The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-10-11 00:00:00

LOCAL NEWS.

THE LATE FIRE.—We yesterday had an opportunity o
inspecting six beautiful lithographic views illustrative of this
melancholy occurrence. They are all upon the same sheet—
the top one representing the appearance of the fire when at
its height, and the lower one the present aspect of the scene
of devastation, whilst the others delineate several spots par-
ticularly striking in the ruins. The whole are produced in a
very creditable style of art, and, as may be seen from the
advertisement, can be procured at a very moderate price by
all who are desirous of possessing a memento of this dis-
astrous event.

STAFFORD SPECIAL COMMISSION.—The judges appointed
by the special commission for the trial of the Staffordshire
rioters are still engaged in their important investigations.
On Friday and Saturday, Sir N. Tindal was occupied with
the trial of the parties who assisted in burning the house of
the Rev. Mr. Aitkin, at Hanley. The case for the prisoners
closed on Saturday night, and the Solicitor-General was to
reply yesterday (Monday). The trials of a great number of
prisoners have terminated, but the sentences are deferred.
CAUTION TO PUBLICANS AND BEER-ROUSE KEEPERSB
—On Friday, no fewer than twenty-seven keepers of inns.
and beer-houses were summoned before Mr. Rushton, at
the Police-court, nearly the whole for selling liquors at
illegal hours on Sunday, a few only being charged with other
offences. Of these fifteen were fined 305., and costs 4s. 6d.,
for the general offence; one (by his own account a jerry-wag
dealer in a cellar) was fined 60s. and costs, for entertaining a
large number of persons, including some bad characters, on
the same day of the week ; four for refusing admittance to
the police-officers when they knocked after hours, 40s. and
costs • and seven were acquitted, on sundry defences,
though several of them had a narrow escape, and were in-
formed that the same excuse would not serve them on a se-
cond occasion.

I :BAPTISM OF JEWISH CONVERTS.—Again one of those
interesting ceremonies, the introduction of three Jewish
converts into the Christian Church, by baptism, is (D.V.)
to take place at All Saints' Church this evening. The ser-
vice will be performed by the Rev. H. S. Joseph, who will
preach a sermon on the occasion. We trust it will not
again be said that little or nothing is doing amongst the
members of the House of Israel in this town. The " Jewish
Institution for Inquiring and Converted Jews" doubtless
forms a most useful centre point, to which doubting or
enquiring Jews are at once pointed, and from which we can
say, of our actual knowledge, many have been brought to
the light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is also
interesting to see the work carried on, in so great a measure,
by their own brethren of the Hebrew nation, the rev. gen-
tleman who is to perform the ceremony, the superintendent
of the Jewish Institute, and the principal teacher, being
all converted Jews. Well may we wish them God speed in
the glorious work.
FlRE.—Yesterday morning, about three o'clock, a fire was
discovered to have broken out in the office of Mr. Adcock,
South Castle-street. The alarm was instantly conveyed to
the fire-engine station, and in a few minutes Mr. Whitty,
Mr. Hewitt, and Mr. Leveritt were on the spot with engines,
water-carts, and a strong body of firemen ; and in about
twenty minutes the fire was totally extinguished. The pro-
perty in the office was removed as soon as it could be reached
by the police ; and the only damage done was the burning of
a part of the floor. The fire is supposed to have originated
from some sparks from a chimney in the neighbourhood,
which was observed to be on fire on Sunday afternoon. Mr.
Adcock is the gentleman who has proposed to submit some
propositions to, the Common Council for the speedy extin-
guishment of fires. We mention the fact merely as some-
what singular, as no blame is, it appears, attributable in this
instance to any one connected with the premises.

QUEEN ADELICIA AND THE LADIES OF ENGLAND !-It
will be remembered that two of our most amiable and talented
Queens—Adelicia and Matilda—were celebrated for their
exquisite skill in Fancy Needle-Work, and to this list we may
add the lovely and adored Sovereign who now reigns over us.
The embroidery displayed during the late Masque and recent
tour of her Majesty, has been of the most recherche descrip-
tion ! and those who have curiosity on such subjects (and
who has not ?) will hail with eagerness the ample and charm-
ingly illustrated brochure just published by Mr. C. Mitchell,
London, entitled " A GUIDE TO FANCY NEEDLE-WORK
AND EMBROIDERY." Some idea may be formed of the
comprehensiveness of this little work, from the fact that the
History of the Art—the practice of it (with the latest im-
provements)—Embroidery of all kinds, and the subjects to
which it is adaptc,d—a theory of Colour and Design—and a
Dissertation upon Wools, Silks, &c. &c., are to be found
within its pages. And certainly, with so many reeommenda
tions (together with its small price, ls.) as a Work Table or
Embroidery Frame Campanion, every lady should possess it;
and it should be de rigeur with every gentleman to present
it as a token of esteem."

11 ANf I ITO:\ CONC ERT. —This tweomplished singer
has advertied a concert, to take p;.we at the Royal Assembly
Rooms. She has secured tlu valuable assistance of Mr.
W. Weiss, and Mr. Harrison, of London. It is expected
there will be a room full of fa,hionable company. The
programme is very attractive.
THE -THEATRE LA Z ARV .—A very entertaining exhibi-
bitica opens to-morrow evening, at the Portico. It consists
of Thiodon's theatre of art and other curious mechanical
contrivances. We understand that the varieties to be sho‘e
are ad infinitum.
CHESTER AND BIRKENHEAD RAILWAY. —A meeting of
the shareholdars in this undertaking was held yesterday, at
twelve o'clock, at the Clarendon-rooms. Only seven share-
holders were present, as the meeting was only convened pro
forma, in compliance with the act of parliament. No busi-
ness was transacted, and the meeting .vas adjourned to the
9th February next.
MILDNESS OF THE SE A SON.—As a proof cf the extra-
ordinary mildness of the season, we yesterday had brought
to the office a leaf of remarkably fine and delicious straw-
berries. They exhibited all the rich and full-grown appear-
ance of summer fruit. We understand that whilst a large
number of the plants are yielding their second crop, a great
many others are covered with blossom. the plants are all
in the open air, and are growing in the garden of Robertson
Gladstone, Esq., at Roby.
Crruncn OF ENGLAND SCHOOL SOCIETY.—A meeting
of this valuable society is announced in another column to be
held on Thursday next. In calling the attention of all
friends of Scriptural education to the subject, we may take
the opportunity of correcting a foolish error which exists in
the minds of many respecting the source from which the
funds are derived for the support of these schools. It is
thought by many, that since the establishment of sound in-
struction within the schools under the control of our local
authorities, the management and support of the seminaries
of the Church of England School Society have devolved, at
least in a great measure, upon the corporation. Such, how-
ever, is quite contrary to the fact ; the schools being ex-
clusively maintained by voluntary contributions, and the
committee being at this moment, we are informed, consider-
ably in debt. We need say no mr,re to commend these
valuable institutions to the Protestant public. The number
of children at present receiving instruction through their
medium attests at once their utility and efficiency.
LONG RAILWAY TRAIN.—The arrival of the half-past
seven o'clock train from Manchester yesterday morning
somewhat astonished the quiet people of the " good old
town." Upon the opening of the gates by which passen-
gers leave the station, such a shoal of policemen, superin-
tendents, constables, lawyers, and other authoritative-look-
ing gentlemen, burst upon the view, that people ignorant of
the sitting of the special commission for the trial of the
Lancashire rioters, which had called for their presence,
might have imagined that the newly-incorporated borough
of Manchester had taken a fancy for some of our public
buildings, for our eloquent stipendiary, our town-clerk, his
Mightiness Mr. Commissioner Dowling, or Mr. Whitty,
and had sent down " the force" to bear them off vi et armis.
The train, v/e understand, which brought this invasion to
our town, consisted of 18 or 19 carriages, being 8 or 9 more
than can stand at once in the station, and was drawn by one
engine; and the passengers were in all 308 in number, viz.,
from Manchester 260, Preston 8, Bolton 39, and St. Helens
I,—being considerably more than the number usually tra-
velling at this period of the year. Other trains throughout
the day, we believe, were similarly loaded. It is fortunate
that the new tariff, with respect to foreign pork, &c., came
into operation yesterday ; or what must have been the ad-
vance in butcher's meat?
QUALIFICATIONS OF MASTERS AND MATES.—A public
meeting of shipmasters was held yesterday week, in the
rooms of the Shipmasters' Association, Old Hall-street, to
consider the provisions of the bill introduced into parlia-
ment, by Captain Fitzroy, R.N., for appointing boards for
the examination of masters and mates in the merchant ser-
vice. Captain Midgley was called to the chair. Mr. ?Moss,
secretary of the Shipmasters' Association, read the bill,
which proposes that boards of examiners should be estab-
lished in London, Liverpool, Bristol, Hull, Plymouth,
Glasgow, Cork or Belfast, Newcastle or Sunderland, and
Aberdeen or Dundee. These boards are to meet once a
month, or oftener, if necessary, for the purpose of granting
certificates of qualifications or exemption to all persons who
shall apply for, and be found entitled to them. The certifi-
cates are to be of two descriptions, those for masters and
those for chief mates, and there are to be three classes of
the aforesaid descriptions—namely, first.class, over sea, and
coasting certificates. The charge for certificates to masters
is to be—for the first class, which is to be granted only to
per sons of superior professional attainment, £4; over sea,
£ ; coasting £2. For chief mates, £1 10s. ; over sea, £1
coasting, £los. Persons at present in the command of ves-
sels are to be allowed either to apply to _be examined for a
qualification, or they may apply for a certificate of exemption.
In six months after the passing of the proposed bill, it is to
be unlawful for any person not having a certificate of quali-
fication or exemption to take the command of any vessel
above 50 tons burthen, sailing from the ports of Great Bri-
tain. The examiners are to be appointed by the owners,
,e
each of whom is to have a vote for every vessel above 50
tons owned by him. Heavy penalties are imposed for vio-
lation of the act. Mr. W. Rowett addressed the meeting on
the importance of the subject, and on the necessity of ship-
masters acting in concert, if they wished to obtain any altera-
tion in the clauses, some of which were looked upon to be
objectionable. Captain Caldbeck thought that each Ail,'
holder should be confined to a single vote in the election of
examiners, and moved a resolution to that effect, which was
seconded by Captain Ashton, and carried by a large majority.
Mr. Rowett suggested that there should be appended to the
resolution, " and that each shipmaster of the first, second,
and third class, and of the exempted class, shall have -a vote
in the election of examiners under the bill." The mover
and seconder agreed to the incorporation of the proposed
addition, which met with the unanimous approval of the
meeting. A good deal of desultory conversation took place,
in the course of which strong opinions were expressed as to
the injustice of making the master pay the fee for his diploma
• or certificate, and it was intimated that either the shipowner
or the government ought to bear the expense. As ten o'clock
approached, the meeting appointed a committee to commu-
nicate with Captain Fitzroy, and to watch the progress of the
bill. The committee is to consist of the following persons
W. Potter, Esq. ; J. Formby, Esq.; Charles Holland, Esq.;
, H. C. Chapman, Esq ; William Rowett, Esq.; James
Spence, Esq. ; Mr. Irvine, Mr. Tomlinson, Capt. Hugh
Price, R.N. ; Captains Hunt, D. Smith, Williams, Midgley,
Caldbeck, and 111413 ride. On the motion of Captain Gard-
ner, seconded by Captain Lewis, the meeting then adjourned
until this day, when the clauses of the bill will be further
examined.
. „ _

SUPPRESSION OF FIRES.

The following is a copy of the memorial on the late de-
structive fire sent to the Town Council by the American
Chamber of Commerce :

i-T(TTiIE--MAIDIT.,ALDERMEN, AND BURGESSES OF TON
BOROUGH OF LIVERPOOL, IN COUNCIL ASSEMBLED•
" THE MEMORIAL OF THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COM'
MERCE, LIVERPOOL,
" Respectfully showeth,—That your memorialists desire to
bring under the consideration of the Council, as guardians of
the town, the alarming state of insecurity in which both life
and property are placed, in consequence of the very inade-
quate means which at present exist for the prevention an
speedy suppression of fires, especially from the want of no
immediate and abundant supply of water.
" That this want has frequently been admitted and la-
!Dented on former occasions of destructive fires, and has again
been exemplified at the recent calamitous conflagration in
the neighbourhood of the Borough Gaol.
" That independent of the deplorable sacrifice of human
life, and the consequent misery brought upon many poor
families, the enormous loss occasioned by fire, (amounting,
during the last forty-seven years, to upwards of £1,900,000,/
and the value of property in the town liable to destruction
from that cause, (estimated at not less than twenty-six mil'
lions,) demand the most prompt and energetic efforts to
guard against the recurrence of similar losses ; and your Me,:
rnorialists trust that the feeling of alarm and insecurity which
has been aroused by the late melancholy event will not be
permitted, as on former occasions, to subside, without the
establishment of the best means of prevention for the future
that human wisdom can devise.
" That, owing to the defective and insecure construction
of many of the warehouses in which the valuable merchan-
dise in the town is stored ; the narrowness of many of the
streets in which they are built ; their proximity to small te-
nements and places in which hazardous trades are carried no
the injudicious stowage of goods liable to combustion along
with others of an inflammable nature •, the use of insecure
lights in warehouses ; and the custom of smoking by porters,
employed in them (which, owing to the defective system 0'
management, has not hitherto been effectually suppressed);
and, above all, the inadequate supply of water, Liverpool is
exposed more than any other town in the kingdom to the
ravages of fire,—no less than five hundred and seventy-nine
instances having occurred within the five years ending in
December last.
" That, in consequence of the greater risk, the insurance
companies have from time to time increased the premiunil
for insurance of goods and warehouses in Liverpool beyoo°
the rates charged in other parts of the kingdom. Previously
to 1826 the premium on floating policies was 2s. 6d. per cent'
In that year, in consequence of heavy losses, the premium
was increased to 7s. per cent., and again, in 1833, to 125"
but with a promise of a revision of the rates whenever so
effective supply of water, engines, and firemen, should be.
secured at the public expense. In 1837, on the establishment
of a rival local insurance office, the premium was reduced to
10s., at which it continued till the late fire ; but now, in coo'
sequence of that event, the London insurance offices have
raised the premium to 18s. per cent., a rate which imposes
upon Liverpool an annual charge of £lOO,OOO, at lenst,
beyond the cost of insuring the same amount of property
London, where the premium on a general floating policy 0,1
4s. 6d. per cent., being only one fourth of the rate charged
in Liverpool. So great, indeed, is the risk considered,
especially at the north end of the town, that some of the
leading London offices have directed their agents not t°
insure warehouses or goods to the north of the Exchange 0°
any terms.
" Your memorialists would bear willing testimony to the
admirable discipline and efficiency of the Fire Police Force,
but their skill and their patient endurance of hardship, .el;
erted at the imminent hazard of their lives, are exerclee:i
comparatively in vain, so long as their efforts are neutralize'
or inadequately supported in consequence of defective o,l'
rangements in other respects, especially in regard to toe
means of furnishing a prompt and abundant supply of water.
" Your memorialists would earnestly appeal to the Town'
council, in the confident hope that they will take every Pcac;
ticable step to prevent the recurrence of such evils, and tol;
they will call upon the Parish Authorities and he Dock
Committe to co-operate with them in an energetic plan ;'„
prevention and precaution as to the future, not merely
guard against the loss of life, and serious destruction of
property to the town and country at large, such as Oa!
caused by the late and former fires, but as essential to am
trade of the town, which can only be retained and secured be
measures that will lessen the expenses of the port, and OT
greater confidence to those who contribute to its prosPel
" The points to which your memorialists would especie
draw your attention are, the widening of streets where war
,
houses are built •, greater security in the mode of constructing
them, especially by the prevention of internal communication'
and by the use of iron doors and windows; their separation
e
from buildings in which hazardous trades are carried on ;
adoption of scientific inventions for the more powerful Pte;
jection of water; and, above all, the means of securing e_",
1
ample supply from the higher parts of the town, which 0",,,,t1e
at once be brought to bear upon the loftiest buildings. "__
classification of warehouses, according to their degree of 0;,
curity, as to locality, construction, &c. (on a similar prineilm;
to the classification of ships at Lloyd's), would also be
valuable improvement on the present system.
"That such precautionary measures will, in the commence:
ment, increase the local taxation of the town, your menn.o_
rialists are well aware, but, considering the magnitude of tb!
interests at stake, and the comparative insignificance of to,
thc;
cost of the remedy, your memorialists feel assured, that sue
portions of the community, who value the prosperity, 7
may say the security, of the town of Liverpool, will at on.
see the absolute necessity of supporting the Council in seti
ing, if they do not now possess, the necessary authority and
means means for the protection of the lives of the inhabitants an
of the property on which their welfare depends.
" Signed by order, and on behalf of, the American Cham-
ber of Commerce of Liverpool,
" THOMAS TODD, President.
" Liverpool, Ist October, 1842."

THE LANCASHIRE RIOTERS.--We were informed yester-
day that it is the intention of Feargus O'Connor, the
James Scholefield, and one or two other rioters to alit;
their right of traverse; and in such case they will not .
tried until the next assizes.