The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1861-01-24 00:00:00

HARBOUR BOARD.

"Sin,—The undersigned, commanders of ships waiting
for salt cargoes, apply to you, as guardian of the shipping
frequenting this port, for redress under the very serious
grievance to which they are subjected.
" In chartering our ships to load salt for America,
Calcutta, and other ports of the world, it is generally
understood that ordinary despatch will be obtained, but,
owing to the want of management or attention on the
River Weaver, many of us have been detained here for
a month and six weeks, under heavy expenses and
serious loss of time.

"We should have less cause for complaints if other
,internal navigations had been closed with that of the
Weaver by the prevailing frost ' • but we are aware that
such is not the case, and that salt alone is placed under
this inconvenience.

"We trust, sir, that this our protest will induce you
to take some steps by which this serions disadvantage to
ships frequenting this port may be remedied, and sub-
scribe ourselves your obedient servants."
The CHAIRMAN said he did not know what the board
could' do in the 'matter. He did not think it was the
business of the board to make representations to the
Weaver Commissioners. The stoppage of railways and
canals, though it interfered no doubt with the commerce
of the port, was not a matter which the board could
take up, though it was a proper one for the Chamber of
Commerce and the different mercantile associations.
Mr. BOULT could not subscribe to that dictum. He
thought it was an easy way to relieve themselves from a
troublesome and unpleasant duty. The mercantile asso-
ciations might be called upon to be more active, but
none of them had the same power of dealing practically
with the question as they bad. No mercantile associa-
tion had land to let on the quays and dock accommoda-
tion to give or refuse. There was no mercantile asso-
ciation which had the same influence or the same weight
in Parliament as that board had ; and he thought it
Was natural that the captains, who were all foreigners,
should apply to them for a remedy for this% serious
grievance. It came practically to this. A suggestion
had been made that a railway should be made to com-
pete with the Weaver, to obviate an evil which, from
one cause or another, occurred every year. He could
not recal one year in which they had been free from it
for twenty-five or twenty-six years. They had not only
overcharged, them in charging them now the maximum
toll upon salt which they were allowed by their charter
to charge in the reign of Queen Anne, when the price
of salt was three or four times what it was new, and
when the trade was but a fraction of its present amount
—but more, they were not doing their work efficiently.
He understood the practice had been for the noblemen
and clergymen who formed the commissioners to refer
the whole business to a half-paid engineer and an old
attorney. Mr. Boult then , proceeded to contend that
the board, having a direct pecuniary interest in
the matter, had a full right to assist in the
promotion of any railway scheme which might be
brought forward for penetrating the salt district from
Birkenhead ; and if they did so assist, he hoped they
would take care and see that such restrictions were pro-
posed as would prevent the ccmpany from entering into
combinittion with other railway companies, whose scale
of charges between Staffordshire, Manchester, and
Liverpool were so heavy as compared with thoSe to the
South, that it was having the effect of diverting con-
siderable trade from the port. He stated that the
captains who had signed the .memorial represented
.35,500 tons, of shipping. Then there was_ a large
number of English vessels and coasters not included in
the memorial. Tbis was a most important question,
and it ought not to go forth to the world that that
board should take no part in it. They had the power,
with the landing facilities they possessed, to put the
screw upon the gentlemen ; and he hoped they would
do so without mercy.
Mr. LAIRD thought the simplest course would be to
send a copy of that memorial to the Weaver Trust.
The Board of Trade, he thought, should also -have a
copy. He moved a resolution to that effect, which,
after an interesting discussion, was unanimously agreed
to.

THE NEW GRAVING DOCK AT BIRKENHEAD.
Memorials were read from the master shipwrights
and the operative shipwrights of the port, against the
proposal to make the new graving dock at Birkenhead
with vertical sides ; that of the Canning graving dock
on this side was pointed to as the best Model.
Mr. LAIRD replied at length to the objections urged.
to the vertical principle, one great advantage of which
was that a dock so constructed would be able to admit
of twice the amount of work being done.
The subject then dropped.
THE COAL TRADE AND THE RAILWAYS AT
BIRKENHEAD.
The following communication was next read ;--
"TO THE SECRETARY OF THE MERSEY DOCKS AND
HARBOUR BOARD.
" SIR,--We are in receipt of your favour of the 19th
instant, addressed to Messrs. W. and H. Lair stating,
that temporary accommodation is prepared ford, the coal
trade on the margin of the Great Float, Birkenhead.
"Before we can make use of it, however, it will be
necessary for your board to make arrangements with the
Railway Company for working our waggons to and from
the different parts of the docks, where the rails are laid.
" We have communicated with the Railway Company,
who state that they refer the matter to the boards of
the London and North-western Coman and Great
Western Company ; but as we are undepr the impression
that some general arrangement will have to be made
between these companies and the Mersey. Docks and
Harbour Board for delivery of goods along the whole
range of the Birkenhead Docks, we bring the matter
before your notice in the hope that you will
facilitate the necessary arrangements with t be able to
he railway
companies.—We are your obedient servants,
" W. and H. LAIRD,
44 T. S. HANeocx, Agent, to the Brymbo Company.
J. T. PERRY, for the North Wales Coal Company.
"RICHARD SANDERSON and Co., per E. CA.TcuPoLE,
jun., for the Westminster Brymbo Coal and Coke
Company (Limited).
" PETER MARTIN, •for .N IXON, TAYLOR, and CORY,
Cardiff
" MACLELLAND and Co.
4‘ W. H. BATTERSBY and Co.
" Liverpool, January 23, 1861."

Mr. LAUW was sorry. to see that the railway com-
panies were looking upon the rails rather as extended
station accommodation for them. To make an extra
charge for a few hundred yards was monstrous.

The CHAIRMAN—It is too bad.
THE NEW BYE-LAWS

The CHAIRMAN announced that a letter had been
received from the Solicitor, and asked the board when
they should consider them.

It was agreed to. have the old bye-laws printed in
parallel columns, and the discussion was postponed till
that could be done.
This was the whole of the general business.

TILE WORKHOUSE COMMITTEE.—The usual weekly
meeting of the Workhouse Committee was held yester-
day, in the board-room of the workhouse, Brownlow-
hill. The following members were present Mr.
Cropper in the chair; Messrs. Clark; Smith, Peck, Owen,
Jones, &c. From the Governor's report it appeared
that the number in the house last Wednesday was
2,612 ; yesterday, 2,619-7 increase. • On the 23rd Jan
1860, 2,221; yesterday, 2,619-398 increase. The wprk-
house medical report showed that the total number of
persons under treatment on the 23rd of January, 1861,
was 763 ; cured and discharged, 152 ; died, 29 : 25 fever
cases, and 39 itch cases. Tilde was no business of any
importaircy before the meeting, which shortly after
rose.

SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF* OF SICK
AND DISTRESSED NEEDLEAVOMEN.

The atinital Meeting of the ffiendS and subscribers of
this institution was he'ld yesterday afternoon, at the
Savings' Bank, Bold-street. Ibis ITorship the 11ayor
hiring been requested to preside by the Vette-.
rable Archdeacon Jones, ii).okle us . follows : —Ladies
and Gentlerntii, i do not 101.0.4 that there is any
question which exercises a greater induence on the
well being of society than that which relates to the
moral and physical condition of the female portion of
the working classes of our community; and any scheme
which has the improvement of either one or the other

for its object is entitled to the favourable consideration
of every thinking mind. lam glad to observe that in
other toxins eonsiderahle employment is being afforded
in those trades where the &Meetly of touch tender
female labour particularly valuable. And I hair° always
held a very strong opinion that if we could by any
possibility promote a greater employment of the hand,
and more occupation of the head, we should in time
.produce a very much more healthy state of society than
at present exists. We know that a large portion of the
telegraphy of this country is conducted by females, and
I am also aware that in London and in Edinburgh
there are now being organised, if not already established,
institutions for the purpose of teaching the art of print-
ing to females; but I am not aware that in this town
any societies exist for the employment of female labour
except those which are devoted exclusively to the
needle. It was only last week that the report of one of
these invaluable institutions was submitted to the pub-
lic, and we have in that report abundant proof of what
that society did by the means placed at its disposal, and
of what it might do if the funds supplied to it were in
keeping with the wants of this great town. To-day we
have met for the purpose of receiving the report of a
kindred instittitton, and though it is encouraging, and
very encouraging, considering the short time which this
society has been in existence—it also show how very
circumscribed atid how very limited is its field of use-
fulneis, to what it Might lie if it met with a larger and
more liberal amount of support. We all know how
precarious is that existence which relies for its support
on the use of the needle. Bat how much more difficult
I may say becomes .that existence when sickness dims
the eye, or destitution paralyses the hand. To this class
the Distressed Needlewomens' Society deVotes its bene-
volence, and I appeal to those who sympathise with the
objects of the society—and I may say who is there that
does not when he knows those objects thoroughly—for
that amount of support which can render this institution
at all equal to the wants of this large town. I cannot
but hope that when the report is heard, which I shall
ask the Venerable Achdeacon to read presently, and when
it is perused by the public to-morrow this society will
receive an amount of support which alone can enable it
to fulfil its mission. I have looked over the accounts
for last year; those for the present quarter I have only
just received, and I believe I am right in stating that
every guinea subscribed to this institution goes direct to
the class it was intended to relieve. There is no expense
whatever either for management for matrons, for col-
lectors, or for officers ; everything appears to done
gratuitously, as all labours of love should be done, and
therefore I conceive I am right in stating that there is
no channel through which private benevolence can dis-
pense its desires better than through this society, of
which the annual report will now be read.
The following is the report :

"The committee have much pleasure in laying before
the subscribers and friends of the Society for the Relief
of Sick or Distressed Needlewomen' the following satis-
factory statement of the results which have attended
their exertions during the past year ; but at the same
time they must acknowledge, that though many poor
sufferers have been relieved, the committee feel they
could have assisted a larger number had not their funds
been so small. The, donations have been but few during
the past year; the committee therefore hope that all
well-wishers to this institution will use their best exer-
tions to obtain new subscribers. and thus increase the
revenue of this valuable society. This institution has
the great advantage of giving the ladies the power of
investigating every case which may be brought before
their notice, thus preventing any imposture, and at the
same time of ascertaining the necessary aid required by
each applicant.
"Amongst the many cases deserving of remark, the
committee beg to refer to the following :
"M. M., who was in such extreme ill-health that her
recovery was almost hopeless, has, through the instru-
mentality of this society, placed one of her children in
the Bluecoat School, and also been enabled to visit
another daughter in Ireland, whom she had no expecta-
tion of seeing again. A letter written to the surgeon.
Mr. Bailey, during her stay there, expresses her heartfelt
thanks for the relief afforded her.

" M. L. has been confined to her bed for many weeks,
without any one to render her the slightest. assistance ;
and but for the timely ski rendered by this society, would
have been utterly neglected and destitute.

"M. C. has gained her living by her needle for up-
wards of thirty years, but is now almost incapacit4ed
from doitig so in consequence of an attack of paralysis.
" The committee gladly take this opportunity of offer-
ing their most sincere thanks to the honorary surgeon,
Mr. F. T. Bailey, for his unceasing attention to the poor
sufferers : his kindness and warm sympathy with their
troubles have elicited from many of them touching ex-
pressions of gratitude. Thanks are also due to Mrs.
Preston for her hanisome donation of flannel and wine;
and also to Messrs. Clay and Abraham and Messrs. Mackie
and Gladstone, for their kind assistance; and to the trustees
of the Savings' Bank, to whose courtesy the committee
are indebted for the use of the room in which their
meetings are held.

"The committee cannot close this report without
deploring file loss of their honorary secretary, Airs.
Wainwrieht, one of the founders of this society, whose
best exertions were always cheerfully given to promote
the welfare of the destitute.

" All of every age and sex require the active fingers-
and ready skill of the poor needlewomen, and surely it
is not too much to ask in return, that when unable to
work for themselves, when sickness, or the worse trials
of want—friendlessness and destitution—surround them,
some of their more favoured neighbours should offer such
assistance as would relieve their immediate necessities.
" The committee will be glad to acknowledge any
contributions, and trust that in their next -report they
will be able to congratulate the subscribers on the
increased prosperity of this valuable society.
From the treasurer's account it appeared that the
receipts during the year (including the balance from
1859, subscriptions- and donations) amounted to
£303 ss. nd. The amount now in the bank is
£2lO 15s. 7d.; cash in band £6 Is. 41,d. Relief had
been administered 445 times, the number of cases being
thirty.
The surgeon's report was as follows :
"The cases brought under my notice during the year
just passed, have been more varied in character, em-
bracing a much wider field of disease than in previous
years. The first half-year was most fruitful in acute
ailments; and during the last half-year chronic cases
have mostly presentd' themselves. This was to be
expected, the general health of the town having been
much better-than usual. There are few calling for any
special remarks. Nearly one-half of those under treat-
ment have especially complained of failing sight, and
this is to be attributed to the peculiar nature of the
occupation, and very much to the necessity for working
with an artificial light, pursuing their calling, as they
do to the small hours of morning. No action having as
yet been taken upon the suggestion thrown out in my
report for the year 1859, let me again urge its con-
sideration. upon the benevolent public, being firmly
convinced that the establishment of model lodging-
houses for women would be an important means of
relieving sickness and distress."
The adoption of the above reports was proposed by
the Ven. At:chdeacon jones, who congratulated the'
association on the work it was doing. He thought this
society a seasonable addition to the other one, and
hoped that both their works would prosper. A society
which fostered industry must no doubt be a very valu-
able one,, but we should remember that there are many
persons who cannot work. He hoped the ladies would
come forward in great numbers to assist those who were
already at work in the interest of the association.
The Rev. Mr. BANISTER, in seconding the resolu-
tion, stated that with reference to the suggestion about
model lodging for females, he had himself tried a
similar institution for men, and great as the difficulties
were in the latter case, they would be much increased
when applied to females. Still he thought the surgeon's
recommendation in every way worthy of consideration.
The motion was then passed.
The next resolution was proposed by Percy M. Dove,
Esq., and was to the effect—That this committee desire
to express their approbation of the objects of this society,
and earnestly appeal to the public for an increase of
funds to enable the committee to extend the benefits to
a greater number of sick and suffering needlewomen.

rence,.and carried unanimously.
The resolution was seconded by the Rev. C. Law-
The officers were then appointed for the ensuing
year, after which votes of thanks were passed to the
Lady President, to the committee, to T. Bailey, Esq.,
the medical officer, for his unwearied kindness and
attention, as well as for his professional services.
It was proposed by the Rev. T. Gardner, and passed
by acclamation, " That the cordial thanks of this meet-
ing be given to his Worshipful the Mayor, for his kind-
ness in the chair on this occasion."
His Wonsuip, in returning thanks, said that the
recognition by the meeting of the very slight service he
had rendered was to him ample reward, if he had not
had a very much higher hope in coming to the meeting.
He esteemed very much the
good wishes and the friendly
expressions which had been made by them, but he could
safely say that it was not in the expectation of receiving
such that he left his public Occupations to attend the
meeting, but to show how much the occunation of the
civic chair sympathised with such institutions as these.
He considered it an honour to be associated with ladies
who had become so distinguished for the relief which
they afforded to suffering, humanity. He, would thank
them most heartily for the compliment they had been
pleased to pay him.

This concluded the business of the meeting.

VISIT OF MESSRS. SCHOLEFIELD AND BRIGHT TO
BIIIMINGHAM.-It has been arranged that the two
parliamentary representatives of Birmingham, Messrs.
Scholefield and Bright, will address their constituents
on the evening of Tuesday next, the 29th instant. The
near approach of the session of parliament, and the
important questions of finance and foreign. policy which
will engage attention, invest the opinions of such a
power in the house as Mr. Bright with great interest.

LIVERPOOL POLICE couitT.—YESTERDAY,

(liefote Mr. RAFFLES.)
FRIGHTFUL ASSAffif ON A BLACK MAN

Two ruffians, named William &Tie mid Daniel
M'Ginness, were charged with having stabbed and
violently assaulted a black sailor, named Abraham
Airs. Prom the evidenCe of the complainant and two
females it appeared that on .Wednesday night they
were passing along Vauxhall-road, WO at the corner of
Chisenhale-street there were a number of blackguards
standing. They accosted the black man and asked for
money ie get dr rile. Ile refused, when they fell on
the complainant, and, geording to the statement of the
witnesses, toyle struck the emiipialnant on the face
with a knife, and the other prisoner struck him with
an iron bar under the nose, inflicting a desperate wound.
Surgeon Wean!, who attended the injured man, said
there was a most serious wound on the lower part of
the face, and the lower part of the nose was quite
removed from the face. There was a smaller wound on
the side of 'the fact, and altogether it was a frightful
wound, and he could put Ms finger for an inch and
a-half into the wound. Mr. Rates : Is it a dangerous
wound ? It is a dangerous wound, and erysipelas may
set in. The prisoners denied the charge, but his
Worship said the case was too clear, and as the assault
was such a serious one, he would send the prisoners for
trial at the assizes. They were committed accordingly.
(Before Messrs. P. RATHBONE and BOOTH.)
CAPTAIN'S WAGES.

Messrs. R. Stanbury and others were summoned by
Augustus Ferguson for over £ll wages. Mr. Cobb
appeared for the plaintiff, and stated that the claim
arose in this way—The plaintiff went out to Africa as
the mate of the ship Queen of the Isles, at £6 a month.
The defendant, Mr. Stanbury, was the captain and part
owner of the vessel, and from some cause he did not
come home in her ; but on the 30th October he gave
directions in writing to the claimant to bring home the
ship as captain, which he did, and the claim was for the
difference between £6 and £lO a-month, from that date
to the 16th January. The claim was not opposed, and
an order for the full amount was made.

(Before Mr. CASTELLAIN.)
THE COTTON ROBBERY.

Edward M'Convill, Charles Swindles, Benjamin
Martin, Robert Greville, and Robert Bigland, the
persons who stood remanded on a charge of having
stolen ten bales of cotton from Mr. Harbord's ware-
house, were brought up. Mr. Cobb appeared for
M'Conville ; Mr. Bluck for Greville, and Mr. Pemberton
for Bigland.—Detecdve-officer Patrick said he had
recovered three bales of the cotton at Manchester, and
this was identified as a portion of the stolen property.
After some further evidence, in reference to the connec-
tion between the parties in the transaction, having
been given, Mr. Kehoe asked for a further remand, as
he had not the case fully prepared for a final hearing.
The remand was objected to by the legal gentlemen,
but his worship said there was evidence sufficient to
warrant him in remanding the priioners. He refused
to take bail for their appearance.