Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-02-18 00:00:00

MEETING AT ROCK FERRY

Yesterday evening, a public meeting was held in the
Royal Rock Ferry Hotel, for the purpose of considering
a resolution for the adoption of the local government
act, 1858, in the township of Bebington. There were
present—Rev. T. F. Redhead, chairman ; Messrs.
Raynes, Cannon, Woodbourne, Beckett, Huntress,
Watson, Lightbound, Dobson, Walsh, and Hampson.
The Chairman stated the object of the meeting., and
that a meeting had been held on the 4th Dec., 1858, at
which the local act was adopted, but that it was found,
upon Mr. Woodbourne making inquiries in London,
that they had not decided in a proper manner,
and they were obliged to hold a meeting on the Bth
of February, of the whole parish, to see if the act
would be rejected. At that meeting the act was wholly
rejected, and he had the resolution before him which had
been passed at that meeting. Directions were given to
the overseers to have another meeting called, by advertis-
ing three consecutive weeks in the local papers, and that
was the meeting at which they were then present. He
would be very happy to answer auy questions that any
gentleman might think proper to put, before he proceeded
to move the adoption of the act.
Mr. Huntress said he thought he was the heaviest
ratepayer, and he would like to know if the act was
adopted if the rates would be increased.
The Chairman said he thought, as the inhabitants in-
creased, the rates would be reduced.
In answer to another question, he said the collector of
rates and the inspector of nuisances would be the same
person, and that it would not require two.
Mr. Walsh thought that the only question before them
was that of rates, for it had been found that the rates had
been materially increased.
The Chairman said, as no land would be let for small
buildings, it would not increase the rates. The Act gave
simply the powers of the Board of Health Act of 1858.
With regard to highways, Mr. Huntress said he had
carefully read the Bill before Parliament at present on
that question, and he thought it would have reference to
that portion of the local Bill.
The Chairman thought it necessary to adopt the act,
as far as they were concerned, for the preservation of
health.
Mr. Walsh said it was much required.
Mr. Huntress was of opinion that if the bill before the
house were to pass, it would throw their local act over-

board.
The Chairman said he thought the Government would
not pass an act, and then immediately pass another to
nullify it. He thought the one before Parliament would
apply to county districts alone.
Mr. Huntress asked, in case of adopting the act, would
the collector be able to take the receiving of the rates.
The Chairman thought so, and also that the local board
would have the power to take in highways.
Mr. Walsh thought that the highway rate would still,
as before, go over the whole township. There was no
probability of having an extra expense, but if parties
wishd to have improvements of a particular nature, for
their own convenience, it should not go over the whole
township.
The Chairman then proposed the adoption of the Local
Government Act for the township of Bcbbington.
The motion was unanimously agreed to.
Mr. Baynes next moved that twelve persons form the
local board, the qualification being a ratepayer to the
amount of £l5 a year.
Mr. Beckett seconded the motion,
which was also
adopted.
The Chairman said, that twenty days must elapse to see
if there would be any amendtnent to the motion, and
that the board would come into action in two months.
It was suggested that it would be convenient to elect
the board at the parish meeting on the 25th of March
next.
This concluded the business.

The Right Hon. the Lords of the Committee of Privy
Council for Trade and Plantations have received, through
the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a copy of a
despatch from her Majesty's Minister at Berne, stating
that the duty charged by the quintal on goods in transit
through Switzerland has been reduced by a Federal order
from thirty centimes to five centimes per quintal.