The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-10-12 00:00:00

BIRKENHEAD COMMISSIONERS

An adjourned meeting of the Birkenhead Commissioners
was held last evening in the Commissioners' Offices, Hamil-
ton Square, Birkenhead. Mr. J. H. GREEN occupied the
chair. The members present were Messrs. Watson, Storey,
Rae, Hughes, Whittingham, Heuderson, Furniss, Graham,
Willoughby, Bailiff.

A discussion followed on the subject of a portion of the
proceedings of the finance Committee, which the Chairman
was under the impression had not passed. All the other
members present were of opinion that those proceedings
had been passed.

The board then proceeded to consider the subjects referred
to in the minutes of the finance Committee from which it ap-
peared that,in consequence of a letter fromMr.Townsend, spe-
cial meetings had been held, at which plans by Messrs. Cole
and Hornblower had been laid before the meetings for the
erection of a new public building at the south end of Hamil-
ton-square ; and it was resolved to recommend to the Board,
if the company provided suitable rooms for the Commission-
ers, with police-offices and bridewell, to take the premises
for a term of 14 years, at a yearly rental of £3OO, on the
condition that at the end of that term the Board would have
power to purchase the whole._

The CHAIRMAN said the first business was the proposi-
tion about the Town Hall. They saw what the Commit-
tee recommended; was there any objection to it ? He wish-
ed it to be understood, this was not a positive offer on the
part of Mr. Mr. Townsend.
Mr. HENDERSON : But it becomes a positive offer on our
part. - - _ _

Mr. HUGHES asked how long was this to stand good ?
The CHAIRMAN : As long as you think fit to say ; three
weeks or three months.
Mr. HUGHES : You had better fix some time.
Mr. HENDERSON : Does our offer include the providing of

a police office?

Mr. BAILIFF : Assuredly it does.
Mr. RAE said the land was let out to be used as a Bride-

Mr; HUGHES : The Town Clerk will tell us whether it
so or not.

Mr. WALN could not say without referring to the lease,
what were the precise restrictions on the land.
Mr. STOREY asked could they take a lease as Commission-
ers of such premises for 14 years ?
Mr WALN said as a body of Commissioners, he had very
great fears. whether they could, but it was more for the party
who was to lease. If they could devise a form of lease that
would be satisfactory to themselves, without involving any
personal liability on the part of the Committee, it might be
done. It certainly did not appear to him to be within the
scope of the act which would make a lease valid, signed
according to the form which by act of Parliament to make a
contract binding that was entered into for the purposes of
the act. Any contract entered into for the purposes of the
act of Parliament, signed by three Commissioners, would
bind the Commissioners. It appeared to him (Mr. Waln)
that a lease on this building, signed by three Commissioners,
would not bind the Commissioners.
Would it bind the three Commissioners

Mr. HUGH
personally ?
Mr. WALN : It would bind the three
parties to say what they were satisfied with
Mr. RAE said if this was the case, there was an end to the
whole matter.

It was for the

The CHAMIAN said that was a pity,-as they wanted a
Town Hall and new offices. They were now paying £1.70
interest on bonds, or should pay it.
Mr. HODGSON : Should pay it.
The CHAIRMAN hoped the time would come when they
should be able to pay it.
Several members were of opinion that no bridewell could
be attached to the Town Hall.

Mr. WATSON said if the land was bought for the purpose
of a Town Hall, the commissioners had not the power to
lay out the money.

-MR. HUGHES :We have no money to lay out. (Hear.)
Mr. RAE said as this land could be applied to no other
purpose than that of building a Town Hall, it appeared to
him until such time as the Commissioners were in a position
to build a Town Hall themselves they should lose the
interest on the purchase money (X 3,300) in the meantime,
whereas if they entered into an agreement with this
company to build a Town Hall, they got the interest on
the whole of the land sold, which would amount to £l7O,
at five per cent., and this sum taken from £3OO, the rent,
reduced the actual money payment. to £l3O per annum.
He should be sorry if this matter were to go off, as a public
hall in the town was so much required.
The CHAIRMAN remarked that this need not prevent
them confirming the proceedings.
IMr. IluonEs said if the company lent to the Commissioners
they could lease the portion of the premises they did not
require, to them.

After. a very desultory discussion on the subject, the
proceedings were confirmed, with an addition passed in the
form of an amendment, that the offer to be in force only for
a period of six months.

THE FINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP

The CHAIRMAN then directed attention to the resolution
which he had brought under consideration of the Finance
Committee by himself, namely :-1. That it is expedient
that all the present acts of parliament relating to the com-
mission of Birkenhead should be consolidated into one act.
2. That it is desirable in the said act to introduce provisions
by which the present bonded debt :and interest may be
capitalised, and arrangements made with the bondholders
to pay them interest on such capitalised debt at the rate of
3 per cent. 3. That it is expedient, in order to give secu
rity for the positive payment of such interest, that the pur
chase money of the ferry be paid and the property fall-
vested in the Commissioners. 4. That steps should be
taken for the immediate sale of all landed property belong-
to the Commissioners, except such portion as may be required
for their own use, such as the market, &c. 6. That in case
the receipts of the ferry, township rates, &c., are not suf-
ficient to pay the interest of 32 per cent. the Commissioners
shall seek powers to make up the deficiency by means of a
guarantee rate, not exceeding is in the pound, on the real
property of the township, or otherwise, as may be deter-
pined, such guarantee rate or other arrangement to continue
seven years.—Also to the amendment of Mr. Watson to the
effect that no rate be laid upon the property of the township,
which was carried; and moved that both be referred back to
the Finance Committee with a recommendation to the Com-
mittee to appoint a Sub-Committee to take the subject into
consideration. They would remember they were going on
in a way that could not be justified. They were adding a
large sum to their debt, and they ought to take some steps
to meet it. He thought if the Sub-Committee took this
subject into consideration they would be able to devise some
plan on which those guarantees could be given. He thought
so far as the bondholders were concerned it could be carried
into effect. He had spoken to several of them, and they
would rather have 31 per cent. guaranteed to them than the
present uncertain rate.
Mr. FURNISS begged to move that Mr. Green's motion
and Mr. Watson's amendment be referred back to the Fi-
nance Committee with a recommendation to that body to
appoint a Sub-Committee to enquire into the general finances
of the township.
Mr. Wirraniairim seconded the motion.

Mr. WATsorr objected to any scheme being adopted which
went on the principle of taxing the property of the town-
ship, and he begged to move that no scheme be considered
which would involve this, and, with' that view, he called on
the Board to confirm his amendment.

Mr. HUGHES supported Mr. Watson's amendment, and
was at a loss to know why the Chairman should again bring
this forward, when in the Finance Committee, where twelve
persons were present, only two voted for the motion.
The CHAIRMAN 11_1 yaght it would be improper to tie the
hands of the, Boar;l in that way. The state of their finances
was perfectly well known. They had added something like
£60,000 to their arrears of debt, and they were now paying
£6,000, and let them go on for a few years, and what was
the position in which they would be placed ? He asked
them to pledge themselves to nothing, but to begin de novo.

Mr. Sioßi was given to understand that the Prospects of
Birkenhead were very favourable. They would be able to
pay 5 per cent, on the amount for which they were bound,
without levying an additional tax.
The CHAIRMAN said the rates could never be reduced
until their debt was entirely removed. If this arrangement
were made, they would soon be in a position to reduce their
Improvement, Light, and Watch Rates.
Mr. WATSON remarked that the Bondholders had no claim
beyond the land which was mortgaged to them.
After a very lengthy discussion, Mr. Watson's amendment
was confirmed by a majority of six to four, and Mr. Fur-
niss's motion negatived.

Mr. WILLOIMIIBY was about to propose that the Finance
Committee be directed to consider the subject de novo,
when the CHAIRMAN intimated that it would require a notice
to that effect. FERRY COMMITTEE.

In the proceedings of this committee, it was recommended
that the New Ferry-boat be insured for £3OOO in the Lan-
cashire Insurance Office, and that all boats be registered in
the name of Mr. Price ; also that the models for a new ferry-
boat be advertised for, a prize of £lOO to be given for the
best model for ferry purposes. The manager reported that
great inconvenience had resulted during the late gale from
several boats, and the Athens Steamer having drifted against
the. North slip of the ferry. One of the collectors at the
ferry was dismissed for drunkenness, and his cash did not
tally with the numbers recorded. Receipts at the ferry :
for the month ending September 30th, 1852, £1,760 ss. 10d.
for month ending September 30th, 1853, £2,083 10s. 4d.
from 25th April to 30th September, 1552; £10,652 3s. Bd.
from 25th April to 30th September, 1853, £12,179 12s. Od.
total expenditure within the same period, £lO,lBl 16s. 9d.
MR. WILLOUGHBY objected to payment of £lOO as a
prize for a model of a ferry-boat. If they advertised for
tenders to build a steamer, they would have models without
number.

MR. RAY in moving the confirmation of the proceedings,
strongly-urged that the payment of this £lOO would be a
great saving, as it would place them in possession of all the
improvements of science and art in:connection ,with steam-
boat building.

Mn. BAILIFF denounced this proposed expenditure as un-
warrantable and unnecessary, and he proposed that no such
sum be offered or paid.

MR. WILLOUGHBY said the jackall tender was much
better adapted for a ferry-boat than the new boat they had,
and she cost £l,OOO less.
After some conversation the amendment was negatived,
and the proceedings confirmed. The business then concluded,