The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-10-09 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY.

. ,
libe monthly Meeting of this society *Ss held last
evening in the lectuke-hail of the 11°01 tnstitntion, Mr.
Maxwell Scott in the chairs There `vats an unusually

large attendance of members and visitors.
Mr. JOHN Annafissi, the Honorary Secretary,. an-
nounced that (Riling the transaction of the private
husindss, Whidi piceedeS the piitlie gathering, Mr.
William Brown bad been unanimously elected an hono-
rary member of the society. (Applause.) They were
all aware of the circumstances under which this had
taken place, and that a large space in the new
Museum had been placed at the disposal of a committee
of five, composed of one from, each of the five learned
societies in town. The special object had been to pro-
vide a space f;ir new inventions. Mr. Abraham con-
cluded by announcing that an address would be presented
to Mr. Brown by the council of the different societies on
the day of the opening of the Library.
Mr. itfaxett then efthibited and eftplained the model
0t a proposed high-letel communidation between the
town and landing-stages; but, by consent, all discussion
on the subject was postponed till the next meeting.
There was also exhibited the model of a new descrip-
tion of paddle-wheel, invented by Mr. M'Ardle.
The discussion on the subject of street railways was
then resumed, and was of the most, interesting charac-
ter ; but, with the want of space at our disposal, we can
but briefly indicate its principal points.
Mr. PENISTON first spoke, adducing principally Trans-
atlantic testimony of the value of this mode of communi-
cation through the streets of a large town. Every house
ih the country became more valuable where the owner
could jump into a convenient vehicle; and every shop
in town would have a larger custom, when, by means of
rails laid dawn in front of it 3 ladies could ride with
greater luxury than was now afforded by a private car-
riage. In America, he noticed that ladies were sorry to
get- out, and it was a common practice with convalescent
individuals to take a few hours' airing in the cars.
Quakers knew well what conduced to comfort, and in
Philadelphia alone over 170 miles of these street rail-
Ways now permeated the town; and where one rode in an
Omnibus before, twenty take the cars. '70,000,000 persons
bad passed over these roads in Poston, New Yorks and
Philadelphia, within a given time, and with only twelve
accidents, and those occasioned principally by the parties'
own carelessness ; and what better proof could be
afforded that they were preferred to those lumbering
vehicles, which only stifled one, than the fact that in
five weeks . 65,000 persons had passed over the street
railway at Birkenhead ? Mr. Peniston then briefly
glanced at a few of the leading objections urged, stating
that Mr. Train (who was present), Mr. Piffles, the engi-
neer of the Birkenhead railway, or himself, would be
happy to answer any questions which might be put.
Mr. Joserit Boozer expressed himself as highly favour-
able to the new system, and thought that by its adop-
tion the cost of constructing, maintaining, and cleansing
our roads would be so much reduced as to lead to a
marked diminution in highway rates. He hoped that
an experimental line would be laid down at once from
the Town-hall to Garston.
Mr. HAZARD dwelt on the advantages of having only
a single line of rail, to be laid down by a public com-
pany, but the use of which should he open to all others,
under regulations which might be laid down under the
Board of Trade.
Mr. WIONALL spoke• in favour of Messrs. Busby's
system, with Mayne's patent wheel for the omnibuses, in
so far as applicability to the streets of Liverpool was
concerned.
Alderman BENNETT thought all must admit that the
days of the old lumbering omnibus were numbered, and
street transit was about to open to us
to the old mode as the railway was to
thatas
much
ua c shy ss tue
pme r r
the canal and stage-coach.
Mr. Bitows called attention to the practical demon-
stration afforded to the new system by the dock line of
rails.
Mr. Botrur, to bring the matter in a definite shape
before the meeting, proposed a resolution to the effect
that, in the opinion of those present, it was desirable
that horse railways should be introduced into the large
towns of the country, as they appeared perfectly feasible,
and would be conducive to the convenience of the gene-
ral public ; whilst they would also lead to a reduction
of the rates for maintaining and cleansing the highways ;
and in narrow streets, their introduction would be an
equivalent to an increase of the width of those streets.
Mr. MATTI-m-11's seconded the motion, but pointed out
what he considered various defects in the line, as laid
down at Birkenhead.
Mr. BAKER pointed out the advantages of a concave
rail, eight or nine inches broad, winch any ordinary
vehicle might work in, and which would also be efficient
in drainage of the streets. One vehicle could also easily
work off. to make way for another.
Mr. ABRAHAM said that would he a tramway, and not
a railway.
After several other opinions had been expressed, prin-
cipally favourable to the scheme,
Mr. TRAIN replied with his characteristic force and
humour,—shortly after which our reporter retired.
The discussion had been again ren:',wed; but from the
general tone of the remarks it appeared pretty evident
that Mr. Boult's motion, if put, would be unanimously
carried.

SOUTH TOXTETH IVARD.—A meeting of the commit-
tee appointed to conduct the election of Mr. Samuel
Siddeley as member for this ward was held last night
at the Royal Oak, Warwick-street, when steps were
taken to secure Mr. Siddeley's return as a representative
of the ward.
COUNTY COURT OF LANCASHME.—The following
insolvent debtors were heard at Lancaster, on Friday,
the oth day of October, 1860, before Robert Segar, Esq. ,
judge :--Wm. Wellington Archbold, licensed victualler,
Liverpool; Emma Castle, hotel keeper, Liverpool ; Martin
Browne, auctioneer and valuer, Liverpool ; Wm. Griffiths
Hauwell (sued as W. G. "Unwell), wine, ale, and general
commission agent, Liverpool ; Daniel Halton (sued as
John Halton), licensed victualler, Everton, Liverpool_
Discharged.
BALLINASLOB FAIR.--THE CATTLE FAIR.—There
was a very large supply of cattle at this fair yesterday.
Buyers were numerous, and prices advanced over those
of last year from £1 to £2 a head. The weather was
fine, and business very brisk. Nearly all the cattle were
sold at prices extremely satisfactory to the Connaught
stockmasters. Mr. James Darcey sold 80 heifers at
£'2l ; Mr. Pierce Joyce sold a lot at zlö vs, .
i au
Lord Ashtown sold his top lot at ;17 ss, v d

THE WEST DERBY WARD.

PRELIMINARY MEETING OF TIM RATEPAYERS
TO OPPOSE MR. BECIiVirITIL

, Last evening a very large and influential meeting of
twhaer ward
tNtvt
pa% s he e lodf at the
choosingO l d
aCOife
tplioeirsrrat Let:shoji!, thfoirg
com-
mittee
to promote the election of a tit and proper
person to represeif6 the *aril at the neat municipal
election on the Ist of No+irmTler: Mt. 1. Avart was
unanimously called upon to preside: Artlon't the
other ratepayers present were—Messrs. John Whitby,
John Abraham, Walthew, French, Atherton, Archer,
George Lunt, John Home, Edward Marshall, Brad-
shaw, Page, George P. M'Knight, John B. Morgan,
Isaac Simm, Joshua Ashley, T. W. Uiguett,
John Littler, John Edwards, John Whitehead, Thomas
Barrow Owen Hughes, Walmsley, Simcock, John Jack,
James Parnell.
The CIan:MANI on taking the chair, said, he much
regfetted that some mare influential person in the ward
lad ndt been called tip= td preside on that occasion.
et, fie assiiresl them that he had no hesitation in taking
a part, and doing Itliat lie .edUld, in furtherance of the
interests and prosperity of the and in iromoting
the object of the meeting. (Hear, hear., The 'West
Derby was a most important ward, and they (the tate-
payers) had most important duties to perform.
In
exercising their municipal rights they were only exer-
cising a duty,—those rights were the cradle of English
liberties ; and the ratepayers must not allow themselves
td become apathetic. the meeting was simply caled
for ptffpdse of appointing a committee to select a
gentleman to rep'resen't the ward at the next municipal
election. It was consider-6d by the promoters of the
meeting, that the interest of this ward had riot been suffi-
ciently looked after. The sewerage-rates had inereased
most enormously. Last year the sewerage rate for that
township had been fixed at 10d. in the pound. Next
year it might be ls. ; and perhaps in a few years more
it might be raised to 2s. in the pound, and there was no
help for it unless they looked after their own interest.
The chairman concluded by saying that he should be
most happy, to hear any observations that might he
made; and edge( in hearing a resolution proposed for the
appointment di' a pantrititteei as had been suggested.
Mr. Tiro:was BA:naithf said he bad heard with much
pleasure the object of the Meeting, ai had been stated
by the chairman. He thought that, ?rani what had
occurred recently, it was necessary that they sliddld
select another gentleman to represent that ward in the
Corporation. He had, therefore, great pleasure in pro-
posing that a committee should be appointed to select a
fit and proper person to represent that ward on the
Ist of November next.
Mr. M'KNIUHT felt much pleasure in seconding the
proposition for the appointment of a committee. He
hoped there would be a committee formed at once, for
he was
ward
safe that there need be some new blood in
the ward if the ratep'afets teed d desire to look after their
own interests. He had 'Mich Adaittre in ceeunding the
motion. _ _ _

Mr, J. ABRAHAMS begged, before the motion Was .put,
to ask a simple question. What crime or misdemeanour
had Mr. Beckwith been guilty of, that he should be
turned off ? Mr. Beckwith had served the ward faith-
fully for twelve years. (Hear, hear.) He would .ask,
What had Mr. Beckwith done ? What was "the head
and front of his offending ? " Was he not a most
indefatigalfle member of the Health Committee ?
Had he ntit alvlialys, used his utmost exertions in
that committee ? He has eletays • striven, to the
utmost, to give thorough satisfactiot to all parties,
and there was not a man in the committee Who
had striven harder than Mr. Beckwith had to support
economical views—especially in the township. The
chairman had had a great deal to say about the sewerage.
Mr. Beckwith had done all he could in that matter; but
the fact was that they (the ratepayers) were now paying
for the sine of their forefathers. Their forefathers had
not attended to' their duty, and now the present genera-
tion had to pay for their defalcations. If there was one
person who had reason to complain, he (Mr, Abrahams)
had, for he had only just had to pay £2'2 for sewerage.
For the last twenty-six years there had been no sewerage '
done until lately, and he would ask, after the exertions
Mr. Beckwith had displayed for the last twelve years,
why was he to be discarded—why was an old
servant to be turned away ? It might be said
that Mr. Beckwith did not attend to the affairs
of the ward ; but he (Mr. Abrahams) would deny the
imputation, and he would say that, of all the sixteen
wards id ftte tewit, the West Derby was represented the
best. They had the.three first letters in the alphabet—
an Aikin, a Beckwith, and a Clint; and he hoped that
the ward would long continue to be the A B C ward of
the town. (Cries of "No, no.") He again wished to
know in what Mr. Beckwith had offended. (Cries of
"Oh, oh.") He would tell the meeting that they had
got the best representative of any ward in the town,
and he defied contradiction. (A voice : " Bravo, Abra-
hams.") Let the chairman tell him (Mr. Abrahams) where
on when Mr. Beckwith had been neglectful in the per-
formance of his duties ? What were his deficiencies ?
Let those qiiestlatis be answered. (Hear, hear, and
erica of "Oh, oh!') ITe was quite sure that if they
brought forward another mart they would never find
one like Mr. Beckwith. In conclusion; he called upon
the chairman to state what was the head and front of
Mr. Beckwith's offending, and what was the crime he
had committed, that he was to be so imeeremoisiously
kicked out, after having faithfully represented the ward
for twelve years.
Mr. J. WHITBY said he could fully endorse all that
had been said by Mr. Abrahams. He also wanted to
know what Mr. Beckwith had been guilty• of that he
was to be sent to the rear. (Cheers.) He (Mr. Whitby)
was not a political supporter of Mr. Beckwith, but he
had always found hint a straightforward and honest man
in every seise of the word, a man who' had done
his duty to the public, and therefore he would
support him. Mr. Ileckwith had represented the
ward for twelve years, and had . performed
his duty, bat those who complained of him must
not pct all the blame on his shoulders—he was not the
chairman of the committee. Mr. Beckwith was sent
th-re as the representative cif the ratepayers of the ward
—he was Pot responsible for all the acts of the health
committee—his was only' one voice. (Soule gentlemen
here called out, " Order, order ; chair, chair.") He
(Mr. Whitby) would move that instead of a committee
being appointed to select some other person to represent
the ward, that a vote of thanks be passed to Mr. Beck-
with for the valuable services he had rendered to the
ward, and that he be most earnestly requested again to
come forward, and that the meeting would do its
utmost to secure his re-election. Mr. Whitby having
expatiated at great length upon the merits and
valuable services Mr. Ileckwith had rendered to the
ratepayers of the ward during the time (twelve
years) he had represented it, concluded by saying
that he did not wish to depreciate the valuable services
that had been rendered by Mr. Aiken and Mr. Clint as
the representatives of the ward, but they fell very far
short of the great services that had been rendered by
Mr. Beckwith ; and he hoped, although he had never
asked the question, that some gentleman present would
second his motion. (Cries of "Don't you wish you may
get it?") I think Mr. Bradshaw will second the pro-
position.
Mr. MTNIGHT—Don't you do it, Mr. Bradshaw.
(Cheers and laughter.)
Mr. Baansitaw—l will do it, and I have much
pleasure in doing it. I'm not afraid.
Mr. E. MARSHALL, of the Edge-hill Coffee-house,
said he had understood that the meeting, was called for
the purpose of finding a person to take the• place of Mr.
Beckwith as their representative in the Corporation.
(Hear, hear.) Mr. Whitby had been praising Mr.
Beckwith. (Laughter.) There was no doubt that some
years ago, Mr. Beckwith was a very industrious and in-
defatigable representative of the ward ; but of late, he
could not be approached by the poor man. Mr. Marshall
then pointed out what he considered derelictions of
duty on Mr. Beckwith' s part—not insisting upon having
certain drains made in back streets in the neighbour-
hood of Edge-bill, when they were made in Fairfield.
From that it appeared to him (Mr. Marshall) that Mr.
Beckwith had shown a great favour to the aristocratic
locality of Fairfield, while he had neglected other dis-
tricts, where poor people lived. That, he had no doubt,
had caused great umbrage to the ratepayers, and hence
the present movement, which he had no doubt would be
carried out. He also stated that there had already been
two meetings held—one at his own house, and the other
at that of Mr. M'Coomb's, but that he did not know
the decision that they had come to; but., although he
bad formerly given his vote occasionally for Mr. Beck-
with, this time, if a better man was brought forward,
he would vote against him.
Mr. RonEwrs—l have one quiet question to ask the
chairman,—("Shut up and hold your tongue ")—we are
to" ejectionise" Mr. Beckwith—tell me the name of the
man you are going to put in his place.
The CHAIRMAN—Not at present. (Laughter.)
Mr. Romurs—May I ask who you are going to name
in the place of Mr. Beckwith ?
The CHAIRMAN—That will be decided by the meet-
ing. If Mr. Whitby's motion is carried, we have no
occasion to name another gentleman.
Mr. ROBERTS—But who are you going to bring for-
ward ?
Mr. WHITBY—Let us know his name ; don't let us
fight against shadows.
Mr. ARCHER then, at considerable length, addressed
the meeting in opposition to the re-election of Mr.
Beckwith, and referred to some transaction in which
the speaker was personally interested; but the Health
Committee had not done that which he conceived to be
right, and therefore he thought that he (Mr. Beckwith)
should be rejected, and a more efficient person elected
in his place.
Mr. J. W. HIGNETT said the question had been
asked, who was the person who was to be brought
forward to take the place of Mr. Beckwith, and without
mentioning names, he would say that the person named
was a man of talent and ability, and as far superior to
Mr. Beckwith. as the sky was above the head of that
gentleman. (Loud cries of "Name, name.")
The CHAIRMAN decided that there was no necessity
to name the gentleman.
After some further conversation, in the course of
which some gentlemen appeared rather "warm in the
Beckwith cause,"
The CHAIRMAN put the amendment and the motion—
for the first, there were nine hands held up, and for the
original motion, as the chairman declared, more than
five times that number.
After the decision had been declared in that division,
the following gentlemen expressed their wish to use
their most strenuous exertions to find another represen-
tative for the ward :—Messrs. Marshall, Wignall,
Manight, Archer, J. Simms, J. Pennell, Littler, Ather-
ton, 0. Hughes. J. B. Moran, Walthcw, Barrow, Page,
J. Holme, and Ibbs, with power to add to their number.
Thiste r
committee
having
unanimously passing
chairman, proceeded with the business. aton
after
eteele of thanks
they.
to theee been
a duly
y
ON Div.—lt was rumoured that either Mr. Shimmin
or Mr. Breckle would be brought forward to oppose Mr.
Beck with.