The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-04-25 00:00:00

BURGLARY.—On Friday night the offices of Messrs.
IL C. Smith and Co., 6, New Quay, Prince's Dock, were
broken into, and all the drawers and safes opened; bat,
as they keep no cash there, the thieves were disappointed.
HEALTH OP THE Town.—The medical officer of health
reports that, in the week ended 15th April, the deaths,
registered within the borough amounted to 233, being
twelve less than in the previous week, but about ten per
cent. more than the average of the same week of the pre-
ceding six years. The excess above the average is chiefly
owing to consumption and diseases of the lungs, which
caused 92 deaths last week, against an average of 69. The
mortality from zymotie diseases fell to 54 from 77 in the
previous week. Seventeen deaths were caused by measles,
12 by hooping cough, 7 by diarrhoea, 6 typhus fever,
2 scarlatina, 2 cholera, and 1 small-pox.
THE RELY TESTIMONIAL.—From an advertisement we
perceive that Mr. Reay, the indefatigable secretary of the
Liverpool Guardian Society, is to be presented with a
public testimonial of the estimation in which his services
are held. For the last sixteen years Mr. Reay has devoted
his attention to the onerous duties of his office, and
through his exertions and tact the objects of the society
have been greatly forwarded, and the interests of the pub-
lic have been protected.
THE SANITARY RATES.—At the meeting of the Health
Committee on Thursday, the Rates Sub-committee pro-
duced a report as to the rates which they recommended to
be laid for the ensuing year under the Sanitary Acts. In
all the townships there was an increase in the paving-rate
tecommended, as compared with last year, and in some
townships a slight increase in the general rate. The
ground for recommending the higher rate was understood
to be the increased cost of materials and labour. A short
conversation ensued, in course of which the chairman
suggested that as it was not necessary to pass the rates
that day, the subject should stand over for a week, so
that the members of the committee might have time to
consider it fully. This suggestion was adopted.
THE GREAT BRITAIN STEAM-SHIP now lies in the
Wellington dock, preparing for her departure to Mel-
bourne on Saturday next. Since her last arrival in Liver-
pool many improvements have been made, more especially
in the arrangements of the baths, and other conveniences
upon which the comfort of passengers so much depends.
The ventilation throughout is admirable. With the ex-
ception of a few tons for the use of the cooks, the Great
Britain is coaled entirely with anthracite, as the experi-
ence of the last voyage fully proved its superiority. It is
now pretty generally known that the Great Britain is no
longer to be the only steamer of the " Eagle" line, or,
rather, the only steamer managed by Messrs. Gibbs,
Bright, and Co. These gentlemen have, we understand,
formed a company to run a regular line between this port
and Australia, under a royal charter, with limited
liability. Connected with this arrangement and other
matters of importance, Captain Matthews will, for this
voyage, remain at home, and the Great Britain be under
the command of Mr. John Gray, the late chief officer.
Short as the passage of the Great Britain was on her last
trip, sanguine expectations have been formed that she
will make the passage on this occasion in fifty-five days,
being ten days less than the time occupied in her last
voyage out. . _

THE HEALTH COMMITTEE.—At the weekly meeting,
on Thursday, Mr. Alderman Dover, in the absence of Mr.
Alderman Langsdale, presided ; and the following mem-
bers were present :—Messrs. Gladstone, Moss, Beckwith,
Godfrey, Fleming, Nicholson, Johnson, Stewart, Holme,
Halhead, and Henderson. The contracts for clothing for
the inspectors of scavengers and those in Mr. Fresh's de-
partment were ordered to be advertised for. The annual
report, setting forth the amount of rates levied on the
borough and the different townships for the previous year,
and also the amounts contemplated to be levied for the
current year, was brought up and read. In each case an
increase was recommended upon the preceding year's rates.
A draft of the bill, in reference to the crossings, &c., at the
north docks, of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway,
received from the town-clerk, with a letter from the same
official, was laid before the committee. The Town-clerk
stated that clauses 9 and 10 embodied the agreements
come to by the committee with the railway company, and
provided all the protection which the committee insisted
upon on behalf of the public. The clerk remarked that all
the level branches had been conceded. The committee
then adjourned.
DOCK COMMITTEE.—At the weekly meeting, on Thurs-
day, Mr. Shand, vice chairman, in the absence of Mr.
Charles Turner, the chairman, presided, and there was a
numerous attendance of members. The finance com-
mittee's proceedings stated that the committee had
resolved that the rate of interest be 42 per cent. per an-
num for three years, and 4i per cent. per annum for more
lengthened periods, on all loans and renewals. In refer-
ence to the subject of warehouses at the Stanley-dock,
Mr. Rankin moved a resolution to the effect that the sub-
committee of warehouses be requested to furnish and
submit to the general committee, on the 4th May next,
an estimate of the probable nett income and rent which
may be derived from the north and south stacks of ware-
houses at the Stanley-dock, respectively based on the exist-
ing scales of dues and charges at the Albert-dock ware-
houses. Mr. Robinson asked whether they were to have
a permanent rate, or fluctuating rate, as in the case of the
warehouses out of doors. Mr. Smith said there was only
one of three principle for the adoption of the committee; they
must either adopt the principle of the Albert warehouses,
let the warehouses off, or get some party to undertake the
working of them on commission ; and the object at the
present moment was to obtain information as to which of

these three plans was the best. Mr. Holme thought it
necessary that the committee should be informed as to the
cost, or, rather, the salaries paid at the Albert warehouses,
and moved that a return be furnished of the number of the
officers and servants employed, the nature of their occupa-
tion, and the salary received by each attached. Mr.
Brocklebank thought the motion premature, before they
came to the decision whether they would them elves work
the docks or let them, for if the latter course were adopted,
and the information went forth to the public, it would be
a guide to any persons choosing to offer for the renting of
the warehouses. After a desultory conversation, the
motion of Mr. Rankin with Mr. Holme's addition having
been carried, it was agreed to leave the subject in the
hands of the sub-committee to procure all such informa-
tion as they can obtain relative to it. The harbour-master's
committee recommended that accommodation be sup-
plied for the herrinc, trade at the north-west corner of
George's-dockbasin.The6 committee shortly after adjourned.
WALTON PARISH.—The annual vestry meeting was
held on Tuesday, the Rev. T. G. Leigh, rector, in the chair.
The accounts, which showed a balance of £l4O to the credit
of the parish, were passed unanimously. Messrs. Roskell
and J. Fallowes were appointed churchwardens for the
ensuing year. There was a long discussion on the subject
of private individuals holding pews in the church, alleged
to be the property of the parishioners generally, and re-
ceiving rents for them. It was stated in explanation by
the chairman and Mr. Churchwarden Roskell, that, in
1810, when the parishioners refused to enlarge the church,
certain individuals were allowed to erect the chancel and
additions at their own expense, they being allowed to hold
certain pews. It was alleged that, under such circum-
stances, there would be great hardship in depriving them
of the property. Ultimately the following resolution was
adopted :—" That the vestry request the chairman to com-
municate with the Chancellor of the Diocese, on the
question of the pew right in the parish church, which was
mooted at the late Easter meeting, and inform him of the
proceedings thereon taken, with the result; and request
him to take such steps thereupon as he may think fit to
bring the matter to a more satisfactory conclusion." A
church-rate of a halfpenny in the pound was proposed and
carried without opposition.

WAVERTRER BOARD OP HEALTu.-=-At the meeting on
Monday last week, there were present, the Rev. W. Bad-
nall, who was re-elected chairman, and Messrs. Anderton,
Bowers, Davies, Murray, Witham, Gore, Chaffers, and
Rishton. The following committees were appointed :
Finance—Messrs. Murray, Bowers, and Gore. Public
Works—Messrs. Rishton, Chaffers, Murray, Gore, Ander-
ton, and Bowers. Nuisances—the whole board to con-
stitute a sanitary committee. An extension of the sewerage
through Mill-lane to Olive-mount, on plans recommended
by Mr. Newlands, the borough engineer, was determined
on. In consequence of a memorial from Mr. George
Stubbs, and other inhabitants, complaining of. the stench
from the premises of Mr. Ashcroft, Mr. Young was
directed to take steps for the abatement of the nuisance.
The wages of the labourers on the highways were raised
from 2s. to 2s. 6d. a day.

WEST DERBY GUARDIANS.-At the first meeting of
this body since the annual election, held on Wednesday,
the Rev. W. Badnall was elected chairman, by a majority
of 16 to 9 ; Mr. J. Harrison, vice-chairman, by 12 to 11;
and Mr. Roskell, deputy vice-chairman, by 15 to 8. The
other gentlemen proposed for the respective offices were
Mr. Alpass (twice nominated) and Mr. Reyes. In the
transaction of the usual out-door business, it was agreed
to allow certain paupers not belonging to the union, who
have become chargeable, 2s. a week for a fortnight, and
then to remove them to their places of settlement. From
the weekly return it appeared that there were 641 paupers
in the house. During the week there were 27 admitted,
45 [discharged, 1 birth, and 4 deaths. A discussion took
place as to the difficulty of interring two dead paupers in
consequence of the closing of the necropolis, and sending
the bodies to Walton. It was stated that the paupers
attending the funerals at the necropolis were often intoxi-
cated at the grave, and came home deplorably drunk. A.
committee on the subject was appointed. The appoint-
ment of the different committees were conducted amidst
confusion and uproar, during which gross personalities
were interchanged. Ultimately the following committees
were appointed, the chairman, vice-chairman, and deputy
vice-chairman being ex officio members of each :
Finance : Messrs. Appleby, G. Harrison, Medcalf, Birch,
Alpass, Heyes, Shaw, Whitty, Kirkus, and Edwards.
Hospital: Messrs. Shaw, Horsfall, Abrahams, Appleby,
Alpass, Batten, Lunt, and Wensley. Visiting : Messrs.
Kirkus, Shaw, Lunt, Alpass, Wensley, Horsfall, Carter,
Morris, Edwards, Reyes, Whitty, and Jeffries. Sanitary :
Messrs. Abrahams, Wensley, Birch, Jeffries, Hyde,Whitby,
Appleby, Morris, Batten, Carter, Mountfield, Heyes,
Richmond, Lightbody, and Alpass. This terminated the
business of the meeting, and the board shortly afterwards
adjourned.

NEW TErAL.—The case of Greenfield v. Sykes was
brought before the Court of Queen's Bench on Thursday.
This was an action in which the plaintiff sought to recover
damages for an assault and false imprisonment. The
defendant pleaded not guilty by statute. At the trial,
which took place before the judge of the Passage Court of
Liverpool, the defendant sought to give in evidence that
a felony had been committed, and that there was reason-
able ground for suspecting that the plaintiff had com-
mitted it; but the judge refused to admit this evidence,
as was alleged, either under the plea of the general issue,
or in mitigation of damages. The plaintiff obtained a
verdict with £4O damages ; but subsequently a rule was
granted for a new trial, upon the ground that the evidence
had been improperly rejected. It appeared during the
argument that there was a decided difference between the
counsel on either side as to what took place on the trial,
and the.difficulty did not seem to be cleared up by the
notes returned by the learned judge. Lord Campbell
said, he should be much pleased to assist the Passage
Court of Liverpool in the administration of justice, but in
this instance he could not tell what points had been
decided. The counsel differed both as to the law laid
down, and also as to the facts ; and the report did not
satisfy him (Lord Campbell) as to the point of law which
had been decided. There must, therefore, be a new trial
—the costs to abide the event. lqr. Justice Wightman
said he was of the same opinion, and upon the same
ground. Rule ailmb4e for, new trial.