The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-02-23 00:00:00

THE LFVERTVOL T

GALLANT CONDUCT.—On Thursday morning last, a
youth, named • George Shepherd, son of. Mr. William
Shepherd, of Mill-road, Everton, while stepping from on
board the Prince, Dublin steamer, where he had been at
work repairing the machinery, on to the Mersey, Birken-
head fer7-boat, which was lying alongside-of the Prince,
missed his footing and fell into the river between the two
vessels. It was• blowing fresh at the time, and a strong
flood tide running; buoys and ropes were immediately
thrown overboard from both vessels, but without avail, .
for such was the strength of the current that the poor
youth was being carried far beyond their reach, where he
must inevitably have perished, had it .not been for the
praiseworthy drying of a seaman, belonging to the Bir-
kenhead boat, named William Kane, wholeaped into the
river, taking with him a small line ; he succeeded in
reaching the youth just as he was about sinking, probably
never to rise again, and with great difficulty managed to
have the rope tied round the boy's middle, by means of
which the people in the steamer hauled hiin on board.
He was immediately conveyed to Willoughby's Hotel, at
Birkenhead, where every atention and kindness was shown
him, and he shortly recovered. We are given to under-
, stand that this is the tenth individual Kane has succeeded
in rescuing from a watery grave. Let us hope that his
conduct will not be overlooked by the Humane Society.
The Registrars of Births and Deaths in Liverpool have
presented to their superintendent, Mr. Eckersley, a hand-
' some gold pencil-case and pen, as a testimony of their
esteem for his personal character, and their admiration of
the manner in which he has for several years.discharged
the duties of his office.
SHIPWRECK.—DREADFUL SUFFERINGS OF A CREW.—
The brig Marwood, Charles Balberine, master, sailed from
Bonny on the 9th of September last, with a cargo of palm
oil, for Liverpool. The provisions fell short. On the
29th December a sea struck her, stove in the cabin dead-
lights, filled the cabin full of water, and destroyed the
charts, books, papers, and nautical instruments. All
hands were then employed at the pumps, as the ship was
making much water. They had no provisions, except a
gill of rice or farina per day. On the 13th. of January
the rudder was carried away, and the ship became ungo-
vernable. Land was seen, on the 20th, and the crew left
in the boat, but could not reach it, and they were obliged
to return to the ship. They cast anchor and cut away the
masts. The poor fellows were by this time starving.
They eat leather, palm oil, dried monkey skins, buttons,
pouches, or anything they could get. Some of them
drank salt water, some their urine, and when a heavy dew
or light rain fell, they licked about the rails and deck of
the ship until the blood oozed from their lips and tongue.
On the 22nd another man died from hunger. The crew
were unable to bury his corpse, they were so weak. It
lay about amongst them, and at last, by feeding upon it,
they obtained strength enough to save themselves. On
the morning of the 24th they got into the boat, ran
her into a narrow inlet, and found themselves close to a
fishing village. One or two of the crew who were able to
walk made towards the village, and found the inhabitants
at church. They immediately, however, came to the res-
cue of the poor fellows, treated them in the most humane
manner, and gave them what nourishment was necessary
in their weak state. The crew had landed on Videroe,
one of the Ferroe Islands belonging to Denmark, and the
inlet at which .they ran their boat ashore was the only
place of landing on the island. The governor of the
island took,the crew to the town of Throsound, and gave
them clothes and every necessary. A small Norwegian
ship was at Throsound, and the captain agteed to take
them to Shetland. They sailed again on the 4th instant,
but having encountered another gale of wind, they landed
at Wick on the 10th. The Marwood sunk at her moor-
ings, and the crew saved nothing but what was on their
backs.

INCREASE OP THE TIMBER TRADE- OF
LIVERPOOL, AND NECESSITY OP FURTHER:
ACCOMMODATION.

.
We lately,farnished some statements respecting the
increased timber trade of this port, and having now before-
us two annual circulars, from highly-respectable firms,.
(which, we doubt not, from their accordance, express the
general opinions,. as well as calculations, of their brethren
in the trade,) we revert to the subject, which is become
one of great importance. We are further induced to do
so, from having possessed ourselves of some other in-
teresting particulars relative to the docks appropriated to•
the reception of timber,—showing that, even with the
improved management, " the cry is still for room."
The circulars alluded to contain general observations on
the state of the timber trade, from the Ist February, 1846,
to Ist February, 1847, with valuable statistics,-into which,
last we can but slightly enter. The first we shall notice
is by Messrs. Chaloner and Fleming, who do no business-
on their own account. They state, "We have to record_
the largest amount of tonnage ever employed in one year,.
the total quantity arrived from British America and the-
North of Europe amounting to 598 vessels, 279,561 tons,
exceeding last year by 32 vessels, 5915 tons, and on an
average of the five years previous (including last year) by.
215 vessels, 91,908 tons. A large portion of the tonnage.
was occupied in carrying railroad sleepers, comparatively
a new feature, and one hkely, for at least several years,
to demand a large amount of tonnage for itself.* V Still
the supply of square fire timber is fully more than an
average.'
After relating some circumstances respecting. the trade,
(not here relevant), the writers state, at considerable
length, that the year's operations again forcibly call at-
tention to the want of accommodation for the trade, which
must ultimately, if not remedied, " end in an. emigration
from its present locality, or a serious diminution of its
extent." They add that the expenses are now great, and
that Mime prospects depend upon increased accommoda-
tion • and that if, "as in London and the Clyde, water space
for &sating square timber be provided, a large increase
may be looked for, with diminished expenses, and in-
creased satisfaction." They urge additional facilities for
transit, and cheaper local expenses,--the rents having
" largely increased, so that timber is now held at much
greater cost than formerly."
The remedy for the grievances stated,—and which are
not to be attributed to the Dock Committee, who have
done their best within the space they could appropriate
to this trade, but to the want of room in the present lo-
cality,—will, we believe, be ultimately found in its re-
moval to the north end of the town, leaving the presenf
timber docks for the increasing dry-good vessels frequent-
ing the port, and this is in contemplation north of the
docks now under construction, and with a floating space
to extend into Bootle Bay up to, or towards, the Land
Marks. This, or some other plan, ought to be set about
without delay.
It appears from the authority quoted, which gives the
imports of timber from British America and the Baltic
for the last twelve years, that the increase from those
quarters within the last three years, and especially the
last two, has been very great. We need but quote the
last four years, in illustration :=
British American. Baltic.
tonnage. tonnage.
1844 ...... 154,518
1845
1846
1847

_ .
The other circular referred to is that of Messrs. Dun-
can and Ewing, and they nearly agree with the foregoing.
They state that the consumption of timber over that of
the previous year was 428,000 feet, and that exclusive of
10,000 tons of railway sleepers ; the tonnage employed of
the past year amounts to 244,900 tons.
Great improvements, we believe, have recently takdn
place in the working of the present timber docks, and
great additional accommodation has been the consequence;
but all is not yet enough, though the want will not be felt
for several months, February being considered the close of
the season of general importation. The gross tonnage of
the whole trade for the past year, in the three docks ap-
propriated to it—the Queen's, the Brunswick, and the
Toxteth—was 278,720 tons. Of this no less than 184,304
tons of shipping were discharged on the east side of the
Brunswick Dock, or above three-fourths of the' whole ;
the ships were in number 330, and in average burthen 560
tons. If, as it may be assumed, the average number of
the vessels carried orie-fourth more than their registered
tonnage, there were landed from them on the east quay
only of that dock, 230,380 tons of timber. The new re-
gulations for this quay, suggested, we believe, and most
ably carried out by the superintendent, appear to be very
effective. The timber being well arranged in parallel
lines, and the spaces, or areas, (running eastward,) for its
temporary reception, for respective vessels, being distinctly
marked out—every ten yards,—and any infringements of
the rules are visited by penalties. The trade are favour-
able to these arrangements, and find advantage in them.
We are not provided with statistics, as yet, of the opera-
tions on the west side of the dock, but believe that the
business accomplished is proportionate, considering its
great disadvantage (being to the shore side) in regard to
cartage. The average tonnage of the largest vessels now
in the trade is about 800 tons each. The whole of the
ships employed are of about two-thirds the tonnage, of
all the ships belonging to the port, or, in other words,
" hailing' from Liverpool,—that is exclusive of Ameri-
can, and all other foreign vessels.
With these facts before us, we concur with the writers
of the first circular referred to, that in consequence of the
space for the deposit of timber becoming more contracted
every year in the locality now allotted for it, the subject
now demands the serious and prompt attention of the
authorities, whose duty it is to supply accommodation for
a trade of such magnitude." We cannot doubt but that
the Dock Committee will take the earliest possible means
to furnish the required accommodation, (which would be
a benefit to the public, as well as to the trade,) but some
31131Eitrfrt 41r109'. years will be required to complete sufficient dock room,
with a large floating space inland, for the vast quantity of
The Manchester and Salford fund for the relief of the timber imported into Liverpool, and which besides sup-
Irish and Scotch, has reached £lO,OOO. plying our own county finds its way, by canal, &c., even
It is the building known as the Conservative Hall, to Birmingham and to Yorkshire.
Newton, and not the Legh Arms, that is being fitted up
as a printing-office.

• THE BIRKENHEAD BALL—This ball, on Tuesday even-
ing, was very fully and fashionably attended at the Monks'
Ferry Hotel. A large temporary saloon was constructed
and annexed to the large room of the building, three of
the windows of the latter being removed. In the centre
window a sort of double orchestra was placed, so as to
serve both rooms. This was occupied by Mr. Gribbins,
and his excellent band. The walls of the saloon were
decorated with coloured draperies and evergreens, and
from the centre of the roof was suspended an enormous
chandelier, sustaining a circle of globular lamps, and a
blazing horizontal star of many rays. On the other side
of the corridor, and still on the same level, were the card
room and drawing room, in the latter of which Mrs.
Fielden and Mrs. Shaw received the company as they
arrived and were presented. Up to eleven o'clock the
rooms became gradually more and more crowded, till we
should think not less than five hundred ladies and gentle-
men were present—the latter predominating in number,
so that no gentleman was without a partner. We never
witnessed a ball in which enjoyment, and the highest
degree of a politesse, were more harmoniously united.
About eleven o'clock refreshments were announced, and
from that time parties repaired to the supper-room at
their convenience, where choice viands,.and the usual ac-
companiments, were supplied with a profusion and good
order scarcely to surpassed, and which did the highest
credit to Mr. and Mrs. Hilliar, whose reputation in such
matters is established. The tables were laid in the up-
stairs corridor, which, owing to its length, formed.a noble
room for the purpose. After one o'clock the company began
to depart. Amongst the company present we noticed—
Lieutenant Taylor, Rev. R. France, Rev. --,Brown,
Rev. Harcourt Vaughan, Rev. Dr. Hamilton, Rev. R.
M. Fielden and party, J. R. Shaw, Esq., and party, W.
Jackson, •Esq., Wm. Potter, Esq., Vim. Laird, Esq., and
party, Mr. and Mrs.. Cole, J. V. Harden, Esq., and
party, H. Wood, Esq., and party, Mr. and Miss Mallaby,
Mr. Dixon, surgeon, and party, John Lowe, Esq., and
lady, Dr. Vaughan, Mr. Steel, surgeon, Mr. Norton, sur-
geon, and lady, Mr. Foulkes, surgeon, Mr. Brine, Mr. J.
S. Porter, Mr. L. Hornblower, Mr. J. Kemp, Mr. N. M.
Raynes, Mr. Jackson, of Noctorum, and party, Mr. J,
Macauley, Mr. Robins, Mr. T. A. Bushby, and party, &c.

Mr. Thomas Bazley has been appointed president of the
Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Mr. L. Williams,
vice-president, and Mr. W. R. Callender, treasurer.
A few .days since, an auctioneer, of Chester, found a
hidden treasure of sixty sovereigns and thirty-eight shil-
lings in silver, in some household furniture which had
been intrusted to him for sale.

* These sleepers are of pine; and of much greater thickness
then those generally obtained in this country. A large quan-
tity of them are now on the Brunswick Dock Quay.

THE WATER INQUIRY.

A public meeting of merchants, manufacturers, and
other inhabitants, convened by the Mayor, in compliance
with a numerously-signed requisition, was held on Tues-
day, in Manchester, at which resolutions were adopted in
favour of a reduction of the duty on tea.
The collections, on Sunday week, at St. Ann's Church,
Manchester, after a sermon by the Rev. H. M'Grath, for
the Irish and Scotch amounted to £212, and at Christ
Church, Salford, after a sermon by the Rev. H. Stowell,
for the same objects to £2lO.

Two CHILDREN DROWNED.—On Sunday a little girl,
named Margaret Buckley, about eight years old, who was
carrying her infant brother across the bridge over Moston
Brook, missed her footing, and both fell into the water,
and were drowned.—Manchester Guardian.
" SHOP SNEARS."—On Friday evening last, the police-
man on duty in David-street observed a little boy named
Lowndes creep on his hands and knees, three times, into
the shop of Mr. Burley, furniture broker. Twice he re-
turned empty handed ; but the third time he brought out
a fiddle. He, together with another boy named Nolan,
who was with him at the time,•have been committed to
gaol. Manchester Guardian.

We found it impossible last week to report the close of
the proceedings on thi4 important investigation, the Com-
missioners having sat to an hour on Monday evening too
closely approaching to our time of publication to enable
us to do so. We now, therefore, briefly sum up the
sequel.
Mr. RAWLINSON put in a statement of particulars of
his proposed aqueduct (for the supply of the town) from
the River Dee ; a map of the district from which the water
was proposed to be derived : and an estimate of the cost.
The area to be drained by the Dee (or added to it), ac-
cording to this plan, was about 289 square miles, or
184,960 acres, above the commencement of the proposed
aqueduct. Another district was also to be drained into
the river, which would thus secure its minimum flow.
There were no engineering difficulties of moment. The
length of aqueduct was 64 miles. The total cost, accord-
ing to the estimate, was £594,870. The plan would
supply sixty millions of gallons per day, continuously,—
the river being kept up by compensating reservoirs.
A long conversation ensued relative to alterations in
Mr. Rawlinson's plan, and the difficulty and cost of
crossing two valleys.

HOOTON.—Owing to the heavy fall of snow and severe
frost, the ploughing matches of John Stanley, Esq., at
Lowfields, Hooton, have been postponed Until this day.
Twenty-three teams are entered to compete for the sum
of £l4, in prizes from 10s. to £3, generously given by
Sir William Massey Stanley, as an encouragement to the
aitdo ploughmentahbea:
immediate
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During d Ph.
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gh Ut ltvitewrowsontemot nsnat n a
A NOVRI. MarotuhsE_e cToeßAtes
all sorts of tricks them for sale.
thew cockles.
its shell
hole,the
Mousey played greater part of mhtlehuasenliNg.kgletotdt,
consequence of th
At last one
mouse's tail. The latter instantly
izreodeooseffq
but failed in effecting its escape
cockle's size. The screams of the captive awoke the old
lady, who. finding out whence they arose, made a blow at
the offender which cut off its tail, leaving three inches in
the cockle's grasp.
MR. BARON ALDERSON.—In delivering the charge to
the grand
sgranidn,cl,,jusryix
nant
dL:hinzacastyeera,rlas satgwo eheekb, Megar. BntahroonnoAlrthdeemr-
circuit, and there he was again. He owed much to the
county, and would never forget it. When he first came,
it was no uncommon thing for as many persons to be
called on to suffer death at these assizes as the present ca-
lendar now contained. He expressed his approval of the
separate system, and said some objected to it as calculated
to make the prisoner mad ; but he asked, was not crime
itself a species of madness."
BIGAMY.—At the Lancaster assizes last week, Mary
Robinson was charged with having married James Claugh-
ton on the 12th October last, Thomas Parkinson, a former
husband, being still alive. The first husband, it was
proved; died three weeks after the prisoner was committed
on his charge. His lordship said the prisoner must be
found guilty, and remarried to her present husband. Pri-
soner's counsel intimated the readiness of Claughton to
take her back, on which his lordship said, " Then he
shall have her.!" ordered her to be fined a shilling, and
discharged ; accompanying this reward with a recom-
mendation to the prisoner to get married again, as the
present marriage with Claughton was illegal.
THE QUEEN'S THEAiRE, MANCHESTER.—SALE OF
Ma. SLOANE'S LICENSE.—On Thursday, the sale by
auction of Mr. Sloan's license to enact stage plays at this
theatre, and some properties in the theatre, were put up
by auction, by order of the assignees, Mr. S. being a
bankrupt. The attendance of parties interested in theatres
was large. The license, and property (in the cellars only)
were finally knocked down to Mr. John Knowlest pro-
prietor of the Theatre-Royal, for £lOO. The position of
things, the result of the license being purchased by Mr.
Knowles, is this :—The assignees are at the present time
in possession ; the proprietors, therefore, cannot put
in a tenant, until the bankrupt, by his assignees, gives up
possession, and if Mr. Sloan (who, we understand, has
got an engagement as an actor in London, and is leaving
Manchester immediately) does not voluntarily give up
possession, there remains only the slow process of a writ
of ejectment. On the other hand, no tenant, nor even
the proprietors (if they get possession and tare the theatre
into their own hands), can enact stage-plays therein,
during a period of more than eight months ; for, until the
Ist November next, Mr. Knowles holds the license. The
proprietors of the theatre and the assignee of Sloane are
at issue, as to the property of the scenery, &c. ; and it
depends upon the former whether the theatre is to remain
closed for the eight months, or be re-opened under the
license.

Mr. lIAWICESLEY estimated the total cost at £BOO,OOO.
Mr. PAGE asked the Town-clerk for Mr. Gossage's
plan and sections.
Mr. SHUTTLEWORTH said they had all been returned
to that gentleman at his own request.
The TOWN-CLERK then briefly addressed the court,
and the inquiry terminated.