The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-12-18 00:00:00

LOCAL NEWS

' MEETING OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE.—The weekly meet-
ing of the members of the Dock Committee was held yester-
day at their office in Revenue-buildings. In the absence of
the chairman (Mr. Leathom) Mr. Benn, the deputy-chair-
man, presided. The accounts of the week were read, and
ordered to be paid. On the recommendation of the Sub-
committee of Works, it was resolved that a beacon be erected
on the site of Grange Mill, in Cheshire. The estimated cost
of the erection is £l3O. The North Harbour Master re-
ported, that at half-past five o'clock on Monday morning an
alarm was given that the Snowdon steamer, lying in Trafalgar
Dock, had taken tire. On proceeding to the vessel he found
the fire extinguished, and no damage done. It appeared that
some coals in the locker had ignited. The Pilots' Committee
requested the attention of the committee to a letter from the
Superintendent Pilot, suggesting that two police-officers be
stationed at each pier-head at tide times. The duties of these
officers it was proposed should be to preveut improper per-
sons getting on board ships entering the docks, who were
often the means of causing the crew to leave their duties and
riggers to be employed in their place, to the danger of the
vessels grounding in the basin, and a source of expense to the
owner. Afier a short conversation, the committee decided
that they had no power to interfere in this matter : it rested
with the Dock Committee. A report of the South Harbour
Master, recommending the south side of Queen's Basin to
be deepened three feet, was referred to the Sub-committee of
Works. Mr. George Holt, chairman of the sub-committee,
relative to the Queen's Graving Dock, reported that the
committee had suspended their operations upon that dock.
The meeting then separated.
THE THREE CARACCI.—Since the price of admission has
been lowered to sixpence, crowds of persons have been to see
the Caracci pictures. For the information of visitors, the
three Caracci lived as follows :—Annibal was born in 1560,
died in 1609 ; Ludovico born 1555, died 1619 ; Augustino
born 1558, died 1602. They lived at Bologne, and founded
the Bolognese school.

PIANO-FORTE TUNING:—Mr. Venables, a very able and
clever tuner, has just established himself in this town. His
address will be found elsewhere.
MRS. ST. ALI3IN'S CONCERT AT WARRINGTON.—It iS
anticipated that this concert will be most brilliantly attended.
It is under most distinguished patronage.
AMPHITHEATRE.—It will be noticed that Mr. Carter will
take his benefit this evening, the performances being under
the patronage of the Right Hon. Lord Stanley. We hope
that a very full house will be assembled, to meet his lordship
on the occasion.
MR. W. J. HAMMOND'S BENEFIT.—We hope the friends
and admirers of this clever actor will not forget that his be-
nefit takes place on Monday. His " bill of fare" offers many
attractions, as will be seen by the advertisement, in the usual
column.

LAUNCH OF AN IllObN STEAM-VESSEL.—On Monday an
iron steam-vessel was launched from Mr. John Laird's
works, North Birkenhead. She is intended to ply between
Monk's Ferry and Liverpool in connexion with the Chester
and Birkenhead Railway, and from her size, power, and su-
perior accommodation for passengers—both below and on
deck—will be a great improvement on the present class of
ferry boats. She is now, we understand, receiving her ma-
chinery on board, and will, it is expected, be ready for work
early in the ensuing year.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH.—Yesterday an inquest was held
efore Mr. Curry, touching the death of George Thompson.
The deceased lived with his uncle, Mr. Charles Thompson,
of Bedford-street. Six weeks ago last Sunday he was
sliding down the banisters of the stairs, and when he got to a
turn on the rail, he overbalanced himself, and fell over into
the lobby below. Mr. Thompson immediately sent for a
surgeon (Mr. Ramsay), who came instantly, but the de-
ceased had his skull extensively fractured, and notwithstand-
ing every possible attention by Mr. Ramsay, and other pro-
fessional gentlemen, he died in consequence on Sunday last.
The jury returned a verdict—That the deceased accidentally
fell, and died from the injuries he received.
MODEL OF THE LAKE DISTRICT.—We understand that
this curious and beautiful model will shortly be exhibited in
Liverpool. It is the result of many years' labour of a clever
local artist named Flintoft, and exhibits, with wonderful
truth and effect, all the topographical and picturesque fea-
tures of the Alpine district of the north of England.
Yesterday evening, the Rev. Hugh M'Neile gave notice to
his congregation, that on Thursday evening next, (Christmas
eve) he would preach a sermon on the following subject—
" Household duties performed on Christain principles," and
that in it he would address himself especially to aervants.—
We hope others besides the members of his own congregation
will avail themselves of the opportunity thus afforded by the
rev. gentleman, to have Christian instruction given to that
important and too much neglected class of the community.
GREAT FOOT RACE AT NEWTON.—The match for £25
a-side, between Ben Hart, publican, of Bolton, and John
Spencer, tailor, of Warrington, was run on Monday last at
Newton racecourse ; the distance being 200 yards. Ben,
who has now almost passed the meridian of his days, was by
no means a favourite in the race, notwithstanding his former
performances ; and what rendered his success still more
doubtful was, the fact that he lost his last race with Fowler,
of Liverpool, who had been beaten by Spencer. The Bol-
tonians, however, were sweet upon their "old friend," who
had never yet deceived them ; and their confidence was en-
hanced in consequence of it becoming known that Ben had
trained himself, and was in the very best health and condi-
tion ; whilst, on the other hand, Spencer had been keeping
up the fair at Warrington, by drinking, fighting, &c., to such
an extent that, on last Monday but one, he had to appear
before the magistrates to answer for his conduct. He be-
came a " steady man" after " this trial," but had by no
means recovered " the shock :" and, upon close examina-
tion, looked rather pale. He is five feet nine, being an inch
taller than Ben, and about twenty years younger, so that the
" folks fro' Warrington" believed that he would be the vic-
tor ; and this opinion was kept alive by Spencer himself,
who declared that he would jump off the shop-board, and
beat old Ben any day without any training. It was fixed
that the race should take place between the hours of twelve
and two o'clock ; and, accordingly at noon, both parties, with
an immense number of friends, were upon the spot; it was
declared by many to be as thronged as at Newton races. Bet-
ting immediately commenced, the odds being 12 to 10 and
25 to 20 against Ben, which was readily accepted by the Bol-
tonians. At about two o'clock, the parties stripped, and
came upon the course ; a straight run of 200 yards having
been measured out opposite the stands, fenced on one side
by the rails, and the other by a rope. The superintendent,
inspector, and other officers of the county constabulary, were
in attendance, and the utmost order was preserved. A gen-
tleman from Warrington was appointed umpire for Spencer,
and a celebrated knight of the cleaver from Bolton, for " Old
Ben ;" Mr. Frederick Davies, of the Red Cross Inn, Bol-
ton, the stakeholder, being referee. When stripped, " Old
Ben" looked nobly ; his fine limbs and condition presenting
a cheering appearance. Spencer by no means looked lanky-,
and seemed in high spirits ; for he held three sovereigns in
his hand, which he " chaffingly" shook at Ben, inviting him
to bet £5 or £5O upon the race. Ben declared he had wagered
all he had, with the exception of two sovereigns,vrluchhe
was willing to risk. Spencer took him, and Ben's umpire
" went the other sovereign." They then tossed for choice of
ground, the end to start at. and sides ; the two former being
won by Spencer, the latter by Ben. A pistol shot was the
signal for starting, which being given, both went off; Ben
being on the instant upon his speed, and taking the lead,
beat Spencer by at least eight yards, and running the distance
in 22 seconds. The Boltonians gave a loud shout, seized
upon Ben, and carried him on their shoulders to his quarters,
where he retired to bed for a few minutes. lie afterwards
challenged Sale and Fowler, to run either of them for the

same sum of money, either that or the followingifail but
they declined, not liking the result of the other race. After
repeated challenges, George Aldred, of Charlestown, near
Ashton-under-Lyne, who is known by the cognomen of
" Lobscouse" (an Irish stew), was matched to run with Ben

for £25 a-side, the same ground, on the 4th January next.
Several races of a minor character took place during the day.
Ben declares that he is open to run any man in England, 200
Yards, for £so.—Manche ter Guardian.