The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-02-01 00:00:00

POLICE COURT Y.-- E ST ERD AY.

A NICE DISTINCTION.—A miserable woman, advanced
in years, of the name of Glassford, was charged with
stealing a shawl from the shop of Mr. William Kewley,
Brownlow-hill, on Saturday night last. A person, named
Allen, in the employment of Mr. Green, pawnbroker, de-
posed that, when the woman came to pledge the shawl,
his suspicions were at once awakened by the hesitation
which she displayed in accounting for her possession of
the shawl. On inquiry he discovered where the shawl
had been procured, and immediately led Mr. Kewley to a
knowledge of his loss. The woman said she had not stolen
the shawl, nor had she ever stolen anything in the whole
course of her iife. She happened to be passing the shop
on Saturday night, and she felt the shawl under her feet,
and so, of course, picked it up. Mr. Nicol: And then
went and pawned it. The prisoner said she was a poor
widow woman, and had never cemmitted " any robbery
in the world ;" but she was, notwithstanding, sentenced
to be imprisoned for seven days.
AN OLD THIEF.—Mary Banks, an elderly woman, was
charged with stealing a shawl from Bridget Judge, No.
11, Addison-street, on Friday last. The prisoner went
to Mrs. Judge's house, under pretence of asking for some
individual of whom she was in quest ; and, when Mrs.
Judge turned her back, the artful woman extracted the
shawl from a basket which lay convenient. Twenty-one
days' imprisonment.

STABBING CASE : CONNUBIAL WARS.--John Crewe
was charged by his wife, a woman apparently older than
himself, with stabbing her on the afternoon of Saturday,
in his mother's house. They had been taking tea toge-
ther, when something occurred to mar their felicity, and
so Crewe took the knife with which he was cutting some
ham, and made a thrust with it at the bosom of his spouse.
She held up her hand to protect herself, and saved her
throat at the expense of two fingers, which were cut
seriously. So ran the woman's story ; and she further
averred that her husband used her most cruelly, that he
separated from her, and went to live at his mothers's,
that he frequently beat her till she was blue, and finally
that he told her to go out at night, and rob men—making
the most violent threats if she did not comply with the
request. The prisoner denied the allegations ; and stated
that, although he admitted having once been a bad cha-
racter, he had for a long time been endeavouring to re
form, and the only obstacle in his way was his wife, who
was addicted to the most evil habits. From the state-
ment of the officers, it seemed that the complainant was
one of the most notorious thieves in the town. The pri-
soner was accordingly discharged.

Two MODEL SOCDIERS.—Isaac Woolmer, a private
in H.M. 46th regiment, was charged with having stolen
from a brother private, on the passage from Belfast to
Liverpool, a pair of stockings, a pair of muffatees, and
other apparel. It appeared that the soldiers on board the
steamer had got drunk over a bottle of whiskey, and were
not very well aware of what they did, so that the pri-
soner was discharged.

HOUSEBREAKING.—WiIIiam Campion, a young house-
breaker, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, for
surreptitiously introducing himself into the wash-house
occupied by Mr. Blackeley, Grafton-street, at the early
hour of five o'clock on Monday morning. The lad had
to climb over an eight-foot wall in order to get to the
out-office, where he was found by Mr. Blackely busy
making a selection of goods, which he doubtless meant
to " appropriate."

STEALING A RING.—A flashily-dressed young man
charged a prostitute, named Sarah Ann Brown, with steal-
ing a gold ring from him on Saturday night. He was
walking along one of the main thoroughfares of the town,
when the girl accosted him ; and, as he entered into con-
versation, she drew nearer to him, and before he knew,
whipped the ponderous gold ring from his little finger—a
work not very difficult to achieve, as it was " a loose fit."
He at once accused her of the theft, when she flung the
ring away. A policeman recovered the precious article,
and the magistrate told the prosecutor he ought to be very
thankful that he had not lost it, and discharged the girl.
A FATHER AND DAUGHTER.—A melancholy case came
before Mr. Nicol, the culprit being Frances Story, a
young woman apparently under twenty years of age, and
the prosecutor her own father, an old sailor, who had not
taken the extreme measure now adopted without great
sorrow and pain. Since the death of the girl's mother,
twelve years ago, he had refrained from going to sea, for
the sake of his family ; he had been a hard-working man,
and had contrived to save a little money, but all his efforts
were likely to be rendered unavailable by the icked actions
of Frances, who had become intimate with a circle of
idle and dissolute girls, whose unprincipled conduct she
soon began to imitate. She had repeatedly robbed her
father, and on Saturday she broke open a private box, ab-
stracted from it a gold watch and some silver spoons, the
former article being immediately pledged with a Jew
pawnbroker for the sum of £2. The girl wept bitterly
during the investigation of the case, and appealed to her
father to get off ; and, in accordance with the magistrate's
suggestion, the prosecutor agreed to see his daughter pri-
vately, and the case was accordingly remanded.

A FEMALE TRIUMVIRATE.--3far'y Tallon, Jane Swann,
and Eliza Dolan, charged with breaking into a bakehouse
in Great Howard-street, and stealing therefrom a quantity
of wearing apparel, belonging to Mrs. Georgians Anderson
(with whom one of the party had been employed in the
capacity of a domestic servant), were remanded for seven
days.
A DISHONEST 'Bus CONDUCTOR.—A young lad,
named James Wright, who had been employed by the
Messrs. Busby, 'bus proprietors, for the past five weeks,
was committed for trial, on a charge of embezzling va.
rious sums, received in the shape of fares from the pas.
sengers. The dishonest young man was conductor of the
omnibus running from Dale-street to Cabbage..hall.

LIKTURE TlTis EVENING.—Our readers will notice
that the Rev. John Kelly will deliver the fourth lecture of
the series on Protestant Nonconformists, in the Concert-
ina!, this evening. The three first lectures on Noncon.
Milton, and Cromwell, formists, .ae been delivered to
crowded audiences.

DOCK REFORMS

MEETING OF THE POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY
LAST NIGHT.

The usual monthly meeting of the Polytechnic Society

was held at the Royal Institution, last night, at eight
o'clock,—Mr. Horner, the president, in the chair. The

Mayor having promised to honour the society with his
presence, and the subject for the evening being Mr.
Grantham's plans for improving the working of the docks
by a high-level railway and water cranes, there was a
large attendance. As the subject was considered one of
great importance to the town at large, invitations had
been sent to the members of the Town Council and the
Dock Committee, several members of which we observed
present.
The PRESIDENT, who was supported by Mr. Holme,
the mayor, having stated the object for which the society
had met,

Mr. GRA)7IIAIU, engineer, rose to explain his plans,
which were illustrated with a very beautiful model, exe-
cuted at, we believe, a great outlay of thought and
time. In requesting his audience to excuse any little
omission which he might make, he reminded those
present that he had some small claim to their favoura-
ble consideration. He had been one of the earliest
members of the present society, and in its infancy
he occupied that chair when it was not such an honourable
post, perhaps, as it had now become. He had further
on more occasions than one brought forward subjects for
their consideration, in the treatment of which it might
be thought he was over sanguine, but, as in the case of the
screw propulsion, he had proved himself a true prophet.
With regard to the method of landing passengers
from sea-going steamers which he had at that early
period of the Society's history the honour
of expounding to them, he believed it was
now about to be carried into practical effect—the plans
being but little varied from those which he had then tub-
mitted to their attention. The subject to which he now.
proposed to direct their attention was a local subject of
unrivalled importance. All of them were perfectly aware
of the very imperfect condition, at the present time, of
that branch of their local business included in the
conveying of goods to and from the warehouses and the
docks, and in lading and unlading vessels at this port.
They all knew that it was a subject entitled to attention
and remedy. It was a hundred years ago since the first
dock of Liverpool was constructed. He believed the
town had made no progress whatever in the department
to which he alluded during the whole of the subsequent
hundred years ; and that he contended was not as it ought
to be. To prove the importance attached to
the subject by those who were best entitled to
express an opinion, he quoted various extracts
from a report issued by a committee of that most im-
portant body, the Chamber of Commerce—an assemblage
of all the most influential men connected with the
different branches of trade and commerce. The report
said the subject was of the utmost importance to the
wellbeing of the export trade of this port, and entered into
a lengthy statement of the difficulties under which the port
at present laboured. The amount of damage done to
the goods in being shipped—the gross pilferage which took
place in consequence of the exposure of these goods—was a
subject of great complaint. The difficulties which arose
from this damaging of goods, was too familiar to them all
to require any lengthened explanation. They were aware
that a railway had been constructed along the whole line
of docks—for the special purpose, however, of forwarding
the designs of the Dock Committee, and removing the
earthwork from one part to another. Some outcry
had been raised against the Dock Committee, because it
was not suited for other purposes; but he held that it was
a most serious obstruction to the thoroughfares, and
tended to retard rather than to promote business, making
the overcrowded way dangerous to passengers and car-
riages. And if they looked at the Birkenhead Docks too,
they would see that it amounted to an obstruction rather
than to an increase of facilities. He held that the system was
radically bad, and could not be carried out. And, when
he introduced the high level railways to their attention,
he proposed no new thing ; it had already been executed
elsewhere, and he only asked that, if they adopted the
plan, they might recollect that it was he who laid it be-
fore them, in the form in which they now saw it. (Cheers.)
He then proceeded to explain the nature of the plan from
the model, which he did in a clear and lucid manner. It
was, in effect, taking our present sheds and making them
two stories instead of one; it was no more. Therefore,
the new sheds would be no more obstruction of the
quay ground than the present sheds were. In a busy
thoroughfare like that at the bottom of St. James's-street
a bridge might be introduced, which would be no obstrac-
tion whatever. There would be three lines of railway laid
in the shed, and at the same time a large vacant space
within the span of the ordinary shed. On one line car.
riages could stand while they were being laden or unoc-
cupied. Then there would be a crane at each opening in
the shed going over to the ship, and at the same time
' enabling goods to be put in the carriages on the
line. There was one feature, familiar to those at
all acquainted with railways, that the carriages might
be lowered or made level at the convenience of the
managers, which would here prove of great service, in-
turning the carriages aside to private or public ware-
houses. Then the sheds might be made ornamental,
whereas the present sheds were ugly and uninviting to
the eve. But the subject of branches was the most im-
portant one ; and he had no doubt that not only public
warehouses, but private individuals having timber or coal
yards, would soon find the advantage of having branches
constructed to the main dock line. The railways should
invariably cross streets at a high level, and thus remove
all those sources of danger which crossings created.
Were the plan once adopted, he felt convinced that no
cart need ever be seen approaching the docks. As to the
manner in which he proposed to approach the sides, he
would at first hare the carriages lowered from the upper
line, and turned off upon simple tram lines. But this
would be merely a temporary arrangement ; for he felt
convinced that, once so far carried out, the entire scheme
would be accomplished, and the high-level line carried
round the whole of the docks. He then enlarged on the
advantages of the cranes working so as to have every
facility, without on the one hand injuring the ship, or on
the other coming in contact with the shed ; and he
stated that there would be immense advantage in intro-
ducing the steam or water cranes. Thus he showed
how they might attain three great advantages :—first, the
sheds ; second, the railway ; and thirdly, a good system of
crainage. He did not think it would be advisable to intro-
duce locomotives, as horses would probably be found
cheaper and more convenient. As to the change being
likely to throw great numbers of carters and porters
out of employment, he reminded them of the fact
that railways had extended, instead of diminishing the
number of people employed in connexion with modes
of conveyance. He believed that a railway, such as he
had sketched, and four miles long, might be constructed
at a cost short of half a million—the interest of which, at
4 per cent., would of course be £20,000 per annum. His
calculations proved, however, that the increased facility
of transmission to the docks, and of loading, would far
more than repay the expense, besides which, less quay
room would be required ; and, while the trade of the port
might still continue to progress, the way in which they
would be able to discharge and lade a vessel would ren-
der the existing docks sufficient for the traffic, a double
advantage, inasmuch as it saved the millions of money
which the building of new docks required, and prevented
the extension of them beyond the disadvantageous distance
from the heart of business, which they had already
reached. In the course of his lengthened speech, which
was listened to with marked attention, and fre-
quently applauded, Mr. Grantham spoke of the efficiency
with which the new system of high-level railways was
wrought at several new ports. He lamented that the
Dock Committee were the only parties who were empow-
ered to carry the scheme into effect, and that private en-
terprise dare not interfere. But he hoped the public
would so act upon that Dock Committee that they would
listen to the voice of the town ; and, as the head of the
required agitation, he suggested one whom he had long
had the honour of calling his friend, and who was now the
representative of this town. (Cheers.) It was a work in
every way worthy of Mr. Holme, who had already done
many useful things for Liverpool.

Mr. SUTTON confirmed Mr. Grantham's opinions,
from his own experience of the way in which goods were
at present injured from exposure.
Mr. PURNELL, master of the Queen's Dock
scheme was inapplicable to the west docks.
The MAYOR, after eulogising the able exposition of Mr.
Grantham, expressed his general concurrence in the
scheme, which;he had seen successfully at work at Car-
digan. He would not like to undertake the duty assigned
to him by Mr. Grantham, as he was muzzled for twelve
months at the least, and it was perhaps well for the coun-
cil that he was so (laughter); still it was a subject of vast
importance, and should have his earnest attention.

said the

•
Mr. Poole, of the goods' department of the London
and North-western Railway; Mr. Higgins, Mr. Joseph
Hubback, Mr. James Lord, all supported the statements
of Mr. Grantham, and their approval of the proposed high-
level railway.
Mr. MALCOLMSON, as a member of the Dock Commit-
tee, defended that body.

,
Mr. BENNETT commended the paper of Mr. Grantham;
and after an eloquent and loudly-cheered speech by Mr.
BRAMLEY-MOORE, in which he acknowledged the impor-
tance of the scheme, but declined to give an opinion till
he was better acquainted with it, the discussion was, on
the motion of Mr. MILNER, adjourned till the next
monthly meeting. _

Mr. GRANTHAM having replied to some of the objec-
tions of the various speakers,
Mr. MILNER, in a neat and appropriate speech, pre-
posed a vote of thanks to the Mayor, whose practical
mind had effected much, and was still labouring for the
good of the town.
Mr. BENNETT seconded the motion, which was carried
with great unanimity and warmth of feeling.
A vote of thanks to Mr. Grantham, for his able Paper,
was likewise tendered, and the proceedings terminated.

NORTH
mmander, AMERICAN ROYAL MAIL
STEAM-SHIP TINSHIAAGNAD NRA,
L
de-
parture hence for New York oneo
Saturday ' took her
at noon, with
forty passengers and a fair cargo on board, beside the
usual mails.
THE CENTENARY OF ROSCOE.---The committtee ap-
pointed to consider the nature of the demonstration to
be made on the Bth March in commemoration of Roscoe's
centenary, m
Saturday
m evening. att h e olytalhalsnseeunticmoin,
cCluodlqeudittto-
et
Cie the day with a public breakfast and soirée, in•
courseet°' of which some interesting details will be given
tcshot
ermee
tmconcerning; the accomplished biographer of Lorenzo de
Medici. The breakfast over, the company will, probably,
proceed to an inspection of the Royal Institution, originated
by Roscoe. Thence it is intended to join in the inaugu-
ration of the Free Museum, presented to the town by the
Earl of Derby, and which the Council have agreed to
open for the first time on that day. The noble donor has
been requested to honour the occasion with his presence.
A general wish has been expressed that the Earl of Elles-
mere should be invited to the demonstration. A sub-
committee has been appointed to correspond with other
eminent literary and scientific men of the day, to whom
invitations will be sent. The Mayor, Mr. Samuel Holme,
has intimated his intention of loving in the evening the
first of several soirees that, we hear, are to be held at the
Town-hall during his mayoralty. It was mentioned at the
committee that Mr. Mayer was striking a medal in com-
memoration of the day. A committee, consisting of the
presidents of all the learned societies, has been appointed
for the purpose of maturing the plans and 'rendering the
demenitratien is every way weribY of itl 011416