The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-01-06 00:00:00

c eived the system of the repository to be defective. After giving some details, he said there was a mass of important evidence in the books to which no references were given. He then proceeded to show how he would perfect the sys tem. Documents might be kept back by the representatives of a deceased surveyor; and he gave an instance of a docu ment having been kept back, and a demand of £2OO made for liberty to inspect it. Fortunately accident proved it to he useless ; but to prevent evils of this kind he would re quire every officer in the establishment, himself included, every year to make oath that he had restored every thing to the repository. He had hitherto been in the position of a stranger in his own house. Ile had felt the utmost reluc tance to interfere with that repository. He had felt when be went there that he was, so to speak, a stranger in his own house. He confessed that [this was in reply to a question put by Mr. Bushell] lie had never suggested any alteration in the system. As to the delegation, the confidence was ex tended to the Clerk of Committees, his clerk, and from him again to his clerk, the latter a stranger in the building at ten shillings a week, who sat in the office alone with the door of the repository open. The Town-clerk proceeded further to elucidate the system which he intended to pursue, one part of which was, to have the repository enclosed, within an iron railing, with a general door which was to be opened every morning for the day. Mr. Okill would have access to every thing but those deeds which ought not to be produced to any person. The deeds had not hitherto been under the direct surveillance of the Town-clerk, and he wished now to relieve the council from any thing like responsibility on the subject. He had hitherto forborne to complain of any part of the sys tem in the repository. He had the greatest respect for Mr. Okill, and had no wish to disturb him in the possession of any duty which by law he could perform. Mr. HODGSON said the obvious duty which they had to perform was to see that the Municipal Act was regularly car ried out. He was of opinion with Mr. North that solicitors were not the most regular persons. as they were busied with abstract questions, and had not leisure for nice details and arrangement. They bad been acting in carelessness or con tempt of tle law, and they must now take care that they did not do so in time to come. The MAYOR said Mr. North's amendment was not seconded. Mr. BUSHELL said it was useless to second it, as it would place the Town-clerk in a position which he had stated the law would not permit him to accede to. He thought they might fulfil the law in every respect by giving the Town clerk the power, and M r . Okill t h e management. Mr. Okill's duties were similar to those of a librarian. If he were to receive all his directions from the Town-clerk, the law would be fulfilled, and the Town-clerk wouldihave the bene fit of his arrangemeat. He could not see any objection to Mr. Okill being the assistant of the Town-clerk. Give him the management of the muniments, and the difficulty would be got rid of. Mr. BIRKETI Mr. BUSHELL Mr. BIRKETT. Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE. -oh, yes, he will. Mr. BUSHELL.—If he reads the debates of this council, and see the deference which is paid to his feelings, he will not care what he is called—whether Town-clerk's clerk, or Clerk of Committees. Mr. HORNDY regretted that this discussio-i had taken place, as it had given rise to details which it was injurious should go forth. He would oppose both the resolution of the committee and the amendment of Mr. North. The Town council had nothing to do with the matter; the Town-clerk was the legal custodian ; he had duties, and he was bound to perform them ; and he had told the council that he would perform them. If the council passed any resolution, they would take the responsibility upon themselves, which they bad not by act of parliament. He hoped the Paid Officers' Committee would withdraw the resolution. Mr. HODGSON hoped the Paid Officers' Committee would persevere. .—That is all we want .—Very well, the —He all difficulty is at an end Mr. HORNBY rose to order. Mr. Hodgson bad already spoken on the question. The MAYOR said the Council was in committee. Mr. HODGSON said they ought to go on with the resolu tion, for the purpose of letting the community see that the individuals who now had charge of their affairs, could ad minister them properly and legally, without that sort of loose ness on the one hand, and of latitudinarianism on the other, whicli had formerly been permitted. Mr. HORNBY said he had no intention of saying anything offensive to any one in the Council, and he hoped he had not done so. Mr. Hodgson could scarcely have heard the reso lution of 1839 read, or he would not have made these re marks. There has been no looseness on the part of the Council. He begged that the resolution might be again read. The DEPUTY TOWN-CLERK read the resolution passed in November, 1839, read at the outset of the proceedings by Mr. Lloyd. Mr. HORNET said the Council of that day expressed no opinion as to th e i r powers, b ut simply authorized the Town clerk to make such arrangements as were necessary, and as he thought fit. It was necessary that the clerk of commit tees should have access to the deeds, and the Town-clerk pro posed that now. It thought it exceedingly inconvenient that members should take every opportunity of making charges against those who were of a different party. He was sent there to facilitate the public business, and be was not influ enced by the slightest ill feeling to any one, but would act most cordially with any member whatever for the benefit of the community, which he conceived to be the object of all. Mr. HODGSON said the reading of the resolution had but strengthened the feeling which he entertained. In spite of the extreme sensitiveness of parties he would show that they should avoid the laxity which had been shown by those who hail preceeded them. The MAYOR rose to order, and informed Mr. Hodgson that he was deviating from the immediate subject before them. Mr. Hodson persisted. (Loud and repeated cries of " Chairr,") induced him to bow to the Mayor's decision. The Deputy TOWN-CLERK, at the request of Sir Thomas Brancker, read the Town -clerk's statement touching the custody of the deeds, &c. Sir Thomas remarked that they hail already virtually adopted the views expressed in that statement. Mr. EARLE said the member for Everton Ward never arose but he made observations insulting to his political opponents. (LauThe MAYOR. -1 hope you will avoid it Mr. Earle.-- ghter.) Mr. EARLE.—He not only remarks on their conduct, but he does it with a malignant pomposity that renders it doubly insulting. THE MAYOR..---It is highly des alities should be avoided. Serely racier of this Council, if we can is necessary to be don. sable that these person t Is a stigma on the cha lot meet to discuss what ,“,,,, wiznout reflecting e ith er on those who have gone before us, or those who are to come after us. Mr. LACE said it appeared that the resolution of 1839 had not been carried out. He would propose that the Town clerk should be directed to report to the council some plan for the custody of the muniments. Mr. AIKIN said the Town -clerk ought to have kept the council in the strict line of their duty. If they were not acting legally, he should have discovered it and set them right. Mr. EvANs said they were splitting hairs in a manner which they had not been accustomed to do, before they had so many legal gentlemen in the council, gentlemen, whose business it was to multiply questions. (Laughter.) Much discussion of a desultory character followed. On a division the numbers were, — For the resolution ..................28 Against it Majority for the resolion ...... 19 The following are ori the names of the members who voted on each side : For the resolution.--Messrs. Hodgson, Isaac Holmes, Blackburn, Copeland, Aikin, Holme, Rae, Royden, J. Law rence, Cooper, Birkett, Bushell, Procter, Lloyd, Kilshaw, Parker, Plumpton, Trotman, Smith, Harbord, Houghton, Griffith, Freme, Crook, Bramley-Nloore, Molyneux, Evans, and the Mayor. Against the resolution.—Messrs. R. Houghton (council lor,) Thornhill, Preston North, H. H o l mes, Hornby, J. Holmes, Aspinall, G. H. Law rence, L ace, Platt, Barclay, Bulley, Earle, Turner, Holt, Nicol, Moon, and Sir Thomas Brancker. The resolution to pay Mr. Tyson £165 2s 4d for extra ser vices was then carried without discussion. Mr. LLOYD introduoed the next resolution, namely : " That on the establishments of the Town-clerk, and Deputy Town-clerk, and Prosecuting Solicitor being formed, the clerk to the Clerk of Committees will not be any longer re quired, and the Town -clerk is directed to make the arrange ments for the change accordingly." Mr. TURNER said as the committee had not made any re port as to Mr. Okill's duties, it was desirable to postpone this resolution till that was done. Mr. Turner moved an amendment to that effect. Mr. LACE seconded the amendment. Some discussion ensued, in the course of which Mr. HORNBY observed, that Mr. Abbott's duties had been re presented as simply those of an engrossing clerk, which was not the case, but far o th erw i se. The MAYOR observed that: it was stated in ,the remarks of the committee that the apportionment of the duties and salary of the Clerk of Committees had to be considered. It seemed premature, therefore, to pass such a resolution as that which had been read. After some conversation, Mr. LLOYD, on the part of the Paid Officers' Committee, consented to postpone the subject. C OMMISSIONERS FOR BIRKENHEAD. Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE brought before the council the subject of appointing three commissioners under the Local Act of Ist and 2d Victoria, cap. 33, for amending an act 3rd William IV. for paving, lighting, watching-, cleansing, and otherwise improving the township or chapelry of Birkenhead, and for regulating the police thereof. Mr. Lawrence pro posed Mr. Parker, Mr. North, and Mr. Wood. Mr. HORNBY wished to make one observation with regard to this proposition, and he hoped the present commissioners would not consider what he was about to say disrespectful to them. He certainly should think it his duty to oppose the appointment of the same gentlemen as commissioners, not on account of not having discharged their duties properly, but because those gentlemen themselves would agree with him that they were not upon the most harmonious terms with their brother commissioners. It was well known there was an act of parliament to be brought in by the commis sioners of Birkenhead, in which the rights of the corporation of L iverpool wer e very materially affected ; and he thought it was desirable that the commissioners : ypointed by the corporation should be gentlemen who would be likely to act harmoniously with their brother commissioners, and, if pos sible, save a great deal of those unpleasant discussions which had taken place. H e th oug h t also that some important member of .the Finance Committee should be one of the commissioners. It was his intention to propose that Sir Thomas Braucker be appointed in the place of Mr. Parker, which he did without meaning the slightest offence to Mr. Parker. Sir Thomas Braneker, it was well known, had not only a great knowledge of the a ff a i rs o f the corporation, and of the ght the t own •, and it was very p roper that some arrangement M be made which would prevent those enormous expenses to which the corporation was put in parliamentary business, which it must be the effort of this council to diminish as Much as possible. He therefore begged to propose the elec tion of Sir Thomas Braneker in the place of Mr. Parker. oSrir Twos. B RANCKER said he was much obliged to Mr. 1-1 nhy, but he would prefer not being appointed. Mr. BIRKETT contended that the Finance Committee were represented at the Birkenhead board by Mr. Wood. Nl%Parker was a member of the Watch Committee, and North of several others, so that the present selection was but fai r an d judicious. With regard to lessening the parlia tomentary expenses, these three gentlemen, whatever they were todo, could not lessen them one farthing. He was surprised hear such a reason assigned as the want of harmony be tween him an d the other commissioners as an objection to . Parker. If the same feeling actuated the majority of the conservative party, that because a harmonious feeling did not pervade the whole body, Mr. Ilornby would not at that moment have been a member of the Finance Committee. . Y Mr. HORNBY said he h a d b een comp l etely m i sun d erstoo d Mr. Birkett. Mr. EARLE—That is very probable. The MAYOR —Order ! order ! Mr. Hoitxnv-1 believe Mr. Parker will himself admit that he has on various occasions been— Mr. EARLE—In water. (Laughter.) The MAYOR --Ord, ! order ! bens'M HOR NBY — Aliiiost quarrelling with the other mem- When I say " harmoniously." I do not say they Should not support the rights of the corporation. s Mr. PARKER said, the grounds for this proposition, 4lthough it came from Mr. Hornby, amounted to nothing t i l °te than a want of harmony. He gave credit to Mr. tiioroby for the sincerity with which he made the statement; il ut at the same time, when he was accused of not acti g ~,artooniously with his brother commissioners, he hoped he ieuiricl receive credit for acting conscientiously. (Hear.) Mr. ilornby had had a seat at the Birkenhead board, and had been told as he (Mr. Parker) had, " We care not one farthing for the Corporation of Liverpool —we will go to parliament and beat you: we will bring up the Cheshire members and carry the bill in spite of you." Were these taunts continually tbrown in the teeth of the representatives of the corporation at the board of commissioners and no notice to be taken of them? As a member of the council, he would never see the corporation insulted either at Birken head or anywhere else. It was true, there had been but placid sort of representatives for the corporation there here tofore; it was true that there was a majority of nineteen against one; but he, (Mr. Parker,) as a public man, if he were appointed to a public duty, he should endeavour con scientiously to discharge it. If Mr. Hornby meant to charge him with a dereliction of duty, let him boldly bring it for ward, and he (Mr. Parker) would meet and disprove it. Mr. Hornby said he meant no reflection upon Mr. Parker. Why, what was the motion but a direct attack upon him ? He knew there was a worthy little alderman not far from him was longing to second Mr. Hornby's motion. He could see the fidgetty way in which the little gentleman was getting upon his chair; but he (Mr. Parker) stood there upon prin ciple, and he was determined to do his duty in whatever station he was placed. If the council thought proper to supersede him, he should feel much obliged, and it would take a great weight off his mind, for he cared not one farthing about that or any other appointment ; but when he was personally attacked be would reply. As he had told Mr. Jackson, at the Birkenhead meeting last night, he represented a larger constituency than the whole population of Birken head ; and he was not accountable for his conduct to the council, but to his constituents. Mr. EARLE said, he had the honour of accepting Mr. Parker's invitation, and he did second the motion. He thought Mr. Hornby's expression about having an important member of the council at the Birkenhead board was most unfortunate, because it was impossible they could have a more important one than the member who had just sat down. In the course of his speech he (Mr. Parker) had proved that be was an improper person to be a commissioner, because he was at loggerheads with the gentlemen on the other side of the water— Mr. PARKER.—On principle. Mr. EARLE.—Upon principle ! Why, nobody called the gentleman's principle in questi on . Th ey h a d a ll too much of it to suppose that it did not exist in Mr. Parker, for there was nothing but " principle, principle !" from the beginning to the end of his speeches. Surely there was some judgment required from a commissioner; and he (Mr. Earle) looked upon Sir Thomas Brancker to have as much principle as Mr. Parker, with a little more judgment. Mr. NORTH said, of course Mr. Hornby's observations did not apply to him, for though there had been two meet ings since he was appointed, circumstances had prevented him from attending ? Mr. lonNinr.—Certainly not. Mr. \t NTH said if Mr. Hornby would do him the favour of taking ins place as a Birkenhead commissioner, he should feel obliged to him. _ _ Mr. FioaNBY said that whatever the cause might be, there was no doubt a great deal of hostility against Mr. Parker. He could only report, that he meant nothing disrespectful against Mr. Parker in the present motion. Mr. ISAAC HOLMES said Mr. Parker had succeeded him as a commissioner of Birkenhead, and for the attention he had devoted to the interests of the corporation there, he was deserving of the thanks of the council. All the time he (Mr. Holmes) had acted with the Birkenhead commissioners, he had found them the most gentlemanly of any individuals he had ever acted with. With regard to the chairman a more perfect gentleman, or one who conducted himself with more propriety, he (Mr. Holmes) had never seen in any chair than Mr. Case. As to what Mr. Birkett had said about indi viduals not acting harmoniously, it was well known that it had been said he (Mr: Holmes) ought to•be left out of a cer tain committee on that account. He called it vanity and presumption in any man - - The MAYOR called Mr. Holmes to order: such allusions were totally unnecessary. Mr, BIIi ' KETT inquired whether Mr. Holmes was referring to him? Mr. HoLuEs.- , -.No. He hoped Mr. Hornby would not persevere in the motion. - Mr. HORNBY said he had done what he considered his duty, but he was willing to withdraw the motion. Mr. HODGSON contended that the grounds on which the council were asked to supersede Mr. Parker were insuffi cient ; but at the same time the proposition had been made in a fair and manly way. ! J - Mr. G. H. LAWR ENCE said be felt confidence in Mr Parker. Mr. PLATT having been a former commissioner of Birken head, could say that he had never met with gentlemen who were more ready than Mr. Jackson and the chief commissioners to attend, not only to the public interest on that side of the water, but their own. (Loud laughter.) Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE repeated that he had perfect con fidence in Mr. Parker. He went there to represent the cor poration, and be had expressed strong opinions upon the late boats. That was no corporate question ; but the fact was, that on the other side there was a diversity of opinion upon it, but nothing had occurred to disqualify Mr. Parker— far from it. The amendment was then withdrawn, and the original motion was carried. MRS. ANN MOLYNEUX'S CHARITY - - The Mayor was appointed a trustee under the Local Act of 9th George IV. for enabling the trustees under Mrs. Ann Molyneux's Charity in Liverpool to grant building leases, and for better vesting estates in them, for confirming ex changes, and other purposes, for the benefit of the said charity. ST. JAMES'S CEMETRY. Sir Thomas Brancker, Mr. Thornhill, and Mr. Smith were appointed trustees under the Local Act of 7th George IV for establishing St. James's Cemetry. SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND. Mr. Turner and Mr. Richard Houghton, councillors, were appointed to execute the powers given to the Mayor and senior Alderman by the Local Act of 10 George IV. c. 15, relating to the School for the Indigent Blind at Liverpool, and the chapel /attached thereto. - PILOTS' COMMITTEE. The next business was the appointment carryv-one mem bers of the Council, as commissioners, to into execu tion the Local Act of 5 Geo. IV. for the better regulation and encouragement of Pilots for the conducting of ships and vessels into, and out of the port of Liverpool and the ap pointment of three members of the Council, as auditors under the said act. The following members were appointed : —Robertson Gladstone, Esq. for the mayor ; James Moon, Esq. for the deputy mayor ; Messrs. Isaac Holmes, Leigh, Sands, Bramley-Moore, Houghton (alderman,) Holt, Faw cett, Royden, Copeland, Hodgson, Rae, Bushell, Bulley, Turner, Harbord, Griffith, G. H. Lawrence, H. Holmes, Lloyd, Priestley, Kilshaw, Molyneux, Cooper, Rigby, J. Lawrence, Shaw, Preston, Blundell, Earle, Jno. Holmes, Barclay, Toulmin, Thornhill, Platt, H.!Lawrence, Plumpton, Lace, Sheppard, and Blackburn. - WALLASEY EMBANKMENT Messrs. Aikin, Evans and Houghton (councillor,) were appointed commissioners, under the Local Act of 10 George IV. for the embankment on the north-west side of Leasowes, in Wallasey and Great Meols, in the County of Chester. FINANCE COMMITTEE.-STATE OF THE CORPORATION Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE, before the proceedings of the Finance Committee were brought forward, said it was morally impossible that the business in the paper could be got through, and therefore he suggested an adjournment, as they would have to adjourn. (Cries of " No, no," and " Go on.") Very well ; he had no objection to go on. The Deputy TowN-CLERK then read the proceedings of the Finance Committee. It appeared that a conference had been held with the Local Courts' Committee, upon the ex pediency of removing the public offices and police-court from their present site, to the site of Islington Market; and it had been resolved that the consideration of the question be postponed, and in the meantime that the surveyor be in structed to lay before the committee a valuation of all the buildings near the Town-hall. I❑ the proceedings of the committee, on the 31st ult., ap peared the following report of a sub-committee on the financial affairs of the corporation. The Chairman (Sir Thomas Brancker), and Hugh Hornby, Esq., submit to the Finance Committee that, with the assistance of the treasurer and clerk of committees, they have investigated the accounts of the corporation, and con sidered the state of the income and expenditure. That they are of opinion, that the annual income of the corporate estate from all sources cannot be estimated for the current year, ending the Ist of Sept. next, at more than £127,270. That the amount of the obligatory expenditure cannot be estimated at less for the current year than £123,492. Leav ing a gross surplus of £3,771, and that the continuance of branches of discretionary expenditure for the public benefit of the inhabitants and improvement of the borough, hitherto annually sanctioned by the council, must be estimated at £2,262, leaving as nett surplus only £1,516. That consider ing the variable and fluctuating character of both income and expenditure, and the greater probability of increasing the latter, than of increasing the former; and when they con templated that a successful result of the experimental im provements at Seacombe slip may, in the current year, call for the immediate commencement of improvements in the landing accommodation at St. George's Pier, under the act of last sessions ; they are of opinion that the surplus of £1516 ought not to be relied upon, and that the greatest circum spection, and the strictest economy are essential to the just and most beneficial administration of the corporate estate, in order to meet the charge already upon the income of the current year, and to effect a surplus income that can be relied upon for the discretionary application of the council in future years. The leases were then read. Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE begged to move the confirmation of the proceedings. In doing so he would proceed to draw the attention of the council, more especially to the report which the select committee of finance had made upon finance itself, and then to the resolution which had emanated from the general committee, which he should now ask the council to consider and adopt. The council were aware that it was the duty of the Finance Committee annually to present to the council an estimate of the annual expenditure of the cor poration as well as of its annual income, with a view, chiefly, of enabling the council to ascertain whether they had any surplus income, so that they might apply that income to ob jects which were discretionary—for instance, to ascertain whether they had any power of maintaining the schools, or of subscribing to public charities as heretofore. The coun cil must bear in mind that though they had the power of tax ing the inhabitants to carry out obligatory expenditure, such as the maintenance of the gaol, the prosecution of felons, and the interest on the debt, they had none to spend money upon indifferent subjects; and no proposition could be car ried out by the council for the public benefit of the inhabi tants, or the improvement of the town, so long as they had no surplus income. The tendency of men's minds was, ge nerally, to overstate their expected income, and to understate the demands upon it ; such at least had been the habit of their predecessors, and former estimates had, consequently, proved fallacious. Nor was the estimate which be submitted to the council last year free from that imputation, for it cer tainly rather understated the demands upon them, and there had been an increased expenditure. It did not, however, go the length of proving as some asserted, that the corporation had no surplus income whatever. It was sufficient, however, now to allude more especially to the future than to the present, and he should shew the council, by an estimate which he would lay before them, they still we re jus tified in recommending the discretionary expenditure which the council had hitherto borne. However desi rable it was they should possess a surplus income, he was not one of those who would give a colouring or a gloss to the accounts which they had no right to have. He assured them if he was satisfied they hail not a liberal income, that they were consuming their capital in meeting their current ex penses—a rock which he hoped they would avoid—he would be the first to warn and tell the corporation so. He would enforce the necessity, and urgently call up on th em to contri bute, by a borough rate, to maintain the h onour and the in terest of the corporation ; but he trusted th a t no such alter native would be his ; or that. he or his successo rs would find himself in this position, for it would be a grievous and a hard thing upon the burgesses, if, while devoting their funds so nobly for the erection of a county-ball at the cost of £B,OOO annually, which they had taken upon themselves freely t and liberally, i b b e e y r al couldly n notot because retract f t r h u e m law compelled existing circumstances— he them, bu if, whichad he did say it would be hard, under such circumstances, they called upon the burgesses for a rate to defray the obli gatory expenses of the corporation. He did not purp ose to embarrass his statement by entering into minute detail s o f the result ; but, at the same time, he was fully prep are d to do so if any member of the council should require it. It, , perhaps, would be sufficient to say, that the committee esti mated the 1 Leavin Annual income at Annual obligatory expense Now t!suinin ie £127,270 123,492 lit it wont ycaL wr l U CL pUI _ pleasure to devote as a portion of their surplus income to tit, support of the public charities, they would be called upon for a sum of about £6oo—in all, £2,262. They would there fore have a net surplus income for all further purposes, and exigencies of £1,516. Now on such a surplus as this, even under the most ordinary circumstances, the corporation would hardly place much, if any reliance ; but when he went on to debit the liabilities and demands which beset the cor poration, they would agree with him that he was justified in calling upon them to act with the greatest caution, and hesitate ere they involved the corporation in any new ex pense whatever. •It appeared they had now before them to pay— For the purchase of the site of the old fort, nearly For the completion of Gill-street market For the river craft dock For land on the North-shore For irnprovBments in the new tobacco warehouses For the erection of a new gaol For the completion of the assize court For landing-stages at George's-pier For balance due for the Birkenhead property 23,000 9,000 19,000 15,000 2,600 150,000 125,000 3,000 24,000 Making a total of 370,600 Several of these sums would uot, of course, be called for in the present year, but many of them were very pressing, and would all .have to be provided for—particularly the gaol, which it was proposed at once to commence. These several payments would never be put to the debit account of the annual expenditure : that was not fair, he was aware, but they must recollect, that in almost every case the interest of the money would. Then, again, with regard to the assets to meet these things, he was aware there was a large sum of money to be received for the sale of Salthouse Dock—that they had much property comparatively unproductive, of which he should show the means of disposir , at another time—and that they had always the resource of borrowing money —nay, that they might resort to a gaol rate for that purpose if they should find themselves in need. He was not, therefore, going to tell them that their assets were not so insufficient as to cause any alarm or apprehension; but he said there was gound for the greatest possible circumspec tion—that they must be satisfied to carry out the engage ments into which they had now entered before they em barked in any new ones. He would even hope that the expenditure of the corporation might in some degree be reduced, but he was not very sanguine on that point, because he knew that as the population increased their expenses would increase too. He looked with more confidence upon increasing their revenue: be thought means were within their reach of doing something in that way,—for instance, he hoped that the trade of the town would increase, and that the town dues would increase.. Of late years there had been rather a diminution from that source ; and he calculated that this year there would not be £2,000 less received from this source than there was last year. He expected, too, that the other committees of the council would materially assist the Finance Committee in Improving the revenue ; and whilst he was on the subject, he would mention the Markets' Com mittee as one from which he expected to receive a larger revenue this year than last. He had said, in his place in the council a few months ago, that he had been disappointed in them. This circumstance arose, he was afterwards in formed, from a number of expenses being necessary for improvements ; they would not occur again, and he hoped there would now be an increased revenue from that source. lie did not mean to say that the utmost was not exacted now, but the Markets' Committee must bear in mind, that the corporation had a right to exact a fair rate from their tenants in the markets,—that they had as much right to exact a fair rent from the mar kets, as Sir Oswald Mosley had from his market tenants, as lord of the manor of Manchester, or any other in dividual in his private property. The Markets' Commit tee must not let their feelings weigh towards those parties more immediately under their control, but do their duty ; they must not be charitable only but act for the general benefit of the inhabitants. Whatever increase of rents took place would be so much added to the surplus income, and en able the council to give so much in addition to the general benefit of the community. Then, lie hoped that the Finance Committee might be able, looking at its tenants, to gain some additional income, and he hoped they might also be the means of bringing into play much of the unproductive pro perty now on hand. It was not an easy thing, nor would it be wise to force sales ; but the committee had under con sideration the propriety of bringhltinto the market several of their unbuilt on, and unprofitable pieces of land. Whether by altering the system of leasing which had been so long adopted, and which had given so much satisfaction, there would be any improvement was an after consideration ; his own impression was that they might act, in Cheshire for in stance, upon the system of ground rents with the view of forcing and encouraging sales. It was really disheartening to see there lying idle, property to the extent of £150,000 — from which they had no income; and would it not be better to submit to a small and diminished price rather than the property should not come into life and produce some return ? He did not know that be. had anything further to say. He trusted he had not gone too much into detail, but that he had still said sufficient to awaken the council to the im portant subject of the resolution he proposed. He should conclude with moving the resolution—That upon taking into consideration the report on the income and expenditure of the corporation, adopted by the Finance Committee, and the recommendation of that committee theron,—Re solved—That the new operations be commenced by the council, or any committee thereof, until further consideration and determination of the council; such resolution not ex tending to obligatory works, in which are comprised the building of a new gaol, and purchase of land for that purpose, under the report of the Finance Committee, and the approval thereof by the council. Mr. THORNHILL enquired whether the increased expendi ture in the Town-clerk's department had been taken into ac count in the estimate now submitted ? Mr. EVANS.—The prospective increase ? Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE replied that some allowance had been made for the additional salaries. Mr. JAMES LAWRENCE said, the Markets' Committee having been so pointedly referred to, it was necessary for him to state that the funds of that committee would be more this year than they had been last. It did not appear that their expenses were heavy, but gentlemen must take into conside ration the rapid expenditure of former years. The com mittee, however, were determined upon the greatest economy, and upon producing the largest revenue which under all the circumstances they could. With regard to rentals, it must be borne in mind that in the depressed state of the times it had been difficult to increase rents Sir THOMAS BRANCKER seconded the motion of Mr. G. H. Lawrence, who, he said, had so fully gone into the sub ject as to leave him nothing to say. From the statement read it must be evident that, unless the council was prepared to go for a borough rate, the utmost economy and circum spection must be used in the management of the corporate affairs. It had been too much the custom with the former council, since the passing of the municipal reform bill, to look upon the corporate estates and upon themselves just in the same light as in the finances of the late corporation. The cases, however, were different; the late corporation, the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses, were the absolute owners of the estate ; it was theirs to do with it as they pleased, and they could not be called to account. The only limit to which they were subject was either their want of money or their want of credit ; and when both these sources were exhausted, all they had to do was to stand still till the funds came round. The present council, however, was in a difficult po sition ; they were merely trustees for the inhabitants at large, and, like any other trustee, they were accountable to the public for the due administration of their trust. They were very much like churchwardens, for they were an annual body, or nearly so, and they had to administer the income only, and not the capital. Their duties were threefold as regarded financial matters. First, they were to discharge the obligations laid upon them by the Municipal Corpora tions Act out of the borough fund : if that annual fund was sufficient, they had no occasion to resort to a borough rate. If them was a surplus, their second duty was to administer that surplus for the general benefit of the inhabitants : if there was no surplus, but a deficiency, then they had power to go for a borough rate, but only strictly for the purposes described by the act of parliament. The third duty was the proper care and management of the corporate estate entrust- ed to their charge. They were in charge of it only as trus tees : they had no right to spend the capital, or alienate the estate, except for the purp . ose of reinvestment, or wnaer some particular act of parliament; and their duty was to administer the estate so as to make it productiv e o f income. He feared that the town-council, in some other days, had lost sight of this rule, and that they had been expending capital instead of income. It was quite clear, at present, that the surplus of the borough fund was very small ; and, therefore, it was for the council, without reference to the past, to look to the future. They had no right to anticipate the receipts of 1843-4; but it was their duty to administer the funds which came into their hands for the particular year, and no more. Mr. AnuN went along with the chairman of the Finance Committee and Sir Thomas Brancker in all they had said with respect to economy. A simple declaration to that effect would have answered every purpose, and he could have un derstood it then ; but here the resolution went to deny the right of commencing any new work, however small in ex pense or important in its results. Mr. EARLE coincided with Mr. Aikin ; and he called at tention to some leases of property in Commutation-row, Cropper-street, and Drury-lane, which he urged the council to refuse, as great improvements might thereby be effected Mr. Aiicir; inquired whether this _resolution would not interfere with the proposed removal of the local courts, even if it were proved that the removal would add a large sum to the borough fund ? Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE replied in the affirmative. Mr. AIKIN repeated that a declaration simply that eco nomy was necessary would have answered all the purpose of the Finance Committee. Ile regarded the motion as an attempt to get rid of the proposed removal of the local courts by a sidewind. Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE admitted that his wish with re gard to the daily courts was to put an extinguisher upon them, at least for the present. If the council choose by an express vote to order them to be proceeded with, of course he should bow to their decision ; but it would require some solid interference of that sort before the Finance Committee would consent to go any further. The Deputy TOWN-CLERK, at the request of Mr. Aikin, read the proceedings of the Finance Committee of the 16th of December, as given above, to shew that the present was the first intimation of any intention to get rid of the proposal. Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE said the Finance Committee tied their own hands first and then those of every• other com mittee. The difficulty was not in raising the money, but in providing for the payment of the interesi. Mr. BLRKETT strongly supported the resolution of the Finance Committee. Mr. S. HOLME said, that when the question of the local courts came regularly under discussion, he should prove, by indisputable facts, that not only would the removal be effected without a farthing of loss, but with a gain to the borough fund. Mr. ATKIN expressed a similar opinion. Mr. EVANS said the whole object of the resolution was to keep clear of a borough rate, and that object would be ac complished by the present discussion. Mr. HORNBY said the Finance Committee had, in this report, discharged a duty which they were hound to do an nually. They did not disapprove of any of the measures or improvements that had been proposed, except on financial grounds. They had only a surplus of .£l5OO to work upon, and it was consistent in them to be rigidly economical if they wished to avoid being driven to a borough rate. Several members called upon Mr. Lawrence to withdraw the motion. Others called upon the council to go to the vote. Mr. Aucrx moved as an amendment that the following words be added to the resolution :—" It being understood by the council that the resolution is not to interfere with the report required by the council on the subject of the removal of the local courts." Mr. nOLME seconded the amendment, and after a very long discussion the council divided, when there appeared, For the amendment ...... 14 Against it 9c Majority For the Amendment —Councillors Hodgson, Isaac Holmes, Blackburn, Aikin, Holme, Fawcett, Tonlmin, Lloyd, Kil show, Plumpton ; Aldermen Earle, Crook, Molynenx, and Evans-14. Against Councillors Houghton, Thornhill, Preston, Thompson, Edwards, Hornby, J. Holmes, J. Lawrence, Cooper, Birkett, Bushell, Proctor, Parker, G. H. Lawrence, Trotman, Platt, Smith, Harbord; Aldermen Barclay, Griffith Brancker, Turner, Frerne, Nicoi; and the Mayor-1-25 a majority d of the confirmation of ittee. _ for the reference beck to the commit tee of two recommendations touching the renewal of leases in Cropper-street, Commutation-row, and Drury-lane, but being warmly opposed withdrew his motion, the proceedings were confirmed. al.o presses The council adjourned at twenty-five minutes Past four o'clock till eleven o'clock on Wednesday. PRESERVATION OF DOCUMENTS FROM FIRE Twelve o'clock yesterday, being the time appointed by Mr. T. Wood, jun., (who is about to bring the subject of the pre servation of documents from fire before the Liverpool Poly technic Society at their next meeting,) for a public prelimi nary trial of the respective merits of several of the most approved plans now submitted to the public, a large assem blage of our most respectable townsmen were present. The site selected for the exhibition was a field in Prescot-street, London-road, in the immediate vicinity of St. Jude's Church. At ten o'clock a fire had been ignited, in the centre of which were placed one of Milner's patent magazines for powder, and a brick closet, the interior of which was a foot square and two feet in length. The roof and bottom were sup ported by i-inch square iron rods. Those supporting the roof do not, within three inches, reach the exterior of the walls, which are nine inches in thickness, thus in no way acting as conductors of heat to the interior of the safe. Milner's box, or magazine, is of a circular form, and contains three cham bers, alternately filled with tubes containing a chemical fluid, and a non-conducting substance resembling, in appearance, saw-dust. What the result of this test will be noticed in our next, as the magazine would not, we understood, be removed from the fire until this morning. To test the comparative merits of the safes for documents manufactured severally by " Milner," " Chubbs," and " Mars," a circular furnace, of about nine feet in diameter and a foot in height, was con structed. In the centre was a chimney of perforated sheet iron, and radiating from this to the outer edge were angular passages of similar material to admit air to the interior of the fire, which had also the effect of consuming a great portion of the smoke. At about one o'clock the boxes —one of Mil ner's—a circular and a square one—one of Chubbs', and one of Mars', were placed in the furnace with the locks facing the funnel, where it was anticipated the heat would be most intense. The boxes severally contained files of bills, documents, sealed letters, parchments, books, and other materials equally combustible. At twenty minutes past ten o'clock, fire was conveyed to the furnace, and a rapid conflagration ensued. The boxes remained subject to all the heat that could by the utmost ex ertion be attained, and though it did not, in the centre, gain the intense heat anticipated, it was, nevertheless, very great. At half-past four o'clock they were withdrawn from the fire, and shortly after five were opened in the presence of his worship the mayor, and many of our most influential merchants. The box manufactured by Mars, of London, was the first opened ;—the papers Were all perfectly safe, and in no way discoloured, but slightly damped. Mr. Chubbs' was the next opened ;—th papers it contained were in an equally perfect state o. preservation, but dryer and warmer than those in the preceeding one. In Mr. Milner's square box all deposited was perfectly cool and moist, and not in the slightest degree injured. The circular box manu factured by Mr. Milner being what is termed a " double chamber," that is, possessing a double portion of the fire resisting principle, when compared with that previously ex amined, it was considered needless to open it, until the whole were submitted to a further and more severe trial. Mr. Milner's boxes are principally manufactured of tin and sheet iron, and the others of wrought-iron. At twenty minutes to six o'clock the several boxes were again inserted, and remained in a most intense heat until half-past seven o'clock, (being one hour and forty minutes,) when they were again opened. In Milner's single chamber box all was perfect ; and though the contents were slightly damped, they were scarcely, if at all, injured or discoloured. The documents deposited in the one manufactured by Marr were slightly damped and singed at the edges. The contents of the one labelled " Chubb," &c., were also injured ; but we cannot say whether each of the boxes was subjected to the same degree of heat. The double chamber circular magazine, or safe—by Mil ner, was then opened, and all it contained was in the same state as when first placed in it ; though it was considered by several, that the whole would be destroyed, so intense was the heat to which this case (which was considerably smaller than the others,) was subjected to. The mayor will be pre sent at the opening of the magazine this morning at half-past nine o'clock. THE LATE CATASTROPHE IN GALWAY.—By the report of the medical gentleman, Dr. Browne, it appears that four more lives have been added to the dismal catalogue of casu alties, making a melancholy total of 37 souls who perished by a groundless panic. FATAL ACCIDENT AT SEA.--A few days since an accident happened to a fishing-boat off Eastbourne. It appears that two brothers, named Simpson, went out in their boat to fish, and were hooking for whiting, when a sudden squall upset their boat. One of them succeeded in catching hold of the mast and buoying himself up until assistance was afforded from shore; the other poor fellow met a watery grave. PHILOSOPHY OF HEAT.—" Well, my little fellow," said a certain principal to a sucking philosopher, whose mamma had been teasing the learned Knight to test the astonishing abilities of her boy,—" what are the properties of heat ?" " The chief property of heat is, that it expands bodies, while cold contracts them." " Very good, indeed—can you give me a familiar example?" " Yes, Sir : in summer, when it is hot the day is long ; while in winter, when it is cold, it be comes very short." The learnefl Knight stopped his exami nation, and was lost in amazement that so familiar an in stance should have so long escaped his own observation. WEST INDIAN MAILS.—The Royal Mail Company's ship the Thames, with the mails from the West Indies and Gulf of Mexico, due at Falmouth on the 3d, arrived there at 10 p.m. on Sunday, the Ist instant. Since the commencement of the company's amended plan of service introduced on the Ist of October, the following have beer► the dates of the ar rivals of the respective packets, and the periods at which they were due : Clyde.. Solway. Tweed . Thames When due Nov. 19 Dec. 3 Dec. 20 Jan. 3 , Arrived. Nov. 18 Dec. 3 Dec. 20 Jan. 1 The statement of the accounts of the Bank of France made, up to the morning of the 26th ult.' s hows the follo w i ng re sults :—Actif The bank h a d t h en i n hand, cash, 19 7,253,647 f; in discounts and loans, 179,542,4041 ; branch banks ac connts, 47 ,788,5411 ; renter, public securities, and reserve fund, 64,201,736 f ; credits and various items, 136,880 1, Passif—Amount of bank notes in circulation, 223,421,000 f ; Church,t hewhole h party, a r notes to order, 833,652 • acoounts current, 175,824,8261 ; tchaepitdailscaonudnrtes:earvdev,anBcle,92:oa,Onodoflo;adnisff,erent items, 6,943,732 f ; made during the last quarter, amounted to 267,538,7001; movement of accounts currenC(private) 2,007,196,2001: ditto (public) , 233,361,9001; general movement of the caisses, 2,520,834,400 f. MURDER OF A FARMER IN LINCOLNSHIRE.—OD the evening of the 28th ult. as Mr. John Parker, of Ingleby, in which traverses a field, adjoining SaxilbY the county of Lincoln, was returning home along a footpath, y as , stopped (as was supposed) by a number of men, who side mandedstanue , his an d m w o u n s e , y. consequently, deceased s set uponevidentlymade great re - who beat him with bludgeons until life was extinct, and then robbed him. Mr. Parker was found the same evening lying in an immense pool of blood, and the spoke of a wheel, be sprinkled with blood, and partially covered with the deceased's hair, was lying by his side. A coroner's inquest has been since held upon the body, and a verdict of " Wilful murder' returned against some person or persons unknown. Seventy. five guineas reward is offered for the apprehension and con viction of the guilty parties. JENA.—Jena, a stage beyond Weimar, over an equally bleak and bare country—what a spot is that, too, to have made itself so wide a notoriety ! As we descended the cele brated Schnecken-hill, where the French in 1806 gave the Prussians so severe a drubbing, there lay Jena deep in the valley below, a cluster of dark houses surrounded by the most naked and desolate hills imaginable. Scarcely a tree, except here and there on the slopes masses of black pines or a blade of grass, seemed to grow on these hills. They had the colour of bare earth, and the baldness of a most ancient sterility. Than the town itself nothing can be imagined more old-fashioned. A little old market-place, with one very old dark inn, the Sun ; an old town-house, in whose tower a band of very ancient-looking musicians appeared at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, and flinging open the win dows, playing for an hour to the market-people and the students below, the latter of whom, in very short coats and very long hair, there assembled, walked about, drank beer, and fenced. A few narrow, old streets, a very ancient, heavy, and dingy university, with musty library and grass grown courts—such is Jena. —William Howile s Rural and Domestic Life of Germany. IMPORTANCE OF EARLY TREATMENT OF INSANITY.-- In estimating the importance of an early treatment of insanity we should bear in mind the following facts :—lt has been noted as a general law, capable of complete demonstration, that the danger in acute diseases diminishes every day from the time of attack ; the converse, however, of this principle takes place in insanity, for the probability of ultimate reco very lessens in a ratio to the period which is allowed to in tervene between the first onset of the disease and its more advanced stages. If we refer to established authorities on seen that the great portion of mental derangement take place in effected d i It o w i e l a l s b e e s clearly ar l c t h u i r s e ss subject, its early stage. Broussais speaks of his being able to arrest incipent insanity with as much certainty as incipent infla mation. Dr. Willis, who cured George 111., asserts that nine cases of insanity out of ten recovered if placed under his care within three months of the attack. M. Andral states that the cure of insanity is all but hopeless after the second year. Out of 1,230 cases under this physician's care, 602 were cured in the first year, 502 in the second, and 86 in the third : about 44 were restored to reason in the course of from three to seven years. At Bethlehem and St. Luke's patients that have been mad 12 months are considered incurable. Insanity being invariably the result of physical disease of the brain, it is reasonable to suppose that the longer that organic lesion is allowed to remain undetected and unremoved, the probability of recovery will be lessened,—Forbes Winslow's Health of Body and Mind. VISIT TO THE MORAVIAN SETTLEMENT OF HERRNUUT. —lt was after ten o'clock at night when we stopped at the neat little inn at Herrnhut—a late hour for so peaceful a place—and all were in bed. We were curious to see by the morning light how far this settlement agreed with our pre conceived fancies, and almost imagined that we could describe it beforehand. When morning broke, how different was the scene. I had imagined rustic huts in wild and woody glens, half buried in their orchards, and wild hills soaring around, shaggy with woods ; a quaint and picturesquely-clad people, of most pious air, working in their fields, their gardens, in their brother and sister houses, amid the singing of ancient hymns. Such are the fantastic tricks with a young fancy plays as it reads, building up . far more with the ma t er i a l than nature has built up in reali ty. given How different was the scene as I looked out in the morning. Here was, in a tolerably level situation, a tolerably square and formal little town of white and modern houses. Peopl e o f no very par ticular costume were going quietly about. N o f orest hill s overlooked the houses; no sound of singing was heard : for ought that could be seen, it might just a s we ll h ave been any other neat, little, still, unparticu ar place as Herrnhut. In fact, the whole country round possesses a different aspect to what I had imagined. It lies high and cold, but is charac terised rather by great undulating plains than by hills. The woods are for the most part extirpated b y i n d ustrious hands, and the rocks are groups which I.lere and there start f rom the plains in a singular and pyramidical manner. Th e land scape has indeed a peculiar character, but by no means romantic. The horizon on different sides is bounded by the tops of the Riesengebirge and the hills of the Saxon Switzer land. It was not till we had made a progress quite through the place that we began to discover its great pleasantness ; as we came to its yet remaining woods, its wood-walks, its gardens, its charming though formal cemetery, its hutb'er or hill of the watch, and saw all ro und the smili ng fi e ld s, and the busy people in them, and the bounding glen, in which lie, amid their crofts and o rchards, the populous and picturesque villages of Great Hennersdorf, and Bertholds dorf, we began to feel that it was still more in the spirit and institutions of the place than its external aspect, that its singular character lies.—Williatn Howi t t' s " Rural au,(‘ Domestic Life of Germany." MOST ALARMING AND DESTRUCTIVE FIRE Yesterday evening, about twenty minutes past five o'clock. a fire was discovered to have broken out in the extensive premises of Messrs. Foster and Stewart, architects and builders, Lawton-street. The building is situated on the west side of their large yard, which extends to Newington ; is in the form of a large warehouse of four stories high from the ground; and extends lengthwise, from north to south, apparently 70 to 80 yards—occupying, almost immediately behind the houses and other buildings on the east side of Lawton-street--nearly the whole distance between the Ar cade and Cropper -street. The large rooms throughout were occupied by the workmen employed in the various departments of wood-working, &c., connected with the extensive business of the firm, and from the nature and quantity of the combustible materials employed, as well as that of the floorings and roof of the building itself, it is easy to conceive that if a fire within it once gained even a slight head,it would become very soon uncontrollable—par ticularly as the approaches for fire-engines are few, narrow, and incommodious. There was also the large yard on the east filled with logs of square timber on one side, and con taining, on the other, t great stock of deal boards mounted on horses. To add to the danger, the premises and yard are closely bounded on both sides by buildings. Lawton on the west; Cropper -street on the south. Luckily, ever, the fire was confined almost wholly to the premises in which it broke out, and in which it was found impossible to restrain its ravages. But, however, for the great and well directed exertions of the fire-police, there is no doubt but it would have swept away a large breadth of valuable property —crossing Bold-street in the south-easterly diiection. The alarm was received at the fire-station about twenty minutes, or a quarter before six, and engines, with a strong body of the fire-police and others were on the ground in a few minutes. In a few minutes no fewer than nine engines were present. In we believe less than half an hour after the fire was discovered, the whole building it may be said was internally in a blaze. The roof soon fell in piecemeal ; and so rapid was the combustion that in ten minutes after we heard the fire alarm at the top of Lord-street, the whole atmosphere in that direction was illuminated, and as we passed along Church-street the flames rose over the height of the Lyceum, and the Waterloo Hotel intervening a height of occasionlly sixty to seventy feet, When we reached Waterloo-place, the houses in all the streets that faced or had even a slanting aspect towards the blaze were brightly illuminated. This was beautifully (if we may so express it) developed in Ranelagh-street on the south side of Bold-street and Waterloo-place, in all of which parties had crowded to the windows, and some even on the roofs—their persons and at tire being distinctly visible. The principal and direct inlet to approach the fire was Fairclough-street, leading from Ranelagh-street into Lawton-street, and terminating almost at the immediate scene—there being only a row of smaller buildings on the other side of Lawton-street, (which is nar row) and a yard, of no great breadth, between the spectator and the fire. The only and main approach, was by a gate or cart-way on the south, and close to the office of Messrs. Foster and Stewart. When we reached the mouth of this entrance, the body of the fire, in the middle part of the ware house, was immediately before us, and presented an awful, and magnificent sight. The floors had not yet entirely fallen, and the general combustion of numerous pieces of timber from top to bottom of the walls, aided by the strong draught from the N.W., was so perfect, .as to fill the whole warehouse with an immense mass of flame, of the purity and intensity of gas. The heat evolved was so great that even the firemen could proceed but a short distance up the yard for a long time, and the engine which here played—one only could get up the passage—was rom under the gateway, was chiefly used to prevent the offices of Messrs. Foster and Co., and two small buildings be tween them and the houses lower down Lawton -street, from taking fire. Such was the heat that without contact with the flame or sparks (which were to leeward) much of the wood work at the back of the office, and even that over the top of the gateway on the east became ignited. The offices being thus in imminent danger, the whole of the valuable plans and drawings, &c., were removed in drawers, cases, &c., as well as most of the valuable furniture. In this work a number of the workmen, and many gentlemen were busily engaged, at a time, too, when a back door of the office opened appa rently upon a white hot furnace. Happily the whole was saved with, we hope, little loss; and though the building it self has been preserved, with some damage behind, the pre caution in removing these valuable articles evinced, we think great prudence. _ . . The fire went on with great rapidity, presenting, from time to time, varied, but still fearful appearances. Portions of the brick-work also fell occasionally but reluctantly, showing that the premises were as good as " brick-work and timber could make them." Great anxiety was evinced at the height of the fire by Mr. Whitty and the officers immediately under him, how it were best to act. The approaches were difficult, and how best to husband and manage the comparatively small resources at their command became a question, similar to that of a crew at sea, caught in a gale in a vessel that must be tenderly managed. They, however, persevered, and their efforts to prevent the further spread of the fire were successful. Mr. Rushton, our police magistrate, was early on the ground, as was the Mayor and several official gentlemen. They all rendered efficient service. The inhabitants of part of Lawton-street, and nearly all of those in Cropper-street, in the immediate vicinity of the fire, removed their furniture in alarm at an early period, and much loss and breakage ne cessarily occurred. The timber in the yard on the east of the building was, for the most part, preserved. From this (the Newington end) the scene was throughout fearful and magnificent. The burning premises emitted columns of flame varied, as the combustion proceeded, and the smoke from the timber was sometimes almost suffocating, and at all times such as to draw painful tears from all within its in fluence. The clouds of smoke and showers of sparks that fell in all directions to leeward were continuous for some hours. Soon after six o'clock, a detachment of the 15th Regiment now at the barracks were taken to the ground by their officers, and rendered most efficient assistance by keep ing the neighbouring streets clear of all who could not assist in the general operation. About half-piist six o'clock, a portion of thel south gable end of the building fell, with a crash towards the arcade, — which had before been considered in danger,—and at the bottom of which an engine was stationed. An alarm was given to the parties within a moment before by an inspector of police, otherwise the fatality would have been great. A mass of materials fell upon the roof of the Arcade, just above the Crescent (covered with glass) near the lower end ; and crushed in the roof, and demolished seven of the shops. Several persons, it was at first supposed, were crushed be neath the ruins, which extended along the Arcade from 50 to 60 feet of its length. Mr. Rushton, Mr. Whitty, and many other gentlemen, police-officers, &c., were soon on the spot, and a short time were heard the cries of a man beneath their feet. All turned to work to remove the wreck with which he was covered, although a fearful portion of the gable wall with the fire raging within was close to them, and in a few minutes they succeeded in extricating the poor man Mr. Whitty was most active in the good work : also firemen 191 and 137. He was found not to be very seriously injured, he having fallen under a beam of the roof of the Arcade, which broke off the otherwise fatal pressure of the materials. His name is William Wilson, residing at No. 8, Albion street, and he was carried home. It is stated that a boy is still under the ruins, but we hope this will prove to be unfounded. All the shopkeepars in the Arcade had moved their goods— some to a distance, others merely across, or into adjoning yards—with, in bulky articles, much damage. Much of the fine furniture, &c., in the lower shops was left in the crescent, tinder the glass roof, and must have suffered injury from dust, water, &c. About half-past 8 at night it might be said the fire had done its worst. That side of the premises next to Lawton street, presented then a most perilous appearance—so much so, that all but the firemen were ordered out of the yard, the mayor and some few others excepted. By nine o'clock all was got under, so far as further danger was apprehended. It is not ascertained how the fire originated, or in what particu lar part of the building. We have not learned the loss. Eight years ago the premises of Messrs. Foster and Stew art were the scene of a similar devastation ; the whole of their extensive workshops, &c., having been consumed by fire, on the 20th December, 1534. On that occasion the destruction of the premises was complete in a few hours, and from what transpired afterwards, it appeared that that fright ful conflagration was not the result of accident. The value of the tools belonging to Messrs. Foster and Stewart's work men, was not less than £2000; to meet which, a handsome subscription was raised. A HINT TO LOOK all societies it is advisable to associate, if possible, with the highest ; not that the highest are always the best, but because, if disgusted there, we can at any time descend ; but if we begin with the lowest, to ascend is impossible. In the grand theatre of human life, a box ticket takes us through the house.—Lacon. " 1 played in ' Macbeth' last night," said some scrub of an actor to a friend of John Kemble. " You ?—I was in the house, but I don't remember seeing you." " No?—well, I wonder at that; I played rather all important character." " Indeed! may I ask what it was, for I really—" " Oh, yes ; I played the English general—Kemble the Scotch one !"—Ainsworth's Magazine. AN INTERRUPTION.—CoIeridge relates, " It is not easy to put me out of countenance, or interrupt the feeling of the time by mere external noise or circumstance ; yet once I was thoroughly done up. I was reciting, at a particular house, The Remorse,' and was in the midst of Athadra's description of the death of her husband, when a scrubby boy, with a shining face set in dirt, burst open the door, and cried out—' Please, ma'am, master says, will you ha', or will you not ha', the pin round ?' " A man in Missouri planted some beans late one afternoon, and next morning they were up—thanks to his hens.—The most alarming thing in nature is a mad bull ; in art, a woman going into hysterics.—" Be-ware .?" as the potter said to the lump of clay. " I'll be burnt first," saucily responded tile mud.—Why do red-haired men make the best soldiers? Because they always carry their fire-locks.—Kissing a girl is now rendered " being electrified by a gal-vanic battery."— American paper. SWORD-DANCING IN NORTHUMBERLAND.—TiIere is a very singular custom, called " sword-dancing," prevalent in many parts of Northumberland, and, I believe, in the county of Durham also, during the Christmas holidays, which it may perhaps interest some of your readers to describe, as I am inclined to think that it is peculiar to this part of the kingdom. The sword-dancers are men entirely or chiefly composed of miners or pitmen, and of persons engaged in the various other vocations of a colliery, who, during the week intervening between Christmas and New Year's-day, perambulate the country in parties, consisting of from 12 to 20, partly in search of money, but much more, I believe, of adventure and excitement. On these occasions they are habited in a peculiarly gaudy dress, which, with their dan cing, principally attracts attention. Instead of their ordi nary jackets they wear others, composed of a kind of varie gated patchwork, which, with their hats, are profusely deco rated with ribands of the gayest hues, prepared and wrought by their sisters or sweethearts, the sword-dancers being usu ally young and unmarried men. This, with slight individual variations, is the description of dress worn by all the mem bers of a sword-dancing party, with the exception of two conspicuous characters invariably attached to the company, and denominated amongst themselves respectively the " Tommy" and the " Bessy." Those two personages wear the most frightfully grotesque dresses imaginable; the for mer being usually clad in the skin of some wild animal, and the latter in p e tti coats an d t h e costume of an old woman ; and it is the office of those two individuals, who play by far the most important part in sword-dancing excursions, to go round amongst the company which collects to see them dance, and levy contributions in money ; each being fur nished for this purpose with a huge tin or iron box, which they rattle in the faces of the bystanders, and perform other antics and grimaces to procure subscriptions. A fiddler also is an indispensable attache: to a company of sword-dancers; and it is the business of another of the party to carry about a change of wearing apparel for his comrades, which becomes necessary when they make protracted journeys, as they sometimes do, into the country, going round amongst the towns and hamlets, and farmsteadings, and exhibiting their dance before the inhabitants. This is a peculiar kind of dance, which I should in vain attempt to describe.' I can only say that it bears some resemblance to an ordinary qua drille dance, with this difference, that the sword-dancers are each furnished with long steel wands, which they call swords, and which they employ with a very peculiar and beautiful effect during the dance. Of late years I have missed the visits of the sword-dancers to our town. At all events, they have not come in such great numbers; and from this I am inclined to think that sword-dancing, like many other of ou r local usages an d manners, i s, f or o b v i ous rreasons,s, rapidly sinking int o d esue t u d e , an d w ill soon on ly exist re collections o f th e p eop l e , an d even t ua lly become a matter of uncertain local tradition.—Times. MEETING OF THE BIRKENHEAD COMMIS- SIONERS The commissioners under the act for the improvement and regulation of Birkenhead held their general monthly meeting, at seven o'clock on Tuesday night, in the Town-hall. John Deane Case, Esq., chairman, presided, besides whom there In.) Mr. were present—Mr chai 3. S. Jackson, sir. Green, Mr. Applet Vm. Jac!, Pim, Mr. Laycock, Mr. Parker, (one of the representative of the Liverpool corporation,) Mr. Walker, Mr. Stansfield, Mr. Pritchard, Mr. M`Nieol, Mr. Watson, and two or three others - - —• The minutes of the last general monthly meeting were read by Mr. HILLIAR. LIGHTING AND WATCHING COMMITTEE Mr. HILLIAR read the proceedings of the Watch Com mittee. The only matter of any importance amongst them was the circumstance of one of the constables having been re (piked to explain to the committee why he had refused to apprehend some man who was charged with assaulting a fe male, which assault he had not seen perpetrated. Mr. WM. JACKSON begged to ask for the guidance of the committee whether the police-officer had, under the circum stances, power to apprehend the party ? The CHAIRMAN replied that, by law no constable was authorised to apprehend any party for an assault unless he was present when the assault was committed. Mi. LAYCOCK said the rule might .-- p;;; . ; hardship; and he believed that such apprehensions were frequently made in Liverpool. The CHAIRMAN added, that the law was as he had stated it. If there was such a rule in Liverpool as that described by Mr. Laycock, he was not aware of it. Mr. J. S. JACKSON confirmed the statement of the chair- Mr. WIT. JACKSON observed that he was of the same opinion ; and he had put the question only because the com mittee, wished to have the matter perfectly understood. The proceedings were then confirmed. MARKET COMMITTEE Mr. HILLIAR read the proceedings of the Market Com mittee. It appeared that on the 13th December last the committee were called together, but there not being a suffi cient number of members who attended to form a quorum, the rest, after waiting half an hour. adjourned. At a subse quent meeting, a bill of £3 6s. 41d. was ordered to be paid to Mr. Wm. Evans, for a new table for the use of the re porters (who, of course, are very grateful to the committee for making such careful provision for them). Several minor proceedings with regard to the management of the market were detailed. Vlr. WILLIAM JACKSON, on the reading of the proceed ings being concluded, begged to mention to the commis sioners that premiums were now being offered for the stalls end shops in the market—a circumstance showing the ne cessity for the commissioners speedily entertaining the ques tion of enlarging the market.—Proceedings confirmed. ROAD COMMITTEE Mr. MALLABY read the Road Committee's proceedings. They contained nothing worthy of particular notice ; and were confirmed without observation. FINANCE COMMITTEE Mr. HILLIAR read the proceedings of the Finance Com ittee, and they were confirmed. PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE produced and read a report, dated "3d 1843," from the Parliamentary Committee, descrip tive of the measures which the committee recommended the commissioners to adopt and seek in their intended new bill. This report stated that the committee were at length enabled to submit to the general board the measures which they had matured, and which they recommended to be adopted. All details and matters not likely to be useful, or which were produce opposition, had been expunged from the .1d the rest had been modified so as to obviate all ob ,,ron to their admission: The committee recommended, first—the incorporation with Birkenhead of Claughton and parts of Oxton for the purpose of the intended improvement act, without any interference with ecclesiastical affairs, or the affairs of the poor. In accordance with this view, it was proposed that the inhabitants of Claughton and Oxton should make a distinct rate for watching and lighting, each paying their own expenses, so that it would bear equally upon both. Second—the establishment of a park of seventy acres in tended for th 9 recreation of the public, the advantages of which had already been so fully discussed, that they were unnecessary to be explained. Third—the establishment of a cemetery. Fourth—the establishment of baths, which it was anticipated would yield a speedy profit. Fifth—power to license hackney coaches, cars, and carts. Sixth—increased powers to the commissioners to remove nuisances. Seventh— regulations for the preservation of the health of the town. Eighth—regulations for the erection of buildings. Ninth— to provide for the sewering of new streets at the expence of the owners. Tenth—empowering the commissioners to rate the owners instead of the occupiers of property let at £l5 per annum and under, the assessment being proposed to be at three-fifths of the annual value. Eleventh—that the meet ings of the commissioners be held the first Tuesday following the annual election—instead of waiting for the first Tuesday January likely to bill in the month. Twelfth—repealing the right of the corpoi.a tion of Liverpool to appoint three commissioners to sit at that board. This privilege, the committee contended, was unjust and partial. Thirteenth—power to raise an adequate sum of money to carry out the objects of the act. Four teenth—the establishment of a small debts' court ; and in the Fifteenth place the committee left the commissioners to say, whether application should be made for power to appoint a might become of that importance as to be raised, with some of the neighbouring parts, into the station of a borough, and then such an appointment might with great propriety be acceded to; but at present he (the chairman) confessed they were not in a situation to ask for it. With regard to what Mr. Laycock had stated of the want of magistrates, such an event as he had stated might once have occurred, and he (the chairman) was not aware that it had more than oncf occurred, nor was it likely to occur again. To remedy an inconvenience of that sort there was a gentleman dent always willing to come to Birkenhead, day by day, it his presence was required, as a magistrate. That gentleman was Mr. Harden, who lived between that place and Rock Ferry, and he would be always ready to give his assistance whenever he was wanted. He (the chairman) thought it would be policy in the commissioners to abstath for the pre sent from embodying in their present application power to make such an appointment as a stipendiary magistrate, even in anticipation. Only yesterday he had had an opportunity of stating to the bench of Quarter Sessions [at Chester], among whom the notice of the application to parliament had created some degree of interest, that it was his earnest advice to the commissioners to forego that part of the notice which em braced this appointment; and he now hoped they would think it prudent to do so. After a few words from Mr. Was. JACKSON, who inti mated that at a future time Poulton, Seacombe, and others of the adjacent townships might join with them in effecting this object, the intention of seeking for this power was withdrawn. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Mr. MALLABY reported that the magistrates in quarter sessions had, with a trifling exception, confirmed the bye laws made by the commissioners, on the subject of weights and measures. Mr. WATSON called the attention of the commissioners to the important subject of their obtaining power to appoint an inspector of weights and measures in the township of Bir kenhead. The magistrates had now that power; but in the bill about to go 'before parliament, could not the commis sioners obtain the power of uppdintitent ? They had al ready the power of appointing such an officer as to the market, but not as to the township. Mr. MALLABY replied that the efficient purposes for which such an officer would be appointed were embraced in the bill. The officer to be appointed, under the bill would have power of seizing, in the whole township, false weights and measures ; but there were certain powers which could not be conferred upon him without the sanction of the magistrates. It would be repealing the general act of parliament, if they took upon themselves to make the appointment of that offi cer, because all his powers were conferred upon him by another body; but, at the same time all the efficient objects of it were, he thought, secured by the bill in its present state. FERRY' COMMITTER The Ferry Committee reported that there had been an increase in the receipts for the past month over the corre sponding period last year of £l3O. The books had been made up to the 31st uit., and in the result the expectations of the committee had been more than realised. Instructions had been given to proceed against Mr. Willoughby for damage done to one of the packets, the amount of which he refused to pay. The committee bad deemed it their duty to obtain the sentiments of the mass of passengers who passed to and fro as to the withdrawal of the late boats, and their opinion was strongly in favour of their continuance. An account had been taken of the number of passengers by them, and it was found to average 1,600 per week, or up wards of 80,000 per annum. Of the 1,600, 307 were con tractors; and this account having been taken in the winter, it was fair to assume that in summer the numbers would be greater. It having been stated that the receipts would be the same if the late boats were discontinued, the committee had ascertained that full one-half of the amount received for late passengers was for those who crossed to Liverpool; and it was fair to assume that they were parties who, having been visiting friends on the Cheshire side, could only return by the late boats. Under all these circumstances the committee crossed class. by them, The proceedings were then confirm e d. and stated e r t that t f tthheeyimwmeroeraolfittyhoefmthoost respectable sp o e e THE LATE BOATS Mr. PARKER then brought forward the motion of which he had given notice, that in compliance with the memorial signed by upwards of seventy of the clergy and principal in habitants presented to the last meeting, the late boats be dis continued. When he saw that memorial signed by six mi nisters of the Established Church, by the minister of the Scotch Church, by the three Wesleyan ministers, by the two overseers, by the churchwarden, and some of the most re spectable inhabitants, he had thought it his duty as a com missioner (though he might be considered by some as an in truder because he represented the corporation of Liverpool) to support the prayer of a document so respectably signed. He might be told that the prospects of profit from the late boats were flattering, but he bad yet to be convinced that such was the fact. There had been nothing produced in proof of that but bare assertion ; and he thought they would be found to entail expense on the township. That was the opinion of a great many ratepayers. He was not going to say that crime had increased in consequence of the late boats, but he con tended that alarm had, because some weeks ago a worthy magistrate, who was proceeding to partake of the chairman's hospitality, was attacked on his way by footpads, and he ac tually returned to his own house to procure pistols for his protection. This was the statement actually made by the Rev. Joshua King. It bad been asserted that the late boats improved the market, and that lodgings let better in conse quence; now, what was that but the argument of the very people whose property was benefitted ? Those who were not in a position of that kind were the best judges of the effect, and it was to their verdict that he appealed. Mr. Parker concluded by moving the discontinuance of the late boats. After waiting a few seconds, The CHAIRMAN inquired whether any commissioner se conded the motion ? Mr. Wm. JACKSON said, that as reporters were present, be should like to have permission to reply to Mr. Parker. Mr. PARKER contended that Mr. Jackson could not be heard unless the motion was seconded. Mr. GREEN said he would second it for the sake of dis cussion. His opinions on the subject were pretty well known. Mr. 'Wm. JACKSON then commenced his reply. In the first place, in order to shew a state of alarm, Mr. Parker had mentioned facts which took place not in the township of Birkenhead, but in Mr. King' s t own ship, an d for which, therefore, the commissioners were not responsible. He might with equal justice have laid to their charge every rob bery committed in Liverpool; and he (Mr. Jackson) be lieved that, taking into account the ex t en t o f population, the district of Birkenhead was as free fro m crime and vio lence as any district, he cared not where it might be, of equal population. With regard to no figures, but only statements, being produced to prove the success of the ferry, every mem ber of the committee would bear him out in stating, that he had always been prepared with accounts, derived from the ferry books, justifying every statement made in their reports. He was so on the present occasion—with details extracted from the books of the treasurer, which were made up to the 31st ult. Those accounts fully bore out the most sanguine expectations of the committee. Mr. Jackson then referred to the description of persons who had signed the memorial against the late boats, contending that the clergy knew little or nothing of the subject, and thatall the rest were subscri bers to the opposition ferry of Birkenhead. Recurring to the accounts, he challenged any individual, or any account ant in Liverpool, to disprove the fact, that, after defraying every expense, after making every allowance for wear and tear and the interest of money, there was a very hand some surplus to go in aid of the wants of the to wns hi p ; and he hoped th e ti me was no t f ar distant when the profits would be so considerable that the township should not suffer front an improvement rate. From the Ist of July to the 31st of been— December in each of the following years th e rece i pts had In 1841 In 1842 (hear), shewing a very considerable increase. It was true there had been an increased expenditure ; b ut the increased receipts from greater facilities being afforded to the public had been tenfold greater than the increased expenditure. On these grounds, the Ferry Committee requested the com missioners to sanction the continuance of the late boats. After some further statements, shewing the great accommo dation afforded by the ferry, and its prospects of greater suc cess, Mr. Jackson concluded by moving an amendment to the effect, that the late boats having been tried for five months, and found profitable and of great utility, the Ferry Committee be instructed to continue them. Mr. STANSFIELD seconded the amendment. Mr. IVIALLAny said, the amendment was a mere negative to the original motion. Mr. W. JACKSON said, he proposed it in o s i e d n e s r e th o a f t the the stron ed, th a t s i nce the Opening of commissioners value ivi . o j f . tshe. JACKSONa c c m or i n g m h t o d e m a x t e l l onr express,. i s . o s : the new bridge over Wallasey Pool, the late boats a great accommodation t o th e inhabitants of that distrhad beenict. The CHAIRMAN detailed the circumstances of the attack of taken robbers referred to by Mr. P arker, adding, that it had quently p it could not b la so early e attribut a bl e to as six o'clock itheh ln te ate boats. evening, conse- Mr. GREEN, the object of ' discussion beinc, gained, then withdrew his secondin g of the motion, and it tel to the ground ; but not until some altercation between Mr. l William Jackson and Mr. Parker, to Chairman had to be e xerted stop which th e aut h or i ty of the NU ISANCE A memorial from Mr. C ornthwaite, complaining of a nuisance arising fro m a slaughter-house in Duncan-street, was referred to the Watch C ommittee ; and Mr. J. S. JACK SON, seconded by Mr. WATSON, moved that a clause be in troduced in the new Moir . which to erect an aba Tile mo ti on was carried.w minutes befo re n i ne o ' c lo c k. a fe givin g power to purchase land on The meeting separated * It is due to Mr. Watson to mention, that at the close of the meeting he informed th e reporters that he was not the commissioner who h a d suggested the increased qual ification. ster to in the ma _ 20RTING AG ----- RICULTURAL SCHOOLS.—RepIy of , Bourne, Sussex --" catechism, the eollects w he approbation ' hom inquiries respecting his school at Willingdou, wit S h EL t F-s t u e r ai one penny I en, reading , . an l d h from l have twenty scholars, to near East a nd writing, psalm and ody , accounts, o t u h n e t nationals, the church plan : the land. Julius that Nouaiiy they twooftiltlhefivveicinar,thweiathfteroutnoaonny, cultivating the per week from each boy, from nine to twelve o'clock • applied to m kind, for y e not lost one from dissatisfaction, but lam glad to sa a Se c n re t s , an f d willingly assist me. And the Rev. on the o le, of Pevensey, who recommended me, has for a master to take a school there of the same which he has obtained the bishop and vicar's con sent, great farmer has willingly agreed to give up four land for it. lam satisfied that t can keep two cows same quantity of ground, stall fed, where I could keep but one if allowed to graze. I have no grass land, and all the first winter my cows had only straw, turnips, and mangel wurzel, till green food came on in the spring, and now my hay is the clover I sowed with the grain crop last year. I have experienced a great deal of good from the liquid manure from the two tanks, one from the cows and the other from the pigs. I have just killed a pig weighing twenty-nine stone seven pounds, and one before about the same weight, which I have used in my family. I have a wife and four children, and a pupil of thirteen years of age, come to learn the plan of stall-feeding cows and spade husbandry, paid for by Mrs. Parry, of the Cedars, Sunning Bill, Berkshire. It is al lowed that my oats are the best sample iu the parish. I tied the same as wheat, my oats in sheaves , and set them up which saves a great deal of shattering : this is the general pra ctice in Cornwall and Scotla nd, aad, I bear, in some parts of Kent, and is particularly usedas fornC barley to ll malt. I thrash my corn over the cow-house, iornwa, Switzerland, £ 25 , which I &c. which keeps it perfectly dry. being off from the damp imported so ground. lam entirely supplied with water by the rain which falls on the hou.sieth,pesejorvefneoddrini:gtykikhtaloincukhsea. e, im T ma he akse q s u quantity of land an acre : this, I have made cheese like the Dutch I rent is five ac res , tati ero. o awd n h tibbcehetws have eo their never the Sont mangers neededD o f w ao n r sffae, farrier ei ;3 ; have paid for the year last. I h ave now three cows. a heifer, and a calf, standing opposite to ae thesena cdhfrosott stall e u r ikfei with dm -car a if k cheese, of which one vessel,. the Ouze, last year, much that the duty paid for it, at Newhaven four thousand pounds. I remain, & e. , amounted to George These are facts worthy the considers ' rge Cruttenden.” tion of men. An educated peasantry—educat estated gentle_ vocation, and without cost ! A educated , too, in th • . thetueron. their espe- stipendiarymagistr They had thus explained tiieir jects to the commissioners previous to submitting them t public meeting of rate-payers—in order that all parties mii . _ be fully acquainted with What was proposed to be done, pass their judgment upon it. This report was signed, Mr. PARKER asked when the public meeting was to be held on the subject of this bill ? Mr. I‘l ALLABY replied that he did not know, but it would be judicious to hold it at as early a period as possible. Mr. W. JACKSON said there - were divers reasons wh had interfered to prevent the public meeting being hithe held. Mr. MALLABY, reading from a slip of paper placed in I hands by some commissioner, said, that in that paper it w gested b r. Watson that a clause should be introduce into the bill to increase the qualification of the present con missioners from an assessment at £35 to one at £so.* Mr. W. JACKSON thought the commissioners would be safe in doing so. Mr. MACLABY observed that it was not the modern prin ciple to increase the qualification; and the present amoun allowed a greater scope to select commissioners out of tha that which was suggested. To consent to this suggestio would be to introduce a provision which parliament woul, not countenance at this time. The general qualification ii improvement acts was in accordance with the rate under th Birkenhead act, or something less; and parliament wouli not consent to any increase. Mr. PARKER thought that a £3O assessment was a sufficie qualification for a seat at that board... .. _ Mr. W. JACKSON said that as p - arliament assembled next month, no time should be lost in completing the bill. There were various reasons why it had not yet been laid before a public meeting; but no time would now be lost in doing so. Mr. APPLETON inquired at what period it was intended to submit the bill to the public ? _ _ Mr. MALLAI3Y replied that the draft would be ready at any time; but, perhaps, the commissioners might think it right to submit first to the meeting the general principles which they proposed to adopt. After that had been done, and as soon as the bill was printed, let it be laid before the inhabitants, of whom another meeting should be held, for their approval ; because he considered that the draft of a bill was not so accessible to be read by the public as a document ought to be which was to have the public consideration. The general measure should first be submitted to the public for their approval ; if approved, let the bill be printed and copies furnished for the consideration of the commissioners as well as of the public. He felt that it was a mere delusion to submit a large draft only to a public assembly. 111 r. J ACKSON—You would give the public full o portunity of examining the bill? Mr. MALLABY said this—when the principle had been approved, let the bill go before the House of Commons, and be printed ; then before going into committee let the e n ti re bill be again placed before the public for their consideration, so that any alterations which they required could be made be fore going into committee. Mr. WfM. JACKSON observed that one great objection to the bill he found arose from the clause compelling landlords to pay the rates upon cottage property. Mr. PARKER hoped the commissioners were not about dis cussing the merits and demerits of the bill now. Mr. Wm. JACKSON said he opened this question now merely with the view of ascertai n i ng w h et h er it would not be policy for the commissioners to meet the parties who opposed this clause prior to the public meeting. Mr. GREEN thought that was understood already. Mr. Wm. JACKSON said not as to cottage owners. The commissioners, he thought, should consider whether they ought not to meet them. The CHAIRMAN suggested that the committee might do so if they chose. Mr. MALLABY added, that there could be no objection to the committee explaining their views to those parties. Mr. Wm. JACKSON had alluded to this subject because it was possible that some plan might be hit upon which would prevent the cottage owners' opposition. The CHAIRMAN repeated, that th a t was a subject solely for the con s id erat i on o f the Parliamentary Committee. Mr. W. JACKSON then moved that a pub.ic meeting of the inhabitants he held, in the Town-hall, for the considera tion of the whole bill, at seven o'clock on the evening of Fri day, the 13th instant. Mr. COLE seconded the motion, and it was carried unani mously. PROPOSED STIPENDIARY MAGISTRATE Mr. MALLABY said the commissioners must now say what course they would take upon the subject of the appointment of a stipendiary magistrate. They must decide on this matter before the public meeting was held. Mr. FRY inquired whether the appointment of a stipendiary magistrate would not entail considerable expense on the township ? Mr. MALL ABY.—Yes, necessarily. Mr. STANSFIELD suggested that the object of such a clause being inserted in the bill was prospective; that, when the town became populous, and a stipendiary magistrate was ne cessary, they should not then have to go to Parliament for the power. Mr. Wm. JACKSON.—Certainly. Mr. PARKER said it had struck him that the period when they were applying for a charter of incorporation was the proper time to ask for a stipendiary magistrate. Mr. APPLETON contended that this attempt was premature. It was only the other day that Liverpool itself had applied for a stipendiary magistrate. Besides, they had already law, logic, and divinity upon the bench, willing and able to attend to the administration of justice in Birkenhead, and surely that was sufficient without incurring great and needless expense. Mr. Wm. JACKSON said this measure had been brought forward in order that every thing considered necessary might be included in one bill. Several matters had already been withdrawn from the bill, for which, perhaps, there was no necessity yet; but concerning this, he felt that as the town went on increasing there would, in a few years, be an absolute necessity for it, and, therefore, he must press upon the com missioners the propriety of their proceeding in this case. Mr. LAYCOCK said the principal reason for the recom mendation of this measure arose from a knowledge of the fact, that the administration of justice in Birkenhead was frequently inefficient. A resident magistrate would be the only means of remedying that defect. At present it happened frequently that the constable had to lose his time in running up aft up and down looking for a ma g i s t ra t e ; some times • had gone four or five miles after one the gentleman would r found, not be at home ; then he had to co m e b a ck, and runsLx e and seven miles after another, who might not be h tl i r s us e t r h ra e n c d o . n constable had a h s ad ve to ry re n tu ec r e n s w sa i r t y h , ou t t h h e a re v f i o n r. g e a , cc e o it rn he p r lis t h h e a d t diary there should be more magistrates, or that a stipendiary r e would . be td great,d thnaon mightma gistrate b be regularly should b e appointe d , speedilyn orderdealt. out.tha t common e w n asd justice e nt that the expense of a stipendiary ma and for that reason the Parliamentary feel themselves justified in going further into s th a e ck m n a o t w e le r dged raenpdo said at i g : i t t r C a w o a m m_ itte e . did han was T he stated c ttA i ;I R theAtA CHAIRMAN ctiewonf rose, , t i t p la p t oi a n t tm present eiit as they e stipendiary t t nap magistrate.osition a xvn to a in the course of a few years to make such h l a t as e tk ra mf t o i i o gi n hst a u o ccurins necessary was a different question altogether; the place Act •tern, Ace- At to dare r the ould mts, npe- ility !on the and ieve iich on :hat :hat