The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-06-13 00:00:00

?Loral pelus.

The charge for admission to the splendid exhibition in
Old Post-office-place has been reduced to sixpence.
The little girl who was killed on Sunday week, by being
thrown from a gig, was a daughter of Mrs. Taylor, of
London-road, and was only three years and a half old.
Two BOYS DROWNED.—On Sunday week, two boys,
whilst bathing at the South Shore, were drowned. The
elder one got into a hole, and the young one tried to save
him, but both perished.
Mr. John Alasheder, late head master -of the Church
of England South School. Cornwallis-street, in this town,
has been declared first mathematical and first classical
prizeman this year at Magdalen College, Cambridge.
On Monday evening, Margaret Shuttleworth, of Barter-
street, was reaching a jar of grease from the shelf, when
she fell down and re rived a blow on the head, which pro-
duced concussion of the brain. She died the same even-
ing.
A CHEAP TRIP.—We perceive that the North West of
Ireland Steam Navigation Company are carrying passen-
gers between this port and Londonderry—a distance of
280 miles—at one shilling each, or at the rate of nearly
twenty-four miles for a penny.
DEATH FROM A SCALD.—Six Weeks ago, John Green,
aged 14 months, whose parents reside in Tamworth-
street, whilst seated on his mother's knee caught hold of
a cup in her hand and upset it, and some hot water in the
cup went over his shoulders and breast. He died on
Friday last.
On Monday night, the body of a young man named
William White, who resided in Parliament-street, was
picked up in the river. It appeared that, on Sunday
evening, the deceased and a man named Paton went to
the South Shore to bathe, when they accidentally got out
of their depth and were drowned. The body of Paton has
not yet been found.
ROYAL MERSEY YACHT CLrB.—A sailing match for
three elegant pieces of plate, given by the Royal Mersey
Yacht Club, will, we perceive, take place this day. The
Yachts will sail from the Rock Ferry, round " the Eger-
ton Course," and return to the Rock Ferry. The City of
Dublin Company's splendid steam-ship will attend and
follow the match, for the officers, members, and their
friends only.
THE AMATEUR PERFORMANCE.—The members pre-
sent at the Amphitheatre, on Monday, were £1,909 ; and
the money received amounted to the sum of £451 ss. &L,
of which, it is hoped, that at least £350 will be clear
profit for the object in view, as some gifts will be added to
the receipts. The same literary characters performed,
for the same object, at the Theatre-Royal, Manchester,
on Tuesday night. The receipts amounted to £260.
BIRKENHEAD COMMISSIONERS.—The annual election
of commissioners took place on Tuesday. There were
ten vacancies,—seven in the usual rotation, and three
occasioned by resignation or disqualification. Three lists
of candidates were pnt into circulation, under the auspices
of different parties • but there was little or no excitement
as to the result. The following were elected for three
years--Mr. J. S. Jackson, Mr. John Ravenscroft, Mr.
Robert Hughes, Mr. John Laird, Mr. J. Walker, Mr. H.
Watson, and' Mr. T. B. Golborne. For one year—Mr.
Stevenson (surgeon), Mr. Jonathan Williamson, and Mr.
D. Appleton.

BIRKENHEAD Docxs.—We believe the renewed nego-
ciation for amalgamating these docks with the Liverpool
dock estate progresses favourably, and that the most con-
ciliatory feeling marks the negociation on both sides.
The announced dismissal of the Birkenhead engineering
staff tends to clear thelvay for the "annexation," and an
expenditure of only £lOO,OOO would soon render Wallasey
Pool ready for a grand timber pond and for other dock
purposes.
EXTENSIVE ROBBERY.—Late on Saturday night a gen-
tleman, who lives near Rock Ferry, was robbed between
Birkenhead Ferry and the former place, of:notes to the
amount of £1,005. Fortunately the gentleman had the
numbers of all the notes, and immediately gave informa-
tion to the police, and yesterday a woman was appre-
hended whilst attempting to pass one of the notes (£5O).
We are happy to add that through this circumstance
£650 of the money has been found, and we hope that
ultimately nearly the whole will be recovered.
FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE NORTH DOCKS.—On Satur-
day an inquest was held before Mr. Curry, on view of
the body of James Stubbs, a stonemason, aged 38. On
Friday morning deceased was sitting on a plank over the
communication between the canal and the new docks.
He was adjusting some masonry-work, when the plank
broke and he fell into the cutting. He was picked up in-
sensible, and taken to the Northern Hospital, where he
died the same evening from fracture of the skull. The
plank was not sufficient to hear his weight, but he had se-
lected it and placed it over the cutting himself.
A COMPLIMENT TO "OURSELVES."—At the grand
lmnquet to celebrate the ten hours' bill in Manchester,
last week, Mr. Jeffrey Mather, an operative, moved the
sixth resolution, as follows, which was agreed to :—" That
the factory operatives of these dominions owe a debt of
gratitude to a large portion of the newspaper press, for
their long and continued advocacy of their cause, when it
was unpopular and unprofitable to do so, and particularly
to the editors of the Times, Morning Herald, Morning
Post, Morning Advertiser, Standard, Manchester
Advertiser, Manchester Courier, Leeds Intelligencer,
Northern Star, Preston Chronicle, and the Liverpool
Standard."
CHARTIST MEETING ON THE NORTH SHORE.—OR
Sunday, an open air meeting took place on the sea beach
near Bootle. The day was fine, and many stragglers were
present. Numbers of itinerant vendors of nuts, oranges,
and Liverpool manufactured " Ormskirk gingerbread"
graced the outskirts of the meeting with their vehicles,
and certainly derived more profit than any of the idle
spectators gathered there. A spring-cart served the pur-
poses of a rostrum, and a little after two o'clock, the par-
ties who were to conduct the proceedings made their ap-
pearance, and took up their positions in the cart. Dr.
Reynolds arrived unexpectedly from Manchester, and was
received with a cheer. Mr. Thomas Jones moved the first
resolution, and made an intern rate speech against the
government, whom he called a 'horde of brigand ruffians
and assassins. Dr. Reynolds delivered one of his cus-
tomary addresses and announced the massacre of the
British troops, which was actually received with cheers.
THE WEATHER.—Since our last weekly notice, we
have had a continuance of the finest growing weather
that could be desired—feeding showers and intermediate
brightness -with a generally cool and genial atmosphere,
tending to the rapid vegetation of all growing crops, with-
out prematurely hurrying them to seed. On Friday
night the rain fell in this neighbourhood so heavily, and
for several hours, that it approached to a flood, and appre-
hensions were entertained that some injury would accrue;
but the morning showed that the ground, except in par-
tial hollows, or basins, was not over-saturated, and all
nature seemed refreshed and invigorated. There is a
visible improvement in all the field and garden crops since
our last, and if the commercial, manufacturing, and poli-
tical prospects of the country were equal to the agricul-
tural,we ought to be, indeed, a happy and confiding na-
tion—ourselves secure within, and regardless of revolu-
tionary broils without. Yesterday was a fine summer
day. No rain fell.

THE LATE MR. THOMAS ATKINS. We have with
regret to record the decease of the above respected gen-
tleman, who has for many years past been known to the
public as the proprietor of the Zoological Gardens. The
melancholy event took place on Tuesday last, at the ad-
vanced age of 84 years, during the last eighteen months
of which he had been labouring under severe illness,
which he bore with exemplary patience. From early life
Mr. Atkins was attached to the pursuits of natural his-
tory, of which he has left behind him the fruits in a large
and interesting collection ; and has perhaps contributed
more than any other individual to the rational amusement
and information upon such subjects of his fellow-toxvns-
men. In his character, in all the relations of life, he was
most exemplary, a devout christian, a kind husband,
father and friend, and most liberal to all connected with
the large establishment of which he was the head.
During the last four years, the management of the gar-
dens has been principally conducted by his enterprising
sons, Messrs. Edwin and John Atkins, in whose hands
they will doubtless be continued to be kept up with the
same liberality as in past years.
THE FERRIES ON THE MERSEY. On Sunday, the
weather being delightful, and it being Whit Sunday, the
several ferry-boats carried many more than their accus-
tomed number of passengers, especially those belonging,
to Tranmere and Birkenhead, at both of which the reduc-
tion from two pence a head to one penny had commenced
on the previous day. The Corporation of Liverpool who
have taken the ferry and hotel (of which they are pro-
prietors) into their hands, were the first to lower the
ferryage. As there was a degree of unpopularity attached
to them, through their ejecting Mr. Willoughby, by de-
manding a larger increase of rental, they found that the
ferry was nearly deserted ; and in hopes of inducing
the advent of more passengers, they made the
reduction stated, against which they appeared not
to anticipate any competition from their neigh-
bour, who had become lessee of Tranmere Ferry.
Mr. Willoughby, however, upon this new and ungracious
act of overbearance, if not of hostility, took the field as
soon as they, and at once gained, and will probably keep, I
a priority of patronage over them. On Sunday the Bir-
kenhead
boats were certainly crowded throughout the
day •, but the Tranmere boats were filled to repletion, the
decks and even the paddle-boxes being crowded. At
several times of the day each boat (irrespective of time)
carried from four to five hundred passengers ! Upon the
whole day's run, the Tranmere boats carried, we should
think, one-third more than the Birkenhead. The
Woodside boats were almost deserted. The reduc-
tion will, no doubt, induce a much greater number,
especially of the poorer classes, to take a trip across ;
but it appears to us to be a question yet to be solved,
whether, taking the year round, when the novelty dies
away, the boats can run profitably at so low a price of
ferriage. The ferries bordering on the town of Birkenhead
will, of course, have the best chance in the experiment,
and, for the benefit of the public, we wish them success.
The ferries lower down the river, where the population
is comparatively scanty, and the navigation (to and from
them at least,) is longer, can scarcely, we think, afford so
great a reduction. Woodside will, no doubt, be obliged
to reduce to the price of Birkenhead and Tranmere; but
this cannot be done until agreed upon by a meeting of the
Commissioners.
STREET SWEEPING MACHINE, AND ITS ADVANTA-
GES.—We have received a work recently published on the
advantages and economy of maintaining a high degree of
cleanliness in streets, with a description of the machine
invented by Mr. Joseph Whitworth, C. E., which has
been partially used in this town, and in Birmingham,
Manchester, and other towns for some time past. The
subject is one of great importance, whether as regards the
personal comfort of the inhabitants of populous towns, or
the preservation of their health. The principle has been
highly approved by the Institution of Civil Engineers, and
an abstract upon the discussion on the subject, which
took place last year—Sir John Rennie in the chair, is sup-
plied. The annoyance of the common system of street
sweeping is admitted on all hands, and here is demon-
strated the importance of water in street cleansing ; the
economy of the machine, the impolicy of employing pau-
pers as scavengers ; the diminished tear and wear, and
draught of carriages by frequent cleansing, &c. In a
summary of the advantages of the machine over hand-
sweeping, the author remarks, and we think justly. "The
cleanliness of a town cannot be greatly increased, by hand-
sweepers, without great increase of cost ; the economy of
machine-sweeping increases, in proportion to the clean-
liness produced : hand-sweepers cannot easily and cheaply
be increased, according to the exigencies of cleansing ; an
extra number of machines can be kept ready for emergen-
cies, with little trouble, or cost : hand-cleansing has but
little tendency to improve and consolidate the road ; ma-
chine-sweeping tends powerfully to remove ridges and
improve the surface : the continuance of hand-sweeping,
tends to perpetuate a degraded and ill-paid class of la-
bourers, whom the introduction of the machine will ele-
vate, or supersede by better-paid and better-conducted
men, who must be employed to manage the machines.
All these advantages are obtained, together with
greatly increased cleanliness, without increase of cost."
The pamphlet contains a variety of valuable information
and suggestions on street-paving, with the expressed
favourable opinions of many scientific and practical men
on the superiority of the machine,—which has been but
partially introduced as yet in this town, so that they
cannot be said to have bad a fair chance. If multi-
plied in number and emplered more constantly, par-
ticularly when the streets are wet from rain, or from
artificial watering, their utility will be rendered manifest.
If large accumulations of mud are permitted either in
layers or heaps, it cannot be expected that any brushing
machine can remove it effectually ; but once establish a
regular system, and all such gatherings may be avoided,
and a high degree of cleanliness may be kept up. We
hope therefore that Mr. Whitworth's machine will, through
sanitary movements of the day, be more generally intro-
duced, and commend a perusal of his work to all town
councillors and others whose duty it is to consider the
health and comfort of their respective communities.
THE NEW IRON STEAM-SHIP " WHITEHA VEN."—
This vessel, built for the Whitehaven Steam Navigation
Company, to run in conjunction with the " Queen," and
launched in Deeember last, made a short trial trip on
Wednesday last down our northern channel and back,
having on board several gentlemen interested in her suc-
cess. The out was most agreeable, and the speed at-
tained, under some adverse circumstances, was such that
there can be no doubt but that she will take her place
amongst the fastest of our mercantile steam fleet. as she
in reality does amongst the most beautiful in appearance.
She was modelled by Mr. John Grantham, C.E., and
built by Messrs. Thomas Vernon and Co. The engines,
on the oscillating principle, are by the Butterley Company,
Derbyshire, and the whole, whether in bull, machinery,
fittings, or decorations, reflects the highest credit upon the
respective artists. She is neatly rigged as a three-masted
schooner. The length " over all" is 200 feet ; she is 520
tons, old measurement, and has engines of 280-horse
power. The cabins are richly and elaborately adorned,
and finished in the Flemish style of architecture. The
saloon is rich in decoration. The ground-work of the
walls is veneered in mahogany and rosewood. The upper
panelling is enriched by beautiful enamelled paintings or.
papier mache, enclosed within boldly projecting gilded
frame-work. The " Whitehaven" left this port, on her

first trip to Cumberland, on Thursday morning, at six
o'clock, and reached the harbour of Whitehaven about
half-past twelve at noon. At an early hour in the morn-
ing a number of well-dressed persons from various parts
of Cumberland were observed in the vicinity of the har-
bour, having, it is said, been impressed with the notion
that the vessel would arrive at ten o'clock. The day was
remarkably fine, though by no means sultry ; for though
the sun threw forth his rosy beams with considerable
force, a gentle breeze sprung up, so as to render the day
both propitious and refreshing. Towards twelve o'clock
both the piers were crowded with spectators of almost
every age and condition in life, from the wealthy owner of
bread extended acres down to the grimey sweep, anxious
to obtain a glimpse of one of the completest and most ex-
quisite models of naval architecture we ever witnessed.
About ten minutes past twelve o'clock the ship hove in
sight off St. Bees' Head, and fired a salute, which was re-
sponded to by the " Queen" steamer, lying in her berth
at the Sugar Tongue. In a moment all eyes were riveted
on the point of attraction, when the idol of the day was
observed floating on the bosom of the Solway in splendid
majesty. As-she hove down upon the harbour her guns,
which were heard booming at half-minute intervals, re-
verberated loudly among the hills, while her signals and
flags floated in the breeze from stern to stern. In about
twenty minutes she was abreast of the harbour, where she
fired a salute, and was responded to, as before, by the
" Queen." The inhabitants will be glad to learn that
Captain Thompson, whose skill as a navigator, and whose
attentions and politeness to passengers are well known
and appreciated, is appointed the commander, and is suc-
ceeded in the command of the " Queen," his late vessel,
by Captain Kennedy, who is respected by all that know
him, and that most deservedly.

LOCAL MEETINGS.

COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS,

The usual monthly meeting of the Council was held on
Wednesday. The Mayor presided.
The proceedings of the Finance Committee comprised
a recommendation to appoint Mr. J. H. Bally to the
situation of auditor ; a recommendation to purchase, for
the sum of £4650, about eight acres of land, formerly
part of the Newsham-house estate; and a recommenda-
tion to reduce tha charge for ferryage to and from the
Birkenhead Ferry to one penny for each person, with a
like reduction in respect to cattle, carriages, &c. Mr.
G. H. LAWRENCE, in moving the reduction of the
ferryage to Birkenhead to ld., regretted that the ferry
had been thrown on the hands of the Corporation. The
present arrangement was not satisfactory, and they were
compelled to try the experiment of reducing the rates.
In London there were many steamers running long dis-
tances for a penny.—Mr. PARKER moved that the subject
be referred back. He had figures to show that the Cor-
poration were losing £6OOO a-year by the ferry, and he
remonstrated against the way in which they had treated
Mr. Willougbby.—Mr. EVANS contended that it was the
duty of the Council to lower the rates of the ferry with-
out regard to individual interests.—On a division the
amendment was rejected by a majority of 22 to 16,—and
the ferryage was consequently reduced to ld.
In answer to a question by Mr. HARBORD, Mr. a H.
LAWRENCE said the Finance Committee were willing to
carry out their plans at Park-lane at the proper time.
The proceedings of the Health Committee were con-
firmed with the exception of a very long report from the
Borough Engineer, in which he recommended that an
outlay of £650,000 be made in draining and sewering the
town. This report is to be taken into consideration next
month.

Mr. Walthew's motion* as well as Mr. Parker's, (both
of which we gr.ve in our last,) were postponed until Wed-
nesday, (to-morrow.)
Mr. EARLE'S motion for laying out the great extent of
vacant land in the municipal borough on some regular
plan, with reference to existing and future streets, was
seconded by Mr. S. HOLME, and carried; after which the
Council adjourned.

FAILURE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE
PURCHASE OF BIRKENHEAD DOCKS.
A special meeting of the Dock Committee was held on
Tuesday, at 1 o'clock, Mr. J. Bramley-Moore in the chair,
for the purpose of having placed before the committee
that gentleman's account of the course of the negotiations
for the purchase of the Birkenhead dock estate. He stated
that the first communication upon the subject was made
by letter from Mr. Barnett to himself, in reply to which
he informed that gentleman that he was ready to receive
any overtures, and submit them to the Dock Committee.
The next was to Mr. Lace and himself from Mr. Gold-
smidth and other bondholders, expressing their wish to
negotiate. They had several meetings, subsequently, at
which the full amount of the Bonded Debt was demanded,
but it was not until the Monday—the day preceding
the meeting of the Committee—that they had a definite
offer which they could entertain. That offer was to take
£341,960 for the Estate, or 15s. in the pound upon
£455,000, made up as follows—
Subscribed by bond . £422,950
Other sources

£455,950

The estate had due to it—from the
Birkenhead Warehouse Company £50,000
Birkenhead Commissioners 55,000
They had expended in law expenses £30,000, and £63,000
was due for interest. In all this made a sum of £198,000
which the chairman thought he was justified in striking
out, leaving it to the parties to realise the money so ap-
plied. There was then £257,000 left. No credit, how-
ever, was taken for the money spent upon Woodside Pier ;
and the cost of the plant was now to be deducted. Tak-
ing Mr. Rendel's figures, which gave the extreme case,
£225,588 had been expended in works ; and, including the
plant, £286,385 was the utmost for which they could ne-
gociate. Upon this sum the chairman had offered 6s. Bd.
in the pound, which, presuming the amount lent should
be recovered, would make about 9s. 10d. in the pound
for the bondholders. The payment was to be 'n Liver-
pool Dock Bonds bearing interest at the rate of 4 per cent.
The offer was made by letter ; and the bondholders, met
in the City to receive it, returned for answer a refusal.
Here, therefore, the negociation ended.
Mr. Bramley-3loore's statement was listened to with
great attention ; and his conduct throughout the negocia-
tion was highly approved by the Committee, who left
with him full powers to entertain any further proposal
that might be made on the subject.
At the commencement of the proceedings the Chair-
man announced that the Liverpool Dock Bill had passed
the House of Lords.

BIRKENHEAD DOCK COMMISSIONERS.
On Wednesday the first meeting of the new board
of commissioners, after the election, took place. There
were present, of the old board, Messrs. Prichard, Ben-
tham, Nicholls, Hicklin, Fox, Adamson, Pike, Bry_
ans, Cole, and Greene. Of those elected on Tues-
day, Messrs. John Laird, Golborne, Jonathan, Wil-
liamson, Ravenscroft, J. Walker, D. Appleton, H.
Watson, Robert Hughes, and Stevenson. The ap-
pointment of chairman was then proceeded with, and
Mr. Laird, and Mr. Greene were nominated, but the
former was carried by a majority of ten to six.—Messrs.
Prichard, Ravenscroft, Golborne, Appleton, and Fox,
were appointed a Commercial Committee, and Messrs.
J. Laird, Bryans, Cole, Watson, Prichard, Ravenscroft,
and Adamson, a Works Committee; an amendment pro-
posed by Mr. Nicholls being lost.—Mr. Cole, as one of
the deputation to London, entered into an explanation as
to the state of the bills now before parliament; but
most of the facts are already known to the public. He
did not consider the negotiation entirely, at an end.—After
some discussion, Mr. Bryans proposed that Messrs. J.
Laird, Cole, and Pike form a committee to examine and
report on the amended bill for the alteration of the trust, that
they be empowered to meet the bondholders, and ar-
range respecting the transfer of the trust and the docks
to Liverpool, and to attend to and carry the bill through
parliament. Mr. Ravensoroft seconded the motion.. The
motion was eventually carried.—Messrs. Greene, Hicklin,
and Bentham were re-appointed a committee to arrange
with the Dock Warehouse Company for the payment of
the debt due to the Dock Commissioners. The meeting
then adjourned to Friday.

ADJOURNED MEETING.
The adjourned meeting was held, as appointed, on Fri-
day. Mr. Laird, the newly-appointed chairman, pre-
sided ; and there were present Messrs. Pritchard, Nicholls,
Hicklin, Bentham, Pike, Adamson, Cole, Bryans, Gol-
borne, Williamson, Ravenscroft, Appleton, Hughes, and
Stevenson.

The Law-clerk read the clauses of the amended act, re-
quiring that the trust should consist of 13 persons, viz.,
7 bondholders, 4 Commissioners of Birkenhead, and 2 of
Wallasey. The new act would confirm the powers of the
old one. The effect of the bill will be that several of the
trustees will remain in office till 1851. The various alter-
ations in the clauses were discussed, and one clause was so
amended as to require the monthly meeting to be held at
Birkenhead, but leaving a discretionary power to hold
meetings elsewhere, if necessary. It was decided that
either three or four should make a quorum. One clause
allowed sums of money to be borrowed for banking up
Wallasey. Pool, and all plans, &c., are to be submitted to
the Admiralty. One clause gave clear indemnity in re-
spect of all loans hitherto received. Another provided for
the protection of the Woodside Ferry, and others pre-
vented the trustees reducing the level of water below cer-
tain points. If the Liverpool dock trustees purchased the
dock, the bill would be unnecessary, but it was considered
advisable to proceed with it.
The election of four commissioners was discussed, but
it was agreed upon that the meeting should be adjourned
till Monday.
Mr. LAIRD produced the report of the committee up to
the 7th of June. He stated, that owing to the immense
expenditure occasioned by the retention of highly paid
functionaries, through a long period in which really no
work had been done, the question had arisen whether re-
trenchments could not be made ; and it had been pro-
posed to dispense with the services of Mr. Rendall, the
engineer, as well as those of Mr. Brown, and his two
clerks. It had been proposed to make these alterations
immediately. He explained that independently of `the
large salary paid to Mr. Rendel, and the heavy sums paid
for his travelling expenses, that gentleman made extra
charges which he was entitled to, but which they would
save were he to resign his duties at once. Mr. Brown
had gone to London, and charged his expenses, though he
declined to state the object for which he went. After
some discussion, a motion by Mr. Laird, in accordance
with what he had stated, in opposition to an amendment
by Mr. Bentham, to the effect that the officials referred
to should have timely notice, was carried. The meeting
then adjourned.

WEST DERBY BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—On Wednes-
day, the usual weekly meeting of the above board was held ' •
Mr. Roskell in the chair. Mrs. Ross, late of the Fever
Hospital, Liverpool, was appointed matron. On the mo-
tion of Mr. Appleby, it was ordered that the salary of Dr.
Whittle should be 305.• a week, and also that that gentle-
man should be put on the same footing as the other Kr-