The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-03-30 00:00:00

THE MERSEY CONSERVANCY,

A public meeting, convened by the Mayor of Manchester, in con-
sequence of a requisition presented to him, signed by 176 firms and
individuals, was held at the Town-hall, Manchester, yesterday, for
the purpose of taking into consideration the several bills affecting
the navigation from Liverpool to Manchester, brought into parlia
ment this session; which bills involve the right of exacting dock
and town dues on vessels passing the town of Liverpool, and other
matters deeply affecting the lamest of the borough; and also for
the purpose of authorizing such measures as may be deemed expe-
dient in relation thereto.
The movers and seconders of the resolutions were Messrs. James
Consterdine, David Ainsworth, John M'Viccar, Joseph Owen, Wm-
Gibb, Alderman Cobden, J. C. Dyer, Joshua Radford, Wm. Entwis.
tie, James Atherton, Thomas Hopkins, and T. 0. Lingard. The
resolutions passed were to the effect that the navigation of the
tidal water of the Mersey being a public right, the exaction of dock
and town dues on vessels and their cargoes which merely pass the
docks of Liverpool appear unreasonable and ought to be opposed ;
and, that as the conservancy of the Mersey belongs to the crown,
such power cannot with justice be granted to Liverpool, but as the
navigation between Liverpool and Manchester may be improved so
as to allow produce from Ireland and other places to be brought to
Manchester without transhipment, the co-operation of the shippers
of the produce in Ireland may be safely anticipated.
Resolutions were passed authorising the Town Council to watch
the progress of the several bills referred to, and appointing a com-
mittee of thirty-three gentlemen to co-operate with them in any
measures they might deem it necessary to take.

Swallows made their appearance at Knaresborough on
Sunday last ; an infallible sign of an early spring and fine
weather.—Leeds paper.
THE Tilamas TUNNuL.—The great difficulties which have
impeded the completion of this undertaking may be said now
to have been overcome. The work has been completed under
the river, and the shield, avant courier of the structure, is
now below the company's wharf on the Middlesex side. The
operations at Wapping for completing the shaft, by which
foot passengers will descend, are in full activity. 30 feet of
this shaft have already been completed, leaving about 40
more to be accomplished. The natural ground whieh has
been already touched is favourable for the gradual and safe
descent of this enormous mass of brickwork. The engineer
has in some respects varied the scale upon which the shaft is
constructed as compared with that which was sunk years ago
at Rotherhite, by constructing it larger at bottom that it will
be at its summit. Immediately the shaft has been sunk to
its required depth, the shield will be advanced from its pre-
sent position, having traversed 33 feet 6 inches. The com-
munication throughout the entire length of the tunnel will
be then thrown open.. The run of water from land springs
into the tunnel at present is from 400 to 500 gallons per mi-
nute. When, however, the communication has been thrown
open between the whole line this influx will cease. The en-
gine, with less than half its power, throws off the water
arising from land-springs, and the visitors' archway up to
the shield is perfectly dry. It is expected that the ceremony
of opening the Tunnel will take place about the end of next
summer. We hear that her Majesty is about to confer the
honour of knighthood upon Mr. Brunel. The shield pre-
sents a very novel appearance, as now lighted up—viz., that
of a Gothic window.—Times.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT NEW MILLS.—On Tuesday fore-
noon, a fire broke out in a blowing room, at the cotton mill
of Messrs. James and Joseph Stafford, situate in the Gnat
Hole, New Mills : it originated in consequence of some hard
substanee coming in contact with the beater of a blower, in
one of the lower rooms. The manufacturing carried on in
the premises was of a coarse description, being chiefly card-
ing and spinning of candle-wick and banding. More than
£lOOO. worth of cotton waste, which was the only material
worked, was on the premises at the time, which, being of a
loose and inflammable nature, burned with such fierceness,
that the whole building was one heap of ruins, in about an
hour after the fire commenced ; though the greatest efforts
were made by the workpeople and neighbours, to arrest the
progress of the' flames. Unfortunately, the town of New
Mills does not possess a single fire-engine ; the nearest being
one being one belonging to Messrs. Andrewand Co. of Com-
stall Bridge. A person rode off for this at soon as the fire
fire was discovered ; but, the distance being five miles, a
considerable time had elapsed before it could be brought to
the spot, and the building was in ruins before it arrived.
Nevertheless it was of service in preventing the flames from
spreading to a larger and more valuable mill adjoining, be •
longing to Mr. Barnes, in which a considerable number of
hands are employed. The building destroyed was between
thirty and forty yards long, about ten yards wide, and four
stories high. It was the property of Mr. Barnes, and was
fully insured. The machinery and stock which it contained
were the property of Messrs. Stafford, and we understand
were not insured. At the time the fire broke out, Mr. Jas.
Stafford was in the mill, and had pulled off his coat and hung
it up in an upper room, he having bank notes to the amount
of £2OO in one of the pockets, which were saved with the
utmost difficulty. We have not been able to ascertain the
whole amount of damage sustained; but no doubt it will be
considerable.--Matechater Guardian.

CORRESPONDENCE

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD

Srn,—ln your last Friday's publication I called your at-
tention to a letter from an anonymous correspondent of the
Courier, who took the liberty of addressing his farrago to
the Rev. James Hassell, and after insinuating, in a most
improper and impertinent manner, that the rev. gentleman
did not attend to the spiritual wants of his parishioners, and
indulging in certain inaccuracies concerning the District Pro-
vident Society's visitors, thought fit to append, as a signa-
ture to his production, " Au Old Dispensary Surgeon," and,
moreover, affirmed that he resided in the Park. I stated last
week, in the STANDARD, I had every reason to believe that
I was the only Old (?) Dispensary Surgeon resident in the
Park ; and as I had no inclination to have the mischievous
nonsense saddled upon me, I requested the person to sign his
proper name in future. This he has not thought fit to do,
for I find in last Wednesday's Courier the following as a no-
tice to correspondents :—" We must decline the second let-
ter of An Old Dispensary Surgeon.' The portions which
are unobjectionable in point of taste, convey little more than
a repetition of former assertions. In reference to Mr. Har-
bord's disclaimer, as ' an old Dispensary surgeon,' of the
authorship of the previous letter, the writer explains, that
Mr. Harbord is not the only old Dispensary surgeon in
Toxteth-park there is another in the same street with him-
self.' We are not competent to decide the point ; but in the
absence of an avowal from Mr. Hassall's correspondent of
his real name, this may suffice with Mr. Harbord to exone-
rate him from the imputation which he is apprehensive at-
taches to him in the matter."—l waited upon the editor of
the Courier on the Tuesday, who politely informed he could
not give me the writer's name, and added that he had re-
ceived another letter from him, the greater part of which was
not fit to be published. As I still have every reason to be-
lieve that I am the " old Dispensary surgeon" resident in
the Park, I, in justice both to the Rev. James Hassall and
myself, call upon the Courier's correspondent to avow his
real name. Apologizing for trespassing so long, I remain,
&c., H. G. HARBORD.
122, Mill-street.

THE ELECTION OF POOR-LAW GUARDIANS

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD,

SIR,-It is a trite observation, that " discretion is the
better part of valour" ; and our radical friends cannot be
too highly praised for not daring to measure swords with the
loyalists of this parish in the appointment of poor-law guar-
dians. These liberals, who have introduced the pauper-
starving poor-law bill, have been justly punished for their
inhumanity, and now remain unrepresented in a board which
they had hoped to have packed with adherents. Alas for the
cads of the Reform Association ! They no longer dream of
filling the places of the tried and faithful servants of the
parish, who were to have been turned off to accommodate
these disinterested gentlemen ! They may now return to
their ditty avocations, and " with what appetite they may."
It was both amusing and instructive to observe the airs of
the purity party prior to their late doleful defeat. Believing
that the battle was already over, they were to be seen walk-
ing in and round the Parish-offices, as if only delaying the
annihilation of the old vestrymen ; whilst the jacks of the
corner house in Clayton-square were measuring out the
groUnd in the Parish-office which they intended to occupy.
" Sic transit gloria mundi." The lesson was not less in-
structive, for it proved to demonstratinn the animus which
still actuates these brawlers about liberality, who pant to
reduce the parish to the same exclusive model as they were
enabled, by the temporary insanity of the townsfolk, to
mould the council. They may rest assured that that day
has gone by.
It is positively refreshing to behold the stern and uncom-
promising determination of the loyal and patriotic conserva-
tives during the late struggle, and to know that whilst, un-
like their canting opponents,they liberally offered to allow a
greater number of representatives to the radicals than they
were ever able to get by the voice of the people, yet still that
they knew their greatness, and did not fail, upon the refusal
of their offers, to shew their enemies that they could use the
power with which they were armed. Let us hope that this
conduct will be followed up in office, and that those who
lend themselves to the enemies of the constitution and the
local interests of the town may either be checked or dis-
carded. If it is true that their appointments of officers are
for life, I would have them take a care that they place no
viper in their bosom. The people have sacrificed all personal
considerations to place them in power, and they now call
upon their officers to follow out their wishes. I.` No sur-
render" is the motto, and let our guardians now look to it.
To the poor it is a blessing that " good men and true" are
in office. The snarling, cheese-paring radical economist,
who skins the eel for its skin, would have carried out the
provisions of the bill in all its cursed extent and deformity.
Not so, ye British poor, with respect to your present guar-
dians. They will soften the rigours of the law to the utmost
extent, and will beard the Somerset-house triumvirate in
their very den.

As a hirer of my country, and an affectionate admirer of
the humbler class of my countrymen, I feel rejoiced at the
humiliation of our whig tyrants, and hope their downfal will
be the precursor of still more interesting objects with re-
gard to the poor-starving, wife-separating whig bastiles.
I am, sir, yours, &c., R. G. J.
Liverpool, March 261 h, 1841.
P.S.—I imagine a certain knight may now be dubbed the
" knight of the rueful visage." Poor fellow !

EGGLESTON'S TOOTII PASTE.—We perceive Mr. Priestly has ac
cepted an agency for this excellent remedy for the toothache.

MARCUS'S CIGAR SHOP.—The Atheneum snuff box is becoming
a most fashionable resort, all the connoisseurs in fine cigars, and
those who know what snuff really is, may be seen making daily
purchases at the Parker-street corner.

PROFILES.—We have been shown some profiles within
the last few days executed by Mr. Neville, the artist. They
are very cleverly done, and are the best likenesses of the
parties we ever saw. Mr. Neville had the honour of :` taking
off" her Majesty the Queen and the Duchess of Kent , a few
years ago, being, we believe, the only artist who has bad the
same opportunity.
On Sabbath last, the 28th ult., at St. Andrew's Scotch
Church, Rodney-street, a most appropriate awl affecting
sermon was preached in aid of the Liverpool Dispensaries,
by the Rev. John Park, minister of the church, when the
sum collected in aid of the above institutions amounted to
upwards of £4O.

LIVER THEATRE.—MR. RAYMOND'S BENEFIT.—Fri-
day night, we see, will be the last of the season, when
Mr. Raymond will have his benefit. He has apparently
determined to take the town by storm, for we perceive
be intends producing three new pieces, and has engaged the
Rock Harmonicon to fill up the pauses in the amusements
of the evening. We trust that his many friends will gather
round him in full force. A parting address will be spoken,
doubtless full of point and to the purpose. Mr. Raymond's
anxiety to produce novelty deserves the warmest support.

Ma. WILLOUGHBY WRISS.—We perceive that our young
townsman, Mr. Weiss, has been singing at the Melodists'
Club, in London. The Sunday Times says, " Mr. Weiss,
a young and very promising singer, po,sessing a fine bass
voice, sang a song of Mozart's, and Balfe's ' I would be a
soldier still,' with very great effect."
DEAF AND DUMB.—The power of affording relief to the
deaf and dumb has hitherto been considered impossible.
The case of Captain Macgeisson, 28, Pownall-street, deaf
and dumb, is well deserving attention, as chewing the im-
portance of warm vapour, and the benefit to be derived from
it. This little fellow can already hear in a wonderful man-
ner, and can speak many words. Many severe cases of
nervous deafness have been cured within the last week by
Mr. Cronin. whose advertisement in this day's paper we feel
pleasure in referring to.
Miss Stott's concert, on Friday evening, attracted a nu-
merous and fashionable company. The bill of fare was of
ample extent, and gave abundant opportunity to the several
aitistes to display their powers and gratify their hearers.
Mr. Holden presided at the piano-forte with his usual spirit
and acknowledged talent, and the company gave frequent in-
dications in the course of the evening, that they were highly
pleased with the exertions made for their entertainment.
The duet in the first part, " I know a bank," by Miss Leach
and Miss Stott, was extremely well sung. "A dream of the
past," by Miss Stott, was given with much expression.
Pacini's " Il soave a bel contento," by Miss Leach, finely
displayed this lady's powerful voice and facile execution.
Bishop's glee and chorus, " Merry boys, away," concluded
the first part, and was executed with much spirit. Of the
remaining performances, we have only room to say that they
were exceedingly effective.

MUNICIPAL REGISTRATION.—WC have received a copy
of a bill brought into parliament by Mr. Baines and Mr.
Brotherton, " for the better enrolment of burgesses of bo-
roughs, divided into wards in England and Wales, and for
altering the times for certain elections in such boroughs."
We have not time now to enter into any detail as to the
provisions of the measure, but its principal features are the
following. Separate alphabetical lists are to be made out by
the overseers of the poor for each ward, of all persons who
shall be entitled to be enrolled in the burgess roll of any
ward. Any claims to be rated to the relief of the poor, and
all tenders of money in payment of any poor or borough
rate are not valid, unless made in writing, and signed by the
party making the same. The notices of objection are directed
to be sent to the person objected to by the post only, and at
the time of leaving such notices with the town-clerk, the
objector is to deposit the sum of two shillings and sixpence
with each, if the name of the person objected to was on the
burgess roll of the same ward, in the then preceding year
only, but if otherwise, the sum of five shillings for each of
such objections, and the objector is required to state in his
notice that he has made the requisite deposit ; and that the
person objected to may, in case suck objection is withdrawn
or disallowed, receive the amount on application to the town-
clerk ; and if this be incorrectly done, the objection is to be
disallowed, without any evidence of the qualification of the
person obected to. The objector's deposits are to be
returned to him, if the objections be substantiated, but if
they withdrawn or disallowed, they are to be paid to the
party objected to. The court for revising the burgess,iist,
is empowered to sit from the 15th day of October to the 15th
day of November ; and wherever an objection is made to a
person enrolled in the same ward the 'preceding year, the
burthen of proof lies on the objector, and the former is not
required to substantiate his claim unless a pima facie case
be made out against him. Any burgess entitled to vote in
two or more wards may be enrolled, and vote in such ward
as he may select by writing, delivered to the town-clerk, on
or before the 15th of October, and in default of such selec-
tion, the mayor and revising assessors determine the ward
for him. The time for completing the burgess roll is ex-
tended to the first day of December, and a third of the
councillors are to go out of office, and their successors to be
appointed on the 15th of December. We regret that we
are only able to give such a hasty and imperfect sketch of
this important bill; but during the present period our space
is extremely limited, and the demands upon our time urgent
and unceasing.