The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-01-06 00:00:00

THE LATE BOATS

Mr. PARKER then brought forward the motion of which
he had given notice, that in compliance with the memorial
signed by upwards of seventy of the clergy and principal in-
habitants presented to the last meeting, the late boats be dis-
continued. When he saw that memorial signed by six mi-
nisters of the Established Church, by the minister of the
Scotch Church, by the three Wesleyan ministers, by the two
overseers, by the churchwarden, and some of the most re-
spectable inhabitants, he had thought it his duty as a com-
missioner (though he might be considered by some as an in-
truder because he represented the corporation of Liverpool)
to support the prayer of a document so respectably signed.
He might be told that the prospects of profit from the late
boats were flattering, but he had yet to be convinced that such
was the fact. There had been nothing produced in proof of
that but bare assertion ; and he thought they would be found
to entail expense on the township. That was the opinion of
a great many ratepayers. He was not going to say that crime
had increased in consequence of the late boats, but he con-
tended that alarm had, because some weeks ago a worthy
magistrate, who was proceeding to partake of the chairman's
hospitality, was attacked on his way by footpads, and he ac-
tually returned to his own house to procure pistols for his
protection. This was the statement, actually made by the
Rev. Joshua King. It had been asserted that the late boats
improved the market, and that lodgings let better in conse-
quence; now, what was that but the argument of the very
people whose property was benefitted ?
Those who were not
in a position of that kind were the best judges of the effect,
and it was to their verdict that he appealed. Mr. Parker
concluded by moving the discontinuance of the late boats.
After waiting a few seconds,
The CHAIRMAN inquired whether any commissioner se-
conded the motion ?
Mr. WM. JACKSON said, that as reporters were present,
he should like to have permission to reply to Mr. Parker.
Mr. PARKER contended that Mr. Jackson could not be
heard unless the motion was seconded.
Mr. GREEN said he would second it for the sake of dis-
cussion. His opinions on the subject were pretty well
known.
Mr. Wm. JACKSON then commenced his reply. In the
first place, in order to shew a state of alarm, Mr. Parker
had mentioned facts which took place not in the township
of Birkenhead, but in Mr. King's township, and for which,
therefore, the commissioners were not responsible. He
might with equal justice have laid to their charge every rob-
bery committed in Liverpool; and he (Mr. Jackson) be-
lieved that, taking into account the extent of population,
the district of Birkenhead was as free from crime and vio-
lence as any district, he cared not where it might be, of equal
population. With regard to no figures, but only statements,
being produced to prove the success of the ferry, every mem-
ber of the committee would bear him out in stating, that he
had always been prepared with accounts, derived from the
ferry books, justifying every statement made in their reports.
He was so on the present occasion—with details extracted
from the books of the treasurer, which were made up to the
31st ult. Those accounts fully bore out the most sanguine
expectations of the committee. Mr. Jackson then referred
to the description of persons who had signed the memorial
against the late boats, contending that the clergy knew little
or nothing of the subject, and that all the rest were subscri-
bers to the opposition ferry of Birkenhead. Recurring to
the accounts, he challenged any individual, or any account-
ant in Liverpool, to disprove the fact, that, after defraying
every expense, after making every allowance for wear and
tear and the interest of money, there was a very hand-
some surplus to go in aid of the wants of the township; and
be hoped the time was not far distant when the profits would
be so considerable that the township should not suffer from
an improvement rate. From the Ist of July to the 31st of
December in each of the following years the receipts had
been—

In 1841
In 1842.
(hear), shewing a very considerable increase. It was true
there had been an increased expenditure ; but the increased
receipts from greater facilities being afforded to the public
had been tenfold greater than the increased expenditure. On
these grounds, the Ferry Committee requested the com-
missioners to sanction the continuance of the late boats.
After some further statements, shewing the great accommo-
dation afforded by the ferry, and its prospects of greater suc-
cess, Mr. Jackson concluded by moving an amendment to
the effect, that the late boats having been tried for five
months, and found profitable and of great utility, the Ferry
Committee be instructed to continue them.
Mr. STANSFIELO seconded the amendment.
Mr. MALLABY said, the amendinent was a mere negative
to the original motion.
Mr. W. JACKSON said, he proposed it in order that the
commissioners might express, strongly, their sense of the
value of the accommodation.
Mr. J. S. JACKSON mentioned, that since the opening of
the new bridge over Wallasey Pool the late boats had been
a great accommodation to the inhabitants of that disttict.
The CHAIRMAN detailed the circumstances of the attack
of robbers referred to by Mr. Parker, adding, that it hatk
early
ypliat"could not beasatstirLo;
seconding ofaeblolecktointhethleateevbeonaitnsg., cons'.
the object of discussion being gairilid, then
withdrew
auikrehenndrt
eGwR
hE
iEssNos,
gthe motion, and it fell to the
ground ; but not until some altercation between Mr. William
Jackson and Mr. Parker, to stop which the authority of the
Chairman had to be exerted.