The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-11 00:00:00

FATAL SHIPWRECK.

On Monday last the Austrian barque Tyrol went
aground on Little Burbo bank, a short distance
from the Cheshire coast, and became a complete
wreak, all the hands, together:with a Liverpool
pilot, having perished. The vessel had come from
Sulina with wheat, &c., bound for Liverpool. The
vessel was first observed about half-past two in the
afternoon. At that time there was a moderately
stiff breeee, and it was thought that as the tide
flowed the ship would float off. This supposition,
however, turned out to be fallacious. The wind
increased with the tide, and the sea made a com-
. plete breach over the ship, thus rendering her
positions one of imminent danger. When first
seen it was ascertained that she bore the flag
indicating there was a pilot on board. Shortly,
before dusk signals of distress were observed by per-
sons on the shore, and intelligence was immediately
conveyed to the Magazine's Lifeboat Station, with
a view that assistance might be afforded to those
onboard the ship. It is stated that on the message
being communicated to the keeper of the lifeboat
he stated that his boat, not being seaworthy, could
not be put to sea, but that if he could have the
loan of the Liverpool boat he and his grew would
go to the relief of the wrecked ship; that the ap-
plication for the Liverpool boat was not complied
with, and that under these circumstances, the
Magazine's boat being unfit for service, no attempt
was made to rescue the unfortunate crew. During
this time the wind increased in violence, and the
tide was flowing rapidly. As wave after wave
rolled furiously over the vessel the hull became less
visible, and when last observed, which was just
before dark, the crew had sought shelter in the
rigging some guns were fired and blue lights ex-
hibited, in order to indicate the position of the
vessel, and that she was in distress ; but, from the
causes previously referred to, no assistance reached
the unfortunate sufferers. During the night a
heavy sea prevailed, but hopes were still entertained
that the crew might hold out until morning, when
an attempt would be made to relieve them. These
faint anticipations were, however, not realised. The
conduct of the crews of the two lifeboats mentioned
has been made the subject of investigation by the
Dock Committee, who have acquitted them of
blame. It appears that both the lifeboats in ques-
tion were towed out by a steamer, which unfor-
tunately sprang a leak, and had to abandon them.
The lifeboats remained about:the wreck till aft©r
dark ; but the crews were unable to board the bark,
in consequence of the peculiar position in which she
was lying.

THE ANNUI2'Y TAX IN SCOTIA

•
The Legal Defence, Committee, recently pa pin
• ted
at a meeting in Qu ,een-street Rooms, Edinburgh,
met on Wednesday night to hear a report of the
state of the action at the instance of the established
clergy of the city against James Brydone, publis her,
for rs of the rate. M. A. Young occupied the
chaiarrea r. He stated that the condescendence ordered
by the sheriff on the 11th September, to be produced
within six days had. been lodged by the clergy ie
agent only on the 3d. inst. It merely contained
certain pleas alleging that the exceptions taken by
the defender on the above date to the legal comps"
tency of the collector to prosecute were of no force.
A copy of the answers to the condescendence, Pre-
pared by the defender's agent, was then read.
After a minute and caxeful statement of the various
laws which affect the collection of the rate, the
paper urges and reiterates the pleas alreadl
taken, and, in addition, shows that, While
appointment of two sworn men for every Pal's.
to assess, levy, and perform other functions, 15
indispensable by the statutes, and had never beens
abrogated by any legal authority, these surveyors
or stentmasters have not been appointed sincelP,.
In consequence of this defect, it is maintained thet!
every assessment that has been laid on since Whi
sunday, 1855, including the assessment for the prf;
sent year, is an illegal assessment, and cannot ."
by any legal process recovered. Another plea !0,
that whereas certain duties ere imposed by statul tn
e_
and confirmed by long-continued usage, on
Lord Provost, magistrates, and town council,
thatthe
se
have not been performed for many years, and
..e
consequently the assessments for these years
and are illegal. The committee expressed uneuiri
mously their great satisfaction with the manner
u.
which these defences had bees drawn, and ex-Cehat
eillor Tod, seconded by Mr. Raeburn,
mored t t.
this feeling should be communicated to the sige.e__
Mr. Ross said that this case was of the greatestia!,_l
portance to the community. In all probabilityarl..
would lead to the complete sweeping 06'11,0ljg
rears, save the inhabitants the
year's impost, and greatly facilitate the legislativor
settlement of the question during next sessit)nhole
Parliament. It was a question in which the W
body of the ratepayers were interested, as no silted
mons could be raised and no means could be adOfPthe
to compl payment during the continuance and
action. It was therefore a citizen's question,
_it_
they should be invited to join heartily proe.ef;..
ing the case through the courts of law, an vase of
Payment o'.
cessary, to be prepared to carry it to the n°"-. small
Lords by way of appeal. He moved that a tion
committee be appointed to invite the CO-0P
d that
land pecuniary assistance of the public, an pub-
advertisements to that effect be inserted
lie prints. The motion was seconded by Mr. aan.
bell, and was unanimously approyed.--Seoton