Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-02-08 00:00:00

Wednesday, February 8, 186, .

BIRKENHEAD COMMISSIONERS.

The proceedings of the Lighting and Watching Com-
mittee, and of the -Markets Committee, were read and
confirmed. '

Mr. GouGi complained that he could not see the
committee-books when he wanted to refer to them, and
expressed a hope that the chairman would put a stop to-
" these abominable practices." Ile had a suspicion that
the books were kept back so that he might not see them.
As to the matter then under the consideration of the
board, he understand that there were one hundred ap-
plicants, and he 'thought, therefore, the matter should
be referred to the general.boar,., but he would not vote
either way. _ _

Mr. WILLOUGHBY said the nature of Mr. Bardisty's
present occupatimi had been the cause of his appoint-
ment, because it was felt that it fitted him peculiarly for
the office of treasurer. ,

Mr. HARRISON supported the recommendation of the,
committee, as it was the deliberate result of a very
careful investigation of the merits of the candidates.
Mr. ASPINALL thought the interference with the
proceedings of the committee unseemly and uncalled for.
➢ir. BRADLEY said as an old member of the Financial
Committee he had devcted a great deal of time to this
question, and had voted for Mr. Hardisty; but when
the proceedings of a committee were interfered with in
so unseemly a manner as these had been, he was afraid
there would be• no inducement to members to devote so
much of their time to the business brought before the
committees of that board.

Mr. HIND supported the recommendation of the
committee.

Dr. BAYLIS said after the explanation that had been
given by the Chairman, he would wish to withdraw
from seconding the amendment.

,
Mr. HARRISON, in moving the confirmation of the
proceedings, said that there were 200 applicants
for the office of ferry manager, and that Mr. M'Kelvie
had received the unanimous vote of the committee-
(Hear, hear.).. _

The proceedings were confirmed.
Mr. Harrison, Mr. Bradley, Mr. Barnett, and Dr:.
Baylis said, in_reference to a prior complaint made by
Mr. Gough, that, whenever they wanted to see the pro,-
ceedings of any of the committees, they found the
books on the board-room table.

I gSSrleoaNt
plt
ISe
aOsPu
GENTLEMTEON7 hc4a7e
Manor House, Birkenhead, Jan. 2, 1860.
acceptance the full length portraits of the late Mr. gWin. Laird
and of Sir Philip Egerton, M.P. I think it will be admitted
by all that the po-traits of both these gentlemen—the first
having been the originator of the l'irkenhead Docks, o
of the earliest who foresaw the future of this town ; the latter
having laid the foundation stone of the docks, and earned the
esteem of the community by the attention and faithfulness with
which he has' for many years acted as one of the representa-
tives of the county in Parliament—will form most suitable-
ornaments for any room in which the municipal councils of'
Birkenhead are carried on; and although I had hoped to have,
presented these portraits on the completion of a town-hall,.
still, as that undertaking is for the present delayed, and as you,
for your
have now a more permauent place of meeting, 1 hope you will
consider them worthy of a panel on the walls of your meeting
room, and believe-me, yours faithfully,
WILLIAM JACKSON'.
Mr. HARRISON said the letter did not arrive until:
after the last- Board meeting. He moved that the b( st
thanks of the Board be ,given to Mr. Jackson for his
valuable and appropriate gifts. (Applause.)
Dr. BAYLIS hoped somebody would also present the,
township with the portrait of Ur. Tollemache. _
Mr. BRADLEY seconded Mr. Harrison's motion, which
was agreed to, and the Board then broke up,

Mr. John Laird presided at the usual monthly meet-
ing of,the Birkenhead Commissioners yesterday ;. and the _ =
uthe; members present were Messrs. Harrison, Aspinall,
Keightley, Rae, Willoughby, Walker, Beasley, Whittle, -
Gough, Hind, Bradley, Bell, Barnett, Baylis. and Gil- •
bertson.

HEALTH COMMITTEE.
The Registrar of. Deaths -reported that during the
month there had been 79 deaths in the township, of
which 7 were from zymotic, diseases. A large number
of car-owners, who had vehicles unfit for public use, had
the licenses for their cars withdrawn, whilst several
owners were ordered to have their cars put into a proper
state of repair.

Mr. BRADLEY, in moving the confirmation of the pro—
ceedings, said that a standing reproach had been removed
from Birkenhead, by the committeerevoking the licenses
of several car-owners, whose vehicles were altogether un-
fit for use. Some of the car-owners had told him that
this was the best thing that could have happened for
them, inasmuch as since they had got proper vehicics
their earnings had much increased. (Hear, hear.)
The proceedings were confirmed.
The minutes of the Road and Improvement Commit-
tee were read, and, on the motion of Mr. Hind,.
confirmed.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.
This committee recommended that Mr. Wm. Hardisty
be appointed treasurer, at a salary of £250 a year,.
security to be given by him in the sum of £l,OOO.
Mr. KEIGHTLEY moved the confirmation of the pro-
ceedings. The applications for the office of treasurer
were very numerous, and after bestowing a great deal of
attention upon the applications, the choice rested be-
tween Mr. Hardisty and other gentleman, the foriner
being recommended for, election by a majority of one.
Mr. WALKER, said the election of a treasurer was so•
serious a matter, that-he should move that the board go.
into committee of the whole, to discuss the question, '
and that the recommendation of the Finance Committee
be referred back.

Mr. RAE said this was a very extraordinary proceed-
ing, when no reason for it was given.
Dr. BA.yr.is seconded the amendment, and said, if he
was correctly informed, this was no recommendation at
all, because the committee was equally divided, and the
chairman gave his casting, vote for Mr. liardisty.
Mr. KEIGHTLEY said eleven members were present:
six voted for Mr.,Hardistv and five for Mr. Allen. —The3- 112
.
chairman did not give a casting vote.
Dr. BAyLIs said he had been informed on good. )
authority that the statement he had, just made was the.-
correct one.

Mr. ASPINALL said there were forty-nine applicants-
for the office.

Mr. WALKER, for the same reason, asked permissionl
to withdraw his amendment.
The amendment was theh by leave withdrawn, and:
the recommendation of the committee confirmed.
On the confirmation of the general proceedings, an,
amendment, moved by Dr. Baylis, was accepted. It was-
to the effect that a quarter's salary should be presented'
to the late treasurer, Mr. A Stewart, together with an
expression of approval of the board of the uprightness
and integrity with which he bad fulfilled the duties of
his office.
The proceedings as amended were confirmed.

FERRY COMMITTEE.
The Ferry Committee had passed a resolution, corn-
plimenting Captain Reed, on the great zeal, energy,
honour, and uniform courtesy displayed by him whilst -
he held the office of ferry manager. The committee had
appointed a successor—Mr. J. T. 3.l‘Kelvie, at a salary '
of £3OO a year, and' security to be given in the sum of
£l,OOO. The following returns of the ferry traffic were
presented :—The receipts for the month ending January,
1860, were £4027 4s. 3d., whilst ,those for the same -
month in 1859 amounted'to £4126 3s. 7d. The receipts
from the 24th April to the 31st January werell36o;
£24,501 Is. 9d.;' 1859, £23,546 7s. 11d. The expen-
diture for latter period was-1860, £17,365 Us. 9d. ;
1859, £17,394 3s. 10d. .

GAS AND WATER COMMITTEE!
The proceedings of this committee were read, and, on
the motion of Dr. Baylis, confirmed.
The CHAIRMAN said it would be gratifying to the
board to hear that the receipts for the last quarter on the
gas and water account.. showed an increase of £1,150
(Rear, hear.)
a
and confirmed.
---
The proceedings of
.the Library Committee were rea
Mr. BELLTRE pendingsTaßAid,CKques-
he should
tion on Thursday next in the Dock Board,
that he a
h d intended
refrain from making- a statement_e
hoped the Dock Board
to place before the Board. H
h 1w • 13ut if they did not,
ye- a ,
would pass the proposed
meeting of the Board would be
then he trusted a special
,
called to consider the matter..
would be better not to discuss
The CHAIRMAN said
ut
that,it
if necessary, he would call
the question now; b
of the Board after Thursday next..
a special meeting
to
the Government had already been '
Both the memorials OFTthwewdingscitssnloßn"osihis
forwarded to London.
The subject then dr opp ed.
,applications for an increase to their respective sala-
'ries were read from Mr. R. W. Corrie, assistant in the
Treasurer's department; and from Mr. J. G. Southern,
superintendent of the markets.
PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD.The following letter from Mr. Wm. Jack 1.1 F
was lead:— son, . . •r