The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-10-04 00:00:00

A SMALL SCENE,

Mr. SHAW wished to enter into an explanation
regarding the inquiry into his character with reference
to the . woman Elizabeth Wilkinson, alias Cross," &c.,
which took place at that board a few weeks ago, during
his absence. This was the first time that he bad bad
an opportunity of clearing himself in the presence of the
chairman, Mr. Ward. He proceeded to deal in persona-
lities, amidst a good deal of confusion.
An angry discussion ensued, during which
Mr. LEDGEK moved that the board should not reopen
arid go into the matter until Mr. Shaw had carried out
his promise of publishing a vindication of his character.
The motion Was seconded by Mr. Edwards.
The CHAIRMAA was ready to enter into the case if
that were the wish of the board ; or, did the board
refuse to entertain the subject, he was willing to allow
it to drop.
The motion was carried at length, and Mr, Shaw
sat down.

THE SALE OF THE HOSPITAL.

Mr. LEDGER brought forward the subject of which
he had given notice at the former meeting ; and after a
few remarks, he proposed that the clerk be directed to
advertise the sale of the hospital and the adjacent land.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Edwards, and
carried unanimously.
Mr. PILLING then proposed that an overture be made
to the Toxteth-park Guardians to receive the infectious
cases for the board for the season, and that the Clerk
ascertain the terms on which the Toxteth Guardians
would receive them.
The motion was seconded.

Mr. SirAw strenuously opposed the motion, suggest-
ing that the Guardians provide in the workhouse for
their own infectious patients, and he moved an amend-
ment to that effect.

A discussion ensued, and
The CLERK explained that unless the board provided
accommodation for the infectious cases in some place
apart from the other paupers, the Poor-law Board would
not sanction the sale of the hospital.
Mr. Shaw's amendment found no seconder, and fell,
therefore, to the ground.
The motion was then put to the vote, and carried.

APPOINTMENT OF ASSISTANT-OVERSEER.
The CHAIRMAN proceeded to read the applications
from the candidates for the office of assistant-overseer.
He was, however, interrupted by
Mr. SHAW, who said that since he was not allowed
to enter into explanations respecting himself and the
chairman, he would not interfere in the appointment of
assistant-overseer. He would, however, like to know
what right the chairman had to make an enquiry into
the private character of any guardian.
The CHAIRMAN—Do you ask me as chairman of this
board, or as a private individual?
Mr. SHAW--As chairman of this board.
The CHAIRMAN—No right at all.
A member wanted to know what Mr. Shaw's question
was.

Mr. SHAW repeated the question, and also inquired
what extenuation the chairman had to offer for what
took place on the 4th of July, since he admitted that he
was not justified in making inquiries into a guardian's
character.

Several gentlemen protested against opening the ques-
tion again, and at length the matter dropped, Mr. Shaw
leaving the room for a time, returning, however, and
examining one of the books of the board.
.The CHAIRMAN read the applications. The appli-
cants were very numerous, including Messrs. John M.
Smart, Henry Gandy, Augustus Lingham, John Mont-
gomery, Thomas Smith, A. Dowdall, Richard White-
head, John C. Beard, Bennett, Woodward, John Jones,
Henry ling
Mr. PILLTNG explained at some length the nature of
the position. The assistant overseer should collect all
rates, and in all things be under the direction and entire
control of the honorary overseer. He moved, in con-
clusion, a resolution to that effect, -fixing the salary at
£135. •
Mr. Wensley seconded the motion, which was carried.
Mr. Ledger proposed and Mr. Jeffreys seconded the
nomination of Mr. Augustus Lingham.
fir. Reyes seconded,
who has acted
Mr. Whitby proposed. and Mr. Bolshavr seconded,
the appointment of Mr. Bennett, and
proposed, o sTe
Thomas
nal
an
sd
Smith,.-Nlr
theMnro. Abrahamsinatio
for some years as Mr. Cleaver's assistant.
The votes were received. Mr. Smith obtained 8, and
mnof
Messrs. Lingham and Bennett 7 votes each. Mr.
' Bennett received afterwards a large number of votes,
and was at length appointed by a majority of 16
against 8 for Mr. Smith. .
There was no other business, and the meeting
terminated. ..

EVIPORTANT INQUEST AT BIRKENHEAD.

Yesterday morning, at ten o'clock, Mr. H. Churton,
coroner, opened an- inquest at the George and Dragon
Hotel, Grange-lane, on the body of Mr. Patrick Whelan,
wine and spirit merchant, residing at Clifton-crescent,
and carrying on business in Grange-lane, in partnership
with Mr. Thomas Oatfield. The inquest-was adjourned
until half-past three o'clock, to enable Mr. Downing to
make a post-mortem examination of the body. It
appears that the deceased and Mr. Oatfield had ben in
partnership in the wine and spirit business for a length
of time : latterly, however, they were not on very happy
terms of friendship. On Thursday evening week, about
eight o'clock, Mr. Oatfield (who managed the wholesale
department of the business) returned home in a state of
ex)citement, and a quarrel with his partner immediately
ens 1.. Blows were exchanged. It was said that Oat-
field strdcle deceased on the left side of the head. Counter
evidence was; inwever, given by a nephew of Oatfield's,
but on cross-exantrinatiOn by a juryman, his evidence
broke down. The blow wais witnessed by Joseph Bond,
employed on the premises. Tht,' left temple was a little
bruised. On Friday the deceased complained of pain in
the head ; on Saturday he was unwell, but he still
looked after his affairs ; on Sunday he attended divine
service. Returning from church, he became much
worse, and complained of pain in the legs, in the head,
and in the left eye. He also raised his hands to the
mark on tile left temple, and said it was sore. That
night he was seized with convulsions. He became utterly
unconscious, and Mr. &mud Downing, surgeon, was
desired to attend him. Mr, Downing continued his
attendance until his death. Under medial treatment
he rallied perceptibly, and one day he informed Mr.
Downing that he had had a quarrel on Thursday week
with his partner, who had struck him on the left
temple, asking whether the pain resulted from
that blow. Some time afterwards he added that
Oatfield had kicked him on the legs. On Saturday
he died, from what the medical man considered to be
apoplexy, produced by great nervous exhaustion. He
gave a certificate to that effect. In his post mortem
examination he discovered no external marks of violence.
On the scalp, however, there was a black mark under
the spot on which it was said the deceased had been
struck, and within the scalp, in a corresponding position,
a quantity of blood of about the size of half a crown.
There were evident marks of disease of the brain, which
might have extended over a month. The skull was not
cracked. All the other parts of the brain, the heart,
the /mtgs. and body were in a healthy state. The
effusion of blood on the brain might, in his opinion,
have been the result of natural causes, or have been
produced by a blow, or the inflamation produced by
natural causes might have been accelerated by violence.
After the coroner had addressed the jury, they con-
sulted for half or three-quarters of an hour, and re-
turned a verdict to the effect that death was produced
by disease or inflammation of the brain, accelerated by
the blow struck by Mr. Oatfield on Thursday week.
The coroner recorded the verdict, but refused to commit
Mr. Oatfield on his own responsibility on a charge of
manslaughter, leaving it to the friends of the deceased
to take any steps they pleased in the matter. The
inquest was closed about half-past seven o'clock in the
evening.