioner, Mr. Gough is en titled to take his seat at the board of commis sioners, and will attend at the next meeting. The question of Mr. Gough's right to a seat at the board is one upon which the board of commissioners can have no' feeling but the desire to act in accordance with law. I have taken an opinion of counsel for their .gui dance, which is opposed to what I understand to be the opinion of your counsel. You will therefore see that the commissioners are not at.present in the position to permit Mr. Gough to take his seat on the board. I shall be glad to show you the opinion I have obtained, and per haps you will let me see your case and 9pinion.— '"i am, &c., "A. `PALM" The Chairman: In 'the meantime, Mr. Gough, I do not see what we can do in the matter. Mr. Gough : If Mr. wain advices the commissioners that I am not duly elected — Mr. Waln : I do not say that you may not hereafter prove yourself to have been duly elected, but that there is no such proof now before the commissioners. Mr. Gough: No such proof! I maintain that i bad the greatest number of votes in June. You know it well ; you had sufficient and proper notice of it, and if you had acted as impartially and in the same manner— The Chairman : Well, Mr. Gough, I must request-- Mr. Cook If Mr. Gough is prepared to come and take his seat and his oath, and that he done se illegally, he is liable to a penalty. Is it not, then, rather a question for Mr. Gough himself ? If Mr. Gough were to offer to make the declaration before me, as a commissioner, it seems to me that I should consider the responsibility devolved wholly upon himself. The Chairman; Well, I cannot quite agree with you in that, Mr. Cook. I think we ought to be satisfied that he is duly elected. Mr. Gough : If the opinion does not cut a better figure in the next Court of Queen's Bench than in the last, it will fall to the ground again. Ths Chairman : I should be very glad to see you here, Mr. Gough, but I think we can do nothing else at present. Mr. Gough:: Well, I think this an exceedingly ungenerous and dishonourable transaction in the body of Commissioners to make me go to such expense. The township will have to pay the expense, and it i§ bad in principle. The township, recollect, sir, will have to pay the expense. The Chairman : If you had had the greatest number of votes, you could have sat here without any trouble. Mr. Gough had the largest number of votes. Mr. Cook asked the clerk whether he (the speaker) would not be justified, as a Commissioner, in receiving the declaration of Mr. Gough, if that gentleman thought proper upon his own responsibility to make it. Mr. Waln said, that principle would amount to saying, that any gentleman who came into the room, and said that he was a Commissioner, and would take the risk upon himself, might sit at the board. • • .0 Mr. Cooke : No, I cannot take that view of it, for we cannot shut our eyes to what has taken place in this particular case, as Mr. Gough has taken an opinion, and is prepared to act upon it. I think the onus lies upon his own shoulders. If he takes his seat here without a right, he is liable to a penalty._ ___ _ The Chairman : I think Mr. Waln's is a very fair offer, to submit his opinion to Mr Gill, and let Mr. Gill submit his to him; and if these two cannot agree, they can then submit it to some third party. Mr, Gough : I shall not submit it to any gentlemen except the gentlemen to whom I submitted it before— Campbell, Weightman, and Earle- After some further discussion Mr. Gough said, I shall not bother my head in coming here again. I shall make fools of you all -that's all. We shall soon see whether Mr. Walu's law is right or not. Mr. Gough then left the room. HAMILTON-SQUARE GARDENS Mr. Verelst begged, before the business proceeded, to draw attention to some remarks made in his absence at the last meeting by Dr. Baylis. At the meeting pre ceding the last a report to the road and improvement committee was read, which had been drawn up by him (Mr. Verelst). That report proposed to open the square gardens ; and stated that they had been offered to the commissioners provided they would have them watched at night, &c. At the last meeting Dr. Baylis, in referring to that report, described it as an "improper report"—spoke in indignant terms of a " nasty allusion " being made in it to the gardens being used at night for prostitution, and det dared he had never seen anythinc , there approaching what Mr. Verelst had stated. Mr. Baylis also stated that it was a very improper report to come before the public until the parties interested had been consulted. Now, that was the first time he (Mr. Verelst) ever heard of acting first and suggesting afterwards. He denied that he had ever made any allusion to the odious word " prostit.,tion ;" and he denied that either the paragraph in the report or the contents, implied it. But when he read the report of Dr. Baylis's remarks, it struck him as most remarkable that that gentleman should waste so much eloquent energy, and chaste indi g nation, in re pudiating that of which no accusation had ever been made. He had the authority of a gentleman, whose name he was permitted to give if required, that being on the Gardens' Committee himself, he had taken upon himself to watch several nights, and he ascertai ne d sufficient to make him bring the subject before th e Gardens' Committee, of which Dr. Baylis was one. He Mentioned it to Dr. Baylis, who appeared to have made no special comment at the time. He had also the authority of another gentleman who had walked through the gardens at night, and who bore the same sort .of testimony. Mr. Verelst expressed a dope in conclusion, that Dr. Baylis would not for the future allow - his eloquence to get the better of his judgment, and that he would neither make nasty allusions himself nor accuse other gentlemen of making them. As to the gardens themselves, he begged to suggest that it would be a great advantage if, instead of a town hall •Or a statue, salt-water baths were placed in the centre of them. (Hear, hear.) Di. Baylis said he was very glad to hear from Mr Verelst that he did not mean what he had supposed. He himself never saw anything in the gardens which could shock the sensibility of any one. Since the last meeting he had spoken to several gentlemen, who all declared that they had been in the habit of walking in the gardens and never saw anything improper there. The expression nasty allusion," he only used because he did not well know how else to describe the question of prostitution ; but, if there was anything in it which was offensive to Mr, Yereist, he cheerfully withdrew it. Re RESIGNATION OF MR. RAE Mr. Rae took the opportunity of resigning his seat as a commissioner for the ratepayers, and he wished to take the opportunity of expressing his gratitude to the rate payers of the town for the honour which they had conferred upon him, during the last ten years, in returning him as one of their representatives. The reason why he resigned his seat as commissioner wa s, that he had accepted the office as a bondholders' commissioner, and he accepted this simply because it would be a less tax upon his time, which was very much pressed upon just now. In thus leaving . the service of the ratepayers he should not change the princi ples which he uniformly advocated at that Board, namely, that the interest of the bondholders and the interest of the township were identical. Their highest and best policy was, to the utmost of their ability, to keep faith with the public creditor, a policy which he had steadily pursued, and which he would continue steadily to pursue, so long as he was permitted to sit there. (Hear, hear.) MR. GOUGH AGAIN The Chairman said he thought it would be well for the Commissioners to instruct the Law Clqk to take some opinion in reference to Mr. Gough, in order' to get the matter settled satisfactorily. He was sure they would all be glad to see him take his seat at the Board. The Law Clerk said that the best way to test the question would be for Mr. Gough to bring a mandamus against the Board. After a short discussion, the matter was allowed to drop. LIGHTING AND WATCH COMMITTEE The proceedings of this committee were read. Several police officers were reported to be drunk, and -fined. The chairman remarked that the policemen had been " keeping their Christmas." Mr. Bailiff said there was a remark made at the last meeting which he, as an old member of the 'Watch •Committee, felt bound to repudiate. He did not know why the chairman, as a member of that committee also, did not repudiate the assertion when it was made. He (Mr. Bailiff) was not present at the time. He alluded to the charge made by his friend, Mr. Aspinall, to the effect that Birkenhead was the worst lighted town in the kingdom (" in the universe"). There were many towns in the universe that had no lights at all. He believed that if there were no other light than Mr. Aspinall himself, it would be quite sufficient. (Laughter.) Dr. Baylis : He is not a shining light. (Laughter.) Mr. Bailiff contended that the town was very well lighted. MARKET COMMITTEE The proceedings of the market committee were read. Mr. Bailiff suggested that a waggon should be got to convey the nuisance away daily, that was deposited at the west side of the market. Mr. M'Whirter ' the chairman of the committee, said the matter should be taken into consideration: HEALTH COMMITTEE The proceedings of the health committee were then read. Mr. Rae took occasion of referring to some efforts that were being made in reference to the establishing of a new public cemetery. He believed that Board would do all in their power to assist in this object, and he hoped the ratepayers would take the matter in hand vigorously. The proceedings were confirmed. The proceedings of the Roads' Improvement Committee were then read and confirmed. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee were read. They contained a report from the sub-committee, stating " that, in compliance with the resolution of the Board, your Finance Committee beg to lay before you the returns made by the various committees of the estimated expense for the year ending 24th April, 1859, for maintaining the different establishments under their various superintendence, together with a similar report from the Ferry Committee, including an estimate of revenue from that source. According to these esti mates the year's revenue amounts to £26,466. The gross expenditure amounts to £16,766, leaving . the swill of £9,700, out of which is to be paid to Mr. Laird under an award in his favour of £1,661, leaving a balance of £8,039. It follows that if these estimates of receipt and expenditure are realised, there will remain a surplus of £8,039, available for the payment of interest of the bonded debt of the Commissioners." The proceedings were confirmed. Mr. Aspinall asked how the wool market was pro gressing in Birkenhead ? The question was not answered, several gentlemen holdinc , that Mr. Aspinall was not in order. Mr. spinall then drew the attention of the Board to the rent that was being received for the Tap at Monk's Ferry, which was only £1 a-week. He thought this was very much below its value, and it would be better to get rid of it altogether. The Chairman said it would be well for the law-clerk to see Mr. Laird, with the view of getting themselves out of the trouble in reference to this tap. This was agreed to. Mr. Rae asked if there were not £lO4 expended on advertising the Wool Market. It was explained that the matter was referred back to the Finance Committee, and it would be again brought before the Board before payment. FERRY COMMITTEE The proceedings of the Ferry Committee were then read. _ _ _ _ _ The following are the ferry . receipts of December, 1858. For the same month iu 1857 the amount of receipts was £2,123 8s 9d. ; for 1858, £1,873 6s. 6d. The receipts from the 24th April - to the 31st Decelber, 1857, were £20,823 15s. ld. ; for 1858, £19,420 4s. 4d. The expenditure for the same period was, in 1857, £14,645 ss, 10d.; in 1858, £15,778 10s. ld. Mr. Bradley asked if it was the fact, that Mr. Ewart, the magistrate, had crossed over from Monk's Ferry, and refused to pay any fare, on the ground that the Com missioners had no right to charge. The Chairman said, it was true that Mr. Ewart did cross over to Liverpool and refused to pay any fare, but, when he returned he paid both fares, stating that he had been misinformed, and that he regretted having taken such a step : ,... (Hear, hear.) . , Mr. Bailiff' asked, whether a man having a contract at Woodside, could use the Monk's ferry. The Chairman replied in the negative. The Com mittee were anxious to have contracts for Monk's Ferry, but without the consent of the Railway Company they could not have it. Two years ago he had an inter view with the Railway Company, and it was then in tended to charge £2 10s. for a contract ticket. The Company, however, would not agree to it, because they said it would injure their traffic. But now that the Company were not afraid of increasing their own rates, he did not see why that Board should not have some small share. If the Company would agree to their charging £2 10s., the Committee were uanimously in favour of recommending the Board to adopt it. The proceedings were confirmed. LIBRARY COMMITTEE. Dr. Baylis, in moving the confirmation of the pro- ccedings, mentioned that the subscription for a testimonial to the late secretary, Mr. Dutton, was proceeding very _ _ well, and that the presentation would take place on Friday, at five o'clock. The Chairman moved that the thanks of the board be presented to Mr. Dutton, for his exertions in promoting the interest of the library. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Rae seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation. The proceedings of the Gas and Water Committee were confirmed without any discussion. This concluded the business of the board. LITERATURE SOUTHERN LIGHTS AND SHADOWS : Being Brief Cotes of Three Years' Experience of Social, - Literary, and Political. Life in Australia.—By Frank Fowler. Lon- don . Sampson Low, Son, and This is an amusing little book on Australia. It is the work of one who spent some two years in the colony in various capacities, social, literary, and political," and must have had opportunities, one would think, of obtain ing materials for a larger and more pretentious publica tion than this, on a country respecting which there has been so deep an interest excited at home,—and more especially, as the author boasts, that " no man ever strove more zealously to make himself acquainted with a coun try than I did during my two years' sojourn beneath its fig trees." The reason assigned for the smallness of his book is thus ingeniously stated,—" If I crush my obser vations and experience into a duodecimo, it is only because, as an old traveller, I have learnt how to pack a good many things in a small compass:' But packing a carpet-bag, and writing a book, are not exactly alike,. either in the operation itself, or the object of it. His packing process, however, has just had the effect of converting what was doubtless intended to be a veritable book into a mere brochure. THE LANCASHIRE ALMANAC, FOR 1859, has duly made its appearance this New Year, and it again recom mends itself to Lancashire people, and to all, indeed, who have any connection with the county, by the copious amount of valuable information it contains upon local subjects, in addition to a large collection of statistical e o t e ic a al to and other intelligense of more general interest. of distinctly marked her . c d e u o i w mt Y n rn an w ie h s ic t h he all Al t m he an r a a c ilw al a s y o l a in n es ex ar c e delleistnti • Altogether it is, a most desirable manual, have can stantiy at hand; and it is , p ublished at an extremel y low price. TOXTETH PARK BOARD OF HEALTH The usual Monthly Meeting of this Board was held yesterday, at the Public Offices, Park-place. Mr. H. S. Alpass occupied the chair. The other members present were—Messrs. E. Hughes, George Walker, W. Currie. F. Woodhead, W. D. Smith, Joseph Boult, William Wain wright, John Rogers, and J. R. Darcie. The following letter was received from Mr. Jeffery : " Sir, —I am sorry I am obliged to tender my resig nation as a member of the Board, feeling that I cannot do justice to my public duties, and therefore make way for a better man.—l am, sir, your's, &c., "To the Chairman, &c." "JAMES R. JEFFERY." The following letter from Mr. Newlands was also read " Sir,—l have just been admonished by a disagreeable occurrence of the desirableness of having my position in relation to your Board clearly defined and understood by the members. You will find what was expected from me, set forth in Mr. Avison's letter to the Health Cpmmittee, of the 27th of August, 1856 ; but, as you never had a qualified engineer or surveyor in your employment, I have been, in point of fact, acting as well as consulting engineer. Permit me to say that, during the whole of my intercourse, I have, with a single ex ception, received kind and courteous treatment. As that my - relation to the Board, it is to guard - a,gainst its recurrence that I make my present application. The greater part of the sewerage works, respecting which you wished for my assistance and advice, have been completed ; but there are still ques tions the settlement of which my assistance may be useful to the Board, and which I shall cheerfully ren der, if it is wished that the relations between us continue. —I have the honour to be, sir, yours, &c., " JAMES NEWLANDS, Borough Engineer. " To the Chairman of the Toxteth Board of Health." A memorial, signed by the Marquis of Salisbur - y, and twenty inhabitants residing in Southdown-lane, was received by the executive committee, urging that the inha bitants in that locality should not be taxed for a sewer that is to be made in Southdown-lane. The memorial goes on to state that the lane is a public thoroughfare, and conse quently the cost of draining it should come out of the public funds:,, Mr. F. Woodhead reinar ignorant in what relation Mr board. ked that he was entirely . Newlands stood with the Mr. Rogers said, if they put a construction upon it, he meant to tender his resignation. He would not put this move t hat a specia Tuesday next Mr. oult said, the fact was, that at the meeting of the executive committee, on Saturday last, there was considerable misapprehension by the chairman of the 1 committee and other 1 members, as to the relation Mr. Newlands had with the Board. Several matters passed which were offensive to Mr. Newland, and he withdrew from the meeting, declining to give the committee any additional assistance. He just mentioned that, so that attention might be called to the matter, and as men of business the - affair might be put straight with as little unpleasantness as possible ; on Saturday M. Newlands considered that he was not treated with that courtesy required by his profession, and, therefore, .with drew. If regret was expressed by the gentle men who insuted Mr. Newlands, no doubt the .matter would be arranged satisfactorily. He ' (Mr. Boult) thought it right that the board should pass a re solution to Mr. Newlands, requesting him to continue his services upon the former understanding. He thought the board was not in a position at present to incur any additional liability in the appointment of a fresh engi neer. It would not be worth while, for the next few years, to engage a gentleman who would devote the whole of his time to the service of the board at such a salary as he would require. • Mr. Hughes said he could prove that Mr. Newlands was paid for his work. He was of opinion, that as a member of the board, he had a right to enter into an explanation as to how that affair occurred. The Chairman : You shall have an opportunity presently. Mr. Hughes (to the Chairman) : I be porters be not interfered with that the re- Mr. Boult then moved the following resolution : " That this board much regret that Mr. Newlands should and that he be requested to give his valuable assistance, in accordance with the resolution passed on the ?6th of August, 1866." Mr. Darcie seconded the resolution. Mr. Hughes said, the parties had scarcely opened the meeting, when the chairman of the board said he was prepared for a fight. He displayed a very irritated mind, and irritation came with him in the room. The Chairman : It is not correct what Mr. Hughes has stated. Mr. Hughes : More than once he has been prepared for a fight, and he has been seconded by Mr. Boult. He (Mr. Hughes) went on to say, that he was reading a memorial signed by a number of inhabitants residing in Southdown-lane, when the Chairman and others went over to examine the plans of the sewerage of Southdown-lane. He contended it was not right they should do so, when he (the Chair man of the Executive Committee) was reading an impor tant memorial, he called the attention of others to the - circumstance, when the present Chairman, in an irritable manner, said he could not attend to two or three things at once. All 1 -laimed hould .se c. . was, that the ratepayers s. receive proper attention to their memorial. The borough engineer was asked a question with reference to drainage, which he refused to answer, stating that it was not his busi ness, and that they did not know his position to that board. He would not give an answer, but rose up on his metal, and walked off with the plans. Another thing with reference to Mr. Newlands; he attended that board probably on all necessary occasions. He brought a plan which would create an expenditure of thousands of pounds, and he (Mr. Hughes) contended that it was necessary that the board should make an examina tion of those plans, to know what they were doing with the public money. They were told that if the consulting engineer had given his opinion, they had no right to question his ability or his design. Such was really the case. The Chair Man reminded Mr. Hughes that he must keep to the point: Mr. Huglies said he should not have made the memo randum which he held in his hand, if the chairman had all,Aved any one to speak as well as himself. $e pro ceeded to speak with reference to the contemplated railway, about nine months ago, coming within their district. Mr. Newland's opinion was taken upon that question, and the chairman seconded it in a very noble manner. They proceeded to form a parliamentary committee ; they went on with their opposition ; and what did they discover at the end ? They found that they had expended one half of their rates in joining in the opposition. Th e principal gentleman on the other side said, what a pity it was they did not go to him at first; if they had done so, the matter would have been settled at once. That was the statement of Mr. Boult ; if they had gone to him, there would have been rio expense attending it. The Chairman : You must stick to the question, or sit you down. Now, mind that. Mr. Hughes proceeded to say that, with reference to Mr. Newlauds receiving no pay, he found, according to the general district rate book, that he had received pay— perhaps not for his own pocket—to the amount of z£l2s during the past year. He found that another officer, Mr. Williams, received £65 per annum. _ The Chairman : I must contradict that at one Mr. Hughes : I don't say it was for his own pocket ; it might be for Cornwallis-street. I say this Board are burdened with such expenses, through Mr. Newlands, that they are little aware of. The Chairman said he had allowed Mr. Hughes more liberty than he should any other gentleman at the Board, in consequence of having previously complained of not being heard. Mr. Hughes thought it would turn_ out that £25 had come from Grove-park. The Chairman urged that there was nothing done which the Board wished to conceal. They had done nothing which would not bear the light of day. Seve a ral members : That's quite true. Mr. Hughes said, he could correct that statement. There was £125 to begin with. The Chairman : Where is your authority for that ? It was then agreed that the general district rate-bo o k should be laid on the table. Mr. Hughes contended that the chairman, last summer, had brought before them the pro . pribty of votin, board, a sum of money to Mr. Newlands, for his services to the as it would not do for him to receive a fixed salary. ' He did not get the money then, as they were out of fundut it was agreed that we should wait till theycould pay the amount. would give to Mr. Supposing it was £lOO or £5OO they would Newlands, surely they could get employed he would not sum than that ; but whoever they ability for a much less be able to devote the whole of his time to their services. He urged that it was not right foi. Mr. Newlands to stand up to the chairman of the executive committee and say he was not a paid officer. ___ Mr. G. Walker briefly- defended himself against the remarks made with reference to last Saturday's proceedlngs. - Some further desultory conversation ensued, when the chairman put the motion to the meeting. Six voted for the motion and four against' It was therefore carried. The Chairman said the Board were probably not aware that, at certain periods of the year, they got a bill from the Health Committee of Liverpool, made out in their name, for the services of their clerks and surveyors, in executing what survey might be necessary for them. Mr. Smith thought that, in spite of the resolution thgy had passed, they were much in the same position. The Chairman said the time was evidently fast ap proaching when they must have a competent surveyor_ They were about to frame bye-laws and lay down reouls , -- tions how houses should be built, and if they did that, they must have a competent person to see that they were carried - out. The board had gone so far as to see their way more clearly than they did at first. He thought Mr. Mulkhouse might be made a collector of rates, and therefore save the poundage paid to Mr. Watson. It would be decreasing the expense if they had an efficient person, like Mr. Mulkhouse. He merely threw out the suggestion, so that the members of the board might give it some consideration. Mr. Rogers said they had some difficulty in obtaining Mr. Newland's services, and he always thought there was some provision to be made, but he believed he could not be engaged at a salary, because he was the servant of the Health Committee, He hoped the affair would pass over now that it had been explained, And he hoped they would retain his services. The Board then separated. The fortnightly meeting of the Select Vestry was held at ten o'clock yesterday, the Rev. Rector Campbell in the chair. The other members present were—Messrs. Bairstow, Whitty, Owen, Luff, Syred, Jackson, Williams Cook, Turner, By ford, Scott, Peck, Gair, and Hughes. WORKHOUSE COMMITTEE. The proceedings of the Workhouse Committe been read. leaving Mr. Denton expressed a hope that a similar occurrence would not take place to that which had been remarked upon regarding the Sunday afternoon services in the workhouse. Three Sunday's successively, the inmates, to the number of about 300 or 400, were assembled in the dining-hall, and sat in that cold apartment upwards of an hour, but no minister came to perform the duty. Ile thought instead of moving a vote of censure upon Mr. Shillinglaw, the offiicer who allowed a Scripture reader to perform the duty upon one occasion, for a •little over officiousness, that gentleman deserved that the committee should have thanked him. • Mr. Jackson regretted that Mr. Shillinglaw should upon the occasion referred to not have conferred with the governor, and then he would have been right, but it must not be forgotten that Mr. Evans, the party alluded to, had been previously approved of by the vestry and the committee. to imparC religious instruction. He exceedingly regretted that so much had been said with reference to the services of the dissenting ministers having failed for three Sabbaths. He thought it wonld have been more considerate and some inquiry had been made as to the causes of those failures. As Mr. Haggar had very properly said, the Rev. Mr. Birrell did take a great deal of trouble to get clergymen to come in and perform the services, and in the bbath not being supplied, he engaged laggar's readiness to do all that was required in the case, he not being so fully acquainted with the engagement of ministers as Mr. Birrell, and others were likely to be, did not give infor mation in sufficient time for Mr. Birrell to make the arrangements complete. He (Mr. Jackson) begged then- Tore distinctly to say, and he hoped it would go abroad to the public, in order to correct the impression which had been circulated, that there was no reluctance and no inability on the part of Dissenting ministers to _ . they only received due notice. Instead of the reflections and insinuations which had been made, he thought it would have been more generous if the services of the Dissenting ministers had been more gratefully acknow ledged, and if they had received further encouragement; but he was sorry to say that there was no disposition to encourage them, but rather a disposition to throw hindrances in their way. The ministers complained that the dining-hall was not a suitable place. If any gentleman attended there, and listened to the clerk sayin g grace, he would p erce i ve th e diffi culty there was to the inmates at any distance distinguishing what the minister was saying. Owing to the size of the hall, and the nature of the materials, the ring of the voice com pletely drowned the articulation. The hall was not filled more than one-sixth. He was glad to perceive that the _ . services of the Dissenting 'ministers had been such as to provoke their chaplain, Mr. Wilson, to extra ordinary exertions. He hoped, however, that in seeking to do that kind of work more fully, he would not neglect that which might very fully and very usefully occupy any spare time he might possess in the sick wards of that institution. (Hear, hear.) He was sure he would find plenty to do there if he were disposed to do it. Mr. Bairstow said there appeared to have been some mistake in the matter. Mr. Brown promised to come the first Sunday in December, and on the Friday pre vious, he wrote to ask whether he should be expected t o preach on that day. Mr. Brown - was willing to come, and held himself disengaged for the purpose, but Mr. Hagar wrote to say that another gentleman was com i ng , and that therefore his services would not be required. The other gentleman, however, having officiated for one of his brethren on the precedin g Sunday, thought he would be exonerated that d a y, an d thus the mistake arose. The room certainly was very unsuitable. There was such an echo that it was like speaking in a bell, and as there was not the slightest attempt made to warm the room , it was absolutely like going into a well. It was incumbent . upon the Committee to do something towards making the room more comfortable. Mr. Whitty remarked that the room was peculiarly uncomfortable for the Roman Catholic inmates, whose service required so much kneeling, as they had to kneel upon. the bare flags. After some further consideration, the proceedings were confirmed. Nothing of any interest arose ont of the proceedings of the Industrial Schools, or Workhouse Committee. We (Bombay Tines, Dec 9) have much satisfaction in announcing the arrival of a reinforcement for the mis sions of Western India. The Rev. Messrs. Galbraith and Hofer and Mrs. Hofer, in connection with the Church Missionary Society, arrived by the Windsor Castle. We believe that Mr. Galbraith will, after the lapse of some months devoted to the study of the lan guages, assume charge of the Money I ns tit u ti on , an d th a t Mr. Hofer is destined to the Jooneer station. A DEPOSITOR OF .810,000 IN A. BANK TREATED AS A THIEF.—A respectable young man, in a branch bank g Bangor, had appointed Chrishnas eve to meet some friends in Liverpool, who were bent on pleasure, but determined to gO round by way of Manchester, and convey s large amount or specie of which he had charge, to the superior branch in this city, for t ransm i ss i on t o Lon don. • He arrived safely at the banking-house, rung the bell rather sharply ; the door was opened quickly, and somewhat the money Ras * deposited in _the lobby al o m u o n s t t of before th e his presence was discovered. He had frequently been there on a similar errand, but the servants, two females, , p o e n rh a a c p c s, had been changed since his last visit; and, being severityw,'rap uppedof thein confidently, their successors, v \ i V n h: presented attai ne a th kn em o s w e l l:: N t r w ea o t h l a e r r g , e a and great sivcaokaitng, took it into their heads that he was neither more nor less than some one who, ha of the absence of the manager and hi s lady, and the resident secretary, enjoying the evening with their friends at a distance from town, h a d a'design upon the bank. The cook especially was much excited, a,,, a on his saying he wanted the key of the bank room to piece the specie there, as he had immediately to to to obtain access by train to keep his pleasure engagement, sh e p g laged defied avant the herself resolutely at the door, and access to the room, whilst the other scarcely remonstrancehouse. guarded Somewhat passage to the other parts pl o a f in th he. u l t i e e s e i o ut u d ld p s os cal e • iserr a a n n d d, di a s n p d uta a t b i o o n N t policeman presented himself, and addressed him I t ' v l i e u n i s n e i a d n ' p as "Hallo, gov'nor, so I have got you at last. - It was -a very good try On, and at a very good time too • but it wont't do —y ou must go withme' The gentleman' treated the remark jocosely, and - replied, " Hallo, nay fine fellow, are you a friend of the cook ? Is the kitchen a part of your beat ? " " Come, come," says the policeman, "I am not to be done in that way ; yon with me," preparing to lead lock-ups. "Very well," says the other, "if I must, I suppose I must, so bring along that bag, for where I go that must be with me, for the present at least." The policeman, thinking now he was in fair view of "a case," and perhaps dreaming of re wards and promotions, essayed to seize the bag, but, to his astonishment, found it rattier-heavier than he u bad pated—it contained somewhere about 10,000 sovereigns, and weighed more than 200 cwt. Seeing him is something of a quandary, the gentleman suggested• that he had better send for some help; if he was determine , ' upon taking him into custody, as the bag was heaVy, , ,uul it must go with him. The Inspector shortly aft:l7:e of arrived, and put the suspected through a 1,t,n2Een.,,..4...., examination, but his snspicions and those or D .........m. were not removed, At length the gentleman suggested that the servant should take his card to the manager, as; he must know where lie was to be found; a car was.oat,.. but of course too late for thegn a tie— a tered, and, after travelling- about three miles, detaining the suspected for an hour and a-half under the immediate surveillance of the police, the manager Was found, came to the rescue, man to join his friends in Liverp oo l . ... Ciro/tide. fo r Vales the way