The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-01-06 00:00:00

CHESTER SESSIONS.

(ey OUR OWN REPORTER.)
The General Quarter Sessions of the Peace for the county
of Chester was held yesterday, at the Castle. Trafford
Trafftrd, Eeq , the chairman of the sessions, presided, and
wes attendel by a larger number of the magistrates of the
county than has assembled together on any previous
oce THE CROWN COURT.
At eleven o'clock the chairman took his seat on the bench
supported by several magistrates, when, after the usual
formalities had been disposed of, the following gentlemen
were selected as THE GRAND JURY.
Mr. J. Dixon, of Newton, near Chester, foreman ; Messrs.
Thema; Branch, Tranmere ; William Blackstock, of Oxton ;
Ceaven.J of Birkenhead ; J. Dickens, do ; J. Palmer, of
P-‘,l? ; P. hind, do. ; J. Hsndcock, of Trantnere ; C.
Oxton ; Horner, do • P. Jones, Tranmere ; J.
Nieholson. do ' • J. Ring, do. ; W. Scott, do.; CT. Thomson,
; T. E. Watson, do. ; J. Williams, do.; and E. Lint--
SOP. of 1W foes.
The usual proclamation against vice and immorality
Eaeo ffee been read,
71:e Chairman said : Gentlemen of the jury, on this
cecosion I have hut little to say to you, for the number of
'prisoners in the calendar is few, very few indeed, and do
not present any different aspect frcm the cases you have
11,d to deal with on former eccasions ; but should any one
cese present any legal difficulties. which I do not think they
Neil', you can come into this court, and the Bench will be
rrov hapt:y to give you any explanation you may require,
and any far them 1: •truetions, but with regard to the testi—
mony that will be brought forward, that. you will have to
deal with, and will be your guide for the finding of the
bill's. Bet there is one point I wish to have distinctly
nroTeretood, and that is, that the persons who are called
upon to serve on the grandjury, must attend at the time the
court sits, eleven o'clock, as it is not respectful to the court,
that the commencement of the business should be delayed
th,(ll,n
one or two not attending, and in future, should
this instruction not be attended to, the court will feel it
incumbent on them to levy a fine for such non-attendance.
I conceive that gentlemen of your respectability have a
right to attend to the responsibility imposed upon
rot', in assisting in the duties of administering
the law on such occasions. There is one subject
of oreat importance which will engage your
attention when disposing of the county business. I allude
to the change which is about to be male in the police force
of this county, and to which, I think it my duty to direct
your attention. The magistrates will have to proceed, first,
to the election of a chief constable ; then to consider the
number ta! the police to be established ; the division of the
county into districts, and the appointment of a committee
to manage the police affairs. By this arrangement, some
differences will be made in the present arrangements; for
then we shall, as it were, be under the controul of the
Secretary of State. I do hope that the change will be benefi-
cial to the entire county ; and, although there may be some
additional expense, I do not think it will be very mate-
rial. You can now retire for the purpose of finding the
bills, and should you be delayed in the discharge of your
duties, by the solicitors not being prepared with their cases,
You must report to this court, and they shall not be allowed
their exnses.
The carlendar, containing only the names of 21 prisoners,
'whose trials will be proceeded with this morning; and the
court will then adjourn until Wednesday, at Knutsford.

THE COUNTY BUSINESS.
At twelve o'clock, the magistrates assembled in the grand
Jury room, which was crowded in every part, when the
following important business was transacted:—

THE CHAPLAIN'S REPORT.
The report of the chaplain was very encouraging, and
sta ed that the conduct of the prisoners, in a spiritual point
of view, was satisfactory in the extreme, and expressed a
hope that great good would result from the exertions that
-bad been made for their spiritual well-bring.
THE VISITING JUSTICES' REPORT.
Th. 'Visiting Jucices of Chester Castle reported that on
the 27th of December the number of prisoners in that county
gaol was 139, and that the number for the corresponding
period of last year was 114. The health of the prisoners
\vas good.

THE COUNTY ASYLUM REPORT.
•The number of patients in this institution was 286, and
it was recommended that the sum of £2OOO should be ap-
propriated in completing certain alterations in and additions
to the building, part of which were in a forward state of
progression.
- All the above reports were adopted without any comment.
THE CHIEF CONSTABLE'S SALARY.
M,jer General the Hon. Sir Edward Cast, in pursuance
-with the notice he had gi wen them, moved—that in lieu of
giving the chief constable £l5O per annum for all expenses
of travelling, stationery , &c., he abeuld be allowed in
addition
cou;ity.
ftoeri;ti hesannual salary of £4OO, to charge against the
first two years, all the expenses incurred by
1.1:el. in the execution of his office.
sue E !ward, t ermaiderab!ca longtb, m t'oe r-
curast- aces under which it had been decided to pay the
ehief constable the sum of £l5O for extra expenses at the
• Rrl!,sf(ird sePsions. and said, that his attention had been
Cirectcd to the subject. by a gentleman then in the room,
Erie else by a paragraph which had appeared in the news-
I There, condemning the policy of paying a fixed sum tor
x rte services, as it might have the tendency of keeping him
in rae, -when he should be employed at his duties. He
tl'n stated that it was his cenviction, that the sum was
fl'A at all adequate, to what would be required by the chief
s,ns'able, and mentioned several counties wh, re a larger
41-Iln was given. He next enumerated the several travelling
and other expenses which the chief constable mu- t unavoid-
ably incur in the discharge of his duties, clearly showing that
4150 Would not cover those expenses, and concluded by
'-essirtg a hope that his motion would be agreed to.
Mr Carbett seceuded the motion.
cle Mljer Leigh thought the motion premature, as they
about to move the appointment of a police committee,
md.o would take the management of all the expenses,
an'l before whom all expenses would be brought. Ho
ebjseted to any sum as expenses being fixed at the present
and should move an amendment to that effect. He
right, or be might not be wrong, but he did not agree with
,
7,Tre !ward Gist's motion.
eern".,,,"Ti..R. Wilbraham hoped the motion would be with-
11.fit" some conversation, in the course of which Lord
-'7l
of Alderley, expressed his decided objection to
would 1" the original motion altered, as the whole subject
have to be considered at a future period. The
aeovnertrydilvairdgee majority.
THE awhen Sir Edward's motion was negatived by
ority.
THE APPOINTMENT OF A CHIEF CONSTABLE.
l'egar
-111 d
to° imraittee appointed at a former sessions with
the selection of a chief constable, reported that
‘tere had been testimonials sent in from 118 candidates.
lei
bat the committee had given the greatest attention to the
cms of each candidate, and had after careful consideration
deetd
ed upon sending the names of the following six
"F"re the Court, for them to make the appointment.
Mr. C. Morten Owen, who had held a high situation under
government at the Cape, and bad also formed and conducted
the Icaffre olice force.
Mr. Bereaford Richards, a sub-inspector of the Irish con-
stabulary.
Mr. John Smyth, an adjutant in the Bedford militia,
having formerly been twelve years an officer in the 56th
regimen'.
Mr. Thomas Hall, a lieutenant in the militia, formerly in
the 6,11 reeiment of foot.
Mr. W. Paling, formerly a captain in the 17th Native
Company of the E. I. C. S.
Mr. E. Gifford, the chief constable of the Sunderland
Police force, and who has been all his life engaged in the
metropolitan and other police forces.
The testimonials of each of the above candidates were
read over, and, from their number and length, occupied a
coneitl.ereble time. Each candidate was most strongly
recommended by gentlemen of the highest position in
s-ciety ; all, with the exception of Mr. Gifford's, being
f'om government officers, or officers in the army.—
Mr. Glord's was from metropolitan and pro-
vincial magistrates, and from pe engaged in
Police business in various parts of thersons country. Each
c indidete was also questioned by the magistrates as to his
capabilities of felfilting the duties of the office if elected.
All the testimonials having been read, the candidates and
fill public were recnested to withdraw during the time the
snag strates discussed the eligibility of each candidate, and
.elected the chief officer. After some considerable delay, in
the eenrse of which we understand the magistrat
ssvcral times, the public were re-admitted, whenes divided
was
stated that the contest was chiefly between Mr. Oit
wens and
C9tain Sm3th, the latter of whom was elected by a majority
nt one, there being 38 votes for Mr. Owens, and 39 for
Cap'an Smyth.
The Chairman then announced to Captain Smyth that he
elected, and expressed a hope, from the high
01.::,struorlials he bad presented, that he would perform the
I.lltes to the satisfaction of
the county, and that a good
'rstanding
Ca would exist between him and the magistrates.
ptain Smyth briefly returned thanks', observing that
)lelt a deep debt of gratitude due to the gentlemen
had thus paced him in such a responsible
h 0 Os. it ' and he did not doubt but that
cf be enabled to form a police force in the county
,I'.neehiTe, which would not be surpassed by any in the
1,,L112'v ; and, at the same time, begged to say that he had
t,, "C educated in a school where, while persons were taught
exer.3lls4 ea
411T1d, they were also taught to obey. He aga
'etin
his thanks for the honour conferred upon him.
the motion of the Chairman, it was then unanimously
B:ezed to That the report of the police committee, pre-
elrlsidete the last November adjourned sessions, and further
vridh dat a special adjourned meetin, on the Bec.
the amendments made thereon at the last mentioned .

adjournment, be adopted, and that such amended report be,
transmitted to the Secretary of State, as required by the
Rural Police Acts?,

THE POLICE COMMITTEE.
On the motion of the Chairman, it was then unanimously
resolved, " That a police committee be appointed for the
following purposes :—To give the chief constable such
assistance as he may require in establishing a police force,
and in carrying out the provisions of the Police Acts; to
advertise for tenders, and to enter into contracts, for
clothing and accoutrements for the sergeants and subordi-
na'e officers ; to recommend, from time to time, to the
(21arter Sessions such measures and improvements con-
nected with the police force as they may think proper,
includine' the promotion and increase of salaries of merito-
rious officers of the force ; to examine and certify all
accounts connected with the police, previously to the same
being presented to the Court of Q, carter Sessions for pay-
ment."

Some conversation followed on the £l5O for extras, but
it was unanimously decided that the matter should stand
over until the committee had fully cansidercd the subject,
and reported thereon to the scsaions.
The details respecting the formation of the police force
was then read, and ordered to be transmitted to the
Secretary of State for his approval, as also was the
appointment of the Chief Constable.

THE TICKET OF LEAVE SYSTEM.

Captain de Hollyngwortbe had given notice that he
intended to call the attention of the court to the present
ticket of leave system, and to move that a memorial be pre-
sented to the Secretary of State on the subject, but, in con-
sequence of the lateness of the hour, and the protracted
time the court had been sitting, withdrew his motion until
some future period.

THE SESSIONS BTJSINES3.
Mr. J. Tollemiche, M.P., then moved n resolution,
that the sections be adjourned from Kuutsford to Chester,
by which two additional sessions would 131 held at that
place, for the trial of prisoners from the Wirral district.
He argued that, by adopting such a course, considerable
facilities would be afforded in the administration of justice,
that it would be of great advantage to prosecutors and jurors
from Birkenhead and the Wirral district, and that no in-
convenience could attend such a procedure. He thought
the time was not far distant when they would be compelled
to have a regular paid stipendiary magistrate ; but, in the
meantime, there were gentlemen—Mr. Harden, Mr.
Temple, and Mr. Kenyon—who would assist the present
chai , man.

The Rev. J. D. Case seconded the motion.
Mr. J. Jackson supported the motion, and in doing so,
said that he knew of instances where prosecutors refused to
prosecute, when prisoners were sent to Knntsford, because
of the inconvenience to which they were subjected.
Besides, there would be a great saving of expense in the
mileage, and everything else. He strongly urged the adop-
tion of the motion.

Mr. Horder and Mr. Temple promised to render every
assistance in their power.
The Chairman said there could not be any objection to
adopting the motion, but be would suggest that the sessions
should be adjourned until the Monday after Knutsford
sessions, as it would be a much greater inconvenience to all
parties.

Mr. Latborn thought that some little inconvenience
would arise to the bar by adopting the suggestion of the
chairman.

The motion, after some little conversation, was unani-
mously adopted.

THE MILITIA.

On the motion of the Lord Lieutenant of the County, it
was unanimously resolved—" That instead of erecting a
building for the accommodation of a certain number of the
permanent staff of the two regiments of Cheshire Militia,
as already recommended by the Militia Store Committee to
the sessions—the following allowances ba made out of the
county stock to the staff of such regiments as lodging
money—viz.: To the Sergeant-majors and Quarter-ma-ter
Sergeants, sixpence per day; to the other sergeants, four-
perco per day ; to the drummers and bugle's, threepence
per day."

ROUTINE BUSINESS.
The following routine business was then disposed of :
The appointment of visiting magistrates of the county
gaol and house of correction. The county rate for the
ensuing qnorter. The constable's rate for the ensuing
quarter. The appointment of visitors of the county lunatic
asylum, under the statute of the 16th and 17th Viet c. 97.
The appointment of two magistrates for the purpcse of
fixing the time for holding the spring sessions, in case the
ensuing assizes should interfere with the usual tima for
holding them. The appointment of magistrates to form a
second court. The ccurt did not adjourn until after six
o'clock, having sat upwards of seven hours.

ST. GEOJ?GE'S HALL-JULLIEN'S CONcFnr

konsieur JuDien gave the first of a series of three concerts,
at reduced prices, last night. The bill of fare comprised all
that is attractive in his most recent orchestral repertoire ;
and in the vocal department, we had Madame Gassier,
Formes, and the new tenor, Mr. Henry Croft, the an-
nouncement of whose first public appearance here created
more than ordinary interest, from the fact of his being a
native, and long resident in Liverpool, whore his
family is favourably known in commercial circles.—
We ave so recently noticed the 'performance of the un-
rivalled band in a programme not materially different from
that of last night, that we need not enter into the details of
the pieces. The only morceau of what is termed " classical
music," was the " Presto Scherzando," from Beethoven's
Symphony in A, and this was given with the precision and
true feeling which seems to characterize this picked corps
of musicians. M. de wunck Jeune, again played his solo
on the violincello, by Servais, and seemed to please the con•
noisseurs, but it will be considered no severe censure on
one so youthful, to say he has yet much to learn, which, we
doubt not, from the intellizence he displays, he will be
conscious of. The " Excelsior" waltz went as flowingly as
ever, and Herr Koenig and M. Lavigne vied with each other
in the admirable effects they produced on their respective
instruments, the cornet and oboe. The French Quadrille
came forth crisply with its quaint military airs, and seemed
to menace the audience in its grand crash finale. The operatic
selection was from " La Traviata," and the artistes in
their solos displayed talent worthy of higher and more
original music, particularly Mr. Hughes on the ophicleide,
and M. Lavigne on the oboe, the latter gentleman seeming
to go beyond all performers on his trying ivatrument, in
genuine expression and sentiment. The " Mary Ann "
Polka is now an established favourite—it never palls ; the
simplicity of the melody, taken by the violins, suiting all
capacities. The vocalism consisted first of Ma dame
Gassier's new tout de force, in the " Carnival de
Venise." She was in excellent voice, and poured
forth a stream of melody, liquid and crystalline,
that ravished her hearers; there is, in fact, ir pure sympa-
thetic tone in this lady's wonderfully tutored voice, that
would make

" The rude sea grow civil at her song."
But we cannot change our opinion en the mere singing of
roulade exercises in public ;—" It is a custom more
honoured in the breach than in the observance ;" and,
we trust, will not grow. Formes sung only in the
" Lucrezia," and the new boisterous Christmas song,
to which he did ample justice. Mr. Henry Croft was
received by the immense audience which thronged the
ball with shouts of welcome, which did honour
to the feeling which seemed determined to cheer
the early efforts of one bred among us, and whose gifts
were known to need only encouragement on their part, and
study on his, to reach a rich fruition. He first sang in the
Trio from Lucrezia, " Gaai se ti fuggi," with Madame
Gassier and Formes, and, although the part is a most
difficult one, acquitted himself to admiration, displaying a
beautiful rich quality of pure tenor voice, an intelligent
style, and (corsidering the novelty of his position) a good
command ef his resources. He afterwards sang Balk's ballad,
" In this old chair," which was given with great pathos, and
called forth an encore from the indulgent crowds, when he
substituted Verdi's "La Donne Mobile" with increased
success. We rejoice to have to felicitate a young man on
deserving a high place in the profession he has adopted, and
we trust the kindly plaudits with which Mr. Croft was
greeted last night will have their true weight with him, and
not lull him into a false security that would stifle study, but
be a stimulus to future exertion to overcome all the difficul-
ties he has to conquer, and, so minded, he may yet achieve
a great name in music.

The concert was a pleasing one on the whole, but there
were no programmes to be had, and the demand of sixpence
for a " book of the words" (there were three songs) called
forth the unpleasant remark that a " shilling" concert
thus became half as much again. This is a small measure.

MERSEY CONSERVANCY

BILL.

The following is the preamble of a proposed bill for con-
solidating the docks at Liverpool and Birkenhead into one
estate, and for vesting the control and management of them in
one public trust, and for other purposes.
PREAMBLE.
A Bill for Consolidating the Docks at Liverpool and
Birkenhead into one Estate, and for Vesting the Control
and .3fanagement of them in one Public Trust, and
for Oth:,'r Purposes
Whereas the docks at Liverpool belong to the mayor,
aldermen, and burgesses of Liverpool, who were, by an act
passed in the fifty-first year of the reign of his late Majesty
King George the Third, chapter 143, formed into a body
corporate, for the purpose of holding the same, under the style
of " The Trustees of the Liverpool Docks," but the macage-
ment of such docks is, by an act passed in the fifteenth year
of the reign of her present Majesty, chapter 64, vested in
a body corporate, called "The Committee for the Affrirs of
the Estate of the 'Trustees of the Liverpool Docks," and
hereinafter called " The Liverpool Dock Committee,"
consisting of twenty-four members, of whom twelve are
nominated by the council of the borough of Liverpool, and
twelve are elected by the dock rate payers.
And whereas the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of Liver-
pool, hereinafter called " the Corporation of Liverpool," a,
such trustees as aforesaid of the Liverpool decks, when
assembled in common council, have power, with the assent of
two thirds of the members present at such council, to annul
and make void any proceeding, resolution, or direction of the
Liverpool dock committee, with the exception of an order or
resolution directing the dismissal of an officer or servant.
And whereas the chairman of the Liverpool dock committee
is required to he chosen from the members of the committee
nominated by the council of the borough of Liverpool ; and in
the event of an equality of votes at any meeting of the commit-
tee, such chairman has a casting vote.
And whereas the corporation of Liverpool, as such trustees'
as aforesaid, levy dues on all vessels, and goods carried in
vessels, that use or enter any dock or work belonging to such
corporation, as such trustees as aforesaid ; or take in, tranship,
or discharge its cargo, or any part thereof, within high water
mark, to seaward of a line drawn across the river Mersey, from
the southern extremity of the township of Eastburn to the
southern extremity of the township of Garstang.
Aud whereas the corporation of Liverpool, as such trustees
as aforesaid, levy on all vessels entering the port of Liverpool,
except vessels driven in by stress of weather, certain harbour
and light dues, for the maintainance of the buoys, land marks,
and telegraphs within the port of Liverpool, and the expense of
lights and lifeboats, and the expenses of the office of the marine
surveyor of the said trustees, and towards the improvement of
the port of Liverpool in any other respect, except the construc-
tion of the Liverpool docks ; and the corporation expend such
last mentioned dues for the purpose in respect of which the
same are levied.

And whereas the corparation of Liverpool levy on all goods
imported into, and exported from, the port of Liverpool, ❑ot
being the property of freemen of Liverpool. or of resident free-
men of London, Bristol, Waterford, or Wexford, divers dues,
amounting to a very large amount in the whole ; and likewise
levy, under the name of anchorage dues, divers dues, amount-
ing to a large amount in the whole, on all ships entering the
port of Liverpool.

And whereas the dues so levied as lastly hereinbefore men-
tioned, on goods and ships, and hereinafter called town dues,
with the exception of a few inconsiderable sums, are carried to
the account of the borough fund of the borough of Liverpool.
And Ivhereas, by an act passed i❑ the eighth year of Her
present Majesty, chapter 79, and hereinafter called The Bir-
kenhead Dock Act, 1844," after reciting that it would be of
great public benefit if powers wore granted for the formation
of tidal basins and a dock, at or near Birkenhead, in the
county of Chester, commissioners, hereinafter called " The
Birkenhead Dcck Commissioners," were appointed for the
purpose of carrying into effect such works as aforesaid ; and by
the same act, the commissioners of Her Majesty's woods,
forests, lands, revenues, works, and buildings, were empowered
to make free grants to " The Birkenhead Dock Commis-
sioners,'' of such parts of the soil of Wallasey Pool, therein
mentioned, and of the Cheshire shore of the Mersey, as
belonged to her Majesty, and were d. emed by the commis-
sioners of Her Majesty's woods, forests, land revenues, works,
and buildings, expedient to be granted for the purposes of the
said act.

And whereas, by an act passed in the ninth year of the
reign of Her present Majesty, chapter sixty, a company, called
" The Birkenhead Dock Company," was incorporated, with a
capital of one million pounds, an 3 with power to borrow sums,
not exceeding £330,000; and the company were empowered
to make and maintain docks and other works at Birkenhead
aforesaid, adjoining the docks and works proposed to be con-
structed by "The Birkenhead dock commissioners."
And whereas, by an act passed in the twelfth year of the
rur, after reciting divers acts, extending or altering the power
of the Birkenhead Dock Commissioners; and further reciting
that such commissioners had borrowed, for the purpose of
completing the said docks, the sum of £423,000 ; but that the
moneys so raised were insufficient for the purpose : and fug thee
reciting that it was of great public importance that the sea
wall therein mentioned, adjoining the River Mersey, and the
great tidal basin, walls, and docks, and the several other works
authorised to be made by " The Birkenhead dock commis-
sioners," should he completed, and brought into use for com-
mercial and other purposes, without delay, all the powers of
the Birkenhead dock commissioners were, by the said act, con-
ferred on a body corporate, therein called " The trustees of
the Birkenhead docks," and further powers of raising money
were given to the said trustees, for the purpose of completing
the said works at Birkenhead.

And whereas, by an act paged in the fourteenth fear of the
reign of her present Majesty, chapter one hundred, after re-
citing, among other things, that plans had been prepared by one
James Meadows Bendel, since deceased, the engineer of "The
trustees of the Birkenhead docks," showing the temporary and
permanent works then constructed, and still remaining to be
constructed by the said trustees, it was enacted, that in order
to aid the said trustees in obtaining funds for the completion
of their works at Birkenhead, according to the said" plans, it
should be lawful for the commissioners, for the time being of
Her Majesty's woods, forests, land revenues, works, and
buildings, with the consent in writing, of the lords commis-
sioners of Her Majesty's treasury, or any twu of them, to grant
to the said trustees all the estate of Her Majesty in a certain
portion of reclaimed land at Birkenhead, called the " South
Reserve," without taking any consideration in money for the
same; and the trustees were empowered to mortgage or sell
any part of the said south reserve that might not be required
by them for their works, and to expend the moneys so raised
in completing the works authorised to bo made by them at
Birkenhead.

And whereas, in pursuance of the said act, a free grant was
made to the trustees of the Birkenhead Docks, of the said
south reserve, and the said trustees granted to the Shrewsbury
and Chester Railway Company a long lease of a considerable
portion of the said south reserve ; and in consideration of such
lease, the last mentioned company expended large sums of
money in constructing, on the said south reserve, stations and
other works, for the convenience of railway traffic ; and the
Great Western Railway Company being desirous of extending
their railway communication to Birkenhead, and thereby par-
ticipating in the benefits to result from the completion of'the
docks at Birkenhead, under powers for that purpose given by
act of parliament, amalgamated with the said Shrewsbury and
Chester Railway Company, and by such amalgamation, took
upon themselves the burden of the expenditure so made by the
Shrewsbury and Chester Railway Company, and divers other
liabilities attached to the said company.
And whereas, since the date of such amalgamation, the
Great 'Western Railway Company have themselves expended
large sums in completing the said station and works on the
south reserve.
And whereas, the said amalgamation was made, and expen-
diture incurred, on the faith, amongst other things, that the
Birkenhead Docks would be completed substantially according
to plans then approved by parliament.
And whereas, by an act passed in the seventeenth year of
the reign of her present Majesty, chapter one hundred and
sixty five, hereinafter called " The Birkenhead Dock Act,
1853," after reciting to the effect that the trustees of the Bir-
kenhead Docks had incurred a debt of seven hundred and
fifty one thousand one hundred pounds, and that an inconsider-
able part of the Birkenhead Docks only had been completed,
and that thn yearly income of the said trustees was scarcely
more than sufficient to pay their working expenses, and that
there was no prospect of such yearly income being much
increased, unless other and material parts thereof were com-
pleted ; and reciting that the said trustees were proceeding
with the completion of a further part of their works, and
therein and hereinafter called the outer works, but that they
were unable to obtain any contract for the execution of other
parts of the said outer works, which it was of the utmost
possible consequence to execute with the least possible delay,
and which ware coloured red on the said plans of the said James
Meadows Rendel ; and reciting that the early completion of
the works shown on the said plan, and indicated thereon by
the red colour, afforded the only reasonable expectation of the
persons holding bonds from the Birkenhead dock trustees, and
the other creditors of the said trustees, being paid any part of
the sums due to them, it was enacted, that the said trustees
should enter into, and carry into effect, an absolute contract
for the completion of the works indicated o❑ the said plan by a
red colour ; and powers were given to the said trustees to raise
money for such purposes.

And whereas the trustees of the Birkenhead Docks, in
pursuance of the last mentioned act, proceeded to make
contracts for the execution of the parts of the outer works so
colou►ed red as aforesaid, but the contractors failed to proceed
with the said works, and the said works came to a stand.
And whereas, in the year one thousand eight hundred and
fifty-five, the several bodies hereinafter mentioned, that is to
say :—" The Trustees of the Birkenhead Docks," " The