The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1845-01-28 00:00:00

Jan. 28, 184.5. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS On Wednesday a special meeting of the council was held, to consider the bill to be brought into parliament next session to amend the Dock Acts, and which pro posed to enact— " That all those acts (except where altered by the pro posed act) and the proposed act shall be construed as one act. " That if goods deposited in the transit sheds shall not, within 48 hours from the day on which the same shall have been deposited therein (exclusive of Sunday, &c., and any holiday observed at the Custom-house), be duly entered with the Customs, and forthwith passed by the landing-waiter, it shall be lawful for the trustees on the next day (not bei,g Sunday, &c.) to cause such goods to be entered, and to obtain a Customs order for delivery, so that the same may be passed by the landing-waiter. And that after the Customs order for delivery shall have been obtained, the goods shall cease to be considered as still on board the vessel, and shall be at the risk, costs, and charges of the owner or consignee thereof. " That the trustees may employ persons to weigh or measure and pass through the scale the said goods, and to perform any work requisite or necessary with reference to such goods, and make a reasonable charge fur the same. And may retain the goods as security for payment of the duties, and of the said charges ; and also, on notice so to do, for the freight due thereon : provided that the owner or consignee of the goods may employ any persons he may think proper for the purposes aforesaid. " That no goods so entered shall be liable to seizure or forfeiture by reason of unintentional inaccuracy in the entry thereof." After a brief discufsion, those several clauses were or dered to stand part of the bill. The TOWN -CLERK said the next clause recited the mode in which the Albert Dock warehouses had been construct ed, and proposed to enact— " That the present construction of these warehouses shall not be considered as being at variance with the provisions of the former dock act. Provided that the same warehouses shall not exceed four stories in height besides the ground-floor or quay, with vaults or cellars under the same • and provided that the surface of the quay over %chid , the said warehouses are erected shall be reserved as a public quay, subject only to the general re gulations of the docks." _ _ Mr. HARBORD called upon the Chairman of the Dock Committee to explain what the working machinery of this clause would be, so as it might appear that the warehouse owners were not anxious to throw any vexatious impecli- He believed the Albert warehouses ments in the way. were erected contrary to the provisions of the act. Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE said that, in asking the council to adopt the clause, it would be necessary to offer an ex planation ; and he hoped that when Mr. Harbord's turn came to reply, that gentleman would be equally explicit, and give the council the views and intentions of the ware house owners. In dealing with the question, so far as he was concerned, he repudiated all influence, internal or external, in the course he was about to take. The ware house owners were composed of all grades and degrees of political opinion ; but the question was not a political one. It resolved itself into this—how far the use of the Albert Dock warehouses should be impeded or extended to the public accommodation and the advantage of the port. It would be unnecessary to go over the ground as to any compact entered into between the Dock Trustees and the warehouse owners as to the building of the Albert Ware houses : it would be merely necessary to state that, after a severe struggle, warehouses were to be built for the accommodation of the port, that they were restricted to certain designs and plans, and that those plans had, to a certain extent, been deviated from. He might assume that there was a deviation, for it was matter of fact and noto iety. The Dock Committee, in carrying out the plans, were restricted by th e ac t o f par li ament ; but they altered their plans, and, instead of making more extensive warehouses than now existed, they afforded the public less accommodation, by the first deviation, to an extent of about 127,000 cubical yards. This showed that the ware house owners were not the injured parties, and that the Dock Trustees had not been grasping and aiming at some thing to which they were not entitled; for they might have gone much greater lengths if they chose, and in the end it would be seen that the merchant was the injured party, by being deprived of the accommodation to which he was entitled, and which he might have had if the ori ginal act were carried out. The Dock Committee were now in this position :—the warehouses had been con structed and advanced so far that it would be very incon venient to make any alteration. The deviation that was now going on was in making what WPS technically called the halt-deck floor, that was, a floor which was over that part of the space that was kept as open quay space. Now, this was objected to ; and the design of the present was to prevent any interference hereafter, and to enable the committee to carry out the act of parliament as strictly as possible as it now existed. The object now was, that the half-deck floor the grieved to state it) was to be left unfinished for the present—that was to say, that the beams, rafters, and binders should remain where they were, and that the articles should not be constructed until some future day, when the trustees might have power to make the floor—the floor in the meantime remaining un covered, and totally unavailable for warehouse purposes. The object, as lie had said, was to secure the Dock Trus tees from any intervention hereafter. The question re duced itself at present to a question of law, for, in con sequence of the deviation, any parties—the warehouse owners, the Wallasey commissioners, or any ratepayer— might apply to the Lord Chancellor for an injunction to restrain the proceedings of the committee, in which case the working of the docks might be delayed for a year and a half or two years. Therefore, to choose the lesser of two evils, he deemed this to be the best course—to ask the council to adopt the clause now submitted, to deprive the Albert Warehouses of their fifth or half-deck floor, and to restrain parties from using the back part of the quays for warehouse accommodation. He really felt grieved that he should have to ask anything which militated against the port, but he had no other course open to him, for even if the warehouse owners came forward and said " You may make the floor," still that would be no gua rantee to the Dock Committee against any factious indi vidual who might go for an injunction, and plenty of men would be found to do so. Now, for the satisfaction of the public and the council, it might be necessary to make a few remarks as to the parties to blame in this matter. It had been said that the committee were now coming forward to seek an alteration of plans which had received the sanction of the Dock Committee and council. He regretted to state that this was not so ; for, after a dili gent search, he found that there was no specific sanction of the fifth floor. He charged the parties of a former day, who had the carrying out of the plans and the alter ing of them, with a great dereliction of duty, so far as the merchants were concerned, in not affording that body the accommodation to which they were entitled by the act. The area of the warehouses, taken inside the walls, ac cording to the parliamentary plan, contained 27,136 square yards. The area taken inside the walls, according to the present construction, contained 18,395 square yards, showing a clear loss of 8,741 square yards which the merchants of the port had a right to expect. This mul tiplied bj four, for four floors, gave a total loss of ware house area equal to 34,964 square yards, which deducted by 4,832, the area of the half-deck floor, gave a net loss of warehouse area to the extent of 30,132 square yards. As the Dock Committee were now about to abandon the half-deck floor, by the clause now submitted, the original loss of 34,964 square yards would still remain. He stated this to show that there had been a great omission in not making the warehouses of the prescribed limits, and also to show the degree of unreasonableness that existed on the part of the warehouse owners in interfering with the present plans. To make the calculations intelligible, he would state the loss in cubical yards, which would be better understood, and more generally appreciated by the merchants. According to the original plan, if carried out, the cubical capacity of th e f our fl oors would be 357,290 y ar d s. Their capacity according to the present plan was 229,938 yards, showing a loss of stowage room equal to 127,352 yards, or a loss in accommodation of stowage of nearly 130,000 tons. The cubical capacity to be gained by the half-deck floor would have been 10,870 yards. Therefore the warehouse owners were stepping in to prevent the granting of 10,870 yards, although the Dock Committee had previously abandoned no fewer than 127,352 cubical yards. This, he was aware, cut two ways. It conveyed a severe censure on those who were to have carried out the Parliamentary plans, and who threw away so large an amount of space, and also for not having the direct consent and sanction of the Dock Committee and Council for the deviations which they made ; and at the same time it conveyed a censure upon the warehouse owners, who stepped in to deprive the public of the paltry accommodation of the half-deck floor, after what had been abandoned. He thought the merchants had strong grounds of complaint, and that they would be justified in taking up the matter in any way they deemed proper. Threatened as they were with rivalry over the water and in Manches ter, it was the duty of the town that everything should be devised and carried into effect which could render Liver pool not only an available but an attractive port by the lowness of its charge s . So far as he was concerned, he should rejoice to see warehouses round every dock in the town when that could be done with convenience; but he wt's not prepared to say thrit • ..... .wandLtb/CM now arrived at. He was delight --.., .......... woina have those ware- ed to find that his fears were vain, because the result was noos es tind er dock management, until be had experience such an excellent reply to the rebukes and reproofs which of the success or failure of the Albert Docks in the first had been showered upon the warehouse interest. Ad ipstance. Re then acknowledged the receipt of a resolu- mirably had that interest behaved on the present occa tion from the warehouse owners; adopted at a meeting at sion ! Where was their love of pocket now ? They bad which Mr. A lderman Bushby presided, in which they ex- sbewn themselves, he thought, as they had upon a former pressed a hope that the Dock Committee would abandon occasion when they agreed to the concessions in the Al their present intention, and cause the Albert Warehouses bert Dock Act, really and truly friends to the trade of the to he constructed in conformity with the provisions of port of Liverpool.—(Rear.) As a warehouse owner the act. He thought it was a question of the pocket with self he ia as willing to agree to the concessions pro whim- the warehouse owners, and not one that concerned in an posed now, and there were no concessions that might be ay the advanta g e or convenience of the town. So far a considered advantageous to which he would not readily the views of that body went, it was a purely selfish one; consent ; but in his place in that Council he would never and while the warehouse owners were quite right in pro- be a party to originating or suggesting any thing which he tecting their interests and their pockets, the merchants felt was a violation of, or contrary to, the compact that werete called upon to protect themselves. In advocating bad been entered into. lie was earnestly desirous of pro .h reduction of the duty on tea, coffee, sugar, and cot- rooting the interests of the port, and of every trade in it ; ton, men benefitted themselves, and conferred a benefit but there was a consideration with him that went further on the com►nunit ; but here the interference of the ware- than that, namely, the honour of the Council. The !louse owner was purely selfish, and no individual was Council must be bound by the arrangement which had benefitted but himself. (Hear, bear.) been entered into.—(Hear.) If the warehouse ow- Mr. BIRIEETT denied that he was influenced by selfish ners offered further concessions well and good, but he motives, insomuch as he had no interest, direct or indi- hoped th ere wou ld be no suggestion of that sort from rect, in warehouses. He regretted exceedingly that the th e Council —be h o p e d the great mercantile community Council should be placed in a position in which they were would consider the concession as made in a fair and almost they harnpelled to go to Parliament again ; for the less amicable spirit, an d that it would induce them to join with Wasn ' t to do . with Parliament the better. Parliament the Dock Committee in procuring the passing of the bill o over friendly to them ; and if they could do with- through parliam en t w ithout further alteration or change. out Parliament for fourteen years longer it would be so Mr - Nicol. thought that When the Chairman of the Fi- Much the better. He had been labouring under the itn- nonce Committee (Mr. G. H. Lawrence) gave such un pruenssion that they would go to the House of Coromons in limited praise to the warehouse interest, and spoke, in talatitel form, but Mr. Moore's observations had shaken some degree, in terms of rebrobation of what had fallen _l,e opmion. Mr. Moore's speech was an advice to peo- from the Chairman of the Dock Committee, he forgot l l' l l ow out 9f doors to oppose that which the Council were that the clause in the new bill had arisen from a threat o' ou—(hear, hear, from Mr. North.) He con- the warehouse interest. (Cries of no, no.) With that tended that, after the compromise had been effected, and resolution in his possession the Chairman of the Dock had Mad e part of an Act of Parliament the warehouse owners Committee was borne out in what he had expressed on never attempted to break the ag reement .; and he asked Wednesday ; and he was also borne out in what he had now said by the changed tone and feeling that had come over the warehouse tinterest. (Hear.) Mr. BUSHBT was sorry that these observations should have been made. The Dock Committee, as the Chairman well knew he had said, had nothing to fear from the ware house interest. (Hear, hear.) He repeated that the Chairman had said he was not afraid of the werehouse in terest but of other parties. (Oh, oh.) It was unfair to attempt a re-discussion on this point. The CHAIRMAN thought after the handsome act of grace (as it had been called) from the wa•ehouse interest, it would be well to avoid any further discussion. Mr. Amt.); agreed with what had fallen from the chairman, but the chairman would allow that indiscrimi nate praise required, perhaps, some little remark. The old adage of " Save us from our friends" was never bet ter illustrated than on this occasion; for nothing was better calculated to re-open this discussion than the in discriminate praise in which Mr. G. H. Lawrence had in dulged. He (Mr. Aikin) ventured to say that if ever the quotation could be well applied, it would be in this in stance, " Praise und eserve d i s censure iii disguise." (Hear.) If the warehouse interest had come voluntarily forward, and said We see now the day has arrived when you ought to be allowed to build warehouses completely round Albert Dock, and we will remove all the restraints and restrictions we have imposed upon you," he would have joined Mr. G. H. Lawrence in thanking and award ing praise to them ; but what have they done. Why nothing more _than Mr. Robinson, seconded by Mr. Bushby, proposed to give —the use of the top of the half deck. He (Mr. Aikin) would, however, make a proposal which was reasonable in itself; and, after having heard so much about the justice of the case, the letter of the law, and the interest of the public, he thought it ought to be adopted. He then proposed "That a clause be inserted in the bill authorising the trustees to construct warehouses on the quays of the Albert Dock, in such manner as to afford an amount of stowage room equal at least to the whole amount of stow age room which would have been provided had the ware houses been constructed over the whole surface of such quays, and not in stacks upon the present plan." Mr. AIKIN urged several reasons why it should be adopted. The foundations had been laid, the pillars had been erected, and all that was wanted now was to carry out that which was half begun. Mr. Nicol, observed that the act prevented it being so carried out. Mr. AIKIN admitted that the letter of thelaw prevented it, but he wished for the spirit of the law to be acted upon. Mr. HARBORD said, as he was anxious the warehouse interest should stand right with the council, it was proper for him to state that Mr. Bushby, as Chairman of the Warehouse Owners' Association, stood pledged to that body that the Council would not ask for more than what had been proposed by the Chairman of the Dock Commit tee. One member of that association had stated that the Dock Trustees, or some of them, were ready to ask for more (if they could get it) than was proposed oy Mr. Ro binson's resolution ; Mr. Bushby gave an assurance that the Council were not disposed to ask for more than the completion of that part of the works which had been com menced • and the council must un d ers t an d, di s ti nct l y, that in the event of their persisting to ask for more, the whole must be considered as open—and that they must not go on with the completion of that portion which it was understood, the day before yesterday, was all that was required. The warehouse interest would be quite open to follow up the subject hereafter for their own protection, but they did not anti c ip a t e th at the Dock Committee would t row the onus or responsibility of it upon them. Mr. HODGSON supported the view taken by the last speaker, contending, that to adopt Mr. Aikin's proposi tion now would be to insult the warehouse proprietors. Mr. :NORTH, after a few words in opposition to Mr. Aikin's proposal, adverted to the general question, and said that at the last meeting, he expressed his disappoint ment at the tone of the speech of the Chairman of the Dock Committee. Feeling from what had now passed, that a final settlement of a very long-vexed question was now being accomplished, not according to any greedy illiberal and short-sighted view of the letter of the law, a " pound of flesh" demand, upon the part of the warehouse owners, but by a full and voluntary concession on their part of even much more than the Dock Committee thought it right to ask—he did, under these circumstances, think it reasonable to expect th a t th e Chairman anti:Deputy- Chairman of the Dock Committee would, to-day, have seen the propriety of unspeaking their speeches on Wed nesday last. (Cries of " oh, oh !) Mr. Nrcor. warmly defended himself and the Chairman of the Dock Committee. Several other councillors delivered their opinions, after which Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE replied. The motion for the adoption of the clause agreed to by the Dock Committee and the deputation from the ware house owners was adopted, the one proposed byMr. Aikin having dropped for want of a seconder. The TOWN-CLERK then read several clauses proposed to form part of the bill, all of which were agreed to with out eliciting remark. A series of clauses having been read, the object of which is to provide a registry for all dock rate-payers, Mr. BRAMLRY-MOORE said it had been thought desi rable by the Dock Committee that some special enact ment should be made for the better registration of the dock rate-payers in the election of Dock Committeemen. At present there was no test by which you could tell whe ther persons tendering votes we re legitimate voters or otherwise. If any person tendered a vote, and it was doubted, there was nothing to decide, though y ou m i g h t, after a good deal of se arc h and inquiry into the books, find out whether he was entitled or not ; but, at the same time, he ventured to say that a great many votes had been given by parties who were not qualified, but who did not know it. Many of them had not the means of knowing it. At the last election, parties had come from a great distance to vote—from quite beyond the limits—presum ing they had the right because they had paid, by their agents, a certain amount of dues. Parties also, at pre sent, might, if they chose, qualify upon the very day of election. If there was an election to-morrow, parties might enter to-day a quantity of merchandize to qualify them under the £lO clause to vote the following day ; and then, after having voted, they might short-ship the goods. It was a vote made for the occasion, and there was no redress. The object of the clauses, therefore, was simply that a register should be kept, printed, and laid before the public, so that there might be an opportunity of objecting to any person upon it who had no right to be there, and of placing those upon it who might have been omitted. This register would simplify the future elec tions, whilst the sense of the ratepayers would be better taken than on former occasions. The Dock Committee apprehended considerable difficulty in it when they first discussed the matter, but they conceived it was now sim plifi d and put into such a shape that it would work very well. Mr. PARKER.—Can you inform me whether it will curtail the franchise or not? Mr. BRA MLEY•MOORE.—Not in the least. Mr. TURNER protested against the imputation which he said was conveyed in Mr. Moore's speech, that any person among the merchants of Liverpool would venture to tender a vote and then short-ship. Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE said he had only stated hypo thetically what might happen; he had cast out no impu tations. He bad stated what might arise according to the present law. He did not mean to insinuate that any mer chant would go and vote who had no right ; but it was pos sible for such a thing to be done, and if he were to say that there were no people in Liverpool who would do it, he should be stating that which was not true. (Hear.) Mr. TURNER inquired what would be the expense ? Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORS replied that in all probability it would be about £lOO a year. The trouble to himself and the deputy-chairman would be considerable, but that did not enter into consideration with them. Mr. TURNER remarked, that if a rate-payer found his name omitted from the list, he would be obliged to go down to get it inserted. Mr. Nicol. explained that the treasurer would make the list from his books ; the list would then be printed ; and a certain period would be allowed for persons to come forward, if they found their names were omitted. Mr. TURNER.—You ought to know that by the trea surer's list now. Mr. Nicol. said even that would not tell who was en titled to vote. It was a very remarkable fact, that there was a member of the Dock Committee now sitting as such, whose name did not appear upon the treasurer's books at all, although be was as much entitled to a vote as any person could be. He was part owner of ships, but the entries were made by the broker. Mr. H. HORNBY objected to the proposal, on the ground that no reason had been assigned for such an al teration. No necessity appeared for it. Mr. Moore stated that abuses might take place, but he did not assert that any had actually taken plice. No practical inconve nience had hitherto been sustained from the present prac tice, and yet here it was proposed to introduce a new and cumbrous machinery. The franchise would unquestion ably be limited by it, because, if any question came to the vote now, although he had been a rate-payer for a month or two, he had a right to vote; but under the new system, unless his name appeared upon the revised list, that right was taken away. His principal objection, however, was, to the cumbruous machinery the new system would intro duce into the dock proceedings—mac:rinery which he was certain could not be carried out without infinitely more trouble than seemed at present to be apprehended. Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE remarked that the elections f dock committee-men by the rate-payers took place only once in three years. Mr. Nowrn.—But they may occur oftener. Mr. TINNE mentioned that on a late occasion he went to the Dock-office to vote ; and the town-clerk and the solicitor were occupied for a considerable time before it could be ascertained whether he had a vote or not. They decided he had a right. This was only one out of a num ber of similar cases which the establishment of a register would obviate. Mr. Honosoar said that upon such an important estate as the docks, the receipts of which were upwards of £200,000 a year, there ought to be every security for its proper and efficient management. If people could be brought there in the way stated, and faggot voters thus created—(and he knew the gractice had been to create faggot voters at various periods in Liverpool) —he was surprised that anybody should object to the proposal on the ground that it was necssary to show that the existing CLEANS ING THE STREETS.—lnstead of collecting the system had been abused. Did they not see a scheme getting rubbish and soil taken from the streets into one vast mass, a up for the m an ufacture of faggot voters throughout the plan has been suggested which will at once rid the town country ; and with that before their eyes, would they say of what, in its proper place, is a most valuable manure. that this great e state should be left, not to a fixed list of We understand that Sir W. M. Stanley, and other large voters, but to an i n defi n ite mode of bringing up forces to landed proprietors on the Cheshire side, are wilting to answer any p ar ti cu l ar purpose ? 'What should prevent the enter into a contract to take away the whole of the soil people of Birkenhead, annoyed as they were with the' p- free of expense, and to have, on all occasions, two flats in position they had received from Liverpool, from their the docks, the one loading and the other ready to take its legitimately t a ki ng u p or advertising for parties, and qua- place, into which the manure will be emptied as it is lifying the m —t o ma ke faggot voters—so as to get into our carted from the streets, and at once conveyed to the other dock estate suc h r e gu l a tions as would best suit their own side of the river. With this view, application has been purpose ? Th e ex p ense w as immaterial in such a matter. made to the Dock Committee, who have agreed, on re- The estate requ i re d ev e r y exertion to give security to it, ceiving £5O annually, to allow one birth, on the south-east and he should vote for the motion with all his heart. side of the Canning Dock, to be set apart to the flats so Mr. HORSFALL contended that the object of the register to be employed. every member of the Council whether any one of the ware house owners bad ever said to the Dock Committee— " We want you to make the Albert warehouses of less ca pacity than the act authorises." He believed the ware house owners had gone in a kindly spirit to the Dock Committee, and with a sincere desire to set that body right, when the original plans were being departed from. He, also, believed that Mr. Moore did not fear the ware house owners taking any step against the present proceed ing, but that his fears were entertained towards other par ties. The warehouse owners were no more chargeable with a cramping of the space than the man in the Moon; and, if Mr. Moore wanted peace and quietness, he had gone I the wrong way about accomplishing his wishes, for, in stead of covering the owners with odium, the odium ought to be against other parties. Mr. HARBORD said he was nut aware until that day, that the Dock Committee had constructed the warehouses on a lesser surface than the Act of Parliament warranted them in doing. H e denied that he had been actuated by any sordid motives, either in his capacity of a merchant or a warehouse owner, for he was both, or that it was the wish of the warehouse owners to come into contact with the Dock Committee. On Mr. Aikin's suggestion, the Town-clerk read the particulars of the compromise entered into on the 27th of January, 1841, respecting the construction of the Albert warehouses. Mr. AIKIN then asked whether there was one word in the agreement which would justify the expressions used that day, and whether there had been any violation of the spirit of the agreement, or any dereliction of duty on the part of the Dock Committee ? He then exhibited a plan, and said, he was astonished, with such a plan before the eyes of Mr. Moore, that that gentleman should assert that he was unable to find any document which would justify the building of the warehouses as they were now being constructed. Mr. MOORE said, the plan exhibited by Mr. Aikin was simply the ground plan. Mr. AIKIN moved, as an amendment, that the present construction of the warehouses should not be considered as at variance with the provisions of the former dock act; but, subsequently, this amendment was withdrawn. Mr. nem. said, the warehouses, in their present con dition, had not given satisfaction to any one. He admitted that the warehouse owners were entitled to their pound of flesh. Mr. HODGSON observed that the discussion had taken a very discursive range, and that it had unhappily brought the merchant and warehouse proprietor needlessly into collision. He conceived that they had got into a difficulty, and that the only question was, how they were to extri cate themselves from it. After some further discussion, Mr. NORTH moved, as an amendment, that the clauses relating to the construction of the warehouses be struck out of the bill. Mr. THOMPSON seconded it ; and upon a division the amendment was lost by a majority of 36 to 6. Mr. ROBINSON, seconded by Mr. BUSEBY, moved, as another amendment, that a clause be inserted sanctioning the present construction of the warehouses, with an inter mediate floor between the rear of the quay and the first floor, provided that the surface of the quay shall be re served as a public quay, and be occupied exclusively for landing and transit purposes, and subject only to the re gulation of the docks. Upon a division, this amendment was also lost by a ma jority of 24 to 1 . Mr. HTIGH HORNBY, seconded by Mr. ASPINALL, moved a third amendment, to the effect that the consi deration of the warehouse clauses be postponed, and that those clauses be referred back to the Dock Committee for the purpose of consulting the warehouse interest, and making such alterations in them as may be thought ad • visable. Upon a division this amendment was carried by a ma jority of 23 to 19 ; and the Council, after a debate of nearly five hours, adjourned to Friday. The adjourned meeting was held on Friday. Sir T. Brancker, owing to the continued illness of the Mayor, took the chair. Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE, before repeating what hail passed at the Dock Committee theday before, requested the Town Clerk to read the new clause which had been agreed to instead of the clause as printed in the " Heads." The TOWN-CLERK accordingly read the following:— `' And whereas the said trustees have, under the powers of the said recited act of the fourth year of the reign of her present Majesty, proceeded in the erection of ware houses on the south and west quays of the wet dock in the same act mentioned and all or part of the east quay thereof (not lying between the two intended entrances to the said dock), and such warehouses have been constructed with iron pillars, and with walls placed on the said quays, tending to strengthen and secure the said warehouses, and with a lower or intermediate half floor in addition to the four stories mentioned in the said act, and with iron beams and transverse iron rods inserted under the same lower or intermediate half floor.—Be it enacted that the construction of the warehouses on the quays of the said wet dock in the manner aforesaid shall not be deemed or considered to be contrary to or at variance with the pro visions of the last-mentioned act.—And be it enacted that the surface of such parts of the said quay over which the said warehouses have been so erected as aforesaid shall remain a public quay for the loading, unloading, and ship ment of goods, wares, and merchandise, without the ad mission of carriages, and subject to the general regulations of the said docks." The TOWN-CLERK then read the following report of the proceedings of the Dock Committee, upon the refer ence to them : " At a meeting, &c., of the Dock Committee, January 23, the resolutions of the Council of yesterday, referring back to this Committee certain clauses in the proposed new dock bill relating to the Albert Dock warehouse, hav ing been taken into consideration, and Mr. Bushby, Mr. James Brancker, and Mr. Montgomery having attended, in compliance with an invitation made to them yesterday as a deputation from the warehouse owners, and delivered in the following resolution from that body, viz.:—Resol ved, that the warehouse proprietors will offer no opposi tion to legalizing the present construction of the dock warehouses, provided the whole quay space under the warehouses be left unincumbered, and every facility af forded for removing goods from the quay.—Resolved, that the solicitor be instructed to prepare a clause accord ' ingly, and to confer with the Town Clerk thereon, to be submitted to the adjourned Council to be held tomorrow." Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE then rose, and said that in ask ing the Council to substitute the clause just read for that which had been read on Wednesday, it would be merely necessary to state, that the Dock Committee had been actuated by that good faith, and proper feeling which ought always to distinguish such a body. The first clause was, as far as it was possible, to enable them to comply with the existing act of Parliament. They sought to in troduce a clause into the new act, to allow the half-deck floor to remain as it was unfinished, till the proper period should arrive for finishing it. But now, the question was altogether changed. The Dock Committee, with the most honourable feelings, felt they could not ask the Council to give them permission to complete the half-deck floor without violating good faith , but they now came forward, having been moved by the warehouse owners—(hear)—in fact. the warehouse owners had come forward of their own accord, and too much praise could not be given to his friend, Mr. Bushby, for the manner in which he had seconded Mr. Robinson's motion at the last meeting of the Council. It was due to Mr. Bushby and to all who took a simdar view of the questions to say this. The po sition of the Dock Committee was, therefore, entirely changed, for they were now, in point of fact, taking what the warehouse interest had offered to them; strictly speaking, it was a deviation of the act of Parliament, but as it had not emanated from the Dock Committee, he thought it was their duty to take it ; consequently, with the sanction of the Council, the new clause would be in troduced into the bill. On this occasion he did not deem it necessary to say more, except that, so far as regarded the warehouse interest—and he was sure it would be for their own advantage, as well as the advantage of the town —whenever they felt disposed to concede the building upon the other two sides of the Albert Dock, he, for one, should consider it an act of grace. (Hear.) The Council could not call upon them to do this, but he was sure it would be well received by the town, as for the benefit of the public at large, whilst the Dock Committee would regard it as an act of grace. (Hear.) Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE had been much pleased with the conciliatory speech of the Chairman of the Dock Com mittee, and he hoped it would have some impression upon the public and the warehouse interest. When he (Mr. G. 11. Lawrence) ascertained that the feeling of the Council was decidedly in favour of some legislative application on this question, he thought it his duty to join with the Dock Committee in enforcing that construction of ware ' houses round Albert Deck quay which approximated most closely to the compact entered into by the original act, — a compact that he felt bound to adhere to. After what had fallen from the Chairman of the Dock Committee on Wednesday, and from his own knowledge of the ware house proprietors, he certainly was afraid that Mr. Horn hy's proposal of referring the matter back to the Dock Committee would not be productive of good results ; hut he could not help expressing the satisfaction with which he hailed th e T . THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. was not to curtail the franchise, but merely to ascertain ' who had and who had not a title to vote. LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL NEWS A very long discussion having taken place, the clauses Within six days of last week no fewer than six fires oc were eventually carried. - curred in Manchester. The TOWN-CLERK read the clause relative to the in tended slip and landing stage at St. Eleorge's Pier ; and The warehouse o f M ess r s . Smith and Ingle, paper ma- Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE explained that the plan laid nufacturers, Piccadilly, Manchester, was destroyed by down in the last act being quite impracticable, it was ne- fire on Tuesday evening last. nessary to obtain power to make a new slip of a different I The floral and horticultural exhibitions at the Botanic construction. Garden, for the present year, have been fixed for Th urs . ._._ _ _ The clause, as proposed, was passed. day the 22nd of May : Thursday, the 29th of June ; and The other clauses in the bill having been read and agree d i Thursday, the 24th of July. to, the following resolution was passed unanimously : The brig John Naylor was lost on the 24th uP . ., off " That the dock bill, as rea d, b e approve d , su bj ec t to the Fayal : she was laden with guano for this port. One of a lt e rations now directed, and the instructions now given ; the seamen was drowned, and three others died the same and that all clauses and provisions requiring adjustment night from exhaustion. with the Dock Committee, be referred to the Finance HORTICULTURAL CURIOSITY.—Within the last few Committee for adjustment accordingly; and that it be re- days there might have been seen in a gentleman's garden ferred to the town-clerk to settle with the dock solicitor in Pleaant-street, Kirkdale, an apple tree, on which the the ce ssar terms of all the b aeilterat so ions and additions rendered fruit, whi c h was r i pe i n August last, and never plucked, of the Finance and Dock Committees." ney, the same ng settled with the approbation was still suspe n d e d f rom th e b ranc h es. HARRINGTON WATER WORKS COMPANY. EXTENSIVE EMBEZZLEMENT.—On Tuesday a young The following gentlemen were a pp o i n t e d di rec t ors , man named E van P r i nce , one o f t h e shopmen i n the em under the local act, 7 and 8 Geo. IV., cap. 35, relating to Ploy of Mr. P erc i va l, haberdasher and clothier, King the Liverpool and Harrington Water Work s Company : street, Manch es t er , was committed for trial charged with Mr. William Nicol, Mr. David Hodgson, and Mr. Thos. having embezzled monies to the amount of several thou sand pounds, the p roper t y o f hi s master. Kaye. PURCHASE OF THE GAS COMPANIES Mr. HODGSON then introduced this subject, observing that it had been brought under consideration owing to the period being about to expire at which the agreements with the Gas Companies for lighting the streets would terminate, and to the necessity for being prepared as to another contract. It had also been brought under dis cussion in consequence of an application being about to be made to Parliament for another act to establish a gas company. It had, therefore, become an important ques tion whether it would be desirable to entertain the sub ject of the corporation purchasing from the existing companies their rights altogether. (Hear.) After some discussion at the Watch Committee, the resolution was come to that the whole subject of providing gas for light ing the town be referred to the sub-committee for mak ing contracts, to consider the question generally and to report thereon. On further reflection, however, it was thought to be a matter 'of too great importance for the Watch Committee to enter upon, even in a preliminary way, without knowing the sentiments of the Council ; therefore it was decided to ask, at once, what the senti ments of the council were upon the subject before entering upou its preliminary discussion ; for as regarded the council itself, and the companies also, it did not ap pear fair to draw them into a preliminary discussion (for they were prepared to enter into treaty) or cause them to expose the whole of their affairs, whilst they might after wards find that the steps taken were repudiated in limine by the Council. The committee, therefore, asked the council whether, in their judgment, this matter should be taken up or not. Perhaps gentlemen in discussing the subject would, as much as might be, confine themselves to that question, because it was perfectly clear it would be inexpedient if the committee were to enter into any treaty, to go into details before the report was brought up. (Hear.) Objections no doubt would be stronger than he anticipated, to the council undertaking the pur chase. There would also be objections in detail—such as to the terms to be obtained for the corporation—to be overcome ' • and on this ground he requested gentlemen to abstain from going into detail at present. With this view he should not attempt to state what advantage the town might derive from this purchase, but would ask for the discussion to be reserved till the report was brought up. It must be clearly understood that the council sanc tions nothing more than what the Watch Committee were desirous of doing, namely, that they enter into a prelimi nary discussion in order to ascertain upon what terms the companies would treat for both concerns, and then report. Upon this understanding he would propose::- The Chester Courant, in a long article on the railways more particularly interesting to that city, asks, Are there no projects now in progress for reducing the distance be tween Chester and Liverpool via Preston Brook (and thus avoiding the inconvenience and delay of crossing the Mersey in steam boats) to 28 miles ? FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Wednesday a man named Richardson was engaged in landing cowries from the Princess Charlotte, lying in the Prince's Dock. A stage had been erected, on which the deceased was standing, when his foot slipped, and he fell and struch his head either against the quay or the vessel. When taken up he was quite dead. On Tuesday Mr. Banning, the postmaster, was fined ss. for neglect ing to cleanse the footwalks opposite the Post-office. Mr. Banning said he only occupied a small portion of the building, but Mr. Rushton said that he last time fined the Collector of Customs, and that on this occasion he considered the information had been properly laid. ATTEMPT AT BURGLARY.—On Friday morning, the mansion of Harold Littledale, Esq., at Liscard, was at tempted to be entered by thieves. Mr. Littledale, his lady, and family, were at the Wallasey ball. The burglars were attacked by the dog on the premises, and the ser vants being thus alarmed, ran out, and saw the thieves running away. DEATH FROM ADMINISTERING LAUDANUM.—On Sa turday evening week, a child seven weeks old, residing with his parents in New Gore-street, appearing to be un well, his father gave him three drops of laudanum on a piece of sugar. The child fell into a convulsive fit a short time after, and remained so until Sunday morning week, about ten o'clock, when it died. A verdict of " chance medley" was returned against the father. STABBING ON THE:HIGH SEAS.—Captain Lancelot Reed, who, it will be recollected, was stabbed by Samuel Brown, on the high soas, a few months ago, is now reco vered, and together with the witnesses, will remain in this town until the trial, which will come on at the next as sizes. The trial was posponed at the winter commission, owing to the prosecutor being unable to attena and give evidence at that time. THE SEVEN O'CLOCK CLOSING.-00 Tuesday evening last a public meeting of the assistants of Birkenhead was held for the purpose of appointing a district committee in connexion with the Liverpool Association of Assistant Tradesmen. Mr. Flower, president of the Liverpool Association, took the chair about half-past eight, and resolutions in conformity with the objects of the meeting were unanimously carried. THE CANNING PRIZE.—A prize bearing this title has been established in the evening school of the Mechanics' Institution, in consequence of a gift of £179 from the committee of the subscribers to the Canning testimonial, and an addition of £2l from the principal of the institu tion. From these sums a yearly gift of £lO will be awarded to the most distinguished pupil, of three years' standing in certain departments of the evening school, the first prize being attainable in March, 1846. BIRKENHEAD POLICE-COURT.—JOIM Clarke, a travel ling tinker, was fined £2 15s. 6d., for a most violent assault on a female named Ady, in Back Chester-street. He was drunk at the time.—Daniel Roberts was committed to Knutsford Gaol for fourteen days, for a trespass on the land of Mr. Shaw, at Irebv, for the purpose of tailing game with a snare.--The following beersellers were fined : Robert Bushell, for a disturbance in his house, £2 10s. ; Owen Daley, Back Chester-street, for allowing disorderly conduct in his house, 20s. and costs. ST. SMION'S CHURCH SCHOOLS.—In the year 1843 the average attendance at the schools was, in the morning, 84, in the evening, 83 : in 1844 it had increased, in the morn ing, to 91, and in the evening, to 96. In the year 1843, only one of the scholars had been rewarded at the Colle giate Institution, while, in 1844, three had obtained prizes. During 1843 the adult school was only opened two evenings in the week ; at the close of 1844 arrangements had been made by which it was about to be opened permanently every evening, and an evening school will be opened in three months. "That it be referred - to the Lighting Co mmittee to consider and report whether it is desirable that the Coun cil should purchase the powers and privileges, rights and interests, now vested in the Liverpool Gas Light Com pany, and in the Liverpool New Gas and Coke Company." Mr. ASPINALL seconded the motion. Mr. Birkett said he was opposed to the Corporation undertaking the management of any gas companies, or of any other companies, than they were connected with at present. Was there a reasonable hope, that if the Cor poration took the gas, it would be better managed than it was by the present companies, who were practical men, and who were prevented, by limiting clauses, from over charging the public ? If the purchase were made it would saddle the Corporation with a very large debt, and render them a most unpopular body. The committees were overworked already, without imposing fresh burthens on their shoulders. _ . . Mr. AIKIN said no evil could come out of inquiry; he rather anticipated great good from it. He should have been better pleased if the words " and water companies" ha 0 been introduced. Mr. JOSEPH HORNBY said there would be no difficulty in the management of the gas works. He had been a member of the board of one of the companies for some years, and during that time had done nothing except going once a fortnight or month and pocket his fee. The CHAIRMAN.—A very pleasant operation. There will be no pocketing fees under the Council. Mr. THOMPSON suggested that the committee should also enter into negociations with the new company. The CHAIRMAN.—There is no such company. - Mr. JAMES BRANCKER.—I have the honour to be Chairman of it ; and we intend to reduce the price of gas about 50 per cent. Mr. THOMPSON again urged his point. The CHAIRMAN said it would, of course, be for the consideration of the committee. FORTUNATE PRESERVATION.—On Friday last an aged gentleman took a third-class ticket, at Chester, for Man chester, and had proceeded about a mile and a half on his journey beyond Crewe when an antiquated lady, with whom he had had an entertaining tete-a-tete, observed, that the engine had turned at the last station, leaving Crewe, and they were going back to Chester. The old man immediately leaped out of the carriage and fell into a ditch, but, happily, escaped without having sustained any injury, excepting a ducking. The train was going at a speed of about twenty miles an hour. THE TABLES TURNED.—On the 14th instant a fellow named White brought information to the Prescot Police station, that two men, named Foster and Dingsdale, had broken into an outhouse in the occupation of Mark Nay lor, and stolen therefrom a duck. White, on coming to the station-house, described so minutely the facts of the case, that the officers took him into custody, and charged him with the offence. Other evidence being procured, be was committed to the Kirkdalc Quarter Sessions, (then sitting,) and sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour. Mr. JAMES BRANCKER said the new company had, at a great expense, obtained evidence, which went to prove that the price now charged for gas was most exorbitant ; and although their bill would limit them to 4s. 6d., they believed the price would not exceed 3s. or 3s. 6d. If the committee were in a situation to apply to the company for information, they should have it, and they would see bow strongly it bore upon the case. After some observations from Mr. H. Hornby, Mr. G. H. Lawrence, and Mr. North, the debate was closed by a spirited reply from Mr. Hodgson. The council then divided, and there appeared—For the motion, 24 ; against it, 4 ; majority for the motion, 20. For the motion :—Councillors Shand, Thornhill, J. Brancker, Preston, Thompson, H. Hornby, Aikin, J. Holmes, Tinne, Henderson, Robinson, Aspinall, G. G. Hornby, VTard. Kilshaw, Parker, Plumpton, R. L. Jones, Harbord. Alderman Hodgson, Nicol, Bramley-Moore, Chilton, and the Chairman. Against the motion :—Councillors, Blundell, North, Birkett, and Pemberton. The council then adjourned at ten minutes to three. SUDDEN DEATHS OF Two INFANTS—On Monday a woman, named Spence, was delivered of female twins, in the lying-in ward at the Workhouse; and, on Tuesday morning, the attendant nurse found that one of the chil dren was bleeding from the nose, which flew of blood could not be stanched, and the child died ; shortly after wards the other child exhibited similar appearances, and it also died. It was the opinion of the surgeon that death had been caused by suffocation, which might have been produced by an overweight of bed clothes or being over lain by the mother. EXTENSI YE ROBBERY.—On Tuesday, two fellows named Vant and Wood, were brought before Mr. Rushton, on a charge of having stolen a cash-box, con taining £5B in notes and gold. and a gold seal. with the initials J.S., the property of John Smailley, of Colliergate, York. They were apprehended in Liverpool, about five o'clock on Monday evening, as they were abuut to take berths on board a vessel for America, and the gold seal and about £9 in money were found in their possession. They declined to say anything in their defence, and were ordered to be remanded until advice could be received from York. LIVERPOOL MARINE SOCIETY.—The annual general meeting of the members of the Liverpool Marine Society was held on Tuesday, in the Clarendon-rooms. There was a considerable attendance of marine members. The chair was taken by William Potter, Esq., president of the society. From a statement of the account, it ap peared that, including a balance (invested) of £11,874 ss, the receipts had been £12,483 lls 7d. On the other side, it appeared that the annuities to members, widows and orphans, amounted to £413 ss, and that, after defray ing all expenses, there was a balance partly invested and partly in the hands of the bank and the treasurer, of £12,014 6s sd. PUBLICANS AI , D BEERSELLERS FINED.—The Under mentioned parties were mulcted in the following penalties, at the Police -court, on Friday :—Publicans: Hugh Hughes, Sir Thomas-buildings, £2 14s. 6d. ; Henry Shields, Bar ton-street, £1 4s. 6d. ; William Hannan, Wild-street, £2 4s. 6d. ; Joseph Walmsley, Brunswick-road, £1 4s. Gd. Beersellers :—Patrick Kehoe, Charter-street, ac quitted ; Henry Shaw, Grafton -street, £2 Us. 6d. •, John Evans, Prince William-street, £3 is. 6d. ; James Pidgeon, Chisenhale-street, £1 4s. 6d. ; George Glover, Gascoyne street, £2 14s. Gd.; Sarah Ball, Charlotte-place, £1 4s. 6d. ; Henry Taylor, Anson-place, Oakes-street, 9s. Gd. ; Charles Maybrick, Pleasant-street, £2 14s. 6d. LUMINOUS BREATH.—Dr. Watson mentions a singu lar occurrence, which took place in the West Derby poor house, near Liverpool. A man, about forty-seven years of age, a drunkard, was admitted into the house, labour ing under hemorrhage from the bowels, with cough and expectoration. A short time, about twenty minutes, be fore death, the attendant nurses observed a red hot coal like streak on the mouth, playing on the right cheek and upper lip, and continuing till death took place. The flame was persistent with the breath of expiration, and not at all lambent. This extraordinary circumstance was not reported for a day or two, as the nurse looked upon it as a proof of divine vengeance, and, consequently, the body was not examined.—Medical ALLEGED EVASION OF DOCK DUES.—On Wednesday an information was heard against John Gemmill and Co., shipbrokers, for evading the payment of rates on goods exported from the port of Liverpool, which duties were payable to the Trustees of the Liverpool Docks. Mr. Worthington, solicitor to the Dock Trustees, appeared to sustain the information. He stated that, on the 30th November last, the defendants shipped on board the Southerner, Captain Palmer, for New York, fifty-six hoxes of goods, in respect of which no duty was paid to the Trust. On the Ist of December, however, the vessel was obliged to put back in distress, and the cargo was discharged into the depot. Mr. Worthington referred to the act of parliament, which set forth that parties so of fending were liable to a penalty of £2O. Mr. Gemmill, one of the defendants, admitted the charge, but stated there never had been any intention to evade payment; the circumstance of non-payment arose out of an omission caused by his absence from the office owing to indisposi tion, and this information was founded on their own application to the Customs. Mr. Withers, the Dock Treasurer, said the practice had been carried to a great extent. Mr. Rushton observed, that it was their duty to protect the dock revenue, more especially as it was appli cable to public purposes, and that if the law were not enforced in such cases, the practice of them might act injuriously against the trade of the port. The defendant was fined £2O and costs. and ordered to pay in addition the sum of 18s. Bd., being the amount of the duty. SELECT VESTRY PROCEEDINGS The usual fortnightly meeting was held on Tuesday. The SECRETARY, having gone through the usual rou tine of reading the minutes and proceedings of the previ ous meetings, reported the expenditure of in and out-door poor as compared with the same time last year. For the week ending 11th January there were 1,878 paupers in the house, who cost ls. 101 d. per head, and £176 Is. 3d. ; corresponding week of last year the number was 1,910 at ls, ad. per head, and £153 3s. 114 d. Of out. door poor, the number of cases relieved during the last fortnight was 7,281, at an expense of £799 13s. 10(I., being 232 cases, and £27 15s. 3d. in money less than the same period of 1844. By the surgeon's report it appears there were on the 17th instant 51 cases in the fever ward, 10 cases of small pox and 5 of opthalmia. Every exertion is being made to prepare for the exten sive alterations of the Workhouse, in the plans of which some improvements have been suggested, and when these have received the approval of the Poor-law Commis sioners, the advertisements for tenders will appear. The thanks of the board were presented to Mr. Ford, for the practical experience and attention be has devoted in maturing the plans of the alterations of the Workkouse, and for his valuable services as Chairman of the Building Comm ittee Thomas Ellerton, one of the collectors of taxes, was suspended from his situation by the Select Vestry, for continued negligence of his duties, and in consequence the Poor-law Commissioners were recommended to dis miss him: The Industrial School Committee have recommended to the Select Vestry the immediate appointment of a chap lain to that establishment, which will he taken into con sideration at the next meeting.—The building was on Tues day delivered up by the contractors, so that everything will now be done to remove to it as quickly as possible the children from the Workhouse. Mr. Michael Lea, 18, Wilton-street, was unanimously elected a member of the Select Vestry in the room of Mr. Samuel Rowland, disqualified from non-attendance. Two printed circulars were read horn the Poor-law Commission ers ordering the duties appertaining to non-resident paupers and the apprenticing of pauper children, hitherto done by the overseers, to be done by the Secretary. On the motion of Mr. Bremner, seconded by Mr. Thornley, it was resolved that a memorial be presented by this board to the Poor-law Commissioners urging that the parish of Liverpool should not be joined with any other pari,hes or unions for the purpose of auditing the ac counts, but that this parish should not be allowed to re main distinct, and that the present mode of audit be not disturbed. Mr. Churchwarden Houghton reported that he and his colleague had, on Monday last, paid the usual visit to Lancaster, to ascertain the state of the pauper lunatics, 115 in number, belonging to this parish, confined in the asylum there. The visit perfectly satisfied them that these poor persons received the kindest treatment and care their unfortunate situations stood in need of. The weekly ex pense to this parish in maintaining them is ss. Gd. each per week. There are also 38 patients belonging to the pa rish at Mr. Mutt's, Hay dock-lodge, at 7s. Gd. each per week, and 13 at the Liverpool Asylum, Ashton-street, at 12s. each per week, altogether costing the parish nearly £5l per week. It was resolved . that the su r pl us b r i c k s rema i n i ng on the gro und' at Knkdale, should 'be sold by auction, of which due notice will be given. EMBEZZLEMENT. —On Thursday :Walter Malone was committed to the sessions for receiving and not accounting for two sums of money collected by him for his employer, Mr. George Bryant, coal agent. The prisoner had been before in custody for embezzling money belonging to Mr. Johnson, the agent whom Mr. Bryant succeeded, but was discharged in consequence of Mr. Johnson failing to appear. PRESTON FANCY BALL.—On Thursday evening last J. Paley, Esq., the mayor of Preston, gave a splendid fancy ball to upwards of 400 gu:sts, for which occasion the Town and Guildhalls were used. The Justice Hall was used as theball-zoom, the Council Chamber as the reception-room, and the Guild Ball as the refectory, all of which were decorated in the most gorgeous style. The company began to arrive a little before nine, and shortly after that hour dancing commenced to the lively strains of Horabin's band, and continued without int.rmission until five o'clock the following morning, and at that hour those who were in the room seemed unwilling to depart. The refreshments were provided by Mr. Lynn, of Liverpool. The ball passed off with the utmost satisfaction to all. A MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.—On Monday morning last, shortly after six o'clock, to the astonishment of the men attending the luggage trains in the railway-yard, Wap_ ping, a female, completely covered with mud and sand, was seen suddenly to emerge from the tunnel. On being questioned as to who she was, and how she got there, she said her name was Margaret Hughes—that she resided in Temple-buildings, Dale street, and that on the previous evening she went to see her husband's brother, who re-' sides at Edge-hill—that she left there late at n . ght, lost her way, and falling down a hole, was very much stunned by the fall, and in coming to herself, discovered she was in the tunnel. She immediately got up, and made all haste to get out of it. She had scarcely finished her tale, when the Grand Junction luggage train arrived at the bottom of the tunnel ; and, had she been a few minutes later, it would have overtaken her, and most probably have crushed her to pieces. There is no doubt but the poor woman, from some cause, fell from the top of the embankment, near the entrance of the tunnel, at Edge hill ; and afterwards had thus got into the tunnel. BANKRUPTCY COURT: MESSENGER'S FEES.---At the sitting of the Liverpool District Bankruptcy Court, on Thursday, Mr. Green, solicitor, mentioned the case of an insolvent, the sitting for whose final order had not been advertised by the messenger, in consequence o f a di spu t e as to the fees, that o ffi cer having demanded, in the first instance, £3 145., though, as he (Mr. Green) contended, he was not entitled to anything, not even to the money he bad to pay for advertisements. In support of this view he cited a clause in the Act which enacts that no " fee or gratuity" should be paid to (amongst other offi cers) any messenger, except such as should be specified in a list signed by the Commissioners ; and he submitted, that, as no such list was yet signed, no sum was payable. The Commissioner said, that fee or gratuity could scarcely mean money paid for advertisements, and that the court would certainly not pay such fees. Ultimately the Com missioner said he would direct the messenger to advertise, an n d t o payment of the disbursements for the advertisements, he question of fees could be referred to the registrar. and be brought forward at a future time. Mr. Green expressed himself much obliged by this arrangement. THE CORN TRADE.—OH Thursday, a public meeting of gentlemen connected with the Corn Trade was held in the committee-room of the Corn-Exchange, Brunswick street, for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of including the value of the sack in the sale price of flour in the sack. The meeting was numerously attended, and several of the most influential persons in the trade were present. R. Woodward, Esq., was una nimously called to the chair, upon taking which, in a neat speech, he introduced to the meeting the important sub ject upon which they had been called together. Mr. William Blain demonstrated in the clearest manner that an immense amount of time and labour would be saved, both to the grinders of the corn and those who traded in flour, and a great expense saved, if sacks were included in the sales, in the same way that barrels are, and he strongly urged every one connected with the trade strenu ously to endeavour to bring about such a change in the ordinary method of doing business as might effect this ob ject. He moved a resolution to that effect, which will be found advertised in another column. Mr. John Head forcibly supported the motion, which was carried unani mously. Mr. H. Gregg moved the second resolution. It would be of great importance in conducting to the suc cess of the proposed change, if the millers and shippers were induced to support this change. The next resolution was to request the Irish millers and shippers to agree to it, and to signify their approbation to their agents in Li verpool by the 6th of February next. The meeting was then adjourned until that day, in order to give time for replies to be received, and after a vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting separated. HIGHWAY BOARD, THURSDAY.—An application was received from the Paving and Sewerage Commissioners of Toxteth •park, wishing to be allowed to connect a sewer they were making in St. Jarnes's.place with the one in Parliament-street belonging to the board. After some conversation, it was agreed that a committee, consisting of Messrs. Cooper and Aspinall, with the law-clerk and surveyor, should confer with the parties on the subject. The treasurer reported that Messrs. Holmes had paid the £lOO as portion of the expense of paving the front of the new Bankruptcy Courts with wood. Mr. Deane recom mended Perrin's wood pavement as the best. It was agreed that measures should he taken for proceeding with it immediately. Mr. Aspinall suggested the propriety of laying down the wood pavement opposite the Board room, —the noise occasioned by carts was a great nuisance. One or two members observed that the street had only lately been macadamized, and here the matter dropped. Directions were given to the law-clerk that lie should con fer with Messrs. Jeffrey and Morrish, and cause them to put down the flags, opposite their new building in Basnett street.—A letter was read from the Churchwardens of St. Matthias's Church, complaining of the stench arising from a sewer in that neighbourhood ; stench vats were ordered to be put down.—Mr. Kaye called the attention of the Board to the state of Great Howard-street, from Bury's foundry up to Vi c t or i a - roa d . A b out six weeks ago it had been covered with macadam stone, and done in a substantial manner, what he complained of was that it had not been taken care of when put in a proper state of repair ; the macadam had been all washed off, and it was now in as bad a state as it could possibly be. It was a most public road, and ought to be attended to immedi ately. Mr. Cunningham said it would cost £l5OO to pave it, and then it would last for some years. It was decided that the board should first ascertain how the new dock works were likely to interfere with the road before they repaired it, and that a conference should be had with Mr. Hartley, the Dock Surveyor.—A letter was read from the Old Carters' Company, to the effect that, if the board al lowed the Dock Committee to lay rails along certain streets, they (the company) wished permission to allow the public at large the right of putting on trucks or carts for the conveyance of goods. The subject was then left over to be considered when the matter relative to the Dock Trust, referred to in the letter, should be brought before the board. INCREASED ACCOMMODATION FOR LONATICS.—OR Wednesday last, a special county session of magistrates was held at Preston, to consider a requisition from the visiting justices of the Lancaster Lunatic Asylum, rela tive to an alleged want o f accommo d at i on f or pauper lu natics. Mr. Horton said, he believed the matter upon which they had to deliberate that day had originated with himself. At the last sessions the number of lunatics in the county was 1,414. He meant lunatics in the condi tion of paupers, including criminals and vagrants. Now, there was bnt room for 600 in the Asylum. Another cir cumstance he might mention was the increase of lunacy in the county, which is in a ratio greater than the pro gress of the population. He might also state, that of the 1,414 lunatics in the county, 494 of them belonged to the Asylum ; 18 were in licensed houses; 399 in union work houses; and 242 were kept by their friends. The re mainder were persons living in poor-houses, but no unions. lie moved a resolution to the effect, that the present in competent provision called for a prompt and complete remedy. Mr. T. B. Addison said, he could not agree to this unless some more definite proposal were before them, and he proposed the appointment of a committee to con sider the subject.—Mr. Horton thought that £ll,OOO would provide all the additional accommodation neces sary.—Mr. Brotherton, M.P., said, that from returns made to parliament in August, 1843, it appeared there were 1,153 lunatics and idiots in the county-651 were lunatics and 502 idiots. Of this number 491 were in the County Asylum, 18 in licensed houses, 391 in Union Workhouses, and 242 kept by friends. Thus there were about 500 in the Asylum, and 600 in the Workhouse and at large. The question is, in which way will you provide for those who are in the Union Workhouse, contrary to law (hear, hear), and at large ? It seemed to him there could only be two modes—either by enlarging the old Asylum or erecting a new one. Now, with respect to the enlargement of the Asylum at Manchester, it was right they should know that the commissioners of lunacy were opposed to it. He had received a memorial signed by 40 medical practitioners of Manchester and neighbourhood, which recommended the erection of a County Lunatic Asylum in that district, capable of accommodating 250 lunatics, for the admission of recent and curable cases only, whilst those of a chronic and incurable character might be sent to Lancaster, or some other asylum appro priated for that purpose. It appeared that in the Black burn Union, with a population of upwards of 75,000, there were 69 pauper lunatics; in Salford, with a popula tion of upwards of 70,000, there were 25 ; in Todmorden, the pkoipku p , loappt lion, B o ast n i,oo w no a o s ,2 3 i l , (,)0000 lunatics,, l a i nd n7la t t ; h ca e sn d ta i n a ; t i Pi e nrs Preston, or ; ens i ,t n pOO Derby, prumias tion 53,000, lunatics 71. Now, belonging to Blackburn, with 75,000 of a population, there were 11 lunatics in the County Asylum, the average cost of which was 2s. 74d. per week ; belonging to Salford, with a population of 70,000, there were 19 lunatics in the Asylum, at a cost of ss. 5d.; belonging to Tod mor d en, with 31 , 000 of a popu lation, there were 10, costing 2s. 91d.: Ormskirk, popu lation 24,000, lunatics in asylum 12, cost 6s. Rel.; West Derby, population 88,000, lunatics in asylum 20, cost 6s. Bd.; Preston, population 53,000, lunatics in asylum 12, cost 2s. 101 d. These were only a few of the unions which he had selected; and from these statements it would be seen how many of these poor creatures were unprovided for. He moved a resolution to the effect stated in the memorial.—Mr. Marshall seconded the motion. The n po r p tuhl e a r t i n o n d s ne was southero only n i y division o Ta c s o 1,6 n s 2 eq 4,oo u en 0, but 07i the t was a hardship for the south to be compelled to send its pau pers all the way to Lancaster. It was an extraordinary fact, too, that, in the Lonsdale hundred, the proportion of the insane people to the whole population wa s 1 i n 160, but in Salford it was only lin 3,000. It was extraordi nary, because it showed the prevalence of i nsan i ty i n t h e agricultural districts.—Mr. Addison's motion was carried, and the following magistrates were appointed to form a committee :—For the Amounderness Hundred, Mr. T. B. Addison; for Lonsdale llundred, Mr. Mackreth ; for Leyland Hundred, Mr. Calrow ; for Salford Hundred, the Rev. T. S. Mills.