The Northern Daily Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-03-26 00:00:00

THE ANNUAL GENERAL VESTRY, The annual general vestry of the parishioners of Liver- POOl was held in the Session-house, Chapel-street, at twelve o'clock, y esterday. A formal meeting in compli ance with the act of Parliament took place in the parish n tlre ll of St. Nich o l as ' , i n the first instance, and an '•'4.ioUrnment was then moved and carried to the:Sessions_ 11( , )118 °. A. very large number of parishioners was in attendance The chair was taken by the Rev. Rector CaniPbell. Among the gentlemen present were, Messrs. e Sil aw and Woodruff, churchwardens ; Messrs. George 'elaxviell, John Gladstone, jun. ; Rev. Mr. Denny ; J. R. d effery, _ Kitchen ; Aldermen Dover, Carne, Jackson, Denton, Fernihough, E. Harvey, and Satchell ; Mr. Rai s e, t,,_t ; Aldermen S. Holme, Jones, Rawle, Owen, Wm. 13"; Johnson, Mellor, Lowe, Messrs. Knight, Bell, taller, and many other gentlemen. bee(rilae,C_hairraan announced the fact that the meeting had acr e held Pro forma in St. Nicholas' Church, and i limed to that building. ee,,lneetin • the Hart, Vestry-clerk, then read the requisition calling I,pretop;eeasrof the accounts of the churchwardens for the were then distributed through the meeting. tee, e accouuts were of a very minute and detailed c, arac er, but may be thus summat ied. The amount expended , orneSt. Peter's Church was 1:624 15s sd; on St. Nicholas' 1108 h £B3O 9s Paul's, .21519 s 2d; St. John s, 7, 44e 9 d; St. Matthias's, .ell 53 Miscellaneous „rees ,including .e 9 16 9d principally incurred . o h n ac eral th late Archdeacon Brooks, .w 303 1. 1 e°l4ll °f Walto Cemetery, .41738 6s 7d; the tOtal expenditure for the n year was £4133 Ils 3d. The amounts rze c ( l a e . tds 4d re :___O n 2 4d account of the parochial rates, le, e e voluntary rates, -,507 15s; cemetery rates, . 2°7- ''''• In 11 - 44653 16s Id. Balance to the 'Ten of the Parish, a, on the 25th of March, 1856, Res2l 4s 10d. a Tile Cn airruan asked if it were necessary to have the ceounts read. read.,Carne thought it would be more strictly legal to eir.'"ie„arnounts of . each heading. detea•"oodruff said every parishionor had a right to tee n d that they should be read. The churchwardens money that, in common honesty, those who paid the Iley h ad . We . a right to know how it was . expended. They m a r desirous of conducting themselves in that business eeer like business men; and they shrank from nt) ivo cil l i d r Y,_. He hoped that the whole of the proceedings c feli ti s ;ue, egOne through with perfect harmony, and to .h felt sat of every parishioner who had any enquiry ,1114'?• (Loud cheers.) hattee leading portions of the accounts were accordingly ell'. Woodruff said: Mr. Chairman, in moving that this teitetting approve of the accounts which have been s We , ed to it I shall venture upon a few observations. It 1,1. be t° , presente in the recollection of many of the gentlemen te ap h , . at upon the last Easter Tuesday, the vestry terelltee me one of their churchwardens, unsolicited on at : , Jan, u nexpected, and certainly without any an d x th er e eper7.°f Mine, to hold the office. In fact, if' I had ha .r Wire n r e u nitY, I should not have accepted it. But, that detL 4 „ 4l not eonseientiously refrain from attending to .. lee ) '" and therefore, to the best of my ability, with such eearreation as I !have had during the year, I have ietee!vonred, with the assistance of my colleague, to go bite "aricma matters with a full consideration of the to e l e e r t t a Of all connected with the parish. And although_ veree, - " e .. oxtent probably, ~we may not have pleased tile e uOy , ..._ we hope that we have endeavoured to place foodrochial arrangements of the parish upon a better au to e i v ! , to some extent, than those who preceded us, the d ivil,,rnore general satisfaction to the great bulk of we iln,'Lants. (Hear, hear, and applause.) Pro opportunity, as % Ir y a ad, to some extent, a little better opportunity, k for ePredecessors had cleared away some ground-wor hut, Itr e e r Ying on better arrangements than they had done, ofth e - e'vvever, I think, sir, on comparing the expenditure th Ett 'Pariah for this year, any reasonable man will admit die lee • 4 considerable improvement has taken place, and still the next year or two we hope for greater progress th e e s ° tbat very Soon those obnoxious matters which are WeEt eea sfon of so much litigation, and annoyance at the ir vestries, may subside altogether. (Hear, hear.) le ce r a e 'e found it necessary during our year of office,to With ...o.,nsiderable expenditure in procuring legal advice seirerterence acts of parliament. We evade. ,the have °, l legal L assstance, and placed ourselves in the hav e - :' men, whom we believed the community would Pecteentidence in, and whose . judmment would be res and b . .Our first impression was, to see . what was legal Ger ee t e n d,lng upon us among the matters . which came before sheemeanleration and then what it was reasonable . that we f e e eee carry out The amount which is charged in re elerptieee to the churches, especially the stipends . of the See." You are all awaz e is by special acts of parliament, some to Son,hough the question of church-rates may have been, doe s — e e xtent, not approved of for some years past, that te _ s hot at all affect • the question of stipends to the rec to 7 and the clergy. Tnese are fixed by special acts parliamen, and the parishoners are in eer, and legally, bound to provide the monies. We had grepsesdb,during our y . ear . of office to have . made such pro thet ,e` the in as to have laid the whole of auditor,cnarge upon the poor's rate, subject to the poor law . eie but 'we have done sufficient to decide the p T o et,! l .,'_, s and have made a portion of them, a charge upon Po s' e ur e . r ate, h a short time will. come before u t u h l e e , let4,lsav auditor; and if the principle is a so!in ve up ° , " we have laid down, and which we hope to impro enureB4oll, then the other charges, will be dealt with upon the Princile. But, sir, in the meantime, as these towligeMents have been made many years ago by . the Yee ese Y i n v a . canuot get rid of with honour desirablethe course Voivia acts of parliarneut now su intricate and i m. PoSsief e sn ell very difficult considerations and almost m suggesteand impracticable to carry out—it has . been t hat th verb very early period by our legal advisers . all side! best way would be for the leading men of for a . to take the matter into consideration and seek ille 4oB n evi' bill from parliament, which should be the the pan!. consolidating all the legal engagements which nPon 11811 : is bound to meet, and to place them all It. th at Tie Proper footing. (Cries of hear, hear.) rtieeser were done it would in a great !Ni t , ° render unnecessary the annual contests ill- We beg! and excitement which arise out of them ; and by se e e lev e the parishioners would be very much . benefitted clet the a c.ourse. You are aware, sir, that in carrying .t call t e r folleY of the churchwardens, we had a right to c hureh ie egad advice. Fo a number of years past eac s econd " ar den has dune sot and even if I only take the Year axteconsideration of the cost, if each churchwarden,. il h e thi nk : Year, has a right to call for au y legal assistance ' n allds " Pro Per, and which may amount to scores of leis or hundreds of pounds, would it not be better, as a_ hilt ar tn e,, tie Y a ffair, to - go to parliament for a new bill ? ;411, h ui . -ot yet quite prepared to.bring forward such a ii `n th e ,,, l ve shall hereafter submit it in a definite form. "nbrait t e nure, —e I beg to move that the accounts now k r. IV adopted. (Hear, hear.) t aade eelvv, expressed his full approval of the observations tieeoed.e 'Ur* Woodruff, and said he had much pleasure in k r , lti g t he Motion. (c. • I-41QQ b a ne asked why the accounts of St. Martin's tedi?d been omitted from the statement now sub ben 0 Co the vestry ? It was the first time since it had . au acel())ened that the churchwardens had failed to give k r. ant ,th at receipts and'expeaditure. right•twoodruff replied that Mr. Carrie had a perfect WeieCtl question the churchwardens upon the accounts ta., iecaeY submitted to the vestry, but he had no right "ovre; A f, as to matters that were not on the paper. Milis e i , ne would give Mr. Carne an explanation of the ask tie notwithstanding that he was not entitled to mu equestion. qu estio uarn e: beta I should like to know if it is a proper Presseen.• use I would not wish it to go forth that I Tha-,aktl.unproper question. that crialrman : As you ask me my opinion, I quest .say I do eetnthnot think you have a right to put the qion. a nd cri es n in ik You have anything to do with it. (Laughter kr. lir - „,,","` his clock is stopped.") questions "ntruff said that the fees of the cemetery in ‘uteretol " re charged on the poor rates, and should not Ir. ~,,ea question at that meeting. ep ee _ e,aree moved that the accounts be not passed, in to e'egilence of the omission, and that they be referred char Committee of investigation. He did not see why the ee,_elivvardens should now refuse to give the account, th e n they expressed such readiness to submit even what ei r 'y were not called upon to submit to the vestry. Mr. 0 4 "°c1, ruff made an exceedingly offensive speech, reflecting age le then churchwardens, and as he (Mr. Carrie) had t alt then the opportunity of answering it, he would now ~,e tlae opportunity of saying a few words in reply. It ~.11.e Chairman rose to order, and observed that it was p e ; l „‘Y that the vestry should have its time occupied with sorpeaal disputes. (Hear, hear.) He should be very c at 4to put down any gentleman when at the e u s s a t m o eviLdie it w.,t_firnself from an unjust charge; . sho uld necessary that at such meetings nothing irrelevant ho t O be brought forward, and still more necessary . that dated in g in the shape of personal disputes should be intro- A,. (Hear, hear.) o.eez, 9arne : I presume I am at liberty to move that the a cor n . d Ys be not passed, and that they be referred to Tteittee for investigation. le t;Ile Chairman : Yes, as Mr. Woodruff has put hifnself iu th:t Position; otherwise, I do not see how it would be k r. P a n,wer of this vestry, to refuse passing the accounts. I‘4._ er..ectiaght seconded the motion. Meet J. lc. Jeffery said that, if he understood the amend ehereeeecre e e e e t l Y, it had been made in Fonsequence of the - PPro e i -r `lens having submitted their accounts for the the a. of the vestry. He was unwilling to travel out of Woetrediate record or subject before them, and he eareyineadeavour not to do so; but he could not avoid i,euneeigatnetla back to that time twelvemonth, when . , the ..‘,_ h at in the vv, bet now moved the amendment, admitted eiere we re !nen statement of accounts before the . vestry, vet ry "7e illegal items of expenditure, and denied the Of fat con power of investigating them. (Hear, hear.) Public conduct, which was dishonourable in them as Run t , officers, Mr Carne arid his colleague had been the Y ' an d still he how made the honourable conduct of theee'sent churchwardens the ground of his objection to Was arl eenn tlts. In the accounts submitted to them, there thitee expenditure on account of St. John's, Se Mat- Ite6Or:N.eshinenhd, St. P'aul' amounting altogether to . about ether e it (Mr. Jeffery) would object 0, 4 th Pe t rs°ll4ll Y B,, he p re _ a he found there were certain reasons why rii.chvvardnt circurnstanees it was desirable that the degillatel heshould pay it. These churches were s ta y the boaY.of . c onimissioners, all questions being ev eY th e i r e l l ac ai ntlarrit vet' which they Y, and the churchwardens had to head- Thera to other accounts, how refused to pay, because the expense bad been incurred, not by :themselves, but by their pre decessors— Mr. Came : Now, I ask is this fair ? (Loud cries of " order, order," and " sit down.") Is it fair to allow me to be attacked in this way when you would not permit me to enter into matters in regard to Mr. Woodruff ? The Chairman : I should be extremely glad if Mr. Jeffrey would let Mr. Came alone. (Laughter.) Mr. Jeffrey replied that he only dealt with Mr. Came in his public capacity, and he would now show the difference in the expenditure under the management of the present churchwardens as contrasted with that of their predecessors. In one item he found that the present ' churchwardens spent less than 481, as against 1431 under the previous management, and in another item only 21/ as against 1201. (Hear, hear.) He stood there as an old and experienced citizen, and he would say that the accounts did immortal honour to the churchwardens, who deserved the support of every ratepayer, and he hoped that when they presented themselves for re-election the ratepayers would show their appreciation of their good deeds by again returning them. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Alderman Dover said that he had no anticipation of the halcyon days a peace which Mr. Woodruff would seem to prognosticate. He knew something of the temper of Liverpool, and he knew that if the question of church rates were settled to-morrow, they still would have dis putes, and wrangles and rows. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) He would beg, then, the vestry would not be led away with the delusive hopes which Mr. Woodruff held out that peace would be restored, and universal harmony prevail, if a certain act of parliament were obtained. But before proceeding to that consideration, lie would make a few remarks on the accounts presented to them. There was one item among them which he thought unnecessary —he alluded to the expense of draping the churches in black on the death of the archdeacon. They all resp cted that venerable man (hear, hear), but if Mr. Woodruff had made inquiries, he would have found that mourning for the churches had been provided about three years since, and that it could have been made available on the recent occasion. With regard to the com pliments paid by Mr. Jeffery to Mr. Woodruff. he (Mr.'Dover) was not quite sure that he was so fully deserving of them as it was sought to show. The Chairman : Will you be so good as not to mention names, and to call the gentlemen the late, or the present churchwardens, as the case may be. Ido not see why any . discredit should be cast on Mr. Carne, that should not equally fall on Mr. Hutchison; nor do I see why in any credit given to Mr. Woodruff, Mr. Shaw should not share. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Jeffery continued : In looking over the accounts, he found that something like £4,600 had been collected, while in the dark days of the church rate, the largest amount that had ever been collected, had only reached £6.000, and what did they do for that ? They laid out £l,OOO for•the repair of St. Peter's church, which was literally falling to pieces (laughter) ; and they repaired and beautified St. Nicholas's church. He did not find that the present churchwardens had been doing anything of that kind, and though they had received 4,600/,lit had all dwindled away in some form or the other. He did not think it was fair for the present churchwardens to propose such an act of Parliament as that suggested. The fact was that they had gone into office declaring that there should be no church rate, and yet they found that the parishioners, under some other name, had been paying lad in the pound towards the churches. (Hear, hear.) The churchwardens now found themselves in a dilemma, for they had learued to see that no matter what the name of the contribution might be, they would still have to ask the parishoners of Liverpool to pay towards the expenses of the churches. If they had gone into office, not know ing that such would be the case, they ought to have known it ; and if they had known it, it was not honest in them to have accepted the office, and to have said that they would not have such a rate. (Hear, hear.) There was no doubt whatever that they were bound by law, as well as by honour, to make those payments, and the pre sent churchwardens now found that they could not get on without a church rate, in some form or other. The old churchwardens had laid the church rate because they knew they were fairly and legally bonnd to pay the charges, and as they had had the bold ness to openly lay the rate for that purpose he thought they were more deserving the thanks of Mr. Jeffrey than those who covertly asked for the same rate though under another name. (Laughter, and hear, hear.) Be hoped that in any bill that might be intro duced, or in whatever rate that might be laid, call it what name they would, provision would be made for these things which were not confined to one denomination, but which benefitted, and were pleasing to, churchmen, dis senters and all classes of people. He hoped that during the next twelve months the church bells would be rung in the ordinary way, for he thought it was an insult to the town that on every important occasion the churchwardens should have to go round with hat in hand and ask for contributions towards the e 3 pence of ringing the bells. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Carne observed that he and his colleague, Mr. Hutchison, had last year presented a statement of accounts similar to that now subraittel, but they had been legally advised to do so only as a matter of courtesy and not of right. They had been told that if they formally presented the accounts for approval and in spection they would be liable to all the objections that might be made to the rate, and he and his colleague had had no alternative but to act in accordance with that advice. Nobody would venture to say that the accounts were not strictly the same, or that anything was sought to be concealed in those of last year. (Hear, hear.) He had answered every question that had been put to him in reference to them, and he had been prepared to give every possible explana tion. He saw in the present accounts, under the head of miscellaneous charges, the sum of 101/ lls 10d for law expenses. He did not mean to say that that charge was improper, or that the money had been improperly paid, but he should say that it would have been avoided had he and his colleague been allowed to pass the parochial and cemetery rate before going out of office, as they had been prepared to do. In conclusion, he appealed to the present churchwardens to say whether he had not given them all the assistance in his power, under the difficulties with which they were surrounded ? Mr. S. h. Jackson said that he did not rise with the intention of approving of every item contained in the accounts, and he was much pleased to hear that the present churchwardens did not approve of them either, and that had it been in their power they would gladly have gone with the parishioners in making all the charges voluntary, so far as religious affairs were concerned ; but he was surprised to hear some of the other sp,a'aers dwell on the expenditure of £4,000 by the present churchwardens during the past year, just as if their predecessors had been much more economical. (Laughter) He did not find in the present statement s uch items as were to be found in the accounts of 1855 such as £1 16s for wine ; £26 odd for washing surplices ; £l3 2s for constables to guard the church doors; £5 for sextons; and four guineas for vergers; but he observed that the present churchwardens had to meet charges, which though incurred, had been left unpaid, by their predecessors in office. Upon the whole, he thought there were many features in the account which commended it very strongly to their approval, and on that acceunt he would support the original motion. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Woodruff replied at considerab:e length. In refer ence to the mourning in the church he stated that all the mourning which they found, and which could be devoted to the purpose, was used, and he appealed to the parishioners whether the services of the late Archdeacon, during half a century, did not justify such an expenditure. (Hear, hear.) In regard to the ringing of the bells he denied that the churchwardens had ever gone round cap in hand. The bells had been rung on every public occasion, such as the anniversary of a royal birth, or a victory, when Churchmen, Roman Catholics, and Dissenters, should alike rejoice. The churchwardens had incurred responsibilities without knowing whence the money was to come, but they relied upon the voluntary contributions of the public, and they rejoiced to say that these voluntary contributions had met all expenses. He contended that the churchwardens of the preceding year must either have been totally igno rant themselves, or have placed themselves in the hands of advisers who were ignorant. The present churchwardens had placed themselves in the hands of those by whom they had been properly advised, and they had, in consequence, saved the parish a large amount. In conclusion, he con tended that the present churchwardens had done the best they could under very difficult circumstances. They had levied as little money as possible. They had exercised the greatest economy they could. He frankly cha , lenged any investigation into the accounts, item by item, which the time would admit of, and declared that the church. wardens had made every possible effort to discharge their duties in such a manner as to give satisfaction to all parties. (Hear, hear.) In reference to Mr. Carne's obser vation, Mr. Woodruff read a report of his speech at the last Easter Vestry, to show that it did not bear the con struction Mr. Carne ha ! put upon it. Mr. Dov er rose to put a question, but was met with a storm After of hisse s , an d cr i es of f° sit down," vote," &c. persevering fruitlessly for some moments, he at length resumed his seat. Mr. Carne said as he saw the feelin g o f th e peop l e, an d as his obj ec t was answered by his being enabl e d t o ma k e a speech, whi c h h e could nothave done without moving an annulment, he now begged to withdraw his motion. (Hear.) Mr. M, Knight, who had secondedtie the amendm en t, sa id his object was m ere l y to have accounts enquired into. He, therefore, consented that the amendment should be withdrawn. The passing of the accounts was accordingly carried unanimously. ELECTION OF CuuncliwAnDENs, &c. Mr. H. Banner, junr., proposed that Mr. Woodruff be re.elected senior churchwarden, as the judgment, business taltnt, and conciliating manner of that gentleman had secured f it him the confidence of all parties. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Dover : I have much pleasure in seconding the motion. (Laughter and Cheers.) It was out of the love I had for my friend, Mr. Woodruff—(renewed laughter)— it was out of the regard I had for his public character, (Laughter.)__ The Chairman : Oh, yes. (Laughter.) Mr. Dover : Sir, I am a somewhat older man than he is, and I wished to give him some friendly advice. I would have done . so last year, h a d not chance prevented me f rom attetaltng the meeting, which I generally do attend, and have great pleasu re i n attend i ng —and I hope you and I, sir, may live a great many years to attend these meetings, although we may n A be always quite unanimou3. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) What I quarrelled with Mr. Wood ruff for was simply that last year he professed that which I knew he could not do, and I wished to put him on his guard not to do so any more. (Laughter.) It is an awkward thing for a public man to make professions which he cannot carry out. Many men at the polling booths promise to do things which they can never carry out. The Chairman : I think ou are damning your friend with faint praise. (Laughter.) Mr. Dover : I have very great pleasure in seconding the proposition of my friend Mr. Banner, that Mr. Woodruff be re-elected churchwar den. Mr. Carne said he was perfectly satisfied with Mr. Wood. ruff and his colleague. lie had no doubt they had done the duties of their office. Even were it otherwise, be thought the people of the town were exceedingly obliged to gentlemen who took upon them the very arduous duties of churchwarden, and that they had no right to look too narrowly at them. He claimed, however, a right to ask an explanation of what he considered Mr. Woodruff's very offensive speech of last year, which he now repeated. (" Hear, hear," and "No no.") In that speech Mr. Woodruff said—" his course should certainly not be the stand-and-deliver principle—a policeman at one hand, and a bill in the other." He contended that Mr. Woodruff had himself issued a notice, threatening proceedings if a parochial rate was not paid within fourteen days, which notice was issued the day after the rate was struck. He did no:, blame Mr. Woodruff for this, but, on the contrary, he approved of his thus risking unpopularity in doing his duty. He denied that any single individual had ever been pro ceeded against for years on account of church rate. Mr. Woodruff said all he meant in the sentence quoted by Mr. Carne was, that he preferred the voluntary efforts of the people, to the compulsory power of demanding church rates. He thought the expression a forcible one, and one which common-sense men would understand. A Ratepayer : I do believo that Mr. Carne, who is a professedly rigid churchman, would rigidly take a police man with him to enforce church rates. ("No, no," "hear, hear," and " order.") Mr. Woodruff begged to remark that he had never sought the office before, and he did not seek it now. He would not decline to serve if elected, but he would rather be allowed to attend to his own affairs. The Chairman said he found Mr. Woodruff a very agree able churchwarden, and hoped he would retain the office. The question was then put, and Mr. Woodruff re-elected unanimously. Mr. J. it. Jeffery proposed that Mr. Charles William Shaw be re-e'ected junior churchwarden. In doing so he referred to the remark made by Mr. Carne, about the notice for parochial rate, and declared that the rate in question was that which had been levied the preceding year, and which Mr. Came had not paid up. After a dialogue between Mr. Jeffery and Mr. Came on this point, Mr. DentJti seconded the re-election of Mr. Shaw, which was also carried without any opposirion. On the motion of Mr. Woodruff, Messrs. Livingstone and Tinley were elected sidesmen. On the 'notions of Mr. Woodruff and Mr. Shaw, the following gentlemen were elected overseers, in the room of the retiring overseers, who had not come forward for re-election :—Messrs. W. H. Bairstow, Thomas Owen:, George Nichson and T hom as H enr y S a t c h e l. Churchwardens were also elected for ;:it. Paul's and other parish churches, for which see advertisement. Messrs. Thomas Wylie and George Nickson were ap pointed, under the operations of the Local statute 26 Geo. 3, chap. 5, assessors of the assessment to be made for parochial rate for the ensuing year, to such an amount as would enable the churchwardens to discharge the respective obligations placed by the statute. Collectors were also appointed for the same purpose. THE NORTHEN . N TIMES.-LIVRRPOOL, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 18 CHURCH RATES. Mr. Woodruff said he now came to a question of con siderable importance, which had caused great anxiety in that room for many years past. That was the question of church rates. They were aware that contests had been going on in that country for many years past. They were aware that in that town feelings had been excited to a certain extent, and opposition manifested against the 'aw relating to church rates. For two years back the par ishioners of Liverpool had very unmistakeably shown their disinclination to submit to church rates being levied. Two successive years had a poll taken place upon that question, and on each occasion the church rate party had been defeated. Under those circumsta ices it was not the intention of himself and his colleagues to pro,ose a church rate at all. (Cries of hear, hear.) They believed if they did propcse it, they would not get it, and if they did get it they would scarcely know how to apply it. The Chairman : Oh, I could tell you that. (Laughter.) Mr. Woodruff said when they found similar contests going on throughout the country—wheu they found that there were two bi.ls brought into the House of Commons on that question, they thcught it exceedingly undesirable to renew the old disputes in that town. He did hope, however, that gentlemen, whether they were Dissenters or Roman Catholics, would feel it their duty to contribute to a volun tary rate.Fi st of all, there were great p üblic conveniences in the town which required to be maintained, such as crocks and bells, which had been done hitherto out of the church rate. Then there were the parochial churches, the property of the people at large, and he scarcely thought any of the public would like to see those buildings going into decay. St. Nici.olas's and St. Peter's were the two parish churches. He was unwilling to believe that even those who differed from the doctrines of these churches, would consider these establishments so offensive as to allow them to fall into decay. (dear, hear.) They had dote their work in their day, like all old institu tions, and even those who now looked en things in a different light, would admit that they had done their work well, and wish to see them preserved. (Hear, bear.) No considerable sum would be wanted to keep the fabric of these churches in repair; he did bur; and trust that, while ht: did not wish to renew the old hostilities of former years, they would all fuel it a duty, as well as a privilege, to contribute a small voluntary rate, not to maintain every thing the old church rate did, but to provide especially for the two parish churches and the other purposes he had mentioned. Mr. Woodruff according moved a resolution to tho effect that no church rate be imposed, but that the churchwardens be authorised to collect a voluntary rate of one penny in the pound. Mr. Shaw seconded the motion. Mr. George Maxwell wished to ask a question of the churchwardens. A deliberate vote was taken twelve months ago upon the subject, when it was put and carried that the voluntary rate be printed separately from the other paro chial rates. He thought the parish had not been treated with the courtel , which he would have expected, for the moment the churchwardens came into office they departed from that arrangement, and the voluntary rate was printed as usual along with the compulsory rate, He sub mitted, again, that, it should be put upon a different part of the paper, in order that parties might know what they were paying, and that it should not be endeavoured by a side wind to get money from them which they objected to paying. (Hear, hear.) „ Mr. Woodruff said he, for one, would never act in oppo sition to the express resolution of the meeting, on that or any other question. But at the time the proposal was made last year, there was so much excitement that it could scarcely be known what was the view of the vestry. He could not h mself ascertain whether there was any decid,dly manifested fceling in reference to it. It' it was proposed that the voluntary rate ought to be put upon a separate bill altogether, and separate collectors appointed— Mr Maxwell : Oh, no. Mr. Woodruff said that if Mr. Maxwell's only object was ghat the voluntary rate should be put in a separate part of he bill, there could be no objection whatever. He had not :he slightest inclination that any one should be deceived as ,o the voluntary rate. Mr. W. Bell said he had been told for two years that the voluntary rate was to send the Irish poor home, and, in consequence of that representation, he paid it. (Loud laughter.) Mr. Caine asked whether Mr. Woodruff did not consider that the declaration he had taken upon entering office, bound him to propose a church rate, whether it would be carried or not Mr. Woodruff : I do not need to be remembered of my ole am obligation, by Mr. Came or any body else. What ever obligation rests upon me, I am prepared to take the responsibility of it. (Hear, hear.) _ . Mr. Dover said the Churchwardens were in difficulties. (Laughter.) To use the language common among men, the churchwardens wen) hard up. (Laughter.) The Chairman would want his stipend when it tell due, and if it was not raised for him, he would go to Mr. Woodruff's house, and levy upon his furniture. (Loud laughter.) The . Chairman : I am very glad Co find I have such a remedy. (Renewed laughter.) Mr. Dover proposed as an amendment, that a church rate of 2tl in the pound be levied. (Hisses.) In a few moments, however, he said he would alter his amendment to one penny. The Chairman I hope you are going to persevere with your 2d. (Laughter.) I think your motion is the correct one. That is m*rivate opinion. (Laughter.) Mr. (Arne thought one farthing in the pound, if really collected and paid by all parties, would be quite sufficient. Mr. Woodruff: Just admire the modesty of these gentle men. They dictate to us how we should raise and spend this money, and they could not manage their own affairs while in office. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Dover proposed that his amendment should be in lieu of all the other rates, called by different names there. The Chairman decided that the amendmant, in that form, could not be legally put. Mr. Dover finally withdrew I is amendment. Mr. Lowe suggested that the voluntary rate should be specifically set forth as for church purposes. Mr. Jeffery said the legal adviser told them that if such a description were used the money could only be appropri ated for keeping in repair the fabric of the church merely, and could not be devoted to the other purposes mentioned. After a very desultory discussion, it was agreed to use the words, ‘‘ for church and other purposes." The voluntary rate was then agreed to. Mr. E. Braneker, Mr. H. W. Banner, and Mr. Stitt, were appointed commissioners of St. Paul's and St. John's Churches. This concluded the business of the vestry. Mr. Jeffery proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, which was carried by acclamation. The Chairman, iu returning thanks, expressed his grati fication at the general ha rmony w hi c h h a d prevailed. The meeting then Separated. NEW WESLEYAN SCHOOLS AT SEACOMBE Yesterday, at half-past three o'clock, the first stone of a new Wesleyan School was laid in Brighton-street, Seacombe. by John Farnworth, Esq., assisted by a large body of clergy and other gentlemen, and attended by a numerous and respectable assemblage of ladies and gentlemen, together with a crowd of ae inhabitants of the locality. The schools in question are intended especially for the children of the working classes, and will prove a great benefit to the neigh bourhood, which is every day rising in importance, and increasing in population. The architectural style of the schools will be Elizabethan, and they will be capable of affording accomm,:dation to upwards of 200 pupils. The cost of the buildings will be about £1,930, and of this sum £735 has been granted by the government. Messrs. J. W. and J. Hay are the architects, and Mr. H. Fisher the builder. Underneath the stone was deposited a bottle containing a scroll, with an inscription to the following effect:—`' This stone was placed as the foundation of the Wesleyan School premises, by John Farnworth, Esq., of Liverpool, on Tues day, the 25th March, 1856. The buildings to be erected thereon are designed for the education and religious training of hoes and girls, mor e e sp e cially t h o se of the labouring classes in the - neighbourhood of Seacombe, and also separate schools for infants, with a residence for the master and mistress." The Rev. Mr. Flert then gave out the 137th Hymn, and after it had been chaunted, the 19th Psalm, and the Rev. Mr. Harford had offered up a suitable prayer, Mr. Pooley read the inscription on the scroll, and in brief but appropriate terms, introduced Mr. John Fern worth to the assembly, and eulogised him as the friend and supporter of education, and therefore it was that he had come forward that day to join in the good work. He then presented him with a beautiful silver tro v,• and the ceremony of depositing the stone was then gone through, and was concluded by hearty cheers from all present. Mr. t'arnworth then addressed the assembly, and said he was very happy to meet them on such an interesting and auspicious occasion. He trusted that the work in which they were that day engaged, would benefit not only the present and the rising genera tion, but that generations unborn would reap the benefits of a sound religious education there, which would enable them to become good members of society in this world, and fit them properly for the next. lie was warmly applauded. The hymn, " Great is the Lord our God" was then sung, and, after an address from the Rev. Mr. West, on the benefits o! religious education, a prayer was offered up, and the National Anthem sung, when the proceedings terminated with much eclat. In the evening there was a tea party at the chapel, and several excellent speeches were delivered. LIVERPOOL TEMPERANCE LEAGUE. The annual meeting of this society was held last evening, at the Teutonic-hall, Lime-street, on which occasion about two hundred members and friends sat down to a most excellent tea, provided by Mr. Melbourne, confectioner, of Clarence-street. L. Heywortb, Esq., M.P., presided ; and amongst the persons who occupied the platform were— Messrs. T. Crossfield, J. Wilson, B. Jones, G. Matthews, Ray, Browne, Ward, Huson, Roberts, Sheddin, King, Harvey, Hopkins, Evans, Campbell, &c., &c. After the tea the Chairman very briefly addressed the meeting, and called upon the company to sing a temperance hymn. _ _ The Chairman then hoped that all present would follow his example—take the pledge, and stand to it as he had done for the last twenty years. He strongly urged upon all to be total abstainers from intoxicating liquors if they wished to preserve their health, their reason, and their judgment. It was from the use of intoxicating drinks that the wife beating, the child murdering, nearly all the crimes were to be attributed. He denied that the use of alcholic drinks were necessary to sustain nature, as had been proved by millions of his fellow-men. He concluded by urging upon all not to use intoxicating drinks of any kind. Mr. Matthews, the secretary, then read the annual report, in which the committee begged to thank the friends and subscribers fur the aid and assistance bestowed during the year 1855, and to express their great obligation to the advocates of the Temperance Cause, for their earnest and untiring, labours on behalf of suffering humanity, they also gratefully acknowledge the assistance r e nd ere d by the Scottish League, and other associatifms. Meetings have been held weekly at Bootle, Old Swan, Woolton, The Elms, Toxteth Park, Aigburth, North and South Birkenhead, Tranmere, and in the open air when practic able. The central meeting on Sunday evenings has been held in the Clayton Hall, Freemason's Hall, Argyle Rooms, and the Teutonic Hall, with good results in every instance, upwards of one thousand persons having signed the pledge at the various meetings during the year ; many drunkards have been reclaimed, and a vast amount of good accom plished. We would therefore solicit increased support to carry on with increased vigour the objects of the society. The meeting was also addressed by Messrs. Wilson, Crossfield, and other members of the society. After these brief addresses a concert followed, in the course of which the amateurs displayed some little taste. The evening's amusement closed with a ball, the dancing at which was kept up until an early hour. AFFRAY WITH COOLIE EMIGRANTS A desperate affray between the crew of the ship Samuel Enderby and 200 Chinese coolies, is described as follows by the captain, in a letter dated St. Helena, January 29: —" We sailed from Macao on the 24th November, 1855, for Havana, with 200 Chinese coolies on board. On the 9th December cleared the straits of Sunda, after which we had two days light winds and calms, with the land of Java in sight. On the 11th, about 4 p.m., to our astonishment, they all at once made a rush aft, yelling end howling hideously, and armed with everything they could lay their hands on, viz., the axes used for cutting their firewood, the choppers, knives, and cleavers used for their cooking apparatus, pieces of pointed bamboo, pump brakes, belay ing pins, &c. ; some of thtm rushing into the house, where the crew lived, at both side doors, cutting at them in all directions and wounding three of them, the rest of thorn coming aft. We had barely time to get out the muskets before they would have overpowered us, and then the cowardly villains retreated, and ran down the 'tween decks. Providentially the beams overhead in the house on deck caught their axes, or some of our people would have had their skulls cleft in twain; as it was one of the axes glanced off and wounded J. Jennin gs i n t h e s h oulder, and directly the villain found he had missed his aim, he ran away. We managed to secure and put in i rons t wo o f th e ringleaders, and punished them the next day. One of these fellows was observed just before they attacked us, to throw a lot of cash (Chinese copper money) aft, and then throwing up his arms, commenced the first yell. As a proof of their treacherous an d ca tlik e di spos i t i on, th ey had not given us the least sign of insubordination previously; on the contrary, they appeared to be remarkably contented and happy. As for their living, they (had beef; pork, and fi s h serve d ou t a lt erna t e ly, pickles,all the rice and bre a d t h ey w i s h e d f ur , an d one gallon of water each per day. Again, at the commence ment of ;the voyage, I mustered the crew, and warned them strenuously of the necessity of non-interference with them ; so that they had no just cause of complaint whatever. After this we had to keep part of the crew always on guard . with loaded muskets, for I dare not close the hatchways fearing suffocation. Every vessel in the trade ought to have strong iron bars across all the hatch ways, so as only to have one passage up and down to the 'tween decks, and that ought to be fitted so as to lock in cas e of need, while the crew are reefing, &c.; besides, part of the coolies might then be allowed on deck at one time, relieving them every four hours." PROPOSED WORKING MAN'S COLLEGE AT HALIFAX Some time ago an evening school was established by Mr. Akroyd, at H a l e y -hill, w hi c h h as b een warmly sup ported by the working men in th e ne i g hb our h oo d . M r. Akroydis sole partner of the firm of James Akroyd and Son, of Halifax --the most extensive worsted manu facturers in the kingdom. He supports four large schools for the children employed as half-timers in his mills under the . Factory Act. Encouraged by the success of the evening school, he has resolved to extend its utility by converting it into a Working Man's College. lie wisely leaves the management of the institution in the hands of the working men themselves ; knowing that the mere management of such a concern is in itself a most import ant practical education. The course of instruction will include the following subjects :—Reading, writing, gram mar, geography, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, mechan ics, mensuration, drawing, (as applied to the arts of industry,) &c. As far as possible the instruction will be made to be ar on h an di c raft trades. The classes will meet every evening, except Saturday and Sunday, from seven to nine o' c l oc k. T er ms of membership 2d ger week, or is 6d per quarter (if paid in advance.) To encourage perseverance and regularity of attendance, a number of silver medals, not to exceed six, will be awarded annually ; and for proficiency in studies, other prizes will be granted. THE TIPPERARY B t.NIC..-A letter from Dublin, of Satur day's date, says :—A strange rumour about the Tipperary Bank forms a subject of cinversation here at present , and is beginning to give some alarm to one class of the parties interested. It is whispered that the bank was not com pletely registered, o: that there has been some defect in the registry of the shareholders, which would render their responsibilil very questionable under the act of parliament, and, in all probability, vitiate the claim in law which the depositors would otherwise have on any individual share holder. It is said, in corroboration of this statement, that the Tipperary Bank shares have never been quoted on the Stuck Exchange, and that they were never introduced there, for the purpose of avoiding the inquiry which should precede their admission as a marketable commodity. This looks very like a canard, and at the time I write I have no means of inquiring into its accuracy ; but, in the mean time, those engaged in the winding up of the concern speculate on occupying some four or five years in the opera tion, and some Irish journals, apparently well-informed, continue to warn the depositors against selling their securities to speculators for a small per tentage, as a few have already done, SOUTH LANCASHIRE ASSIZES, CROWN COURT:YESTERDAY. (BEFORE MR. BARON MARTIN.) HIGHWAY ROBBERY. — john Neeson, a foundryman, now in the militia, was charged with having at Openshaw, on the 29th of January, together with three other persons unknown, feloni ously assaulted William Jackson, and stolen from his person £6 ss. and a latch key. From the evidence of the prosecutor, it appeared that on the 20th of January ho was drinking in a public house in Oponshaw. The prisoner, and several other militia men, were also there, and on his leaving the house, four of then. followed him.. On coming up with him, two of them took him, one by each arm, and, after proceeding a short dis tance they forced him into a field, where they ill used him and rifled him of all the nsoney he had about him. . The prisoner, who was very drunk at the time, declared that, he was sensible but unable to resist the violence done him, and he positively swore to the prisoner being one of the parties who robbed and ill used him. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to four years penal servitude. HOUSEBREAKING.—David James, and William Pathan], who pleaded guilty to a charge of breaking into the house of Joseph Orford, at Prescot, on the 17th of February, and stealing tools therefrom, were sentenced each to twelve months' imprisonment, with hard labour. BILLIGLARIES.—Thomas Grogan, 22, labourer, was indicted for having, at Haydock, on the 18th January, broken into the dwelling house of Henry Taylor, a fanner, and having stolen therefrom a quantity of provisions and other property. '1 he evidence by which it was sought to support the indictment was purely circumstantial. The marks on the ground outside the window, through which the burglar effected his entrance cor responded to the prisoner's footprints, and it appeared that he was not only absent from his lodgings on the night of the burglary, but some flour, a largo quantity of which was among the property stolen, was subsequently found in his possession. He was however acquitted. —William Hansom, factory-man, now serving in the militia, was convicted of burglary, at Oldham, on the 14 It February. It appeared, that on the night in question one of the assistant messengers of the Manchester Court of Bank ruptcy was in charge of the stock and goods of Reuben Cooper, whose estate was then being administered in that court, and that during the course of the night he heard a noise in one of the upper rooms. On ascending to the room he saw a man in the garb of a soldier escaping through the window, and on examining the premises, he found that the money drawers iu the shop had been broken open, and some silver taken from them. The watchman, whom the messenger called to his assistance, found immediately ten,ath the window through whicii the burglar had escaped, a soldier's button and a piece of cloth attached, and when the prisoner was paraded the following morning, it was ascertained that he had lost a button from his coat, and also a small piece of the garment itself, which corresponded with that found by the watchman. His clothes were also much soiled, which he accounted for by stating that ho had been very drunk the night before, and had probably fallen somewhere. The jury found him guilty, and he was sentenced -to four years' penal servi tude. [He is the youngest of thirteen brothers, all of whom are respectable members of society, but ho has previously been in prison for minor offences. His aged father, who was in the court, was pitiably affected at the miserable position to whieh vicious propensities had lead his youngest child. POSSESSION OF UNLAWFUL INS I RUMENTS. —John Smith, 35, joiner, was found guilty of having in his possession, without lawful excuse,,certain picklock keys, and other instruments of Housebreaking, and sentenced to twelve mouths imprisonment, with hard labour. INCREASE OF BURGLARY IN LANCASHIRE .—Micbael Quigley, John Heyes, James Hunter, Robert Homer, William Hansom, and Ilenry Eyres, all very young men, who were con victed of burglary, wero each sentenced to four years penal servitude. His Lordship said that it would appear that this crime was on the increase in Lancashire, t here being no less than twenty-two cases in less than three months, and that if the sentences he now passed would not prove effectual in checking the crime he had no doubt that the presiding judges next Assize would inflict on all convicted before them of it the highest punish ment which the law awarded to that particular offence, namely, penal servitude for life. Mary Jones was sentenced to eighteen months' imprison ment for burglary, and James Murphy to eight months with hard labour for passing base coin. The Couit rose at six o'clock. NISI PRIUS COURT.-YESTERDAY (BEFORE MR. JUSTICE WILLBS.) His Lordship took his seat on the bench this morning at nine o'clock. WORRELL V. lIETWOOD.—In this action Miss Emily Ellen Worrall was the plaintiff, and she sought to tecover of the defendant damages for having entered a dwelling house, and carried away certain property. The defendant was the late high sheriff of the Cuuuty, and the action arose out of an illegal distraint. By the consent of each party, a verdict was given fur the plaintiff, without going into the case. GA SKELL v. HEYWOOD.-41 this action the plaintiff also endeavoured to recover damages from the late sheriff of the County, for having unlawfully converted the goods of the plaintiff to his use. The plaintiff was John Gaskell, a machine printer, in the employ of Messrs. Hoyle and Co. near Manchester. In this case a verdict was given, by consent for £l2O, Serjeant Wilkins complimenting the plaintiff for the manner he had behaved in the matter. CAREATTHEati FLETCHER.-The plaintiff sought to recover, by this action, the suns of i1".213 17s. 6d. for goods supplied and delivered. In this case, by the consent of the defendant, a .verdict was given for the plaintiff for £lB6. SIaIITTLEWORTH V. ROBERT'S AND ANOTHER.—In this C' , 130 the plaintiff sought to recover compensation from the defendants for having destroyed some meat, which he had exposed for sale. The plaintiff was a butcher, living at Bolton, and was in the habit of attending the small markets in the neighbourhood. He attended at Leigh market. The defendant lt.herts was a but cher in that township ; and the defendant, Darwell, was the ex-bellman or bailiff, follower. It appeared that the plaintiff sold his meat at a lower price than the other bu:chers, which caused a jealousy amongst the butchers, and the defendant Roberts threatened that ho would break the plaintiff of coming to that market. Roberts was shortly after appointed meat inspector for the ctstrict, end on the 11th of January last went to the stall in the market and seized the plaintiff's meat, and destroyed the same, alleging that , it was of an inferior quality. A host of witnesses were called for the purpose of proving that the meat seized by the defendant was good and wholesome food. Mr. Knowles addressed the jury for the defendant contending that the meat was bad, and that if the jury gave a verdict for the plaintiff, no public officer would be safe fro m such, acting even in the perfornaanca of their public duties. A number of witnesses were called fur the defence, for the purpose of proving that it was the custom of the township for the overlooker of the market to destroy bud meat. The jury, after being locked up for about three hours, returned into the court, and the foreman said they had agreed to give the plaintiff a verdict, but without damages or costs. The clerk of the court informed them that they could not return such a verdict ; and, at his advice, they went to the lodgings of his lordship. They were again locked up, and up to a late hour they were still considering their verdict. POLICE COURT.-YESTERDAY (BEFORE MR. ALDERMAN HOLME.) POCKET PICICING. —John Garan, a youth described as holding " a regular situation," was charged by a police officer, who said he saw a crowd in Scotland-place, and on goi ■g to ascertain the cause he observed the prisoner with his hand in the pocket of a lady, and he seized him. There was a con siderable sum of money in thi lady's pocket, but as the prisoner did not get any, the lady refused to come forward to prosecute. The boy was sent to jail (being an old hand) for two months. John Jones and James Pulp, two boys about fourteen years of age, were charged with picking pockets in Scotland-road, on Monday evening, in the crowd of people that had congregated in the street. The case was fully proved, and as the prisoners were " well known," they were sent to jail for three months, with hard labour. (BEFORE MESSRS. 1101 ME AND TURNER.) " THE MARRING OF THE GREEN !"—A Welsh girl, named Sarah Lewis, summoned Thomas Wignall, of .5 Charles-street, for having assaulted her. Mr. Bluck was for the complainant and Mr. Campbell for the defendant. The contrast in the appearance of the parties was very remarkable—the girl was a smart, tiny, black. haired rosy-checked person, whilst the defendant was a power ful-looking fellow, with a head and neck like a Durham bull. He was about six feet and a half high. It appeared that on Patrick's night an assemblage of persons, not of the most reputable character, took place at the defendant's house. His wife was decorated with green ribbons, and (as was sworn to) she was " flush with whiskey," as were several other persons who composed the " party." A. fight (of course) took place, and in the affray the green ribbons that adorned the head of Mrs. Wignall, were tattered into atoms. This exasperated the defendant to such an extent, that he sallied forth vowing vengeance against the Welsh, and having met the complainant he assaulted her. He was fined El and costs, which he at once paid. There were about half a dozen of other charges and cross charges, arising out of the came affair, in which each of the learned gentlemen also appeared, but on hearing the details, the bench dismissed the summonses. ASSAULT ON A LADY.— Anne Kitchenman, an elderly lady of respectable appearance, charged a young man, named Henry Humphries, dressed as a mechanic, with having violently assaulted her on the 18th inst. Mr. Bluck was for the com plainant., and Mr. Campbell for the defendant. In opening the case, Mr. Bluck said his client was a highly respectable lady, residing in Falkland-street. On the 18th inst., she went to the house of a tenant, a Miss Wilson, residing in Clare street, to collect rent. The wife of the prisoner was the wash erwoman of Miss Wilson, and it seemed that she had taken some dislike to the complainant, and that she . called in the prisoner, who seriously assaulted her without the least provocation. Mr. Alderman Holme said Le would deal with the case under Fitzroy's act, and fine the prisoner £lO, or in default of payment three months' imprisonment, TRADE REPORT.-TIIESDAY LIVERPOOL. COTTON: The cotton market to-day has been quiet but steady, the demand has been moderate, the supply ample, and prices are unch ange d. The sales—including 600 Pernambuco, 6,1 a to 7d; 120 Maranham, 6:d; 700 Surat, 4d to 411—are reported, 6,000 bales, of which 1,000 are speculation and for export. COTCH Pro IRON : Our market for warrants closes at 67s sellers, cash ; three months open, 68s sellers. Shipments from Glasgow last week ondiug week 1855 13,731 1854.. 19,153 cones; Aggregate shipments from Glasgow from Ist Jan., 1856, to due .... ........ Same period 1855 Decrease Price this time last 3 ear 583 90,758 114,858 24,100 SUGAR : There continues a very firm market, and extreme prices have been realised; the sales are 80 hhds Demerara at 395, up to 42s for grainy, 20 hhds Antigua at 38s 9d, 4,500 bags Madras at 34s 6d, 160 blids indirect Porto Rico and Cuba at 40s to 49s 6d, and 40 boxes Ilavanna at 38s 6d pei cw M oLA.ssEs othing has taken pia eheOils Demerara have brought previous prices. TEA The marke is rather inactive, and to effect sales bc. , taken. The samples ex lower prices would require Leichhardt are partially upon sho RICE: A considerable business has l een done, nearly 4,000 bags Bengal h aving c h ange d h an d s, at 8s 9d to 9s for broken, up to 103 3d per cwt for middling. JUTE: The public sales went off very heavily, only about .50 bales of sound being disposed of; at 411 6s for common. Coin YARN: 1,300 bundles, chiefly all faults, sold at £22 2s 6d per ton for sound LINSEED : 300 b gs Calcutta are reported at COs per quarter CORN : The market this morning commenced without any appearance of animation; and, with evident anxiety on the par; of holders to effect sales, the opening'value of wheat was somewhat uncertain and irregular; subsequently more demand was apparent, which resulted in a moderate extent of business with consumers, and the average decline may be stated at 3d to 4cl per bushel from the rates of this day week, some descriptions being even more depressed, whilst extra qualities of white and red American, had any such been in offer, would have commanded nearly previous currencies. Flour may be noted is per brl and Is 6d to -2s per sack cheaper, and only a retail enquiry. Barley maintains its price, but Egyptian beans have declined 2s to 2s 6d per qr, to meet buyers in quantity. Oats and oatmeal find a slow sale, the runner at ld per bushel,. the latter at 6d to is per load reduction. In the absence of demand for Indian corn, this article is by no means freely offered, sales would be practicable at 2s per qr decline on the week ; a parcel of old inferior mixed American, in warehouse, has been cleared at 30s per 480 lbs. Arrivals and exports from the 18th to the 24th March, 1856, iaclusive : From Ireland, 363 qrs wheat, 11 qrs malt., 3,740 qrs oats, 1,995 sacks oatmeal, 674 sacks flour; Coastwise, lull qra wheat, 460 qrs barley, 787 qrs malt, 548 qrs oats, 3 sacks oatmeal, 3 brls flour; United States,. 276 qrs wheat, 12,958 qrs Indan corn, 7,564 brls flour; Europe, &c., 5,974 qrs wheat, 640 qrs beans, 2,550 qrs Indian corn, 19,170 sacks flour, 50 brls flour; Egypt, 8,624 qrs wheat, 7,966 qrs beaus. Into Runcorn, 1,117 qrs oats, 345 sacks oatmeal. Total, 15,337 qrs wheat, 460 qrs barley. 798 qrs malt, 5,105 qrs oats, 8,605 qrs beans, 15,508 qrs Indian corn, 2,343 sacks oatmeal 19,844 sacks flour, 7,617 brls flour.. Exports to forei g n parts, 587 qrs oats, 12 qrs pease, 230 sacks oatmeal ; Ireland, 306 qrs wheat, 125 qrs barley, 46 qrs beans, 3,463 qrs Indian corn, 1,930 sacks flour, 866 brls flour ; coastwise, 87 qrs wheat, 5 qrs oats, 700 qrs beans, 77 qrs Indian corn, 497 sacks, flour, 92 brls flour. It. MAXIM t& SONS. LONDON. The following public &Ales are declared for to-morrow : Suga, 300 hhds of Barbadoes, 2,500 bags Mauritias; and 1,000 bags Beng.ll; rice, 300 bags of Madras ; pepper, 650 bags ; lac dye, 250 chests. Today is kept as a partial holiday, and yet the inquiry for sugar continues, and yesterday, on 'Change a cargo of Mauritius sold, 6,000 bags at 41s, and 1,000 bags at 39s ; and a cargo white Pernambuco, 4,000 bags, at 34s 3d, for Trieste. • COFFEE : No sales reported. Rui : The large public salts for to-morrow prevent busi ness by private contract. Prodice Markets generally have a steady appearance, and we look for good demand to-morrow. TALLow : The market is steady, with more demand than of tate, both for consumption and forward delivery. Quota tions are as follows :—Petersburg Y.C. on the spot. 478 6d ; March to April, 47s ; April to June, 478; Oct. to Dec., 47s 6d to 48s. YESTERDAY'S Al A RICE TS. DUBLIN (TORN : Au extremely lull ani depressed demand for every description of grain, at last week's reduction. LEEDS CORN : Wheat in fair demand, at 2s decline. Barley firm. Oats and beans dull. HULL CORN : Show of wheat small, and farmers very unwilling to sell at the decline quoted in other markets. The business done was consequently small, at a decline of 2s to 3s from last Tuesday. The market closed much firmer than it had commenced. No change in other articles. THE BLOCKADE IN THE BALTIC Or► the 15tl► inst., the Imperieuse and Pylades got under weigh li►r a cruise in the Gulf of Finland. The Sound was completely frozen over, but the two vessels made their way through it without difficulty. On get ileg outside, they found the sea perfectly smooth, and the weather most agreeable. The main body of the ice was, however, fallen in ss ith about 5.30 a.m. on Sunday, when, from that time to 10 the ships passed through thirty miles of it. At 7 a.m , the lmper►euse encountered two small vessels from Lubeck, so imbedded in ice, that it was impossink for them to proceed to their destina tion or return whence they came. The history of their movements for the previous six weeks proves that, instead of a brisk trade having been carried oa between Russia and other countries, as was so confidently asserted in England, the Russian ports have positively been inaccessible to any vessel whatsoever. BANQUET AT THE MANSION HOUSE The Easter banquet at the Mansion House took place on Monday. None of the cabinet ministers were present. The Duke of Cambridge, in returning thanks for the toast in honour of the naval and military services, said, that the army and navy were now, after two years of a desperate war, more efficient than in any former war, were never more ready to do their duty, and, thanks to the liberality of parliament and the country, in a higher position than almost any other in the world He trusted, however, we were on the eve of peace. Mr. Gladstone's name was coupled with the toast of the House of Com mons. The right honourable gelitleman, in reply, said, he trusted that the people were of opinion that the house had been justified in voting freely and liberally the large sums for a war, undertaken for no purpose of aggrandise ment, but solely in the cause of honest humanity and justice. They might look with as much satisfaction as any scenes of bloodshed could excite on the events of the last two years. A period of returning peace was only second in difficulty to the period of enering into a war. He had no doubt but that the time for social and inter nal reform was approaching. There was one task which he thought that returning peace would impose on the House of Commons. It was that of restoring the equilibrium of our finances, and of seeing where the excessive burdens of our people could be lightened or abrogated. It would require the most vigorous efforts to bring matters into such a state as that during peace , they might make ad equate provision for the future ' security of the country. The French Intendance at Constantinople have re ceived orders from Paris to suspend all purchases, and were about to quit the buildings of the Russian Embassy. THE ASSASSINATION OF MR. CALLAGHAN —Within the last few days the police have arrested a man on suspicion of his'being concerned in the late horrible assassination of Mr. Callaghan near Portumna. A poor fisherman, named Kilpatrick, residing at Killyleagh, County Down, has lately become heir to no less a sum than £16,000 by the death of an uncle in America. Three thousand five hundred dollars have been offered for one share of the New York. Tribune. This would make the 100 shares, into which that establishment was divided a, few years ago, worth 350,000 dols. The par value of each share is 1,000 dols. THE SHIP "„Coninua" CASE.—In the Irish Court of Admiralty ou Saturday, Mr. Taylor, the proctor for the purchasers of this ship, moved the court to confirm the sa'e. The Cordelia was sold at Cork harbour, on the 16th instant, under the decree of the court, and was purchased by Messrs Syers and Walker, of London, for the sum of £1,900. It appeared, however, that Messrs Syers and Walker had only purchased in trust for another firm, Messrs Ferns and Gold, of London, merchants, which latter parties paid the purchase money to he marshal ; and Mr. Taylor also moved that the bill of sale be executed to Messrs. Ferns and Company. The court granted the application. Mr. Hamerton, the proctor for the captain and crew of the Cordelia, who had intervened in the suit, and obtained a decree for their wages, then applied that the court might direct the registrar to pay to him, as proctor for the intervenients, a sum of £1,113, being the amount decreed for wages and advances, as also their kettle money, to be ascertained by the registrar. The court made the rule as moved for