The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-04-15 00:00:00

LOCAL NEWS

CASTLE-STREET WARD POOR FUND.—It will be recol-
lected, that during the great distress prevalent in Liverpool
during the winter months, subscriptions were raised in
several of the wards for the relief of the poor. We have
pleasure in announcing, that in Castle-street ward the large
sum of £434 7s. 2d. was raised, which was placed under the
management of a committee for distribution, who undertook
'the arduous task of visiting the poor at their own houses, in
order to ascertain the true extent of the distress, which was
found to be greatest in Preston•street, Crosshall-street,
and that neighbourhood. The result of their labours was
the distribution of
12,2561hs
13,308 "..
880 cwt.
547 bushels...... Potatoes,
At a cost of £277 4s. 11d., leaving a balance of £157.25. 3d.
(now in the bank), for some future emergency.

- -
THE VISITATION ROUTE.—The Rev. and Worshipful
Henry Raikes, Chancellor of the Diocese, will hold his
courts of visitation, for the purpose of admitting Church
and Chapel Sidesmen, and for the probate of wills, and grant-
ing letters of administration of intestates' effects at the time
sod places undermentioned :
_ _

Wednesday, May 4, Chester .... at 12 at noon.
Friday, " 6, Nantwich .. at 9 in the morning.
Friday, " 6, Middlewich at lin the afternoon
Saturday, " 7, Macclesfield at 9in the morning.
Saturday, " 7, Stockport .. at lin the afternoon,

Monday,. " 9, Manchester at 11 in the morning.
Tuesday, " 10, Bolton., at 9in the morning.
Tuesday, " 10, Blackburn at 2in the afternoon.
Wednesday, " 11, Chorley 'at 9in the morning.
Wednesday, " 11, Wigan at lin the afternoon.
Thursday, " 12, Ormskirk at 9in the morning.
Thursday, " 12, Liverpool at 2in the afternoon.
Monday, " 16, Frodsham at lin the afternoon.
THE REJECTED PORTIONS Or SCRIPTIIRE.—The evan-
gelical clergy of this town are adding another to the many
good services they have rendered to the progress of religious
truth, by calling attention to those portions of scripture
which our soi disant liberals in council and elsewhere would,
if they had their own way, withhold from the perusal of the
rising generation. Few persons are aware of the extent to
which they would deprive the young of the means of pious
instruction ; but the statement, when published, will fully in-
form them on the subject. We are already enabled to say,
that the list is headed by the 19th 38th and 39th chapters of
Genesis ; the 15th, 18th and 20th of Leviticus • the 22d of
Deuteronomy ; the 23d of Ezekiel, &c., &c. The whole, we
doubt not, will meet with special attention in serious fa-
milies.

LENDING NEWSPAPERS—CAUTION.—We have been in-
formed, that it is the practice with many of the news-agents
and others in this town to let out copies of the LIVERPOOL
STANDARD for hire, charging generally a penny per hour.
This is a direct fraud upon us; and we have come to a de-
termination, in which we are supported by our local contem-
poraries, to obtain a conviction against any person so offend-
ing. By the 29th Geo. 111, c. 50, it is declared that "No
hawker of a newspaper or other person shall let a newspaper
for hire to any person or different persons, on pain of for-
feiting £5." We are adopting measures to put a stop to
this practice, as far as regards our own publication. We have
our rttention fixed on two or three offending persons, and
shall make an example of them before long.
LECTURES ON THE CREED OF POPE PIUS FOURTH.—
As the Rev. Hugh Stowell is to deliver the lecture at the
Music-hall this evening, we fully anticipate a crowded meet-
ing to hear the eloquent appeal which may be expected from
that noble defender of the faith and courageous protestor
against the'novelties of Pope Pius.
THE LIVERPOOL TIMES AND DUTCH BUTTER.—OOT
whig contemporary of. Tuesday has not discovered the longi-
tude or the philosopher's stone, but he has discovered a thing
nearly as important, viz., the reason of the Dutch farmers
being able to compete in price and quality with our own in
the article of butter, notwithstanding the existing protection
of 20 per cent. in favour of the native producer.
" We have understood," remarks the. Times," tbedifference
in the price of sugar in Holland and Ireland has a good deal to
do with the difference in the quality of salted butter. Sugar,
as every one knows, is almost as good a preservative as salt,
and the Dutch having plenty cf sugar at a cheap rate, are
able to use a considerable quantity of it in preserving their
butter, whilst owing to the dearness of that article in Ireland,
it is impossitle for the. Irish madufacture to use it for that
purpose. This we have understood is the principal reason of
the superiority of Dutch butter."
Now if the question had been one of Everton toffee or sugar-
plums, we would readily have admitted the possibility that
the price of sugar bad something to do with the matter. But
we would just as soon believe that the mischievous tricks of
Robin Goodfellow—

" that knavish sprite,
That frights the maidens of the villageree,
Skims milk, and sometimes labours in the quern,
And bootless makes the breathless huswife chern"—
are our impediments in the race of competition with the
Dutchman in butter-making, as " the dearness of the article
of sugar in Ireland." Our contemporary's mania for cheap
sugar and lollipops makes him utter strange absurdities.

• •
RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—On Wednesday evening one of the
trains on the North Union Railway, whilst going at full
speed, near the Euxton station, unfortunately knockd down
one of the rural police force, and the whole of the carriages
went over his body. The poor fellow was taken up quite
dead, his body being literally cut to pieces.
THE OXFORD CIRCUIT.—MR. JUSTICE GRESSWELL.—
Gloucester assizes concluded on Friday. The law reporter
of the Morning Post says—" We cannot conclude our re-
ports of the proceedings during the circuit without tendering
our tribute of admiration to the high judicial talent which
has bee,i throughout displayed by the last appointed judge.
We are but echoing the universal feeling of satisfaction which
the bar and the public have expressed in the auspicious com-
mencement of the judicial career of Mr. Justice Cresswell,
vs hen we say that he has more than justified, as judge, the
high expectations formed of him from the position which he
has for so many years filled at the bar, and that he has left
throughout this circuit a strong and general conviction of the
wisdom of the selection which conferred on him the high-
deserved honour of a seat upon the English bench."
IMPORTANT FROM NEW GRENADA.—CESSATION OF
HOSTILITIES.—We received this afternoon, through Nk. at-
im's telegraph, the following important intelligence :—" Off
Cape Clear, April B.—The Diana, from Savanilla for Liver-
pool, arrived here at four p.m. to-day, forty days out. On
the day she sailed (Feb. 20,) peace had been proclaimed.
General Carmona and General Heran, the president of New
Grenada, had met, and entered into an arrano-ement for the
cessation of hostilities. H.M.S. Comus had arrived, and
was lying at Savanilla when the Diana left."—Tuesday's
Shipping Gazette.

THE BLUNDELL ESTATE.—Proceedings have been insti-
tuted, and are now in progress in the Court of Chancery, for
the administration of the estate of the late Charles R. Blun-
dell, of Ince Blundell, in the county of Lancaster, Esq.
Mr. Blundell's personal estate was considerably more than
£200,000. By his will, which was made in 1831, he left
£5,000 to the plaintiff, the Rev. Mr. Walsh, a Roman Ca-
tholic priest, for Oscott College, in Staffordshire ; to the
Rev. Mr. Robinson, who was also a Roman Catholic priest,
he left £4,000, for Ampleforth College, in Yorkshire; and
£4,000 for Downside College, in Somerset ; and £4,000 for
Old Hall Green College, in Herts ; and £15,000 for the use
of Roman Catholic priests in and near London ; and £2,000
for Lydiate Roman Catholic Chapel. And he left annuities
to two other priests. The Rev. Mr. Robinson died in the
testator's life-time, and the Rev. Mr. Cockshot, the president
of Ampleforth College, and the Rev. Mr. Cox, the president
of Old Hall Green College, have presented petitions for pay-
ment to themselves of the legacies to these seminaries. It
is said that information had been filed as to the other chari-
table legacies. Objections have been made to the present
payment of the legacies to the seminaries, on the ground
that it may turn out that they were Jusuit establishments
which were contrary to law.
LAUNCH OF AN IRON STEAM FRIGATE:—On Tuesday
last, a beautiful iron steam frigate, for her Majesty's service,
was launched frAn the iron-shipbuilding yard of Mr. John
Laird, North Birkenhead. The day was fine, and the curi-
osity excited to witness the launch of a large vessel of war,
built of a material which has comparatively but recently been
introduced in the construction of our national marine, but
which has already been found to be admirably adapted for an
important branch of the service, drew to the spot a large and
respectable assemblage of spectators, from the vicinity, on
this as well as the Chshire side of the Mersey. Much ad-
miration was expressed by connoisseurs of the beauty of her
model, which seems to combine all those requisites in form
that delight the eye of the mariner,—giving the utmost pro-
mise of safety in all weathers, adaptation for carrying a press
of sail when required, and speed .whether under steam or sail,
or both. She has a most insinuating entrance, anti a run so
gradually fining away from the fulness of the bilge, that it
is difficult- to detect where if liegins, Fier bottom (as is
usual in iron-built vessels) is put together with lapped or
clencher joints, in smooth plates, gently sheering from stem
to stern ; her top sides. with carvel or flush joints ; and
she resembles, on the whole, a light and elegant yacht. The
following are her dimensions and steam power :
Length on deck l9O feet.
Beam
Tonnage , 800 tons.
Engines
She will carry two sixty-eight pound pivot guns, one forward
and the other aft. These were in the yard, preparatory to
mounting, and are truly " murderous '-looking pieces of
artillery. Before the launch, many parties had an opportu-
nity of minutely inspecting, the bull, the faithful workman-
ship and high finish of whirl, in the plating, mouldings, &c.,
was the theme of general remark. But for the lapped joints,
indeed, (and these have a pleasing appearance,) there was
nothing to indicate that her sides were not each formed of a
single huge plate. The interior was an object of not less
curiosity. She has six water-tight bulkheads, dividing her
into seven compartments. The deck and paddle beams are
all of iron, and the whole of her fastenings ingeniously con-
trived to impart strength with comparative lightness of ma-
terial. The fittings and accommodations will be the same
as those on board her Majesty's steam frigates of a similar
class ; and we shall furnish some details of them, when they
are completed. She is the first iron vessel regularly built
and equipped as a steam frigate ; arid her masts and rigging
(all of which were fitted before the launch) are adapted for
carrying more sail than is usual in vessels with steam power.
Sbe was gaily decorated with numerous national and other
flags, and a large assemblage occupied her deck. Lady Cust,
of Leasowe Castle, undertook the office of " christening "
the vessel ; and about half-past eleven o'clock she went off
in beautiful style, taking the water with the lightness and
grace of a swan. She is rigged as a two-masted schooner,
with a large foretopsail, &c., and looked, when afloat, ex-
ceedingly rakish and mischievous; such a craft, indeed, as,
though acknowledged to be beautiful by our countrymen,
will doubtless, like the Nemesis, be considered " an ugly
customer" by those of their enemies who may have the mis-
fortune to fall in her way. Before launching, a sight was
nut up at each end of the vessel, and a third one between
them, to ascertain if she at all altered her shape when afloat.
It appeared that there was not the slightest deviation,—
thus proving the great strength and firmness of her build.
This vessel makes the forty-second built of iron by Mr. J.
Laird, besides canal-boats and other craft. May she be as
successful in her ocean adventures as she is creditable to that
gentleman in her construction !

Efilli6 02 T 142., COMMIT

when 0

The weekly itteting of the Doc
yesterday, at the offices in the Revent
following members were present,—Messrs. Slds (chair-
man), Horsfall, Molyneux, Holmes, Shand, Sandbach, Bold,
Evans, Bulley, Tobin, Martin, Mellor, Barclay, Smith, Holt,
Middleton, and Ripley.

CLARENCE BASIN

The SURVEYOR requested authority for the Clarence Basin
to be run dry, in order to clear away some obstructions which
bad got inside the entrance.
The CHAIRMAN asked whether the present was not a good
time for the purpose ?
The SURVEYOR replied in the affirmative. The only ob-
jection to it was the circumstance of a large iron steamer
being now in the basin. The entrance was full of sand, and
there appeared to be some other obstruction besides sand.
It should be run dry on the 23d instant, if there was nothing
to prevent it, in which case the iron ship must go into the
river. •

Mr. SANDBACH inquired how long it would have tobe dry ?
The SURVEYOR.—OnIy a couple of tides.
The application was then granted, as was another applica-
tion from the Surveyor to alter the north-east corner of the
basin, so as to admit the new iron vessel just spoken of to
get under the crane.

SALARY AT CHAPEL-STREET TELEGRAPH

The Sub-committee for the department of the Marine Sur-
veyor recommended that the salary of John Roberts, the
principal keeper of the telegraph station, be increased from
£7O to £BO per annum.—Ordered.
DUCK MASTERS' CHANGES.

On the recommendation of the Sub-committee for the de-
partment of the Harbour Masters, it was resolved, after some
conversation, that Mr. Herbert, the master of Coburg and
Union Docks, be removed to Toxteth Dock, and that Mr.
White, the master of Salthouse Dock, be placed in charge of
Coburg and Union Docks.
MEASUREMENT OF BRITISH AND AMERICAN VESSELS.
The SECRETARY produced the report of the Dock Solici-
tor updu the communication of the Consul of the United
States, as to the alleged difference in the measurement of Bri-
tish and American ships in the collection of the dock dues.
The same rule was applied by the board in the measurement
of all ships; but the Customs applied another rule. The
solicitor's opinion was, that the treaty of commerce between
the two countries did not affect the mode of measurement
for the rate of duties for the Liverpool docks.
Mr. HORSFALL.—We measure for ourselves.
The SECRETARY.—Yes.
Mr. HORSFA.LL.—And we measure British and American
vessels the same?
. The SECRETARY.—Yes, and we measure according to the
,rules laid down in the general act of parliament.
Mr. Alderman EvANs.—lt is observed that we are acting
equally with both. If it were 'otherwise, I think the treaty
would apply.
The CHAIRMAN.—I think so. Wherever we measure
vessels at all, we apply the same rule, both to British and
American vessels.

The SECRETARY said that Mr. Capper, who measured for
this estate, measured according to the act sth and 6th Wm.
4th, ch. 56.
The CHAIRMAN.—Then that will be my answer to the
letter from the American consul.
After some further conversation, Mr. Capper was called
in, and he explained that no difference was made in the mode
of measuring British and American vessel., and that he
measured according to the present act of parliament. The
conversation then terminated.
REPAIRING OF A SHED.
_ _

Mr. RIPLEY called the attention of the committee to the
state of the shed at the south-west corner of Waterloo Dock
basin, which is so much out of repair that the goods placed
in it are greatly damaged. Some discussion took place, at
the end of which the Surveyor was requested to examine the
state of the shed, and report thereon.
IRON V. WOOD FOR THE NEW LIGHT SHIP.
The CHAIRMAN said the remaining business before the
committee was the further consideration of the material of
which it was proposed the new light ship should be built—
whether of wood or iron, of which Mr. Mellor had given
notice at the last meeting.
Mr. MELLOR begged to propose that the south harbour
master be called in, and his opinion taken, whether the in-
tended light ship should be built of wood or iron.
Mr. HOLT suggested that as this motion would probably
go to the rescinding of a resolution adopted by a previous
meeting at which Mr. Mellor wts not present, Lieut. Lord
should also be called in.
Mr. RIPLEY confessed that be was rather taken by sur-
prise by this m‘ Lion, and be believed there was no precedent
for this kind of proceeding, except one, which concerned
matters of finance. He alluded to the Observatory. The
question had been before the sub-committee, to whom it
had been referred by the general committee, and their report
was as strong as any report could be in favour of iron : and
in tt.e general committee it had been decided by a majority
of ten against six, that iron was preferable to wood. The
question, after having been decided by so large a majority,
ought not to be re-opened. If it were usual to re-open ques-
tions, after they had been once decided, he had no objection
to it ; but if it were not usual, and considering that it had
been so decided, the committee ought not to allow it to be
re-opened. If they were to do so on this occasion there
would be no end to the business of the board. The question
had been settled by a large majority when Mr. Mellor was
not present, yet he now came forward with a motion to bring
forward the whole question again. He thought, therefore,
that before proceeding to hear the evidence of Mr. Askew
and Mr. Lord, the committee should consider whether it was
expedient that the question should be re-opened. He moved
the previous question, and that it having been settled already
that iron was preferable to wood, the question be not re-
opened.
Mr. SHAND seconded the motion,
Mr. HORSFALL said it appeared to him the policy of re-
opening the question lay here. When the decision was come
to, it ought to have been upon notice given ; and notice
ought to be given in all cases where a great change like this
was about to take place. If notice had been given the week
before, or at an earlier period, that a discussion would take
place upon this important point, and a decision come to,
then the question could not
,be re-opened ; but if there was
not a notice, he thought it must be re-opened.
Mr. MOLYNEDX mentioned that this question had been
before the committee several times, besides being referred
for reports thereon ; and therefore he did not see the neces-
sity for re-opening it.
Mr. HORSFALL wanted to know the fact, whether or not
the discussion had taken place without notice?
The CHAIRMAN said there was no doubt it was compe-
tent for members of the committee to re-open any question
which had been decided upon previously. It certainly was
not usual or customary, but still it was quite competent to
do so; although in the House of Commons no question once
settled was allowed to be re-opened during that session, yet
the session of the committee closed, he presumed, at every
meeting. It was therefore competent for any member to
re-open the question.
Mr. Alderman EVANS said that when it was proposed to
re-open the question there ought to be some ground laid for
it; and if his friend Mr. Mellor could show any ground for
it it ought to be re-opened.
Mr. MELLOR said he briefly stated last week that he had
had a conversation with the Harbour Master, who expressed
a very strong opinion to him against the propriety of making
the new light ship of iron. He asked him whether he had
been examined by the'committee, and he replied be had not.
The Harbour Master mentioned various reasons which satis-
fied
his (Mr. Mellor's) mind that they were going to commit
a gross error in building the vessel of iron. Hearing this
from authority which he considered as good as any which
could be produced in this town, he felt it his duty, as a mem-
ber of the committee, to communicate the information which
he had received. It was for the committee to act upon it or
otherwise, just as they pleased. He did not think that the
mere circumstance of having once decided was a sufficient
reason that they should persist in not having the case opened
if good reason could be shown for re-opening it. It was better
at once to abandon an error, although it had been adopted,
than to persevere, if there was just reason to think it was an
error.

Mr. RIP LET enquired whether Mr• Mellor had any evidence
that it was an error?

Mr. MELLOR said he had none, but he thought the corn-
mitt, a would find the opinion of the HarbourMaster sufficient.
Mr. RIPLEY said, the committee had the evidence of the
most experienced persons that iron vessels were superior to
wood. Mr. Askew's, the harbour master, was but an indi-
vidual opinion ; he had had no experience whatever in iron
vessels. He (Mr. Ripley) was not, however, afraid of dis-
cussion, for he was saiisfied that the more the subject was
discussed the more would iron be found superior to wood.
Mr. MELLOR, in answer to that, would say that the com-
mittee had had no experience to guide them. There never
was yet a light-ship built of iron, and this was a most impor-
tant experiment they were about to make. Experience had
shown that wood vessels answered well, and that they en-
dured fur thirty years. This could be proved. But he had
heard no reason hitherto which satisfied his mind that there
was one single advantage to be found in iron vessels. There
was no proof that they were more durable than wood vessels ;
and it was admitted that they presented no saving in expense.
The testimony of the Harbour Master, he believed, would
be found to go this—that, when the light-ship was moored,
and a heavy sea against her, she would roll so much that the
lanterns would not be safe. He thought that he had now said
suffix Tent to induce the committee to hear what the Harbour
Master had to say.
Mr. RIPLEY said, that as regarded durability the North
Star, a wood light ship, atter she had been three years on the
station was found lull of dry rot. It was true they had had
the present north west light ship for five and twenty years;
but he would ask who ever heard of the dry rot in iron ves-
sels ? In the East Indies iron vessels had been in service
since the year 1830-1831, and the best evidence of their du-
rability was the fact that there had been no such thing as a
diwinution in the thickness of the iron by corrosion.

Mr. SANDBACH said this was not the question. Before en-
tering on the general question they ought to decide whether
they would re-open it.
Mr. TOBIN said he was not very anxious to take advantage
of what Mr. Horsfall had stated, but certainly no notice had
been given on the subject till last Thursday, and whether that
was sufficient to re-open the question he did not know. He
was still of the opinion which he had held from the first,
namely, that it would never do to build a light ship of iron.
Mr. Ripley had mentioned many reasons in favour of iron,
and he' had mentioned, as one, the fact that the North Star,
after being three years on her station was full of dry rot. The
fact, however, was, that the North Star was an old vessel at
the time she was bought, and there was no doubt the dry rot
was in her at that time. The vessel on the north west sta-
tion was 26 years old, and she was as sound now as on the
day she was launched. No fault had been found with her.
yet they were now about to try an experiment which had not
been tried before, and which he was satisfied was dangerous.
The CHAIRMAN thought that Mr. Mellor should show
some stronger reasons for calling in Mr. Askew -

Mr. MELLOR said that Mr. Askew was prepared with cer-
tain pieces of iron taken from an iron steamer, which would
show. in reply to Mr. Ripley, that corrosion did take place
to a very great extent in iron vessels.

The CHAIRMAN intimated that that question had been
discussed at the last meeting.
Mr. TOBIN repeated that iron was not the thing to try an
experiment of this sort with. No doubt iron vessels were
useful in some places: for instance, in the East, they could
land troops on a flat shore with greater safety than a wood
vessel, because their lighter draught enabled them to go
some two or three miles nearer the land. But this was not
sufficient to justify the committee making such an experi-
ment as this.

Mr. HORSFALL said, that, whatever objection there might
be with regard to matters of form, it was important that the
harbour-master, who had not been consulted, should be
called in, and the question reconsidered. It was too impor-
tant to be settled without having all the evidence they could
obtain.

After some further discussion between Mr. RIPLEY, Mr.
TOBIN, Mr. Alderman EVANS, Mr. HOreSFALL, and the
CHAIRMAN, Mr. Askew, south harbour-master, and Lieut.
Lord, the marine-surveyor, were called in.
Mr. ASKEW, in reply to questions from the Chairman and
other members of the committee, said he had no objections
to iron sailing or steam-vessels, but he thought that an iron
lightship would not answer. Be had had no practical ex-
perience in iron vessels, but he had frequently seen them
kick and roll about the water to a very great degree. They
would labour hard on account of their buoyancy, and if they
were ballasted down to prevent their labouring, their
buoyancy would be destroyed. It was their lightness and
buoyancy which he dreaded ; and if sufficient ballast were
put into them to make them stiff, they would be the same as
wood vessels, and he did not see any advantage in the sub-
stitution of iron. We had had experience of wood light-
ships, and they had been found to answer, but we had had
none of iron ; and on that account he was opposed to a
cbange. An iron lightship might be so ballasted as to be

st6dy

vod ship. kle prod

eiw.e3 taken from tha anti,.:.„
years old, in which corrosion had made eaten:.
_ a, and from this circumstance it was his opinion tha,
iron ve;sels would not be so durable as wood. In the case of
collision, iron he thought would stand quite as well as wood ;.
but an iron vessel would become all over muscles in the
course of nine months. The corrosion he observed in the
Kilmun was both external and internal, although the plates
were pair,ted. He had seen the 'Woodside iron boats which
had been in use seven years, bot he bad not noticed them
very closely. Mr. Askew was asked a variety of other
questions, from his answers to which, it appeared that he
was decidedly opposed to the idea of building the new light-
ship of iron.

five
ravag,e

✓
Lieut. Lour) was next called upon for his opinion. It was
strongly in favour of iron, hut as we published his report to
the Dock Committee in a recent paper, there is no necessity
to report the details into which he entered. Suffice it to say,
that he was decidedly of opinion that a lightship of iron would
be infinitely superior in strength, quite as durable, and be
constructed for about the same cost as one of wood.
The Harbour Master and the Marine Surveyor having re-
tired, the committee returned to a consideration of the sub-
ject, and after a long debate it was resolved, on the motion
of Mr. MELLOR, seconded by Mr. HORSFALL, that the re-
solution of the previous meeting for building an iron vessel
should be suspended, and that estimates be procured of what
it would cost to build an iron ship, and what it would cost to
build a wood ship, both of the best materials and construc-
tion. and completed at the station where they are to be em-
ployed.—The committee then separated.