The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-05-16 00:00:00

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE RATEPAYERS OF

WEST DERBY LAST NIGHT.

Yesterday evening a special meeting of the ratepayers
of West Derby.was held in the Everton National School,
Mill-lane, for the purpose of receiving a report from the
committee appointed in March last to investigate the alle-
gations respecting certain paid officers of the township.
The meeting was numerously attended, and throughout
much local party feeling was exhibited. Mr. Joseph King
waq moved to the chair.

The proceedings having been opened, a long communi-
cation (in the shape of a declaration made in Lancaster
Castle before a Master in Chancery) was read from the
late collector. Griffiths, containing a detail of his transac-
tions, and of his charges of complicity against Mr. Shaw ;
and a similar statement by Mr. Shaw of the proceedings
during Griffiths' service as collector under bin], and giv-
ing a very different version of the transactions in question.
A correspondence between Mr. Griffith and Mr. Shaw was
afterwards read, from which nothing very material could
be elicited; and subsequently a report of the committee,
appointed to investigate the accounts, which condemned
Mr. Shaw for having continued in office the man Griffith
for years after he knew that he was behindhand in his
payments of Government taxes received, for which he had
given no security ; and fixing upon Mr. Shaw a large por-
tion of the responsibility of Griffith's defalcations.
Mr. Owen, solicitor, appeared for Mr. Shaw, and the
township solicitor was also present. Mr. Strawn, clerk
to Mr. Shaw, was called forward and examined, especially
as regarded a payment of Xl5O, by Mr. Shaw to Griffith,
and entered in the books, but, as appeared by the report,
originally put down as a balance due of the mutual ac-
counts between them ; but it appeared, as stated in the
report, that the word due had been erased, and the word
paid substituted. Mr.. Strawn (Mr. Shaw's clerk), to
questions put on this point said, that the sum when put
down in the balance sheet was due, but was not paid
until subsequently, when he saw it paid in notes and
gold ; and though he did not recollect the exact
amount or the precise date, lie was sure it was the sum
stated in the account which was in his own hand-
writing.—The meeting was rather stormy at times,
and Mr. Owen had for some time difficulty in being heard.
Amongst other matters, which had been referred to in
the report, it appeared that those who drew it up were at
a great loss on account of a government assessed tax-
book having disappeared. Mr. Strawn admitted that a
number of these books of an old date had been burnt in
presence or by the privity of Mr. Shaw, being considered
useless, as they were merely duplicates of those retained
by the government ; and the committee complained of
the conduct of Mr. Shaw in doing so, as they were
deprived of the book in particular, (alluded to)
which had left them in the dark as to that item in the
enquiry. Mr. Eyre Evans strongly protested against the
burning of sueh documents. Another declaration was
read from Mr. Griffith, to the effect that he had left the
documents in question in the possession of Mr. Shaw sit
his office.—Mr. Walker proposed that the report be re-
ceived.—Mr. Ledger said perhaps the business would be
shortened by his stating that a letter had been received
that morning from the Poor Law Commissioners to the
effect that they would send down in the beginning of
June a commissioner to investigate the whole charge as
affecting the parish.—There was a general feeling ex-
pressed by the speakers they they had nothing to do with
the government rates.—Mr. Owen made a long speg.ch in
behalf of Mr. Shaw, contending that the committee in
drawing up the report had taken erroneous vies of the
case; and that Mr. Shaw bad done nothing that was
wrong. He deprecated adopting the report, to be pub-
lished if adopted throughout the coursfry, to the dis-
paragement of the character of a gentleman who had
become gray in their service, and thoughts Mr. Shaw
should have every opportimity of explaining himself on
the transactions in question. Mr. Owen was heard with
• much impatience, and frequent calls were made upon Mr.
Shaw himself.
After a desultory conversation, with respect to some
payments of government taxes, received by Griffiths and
others, and said to have been paid over to Mr. Shaw, that
gentleman was permitted to go into an explanation of the
whole matter.
Mr. SHATV said that had he known that the statement
which had been read from him were intended to have been
read, he would have entered more into details. He pro-
ceeded to explain the circumstances of the transactions
between himself and Griffiths. He had himself been for
the last thirteen years merely an honorary collector,
which had led him into his present difficulty. • He would
have been better able to have combated the allegations of
the report had he been permitted previously to see that
document. Not only had he been deprived of such an
opportunity, but every .book and voucher had been re-
moved out of his reach. Upon this point a difference of
statements took place between Mr. Ledger and Mr. Shaw.
Mr. JOHN WALKER moved that this report be
receis7ed and approved, and copies of accounts and all
documents forwarded to the Commissioners of Stamps and
Taxes, which was seconded by a ratepayer.
Mr. WALKER, Custom House officer, moved an amend-
ment, on the ground that fair play ought to be the cha-
racteristic of every meeting of Englishmen ; and remarked
that thismeeting bad throughout showed an evident dis-
position to prejudge the question before it. Mr. Shaw
had not had any opportunity of preparing a defence. It
was unfair to send a gentleman to the trial, which he
would have to meet on the first of June -aefore a govern-
ment commissioner, with the stigma upon his caracter
which would be attached by the adoption, by the meeting.
of the resolution before them. (An attempt was made to
stop Mr. Walker, by the Chairman and another gentle-
. man asking him whether he was a ratepayer, which was
satisfactorily answered.)
The word " approved" in the original motion was then
agreed to be withdrawn.
Mr. CARSON would not have voted for the motion pro-
posed if the word " approves" had remained. He had a
great respect for Mr. Shaw, from his high character for
integrity; but he thought that the friends of Mr. Shaw
would act injudiciously if they opposed a full investigation
of matters, which certainly appeared to have been con-
ducted with some degree of. irregularity.
Mr. SHAW, son of Mr. W. Shaw, brought before the
meeting the fact, that one of the resolutions in the mi-
nute-book had been entered in different terms from the

original resolution passed ; and also showed the circum-
stances under which one of the witnesses, Strachan, had
been appointed ratebook clerk, on the recommendation
of Mr. Ledger ana the overseers. Mr. Shaw went on to
name several facts, showing a bias on the part of the
committee which had entered into an investigation on
this subject.
The CHAIRMAN was weeding to put the amend-
ment, when
Mr. OWEN begged to save the meeting the trouble of
dividing.; Mr. Shaw had nothing to conceal, and he should
advise him to follow the course pointed out by Mr. Carson,
now that the condemnatory portion of the resolution had
been withdrawn.
On the same grounds Mr. 'WALKER withdrew the
amendment• he had moved. The original motion, as
amended, was then passed unanimously.

RATING OF THE DOCK ESTATE.-PUBLIC
MEETING OF THE RATEPAYERS OF TOX-

TETH- PARK.
Last evening a public meeting of the ratepayers of the
above township was held in the Parish-office, for the
purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of
making the Dock Estate chargeable to the parochial and
other rates. The meeting was convened by placard,
signed by the overseers of the township. There was a
numerous attendance. John Sheppard, Esq., was called
to the chair.
The CHAIRMAN, in his opening address, strongly ad-
vocated the rating of the entire Dock Estate, the principle
having been conceded in the rating of the Albert Dock
warehouses.
Mr. JOHN FISHER moved, and Mr. OWEN WILLIAMS
seconded the following, resolution, arguing at some length
in reply to the objections urged against rating the Dock
Estate :—" That inasmuch as it is our conviction that
the time has arrived when dock property should become
chargeable to the support of those local burthens which
now press exclusively and injuriously on individuals, this
meeting pledges itself to the adoption of means necessary
to render the dock estate rateable to its just proportion
of the poor and other rates."
The resolution, after having been warmly supported by
several speakers, was carried unanimously.
Mr. JOHN SMITH rose to propose the appointment of
a committee to co-operate with the committee already
appointed for the promotion of the same object in the
parish of Liverpool.
Mr. Councillor HARBORD seconded the motion, and in
the course of his observations, said, that it had been ad-
mitted within the last few days by the chairman of the
Dock Committee, that the sum of £1,400,000 had been
saved to dock ratepayers by recent reductions, and he
therefore thought that those magnates should contribute
something out of such a saving to the parochial rates.
The resolution was then passed, after considerable dis-
cussion, and a committee having been appointed, the
meeting broke up.

ROBBERY. -Yesterday, at the Police court, a woman,
named Catherine Poole, was charged by a seaman with
robbing him of his handkerchief and other articles. She
had before been in gaol, and latterly for three months,
for robberies. She was sentenced to three months' im-
prisonment.
BODY OF A CHILD FOUND.—On Saturday last, as a
female was passing some vacant ground near Blackstone..
street, she observed a bundle, and on opening it, found it
contained the body of a full-grown female child. It was
wrapped in an old sheet. Mr. Woods, surgeon, decided
that it had been still-born.
We have a pleasure in referring to Mr. Bennett's ad-
vertisement, whose numerous testimonials of ability we
have carefully revised. The study he has devoted to the
removal of deafness is fully demonstrated by the many
cures he has already made in this locality—many of which
had previously defied the ordinary practitione'r.
THEFT OF PLATE.-At the Police-court, yesterday, a
boy, named James Murphy, was charged by a female
servant of a family, living in Grove-street, with having
entered the house, and stolen several articles of plate,
bottle-holders, &c. He wag observed soon after loitering
about in the neighbourhood, and a police-officer found
one of the pieces of plate in an ash-pit, into which he had
dropped it. He was an old offender, and was sent for
trial at the sessions.
STEALING A WATCH, &C.-A young woman, named
Elizabeth Kinsley, was charged before Mr. Rushton with
having stolen from a captain of a ship his watch, and a
purse, with which she made off. Complainant and she
had on Saturday night gone into the Queen's Legs eating
house, in Whitechapel, to get some refreshment, which
was served to them. The captain fell asleep, and on
awaking missed his property. The prisoner had gone out
on pretence of buying some ale, as none was sold in the
house. She returned, but afterwards left again. The
watch was offered by her in pledge to a pawnbroker, for
505., and he suspecting all not right had her apprehended.
She was committed for trial at the sessions.

GENERAL TRADE REPORT.

Monday Evening.-

The contagion of war is fast spreading on the Conti-
nent, and the intricacies into which the various powers
are plunging themselves get more entangled ; but Eng-
land is still free, and keeping so, may yet be greater
than ever. The Albion of yesterday says :
"The belief entertained that an European war in which
England took no part would promote het commercial interests
to a greater extent than universal peace is a fallacy, and the
present state of the continent proves it. We are as much
injured by the blockade of the German ports as the Germans
themselves."

Now we cannot agree with our contemporary in this
opinion. Doubtless inconveniences must arise from time
to time in a disorganised state of commercial relationships,
of which this blockade is a specimen ; hut, however little
our philanthropy may allow us to wish for such a con-
summation as a continental war for our especial benefit,
it is nevertheless a palpable fact that proportioned to the
withdrawal of competition from any department of com-
mercial enterprise, the tendency to monopoly must in-
crease; and history affords us numerous instances where
the most prosperous trading communities have risen and
flourished in the midst of nations too busily engaged in
warlike occupations to devote their attention to the culti-
vation of the arts of peace. A telegraphic despatch an-
nounces the declaration of war by France against Austria
and Russia. A rumour rot. afloat this afternoon that the
embargo had been partially removed from vessels enter-
ing the Sound ; this originated in another telegraphic de-
snatch to the effect that the intended blockade of the
Elbe had not commenced. The English funds attained
on Thursday a higher price than for months past, 84-1 hav-
ing been obtained for Consols; but they have since de-
clined, owing to the belligerent tenor of the intelligence
from abroad;-and the closing prices on Saturday were 831
buyers.

The SHAREMarket continued in the same animated state
in which we described it to he last week, until Thursiay
evening. Prices advanced daily, London Stock touched
138, and Midland 108, and both were strong at 7. Money
was much more plentiful than shares, but on Friday
morning a slight reaction downwards commenced, which
has continued until this day. The principal stocks dealt
in have been Easterns. Midlands, London and North
Western, York and Berwick, and York and North Mid-.
land—in all of these the advance was very considerable,
hut they have all participated in the decline. The cause
to which this unfavourable change is attributed is the
order of the French Government to have their coast put
into war order, and also the more unsettled political state
of Italy. Some of our wiser men do not think much of
the decree of the French Government, and think that
the rumours from Ttaly have been exaggerated into undue
importance, and they look for a return of the good prices
and active purchases of last Thursday within a very few
days. We are not to-day without several good bilyers at
low prices, notwithstanding the telegraphic dispatch re-
ceived, that France has declared war against Russia and
Austria.

There is no change to note in the price of Wheat since
Friday, and all kinds of spring corn are held with more
firmness. Indian Corn and Meal is still in active demand,
at rather advancing prices, altogether for Ireland. The
markets both in this country and Ireland are fluctuating,
those in the latter having rather an upward tendency.
Not one of the circulars which come under our notice
speak of any failure in the potato crop in Ireland ; in fact,
the winter crop is only now being put into the ground,
and it is somewhat absurd to condemn it by anticipation.
COLONIAL MARKETS.—Very little doing in Sugar. in
consequence of merchants asking higher prices. The
business since Thursday last is very limited. Rum is
more in demand, and an advance of ld. per gallon has
taken place. Molasses are in good request ; a parcel of
Demerara has fetched 18s. per cwt., from the quay.—
In the London markets the most important feature during
the week has been the quarterly sales of indigo, which,
owing to the severe check to the export demand, pro-
ceeded throughout under continual depression, holders
having given way 61. to 9,1. per lb for Bengal. With re-
spect to sugar the firmness exhibited last week hes been
fully maintained. Coffee and tea firm. 711engitl rice will
only now sell at 10s. for good white quality, and saltpetre
has changed hands at as low as 31s. per cwt. on the spot,
against 355. per cwt. at one period, for 12Th 19, ct. refraction.
The imports of CorroN this week have been larger than
usual, whilst the demand has been moderate, giving buy-
ers in some instances a slight advantage over previous
prices. We have had a much better feeling, however, TO-
DAY ; the chief lots offering last week being cleared off,
prices are rallying again. The sales are about 5,600 bales,
including 500 American for export.
We have had rather more demand for Foreign Wool.
this week. Several parcels of Buenos Ayres have been
sold at previous rates. Scotch is still dull. In Alpaca
there is nothing doing. Imports for the week—Foreign :
From West Coast, 5,311 ; Bombay, 275 ; Monte Video,
647 ; Oporto, 170; Total, 6,4o3—previously, 22,621.—
Scotch 62—previously, 5.491.
Little business has been done this week in Scotch Pig
IRON, but prices are firm at 445. 6d. to 455. for mixed
numbers at Glasgow.
The demand for AMERICAN Lard keeps pace with the
import : a large quantity was sold by auction on Tuesday,
and a fair business has been done by private. Importers
show an inclination to be firmer. Beef remains unaltered
in value. The prices of Prime Mess Pork, parcels of
which continue to be taken ex ship, range according to
quality, which varies much. At the public sale of Bacon
on Tuesday the transactions were limited, but a better
business has been done since. Hams in dry salt are much
inquired for, and fine quality, if there was any in the
market, would realise the highest quotations. In other
articles we have nn remarks to offer. Prices are :
Cheese—(duty paid)—Fine, 48s to 52s per cwt. ; middling,
43s to 4Cs ; ordinary, 37s to 425. Beef—U.S., (free)—tirime
mess, per tree. 304'h.. 85s to 92s 6d; ordinary, '7,:s to 83s, old
COs to 6Ps ; extra, India, family, &c., 97s to 105 s; ditto, per
half-barrel, 30s to 35s ;—mess, per barrel, 2001 b., 50s to 56s ;
ordinary, 4es to 465, old 36s to 40s ; prime, 34s to 365. Pork—
U.s.; (free)—Prime mess, per barrel, 2001 b, 55s to 70s, o'd 455.
to 56s ; prime, 4es to 455, old 35s to 40s ; mess, family mess, &c,
555. to 60s, old 48s to 525. Bacon (free)—Eastern, 50s to 545;
Western, 37s to 525; Shoulders, per cwt, 25s to 28s, old 22s to
265. Hams—dried. per cwt. (duty-paid), old 20s to 50s ; in salt
(free) 38s to 465; old 265 to 325. Lard (free)—Fine, in kegs
and barrels, per cwt, 42s to 45s ; good, in ditto ditto, 39s to 41s;
ordinary to middling. 3 .s 6d to 38s; inferior, and grease, 30s.
to 355. Butter—Grease (free) 40s to 455. Pilot Biscuit,per
cwt. (duty paid), Iss to 20s.
With a limited demand the prices of Irtisx Butter
have again receded, some of the previous arrivals remain-
ing unsold ; and on Saturday only a trivial business was
transacted, although the best brands of Waterford and
Carrick were offered at 965. landed, and 925. free on
board, for next week's shipments. Bacon is in fair de-
-1 mand, and Lard sells freely.
' Bank returns for the week ending the 6th of May :
The amount of notes in circulation is £18,621,800, being
an increase of £18.725 ; and the stock of bullion in both
departments is £12,826,108, showing a decrease of £52,558
when compared with the preceding return. Although the
total amount of coin and bullion shows a further decrease,
yet the stock of gold presents an increase of about £56,000
and the coin an increase of £33,000; the total deficiency
in the aggregate arising from a diminution of upwards of
£140,000 in the stock of silver.
The Asphalte of Sevssel Company, established in 1838,
have just declared a dividend of 7. per cent., and added
21 per cent. to the working capital.
A statement has just boen issued of the affairs of Messrs.
Cockerel], Larpent, and Co., made up to the present
month, which, as the public will have anticipated. shows
very different results from those held out at the date of
suspension in September last. At that period the direct
liabilities were stated at £619,393, while the nominal.
assets were £809,254. Now the liabililities are found to
be £853,492, and the assets £184,856. The dividend thus
anticipated will amount to about 4s. 4d.
At the half-yearly meeting of the Imperial Brazilian
Mining Company, held on Friday, a loss of £5,300 was re-
ported on the six months' workings. A call of 10s. per
share was authorised, as it was not considered advisable to
trench further upon the reserve fund of £30,500. The Di-
rectors anticipate a good result from the Bananal adventure.
A meeting of the shareholders in the Continental Flax
Company took place on Thursday, at Capecurei near Bou-
logne, when it was determined to dissolve the company.
The discontinuance of the works has occasioned great dis-
tress, 1700 persons having been employed in them, of whom
600 were English and Scotch, and the remainder French.
The number of German vessels laid under embargo up
to the latest dates was about 100.

BREAKING INTO A VESSEL.—At the Police-court,
yesterday, two young men, William Atwood and Thomas
Roberts, were charged by one of the crew of a Belgian
vessel, the Amphitrite, with breaking into the forecastle,
and there forcing open the seamen's chests, and plun-
dering them of clothing, &c. They had both been often
committed for trial before, and the case being proved,
they were sent to gaol for three months.
THE WEATHER, &e .—The week just past has been
remarkably fine, and pleasant throughout in this quarter,
and the country presents a rich and delightful appearance.
The crops generally look well, with the exception of some
of the whests, oats, and grasses, all of which, however,
would be greatly improved in healthy growth by a day or
a night's soft feeding rain. Yesterday morning presented
the appearance of a downfal, but a brisk breeze from the
S.S.W. west dashed off the thickness of the atmosphere,
and the day became clear almost throughout. The dews
during
,the night have done much good ; but stiff lands
have cracked by the long drought, and the ardent rays of
the sun. The potatoes so far look forward and healthy,
and the fruit trees present a luxuriant show of blossom.
On Friday night, an infant named James W. Denton,
deceased, living with his parents in Gt, George-street,
was taken to bed by his mother, and placed next to her-
self. About seven o'clock next morning she found be
was dead,—caused by being overlain.
DURHAM CATHEDRAL. —Last week, whilst levelling
the eastern end of the choir,' the workmen uncovered the
tombstone of Bishop Beaumont—two massive stones
weighing about ten tons. This monument was prepa'red
in the Bishop's lifetime, and is recorded to have been
inlaid with brass. The de=ign is yet visible, though the
brasswork has altogether disappeared. •
EMIGRANTS' TRAVELLING GUIDE.—A most useful
little pamphlet, intended for gratuitous circulation, has
been published under this title by Messrs. Tapscott and
Co., with a view of showing more accurately the distances
and time occupied in transit from New York to all the prin-
cipal towns in the United States and Canada. The danger
of overcharging and liability of emigrants to fraud are fully
expounded by extracts from the evidence of government
and other officers. The instructions are arranged under
the several heads—" The time to Emigrate," "The pre-
paratory Steps," " How to procure a Passage," "On
board the Ship," " Termination of the Voyage," &c., &c. ;
and on each subject the most ample and explicit informa-
tion is divulged. The conclusion of the pamphlet is occu-
pied by tables showing the expense of passage to almost
every part of the United States—not only in the-currency
of this em;_ire, but of that growingly-important state.
We have already stated that the pamphlet can be procured
on application ; and we would strenuously advise these
about to emigrate to at once posstsi a copy—which may
be had even in the country fig the cost of postage.