The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-02-18 00:00:00

• THE -NORTIIMIN 'TTMES.'4--LIVERPOOL, "WEDNESDAY.

only in so small a quantity that with an ordinary hand
bucket she might have taken a voyage round the world.
These holes had been stopped, and she was now in a fit
state to convey troops.
Lord A. V. tempest asked the First Lord of the Admi-
ralty if a similar circumstance did not happen to the ship
when taking troops to the Cape ? He had receiVed a
letter from a person who 'Was ou board the Vetsel when
she put back to Plymouth at variance with the First Lord
of the Admiralty's statement. (Cries of "order.") His
lordship, to enable him to read the contents of the letter,
moved the adjournment of the houSe. The letter stated
that the ship had only been to Sea two days when she
sprang a leak§ and had three feet of water in the cabin.
The motion having been recorded,
Sir C. Wood said that he had made his statement on the
report forwarded to the Admiralty.
Major S. Knox also put a question to the First Lord of
the Admiralty, relative to the state of the ship.
The motion was then withdrawn.
rxthmE

Mr. Montt postponed his motion relative to the Income
Tax to this day fortnight.

PUBLIC PROSECUTOR.

Mr. J G. Phillimore a3ked the Solicitor General whether
it was the intention of her Majesty's Ministers to bring
forward any measures founded on the report of the com-
mittee of last session on the appointment ;of a public
prosecutot,
The Solicitor General said, ha, was not in a position to
pledge the Government to the introduction of such a bill.
The introduction of such a measure must greatly depend
on the state of public business.
7HI Lof!CliA ,ATtRO*.

Vi;count Goderich asked the First Lord of the Treasury
whether it be true that the case of the lorcha Arrow is not
the only one in which the authorities of- Canton have
recently seized or entered upon boats sailing under British
colours; or furnished with a British register !. and; if sO,
whether he will lay upon the table Of the Wise ally papers
relating to such proCeeding ; and also, whether he will have
any objection to lay before the house any instructions which
may have been sent by the Home Government to Sir John
Bowring on his appointment] as Governor of Hong Kong,
Or at any subsequent period previous to October last, oh
the subject of the exclusion of the British authoritea and
merchants from the city of Canton.
Lord Palmerston said that the papers that had already
been presented to the house relative to the China war,•
distinctly showed that on twb former 'oCcasions kirchas
had been molested by the Chinese, and that the papers
also showed what steps `had been taken by Sir J. Bowring
'On the subject. There would be no objection if the house
wished it to lay the instructions referred to on the table
or the house. and he (Lord Palmerston);would undertake
that it should be done.
THE T SICIL tES.

Mr. Cochrane asked the' First Lord of the Treasury
whqher the Neapolitan papers presented to Parliament
comprise all the despatches from rlord Clarendon to the
British Mission at Naples between the 19th May,
.when
her Majesty's Government recommended the Government
of the Two Sidlies to grant a general arrinesty, and
October the 10th, when the British Mission was instructed
to leave Naples ;• also, at what period and on what
'conditions her Majesty's Government intended resuming
diplomatic relations with the kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
Lord Palmerston said, in answer to the first question,
that the papers presented to the house did not contain all
the despatches that had been sent to the British Mission at
Naples, but only such as bore on the matters for which
the papers were presented. He must answer the second
question by asking the hon. gentleman another question,
riz., if he had full power from the King of Naples to put
the question? (Laughter.) Because, ir so, he had better
apply to Lord Clarendon in Downing street rather than
in that house. He thought that this house would agree
with him, that this was not a proper place to enter on the
subject. (Hear, hear.)

THE RESOLUTE.
Mr. Roebuck said that it was currently reported that
the " Resolute" Arctic ship that had beet; fitted oat by the
American Or•ivernment, and presented to this country, had
been put into dock and pulled to pieces. He wished to
know from the First Lord of the Admiralty if it were true,
and if so, why it had been done ? (Hear.)
Sir C. Wood said that his answer must necessarily be
short, though not the less satisfactory, viz , that it was not
true that the Resolute was being dismantled.

TAB BOMBARDMENT OF CANTON.
Sir J Pakington asked the First Lord of the Treasury
if it was true that Admiral S. ymour used rgd hot shot in
the bombardment of Canton, and if there were any papers
or despatches referring to it, if he would present them to
the house. (Hear, hear.)
Lord Palmerston said that there was no foundation for
the report. The Citincse set fire to some of the Hong&
A number of the Chinese congregated in the soaces between
them, and in order to dispers3 them, Admire: S ymour
threw some shot amongst them, but not red hot shot.

COLONIAL SHIPS REGISTERS.
In answer to a question from Hr. Walpole,
Mr. Labouchere said that the Government had laid on
the table of the house the pipers relative to colonial ships
register.
Mn. SIIEEPSIIA§RS' PRESENT OF PICTURES.

Mr. G. Veraou asked the rust Lord of the Treasury
to lay on the table of the house the:correpondence that had
Passed relative to Mr. Sheepshanks' present of pictures to
the nation.

Lord Palmerston acceded to the application. The
country were deeply indebted to Mr. Sheepshanks for
his valuable present.

THE IRISH FISHERIES.
Mr M‘Mahon moved for leave to bring in a bill to
assimilate the law as to the sea-coast fisheries of Ire Lind
to that of England.
Mr. Horsman, on the part of the government, gave no
opposition to the introduction of the bill, but if the bill was
identically the same as. that the house had repeatedly re-
jected, it was a questio•l tor the house to decide.
Sir G. Grey said that if the government gave their con-
sent to the introduction of the bill, they reserved the right
of opposing its details if they found it necessary.

MEETING OP THE RATEPAYIRS OF WALL ASEY

THE FERRY QUESTION.

Last evening, a public meeting of the ratepayers of
the parisiy of Wallasey, within the limits of the district
under the jurisdiction of the WallaSey Lodal Beard of
health, was held at the new Wesleyan Schools, in Brighton
street, within Poulton-cum-Seacembe, in the said parish,
to consider arid determine the course to be taken by the
Wallasey Loaal Board of Health, or otherwise, in refer-
ence to the following matters, viz.:—
" The present state of the ferry accommodation for the
parish, with a view to the adoption of measures for the
improvement thereof." .
The following bills now before Parliament, viz.:—
" A Bill for carrying into effect certain provisions of the
Birkenhead. Docks Act, 1855, in relation to the c ols`ruction
'and completion of the Birkenhead D cks, for authorising
alterations therein and now works, and for other purposes.°
" A Bill for carrying into effect certain provisions of the
Birkenhead Docks Act, 1855, relating to the management
of the Birkenhead Docks, and for other purposes."
" A Bill to authorise the Birkenhead Improve/writ
C.Hriplisaionerl arzd Looll 131.4 of 11,a4h of Wallasey to
appoint members on the. Liverpool Doaki Committae, and
to make batter provision for the management of the Bir.
kenhead Ihcits."

"A Bill to reeclnstittite the Birkenhead and dlaughton
dr As and Water Company, under the name of the Birken-
head District Gas and Water Company, to enlarge and
extend their powers, to authorise them to raise further
moneys ; and for other purposes."
The following were amongst the gentlemen present
Messrs, Caine, 14Tel/ill, Coulborn, Wilson, Hassall, Hughes,
Chanibres, i'Balshaur, Littledale, Sent, North, i3ouch,
Holland, Fishwick, Hasall, Odell, Captain Cox, and Rev.
Mr. Roberts.

The Chairman, after a few preliminary observations,
said :—We will take these two objects in the order in
which they stand in the notice, and it will be my duty, irt
reference to both of them, to place the simple facts of the
respective cases before yoh, and then td call on gentlemen
to offer resolutions founded thereon fdr your discussion;
those resolutions; having been nfoiA and accanded it will
be competent to any ratepayer to give his opinions to the
meeting, and, if he choose, to- move amendments
thereon, and the votes of the ratepayers will
decide in every case. When the great and momentous
character of the object is considered, I am sure
that we shall have the approval of the ratepayers
for having sought their advice and direc'ion, rather than
incur the serious responsibility of proceeding on our own
views, without reference to those of our Constituents,
upon Matters which involve the, comfort, the safety,
the health, and the pecuniary interests of every residna
and visitor in or about the district. With these pre-
liMiliary remarks t place before you the first object
of this meeting, the ferry accommodation. It has been
asked " what have boards of • hellth to do with
ferries?" The answer to this would be given in
one word. Nothing. Bat we are not merely a beard of
health, bat also improvement commissioners of the
district of Wallasey, charged with the execution of the
unrepealed portions of the Commissioners' Act, cue of
the clauses of which runs thus (it is clause .96 of 8 Vie.,
cap. vi, Wallasey Improvement Ac') :—" And whereas
there is, within the township of Moulton-cum-Soacambe,
a ferry known 13.7 the name of Seacombe Ferry ; and
there is, within the township of Liseard aforesaid, a
ferry known by the name of the Egremont Ferry, and
it would be of great public and local advantage if the said
commissioners were enabled to rent or parch:se bath or
either of such ferries, or any- other ferry'which m.y breH
here after established within the said townships or either
of them, together with the wharfs, landing planes, and
conveniences connected therewith ; be it therefore enacted,
that it shall be lawful for the commissioners, subject to
the propositions in this act contained, to hire and take on
lease for any • term not exceeding twenty-One years, and if
thought expedient, to purchase and take abs)lutely, by
agreement with the several persons interested therein
rasp,ctively, but not otherwise; and to hold and use
the said two ferries or either of them, or any other
ferry which may be hereafter established as aforesaid,
with the wharfs, Jai-ding:places, and conveniences
connected therewith, or such of them, or such pert
thereof respectively 'as the commissioners shall think
proper ; and it shall he lawful for all persons interested
in any such ferries, land, and property respectively,
including such persons as would be capacitated to sell
lands under the provisions of this act ; to contract for a
lease or sale of, and to demise or sell and convey, their
respective interests in any such ferries, land, and property,
respectivelp, to the Commissioners. 87. And be it enacted,
that it shall be lawful for the Commissioners, from time
to time, to provide, purchase, and maintain such steam
and other boats, materials, aed things, and employ and
recompense such persons as shall be necessary for the
proper and efficient working of any such ferry as elaall_
be so hired or purchased by the C nnmissioners."
Clearly as this appears to define the powers of the board,
it is founrls taken in connection with other clauses, relative
to the financial resources at their command, th at con-
siderable difficulty exists. About four years since, when
great dissatizlictien plevaled on the ferry subject, and
when the board was called upon to put their powers in
force in respect to the Seacombe Ferry, we went into an
examination of the business, and we prepared a case for
the opinion of counsel. That case was submitted to Mr.
Cowling and Mr. Welsby, whose opinions were as follow—
Mr. Cowling was of opinion that t' the board may
borrow money for the purchase of ferries, wharfs, and
stages, but not of steambo tts : but that the board may hire
steamboats for working the ferries." Mr. Welsby was of
opinion that " the board may borrow money for the
purchase of ferries, stages, steamboats, engines, and other
things necessary to work the ferries; but very much
doubted their power to hire steamboats." So these
eminent doctors . differed ; and we, therefore; resorted
to the higher authority of Sir Alexander Cockburn,
the Attorney-General. He was of opinion that " the
board may borrow money for the purchase of ferries (ex-
cept New Brighton) and fixed piers, but they had not the
power either to purchase or hire steam boats." We had,
then, three legal opinions, but no legal authority upon
which it would have been sate to act, and even if it had
been safe, there remained another difficulty; for there ex-
isted a wide and warm difference of opinion among members
of the board, and among our constituents, as to whether or
not the board should exercise i s powers, even if no doubt
rested on their nature or extent ; the board thefore, in my
humble judgment, acted wisely at that time in suffering the,
question to rest as it stool. Soon afterwards theSea-
combe Ferry passed into the hands of Messrs. Coulborn,
who then possessed, and still retain, the entire control
of your transit across the river, and of the approaches to
the boats on the Wallasey shore. You all have your
opinions of the ferries themselves, and of the steamers
employed since that time ; it is for me to inform you
that the attention of the board has been repeatedly
called to them, bat we cohld not interfere authoritatively,
and we confined ourselves to soma attempts at nego-
-elation, but without success. One thing; however, we
have recently done, which is, to petition the Board of
Trade to order a special and minute survey of all the
steamboats employed (different from the ordinary periodi-
cal survey); so that the perhaps not well founded alarm
caused by the recent accident to the Wallasey may be
removed from the public mind. A second step we have
resolved upon, which is, to take proper measures
to define and settle by a competent legal tribunal, what
is the :precise meaning of the existing act, in reference
to the powers of the Board to hold and work all or
any of the ferries. I have now placed the facts of the
subject before you; it is for you to determine whether
or not the present ferry accommodation is adequate to
the public exigencies ; it' you decide that improvement
is necessary, and if you de ire the board to act therein on
your behall; we are ready to promote your views. If, on
the contrary, you are satisfied with things as they are,
we shall not move to improve them, but rest satisfied that
we at least shall not be open to censure in time to come.
I have carefully abstained from offering any opinion on
the subject at present. lam rather here to listen to you,
and ascertm.in your decision; at another period it may be
right to state my own views. I will only now ask for
every ratepayer a patient and thoughtful hearing, anti
from every speaker a careful avoidance of all personal
matter,_and a submission to the usual rule Of debate.

Mr. H. Littledale said, the duty had devolved upon
him of moving the first resolution, whiCh was, that the
existing ferry accommodation in the parish of Wallase",
does not meet the rrqniirem.nts of the inhabitants.
(Hear, hear.) He commenced him observations by allying,
that he hoped that the words of the chairman, as to no
personalities being male use of in the course of the
discussion, would be strictly adhered to. He hoped, that
whatever he might say would not be considered as
personal, but he did hope that persons would speak what
they thought. (Cheers.) For his part, he intended to do
so—(cheers)—as he considered himself to be part and
parcel of the meeting—(cheers)—and he did not, without
meaning to approach to anything like personality,did not.
care the least for the owner of the- ferry, or anybody else,
all he cared for was the public convenience, and the public
safety. (Cheers.) What he meant was, the safety of the
whole of the inhabitants. (Hear, hear.) Having stated
this much, he_sboulti state that in the year 1845, on the
15th of November, the Wallasey Board of Commissioners
had had presented to them the following petition, which
he would read :

PETITION.
To the Commissioners of TVallasey.
The undersigned inhabitants and ratepayers of Wal-
laqey, Liscard, New Brighton, Egeemont, and Seacombe,
respectfully request the Commissioners of Wallasey to
take into their consideration the present state of the ferry
accommodation between Liverpool, Seacombe, Egremont,
and New Brighton; and should it appear to them, upon
evidence, that such accommodation is inadequate to the
wants, and detrimental to the comforts and convenience
of the inhabitants, the undersigned suggest that the com-
missioners should (by memorial or otherwise, as they may
be advised) lay before the government the grievances
complained of, and obtain such powers and privileges as

may be best calculattl to restore to the ratppayers those
facilities of transit to which they are reasonably entitled.

That petition was most nuMerously and resputably
signed. Now, the first thing he would ask the was,
were there not at that time great and grievous complaints
mado by the inhabitants. They were not single complaints,
but complaints that were felt to be a great hardship and
grievance on the people. (Hear, hear.) Has, he would
ask, those complaints been removed since? (Cries of
"No.") Are there now no impediments ly (Cries of "yes.")
Are the boats any better? (Cries of " No.") Are not
the buts at the present time most dangerous, most unsafe,
and totally unfit fdr use ? (Cries of "Tes.") Was it not
disgraceful for ladies to have to get into them 7 (Hear,
hear.) He expressed a wish that there were ladies pre-
sent at that meeting, in order that they might give expres-
sion to their feelings on the subject. (Hear, hear.) Hays
any of those grievances which existed in 1835 been reme-
died ? (Cries of "no, no.") Well, then. it is about time
that they should be. (Hear, hear.) He would at once go
into the practical part of the question. He would in
particular allelic to the calamity that befell one of the
boats, the W illaseys the other day. (dear, hear.) He
conceived that that was a most miraculous interposition
of Providence that all on board that !Jolt did not go to the
bottom. It gave him much pleasure to hear from the
Chairman of the Commissioners that they had sent a
memorial to the Board of Trade to have a strict investi.
gation into the state of all the boats. (Hear, hear.) He
was sure that such an investigation would go far to allay
the fear that was felt by the whole parish • and nothing
would give him greater satisfaction than to hear that, from
that investigation, the Messrs. Coulborn had come out
clear. (Hear, hear.) It might be necessary to give the
rneeti ig the names and the ages of all the boats that are
employed, and he would do so. There were seven boats
in all, and all these beats were well known to the inhabit-
_ants—nerhans better known than treated. (Hear; hear,
and laughter.)
Mr. Coulborn : On what authority do you state the
ages of the boats ?
Mr. Littledale : On the authority of the Surveyor to the
Customs. (Hears hear.) He would give the ages of the
boats from the ennamencernent. The first was the Tiger,
that was builtin 1833, and her old engines were put into it.
The nett was the Thomas Wilson she was [Milt In 1845 ;
of that boat he eoutd not say much. The next was the
Joseph Atherton, which was a good boat, but like some
ethers, was rather wet: (Laughter. y The next boat was
the Wallasey. That was built in 1847. He was present
when it was built, b'it did not think much of the timber.
She had had a narrow escape the other day; of that they
were all aware, and from that there had been much alarm
felt. (Hear, hear.) As one of the commissioners, and
through having taken an active part in the present meet-
ing, he had hail two letters addressed to him on the
subject of that boat, and as they were addressed to him,
he would read one. It ran thus—
Sneombe Feb. 17. 1857. • f
_

Sir,—When Mr. Ilasleden told me of the state of the
Wallaseyi he said he should report her to the Board of
'trade:- I then told hitti of the commissioners ingeting the
previous ti;ght, and that they Were ening to hava her and
the other v essels surveyed. I write this to show; ha could
not be influenced in his'opinion by anything said at the
meeting, as he did not know there had been one, and we
went into the Abbotsford Hotel to r,-,ad the report in the
Mercury. When we went under the vessel's bottom in
the graving dock, he said he could not discover any signs
of her having touched an anchor ; it was far more likely
she had started a butt, and gane down. We stw a hole
in her bow, which had been patched over with copper or
zinc ; a kick with a, strong' shoe toe would have easily
gone through it.—Yours, &c.
Mr. Coulborn : Name, name.
Mr. Littledald That 19tter'is signed 'hates Hill.
(Cheers ) •
Mr. Coulborn : Who is James Hill ? (Hisses.)
Mr. Littledale : You must find him out.

Mr. COulborn: It is no matter, but I do think that
whe you give names, we have a right to know the
character of the man who sent it, before the character of
the boat Is taken away. That is the only fair and just
way of going on.
The Chairman rose to order.
Mr. Littledale : It is Mr. James Hill, of edeombe; but
I have another for you yet. (Laughter ani cheers.)
Mr. Coulbom : I am quite content to have the letter
read. If lam out of order--
The Chairman: You are out of order. . . . .

Mr: Coulborn: I was only desirous that we might know
the authority. If Mr Littledale gives us the character of
the man, we shall be able to judge of him.
Mr. Littledale : If a persee writes to Me, and signs his
name and address, I am not here to enquire into his
character. (Hear, hear.) It maybe as good as yours, or
better, and he is on an equal footing with you. (Cheers.)
Mr. Coulborn : But did he send it to you, or did you ask
for it 7 (Hisses.)
Mr. Littledale.: It was sent to me. (Cheers:] tia their
read a letter to the same effect as above, and said, after
that he would ask whether it was safe for them to venture
in such boats. He would appeal to them, whether they
would like longer to run the risk of going in such boats.
Were they to continue with such management ? But if
such statements were wrong, the Messrs. Coulborn could
pot have any objection to having an open enq airy.
(Hey, hear.) For his part, he believed that when ,
the enquiry was needs before the Board of Trade, that '
the statements would be found to be correct ; but
if the report should be, that the boats were all
tight and safe, after that examination, be should
be satisfied. He next alluded to the steamer Fairy, which
he said had no water tight compartments, and no iron ship
had a right to be without them. He referred to the
case that had recently occurred at Birkenhead,
whoa the Nun ran Tabs an iron steamer, and cut
her down to the water's edge. Had that -vessel not had
water tight compartments, the consequences would have
been most fearibl. Ho did contend, after that -fact,
that they had a right to demand that all iron
vessels should have water tight "compartments. The
same would apply to the Qceen of Beauty. (Laughter.)
she was built in:the Clyde, but Iva--; not a vessel fit to go
between New Brighton and Liverpool, and to carry, 'as
she frequently did, between 400 and 500 passengers.
Should any of these vessels, without the v ester tight com-
partments, meet with an accident, by having a hole.
knocked through them, the consequences would be dread-
ful. (Hear, hear.) These boats carried 10,000 persons,
and it would be for the Board of Trade to say whether
they were such as were ii•equired, or would go in safety.
He would contrast the boats to which he had referred to
with the boats of Woodside. (Hear, hear.) He then went on
to say that the Birkenhead commissioners had commenced
with paying interest on a debt of AlOO,OOO, which they had
diminished, and had relieved the township to the amount
of RlO,OOO in rates. (Applause.) He wished that these
ferrries had beer managed in the same manner, and there
would not have been such complaints—the trade would
not have left them—the inhabitants would not have left
their houses, so that almost every other house was to bo
let; but they would 'have then been in a flourishing
position. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) But he did hope that
these complaints would stimulate them, and enable them
to take the management of these boats into their own
hands. (Cheers.) lie then expressed a hope that the
result would be that they would have better boats—better
management—and their wants properly attended to, and
concluded by saying that he did not intend to attack Mr.
Coulborn personally, but it was the system, and that they
should be helped out of their present difficulties by some
future arrangements. (Cheers.) He had great pleasure
in moving the adoption of the resolution.
Mr. Chambers, in seconding the resolution, expressed
it as his opinion that the parish was in the same state as
it was 20 years ago, which he considered was owing to
some important cause. It was not the air, for that was
pure and beautiful ; it was not the want of scenery, for
they had the finest panorama of shipping to be seen in the
world ; then, he would ask, what was the cause ? Why,
the want of a proper communication over the estuary of
the Mersey. Having pointed out some of the defective
arrangements in the present system, he concluded by
seconding the resolution.
This was put from the chair and unanimously carried.
Mr, N. Caine, in moving the second resolution, expressed
the pleasure he felt in seeing one of the house of Little-
dale coming forward to support such a radical change—
it was right because it was radical, and radical because it
was right. (Cheers.) After a speech of considerable
length, he moved "That the ferries being public highways
they ought to be under the control of the public."
Mr. Charles Holland seconded the motion, observing
that he had always advocated the principle laid down in
the resolution, and some years since for doing so he had
lost his seat at the commission, and had brought some
little ohloquy on himself. He thought the ferries could
not be so properly managed under the control of one
private individual as if managed by a public body. He
did not come there to bring the subject forward in a
personal character for he had every respect for Mr. Coul-
born, but in all cases of enterprise he said self was the
pre !eminent consideration. Of him he did not complain,
hut what they had to consider was, were they contented
with such boats and such management as they had
had. He then went on to argue with considerable
eloquence, that all such business as ferries, water,
and gas supply, were much better conducted by
public bodies than they were by private individuals, and
concluded by seconding the resolution.
The motion was unanimously adopted.

Mr, Udell having expressedhis dissent to the opinions
that had been, enunciated, suggested that the com-
missioners should make some further endeavours to
arrange with the Messrs. Coulborn for the ferries, and
in doing so, said he believed that he was expressing the
feelings of the poorer ratepayers. He had under-
stood that Mr. Coulborn was ready to give
the ferries up if he was properly paid, and ho also stated
that he had had an interview with Mr. Perry, tho lessee,
who had stated that he was about to expend £5,000 in
improving the Seacombe ferry.
Mr. Neville said,, that when he. entered the meeting it
was.notihis intention to take any part in it, but there was
one phase of the subject which deserved their serious
consideration. He then contended that it was more a
landlords' than it was a ratepayers' question, and therefore
the landlords, as they would reap the benefit, had a right
to take it up.
After a few remarks, the chairman said : As he did not
expect the next resolution would be passed sub silente, he
would, in order to prepare them with its importance, read
it, before he called on any gentleman to move it. It was
—The powers of the Commissioners not being sufficient

for theni to hold and work the ferries, it is resolved that
the ratepayers authorise their representatives at the
beard to take the requisite and necessary steps for
obtaininean Act of Parliament to secure their interests.
Mr. Charles Hill, after explaining the Acts of Parlia.
ment bearing on the subject, proposed_the resolution.
Mr. Hughes seconded the motion.
Mr.-R'eviile wished to know how far the decision of that
meeting would bs bidding on the parish at large
The Chairman replied that he believed that if it was
necessary, a poll could be demanded.
Mr W. R. Coulborn, after a few introductory remarktif
rose for the purpose of replying to the observations that
had been made in the course of the discussion. He should
commence With Mr. Littleclale, who bad said he did not
care for the owners of the ferry. That was a very nice
figure of speech, but-as Lord Palmerston had said to
Mr Disraeli at the opening df the session—he had
suffered his judgment to outrun his reasoning. In
the first place, he had told them while speaking
of the:Wallasey, that it was an interposition of Divine
Providence that all the lives were not lost. He
lead also alluded to the iron boats, and had said that there
was not one of them that had water tight compartments.
Such was not the fact, for there was not one of the iron
boats without a water tight compartment. They had also
heard a letter read from a Mr. Hill. He did not know
who Mr. Hill was—he might be a myth for all be knew
with regard to the Wallasey; but in anewer to that, he
would read sot& letters he had received from some of the
highest authorities on the matter, and he thought they
would be satisfactory. li then read the following
letters :

13, Tower-chambers, Liverpool, ro b. 13, 1857.

Dear Sirs,—l have examined the boats ir.w at work on
your ferries, and .see no grounds for pronouncing Wend
unsafe or unseaworthy. I have always found you roost
ready to attend to any suggestions, whether made officially
or privately, for the improvements of the efficiency of your
vessels, and in my recent examination I have had occasion
to remark the particular attention which has been paid,
no doubt at considerable expense to yourselves, to keep
the toilers in unexceptionably good condition—thus pro-
viding for matters of essential importance rather than
for superficial appearance. In my opinion the boats are
perfectly safe, both in hull and machinery.—T am. venire
very truly, Ditior.As HEDSON.
To Messrs. Coulborn Brothers.

Liverpool, February 17, 1857.
Gentlemen,—ln reply to a questiou put to me having
reference to your steam Jerry boats, I have to state,
that while I was shipwright surveyor to the Board of
Trade at Liverpooltl had occasion to examine the state
and condition of the hulls of the Seacombe, Eremont,
and New Brighton ferry boats, with, I think, one excep-
tion, twice each year for several years, up to a period bf
some ten months back, during which tithe I found them
kept in good order and Condition. I May add, that when
auj ;.:f: the boats were laid on your gridiron,- yoz;infcr93.3d
me of the opportunity I then had to completely examine
the boats. The boats which did not come into my list
would be examined by Mr. Habson.—l am, Gentlemen,
yours obediently, JOHN WILSON GREEN.
To Messrs. Coulborn, Brothers.

, gandon Graving task, Liverpool, Feb. 6, 1857-
Dear girs,—,la reference to the published remarks made
at the late meeting of the 'Wallasey Commissioners, we
have much pleasure in stating, that so far from the accident
which recently happened to the steamer Wallasey being in
any degree attributable to defect or inefficiency on the
part of the vessel herself, we find on examination in the
graving dock, that she had evidently run upon a sharp, hard
substance, such as the point of an anchor, the blow being
unfortunately between two timbers, bursting in the planks,
and making the aperture by which she filled and sank—
there ,is no defect or delay whatever in the plank or
timber otherwise, and under the circumstances, the result
Would have been the same, had the vessel been perfectly
new; indeed, 'feat of the bottom planks are new, it being
only two years ago since you paid us about £4OO for her
thorough repair. With regard to the reflections cast upon
your boats generally, at the same meeting; we can only
say that during the many years our Mr. Grayson was one
of the surveyors of steamers appointed by the Board of
Trade, and also whenever your boats have, from time to
time; been placed under our charge, we have never dis-
covered a defect, or suggested any necessary repair or
improvement, that Was not at once promptly and liberally
acceded to by you.—We are, dear sirs, your obedient
servants, Humit.e, GRAYSON Si CO.
To Messrs. Coulborn Brothers.

Liverpool, Iteb._ll,alBs7.

Dear Sirs,—l regret much that the public should have
come to so false a conclusion respecting the condition
of your steamers. 'When holding the situation of engineer
surveyor to th :Board of Trade, I had a good opportu-
nity cif making a minute examination of the engines and
boilers of the different boats, not only at the periodical
surveys Ordered by the Government, but also at other
times when I thought prdper to satisfy myself as to their
working condition, and, although t will not undertake to
say that the Machinery of all the boats is of the most
modern construction, yet I never saw anything in their
condition to find fault with. I may also state, that when
I had occasion to make a complaint, either to yourselves
~4tr to your engitieer,it was always attended to. In fact,
tt seillnt to me, that no expense was spared to keep the
machinery of the different boats in good working order. I
regretioach that you should have suffered so great a I,,ss
in the sinking of the Wallasey ; but I feel confident, that
under similar circumstances, the effect would have been
tl:e same on any other steamer on the river. You are
quite at liberty to make any use you like of this commu-
nication.—Yours, E. I, Ross.
To Messrs, Coulborn Brothers, Liverpool.

O:ange•court, Feb. 11, 1857.

Gentlemen,—While holding the appointment of surveyor
of steam-vessels for the Board of Trade, I occasionally
surveyed the machinery of some of your vessels. On
such surveys beintalade, I found the engines and boilers
in a good working condition ; and when required by me
to do any repairs, you immediately complied. The greater
portion of your vessels were, however. surveyed by the
other surveyor.—Yours, &c., JOHN GRANTHAM.
ro Messrs. Coulborn Brothers.

lie thought that such authority Was all that was required
being from the first men in Liverpool. Ile thought ho
had, therefore, disposed of that pa^t of the business. He
next replied to the observation made by Mr. Chambers,
that there had been no improvements made in Wallasey
for 22 years. Ile confessed that ho did not agree with
him. But what was the state of things? Twenty-two
years ago the saleable value of the property in the
township was only 46,000, but at the present time it was
upwards of £40,000. lie should like to know what had
become of the £34,000.

Mr. Chambers explained that he only alluded to
Seacombe.

Mr. CoulhOrn said his experience had been so short in
Seacombe that he could not say anything on that subject.
He next detailed all the agitations, and the attempts that
had been made by the commissioners to take the ferries
into their own hands since the year 1847, but in all
instances they had failed, the rate payers being against
them in every case except the present. Having compared
the difference of the population of Birkenhead
with that of Wallasey, shoving that it was utterly
impossible to work the terries in the same manner, when
the total receipts of the latter did not amount to a
sufficient sum to pay the wages of the former, or many
claims, he proceeded to detail what he and his brother had
done since they had held the ferries, and the imarovements
they had made in its management, and corelade l by sming
that it did appear very hard that persons should, when they
wished to get property into their own passessions, endeavour
to depreciate it all they coal 1 in order to do so, and
expressed his surprise that a gentleman like Mr. Littletlale
should lend himself to such ir course. He would tell the
meeting that he was rrust willing—most 'desirous
to meet the comm,ssioners is any way, provided
they would, as they had a right to do, compensate them
for the ewe and anxiety, but he should offer his most
uncompromising opposition to any attempt at spoliation
that might be made, and from his knowledge of parliamen-
tary committees, he felt sure that tbey would never
permit a robbery to be perpetrated upon any individual.
But if they were prepared to eater into arrangements, be
was prepared to meet them fairly and honestly. (Cheers
and hisses.)
After some conversation the resolution was unanimously
adopted.

TETE BILLS BEFORE PARLIAMENT.

The Chairman then said ; I now submit for your consi-
deration the second object of this meeting, which is the
course you will recommend to the Board in reference to the
four bills now before parliament, all of which, in a greater
or less degree, threaten with injury the interests of the
inhabitants of this district. The:two first arc promoted
by the Corporation of Liverpool, and have for their object
the construction and the management of the Birkenhead
Donks. In the exercise of that care over your in-
terests, 'which is our duty, we have seen that these
'bills omit the previous obligation of the promoters to
constrict a proper road and railway to connect our
district with the roads and railways of Birkenhead,
and by way of Birkenhead with the railway system of the
kingdom. Take away, without any equivalent, whatever
the existing natural outfall to the drainage of more than
half the entire area of the parish. Take away the space
of 50 feet wide, reserved by former acts of Parliament,
alone the entire river front, from Seacornbe Perry to
the dock entrances. Deprive the ratepayers of the
former right to be represented in the managing
committee of the Birkenhead Docks, and make no
adequate appropriation of a free public quay or wharf,
at the east end of the great float, in lieu of that
taken away by the new plans for the construction of the
docks. The third bill is one promoted by the Birkenhead
tChoempuareissseioriviaertsionandorbythtehisrenporaersde,ntaantdive has for its object
rights of both
constituencies in the dock management. This bill has
been carried as far as the stage termed the standing
orders of the house, beyond which we do not
design to proceed without your sanction. The fourth
bill Is to empower the Birkenhead Gas and Water
Company ,to extend their operations over the whole of
our district. We 'wish you to consider whether or not
the ratepayers should require :—lst, a limited period
within Which those Dowers should cease if not satisfac-

torily carried out; 2nd, a reasonable limit to the prices
of gas and water within the district ; 3rd, a corapulsory
supply, of adequate magnitude and constancy ; 4th, con-
trol over the opening and making good of the roads
A. resolution in the affirmative to all these questions wag
put to the meeting, and carried with acclamation.

A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, and the
meeting broke up at eleven o'clock.

MR. SHERIDAN KNOWLES' LECTURE IN Tali

COLLEGIATE INSTITUTION.

Last night, Mr. James Sheridan Knowles; the distin-
gnished dramatic author, delivered the first of a course
of lectures in the hall of the Collegiate Institution. The
subject of the course, which is to consist of three lectures,
was entitled, "Milner condemned out of his own mouth In
his defence of the Roman Catholic rule of faith." There
was a very thin attendance; a few clergymen and gentle.
men on the platform, half a dozen persons in each of the
galleries, and a sufficient number to fill two or three
benches in the body of the hall, constituting the entire
audience. About a quarter after seven o'clock the
lecturer came on the platform, and was received with
loud applause. The chair was then taken by the Rev. Mr.
Hirsch. who in a few words introduced the subject of the
evening.

Air. -Knowles opened his lecture by remarking that he
could not but regard the number of the audience as a
strange proof of the apathy of Protestants—not that the
poor lec'urer, who was about to address them, should be
the obj-ct to attract an audience, but the cause on
whose behalf he was about to speak. He was sorry
to tee so few there,
.while at the same time he was thank-
fell to tht3 few who bad come. He had observed this for
years. fie had observed that vital Protestantism
appeared to bear but a very small proportion to the
extent to which the name was assumed. They must bestir
themselves. He was not an alarmist; but it was impos-
Bible for any candid pereon who- looked about him and
saw the present state of the country, with regard to
the progress of Popery, to sit down perfectly at his ease,
and suffer things to go on and take their own way. (Hear,
lookures- thca pireecodea .113,1,4 of
his lecture, which was to demonstrate Oe falsity of the
Roman Catholic dcgmas out of the month of the ablest
Roman Catholic theologian of the past century, the late)
Dr. Milner. To this end he delivered a lecture abounding
in striking and eloquent passages, assailing with vigour
the arguments to the confutation of which he applied
himself, and keeping the attention of the audience
thoroughly fixed upon the subject up to its close.