The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-02-28 00:00:00

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

•
GnIDING STAR belonging to the "Golden" line of
lackets, left the river on Tuesday last, with a heavy mail,
,kassengers, and about 2000 tons of cargo.
tss. Ray, Winntial Wilson. M.A. minor canon and
was, Y.Monda last week, elected a canon of Man-
i:llea* Cathedral. ,
MAYOR, J. B. Lloyd, Esq., entertained to dinner,
46 the Town-hall, on Thursday, about fifty gentlemen,
aln°llgBt whom were several magistrates, and various
members of the town council.
~ BATH OF JOHN MARTIN, THE PAINTER.—The MOna'S
Herald, p-iblished at Douglas, Isle of Man, announces the
death of Mr. Martin, the artist, which took place on Fri-
thy Week
~,week in that town. It states that Mr. Martin was in
-sth year of his age, and accompanies its notice of his
th with a very eulogistic commentary upon his works.
LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE RAILWAY. —The balance
tf revenue applicable to the payment of interest and divi-
dend, and other fixed charges, is £282,720 9s. 7d. It is
worn
mended that a dividend at the rate of three-and-
l'ea'u.Per cent. per annum, less income tax, be declared,
tearing a surplus of £4216 13s. Bd. to be carried forward
we next accoun.
MA
CHESTER AND SOUTHPORT RAILWAY.—The annual
station, was held on Thursday, at the Tithebarn-street
"en, Mr. Stewart in the chair. It was resolved " that
dividend on £8 3s. per share be declared for the half
tar ending the 31st of December last, at the same rate as
Lae dividend which may be declared on the stock of the
`shire
and Yorkshire Railway Company, at the ensu-
ia Meeting of proprietors of that company." The dividend
eld be 3s. 4d. per share.
88U8- LITTLEDALE'S SALE OF FAT STOCK.—The
11,111111a1 sale of fat stock took place on Tuesday, at Messrs.
w.a.gttledale and Torr's model farm, near Eastham. There
`aer large attendance of buyers, and all the choice lots
slAritedly contended for by some of the most respect-
O"butchers from Liverpool, Birkenhead, and Chester.
ne ef' the primest oxen was knocked down to Mr. Nation,
of ~?Inmutation-row, and was purchased for Mr. Morrish,
inch
e Merchant's Dining-rooms, Tithebarn-street, who
5i,43 giving his customers an opportunity of testing the
da▪ oryquality of the meat by cooking a baron on an
11,4m81R JOHN GERARD, BART., of New-Hall,. near St.
.84.:3, died on Tuesday last, at his mansion in London.
John Gerard, son of J. Gerard, Esq., (brother of the
pp and 11th baronets,) by the daughter of Edward
b;;,.rrarS, Esq., of Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire, was
11 1804, ; married, 1827, the daughter of Thomas Strick-
illu Standish, Esq., of Standish-hall, Lancashire.
treeeded his uncle in 1826; was a deputy-lieutenant of.
Ileashire ; was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 3rd,
buke of Lancaster's own militia, in 1842 ; major-com-
andant Lancashire hussars in 1848. The first baronet
Was
• „ one of those created on the first day of the institution
?o..riittheeorder, and received back the £lOOO he had given.
dignity, in consideration of his father's sufferings
14 the cause of Mary Queen of Scots.
),li°,lllDoir AND NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY.—The half-
f7,l;7 meeting of this company was held on Wednesday,
:j,„,",_e,Enston station. The Marquis of Chandos, the newly-
tf--eu chairman of the company, presided for the first
f,- A dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum
fient e half-year was unanimously agreed to, an amend-
by Mr. Hadfield that the dividend be at the rate of
2;2 Per cent. having been withdrawn. The retiring di-
7t°rs were re-elected, with the exception of Mr. Robert
„ who'se place Mr. James Heywood, M.P., was
e,),,eb'ed, and Mr. William Rotherham, in whose place Mr.
A• Thine was elected. The out-going auditors were
ti..-eeted, and the proceedings terminated with a vote of
•nir.s to the chairman.
p,L.,"(11 LIFE-BOAT DISASTER.—A subscription has been
ated for the relief of the widows and orphans of the
4.24ve men who were lost in the life-boat, while proceeding
r.,•q the assistance of a vessel in distress, during the gale
byt,Baturday week. By the accident about thirty-two
'OO3 (women and children) have been deprived of the
mans of support. The mayor has headed the list with
the Steam-Tug Company, the owners of the life-boat,
Zen Messrs. Horsfall, to whom the Cherokee belonged,
ave each contributed £lO5 to the fund ; a considerable
now
also been subscribed by the American captains
ul port. Subscriptions are received at the Under-
'riters-rooms, and the Exchange Newsroom.
DERBY BRIBERY CASE.—A crowded meeting was
br'":est at Derby on 'Tuesday, the object of which was to
against the compromise made in reference to the
went trial for alleged bribery of the Derby electors. A
letter
denied as read from Mr. Coppock, in which that person
u that the Radical party in Derby had connived at
11-Illcal the sub eenipontise. Mr. Bass entered into a long statement
ject, the gist of which was, th the
prosecu-
'en had been abandoned because the Radical party had
1141 sufficient evidence to convict
.Major Beresford ; so that
'le Prosecution had been continued, the Radical party
Wotild have sustained a defeat —A resolution was carried
Piressive of the disapprobation of the electors at the
Queen
compromise made in the case of " The
Q-Leen
Beresford and others," and a petition was
17; agreed to, praying the House of Commons to institute
h;a4lcluiry into a statement that the sum of £lOOO had
-'ll Paid as the price of the abovenamed compromise.
ll'sEß's FIRS-PROOF SAFES.—On Tuesday last,a_Tfire.
4
,„"z"ze out in Messrs. Fortune's feather warehouse, Was4l, and communicated to Messrs. M'Connechy, coach.
4
'4evs- From the combustible nature of the stock, and
-•
quantity of inflammable materials, the fire progressed
- extraordinary rapidity. Amongst the ruins lay
itltried for some time one of Milner, s fire-p
to roof safes and
-safe
as content,. A gentlean who Was present when the
w dug out, says, "No one can form an idea of the
ei•
tement that every one unavoidahly felt while the safe
tie being opened, or of the enthusiasm displayed when
tla,st=xtents were found unhurt. The fire was a fearful
v'fl'en..vYkinx the safe was found one corner of it was burst
'retu th.",e outer body was almost completely separated
ease inner; the handle was burned off, and the whole
uPee,,,74. evidently been red hot. When the safe was
papered the steam was still ascending, and every book and
C 01748 quite moist."
Parr, ir'REtIATE CHORAL UNION.—A meeting for the
legle of forming a choral society was held at the Col-
`•"e Institution on Thursday. Nearly 100 of the former
luls •
:the"). the institution were present The Rev. J. S.
that Son, the principal, presided. Resolutions to the effect
society should consist of old pupils of the institu-
that it should comprise a class for the study of vocal
ands ; that the music to be studied should be both sacred
secular ; that the annual subscription should be not
riaal than half-a-guinea; and—as there might probably be
4,3613' Persons who would not feel disposed to join the
ane_etY, but who would still wish to give it their ass
u----that subscriptions would be received from non-
ofeTbers, who would thereby become entitled to tickets
Off"mission to the society's concerts. A committee and
;cers were appointed, and a resolution adopted, that the
cil'es and regulations of the society be compiled by the
t°4llnittee, and submitted to a future general meeting of
thesociety. A vote of thanks was passed, amid acelama-
th, to the chairman, for his kindness in presiding, and
meeting dispersed.
-LuR PILLARPILLAROF PEACE.—Travellers by that portion of
tb
Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway which passes
87,uugh. the picturesque vale of Todmorton will have had
ir,ll' attention drawn to a tall column reared uon one of
I:, highest cliffs in the whole of that part of "the back-
Itc,"_ of England" which there divides Lancashire aud
alir,shire, and situate at a distance of a mile or a mile and
rat" from the railway. It was one of those commemo-
„g Pillars by which the people in those wild districts
Of th,stt,t4 express their feelings when the wars arising out
°f Iva revolution were completed by the overthrow
4„,u`bfaerli,‘"Gni and we believe not fewer than 203 persons
rerteecCA towards the cost of its erection. It was corn-
...con mit' 181.4, immediately on the abdication of Napo-
ik-O-,„was completed in 1815, soon after his final fall,
'eans :".„9-3 Sutcliffe, of Stoodley-bridge, supplying what
of
still required for the purpose and there it
Kai of until Wednesday se'nnight, a suggestive memo-
eonnti the blessings which peace had brought to the two
ever, tehs2t was placed between. On that evening, how-
l'elserabi: People of Langfield were alarmed by a loud noise,
and ng the falling of rocks, or of some large building ;
Lanett I.°°king towards the Pike-head they found their old
44 !nark
vraa no longer visible, but the stones of which it
composed lay in ruins near its base.
Attie'crIICTITTL.A.L AND ARCHEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.—
,fertllightly meeting, on Wednesday, Mr. Picton
the d'eu,, in the absence of Mr. Verelst The reports of
ani.;elegates of the learned societies as to their proposed
th:tgamation was read, and a vote of thanks passed to
tc; delegates. The Chairman stated that, if the Archi-
he ,nTal. Society could maintain its position, about which
it :ad no doubt, and could publish its annual proceedings,
gee IlLid be better to remain on its present basis. The
atonr,eLarY announced that the first part of the third ses-
it,, 3 Proceedings was passing through the press. A letter
k read from Mr. Lamford, requesting that his paper on
ri:ig :-4me Plates," which should have been given that evening,
htl ht be postponed until the next fortnightly meeting :
to,t,_as MT. Picton's third part of his " Architectural His-
1-4•T of Liverpool" will be read on the Bth of March, Mr.
cc ford's paper will be further adjourned. A paper on
tie 'thtian Architecture," by Mr. Gibbs, of Longsight,
a Dlancliester, was read by the Secretary,: but, beyond
14`_ear remarks by the Chairman, it elicited no discussion.
ilf2 Secretary next read a lengthy and erudite paper on
of t 1 hound Towers of Ireland,' by Mr. M. S. MacarthV,
• fi•
re
towers town, who considered
resemblancetlaey to the fire.l were Druidica remains
, from their worship-
iir:l towers of Oriental countries. The paper elicited
derable discussion Dr. Hume the Chairman, and
‘'eoretary differing from Mr. M;carthy's views, while
Iforner and other gentlemen agreed with them. It
te:,'"x, admitted, however, that the paper evidenced great
zun
g and research on the subject which it treated of,
the thanks of the society were voted to its author.
Tit is
tessel PAVEMENT FOR ST. GsonGz's-HALL.—The new
lrah_a'ed Pavement for the flooring of St. George's-hall
rtuttl7. ecqnposed of tiles from Messrs. Minton and Co.'s
the al'ac, tory, Stoke-upon-Trent. The general form of
tinin,,,esnign embraces several circles or compartments of
tloor7: sizes, appropriately ornamented. The field of the
tiles - a uiapered ground-work, of ornamental encaustic
la to! in blue, red, buff, chocolate, and white ; the diaper
ilieh"° divided into panels by bands of chocolate tiles, six
white:,,,ide, their points of intersection being foTmed. by
the ,-,_‘ues, having a red and black ornament, which gives
cent"uele a brilliant yet rich and chaste effect. In the
ou a illeemnartment are to be introduced the royal a_ms,
.ground, surrounded by a laurel wreath, _
the cadwhich
et fates a star of 16 points, between which appear
orzia:uuceus of Mercury • this is surrounded by a richly
frieze,n,ted border, folk' which is another border, or
of tiel'e "'roe feet in width, gbearing figures emblematical
start-0411'p, such as tritons, dolphins, &c. ; this. is agaian
.
lent, a'ae4 by bands and borders of rich classical. orn
t ppruPriate to the enrichments of the building.
ornain
we° smallcircles •corporation arms,
Xll othetnted will contaan the ,
a similar manner to the royal arms, and
• ,-.-corr.e
St•(I e°llllArtnients are to be introduced the star of
raj-bed
rthe rose the thile, and shamrock. Th.e
ty•:tt round halls to be laid with encaustic
%dors i!Paces between the doors being filled with rich
ate t",„ Ziaivulg inscriptions in English and Latin, appro-
ttiedence, Are,
Science,
emblematical of Justice, Temperance,ran
urea
surround will be introduced nce,&t. In the space undertheNovales,
and the crest of the Prince of
fob,,edi ,by a laurel wreath and bands of geometrical
tttPaes el 0-rabouutortialu
A a will bear tit ° mt., the whole forming a beautiful_
azt, our comer, feet in diameter; the panels at each of
the floor will also be richly ornamented,
"ft olio fecit.„e 'motto of tae corporation, "Dezu nobis

THE ATLANTIC, United States mail steam ship, sailed
hence for New York on Wednesday, with the e.stml mails
and a large number of passengers.
THE SALARY of the First Inspector of the River, at
Liverpool, has been increased from £3OO to. £.150 per
annum, by annual increases of £l5 each.
Yacnrs ON THE MERSBY.—The first match of the
Liverpool Yacht Club for the ensuing season will be in
May. It is understood, however, that the committee
purpose giving the remainder of their prizes at the time
of the Royal Mersey Regatta.
CHESS TOURNAMENT IN LIVERPOOL.—The Northern
and Midland Counties Chess Association will hold their
annual meeting this year in Liverpool, on which occasion
the cleverest chess-players from all parts of the United
Kingdom, and perhaps of the Continent, will be brought
together. The Liverpool and Rock Ferry Chess Clubs are
preparing to give them a welcome.
PURCHASE OF A SAXON MUSEUM.—Dr. Hume, at the
meeting of the Literary and Philosophical Society, on
Monday, mentioned the fact that Mr. Mayer had offered
to purchase a valuable Saxon Museum which had been
offered by a gentleman named Fawcett to the trustees
of the British Museum, for £6BO, but which they had
refused to purchase, although a gentleman in the south of
England had offered to add to it a small collection belong-
ing to him. It was understood, however, that Lord
Londesborough intended to secure the collection by pur-
chasing it, in the event of its being finally rejected by the
British Museum. He merely mentioned the fact, because
he thought it was creditable to a local gentleman to make
an offer of £7OO for such a collection, in order to secure it
to Liverpool, in the event of its not being purchased by
the trustees of the British Museum.
ST. HELEN'S.—On Wednesday morning, at about half-
past three o'clock, a fire broke out at the works of Messrs.
Crosfield, Brothers, and Co., manufacturing chemists, St.
Helen's. It is supposed to have originated through a
quantity of wooden hoops, placed in a stowar, near a
furnace, and becoming ignited, they communicated the
flames to the wood framework of the chamber above. Two
engines, one from the Union Plate-glass Works, in the
immediate vicinity, and the other belonging to the town,
were soon on the spot, but the fire was not extinguished
until six o'clock—four chambers having been destroyed,
and two others much damaged, and the vitriol which they
contained wasted. The damage sustained is estimated at
about £5OOO.
ACCIDENT FROMWINDOW-CLEANING.--On Wednesday
afternoon, a young woman named Macdonald, servant at
No. 2, Hunter-street, was engaged in cleaning the outside
of one of the first-floor front windows, when she lost her
balance, and fell backwards into the street. In her de-
scent she just missed the iron-spiked railings in front of
the house, and alighted on the pavement. She was at
once conveyed to Mr. Whittle's, surgeon, Great Crosshall-
street, who found that she had sustained compound frac-
ture of both arms, and was bleeding very much from a
contused wound on the forehead. Mr. Whittle stopped
the hemorrage, and then directed her to be taken to the
Northern Hospital, where she now lies in a very dangerous
state. She had only been in her new place a couple of
hours when the accident happened.
THE DEFENCES OF THE MERSEY.—The new battery at
the North Shore is constructed on a parallelogram 360
feet long by 170 feet deep. The three land sides of the
battery are formed on the bastion trace, with embrasure
windows and loopholes for musketry fire—the river front
(360 feet) being the battery for ten embrasure guns, and
a tower at each end, armed with one gun in casement
below, and one on the top. Fourteen guns in all will thus
be mounted on dwarf traversing platforms, and it is in-
tended that these guns shall be 36-pounders; those at the
Rock Fort being only 32-pounders. In the interior of the
fort there will be barracks for the accommodation of 150
men, and suitable apartments for twelve officers. There
will be two tanks for water, with filterers, 40 feet long,
15 feet wide, and 10 feet deep. The mess-rooms, hospital,
and other details of the soldiers' requirements will be
furnished on a suitable scale. A bomb-proof magazine
will be constructed, with provision for artillery and
ordnance stores equal to the necessity of the battery. The
roofs throughout the building will be flat, with brick
arches on iron girders cemented with asphalte, and will,
from the parapets, afford the holders of the fort a mus-
ketry fire on every side. The entrance to the fortification
will be in the centre of the east (or land side) curtain, and
this will be protected by a ditch and drawbridge.
WEST DERBY GUARDIANS.—Mr. Joseph Harrison
presided at the weekly meeting on Wednesday, when the
balance in the treasurer's hands was stated to be £1054
6s. 11d. The relieving officers were requested not to send
any more sick cases into the Workhouse for another month.
It was resolved, on the motion of the Rev. Wm. Badnall,
that a special meeting of the board be held at the board-
room on Tuesday (this day), to consider the provisions of
the bill lately brought into the House of Commons by Mr.
Baines. On the motion of Mr. Alpass, seconded by the
Rev. W. Badnall, it was resolved,—" That the board are
strongly of opinion that that part of the township of Tox-
teth-park which lies without the municipal boundary of
the borough of Liverpool, should be included in the dis-
trict proposed to be placed under the operation of the
General Public Health Act for the township of Garston."
It was also agreed that Mr. Thornton, the engineer. at the
hospital in West Derby-road, should be allowed his rations
in addition to his present salary. Mr. Shaw gave notice
that at the next meeting he would move that the engineer
should also be furnished with lodgings. The number of
inmates in the Workhouse was stated to be 712, of the
following classes :—Not able-bodied, 268 ; able-bodied,
106 ; children, 338. The number in the Workhouse for
corresponding week of last year was stated to be 741.
MEETING OF MANCHESTER MILLONVICERS.—A crowded
meeting of the factoryowners took place on Tuesday after-
noon, at the Town-hallellanchester, to consider what
steps should be taken, in consequence of the recent order
of Mr. Leonard Horner, chief inspector of factories, di-
recting the machinery in cotton and other mills to be
fenced off. Mr. R. H. Gregg, who was in the chair, ob-
served upon the difficulty of fencing off every portion of
the gearing in mills, and said that, in many cases, greater
danger would arise from its being fenced in than if it were
left uncovered. Mr. Gregg: proceeded to condemn the
order, on the ground of the impracticability of complying
with it, and entered into some statistics, with a view to
show that, under the present system, accidents in mills
were not frequent, and were, indeed, but trilling as com-
pared with the fatalities in collieries, or even in farming
operations. He, therefore, contended that there was no
justification kw the order in question. Mr. Henry Ash-
worth pursued the same line of argument, and moved a
resolution that the order in question was uncalled for;
that it could not be practically carried into effect ; and
that the Legislature did not intend that the provisions of
the Factory Act should be enforced to the .letter. The
resolution was unanimously agreed to ; and another, pro-
posed by Mr. Thomas Bazley, was also carried, to the
effect that the proposed fencing of the shafts would in-
crease the risk of accidents, and also expose mills to the
danger of fire. A committee was then appointed to confer
with the factoryowners, and to form a deputation to Lord
Palmerston, with a view to carry out the object of the
meeting.
THE GOVERNESSES' INSTITUTION.--The Lord Bishop
of Chester took the chair at the annual meeting of this
institution, held at the Savings' Bank, on Tuesday. The
report, read by Mr. Bainbrigge, stated 'that during the
year there had been thirty admissions, an increase of four
over the preceding year. There had also been an increase •
in the applications for governesses,l232 having been applied
for during the year. The Hamilton fund, which amounted
to £531 Os. 3d. last year, had been augmented by a dona-
tion of £l3O from Miss Horsfall, and £lolos. from Henry
Sandbach, Esq. Out of this fund an annuity of £2O was
being paid to an aged governess. After the reading of the
final report by Mr. Lightbody, the. Rev. Mr. Dover moved
the adoption of the report, and congratulated the society
on its humane and meritorious action, especially in regard
to annuities to aged and infirm governesses. The motion
was seconded by the Rev. Mr. King, and carried. The
Rev. Archdeacon BrOoks moved the next resolution,
expressive of satisfaction at the steady progress of the
institution. The archdeacon remarked that the institu-
tion never had undertaken any object which it had not
carried into effect. The subscriptions of the governesses,
lie found did not meet the requirements of the institution :
but this was rather an advantage, as it showed they were
benefited by it, being furnished with a comfortable home
and other advantages during their temporary want of
employment. Their residence in the institution also gave
them a better chance of obtaining an engagement than if
they resided in some out-of-the-way locality. Having
alluded to the gratifying circumstance that, though the
number registered had been fewer, the demand was larger
than in the previous year, the archdeacon concluded by
urging the meeting to extend the benefits of the annuity
fund. Dr. Nottingham seconded the resolution, which
was carried ; and on the motion of Mr. Tory, seconded by
Mr. Lightbody, a vote of thanks was awarded to the
Ladies' Committee. The honorary officers and the lady
superintendent also received votes of thanks. Mrs. Inman
moved, and Mrs. Tory seconded, a vote of thanks to the
chairman, which his lordship briefly acknowledged. He
spoke particularly of the importance of duly respecting
the feelings of governesses, and making them feel per-
fectly at home.
LIVERPOOL GAS-LIGHT COMPANY.—Mr. C. W. Reade,
chairman of the board, presided at the half-yearly meeting
on Tuesday. Mr. Carson the secretary, read the report,
which entered upon the difficulties in obtaining a sufficient
supply of cannel, and the conduct of Earl Balcarres and
Mr. Halliburton, who had fulfilled their contracts. The
directors, after a careful estimate of the profits of the past
half-year, and the probable profits of the next, felt justified
in recommending a dividend for the last half-year at the
rate of five per cent. on the consolidated stock of the
company, and of £1 ss. per share on the paid-up £25
shares, and of 2s. 6d. per share on each of the £25 A
shares. The directors recommended that the above-
mentioned paid-up shares of the company, (being those
numbered from 7,141 to 8,080,) be converted into consoli-
dated stock, such conversion to take effect from the Ist
day of July next.' The only shares which would then re-
main in the books of the company not converted into stock
would be the £25 A shares, upon which a call of £2los.
had been made. The Chairman moved the adoption of the
report. Mr. Charles Turner asked when there was likely
to be any further call upon the £25 A shares. However
deferred the call might be, if the time were indicated, it
would give a fixed value to the shares, which were at
present a lottery. The Chairman said that as they did not
want money, they had not considered that subject. When
they wanted money it would be desirable to call up. Mr.
Turner still urged that if the period of the call were de-
fined, the shares would assume a marketable character.
The Chairman replied that the matter had better be
left in the hands of the directors; as the money was
wanted, calls would probably be made upon the A shares.
Mr. Harmood Banner said that great injustice was done to
the proprietors of the New Gas and Coke Company by the
amalgamation, in those shares not being capitalized on the
first occasion that money was wanted. There was money
owing, to which the whole amount of those shares ought to
be applied. The Chairman said they owed £13,000 be-
sides £31,000 to Mr. John Shaw Leigh. At the request
of the Chairman, Mr. Carson, the secretary, read a resolu-
tion passed in the year after the amalgamation by a general
meeting, authorizing the directors to borrow £65,200,
wider the provision of the company's act, for a limited
period. Mr. Turner then seconded the motion for the
adoption of the report, which wee carried nem con. In
answer to Mr. Andrews, the Chairman said nothing could,
be said by the board with respect to the reduction of piile
to the public. The dividend recommended in the report
was then adopted, and the conversion of certain shuts into
consolidated stock sanctioned. Aster a vote of t'xinka to
the chairman and directors, the business cicad.

FRAUD.—kman., named Ruftley, has been committed
for trial by the- Manchester magistrates, for obtaining a
certificate of his. wife's death from the registrar (while
she was yet living), and using it for the purpose of begging.
Tire EMPEROR. or- HATTL—Mr. J. A. P. Mtßride, of
Russell-street, has just completed a bust of the Emperor
Soulouque I, decorated- with several orders; The head is
large, and the features indicate a character of considerable
intellectual range, and great firmness. The bust will be
on view at the artist's studio for a Tew days.
Mr. FULTON, the Scripture-reader of St. Barnabas! Dis-
trict, in this town, has received twenty-five volumes of
valuable theological and. other works, accompanied. by a
flattering note, from "-A. few of the inhabitants- of St.
Barnabas' District, who appreciate his zealous- labours
among them as Scripture-reader."
ISLE OP MAN—New STEAM CONVEYANCE.—ETOM an
advertisement, in another column, it will be seen. that a
new Steam Navigation Company for conducting the-traffic
between Liverpool and Castletown, is being formed under
very promising auspices, As explained in the prospectus,
the southern shores of the island are the great resort for
the herring fleet, and abound with fish of various kinds ;
the fisheries alone giving promise of a profitable trade; in
addition to which there will also be an important traffic. in
farm produce.
INGENIOUS MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.—It is ever pleasing
to notice works of ingenuity and art. We were
gratified with viewing and hearing play, at the manufac-
tory of Mr. Rushworth, organ builder, Pudsey-street, a
most ingeniously-contrived self-acting organ, on an exten-
sive scale. The instrument, which is in mahogany, is of
beautiful exterior, elaborately carved in the Gothic style,
the interstices throughout being filled up with silvered
plate glass. The interior, to one not acquainted with the
principle of its construction, appears intricate, but, when
explained, is of the most simple and ingeniclus contrivance.
The music produced is at once melodious, sweet, and
powerful ; and the barrels are constructed for airs martial,
national, comic, sentimental, and sacred. The whole work
is very creditable to the builder, Mr. Rushworth, who
has attained a high stand for his skill in the construc-
tion of self-acting and other organs, and who is now en-
gaged in building the organ for the new church of Saint
Chrysostom, Everton. The self-acting organ has been
erected, at great expense, for Mr. Roger Duxbury, of the
Albion Hotel, Over Darwen, Blackburn.
HEALTH COMMITTEE.--The weekly meeting was held
on Thursday, Mr. Langsdale in the chair. Mr. Fresh re-
ported that Mr. Rose had nearly cleared away the accumu-
lations from the various manure depots, and that the land
at the south part of the town, about which so much con-
troversy had taken place, was now enclosed for shipbuilding
purposes. The demand for night soil amongst the farmers
and landowners is now, it appears, particularly brisk.
Several letters were read complaining of neglect in the
emptying of ashpits, the cause of which was attributed to
Mr. Rose, the contractor.: A conversation followed as to
whether measures ought not to be adopted to enforce the
performance of Mr. Rose's contract, and it was agreed that
the town clerk should take the necessary steps for that
purpose. It appeared from the proceedings of the parlia-
mentary committee that it had been decided not to present
the petition in reference to compelling railway companies to
carry manure on special terms. Tenders for sewerage in
various parts of the borough were accepted. The town
clerk said that if the bill, as now agreed to, became law, the
committee would have a remedy against the landowners ;
besides the out-townships in the municipal borough would
have to pay for all sewerage made for them since 1847. A
recommendation was received from the sub-committee,
that the inspectorof scavengers have their salaries increased
from 255. to 28s. per week. Agreed to. After some
matters of a mere routine character had been disposed of,
the board adjourned.
DOCK COMMITTBE.—The weekly meeting took place on
Thursday. Mr. Charles Turner presided. It was agreed
that a house on the west side of Hurst-street be purchased
from Mr. Scholefield for £250. Three seamen were ap-
pointed to be foremen of the holds in discharging ships.
The marine department produced a detailed report of the
services rendered by the crews of the life-boats in the gale
on the 18th instant, and it was agreed that a day's extra
pay be allowed to each, in consideration of those services.
Mr. Gregson called attention to the necessity for more
protection at George's Dock, where a man had recently
fallen into the water. The chains were not more than
two feet six inches in height. He suggested that there
should be a double row of chains. It was resolved that
the secretary's and solicitor's offices should have double
windows. A letter was read from Messrs. James Bibby
and Sons, complaining of the serious loss they had sus-
tained, as owners of the steamer Danube, in consequence
of the vessel having been prevented from going to sea, on
account of several sailing ships being in the way. A
remedy was suggested in the letter, and it was referred
to the Harbour-masters' Committee. A memorial from
the dock-gatemen for an increase of wages was referred to
the Harbour-masters' Sub-committee. The wages of the
men are now a guinea a week.
EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY.—The half-yearly meet-
ing took place on Wednesday, at Bury, Mr. T. Dugdale
presiding. The report being read, the chairman congra-
tulated the company that they had assembled to declare
a larger dividend than they had ever yet received since
the company was established, and said this was the more
encouraging when they considered that there had been
protracted strikes in the large towns on the line, which
had decreased the traffic. On the subject of the amalga-
tion with the Lancashire and Yorkshire Company, the
report afforded all the information the directors could at
present give. They thought that they should amalga-
mate on equal terms, and believed that it would be for the
interest of the proprietors in both companies that the two
lines should be worked under one management ; but, when
the terms of amalgamation had been fully arranged, a
meeting of the company would be called, at which the
terms would be laid before them, and their consent to the
proposition would be formally asked. Mr. Rosson regret-
ted that accommodation had not yet been afforded to
farmers for carrying their produce to the Liverpool market.
That traffic was on the increase, and the prospects of the
company were rising. The report was adopted. The
chairman moved a dividend of 3f per cent. per annum on
the capital stock of the company, to be paid on the 4th of
March. Mr. Fert seconded the motion, and it was agreed
to. The retiring directors, Messrs. T. Ashton, J. R. Kay,
M. J. Fielden, M.P., and J. Holt, were re-elected. Mr.
Wm. Bates was re-elected auditor ; and £2OO was ordered
to be paid out of the capital stock to the benevolent fund
of the company's servants.
CONSERVATIVE BALL AT CLITHBRON--PRESENTATION
To MR. ASPINALL.—On Thursday evening, a splendid ball
took place at the Swan Inn, Clitheroe, under the patronage
of the elite of the Conservative party of the borough. The
object of the ball was to assemble the supporters of the
Conservative body to witness the presentation of a very
handsome piece of plate to J. W. Aspinall, Esq., late M.P.
for Clitheroe, which had been purchased by subscription.
The ball room was very magnificently decorated, and at
the entrance a tastefully-ornamented orchestra was erected
for the accommodation of the quadrille band. The sides
of the room were embellished with flags and banners, in-
terspersed with *maths of evergreens, intermixed with
artificial flowers. 'The window at the bottom end of the
spacious room was covered with a large flag, bearing an
inscription of the memorable words of Nelson, "England
expects every man to do his duty." In the centre of the
side wall was placed a flag of the party colour, containing
these words, " Clitheroe Conservative Association.---Pro
aril et focis," opposite which was a flag with the inscription,
"The Town and Trade of Clitheroe." The guest of the
evening, J. T. W. Aspinall, Esq., was attired in the cos-
tume of a deputy-lieutenant, and was accompanied by T.
G. Parker, Esq., Le G. N. Starkie, jun., Esq., M.P., and
other officers of the militia, in their military costume.
The number present amounted to about 150. Dancing
was continued until about half-past ten, when Le G. N.
Starkie, jun., Esq., M.P., came forward to present to Mr.
Aspinall the piece of plate, which consisted of a handsome
candelabrum, with five branches. The centre one is re-
moveable, and may be replaced by a flower vase. The cost
of it was about £lOO. The following inscription was neatly
engraven upon it :—" To J. T. W. Aspinall, Esq., of Stan-
den Hall, who, after two severe contests, was returned
representative in Parliament for the borough of Clitheroe
in the session of 1853, this piece of plate is presented by
his political friends, in testimony of their approval of his
public principles. February, 1864." Mr. Aspinall briefly
returned thanks. Dancing was afterwards resumed, and
kept up until an early hour in the morning.
Tins LIVERPOOL IMPROVEMENT BILL—The following
petition • against the Liverpool Improvement Bill was
agreed to by the directors of the Manchester Chamber of
Commerce, and forwarded on Tuesday for presentation :
" That your petitioners have just heard that a bill, intituled
' Liverpool Improvement Bill,' has been introduced into
your honourable house, and after being carried with
unusual haste and secrecy through a second reading, is
now before a select committee. That your petitioners are
surprised to learn that the said bill contains a provision
by which the corporation of Liverpool seeks for power to
mortgage that portion of its income usually denominated
' town duties,' as security for money to be borrowed for
its own use. That the said town duties of Liverpool are
chiefly levied upon imports and exports passing in transitu,
the town itself contributing to them in a very small
degree ; that they form a grievous tax upon the commerce
of the country, which has long been a source of grave com-
plaint, not only in respect to the extravagant amount
which it produces (that for the year ending the 31st
August, 1863, having been £113,578), but from the most
unjust manner in which it is levied, the freemen of the
borough being exempt from any liability to the charge.
That your petitioners are of opinion that the area over
which the corporation of Liverpool exercises the levying
f these town duties is extended beyond that w hich they
think compatible with the interests of the interior, or the
rights and dignity of the crown, inasmuch as a local body
overrides an estuary of the sea, and enforces payment of
money over many miles of the inland course of the
Mersey, on merchandise which merely passes by and in
no way makes use of the town. That the uses to which
the said town duties are applied are not distinctly marked
or clearly apportioned ; but are, in a great measure,
expended for purposes in which the payers of the tax have
not the slightest interest, and frequently in most improper
attempts to encroach still more upon the interests of those
from whom_thoee duties are wrung. That your petitioners
willingly ROTH that the buoyage, lighting, and mainten-
ance of the water-way of the Mersey should be perfectly
performed, and that the cost thereof should be borne by
the commerce of the country ; but they are distinctly of
opinion that beyond the charges thus specified, the town
of Liverpool ought not to be permitted to tax the interior.
That your petitioners have long thought that the manner
in which the corporation of Liverpool has exercised the
levying of town duties, and the rates imposed, deserve the
attentive scrutiny of the government, or the legislature,
and they would rejoice in these questions being submitted
to a searching examination ; and believing that the power
of pledging the town duties would not only preclude the
possibility of such inquiry hereafter, but fix the present
enormous rates permanently upon the public, or, quite as
probably, lead, under some specious pretence, to a future
increase of them. Your petitioners humbly but most
earnestly pray that the cost of any improvements which
the corporation of Liverpool may contemplate may, as in
this and other cities and towns, be borne by the town
itself, and that your honourable house may reject any
clause in the bill herein referred to, or in any other bill,
whigh shall, either directly or indirectly, serve to per-
petuate the present system of levying town duties at
Liverpool, or ipermit the corporation of that ton to
mortgage, for its own purposes, its real or assumed right
of taxing oiler communities than its own. Manchester,
February 21, 1854." The directors of the Commercial
Assosiation have also agreed to a similar petition, which
was §errit to London Oa /May'