The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-02-13 00:00:00

FlltEs.—On Tuesday evening last, shortly before eigh
o'clock, a fire was discovered in the warehouse used as a
cooperage, and belonging to Mr. John Barton, Plu'nhe
street. The alarm was passed to the tire-station, and nine
fire-engines, with water-carts, &c. were soon brought up
by Mr. Hewitt and his men, who was instantly joined by
Mr. Whitty, and Mr. Maxwell of the insurance offices.
The premises, which were in a yard, were three stories
high, and opposite to them were piled a large quantity of
staves. By strenuous exertions the flames were confined
to the premises in which they originated, (which were sur-
rounded by other piles of buildings,) and ny ten o'clock
all danger of their spreading further was at an end. The
cooperage was entirely consumed, and though Mr. Barton
was insured to some extent at the Royal Exchange Office,
his loss will be considerable. Most of the staves in the
yard were saved. We regret to say that three of the fire-
policemen—Pritchard, Bell, and Archer—were severely
injured; one of them, Pritchard, so severely that he has
since died. They were playing on the front of the burn-
ing premises, and were cautioned by Mr. Hewitt and others
to look out, as the wall gave indications of falling ; but
before they could escape, part of the mass fell upon them.
Mr. Hewitt was struck on the heel, but escaped further
injury. Of the other two firemen, Bell had his back hurt,
but is likely to recover ; and Archer was but slightly in-
jured. The inquest on poor Pritchard will be found in
another part of our paper.—About half-past nine the same
evening, a fire was discovered in a warehouse in Temple-
court, occupied by Messrs. Wren and Son, coffee-roasters.
Several of the engines were speedily conveyed from
Plumbe-street, and before much damage had been done
the flames were extinguished.

ANOTHER BEGGING IMPOSTOR.—A few days ago, a
respectably-attired young man, who gave his name as
James Wilson, went to the residence of the Rev. J.
Carter, chaplain of the Borough Gaol, and presented a
petition, which ran as follows:

" We, the undersigned, being the minister and church-
wardens of the district of St. Mark's, Liverpool, do
hereby certify that Thomas and Ellen Leigh, residing in
this parish, and children of the late John Leigh, cow-
keeper, have, since the death of their father, lost nine
cows through the distemper. In consequence of their
loss, and general good character, we have given them this
certificate, recommending their case to the generous pub-
lic, in order to reinstate them in their former occupation.
Given under our hands the Ist of February, 1844.
" B. A. MARSHALL,
" Incumbent of St. Mark's, £l.
" VVM. SHASVCROSSE
Churchwardens."
" W. DAWSON,
To this were attached the names of many respectable fe-
males, who had apparently subscribed sums from 10s. to
2s. 6d. Amongst the names were those of Mrs. Rath-
bone, Mrs. Grundy, Mrs. Threlfall, Mrs. J. Cropper,
and Mrs. Yates. Mr. Carter handed the fellow over to

the police, and it was found that the document was a for-
gery. It appears that he went to the house of Mr. Carter
at the time he is usually officiating at the gaol, and doubt-
less he expected only to find females in the house. He
was brought befote Mr. Rushton, and sent to gaol for
three months. The public cannot be too cautious in ex-
amining all parties presenting petitions to them, for there
can be no doubt there is a place not far distant where
such documents are manufactured, for the vilest of all
purposes—to foist upon the benevolent.
TRIAL OF CAPTAIN PETRIE.—The trial of Captain
Petrie, late of the barque Lydia, on a charge of having
feloniously cut and wounded Josiah Lawton, with intent
to ,oaim or do him some grievous bodily harm, the chief
circumstances attending which have been already stated
in our journal, came on at the Central Criminal Court, on
Friday last. Mr. Wilkins and Mr. Wild appeared for the
defence. The evidence in support of the charge having
been laid before the jury, Mr. Wilkins addressed them
for the defence, and called witnesses, who gave an entirely
different account of the transaction, stating that Lawton
was very insolent; that be assaulted the mate, and at-
tempted to gouge him ; that, when the captain collared
him and ordered him to go forward, he turned round and
knocked the captain down ; and that, though the captain
after this struck him repeatedly with something, he had
no sword in his hand, nor could any sword be afterwards
found. The mate said he had never seen a sword in the
ship. The witnesses for the defence also testified that the
behaviour of Captain Petrie was always that of a humane
man. Mr. Cofter, merchant, of this town; Mr. Ryder,
another merchant; Mr. Fleetwood Wilson, of Liverpool;
Mr. Samuel Rose, and a great number of most respect-
able merchants and shipowners of London and Liverpool
gave the highest character for humanity to Captain Petrie.
The jury found the prisoner guilty. The Times and
Morning Chronicle state, that the vet diet seemed to occa-
sion much surprise in court. On Saturday the prisoner
was brought up for judgment. Mr. Justice Coleridge, in
passing sentence said, the jury had accompanied their ver-
dict with a strong recommendation to mercy. The court,
however, could not forget the circumstances under which
the assault of which the prisoner had been found guilty
was committed. When the court took into its considera-
tion the facts of the case, considering that the prisoner was
the captain of a vessel, and that the crew had not the power
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We are informed that a petition is to be forwarded to her
Majesty in favour of Captain Petrie.

DOCK COMMITTE, THURSDAY.—Mr. Nicol stated that
the sub-committee of works had an interview with the
consignees of the American packet-ships as to the cover-
ing of the space between the Waterloo and Victoria docks,
and that the matter had been deferred until the captains
of the liners were consulted. The sub-committee of the
marine department reported that the Steam Tug Com-
pany had offered to place a steam-boat at the command of
the committee for the preservation of life from shipwreck,
during the months of November, December, January, and
February, for the sum of £5OO. The sub-committee re-
commended that the offer should not be accepted, and ul-
timately the subject was referred with the view of ascer-
taining for what sum per trip, throughout the whole year,
the Steam Tug Company would be willing to place a
steamer at the disposal of the Dock Trust.—lt was or-
dered that a day's wages should be paid to each of the
crew of the Magazines' life-boat, who launched their boat
to rescue the crew of the flat Daniel, which sank near New
Brighton, on Friday last, and that 10s. extra should be
paid to the three men who waded to the flat, and saved
the persons who were on board.—The Committee divided
as to the number of the sub-committee on the Dock plans
for parliamentary business. It was decided by a majority
of ten to nine, that the number should be five. It was
then proposed that the chairman, the deputy-chairman,
Mr. Aikin, Mr. Evans, and Mr. Middleton, should con-
stitute the committee.—M r. Nicol said that circumstances
of a personal nature would make it unpleasant fur him to
be on a parliamentary deputation with Mr. Evans, and if
that gentleman were appointed, he (Mr. Nicol) would
beg that his own name be withdrawn.—Mr. Aikin re-
gretted very much what the deputy-chairman had said,
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jection to Mr. Evans as a public man. After some little
conversation, the chairman, the deputy-chairman, Messrs.
Aikin, Bold, and Middleton, were appointed. Tuesday
next was fixed as the day on which a conference was to
take place between the committee and the directors of the
Leeds and Liverpool Canal. A final gratuity of £7 was
ordered to be paid to Daniel Fitzsimmons who lost his leg
at the dock works. Mr. Ripley proposed that in the new
Dock Act the committee should take power to prevent the
removal, under certain circumstances, of vessels from one
dock to another, and a memorandum of the proposition
was taken to be laid before the solicitor. The chairman,
deputy-chairman, and Mr. Aikin were appointed a sub-
committee to consult with the Watch Committee on the
subject of the sailors' home.

---
BIRKENHEAD COMMISSIONERS.—The usual monthly
meeting of this body was held on Tuesday. Mr. Jennett
was appointed surgeon to the police force. The board
took into consideration the propriety of purchasing from
Mr. W. Jackson twenty-nine acres of land, in the vicinity
of the New Park, at £l2OO an acre. Mr. Bentham, Mr.
Stansfield, and Mr. Fry objected to the purchase, on the
ground that the Commissioners ought not to go on buying
land, and having occasion to go to parliament so often for
powers to do so. On the other hand, those in favour of
the purchase contended that it would considerably improve
the remaining land of the commissioners • that Mr.
Jackson had offers for it at the same price, Cut had pro-
mised to let the commissioners have the first chance.
Only the three gentlemen before named voted against the
purchase, and it was, of course, confirmed. On the pro-
ceedings of the Market Committee being read, some
conversation arose as to the land surrounding the new
market, when the Chairman said he bad no doubt, from
the sale of that land, if judiciously managed, neither the
site of the market, nor the market itself would cost the
commissioners one penny. The Ferry Committee re-
ported that, during the past month, the receipts bad been
most satisfactory, and had considerably exceeded those of
the corresponding period last year. Mr. J. S. Jackson
mentioned that the new iron boat for the ferry would be
launched on the 10th of this month, the anniversary of
the Queen's birthday, and that she would be called " The
Queen." Mr. Hinde referred to the late melancholy
accident at the pierhead, and he said he thought it was
time they should memorialize the Town Council of Liver-
pool to provide better landing places. Mr. Mallaby
thought it would not be prudent to urge on the matter
until they saw what was done by the Dock Committee at
the Albert Dock. The only improvement which had not
been made, as yet, in conformity with the provisions of
the act, was the widening of the two stairs—that they
ought to have done. The Chairman said there was no
doubt the life of the poor man had been sacrificed in con-
sequence of their not carrying out what they undertook to
do; but upon them rested the awful responsibility. Some
conversation arose as to the terms on which land belonging
to the township should be sold. and it was resolved that,
with the view of giving the commissioners power to en-
force the conditions upon which the land at the park was
sold, that it should be disposed of on leases for 999 years ;
but that all other land should be sold as freehold. The
Chairman expected that before July next, they would be
able to sell enough of land to pay off the bond debt. The
allotment of one acre of land for the purpose of an infir-
mary and dispensary was referred to the Improvement
Committee. All matters as to the new Town-hall were
also referred to the Improvement Committee, with direc-
tions to advertise for plans, offering 100 guineas for the
plan selected, and 50 guineas for the second best. The
Chairman remarked the square in which the Town-hall
would be situated would be the most perfect in the king-
dom. The Chairman thought they ought to take into
consideration next month the propriety of not offering
more than 4 per cent. for loans of money, seeing that the
security was one of the best in the country. As to the
selling of land, it was agreed the purchasers should pay a
deposit of ten per cent. and five per cent. Interest—the
terms to come in so as to meet the bond debt. The board
then adjourned.