The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-06-01 00:00:00

THE ELECTION OF COMMISSIONERS FOR

BIRKENHEAD.

PUBLIC MEETING.
On Saturday night last, a public meeting was held in
the Argyle-room, in connection with the return of the
gentlemen whose names appear on the "Red List" for the
office of commissioners. W. G. Leete, Esq , of Devonshire-
road, being called to the chair. briefly referred to the duty
that devolved on the electors of returning, as representa-
tives at the commission board, such gentlemen as would
attend to the various interests of the township.
Mr. John Laird addressed the meeting at considerable
length, and gave a very satisfactory and explicit statement
of the policy which he had adopted since the year 1846 ;
from which, istuaia, it appeared, that when the majority
of the present commissioners entered then into power,
there was no less a debt sum against the township than
£250,000, and that now that large amount had been reduced
to £150,000. On an, kuportztut, oubioct of Dock Bating,said Mr. Laird, there seems to be a misunderstanding with
respect to my particular views ; and, therefore, the sooner
such is cleared up the better. lam opposed certainly to
the rating of the docks, and would wish to see no tax or
drawback laid upon them ; rather, however, than lose the
docks, he would lose the rates altogether. Referring to
the position of the township as regards the Gas and Water
Company, Mr. Laird stated that at a very recent public
meeting of that company, it had been stated that there was
money enough in hands to secure the carrying on of the
works, and prevent the necessity of going to Parliament, if
deemed advisable, even for two years longer ; and at the
same meeting Mr. Jackson had offered to hand over the
works in Coto, to the commissioners for the sum of £250,000
sterling. Now, to show how cautious and how judicious
the commssioners had acted in this affair, it is a fact, and
an important one too, that, in the course of Mr. Jacksoa's
examination before the House of Commons, Mr. Jackson
admitted that the works only cost £lOO,OOO. From such,
then, it would be apparent that the Commissioners had not
only acted well for the benefit of the township, but had
also discharged their duty to themselves. The recent
triumph obtained over the Gas and Water Cornreny, was a
full justification of the steps which they had adopted. The
line of policy which they had all along followed, and it
was, moreover, a very high, if not the highest, euloguim
that could possibly be passed on their law-clerk, Mr.
Waln. With regard Lo the matter of the Cheshire
Junction Railway, Mr. Laird deemed it unnecessary to
say a single word, as the whole affair would be dealt with
at a meeting this evening. He begged, in cos elusion,
to refer to the point of keeping the approaches to the
landing-stage, and the Woodside ferry, in the best state
possible. It was a fact well known that the keeping of
the river clear of vessels, anchored on the track of the
ferry steamers, was of great importance, and tended to
influence the value of property by people residing in the
Cheshire district. In so far as the landing-stage was con-
cerned, Mr. Laird said that the plan of approach, recom-
mended by Mr. Hartley, would be adopted ; while the
removal. of all ships lying in the channel betwixt Wood-
side and Liverpool, would be fully taken up in August
next. After some general remarks, Mr. Laird resumed
his seat, amid great applause, having been greeted with
various marks of approbation during his address.
Mr. Derbyshire next craved the indulgence of the
meeting. He had been for a length of time resident here,
and from all he could see or understand, he thought not
only that the present commissioners were fully entitled to
the best thanks of the ratepayers for the consistency of
their actions, but also for the immense and undivided
attention which they had all along given to the interests of
the township. A great deal too much had been attempted
to be made of the law and parliamentary expenses. He
(Mr. D.) had known Mr. Waln for a considerable length of
time, and he was therefore in a fit position to state that
prior to his coming here, 'Jr. Waln was n,,t
more admired for his integrity of purpose and
moral character, than for the sound judgment
and opinion which he gave on all matters affecting the
interests of his employers. If his charges were high, the
party employing him had the assurance that Mr. W. would
on no account sacrifice principle for interest. But his
charges were not a single farthing above what any respec-
table legal gentleman would make. I cannot, for my part,
see the object of the " Blue List" party at all ; and,
therefore, he, (Mr. D.) th-ought, that the ratepayers should
support the " Red List" gentlemen, as they evidently had
no sinister purpose to serve in the transaction.
Mr. Williams, of the firm of Crowe and Williams, th n
atled, Mr. Laird to state to the meeting as to whether or
not the present commissioners had done anything in the
matter of the gas and water question, prior to the meeting
in April last.
Mr. Laird said, in reply, that in the month of October
last, the commissioners not 6nly gave notice to parliament
on the subject, but had petitions against the bill, long before
the meeting in April. The only doubts on the minds of the
commissioners, with respect to the petitions being that
the allegations against the bill were too strong. Mr.
Waln, who framed she petition said, that he was perfectly
prepared to prove every point therein. And since lam in
the way of referring to this, I may jhst say, that after what
has ccourred with the Gas and Water Company's Bill,
it will be the bounden duty of the commissioners to keep
a sharp look out, and see that in respect both to gas and
water, the township should be properly and cheaply
served. If they could not effect an arrangement with
the company, then, they would at once provide otherwise,
and on this point it would no doubt be interesting and
instructive to know, that in the course of Mr. Jackson's
sifting examination before the committee of the Rouse of
Commons, he (Mr. Jackson) had admitted that the cost
of mannfact,ring the gas was two shillings per thousand
feet. Now, if to this was added even one shilling of
profit, it would be seen, that failing the obtaining
of an arrangement with the gas and water company,
they could supply the township on very moderate terms,

Before siting down he also desired, and thought it necessary
to state, that Mr. Bailff (one of the principal leaders and
speakers of the "Blue List" party), was the only one of the
commissioners who did not sign the petition against the
bill of the Gas and Water Company.
Mr. Williams stated that he was very glad to hear such
important information from Mr. Laird, as at a meeting of
the " Blue List" party, held on Friday night last, Mr.
Bretherton had given the parties there to understand that
the commissioners had done nithing in the matter of
supplying the town with gas and water.
Mr. Darhyshire here directed attention to the well-
known fact that in addition to what had been stated by
Mr. Laird, the plant of the Gas and Water Company was
in such a very ricketty and out of-order state, that they c ould
not tell the moment when the township would be left in the
lurch for a supply of the great necessary of life ; and if
such a calamity did take place from the breaking down of
the plant in question, then what would become of the
township ?.

Dr. Baylis. in proceeding to address the meeting, first
directed attention to a few facts in connection with
the present contest. And, first of all, he very
much regretted to find that such a gentleman
as Mr. Willoughby should be found to occupy so dubious
a position ; for that gentleman was actually present at,
and was cognisant of, the " Red List" party, having put his
(Mr. Wiltonghby's) name down as on their committee.
Dr. Baylis, in referring to the first placard issued by the
"Blue List" party, bearing the signature W. G. Willoughby,
said, that on the morning the placard appeared, Mr. Wil-
loughby not only stated that he was not present at the
large and influential meeting, (which, by the way, num-
bered only eight individuals,) and did not know that his
name was to have been put to the bill in any shape, (and
far less, certainly,) in the position of chairman. In com-
menting on the foolish project of obtaining a corporation
for Birkhenhead, Claughton, and other adjoining town-
ships, Dr. Baylis, in a very logical manner, showed
that it was a gross delusion altogether, and that such a
scheme was got up with a view t lead away the ratepayers
from the consideration of more important matters. It is
well enough known, says Dr. Baylis, that it would take
both time and money to obtain such, even if it were deemed
most expedient ; and it is also equally well known that
such a proposal would be certain to meet with the most
vigorous opposition from the residents in Claughton and
elsewhere, from the simple, bat important circumstance,
that, without being incorporated, the residents in these out-
townships are freed from taxes altogether; whereas with a
corporation they would have to share, and share alike, in
the burden of the taxes under which the rate-
payers here are labouring. In so far as the present
commissioners are concerned, he would say that
they were perfectly prepared, and most desirous to
have something of a large measure kind gone into.
He, however, thought that rather than incur the great
expense of obtaining such a Corporation Act (as that
referred to by Mr. Bretherton) they should wait until they
saw what the promised Reform Bill would turn up. The
present retiring commissioners, along with those remain-
ing in office, choose rather to legislate with certainty for
the present, than roam away into such a measure as that
to which he referred, and which would, in the end, tarn
out to be mere fudge. This meeting was well aware that
Birkenhead was marked on the parliamentary list as
amongst the towns to be constituted into a borough, with
an M P. to represent it—(great applause)—and therefore
it would, he thought, be every way more judicious to wait
until that time, when much more than could be
got from the Corporation Act would be obtained
from parliament without paying for it. Dr. Baylis
then glanced at the various m fitters taken up
and attended to by the Commissioners. In referring to
the lighting and watching department, Dr. Baylis paid
a high and just eulogium on the untiring zeal and
unwearied assiduity of Mr. T. B. Golborne, one of the
retiring commissioners, who in every respect was a most
plodding and valuable member of the board. After
several other remarks, Dr. Baylis resumed his seat amid
continued cheering.
Mr. W. Jones here asked Mr. M'Whirter, also one of
the retiring commissioners, to state whether or not the
name of Mr. Coulter had been entered into the "Red List"
with or without the authority of Mr. Coulter, as that
gentleman at the meeting of the " Blue List" party had
openly stated that it was not.
Mr. M'Whirter, with his usual candour, then stated that
he was in a position to show to any body of gentlemen
that Mr. Coulter's name was inserted in the "Red List,"
with Mr. Coulter's full consent and full knowledge. This
statement was received with applause.
Mr. Hind, also one of the retiring commissioners, then
stated that his name hadbeen put into the ' Blue List" bill
not only without his authority, but also against his wish.
The commissioners had done their duty well and faithfully,
and he thought that, therefore, the ratepayers could not do
better than just adopt the " Red List," and return them
all.

The following are the motions which were unanimously
carried :

1. That this meeting consider the following gentlemen
fit and proper to be elected as commissioners, viz., Messrs.
Baylis, Cook, Harrison, Hind, Golborne, Keightley,
M'Whirter, and Holme."
2. " That this meeting endeavour to secure the election
of the above gentlemen."
After a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting,
which was Eumerously attended, broke up.