The Express.
London, England, 1847-01-28 00:00:00

PROVINCIAL.

SERIOUS FIRE IN LIVERPOOL YRlT22DAY.—Between
the hours of one and two o'clock yesterday morning a
dreadful fire broke out in the spacious premises of Mr.
Challener, Mason street, near Wapping, which destroyed
buildings and other property to a very considerable amount.
It seems to have originated in a wooden shed, used by Mr.
Challener as • place of temporary deposit for flour ; but, as
in most cases of the kind, the cause of its origin is involved
in mystery. The alarm was instantly conveyed to the fire-
station, and Mr. Hewitt lost no time in sending the engines to
the spot, but, in the meantime, the high wind which pre-
vailed last night aided the fury of the devouring element,
and speedily ignited the adjacent property. From the wooden
shed, the flames were carried &crease yard to Mr. Challener's
stable, which was burned down; and a fine horse was de-
stroyed. The fire next communicated with Mr. Challener's
large warehouse, which was used partly as a flour store and
partly as a block manufactory. This fine building was en-
tirely gutted. The roof, joists, and floors gave way at as
early period, and nothing now remains but the bare walla.
The property consumed in this building was of considerable
value. Three of the rooms were fully stared with floor,
and the other rooms contained a large stock of
blocks and steam machinery, the whole of which
have been either wholly destroyed or rendered utterly
useless. The fire next communicated with a fine warehouse
belonging to Mr. Thomas Booth, corn merchant; and
this warehouse also, together with the whole of its contents,
has likewise been destroyed. The roof and doors have been
Turned through, and the bare walls only are standing. A
second warehouse belonging to Mr. Booth, ands large ware-
house, belonging to Messrs. Lodge and Pritchard, ou the east
side of Hunt-street, both took fire, but owing to the vigorous
exertions of the firemen, they were only partially damaged.
A small dwelling-house adjoining Mr. Challener's ware-
house was also on fire for a short time. Too much praise can-
not indeed be given to Mr. Hewitt and the men under his
command for their promptness and energy in subduing the fire.
Mr. Challener is insured in the Star-office ; and Mr. Booth
is, it is believed, also insured. The large block manufacturing
premises of the former gentleman, which han• now been
consumed, were the most complete in Liverpool, they having
been built expressly for the purpose at great expense.
Several engines are still engaged in playing upon the
smouldering pile, and large crowds of persons are assembled '
in all the adjacent streets. No correct estimate can yet
be formed of the property destroyed.
FRAUDS BY THE USE OF UNJUST 'WEIGHTS AND MEA-
SURES IN MANCREATER.—In the annual report of the in
spector of weights and measures, it is stated by Mr. Mellor
that the total estimated saving to the public, from the ad-
justment of weights and measures, amounted, in one year,
to the large sum it 14,5271. 2s. 3d. Mr. Mellor shows how
such saving is effected by means of a tabular statement,
in giving which he saes, The daily usage of the
weights and measures and the value of the goods sold
Is conjectural; but from my own expel fence, and the
information obtained, I have reason to believe that the
amount assumed as the average value and usage is by
no means exaggerated in either ease." The report
states that the weight of lead and solder, &c., con-
sumed in adjusting weights during the year amounted
to 1,8061 be., which for 36,017 weights adjusted, gives is
average of ion. for each weight. Mr. Mellor then takes**
weight of lead consumed (after deducting 5 per cent. fat
loss in re-melting) as 1,8061 W., and assuming that the
weights so deficient were used four times a day, and valuing
the goods sold at three hallsence per lb., the saving daily
would be 461. 35., or annually, 14,1311. 19s. Ile applies
the same rule in estimating the saving from the adjustment
of measures, thus: Number of measures adjusted (deduct-
ing yard measures), 648 ; estimated deficiency at 1-16th of a
pint each measure (the pint weighing I ilbs.), 50ilba. daily
saving, computing the value at I id. per lb., and the usage
at four times per day, If Is, 3d., or, for the year, 39.111.35. 3d.
It would thus appear that at an expense to the public of
9151. 19. 1 Id. (a considerable proportion of which charge
will not again recur) they effect a saving in one year ef',
14,5271. Is. 3d.
THE EXTENSIVE EMBEZZLEMENT AT MANCHESTER.—;
The prisoner, Thomas Smith, charged with having ale
bezzled large sums of money from Mean, Strutt, of Derby,
Mr. Ald. Shuttleworth, of Manchester, and other parties,
an account of w hose apprehension was given in this pales,
was brought up for examination at the Borough Court,
Manchester, yesterday. The evidence went to show that
Mr. Ald. Shuttleworth was a commission agent to Mesas.
Strum of Derby, and was responsible for goods transmitted
on their account, but that he employed the prisoner to massage
the accounts, at a salary, allowing him the use of an office in
Strutt-street, Manchester, to sell on his own account by com-
mission for other parties, and that Mr. Shuttleworth him-
self had employed him to sell several thousand pounds'
worth of cotton for him, for the sale of which it was under-
stood he was to receive the usual commission, the money for
which, however, he had embezzled; that on the 29th May
last he was paid by Messrs. Simons and Co., on account of
Messrs. Strutt, 3201. 145., by cheque upon Messrs. Jones
Loyd and Co., bankers, and, on the 26th June, he was
paid another cheque on the Union Bank for 3581. on account
of the same firm by Messrs. Potter, Stell, and Co., ; that he
had obtained cash for the cheques immediately afterwards,
but that he had never accounted for the money. It appeared
that in September Mr. Shuttleworth was written to hy
Messrs. Strutt respecting the nenpayment of Potter, Steil,
and Co.'s account, and that the prisoner answered the letter
—(a copy of his letter being produced)—to the effect that
they had promised to pay on the 26th October, and that ha
had no doubt it would then be paid.—Mr. Pollock, harsic
ter, who appeared fir the pri-over, succeeded in setting
aside the second charge, by showing that the receipt for the
money given by the prisoner was in a book, and on es-
stamped paper. He further objected that the prisoner
was a servant to Mr. Shuttleworth, and not la
Messrs. Strutt, and that not accounting for maw
paid on account of Strutt and Co. was not embezzlement as
a 'errant for Mr. Shuttleworth. The magistrate, Kr.
Maude, intimated that he did not hold this to be a valid eb•
jeetion. Mr. Beserick, chief superintendent of the detective
police, applied for a remand of the prisoner, that °videos* la
other cases might be brought forward airtime kiln. He awe
remanded till Wednesday next The prisoner appeared imbe
very ill, having jest recovered from a suireanion of fainting
tin. He had held his situatioe fifteen your.
THUNDERSTORM AT MANCHESTER. A thenderstanea
broke over Manchester on Tuesday night with eater
ordinary violence, but it was happily of only a few minutes.
duration. The snow which had fallen last week had dis-
appeared, sad the atmosphere on Tuesday was as mild as
could be expected on a fine spring moraing, op to about six,
p.m., when a little rain fell accompanied by a cold wind.
About nine o'clock the thunderstorm burst; about three
or four vivid flashes of lightning being. followed by. loud
peal of thunder and a heavy fall of rain. The roaring of
the wind during this short-lived storm was almost equal to
the sohe of the thunder itself. When the thunder and rain
had emeed, the wind continued to blow hard, and did not
ssabelde till morning. Yesterday the weather wee mild and
TNsin.
BRUTAL MODE OF FIGHTING prevalent in this
meaty has led to another death. The Bkelthura Standard
of yesterday says; Oa Monday last there was • rabbit race
(a species ofamusementsent which we cannot exactly describe)
et
kilachester, winch was got up amongst a number of
Mowing men and others. After the sport was over some of
the parties retired to a public-house, where they remained
drinkingttill three o'clock on Tuesday morning. Two of
these. John Ward, of Bailey, and Thomas Kay, a butcher,'
were in the kitchen, and having quarrelled, they began to
fight. Another man, named James Eccles, who was in the
adjoining room, hearing the noise, went into the kitchen,
where he found Kay and Ward on the floor. He separated them
by lifting Kay from Ward. In about a minute afterwards,
some one present cried out that the man Ward was dying.
A surgeon was immediately sent for, but when he arnrW,
he found that Ward was gait. dead. There was a hole in
his right temple, which appeared to have been made by a
blow with a blunt instrument, or by a kick with a clog. Kay
had dogs on whim he was fighting. All the men were in a
state of intoxicatiea at the tame. Information of the remit
of this brutal affair having been conveyed to the polies, Kay
was token into custody. Animists* will be held on Friday.
LORD ASH LET continues his Mar through the manillas-
nude/ districts. 0a Monday he addressed • meeting on
the Ten Hours Bill, at Bolton, and on Tuesday sight se-
• at Bury, when resolutions to the same effect es those
paned at the Maveihreder were agreed to. Insimsd-
ship was well received at both , and matter lIMINIk*
Wren moved and aseasdsd resolutions Last minim
was to attend a meeting at Todmorden, and this eveidni be
L expected to be at another, at Rochdale.
Tama PAUPER/ IN Idvearoot.—At a numerous meet-
ing of the magiatracy of the borough of Lirerpool, held
yesterday, a petition to the House of Commons was unani-
mously adopted, praying that measures might be taken to
alleviate, and in future prevent, the burden now peculiarly
cast upon Liverpool, by the extenaive immigration of Irish
Fdlffer,-
oTARrING IN TR2 MIDST OF PLINTY.—We (Liverpool
°wrier) give below, from the daily eustoms list, the import
eihreiga provisions into Liverpool from the 18th to the 26th
bet ineiesive. The quantity is truly astounding; and it
mod be evident to every one, that if these enormous supplies
were allowed to come fairly into play, it world be impomilde
ke. the present market pri,s to be maintained. But what is
the tact ? We learn from yesterday's corn-marketreturn, that
Ohs number of barrels of flour upon which duty was paid
haring the week ending the 19th instant was kitty-three!
We may therefore repeat our question of last week " Where
las it all go to ?" And the answer must be, that instead
at going into consumption at a moderate, or rather at a ,
handsome profit, to the relief of the general distress, it goes
into the hands of " speculatoss," who expect in the end Is
realise exorbitant and usurious returns. But " a day et
reckoning" may come, and there are significant intimations
that it is not far off. In the Liverpool Corn Exchange
terday, wheat and barley each declined 2d. to 3d. per
and flour Is. 6d. to 2.1. per barrel and sack. Our einneinee
from Ireland show that the markets there were giving wag;
and from Scotland we have similar reports, the elle* Kiwi
being attributed to intelligence from London, antielfetim
" acclaim at no distant day, when the crash will tell llemildly
on largelaiden."
113,576 hrls. dour ; 16,1111firla ems meal; tm,..tma beak. ISAO7
sacks, 10,076 bags, lee Ida Ma ism ; SOAP bra, UN dada
=nr;eBl,t 3:4111. lowth."l.V.VlV:44'l76ri.
6,367 boxes, 4seesidnehamet ell limenAll side, SW bop elms;
4,300 ors., IN Ms. 4111 Wm; e.tweis. NU Mem, K het:
vow s.,
Wm. twetent • Webb. Isms; ale peek. mime;
lON lags, 617 44 lard; pials. has..

Osten-Ea Et-cern:rm.-I:TheZ44 of the city of Chester
has tined Saturday next fur the election of a burgess in the

room of Lord Robert Grosvenor. The only candidate at
present in the field is Ralf Grosvenor, son of the Marquis of
Westminster.