The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-04-24 00:00:00

••• r-tr,
TUE NORTIIERN 11,RPOOL, FRIDAY.

RATING OF COTTAGE PROPERTY.

BEFORE R. GLADSTONE, ESQ., C. S. PARKER, ESQ , AND

li. BENN, ESQ.

The summonses issued by the Town Council against
Mr. Price, as the owner of considerable cottage pro-
perty in the Borough, to recover the amennt of sanitary
rates claimed from him on the ground of his having re-
fused to compound for the same, came on to be heard on
Wednesday, the 22nd inst , after several adjournments,
and the lateness of the hour at which the proceedings
terminated prevented our report appearing in yesterday's
edition cf our journal; the cases having been appointed to
be heard in the afternoon. Mr. M•Goran appeared in
support of the proceedings; Mr. Aspinall for the defendant.
Mr. Gladstone observed that exception had been taken
yesterday to his sitting to hear this case, as he was a
member of the Health Committee. He had taken the
opportunity of naming the point to Mr. Mansfisld, and
wished to be relieved from attending ; but Mr. Mansfield
saw no reason wily any a teration should be made, and Mr,
Gladstone was there ready to perform his ditty. Although
he would hot shrink from any obligation imposed upon
him, and had not courted the attendance of any other
magistrate, he was happy to find there were two other
justices attendance, and Mr. Aspinall had better,
perhaps, state any objection he might have to the matter
being disposed of before that tribunal. Mr. Aspinall
observed that the objection he had made on the former
occasion was now greatly removed, from the circumstance
of there being two other magistrates present;
but he certainly should have preferred to have had the
summonses heard before Mr Mansfield, and with the
assistance of the magistrate's clerk, who WM present when
the former hearing took place. He felt confident their
worships's decision would be in his favour, but if it should
be against him, 'then the cottage owners would be in a
difficulty how to act, as there would be conflicting decisions
by d fferent lay magistrates. Hewever, if the court thought
fit to proceed with the case, he was prepared to meet it.
Mr. MG owan then said—l apply for a warrant of distress
against Mr. Price, for the full amount of sanitary rates
due from him in respect of cottage property, of which
he is the owner, and for which he has refused to
compound. Mr. Aspinall: wish to know whether it is
intended to hear all the eases together or only one of
them. I mention this that there may be no misunder-
standing hereafter, as I understood on the former occa-
sion eh the cases a_ ,fiainst Mr. Price were than heard and
disposed of. Mr. M'Go wan i I intend to proceed in one
case only at present. Mr. Gladstone : I have spoken to
Mr. Adria on that print, and he confirms the statement of
the magistrates' clerk that ode one Me was heard on
the former occasion. Mr. M'Gowan: The case is this—
In May 1850 the council of the Borough of Liverpool laid
certain sanitary and other rates, and Mr. Price appeared
rated as the owner of the premises in question. In
the same morth, about the 13th, formal notice was
given thereof to him, with a bill of psrticulare, stating
the items of charge. The notice also apprised him
of the provisi ins of the Sanitary Act of 1854, and stated
that if he refused to eompound inr such rates, upon a
reduced estimate of one-half thereof, on or before the 30th
Juno then next, he would be deemed to have refused, and
would become liable to pay the full amount. Mr. Price
disregarded this notice, and allowed the time to pass. In
the following July, the late Mr. Ashlin sent him a letter
referring to their notice, and said that the committee;
thinking that Mr. Price had inadvertently omitted to com-
pound, were still willing to accept the composition, if paid
before the end of the month. Mr. Price disregarded this
notice, and allowed the time to pass. Then the council had
n o alternative but to follow the act of parliament, and to rate
Mr. Price to the full amount, as having, in effect, refused
to enter into composition. As would prove these facts,
and then show that of er Mr. Price • was so rated to the
full amount, notice thereof was given him. Mr. Price's
duty was to have appealed to the Quarter Sessions if he
deemed such rating improper. He had, howeeer, allowed
two sessions to pass over, and was stopped in law from
now objecting. Mr. M'G,wan would presently produce
cases to support this view, end if the bench wished it he
would not stop there,thoueh he might safely do so, but would
go into the whole case, and show that in p tint of fact, as
well as in law, ti Mr. Price had eubstenslly refused the
c,.mposition by disregarding the notices. By the Bench :
We hid beteer bear the whole cage. Mr. M'Gowan : In
B:utchins and Chambers, 1 Burrows Reports, 579, an
action was brought against justices of the peace and
their officers for executing a warrant of distress for rates.
A special case was stated for the opinion of the court on
five points. This was the meet satisfactory nay in which
the opinion of a court of law could be taken, because the
statements were in writineanprepared with the greatest
dellberetion by the pa: ties on both-sides, with all the skill
the attorney and counsel could command. The first
question was the only ono bearing on this case, and.was
whether the rate and assessment were good and suffi-
cient in point of law, and if not whether the plaintiff
could avail himself of any objection to it. Lord
Mansfield, when this question was spoken to, said : " All
abort the rates is clea:ly out of the present case, for if they
aro bad, the parties who thought themselves sggrieved,
should have appealed." So in Bonnell v. Beighton, 5
Term Reports, 182 which was an action of trespass
for executing a Distress Warrant for Inclosure
Rates, alleged to he improperly made, the
Coate held that the plaintiff should have
appealed to the sessions, if dissatisfied with the rate ; and
having failed to do so, he had waived his objection. In
Durant v. Boys, 6 Term Report, 580, the same principle
was laid down, Mr. Justice Grose 'Dissolving, if a rate be
injurious to any person on account of his leaving the
parish, " or on any other account," he should appeal to the
sessions. Pot having done so, he was bound by the rate.
The Churchwardens of Birmingham v. Shaw, 10 Adolphus
and Ellis, 869, Lord Denman holds the same rule, and
says, "There can be no difference between the case of a
rate not appealed against, and cue appealed against, and
confirmed." Mr. M'Gowan commented on these cases, and
contended that M. Price stood before them as though the
rate, charging him in the full amount, had been ap-
pealed against, and confirmed, inasmuch as the sanitary
act pointed out the appeal as the remedy for objecting to
the rate if anything in it were injurious to the party, and
here the act declared that Mr. Price had refused to com-
pound. The bench could not refuse to make an order, if
the case stopped here ; and, if they did, he, Mr. M'Gowan,
felt bound to say the Court of Queen's Bench would
enforce an order in his favour. He would not, however,
rest satisfied with taking a judgment on those grounde,
but would prove that in point of fact Mr. Price had
refused, that is, had done acts which were substantially a
renal. The argument of the defendant was, that there
could be no refusal except by the party using words to
that effect. This could not be maintained, as there were
many ways by which a refusal could be given
without words. Their worships had, no doubt, often
heard from their grooms that their horses when sick
had " refused" their food ; but, according to Mr. Price,
that never could be the case, as the horses had not the
gift of speech. He mentioned a number of instances in
which, in the daily business of life, the most complete
refusals are given without a word being spoken, and even
where promises are made of compliance. In Davie v.
Mitford (4 Barnewell and Ald , 356), a bankrupt was sent
to prison for having, as was alleged, refused to " answer
questions put to him in order to obtain a full and true
disclosure cf his estate," though he never, in fact, did
refuse, but, on the contrary, professed his readiness to do
everything. He brought an action for trespass, for being,
as he said, unjustly imprisoned, but Mr. Justice Best said
" the bankrupt's neglect to produce a balance sheet is
substantially a refuse!, to give answers to questions lawfully
put to him," and the action tailed. The same principle
was recognised in Goddard's case (1 Glyn, 45). Inde-
pendently of this there is (said Mr. M'Gowan) some mis-
apprehension on the defendant's part as to the true mean-
ing of the word " reftu e." Johnson says, among ether
thing it means "not to accept." Mr. Aspinall : I object to
Johnson as not being of any authority. Mr. M'Gowan :
What would you agree to be bound by? Mr.
Aspinall : I would prefer Webster ? Mr. M•Gowan :
(taking up another book) I expected you would say so, and
am able to accommodate you. Here it is. (Great laughter.)
Here are his terms : "Not to accept, not to comply." Mr.
M'Gowan continued to adduce further argument in support
of his view, and concluded by calling on the bench to make
the order after the formal evidence had been laid before
them. Mr. Sareley, one of the collectors, was called, and
proved the making of the several rates, and the service of
the several notices and papers already referred to, which
were produced by the defendant's attorney. Mr. Aspinall
theta addressed the court for the defence. He contended
that the summonses should be dealt with as though
they were being heard on the 24th of January,
last, as he. certainly was still of opinion that all the cases
against Mr. Price were then disposed of, and he submitted
that no other evidence ought to be received no c. Mr.
Price had never refused to pay the composition ; on the
contrary, he had offered to pay the sum within the time.
It would have been received, had he entered into the form
of agreement prepared by the corporation officers, which
would have given him to the 31st of September. He had
tendered his money in August to Mr. Langley, one of the
collectors, who refused to receive it, and again to Mr.
Ashlin who did the same. After the last hearing of this
question, in January, he received the application from
Cornwallis-street for the full amount of the rates, and .he
returned the paper with a note, stating that he was ready
to pay the corporation according to Mr. Aikin's
decision, but not the full sum claimed. To that
he received a reply from Mr. M'Gowan, saying

he was in error in supposing Mr. Aikin had
I decided more than one case, and that the Money applied
for must be paid, Cr proceedings would be taken to recover
the same. Mr. Price never intended to refuse paying the
mailer sum. He happened to be out' of town durin
part of the time, and knowing that last year he had been
allowed till September to pay in respect of these premises
for which he then compeuuded, he did not pay attention
to the notices sent him, cc nceiving if he paid by September
again he would be safe, and baste that time he did tender
his money. As to the law of the cnse, he felt equally
satisfied. He admitted that nobody could have acted more
fairly than the corporation in point of giving time or send-
ing notice, but he denied their power to fix on any par-
ticular day, and say if you no' not pay, then you will
be treated as havir g refused. He denied the ap; lication
of the cases quoted to the present one. There was nothirg
on the face of the rates to appal against—he found nofeult
seith anything appearing on the rate. The case was not one
for appeal at all; and the authorities cited had no bearing
whaterer on the question in dispute. The notice to Mr.
Price says, unless you compound by the day named, you
will be " deemed "to have refused. This is not in the act
of paliament, and the Corporation have no right to use
any inch authority, as the act says they " shall" com-
pound with the owners of the class of premises under
consideration: It is not for them to fix the day, and
create the refas al ageing a man's intention. 't hen there
is a comp isition paper sent out by them which contains
stipulations they have no power to impose on the party
signing it. Mr. Aspinall commented on the various parts
of this document, contendir g that taking all the
papers together, the defendant was justified in
thinking he had until September to pay, and
by tendering the money in August was in good time.
't he iustancee quoted of refusals being constructively
effected in the ordinary nflairs of life were different from
this case, as here a penalty attached to the law must be
strictly followed. The act of p teliament does not say the
owner shall be liable if he neglects or omits, bat only if
he refuses; and therreemest have been a good reason for
this distinction, seeing that in other parts of the act the
word neglect does occur, though omitted here. He dwelt
upon this as showing that it was the duty of the corporation
to follow up the composition proceedings, and get it effected
or plainly refused. The act had been drawn by the
advisors of the corporation, and if defective, it was their
own fault, and they would easily get it amended wieen neat
they went to parliament. UpOn the whole case he a nes-
dently submitted that neither in point of law or fact had Mr.
Price refused to compound, and therefore the summons must
be dismissed. Mr. Price was then called, and stated that
towards the end of August lie had seen Mr. Langley at
Cornwallis street, and tendered him the composition, but
it was refused on the ground that the time had gone by.
He had afterwards seen Mr. Ashlin and tendered him the
money, but it was again refused for the same reason. The
defendant produced a memorandum book containing an
entry to the above effscr, which he said he bad made at
the time. On cross-examination, it appeared that the
memorandum described three intetviews, and the first:was
said to be " about" the 27th August. Mr. Langley was
called and examined by Mr. Aspinall. He admitted that
at the end of August Mr. Price did call and offer the
annoy. It was refused, as the time bad passed. Mr.
Ashlin was afterwards seen by Mr. Price, and the money
was again c ffered and refused. On cross-examina-
tion, witness denied that Mr. Price tendered the money—
he only brought one bill and said he was ready
to pay, but he did not produce any money: Mr. M'Gowan
submitted this was no tender in law, and even if it were,
it was made after the period given by the Council, and
extended by Mr. Astlin's letter. As to the form of the
clause in the act of Parliament, the Council were not
answerable for it, as it was framed almost word for word
according to the composition clause in the General Health
Act, which only had the word "refuse." The question
applied to every board of health in England, and not alone
to Liverpool. Had the word neglect or omit been used,
an owner might have been unfairly trapped, without any
notice being given, but the word "refuse" cast on the
authorities the duty of apprising an owner that he was
rated, the amount thereof, and other particulars,
and of giving him a reasonable time to com-
pound All that had been done here. The
act must be construed so as to give it some effect. It is
said if the party refu-es to compound,then he should be rated
again fully. When is that to be. The act does not say.
But there must be same limit ; and the question is—llas a
reasonable limit 'been fixed ? Mr. Aspinall answers that, by
saying nothing can be fairer than the proceeding of the
'corporation as t r the time offered for payment. With
reference to the statement of Mr. Aspinall that the cases
which have been cited did not apply, all he (Mr. M•Go wan)
could say was this—that there were two ways of dealing
with arguments, and eases also : if they could be answered,
to answer them; if they ware wholly unanswerable, then
the only resource left was to summon up sufficient
confidence and declare that, though admirable in
themselves, they had nothing to do with the question;
taking care, however, not to attempt to show how or why.
Mr. Aspinall had adopted the latter plan; but the
bench would not be holdwinked by that proceeding
With regard to the agreement of c,raposition referred to
by Mr. Aspinall, he (Mr. M'Clowan) contended that every
clause in it was warranted by the Act of Parliament, and
he went through the different parts of the document
seriatim, at the same time pointing out the portions of the
act on which they were based. He observed, in conclu-
sion, that the real question was this—Whether, taking a
fair practical view ot matters, did the acts of the Corpora-
tion, and the conduct of Mr. Price, amount to a refusal on
his part to do as ho was required by the statute. After a
short nsultation between the magistrates the
eudgmenr was given as follows :—Mr7 Packer:—On a
careful review of the evidence which has been laid
before us, and of the argument on both sides,
my brother magistrates and myself, have unanimously
come to the conclusion that we must make the order. We
are satisfied that there is no imputation whatever against
the accuracy of Mr. Price's statemen's ; but the most he
can say is, that ho did at one time express himself ready
to compound, bat that was not until after the period had
expired, which was allowed him for that purpose. We
consider that both in point of fact, and in law, he refused
to compound, and that . such a refusal, arose
upon his failing to accept the offer made him by the
Corporation, and his entirely disregarding their notices.
The corporation appear to us to have done all in their
power to get Mr. Price to compound, and afforded him
the fullest opportunity for doing so. As men of business,
we cannot help knowing that there are many ways by
which a person can refuse to do an act without his saying
so ; and the question therefore is, whether, in the case
before us, there was enough to show there was a refusal.
Taking an ordinary business view of the matter—
looking at the meaning assigned to the term refuse, whe-
ther Jehnsonian or otherwise Websterian,—the obvious
intention of the Act of Parliament, and the cases quoted
before us, we can have no doubt whatever that Mr.
Price's conduct amounted substantially to a refusal.
For the future the cottage owners will qui' e understand.
that unless they accept the offer of the council, and com-
pound within the time appointed, they will render them
selves liable to the full amount of the rate. Mr. Bonn
expressed his entire concurrence. A question then arose
as to the course to be adopted in the remaining three cases,
and both parties having admitted they had no fresh
evidence to offer, and that the cases were similar to the
preceding one, an order was made in each for payment of
the full amount, with costs.

THE NEW INDIAMAN-" GENERAL SIMPSON."

Some six years ago it was imagined that the mercantile
navy of Liverp ,el was at the pinnacle of its glory, but in
point of fact it was only in its infancy, for vessels, and
neb'e vessels as they were, that ware considered the acme
of size and perfection, at that time, are considered little
more than second-rate ships at this moment. We need not
point out what has been done within this brief perioi, as it
is well known that in the world's history such shipa as have
been lautiched wore never equalled, and are now the admi-
ration of the world. Almost every day we have to record
some addition to our 'noble fl,e, and amongst the last
toted is th 9 new Indiaman, General Simpson, just arrived
In re to her owters, the eminent house of De Wolfe and
Tnis fine specimen of naval architecture is equally a
credit to her owners and blinders. The letter are the
Messrs. W. and R. Wright, of St. John's, N 8., anal it may
perhaps be oncugh to say that they are•the builders of the
renowned ships, Star of the East, Morning Star, White Star,
and many other acknowledged first-class sailing vessels.
She was built under the superintendence of a surveyor of
Lloyds, and to Class A 1 for seven years, and this gentleman
has given a report of her, not only favourable, but such as
to have no doubt of her superiority in all details. The
frame is of the best lleckmatac, her beams and planking of
the best American pi!cli pine, all of extraord nary size and
matchless strength. Her lines are such as to catch the
eye, that must look'on her with admiration, and the model
is a perfect beauty. The viorkmikship cf this truly noble
and handsome vessel leaves nothing to be desired, and her
rigging, spars, &c are in fell keeping with the tout
ensemble, vhich cannot be surpassed.• Her length is, on
deck 180 feet, beam 37, and depth of hold 22 fret. Her
tonnage is set down at 1,121, but cf course she
will stow more than that. She has attracted much alter
lion in the Salthouse deck during the last few days, and the
bst judges are in admiration of her, Fhe is cemrnanded
by Captain Edward WlCie.a gentleman well known and
respected in the East India atd (=Mina trade, and will
be shortly despatched for Bombay, with a general cargo of
very vJtiahe merchaudi ,:e.
To such enterprise as that of
Messrs De Wolfe and others, the port of Liverpool has
become the pride of the world ; and those who really
admire a noble piece of naval architecture, will have a
treat by an inspection of the General Simpson.

CHESHIRE INTELLIGENCE.

•
WIRRRAL UNION.
The first meeting of the Gclardiana of the poor for the
above union :?ok placa at Clatterbriege on Wedneslay
last, when upwarof twenty gentlemen were present,
amongst whom ware the Reverends Gleadowe, Moss,
Redhead, Robins and Gran:.m•

Mr. Waring Perrey, of Holz-bill, Tianmere, proposed
that John Dean Case, Esq., be re-appointed emit man of
the board for the ensuing year ; and in the course of
a very appropriate address. Mr. P, highly eulegised Sir
John Dean Case's past services at the board, and said that
no man in the hundred of Wirrall had rendered more
important or more valuable services to the public than he
had ; but wha!-, added so much lustre to those services
was that he adorned the discharge of those duties with
grace and ueiversal balisfactioe.
Elir John was received with great warmth of feeling,
snd in respondir.g at some length to the honour conferred
on him, was much afficted by-the kind reeling exhibited-.
The Rev. Mr. Glead owe, vicar of Weston, proposed the
re-election of the Rev. Mr. C x on, rector of Heawall, as
vicrechairman, which was u.,anitneusly supported, and
for which that gentleman briefly returned thanks.
Mr. Willoughby, .of Birkenhead, proposed Mr. Hen-
derson of Orton, as the junior vice-chairman.
Mr. M. Whirter of Birkenhead proposed Mr. W lloughby
as vice-cha rman, instead of M. Henderaoa, but that
gentleman declined to serve. Mr. M' Whirte-, however,
persevering, Mr. Perrey recommended Mr. 11.11 Y. to with-
draw hi-, moLion, which he did with reluctance.
Mr. Perrey name It as substituted fca ghat of Mr. Hen-
derson in the Finance C.enmittee ; Mr. Eddowes was
substituted for that of Mr. Perry, in the Vi:.lting and
Hospital Committees.

BOARD OF HIGHWAYS.

A public meeting of the ratepayers slid others of the.
township of irannaere took place yesterday in the Britan-
nia Rooms, for the purpose of receiving the report of the
surveyors of highways for the year ouding 25th March
last, Hugh Cumming, LT q , head overseerof the township,
in the chair. Atter a few preliminary remarks and reading
of the report,
Mr. Perrey, seconded by Mr. Jones, m-xekhat the
account now read of such receipts and payments by
the surveyors of highways fir the year ending 25th
March last, be approved, printed, and circulated, bad that
the balance of £9B 83 4d, remainirg in hand, should be
lodged in the /Co, th and South Wales Bank, Birkenhead,
to the cret:4 cf the Board of Highways. In the course of
the p-oceeding; conneeted with the accounts,
Mr. Guy sAcea to have a look at the vouchers
for the several items; but especially one from
this because be (Mr.
Mr. Routledge. He asi
tan
Guy) was given to uni re. d that, since
the anditing of the accounts in queetu,7l. an unwarrantable warran table
liberty hid been taken with that one. What was very
much desired in the management of all p,-blic bodies'
affairs, was a manly and straightforward systenl! carried
into every department, but which, in the present instaZfei
he regretted to say was not, in his opinion at least, the
case. He (Mr. Guy) had been present only for a brief
period at the auditing of the accounts, and, consequently,
had not till now had an opportunity of ascertaining whether
such a liberty had been taken with the accounts.

Mr. Perrey, in a very few, but certainly most painted,
remarks, explained that the alteration in the account
referred to by Mr. Guy, had been made on his (Mr.
Perrey's) suggestion, which had met with the unanimous
approval of all then present; that the alteration, or rather
the addition, to the account merely consisted in putting
the term junior to the name of Mr. Routledge, so as to
clearly distinguish who had supplied the articles charged
in the account.

Mr. Downham thought the present discussion was
altogether for.ign to the subject, is:.eperly speaking, under
the consideration of the meeting. With ?there, he (Mr. D.)
c;:,. the accounts;
had attended a meeting f r the auditing
and, as stated by Mr. Perrey, the additiori of junior
to the accounts was then made and adopted. It 'c-as of
tic importance, in his estimation, as to whether it was
fa'her or the eon who supplied the materials charged in
the account, and that it was not, certainly, now the time
for any one to enter into a carechetical examination of the
accounts which had just been so ably audited.
In answer to some remarks alleged to have been made
by Mr. Jones, and others, Mr. Lee said that it was very
ungentlemanly in any one either to 'make pers )nal and
cflensive allusions, and much less impugn the motives of
any party present.
Mr. Guy having again made an ineffectual effort to be
permitted a sight of the accounts, and having characterised
the non-production of the accounts as contrary to all fair
play,
Mr. Lightbound said that as the accounts had been
thoroughly gone over, and audited after the usual manner,
he had not thought it necessary to produce the vouchers,
but as there was nothi: g to be afraid of in the matter,
lie would, if ds,ired, at once go up to his house and
bring them down.
Mr. tio ?nth= having asked for explanation as to the
sum of £l5O charged in the accounts now read.
Mr. Lightbouud said, about two years ago the, turn-
pike gates throughout the township of Tranmei e had
been taken off, and cenneded with such a great boon, an
arrangement had been entered into with the turnpike-road
trustees for the maintenance of the roads out of tee rat s
levied or, the people. Opinicii of ceunssl had also been
taken as to whether or not the roads in question could be
given up to the rits.n committee of highways. when st was
Round that such a yielding up of the rt ads could not take
place until Art expiring of the Turnpike-road Act ; and
that the sum of £l5O refetre 1 to by the previous
speaker had all been expended in the repairs of the roads,
except £22. Last year £3OO had b:en expended
on the roads, and this year nearly £l5O.
Mr. Perrey then entered into a vary minute and very
satisfactory explatation cf what the arrangement had been
with the iHinderton and Birkaabead turnpike-road
trustees, as referred to by the prevLus speaker ;
and that, with a view to satisfy himself, as to
the manner in which the road trustees had expensed
the money, he had called in and received satisfactory
evidence on the point to which, at a future period, he
would feel it his duty to report to the ratepayers.
This topic then dropped, and Mr. Perrey's motion was
unanimously adopted.
The Chairman, in a very discriminating and judicious
manner, exonerated himself from a charge brought against
him as to a report concerning an expenditure of the rate-
payers' money by the Highways Committee, and said—Se-
cresy has heretofore too longbeen the rule, publicity the ex-
ception ; and the report in circulation, and for which he had
been taken to task, was not his, but had originated else-
where, and, he was glad to state, had been satisfactorily
accounted for by Mr. Lightbound.
After a vote of thanks to the surveyors of highways, and
also to the chairman, thee meeting separated.
We may here add that the rate last levied s. d..
was
Balance in hand of last and current years

719 19 9
Expenditura

Balance to the credit of the Board

....I'9( 8 8

During the meeting, Mr. Perrey said that he had very
important and painful news to communicate to them. At
the meeting of the Board of Guardians, held at Chatter-
bridge, on Wednesday, it was resolved that the poor
rate call for the ensuing half year, for the township of
Tranmere, would be £B9O. He (Mr. Perrey) was
never so much taken aback, or paralysed, in all his life,
as when the above volume-speaking fact was given out.
The large increase had been caused by the police county
rate, and the contributicn fund, out of which were supplied
not only casual beggars, but unsettled paupers. Tranmere
being the next in point of population to Birkenhead, it woild
seem that we are to be saddled with this grievous taxation.
Ae he had all along been in principle, he (Mr. Perrel ) would
almost turn a rebel against such ; and in fact, Tranmere
will soon cease to exit at all, iif the present
augmentalion to their taxes continues. Last rear. the
whole poor rates amounted to 1,4001. We are paying heavy
for our whistle, so to speak, and the poor rates will soon
be one of the most serious local burdens imposed on us.
And if £B9O be required for the summer half-year, who
will tell what will be the demand for the winter half year.
In short, something must be done to rid us of the extra
levy that must be made.

_ _.......
The meeting was very ably conducted by Mr. Cumming.

TOTAL ABSTINENCE.—The usual weekly meeting of this
society took place in the Argyle street school room, on
Tuesday last. On the occasion, Mr. O'Brien delivered a
very interesting lecture on physiology, illustrating his
remarks by diagrams, and evidencing in a striking manner
the bearing of alcoholic liquors on the nervous and
general system. After Mr. O'Brien resumed his teat,•
Mr. French came forward, 'and propcsed a he arty
vote of thanks to the lecturer, not only for the effective
speech to which they had all listened, tut also for the
eminent and zealous services in the cause of true tern-
perance, which Mr. O'Brien had given during the last ten
M
years in this quarter. And row that
r. O'Brien is about
to quit this kleality hnd enter on a more responsible
situation in Belfast, he hoped that all g-od sup ress
would attend hit every going out and coming in. We may
here add that Mr. 0 Brien has for a length of time
been in the employ of the highly respectable firm of
Messrs. Richardson Brothers, Liverpool, and has merited
their best respect and confidence.

t =.