The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-07-04 00:00:00

LOCAL NEWS.

The despatch of the Overland Mail for India, via
France, is postponed till Thursday next, the 6th instant.
Letters posted in Liverpool to-morrow (Wednesday),
will be in time to go by this conveyance.
PUBLICANS, &c.—Three publicans appeared on Friday,
at the Police-court, for infringing the law, of whom one
was acquitted, anp the others were fined £4 10s, and one
beer-seller was fined £l.

The advertisement of Mr. Williams, in another page,
is well worthy the attention of all parties requiring resi-
dences or desirous of making investments. The list sub-
mitted by Mr. W. includes some of the most eligible
property in the town and neighbourhood.
SCOTCH CHURCH, RODNEY-STREET.---The Rev. Mr.
Parke, the able and respected minister of the Scotch
Church, Rodney-street, is about to resign his connection
with that church, and will leave in about two months,
having accepted the incumbency of the parish of Glencairn,
Dumfriesshire.

A. STRONG SHIP.—The Vernon, a coaster, for Glasgow,
of no great burden, which was stranded during a storm,
on Burbo bank, on the 13th of January last, was got off
on Tuesday last and brought into dock. The vessel is con-
siderably shaken, but still worth repairing, although so
many months have elapsed since the occurrence.

STATUE OF THE LATE EGERTON SMITH, ESQ.—We
have much pleasure in stating that the architect, in Lon-
don, has now nearly completed the statue in honour of
the memory of the late Egerton Smith, Esq., and that it
will, in the course of a week or two, be erected in the
hall of the Mechanics' Institution, Mount-street—Mer-
cury.

Docx AUBIT COMMISSIONERS.—The election of eight
merchant commissioners for the audit of the accounts of
the dock trustees, took place at the Town-hall, on Mon-
day last. The following gentlemen were re-elected with-
out opposition :—Messrs. John Marrow, Edmund B.
Lyon, Thomas Moore, Charles R. Taylor, George Crane,
David Rae, David Cannon, and Thomas Hatton jun,
LOCK-UP AT SEACOMBE.—At the Cheshire quarter
sessions, held at Nether Knutsford on Monday last, on
the motion of I. W. Harden, Esq., J.P., seconded by
Henry Winch, Esq., J.P., the sum of four hundred
pounnds was voted by the county towards the erection of
a suitable lock-up and constable's residence for the popu-
lous and flourishing townships of Poulton-cum-Seacombe,
Liscard, and Wallasy.

THE COMPUNCTIONS OF CONSCIENCE.—On Tuesdcy,
Peter Mackay, dressed in the style of the more respecta-
ble class of boatmen, was brought before Mr. Rushton,
and a police-officer stated, that he had been called to the
prisoner during the night by two men, who had great
difficulty in preventing him from throwing himself
into the George's Dock Basin. Mr. Parkinson said he
believed the prisoner had been a teetotaller for five years,
but that, on Monday, he had got some drink, and that
was the reason of his attempting the rash act. Under
these circumstances the prisoner was discharged.

SHOCKING ACCIDENT.—On Tuesday week, the brig
Aipha,now lying in the Saithouse Dock, was off Tuskar,
at the entrance of St. George's Channel, inward-bound,
when the captain, Richard Dagger, who sat near the wheel,
reading, suddenly exclaimed that he would fire the cannon.
He referred to a small cannon which was placed forward
in the vessel. He immediately went to tha galley, and the
next instant was seen to approach the cannon. An explo-
sion was heard, and the cannon burst into fragments,
scattering the pieces in all directions. The crew rushed
forward and found their captain lying dead, his brains
being spattered about the deck. One side of his head was
smashed to pieces.

THE OUT-PENSIONERS.—The system of paying the
out-pensioners of Chelsea by monthly, instead of (as
heretofore) in quarterly payments, which has been atten-
ded with the most beneficial results, especially to the im-
provident, in Scotland, and the large manufacturing towns
in England, has been extended to Liverpool ; to which
district Captain Greig, late of the 24th regiment, staff
officer, at Manchester, is appointed. The number of
pensioners in this town amounts to nearly 850, out of
whom 450 are under 55 years of age, and liable to garri•
son duty, or to act as special constables—thus showing a
large local and efficient force—in the event of their servi-
ces being required in Liverpool or its neighbourhood.
Any pensioner attending repeal meetings, or guilty of
felony, is struck off the list.
THE NEW COURTS.—With the consent of the highway
commissioners, the contractor for the new erection of the
New Assize Courts, Mr. John Tomkinson, is now engaged
in taking in a portion of Shaw's-brow, opposite Islington
Market, to obtain more room to carry on the extensive
works which will be necessary on that side. We may also
mention, that a complete change has, in the course of a
few weeks, been effected in Lime-street. The houses
which stood on the west side are removed for the entire
length; and the buildings, which presented an angular
projection in the Haymarket, are now in process of de-
molition. The effect of these great alterations is already
apparent from the top of Renshaw-street, near St Luke's
church, there will be a good view of the principal facade
of the courts, and also along St. John's-lane, into the Old
Haymarket; whilst the Haymarket promises to present a
magnificent open space of ground.
VOCAL MUSIC.—On Thursday evening last the num-
bers of Mr. Russell's vocal music class held their meet-
ing for the half-year in the lecture-room, Mechanics' In-
stitution. After a brief but lucid explanation of the prin-
ciples of sight singing, especially as regards the manner
in which the lecturer employs the syllables do, re, mi, in
the class, which consisted mainly of pupils who commen-
ced in January last, executed to following pieces in a most
admirable manner :—" Lord, for thy tender mercies'
sake." " 0 Lord, we trust alone in thee." Response.
—" Hosanna to the Son of David." Madrigal.—,' Thy-
sus, sleepest thou 1" '• Fire ! fire !!" " Now in the
month of Maying." " Flora gave me the fairest flower."
" Welcome, sweet pleasure," with several others. We
believe no classes have acquired the art of reading, and
of keeping time; nor have any that we have heard of at-
tempted such an elaborate and truly grand vocal music in
such a short space of time.
TRADE OF LIVERPOOL.—The table just issued by Mr.
Withers, the treasurer of the dock estate of this port, ex-
hibits a comparative statement of the rates and duties re-
ceived in the years ending June 24th, 1842 and 1843.
A considerable increase is visible ih every department'
The duties paid on tonnage in 1842 were £93,360 2s, ; in
1843, £96,445 Ils. 7d., exhibiting an increase of £3,085
9s. 7d. The dock duties on goods were, in 1842, £88,871
13s. sd. ; in 1843, £91,840 10s. 6d., showing an increase
of £7,968 17s. Id. In the lighthouse, floating-fight, gra-
ving-dock, and other duties, there is a corresponding
increase. The extra dock rent of 1842 was £1,300195. 3d.;
in 1843, £3,345 7s. ld., giving an increase of £2,044 7s.
10d. The total amount of duties in 1842 was £198,850
10s. 2d. ; in 1843, £212,402 3s. 7d., giving a total increase
for the year just ended of £13,551 13s. sd. The total
number of vessels which entered this port in 1842 was
16,558 ; in 1843, 16,606 ; an increase of 148 in favour of
of the latter• year. The total tonnage of 1842 was
2,425,319; the total tonnage of 1843 was 2,4j5,278, ex-
hibiting an increase in the last year of 19,959 tons.

ILLEGAL MARRIAGES.—A correspondent of a local
contemporary makes the following remarks, which will
doubtlesss be useful to many of our readers :—" The clergy
of Liverpool are not perhaps aware of the many marriages
that take place there of parties, neither of whom had pro-
bably ever slept in Liverpool a single night. The facility
afforded to all persons from this part of the Welsh coast
to take a trip to Liverpool by steam-packets, has induced
many to have their banns published in Liverpool, as resi-
dents of some parish there, while they are resident in
Wales. Some friend of the parties gives their names to
the clerk of some church there, and no question is asked
as to the residence of the parties, and after the third time
of asking the parties are conveyed to Liverpool in a very
few hours, and return home the next morning—married.
When a surrogate is applied to for a marriage license, he
administers an oath to the applicant touching his own and
his intended wife's residence, the age of the parties, con-
sanguinity, &c. Why not subject persons, requesting to
have their banns published, to the same ordeal ? It would
save the clergy from incurring severe penalties for publish-
ing banns illegally. I take it for granted that all the clergy
of Liverpool have seen the Ecclesiastical Gazette of the
13th instant.

THE PACKET SHIP GEORGE WASHINGTON.—Captain
Burrows, the able and accomplished commander of the
packet-ship George 'Washington, arrived here on Friday,
after an excellent passage of twenty-two days. The fol-
lowing address was presented to him, signed by the
Bishops of New York and Cincinnati, and the other pas-
sengers, twenty-one in number :—" our passengers avail
themselves of the approaching termination of their voyage
across the Atlantic, in the good ship under your command,
to tender their grateful acknowledgements for the watch-
ful regard you have paid to their safety, and the assiduous
efforts you have made to render the passage as short, as
it has proved, in all other respects pleasant. The
promptness and intelligence of your officers, the quiet
and orderly conduct of your crew, and the ready and
cheerful manner in which every order is obeyed, and every
duty discharged, furnish the best testimonials of your
qualities as a seaman ; and the uniform kindness and ur-
banity which has distinguished your intercourse with us
during our three weeks' acquaintance, demands an
expression of the high sense we entertain for your cha-
racter as a gentleman. Please to accept with these
acknowledgments assurances of our friendship and wishes
for your future and enduring prosperity and happiness."
To this complimentary letter Captain Burrows returned a
suitable reply.
A ROGUE OUTWITTED.—A gentleman resident in this
town had lately occasion to visit a distant part of the
country on business, leaving his sister in charge of his
house during his absence. He was expected to return by
steam-boat, at the beginning of the present week. On
Tuesday morning last, as early as six o'clock, a fellow
dressed somewhat in the garb of a seafaring man, knocked
at the door of the gentleman's house, and was immedi-
ately answered by the sister. After making some preli-
minary inquiries as to the person who lived there, the
man said he bad been sent by Mr.— to get the sum of
14s. 6d. to help to pay his passage money. " The fact is,"
said the rogue, " he and another gentleman have had their
pockets picked in the packet, and the captain has kept
them in confinement till they can get enough of money
to pay what they owe, and I have been sent to get the
money from you." " But," said the sister, " the steam-
boat was not expected to arrive till to-morrow morning."
" Oh," said the fellow, ever ready, "an accident hap-
nened in the river, so that the vessel could not get so far
as usual, and she left a day earlier." " Very well," was
the reply, " I will send a friend down to the packet im-
mediately." Oh," remarked the rascal, " but I was told
to say, that your brother did not wish anyone to know
that he had come home." " Then I can go down myself,"
said the young lady, shutting the door in the face of the
cheat, whose scheme to obtain money was easily seen
through.

DOCK COMMITTEE.—On, Thursday the usual:weekly_
meeting of this body was held. The following members
were present :—Messrs. Sands, (Chairman,) Horsfall,
Barclay, Holt, Smith, Holmes, Bulley, Boyden, Middle-
ton, Nichol, Evans, Ripley. Moon, and Chilton. The
Chairman stated that a letter had been received from the
Finance Committee of the Corporation relative to the
Floating Bath, to the effect that they (the Finance Com-
mittee) were not disposed to order its removal. Some
conversation then took place as to whether the Dock
Committee ought to rest satisfied with the decision of the
Finance Committee, and it was ultimately decided that
they should wait until a proper answer was received from
the Council. A letter was received from Mr. Brown rela-
tive to the safety of the warehouses about to be erected
on the dock quays, and suggesting some alterations for the
consideration of the committee, some of the fire-offices
having objected to insure them. Mr. Aikin said he was
anxious the public mind should be disabused of the no-
tion that the warehouses were liable to danger, and he
wished it to be distinctly understood that they were per-
fectly fire-proof : so much so that a fire could never
spread, and he felt satisfied the fire-offices would change
their opinion; he could not help thinking but that the
enemy had been at the elbow of those individuals to in-
duce them not to insure the warehouses. After some ob-
servations from Mr. Ripley, who observed that there was
sufficient capital in Liverpool to raise a company for in-
surance purposes, provided the fire-offices refused, the
letter was ordered to lie on the table. The committee then
proceeded to the consideration of financial business, and
soon afterwards adjourned.

NIGHT WATCHING VVAILEHOUSES.—The occupiers of
warehouses held a meeting on Tuesday last, at the Cla-
rendon-rooms, Mr. Harbord i❑ the Chair, to take steps
for the more effectual watching• of warehouses in the
night-time. It was the opinion of the meeting that in
doing anything in the matter, it would be better to con-
sult"with the mercantile interests, and with them to de-
termine upon the mode to be adopted, and a deputation,
consisting of the chairman and Mr. Thomas Brown, was
formed for that purpose. It was said that the great means
of preventing fires in Warehouses would be the employ-
ment of porters in them by the warehouse-keeper, a con-
cession, they expressed a hope, from the recent calamities,
that the mercantile interest would concede to them. It
was thought that there was no systematic incendiarism
going on. It was observed that the high rates of insu-
rance were only as a corrective, with a view of forcing
certain alterations in the exterior of the warehouses which
the owners were generally willing to adopt, as well as the
interior arrangements which they were willing to make.
That there were warehouses in Liverpool now (where such
alterations were made) in which goods could be insured
at thirteen shillings per cent. Some indignation was ax-
pressed at the very unfair attacks made upon the occu-
piers in a portion of the Liverpool papers, which had, un-
fortunately, found their way into the London and some of
the provincial papers, to the injury of the port. The
evils of the system here were not attributable either to the
warehouses or the warehouse-keepers, but to the preference
which the mercantile interest gave to it. The meeting
was of opinion, that under any system, wherever cotton
was stored in such masses, there would be fires. Some
blame was also attached to the Insurance Companies, for
some few months ago having adopted differential rates for
districts, (the evil consequences of which were pointed
out to them at the time,) charging, in most cases, the
highest rates for the best, and the lowest rates for the
worst warehouses, and thus forcing the cotton into build-
ings of bad construction.

DEATH FROM FIGHTING.—On Wednesday, a long in-
quiry took place before the coroner, touching the death of
Nicholas Harrison, aged 32, a brick-maker, of No. 34,
Woodstock-street, who was killed on Monday evening
last, during a fight with a young man, aged 20, named
Samuel Reece, an apprentice in a foundry. Reece and
his seconds, Thomas Foster, Wm. Lane, Robert Froste,
and John Morecroft, were in custody as principals and
aiders and abettors. It appeared that the deceased and
Recce had been on bad terms with each other for a num-
ber of years, and that on Saturday night last they agreed
to fight on Monday evening, at seven o'clock. Accord-
ingly, on the Monday they went to Emery's field, not far
from St. Martin's Church, where they stripped, and
fought for nearly half an hour, when the deceased said he
would fight no more. He then rested his hands on the
shoulder of his second ; soon after fell down, and appeared
to be dying. He was taken up, and died whilst he was
being carried to a druggist's shop. Thomas Llewelly
Hodson, surgeon, said he was called to the deceased, on
Monday, and found him dead. There were discoloured
marks on the right side of his chest, also on the hands and
right arm. On removing the scalp, a large clot of blood
was discovered. On taking off the scull cap, a quantity
of blood was found extravasated between the dura mater
and the scalp, and between the dura mater and the brain.
There was also a fracture of the scull just above the right
temple. The injuries received were the cause of death,
and must have been produced by a fall or heavy blow.
Reece, on being cautioned by the coroner, made a state-
ment to the effect that he and deceased had quarrelled when
boys, but had afterwards become friendly ; but, in con-
sequence of a disturbance on Saturday night week, they
had quarrelled again. The jury returned a verdict of
manslaughter against Reece as principal, and Foster and
Froste as aiders and abettors. Morecroft and Lane were
dismissed. The prisoners were then committed to Kirk-
dale gaol under the coroner's warrant to take their trials
at the ensuing assizes.

EXTRAORDINARY CASE.—CHARGE OF MURDER IN
1832.—A brig called the Normanton arrived in our river
yesterday, after a twenty-six days' passage from St.
John's, New Brunswick. She had no sooner dropped
anchor than she was, by order from the authorities,
boarded by police officers Greaves and Kehoe, who re-
ceived into their custody a private of her Majesty's 69th
Regiment of Foot, named Patrick O'Leary, who had been
brought home on warrant, on a charge of murder. He was
taken on shore by the officers, and delivered into the keep-
ing of Mr. Highton, the keeper of the Borough Gaol. It
appears that he was not kept in confinement on the pas-
sage, but assisted the crew, and, it is admitted, conducted
himself in an orderly and satisfactory manner throughout
—the crew, a fine set of strong whiskered tars, giving him
a good word, and the captain giving him a trifle of money
when he left the ship. He exprersed himself exceedingly
wroth at being detained on such a charge, and states that
he had been 17 months confined upon it in New Brunswick.
The warrant for his transmission to England is to the ef-
fect, that whereas Patrick O'Leary, late of her Majesty's
69th Regiment, is now in confinement in a gaol in the
county of York. in the Province of New Brunswick, on a
charge, on his own confession, of being one of the perpe-
trators of the murder of the Rev. Charles Ferguson, which
took place at Timoleaque, in Ireland, in 1832, and whereas
orders have been received from the Right Hon. Lord
Stanley, Secretary of State for the Colonies, to cause him
to be removed, in order to be sent to Dublin to undergo
his trial for the offence charged, he is hereby given into
the custody of the proper authorities, to be sent to Liver-
pool, or any port in Great Britain or Ireland, there to be
delivered into the custody of the keeper of any of her
Majesty's prisons, to abide the orders of any of her Ma-
jesty's government in respect to him—the prisoner. This
is dated at Fredericton, New Brunswick, the 28th of May,
1843, and signed " Wm. F. Odell." The prisoner now
denies to his keepers that he knows anything of the mur-
der—alleging that he was not even at the place at the
time.

BEBINGTON FLOWER SHOW.—On Friday, the first
meeting of the Bebington Horticultural Society took place
in the Rock Ferry Hotel pleasure-grounds. The exhi-
bition had a most magnificent appearance. The following
is a list of the prizes awarded :