The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1901-07-03 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

PEOPLE ARE SAYING.  That although the Town Council meeting to-day hardly promises any sensational discussions, several subjects of interest and importance will be dealt with. Among these the intimation of the Ferries Committee regarding Messrs. Jenkins Brothers' claim may give rise to a question or two. This subject has been long in suspense, and it will certainly be well if it can be settled on fair terms without a fight in the courts of law— a process always expensive. That advertising on the electric tramcars has at length received the approval of the Tramways Committee. Why this souice of revenue should not be available the ratepayers have long been wondering. It should, however, be managed judiciously, and with some regard to artistic considerations and to fitness. Those advertisements on the workmen's tram tickets have not been forgotten.  That there are rivals in the market for the supply of electric lighting. The Corporation, which is offering to do business in tius article with, certain out-townships, finds another trader in the fleld. Offers on the subject have been made to the Wirral Rural Council both by Birkenhead and Lower Bebington, and at Monday's meeting these were dealt with. Its approval of the a—nlicatiou was refused to Birkenhead for a provisional order to supply Prep.lon, on the sufficient ground that Brenton had refused to be supplied. An application from Lower Bebington, on the other hand, for a provisional order to supply Spital on equal terms with Lower Bebington itself was consented to.  That in educational matters Birkenhead is not in the awkward dilemma in which many large towns have found themselves. The withdrawal of the Education Bill does not affect the School Board's evening continuation classes in the slightest degree;and even though the single clause in the Bill enaUling municipal bodies and county councils to give authority to school boards to carry on the classes should fall be ore the . strong opposition which is threatened, the evening schools of Birkenhead will not be disturbed, as that possibility is provided for by the friendly arrangement between the Corporation and the School Board, whereby the latter is to be indemnified out of the corporate funds in the event ot a surcharge being made regarding the expenditure on the illegal evening classes. No similar arrangement between the conflicting authorities has been entered into elsewhere, so that for once, at any rate, Birkenhead can claim to have an easy lead over all the municipalities in the kingdom. That Colonel J. U. Cunningham, the indeialigablc non, colonel of the let Volunteer Batimion Cinshire Regiment, has suffered disappointment, and has been relating the • story of me woes in the columns of the tender-hearted "Spectator." He tried to formulate a rifle range for the use of his corps. • Influenced and encouraged by the success • of Dr. Conan Doyle'a miniature rifle club at Hindhead, he attempted to start one here on eimilar lines. He found member* easily enough, and even funds; but landownere were reluctant to let the necessary ground, even at a fair rental.  That even this was overcome; but a more formiilable obstacle to success remained, namely. tile inaction of the War Office. When Colonel Cunningham was in a position to sing "We've got the men, we've got the range, we've got the money too," the authorities could not be aroused to give the i required consent. After waiting in vain for la reply to his application, Colonel Cunningham gives vent to his feelings. And he actually seems surprised that the War Office—after all the practice it has had— is such an adept in the art of how not to do things properly, at the proper time. That changes are taking place among the, local volunteers. Captain H. C. V. Bielby has retired from the lit V.B. Obeshire Regiment. He has been an active officer, rendering services in the statistical department and in shooting arrangements. He was the hon. secretary of the Cheshire Rifle Association. The Engineers are about to lose the services of Colonel Savage, whose term as commander is expiring. It 18 not noprobable Major Brownridge will before long resign his position as adjutant in favour of Captain Hutchinson, who nu in ohargo of the service section which lately returned from the front.  That the annual sports in Birkenhead Park in connection with the Hospitals Demonstration were better favoured in regard to weather than the demonstration itself was. The attendance at the outset was so small that in some quarters a failure Was predicted. However, these gloomy anticipations were destined not to he realised. ' That the retirement of Mr. Stephen : Willissuson from the firm of which he was senior partner has just been announced. In conjunction with the late Mr. Alexander Balfour, he founded the house of Balfour. Williamson, and Co. just fifty years ago. For a time he sat in the House of Commons for the Kilmarnock Burghs. hi commerce he has won a distinguished position; and he has long been honourably identified with public and philanthropic movements in Wirral and elsewhere.  That the Hamilton-square P.S.A., in conjunction with members of the late Men's Meeting at Brunswick Church, have organised what promises to be a first-rate picnic for Saturday next. The starteog, with  its procession of cyclists, will be a brilliant spectacle. Barnston Dale is the place of destination. The Rev. S. Gamble-Walkr and Mr. Walker have bc,.11 invited, and their presence will be a gratifizutioa to many of their friends and admilers. That Dthel Billington, who joined with another girl in an attempt to commit suicide at Seacombe on the 4th of June, pleaded guilty to the offence at Chester Quarter Sessions on Monday. Her companion, it will be remembered, drowned herself, and this girl was found in a state of partial collapse in the street. Sir Horatio Lloyd, the chairman of the Quarter Sessions, said there did not seem to be anything in the mental condition of the girls to account for their conduct. He had a talk with the prisoner in private, and she expressed her willingness to go into a Roman Catholic home. That the other day two gentlemen were near the top of Argyle-street South, when they met a lady who asked them to direct her to "Pearson's Folly." Being close by the classic spot one of them pointed to A, saying, "This, madam, is Pearson's Folly." The lady turned round, and in doing so stumbled and fell over the double curb, whereupon the gentleman,while helping her to rise, remarked, " Yes, madam, it is Pearson's Folly," and there was just the least possible emphasis on the last word.  That the wife of a certain well-known and popular Town Councillor startled her husband the other day by telling him she had discovered the cause of the singular uprising of the wood blocks in Claughton-road. Being questioned, she said they were evidently anxious to see if there was any sign of the tramways coming. Their anxiety as to this is quite human.