The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1845-01-28 00:00:00

was not to curtail the franchise, but merely to ascertain '
who had and who had not a title to vote.

LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL NEWS

A very long discussion having taken place, the clauses Within six days of last week no fewer than six fires oc
were eventually carried. -
curred in Manchester.
The TOWN-CLERK read the clause relative to the in-
tended slip and landing stage at St. Eleorge's Pier ; and The warehouse of Messrs. Smith and Ingle, paper ma-
Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE explained that the plan laid nufacturers, Piccadilly, Manchester, was destroyed by
down in the last act being quite impracticable, it was ne- fire on Tuesday evening last.
nessary to obtain power to make a new slip of a different I The floral and horticultural exhibitions at the Botanic
construction. Garden, for the present year, have been fixed for Thurs.
._._ _ _

The clause, as proposed, was passed. day the 22nd of May : Thursday, the 29th of June ; and
The other clauses in the bill having been read and agreed i Thursday, the 24th of July.
to, the following resolution was passed unanimously : The brig John Naylor was lost on the 24th uP.., off
" That the dock bill, as read, be approved, subject to the Fayal : she was laden with guano for this port. One of
alterations now directed, and the instructions now given ; the seamen was drowned, and three others died the same
and that all clauses and provisions requiring adjustment night from exhaustion.
with the Dock Committee, be referred to the Finance HORTICULTURAL CURIOSITY.—Within the last few
Committee for adjustment accordingly; and that it be re- days there might have been seen in a gentleman's garden
ferred to the town-clerk to settle with the dock solicitor in Pleaant-street, Kirkdale, an apple tree, on which the
thece ssar terms of all theb aeilterat soions and additions rendered fruit, which was ripe in August last, and never plucked,
of the Finance and Dock Committees."
ney, the same ng settled with the approbation was still suspended from the branches.
HARRINGTON WATER WORKS COMPANY. EXTENSIVE EMBEZZLEMENT.—On Tuesday a young
The following gentlemen were appointed directors,
man named Evan Prince, one of the shopmen in the em-
under the local act, 7 and 8 Geo. IV., cap. 35, relating to
Ploy of Mr. Percival, haberdasher and clothier, King-
the Liverpool and Harrington Water Works Company :
street, Manchester, was committed for trial charged with
Mr. William Nicol, Mr. David Hodgson, and Mr. Thos. having embezzled monies to the amount of several thou-
sand pounds, the property of his master.
Kaye.

PURCHASE OF THE GAS COMPANIES

Mr. HODGSON then introduced this subject, observing
that it had been brought under consideration owing to
the period being about to expire at which the agreements
with the Gas Companies for lighting the streets would
terminate, and to the necessity for being prepared as to
another contract. It had also been brought under dis-
cussion in consequence of an application being about to
be made to Parliament for another act to establish a gas
company. It had, therefore, become an important ques-
tion whether it would be desirable to entertain the sub-
ject of the corporation purchasing from the existing
companies their rights altogether. (Hear.) After some
discussion at the Watch Committee, the resolution was
come to that the whole subject of providing gas for light-
ing the town be referred to the sub-committee for mak-
ing contracts, to consider the question generally and to
report thereon. On further reflection, however, it was
thought to be a matter 'of too great importance for the
Watch Committee to enter upon, even in a preliminary
way, without knowing the sentiments of the Council ;
therefore it was decided to ask, at once, what the senti-
ments of the council were upon the subject before
entering upou its preliminary discussion ; for as regarded
the council itself, and the companies also, it did not ap-
pear fair to draw them into a preliminary discussion (for
they were prepared to enter into treaty) or cause them to
expose the whole of their affairs, whilst they might after-
wards find that the steps taken were repudiated in limine
by the Council. The committee, therefore, asked the
council whether, in their judgment, this matter should be
taken up or not. Perhaps gentlemen in discussing the
subject would, as much as might be, confine themselves
to that question, because it was perfectly clear it would
be inexpedient if the committee were to enter into any
treaty, to go into details before the report was brought
up. (Hear.) Objections no doubt would be stronger
than he anticipated, to the council undertaking the pur-
chase. There would also be objections in detail—such as
to the terms to be obtained for the corporation—to be
overcome ' • and on this ground he requested gentlemen
to abstain from going into detail at present. With this
view he should not attempt to state what advantage the
town might derive from this purchase, but would ask for
the discussion to be reserved till the report was brought
up. It must be clearly understood that the council sanc-
tions nothing more than what the Watch Committee were
desirous of doing, namely, that they enter into a prelimi-
nary discussion in order to ascertain upon what terms the
companies would treat for both concerns, and then report.
Upon this understanding he would propose::-

The Chester Courant, in a long article on the railways
more particularly interesting to that city, asks, Are there
no projects now in progress for reducing the distance be-
tween Chester and Liverpool via Preston Brook (and thus
avoiding the inconvenience and delay of crossing the
Mersey in steam boats) to 28 miles ?
FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Wednesday a man named
Richardson was engaged in landing cowries from the
Princess Charlotte, lying in the Prince's Dock. A stage
had been erected, on which the deceased was standing,
when his foot slipped, and he fell and struch his head
either against the quay or the vessel. When taken up he
was quite dead.
On Tuesday Mr. Banning, the postmaster, was fined
ss. for neglect ing to cleanse the footwalks opposite the
Post-office. Mr. Banning said he only occupied a small
portion of the building, but Mr. Rushton said that he
last time fined the Collector of Customs, and that on this
occasion he considered the information had been properly
laid.

ATTEMPT AT BURGLARY.—On Friday morning, the
mansion of Harold Littledale, Esq., at Liscard, was at-
tempted to be entered by thieves. Mr. Littledale, his
lady, and family, were at the Wallasey ball. The burglars
were attacked by the dog on the premises, and the ser-
vants being thus alarmed, ran out, and saw the thieves
running away.
DEATH FROM ADMINISTERING LAUDANUM.—On Sa-
turday evening week, a child seven weeks old, residing
with his parents in New Gore-street, appearing to be un-
well, his father gave him three drops of laudanum on a
piece of sugar. The child fell into a convulsive fit a short
time after, and remained so until Sunday morning week,
about ten o'clock, when it died. A verdict of " chance
medley" was returned against the father.
STABBING ON THE:HIGH SEAS.—Captain Lancelot
Reed, who, it will be recollected, was stabbed by Samuel
Brown, on the high soas, a few months ago, is now reco-
vered, and together with the witnesses, will remain in this
town until the trial, which will come on at the next as-
sizes. The trial was posponed at the winter commission,
owing to the prosecutor being unable to attena and give
evidence at that time.
THE SEVEN O'CLOCK CLOSING.-00 Tuesday evening
last a public meeting of the assistants of Birkenhead was
held for the purpose of appointing a district committee in
connexion with the Liverpool Association of Assistant
Tradesmen. Mr. Flower, president of the Liverpool
Association, took the chair about half-past eight, and
resolutions in conformity with the objects of the meeting
were unanimously carried.
THE CANNING PRIZE.—A prize bearing this title has
been established in the evening school of the Mechanics'
Institution, in consequence of a gift of £179 from the
committee of the subscribers to the Canning testimonial,
and an addition of £2l from the principal of the institu-
tion. From these sums a yearly gift of £lO will be
awarded to the most distinguished pupil, of three years'
standing in certain departments of the evening school, the
first prize being attainable in March, 1846.
BIRKENHEAD POLICE-COURT.—JOIM Clarke, a travel-
ling tinker, was fined £2 15s. 6d., for a most violent
assault on a female named Ady, in Back Chester-street.
He was drunk at the time.—Daniel Roberts was committed
to Knutsford Gaol for fourteen days, for a trespass on the
land of Mr. Shaw, at Irebv, for the purpose of tailing
game with a snare.--The following beersellers were fined :
Robert Bushell, for a disturbance in his house, £2 10s. ;
Owen Daley, Back Chester-street, for allowing disorderly
conduct in his house, 20s. and costs.
ST. SMION'S CHURCH SCHOOLS.—In the year 1843 the
average attendance at the schools was, in the morning, 84,
in the evening, 83 : in 1844 it had increased, in the morn-
ing, to 91, and in the evening, to 96. In the year 1843,
only one of the scholars had been rewarded at the Colle-
giate Institution, while, in 1844, three had obtained prizes.
During 1843 the adult school was only opened two evenings
in the week ; at the close of 1844 arrangements had been
made by which it was about to be opened permanently
every evening, and an evening school will be opened in
three months.

"That it be referred-to the Lighting Co mmittee to
consider and report whether it is desirable that the Coun-
cil should purchase the powers and privileges, rights and
interests, now vested in the Liverpool Gas Light Com-
pany, and in the Liverpool New Gas and Coke Company."
Mr. ASPINALL seconded the motion.

Mr. Birkett said he was opposed to the Corporation
undertaking the management of any gas companies, or of
any other companies, than they were connected with at
present. Was there a reasonable hope, that if the Cor-
poration took the gas, it would be better managed than it
was by the present companies, who were practical men,
and who were prevented, by limiting clauses, from over-
charging the public ? If the purchase were made it would
saddle the Corporation with a very large debt, and render
them a most unpopular body. The committees were
overworked already, without imposing fresh burthens on
their shoulders. _ . .

Mr. AIKIN said no evil could come out of inquiry; he
rather anticipated great good from it. He should have
been better pleased if the words " and water companies"
ha 0 been introduced.
Mr. JOSEPH HORNBY said there would be no difficulty
in the management of the gas works. He had been a
member of the board of one of the companies for some
years, and during that time had done nothing except
going once a fortnight or month and pocket his fee.
The CHAIRMAN.—A very pleasant operation. There
will be no pocketing fees under the Council.
Mr. THOMPSON suggested that the committee should
also enter into negociations with the new company.
The CHAIRMAN.—There is no such company.

-
Mr. JAMES BRANCKER.—I have the honour to be
Chairman of it ; and we intend to reduce the price of gas
about 50 per cent.
Mr. THOMPSON again urged his point.
The CHAIRMAN said it would, of course, be for the
consideration of the committee.

FORTUNATE PRESERVATION.—On Friday last an aged
gentleman took a third-class ticket, at Chester, for Man-
chester, and had proceeded about a mile and a half on his
journey beyond Crewe when an antiquated lady, with
whom he had had an entertaining tete-a-tete, observed,
that the engine had turned at the last station, leaving
Crewe, and they were going back to Chester. The old
man immediately leaped out of the carriage and fell into a
ditch, but, happily, escaped without having sustained any
injury, excepting a ducking. The train was going at a
speed of about twenty miles an hour.
THE TABLES TURNED.—On the 14th instant a fellow
named White brought information to the Prescot Police-
station, that two men, named Foster and Dingsdale, had
broken into an outhouse in the occupation of Mark Nay-
lor, and stolen therefrom a duck. White, on coming to
the station-house, described so minutely the facts of the
case, that the officers took him into custody, and charged
him with the offence. Other evidence being procured, be
was committed to the Kirkdalc Quarter Sessions, (then
sitting,) and sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment
with hard labour.

Mr. JAMES BRANCKER said the new company had, at
a great expense, obtained evidence, which went to prove
that the price now charged for gas was most exorbitant ;
and although their bill would limit them to 4s. 6d., they
believed the price would not exceed 3s. or 3s. 6d. If the
committee were in a situation to apply to the company
for information, they should have it, and they would see
bow strongly it bore upon the case.
After some observations from Mr. H. Hornby, Mr. G.
H. Lawrence, and Mr. North, the debate was closed by a
spirited reply from Mr. Hodgson.
The council then divided, and there appeared—For the
motion, 24 ; against it, 4 ; majority for the motion, 20.
For the motion :—Councillors Shand, Thornhill, J.
Brancker, Preston, Thompson, H. Hornby, Aikin, J.
Holmes, Tinne, Henderson, Robinson, Aspinall, G. G.
Hornby, VTard. Kilshaw, Parker, Plumpton, R. L. Jones,
Harbord. Alderman Hodgson, Nicol, Bramley-Moore,
Chilton, and the Chairman.
Against the motion :—Councillors, Blundell, North,
Birkett, and Pemberton.
The council then adjourned at ten minutes to three.

SUDDEN DEATHS OF Two INFANTS—On Monday a
woman, named Spence, was delivered of female twins, in
the lying-in ward at the Workhouse; and, on Tuesday
morning, the attendant nurse found that one of the chil-
dren was bleeding from the nose, which flew of blood
could not be stanched, and the child died ; shortly after-
wards the other child exhibited similar appearances, and
it also died. It was the opinion of the surgeon that death
had been caused by suffocation, which might have been
produced by an overweight of bed clothes or being over-
lain by the mother.
EXTENSI YE ROBBERY.—On Tuesday, two fellows
named Vant and Wood, were brought before Mr.
Rushton, on a charge of having stolen a cash-box, con-
taining £5B in notes and gold. and a gold seal. with the
initials J.S., the property of John Smailley, of Colliergate,
York. They were apprehended in Liverpool, about five
o'clock on Monday evening, as they were abuut to take
berths on board a vessel for America, and the gold seal
and about £9 in money were found in their possession.
They declined to say anything in their defence, and were
ordered to be remanded until advice could be received
from York.

LIVERPOOL MARINE SOCIETY.—The annual general
meeting of the members of the Liverpool Marine Society
was held on Tuesday, in the Clarendon-rooms. There
was a considerable attendance of marine members. The
chair was taken by William Potter, Esq., president of
the society. From a statement of the account, it ap-
peared that, including a balance (invested) of £11,874 ss,
the receipts had been £12,483 lls 7d. On the other
side, it appeared that the annuities to members, widows
and orphans, amounted to £413 ss, and that, after defray-
ing all expenses, there was a balance partly invested and
partly in the hands of the bank and the treasurer, of
£12,014 6s sd.
PUBLICANS AI,D BEERSELLERS FINED.—The Under-
mentioned parties were mulcted in the following penalties,
at the Police-court, on Friday :—Publicans: Hugh Hughes,
Sir Thomas-buildings, £2 14s. 6d. ; Henry Shields, Bar-
ton-street, £1 4s. 6d. ; William Hannan, Wild-street,
£2 4s. 6d. ; Joseph Walmsley, Brunswick-road, £1 4s.
Gd. Beersellers :—Patrick Kehoe, Charter-street, ac-
quitted ; Henry Shaw, Grafton-street, £2 Us. 6d. •, John
Evans, Prince William-street, £3 is. 6d. ; James Pidgeon,
Chisenhale-street, £1 4s. 6d. ; George Glover, Gascoyne-
street, £2 14s. Gd.; Sarah Ball, Charlotte-place, £1 4s.
6d. ; Henry Taylor, Anson-place, Oakes-street, 9s. Gd. ;
Charles Maybrick, Pleasant-street, £2 14s. 6d.
LUMINOUS BREATH.—Dr. Watson mentions a singu-
lar occurrence, which took place in the West Derby poor-
house, near Liverpool. A man, about forty-seven years
of age, a drunkard, was admitted into the house, labour-
ing under hemorrhage from the bowels, with cough and
expectoration. A short time, about twenty minutes, be-
fore death, the attendant nurses observed a red hot coal-
like streak on the mouth, playing on the right cheek and
upper lip, and continuing till death took place. The flame
was persistent with the breath of expiration, and not at
all lambent. This extraordinary circumstance was not
reported for a day or two, as the nurse looked upon it as
a proof of divine vengeance, and, consequently, the body
was not examined.—Medical
ALLEGED EVASION OF DOCK DUES.—On Wednesday
an information was heard against John Gemmill and Co.,
shipbrokers, for evading the payment of rates on goods
exported from the port of Liverpool, which duties were
payable to the Trustees of the Liverpool Docks. Mr.
Worthington, solicitor to the Dock Trustees, appeared to
sustain the information. He stated that, on the 30th
November last, the defendants shipped on board the
Southerner, Captain Palmer, for New York, fifty-six
hoxes of goods, in respect of which no duty was paid to
the Trust. On the Ist of December, however, the vessel
was obliged to put back in distress, and the cargo was
discharged into the depot. Mr. Worthington referred to
the act of parliament, which set forth that parties so of-
fending were liable to a penalty of £2O. Mr. Gemmill,
one of the defendants, admitted the charge, but stated
there never had been any intention to evade payment;
the circumstance of non-payment arose out of an omission
caused by his absence from the office owing to indisposi-
tion, and this information was founded on their own
application to the Customs. Mr. Withers, the Dock
Treasurer, said the practice had been carried to a great
extent. Mr. Rushton observed, that it was their duty to
protect the dock revenue, more especially as it was appli-
cable to public purposes, and that if the law were not
enforced in such cases, the practice of them might act
injuriously against the trade of the port. The defendant
was fined £2O and costs. and ordered to pay in addition
the sum of 18s. Bd., being the amount of the duty.