The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-02-05 00:00:00

ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE•

PREFERMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS..
Rev. T. G. Atkinson, M.A., to the Curacy of Walton.le-nale'
near Liverpool.
Rev, T. C. Barker, M.A., to the Vicarage of Spelsbury, Oxford'
shire.
Rev. J. Bates, 8.A., Scholar of St. John's College, Cambria!)
to the Second Mastership of the Royal Grammar-School, an"
to the Curacy of St. Giles's, Colchester.
Rev. F. Bathurst, M.A., to the Stipendiary Curacy of Maids-
morton, Bucks.
Rev. R. H. Baynes, M.A., to the Curacy of Christ Church,
Southwark.
tte
Rev. G. C. Berkeley, Vicar of Southminster, Estiex,, (0
Rural Deanery of Dengie. .
Rev. G. L. Blissett to the Curacy of St. Cuthbert's, Wells. t.
Rev. G. H. Cooke, 8.A., to the Curacy of Cerne Abbas, Dorsie„,
Rev. B. G. Goodrich, MA., to the Rectory of Hardmead,
Rev. W. Hazeltine, to the Bengal Ecclesiastical EstablishraeV
Rev. G. Hogarth, M.A., to the Curacy of Hornsea, pear Hull.
•
Rev. It. U. Lambert, to he Assistant Curate of St. Mary and
John, Devizes.
Rev. C. S. Lowndes, M.A., to the Rectory of North Crawley'
Bucks.

Ven. H. Moore, NI.A., Archdeacon of Stafford, to the Vies- rir °e
of St. Mary's, Lichfield.
Rev. R. Moss, 8.A., Curate of St. Mary's, to the IncumbeneY
of All Saints' Church, Blackburn.
Rev. F. H. Paley, M.A., Curate of Penn, near Wolverharno3/4
to the Vicarage of that Parish.
Rev. H. Parry, M.A., to the Incumbency of Bylchau, near
Denbigh.
Rev. H. F. Philips, to the Curacy of St. Margaret's, Recbester:
Rev. T. A. C. Pratt, M.A., to the Madras Ecclesiastical Est'b
lishment.
Rev. F. Simpson, M.A., to the Vicarage of Boynton, near Brig'
lington.
Rev. A. L. P. Snow, M.A., to the Rectory of Chilfrome, Dors, et•
Rev. J. B. Stuart, M.A., to the Rectory of Coreley, near Tea"
bury.
Rev. A. Swain, 8.A., to the Rerpetual Curacy of St. Mar
Devonport.
Rev. G. E. Tate, Incumbent of St. Jude's, Southwark, to the
Incumbency of St. Matthew's, Widcome, Bath,

CLERICAL OBITUARY.
Jan. 16, at his residence, West-park House, Clifton, neat
Bristol, the Rev. Wm. Bennett,- Rector of Cheam, Surrey, in his
93rd year.
Jan. 22, at Hulme, Manchester, aged 37, the Rev. JosePti
Ryland, M.A., of Trinity College, Cambridge.
Jan. 22, at the Vicarage, Newlyn, Cornwall, the Rev. Edward
Dix, M.A., aged 53, for seventeen years vicar of that parish.
Jan, 24, after one day's illness, the Rev. Maurice Hillier GoOu
man, of Oare House, near Marlborough, vicar of Wilcott, is WI
70th year.

DIOCESE OF CHESTER.
PREFERMEIITS.—The Rev. Frederick Addison has beer!
licensed by the Bishop of Chester to the Perpetual Curacy of
Cleator, in the county of Cumberland, void by the cession of
the Rev. John Taylor. Patron, the Earl of Lonsdale.—'lobe
Rev. Isaac Holmes has also been licensed to the Chaplaincy of
the Industrial Schools, Kirkdale, Liverpool, upon the nomina-
tion of the Select Vestry.—The Rev. C. M. Empson has also
been licensed to the Stipendiary Curacy of Knutsford, in the
county of Chester, on the nomination of the Rev. Robell
Clowes, the Vicar.—The Rev. W. H. Denny has also been
licensed to the Stipendiary Curacy of the parish of Liverpool,
on the nomination of the Rev. Augustus Campbell, the
Rector.—The Rev. William Henry Hopkins has tell
nominated to the Perpetual Curacy of Saint Paul's Church,
Werneth, in the county of Chester, void by the resignation of
the Rev. John Rodgers. Patrons,G. and C. Andrew, Esqs.

TEE FIRST SIKH OKDAII,TED AS A MrsmoN.A.ny.—Tll
fact of the ordination as a minister of the Church of England
in India, of the first Sikh who has sought the Christian
ministry, is an interesting one, and ought not to be passed
over. Daoud Singh, a Punjabi Sikh, has been for about nine
years a convert, and has maintained an excellent Christian
character' for some years in connection' as a catechist, with
the S. P. G. Mission at Cawnpore. About three years since
he was tranferred to the Church Missionary Society's Missieu,
at Umritzur,. in his native country, and has so commended,
himself to' Messrs. Fitzpatrick and Clark,. that they hese
strongly recommended him for Holy Orders, and after due
examination,. he was ordained a native pastor, by the BishoP
of Calcutta, at Allahabad, in October last.. Other converts
of the Sikh tribes are associated with him in his labours ;
and thus are the late enemies of our rule becoming the pro-
pagators of our faith.—Oriental Christian Spectator.

A NEW MUSEUM is, projected under fair auspices. It is to
be called " The Scriptural Museum" ; and its purpose is to
afford a series of illustrations of Bible history, geography',
and manners. Mr. Bonomi has lent his cabinet of Egyptian
antiquities and his sketches of Assyrian sculpture to the;
society—a good beginning most assuredly. The society, 01Y
which. the Eat]. of Chichester is president, and the. Rev. D.
Edwards secretary, propose to embrace the following subjects
in their collection :—Landscape scenery of Palestine—modele
of Jerusalem—productions, vegetable, animal, and mineral--'
illustrations of the civil and ecclesiastical polity of the Hebrews'
—military discipline—sacred antiquities of the Israelites,
Assyrians, Egypiians—Tabernacle—Temple, proseuchw, and
synagogues—dress, of priests—high priests and Levites—
Temple vessels—musical instruments— domestic antiquities--
tents, houses, and furniture--dress—coverings for the bead,
phylacteries, raiment of camel hair—signets, rings, sandals--
literature, science and art—writing materials and imple-'
ments—Sinaitic and other inscriptions -manuscripts-poetry.,
—painting and music—agricultural implements—arms and'
chariots of war—weights, measures, coins, and other articles•
relating to commerce—treatment of the dead, and ' funeral
rites. It is proposed to establish a library in connection with
the museum ; and also to organise courses of lectures on
the topics illustrated by the articles in the society's collec
tion.—Athenceum.

MEETING OF CONFOCATIONi—On Ftiday both houses of
convocation met at Westminster; the upper house at the'
Bounty-office, and the lower house i❑ the Jerusalem.-
..Al:ember. Tho Arobbieb.p of Oantowl...--,
upper. house, and there were:• present the Bishops of Win-
chester, St. David's, Oxford, St. Asaph, Lincoln, Salisbury,
Llandaff, Chichester, Exeter, and Rochester. The first business
transacted was to summon the-prolocutor of the lower house,
in order to inform him that the petition to the crown, agreed
to last session, praying for leave,•to make canons and con-
stitutions, had been declined by the crown. A petition was
presented by the Bishop of Oxford from the dean and chapter
of Westminster, praying that the Archdeacon of Westminster
might be summoned to convocation in the usual manner.
On the motion of the Bishop of Oxford, seconded by the Bishop
of Exeter, it was resolved—" That the petition of the dean
and chapter of Westminster be received, and laid upon the
table ; and that his grace the president be requested to direct
his law officers to prepare a report on the prayer of the said
petition, to be laid before the convocation at its next session.
The Bishop of Oxford addressed the house at great length on
the subject of a modification of the church's laws if it were to
continue its labours, and on more frequent communication
between the bishops and clergy by means of synodal action,
and concluded by moving a resolution requesting the arch-
bishop •to direct the lower house to consider the law in re-
ference to the discipline of the-clergy, and to report thereupon
on the 15th of April. The lower house assembled under the
presidency of the Dean of Bristol, the prolocutor (the Dean of
Ely) being too unwell to attend. A lengthened discussion
upon the constitution of convocation occupied the greater por-
tion of the sitting. The proceedings were adjourned until
Tuesday, April 15.

FEBRUARY 5, 1856.]

LOCAL INT.ELLIGENCE.

•
IRE body of Mr. Joseph Owen, draper, of 'Warrington, has
'een found floating in the Mersey ; deceased has been
kissing since 23rd December last.
MR. STEPHEN CARTER, of Myrtle-street, has presented to
the Northern Hospital £4 45., being the one-third proceeds of
a lottery of a biscuit model of the south portico of St. George's-
the gift of Mr. Joseph Hitchin, St, John's-lane.

- •
The Liverpool and Canadian new screw steamship North
American has been launched from the yard of Messrs. Denny,
,V3le. She is 1760 tons. Another vessel of the same descrip-
'°ll, to be named the Anglo-Saxon, is at present on the stocks,
41E1 will be launched in about five weeks.
SIINDAY SCHOOL AND LITERARY INSTITUTE.—The seventh
lecture of the winter series was delivered at the Concert-hall,
°,ll Tuesday, by the Rev. W. M. Punshon, of Leeds, the sub-
Jed being Literature and Science, their connexion with Re-
ngion.
ball
was much crowded.

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.—On Wednesday,
ajecture on "Things Secular and Things Sacred," being the
eighth of the course in connection with the above association,
tas delivered in the Hope:hall, Hope-street, by Mr. Luke H.
wiseman, of Stoke Newington, London. There was a nu-
terons and respectable audience.
EVENINGS WITH WORKING MEN.—On Thursday, the Rev.
, Cromar lectured to an audience of working men, in the
,f,eading-room under the Concert-hall, Lord Nelson-street, on
Heroism." He contended that every man of earnest pur-
Pose was a hero, and that work was the principal charac-
leristic of heroism. He was listened to throughout with the
Rrea test attention, and was repeatedly applauded during the
'tenvery of his address.
- - -

LIVERPOOL PAWNBROKERS' ANNUAL BALL.—The fifth
annual ball of the Pawnbrokers' Association of this town took
Place on Tuesday, at the Royal Assembly-rooms, Great George-
Street. Every arrangement calculated to ensure the comfort
uf the visitors had been made by the committee, under whose
guidance the ball bad been got up, and the refreshments were
bet only abundant, but of the best quality. There was a
good attendance of the members and their families, as well as
Several of their friends.

THE BRIDGEWATER CANAL.—After a negotiation, which
has been pending for some time past, the Bridgewater trustees
have entered into an agreement to lease the Bridgewater-
enial and the Old Quay Navigation to the North Staffordshire
Railway Company for alo erm. By this arrangement the
telnpany have secured a t.{ -`A inns in Liverpool, with the dock
accommodation and warehousing room. They have opened a
direct and free communication between the Mersey and the
Humber; and, so far as regards the Liverpool traffic, they
have rendered themselves, in a great measure, independent of
the
London and North-Western Company. Manchester
Guardian.
SELECT VESTRY.—The Rev. Rector Campbell presided at
the meeting of this body on Tuesday, when it appeared, from
the proceedings of the Workhouse Committee, that the
vagrant sheds had been used last week by 187 males, 102
ieinales, and 18 children; total, 307 persons. The number in
the sick ward on the 19th instant was 708, of which 4.8 were
fever and 57 itch cases. The total number in the house on
the 23rd instant was 2,649. From the minutes of the Finance
Committee, it appeared that there had been a decrease of
1165 4s. 2d. in the amount of out-door relkf granted during
the past week, and of £l7O ss. Bd. for the preceding week, as
compared with the corresponding weeks of last year. Mr.
Hughes was appointed an out-door inspector of relief; and the
Committee appointed to investigate the charges preferred
against Mr. Bradley, by Mr. Dignan, reported that they were
Itufounded.
WEST DERBY Gu,AlmrANs.—At the meeting of the board
0/1 Wednesday, it was resolved that a call be made on the
several townships of the union for the payment, on or before
the 25th of this month, of the sum of £3,493 ss. Bd. for
tounty rates, in compliance with a precept received from the
tlerks of the peace, dated the 22d ult. It was also decided
`that the dietary table for the idle and refractory inmates of
the workhouse, signed by Dr. Nevins, be adopted, and a copy
`thereof sent to the 'Poor-law Board for their approval. Notice
Was given by Mr. Shaw that he would, at the next meeting,
Move that the salary of Mr. Hamilton, the superintendentof
out-door labour, be increased to an amount to be then named.
Miss Harriet Bishop was appointed assistant-schoolmistress in
the workhouse schools, with a salary of £l5 per annum and
rations. The total number of paupers in receipt of relief,
(luring the last week, were 845 iu-door, 3,657 out-door, 4,502
total; showing an increase of 58 in-door, and 306 out-door,
total 364, when compared with the corresponding week in last
Year.

TitEBB was a soiree at the Corn Exchange, Manchester, on
'Monday last, given to the members for the borough, Messrs.
Gibson and Bright. Both vindicated their peace policy ; and
the latter addressed the meeting for two hours. He referred in
detail to thelerms of peace which have been accepted by Ens
ilia as preliminaries, expressing his opinion that they are in
themselves admirable, chiefly because there is reason to believe
they will lead to a pacification. He directed attention to the
vast loss of life, of money, and of material wealth which the
contest has entailed upon the nations engaged in it, and the
addition it has occasioned to the public debt of this country.
Mr. Bright indulged in some bitter attacks upon the'press in
general (on The Times:in particular), on account of their un-
fair representations of his conduct. General Thompson and
Mr. Heywood also addressed the meeting.
THE, ATTEMPTED BULLION BOBBERT.—The brothers
Robert and Henry Eyre, who were charged before the Liver-
Pool magistrates with a serious assault upon Mr. Hughes,
the cashier of Mr. Durandu, and with attempting to steal a
cash-box containing £1,6t,0, underwent another examination
on Friday. Mr. Hughes stated that the elder prisoner struck
him and knocked him down with a life-preserver, and that
the prisoner Henry then came forward and hit him on the
head with a poker. The-elder prisoner tried to throttle him.
A surgeon stated that the wounds of the witnesss Hughes,
although not dangerous in themselves, might lead to serious

consequences. Ifughes had his head bound with bandages.
The prsioner Robert put in a written document, in which he
alleged that he had not been able to obtain work ; that he
Was in a state of starvatian, and could not obtain relief from
the parish. He had a helpless family of small children, who
had not eaten anything for 36 hours. These circumstances
tempted him to commit the offence, and he had felt as if hur-
ried on to destruction brsome irresistible influence. He had
Pod references, and, if he could obtain his liberty, it was his
intention to join a regiment of dragoons. He then threw
himself upon the mercy of the Court, begging the magistrates
to deal summarily with the case. This the magistrates de-
.clined to do, and both prisoners were committed for tridi at
the assizes.

ISLE OF MAN STE/Of-PACKET COMPANY.—The half-yeafly
meeting of this company was held on Tuesday, at the offices,
Douglas, Mr. G. W;Dumbell in the chair. From the state-
ment of accounts for the half-year, it appeared that compared
With the corresponding-period of last year, there had been an
increase in the receipts-amounting to •upwards of £2,780. The
increase was not confined to one item, but was apparent in
character, passenger, freight, and sundry account, whilst there
had been a decrease in the expenditure of £4ll, showing a
nett profit on the half-year of £6,831 4s. ld. From this sum
ft dividend will be paid of five per cent. on the half-year,
£1,250 placed to the reserved fund, and the balance allowed
'to remain as floating capital for the time being. Messrs. H.
13. Noble, William Gell, and William Okell were re-elected as
directors, and Mr. Richard Quirk and Mr. John Winram
were appointed in the place of Mr. Senhouse Wilson and Mr.
Philip Killey, resigned. Mr. John Harris and Mr. George
G. Saunders were elected auditors. The thanks of the meet-
ing were voted to the directors and the chairman, and the
shareholders, a large number of whom were in attendance,
retired evidently highly satisfied with the management and
prospects of the company.
DOCK COMMITTEE.—The usual weekly meeting of this
committee was held on Thursday, at a quarter-past one o'clock,
Mr. Charles Turner in the chair. The other members present
Were Messrs. Shand, Palmer, Robinson, Gladstone, Gregson,
Rounthwaite, l3rocklebank, Barber, Holden, Langsdale, Holme,
Anderson, Rathbone' Rankin, Smith, Lockett. The Sub-com-
mittee of Works recommended that the contract of Messrs.
Willoughby for towing the mud flats be continued on the same
terms for twelve months ; also that the tender of Mr. R. A.
Watson, to supply a quantity of the best Quebec pine, be ac-
cepted. Confirmed.—On the recommendation of the Marine
Sub-committee, the salaries of the keepers of the Upper and
tligher Hoylake Lighthouses were raised from £45 to £55 per
annum—A gratuity of £5 was ordered to be paid, at ss. per
Week, to the widow of David Doyd, the late keeper of the
Formby Lighthouse.—John Sharpies was promoted to be the
Junior master of the Formby Lightship, at a salary of £lOO
Per annum; and John Roberts was promoted to be junior
master of the Crosby Lightship, at a salary of £9O per annum,
with the usual allowances.—The tender of Messrs. Ogden and
Barnes, for an iron casting required at the Formby tide-gauge,
was accepted.—The Harbour Masters Sub committee recom-
mended the adoptiontf additional by-laws relative to stages,
Prepared by the Dock solicitor. These (which were adopted)
Provided that in case any perm takes possession of a stage
Without the written order of the dockmaster, he shall be liable
to a penalty of £5, and a like penalty will ensue where all
stages, &c., not belonging to the Dock Committee, are not
removed within six hours after they have ceased to be used.
These by-laws will come into operati -n on the 6th February.
The Sub-committee also recommended that tenders be obtained
for the construction of a residence for the master of the King's
tioek, on the north side of the Queen's Basin.—Shears for
roasting ships were directed to be placed on the south side of
the Sandon Dock, at an estimated cost of £1,200. These
shears are calculated to lift 25 tons, and will be available for
roasting ships of the largest burthen ; its lift will be 75 feet.
--The general business of the committee then terminated.
HEALTH COMMITTEE.—The weekly meeting was held on
Thursday. Present—Messrs. Langsdale (chairman), Dover,
Rodson, Crosthwaite, J. Holme, Johnson, Tinne, Haydock,
C. Stewart, Sheil, M`Gnffie, Godfrey, Beckwith, Gladstone,
end Halhead. The borough-engineer, building-surveyor, and
inspector of nuisances, reported various particulars of the
operations in their several departments during the week.—A
recommendation from the borough-engineer to pave Dutton-
street with square sets was, after some conversation, postponed
- !,0 allow the members to examine the street.—Mr. Haydock,
in accordance with the notice he bad given at the previous
meeting, moved that the license to Mr. Clarke for keeping a
islaughter-house in Plumbe-street be withdrawn. He urged
nis motion on the ground that the slaughter-house was a
nuisance, and had been proved by the inhabitants to be so.
some discussion followed, and the general feeling elicited was
that the subject of slaughter-houses should be taken up and
considered. As an amendment, Mr. Hodson moved that a
committee be appointed to consider the whole subject of
slaughter-houses, which was carried by a majority of eight-
-11 to 3.—The medical officer reported that in the week ending
°/1 the 26th instant, 277 deaths were registered in the
10ronh being 25 less than in the previous week, and 12 less
than the corrected average of the same week of- the preceding
:tven years. Of the deaths, 151 wFe in the paish, and 76 in
the out-townships. The mortality from diseases of the
431zotic class was lower than in any week of the previous
siz months. Of 69 deaths, 20 were from hooping-cough, 13
from scarlatina (less than in any week since August), 7 from
teasles, 4 from typhus, 2 (adults) from small-pox, one having
,en vaccinated in infancy.' From diseases of the lungs and
~
'unsumption there were 99 deaths—a number which has been
V 1137 once exceeded since the month of March. A commercial
javeller, aged 46, died of delirium tremens. Of the 227 who
and, 129 were below 20 years of age, 73 between 20 and 60,
i 25 between 60 and 90. It was stated by the law-clerk,
reference to the long-disputed question of the area in
Vfed-street, that a clause existed in the owner's lease by
11ich he could make a certain extension of the area so long
4,
ue kept it in proper condition.—The law-clerk intimated
thatbo the contract for the removal of the refuse from the
eeMligli expired on the sth of May next, and it would be ne-
kilttee arY to take measures in reference thereto. A sub-com-
-1.,f for that purpose was appointed. Several letters having
cr;' etence to the smoke nuisance were referred to the Smoke
n4ll4ittee, after which the meeting broke up.

THE QUEEN has approved of Mr._William Watson, as con-.
sul in this town for the republic of Venezuela ; and of Don
Fernando Montoya, Marquis of Caballero, as consul at St.
John's, Newfoundland, for the Queen of Spain.
ELIZABETH GRUNDY, fourteen years of age, has been com-
mitted for trial, on a charge of setting fire to the cotton-mill of
Mr. W. Seed, Derby-street, Preston.
DUCHY or LANCASTER, Jan. 30. The Queen has been
pleasecrthis day to appoint Robert Needham Phillips, Esq., of
the Park, Manchester, to be Sheriff of the County Palatine of
Lancaster for the year ensuing.

TROMA.S MOORE, tailor and draper, Ashton-under-Lyne,
has been committed for trial on a charge of wilfully setting
fire to his dwelling-house, with intent to defraud the Man-
chester Fire Assurance Company.
AUSTRALIAN MAlLS.—Messrs. James Baines and Co.'s
chartered mail clipper Joseph Tarratt, will sail with the
mails for Australia on Thursday next. The Post-office boi
will close on that day at 8 a.m., with late fees at 9 a.m., and
on the Landing-stage at 10 a.m.

QUICK DESPATCH.—The new iron clipper ship Mary Stan-
house, from Akyab, and owned by Edward Bates, Esq., baying
on board 22,511 bags of rice, was discharged and cargo ware-
housed in the transit shed No. 2, Prince's Dock, under the
usual regulations, in twenty-nine working hours.
Tim magnificent Boston liner John Eliot Thayer, captain
Gains Sampson, sailed from the Mersey on Sunday last, for her
destination, with another enormous cargo of upwards of 3,400
tons, the value of which cannot be computed at less than
£130,000.

THE TRANSPORT SERVICE.—The Great Britain, at present
in the graving-dock, is announced to sail from Liverpool on
Saturday, with upwards of 1,000 troops, her destination being
Malta. The screw-steamer Sarah Sands is also being made
ready, at Liverpool, for the conveyance of troops to the seat
of war.

AN OLD LADY, residing at Normanton, near Wakefield,
having determined on removing thence to Manchester, sold off
all her furniture the other day for £2OO. On her way to Man-
chester the money, which consisted of notes, was abstracted
from her pocket, and the poor woman has thus been rendered
penniless.
- - -

LADIES' COLLEGE IN LIVERPOOL.—We understand that
some of the clergy and laity of this town, including gentlemen
connected with the Collegiate Institution, have under their
consideration the propriety of establishing a ladies' college,
similar to those colleges for the instruction of young ladies
which have been so successful in London.
ROYAL INSTITUTION SCHOOL.—In the late degree exami-
nation at Cambridge, Mr. W. Glen, formerly educated in the
above school, and son of G. Glen, Esq., of this town, obtained
the place of twenty-third among the wranglers, or first class
of the mathematical tripos. Mr. W. Rees, Canning scholar
of the Royal Institution School, lately gained the Hulsean
Prize Essay at the same University. -
LIVERPOOL CHEMISTS' ASSOCIATION. The fortnightly
meeting of this society took place on Thursday, at the Royal
Institution, Colquitt-street. J. Abraham, Esq., of Bold-street,
presided. Mr. Rowland exhibited and explained his apparatus
for taking micro-photographs. Mr. Mercer delivered a lec-
ture on the "Chemistry of Food." A brief discussion fol-
lowed ; and, after a vote of thanks to the lecturer, the pro-
ceedings were brought to a close.
ROBBERY AT THE BOROUGH BANE.—On Tuesday, a
gentleman named Kerr, whilst attending the Borough Bank
to deposit a sum of money, was robbed of £215 in notes, which
were taken away from the counter during the time he was
engaged in counting some gold. No clue has yet been obtained
to the missing notes. The attention of the gentleman was
distracted from his cash by a person at 'his elbow directing his
notice to the beauty of tha :new ceiling of the bank. The
gentleman admired it for a few moments, but in the meantime

his money 'had gone.
CA.UTICN TO LETTER CARRIERS.—At the Police-court, on
Wednesday, Thomas Stephenson, elate a letter-carrier in the
Post-offi3e, pleaded guilty to the charge of having, on New
Year's-day, neglected to use proper care and diligence in the
delivery of letters entrusted to him for that purpose, for which
offence he had rendered himself liable to a penalty of £2O. It
appeared that he had already been dismissed from his situa-
tion-; and under these circumstances, Mr. Mansfield thought
a fine of 40s. and costs would serve the purpose intended.
CHRISTIANITY IN NEW -ZEALAND.—On Wednesday,the
members of the Everton branch of the Church Missionary
Society held' a meeting at the Everton and Kirkdale School-
room, for the purpose of hearing an address from the? Rev.
Richard Taylor, a missionary from that colony, detailing the
progress the gospel had made there, and affording interesting
information in connection therewith. He was attended by
Hepango," a New Zealand -chief. A similar meeting was
held on Friday, at Hope-ball.
RAISING THE WIND.—John Fisher, a boy about ,eleven
years of age, was charged et the Police-court, on Friday, with
stealing six pairs of bellows from the shop of Mr. Fraser, St.
Anne-street. The prisoner has been charged before the
magistrates with thefts no less than seven times, on 'two of
Which he has been convicted and punished, and five times dis-
charged through his ingenious defences. He was, however,
on the present occasion, sent to gaol for three months, with a
few cautioning words from the magistrates as to his future
prospects by leading such a wicked life.
DESTRUCTION OF A COTTON MlLL.—Shortly after mid-
night, on Tuesday, a messenger' arrived at Preston• with in-
telligence that the cottom-mill of Messrs. J. W. Dale and
Sons, at Samlesbury, was on fire. These premises are-situate
at Roach, seven or eight,miles from Preston. After the mes-
senger had arrived with the news, about an hour and a half
elapsed before horses maid be procured to convey the engines
to the spot; so that at least three hours must have passed
before the engines arrived at the burning mill. The building
and all it contained were utterly destroyed; the loss amounting,
as we have been informed, to £14,000. The proprietors are
partly -insured.

SHERIFFS FOR 185 e. Cumberland : Sir Henry Ralph
Vane, of Hutton-ball and Armathwaite, Bart. -Cheshire
Richard Christopher Naylor, of Hooton-hall, Esq. 'Derby-
shire : Alfred Miller Mundy, of Shipley-hall, Esq. Shrop-
shire : Edward Lloyd Gatacre, of Gatacre, Esq. Staffordshire :
Richard Dyott, of Freeland, Esq. Yorkshire : Harry Stephen
Thompson, of Kirby-ball, Esq. Anglesey : John Jacob, of
Llanfawr, Esq. Carnarvonshire : Lieutenant-Colonel John
M`Donald, of Plas-ucha-Dwygyfylchwy. Denbighshire : John
Jesse, of Llanbedr-hall,,Euthin, Esq. Flintshire : Frederick
Phillips, of Rhual, Esq. Merionethshire : John Priestley,-of
Hafodygregoge, Esq.
SABBATH DEFENCE MEETING.—A meeting of the Working
Men's Reformation Society was was held on Friday, at the
School-room, Lower Beau-street, to promote the Sabbath
Defence movement. The.-chair was taken by Mr. Ball. Re-
solutions were proposed .and carried to bind the meeting to
defend the Sabbath, and expressing their gratitude to their
Creator for having prescribed its observance. A. petition was
also passed, calling on the Mayor to repress Sunday trading in
the sale of provisions—the driving of cattle through the
streets—the opening of newsvendors' shops, and the vending
of spirituous liquors. The speakers were—Messrs. Flannigan,
Johnson, Eaton, and Sefton. The attendance was very .limited.

BLUE-COAT BROYIIERLY SOCIETY.—On Thursday, the
members of this society celebrated their seventeenth anniver-
sary by dining together at the Royal Hotel, Dale-street. The
society is composed of those who have received their educa-
tion in the Blue-coat Hospital, .and who are associated toge-
,ther to carry out several excellent objects specified in the
:annual report. The chair was occupied by Mr. T. Wood, the
president of the society, and the vice-chair by Mr. T. Down-
ward. Several of the speakers.ealled attention to the objects
of the society, and the large amount of good it had been in-
strumental in accomplishing in numerous cases which came
within the sphere of its benevolent operations. All present
were highly gratified, and the evening was spent in the most
agreeable manner.
14vEnroor, TOWN COI:WM.—A special meeting of the
council was held on Wednesday, John Stewart, Esq., the
mayor, presiding. The meeting was held for the purpose of
taking into consideration the provisions of a bill about to be
introduced into Parliament, "for carrying into effect certain
provisions of the Birkenhead Dock Act, 1855 ; for providing
for the construction, completion, and management of the
Birkenhead Docks; and for other purposes." The council
having, on the motion of Mr. Hornby, resolved itself into a
committee, the town clerk read the provisions of the bill,
clause by clause. After considerable discussion on the 12th
clause, on which Mr. Hodson moved, as an amendment, " that
it be an instruction to the special committee to avoid, as far
as possible, the large present outlay required in so limited a
period of time;" but which he did not press to a decision.
Ultimately the whole of the clauses, 123 in number, were
agreed to, and the bill was referred to the special committee
on the Birkenhead Dock affairs, to take all the necessary steps
for its prosecution. There was no other business before the
council, and the meeting separated shortly before two o'clock.
DARBY v. DA ILBY.—This was a suit in the Vice-Chancellor's
Court, on Tuesday, before Sir Richard Kindersley, by the
widow of Mr. Alfred Darby, to 'administer his estate, but the
only point which was argued was whether certain estates en
the neighbourhood of Liverpool, purchased by Mr. Alfred
Darby and his brother, Mr. Abraham Darby, were to be con-
sidered in equity as converted into personalty, or whether they
descended to the infant heir-at-law as realty. It appeared
that Messrs. Abraham and Alfred Darby purchased the estates
in question out of money borrowed by them of the Colebrook-
dale Company, of which they were partners. Their intention
appeared to be to prepare the lands for building, and to sell
them for a profit, but no part of them ever was sold. Mr.
Alfred Darby died intestate m 1852, and it was contended on
the part of the plaintiffs, his widow and younger children, that
the whole transaction was to be considered as a partnership
business, and that the estates were merely merchandise, and
as such were merely personalty. The heir contended, on the
other hand, that it was not such a partnership transaction as
that the court could hold that the estates had been converted.
—His Honour reserved his judgment.
ME RAGGED SCTIOOL UNION.—The annual meeting of the
subscribers and friends of this institution was held on Thurs-
day, at the Charitable Institution-house, Slater-street. Mr.
Edward Heath was called to the chair. Amongst the gentle-
men present were Mr. S. Martin, Mr. G. Duncan, the Rev.
R. W. Wolseley, &c., &c. The chairman intimated that it had
been considered undesirable to hold their public meeting as on
former occasions, but to meet as they were then doing, and
rather make the public acquainted with the institution through
the medium of the report.—The report, which was read by
Mr. Burt, the honorary secretary, stated that, in consequence
of the multiplying claims on the benevolent, and other causes,
the society had, in common with many others, not made much
progress in a pecuniary sense. The income of the society for
1854 was £2lB, and this year the applications had been more
numerous, and it was the first time the committee had been
unable to comply with all. The statistics of the schools showed
that in 27 week-day, evening, and Sabbath-schools there vv ere
on the books 4,706 children, the average attendance being
3,455. Of these, there were 2,144 able to read and write,
and 162 who had obtained situations during the year. The
number of teachers was 341. There were five infant schools,
and the number of children on the books 596, average attend-
ance 508 ; of these the number that could read was 218 ;
teachers, 11. In the two industrial schools there were on the
books 216; average attendance 203, of whom 132 could read ;
and 57 had obtained situations. As compared with last year,
there was an increase of 454 in the average attendance, and of
these there were able to read 403. But of those there were
many who attended other schools, leaving the real increase in
the average attendance 284, and of those able to read, 253. It
appeared that of the 341 teachers all were voluntary except 10,
and that the total number of children educated was 3,455. The
financial statement showed a balance in hand of £l5, and there
were already more applications than could be met with the
present proceeds of the society. The report was adopted
unanimously. Besides the chairman, the meeting was ad-
dressed by Mr. Martin, Major Greig, Mr. G. Duncan, the Rev.
Mr. Wolseley, and other gentlemen. The committee for the
ensuing year having been appointed, the proceedings termi-
nated with the usual compliment to the chairman,