The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-01-21 00:00:00

RATES TO RE LEVIED.

From the estimate of the funds required by the treasurer
to carry on the expenditure of the county, from the quarter
ending 30th Nouember, 1856, to the end of August, 1857,
it appeared that the ordinary expenditure required for the
Kirkdale division was £3,361 15s. Extraordinary expen-
diture, £l2O. Total, £3,432. The amount required
would be £2,064 15s 43, to raise which would
require a rate of 21d. The proportion of the
rates to be levied for the Kirkdale district, West
Derby Hundred, comprising Kirkdale, Ormskirk, Prescot,
and Warrington, for general purposes, £1,886 125., a rate
of id. in the pound for lunatic asylums, £314 Bs, 83,
1-121. in the pound. New Lunatic Asylum town account,
£707 9s 6d—a rate of 3 161. G...neral police rate, 1.123.
Local police 12d. House of Correction, rate, and
Hundred Bridges, 1-121. rate.
The above rates, as adopted at the Sessions of Preston,
were confirmed.

A NEW SESSIONAL DIVISION FOR THE COUNTY.

The Chairman said the next business to be considered
was the formation of a new judicial sessional divis;on of
the county, for a petty sessions, to be held at Woolton, or
Wavertree.

Mr. J. I Blackburne said he bad had put into his
hands a memorial, signed by almost all the inhabitants of
Allerton, Wavertree, Much Woolton, Little Woolton,
Chilwell, Holewood, Hale, and Speke, praying to have a
petty sessions held in one of those townships. The memorial
was most numerously and resnectably signed, and he
thought that he could not do better than request that the
Clerk should read the memorial before he moved its adoption.

The Clerk of the Peace then read the memorial from the
inhabitants, which was most numerously and respectably
signed. The memorial went to show that by taking the
above townships from the Prescot division, and making
them into a division by themselves for the holding of petty
sessions, that there would be a great saving in time to the
community, and expense to the county, and that from the
increase of the population such a change was necessary, as
the suggested division would contain 15,000 acres, the
population was 17,000, and the rateable value of property
would be £90,947, That there was a sufficient number of
magistrates in the district to perform the duties that would
devolve upon them, and that the ends of justice would be
better promoted than by having, as they were now com-
pelled to do, to send all offenders to St. Helens or Prescot.
The memorial concluded by praying that the request in the
memorial might be complied with.
Mr. Blackburne suggested that it would not be requisite
to read the names of all the parties who had signed it.
Suffice it to say, that it was signed most numerously, and
by all the clergy, farmers, and inhabitants of the townships.
Mr. Blackburne then referred to the increasing population of
Garston which, at present, belonged to Prescot, and con-
cluded by moving a resolution to the effect that Woolton be
formed into a new sessional division of the county for
judicial purposes.
A Magistrate wished to know whether the Garston people
had given the requisite notices ?
Mr. Theodore Rathbone replied that he believed that
they had not done so at present, but, if they at any time
wished to join the new division, they could do so by giving
three months notice ; and from what he had heard, he did
not doubt but that they would do so.
The Chairman said the first point the magistrates would
have to consider was—Had each of the townships named
in the memorial given the proper notice(?
Mr. Pollock requested to be furnished with the copy of

the Act of Parliament. From it, it appeared that the notice
given was sufficient ; but the next legal point involved was
—Were there the requisite number of magistrates in the
district.
The Chairman said the act requires that, at the time of
making the division, that there should be five justices
residing in, or acting in, the boundary line of the proposed
division.
Mr. Blackbnrne : There are double that number, which
we all know.
The Chairman : But it requires to be stated on oath.
Mr. T. Rathbone ; Well, Mr. Cross will make oath to
that fact.

Mr. Cross then took the necessary oath to that effect,
stating that there were more than five justices residing
within the boundary.
Mr. Theodore Rathbone said : He had much pleasure in
s-conding the motion, and he did hope that there would
flat be any difference of opinion on the subject then before
the court. He bad no idea that there would be any opposi-
tion, and he really did hope that there would not be any.
He then went on to say, that In each of the above townships
public meetings had been convened for the purpose of taking
into consideration the necessity of petitioning the
magistrates of the district to hold a petty sessions in the
township of Much Wootton ; each of which had been
numerously and respectably attended; and resolutions to
the following effect had been adopted at each :
" That it has long been a matter of serious complaint
that justice is practically to a great extent denied to the
inhabitants of this township, owing to the present detective
arrangements for the conduct of criminal and other j udicial
business, and the great distance parties have to travel to
obtain redress." " That the statements set forth in the
memorial, signed by many of the inhabitants, can be
corroborated in ever particular, and the careful attention of
the magistrates be directed to its contents." " That this
meeting give its unqualified support to the application to be
made to the quarter sessions for a proposed new division,
and express a strong opinion that it will be greatly to the
advantage of this, and the neighbouring townships, if such
application be granted."
More resolutions had been agreed to at a meeting of the
inhabitants of Wavertree, and at Allerton a similar meeting
had been held, at which it was unanimously agreed—
r• That the magistrates be earnestly solicited to accede to
the application (for which notice has been sent to the
ensuing quarter sessions) at Kirkdale, for a petty sessional
division, consisting of the townships making this application,
and thus relieve the petitioners from the extreme incon-
venience and hardship, as well as expense to themselves and
the county, of having to attend at Prescot and St. Helens,
involving journeys of upwards of twenty miles and never
less than twelve miles,whenever the ends of justice, and the
many other occasions that now constantly occur, require
their attendance before the magistrates."
He did not think it necessary to read any other, as those
he had referred to sufficiently show the feeling of the people
on the subject, and the others were precisely similar. With
the resolutions from Wavertree he had received a note from
a person whom he thought was a very excellent authority
on the subject, as he was well conversant with all the facts.
The note was as follows:

Sir,--I beg to enclose you a resolution which was passed
this evening at a meeting held at the Lamb Inn, relative to
the proposed sessional division. As a collector for the town-
shipa, I am in a position to state that the feeling of the rate-
payers is most decidedly in favour of a separation from Prescot.
I am often deterred from Summoning defaulters owing to the
loss of time occasioned in going to Preacot for a summons, and
the attendance consequent thereon. I most sincerely hope the
application may be successful.-1 am, sit, your obedient
servant, FRED. a BURNEY.
- _

To Theodore Rathbone, E
As by the present arrangements, all offenders had to be
taken a distance of from fifteen to twenty-five miles, before
the cases could be adjudicated upon, a very great incon.
venience was felt by all parties, and to the poor man in
particular, it had a tendency to prevent him from procuring
redress, as the inconvenience from loss of time, and the
expense, often deterred him from prosecuting parties. By
the new arrangement, that evil could be avoided. The
only objection that he had heard of to the adoption of the
plan, was the admission of Garston, which at present
belonged to the Prescot division. It was true they had not
taken the matter up at present, but there was nothing to
prevent them, at a future occasion, coming back from Pres.
cot, and joining the division, and he hoped they would do so
at once. The next point to be considered, was the expense.
There were some who thought that the townships would be
put to same extra expenses, but that was altogether a mis.
taken idea, and should not be entertained. That should not
be put forward as a difficulty, for if the alteration was
made, and should it be found that it did not work
well, it could be altered at any time. They need not
try the experiment more than twelve, six, or three months.
He also denied that it would require any alteration in the
distribution of the police force. He proceeded to point out
the many advantages that would be gained by the alteration,
amongst some of which, was that they would be enable to
adjudicate upon juvenile offenders. Having at considerable
length substantiated his argument, he proceeded to show
that the proposed district in point of population and wealth,
required such an alteration, as the division would of itself
contain a population of 11,653, an average of 13,588, and
rateable property at the value of £69,410, which was much
more than was contained in Oldham, or Ashton-under-Lyne,
and some other places. With regard to magistrates to do
the work, there were at least fifteen in the district, so that
no difficulty would be experienced on that tead, besides
others who would always be ready to attend, and he had
not the slightest doubt but that the scheme would work
extremely well, and with regard to the place where the
petty sessions should be held at Wavertree or at Wootton,
that would be a subject for the decision of the magistrates.
Mr. Pollock said he did not see from the act of Parliament
that there could be any objection, instead of having a
petty sessional division to having an adjourned sessions, as
far as regards the adjudicating upon bastardy cases and
cases under the criminal juvenile act. He could not see
but what they could do as much at an adjourned sessions as
if they had a sessional division.

Mr. Cross said such cases must be disposed of where the
petty sessions were usually held.
Mr. Theakstone : We adjourn from Kirkdale to Mr.
Cleaver's office.

After some further conversation, Mr. Rathbale continued
to say that he did not see that any difficulty would arise ;
and stated that the crime in the two townships of Woolton
and Wavcrtree, for the year ending 1856, fully guaranteed
the request ; the number apprehended being 162, and the
number summoned 455 ; giving a total of about 50 cases
for each month. In conclusion, he contended that by the
alteration, Prescot would be relieved from most of the
business that was thel transacted there, t le magistrates
being overworked ; and, that if it was not found to work
well, it could be altered at any moment. He had great
pleasure in seconding the resolution, which he hoped would
be unanimously adopted.
Mt% Tinne explained the course that the township of
Garston had taken at a former period, when it was joined
with Prescot, and thought the time was come when it should
join the new division; but, having taken a part on that
occasion, he should leave it to the inhabitants to do what
they though right, and said he should be always happy to
perform the duties that devolved on him in either districts.

➢Zr. R. Neilson wished to know whether they could
legally separate the townships to make a judicial petty ses-
sions without interfering with the rating of such townships.
Mr. Tinne said all the townships in the proposed division
belonged to Prescot, so that he did not see any difficulty
would arise on that point.

Mr. Neilson inquired if they had the power of separating
the one from the other?
Mr. Rathbone thought that one could follow the order.
Mr. Neilson said they must be separate.
Mr. Cross said there must be a separate rating for each
petty sessions.
Mr. Tinne said he was quite sure that there would be no
difficulty experienced.
Mr. Hall thought it would be better to allow that point to
settle itself.

Mr. Rathbone said the two divisions would be so equally
divided that he did not see that any objection could
be raieed on that point, but he thought
that it would be advisable that the rating
should follow the police business, as those who had the
expending of the money should have the voting of it.
Mr Bromilow said the only objection he had to the new
plan was, that he feared that they would not then be able
to get a quorum of magistrates at St. Helens.
Mr Pollock said he must confess that that was
a point that deserved some little consideration. When he
was at the bar there was a case brought forward for
removing the sessions from Prescott to St. Helens
and great objections at that time were urged against the
alteration, because it was said, and said, with some reason
too, that then the magistrates would have to adjudicate upon
cases in which they were personally concern( d--in fact,
that they would have before them men who were actually in
their own employ. That was a question of considerable
importance, but he did not intend to give an opinion either
way, because the real question, he thought, they ought to
consider was the proper administration of justice. There
was no doubt but it was a very unpleasant thing to come
forward and oppose such a recommendation. There were
persons sitting by his side who employed from 1,000 to
1,400 hands, and it would be extremely unpleasant for them
to have to adjudicate upon cases in which they were con_
cerned. It was not desirable, nor was it likely to give
satisfaction. He thought that it was desirable that
magistrates should agree to take upon them the duties of
other districts, and not let all the burden fall upon those
living in St. Heler.sl
Mr. W. Earle thought that by the alteration the
magistrates would be so much relieved, that they would be

better abla to attend at St. Helens ; therefore, instead of
its being an argument against the alteration, it was in
its favour.

Mr. Neilson concurred in the view taken by Mr. W.
Elrle.

After a few further remarks, the Chairman said—they
must exclude the case of Garston, as it was not before the
court. The question they had to decide was whether it was
desirable that there should be an alteration in the sesssions
—whether, in fact, there should be a new division made.
Before arriving at any conclusion, they would have to
consider whether the convenience that would arise
would in the least interfere with the due adminis-
tration of justice. It was a most important point.
They had it is evidence, that to obtain justice people had to
travel a distance, say on the average of twenty miles, and
no doubt, in the case of a poor man, that amounted to a
prohibition. They had it also in evidence that the mule-
tion had much inerease3, and there was every reason to
believe that in ten, fifteen, or twenty years, that the
population would still further increase, and render such an
alteration desirable. After taking all the points into
consideration, he thought the balance of evidence was in
favour of the proposition.
Mr. Pollock said he did not w:sla it to he thought that
he was opposed to the preposition, because he thought that
the alteration would be found dt s;rable.
The motion was then put from the chair, and unanimously
carried.
There being no other business to dispose of, the court
adjourned.