The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-03-14 00:00:00

LOCAL MEETINGS,

BIRKENHEAD COMMISSIONERS.--The usual monthly
meeting was held on Tuesday. In consequence of a
motion by Mr. Nicholls, referring back to the Markets
Committee that portion of their proceedings which related
to an alteration in the mode of lighting the market, Mr.
Pike tendered his resignation as a member of the com-
mittee, as he considered such a motion was uncalled for.
The minutes of the Finance Committee contained a re-
commendation to diminish the expenditure of working
the ferry, and also the laying of a sewerage rate of 4d. in
the pound. The proceedings also stated that the Park
land scheme had been given up. Mr. Green objected to
the sewerage rate, but the proceedings were confirmed.
The proceedings of the Ferry Committee comprised a
return of the monthly receipts, showing a failing off in
February, 1848, as compared with February, 1847, of
£132. The receipts of last month were, in round num.
bers, £1212. The proceeding of the Incorporation Com-
mittee contained an instruction to the law-clerk and
chairman to ascertain whether the bondholders would
consent to a charter being granted to Birkenhead.

WEST DERBY BOARD OF GURDIANS.—The usual
weekly meeting was held on Wednesday ; Mr. J. Shep-
pard in the chair. From the report of the Fever Hospi-
tal, it appeared that at the time of the last report, them
were 42 persons in the house ; admitted since, 18 ; dis-
charged cured, 2 ; died, 2 ; now remaining in the house,
56. The clerk of the board read a return of the calls,
collected under the name of poor rate, and showing their
appropriation, from all the townships in the union, ex-
cepting the townships forming part of the municipal
borough for the year ending March; 1848. Some discus-
sion took place relative to the payment of parochial taxes
by owners, when the houses were under a certain rent,
and after various suggestions had been thrown out, it was
ultimately agreed that a petition should be presented to
Parliament, praying that all parochial rates be charged
upon the landlords. In the course of the discussion it
appeared that th, 1..-4 sear a poor rate of Is Rol in th.
pound in Toxteth-park, ought to yield £17,000. Of this
£BOOO had been collected, and £2OOO was supposed to be
collectable. The consequence had been that Mr. Appleby
and six co-overseers had been obliged to lay another rate
of Is. 6d.

LIVERPOOL BANKING COMPANY.—The annual meet-
ing was held on Tuesday, and Mr. George Ramsden was
called to the chair. After a few introductory remarks
from the chairman, he called upon the manager, Mr. W.
Wilson, to read the report. It stated that since the last
meeting, the directors had been engaged in realizing, to
the utmost extent, the assets of the bank, and carrying
out the arrangements which had been concluded for that
purpose. The total assets, as made up to the 12th Feb.
last, were stated to be £199,540115. Id. ; and the liabili-
ties £89,620 13s. Bd., leaving a surplus to the proprietors
of £109,919 17s. sd. The chairman said the financial ac-
counts which had been presented were exceedingly favour-
able, as the liabilities had been reduced about £300.000
since the 10th of November last, making the actual debts
now less than £100,005. After a short discussion, Messrs-
Ward and Coward were unanimously appointed auditors
to examine into the affairs of the bank, and the adoption
of the report of the directors was postponed till the audi-
tors should bring before a meeting the result of such in-
quiry. Mr. Andrew Taylor, one of the retiring directors,
was re-elected. In reply to a question, it was stated
that the current expenses of the bank were formerly about
£3,300 a-year, but they had been reduced to £2,500.
The next meeting will be held in May.
LIVERPOOL COMMERCIAL BANK.—The fifteenth an-
nual meeting of the shareholders was held on Saturday, at
the Clarendon-rooms. Mr. J. C. Jack, chairman of the
directors took the chair, and Mr. Robert Angus, the
manager, read the report, which stated that " the profits
of the business for the year, over and above all expenses,
amounted to £43,122 Os. 2d., from which two half-yearly
dividends of 5 per cent. each on the capital stock £338,600,
were declared, and the balance, £9262 Os. 2d. had been
carried to the reserved fund for losses. This fund was in
credit £3765 16s. 9d., in consequence of reversions to that
amount having been received from previous doubtful
debts, beyond what was anticipated when those debts were
written off. The combined sum, £13,027 16s. 11d., now
stands to meet the contingencies of the past year, and
will, the directors hope, be sufficient for the purpose. The
valuation of the property in which the reserved surplus
fund is invested, taken on the 31st Dec. last, according to
the provisions of the deed of settlement, reduced the value
of those investments by the sum of £50,282 11s. 6d., and
the reserved surplus fund which, on the 31st Dec. 1846,
was £200,721 135., at present amounts to £150,439 Is. 6d.,
certainly a large reduction in value; but as there is not
any class of security in regard to which a similar result
would not have happened, the directors, in stating the
fact, have to express their regret at the peculiarity of the
times, with this further observation, that, notwithstand-
ing the nominal depreciation in market value, the income
derived from the property has increased." The chairman
said, in answer to questions, that the sum of £93,000 of
the bank's money was invested in railway securities, but
that the bank held no foreign railway stock. Mr. Mac-
gregor made the gratifying announcement that, while the
bank's liabilities were, in round numbers, only £226,000,
its assets were as much as £736,000. He further an-
nounced, that, during the last year, a year of unexampled
commercial etniaarrassment, the bank had discounted to an
extent approaching £3,000,000, and yet had had great
immunity from bad debts. The report was passed, and
Mr. R. M'Andrew, Mr. John Hoyes, and Mr. John
Twiname, the retiring directors were re-elected.
MECHANICS' INSTITIITION.—The annual meeting of
of the friends of this institution was held on Wednesday
last. Mr. James Ryley was called to the chair. It ap-
peared from the report, which was read by. Mr. Hogg,
the secretary, that the receipts during the year, exclusive
of the girls' school, had been £5,200; the expenditure,
£5,700. During the year £2OO had been paid towards
the reduction of the mortgage on the building, and a
balance of £lB still remained in the bank in favour of
the institution. The present number of members is 2697,
being 426 less than during the previous year ; the decrease
consisting of 320 annual members, 88 ladies, 51 sons of
members, and 7 sailors ; while the increase has consisted
of 6 life members, 16 daughters, 25 apprentices, and one
presentee of members. The number of annual members
who ceased to pay their subscriptions during the past
year was 753, and the number of new members who have
joined 433. The report stated that the decrease has
arisen in a great measure from causes affecting the general
prosperity
of this town and country, and pdrtly also from
the increased facilities of obtaining instruction afforded
by other institutions that have recently been established
in Liverpool. The educational efficiency of the institu-
tion had not, however, been the least impaired. During
the past year there had been a loss in the evening depart-
tment (which embraces the lectures, library, and evening
classes) of £457 4s. 3d., the loss on the Lower School
£lO5 19s. 6d., and in the High School £166 3s. Bd. It
was anticipated that the increase in the fees of the Lower
School would make it in future self-supporting, and, by
an arrangement with the teachers in the. High School, no
loss can in future result from that school. The report
stated that the Girls' School was at present in a very
efficient state. He urged additional support, and chal-
lenged comparison with any similar institution in the
kingdom. Mr. William Rushton advocated a system
of quarterly, instead of annual payments, so that the
working classes might take advantage of the facilities
which the institution afforded. This was agreed to. The
meeting was addressed by Mr. J. R. Jeffery, Mr. Ches-
ney, Mr. R. W. Ronald, Hr. John Murphy, and oben.

-/.41

Sailing on the Ist and 16th of every..

MONTEZUMA. A. B. LOW DER
CAMBRIDGE. G. S. PEABODY
OXFORD, J. P. GOODMANSON
FIDELIA. S. YEATON
ISAAC WRIGHT, D. G. BAILE
YORKSHIRE. E. G. FURBER
COLUMBIA. T. B. CROPPER

M. BRYE

Ist April

750 tons..l6th A

1200 tons.. 16th h"
1100 tons.. Ist J

1000 tons,

These ships are all of the first class, commanded by n
of character and experience. The Passagx-money is establist

description will be provided, with the exception of wines ani
liquors, which will be furnished by the Steward, if required
BARII<G BROTHERS and Co.
sill be collected at the rate of fon]

Freight by
dollars and e:

e nneket

ty cents to the pound sterling

REDUCED RATE OF FREIGHTS.
=7. NEW NEW YORK PACKET SHIPS
NEW ARRANGEMENT.
ILDM,

Sail on th

It of every Month,

RICHARD ALSOP (new ship)J.G.SkoTu 1
JOHN It. SKIDDY. J. C. LUCE 1(
'WEST POINT, (new ship,) W. H. ALLEN 1
WATERLOO, E. P. ALLEN 1'

26th 31,
26th Jui

GOODS by the above'Packets HITHERTO PAYING
405., will in future pay only 30s. per ton.
305., ditto ditto 255. ditto.
255., ditto ditto 20s. ditto.
205., ditto ditto 15s. ditto.
To insure punctuality in sailing, no Goods can be received
after the 24th of each month.
These ships are all of the first class, recently built in the city
of New York, and for strength, beauty of model, punctuality
and swiftness of sailing,, as well as for extent and comfort of
cabin accommodations, are not surpassed by any in the trade,
and their commanders are men of great experience.
The rate of Cabin Passage-money is TWENTY-FIVE POUNDS,
for which all stores will be found, except wines and spirits,
which can be had of the Steward, if requirc.d.—Apply to
SPOONER. SANDS and Co.
Freight by these vessels to be collected in New York at the
rate of 4 dollars 00 cent to the pound stetting.

/A