Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-02-09 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—YESTERDAY,
The Speaker took the chair at twelve o'clock.
CHURCH-RATES.

Sir J. TRELAWfiEY, in moving the second reading
of the Church-rates Abolition Bill, referred to the
opinions of Sir Robert Peel, of Lord Derby, and of
the Commissioners who had sat on the subject, to
show that the question could not brook any longer
delay, and ought to be speedily and satisfactorily
dealt with. He showed that the rate did not sup-
ply the means of furnishing the poor with seats,
and contended that it was not a charge upon land.

The dispute now rife as to the form of worship formed
another argument for abandoning a compulsory rate.
Though the rate continued in theory, it had been given up
in practice to such an extent, that a great anomaly had
been introduced. After citing the actual figures of the
amount of the Church-rate, he asked whether the rate
was worth contending for, seeing the ill-feeling to which
it gave rise. It had been shown that property already
in possession of the Church could, under proper manage-
ment, be made to produce much more than it did at
present ; and according to the theory of the law, the
property and the tithe charges were liable for the repair
of the churches ; but the money get into wrong hands,
and the congregations were left to repair their own
churches. In conclusion he entreated the House to
settle this much agitated que,stion.
Lord C. DOUGLAS -tieconded the motion. He detailed
the attempts made since 1834 to obtain a satisfactory
settlement of the difficulty. 7he house had, by repeated
majorities, decided in favour of the abolition of the rate,
and the voice of the country, through its petitions,
had made the same demand.

Lord It. MONTAGU moved, as an amendment, that the
bill be read a second time that day six months. There
was no evidence that the concession would allay the
acrimony now subsisting between religious parties.
Sir G. C. LEWIS supported the motion. He denied that
if the rate were abolished the church buildings would
fall into decay, and he no longer had faith in the possi-
bility of a compromise. The only course left to him was
to support the bill. He believed that the same difficulty
in finding means for repairing the churches would not
exist in the rural parishes which were now found in the
great towns.where there were no tithes to support the
minister. There would be no difficulty in providing
seats for the poor if the pew rents in parishes were pro-
perly applied.- He did not believe that the objections
to pew rents were practical ones. He trusted that some
equivalent would be discovered, and therefore supported
the second reading of the bill.
Colonel SEYMOUR seconded the amendment. He
complained that the Government had left this important
matter in the hands of private members, and while ad-
mitting that the question ought to be settled, declared
that it could not be settled by this mode of dealing with
it. If they threw the burden upon the unwilling horse,
the time would come when it would refuse to bear it.
Ile complained of the conduct of the Government who
supported the bill on no better ground than that there
was nothing better to propose, though the bill went to
the direct separation of Church and State.
Mr. BRISTOW protested against the compulsory rates
as an annually recurring cause of strife and ill will.
Mr. DISRAELI objected to the interference of the
central authority proposed by this bill. The central
power here interfered with. the parochial system, while
80 per cent. of the parishes desired no such interference.
He admitted that the effort for a settlement of the ques-
tion had not been satisfactory hitherto; but that
was no reason for adopting this extreme measure.
It was giving up an established system for a speculative
theory. It might involve the existence of an Estab-
lished Church in this country, and the separation of
Church and State. They were called upon to revo-
lutionise the parochial constitution of the country,
and yet the representatives of 14,000 parishes de-
clared that they did not require any change. They
should ponder long before entering upon a prac-
tical course for speculative reasons. The Church
was the best safeguard they had against the reli-
gious fanaticism which had more than once invaded
the country; and if its influence in this respee; was les-
sened, he trembled for the consequences. The measure
was a pernicious one, which, if carried, would lead to
greater consequences than was supposed or imagined. It
was, he repeated, a tyrannical interference of the central
authority with the parochial system. It was not a
redress of a practical grievance, but a speculative theory,
and he should give it his most determined opposition.
Lord FERMOY asked why they should not revolutionise
the parochial institutions of the countr•y', if those in-
stitutions foster injustice and oppression. The analogous
rate had been abolished in Ireland without destroying
the connection between Church and State, and had re-
moved a bone of contention, and restored peace to con-
tending sects. The issue raised by Mr. Disraeli was a
false issue.
Mr. PACKE opposed the bill.
Mr. HUBBARD could not consent to an act of tyranni-
cal injustice for the sake of relieving a few. It was
easy to talk of raising voluntary contributions, but very
difficult to do it.
Mr. THOMPSON would vote for the second reading,
still hoping that some provision would be made for the
maintenance of the churches.
Sir J. Trelawney replied, after which the house
divided :
For the second reading. 263
Against it 234
Majority for —29
The Opposition hailed the small majority with loud
cheers.
The committee was fixed for Wednesday next.
The other business was disposed'of, and the house
adjourned at five minutes to six,

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.,

There was not any business to come before the Bir-
kenhead magistrates yesterday—a very rare circumstance
indeed.
THE EX-TREASURER TO THE BIRKENHEAD COMMIS-
SIONERS.—A subscription is being raised at Birkenhead
for the purpose of purchasing a testimonial to be pre-
sented to Mr. Andrew Stewart„ on his retirement. from
the office of treasurer to the Birkenhead Improvement
Commissioners.
ST. ANNE'S DISPENSARY, AND EYE AND EAR INSTI-
TUTION, 13, ROSE-HILL.—New patients entered on the
books last week, viz. :—Relieved at the institution, 156 ;
relieved at their own dwellings, 48—total, 203. Visi-
tors, Messrs. E. Watts and George Jordan. Hon. Sec.
and Treasurer, Joseph Kitchen, Esq.
THE HOUSEOWNERS AND THE PROPOSED NEW BYE-
LAWs.—Yesterday afternoon, a special meeting of the
Liverpool Houseowners' Association was held, Mr. Owen
Williams presiding, when it was unanimously resolved
to memorialise the Town Council against the adoption
of the bye-laws proposed by the Health Committee, on
the ground that sufficient powers for the protection of
the public are already vested in that body.
STEAMERS FOR AMERICA.—The Liverpool, New York,
and Philadelphia Company's steam-ship Vigo; sailed
yesterday for New York. Besides the 'United States
mails, she had a full cargo and about 90 passengers.
The Montreal Ocean Steam-ship Company's steamer
Hungarian also sailed yesterday for Portland, and took
a valuable cargo, together with about 50 passengers and
the Canadian mails.
THE SCHOONER ADDA, of this port—a new vessel
owned by Messrs. Daly and Dean; Singleton, Duffy, and
others, repbrted as wrecked in the gale of Saturday
week upon Strangford Bar, has been got off with very
little damage.' This successful result may be chiefly
ascribed to the experienced aid of Captain Henry, one
of the owners, under whose able superintendence the
vessel was recovered from her dangerous position.
NEW LEGOINGS.—We have seen 'a uew and useful
article in the shape of leggings, or, as the article may be
called, spatterdashes," introduced by Messrs. Blakey
Brothers, and from their utility we think they must
become universal. They are light and becoming, and
adapted peculiarly for the rifle corps, but still the general
public will receive benefit from their use. Blakey
Brothers' easy elastic-side walking boots deserve our
obserration and public. thanks.
THE MURDER IN LIVERPOOL.—A rumour was afloat
in town yesterday, that a telegram had been received
from Cork, in which it was stated that J. Rhodes, the
recruit 'who was enlisted on Wednesday last under the
peculiar circumstances related at the inquest on Tuesday,
had been apprehended in Dublin, and confessed to being
the murderer of the sailor at the Canada-dock.* No con-
firmation of this statement, however, had been received
at the Coroner's Court up to a late hour yesterday, nor
was it generally known at the Police-office.
CORONER'S COURT. —The following inquests were
held at this' court yesterday,' before P. F. Curry, Esq„
coroner :—On the body of Jane Myers, aged four years,
who was burnt in her parents' house last Friday week,
and died onllonday. The jury returned a verdict of
'death from burning.—Also, on the body of Catherine
Lyell, an 'infant twelve weeks old. In consequence of
a quarrel between the p.arents of the child, it slept with
its father on Tuesday night, and he being in drink, the
child was found dead the next morning in the middle of
the floor. The jury found that deceased died from
suffocation, the result being accelerated by concussion of
the brain, but how 'these were caused there was no
evidence to show.
VOLUNTEER RIFLES.—LIVERFOOL EXCHANGE COM-
PANY.—The Gazette of Tuesday contained the following
announcements in reference to this corps:-22nd Lanca-
shire Rifle Volunteers—Edward Brailford Bright, Esq.,
gentleman, to be captain ; 'Laurence Hodson Parr, Esq.,
gentleman, to be lieutenant. A, A full parade drill of the
company is to' take place this (Thursday) evening, at
.seven o'clock, at which the commissions of the above-
named gentlemen will be read. The members number
upwards of eighty, and are progressing rapidly under
their drill-sergeant, Mr. Simmons, a most efficient, valu-
able, and gentlemanly officer, who passed with honour
through the Indian campaign.
CHRISTY'S MINSTRELS.-The high character of the
entertainment .which these artistes have brought before
the public ,is now so well established that further com-
ment is almost unnecessary. We may say, however,
that, notwithstanding the fact that this is the third
appearance in Liverpool, the entertainment still con-
tinues to draw crowded audiences. Its attractions
appear to increase on, repetition, and several new features
have been introduced which render it more worthy than
ever of the liberal support it has always received. The
old favourite, Mr. Collins, continues to perform on the
bones with the greatest success, and divides the glory
with Mr. Moore, who executes the most astonishing
vagaries with his tambourine. Mr. Howard also is
greatly applauded in his really clever belt dance, and so
we may say is every artiste in the company. .
LAUNCH OF Two GUNBOATS FROM MESSRS. MILLER'S
YARD.—Yesterday, two fine gunboats were h.:imbed
from the ship yard of Messrs. C. and J. Miller, at the
Toxteth Dock. The 3rard was gaily ornamented with
flags of every description, and the novelty of two simul-
taneous launches from the same yard, aided by the fine-
ness of the weather, succeeded in attracting an immense
number of spectators. At a few minutes after twelve
o'clock the dog-shores were struck, and the two vessels
glided gracefully into the water. The names of the.two
boats are the Steady and the Penguin, the former being
launched a few moments before the. latter. The cere-
,
mony of christening was performed by Mrs. Miller and
Mrs. Pxeston. The boats will, carry five guns each, and
are about 420 tons burden. Two others of a similar
kind are on the stocks, and will be launched in about
three, months.
THE KIRKDA.LE INDUSTRIAL RAGGED SCHOOL AND
Cnuacn.—The fourth annual report of this institution
has just been issued, and is of a most satisfactory char-
acter. It' contains the' report of Mr. Gillespie, In-
spector of the Ragged School Union,'who speaks of the
school in the highest terms and shows that it is doing a
great deal of good. In addition to the school, however,
there is a Church Service, the attendance at which has
been very large,---:" the room sometimes full to over-
flowing, and the class attending just the class whose
tattered, threadbare garments would keep from
Church,"—the report further remarking, that a large
number of very poor children attend,—and thus in early
youth they are trained to the godly habit of assembling
in God's House." Surely such a work as this 'deserves
the highest encouragement and support. Let us hope
that one effect of the circulation of this report will be,
to gain for the institution such an accession of pecuniary
aid, as will enable it not only to maintain but to extend
its operations. .
ST. ANNE'S STANLEY WORKING MEN'S ASSOCIATION.
—On Tuesday evening one of the monthly village lec-
tures connected with this institution was delivered in
St. Anne's National School-room, by Mr. W. J.
Melville, 'B.A., on Tea. The subject proved extremely
interesting as well as instructive, the plant being
considered botanically, commercially, socially, And in
every way that could be' possibly included. within the
limits of one lecture. In a social point of view, a com-
parison was drawn between the exhilirating effects of
" the cup that cheers but not inebriates ' and the
baneful influence of excessive indulgence in intoxicating
liquors. Taking into consideration the inclement
weather, the attendance was very numerous, and a
hearty vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer. The
Rev. T. Gardner occupied the chair. Activity prevails
in all branches of this association, and it is expected
that' througb the kindness of the officer commanding the
First Volunteer Rifles; a concert will shortly be given in
I the, above room by the band of the corps, in aid of a
charitable object.
ARCHITECTURAL SOCIETY.—Tbe usual fortnightly
meeting of the Liverpool Architectural and Arehteolo-
gical Society was held last evening, at the Royal Insti-
tion, Mr. Frank Horner presiding. The secretary
announced donations of the Building News, and the
Builder, and also an invitation from the Polytechnic
SocietY 'to the members of the Architectural Society, to
attend their meeting on Monday evening next, to hear
Mr. Fairbairn's lecture. Mr. Joseph Boult moved that
the memorial on the subject of the proposed bye-laWs
affecting the building trade, adopted at a special meet-
ing of the society, and sent to the Town Council, where
it was received but not read, and subsequently referred
to the Health Committee, be then read. The memo-
rial having been read, Mr. Hay moved, and Mr.
Hughes seconded, that a committee be appointed to con-
sider the amended bye-laws, and ieport to the society at
its next ordinary meeting. The motion having been
agreed to, the following gentlemen were appointed a
committee for the above .purpose :—Messrs. Horner,
Barry, Picton, Kilpin, Ellison, Hughes, Goodall, Hay,
Sherlock, Weightman, Huggins, Gee and Stubbs.—Mr.
Barry read the paper f the evening, on the " Sewerage
of London," illustrated by diagrams. At the conclusion
of the paper a cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Barry was
passed.