had been unfortunately the case elsewhere.

As to the offer made by the Boroughholders, he looked upon it as a mere joke, and he was glad it had been so looked upon by the Councilno one having thought of it for a moment. But the duty of the Council he trusted he had clearly pointed out. He had shown that the receiving of the rents, and appropriating them to the purposes to which they might be found to be lezally applicable, formed part of that duty; that it was a duty they had taken a solemn engagement to fulfil; and therefore he trusted his resolutions would receive their unanimous support. Mr. JAMES HYMERS seconded the resolution for the adoption of the resolutions.

Ald. BARRAS observed, that they might pass the resolutions, but how were they to get possession of the property? And if they should get possession, it did not follow, of course, that the Council would manage it better than the Boroughholders. The Report presented by Mr. Potts did not say much for the stewardship of the Council. (Laughter.)

Mr. POTTS replied, that the Council could not justly be blamed for the faults of other parties.

Ald. BARRAS But the Council might have looked after their interests sooner, and prevented what has occurred.

Ald. BROCKETT: The individual chiefly complained of in the affair of the quay, is the very individual who is at the bottom of the Borongh-Property abuses.

Mr. REVELY spoke in support of the motion, and made one or two statements to show how little the Boroughholders cared 1or the public convenience.

There was then a division, in which Aldermen *Brockett, Davis, and Wilson, and Councillors Edward, Hymers, Potts, Revely, and Wilson, voted for the motion; and Aldermen *Barras and Pollock, and Councillors *Bertram, *Cummins, Garbutt, *Lister, sen., Robson, and Wylam, against the motion. [Those marked thus (*) are Boroughholders.]

The division, therefore, was equal. The MAYOR had declined to vote, stating that when he took office he resolved never to exercise his privilege of first voting for a motion, and then, the division being equal, giving a second or casting vote. (Applause.) But now, not having voted in the first instance, he would give his vote, and give it against the motion-which was therefore lost.

Mr. JOSEPH ROBSON presented a memorial from 101 ratepaying householders, praying the Council to modify their order on the subject of exposing goods for sale. Two or three members of the Council expressed an opinion that the privileges prayed for might be granted, care being taken to preserve the footpaths of the borough from obstruction; while others contended that if license were allowed in some instances, it would be impossible to put down encroachments in others, obstructive of the public thoroughfares.

Ald BROCKETT moved, with a few prefatory remarks, the following resolution :

That a Committee be appointed to inquire into the best means of protecting the interests of the poor persons, the intended objects of the bounty of Mr. Thomas Powell, who, in 1728, bequeathed the property in High-street (lately used as a parish poorhouse) for charitable purposes; either by petitioning the Lord Chancellor to appoint the Council trustees for the same, or otherwise; and that the Committee do further consider the best means of rendering the site of the Powell-property avail. able for the purpose of erecting a townhall, police-offices, dispensary, and other public buildings thereon."

Ald. POLLOCK seconded, and Mr. CUMMINS very warmly supported the motion; and after a brief discussion, similar to the one which took place in St. Mary's vestry, it was carried almost unanimously. A committee was then appointed, consisting of Aldermen Barras, Brockett, Pollock, and Wilson, and Councillor J. R. Wilson.

The TOWN CLERK read a letter from the Rev. J. Davies, Rector of Gateshead, expressing the Bishop of Durham's readiBess to contribute in aid of a better supply of water for the poor of the parish, and stating that he (Mr. Davies) would also gladly subscribe to such an object.-Referred to the Town Improvement Committee.

Ald. BROCKETT moved the adoption of a petition which appears in our "local" columns.-Seconded by Ald. WILSON, and agreed to.

The TOWN CLERK read a letter from Mr. Munro, lessee of the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, requesting the Council to bespeak a play. (Laughter.) Ald. BROCKETT proposed that the request be complied with, and that the members of the Council

attend the theatre on the occasion. (Laughter, and a cry of "What play shall we bespeak?") The play we have just been rehearsing (said Ald. B.)-Raising the Wind. "And," said a Councillor, "the Mayor of Garrett." (Laughter.) Mr. CUMMINS Seconded the motion; and, on a show of hands, it was carried by a majority.—Adjourned to

GATESHEAD DISPENSARY.

THE annual meeting of the Governors was held in the townhall, on the 6th Feb., (WILLIAM KENMIR, Esq., Mayor, in the chair), when the following report was read by the Secretary :The Committee of the Gateshead Dispensary feel pleasure in reporting, at the close of its twelfth year, that the institution pursues its useful course with unabated energy and undiminished support.

To the medical officers whose services are so handsomely contributed to the Dispensary, and to the numerous patrons by whose munificence its pecuniary means of usefulness are provided, the Committee tender their sincere acknowledgments. It is gratifying to the Committee to state, that notwithstanding the late pressure of the times, the amount of subscriptions and donations to the Dispensary has continued as liberal

as ever.

Since the last anniversary meeting, an important inquiry has been pursued in this borough, with respect to the sanatory condition of its population. The disclosures which have been made have been not less serious than surprising. Few persons, in the higher ranks of life, have been hitherto aware of the dangers to which they are exposed from the contaminated atmosphere, the filthy passages, the ill ventilated, illdrained, and ill-watered tenements, in which their poorer neighbours are unhappily located. Now, however, that the unpleasant truth has been revealed, it may be fairly expected that immediate steps will be taken for protecting the public health, by contributing to the sanatory conveniences of the poor.

Such a cooperation with the Dispensary would be productive, your Committee are convinced, of the happiest effects on the general health of the district.

The Committee cannot, at the same time, refrain from referring to the falling-off in the number of patients which has taken place during the last two years. In the year ending Feb. 2, 1842, the number of patients by letter (exclusive of paupers) was 1,264; the following year, it fell to 955; and, last year, it was still further reduced to 828; being a decrease of upwards of thirty per cent. in the course of two years. Had these reductions proceeded from want of confidence in, or want of subscribers to the Dispensary, they would have been much to be regretted; but, believing, as your Committee do, that they are entirely attributable to a less than usual prevalence of disease in the town, they afford cause for very hearty congratulation.

The Treasurer's Accounts were also read, showing that the receipts of the year had been £313 18s. 1d., and the disbursements £352 7s. 4d. The number of patients (including 1,121 slight cases, admitted without recommendation), during the past year, had been 1,949; of whom 1,682 were cured, 84 relieved, 24 irregular, 20 no better, 56 dead, and 83 remained on the books; making a total of 41,900 persons (exclusive of vaccinations) that had received the benefit of the Dispensary since its establishment in 1832. After thanks had been voted to the medical and other officers, and a resolution adopted limiting the number of letters to each Life Governor to four, the meeting separated.

Several friends of the Dispensary afterwards sat down to an excellent dinner at the Half Moon inn (the Mayor in the chair), and spent a highly-agreeable evening.

An Oratorio (by permission of the Bishop of Durham, and under the patronage of Lord and Lady Ravensworth,) was performed in St. John's church, Gateshead Fell, on Monday, Feb. 5, before a crowded and highly respectable assembly. Mr. lons presided at the organ; Mr. Liddell led the orchestra; and the whole of the performances, vocal and instrumental, gave the highest satisfaction. The pieces chosen were from the "Creation," "Messiah," and "Stabat Mater." All were so deserving of praise, that we refrain from particularizing individual performers. Among the company present were the Hon. Thomas and Mrs. Liddell, the Hon. Miss Liddell and a party, the Rev. Mr. Douglas and Lady, Lord Killeen, Colonel

Bradshaw, Mrs. Collinson of Boldon, the Rector of Gateshead Fell, Rev. Mr. Bewsher, and a great number of the principal inhabitants of Gateshead and Gateshead Fell. The proceeds of the oratorio are to be applied to the repairs of the church. NEW TAX ON COAL.-The Town Council of Gateshead, on the 7th of Feb., adopted the following petition to the House of Commons against the proposed city-dues, and the existing export-duty, on coal :

To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in Parliament assembled. The Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Councillors of the Borough of Gateshead,

Humbly sheweth,-That it has been represented to your petitioners that a project is on foot for further adding to the burthens, which, from time to time, have been imposed upon the coal-trade, by increasing the city-dues already payable on the importation of coal into London, from thirteenpence to eighteenpence per ton, for the purpose of improving the metropolis by certain embankments of the Thames.

That the duties already levied on coal, are notoriously partial and ruinously oppressive.

That, besides the city-dues, the coal-trade has to struggle against an export duty, not only enormous in amount in proportion to the value of the article, but one from which every other production of the king. dom (not excepting machinery itself) is entirely, and justly, exempt.

Your petitioners therefore pray that your Honourable House will discontinue any attempt to increase the dues payable on the importation of coal into London; and, also, that your Honourable House will repeal, without delay, the partial and oppressive export-duty at present in operation.

P

And your petitioners will ever pray, &c.

Given under the common seal of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of Gateshead, in Council assembled, this 7th day of February, 1844. W. KENMIR, Mayor.

THE NEWCASTLE TOWN.COUNCIL.

ALDERMEN. Batson, T. R. Bell, Thomas Bigge, C. J. Brandling, J. Carr, John p Donkin, A. p Dunn, G. T. Headlam, Dr. p Hodgson, J. Lamb, Joseph p Losh, James p Potter, A. L.

p Nichol, A.

COUNCILLORS.
St. Nicholas'.

p Nichol, John

p Dodds, Ralph E. All Saints. p Blackwell, J. p Ridley, John p Dunn, Thomas p Hunter, John 8. St. Andrew. p Lowrey, S. p Weatherley, J.D Gray, A. G. Sanderson, F. p Jobling, M. L.

St. John. p Cookson, Wm. p Radford, J. p Plues, Matthew Charnley, E p Brown, William p Burre'l, I.

Westgate. Hawthorn, R. p Finlay, James p Bargate, George Jesmond.

p Armstrong, W. Crawhall, J. p Plummer, R.

p Shield, Henry p Turner, Henry p Turner, Wm.

(Those marked p were present.]

AT the quarterly meeting of February 7, Priscilla Newton, aged 71, was elected from 28 candidates, to fill a vacancy in Jesus' Hospital.

After some conversation, the disposal of five loans of Sir T. White's charity was deferred to the next meeting.

Mr. HENRY TURNER moved the confirmation of the Report of the High-Level Bridge Committee, recommending the Council to grant £1,000, and surrender property nearly of the same value, in aid of the bridge from Greene's Field, Gateshead, to the Castle-garth, Newcastle. Mr. PHILIPSON seconded the motion. Ald. DUNN moved, as an amendment, that the Report lie on the table. Seconded by Mr. ORMSTON.

Ald. HEADLAM, Ald. HODGSON, Mr. ARMSTRONG, Ald. NICHOL, Mr. HALL, Ald. POTTER, and the MAYOR, supported the original motion. Ald. LoSH, Mr. PROCTOR, Mr. PLues, Mr. HARLE, Mr. BLACKWELL, Mr. C. RAYNE, and Mr. PLUMMER, were favourable to postponement. The amendment was negatived by 30 votes against 13. The original motion was then put and carried.

FIRST DIVISION.

For Alderman Dunn's Amendment.—Aldermen Dunn, Batson, and Losh; and Councillors Robinson, Nichol, Harle, Burrell, Proctor, Ormston, Rayne, Blackwell, Archbold, and Plummer.

Against the Amendment.-The Mayor; Aldermen Headlam, Donkin, Potter, Hodgson, Nichol, and Carr; and Councillors Stokoe, Ingledew, Brown, Cookson, Radford, Hall, Parker, Sillick, W. Turner, Shield, Kidley, Hunter, Lowrey, Taylor, Weatherly, Jobling, Dodds, Dunn, Philipson, Bargate, Finlay, H. Turner, and Armstrong.

SECOND DIVISION.

Against the Original Motion.-Ald. Losb, and Councillors Proctor and Plummer.

Neutral.-Alderman Dunn and Batson, and Councillor Plues. For the Original Motion.-All the other Aldermen and Councillors named in the first division, (27 in number).

On the motion of Mr. HARLE, leave was granted to Mr. M.

Dunn to erect his proposed hoisting apparatus (not at Jarrow quay, but) at Willington groins.

Mr. ARMSTRONG presented Mr. Walker's Report-which was received. Mr. A. intimated that he should move, at the next meeting, the sealing of the license already granted to Messrs. Smith.

The Council unanimously adopted a petition against the proposed new tax on coal imported into London.

The motion of Mr. PLUES, seconded by Mr. PHILIPSON, for a grant of £100 to the parochial soup-kitchens, was superseded by Mr. PHILIPSON'S amendment, to divide the grant between the general and the parochial kitchens.

DOMESTIC SERVANTS.

THE REV. JOHN DAVIES, B.D., Rector of Gateshead, presided on Thursday, Feb. 15, at a meeting of the subscribers and friends of the Institution for Training Female Servants, established on the Windmill-hills, in this borough. The reverend gentleman, after noticing the origin and purposes of the society, explained that its annual income had for some time past been insufficient to meet its yearly expenditure, and that its conductors had consequently been under the necessity of from time to time encroaching on the capital which had originally been provided for it, and which was now so considerably reduced, that unless efficient means were immediately provided for its continuance, the society must cease to exist-a circumstance which, considering the importance of its objects, and the good effects which had already resulted from it, he should much deplore.

Mr. KELL read a long Report from the Committee, and moved a resolution in approbation of the institution; which was seconded by Mr. GEORGE Richardson, and carried.

The Rev. Mr. SPECK moved the second resolution, affirming the title of the institution to public support, and suggesting the following modifications of its rules:-1. A Patroness, President, four Vice-Presidents, and Committee to be elected. 2. The Committee to consist of six gentlemen and eighteen ladies-half of each number being resident in Newcastle, and the other half in Gateshead; also half of the ladies and half of the gentlemen to be members of the Church of England, and the remainder to be members of other denominations of Christians. 3. The Matron, or Assistant Matron, to be a Churchwoman, and attend church twice every Sunday, accompanied by those girls whose parents do not object to the arrangement.-The other Matron to accompany the other girls to such place of worship as the Committee may determine. [The remainder of the resolution related to "internal regulations."]

The motion was seconded by Mr. JOHN FAWCETT, and

carried.

Mr. HENRY BRADY proposed that Lady Ravensworth be Patroness for the ensuing year; the Mayor of Gateshead, President; the Mayor of Newcastle, the Rector of Gateshead, the Rev. John Collinson, A. M., and the Rev. R. C. Coxe, M.A., Viee Presidents; Mrs. Davies, Treasurer; Miss Verty, Secretary; Mrs. Abbot, Mrs. Akenhead, Mrs. Barras, Mrs. Coulthard, Mrs. J. Greene, Mrs. Glaholm, Mrs. Kell, Mrs. Swinburne, Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Nesham, and Misses Chapman, Chaytor, Bargate, Milner, S. Forster, Richardson, and A. Riehardson, Ladies' Committee; and Messrs. Chapman, Kell, Finlay, J. Greene, Fenwick, and l'Anson, Gentlemen's Committee.

Mr. G. HAWKS having seconded the motion, it was passed by the meeting; and it was then resolved, on the motion of Mr. BROWN, (being an amendment on the ninth rule of the institution,) that the girls be allowed to go to the houses of subscribers only, of not less than 10s. a year, to assist in household work, at the charge of sixpence a-day; and that they be dismissed in sufficient time to allow of their arrival at the institution by 8 o'clock. No girl to be sent out to labour on the Sabbath-day. Five girls, at the least, to be kept at home, for household work. The first applicants to be entitled to the services of the others. Thanks were voted to the Rector for his services in the chair, and the meeting separated.

Mr. C. J. Pearson, our fellow-townsman, has obtained the contract for building the great railway-station in Greene's. Field, Gateshead, and four or five other stations on the Newcastle and Darlington Railway, all of which are to be completed within little more than three months! Mr. Pearson commenced operations on Thursday, February 15.

THE GATESHEAD BAZAAR.

THIS event-(for an "event" it is, and one of no trifling mark, in the history of our ancient borough)-is now numbered with "the things that were." It has long been a subject of hope and anticipation, mingled with anxieties and doubts, among our good Gatesiders and their neighbours; and now that it has passed away, we rejoice that it is in our power to report the full success of the experiment.

The orizin of the Bazaar is not, perhaps, generally known. We may state, therefore, that the British Schools for Boys and Girls, first established in Gateshead by our benevolent townsman, Mr. R. H. Hazgie, had never obtained an income adequate to the cost of their maintenance; and, consequently, the Treasurer (Mr. H. himself; was week after week advancing money from his own resources. To remedy so undesirable a state of things, the friends of education held a public meeting in the Wesleyan chapel (over which the Borough Member presided), and resolved to make an effort to raise the income of the schools to a level with their expenditure.

Afterwards, a suggestion was made to hold a Bazaar, for the purpose of clearing off the debt due to the Treasurer. Many cautious friends of the institution shook their heads, and expressed grave doubts of the prudence of the project; but Mr. John Fawcett and Mr. Joseph Ciephan offered to take it in hand, if the Committee of the Schools would give them their sanction and auspices. The Committee readily consented, and no time was lost by the two projectors in forwarding the work which they had undertaken. Avoiding the error too commonly committed on such occasions, they did not vex and embarrass themselves by endeavours to obtain an imposing and empty array of distinguished patronesses," but placed the Bazaar under the substantial patronage of the ladies of GatesheadMrs. Mayoress kindly consenting to head the list. Friends were found in abundance-much more so than even the sanguine Secretaries had themselves anticipated. Their project, therefore, expanded day after day, and the doubts of the most sceptical were soon dispelled.

It

To speak too highly of the zeal and industry displayed by hundreds of ladies, in promoting the success of the Bazaar, would be impossible; and if we mention no names, it is only because we would shun all appearance of invidiousness. will sufficiently attest the extent of their benevolence, if we state that the Bazaar Committee, appointed after some progress had been made by the Secretaries, were compelled to abandon their arrangement with Mr. Blagburn, of the Grey Horse inn, from a conviction that his "long room" would neither be long enough nor broad enough for the occasion-(the worthy landlord promptly releasing them from the engagement into which they had entered). The generous offer of the Wesleyans, that the Bazaar might be held in their school room in High street(the largest room in Gateshead)-free from all charge, and even with gratuitous gas into the bargain-had previously been accepted most gladly by the Committee. The school, they found, was twice the size of the room at the Grey Horse, and, on the whole, well adapted for the object they had in view.

When the appointed days drew near-Tuesday and Wednesday, the 27th and 28th of February-two new fears seized the minds of the Committee. The contributors were beyond all expectation numerous, but the customers-where were they to come from in corresponding numbers? This was the first fear: the second was the weather. A snow storm had set in, and threatened to smother the project. On Sunday and Monday, the 25 h and 26th, the snow was heavy and almost incessant. Coarser days we have seldom seen; and much older men than ourselves confessed, that the "good old winters" of their youth, of which we hear so much, could hardly parallel the pitiless severity of Sunday. Monday, as Mark-lane "men of letters" would say, was "the turn better;" and Tuesday-the first day of the Bazaar-was better still. The weather, indeed, seemed inclined to be on its good behaviour; and, for a "snowstorm," it did not behave amiss.

Temporary wooden steps had been placed in High street, that visitors might get the more readily upon the "quay ;" and over the entrance of the lane leading to the school door, there was a wooden arch, inscribed "GATESHEAD BRITISH SCHOOLS BAZAAR," and ornamented with evergreens. The school itself was also tastefully adorned with evergreens, kindly supplied by Christian Allhusen, Esq., of Elswick House, Newcastle, and

arranged under the superintendance of Mr. Charles l'Anson, of the firm of l'Anson & Finney, nursery men, Gateshead. Oranges were disposed among the leaves with good effect, and also a number of artificial roses, skilfully constructed by Mrs. Dickinson and Miss Rowntree, daughters of Mr. William Rowntree, of Claremont place. The arch in the centre of the room, and that at the further end, were much admired.

There were eleven stalls fitted up for the sale of goodsfive on each side of the room, and one at the end opposite the door. There was also, on the right of the entranceporch, a printing press from the Observer office; and on the left there was a" post office," for the reception and delivery of letters during the Bazaar. The fittings-up were committed to the care of Messrs. Young & Son, builders, and very creditably executed, considering the shortness of the time allowed for the workwhich was little more than one day.

At an early hour on Tuesday morning, the fair stall-keepers began to deck their stalls with their wares. Most of them were free gifts, but many articles were mannfactured by the ladies themselves and friends at the cost of the Bazaar-time, and skill, and labour, however, being given without charge. And the cost of materials, and also the other expenses of the undertaking, we may here observe, were in great part covered by the liberality of pecuniary donors-(the names of whom, as their gifts were from time to time received, have already ap. peared in our columns).

At 11 o'clock in the forenoon, the public were admittedadults paying Is., and young persons 3d. The admission tickets were so constructed that they might readily be divided into two parts-the holder delivering one part to a stall-keeper in the purchase of goods, and retaining the other as a "pass-ticket" during the remainder of the day.

Within a few minutes of the opening of the doors, all fears of the success of the Bazaar were at an end. The attendance was all that could be wished, and purchases were freely made. The visitors were warm and unqualified in their praises. Our Newcastle friends-of whom a large number were present-expressed much surprise that so admirable a Bazaar had been got up so quietly, and with so little "patronage."

The number of stalls, we hive stated, was eleven, Were we to attempt a description of each stall, we should fail in doing justice to the rich result of the exertions made by the fair We shall therefore only trust ourselves to venture

caterers.

on a brief notice of the various stalls; premising, too, that all omissions of donors' names must be imputed, not to the stallkeepers, but to ourselves. Want of time has prevented us from obtaining a complete list of contributors.

No. 1.-This was Mrs. W. H. Brockett's stall, and was also attended by Miss Rutherford and Miss Sarah Wilson. It was placed at the high end of the room, on the left-hand side.— One of the most liberal contributors to its contents was the Countess of Strathmore. An ottoman, and a magnificent smoking cap, were among the more attractive articles at this stall. Miss E. Blakeway, of Surrey, was also a handsome donor. Nos. 2 and 3-These stalls, like Matthews's" two single gentlemen rolled into one," were "one concern," and enjoyed the joint-care of Mrs. Swinburne and Mrs. H. L. Pattinson. Their assistants were "Legion"-Mrs. Weatherlev, Mrs. and MISS Burnett, Miss Singers, Miss Swan, and six Misses Swinburne, aiding them in the sale of their merchandise. Here, also, the Countess of Strathmore had been a contributor-one of her ladyship's donations being a cashmere bag, beautifully tamboured with gold. Mrs. Collinson, the wife of our late worthy Rector, had also sent Mrs. Swinburne several valuable gifts(thereby following the good example of the liberal Bishop of the Diocese-who, when an appeal was made to the public for the relief of the British Schools from their embarrassments, was the first to transmit a donation of ten guineas). Capt. Weatherley presented to Nos. 2 and 3 a rich pincushion, made from ono of the Queen's dresses. Mrs. Stanley, of Bensham, among other things, gave a splendid mouchoir case. Mr. Newall contributed several articles, including a few coils of gold and silver wire, for hanging pictures-a new and handsome fabric, invented by the ingenious donor, and eagerly purchased by the visitors to the Bazaar. Mr. C. Garbutt, of Gateshead, and Mr. George Moor, of Newcastle, were also liberal friends to Mrs. Swinburne and Mrs. Pattinson's twin-stalls; likewise, Mrs. Hancock, Streatham, Surrey; Messrs. G. & W. Lawford, Down's-hill, London; and Mrs. Forster, Crowhill, Mansfield.