Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-10-27 00:00:00

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

, ST. ANNE'S DISPENSARY AND EYE AND EAR INSTI-
Tvnoic—ltelieved the institution, 205 ; relieved at
their own dwellings, 55. Total, 260. Visitors—Messrs„
E. Watts and George Jordan. Honorary Secretary and
Treasurer—Joseph Kitchen, Esq.
FlRE.—There was an alarm of fire yesterday, about
1 p.m., and the brigade was turned out. "It was a flat
in the Georges-basin which lead caught, but the flames
had been extinguished before the regular force arrived.
ACCIDENTS.—A labouring man, named John Johnson,
residing in Gildart-gardens, was admitted into the
Northern Hospital yesterday, suffering from a contused
ankle, sustained by a flag falling on him at the timber
quay on the Leeds Canal—Robert Sweetman, a labourer
residing in • Barmouth-street, was taken to the same
establishment, suffering from a severe concussion of the
brain, received by falling off his own feet in Great
Howard-street, while in a state of intoxication.—A
boiler maker, named David Allen, residing in Tarlton-
street, Everton, fell from the roof of a building at Mr.
Pearson's foundry, Boundary-street, where he was
employed, and sustained concussion of the brain. He
is also under treatment at the Northern Hospital.
STABBING A &W.—An inquest was held yesterday
before P. F. Curry, Esq., coroner, on the body of
Joseph Walsh, aged 13, who resided with his parents
at 25 Court, Lace-street. The result of the inquiry
was a verdict of death from natural causes ; but the
evidence (except that of the surgeon) was so opposed to
such a verdict, that we think it right to give a brief
outline of the case, as stated by the witnesses. Richard
M'Dermott, a companion of the deceased, said that on
Saturday, the Bth instant, he was at the Landing-stage,
helping a man to take some potatoes to the Seacombe
boat, when he saw the deceased standing on the pier
with a boy named Ratigan. Some one threw. a potato,
whic\ hit Ratio•an on the back, who immediately turned
round and said to Walsh, "What did you do.that for ?"
A struggle ensued, in which Ratigan stabbed Walsh with
a knife he happened to have in his hand. He (witness)
saw the blood flowing from deceased's neck, and en-
deavoured to staunch the blood with his pocket hand-
kerchief till the deceased could be conveyed home
Henry Swift, the parish surgeon, deposed to being called
to the deceased for a wound in the neck, from which he
died on Sunday last. On making a post-mortem ex-
amination of the body, he found the jugular vein divided,
but there was also disease of the lungs. He considered
the cause of death to be consumption !—The jury, after
considerable discussion, found that the deceased died
from natural causes ; but one of the jurymen, it should
be stated, refused to sign this verdict, as after the
evidence adduced he could not believe the deceased died
frompurely natural causes.
THE " BRITISH LINE" OF AUSTRA.LIAN PACKETS.—
We notice with satisfaction the laying on the berth for
Melbourne of the splendid clipper ship " General Simp-
son," Captain Graham, as the pioneer of the above line of
packets. It is gratifying to observe the increase of
business which is being established 'between our port
and 'the Australian colonies.. This, no doubt, arises
from the very superior class of ships that have been put
into the trade, and we are pleased to notice that the
owners of the " British Line" are determined to uphold
the- character of the ships, by commencing their
operations with such a magnificent and beautiful
clipper as the " General Simpson." This vessel waS
built at St. John, N. 8., expressly for the Australian
trade, and has, from her great sailing powers and
roomy accommodation, been employed in her Majestys
transport service, for conveying troops to *lndia,
and in• that capacity has given the utmost satis-
faction. She will, on the present occasion, only
take a limited number of saloon, second cabin, and
intermediate passengers. Her saloon is a beautiful
apartment, and is very elegantly furnished, each of
her state rooms being ventilated, and lighted with a
large port. The second cabin in the poop is a very
spacious and comfortable apartment, and those who are'
fortunate enough to secure passages in it cannot fail to
be much pleased; while for those who.go intermediate,
very substantial accommodation is found in the roomy
deckhouse. Before concluding our notice of this truly
magnificent vessel, we must not forget to allude to her
worthy captain, who has served in the Australian trade
for many, years as mate and commander, and from his
great experience as a seaman, and his gentlemanly de-
meanour, he has endeared himself to all classes of pas-
sengers who have sailed with him.
INQUIRY AT ST. JAMES'S CRURCII.—An adjourned
meeting of the pew-ownerS was held last night in St.
James's Church the Rev. L. F. Thomas in the chair, to:
hear the defence of Mr. Clairingbold, clerk and sexton,
against several grave charges made against him by the
chairman, who is also the incumbent of the church. Mr.
Clairingbold, who had been furnished with a copy of
the book on which Mr. Thomas founded his statements,
brought in a reply to the charges, and proceeded to give
explanations of his, conduct, from which it appeared
that the charges were unfounded, and that lie had acted in
accordance with the instructions given by the complainant.
Mr. Thomas afterwards replied at some length' to Mr.
Clairingbold's defence, when Mr. Tollitt moved, and Mr,
Cowell seconded That this meeting,. having heard
both sides of the question, are now in ,a position to
decide." He did not think it fair to the pew-owners
that they should be called upon to wait there longer, as
.the whole of the evidence was before them. Mr. Clair-
ingbold had called' no witnesses, and the reply of
the accuser was contrary to all law and common_
sense.—The Chairman contended that they were not in
a position to decide ; and if they did not hear him, he
•would stop there till twelve o'clock at night, and they
would hear him in another court. Several gentlemen
present urged that what he' was saying in reply,
was a repetition of what they had heard at former
meetings, and they could not wait any longer,
when nothing new was to be biought up.—Mr. im
Wilson said, as he was the senior churchwarden, and as
Mi. Thomas had refused to put it, he would put it to the
meeting, Was Mr. Clairingbold guilty or not guilty ? all
who were in favour of the clerk's innocence to hold up
their hands.—Nearly all held up.their hands, and none
were • held up when the question was put for the op-
posite.—Mr. Thomas protested against the proceedings,
and adjourned the meeting till Monday evening next, at
half-past six o'clock.