Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-07-06 00:00:00

BIRKENHEAD, LANCASHIRE, AND CHESHIRE
RAILWAY COMPANY.

the company hal no control. As the inquiry came from
gentleman who was warmly interested in the affairs of
Manchester and its neighbourhood, he scarcely knew what
that proprietor was driving at.
Rev. Mr. BIRLEY : I have nothing to do with Man-
ch es' er.

SPECIAL MEETING ON SATURDAY.

A special meeting of the Birkenhead, Lancashire, and
L Cheshire Junction Railway Company was held at the
station, Cathcart street, Birkenhead, at two o'clock on
[ Saturday, for the purpose of submit ing to the proprietors,
for their consideration, a bill now before parliament to
authorise the company to purchase or hire steamboats, to
stop up part of Canning-street, Bit kenhead, and for other
purposes. The chair was taken by Wire. tAn TIT II eRINGTON,
Esq., chairman of the company. There was but a thin
attendance of proprietors.
The Secretary, Mr. JOHNSTON, read the notice convening
the meeting, and Mr. J. B. Lloyd, solicitor to the company,
read the heads of the clauses contained in the bill passing
through parliament.
The Clierames said the proprietors were probably aware
that that was the meeting convene I under what was called
the Wharneliffe order, before proceeding to the House of
Lords. The directors reseitel permission to prose'ette the
bill at the last half-yearly meeting, when, he believed, there
was not one single dissentient. They had carried
it so far through the House of Commons —not
without some opposition—but chiefly from parties
interested in land in the neighbourhood of Canning
street. He thought it right, under the present circum-
stances, to state, that with regard to the great bodies the
directors had to deal with—the Birkenhead Commis-
sioners, the Corporation of Liverpool, and Price's trustees
—these b )(lies had acted a very fair, and honourable, and
straightfsrward part towards them. (Hear, hear) The
directors had no difficulty in coming to what they con-
-1 sidered an equitable and fair arrangement for the company,
i protecting, of course, what they considered to be public
rights. 'they had come to arrangements which he thought
would be satisfactory to themselves and beneficial and
advantageous to the public generally. He thought it was
only just to state that this was the case, considering that
so much had been said upon another matter, on which,
perhaps, some of those present might desire to put some
i questions by-and. bye. He -hould be glad to answer any
iproprietor wbo might wish to ask any questions as to the
effect of the bill upon the affairs of the company.
The directors considered the crossing of the river as an
essential part of the line ; for although the railway ended,
in fact, at Birkenhead, they conceived that its real terminus
was at Liverpool. (Hear, hear.) They had had so much
difficulty, misunderstanding, and disagreement with the
commissioners, in the manag ment of their traffic across
the river, that they thought it desirable, for the interests
of the company, such a bill should be brought in, and
carried successfully through parliament. It would be very
much to the advantage of the cnmpany in its future
' development and prosperity, and he hoped that if the
present meeting approved of the step, the directors would
have no further difficulty in carrying it to a successful
issue. Wtth these few remarks, he proposed a resolution
to the effect that tee bill jut read be approved of by the
proprietors.
Mr. BENNETT seconded the motion.
The Rev. Mr. BIRLEY thought that resolution required
Ithe proprietors to give their assent to the exercise, on the
part of the Beard of Directors, of certain powers, in regard
Ito which he was not aware that the proprietors had no in-
-1 formation whatsoever. There were matters of considerable
importance, as regarded cast, involved in the re-
f solution and the bill itself. He should like to be
informed as to the money particulars. He wanted
to know, if the meeting passed the resolu-
tion and adopted the bill, thus giving to the
directors authority to raise a considerable amount of money,
what probable sum of money the directors would require ?
As a general principle ho thought it must be under very
exceptional circumstances that railway proprietors should
become at the same time proprietors of steam-boats ; and
certainly, as a matter of principle, he thought it extremely
bad to allow any board of directors to have unlimited con-
trol of capital. As, unhappily. he entertained certain
views with respect to discretion,
,judgment, and provision
of a large majority of the Board, he should object to th sir
having any such power in their hands, unless where he was
fully satisfied it was justified by the circumstances. He
should like, in the first instance, to ask what was the
probable amount of money to be expended in the purchase
of steam-boats and flats, and what were the terms to which
the directors had come in any arrangement with the Bir-
kenhead Commissioners, which made it desirable to do
away with the bridge in Canning street
The CHAIRMAN said the honourable proprietor was
quite in order in desiring the information, and he
believed the directors were quite capable of satisfy-
ing him in every particular. At the same time, if the
meeting welted to go into a detail of the arrange-
ment, he should remind them that it was a part of
a very large measure. The directors had a contract with
the Birkenhead Commissioners, which had been in exist-
ence for years, to convey the traffic of the line across the
riven The n.wansomorit with. tiao CouicrieS3iutleres won A
very complicated one, and it had not worked satisfactorily
for the Company. Where the blame should rest, he was
not prepared to say. The Board thought they had rights
under the agreement which the Commissioners hitherto
had withheld ; and the Board, as a Board, had not dared
hitherto to come forward and maintain their rights under
the agreement. The Commissioners had not, in the opinion
of the Board, carried out the agreement faithfully, and to
the full extent. This had been a matter of deep considera-
tion with the Board for months—almost for years—and
after much deliberation they had come to a decision, that
for all purposes connected with the Company, it was batter
the agreement should be put an end to, by an arrangement
which would involve the taking back of the Monk's ferry,
and that property shutting up Canning-street, and enclosing
the land. The amount involved, was (capital and interest,)
A:22,000. He felt satisfiel that the directors were entering
into a wise and judicious arrangement, not only as a mere
matter of money, but also as regarded the quick transit
over the river and the general well-being of the line. It
you'd affect not only passenger but goods traffic. When
it was remembered that they passed 600,000 passengers in
the year to and from Liverpool, and that th;e traffic was
liable to be checked or delayed, the meeting would see the
importance of the question.
The Rev Mr BLU' said perhaps he had not expressed him-
self clearly, and he could save the chairman from the trsuble
of entering into so many details. He had no doubt that
the management was advantageous for the conduct of traffic.
What he asked was, how much was the amount of capital
involved—the responsibilities of the Birkenhead Coca mis-
sioners to the company—and the responsibilities which
the company had thought proper to take from the Commis
sioners to themselves ?

Rev. Mr. BIRLEY : Is there any understanding that the
expenses should be borne equivalently?
The CHAIRMAN said the directors had acted like prudent
men, and made such arrangements as they thought would
ward from the company a considerable portion of expense►
in maintaining what they conceived equally concerned
their interests.

Mr. OLlveit asked if what was done was the act of the
board or of the chairman ?

The Chatem.ax : The act of the board distinctly. I have
not assumed any right as chairman. I have not even
assumed the rights which, as chairman, I might have done
Mr. BANCROFr said the chairman had remarked that the
board was not prepared to allele ineorrezt plans, and in 2"
proper arrangements, to be carried into effect in the con'
etruction of docks at Birkenhead, unless something were
obtained in the form of an equivalent. Now, in order tO
correct this, which he ha I no doubt yes a mere tapszes
Zieguee, he thought it necessary to make one or twa
observati us. The board was never prepared to sacrifice
the interests of Birkenhead in respect to plans, for at*:
consideration which could be given in return. The board
considered that the plans must involve the vital and per'
manent interests of Birkenhead, and that if plans upon et,l
iile)reect principle were admitted, the (37,1 result could
perhaps never be repaired. As to the expense;
incurred in promoting the C‘ nservancy Bill, the chairman
had truly stated that the company had a direct and obvious
interest in the construction bill. A general resolution vent
passed, at the half-yea-ly meeting, authorising the Board
to take such steps in parliament as they might think fit tO
defend and promote the interests of the company. fo
carrying out that resolution, and exercising the best
judgment and precision they could exercise, the directors
deemed it their duty to promote what was called the
Conservancy Bill, and foe this simple and obvious reason •
—lt had become apparent to the Board that there was 0°
hope whatever to be entertained of anything like fairness
towards that side of the Mersey, so long as the whole,
affairs of the Mersey were in the hands of the Corporation el
Liverpool. They, therefore, thought it absolutely necessary
to seek for an independent trust, which would act for boat
sides of the Mersey, and promote the commerce of the
Mersey irrespective of Liverpool and Birkenhead—Escort
in fact, as a national body The object of the bill WBB
to create such a trust, and he maintained that the directorg
had been taking the most decided and effective measures
for promoting the present as well as the ulterior and
permanent interests of Birkenhead in seeking to get such
a body constituted. (Hear, hear.) They were quite clear
about than, apart from Manchester or any other local
interests whatever. They had incurred some expense,
bat it was a limited expense compared with the magnitude
of the object. That expense would have to be borne
by the company, they m'glit be told at once. There was
n) reason for disguising it. He was quite certain that the
results would be such as to show that the money had been
well spent. (Hear, hear.)
The CH IIRMAN expressed some difference of opinion with
respect to the first part of Mr. Baecroft's remarks. Ile
maintained that the directors were willir g to make some
concession in regard to the plans, provided they get all
equivalent, and that the c.,ncession did not affect 09
principle, or admit plans actually injurious.
After some further conversation the subject dropped.
The proceedings then closed with a vote of thanks to the
chairman.

NEWRY, WARRENPOINT, AND ROSTREVOR
RAILWAY COMPANY.

An extraordinary meeting of the proprietors of the
Newry, Warrenpoint, and Rostrevor Railway Company
was held, at twelve o'clock on Saturday, in the Clarendon
Rooms, South John-street, in accordance with the standing
orders of the House of Lords, for the purpose of considering
" a bill to authorize the Newry, Warrenpoint, and Rostrevor
Railway Company to extend their railway at Newry and ati
Warrenpoint, and to enter into arrangements with the
Newry and Enniskillen Railway Company ;" mid " a bill
enabling the Newry and Enniskillen Railway Company 9
construct their railway as far as the city of Armagh, an•
changing the name of the company."
The chair was occupied by Charles Holland, Esq.
Mr. WUATELY, solicitor, having read the marginal note,
explanatory of the clauses of the bills,
The Climax/ix moved that the bills be approved, subject
to such alterations as to Parliament shall seem meet.
Mr. LUPTON seconded the resolution, which was unani-
mously adopted.
The CHAIRMAN observed that, with the passing of the
bills, he trusted to see a new era open for the line. -0
was informed by Mr. Lupton, who had just arrived fromNewry, that a deep water channel up to Warrenpoint ha"
been discovered, and in that event Warrenpoint was likely
to become one of the most important ports in Ireland.
The meeting then separated.

The CIIAIRMAN said the directors considered that £3,000
had been wasted upon the bridge across Canning-street.
It had been literally wasted, money thrown away ; and
there was no doubt that if they proceeded to conduct the
traffic of the company without Canning-street being
stopped up, the Board of Trade would be applied to
eventually when the traffic increased, and they would have
to construct a bridge again at an enormous expense. He,
therefore, thought they were only acting judiciously in
obtaining powers to close it up.
Rev. Mr. BIRLEY d'd not question the policy of the
Board, but he wished to know what would be the cinnge
of capital, and what was the amount of expenditure con-
templated by the board in obtaining steamboats.
The CIIAIRMAN said, in their arrangements with the
commissioners they had one steamboat built expressly for
railway traffi3. They should want two steamers more
to build or hire—no doubt they should decide to build or
purchase them. They put them down at £7,000 each.
Of course, there would be the expense of conducting them.
£BOO or £lOOO a year for each steamer. They had gone
into the traffic accounts, and they were satisfied they
would have an advantage even in a pemniary point of
view. At present they paid the commissioners a very
large sum of money.
The Rev. Mr. BIRLEY asked if it was likely there would
be an outlay of £50,000 or £100,000?
The CCIATRMAN : Oh, no—l should say not at all.
The Rev. Mr. BIRLEY : Can you approximate at all to
the probable amount ?
Mr. BANCROFT thought £25,000 would be the very out-
side.

LOSS OF THE BARQUE ONTARIO OF LIVERPOOTI,

Last night, just before twelve o'clock, the r'ports of
two guns, fired at an interval of about a minute, were
heard. On proceeding to Mount Wise to ascertain the
cause we were informed by a number of persons assembled
there for the same purpose, that the guns were fired from
H.M.S. Implacable, lying in the Sound, and that a blue'
light bad also ben exhibited on board the same shill'
Whether such was the case or not wN are unable to say, and
have not, up to the time of going to press, gathered of
information to explain the occurrence.

Mr. LLOYD said it was only permissive.
The CHAIRMAN thought the actual amount of money
laid out would be under £20,000.
After some further conversation the resolution was
passed. _ _

Since going to press tri.3 find that the barque Ontario, of
livorpooi, 690 tons, struck on the rocks at the west end
of the Breakwater, within a few yards of the Lighthouses
and went down by the stern with all sails set. The evil
escaped in boats and went on board H.M.S. Implacable,
the sound, the c tptain of which ship rendered ever/
possible assistance. The barque is now full of water, with
every probability of becoming a total wreck, flow she
came in such a position, with the Lighthouse only a short
distance from her, ia, certaiuly, a ;ratter of great surprise'
This accident will explain the firing rjerred to above.
Devonport Independent of Saturday.

- The CHAIRMAN said he should now be happy to answer
any question which any gentleman desired to put.
The Rev. Mr. BIRLRY called attention to the Mersey
Conservancy Inquiry, which he remarked had lasted, he
believed, thirty-five days, and involved an enormous
expense. It might be all very well for Manchester and
the manufacturing towns to fire their shots at what were
supposed to be the rights of the Liverpool Corporation,
but he wanted to know whether that Railway Company
was in any degree involved in the expenses of
the proceeding. He was not aware that upon any
occasion the assent of the shareholders had been
given to the expenditure of their money in fighting the
battles of Manchester, and the manufacturing towns
generally. _
.
, Cisn AHD DER la(owxiillesn.--cTuhehanvext profota;,:tt thing to the ewer is
it) to
remarks apply
saafppellyy,
to deed
The CHAIRMAN considered the question quite in order
see
after the invitation he had given to any one to make an mon of cash is, howl
the counting-house or at home.y
Tllgo 't
inquiry. The proprietors, however, would be good enough
and )thterb:tailinable documents. We have seen a large and vari.,7
to bear in mind that the Board, in the exercise of what stock.T.
of both
of tLioesuethdetrabletartnal,laTacratictured expressly for
they considered a wise discretion, believed it necessary to
and possess
paV;t
maintain the righis of the company—the vested rights, he boxes are made on new and admired principles,
might call them, of Birkenhead in its docks—as they were lock s, which defy the ingenuity of any
To
inp the world I
°pea, e34:ept with the legitimate key. To merchants, solicitors,
44
proposed to be made, and as they ought long since to have ' others, these new safes, on a Small scale, must preys valuable /lac
en completed, but for adverse circumstances over which —Northers Daily rif/e1;, 2181 Mal, 1847.

The CfUIitHAN said, the Blvd came to the determina-
tion to go to a certain extent in opposing what was called
the Construction Bill, between the Liverpo 1 Corporation
and the Docks of Birkenhead. The Construction
Bill contemplated making docks, and other arrange-
ments, which the Board considered hostile and
adverse to the interests of the company, unless certain
advantages were concedes to them which they thought
they had a right to have on secount of what they consi-
dered the vested interests of the railway and the docks of
Birkenhead. When they came before the committee of the
House of Commons the chairman of that committee inti-
mated to the promoters and opposers of the bills that the
committee intended to exercise the discretion which the
House had given them of selecting any one of the billet
upon the list for their consideration in the first instance.
Tho bill first in order was the Construction Bill ; but the
chairman, Sir James Graham, intimated to them th it the
committee would first take the _Mersey Conservancy and
Docks Bill, as that bill involved a principle which would guide
the committee in its decision upon all the others. Therefore,
they had no alternative. They were either put out of
court, according to the technical term, or they must main-
tain their rights and position on the Mersey, upon the con-
sideration of the Mersey C onservancy Docks Bill. That
bill occupied the committee, not as the honorable proprietor
had said for a period of thirty-five days, but for, he
believed, twenty-four or t wenty.fi re days, and no doubt
considerable expense had taken place. He could not tell
exactly the amount. They were not committed to any amount
of expenditure, and he hoped the amount won.' I not be so
large as the honourable proprietor had intimated, and,
probably, made the shareholders fear it would be. There
was a provision in the bill for their satisfaction and
comfort, that, in the event of the bill becoming law, all the
expenses of and incidental to the passing of the act, and
the carrying it into effect, should be defrayed by the board
not out of any moneys for the time is their hands. Therefore,
if the bill passed safely through both houses of parliament,
provision was made for the ex enses incurred, for the
question had been treated as a matter where there was
violation of a trust—a trust not faithfully discharged. Pro-
vision, therefore, had been made for defraying the expenses
out of the trust fund. At the same time he should say
that the present was not the moment to enter into those
questions. lie thought he would be consi lered more in
order if he were to defer their consideration until the
half-yearly meeting. At the present there was no expen-
diture to the company beyond the personal expenses of the
directors.