BIRKENHEAD DOCKS.

1PREPARATIONS FOR LAYING T EIE FOUN DATIUN sCoNs. It could not be expected that so great nn impfttan an event, conmected with the future history nud prosperilt: ,, of Birkenhead, as the laving of the foundation Stole eW io the new dockr, would be ailowed to pans ovcr withou ' some great display of public feeling; and staps were rVc cordingly taken to secure to all classes of the commuiit2 the meas of enjoyment. A public meeting was callct for the purpose of raisi ra fund with which to provid, o the workisen and labourers of the townsiliij nut ony hii with creature comforts, but aiso to secure to tliem a ho! - i dat anth i r wages for tle day, an act of lienrifitr !eu rarely if neverwitnesoed in public deProvistiinnts of' th t sme 1br sTo this cluid W. Jacknon, Esq. cud . Ptotter, Eag. ecccl liberally contribute1 tire iandTrIv n sum of £25d0 ether geintlemetn of the township sulbecil ed in propioflrtion until the fund at the disptosl of the cut ltv mittee exceeded a 2000. Contracts were then enterer into with tOre tradesmen for tIh e supply of beef and Itreat to the poor people, fin pieces and leaves of fr'si four ti werit pouinds ach, accorditog to the number of the italil? u and the nece'sities of the rocipierlts. Provision wth alm s tv moce for suipplying the children coanected with tit TarioUS public schiolq in the township with bns I *' frnt, rid, in fact, the arrainenmets to make the vdy ie. every respect a general holday amioniget tr poor ue i most Complete. Tue prepurraiitrns for the banquet, to which invitationt w oere sued vtoupivards of 200 of tie nout diptirgiiied to gentlemen of tlhe County, were also upon the mrost ex- ia tenliive seitle.. 'lre hirge fngine room at the Chester aind Birkenhcad Railway S ation, Granee-flle. was fitted up as THEi' DINING H00OM, which presente tilhe most dazzling aird splendid appearance. Nofhit, c-twid lie msare imnpos-ig than the view eon eniteriring The place is 140 feet lone by 40 in width. AlOvr it r four rows of tabl, t trontle I outside being in t te form of a semicircle. Tho warlle i m ~vere hng wit orlasi, yellow, and bitre dralpery, cliii wreaths of flowers, evergieens, &c., in great profusion, 'i were suspendedl from the roof and round the shIes of the buildithgs i The recesses represented Roman arches, stirrounded by variegated Romain teutrian, Niid, upos' tie rt centre, I tl vases, filled with s'eeacented floivers, wereiplaed Tle seats and tables were covered with crimson Cloth. eBird the chairmut'h seat, ond ert ar: side of it, were two lar'2e Stars in gaslight, and behiud the vice-chaiirmitn was ai large revolving device, also in gas. Over tire centre dour was ii crowen brilliantly liltuminated, ant beneath it the letters V. u. Splend ,, richly-gilt chandeliers were suspended from the rost.f, crystal Spangles glittered in...