The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-01-17 00:00:00

is intended to sail as under-1
Unless prevented by some unforeseen occurrence,
From CLARENCE DOCK, LIVERPOOL.

Thursday Jan 17, at 51 o'clock, Afternoon
Tuesday Jan 22, at 11 o'clock, Forenoon
Saturday Jan 26, at 1 o'clock. Afternoon
Thursday Jun 31, at 31-o'clock, Afternoon
_ oods for shipment must be alongside the vessel one
hour before appointed time of sailing.

PRINCESS .
PRINCESS
PRINCESS
PRINCESS
N.B

Fares :—Cabin, including Steward's Fee, 155.; Steerage, 6s.

.-
Servants in Cabin.

Full Fare.

ROBERT LAMONT, 17, Wateritreet, Liyerpool.

ADDRESS of the Committee for PROCURING
INVESTIGATION into the MISAPPLICATION
of the FUNDS of the "Liverpool United Legal Friendly Burial
Society." better known as the " Roy .1 Oak Burial Society."
To the Members of the above Society, and the public generally :
The Committee appointed for the above purpose, consider it
necessary before entering on their 'abours. (as well to guard against
misrepresentations as for the better inf rmation of the public, with
regar to the affairs of this SNA ty ) to state the circumstances
which have influenced them in undertaking the duty imposed upon
them and in order to do so, they consider that the fittest cours^
they can adopt, mill be to lay before the public a brief abstract of
the bistrry of the Society, since its formation in 1810.

It was founded by a gentleman named Thomas Hariwict e Taylor,
the object being, litre that of other similar societies, to provide for
the decent interment of members after death ; to secure which, each

Alenlbr

Id contribute acco:

:he rules L y

!h it was proposed the Society should be

- The Society's Pules art, re4istered and certified according to Act
of P,.rliamtuit. It is directed by a president, a secretary, and corn-
nAtLe of tWeiN4 Members. The Sub-treasurer at this time received
no salary, it being considered that the alvantaAes he derived in his
',mitten, as publican, from the Society meeting at his house, would
ample remuneration for his trouble. The Collectors then received
eehalfpence in the shilling, as commission on the rectipts.
President 5s per week for attendance a :ew hours one day in
week, to receive the money from the Collectors and hand it to
's
-treasurer, and the Committee also is each per night. Ti 'e
-,ered, the cAleetors bee ,- few years,

e numerous in
the members careless, abuses began to creep in, thr. collectors
commission was increased to 23 in the shling, then to 24d„ and
afterwards to 3d., or 25 per cent., and this at a time when the rules
as certified provided no more than 2,1. in the shilling. This corn-
mittee regret their inability to fix the precise date at which the
salaries of the different officers were increased, as they are denied
all access to the books of the society. Suffice it to say that at the
preent time the president receives about .i'Bo per annum, the
secretary .180, besides llowances,the committee ss, per nil-ht,
and the sub-treasurer £173 per annum, although the rules do not
provide for the payment of a shilling to that officer, About the
year 1845 another abuse crept into the management, namely, the
collectors sitting on committees.go this, and the dereliction of duty
on the part of the president, is to be attributed all the extravagance
and peculation which followed, The president is invested with
authority over all the officers ;of the society, and consequently
liable for their misconduct. In 1851 in consequence of the c, llec-
tors (illegally as we believe) sitting on icommittees, and then num-
bering 15 (so that they outnuml,ered the committee as legally con-
stituted) voted to themselves .4.25 each by way of Christmas-box.
Against this Mr. Shepherd and others protested at the time at an
annual general meeting held in Circus-street, but owing to the
illegal disorderly and indecent manner in which the meetings are
invariably conducted, it was impossible to prevent the fraud being
perpetrated, and nearly ;45v0 of the society's money to be swept
away. The committee, with the exception of Mr. Henry Shaw
receiving each for their complicity in the matter. In 1852 they
(the officers and collectors) disagreed, as people of their character
usually do some time or other, and the members were in hopes that
the old adage would be verified in their case, i.e., "When rogues fell
out, Rze." However in this they were disappointed.
The annual general meeting for 1853 was to have been held in
the Argyle-rooms, Newington, but owing to the notoriety which the
transactions of the society had acquired, it was found on the night
of meeting that all Newington would not contain the number of
members who assembled : the consequence was, that the president
adjourned the meeting sine die, thus rendering it impossible to hold
another meeting for twelve months. 13 y this clever "dodge," they
secured another year, during which to make things snug among
themselves.

Having become reconciled to one another, the annnal meeting of
1853 took place in Clayton-hall, consisting principally of women and
children, who evidently acted under the guidance of some persons
who directed when to hiss, &c. This meeting was distinguished
for more than the usual amount of Billingsgate and rowdyism. it
being utterly impossible for any one, except the officers of the
society, to obtain a hearing. It appears from the printed report
pub ished by them for that year, that two life policies, for 4500
each, were accepted from the sub-treasurer, Mr. Currie, as security
for 41000 which he owed to the society—the real fact being, that he
had appropriated that amount of the society's funds to his own use.
He, besides, held at that time 4790, over and above the £lOOO be-
fore mentioned.
Whereas the riles of the society declare that all over 4300 should
be at once placed in the bank, in V e name of Wm. Brown, M.P.
This appears to have been the state of affairs in 1854. The sub-
treasurer owed 41790, some odd shillings—Le society held the
security mentioned alto e.
It appears to this Committee that emboldened by the impunity
with which they escaped previously, they began to look enviousi on
the entire fundlot the society, as the man is said t o have done upon
the goose which layed the golden eggs. Accordingly a few days
previous to the 1 st general meeting, which took place on the 28th
of D cember last, in the School-room, Bevingt on-hill, Mr. Shepherd
received a communication from oae of the auditors, Mr. Mich. 1
Murphy, (a gentleman who has upon various occasions rendered
immense service to the society), stating that 42320 9s. 7d. of the
society's money had been fraudulently voted away by the commit-
tee on the 30th of November last. in consequence of which he hid
refused to sign the balance-sheet, and that the officers of the society
were determined to have this vote confirmed at the annual meeting.
Mr. Shepherd attended that meeting for the purpose of moving as
an amendment that the balance-sheet d t not pass until the said vote
be rescinded, and the sums 'herein included be ca'ried to the credit
of the society. What took tlace uoon that occasion this committee
feel it unnecessary to detail. How the Nres.dent, in his usual
brutal style, compelled the reporters to withdraw. How he treated
Mr. Shepherd when that gentleman ascended the platform (in one.
dience to the all but unanimous call of the meeting). How the
officers and most of the collectors exceeded even themselves in their
ruffianly and ungentlemanly clitduct, are now notorious facts,
needing no comment from us. Such conduct, we are convinced,
w 11 receive a fitting condemnation on the part of the public.
This committee, then, while dec:aring that they are actu-
ated by no personal animosity, beg to express their firm
determnation never to desist until they obtain a free and
full inquiry into the affairs of the society. We charge
the officers and collectors with violation of he rules, with illegally
conducting' the annual general meet ngs of the society, for the pur-
pose of suppressing an i preventing all inquiry: and lastly, we
charge them,
upon the authority of the Society's auditors, with
fraudulently appropriating the Society's funds to the amount of
42,320 9s. 7d.
This committee, therefore, desire to inform the members. and the
public, that they have taken legal procee lings, having engaged
icitors to commence the inquiry, either by suit at law or such
er (proceedings as they mai deem fit. In the meantime sub-
iption lists are open ; and this committee would beg earnestly to
tress upon the working men the necessity of contributing their
d in the prosecution of this inquiry, cs much with a view
-conducting of Societies In general, as for this particular

pence t
to the

instan c

Shew to the officers of all Societies of the town that you are alive
to your own interests, and you shall have no more Royal Oak Frauds.
To the public also of all classes we say, g,ve us your sympathy,
if need be, your purse, as you too are interested in this question.
Look to the thousands of pounds paid annually for interments by
these Societies, which would otherwise fall upon the poor's-rate.
We claim the support of all, having nothing in view but the pub-
lic Rood, and the preservation of the rights of the poor.
This Committee also think it right to say to the Members, "pay
your Pennies as usual to the Collectors who may call upon you.
If any of the Collectors do not call as usual, apply to Mr. Shepherd,
or any of the Committee of Investigation, who will give you
instructions how to act in the matter. Don't allow yourselves to be
thrown out of benefit. Our object is to save, not injure the Society,
which would be the result :if Members stopt payment. Continue
your payments, and we pledge ourselves to see justice done to all
parties. Signed, on b half of the Committee,'
JOSEPH SHEPHERD, 99 Scotland-road, Chairman,
FRANCIS MTninurs, 95, Scotland-road, lion, Sec.

- The position of existing societies is satisfactory, if they
be regarded only in their character as Commercial associa-
tions. It is certain that they have met with unexampled
prosperity from the precaution which has been exercised of
charging a considerable margin in favour of the society
over the mathematical value of the risk attending the
assurance of any life, and from the profitable and judicious
manner, in which the premiums are generally invested.
Hence it has followed as the result of experience of up-
wards of a century and a half, that no commercial under-
taking surpassed an assurance office in the steadiness
with which its prosperity, and consequent profit, in-
creases ; always supposing equal judgment and care to
be exercised in the management. This may be regarded
not as the result of accident, but as verifying the exact-
ness of the limits within which events may be estimated
by the law of " average " as likely to occur.
In fact, the remarkable manner in which the happening
of assurance events has coincided with the calculated
probability of their occurrence, has proved that there is
less tendency to fluctuation in the profits of an Assurance
society than in those of any other Commercial enterprise.
Such is the commercial aspect of existing companies,
but if they be measured by the extent of good they have
done to the community at large, or by the number of
families whose pecuniary difficulties, or suffering, assu-
rance societies have contributed to alleviate, then—
(remembering the millions in the United Kingdom alone,
who have lived and died since an assurance office was
first founded),—it must be acknowledged that the number
of persons who have been benefitted is limited, indeed;
and that hundreds only have been assisted where tens of
thousands have suffered ;—hence, so far from there being
ground for no greater exertion being made to extend the
operations of assurance companies—so far from there
being any reason that the public should rest satisfied with
the activity of the majority of the existing associations,—it
must be acknowledged that they have failed, to a con-
siderable extent, in their mission.

•Published by C. Mitchell, Red Lion Court, Fleet-street, London,

MADRID, JAN, 14.—General O'Donnell has been en
trusted with the formation of a new cabinet,

COPENHAGEN, JAN. 14.—Two English vessels of war
have arrived here returning into the Baltic to resume
the cruize after ships of the enemy, or neutrals carrying
contrabands of war.

VIENNA, TUESDAY.— Prince Gortschakoff awaits fur-
ther instructions from St. Petersburg. He continues
his preparations for departure on the 18th. Further
concessions are expected to be brought by Count Stackel-
berg. The sth condition stipulates that Bomarsund is
not to be reconstructed. No counter-statement on this
point. . _

RAILWAY SIGNALS.—An ingenious invention is about to
be put in practical operation on the South Western Railway.
Every train will have a gutta percha tube extending the
whole length. This tube will be formed of parts which are
attached to each other by a spring clip, so that the length of
the tube can be made to correspond wrth the length of any
train. This tube is connected with an air pump in the
guard's van in the front, and with the guard's van at the
end of the train. By a stroke of this pump, the air is
forced through the tube to the opposite end of the train, and
produces a very loud and shrill whistle at a mouth-piece
attached to the tube in each guard's van, and to a mouth-
piece which extends also close to the engine-driver: Printed
instructions are to be placed in the hands of guards, engine-
drivers, and stokers, which state that one whistle means
',Look out," two whistles signify "Caution,". anclljhree
whistles denote "Danger." This information conveyed by
either of the guards to one another and to the engine-driver
and stoker, will cause, it is hoped, such a look-out in front,
such a use of the breaks attached to each guard's van, and
such a regulation of the speed of a train, as cannot fail to
secure a great degree of safety. Another invention about
to be used on the South Western Railway is the following :
Two lights, one red and the other white, are to be fixed to an
arm at a certain distance from each other, and at a certain
angle, and to be connected with the axle of one of the wheels
of the last carriage of each night train, and caused to revolve
by the motion of the train. The speed at which they turn
will be governed by the speed of the train, which it will also
indicate, to warn and guide the drivers of trains coming
after. The present lights on railway crrriages can at a dis-
tance be scarcely distinguished from fixed lights, and it is
impossible at times to guess, until a collision is imminent,
whether the light seen a-head is the one attached to the
first or last carriage of a train, and consequently, whether
the train with such a light is coming towards, or going from,
another. To obviate this inconvenience and danger, the
revolving lights will be most effectual, for even if a train is
stopped, and the revolving lights are at rest, the angle at
which they are placed will render them distinguishable and
easy of recognition.
ATTEMPTED ROBBERY.—EarIy on Sunday morning the
mill of Messrs. G. Crowther and Co., of Churwell, near
Leeds, was broken into by six men, and an attempt was
made to remove about 250/. worth of cleat, but was
prevented after a serious conflict, in which two or three
of the men on each side were more or less injured.
Five of the thieves, named William Cain, of
Manchester ; John Briggs, labourer, Armley, near
Leeds ; James Marsden, mason, Armies* ; John Pickard,
a returned convict ; and David Sttel, a cartman in
the employ of Messrs. Crowther, were aparehended It ap-
pears that in consequence of information , anal of the numerous
robberies that have taken place iu this wig hourhood during
the winter, John Huiroyd and Lupton, constables of Morley,
Samuel Hurst, David Lofthouse, George Richardson, and
Joseph Crowther, were set to watch the premises on Saturday
night. About ten minutes to six o'clock on Sunday morning
the private watchman locked the watchhouse door, and then
went home. The constables and their assistants took up a
position in a shed near, from which they had a view of the
whole of the works. mmediately afterwards they saw the
prisoners and a sixth man go to the mill door, which
they opened with a skeleton key and entered. They
were observed to go into the second story, and
commence removing some ends of cloth to the lower
room, and after removing several ends in this manner Steel
came out with some cloth upon his shoulder. when the
watchers rushed towards him, and at the same time one of
the thieves fired a pistol. Marsden, Briggs, and the man
not in custody followed Steel, and the parties closed upon
each other, and a desperate struggle took place. The con-
stables were knocked down several times, and had to use
their staves very freely before they were able to overcome
the resistance offered, the principal part of the contest
being between Marsden, a tall muscular fellow, and the two.
constables ; and it was not until Marsden was disabled that he
was secured. During the struggle one of the robbers escaped,
and Steel attempted to follow, when he was shot in the right
thigh, just below the hip. In the meantime Cain and Pickard
were locked in the mill, and after their accomplices had
been secured they sarrendered without offering any opposi-
tion. It was then discovered that 27 ends of cloth had been
removed to the lower story. Steel was found to have
sustained such injuries as to necessitate his immediate
removal to the Leeds Infirmary, where he now lies in a pre-
carious state. Marsden was also very much battered, and
Richardson, one of the watchers, much injured. Upon the
prisoners and the premises were found eleven skeleton keys.
The prisoners were on Monday taken before the Rev. J. A.
Rhodes, a West Riding magistrate, at Leeds, and were
remanded until Monday next. Some of the prisoners are
well-known characters, and the others, with the exception
of Steel, who has been three years in the service of Messrs
Crowther, are idle, dissolute fellows.

INCREASE or DISCOUNT AT ;i HALIFAX.-the two
Halifax b ►nks have just issued a circular informing their
customers that henceforward and until further notice they
shall charge interest at the rate of six per cent. They
allege that they have for some time laboured under con-
siderable disadvantages by charging a lower rate of
interest than that adopted by the Bank of England; and
the present tightness of the money market has decided
them to adopt the above rate.
The Vienna correspondent of the Independance Beige'
asserts that Russia does not oppose an absolute refusal
to the question of a cession of territory. On the
contrary, the principle is admitted, hut Russia asks that.
this new arrangement of frontiers between Bessarabia
and Moldavia shall be settled by a European Congress,
and not by the Western Powers alone. It is also stated
that Count Staeleelberg, who left St. Petersburg for
Vienna on the 9th instant, is the bearer of modifications
to the counter-propositions which constitute still further
concessions on the part of Russia.
The Post says :—There can be no doubt of the distress
existing in the Russian empire. The terms Russia yields
are a proof of this. But those terms are not ours, nor
those of Austria, who rejects them. Nevertheless, it is,
not to be denied that Russia has given way considerably,
and it now remains to be seen whether we must apply to
her again the same persuasion that has already so well
succeeded, or whether she wili of herself now give way
altogether and subscribe to our terms. The present
week will decide this. Has Russia money and men to
face the spring campaign ? And if she have—have we
not so much more wealth, and so much larger forces, as
to make it a moral certainty that this year will bring the
war to a triumphant issue ? Russia may yield nosy
Then, she will he vanquished.
Galignani's Messenger loudly complains of the contra-
dictory despatches conveyed by the electric telegraph
The boasted official intellig3nce circulated by marly
journals—the ridiculous political information gleaned
from ill-informed papers of Germany—all of which has
alternately wearied, saddened, and offended, the reading
public of the continent. If we scrutinize the vast
majority,of the telegraphic communications, how few are
inspired by truth—how few are even genuine. For months
past has the world been favoured by a London journal
with daily despatches, purporting to have been received
by the much-abused telegraph from Berlin. Yet these soi-
disant despatches are merely rumours or inventions, given
days before by German papers and published in our
columns with the name of the authority from whence
we extracted the information."