Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-10-07 00:00:00

FINANCE COMMITTEE,

The ne'r,utes of this committee contained an applica ion from Mr.
kmbro e Wain, law clerk, for an increase in his salary, and a length-
ened statement Ehevsing the increa:o of his duties. It was recom-
mended that Mr. Waln's salary should be increased from at 500 to
''7so a-year. The application of Mr. Stewart, treasurer, for au
ise of salary, was refused.
Mr. Keightley moved the confirmation of the proceedings, and in
do*ng so expressed his full conanrrence in the recommendation male
wit'i regard to Mr. Wain.
Mr. B iylis thought the circumst,nces of the township at present
were such as wou'd fully warrant a further inquiry before so large
an increase of sal try was voted. He fully admitted that Mr. Wain
possessed the esteem of them all as a perfect gentlemen whose ability
they all knew, but, on the other hand, they had a pubic duty to
perform, and while the affairs of the township were so mural
behicd-hand, he thought it necessary to consclar the subject
le7y carefully before they added so large an am aunt to their annu sl
expenses. He pointed to the fact tint: Mr. NN'an had the oppor-
tunity of attendMg to his private business, and that he had accom-
mo'atian in that building ; and wins: the comrnissioaers were
obliged to postpone several important sanatory improvements
because they had not sufficient funds, he did not think they would
be warranted n co:tanning the 'recommendation at present. lie,
therefore, moved as an amendment, that so much or the proceedings
as regarded Mr. Wale's salary, be referred back fur further con-
sideration.
Mr. Btiliff seconded the amendment.

r. Holme complained of the uncerimanious manner in which
Mr. Stewa,t's applicathin was rejected, and declared that
while they hid raised the sa:aries of near:y all their offices
ho had beds systematically passed over. He did not mean
to say that they were paid more than they deserved, but
ungsestionably Mr. Stow.irt also deserved consileration at their
hands. He therefore moved as as amendment that that portion of
the procetaiings having reeren,:e to Mr. Stewart's applicatd n be
referre I back to the Committee.
Mr. Verelst secoaded this amendment, and is doing so bare te,ti-
mony to the zeal, integrity, and effi ies, y of Mr. S ewart.
Mr. Bailiff thought thst, in du'y to the already over-taxel rate-
p .viers iirkenhead, they should make no_further increase in their
expenditure.
Mr. Rea dwelt upon Mr. Waln's Blandness as a lawyer, his
honourable estracter, and thA universal confidence which ho inspired
In all who had occasion to interest themselves in the business of the

t waship. Seeing the great importance of the business he had to
conduct, au I the importance of having a mm so well gnalitled in
such an office, he felt mai e that the majority of the bondholders
would approve of the committee's recommendati m. Lookinz to the
manner in which he had conducted the very important business of
the last session, and the f act that their finances were now in a very
ditre ent position from that in which they were some years ,Ince , he
thought the time had arrived when an increase of Mr. Waln's salary
might be fair:y and justly granted.
Mr. Cooke thought the board should have had earlier n dice of this
recommendation. lie objected to so enormous an increase, alit on eh
he was ciaite willing that some increase should now ba made. lie
thought an increase of '6'loo a year, wus ad that Mr. Wa'n could
expect, or the board could in j astice vote at the p7esent time, and
some years limn, h., thought a further increaso might be reasonably

given.
Mr. Bell sn;gested that another month should be talten to consider
the subject.

The Chairman expresse I his opinion that, lo,kia,F, at the nature of
his services, Mr. %Vain had for some years back been underpaid.
He st,ongly advocated the increase,' and declared himself quite
willing to take the whole responsibility, which t.is position as cha•r-
man Involved in supprt n t it, belaying that the ge..cral fee'ing of
the ratepayers wou'd be that the race.nmendati:n of the commi,tee
was a fa'r and recsonable one.

The Tiestion was then p.,t, when there apiiearA,
For the amendment:—Mears. Cook, Baylis, 11'Whir:er. Be:

Ver,lst, llolme, Ba liff —7.
Against :—Messra. Wildmighbr, M' Donald, Golbourne, Keightley,
Bradley, A.spina'l, Wad, and trr Ch in
The amendment was accordingly loot, and the /esolution recom-
mending the increase t ) .4750 carried.
Mr. He lme's amendment was lost by 7 to 5, and the original pro-
ceedings were conflJmd,