Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-08-27 00:00:00

ter, not by

REPORT

To the Worshipf4l the Justices of the Division of

Kirkdale

GENTLEMEN ,—I have the honour to lay before you
statistical returns for this division for the year ending
31st July, 1859 ; and it will be a source of gratifica-
tion to you to observe that there has been a gradual
diminution of crime, especially in its worst classes, as
compared with former years.
I take leave to call your attention to a few of the

leading features in these returns. On reference to table
No. 1, it will be seen that the total number of persons
apprehended during the year has been 589, of whom 4
were for burglary, 18 for stealing from the person, and
165 on different charges of larceny, &c., as classified in
the ref-- Or of -

—tarns. Jf Inch, .d.rg wit Juglary, 4 were
committed for trial (3 tried and convicted, and 1 ac-
quitted). Of those charged with stealing from the
person, 14 were summarily convicted, 3 committed for
trial (1 tried and convicted, and 2 acquitted,) and 1 dis-
charged. Of those on the different charges of larceny,
So., as classified, 55 were summarily convicted, 46 com-
mitted for trial (29 tried and convicted, and 13 acquitted),

4 discharg6.

The remaining 402 of the persons apprehended were
for assaults, drunkenness, and other offences, punishable
nviction, and of those 29 were fined,

&c., at
16 disn

ad 9 dismissed for assaults ; 101 were fined and
nissed for drunkenness ; and 140 convi„,eted and

107 dismissed for vagrancy and other offences. Of the
total number 293 were in full employment and 296 un-
employed,-336 were English, 182 Irish, 21 Scotch, 22
Welsh, and 28 foreigners.

fable No. 4 it will appear that of the 589 appre-
were under 20 years of age, viz., 3 under
10, 59 between 10 and 15, and 89 between 15 and 20,
but few of the latter, however, being much above the
age of 15 years. Amongst these offenders a great pro-
portion were charged with picking pockets at the races
—a place of resort which it is obvious affords every faci-
lity for juvenile delinquency of this description, and
indeed for the commission of other more serious offen-

ces. At the last July races alone no less than 52
persons were apprehended on the race-days, in addition
to others on the previous Sunday, the congregation of
these people on the Sabbath being still further promoted
by a systematic sale of beer, &c., on the course, by par-
ties unknown in the neighbourhood, in open defiance of
any control ; this may probably be more a question for
the Inland Revenue than for magisterial interference ;
but the evil is evident, and its demoralising tendency
cannot be questioned
It will also be

seen that, of the 589 apprehended,
only 1 had received a superior education, 33 could read
and write well, 298 could read only, or read and write
imperfectly, the remaining 257 could neither read nor
write. As in reports from other parts of the country,
so in this, the connection between ignorance and crime
is palpably and unmistakeably manifest, and the impor-
tance of a more widely-spread, indeed a universal, sys-
I tern of education, to the general interests and welfare of

society, suggests itself to-the mind from even a cursory
consideration of the facts shown by these returns,

It is apparent that another fruitful source of crime
is drunkenness. During the last twelve months, 366
persons have been apprehended and summoned for this
offence, of whom 344 were punished by fine, &c., and
twenty-two dismissed. The magistrates may also be
reminded that, in many cases of felony, the offence is
alleged to have been committed under the influence of
drink • and that of the minor offences—assaults, and
that class of charges—a great proportion may be attri-
buted solely to intoxication.

The return' No. 5 of apprehensions for the last five
years, shows a gradual decrease in the numbers of per-
sons, from 741 in 1854, to 589 in the present year, with
a constantly increasing population—a matter for con-
gratulation to all parties interested in criminal statistics.
Returns Nos. 6 and 7 show that 665 persons have
been summoned by the police for various offences during
the year, of whom 603 were convicted and 57 discharged ;
5 did not appear, and warrants were issued against

Returns Nos. 8 and 9 show that 205 persons
were summoned on complaints by private individuals,
of whom 118 were convicted and 53 dismissed, 33 were
settled out of court, and against 1 a warrant was issued.

The constables have, during the past year, found open
and unfastened 147 doors and windows, -yhilst going
round their beats in the night-time, and, on each
occasion, have acquainted the owners, and had them

The numbers of common lodging-houses in the‘
are 221, all of which, lam glad to report, are in satis-
factory state of cleanliness, and free from contagious,
disease.- It may be worthy of remark, that the. regula-
tions have not only been productive of great benefit, but
are now, as a general rule, willingly complied: with by
the lodging-house keepers. I find it easier to induce
them to carry out any suggestion made for- the comfort
and good order of their houses, where the suggestion is
ostensibly made more as a matter of duty and. considera-
tion towards themselves, than with the expressed inten-
tion of enforcing the law.

With reference to the present state of the division,
permit me to say that Colonel Woodford, the govern-
ment-inspector, at his annual inspection in June last,
expressed himself much pleased with the efficiency of
the constables, and also with the order and regularity
with which the books were kept, and the office duties
performed.

A few weeks ago considerable excitement and alarm
was caused at the Old Swan, by large numbers of persons
assembling there on Sundays, avowedly to hear religious
discourses by itinerant preachers, but virtually to create
a breach of the peace. The prompt measures adopted
by the magistrates prevented any serious injury to per-
sons or property. All is now peaceable, and it is be-
lieved that these objectionable proceedings have been
effectually checked.

I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient servant,
(Signed) JOHN SELLERS, Superintendent
Superintendent's Office, Bootle, near Liverpool,
26th day of August, 1859.

APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSES.—There were fifteen
applications for new licenses, viz. :—Alexander Present,
Victoria-road, Gasston ; John Webster, Aightirth-vale,
Garston ; Spencer Ibison, St. Mary's-road, Garston ;
George Davidson, Lark-lane, Toxteth-park ; Lancelot
Todhunter, Lark-lane, Toxteth-park ; William Whit-
ting, Bullen's-brow, Toxteth-park ; Robert Roberts,
West Derby-road ; Mary Chandler, West Derby-road';
B. J. M‘Govern, Belmont-road ; Thomas Stokes, Carr-
lane, West Derby; Francis Casson, Derby-road, Bootle ;
Catharine Henderson, Derby-road, Bootle ; George
Allen, Marsh-lane, Bootle ; and Thomas Millen, Marsh-
lane, Bootle.

After hearing all the applicants, some of whom were
supported by Mr. Baffles, Mr. Clarke Aspinall, and Mr..
Bremner, the magistrates retired to their private room,
and in about half-an-hour returned into court ; when
the chairman stated that they had come to an unani—
mous decision, which the clerk would read, and which
was that they had refused to grant any new licenses.
All the old licenses were granted.
The justices then left the court.

STATE OF TRADE.—The Board of Trade returns for
the month of July are satisfactory, showing an increase
of £291,454 in the value of exports, as compared with
the corresponding period in 1858. For the seven month
ending July3l, the exports stand at £74,288,610, ar
£61,461,801 in 1858, and £73,027,913 in 1857.

yen months,
310, against

FATAL ACCIDENT.—A very melancholy accident has
occurred near Mirfield. Two sisters, Mrs. Stancliffe. of
Broad Oak, Mirfield, and Mrs. Walker, .of Whitley,
were taking a drive in a gig, when the horse began to
shy and ran back, and thus the gig and horse, with the
two ladies, were precipitated into the river Calier.
Mrs. Stancliffe and her sister, both of whom were widows
and advanced in years, were drowned.

FIRST TRIP OF THE GREAT EASTERN.—The renewed
offer sent in by Mr. Lever, M.P., to the directors of the
Great Eastern, yesterday, is one that cannot fail to
gratify those interested in the success of that vessel.
That much depends upon the commercial return of her
first trip few can doubt. In the first place, Mr. Lever
has offered £25,000 cash to charter the 'vessel to America.
America is her first destination. Beyond this amount
Mr. Lever incurs a responsibility of not less than
£60,000. He has proposed to coal and to provision the
Great Eastern, to pay her port dues and commission,
and to fit un such additional berths as may be necessary._
Mr. Lever has extraordinary means at his disposal to
ensure the success of the experiment. In the first place,
he has a fleet of steam-ships ready to wait upon the
Great Eastern and act as tenders, should she
.meet with
any difficulties in the outset of her career. Whoever
charters her, or undertakes the responsibility of sending-
her to any oreign and distant port, must be answerable
for her passengers' safe and speedy arrival. Again, Mr.
Lever has a network of booking arrangements all over
Europe and America. His offer is calculated is inspire
the highest confidence on the part of the shareholders,
and those who are otherwise interested in the vessel, as
to her practical capabilities and power.--Jlarning Post.
AN INFORMER'S FUNERAL.—The following account
of the burial of John Kelly, the " informer" against fife
Phcenixites, is taken from the Banner of Ulster :—"This.
misguided young man has come to an early end, and
is now the tenant of an obscure grave, which inbmbers
of the party he was once connected with have already
dishonoured. When his information brought his
brothers within the reach of justice for being members
of an illegal confederacy, he was also retained in our
county prison himself, to prosecute them and the other
clubbists.' At the time of his incarceration he was
suffering under pulmonary disease, and long imprison—
ment aggravated this into confirmed consumption. On
Sabbath forenoon his remains were conveyed to Friar's
Bush burying-ground for interment, accompanied by a
very thin procession. A number of the more fiery
Romanist partisans had, however, assembled at the place
of sepulture, determined to prevent the corpse of a

traitor' from finding a resting-place in consecrated
ground,' and this purpose they effected, after a scene
such as has never been witnessed in this part of the
north. The friends of the deceased and their opponents
engaged in a wordy quarrel over the ashes of the dead,
and gave vent to their passion in epithets which it was
revolting to hear, and which had nearly led to one
of those Irish 'rows' still common in the south and

west. Even the presence and remonstrances of a
Roman Catholic priest could not for a time re-
strain them. A conspicuous person, named Barney,'
would not permit the body to be laid in the old' or
private ground ; neither persuasions nor bullying could
win his consent ; he carried his point; and it wag
necessary to open a second grave in the common, or
cholera' ground, whither the coffin was borne, amid
shouts of ' Take it to out of this !" Throw it
into the field or the shough ; it's too good for it,' and
similar exclamations. At length the unhono-ared
bed was made, the coffin was lowered, some prayers were
hurriedly pronounced by the clergyman, the clay was
quickly shovelled in and trodden down, the funeral party
rapidly left the ground, and at last the remains of poor
Kelly were left to moulder in peace. The scene proves,
that a strong sympathy with ribbonism still prevails.
among the Romanist section of our community."
THE IRON TRADE.—The condition of the iron trade•
of this district is improving. Home consumers, who,
prior to quarter-day, had been holding off from pur-
chasing except just sufficient for immediate use, are-
now buying more freely, and prices have assumed
an aspect of increased firmness. Some foreign orders:
have been received, and, upon the whole, things are
in a more satisfactory condition. The orders from
the United States have not yet been so great as might
have been expected; but, now that there is every
probability of a bountiful harvest, with a safe in-
gathering, it is hoped prospects will become more
cheering. The prospects of the iron trade continue
gradually to brighten up, and the various mills and
forges have been actively engaged, with the exception
of during the last few days, the heat having become so
intense that in some places the men have ceased work-
ling. The demand for pig iron is upon the whole good,
especially for first-rate makes, which arb realising
£3 12s. 6d. and £3 16s.
.per ton, according to circum-
stances. The coal trade is inclined to briskness, and the
prices are firmly maintained, viz., best, 118. ; common,
9s. ; lumps, is. 6d. ; and fine slack, 2s. 6d. per ton at
the wharfs. The domestic consumption has fallen off
considerably owing to the heat of the weather ; but the
trade, generally speaking, has less of a tendency to
languor at this season in consequence of the activity at
the various works. Good ironstone is firm at our last
quotations, viz., gubbin 175., and white ironstone 16s. per
ton. In the South Wales district, trade, generally
speaking, continues good, and for all descriptions of
iron there is a very fair inquiry. In Derbyshire, Lan-
cashire, and Yorkshire, the prospects of the iron trade
continue to manifest a gradual improvement. There
is a better inquiry for iron for the colonies, but little
alteration has taken place in the home trade.
There is an increased demand for railway iron and
railway springs, which has now become an important
branch of the Sheffield trade. The inquiry for Derbyshire
pig iron is steady, and prices are very firmly main-
tained. The coal trade is active, considering the season
of the year, whilst the demand for manufacturing pur-
poses is increasing. The rates are tolerably steady. In
Northumberland and Durham, the coal trade continues
to progress satisfactorily. The demand for iron appears
to have improved a little, and the demand for coke also
is a little more animated,— Wolverhampton Chronicle.