Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-02-19 00:00:00

THE LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY. RALF-YEARLY MEETING YESTERDAY. (FROM OUR OWN REPORTERS.) The ordinary half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of this company was held at the Euston station, London, at ' t welve o'clock yesterday. There was as usual a large att endance of directors and shareholders The chair was ta ken• in th e a b sence o f t h e cha i rman ( t h e M arqu i s o f ,n 'llandos), by the deputy-chairman, Admiral Moorsom. The secretary, Mr. C. E. Stewart, read the notice con vening the meeting, and the minutes of the last half- Y ea rlY, and th e su b seq uent special meeting. The report, of which an abstract has been already pub -481etl• was taken as read. • T he Chairman : Lord Chandos's absence is inevitable, consequence of the illness of the Duke, his father. I am 'sure he would not have absented himself except with some very great occasion for it ; and it would have been quite impossible for him to go to Scotland, where his father is, and return in time for this meeting. This explains why I now occupy this chair. I -must draw your attention now for a few minutes, with o ne or two explanatory remarks, to the state of the traffic for , the half y ear which has just passed, and which cer tlinlY I cannot put before you a.. - very satisfactory. Bat whe nyou reco ll ec t th e circumstances under which we It_ vr have Passed, p ro b a bl y th a t w ill b e sufficient to explain .;:? it appears that there is more than £lOO,OOO deficiency. is not altogether, however, gloom and darkness that i ve are to contemplate. A paper has been prepared, which s hall prefer re a di ng , if you h ave no o bj ec ti on , t o a tt empt making in a speech an explanation of the figures, for with an unpractised speaker it very rarely happens that he succeeds i n ma ki ng figures plain to a public meeting. This is a memorandum of the condition of traffic for the Past half year, as compared with the year of 1857. - 7 1 e teach t ra ffi c of the last half year shows a falling off ? r ,_ 495 593 as compa r ed w ith th e same p er i o d o f 1857. ne.traffic in and out of Manchester during the period of the exhibition shows a decrease of £47,447. This is exclusive of the traffic between London and Manchester, which has been affected by the competition as well as the exhibition. The falling off between the two places has been ri 2l ,327—together, £68,774. In the last two „,„, 111°11 ths of 1857, nea r ly all of the troops sent to India "ere passed over the line, and the amount received was about £ 12.000. The coaching traffic of the first six time in 1858 , an d o f £ 4,6 0 0 over 1857, a lth oug h d ur i ng t he 'latter period there was no competition, and the fares were high. Between the' competitive points there as been, so far as the half year has gone, a `" n lijuition id amount of £3,000, but no diminution of ultnThers as compared with 1857, when the express rates were being charged, and the ordinary rates were higher. I r Pen the'crther portion of the line not interfered with +1 competition, and after allowing £2,500 earnings of ':ze new lines, there has been a net increase of £7,500 in B IX weeks, and which the station receipts show to be the result' of a general improvement. In the goods traffic there has been a falling off of £18,123, of whirls £8,673 is a diminished receipt, although the weight has increased 25,034 tons, and £9,450 increased expense of collection and delivery by agents, arising from the more expensive mode in which competitive traffic has been necessarily carried on, and the expense incurred in the Potteries -I sewhere for the retention of traffic from competi tion. Pickford and Company's expenses also are greater from the fire expenses at Camden Town, being charged specially in the corresponding half year ; this half year also included in the ordinary expenses. The receipt of, the coal traffic has . increased £20,233, and the weight 19 3,872 tons. The cattle has diminished £6,811, to the reduction of rates by competition, and to 'all the cattle from the Midland line having been sent by the , Leicester and Hitching line. Since October the Midland line has diverted traffic from Rugby, and in the first six weeks of the present half-year there was in the traffic expenses an increase of £6,000 in the coaching depart ment, and of £25,000 on goods—in all £31,000 as 'compared with the corresponding six weeks in 1856. A Shareholder : Is the Chester and Holyhead traffic included in that ? The Secretary : No. • The Chairman : There is a further paper, containing a e°nlParison of the traffic of the three years ending De cember 1856, 1857, and 1858. Omitting 1857 from the e°l nParison as altogether an exceptional period, owing to th e aa ~„ ~,an cliester Exhibition, and other causes, the half- L e ar just ended compared with a similar period, of 1856, -"WS. a falli ng o ff i n the first-class passenger traffic of ,81e56,-U passeners and £42,533 in money. The third .Passeng,er traffic shows a decrease of 112,889 pas trilialges7 and X 19.505 in money. The second-class tqsl4Bshi°nws an increase of 85,244 passengers, and money. - Taking. the three classes together, an d dbmparison ihows a decrease of 84,289 passenge . rs, t.11ed,446,890. In merchandise traffic for the same period a• has been an increase in the weight carried of 99,724 tons, but a decrease in the money received, "wing to th e l ow competition rate - , of £47,427. The average rate per ton over the whole London and North Western a i Y o s tern has been reduced is 31d per ton, namely from s gld to 9s 3d. The decrease in cattle, and the increase -111 Mineral traffic about balance each other. In drawing Your attention to the account of stock, and share capital, and d ebentures; I have merely to announce, that when B , e ar 3 counts were made up to the 31st of December, the N ,,;i i i ? t was £325,209, but now there has been an addition Btea c d ; makes it £640,000. That operation therefore is 1 'Y progressing. I must ask your attention to the t ( } ) ,; (11110 tive accounts, which shew a saving of £21,000 in east of fuel, but there is also an increase in the cost • wa , res and materials of £6,300. Now this latter is a alsatisf' actory particular, inasmuch as it arises from renew- Materials, an d more men b e i ng emp l oye d i n k eep i ng a g_ Your stock. I have also to direct youf. 6ention to the special credit of £12,000 to meet eei4ents You are all aware of the manner in which we are treated in the matter of accidents, of which we had il y ? very striking examples lately. Somehow or other d • I "aS be en s h own t h at t h e f ences are insufficient. We. s Pute, of course, that view of the case, but as it has ote„n. decided that they are insufficient, we hav2 been ti ged to have a special sum to meet the results °I a par tcular accident which you will all remember occurred e : ll ,e months ago near -Nuneaton. The Trent Valley you•are aware was burnt, and £5,000 have been il ''' ; aside in addition to the other sum, the sum actually th e up to the 31st of December, and charged under 0 .,e usual head. There are some proprietors, and I hope v",e Particularly now present, who paid particular atten h7 to the permanent improvements, and renewals of („'"vrinanent way. And I would direct attention ae Pecially to the balance to the debit of the road ad e l ° l lnt) which two years ago was £72,433, and : 7 , l en has been reduced to £29,979. There was an ob- C a tion, either in a report or at a public meeting, the 0881 ,1 day, I forget by which company, whether the La nna 'to and Yorkshire or not, to the effect that you have : rent deal yet to learn about the maintenance and re tie of permanent way— that that is a problem yet to re 'Wed. I think you will see, from the figures I have (4ed, that we have, it all events, got into the right track. w tti ar, ents. hear.) We, are gradually coming up to the re rem The report makes mention of new lines. / could have wished to say something of the new th: si Swe were all here, andif what I said went no further t} ', l . lll is room,but under all the circurnstances at present att it advisable that I should 'simply direct your th a e t - ",on to the paragraph of theti-eport, and to the fact you . 7 1 . 1 1. these arrangements are connected with others. misbehaviour heard a great deal in this room about the ervbeeskaviour of other companies, and . of course we our u.reve been charged by others with equal misbehavi • 71 am therefore glad to take this opportunity of Payin afr ora g . . 7 a compliment to a neighbouring line which p er Cell us a certain amount of assistance, even when, th • 4Ps we - were in competition with them, and they ig•h t - i t n. at least have done it ungraciously. But they did eitf,eracionsly. The North Staffordshire Company gave ,i,iicret accomm odat i on t o our li ne across t h e i rs a f ter th e h ea '6e was built, and the traffic went by them. (Hear, think, and applause.) Under all these circumstances, I gl o as I said before, that our prospect is not alto ge the r ttle ° (Hear, hear.) I thi n k th a t we h ave some pro t'eels4lY. of a return of traffic, which will enable you to p ar e r c an increase of dividend, although upon that 1 bhe 'leos f the ques ti on I d o no t lik e to prophesy—pro have been so frequently defeated that _ Prefer not to indulge in them. Having given those tiexpla ons, I shall now be happy to a nswer any Ties- . bl nati e 3 i at Propri e t or may put on the repo r t, th e quest i on ~ng at present the adoption of that report. (Applau s e). th air..P unsher complained of reckless extravagance in a x e Ras of the line, and declared that the Per Pe e nses upon the actual receipts were upwards of 53 si t e lit• Tie declared that there was a wasteful con, stab n lPtion of light at most of the stations, that the staff too numerous, and that the work at the Eastern e Stals n could be better done with far fewer porters. He s° complained of the domestic law expenses, which he 4 6 1,, amounted during the last five years - to ,uOO, while their parliamentary expenses were of• 227000. Mr. Punsher suggested an entire revision many of their arrangements, the lowering of speed .some train s , an d t h e ra i s i ng o f f ares in some stance s as steps necessary to be adopted. Mr: Mitchell contended that the decrease of dividends ar o se from mismanagement, and from the company carry ing a large portion of the traffic at unreasonable rates. Mr: Billinge complained of the re d uce d dividends, and decl are d that he should take that, opportunity of telling th e proprietors that, for their own sakes ana the take s of their families, they must stop the increase of the capital account upon all but new railways, -Tear., Mr. Abel strongly condemned the arrangement with the Chester and Holyhead Company, and observed that, with such an arrangement before them, it was. not to be wondered at that their dividends were coming down. Mr. Dickenson complained that the interests of the shareholders had been neglected when new lines, which had proved wholly unprofitable, were opened, and he there fore moved that a committee of a limited number of shareholders be appointed, to whom every proposal of a new line should be privately comruunicated, and that they should have power to report to the shareholders what their opinion was of such new line in reference to their interests. .{I-lear, hear.) s - Mr: Abel seconded the motion. . The Chairman said that he would have no objection to the appointment of such a c o m m itt e e, p rov id e d they were large shareholders, about whose interest in the line there could be no question, and that they were quite w clear of all other railways.. (Hear, hear.) _ _ Mr. Vance declared that the causes which had reduced them to their present position were broadly two—a vicious system of parliamentary legislation ; and, secondly, a wrong system of management. If the shareholders had all put their shoulders to the wheel, a better system of legislation would have been introduced. A proper,' practical, and permanent tribunal ought to be substi tuted for the parliamentary committee. (Hear, hear.) The resolution ptoposed with regard to new lines would be of very little avail, inasmuch as any shareholder, who only had the courage to go to the Court of Chancery and file a bill, could prevent the directors from expending any money in the making of new lines. A Shareholder remarked, that he did not suppose any one present spoke for anything but his own grati fication, because, if he had had any experi ence of former meetings, he must be aware that no practical result could arise from it. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) He declared that he had no hope that the directors would go on otherwise than as they had gone on, and sacrifice the shareholders. (Hear, hear, laughter, and applause.) . . . . Mr. Seelar said there was a storm arising which, unless they altered their track, would sweep them upon rocks where they would split. (Hear, hear.) They had never had any satisfactory explanation why the dividend, which had been 8 or 9 per cent., had dwindled down to 42 and the stock depreciated from £240 to £95. (Hear, hear.) The directors were united and the shareholders were disunited, with no one to lead them : the directors were strollg and the shareholders were weak, and the former ruled the latter with a . despotism which Louis Napoleon might envy. (Laughter and cheers.) - He demanded that the shareholders should be informed why their property had depreciated, and whether the directors were prepared to reverse the policy they had hitherto pursued, or whether they were determined to persevere in it until they had effected the ruin of that magnificent property. {Hear, hear, and loud applause.) Mr. Deane was glad that attention had been called, by an independent shareholder, to the yearly vote for new works. He had, in vain, brought it before the pro prietors, and he was now more than ever persuaded that no new works, unless remunerative, should be undertaken, and that the cost of warehouses, &c., should be borne out of the revenue. As to the evils under which the railway interest laboured at present, they should look for the remedy to th shareholders themselves and not to Parliament, whichad-business of more pressing impor tance-to attend to. - A shareholder considered that Lord 'Chandos had initiated a good system, and he was rejoiced to find that it was persevered in. As to the bankrupt or unremunera tive lines, they were planned by well-me an i ng b u t d e l u d e d men, and it was useless now to complain of them. The present managers could not be held responsible for such works, and all that the shareholders could require of them was that a better and wiser system should be pursued for the future. Mr. Heywood said, the Great Northern Company had been remarkably sucfessful in placing a Sunday express on the line, which left at five o'clock in the afternoon. This was found exceedingly convenient by gentlemen who wished to reach Liverpool immediately upon the arrival of the American mails on the Sunday, and in that respect the Great Northern Company had the advantage of that line: Mr.' Beasley drew attention to the absolute necessity of coming to some decided arrangement with regard to the capital account. As their capital increased the dividends decreased: He urged that, for the future the cost of the - carriage of coal should be set forth in the reports. Mr. Locke, M.P., strongly impressed upon the share holders the danger of allowing the capital account to be increased. The question of the adoption of tiv reptcrt was then put and carried. The dividend, at the rate of 44 per cent., was then put and carried. The next resolution was, that the proposal to execute the works set forth in the report be approved of, and that the addition to capital account for that purpose be authorised. Mr.'Saunders moved, as an amendment, that that vote be not granted. Mr. Billinge seconded the amendm.ent. Mr. Crosfield said, he entertained as strong an objec tion as any one to an increase of the capital, but the present works were necessary, and many of them actually obligatory. Arr. Lticke supported the amendment. . A division was taken, when there appeared a large majority for the amendment. The declaration was followed by loud applause, and a general demand for the numbers. The Chairman stated the numbers to be 82 for the amendment, and 27 against. Mr. Glynn said, in the interests of the shareholders themselves he demanded a pole. (Hisses.) He would not be a party to counteracting in the absence of the chairman of the company a policy of Which, . after the fullest consideration, he had approved. (Hisses.) To stop works which were .essentially necessary to carry on the business of the company he declared to be an insane course. (Hear, hear, hisses, and, groans.) The Chairman announced that a poll would be taken after the conclusion of the meeting. Mr. James Ryley (Liverpool), did not know what good going to the poll would do. They all knew what the result would be, and they had been informed that, after the most mature consideration it was found that the works were absolutely necessary. (Hear, hear, no, no, and cries of question.) Scrutineers w e re then appointed to take the votes, and it was agreed that the poll should be kept open for a week. The amount of £B,OOO in the renewal of road account was_transferred to the capital account. _ _ _ _ Mr. Dickenson then moved the resolution which he had Previously introduced, to the effect that a committee of shareholders be appointed, to whom every proposal for any addition to the existing lines or fresh amalgamation, &c., should be submitted. Mr;Bancroft, of Manchester, opposed the motion and defended the policy. the capacity, and the business knowledge of the directors. Mr. Tirer, of Liverpool, stated that, as one of the com mittee of investigation appointed by the shareholders, he felt bound to say that the directors deserved the fullest confidence. After a desultory, wandering, and somewhat stormy discussion, the motion was put and rejected by a large majority. The next business was the election of directors to fill the vacancies. Adiniral Moorsom, Mr. George Grant, Liverpool, Mr. 'Mathew Lyon, Stafford, and Mr. Theodore Rathbone, Liverpool, were re-elected without opposition. Two vacancies remained to be filled up. Mr. R: Birley, of Sedgley-park, Lancashire, and Mr. R. R. Dean, Lincolns - inn, were elected to the vacant places, without opposition. Mr. Henry Crosfield was re-elected auditor. The business then concluded, and the meeting ad journed for the purpose of taking the poll. EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY COMPANY FROM OUR OWN REPORTER The half-yearly meeting of shareholders in the East Lancashire Railway Company was held, yesterday, at the company's station at Bury, Thomas Dugdale, Esq., chairman of the board of directors, presiding. _ _ The report of the directors was taken us — read. From the accounts, it appeared ,that the receipts dnring the half-year amounted to £174763 17s 10d, and the expendi ture to £75,076 lOs 6d, which, added to £50,297 3s 7d interest on loans, left an available balance of £47,390 3s. 9d., out of which the directors recommended a divi dend at the rate of four per cent per annum. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and accounts said, that from what the shareholders had seen with reference to .the generality of railways, he did not .suppose that they . would feel any surprise at the receipts during the past half year not being in excess of those of the corresponding period of the previous half year, for it was notorious that the depression which had existed in the trade of the manufacturing districts of Lancashire and Yorkshire, through which their line passed, had neces sarily affected the - receipts of that company, in connection with those of all neighbouring lines. Although, however, their receipts did not exhibit any appreciable increase o ver th ose o f th e corres ponding period of 1857, still they had every encouragement to belie ve th a t w i t h t h e stea d y a n d gradually improving trade of the district, the receipts of the company would be materially augmen t e d, an d i n proof of this, he might point to their receipts durinc , the first four weeks of th e ourrent half-year ° which• showed an increase over th ose o f t h e prev i ou corresponding period, of zo I.Qs4 than £4,019. H then, at some length, entered into a detailed explanation in reference to the expenditure which had been incurred during the past half-year in the maintenance of way, and pointed out that the safaty of the public, as well as the interests of the shareholders, had called for it. Referring to the proposed amalgamation with the Lancashire and Yorkshire Company, he expressed his surprise that the amalgamation bill should have been defeated last session, when before a committee of the House of Lords, having passed the House of Commons after the most rigid scrutiny. In regard to traffic, the two com panies were working most harmoniously together ; but both boards were confirmed in the opinion, that for the effectual working of the lines to those several ter mini at Liverpool and other places, which were common to both companies, an amalgamation was abso lutely essential. They were, therefore, again applying to parliament for such amalgamation, and, for himself, he had every confidence in their being successful. After some further remarks, he concluded by moving the adoption of the report. The motion having been seconded by Mr. Riley, the deputy chairman, Some discussion took place, in the course of which the chairman, in answer to a shareholder, said, it was under stood that the amalgamation bill last year was defeated in the committee of the House of Lords, by a majority of one only. The report having been adopted, and a dividend in accordance with it declared, the retiring directors were re-elected, after which the proceedings•terminated. LIVERPOOL GOVERNESSES' INSTITUTION. Yesterday, the annual meeting of the friends of this Institution was held in the Savings' Bank, Bold-street. The Rev Archdeacon Jenes in the chair. • The Chairman said, he believed it to be his duty to take the chair, as it was the rules of the society. They had been accustomed to meet in Canning-street, but the distance had been thought too great, and,. therefore, they had met in the Savings' Bank. They would do their work quietly as had been their custom. He then called upon Robert Esq to read the annual report and the financial statement. The Treasurer said, it gave him great pleasure to state, that since he came to that meeting, he had received four donations, which amounted to £45, towards the proposed new annuity. There were still £3OO more wanting. He then proceeded to read the ANNUAL REPORT, " In presenting'the ninth annual report of the Liverpool Governesses' Institution to its friends and subscribers, your committee are not enabled to announce any decided improvement, nor, except as regards a falling off in the amount of subscriptions, a circumstance accounted for by the state of the times, have they to deplore any declension. "The number of registrations, applications for goVernesses, and engagements, is nearly, the same as in the preceding year, and the same number of governesses were received into the home. "Your committee gratefully acknowledge the sum of £253 8s 6d received in legacies, viz., the sum of £B3 8s 6d from the late Mi ss T wen tyman, per Harmood Banner, and Daniel Willis, Esqrs., as executors, being a portion of the nett residue of the 'estate of the said testatrix; the sum 'of £lOO, less £lO ; duty, from the late Israel Barned, Esq., of Regent's Park, London, per Charles Mozley,• Israel Lewis Barned; and Sampson Samuel, Esqrs.,'his trustees; being the amount appropriated by them to the Governesses' Institution, . out of the sum of £2,000 bequeathed by him to such non-Jewish charitable institutions in Liverpool as they might think fit to select ; the sum of £5O from the late William Tyrer, Esq., per John Highficld, and Richard Withers; Esqrs., executors; together with the sum of £3O, donation from Mrs. Moss, of7Otterspool, at the request of the late John Moss, Esq. "With the exception of the £9O from the trustees of the late Israel Barned, Esq., who expressed a wish that it should be placed to the account of the general fund, the legacies have been approprieted by your committee to form the commencement of a sixth annuity for an aged governess ; and they entertain a hope that, with the assis tance of some benevolent individuals, the requisite sum of £5OO may be realised before the close of the present year. " Several cases of extreme distress have been relieved from the benevolent fund. " The five annuitants have received their annuities, and it effords your committee pleasure to state that the health of two of them has greatly improved. Your committee have received some very satisfactory and pleasing letters during the year from governesses who . have enjoyed the advantages and comfort of "the home." " in consequence of its having been frequently urged that the terms fixed by your committee were. so high that daily governesses could not afford to reside in the Insti tution, it was decided, at their last quarterly meeting, to reduce them from 14s. and 125., 6d. to 12s. and 10s. 6d. per week, the experiment to be tried for a year; and your committee feel confidence in stating that, while the comfort of the inmates has been amply provided for, there has been no needless expenditure, but everything has been conducted with the' strictest economy. "Your committee beg to offer their sincere thanks to the, medical officers for their invaluable services, which have been gratefully acknowledged by those ladies who haVe had the benefit of their advice. Their thanks are also due to Mr. James Smith for keeping the pianos in tune. " In concluding their report, your committee entertain the hope that those friends who have hitherto so kindly granted their support will continue to take an interest in the institution, and that -new subscribers will come forward to fill the place of thoSe who have been removed by death. They also trust that He who has made them the instruments of much rood to a most valued and deserving class,_ will gradously grant them His blessing." The financial statement sliow'ed a balance in favour of the institution to the amount of £5,480. The Chairman said it would be'Well for the public to know the state of things with respect to the institution. He regretted the subscriptions having fallen off, but still there was a very important and; pleasing feature, and that was, that the legacies had increased., They had all reason to be thankful to the gentlemen who had come forward, and to the donors. , Mr Martin said he regretted to find such a small attendance of gentlemen, but he looked upon it as business, and not through • coldness to wards the in§titntion, which had been the cause of their absence For his own part he had had a doub'e influence brought to bear upon him. One was the presence of the ladies, and the other that he had been a trustee connected with the itstitution. He had been connected with it from its infancy, He thought infancy a proper term, for, about twenty-two years ago, when it niet in a small room in South John-street, it was indeed in its infancy. He ;was happy to find that that charity, which had such a small beginning, was in -such a prosperous condition. There was one thing upon which he wished to say a few words with regard to the report, - and that was, that a gentleman of the Hebrew Persuasion had left a legacy to the institution. That was not the only instance of Christianity among the Jews, for he had known many others. The ladies who had assisted that institution, had not only assisted that but many other such, and he hoped that: the result of their labours would encourage them to go on. There was the visitation of workhouses by ladies, for which he was an advocate. Poor people, when they went into a workhouse, would feel from the visits of these ladies that they were not left to the steel hearts and iron hands of parish officers. The ladies should try to elevate the moral status of the governesses, not with the governesses them-' selves, but with the ladies who employ them. He lamented the treatment or governesses in many families, and that very often she was superior to the. one froth whom she was obliged to earn her bread by hard necessity. thought that the lady friends of the institution, by. using , their influence, could do a'great .deal for the governesses. It was the duty of the parties themselYes to be respectful to those people, and not treat them as menials. He eon eluded' bY . moVing "That the report and statement of accounts 1)3 - printed and circulated." . Mrs. Langton seconded the resolution, by a few re marks, in which she stated that the governess was the most important person in the family. The Chairman, in putting the resolution, remarked that it was a most dangerous thing for :ladies to treat gover nesses as any other than ladies,- as the daughters of such people, brought up by_ such an example,would be inclined to treat those below them in wealth with pride and supercilliousnesS ; and who could. tell what might take place with respect to any one, as wealth and its possession was very fluctuating. Mr. Banner moved " that the thanks of the meeting be given to those ladies who have given their time and attention to this institution from its commencement." He mentioned a circumstance that came under -his own notice, where a lady, by a worthy governess, - had been ,influenced to leave a legacy to the institution. Mr. Anderson seconded the resolution, and mentioned the wisdom which had been displayed in selecting a lady. superintendent, who had given satisfaction to all ni her selection of a governess. He had great pleasure in giving his testimony to the excellant manner in which she discharged her duties as superintendent. . The chairman hoped these remarks would he noticed, as they wanted the public to know that some of the first gentlemen in' Liverpool were indebted to the institution for their selection of governesses, and that they wanted the governesses to feel that there they , would be treated as ladies, and . have every opportunity of obtaining a situation, providad that their qualificatims wore equal to the call. Tho ROV. Mr. "Knox moved that the thanks of this THE NORTHERN TIMES, FIA)AY, FEBRUARY 19, 1859 meeting be given to the honorary medical officers, and that they be requested to continue their services during the present year. ➢7r. Knox made some forcible re marks in favour of the institution, after which a vote of thanks was passed to 'the chairman, and the meeting separated. TOXTETH BOARD OF HEALTH Yesterday, a special meeting of the Local Board of Health was held at the offices of the board, Parktroad, Mr. H. S. Alpass in the chair. The other members pre sent were —Messrs. E. Hughes, J. Rogers, Geo. Walker, S. Siddeley, C. Willmer, J. R. Darsie, F. Woodhead, W. Wainwright, W. D. Smith,: and J. Boult. The special business before the meeting was the appointment of a surveyor, and inspector of nuisances, and to consider the application of some railway bills to the district. The Chairman moved, and Mr. Smith seconded, and it wac res)lved, that the sarveycr be iistrucZed to ascertain what would be the. cost of putting in repair Aigburth Vale. On the motion of the Chairman, it was resolved that Mr. W. Monkhouse 1:m. appointed engineer, surveyor, and inspector of nuisances to the board, at a salary of £l5O per annum. The Clerk was instructed to inform Mr. Charles Wil liams that his office, as surveyor, &c., terminated at the expiration of three months from thatdate. The Clerk read a letter from the Board of Trade, enquiring whether the Board of Ilealth.had any objection to the crossing of Penny-lane, on the level, by the pro posed Liverpool Stations Junction Railway. After some remarks, it was resolved thal the Clerk be instructed to reply to the letter, stating the strong objec tions that were entertained by the Board of Health to the proposed line of railway crossing Penny-lane on the level; also, to communicate the fact of the road being a great thoroughfare, and likely to be an increasing one. It was moved by Mr. Boult, seconded by Mr. Smith, and resolved, that the Clerk be instructed to prepare petitions against the Liverpool Stations Junction Railway Bill, and the Garston, Liverpool, and Allerton Railway Bills. It was then moved by Mr. Boult, and seconded by Mr. Walker, that Mr. Monkhouse be instructed to prepare a plan showing the mode in which the Liverpool Stations Junction Bill crossed Smithdown-lane, and the way in which he would recommend that board . as to hew it should be done. The motion was carried. _ Mr. Hughes gave a notice of motion that he would, at the next monthly meeting of the board, bring before them the question as to the' best mode of raising the money necessary for the construction of a sewer in Smithdown lane. This concluded the business. ORMSKIRK PETTY SESSIONS -YESTERDAY PROM OUR REPORTER. • There was a local sensation at Ormskirk yesterday, in consequence of a case that came before the Magistrates at petty sessions, in which Robert Fairclough, a boot and shoemaker, charged Join and Peter Moan, father and son, with having cut and wounded him, with intent to do 'grievous bodily harm, contrary to the statute, &c. .The court was full of people, who came to hear the case. The Magistrates presiding were J. H. Wrigley, Esq., and Dr. Ashton. • Mr.: Cobb, of Liverpool, appeared for the prisoners. The prosecutor had his upper lip and the lower part of his face all but covered with sticking plas ter, and his mouth was so bandaged up that he could hardly articulate, and it was with great difficulty he could speak so as to be understood. His evidence was, how ever, taken as follows : Robert Fairclough, - of Chapel-street, Ormskirk, said : lam a shoemaker. I remember Saturday morning, the 12th inst. About one o'clock on that morning I was liaising along Moore-street, and when I got opposite the Ship Inn, I heard a noise up the passage of the yard, where there are private houses, and I went up towards it. Thomas Atkinson, Joseph Bell, James Easthem, and another man were with me—all together. I saw some one knocking at the door of prisoner's private house, and I stopped opposite the door. Was standing a couple of minutes when some one came out. Saw two or more come out suddenly, and they went to the other persons who were with me, and some came about to me and knocked me down.' Was' knocked down from the side. I could not discern much from the light. There was a light from a window in the Ship Inn. There were two persons on me. Whilst down I felt something about my face, but what it was I don't know. Can't describe the, feeling, but it was done with some instrument.. saw something in the hand of one of them, but I don't know what it was. Felt blood trickling down my face. When I got ,up I thought I was bitten. To the Court : I did not feel much pain whilst receiv ing the injury. Some one pulled them off 'me. He identified Peter Moran as one of the persons. I had seen hiM before that in the previous part of the evening. Had the wounds dressed by a surgeon, and I have been confined since. Cross-examined by Mr. Cobb : I was spend ing the evening at the Ship Inn. I was not drunk. I went there about eleven, and was at Banks's beerhouse before that. Had net,many glasses of ale. I had two glasses more of ale at the Ship, but I swear I had not. more. I remember the younger prisoner standing.treat. Did not see his purse or money. It was not in. my way home, where I was. It was not at the Ship Inn door the 61,1 l was knoking.. I can't say if it was a private house. There was a - man named 11.1(Cormiek knocking at the door, but I cant say if it was Moran's door ; will not swear if Bell and Atkinson wont in when the' door was opened. I' don't know if there was a nrivete Party in the house ; ' don't know if the door was broken open ; I did not kick the door open ; won't swear that tine of my • friends did not knock down the old man ; don't remember having seen any women there ; saw a police officer there ; I do not carry a knife with me I had not a . life preserver, but I won't swear any of my friends had not one; never saw this life preserver before ; saw the old man's hand cut at the station ; did not see a - knife or gla::s about the place. He swore to the two prisoners as those who were on him at the time. Mr. Cobb How do you know theSe prisoners knocked .you down ? Because I do, for. I saw them; but did not see them after till I got to the police office. Thos. Carter Atkinson examined,: I live in Chapel street, and am a whitesmith and bell-hanger. lie cor robOrated the evidence of the prosecutor up to the time of going un the passage, and said he saw men there, but they were not at present in court ; one of the men siid I live there ; the younger prisoner came out and threatened to strike Bell, who was with us. I saw the prisoners on top of prosecutor, and Bell went to pull them off, and I went to assist him, when I got a blow on the head that stunned me for a short time, and the nest thing I saw was a woman The prisoner Peter ,liad something in his hand, but I can't say what it was. Pointed out the prisoners to the police. .Cross-examinel by Mr.. Cobb : The witness said he was sober, and had three glasses of ale at the Ship ; saw the prisoner Peter in the public-house ; it was neither of the prisoners who sruck him. Joseph Bell, a moulder; living in Chapel street, was next examined. His evidence generally went to corroborate that already given. On cross-examination by Mr. Cobb, ho, differed with the others as regarded the time the prosecutnr went to the Ship Hotel. He also contradicted a statement made by the witness Atkinson, as to one of the men in_ the passage having spoken to Atkinson. The witness also said there were several women at the place, but he could nct tell how many. lie also said he took beer from the younger prisoner in the inn. Mr. Cobb was pre'ssin,g the witness on some points, when Dr. Ashton said this not a trial, it's only an laves- tigation fora trial. Mr.' Cobb : Oh, but I want to pre vent a- trial, by showing you - Dr. Ashton : You know we could conduct this case with closed doors. Mr. Cobb : I hope, sir, you. will, in a case of this description, give me, as an advocate, extensive latitude. You know I am for the prisoners, who are charged with a serious offence. Mr. Wrigley : I think the last question put by Mr. Cobb was perfectly legitimate. The ease was then proceeded with. Joseph Wood, police 'Officer, proved that he saw ascuffie, and saw the prisoners on the top of the prosecutor. He did • not see blows struck, as it was a scramble altogether on the ground. Took the old man into his house; saw Fairclough- bleeding after that, and saw his face wounded. In reply to Mr. Cobb, he said he saw the younger prisoner bleeding. from a small wound on the . face or .nose. John Monks, a "roper," was examined, and his evidence was, that he saw the row, and that there was somethinc , in the younger prisoner's hand that glittered. He made a blow at the prosecutor, but did not strike him when the old man 'said " oh 1". To the Court : The old man said " oh," as if he were struck. To Mr. Cobb : The glittering thing looked more like a razor than anything else: The younger prisoneib treated him at the Ship. [This witness was subject to a fierce cross-examination, in which he contradicted himself and several of the witnesses who .were previously examined.] Police-serjeant -Alexander was examined, and proved that he arrested the prisoners, and also proved that he found a pocket knife in the pocket of Peter Moran, with stains of blood on it. Mr. Cobb objected to anything said by the prisoner to the officer being given in evidence, as the latter did not caution him. The magistrates decided on admitting the evidence, and the officer said, he did, .not. caution the prisoner, but told him h Robert Fci e air wa o s u [The admission of such eviden ce is certainly contrary wound ts i a nd 0 6 , t.i*g an e d d. the for perprisonersaanidd ~ to the deeiSion of the judge s at our assizes, wild ruled the contrary, and it is-presumed , that{ these learned functio naries are acquainted with the - bare Ovelz.and ov er again 4 to,soamWhat g rea ter extent. thanthe.loCal, m 49- trates at Ormskirk.] When the• witness arrested the old than, he had a cut on his hand, and said he got the wound from some of the men who came up the yard, but he did not know the prisoner. Thci witness, on Cross examination by Mr. Cobb, said the eldest prisoner had a very severe cut on his hand. He never heard any thing against the character of the prisoners. Dr. Palmer, - :111.D., was examined, and said the prose cutor called on him, and he found a wound on the lower lip half an inch long, and entirely dividing the Hp ; there is another wound at the corner of the mouth of the same character and extent—on the right side—both I lacerated wounds. On the . right eheekthere was an incised wound an inch and a quarter in length, and a quarter in depth. His clothes were saturated with blood, and he was faint and pale from loss of blood. All the woands, in his opinion, were done by a cutting instrument. On cross-examination by Mr. Cobb, the witness said a smart blow on the lip might cause the teeth to split the lip. This closed the case for the prosecu tion. Mr. Cobb submitted, that on the evidence, there was no case whatever against the old man, and contended that he must be discharged. There was an attack made on the man's house, and he had a right to defend it. He then went on to address the bench on the whole case. An Englishman's house was his castle, and whilst a man was in defence of his house, if he gave a death wound to the attacking party, lie was not g u ilty. Th ere was a. party in the house of the elder Moran, to celebrate the return of the younger man from a foreign country. The . friends were in the Muse when the prosecutor and the other ruffians, knowing that fact, and having been refused drink, proceeded to Moran's house, and • rushed in amongst all the friends who were there, and attacked the old man, and it was very natural that the son should reader assistance to his father. His case was, that.the younger prisoner, having returned from a foreign country, the party was got up in his honour. Just before the Ship Inn closed, the young man went there for a jug of ale for supper, and seeing the prosecutor and his ruffian friends there, he said, " Here boys, take a jug of ale, and I will pay for it." They saw him take a jug of ale into his father's house, and when they were turned out of the public-house, they said, " Oh, come to Moran's house, the young fellow who treated us, is gener ous, and has takenin ale. Come in there—we will get drink," and they then proceeded to attack the house. He continued at much length to speak on the evidence with great force, and concluded amid suppressed applause from the hearefs. He called Mary Moran, who said she was a guest of the eldest prisoner on the night in question. They had a party to cele brate the return of the youngest prisoner. Her father and mother and other persons were there, when the pro secutor and five or six others came to the door, and wanted to get in, when the younger prisoner told them to go away. She left with her father and mother, ani that was all she knew. They had oysters for supper, and one of the young men, who was opening them, cut his hand with the knife. In reply to the magistrates' clerk, she said the prosecutor and others insisted on • getting Into the house. Patrick Moran, the son of the eldest, and brother of the yOunger prisoner, was also examined, and proved the same - facts, and also that his brother sent him for a Policeman to remove the prosecutor and his witnesses from the door, and when he • came back he found them beating his father. Ellen Flaherty and James Gale were examined, and proved the same facts. Mr. ,Cobb said that was the answer to the charge. The magistrates then consulted for about ten minutes, when Mr. Wrigley said There was no case against the old man, and they at once discharged him. In reference to the younger prisoner, the bench said it was with great pain they came to the conchision that he had acted as described. There was no doubt he had received great provocation, but under no circumstance should an Englishman use an knife They had therefore concluded to send him for trial. Mr. Cobb hoped they would take bail for his appearance. The Magistrates said, if he could get good bail they would accept of it. The case then terminated, and as Mr. Cobb proceeded to the railway, he was followed by a large crowd, who cheered him heartily. In the course of the day a lady came on the bench, and, as the case i went on, the court became crowded to excess. LIVERPOOL POLICE INTELLIGENCE BEFORE MR. MANSFIELD. A lIOTEL PROPRIETOR DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.—A person of respectable appearance, named Birkett Thompson, said to be the proprietor of the New Brighton Hotel, was charged by police-officer 404 with an assault nuon him in the execution of his duty From the state- went of the officer, it would appear that, on the, previous evening, c he was on duty on the north side of St. Georn's dock bridge, when the defendant, with several of ° his friends, all more or less the worse for drink, came up. They wanted to get to the small landing-stage to catch the boat for. Egremont, but, as the bridge was open, and one or two flats passing through the gates, the officer stopped the prisoner, upon which he said, "Do you know I am a gentleman, and cannot be stopped ?" The officer, how ever, persisted in keeping back Mr. Thompson, when he was struck in the face, and otherwise assaulted. The pri soner was taken into custody, and Mr. Mansfield fined him in 40s. and costs. DOCK ROBBERY.—Patrick Corney was brought up on a charge of stealing spelter, value 15s, from the Wel 111,00u-dock. Patrick was asked what he had to say for his conduct, as the officer had seen Mtn drop the spelter. Master Corney said—" Well, your honour, that officer and me used to be on the best terms in the world, and on that account it was not right for him to take me prisoner. Your honour knows that we cast out when I was watching in the.shel, and he said he would be death on me where ever he could. There was a vessel coming in, and a man told me to watch for her, and I .would be employed on her till she would be finished. I went to another that was lying outside, and that officer came after me and said, over those vessels, and called at me, Conic here. • Carney,' and I said, What the devil you want ?; Ire took hold of me, and told me to-take up that spelter. I told him that I had never brought it in, one way or another, and would do the same with the taking of it out. Your Worship's glory, I am sure, will agree with me that the officer was all wrong." It was found, how ever, that Master Corney had been convicted in July last for stealing cotton, and his " Worship's glory," instead Of agreeing that the officer was to blame, sent Patrick for trial. A S WEETNER. A young lad, named Thomas Kennedy, 1V3,3 Charge something bulky under his coat. The officer said it ap peared to be about 41 11)3 weight. (Feathers or lead, which?) It was high - water at the time, and when the prisoner saw that he was pursued he threw the lump into the basin. The officer was of opinion that it was sugar, as there was some_ of that commodity about his mouth. It was.supposed by parties in the court that the youth had got enough of it himself, and that he intended, to share it with "the comely eels in . their verdant mud." He was remanded till this - day (Saturday.) PASSING BASE COIN.—AIIII‘ JUNTO was charged with endeavouring to pass a base half-crown, at the public house of George - Bradford, Old Haymarket. She had previously been charged with passing a base shilling, and Was now remanded for seven days. Mary Kelly was charged with attempting to pass a base shilling upon Thomas Carter. As this was the fourth offence, she was committed for trial. THE RODDERY OF A GOLD WATCII.-Peter Coyle, who was charged with stealing a gold watch, and re manded, was again brought up, but as the prosecutor did not appear, he Was discharged. THE TIMBER ROBBERY. — The man Rogers, who was charged with robbing 'Mr. John Laird, of Birkenhead, of a quantity of mahogany, was again brought up. It was Stated that, on his boxes being searched, a large quantity of brass knobs and other articles werefouh, and the property was identified as also • belongint , to Mr. Laird. The prisoner was ordered to be transferred to the Birken head authorities. -- -- ----.____ • . ASSAULT BY A MASTEIL—John Lee, a very loquacious specimen of the genus home, charged Mr. Thos. Lysalt with assaulting him. From the statement of the com plainant, it would appear that he was a carter, in the em ployment of the defendant's father-in-law. The defendant Was the manager of the business, and on the 4th instant the complainant had been carting some coals, and returned to the stables. Mr. Lysalt found fault with Lee's work, and brought him to task about it. Sonic high words were passed, and he acknowledged that he called Mr. Lysalt a " damned liar." After this, according to Lee, the defendant caught him, struck him, and attempted to throw him down, but the c om p lainant said he proved the better man, and the both roll ed on the floor. At this time, another carter. Knott, by name, came up separated them, and it was alleged that he and his w ir e held complainant while Mr. Lysalt struck and pummelled him. Mr. Block appear ed for the defence, and cross questioned the complain ant, who p roved ver y " obstreper ous," and it was with difficulty that he could get an stable, ethei a nswer from him.. Mr. Black demandedt e o no 1e w k t 1 : whether he (Lee) was in a bad temper when he w and the reply was,. " that was his business." other questions were ~answered same nswered in thSeveral u ltimately the magistrates had t o way, and interfere, a n d hi n t e d that they would order him out of cou rt properly. Knott, a fellow carte if he did n o t b e h ave r, was brought f orwar d, and proved the falsity of m any complainant, and the ease w of the assertions of th e DOOA tgFORM S ATIONS. _ everal captains were fined for as ultimately dismissed. disobeying the IMPORTANT TO PERSONS CROSSING THE MERSEY. —A lady, named Harriet Gill, residing at 2G, Upper Duke greet, was fin e d in arta Is, costa, for refusing to keep to the right iu going over 'one of the bridges of the north 1 :nding-st re. The officer said she was abusive, and per sisted in going on the left-hand passage. . . BEERHOUSE CASES. . . .1 Thomas Biggins, beerhouse-keeper, Moon-street, was 1 charged with trading during illegal hours—namely, at twenty minutes to twelve on the night of the 7th instant. The officer stated that, at the time mentioned, they visited the defendant'shouse, and that four men were at a table i n th e snug, w i th drink before them ; they again visited the house at one o'clock, an I found the men already alluded to playing cards. Another information against Biggins w as then 'go - Ileinto. A. — Fseceno'elo ' Z ' O u n " Sunday morning last, a police-officer heard a groat noise proceeding from from the house of Biggins. lie obtained the services of a brother officer, and went t , ) the spot, where he found Mrs. Biggins and a man fighting in the street. Mrs. Biggins accused the man of assaulting her husband. ,The officer proceeded to the house and found it in a state of confusion. The landlord and two men were there, all three drunk. On the counter was a half gallon jug containing ale, also a quart jug on the stairs containing ale, a glass on the shelf half full, and in the cellar another jug, nearly full all recently drawn. The crockery ware in the kitchen was nearly , all broken, and strewed about the place. lie had been fined six times previously, and he was now fined for the two offences in the sum of 30s, including costs. Margaret Walsh, beerhousio-keeper, Bond-street, was, fined in 2s 6d and 2s Gd costs, for allowing drunkenness . in her house at an illegal hour. Phillip O'Donnell, beerhouse-keeper, Circus-street, was charged with selling beer at an illegal hour. Mr. Black appeared for the defendant. The officer stated that, at a quarter past twelve o'clock on the morning of Monday last, he saw a woman coming out of the house with a jug containing ale. `When he spoke to the woman, she spilled the liquor in the street, and said she had not been purchasing it from the defendant. Mr. Bluck, amid much merriment, cross-questioned the officer regarding the preise time. The officer had looked at his watch. It was not a lever watch, it was a verge one ; it was rather old, but not a pinch back. It kept good time, yet he did not know how fast it went during the week. He had not the watch then on him, as he only wore it on duty. The case was adjourned until eleven o'clock this day. Richard Edwards, beerhou.se keeper, MOorfields, was charged with having four men in his house drinking at half-past one on Saturday morning last. Fificd. 2s. Gd., and 2s. 6d. costs. LIVERPOOL BANKRUPTCY COURT -YESTERDAY BEPO'RE MR. COMMISSIONER PERRY ...a. 1 • In re WILLIAM TITTERINGTON.—This was the last examination meeting of the bankrupt, who lately carried on business as a grocer, and also as a publican, in Rane laghltreet, Liverpool. Mr. Bretherton appeared for one of the assignees, Mr. Joseph Greenhough, :Mr. Tyrer f or the other assignee, and Mr. John Yates for the bankrupt. There was an examination of the bankrupt with reference to, his accounts, which not being Considered satisfictory the case was adjourned, on the application of. Mr.'Yates to the'llth March, and his Honour ordered the balance" sheet to be amended. - In -re .I,olis ii‘lvEß: —This bankrupt, a merchant in Liverpool, latelf carrying on business under the firm of Wilson and M'iver, also came up on his last examination. There was no opposition on the part of the assignees, and the bankrupt was allowed to pass. The certificate meet ing was fixed for the 16th March. The Rev. J. H. Thom will, to-morrow morning, preach a sermon in Renshaw-street Chapel, on which occasion a collection will be made on behalf of-the Missionary Branch of the Provincial Assembly of Lancashire and Cheshire. GRANGE-ROAD IfOME SELSSION.—The firs of popular lectures, in connection with this mission, was delivered in the Unitarian Schoolroom, Grange-road, Birkenhead, on Wednesday evening, by the - Rev. Wm. Binns. The subject of the lecture was "St. Valentine's Day." There was a good and attentive audience, corn plsed chiefly of the working classes. Mr. Samuelson, Mr. George Melly, and several other gentlemen have arranged to take part in this series on successive Monday evenings 0f a series THE PASSAGE OF THE PYRENEES BY WELLINGTON AND THE LATE LOUD RAGLAN.—This impressive work of art having been viewed by immense numbers, will close on the 23rd instant. - We are glad to learn that Mr. Isaac has secured many names to the forthcoming beautiful line ,engraving to be executed by Walliss and Greatbach. We need scarcely add that pure line is now so rare, that in this specimen, shown with tt e picture, the lover of engravings has an opportunity of being highly gratified. §OTJTHEßN HOiPlTAL.—Weekly report.—Admitted : Accidents and urgent cases, 50 ; medical and surgical cases upon recommendation, 9 ; total, 59. Discharged: Cued, 9 ; relieved, 6; irregular; ; died, 2; total, 18. Attending as out-patients, 35 ; remaining in the hospital, 62. Treasurer, James Houghton, . E3q. Visitors L. Jones, Esq., and S. Martin, Esq. honorary Cha plain, Rev. W. Leveson. Physician and surgeon for the ensuing week, Dr. Cameron and Mr. Nottingham. House surgeons, Mr. John M Bateson and Mr. C. Pemberton. THE BIRKENHEAD CommssloxEn3.- - --Yesterday morn ing, at half-past nine, a special meeting of the Birkenhead Commissioners was held in the Pahlic-offices, Birkenhead. Having heard Mr. Bateman, the water engineer, who stated that the Bill of the Wirral Works Company proposed the construction of a well, which, would ba injurious to the existing works, and also to -- contemn _ works of the Commissioners mentary Committee recommended that the oppose the Bill in .Parliament. petition against the J OTTOW £300,000 for the construction of works on the Liverpool side of the Mersey. The matter, however, was deferred until Monday morning-, in order to hold communication with their agent in London. The CO-nmislioner3 then proceeded with some financial business, and afterwards adjourned. to Monday morning next: ST. ANNE'S, STANLEY, WORKING MEN'S ASSOCIATION. This institution continues in active and" successful opera tion. On Wednesday evening the usual weekly " working men's" lecture was kindly delivered by the /toy. T. X Lester, on " Perseverance and its Triumphs." The the Parlia- Dard should They also proposed a sev Dock Bill to I success of the lecture was complete, a N ery numerous audience testifying their gratification by frequent and loud applause. The rev. lecturer pointed out the great results of perseverance in such men as Stephenson, Wilberforce, and eminent cbarac dispositions, expressing the h o p e , a t th e . same time, - that s of the like enerzetie the individuals connected with' the association his lecture was particularly addressed to, would continue the good work with the energy that so far appeared to have characterised their proceedings. The Rev. T. Gardner occupied' the chair, as usual. Neit week's lecture is on " The age we live in HERR MEYER LUTZ'S BENEFIT AT THE ROYAL AMPHT THEATRE.—The new opera, "Zaida, the Pearl of Granada," was repeated last night for the benefit of the compoSer, Herr Meyer Lutz, and with the greatest success. Every note of its charming melodies gave delight to the audience, and several pieces were encored, others would have been re-demanded, but they could not be severed from their dramatic antecedents and the music which was to follow. In the carnival scene of the third act, in the Hall of Lions in the Alhambra, Mr: Elliot Galer, as a Moorish mountebank, selling drugs and telling fortunes, sings a delightful little descriptive song, " Come, good people," which he is heard sinning behind the scenes on two other occasions. There is also a clever duet between the4Marptis and the Marcher?, and a grand duet between Moreau and Zaida, which was very effective, and en thusiastically applauded. The air in which Moreno blesses Ferdinand ani Zarb, and. dies in bidding them farewell, is also very fine; and the opera concludes with a charming duet between the lovers, accompanied by a tothe have acting, h a chorus. To-night is the .last night, sinless, at some f u t ure time, Mr. Copeland should re - engage the cor we hope he will-0 reproduce this op era n t tl b ßo t y W li s n h l iotuelid ourselves: have mentioned ee not space to do anything like justice to that. On other matters we can only say th at the acting, • dancing, and stage management is of the best The choruses all went admirably. character; • A GRATEFUL OFFP RING.—"Lord Bary,' M.P., has. forwarded a Institution, ogniftof behalf oftohitntlltr aiul t l a ie tio p na a l ss i e 4 l i l l g 'e e - r b s oa o t f the h* steam-s ip Asia, uo • - oica wa, collectedon their home ward voyage from New York. . His Lordship has accompanied this 1) grateful offering y the following interesting communication : London, Sloane-street, 14th February, 1859." " Sir,—On the homeward voyage of the steam-ship Asia, from New York, the passengers whiled away the time, by contributing short papers in verse and prose, to a mat, , azine which they established on board, and which, partly in allnsirm to the name of the ship, and partly in honour of Mr. Lott, her captain, they called . the Asiatic Lottery.' It was propasel by some of the ladies on board, and carried by acclamation, that the MS. of the magazine should lie raffled for, and that the proceeds should be given to the funds of your society. I have, in consequence, the honour and satisfaction of enclosing a cheque on Messrs. Coutts and Co. for .E2l. May I request that you will acknowledge the receipt of 'this note, as I have engaged to communicate your reply to my fellow passengers. They are not without hope that others will adopt an amusement which made their voyage pleasant, and the proceeds of which will, they trust, in the hands of the Royal National Life Boat Institution, help to alleviate the sufferings of some who have gone down to the sea in ships' with less .good fortune that the Providence of God awarded to themselves.—,l have, &c (siomprb Buzi:'