The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-08-10 00:00:00

THE DOCK BOARD.

Mr. Charles Turner presided at the weekly meeting
of this board yesterday, when the members present
were—Messrs. Smith, Farnworth, Hubback, Seger,
Arnold, Boult, •Lockett, Forwood, Mondell, Rankin,
Rounthwaite, Holme, Brocklebank, and Laird.
WORKS COMMITTEE.

This committee recommended the acceptance of the
tender of Messrs. M'Gee and Corcoran for the purchase
of old ropes; of Mr. A. Eyton, for sheet lead; of Messrs.
Dewitt and Co., for metallic measure-tapes ; of Mr.
Chantrell, for terra-cotta chimney-pots; and of Mr.
Hellewell, for vulcanized India-rubber. On the motion
of Mr. Brocklebank the proceedings were confirmed.
WA REHOUSE COMMITTEE.

Mr. HUBRACK, in moving the confirmation of the
proceedings of this committee, said, perhaps it might be
expected that he should say something in regard to the
investigation as far as it had gone into the circumstances
attending the fire at the Stanley Dock warehouses. He
regretted that it had occurred during his absence, and
that therefore some members of the committeee bad had
additional labour thrown upon them. He referred espe-
cially to Mr. Arnold, who kindly acted in his absence
and gave valuable advice to the superintendent. At the
meeting, last week, Mr. Arnold made a •statement,
gathered from the superintendent, regarding the extent
of the fire. There was a little discrepancy in that, for
he believed the quantity of cotton destroyed was rather
more than was stated by Mr. Arnold. Considering the
circumstances, that was no doubt excusable on the part
of the superintendent. He thought it would be evident
to the board that the inquiry, as far as it had proceeded,
might be divided into three parts—first, as to the origin
of the fire; secondly, as to the means that were employed
to extinguish it ; and, thirdly, as to the precautions
which ought to be taken to prevent such an occurrence
in future. With regard to the origin of the fire, that
at present was entirely conjectural. Whether it arose
from spontaneous combustion, or whether from the men
smoking in the warehouses, which he was afraid would
turn out to be the case, they did not know. As to the
means employed to extinguish the fire, as far as their
own officers were concerned, and the police and the fire
brigade, everything was done that could be done ; but,
as they were aware, there was a deficiency of water, and
that subject had been taken up by the Water Committee
of the Corporation, and rested with them. With regard
to their own appliances they were all in proper order.
As to what was to be done to prevent fire taking place
in future, and how they could suppress it, that was a
matter which would have the careful consideration of
the committee during the enquiry. He concluded by
moving the confirmation of the proceedings.
Mr. AnNor.ri seconded.
Mr. FQRWQOD thought the enquiry which was going
on should be thorough, and he was sure the board would
be satisged that it was in the hands of gentlemen who
would push the inquiry to such an extent as to give
every soisNetion to the public. lie hoped they would
inquire strictly how far the system of smoking was car-
ried on, and how it should be. prevented. Another and
more important question was, as to how these ware-
houses should be secured for the future. He ascertained
from discussions in other places that the arrangements
were defective, and it was a question whether the town
supply would prove efficient in case of occurrences of that
kind ; and whether the steam power with which the
vfarehouses were supplied could not he spade available
for raising water ; or if it would be desirable to erect a
large tank in the place which had been burned. His
attention bad been called to the fact that the goods
stored in the warehouses had been seriously injured with
water, which would not have been the case it the goods
had been removed as they might have been. This was
only a rumour, and he had no doubt that the inquiry
was in the hands of gentlemen who would make a
thorough investigation into the whole matter.

The CRAT!iMAN said that he might mention that upon
the recommendation of the Engineer the Water Com-
mittee had determined to lay down a new main to the
north end of the town, which the Water Engineer said
would give an ample supply of water,

Mr, Tictpr,T asked whether the chairruart of the Works
Committee had consulted the solicitor qs to him far the
Corporation would be liable for the 'loss resulting in
consequence of the want of water which they had enga-
ged to supply. (Laughter.)
Mr. LAIRD wished to know whether the committee
had taken into consideration the subject of providing
additional accommodation for the corn trade, which
the expected increase in the arrivql from thf, Black
Sea in " the course of the ensuing season would render
necessary. lie believed the board was unwilling to
erect sheds at Birkenhead ; but there were parties
whom he knew whio were ready to take a lease of such
sheds if erected. Tie thought Mr: Elm* wonld support
him in this suggestion, for he had always said that if
they could put anything up there which would pay, he
would support it. He hoped the Warehouse Com-
mittee would consider the question.
Mr. BOULT said he would be delighted lo support
Mr. Laird, or any body else, in improving Birkenhead;
and if he would only get the signature to an agreement
before they put a brick in the ground, he would support
him to any Went ; but they must not by an accidental
pressure be seduced into spendtpg large sums of money
unless they were secure as to the return.
Mr. HOLME suggested that to guard againstan occur-
rence like that at the Stanley Warehouses, a separate
main should be at once laid down to the three great
stacks of warehouses belonging to the board. i
Mr. HUBBACK said that with regard to Mr. Forwood's
remark respecting the removal of the goods at the late
fire, it should be borne in rnind that the whole of the
good's that were damaged were in the hands of the
salvage men: With reference to the goods which alight
not have been Oil-P*o qt all, there was 110 Nom to
remove thou, a the warehouses were Pill. As to
placing tanks at the warehouses, no doubt the committee
would consider that question, but he'might state that in
some of the London warehouses tanks were placed some
years ago, and they were found to be continually leaking ,
and damaging the goods. Mr. Boult itiOrgcl whether he
had cousulto the solicitor as to the liability of the
Corporation. Seeing that the injury done to the goods
far exceeded the injury to' the warehouses, they would
leave it to them if they thought proper to test the
question in a court 9( law, bee the boar 4 commenced
their actioy. (I.aughter.) Mr. Laird'A suggestion with
reference to providing warehouse accommodation for
the corn trade would be considered Sqliell the VirtirOpuse
Committee arid the Works qc,upttittec met . upon the
subject,.
The proceedings were then confirmed, as were also
the proceedings of the Marine Committee, including a
recommendation to allow an abatement of £2O in the
rent of Mr. Chapman, the tenant of the refreshment
rooms on the St. George's Landing-stage, in considera-
tion of the loss he had sustained by being compelled to
close his rooms during the repairing .of the stage.