The Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-03-02 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS.-YESTERDAY The House of Lords, during a brief sitting, traits acted some formal business, and adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-YESTERDAY• The second reading of the Dublin Corporation Water Bill, after some discussion, was withdrawn for a week. In reply to Mr. A. Stewart, Lord J. RUSSELL said that he had been assured from Vienna that there was no truth in the statement of a treaty between -Austria and Russia. Lord J. RUSSELL moved for leave to introduce a bill further to amend the law relating to the representation of the people in Parliament. He disclaimed any intention of introducing a new constitution, or attenipting to replace the ancient and glorious Constitution of the country. He did not propose a further measure in consequence of the ftoilts of the old measure, but because that measure had succeeded. Comparing the condition of the country before and after the Reform .Bill, he con gratulated the House that since•that time much discon tent had been removed, and the people were better contented with the Constitution of the country. Before that time Lord Castlereagh introduced measures to restrain the press and public meetings ; hut at the present time we find on all sides a spirit of loyalty and attachment to our Constitution. What they now pro posed was to supply the omission and remedy the defects of the Reform Bill, they proposed, in the tirstinstance, to add to the County franchise an occupation franchise of £I( per annum, but they would take steps to prevent fictitious franchises from being established, and for that purpose, when a dwelling-house was attached to the land, it would be necessary that such dwelling-house should be of the value apart of not less than £5. With regard to the franchise in boroughs, it had been said that franchise was framed to exclude the working classes. This was not true ; but the effect, had been to throw the almost exclusive power into the hands of the middle classes. It appeared to them that if the working. classes were now admitted in larger numbers they would he more sensible of the value of the Constitution. He denied that they ought to wait till there was serious and alarming agitation on the subject ; the consequence of this putting off of concessions on former occasions bad been most mischievous. He was, therefore, of opinion that they ought not to wait till the excluded classes formed combinations and agitations. He took the principle on its grounds that the Constitution would be thereby materially strengthened. He would not go again into the scenes of Nottingham and Bristol. . In considering the subject, they had thought it best to make the matter as simple as possible, and to avoid the introduction of fancy franchises hitherto unknown to the Constitution, all of which are liable to abuse. Their intention was simply to extend the £lO franchise, subject to the Pre s sent condition of payment of rates. With that view they had made many enquiries . especially as 'to whether the franchise should be a rated franchise, On enquiry they found the greatest discrepancy in the comparison of the gross and the rated value. Some times there were differences of 9 per cent.,—at others of 30 per cent. It would be making the franchise dependant upon local feelings and customs. There were, besides, considerations introduced into .the rated value which ought not to interfere with the privileges of the fran chise, although it would .be a fair consideration as to the amount of the rate as a pecuniary payment. They there fore thought it would be inconvenient, and contrary to abstract right to make the franchise dependent on the rated value. Next came the question of the taking the gross annual value. He found that from the number of elections no less than twenty-seven and a-half per cent must be deducted on account of non-payment of rates and other tax qualifications. At the present time there were in ,cities and boroughs, in England and Wales, 440 ,776 electors. Of these 30,765 were scot and lot :voters, or freemen ; so those who were on the register, l it respect of £lO . franchise, were, in round numbers, , 410,000 . T a ki ng a £9 f ranc hi s e, he nd that the numbers of electors would ,be 440,717, or 30,717 increase... At £8 franchise tanded?.nuomber of electors would be about 476,600, or an zyi r ili_ er!d of 66,000 to the present constituency. 'He that to disturb the present arrangementa not to add 66,000 electors to the constituency, would obadewZwliile. He found that £6 franchise would irnaking, With ..04, b e i ng an a dditi on of 194,199 votes, 634,969. it the freemen, the whole number of voters extravas.aut appeared to them that this was not an stituencby. T ild e exorbitant addition to the con the persons t account as to the characters of One of the inspeeltl4B introduced varied greatly. to inquire wh a t was of schools had taken the trouble and he found th a t ' the rent paid by the best workmen, the th a t workingthe t 6 franchis e it was about 47 a-year. He believed would add a large number of classes, and would not be an extravagant; number to add to the existing. cons tit uen cy. Thep came the great question of the distribution of seats. Ile defended all the retention of smaller constituencies, as offering a refuge for eminent statesmen who might incur the displeasure of larger bodies. Ifs thought that they ought to have something beyond the counties and great: towns as possessing the privilege of retsinsieg members to ?a,rliament. Pie would be quite satisfied with his Proposal of 1854, that about sixty seats should be takers • from the smaller Isaroughs. These present propositions 'vcoald go only 4esertAill. height beyond the proposition of M r . Di sr aeli. Last year they'proposed to take away one mem b er f ro m every borough pot containing more than 7,000 inhabitants. fie would not raise the question of total disfranchisement unless bey 'were prepared to go to the whole length of the proposal of 185 f. 4.t present there were boroughs which ought to be represeutesl, lAA cfoir whom one member would be sufficient. his pro, govist would take away one Menthe- from all the plugs• ftesn ssisich the bill of last year took away one member, •i , ' - i7.:,.. 7 4.9n,t t 055,,A.nd0ver Thetford, Totnes s , Lyrnin, ,, t° Itanyseh, Knaresb o ro ug h, Wells, Te w k es b u r y , Marl borough, 1:t. iehmonc t l, Ludlow, Maldon, Aylesham, Leo minster; and, is aAldition one member would oe lost to Ripon, Chipp en h ans , Dorchester Devizes, Guildford, Hertford, Marlow, Hunting! n ton6direiat of p este —this would mak e t wen t y -fi ve seats, he disposed of by Pa r li amen t . Il e 'proposed W tO dispose -,lto of those seats by adding to the counties—two members to the West Riding, and one respectively to South Lancashire, North Lancashire, Middlesex, West Kent, South Devon, South Staffordshire, the North Riding, the Lindsay district of Lincoln, South Essex, East So merset, West Norfolk, West Cornwall, North Essex, —in all fifteen members; for the boroughs he pro posed that Chelsea and Kensington should be formed into one borough, returning two Members ; to give one member to Birkenhead, Staleybridge, and Burnley ; one additional . to Manchester, Liverpool; Birmingham. and Leeds, and one to the London Ifniversity. They did not intend to propose, as a con dition of the franchise, the necessity of the payment of the assessed taxes—the payment of os9 poor rates would suffice, lie concluded, by a dmittin g the failure of his previous measures introduced of late years, but trusted that, with the assistance of the house, he should be able to pass the present as a useful and Efficient treasure. After some questions bad been asked, WAti.otr: observed that the more be ,considered the subject, the more convinced he was that a di'erewse should be maintained between the county and borough franchise ; and he thought that the bill went too far towards equalising them. ..Mr. WILLIAMS said that the propositions would pause great disappointment to the country, especially as no provision had been made for the metropolitan boroughs. Mr. T. DUNCOMRE contrasted the bold attitude of the noble lord, 'in introducing - the first bill, with his subdued to in introducing the present. He asked' for the i'°dgeX' fßu.ehiSe, After further discussion, leaye was given to introduce Mr. CAnnwEr,s, then stated, very briegy, his bill for the amendment of the representation of Ireland. Ie established a £6 occupation franchise in 'boroughs, and £lO rental franchise in 'counties, to be taken at the rated able. He gave one member additional to Cork county, *lxt pne to the city of Dublin. These two members were taken from the offending boroughs in England who had 1° , 4 Iheir"Aeats by corruption—Sudbury and St. Albans. 9 4 9 Iriih - disfranchisement was proposed. He further 114 0 Posed to remove' the disqualifications of Irish peers to sit for Trish constituencies , ' fi l e regretted that at present to could pot give a member to the 'iclsseeisi/a but as yet the constituency was too sing!, In r e p! ) , to several questions, din, e.4,Rpw.,k .0 that, except in reducing the ti — f ttlehite, the bill made no alteration in the regulations ,the former Irish R eform Bill. It was proposed to —4 'lnilate the rights of freemen to those of En g land. Leave was then given to brin g in the bill. The - t Loan AnvoC.+TE rose to propose the Scotch 'Worm Bill, which gave one additional member to Glas- Plv, a , pd one to the four Scottish universities. He p ro- Poled 'further an occupation franchise o f £lO in counties and £6 in born s. It he r s further intended to improve the system Of registration. prous°4 to . take the Valuation poll as the basis' of the frh:u§hl ' §. ah 4 iris dt~ Yense with the maehinery of the Ilefprui gin, 4 - io 114 u been fo un d very cumbrous. If was further intended to enforce residence where the qualifications were below 210, Mr. BAXTER complained that, when Scotland ought .to have had nineteen additional members, they only red two. . lie ihould, to enable this step, moves tin time, that four or five more English seats t os t o 6n away fr4;s given to Scotland. §tr. p * .i'syststurosr . ap4r A y ec l of the assimilation of the franClse of the'three l ltitgdonns, but nrge4 the adoption of the rsling . franshis . e, ,,, whielr I tai . ,' T ftti . , th e pri t riple thg , .,:vf.o4 l 4Pß TO- Opciaold; Vter Wine f eller remains, l eave - .etas gweil. 1.411)440P The is second reading of the Reform bills Was 4:41- Monday, the 19th inst. The House then went into Committee on the Customs Acts, and continued the diScussion on the 4th resolution, repealing. the duties on various articles. In the course of the discussion, Pir d. Pigmy attacked the treaty, and said that the effect would be, as 'he 'had been very larely credibly laforfued, to anneir Se.**oy to France. The various items i t were agreed to down to silk 4 6. (6 1 T 4 - • 'aXtOn) made an appeal on behalf of his Coventry con, stituents, and moved an amendment that the duty should be retained on the s ilk manufactured in countries levyi ng a duty on British silks. Sir .E. Grogan made an appeal on behalf of the Irish ; Mr. Ayrton on behalf of Spitalfields ; while the ~,rOteetionists urged vehemently the old argument. Mr. . s right 'rep'lird as warmly on behalf of free trade. t , The CAwo - E4,on . Of the ExdlfEffimn replied that all nese argnmentS went • baCkAsVo or three geTier4tim i a nd undid all that they 104 been doing for yeays past. The silk trade had been depressed under a system Qu r4ll Protection, and had obtained its great extension sisice that system was removed. He advocated the abolition of .the duty not on account of the treaty, but because it Was in strict accordance with those principles which had made the prosperity of the country. Sir J. PAKINGTON opposed the vote on financial grounds. The revenue could net afford the loss. Mr. BALLSgr s moved that the chairman report proess. The motion, on a dissision, was negativedby 233 to 28. The minority persisting in deniandisq 044, _ Mr. C RAWFORD ur ged strongly the mischief whiph allbeing caus e d by the delay in settling the item, as 411 operations were suspended in the meanwhile. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the dis cussion might be continued on the report, but pressed to the House to agree to the vote on this understanding. The House divided on the amendment, which was negatived by 190 to 68. - The vote was then agreed to, as was the remainder of the fourth resolution. After some formal business the House adjourned at 1 25 a.m. THE EMPEROR'S SPEECH. PARIS, March 1 The opening of the Chambers took place to-day at 145 p.m. The Einperor addressed the members of the Legislative body as follows : MESSIEURS LES SENATEURS, MESSIEURS LES DEPUTES- At the opening of the last session, confiding in thb patriotism of France, I wished to relieve your:minds from exaggerated fears of aprobable war. To-day, it is my most ardent desire to assure you against the inquietude and anxieties which even peace has given birth to. I sincerely desire this peace -; and T will not neglect anything to maintain it. I cannot but congratulate myself upon my friendly relations with all the powers of Europe. The only portion of the ; globe in which our arms are still engaged is in the remote east,; but the courage of our soldiers and sailors, aided by the loyal con currence of Spain, will doubtless bring about the restora tion of peace with Cochin' China. Respecting China, an important expedition will, in conjunction with the forces of Great Britain, chastise this country for her perfidy. The complications in Europe are, I hope, approaching to an end; and Italy is upon the eve of regulating freely her own affairs. Recapitulating the long negotiations which have lingered for sormany months,,l shall confine I myself to the principal points. The dominant idea of the treaty of Villafranca was to obtain the almost com plete independence of Venetia, at the price of the restoration of the Archdukes. Those negotiations having failed, in spite of my most earnest solicitations, I have expressed my regret en this account at - Vienna as well as at Turin, because the state of things, if •pro longed,.threatened to remain without any issue. While this state of things was the subject of explanations between my government and that of Austria, it caused steps on the part of England, Prussia, and Russia, which, taken together, clearly evinced the desire of the ,Great Powers to arrive at a concilia tory adjustment of all interests. In order to second those dispositions, it was important for France to present such a combination as would have the greatest chance of being accepted by Europe. In guaranteeing Italy, by my army, against foreign intervention, I had the right to point out the desire of this guarantee. I have not therefore hesitated to declare to the King of Sardinia that, although leaving to him an entire liberty of action, . I could not follow him in a policy which, in the eyes of Europe, appeared to intend the abolition of the states of Italy, and which threatened new complications. I have counselled him to reply favourably to the wishes of the provinces which offer themselves to him, but to maintain the integrity of Tuscany; and to respect, in. principle, the rights of the Holy See. If this arrange ment does not satisfy everybody it has the advantage of preserving principles—of calming apprehension, and it. elevates Piedmont to a kingdom of more than 9,000m00 of souls. Having in view this transformation of Northern Italy, which gives to a powerful state the. passage of the Alps, it was my duty, for the safety of our frontiers, to claim the French side of the mountains. In this reclamation of a territory of small extent, tinge is nothing to alarm -Europe or belie, the disinterested policy which I have more than however, will not acquire once proclaimed. France, this aggrandisement, small as it is,' either by u militavy occupation, or by exciting an insurrection, or by secret intrigues--but in fairly stating the question to the Great Powers, Their equity will doubtless induce them to recognise, as Fraime would certainly do with regard to them in the like circenistaimes, that the important territorial change which is about to take place gives us the right to a guarantee indicated by nature herself. I cannot pass over in silence, the emotion of a portion of the Catholic world Which has suddenly yielded to such unreflecting impressions, and has thrown itself into such passionate alarms. The past, which should have been a gnararitee for the future, has been in such a manner misunderstood, the services rendered in such a manner forgot.tep, Prat w very profound conviction —an absolute confidence in the p4hlip reason, has been neces— sary in order to preserve, in the midst of 413i.Wions which have been excited, the ealin which alone Maintaiks qs iu the truth. Facte, however, have clearly spoken tar themselves during the eleven years that I have main, tained alone in Rome the power of the Holy Father, w ithout for a moment ceasing to revere in his person the holy character of the chief of our religion. On the other side, the population of the Romagna, suddenly abandoned to themselves, yielded to a natural attraction, and during the war endeavoured to make common cause with ns : ought I to forget them in peace, and abandon them afresh for an unlimited time to the risks of foreign occupation Ny first efforts were to reconcile them to their sovereign, but, got succeeding, I endea voured at least to maintain in. the revolted provinces the principle of the temporal power of the Pope. From the preceding you see, although all is pot yet terminated, how we may be allowed at least tq 4.4ve for a speedy solution. The moment therefore seems to Wye arrived to pet an end to the deliberations which log pre-occupy the public mind, and to find the means of ' boldly inaugurating in France a new era of peace. The army has already been reduced by 150,000 men ; and this reduction would him bowl more considerable were it not for the war with Chine, the occupation of Rome and of Lombardy. My government, will immediately subthit to you a summary of measures which propose to facilitate production, to augment by cheap ehe well4lng of the working classeS, and to multiply otir continer49.l relat}on§. The first step to be taken in this course was to fix an epoch for the, suppression of those impassable barriers which, under the name of prohibitions, excluded from our markets foreign products, thus compelling other nations to adopt a reciprocity to be regretted on our t;tepount. 'But something more difficult still detained was the slight inclination existing for a treaty of commerce with Englami. f live *Wore taken upon myself the responsibility of this great measure. very simple reflection shows the advantage of this treaty to both countries; neither of them will certainly fail, at the end of some years, to take each in its own interests the initiative in the proposed measure; but then the reduction in the tariff not being simultaneous, it would take place on both sides without immediate compensa tion, The treaty has then only advanced the period of salutary mo4iogations, and given to indispensable reforms the character of reciprocal concessions destined to fortify the alliance of two great natiene. In order that th 4 treaty may produce its best effects, I demand your most energetic con currence for the adoption of the laws which will facilitate the putting it into practice: I call your atten tion above all to the means of communication, which by their development 1 an alone permit us to compete with foreign industry; tint as the moments of transition are .. always painful, and as it is our duty te, pyt an end to a state of uncertainty So injurious to, our. interests, -T on your patriotism for the prompt examination of the laws which will be submitted to you for enfranchising primary materials front all duties, and redecing those which weigh mi provisions largely consuined. The res.ources_of the Treasary will'fiud.thei*sel,yes sensibly diminished; nevertheless, the receiptg and expenditure of the year 1861 will be balanced withoili the necessity of an appealto the credit, or having reconrse to gee/ taxes. In tracing to you a true picture of our potiticat_ and commercial situation, I desire .to inspireydu with. full confidence in the future, and so to 'associate you in the accomplishment of a work fruitful in grand results. The protection of Providence,' so visibly extended to its during the war, will net fail its in a pacific enterprise, wkiich aims at the amelioration of the conditip of the greaterggMber. Let itsthen continue our march of progress, witliont onipelyee to he arrested by the murmers of egotism, or by party clamours and unjust suspicions. France menaces no one; she dpsins to develop in peace, in the plentitude of her independ ence, the immense resources which heaven has given to her ; and she cannot awake gloomy susceptibilities, since, from the state of civilisation in which we are, springs from day to day more forcibly that truth which con soles and reassures humanity that the more a country is rich and presperous, the more it contributes to the Nina i lth arid prosperity of ether Corintries. LIVERPOOL POLICE . q011.43.--AEsTgRpAy. (Before Mr. RAFFLES.) PASSING BASE COIN.—Ann Mulherin and Mary Cummins were charged with having passed three base half-crowns. Mr. Cobb appeared for the defence. On the previous afternoon Mulherin, accompanied by•the other prisoner, who is her sister, entered the shop of Mr. Woodward, confectioner, Scotland-road, and purchased oegd innOtintillg•to 4s. §d. In payment she tendered a ha se 101.1f-er§in, hr Well 141;44 lytlie assisrant if she had any more of that sort the produced another half: crown, which was also counterfeit. A policeman was called and both prisoners were given into custody. It was subsequently discovered that the prisoners had passed two other bad half-crowns—one at Mr. Britten's, druggist, Dale-street, and the other at Munroe's provi sion shop, Scotland-place. Mr. Cobb said that the hus band of Airs. Cummins was a respectable man, having occupied a situation in the same employment for some ram T 4. other woman had held a situation in Dublin since 'she was a child, and had come to Liverpool about piirtiFtl - 01 epening a Slllarnn, stdelc at tile Ilti l ie l th4tW A. 74 tj-kr6ee,,,xefirt figpa-stoqg: thiti 1)44 1 1 0 i . 9Q4 1 4 4,04q:0, het , 94 4 4714 haci Teen &Wed by some one else. su pposing that _ The Bev. .Jr Oißrien, of ht. Angnstines Catholic Church, said he bail knoWll MP. Cummins for three or four years, and believed her incapable of outwitting the ()Vence with which she was eharged.---Mr. George Smith, boot and shoemaker, Great Howard-street, Mr. Martin Manley, grocer and provision dealer, and Mr. Patrick Dolan, also spoke to the excellent character borne by Mrs. Cummins for many . years.—Mr. Raffles said tiPif OW evidence as to the character of Mrs. Cum mins was uneeeplinu4 l , but be could not take upon himself to decide the matter. There rat no donbt a distinction between the two prisoners, but he must feave that to the jury. The case was seat 'for trial, 11Irs. Cummins being admitted to bail. • EMBEZZLEMENT. —Joseph pilatt, a respectably dressed elderly man, was brOght on . re4.iid, '9ln47;gety.iith halving '7 .B *Lis s4n}s of money, ainoutliing, to ei•(?4"4g his eaßlqyer, Ur:4artgn, coat / t ier _ chant. Olibail:-StKet, .whom 114€1 employed . • ases as as collector for the last ten years. SeYer 4 h been proved against him. Mr. Blip*, the prisoner, reserved his who appeared for d e fence, and the case was sent for trial at the sessions. THE SWORD FisH.—A proof of the extraordinary power of this fish may be seen in the Arab, one of Capt. Wood's vessels, engaged in the African trade, and now undergoing repairs in Fogarty's Wharf. The fish wars to have driven its sword through a double 54eathing of capper, a plank 21 inches thick, and deep into one of the s , hipis timbers, whey} the weapon broke short off.— Wiltshire Mirror. _ _ REMARKABLE FEAT IN ARCHERY.-At the Leeds Archery Ground, on Saturday last, a feat worthy of a Tell was achieved by the principal officer of the club. During the practice at 100 yards a sparrow was observed upon the target. Two gentlemen took aim at the intruder,„and the arrow of the captain (gr. WauchoP) passed through the bird's body, The feat is, we believe, one of the most remarkable on record in con nection with archery. —Leeds Mercury. LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. PnEsErrioN:- 1 --There is new on view at'Mr. John F. Quick's, masonic jeweller, 7, Parker-street, a hand some solid tea and coffee service of the Etruscan pattern, engraved as follows :—" To the Rev. Richard Holgate Brown, M:A., on his resigning the curacy of St. Paul's, Tranmere,. after a ministry of nearly three y ear s. The testimony of a grateful people to a faithful minister. March, 6th, 1860.-1 Thessalonians v., 12, 13." LIST OF PASSENGERS PER S.S. CITY OF WASHINGTON. —Mr. Jas. Crawford, Madame Anger, Madame Longevis and daughter, Mr. A. - Blain, Mr. F. Houghton, Mr. Charles Demoulin, Mr. Eugenio Soto anctSon, Mr. T. Amorette, Mr. E. Perrett, Mr. S. Gallio, Mr. Ramon TenreyrO, Mr. W. H. Fairfax, Mr. Paul Gerault, Mr. Robert Eyre, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Hatcher, Mr. Samuel Brown, Mr. J. M. Lonrevro, Mr. Jerold Walter, Mr. J. A. Coughman, and 116 steerap , e. Landed 4 Queenstown : —Mr. George Wilk es , p r oprietor, &c., of Wilkey Spirit of the Times (New York paper), Mr. Andrew Penis, and 15 steerage. . „ . „ BEAUMAURIS ' TUESDAY.—Yesterday afternoon , a fiat, • with signals of distresS flying, was observed on the edge of the sands, opposite Penmon, Anglesey. It was blowing a gale of wind from the N,W. The life-boat of the -National Life-boat Institution was instantly despatched to her assistance. The flat's crew wished either to be brought ashore in the life-boat, or that she would remain by them. Accordingly the life-boat stopped by them, when, the gale having moderated, the flat was got under way, and brought to a place of safety. WORKHOUSE CONIMITTEE.—The weekly meeting of this committee was held in the board-room of the Parish office, Brownlow-hill, yesterday ; Mr. Churchwarden Cropper in the chair. The other guardians present were—Messrs. Denton, Ambrose, Byford; E. Byford, Williams, and Browne.—Mr. Carr, the governor, re ported that the number of paupers in the house, last week, was 2,250, being a decrease of fifty-eight, as compared with the. corresponding week, of last year. The total number of paupers in the hospital, last week, was 723 ; and there had been thirty: cases of fever, four of itch, and twenty-six deaths.—The business before the committee was of a routine character. CHEMISTS' ASSOCIATION.—The fortnightly meeting of this association was held last ,evening at the Royal Institution, Dr. Edwards in the chair. Messrs. James Hicklei, Rhodes Erainwell, .Robert Neilson, J, W. Jaeksen, and Thomas. Fergie were elected members. Several donations were announced. Dr. Collingwocal read an Interesting paper upon InVertebrate Zoology ,(part 2), " the common Molluscan plan, and its MOM cations " The lecturer shoWed that philosophieal. anatomy really consisted of—not a mere collection of Specimens, nor a nomenclature—but a careful study of the sciences, and then condensation into general pro positions, which we call laws. He proceeed to show .that all the forms of mollusca were referable to a common type, modified according to. certain require ments of the animal, and also to till certain conditions of.unity of structure, 'so that neither Cuvier's doctrine of final causes, nor Geoffrey's view of homology were altogether separately tenable. He concluded by demon strating the beautiful mathematical laws which govern the formation of skulls ; and referred to the probable uses of such wonderful accuracy as is &Nerved in the 'growth of these structures. A discussion follqwed. I)IRKE*HEAD AMATEUR MUSICAL UNIO.--7-ThiS rising society gave their fourth concert for the present season on Wednesday evening lost, at the Craven-rooms, Birkenhead, before. a crowded and fashionable audience Mr. Gunton, as usual being the conductor, and Mr. . Charles W. Smith, • the pianist of the society, occupied his usual post. The concert on the present occasion was unusually interesting, being the first at which the society gave an entire Work. They very wisely selected for this purpose Professor Sterndale Bennett's pastoral cantata " The May Queen," one of the most charming and beautiful works of our principal classical composer. Although Miss Millar, Ole sustained the part of the May Queen, was suffering from pypre ,and painful hoarseness, the execution of the cantata was in every respect most creditable. Several pieces elicited much applause; particularly the trio "Shall a Clown." The second part of the concert consisted principally of some of the most popular airs from " Der Friesehota." Miss Armstrong's singing of the lovely air " Softly Sighs" being remarkably effective, as was also the song " Why Good people," by Mr. Pierce, which elicited a hearty encore. On the present occasion Mr. Smith did not perform a solo, but the admirable manner in which he accompanied the - singers, particularly in the " May Queen," was the admiration of the audience, and highly creditable to the taste and versatility of this most talented young performer. 144..,Tu CoNtmerreE.—The usual weekly meeting of the Itealth Oor4inittee was held in the Council chamber at the Town-hall, yesterday, Mr, liotirillg presided; and the other members present were—. Messrs. Crellin, Beck With, Ridley, flaydock, Stitt, Holden, and Avison. . The Inspector of Nuisances reported that, on the preceding day, a large number of persons was summoned before the magistrates for offences against the sanitary acts, and that several convictions were obtained. The committee expressed , their satisfaction that the lay magistrates had now given proof that they intended to second the efforts of the committee to enforce the law. The Borough Engineer, Building Surveyor, and Iropeeter of Nuisances, reported various particulars of the operatrens in their stiyeral departments during the week, from which it appeared. 1.§7• nuisances com plained of by inhabitants had been insPeeted, and means taken to remedy them ; 1,067 houses in the unhealt i hiest districts, containing 3,441 apartments, and 858 cellars, had been put under. examination, with the view of improving their sanitary condition. A report of the joint sub-committee of the Health, Watch, and Water Committees 2:ead, in. which it was recommended that Mr. W. L. Crosbie, thief bookkeeper at •the Public-. of4es, should be appointed to till the vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr. Hardisty, and at - the same salary (£210) as that received by that gentleman. 4he report was agreed to. The Medical Officer' of e . a10..1. - eportecf that the continuance of the variable and inclement weenier pttelv prevalent has again raised the mortality of the. ,borceikh . td 4 f)i,74, , 7 Rolm than has been observed for some time. The deatbs w the week ending last Saturday were 258, being five•more than in the week previous and seven more than the corrected average of the same week of the preceding . ten years. The mortality has not been above the average in any previous week since the month of December. Of the deaths laSt week 185 were in the parish and 73 in the out-town ships Diseases of the lungs caused 113 deaths (includ ing 44 from consumption) being . 14 more than the corrected average._ From zyruotic diseases the deaths were 40, or 14 less than the average. There were no deaths from small-pox and none from scarlatina. A report of the sub-committee was read recommending that the bye-laws in reference to tke separation of the sexes, ic., in common lodging houses, should be amended. The repeal: . was agreed f,c4, and a reaqintiori passed requesting the cogried to make 4! . }4 ordain the amended bye:laws. • • Mr. '..WOovvan explained that the bye-laws could not be considered at the next meeting of the council, as it was necessary that a month should. ' intervene. The committee desired the press to call the attention of the public to the desirability of emptying cellars iu the low parts of the town of any goods that may be stored there, inasmuch as in such y,,TlW.Qh 4 pel and Byrom,soeet, it is yery probable diet, on 14e . 404 of *Fel} tie g, Nyhell thEI highest tide during the last eentriry, yill take place,• cellars will, be .floOded, and articles stored - there''ConSider-. ably damaged. Mc Borough Engineer was directed to take 44 precaOions. in.' his power to obyiate any ill con sequencea from the high tide. Some discussion took plkep on the einestion :of cat-beads; and the committee d'yea f ej_.4i;ii 'fet e (kV recesse and not allgyed to hang• over the footpath. This order was given to the Etuilding BnryeAr, with view: to the protection Of life, as minihdariger is appre hended from cat-heads being run mit of the tuildings and st!spended nearly three feet over the footpath'. After Some further business the eenimittee adjourned. Ivy! , 0 cr THE DAM/ TIMES, FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1860.- THE CONSERVANCY COMMISSIONERS AND THE DOCK BOARD , A letter front . Admiral . Evaiis,' acting eotiservator of the river Mersey, was read. The.. gallant admiral enclosed a memorial which had been sent to the Conser vancy Commissioners in London by the Birkenhead Impirivenient Commissioners, Complaining thatgreat dan ger. arose from the,Doek. Board refusing to exercise the powers vested in them by act of Parliament, to keep clear a track for • the Woodside-ferry steamers during fog. The letter concluded by Stating that their lordships felt that the Dock Board would do all that they could to prevent such serious risk to life and property as was described in the petition. The petition asked the Con servancy Commissioners to aid the Birkenhead Com missioners in. inducing the Dock Board to keep a clear track ; and, failin g that, to assi s t th em i n o bt a i n i ng legislative powers to deal with the matter. 7The CHAII6INN said the documents had better be referred to the Marine Committee, to frame a reply and report it to the board. • Mr. ..kriXoi,n approved of. the suggestion, and .said the Marine Committee might strengthen their case by pointing , - out the fact that a great many ships on Tues day lasq, at anchor to the north of the ferry track, during the gale, dragged their anchors directly into the track._ Mr..tiouLer took exception to some of the facts stated in the memorial. The matter was dealt with as suggested by the chairman. THE COAL TRADE AND THE BIRKENHEAD DOCKS. The following important letter was read : Liverpool, 22nd February, 1860. To the Secretary of the Mersey. Docks and Harbour Board. .Stit,---We, the undersigned, coal dealers and waggon own ers, through whom the coal export trade of Birkenhead has been conducted for some years, beg to call the attention of the Meng Docks and Harbour Board to the importance of at once allotting a specific space in the docks now in course of con struction at Birkenhead, for the future carrying on and developing this increasing branch of commerce. It - is desirable that, shnultan , ously with the opening of - the new docks, coal berths should be arranged, and lines of rail way laid down, so that the trade might immediately commence operations on a scale worthy of its coining impwrtance. ' The undersigned need hardly point out to the Harbour Board the great inconvenience experienced by them through the want of proper accommodation hitherto existing for coal-load ing ships at Birkenhead, and that since October last, when the Great Float .was tun dry, the trade has partially been driven from the port. The undersigned also wish to know when the Great Float will he, opened.---We are, Sir, your most obedient servants, .. W. 4 11. LAIRD, • • W. & 0. BATTNIORT & TVMAS S.. ILtslibeic, Agent to the ttrymbo Company. sA,NnEiooN& Co. Agents for the Westmin s ter Brymbo Coal and Coke Company (limited). MActana.A.x & Co. The communicationwas referred to the Works Coiunnttce. TILE CARRIAGE TO, AND DELIVERY OF, PARCELS AT BIRKENHEAD SCC A lettei from the manager of the Woodside Ferry was read, stating that, as the Birkenhead Commissioners were desirous of establishing a depot for small parcels on the New Landincr4tage, with a view to distributing the parcels in Birkenhead, Clatighton, &c., they asked permission to place a hut on the stage. The elf.tluMlN said the matter should he referred to the Maine Committee. It was one that required very great consideration, because an of iee for small parcels was one thiug, but a storehouse for goods was quite anothet, • . Mr. ToniN observed that the question affected the other ferries. • The CHAIRMAN-It is a very wide question indeed. Tne lettei• was keferred as suggested.. THE OPENING OF THE GREAT FLOAT AT BIRKENHEAD, -Wit IT ARR ANGE NEE NTS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE ACCOMMODATION Dr TRADE Mr. LAIRD, in accordance with notice of motion; moved—" That it be an instruction to the Works Com mittee, the Docks and Quays Committee, - and the Ware, house Committee, to consider what arrangements for the accommodation of trade will Telnire to be madti, ip 4ntiaination of the great WO, at Birkenhead, tieing epened clgrigg flip ensuing summer." He should not have troubled the hoard with this motion had the chairman not told him, in the presence of the hoard, that the various committees, in his opinion, could not undertake such an enquiry and report without having fist' received orders from the Board to do so. Now Mr. Hartley had informed them that the Great Float could not he opened in March, as directed by the Act, but that possibly it might be open' in August, and it was therefore high time for the homil to consider what preparations were to be made for the trade that was already centered there, or was likely to be carried on when; the Great Float was opened. Objeetion'had been raised to the , motion that the board hadlketter. wait to see whqt trncle, thereq nt IliTlienhead, and there-. fore lie should confine himself to showing what trade had existed-there, and to show that' 'it could not be carried on there efficiently withont'certain arrangements being Made in its behalf. He would first call attention to the railway traffic, which in 1849 amounted to 73,815 tons ; 1850, 142,684 tons; 1851,185,500' tons ; 1852, 244,014 tons; 1853; 322,472 tons; 1854, 397,602 tons ; 1855, 401,526 tons ; 1856, 542,766 tons; 1857, 696,530 tons; 1858, , 655,901 tons, and in' 1859, to 726,972 tons. He might be told that a large. portion of the traffic was taken across to 'Liverpool, but unless the Dock Board gaire proper facilities at Birkenhead it would continue to be taken across to LiVerpool, instead of: rern4iiiug at Birkuhead for forelA he would next draw 4t9,ntiou to . 'a large and most important branch of commerce.—the coal trade. The . total export from Liverpool in 1849 was only 113,000 tons, whilst in 1859 it amounted to . 564,000 tons.' The coal trade of Birken head in 1854 was 149,000 tons, and in 18.59 it had increased to 309,000 tons. And, in looking over the coal traffic returns, there was a remarkable circumstance that he had noticed—that Lancashire coal brought to Birkenhead haul increased in a ranch greater 14'0 than the North Wales coal. The Lancashire :coy passing over the Birkerthead Bailway in 10 4, was' 23,28. k tons, Wtli4t in I§q irygs 4094 tops: T 4 rettos were as follows : Year. Lancashire coal. Other coal. Total tons. 044 ' 22;283 ::. 12.5,774 t149,G57 1855 ... 29,823 ... 148,545 ... 178,164 185 G ... 38;533 ... 14242 311,815 3itB , i 08,981 ... 270.352 1t;54 .. 111,623 141,438 ... 253,061 1859 ... 121,390 ... 188,293 ... 309,683 As to the coal trade, he should very much wish to see the board carry out the plan proposed by Mr. Hartley, for a coal dock at the top of the Great Float; but as the Works Committee did not consider themselves in a position to recommend that, he thought the piece of land between the dam at Messrs. Bibby's works and Gillhrook should be set aside for the a,cconiinodation of that trade. There was a large plot of land there suitable for the traffic, and he believed it would suit the requirements of the trade. At present the coal trade was carried on principally tit the Morpeth Dock, hut, he believed, that hereafter that, dock must be used exclusively as nlock, to t a k e i n ve.ssels to'be snbseveiltly• drafted up the pool, if any very great trade was to, be , carried on at Birkenhead ; and he hesitated not to say that it would 'be 'diffiCult to do' any °Teat . amount of Till( at Rirk t e'nheacl, magi that principle . Ras aige4. . ile . believed , that from the,' facilities oli'ered 'would liitien head'hy the railiOY that the D i ock BOW 'Woeld give . , _ ~ , i, , itiwroro f o,e,e,V,alitird.t , (in there trade would increase muni more rapidly than it had hitherto done. He was told that, in consequence et the treaty, the French trade . ' . was likely to increase, and that the North Wales coal was preferred in that market, and would largely increase the coal trade on the Birkenhea4 side. The nest trade to which he would refer was the timber ;rade.. • There bad been no facilities whatever for carrying on that trade hitherto, mal t he lived Of Bard, 4i refettg trade; atA won d give the saw, facilities and aecomino datiqn at the same, or upon lower, terms of rent that they had given it to the trade on the Liverpool side of the water, in order to induce the timber trade at Liverpool tolinove from the south to the north end. The local trade of Birkenhead in timber, last year, amounted in value to £60,000, exclusive of timber taken over thtre and carried inland ; his own ' consumption he ‘alued at £25,000 last year, and Clover anti Claihonts at say £15,000, niaki,n. a, WA of '.i.146,0'00 worth of timber geristinied iirliirkenhead in 1859. Ho apprehended that it was the duty of the Board to develop the trade of Birkenhead as much as possible, • and he hoped that land for the use of the trade would let on short tenure, on low terms, with a view to induce people to, go over there. Mr. Laird then proceeded to draw attentiiNtci, the question of providing graying do c k accimunodation Rirkenhead. He'said he combi ‘speali on 'that question very imaartia4; as ne Was thtrprivate owner a graving docks'; 'but he felt convinced they would not get ships to go there_ unless the board had graving docks of their own, more especially as the docks to be completed ultimately would have twenty feet of wateron the blocks all the .year round--a fact that would enable thew graving 'docks to be Worked more effectualy thin, tiny on the Liverpool side of the, iier.,. :if the graving docks My; Haitlw pmposed` were 'completed; the' coat would he about £175,0 . 00 ? and it Woeld take eighteen months' of ' tivo''yeaVs 'to cOni r plete die . three, ` i o,ne ,1 docli with ei,ghty!Aie 'feet ' gates sioUld' e.esio aitout - £80,0,00, the segond OW 475,40, anC,,the others about krA,O.htl each. It we t s essential, thetelbre, that , ono4 two of the graving 'docks shonlcl he completed, i because, if they were not, the Board would have coln plaints that vessels could not have the same facilities at, Birkenhead that they had at Liverpool. He must next point out the necessity of having cranes of various. sizes. His idea was that a crane should he put w'tllV lifting heavy machinery— . -a cra , e:e . iif,t si.ity el, seibeitY tons, and to be qa,i4;°t.k. ko mistim e purposes as 'Well: (44..4114 smatidnitilnes Weeld be' wetted in' various Darts' 80 ' the ) necks. ' Another . question Was' OW Citiestion: of '' waiehouses.' He belie` tile, wt, z sent . -Warehouse's ' were built • tiri g gillal l ix i;o.r, 'ttaA cotton ' trade, and many Rarties Ag that trade said if prep 4 4GcUmniudation were given a considerable 4ereitity of cotton would gn to Birkenhead. Guano Was stored there at a low rate, but, if they could get - cotton to the warehouses, sheds might be built to store guano in ; and even at the low rate paid by that article, it was probable that at a moderate cost a sufficient interest on the construction of the sheds for 91r,A, 4tifi• t m ight be secured. He trusted that the I committees would consider:the whole v,es'iion, andlOok l upeti it in this light—that if. the Bbard dOr4l6ted' the works and th ie ned 'tll .l ci,reat 'Fliat 'in August next without pro- M i ng these necessary facilities, the works would he a, failure. He considered that, as , trustees of ~ t his vast pr d p e r iy, ifby an expenditure of 4159; qp,a, in anticipation 1 of the known wants Of trade. at the present time, and i .e f th the prospects which they had of getting further trade, thai they would be acting improperly if they allowed time to slip on, open the docks, and then hear . from parties that they would not o there on account of want of the necessary accommodation for trade. Ms. LITTLEDALE seconded the•motion. Mr. BOULT would give the matter hia best considera tion, but deprecated the expsuditure of a large sum of money in a ille-.7e . "*Peculatica at Birkenhead. ' 1 ' ' 7, Mr. ARNOLD said ships wanted not only accommoda tion fer-theniselves, but for their cargoes also ;: tad be believed in the end the Birkenhead estate, wkadd le v,eiy remunerative to the board. H e b e li eve d 4, as was Stated' to be the , case, that th e railwayi Were, arranging , to carry goods. into, Biykenhead to the interior 4. qty: same rate. as they, were 'carried; freni` Liverpaol l , thcf;e, would be a gteat . accession of trade toltiiken,la,easti 1 0. 1 1 t hebelieVed the trade of 0 1 4 place 'sinePevA be 0-10rOuiblY developed titAtilxaNelp,ou r ses, were ereCied. He should' therekile Xqe far. t e motion. Air.' 1419.i1.N. said the Illation was a very' proper. one, and thought At would be folly to have water space without also having the accommodation necessary for the trade that would go there. He should vote for the motion, although he thought it unnecessary. - Mr. BROCKLEBANK thought the motion a very reason able one, but he agreed with Mr. Rankin in thinAng that the matter might have been left to the committees themselves. He did not third; it desirable to go into a large expenditure which in the course of two or three years might be found valueless , such were the great Changes that were continually occurring in trade. Mr. Fouwoon thought the motion was premature. He denied that the cotton trade would (ro to Birkenhead so low , as it was so well cared for in Liverpool. Mr:'DARBYSIfIRE said he was an importer and an exporter; and, as regarded Birkenhead, he could .say, whatever were the opinions of Mr. Forwood, that, if Mr. Brocklehank sent his ships to load at Birkenhead, he (Mr. 1).) should send his goods to be shipped there. And, whilst he .was not prepared ,to spend any consi derable 'amount at .Birkenhead, he would, nevertheless, advise the bOard to be prepared for the Contingencies of trade. Mr. BUSHELL knew that the steam trade had almost come to a dead lock in Liverpool for want of space, and he was perfectly persuaded that, if the board, regarded the Birkenhead Docks as a means to an end to relieve the blocked-up trade of Liverpool, they would accom plish a ,neat deal of good. Mr. LA.NPTON, in assenting to the motion, did not pledge himself to the expenditure of any sum of money whatever. (Hear, hear.) Mr. LrrrLEDALE said—in the discussion that day one of the Chief advantages of Birkenhead had been alto ;ether lost sight of—its depth of water; and he could tell them that if there was six feet more water at Bir henhead than there was at Liverpool . the rivet would never be so crowded as it was the other day. The sight of the river a few days ago proved to his mind the neces sity of getting the deep water entrance to Birkenhead made as soon as possible. In consequence of that, advantage Birkenhead would get a very large portion of trade, ho believed ; and, as to the steam trade, although Messrs. Bibby said they would not go to Birkenhead— (a laugh)---his opinion was that they would all go where their interest led them. The inconvenience he had suffered by his snips being unable to enter the Liverpool , 1 docks was so great, that several of his constituents had told him they would rather the ships should go to Birkenhead than run all sorts of risks and dangers for ten or twelve days in the river. He should recommend the board to advertise Birkenhead, and to sell land for manufacturing purposes there. Already a friend of his had bought land there for a manufactory, which would bring from 10,000 to 15,000 tons of ore to Birkenhead every year. The CHAIRMAN agreed with Mr. Laird that it was the duty of the board to develop the resources of Bir kenhead as much as possible. He should not oppose the motion • at the same time h e s h ou ld h ave b een g l a d if it had been deferred, because the committees, when they came to consider the subje c t, wou ld fi n d very great difficulty in deciding on the sort of accommodation that the trade of Birkenhead would require to develop its resources, and that every day and every week would enlighten the committees on the subject. Mr. EVANS opposed the motion on the ground that it was premature. Mr. LA IRD, in reference to the remarks of Mr. Rankin and Mr. Brocklebank as to the non-necessity for this motion, repeated the statement that he made in opening the matter that day. Mr. Laird deprecated a large expenditure at Birkenhead at present ; and expressed his conviction that £50,000, judiciously spent, would give great aocommodation to trade there. In reply to the assertion that no trade would go to Birkenhead, he stated that a gentleman who carried on two-thirds of the ore trade of the port was about to transfer his busi ness to the Birkenhead side. The motion was agreed to without a division ; and this concluded the public business before the board. REVISION OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPINCI ACT, 1854, AND THE AIE t ROANTILE MARINE SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF LIVERPOOL. We }}aye hem favoured with the following copy of the petition of the Mercantile Marine service Association presented by Mr. Horsfall to the House of Commons on Tuesday last. The alterations suggested are of the greatest im portance to the members of the service. We are informed that, at the suggestion of the borough members, a deputation from the council of this association has been appointed to proceed to. London, to give evidence in support of the peti tion, betbre the committee of Ow : house of Co,- , . . mops, now sitting to ii . wini;T into the operation of the act. TAP. IlraAiNi sAggestions of the council of such large and influential body as that of the Mercautile 'Maxim Service Association of Liver .. . _ - • pool, (somprising, as it does, upwards of 1,200 Members, cannot fail to be of great service to the committee now prosecuting the inquiry, and, no doubt, their representations will carry much *eight ; and the council of the association, we learn, are determined to t a k e a d vantage of this, the first opportunity of this kind they haw - had since the association's fornatiop„og ptessing the claims of the servieP t%09. the. ciovern,ment, ara of representing te art dunces vAckr . which they . the llononrahle the Commons of the United Icingdorn, (Treat Britain, and Ireland, in Parlia ment Assembled. . _ The Humble Petition of the Mercantile Marine service Association of Liverpool, and of the undersigned masters and officers of British shipping trading from tl_Ao Port of Liverpool, S lIEW ET If , That the Mercantile Mtwine Service Association or Liverpool is composed of a large mother of masters and ofAcerk eqaged, in the British Merchant Service, %tie prpg w,n i tNet and effiiciency of which is n A bj ec l o f national importance. That at present the supervision, r:inlation, and management of matters connected with the Mercantile Marine Service is, Witte-4 in the hoard of Trade and in the 40,cal Marine Boards, constituted wider the pro yisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1854, for the principal seaports. _ . . That although the Local Marine Boards have the regulation and charge of the examination of masters officers for certificates of competency ; a s e l d although they have constantly t o d ea l wit);matters requiring nautical skill and knoteleOze, no provision is made in the Merchant Sl4,ping /Yet, 1854, for any of the mem bers c ;he focal Marine Boards being persons possessing such practical skill which your petitioners respectfully submit would add greatly to the eit i 'eiency of the Local Marine Boards ; they firrtliei; submit that there are many officers i n tle Iyiysli merchant service, or who have beer in that sec;, ice, 1,010 possess the -B necessary e l Ualineat i ons to act as me m b ers of the Loci) Afariy i e oards, and that it will add greatly to, the position.of the service generally; and to the encourage- !tient Offfiscipline, education,, anitscieutittc invest igatin, ' to give to, its meinbers, the vißlit of voting fur the electioa.of roarkrke.inenAers to the said b oar d s . ThAt'lt will acid farther to the usefulness and effici enCy of the Local Marine Boards to increase their extent, and to constitute them not for particular ports, but for districts; so that ev er y p or t a nd h ar b our shall 11e.. attached to some Local Marine Board. That .these objects will be attained by, altering the Merchant Shipping Act, IM4, so, that the Local Marine Boards may be constitutett as foylows:— .. The- MayoN . , sq; KO*, ox stipend t iary re,agistrates or such of he, maxors, or KovostS,, or stipendiary magis tr4es (it: more than, one), of the port at which such board shalt sit, as the Board of Trade shall appoint, ex ofrio, The Board of Trade shall aprint six menibert the port at which such board shall sit, or within ScA(el; miles thereof ; three of whom shall hold m i astere. certificates, and the owners 0 foreign-going ships and of home-trade passenger ships, regis tered at the port co: 4t.tiet, shall elect six mem bers ; anti' 'the . m,asters bolding certificates, and regl i sterA;for the purpose of such election, at the said • port or district, shall elect two members, who shall be persona holding masters' certificates. .That to each of the Local Marine Boards there shall be attached sue* a district or extent of seaboard as the Board, of Trade shall, appoint; and that the boards iiv.painteif to th,e several districts shall have cogni,sange of 4tl nautical matters within them, subject to, the. Board of Trade having power, 'ilk tteit event of its not approving of the acts of any Local Marine Board, to dissolve it, and order an other election ; and excepting from the Local Marine Boards, power to investigate the causes of wrecks av i d casualties. That the constitution of the tribitee i l .4 , ii.,. two, justices of the peace or a stipendiary r•togistrate., assisted by a nautical assessor allpeAnted. by the Board of Traile), before whii,h IL present enquiries into the eat :sm yrect.s an, d casualties are investigated ; sni t ) ) upon the reports of.which' the Boa t el ; o f Tra,de cle.:Littes whether to cancel or suspend the Certificate. a any master or officer 6 . f. the vessel, in vesnea lair whisk an investigation is held, , is eat sitcli as ought to i nves ti ga t e suc h sftiC,UR 'enquiries ; practically, under the name of an enquiry, it is a court of the most severe criminal judicature, for upon the cancelling, or the suspeßdi,w,r,, or the returning of the certificate, depend wl\ether.. the holder of the certificate shall not or. seat) possess the means of continuing his profesatk;. and,your petitioners, submit that the penatty It4iig.se severe, the judgment so irre.pMalit 41 k d ' i 4, nature, of almost every wit tiii i r y invo ving questions requiring nauli,e4 slob, 44 oWiedt , ,e; there ought to he iii the eon i stitu j tipu e of thc. court provision for more thrAop.p.ppr,soßhaying.np.ii,ti, , c,al kn'owledge. Your p,04013% d 9,. no object tee the most rigid emp o ilxv into, thee c a uses, 6.1. wrecks and casualties, but thet to, 4 t, .the. present system of conducting the enquiries is not such as to give to the masters and officers affected by them due opportunity of defence; and that it is not in accordance with the ii,:::::::tice with regard to members of other profess,inr.,s, nor indeed is it consisnlnt with the prineos. of the criminal law of this country, of which it forms a very penal portion: Your petitiQ ‘ ors therefore seek— . VA with regard to the preliminary investiption's, into the causes of wrecks and casualties, i t i\ accordance with part 8, from section 432 1 te, Al ; that the couit shall be one in witiol 1'1..c.w. shall be more than one nautical person,, and have for its chairman and convener the Ov s owliwy ox other magistrate of the port at which i 4 inquiry shall be held. That should the preliminary court of inquiry report that, in its opinion. thuNc. is a fip;ina facie case for a formal trial, the specific) case for misconduct or default shall be forwarded to the accused at least ten days before the day of trial. That, in the event of the court finding, the charge or charges proved,. in accordance VOth section 242, part 2, the apountot I punislmvat shall be appended to the finding ; arid, chic. ' l / 4 40. Board ofTrade shall act only to confirm the punish ment, and as a court of app.n.l. importance of adequate provision being igued , ( e r fP s trt That )your petition feel strongly and dPekt_ r . OPi sick, worn-out, and disabled: inelOplis Of .3,t d4 " ,, i f tvii.li— jAg 4111 4V1- 3 ,' respect the service, and' also fqr the these who, enter it or i l / 4 00314 to cu t ter I,ti.. ,- fully submit that the na i tippak i.lThr^r tt.t andhenefit of 1 the serves givs tillq% a, ii4gC ' c• Ti ni nk p that it gill a.Z 11 on the couutx • 1 tAF A l i i tt IN I FIP§' e '• " they also and the position of the co t l it,g, character, the standing, raised far the 'Purpose they propose to raise it rot» :444 1 1"'71g '. have tttlt a an s y elf f - That a fund be formed, echaracter, a service only and therefore f the b • to be called the M • y pro: Qt`,44sile . . tsu4ipotiolinbg ' curing the sanction Marine Service Fund : fees ci u i n n d e e a r ch th d e is M t Mer chant of in "li.. . from the I Ist. By a deduction ~ pound and seamen, wages of officers , of Parliament. A se c v t e , n lB m s e 4 m , banerds:utn.hrelaeiemoefd wwhaogmes.sta4 be chan , t Ship . p i bl o g f ntdheshst\arlsl A u b :fio ad e, m s l a n n i d ste fe t , 2 r n h d a . tii, Fr e o . n t i v Mt 1 by a council the Local Marine D appo i nte d by B oard of ,the same district, and dour elected by the masters and officers registered for the purposes of such election in each district. That the portions of , the Merchant Shipping Act, 1854, which relate to masters and seamen, will be improved, the discipline of the service rendered more perfect, and the necessity for future legislation lessened by the following alterations in and additions to the Act : 129.—That this section, which places shipping mas ters and shipping officers in London under the immediate control of the Board of Trade, should be expunged; and that all shipping masters and officers should, both in London and elsewhere, be placed under the control of the Local Marine Board of the port or district. 134.—That the reports of all e xaminations for certi ficates shall be forwarded to the Board of - Trade through the Local Marine Boards, and that every examiner shall forthwith report to the Local Marine Boards the cause of every refusal of a certificate. 137.—There is an omission • in • this clause, which should provide that certificates of Service for the foreign going trade, should entitle the holders to go t o sea i n a similar grade in home-trade passengers ships. The omission has been productive of unnecessary expense and injury to many masters and officers. . 14G.—That the licenses at present granted by the Board of Trade to persons to supply seamen may be granted on the same terms and conditions by the Local Marine Boards. 214.—That the powers to enable seamen ab to olished,ez their ships abroad and join men be and that any attempt to do so, which shall not be with the consent of the master, shall be desertion, and shall be liable to be punished as such. 240.—That any person on the ship's articles bringing a charge against any master. which sh a ll not be sustained, or in respect of which good ground for inquiry , if th e master shall not be shown, shall be forthwith requires it, discharged from the ship, and shall pay all the expenses to which the master may be put. 241.—That the powers of the Boardof T ra d e an d the Local Marine Boards to investigate cases of alleged masters or incompetency and misconduct on the part of mates, be exercised only by the Local Ma r i ne Boards' with an appeal to the Board of Trade and that th ere be added to the clause, that a copy of the charge and the names of witnesses be given to the person complained of, forty-eight hours before hearing the complaint, and that decisions be given within twenty-four hours after the conclusion of the evidence, in all e ases. 242.—That the power of the Board of Trade to cancel or suspend certificates shall be exercisabl e only if the court or tribunal before which any master or mate shall be tried, or before which 'any investigation under the Provisions of the act shall be made; shall decide that his certificate ought to be cancelled or suspended. That part four of this section, which authorises the Board of Trade to cancel or suspend the certificate of any master or mate who is shewn to have been convicted of any offence, ought, under any circumstances, t o be expunged. 244 (Part 4). —For wilful disobedience by seamen, in addition .to the imprisonment there ought to be a for feiture of not less than six days or more than one month's pay. 243 (Part 6).—For assault upon officers, in addition to imprisonment, the same forfeiture of pay should take place as for wilful disobedience. 243 (Part 7). —Combining to disobey, which in fact is mutiny, should be treated as conspiracy, and he punishable in the same way, imlees the master desires that the case may he disposed of summarily. 243 (Part damage or embezzling should be treated as a misdemeanour, hut, at the option of the master or owner, be disposed of summarily. 243 (Part 9.)—Smugglers should be treated as on shore. . Not keepin g proper look-out, o r b e i ng aslee on th look-out, should be punished as wilful disobedience. e Drunkenness should be punished as wilful disobe dience. Duplicity ('onfection Julie Vigo Prince of Orange Remunerator Tormentor Newcastle Eskdale Caliph ... Congreve Topsy ... 241.—That the necessity of reading over afVences, and giving copy to offender, and of entering b:es reply on official log-book, should be disPeAsed with. 251.—A1l the cost of procuring conviction and im prisonment for any offence should be deducted from wages, instead of ouly the stun of three pounds. • 256.--. The necessity of reading aver the entry of fines in the official log-book should he dispensed with. 265.—There slamild he ridded to this section, that NaN4 Courts abroad shall name the degree of punish ment which they,consider should be inflicted in cases brought before them. 268.-4 hat. no Consul shall exercise the powers riven him by this elau se , w ith reference to sending home offenders, unless a Naval Court cannot be nog veiled at the port. _ 282.—The necessity of reading aver the entries, con cerning forfeitures or finea, and the reply shon/t1 he left out of this clause, 296.—With r,ega.rcl to this. clause, which lays down the rules. a,s to. ships meeting each other, particular atto,4ori is called to the urgent necessity which exists for an international rule of the road, and also an inter national system of lights at sea. At present, the. rule laid •clown by the Merchant Shipping Act differs, ig material circumstances from the rules of most, other - nations, and. exposes not only the property of shipowners to many risks, but also the lives of these engaged on be. shipboard . t o , great dangers, wwhichwaild, averted b an universal rule with regard to this mos t important matter. There are, no. 0044 difficulties .41 carrying out a general system;, but it is only necessary to point to the extcnlcopyrightinternational as an evidence of the practicability of a system being speedily agreed upon which, if not universal, will be nearly So. 391-2.—At present the adiustmerit of the compasses of passen.er ship is requiredto he certifi e d only by the shipwright surveyor, your petitioners consider that the Wilkstment of these important instruments should, in all .cases, he certified.by some properly qualified person, 344...---The facilities to masters and mates et itome trade passenger ships to obtain pilotage certificates might -be increased, without (lenge+ to the public interest; that in this respect thQe spirit of the act should be eirried out. 438.—This elau,se, which requires the delivery of cer tificates 14me a specific charge is made, shrog,kl be expunged. Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray that your honourable house will take into your serious considera.. tion, and direct an enquiry into, the necessity of makinz the improvements they have pointed out, and, the importance of giving, to. so great a brand. of the com merce, c 4 the country as its mereantile marine service woe intexest in its inanagenteot ; and they trust that your honourable house will ssinotion the introduction of a bill into Parliqu - koAt duiriug this present session to pro mote and eavy ono tl*wisiles of your petitioners. And yoar. petitioners will ever pray, &e. DISCOVERIES OF COTTON IN AFRICA, We find the following lAtezesting communica tion in the /lialicAeOff 6:via/Vico / of yesterd a y : • Ao - THE EDITOR.. • Six,—„yeit . are at liberty to publish the enclosed letter ftos kk braber of Dr, Livingstone, He sends me six samples of cotton, which I value as follows :—No. 0.. to. 7id.; No, 2,61 d. to 7d .; No. 3,61 d. to 7d. 1, 7 harelY No. 4, 6-id. to 61(1. • No. 5, 54-d. to,6d. ; No. 6, atd. to aid.;. all exceedingly useful qualities, • putieularly the four first. The two last will be substitutes, till improved, for East Indian cotton. The eolton, may be se en h ere. —Yours truly, Tuos. CLEDG, Mount-street, Man,cbiester, Feb. 29, 1860. - u ov. 4, 2040. 4 - ,: t clear Mr. Clegg,—We iiave just returned front visiting the Lake Nyassa, the source of the River Shire, and, what is of greater importance, have discovered a great cotton-growing and cotton-manufacturing country. The" cotton is of two kinds, naive and faretgn. The native is short in the staple, and feels more like wo o l than cotton. The twig°, appears to be of good quality, with a staple ftoiu three-fourths of an inch to an inch in length,. It is perennial, and requires planting only once three years, while the native has to be planted annually in the highlands, yet, the people prefer the latter, because they say it makes the stronger. cloth. We remarked to a number of ie,telligent looking men in one village, " You should plant plenty of cotton, and perhaps the English will come soon, and Div it." " Truly ! the country is full of cotton," replied one elderly roan, wlip, was a trader, and had travelled much; arts` our own observations confirmed the truth of this. Everywhere we saw it while passing th rough two and a half degrees of laAturde, and it probably extends much further. Fiv@r &ntily appears to have a piece of cotton gicavick, and it was gratifying to see how clear of weeds an grass they kept them. Drs. Livingstone and Kirk, while passing through part of the same. region last April, saw cotton patches of front t%o, to three acres each, though this time, on a dilkerent route, we did not observe any containing inors t than one-third of an acre. They were in general about a quarter of an acre. each. In every village we saw men busy cleaning, spinning, and weaving cotton. The looms ate of the. simplest Tf.4ble construction, and all the pkvcesses are exceed slow. This vast cotton Negri-Mit% easikv aecossible. The Shire joins the Zanaltc4 4beut 10A utilee item the sea, below the diffi t en# parts of the. latter river ; and for 112 miles the , s; ll .i lVits a deep, channel, the rive r being from 150 te, 2011 yards wide. One hundred and twelve miles f.r.oni, its laigath the cataracts co mmence (lat. 15° 55 ' S.), and /or 30 miles the river is not navigable (goods would have to be carried overland hero) above the cataracts the Lake Nyassa ; sixty miles the river is again r‘avign-_ ble, and how far to the north the great navigahle lake extends we do not know. The natives said, that it would take months to get to the head of ths.,W to . The Shire Valley is about 12 1146 wide at. the font of b the lake, both but soon expand,expand,to 20 or 30, lseing bounded on $.4) , % all, the way by ranges of hills, the range on the east or l e ft hank beiug very lofty. Therei,kattexceedingly fertile plain on both sides of the rixer. (we travelled on the east of ,lee riYer), and pretty well cultivated on the Upper Shire, where it i s a b out 1,20 Q feet above the level of the sea. A scen di ng the eastern range or hills by a steep Path, we soon reach a plateau, 500 or 600 feet higher second ascent of 1,000 feet, and we find anatlier plateau three or' four miles wide, and in a short time we gain, the highest Dart, npwards of 3,00 Q feet above the level of the sea, and find ourselves on am, extensive table land, which in these three distinct divisions extends same distance below the cataracts. This high table land is front 12 to 14. miles wide, and its eastern, side slopes gradually down to Lake Tamand or. Shirwa (1,8134 feet above the sea level), east at a/hi g h, we saw some lofty moan ' tains. OA, thQ tAlkl4llll axe numerous hills, and two moan tainp, CAnil47ll4 about 4,000 feet high ; Zomba, at the liPrtbeAn e xtvewatY--which was ascended--from 7,000 to. $.9 430 . f4e4 in height, and. 20 miles long, from north to fm.lllll. The whole of this country is remarkably well watered; wonderfully numerous are the streams, and mountain rills coal clear gushing water., Even Zomba_Zombi river about 20 yards wide, g f1, Q , 11 ,-4„.... through title vulley near its summit. O. one occasion We WWI eight streams and a fine spAig. in a single haw, and this was at the end of ;be dry season. These highlands seenkte, possess a s alubriouselimote : the air was brag g', and we saw an univually large nurnier et olfi k grey-headed men WA !women. The cottc.,,n, eountry—not that merely where cotton may be east -grown; but where they are actually growing begins between 20 or 30, rages bOew „. the Ca t aracts , an d extends up to the hke and probably. far bat-90, bothon the plains an,d, in. the highlands; t 4 fo - reign, cotton growing at the lake and in differeuk places for 30, miles below, and also again below the cataracts, whale the native is cultivated, thTougllout the whole extent of country. The people live in- villages, and are pretty numerous; they seem, to, be an industrious race. Iron. is dug cut of the hills, and each village has one or two smelting-hoases, From their native iron they THE SESSIONS. The general Quarter Sessions for the Borough of Liverpool iomnitenced'yesterday, in the Crown Court, St. George's-hall, before Gilbert Henderson, Esq., Recorder. The following is a list of the names of the 'gentlemen composing the Grand Jury : w. R. C .ulburn, merchant, Chapel-street. W. H. Alexander, merchant, South Castle-street. W. R Allen, wine merchant, North John-street. John Batesou, broker, Oldhall-street.' William Bigighani, merchant, Brunswick-street. Char/es' Barnes, inercha 1, Chapel-street, Waiter Badeliachs.' fruit broker, North John-street. C. t, Cavite, merchant. ftunifoid-04 6 e. • It. William merchant, Hat 4 rington-street. Joseph Edwards, merchant, Coole-Atreet. James liosack, merchant, 'rower -buildings East. Samuel Jowett, broker, Rumford-play. S. W. Kelso, merchant, Tower -buildings. J. W. Macrae, broker, Hackin's-hey. J. W. Nickels, merchant, India -buildings. W. B. Rathbone, broker, Exchange buildings. James Sykes, wine merchant, Dale-street. Liston Young, merchant, York -buildings. The usual proclamation against vice and immorality having been read, . ha. IRizggßDnßproceeded to delver his charge, which was as Fellows :--=_Genilernen of the jury, you will loam front the calendar that in the cou rse of eight weeks 109 persons have been committed for trial. the Thi avera s number, of though large, is considerably below ge similar outrages during the last three years ; and the state of the gaol, which yesterday contained 824 pri soners, leads to a favourable conclusion as to the present amount of crime. Th e women, in the calendar, out number the men. As to felonies the excess is extraor dinary, there being 50 women to 36 men. Most of the felonies are of a light character, and many m ca is le o s u h l a ti v c e t la ipi de a ti .iti se c th ig e i r b e i so i le ti Z t r largest 160 of prOperty, is . one which an artillerYnlan from the Bengal army, while Passing through thi s town to Ireland, went to a brothel, where he was robbed of upwards of £l2. In this case, two women, one of whom is the keeper of the house, have been sent here for trial. There are two charges of breaking into shops, one of a flour dealer in L ondon-ro ad. One of these was entered through the roof by removing: , some slates. Into the' other, which is in Scotland-road, an entrance was effected by the window. There are several cases of plunder by pickpockets, two of whi c h have been brought here through the vigilance of a `harp-sighted butcher. There is also a theft of a watch fivin a person at the door of a theatre, where platoL grapq has assiSted 'the detection bf the party' accused and.he Was taken into custody) in coliseqtience 'of hiS portrait having beei.recOg,niieil at the police-statiOn. There are but two Gasesof plunder from the docks: . In oilits of jgstice we are often surprised to see the large paanfitY dc stolen property which finds its way i n tO•hie withr s okers' shops, and occasionally under very sus piciolls circumstances ; it is therefore very satisfactory, that at present you will find in this calendar four in stances in which pawnbrokers have apprehended persons tendering stolen pr o p ert y . It is in their power, by judicious vigilance,. to render very effective help to the administration of justice. There are five cases , in which lads under sixteen are c harged with felony, but since the liberality and benevolence of the public, of the gaol ! ver y 4ealo4s interest in these matters, I 4ealing with . such case which and the arrangements made by the c h ap l a i n who takes a ti'llsattsfaCtonly..-dtsposed of: Cases of f c e a e n l n no ol di b fr nl lt o T s sting nostril was Such 'caies assault are numerous, and there two of a very (lisp 40incithiettriset.11Yeerrelefy°Zoan character, in one of which part of a man's I would bitten off, and in the other part of the etri. thosehave been wh v s i e t ry 4e fr m e ct u frequent, t t her o e f have those who commit these offences to is little chance of escap9. • The grand jury then retired, 4 1 1 d the trial of the prisoners was propeeded with. The following sentences were passed during the , day :—James Jones, stealing a deal board, six months, with hard labour ; Sarah Ellis, stealing a looking glass, six months; Martha. Stewart, - stealing a basket, a frock, and other articles, four years' penal servitude ; John Baker, stealing a pair of trowsers, four years' penal. servitude ; James Sigh, stealing forty seven ducks and thirty-three foWls, six calendar months-; Robert Cuthbert, stealing some block tin, three calendar months ; Jane Blue,' stealing two watches, five years' penal servitude ; Mary Quinn, steal ing a pig's tongue and a pig's 11 , ad, four calendar' menths; Thomas Davis, stealing bread, eight calendar months ; Esther BurnS, stealing a dress, a mantle, and other goods, three calendar months; Mary Brown, stealing a watch and gold pin, three calendar mouths ; Mary Makin, stealing a gold brooch, pillow slips, &c., fiitir calendar mouthsz; William Allinson, stealing two cwt. of lead, two calexclir monais ; Hannah Dawson, stealing eighteen pair of boots and shoes, six calender months ; Eliza Walker, stealing £2 10s., four months. MERSEY DOCKS AND HARBOUR BOARD. Mr. Charles Turner presided at the usual weekly Meeting of "the Dock Board, yesterday ; and the other members present were—Messrs. Evans, Arnold, Bold, Darbyshire, Hubback, Mondel, Smith, Littledale, Bushell, Rankin, Brocklehank, - Inman, Lockett, Rounthwaite, Moss, Laird, Farnworth, Tobin, Segar, Forwood, Bolt, Heinle, Langton, and Shand. WORKS COMMITTEE, The proceedings of the Committee of Works were read, comprising a recommendation to accept the tender of Mr. IL P. Parks for mooring chains for Canada Dock • of Messrs. Thomas Pearson and Co., for mooring and" guard-posts for Liverpool and Birkenhead; of Messrs. Monk and Berrington, for excavating for a sewer in, Regent-road, On the motion of Mr• Brooklehank, seconded by Mr, Rankin, the proceedings were Confirmed, C(MTITTEE, The the of the 'Warehouse Committee com prised e following recommendations :—To appoint, a delivery foreman at Stanley warehou4es, and to award the - sum of £l5 to Mr. T. E. Hignett, as a gratuity for extra services in auditing the accounts of Birkenhead warehouses, since. October, 1858. On the motion of Mr. Hubback, seconded by Mr. Arnold, the proceedings were confirmed. MARINE COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee were read, and Mr. Mondel moved the confirmation of them. . . . . Mr. said he saw by the papers that morning that the hell litioy did not time, aud had not for the li:st three or four days. He believed that that was not the fault of any one connected with the trust, but it was desirable that the public should be informed in the matter. Mr. Merlon. said it was impossible to say what was the cause of the accident, but he believed that some thing must have got foul of the bell-buoy. The. Marine Surveyor had had instructions to get the spare buoy out HS soon as possible. The proceedings were confirmed. PILOTAGE COMMITTEE. ' The proceedings of this committee were read and, ow' the motion of Mr. Moss, confirmed. DOCKS AND QUAYS COMMITTEE, The proceedings of the Committee • for the Manage; trient of the Docks and quays comprised a reeornmenda. tion to place a swing-bridge for foot-passengers apiosa the south lock of prince's Dock, at a cost, of £3OO ;- and a recommendation to make alterations for improving the shed accommodation at Prince's, George* Salthouse, and Brunswick Docks,. at a cost of £756. Mr. LoCKETT, in moving - the confirmation of the proceedings, said it was proposed in future to charge vessels for the use of stages whether they used them or not, with the view of preventing parties bringing down their own stages, which was the cause of touch annoy ance and inconvenience on the quays. Mr. HUIII3CIi asked if the charge was to be levied on on ships in the Warehouse Docks ? • • r. LoqETT replied that it was. Mr. • Tfully:efi. saig that tje Warelmse florrpnittep might just as well charge for the nse of the blocks and ropes used in dischargurg ships. Mr. BROCEILEB&NK . doubted whether the proposed, swing-bridge would he a very great convenience to the public, and.complained that no report and plans on the subject had been brought up for the information of the board. He. moved that the matter be, referred back. Mr. BOLD said it would be in the recollection of the Committee that some time fig.() Mr. Hartley recom mended an alteration of that lock altogether, and until the alterations in reference to the new stage were made, he thought it would be better to defer the subject, and. Seconded the amendment. Mr. Loci(Err said the recommendation of the cpnl- Plitteo Vas - nl44e )vitil . gi'-i144 tq passengers arriging by the channel steamers, who were often detained for a long time by the bridge at the Prince's Dock being open. Mr. EyAws warmly supported the recommendation of the committee in reference to the use of stages at the docks. Mr. Dar e s fSHIRE supported the proceedings of the committee. The CHAIRMAN thought the facilities to he given to the public, warranted the expenditure purposed in reference to the swing-bridge. Mr. TOBIN urged that if.. a charge was made for' stages, the most ample provision' sholld be made to . lief the wants of sh s. ThR o ther daA' a syp t or 1114 wanted a stda and could not get one ; s the diseltargo was delayed for some time, and could not be proceeded with until a stage had been procured from a shipbuilder. Mr. RANKIN urged the necessity of providing more ample stage accommodation for timber-laden vessels. Mr. BOLD called attention to the fact that a graving' dock had been set apart for the use of a particular vessel, at the rate of £4O per neap. The matter should be epiained. Mr. LOCKETT said antount charged was what the dock would earn on au ayepge. 'Mr: niocKLElliNg haying , %:itluiravirl his amend ment, the proceedings were confirmed. MASTER PORTERS COMMITTEE, •• •. P The Ilaqer roqpraze Conplit r tee had 110.Npg of importance to report. The pfcleeedilig,§ iyefe 91 . 1APA1P4 on the motion of Mr. 4r4914. • T}E pEEENCES OE TUE FORT The proceedings of the special committee on the defences of the port, the consideiatiou of which was deferred from last week, were again read, and their confirmation moved by Mr. Hubback, and seconded by Mr. Bold. Mr. &urn' said he was still of opinion that the proper points whereat to erect forts for the defence of the port were Formby and Leasowe, because the use of Whit worth and Armstrong guns would render forts near to the docks absolutely useless. BOULT, in reference to the suggestion contained• in the report, that the floating batteries. would be more serviceable than forts asked where those batteries to lie when not in use ? There was not room for them in the river, and in the dock they could not be all Owed to lie. Ije was extremely pernleTed about - them. (Tiaiighter.) lie felt that they would be safer as, a port without any batteries on the hanks of the ,river at all ; and hp thought it was an extr„aordinary. 4n4 unac countable thing, considering the existing state. of the, art or gunnery, that forts should he propase4 to be, rhaped in tbp pUsitions proposed the W ar-ofllee. lie erefore moved, as an amendment, that the proceed= ins of the committee be referred back for reconsidera tion. Mr. SMITH seconded the amendment. Mr. EvANs said it appeared to have been overlooked . that floating batteries could be taken by boarding, and 6 1 . , .. Lcactcult:z viRMIAI ue avanaine 'or 95e against the shore on either. side. Ateniia4 said thR propey points for, the defence. of tlie"Pot were these mentioned by Mr. Smith, as they oininanded the two entrances to the port. Mr. LITTLEpALE concurred in Mr. Smith's observa tions. Government ought to send down some com petent person to confer with the engineer to the Dock IBoard'and other gentlemen. Mr. LAIRD said the committee did apply to the government to send down, and they refused to do so. IVith regard to floating batteries, he shonld linye no fear of thelr being t4ke 'preperly naana.t , d. Mr. FOuwoon asked 'why the floating' light-ships could'not be used as batteries. • • 'The CHAIRMAN said the observations of gentlemen would be 'very'much in place if the defences were to be erected at the expense of the Dock Board ; but it appeared to have heen forgotten that the hoard applied to the GoveruMenf to . constiu e t 'the 'defences' Of the pert, 014 them' tti bell` • ap4 that f a man Were fss'ked to pay iho expense of d e . id would naturally expect him to hairts something to say about the character of the work upon which that outlay was to be made. The board would remember that a joint committee of naval and military officers had been sent down tol, ' examine the po r t, an d the board cou ld no t ex p ec t the, Government to ignore the report of professional men, sent down for the purpose: Government would not pass them by in deference to the opinions of the Dock' loaid. Anything like dictation to the governinenf as fo' thie defences, , the Qoyertimbut,Wohld cbfishler 41illeit:'11. the 44144 (IfeAr, bear) Mr. Bovr i l , asked 'heir long it was slim the ctommis-!: sion, referred to by the chairman, had been sent down,' because the art of gunnery had wonderfully changed lately. Mr. SMITH said the commission came down in 1857. He would like to know if the members of it communi cated with this board in any way. The CHAIRMAN.—NO. Mr. S.IIITH.—You talk about impertinence to 1 , 1 0, Governinent, but, I think, we have ve.,y gir,eak — e,aae Or 3,) com laint of a great want of ceitites OU that occasion.''' r. ictubact haviil rgplie'd, Velioatd . clyidedi on o,e` itientfin'ei4t, 'and the votes bein g equal the Walcipan gi've . hit ctstjiig yote Egcti - }4 the 4nietAtn . e 4, v(hich he declared lost. The proce ed ings were then o9ntirmed. THE CHAIN CABLE TRADE. A memorial from chain cable makers and dealers in Liverpool was read. The memorialists prayed the Board to reconsider their determination to erect the chain cable testing machine at Birkenhead, with a view to the erection of suitable machinery on the Liverpool side of the water, where, they believed, it would be of much greater use to the_trade. The CHAIRMAN said the mem,oltil had better be referred to the Works Committee,, ancl"lO,erh4s' the' would giye Ole gentlemen an'auclience . chi Shtnid,ay it at twelve• • . •- This 'wag agreed to. Mrll3ll.6ciant3ti.k said his view of the case was that they syould first aseettaM how Many a l ai 4 s the memonalists had sent to, the lioants machine at Liver.' Boni fo'T`Oie ptirpose'd.betng tested. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) Mr. LAIRD supposed that the Works CoMmittee would also be at liberty to hear gentlemen who believed that Birkenhead would be the better place for the machine. The CHAIRMAN—Oh, yes. Mr. TOBIN said, that before recommending the hoard to erect a machine at Birkenhec i d, the,WKir'lf.s Cdamiittee had heard both sides on the mater. ' The CHAIRMAN said the memorialists urged that they had not b,een heard • and, he thodglit it was undesirable that the beard - should rest under the imputation that decided without hearing all the parties ip t teinated. The subject then dropped ; TIMER BOR THE 1?,OCIE R ATES. Mr. Alexander Andies, l ot LoAao, wiote.o ; tl A e 89a1 7 4 directing Wei t z atfeation to the. fact O'at the arroA, ofi Western Anstralian maho,gan,y, was a c,i•aci Wo4that would resist the corrosive action a sea water—a difficult; that had ] t oldln.en complained of in reference to t'he timber at present in use for the purpose of making dock. gates. The letter was referred to the engineer, to report •c upon it to the Works Committee. .1 mnnufacture hoes, axes, spears, arrow-heads, knives, and numerous ornaments. Nearly all their own clothing they prepare themselves; it consists either of the bark of trees, skins of pats—for there are few or no wild animals in the highlands or in the well-peopled plains—and native cloth ; and they are also great cultivators of the soil, men, women, and children are often seen at work in the field. This seems really a fine country for benevolent enterprise—healthy highlands and the materials for commerce and water communica tion, with but a single exception. Let a market be opened, or an agency appointed for the purchase of their cotton, &c., and they will soon increase the amount raised to a large extent, as it does not require the severe toil which it does in the United States, and there are no frosts to kill it. They are very anxious to trade. At the villages we could hear the women pounding corn All night, to have meal to sell before we left. The people of one village which we passed, without stopping, followed us, endeavouring to induce us to remain all night with them. As a last argument they cried after us, " Are we to have it said tliat white people passed through our country, and we did not see them." We noticed extensive tracts of land on the plains, where salt exudes from the soil. These would probably be found well adapted for Sea Island, as the foreign cotton becomes longer in the staple on these lands. I enclose specimens of the two kinds of cotton picked in different parts on the plains, and in the highlands. The cotton seed we brought out was nearly all killed during the voyage. Please present my kind regards to Mrs. C. and believe me to remain sincerely yours. CHARLES LIVINOSTONE. The Commodore, with 58,000 ounces of gold, has beon 163 days out from Melbourne. She has also a valuable cargo of wool. At. Lloyd's 4 per cent. insurance is asked on the gold, thirty shillings being the usual rate, and 5 per cent. on the wool. spartinq ( co ntettigetzu. LINCOLN RACES.-YESTERDAY, SCURRY STAKES. Four ran. . 4 LINCOLNSHIRE HANDICAP. Thirteen ran. QUEEN'S GUINEAS. Eight ran. SELLING STAKES. HURDLE RACE, Nine ran. The horses belonging to the late Mr. S. Reeve, of Marl- . borough, a well-known dealer, hwe been sold at Tattersall's., They comprised .55 animals, which realised a total of 3,414 guineas. The Crosby-hall Coursing Meeting will take place on Thurs day next. The events will embrace the Blundell Cup, for eight all-aged dogs, at £4 10s. each; the Crosby Stakes, for eight all-aged dogs, at £3 10s. each ; and the Farmers' Stakes, fa)r eight,all-aged dogs, at £2 Its. each. Qusau's PLATMS.—Has then , not been a great brea.ch of trust regarding Queen's Plates' They are said to have origi nated in Queen Anne's reign, when a gentleman left a SUM of money, the annual interest, of which, then amounting to 1,300 guineas, was for thirteen plates or purses, to be run for annually, at such places as the Crown should appoint (whence they are called the King's or Queen's Plates or Guineas),,, " upon eouditiorm that each horse, mare, or gelding shotakh carry 12st.„ the best of three heats, over a four-mile courow.'t This ninniticent bequest had in purpose the encouragenlQP a stronger and more generally useful descrintion 04 44 , thorough-bred horses, and the Crown was ill-advised tko,alter• (query, legally) the weights and distance to suit the *Mist* weeds of the day.—Correspondent of the Sporiina - 446 '& 414 iL . 4 .1 4 A RTIFICIAL TEETH, GUMS, AND PALATES', PROTECTED ItY HER MAJESTY'S ROT NT, LETTERS PATENT: 'MESSRS. GABRIEL . . DENTISTS, ir - 45 13 4, DUKE -STREET, LIVERPOOL, Opposite Berry-street : (IrW' 83, LUDGATE-HI LL. LONDON WEST-END BRANCH, • Itep, 110, REGENT-STREET. Observe NiumbelT particularly. ESTABLISHED 1515. -SSE DIPLOMA. TEETH, THEIR LOSS. And as now, restored, on the new principle of self-adhesion and capillary attraction combined, by means of a soft flex ible liniug, with COILALITE GUM-COLOURED INDIA-RUBBER in lieu of bone or gold, without springs or wire, and with out any operation; THEY ARE WARRANTED PURE, WIIOLX-. SOME, AND ENTIRELY FREE FROM SMELL; they are essy^ and comfortattle upon the most sensitive gums, and mar be worn for many years without being in any way aillvtecL The materials used are of the best quality, the wockm an ship of the first order, and are supplied at less than halt the ordinary cost. New Edition, just published. " Gabriel's Treatise is of importance to all requiring the dentist's aid, and, emanating from such source, it may be confidently relied on."—United Service Gkzette. "Thousands requiring artificial teeth are deterred from, consulting a dentist, fearing the anticipated cost or dread of failure. To all such we say, peruse Gabriel's treatise." —Civil Service Gazette. Published by Messrs. Gabriel (gratis on application, or sent on receipt of three postage stamps), at their Establish— FR.031 COUNTRY PATIENTS, ONE VISIT ONLY REQUISITE FOR A . SINGLE TOOTH OR COM PUTE SET. . _ I'ATENT WHITE ENAMEL CEMENT, the only per manent preparation for front teeth, which effectually retains its colour (ss. per wicket). PREPARED WHITE GITTTA PERCHA, the best stop ping for Deeayed Teeth or Toothache. This invaluarße stoppiog- is placed in the cavity, when perfectly soft, bees hard as the tooth itself ten minutes after inset tiom, and renders the decayed member sound and usefwl in mastication. Is. ful‘ per Box, or sent on receipt of 20 stamps. The ROYAL TOOTII POWDER, Is. 6d. per Box. Theahoirepreparatioas may be had from any chemist in the kigdoan. Stopping Decayed Teeth, Scaling, arc. MESSRS. GABRIEL, THE OLD ESTABLISHED DENTISTS, ft.W' 134, DUKE-STREET, LIVERPOOIL gekj— 33, LUDGATE-HILL, L NibON, WllO, REGENT-STREET, I Atteniance daily from Ten to Six. Atarthgts, anD . Pndt's. Births, Mareinues, and Deaths, forwarded for insertion, must be properly authenticated with the name and address of the. sender. !the charge for the insertion of Births will be Six— peure each. BIRTHS. On the Ist inst., at No. ttl, Grove-street, the wife of Mons. L. P. Plunitot, prematureV of a son, still-born. 143 On the 25th ult., at 1.5,, Islington, the wife of Mr. John Reyes, of a daughter. _ _ MARRIAGES. On the 9lth ult., Mr. George Mark to Miss Selina Davies. an the 2911 i ult., Mr. William Gregsten, merchant, London., Canada \Vest (late of Enniskillen. Ireland). to Ellen Harrison, youngest daughter of the late Mr. John Robinson, of Omagh, Ireland, and sister to Mr. J. Robinson, news correspondent, Liverpool. _ . DEATHS. On the 24th ult., at 29, Greeaside, Everton, aged 59, Alice,. wife of Mr. Henry Hall, late licensed victualler, of this town. (n thq 25th ult., at Wooltou Parsonage, Frances, thirds daughter of the Rev. Robert Leicester. On the. Gth ult., at soarborough, aged 75, Mrs. Taylor, for asliAr MP." Ticr ,d - nee ett, auctioneer an,. appraiser. On the Nth inst., area 59, Emma, wife of Mr. Jones, of the• Pig and Whistle, Princoss-street, Chester. oi, the 27th inst,, at Middlewich, aged 63, Mr. Wm. Hitchin,, timber merchant. • HOLESALE & .EXPORT BRITISH & OREIG/4 STATIONERY WAREHOUSE. PATENT ACCOUNT BOOK MANUFACTORY_ 32 CASTLE-STREET 32. Account Books.—A large and well seasoned Stock of Ledgers, Journals, Cash Books, Day Books, !Arc., always kept on hand and made to order, at H. G.'s own Works, of the best hand-made Kent papers, guaranteed to be wen finished, and to be most substantial and enduring. Letter Papers.—Large Blue or Cream Superfine qualities, as selected from the best and cheapest markets,. 6s. Ga. to Os. per Ream. Do., Small Blue or Cream, from 4s. per Ream. NOte Papers.—Large Blue or Cream same quality as , letter size, from 3s. 3d. to 7s. Gd. per Ream. Note Paper.—Small Superfine Thick Cream-laid 5 Quire Packets, Is., Is. Gd.,_ and 2s. 3d. Straw Note Paper, 5 Quires for 6d. Envelopes, Commerci a l s i ze , good qualiti es , 3 s . ad. an d Arms and C rests found, Gd per 1,000. R e o li s o e i m eL d a:id all w s e i Die and Press complete, 16s. Statiaw oak, 'P Z'a i)ases lnot, erd dese S rip tOc tion., lt 121 - .— and k zes from 2s. 6d. to L 5 ss. Writing Desks, suitable for Emigrants and Tourists, from Sc. each. Travelling Desks, in Morocco, It • ussta, 4t - e., of the hest make, from Gs. to £5 ss, Despatch Boxes, large auci small sizes, in • Morocco, M Russia, £4 4s. to kl• is., Custom-house Verms always kept in Stock. Drawing Pencils, ls. per Doz. Playing Cards for the present season, De La Rue's.andi .'(.3:, 4 614ay5,..fr0m ls. Gd. to Is. Oil. per pack. Qineral and Commercial Miscellaneous Stationery. HENRY GREENWOOD, MERCANTILE AND LAW STATIONER, PRINTER, ENGRAVER, LITHOGRAPHER, BOOKBINDER, &c. 32 CASTLE-STREET 32. WORKS-43, ILAIIIIINGTON-STRIUT. ct TEAM VRINTING WOR KS 32. ASTLE-STREET,— 32. ET T ERP RE S S PRINT I N G.—Bankers, Mer chants, Brokers, Solicitors, Auctioneer s , Tradesm en , an d of rs about to change their printer —or New Firm s oboist to TO establish houses in Liverpool —are respectfully inforraed that every description- of Mercantile, Legal, and General PRINT ING, is executed with accuracy and despatch, and oa the most moderate terms. The Premises, Plant, and Staff, for extent, completeness, and efficiency, are unequalled in, Liverpool. Machinery of the best construction, driven by steam power, ensures rapidity and economy; while his large and efficient, stall of intelligent workmen enables hint to, execute orders in the first style of the srt.—Estimates furnished to large Con sumers for Commercial, General, all Fancy PRINTING of every description. LITHOGRAPHIC PRlNTlNG.—Superior work manship guaranteed in printing Maps, Plans of Estates or other Property, Sl.ctians, Diagrams, Landscapes, Marine Views, PartraitA, Fac-Similes, Architectural, Engineering, and 3fechanicol Drawings, Cbloared Show Cards, Labels, Circulars, Cheques, Bill Heads, Isicoices, Bank Drafts, and every ca44ety of Ornamental and Commercial Lithography,. plaisi 4 , anted, or coloured. pIo OKBINDIN G, MACHINE-RULING, MACHINING, LETTERPRESS, and LITHOGRAPHIC NTL.% executed for the Trade on advantageous terms. DVERTISEMENTS FOR ENGLISH AND FOREIGN NEWSPAPERS.—Advertising Agent to all tle eadilud Acei'cantile ITrrns and nadesmen in Liverpool.— The undersigned is the AUTHORISED AGENT IN LIVER POOL for receiving ADVERTISEMENTS Ifor all the leading .Engiish, Scotch, Welsh, Irish, Australian, Canadtin, Aineri can, French, Russian, German, Belgian, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Swiss, and other Foreign Newspapers having a direct communication with nearly 500 newspapers throughout the world, and devotes to this business the experience of :early a, quarter of a century. —Contracts entered into for long aerie at greatly reduced rates. Advertisements for the Manchester and otherdistrict Pane for the following day received up to Seven o'clock every evening All the principal newspapers filed for reference. HENRY GREENWOOD, PRINTER BY STEAM-POWER , WHOLESALE AND F.KPORT STATIONERY ANii ACCOUNT-BOOK MANUFACTURER', ENGRAVER, AND LITHOGRAPHER, AND GENERAL ADVERTISING AGENT, 32, CASTLE - STREET, 32 WORKs-HARRINGTON-STRXET.