The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-09-30 00:00:00

£609 14 8

The CHAIRMAN then rose and said,—His next toast which
he had to propose was that of the chairman of this society,
the Earl of Derby.
Drunk with three times three.
The next toast which he had to propose was the health of
Lord Stanley, No one regretted more than himself the ab-
sence of his lordship, but the duties which he had to perform
rendered that absence unavoidable.
The toast was drunk with three times three, and one cheer
more,
The next toast which he had to propose was the health of
the vice-presidents, of whom he himself was one. His col-
league, however, Mr. Sandbach, would reply to the toast.
Mr. SANDBACH said it became necessary for him to re-
spond to the toast, and he begged leave, in behalf of himself
and his colleagues to return thanks. For his own part he
had been too long engaged in other pursuits to make much.
progress in agriculture. He thought nothing conduced so
ranch to the health of the body and the vigour of the mind
as agriculture, and he should therefore pursue it as long as
he lived. He had no doubt that many individuals present
had tried the effects of guano manure, and that they could
give the results of their experiments. For his own part he
had tried a few experiments, and he would give the meeting
the results so far as he had an opportunity of trying it.
EXPERIMENTS IN GUANO.
Peas.-1 lb. to a row of ten yards, very few vegetated.
earrofs.—Three beds-1 lb., 2 lb., and 3 lb. applied ; the
first did pretty well, the second not so well, the third,
scarcely one came up.
Onions.—The same as carrots.
Field Turnips.—The first four drills 90 yards long—put 10
lbs. guano at the bottom of the drill without manure ; a
very good crop. The second four drills without manure—
Put 10 lbs. guano on the top of the drill with the seed ; very
few came up. Third four drills-5 lbs guano with manure
at the bottom of the drill ; did very well.
Arancrel Wurzel.—The same experiments as with Swedish
-
p ; much the same result.
Potatoes.—Put different quantities in different drills with
the sets, some without, and some with manure ; where the
the quantities of guano was most considerable, fewer pota-
toes came up, the blanks had to be filled with turnips.
Wheat—Eleven butts equal to one statute acre—sowed 21 lbs.
guano on a butt, and harrowed it in with the seed, and
21 lbs. upon the next but, when it began grow.
RESULTS:—
One but of guano wheat thrashed out by itself produced,
nearly b measures, or 313 lbs. The next but without guand,
measures, or 324 lbs.
The potatoes, turnips, and mangal wurzel, are not yet
; but, I observe the tops of potatoes with guano,
area very green in comparison with those without, the latter
taring to ripen sooner.
ve Pon the whole, I come to the conclusion that guano is a
better
valuable manure, where the proper application of it is
ee'rttter understood, but it requires great caution, as it will
ainlY destroy any seed that it is brought in immediate
enntact with.
sere is
far as my experiments go, I think, 2 cwt. per statute
'Lila the proper quantity.
GGa"l • NEILSON made some remarks upon the effect of the
0 ,4no manure. If applied along with the seed, it destroyed
in,wand the best effects were
inchprodued when it was harrowed
with- the soil. The Guano, is opinion, was a most
valuable manure.

PREMIUMS.
Prizes from the list we extract the following as adjudged to
Parties connected with this town and neighbourhood :
beTsto Robert Neilson, Esq., of Halewood, for making the
reservoir, for the reception of dungwater, £3.
For the best bull of any breed, under five years old, belong-
4, in any person within or beyond the limits of the society,
to Mr. Richard Almond of Standish.
ditto ditto, shorn two and under three years old, be-
._ Or
to any person within the limits of the society, .£l5,
`" Alchard Pilkington, Esq., of Windle Hall.

For ditto ditto, above one year and under two years old
£lO, to Mr. Richard Eastwood, of Burnley.
For the best bull of any breed, above two and under four
years old, belonging to any person solely dependent upon
farming, £lO, to Mr. Richard Percival, of Antrobus.
For the best bull of any breed, above one and under two
years old, belonging to any person solely dependent upon
farming, £5, to Mr. Michael Ashcroft, Bank Hall.
For the best cow or heifer of any breed, in milk or in calf,
£7, to Mr. Richard Almond, Standish.
For the second best ditto ditto, £4, to R. R. W. Barton,
Esq., Caldy, Birkenhead.
For the best two-year old stirk or heifer of any breed £5,
to Mr. Richard Almond, Standish.
For the second best ditto, £2, to Mr. Samuel Scotson
Toxteth-park.
For the ox of any breed showing the most symmetry, fat,
and weight, £5, to Mr. Richard Almond.
For the best stallion for the general purposes of agriculture,
£lO, to Mr. Daniel Massey, of Bartington.
For the best brood mare for ditto, ditto, £5, to Gilbert,
Greenall, Esq., Walton Hall, Cheshire.
For the best pen of three yearling long-wool ewes, £3, to
C. Whitfield Harvey, Esq., Walton.
For the second best pen of fat wethers, £l, to R. W.
Barton, Esq., of Caldy.
For the best pen of five fat ewes, £2, to R. W. Barton,
Esq„ of Caldy.
For the best boar of the large breed, not more than two
years old, £4, to Mr. William Ancell, Manchester.
For the best boar of the small breed, not more than two
years old, £4, to Mr. Brazelin Martin, Salford. _ _ _

For the second best boar, ditto ditto, £2, to Mr. John
Seddon, Salford. _ _

For the best breeding sow of the large breed, no more
than three years old, £2 10s., to Mc. John Bebbingtton,
Manchester.

For the second best sow, ditto ditto, £1 10s., to Mr. Prue,
Liverpool.
A medal to Mr. Byford, of Liverpool, fora sow and pigs.
For the best pair of draught horses employed in Liverpool,
£5, to Messrs. Henry Jump and Son, Liverpool.
To Mr. Robert Elliot, of Liverpool, for exhibiting an iron
plough, the medal.
To Mr. Cartmell, of Liverpool, for exhibiting a turnip
cutter, the medal.

ROYAL MAIL (WEST INDIA) STEAM-PACKET

COMPANY.

On Wednesday the adjourned meeting of the shareholders
in this company took place at the London Tavern, to con-
sider the matters contained in the report presented at tile
meeting on Wednesday week, and since put into general cir-
culation. The attendance was as numerous as on the last
occasion.

At one o'clock precisely Mr. J. Irving, M.P. the chair-
man, and Mr. Colville, the deputy-chairman, with the other
directors, took their places.
The Chairman opened the business of the day by observing
that it was his intention, and had been his desire, to address
some remarks to the shareholders now assembled on the
proceedings which took place at their last meeting, but he
regretted to say that a derangement of his health had totally
incapacitated him from fulfilling so important a duty. Ile,
therefore, trusted that the shareholders would excuse his
inability on the present occasion, and he proposed to transfer
the office of speaker to the deputy-chairman--a gentleman
who, he might almost say, had devoted his sole unremitting
attention to the affairs of the company. (Hear, hear.)
The deputy chairman said that without being desirous to
take credit for the praise bestowed upon him by the chair-
man, he wished at once to enter into the consideration of the
question about to come before the meeting, and in doing so
should feel it to be his duty to allude to one or two points
necessary to its elucidation. In the first place he should
state on the part of the directors, that they were quite ready
to declare their willingness to be open to vacancies in she
direction which could at the option of the shareholders be
filled by parties who, from their experience in matters con-
nected with steam navigation, could assist in the better con-
duct of the business of the company. Anotherpoint was the
accounts of the company annexed to the distributed repopt.
These must not be looked upon as audited and acknowledged
accounts for eight months ; it was impossible in an under-
taking of this magnitude to render those accounts complete
for the period described till the whole business of the com-
pany had got into good organization. They were merely
statements, and only as such might be dealt with, although
it was believed by the directors that they closely approxima-
ted to actual results. When the accounts were made up to
the 31st of December, they would be in regular course au-
dited, and put in a shape fit to be laid before the proprietors,
who would then have the opporthnity of inspecting and de-
liberating upon their contents. (Hear.) The wish of the
court was, that all their affairs should be thoroughly investi-
gated, and as far as this was indentified with the prnsent ac-
counts, he was ready to answer any questions which might
be put to him, as he had details prepared for that porpose,
The interests of the directors and shareholders were connec-
ted with each other, and it was far from the desire of the
former to conceal anything connected with the e "fairs of the
company. He was ready to go into the de of figures if
the meeting thought such a course necessary. (" Hear,"
and cries of " Yes.")

It being agreed that he should proeed with an examination
of the accounts, for the purposes of elucidation,
Ehe deputy chairman, in continuation, said, the estimate
of the restricted service was £235,000, exclusive of insurance,
and was made upon the calculation of the working of the
eight months, and in the opinion of the directors they had
made ample allowance for all required contingencies. The
receipt of £240,000, under contract from the government,
was, in the first place, beyond a doubt, a secure return, and
then the conveyance of 50 passengers on the average by each
steamer would, after deducting th cost of maintenance, &c.,
leave about £%,000. They founded this calculation on the
prospect that already awaited them. By their packet of the
Ist proximo, 74 passengers would proceed to the West In-
dies; and by the Teviot, 45 passengers had already departed.
For the steamer of the Ist, they had been obliged to refuse
many applications, inasmuch as that appeared to have been
the more convenient period for parties who are now about to
visit the West Indies to take their trips. The directors had
every hope, that when the voyages were punctually made, all
their branches of traffic would increase. For thefreightage of
specie, they had, in the first instance, put down £56,000, but
they now thought it would be prudent to reduce it to £30,000.
For other other freightage and intereolonial trade, they estima-
ted the proceeds at £12,000; for the freightage of quicksilver,
£12.000. with other smaller items. In the couass of the
new scale of service, it would be found they came in contact
with the island of St. Thomas, ane from this source, he and
the other directors had no doubt a good trade for small
packages would be made. The deputy chairman then ad-
duced a mass of figures, to show the prospects which in the
opinion of the directors awaited the shareholders under the
revised estimate, the general result of which, if we heard
rightly, was a calculation of large profits. He now proceeded
to address the shareholders on the mooted dissolution of the
company, and said he thought it would be one of the most
reckless courses ever adopted in a concern of the importance
in which they were engaged. He asked them, who would
buy their property without a depreciation was submitted to,
or would be found to take their stores, &c., at anything like
the value paid for them ? It was te their invested property
they must look for a return, but that return would not be
secured if they proposed to abandon the modified plan
which government bad tried for the next six months.
He should himself be sorry, if such a course was de-
termined on, of ever being connected himself with a
body of men who would so treat an undertaking of the
magnitude and importance in which they were now en-
gaged. He wished forcibly to impress upon their minds
the great advantages which accrued to trade by the facilities
afforded by steam navigation, and would also draw their
attention to the manner in which no doubt (although he was
not authorised to say so) the Government would be inclined
to view their endeavours when it was seen that they were
really sincere in carrying out the plan. If they persevered
in the attempt they bad began, for the period of the six
months proposed by themselves and the government, they
might fairly look forward for increased support, and be in a
situation to ask that favour at the hands of the contractors
which otherwise they would not be entitled to. Should the
shareholders propose the other course, he could characterize
t as nothing less than s suicide, (hear, hear,) for here was
the height of their season commencing, which would test the
practicability of the new scale. The six months would end
in March ; and the directors proposed, if it met with the
concurrence of the meeting, to call the shareholders toge-
ther, and take their opinion what would be the best to be
done or the results then developed. (Hear, hear.) In con-
clusion, he pressed upon the attention of the meeting the ne-
cessity of carrying out the plan at present proposed,
Mr. Poynder said he was much gratified by the speech
delivered by the deputy chairman, since it convinced him
there was no real cause for the dismay which appeared to
have filled the public mind on this subject. He was satisfied,
from what he had now beard, that the shareholders need not
continue the alarm they evinced at the first meeting, since,
although unfortunately the company had had great difficulties
to contend with, brighter prospects were in store for them.
He had been disappointed as much as any person at the re-
sults which the undertaking for the present exhibited, but
these were not what the undertaking, in his opinion, would
ultimately yield ; and as he was pretty well convinced that
success would attend it, if unanimity prevailed among the
proprietary, he should propose a resolution which he had
prepared to that effect. The resolution was as follows :
" The paoprietors having taken into consideration the
report of the directors laid before them at a general
meeting specially convened for the purpose on Wednes-
day, the 21st instant, and having heard the chairman and
deputy-chairman on various points brought under their no-
tice, beg to state that, whilst they deeply regret the losses
hitherto sustained by the company, and the consequent dis-
appointment to the company; yet, confiding in the opinion
expsessed by the directors in their report, ' that the receipts
from passage-monies and freights, together with £210,000
which will continue to be received from Government, will be
adequate for a dividend on tbekfuture operations of the com-
pany,' and which opinion was confirmed by the chairman in
his address to the proprietors, they do not think it expedient
to advert further at this time to their losses ; but being
fully impressed with the absolute necessity and great na-
tional importance of maintaining and uphoidin,g a steam-
packet communication at this et isis with the British colonies
in the West Indies, they deem it advisable to urge upon the
Court of Directors to persevere in their endeavours to per-
fect and accomplish the great objects for which the company
was established ; and they respectfully suggest to the court
to avail itself of the further assistance of such professional
persons as are most experienced in the machinery and
con-
struction of vessels navigated by steam. The proprietors
also trust that in future the directors will cJuvene a public
meeting of the company once in every six months, and lay
before them a report of their proceedings and a statement of
accounts made up to the latest period. And influenced by
these considerations, the proprietors now beg to assure the
directors of thefr earnest desire to co-operate with them in
every laudable endeavour to advance the prosperity of the
company, and the great national interests involved in its
success." (Hear, bear.)
Mr. D. Barclay, who coincided with the views expressed
by Mr. Poynder, seconded the resolution.
An amendment for the apointment of a committee of en-
quiry was moved by Mr. Liggins, and seconded by Sir F.
Austin, but rejected by a considerable majority. The origi-
nal motion was carried by a majority of from 60 to 70.
The result was hailed with loud applause.

HIGH-PRESSURE POLITICS.—From a statement made in
the United States House of Representatives recently, it
appears that a man in the State of New York was appointed
to the office of postmaster for the avowed and sole reason
that he was " a steam-boat in politics," and of the high-
pressure order.
-

GREAT COURAGE.—A couple of heroes of Detroit, who
were ready to split, lately went over to the Canada side to
shoot each other. They exchanged five shots each, but could
not hit ; so, having exhausted their ammunition, they ad-
journed sine die, but without any signs of dying.
" PAT WAS LOVED BY ALL THE LADIES."—One Paddy
M'Grath has recently been indicted in New York for marry-
ing seven wives! without waiting for even one of them to
die, as the law directs. His only excuse was that they all
like him so well that he couldn't help marrying them.
THE PRICE OF BREAD.—Trvists have taken a turn ; and
cottages have come down in some places, owing to the fall in
bricks, which continue to give way rapidly. A baker near
one of the bridges has not had a roll over, which is to be
accounted for by his having come down in regular steps to a
level with the lower class of consumers. Plaster of Paris is
in some demand, and there have been some mysterious
transactions in sawdust by the baker who liberally deals with
the workhouse.—Punch.