The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-03-02 00:00:00

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

PnEsErrioN:-1--There is new on view at'Mr. John
F. Quick's, masonic jeweller, 7, Parker-street, a hand-
some solid tea and coffee service of the Etruscan
pattern, engraved as follows :—" To the Rev. Richard
Holgate Brown, M:A., on his resigning the curacy of
St. Paul's, Tranmere,. after a ministry of nearly three
years. The testimony of a grateful people to a faithful
minister. March, 6th, 1860.-1 Thessalonians v., 12, 13."
LIST OF PASSENGERS PER S.S. CITY OF WASHINGTON.
—Mr. Jas. Crawford, Madame Anger, Madame Longevis
and daughter, Mr. A. -Blain, Mr. F. Houghton, Mr.
Charles Demoulin, Mr. Eugenio Soto anctSon, Mr. T.
Amorette, Mr. E. Perrett, Mr. S. Gallio, Mr. Ramon
TenreyrO, Mr. W. H. Fairfax, Mr. Paul Gerault, Mr.
Robert Eyre, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Hatcher, Mr. Samuel
Brown, Mr. J. M. Lonrevro, Mr. Jerold Walter, Mr. J.
A. Coughman, and 116 steerap,e. Landed 4 Queenstown :
—Mr. George Wilkes, proprietor, &c., of Wilkey Spirit
of the Times (New York paper), Mr. Andrew Penis,
and 15 steerage. . „ . „
BEAUMAURIS' TUESDAY.—Yesterday afternoon, a fiat,
• with signals of distresS flying, was observed on the edge
of the sands, opposite Penmon, Anglesey. It was
blowing a gale of wind from the N,W. The life-boat of
the -National Life-boat Institution was instantly
despatched to her assistance. The flat's crew wished
either to be brought ashore in the life-boat, or that she
would remain by them. Accordingly the life-boat stopped
by them, when, the gale having moderated, the flat
was got under way, and brought to a place of safety.
WORKHOUSE CONIMITTEE.—The weekly meeting of
this committee was held in the board-room of the Parish-
office, Brownlow-hill, yesterday ; Mr. Churchwarden
Cropper in the chair. The other guardians present
were—Messrs. Denton, Ambrose, Byford; E. Byford,
Williams, and Browne.—Mr. Carr, the governor, re-
ported that the number of paupers in the house, last
week, was 2,250, being a decrease of fifty-eight, as
compared with the. corresponding week, of last year.
The total number of paupers in the hospital, last week,
was 723 ; and there had been thirty: cases of fever, four
of itch, and twenty-six deaths.—The business before the
committee was of a routine character.
CHEMISTS' ASSOCIATION.—The fortnightly meeting
of this association was held last ,evening at the Royal
Institution, Dr. Edwards in the chair. Messrs. James
Hicklei, Rhodes Erainwell,
.Robert Neilson, J, W.
Jaeksen, and Thomas. Fergie were elected members.
Several donations were announced. Dr. Collingwocal
read an Interesting paper upon InVertebrate Zoology
,(part 2), " the common Molluscan plan, and its MOM-
cations " The lecturer shoWed that philosophieal.
anatomy really consisted of—not a mere collection of
Specimens, nor a nomenclature—but a careful study of
the sciences, and then condensation into general pro-
positions, which we call laws. He proceeed to show
.that all the forms of mollusca were referable to a
common type, modified according to. certain require-
ments of the animal, and also to till certain conditions
of.unity of structure, 'so that neither Cuvier's doctrine
of final causes, nor Geoffrey's view of homology were
altogether separately tenable. He concluded by demon-
strating the beautiful mathematical laws which govern
the formation of skulls ; and referred to the probable
uses of such wonderful accuracy as is &Nerved in the
'growth of these structures. A discussion follqwed.
I)IRKE*HEAD AMATEUR MUSICAL UNIO.--7-ThiS
rising society gave their fourth concert for the present
season on Wednesday evening lost, at the Craven-rooms,
Birkenhead, before. a crowded and fashionable audience
Mr. Gunton, as usual being the conductor, and Mr.
.
Charles W. Smith, • the pianist of the society, occupied
his usual post. The concert on the present occasion
was unusually interesting, being the first at which the
society gave an entire Work. They very wisely selected
for this purpose Professor Sterndale Bennett's pastoral
cantata " The May Queen," one of the most charming
and beautiful works of our principal classical composer.
Although Miss Millar, Ole sustained the part of the
May Queen, was suffering from pypre
,and painful
hoarseness, the execution of the cantata was in every
respect most creditable. Several pieces elicited much
applause; particularly the trio "Shall a Clown." The
second part of the concert consisted principally of some
of the most popular airs from " Der Friesehota." Miss
Armstrong's singing of the lovely air " Softly Sighs"
being remarkably effective, as was also the song " Why
Good people," by Mr. Pierce, which elicited a hearty
encore. On the present occasion Mr. Smith did not
perform a solo, but the admirable manner in which he
accompanied the- singers, particularly in the " May
Queen," was the admiration of the audience, and
highly creditable to the taste and versatility of this
most talented young performer.
144..,Tu CoNtmerreE.—The usual weekly meeting
of the Itealth Oor4inittee was held in the Council-
chamber at the Town-hall, yesterday, Mr, liotirillg
presided; and the other members present were—. Messrs.
Crellin, Beck With, Ridley, flaydock, Stitt, Holden, and
Avison. . The Inspector of Nuisances reported that, on
the preceding day, a large number of persons was
summoned before the magistrates for offences against the
sanitary acts, and that several convictions were obtained.
The committee expressed, their satisfaction that the lay
magistrates had now given proof that they intended to
second the efforts of the committee to enforce the law.
The Borough Engineer, Building Surveyor, and
Iropeeter of Nuisances, reported various particulars of
the operatrens in their stiyeral departments during the
week, from which it appeared. 1.§7• nuisances com-
plained of by inhabitants had been insPeeted, and means
taken to remedy them ; 1,067 houses in the unhealtihiest
districts, containing 3,441 apartments, and 858 cellars,
had been put under. examination, with the view of
improving their sanitary condition. A report of the
joint sub-committee of the Health, Watch, and Water
Committees 2:ead, in. which it was recommended
that Mr. W. L. Crosbie, thief bookkeeper at •the Public-.
of4es, should be appointed to till the vacancy caused by
the retirement of Mr. Hardisty, and at- the same
salary (£210) as that received by that gentleman.
4he report was agreed to. The Medical Officer' of
e.a10..1.-eportecf that the continuance of the variable and
inclement weenier pttelv prevalent has again raised the
mortality of the. ,borceikh.td 4 f)i,74,,7 Rolm than has
been observed for some time. The deatbs w the week
ending last Saturday were 258, being five•more than in
the week previous and seven more than the corrected
average of the same week of the preceding. ten years. The
mortality has not been above the average in any previous
week since the month of December. Of the deaths laSt
week 185 were in the parish and 73 in the out-town-
ships Diseases of the lungs caused 113 deaths (includ-
ing 44 from consumption) being. 14 more than the
corrected average._ From zyruotic diseases the deaths
were 40, or 14 less than the average. There were no
deaths from small-pox and none from scarlatina. A
report of the sub-committee was read recommending
that the bye-laws in reference to tke separation of the
sexes, ic., in common lodging houses, should be amended.
The repeal: . was agreed f,c4, and a reaqintiori passed
requesting the cogried to make 4!.}4 ordain the amended
bye:laws. • • Mr. '..WOovvan explained that the bye-laws
could not be considered at the next meeting of the
council, as it was necessary that a month should. '
intervene. The committee desired the press to
call the attention of the public to the desirability of
emptying cellars iu the low parts of the town of any
goods that may be stored there, inasmuch as in such
y,,TlW.Qh4pel and Byrom,soeet, it is yery
probable diet, on 14e. 404 of *Fel} tie g, Nyhell thEI
highest tide during the last eentriry, yill take place,•
cellars will, be .floOded, and articles stored- there''ConSider-.
ably damaged. Mc Borough Engineer was directed to
take 44 precaOions. in.' his power to obyiate any ill con-
sequencea from the high tide. Some discussion took
plkep on the einestion :of cat-beads; and the committee
d'yeafej_.4i;ii 'fete (kV-
recesse and not allgyed to hang• over the footpath.
This order was given to the Etuilding BnryeAr, with
view: to the protection Of life, as minihdariger is appre-
hended from cat-heads being run mit of the tuildings
and st!spended nearly three feet over the footpath'. After
Some further business the eenimittee adjourned.

Ivy!, 0 cr

THE DAM/ TIMES, FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 1860.-

THE CONSERVANCY COMMISSIONERS AND THE DOCK

BOARD ,

A letter front. Admiral .Evaiis,' acting eotiservator of
the river Mersey, was read. The.. gallant admiral
enclosed a memorial which had been sent to the Conser-
vancy Commissioners in London by the Birkenhead
Impirivenient Commissioners, Complaining thatgreat dan-
ger. arose from the,Doek. Board refusing to exercise the
powers vested in them by act of Parliament, to keep
clear a track for • the Woodside-ferry steamers during
fog. The letter concluded by Stating that their lordships
felt that the Dock Board would do all that they could to
prevent such serious risk to life and property as was
described in the petition. The petition asked the Con-
servancy Commissioners to aid the Birkenhead Com-
missioners in. inducing the Dock Board to keep a clear
track ; and, failing that, to assist them in obtaining
legislative powers to deal with the matter.
7The CHAII6INN said the documents had better be
referred to the Marine Committee, to frame a reply and
report it to the board. •
Mr. ..kriXoi,n approved of. the suggestion, and
.said
the Marine Committee might strengthen their case by
pointing,- out the fact that a great many ships on Tues-
day lasq, at anchor to the north of the ferry track,
during the gale, dragged their anchors directly into the
track._

Mr..tiouLer took exception to some of the facts stated
in the memorial.

The matter was dealt with as suggested by the
chairman.

THE COAL TRADE AND THE BIRKENHEAD DOCKS.

The following important letter was read :
Liverpool, 22nd February, 1860.
To the Secretary of the Mersey. Docks and Harbour Board.
.Stit,---We, the undersigned, coal dealers and waggon own-
ers, through whom the coal export trade of Birkenhead has
been conducted for some years, beg to call the attention of the
Meng Docks and Harbour Board to the importance of at once
allotting a specific space in the docks now in course of con-
struction at Birkenhead, for the future carrying on and
developing this increasing branch of commerce.
It-is desirable that, shnultan, ously with the opening of-the
new docks, coal berths should be arranged, and lines of rail-
way laid down, so that the trade might immediately commence
operations on a scale worthy of its coining impwrtance.
' The undersigned need hardly point out to the Harbour Board
the great inconvenience experienced by them through the
want of proper accommodation hitherto existing for coal-load-
ing ships at Birkenhead, and that since October last, when the
Great Float .was tun dry, the trade has partially been driven
from the port.
The undersigned also wish to know when the Great Float
will he, opened.---We are, Sir, your most obedient servants,
.. W. 4 11. LAIRD, • •
W. & 0. BATTNIORT &
TVMAS S.. ILtslibeic,
Agent to the ttrymbo Company.
sA,NnEiooN& Co.
Agents for the Westminster Brymbo
Coal and Coke Company (limited).
MActana.A.x & Co.

The communicationwas referred to the Works
Coiunnttce.

TILE CARRIAGE TO, AND DELIVERY OF, PARCELS
AT BIRKENHEAD SCC

A lettei from the manager of the Woodside Ferry
was read, stating that, as the Birkenhead Commissioners
were desirous of establishing a depot for small parcels on
the New Landincr4tage, with a view to distributing
the parcels in Birkenhead, Clatighton, &c., they asked
permission to place a hut on the stage.
The elf.tluMlN said the matter should he referred to
the Maine Committee. It was one that required very
great consideration, because an of iee for small parcels
was one thiug, but a storehouse for goods was quite
anothet, • .
Mr. ToniN observed that the question affected the
other ferries. •

The CHAIRMAN-It is a very wide question indeed.
Tne lettei• was keferred as suggested..
THE OPENING OF THE GREAT FLOAT AT BIRKENHEAD,

-Wit IT ARR ANGE NEE NTS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE

ACCOMMODATION Dr TRADE
Mr. LAIRD, in accordance with notice of motion;
moved—" That it be an instruction to the Works Com-
mittee, the Docks and Quays Committee,- and the Ware,
house Committee, to consider what arrangements for the
accommodation of trade will Telnire to be madti, ip
4ntiaination of the great WO, at Birkenhead, tieing
epened clgrigg flip ensuing summer." He should not
have troubled the hoard with this motion had the
chairman not told him, in the presence of the hoard,
that the various committees, in his opinion, could not
undertake such an enquiry and report without having
fist' received orders from the Board to do so.
Now Mr. Hartley had informed them that the Great
Float could not he opened in March, as directed by the
Act, but that possibly it might be open' in August, and
it was therefore high time for the homil to consider
what preparations were to be made for the trade that
was already centered there, or was likely to be carried
on when; the Great Float was opened. Objeetion'had
been raised to the ,
motion that the board hadlketter. wait
to see whqt trncle, thereq nt IliTlienhead, and there-.
fore lie should confine himself to showing what trade
had existed-there, and to show that' 'it could not be
carried on there efficiently withont'certain arrangements
being Made in its behalf. He would first call attention
to the railway traffic, which in 1849 amounted to 73,815
tons ; 1850, 142,684 tons; 1851,185,500' tons ; 1852,
244,014 tons; 1853; 322,472 tons; 1854, 397,602 tons ;
1855, 401,526 tons ; 1856, 542,766 tons; 1857, 696,530
tons; 1858,,655,901 tons, and in' 1859, to 726,972 tons.
He might be told that a large. portion of the traffic was
taken across to 'Liverpool, but unless the Dock Board
gaire proper facilities at Birkenhead it would continue
to be taken across to LiVerpool, instead of: rern4iiiug at
Birkuhead for forelA he would next draw
4t9,ntiou to. 'a large and most important branch of
commerce.—the coal trade. The . total export from
Liverpool in 1849 was only 113,000 tons, whilst in 1859
it amounted to. 564,000 tons.' The coal trade of Birken-
head in 1854 was 149,000 tons, and in 18.59 it had
increased to 309,000 tons. And, in looking over the
coal traffic returns, there was a remarkable circumstance
that he had noticed—that Lancashire coal brought to
Birkenhead haul increased in a ranch greater 14'0 than
the North Wales coal. The Lancashire :coy passing
over the Birkerthead Bailway in 10 4, was' 23,28. k tons,
Wtli4t in I§q irygs 4094 tops: T 4 rettos were
as follows :

Year. Lancashire coal. Other coal. Total tons.
044 ' 22;283 ::. 12.5,774 t149,G57
1855 ... 29,823 ... 148,545 ... 178,164
185 G ... 38;533 ... 14242 311,815
3itB , i 08,981 ... 270.352
1t;54 .. 111,623 141,438 ... 253,061
1859 ... 121,390 ... 188,293 ... 309,683

As to the coal trade, he should very much wish to see
the board carry out the plan proposed by Mr.
Hartley, for a coal dock at the top of the Great
Float; but as the Works Committee did not
consider themselves in a position to recommend
that, he thought the piece of land between the dam at
Messrs. Bibby's works and Gillhrook should be set aside
for the a,cconiinodation of that trade. There was a large
plot of land there suitable for the traffic, and he believed
it would suit the requirements of the trade. At present the
coal trade was carried on principally tit the Morpeth Dock,
hut, he believed, that hereafter that, dock must be used
exclusively as nlock, to take in ve.ssels to'be snbseveiltly•
drafted up the pool, if any very great trade was to, be ,
carried on at Birkenhead ; and he hesitated not to say
that it would 'be 'diffiCult to do' any °Teat. amount of
Till( at Rirkte'nheacl, magi that principle .Ras aige4. .
ile. believed, that from the,' facilities oli'ered
'would
liitien-
head'hy the railiOY that the Diock BOW 'Woeld give
. , _ ~ , i, ,
itiwrorof o,e,e,V,alitird.t,(in there trade would increase
muni more rapidly than it had hitherto done. He was
told that, in consequence et the treaty, the French trade.' .
was likely to increase, and that the North Wales coal
was preferred in that market, and would largely increase
the coal trade on the Birkenhea4 side. The nest
trade to which he would refer was the timber ;rade.. •
There bad been no facilities whatever for carrying on
that trade hitherto, malt he lived Of Bard, 4i refettg
trade; atA won d give the saw, facilities and aecomino-
datiqn at the same, or upon lower, terms of rent that
they had given it to the trade on the Liverpool
side of the water, in order to induce the timber trade at
Liverpool tolinove from the south to the north end. The
local trade of Birkenhead in timber, last year, amounted
in value to £60,000, exclusive of timber taken over thtre
and carried inland ; his own ' consumption he ‘alued
at £25,000 last year, and Clover anti Claihonts at say
£15,000, niaki,n. a, WA of '.i.146,0'00 worth of timber
geristinied iirliirkenhead in 1859. Ho apprehended
that it was the duty of the Board to develop the trade
of Birkenhead as much as possible, • and he hoped
that land for the use of the trade would let on short
tenure, on low terms, with a view to induce people to, go
over there. Mr. Laird then proceeded to draw attentiiNtci,
the question of providing graying dock accimunodation
Rirkenhead. He'said he combi ‘speali on 'that question
very imaartia4; as ne Was thtrprivate owner a graving
docks'; 'but he felt convinced they would not get ships
to go there_ unless the board had graving docks of their-
own, more especially as the docks to be completed
ultimately would have twenty feet of wateron the blocks
all the .year round--a fact that would enable thew
graving 'docks to be Worked more effectualy thin, tiny
on the Liverpool side of the, iier.,. :if the graving
docks My; Haitlw pmposed` were 'completed; the' coat
would he about £175,0.00? and it Woeld take eighteen
months' of ' tivo''yeaVs 'to cOnirplete die. three, `i o,ne
,1
docli with ei,ghty!Aie 'feet ' gates sioUld' e.esio aitout -
£80,0,00, the segond OW 475,40, anC,,the others
about krA,O.htl each. It wets essential, thetelbre, that ,
ono4 two of the graving 'docks shonlcl he completed, i
because, if they were not, the Board would have coln-
plaints that vessels could not have the same facilities at,
Birkenhead that they had at Liverpool. He must next
point out the necessity of having cranes of various.
sizes. His idea was that a crane should he put w'tllV
lifting heavy machinery—.-a cra,e:e
.iif,t si.ity el, seibeitY
tons, and to be qa,i4;°t.k. ko mistime purposes as 'Well:
(44..4114 smatidnitilnes Weeld be' wetted in' various
Darts' 80 ' the) necks. ' Another . question Was' OW
Citiestion: of '' waiehouses.' He belie` tile, wt, z
sent . -Warehouse's ' were built • tiriggillallix i;o.r, 'ttaA
cotton ' trade, and many Rarties Ag that trade
said if prep 4 4GcUmniudation were given a considerable
4ereitity of cotton would gn to Birkenhead. Guano
Was stored there at a low rate, but, if they could get -
cotton to the warehouses, sheds might be built to store
guano in ; and even at the low rate paid by that article,
it was probable that at a moderate cost a sufficient
interest on the construction of the sheds for 91r,A, 4tifi• t
might be secured. He trusted that the Icommittees
would consider:the whole v,es'iion, andlOoklupeti it in this
light—that if. the Bbard dOr4l6ted' the works and
thiened 'tll.l ci,reat 'Fliat 'in August next without pro-
Ming these necessary facilities, the works would he a,
failure. He considered that, as ,trustees of ~this vast
prdperiy, ifby an expenditure of 4159; qp,a, in anticipation 1
of the known wants Of trade. at the present time, and
i
.efth the prospects which they had of getting further
trade, thai they would be acting improperly if they
allowed time to slip on, open the docks, and then hear.
from parties that they would not o there on account of
want of the necessary accommodation for trade.
Ms. LITTLEDALE seconded the•motion.
Mr. BOULT would give the matter hia best considera-
tion, but deprecated the expsuditure of a large sum of
money in a ille-.7e."*Peculatica at Birkenhead. ' 1' ' 7,
Mr. ARNOLD said ships wanted not only accommoda-
tion fer-theniselves, but for their cargoes also ;: tad be
believed in the end the Birkenhead estate, wkadd le v,eiy
remunerative to the board. He believed 4, as was
Stated' to be the, case, that the railwayi Were, arranging,
to carry goods. into, Biykenhead to the interior 4. qty:
same rate. as they, were 'carried; freni` Liverpaoll, thcf;e,
would be a gteat. accession of trade toltiiken,la,easti 10.11 t
hebelieVed the trade of 014 place 'sinePevA be
0-10rOuiblY developed titAtilxaNelp,ourses, were ereCied. He
should' therekile Xqe far. t e motion.
Air.' 1419.i1.N. said the Illation was a very' proper. one,
and thought At would be folly to have water space
without also having the accommodation necessary for the
trade that would go there. He should vote for the
motion, although he thought it unnecessary. -
Mr. BROCKLEBANK thought the motion a very reason-
able one, but he agreed with Mr. Rankin in thinAng
that the matter might have been left to the committees
themselves. He did not third; it desirable to go into a

large expenditure which in the course of two or three
years might be found valueless, such were the great
Changes that were continually occurring in trade.
Mr. Fouwoon thought the motion was premature.
He denied that the cotton trade would (ro to Birkenhead
so low, as it was so well cared for in Liverpool.
Mr:'DARBYSIfIRE said he was an importer and an
exporter; and, as regarded Birkenhead, he could .say,
whatever were the opinions of Mr. Forwood, that, if
Mr. Brocklehank sent his ships to load at Birkenhead,
he (Mr. 1).) should send his goods to be shipped there.
And, whilst he .was not prepared ,to spend any consi-
derable 'amount at .Birkenhead, he would, nevertheless,
advise the bOard to be prepared for the Contingencies of
trade.

Mr. BUSHELL knew that the steam trade had almost
come to a dead lock in Liverpool for want of space, and
he was perfectly persuaded that, if the board, regarded
the Birkenhead Docks as a means to an end to relieve
the blocked-up trade of Liverpool, they would accom-
plish a ,neat deal of good.
Mr. LA.NPTON, in assenting to the motion, did not
pledge himself to the expenditure of any sum of money
whatever. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. LrrrLEDALE said—in the discussion that day one
of the Chief advantages of Birkenhead had been alto-
;ether lost sight of—its depth of water; and he could
tell them that if there was six feet more water at Bir-
henhead than there was at Liverpool. the rivet would
never be so crowded as it was the other day. The sight
of the river a few days ago proved to his mind the neces-
sity of getting the deep water entrance to Birkenhead
made as soon as possible. In consequence of that,
advantage Birkenhead would get a very large portion of
trade, ho believed ; and, as to the steam trade, although
Messrs. Bibby said they would not go to Birkenhead—
(a laugh)---his opinion was that they would all go where
their interest led them. The inconvenience he had
suffered by his snips being unable to enter the Liverpool ,1
docks was so great, that several of his constituents had
told him they would rather the ships should go to
Birkenhead than run all sorts of risks and dangers for
ten or twelve days in the river. He should recommend
the board to advertise Birkenhead, and to sell land for
manufacturing purposes there. Already a friend of his
had bought land there for a manufactory, which would
bring from 10,000 to 15,000 tons of ore to Birkenhead
every year.
The CHAIRMAN agreed with Mr. Laird that it was
the duty of the board to develop the resources of Bir-
kenhead as much as possible. He should not oppose
the motion • at the same time he should have been glad
if it had been deferred, because the committees, when
they came to consider the subject, would find very great
difficulty in deciding on the sort of accommodation that the
trade of Birkenhead would require to develop its resources,
and that every day and every week would enlighten
the committees on the subject.
Mr. EVANS opposed the motion on the ground that it
was premature.
Mr. LAIRD, in reference to the remarks of Mr. Rankin
and Mr. Brocklebank as to the non-necessity for this
motion, repeated the statement that he made in opening
the matter that day. Mr. Laird deprecated a large
expenditure at Birkenhead at present ; and expressed
his conviction that £50,000, judiciously spent, would
give great aocommodation to trade there. In reply to
the assertion that no trade would go to Birkenhead, he
stated that a gentleman who carried on two-thirds of
the ore trade of the port was about to transfer his busi-
ness to the Birkenhead side.
The motion was agreed to without a division ; and
this concluded the public business before the board.

REVISION OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPINCI
ACT, 1854, AND THE AIEtROANTILE
MARINE SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF
LIVERPOOL.

We }}aye hem favoured with the following
copy of the petition of the Mercantile Marine
service Association presented by Mr. Horsfall to
the House of Commons on Tuesday last. The
alterations suggested are of the greatest im-
portance to the members of the service. We are

informed that, at the suggestion of the borough
members, a deputation from the council of this
association has been appointed to proceed to.
London, to give evidence in support of the peti-
tion, betbre the committee of Ow :house of Co,-

, . .
mops, now sitting to ii.wini;T into the operation
of the act.

TAP. IlraAiNi sAggestions of the council of such
large and influential body as that of the
Mercautile 'Maxim Service Association of Liver-
..

. _ - •
pool, (somprising, as it does, upwards of 1,200
Members, cannot fail to be of great service to the
committee now prosecuting the inquiry, and, no
doubt, their representations will carry much
*eight ; and the council of the association, we
learn, are determined to take advantage of this,
the first opportunity of this kind they haw-had
since the association's fornatiop„og ptessing the
claims of the servieP t%09. the. ciovern,ment, ara
of representing te art dunces vAckr .which they

.
the llononrahle the Commons of the United
Icingdorn, (Treat Britain, and Ireland, in Parlia-
ment Assembled.

. _
The Humble Petition of the Mercantile Marine
service Association of Liverpool, and of the undersigned
masters and officers of British shipping trading from tl_Ao
Port of Liverpool,
S lIEW ET If ,

That the Mercantile Mtwine Service Association or
Liverpool is composed of a large mother of masters and
ofAcerk eqaged, in the British Merchant Service, %tie
prpg w,nitNet and effiiciency of which is n Abjecl of
national importance.
That at present the supervision, r:inlation, and
management of matters connected with the Mercantile
Marine Service is, Witte-4 in the hoard of Trade and in
the 40,cal Marine Boards, constituted wider the pro-
yisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1854, for the
principal seaports.

_ . .
That although the Local Marine Boards have the
regulation and charge of the examination of masters
officers for certificates of competency; aseld although
they have constantly to deal wit);matters requiring
nautical skill and knoteleOze, no provision is made in
the Merchant Sl4,ping /Yet, 1854, for any of the mem-
bers c ;he focal Marine Boards being persons
possessing such practical skill which your petitioners
respectfully submit would add greatly to the eiti'eiency of
the Local Marine Boards ; they firrtliei; submit that
there are many officers in tle Iyiysli merchant service,
or who have beer in that sec;, ice, 1,010 possess the
-B necessary elUalineations to act as members of the Loci)
Afariyie oards, and that it will add greatly to, the
position.of the service generally; and to the encourage-
!tient Offfiscipline, education,, anitscieutittc invest igatin, '
to give to, its meinbers, the vißlit of voting fur the
electioa.of roarkrke.inenAers to the said boards.
ThAt'lt will acid farther to the usefulness and effici-
enCy of the Local Marine Boards to increase their
extent, and to constitute them not for particular ports,
but for districts; so that every port and harbour shall 11e..
attached to some Local Marine Board.
That
.these objects will be attained by, altering the
Merchant Shipping Act, IM4, so, that the Local Marine
Boards may be constitutett as foylows:—
..
The- MayoN., sq; KO*, ox stipendtiary re,agistrates or
such of he, maxors, or KovostS,, or stipendiary magis-
tr4es (it: more than, one), of the port at which such
board shalt sit, as the Board of Trade shall appoint, ex
ofrio, The Board of Trade shall aprint six menibert
the port at which such board shall sit, or within ScA(el;
miles thereof ; three of whom shall hold miastere.
certificates, and the owners 0 foreign-going
ships and of home-trade passenger ships, regis-
tered at the port co: 4t.tiet, shall elect six mem-
bers ; anti' 'the .m,asters bolding certificates, and
reglisterA;for the purpose of such election, at the said
• port or district, shall elect two members, who shall be
persona holding masters' certificates. .That to each of
the Local Marine Boards there shall be attached sue* a
district or extent of seaboard as the Board, of Trade shall,
appoint; and that the boards iiv.painteif to th,e several
districts shall have cogni,sange of 4tl nautical matters
within them, subject to, the. Board of Trade having
power, 'ilk tteit event of its not approving of the acts of
any Local Marine Board, to dissolve it, and order an-
other election ; and excepting from the Local Marine
Boards, power to investigate the causes of wrecks avid
casualties.
That the constitution of the tribiteeil .4,ii.,. two, justices
of the peace or a stipendiary r•togistrate., assisted by a
nautical assessor allpeAnted. by the Board of Traile),
before whii,h IL present enquiries into the eat :sm
yrect.s an, d casualties are investigated; snit)) upon the
reports of.which' the Boatel; of Tra,de cle.:Littes whether to
cancel or suspend the Certificate. a any master or officer
6.f. the vessel, in vesnea lair whisk an investigation is
held,, is eat sitcli as ought to investigate such
sftiC,UR 'enquiries ; practically, under the name of an
enquiry, it is a court of the most severe criminal
judicature, for upon the cancelling, or the suspeßdi,w,r,,
or the returning of the certificate, depend wl\ether.. the
holder of the certificate shall not or. seat) possess the
means of continuing his profesatk;. and,your petitioners,
submit that the penatty It4iig.se severe, the judgment
so irre.pMalit 41kd' i 4,
nature, of almost every wit
tiiiiry invo ving questions requiring nauli,e4 slob, 44
oWiedt,,e; there ought to he iii the eonistitujtipue of thc.
court provision for more thrAop.p.ppr,soßhaying.np.ii,ti,,c,al
kn'owledge.
Your p,04013% d 9,. no object tee the most rigid
emp o ilxv into, thee causes, 6.1. wrecks and casualties, but
thet to,4t,
.the. present system of conducting the
enquiries is not such as to give to the masters and
officers affected by them due opportunity of defence;
and that it is not in accordance with the ii,:::::::tice with
regard to members of other profess,inr.,s, nor indeed is it
consisnlnt with the prineos. of the criminal law of
this country, of which it forms a very penal portion:
Your petitiQ‘ors therefore seek— .
VA with regard to the preliminary investiption's,
into the causes of wrecks and casualties, iti\ accordance
with part 8, from section 4321 te, Al ; that the couit
shall be one in witiol 1'1..c.w. shall be more than one
nautical person,, and have for its chairman and convener
the Ovsowliwy ox other magistrate of the port at which
i 4 inquiry shall be held. That should the preliminary
court of inquiry report that, in its opinion. thuNc. is a
fip;ina facie case for a formal trial, the specific) case for
misconduct or default shall be forwarded to the accused
at least ten days before the day of trial. That, in the
event of the court finding, the charge or charges proved,.
in accordance VOth section 242, part 2, the apountot
I punislmvat shall be appended to the finding ; arid, chic.
'l/440. Board ofTrade shall act only to confirm the punish-
ment, and as a court of app.n.l.
importance of adequate provision being igued,
(er fPstrt
That )your petition feel strongly and dPekt_
r. OPi
sick, worn-out, and disabled: inelOplis Of .3,td4",,if
tvii.li— jAg 41114V1-3,' respect-
the service, and' also fqr the
these who, enter it or il/400314 to cutter I,ti.. ,-
fully submit that the naitippak i.lThr^rtt.t andhenefit of
1 the serves givs tillq% a, ii4gC' c•Tinink pthat it gill
a.Z
11 on the couutx •
1 tAF Aliitt INIFIP§'e '• " they also
and the position of the
co tlit,g, character, the standing,
raised far the 'Purpose
they propose to raise it rot»
:44411"'71g'. havetttlt aansyelff-
That a fund be formed, echaracter, a
service only
and therefore
f the b •
to be called the M • y pro:
Qt`,44sile
. .
tsu4ipotiolinbg
' curing the sanction
Marine Service Fund :
fees
ci uinndeearchthdeisMt Mer-
chant of in "li.. . from the I Ist. By a deduction
~ pound
and seamen,
wages of officers ,
of Parliament.
Asecvte,nlBmse4m,
banerds:utn.hrelaeiemoefd
wwhaogmes.sta4
be
chan,t Ship.piblogf
ntdheshst\arlsl Aub:fioade,ms
lannidstefet
,2rnhda.
tii,Freo.ntiv
Mt
1 by a council
the Local Marine D appointed by Board of ,the same
district, and dour elected by the masters and officers

registered for the purposes of such election in each
district.
That the portions of , the Merchant Shipping Act,
1854, which relate to masters and seamen, will be
improved, the discipline of the service rendered more
perfect, and the necessity for future legislation lessened
by the following alterations in and additions to the
Act :

129.—That this section, which places shipping mas-
ters and shipping officers in London under the immediate
control of the Board of Trade, should be expunged; and
that all shipping masters and officers should, both in
London and elsewhere, be placed under the control of
the Local Marine Board of the port or district.
134.—That the reports of all examinations for certi-
ficates shall be forwarded to the Board of-Trade through
the Local Marine Boards, and that every examiner shall
forthwith report to the Local Marine Boards the cause
of every refusal of a certificate.
137.—There is an omission • in • this clause, which
should provide that certificates of Service for the foreign-
going trade, should entitle the holders to go to sea in a
similar grade in home-trade passengers ships. The
omission has been productive of unnecessary expense and
injury to many masters and officers. .
14G.—That the licenses at present granted by the
Board of Trade to persons to supply seamen may be
granted on the same terms and conditions by the Local
Marine Boards.
214.—That the powers to enable seamen
abto
olished,ez
their ships abroad and join men be
and that any attempt to do so, which shall not be with
the consent of the master, shall be desertion, and shall
be liable to be punished as such.
240.—That any person on the ship's articles bringing
a charge against any master. which shall not be
sustained, or in respect of which good ground for inquiry
, if the master
shall not be shown, shall be forthwith
requires it, discharged from the ship, and shall pay all
the expenses to which the master may be put.
241.—That the powers of the Boardof Trade and
the Local Marine Boards to investigate cases of alleged
masters or
incompetency and misconduct on the part of
mates, be exercised only by the Local Marine Boards'
with an appeal to the Board of Trade and that there
be added to the clause, that a copy of the charge and
the names of witnesses be given to the person complained
of, forty-eight hours before hearing the complaint, and
that decisions be given within twenty-four hours after
the conclusion of the evidence, in all eases.
242.—That the power of the Board of Trade to cancel
or suspend certificates shall be exercisable only if the
court or tribunal before which any master or mate shall
be tried, or before which 'any investigation under the
Provisions of the act shall be made; shall decide
that his certificate ought to be cancelled or suspended.
That part four of this section, which authorises the
Board of Trade to cancel or suspend the certificate of
any master or mate who is shewn to have been convicted
of any offence, ought, under any circumstances, to be
expunged.
244 (Part 4).—For wilful disobedience by seamen, in
addition .to the imprisonment there ought to be a for-
feiture of not less than six days or more than one
month's pay.
243 (Part 6).—For assault upon officers, in addition
to imprisonment, the same forfeiture of pay should take
place as for wilful disobedience.
243 (Part 7).—Combining to disobey, which in fact
is mutiny, should be treated as conspiracy, and he
punishable in the same way, imlees the master desires
that the case may he disposed of summarily.
243 (Part damage or embezzling should
be treated as a misdemeanour, hut, at the option of the
master or owner, be disposed of summarily.
243 (Part 9.)—Smugglers should be treated as on
shore.
. Not keeping proper look-out, or being aslee
on th
look-out, should be punished as wilful disobedience. e
Drunkenness should be punished as wilful disobe-
dience.

Duplicity
('onfection
Julie

Vigo
Prince of Orange
Remunerator

Tormentor
Newcastle
Eskdale

Caliph ...
Congreve
Topsy ...

241.—That the necessity of reading over afVences,
and giving copy to offender, and of entering b:es reply
on official log-book, should be disPeAsed with.
251.—A1l the cost of procuring conviction and im-
prisonment for any offence should be deducted from
wages, instead of ouly the stun of three pounds.
• 256.--. The necessity of reading aver the entry of fines
in the official log-book should he dispensed with.
265.—There slamild he ridded to this section, that
NaN4 Courts abroad shall name the degree of punish-
ment which they,consider should be inflicted in cases
brought before them.
268.-4 hat. no Consul shall exercise the powers
riven him by this elause, with reference to sending
home offenders, unless a Naval Court cannot be nog
veiled at the port. _

282.—The necessity of reading aver the entries, con-
cerning forfeitures or finea, and the reply shon/t1 he left
out of this clause,

296.—With r,ega.rcl to this. clause, which lays down
the rules. a,s to. ships meeting each other, particular
atto,4ori is called to the urgent necessity which exists
for an international rule of the road, and also an inter-
national system of lights at sea. At present, the. rule
laid •clown by the Merchant Shipping Act differs, ig
material circumstances from the rules of most, other
- nations, and. exposes not only the property of shipowners
to many risks, but also the lives of these engaged on
be.
shipboard. to , great dangers, wwhichwaild, averted b
an universal rule with regard to this most important
matter. There are, no. 0044 difficulties .41 carrying
out a general system;, but it is only necessary to point
to the extcnlcopyrightinternational
as an evidence
of the practicability of a system being speedily agreed
upon which, if not universal, will be nearly So.
391-2.—At present the adiustmerit of the compasses
of passen.er ship is requiredto he certified only by the
shipwright surveyor, your petitioners consider that the
Wilkstment of these important instruments should, in all
.cases, he certified.by some properly qualified person,
344...---The facilities to masters and mates et itome-
trade passenger ships to obtain pilotage certificates
might -be increased, without (lenge+ to the public
interest; that in this respect thQe spirit of the act should
be eirried out.

438.—This elau,se, which requires the delivery of cer-
tificates 14me a specific charge is made, shrog,kl be
expunged.
Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray that your
honourable house will take into your serious considera..
tion, and direct an enquiry into, the necessity of makinz
the improvements they have pointed out, and, the
importance of giving, to. so great a brand. of the com-
merce, c 4 the country as its mereantile marine service
woe intexest in its inanagenteot ; and they trust that
your honourable house will ssinotion the introduction of
a bill into Parliqu-koAt duiriug this present session to pro-
mote and eavy ono tl*wisiles of your petitioners.
And yoar. petitioners will ever pray, &e.

DISCOVERIES OF COTTON IN AFRICA,

We find the following lAtezesting communica-
tion in the /lialicAeOff 6:via/Vico/ of yesterday :
• Ao- THE EDITOR.. •
Six,—„yeit. are at liberty to publish the enclosed letter
ftoskk braber of Dr, Livingstone, He sends me six
samples of cotton, which I value as follows :—No. 0..
to. 7id.; No, 2,61 d. to 7d.; No. 3,61 d. to 7d. 1, 7
harelY
No. 4, 6-id. to 61(1. • No. 5, 54-d. to,6d. ; No. 6, atd. to
aid.;. all exceedingly useful qualities, • putieularly the
four first. The two last will be substitutes, till improved,
for East Indian cotton. The eolton, may be seen here.
—Yours truly,
Tuos. CLEDG,
Mount-street, Man,cbiester, Feb. 29, 1860.

-
u ov. 4, 2040.4-,:t clear Mr. Clegg,—We iiave just returned front
visiting the Lake Nyassa, the source of the River Shire,
and, what is of greater importance, have discovered a
great cotton-growing and cotton-manufacturing country.
The" cotton is of two kinds, naive and faretgn. The
native is short in the staple, and feels more like wool
than cotton. The twig°, appears to be of good quality,
with a staple ftoiu three-fourths of an inch to an inch in
length,. It is perennial, and requires planting only once
three years, while the native has to be planted
annually in the highlands, yet, the people prefer the
latter, because they say it makes the stronger. cloth.
We remarked to a number of ie,telligent looking men
in one village, " You should plant plenty of cotton,
and perhaps the English will come soon, and Div it."
" Truly ! the country is full of cotton," replied one
elderly roan, wlip, was a trader, and had travelled much;
arts` our own observations confirmed the truth of this.
Everywhere we saw it while passing through two and a
half degrees of laAturde, and it probably extends much
further. Fiv@r &ntily appears to have a piece of cotton
gicavick, and it was gratifying to see how clear of weeds
an grass they kept them. Drs. Livingstone and Kirk,
while passing through part of the same. region last
April, saw cotton patches of front t%o, to three acres
each, though this time, on a dilkerent route, we did not
observe any containing inorst than one-third of an acre.
They were in general about a quarter of an acre. each.
In every village we saw men busy cleaning, spinning,
and weaving cotton. The looms ate of the. simplest
Tf.4ble construction, and all the pkvcesses are exceed-
slow.
This vast cotton Negri-Mit% easikv aecossible. The Shire
joins the Zanaltc4 4beut 10A utilee item the sea, below
the diffiten# parts of the. latter river ; and for 112 miles
the ,s;ll.i lVits a deep, channel, the river being from 150
te, 2011 yards wide. One hundred and twelve miles
f.r.oni, its laigath the cataracts commence (lat. 15° 55' S.),
and /or 30 miles the river is not navigable (goods would
have to be carried overland hero) above the cataracts
the Lake Nyassa ; sixty miles the river is again r‘avign-_
ble, and how far to the north the great navigahle lake
extends we do not know. The natives said, that it would
take months to get to the head of ths.,Wto.
The Shire Valley is about 12 1146 wide at. the font
of
b the lake,
both but soon expand,expand,to 20 or 30, lseing
bounded on $.4),% all, the way by ranges of hills,
the range on the east or left hank beiug very lofty.
Therei,kattexceedingly fertile plain on both sides of the
rixer. (we travelled on the east of ,lee riYer), and pretty
well cultivated on the Upper Shire, where it is about
1,20 Q feet above the level of the sea. Ascending
the eastern range or hills by
a steep Path, we soon
reach a plateau, 500 or 600 feet higher second ascent
of 1,000 feet, and we find anatlier plateau three or'
four miles wide, and in a short time we gain, the highest
Dart, npwards of 3,00 Q feet above the level of the sea,
and find ourselves on am, extensive table land, which in
these three distinct divisions extends same distance
below the cataracts. This high table land is front 12 to
14. miles wide, and its eastern, side slopes gradually
down to Lake Tamand or. Shirwa (1,8134 feet above
the sea level), east at a/high, we saw some lofty moan-
' tains.

OA, thQ tAlkl4llll axe numerous hills, and two moan-
tainp, CAnil47ll4 about 4,000 feet high ; Zomba, at the
liPrtbeAn extvewatY--which was ascended--from 7,000
to. $.9430. f4e4 in height, and. 20 miles long, from north
to fm.lllll. The whole of this country is remarkably well
watered; wonderfully numerous are the streams, and
mountain rills coal clear gushing water., Even
Zomba_Zombi river about 20 yards wide, g f1,Q,11,-4„....
through
title vulley near its summit. O. one occasion We
WWI eight streams and a fine spAig. in a single haw,
and this was at the end of ;be dry season.
These highlands seenkte, possess a salubriouselimote :
the air was brag g', and we saw an univually large
nurnier et olfik grey-headed men WA !women. The
cottc.,,n, eountry—not that merely where cotton may be
east -grown; but where they are actually growing
begins between 20 or 30, rages bOew„. the Cataracts, and
extends up to the hke and probably. far bat-90, bothon
the plains an,d, in. the highlands; t 4 fo-reign, cotton
growing at the lake and in differeuk places for 30, miles
below, and also again below the cataracts, whale
the native is cultivated, thTougllout the whole extent
of country. The people live in- villages, and are
pretty numerous; they seem, to, be an industrious race.
Iron. is dug cut of the hills, and each village has one or
two smelting-hoases, From their native iron they