The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-09-09 00:00:00

BIRKENHEAD POLICE COMMISSIONERS.

The Commissioners under the Birkenhead Police Act held
a general meeting on Tuesday, for the despatch of business
in the Town-hall, Birkenhead. The following gentlemen
were present :—Messrs. J. S. Jackson, Cole, Laycock,
Kerr, Gilbertson, Appleton, Stansfield, M`Nicol, Watson,
Horner, Laird, Pritchard, Pim, Walker, Raynes, and two
representatives of the corporation of Liverpool, Messrs. J.
N. Wood and Parker. Mr. J. S. Jackson, Deputy Chair-
man of the Commissioners, presided. Mr. Mallaby, the law
clerk, was not present, being, as we were informed, now on
a visit to the city of Rome.
MINUTES OF THE LAST GENERAL MEETING.
Mr. HILLIAIL read the proceedings of the last general
meeting, a report of which we gave at the time.
DUTIES AND SALARY OF THE TOWN-CLERK.
The CHAIRMAN stated that the Finance Committee were
not prepared to report to the present meeting the result of
their inquiries into the salary and duties of the Town-clerk.
This matter must therefore be postponed till the next gene-
ral meeting.
LIGHTING AND WATCHING COMMITTEE.
The proceedings of the Lighting and Watching Coin-
mittee were read ; from which it appeared there had been a
' survey made of the situaticns of the street lights, and the
committee recommended the general meeting to empower
them to erect 25 additional lamps.
Mr. Woon asked what was the price per lamp paid to the
Gas Company by the commissioners ?
The CHAIRMAN, in reply, said, that whatever was the
price paid in Liverpool was the price paid in Birkenhead,
and he believed it was --C-1 is. Sd. per lamp.
Mr. WOOD said, the price in -Liverpool was £4. Gs. per
lamp : and he enquired further, whether whatever reduction
was made by the gas companies of Liverpool through com-
petition, the same reduction was made in Birkenhead ?
Mr. LAyeocx.—Yes, for the street lamps.
Mr. WOOD proceeded to say, that the Liverpool Gas Com-
panies had made a reduction of 45 per cent. in the price of
gas last year, but it bad not extended to the street lamps, the
price of which was, as he had stated before. £l. 6s. per lamp.
After some conversation upon the necessity of the streets
being sufficiently lighted, especially in the winter season, a
resolution was passed confirming the proceedings of the
committee, and empowering them to erect thirty-five addi-
tional lamps, in such situations as they should deem proper.
ROAD COMMITTEE.
In the proceedings of this committee, the commissioners
were recommeded to give permission to the Chester and
Birkenhead Railway Company to lay down a tramroad from
Grange-lane to Monk's Ferry, and to close Ivy-street until
the tunnel which is intended to be made between those points
is completed.
Mr. LAYCOCK asked how long the tunnel was expected to
be in making ?
The CHAIRMAN said, the tunnel would be made in eight
or ten months ; but the use of Ivy-street would not be re-
quired so long. The application was only made with the view
of facilitating the construction of the tunnel.
Mr. GILBERTSON enquired whether no restrictions were
to be imposed upon the railway company as to the time they
would keep Ivy-street closed ?
The CHAIRMAN observed that the commissioners were
bound by their agreement with the directors, to render them
all the assistance in their power.
Mr. GILBERTSON suggested that they should be required
to have a good carriage road across Chester-street.
Mr. LAIRD.—That they will do.
Mr. WOOD wished to know whether the railway company
could make this tunnel without going to parliament for
power ?
The CHAIRMAN said the directors were satisfied they had
the power already ; but he did not know whether that was
a question with which the commissioners were at all con-
cerned, and, therefore, lie must be excused if he declined all
discussion upon the subject.
Mr. WOOD intimated his conviction that some difficulty
would arise on that point.
Mr. LAYCOCK said it was understood that the railway direc-
tors would proceed at their own risk ; and that they were not
to bring the commissioners of Birkenhead into a false posi-
tion.

Mr. Woon.—But, if we give them this permission we
sanction their proceedings.
Mr. LAYCOCK had no doubt that the directors would act
in concert with the road committee.
Mr. Woon urged that the commissioners ought to be very
cautious before they committed themselves to any act which
might be called into question.
Mr. LAIRD repeated that there was no intention to stop
up Chester-street. There would be merely a traniroad across
it like there was in Liverpool, from the new dock works to the
north shore, from which no inconvenience could possibly
arise. The reason why ivy-street was required to be closed
was that the tunnel would be so near the surface there that
it would not be safe for the usual traffic to be going on there
whilst it was being made.
Mr. GILBERTSON said, his object was only to secure that
no impediment was made to the passage along Chester-
street.
Mr. LAIRD stated that that object would be accomplished.
The CHAIRMAN observed, it was for the interest of the
township that the recommendation of the committee should
be confirmed.
Mr. PIM said, the road committee would be very glad to
meet Mr. Gilbertson, or any other inhabitant of the places
affected by the proposed tunnel, in order to afford them any
explanations.
Mr. LAIRD showed that according to the plans laid before
committee, by Mr. Yarrow, Chester-street would not be
stopped ; but that it was necessary for Ivy-street to be
closed.
The CHAIRMAN thought it necessary to state, that having
the honour to be a director of the Chester and Birkenhead
Railway Company, he had declined to attend all the meetings
of the road committee which had been held on this subject.
Mr. WOOD, as a commissioner of Birkenhead, should ob-
ject to the breaking up of any of the streets of the township,
because he believed the railway company had not power to
make the tunnel ; and, therefore, so far as he was concerned,
he should protest against the sanction of the general board
being given to the appropriation of the railway company.
The CHAIRMAN.—You are then only protesting against
the acts and deeds of the general body of commissioners.
Mr. WALKER said that all the company asked for was
permission to lay down rails on the surface of the streets, just
to facilitate the excavation of the tunnel.
Mr. WATSON called for the letter from Mr. Yarrow, to the
road committee, making the application.
Mr. Floas:En. said it had been mislaid and could not be
produced, but the plans might be laid upon the table.
The plans were then produced and examined. After an
examination, Mr. Gilbertson expressed himself satisfied with
them.
Mr. WOOD begged to ask for information respecting the
powers of the railway company to make this tunnel. He
knew that according to the original act of parliament a tram-
road was to be guaranteed to Tranmere, as well as Woodside ;
but that had been abandoned. Under all the circumstances,
he could not, as a commissioner, consent to the public
streets of the township to be stopped up until he knew the
powers of the railway company to do so.
The CHAIRMAN was sorry that Mr. Case was not in the
chair to reply to Mr. Wood's observstions ; because, as he
_(the Chairman) was deputy-chairman of the commissioners
as well as a director of the railway, he would have preferred
that an answer should come from Mr. Case instead of him-
self. He did not think the commissioners ought to refer at
all to the powers possessed by the Chester and Birkenhead
Railway Company, or to their act of parliament. That was
not a question for them to consider. They had no right to
consider the interests of Tranmere; nor had they any right
to consider the interests of the Corporation of Liverpool, as
connected with the Birkenhead Ferry. They had but a short
and simple duty to fulfil, namely, to see how far the inter-
ests of the town could be advanced by the tunnel being con-
structed, and that was a question which had been already
discussed and determined; the commissioners had already
bound themselves by deed as strongly as law could bind
them, on condition of the railway company selling them the
ferry, to use all the powers they possessed to enable them,
both above ground and under ground to construct the tun-
nel. It was but following out as agreement to which the
commissioners had bound themselves.
Mr. Wows disagreed with the Chairman. He' thought
the interests of Birkenhead :would be promoted by a train
road to Tranmere as well as to Woodside.
The CHAIRMAN had no doubt of it, and when the owners
of property in Tranmere brought forward that request, he
was sure the commissioners would:give it due consideration.
After a few words from Mr. Laycock, Mr. M`Nicol, the
Chairman, and others, the proceedings of the Road Com-
mittee were confirmed.
MARKETS' COMMITTEE.
The proceedings of this committee having been read,
The CHAIRMAN, before entering upon the consideration of
them, suggested that each month's receipts and expenditure
of the market should be given.
Mr. LAY COCK said this could be done, and the information
should be given.
Mr. WOOD inquired whether all the stalls were let ?
The CHAIRMAN said, nearly so; but that there was very
great inconvenience from want of room, and an extension of
the market had been suggested so as to enable the committee
to make a better use of the property than they could now.
He recommended the meeting to pass a resolution in some-
thing like this form :—" That a committee be formed of the
whole board, to take into consideration the wants and accom-
modation required in the market, with power to offer a pre-
mium of twenty guineas for the best plan of increasing the
same, embracing an estimate of the cost."
The suggestion of the Chairman was adopted ; and on the
motion of Mr. WATSON, seconded by Mr. HORNER, the
proceedings were confirmed.
THE CORPORATION ROAD.
Mr. WOOD inquired whether any communication had been
received from the Corporation of Liverpool as to the adop-
tion of their road ?
The CHAramme.--None whatever.
Mr. Woon.—lt was before the Finance Committee on
Friday last, and an answer was to be referred to you to-day.
The CHAIRMAN.--I called upon the Town-Clerk, and saw
the Surveyor with him ; they suggested the propriety of
taking the opinion of the Finance Committee, and said they
would let us know the decision of the committee before to-
day • but we have had no communication from them.
Mr. Woon.—The decision was come to on Friday last.
The CHAIRMAN.—We have not heard it.
Mr. M'Nicoe said, perhaps it would not be sent till
Thursday next (yesterday), when the Road Committee met.
The CHAIRMAN.—But I told the Town-Clerk that the
general board would meet to-night. It is not our fault.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.—NEW RATES.
The Finance Committee, in their proceedings, recom-
mended that a rate of ninepence in the pound be laid for the
purpose of the improvement of the township, and that another
rate of ninepence in the pound for the lighting and watching
of the township, be laid for the ensuing year. It further
appeared, that three several sums had been lent to the com-
missioners, on the security of the rates, of £lO,OOO, £lO,OOO,
and £7,500, making in the whole £27,500, at 5 per cent.,
per annum interest ; and the committee also recommended,
that a special meeting of the commissioners be called at an
early period, for the purpose of obtaining authority to borrow
£5,000 more.
The CHAIRMAN begged to call particular attention to the
important business contained in the proceedings of the
Finance Committee. The first matter to be taken into con-
sideration, was the recommendation of the Committee, that
a rate of 9d in the pound be laid for the improvement, and
another of 9d in the pound for lighting and watching, of the
township. It would save considerable expense if these rates
were collected at the same time as the poor-rate, which the
overseers had just ordered to be paid. At the same time,
the Finance Committee were unanimously of opinion, from
the state of the receipts of the ferry, that this would be the
last improvement rate which the Commissioners would have
to lay.
Mr. APPLETON said, the impression had gone abroad,
east, west, north and south ; that the improvement rate
was done away with for ever and ever; yet now another was
actually proposed! He begged to say too, that that im-
pression had been created by the expressions which had
emanated from the chairman's own lips.s
The CHAIRMAN begged to be excused for interruption.
There were plenty of persons present to bear him witness
that what he had stated was this—that after another im-
provement rate had been laid, no more would be necessary.
And now he repeated his confidence that the commissioners
would never be called upon to lay another.
Mr. APPLETON—Oh! oh!
The CHAIRMAN said the reason why the proposed rate
had to be laid was, that when Mr. Appleton and his friends
were in office, three or four years ago, they had neglected to
lay a rate, the consequence of which was, that the commis-
sioners became involved in an amount which would take
precisely the proposed rate to pay off.
Mr. APPLBTON denied that there
had been any neglect.
The chairman had himself stated that no more rates for
improvement would be required.

Mr. Woon asked what were the present rates of the
township ? _ _

The CHAIRMAN said the proposed improvement rate
would be 9d. ; the lighting and watching rate, 9d. ; and the
poor's rate was 4d. ; making altogether is. 10d. against
3s. 3d. in Liverpool.
Mr. HoRNER observed that the improvement rate was
only Sd last year.
The CHAIRMAN mentioned that if the rate were granted,
there would be abundant funds to provide 40 additional
lights, and nine watchmen, or 30 additional lights, and ten
watchmen.

Mr. APPLETON admitted that the improvement rate was
the only charge the ratepayers could be eased of, by virtue of
the ferry ;receipts. Now, after the impression had gone
abroad, of the great achievements of the ferry, and yet
another improvement rate was proposed, how would they
look in the eyes of the public? How would they appear
before ratepayers, if after all that had been said of the
abolition of the improvement rates, they almost immediately
proceeded to lay another. If difficulties were experienced
in this and the forthcoming year, he thought means might
he found of meeting the emergency without resorting to a
rate, especially as the ferry was likely to be so very pro-
fitable.

The CHAIRMAN would reply to those observations by
asking Mr. Appleton a question. Was it just to postpone
the payment of a debt to another generation ? Was it right
that the rate-payers of next year should pay the expellees of
keeping up the roads this year? Several commissioners said
to him at the last meeting, " first catch your bird, before
you cook it." Now, he had no hesitation in saying, that
the profits of the ferry for the present year. judging by those
of last year, which had gone to form a reserved fund, would
be amply sufficient to pay the entire of the important rate;
but, as he had said, then first let those profits come to
hand. The proposed rate therefore was to enable the com-
missioners to go on, and to repay that portion of the debt
which they had borrowed from the bank, and then they
would begin fair with the public. He should be the last
man in the world to advocate the laying of a rate, seeing
what a prospect there was of doing away with it altogether;
but he did not think it right that the present ratepayers
should tax those who were to follow.
_ _

Mr. APPLETON was confident, from the statements made
respecting the well-being of the ferry, that it would be en-
abled to meet any emergency.
The CHAIRMAN.—What before you get the profits?
Mr. APPLETON.—Yes, before we get them.
After a few more words, Mr. Appleton's amendment fell
to the ground for want of a seconder ; and the motion for
the two rates was carried.
SIGNATURES TO BONDS.
The CHAIRMAN said, the next business was the signing of
three bonds for the amounts he had named. They must be
signed this evening, and the money was ready at any moment.
Mr. WOOD.—You have got £27,500, have you ?
The CHAIRMAN.—Yes.

Mr. WOOD.—Does that make up all you want?
The CRA IRMAN.—We are a little short ; we have £29,500,
but the Finance Committee are of opinion, that in order to
put the township into the position that it ought to be, it will
be highly advisable to make the sum £35,000 instead of
£30,000.

Mr. Woon.—That is £5,000 more than was originally
contemplated ?
The CHAIRMAN.—Yes. We always knew we should want
about £34,000, but we advertised for only £30,000, that
being a round sum.

Mr. Woon.—There will be £1,700 a year interest?
The CHAIRMAN.—Yes. I do not think we shall have any
difficulty in getting any money, we are in such excellent
credit.

Mr. 111`1•Trcot.—Do you think, Mr. Chairman, there is any
prospect of getting the other £3,000 at less than five per
cent?

The CHAIRMAN.—I do not think there is.
Mr. M`Ntcor..—As our credit is so very good, I think we
ought to have it at little less.
The CHAIRMAN.—I do not think we should be able to
get it.

- Mr. PARKER.—You are compelled to pay five per cent.
for your money—
The CHAIRMAN.—I hope we shall have to raise a sum
almost as large as the corporation of Liverpool. We shall
have occasion for it.

Mr. WOOD—The corporation of Liverpool pay only four per
cent., and they can have money to any amount. They have
something more tangible to rest upon than mere ferry profits.
Mr. LAY COCK.—One portion of their income arises from
ferry property—that of Birkenhead.
Mr. Noon.—That is a mere bagatelle.
The CHAIRMAN.—But every little helps, Mr. Wood.
Mr. Woon.How do the finances of the commissioners
of Birkenhead stand at present ? What is the debt?
The CHAIRMAN.—If we take the £35,000, it will be
£13,150, and £44,000 for the fee simple of the ferry to Mr.
Price, making a total of £77,150, a considerable portion of
which is at four per cent. The whole of Mr. Price's is.

Mr. Woon.—Then for £77,000 this township is answera-
ble for?
The (iITAIRMAN.—Yes.

Mr. LAYCOCK.—It is a very large sum for an infant com-
munity. . .

Mr. Woon.—And the payment of the interest, and the
reduction of the improvement rate is to come out of the pro-
fits of the ferry?

The CHAIR hiAN.-I have no hesitation in saving that not
only will the ferry pay the interest of the £77,000, but that
it will be found equal to the present improvement rate, or
more than that.

Mr. PARKER.—I suppose, Mr. Chairman, you have data
'or all that ?
The CH AIRM AN.—Yes.

Mr. PARKER said, it struck him as most extraordinary
that those who had the ferry before could not make it pay,
whilst the present owners found in it such a mine of wealth
that they could make all these improvements.
The CHAIRMAN said that men began well who did not go
on in the same way. This was the case with the Woodside
ferry.
Mr. Woo]) said the Woodside ferry paid 25 per cent. the
first year it was established, but what had it done since?
The CIIAIRMAIV.—Go on ! Anything more ? (Hear.)