Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-11-25 00:00:00

HEALTH COQ' :ITTEE. - - The weekly meeting of this committee was held in the Council-chamber, Town-halt, at noon, yesterday. Mr. Alderman Dover presided ; and the other members pre sent were—Messrs. Shell, BoOkwith, Crellin, Stitt, Avi son, Bowring, Hickson, Job, Crosthwaite, Holden, and Ridley. SANITARY , OPERATIONS. The Borough Engineer, Building Surveyor,.and In spector of Nuisances reported various particulars of the operations in their several departments during the week, from which it appeared that 158 nuisances complained of by inhabitants had been inspecte'd and means taken to remedy them, 853 houses in the unhealthiest districts, containing 2,700 apartments and 534 cellars, had also been put under examination with the view of improving their sanitary condition, and 240 lodging-houses had also been examined and reported upon. HEALTH OF TILE BOROUGH. • The Medical Olicer reported that for the week ending Saturday last the number of deaths registered in the borough was 208, being twenty-six more than in the previous week, but thirty-six less than the average of the same week for the preceding ten years, corrected for increase or population. In the parish the deaths were 126, and in the out-townships eighty-two. From _ zymotic diseases the Mortality 'was lower than in any week for the nine preceding years. The deaths were twenty-seven, the corrected avera.e being seventy-six. Typhus caused twelve deaths ; scarlatina, six ; four ; measles, - heoping cough, croup, dysentery, and ague, one each. • Diseases of the lungs, with consumption, caused ninety-two deaths, a greater weekly mortality than has occurred since the month of January. A labourer, aged sixty, died front excessive drinking. Of the 208 who died from all causes, 104 were males, and 104 females ; 107 were children, and 101 adults. BACK CASTLE-STREET, KIRKOALE. The General Purposes Sub-committee recommended that the usual notices be given for the levelling, paving, and flagging of Back Castlestreet, Kirkdale. This ease was brought under the notice of the Health Committee last week by Mr. Stitt, who presented a memorial from the inhabitants oathe subject of the unhealthy state -of the. street. THE WHITEFIELD-LANE :BOUNDARY DISPUTE. 'The following report. was read TUE BOVNDARY BETWEEN TUE BOROUGH AND. WEST DERBY AND EVERTON. The General -Purposes Sub-committee report that for some sears past, disputes and differences have arisen as to the boun dary of the above districts in the neighbourhood of Whitefleld lane, and as t) the proper authority to rate the inhabitants of premises in the neighbourhood. With the view of settling these questions, a meeting has taken place between the respeetiye officers of the Health Committee of the West Derby Guardians and of the Everton Guardians. It appears that, in 1818, a similar difficulty arose between the township of West Derby and ,Everton ; and, in order to settle the matter, a meeting . was , held in that year before two Justices of the Peace, the Surveyor of Highways for the two townships, and several freeholders, and after full inquiry the precise jurisdiction and boundary of each of the districts was ascertained and settled. The result of the investigation is embodied in a memorandum, copy whereof is hereto timifexed, and as the boundaries of the Borough at the poll:Its-inquest= are coterminous with those of the Township, iour Cominittee.consider that the line thus laid down is eon:. eltisiVe upop, all parties. Vont.ConiMitte& Would therefore recommend, with the view of preltenti4g!.future disputes, that the Health Committee should fotvaliT, went to this line as the correct one, that the authorities of:Yost Derby and Everton and Walton-on-the- Hill should bdinforrned thereof, and that they be asked to sig- nify their assent 'thereto. . , - WEST DERRY:AND EVERTOy. . Whereas doubts having. arisen between the surveyors of the roads of West Derby and .Everton. to which township the 'boundary lane, known by the name of Whitefield-lane.belongs; • and in consequence of which it has remained for a length of .Iyears in amanitnproved and: disgraceful state, and in winter . nearly impassable. ' And wkereas complaints having been made to the surveyors of both townships,'requiring them to do the necessary repairs thereto, they have invariably refused to undertake the repairs :thereof, -from the uncertainty .to which township the same belonged. It was re=cilved; 'at a meeting of the respective townships. that thesaid matter in dispute should be left to the decision of Thomas,Molyneux, Esq., and the Rev. Jonathan Brooks, both in his Majesty's commission of the peace for the county of Lancaster, with the assistance and co-operation of the surveyors of the respective townships, and others, the freeholders that might attend them. Now, be it remembered that we, the said Thomas Molyneux and Jonathan Brooks, and the undersigned surveyors and free holders, did, on the 28th clay of May, 1818, meet m Wliitcftcld lane, and, having inspected the said lane and the 'situation thereof, and having maturely considered all the information they were to obtain respecting the same, do order and direct that the length of the lane should be ascertained, froth, the corner of the garden wall belonging to Whitefield house, oa the north, to the Breck-lane, within. West Derby, on the south; and that a stone, with the letters "D" and " on. the reverse sides, be placed at a medium dlstance from the two extreme points above-hamed, and that the same be considered the division of the said lane. IP And that henceforward the overseers of the roads for the town ship of West Derby do repair and uphold the said road from, such boundary stone to the end thereof on the south. And that the surveyor of the road for the township of Everton do henceforward repair and uphold the other part of the said road from such boundary stone to the end thereof on the north. And'-that the surveyors of each respective township be henceforward subject to answer to any bill or bills of indict ment that may be preferred against them respecting the repairs of the said road. Witness our hand the day and year before written. Attended to the decision : Mr. John Pyke „ Chas. Okill „ Thos. Bailey Freeholders. „ Humphreys „ A. Thomson Jon. Brooks. Thos. Molyneux. J. Atherton Surveyor,. R. Powell f The LAW CLERK said that the boundary there specified was what the Health Committee had always contended for as the right one. Mr. CROSTILWAITE asked where this important docu ment was found ? _The LAW uc--Amonb the papers of the Everton authorities, but they did not know, neither did we, of • --its-existence. Mr. CROWILWAITE said the holders of property in Whitefield-lane had been sued for rates both by the borough of Liverpool and the authorities of West Derby ; the consequence was that half the property there was at present empty. The CUAIRMAN said it was satisfactory to find that the document confirmed what the Health Committee had before assumed. Mr. CROSTIIWAITE regretted very much that it had not been found before, as it would have saved an im mense amount of annoyance and inconvenience. Mr. STITT said it was rather unfortunate, and, per haps, not•very creditable to the Corporation, that the language applicable to the state of the road nearly fifty years ago was. equally applicable to its present condition. The BOROUGII ENGINEER replied that that part of the road- which was in such a disgraceful state was not under the control of the Health Committee but of the out-township authorities. Mr. RIDLEY said he supposed the document now pro duced settled the question of the boundary. The LAW-CLERK—Certainly ; no one can break through it. • Mr. CROSTHWAITE said for fifteen years the out township as well as the borough had levied rates on the property in Whiteffeld-lane ; but the fact was never discovered until he brought it under the notice of the committee. 'The matter then dropped. TILE DRAINAGE OP GREAT HOWARD-STREEP. The:- --- • • following report was read from the Borough Engineer ORP-11.? itOwARD-STREET RELIEVING SEWER. The great boundary begun S e wer, first proposed by Mr. Rennie in 1815, and subseq uent l y to be constructed i n a mo difi e d form by Mr. Foster ig u °inieeS at the summit at the southern end of Crown-streeet, whence it proceeds northwards along the old municipal boundary , itvarious rates. of inclina line, to tion, an its d foutletollowiat :Wang all wa' t s G he tur tt s er l . n,i bends of the boundary slopes of West i At the time of its construction, the western ti ern Derby and Everton were occupied chiefly bsewers of'weichhacTee have gradually given place to streets , the as tributaries to the outlet, and the water during ran, IS rapidly thrown into the main sewer, and gorges it atthe s i v i e a g turns.. The sewerage constructed since 1846 has been designed with - the view of relieving this boundary sewer, and a great quantity of water that naturally would have flowed into it is carried by the new sewers in other directions to new Outfalls. The evils of the engorgement by sudden floods arc confined to the localities where the outfall running or its tributaries along streets front east and west with a rapid fall turns sharply at right angles along streets running north and south with a slackened gradient. For example, at the junction of Everton-brow and Richmond-row with Fox-street, and at the junction of Boundary-st r e e t w ith B eaco n - street and Great "Howard-street. An immediate remedy can be applied to these junctions of Richmond-row and Fox-street by putting in a large curve in place of the tight-angled junction, and increasing the capacity of the main sewer at that paint, and also cutting off part of the upper waters at Watmongh-street. Eventually, when the land between the north end of Great Homer-street and the Bankhall outlet at Kirkdale is laid out, much of the water now flowing into Beacon's Gutter may be carried into: Bankhall outlet, and the gorging at Great Howard-street entirely prevented. But in the meantime new turns with.wide sweeps and increased capacity should be sub stituted for the present acute turns at Luton-street junction and Blackstone-street junction. LeT.il The Presentwas constructed by Mr. gh, bef Beacon-street sewer e re the land was laid out in street, and (snows the , line of a water course tributary to Beacon's Gutter. The sewer is badly constructed and too shallow, and it joins Boundary sewer a t a Point too high up. This; should be re placed by a siew sewer, carried along Beacon-street, Newport-- street, and Ililford-street, to join Great Howard-street sewer below theclough. The plans and sections are herewith sub mitted, and tenders may be obtained by Tue4day next. The estimated cost of Beacon-street sewer, built in cement, is £7oo '0 0 Fox-street Junction 125 0 0 Blackstone street Junction LW/au-street Junction , 125 0 0 Total 1075 0 0 JAMES NEWLANDS, Borough Engineer. 2, Cornwallis-street, Nov. 23, 1859. The 'report was unanimously adopted; and - the work was ordered to be carried out. ALTERING TAE NAMES OF STREETS. A memorial was read from the whole of the owners and occupiers of land and houses in St. Domingo-vale, complaining that the name within the last fortnight had been altered to Cominins-street, and praying that the eviginal navie might be allowed to remain. A deputation alto waited on the committee en the subject, headed•by Mr. White. Mr. NEWLANDS stated that he knew nothing of the matter, and that he had given no orders whatever on the subject. • The CHAIRMAN said the matter would be attended to and put right. _ Joniwislied to know if any steps had been taken to alter the name of Shaw's-brow, and call it after Mr. Wm. Brown. Mr. IgEWLANns remarked that it was always incon venient to change an old name, and the subject dropped. In reply to Mr. Job, he stated that in all new streets he was endeavouring to avoid giving any existing names. Of the 2,030 names of streets in Liverpool, only 12.5 were duplicates. The LAW-CLERK stated that, that morning, the Mayor had received a letter from the Local Government Office, in London, confirming the adoption of portions of the Local Government Act by the Town Council of Liver pool, and stating that that fact. had been gazetted, so that the clauses of the act adopted by tho Council had now the full force of law. • This cone:tided the public business before the com mittee. MERSEY DOCKS AND.HARBOUR BOARD. Mr. Charles Turner presided at the usual weekly meeting of the Dock Board yesterday, and the other members present were—Messrs. Farnworth, Segar, Boult, Mondel, Graves, Rankin, Langton, Ronnthwaite, Evrc Evans, Forwood, Brocklebank, James Holme, Littledale, Langton, Hubback, Shand, Bushell, Tobin, and Maclver. WORKS COMMITTEE. The committee had declined to grant the application of Mr. Caleb Smith, made on behalf of the master shipwrights and shipbuilders' of this port, to have a large masting-shed erected on the east side of No. 1 Sandon Graving Dock. On the motion of Mr. Brocklebank, seconded by Mr. James Holme, the proceedings were confirmed. WAREHOUSE COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee included a recom mendation to appoint four apprentices, whose indentures have expired, as landing clerks at the Stanley Dock Warehouses at a salary of £BO a year each. Mr. Hummel( moved, and Mr. &GAR seconded the confirmation of the proceedings. Mr BOULT asked how it was that the receipts and disbursements at the Birkenhead warehouses were not stated as they were in respect of the other warehouses ? Mr. HUBBACK said the amounts were very small. The CHAIRMAN said, during the construction of the works at Birkenhead, the receipts, &c., were no criterion of what the warehouses would do. Mr. EYRE EVANS—You must remember that small amount is an index to the value of the property. • The CHAIRMAN thought not: It appeared that last week the receipts at the Birkenhead Warehouses had been £42 4s. 9d., and the wages £32 7s. 3d. The proceedings were then confirmed. MARINE COMMITTEE.—THE LOSS OP THE TYROL. From the proceedings of this committee it appeared that tenders having been submitted for the supply of the bell for the new bell beacon in course of construction, it was recommended that the offer of Messrs.- J. Warner and Sons, to supply one 'of 6 cwt. be accepted. The marine surveyor reported that he had visited the Form by life-boat station, and that he had found all the gear for launching the boat in perfect order. It was recom mended that the tender of Mr. Thomas Costain to make the necessary alterations in the Point of Ayr boat be accepted. . The subject of obtaining life-boats upon Peake's principle having been considered by the committee, the Marine Surveyor was instructed to write to Captain Ward,' the inspector of the National Life-boat Institution, requesting him to superintend the building of Peake's life-boat for the board, it being the earnest desire of the Marine Committee to possess the best boat that can be built. The committee had met on three several occasions, to inquire into the circumstances connected with the failure of the Liverpool and Magazine life-boats to render assistance to the crew of the Austrian barque Tyrol. Several witnesses were examined, and the following resolution was come to :—" This com mittee, having heard and carefully considered the evidence of all the parties who were engaged in endeavouring to save the crew, 'and of others who saw the position of the unfortunate barque, Tyrol, wrecked on Little Burbo Bank, in the afternoon of the 7th instant, the Imperial Austrian Consul, and the consignees of the Tyrol being present during the ex amination of the said parties, are of opinion, that, under all the circumstances, although there has been, conflicting testimony there is a great doubt of the pos sibility of the life-boats being successful in saving life, even if they had ventured within the broken water on -the Bank." Mr. MONDEL moved the confirmation of the pro ceedings. Mr. LANGTON seconded the motion. Mr. FOD.wooD wished to know what steps had been taken to ascertain the quality of the bell for the bell beacon. Mr. MONDEL explained that the bell was one which the Marine Surveyor had recommended them to' adopt. Mr. Boum. asked whether the result of the investiga tion into the loss of the Tyrol was considered satisfac tory by the consignees of the vessel; it would be a satisfaction to the public to know that. He wished to say that the bell, at the Landing-stage was the most miserable abortion he had ever seen. Mr. SHAND said it was stated that the captain of the Brother Jonathan had proffered to man the life-boat, if they would relinquish it, and take charge of his boat. He wished to ascertain how the fact came out. Mr. MoNDEL said, that at the conclusion of the case yesterday, Mr. Lemonins tendered his thanks to the committee, as Austrian Consul, for their patience in going into the matter. As to the .bell at the Landing Stage, it was made of steel, and had been made a pre -sent Of to the old Dock Board. It had the disadvantage of being put• on It too 'low position, or it would be heard at a much greater distance. Vith respect to the offer of the captain of the Brother Jonathan, he thought the statement of that man must be received with care. They found, on inquiry, that he had not had great experience as a boatman. He was a bold, daring man ; but he and all his crew, firemen included, only numbered eleven. He would- hardly have been a prudent man to abandon the vessel he was in charge ' of, and go into the life-boat. He thought it was only one of those effusions of courage taunting men to do their duty; and if they had been tried they would have been found wanting. Mr. FOEIVOOD said he had been told that since the removal of-the powder magazines, there was a peat decline in the maritime qualities of the people residing near the magazines. Mr. GRAVES suggested, with reference to the bell on t t he min l w and g ing stage, that a metal reflector should be put at the back o f th e b e ll, w hi c h wou ld h ave th e e ff ec t o f h the tones upon the river. i es c et Arummr—The engineer will :consider that sur T i l a proceedings were then confirmed. DOCKS AND QUAYS COMMITTEE. T 4 proceedings of this to committee included the fol lowing recommend a tionerect an additional tier of mooring posts on the northwest and to continue the west boundary wall of Canada Dock, Dock to within forty feet of Sandon Y Basin a entrancelVeilin g a t t o n a cost of £l5O. . The question of ordering double purchase capstans to be placed at the passage - between the liuskisson and Canada docks had been considered, and the engineer directed to report on the practicability and expense of working flour, as well as the gates, by hydraulic power. On the motion of Mr. BOULT, the proceedings were confirmed. The proceedings of the Pilotage Committee were con firmed, on the motion of Mr. SHAND, second by Mr. FARNIMTH j and those of the Master Porterage Com mittee on the motion of Mr. ROUNTHWAITE, seconded by Mr. FORWOOD. THE DEFENCES OP THE PORT. The next business before the beard was ,the discussion of the following notice of motion which had been given by Mr. Graves :—" That, in consideration t•f the im portant interests committed to the charge of this board, and in order to encourage the establishment of Volunteer Artillery and Rifle Corps in this town and neighbour hood, a grant of £250 be made to the general fund now being raised in Liverpool for that purpose." The CHIURMAN said, in reference to this matter, he had last week received a—note from Mr. John Laird, asking that in any appropriation of till funds of the board to the purpose indicated in the resolution, regard should be had to the Cheshire interest. Mr. GBAVES said—The subject which is comprised in this motion is so thoroughly understood by the members of the beard, that it will not be necessary for me to occupy more than a very moments in plating it before the board. it is now some six or eight months since the formation of volunteer corps was- first inaugurated in this town, and it will be also in your recollection that a large portion of the intervening timehas been occupied by th public, in the consideration of the necessity for this formation. So long as the -public mind was unde cided on the subject, it would have been very injudicious on the part of this board to have interfered in_any way whatever in relation to it. But since the opinion of the public has been, I may say, unanimously expressed in its favour, and since the verdict ha's been delivered in, that this formation should proceed, I think the time bas arrived when -this board, and other governing bodies, and employers of labour in this town, should not only express their opinion in support of the movement, but should give substantial proof of, their feelings upon the subject. It is not necessary for me, nor indeed is it desirable at this board, to enter upon the special reasons which are given outside to show the necessity for this movement ; it is sufficient for us to know that it is a movement recog nised by the Government, and adopted by the nation. (Hear, hear.) We are directly the custodians of a very large amount of property in this town. It has been stated at this board that twenty-two millions worth of property lies on an average, one day with another, within the bounds of our estate. (Hear, hear.) We are also, as trustees, in duty bound to aid in pro tecting the estate itself ; and there are other reasons, perhaps not of such a special nature, why the board should receive this resolution with favour to-day, and one of them arises from the deep connection which exists between this estate and the commercial prosperity of the country. It has been thought, and I believe wisely thought, that the organisation of a permanent corps of volunteers throughout the country for its defence would tend, to a large extent, to allay those fluctuations which are constantly taking place, and which paralyses,trade to ..a very large extent by every idle rumour or talk of war. (Hear, hear.) The amount that I have named has not been named without con - - sideration. There are some gentlemen at this hoard I ,believe, who think the amount too small ; and while, on one hand, I was anxious not to go below the subscrip tions of private individuals, I was also anxious, on the other hand, that we should not give an excessive amount, for I think it not impossible that this board may be called upon to take some more direct action, and may be called upon to undergo a very large expense for the pro tection of the property entrusted to our care. The principle recognised in the resolution has, to some extent, been already adopted by the board. (Hear, hear.) The formation of a Defence Committee by the board, to my mind, establishes the necessity for protection to our port. It may be urged that nationally we have a right to that protection, and I admit it; but it so happens that our right is not recognised. That Defence Committee has been endeavouring to carry out the wishes of the board; and, on its appointment, placed itself in communication with the Government. The first reply from the Government was of a most un satisfactory character, referring to the previous refusal of the Corporation of the town to grant a site for a fort. I believe that refusal was based on the fact that the erection of a fort there would materially interfere with the trade of the docks adjoining it. (Hear, hear.) Some. explanation was asked for nearly two months ago ; and, I believe, the Defence Committee up to this moment have' been unable to prosecute the subject of their inquiry, in consequence of the apathy of the Government. I am justified, therefore, in stating that I believe what has to be done in this matter will have to be done by ourselves ; and it is with this view, and because the formation of volunteer corps is going on in the town for the avowed object of the protection of the port, that I think the movement requires at our hands our strongest sympathy and aid. Now, in order that the proceedings of the Defence Committee may be fairly put before the board and the public, I would ask as a favour that the chairman of the committee would second my motion, if he approves of the principle involved in it. He will then have an opportunity of stating distinctly and clearly the reasons why the Defence Com mittee have dOne so little in carrying out the, instructions of this board. In reference to the disbursement of the proposed grant, I would suggest that the disposal of the money be left to the Defence Committee, and not to any particular fund, but to be dealt with in such a way as the committee think desirable. I have great pleasure in moving the resolution. Mr. HURRACX-1 have much pleasure in complying with the request of Mr. Graves, and I beg most heartily to second his resolution. -He has so ably stated the reasons why this board should grant this aid, that I shall not touch upon that point ; but I may anticipate a certain difficulty as to the legality of applyine , the funds of this trust to any such purpose? I think we have a precedent, where we deviated slightly from legal grounds. About four years ago a considerable amount of distress existed in the town, and I had the honour of moving that £250 be given by the board towards the general fund raised on that occasion. Tho board unanimously agreed, and therefore we have, in a certain sense, a precedent. Mr. Graves has asked me, as Chairman of the Coast Defences Committee, to state the exact position of matters. It may be in the recollection of the board, that the committee was unani mously appointed on my motion on the 28th July,. It met on the 30th, and did me the honour to elect me chairman. The proceedings on that day were confined to a resolution, which was unanimously adopted, inviting the Mayor, and the Town Council, and the Com missioners of Birkenhead to appoint a sub-com mittee, to confer with the committee of the board. That committee met on the 30th August; and they resolved to ask the Lord-Lieutenants of Lanca shire and Cheshir, the Admiralty, and the War-office for their co-operation in the movement. The committee met- on, the 4th October; and I may tell you that we had before us the replies from the Marquis of Westmin ster, the Admiralty, and the War-office. The reply from the Marquis of Westminster , simply stated that he thought the matter should be left in the hands of the Government. The Admiralty stated that the Lords Conimissioners had the matter under consideration, and that inquiries were in proaress. I presume inquiries are still in progress, as we ° have heard nothing more. The next letter is from the War-office, and it is as good a specimen as ever came before me of how not to do the thing. Lord Ripon refers to certain resolutions adopted in 1855, granting certain sites upon the dock quays for the erection of batteries, and again to resolutions of 1856, to the effect that after granting these sites the board had withdrawn them. There was an entire misapprehension on that point, as the cor respondence will show. It is there stated—" In reference to the suggestion that , officers should be ap pointed to consider the question, I have to acquaint you that that has already, been done, a committee of naval and , military officers having already visited Liverpool, and reported fully on the question, in 1857." I 'believe this board knew nothing. of it. _We 'asked for the re-. port, and it has not yet come. We are waiting, there-' fore, for further advice. Such is the position of the Port Defences Committee. But, although little has resulted from the appointment of the committee, I have' no reason to regret that I took a prominent part in calling the attention of the board to the defective state of the. defences of the port. I felt that there was a certain responsibility upon the board; but, by the course we have adopted, we have, to some extent, thrown the responsibility upon the Government. It remains for the board to consider whether the Defence Committee should still wait for those replies from the War-office and the Admiralty, or let the matter drop altogether. Mr. EVAXS objected to the . proposed grant altogether. He held that it would injure the movement, as all such assistance from a public body would have a ten dency to de ; for people would say—" The Government are doing so and so, and the Dock Board are doing so and so, and we have no need to do anything." He looked upon it as wrong for the board to undertake duties which were in the hands of the Government; he considered it grossly illegal, and they ought to refuse to give one shilling . The CHAIRMA;T—Perhaps the solicitor will give his opinion. The SOLICITOR could not say that the expenditure NORTHERN DAILY TIMES. -was strictly within the Act of Parliament. The pur poses for which money can be spent are set forth, and there is a negative clause that the funds must not be employed by the board " for any purposes whatever." Mr. GRAVES—What is the affirmative clause ? The SOLICITOR—There are the following words ' " for carrying into execution all the provisions of this act, and in the general management, canductin b , r, preserving, im proving, maintaining, and protecting the Mersey Dock Estate.' The word" protecting," however, was hardly used in the sense of the present resolution. Mr. BusnELL said that no doubt Mr. Evans had laid' down a sound general principle; and one which it would be wise to act upon on most occasions ; but he did think himself that a grant of this kind would quite come within the spirit of the clause which had been read. This was not a movement which had been discouraged by the Government. In fact, it had been initiated by the Government, and the Govern ment had made a public appeal to the nation to carry it out. A volunteer system was no new system. It had been in times of difficulty and trial already adopted in this country; and it was the system of America and other countries. He thought,' seeing we were a great commercial nation, that we never could maintain a standing army ; that it was wise and right that we should, as Mr. Graves had well observed, not wait until we were called upon to act as by a spasm, but have a standing force within ourselves, at all times available for national defence. He did - not think the Board would be stepping out of their course in granting the sum asked for by Mr. Graves. It was in itself, perhaps, unimportant, except as setting an example and giving an encouragement in a great movement. If, however, the solicitor said they could not and ought not to make this grant, he would vote agai'Ast the motion, because he would not be a party to do an illegal act. But, he believed, the spirit of the law was such that they might, make this grant ; and, he thought, it was their duty to make it if they could make it. The CHAIRMAN—Perhaps the solicitor will tell us whether we can and ought to make the grant. Mr. EVANS wished also to know whether the word " protect" had not alluSion to the immediate care of the docks, as applied to. thieves and robbers ? The SOLICITOR replied that he had akeady said that the word " protect" was not used in the sense that would justify their granting the money for military purposes. Mr. TOBIN said—l shall have no difficulty in giving a vote on this question, looking at what I believe to be our duty to the trust we represent. In former discus sions at this board it was considered that it was desirable to encourage this movement as much as we possibly could consistently with taking care always that the pri mary duties to the trust were not neglected by those who might enrol themselves ; and, proceeding as we have done with somewhat timid, vacillating, and hesitating steps; we should, I think, put ourselves forward in the move ment, for there was not any interest in the town that can be more deeply affected in this matter than the dock estate. We have seen the chtirman and various members of this board, at public meetings, declaring themselves supporters of the volunteer movement ; and if it is important to individuals, how much more is it of the most momentous interest to this estate ; for we hare not only property on which many millions of 'money ..has been expended—we have not only Our docks, but we have our dock-yards, and houses, and our immense piles of warehouses, which it is our duty to protect as much as it is the duty of any individual warehouse owner in Liverpool to protect his property. And I don't see why we should expect those gentlemen who have come forward so liberally with contributions to raise a fund for the pro tection of their own property, to raise a fund for the pro tection of our estate as well. (Hear.) It is not neces sary I should, say one word with reference to the move ment itself. This is not a matter which we take out of the hands of the Government ; but it is one in which we conaur in the judgment and the views they have ex pressed. They wish the movement to spread through out the length and breadth. of the land; they are foster ing it in every way in their power, and this morning I see it stated in the newspapers that " circular, sent from the Audit-office to the various public offices in London; inviting co-operation for the formation of a Civil Service Rifle Brigade r has met with great success." It 'therefore does not appear that we are taking the matter at all out of the hands of the Government, but that we are really concurring in their views. Mr. EVANS—We have to do with Parliament, not with Government. Mr.TOBIN resumed—Some gentlemen may say that we have no cause to fear an invasion. I won't argue that. It makes little difference to me whether such a course is probable or not; at all events, it would be rather hard to say that such a course was absolutely im possible. The leader of a great military nation is not always, his own master.; and we know that if he resisted a movement determined upon by his army and navy, it might cost him his throne ; and, therefore,. I say that we cannot treat this as a matter of absolute impossibility. It is an absolute disgrace to us as a, nation that we should be subjected, as we have been, to constant alarm on this question. We can't afford to have these frequent panics. Whenever an uneasy feeling arises in the country, just look at the frightful depreciation in all the funds and public property ; and if you had—as I will say you should have—several hundreds of thou sands of men enrolled as volunteers, which could be done at a very small cost to the community, you would avqid those fluctuations caused ,by the uneasy feeling, from time to time, spread throughout the country. Mr. Evans has stated that when public bodies interfere and give grants of .money, it is absolutely injurious to the movement they wish to promote ; because it would limit private subscriptions : and le also said that the movement would be hailed with pleasure by those who approved of it no doubt, but that they loved their money better and would not part with it. Now I say emphatically that in Liverpool that has not been the case, for the people came forward and took up the matter before we moved at all, and they sub scribed largely to the fund in support of the organisa tion. (Hear, hear.) Ido say then it is only due that we, with the immense property we have at stake should come forward and give a small amount to 'that fund. We take every possible precaution to guard against accident by storm or otherwise to our property ; we pay £22,060 a-year to the police for guarding our property from pillage and injury, and I ask is it too much to ask a grant of £250 to protect us from injury from another source ? While we have been backward rather than too forward in this matter, we find the banks and other public bodies have come forward and contributed to the fund— clothed and gone to considerable expense with reference to all young men in their establishments, and, therefore, we, with - the immense interest We have hi our keeping, should7fostei this movement, and subscribein support of it. I aoi l believe it is contrary to the spirit of the act of Parliament for us to contribute, and if Parliament, when we were last before it, had been asked to give us the power to do what is now sought by this resolution to be accomplished, they would have acceded, unhesitat-, ingly, to our request. Mr. EVANS—You talk about the. banks., The banks give their own property ; we are called upon to give away the property of others. Mr. Maclvna said for the board to give a grant, was one thing; raising a corps was quite another. The illustrious Defence Committee—(laughter)—would take to itself credit for having moved in tie matter, and done the state some service ; but he could not allow them to lay that flattering unction to their hearts at all, becduse, except from what he hadse - en .in the newspapers, that such a body had been appointed, he had never heard of anything that they had done. 'Here was he (Mr. Maclver), in individual having the 'control of a large concern, employing- a large :body of men, and yet he had never been 'asked one word in connection with the subject by the Defence Committee. He hoped before long, how ever, that he would be' able to raise a battalion from amongst the employees of the Cunard Com pkny.. That showed that they were not at all niggardly in spending money which belonged to them selves, and which they could spend legally. So much for the volunteer part of the business. Now, when he was asked to contribute of the funds which he and other , members of the Dock Board held in trust, he at once referred to the solicitor. This was not a question of what they would like to do, or how much they could do for the defence of the country, but the simple question 'was could they spend one sixpence of their trust money legally for that purpose ? Mr. EVaws—Why, it's contrary to statute law. Mr. MacrvEn proceeded—Titat was just what the solicitor said ; and common sense applied to the dock acts would show that there was n 9 alternative .bat to negative Mr. Graves' proposal. They might all vote as they pleased, in any shape or way they lik but he, as one of the board going out of office on the lsfo!Januarynext, would not be a party to making one of his latest acts' an illegal proceeding. It was not a o.nestion of money either, and to prove that he would, with the other members of the Board, if they thought fity tub- scribe his share towards giving £250 to the fund, as it was one raised for the defence of the country; but he would not vote away a fraction of the money of the Dock Trust for that purpose, for the reason he had stated. Mr. SrrAx - r. said, a good deal of the discussion that day suggested some new ideas. He must confess when he looked at the magnitude of the estate, the proposed. .vote.of£2so looked contemptible, but if they did vote that sum they should not throw it into a common fund, but spend it in support of forces to be raised amongst the employees of the Trust. However, after what they had heard, he should.not vote for the motion as it stood at present. • Mr. Foßwoon thought they should not adhere to a *rigid construction of the act of Parliament in such, a 'case as this. He trusted the patriotic feelings of the hoard would prompt them to support the resolution, and although the amount was small—only £2so—it would at any rate serve to show the public out of doors what the disposition of the board really was. Mr. LANGTON was opposed to the grant, after the opinion given by the solicitor. Mr. BROGICLEILNNIC had every sympathy in the move ment now taking place, but he thought that it ought to be carried out on the voluntary principle. • - • Mr. It.krcrx advised Mr. Graves to take counsel's opinion upon the subject. He felt that the sum of £250 was a mere trifle ; and if they could do' it •- legally, he would - rather they should con tribute a larger sum. If strengthened by the opinion of counsel, a larger sum - might be granted : but at presentit seemed really doubtful whether it was legal. Mr. MONDEL said he had a great objection to vote the money of the board for such a purpose. Notwith standing the ardour of the young gentlemen who had come forward as volunteers, and who had pledged their services to the country, he did not think they had well considered what they had undertaken. (" Yes, yes.") Ile supposed the volunteers calculated some day that they were tq resist the enemy at Liverpool. Now, he would not like to place much reliance upon such a defence. Liverpool was not the place to, _ meet the enemy. They must meet the enemy before he came to Liverpool. If any gentleman would take the chart of Liverpool, he would see that nature had done much for its defence ; that the port of Liverpool was approachable by deep keels only by two entrances—the Rock channel on the one hand, and the Queen's on the other. • In each channel they were obliged to, come up four miles end on to the shore, and the Leasowe fort on the oue side, and Armstrong guns on the other, would sink any ship in the world. It would be beneficial to the country if they could do away with the stand ing army by a well organised volunteer system. But these young men's ardour was inspired by the thought how they would look in a green uniform. (" No no.") They dii not think of the intimate difficulty of their undertaking. Now, here they were going to vote money which was not theirs. It might part of it belong to France—very likely it did at the present moment. (" No, no.") He said yes, for the revenues of the port came from the commerce of the world. At all events, he could not consent to appro priate illegally one penny of the money entrusted to the charge of the, board. Mr. BOULT said the solicitor's opinion had convinced him that they could not vote the money. He did not like to hear this patriotic movement sneered at as a mere . ebullition of vanity. It was entitled to their respect and encouragement, and he was only sorry he could not support Mr. Graves' motion on the present occasion. Mr. LITTLEDALE would have great pleasure in voting for Mr. Graves' motion. If it were not legal, he should like to know what the penalty was, and who would enforce it. It would be thought they were throwing a wet blanket . upon the movement. C The HAIRMAN said he considered the movement so valuable that he should be desirous, individually of sup porting it to the utmost of his power. He was one of those who thought, seeing the preparations which were being made in other countries, that upon the prepara tions going on in this country would mainly depend the maintenance of peace. He saw preparations in other countries, which could have no other possible object than a contemplated attack upon this country at some time or other. He believed, if they were prepared they would not be attacked, and if they were not prepared that attack would come: But at the same time, as chair man of this board, he did not think, after the opinion of the solicitor, that it would be a proper application of the funds of this board, and they should not allow •their feelings of patriotism to make them misappropriate the funds committed to their charge. If they did not ad here to what-was legal, it would be used against them whenever they went again to Parliament. Mr. FORWOOD wished to ask the board if it would be legal to give a piece of land on the estate for a fort. 'he CHAIRMAN—He could not go into that. Mr. GRAVES said the board had received a letter from Mr. Laird claiming a portion of the £250 for the protec tion of the Cheshire side of the river. He wished to ask the solicitor's opinion on that point. • The SOLICITOR said that he thought any such pay ment on this or on the other side of the river, was illegal. Mr. GRAVES, in replying, said it would be unnecessary for him to May one word on the necessity of aiding or promoting this movement; because the illustration given of the necessity by a member of the board in the person of Mr. Maclver was .so strong that any words from him would be utterly useless. He had stated that he was about arming some 300 of his own artisans—it might be 1000—for the 'protection - of his own works, which were built upon a portion of the Dock Board's estate. Mr. Maclver opposed -the - present-grant on legal grounds, and expressed his willingness to co-operate, •as am indi vidual,in raising this £250: He (Mr. Graves) did not think that any gentleman knew more thoroughly how to fulfil those duties which attached to their station in private life than the members of this board ; and to meet a great question like this by a subscription round this table 'was an act which he would be sorry to see this board attempt. Mr. MaelvEn—l would not. Mr. GRAVES—This question stood or 'fell upon the legality of the grant. He had done his duty in bring ing it before the board, and' the board must know that he would not ask them to pass any resolution in contra vention of the act of, Parliament. He consulted the act of Parliament ; 'he found the word "protection" in it ; and though, according to the legal sense laid down by the solicitor, it might not, possibly warrant this board in passing the resolution, yet, according to .the spirit of the act, and according to common. sense, he believed that word did cover his resolution. (Hear, hear, and "no, no.") lie would - put another question to the solicitor. If what they feared should happen to occur, was this board warranted in going to any expenditure whatever for the protection of. their warehouses and the dock estate ? , • The SOLICITOR—I think, Mr. Graves, that is a ques tion which hardly arises , upon this motion. It is a different state of things altogether. Mr. GRAVES said it seemed to him to have a strange bearing upon the subject; but as the solicitor was un willing to give a definite answer, he would not press for one. He (Mr. Graves) had not been satisfied with basing his resolution upon the act of Parliament; but he went back to see what the board had been doing, and he found that in the days of the old Dock Com mittee, of which Mr. Brocklebank and Mr. Evans were members, the committee actually granted to the Government of that day, 'a large quantity of land, involving thousands of pounds, for the purpose of building a fort. Mr. EVANS—There is no analogy at all. Mr. GRAVES went on to Sax that the Dock Com- mittee granted- that land for building a fort on the frontiers of the dock property, and for its protection, and he now asked them to aid in equipping men to be placed in charge at that fort in case of need. Mr. EVANS—Why, 'the Government were to supply the men. Mr. GRAVES said it was only within the last few days that the question of equipping the dock gatemen was brought before the board. How was it met? ~ It was met by the suggestion that it would be wrong to allow the dock gatemen to be drawn from their duties to attend the necessary dnll. It was stated it would be better for them to aid in employing others. Had he not, on these two grounds, some reasons for bringing this before the board. But it was not £250 he asked for; it was to confirm by their statements that day, as they had done, that this was a necessary move ment, and that the sympathies of the members of the board, who were amongst the largest employers in the town, were with the movement. His object was at tl himself, and those other ent l eme n desirous of acting with a tai oli n o e i d ta ; r, a t n h d at as it w h as o It a 'a u s il m leig ee a t l g b r y ou ti t i , e haessuwroaunlede rrelievethe board to allow him to him, from all responsibility, and, with the permission of would the accordingly; and this n of the public business, the reporters retired, , b w h s il t n h s gt‘ d r e e c ,t o a l cwn seconder, resolutionche r i h ius o motion.iwovsu NOVEMBER 25, 1859. THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT. LIVERPOOL SCOTTISH RIFLE VOLUNThaS' After the example set them by their countrymen ' ill 4 . London, the numerous Scotchmen resident in LiYerP ° have begun to bestir themselves in the most Per il° movement of the day. In furtherance of this design, a larg e and influential meeting of Scotchmen was held yesterd* at one o'clock, in the Common Hall, Philadelphia Chambers, Hackin's-hey. James Robertson, FA . ' occupied the chair. In commencing the proceeding* he said that, at the preliminary meeting held last wee k ' he had been elected 'their chairman, and since then had been chosen to fill the same office to the committee t— en appointed. That committee had been diligently eng a g ed in framing rules and regulations for the corps, and drawl up a report as to the best and most effective manner in wh ich it could be gut up ; which would be submitted to the meeting in due course by the secretary. Scotchmen had ever been known for their loyalty, and were ec Is ready to come forward in defence of their country. Liverpool they have not failed to show those character istics, .for already there are 1.50 memberi enrolled ,f et the corps. Two drill sergeants have been en„ma.„-',. : e and, by the kindness of Major Greig, they were to a i a the use of Seel-street Police-station every Wedile', s ' and Friday evening, for drill, and they would cri mence to-morrow evening at 5 o'clock. It Pa o been determined to have a Highland CouP a ;3 included in the corps, which he hoped meet with the approbation of the meeting. k' j. please.) He' then called. upon the secretary, ffil r ' n cl Muir Dowie, to read the report of the committee, '',l* the rules they had determined on for the regulation the corps. tea The report stated that the committee had endeace ll } ,: $ to ascertain the very lowest expense at which sa e ", e t corps could be efficiently carried on, and to have a r „ of rules which would embody the experience of all P. lions rifle companies. That in compliance r ai d a generally expressed wish, they had determined to 1,1 a Highland Company. The first set of rules pror by the _ committee relates to "membership sll o f organisation." The corps will consist only P ‘ honorary and effective members ; the former to pay 4 1 , annum, and the latter £1 entrance fee and £1 perann" $ Candidates for admission must be recommended bj er captain or three members, on approval of the genera', sub-committees. The fees payable by officers on ar t , pointment are as follow :—Captain, £10; £5 ; Ensign, £3 ; and the difference on proniet i . e, The second set relates to " arms and accoutremen , 'a Rifles will be provided partly by the Government , a l li ,j s partly by the general funcl. Each member to pay fo r t y own uniform, unless exempted from this charge by committee. The committee to select th e unifer f ',, which is to bear some _ distinctive mark of nation re The third set relates to " drill and pr a cti c e." Ne re lf , e- 11 ber is to be returned as effective unless he attends n $ at least two - hours in each of twenty-four days to the course of the year. The fourth set, which eel s a t to " discipline and management," provides the' the members shall be subject to the Government revc r° e tions, that the officers be selected by the members ag e they have been drilled one month, and that the man a c„, ment of the Highland Company be left to two snli - c o " ' mittens. The report was unanimously adopted. The uniform proposed by . Lord Fah . ° for the Lon on Scottish Volunteers was exhibited to the meeting, , met with general approval. The CHAIRMAN said they lied an' office' in the Lic e a r i i pool and London chambers, which had been Itin Al granted by Mr. Boult, free of expense, where enrolment of members would be proceeded w i t h eve ,a day. Whenever there was a sufficient number, they w° ;t $ have the attendance of a magistrate to administer th oath of allegiance to the corps. Mr. J. J.STirr, who promptly responded to the T, said the Times of yesterday had an article in which it ef ic b pared the - present volunteer movement with that wu no took place when Buonaparte threatened a descent on $ shores. Then the country was in arms to wars °it danger which was hourly expected, now it was only Pqr paring for contingencies which might possibly ar ise. one, any forei g n potentate, he would particularise 11 % the imagined that the_ patriotism of England Wa s ias ° „ I at wane, he found a sufficient answer in the enth as man of present pervading tiae . . country. He was 3 —: 11 the peace, and believed that most of the persons 1 ii;ts , room, engaged as they were in commercial Vi rS T ; o f loved peace too ; but it was because he was a 1113 Te• peace that he supported the volunteer mot meat, for he considered that the best Ty make sure of peace was to be prepared f or war. state of Europe imperatively. called for preparation t o the part of this country, as it was impossible to s ee w a ve might arise. Therefore it was he P this movement all, the active sympathy in his power Mr. GRANT said that heads referred to 'by though he was one of the to Mr. Stitt, and was too 01 y shoulder a . musket, he was proud to see that t Scotchmen in Liverpool had united in this znovenie, , 11 " . 0 1 Mr. G. A. M'KENZIE said that he was a menir t y the committee, a well as of the sub-committee a,' of Highland Company ; and from what he knew e' bU amount of enthusiasm manifested, they would be a d i r to turn out as respectable a company as any in th e 01 tricts. Before the meeting separated, he begged l e to propose a vote of thanks to their chairman. no r' Mr. HORSFALL seconded the motion, which wa s dially responded to. • T TOXTETH-PARK BOARD' OF GUARD —' , The usual weekly meeting of this board wa s 3 4 o be la , yesterday in the board-room of the Public-offices , -1. the, place, Mr. H. S. Alpass in the c h a i r . The % e r .guardians present were Messrs. S. Siddeley, rand, Joseph Harrison, J. D. Carter, Joseph jah John Wilson, Alexander Miller, William Ley'llint" air Moss, M. A. Johns, G. W. Hunter, W. H. Ogden, J.B. 'Hughes. te' The Governor of the West Derby Workhens.et.4o ported the number belonging to the Park distriweel4 .. that establishment to be last_ week, 386 ; t ces r. 376; against 383 in the corresponding week of la!, sl Last week there were 35 sick and in the hosPi. tw weA' mitted since, 11;, discharged, 7 ; died, 1; t foC 38. A cheque . to the amount of 96 was gra n the relief of the out-door poor. 4 , 0 0, Mr. Cleaver was directed to furnish M s r.: oo 3 ; f e : s. t e l: deputy-surgeon, with the consolidated rules ° Poor-law Board, relating to his duty. The board agreed to advertise for a schoolmistress, and a porter and his wife, for the workhouse. I,air Mr. CLEAVER then read the following a t "The committee appointed by the guarclian s he eon, meeting, held on the 17th inst., to investigate t of complaint made by the head-constable of the r of of Liverpool against Mr: Heath, relieving- 06 4 ce f3,„1, 0 ' t township, with reference to—the ease of ort les e . lately residing at 30, Mann-street, beg to reP,„ e jr having in the presence of Mr. Heath taken tns, ° n a l of the several witnesses, - s -- ,yii:, Mr. Wm. E. S' a s ", ( 11;tor cal officer of district No. 2, James Patters ° jesl' o o, medical officer of district No. 1, Wm. Dalt iri 'vatt e i c e of , of police, Christopher Jackson, assistant to 3 1 - 1 * es , "i f in • surgeon, David Reay, police-officer, Ann Je l l og . th7,i e r Thomas Jones, residing in the house adjeile o ccn,„r e e, which the pauper resided ; Sarah Grant, th e of the house No. 30, Mann-street and a r ` je 7 honorary overseer and guardian of the townserrerror.a opinion that Mr. Heath committed a gra c t tenir e v offering . the workhouse to , the pauper, and a bico .a ate to remove her thither in the critical state 1 „ a ti then-was, without having first obtained a ,ye r 0 0 '4 to n lee° from the medical officer or his deputy as - /l eg 1 01 to be removed. Further, that Mr. Heath his duty, andldisobeyed the order of the !n ot , te t , t Board when he found, on Sun da y , the 13th ins b .ot a t the pauper had not gone to t he workhouse, in_ th at . 0 ; $ time affording her out-door relief; and further, v igt Heath was blameable, inasmuch as, he did 1 1 °;. 0 .1%'', e ` pauper from Sunday evening until the followlbotten,„ nesday afternoon, although requested to d° Co s; Tuesday by Mr. Wilson, overseer. The .A er atie g S therefore, for the above reasons, and in CO _ ar ch. , 0 the frequent complaints heretofore made to the p ros P o as to the manner in which Mr. Heath Per.,, lu d isas e$ duties, feel comlled to recommend the ga' c l u ties suspend him from the performance of ht: r E e o li n e r v d i7 officer, and report the case to th was seconded by Mr. Moss. ar Mr. JoMNS moved the adoption of Mr. J. B. Humus moved, as an a men the F e°A the report of the committee be sent to fa S Boar r. d for them to take action thereon." wh ich M HARRISON s econded the amendme carried, after a long discussion. the repert,:illi: kill Dr% The t tiTE lat tsl 44 4 4% i t 'Ai A,. •.