The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-04-20 00:00:00

EXCISE INFORMATIONS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
Stn,--Having, as a Shopkeeper, been put to a great deal of
inconvenience in my business, either through the injustice of
the existing laws of my country, or by the unwise administra-
tion of those laws, by parties in whom is vested the powers of
execution, I feel that I have a claim to the notice of the public
Journals of this town, and I therefore hope you will permit me
to make public, through the circulating medium of your paper,
the following statement of facts, which in their character are
most oppressive.
On the afternoon of the 22nd of March last, a supervisor of
Excise, and two officers, entered my shop, and immediately
commenced a strict search over every part of my premises,
and after tasting, smelling, burning, and examining through a
microscope upwards of thirty samples of Snuff, these men pro-
nounced them to be highly adulterated, and informed me that
they must effect a seizure of the whole, and that they acted in
consequence of an information lodged against me. Not being
the manufacturer of the snuffs about to be seized, I immediately
handed to them an invoice, (which I received that morning,)
of a parcel of snuffs then on its transit direct from the manu-
facturer in Glasgow, and which wa at that moment on board
the Commodore steam-ship, and ,s‘fered to give them an order
to obtain possession of that parcel also; but this they at once
declined ; and I having no other method to clear myself in a
moral point of view, and to prove, (if the snuffs were impure,)
that I sold them just as they came from the manufacturer, than
by giving up that parcel, I wrote a note to the Excise authori-
ties, acquainting them that I expected the delivery of that par-
cel that evening, and requesting that officers might be sent to
take possession of it on its arrival; but not the slightest notice
was taken of my communication. The parcel arrived, and I
got a gentleman, who happened to be present, to seal it up,and
I sent the next day to the Collector of Excise, who sent an
officer to take the pared away.
Samples of the snuff's seized were despatched to London, to
be analyized, and in a fortnight afterwards I addressed a letter
to the Commissioners of Excise there, in which I requested a
Speedy decision in my case, anti on Friday, the 16th ultimo,
1 received their reply, stating, that the supervisor had been di-
rected to restore my snuffs. But he, previous to doing so, pre-
sented an account of expenses, amounting to 13s. Id., said to
'be incurred consequent on the seizure, and which amount I
was convened to pay before my snuffs were returned to me,
but this I only did alter taking legal advice on the subject.
This last appears to me to be as galling a part as any in the
whole transaction. A shopkeeper is quietly endeavouring to
,gain an honourable and honest subsistence; he is, at the in-
stigation of an informer, who may be interested in his downfall,
pounced upon by three excisemen, who tell him that his snuffs
are highly adulterated. They seize and carry off the whole,
and detain them for twenty-seven days. His business during
that time is partially suspended ; his rent, which is heavy,
must be paid; and the quarterly term is in this way nearly
one-third expired; and all this is occasioned by the machina-
tions of an infamous informer, whose charges are not only not
substantiated, but are proved to be totally unfounded: lie is
screened, and his name concealed; he suffers not for his base
conduct; his false accusation costs him nothing; while the
falsely accused shopkeeper is victimized by the shock which
his business receives—by not being allowed by law to obtain
compensation by an appeal to a jury of his countrymen, and
England there thtehreem, is no
am lawonttho
by being forced to pay the expenses attending the unjust sei-
zure of his goods.
Fro
m the
these
hmoleeni t
renderrm
hence, from entering my premises, and subjecting me to the
same unjustifiable treatment and liability. I am, Sir, yours
very respectfully, A. SORI.EY.
Albert-buildings, 2, Price-street, Liverpool,
responsible, and inEnprevent
19th April, 1847.
JERRY BUILDING.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
letter in your paper a week or two since, on the
above subject, baying elicited an extremely irascible reply in
the Journal of Saturday last, from "A Builder," I trust that
you will indulge me with a corner in your next publication for
the insertion of a rejoinder thereto.
I will not, in imitation of his bad example, give way to scur-
rility,—merely observing casually, that "the galled jade" must
" wince," or, if the cap fits, he is at liberty to wear it.
With respect to his remark on the quantity of land usually
allotted or allowed for the site of a house, he has entirely mis-
construed or perverted my meaning, as, Heaven knows, we
cannot accuse builders of giving too large a space to each indi-
vidual tenement ! Quite the contrary ; or how does it become
requisite to make such frequent applications to parliament for
the alteration and amendment of our local acts? I would be
understood that it was intended to apply numerically to the
stacks of cottages now in course of erection, which no inge-
nious sophistry ou his part can overcome.
Again : "A Builder" says, regarding the mortgage or sale
of property, the owners are quite justifiable in offering an arti-
cle at the- cheapest possible cost. This position is quite unte-

nablb-; for we invariably find, in articles of merchandise, what
is called cheap too often proves on trial the dearest. Slop
goods will not stand the wear and tear ofa more substantial
fabric; the same with jerry-built homes: hence my assertion
is fully confirmed, by the exceedingly great difficulty that now
exists of obtaining loans or mortgagel on such crazyedifiees.
As to levying rates on this description of property, how can
the owners with propriety object to become liable, when thee.
continually boast of the large per-centage received from small
houses, to the great detriment and depreciation of the premises
of their neighbours that are ratepayers, and who, from this-
cause, and in consequence thereof, in many instances are under
the necessity of quitting their residences, to seek more undis-
turbed abodes beyond the limits of the borough ;—thus being
compelled to unite in self-defence by the formation.of a respec-
table and responsible joint-stock company, which would like-
wise have a tendency to benefit the tnnble classes of Liver-
pao, in affording healthy and convenient dwellings, and •not-
16Nving them unprotected to the tender mercies of a griping
landlord. In fact, it is a common practice withthis class of
builders (jerry) to let nominal tenants into their cottages,
having thereby a semblance of being occupied; these parties,
on a Change of ownership, &c., prove men of emir, and are
readily transferred to another lot for a similar purpose; and
thus, as a revolving wheel, the nefarious system is perpetuated
ad. infinitum.
I shall conclude the foregoing remarks, by stating it is not
my intention hereafter to intrude on your columns, to reply to
"'.A Builder," or any other writer; feeling satisfied in. the con-
sciousness or assurance of having fully exposed some of the
tricks of trade, and being solely actuated by a desire to con-
tribute a mite to the measure of public utility.
Your obedient servant,
Liverpool, 13th April, 1847. EPHRAIM:

TOXTETH AFFAIRS.

THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL. STANDARD:

SlR,—Permit me to ask through your columns why the Over-
seers of Toxteth-park did not appear with their accounts before
the auditor? I understand that they are in an awkward'posi-
tion, having excused from payment of rates upwards of 5,000,
occupiers, and now as a rule have exempted.(their own•temwts
of course included) from payment all tenants of houses under
.WlO per annum, the landlords pocketing the taxes.
Yours, &c.,
ANOTHER LOOKER-ON.

THE WALLASEY COMMISSIONERS• AND SEA-

COMBE FERRY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
SIR,—My attention has been directed to a leading article in
the Weekly News of Thursday last, on the above subject, in
which some of the Commissioners of Wallasey are severely
censured for the part they took in the reet.nt debate on this
subject. The writer seems to be somewhat ignorant on the
matter at issue, and has supplied the place of. argument by
broad assertions and low witticism. It would be a profligate
waste of time to follow him through the whole labyrinth of his
coarse and vulgar article, and I shall therefore briefly offer a
few remarks upon such parts of it as seriously affect the repu-
tation of those gentlemen who conscientiously opposed the
establishment of a new ferry. I know not why Mr. Mawdes-
ley is to be sneered at for his efforts to save the public purse
from useless outlay, by those who so loudly boast of their zeal
for economy of government and diminution,of taxation. Ido
not see the cogency of the reasoning by which he is charged
with "the filth and squalor" which characterize the streets and
lanes of Seacombe, since it is none of his creation; and his
vote upon the ferry question cannot affect the state of the roads
or the cleanliness of the township. Your contemporary has
stigmatized Mr. Mawdesley's defence of the rights of the ferry
proprietors as an advocacy of a "vested interest," wishing
by that odious epithet to prejudice the public mind against
their claims. I maintain that where the proprietors of a public
ferry, as at Seacombe, show a laudable desire to accommodate
the public, and to afford them every convenience, it is an act of
great wrong to deprive them of their trust. It matters not to
the inhabitants of Seacombe who has the management of the
ferry, if their convenience is studied, and their wants supplied;
and it is very unjust to put the township to an expense which
will serve to sacrifice the Messrs. Parry, without benefiting it.
Those gentlemen have long conducted, the ferry with spirit
and energy, have sustained severe losses, and do not now, I be-
lieve, make it pay a reasonable per centage, in order to serve
and accommodate the public. As private characters, they
stand deservedly high in the esteem of the inhabitants, and as
ferry managers they deserve the highest encomiums.
Trusting that you will permit me ough the medium of
your valuable and widely circulated r to disabuse the pub-
lic mind on this important subject, an to expose the wanton
ignorance and flippant effrontery of your not over-truthful con
temporary

I am, sir, yours, &c.,
DELTA.

THE MINERVA IRON STEAM-SHIP.

This beautiful and fast vessel, built by Messrs. Thos.
Vernon and Co., for the Cork Steam-ship Company, and
to run between Cork and Glasgow, touching intermediately -
at Dublin, completed a successful trial trip, on Monday
night. She is a remarkably beautiful vessel, modelled by
Mr. Hazleden, and has proved herself to be a regular
" clipper." Her dimensions, &c., are :
Length on deck
Beam (of hull)
Depth of hold l6ft. 9in.
Burthen, (031.0 about
She is propelled by steam engines, of admirable con-
struction, by Messrs. Bury, Curtis, and Kennedy, and of
400-horse power. The iron-work of the vessel is chiefly
of Kennedy and Vernon's patent material, of great
strength, with the least possible weight.
She accomplished the trip to Dublin, with a small party
of nautical and scientific gentlemen, (including Mr. Bury,
111 r. Kennedy, Mr. Vernon, sen., Lieut. Gibson, R.N.,
Mr. Hazleden, and others.) in 8 hours 48 minutes, and
that under disadvantages, the new engines being necessa-
rily stiff, and the advantage derived from the tide-way
being comparatively small, as it only flowed to the height
of Di ft. The distance is 40 leagues, as the bird flies.
On the return trip, she made the Skerries, from Kingston,
in four hours, being half the distance, and there she was
Overtaken by a dense fog, which in the absence of a
definite sight of land, and some distrust of the compasses
in,a new iron vessel, rendered it imprudent to proceed at
more than half-speed, otherwise she was in a fair way for
making the port in eight hours from the time of starting
—or 15 knots an hour. The engines made, when at
speed, 21 to 22 strokes per minute, with paddle-wheels
each of 27 feet diameter. The party were quite delighted
by the voyage, and especially by the kindness and ur-
banity, at the intervals which he could spare from his pro-
fessional duties, of her commander, Captain Hirste, a
gentleman of long experience in steam navigation, and
possessed of much general information.
The Cabins of the Minerva, (which have not been de-
scribed,) are well worthy of a passing notice. The saloon,
which is about 60 feet long, and of the full width of the
ship abaft, is a beautiful apartment, combining taste,
elegance, and convenience. Only two state-rooms (with
double berths,) are taken off at each corner, forward.
The style is fanciful rather than classical, or pertaining to
no peculiar style of architecture ; yet the parts so fully
harmonise, that the effect is highly pleasing—no mere-
tricious or highly costly ornament being introduced. The
room is cheerfully lighted by seven stern windows, and
two square deck lights, with frosted glass of a neat pattern.
Depending by gilded chains, are two handsome globular
lamps. There are two elegant mahogany book-cases, of
classical and appropriate design; and the tout ensemble of
the apartment is at once chaste and beautiful.
The ladies' and the genitemen's sleeping cabins are
fitted up with roomy berths, and every possible conveni-
ence. The fore cabin, not yet finished, will be equally
comfortable. We should add, that the dinner and tea
services are beautiful—the greater part of silver. The
cabin was painted and decorated by our talented townsman
Mr. Troutbeck, and he has here added another laurel to
his brows, for the wood and marble-work though painted
and polished in imitation merely—have been mistaken
by many for the real materials.

DESTRUCTION BY FIRE OF THE • STEAMER
GRANA UILE.

On Thursday intelligence was received here of the la-
mentable loss of this fine vessel by fire.
The Grana Uile, a fine vessel that has lately undergone
thorough repairs in hull and machinery, sailed from the
Clarence dock for Drogheda, on Tuesday evening about
Eight o'clock. There were on board about 68 passengers,
a crew of 20 persons, a few individuals to whom free pas-
sages were given by the company, and we believe two or
three with parochial passes making in all, as nearly as
can be calculated, about 98 souls. The Grana Uile was
245 tons register, and was commanded by Captain Raw-
don. The cargo was chiefly rain, but she had on board
a number of bales of flax, which were stowed with every
care, and covered with a tarpauling, in the lower hold.
About 6 A.M. on the following morning,:when off Lambay,
all on board were roused by the cry of " fire ! fire !" the
cause for which proved but too true. For a length of
time every exertion was made to subdue the destructive
element, but so great was the confusion and consterna-
tion, that every one seemed appalled ; for a length of
time, however, the most sanguine expectations were held
of quenching the fire, the coal bunkers, however, ignited,
and the flames raged to an extent that ultimately put a
stop to every exertion. The scene that followed, as might
be expected, was one of the most heart-rending descrip_
tion, and can be muchmore easily imagined than described.
There was a frantic rush in the first instance to get pos-
session of the vessel's boats, into which they plunged, and
both boats were swamped, and unfortunately all perished.
The vessel kept her course till about seven o'clock, when
she was observed by a fishing smack, the Bessy, of Rings-
end. The captain, Mr. William Pullen, immediately pro-
ceeded to rsscue the crew and passengers on deck from
their awful condition. Mr. Pullen, with the mate, John
Parker, George Upham, and an apprentice named Symes,
rendered most praiseworthy exertions ; they first picked
up a boat, and took from her three or four of the unfortu-
nate individuals, with this boat and a small punt belong-
ing to the Bessy, the crew, with the assistance of the
hands belonging to the Grana Uile, succeeded in saving
all who had the good fortune to stay by the vessel, save
the Commander, who vowed that lie would not stir until
passengers and crew were all safe, a determination which
cost him his life, for in the last extremity he took !i
life-
buoy and jumped overboard, and was picked up in the
steamer's wake. The crew of the smack seeing all hope
of saving the vessel at an end, bore straight for Dublin
[where she arrived about 6 o'clock on Wednesday even-
ing,) and soon lost sight of the steamer. None on board
saw her sink, and the general impression was, that she
still continued to float when they lost sight of her. All
who were on deck, or clinging to the vessel when the
Bessy reached, were saved, including 45 passengers and
24 of the crew—in all 69. Those who are lost are sup-
posed to number 22 persons. One man had his leg broke
in jumping into the boat with a child in his arms—three
women were injured, and a child scalded. The injured
persons were sent to Baggot-street Hospital on the ar-
rival of the Bessy.
On Thursday, an inquest was held at Dublin on the
body of Captain Rawdon, before Dr. Kitwan, one of the
coroners for the city, and a highly respectable jury.
The first witness examined was the mate ; he corrobo-
rated our introduction as to the sailing of the steamer,
and stated that he was two years mate of her. She had
on board 43 regular passengers, and 15 or 20 without
tickets, a crew of 20 persons, including the captain and
apprentices. Amongst the cargo we had 80 bales of flax,
which was stowed in canvas in the after hold. At abcut
half-past five in the morning, we observed smoke issuing
from the bunker holes. There were no coals underneath,
the coals having been removed farther forward, the space

underneath being used for stowing cattle in. Noticed the
:smoke issuing from the after hold, which was stowed with
flax and Indian corn to the top. The hatch, which opened
in the 'tween decks, was securely covered down. The flax
-was the last of the cargo put in. We got the hose under
way, and worked it as long•as we could, till the fire gained
upon ug. I was present when the flax was lowered into
the hold, and did not see any men smoking near it. We
.had three boats, the number required by Act of Parlia-
ment, all of which were in good order. When they were
to be lowered, there was a-general rush to, the boats, and
great confusion. If the passengers had been calm, and
taken our advice, we could have saved every one. When
they rushed into the boats, they broke down the davits.
Could not say any one was-killed by the rush. The cap-
tain walked from the querter-deck•to the paddle-box, and
told them if they would be calm all would be saved. Ten-,
or twelve got into the first boat, which was swamped ; the
second boat was lowered, but• was capsized. On the life-
boat being lowered, it also capsized, but was held by one-
tackle. The pilot and two men got into her, when she
went adrift, and was afterwards picked up by the Bessy.
lam certain from 15 to 20- persons were lost. Saw the •
captain overboard, clinging to a life-11110y, on the vessel's_
weather quarter. I think it was about seven o'clock. A
little before eight, the smack kept tacking about (the sea
running very heavy) in, search of him, and found him
floating on a life-buoy, perfectly lifeless. Had not the--
slightest idea how the fire originated. (Some one here-
' observed the probability of oil having come in contact with,
the flax.) The mate, after describing the difficulty; in •
getting the passengers from the steamer to the boats,..in -
consequence of the hea-mpsea running, concluded his evi-
dence by stating that he hoisted a signal on seeing-the
fishing smack Frederick, of •which they took no notice.
This, he thought, disheartened the captain, and produced
fright amongst all on board.
It was here stated that'the Frederick had her nets out ;
that it would have taken an hour to get them in :-_ they,
however, could have be left with buoys. The Frederick,
was comman led by a persounamed Whittle.
The next witness examined was Captain Pullen, of. .the -
Bessy, who was followed by the engineer and some.of the
passengers, but as theirevidence was merely corroborative,
we need not detail it. On Captain Pullen being asked by,
the coroner if he thought the captain had left the ste.arner
before he ought, he replied, "No ! I think it was high
time when the boats had gone. I would have done the.
same myself."
The coroner, after- highly lauding the conduct of the
crew of the Bessy, detailed the evidence to the jury, who
found a verdict to the effect that the captain was accident-
ally drowned, but there were no means of ascertaining
how the fire originated; but no blame or want.of precau,
tion are attributable to the owners, captain, ev-crew: The
jury expressed their•high admiration of the spirited con-,
duct of Captain Pullen and the crew of the Bessy, and
recommended them to the notice of the Humane Society.
They also censured the crew of the Frederick.

3