ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 74, 14 April 1843, Page 3

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

The Liverpool Mail of Wednesday announces, that nearly'all the claims on the insurance, offices on account of the late Liverpool fire had been satisfactorily adjusted; 355,400/. having been paid, up to the previous evening. The amount of property uninsured was small. The Mail remarks, that nothing but such combinations of wealth and capital could have combated such losses. The fire is now conjecturaly attributed to spontaneous combustion. The Queen’s letters-patent arrived in Dublin on Saturday, appointing Mr. Blackburne Master, of the Rolls, Mr. Smith Attorney-General, and Sergeant Greene Solicitor-General, Mr. Blackburne was sworn into office before the Lord Chancellor; and on the same day Mr. Litton, the new Master in Chancery, took the oaths of office. The vacant quoif has been conferred on Mr. R. Keatinge; Mr. Brewster retaining his office of Law Adviser at the Castle, by the express desire of Lord de Gey' and Lord Elliot. The Lublin Livening Mail, which at first looked askance on the appoinment of Mr; Smith, and on the Government appointments generally, as not being sufficiently in favour of marked supporters of the party, now that the Parliamentary men have been “ provided for ’

in one way or other, speaks in a tone of greater contentment and moderation. Of Mr. Smith it says : “ The utmost confidence prevails that the Crown prosecutions will be conducted under his directions in a spirit of fairness and moderation ; and that the future law appointments will be made under his control, with a candour and impartiality calculated to produce the highest satisfaction in 'respect to the dispensation of patronage and the administration of justice.” IsrioßTAliiT Nautical Inventions. The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have been so satisfied with the report of the result of the recent experiments made on hoard the Lightning steam-vessel, with M. Clement’s sillometer, marine thermometer, and steam thermometer, that they have ordered that 200/. should be paid to him in the meantime, and the machinery has been ordered to be deposited at Woolwich. It is therefore probable this decided mark of their lordships’ approbation of the inventions will shortly lead to their introduction on board of all the vessels in her Majesty’s navy.

The following detail of the experiments from the official report, and may be relied upon as being correct: — “ Thursday, Oct. 13, 1842. “ About one mile and a quarter below Gravesend commenced a trial between Massey’s patent log, and M. Clement’s sillometer. After a run of two hours and a half (being off Sheerness) — Miles. “ Distance given by Massey’s log 15 1-1 Oth “ Distance given by sillometer .. 15 ‘ ‘ Distance from the Nore Light to Deal by sillometer. -12 ‘ ‘ Distance from the Nore Light to Deal by tables, reckoning from buoy to buoy 41 “ At 25 minutes past 4 o’clock p. m. altered the course four points, during which operation the sillometer showed a diminution of speed from 8 miles per hour to 7 miles. At 50 minutes past 8 o’clock p. in., off South Foreland/ commenced a trial between Masssey’s log and the sillometer. On Friday morning took in Massey’s log, and found the distance from abreast the South Foreland to about 7 miles to the eastward of the Owers —by Massey’s log 84-J miles ; by sillometer 82* ; by tables, reckoning from buoy to buoy, 85 miles. Moved sundry weights aft, viz., boat, brass guns, anchors, oars, &c.; for an instant the speed, as shown by the sillometer, diminished to 7.4 miles per hour, but it almost immediately increased to the foriner speed of 8 miles per hour. Moved the same weights forward, but could not perceive any sensible difference in the speed of the vessel. The speed, as shown by the sillometer, varied from 8.1 to 8.2 miles per hour. Tried the speed of the vessel by the common log, which gave 84 miles. The sillometer indicated exactly the same, viz., 84 miles per hour. At 10 o’clock a.m. on Friday, when about two miles past the Nab Light, tried Massey’s log, and found the. distance to near the entrance of Portsmouth harbour —by Massey’s log G miles nearly ; by sillometer 6 miles exactly. During the passage round to-Portsmouth the speed of the vessel was purposely checked by blowing off the steam to see the effect on the sillometer. The speed, as shown by that instrument, was gradually reduced from 8 miles per hour to 4 miles, at which point it stood steady. On the order being given for full speed,the sillometer showed a gradual increase of speed till it came to 8 miles per hour, as before. On the return of the Lightning from Portsmouth to Woolwich, the distance performed was found to be —by Massey’s log 119 miles ;by the sillometer 118.6. Tlie sillometer has a dial upon deck, which constantly shows the number of miles per hour that the vessel is going ; consequently, it is easy to discover, under all circumstances, what is the best trim of the vessel, and the most advantageous quantity and distribution of the sails for obtaining the greatest speed. As the sillometer shows immediately the effect which every alteration in the sails or trim of the ship has on its velocity, it follows also that ships fitted with the sillometer can constantly maintain the speed they may have agreed upon, and so keep company together, and maintain the same relative position, though, from the darkness of the night, or thickness of the weather, they cannot see each other. To ascertain the distance run after any number of hours, it is simply to take the number of minutes one of the watches of the sillometer has gained over the other, and to multiply that number by G, which gives the distance run in miles. “ The Marine Thermometer. —The trials with this instrument on board the Lightning commenced at 11 o’clock on Thursday morning,, October 13, previous to leaving Woolwich harbour, and on taking the centigrade, it was found to be 12 deg. At 25 minutes past 3 o’clock p.m., in five fathom channel, cant-shoal, depth of water about 16 feet, it indicated 13.25. In 23 feet depth of water, as stated by the pilot, it indicated 15.25.; oft’ Dover, 16 deg. ; and in Portsmouth harbour, 14.2.

“ From these indications it appears that the marine thermometer in its variations followed the inequalities of the bottom of the sea, so far as the inequalities could he ascertained from the heaving of the lead, or from the information of the pilot—that is, on the approach of shoal water the thermometer fell, and on the approach of deep water it rose, and distinguished the difference very distinctly and rapidly, according to the transition from shallow to deep water, and vice versa. It may, therefore, be inferred that the marine thermometer would indicate the approach to rocks and icebergs, from the influence these bodies are known to have on the temperature of the sea for a considerable distance.” The dial of the marine thermometer is also on deck; and shows, by inspection merely, the exact depth of water in which the vessel may be sailing at the time.

. The Tyne Pilot suggests that a public subscription should be raised in place of the pension which Miss Martineau has declined. I’6 that there could be no possible objection ; it is recognised in Miss Martineau’s own principle. We should be glad to see the suggestion carried into effect. We understand that the statement which has gone the round of the papers as to a pension having been conferred upon the poet Wordsworth is not strictly accurate. The yearly sum which. Mr. Wordsworth will receive is a retiring allowance, given to him upon resigning the office of Distributor of Stamps.

Expatriation. —One hundred and twenty, nine emigrants left the port of Newcastle last November for Buenos Ayres. New Zealand has an indigenous product, the phonnium tenax, or New Zealand flax-, which promises to be an important staple of the export trade. It has already been used for the purpose of hemp, as in the rigging of ships, and has in several instances been found eminently successful; and especially has it been found useful for whale-lines, which require great strength. In some cases defects have been observed in the manufactured article, which aie attributed to bad preparation of the raw material, to a mixing of inferior sorts, and probably to a want of systematic cultivation. Such are the grounds taken up m a little pamphlet compiled by Mr. F. Dillon Bell and Mr. Frederick Young, junior, recommending the formation of a company to trade in New Zealand flax. The present price of Russian hemp is about 33/., and of Riga flax about 40/- per ton ; while it is estimated that New Zealand flax could be supplied at about 15/. a ton. Capital, however, is wanting to insure that full and permanent supply which would obtain a market; and therefore the authors suggest that a company should be formed, with a capital of about 20,000/., for the culture, preparation, and shipment of the flax, and its import for sale in England. The plan seems perfectly feasible. —Colonial Gazette.

Grand Railway from England to China. —The provisional committee submit to the public the following statement, with the view of forming a Company to carry out this vast national concern, by shares, to consist of an unlimited number. The plan suggested is to penetrate the bowels of the earth through the medium of a tunnel from London to Canton, passing through the centre of the globe. There is every reason to believe that the centie of the earth consists of a mass of softest soil, except where intersected by “ solid rocks of gold and silver, and caverns of precious stones.” The cutting will be exceedingly easy, except where the masses of precious metals and jewels interpose an obstacle ; but inasmuch as this material, when extracted, will be immensely valuable, and, according to the most moderate calculations of our engineer, will be many hundred times more than sufficient to cover the entire expense of the undertaking, but little fear need be apprehended upon this point. As the Railway will pass immediately under “ Mount Vesuvius,” a station will be erected there,. at which trains will stop for the purpose of taking in coals and lava, or Cyclops, should there be any residing in those parts. Another stoppage will be made under the “ Mediterranean,” with the view of getting a supply of water, which will be drawn down through a pipe from the sea above. As the war in the East will in all probability be everlasting (if not longer), and the annual consumption of soldiers incalculable, the company may expect to derive a handsome income from this source alone. As soon as a sufficient number of shares shall have been taken, the shaft will be sunk, when every effort will be made to bring the whole of the undertaking into a sinking condition.

Windsor. —The Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards, under the command of Colonel Thornton, and the 2d Regiment of Life Guards, commanded by Colonel Reid, marched into tlie Little Park this morning, Nov. 9th, and fired a feu de joie in honour of the birthday of liis his Royal Highnfess the Prince of Wales. The regiments afterwards marched in review order. Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci left the castle this morning. The Duchess of Kent paid a visit this morning of congratulation to her Majesty and Prince Albert, on the natal day of the Prince of Wales, and remained to lunch. In the eveningmost of the trades-people illuminated. Among the music played by the band of the Grenadier Guards at the Palace, was ‘ Pas RepioUjble,’ composed by her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, to celebrate the first anniversary of the birth of the Prince of Wales.

The late Earl oe Leicester. —The will and codicil of the Right Hon. Thomas Wm,, Earl of Leicester, late of Longford in the coimtv of Derby, deceased, has passed under the seal of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury to the Right Hon. Edward Ellice and John Motteaux, two of the executors; the Right Hon. Dowager Countess of Leicester, widow, the relict, the Right Hon. Archibald John, Earl of Rosebery, and the Right Hon. Charles, Earl Spencer, the other executors, having the privilege of proving at any future period. The personal property of the deceased has been sworn under the value of 60,000/., and which is principally bequeathed to his widow and children. This amount may seem small, but the late earl by his will states that he has lately expended the sum of 50,000/. in the improvement of his estate. One of the most remarkable occurrences in the life of the late earl is, that after remaining a widower for 21 years, he married the third daughter of the Earl of Albemarle, who was then scarcely 19 years of age, while Mr. Coke was in his 70th year.

The Colonial Bishops. —The Bishops of Van Dieman’s Land and Antigua are expected to leave England for their distant dioceses in

the course of a few days. The thi;ee others, who were consecrated last August, have already taken their departure. The Thames Tunned. —The works are now so far advanced that it is expected the thoroughfare for foot passengers will be in January. Shaving op the PoDicE.rr-An order has just been issued by the superintendent of the L division, to the effect that all the men shall for the future appear with their whiskers shaved clean off to the ear, and their hair cut close to the head “ ald militaire.” Accident on Lord Mayor’s Day.t—As the man who wore the brass scale armour was about to mount his horse to join the procession on its return to Guildhall, the animal reared up and threw the poor fellow heavily to the ground, and broke his leg. The police immediately procured a stretcher, on which he was placed, and conveyed by six men to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, where every attention was paid that the nature of the case required. We are happy to say, that Robert Jackson, the name of the unhorsed knight, is doing well. Some time elapsed before the fracture could be got at> because no one in the hospital understood the unbuckling of armour, and the surgeon, therefore, was obliged to wait until the smith or armourer, who had rivetted the armour on, came and undid it.

New Bankrupt Act. —The New Bankrupt Act came into operation on Wednesday. There are 94 provisions in the measure, gathering into one the principles of the law, and repealing all other acts at variance with the present. The alterations are of an extensive character, giving protection to both debtor and creditor ; and whilst it enforces on the former moderation in liis transactions, affords to the latter remedies which he has not hitherto possessed. In future cases the bond of the petitioning creditor to the Lord Chancellor is dispensed with, and all fiats must be forthwith sent to the Court to which they are directed, to be opened within three days, or within fourteen days after the expiration of the time allowed, by any creditor whose debt should amount to the requited sum, and on his proving the legal requisites. A single creditor of 50/., two amounting to 7Q/., and three to 100/., are now in a situation to obtain fiats, and those whose debts are not due can join in the applications. The denomination of traders is increased, including auctioneers and apothecaries. By this act a new feature is exhibited —namely, the power of a creditor to summon a trader before a commissioner after he has made an affidavit of debt, and delivered his account. If a trader should not appear, or on appearance refuse to comply with the requisitions imposed, he may on the fifteenth day after notice be declared a bankrupt, and dealt with accordingly, provided the fiat be issued within two months of the filing of the affidavit. By the 23rd section it is declared that before notice of adjudication of a bankruptcy is published in the London Gazette or any warrant of seizure put in force, the trader shall have five days’ notice to show cause to the Court against the validity of such adjudication. If at the expiration of the time allowed no cause should be shown, then the bankruptcy to be inserted, or he may forego the time in order to facilitate the proceedings. The bankrupt is to be protected from arrest, and provided an examination should be adjourned sine die , the Court may indorse his protection for any time not exceeding three months. There are some stringent clauses for fraud, falsification of books, and obtaining goods under false pretences, declaring the parties liable on either grounds guilty of misdemeanour, and to transportation or imprisonment. In all cases, after Friday, the certificate is to be granted by the Court, and allowed by the Court of Review. Creditors are not to sign a certificate, nor is the same to be granted unless the bankrupt has conducted himself as a fair and honest trader. It is enacted by the 38th section that the certificate is to be peremptorily denied to traders, and if granted void, where it shall be proved that a bankrupt has lost 20/. in one day by-gaming, or 200/. in the preceding year of the fiat, or 500/. in stock jobbing, or has concealed books or property; There is an amendment respecting allowances to bankrupts; none to be granted until a year after the fiat, and then in the following manner :-Trr Five per cent., and not to exceed 400/., if 10s. in the pound be paid; 7j per cent., and not exceeding 500/. provided 12s. 6d. be paid; and 10 per cent., and not exceeding 600/. if 15s. be paid. The other alterations relate to the appointment of twelve commissioners for the country, and to the extension of the law into country districts, for. which districts thirty official assignees are to bp appointed by the Lord .Chancellor. The salaries are fixed by the 76th section. 2,500/. to the Judge of the. Court of Review ; 2,000/, to the London commissioners ; and 1,800/; a year to the Country Commissioners. Power is given to grant compensation to the Commissioners whose offices are abolished. New rales are to be made to carry the Act into operation.

The first Commission of Lunacy under the new statute was opetaed at Bath on Friday, to investigate the mental state of Miss Isabella

Cottrell, an aged lady; who was pronounced to be ofyunsound mind. There waß not the slightest {nterest in the case except as being the first under the new arrangement. The weather in the'Nprth has been characterized by /a severity of which we have had no np.tion in the South : the Manchester Guardian gives ail instance :■ — " In order to prove that winter in the North has * come in like a roaring hop,’ we need only mention, that on Wednesday morning last, the mail-cart which runs between the towns of Alston and Penrith, in Cumberland, by reason of the tempestuousness of the wind and'the great depth of the snow, was completely drifted iup on a bleak part of the road on Cross Fell. The postman, being unable to proceed further, with great difficulty managed to disengage the horse, which was nearly done up, from its (trappings; he mounted it, and leaving the cart, came on with the bags. After a stormy and dangerous journey, he arrived at Penrith two jhours or more behind his usual time ; thereby losing a post for the letters which were destined for London by the morning mails.”

The Manchester Advertiser describes a novel exhibition of a “ juvenile prodigy” anniversary sermons in behalf of the Primitive Methodist Sunday Schools, Oldham, were preached on Sunday last by a hoy of four* teen years of age, named Joel Hodson, of Lancaster. Such was the excitement of the public fo see and hear this juvenile prodigy, that the congregation were admitted by tickets sold at Is. 6d. each.”

Income Tax Statistics. —Some curious calculations have been made by an assessor, from the papers which have come into his hand, and as he has favored us with a perusal, we have no hesitation in giving them to the public. Out of fofty returns below 150/. a-year, two had added in a note, “ Don’t you wish you may get it ?” one had drawn the figure of an individual with his thumb placed on the end of his nose; and six had given poetical answers to the enquiries made of them. One had drawn a series of circular figures, with instructions to put that and that together, for the purpose of determining the amount of the sender’s income; and another individual had filled up the column that ought to contain an account of his property with a reference to an official assignee of the Bankruptcy Court. Several of the returns are copiously illustrated with pen-and-ink sketches, and one contains a graphic portrait of an infant, as the only return to he made, under the head of a long annuity.

Hostile Tariffs. —A letter from Leipsic of the 30th of October, contains the following statement: —“ We have just learned a piece of intelligence, which, if true, is of great importance. It is that the German Customs’ Union contemplates the issuing of reprisals against the American tariff. It was added that our Government especially unites in the adoption of this measure, because several articles of our manufacture are entirely excluded by the high duties imposed by the new tariff.

Extraordinary Geological Remains. The extensive waste called White Moss, betwixt Middleton and Failsworth, is undergoing considerable improvements by the proprietors, Messrs. Jones and Gould. These gentlemen have availed themselves of the valuable services of that eminent agriculturist, Mr. James Dixon, ajfc Hathershaw-lodge, near Oldham. During the process of reclaiming the moss lands, a large number of trees, of enormous magnitude, have been discovered at a depth of about six feet; some of the oaks have been nearly twelve feet in girth, and forty feet in length. Several trees of the oak, fir, and yew tribe, have been found to be thoroughly sound, even to the outers most part, except those which have been exposed to the air or lay near the surface. Many of the oak trees have proved more tough and flexible than this tree is under ordinary circumstances. A large quantity of the timber has n>ost unquestionably been on fire. It seems that during some remote age, the fossil trees at White Moss have been burnt, for there are examples of the main shaft of these timbers having been consumed. Singular as it may appear, the trees found in this moss have invariably been met with lying in eyery direction either south-east or due east, as if some change, terrific in effect, and of short duration, had operated to create this state of things. By extraordinary convulsions of nature, tracts of highlands have probably bee.u converted into shallow ppols of water, or rather into morasses, which, becoming occupied first by reeds, then by iqossy and healthy tribes of plants,, and these dying annually, without entire extinction, though destitute of the principles of vegetation, moss of plant-like materials remained in a Partially" dec r aye4 state ; moisture, added to this wquld, in. course of time, accumulate and ar.the thick roassee. of. pept. bog that now> prevail. Mr. Dixon, with a.laudable view to-a clear elucidation of the cause of the discoveries rpcently niade at White Moss; 1 gave strict injunctions to the workmen to subject any unusual appearance met with on the timbers to his own careful observation; the,result has been, that n<? proofs of human labours having interfered w|th the woods that existed on this site haye been met with. —Manchester Chronicle .