The Express.
London, England, 1847-07-02 00:00:00

PROVINCIAL.

RE-OPENING OP THE •
BIRKENHEAD DOCKE.—We are
happy to have it in our power to state that these decks were
opened yesterday (Wednesday) by the admission of the St.
Columba, a Sne steam. frigate, newly built, and just launched
by Mr. John Laird. The resolution moved by the chairman
of the dock commissioners at their last meeting having been
found to be illegal, the commissioners have taken the best
steps they can to remedy the evil effects likely to result from
It. This step, in the right direction, will render it unneces-
sary for the other large interests connected with Birkenhead
to take measures to bring the commissioners back to a sense
of their real duty to the bondholders, the railway, and the
warehouse interests, the inhabitants of Birkenhead, and all
parties who have, on the faith of the early opening of the
docks, invested property in Birkenhead.—From a correspon-
dent of the L aperpool Herald.

THE GRAND DokiCorcsrWiina visited Birmingham,
yesterday. lie arrived frem Drayton Manor, accompanied
by Sir R. Peel, Sir I. Graham, the Earl of Lincoln, Lord
N Mien, and Dr. I3uckland. The party at once proceeded to
make a tour of the town for the purpose of inspecting some
of the most important manufactories. Amongst those visited
were the show-rooms of Mr. G. It. Collis, the Russian Vice-
Consul ; from thence they proceeded to the button manufac-
tory of Messrs. Hammond, Turner, and Co. the papier
macho manufactory of Mr. Lane ; Mr. Phipson a pin menu-
factory ; the glueworks of Mr. Rice Harris ; the braes.
foundry of Messrs. Winfield ; the gun manufactory of Mr.
Sergeant; and to the glass manufactory of the Meters.
Osler. The party afterwards proceeded to Messrs. Bolton
and Watt's, the Soho works ; to the Town-hall, and to the
Grammar School of King Edward VI.; and at half-past
fire in the afternoon they left for Drayton Manor.
WE,TMORELANI).
_ .

THE CILOPB.—The bay harvest is becoming general, and
the crop. was never known to be more abundant. The
weather 11 magnificent, and most suitable to the grain crops,
which are everywhere looking well ; and every description
of grein crop promises an early and most abundant yield.
The potato crop 10, so far, perfectly sound, and looks un-
usually vigorous and healthy.
THE Leans are already thronged with visitcrs. Bonney
the terminus of the Kcndsl and Windermere Railway, is
fall of strangers. Ambleside and Keswick are also tolerably
well attrnded. Great preparations have been made for a
large influx of tourists at all the small towns in the vicinity
of the lakes.
_____ _

THE FRESHEN OF LINCOLN ARK LIKELY TO RE MUCH
ENRICHED by the approach of railways to their city. A
meeting took place in their Guildhall, on Friday, to deter-
mine upon a mode of applying the money obtained from the
railway companies for the portion of the Holmes Common
taken by them, and to consider a proposal to render the
Monks' Leys more beneficial to the freemen. From the Great
Northern Company they claim 8001. per acre, and 1001. an
acre as severance the quantity required will be 281 acres,
so that the compensation claimed amounts to 2.5,0001. ; they
likewise claim 1,000!. per acre for the two acres taken by the
Midland Company, so that the two sums make 27,0001.
How this money should be invested became a question. It
was proposed that one third of the Ley. shall be sold for
the purpose of building a terrace, the remaining two-thirds
to be devoted to the purpose of furnishing 100 houses and
gardens for freemen. These houses, it was said, would cost
1001. each, so that this would take 10,0001. of the money.
Probably there might be sufficient laud left for 400 square
yards of garden ground for each house there would then
be 100 houses and gardens for freemen, and, as the oldest
required assistance more than the youngest, they ought to
be Enjoyed by the rule of seniority. With regard to the
Holmes, there would be 30 acres which would not be taken
by the companies ; five or sit acres of this land, lying be-
tween the river and the rail, would not be available for
commonable purposes, and it was proposed that this should
be disposed of for warehouses and mill sites, and the remain-
ing 2." or 26 acres should be turned into gardens of a rood
each : that would furnish 80 or 90 gardens for freemen.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE.
TESTIMONIAL TO GENERAL SIR HARRY SHISH, BART.,
G.C.8., CPON HIS ARRIVAL AT HIS BIRTILELACE.—
Yesterday a grand banquet was given to Major-General Sir
Harry Smith, Bart., the hero of Aliwal, for the purpose of
celebrating his arrival at Whittlesea, Isle of Ely, his birth-
place, and presenting him with a token of his townsmen's
esteem. The town presented a very gay and animating appear-
ance, almost every window being decorated with favours, and
having large banners bearing the arms of Sir Harry, and the
inscription " Hero of Aliwal, welcome to thy native 'llene."
The banquet was served in a large marquee, erected about •
quarter of a mile from Whittlesea church. About 300 sat
down to dinner, which was served up in the most superb style.
The Rev. Algernon Peyton, M.A., rector of Doddington,
presided, and was supported by the Earl of Hardwicke, Lord
Fitzwilliam, Lord Charles Russell, M.P., the Dean of Ely,
D. Pole, Esq., the high sheriff of the county, and several
other noblemen and gentlemen. There wan also a large
attendance of ladies, among whom were Lady Smith and the
Hon. Mrs. Peyton. Major-General Smith wore a general's
uniform. The testimonial which was presented was • most
superb silver xntre-piece, representing a triumphant column,
the base of which was surrounded with battle scenes, the
arms of Sir Harry, and several allegorical scenes, and on one
side was the following inscription Presented to Major-
General Sr H. W. G. Smith, Bart., of Aliwal, on the
Sutlej, G.C.8., Colonel of Rifle Brigade, by parties resident
or interested in the Isle of Ely, in estimation of their esteem
for the eminent services rendered by him, u an officer in the
British Army, during a period of 42 years, and more par-
ticularly for the distinguished ability shown by him in gain-
ing a decisive victory over the Sikhs of India, while in com-
mand of the British forces at Aliwal, on the 28th of January,
1846. Presented July 1, 1847."