The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-03-06 00:00:00

THE BOTANIC GARDENS.

The MAYOR presented a memorial from the proprietors of
the Liverpool Botanic Gardens, which set forth
" That this institution has existed for forty years, the ad-
miration of those skilled in botanical science, and a just
source of pride to the inhabitants of this great commercial
emporium. That your memorialists, not unmindful of, or
ungrateful for, the valuable support which has been given to
it by the corporation of Liverpool through this long series of
years, are encouraged to apply for your aid and assistance in
the present state of their difficulties, from a full persuasion
that you would be unwilling that an institution of such long
standing should cease to exist, when so little is required to
restore it to its former vigour and efficiency. That your me-
morialists are the more strengthened in this hope, now that
they can assure the council that it is their wish and attention
(should the means of continuing the gardens be afforded
them) to open the gardens to the public, at least one day in
each week during the season. Thus not only will the pro-
prietors enjoy their rights and privileges as before, but what
is of vast and vital importance, in a town of such magnitude
as Liverpool, the middle and lower classes of society will
have the opportunity afforded them of enjoying an innocent
and healthy recreation within the precincts of the borough.
"That your memorialists, anxious that the council should
be informed as to the real state of their finances, will now
briefly remark that the present debt of £4OOO. was caused
by the removal of the gardens from the old to the new
site, together with such accumulations of interest as the
annual income has been unable to meet. For the main-
taining the gardens in the order they require, an average
annual expenditure of £80(1 at least is necessary, whereas
the annual income, arising chiefly from subscription, is
barely adequate to defray these charges, consequently the
debt must go on annually increasing unless an additional
income be raised equal to the amount of interest. That the
gardens, consisting of six Derby acres, are now the absolute
property of your memorialists, and therefore, if the assis-
tance they hope to receive be granted, this institution (which
is so well placed for receiving the valuable treasures of the
vegetable world from every quarter of the globe, and which,
at the same time, is so capable of yielding the benefits of
pure air, exercise, and innocent amusement to thousands
engaged for the whole week in their toilsome occupations)
will and must continue to flourish, an honour to the town,
and a source of great and increasing interest to every portion
of its inhabitants.

" For and on behalf of the proprietors of the Botanic
Gardens,

" CHARLES HORSFALL, President.
" Liverpool, 3d Marell, 1840."
Mr. RATHBONE moved that the memorial should be
referred to the favourable consideration of the Finance Com-
mittee. He stated that great efforts were being made by the
proprietors to reduce the debt.
Mr. JORDAN seconded the motion.
Mr. SA.NDBACH suggested that the Gardens committee

should be associated in this instance with the Finance Com.
mittee, to consider whether, in addition to the Botanic
Gardens, some larger place of recreation for the public
might not be established in the neighbourhood.
Mr. Sulam asked whether the application of the corpora-
tion funds to the Botanic Gardens would ne in accordance
with the 92d section of the municipal reform bill, which re-
stricted the application of the surplus, if surplus there were,
to the general improvement of the town and the general
benefit of the inhabitants ? To open the Botanic Gardens
one day in the week would be of little service,'unless that
one day were the only day on which the working classes could
possibly take advantage of it ; and he certainly should not
let any squeamishness of opinion operate on him to deprive
the working-man of innocent and healthful recreation on the
Sunday, although he should oppose any motion for the grant-
ing of funds to afford recreation which could
.not he enjoyed
by those classes who stood most in need of it.
Mr. BLACKBURN said thnt he should like the word " fa-
vourable" struck out of Mr. RathbOne's motion, as that was
tantamount to instructing the Finance Committee to agree to
the prayer of the memorial. If ever any proposition were
made to open the gardens on the Sunday, be should oppose
it, as he differed toto cre/o from Mr. Sheil on that point.

Mr. RATHBONE agreed to withdraw the word " favour-
able."

The motion was then adopted.
MEMORIAL FROM FLOUR DEALERS.

The MAYOR next presented a memorial from certain flour
dealers against what was formerly a by-law, but now a ge-
neral law, enacting that if any person cause to be drawn out
by a horse or horses any rope or chain for hoisting goods into
warehouses, or lowering them into cellars, he shall forfeit a
sum not exceeding 20s. This law (the Mayor observed) had
been found injurious to the flour dealers, who had formerly,
and now again, memorialised against it.
Mr. CURRIE observed that the provision was contained in
a parliamentary act, and could not.be altered by the council.
Mr. JORDAN had repeatedly seen the practice of hoisting
by means of a chain and horse, and had once suffered from
it. He had seen, not only sacks, but American flour barrels,
being hoisted up in the same way. This was a most dan-
gerous thing. (Hear, hear.)
MEMORIAL FROM THE INHABITANTS OF BIRKENHEAD.

The MAYOR presented a memorial from the inhabitants
of Birkenhead and the neighbourhood, which, after alluding
to the closing of the Monks' Ferry (which, when open, had
" proved a great convenience to the memorialists and the
inhabitants of the surrounding districts"), expressed an
opinion that the ferries of Birkenhead And Woodside were
totally inadequate for the greatly increased population of
Birkenhead and the surrounding•townships, and prayed that
the council would afford them such relief and protection as
might be deemed proper under the circumstances of the case.
Mr. PLATT snpported the prayer of the memorial, and
mentioned, as a proof of the convenienee afforded to the
public by the Monks' Ferry, that ten or twelve thousand
persons had repeatedly crossed over to it in one day. What
the memorialists wished was, either that the Monks' Ferry
should be re-opened, or a new one made. He moved that
the memorial be referred to the town-clerk.

Mr. CURRIE said it could hardly be expected that the
council should open another ferry, seeing that the Monks'
had been put down by legal proceedings. The memorialist;
should have remembered, too, that the suppression of the
Monks' Ferry would be•of advantage to the corporation's
ferry of Birkenhead. He had no objection, however, that
the opinion of the town-clerk should be taken, and he would
second the motion.

Mr. BOLTON moved that the petition should lie on the
table.

Mr. BLACKIWIIN seconded this amendment, because they
had already had the opinion of the town-clerk, that it would
be unadvisable to interfere.

Mr. Alderman SHEIL remarked that a proposal had been
made to the Finance Committee to sell the Monks' Ferry to
the corporation, and he looked upon this memorial as an ad-
vertisement, quite as dexterous as if it had emanated from Mr.
George Robins. Mr. Platt, to show the immense advantages
that would result to the corporation from the purchase, had
told of--how many hundred thousand was it ?—who had
crossed over in one day.
Mr. PLATT observed that Mr. Price had only established a
right of carrying passengers from the Cheshire side to Liver-
pool, and not from Liverpool to Cheshire—that remained
open.
The memorial was allowed to lie on the table.
CASHING SEAMEN'S NOTES.

A memorial from " a committee appointed by the associa-
tion of drapers, clothiers, outfitters, boarding-house keep-
ers, and others receiving or cashing seamen's notes in
Liverpool," was referred to the Court of Requests' Com-
mittee.

PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Mr. BRIGHT gave rMtiCe,--that, at the next council meet-
ing he should move that the council memorialize the House
of Commons upon the present question of the privileges of
the house, which were involved in the imprisonment of the
Sheriffs. He looked upon this as a question of great im-
portance. He considered the privileges of the House of Com-
mons as essentially necessary to the liberty of that house as
the air we breathed was to us. He was aware Lord John
Russell had given notice that he should, to-morrow, (Thurs-
day) introduce a bill to obtain power for the house to publish
its reports, but he looked upon this as involving a dangerous
principle, for it was to lay at the foot of the House of Lords
the privileges of an independent branch of the legislature. It
was, in fact, going to the House of Lords and beseeching their
permission to enjoy the privileges which they had already
long enjoyed. He was sorry, therefore, to see that Lord J.
Russell had descended from the high ground he had taken in
the first instance, for it was an acknowledgment that the
House of Commons had no longer a right to their privileges.
If the House of Lords refused their consent to the proposed
bill, away went the privileges of the House of Commons.
Mr. BLACKBURN did not wish to open a debate, but he
must state that the bill of Lord John Russell was a declara-
tory bill, recognizing the existence of certain rights of the
House of Commons.

PUNISHMENT OF DEATH

Mr. RATRBONE gave notice, that, at the next meeting of
the council he should move—" That a petition he presented
to parliament, praying for the abolition of the punishment of
death, as in opposition to the spirit of Christianity, as im-
perative to prevent the commission of crime, as deterring'
parties from prosecuting and witnesses from coming forward,
and as interfering with the purity and truthfulness cf the ad-
ministration of justice, by inducing verdicts in direct contra-
diction to evidence."

PROCEEDINGS OP THE DOCK COMMITTEE.

The proceedings of the Dock Committee were next read.
and on the motion of Mr. BENS, seconded by Mr. BA It-
CLAY, they were confirmed.
The council then adjourned.

POLICE IN7'ELLIGENCE.-TUESDAY.

CURIOUS CASE-ROW TO TAKE CARE OF CASH.

A man, who has been employed ai a porter in the service
of Mr. Lindon, of Berry-street, was placed at the bar, on
suspicion of having stolen the sum of X 92 103., the properti'
of his master.

Mr. Dowling said, the prisoner was merely there on sus-
picion, circumstances having induced a belief that he was
the person who had taken a large sum of money, not less
than £92 10s., which had been deposited for security in a
cellar.

Mrs. Pegram, a relative of Mr. Lindon's, who resides
with him, stated, that they had been in the habit occasion-
ally of depositing cash in the cellar for safety. On Saturday
night she gave a young man belonging to the establishment,
which was a spirit vault, £92 10s., with directions that he
should conceal it, as he had done before, in the cellar. He
took it from her and went to the cellar.

The young man above alluded to stated, that he took the
money, which was enfolded in two pieces of ribbon, and laid
it in the porter-bin. He put a bottle of porter over it, and
then carefully covered the whole with sawdust. On Monday
morning he went down and found that the bottle had been
removed, the sawdust disturbed, and the money taken away.
The prisoner had had occasion to go down for porter, and
he was the only person who had been at the bin. He (wit-
ness) accompanied a joiner down to the cellar, but the joiner
only remained there five minutes, and witness was with biro
all the time. One of the young men who waited at the bar
was also down, but he had not o :casion to go to the bin.
The young man last alluded to said he mid been once in
the cellar, but had not touched the bin.
Prisoner—Nor I neither. I never was near the bin.
The young man who had placed the money in the bin said
the prisoner had certainly been there, and had taken out two
huzen of porter.
Prisoner—l saw a strange man there, a man that I never
saw before in my .ife. He was in the cellar, and near the bin.
The young man said this was impossible.
Mr. Dowling.—l may state, sir, that it is necessary to
search the cellar very minutely. We have not yet had time
to search the half of it, but we will proceed to do so with all
expedition.

The police-officer said he had, while searching, found'
sovereign on the floor near a bottle-rack.

Prisoner—Have you looked at the top of the bottle-rack--
atop of the empty bottles. I saw the man that I mentioned
putting something there. I dare say if you look psalm's:lY
thereabout you'll find the motley. I should not wonder as
all if you would—not a bit. You'd better look there, for
I'm sure I saw him putting something there.
The sagacious officers of the court looked knowingly sa
each other on hearing this, and Mr. Rushton recommended
that a minute search should be made throughout the cellar.
The prisoner was remanded.
YESTERDAY.
ROBBERY BY A SERVANT.

Rachel M`Lauchlin, a servant girl, was charged with has'
ing stolen £l5, the property of her master, Mr. Webster,
of Clarence-street, Everton.
Mrs. Webster stated that the prisoner had brought her &
letter containing the above sum, which she put into her purse,
and placed in her pocket. She was in bed at the time, but
shortly afterwards got up, to sit in an easy chair, while her
bed was made, and directed the prisoner to put her pocket
containing the money in a drawer. She did so, and placed e
chair against it, but, as prosecutor supposed, must have
taken it out again, while her attention was diverted. The
prisoner then went down stairs, and went out, leaving the
hack door open. When the policeman on duty informed her
of this fact, she suspected something was wrong, and, wit`
her husband, examined the drawer and found the money rais,",
sing. No one was in the house at the time besides hero!,
and her husband. The prisoner did not return. A police:
man stated that upon information which he received he I'4o'
in search of the prisoner, and took her into custody. When
charged with the robbery, she denied it, and said that she
had only 3d in her pocket : on being searched, however, the
greater part of the money was found in her possession.
The prisoner said nothing in her defence, and was wooly"'
ed to take her trial at the sessions.

ILLEGALLY PAWNING.
Ann Downing was charged with having illegally pawn
certain sheets and blankets, the property of James Macle3o
lodging-house keeper, 15, Suffolk-street.
It appeared that the prisoner had lodged with the proge:s
cutor, and that without his consent she had pawned sheets
and blankets, belonging to him, of the value of 19s.
The prisoner pleaded poverty, but was ordered to pay 196:
and 405., or, in default of payment, be imprisoned one nionto'

BREACH OF TRUST. of
Robert Muir, ship-keeper on board the Glasgow..
Greenock, was charged with having stolen part of the ship

cargo.
A policeman stated that be stopped the prisoner near the.
Waterloo Dock, and found a quantity of sugar, which 1),;
produced, concealed in his hat ; and on going to the prisoner
house, he found more of the same kind.
The captain of the Glasgow examined the sugar, and sal
that it was part of his cargo.
Mr. Rushton (addressing the prisoner) said he had be,
placed in a situation of confidence and trust. This proleZ
had been given into his sole charge, and he had stolen
must be committed to gaol for one month.

lo
TIIE SCHOOLM ASTER A BROA D .—A ludicrous circuma e'
happened a few days since near Victoria-place, St. Botolph r'
Colchester. A carpenter, being out of employment, det
mined to commence businesson his own account, and ha •,c
no workshop he began building one on his own garden, "r,
adjoined the southern side of his neighbour's, who is a shy,
maker and florist. An altercation ensued, the carpenter afej;
elating his right, and the shoemaker protesting ha bad bia
business to prevent the rays of the sun from entering ~e
garden, and threatened to give up the premises ; to which nid
carpenter replied he wished he would, and then he w°o
hire the two houses, and the two gardens would make biro
good yard. This altered the tone of the shoemaker, who in”
mediately pasted the following lines np4A bis!l-#TII-I)°St
" Four rooms to let at number Too
When the Big man the carpenter can make the man goof
. And when-theyll be ready cal, baste a!,. ••
By axing the man at number Too.. - •