The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-12-11 00:00:00

DOCK COMMITTEE : MB. PICICTIIILL'S APPOINTMENT

The confirmation of the proceedings having been moved by
Mr. C. TURNER,
Mr. W. EARLE expressed extreme surprise that the chair-
man had not alluded -to a matter which was the subject of
general conversation, namely, the appointment of Mr. Pick-
thall to a vacant clerkship at the Albert Docks. He rose now
to move a vote on that appointment, on the ground that the
promotion had been effected through favouritism and undue
influence, used by the Chairman of the Warehouse Committee,
Mr. Alderman Robinson, in favour of his nephew, who had
been promoted over the senior clerk, Mr. Benson, a gentle-
man in every way qualified for the situation.
Mr. Alderman LANGSDALE had great pleasure in seconding
the motion. There was a system of favouritism on the part
of officials, to please those in high places, to an extent which
justified Mr. Earle's remarks. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. T. D. ANDERSON, as a member of the committee in ques-
tion, was sure that Mr. Robinson had taken no improper steps
to secure the election of Mr. Pickthall, inasmuch as it was
not until after the selection had been made by the committee,
after they had carefully considered the claims of the respec-
tive candidates, that Mr. Pickthall was known to be Mr.
Robinson's nephew.
Mr. BRANCRER opposed the motion.
Mr. Alderman Rolm-sox strenuously,
,denied the assertion
that he had influenced the committee in the appointment of
his nephew.

• .
After some observations from Mr. Alderman PARKER, for
w:iich Mr. EARLE said "he did not care a pinch of snuff."
Mr. PICTON and Mr. Alderman S. HOLME spoke against
the motion, as being mischievous and weakening in its ten-
dency,and derogatoryto the influence and position of the council.
Mr. HoLT, unless he heard something from the chairman
of the Dock Committee to put a different colouring on' the
transaction, would certainly record his vote in favour of Mr.
Earle's motion.

Mr. BANNER coincided with Mr. bolt, and thought that
Mr. Benson ought to have been appointed.
Mr. J. B. LLOYD reminded the council of the importance
of using their privilege to veto with the greatest prudence.
Mr. JohN AIKIN, while satisfied that Mr. Robinson was in-
capable of doing anything wrong, considered that the appoint-
ment of officers according to merit was a very important
matter, and, believing that Mr. Benson had a prior claim to
the appointment, he should vote for Mr. Earle's motion.
Mr. C. TURNER explained that, at the time the appoint-
ment was made, he, as one of the committee, was, in the first
instance, favourable to the claims of Mr. Benson, and he in-
tended to vote for him ; but, when the claims of both candi-
dates were submitted, he was convinced of the superior quali-
fications of Mr. Pickthall, without having the least idea that
he was Mr. Robinson's nephew.
After some further discussion, Mr. Earle's amendment was
put, and lost by 36 to 8.
ST. GEORGE'S-HALL: THE PROPOSED POLISH MEETING:
THE CHEAP CONCERTS.

The proceedings of the St.. George's-hall Committee COM-
prised an application from Mr. Charles Millward, for the use
of the St. George's-hall for a public meeting in favour of the
restoration of Polish independence, in reference to which the
committee had passed a resolution, subject to the confirmation
of the Council, to the effect that the application be granted on
the understanding that the meeting should be held between
the hours of ten a.m. and one p.m.; that the sum of al
should be paid to the Corporation Treasurer ; that a certain
number of police should be obtained at the cost of the ap-
plicants ; and that there should be a sufficient guarantee,
entered into by one or more respectable inhabitant or in-
habitants, that the hall should sustain no damage, and that
whatever damage was occasioned should be at the risk of the
applicants.

The proceedings also contained a recommendation that
permission be granted for the erection of a marble statue of
the late Venerable Archdeacon Brooks in the great hall. This
latter recommendation having been unanimously confirmed, a
long discussion ensued, with reference to the application for
the use of the hall for the Polish meeting. Ultimately, on
the proposition of Mr. Picton, a resolution was adopted, to
the effect that specific regulations be laid down for the
guidance of the committee, empowering them to grant the
use of the hall for public purposes, excepting for political
meetings, subject to regulations hereafter to be adopted.
Applications from several literary and scientific, as well as
various musical societies, for the use of rooms in St. George's-
hall, was referred to the committee, and a resolution was
adopted, on the suggestion of the Chairman, that all such
applications should be left to the sanction of the committee.
Mr. J. H. TURNER had great pleasure in reporting that the
proceeds of the cheap organ performances, after deducting all
charges, amounted to the sum of £297 6s. 6d.—(cheers);—
besides which the treasurer had received £lOO for the use of
the hall on four other occasions.—(Hear, hear.) He had great
pleasure in stating that, after the assizes, the concerts would
be resumed.

An application from Mr. Rogers to preside at a concert to
be given shortly at St. George's-hall, was refused, the Council
recognising the principle adopted at Glasgow and Birmingham,
of confining the use of the organs in those towns to their own
organists, except on the occasion of visits from eminent
players.

The Council then adjourned until Wednesday (to-morrow).

SELECT VESTRY.--After a dispute, which ended in nothing,
relative to Dr. Bradley, at the usual meeting of the Select
Vestry, on Tuesday, the Vestry-clerk submitted the following
return of the amount of relief granted to hi-door and out-door
paupers, during twenty-seven weeks, commencing in May and
ending in November, in the years 1853-4.5 :

From Decrease of Relief granted Relief granted
May to Relief in entire in the first Week in the last Week
Nov. Quarter. of the period. of the period.
1853 £1,072 14 2 £743 0 4 £785 13 1
1854 162 4 9 889 15 6 900 9 4
1855 6,106 0 5 1,120 1 6 853 19 0

In a lengthy discussion which ensued, Mr. Woodruff and
several other members argued that this return entirely dis-
proved the statement of Dr. Bradley, that he had saved £6,000
to the parish. On the motion of Dr. Bradley, a committee was
appointed to enquire into the truth .ef the charges preferred
against him by Mr. Dignam.