The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-12-19 00:00:00

PORTUGAL.

We have Lisbon. dates to the 11th inst., from
which we learn that, by a decree published in the
Diario, Indian corn is admitted into the kingdom
at a nominal rate of duty. Foreign salt is allowed
to be imported at a duty of lOrs. per 1001bs ; the
duty on vegetable coal, firewood, Sze., is reduced to
a nominal figure. Vessels of all nations, bringing
entire cargoes of cereals, are freed from tonnage
dues ; and when the cargo is not entirely of cereals.
a reduction proportionable to the quantity on board
is allowed. The duties on fish aro reduced to, 5
per cent., and an amount of 1 per cent is to be
deducted from the produce of this impost, to be
devoted to the improvement of the national
fisheries by a system to be organised by govern-
ment. Mr. George Croft, who has discovered a
mine of coal and iron near Batalha, which promises
to be of great extent and rich in mineral produc-
tion, has lately had his claim of first discoverer
officially recognised by the government.
In foreign exchanges the operations had b'en
limited, owing to the scarcity of bills. On London
the rate fell to 53 for 90 days, but at this rate few
remitters would take bills, prefering to send their
money in gold. Continental paper was also scarce,
and in demand. The following were the quota-
tions :—London, 30 days, 522- to 53 ; 90 days,
538 to 53. Paris, 100 days, 532.

The Belfast Banner says :—" Perhaps there were never
such shipments of potatoes from this port as have taken
place for some months past. There have been, on an
average, three vessels of from 100 to 250 tons burden each
loaning at our quay ; and there are at present four vessels
of tbis description, either loaded or being roaded with this
wholesome and valuable esculent, principally for England."
NUMEROUS ROBBERIES By A. TICKET OF LEAVE CONVICT.
pretence of being
—lnformation
siort of a large
extensive robberies of property within as many hours, by a
of leave. It seems that the first place he visited was 149,
James
sn2ebs esemnitrhe,ceailviaesd of no less than four
Regent street, London gEailnlise,dnuedwmoisustinonn
under
t
whilst the servants were looking up the dirty linen to give
him, he helped himself to some valuables within reach. On
the laundress'swhereh Iman, and obtained posses-
quantity of shirts, sheets, table cloths, &c.,
leaving Regent street, he proceeded to 2, New Bond street,
where he was equally successful, the booty, however, being
much larger. Depositing the proceeds of the above robbe-
ries in a cab which he hired, he drove off to 11, Ccirk street,
told the same tale, and was again •oredited, and obtained
possession of a quantity of property ; he was next traced to
9, Montague street, where he stole a gold watch and chain,
and a quantity of jewe'lery and wearing apparel. The
.police on being informed of the robberies, went in pursuit,
but the fellow contrived to elude them, and got clear away
with his booty.

DOCK COMMITTEE.

The usual weekly meeting of this committee was held
at one o'clock yesterday. Mr. Charles Turner in the
chair. The other members present were Messrs. Rankin,
Palmer, Robinson, Halhead, Challoner, Ronnthwaire,
Mann, Holme, Barber, Brocklebank, Bold, Littledale,
Clint, Anderson,- Hubback, Mondell, Chilton, Smith,
Gladstone, and Evens.
The sub-committee of works recommended that the
propcsal of the health commi'tee, to the effect that the
dock estate pay half the cost of flagging the footwalk of
Great Howard street, opposite the Stanley dock, the
health committee pay the other half, and maintain the
footwalks in repair, be accepted. 'The recommendation
was confirmed.

The tenders of the Chillington Iron Company, for
Staffordshire iron, and of Messrs. Finch and Kelly, for
plate iron, were recommended and accepted.
The sub committee produced a plan for altering the
steps at the Queen's graving dock, to give room for men
to stand when shoring vessels.
111 r. Brocklebank said the steps were originally made
to, narrow, and the consequence was that one or two
men had fallen into the dock and sulTared very severe
injuries. A memorial was presented from the Shipowners'
Association to have the steps altered.
•It was agreed that the alteration be carried out.
The resignation by Mr. H. 31. Sudlow, of his situa-
tion as lauding clerk in the Albert dock, warehouses,
was accepted, and the committee directed to select and
recommend a successor.

A !e'er was read from Messrs. Hartley ann Sell srs, of
Naw York, and Natches, calling the attention of the
entimittee to an invention they have originated and pre-
pared for the purpose of weighing grain and recording
the quantity weighed with perfect accuracy and incredi-
ble despatch.

Mr. ilubback said he had seen the invention, which
was roost ingnious, and would be very useful if proper
corn waKehousea were attached to the docks. As at
pres.rv'nt, however, it was not applicable to the dock
warehouses.

The letter was referred to the warehouse committee.

It was agreed, that as next Thurs:lay will he Christmas
day, the committee should meet on the preceding
NVpflnesday:

The chairman stated that he had receivel a letter from
Mrs. Etlward Cropper, requesting that if the committee
found it necessary to resume the room at the north end
of the Princes dock allowed at present to the Female
Emigrant Society, they would allow the society the use
of some other convenient building.

The letter was referred to the Harbour Master's Com-
mittee.

A letter was read from Mr. James Coey, of Liverpool,
suggesting some plans upon a very large scale for the
improvement of the approaches to the landing stage,
and for facilitating generally the trade of the port.
Among other things, the writer proposed and offered, if
required, to prepare working plans, for the inspection of
some competent engineer, to erect a bridge across the
:Altrsey, by 6 spans of 521 feet each, at a level above
the pierhead of 125 feet, to connect the London and
North Western with the Birkenhead and Cheshire Rail-
way, 'the railway on this side to be carried on the top of
a pile of buildings ending at Roscoe street, where a
tunnel could be formed to Edgehill, the pile of buildings
to form a granary capable of holding all the corn and
floor stored in Liverpool.
The letter was referred to the approaches committee.
A letter was read from several t merchants including
Messrs. Bowman & Grinnell, Train, Grirnshaw, De
'Wolf, Jacot Taylor & Tipper, Baring, Rathbone, Tap-
scott, and others, calling attention to the inconvenience
arising from requiring a merchant to apply personally
at the harbour master's office to order lights to facilitate
The loading of vessels' cargoes.
The Chairman said the memorialists appeared to be
under a mistake. If permission were applied for in
writing, signed by any master, owner, or consignee, that
writing might be conveyed to the office by any hand.
Mr. Rounthwaite confirmed the chairman's statement.

The Secretary was directed to communicate the fact
to the memorialists.
.t letter from Mr. Carter, of the London and North
Western Railway, complaining of the great number of
informations laid by the police, for obstructions on the
railway, which the company could not entirely prevent,
teas referred to the sub-committee of works.
Mr. Mondell drew attention to the fact, that permis-
sion was granted by the harbour-master's committee, for
the use of fires and lights on board an iron vessel belong-
ing to Mr. Lain'', lying for repairs in the Salthouse dock,
while he stated a similar application made by Messrs.
Jacot, Taylor, and Tipper, some time since for an iron
vessel, was refused.
A short conversation took place, in which some mein-
bels contended that the cases were not analogous. No
motioa was made on the subject.
Ttiis closed the general busin.ss.