The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-01-07 00:00:00

BEFORE MR. COMMISSIONER STEPHENSON.

In re RICHARD BIRCHALL.—His Honour delivered his
judgment on the certificate this day. Mr. Evans
appeared for the assignees, and Mr. Frodsham for the
bankrupt, who was an ironmonger and hardware dealer
at fit. Helens. His Honour said, that the circumstance
of the bankrupt's whole stock and profits, with the
exception of a few book debts, having been swept
away under executions put in by his father and brother-
in-law, had naturally impressed the assignees with the
belief. that he had been in collusion with the father in
having allowed him to obtain this preference, and
induced them to consider it such an objection as to
disentitle him to any certificate from the court. If the
objections were substantiated, the court would feel bound
to refuse the certificate, or, at all events, to suspend it
fora long period; but the court could not, from the
evidence before it, come to the conclusion that there had
been any such collusion. There was no evidence to show
that the bankrupt had 'suggested. to his father or brother.
in law to take any steps to give them a preference, or that he
was aware of their intention to do so until he was
actually served with a writs; nor did the court see any
reason to disbelieve that he remonstrated against these
proceedings being taken, and that he relied upon-their
promise to keep him up. The assignees also complained
that the bankrupt did not,at all events,after being served
with the wri s, inform his creditors of them, and give
them timely opportunity of preventing his father from
taking the property. That, at first, seemed to form a
just ground of objection, but from the statements which
the bankrupt recently made, and which there was no
reason to question, it would appear that he had no idea
that his father or brother.in.law would have gone on
with the proceedings, and that he knew nothing further
of them until the executions were put in, when be
informed some of his creditors of the circumstances.
The court felt bound to acquit the bankrupt of that
charge ; but it could not equ Ally exonerate him from
the charge of having contrived to carry on his business
to the injury of his creditors after he became hopelessly
insolvent. When his father refused him any further
assistance, he should then have laid the state of his affairs
before his creditors, and especially so when the writs
were issued; and having failed to do that, and to prevent
his father and brothe:-in-law from gaining a preference-
above his other creditors, be was certainly guilty of gross
misconduct as a trader, and for which the court felt bound
to mark its censure by a suspension of his certificate.
He bad already, however, met with some punishment
from his creditors, having been in prison for three
months; his last examination had been adjourned sine
die, and protection refused to him, and althouzh that was
in consquence of his having failed to file his balance
sheet, yet he (his Honor) thought it should be taken into
consideration in the further punishment to be now
awarded. The court considered,therefOre,that the justie
of the, case would be met by suspending the certificate
for seven monthi,but.wi.h protection, the certificate to
be of the second class.

THE LIFEBOAT-ACCIDENT AT THE POINT OF AYR
PURLIC MEETING.

Yesterday afternoon, a public meeting of the merchants,
shipowners, &c., was held in the Underwriters' room, in
order to adopt measures to render some relief to the
widows and orphans of the brave but unfortunate men,
who lost their lives on Sunday, at the Point of Ayr, in the
life boat, whilst gallantly attempting to rescue a ship's
crew from death. The details of this sad and fatal
accident haVe already, appeared in our paper, His Wor-
ship the Mayor was called to the chair, and amongst the
gentlemen present were—Messrs. Gant, C. Turner. J. P.
Palmer, W. Potter, James Aikin, 11. Sutton, A. Shand,
H. Fernie--Holderness. J. Longton, Hubback, Wynne,
Tyrer, &e., &c. The Mayor explained the nature of the
melancholy case that called them together, and said, out
out of the thirteen men who had lost their lives, nine had
wives and families, who were left to deplore their loss,
Mr. Robert Wynne stated, that he had heard from the
county magistrates an excellent character of the poor
fellows ; and Mr. Charles Turner spoke of the catas
trophe in feeling terms, and said there was nothing
happened like it sinee__lB36, when five men, be-
longing to the Formtiy Lighthouse, were lost in a similar
manner.. After some further remarks, a subscription list
was opened, when the following sums were put down.
The Mayor, £10; Mr. Castles Turner. RIO; Mr. Wynne,
£2O; Mr. Tyrer, R2O; i r. Roberts, £10; Mr. Hubback,
410; Mr. F. Lyon, 4'10; Wills and Co., £10; Arnie,
Brothers and Co., £10; C. S. Lenon, RIO; Taylor,
Potter and Co., .420; Imrie and Tomlinson, 4'10; W.
M. Moss, £10; Holderness and Chilton, £10; Kenabell
and Brothers, £10; Jones, Palmer and Co., 410; R.
Higgin, £lO ; Mr. Longton, 410. Thh list is of course
still open. A warm vote.of thanks having been passed to
he Mayor, the meeting then broke up for the present.

FESTIVE MEETINGS.

Last evening, Mr. Daniel Baugh, ciger manufacturer,
W datenholme street, entertained his travellers, Clerks, and
workmen, at the Caledonian Hotel, Duke street. About
seventy sat down to dinner. Mr. Whincap, senior,
traveller, presided ; and Mr. florid occupied the.vice chair.
After partaking of the gond things, which were amply pro-
vided by the host, Mr. Ward, the Chairman gave the usual
loyal toasts. In proposing the health of Mr. Baugh,
which was enthusiastically received, ho (the Chairmar)
said he was sure they all deeply regretted the
domestic affliction which caused his absence that evening.
It was leis good fortune to represent the house
in various districts in England, Poland, and Scotland,
and he was proud to say that the judicious management of
the establishment, combined with the superiority of the
goods, which stoad pre-eminent, rendered his duties
most gratifying. Referring to Mr. Croston, the foreman,
and the experienced old hands in the employ, it must be a
source of great pleasure for them to know that notwith-
standing the immense quantity of low priced rubbish lately
introduced and pushed throughout the country, that the
house had atilt great difficif ty in supply ing
their customers' immediate requirements. The chair-
man concluded a very eloquent and feeling speech,
by proposing the toast, with "Three tiraPs three," Alter
toasting the heads of the different departments, and the
workmen en ?nave, the company separated; delighted with
their evening's entertainment, and wishing their employer
many happy and prosperous years.

The employees in the establishment of a large wholesale
watch manufactory in town were entertained bytheir respected
and worthy employer (whose modesty prevents him giving
his name) on Monday night to a sumptuous dinner, which
took place at Mr. Ross's, Eldon Dining Rooms, South John
street. Upwards of twenty sat down to dinner, and it is
only justice to say that the entertainment was supplied with
a liberal hand, and that the quality of the feast elicited duo
praise for Mr. Ross's house, which has become quite a
favourite in all respects. The worthy entertainer of tha
company was in the chair, and by his urbanity on this as on
all occasions, gained the esteem of all. It is truly gratify-
ing to find such kindly feelings, such goad understanding
between masters and men, and long may such continue to
elevate Old England.

MIIRDER.—A frightful case of stabbing occurred in the
neighbourhood of Ballaghadereen, in the County of Mayo,
on the night of the 22nd ultimo. A man named Owen
Lavin, of Carrowgariff, within two miles of the town, while
on his way home from the fair, was stabbed by two persons,
neither of wham, he stated, spoke a word to him, and neither
of whom he knew. The poor fellow lingered for two clays,
and died on Christmas-eve. It having been rumoured that
the deceased had had a difference during that evening with
some perenns in the town, four persons were immediately
arrested by head constable Moses. Matthews and party, one
of whom has turned approver; so there appears every
probability that the guilty miscreants will be brought to
justice. Too much credit cannot be given to head constable
Matthews, sub-constable Warner, and the rest of the party
stationed at Ballaghadereen, for their unremitting vigilance
and efficiency in preventing and detecting crime. —Mayo
Constitution

Cujuous TRIAL AT BRUSSEL3.—A trial of considerable
interest is taking place in this town. In 1852 Count Lied-
ekirke was robb-A of 102 000 francs-50,000 in gold, and
the remainder in bank notes. The Countess Liedekirke had
previously lost jewels and other articles of value. Some of
the servants were at fist suspected, but their innocence had
been incontestibly established, and the matter remained
involved in mystery. About the time of the robbery, a
person of low birth, but of good education, had b
engaged as preceptor to the young Count, and on quitting
the situation, of his own accord, still preserved intimate
relations with the different members of the family and their
servants. After a visit "au premiere," " Fitzjeames"
dived below, where he was cordially welcomed by the
i‘ sujets." Subsequently the tutor merried, bought a house,
and travelled. He occasionally gambled at Aix la Chapelle,
Spa, Hombourg, and Wiesbaden. His lessee at these places
were known ; but his gains, which in the long run, he
declared to be large, had been denied by the crou;piers of
the respective establishments. The open Vs3e'sion of
property, without evidence of its derivation attracted notice,
and afterwards raised suspicion. Upon this Vervaert has
been excised and put upon his trial for the robbery, and
committed four years ago, in 1852. The presumptions may
be strong against him, yet there is not an atom of direct
evidence of the fact, and the points most adverse to him
have been extracted from his examination by the president
of the court. He was called upon by the judge to give an
exact description of the dress he wore on the particular
day in 1852, even to the carrying an umbrella ; and the
slightest counter evidence. dependent on memory alone,
has been set down to Lis prejudice. The jury, by a
majority of seven to five, have this moment found Vervaert
guilty, and the judges have concurred in the verdict.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

LIVERPOOL,
BEFORE MR. C. CHALLONER.

COMING FROM THE CLI.II3.—GAItOTTING BY A FEMALE
Two young females, named Mary Thompson and Anne
Brown, were charged with having stolen a watch from
a young fellow named John Cartwright. The com-
plainant said Le was at his club at the "Saddle Inn."
London road, and left at eleven o'clock, " fresh." He
encountered Miss Thompson, whom he said seized him
by the throat, and with some sharp instrument cut the
guard of his watch and made off ; he followed her, and
subsequently the two prisoners were arrested in company.
The policeman went to the place where the scuffle was,
and found the watch amongst some shavings. The
prisoner Thompson told a long story shoat a public
house, a pawnbrokers shop, a policeman, and a glass of
whiskey, but avoided saving anything about the watch.
She was sent to gaol for a month. The other prisoner
was discharged.

SAILOR JACK AND THE WEDDING RING.—A respectable
looking female, named Maria Roberts, was charged with
stealing a wedding ring and a handkerchief from a
smart, tidy, well dressed, good looking young woman,
named Alice Deacon, a resident of Dickenson street.
The complainant told a very long story, to which the
magistrate listened with a degree of patience that would
have done credit to a Chancery snit. Her accent was
not only sweet but somewhat musical, and her action was
inimitable—had she lived in the time of our valued friend
Bill Shakespeare, we should (had we been in existence
at Cie' time) have concluded that she was the original
Mrs. Quickly, of the " Merry Wives of Windsor." As
it is, if some enterprising manager, who wanted to realise
a fortune, by reviving the insst superlative comedy ever
produced by mortal pen, could only catch bold of Mrs.
Alice Deacon, and make a " Mrs. Quickly" of her, he
would soon find the Californian or the Austrzlian
" diggings" outdone by the flow of gold int his coffers.
The reason why " The Wrry Wives of Windsor" is
hardly ever put on the stage is because no one can be
found to play " Mrs Quickly :" here, then, is a hint,
yet probably Mrs Alice Deacon never even heard of such
a person as Nlrs Quickly—or Mrs. Ford—or Mrs Pvre—
or Anne Page—or—no, hut she heard of one sailor Jack,
to whom she was not—married ! Here is her story. On
the previous day—the afternoon of the day—she thought
she would pay a visit to her mother. On the way she
dropped into Mrs. Roberts, merely, of course, to wish her
a happy new year. (By the way, it was anything but
happy to Mrs. Roberts.) She told Mrs. Roberts that she
was going to see her mother, whom she hoped would
not be out, and then Mrs. Roberts offered to accompany
her to the domicile of her maternal parent. The offer was
accepted, and away they went, but on the way, Mrs.
Deacon bethought—here are her own words—" I had a
likeness, a gold wedding Hug, and a white handkerchief
belonging to a sailor chap, who gave them to me before I
got married. He went to sea, and I got married. I did
not wish to keep them, and I was going toteive them to
my mother, to let her give them to the sailor chap, as I
heard he had returned." On the road, who should they
meet, but Mister sailor chap himself. They wen* into a
public house and had a "big drink." and the end of the
booae was, that she lost the ring, the likeness, and the
white handkerchief. The latter article was subsequently
found in the pocket of Mrs. Roberts ; and then that lady
was charged with the abstraction of the three articles.
Mr. Snowball, who appeared for the prisoner, cross
examined the complainant and caused much laughter by
talking about sailor Jack's knee, and some performance
that took place in the public house on that joint. In
answer to the learned gentleman, the complainant indig.
nantly repudiated the love of sailor Jack, as she emphati-
cally declared that she had a first rate husband (this
caused a roar of laughter). Mr. Snowball addressed the
court for his client, and after mach merriment, the
prisoner was discharged the evidence not being sufficient
to bring anything" home" to her.
STRANGE ANTI PAINFUL CASE.—A young man, of
highly respectable appearance, named Robert De Rinzy,
was charged under the following circumstances. He
was in custody of detective officer Laycock, and the
charge against him was for illegally pledging a gold
watch belonging to Mr. Mitchell, of West Derby road.
Mr. Mitchell said a son of his had come from college,
and he gave a small ball to celebrate the event. He went
into his bedroom in the course of the evening, and left
his gold watch on a dressing table. Soon after it vas
missed, and information given to the police. Laycock
found it was pledged at a pawnshop for £5, and that the
prisoner was the person who pledged it. Mr. Wybergh
asked Mr. Mitchell if lie knew the prisoner? and he
replied he did,
.and that he was most respectably
connected, and was a very nice youth, of whom he held
a high opinion. Mr. Wybergh : Was he at your ball ?
No, he was not. "Aycock said when he arrested the
prisoner, and told him the charge, he said he did pledge
the watch, but that he got it from a young man named
Proctor, who asked him to pledge it for him. Mr.
Wyhergh (to Mr. Mitchell): Was Proctor in you
house on the night of the hill ? He was, sir.
and be is here now. Mr. Wybergh (to T'roctor) : Did pis
give this young man the watch to pledge ) Proctor
Nothing of the sort, The Bridewell keeper who took the
charge against the prisoner, said, the prisoner told him
that he pledged the watch, but that he got it from another
person. The prisoner was asked what he had to say ?
and he replied he was quite innocent. He was fined £5,
the amount lent on the witch, and £.5 penalty for file•
gaily pledging it, or in default of payment, to be im-
prisoned for two months. The fine (as our reporter
heard) was paid.
CHARGE OF EMBEZZLEMENT.—A person named William
Taylor, was brought np by detective officer Eaton, on a
charge of having embezzled £l7B belongrig to Messrs.
Guthrie, Masterson &Co of Forfarshire, Scotland. The
officer, in consequence of information, went on board the
Marco Polo, where he arrested the prisoner on the charge,
but since that time, a telegraphic messaee had been
received, stating that the parties would not prosecute,
and therefore the prisoner was discharged.
ANOTHER CHARGE OF EMBEZZLEMENT.—JOhII J. Roche.
who had been employed by Mr. Burroughs, coal merchant,
was charged with having embezzled sums of money
belonging to his employer. The prisoner was remanded.

BEFORE MR. ATKIN.

CHILD DESERTION.—Cornelius Parry was brought up,
charged by Mr. Hughes, one of the parish inspectors. on
a charge of having deserted his daughter, a girl 10 years
of age. In '53 the prisoner deserted his child, who was
brought up since in the industrial schools, and the prisoner
had incurred 14 liability to the amount of £26 17s. The
prisoner refused to pay the amount, and was sent to jail
for three months.

COUNTY COURT.-YESTERDAY.

BEFORE JOSEPH POLLOCK, ESCI JUD GE.

This was the opening of the first January Court. The
following arrangement of business was made :—Tuesday,
6.11, judgment summonses and insolveneies ; Wednesday,
7th, 70 cases at ten, and 51 at twelve ; Thursday, Bth, 32
cases after ten and upwards; Friday, 9th, 90 cases at ten,
and 60 at twelve ; Tuesday, 13th, 91 cases at ten, and 60
at twelve; Wednesday, 14th, 90 cases at ten, and 60 at
twelve; Thursday, 15th, 30 cases of £lO and upwards ;
Friday, 16;b, adjourned eases at ten, and 37 cases at twelve.
Total number of cases to be heard during the sitting of this
court, 661.