The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-01-24 00:00:00

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST AN AFRICAN CAPTAIN.

On Friday a lengthy investigation took place before the
coroner, respecting the death of William Thompson, a
sailor, who arrived on the previous Saturday from Bonny,
on the coast of Africa, in the ship Ensign, commanded by
Capt. Walker. Frederick Miller, a seaman in the same ship,
said the deceased was laid up nine months on the coast of
Africa with the coast sickness, and took a great quantity of
mercury. When he got to sea he was still in a very weak
state. He kept about the decks until about three weeks
before the vessel arrived in Liverpool. He was taken
from the forecastle, and put into the sail-room, which was
used as an hospital. The deceased continued very ill
until he was brought ashore. "We were," said the wit-
ness, " half starved on our passage home, and very little
attention was paid to us. Further evidence went to
prove that lime juice and other necessary articles had not
been served out to the sick. At the request of the captain,
the investigation was adjourned till this day (Tuesday.)
EMIGRATION is 1853.—The emigration returns for
the year 1853 show that 318,680 persons left the ports
of the United Kingdom at which there are government
emigration officers. As compared with 1852, this num-
ber shows a diminution of 50,084; but it is above the
average of the last six years. To the United States the
stream of emigration flowed steadily, the number of
persons who went thither being 225,258, against 224,000
in 1852. To the North American colonies there went
30,563 (above half of whom sailed from Ireland), against
33,000 in the previous year. To Australia the number is
59,931, against 87,781 in the preceding year. Of the
whole number of persons who emigrated to the United
States in 1853, 203,661 sailed from England : of this
number, 186,657 sailed from Liverpool, but, as is always
the case, a large proportion of the emigrants were Irish.
The total who left Ireland for the United States by the
direct route was 14,558. The American returns show best
to what nationalities the bulk of the emigrants belonged.
The total number entering the port of New York in 1853
was 284,639—0 f which there were from Ireland, 113,164;
England, 27,039; Scotland, 6,456 ; Wales, 1,182. The
only places that can compete with these are Germany,
119,474 ; France, 7,462 ; Switzerland, 4,563 ; Holland,
1,085; Sweden, 1,630.
MASONRY.—At the regular monthly meeting of the
Ancient Union Lodge, held at the Royal Hotel, Dale-
street, on Thursday, the 15th December, an address was
read by the W. M. Brother Charles Hand, upon the prin-
ciples and practice of freemasonry, and the unanimous
thanks of the lodge were voted for his services as W. M.
during the year 1851. The first meeting for 1854 was
held on Thursday, the 19th instant, when Brother Slack
was solemnly installed as W. M. for the year, and the fol-
lowing officers appointed :—Brother Buckmaster, S. W. ;
Brother Room, jun., J. W. ; Brother Meugedaht, S. D.;
Brother Nicholas Marsh, J. D. ; and Brother Waring, J.
G. The first degree was then conferred upon Brothers
W. W. Lloyd and James Newall, in a manner which re-
flected much credit upon the W. M. After this the an-
nual banquet took place, and was very numerously and re-
spectably attended. Amongst others we noticed, on the
right of the W. M., Brothers Henderson, Walmsley, John
Fenton, S. 8., Brabner, Coupland, Holbrooke, Thomas
Clarke, Mason, Legge, Foster, &c. ; on the left, Brothers
Allpass, Warburton, John Hulton, Hand, Armstrong,
Molyneux, George, Haswell, and Berry. Letters were read
from Brothers Thomas Littledale and Charles Verelst, re-
gretting their unavoidable absence. The usual masonic
toasts were given, supported by the talent of the musical
brethren. The duties of the chair were very well con-
ducted, and, after some very able speeches upon the pro-
gress of the order, and the West Lancashire Masonic In-
stitution in particular, the brethren retired, highly grati-
fied by the entertainment.
THR KIRKDALE SESSIONS.—The Epiphany Quarter
Sessions for the hundred of West Derby, commenced on
Tuesday, at the Court-house, Kirkdale, the Venerable
Archdeacon Brooks presiding. The calendar was un-
usually light, containing the names of only 37 persons for
trial. The number of prisoners in the gaol were, males
275 ; females 80 ; total 335. The sum of £l3O was
granted for the repair of the bridges during the next
quarter. Captain Woodford, superintendent of the con-
stabulary, submitted his report, from which it appeared
that the total number of cases for the quarter were-2,105
taken into custody by the police ; 1,954 summoned by
ditto ; 2,447 summoned by the parish authorities ; total
6,506, as compared with 6,526 in the corresponding
quarter of last year. In reply to the bench, Capt. Wood-
ford stated that all the colliers in the neighbourhood of
Wigan and Bury were now at work again, and the dis-
tricts quite quiet. The question of refreshments at the
sessions occasioned a warm discussion, Mr. Tinne pro-
posing that all who partook should pay for what they
called for ; eventually, however, it was agreed that the
lunch be continued as heretofore. On Thursday, the
criminal business commenced. One feature of interest in
the proceedings of which was the introduction of a new
barrister—Mr. B. C. Aspinall—brother to the gentleman
of that name who has for some years been a respected
member of our local bar. On that day the court was
occupied for upwards of four hours in hearing a charge
brought against three young men for cutting the wires of
the electric telegragh on the Lancashire and Yorkshire
Railway, near Wigan. The Rev. Archdeacon Brooks, in
passing sentence, commented strongly upon the " enor-
mity" and " absurdity" of any persons being irrational
enough to frustrate a means of communication which was
beneficial to all. The prisoners were sentenced to six
months' imprisonment, with hard labour.—On Thursday,
an appeal by Matthew Atkinson was heard. The appel-
lant had applied for a license for a house at Garston, in
August last, which had been refused on the ground that
the house was unfinished at the time. The same objection
being still in operation, the appeal was dismissed. On
Friday, an appeal by James Berry, publican, Vauxhall-
road, whose license had been suspended, was heard, and
after three hours' discussion, the license was renewed.
William Henry Spencer, publican, Peter-street, appealed
against a decision of the borough magistrates refusing to
renew his license. The appeal was dismissed, and the
decision of the borough magistrates confirmed.
A LEASE ON LivEs.—On Friday, before Vice-Chancel-
lor Sir J. Stuart, Mr; Cairns moved, under the 6th Anne,
chap. 18, entitled " An Act for the more effectual DiSco-
very of the Death of Persons pretended to be alive, to the
prejudice of those who claim Estates after their Deaths,"
to compel a lessee pur autre vie to produce the ceatuique
vie to the reversioner. The facts were as follow :—On
the 4th of June, 1849, Mr. William Johnson, of Liverpool,
haberdasher, became the purchaser, at a sale by public
auction at Parkgate, in the county of Chester, of a house
and offices situate at Parkgate, the description of which
was, that they were occupied by Miss Storer, and " were
claimed to be in lease for one life, then 60 years of age or
thereabouts, but no evidence of such lease was in the
possession of the vendor ;" and the house and offices were
conveyed to Johnson, subject to the existence of the said
lease, dated the 30th of November, 1791 (if any). On the
27th of July, 1852, Johnson gave notice to Thomas
Whitehead, who was the tenant then in possession of the
house and offices, to pay to him (Johnson) the future rent
to become due in respect of the same, as he had requested
Mr. William Byrne, of Shoe-lane, Dublin, bone-merchant,
who claimed the life interest, subject to which he had
purchased the house and offices, to prove to him that such
life was still in existence, and Byrne had made no reply to
such request. Under a threat of distress, however, at the
instance of Byrne, Whitehead had paid the rent due on
the Ist of October, 1852, to Byrne's agent. Johnson,
thereupon, on the sth of August, 1853, gave Byrne notice,
requiring to know from him whether the person for whose
life he held the house and offices was then still alive, and,
if alive, he required to know his or her address within one
month. On the 3rd of November, 1853, Byrne wrote to
Johnson's solicitor to the effect that he believed the lives
for which he held the Parkgate premises were then exist-
ing, and that they were resident in England, but that if
satisfactory proof could be given to convince him to the
contrary, he would give the property up. In October,
1863, Whitehead paid to Byrne's agent the rent then due
in respect of the Parkgate premises. Johnson, in support
of the present application, deposed to the effect that he
believed that the persons for whose lives the said lease
was granted were now dead. The motion was, that
William Byrne should be ordered, on the Ist of February
next, provided the order of the court for that purpose
should be served upon him ten clear days previously, to
produce and show at a time and place therein mentioned, to
two parties therein named, Elizabeth Clossey, widow, Jane
Anne Galway, & Elizabeth Anne Galway,the persons named
in the lease of the 30th of November, 1791, or any one or
more of such persons. In support of the application, the
first section of the 6th of Anne, chap. 18, was read, and
" In. Re Lingers," 12 Sim., 104, was cited. The Vice-
Chancellor made an order in the way mentioned in the
case of "In Re Lingo," 12 Sim., Wit

Jelin CHAMBERS, a watchmaker, residing in Luke-
street, Toxteth-park, committed suicide on Monday by
cutting his throat.
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.—The general
annual meeting of the proprietors of the Philharmonic-
hall was held on Thursday, at the Cotton Sale-rooms,
Hardman Earle, Esq., in the chair. It was announced
that the society was in the most prosperous condition.
After the usual routine of business, a vote of thanks was
passed to William Sudlow, Esq., honorary secretary, for
his very efficient services to the society during the past
year.
LORD STANLEY AT ST. HBLEN'S.—A public 'meeting
for the purpose of increasing the usefulness of the library
of the Mechanics' Institution, St. Helen's, was held in the
Town-hall, on Monday week last. Lord Stanley was pre-
sent, and the audience was numerous and respectable.
Gilbert Greenall, Esq., M.P., presided. Lord Stanley
advocated the establishment of such institutions as a means
of promoting sobriety among the people ; and if they
obtained no other result, the diminutiih of vice and
poverty, and the elevation of the general intellectual con
dition of the country, would be an ample return for theft•
outlay. A resolution in favour of increasing the library
of the institution having been adopted, and a sub-com-
mittee appointed to carry it out, the proceedings terminated
by a vote of thanks to the chairman.
GALLANT RESCUE OP A CREW.—The Rev. Charles K.
Gubble, M.A., chaplain of the London Sailors' Home, who
was a passenger by the Mona's Queen, has given the fol-
lowing account of an heroic action :111e Mona's Queen,
Captain John R Grier, left Greenock for Liverpool at five,
p.m. on Thursday, and had to contend with a heavy head
gale. About one, p.m., on Friday, when about half-way
between the Black Comb and the Isle of Man, a small
sloop was seen at some distance evidently in great distress.
The commander of the Mona's Queen, although anxious
to save his tide, and already delayed by the head wind and
heavy sea, immediately steered towards the vessel, which
presented a deplorable spectacle, being water-logged, and
utterly unmanageable, with the sea washing over her.
Her sails and rigging were in ribbons, and her only boat
gone. Six men manned the steamer's boat, while the cap-
tain cleverly so laid his vessel as to bring the boat on the
lee side. The boat was then smartly lowered into the
heavy sea, and away she went towards the wreck. In a
short time she returned with three men, the crew of the
sinking vessel; and, with her living freight, was safely
hoisted on board the steamer, which then resumed her
voyage. The poor fellows, who were very much exhausted,
were taken care of by the steward, and treated in the
kindest manner possible. Their vessel, the flat Rover, of
Conway, had left the Black and Blue Quarry at two, p.m.,
on Thursday, and at ten o'clock sprang a leak. All night
the poor fellows were at the pumps, and the water had got
above the cabin seats when they were rescued.

SELECT VESTRY.—The Rev. Rector Campbell presided
at the meeting on Tuesday. A report was read from Mr.
Weightman, the surveyor, describing the various works
executed at the Workhouse, which would be completed
in about three months. The sum paid to contractors on
account of the building was £8,200, exclusive of various
amounts paid to other parties for fixtures and fittings of
various descriptions. Some discussion followed as to the
advisability of establishing soup-houses for the relief of
the distressed poor. Mr. Denton strongly recommended
their establishment, but it was opposed by other members,
on the ground that the extra applications for out-door
relief did not warrant the step, and that the distress
would cease with the east winds. The Workhouse Com-
mittee reported that the admissions to the Vagrant-sheds
during the week bad been 232 males, 248 females, and 16
children : total, 496. The number of inmates in the
house on the 11th instant was reported to be 2,411. Mr.
Hart submitted the usual annual return to the Poor-law
Board of the salaries paid to medical officers, schoolmasters
and mistresses, for the last half year of 1853. The total
amount for doctors which the parish claimed to have re-
imbursed was £462 Bs. 11d.; for schoolmasters and mis-
tresses, £317 16s. 10d. There was a further claim for
drugs of £275 13s. ld. Mr. Denton then brought forward
the motion—That the churchwardens and overseers be
requested to take into consideration the propriety of as-
sisting, by petition and otherwise, the various unions
throughout the country, for the purpose of opposing a
renewal of the powers of the Poor-law Board in the next
session. The Chairman spoke against the motion. He
never found the board interfering unless they were
justified in interfering. Some further discussion ensued,
but ultimately an amendment of Mr. Carne's, that a sub-
committee be appointed to watch the bill for the re-con-
stitution of the Poor-law Board on its appearance in Par-
liament, was carried nem dis.
ScnooL FOS TILE BLIND.—The annual meeting, of
this valuable institution was held on Friday, Mr. Wm.
Brown, M.P., presiding. There were also present, the
Rev. Augustus Campbell, rector, the Rev. Edward Hull,
Mr. John Drinkwater, Mr. Wm. Earle, Mr. Jas. Lister,
Mr. Edward Moon, Mr. W. F. Macgregor, Mr. F. S. Hull,
Mr. Harmood Banner, Mr. Maccrackan, Dr. 3r/caught,
Mr. Minshull, Mr. Mills, Mr. John Smith, &c. Mr. Mills,
the treasurer, said that during the past year, the funds of
the institution had been augmented by several legacies,
amounting to £1,224, and donations to £156 ;.that the
sale of goods had exceeded the sales of the previous year
by £l4O. Owing to these circumstances, the finances
were in a more favourable state than for some years past ;
but, owing to it being found necessary to make alterations
and to erect some new buildings, combined with the ad-
vanced price of provisions, coals, &c., the expenses of last
year have been.increased about £420. He calculated there
would be a defitiency in the hands of-the treasurer of about
£2OO. Mr. Mills also remarked that, owing to deaths and
other causes there is a blank in the subscribers every year,

and it was highly desirable that the committee and the
friends of the blind should endeavour to get fresh sub-
scribers. The rkinufacture of goods is steadily increasing,
and in value exceeds the previous year by £165. There
were 87 pupils in the school, of whom 39 were females
and 48 were males, and he had great pleasure in stating,
in the name of the visitors, that there had been hardly a
complaint of a serious nature against the pupils,—a fact
which proved their conduct was most exemplary. Mr.
Wm. Brown, M.P., was elected president for the ensuing
year, and the vice-president, treasurer, and committee
were also appointed ; and, after a vote of thanks to the
president, the meeting separated.
TIIE STRIKES IN THE NORTH.:-011 Wednesday, a
wardrobe, valued at £25, was raffled for in the Assembly-
rooms, Liverpool, the proceeds of which were to be devoted
to the relief of the factory operatives now out on strike at
Preston and Wigan. The wardrobe had been presented
by a number of cabinet-makers, who sympathised with
the sufferings of the " turn-outs." The number of tickets
issued was 2048, and the number sold amounted to 1,242,
which, at is. a ticket, would realise the handsome sum of
£62 2s. The prize was won by the holder of No. 1,507.—
All the mills in Wigan have been running this week,
although two or three have a small number of hands. The
card-room operatives of the mills of Messrs. John Acton
and Co. and Mr. Tipping have again struck work. It
appears that thep went to their employment, at the be-
ginning of last week, under an impression that they were
to receive the advance they sought, and, not obtaining it
on Saturday, they would not go on Monday. The colliers
of Wigan and the neighbourhood are apparently about to
make another effort to obtain an advance of wages. A
private meeting of delegates from the different lodges of
the Miners' Society was held at Scholes on Monday, when
resolutions, having that object in view were passed.
STEAM BETWEEN LIVERPOOL AND DUBLIN.—Among
the gossip of the week has been the formation of a now
steam company between Dublin and Liverpool by Mr.
Dargan. The parties who have appeared are the great
contractor, and Mr. Joseph Cowper, and Mr. James Stir-
ling, directors of the Midland Railway. It is stated, and
we believe it to be the case, that they have purchased the
twoscrew boats hitherto plying between the twoports;called
the Times and Mail, and also Mr. Dargan's interest in the
Newry and Liverpool line. Mr. King, the present agent
here, is to go to Liverpool, and Mr. Cowper, jun., is to act
as agent here ; and it is said that the new line is to run
at a very low rate of freights, and to be worked with
vigour. On the other hand, however, it is conjectured
that the parties have acted in the interests of the City of
Dublin Company to get rid of the opposition. This derives
some colour from Mr. Dargan being chairman of the
Steam Association, avowedly set on foot to ensure each
company's monopoly of their own line, and also from the
other two gentlemen being directors of the British and
Irish Company, who, it will be remembered, lavished
enormous sums in an unsuccessful attempt to maintain
their sole possession (with the City of Dublin Company)
of the London line against Messrs. Malcomson. The City
of Dublin Company, however, we believe, affirm that they
have no connexion with the enterprise, which has made a
little stir this week.—Freeman's Journal.
LIVERPOOL POULTRY Snow.—The first annual ex-
hibition of poultry was held at Lucas's Repository, ou
Wednesday and Thursday. The birds were placed in
double tiers, securing an avenue for promenade. There
were 1,300 fowls entered for show, contributed from all
parts of the country, amongst which may be mentioned
Captain Hornby's black Spanish fowls, Mr. Gilbert W.
Moss's bantams, Mr. Worrall's celebrated Rouen ducks
(which have obtained seven first-class medals), and the
equally celebrated Cochin fowls of Messrs. Stowe and C.
Ransom. The judges of the fowls were Mr. Bailey, of
Mount-street, London, and Mr. Hewitt, of Birmingham,
who are stated to be the first judges in England of this
peculiar branch. The show, after having been visited by
upwards of five thousand persons, was followed on Friday
by a sale by auction, of upwards of four hundred specimens
of different kinds of birds, which had formed a part of
the exhibition. The stock offered for sale consisted of
Cochin Chinas black Spanish, Dorkings, gold and silver
pheasants, white and black crested Poland fowls Norfolk
turkeys, peacocks, peahens, &c. Amongst them were
many of the mosevaluable of the birds exhibited at the
show ; and were respectively the property of A. M`Nichol,
Esq., of Birkenhead •E. Allison, Esq., of Park-hall, near
Chorley ; R. Maxfield, Esq., of Cheshire ; Charles Wilson,
Esq., of Allerton ; T. M. Keyworth, Esq., of Lincoln ;
Mr. Wm. Copple, of Knowsley ; Edward Lifter, Esq.,
of Cassia Lodge, Cheshire, and other noted breeders.
There was a numerous and highly-respectable attendance
of purchasers, and the sale excited considerable interest.
The lots first sold were the property of Mr. M`Nichol, of
Birkenhead. The highest price which any of these lots
fetched was thirty-five shillings for a cinnamon and buff
Cochin pullet, six months old. The other lots consisted
of a cockerel and a pullet each, and realised, on an average,
about one guinea. The stock of Mr. Maxfield, consisting
of Cochin Chinas, were next offered, and realised some-
what higher prices, as much as £3 being given for a
cockerel and two pullets. The lots belonging to C. Wilson,
Esq., of Allerton, were next submitted to competition.
These lots were decidedly the most attractive feature in
the sale. They consisted of twenty-four lots of splendid
cinnamon and buff Cochin Chinas, the original stock from
which they were bred having been imported by the breeder
direct from Shanghai. Each lot consisted of a cockerel and
one pullet, and realised from 20s. to £3. A fine black Spanish
cockerel and four pullets, the property of Mr. Charles
Jones, of Liverpool, realised £3 es. The other lots of
Cochin Chinas, belonging to E. Lister, Esq., of Cassia-
lodge, Chesire, Mrs. Coulbourn, of New Brighton, T. M.
Keyworth, Esq., of Lincoln, and other gentlemen, realised
about the same prices. A cockerel and two pullets (prize
birds), the property of Mr. Keyworth, sold for 26
The whole of the Cochin having been disposed of, some
very fine lots of Dorking's were next offered, and sad at
capital prices, as much as V. and C. ss. being given for a
cockerel and pullet, six months old. The conclucl;:rig lots
offered were a fow peacocks, peahens, turkeys, wind white
crested Poland hens. Altogether the procee4 'of the sale
amounted to betweou NOW and £7OO.