The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-02-15 00:00:00

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

SEOOND EDITION.

7

THE PtACE CONGRESS

A despatch dated Paris, yesterday evening, an.

nounces that Count Buol will arrive in that capital
during the night, to assist as Austrian Plenipo-

tentiary at the approaching Conferences.
It adds that Count Cavour, the Sardinian

Minister, will arrive there this day

Aali Paeha, the Turkish representative, who

left Constantinople on Wednesday, will reach Paris

on the 22nd inst. The Conferences will open on

the 23rd instant

T--

RUSSIA

Intelligence received from St. Petersburg via

Berlin, presages important personal changes in the

higher administrative departments.
The removal of the Minister of the Interior, and

of the Chief of Police is spoken of

THE FRENCH FUNDS

PARIS, THURSDAY EVENINC

To-day the closing prices in the Funds stood on

the Bourse as follows :—Four and a Half per Cents.,
97f 50c; Three per Cents., 74f sc.

THE EAST.

ILLNESS OF THE HERO OF KARS

A despatch, dated Berlin, Feb. 13, brings the
following intelligence :

One hundred pieces of brass field artillery,
English and Turkish, brought from Kars, have

been placed in the Alexander-square at Tiflis

General Sir W. F. Williams is ill

Kerim Paella, will, it is said, go to Moscow.
The state of the health of the Empress Dowager
of Russia causes considerable anxiety.
From Vienna, we learn that the following
intelligence has been received there, under date of
Constantinople, Feb. 4 :

There are hardly any foreign troops here. There

are 1000 French in camp at Maslak, and two Eng-

lish battalions, with a small cavalry detachment, at
Pera and Scutari. Advices from Trebizonde of the

28th of Jan. state that the Russians have evacuated

part of Turkish Armenia, and retired to Erivan

AMERICAN MAILS.—The Royal Mail steamer, America,
sails to-morrow for Boston and Halifax, with the Canadian
and United States Mail. The letter box at the General
Post Office will be open, in the ordinary course up to one,
and to two o'clock with fees. At the Landing Stage the
box will be open to three o'clock with additional fees.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.-About six o'clock yesterday mor-
ning an alarming and destructive fire broke out on the
premises occupied by Mr. James White, timber merchant,
Yardley—street, Clerkenwell. Much valuable timber was
destroyed, and nearly the whole of the implements and
tools belonging to the workmen. Fortunately there was
no loss of life. The losses are estimated at between
20,0001. and 30,0001., Mr. White himself having lost, it is
considered, no less than 10,0001. A similar conflagration
occurred at the same establishment about four years ago.
CHEmisTs' ASSOCIATION.—The usual fortnightly meeting
of this society was held last evening at the Royal Institu-
tion, the president, Mr. Abraham, in the chair. Mr. Edw.
Whalley was elected a member of the association. The
secretary announced donations to the museum from Messrs.
J. H. and S. Johnson and N. Mercer; he also exhibited a
comb and brush, each containing a small galvanic battery,
for applying a galvanic current to the skin of the head.
Mr. H. S. Evans, F.C.S , read an interesting and important
paper on the " Natural History of the Cinchona Bark,"
which was illustrated by a series of barks, authenticated by
J, E. Howard, Esq., and presented to the museum by J.
Evans, Esq., of London. Mr. Rowland exhibited and
explained his micro-photographic and enlarging apparatus
(adjourned from last meeting), and practically showed its
mode of working. The thanks of the meeting were voted
to Messrs. Evans and Rowland for their communications,
and also to the donors to the museum.

THE JOSEPHINE Wimas.—Yesterday morning the in-
quiry, directed by the Board of Trade, under the autho-
rity of the Merchant Shipping Act, 17 and 18 Vic., cap.
101, into the circumstances attending the unfortunate
wreck of the Josephine Willis, which was run down off
Folkestone by the steam-ship Mangerton, belonging to the
London and Limerick Steam Shipping Company, on the
3rd inst., when !upwards of sixty lives were lost, was
opened at the Town-hall, Poplar, before Mr. Yardley
(magistrate of the Thames Police-court), and:Capt Robert
son, R.N., assessor on the part of the Board of Trade-
Mr. O'Dowd, a barrister, appeared as the solicitor of the'
Customs, appointed under the Merchant Seaman's Act ;
Mr. Ballantine for the London and Limerick Company,
and Mr. Parry on the part of the owners and underwriters
of the Josephine Willis. Some conversation took place as
to the right of 'counsel to appear. After a lengthened
discussion, Mr. Yardley said he was fully convinced he
could not recognise the right of any one to appear as
counsel, as this was a mere inquisition. When any charge
was made against an individual, that person must be sum-
moned, and then counsel might appear. The inquiry was
then proceeded with, it being arranged that the witnesses
should be out of Court. The investigation is expected to
occupy several days.

GREAT FIRE AT RANGOON. -On Monday, December 10,
the cry of fire was heard through the town, and in a short
time the inhabitants crowded in numbers to witness the
conflagration, and the Christian portion of them to assist
in endeavouring to extinguish it. A fire had previously
broken out in the neighbourhood of the gaol, destroying
about 100 huts, from which the authorities had scarcely
returned when the very centre of the city, the site of the
valuable and extensive native trade of Rangoon, was dis-
covered to be in jeopardy, in consequence of a fire having
broken out immediately on the rear of this side, and in
the direction of which the wind unfortunately was blowing
at the time. In less than an hour the fire had
seized on the temporary roof of bamboos and mats
of the first pucka godown, and the only alternative
was to endeavour to save its contents ; unfortunately,
however, there was but little assistance available.
The few Europeans and the authorities, civil and milit-
ary, did all in their power in assisting to drag out piece
goods, &c. ; but this proved useless, as the fire spread so
rapidly, that the piles of goods, representing in value
hundreds of thousands of rupees, were afterwards des-
troyed where they were deposited. The thousands of
Burmese present displayed their usual indifference, and
the police seemed more bent on the plunder than the pro-
tection of property. Such were the ineffective protective
arrangements, that numerous instances were observed of
ruffians snatching money and valuables from the hands
of those endeavouring to save them, and escaping with
impunity, Property to the amount of 30 lacs of rupees
has been destroyed. Only one or two lives were reported
to be lost.—Madras Athenceum.

LONDON AND SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY.--The
ordinary half-yearly meeting was held yesterday ; Mr.
Chaplin, M.P., presided. The chairman, in moving the
adoption of the report, congratulated the shareholders
upon meeting under rather more auspicious circum-
stances than usual. The revenue during the half-year
had exceeded that of the corresponding half of last year
by £57,786, whilst the working expenses had only
increased £12,973, including an outlay of £9,426 in
completely renewing a considerable portion of the line.
They had also built four new locomotives, aad placed
£5,000 to a reserve on account of the company's
steam boats. Moreover, £106,000 had been spent
on the Andover and Salisbury line, which, not
being yet open had yielded nothing in return. The
gross revenue of the year is had been £816,701, and
plant charged to 'capital was only £662,973. The
directors proposed to vote to capital the sums of. £73,692
for plant, and £20,249 for new works, sidings, and
stations during the whole year. The company now paid
the best dividend of any of the metropolitan railways,
anti the property
.was altogether in a healthy and satis-
factory f .ate. The shareholders, generally, expressed
themselves highly satisfied with the report, but several
of them spoke in opposition to the Salisbury and Exeter
extension. The report was agreed to, and a dividend for
the half year at the rate of £5 12s 6(1 was declared.
Other resolutions for carrying out the recommendations
of the report were also carried.

LIVERPOOL GUARDIAN SOCIETN

The anniversary dinner of the Liverpool Guardian
Society was held last night at the Angel Hotel, Dale-
stret. The chair was occupied by Mr. John Wren, pre"

sident, and the vice-chair by the Fite-president, Mr. dr. 5,
Upton. About 70 gentlemen sat down to dinner (which
was of a most excellent description, and served up with
comfort and despatch), and among them were—Mr. Stoeco
vice-elect; Mr. David Evans, solicitor: Mr. Councillor
Kitchen, Mr. John Smith, Mr. James Johnson, Mr. Liiir
man, Mrt Darby, Mr. Sam. Moss, Mr. John Evans, Mr.
11. E. Broom, Mr. George Jones, Mr. Edward Jones, Mr.

James Reay, Mr. Johnson, Leeds • Mr. Cottam
Chester, Mr. Dathgate, Mr. T.Walmsiev, Mr. R. Cro

Mr.:Harman,

T. H. Dalziel,

Mr. Day,

ters, and Mr. Bayles.
After the cloth had been drawn,
The Chairman proposed, in brief but appropriate termS)
he health of " The Queen, the Duchess of Lancaster."
The toast was drunk with all loyalty and enthusiasm,
the company standing, and singing the national anthem.
The " Health of Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and
the rest of the Royal Family," was drunk with equal hon.
our!'and enthusiasm.
The Vice-President, in giving " The Army and Navy,
called for a bumper in honour of the toast. There was a
time, he observed, when it might have be, n necessary to
make a speech to obtain for the toast the honour of a
bumper, and to prove that the army and navy merited flee
distinction, but, happily for him, that was now unneces'
sary. They had proved their bravery by their deeds, and
they bid shown that they could fight, well and successfully'
fight—the battles of their country. (Cheers.) He would,
therefore, without further observation, give them the toast
of " The Army and Navy," and would couple with it their
noble Allies, French, Sardinian, and Turk. (Cheers.) .1
The toast was drunk with all the honours.
Mr. John Smith, on rising to propose the toast of "The
members for the county and borough," was warmly
received. He said that it was thirty-three years, nearly
a third of a century, since he had been an active member
of the society, and he was glad to find,—and he con-
gratulated them upon the circumstance—that since that
time their progress had been, year by year, steady and
satisfactory. (Hear, hear.) They had protected the
community of Liverpool and the neighbouring towns to a
very large extent, from fraud, perplexity, and every evil
connected with the pursuit of industry; and they had not
only shown a zeal for their pwn defence, but they had
instituted, from time to time, such movements towards
improved legislation, and had sometimes tardily, some-.
times rapidly. but always successfully, obtained the cone
currence of the legislature in their views, and had placed
on the statute books some monuments of their zeal,
industry, and determination to serve their country,
(Hear, hear, and applause.) They had done more than
would have immortalized half a dozen members of par•
liament, but still he was bound to say that for that large
measure of success:they:were much indebted to the able
gentlemen who represented the county and borough in
parliament. (Hear, hear.) He was gratified at the course,
the society had pursued in regard to the Bills of
Exchange bill, which he believed was a beneficial
measure, and he was equally gratified at the conduct
they adopted towards that class of insolvent debtors, who
contracted debts without any intention of paying thenl•
He quarrelled with the title of the court in its being desie'
nated a court for the relief of insolvent debtors, for he
did not see why there should be a court for the relief Ot
one party out of two, and why the court should not be
simply one for doing justice between debtor ante creditor.
(Hear, hear.) The speaker then referred to the pees Perts
of peace, and declared that while he would hail wit.ll.ll
so auspicious an event, he would yet' rather submit to -
increase of taxation, than accept a peace which was not 0
good and solid one. (Cheers.) In conclusion, he pro-
posed the health of the members for the county and
the borough—Mr. W. Brown, Mr. Cheatham, Mr. Hors'
fall, and Mr. Ewart. (Cheers.)
The toast was drunk with every honour.
The Chairman proposed the toast of the "Mayor and
Town Council," and in doing so declared that the trades`
men of Liverpool were much indebted to Mr. Kitchen for'
the part which he took iu the gas question. They had tea
long slumbered on the matter, and though they werS
willing and anxious to pay for what they fairly obtained
and used, they certainly would no longer pay for whs'
they did not get. (Hear, hear, and cheers.)
Mr. Kitchen, in acknowledging the compliment oil
behalf of the corporation, dwelt on the onerous nature el
the duties which devolved on them, and the sacrifice of
time which the due discharge of those duties required a!
the hands of each member of the council. Ile then referred
to the question of the town dues, and trusted that ever/
member in the community would aid the council in resist..
ing Mr. Lowe's nefarious bill. He was quite certain thatc
on this question the council were sound to a man, and
that no effort would be wanting en their part to secure
the overthrow of the bill. (Hear, hear.) He was eled
find that the part which he took on the gas Question, had
met with their approval. (Hear, hear.) He believed
that it was a most important matter, and his first stell,
therefore, had been to make himself acquainted with the
facts. He had studied those facts, and being convinced
by them that the cause which he was about to espouse,
was true and !righteous, he had little anxiety as to the
result. (Cheers.) After all their battleing and fighting,
the ceuncil had consented to the appointment of an officer
for the purpose of protecting the consumer from fraudu-
lent meters. (Hear, hear.) Although at the outset, 150
would have considered that all that would be neeesserf
in the matter, yet he had found oceinquiry, that the preve
sure should also be carefully looked after ; that it shoul'e
he seen that the standard illuminating power IP'
the gas was fully maintained, and that ever!
account was fully examined before being audited. (Flea"
hear.) /But even that would fall far short of complete
protection (hear, hear), and he, therefore, strongly ad,
vised them to look after their gas bills, and if they did
not find them reduced in proportion to the reduction in
the price to insist until a proper and sufficient remedy
was applied to the evil. (Hear, hear.) He could assure
them that so far as he was concerned no exertion on his
part would be wanting until they had arrived at a set's,.
factory result. (Cheers.) In conclusion Air. Kitchen
proposed " The health of the Officers and Secretary of the
Liverpool Guardian Society," and in doing so testified to
the services which Mr. Reay and Mr. David Evans ha
rendered in the gas inquiry.
The toast was suitably honoured.
Mr. Reay proposed the next toast—. The Officers 0,1
similar societies of which they were in connect ion,'' an
in doing so took the opportunity to refer to the debate oe
the gas question in the council on Wednesday, Be i
carefully read the proceedings in the papers, and be
regretted to have to say, for he would not mince it, that r
more one-sided discussion on a public question he had neve.,
read. Men got up there to speak upon a question which thee
did not understand, and without any knowledge of thee',
subject, presumed to deny the statement of men acquaintei
with the gas question since 1834, when the consumers pat
455. the 1000 feet. (Hear, hear.) He himself had paid ete
for
four years: at the rate of 345. the 1000 feet ; and, 'red,
that day to this, let the company say what they welleei
they had never made a single farthing of reduction Pe
what the Guardian Society had forced on them. (gear
;
hear, and applause.) He was glad, however, that one
remark had fallen from Mr. Samuel Holme, which 141;
that the corporation were the parties who had forced t )
amalgamation on the two old companies. (Hear, beard Hitherto the society had been libelled in that respect, eede
he was, thereforee rejoiced to find that it was now tete,
publicly known that,it was the `corporation who consume the scheme, from the fruits of which the consumerswere now suffering. (Hear, hear.) The company went
not doing their duty to the consumers, and they were eof
the parties to be the trustees of so large an emountst
public property. (Hear, hear.) He would tell them the
the the consumers had as great an interest in the adrninist'oe
tion of that large estate as the shareholders :thernseiv,o
had ; and, if the company had discharged their dote Is,
the public in half the ratio they had done to themselves,
they weted now have gas at a much lower price. (",e;rl
hear.) They had been told before the Parliamen`"oo,
Committee that the amalgamation:would effect great e se
nomy in the management, and that it would be of inulteenet
benefit toehe consumer; but though the act of Parnell:tot
had fixed the maximum price at 4s. 6d., yet they :e0
waited for eight or nine years before any economy Nag
practised in the administration and when the price e'ite
reduced, it was only done under the threat of a new c°ol
pany. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) When the coMesee
arrived at the apex of their prosperity they forthWiol
extended their works into unproductive districts, ate
though they never submitted a statement in reference
their proceedings in that respect, yet he could tell ttlo
where they had suffered the loss, and thereby steely of
they were not fit to be trustees for the administratioeare
public capital of half a million of money. (Hear, he tee
They had men in the council who professed to be advecteeet•
of the interests of the tradesmen, and who, while eNeeete
ing them on the water question, turned round on lee-00!
when the subject of gas was introduced, and told
ele„ro
that the reply of the company was mainly
straightfeev-ot
and honest. He (Mr. Reay) would say that it was 00
straightforward, and that it was dishonest•
had some knowledge as to how the ma.l,n-rgliet
had been obtained in the council. fie
state that one resolution which was to be Pe°e°tllv
by a certain man, y Ito was a tradesman, was fe tell
handwriting of a lawyer's clerk. He would netee
them whose clerk it was, but probably they had
ell s:
pretty good idea. He had friends in the council as fe
the gas company, and he would tell the company' that eat If
new and more serious inquiry was going on, and ti"teil
they refused facilities to it next November would ag
tale. (Hear, hear.) The question was not whether het
was cheaper in Liverpool than in other towns, but whet 110
it could be supplied cheaper than at present,
would, therefore, never cease to agitate the clue- ,
until it was truthfully answe. ed. (Cheers.) , Nag toast was drunk with all the honours, ane“eitrol
responded to by Johnson, of Leeds, and Mr. L
of Manchester. b.ie
the
L
ie
Crossley, in proposing the " Town and tr`e th0
Liverpool," took occasion to refer to the report 0;110W'
society, which among other matters contained the I°,oaJ e
ing paragraph ;_e The usual application has beelle,et „
to the recorder for an appointment of an accoune.fieo Of
examine into and report upon the state and cen(ll;,,as °-0
the concerns of the gas company; and Mr. Bele,' „Tel se
appointed. and is now engaged upon the enquiry ;
pr
it is likely to be a much more extensive one the'
eete°,
viously, a great deal of valuable information is antler tha;
When the report is filed with the recorder, it winr:ol3c
duty of the committee to take such steps ill ref
thereto as the circumstances may require. prtr
Mr. J. Pemberton in most complimentary tereaSte the
posed the health of Mr. David Evans, solicitor
society.
The toast was drunk with " three times three." M
eVO
Mr. Evans briefly replied, and in referring to the „fel
fo
on the town dues, expressed the readiness of thet teee-
and its officers to aid in resisting the governenell„ re
i 1
ure of spoilatioe.
,e The company asaajafterwards broke up.