The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-02-22 00:00:00

FEBRUARY 22, 18'53

now entirely exhausted. So many cases frequently occur
where a small benefaction to a poor man, thrown out of
employment by accident or disease, with a family entirely
dependent upon his exertions for support, is an act of
true Christian charity, that the advantage of being able to
grant such relief must be evident to all. The committee,
therefore, earnestly and confidently appeal to the benevo-
lence of the public to aid them in the formation. of a per-
manent fund for this purpose. It is administered under
the direction of the chaplain, the visitors, or the medical
officers. The treasurer has already received a donation
of £5 towards this charitable object.
" However satisfactory in many respects may be the
item
which of account now presented, there is one
which continues to prove a source of much anxiety to the
committee. Notwithstanding that £B2 were received
during the past year in new and increased subscriptions,
the list is now £4O below the amount raised in 1851, and
£423 less than the subscription list seven years ago.
Surely this ought not to happen in the flourishing town
of Liverpool. It is, therefore, earnestly to be wished
that the trustees and subscribers would co-operate in
making the wants of this old and excellent charity known
to those who do not already subscribe."

COUNTY COURT, YESTERDAY.

[BEFORE J. W. HARDEN, ESQ.]

The second February court was opened yesterday
morning, before Mr. Harden, Judge of the Chester
County Court, in consequence of the detention in the
metropolis of Mr. Pollock, who is at present in London
on public business.
INTERPLEADER.—Mr. Almond appeared for the claim
ants in this case, Messrs. John Brooks, woollen tnanufac
hirer, Huddersfield, and Eii Shaw, creditors of John
Quine, tailor, taueen-street ; and Mr. Evans, on behalf
of John Quilliam, the executing creditor. It appeared
that, in the mouth of August last, having got into diffi-
culties, and become involved in debt to the amount of
£5OO, John Quine resolved to execute an assignment for
the benefit of all the creditors. This deed was signed by
Brooks and Shaw, the former of whom had supplied Quine
with cloth to the extent of £l5O. All the creditors had
agreed to this course except Quilliam, who afterwards
entered a suit at the County Court, and obtained an ex-
ecution, which he immediately carried into effect—the
other creditors protesting against the proceeding. It was
endeavoured to be proved that the claimants had merely
agreed to this deed of assignment without in reality taking
the business out of the hands of Quine. It was sworn by
Quine, however, that he was retained in the place in order
only that he might receive the assignment, which no one
could do as well as himself, as his customers were chiefly
sailors. He deposedthat he had written tot he acting creditor,
Mr. Quilliam, announcing his desire to make a deed of
assignment, in reply to which that gentleman said that he
did not wish his name to be included in the list, as he
would be happy to wait till he (Quine) " came round
again." At the conclusion of the evidence. his Honour
stated that he would take the case into consideration, and
give judgment at a future time.
ELIZABETH MONKHOUSE P. THOMAS MCVITIE and
ROBERT SHANKLAND, 213, Vauxhall-road, coal mer-
chants. in this case, the claimant, Miss Elizabeth Monk-
house, of 34, Clarence-street, made a claim to recover
certain goods seized in an execution, proceeding out of
that Court, against William Monkhouse, father of the
claimant, a person of irregular habits, who is now sepa-
rated from his family, having emigrated some months ago
to Australia. Mr. Hill appeared for the claimant, and
Mr. Hime for the executing creditors. His Honour,
after hearing the painful case at some length, gave judg-
ment in favour of the claimant, except in the matter of
a four-post bedstead and hangings, which the needy
creditors were authorized to retain. He also desired that
each party should pay their costs.
The other cases, in all amounting to twenty-three,
brought before the Court yesterday, were of little public
interest. Upwards of 120 cases are entered for hearing
to-day ; and altogether, 675 cases will be heard at the
present Court. The Court sits on Tuesday (to-day),
Thursday, and Friday, as well as on Monday, Tuesday,
and Wednesday, next week.

TRIAL TRIP OF THE SCREW STEAMER
ANTELOPE, FOR AUSTRALIA.

A first trial trip of this vessel took place yesterday.
She left the Wellington Dock at ten, a.m., steamed up to
the Sloyne, and came down abreast the landing-stage,
where a steam-tug, with a small party of gentlemen,joined
her. She then proceeded down the river, passed the Rock
Lighthouse at 11 30, down the Rock channel, and passed
the North-west Lightship at 020 p.m. Canvass was
then put on the ship, and she went on under them and
sailed towards the Ormshead. At 330 took the sail off
the ship and steamed back towards Liverpool ; at 5 40
passed the Bell Buoy, in company with the Independence,
the fastest steam-tug on the river, which, although she
put on all her power, they ran neck and neck to the Rock
Lighthouse, which was again passed at 6 30. Nothing
could be more satisfactory than this trial of the Antelope,
making under steam ten knots, and under steam and can-
vas eleven to twelve knots, although there was no wind
to give any great effect to the canvas. The result of this
trial of the Antelope augurs most favourably for her
voyage to Australia, whence she proceeds early next
month, and we understand that a select party are invited
to a second trial of this fine vessel on Thursday next.
The engines made forty-eight to fifty revolutions per
minute, with a pressure of thirteen to fifteen lbs., much
below what can be accomplished when everything is in
proper working order. We believe that every one who
saw the Antelope on the river, and those on board who
were witnesses of her performance, are fully satisfied with
the excellence of the ship and her machinery, as well as
her seagoing qualities, and that she will accomplish a
rapid passage to Australia.

ALLEGED SYSTEMATIC SWINDLING AT
THE LOTTERY, OR "WHEEL OF FORTUNE"
SHOPS.

IMPORTANT INVESTIGATION A THE POLICE-
COURT, YESTERDAY.

Yesterday a protracted enquiry took place at the Police-
court, before the stipendiary magistrate and Mr. J. Hay-
ward Turner, and it is to be hoped that the disclosures
made will serve as a caution to those who have been
allured into these places, as well as the public generally.
Peter llampson. and Samuel Atkinscn, occupying two
lottery-shops in Paradise street, were placed before the
magistrates charged with obtaining money under false
pretenses from persons visiting their establishments under
circumstances detailed below.

Mr. PEMBERTON, solicitor, appeared on behalf of the
prisoners. Hampson's case was taken first.
Mr. Clough, In-door Superintendent of Police, stated
to the magistrates that, in consequence of a great num-
ber of complaints having been made at the police-office
by persons who said that they had been defrauded of va-
rious sums of money at these places in Paradise• street,
known as " Wheel of fortune shops," the police autho-
tities had been induced to take measures and secure evi-
dence against the prisoners. With that object, officers
were sent down to watch the shops on Saturday after-
noon last, and they, as well as other witnesses, would now
give their evidence.
William Groom was the first witness examined. He
said—On Saturday night last, I went into the prisoner's
shop in Paradise-street, about six o'clock. I saw the
prisoner. I asked him if all the articles in the shop were
ticketed in the wheel ; he replied " Yes, ell but five." I
then put down sixpence, and I drew a tray. I tried
again, and drew this (a toothbrush). I paid sixpence
each time.

Cross-examined by Mr. Pemberton.—l went into the
shop to try my luck. I was asked by a lady to go in and
try. No one else asked me. I had no conversation with
the police before I went to try my luck.
Detective-officer Scaife said—On Saturday night last,
I went to a shop in Paradise-street, at the corner of
Cooper's-row, in consequence of instructions I had received.
A man was stationed at the door inviting people in. He
said to people as they passed along, " Step inside, you
have the chance of winning any article you see in the shop,
for sixpence."
By Mr. Pemberton—The prisoner was inside the shop.
He was near enough to the man to hear what he said.
Examination continued-1 went into the shop and
asked the prisoner if there were tickets in the wheel for
all the articles in the shop, and he said that there were,
with the exception of four or five. I then asked him if I
could, by putting in, stand a chance of winning any of those
pier-glasses, and he replied, " Yes, there is a ticket in the
wheel for them." [Pier-glass produced.] I then
went back again to the door of the shop and
called the other officers who were with me to
come into the shop. As soon as we got
near the counter the prisoner got hold of the wheel, and
tried to upset all the tickets on to the floor. Some of
them fell on to the floor, and others on to the counter.
I picked up the tickets that fell on the counter, and Eaton,
one of the officers who was with me. picked up those that
fell on to the floor. We then put the tickets altogether
on to the counter, and counted them. 'I here were 106 in
all. We then commenced to compare the tickets with the
property they represented. The articles the tickets in
the wheel represented were in this drawer. [Drawer and
articles produced.] None of the articles were exposed in
the shop, but were all taken out of the drawer which was
underneath the counter. The prisoner took them from
the drawer under the counter as we called out the name
of the article on the ticket. We found that there were 15
tickets in the wheel which there was no property in the
shop to represent. There were no tickets in the wheel to
represent the valuable articles that were exposed to the
eye of the public. Amongst the articles exposed to view,
I saw several writing desks, American clocks, a number of
work-boxes, and other valuable articles. I was in the
shop when the conversation took place between the last
witness and the prisoner. I heard him ask the prisoner
if all the things in the shop were ticketed :n the wheel,
and he said they were, with the exception of five. The
last witness then drew.

Cross-examined.—l did not make a search of the pre-
Daises at the time I was there. I sawwhat :was on the
premises. I took an account of many articles, but not
all. I do not think there were any tickets in the wheel
to represent articles that were any of them worth half-a-
crown. I am sure the last witness asked prisoner if all
the articles were ticketed, and he said they were, with the
exception of five.
Police-officer John Eaton was next called, and said
that when he entered the prisoner's shop, prisoner was
behind the counter. He had hold of the wheel. The
door was open, and the tickets were falling out. I
jumped over the counter, and got hold of the prisoner's
hands, to see what he had got in them. I then picked up
all the tickets that were on the floor, and replaced them
in the wheel. The witness then corroborated the evi-
dence of the last witness, as
to the countingor fe
ptrhe e
.
tickets, and afterwards ascertaining what
sented. He then said that they brought away
from the shop several articles, such as writing
desks,l and other equally valuable articles, as
samples of goods, which were not represesented by
the tickets in the wheel. They afterwards went
to the shop again, and Inspector Kehoe pointed out
to the prisoner the large, glass which was named by the
last witness, and asked prisoner if there was any ticket in
the wheel for it. He replied, no. Kehoe then pointed
out a number of other articles in the shop, consisting of
clocks, work-boxes, writing-desks. a'gun, and other arti-
cles, end in answer to questiona from Kehoe, the prisoner

said there were no tickets in the wheel to represent any
of these arti,les. Prisoner said he thought there was a
ticket in for the gun. I then went round the counter
again, to see if I had missed picking up any tickets that
fell out of the box. I found a ticket for a gun on the floor,
exactly where the prisoner had been standing for some time.
That ticket was not there when I made the first search.
I asked the prisoner who was the proprietor of the shop,
and he said it was his brother's niece, named Rachael
Hampson. At that time Kehoe came in from the back
office with this bill in his hand [bill produced, with the
name of " Ling" on as the proprietor], and he asked
who Ling was ? Prisoner replied, " I don't know ; my
brother's niece got it put in the bills, but I cannot tell
what her object was in doing so." The prisoner was
then taken to bridewell.
Mr. CLoucti.—Has the prisoner any other establish-
ment ?

Mr. PEMBERTO'N.--I object to that question.
Inspector KEHOE.—We have his own word for it that
he has another establishment.
George Brackley, another victim, was the next witness
called, and elicited some merriment by the characteristic
manner in which he gave his evidence. He said—l am
a seaman on board the ship Helen, and was in Paradise-
street on last Saturday night, and went into two shops.
I saw a young woman in the first shop, and after being
there for some time, I went out of the first shop into the
second shop with the prisoner.
Mr. Clough—Well. did you pay anything ?
Witness—Pay ! Yes, I paid 275. (Laughter,) The
prisoner came in while I was paying in the first shop, and
I went with him to the second.
By Mr. Pemberton—Had you paid your money when
the prisoner came in ?
Witness (Very coolly)—No, not it all. We kept pay-
ing as we went on.
Q—What were you paying your money for?
A—For fun. (Loud laughter.)
By Mr. Clough—When I got to the second shop the
prisoner showed me what there was in the shop, and said
I could have my chance of winning any articles. He said
if I did not like what I drew I could pay more and try again.
It appeared from the witness's further statements that
in all he spent 275., and when he gave up drawing, all he
had got was a pair of decanters, valued at 3s.
Mary Ellen Geoghan examined.—l am the wife of
Thomas Geoghan, residing in Baptist-street. I know
the prisoner very well. I was employed by him and his
brother at one of the shops in Paradise-street, at twelve
shillings a week, as a sweetener. (Laughter.) It was at
the small shop, next to a toffy shop in Paradise-street.
The prisoner works both shops. Since 1 left, I one day
called at the shop as I was passing. He asked me to call
sometimes, and give him a lift, and he made me a present
of two little money boxes for my children. When I was
employed there, I have often bid at articles at sales, which
they always took back.
Mr. Pemberton—When the prisoner was present?
Witness—Yes; he has asked me to do so. I gave him
the large articles back after the sale. When I used to
draw in the lottery, I put down a shilling, and got three
tickets, when other parties were in the shop. On one
occasion prisoner said one of the tickets represented a
gun, which I had won. He gave it to me in the presence
of parties in the shop. I took the gun away, and left it at
the other shop.
__

Mr. Clough : How came you to to take it to the other
shop ?
Witness : That is the way they do. They always read
the ticket themselves. Sometimes I saw what article was
named on the tickets, but I never took much notice, be-
cause I always got my money back.
Cross-examined by Mr. Pemberton : I have never
made any threat to the prisoner and those in the shop.
I said if I was at the door 1 would not let people come
into the shop to be robbed. I have been brought before
the magistrates. I can't say whether it was last week or
not:
George M'Bride, a salesman in the employ of Mr.
Eastee, in St. George's-crescent, spoke to the value of
the articles represented by the tickets taken from the
wheel. The value of the articles generally was about ld.,
2d., 31, and 4d. On a gentleman's finger ring, (one of
the prizes !) being produced, the witness said it was worth
ld.—(Loud laughter.) One or two of the articles pro-
duced he spoke to as being worth 2s. 61
Mr. PEMBERTON confidently put it to the bench that
there was no case proved of obtaining money under false
pretences.
Mit. MANSFIELD considered there was much ground
for suspicion ; but he did not think that, at present, the
case was one which would warrant him in sending it be-
fore a jury. The prisoner must be remanded.
On the application of Mr. Pemberton the prisoner was
admitted to bail, himself in £5O and two sureties in £25
each ; and the further hearing of the case was adjourned
to morrow (Wednesday).
The prisoner Samuel Atkinson, who keeps a' shop in
Paradise-street, near the Colloseum, was then charged
with a similar offence, by obtaining money under false
pretences from a man named Thomas Robinson, on
Saturday evening last. The facts of the case, as disclosed
by the evidence, were precisely similar to those in the
former case. The prisoner was also remanded to to-morow
(Wednesday).

AMERICA.
ARRIVAL OF THE BALTIC.

By the United States Mail Steam-ship Baltic, Captain
Comstock, which arrived in the Mersey about 1 a.m. on.
Saturday, we have advices from New York to the ith
inst. The Baltic brought 70 passengers, and 150,000
dollars in specie.

The United States Senate was engaged in the discussion
of the bill for confirming the grant to the Pacific Railroad
project.
The Hause of Representatives had under discussion a
bill for regulating the silver coinage, by which it was pro-
posed to depreciate the silver coin 7 per cent., and also
to levy a seignorage of from to 1 Der cent. on all coins
in future ; but the latter proposition was vehemently
opposed.
CUBA.—We have intelligence from the llavannah to
the 21st of January. The sugar market was firm at pre-
vious rates. A. great fire had taken place at Cardenas,
Cuba, on the 29th ult., by which the custom-house, the
theatre, and a number of sugar and molasses ware-houses
were burnt. The loss was estimated at £500,000.
COMMERCIAL.—At New York business was active ;
money rather tighter ; stocks were feverish and uneasy,
and quotations rather weaker. The cotton market had a
slightly downward tendency, with an average amount of
sales ; the receipts at the southern ports continued large,
and the quotations at New York, for New Orleans and
Alobile' said, fair to fair, were 111 c. to 12c. per lb. ; and
Uplands of the same quality, lle. to 11)1c.
Freights were reported at nearly the same rates as pre-
vailed at the last steamer's departure—the asking prices
being, for flour to Liverpool, 3s. 3d. to 33. 6d. per
barrel ; grain, 10id. to 11d. per bushel ; and cotton, id.
to 5-16 d. per 113.
Exchange on London was firm, with moderate sales,
at 1091 to 110.

THE AMERICAN STEAMER.—The British and North
American Royal Mail steam-ship Africa, Captain Har-
rison, with advices from New York to the 9th instant,
had not arrived at the time of our going to press, owing,
it is supposed, to her departure having been delayed by
bad weather. If she should arrive in time to-day, we
will publish her advices in a second edition.

WELSH CHARITY SCHOOLS.—The annual examination
of the children has been announced for Tuesday next, at
the School-room, in Russell-street. A good attendance of
the suppOrters of the Institution is expected.

GUARDIAN SOCIETY.—The anniversary dinner of the
Liverpool Guardian Society will take place on Thursday
next, at the Royal Hotel, Moorfields. The worshipful
the Mayor, Samuel Holine, Esq., will preside ; and a
numerous attendance is anticipated.
THE LANCASTER ASSIZES were opened on Friday by
Mr. Justice Cresswell and Mr. Baron Martin. The
calendar contained the names of twenty prisoners : two
charged with manslaughter, two with stabbing, one with
rape, one with attempt to murder, and the rest with
larceny. The cause-list contained an entry of five causes.

THE REV. T. D. GREGG, D.D.—lt has been an-
nounced that the Rev. Tresham D. Gregg. who has lately
had the distinction of D.D., conferred on him by Trinity
College, will deliver a lecture at the Concert-hall, in this
town on Monday, the 7th of March. His celebrity as an
unflinching champion of Protestant principles since his
famous controversy with Father Tom Maguire hasrendered
unnecessary any more than the mention of the announce-
ment to draw together an overflowing audience. The
Rev. Dr. Blakeney, of Claughton, will take the chair on
the occasion.

THE PinuiARMONIC SOCIETY.—The extraordinary effect
produced by Mr. Thomas's unrivalled band at the Philhar-
monic Hall has created quite an enthusiasm ; and thou-
sands have gone away enchanted with the exquisite har-
mony of this mighty orchestra. Among the individual at-
tractions is the delightful playing of Mr. Streather on the
harp, in a style which it is impossible to describe. Mr.
Thomas has now successfully solved the problem, whether
there is sufficient musical taste in Liverpool to support a
first-class concert, at low prices for admission.
EMBEZZLEMENT IN THE GAS-OFFICE.—Henry Jones
was placed at the bar of the Police-court on Friday, on
the allegation of having embezzled certain sums of money
which he had received on account of the proprietors of
the Liverpool United Gas Company. Mr. John Buck
Lloyd, solicitor to the company, appeared to prefer the
charge, and Mr. Henry Bremner, solicitor, in behal., of
the prisoner. Mr. Lloyd stated that the accused was an
officer in the service of the United Gas Company—one of
their collectors—and he (Mr. Lloyd) had to ask if the
magistrates would permit the case to stand over for seven
days. Mr. Mansfield asked what was the amount of the
sum alleged to have been embezzled ?—Mr. Lloyd : " As
saidtGhaernaemtotu(nantagc
ihsat
rr
ag
teeds against
sahiidm it
wvraa
ss
far as his own admission goes, somewhere about £100."
£M2r5. Bremner
set down at P 3 Bs. 6d• The remand was granted, and
bail entered into for the prisoner's appearance before the
court on Saturday next.

RUMOURED APPEARANCE OF TWO FRENCH STEAMERS
OFF THE COAST.—Under this alarming title we find the
following in the Exeter Gazette :—" Yesterday (Thurs-
day) considerable sensation was produced in this town by
the report, brought in by some fishermen, that they had
noticed two French steamers off the Bar. The object of
these steamers appears to be to take the soundings of the
port. as they are notieed to advance at duSlc, and to retire
at daylight. As this coast is only protected by one 52-
pounder, in doubtful condition, any aggression could be
made with comparative impunity. Unless government
take some speedy and effective steps for the safety of the
coast, it is probable that at no distant period we shall have
a repetition:of the disasters of 1691, when Teignmouth
was cannonaded and burnt by the French, whose fleet
remained for nearly a month in Torbay—or of the terrors
of 1797, when General O'Toole, an Irish officer in the
French service, made a descent on Ilfracombe, and after-
wards on the opposite coast of Wales. On that occasion
there were no regular troops available, and the enemy
were met by the local militia, yeomanry, and peasantry,
under the command of Lord Cawdor, who compelled the
invaders to lay down their arms. The French; however,
are likely to tell us,when they make their next appearance
with their strong war steamers.' - •
. ":. :44 -;, 4.- ••