The Sun.
London, England, 1849-11-08 00:00:00

ALARMING FIRE AT BIRKEN-

HEAD
LIVERPOOL, WEDIQESDAT.—One of the most serious
fires that has for some time taken place in this neigh-
bourhood happened this morning at Birkenhead,
upon the premises of Messrs. Henry Foster and Co.,
in Cleveland-street, by which we regret to say
that a large amount of property has been de-
stroyed, and a considerable number of hands
thrown out of employment. About a quarter-past
twelve o'clock this morning, as a party of gentle-
men were approaching the extensive premises of
Messrs. Foster, they perceived a dense volume of
smoke issuing from the lower part of the building,
and in a few minutes afterwards the whole of the
lower part of the premises became suddenly enveloped
in flames, which raged with the most violent fury,
threatening serious consequences to the surrounding
property. The wind was blowing exceeding strong
at the time, which served to facilitate the rapid
progress of the flames. As soon as the
fire was perceived information was immediately
conveyed to the authorities at the police-station, but
the fire being nearly a mile from the station, it was
not less than half an hour after the alarm was first
given that the engines were able to be brought to
play upon it. At this time the fire had got a firm
hold, having communicated to every part of the build-
ing, and the flames illuminating the district round
about. A plentiful supply of water was at once found,
but it soon appeared evident that the fire had already
attained too great a height to prevent the entire
destruction of the building and its contents. The high
wind, for it was blowing a severe gale at the time,
added to the combustible nature of the materials on
the premises, combined to accelerate the entire de.
struction of the whole of the property in an in-
credibly short space of time. The whole of the en-
gines played upon the building with all possible force,
but without having the slightest effect in subduing
the fiery element. The different floors of the building
fell in in quick succession, and in less than an
hour from the time when the fire was first discovered
the place was completely gutted, and the property
is now nothing more than a smouldering ruin. No
person was on the premises at the time when
the fire broke out, and as all was apparently
safe when the place was left for the night, the origin
of the fire is altogether a mystery. The fire was
distinctly seen raging from the Pier-head on the
Liverpool side of the water, and from the very
high wind which was blowing at the time it ap-
peared as if the property in the immediate vicinity of
the fire was in the most imminent danger. Some
narrow escapes took place amongst those present on
the occasion, and in one instance a young man was
knocked down by a huge piece of burning timber
which had been carried away by the wind, striking
him against the body. He was insensible for some
minutes. The buildings and machinery are insured,
we understand, in the Royal Exchange office for
5,0001., and the materials in the soapery for about
2,0001.

FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETIES
AND THE COUNTY FRANCHISE.
The general disinclination evinced by the House
of Commons to enlarge itself by the creation of new
constituencies, or to alter its old-fashioned character
by means of an extension of the franchise to indi
vidual voters, is at present so unquestionably strong,
that if a change is to be effected at all in the repre-
sentative system, it can only be done by an
energetic popular battle out of doors—a sharp
struggle in the Courts of the Revising Barristers.
The present season, therefore, is one of great interest
to all persons having an eye either to a county or
borough vote.
Various are the modes by which the defec-
tive machinery of our political representation in
the lower House of Parliament is sought to be
repaired ; and not the least prominent engines
are the recently established institutions known
as Freehold Land Societies. Several claims
arising through property acquired by their instru-
meutality (and especially in Middlesex) have been
made during the last few days, most of which have
resulted in rejection. We refer to the case of William
Norris, before the revising barrister for the Enfield
division of the county, whose claim was struck out,
and properly so, we must admit, on statutable
grounds—namely, the absence of proof of beneficial
interest in the property made the subject of the claim.
in so speaking, it must be understood, we take a
legal view, however desirous we may be to promote
and witness an extension of the franchise amongst the
people. We may add it is impossible, under the pre
sent law, that the members of Freehold Land Societies
(constituted as they are at present) can obtain the
county franchise immediately on their receiving their
allotments of lands. Such a property, indeed, must
first be proved to be of the sufficient value of 40e.
yearly, and then return to the mortgagor that annual
sum clear of all charges thereon.
Of the legal question, indeed, there can be no
possible doubt; that the value required must be one
clear of all charges ; and that a property mortgaged
to a Freehold Land Society, where the repayment
of the incumbrance is a present, and not a future,
charge, and so, absorbing the rent or profits of the
estate, cannot give an immediate, though it in; y
an ultimate, valid claim to the county franchise.
The language of the Learned Judge, pronouncing
the affirmation of the Barrister's decision, is too clear
to be misunderstood or misapplied. "If a man re-
ceive 20s. e ith one hand, and had to pay 30s. with the
other, what interest in the 20s. had he left ? Under
the statute 28 Geo. 3, c. 36, a man was bound to make
oath that he had a 40s. freehold free of all charges.
How could the voter make this declaration ? and, if
not, how could the Revising Barrister say he was en-
titled to be registered ?"
The promoters of Freehold Land Societies should,
or ought to know, that their rules, as they now
stand, are inadequate to afford the object they pro-
mise to afford immediately to their members. These
societies, however, may be so constituted as to attain
that end ; and, although we are compelled to give our
honest and truthful opinion of their existing defi-
ciencies (so far as touching an instant enjoyment
of the franchise to an allottee of land), they will, of
course, if their subscribers continue their connexion
with them for the requisite period, obtain their
desire. "Perseverance and patience" must be the
motto of the poor but industrious man who seeks to
purchase the elective privilege by his hard-earned
pence and shillings.
We can only repeat the suggestion offered in our
September number, that the directors and officers of
freehold, land and building societies should, before
the meeting of Parliament, assemble and determine
as to the adoption of some decided course in the pre
sent extremity; for unless freehold land societies en-
dow the members with the franchise—that being the
leading object—they may as well be classed among
the things that have been.
CONFERENCE.—A conference of the managers of
Freehold Land and Building Societies will be held
at Birmingham on the 13th, to consider what steps
should be adopted to endow the members of these
societies with the franchise, the recent decision of the
Common Pleas, that they could not vote unless they
possessed a clear annual interest of 405., in effect
altogether disfranchising the members until their
mortgages are cleared off by their subscriptions,
which cannot take years.placehfeorßeporte.
r A. full report will
appear in our next.—
T
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