The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-09 00:00:00

money should be sent to it (the committee). The pri-
soner got leave of absence of 10 days after that decision
of the committee, and gave directions at Birmingham
that the money should be sent to him. Had I have
been aware of the alterations, I should have made in-
quiries,

- Mr. Broughton observed that the witnesses ought to
be produced who could give evidence showing the altera-
tion that had taken place. It appeared extraordinary
that money should be directed to be sent up to London
and that the cashier should know nothing of the altera-
tion. The committee ought to have given notice to the
cashier.

The prisoner was remanded till Wednesday.

THAMES.—William Thomas, aged 21, and described
as a confectioner, of No. 22, Union-street, Tottenham-
court-road, was charged with stealing a black pony,
worth 141., under rather peculiar circumstances.
It appeared that about two o'clock yesterday (Wed-
nesday) afternoon, Mr. James Welts, a dealer in horses,
residing in Bucks-row, Whitechapel, was in Romford
market, Essex, when the prisoner came up with a
black pony which he offered for sale, and said his father,
who was a confectioner in Brick-lane, Spitalfields, was
the owner of the pony, and had no further use for the
animal. Mr. Wells asked him what he wanted for the
pony, to which the prisoner replied 61. The price
asked for the pony was so much below the real value
that Mr. Wells' suspicions were aroused. He agreed,
nevertheless, to purchase the pony for 61., and to send
one of his men, named William Jones, with the animal
to London, and ascertain if the prisoner's representa-
tions were correct. Jones received instructions from
his employer to be very particular, and not pay the
prisoner for the pony unless his statement turned
out to be quite correct. Jones having lodged the
pony at his master's stables in Whitechapel proceeded
in company with the prisoner to Brick-lane. On
reaching that place, the prisoner entered a stop, and
addressing a man who was behind the counter, said in
the hearing of Jones, " did not my father keep a confec-
tioner's shop over the way ?" The shopkeeper replied in
the affirmative, and the prisoner followed up his first ques-
tion by asking if his father had not possession of a pony
three years ago. The shopkeeper said he recollected
that his father had a pony some years ago before he
quitted Brick-lane, but he did not know what had be-
come of it. Jones feeling satisfied that the prisoner
hail not come honestly by the pony, conveyed him to
the H division station-house, and gave him into the
custody of a police-constable named Mossman, No. 132
H. The prisoner then stated that he had purchased
the pony of a young man at the back of the bank on
Tuesday night for 31., and that the young man said he
was afraid to dispose of it in the public market be-
cause it had bad shoulders. The case of suspicion was
still further strengthened against the prisoner by the
evidence of William Powter, another man in the employ
of Mr. Wells.

The prisoner, in defence, said that his father had been
in the practice of driving the pony in a cart to Romford
and other places with nuts and confectionary, which lio
sold at fairs and races. The pony was his own property.
Mr. Ingha►n said the case was so full of suspicion that
he felt no hesitation in remanding the prisoner, who was
sent away in the van. The pony was taken to the
Greenyard and impounded.

LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIPS.

THE LIVERPOOL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
The annual meeting of the Liverpool Chamber of
Commerce was held on Tuesday, in the chamber;
Mr. F. Shand, president, in the chair.
After a few opening remarks, the Chairman called
upon Mr. R. Tronson, the secretary, to read the report,
embracing a summary of the operations of the chamber
during the year. The following are the principal pas-
sages from the document :
CUSTOM-HOUSE SYSTEM.—As referred to in the half-
yearly report, the Consolidated Customs Act was fully
investigated by the standing committee, and upon their
recommendation the greater part of the suggestions
urged by your council on the Government was provided
for. Since the passing of the act, the Treasurer has
issued a minute ordering additional concessions as to the
forms of export entries.
COMMERCIAL LAW REFORM AND TRIBUNALS OF COM-
MERCE.—This question has been in abeyance, owing to
the Parliamentary recess ; but the earliest available
opportunity will be taken for pressing it upon the Go-
vernment, either in the form of the appointment of a
Parliamentary committee, or a reference to one of the
several Royal commissions now sitting on the subject of
mercantile law.
LAW OF PARTNERSHIP.—Your Council received seve
ral copies of a series of questions on this subject, com-
piled by the Royal commissioners, which have been
placed in the hands of gentlemen in Liverpool for replies,
as requested by the commissioners. At the same time
it was considered a good opportunity of fulfilling their
previously expressed intention of considering this impor-
tant question ; and a special committee was, therefore,
appointed, who gave the utmost attention to the matter,
and who have presented a very full report on it, which
this council beg now to submit to the consideration of
this chamber.
The following are the main reasons urged in the spe-
cial report for an alteration in the law :-
1. Because the present law is not uniform in its appli•
cation. It is constantly bet aside by special acts of Par-
liament, conferring limited liability on partners in cer-
tain companies • and if, in these cases, the Legislature
is obliged to admit that there are some undertakings
which, though remunerative to the shareholders and
beneficial to the community, would never be carried on
if they involved the unlimited liability of the partners, it
is quite possible that there may be other undertakings,
equally advantageous, the formation of which is now
altogether prevented, because of the uncertainty and
expense attendant on obtaining these charters of incor-
poration.

2. Because it prevents parties not personally engaged,
or desirous to engage, in business, from advancing a
portion of their capital, as partners, to other persons
capable of taking the active management of trading or
other concerns, except at the risk of involving their
whole property.
3. Because it restricts partners in existing con-
cerns, desirous of retiring from the active ma-
nagement of the business, and yet willing to
continue to the junior partners a portion of their
capital, from doing so, without exposing themselves
to a risk greater than they would think it prudent to in-
cur. The committee consider that the difficulties referred
to in this and the former paragraph, are not obviated by
the assertion that such persons might leave their capital
in a concern, on condition of receiving a certain rate of
interest ; or that young men of energy and talents will
always find employment as junior partners, or managing
clerks with fixed salaries—because, in one case, capi-
talists, or retiring partners, would be asked to advance
their money, while deprived of all power to exercise any
control over its employment ; and in the other case it is
taken for granted that the moneyed partners are willing
either to carry on, or to continue the business in their
their own persons ; neither of which suppositions holds
good in the instances adduced.
4. Because, on the one hand, it discourages persons of
limited means from employing their savings or small
capitals in associations for their mutual advantage ; and,
on the other hand, deters persons of larger capital and
experience from forming partnerships with persons of this
class.

5. Because it interferes with that liberty which every
Andividual, or association of individuals, ought to have,
to make contracts with third parties on any conditions
mutually agreed upon. If there be the absence of a
due notification of the terms on which such contracts
are made, so that third parties are kept in ignorance of
the nature of the concern, or if any fraud or evasion be
practised by the persons contracting, to the injury of
third parties, the law can be made strong enough to re-
dress such wrongs, and the offenders ought unquestion-
ably—especially in the case of fraudulent acts—to be
dealt with by criminal, as well as by bankruptcy law.
LAWS OF BANKRUPTCY AND COUNTY COURTS PRAC-
TICE.—Your council have also received similar series of
queries upon the above subjects, the former of which
have been placed in the hands of individuals for reply,
and the latter has been referred to a special committee
to consider and report.
RUSSIAN COMPANY AND SOUND DUES.--These matters
have been occupying the attention of the special com-
mittee, and your council have the satisfaction of saying
they believe their endeavours for the abolition of the
Russian Company will be crowned with success.
SHORT SUPPLY OF PERUVIAN GUANO.—The special
committee appointed "to consider the present short
supply of Peruvian guano, and the best means of re-
medying it," have given much attention to the subject,
and on their recommendation the council appointed a
deputation to wait on the President of the Board of
Trade relative to it. As the result of that conference a
memorial to the Board of Trade has been prepared, and
has received the signatures of the presidents of the prin-
cipal Chambers of Commerce in the kingdom. It will
be forwarded shortly, and your council are led to believe
that her Majesty's Government will press the subject on
the Government of Peru.
VIOLATION OF ITREATIES BY THE PORTUGUESE Go-
VERNMENT.—This subject has been brought before the
council in relation to a particular case of hardship,
which your directors have suggested that the chamber
should take up on the broad ground as a question
seriously affecting the interests of all engaged in com-
merce with Portugal.
SURVEY CERTIFICATES.—The suggestions made by the
special committee to the Underwriters' Association as to
ships' survey certificates have been adopted by that
body; but an opinion has been expressed by several
members of the chamber that further improvement are
required, and the committee, therefore, continue to give
attention to the matter.
THE REDUCTION OF THE DUTY ON TEA.—The aboli-
tion of the Excise duty on soap and the modification of
the stamp duties are subjects which have been advocated
by your council, and which have been concluded in the
last year's budget.

EAST INDIA 603IPANT'S CHARTER.—A deputation from
your council waited on the President of the Board of
Control, in company with one from Manchester, to urge
upon Sir Charles Wood several points in regard to the
future government of India ; but it is a matter of regret
that very few of the suggestions received any attention.
"DECIMAL CURRENCY.—Your council still give atten-
tion to this question, and, at their instance, a town's
meeting was lately held on the subject, at which reso-
lutions were passed expressive of a strong opinion in fa-
vour of it. A petition to the House of Commons has
also been prepared, which is now in course of general
signature.

In closing this report, the council desire to state
that they continue to receive every assistance from the
rn, tubers for the borough and -the southern division of
tht, ooubt,7 ; and thof b:l,-;. to tender ti eie I).ist, thanks
fur the valuable services rendered to the chamber by
those gentlemen.
Mr. BOUCH moved the adoption of the report. Eie