BIRKENHEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Birkenhead Borough Council was held on Thursday evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr. Alex. Keyes), Councillors P. A. Pitt, Jas. Gilbert, C. E. Campbell, E. G. Skeates, John Hadfield, Thos. Church, Tom Hadfleld, and Wm. Wallace.

Compensation Claim.—A letter was re-' ceived from Mr. T. O. Gilbert, stating that he was willing to accept the sum of £130 (without prejudice) in full satisfaction of any claim be may have against the Council in connection with the strip of land taken from his property under the Public Works Act for road reconstruction purposes on the Main-road. Referred to a sub-committee, consisting of the Mayor, Councillors Campbell and Gilbert.

Pine Trees.—Mr. Small, Vermont-road, wrote asking the Council to cut back or cut down altogether the trees growing on Vermont-road. He considered, as the Council had decided to send out final notices to owners re overhanging trees, they should first set their own house In order, lteferred to Committee.

Kerbing and Channelling.—Tbe resolution passed some time back deciding .to kerb and channel the Main-road from the approach to the wharf to Clow's corner, in concrete, w<s rescinded, and it was decided to substitute a stone kerbing with 12 inches of concrete channel, having a stone pitcher on the outside.

Main-road Improvements.—lt was decided to accept the offer of Mr. J. W. Brown to contribute the sum of £20 toward tbe cost of the work, and in full satisfaction of his claim for the work required to be done on his frontage in connection -with the Main-road improvements.

Storm Water. —A committee, consisting of Councillors Kay, Hadfleld, and Wallace, was appointed to arrange with Messrs. Keymer and Watford re storm water on the Birkdalc-road.

Width of Footpaths.-—On tbe motion of the Mayor and Councillor Gilbert, the resolution fixing the width of footpaths at 12 feet was rescinded, r.s far as it relates to the Main-road, the w-.ath for the Mainroad being fixed at 10 feet, which was considered necessary, so as to give as much room as possible on the roadway. In view of the possibility of trams being introduced in the near future.

KerlnmatioD near Wharf.—On the motion of Councillors Skeates and Gilbert, tho Town Clerk was Instructed to write to the Harbour Board, asking upon what terms they would be prepared to lease to the Council the new reclamation at Birkenhead for, say, 20 years, with the right of renewal, to be used as a nubile reserve, and that a committee consisting of Councillors Gilbert. Skeates, r.nfl Wallace attend at the meeting of the Board in support of the application. Tree Planting, etc. —On the motion of Councillor Skontcs. a committee, consisting of Councillors Kay. T. Hadfield and Campbell, were appointed a committee to report to the Council at its ne*t meeting, the best means of covering the banks and cuttings nt the approach to the wharf with veircrrttlon. and also advise as to what should be done to tho land leased from Mr. Arthur Mvers for If) years ("known as the slin>. with a view to having tree and hedge-plan*. Ing done and grasses and climbers planted In the proper season.

Permanent Crossings.—Mr. H. H. Metcalfe (Borough Engineer) reported that he j estimated the cost of the proposed per- ! manent crossings at £5 each, If undertaken when the kerbing and channelling is being done, otherwise it will cost considerably more. The Town Clerk was Instructed to write to those persons likely to require a crossing, as to their requirements.