The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-02-03 00:00:00

LOCAL NEWS.

LIVERPOOL TRADE.—The number of vessels which
passed through the Rock Channel was, in 1844, 9226 ;
in 1845. 7910. There passed through the Victoria Chan-
nel, in 1845, 28,861, and in 1844, 26,760.
HIGHWAY BOARD, THURSDAY.—There were 14 mem-
bers present—Mr. J. Holmes in the chair. The business
generally was of but minor impor!ance. On the bill being
read relative to the water carts, Mr. Procter observed that
these vehicles were miserably horsed.—Mr. Higgins com-
plained that no report had yet. been brought up by the
Water Committee appointed to watch the progress of the
works. A large sum had been paid, and no notice had
been taken of it. He urged that a report should be pre-
sented by the commitee that day fortnight. Mr. Kaye
said that Mr. Simpson could supply as much information
as the committee by a form il report.—Mr. Gladstone
called attention to the dangerous state of Dale Street, by
parties not driving on the right side.—Mr. Lawrence said
the bye-law would be printed and enforced.—Mr. Walthew
hoped they would also enforce a penalty on persons
throwing orange peel on the footwalks.•--It was agreed
that the report handed in by Mr. Walthew, relative to the
the streets and sanitary condition of West Derby, should
be printed.
WEST DERBY UNION.—The usual weekly meeting of
this body took place on Tuesday. It appeared that there
was in the treasurer's hands a balance in favour of the
union of £378 ss. 3d. The sum of £1233 2s. 9d. was
ordered to be paid to the county treasurer for county
rates, on or before the 22rd of February. A note from
the bailiff of the coroner of the borough, addressed lo the
chief assistant overseer of West Derby, was read by that
officer to the board, stating that, on Thursday, 22nd
instant, the bodies of two newly born female infants were
found within that township. In the first case a verdict of
wilful murder had been returned against some person or
persons unknown, but in the second nothing could be
affirmed as to the cause of death. The report of the
visiting committee of the workhouse was read by the
chairman, from which it appeared that every department
of the establishment was in a very satisfactory condition.
On the motion of Mr. Smith, the clerk read the minutes
of the proceedings, and report of the committee of the
board on the subject of the two schemes proposed by the
Poor Law Commissioners for the administration of relief
to out-door poor throughout the union. These schemes
proposed to divide the union into three several districts,
to each of which is to be appointed a relieving officer.
The committee, which was of the whole Board, after a
lengthened discussion, resolved in favour of the schemes
generally, proposing only to unite the two less populous
districts, and to place the relief of them under their expe-
rienced officer, Mr. Tristram, heretofore the sole relieving
officer of the whole union. Some discussion ensued, but
it was ultimately decided to adopt the scheme as it was
proposed by the commiseioners, without alteration.

About ten o'clock, on Thursday night, Capt. M'Cor-
rizan, of the ship Thistle, lying in the Queen's Dock, fell
into the dock, and, notwithstanding he was got out in a
short time, life was extinct.
STEALING FROM AN EMPLOYER.—On Saturday Henry
Haugh, a boy about fifteen years of age, was committed
for trial for having stolen notes, bills, and gold to the
amount of 180 lOs., entrusted to him by his employer,
Mr. John Leslie, provision-dealer, Cleveland-square, to
convey to the Liverpool Bank. The prisoner, instead of
taking the money to the bank, absconded with it, but was
apprehended by Constable Toole at the railway-station,
Todmorden. On being searched, £4O was found upon
him, also a bundle of new clothes, and new clothes on his
person, purchased, no doubt, out of the proceeds of his
dishonesty. This is the second case against the prisoner.

BIRKENHEAD COIAMISSIONERS.-At a special meet-
ing of the board, on Friday, the petition for the improve-
ment bill was signed, and the joint Committees of Im-
provement and Finance were appointed a Parliamentary
Committee for Mr. Mallab), to communicate with during
the time their bill was before Parliament. Mr. Cole
stated that the Health Committee would not be prepared
to make any report before the 9th of February, to which
period it was deferred; and Mr. Mallaby said bewould make
such arrangements as would enable them to make, in com-
mittee, such additions to the bill as might be thought desi-
rable. Before the meeting was over, Mr. Laird requested
permission to say a few words on the subject of the Dock
Committee and the Birkenhead Commissioners. He
thought it necessary, and he was sorry Mr. Jack-
son was not present, that the Commissioners, as a
body, should disavow the expressions of confidence in the
Dock Committee, made use of by the chairman at the
last meeting. Such an expression of a confidence (which
he was sure they did not feel) might seriously damage them
before a committee of the House after all that had passed.
He had had a letter from Mr. Aikin, in which that gentle-
man expressed his surprise that the chairman should de-
clare that he felt such confidence in the Dock Trustees.
Mr. Laird read the answer he had sent to that letter, in
which it was stated that Mr. Aikin was wrong in sup-
posing that their contemplated landing place in Liverpool
was abandoned from any feeling of confidence in what
had been proposed by the Dock Committee. He then
contrasted the speeches made by Mr. Jackson at the last
two meetings. In the first the Commissioners were re-
presented as " dubious " of the professions of the Dock
Trustees, and in the other as having confidence in
them. In the latter case he would have disavowed any
coincidence in such confidence, but that he thought Mr.
Jackson was only expressing his own sentiments to Mr.
Wood, and not those of the Commissioners collectively.
For his own part, he had sufficiently shown in the trouble
he had taken that he was anxious to have a friendly feel-
ing with the other side of the water, but he was also
anxious they should not, in Parliament, be put in a false
position by any premature declaration of confidence.

ACCIDENT TO LIEUT. WEBSER SMITH. From a
letter, dated " Camp, Poona, Not. 16," it appears that
this gentleman, who was a native of this town, unfortu-
nately lost his life by drowning.. He was senior lieutenant
of her Majesty's 22nd regiment, and had gone with an
ensign and some others on a shooting excursion to a large
tank ten miles distant. The lieutenant shot a duck, and
a native jumped into the water to fetch it out; but, get-
ting entangled in the rushes, he was drowning, when the
gallant officer mounted a horse which was near, and
plunged into the water to his rescue. The native imme-
diately clung to him, and the horse becoming entangled
in the rushee, they were all drowned togethsr..

NEW GAS AND COKE COMPANI:—ThR half-yearly
meeting of this company was held, on Wednesday, at the
Clarendon-rooms. The report stated that the Act of
Parliamfnt, passed in the session of 1844, limit: the
business now to be transacted, but the committee could
not omit availing themselves of that opportunity to remove
Iron the minds of the gas consumers any erroneousim-
pression, formed with respect to the balance of the
accounts of the company filed to the 30th of June last, or
that a further reduction in the price of gas would be made.
From the balance then apparent of £9143 14s. 5d., the
dividend of five per cent. for the half-year, amounting to
£6762 lus., ordered in due course by the proprietors at
their general meeting, was paid, leaving in hand the sum
£2381 4s. 5d.; but taking into consideration the de-
crease in the price of gas to 4s. Gd. per 1000 cubic feet,
and the consequent diminution of rental, (which was
already showing itself,) though the usual dividend might
be sustained, it must be very doubtful whether any sur-
plus would remain at the end of the year. The committee
recommended a dividend to be ordered by the meeting of
£5 on each share of £lOO, and £1 ss. on each share of
£25, being at the rate of five per cent. for the half-year,
payable on the 6th February next, subject to the deduc-
tion of the property tax. The report was adopted, and
the proposed dividend ordered to be paid. Messrs. Fos-
berry, Barton, Muncasrer, and Mather were re-elected
directors without opposition.

4c, DOCK CommirriE .—At the meeting on Thursday, the
marine surveyor reported that the south pier of George's
basin was the most eligible site for the telegraph station.
Plans for the proposed new offices at the Albert Dock
warehouses were submitted, and allowed to lie on the table
for a week. The marine surveyor reported that, in 1845,
.709 gallons of oil and 10,607 wicks had been consumed
at the lighthouses and lightvessels ; in 1814, the number
f wicks was 10,640, and 4,778 gallons of 4,i1. Uniforms
for the dock-gatemen, with an anchor and L D. on the

coat collar, were ordered to be advertised for. An alter-
ation, proposed by Mr. Cubitt, in the new landing stage,
was agreed to. The contract between the Steam Tug
Company and the trust or towing out the life boats was
renewed for a year. A memorial trom timber merchants
and brokers, requesting that a sub-committee would con-
fer with tbem as to the regulations for discharging and
removing timber in the Brunswick Dock was read, and
the harbour masters' sub-sommittee, with the addition of
Messrs. Hougl.ton and Rankin, were appointed to confer
with the memorialists. Two letters having been read
complaining that priority had been given to certain vessels
in docking, an order was passed directing the harbour-
masters to dock all vessels in their regular turn. A me-
morial was read from a number of merchants, requesting
that the valuable speech of the Chairman rrf the Dock
Committee delivered in Council, in proposing the new
dock works, should be printed in the pamphlet form ; and
on the motion of Mr. Nicol, seconded by Mr, Bold, it
was ordered to be done, the chairman, at the request of
the applicants, undertaking to revise and correct it. A
lengthened conversation then took place as to the commit-
tee and the commissioners of Birkenhead. Mr. Aikin
explained ; and the whole affair appeared to bye origi
nated in a misunderstanding, the chairman statin

he had never refused to meeCany one, friend ur foc.

CHESTER AND BIRKENHEAD RAILWAY

An adjourned meeting of the shareholders in this corn•
pang was held on Thursday last, at the Clarendon-rooms.
W. Jackson, Esq., the Chairman of the 'Board of Direc-
tors. occupied the chair, and opened the business of the
meeting by observing that they were met for the purpose
of receiving the report of the directors, and obtaining the
sanction of the shareholders to the measures about to be
brought before them in the shape of extension.
The report stated that there had been a great increase
in the traffic siuce the last statement was made. In 1845
the ri-ceipts were £18,637 9s. Id , and in 1844 £15,11,9
17s. Bd., belt

an increas, of £3,527 I is. sd. ; the total
receip's, including rent, interest, &c., amounted to
£19.877 ss. 71 , and the working expenses to £8,977 3,,
leaving £10,900 2s. 4d., to which may be added the ba-
lance from the last year of £260 ls. 7d., makin,, a total
surt.lus of £11,160 3s. l Id. The balance would' enable
the directors to declare a dividend of 13e. per share of
£5O, (Is. 61 per new £5O share being de lucted from
it for interest or unpaid calls,) Gs. Gd. per £25 share, and
Bd. per £2O share. They recommended such dividend to
he declared accordingly, payable on the 17th instant.
They had intended to declare a dividend of 145., but on
account of making additions to their working stock, and
more adequate provision for depreciation than has hitherto
been made, they considered the small dividend as the
more prudent course. Arrangements were being made
which would increase the goods traffic, and render it more
profitable. The directors had caused surveys to be made
as to the measures intimated in the report made to the
special meeting of proprietors on the 16th October last,
but owing to the monetary condition of the country, and
the immense outlay entailed on the execution of the pro-
posed branches, and the insufficiency of traffic to justify
them, they resolved to abandon them at all events for the
session, and in doing so they felt that great benefit had

e necessary s'

resumed. iney nad proceeded w
complete the extension from Grange-lane to the
docks, as upon the conAruction of that line would depeni
the traffic which would assured4y follow all along that
railway, not merely from and to the manufacturing and
commercial districts, but to_the metropolis.

Mr. MALLABY then read the report of Mr. Rendell,
the engineer, on which the extension line to the new
docks had been recommended.

Chairman as to certain reports which were abroad in No-
vember last, about his having purchased a parcel of land
after it bad been determined by the directors to make a
tunnel to the docks, and afterwards sold it to the com-
pany at £4 a yard ; he also wished to know the date of
the resolution authorising the law-clerk to go to parlia-
ment for the extension line.

The CHAIRMAN could not see what that had to do with
the sale of his land to the railway company.
Mr. M ALLABY said they went to parliament for wavers
on the 23d September. 1844.
The CHAIRMAN said if he had known Mr. Laird was
about to bring the matter forward, he would have been
prepared wit 11 the required information.

Sir JOsiitrA. WALMSLEY stated that the chairman,
when the sale of land took place, feeling the position in
whi h he was placed, had agreed, in case of tote laud being
wanted, to leave the matter to ajury._ _

Mr. MACGREGOR. LAIRD said the land was bought or
the Ist of November, 1844, and he wished to know the
date of the resolution authorising the purchase by the
company.

After an angry discussion, during which several share-
holders thought the business of th meeting ought to be
proceeded with, _ _

Mr. M. LAIRD moved for a committee of inquiry into
the circumstances attending the purchase of land for the
extension to the (locks, and that they should afterwards
report on the subject:

It was considered by some of the shareholders that this
would involve a charge against the directors, and it was,
after considerable contenton, during which there were
cries of " Older," and " Chair, chair," put to the meet-
ine, and negatived.

The CHAIRMAN said he had still no objection to fur-
nish the information required by Mr. M. Laird ; he
courted inquiry. He then commented at some length on
the proceedings which had taken place on various occa-
sions in the board.of directors 'in regard to certain nego-
tiations with other corn panics' including the Chester and
Holyhead and the Chester Junction; he disapproved of
the lease to the Holyhead Company for seven
.years, com-
mencing with five per cent. and ending at eight, as not
being advantageous to the Chester and Birkenhead Com-
pany. lie considered it better that they should be an in-
dependent line, as their prospects were favourable ; in 1843
the receipts were £24,000; in 1814, 28,000; And in 1845,
£34,000, thus showing a regular and progressive increase
in each year ; and in the first twenty-eight days of Janu-
ary, in the present year, the receipts were £5OB, white at
the same peried in 1845, they were £272, thus showing it
was going on in a greater ratio ; they were now about to
derive a good and satisfactory income from the receipts of
the railway, and he had no doubt from calculations he had
made in connexion with Mr. Wilcox. that in seven years
they would be in a position to receive a gross revenue of
nearly £BO.OOO. He objected to the carrying out of the
extensive :ine at the dock,at present, and thought it would
be desirable to wait until 'he docks and warehouses were
completed, when they would contribute to the welfare of
the railway, besides, it was not certain that the Cheshire
Junction would receive the sanction of Parliament this
year. He also considered it better that the woks at the
Monks Ferry should not be proceeded with, as the Wood-
side Ferry was adequate at present to every purpose that
was required. He concluded by stating that be had acted
for the interests of the company to the best of ability, and
should lease his conduct to be judged of by the proprie-
tors. It was the last time he should have an opportunity
of addressing them as chairman, his health having suffered,
and he could only say that on his retirement he should
enjoy what he had not done for some months, and that
was peace of mind.
Some remarks were then made by Mr. W. Potter and
Mr. J. Laird in reference to the conduct of Mr. William
Jackson. as Chairman of the Board of Directors, which
they conceived bad been somewhat overbearing, and it was
difficult to act with him.

The CHAIRMAN said he felt sorry that any thing he
might have said had given offence, and he did not wish to
staud in the way of the company's affairs being carried on
advantageously. He begged to say, however, that he
could show the course he had taken was necessary, but he
would not then enter upon it.
Mr. COCHRANE was desirous that something should be
done to produce something like union amongst the direc-
tors, otherwise they could never carry on with advantage.
Ile proposed, for the sake of neace, that a committee be
appointed, consisting of Mr. Paxton, Mr. Burt. and Mr.
W. Potter, with three proprietors, who were to consider
the peculiar position of the Company, and report to an
adjourned meeting on the 17th instant. _ _

After some remarks made by the CHAIRMAN, in which
Mr. MALLABY stated at some length the reasons why
he had sent in his resignation to the company, which were,
that it. had been alleged his connexion with the Cheshire
Junction could not be advantageous' to the interests of the
Birkenhead undertaking, the motion of Mr. Cochrane was
seconded, and carried without opposition.
The meeting then adjourned, and it was understood the
report was to stand over until the meeting in February.
The proceedings occupied upwards of three hours.