The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-02-20 00:00:00

Feb. 20, 1844.

JITA RREVG TO N.

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF GUARDIANS.

the weekly meeting was held on Wednesday last, Wro.
Gill, Esq., chairman of the board, presided. It appeared
the returns that the number of cases relieved by
Warrington were 561, with £3l. 195. 10d. in money, and
in kind £24. 95.--together £56. Bs. 10d.: and for the
rural districts there were 559 cases relieved, with £3B.
is. 7d, in money, and in kind £9, 17s. 6d.—together
ff)6• ss. ld. ; total number of cases relieved 1123, with
the gum
Or £122. 13s. 11d. In the corresponding week
elf,, last year the amount of out relief amounted to £147.
•ws. 10d. The number of in-door paupers were 151, and
for the same period of last year 182. Balance due to
the union in the hands of the treasurer 17s. 7d., and
"525. 9s. Bd. from four townships who had not paid up
the calls made upon them.
There vas an unusual attendance of guardians present
"log to their having been called together by the clerk, in
conformity with the instructions he had received from the
.1!°/1. Charles Clements, Assistant Poor Law Commis-
sioner, who had announced his intention of attending the
lieu meeting of guardians, to disclose a communication
to f
-ucin upon the part of the poor law commissioners,
With reference to the out-door labour test order.
At twelve o'clock, the time appointed for all special
business, the CLERK then proceeded to read over the
minutes of the preceding weekly board, which were con-
firmed.
Mr. KERFOOI. and Mr. BOARDMAN also reported that
they had seen Mr. Mercer, agent to Thomas Legh, Esq.,
newton
the subject of taking some waste land adjoining the
Workhouse, for the purpose of setting to work
S able-bodied in-door paupers. The following is Mr.
Mercer's answer to their application :
Mr. Boardman, "Feb. 13, 1844.
" Sir,—ln reference to the subject of allowing the
Paupers in Newton Workhouse to make good the piece of
Waste land in Crow-lane, which we some time ago bad
inaue conversation upon, I beg to say that Mr. Legh is
willing to let you have it rent free for seven years. Mr.
Legh will find posts and rails to inclose it, and quick sets.
CTiantity, I fancy, is about one and a half acres,
eshire measure.--I am, yours, &C.,'
At the request of the Commissioner, the CLERK read
the order of the poor law commissioners, directing the
guardians to find employment for the out-door able-bodied
Paupers receiving relief, and the other minutes of the board
relative to that order. This being done,
Mr. CLEMENTS stated, that in consequence of the re-
„solution which the board had come to a few weeks ago,
for deferring the out-door labour test order until after the
25th March next, he was instructed by the poor law com-
missioners to attend before them, and to explain the
nature of the position in which they had thereby placed
themselves, and also to urge upon them the necessity of
complying with the law; that it was the wish of the com-
missioners to use the greatest possible forbearance, and to
give all the assistance in their power to those engaged in
the administration of the parochial funds ; but he must
say, that if the board still persisted in the course they had
adopted, it only remained for the commissioners to give
!feet to the exercise of the powers vested in them ; and
he therefore wished it to be distinctly understood, that
unless that was done they should now do so, and that the
course they would pursue would doubtless not only be
attended with pecuniary loss, but with some inconvenience
to those concerned. He said, the commissioners have a
choice of two courses to adopt ; the one is by mandamus
for a wilful disobedience of their orders, and the other is
to file a bill in Chancery for a misapplication of the funds
of the union.
Mr. CLAYTON.—It is a very strange thing why the
eaonmomrdiesrsioners appear so fully resolved upon forcing such
uP whilst there are several
into
airorrminegdtoianreUno
vicinity
in,
not at present formed
union, and no other union in the district has hitherto
tshiPs ir the ‘‘'
been called upon to comply with such an order. He said,
it is very clear that when the guardians consider things
are working well, the poor law commissioners will not let
them remain so. He knew that now it was as much as
could be done to collect money necessary to relieve the
poor, and that if they were compelled to cease giving re-
lief to all able-bodied paupers out of the house except
'hat they received in return as wages for labour provided
come
the union, he could not tell where the money must
tele from which would be required barely to keep them.
e was convinced that the business was better done before
there were any poor law commissioners than ever had been
since; and that if the commissioners were no better paid
than the guardians they would not continue nor attempt
to enforce a system upon them which it must appear
manifest cannot be carried out in this part of the country.
Air. KERFOOT.—I am convinced from past experience
that. it would be impossible with any degree of benefit
7!aatever to carry into practical operation the out-door
4100er test order • but, on the contrary, that it will incur
considerable additional expense -upon the ley-payers.
At the present time (when the weather is such that little
or no out-door labour can be done) there are only 91 cases,
resident and non-resident, in the whole 14 townships in
the rural district of the union; and these 91 families, con-
Listing of 536 individuals, only receive £lO 15s. 4d. per
know
or about 41d. per head per week. He wished to
',now if all these 91 able-bodied cases were required to be
set to work, what would be the weekly amount necessary
to be paid for the support of their families? He was
aware that it may be said that they all will not go to work ;
some will do for themselves.
'COMMissioNER.—Yes; that•will be the case.
Mr. KERFOOT.—WeII, compel them to work for the
union, and stop the small weekly allowance which is now
made, and depend upon it the result will be that those
who have hitherto been able to earn a little by partial
employment will soon have their places taken up by others
!rem Cheshire, Bolton, Leigh, and the surrounding neigh-
Pocrhood, and the cost upon their several parishes will
be greatly increased. Out of the 14 townships in the
rural district of this union there are three of them which
havebe no able-bodied paupers in them, and surely it would
n act of injustice upon those townships to require
";era to contribute towards procuring the necessary im-
timroents to be used in the cultivation of land, as well as
()wards the payment of an overlooker 's wages, when they
Itted nothing of the sort. He would venture to assert
at,if left to themselves, the rural townships would be
Pau- 'etemployment Provide ample for all the able-bodied
'etyear.
them throughout the
could WOOLr concurred with Mr. Kerfoot that labour
be A • rural bodied n. the_
district for all out-door able-

AkPaupers during the short period it was required.
a CLAYTON, addressing 'the Commissioner.—How
nook et)),the cost of the expense in cultivating land and of
r)Ying the paupirs be charged?
t-
tt t,ulturssioNcn.—The cost of the working tools, rent
ip tl,le land, and wages of the overlooker would be entered
Ivil„" establishment charges to the union fund ; and the
tows of the paupers would be charged to their respective
leuiPs to which they belong.
tiler „r• REEvEs said he was resolved to stand by his for-
rimecision, let the commissioners do what they may.
toh."..,Rev. PETER LEHR, ex-officio guardian, of New-
,44BZ-rrorn. what has been advanced, I cannot see any
why we should alter our former determination.
r
fo `"ce moved, " That the guardians do abide by their
u raer resolution on the subject, which was seconded by
14 41, 111,00 T.
sh f,',`RO AD HU RST, of Sankey, rather indignantly said—
move a counter resolution, And then proceeded to
to.lte One, which was, "That the guardians do proceed
can's' the out-door labour order into operation, ' which
apt seconded by Mr. Smith, of Peuketh.
oogeeCHAIRMAN then put the amendment to the vote,
gee there appeared only two hands raised in its favour.
lifted e original motion being put, -there were ten hands
tIP in favour of it.
knc CUAIRAI AN declared the original motion carried.
aga• r• lIROADHURST.--I shall now enter my protest
to 'net the decision of the board, and he then proceeded
kerite one out,•which he and Mr. Smith signed, and im-
etatelY handed it over to the Clerk.
1 ,4 Ver
ook7MtenioNE ddressing Mr. Legh.—lt will pot
ViY well for' andamus to issue a gainst you ( gbein
strate) for dish eying the law.
'Nene LEGH.—I am quite willing to take the conse-
and es, Ps Ido not consider myself bwnd by all the whims
law
ecrotchets which may fall into OE heads of the poor-
in ; neither am I willing to become a party
u
to such
,on, act of cruelty and starvation as that attempted
Commtisesed•
Cruelty? °NZa.—How do you make it out an act of
Mr. LEGR
so by requiring the poor creatures to
awtablk,o
ten miles daily to the work you propose to find them
n Moss, which is ten miles from some parts of
several of t
to he townships in the union (except you intend
provide omnibuses for them,—and starvation in re-
Ittiring them to work at Moss la) nds, half naked and half
fed, New calls were then made on the overseers of the
Several townships in the union for their contribution to
be paid in on the 20th instant.
The board having disposed of the special business, pro-
ceeded with the cases of the fresh applicants for relief.
The first person called was Thomas Oxley, a plasterer and
slater, out of work, who is a widower with six small
ehildrin—the eldest only twelve years old.
OMt. SANKEY, evidently a little excited, addressed the
titnission er. What would you do in the case now un-
7,eonsideration ?
-,,%alsratssroNEß.—Relieve at your own discretion.
t`"(Ir• SANKEY.—That is no answer to my question. I
Iln to know what you would allow him weekly under
n_aut door labour test order ?
l oxistisszoNna.-1 do not see that any further answer
ile;e.cessary, as the subject of the out door labour test or-
nowld disposed of.
to-4,1% SANKEy.—It appears then that you are come here
hecach us our duty, and when a question is asked you
ikeuSe to answer it, which is not exactly the thing; but it
itttoa to me that you are come here to lead the guardians
Well an error, and then to leave them to get out of it as
C es they can.
AteultissioNEß.—l came here on a former occasion
hi ,lave the guardians all the information and assistance
el)j.,.'uj could, but was met with clamour and untenable
cpt'42_,lons; the question then could not be said to be dis-
tar,;q, and the resolution you have passed to day is tan-
-1.,4.?u0t to a wilful disobedience of the orders of the Poor
Ita Commissioners • I therefore see no reason for giving
iietber answer to the question.
(14011' 10ERFOOT.—No. It cannot be said to be a wilful
Lion ethence to the commissioners' order, as the considers-
Ce*t°f the subject may be taken up after the 25th March
,
:10t „iirlAunisorr.—lt is a great pity that Warrington is
""owed to conduct its own affairs, independently of
111415.ther townships now in the union, for I am of opinion,
'ever t Would be much better for Warrington if it could be
'tiled from the out townships altogether.
th:, CHAIRMAN.—It is very desirable it should be so
$ could be accomplished.
w,EIGH.—I am quite sure the guardians of the out
4-„44iPs are willing that it should be so.
natierel. of the guardians then left the room, and the
Proceeded with the applications for relief.

CHESTER DIOCESAN CHURCH BUILDING

socIETy.

Yesterday, the annual meeting of the Chester Diocesan
Church Building Society was held at the Blue Coat Hos-
pital, and was attended by a large number of the clergy of
the Church of England. Amongst those present we no-
ticed the Rev. Chancellor Raikes, the Rev. Rector
Brookes, the Rev. Rector Campbell, the Rev. Dr. Tat-
tershall, the Rev. Dr. Byrth, the Hon. and Rev. Horace
Powys, the Rev. Messrs. Nolan, Parry, Ewbank, May,
Gunning, Bold, North, Higgins, Stewart, Jones, lle4keth,
Marshall, &c. &c. About half-past ten o'clock. the chair
was taken by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Chester.
His LORDSHIP, in opening the proceedings, said there
was an observation often used in another place respecting
public speaking. It was called " speaking against time."
(Hear, and a laugh.) Now, the meeting must,—at least
he must, rather,—follow the converse, and be silent against
time, inasmuch as there was a good deal of business to be
transacted. (Hear, hear.) He was glad to think that
speeches on the present occasion would be unnecessary,
either to point out the necessity there was for building
churches, or to stir up those whom he had the pleasure to
see around him to the propriety. of giving their exertions
to so excellent a cause. Of these they had shown their
conviction by the vast assistance the clergy and laity had
given him in the efforts he had thought it desirable to
make to supply the spiritual wants which ten years ago
were so great, and which still existed to a great extent,
though happily not to such an extent as heretofore. His
lordship concluded, amid applause, by calling on the se-
cretary to read the report for the past year.
The Rev. C. LAWRENCE, one of the secretaries, read
the report accordingly. It appeared from this document,
that although the funds at the disposal of the committee
had not been large, and the spiritual interests of the com-
munity extensive, the sum of £1650 had been granted to
two localities during the year. The incumbent of Old-
ham had, a second time, brought the necessities of his
cure under consideration, by stating that there existed a
population of 60;000 souls, with church accommodation
only for 7,500. The account of education in his parish
was equally disastrous. Many were without education
at all, the schools of the church as well as of dissent being
too few in number to accommodate them, while associa-
tions had been formed for the purpose of diffusing a vicious
species of literature among the people. In this ease the
committee had had no hesitation in granting aid, because
it was for the purpose of rendering assistance to such
destitute localities that the society was specially origi-
nated ; and accordingly grants of £5OO had been made to
each of the three prospective churches that were to be
erected in Oldham. An application was then made by
the incumbent of Bleakley, to enlarge and refit an old
church, and to render it capable of affording a large
number of free sittings, but upon so extensive a principle
that the old building, when re-modelled, might with pro-
priety be denominated almost a new structure. As the
object of the society had from the commencement been
the erection of new churches, the committee were at
first at a loss to know in what manner to meet the appli-
cation; but finding it just, and the necessities of the case
urgent, they at length resolved upon making a grant,
trusting, under the circumstances, that they would stand
acquitted in the eves of the general meeting. Such bad
been the grants of the year. The committee, after press-
ing upon all the friends of the church the duty of co-
operating in a duty so obvious and excellent, stated that ,
they intended to hold their quarterly meetings in Liver-
pool in future, and that at those meetings applications for
aid would be received. The appeal which the Bishop had
made to the clergy during the past year, had resulted in
the collection of a sum of £2,000 and upwards, which
would recruit the resources of the society; and though
the venerated Diocesan had submitted a plan, whereby it
was hoped a larger amount would have been realised, still,
remembering the distress which existed in the commer-
cial districts, the committee thanked God, and appealed
for a continuance of the affectionate liberality of their
Christian friends. The report concluded by stating, that
a benevolent individual had tendered a sum of £5OO to
the society, provided a further sum of £5,000 should be
raised from the public, but that as only £l,OOO of the
£5,000 had been collected, the offer could not, as yet, be
accepted.
The THEASURIIR then read a statement of the accounts,
from which it appeared that the receipts for the year. in-
cluding a balance from the precious one, had been £8949
that there was a balance in the hands of the banks of £7741
—that the outstanding accounts were £5lOO, and that
there was an available surplus of £2659 for the liabilities
of the society.
The Rev. Mr. GUMMING inquired whether the £lOOO
was received as part of the £5OOO, had been included in
the receipts of the year?
The TREASURER replied in the affirmative : he had
taken into account the gross receipts.
The Rev. Rector BROOKES said he had great pleasure
in proposing a resolution which had just been placed in
his hands ; and as he entirely agreed with his lordship's
observations that they ought not to speak against time,
he would content himself with simply congratulating his
friends around him on the continued prosperity of the So-
ciety. He then moved that the report be received and
circulated under the direction of the committee.
ADAM HODGSON, Esq. seconded the motion, which was
unanimously adopted.

The Rev. J. HORTON, of Ormskirk, proposed the offi-
cers for the ensuing year, and, in doing so, expressed his
wish that there were a great many more of his brother
clergymen from the country present to have their hearts
cheered and their zeal excited by the excellent report which
had been read by the Secretary.
The Rev. Rector CAMPBELL seconded the motion,
which was also carried unanimously.
The Rev. Chancellor RAtices proposed the third reso-
lution, to the effect that the meeting being desirous to
extend the beneficial effects of the society as widely as
possible, and being aware that the restoration of churches
could not be effected without such aid as the society could
offer, considered that it would be a reasonable enlarge-
ment of its sphere of usefulness if it were permitted to
make grants for the restoration of old churches, where
the additional accommodation gained should be equivalent
to the building of a new church., but that the sum granted
should never exceed the one-fourth of the total expense.
He said the manifest object of the resolution was to ob-
tain a bill of indemnity in favor of the committee; and
speaking as he was under a sense of the value of time, and
convinced that the committee would fall into gentle hands
in submitting their case for approval, he thought the most
satisfactory mode he could adopt, with a view to attain
the consent of the meeting to the motion, would be to read
a letter which was addressed to him by the incumbent of
Eleakley, near Manchester, soliciting aid to restore the
old church. The chancellor here read the letter, which
stated that the restoration of the church had been com-
menced—that it would contain•SG4 sittings, of which 453
would be free, and that the alterations would cost £2,500,
of which he had succeeded in raising £2,000; and be
concluded by expressing an humble hope that God, who
had opened the way, would smooth the difficulties by
which he was surrounded. How the incumbent of Bleak-
ley had succeeded in raising the munificent sum of £2,000,
he (the Chancellor) knew not; for when he made his first
application for assistance, he z'Aid he bad only collected
4'35,.and that the entire of that sum had been derived from
the hard earnings of the hand-loom weavers of the parish.
(Hear, hear.) The statement of-such a case as this would
prove, that it was not without reason the committee
prayed for a little enlargement of their rules; while their
judicious conduct for the time past would be a sufficient
guarantee that the liberty now sought for would not he
abused in time to come. He concluded by expressing a
sanguine hope that the grant, in reply to the Bleakley
application, would meet, under the strong circumstances
of the case, with the cordial concurrence of the meeting.
(Hear, hear.) _

The Rev. Dr. TATTERSHALL seconded the resolution,
which was passed nem con.

The Rev. Chancellor RAIKES said that as there was no
other resolution, and as he saw that they had yet a quar-
ter of an hour to speak before they entered on committee
business, he thought as they were assembled for the pur-
pose of taking the spiritual wants of the diocese into con-
sideration, and the means they possessed for meeting
those wants with promptitude, it would not be out of
order if he were to read to the meeting a letter which had
just been laid on the table, signed by the Rev. Mr. Low,
the incumbent of Oldham. The letter, which ran into
considerable detail, stated that there was 46,900 in his
parish without spiritual provision ; that there were 39,000
professing members of the church, 11,000 who made no
profession of Christianity, and 13,000 dissenters, from
Roman Catholics to socialists. As an instance of the la-
mentable state of ignorance among the people, the writer
stated that one of them had lately been asked whether he
had ever heard of Christ. " Yes," was the reply, " I
heard of Him, that He was a very good fellow!"
His LORDSHIP stated his belief that if the incumbent
of Oldham were permitted to occupy his sphere of useful-
ness for four or five years longer, a very different state of
things would be observable in that part of the country,
inasmuch as the erection of schools and churches was now
going on pari passv

The Venerable Archdeacon Rusn TON proposed a vote
of thanks to the Bishop, and in doing so took occasion to
confirm the statements contained in Mr. Low's letter.
He believed that with returning prosperity and peace, the
operatives in the manufacturing districts were anxiously
looking forward to some point on which to rest. They
were quite unsatisfied with the late agitation into which
the bad been brought. and were looking for a clergyman
of a church on which to rest. (Hear, hear.) lie thought
that with renewed exertions the society would be fully
able to supply the neglected wants 4f the people, were
it only in that portion of the diocese to which Mr.
Low's letter more particularly referred.
The Rev. J. H. GUNNING, of Wigan, seconded the
vote of thanks.

The Rev. Mr. PARRY wished to state, before his
lordship rose to reply, that on the preceding day (Sun-
day), at Preston, a collection was made in the different
Sunday schools for the building of churches, and that
the result of that collection in pennies from the children
amounted to about £lB. (Hear.) This was only a
small sum, but it was something ; and if the same plan
were adopted in all other Sunday schools, a considerable
sum would be realised. The preceding day, having been
Quinquagesima Sunday, had been selected in. Preston.
for the purpose, because the collect and epistle for the
day alluded to charity ; and he had no doubt that much
more would be done in Preston in the same way.
altar, hear.)
11111 is LORDSHIP replied, and the meeting formed itself
into committee for educational purposes, and soon after
separated.

TRIBUTE OF RESPECT.—On Thursday last, was pre-
sented by the Grand Order of Modern Druids to Mr.
William Gelderd, as treasurer to the funeral fund of that
society, a handsome silver snuff-box, bearing the following
inscription :—" Presented by the Brethren G.0.M.D.,
L.D., to William Gelderd, for his valuable services as
Treasurer to the Funeral Fund. xv. February,
MACCCXLIV."

IMPORTANT MEETING OF I'HE RATE-PAYERS
OF BIRKENHEAD.

On Saturday evening last, a meeting of the rate-payers
of Birkenhead and Clati4liton-cum-Grange, was held, in
pursuance of public notice, at the Town-hall, in the for-
mer place, for the purpose of the Bill for authorising the
purchase of the Monk's Ferry, and the Bill for the con-
struction of the Birkenhead Docks, being submitted for
consideration. The attendance was numerous, including
most of the influential gentlemen of the township and
neighbourhood.
On the motion of J. S. Jackson, Esq. JOHN DEANE
CASE. Esq., was called to the chair.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the business of the even-
ing, said that the rate-payers were called together on this
occasion by public placard, which he would read. (He
here read the notice, to the effect above stated, and which
concluded by adding that copies of the respective bills
might be seen at the Town-hall.) They would perceive
that the meeting embraced two important objects—that of
the bill for the purchase of Monk's Ferry by the commis-
sioners ; and, secondly, the bill for the construction of
the Birkenhead Docks. Both these subjects were well
known to the public at large, and it was therefore need-
less to take up much of the time of the meeting in enter-
ing into details. The township had already derived great
advantage from the purchase of the Woodside Ferry, and
it was fair to infer that a similar advantage would accrue
from the present proposed purchase. He considered this,
indeed, to amount to an absolute certainty. Both sub-
jects had occupied the attention of the commissioners for
a considerable time. They had, through their commit-
tees, made every possible inquiry, and the result had sa-
tisfied them that they could with confidence recommend
the purchase of the ferry to the rate-payers. (Cheers.)
With reglard to the other bill—that of the Birkenhead
Docks. it was well known that an opinion prevailed on
the other side of the water that the proposition was a
bubble that would some day burst. He thought, how-
ever, that when it did burst, it would turn out very dif-
ferent from what those people imagined. He thought it
might be better compared to the sun endeavouring to
emerge from the mists that often obscure his rays when he
is rising, but which he soon overcomes, and bursts forth
in his clear and meridian splendour. The employment
which the construction of the new docks would give to
the population of the township, and the amount of money
that would consequently be expended, would also be ad-
vantages that would be generally admitted ; and be should,
therefore, not detain the meeting in dwelling further on
the subject, but conclude by recommending to their notice
the two measures as well deserving of their approval and
adoption. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. W. JACKSON, on rising, said that he had just re-
ceived a communication from Mr. Mallaby, the Town-
clerk, amply accounting for his absence from the meeting.
That gentleman was in London, engaged in the parlia-
mentary business, and attending to the interests, of the
rate-payers, and as his presence was required there early
on Monday morning, he trusted they would not blame
him, as, in order to be present with them that night, he
would have to travel two nights. (Hear.) With refer-
ence to the purchase of Monk's Ferry, from what he had
heard out of doors, he thought the proposition would meet
the approval of most of those present. Some had been
opposed to the purchase of the Woodside Ferry, as, as
they thought, interfering with the interests of a few ; but
if these parties would reflect, they would come to the con-
clusion that so far from this being the result it bad been
of advantage ; for the increase in the number of persons
crossing at Woodside had been accompanied by a corres-
ponding increase at the other ferries, particularly those in
the immediate neighbourhood. He congratulated the
meeting on the disposal, to the Chester and Holyhead
Railway Company, of the Chester and Birkenhead Rail-
way, in consequence of certain circumstances that would
not apply to a large company having a longer line. It was
necessary to complete the purchase of Monk's Ferry be-
fore the sale of the railway, and if the present opportunity
was lost, an equally favourable one might not again arise.
(Cheers.) He concluded by moving the following reso-
lution :

" That this meeting fully concurs in the view taken re-
specting the purchase of the Monk's Ferry property, and
approve of the commissioners purchasing the same, and
sanction their application to parliament for the necessary
power, and to raise the money to pay for it ; and that the
act now presented be approved of."

Mr. CHRISTOPHER .14ENTHANI said he had great plea-
sure in seconding the motion, as he believed no one pre-
sent would doubt the propriety of making the purchase.
Some doubts had been entertained as to the policy of pur-
chasing the Woodside Ferry ; but events had shewn that

it was a wise and judicious measure, as it had gone on in-
creasing in its revenue ever since. The township was ra-
pidly increasing in population and extent, and one ferry
was not sufficient, even in their immediate locality, for
the general accommodation. The more they could facili-
tate the communication with Liverpool, and identify
themselves with it, the more advantageous to themselves.
It was impossible to span the Mersey with a bridge, and
it therefore became their bounden duty to afford all the
facilities in their power to the rate-payers to cross to Li-
verpool, which, after all, must continue to be the metro-
polis of this locality. It behoved them, too, at the present
time, to look out for contin envies,—to prepare for the
increasing wants of the township and those connected
with it. Reference had been made to the Chester and
Holyhead Railway, and he had no doubt but that when
that line was completed, the increase of traffic would be
sufficient to pay the whole expenses of the ferry. (Cheers)
He concluded by seconding the resolution.
The motion was put and unanimously carried.
Mr. W. JACKSON in proposing the second resolution,
relative to the docks, said that lie had not yet beard any
individual speak against the proposed measure. -He had
heard of some who doubted their capability to carry out the
project, but if those persons would review the past efforts
of the originators, he thought they would arrive of a dif-
ferent conclusion. (Cheers.) He could assure the meet-
ing that there would be no relaxation,--no holding back,—
no giving way,—no stone left unturned on the part of those
who had undertaken to carry out the measure. They had
but one aim in view—to carry on the work and to give the
whole benefit of the profit to the public. Their object was
to throw open the docks to the world, and to give every
possible facility to commerce generally. (Laud cheers.)
Doubts had been expressed as to their capability to carry
the measure in Parliament. It had been said that they
had not complied with the standing orders (of the House
of Commons) ; but he was happy to say they had already
in their progress " passed the standing orders," and early
next month the bill would he in committee. (Applause.)
If any ovosition to the bill should arise it must then be
offered ; and if it were, they were prepared to meet it.
Withhad
alreadyrespect tobeencarrying
subscribed,
the bill
ai tl this
they a
s Parliament
d
a n
no
needa ample
fund
to dip their hands into the pockets of the ratepayers for
a single farthing. (Cheers.) The projector& of the mea-
surent)
ee
rnse fint
nthan
hw
shiadte
swoofuld
Wallasey
i
large. The measure had already
Itioowrtlie various government offices.
o
int o:ottlliw,ewiatonhudltdhttenants
epublic
a havepa in)
approval
landowners
He expected no opposition, excepting in reference to the
Liverpool town dues, and as that question had to be de-
cided elsewhere, he need not dwell upon it. The com-
missioners had taken the matter up without risk to the
rate-payers in any shape. It was necessary that the mo-
tion should be carried as it stood, as although the com-
missioners were not carrying out the plan with the money
of the rate-paders the docks would be managed by a com-
mittee appointed by them, sa that the rate-payers would
have complete control of the Dock Trust. (Cheers.) He
moved the following resolution :
"That this meeting approve of the steps taken by the
projectors of the Birkenhead Docks, and approve of the
plans as prepared by Mr. Rendall ; and that the commis-
sioners be authorised to petition Parliament on behalf of
the townshiu in favour of the same, and that the bill now
presented he approved of."
Mr. JOHN LAIRD seconded the motion, and the chair-
man was about to put it when

—iir:lonwoon said that it had been stated in the Li-
verpool Town Council that they (the Birkenhead propri-
etary) were about to build, not " castles," but docks,
in the air" ; and as he knew it would be interesting to
the ratepayers and the public generally that the question
should be replied to, he wihed to know whether the plan
co;Ild be carried out for the sum that had been stated—
£3oo,ooo; and also whether the money was to be raised
by loan, and how the interest in such case, nearly £15,000
per annum, was to be raised ? For himself, he had no
opposition to offer to the measure. He believed, indeed,
that it would be a national advantage ; but he thought a
reply might disabuse the public mind elsewhere. Would
the £300,000 be sufficient? The contracts were said to
be taken at that amount.

The CHAIRMAN said an answer would be found on
reference to the cop) of the bill which had already been
laid before the ratepayers.
Mr. Fonwooo said he should be glad to see the docks
constructed, and thought that if his questions were replied
to the minds of many would be satisfied.
Mr. W. JACKSON said, that if the questions of Mr.
Forwood were answered in detail, nothing could more
thoroughly arm those who were opposed to the measure
against them. "We go," he said, " before parliament,
and will there prove the merits of our case. What we
have asserted we are prepared to prove before a commit-
tee of the House of ( onarnons, and we shall either stand
or fall by the principle on which we have set out."
(Cheers.)

Mr. FORWOOD disclaimed individual opposition to the
measure. His object was merely to seek satisfactory in-
formation on the subject.
Mr. JACKSON said that if the money to carry the bill
through parliament were to be derived from the ratepay-
ers, and if it were at their risk, it would be proper to ask
for an explanation of the details ; but as it was, he saw
no necessity at that stage of the proceedings to answer
the questions.
Mr. C. BENTHAM said that those who put such ques-
tions had a wrong notion on the subject. The ratepayers
would run no risk whatever in this undertaking. The
projectors borrowed the money to complete them on their
own merits. It was to be raised for the docks alone, and
the ratepayers would not be liable for either capital or
interest. It would neither affect their rates nor their
property, but as inhabitants they would gain all the ad-
vantages that would arise from an increase of trade and
population in the township. (Cheers.).

. . .
Mr. JACKSON said that the racking was, properly
speaking, a public one, but called merely to express their
approval of applying for the bill. It required their sanction
for this only, and any one might oppose it afterwards if
they thought fit.
Mr. E. WILLOUGHBY said tha* bad perused a copy
of the bill, and found that theresponsibility did not at.
tach to the ratepayers, whatever might be the result of
the application to parliament to obtain it.
Mr. JACKSON repeated that neither the township at
large nor the ratepayers would be liable for one farthing,
even if the bill were lost. •
The resolution was then put from the chair, and carried
without a dissentient voice.
Thanks were then voted to the chairman.
The CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks, congratulated