The Express.
London, England, 1848-01-21 00:00:00

PROVINCIAL.

HEARTLESS FRAllDTJAcWr;spondent requests us
to caution the public against a set of swindlers, who are
again actively employed in defrauding parties in this country
woo may have relatives or friends abroad. They usually
represent themselves as lately arrived, and as the bearers of
letters and presents, which they state are detained at the
Liverpool Custom-house until the payment of the usual
duties. It is their plan to intimate a teturn to that port, to
volunteer their services for the release of the articles, and to
obtain money, if possible, for that purpose. It is almost
needless to add, that where they succeed, their dupes never
again hear either of presents or money,
Ax UTILITARIAN YEOMAN.—At Pot Yates, in
Littledale (says the Lancaster Guardian), there is now
residing a substantial yeoman, named Fsithwaite, whose
family have held uninterrupted poreision of the same farm
for nearly 600 years. Another yeoman family, the Parkin-1
sons, residing at ao great distance from the Faithwaites, are
said to have owned and cultivated their laud for a similar
period. As a proof that the utilitarian spirit of the age is
fast, putting to the rout the chivalric associations of the
past, it may be mentioned that the present head of the
Dept Parkinson is reported to have recently sold for old iron
the armour in which his ancestor fought at Floddea Field.
Schools INSPECTION.—Duriog the past week the
Rev. Mr. Mitchell, M.A., one of her Majesty's inspectors of
schools, visited Burnley for the annual inspection, and also
to test the gushficetions of the various candidates for the
office of pupil teachers. The time for the examinations was
rather disadvantageous both for masters and pupils, as the
schools inspected only reassembled on the day of his visit,
and were but thinly attended. On the whole it is stated
that the result was favourable, and at several of the schools
the candidates acquittedtlaltstelz?creditably.

Ttlisaostaos.
NATIONAL DEPENCES.—Yesterday a public meet-
ing of the inhabitants of the borough of Leeds, convened by
the mayor, in compliance with a requisition, was held in the
court.house, under the presidency of his worship, "to ex-
press their sentiments on the expected increase of the army
and navy, and the calling out of the militia." In opening
the business, the mayor said that whilst he deemed it a pe-
culiar privilege as the chief magistrate of the borough on all
occasions to afford his fellow-burgesses a full opportunity for
the calm and dispassionate consideration of all subjects affect-
ing their welfare, he rejoiced that the first occasion on which
he had to exercise that privilege was one which accorded so
much with his own sentiments and wishes. The meeting
had been mainly convened in consequence of the notorious
letter of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, which
had reference to the state of the national defences,
and to the intention which was said to exist of
augmenting the army and navy estimates. It was to be
regretted that after 30 years of peace, the necessity for safe-
guards against war should still be supposed to exist. He
would venture to assert that the safety of this country did
not depend upon the relative forces of either France towards
England, or arty one country upon the continent, but upon
the relative position of the different governments of Europe
towards each other. Whatever might be said with regard
to the balance of power, it hid this advantage, that it
secured from sudden invasion, under ordinary circumstances,
even the smallest principality against the strongest.—Mr. T.
Nutunley proposed the first resolution :
That this meeting has hard with regret that It is intended largely
to Metairie the military establishments of the country, thereby
seriously augmenting the burden of our present enormous expendi-
ture in the army, the navy, and the ordnance departments, and that,
too, during a serious depression in all branches of national in.
; and would express its theorise that such a measure should
be proposed at alerted when a lung continuance of peace has created
a kindly feeling of brotherhood between large and enlightened sec-
tons of all European nations, and after the recent sasurentes from
the throne of the continuance of the snanabie dispcsltices of those
nations towards this country.
lie reviewed the present state of the army and navy as com-
pared with what it was tenor a dozen years ago, and showed
that a large increase had taken place in those branches of
our national defence ; and he adverted to the fact that Eng-
land had never yet been invaded, notwithstanding the at-
tempts that had been made, as an argument to show that
there was no chance of the island being successfully in-
vaded. It would, therefore, be impolitic to increase the
public expenditure in providing against a very improbable
contingency, especially in the present state of the national
resources, and with the existing national burdens. In fur-
ther disproof of the necessity for the anticipated expenditure,
he enlarged upon the various circumstances which would
prevent any surprise to the people of Great Britain in
case any invasion should be attempted.—Mr. Darnton
Lupton briefly seconded the motion, in the course of doing
which he read a letter from Mr. Cobden, to Mr. Sturge
of Birmingham, in answer to an invitation to attend a
similar demonstration to the present in that town. Mr.
Cobden expressed his hearty agreement with the promoters
of the meeting, and said that, to him, it was utterly unin-
telligible why they should now be so suddenly stunned by
this outcry on the apprehended invasion by France • and
it appeared to be merely the gossip of the clubs of "Adam,
or of the military men, who were impatient of the neglect
into which their pronesion had fallen.—Mr Bawd. Baines,
jun. moved the second resolution, as fo:lows
That the astonishment of this meeting is increased by the then-
deration that the proposal, if sanctioned by parliament, will so imme-
diately follow the adoption of those enlightened and pacific measures
of commeicial Intercourse, the ultimate and sure effect of which, it
was *seated, would be go to unite nations together in the bonds of
mutual dependence and osmmon interest that war would be seen and
felt to be an intolerable evil, sod that such an augmentation of our
m. 001 of offence and defence would be totally incotaistent with the
recent Toney of parliament, and a practical expression that the go-
vernment and the legislature have no confidence in the principle on
which that policy was so sucensfully advocated.
He said he rejoiced from his heart to see such a crowded
meeting of his native town to protest against whatever'
tended to provoke war, and to raise its voice in support of
whatever NFU favourable to peace. It was the saying of one
of the wisest and greatest posts of England, that
ether is • gases
That, were their subjects wise,
Kings would net play at."
Mr. Maclea seconded the resolution, and, like the former, it
pared unanimously.—The Rev. Thomas Scales (independent
minister) moved the next resolution
That this often Deflates that the best seen d gatherelng Inter-
national peen is for es& xenon to TIMM a 110.0111111010 10 COM.
fteelal interemine; to Masts 10:111 el Wailer@ Is thebrinele
er domestic aides el nsightewrin ram; eft le sorry
Wle its eland pada, the are d sefte la ef often wastrat
wattled te be I ow the aftest of wee la the
Wakes et weld Ills—selther Its ewe dela kr
We er Maw with them` et taw, nor reftviegthe shilm=r
wakes in the state& et dams% tut alike sseWg ass yid—ft; Olga.
=on in the temper of inn Wirranos sad the sOrlt thle
—Mr. Robert Jowitt sesoshal the resolution, and briefly ad-
vocated the advantages ef pose .—Mr. Jessie Richardson
proposed the next resolution, which shusgly depre-
cated the calling out of the militia, or the enforce-
ment of compulsory military service, as repugnant
to the feelings of a vast majority of ell classes, as a causeless
invasion of the liberties of the subject, and by many as an
set of violence to their consciences and religious scruples.—
Mr. Wm. Brook seconded the motion. He saw no reason
why the working classes should be called upon to fight the
battles of other people he did not see why, so long as they
were dialed the exercise of the franchise, they should be
called *pow to fight for others. His ay would be, end he
hoped it wield be that of every working man, " If we are to
have se "Mow tra have no vote. (Chien.)—The Rev.
Was. Heim& (isispeedent 'daisies) proposed the Mb

resolution, which declared that in accordance with these
views the meeting earnestly depremted any addition to the
military establishments of the country, but would express its
coniideat bel ef that a large reduction of the weaned " peace
establishment," which has been increased to a sum equal to
the property and incense tax, would have the best effect.—
Kr. Punt seconded the motion ; and after its adoption a pe-
tition to parliament, embodying the resolutions above set
forth, was wend to.
• t•tring. IffilSrrOF

REVIVAL Or GREAT GRIMSBY PORT.—In the reign
of Edward 111. the pert of Great Grimsby !unshed eleven
womb' for the armament against Calais ; hut it gradually
sankinto inagnilioasee natal • railway was projected to it.
The mere preeped.ive advent of the Manebester, Sheffield,
ea & Linmissb. Bail yap, which will be opened to Greet
Grimsby In the present vpring, has been to ra the customs
revenue fr0m3,9291, in 1843,t0 70,0731. in the last year, 1847.
WARWICK/IMRE.

BTRATFORD-ON-AVON.—kiorrespondent eay• :
" This town, although in a singularly favourable situation,
is almost isolated, from the fact that no rid' way approaches
nearer to it than Leamington, a distance of eleven miles. To
remedy this evil, the directors of the Oxford, Worcester,
and Wolverhampton and the Oxford and Birmingham lines,
applied to parliament during the last session for power to
construct branches from their main lines, running from
Weston-sub-Edge on the former, and from Kingswood on the
latter, to the borough ; but, up to the pr. sent date, neither
scheme has been carried out, and the inhabitants requested
the mayor to convene a public meeting. He complied, and,
on the 19th inst., a numerous and respectable company as-
sembled. Among the speakers were Dr. Thomson, E. F.
Flower, Esq., Mr. W. Wall, and W. J. Harding, Esq. A
series of resolutions were agreed to, and a memorial ordered
to be engrossed and presented by a deputation consisting of
the mayor E. F. Flower, Esq., W. Burman, Esq , and
Mr. W. Wall, to J. B. Freer, Esq , and F. Buford, Eoci.,
gentlemen connected with the above-named railways. A
strong feeling was expressed by the meeting, that if the
directors did not accede to their wishes, some steps should
be taken to place the::: os,n,*.ma,liz with its neighbours
as regarded railway facilities."

COMMISSION 1311711171:01.1171:1ETTENANT.—T. Need,
Esq., to be Captain in Royal Sherwood Furesters, or Not-
tinghamshire Regiment of I.l.pi!ia.

i(E\T.

THE BURNING OF A PaisoNEß IN TEE GRAVESEND
LOCK-CP.—Yesterday an inquest was held on Thomas
Budge, waterman, aged 49, who perished in the recent tire
of the straw-house attached to the borough lock-up.—Sergt.
Denyer, 1 of the town police, said between twelve and one
o'clock on Saturday night the deceased was brought to the
station-house considerably intoxicated and guilty of violent
conduct. He bed him placed in the straw-house. It was
well furnished with straw, and was generally used as a re-
fuge for destitute persons found wandering in the streets by
the police, or intoxicated noisy prisoners. The deceased
kept singing, whistling, and shoutteg for some hours after
he was locked up. Inspector Penman, on leaving the station
at half-past five, heard him making a noise, shouting and
dancing about. At six o'clock a man named IVaeher, a
labourtr employed in cleansing the market-place, came
to the station house and stated that the straw-house was
on fire. Knowing that Budge was there confined, he
immediately ram with the keys to open the door. It was
nearly burnt through, and on opening it the inside seemed
all on fire. The steps leading from the door had fallen down
into the store place underneub, used by the market people
for the stowage of their stands, boards, and trestles. Saw or
heard nothing of the deceased until the fire was subdued.
His remains were foend in one corner of the building, lying
'cross the rafters.—By the Coroner : The last person who
was put into the straw-house previous to the deceased was a
destitute female, named Newport, r n Friday night. She
sold lucifer matches about the streets. If nothing had oc-
curred to deceased he would have been taken before the ma-
gistrate on Monday morning. Sometim, drunken charac-
ters were liberated after getting sober in the straw-house.
The police had no orders to visit prisont n whilst confined in
that place. The deceased had frequently been placed in
the straw-house. The magistrates have directed the
imprisonment of disorderly persons there even when
the ordinary police cells were vacant. The charge
hook was produced, and it appeared that since March,
1843, the deceased had been in the custody of the
police seven times.—D. Lewis. police.conatible,l3, deposed to
taking the deceased into custody opposite Waite's Hotel. He
was greatly intoxicated, and was using very disgusting lan-
guage. Witners assisted in placing him in the straw-house.
J. White, police-officer, deposed to the some fact/. In pass-
ing the building at ten minutes past five be heard the de-
ceased's voice, as if speaking to himself. When he was:put
in, no light or lanthora was used.—G. Washer, a helper in
the market, stated, that at six o'clock on Sunday morning,
while employed in sweeping the market, he saw fire issuing
from the roof of the straw-house. He ran to the station-house
and alarmed Sergt. Denyer, who proceeded with the key
of the building to rescue the deceased. When the door was
opened he could see the deceased lying on the blazing straw
quite motionless. The roof fell before the flooring. He
tried to save the things in the under part of the building,
hut the flooring giving way and firing the couteuta pre-
vented him. He had a lighted candle there on Saturday
evening lad at 10 minutes past 10. lie was not smoking, and
was perfectly sober —John Por ey said he went by the straw-
house about 20 minutes to six, and saw a light gleaming
through the iron grating. Made no alarm. Heard no cries.
—Jane Newport, a miserable looking creature, who wan said
to have once occupied one of the principal hotels in the bo-
rough, said she was married, but her husband bad separated
from her. She now subsisted by selling Lucifer matches.
Being destitute, she was allowed to sleep in the straw-house
on Friday night. She then had no lucifer matches in her
possereion.—Mr. Superintendent North, of the Gravesend
police, was then sworn. Drunken, noisy, dirty, and
disorderly characters were generally put in the straw-
house. The building was in the care of the police,
and they had charge of the keys. It often happened
that parties found on the pavement in a helpless
state of intoxication were placed in the straw house,
and on recovering were liberated, they not having otherwise
miscondueted themselves.—The Coroner then summed up,
and suggested the propriety of the borough magistrates
directing the police to visit the prisoners every hour, as in the
metropolitan districts, for this unfortunate occurratce, with.
out imputing blame to any party, showed the necessity of
such a regulation. The jury, after retiring, fouud that the
deceased died from the effects of fire, but how caused there
was no evidence to show. They also considered the deceased
was in legal custody, and after recommending the adoption
of the coroner's suggestion, pointed out other improvements
which could be made in the rebuilding of the house.—The
Mayor and Mr. Oaks remarked that the magistrates had al-
ready determined on carrying out those precautions.
saitorsmitz.
REPRESENTATION OF NORTH SHROPSHIRE.—The
Shrewsbury Journal says :—" The distressing cunt which
has caused such deep and universal sorrow throughout this
county will, by the elevation of Lord Clive to the peerage,
cause a vacancy in the representation of the northern divi-
sion. It is stated, and we believe on good authority, that
Mr. Dod, of Cloverley, a gentleman well known to be a
steady and consistent friend to the agricultural interest, and
a firm supporter of the protestant church, has consented to
come forward as a candidate."
THE CASS OF STABBING AT WELLINGTON.—
Francis Cunningham, the Irishman who was stabbed in a
conflict with some colliers on Christmas-eve (en account of
which appeared in this paper), died on Wednesday, the
12th inst., from the wounds he received on that occasion.
An inquest was held on the body of the diseased on Friday,
when the jury returned • verdict of "Wilful murder"
against George Taylor; and against Thomas Murrill, for
.4 elsr.ng and abetting in the said murder." They were
admitted to Shrewsbury gaol.
HurEREFORDSHIRE.
ARE BUSHES AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE ?—Con Mon-
day last, at the Guildhall, Hereford, Mr. J. Jones, tailor, of
Broad-street, was summoned at the instance of Mr. Buck-
ham, the lessee of the turnpike-tolls, for refusing to pay toll
at the Above Eign gate for two horses drawing a cart laden
with bushes. Mr. Hardwick read the clause in the act
under which corn, straw, fodder, and other agricultural
produce, not intended for male, was exempted from toll,
and contended that " bushes" were not agricultural pro-
duce within the meaning of the act. Mr. Jones said that
he rented land on both aides of the gate, and that he was
removing the bushes tram one part to the other for the pur-
pose if repairing the fences. The bushes, he contended,
had grown upon the land, and were as much an agricul-
tural produce as any other article—corn, straw, or fodder.
He had been summoned once before for the same alle
offence, when the magistrates had decided that bushes, being
used for agricultural pupae., were exempt from toll.—Mr.
Hardwick said the bushes were not the produce of Mi.
Jones's labour; and it might upon the same ground be
argued that timber was an agricultural produce, because it
had grown upon the land, but without any reference to the
skill or exertion of the occupier.—Mr. Barra thought Mr.
Hardwick's comparison did not hold good, and he conceived
that they were bound to put a beneficial construction upon
the act under which Mr. Jones had been summoned.--The
mayor and other magistrates coincided with Mr. Barra, Mr.
Davis observing that if any doubt arose, it was their duty to
give the farmer the benefit of it —Mr. E. Pritchard said that
he was in no way concerned in the case, and perhaps Mr. Jones
wculd not thank him for his interference, but he wished to re
mind their worships that theraleof construction in theucases,
as laid down by the most eminent members of the legal
profession, was, that "all other agricultural produce"
must be ejtudeg genesis—viz., of the same sort or kind as
that which was mentioned before in the wording of the act.
Mr. Barra : But, Mr. Pritchard, gentlemen in the law do
draw extraordinary lines sometimes. It was only a short
time ago doubted whether ploughs and harrows were articles
of agricultural husbandry.—Mr. P.: If our legislators were
all well versed in law there would not at ise so many diffi-
culties or ambiguities in our acts of parliament —Mr. Barra:
I do not exactly agree with that, for our laws are made ab-
struse and unintelligible by lawyers themselves (laughter) ;
you know if there was no mystery to be explained away, or
no difficulty to be overcome, there would be infinitely lees
work for you professional gentlemen.—At the close of this
little episode the magistrates decided that bushes were agri-
cultural produce within the meaning of the act, and therefore
exempt from toLL—Case dismissed.

CLERICAL.
Tan EXETER DIOCESLN CHURCH BUILDING SOCINTY
met on Wednesday, when a grant of 251. was made towards
the increase of accommodation in the parish church of Lan-
east, Cornwall, whereby 56 additional free sittings will be
provided; 201. was also granted towards the increase 01
accommodation in the parish church of St. Buttock, in the
same county, by the proposed rearrangement of seem in
which ea Increase of additional free sittings will be
obtained.
Paernanturre.—The Roy. J. L. Worship, to fitokesby R.,
with lierringby B. Norfolk ; dio., Norw.; mine, 5261.—0 n
his own ?initial, Roo. W. C. Ward, to Bast Taddialtua

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