The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-06-07 00:00:00

OPENING OF, MONK'S FERRY HOTEL

On Tuesday last, this extensive hotel, situated between
Woodside and Birkenhead, was opened for the accommoda-
tion of the public, by the proprietor, Mr. H. Hilliar. The
steam-boats belonging to the ferry, were decorated with flags
on the occasion, and during. the day a considerable number
of highly-respectable parties inspected the extensive premises,
and expressed much admiration of the elegance of the
apartments, the beauty of the furniture, and the fine views
of the river and surrounding scenery commanded from the
windows on the east and north fronts. The approach from
the slip, is similar to that of the Woodside hotel, though in
a different style of architecture. The gate is between two
handsome octagonal lodges, and over it is thrown a light
arch of open ironwork, in the centre of which is fixed a
handsome clock. The hotel itself is a fine-looking pile of
three stories in height, in the Grecian style, with a colonnade,
consisting of six lonic columns, rising the full height of the
two first stories, and terminating in a cornice, continued
along both fronts. Above this is the attic story. The wings
project so as to be Enable with the colonnade, and form a
recess, suitable for a promenade. There are twenty-four
windows in the front,—eighteen being in the centre or body
of the building, and three in each of the wings. The lower
one in each wing is a bow window. The roof is of the pavi-
lion form, and the whole of a light stone-colour, presents a
conspicuous and noble appearance, particularly from the
river. In the front there is a small parterre or pleasure-
ground the length of the building, bounded by a castellated sea
wall fronting the river. Beyond this there are no grounds
attached to the hotel, the land behind being occupied by the
stables and other out-buildings. The interior of the house
is planned in a corresponding scale of magnitude. The
entrance is from the road leading to the ferry, at the north
front. The door-way is indented, and is topped by a semi-
circular arch.

It rises two stories in height, the upper portion serving
as a window to the passage or lobby of the second story.
A central passage or entrance-hall, extends through the
entire building, terminating at the grand stair-case. This
passage is 90 feet in length by 10 feet in breadth, and from
it diverge the principal rooms. At the north-west corner
there is a handsome coffee-room, with three windows to the
north, and a bow window to the river. The view (as from
all the principal rooms) is magnificent. It is hung with
crimson paper, and elegantly furnished. A range of hand-
some parlours run along, opposite the colonnade, all neatly
and newly furnished. The chimney-pieces are of marble,
and the papers are of delicate tints, and selected with consi-
derable taste. In the farther wing is another large parlour
or retiring room, where it is purposed that gentlemen may
enjoy " the light cigar." On the opposite, or west side of
the passage, is the bar, the kitchen, and a range of three
rooms that may be thrown into one dining-room, of sixty
feet by twenty-four. The kitchens are fitted up with all the
latest apparatus and improvements which modern science
has suggested to delight the gastronomist. The second
story, to which there are two stairs, consists, in front, of
two drawing-rooms in the wings, commanding extensive
prospects; and a range of smaller rooms, parlours, principal
bed-rooms, &c. in the centre, all fitted up with great neat-
ness. In one of them is a very superb bedstead and hang-
ings. The back in this story, is appropriated to bed-rooms
and other rooms. The attic story consists chiefly of bed-
rooms, with, however, one or two sitting-rooms ; one of
them in the north-west wing, from which a charming view of
Liverpool, the river, and the shore towards the Rock, is
obtained. They are all neatly fitted up. There are also
rooms above these, in the roof, well plastered and finished,
as bed-rooms for the servants. On the whole, the building
is highly creditable to the proprietors, and in the design and
execution, to Mr. Welsh, the architect, and his assistants.

ELECTION OF COMMISSIONERS .
FOR THE
MANAGEMENT or THE AFFAIRS or BIRKENHEAD

On Tuesday last, the election of eight commissioners for
the management of the local affairs of the township of Birken-
head, in lieu of the like number of vacancies arising from
deaths and otherwise, took place at the Town-hall. Con-
siderable interest was excited on the occasion,—a band of
music paraded the several streets and lanes, and the scene
was one of much bustle and animation. The friends of the
respective candidates were, from an early hour, actively oc-
cupied in impressing upon the voters the claims of their
favourites. There were, as a matter .of course, two parties,
though they could scarcely be called antagonist, much less
political. Each of these issued papers, the one printed in
red ink, and the other in black, containing lists of those
gentlemen whom they respectively recommended to the
choice of the voters. The result, after a sharp contest, car-
lied on with great good humour, was a drawn battle, four
being elected from one list, and four from the other. . The
name of Mr. Alexander, of the Liverpool Mail office, was,
we learn, placed on the red list, and he would probably have
been elected ; but he unexpectedly, at an early period of the
day, gave his vote for the other party, and, as might be ex-
pected, was thrown off by those who would otherwise have
supported him. The following were the gentlemen returned,
with the number of votes received by each, according to the
official list :
Mr. JOHN WALKER
Mr. ROBERT RUSSELL l5B
Mr. JOHN SUMMERVILLE JACKSON ..
Mr. ALEXANDER KERR
Mr. ARTHUR A. Donss
Mr. WILLIAM MOSELY
Mr. ROBERT MEACOCK lO7
Mr. JAMES HOWELL

The result of the election was announced at the Town-
hall, in a very neat and appropriate manner, by a gentleman
much interested in the prosperity of the township, and the
names were received with much cheering, both parties (if so
they might be called) being perfectly satisfied with the choice
made by the electors. We hope the township will reap large
benefit from the services of the gentlemen thus elected with
so much good feeling and cordiality. Birkenhead (with
Woodside, Tranmere, &c.) is rapidly increasing in population,
wealth, and importance. It is of but comparatively few
years growth, yet has already become a market town, contains
many fine streets and. the permanent residences or
summer resorts of families and individuals of both the Liver-
pool and Cheshire shores. It still presents a wide field for
future enlargement and improvement ; and one disadvantage
has been suggested to us, which we think would be highly
beneficial, and that is, the establishment of a horse fair,
cheese fair, and fancy fair, which would not only be of ad-
vantage to the inhabitants, but would be numerously resorted
to from Liverpool. We trust the commissioners will not
overlook this object, and that in their endeavours to effect it
they will be supported by the spirit and liberality of the
township.