Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-01-03 00:00:00

NORTHERN' DAILY TTMES.

LIVERPOOL TOWN COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Town Council was held yes-
terday, in the Council-chamber, at the Town-hall ;T.
D. Anderson, Esq., Mayor, presiding.

The. Maxon—Before commencing the proceedings,
gentlemen, I am glad to avail myself of the opportunity
that presents itself, at this the first meeting" of the
cc:tineil in the new year, to :wish every member in the
council, their families,* and all connected with :them, _a
very happy new year---(hear, hear.)—and that the great
Disposer of all - things may so* direct our deliberations
that they may prove most conducive to the -good of the
town, and to the best interests• of our fellow townsmen.
(Hear, hear, and-applause.)
Alderman S. HoLuE—I think I may venture. to say,
on behalf of the members of the Council, that we reci-
procato the sentiments Tau have just given nttexance to,
so far as they will apply to yourself and your family.
' The TOWN-CLERK said the first business would be
the appointment of "a trustee under a Local Act of 9th
Geo. IV., for enabling the trustees of Mrs. Ann
Molyneux's charities in Liverpool to grant building
.leases, and for better vesting the estates
.in them ; for
confirming exchanges, and other purposes for the benefit
of the charities. He stated that the' Mayor,lor the
time being, was nominally elected.
• Mr. Alderman WOODRITFF said that, twelve months
ago •he made a few observations in reference to ihose
trusts.. It appeared to him that there ought to be
some account of the stewaidship7—(hear,.heat)—of the
previoui trustees, before they re-appointed' old ants, or
appointed new ones. Probably he would be told by the
Town-clerk that they had no right to inquire what
these trusts consisted of, or ,what the parties did in re-
spect to them. But it appeared to him that the Council,
if they were called 'upon to appoint trustees, ought to
know something about the trusts and the duties required
of the trustees. (Hear, hear.) •
The TOWN-CLERK said that, under the act of Parlia-
_meat for, the management of this trust,. the mayor was
named, with the two rectors of the parish, as trustees.
He knew as a fact that Alderman Preston did make
some inquiries on the subject; but the duty of the
Council was merely to 'appoint a trustee, and it was for
that trustee to lake such steps as he thought fit.
Mr. Avrsow said that the trustee in question was
merely an official trustee for 'the year, and one but of
time. and really the Council had nothing. to do with
ror•ard to the trust., *
Mr. JEFFERY—Slipposing there were any irregulari-
ties under this trastos this Council "responsible in any
way?
The TowN-CLERK—None whatever. -

The MayOr was then appointed trustee for the year.
The TOWN-CLERK said the next matter was the ap-
pointment of three trustees under the loCal act of 7 Geo.
IV, fer establishing St. James's Cemetery. 'll4 mem-
bers last year were—Messrs. Stewart, Gardner; and
Shand.'

Mr. Alderman Wool)Tenn' said that, if they had some
interest in this trust, it was a case in which they Ought
to require explanation froM the trustees, especially as a
recent' examination . showed the financial part of the
trust to be a very blank account. If Mr. Preston inves-
tigated this matter to some extent, he should let us
know the reason he had for that investigation.
The TOWN-CLERK said Mr. Preston did not. investi-
gate into this Matter. The interest the Corporation had
was in the fact that they advanced some money for the
.purposes of St. hires's Cemetery. This question was
inquired into last year,' and fully repOrted upon. :Upon
the working of the, cemetery depended a good deal the
amount of interest the Corporation would get.
Mr: Alderman Wow:Ayr' said if that were so, they
ought to have some explanation, and they ought to be
furnished with a debtor and creditor account of that
cemetery for the last twelve years.
Mr. ROBERTSON I propose that Mr., Aidernian
Woodruff be elected a trustee. (Laughter.)
Mr. LIVINGSTON seconded the motion, and it was at
once agreed to ; the other trustees elected beino• Mr.
Stewart and Mr. Gardner:

Mr. Alderman Holme and Mr. Alderman Bennett
were re-apptinted as two members
,of the Council to
execute the powers given to the mayor and senior alder-
man by the local act of tO.Geo. IV., cap. 15, relating
to the School for the Indigent Blind" of Liverpool, and
the chapel attached thereto.
The next business was the appointment of forty-one
members of the Couneilts be commissioners under the
acts relating to the Churches of St. Paul and St. John.
The gentlemen were re-ele_cted.

Mr. KITCHEN said he should like to ask what were.
the duties of these commissioners. He had been a cqm-
misiioner for seven years, and had hal netlling to do.
Mr. LIVINGSTON—Being a commissioner, you ought
to know what the duties are. '

The TOWN-CLERK—If necessary, you have to arrange
the amount of pew rents, and other matters of that
description. (Laughter.)
Mr. JEFFERY said he might observe, for the informa-
tion of the Council, that St. John's Church was admi-
rably attended, and that a very good revenue accrued
from it. At St. Paul's, however, there was little or no
revenue. It was much out of order internally, the
building was rapidly going to destruction,-and there was
a very thin attendance. He should be glad to hear of the
Council getting rid of the responsibilities attaching to
these institutions, for it was a lamentable thing to see a
splendid building like St. Paul's going to rain, and it would-
cost £l,OOO at least, he believed, to put it in repair; an
amount that he would not be a party,to expending. upon
it out of the public purse. He was one of the church-
wardens of St. Paul's, 'and he sometimes attended.the
church, but it was painful to see so small a congrega-
tion in so large a building: The church was capable of
accommodating seventeen or eighteen hundred people ;
it had cost £13,000 or £14,000, and whilst the atten-
dance was sometimes as low as 100, and the average was
only 150.
Mr LIVINGSTON—Perhapsif those very improvements
which Mr. Jeffery has referred to were made, the
attendance would• be more regular.
Mr. JEFFERY would be sorry to go into the discussion,
.but he was prepared to do so if the. Council wished him.
The subject then dropped.
Alderman Bramley-Moore, Alderman Bennett, Alder-
man S. Holme, Alderman Stewart, Mr. J. R. Jeffery,
and Mr. W. Earle, were appointed commissioners
under the Income and Property Tax Acts. ,-
Alderman 'WOODRUFF asked what were the duties of
these gentlemen. -
Alderman HOLME replied that they were to sec that
all the returns under the above acts, so far as regarded
the servants of the corporation, were correct. The
duties would occupy the commissioners about an hour
and a half once a year.
An application from Mr. Mark Leonard, for,the use
of the Town-hall moms on the 14th of February next,
for the annual Catholic charity ball, was read, and
referred to the Town-hall Establishment Committee.
This was all the business before the council.

THE LATE ELOPEMENT.—The lady who fled with
her groom from England has arrived in Paris, of course.
We always expect to receive visits of the like nature
from all parts of the world. Much curiosity is mani-
fested whenever she appears abroad ; and, what is more
remarkable, is the utter indifference manifested towards
her companion. The lady is short and rather stout,
with an extremely juvenile gait and manner. The
partner of her flight is of middl height, with sandy hair
and whiskers, and bears not half such a good face upon
the matter as his victim, for he looks down, and ventures
not to raise his eyes as he walks along. Some say that
this diffidence is occasioned by the novelty of his posi-
tion ; others declare it is caused by that of his—costume.
—Court Journal.
GETTING' OUT OF A TRAIN BEFORE THE TIME.—A
grocer, named Thomas Clements, had a very narrow
escape with his wife at the new railway station, St.
Helens; on Friday evening last. He was coming in by
the five p.m. train, and attempted to leave the carriages
before the train had come to a stand ; his foot slipped,
and he fell between the carriages and the platform, and
was dragged a distance of several yards, his clothes
being completely torn off him. Fortunately he appeared
to have received little injury to his person: This Is the
second time Mr. Clements has miraculonsly escaped
under similar circumstances by foolishly attempting to
leave the train before it stopped.
SERIOUS GAS EXPLOSION IN SOUTH STAFPORDS'HIRE,
—On Saturday a serious explosion of gas occurred at
the house of a working man, named John Matthews,
residing at Princess End, which, besides doing consider-
able damage to property, injured two children. It
appears that at about' twelve o'clock in the forenoon
two of Matthews's children went into the cellar with a
lighted candle, for the purpose -of fetching some coal ;
whilst there, an explosion took place which shook the
whole neighbourhood, and the side wall of Matthews's
house came down with a terrific crash. The children
and their mother escaped almost miraculously with their
lives, but the side of the'house is,completely blown away
at the bottom part.

LIVERPOOL POLICE COURT.—YEsTELDAy.

(Before Mr. J. S. MANSFIELD.)
WIFB BEATING.—Michael Cuiken-was brought up on
the charge of abusing his wife. The complainant stated
that her husband had been for some.time in the habit of
using her in the most brutal manner. On Saturday ni'ht
he came in and beat her about the head and body ; after
which he seized her by the wrists and twisted her arms.
Her body was covered with marks. Mr. Mansfield
ordered the prisoner to find two sureties of £25 each,
and to enter his own recognisance in £5O, to keep the
peace for six months.

- EMBEZZLEMENT BY A CAR DRIVEL—George Nichols,
a car driver, was brought up on the charge of embezzling
a sum of money. belonging to his employer, Mr. Pugh,
car proprietor, Denson-street. The prisoner entered his
employ on Tuesday last. On Wednesday he was sent
with a car, but, on his return in the evening, left horse
and car standing in the street without any one to take
_care of ,them. The prosecutor did not.see him till Sa-
turday evening, when he charged him with keeping the
money he had got for fares on Wednes'3ay. The pri-
soner•admitted he had received five shillings, and offered
to. pledge his coat to pay it. Mr. Mansfield asked Mr.
Pugh if he wished to press the case against the prisoner.
He expressed his determination to do so. The prisoner
was accordingly committed for trial.
- . CHARGE OF Ansora.—Mr. John Miller, tea merchant,
who had been out on bail, appeared to answer a charge
of wilfully setting fire to the premises, 158, Mill-street,
lately. -in his eecupation, with intent to defraud the
Liverpool and London Insurance :Company. Mr.
Walters appeared 'for the prosecution and Mr. Pember-
ton conducted the defence. Before the.base was opened,
Mr. Pemberton asked by whom Mr. Miller was given in
charge, and who were the prosecutors.—Mr. Walters
said he appeared for the chief constable.—After some
remarks from Mr. Pemberton regarding - the unfair
manner in which the case was being conducted, Mr.
Walters proceeded to state that, in the month of June last,
Mr. Miller took those premises in Mill-street, for the
purpose of carrying on the business of a grocer, which
he committed to the charge of a person named Themes
Ispwell, who, with his wife, lived on the premises. On
the 4th of August be effected an insurance in the Liver-
pool and London Insurance Company, on the stock and
furniture on the premises for £3OO. It 'appeared
that Mr. Miller was in the habit of occasionally
remaining a night in a bedroom he kept for his own
use on the premises. On the night of the 29th of
October he came into the shop, but iinnimediately went
to his own room. lie came down again about 11 o'clock
into Powell's sitting-room, bringing with him a bottle
of whiskey. After giving Powell a little, he again re-
tired • to his bedroom. Powell and his wife retired
shortly afterwards, and in a few minute's heard Miller
descending the- stairs. They had just fallen asleep
when they were alarmed by.the cry of "Fire !" and on
Powell going down into the shop there was a large
quantity of paper piled in the window. Mr. Miller had
made out a statement of the goods destroyed, which
amounted to £454 IBs. 9d., and the furniture he
reckoned at £152 2s. Od. ; and he would' prove
that there was not: that amount either of goods or
furniture on the premises.-a Thomas Powell was then
called, arid examined by Mr. Walters. He stated that
he kept the shop 158, ailj-street, fox. Mr. Miller. The
largest sum he ever took in one day was £7, but on the
average the takings did not rate ,above £7 a-week.
The whole stock in the shop at the time of the fire was
not worth above £5B 12s. 91d. He took stock with the -
assistance of his wife, and that amount was in favour of
Mr. Miller. There certainly was not stock to the
amount of £454 18s 9d. He would not have
given above £2O for all the furniture in the
place. Mr: Miller came into the shop on the
night the fire took place, about seven o'clock in the
'evening. The shop was closed • about half-past nine'
o'clock. He (Powell) went out and returned again
about eleven, when Mr. Miller came down stairs bring-
ing with him a bottle of whiskey. 'He complained -of
being ill with a bowel complaint. After he had par-
taken of a little whiskey and cayenne pepper he retired
to rest leaving the whiskey -behind him: Witneis and
his wife retired to their room in about ten or twelve
minutes' leaving the shop. perfectly secure, there
being no smell of gas or anything pf that kind.
After he had been in bed a short time, he was
awakened by a little dog in the room leaping upon the
bed. He heard Mr. Miller 'go down stairs, and did not
hear him return. He went to sleep again, and was
awakened by the firemen kicking at the door, and saw
Mr. Miller standing in' the staircase, with only his'
trousers, on, as when he retired to rest. The alarm of
fire 'was given about a quarter to twelve o'clock. -He
took Mc wife across to a person's Buse named Mr. Rem-
ner. Wh cu there, Mr. Miller came in, and asked for some
water to wash his hands, Which Were covered
with blood. At that time he had his day-book
in his pocket. The fire took place on the 31St of Oct.,
and the shop was in process of 'being emptied several
weeks-before, the fire took place.-e-Cross-examined by
Mr. Pemberton : He denied that he was drunk, or.that
Mi. Miller charged him with being so, on the evening
the fire happened. He went out of his room hiinself.
No one dragged him out after the alarm of fire was
given. He never told any one that the cause of the fire
was an explosion of gas. He had "seen cracks in the
wall, but there was no crack in the wall of Mr.
Miller's room. The damages to the wall,
,he believed,
to have arisen from the fire, add did not cpnsider they
had been caused by some sudden shock. It occurred to'
him next morning that Mr. Miller had set the premises
on fire. He spoke of it to his wife, and a few days
after stated his suspicions to Mr. Boult, of the Liver-
pool and London Insurance Company. His statements
were taken down at Mr. Bretherton's office by Mr. Gill,
the solicitor for the company. He was at 'oee time in
business as a grocer in Warrington, and was obliged to_
go to Lancaster Castle. He did not deliver all his
furniture to his creditors, but admitted, that he sold a
portion of it, and pocketed the proceeds. He had
collected several sums of money which were due
to Mr. Miller, and had not Landed them over to
him. Mrs. Powell was examined. Her evidence did
differ essentially from that of her husband. In reply to
Mr. Pemberton, she had no recollection of her husband
mentioning to her that he thought Mr. Miller had set
the shop on fire. She did not hear. any motion as if
Mr. Miller were going down stairs.—Elizabeth Langford,
servant upon the premises, was called and examined.
Her evidence, however, was not of great importance.
She stated, in reply to Mr. Pemberton, that the shop
appeared well stocked when she went there, and appeared
to be so at the time the fire took place.—John Green,
clerk to Mr. Miller, stated that be removed some boxes
of coffee, counters, and other articles from the shop in
Mill-street to the warehouse in Manesty's-lane,, several
days before the fire. At the time he left on
the night of the fire, everything was in the
greatest order. In cross-examination he said
that, having been in the employ of Joyner, the
person whd occupied these premises before Mr. Miller,
he was able to say what the takings in the shop amounted
to in the course of a week. They amounted to £4O or
£5O, on an average, and he thought Mr. Miller did a
larger trade than his predecessor. He believed that the
stock in the shop on the night of the fire.would amount
to about £4OO. Powell was intoxicated on the day the
fire took place ; in consequence of which Mr. Miller
asked witness to remain and take charge of the
shop. He also stated that there had been some disa-
greement between the prisoner and Powell.—Police-
officer 14 was examined. He said he had been called'
to assist in extinguishing the fire, and he also.
deposed that Powell was in a state of intoxication.
John 'M'lntosh, P.C. 727, was next examined, who
stated that he was one of the first persons who noticed
the fire, and gave the alarm. He swore positively to
Powell being in a state of intoxication at the time. He
was sa drunk that it was difficult to get him to believe
there was a fire in the house, and he was finally dragged
out by witness and another young man.—Mr. Bew was
examined, but his evidence was unimportant, and did
not affect the case.' At this point Mr. Walters said that
all the witnesses for the prosecution were examined, and
asked for a remand, that he might be able to bring forward
the salvage men who had been in possession of the premises.
-since the night of the firea-a-Mr. Pemberton objected to-
any further delay, on the ground that there hid been
ample time to bring forward the witnesses.—Mr.:Mans-
field considered that the prosecution having been. de-
ferred from October to January, there was no necessity
to grant a remand.—Mr. Pemberton. then called upon-
Mr. Crankshaw, the proprietor of the premises where
the fire had taken place. He said that an architect who
had looked at the cracks in the wall considered they had
been caused by the heat of the fire bending the pillars
which supported it.—Mr. Pemberton then addressed the
mint. He gave a brief summary of the evidence,
pointed out the great discrepancies between the
statements of the • witnesses, and remarked upon
the strange and equivocal conduct of the prosecution in
delaying to prosecute for a period of two months. He
had no doubtbut -the Liverpool and London Insurance
Company were On
„premotere pf it, and they ought to

have come boldly out, buttheir sub-manager had refused
to give him the statement made by Powell to their
solicitor, which he had no hesitation in saying would
not tally with hiS evidence this day. There was no
word .of prosecution till be, at the instance of his client,
commenced an action against the company to recover
the amount of the insurance: He submitted there was
.case against the prisoner, and asked his Worship for
his immediate deliverence.—Mr. Mansfield said this
was not the " first case that had come under
his notice, in which criminal proceedings were taken,
for the purpose of evading a civil action. It is very
evident if there had been no insurance there would have
been no prosecution in this case. The witness upon
whom :the whole case depended is Powell, who has told
a story" utterly discreditable about being awakened by a
dog, and bearing a creaking on the stairs, as if some one
were going down, when it turns out that he was drunk.
His evidence is moreover wholly irreconcilable with that
of 3reen, who has discredited him en every point. This
was. perhaps the last, important case he would. have to
decide in this borough, and was very glad he was able
to so in favour of the prisoner. Mr. Miller was
accordingly discharged.