Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-01-13 00:00:00

COMMUNICATIONS,

A letter was read from Messrs. Crow and Williams, of
Birkenhead, requesting; permission to bring lighters
under the crane belonging to 'the Birkenhead Com-
missioners, on the north side of the Woodiide slip, and to
pass through the wood fencing at the gate, near the
ferry, under the direction of the engineer.
Mr. HARTLEY—It cannot be granted, exeept at great
inconvenience:

The letter was referred to the Works Committee.
A letter from Mr. John Harrison, applying for per-
mission to inspect the reports, charts, and sections of
the river survey, taken in 1857, was referred to the
Marine Committee.
The application of James Morecroft, clerk in the
Albert Dock warehouses, for an increase of salary, was
referred to the Warehouse Committee.
NON-Paymr.NT OP TOWN DITES.-EXTRAORDINARY
PROCEEDINGS.
The following letter was read from Messrs. Fitzsim-
mons and Applebee

Liverpool, 2nd January, 1859.
Gentlemen,—With reference to your claim upon us
for unpaid town dues, we have determined, on mature
reflection, to offer you the only reparation in our power

for the wrong we have done. wt eantit, then, urrcon-
ditionally, that in our entries by coasting steamers we
have, for some time past, evade& these dues to is con-
siderable extent, while we have, set the same time,
charged our correspondents with the full•ratea.-
We will not attempt to palliate this grievous breach
of commercial morality. On the contrary, we confess
it to be wholly incapable of extenuation or excuse, and
that it fully justifies the retribution you exact by
requiring from us this acknowledgment, with full
power, on your part, to make it public.
We have undertaken to pay, in manner prescribed by
you, WO, to cover the dues claimed, and 7e beg to
add our thanks that you have consented to accept such
amends as we now make, instead ,of subjecting us to the
severer ordeal which your laws allow:l—We are, gentle-
men, your very obedient servants,
(Signed) FITZSIMMONS, APPLEBEE & CO.
To the Chairman and Members of the
Mersey Docks and Harbour Board.
Mr. RANKIN wished to explain this matter to the
board. In condoning the offence which they had com-
mitted by the payment of £4OO, Messrs. Fitzsimmons
and Applebee had expressed themselves by word, and
as the board had heard, by letter, with extreme
regret, for the course they had pursued. He there-
fore begged the board would confirm the proceedings
of the Finance Committee. The coasting dues had
been collected by the Cerporation in a very irregular
manner heretofore, and this had led to a great deal of
looseness on their part at all events. The board had
only lately commenced to make investigations, which
were now going on; and he hoped they would not have
to bring anything of this kind before the board-infuture.
But if any principals did not attend to the entries made
by them or for them, it would be well for them' to look
into these matters, and rectify them on the earliest pos-
sible occasion. Unless these entries were made correctly,
each case would be reported to the board ; and steps
would be taken to bring the matter before the public in
the same way as on the present occasion. (Hear, hear.)
The proceedings of the Finance Committee in the
matter referred to were confirmed ; and, as this concluded
the public business, the reporters withdrew.