The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-03-26 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL MECHANICS' INSTITUTION.
WANTED, an eligible PERSON, to fill the Office of
SECRETARY to the -MECHANICS' INSTITU-
TION. As every department in the Establishment will be
placed under his especial care, he will be required to devote
the whole of his time to the discharge of the duties of his
situation. The hours of attendance are from eight o'clock
in the morning until nine o'clock in the evening. Salary,
£4OO per Annum.

Applications, accompanied by unexceptionable testimonials
as to character, attainments, and abilities, must be sent in
before Wednesday, Ist Moy next, to
JOHN S. RADCLIFF, Secretary.
Mechanics' Institution, 19th March, 1839.

IMPORTANT TO JOINT STOCK BANK DIRECTORS AND
SHAREHOLDERS.--:-It will be in the recollection of many of
our readers, that, immediately preceding the expose which
took place of the affairs of the Northern and Central Bank in
1836, nearly all of its directors had been sellers of shares at
very enormous premiums, and that many of such shares had
been appropriated amongst the managing body at par, when
the price in the market was considerably above it, whilst for
others.a small premium was paid. When the affairs of this
concern became better understood. it appeared that most of
the shares referred to as having been so sold, were disposed
of with a knowledge of the then disastrons state of the affairs
of the bank, though the sellers' brokers" represented it as in
the most prosperous condition. A sort time since a share-
holder, who had purchased twenty-five shares from a brAer,
but which were afterwards ascertained to belong to Mr. John
Fernely, a director, was induced to appeal to the Vice-Chan-
cellor, on the ground that fraud had been used in the sale of
-the shares in question. The appeal was successful, and Mr.
Fernely has been obliged to return the money, with interest,
which the shareholder had paid, thus placing Mr. F. in his
original position. During the week, other "patties similarly
situated have applied to the same director, who at once paid
their demands, and who will have, it is said, to refund about
£14,000 to the numerous parties having claims of the like
kind. As all the directors of this bank sold shares in a simi-
lar way, with the exception of one or two of them, the decision
of the Vice-Chancellor will, of course, affect all such sales
and transfers, as in Mr. Fernely's case, so that a most ex-
tensive disgorging will be the result, and, it is probable, with-
out recourse to law proceedings. There are, hoWever, some
of the purchasers who will not be so fortunate as those who
bought the shares referred to, inasmuch as the pecuniary situ-
ation in which some of the directors are now unfortunately
placed will render a re-payment impossible. These proceed-
ings will, or ought to be a lesson to all other directors, that
they will not be allowed with impunity to take advantages
which their superior knowledge may afford to implicate inno-
cent parties in transactions to their loss, or perhapS their ruin.
The shares are now worth £3 ss. to £3 7s. 6d.
STEAM COMMUNICATION Tb AMERICA BY HER .MAJES-
TY'S MAILS.—We formerly announced the contract entered
into for conveying her Majesty's mail to America, and since,
we have been informed, the liberal and enterprising contrac-
tor has far exceeded his engagement with Government. The
ships, as finally determined on, are to be upwards of 1200
tons.register propelled by engines of 430 horse power, all of
the most substantial and approved. construction, combining
speed, safety, and'easy sea-going qualities. The work--is al-
ready commenced, and there is now no doubt of their being
ready to start for Boston and Halifax on the first of April,
1840. There will be splendid accommodations for about 70
cabin passengers, with room for carrying a limited quantity
of goods. A most important advantage gained in the route
by Halifax arises from the ships not requiring.to carry more
coals than absolutely necessary to serve the engines to that
port, where coals of first-rate quality, and in abundance, can
at all times be had from the General Mining Association's
establishment there, who, by the way, are erroneously stated
by the Falmouth papers to be the contractors. It is not
that company who are the contractors, but an individual
intimately connected with them. Passengers to Canada
and New Brunswick, immediately on the arrival of the
steam ship at Halifax, will be conveyed by coaches fo Pictou
and Windsor ; from Pictou other steam-vessels will be ready
to start for Miramichi and Quebec, and from Windsor to St.
Johns, St. Andrews, &c., thus affording passengers to our
American colonies an opportunity of arriving at their re-
spective destinations in the shortest possible time, while
those for the States, on their arrival at Boston, will be able
to reach any place in the Union by the various canals, rail-
ways, &c. from thence. A further important advantage in
the plan arises from the communication from Pictou and
Windsor being weekly, thus giving .passengers, either going
from, this country, or coining from Canada, New Brunswick,
or the United States, an opportunity of spending a week in
Nova Scotia, and then proceeding. Upon the whole; we
consider the undertaking the most valuable that could have
been entered into for the colonies, giving a quick, regular,
and secure opportunity both for the Government despatches,
•ponycyance of troops, and mercantile correspondence.—
(.024;q0w Courier) We understand that Messrs. Anderson,
Garrow, and Co. have been appointed the agents, at this
port, for the above line of steam-ships. The contractor is,
it is said,. to receive £53;000 per annum for carrying the
mail to Halifax.—Ed. Albion:" • -

The character of a people may fairly be judged of by their
public amusements ; and in this point of view, while we. re-
joice to see boxing matches and prize fights nearly at an end,
it may Pe ctoubteu whethe-- - . _
is not of an equally hearts— r.
t- he no_vc. 14-tence has of late years
—og to be so great, especially when
mixed with earth, that a large farmer near Helston has been
offered £2 ss. per hundred sheaves for all the reed he can
spare between this time and harvest for litter.—Devonport
Telegraph. tuti:
THE MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF A CLERGYMAN.
—Some weeks since accounts appeared in most of the metro-
politan and provincial journals, of the disappearance of the
Rev. David Jenks, under the most painful and mysterious
circumstances. Mr. Jenks had not been able to meet some
pressing pecuniary demands in the month of January, and a
distress having been issued, he came to London with a view,
as he said, of consulting his solicitor. He did not, however,
call on that gentleman ; and from that time, until within-the
last few days, no traces of him could be discovered. It was
the general belief of his parishioners and friends? 'that he had
destroyed himself. We are happy, however, in being able to
state that an arrangement having been made with his cre-
ditors, the reverend gentleman returned on Thursday last to
his home, the rectory of Little Gaddesden, in Hertfordshire,
after an absence of upwards of six weeks. On his arrival he
was welcomed in a most cordial manner by the poorer inha-
bitants of the parish, to whom he has always been a 'warm
and zealous friend, ever active in promoting their welfare.
On Sunday afternoon he read prayers in the church to a large
and attentive congregation. Mr. Jenks is rector of Little
Gaddesden, in Hertfordshire, a rural dean of the district,
vicar of the parish bf Aldbury, in Buckinghamshire, and the
principal domestic chaplain of the Countess of Bridgewater,
of Ashridge.—Standard.
DROWNING A MAN TO SAVE HIS LIFE FROM FIRE!—
At the late fire at Woolwich a man persisted in standing on
a parapet wall to view the conflagration. The imminent
danger to which he was exposed was repeatedly urged 'iipon
him by the naval and military officers present who were en-
deavouring to subdue the devouring element ; but the fellow
was utterly regardless of all admonition. At last one, of the
officers directed the men at an engine to turn the hose upon
him, and by a powerful jet of water he was soaked in au in-
stant, and turning round to abuse the people.his mouth was
supplied with the liquid, and, though standing in " mid air,"
he was nearly drowned. He had scarcely arrived on terra
firma when the whole gave way, and he declared that he would
sooner have been roasted to death than so deluged with. wa-
ter, as it so struck him with a death chill, and nearly. suffo-
cated him by taking his breath away from the hyrfrizulic
pressure,
NEWCASTLE AND CARLISLE RAILWAY.—A verytittirT-
rous and highly-respectable meeting of the proprietors of
this stupendous undertaking was heldin the Asseratistßooms,
in this town, on Tuesday last, when a most,,s4aketory
report from the directors was read, detailirwOrempro-
gress of the works, and the general success and "'tit* pros-
pects of the company. It appears by the rePortAllit some
delay had arisen in the formation of that portionnf
way from Blaydon to Newcastle, in consequener-artun-
expected difficulties having been presented with -Oference
to the lands required to be passed through, but plaose
difficulties having been removed, there now appearis no
doubt of the completion of this important part Of . the
work before the autumn of the present year. This portion
of the line, which consists of a double railway, is'- dery
straight, and presents an easy apprdach to the townrond
will afford a very excellent road for locomotive power; ,and
when opened out, the accommodation to the town, the mar-
kets, and the public, will be most important.- When this
part is completed, as well as those portions now:in course of
being doubled, the whole line will consist of the• following
double and single sections, viz. from Redheugh to Blaydon,
and fom Newcastle to the same place, and forward to Stocks-
field, double way seventeen miles—.--from Hexham to Halt-
whistle, double way seventeeOniles--froin Milton to, the Car-
lisle basin, twelve miles, also double way, from Stocksfieldto
Hexham eight miles of single way, and from HaltsVhistle to
Milton twelve miles, also of single way—the•aggregate being
forty-six miles double, and twenty miles of single railway.
Three new engines—the Victoria, Wellington, and Nelson--
for the use of the quick trains, were brought on the road last
summer; two others—the Northumberland and Cumberland—
have been added to the establishment since then, and 'the Dur- •
ham is nearly ready for delivery. The number in use willthen
-consist of eighteen engines. The works of the railway have
stood the winter remarkably well, and ncr .doubt whatever
can now be entertained of their stability and permanency.
The traffic on the line has increased beyond all expectation
since the general opening—in most of the iteiti4-above 50 per
cent:, In consequence of this a considerable revenue/ had
?accrued to the company beyond the expenditure,t-and tilt di-
rectors were enabled thereby to recommend to the meeting
to sanction the payment of the debentures, which had for-
merly been given for interest, and of a dividend of £4 per
share, which was agreed to. This is a more flattering ac-
count than was anticipated, and gave great satisfaction to the
meeting. From the numerous railways now in active pro-
gress to join the Newcastle and Carlisle railway, there seems
no doubt but the revenue will soon be doubled.-1.1
Journal.
REGISTRATION OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTORS.—A. bill
is now before the House of Commons which, if carried into
a law, will materially alter the system of registration' laid
down by the reform act of 1832. 'By this bill it is proposed
to repeal so much of that act as relates to the formation of
the annual register, and to originate the proceedings of coun-
ties, &c., with the Clerk of the Peace, who, having in the
,
first place caused a number of the necessary forms to be
printed, 'is to issue a warrant to the High 'Cons-With there-
with. The High Constable is then to direct airairant tb the
Overseers, and to deliver to each the requisite numbbr of
forms for his township. The Overseers have to make out a
list of claimants only, and to mark opposite the names on it,
and on the copy of the register furnished to them by the
Clerk of the Peace, the words " objected" or " dead" where
required. The registration shilling is to be dispensed with,
and the payment of it abolished: With the notice of ob-
jection are to be given the ground of objections ;Rand the
Barristers are to have the power to award costs in-eases of
vexatious objections. Voters living out of the country, &c.,
in which is their qualification, may vote in-the district where
they reside, if they have made application to the Revising
Barrister for obtaining the privilege of so doing. • Alterations
are also to be made in city and borough registrations. The
times for attending to the different steps or course of these
proceedings vary a little from the periods laid: down ,by the
reform act, but as the act now in progress, if it palettle le-
gislature, is not to crznie into force until January M§. time
is allowed for communicating and receiving instrubtibick for
the new and future operations. This is the fourth Oe fifth
session in which the bill has been brought forward. I,t