The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1851-12-23 00:00:00

ADMIRALTY COURT.—DECISION ON THE NIMROD AND
Gicreovi.a. COLLISION CASE.—This cause of damage pro-
moted w-steamer Genova against the paddle-
MR. FREDERICK BOARDMAN has been appointed steamer Nimrod, was heard and decided in the Admiralty
Consul at Liverpool for the Republic of Costa Rica. Court on Thursday. The collision, it will be recolleeted,
SIR JOHN BENT has been enrolled a member of the occurred on the 13th of May last, about 10 p.m., between
Lancashire and Cheshire Historic Society without election. the end of the landing-stage at New Brighton and the
BRAZILIAN TRADE.—Messrs. M'Kean, M'Larty, `and Riprap buoy. The loss sustained by the Genova and her
Co., are building two large steamers to trade to the Brazils. corgo was estimated at £7500. After a consultation by
PHILLIPS'S FIRE ANNIHILATOR was successfully tried the Elder Brethren of the Trinity Corporation, Dr.
by the authorities of Southport, on Wednesday last. Lushington pronounced for the damage. THE WELSH PLYGIN will take place in St. David's ISLINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.—TEA PARTY,—
Church about two hours before sunrise on Christmas Last night the annual tea party of the Sabbath School
morning. children, teachers, parents, and their friends, took place
A HANDSOME CLIPPER BARQUE, named the Hersilia, in the school, underneath the church. The Rev. Mr.
measuring 262 tons, has been launched at Arbroath, for Graham, and several other ministers, were present. The
Mr. David Cargill, of Liverpool, late of Arbroath. company was large, and the proceedings exceedingly
FAILURE.—The suspension of Messrs. Platt, Sons. and interesting. After tea, a variety of harmless amusements
Casson, of this town, with liabilities f0r£25,000, has been were brought into requisition. The magic lantern was as
announced. bright and attractive as ever. Various amusing and
AN OLD OFFENDER.—A woman, who, it appeared, highly instructive tales, anecdotes, &c., were told, and
had been no less than forty-three times in custody since speeches suitable to the occasion, and inculcatory of
1839, was tried for robbery at the sessions, on Tuesday. religion and morality, delivered.., _
BREACH OF THE BYE-LAWS.—On Tuesday, several Of DARING BURGLARY. —On
Monday evening six or
the butchers and pork-dealers in St. John's Market *ere seven men, armed with pistols and bludgeons, and wearing
fined ss. each, for neglecting to wash their stalls twice masks, broke into the house of Mr. Pickup, a farmer,
a week. residing at Aigburth, and while some of the gang kept
WILLIAM BROWN, ESQ., M.P.—The public will be watch over the inmates, the remainder ransacked the
gl
eadth.a to hear that this respected gentleman
ore to Richmond-hill is restored to house, whence they took about £l4 in money, and a quan-
hl He r from Southp tity of silver spoons, watches. brooches, &c. Fifteen
on Wednesday. thieves were taken up in the neighbourhood of Toxteth-
PRIZES.—In Dr. Fisher's educational establishment, park, on Wednesday, and five of them brought up at the
the prizes were awarded, on Friday morning, to the suc- county magistrates office ; only two of them, named
cessful competitors in classics, mathematics, science, and Edwards and William Green, could be identified. These
commerce.
P. F. CURRIE Es the were remanded for further inquiry, and the others
, q., boron gh coroner, who has been discharged.
seriously indisposed during the last three months, is, we THE MANCHESTER REFORM CONFERENCE. —Lord
are glad to learn, so far convalescent as to be able to John Russell has declined to receive the deputation
resume his duties. appointed at the late Manchester Parliamentary Reform
MR. ALDERMAN PARKER, we understand, has resigned Conference, in the following note addressed by his lord-
the chairmanship of the Health Committee,in consequence ship to the Hon. T. M. Gibson, who had been requested by
of the disgraceful proceedings which took place at the the deputation (of which he was a member),
to seek an
meeting of that body on Thursday last. interview ;--
A NEW SHIP, named the Governor Morton, of 1,660 "Woburn Abbey, Dec. 13.—Lord John Russell presents his
to
.M .. Milner
tons, intended for Everett and Brown's New York and compliments , Gibson, and is sorry lie cannot
e a deputation from the conference which was held at
Liverpool line, was launched at Somerset, U.S., on the receive
22nd ultimo. Manchester on the subject of Parliamentary Reform. it
pea, him that tere would be great icoveience in
TESTIMONIAL.—The congregation of St. Matthew's,
re apceivingto deputations frohm particular districts onn a subject of
Toxteth, presented, last week, to the Rev. W. Brewster, this nature, in which the whole country is interested."
as a token of their esteem and affection, a set of new
CAUTION TO PARENTS.—On Tuesday, a little boy,
robes, also a handsome cushion and drapery for the pulpit about seven years of age, sot, of Mrs. Glen, who resides
, and desk.
in Morpeth-street, was sent on an errand by his mother,
FAST SAILING.—The screw steamer Phcebe, Captain and, on returning, he was met by a woman, who asked
P. P. Brenan, has just made a passage of ten days and ten him if he had an aunt, to which the little fellow, in his
hours hence to Malta, under the disadvantage of strong simplicity, answered that he had, and that she lived in
contrary winds, thus retaining her reputation as one of Everton. On this, the woman told him that his aunt
the fastest boats out of Liverpool. had been to his mother's house, where she had left an
EXTENSIVE ROBBERY ON SHIPBOARD.—On Tuesday accordion for him. She then requested him to go to his
the box of an emigrant on board the ship Oregon, lying aunt's to borrow two sovereigns for his rnotter. This
in the Prince's Dock, was forcibly broken open, and £BOO he did, the woman accompanying him and waiting close
stolen. £570 was in sovereigns ; there open,
also four to the house, till he returned from it with the money,
£5O Bank of England notes, two £lO and two £5 notes. which she took from him and ran away.
RESCUE FROM DROWNING.—The carpenter of the ship
Borate accidentally fell overboard in the river, on Tuesday CHARGE OF MURDER AT MANCHESTER.—WilliamThompson, a mechanic, about ,thirty years of age, was
afternoon, but was rescued from death by the activity of
George Brierley, master of the Egremont steamer James charged at the Borough Police-court, Manchester, on
Atherton, then crossing from Liverpool. Tuesday, with the murder of his wife. He had threat.
COLLEGIATE INSTITUTION : PUPILS' CONCERT.—This ne ed to beat her on Saturday night, and she left the
house. She afterwards forced her way in after he had
interesting proceeding took place on Tuesday evening, gone to bed. Shortly afterwards the neighbours heard a
and gave, apparently, the greatest satisfaction to all pre-
e noise, as of the fall of somebody down stairs ; and, on
sent. The encores were hearty and numerous. Th entering, serveised up in a chair,
efficiency of the pupils reflects.high praise on Mr. Crowe.
and quit the deceased was obe dead. At the inquest td rahe Mfollowing verdict was
BEAUTIFUL Smith accompanied them on the organ. returned :" Died, in the opinion of the jury, from con-
BEAUTIFUL TAPESTRY.—Those of our readers who an- cussion of the brain, produced by a fall; but how caused
mire tapestry, have now an opportunity of seeing several no evidence appears to the jury.'
pieces of great taste and beauty, at Mr. Shand's Repository,
Bold-street. They have been worked by a lady residing PRESENTATION TO CAPTAIN WATSON FERRlS.—Werecently announced the arrival at this port of the clipper
in the neighbourhood, and the largest is an historical ship John Stuart, consigned to Messrs. A. Taylor & Co.,
piece of deep interest at this time,
and stated that her tonnage was greater than that of any
THE LATE. MURDER AT WIDNES.—John Shea, Derby vessel that ever entered the My, whil her model was
Nolan, and Thomas Nolan, were, on Wednesday, brought
of unequalled beauty. She waserse called aftere Mr. Stuart, the
before the Rev. T. S. Evans, at the Police-office, Prescot, great Manchester shipper, and without his knowledge.
and committed for trial at the next assizes, for the tnur- He appreciated the compliment; and on Wednesday last
der of James Anderson, who, it will be recollected, was surprised :Captain Ferris by appearing on board in
assassinated on his return from his work at Widnes Docks, company with Mr. Taylor, for the purpose of presenting
on the night of the sth of November last.
him with a tea service, valued at £l5O, It bore the fol.
DEPARTURES OF OCEAN STEAMERS.—The Royal lowing inscription :—" Presented, with a tea service, to
Mail steam-ship Africa, Harrison, commander, sailed Captain Watson Ferris, of the ship John Stuart, by his
from the Mersey at 945 a.m., on Saturday, for New York, friend, John Stuart."
with the usual mails.a large cargo, and about 80 passengers. EXCISE INFORMATIONS.—On Thursday, Mess. Wm
n-
.
—The United States and Liverpool Mail steam-ship and Daniel Busby were summoned to answer tosr five i
Atlantic,
New York, toWest, cmorrow, omman(Wder, will sail from the Memailrsey, for formations preferred against them by the Commissioner
-edth the s, &c. of inland Revenue, for omitting to enter their post-horses
THE SILVER CRADLE.—A subscription has been opened let for hire in their Excise-office weekly accounts. They
for the purpose of presenting a silver cradle to the were acquitted on two of the informations, and convicted
mayoress, on the occasion of giving birth to a son during in the others, the cabman, in one of the instances, having
the mayoralty of her husband. The list was only opened deceived his employers as to the length of theef,
fare. In
on Thursday, and upwards of £6O were very soon raised each of the three cases the mitigated penalty of £5 was
in subscriptions of a guinea. Mr. James Holme, the tree- enforced ; but, on the application of Mr. Busby, the
surer, put his name down for £3 3s.
magistrates gave their sanction for an appeal
QUICK PASSAGE.--The packet-ship Queen of the for a further mitigation.—Mr. Tracey, carto the Board
pro prietor,
West, one of the " Swallow-tail Line," Captain Nors, London-road, also
appeared to answer to three similar
left New York on the 27th ult. for Liverpool, and arrived informations. The defendant, who had subsequently
here on Sunday evening, the 14th instant, making the made the entries, pleaded guilty, alleging neglect on the
passage in 17 days 10 hours. This, under the circum- part of his driver. He was fined in each case in the miti-
stances of strong head winds and fogs, may be considered gated penalty of 40s. and costs.
a remarkably quick passage for the season of the year.
WEST DERBY GUARDIANS.—At the weekly meeting
ACCIDENT.—Mr. Joseph Brice met with a serious acci- on Wednesday, Mr. Roskell presided • the other guar-
dent on Thursday last. As he was crossing Elliott-street, diens present being the Rev. W. Badnall, and Messrs. J.
going along Lime as
h. a reckless fellow in a spring. Harrison, Lunt, Bunting, Abrahams, Brown, Montfield,
cart drove furiously upon him, and knocked him down. Alpass, Carter, John Birch, Shaw, Balshaw, Tattersall,
His wrist was broken, and he was otherwise much shaken. Smith. Miller, and W. B. Jones. Cheques were given
but not to such an extent as to prevent him proceeding at for out-door relief as follows :—To Mr. Alien, £703 Mr.
once to his residence at Seacombe.
CLASSICAL CHAMBER CONCERTS.—Mr. E. W. Thomas
Steain, £2O ; Mr. Potts, £9O ; Mr. Shearson, £2O ; and
Mr. Brarnham, £l5. It was agreed that, on Christmas-
will give the first of a series of four concerts, at the saloon day, the inmates of the workhouse should be allowed a
of the Philharmonic-hall, this (Tuesday) evening. A dinner of plum-pudding and roast beef. On the motion
great attraction will be the piano-forte playing of Stern- of Mr. Joseph Harrison, it was resolved that an insurance
dale Bennett, who is one of our best interpreters of d
oneet workhouse be effected with the Liverpool and Lon-
classical music. Amongst the compositions to be per. d Fire Insurance Company, in the sum of £B,OOO, and
formed are Mendelssohn's minor trio, and the quartets the insurance with the Sun-office discontinued. Mar-
by Sphor and Horsley.
garet Hughes was appointed matron of the hospital, with
OFFICE ROBBERY. About nine o'clrck on Friday a salary of £4O per annum, and rations, in the place of
night, some thieves entered the premises of Messrs. Miss Jane Carter, deceased.
111•Grotty and Co. Castle-street, by taking out the square STABBING BY A WOMAN AT PRESCOT.—A woman,
of glass on which the name of the firm was written, in the named Bridget Foley, was brought before the Prescot
passage behind the shop of Mr. Robinson, stationer. magistrates, charged with inflicting several severe wounds
Some women cleaning offices gave the alarm, and the on different parts of the person of Mary Daekin, at Pres.
thieves escaped into Back Castle-street, without taking cot, on Monday night last. The facts were as follows :
anything.
On the night in question, about nine o'clock, some dis-
THE SERJEANTS OF POLICE, it is said, have memorial- pute arose between the women, who were neighbours,
ized the Watch Committee to place them on the same and barking having called Foley some bad names, the
footing as the police inspectors, whose duties they now latter went into her house and deliberately sharpened a
perform. The proposition has been favourably received, large carving knife with which she made a furious attack
and a sub-committee appointed. It appears that the upon Darkin, as she passed her door. The latter received
duty which the serjeants perform is even heavier, owing four woundep—one on the back of the left hand, dividing
to the increase of population, than that performed by the the tendons of some of the fingers ; another higher up on
inspectors.
the left arm ; a third on the head
been held and a on the
TE ALLEGED
body POISONIN
rs. G CASE.,
wife of —An inquest nas left breast. Some of the injuries are
of afourth very serious
on the of M Musker Mr. gas left
The " virago" was, in a few minutes after,
ker, grocer and tea dealer,. Great Homer-street, who was taken into custody by the police. She was committed for
supposed to have been poisoned. Dr. Brett had examined trial at the next assizes.
the contents of the stomach and intestines, but could dis- THE PORT
. TH E
largeeleven r_
foreign steam-packets, nearly one a day, ar-
deceased had died from inflammation, the result of natural
causes. Verdict accordingly. rived at or were despatched from the port of Southampton;
THE LIVERPOOL MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY.— namely, the Great Western, for Central America ; the
Sir
G eore Rose, the master, has refused to declare a Hermann, for the United States; the Madrid, for the
call of £5 per share on the assignees of bankrupts who Peninsula; the Severn, for Brazils; the Montrose and
had refused to accept the shares as part of the bankrupt's Ibe.ries ; the Teviot, from South America; the Sultan,
sums due by the various bankrupts up to the date of the Iberia, from Spain and Portugal ; the Dee, from the West
d
estate; but directed the official manager to ascertain the
In
i
Tagus, and Indus, from the Mediterranean. It is calcu-
fiat, and then make such proof as they were able before
rated that nearly 50,000 letters have been brought home
the commissioner in bankruptcy. and taken out by these steamers, also specie to the value
COURT OF BANKRUPTCY.—in re John .. ryoB .of nearly a million sterling, and upwards of 500 passengers.
Thursday last was fixed for the last examination of this
It is estimated that for every pas; enger that arrives at or
bankrupt, the case having been previously adjourned. A
leaves Southampton by the foreign packets, two friends or
relatives, chiefly of the wealthy classes, visit the port to see
further adjournment was made until the 16th of January
next, and an account to be filed ten days before. In re him off or welcome him home.—[As regards the number
of letters. we opin, there is nothing wonderful in the
John Roberts : The bankrupt was an hotel keeper at Rhyl.
above statement, sewthin one hour and a half on Satur.
This was the day for the last examination. Adjourned till
the 16th of January, in order to file a stock account. , day last a far greater number,—probably 60,000 letters,
were received at and despatched from the Liverpool Post-
THE MANCHESTER CATHEDRAL BELLS.—The ringers
of the Cathedral and Parish Church, of Manchester, have office, viz., by the two mail packets Africa and Asia.]
been served with a notice from the
churchwardens, inti- HEALTH COMMITTEE.—The usual meeting of the Health
mating that from and after the 25th instant, their services, Committee was held on Thursday. Mr. Alderman Parker
as ringers, will not be required. The notice does not Presided, and the following gentlemen were present:—
assign any reason for this step, which, in the absence of Messrs. Lloyd, Beckwith, Langsdale, Nicholson, Bennett,
any information on the subject, is attributed to the want Fernihough, Atkinson, W. K. Tyrer, Godfrey, and Clay-
of funds occasioned by the failure of the voluntary church ton. The proceedings of the baths and wash-houses sub.
rate system. committee showed that John Slager, bath-keeper at Paul-
SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF THE INDUSTRIOUS SCOT- street Baths, had been suspended from his situation, for
TISH POOR.—The Ladies Society for the encouragement grossly immoral conduct, and the Health Committee were
of industrious habits among the poor held their annual recommended to dismiss him. Slager, in his defence, said
sale of clothing on Friday, at the Royal Assembly-rooms, that the whole story was concocted to injure him, The
Great George-street. The society is composed of ladies details are unfit for publication. Subsequently one of the
connected with the Presbyterian congregations, meeting most extraordinary scenes ever witnessed at a meeting of
in the Canning-street, Myrtle-street, and north-end gentlemen took place. The Chairman and several of the
Scotch churches. The room was well supplied with members came into collision. Personalities were bandied
about on every side ; but ultimately the proceedings
articles of clothing, suited for the wealthy and the most
of tdheed
bcomAmiritteßee,ekownitthh,ewmeroetieoanafiorfmeMd.r.
TThyreerm,
esdei.-
humble,
TESTIMONIAL TO SIR JOHN BENT.--It has been some con y .
cal officer of health reported, that with the increased
atmospheric temperature the mortality of the borough
time in contemplation, by the public and private friends
h s been considerably reduced. The deaths registered
of our late chief magistrate, to offer him some fitting and
wd ueer ikn gp
rleaysite
aws e eaka
dwaebreea2t 2t2h
e;
abveeirnagg
e2o7f
tl
lei ses s
at hmaen
graceful testimonial, as a memorial of his public services,
and as an evidence of popular respect. It has been at
wienektiolef
length decided, in furtherance of this intention, that a
Previous years., decrease is entirely in the class of
i'diseases of the lunigas The ,
which caused only 75 deaths last
guiahed local artist,
full-length portrait of Sir John, in his robes of office, shall
be presented to Lady Bent. Mr. Westcott, our distin-
week against 108 the preceding week.
has received the commission, which
could scarcely have been more worthily bestowed. STABBING CASE.—On Tuesday a man, named Wm.
SUMMONS UNDER THE PASSENGER ACT.—On Thurs- Martin, one of the labourers at the Albert Dock ware-
day, Captain Stewart, of the ship Jane Henderson, was houses, was brought up at the Police-court, charged with
summoned, at the instance of the Government inspector, having stabbed a young man named Win. Taylor, formerly
for an infringement of the Passenger Act relating to a in the same employ. The prosecutor, who lives in Horn-
certain distribution of provisions at sea. It stated that he was coming out of Preston's
was by-street,
stated, in defence, that, in consequence of the public-house at the corner of Blenheim-street, Limekiln-
boisterous weather, the mate could
Cheat break the seal lane, on Saturday evening last, and was far gone in liquor.
of the bonded stores, which was the cause of neither He did not know whether he had bad a few words with
the passengers nor the crew getting their quantities of the prisoner or not ; but he felt that he was stabbed by
tea, &c. The charge was dismissed.
him in reast and e wound bled p The
A SCHOOLMASTER IN DIFFICULTIES.—A well-dressed wound,the whicbh was, just overth the heart, wasrofusel y.
half an inch
and respectable-looking man was brought up at the Police- deep. A female was called, and stated that hearing
court, on Tuesday, in the catalogue of drunk and disor. screams she ran to the spot and saw the prosecutor kicking
derlies, and was fined ss. Addressing the magistrate, be the risoner aer the latter had stabbed him. A witness
said, sotto voce, and with great politeness, "Be kind
named Shea,, caftlled by the prisoner, stated that he was
enough to remit the fine. I have no cash, and if lam with the prisoner on Saturday night at Preston's oublic-
detained I will lose my situation." Mr. Mansfield : house. The prosecutor asked for some tobacco, when the
" What are you ?" Defendant (after some hesitation): prisoner replied that he had none, and was about to leave,
" A schoolmaster in Cheshire." Mr. Mansfield : " You when Taor threw himself across the passage to prevent
may go, then." The defendant bowed his acknowledg- his leaving, Team Was a
grudge, it appeared, between
went and left the dock.
them, existing since the 12th July, the one being a Roman
C
FIRES.—On Thursday evening, a fire broke out on the Catholic and the other an Orangeman. Another party
but Fame out from the cellar behind, and, seizing-the prisoner,
held him against the iron railing. He (witness)
Premises of Mr. Curran, cabinet-maker, Duke-street ;
the flames were extinguished before any serious damage
had taken place. Soon after a fire was discovered in the
as he could.
. Saw no blows struck whilst he was there.
mob coming, and, afraid of both their lives, ran off as fast
warehouse at the top of Temple-street,
1 The prisoner was usually a
in Dale-street, ,
Mansfield said the provocation given would not justify the
belonging to Mr. Byford ; but it, also, was speedily ex- saw a
goodtempred man. Mr.
use of a deadly weapon used in the most deadly manner.
tinguished by the fire-police. Another fire broke out on 1
arrival of the 1 Under the circumstances, however, the case would be
'ridaY morning, at half-past one, at Messrs. Slater's 1
ego-mill, Seel-street, but, by the timely
West of England engine, and a couple of reels, it was treated only as one of common assault. The prisoner
was fined 45, or to be sent to gaol in default. -
subdued with no other damage than to the MaChietn•

_„
--4.0
A special meeting of the Council was held on Wednes-
Row; COURT.—This cause came on on demurrer and day, in the Town-hall. His Worship the Mayor presided.
motion. The bill prayed that the Mayor and Corporation, Previous to the commencement of the regular business,
and their servants and agents, may be restrained by Mr. BANNER requested that the books from Cornwallis-
injunction from using any of the wells, pumps, or reser- street, upon which the committee appointed to inquire
yoirs of the Green-lane Waterworks for any purposes not into the defalcations of Mr. Carruthers, the collector,
authorised by the acts of parliament mentioned in the bill, had formed their report, might be laid before the Conn-
and particularly that they may be restrained from supply- eil. The request was declined, on the ground that the
ing any water from that source to any private dwelling- application was without precedent.
house, or to the hydraulic machines in the Liverpool Docks. THE DERBY MUSEUM AND THE ROYAL INSTITUTION.
Mr. Roundell Palmer argued in support of the corpora-
The report of the Museum Committee, including the
tion's demurrer to the plaintiff's bill, and maintained that arrangements with the Earl of Derby and the differences
the common law gave no right of action to a particular with the Royal Institution, was read.
landowner or occupier against another under similar cir- Mr. PICTON, chairman of the Museum Committee,
cumstances for abstraction of water percolating through moved the adoption of that part of the report referring
the surface soil. Nor had the plaintiff, acccording to late to the arrangements with the Earl of Derby, which
decisions in Lord Truro's court, a right to come to a was carried unanimously. He then addressed the Coun-
court of equity to seek relief in a case of particular or oil on the negociations with the committee of the Royal
private injury of this kind. Had the injury been Institution, entered into the whole history of the ques-
generally felt in the neighbourhood of the corporation's tion, and at great length commented upon the procedure
works, it might have been open to parties to obtain a man- of that committee ; and, after expressing his regret that
damns against the corporation, in consideration of its being the committee should have demanded such unreason-
-Bth public wrong. But the acts of parliament of the 7th and
Bth Viet. and of the 11th Vict. had provided that the com- able terms, concluded by saying that, in his opinion, the
nl coursef the Ca fre,
pany had a right to sink wells to a depth exceeding the independent,)eft
andor unshackled cl
one ad opt
If the Council
depth of the wells complained of by the plaintiff. Generally I would place at the disposal of the Library and
the corporation was bound by the acts of parliament to Museum Committee the sum which had been proposed
supply the public with water, and also all fountains with- to he given for the schools of the Royal Institution,—
in the borough ; and by the 111th section of the latter act £4ooo,—and if they would add to that the amount for
the corporation was bound, upon request, to supply any which the building in Duke-street could be purchased for
pipe leading to a private house, which pipe had been laid temporary use, before a suitable public building could be
on by the corporation, to any height within the premises, erected,—and if, further, the Council would give them a
without limitation as to the source from which the supply site sufficiently extensive, which the committee were
might be obtained. It appeared that any restriction which ready to point out, he would venture to say that they
had been put upon the corporation was in favour of the would erect a building much more suitable and much
existing water company, so as to protect both the com- more capable of extension than the present building in
panics from a ruinous competition by a third water com-
pany. Thus the object of the legislature in these acts Colquitt-street ; and in five years, with these advantages, was not to protect the supply of water sunk for their they would have in Liverpool a museum, library, and
gallery of art, second to none in the kingdom, with the
own purposes by private persons similarly circumstanced
exception of London itself. Mr. Picton then moved the
as the plaintiff. This principle had been eqta-
blished by the decision of Chief Justice Tindal in adoption of the committee's report. Mr. SAMUEL HOLME seconded the motion.
" Blundell v. Gladstone," in which a casual abstraction
of a supply of'water to a well was no more than dannzum Mr. PARKER and Mr. GARDNER supported the motion.
Mr. Hour and Mr. BENNETT suggested that concilia-
absque injuria, and could not be the object of a suit in
the Common Pleas, nor in this court ex vi conseque Mr. COOPER spoke in favour of adopting the report.
the Eastern Railway Company." ntim tory measures should be adopted.
.
The same principle obtained in the case of " Bagshawe v. Messrs. SAMUEL and JAMES HOLME were in favour of
On Werin,cdav last, the Master of the Rolls, after more
rfeurctehnetrranleagoncdiations
appropriateceasing,
And
going through the various acts having reference to the
bject, and noticing the several sections having a bearings e:st
ep that.
d .
m
After a short reply from Mr. PICTON, the report of the
on the case, said, in co elusion, that he was of opinion committee was adopted.
that the legislature had invested in the Corporation the CHARGE AGAINST AN OFFICER.
power part of the Health Committee's proceedings power of supplying water to the inhabitants of the town
rela-
of Liverpool, whether for domestic or general purposes, ting to their recommendation to dismiss Mr. A. Clarke
and that, therefore, being of that Opinion, he must dismiss from the situation of superintendent of Cornwallis-streetßaths, was then brought up.
the demurrer prayed for by the hill. Judgment accordingly
Mr. PARKER, chairman of the Health Committee,
stated that he differed most cordially from the resolution
just read.
Mr. LANGSDALE seconded the confirmation of the
committee's proceedings.
Mr. FERNIHOUGH, in a speech of much bitterness
towards Mr. Langsdale for the part he had taken relative
to Mr. Clarke, opposed the confirmation.
After a long discussion, Mr. LANGSDALE replied, and
after reiterating the charge against Mr. Clarke, said the
same system had been going on with the servants of the
Corporation for years.
The confirmation of the proceedings was negatived by
a majority of 44 against 8.

THE CITY OF MANCHESTER.—The Liverpool and Phila-
delphia screw steam-ship City of Manchester, Leitch,
commander, arrived in the Mersey on Friday at midnight,
with 83 passengers, a large cargo, and 156,500 dollars in
specie on freight. She sailed from the Delaware at. 7 a.m.,
on the sth instant, and made the run in 14 days 12 hours
and 40 minutes meantime. The City of Manchester, du-
ring the whole of the passage, experienced head gales of
winds and heavy hard seas. On the 11th instant,
during a gale from the westward, the foreyard was carried
away. "When the weather somewhat abated its violence
she attained a very high degree of speed, having run in
three successive days 749 miles. The following is a copy
of a letter, dated " Steam-ship City of Manchester, Dec.
19, 1851," addressed to Captain Robert Leitch, and signed
by the whole of the passengers:—" Sir,—The passengers
on board the steam-ship City of Manchester, on her late
trip from Philadelphia to Liverpool, beg leave to tender to
you, and the officers under your command, their grateful
acknowledgments for your and their uniformly polite,
kind, and gentlemanly deportment and attention to their
wants ; and to express their admiration of the skill and
ability with which the ship has been managed during her
voyage, and their anxious desire that you and they may
long live in the enjoyment of peace, plenty, happiness, and
prosperity."

MISCELLANEOUS.
The report of the Lighting and Fire Police and Health
Committees, on the memorial of Messrs. J. H. Smith and
J. Scott, to be released from the payment of their sure-
ties in the case of the late Joseph Carruthers, a defaulting
collector, was next brought into consideration. A long
discussion took place. The report, enforcing the pay.
ment of the sureties, was ultimately adopted.
The report of the Special Committee to inquire into and
report upon the charges contained in the Liverpool 7 imes
newspaper of the 6th of November, and headed the
" Town Council and the Police," was next brought under
notice. The report stated that no imputation whatever
was attached to Mr. Alderman Preston ; that there had
been no fact set forth exhibiting any reluctance on the
part of Mr. Dowling to act in the case. With regard to
the statement that the police unduly endeavoured to sup-
port Mr. Joughin's case, the committee stated that the
officers appeared under subpoena; and the committee
were of the unanimous opinion that there existed no
grounds for such a statement.—After a long discussion,
the report was adopted.
THE MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS.
A letter was read from J. H. Lane Fox, asking the
Council to purchase a picture of " Paul preaching before
Agrippa," by Marsden, for £7OO. The letter was ordered
to lie on the table, as well as a memorial from the coach
and cab proprietors, relative to " lighting up."
The Council then separated.

LANCASTER INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT.-1)i8-
charged forthwith: Peter M'Cabe, formly of Greenland-
street, lodeing-house keeper and merchant's ship stewal t,
and late of Jordan-street, Liverpool, lodging-house keeper.
James Eaton, formerly of Castle-street, Liverpool.
George Humphreys, the younger, formerly of Strand-
street, Liverpool, ship store dealer, and late of South
Castle-street, Liverpool, licensed victualler and ship store
dealer.—Adjourned to next court : William Duncan
Lindsay, formerly of Stanhope-street, Liverpool, in co-
partnership with Robert Headland, as block, mast, and
pump makers, and late of Egerton-street, Liverpool, out
of business.—Remandedfor two months: Margaret Coch-
ranee, forrnerlyof Netherfield-road North, Everton, Liver-
pool, hosier and smallware dealer, and late of New-road,
Kirkdale, out of business. The following days are ap.
pointed for holding courts in Lancaster for the relief of in-
solvent debtors for the ensuing half year, namely—the 20d,
16th, and 30th, Jan. ; the 13th and 27th Feb.; the 12th
and 26th March ; the 9th and 23rd April ; the 7th and At the weekly meeting on Thursday, Mr. C. Turner
took the chair, the other members present being Messrs.
21st May ; and the 4th and 18th June.
PRESENTATION TO THE REV. THOMAS LLOYD PAIN, Shand, Molyneux, Chaloner, Brocklebank, Gregson,
Steele, Holmes Barber, Lockett, Malcolrnson, Bigham,
M.A.—On Wednesday afternoon, the young gentlemen
(amounting to about thirty) who attend the private Tobin, Robinson, Boyden, and Nicol.
academy of the Rev. T. L. Pain, in Falkner-street, upon ALLEGED EVASIONS OF DOCK DUES.
the closing of the school for Christmas, presented him The CHAIRMAN said that the committee had no doubt
with a mark of their esteem and affectionate regard, in
seen discussions in. the papers as to the different frauds on
re-
the shape of a handsome inkstand, bearing the following the Dock Estate. One of the cases had been
e
ferred to the Finance Committee, and with respect
inscription upon a silver plate :—" Presented to the Rev.
of
Thomas Lloyd Pain, M.A., by his grateful pupils, 1851." to another, that
Mr. George Wright, of South
The testimonial was carried by one of the senior boys, John-street, a letter had been received from his soli-
citors, Messrs. Davenport and Collier. It was not in-
who conveyed to the reverend gentleman, in the name of
his companions, their thanks for his kind instructions tended to bring the matter before the general committee,
while they had been under his care, and wishing him long but to refer it to the Finance Committee for considers_
life to prosecute, with satisfaction to himself and good to tion. Still, as the letter had been received, and Mr.
'
his pupils, the useful course of labour he was engaged in. Wright himself was in attendance to give any explanations
Mr. Pain, in feeling terms, acknowledged the kind expres- which were required, it would perhaps be desirable to have
sions of regard towards himself, and thanked them the letter read. The letter had been written in conse-
warmly for their unexpected present. After giving some quence of certain statements having got into the papers.
hearty cheers the boys broke up, thoroughly pleased with The letter from Messrs. Davenport and Collier was then
the part they had taken in giving their kind and ssteemed read. They begged respectfully to address the committee
instructor so great a surprise. As incumbent of St. on behalf of their client, Mr. George Wright, who had
Thomas's Church, in this town, Mr. Pain has successfully been extensively engaged in business as a merchant for
promoted the cause of religion and knowledge, by his twenty-two years, and whose honour and integrity had
energetic efforts in behalf of the large Charity and Sun-
been unimpeached until the present occasion. Mr.
day Schools connected with his church, which is buried Wright, on the afternoon of Saturday, the 6th instant,
in a densely populated district, out of which locality his had received a letter from Mr. North, the solicitor to the
Dock Estate, stating that he was instructed to apprise
of the poorest class.
exertions are not often heard of, his chief hearers being
him, that it was the intention of the committee to prose-
IGNITION OF NATURAL GAS ON CHAT MOSS.—
cute him for the evasion of the dock dues, and inclosing a
A correspondent of the Albion gives an account of the
list of vessels in which Mr. Wright had shipped iron for a
ignition of a quantity of natural gas on Chat Moss, which, period of six months, between April and October. There
were 73 cases in all, the amount being £2B 14s. 6d. Mr.
he says, has been brought to light through the process of
boring for water. " About a fortnight ago the workmen Wright had put this letter into their (the solicitors) hands,
commenced, and for the first sixteen feet the boring was with instructions to see Mr. North, to express great sur-
through moss and mossy substances; then came about prise, and his solemn and emphatic denial of the charges.
sixteen feet of marl ; after which there were two or three They made this communication to Mr. North on Monday,
feet of sand ; and whilst scooping through this portion of the Bth instant, informing him of the steps which were
the earth the gaseous matter made its appearance. The being taken by Mr. Wright to investigate it. They again
first indication of it was by a sudden noise or report, saw Mr. North on the Thursday and Saturday, and in-
though not very loud, accompanied by a slight sul- formed him that Mr. Wright had gone over the whole list
phurous smell. A stream of gas then floated along the of ships, and had found, to his great mortification, that
surface of the ground, and a lighted candle having been the dock dues had been short paid, to the amount of
applied, the gaseous air immediately took fire, and was £27 2s. 10d. They explained to Mr. North the difficulties
converted into a blaze of considerable dimensions. A which shippers of iron by American vessels, experienced
long pipe, of about ten or twelve inches in circumference, from various causes, and which had occasioned the short
was then procured and inserted in the ground for two or payment in question. These difficulties were not expe-
three feet in depth, and ascending upwards for about rienced in the shipment of iron or manufactured goods by
thirty-five feet. The gas, being thus conveyed above the British vessels. They (the solicitors) also gave a detailed
level of the neighbouring forest trees, is allowed to burn account of every shipment which Mr. Wright had made
with all its force, and exhaust itself in the desert air. of iron, commencing in 1849, and carried down to April
I was told that it had been burning for the previous last. These shewed a large amount of shipments, upon
week, with one or two short intermissions, when the which the dock dues had been fully paid, and in
flame was extinguished by the high wind and storms, some instances in excess. Mr. Wright was quiteeven willing
to lay open his books and papers for the inspection of Mr.
which are of no ordinary character within the confines of
Chat Moss. On Wednesday night the flame appeared to North, in order that every satisfaction might be given that
be eight or nine feet in length, and had a yellowish cast, there was no intent to defraud. Finally, by Mr. Wright's
mingled occasionally with beautiful tints of blue ; and the wish, they expressed to Mr. North Mr. Wright's anxiety
light thrown out by it was strong enough to enable me to to go before the Dock Committee, explain the facts of the
see the time by my watch at a distance of about one case, and answer any questions which might be proposed.
hundred yards. On putting my ear to the pipe the sound As they had not received any further communication
of the gas travelling through it was distinctly heard, and from Mr. North, and as comments upon this matter had
resembled the noise that would arise from a quantity of appeared in the Liverpool papers, of a nature most painful
water rushing along. lam informed that a similar bore to Mr. Wright, the present course had been taken. The
charge was calculated, if not disproved, to cover Mr.
has since been made on the Moss within two hundred
yards from the same spot, but not with the like result : Wrightwitb odium. That therehad been cul gable negligence
no gas or gaseous matter being discovered. I send you he himself most fully admitted, but he most strenuously
this statement simply as facts, without troubling you with urged he was open to no graver charge.
T
scientific comment. I may add, that the locus in quo is The letter was then referred to the Finance Committee.
on the right side of the railway as you proceed from DEPOT FOR STEAMERS.
Liverpool to Manchester, and within two hundred yards ' The Surveyor's plans for a general depot for steamers,
of the Barton Moss station." at the south-west corner of Prince's Dock, were handed
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN JAMES-STREET.—On Wednes- in, and the statement made that they had been approved
day morning, between half-past two and three o'clock, by the Chamber of Commerce. In reply to a
question
a fire of a most alarming character broke out in the ware- by Mr. Tobin, the Chairman said that the depot would be
house in James-street occupied by Messrs. Verdon and in connection with the landing-stage.—Referred to the
Cullen, and Messrs. George and Sylvanus Pim, and the Committee of Works.
property of Robert Ellison Harvey, Esq. The warehouse, THE FORMBY LIGHT.
which is one of a large stack, extends from James-street The Formby shore light having been found defective,
plans for its improvement had been obtained, and the sub-
to Moor-street, and was chiefly stowed with corn and
flour, the property of Messrs. Verdon and Cullen, and committee recommended that they should be carried out
others. The fire was first discovered by a police consta- forthwith. The cost would be about £6O. The recom-
Isle, who was on duty in Moor-street, and perceived the mendation of the committee was confirmed.
flames bursting from the windows and doors of the second LIGHTS AND FIRES IN DOCK.
floor of the warehouse. Word was immediately passed A report from the head constable was read, relative to
to the fire-station, and Mr. Hewitt, with his fire brigade, the arrangements necessary in consequence of the admis-
together with Superintendents Quick and Towerson, were sion of lights and fires in the docks. He recommended
soon on the spot, and their best efforts made to suppress that, to guard against accidents, the number of the firemen
the fire. The mains from the Green-lane Waterworks should be increased to sixty, there being now twenty-one.
were at once opened for the purpose, and ten branches This would give twenty firemen for each relay. These
were attached and brought to bear upon the burning pile, men would not be required to attend fires in the town,
for it was now one mass of flame. When the whole of but only in the docks, or in the immediate vicinity when
the branches were in operation, fifteen tons of water per the shipping was in danger. Mr. Tobin explained that
minute were thrown into the burning mass. The efforts the recommendation was not to appoint thirt-nine of the the firemen were so far successful as to confine the fire tional firemen, but only to convert that numbeyr of police-
to the one warehouse. The fire was subdued in a little constables into firemen, at an extra payment of Is. a week
more than an hour, but the warehouse was completely for each. Report referred to the Committee of Woo-
gutted. The loss will probably be upwards of £lO,OOO, .
but we understand that insurances have been effected on
the property to the full amount, with the Liverpool and
London, Globe, Phoenix, and Exchange companies. Some
books, in a common iron safe, were also entirely destroyed.
The warehouse burnt is one of a series of the largest
stack of warehouse property in the town • and bad it not
been for a timely and abundant supply of water from the
mains, the loss might have been half a million sterling,
instead of £lO,OOO. The engine of the West of England
Insurance Company was early on the spot, and rendered
valuable assistance. The origin of the fire is as yet un-
known, but it was remarked that the fire first appeared in
No. 2 story and the top story, between which three stories
intervened, from which it is believed to have been the
work of an incendiary, though some of the firemen were
of opinion that it resulted from the overheating of a flue.
The premises of Mr. Madrell, who keeps a public-house
and fish store, next door to the warehouses, were
seriously damaged, upwards of two ,and a-hall tuna of
fish being destroyed.

THE DOCK COMMITTEE,

COMMITTAL OFEAEN.--Nine seamen belongig to
the Bonna Dea, at S
presMent lying in Belfast Lough,n were
charged at the Belfast Police-court, on Monday, by the
captain, with wilful disobedience to his orders. The
prisoners shipped at Liverpool for Savannah. The vessel
proceeded to sca, but was not long out when she was
obliged to put into Belfast, through stress of weather,
with loss of maintopsail. During the time it was blowing
a stilt gale, and the vessel being in great danger, the men
refused to do their duty, and the captain and mate were
obliged to go aloft and do the seamen's work. When on
board, they complained of not getting flour; but the cap-
tain had given them a substitute which was as good, con-
sisting of rice and molasses. Mr. Tracy, the magistrate,
said it was quite clear that, in consequence of the disobe-
dience of the prisoners, the vessel had been placed in great
danger, and, for such serious misconduct, he felt it his
duty to inflict upon them the highest punishment the law
allowed, which was, that they should be each imprisoned
for twelve weeks, and kept at bard labour.