Northern Times. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-12-03 00:00:00

Committee, who had been all their lives engaged in valuing land, and than other gentlemen, who also hsd had considerable experience of the same nature. The Council could now see what the result was. He hoped it would be a warning to the Council for the future to go into such questions in rather a different way. Mr. Alderman BENNETT reminded Mr. Picton that there had been a great deal of good gained by the delay in that instance. hey had had a street marked out, taking up a portion of that land which they could not have had, if they had disposed of it twelve or eighteen months ago, and which would enable hem, he hoped, in a very short time, to give an amount of eccommoda ion, by the relief of Oldhall-street, which would be worth a great deal more than the site of the hied itself. He hoped the public would now understand that the land was in the market, and he hoped the railway company would see that it was their interest to make a purchase from the committee, for there was no piece of rend so suitable to them f.,)r a goods' station. The corporation ought to make some sacrifice, to gain so great a general accommodation to the public, as a suitable goods' s'ation for the railway in that locality would be. Mr. Alderman Holme very much regretted that Mr. Bennett had not made those remarks at the time the question was before the council. He, (Mr. Holme), expressed his regret then, and should eepress it now, that a number of gentlemen wit t did net understand the value of land, should have opposed the Finance Committee upon that occasion, and prevented them from making an arrangement with the railway company —for what reason he knew not, which had inflicted upon them a very serious loss: What position would they now be in to go with an offer to the railway company? The company at that time made an offer to the committee, by which the Council would have been in the receipt of nearly £2,500 a-year for ever, secured to them by the enormous funds of that company, and still further . secured to them by the fact of the company placing build ings upon it. He did not know how the committee could now go back to the railway company, and ask them again to open up negcciations upon the same terms ? Although the Imeravement Committee had recommended a slice out of the ;and, that really did not affect the general question. He would ask, if they had an offer made for five or six yards of the land, even at a very high price, would any gentleman, acting as if he were dealing with his own pri Tate property, think of selling it ? Would he sell two or three small lots of the land? He said, with regre', that the gentlemen who opposed the committee at that time made a mistake. What they did, they did, no doubt, for the best, but they refused to place confidence in the Finance Committee, although the opinion of the committee was backed up by the most eminent engineers, not only in that Council but out of it, and the result was that a dead lam had been inflicted upon the Council. in con sequence of the bargain to which he alluded having been brcken, of between .E-1,000 and £5,000 up to the present time, and they had at that day the land still upon their hands. which might have been sold. It was ene.of those mistakes which he exceedingly regretted, although he doubted not that the gentlemen believed they were act ing for the benefit of the Corporation. It was only a proof that they must place confidence somewhere. If confidence on that occasion had been reposed in the Finance Committee, the Courted would not have had any occasion to regret it. Mr. STSWART strongly deprecated any discussion upon the subject, being of opinion that the loss said about it the better. Mr. J. JEFFERY said he was not in the Council at the time, but he took some interest in the question out of doors, and he took that interest because a street had been projected by three different boiies, one Qf which was a committee of that Council, sanctioned, he believed by the Ccuncil, but for reasons then stated, it was not put in operation. It was because the whole of the land was to be sold to the Baqway Company, not reserving so much at would have afforded the relief required for Oldhall street, that the matter was tee aside at the time. Now, if that street were marked out, and so much of the land reserved fur the public as would be necessary for the relief of Clan,ll-street, then he wculd ask the Finance Committee why they had not done with the remaining portion cf the land as had been done with the hotel in leale-st: est ?—that it should be put fairly up to bidders, and let the Railway Company, if they thought fit, become purchasers of it at the marketable value. Mr. Alderman Doren remarked that that portion of the town had already been much widened and improved, owing to the delay in disposing cf the land. The CHAIR3Ip said the matter did net feral any part of the proceedings, anti the Council were getting rather into irregularity. The question then dropped, and the proceedings of the Finance Committee were confirmed. - The proceeAngs of the Watch Committee, from which it appeared that Mr. J. B. Brspcker was elected chairman, and Mr. James Johnson vice-chairman, of the committee, were confirmed. They contained nothing worthy of remark. DOCK COMMITTER. The p.oe - edings of this committee were read. Mr. C. TURNER, in moving their confirmation, said : In rising to move the confirmation of the Dock Committee's proceeding, I cannot do so without adverting to the Let that the got of last session severing the legal connection between the Corpora ion and the Dcck Estate, will come into effect on the Ist of January, and that this therefore is the last occasion on which the Dock proceedings will be brought before the Conned. Although the legal connection between the Dock Estate and the Corporation will be thus severed, the interests of the Corporation and Dock Estate will ever be inseparably associated, and I trust that the two bodies will always be found to join in every measure calculated to promote the prosperity of the trade of the Mersey. Should that trade decay, great ruin must fall on the town of Liverpool; but should that trade continuo to flourish as it has hitherto done in the same proportion, I will venture to say the town of Liver pool will prosper: (Hear, hear.) Mr. ROBINSON seconded the motion, which was adopted. The proceedings of the Courts of Law and St. George's Hall Committee, were confirmed. They contained nothing worthy of remark. MARKETS COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee, including recom menthtion to appoint John Allen as Market Constable at the wages of 225. per week, with the usual allowance of clothing, being the same as that received by his prede cessor, were read. 111 r. JOHNSON moved the confirmation of the pro ceedings. Mr. W. Eamai called attention to the want of public conveniences in the neighbourhood of the markets, and also throughout the town generally. It was essential to health that such places should b^ provided, and he moved that it be recommended to the Markets Committee to pro vide such conveniences. Mr. Alderman lloime, Mr. Hodson, Mr. C. Turner. Mr. Picton, and other gentlemen spoke at to the necessity of places of public convenience throughout the town, and Mr. Alderman Dover assured the Council that the Committee were resolved to have such places provided for the public. The motion was a loptPd ; and the proceedings of the Committee including the recommendation, ware confirmed The proceedings of the Education, Gaol and House of Correction and Town Establish:ten.; Cmntnitteas were confirmed. They contained nothing worthy of remark. HEALTH COMMITTEE In connection with the proceeding 4 of this Committee the memorial of the owners and occupiers of houses in Pembroke-place, praying that a curtain portion of that street be Macadamized, was read. It was published in our impression of Tuesday. Mr. Alderman DOVER moved the confirmation of the proceedings. an 1 in doing so referred to the memorial which had ju3t been read. There could ,-- be no doubt, he said, that the memorial was ti) - -work of one hand, for the committee had reason to believe that the neighbourho3l were perfectly satisfied with the street. The committee were about to Macadamize the street in front of the church and Lying-in Hospital, but if they granted the special act of grace atk,:d by the memorialists, where ware they to stop? The objection tollac Warn was twofold—the expense of laying it down and keeping it in order. The committee came to the conclusion that they could not grant the prayer of the memorial, and unless the Council were prepared to incur a large periodical expense in the renewal of such pavement, they would support the resolution of the committee. Mr. ANTHONY seconded the confirmation of the proceed ings. Mr. J. R. JEFtERY urged that the committee could not consistently refuse the prayer of the memorial, seeing that they had already admitted the annoyance in the street from its being altcgeiher paved with square sets, by ordering that the portion in front of the church ani hos pital to be Macadamised It was said that the memorial was the work of one hand No doubt it was drawn up by one person, but several of the occupiers of houses in the street called upon him, and complained of the annoyance from noise which they there experienced. But if they were to have square set pavement, let it be general throughout the town, and let them no longer have the inviduous and unjust distinctions which were made in this rasp ct t between certain streets. The committee knew well that they dare not pave Bold Street, or any of the other leading streets in the town with square sets. (Hear, hear.) The public would not tolerate it for a day, and mhjethen should the inhabitants of Pembroke-place be Bor4 CLOTHING MADE WITH GREAT TASTE AT LEWIS and COMPANY'S. Ranolagh-atreet. made to suffer from an annoyance, the existence of which, would not be permitted in other streets of the town. He would move as an amendment, that the the prayer of the memorial be granted, and that the Health Committee be instructed to Macadamize one third of Pembroke place. Mr. W. EARLE seconded the amendment, and observed that while the public were willing to pay for such acccom modation, the principal streets oug'at to be Macadamized. (Hear, hear ) Mr. Alderman Rumen objected to their again reverting to the Macadam pavement,,, because of its great expense. ..11r. HODSON urged that if they Macadamized Pembroke place, they could not r fuse Macadamizing Water street, where the occupiers of offices frequently comp 7 ained of ihe noise from the square set pavement. Mr PICTON replied that the traffic in Water-street was slow and heavy, and, therefore, the square-set pavement was necessary there. He would have square-sets in all streets of slow and heavy traffic, but where it was light and quick, a portion of the streets should be macadamised. He did not know the principle on which the Committee acted in regard to the pavement of tho streets, but he would put the matter to the test, and would give notice hat, in the event of the prayer of the memorial being refused. he would move that Bollstreet and Chu:eh-street be paved with square-sets. Mr. JOHNSON supported the prayer of the memorial, and admitted that the square sets caused a much greater noise than in the first instance he expected they would do. Mr. ALDERMAN HOLME expressed it as his opinion that in all streets over which light end quick traffic passed, some portion should be Macadamized. Mr. ALDEttMAN DOVER replied that the question they had now to determine was not whether Pembroke-place would be Macadamised, but whether they would have nearly the whole town Macadamised, and - pay for their pavement ls. the square yard, instead of as at present a fraction of a penny. Tho amendment was then put to the vote, and Carried by 31 to 15. Tb e voting was as follows : _ _ For the amendment—The Mayor; Aldermen : Samuel Holme, Raymond W. Houghton, J: Bramley-Moore, M.P., Richard C. Gardner, J. Hayward Turner, Joseph Cooper, Thomas Robinson, George H Horsfall, Thomas Bold, William Preston, William !Bennett; Councillors : Hilton Halhead. John Stewart, James Robertson, John Fa.rnworth, Joseph Kitchen, James Mellor, James Johnson, James R. Jeffery, JaMes A. Picton, William Earle, Th omas Wagstaff, Alexander Shand, John Lawrence, Charles T. Bowring, James Ryley, James Steains, Joseph G. Livingston, Thomas Littledale, Charles Turner.-31. Against the amendment—Aldermen: James Parker, Thomas Thwer, Thomas Chilton; Councillors: Thomas Vernon, William H. Anthony, Francis A. Clint, John Aikin. T. Llewelyn Hodspn, Robert Hutchison, John B. B:ancker, Samuel R. Graves, Roger Haydork, James Crellin, Daniel Crosthwaite, Thomas D. Anderson.-15. Tha other proceedings of the committee were con. firmed. THE NORTHERN TIMES.--LIVERPOOL I THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1587 GARDENS COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee did not contain any tb irg of public importance. Mr. PaEsroN moved the confirmation, which was agree I to. entrucn EXPENDITURE COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee contained 'a recom mendation to confirm the appointment of Mr. Charles Smith as organist of St. Luke's church, during the pleasure of the Council, at a salary cf £3O per annum, commencing kern the 17th day of February last. The minutes also mentioned that Mr. Steains had been elected chairman, and Mr. W. P. Jeffreys vice chairman of the committee. SisratNs moved the confirmation of Mr Smith's appointment, stating the circumstances under which he was originally appointe.:, and which were already several times before the public. Mr. W P. JETPRZYS seconded the motion, which was unaninviusly passed. Th 3 general proceedings were then confirmed. WATRR CO MSI ITEM. The proceedings of this committee contained a report from 'Professor Brandt on two specimens cf the Itiv ngton water, the general effect of which was, that in thcse speci mens there appeared to be nothing objectionable except the co our. A further report by Professor Brandt, and one by Dr. Clarke, are to be submitted. A sub-committee had been appointed to consider the practicabili'y of supplying the two kinds of water by different pipes. Mr. nooses said, in accepting the office of Chairman of tht Committee, he felt the very great difficulty of his position even at the commencement, when ho knew that he had to follow gentlemen such as Mr. Holt and Mr, Cooper, and the difficulties with which they had had to contend during the many years that that subject had been beLre the town. Ha was, indeed, particularly grateful to Mr. Earle for the very kind manner in which that gentleman proposed him for the office he now held, and also for the very generous support and kindae , s which had been she wn to him by every member of the Committee since he occupied the chair. The object of all the members was but one, in common, to endeavour, if possible, and as quicky and rapidly as they could, to settle that long- vexed question, and he thought it was now in a fair way to be settled (hear, hear). Tho proncedings of the Committee were so fall, and almost every subject which had been before the Committee was given so much in detail, that it was not necessary for him to occupy the attention of the Council by any remarks of his own. If there were any subject With which any gentleman in the Council was not conver sant, he should be happy to afford all the information in his power. He begged to move the confirmation of the proceedings. Mr. EARLE seconded the motion. Mr. ROBERTSON asked why the collection was less this ye,r than the previous year. There was a difference of 21; per cent. Mr. lionsoN said, last year was almost the very best collection they ever had. This year the difference, as the Treasurer told hini, was owing to the difficulties of the times. Mr. ROBERTSON : Then, I understand that there is no calling off in the water rate, only in the colleodon. AIi:EARLE : Certainly. Mr. Hoosog said, 11Ir. Jeffery had just informed him that yesterday he signed 100 summonses as a magistrate, for the payment of water rates. The proceedings were then cmfirmed. LIBRARY AND MUSEUM COMMITTEE. The proceedings of this committee wore read. Mr. PICTON moved their confirmation. Ho said that the lending libraries had increased in their usefulness and extent to such a degree that the public were beginning to press for additional accommodation. The committee had taken the subject into their serious consideration, and were desirous, under the sanction of the Council, to do whatever might be necessary to increase that accommoda tion, an i disseminate th 3 adv.mtages enjoyed from libraries to a wider extent. There were, however, considerable difficulties in the way. The premises the committe': rented at the north and south end, although very well adapted for the purposes of the institutions when first opened. wore now too contracted, and it therefore became a serious question how far they would be justified in laying out a large erm of money in increasing the accommodation of premises belonging to others. To get other premises was a matter of considerable difficulty, And the committee, in consequence, now proposed as a means of temporary relief to increase the hours of attendance at the libraries, so as to give a greater degree of atten ance in the distribution of books. The libraries would for the future be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m , with the exception of a few hours in the middle of the day. That arrangement, would throw considerable additional labour on their atondants, who would have to ba compensated in some way; but the committee 03 imated that, while the additional exneuse would be only £56 per annum. the extension of the aceemmodation of the libraries would be equal to 30 per cent. The question of the permanent enlargement oDthe lending libraries was one of a more serious character, and at prevent the committee did not see their way clearly in the matter. They could not afford anything out of their present funds to purchase promises. and in the present transition state of the Corpo rate funds, they could not expm in such a matter any considerable outlay on the part of the Council. (Hear, hear.) He might state, in regard to the central library, that the inquiry for bodes had increased three-fold, and that hundreds of people had to go away from want of accommodation in the reading-room. It became most necessary, in consequence, that the new buildings should be completed as soon as possible, and he was happy to say that the surveyor, he believed, was now ready to receive e.titnates, and proceed with the erection of the buil ing. (ifear, hear) It would be gratifying to the town to know, that of its kind the library was the largest in point of numbers of readers and volumes of any in the Kingdom, perhaps in the world. (Hear, hear.) The proceedings were confirmed. The proceedings of the Hackney Carriages and Baths Committee were also confirmed. They contained nothing of interest. BIRKENHEAD DOCKS' COMMITTER. The, proceedings of this committee contained a cone spindence between the committee and Mr. Harold Little dale, relative to a speech delivered by that gentleman in Manchester, and published in the newspapers, in which he stated that several ships, loaded with wool, belonging to his house, arriVed in the river Mersey about the 20th September, and were detained so lo g in the river that the wool could not be brought forward at the market on the Bth of October, by which he had suffered a consider- At LEWIS & COMPANY'S, Ranete,gh-street. DOTS are CLOTHED from the Ages of Six to Twouty Year able loss. The committee produced a statement from the harbour masters, showing that the vessels were all berthed on the 2nd of October, except two, which were berthed on the sth and 6th of October; The proceedings also included the following report upon the position and progress of the Birkenhead Docks' Works, drawn up by the Town Clerk, at the direction of the Com mittee : The following was the Town Clerk's REPORT. Ia accordance with the directions the Birkenhead Dock Committee, the Town Clerk submits a " Report of all the proceedings of the Corporation, as respects the Bir kenhead Docks, F.it:ce the passing of the Birkenhead Docks Act, 1855." In this report the subject will be considered—first, as regards the outer works ; and, secondly, works on the Pool. The Birkenhead Docks Act of 1855 transferred to the Corporation the undertakings of the Birkenhead Dock Trustees and the Birkenhead Dock Company ; and, after reciting " that it is expedient that the Birkenhead Docks should, with as little delay as possible, he con structed and completed in such manner as may render them most available for the commercial purposes of the port of Liverpoul, in connection with the Liverpool Docks," and that the same rates, dues, and charges should be levied in respect of - the Birkenhead Docks as are now or hereafter levied in respect of the Liverpool Docks, and that all the decks should be placed under the same control and management, and be consolidated with and become part of the existing estate of the Liverpool Docks. It is enacted that the Corporation shall, either alone or conicaCy with the trustees of the Liverpool Docks, prosecate a bill in Parliament, in the next sesiion, for ob taining the requisite powers fer accomplishing the several objects aforesaid. By another section it is enacted that, unless Parliament shall otherwise determine, the Corporation shell, and they are hereby required, immediately after the Ist September, 1856, to proceed the construction of the several docks and works which the trustees and company, respectively, are empowered to construct ; and wholly to complete the said docks and works iu accordance with the plans sanctioned by the subsisting provisions of the several Birkenhead Dock Ac's, before the Ist day of Sept., 1858. This act received the royal assent .23rd July, 1855, but the undertakings did not vest in the Corporation until the delivery of the bands thereby directed to be issued, viz., the 23rd of August following. But on the let of August the Council appointed a committee "To take all steps considered most advisable in relation to the undertaking under that act," and to confer with the Dock Committee, and adopt all such proceedings as may be proper under the circumstances, or arising under the act. At a meeting of the committee on the 3rd of August, 1855, it was resolved, "'That the Dock Committee be requested to appoint a deputation of their body to meet this committee on Monday next, for the purpose of making arrangements for the Birkenhead property ;" which meet ing was accordingly held on the 6:,h of August, when it was resolved that the bock Committee be r quested to allow the dock surveyor to examine the whose "Undertaking vested in the Corpoaation under the act, and to report, with plane as to the mode of making that undertaking most availeelle for the commercial purposes of the po;t of Liverpool, It was well known that the subject of the bast plans for the Birkenhead Docks had been a question much dis cussed and disputed, at different times, by the Birkenhead Dock Trustces themselvee,'and that at the expiration of the year 1850 Mr: Bendel had ceased to be their engineer, and that Mr. Abernethy had,, mainly in consequence of the exertions of Mr. John Laird,. an original promoter of the Birkenhead Docks and a most influential member of the trust, been appointed in his place. Mr. Abernethy prepared plans for the completion of the docks on a prin ciple differing essentially from those of Mr. Bendel, inasmuch as the low-water biuiti, proposed by the latter, and bu:horis-d by parliamant,. was abandoned, and a half-tich, basin, with gates into the river Mersey, was substituted. It was also known that, in the session of 1851 and 1852, attempts had been made by the Birkenhead Dock Trust, supported as wail by the funds as by the evidence of the engineer and other servants of the Shrewsbnry and Chester and Cheshire Junction Railway Companies, to obtain the sanction of parliament to this alteration ; and als.), that when the former company arst resolved to take land on the south resecve for a railway station — land now claimed by the Great Vre;tern Railway Company—it was in anticipation, as expressed in the resolution, of the docks being completed according to the plans of Mr.. Abernethy, instead of those of Mr. Bendel. In accordance with the resolution of the Birkenhead Docks Committee of the council of the 6th of August, 3. B. Hartley, the Liverpool dock surveyor, considered the subject, and, on. the 6th of October, submitted to them plans of new works, upon which the commissioners resolved—" That the same ha referred to the Dock Committee, and that they be respectfully requested to favour them with their views thereon, and how far those plans were calculatel to make the Birkenhead Docks and property most available for the commercial purposes of the port in connection with the Liverpool Docks." -These plans- were approved by the Deck Committee, and were submitted to and approved by the chairm.n of the Shipowners' Association, and Mr. M'lver and Mr. Hamilton, representing the Ocean Steam Trade, and to other gentl;men largely interested and experienced in the commerce of the port. Their opinion being unanimous in favour of the proposed plans, application wt.s- made to Parliament in the following session (1356) to authorise the construction of the' Birkenhead Docks on this _ _ The bill was opposed by various persons, having parti cular rights and interests, for which proteetioa was desired to be obtained, bu; principally by the Great Western Railway Company (representing the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway Company), and the Cheshire Junction Railway Company. These companies, notwithstanding their proceedings before Parliament, in 1852, on this occasion urged the completion of the docks. according to Mr. Rendel's design. During the progress of the bill, and indeed before it went into commit:me, negotiations were opened by the Corporation with the Emlway Companies, in order to agree, if possible, upon a plan upon which the docks might be completed in a manner satisfactory to all parties, and so early as March, 1850, the Great Western Railway Company sent in a memorandum embodying their views as to the nature of the works at Birkenhead; but as they required that the south reserve shotild especially be devoted to railway purposes, an adrqu ite plot of ground thereon being devoted to an hotel, those requisites could not be complied with. Netwithstanding their rejection of these terms, the committee, anxious to afford every reasonable facility for the railway trefftc at the Birkenhead docks, appointed* a sub-committee to confer with any gentleman appointed by the Great Western Railway Company, and to consider whether any further facilities for railway purposes would be for the public advantage. The Great Western Directors declined eny conference, and proceeded, as before stated, to oppose the bill, which was ultimately lost. Having regard to the opinions Expressed by Mr. Ha r tl e y and other engineers of the highest eminence aed of the greatest experience, that the works, as designed by Mr. Mendel, could not be maintained at the requisite depth by the Means proposed and being desirous that the works executed, should be those most available for commercial purposes, tt - e committee of the Corporation immediately after the loss of the bill of that session, again opened communications with the Great Western Railway Com pany, with a view, so far as practicable, of arranging a Alen satisfactory to railway interests, to the local - authorities on bolt sides of the pool, and to the commercial bodies. After some correspondence between Mr. Hartley and Mr, Brunel, the folmer prepared a plan which, it was thought would substantially meet the views of all parties, and hav ing in the month of October, 1856, submitted it to the com mittee, a meeting was fixed for the 21st of that month, at the Town hall (an earlier appointment having been post poned by the illness of- Mr. Brunel), at which the Great Western and the Cheshire Junc:iou Railway Companies, the Birkenhead Commissioners, and the Wallasey Local Board of Health, wore invited to attend. Representatives of these various companies and bodies did accordingly attend at the time and place fixed ; and a memorandum of requisitions, together with •a plan of proposed works, being handed in by them, a lengthened discie.sioa ensued, which ended in a promise, on the part of the committee, to consider their demands, and forward a reply in Tithing. • This reply, dated the 27th of October, was. accordingly thspatcheel, and expreseed the inability of the committee to agree to the proposals made to them, inasmuch as these proposals involved nearly the whole of the South Reserve for the special purposes of the two railway companies. The reply also contained an invitation to another meeting, which took place on the 31st of October, at which Mr. Laird handed in a Nailer amended plan, which ho stated had received the approbation of the deputation. To this pan the attention of Mr. Hartley was requested by the committee ; and, with the addition of an enlargement of the existing Morpeth Dock, was deposited by the Corpo ration, in obedience to the standing orders of P.trliame.nt. The bill of 1856 contained not only clauses authorising the construction of the works according to Mr. Hartley's plans, but also clauses for the repeal of' the existing acts relating to the Birkenhead Dock Trustees and Birken head Dock Company, thirteen in number, and for con solidating and re-enacting, in an amended form, many cf the provisions interspersed through these various acts, BOYS' CLOTHING MADE wag GREAT TASTE, at LEWIS and COMPANY'S, ItaAglikgl4-streQt: and essential not only to confer the necessary powers for the proper completion of the undertaking. but for its permanent management. The act of 1855 limited the borrowing powers of the Corporation to £500,000, a sum insufficient to complete the works according to Mr. Ben del's plans, and it was proposed by this bill to extend those powers, so as to authorise the borrowing of a sum sufficient to complete the whole works; but as the Committee rejected the bill 011 preamble, all these powers necessary, upon whatever plan the works were to be constructed, were also refused. To avoid a recurrence of this difficulty, two bills were deposited for the session of 1857; one to authorise the construction of works according to the plans then deposited, with powers to borrow money for their completion, and called the Con struction Bill; and the other called the Management Bill, relating to the repeal and consolidation of acts and the management of the undertaking, with further bor rowing powers to be exercised in the event of the Con structien Bill being defeated. Both these bills were read a second time, and re erred to a committee, of which Sir James Graham was the chairman ; and to which com mittee was also referred the Mersey Conservancy Bill, ana several other bills relating to the town dues of the Corpora tion and to the harbour of Liverpool. The Construction Bill and Management Bill stool first and second in the group, and according to usual practice, would have been considered in that order by the committee. But although the importance of settling the plan, according to which the Birkenhead Docks were to be completed, and the delay which would ensue if that course were not adopted, was not forcibly urged by Mr. Hope Scott, the leading counsel of the Corporation, the cam mitten determined to proceed with the Mersey Conser varcy Bill first, and to postpone the other bills until they had arrived at a decision upon it. The committee was engaged on the preamble and clauses of that bill from the 20th of May until the let of July, on which day they intimated their opinion that as they had passed the Conservancy Bill, the Corporation ought not to proceed with the Construction and Management Bille. The counsel for the Corporation expressed their readiness and anxiety to go on with the Construction Bill, but, after some discussion, a day was given to the Corporation to consider the course they would pursue; and on the let of July, the subject having been maturely considered, Mr. Merewether, one of the leading counsel for the Corporation, addressed the committee, and his observa tions are quoted, because it seems important to show that it was owing to the course pursued by the committee, and not to the Corporation, that those bills were not proceeded with. Mr. Merewether said :—Sir, in our most earnest desire to proceed with this bill, we have employed the time which the committee were kind enough to give A, in full consideration of the position in which affairs eon are. That consideration, sir, has been applied to ihe solution of two difficulties. The first,. (and, of course,. in all propriety I give that peecedence)is your understood and expressed determination in no sort to depart from the prin ciple of the decision et which you have arrived on the lust bill. On the other hand, there is, if you will permit me to say so, the equally firm resolve of those whom I hare the honour to represent, to de nothing which' should he tor tured by our opponents (whom, of course, we have to consider)lnto the remotest acquiescence in the principle of that decision. We have endeavoured, sir, to consider, every alternative by which those difficulties might be solved. We thought it might he possible, and not ic consistent a ith your determination, to refer to the legisla tion of 1855, in which a power was ,given to the Corpo ration to do certain things, with a fixed contemplation of their having to make a transfer ultimately to others. We also considered that it might be possible that out of the bill should be struck the naming of any operating hand, so that the bill might present ieself not in c nAllict with the views of the committee, or as a waiver of our own. But we find, from those who are competent to advise us upon that subject, that by the forms of the other House of Parliament, a bill so framed could not pass through the standing orders, because, when it arrived at the House of Cords, we should have to make a demi iration of the source from which the funds were to be supplied, and by whom those funds were to be supplied. Tee con sequence is that that bill so shaped, sir, would not pass the House of Lords, or would return to you having expressions in it at variance with your view. There was a further alternative, sir, which was thin, that the bill might pass as it is framed at present, but that there should be a clause inserted at theond, binding a transfer to the parties, who, at some given date, should represent the governing body.. But, when we come to refer to the bill, sir, we found that, in the money clauses, it was imperative upon the Corporation to raise the money, and that upon the security of the borough fund. Of course, sir, you will understand that, upon finding that, it occurred to us that that created an insurmountable difficulty in pursuing the bill in that shape ; because, although the proposition might have been that there should be an execution by the Corporation of the works, and a payment during the execution by them, they being bound to transfer at first cost upon payment of interest, inasmuch as the source from which those funds were to come would be the borough fund, you will readily see that a person paying to the borough fund in the year, say. 1858, bet who should, by death or removal have left Liverpool at the time when the repay ment took place,. would be suffering the penalty of haying been there during the expenditure, and net there at the time of the payment. Consequently, sir, that presented also an insurmountable objection. Now, sir, as tar as in us lies, we bslieve that we have contemplated the various alternatives, the various modes by which, under present circumstances, this bill might be proceeded with. In the interval, also, sir, we have had an onpartunity of considering the full effect of what fell from your self, which, though expressed perfectly clearly at the time, was not so clear to as, at the moment, as re gards the consequences ; and perhaps you will permit me to read a very few words of what fell from yourself and myself yesterday.—Chairman (to Mr. 2lerewether) : It would not be your wish needlessly to occupy our time ? Merowether : Certainly not.—Chairman : The committee most certainly will adhere to the decision which they have taken upon the larger measure ; they will not recognise as the governing body, to whom these new powers are to be confided, any other body than that which is established in the bill which we are about to report to the house.—Mr. Merews thee : That I quite . under stand, sir, and you will not hear a word from me upon the subject. You will not hear from me a word of en deavour, on this bill, to induce you to alter your decision on the lash—Chairman : And clauses must be inserted suspending the operation of the bill of construction, such as we shall shape it after hearing evidence, till the new trust be established ; or, if we see no prospect of that, as the House of Commons will have decided upon the bill which we shall report in the course of a few days, it will be open to us to reject the preamble of this bill instead cf amending it. Now, sir, those lest obser vatiens, falling from yourself, of course one did net at the moment see the full consequence of. At this period of the session things are a matter of time ; and upon ex amining the time, and what would be the prospects of the bill so suspeided, with the object which you have indicated, we find that, practically, it would amount to an impassibility of this bill pasting during this session. Now, sir, I have candidly told ..the committee what bas passoi through our minds. We, believing that this is the best plan, and the one which should be executed—that it is the best plan to be executed, bath for Liverpool and for Birkenhead, are honestly desirous of going on will this bill ; but we find that the circumstances of the case, and the decision of the committee, have surrounded that pro ceeding with the bill with such insurmountable difficulties, that, however reluctantly on our parts, we must wi,hdraw the bill, leaving the responsibility of that withdrawal in the quarter, whatever that may be, to which the responsi bility belongs. It should not be omitted that, notwithstanding what had taken place at the various meetings before mentioned, the works bill was opposed on petition, by the Great Western and Cheshire Junction Railway Companies, who prayed that the authorised or Rendal plans should be carried out. The Mersey Conservancy Bill, as introduced into the House of Commons by the promoters, viz., the Great Western Railway Company, and the Manchester Cham ber of Commerce, and Manchester Commercial Associa tion, proposed to render it inverative upon the new Board to proceed immediately after their election with the construction of the Birkenhead docks, according to Mr. Rendel's plans; but this provision was altered by the committee of the House of Commons introducing the words "if they snail think fit ;" thus giving an option to the new board to proceed at ell according to those plans. This clause was further altered in the House of Lords, by striking out the words "if they shall think fit," and introducing the word " substantially," and the clause now sands in the act, "The Board shall immediately after the commencement of this act proceed wish the construction of the outer works at Birkenhead, referred to in the Birkenhead Dock Act, 1853, with a view to the comple.ion of the same substantially, in accordance with the plans that have been sanctioned by Parliament." Thus giving a power to 0 e New Board to consider their plans with a view to their revision to some extent. The act also provides, that until the board shall take possession of the Birkenhead clocks, under the provisions of this act, the Corporation shall proceed with the construc tion of the works authorised by the Birkenhead Dock Acts, and after tl e board shall have entered into possession of the same Birkenhead docks, they shall assume all contracts and all liabilities of the said Corporation in respect of the said works. The act received the royal assent on the 25th of August BOYS' CLOTHING MADE WItH GREAT TASTE AT L$ Wl5 awl c lismelagirotreet. last, and, at a meeting of the Birkenhead Dock Commit tee, on the 24th August, in anticipation of that event, the committee instructed their engineer to consider and report to what extent works beyond those already contracted for could be advantageously proceeded with prior to the Ist of January next, when the ne,v Board would come into effico, and whether any and what preparation could be made for entering iuto further contracts. On the 7th Sept. following, Mr. Hartley reported to the committee as follows :—I am in receipt of a resolution of your committee, on the 24th of August last, to the effect, " That the engineer be requested to consider and report to what extent works beyond those tow contracted for, can be advantagEowly proceeded with, previously to the Ist of January next, when the new board erne into office ; and whether any, and if so, what preparations can be now made for entering into further contract?. I have given the subject of this resolution much con side7atien, and now beg to inform you, that from not being in possession of any of t'.e detailed drawings of the authorised plans of 1853, and as before I could prepare such drawings as would be necessary, and take such other steps as would permit of this work being let by contract, the new board wou'd have commenced its functions; and bearing in mind also that the clause in the act of last session, referring to these works supposes, from the use of the word "substantially," that s )me modification of the plans, as now designed, would be necessary, I think it would be the wiser course not to enter into any contract for works connected with the authorised plans that might trammel the new board in their consideration of the whole question, The only portion of the auth-- rised plan, so far as regards the outer works, and suppos ing no alteration of those plans contemplated, that I could be in a position to let by contrast previous to the Ist of January, would be the portion of the river wall opposite to the south reserve. This might be prepared and let so that the work might be commenced upon by the beginning of November ; but it must be remem bered that little, if any, progress could be made with a work of that nature during the winter months, the com mencement of the construction of which could be proceeded with only at good spring tides, and must depend entirely upon the weather; neither do I think it would be wise, in point of economy, to let this work in a separate and dis tinct contract, irrasmech as any contractor, who had no other work in conn , ction therewith on which to employ his men during neap tides, or such other periods which he could not proceed at the river wall, must necessarily have much higher prices to repay him for such great loss of time and delay. With reference to the works inside the Great Float, the walling upon the north side might be let by contract and proceeded with as set forth upon the authorised plans ; but entertaining, as I do, a etrong opinion, that in any applica tion that may be made to Parliament during the ensuing session, it would be a wise policy to seek for powers to place the whole of the north margin of the Moat, with a proper width of lend f)r plays, and the formation of a road in connection therewith, in the hands of the new board, so as to vest the whole of the management, ownership, and power to levy rates in the Birkenhead Decks in one body, and being of opinion, that if this was done, it would be advantageous to the general working of the !hat if the line of the north wall was to some slight extent altered, and a bridge communication formed between the quays on the north and south sides,. I cannot, therefore, advise you that it would be well to enter now into any contracts for work that might have to be altered within a short period, or would in any way fetter the action of the new board which is in so short a time to take the management of these works. 2nd. A 3 regards- the inner works, that is to say, those which in a certain sense were independent of the plans before mentioned, and whist consist principally of wailing and excavating the Flo - it, the proceedings of the Corpora tion have been as follows : So early as the month of November, 1855 (the liability to resume the works not arising until ne Ist of September, 1856), the committee of the Corporation directed their attention to the expediency of deepening the Great Float, so as to make it available for trade with as little delay as passible, and the Town Clerk was requested to ascertain the powers in that respect, and also in respect to the building the wharf walls in front of the land on its margin, contained in the various Dock Acts, and conferred on the Corporation by the Act of 1855. Finding these very con— flicting; and uncertain, partly in consequence of the numer ous Acts of Parliament being frequently contradictory in their provisions, and partly from the expedients to which the Birkenhead Dock Trustees, by reason of their insolvency, had occasion to resort, it was resolved that the owners of land whose wails had not been constructed should have notice of the intention of the Corporation to proceed with this excavation, and of their willingness to con'truct the walls while the float was run dry, so that the additional expense of cofferdams might be saved to them, and to invite them to meet at the Town-hall, on the 16th of the same month, to take-the subject into consideration. This, and several subsequent in-etings were held, but it was not until the 31st day of October, 1356, that arrangements were made in which it was thought all parties would acquiesce, and by which the numerous difficulties which beset the busi ness would be avoided. These were reduced into writing, in the form of an agreement between the frontagers and the Corporation of Liverpool, bot, as it was si4ned only by a portion of the landowners ao action could be taken upon it. Pending these negociatioas, the committee recommended that the excavation of the Float should, at all events, be proceeded with, and in tho month of September, 1856, a contract for this work was entered into by the Corporation, the completion of which is fixed for the month of June, 1858. It should bi added that before the Corporation could enter into this contract, vary great delay and expense was incurred by them on the subject of the deposit of the spoil, which might probably have been awdded, as well as the difficulties from the obscurity of the Birken head Dock Acts, had they been permitted to carry their bills in Parliament, and to proceed simultaneously with the outer works, the plan of the last session. The excavations of the Float have not yet proceeded so far as to admit of the construction of the wharf walls, 'except on a limited aortion of their entire length, and from the report of Mr. Hartley it will be seen that a material alteration in the line of the wall is recom mended, es well as the purchas', by the new board, of a considerable extent of land behind it. Under these circumstances, little can be done as regards these works, but the Corporation have given directions for the con struction of the wall in front of their own land, and have intimated to the Isndowners, whose walls will not be affected by the proposed alterations, their willingness to construct them also. Wax. SMUITLYWORTII. Town-hall, 24th Nov., 1857. It was ordered that as the roport was so• important, as a reply to the charges recently made against the Corporation, the committee should be empowered to have it printed and circulated. Mr. &WART moved the eonfirmation of the proceedings. He observed that the resolution just adopted by the Council, rendered it unnecessory for him to make any observations on the subject of the report. The allegations which had been made, were fully and fairly dealt with in the report. He did not know whether it would be neces sary to make many observations regarding what the Council had just heard about the ships containing wool. The answer to that charge was contained in the Harbour. Master's report, which stated that the ships were all berthed, at all :events, before the Bth of October, which they were told was time enough. The last ship was berthed on the eth of October, some on the 2nd, and the majority in the Wapping dock, which he believed was the very dock where the wrol sales took place. He should make no further observations upon that subject, except to express his sincere regret that a gentleman filling an important position in Liverpool, should, without saying a word to the committee, who could have given him a fall explanation, have allowed charges Of that kind to be brought forward at a meeting of parties who took hold of everything they could to vilify Liverpool. They all ad mitted, and they were proud that the admission could be made, that the docks of Liverpool were overcrowded, owing to the amount of trade they had to accommodate. The trade was so large and so ex ensive that they could not affird at preAent sufficient dock accommo But they all knew that the proceeding with making further dock accommodation in Liverpool had been stopped. (Hear, hear) He objected to the extension of Liverpool dock accommodation being fettered by Birkenhead. (Hear, hear.) He did not desire to lower the importance of Birkenhead but, on tho contrary, he would support, as far as he could, the carrjing out of all the works on the Birkenhead side in all their integrity, yet, at the same time, he could not admit that Birkenhead, and Birkenhead only, was to be taken into consideration. (Hear, hear.) He did not think any further observations were necessary, and should merely move that the proceedings of the committee be now confirmed. Mr. Alderman HoLmn seconded the motion. Mr. ALDERMAN PARKER condemned the purchase of the Birkenhead docks, and declared that the Council had, in two years, lost £30,000 by them. Mr. PICTON reminded Mr. Parker that the Council were to be repaid every farthing they expended, on Birkenhead, with interest. He contended that the purchase was the very best. Were it not for it their Town Dues would have been taken from them without any compensation whatever. If Birkenhead bad continued to exist as a rival port, did any man believe the legislature would have allowed that Corporation, no matter what the merits of the case might be, to levy town dues over there? There would, unquestionably, have been an act of Parliament BOYS' CLOTHING MADE WITH GREAT TASTE, ati LE W IS:and COMPANY'S, Itanelaglk-Ar4et. Th e passed exonerating Birkenhead from such a paymen t. A out-ports would then have got the same freedo m ; aes: they would find after a while that they could not cond a r. to levy them in the borough, and they would thus bavo died a natural death. lorad Mr. J. R JEFFERY thought it deeply to be dap that any Liverpool gentleman should be found to not nect himself with those who were opposed to the intereal of Liverpool, at a public meeting elsewhere, sle", decry the conduct of the Birkenhead Docks' Commit 8a and he did hope that Mr. Littledale, u p on reflection, W Oll , regret that he took the step he did, and delivered L.u.: speech ha delivered, at Manchester. (Hear, hear.) r e Littledale stated, that for want of depth of water on sills at the Liverpool side, no less than nine verie: were detained in the river, and therefore could not fi docked in time for the sales. Had his wools been lana ra i by the Brh he could and would have put them 00 t he market. Now some of these vessels were docked 1 112 4 berthed on the Ist , others on the 2nd, and they w ere • t i i berthed by the 6th. Any delay of unloading rested !l e the Captain, and not with the Dock Estate, so that na.Z e i g the Birkenhead Dsck Committee nor the Liverpool • g Committee were to blame for the ships not elosel, discharged by the Bths which Mr. Littleda le mits would have been in time for the sales. 1401 (Mr. Jeffery) would suppose, for the sake of argll o 4 o that the Birkenhead Docks had been completed, ar lu • t o depth of water there su ffi cient for the vessels to g o t,. dock immediately on their arriving in the Mersey , all an y contended that Mr. Littledale would not have Ilut an y additional fecility for bringing the wool into the mant l e i ts the Bth. Ile was credibly informed by those engag7. ar s the trade, that the buyers of wool would not buy 7 1 0 • sample alone, but must always see the bulk. They / sa d not go to the other side of the water to see the btliks_„ig until they were prepared to hold their sales there t i s ', loaded with wool would not go into the Birkenhead a 074 They must therefore lie in the Mersey until they el s get into dock on the Liverpool side. At the time„ A ,„ question, there was no high wind to render their 11 01 " 1 . - t is ing in -the river impracticable. This would tend 11 , 36 . some extra cost doubtless, but it was not impracticani But if the ships did go into the Birkellb t s docks, fiats must equally be employed to bring o f wools to this side of the water. Therefore, the c harge / delay made against the Liverpool docks, even if the d ; had existence, could not have affected the sales of / t o He had, however, reason to believe, moreover, that market on the occasion in question was b - rne deign East India wool, such as that referred to. And that 1; owners, by agreement, refused to put any more upon t he market, and that if any more had been brought to nla r ,,s the price of wool would have been brought down at .19•-- one penny per pound. (Hear.) Mr. Amer remarked that to discharge wool vessel s the river and send the cargo ashore by fiats wo uld 1,13 ., very objectionable mode of proceeding. No such ell however, was necessary in the instance referred to. 5 ,!4 out of the nine ships were berthed on the Ist aud2u.dose October. With very little exertion, therefore, the wool MI,, have boon` included in the October sales. The other two in ssels were docked upon the Ist and 2nd of October' e. berthed on the sth and 6th , and with some exertion, „. believed; the wool on board those ships could also Or" been included in the October sales. (Hear.) tO Mr. Beau said he did not intend to say term word the policy or impolicy of Mr. Littledale's having a gent; • the meeting in Manchester. That was a matter for 1: 0 Littledale's own consideration. But the iorrespon de ?, now read might convey a wrong impression of the vow: He agreed with Mr. Aikin as to the impracticability of iro East Indian wool ship discharging her cargo by lis t ' a s the river. Mr. Littledale stated that if the wool had be landed on the 81h he could have got it into sale. 141 4 i; he held in his hand a statement from the docks, in svt,,, it appeared Messrs. Littledale had wool on board six sati:„ out of the nine, and he would give the Council the dal upon which the landing of the last of the wool too" The Prince Arthur was completed on the 14th of OctnT ° . Baron Renfrew en the 13th of October, Tiptree, the ly: 1 7 Natalia, 15th, Philanthropist, 16th, and Helios, the 1 11 _ ; „,'"'" This would show that if Mr. Littledale had made any. , 04 1 take, it must have been from wrong reports made to and not from any wrong inten'ion on his part. Mr. CIIARLE I-TURNER said he was quite sure that Pt' Littledale would state nothing which he did q, believe to be a fact ; and he had no doubt tha t ta i , statement was perfectly correct as to the dates Z the landing. But it must be borne ill that the statement made by Mr. Littledale Manchester was to show the disadvantage of the LivorP u a. docks, that vessels could not get into them for scarto water. The complete answer to that statement solo , t ."_.. • six of the vessels were berthed on. the 2nd of and the remaining two on the sth and 6th. The del f landing the wood might equally apply to Birkenhead, anywhere else. What occasioned such a very Ott of nary delay, without knowing all the. ciocumsseneisg , .r„ - Ahe course, could not say, but when the vessels were be dock, the dock authorities had done all they Cot' expected to do. (Hear, hear.) _ _ Octopi; The proceedings were then confirmed. 'deft The orocaedings of the Speeial Improvement Corn Tn,;oo :,0 and of the committee on the memorial to Ur. I Brown, M.P., contained nothing of importance, and "- confirmed without discussion. GAS COMMITTIM The proceedings of this committee were read. a is Mr. KITCHEN moved that they be confirmed, so th e proof of the value of the office, stated that, through the lebours of the inspector, the illuminating power of clocks had been greatly increased, while the expense been diminished. He might also mention, he said, the while the Etting up, including governors, of eleven of _le, large public lamps by the Gas Company cost, on the Wll £291, or £26 10s per lamp, the committee fitted up ,„& lamps, including governors, under the inspector's directl_ ti oi at a cost of £ll 4a 9 .1 each lamp. They were re-arraogjX St, John's Market, and he had no doubt that they W oo . succeed in effecting a considerable saving there. In c o elusion, Mr Kitchen complained that, while at the . 6 0 at Cornwallis-street they wore able to turn out 70 olei ce . a-day, the GA Company were sending out meters not o tified or stamped by the committee, as arranged. A sen t Mr Alderman BENNETT asked the company ha‘• out uncertified meters since the committee were e l et position to turn out 70 meters a day ? He had heard the comnaitteee could not meet the wants of the c0n3P 2 7 0 .. and that that was the cause of sending out the meters stamped. t oO t Mr. KITCHEN replied, that the company had 0 3 °00 such meters since the committtee rare in a position to ,1 out 70 a day. are° Mr. JOHN STEWART referred to the great ai--, between the cost of fitting up the public lamps moo!! t he company and under the committee, and hoped th. ri r chairman was under some mistake in the matter. Il e no interest in the gas company, but he believed thsl o ge always conducted their business with credit and 11 011 0 13 and he would be, therefore, sorry that the statement sh,,a go forth to the public, that, while the company eV it • 26 £ 10g. for the fitting up of one lamp, others imfot for £ll 45., unless the strictest inquiry had be° 12 . 5 1 4 tO made in the matter. (Hear, hear.) He wou'd wi; e et know if any c )mmunication had taken place on the o il between the committee and the company ? t he Mr. J. R. JEFIERY said that he wae — preeell„ committee when the inspector made his report, and ear ed he questioned him en the matter, the inspector de "'.510 emphatically, that the statement was quite correct• let report was then forwarded 'o the watch conanait'eet whom the lamps were being put up. th e Mr, J. E. BRANCKER observed that the work loco Watch Commttee was done under the superi / AO r of the Borough Engineer, and the moment the ma tt f e a hi° brought under their notice, they referred to ilinl ba t tritereport. They had not as yet received his report, , moment they had, they would take steps in the 011 0 ; t ioO, Mr. W. EARLE thought that some commuu l befor should have been first made to the Gas Compaq , the matter was mentioned in public. Mr. C. TURNER, as a shareholder in the co d thought they should have been afforded an oppor t tO" explanation before such an accusation was mad° them. 0 0/5. Mr. Kamm: I did not say it was an 0 015 (Laughter.) Ab e The matter then dropped, and the proceeding confirmed. ALTERATION OP THE COUNCIL ciamarg• the The "spacial "spaciftl committee appointed to conside t : i Chi % means of improving the ventilation of the Coul t het ber brought up their report. They recommende d sb9 room should be made to resume its original prel o „ j a the j having the adjoining room thrown into it. 7.1 "' tot° measure 38 feet by 39, and will give an addi tion a pt space of 430 feet. e e After some discussion, it was resolved, by the report and plan be approved of, but that the 0 , 1 7 0 , tit be instructed to dispense with pillars in the een' tig ges t room, as a support to the ball-room. It'' a s e of that this support would be best given by 1 21 ( 3611 ,4 iron girders instead of pillars. .an os u. 4 The Coroner's account, amounting to -T- 2 ' passed. The Council then broke up. 18 to ott --- At LEWIS & OMPANY'S, Raae l a gh-stre t e ,' yesti• BOYS are CLOTHED from the Ages of Six to Tvfn''!__ NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. WO' PERSONS seeking Employment, or ser can A.sistants, Clerks, Apartments, or LedginP,; e rtioulit/ is he reduced ßu Et RN I:II:FE,Es' t hring their wants uVor the Notice of the Public, of platotl in this district. The cash price for ' this special dos of &dye p w E h E i s f t o h T m w o most zsi e fa T c y ten w t o ra l : I ~.