Carlisle Patriot, 10 Jul 1824 - Local News (2)

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Saturday 10 Jul 1824   (p. 3, col. 1-4 + 6)     [continued]

 

At a Court of Common Law, held at Castletown, Isle of Man, on Tuesday week, before the Hon. Deemster CHRISTIAN and a special Jury, an action to recover damages for seduction and a breach of promise of marriage was brought by Isabella JOYNER, of Castletown, against Arthur BRIDSON, of Ballasalla. The trial lasted from four o'clock on Tuesday afternoon till four the following morning, when the jury gave a verdict for the plaintiff—damages £80 with costs.

 

THE CANAL.—The annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Carlisle Canal Navigation was held at the Town-Hall on Tuesday last, in accordance with the act of Parliament, Dr. BLAMIRE, chairman of the committee, in the chair. The Report of the Committee was read by Mr. NANSON, and was in substance as follows:—

 

At the last annual meeting, various works were then unfinished, but during the past year these have been progressively advanced towards completion. The towing-path, which had been only partially formed in three of the divisions, is now in so good a condition along the whole line, that no further expenditure on it will in all probability be required for many years to come. Considerable progress has also been made in the railing and fencing of the banks; and upwards of 100,000 quicks were planted in the course of last winter, so that very little more in this respect is requisite. Parts of the banks, too, which were deficient in solidity, have been narrowly inspected and very greatly strengthened, especially at Kirkandrews and Monkhill, valleys which presented the greatest difficulty both on account of the height of embankment and leakage: with the exception, therefore, of a few small leaks, the banks of the canal are perfectly secure at all points. The inside slopes have also been much improved by rampering sods in those parts which were broken by the agitation of the water; a plan that has been found very effectual, and it will be desirable to act upon in other places. Stone pitching for securing the entrance of the sea-lock, and two overflows, one upon Burgh Marsh level, and the other upon the high level, for carrying off surplus water, are the principal masonry works performed during the year: the two former are finished; the latter is in progress; it has been found necessary to make the overflows considerably wider than at first intended, on account of the sudden increase of water to which the canal is often subject from rain or high winds. The principal part of the locks and bridges have been placed under the care of the keepers who reside in the houses attached to them, most of which houses were erected in the course of the year just ended; the remainder will be soon completed. The fifteen bridges on the Forth and Clyde Canal plan, have been effectually protected from damage by passage vessels, by strong fenders of timber; so that in a few months the locks and bridges will want no other attendance than that of the men who occupy the houses. Works of urgent necessity having occupied attention, the commencement of the intended Graving Dock had been deferred from time to time; but an opportunity offering of disposing of the soil to advantage, the Committee deemed it advisable to order its excavation, and the dock is now ready for the masonry: on the spot, a carpenter's and smith's shop are erecting, necessary to the company's work, and for the convenience of the graving dock, where preparations are making for the building of a new vessel, to be commenced before the summer passes over. The unfavourable opinion expressed last year by the Committee in regard to the docks and lock-machinery erected under the original engineer's directions, has been fully confirmed by the experience of the past year. The only two bridges (Grinsdale and Kirkland) constructed on his plan are now in a dilapidated state, being deficient in point of strength, and not susceptible of protection against the shocks incident to the passage of vessels. The necessity of their renewal, according to the Forth and Clyde plan, has been apparent for some time past; and this would have been accomplished but for the want of sufficient workmen; two sets of castings, however, have been procured, and no time will be lost in effecting what is necessary. The machinery of all the locks is in the best state of repair, with the exception of the two before mentioned at the entrance of the canal, which, after repeated repairs, it has been found requisite to alter to the same construction as the others. Upon the whole, the Committee had great reason to be satisfied with the stability of the work; and, fortunately, there has been no interruption to the navigation since the day of opening. The dry weather of the present summer had made it a matter of great doubt whether there might not be a temporary interruption from scarcity of water; but to obviate the possibility of such an inconvenience, the opinion of several eminent millwrights, relative to the best mode of raising water, had been taken, and a line has been marked out for turning the Denton Holme mill race, from Mr. DONALD's mill, across the Willow Holme to the river Eden, at the east end of Davidson's-bank. Thus a fall will be gained to carry a wheel of sufficient power to raise a supply of water for the canal, fully equal to the reservoir, to meet any possible contingency. A contract has been entered into with Mr. LENNOX, for the erection of the wheel and machinery for the sum of £800; and should the power be more than sufficient for the purpose intended, as must be the case during the greater part of the year, it may be profitably applied to other objects. The Committee then adverted to the addition of £21,000 made to the capital of the company by borrowing, according to resolutions of former meetings. With respect to the revenue of the Canal, the Committee observed that the receipts were fully equal to what might have been expected in the first year after the opening of the navigation. Comparing the imports of the last quarter, with those of the corresponding quarter of the year preceding (exclusive of the day of opening) they had the pleasure of stating that the tonnage was more than doubled. There were also several items of revenue which had only been collected during part of the past year; and others which did not become due until the year to come; a considerable increase might therefore be confidently anticipated before the next annual meeting. In conclusion, the Committee informed the meeting that they had insured the warehouse against fire to the amount of £1500 upon the property deposited in it, by which means the owners of goods were protected from risk, and the public would have additional confidence in it as a depository.

 

The report appeared to give very general satisfaction. The unanimous thanks of the meeting were voted to the Committee for their attention to the interests of the company. Mr. John DIXON, Mr. W. HALTON, and Mr. Joseph FERGUSON, whose office expired by rotation, were unanimously re-elected for the ensuing three years.

 

A stranger entering Appleby would pronounce it one of the most charitable places in the universe; the number of begars [sic] constantly seen in its streets would naturally induce him to draw such a conclusion. This wandering tribe are cunning enough to know when they hit upon a fruitful district, for they have their districts as well as other travellers; and they go their rounds as regularly, too, but much oftener. Thy [sic] have lately been much upon the increase—fresh ones arrive in infinitely greater numbers than the old ones die off. Although there are some whom I have known to have come this round periodically for at least 20 years past, yet they will say that they were never here in their whole lives before. "Pray master," says an old disciple of CAREW, a few days ago, in a strong Irish accent, "would you please to help a poor tradesman; I am a native of New York, and have a wife and seven small children, please your honour." Were you ever in Appleby before? "I never was here before your honour." You forget yourself—I have known you for 15 years past; you were here only three months ago, and then described yourself as a mason, and that your arm had been broken by a fall from a scaffold in Whitehaven. "It may be so your honour; and as you raily do know me as an old customer, I hope you will relave me as you always have done. To tell you the truth, master, I come from Belfast; although your honour is right, I have come this way 15 years or more; and, by my shoul, your honour, I never would get nothing at all if I did not tell a lie now and then. Ah! you are a jontleman, your honour; I little thought you had know'd me again." On Monday last, a little sun-burnt Irish boy presented himself at the door, with "Long life to your honour; would your honour spare me a few parraytas; I am very fond of 'em, half-boiled or any way, your honour." Where do you come from? "From the county of Sligo, your honour." Have you no parents. "No, your honour—no, I have no parent, but a brother in Yorkshire." You are fond of potatoes, then! "I am, your honour; it is what we are bred and born with—we have no white bread, but that in Ireland, your honour. God bless you, and long life to your honour's kindness." This was spoken in the hurried way in which the poor people of Ireland generally express themselves, and which, no doubt, is the reason why they exhibit so much of the lapsus linguæ.—(A Correspondent.)

 

 

[to be continued]