The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-01-03 00:00:00

BIRKENIIEAD lIOTEL ESTATE.

The TOWN-CLERK then read the following report of the
Sub-committe of Finance on the Birkenhead' Hotel estate,
which was presented to the committee yesterday :
" The property consists of the hotel and ferry, which are
let, at present, at the nett sum of £9OO per annum ; but the
present tenant's term expiring in eighteen months, a negoti-
ation is pending for the increased rent—such negotiation
being subject to the present offer for sale. A dwelling-house
let at £l5O nett per annum. Various plots of building land,
suitable for marine villas. The undisputed right to the ferry,
and all the estate of the sellers under Francis R. Price,
Esq., the lord of the manor, in the shore down to low
water-mark of the river, and to within twenty yards of low
water-mark of Birkenhead Creek, or the outlet from Tran-
mere Pool.
" The shore would admit of dock room to the extent of
300 yards by 100 ; and the position of the property is such
as to command most extensive increase of dock accommoda-
tion, by purchases under parliamentary powers, whenever
such accommodation may be deemed necessary. Valuable
stone for dock walls can be got from both the land and the
shore. _ _ _

.....`.: The increasing neighbourhood, and the completion of the
railway, must add to the valne of this property. Improve-
ment-in the corporation estate at Wallasey would also add to
it. The railway company are subject to an undertaking
made in parliament, and inserted as a condition in their act,
that, before any extension of their line to Woodside, from
its present terminus at Grange-lane, there shall be branch
railways to Tranmere and Birkenhead Ferries.
The whole of the land, exclusive of shore, contains about
43,000 square yards. The, surveyor. of the corporation
values the land, exclusive of shore or any consideration of
docks, and simply as if purchased by any individual having
no peculiar interest, at one pound per square yard, or
£43,000. To this amount he adds the buildings, piers, and
basin, and right of ferry, at £17,000, making together
£60,000. The purchase money required is £65,000, and
the proprietors are under a contract binding on them to sell
at that sum ; but with a provision, on behalf of the corpora-
tion, for making the sale void, if not adopted by. the .ccquicil ,
on or before the 6th of February next.
the question
" It is recommended that the determination of
upon the condition contract should be adjourned for about
a fortnight, to give time for consideration, and the obtaining
further information.
t, In the meanwhile the Finance Committee will be ready
explain their views on the subject of the purchase.
to confer with any committees or members of the council,
and to
" Town-hall, 31st December, 1839."
, Mr. C
COunci riulawlf said the first subject for the consideration of
s
the proposed increase of Mr. ()kill's salary ;
toe
and when he stated that the report had been adopted unani-
nuni%lY-14 out of the 15 members of the committee having
voted for it and the absent member being favourable—he
thought tlie et,uncil would agree with him, that the com-
mittee had done r• thr in recommending an advance to that
meritorious otlicetrr „al. rv• The grounds for this recommen-
dation were so fully6 -- a ' set for.t
kin the report that he would not
in again going over them, but
content himself with i yin, the confirmation of the Finance
Committee's proceedinnZs
henceforth be £9OO, instead f -einn
Mr. JouN HOLNIES secondedi4'''' '' -.
'
; . .t. l'i a t the salary of Mr. Okill should
Mr. Alderman EVANS said t1,,,,t
the motion.
council could
be more deeply impressed with tI,Z 'l. Okill than
merits of r.
be (Mr. Evans) was, and he had
,I,l,tration. that gentle-
man receiving the most ample mina
:::
ob manee
ti
He would lay
no stress on the fact of the old court
which was called irre-
sponsible, haviniven what they thought er compen-
sation to Mr. Okell ; all he wished was to a. prop
cil from establishing a precedent for the !!,rotect the co
nionheto
un-
'''''ll, ' of a larer
•ncome in any one department than was d„,,6 ,
i xuect correct.
On a fair view of the merits and services of Ni,,,_
thought that the better plan would be to award a,,(,)1c,,!11, De
the salary of Mr. Okill untouched. If the I s, and
leave
were raised above the measure of ‘64Z,y in
any department
effect would a r -. re-
ward for the services performed,.the. . be to v. 4.
and to impair the efficiency of the man holy
ken the attention
lug the office, as well as to bring into play the ambition of
l of society, less fitted for the perform.
men in a higher e
ante of the duties, ass
and
who, when once in office, would in
protected from removal by the extent of
Some measure be
tit ;Limo. Ile had
sufficient experience,
council, to know, thakif, by any . even in that
accident, an income was ever
whenever he came to be
raised t() a certain sum, a successor,
appoint would twn of
b kb' If treated with a kind slur or
; imse
• to him If £9OO
insult if t.ll „tnie amount were not Fiven •
were made the -- --
of the clerk of the committees, that
salary

~~~~

would hereafter be looked upon as the salary of the office,
and would be expected by Mr. Okill's successor. Not only
that, but they were gradually getting up to those higher in.,
comes, and as sure as they did so, they would get themselves'
into the corruption of appointing more incapable 'persons, in
a higher and more influential station of society. He wished
the salaries to be such as would secure the services of men of
a middling order, who had habits of labour, and not in-
comes that would lead the servants of the corporation to de-
sire to mingle in society, and enjoy pleasures, that would oc-
cupy their time and abstract their minds from their duties.
He should therefore recommend that the circumstances be
again taken into consideration by the committee, on the prin-
ciple of making Mr. Okill a bonus, of what amount he would
not name, for that ought to be left to the committee. Mr.
Evans concluded by moving an amendment to that effect.
Mr. Alderman BENS seconded the amendment. It ap-
peared to him from Mr. Okill's statement, and from the
report of the committee, that he had bestowed great labour
upon the arrangement of the corporation affairs, and there-
fore that he must need recreation and rest. Mr. Okill had
also suggested that a younger person should be placed in the
office with a view to succeed him. Under these circum-
stances he (Mr. Benn) conceived it would be much better to
award Mr. Okill a bonus, and place another person in the
office to assist him, and with a view to succeed him. This
course he thought he would be preferable to Mr. Okill, be-
cause it would relieve him considerably from the cares of
office.

Mr. BOLTON differed from Mr. Alderman Evans. The
subject had been fully discussed in the committee, and
of the two modes which presented themselves for reward-
ing the very valuable services of Mr. Okill (to whom the old
corporation had behaved very shabbily), the committee had
chosen that which best accorded with the feelings of Mr.
Okill. He (Mr. Bolton) thought there was no fear of
this proposed augmentation of salary having any influence in
a future appointment, for it was recommended under peculiar
circumstances, and for services which would not again be
needed. Besides, he thought that the mode proposed would
be the most economical one.
Mr. PLATT concurred in the motion of Mr. Currie. He
thought that Mr. Okill richly deserved what was proposed
for him.

Mr. Alderman EARLE was glad to hear the grant of the
old corporation to Mr. Okill styled shabby, because at that
time he expressed his opinion that it Was the most paltry
thing that ever had been done by that body.
Mr. BATHBONE fully concurred in the views of Mr. Evans.
He was glad to hear such a report, respecting one who was a
high tory, from a committee that had often been taunted with
being radicals and exclusives. Toryism, however, had no-
thing to do with the question—(laughter)—but he did wish
to notice that reformers were quite willing to do justice to a
tory, when his merits came before them. He hoped that the
report would be referred back to the committee. It was very
well to say that the increase of salary- had been recommended
on account of Mr. ()kill's merits ; but he knew that when a
salary was c. -Ice G 4 tblished, some excuse would be found to
cootinec it. He wished the thing done in the most hand-
some way to Mr....0ki11; but'in a shape tlett would be more
ae*'"l'tablo and a-- "Ifivezw:-.--..ta'-at than the cut, proi.,4zr im.cd tho
report tleiltre4, lit-er economy, s. if Mr. Okill
would not )ive- 'long. If he had a fixed surz given him,
-it would be a compliment to him.
Mr. Honosorr wished to see the council cometo a conclu-
sion that would be satisfactory to all parties. He agreed
that some compensation ought to be made to Mr. Okill, and
'he also agreed in the principle laid down by Mr. Evans.
Say what they would, if the compensation were given in the
'shape of a fixed salary the council would be called upon to
continue that rate of salary, whenever they had to appoint a
successor. He thought that a mode might be hit upon which
would do away with all objection—namely, by giving Mr.
Okill his.choice of a fixed sum, in the shape of a bonus, or
an annuity during his continuance in the service of the coun-
cil—the annuity to form no part of his salary.
Mr. Alderman BOOTH thought that the best mode was
that proposed by Mr. Evans, namely, to grant a sum equiva-
lent to the purchase of an annuity of £2OO.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE thought that the council should
decide upon the matter, and not refer it back to the com-
mittee, as if they had not examined it sufficiently. He
should support the motion of Mr. Currie, as that mode of
remuneration would be most agreeable to the feelings of Mr.
Okill, who cared little about the money, but who wished for
an increase of salary for the purpose of raising himself in
the scale of the corporation officers.
Mr. Alderman HouNnv said that he should like to giVe •
notice of another amendment. He thought that the proposed
increase of £2OO was paltry, and that the council ought at
once to make Mr. Okill's salary £lOOO a year.
Mr. Alderman SHELL entirely concurred in the view of
Mr. Evans, and had been confirmed in his opinion by
what had fallen from Mr. G. H. Lawrence, who had said
that Mr. Okill cared nothing about the money, but wished
to raise himself in the scale of the corporation officers. Now,
that was the very thing to which Mr. Evans had objected.
If they raised the salary of the clerk of committees, the
situation would become an object of ambition to those who
stood high in society—to men unlike Mr. Okill, and unfit
for the discharge of the duties ; and lie was • not anxious to
do any such thing. He was one of those who thought that
when a salary was once fixed at a high standard, it would be
extremely difficult to reduce it. He did not think that.the
case of the treasurer, who had been alluded to, bore upon
the one before them, because they had all come in most
dreadful economists. He must confess that, if he wanted an
office under the council, he would: much rather make the
application now than he would have done then. The report,
had very properly stated all that could be brought forward in
favour of Mr: Okill, but it ought likewise to have mentioned
how much he had received from the old corporation. Mr.
Okill's services were under the old corporation, but his
claims had been referred to a sub-committee since the ap-
pointment of the reform council, and he (Mr. Sheil) really
thought it too hard to throw back the blame on the. old cor-;
poration for their economy. In fact, he was beginning to
find that he had been too severe upon them ; for he hail
always thought that they had been -too extravagant : but he
found they had been too economical.
. Mr. M'KEE reminded the council that they ought to be
careful in fixing high salaries. The people out of doors were
very jealous of these frequent additions, and the. council
surely ought to pay some respect to their opinions. He hoped
Mr. Evans's proposition would be carried.
Mr. HENRY LAWRENCE proposed to do away with the ob-
jection of Mr. Evans by a slight verbal alteration of the !no-
tion. He proposed that the £2OO per annum should be given
to Mr. Okill, not in addition to, but over and above, his
salary.
Mr. BLACKBURN supported Mr. Currie's motion.
Mr. COGLAN expressed his intention to vote for the amend-
ment.

Mr. JORDAN took the same view of the question as the.
Finance Committee, and should support the original motion.,
Mr. Alderman EVANS wished to reply, but this was ob-
jected to by 'Mr. Currie and others, as being inconsistent,
with the usage of the council, which did not,: following the
rule of the House of Commons, allow the right of reply to the
mover of an amendment.
_ _

Mr. 67;;;;;;;; .........g with his reply, whemhe was
interrupted by the • mayor, to whom the town--clerk had
Pointed out that the motion of Mr. Currie, which was for the
confirmation of the proceedings of the Finance Committee,
inclusive ofthe recommendationfor the increase of Mr. Okill's
salary, was wrongly worded : it ought to have been for the
confirmation of the proceedings, with the exception of that
part having reference to the increase of salary, because, by
the standing orders of the council, no salary could be in-,
creased unless a month's notice had been given.
Mr. RATIIBONE wished to know whether the town clerk
had given his opinion as to whether that was the proper time
or not for taking the proposed increase of salary into con-
sideration. lie thought that the common-sense view of the
case said, that they ought not to have another debate upon
the subject.
The TOWN-CLERK read the standing order, and said that
it was not in the power of the council to go into the considera-
tion of the report until the next meeting.
t Mr. CURRIE was proceeding,lwhen Mr. Alderman EvANs
rose and objected, seeing that it-had been decided that the
council could' not take the matter into consideration then.
He recommended Mr. Currie to reserve his ammunition till
the next meeting.
Mr.' CURRIE replied that he should not be short of ammu-
nition. He then worded his motion as follows :—" That the

proceedings of the Finance Committee be confirmed, with the
exception of the report as to the Birkenhead property, which
is to stand over for consideration at an adjourned council,
and the report on Mr. Okill's memorial, which, by the stand-
ing orders, must stand over till the next monthly meeting."
The motion was agreed to without opposition.
HIGH CONSTABLE'S SALARY.

In the proceedings of the Watch Committee. there was a
resolution that the salary of Mr. Whitty, the head-con-
stable, should be raised from £525 to £7OO. This resolution
will be taken into consideration at the next council meeting.

SWOItD-BEARER.

The Town-hall Establishment Committee recommended
that William Houlton should be appointed to the office of
sword-bearer, receiving £3O a year in addition to his present
salary. By this arrangement £l2O a year would be saved.—
This recommendation also stands over for confirmation.
MEMORIALS.

The MAYOR then presented the following memorial, which
had been handed to him by Mr. Hodgson :
" Your memorialists have learned with satisfaction
that it is the intention of your honourable body to apply to
parliament, in the ensuing session, for power to introduce
into this borough several clauses of the metropolitan police
act; amongst them the following:—' And be it enacted, that
no licensed victualler or other persod shall open his house
within the metropolitan district for the sale of wine, spirits,
beer, or other fermented or distilled liquors on Sundays,
Christmas-day, and Good Friday; before the hour of one in
the afternoon, except refreshment for travellers.' Your
memorialists are of opinion that the introduction of this
measure will tend greatly to check the drunkenness, no-
morality, and awful desecration of the Lord's day that at
present prevail. Trusting that your honourable body will
persevere in your intention, and add this to the many other
excellent measures conferred upon us, which tend so, much
to our comfort and happiness as individuals, and, our safety
and protection as citizens : as in duty bound, your memo-
rialists will ever pray."
The memorial was signed by 554 persons.
Mr. HODGSON said that he had been desired to state, that
in addition to the signatures appended to the memorial,
(which had been placed in his hands since he came into the
council,) there was a great number which ought and would
have been appended, but for the circumstance that the indi-
vldttal hiving possession of them was out of the way.
Mr. JOHN SMITH inquired whether there was any memo-
rial from the licensed victuallers ?
The MAYOR replied in the negative.
Mr. JOHN SMITH moved that the memorial which had
been presented should' be referred to the Watch Committee,
as they would have to take the whole case into consideration.
Mr. CASE seconded the motion.—Carried.
VACANCIES IN THE. ALMS HOUSES.

The MAYOR called the attention of the council to the fact
to have their advice as to"the best mode of filling them. He
of there being two vacancies in the alms-houses, as he wished
stated that there had been frequent complaints as to the
manner in which the persons occupying them had conducted
themselves. There were forty-eight alms-houses, sixteen of
which were -in the hands of the corporation ; and he had
spoken to the persons having the.disposal of the others, and
he believed that there was no disinclination on their part to
accede to the proposal which he was about to offer—namely,
that a police inspector should live in one of.the houses now
vacant, and, by exerting a. surveillance over the houses ge-
nerally, and by frequently reporting, they would thus be kept
in better order.
Mr. Alderman EARLE was glad that the mayor had taken
up this subject. He himself had bestowed someattentionto it
when he was in office. The Mayor's suggestion was a good
one. The evil was, allowing persons with families to reside
in the alms-houses; for, when the children grew up, they re-
mained
there ; and sonic of the houses, when he was in
triootnhoelfs. old Unlesspeople, the
lotesee'swweerre little
lelci betteried to the
whom they were intended, there would be some difficulty in
bringing about that order and regularity which the mayor
wished to establish.
Mr. RATH/101,1E thought that if some arrangement were
made with the different proprietors to bring the whole of the
under one, management, it would be better.
houses
Mr. CASE said 'that to permit a police inspector to reside
be deprive the poor of one of the houses. He
ther, would to
the strictsurveillance htZi they should be under
on
t he should not like a house to be taken away.
Thei ' • d to the Town-hall Establishment
eten e
coruntrel3ect was r
*A..

ATcti RATE.
ChurchwardentV
:.hAet ihe".VestryeaNd'r he
Churchwarden Kilsha;
o resolution from Mr.
iansh-office, Fenwicting held in the Board Room of the
'it,reet, the 24th December, 1839, Mr.
v in chair, the vestry-clerk having

reported the result of the interview of the churchwardens
and himself, as a deputation to wait upon the mayor and
town-clerk, in reference to the intended bill as to watch rates
—Resolved, That; relying upon the intention expressed by
the council that they will proceed to obtain an act of parlia-
ment in the next session, so as to exonerate the parishioneri
from any additional rate under the act of last session, the se-
lect vestry, although well aware of the anxiety felt by the pa-
rishioners at large upon the 'subject of the watch rate, con-
ceive that they will best effect the views of the parishioners
by abandoning any distinct application to parliament for this
purpose.—Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing resolution
be transmitted by the churchwardens to the mayor, with a
request that his worship will he pleased to lay the same be-
fore the council at their next meeting.—Extracted from the
minutes." " N: D. LOWNDES, Vestry-Clerk."
The TOWN-CLERK said it was desirable that there should
be no misunderstandincrwith respect to the bill he was proceed-
ing for. He then read the report on the subject, which had
been approved of by a committee, and afterwards by the
council, and in pursuance of which notice had been given in
the following terms. [The Town-clerk read the notice.] The
resolution of the parish, he Said, appeared to go to the exo-
neration of the parish, and he had no doubt, if no change
took place in the revenue of the corporation, that that would
be the result of the bill. _ _

Mr. CURRIE, in pursuance of the recommendation of the
Town-clerk, moved the following resolution :—" That the
Town-clerk be directed officially to transmit to the Vestry-
clerk an extract from his parliamentary notice, so far as re-
lates to a bill in the next session, on the subject of the act of
the last session, relating to watch rates ; and to state that he
has the directions of this council to effect, by public or pri-
vate bill, the objects of that notice."
The resolution was adopted without opposition.
Doer( COMMITTEE.

The proceedings of the Dock Committee were then read
over and confirmed. Some rules and regulations for the
conduct of the dock-masters and harbour-masters were with-
drawn, for the purpose of amendment.

LAYING A WATCH RATE.
Mr. THORNHILL, as chairman of the Watch Committee,
proposed that the rate for the ensuing year should be 2d.
33-64ths.
The TOWN-CLERK explained why the proposed rate was
higher than had formerly been levied, namely, 2d. 6-17ths.
At present they were obliged to lay the rate under an act of
the last session, which directed that, instead of the annual
value of the premises being estimated at the rack rent, it
should be estimated at the probable annual value for a cer-
tain number of years. It was therefore proposed that a de-
duction of one-tenth from the rack rent should be made, that
being the proportion which the parish deducted. By this
course the 2d. 33-64ths would yield £l5 less than the"2d.
6-17ths had yielded.
The motion was carried without opposition.
APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONERS AND TRUSTEES.

Messrs. Platt, Segar, and Morecroft were appointed com-
missioners for watching, lighting, and cleansing the chapelry
of Birkenhead.

The Mayor was, appointe4 a trustee of Mrs. Ann Moly-
...ova charity, in the roortrsif the late- may*.
The Mayor, Mr. Lassell, and Mr. Thornhill were appointed
trustees of St. James's Cemetery.
Messrs. Benn and Houghton, trustees of the school and
chapel for the indigent blind.
Forty-one members of the council were appointed com-
missioners under the pilotage act—namely, Messrs. Hornby,
Leathom, Rathbone, Walmsley, Sheil, Gladstone, Booth,
Sands, Sandbach, Mather, Holt, Case, Bolton, Mellor,
Blackburn, Hodgson, Duncan, Bushell, Bulley, Jordan, Cur-
rie, Earle, John Holmes, Barclay, Lassell,Thornhill, G. Holt,
Platt, H. Lawrence. Quayle, Smith, Woolright, G. H. Law-
rence, H. Holmes, Bright, Priestley, Moon, Morecroft, Se-
gar, J. Hornby. and Barton.
The Mayor, Mr. Leathom, and Mr. Booth, were appointed
auditors of the accounts of the Pilots' Committee.

Mr. John Wvbcrgh, treasurer for the borough, was ap-
pointed agent of the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses, to
prove all debts now or at any time due to the corporation
from any person against whom a fiat of bankruptcy has or
may be issued. _ ' _ _

The Council then adjourned, at a quarter-past two, to
Wednesday, the 15th instant, as a quarterly and special
Council.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.-TuESDAY.

A 'WARNING TO SEAMEN, &C.

The Master .of the ship Duchessof Clarence appeared to
answer a charge of assault, preferred tigainst him by a man
who had shipped as steward for the late voyage of the above
vessel to Trieste and back. _

Mr. Davenport appeared on the part of the compiainant.
The latter at the outset of his statement said that the assault
was committed on the 17th September.
Mr. Shuttleworth said he had procured a summons for an
assault, alleged to have been committed on or about the 14th
October. - _ _

Mr. Davenport hoped the Captain would consent to the
case being heard there.
The Captain replied, that he did not feel called upon to
consent to anything, as he had never committed any assault
whatever on the complainant.
Mr. Rushton said, as the Captain had been summoned to
answer a charge of assault; alleged to have been committed
on a particular day, while it was now stated to have taken
place on another, the captain was undoubtedly entitled to a
postponement for preparation. He would, if the captain
thought fit,.issUe.another summons.
The Captain said, it would be better that the case should
proceed. , .
Mr. Davenport stated; that the complainant was labouring
under hernia., He was ordered to go aloft and " scrape the
sky-sails" on the day when the assault was committed. As
his disease was'of:a very serious nature, he was unable to
comply With this'request ; and the consequence was, that the
Captain, struek him, broke his mouth, and caused him to
bleed profusely. 'The 'complainant was first engaged as a
teward, but he was removed from the cabin a week, preced-
ug their arrival at Trieste. The voyage occupied about six
weeks and four days, and he acted as steward outward.
The complainant, having been called, said, he was turned
out of the cabin without any reason whatever.; he had no
objectiori to pull and haul when desired, or to work about the.
deck, but he could not' go aloft, and; when ordered, he said
so, upon which the captain came off the poop, and struck
him, and broke his mouth.
William Chester, a witness called by the complainant,
stated, that he saw the captain come the poop, and strike
the complainant, either on the chinror.ori.the mouth, he could.
not tell which.
John Holmes, aseaman, corroborated the above,testimony,
and said, that the complainant was conapellst44#l,4,up the
rigging to get out of the captain's way._ The complainant
was suffering from rupture:
The captain said, he. was never informed, that the com-
plainant was afflicted with hernia. He shipped as steward.
The complainant said; he told the captain himself, that he
%vas so afflicted.
The captain, in reply; denied` the charge in toto. The two
men whom the coniplainaht had' called were the ringleaders
of a mutinous conspiracy on board his ship, and he did not
worder at anything they mightsay.
Chester.—Then why did not you say that before you paid
us ? You might have taken us into custody by law.
Captain Brenan.—l looked over it.
The Mate was called 'as a witness on behalf of the captain.
He said he ordered the complainant to go up aloft to scrape
the mast. He refused to do so, and witness told the captain.
The latter tbOk hold of him by the collar, but did not strike
him. He had One aloft frequently. before.
A youhg seaman gave similar testimony. He said the
captain was 'standing near'the main rigging, and did not come
off the poop at all. He merely collared the complainant,
but did not strike him. '

The complainant„ in 'explanation of a. statement by the
mate, said—he could go' aloft, and had
.gone aloft before;
but he could not go where he was desired, as he should have
to hold On by bare Mast with hiS hands and knees.
The captain Said, there were ropes rove for the purpose of
supporting individuals. who scraped the "sky scrapers"—and
he would, if he had thought ptOper, have-been hoisted up.
Mr. Rushton—What was he turned out of the cabin for ?

Captain—For excessive' dirt and filthiness.
Mr. Rushton had; in the Meantime, examined the log. He
said if any assault' had been committed it appeared to have
been a very slight one ;* but he could not make up his mind
that the complainant had been struck at all. There was cer-
tain conduct entered in the lolf-book which showed that he
had behaved very:ill in :Many instances during the voyage.
He was not,'in this instance, 'entitled to redress.. Case dis-
missed.

A COUPLE OF ORIGINALS.
A singular-looking female, aged, abont fifty-nine, very
shabbily but very formally dressed, complained against a
feeble old man, aged perhaps about seventy, that he had
assaulted her. The lady, a very cadaverous, pineh-faced old
dame, was called Miss MayOr, from which designation we
gathered that she is an aged spinster. • The defendant, who
was bent so that-his back was very nearly in parallelism with
his feet, called himslf Mister Michael Byroin. Both were
natives of Hibernia whose brogue dropped rich and melli-
fluent as Milesian honey from their tongues.
The stiff-necked maiden stated, that being Chris-amas
time, she was indulging at geem of caruds, (cards), when the
ould gintleman came, in the most inhuman, brutal, and abo-
minable manner, an' strict her a tremendous blow on her
head.

The poor querulous old gentleman, who did not appear as
if he had anything tremendous left about him, save his tongue,
scarcely had patience to hear the complaint to a conclusion,
ere he broke in with his defence, which, in fact, amounted to
a charge of felony at-least."
Plase your worship, said he, thirrilaain carads that she
spakes of were mine. She came to house, and she took
dim away. Och now; Miss Mayor, y-oit know well dhat you
are an old gambler,-you are dhat same now, you always was,
and you always will be; •for it isn't in dhe nature of you to
lave it off. Here the-defendant coughed loudly, by way of
recovering his breath. Before the astonished maiden could
rally to the attack, however, he was off again. Savin yer
'prisince, and all dhe honerablecumpany dhat are around me,
.she tould me dhat I mightr---(we cannot follow the old gen-
tleman.) The shocked spinster lifted up her hands and eyes
in speechless astonishment. Presently, however, she reco-
vered her powers of utterance. ' '
•Is it you, you old tory, she said.
The old gentleman again interrupted her. Yes, that's just
what she called me. You ould tory and rascal, said she. 1
said I want my carads you old gambler—but, look you, gen-
tlemen, mark me ! 1 never struck her, and she owes me ten
shillings.
Complainant : Well, if he'll swear that, VII pay him on
the spot.
Defendant : Och ! don't listen to one word she says. She's
the wickedest woman between here and London.

Mr. Rushton dismissed the case, as beyond his powers of
discrimination to rectify or comprehend...
The belligerents retired from the court, calling each other
all manner of evil names in a peculiarly quiet way, though
the old gentleman seemed now to have the advantage of his
opponent in coolness.

YESTERDAY.
STEALING ON SHIP-BOARD.
John Brown And Edward Piercy, two young men, were
charged with having been found on board of a vessel, and
attempting to break into the cabin. The case was proved,
and as it appeared Brown had once before been imprisoned
for stealing from a cabin, and had been transported for
another offence ; and that Piercy was also an old offender;
they were sent to the House of Correction for three months.