The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1861-01-10 00:00:00

EXTENSIVE CONFLAGRATION AT
TADCASTER.

A conflagration of a most extensive character broke
out on N onday evening last in the large flour mill
occupied by Mr. Rishworth, at Tadcaster, on the banks
of the river Wharfe. About five o'clock on Monday
evening, whilst the mill was in full operation, it
was discovered that some of the woodwork had taken
fire from the heat produced by the friction of
some portions of the machinery. Every effort was
made to subdue the flames, but unfortunately with-
out effect ; and ultimately the fire-engines from
York and Leeds were telegraphed for. On their
arrival every effort was made to subdue the
flames, which, however, were not extinguished until
yesterday at noon, when the whole mill had been
thoroughly gutted, the only portions of the property
saved being a water wheel and an adjoining malt kiln.
At the time when the fire broke out, the mill contained
an immense quantity of grain, the greater part of which
has been destroyed. The total damage is estimated at
near £6,000. The building was insured for some
£4,000 in the Yorkshire and other offices.

The schooner Hope, whose arrival is reported to-day,
is laden with a cargo of flour from Bilboa.
The Liverpool, New York, and Philadelphia Com-
pany's steamer City of Washington, which sailed from
the Mersey for New York yesterday morning, took
£107,000 in specie.
AMALGAMATION OF VOLUNTEER COMPANIES.—Capt.
Cuthbert's company of Grenadiers, Captain Lamont's
Highlanders, and Captain Rogers's corps have amalga-
mated, and their services have been graciously accepted
by her Majesty. The united corps is now numbered the
79th Lancashire, and is to have a commandant, two cap-
tains, three lieutenants, three ensigns, and an assistant
surgeon.

CORONER'S INcttEsTs.—Yesterday the Coroner held
the following inquests :—On the body of Joseph Walter
Howard, three years old, the child of a labourer, in
Burlington-street. On the 19th December the child's
clothes caught tire, and the consequence of the injuries
was death. Verdict accordingly.—On the body of a
child named Clinton, four months old, that was acci-
dentally overlain in bed, in Saltney-street. Verdict,
Accidental Death.

TILE AFFILIATION CASE AT TIIE Qt7AUTTIE SE:3SIONS.

—LLOYD v. PEAcocK.—ln this case, which has been
prominently before the public, the Recorder, at the
Borough Sessions, yesterday, after reviewing the whole
of the facts, confirmed the decision of the magistrates,
and the girl was to have 2s. 6d. a week in support of
her illegitimate child. Mr. Conway, instructed by Mr.
Cobb, appeared for Mr. Peacock. The girl was not
represented by any legal gentleman.
Commissioxs, &c.—Signed by the Lord-Lieutenant of
the County Palatine of Chester: Ist Company of Cheshire
Rifle Volunteers, Charles Jones, gent., to be Ensign,
vice Conway, resigned. Erratum : For " Henry Hynd-
ham Laird to be Capt.," read " Henry Hyndman Laird."
12th Company of Cheshire Rifle Volunteers : Lieut.
Alfred Neild to he Capt., vice Fleming, promoted;
Ensign James Watson, to be Lieut., vice Neild, pro-
moted; Daniel Griffin, gent., to be Ensign, vice Watson,
promoted.—By the Lord-Lieutenant of the County
Palatine of Lancaster : Ist Regiment of the Duke of
Lancaster's Own : Francis John Shortis, gent..,
to be Lieut. (instead of Francis John Shertio, a 2 adver-
tised in a former Gazette.)
COUNTY COURT.—At this court yesterday, before J.
K. Blair, Esq., judge, a number of insolvency cases were
heard, amongst which was the case of Mr. Thomas Henry

Claik, the particulars of which were detailed in this
paper some weeks ago. The insolvent is a superannuated
custom-house officer, and he availed himself of the Trades-
man's Loan Society to borrow money to the extent of
several hundreds of pounds. He was acquainted with
Chalkley, the secretary (who has since absconded, leaving
deficiencies in his accounts to the amount of £25,000).
The insolvent paid a portion of the money to Chalkley,
the secretary, but neglected to obtain a receipt. His
liabilities amounted altogether to £1,200, of which
£l,OOO were awing to the loan society. Mr. Chiltern
appeared to support the petitioner, and Mr. Rymer
appeared ou behalf of the society. The petition was
dismissed.

WEST DERBY GUARDIANS.—The usual weekly meet-
ing of the West Derby Board of Guardians was held
yesterday at the workhouse. Mr. Reyes was in the
chair ; and the other members present were Messrs.
Abrahams, Ledger, J. Edwards, Wensley, Bright, Green,
Smith, Davis, Richmond, Webster, Woods, Medcalf,
Shaw, Pilling, H. Edwards, Roberts, Wareham, and
Garrett. The Governor reported that the number of
inmates in the house was last week 433; admitted since

41; discharged 22; dead 4. This week 448 ; corres-
ponding week of last year 302. Cheques for out-door
relief were granted as follows : ---Mr. Potts, £l3B ; Mr.
Roberton, £4O; and Mr. Lythgoe, £25. Mr. Ledger
moved, in consequence of the large number of able-
bodied applicants for relief, that the stone yards be
opened to give them temporary employment. The
motion was adopted. Mr. Hamiltcn was appointed
superintendent. The relieving officer was ordered to
give them casual relief. Mr. Woods paid a tribute of
respect to the memory of Mr. Wm. Parkin, one of the
most faithful 'members of the board, and moved that a

consolatory letter be sent to his widow and children.
The motion was carried. The clerk read a letter from
Mr. Culshaw, who stated that the probable cost of the
proposed additions to the workhouse would amount to
about £5OO, exclusive of drains necessary under any
circumsttnces. The letter was directed to be sent to
the Poor-law Board. The board proceeded to elect a
relieving officer for the districts of Everton and Kirk-
dale; tivre were seven candidates. Mr. Ledger moved
and Mr. Medcalf seconded the election of Mr. Augustus
Lingham, superannuated Excise-officer. Mr. Pilling in
a long and laudatory speech movetl, and Mr. Bolshaw
seconded the election of Mr. Benjamin Thompson,
Scripture Reader at the Parish Church, who was elected
by a majority of 13 against 5. There was no other
business )f general interest.
THE 3IIANNON STRAIIIEIt. The disabled paddle-
wheel steamship Shannon, Captain Abbott, belonging
to the R)yal Mail Steampacket Company, which left
the Islard of St. Thomas, in the West Indies, on the
6th of Diccmber, in tow of the paddlewheel steamship
Trent, Csptain James Moir, and parted company with
her on tae 20th. of December, arrived in Plymouth
Sound on Tuesdpy morning.

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE UPON THE

SERPV/TINE,

1).6. aldost impossible to giVe a perfect
description of tS s3ght prestisted in Hyde Park on
Tuesday night, but when It s sttrfed that upwards of
200,000 persons were estimated to be jai nrsd around the
Serpentine, some idea may be formed of the scene which
was presented. long before it was dark a large body
of police, including many of the A divikon under
Inspector Grant, came into the park, and endeavoured
by every itens to prevent the masses from going into
danger, as Well Eig to protect the public. The drive
414'g the Serpentine' war fur two hours completely
Moclied; Witli carriages of the nobility and gentry, and
along the banks' riihs.:;es of persons Were COrtgregated,
while, to obtain a or the eNstraotditiary and brilliant
sight upon the frozen surtat‘e, seVeral' hundreds of per-,
sons mounted the lofty trees. From the bridge down' to'
the extreme end of the river was one optintrens blaze of
light, there being upwards of 50,000 skaters and sliders,
nearly all of whom carried lighted torches, and carried
on their evolutions by their light. The centre as well,
near the banks of the river, was lined by several hun-
dred tents, consisting of skating booths, refreshment
pavillions, &c. Near the cast end was erected a very
large tent for the supply of wine, porter, and refresh-
nientS or all descriptions, While the vendors of hot
cdee, ginger' beer, &c., drat a most profitable trade,
and the whoieseent" Wa's ohe that has never before Nen
witnessed on the frOien Water of the Serpentine.
About seven o'clock several disVlfeyr of fire Works took
plaCe upon the ice, and blue, green, anti fed' Eres
were ignited, the whole shedding over the scene a most
brilliant dna extraordinary effect. Sevts.tral of the
Royal Humane Society's icemen, including Deputy
Superintendent Parsons, Murphy, and Green, in a most
praiseworthy manner, althoueh they had been on duty
the whole of the day, volunteered their services and
remained on duty dUring the night in case of any acci-
dents; while Mr. Young, the secretary, Mr. Superin-
tendent Williams, and other gentlemen in connection
with the society, were present, in order to carry out the
proceedings. About sift o'clock a loud cry of alarm was
raised that the ice had given way, and icemen Webb and
Higginbotham at once ran to the smith shore, where
they found two persons bad broken through into about
seven feet of water, and were struggling in the water.
They imatedlately went to the rescue, and after much
difficulty succeeded in bringing out a young man, named
Thomas Kelly, of 7, CresCent=place, Brompton, and a
young woman, named Esther Theeday, residing at the
same place, both of whom, in a very exhausted condition,
were conveyed to the receiving-house, and attended by
Mr. Superintendent Williams, and immediately placed in
a hot bath, and having received other remedies, partially
recovered, and were ultimately conveyed home in a cab.
Two men who assisted in rescuing them were partially
immersed, but not seriously injured. Shortly after this
a young woman fell upon the ice, and received a dread-
ful cut from the point of a skate, on the left eye.
Several other severely cut heads were dressed at the ,
receiving-house during the evening. The men of
the society gave as much warning as possible in
order to prevent the skaters and sliders from going
near the south shore, at which place the two persons
above mentioned fell in, and which is much broken up
and very dangerous, in consequence of the removal of a
large quantity of the ice for her Majesty's wells. Three
ladies volunteered to prepare the strapping, &c., for the
wounded, and which they carried out in the receiving-
house, while Mr. Young and Mr. Williams were inde-
fatigable in their exertions to help the unfortunate
sufferers brought in. At about eight o'clock there •
was a large number of persons entered the park, mostly
from Apsley House-gate, and proceeded to the Serpen-
tine. The whole length of Piccadilly from this gate
was crowded with persons wending their way to the
park, and, in fact, the thoroughfare on one side was
almost impassible, while carriages of all descriptions
thronged the road-way. Skating quadrilles, and
other dances were gone through on the frozen
surface, and several matches of an exciting char-
acter, also took place. Shortly after nine o'clock
the general aspect of the Park was truly wonderful, a
large number of the tents being lighted up with
variegated oil lamps and festoons of Chinese lanterns,
and further displays of pyrotechnics took place. A large
number of the skaters and sliders about this time paid a
visit to the different refreshment booths, and fires were
lighted, around which many discussed refreshments of
all kinds. The view obtained from the bridge resembled,
in some parts, the bivouacking of a large army. The
festivities were carried on with the utmost vigour for
several hours, but at ten o'clock a large number of
persons retired. several thousands, however, remained
upon the ice until a very late hour.
The glass registered on Monday night 19 deg.; at
nine o'clock on Tuesday 23 deg., mid-day 33 deg., and on
Tuesday night 27 deg. Barometer, 30.35. Wind N.E.
It is anticipated that a fete, on an extensive scale,
will take place on the Serpentine, should the frost last.
The ice is now upwards of 73 inches in thickness, and
in good condition.

TAXES UPON EVERYTHING.—In some official corres-
pondence respecting our colony of Natal, just published
by the Colonial-office, a tax of 7s. a wife is alluded to
as in operation in that colony, " so that a Caffne having
six wives, has 425. per annum to pay to Government."
The tax was originally imposed by order of the Lieut.-
Governor "as paramount chief over the natives," or
father of his country, but was afterwards fixed by a law
of the legislature.

Dis.ruEss IN COVENTRY. —The National Choral
Society will give, under the direction of Mr. G. W.
Martin, in aid of the fund for the relief of the Coventry
weavers, a grand performance of the Messiah, at Exeter-
hall; London, on the last Wednesday of the month. The
Chorus will be the largest ever assembled in Exeter-hall
for the oratorio of the Messiah, and will be supported
by a complete orchestra selected from the Philharmonic
and other societies. Mr. Sims Reeves and other eminent
singers have been offered engagements.

SNOW STORM.—LOSS CF A BRIG.—GREAT YARMOFTII4
Jan. 7.—A heavy fall of snow set. in on Saturday night,
and has continued, with little intermission, up to this
evening. The average depth on the roads is not less
than 10 or 12 inches, rendering double teams necessary
for ordinary vehicles ; but in the fields the drift is in
some places sor 6 feet deep. On Sunday, at half-past
8 a.m., the brig Arethusa, from Newcastle for Dieppe,
laden with coals, the wind squally from the N.E., and
the weather very thick with snow, struck on the Cross
Sand, and began to fill so rapidly that the crew (seven
in number) had barely time to quit her in the ship's
boat, leaving everything behind. After drifting about
for three hours in the blinding storm they were picked
up, almost exhausted, by the Caister lifeboat, and,
having landed at Caister, were ferivarged on tne same
day to the Sailors Home at this port, where they
received change of clothing, warm food, and other
necessaries. Within ten minutes after the crew left the
brig every vestige of her had disappeared in the sands.
The Arethusa was 172 tons register, and was insured
for £1,100; cargo uncertain.
A WORD IN SEASON.—This is the season at which
every one amongst us who has fire and candle, food,
shelter, and clothing, should give a thought—and more
than one—to the sufferings of the poor. Is it not as-
tonishing that, although by the law of England means
are provided for affording shelter, and a certain rough
sustenance to wholly destitute persons, and although
private charity has also contributed so largely, and to so
many institutions for the relief of suffering humanity,
the poor of London have suffered, such extremities of
misery last week ? Logic and sentiment, political
l'economy, and a fair diviner science have equally broken
down ; and the sufferings of the poor of London have
been extreme. In many of the unions the workhouse
test indiscriminately applied is more for the purpose of
checking solicitation than for the detection of imposture.
" Come into the house, or starve!" The wretched crea-
tures are so blind to the political necessities of the case,
and so dogged in their misery, that they take the
"relieving-officers" at their word—retire to their gar-
rets or cellars, throw a ragged rug over their children
who lie shivering on a heap of shavings, and in innu-
merable instances suffer everything short of death—in
some cases death itself—rather than enter "the house."
—Once a Week.

CIrRISTIXN INFLUENCES IN INDIA.—II is easier to
relate these incidents of travel, than to convey a correct
impression of the powerful influence produced by the
visits of the bishop to these distant and isolated spots.
The daily evening and morning prayer, with exposi-
tions of the Scriptures ; the conversation, always direc-
ted with a view to edification; the earnest discourses
in the pulpit or the chair, never more tender, simple,
and impressive than when only two or tbree were
gathered together ; the sanction given to the perform-
ance of divine service by some one in every station who
feared good and eschewed evil ; the suggestions made
for the continuance of family devotions after he had
left; the present of books, either his own works or some
others calculated to impress the mind or raise the tone
of piety,—all these were the results following each visit.
The impression, in many cases, may have been transient,
but in many it was abiding, and all knew and confessed
that there had been a prophet amongst them. When
the tone of piety throughout the land was low, it was
raised ; when error entered and it began to spread, it was
checked. The private influence of twenty-five years of
service such as this is incalculable. The "day" alone
can declare it.—. Life of the late Bishop of Calcutta.

ANECDOTE. OF OBAYSCH, THE HIPPOPOTAMUS OP
THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—Hamet, whose servicrs
had been engaged at Cairo, from his experience and skill
in the care and management of animals, had some
amusing incidents to relate as to his extraordinary
charge. It was clear, for instance, that he had attracted
to himself, and that most deservedly, the warm affections
of Obaysch. Thus, Hamet slept side by side with him
at Cairo, and in the same way he slumbered during the
first week ofthe voyage. But as the weather grew warmer,
and Obaysch larger and larger, though " poverty mak, s
us (proverbially) acquainted with strange bedfellows."
the charge of a hippopotamus did not necessarily, it _wes
thought, render such an inconvenience imperative.
Hamet bad, therefore, a hammock slung from the beams
immediately over the place where he used to sleep—just
over, in fact, his side of the bed, his position being raised
some two or three feet. Assuring Obaysch, not only by
words, but by extending one arm over the side so as to
touch him, Hemet got into his hammock and fell asleep,
when he was suddenly awaked by a jerk and a hoist,
only to find himself close by the side of his compagnon
de voyage Another experiment at separate sleeping
was attended by the same successful movements on the
part of Obaysch, and, till they arrived at Southampton,
Hemet desisted from any further trial, as he avoided, in
all ways, any irritation of the animal.—Cassell's Popular
Natural History.

a

LATEST NEWS.

(BY BRITISH AND IRISH MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.)

FRANCE.

PARIS, Jan. 9.
The Constßutionnel says it is generally believed
that in the event of the French fleet leaving
Gaetgi it would cruise for some time in the
Adriatic.

The retirement of M. Thouvenel from the
French Foreign Offices is again rumoured.

THE FRENCH FUNDS.
PARIS, Jan. 9, 3*.n p.m.

The Bourse has been inanimate, but slightly
Vim. Rentes closed at 67f. lOc., or 20c. higher
than yesterday.
SARVINTA AND FRANCE.

Le .Nord of to-day says that the Cabinet at
Tutin has resolved to tolerate intervention from
no other power than France, ami to resist by-
force any attempt of the kind.

It is not true that the French fleet at Gaeta
will be replaced by a Russia ra fleet.

FRANCE AND ENGLAND.

An attaché from the Minister of Foreign
Affairs left Paris yesterday morning for London
with despatches for M. de Fahault, which are
supposed b be very important, as the private
secretary of the minister passed the greater part
of the night in drawing them up.