Glasgow Courier. — 1860-12-13 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

PRONE3AL FOR A NEW BURGH ACADEMY AT DULABARTON. —At a meeting of the Dumbarton Town Council a few days ago, a committee was appointed to ascertain the present condition of the academy, and what external aid can be obtained for the erection of a new aoademy,iif such be considered necesand also to procure the Government plans for and submit the same, with a probable to a future meeting of the  cost,  On Thursday, a man named Robert Dyers, residing in Main Street, Gorbals, expired in his own house. Excessive drinking was the Cause of death. On Monday night, a preliminary meeting of parties opposed to the new Police Bill was held in the Bell Temperance Hotel, Trongate. The attendance consisted of twelve representatives of the public and seven reporters for the press. A resolution was adopted appointing a coinmitee to organise a pub. ho meeting to oppose those portions of the bill affecting the liberty of the subject. On Monday evening, in the Corporation Galleries, Sauohiehall Street, Professor Rodgers delivered the first of his lectures og. the "Alleged Geological Indications of the Actiqffity of the Human Race"—Jas. Lumsden, Esq., Dean of Guild, in the chair. The chairman briefly introduced the lecturer, saying that the learned Professor was not a stranger to them, he having delivered some able lectures to the association last year. Although the weather was rather nnfavorrable, the hall was quite crowded, and the lecture was listened to with m eat attention. Mr Wylie Guild, one of the Glasgow Secretaries of the Social Science Association, presented on Saturday to Mr Sinclair, a massive gqld medal, bearing the following inscription—"To James Sinclair, Esq., Albany Hereld, &c. &c. &c. for his able services at the Banquet, Glasgow, 28t1; September, 1860" On the obverse is a silver medallion bust of Lord Brougham, the President of the Association, in high relief, escrolled, "National Association for the Promotion of Social Science." We learn that the Glasgow and West of Scotland Horticultural Society, which has been in rather a languid condition for many years past, is now beginning to show signs of new life. A united effort is about to be made by its members to place it in a position which its high title demands. The worthy president, Robert Dalglish, Esq.' M.P., has, with his usual liberality, given #:10 towards the prize list, and many others of its distinguished patrons, as also members and friends, are following his example. The grand Hyacinth Show for 1861 is fixed to take place in the City Hall in March, on which occasion a musical promenade will also take place. On Monday, John Gibson, salesman with Messrs. Neal Thomson & Co., bakers, College Street, after opening the shop, found that the gas would not light at the burners. Having lit a piece of paper, he opened the door of small box underneath the front window in which the meter lies, and was about to investigate the matter. Upon introducing the paper an explosion took place, which, besides doing considerable damage to various articles in the shop, severely burned Gibson's hands and face. From a subsequent examination it was discovered that rata had eaten several of the lead pipes connected with the meter completely through, which was the cause of the gas escape. On Friday evening the Rev. James Scott, M.A., of Aberlour, delivered his second lecture, under the auspices of the Glasgow Protestant Laymen's Association, in Free St. James's Church, London Street In the absence of the Rev. W. D. Henderson, who was to have presided, Mr Court occupied the chair, and introduced the lecturer. Mr Scott then proceeded with his lecture, the subject of which was "The Morality of Secularism." An individual at the close made some rambling remarks in reply, which being answered, the meeting closed with votes of thanks to the lecturer and chairman.  On Saturday, a woman named Martha Meikle or Hood, wife of Thomas Hood, warper, 137, Shuttle Street, committed suicide by cutting her throat. She had risen about six o'clock in the morning and I entered the kitchen, her husband remaining in bed in the adjoining room. Shortly after, a little girl, about three years of age, who was in the kitchen with her, uttered a scream, and the husband, hearing it, jumped out of bed, and, entering the kitchen, discovered his wife with her throat cut. He immediately gave the alarm, but before assistance could be procured she had expired. Deceased, who was 44 years of age, had been drinking freelyof late, and had threatened that she would take away her life. • CIVIL SERVlClL—Customs.—Mr W. Watt, landingwaiter, first class, Glasgow, has been promoted to be landing surveyor of Belfast. Mr G. Fotheringham, locker, &c., second class, has been promoted to be principal coast officer at Barlochan, port of Dumfries. Inland Revenue Department—Excise Branch.—Mr W. H. Elderfield, second class assistant, Hants collection, has been appointed first class assistant Campbelton, sixth division, Argyll collection ; Mr W. Smith, second class assistant, Newcastle collection, has been appointed first class assistant Camnbelton, eighth division, Argyll collection; Mr W. Wilson, second class assistant Glasgow eolloction, has been appointed second class assistant, Norwicn collection; Mr H. Rushworth, second class assistant, Glasgow collection, has been appointed second class assistant, Linlithgow collection.—Civil Service Gazette.