Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-12-31 00:00:00

Mr._o'Dowd sail that, in the few rotriark:

he adverted to what appeared to him a total
want of control and authority among the inhabitants on
the coast in the vicinity of, the wreck, and the ineffici-
ency of the colonial legislature on the subject. He was,
however,' happy to say that he had received a letter from
the Colonial Office, with a copy of one received there
from Earl MuleTave, the governor of Nova Scotia, in

Le made

yesterd

which h

received of t

ys that, immediately on intimation being
wreck of. the Indian, he convened his
consulting with them he de-

. ,
spatched two gentlemen to INTria Joseph,-to enquire
into the matter, and, at the same time, addressed a letter
to the local magistrate regarding it. He therefore hoped
that the perpetrators of those dastardly outrages would
be speedily brought to justice.

The examination of Captain Smith was continue&--
In conformity with the request of Captain Harris, on
Thursday, he handed in a chart with the course he navi-
gated the Indian traced upon it. This chart (Lawrie's)
was published on 24th July, 1858. The lighthouse on
Whitehead point is not mentioned on it, and he (Capt.
Smith) was not aware till lately that there was a
lighthouse at that spot. He was not aware of any
regulation of the Board of Trade which required every
ship to be furnished with Admiralty charts.

Aspinall said that if Captain Harris was aware
of this regulation, no other person here was.
Captain Harris said that having been lately engaged
on an inquiry into the loss of a ship, it appeared that
the immediate cause of the loss was using a chart thirty-
two years old ; and the Beard of Trade addressed letters
to the masters of ships, recommending the use of
Admiralty charts.
Mr. O'Dowd said that, from the best of his recollec-
tion, the Board of Trade had never gone beyond recom-
mending the best and most recent charts.

Mr: spinall Suggested that if the Board of Trade
thought the Admiralty charts the best, they ought to
say so at once; as in general recommendations every one
had his own opinion as to Which were the best.
In answer to questions by Mr. Aspinall, Captain
Smith said he could only account for being thirty-two
miles. from the place where he expected to be, by the
current running in an opposite direction from what he
was led to believe by his chart and book of instructions.
He had on five several occasions been instrumental in
saving human life ; and at the present moment he be-
lieved there was a medal waiting for him at the Sailors'
Home as a reward for his exertions in this respect.

The captain produced a testimonial he had received
on the 28th July last, signed by the passengers on board
the Indian from Quebec to Liverpool, in which they
expressed their high opinion of his seamanship, and
the great personal exertion he had undergone during the
voyage.
Mr. O'Dowd handed in the certificate of the Ship
Surveyor of the Board of Trade. He said it was rather
a lengthy document, and referred to the very superior
manner in which the vessel was built, and the unexcep-
tionable manner in which she was equipped, in common
with all boats belonging to this company.
In answer to questions by Mr. Mansfield, Captain
Smith said that the wind freshened the day after the
vessel struck, and by evening all trace of her was gone.
A diver,had subsequently descended, and found that the
fore part had split in two, and the after part had fallen
together.
James Stewart, first officer of the Indian, was next
examined. He stated that he was a certificated master.
His evidence, from the sailing of the vessel till the time
she was wrecked, corroborated in almost every point
that given by the captain on Thursday. Shortly before
the vessel struck he had not the least deubt, judging
from the distance they had run and the soundings taken,
that they had passed over the Banqueroe Bank, and had
reached the middle ground, between it and NOVA SOOtia.
He was in the last boat that left the ship, and saw the
luggage all stowed into the ladies' cabin and the doors
locked, about an hour before. When he returned to the
wreck next morning he found several boats alongside ;
in one of them were several trunks, and in another ar-
ticles belonging to the ship. There were about a dozen
of men altogether.' . He accused them of plundering the
ship during the. night, but they denied having been
there before.

Captain Harris asked witness if he could form any
opinion as to the cause of the wreck.
Witness said he could only; account for it either by ~a
current, or by inaccurate soundings being laid dowA on
the chart. He believed that every precaution was
taken to insure the safety of the vessel. He had found
the soundings along the Bengueroe Bank very irregular,
and the currents between Nova Scotia and Sable Island
were very much influenced by the wind.

Mr. Mansfield here asked how many witnesses there
were yet to examine,

Mr. O'Dowd said there were only four more.

Mr. Mpsfield—The witnesses who have been alre..facly
examined have given very important evidence and
there can be no doubt every effort was made, by, the
captain and officers to ensure the safety of the ship, and
the lives of the passengers. It would scarcely. be
corroboration, to call any more witnesses in cooboration, as
that point might be considered settled.
Mr. O'Dowd ,expressed an opinion that the enquiry
would terminate to-day.
The. pxoneaditiga_were__ accordingly adjourned till
to-day at one o'clock.

LIVERPOOL POLICE COURT.-YESTERDAY.

(Before Mr. J. S. MANSFIELD.)
REFUSAL TO GO TO SEA.—Charles Brown, Charley,
Stephenson, Antrim Friend, Guinna 2artiney, Itobert.
Ingram, George Wilson Charles Sin,ith,,Joeeph Leary,.
and Thomas -Ea.den,- were-broUght-up on.the.charge of
refusing to go to sea in the ship
,Deva, after signing the
articles. It was proiedAhat thefe was aniffeetivt- crew
on boars- and furnished with every requisite for pro-
ceeding to sea. The men pleaded that one, of them had
been illused by the second mate, and that half.the,crew
consisted of foreigners. • His Worship senteneed them
to twelve weeks' imprisonment.
CHA'EGE of PEntruirr.4—Martha Davis, a young
woman, was charged with wilful perjury. It appears
that between Sunday night and Monday morning last,
an untortnnate girl; named Margaret Cross, was Mur-
dered by oneof heceompanions, in a brothel in cromus-
street: • The prisoner' was one ,of the witnesses- at the
inquest, and in her evidence at first said that the deceased
woman merher'deathibtfallink down stairs. She sub-
sequeitq, I con4adicted this statement, and witnesses
were -preddecl, who deposed that she *as, at the time-
the murder was. committed,, lying on the floor tip stairs
drunle, The prisoner stated„ in extenuation of her eon-
duct, that Sullivan, who is committed for the murder of
Cross, 'Coerced her to make...this statement. She was=
remanded for seven, days.
lumen AT BUICOLARY.--Thomas Hunter, a tall,
rough-looked" fellow,
brought up on the charge of
war,
attempting to break into the house of Mr.
attain
Hope-strier. The; servant girl sUrprised him attempi.
to force the• bars of• the' office window. Mr. Goo4a
went out, and, finding him near the spot, gave hint in
charge... 4.l4eleton:, key, and another nondescript
articit used .fir.the-profession of burglary, was found on
him. The prisoner was remanded till to-day.
JUVENILE DELINQUANCT.—Richard Ledman, a lad
about ten or twelve years of age, waif Charged with
stealing a(qttnntityzef cut glass from the shop,
_of Mr.
Hancock's, Cases-street. The theft' was proAd, and
the bliy' was committed to prison for four days, and
ordered, to be whipped.,

(Before Messrs. If.dr.A. nsTopzß and R. W. lloucrrox.)

PUBLICANS AND BBERShLtERS' CASES.—Jas. Richard-
son, publie,au, Melville-place, Oxford-street, summoned
for permitting drunkenness, was acquitted. —Ann Flark,er,
publican, Scotland-road, summoned for the same offence,
was also acquitted.—Benjamin Stockwell, publican,
Islington, summoned. for the Sallie offence, was also
acquitted. The officers for;
as a girl of loose
eharaatetka young woman who was in Stockwell's house
on the night in question, and who was, proved to be a
raspectable serva,if girl. Mr. Gladstone•severely repri-
manded 'them for making such an imputation upon a
respedtable girl's character, and warned them. to 'be
more cautious in future.—Sohn Raley, publican, Cop-
peras:hill, dismissed.—John Reece, publican, Prtassiti-
street, dismissed,—Luke Bramwell, publican, Trafalgar-

street, summoned for Sunday trading, was acquitted.—
Patrick Mulligan, publican, Upper Milk-street, was
fined ss. and costs.—Wm. Murdoch, publican, Waterloo-
road, ss. and costs.—George Wainwright, publican,
Hill-street, Park, acquitted.—George Lyman, Highfield-
street, acquitted.--John Lloyd, beerseller, Clement-
street, 2s. 6d. , and costs.—Hugh Ashton, beerseller,
Prussia-street, acquitted.—James Shiel, beerseller,
Chisenhale-street, 20s. and costs.—James Butcher,
beerseller, Heath-street, acquitted.—Catherine Ains-
worth. Chisenhale-street, acquitted.—Bridget Finnegan,
Atherton-street, 20s. and costs.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE MERSEY STEEL
& IRON WORKS BENEFIT SOCIETY.

The annnal dinner of this excellent and interesting
society was held at the Pine Apple Inn, Park-road, on
Saturday last, when upwards of one hundred of the
members sat down to a sumptuous entertainment, Win
Clay, Esq., one of the members of the firm (in the un-
avoidable absence of G. H. Horsfall, Esq.), presiding.
It would appear from the report of the society, which
was read at the meeting, that the number of members
amounted to upwards of five hundred men. As, how-
ever, no single room could, conveniently, be found to
accommodate the whole, there were present, chiefly,
the older and principal members of the club. The large
roam in which the dinner was served, was gaily and
profusely decorated with evergreens, and when the
several members were marshalled into their places, the
coup d' mil was at once pleasing and imposing. The
arrival of Mr. Clay with the guests of the evening, was
the signal of one great outburst of cheering, which
" made the welkin ring."
Dinner being over, and, prior to the introduction of
the loyal toasts, the annual address of the society to
George Henry Horsfall, Esq., was read. The address
detailed at considerable length thd various operations
of the society, and, after regretting the absence of Mr.
Horsfall that day—absence rendered doubly afflictive
from its being known that it was caused by the illness
of his relatives, concluded by thanking him for his
marked interest in, and support of the society ; not
alone by his subscription, but, what was of more value,
by his countenance and moral support. From the
address, and the report which accompanied it, we perceive
the income of the society from all sourees—`including the
handsome subscriptions, of the members of the firm, and
fines from the works)—amounts to the goodly sum of
£714 12s. 71d. ; all to be expended in the relieving of
members when sickness, accidents, and oft-times deaths
visit their humble dwellings.
There are many points in the report upon which we
would willingly dwell, did time and space permit ; but
lacking these, we must briefly allude to the more promi-
nent matters : the largest amount, looking to the side
of disbursements, we notice to be, £330 4s. 10d., for
sickness and accidents. This, we are given to under-
stand, is a little in excess of last year. For deaths also,
we find £lO7 entered, viz., four of members, four mem-
bers' wives, and nineteen members' children—twenty-
seven deaths in all.

The only additional point of interest to which we will
venture to allude, is a payment to one of its members of
a capital sum of £6O, to set him up a small business.
This member received injuries which disabled him from
following any active employment. Comment on such rin
item is unnecessary; it only further proves the great and
inestimable value of this, society.

Having disposed of these routine matters of business,
and commented upon them, the Chairman, next in order,
referred to the more immediate object of theingathering,
and invited the members to dispose of the contents of
stindry huge bowls of punch, which stood provokingly
before them.

The CHAIRMAN then gave, in succession, the usual
toasts, which were loyally and cheeringly responded to
by the members.
The CHAIRMAN next called upon them to drink to
the toast of " The Army and Navy." In the course of
his remarks he drew attention to the letter received that
morning from Thomas B. Horsfall, Esq., M.P., in
which that gentleman, while regretting., in consequenee
or recent illness, that he could not be with them, thanked
them most heartily for their loyalty in so soon forining
themselves into an Artillery, and. Rifle. Corps. It was the
intention, the Chairman remarked, to have the. uniform
previded theni ready for their annual dinner, but thil
could not 'be effected; lie hoped siOrtly, hoWever, to
have the two corps fully equipped. (Hear.) ' '
Captain whose name was associated with
the toast,;. was received ;with loud cheers, and in a
pointed and elegant speech, thanked them on behalf
of the army. He could'have wished to see a member of
the sister service, the navy, resent;p however, saw
none. 'Referring to our position as islaiiders;' he main-.
tained our great indebtedness' to the navy, and stated
that -so long as we had a navy, upon, the sea, it would be
no easy matter to land any effective number of hostile
troops upon England's shores. (Cheers.) In the face
of things as they existed, he, however, strongly urged.
the formation of Rifle companies, and took the Oppor-
tunity of giving a, few practical hints to the members
of his own coxps, who might then be present, and sat
down amid loud applause:
Mr. CHARLESCAMPBELL, in replying to the toast
" Our Artillery and Rifle Corps," given by the Chair-
man, said he was proud to be considered one of the'
officers of this Rifle Corps, for which he was indebted
to his kind friend,. , Mr. Horsfall; and, in a humorous
speech, detailed his experience as a rifleman in another.
corps not the least interesting statement being, that he
felt hi
mself, though not yet atall man by any means, to
be, at any rate,•one and a half inches taller' from the,
beneficial effects of regular, drill, than,he was before he
joined. (A laugh.) He enlarged upon the benefits of
Rifle Corps, and assured the men that their chests would
expand; and it would altogether improve their Physiliue.
(Rear, heal'.).
Mr. B. EASTWOOD proposed the health of George H.
Horsfall, Esq., whose absence that. day be greatly de-
plored, and especially, its being caused by, the illness' of
some of his relatives. He was, however' sire,; that
though absent from them, he (Mr. Ilortifal would not
be unmindful of them that day. (Hear.) He begged to
propose his good health. (Loud cheers,. which were
again and again renewed.) The health of T. 8.. Hem:,
fall, Esq., M.P., being, proposed by. the Vice-President,
was again_ *signal for renewed cheers, each man iieing
with his neighbour Who could cheer most lustily.
The 'Cliairman'S health being Priapoled. bye Mr.' B.
EASTWOOD, jun., that gentleman replied, stating how
much he was obliged to them for the hearty reception of
his name, and as hewas labouring unAer'a severe Attack
of influenza, which prevented his voice from being well
heard, he hoped they would bear with him While'he
deavoured, with what voice he could command, to
occupy their attention forfora few moments. (AFPlause.)•
The Chairman then proceeded to dwell upon the great
advantages of, the society, whose anniversary they were
that day met to, celebrate,particularly noticing that part
of the report which, spoke of a 'change—a modifiCatithi'
.of their laws-4iltrie year just passed, by which a more
liberal system: Was' adopted in admitting-members. No
man in the works need henceforward be without the
benefit. of
,the society ; no restriction was made. as to
age; but all,ffitheut exceptions were solicited to be-
come members. And the experience of the year had
proved their newVisteni to be gOotl, and adapted to the
general 'weal ; 'Pkoild he was to see its .good effects
among them. After a few well-timed remarks, he
resumed his seat: amid great cheering. •
ea2taiu,M`NElLE, in reply to, his health, proposed by
Mr. 9ouhler,ohserved that it gave him greafpieasure
ilval4oeingi'priVilegepa'meet them at their' annual
dinner, and, man'kea. th.em all most heartilf far their
kind and enthaii&atic reception. In refereaCWVlAlr.
Goulder's remark as te• their pleastire:in belongiiik. to
the ride companies, and what-goeifit 'had dime, -herirai
happy to 'hear that such good effects had resulted as
those to which allusion had been made that eveirino.;
He Concluded a long and eloquent speech by again re-
turning them all his warme.t acknowledgments.
(Cheers.) • •
• • ;
Mr. 'J. CIA* proposed " Prosjierity to tVe ;ICerseT
'Steel and Iron Works BeriefitSocietyv a nea6ipeeeh,
highly eulogisink it, and expressing his 'admiration of,
its organisation, AS well as the magnitude of its various
operations.
The toast was received witli great cheering.
Mr. J. R. HUGHES proposed, "The -Officers of the
Society."' (Cheeri.) '
Mr. EASTWOOD, the treasurer, in returning thanks, said
it was his endeavour; and always would be, to do his best.
(Cheeti.) They might not, at all times, please every;.
body ; but so far as they;ebuld they strove to do what
was right. (Hear.) 'Though it was his duty to pay
money away, it did sometimes haplien that it required

a little discrimination in addition. (Hear, hear.) H.
begged to thank the members for their kindness in
drinking his health. _ _

Mr. GEORGE GOULDER, secretary, also responded in
a brief speech, thanking them all most heartily for their
recognition of his semees.
The CHAIRMAN proposed " The health of the Vice-
chairman. Mr. P. Eastwood," whom he eulogised highly;
to which the Vice-Chairman briefly replied, and con-
cluded by proposing " The gentlemen of the office," to
which Mr. Hughes briefly responded.
Among the remaining toasts were " Success to the
Mersey Steel and Iron Works, and to the Iron Trade ; "
proposed by Mr. Rollo; "The Surgeon of the Society;"
and "The Visitors," to which Mr. George Swainson replied
in a pleasing).. speech. Mr. Swainson, we likewise
gathered to be one of the officers belonging to the
Artillery Corps recently formed.
The members continued to enjoy themselves to a
moderately late hour, and all "went merry as a marriage
bell " until they parted, all loud in the praises of their
esteemed employers, and happy in belonging to so
excellent a society.

We cannot close our notice of this day's interesting
proceedings without congratulating the Messrs. Horsfall,
in having so respectable and well-ordered a body of
working men as those it was our pleasure to see upon
this occasion ; and it is especially gratifying to us to
chronicle these facts, when we are given to understand
that this society is entirely managed among the men
themselves, who fill all the offices. Would that in the
course of this festive Christmas season we could see
many such gatherings, and were equally impressed
with the conviction that men could at the same time
" be both merrie and wise."

ANNUAL ADJOURNED MEETING OF
COUNTY MAGISTRATES.

The annual adjourned meeting of magistrates of this
county was held at the Court Rouse, in Preston, on
Thursday. About fifty magistrates were present ; Mr.
T. B. Addison in the chair.

Mr. ADDisoN, being proposed as chairman, drew at-
tention to the fact that in case of at least one of the
motions it could not be entertained, the proper news-
paper notice of it not having been given, and under that
circumstance he declined to take the chair.

Lord STANI,EY thought this need not prevent Mr
Addison taking the chair.

Ultimately Mr. Addison was, voted to the chair, and
on taking it he, expressed his regret at the absence of
the Right Hon. M. T. Baines, from indisposition.

ASSUSSMENTS

Mr. JONATHAN PEEL, as chairman of the Finance
Committee,
•moved that the following be the estimates
payable by the various hundreds, from the 30th Nov.
last until the end of August, 1860, omitting shillings
and pence :
Heads of Rate Amt. Heads of Rate. Amt.
Accounts. per of Accounts. per of
£ Rate. £ Rate.
General Purposes A £8677 Ormskirk . i £799
Lunatic Asylums i 2169 Prescot
NewLunatieAsylums Warrington ll-16 1160
Loan account . . ... .. .; 8677 Houses of Correc-
General P01ice.....,.. 1-12 1110 Lion---

Local Popoce--;
North Lonsdale
South Lonsdale 1 55
Garstang
Kirkham
Higher Blackburn lOB3
Lower Blackburn , 11-12 779
Leyland 1 114
Bolton k 537

Bury
Middleton

1- 1108
_ i 594

1 252'
Oldham
Ashton-under-Lyne l4 539
Manchester l3ll
Kirkdale

Preston and Kirkdale 5-16 3110
Salford A 3701
Hundred Bridge s--
Lonsdale North and
South l-12 91
Amounderness , 1-16 63
Blackburn l-12 192
Leyland l-12 69
(Salford -16 1388

West Derby- • 1-24 155
Alanehester. Assize

Courts -16 5558
West:Derby Hundred
' Riots - 115

REPORTS OF, COMMITTEES

The reports of the various committees were then read
and agreed to ; after whidh the report of the committee
to inquire into the boundary lines, &c. of the existing
division for holding special sessions, police division; and
districts allotted to the inspectors of weights and mea-
sures, was read and received.

VISITORS TO THE ASYLUMS

The committee of visitors to the various county
lunatic asylums wemnext appointed.

THE LATE CHIEF CONSTABLE'S SALARY,

The CHlan*As read a letter from Captain Shepherd,
the late, chief constable, ,addressed,,, to, the Constabulary
Committee, thanking the committee for the provision
made for, him at the meeting of the magistrates.

The Rev. T. S. /Alum 'Moved the appointment of a
committee to consider the.late Act of Parliament regu-
lating the sale of ga4, and other matters connected with
it. The motion was agreed to.

THE RAINHILI, LUNATIC ASYLUM

On the motion of Mr. liardman Earle, seconded by
Mr. W. ,0. Pilkington, it was agreed "That the, com-
mittee of visitors of the Pauper Lunatic Asylum, at
Rainhill, be ,'empowered to expend not exceeding the
sum of £3,50 for fitting's up, furniture, and other things
necessary for making the new building At for reception
of patients, &c."

PARLIAMENTARY BILLS

On the motion of the Itev.. J. S: Birley, a committee
was re-appointed to watch all bills that may be intro-
duced into Parliament aonitected with the duties'of the
county magistrates, relating to the interests of the
county or any portion thereof.

BACUP POLICE tOURT,

The court sanctioned the purchase of 105 square yards
of land adjoining the 06itrt-honse,'Utlfacup ; some other
parties hating Offered tiy purchase the same. '

ARMING AND 'FRAiNIN'O' OF 'I'RE COUNTY 'POLiCE FORCE

Mr. R. ToNi,mt-t PARKER moved as follows :

That this court. considers it expedient to communicate' with
Her Majesty's principal Secretary'of State for the Home 'De-
partment, and to recommend that• authority be given by act
of Parliament to justices of tbe peace within the several coun-
ties of England and Wales, at their courts of annual session,
or at any adjournment thereof, to direct, if the said justices
think fit, that the constabulary force maintained within and at
the cost of the said counties, shall be trained to the use of arms
by their respective chief constables and other officers ; and
that rifled fire-arms and ammunition shall be provided, in
such manner as the said act shall direct, for the use of the said
constabulary force.
Mr. PARKE'R contended that the (county police, being
a force that are already partially trained, it would re ire
little to make them a most effective body in the use of
firearms, should occasion call for their services. in
Lancashire: the force consisted of 666 men, being the
largest police force in the kingdom, with the exception
of the three united Ridings of Yorkshire.
Mr. A. F.' SA,IiNDERS seconded the motion, which
Was opposed by
Mr. E. DAWBON, who thought it would add to the ev.
pense of the force in the county, iihich already amounted,
to £40,000 per annum. He prOlioseartliat thq moved
into the next business.
Mr. W. Itoss'seconded'ihi motion.

Mr. I. PEEL thought the matter was deaerving of con-
sideration; but he thought, there was an objection to
this court committing itself to the motion, for, if the
Government were 'to adopt the recommendation; then
this court would be held pledged to Aupport a measure
to this effect that might be brought into Parliament.
He thought it was more a question for the Legislature
to deal with than that court.: He proposed that the
matter be referred to ti`committec. '

The Rev. J. S. Britt,ny 'supported generally Mr,
Peel's views.

After some remarks from the R.v. Canon Parr, Sir
J. P. B. Shuttleworth, and Lord Stanley in support of
the measure, Mr. Parker altered his motion as follows :
That this court considers it expeilient to communicate Ivitk
Her Majg.tyos principal Secretary of State for the Home
Department, for the purpose of inviting Her Majesty's Govern-
ment to consider whether authority shottld be given by act of
Parliament to Justices of the Peace, &c.

After a little further discussion, this motion was car-
ried by a majority of 38 to 8.
A committee was then appointed to confer with
Government on the subject. --

coifs' of' 'tit6Erzelmmoi

On the motion of Mr. Jonathan Peel; the accounts of
the county treasurer for cogs of prosecutions and re-
moval of transports, from the Ist June to the, 30th
November last, were passed, amounting to £5,865 Is. 6d.
After some other business h 4 been transacted, the
court adjourned at four o'clock.

WASHINGTON IRVING AND WASHINGTON.—That Mr.
Irving had himself seen General Washington. He said
there was some celebration going on in New York, and
the General was there to participate in the ceremony.
" My nurse," continued Mr. Irving, " a good old Scotch-
woman, was very li4ious for me to see him, and held
me up in her arms as he rode past. This, however, did
not satisfy her; so the next day, when walking with me
in Broadway, she espied him in a shop ; she seized my
hand, and darting in, exclaimed, in her bland Scotch,
' Ptease your Excellency, here's a bairn that's called
after ye!' General Washington then turned his bene-
volent face full upon me, smiled, laid his hand upon-my
head, and gave me his blessing, which," , added Mr.
Irving earnestly, " I have reason to believe has attended
me through life. I was hut five years- old, yet I can
feel that hand even now." —Once a Week.

NORTHERN DAILY TIMES.