The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-09-11 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES.

Sir,—l wonder how any one knowing anything about
vestry law can doubt the illegality of the late proceedings
in the election of the Burial Board. A poll is demandable
by right, and, if demanded, may, in the absence of other
business, be taken at the time ; but not closed at the time.
Where the voters are numerous, time must be allowed to
give all the parishioners entitled a reasonable opportunity
of voting ; and the chairman, not only may on his own
authority, but must on his own authority, adjourn the
meeting for this purpose, if the vestry refuse to do so, and if
he refuses he may be compelled by mandamus. This has
been ruled in the cases of R. V. D'Oyley, and R. V. St.
Mary, Newington ; and the practise in Liverpool has been
antly in conformity with this rule, that it may be
considered as a standing notice, rendering an adjournment
obligatory, so that the parishioners may not be taken by
surprise.—Your obedient szrvant, CAusinicus.

RUNNING DOWN OF A STEAMER IN THE

RIVER THAMES.

Shortly after seven o'clock on Tuesday morning a steam-
boat collision took place in the river, in Lower Hope
Reach, two or three miles below Gravesend, by the running
down of the Sydney Hall, screw steamer, an iron.built ship,
of between 500 and 600 tons burthen, the property of the
Patent Fuel Company, and commanded by Captain Michel,
bound to Cronstadt, in ballast. The usual course for

!—bound steamers was pursued ; but in consequence
misty state of the morning, her rate was much
td, which was further diminished by the tide, which
[Fling against her. Captain Michel was on the look-
out platform, directing the navigation of his vessel; and
ear the turn of the river called East Hope Point, a
ssel was observed coming towards the Sydney Hall.
.he course of the approaching steamer, which proved
to be the Dodo, Captain Hanson, from Cork, belonging to
the Cork Steam Navigation Company, and that she was
proceeding at little reduced speed, Captain Michel hailed
her to put the helm starboard, so as to avoid coming in
collision with them. From some unexplained circumstance
or other, however, those in charge of the Dodo ported,
the result of which was, that she ran into the starboard
quarter of the Sydney Hall, nearly abreast of the fore-
mast, with tremendous force, cutting her down more than
two feet below her water line. Captain Michel got hold
of tha Dodo's bowsprit, believing at the instant that his
own vessel was going down, and was so taken off. One

of the compartments of the Sydney Hall rapidly filled, and
her foundering was momentarily expected. The mate, who
had been thus unexpectedly left chief in charge, with great
esence of mind ordered the engines to be reversed. The
vessel went astern, and took the bank of the north or Essex
shore as sbe was going down. The Dodo remained some
time about the spot, with a view of rendering assistance,
and having landed Captain Michel, she continued her
course up the river to the Pool. She has sustained some
damage in her stern. The Sydney Hall lies in the same
spot, and at high tide her hull is covered with water. She
is insured. None of the crew are missing.

SWITZERLAND.—The Swiss Federal Council (says the
Salut Public of Lyons) has just modified the import duty
on rails and other iron. The duty is now lt. the Swiss
quintal, without regard to value.

_
CIIESTER CANDIT;ATEs.--Mr.George Wilbraham, junior,
Mr. Welsby, Mr. Robertson Gladstone, and Mr. P. S.
Humberston, are mentioned as probable candidates for
Chester next election, in the room of Mr. W. 0. Stanley,
who will seek to represent the Anglesea Burghs.
A TREATY has been concluded between Hanover and
Sardinia, on the terms that vessels of the two countries are
reciprocally admitted to the coasting trade in their respective
seaports. This convention is a modification of a treaty
between Russia and Sardinia, which the former concluded
in the name of the Zollverein.

CRIMEAN AND BALTIC BANQUET.—The Portsmouth ban-
quet to the Crimean and Baltic officers and men will be a
more brilliant affair than has been generally anticipated.
The funds are very handsome, and the intentions of the
committee extend to 2,500 men and 200 officers, among
whom are Generals the Duke of Cambridge, 'Williams,
Campbell, Jones, Dacres, Burgoyne, Codrington, Simpson,
Garrett, Windham, &c.
IMPROVEMENTS AT DARTMOUTH. A meeting of the
inhabitants of Dartmouth and neighbourhood was held on
Saturday, at the Guildhall, to take steps for promoting a
railway and an electric telegraph to that port, which has
been rendered the more necessary in consequence of Dart-
mouth having been recently made a packet station. The
Mayor presided, and resolutions in accordance with the
objects of the meeting were carried on the motion of Sir
Henry Seale and other gentlemen.
THE UNITY BANK.—Mr. J. J. Mechi, the governor of
the Unity Bank, has issued a notification to the public, in
which, referring to the uneasiness excited by the failure of
the Royal British Bank, he states that every depositor in
the Unity Bank may have his money, if he chooses to apply
for it; that the paid-up capital of the bank—£lso,ooo—
intact, with the exception of the ordinary expenses,
and that the bad debts made by the bank do not amount to
£5O, although £150,000 worth of bills discounted by it have
run off,

AUSTRALIA AND THE PEAcx.—The Mel6ozerne Price
Current and Shipping List, fowarded by Messrs. Miles,
Kington, and Co., and dated Melbourne, June 9, contains
the following :—" The intelligence received of negociations
for a general peace has had a perceptible effect in repressing
speculation ; but at the same time the news has been highly
beneficial in giving a tone of confidence to the mercantile
community. It is here believed that on the restoration of
peace there will be an immense emigration to the geld
colonies, and nothing would be better for both the old
countries and the new. The 300,000 people that have
arrived in Australia during the last four years are now
comfortable and prosperous. We are anxious to receive
andwould gladly accommodate as many more. There is
literally no limit to the numbers that these fine countries
could receive and provide for
and if the masses in the
Unit-d Kingdom knew their own interest Australia
would be preferred to every other field of emigration.' We
ought to remark that the arrival of goods during the last:
three weeks has been considerable, and the reportsof further
shipments, both from America and England,have increased
the depression usual at this season."