The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-10-06 00:00:00

TH (RD DAY'!-TH EIRSD Ay.,

The polling was resumed this morning at nine o'clock, but
it did not proceed with quite so much animation as yester-
day. The hall was crowded, and the neighbourhood of
King-street presented a bustling appearance. The placards
of Mr. Alderman Harmer arc very numerous, the majority
of which bear the following inscription The crisis is now
depending. Rush to the poll. Hurrah for Harmer."
Mr. Harmer's friends and supporters have lost all that
confidence which they exhibited yesterday, and now admit
that there is a doubt of success. Some go further, and say
that they consider there is but little chance. It is not how-
ever the fault of Alderman Harmer's committee if he is un-
successful, as every possible means are used to induce the
Livery to come to the poll ; but it will be seen, by the fol-
lowing numbers polled this morning, that the majority of
Messrs. Pixie and Johnson issteadilf and regularly increas
ing

TEN O'CLOCK.

Alderman Pirie
Alderman Johnson
Alderman Harmer

. 1318
. 1306
. 1169

Majority for Pirie
Majority for Johnson
ELEVEN O'CLOCK.

Alderman Pirie.7.
Alderman Johnson
Alderman Harmer.

Majority for Pirie
Majority for Johnson
TWELVE O'CLOCK.

Alderman Pirie
Alderman Johnson
Alderman Harmer

Majority for Pirie
Alajority for Johnson
ONE O'CLOCK.

Alderman Pirie .
Aldeinaan Johnson
Alderman Harmer

Majority for Pirie
Majority for Johnson
TWO O'CLOCK.

Alderman Pirie
Alderman Johnson
Alderman Harmer

1449
1434
1229 •

1545
1527
1301

.. 1707
..1688
.. 1414

1822
1800
1488

Majority for Pixie 334
Majority for Johnson
THREE O'CLOCK-(THIS DAY'S CLOSE).
Alderman Pixie
Alderman Johnson
Alderman Harmer 1565

Majority for Pirie
Majority for Johnson
GROSS STATE OF THE POLL AT THE CLOSE OF THE

FOURTH DAY.-FRIDAY.
Alderman Pirie
Alderman Johnson
Alderman Harmer

. 2242
. 2185
. 1752

Majority for Pirie
Majority for Johnson
Very fond anticipations were indulged in by the Dispatch
ites that Friday would be a " lucky" day to them, but for
no other reason that we could learn than they were quite sa-
tisfied that Saturday would be very " unlucky" to them.
The result of tha first hour's poll destroyed all the fanciful
" honeysuckle work" which they had been running up in
their brains. At ten o'clock the gross poll was as follows :
Alderman Pirie was
Alderman Johnson 1910
Alderman Harmer 1574

.... 490

Majority for Pirie 359
Majority for Johnson
Although the result was not made known to the friends of
Alderman Harmer in attendance, yet the frequent cry of
" Thank you for Aldermen Pule and Johnson" was proof
undeniable that Publicola's paymaster was " dragging his
slow length along" after his opponents at an increasing dis-
tance. The frequently-repeated groans at, and the unfre-
quent cheering of, the liverymen by the Dispatchites, as the
former tendered their votes, was plainly indicative of their
hopeless state. And here it may be observed that the per-
sons at the barriers yesterday were several degrees higher in
the scale of decency, both in appearance and manners, than
those in attendance on the previous days; still they flung
Dispatch politics and " regenerating" principles about with
anything but a fastidious hand. Indeed their idol, the wor-
thy alderman, who occupied a seat in front of the hustings
during the day, might very appropriately and most acceptably
have addressed them in the language of the Dunciad—
" Who flings most filth and wide pollutes around
The stream, be his the weekly journal (s) bound."

Throughout the day the majority in favour of Pirie and
Johnson, as will be seen below, continued to increase.

ELEVEN O'CLOCK.

Alderman Pine...
Alderman Johnson
Alderman Harmer.

Majority for Pirie
Majority for Johnson
TWELVE O'CLOCK.

Alderman Pirie.....
Alderman Johnson
Alderman Harmer.

. 1978
. 1951
. 1591

Majority for Pirie
Majority for Johnson
ONE O'CLOCK.

. 2034
2008
.. 1626

Alderman Pirie
Alderman Johnson
Alderman Harmer

2099
2072
1671

Majority for Pirie 428
Majority for Johnson
TWO O'CLOCK.

Aldermi'n Pirie
Alderman Johnson
Alderman Harmer

. 2139
. 2111
. 1695

Majority for Pirie
Majority for Johnson
FIFTH DAY.—SATURDAY
The gross poll at the closing of the books, at three o'clock
on Saturday, was as follows :
Alderman Pule
Alderman Johnson
Alderman Harmer

- 444-
. 416

.. 2393
.. 2361
.. 1884

Majority for Pirie ...
Majority for Johnson

ATTEMPT TO FIRE SHEERNESS DOCKYARD,

(From the Morning Heald of Yesterday.)
Her Majesty's ship Camperdown, 120 guns, lying in Sheer-
ness Dock, was attempted to be fired in the basin on Friday
evening by some incendiary. The tire was first discovered in
the midshipmen's berth, but was extinguished after burning
a locker ; but on further search a well-laid train was disco-
vered in the warrant-officers' store-rooms, consisting of resin,
oakum, and lucifer matches.
At ten minutes before six o'clock the inspectors of ship-
wrights went their usual rounds on board the different ships
in the docks and basin, to see all the lights extinguished. Mr.
J. Duff visited her Majesty's ship Camperdown, a first-rate,
and reported all lights out. The Camperdown lay in the fit-
ting basin, close to the stern of the north and middle docks,
in which were the Amazon frigate and the Achille, second-
rate. The carpenter of the Camperdown, Mr. Henty, whose
duty it was to visit and report, followed Mr. Duff. and he
also reported all light out. Mr. Henty, having shortly after-
wards recollected he had left his umbrella, returned to the
ship, and on going down on the lower deck he saw a dense
smoke arising from the after cockpit ; he ran down below,
and found it proceeded from the midshipmen's berth, on the
larboard side. He saw the fire proceeding from the lockers.
He immediately gave the alarm, and with the assistance of
Mr. Banes, one of the foremen of the dockyard, they suc-
ceeded in getting the fire under. The fire-cask and buckets
in the after cockpit were fortunately close to the cabin door,
and they soon put the fire out. The alarm being given, the
gates were closed, with strict orders to prevent any person
passing out. Captain Superintendent Sir John Hill, and all
the respective officers, were shortly on the spot, and all the
engines surrounded the docks and basins, and got ready to
work. A strict search was made throughout all the ships.
Mr. Henty declares, that on his proceeding down into the
after cockpit, on discovering the smoke, he heard a heavy
footstep running across the cockpit, as though the person had
nailed shoes ; but, being dark, he could not see any person.
Upon examination, of the Camperdown, the locker in which
the fire broke out was found to contain a large quantity of
tarred oakum, picked loose and mixed up with fir shavings and
new birch brooms cut open, and immediately over the lockers
a quantity of hay and
oakum was stowed between the shelf-
piece and beams, leading into the openings between the tim-
bers. On further examination, in the fore part of the ship,
they found stowed in the carpenter's store-room, in one of the
lockers, a large quantity of tarred oakum, pitch, tallow,
resin, brooms cut loose, and a number of lucifer matches,
one of which had been lighted, evidently for the purpose of
setting fire to the mass of combustible matter laid in the
locker. Every precaution has been taken—none of the
workmen were permitted to leave the dockyard until half-
past seven o'clock. One half of the shipwrights were retained
with their respective officers, and all the military who were
off guard were called into the yard, and stationed at every
part to prevent any person leaving. Every precaution was
taken to prevent further outbreak, and a strict inquiry made
to endeavour to find out the perpetrator of this base deed.
An express was sent off to the admiralty at eight p.m. ; it
was conveyed by Mr. Luson, clerk to the captain superin-
tendent.

There is no doubt the perpetrator of this foul deed was
surprised by the unexpected return of Mr. Henty. The
following ships were in the docks and basins, close to the
Camperdown :
In docks—the Achille and Amazon. In the basin—The
Monarch and Cornwall. At the time the fire was discovered
it was blowing a fresh breeze from N.W., taking the range
of the three docks and roofs. If the Camperdown had taken
fire, it must have communicated to the other ships, and all
must have been destroyed. Fortunately for the public inte-
rest the design of the incendiary has been frustrated ; had he
succeeded, the whole of the Blue Town would most likely
have been burnt down, as they would not have been able to
procure engines from any other source than the dockyard !
They would have been fully engaged for the protection of
public property, and unavailable to the town.
The only accident heard of was to Mr. Lee, a police-
serjeant, who, on going down on the orlop deck, fell down
one of the scuttles, but fortunately was not seriously hurt ;
he is much bruised.
A man has been taken up by order of the captain super-
intendent, on suspicion of being concerned in the above act.
The first lord of the admiralty (Lord Minto) has proceeded
to Sheerness to investigate the affair.

STATE OF TRADE.
LEEDS.—It is satisfactory to be able to report the conti-
nued activity of our mercantile transactions. the manufac-
turers, generally being well employed for the foreign and do-
mestic winter trade. There is, notwithstanding, a very gene-
ral complaint among both clothiers and manufacturers of the
inadequacy of profits, which are scarcely sufficient to meet
their constant losses.
BRADFORD MARKET.—We had a good attendance of
buyers at this market on Thursday, and a brisk demand for
figured stuffs, Orleans, and Low Saxony cloths. Merinos
were also in improved request. The Yarn market partook of
the animation which prevailed in the Piece Hall ; but the
Wool market was dull, and prices were scarcely maintained.
HECKMONDWIKE BLANKET HALL.—There has been a
good attendance of buyers for the last few market days, with
rather an increased demand for goods, chiefly for the home
trade, still prices do not advance in an equal ratio to that of
wool.—Leeds Intelligences.

WRECK NEAR LYTHAM.—During, the heavy squalls on
the night of Tuesday last, the Henrietta, outward-bound
vessel, which had sailed from Liverpool on Saturday last, for
Revel, with a cargo of salt, got ashore at the mouth of the
Ribble, when the captain and one of the hands were unfor-
tunately drowned. The remaining part of the crew got
ashore in a boat. Owing to the very heavy sea the vessel
went to pieces, and, as a matter of course, the whole of the
cargo, &c., is lost.—Preston Pilot.

R'AILTI'AV INTELLIGENCE.

CHESTER AND BIRKENHEAD RAILWAY.

The half-yearly general meeting of tha proprietors of the
Chester and Birkenhead railway was held, pursuant to the
act of incorpation, ou Filday, at eleven o'clock, in the Cla-
rendon-rooms. The following shareholders were present :
Messrs. Forbery, Bentham, Jackson, Hamilton, Lowerby,
Dixon, Millington, White, John Jones, John Jackson, Gre-
gory, Heilman, Edwards, Marshall, Harrison, Thos. Jack-
son, Coward, Wilson, Segar, Mulleneux, It. H. Jones, Mar-
shall, and Claxton.

On the motion of Mr. HEALING, Mr. Forbery was voted
:o the chair.

The SECRETARY read the following report of the directors :
" The directors have much gratification in being able, on
this occasion, to congratulate the proprietors on the Chester
and Birkenhead Railway being now open to the public, an
event which, considering the the trying seasons through
which the contractors have struggled, was not generally an-
ticipated.
" It is, perhaps, a yet deeper cause of congratulation that,
although trains of double the weight and length of those
which may ordinarily be calculated upon have several times
gone over the line, at the usual velocity, it has stood the test
without accident to either the passengers or carriages.
"The works are not yet completed, but the line is in a
more matured state for passengers than railways at their
opening are usually found to be, whilst the company are well
supplied with engines and carriages to meet the traffic as it
increases.

" The directors consider it would be premature to form any
estimate of the future traffic from the experience afforded by
so recent an opening. Some little time must necessarily
elapse before the traffic, even in passengers, can be diverted '
from its former channels, or the additional facilities of this
railway be sufficiently developed to produce Any material
increase in its amount ; but the arrangements made with
coach proprietors for conducting the travelling beyond
Chester, the opening of the Chester and Crewe line, and
other measures in contemplation, must necessarily lead to the
most satisfactory and profitable results. •
"The directors purposely abstain from entering into any
further detail at present, trusting that the proprietors have
sufficient confidence in them, to be assured that every thing
will be done tilt they can accomplish to further the interests
of the railway.
" The directors abstain also from general railway topics,
such as the rejection or modification of bills introduced
during the last session of an unfavourable tendency to rail-
way establishments, fin they than to remark, that a just spirit
seems to pervade the legislature, who, whilst they will so far
interfere as to shield the public from the injurious effects of
improper management, will, on the other hand, not permit
the prejudice and selfishness of those connected with rival
modes of conveyance to fetter railway companies, and de-
stroy their public utility or private advantage."
The SnCRISTAItY also read a statement of the receipts and

disbursements up to the 31st of August. The total amount
received up to the 29th of February was £308,276 Ils 2d.
By total disbursements to that date, £298,965 lOs 10d, which
made the balance in hand at that date, £9,311 Os 4d. The

amount received on calls from Feb. 29th to August 31st was
£76,275 ; to amount received on loan, £21,890 ; to interest
per bankers and shareholders (less charges), £lO2l 3s id ;
making the total amount received £111,497 3s 11d. The
expenditure from Feb. 29th to August 31st, by acts of par-
liament, treasurer's office, engineering, law charges and
stamps, direction, juries, works, land and compensation,
iron rails, &c., interest on loan, &c., coach building, engines,
Birkenhead station, Monk's Ferry, deputation and travelling
expenses, and advertising and printing,) was £89,078 113.
Balance in banker's hands, £22,398 Gs 5d ; do. in treasurer's
bands, £l9 19s 6d.
The Rev. Mr. FoLLETT moved that the report be adopted,
which was accordingly done.
Mr. HEALING suggested the propriety of putting trains
on the lines between the hours of eleven and four.
The CHAIRMAN said the subject was already under consi-
deration, and, that when the work was more advanced, the
company would be enabled to do so.
A SHAREHOLDER suggested the propriety of having
market trains on the line on Tuesdays and Fridays, instead
of, as at present, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The CHAIRMAN observed that this subject was also under
consideration. _

The SECRETARY then read a list of the daily receipts since
the opening of the line. The total number of passengers was
2408, and the total amount of receipts £3lB 16s. 9d.
A lengthened desultory conversation then took place rela-
tive to the reduction of the fares. It was the opinion of the
meeting that it was not advisable to make any reduction at
present; the concern was but in its infancy, and it should
be allowed to have a fair trial.
It was stated that the company had nude a purchase of
Monk's Ferry, for which £25,000 had been paid ; and that
they also held, in fee simple, the lease of Woodside Ferry,
the receipts of which, since it had fallen into their hands,
had very considerably increased, and was now paying a hand-
some per centage.
A conversation took place relative to the amount paid to
the directors, in compensation for their services in attending
board meetings, &c. It appeared that, at present, a certain
sum (£650) is equally divided amongst the twelve directors,
whether they perform any service or not : thus the men who
do all the work get no better-remunerated than those who
do nothing. The result of the subject was, the adoption of
a motion to remunerate each director with a guinea for each
attendance.
The meeting then separated.