The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-04-08 00:00:00

LOCAL NE

Liverpool has during the last fortnight almost resembled
a garrison town, from the numbers of soldiers of various
regiments in its streets, in their route from Scotland and
Ireland to Portsmouth, where the reinforcements for India
are collecting.
SHEFFIELD AND MANCHESTER RAILWAY.—TO author-
ize the making of a branch line from Penistone to the North
Midland Railway.

We have noticed a long article of abuse in the Railway
Times against the Thames Haven Company, which, as it is
euidently libellous, is likely to form the subject of legal de-
cision, we shall notice no further than to state, that we have
authority to deny all its allegations; and we certainly do not
envy our contemporary his appetite for these personal attacks.
Another meeting is about to be held here on the subject of
the Thames Haven Dock and Railway, at which the charges
will be fully rebutted.
LUNE SALMON.—This delectable Fish, formerly con-
signed to an Agency at Preston, is now regularly transmitted,
immediately on its leaving the water, to JOSEPH NEWTON'S
Wholesale and Retail Fish Establishment, 14, St. John's
Fishmarket, so that the nobility, gentry, and the public in
general, may now obtain fresh Lune Salmon (equal, if not
superior, to thaj of the river Severn) three hours after it is
taken out of its native element. No other person will be
able to supply the public with Salmon equally fresh, as
JOSEPH NEWTON is the sole lessee of the Skerton and Lune
Salmon Fishery. Crimped Salmon to order, at the shortest
possible notice.
MR. TEMPLETON'S CONCERT.—We perceive by the ad-
vertisement, that this celebrated vocalist has announced his
concert at the Music-hall, Bold-street, on Wednesday next,
and that he has succeeded in securing the powerful aid of
Miss Delcy, of the Theatre Royal, Drury-lane. The delight
with which we listened to these distinguished vocalists last
season, during their short engagement at the Theatre Royal
here, leads us to anticipate a still richer treat, from the
variety which a concert-room affords. We understand that
the Music-hall is about to undergo considerable alterations
for the occasion. Mr. Templeton has fixed the price of ad-
mission at a rate suitable to the times, and we have no doubt
the public will avail themselves of the opportunity. We
wish him a bumper.
LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER RAILWAY.—The follow-
ing notice of an intended application to Parliament in the next
Session has appeared in the London Gazette " to enable the
Liverpool and Manchester Railway Company to alter, extend
and enlarge the said railway, and the iunnel, and station,
and works belong thereto, or connected therewith, situate on
the easterly side of Lime-street, in the parish of Liverpool,
in the county of Lancaster, and for that purpose to take and
purchase all or any of the lands, houses, and buildings situate
at the back or east side of the said Lime-street station, arid
lying between the same and Hotham-street (lately called
Duncan-street), and Gloucester-street, and L :i-d Nelson-
street (lately called Great Neison-street), all in Liverpool
oforsaid." Also (a second application) to " alter, amend,
explain, repeal, enlarge, and render more effectual," some
of the provisions of existing acts. Likewise (a third appli-
cation) to authorise the Store-street junction in Manchester,
of which so much has been said in the newspapers.

THE ABDUCTION CASE.—The London Times of Wednes-
day has the following paragraph relative to this case :—"Since
the prisoners were remanded on Friday last, inquiries have
been made at Gretna-green as to the circumstances of the
marriage of Miss Crellin to The conspirators, it
appears, posted the whole way from Lancaster to Carlisle.
At every change of horses spirits were ordered, of which
Miss Crellin, who was in a state bordering on delirium, was
made is partake. The continued doses of liquor all along
the road had the effect of rendering her quite frantic before
the party reached Carlisle, and to deceive the innkeepers,
who noticed her condition, they geve out that she was a
rich lady in a state of lunacy, whom they were conveying to
an asylum in Scotland, Quick saying that he was the medical
man in charge of her. She is described as having raved and
cried out that she wanted to go home. As soon as the con-
spirators reached Gretna-green dinner was ordered, and the
" priest " invited to be of the party.' Ile declined, however,
but joined them after dinner, and drank several glasses of
spirit. Miss Crellin being in the state which may be supposed
from the drugging she had undergone during the journey
from Liverpool to Gretna-green, and the " priest " well pre-
pared for the due celebrationr of the ceremony from the po•
tations he had imbibed with the conspirators after dinner,
the marriage was performed. What followed the evidence
already published has shown to our readers. The " priest "
has, we hear, refused to come to Liverpool as a witness
against the prisoners; significantly remarking, that before he
once went on a trial to England, he had received " saxty
sovereigns doors in his haun." Both he and his family were
extremely close when they understood that criminal poceed-
ings had been commenced against the conspirators, and that
the object of the inquiries was to obtain evidence in support
of the prosecution."
MEETING OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE.—At the weekly
meeting of the dock committee, which was held yesterday,
the following members were present:—Messrs. Sands (chair-
man), Barclay, Holt, Middleton, Holmes, Smith, Molyneux,
.Mellor, Tobin, Martin, Evans, and Nicol. The sub-com-
mittee of works recommended that Canning Graving Dock
should be permanently repaired. Mr. Holmes understood
that this had been ordered before. The Chairman said it
had ; but it had been found necessary to reconsider it. Some
doubt had arisen in the mind of the surveyor whether it would
be proper to do it : now he had given it as his opinion that
it would, and that it ought to be done permanently. The
reommendation was then adopted.—The sub-committee for
the department of the marine surveyors recommended that
the North Star, Crosby light ship, which had been two years
on the station, should be brought into dock about the middle
of next month, in order to be examined and cleaned : the
Queen, light-ship, to be sent to the station in her place.
Agreed to.—The same sub-committee also reported that se-
veral of the buoys had been knocked from their stations, and
sunk, on which account they recommended that six new ones
to be constructed, one of which should be made of plate iron,
as an experiment. Mr. Tobin : I will have nothing to do
with that. 1 dare say you will put me down as a very obsti-
nate fellow for it ; but I cannot help that. The Chairman :
You see the sub-committee have had great consideration for
your opinions, for they have only recommended one out of
six. (Laughter.) After some further remarks, the six buoys
were ordered as recommended.—The sub-committee for the
department of the harbour-masters presented a report from
the north harbour-masters of the number of stages used in
the northern division of the docks during the past quarter.
Mr. Holmes asked what had been the receipts from this
source? The Chairman referred Mr. Holmes for information
to the treasurer.—Messrs. Duncan and Ewing requested some
alterations to be made in their yard, near Brunswick Dock,
al the expense of the committee. After some conversation,
the committee desired the applicants to be informed that they
must make the alterations at their own expense, as Mr.
Challoner had done.—An application from John Roberts,
keeper of the telegraph station in Chapel-street, for an in-
crease of salary (having now only £7O per annum), was re-
ferred to the committee for the marine surveyors' department.
—A letter from the American consul, upon the subject of the
mode of measuring foreign vessels for dock dues, and repre-
senting that American vessels were measured contrary to the
treaty of 1815 with that country, was reconsidered, and re-
ferred to the solicitor.—Mr. Mellor then gave notice that, at
the next meeting, he should move that the resolution of the
committee to build the intended new light vessel of iron,
should be reconsidered; after which the committee separated.
THE ABDUCTION CASE—COPELAND'S APPREHENSION.
We give, in another column, a report of the examination rela-
tive the obtaining money under false pretences, by Copeland
from Miss Crellin. The circumstances under which his ar-
rest was effected may interest the public. It appears that
when Inspector Campbell went to the house, No. 90, Vine-
street, he took an officer with him, and knocked at the front
door. While he was in the act of knocking he heard the
sound of male voices in the parlour. A female opened the
door, and immediately he proceeded into the parlour, where
he found a man (but not the man of whom he was in search)
a female, and a child. He searched about the room without
effect, and having taken the precaution of placing the officer
who accompauied him at the front door to prevent the egress
of the party, he proceeded up stairs, where lie instituted a vi-
gorous search, but without effect. On returning down stairs,
the female who opened the door said she thought the indivi-
dual he wanted was in the parlour. Accordingly, he went
into the latter room a second time, and searched under the
sofa, the tables, and other furniture, but, as before, without
effect. He then , observed a small pantry or cup-
board, in a corner of a room, and on searching
the door of it, found that it had been locked upon the in-
side, and that the key had been left in the lock. He
asked to have it immediately opened, but the parties refused
to do so, and demanded his authority for searching the pre-
mises. He admitted that he had not a search warrant in his
possession, but said that by virtue of his office he possessed
the necessary authority for the purpose. The parties having
still, however, refused to do as they had been ordered, the
inspector despatched the officer at the door for Mr. Wliitty,
the head-constable, who proceeded to the place without
delay. Mr. Whitty then requested of the parties to open
the door, but they continued to refuse, and again demanded
by what authority the head constable presumed to search
their premises. Mr. Whitty informed them of the nature of
his office, and of the powers intrusted to him thereby, but
finding that further parley was not likely to he attended with
the desired effect, he was proceeding to break open the door,
when a voice from the inside told him to desist from the
attempt, and that he (the party within) would mien the door
himself. Mr. Whitty immediately desisted : the door was
then .unlocked, and forthwith walked the redoubtable Mr.
Copeland. The unfortunate fellow appeared pale and ghastly,
and to have indulged rather freely in intoxicating drink. He
asked the charge upon which Mr. Whitty was arresting him,
and was told that it, was for having obtained £250 from Miss
Crellin, under fraudulent circumstances. He then drank off
a quantity of gin to give an additional excitation to his spi-
rits, and was subsequently removed in a coach to Bridewell,
where he arrived about twelvo o'clock.

CHESTER Assints.—The asaizes for the county of Ci,ester
commenced ,on Atopday. There were ninety prisoner ~ for
trial, and the cause list contains an entry of twenty- Ihrec

PROPERTY ON SALE.-It will be seen from Mr. Will
advertisement, that he has very eligible and extensiv

_
perty on sale.
We refer our readers to Mr. Thompson's announcement, in
another page, in which he holds out great advantages to those
desirous of obtaining proficiency in the art of penmanship.

We have seen several who have been under his 'tuition, who
gratefully acknowlege the benefits of his system.

LENGTHS OF CARTAGE.-4 publication which is adver-
tised elsewhere had just been published, showing the various
lengths of cartage in this town. We. have bad no opportunity
of testing its accuracy, but have understood that it is correct.
The Britannia, Captain Hewitt, 'royal mail steam• ship,
left Liverpool, on Tuesday, with the mails for Canada and
the United States, which were under the charge of Lieut.
Roberts, R.N. She had about 50 passengers. The Britan-
nia during her stay has been newly painted and decorated,
and, under the excellent management of the agents, Messrs.
M'lver and Co., has been put to sea in the most perfect and
beautiful condition.

AMPHITHEATRE.—Our space has been so occupied of late
that we have not been able to find room for a notice of the
clever equestrian company now performing at this theatre.
Taken altogether, this company is superior to any now esta-
blished in this country, it is equal to Ducrow's in his best
days. There is a great deal of novelty in the performances.
Mr. Sands appears an extremely talented artiste. The horses
are very beautiful. The humour of the clowns frequently
creates risibility. We shall notice the performances in our
next.

THE Sour HOUSES.—Number of quarts of soup made at
Pickop-street from December 24th, 1811, to March 31st,
1842

Ditto at Flint•street from December 24th, 1841, to IVlrcli

-----____ ..—.
22C1 , 1842 ....
120,720
Ditto at Gill-street from December 24th, 1841, to March
22d,. 1842 . -1,376
Total

The attention of our readers is directed to the following
communication, addressed to Messrs. ROWLAND and SON,
20, Hatton-garden, London, whose advertisement appears in
another column :—Leicester, April 6, 1839.—Gentlemen,—
About two years ago I lost all my hair in consequence of a
fever, so that I was obliged to wear a wig, and being of an
advanced age and subject to. head-ache, I felt great inconve-
nience from the misfortune. In this state of things many of
my friends proposed to me divers remedies, none of which,
however, had any effect; but at last I was induced to try
your MACASSAIL OIL, which in a short time quite restored
my locks, so that I have now a remarkably good head of hair
for one of my declining 'years.—l am, gentlemen, your most
indebted and obedient servant, Wm. SHEPPARD.

CONSUMPTION or SMOKE.—At the Usual. monthly mete-
ing of the commissioners at Birmingham, on Monday last, the
committee appointed on this subject reported that they had
inspected the steam chimney of Mr. Clifford's mill, in Faze-
ley-street, to which the patent of Mr. Williams, of Liver-
pool, had been applied with a view of consuming the. smoke
from the furnace, and they were perfectly satisfied of the
utility of the plan, and its efficacy in accomplishing all that
was required. The committee also referred to two letters
wnich they had received in reference to Mr. Williams's inven-
tion from Messrs. Sharp, Roberts, and Co., of Manchester,
and Mr. Nicholas Knight. of Liverpool, which they requested
might be entered on the minutes. These letters stated that
the plan had been adopted with the most complete success, di-
minishing the consumption of coal, increasing the quantity of
steam, and at the same time reducing ,the amount of manual
labour.

SIR HOWARD DOUGLAS.—On Wednesday the Queen
held a court, and an investiture of the most honourable mi-
litary Order of the Bath, at Buckingham Palace. The
following Knights Grand Crosses of the Order of the Bath
assembled and were robed by Mr. Hunter, in their Mantles
and Collars, viz, :—the Duke of Wellington, Sir George
Cockburn, Lord'Hetesbury, and Sir George Murray. The
Knights, preceded by the officers, passed into the picture-
gallery, where they were met by his Royal Highness the
Duke of Sussex, Acting Grand :Master of the Order, and,
having been called over, proceeded to the presence of the
Sovereign, in the Throne-room, with the usual reverences.
Her Majesty was accompanied by bis Royal Highness Prince
Albert, both wearing the collar' and mantle of the Order.
Then, by her. Majesty's command, Lieut.-General Sir How-
ard Douglas, Bart., was introduced between the two junior
Knights Grand Crosses present, preceded by Bath King of
Arms, bearing the riband, badge, and star of the Order,
upon a crimson velvet cushion. Sir Howard kneeling, the
Queen was graciously pleased to put the Riband and Badge
over the Lieut.-General's right shoulder. Sir Howard,
rising, had the honour to kiss the Sovereign's hand, and
having received from her Majesty the Star of a Civil Knight
Grand Cross of the Order, withdrew. The same high ho-
nour was afterwards conferred by her Alajesty upon several
other distinguished veterans.
THE FUNDS, WEDNESDAY EVENING.—The stock-mar-
ket has been very buoyant to-day, the revenue returns having
given great satisfaction. Consols have been as high' as 904
for money, but they left off 901 to -; and for the account,
90-i to 4 ; Exchequer-bills were 355. to 375. pm. ; Bank
Stock, 166 to 7 ex. div. ; 3 per Cent. Reduced, 894 ex div. ;
ai per Cents. Reduced, 98i; New 31 per Cents, 1001; In-
dia Stock, 242 ; Long Annuities (expiring Jan. 5, 1860),
129-16. This was the first day for the private transfer of
those stocks that are about to pay a dividend. In the foreign
market there were but few transactions. Belgian left off
1031 to 10,1 i ; Brazilian, 67 to 68 ex div. ; Colombian 27 to
; Mexican, 394 to 404 ex div. ; Dutch 21 per Cents., 50 to
; 5 per Cents., 100 to 4 ex div. • Portuguese, 5 per Cents.,
354 to 64; 3 per Cents., 204 to 11 ; Spanish Actives, 25 to
4; New 3 per Cents., in which the principal business in this
house was transacted, 244 to 5.
ROBBERY OF AN ATTORNEY.—TWO females of question-
able character, who gave their names Mary O'Donnell and
Sarah Delany, were brought before Mr. Rushton, on Tues-
day, on a charge of having robbed Mr. William Barlow,
attorney, residing at Oldham, of the sum of £7O. The com-
plainant stated that he was lodging at Seacombe at present,
and that about nine o'clock on the night of Saturday last he
was on his way through Chapel-street, and when near Covent-
garden, saw several men and women standing together. One
of the women came up and took hold of his left arm. lie
pushed her aside, and went on a little distance, hut had not
proceeded far when he was pushed into a side street, and
received a blow behind his head and a smack on the face.
lie was somewhat stunned by the blow, and was a few seconds
before he recovered, but he was unable to say who had
attacked him. On his recovery he examined his pockets,
and missed his purse, which contained £35 in sovereigns and
half-sovereigns, and £35 in Bank of England notes, with the
amounts of which he was unacquainted. Information was
immediately given to officer 37, with a description of the
dress of one of the women, and subsequently the two prison-
ers were arrested, and upon their persons several of the
sovereigns were found, but the bank notes were not dis-
coverable.

WESLEY A N MISSIONARY ANNIVERSARY.—The twenty-
fifth annual meeting of the Wesleyan Missionary Society for
the Liverpool district was held on Tuesday evening at the
Brunswick Chapel. The chair was taken by Mr. Alderman
Crook. The report was read by the Rev. J. Hargreaves.
The income of this district for the past year, was stated to be
£2,463 Bs., in addition to which £207 ss. 3d. was raised by
the children as a Christmas offering. The increase in this
auxiliary for the last year, is £264 ls. 4d., exclusive of the
Christmas offering. The Rev. It. Wood, of London, moved,
and Thomas Sands Esq., seconded, the first resolution.
The Rev. W. Arthur, from India, in a very interesting and
and powerful speech, moved the second resolution, which
was seconded by T. Crook, Esq., and supported by the Rev.
R. Newton. Thanks were voted to the chairman and the
meeting adjourned. Sermons were preached at the various
chapels throughout the town on Sunday last, and the col-
lections exceeded those of previous years, being respectively
as follows :—Pitt-street Chapel,X23 ss. 3d. ; Mount Pleasant
£24 Os. ld., ; Stanhope-street, £l7 Bs. ld. ; Great Homer-
street, £lB 16s. Bd. ; Brunswic, £52 1 ls. ld. ;Total, £136
13s. 10d. After a sermon at Brunswick Chapel, on Monday
evening £l9 16s. 6d. After the meeting on Tuesday night
£ll9 4s. 2d.

" MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREANI."—To-night this fan-
ciful and exquisite play will be represented at our Theatre-
Royal,for the last time. It is a singular thing that, since it
has been played, there has not been a full house to witness
it ! It appears to us quite remarkable. Here we have beau-
tiful scenery, costly dresses, dances, songs, duets, glees, and
choruses, good actors, and every requisite to make a drama-
tic entertainment worth witnessing ; yet those who patronise
the drama actually turn their backs upon it ! Those who see
it are greatly pleased with it, if we may judge by " the loud
laughter and applause" that rings frequently through the
theatre ; yet it does not draw ! We have noticed for some
years that whatever is successful in. London is certain to
prove a failure here. " A Midsummer Night's Dream" has
been highly attractive in the metropolis, as also " The Pri-
soner of 'War." Neither seem acceptable in Williamson-
square. Can Shakspeare be at a discount? It would appear
to be the case.—ln "The Prisoner of War" Mr. Baker per-
sonates an old navy captain very cleverly. Mr. Hammond
and Miss Julia Bennett have caused much amusement by
their drollery as Peter and Polly Pallmall.—On Monday
" The Miller and his Men" is to be produced, with new
scenery, &c. This no doubt will draw.
LIVER THEATRE.—MR. RAYMOND'S BENEFIT.—The
benefit at this theatre on Tuesday night, for the fund of be-
nevolence attached to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Free-
masons of this province, was a profitable one, although the
house was not so well attended as we expected. The per-
formances went off with great eclat. The principal novelty
of the evening was the introduction by Br. Henry Dodd of
Stonehouse and Hargreaves' masonic song, " Prosper the
' Art." He sang it splendidly, and was rapturously and de-
servedly encored. Br. Thompson, provincial grand organist,
accompanied ; Messrs. Hortiby, George, and Crank assisted.
Br. Dodd, in the course of the evening, sang " The rose
shall cease to blow," which was also encored.—To-night the
Liver closes for the season. It has proved the most success-
ful, we believe, experienced for some years. The patronage
usually shown to this theatre must prove gratifying to the
management ; and as Mr. Raymond's benefit takes place
this evening, a parting manifestation of favour will be ex-
' hibited, to prove that he has not lost the good wishes of the
public. We perceive that au account of the proceedings
which are to take place at Kirkdale to-day, will be given to
the visitors of the Liver this evening. The entertainments
which comprise the bill of fare are of a very attractive and
amusing character. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond appear next
week at the Haymarket. We expect both will hit the public
hard, and become favourites.
CAUTION TO EMIGRANTS.—A respectable gentleman in
this town has handed to us the following, with a request that
we wauld insert it, as a warning to those about to emigrate
to see that the stores on board are ample and wholesome :
" The passengers on board the—[we leave the name blank
for obvious reasons] ,—froni Liverpool to Port Philip, deem
it their duty to warn all persons intending to emigrate, not
to take a passage without making personal investigations as
to the accommodations and provisions on board, as it will be
seen, from the annexed copy of a resolution, passed at a meet-
ing of cabin passengers, held on board, previous to putting
into the Cape of Good Hope to replenish, that the assertions
of owners are not to be relied on :—‘ That the provisions at
present on board are utterly insufficient, and unwholesome,
and inferior in every department, to what we positively agreed
for, and were assured by the owner were on board, on taking
our passage in Liverpool. Another resolution was to the
effect that a list of the articles deficient be drawn up, and
appended to the report of the meeting, and a copy of the pro-
ceedings be given to Captain articles deficient
are,—` water, vinegar, Mustard, katsup, and pickles, white
and brown sugar (no white on board, and the brown unfit for
use), butter and eggs, tea, cheese, hams, and bacon, prime
mess beef, potatoes and vegetables, pepper and salt, spirits,
live stock, and dried fruits.-10th January, "
EXTRAORDINARY PRODUCE OF Two JERSEY POTATOES.
In the spring of the year, a friendly contention arose at St.
butcher, as
Peter's, Thanet, between Mr. Joseph Silver, baker' of Read-
ing-street, and his neighbour, Mr. Joseph Hill,
to which should rear the greatest quantity of potatoes from
a single root. Mr. Hill planted in his garden the cuttings
of a Jersey Blue. weighing 21bs. 6oz. Mr. Silver planted
the same day, close by in the Ranelagh Gardens, at the Red
Lion, St. Peter's the cuttings of his seed potato, weighing
2lbs. 10oz., also a Jersey Blue. As a proof of what may be
effected by culture and attention, on digging up _
the produce
of both, a short time since, ort the same day, the immense
number of 332 Potatoes, weighing 1411b5., and measuring
18 gallons, was the produce of Mr. Silver's, one root yeilding
23 potatoes, weighing 15ilbs, Mr. Hill's produce was 240
potatoes,
weighing 1371b5., and measuring like his competi-
tors, 18 gallons, some weighing upwards of 21bs. each, and
one 2lbs. lloz., and being grown on the third of a perch of
ground.---Sun.

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

The monthly meeting of the town council, which was also'
the adjourned second quarterly meeting, was held on Wed-
nesday, in the town-hall, for the despatch of business. The
Mayor presided.

FINANCE COMMITT

PROCEEDINGS

The proceedings of this committee were read by the Dz-
PUTY TOWN-CLERK. It appeared from them that Mr. Loch,
the agent for the Bridgewater trust, had called the attention
of Lord Granville Somerset, chancellor of the duchy, and of
Lord Haddington, first lord of the admiralty, to the deposit
of excavations by the dock committee, from their new works,
upon the strand of the North Shore. He complained that the
effect of them would be to enlarge Puddington Bank, which it
was exceedingly desirable to remove, and suggested that some
eminent engineer should be called in to report thereon. The
committee passed resolutions to the effect that the dock com-
mittee be requested to suspend their operations in this respect
for the present ; but the request had not been complied with.
It also appeared from the proceedings, that the Birkenhead
improvement bill, which the finance committee had been in••
strutted to oppose, bad passed the House of Commons.

BIRKENHEAD IMPROVEMENT MILL

Mr. PARKER wished to be informed of the result of the
efforts of the deputation appointed to oppose the Birkenhead
improvement bill, as far as related to the Woodside Ferry ?
The Birkenhead people were satisfied that they had outwitted
the corporation.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE said, that as far as the House of
Commons was concerned, the Birkenhead commissioners had
succeeded in their wishes. The arguments of the corporation
had been of no avail. There were two points which the cor-
poration urged in opposition to the 'measure. In the first
place, they thought the rights of ferry, as defined in the bill,
might militate against the interests of the corporation, as far
as the rights of Birkenhead Ferry were concerned. The com-
missioners claimed a right of ferry both ways, ,whereas they
had no such right, and the corporation had power in the
House of Commons to set that part of the bill right. The
main objection, however, was, that it was unjust for the Bir-
kenhead commissioners to appropriate their funds to a spe-
culation such as the purchase of the 'Woodside Ferry unques-
tionably was. He thought they had no more right to specu-
late with the .public money in such an undertaking than the
corporation had to take shares in the Harrington Docks.

Tile wisdom of parliament, however, as far as the House of
Commons was concerned,, thought differently, and it was for
further consideration whether the finance oammittee should
pursue their opposition still further.
Mr. LLOYD inquired whether the Birkenhead ferry was to
be rated under the Improvement Bill ?
Mr. BOLTON said it was, as part of the property of the
township.
Mr. PARKER observed that in that case this corporation
would be in the anomalous position of promoters and op-
posers of the Imprcivement Bill.
Mr. BOLTON remarked that if the council would recollect
the committee of the House of Commons to whom the bill
was referred; they need be at no loss in accounting for the
result. There was a feeling hostile to Liverpool whenever
a Cheshire committee met; and when it was stated that the
Birkenhead Improvement Bill was referred to a Cheshire
committee, no one could be surprised at the issue.
ELEVATION OF HOUSES IN FALKNER-SQUARE.
Some conversation took place between Mr. Alderman
EARLE, Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE, and Mr. PROCTOR, con-
cerning the adoption of a reduced elevation for some houses
in Falkner•square by the Finance Committee, but no motion
was made on the subject.

BILLS BEFORE PARLIAMENT,

Mr. BIRKETT inquired when prints of the bills now before
parliament, as amended, would be placed in the hands of the
council for consideration ?
The TOWN-CLERK said it was not the parliamentary course
to reprint a bill, except by leave of the house, till the bill had
gone through committee.
Mr. BIRKETT observed that, by the new standing orders,
the promoters were bound to deposit a reprint of their bill,
as amended, seven days before going into committee.
The TOWN-CLERK, in reply, said that was true; but the
standing orders required the original bill and the amend-
ments to be lodged in manuscript., It was only till after the
bill had gone through committee that a reprint could be had
of it. At the same time, there could be no objection to any
amended bill being placed in the Town-hall for the inspection
of the members of the council.

STATE OF THE STREETS.
Mr. Alderman EARLE wished to call the particular atten-
tion of the Finance Committee to the state of the streets.
On a former occasion he had endeavoured to get the paving
board placed under the council, because if that were so, he
was sure the streets would he maintained in much better
order than they were ; and as the council paid a large sum of
money for the repairing of streets, they were in duty bound
to see that those streets, particularly the great thoroughfares,
were not suffered to remain in their present state. There
was London-road, from Russell-street to Lime-street, there
was Mount Pleasant, there was Leece-street, from thechurch
to the new road in Berry-street, there was Brownlow-hill, and
last of all Lord-street itself, in all of which there never was
such execrable pavements anywhere as were to be found in
those streets. They were disgraceful to the town, and he
hoped therefore that the Finance Committee would direct
their surveyor to examine them. No experiments were ever
made in Liverpool with the view of endeavouring to improve
the public pavements as in London ; indeed experiments
were made in every great town in the kingdom except Liver-
pool. Certainly a trifling experiment had been once made
opposite the Athenaeum ; the pavement then put down had
never been removed to this day, and he believed it was good
still.

. Mr. JAMES LAWRENCE was rather surprised at the at-
tack made by the worthy alderman upon the Paving Board,
because wherever the corporation had any paving work to
do, they were very glad to apply to the Paving Board to do
it for them. If he would attend the board himself he would
soon see that he knew nothing about the subject.
Mr. Alderman EARLE.—I judge from having seen them.
Mr. JOHN HOLMES recommended Mr. Earle to apply
to the vestry for an increased rate before he ventured upon
making these complaints. The Highway Board were in debt ;
and they had always spent their funds in the best possible
way.

Mr. Alderman EARLE.—Then we ought to spend more.
Mr. PROCTOR said the Finance Committee had nothing to
do with the works of the Highway Board.
Mr. BIRKETT was by no means surprised that Mr. Alder-
man Earle should have made this attack upon the Highway
Board ; but he ought to have given notice of his intention of
doing so. Considering that there were twelve members of
the council, one of whom was the chairman of that board,
common courtesy should have suggested to him the propriety
of giving notice of his intention.

Mr. EArtLE.—I will take a lesson from Mr. Birkett in the
art of politeness, and in future I will give notice. (Laughter.)
Mr. GLADSTONE was glad that Mr. Earle had mentioned
this subject, for he was quite sure the streets were not in the
state they ought to be. The only remedy was to bring them
before the notice of the public.
Mr. Alderman EARLE.—I did it with that view.
Mr. GLADSTONE, in continuation, said that what the
Chairman of the Paving Board (Mr. John Holmes) had
stated was true : they wanted money to carry on improve-
ments, and they were also in debt; but at the same time he
(Mr. Gladstone) contended that they were proceeding upon
a wrong principle. Most of the streets that Mr. Earle had
named were not safe for people on horseback. He confessed
he did not want to see legislation in favour of one class or
another ; but he must say, that nine-tenths of the streets of
Liverpool were not safe. He hoped that some material
change would soon be made.

Mr. Alderman EARLE said his object was answered by this
discussion.

The proceedings of the committee were then confirmed