The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-01-08 00:00:00

DOCK COMMITTEE.-INCREASE OF THE DOCK RATES.

The proceedings of the Dock Committee having been read,
Mr. CHARLES TURNER moved their adoption, referring es-
pecially to the proposed increase of the dock rates, and stating
that the committee, looking at the financial position of the
trust, at the increased pressure in the money market, and at
the decrease of tonnage resulting from the alterations which
had been made in the mode of measuring ships, under the pro-
visions of a recent act of parliament, had come to the conclu-
sion that it was prudent, at least, if not absolutely necessary,
that some increase should be made. It was abundantly evi-
dent their present revenue, as shown by the income of 1854-5,
was not sufficient to meet their expenditure, and, although
some gentlemen were of opinion that they might safely
rely upon the increase of trade to make up the deficiency,
the majority were of opinion that the sufficiency of their
income to meet their expenditure should not be left in any
manner of doubt. The addition of ten per cent. to the tonnage
duties would barely make up the loss occasioned by the altera-
tion in the mode of measurement. With respect to steam-
vessels, indeed, the loss was considerably greater than the ten
per cent. would cover, but the committee were bound by law
to put both steam and sailing vessels on the same footing.
The addition of ten per cent. to the charges was thought only
fair, because goods had had a great advantage over tonnage in
previous revisions of the rates. After one or two unimportant
questions had been put and answered, the proceedings were
confirmed.

The proceedings of the St. George's-hall, Markets, Educa-
tion, and Gaol and House of Correction Committees were read
and confirmed.—The 'proceedings of the Health Committee
were read and confirmed, with the understanding that a letter
to which Mr. Alderman Bennett called the attention of the
Council, suggesting an improvement in the manner of num-
bering the houses throughout the borough, should be consi-
dered by that committee, before any steps were taken to pro-
ceed with the numbering upon the plan recommended by the
Borough Engineer.—Tlie proposal of the Health Committee
for the erection of new public offices, on the site of the Sara-
cen's Head, was referred to a select committee of nine mem-
bers of the Council—the Finance, Watch, and Health Com-
mittees each contributing three.—The proceedings of the
Gardens Committee were read and confirmed.--The proceed-
ings of the Church Expenditure Committee included a recom-
mendation to discontinue the payment of the salary of the
organist of St. Peter's Church, after the expiration of the
present year. A discussion arose, and eventually the recom-
mendation was not confirmed, and it was left open to the
committee to make any futnre proposition on the subject.
The proceedings of the 'Water Committee, of the Library
and Museum Committee (including power to raise, by rate, a
sum of £5,600 for the service of the current year,) of the
Baths-Committee, and of the Hackney Carriages Committee,
were read and confirmed.

ME BIRKENHEAD AMALGAMATION SCHEME.—The special
committee on this subject recommended the Council to with-
draw the bill for the municipal amalgamation of the two
towns, in consequence of the refusal of the Birkenhead bond-
holders to assent to the proposed arrangement, although Mr.
Hornby said the Birkenhead Commissioners, as far as they
were concerned, were satisfied with it. The recommendation
of the committee was confirmed.

The Coroner's account, amounting to £4O 12s. 2d., was
ordered to be paid.
An application from Mr. Surr, auditor in the Town Dues
office, for an increase of salary, was referred to the Finance
Committee.
The Council adjourned at three o'clock.

THE ROYAL FIRE AND LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY.