The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-08-07 00:00:00

THE NORTHERN TIMES.---LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY.

with a direct saving to the corporate estate. For these reasons,
I ask the council at the present time to sanction the principle,
the recommendation of which, I beg to assure you, was only
arrived at after a very grave and careful investigation, and
therefore I now move the confirmation of the recommendation,
for a new arrangement for conducting the common law,
chancery, and general business of the corporation in London.
Mr. Alderman Preston seconded the recommendation.
Mr. Woodrnff asked if the 4600 would be the full amount
the officer was to receive ?
Mr. Holme : Yes.
Mr. Gladstone asked if he would be allowed to do private
business?

Mr. Holme replied in the negative.
Mr. Gladstone said it would be well if the committee could
state with confidence that a certain amount of expense would
not he exceeded, because the council had frequently embarked
in a scheme, having a fair prospect of economy, and ended by
incurring double the expense. He begged to ask what had
been the nett expense, during the last year, at the Burlington
Hotel ?

The Town Clerk said one of his principal objects was to
avoid the necessity of such expenses.
Mr. Gladstone : It has been reported that you have charged
a very considerable sum for the occupation of three or four
rooms in the Burlington hotel.
The Town Clerk : It is so. During the last year I had
rooms at the Burlington hotel for eleven months, and in
consequence of the number of valuable papers I had there, I
was obliged to take more rooms than I absolutely required for
my own prsonal accommodation, and the expense, therefore,
was very considerable.

Mr. Gladstone r-A; you prepared to state what the charge
may have been for the occupation of these rooms during the
eleven months?

The Town Clerk : I cannot state the amount precisely with
regard to the rooms I myself had, because when the mayor and
other gentlemen were up their rooms were also charged.
Mr. Gladstone : These have been exceptions, I think. Do
you suppose there has been £l,OOO charged for them?
The Town Clerk : Yee, sir ; about £l,lOO.
Mr. Gladstone : Then it is indeed high time some change
should he made.

Mr. J. B. Lloyd said the corporation had lost the services of
the town clerk from August, 1855, up to last month, and
gentlemen belonging to the different committees knew how
these committees had to wait for the town-clerk's opinion on
almost every detail, and the detriment which the business of
the corporation had suffered by his abzence. It was full time
now that they should consider how the town clerk's valuable
services, and not only his services, but his health were to be
retained in the most advantageous manner. They all knew
the divided responsibility he had to bear. He had the respon-
sibility of the most important questions going on before par-
liament and i❑ the courts, while, at the same time he had the
responsibility of the committees going on week by week in
Liverpool. When they considered these points, he thought it
was quite time that the council should consider, first of all,
the manner in which the business should be conducted, and,
in the next place, how they should protect the health of the
town-clerk, and support him in the very onerous position in
which he had heen placed with respect to the last two years'
business between Liverpool and London. He had gone into
the question somewhat in detail, and he quite agreed with what
had fallen from Mr. Holme, that the business of the corporation
was so peculiar that a resident clerk was required in London.
Without taking as a standard the exaggerated scale of
the last year, when there was a peculiar amount
of business before Parliament, but taking an average
of five years, there could be shown au absolute saving
of £4OO or £5OO a year, independent of every
other consideration. He therefore asked the council now to
sanction the principle, suggesting that a detailed report should
be brought up by the finance committee before taking any
definite steps.

The Town Clerk stated that, in his opinion, there would be
saving effected of about £4OO a year.
The recommendation was then confirmed.

Mr. alderman Parker proposed, amid much laughter, that
the council should return the hospitality they had recently
received from the dock committee, by inviting the latter bo ly
to a steamer excursion on the river for the inspection of the
Wallasey embankment and other portions of the corporate
property, the expedition to wind up with a banquet worthy of
the corporate hospitality, for the providing of which he
suggested the services of Mr. Alderman Bold should be
requested.

Mr. Fernihough seconded the motion, which however was
not pressed to a division.

The general proceedings were then confirmed.

WATCH COMM TTEB.

The proceedings of this committee were read. They
included a letter to the Mayor, from the Marquis of Chandos,
thanking him on the part of the directors of the London and
North Western Railway Company, for the prompt assistance
afforded by the police to the company, on the occasion of the
recent strike, and expressing the belief of the directors who
attended in Liverpool at the time, that it was chiefly owing to
the tact and prudence of the police, that that event passed off
without intimidation or disorder.

On the motion of Mr. Gregson, the proceedings were
confirmed.

bear.) He wished that Le possessed the powers of speech of
other members of the Council, in order that he might fully
develop° the most important of those plans, but as he was
deficient in eloquence, he would treat them simply
as a mere matter of business, about which, and the wants of
the town of Liverpool, he presumed to know something.
(Hear, bear.) In the plans before them it would be seen
that the most valuable part of the property upon which it was
proposed to erect the new offices, was already in the hands of
the corporation, and he believed that if they carried them out in
their entirety, they would be laying the foundation of that which

would at a future day be of essential benefit to the town. jt
was well known that the immediate neighbourhood of the
Town Hall was being fast covered with buildings for com-
mercial purposes, and where were they to look for those con_
veniences, the want of which would increase with the growth
of the town, unless in the locality now under consideration.
(Elear, hear.) But quite independent of the commercial
aspect of the question, they were bound to consider it in a
sanitary point of view, and he should maintain that the Health
Committee could not effect a greater improvement in the
town than by removing the property at present in question.
(Hear, hear.) A few years ago it was proposed to make a
street from Cook Street to the St. George's Hall, but unfor<
tunately that great public improvement had been prevented by
a short sighted policy. He hoped that the same policy would
not now prevail, but that they would agree to what he could

c _
not fail to believe would effect a great benefit. By the plans
the whole area that would be required would bo something
like 8,946 square yards. Of that space they would want for
the public offices 3,700 yards, and there wou'd then be left

to be disposed of 5,200 yards, which, as the improvements
extended, would bo valuable for commercial purposes. Ho
might be met with the statement that it would be time enough
to do all this when necessity called for it, and that private
enterprise would provide for the commerce of the port, but he
thought it was their duty to set individuals an example, and
by enterprise themselves encourage and stimulate enterprise
in others. The imports into Liverpool last yeir were
£24,806,000, while its exports amounted to one half of the
whole of the exports of the kingdom, and with such facts before
them he considered they were bound to make every exertion
to preserve their present grand position, and that they could in
no manner better do it than by carrying out such improve-
ments as those now proposed. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Alderman Parker opposed the motion. He contended
that if the public offices were too near the Exchange, the
business would never be done, as members would attempt to
discharge their public and private duties at one and the same
time. He denied that it would be an improvement in the
sense contended for by its promote^s, and urged that the tow❑
was not at present in a position to bear such an outlay.
As to the convenience to the public, there were the parish
offices at Brownlow•hill, and yet no person complained of their
distance.

Mr. G. Holt also doubted the wisdom of the change, and
dissented from those gentlemen who contended that it would

be an improvement,

Mr. Banner thought it a very important question, but
urged that more time should be allowed the council for its con-
sideration. He would therefore move that it be adjourned far
a month.

Mr. Aiken seconded the amendment.
Mr. Hodson ridiculed the idea of further time being
required for the consideration of a subject which had already
been a month before the council, They, as artisans of the
wealthiest and most prosperous town in the kingdom, should he
ashamed that such a mass of disease and wretchedness as was
contained in the locality in question, should be suffered to
exist amongst them, and he should contend that no inprove-
ment was more required, nor one which would confer a greater
benefit on the town. (Elear, hear.)
Mr. B. Hall observed that some improvement was
undoubtedly required in that part of the town, but lie feared
the council was not prepared, either financially or otherwise, to
carry it out.

Mr. Alderman Gardner thought that there was no improve-
ment more desirable, or one which would be more beneficial to
the town.

Mr Alderman Turner urged the propriety of postponing the
question for further consideration.

Mr. Alderman S. Holme declared that if the proposed altera.
titans were to be made for the mere convenience of members, he
would not support the proposed outlay; but if it were brought
forward as a great sanitary improvement to the town, he would
then give it his decided support. He expressed a concurrence
in the views of Mr. Hodson, regarding the character of the
streets and houses which it was proposed to sweep away, and
declared his conviction that if Alderman Parker had visited
the locality, as he did, and seen its wretchedness, he would be
one of the most strenuous advocates for the change. When
they were all so ready to expend sums of money in improving
their lines of docks, and giving facilities to the commerce of
the town, they ought to show at least an equal readiness in
carrying out measures which would tend to diminish the
wretchedness and squalor by which many portions of the town
were disgraced. He urged that this question had already
received a very fall consideration, inasmuch as it had been
before the town for upwards of a year, and was one of the
measures to which the improvement committee gave their
sanction. He stated that he took a deep interest in this
question, inasmuch as the former proposition to make a wide
street from the portico of St. George's Hall to Castle-street,
through Cook-street, was rejected, and was now regretted by
every one ; and ho felt sure a similar regret would prevail it
the present measure of improvement were not carried out.
Mr. Woodruff supported the removal, and instanced the
inconvenience felt at present by the poorer classes in going
up to the offices at Brownlow hill, as a proof that a situation
not decidedly central was very objectionable.
Mr. Sheil strongly supported the proposed re-noval, and
urged that, in a metal aad sanitary point of view, they
could confer upon the town no greater benefit than by opening
up the locality where it was intended the new offices should be
situated.

Mr. Robertson Gladstone said if the cause of human pro-
gress had been originally confided to the tender mercies of
some of the members of the council who had spoken that
day, only one result could have been expected, and that
was, instead of seeing the country filled with noble institu-
tions for the purpose of forwarding the cause of literature,
art, and science, in all probability tha only erections would
bo confined to institutions for the blind, and a sort of
ophthalmia would cover the eyes of mankind. That in such
an age as that, theyllshould be told time was a nothing, and
money alone was the consideration, was a positive disgrace
to such a community, Money, he declared, was of no value
at all when compared with time. For any member of the
council to pretend, as some, in fact, had done to day, that
it was wiser, and better, and more for the good of
the community that the public offices should be
three quarters of a mile distant from the spot where the
business and duty of the great majority of the public called
them to be, than that they should be close to it, was
certainly a perfect anomaly. If that principle were correct,
why did not men who had property in offices near the
Exchange remove them to Cornwallis-street ? Why did not
the finance committee hold their meetings in Cornwallis-street?
Why did not the water committee hold all their meetings
there ? Now, the members of the health committee were the
representatives of the people. Did they ask too much of the
people when they said—" you expect us to think about you—
to devote our time and energies to your service—is it unreason-
able on our part to require that you will furnish us with decent
accommodation, and in a situation which will be convenient to
ourselves." (Hear, hear). Now, that was not an outrageous
request, and no one could persuade him that the people were
against their having that accommodaaion provided. (Hear,
hear). Members could only bear a certain amount of annoy-
ance of mind and body. By the removal, he contended, that
the public must, of necessity, he thp gainers. The energies
and the time of the members would be theirs in a much larger
ratio than could be possibly the ease if they had to attend
in a building at a considerable distance. If the
enlarged scheme proposed by Mr. Holm was carried out, and
managed prudently and wisely, he contended they would got
nearly as much for the surplus land, if they choose to sell it,
as would pay for the outlay. (Hear, hear.)
The council then divided, when there appeared—
For—Councillors George Holt, Harmood Banner, John C.
'eruihough, Walter P. Jeffreys, John Gladstone, jun, Time.
Wagstal, John Lawrence, James Aspinall Tobin, Francis
A. Clint, John Aikin, ;Tames Robertson, and Bernard Hall.
Aldermen Thomas Bold, James Parker, Joseph Cooper, J.
Hayward Turner, Thomas Toulmin, and the Mayor.—l;.
Against—Councillors Thomas D. Anderson, John Woodruff,
Archibald C. Stewart, Richard Shell, William Nicholson,
Roger Haydock, Oliver Holden, John It. M'Guffie, James
Tyrer, Joseph G. Livinwon, James Holme, Alexander
Shand, Thomas Fleming, Robertson Gladstone, James Johnsen,
Joseph Kitchen, T. Llewelyn Hodson, and Hilton Flalhead.
Aldermen Wm. Preston, Thomas Dover, Richard C. Gardner,
and Samuel Holme.-22.

The amendment was accordingly lost.
Mr. Parker moved another amendment, to the effect , that
the question be referred to the improvement committee.
Mr. Cooper seconded the amendment.

Mr. Jameslme objected to any fttrther. postponement.
The improvement committee had' already sanctioned the
principle. He hoped it would now be proved that in a large
town like that their refuse property could ho improved, and
very great improvements carried cut with very little loss sus-
tained to the community. (Hear, hear). He objected to the
amendment, and rather than cousent to it he would poll the
town. (Hear, hear.)
Th.e amendment was then withdrawn, and the proceediq!
were then confirmed.

On the motion of Alderman Uolme the contra adjourned
to Wedneeday next.

DEATH FROM FIRE.-Mr. Bennett, one of the sufferers
from the late fire in Covent-garden, died on Monday morning
in Charing-cross hospital. His widow, who still remains
in the same hospital, continues in a very precarious condi-
tion ; but the children, who were also severely burned, are
much better.
COURT AfARTIAL.-A court-martial assembled on Friday,
on board the Impregnable. at Plymouth, to try Lieutenant
Joseph George Shanks, Royal Marines, of H.M.S. Queen,
for haring, on the 10th of July, used reproachful language
towards Lieutenant William D. D. Selby, I?. Y,, cf the same
ship. The evidence proved that the prisoner had taunted
the prosecutor with having hid himself under a gun car-
riage while in action ; but he afterwards offered to apolagise.
The Court adjudged him to be severely reprimanded, and
placed at the foot of the list of the first lieutenants.

ST. HELENS CANAL AND RAILWAY

COMPANY,

The adjourned general half-yearly meeting of the
directors and shareholders of this company, was held
yesterday, at the railway station, St. Helens, for the
purpose of disposing of the usual business. Amongst
the gentlemen present we observed Messrs. Holland,
J. Blundell, R DaTilsit. J. Smith, James Gorton, R.
Filder, H. G. Taylor. Algernon Jones, Samuel Taylor,
and some others. Gilbert Greenhall, Esq., M.P., the
chairman of the board, presided.

Mr. Sinclair, the secretary, then read the advertisement
convening the meeting, and also the following

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS

The Directors have to report that the increase in the
gross traffic receipts for the six months just ended, when
complre I with the same period of 1855, is £4,505, against
which must be placed an increase of working and renewal
charges of £1,409, and of interest of loans and preference
dividends of £836.
The gross revenue for the half-year, as shown £ s. ci.
in the statement of accounts circulated 37,026 12 1
among the Shareholders, is
And the working chargcs, rates, taxes and 1
13,900 16 11
rents. amount to
Or 37i per cent. on the receipts.
Leaving a surplus of
Deducting from which for }
£6,944 13 4
interest on loans
For renewal of per. way.. 3.50 0 0
And for additional works 472 210

.. 23,125 15 2

7,766 16 2

Leaves
To which mustbe added the balance left, after
payment of the dividend declared at the 898 9 2
last general meeting

16,257 8 2
Out of which the Directors propose that a
dividend should be declared for the past
half-year, at the rate of
2 per cent. per an. on stock (A) £3,168 0 0
5 f t 7/ (B) 3,600 0 0
6 „ ~ (C) 3,757 10 0
4,1; „ ~(D) 2,674 2 6
CI „ the £25 shares 1852 16 4 0
4A „ £2O shares 1853 1,602 11 3
6 „ £2O shares 1855 1,419 3 0

16,237 10 9

Leaving a balance to be carried to the next }
19 17 5
account,

The number of passengers carried during the half-year
was 274,621, or 11,513 more than in the same portion last
year. while the weight of coal and merchandise conveyed
was 301,963 tons on the canal, and 340,21.5 tons on the
railway, being an increase of 62,647 tons on the weight
conveyed in the corresponding period of 1855. Not-
withstanding that Garston has not hitherto contributed its
fair share to the generally increasing and highly satisfac-
tory local traffic, yet there can be no doubt of the future
large and profitable development of that part of the
undertaking, as the peculiar advantages of the docks, and
facilities for trade there, become daily more known and appre-
ciated. The Directors find that an improvement can be
effected in the authorised line to Rainford, which will produce
considerable economy in its construction, and they therefore
recommend that they be authorised to apply to Parliament
for its sanction, and also to provide the necessary funds for
the execution of that and the Eceleston branch. Mr. Cros•
field, one of the Auditors, and Mr. Barlow, Mr. Daglish,
Mr. Rushton, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Steers, five of the Direc
tors, retire on this occasion by rotation, but all are eligible
for re-election. GILBERT GREENALL, Chairman.
The report having been read,

The Chairman said it was at all times the desire and
wish of the gentlemen who were associated with him in
the management of the affairs of the company to present
the accounts, from time to time, made up in such a clear
and intelligible form as to be understood by all. From
the first they had their objects and reasons in view, and
having adopted a certain form of laying that statement
of accounts before these meetings, they had, finding it
satisfactory to all parties; continued to pursue the same
plan. He thought that such a system must have been
felt to have been suceesful, as it had been attended with
great advantages. By such a course the shareholders
had been made quite familiar with the account. of the
company, and he (the chairman) had also found it to be
of great advantage and assistance to himself, as they
were the better enabled to follow him in the figures, and
make comparisons with those he quoted, in bringing
before them the remarks he might feel it his duty to
make. From the report they had just heard read, it
was evident that the gross revenue of the company for
the last half-year—and he could not help but congratu-
lating them on the result—was £37,026 12s ld. Now
the income for the half-year ending in June, 1855, was
£32 321, therefore it would be seen that they had had
an increase in the income of £4,605. Thus the gross
income being £37,026, after deducting the expenditure
for working charges, rates, taxes, &c., amounting to
£13,9q0, it would leave a balance in their favour of
£23,125, being at the rate of 37i per cent of income over
expenditure, and over the expenditure of the year 186.5
of nearly 40 per cent ; so, after deducting the interest on
loans, the renewal of permanent ways, and for additional
works, they would have a surplus left of £l5 358, to
which, after adding the balance left, after the dividend
declared at the last general meeting, a balance of
£16,257. Out of this balance they proposed to give a
dividend at the rate of two per cent on stock A,
which would amount to £3,168, and the remainder to
preferential shareholders, after which they would have
a balance left to be carried to the next account of £l9,
He considerd such a state of things to be most satis-
factory. He then said he would show the progress the
company was making by a comparison with the state of
the traffic and trade in 1845. If they compared the
three half years ending in June, 1845, and added them
together, they would find that the gross receipts were
£38,708, while for the last half year the receipts had
been £37,026, thus showing that the traffic during the
last six months had excelled those of three half
years ending in 1845 by nearly 3 per cent. Having
expressed it as his opinion, that the affairs of the com-
pany were in a most satisfactory condition, and that as
the merchandise traffic of the district began to increase,
as it would ultimately, and go over their line, that the
company would be much benefitted. He concluded by
moving that the report and the statement of accounts be
received, adopted, and printed, at the same time observ-
ing, that he should be most happy to answer any ques-
tion, or give any information on the subject that might
be requested by the company.
Mr. Blundell said he had much satisfaction and plea-
sure in seconding the proposition.

The motion was then put from the chair and unani-
mously adopted.
Mr. Holland then moved, that a dividend of 2 per
cent per annum be paid to stock A, 5 per cent to stock
B, 6 per cent to stock C, and 41 per cent, to stock D,
and that 42 per cent be paid to the shareholders of the
£25 shares of 1852, 44 per cent to the shareholders of
£2O shares of 1853, and 6 per cent to the shareholders of
£2O shares of 1855. In so doing, he said he quite con-
curred in the remarks that had fallen from the chqir-
f blwaaysouornaefeaePt"tihtiaqtriiil which the company
occurred to him, which
stood.man , a s
There
e
was, that during the last five weeks the gross traffic
account showed an increase of .ClB5 over the gross traffic
of the corresponding weeks of last year, and he thought
by that that the traffic would still fprther
increase before they had to make another statement in
December nest. This he thought would compensate
for any disappointment that might be felt by there now
being only a dividend of 2 per cent, as they might
anticipate what might be the result in December next.
There was no doubt that the increase, as the Chairman
had said, since June 1845, had been most extraordinary,
but he trusted it was only a criterion of what the in-
crease of traffic might be expected to be. In the year
1851, a large outlay had been made in the purchase of
the Garaton docks and the railway to Warrington, at a
cost of .R 400,006, and for which outlay, he Ras sorry to
say, they had not met with the support such a large
outlay warranted, but he did hope when the docks and
the railway became to be fully developed, that the
results they anticipated would be fully consumated, and
if such was the case, a larger dividend might he antici-
pated. It was clear that dock property took a much
longer time to develope its resources than railway or
any other property. He concluded by moving the
resolution.

Mr. Gorton seconded the resolution, which was
unanimously carried.
The Chairman said the next resolution he had to
propose, was in reference to that paragraph of the report
which stated, "the directors find that an improvement
can he effected in the authorised line to Rainfurd, which
will produce considerable economy in its construction,
and they therefore recommend that they be authorised
to apply to Parliament for its sanction, and also to pro-
vide the necessary funds for the execution of that and
the Eccleston branch." It was a subject which had
received the serious consideration of the directors, and
he blieved that it would be found most beneficial to the
interests of the company.
Mr. G. Taylor wished to know from the chairman,
why it was that they were going to parliament for a
second act to raise money, when they had the power of
doing it by the first act.
The Chairman said the reason was, that when they
applied for the first act, they believed they had
sufficient powers, but he was sorry to say, that the
works they had undertaken had exceeded those powers,
and it was necessary to apply again, to get clear of cer-
tain liabilities.
Mr. G. Taylor said if it really was necessary, then he
hoped that it would he done as expediously as possible,
and that they would take care not to have to make a
third application.
The Chairman replied that it was essentially neces-
sary, and he would therefore move, " that the directors
be, and are instructed to apply at the next session of

parliament, for power to alter the authorised line to
Rainford, and to raise .t 1.09,000 with the usual borrow-
ing powers ; and in the meantime to take such steps
as appear to them best adopted for procuring such
capital." He might say, that although they asked for
such an amount, it was thought that all of it would
not
_be required.

Mr. Tailor : At any rate it will save the expense of
going to parliament again.
Mr. A. Stock seconded the resolution, which was
unanimously adopted.
Mr. Taylor then moved the re-appointment of the
retiring directors, which was seconded by Mr. Stock,
and carried.

The Chairman : The next business will bq the select-
ing of an auditor to fill the place of Mr. Crosfield, whose
ill health would for some time at least, he regret ed to
say, prevent him from attending to the duties.
It was then unanimously resolved, that Mr. James
Gorton should be Mr. Crosstield's successor, as auditor
to the company.
The Chairman proposed, and Mr. Stock seconded, a
vote of thanks to Mr. Crossfield and Mr. Jones, the late
auditors, for the valuable services they had rendered to
the company.
Mr. Jones acknowledged the compliment.

Some conversation followed, in the course of which

The Chairman observed, that from the present
favourable position in which the company stood, his firm
belief and strong conviction was, that for the future
they might expect the affairs to be in even a more
favourable position than they were on that occasion.
A vote of thanks was then passed to the Chairman,
who briefly acknowledged the compliment, and the pro-
ceedings terminated.

THE LATE COLLISION IN THE RIVER

INVESTIGATION BY THE BOARD OF TRADE

An enquiry, ordered by the Board of Trade, into the
circumstances connected with the late collision between
the Mail and Excelsior steamers, took place yesterday,
in the Sheriff's Court, George's Hall, before Mr. Mans—
field and Captain Schomberg, chief emigration officer
at Liverpool. Mr. Tyndall, the local solicitor of the
Board of Trade, conducted the case on behalf of that
body and Mr. Blair appeared as counsel for the captain
of the Mail, along with Mr. Squarey as attorney ; and
Mr. Aspinall, with Mr. Bateson, was for the captain of
the Excelsior. Mr. Bremner was present on behalf of
the pilot. When the court had assembled, Mr. Tyndall
in brief terms proceeded to open the case, which he
said was held under the provisions of the Merchant
Shipping Act, 17 and 18 Vic., chap. 104. It was to
enquire inTo the facts of the collision which took place
in the river between the vessels mentioned, and which
was well known to the public. Under the Act, an
enquiry of this sort must be held in Liverpool before
the stipendiary magistrate, Captain Schomberg being
present as naval assessor. The steamers engaged in the
collision were both screw steamers, and on the morning
of the 6th July the accident took place, very near New
Brighton, and, unhappily, many lives were lost on
that occasion. That loss of life was the cause of
the present enquiry. The act authorised the Board
of Trade, when life was lost by collisions, to
hold an investigation into the circumstances. He
begged to call the attention of the court to some of the
sections of the statute. By the 29th section, the Admi-
ralty is empowered to make such rules from time to
time as shall be deemed proper both for the regulation
of sailing vessels and steamers, on entering and leaving
ports, and the regulations relative to steamers apply
to screw as well as paddle vessels. Before the act
passed, certain regulations prevailed on this point. He
had that morning obtained a copy of the present regula-
tions, and these were the same as the regulations that
were in force when the collision took place. The direc-
tions as to steamers, are that every steamer shall exhibit
a green light on her starboard side, a red light on her
port side, and a bright steady light on her masthead.

- Mr. Aspinall said these regulations were provided by
the Act of Parliament.

Mr. Tyndall replied they were, and there was a rule
laid down that steamers should keep to the right
or starboard side of the river, as they leave the port.
and to the left as they come in. The 229th section of
the act applies to a breach of that rule, and enacts that
every breach of it should be a wilful default or violation
by the person in charge of the deck at the time. They
then came to the 340th section, which referred to pilots,
and the 356th section, which directed that all home
trading steamers should carry a pilot, unless the com-
mander or person on board had a certificate authorising
him to act without one. Mr. Tyndall then said, he
would proceed to off,:r such evidence to the court as bore
upon the case, and proposed, as a means of saving time,
to read a printed copy of the depositions taken before
the coroner, which had been furnished to him, if the
court agreed to that course.
Mr. Mansfield agreed to the suggestion, and Mr.
Aspinall did not see any objection, each party being at
liberty to ask such questions as might be suggested as
the witnesses listened to their evidence.

The reading of the depositions (already published)
were then proceeded with up to four o'clock, when the
court rose.

WRECKS.—During the month of July the number of
vesQels wrecked amounted to 104. In the month of January
the number was 265 ; in February, 174 ; in March, 145 ;
in Apiii, 157; in May, 112; and in June, 84; making a
total in the past seven months of 1,041.

SUICIDE.—On Tuesday evening, a man named Joseph
Haslop, a hostler, in the employment of Mr. Ford, publican.
Oldhall street, hung himself' in astable. It is Eid love aud
jealousy were the cause of the unfortunate man ending his
days in such a manner. An inquest will be ;held on the body
this day.

ACCIDENT TO THE WILLIAM M'CORMICK STEAMER.—
Intelligence has reached this town that on Tuesday the
William M'Cormick steamer, on her passage hence to Lon-
donderry, struck, in a fog, on the west of Ennishowen head.
We are happy to add that the crew and passengers had been
landed in safety.

Du Brow Rum" OF BACON.—We are informed by the
local committee that, only one happy couple having in 1856
sent in their claim to the flitch of bacon promised by W.
IL Ainsworth, to those who prove their title to the prize, it
is not intended that the ceremony should take place at
Dunmow this year, but to defer the presentation to the
summer of 1857, when it is expected that the claimants will
be more numerous.