The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1850-02-05 00:00:00

LOCAL MEETINGS.

Tin PENITENTIARY.—On Tuesday the annual meet..
ing of the friends of the Liverpool Female Penitentiary.
was held ; John Cropper, Esq., in the chair. It appeared
from the report that the aspect of the institution is en-
couraging, the experiment of making it industrial having
proved successful both in a financial and moral point of
view. The admissions and dismissals during the year have
been as follows :—ln the house, as per last report, 46 ;
applicants for admission, 54 ; applicants refused as unsuit-
able for want of funds, 19 ; applicants taken into the
probation ward, 35 ; total in the house during the veer,
81; restored to their friends or placed in service, 14 ; left
by their own desire or disobedience of rules, 10 ; proved
imbecile, 1 : eloped, 3 ; did not return from hospital, 2 ;
remaining in the house at this time, 51; of whom there
are on probation, 10, and fully admitted, 41 ; total num-
ber admitted from the commencement, 1,518 ; expelled,
190 ; eloped, 38 ; left by their own desire or for disobe-
dience, 598 ; restored to friends or placed in service, 520 ;
removed to other institutions, 98 ; died, 22 ; remain in
the house, 52. The ladies' committee report very favour-
ably of the gerteral conduct of the penitents during the
year, and have supplied a few extracts from their minutes
in illustration of the good effects of the institution. The
Rev. F. Parry moved the first resolution, in an effective
speech, in which he pleaded most ably the claims which
the charity possessed on the public for support.
TEA AND TIMBER DUTIES.-At the public meeting,
held at the Sessions-house, on Thursday, the proceedings
were unanimous, and assumed the form of resolutions,
(see advertisement,) and a petition to parliament for the
reduction of the above duties. The speakers were Messrs.
A. H. Wylie, William Rathbone, Francis Boult, Charles
Robertson, R. V. Yates, John Smith. R. W. Ronald, H.
Crosfield, and Richard Sheil. The meeting was a de-
cided failure, as is admitted by the radical papers. The
Journal says, " All possible publicity had been given to
the fact, that such a meeting was to be held—all the ma-
chinery of the Financial Reform Association had, doubt-
less, been put_ in motion to secure a decent number of
unemployed persons as an audience; and it might reason-
ably have been expected, just at this juncture, after some
two or three years of speech making and tract publishing,
on all the interminable topics of financial reform, that
such a number of the inhabitants of Liverpool would be
present as might, at least, serve to inspirit the contem-
plated orations. The result was, however, most depres-
sing : entering the hall from the crowded 'Change, the
effect on the spectator was as if he had been intruded on
a tomb ; at least, it might have been imagined, from the
sombre aspect of those around, and the melancholy ex-
pression which crept over the features of the orators, that
a trial was going on, and that sundry very respectable
gentlemen were acting as advocates in defence of the Fi-
nancialßeformAssociation—indicted before John Holmes,
Esq."

WEST DERBY GIIARDIANS.-At the weekly meeting,
on Wednesday, considerable discussion took place as to
the claim of Mr. Shaw, the guardian, for work done at
the fever hospital. Mr. Shaw's claim amounted to some
£25, and, in consequence of it being considered too high,
the board some time ago refused to pay the money, and
Mr. Shaw commenced an action. The solicitor to the
board attended, and stated that he could not defend the
action with any degree of confidence that he should suc-
ceed. It was, however, determined that the action should
take its course. Mr. Sidney announced his intention of
retiring from the board, and complained of the attacks
made on him through the press and other sources.
Several members said that, in cons-quence of the decision.
come to, they should retire from the Finance Committee.
Messrs. Griffiths, who had been engaged in erecting the
new buildings, attended the board, and stated that Mr.
Shaw, the guardian, had interfered with them, and had
endeavoured to induce them to send an extra bill into
the board. Mr. Shaw charged Messrs. Griffiths with not
having done the work according to specification ; and
also complained of Mr. Edwards, the architect. Mr. H.
Edwards expressed disapprobation at the reflections orc
his son's conduct. Mr. Shaw—lt shall not be smothered.
Mr. Edwards—My son would smother a fellow like you,
who go about like a beast of prey, seeking whom you
can devour. (Confusion.) If my son had the spirit he
ought to have, he would make the dust fly out of your
jacket. (Great uproar and confusion.) The Chairman
with difficulty succeeded in putting a stop to the perso-
nality. Ultimately the matter was referred to the Build-
ing Committee. The salary of Mr. Chalmers, medical
officer for Everton, was fixed at £6O, and that of Mr.
M'Culloch, for Bootle, Litherland, Orrel, and Ford, at
£5O.

DOCK COMMITTEE.—At the weekly meeting on Thurs-
day, Mr. Littledale presided. A conversation took place
arising out of a letter from Mr. Salter, offering to reduce
his estimate for supplying a model of the docks, &c., to
the forthcoming exhibition in London, to the sum of
eight hundred guineas. It transpi-ed that the secretary
to the committee at the Town-hall had written to Mr.
William Brown to inquire whether, in the case of a model
being prepared, it would be acceptable to the committee,
but an answer had not been received. Mr. Fisher moved,
and Mr. Preston seconded the motion, that the Dock
Committee did not think themselves justified in contribu-
ting to the expense of any such model for the purpose
intended. An amendment was proposed by Mr. Bold,
and careed,—" that the subject be deferred until Mr.
Brown's letter should be received."—A deputation from
the timber trade, consisting of the following gentlemen:
Messrs. Halhead, M. Gregson, Owen Jones, Jas. Smith
W. H. Anthony, Farnworth. James Bland, and Quin-
ton Fleming, was received. The Chairman expressed his
desire, both as an individual and as chairman of the com-
mittee, and also the desire of the members of the com-
mittee generally, to afford every facility in their power to
forward the interests of the timber trade. Mr. Halhead,
on the part of the deputation, said the object they had in
view was to ask that accommodation might be afforded to
the trade at the south end. They had seen the plan
relative to the north end, and they wished to remain at
the south, as their connexion and establishments were all
there. The Chairman said the subject of the extension
of the south end had been under consideration for some
time, and last Saturday the surveyor had instructions to
prepare plans for the Committee of Works, for their
meeting on Saturday next. When these plans were com-
pleted, the Dock Committee would be very happy to sub-
mit them for the inspection of the timber trade, either
through their deputation at that committee, or they
could, if they thought proper, meet the Sub-committee
of Works. Mr. Smith (one of the deputation) said the
only question was, whether accommodation could be given
to them at the south, equal in quality and as cheap in
price, as they could get elsewhere. If an answer was
given to this, and this accommodation could not be
afforded, the trade could then take other steps.—Mr.
Gregson (one of the deputation) spoke of the importance,
in a financial point of view, to the Dock Trust itself, that
accommodation should be provided at the south.—After
a lengthened conversation, an assurance was given that
the representations made should meet with every conside-
ration from the committee, and the deputation withdrew.
On the motion of Mr. Bold, it was resolved to add the
names of Mr. Rankin and Mr. Lockett to the Committee
of Works, and that the whole subject of affording accom-
modation to the timber trade be referred to that com-
mittee.

SELECT VESTRY.—A special meeting of the Vestry was
held on Tuesday, for the purpose of taking into considera-
tion the resolutions proposed by Mr. Charles Willmer, as
to the rating of cottage property. The Rev. Rector Camp-
bell occupied the chair.—Mr. Willmer proposed the reso-
lutions, which, with slight modifications suggested by the
Chairman, in order to make them legal, were exactly
those of which he had given notice :—" That this Vestry
is of opinion that a large majority of the population of this
parish, living in tenements assessed at fifteen pounds and
under, are totally unable to pay the whole amount of the
poor's rates legally payable by them. That in considera-
tion of that general inability, and in order to prevent, as
far as possible, any oppression of the poor, it is expedient
that a uniform system of remission should be established.
That with a view to the accomplishment of this object,
the members of this Vestry shall be divided into seven
committees of four members each, and that each of these
committees shall meet once a week, and superintend the
collection of one collector. That it be a recommendation
from this vestry to each of these committees to remit the
rates, as far as practicable, to the following proportions,
viz. :—To persons inhabiting houses assessed at ten pounds
and under, to one shilling; to persons inhabiting houses
assessed at eleven, twelve, and thirteen pounds, to one
shilling and sixpence ; and to persons inhabiting houses
assessed at fourteen and fifteen pounds, to two shillings
in the pound. That in future years when the rate levied
is three shillings in the pound or over, the scale above-
mentioned shall be acted upon ; but when the rate shall
be less than three shillings, then persons inhabiting
houses assessed at ten pounds and under shall pay one-
third of the rate ; persons inhabiting houses assessed at
eleven, twelve, or thirteen pounds shall pay one-half;
and persons inhabiting houses assessed at fourteen and
fifteen pounds shall pay two-thirds of the rate. That in
order to collect these rates with success to the parish, and
without oppression to the tenants, it is desirable that the
bills should be rendered in small amounts, say twice a-
year ; and that an intimation be printed upon each bill
setting forth in the clearest and most explicit words, that
the rates will be received and called for by the collectors,
in amounts varying from threepence to two shillings and
sixpence monthly ; the first payment to be made one
month after the delivery of the bill. That no proceedings
shall be taken to enforce the rates against the occupier of
any cottage tenement, except in special cases, until the
failure to pay the third consecutive instalment shall have
been made, and no summonses shall be applied for, or
warrants of distraint put into force until they shall have
been specially ordered by one of the committees. That a
memorial from this Vestry to the Town Council be pre-
pared and forwarded, praying that in cases where sum-
monses and warrants may be required for the recovery of
_
these reduced rates, that they may be granted free of cost."
—Mr. Cafferata seconded the resolutions, which were op-
posed by Mt. Brown, Mr. Abraham, and Mr.M, Knight.
—Mr. Harbord left the room, protesting against the le-
gality of the proceedings altogether.—After a lengthened
discussion the Vestry divided, wben there appeared for the
resolutions, 15 ; against them, 7; namely, for—Messrs.
Clarke, Wylie. Denton Denton, Savage,
Fairhurst,M Mellor, Cafferata,
Whitby,
hitby
Gard-
ner, Blair, Molyneux,
Woodruff, Hodson, and Dover. Against--Messrs.
Brown, M'Knight, Came, Hindley, Jeffery, Ireland, and
Abraham.—Mr-.Br9wn gave notice of his intention to
propose the r esemding of this resolution ; and Mr. Hod-
son gave notice of hisintention to renew his motion for
fixing the amount of rates to be levied on cottage property
at. five per cent.—A committee was appointed to carry
into effect the resolution adopted by the Vestry.

The rule nisi against the proprietors of the Morning
Post, for a libel on Count de Thomar, of Lisbon, was
made absolute on Wednesday, but no further proceedings
will be taken, as the proprietor, though legally, is not
morally responsible, not having been proprietor of the
; paper when the libel was published.