The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-07-08
The News.

The News.
The old case of McCotter against the city, to
compel them to perform their contract for the pur
chase of lands on Wards Island, made with him by
the Common Council, was reported on by the re-
feree in favor of McCotter to the amount of nearly
$40 900. The decision of the referee was filed
yesterday by Mr.. Mcmahon on behalf Of Mr.. Nc
Cotter. We give an abstract of the lengthy report
II is interesting to every contractor and to every
taxpayer and if the agreement had been closed
long ago it would have saved the city the expense
of much litigation. The Commissioners of Emgra.
tion have occupied large portion of the McCotter
property for years, and another portion was occu.
pied by private parties. The Common Council,
some years SINCE instituted an inquiry into the pro-
priety Of purchasing the whole of Wards Island for
corporation purposes. Reports were made in favor
Of the purchase, but difficulties to the va
lue, and the matter was submitted to arbitration;
but a. their award was considered by Mayor Tic
mann "a excessive, Mr.. McCotter made reduction,
and the Comptroller was directed to purchase the
property. Other difficulties then interviewed, and
the present suit was brought to compel the city to
complete the purchase and it has resulted 30 far in
q verdict against the city for the sum above
named.
James Carroll found guilty of arson in the first de.
gree, was sentenced to imprisonment for life at
hard labor. 1t is strange that the punishment of
these heinous offences does not prevent the perpe.
tration of crime. Incendarsms, however, are
diminishing through the vigilance Of Fire Marshal
Baker. and the energy and promphtude with which
he follows up those offences. To Mr.. Baker the
community are greatly indebted for the punishment
A. al III 81 Daal
who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the second
degree, committed in one of those public house
brawls. was sentenced to five years at hard
labor. Several other prisoners were admitted to
bail. and the Court adjourned sine die.
Nothing definite transpired yesterday with refe.
renee to the assassination of Messrs Walton and
Mathews. week has now elapsed since these
two citizens were murdered, and yet the affair is
still involved in a profound mystery. The police
detectives have, however, been actively engaged,
and some interesting revelations are expected
when the Coroner's jury resume their investiga.
ton. We publish in another column the will Of
Mr.. Walton, by which it will be seen that he be-
queathed all his property TO his children, leaving
his wife only an allowance Of seven hundred dol.
lars per annum.
The steamship Kangaroo sailed from this port
yesterday for liverpool with 260 passengers and
s2o5 ,5s2 in specie. The steamship New York also
sailed for Southampton and Bremen, with las pas
sengers and s265 100 in specie-making total of
aos passengers and a7l ,3l2 in specie.
The Brooklyn City Mills, located at the foot Of
Fulton street Brooklyn. were totally destroy ed by
fire between three and four o'clock yesterday
morning. and the adjoining buildings were slightly
damaged. The loss Is estimated at between TWEEN.
five and thirty thousand dollars.
The Hayes Arctic exploring expedition sailed
from Boston at halfpast three o'clock yesterday
afternoon.
The Police Commissioners yesterday appointed
Captain James Leonard Inspector. and John c.
Helms. Of the Broadway squad Captain. to Gil va.
cancies. No other business OF importance trans.
PRED.
The thirty-sxth session Of the Board OF Excise
Commissioners took place yesterday afternoon.
Twenty eight applications for licenses were re-
ceived. all of which were granted, on the usual
financial terms This makes the whole number of
licenses granted this year AL and though there
are yet fourteen meetings to take place before the
Commission closes. the number already granted is
much in excess Of that Of either Of the two years
immediately preceding.
The sales Of cotton yesterday embraced about bales
closing the basis Of iosc Cor m,dding uplands loSc
for Florida and Mobile miadng and at lie. Cor New Or
leans and Texas do The receipts Of four light
prices we're rmer with fair sales tho domestic trade
and for export. In whes, the market heavy and
prices easier, whle sIes lair for export and for
milling Corn WAS also less buOyant, while sales were
limited, 81 prices given In another place Pork arm,
with moderate sacs, Including mess at sls, and
prime at si3 sTH sl Beef heavy, while lard
arm and In good demand Sugars steady while the
sAles reached about 100 hdds Coffee but not &C
ave- sacs Of 400 bags Maracabo made and roo do
COSTA Rica, At full prices FreIgh,s nrm, with
dersie amount Of engagements. Wheat, 10 bags, was
again tskcu 70 Liverpool in ships bags sxd, and nour
sf n. Cd per barrel