The Express.
London, England, 1847-07-24 00:00:00

IRELAND•

Deannr, JULY 22.
At a recent meeting of the Belfast Harbour Com-
miasioners, the first ander the act of the present ses-
sion, a statement was submitted of the income for the
half-year ending the Ist of July compared with the
corresponding period of 1846. It shows an increase
on the chief sources of revenue of 1,5001., or at the
rate of 3,0001. per annum. This increase is the more
satisfactory as it appeared to have arisen from the
progressive advance of the port, and not from the
casual importation of food, the vessels employed in
this manner having displaced the same amount of
tonnage from other trades. This fact was thus illus-
trated : though the comparative increase of tonnage was
25,836, there had been a falling off of 16,286 tons in
coals alone. Under the act of 1837, the tonnage fre-
quenting Belfast had increased an hundred fold in ten
years. Property exceeding. 150,000/. had been pur-
chased, and the outlay on improvement was not less
than 100,0001. The total debt on the Ist inst.
amounted to 198,7501., of which nearly the sum of
17,0001. remained in the hands of the treasurer; and
the surplus on the ordinary operation of the 'present
year, after payment of interest and all other charges,
is calculated to exceed 10,000/.
The general assembly of the presbyterian church
has had a long sederunt, and the business of the synod
is not yet concluded. The election for the four thee-
logiml professors will take place in September, and
certificates of ability are admissible front the Queen's
College, Trinity College, or the free church of Scot-
land. The appointment of literary professors is post-
poned until the treasury of the assembly is in a snore
prosperous condition. A resolution of some impor-
tance has been arrived at by the assembly. In 1843
a resolution was carried limiting the agitation of its
members in political matters to questions purely
affecting the presbyterian body—which was aimed at
the presbytenan Phillpotte, Dr. Cooke. That resolu-
tion has been now rescinded by a cross resolution,
leaving the assembly monitors solutis. The numbers
were-43 pro ; 21 con.
It is attempted to frighten the liberals front con-
testing the city of Dublin, by publishing an estimate
of the sheriff's expenses in 1841, and the probable
amount at the ensuing election. In the former case the
expenditure was about 6001.—in the latter the esti-
mate is about 2,0004 The estimate of the Mail for
the contest is 4,000/. for each candidate.

M one of the evil effects arising from inattention to
fumigation in courts of justice, the Kerry Examiner
states that, at the close of the quarter sessions for
Listowel, the assistant barrister, crown prosecutor,
and interpreter, were all simultaneously attacked with
fever. The last his since died.

Notwithstanding the distress of the past half year
the calendars are generally very low. The violent mur-
ders are, as usual, confined to a few counties, but even
in these there is a considerable diminution. Limerick,
however, claims 16 for its share. Kerry, always quiet,
has no case of bloodshed ; of the 63 on the calendar, 26
are for cattle and sheep stealing, and 16 larcenies.
In most of the northern calendars there is also a
lendable absence of outrage of a gross character.
Temperance does not follow in the wake of railway
construction, at least in the region of Kilkenny ; not
fewer than 45 persons, chiefly railway labourers, were
committed for drunkenness on Saturday and Sunday
last.

SCOTLAND.
EDINErBOIR, Iti.T 22.
Poor-law administration is beginning to be regarded
as a very serious matter in Scotland. A seat at the
parochial board lacks the eclat attendant on a place at
the municipal ouuneil, and while plenty of modulates
aspire to the latter honour, few qualified persons can
be found for the former. Four days in the week is a
fair estimate of the time necessary for diechasigini
poor-law duty, the nature of the labour being intricate'
and onerous ; and thus, while the impost swells
higher and higher, there is no such thing as laying
hold of adequate persons to stem the gigantic torrent,
and, perhaps, in the end, a bounty will be required to I
be held out for the due performance of an office so
all-important to the community.
Some whale-fishing vessels have returned to the
northern ports, bringing good news from the arctic
regions. The average of seals to each vessel will be
some 5,000, besides whales.

SPORTTNO BY Srgast.—A local paper reports the follow-
ing novelty. On Saturday, a race between the Scottish
Maid and Harvest Home ,team-boata,for 251. a side, came cff
at sea, from the Herd buoy at the mouth of the Tyne to the
buoy of Sunderland bar and back, a distance of about 12
miles. As this was the first set match between two Tyne
boats, considerable interest was excited, which was increased
by the feet, that, independent of the wager, it woe a trial cf
the capabilities of the builders and engine makers of Owl
respectire boats. The Sarnia Maid, owned by Mr. A.
Strong, was built by Mr. James Dewey, and the engines
were fitted up by Moors. Comally and Scott. The flu-
vest Home, the property of Mr Joseph Ball, was built by
Mr. William Cooper, and the snitims fitted up by Mr. J.
Almond, all of North Shields. TM boats were alike In
size, with 25-inch cylindms b the endues, equal to about
22-horse power. At a quires, to Ire Vet e* die heels tee&
up their_ petitions, soecespested by a brie saber of steals-
hoAts: 111,04 with Pui:l4ll ; PreiellY at Ire o'clock
the weal was gives, lily Owls& There wee a lift of
a tea es, but aothisi Is leg their progress. The Harvest
House bed the eel la Its betting at 6to 4. They went off
with asiiiimalie awillsesa, leaving all the ober boats
bshisd, seem of lb Mims power, bat bept together
only sheet dielemes, when the fiesttlit Mid bit
"siowly,
bat persegtily, weep • boa This elate of con-
dos& mods dis wilds eillesse : the HAMM* ome,
frees helm isse is the leltin, was set so well masted for
sea resales heressysliter, erldik wee bolder built. After
a geb:M rim the wellies Maidens, task a winner by about
hail a is. The dtiassa was gene ever in 1 hour and 12
minas. There was a good deal of spirit in the betting,
sad WAWIIIIIII6II sees changed hands.