The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-07-19 00:00:00

KIRKDALE SESSIONS.

. The trial of prisoners at these sessions commenced
yesterday morning; before Lord Stanley and a full bench
of magistrates ; amongst whom were Wm. Hall, Esq..
J. A. Tinne, Colonel Blackburne, Colonel Bourne,
Major Chambers, Robert Theakstone, George Whit-
tingstal, J. G. Morris, and G. M'Corquodale.
The following gentlemen were sworn on the

GRAND JURY.
Wm. Peace, agent,'Haigh, (foreman).
James Wood, land agent, Haigh.
Richard Rylands, gentleman, Orrel.
Edward Alker, gentleman, Pemberton.
John Holland, spinner, Pemberton..
Henry Johnson, engineer, Pemberton.
John Clayton, grocer, Skehnersdale. -
James Lyon, miller,.Skelmersdale.
Alexander Mi ibbon, merchant, Rainford.
Richard Kerfoot, farmer, Rainford. -
William Middlehurst, builder, Rainford.-
Isaac Webster, grocer, Rainford.
William Wilson, esquire. Rainford.
Richard Aincough, corn merchant, Latham.
Edward Leatherbarrow, farmer, Latham.
William Shah, farmer, Latham.
John Walker, merchant, Latham.
Robert Wilkinson; gentleman, Latham.
Hugh Yates, ironfountlex, Latham.
John Young, ironfounder, Latham. . •
Henry Birley, ironfounder, Haigla.

In addressing the Grand Jury, Lord-Stanley said :
Gentlemen, you will be glad to hear that the calendar
we have to deal with is lighter than it was at the cor-
responding period of the two years immediately preced-
ing this. The number of prisoners for trial at the July
sessions, in 1858, was 44; the number in July,- 1859,
was also 44; on the present occasion it is only 32. On
the other hand, I find that there has been an increase in
the number of prisoners convicted under the 18th and

19th Victoria—that is, prisoners who, previous*to the
passing of the act, would have been sent here for trial.
The number convicted under that act, between the
months of April and July in 1856, was 64 ; in the same
months of 1859, 55; between April. and July in the
present year, that is a period of three months, there have
been 70 convictions:" NVe have no 'right, therefore, to
assume, from the diminished number of prisoners who
will come before us, that there has been any correspond-
ing diminution in crime. I have looked throught the
calendar, and can find •no cases to present any great
difficulty; but, if in the discharge of your duty you find
any such, the court will render the assistance you may
require. ' You are probably aware of the nature of the
duties you will have to perform ; you have not to try
the prisoners, but to see whether there is prima facie
evidence against, them—that is, evidence which, if not
rebutted on the trial, would be sufficient to ensure a
conviction, and if that is the case you will find a true ,
bill. If, on the contrary, there is not sufficient evidence,
you will find no bill.

The Grand Jury then retired, and the, trial of the
prisoners was proceeded with.

HE SATURDAY HALF-H-OLIDAY.

MEETING OF IRON-FOUNDERS,

A meeting of iron-founders .was held last night, in
the Stanley-hall, Richmond-row, the object being to
consider the steps to be taken to obtain a half-holiday
on Saturday afternoon. There was a numerous attend-
ance of working men. Mr. Dawbarn, chairman of the
Early Closing Association, occupied the chair.
The' CHAIRMAN congratulated the men present upon
the earnestness they bad shown in their endeavours to
obtain a Saturday half-holiday, for which they were
willing to give two or three shillings- of.their wages.
Therelwere some diffic.ulties in the way, but when these
were opposed they would be found very small. He
trusted, too, that the barmaids would get a Saturday
half-holiday as well as them, and that a resolution would
go forth from that meeting to that effect. (Applause.)
He was' quite sure that the half-holiday system would
make the good man better, and though he was afraid it
would make the bad worse, he hoped there were no bad
ones among them. .In conclusion he expressed the
pleasure he felt in-being their chairman; and hoped that
their movement would prosper.
Mr: JAR.' CHADWICK was then called upon, and,
having read the memorial—the effect of which was to
solicit the matters to grant a half holiday to their ,men
on Saturday, because of the great advantages
.to be
derived therefrom—he moved its adoption. He hoped
that they would all move in this matter with an earnest-
ness of purpose sufficient to accomplish their object in
the fairbst and most legal manner possible. :It was a•
thing which had been tried in several large establish-
ments,, and Which was universally wished for, and
which had met with general approval. He had himself
experienced its beneficial effects in an establishment
with which he was formerly connected. It enabled a
man to have open-air exercise on the Saturday after-
noon, and more time to himself on Sunday. It had
been urged against the half holiday, that the men would
have more time to get drunk in ; but, even in that case,
its effects would be beneficial, because the men had a
certain amount of money to spend, and, having spent
that, would go home. They would thus get home in
the evening; and, by going to bed early, would probably
be quite sober on Stfnday morning, and wake up wiser
if not better men. , .
The motion was seconded_by Mr. Roberts, and carried
unanimously.
ISAAC MILBURN moved the next resolution. It was,
"That the chairman and secretary of. the Early Closing
Association submit the memorial to the employers of
foundrymen." He had great pleasure in supporting
this resolution. He believed the movement to be a
good one, and as such •was entitled to the support of all
present. Still he would implore them to do nothing
rashly ; to put away every thought, of strike ; and to
remember that they were not making a demand, but a
request. Tlle Saturday half-holiday movement had
been tried very extensively in Manchester, and was
most Successful. He could personally speak of its
advantages, as he nsed to leave work at three o'clock On
Saturday afternoon. They were not going to force a
collection; but, as expenses would be incurred, any con-
tributions would be thankfully received.
Mr. Walling, in an appropriate speech, seconded the
motion which was carried with acclamation.

The CHAIRMAN, having asked whether anyone pre-
sent desired to make any observations on the subject, a
young man stepped forward and addressed the meeting.
In the course Of his remark's be commented upon the
apathy of the working men, and urged the necessity for
action. He believed that in Liverpobl, as. in other
leitis, the masters endeavoured to get as much as pos-

.1

sible from the men, and the men tried to do the same
with the master. He hoped that on this occasion the
musters would accede to their request) and grant the half

holiday. '• •
Air. TitolkiAS OWEN ina4e some lengthy retharks to
the same effect, after which he moved the appointment
of a committee, consisting of -the chairman, iecretarY,
and president, and other members of the Early ClOsizig
Association.

Mr. William Jay seconded the motion, which was
carried unanimously. A committee was 'appointed, and
on the motion of Mr. Samuel Johnson it was resolved
that the committee should report at a future meeting,
to be held at the earliest convenient time.

Mr. 8REW.1312, secretary of the Early-closing Associa-
tion, said that the labours of the society had hitherto
Lem confined to shops and offices, and the markets, and
the society would be glad to work with the working
roan of the town. He wanted thew all tor take the
wedge not to shop after seven o'clock. in the evening,
'and to avoid purchasing at any shop that kept late
h;ours. If they valued the early-closing movement in
their own workslipps, they should give to others that
which they wanted themselves.
A motion asserting the propriety of obtaining for the
barmaids a half holiday on Saturday having been

carried,

Mr. GRINDLEY,. Vice-president of the association,
addressed the meeting. and in the course of his remarks
asked what was the use of educational and literary insti-
tutions if the workmen had Du time to take advantage of
them ; and if they were closed before the time at which
some men left work who were dismissed early on Satur-
day.

Mr. BREWER said he was not previously aware that
the free public library and museum closed early on
Saturday, but he should take an early opportunity of
seeing Mr. Picton on the subject.
After a few remarks from the Chairman, the proceed-
ings terminated.