The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-06-22 00:00:00

WORKS COMMITTEE.

The proceedings of this committee contained a recom-
mendation to the effect that temporary accommodation
should be given to Messrs. Gates and Dolby for running
their omnibuses along a portion of the rails opposite the
Custom-house, pending the repairs now going on there.
They also stated that the committee had thought proper
to decline the request made by Messrs. W. and H.
Laird, to allow them to ship coal at the Wellington and
Sandon Docks by the low-lying railway.
The committee also brought up a report from the
engineer, submitting certain proposals for giving greater
facilities for the shipment of coals at Birkenhead.
The minutes stated that on the motion of Mr. Tobin
it had, after discussion, been agreed to request Mr.
Hartley to reconsider the whole subject, with the view
of considering more minutely the practicability of a
low-level railway.
Mr. RANKIN, in moving the confirmation of the
minutes, said ho was certain they would agree that the
communication just read was a very important one.
When the committee had it under consideration, depu-
tations were present from the Dock and Quays Com-
mittee, and the Warehouse Committee, and took a very
great interest in the subject before them. As would be
seen from the minutes, some difference of opinion existed
as to whether the high level or low level, or, indeed,
both, was preferable ; and it consequently had been sent
back to the Engineer, to consider whether a low level
line could not be made suitable for a high level at any
future time. In his opinion both lines were required, if
'they would accommodate all the traffic ; and as to
whether the coal traffic should be conducted on the high
or the low level, was, of course, a matter entirely for
future consideration. Another subject mentioned in the
minutes was that of warehouse accommodation. The
want at Birkenhead in this respect was greatly felt, and
the Engineer had been instructed to prepare plans and
estimates as soon as possible.
Mr. Tonix remarked that undoubtedly there was con-
siderable difference of opinion in the committee with
reference to the advantages or otherwise of the high
level system, and his sole object in proposing the resolu-
tion referred to in the minutes was that Mr. Hartley,
by making inquiries as to the system pursued in other
towns, might guide them in coming to a right deci-
sion on the matter. The committe had accounts from
many of the parties interested, which widely differed
from each other. The railway company, for instance,
were anxious to have a high level railway; they con-
sidered that it was an enormous want, as by its means a
greater quantity of coals could be shipped than now for
a sum considerably less. The only objection he had
heard to the high level system was that of breakage
consequent on the coal falling from a good height into
the hold of the vessel. This slid not, in his opinion,
constitute a valid objection, for he found that many of
the coal shipping ports, on both coasts of the country,
had for some time adopted the high level line, and had
risen to the greatest height of prosperity, so that in these
places at least the system had worked well. He consi-
dered it therefore only a prejudice in those who were
so anxious that the low level system should be retained.
He had been desirous of making these remarks, especially
as some coal dealers and others had been expressing
themselves against the high level. As he had before
said, all the Committee on Works had requested Mr.
Hartley. to do was to examine the system adopted in
different parts of the kingdom, and to report as soon as
possible. He believed that by this means the objections
raised by the coal-dealers would be very much obviated.
At Cardiff, he understood a system was in practice
whereby the apprebemled breakage was totally overcome.

Mr. RA.NKIN stated that as great a quantity of coals
could be shipped by the high-level line in one day, as
could be accompliShed by the low-level system in four
or five.

Mr. FORWOOD said, that if the colliery owners had
any reasonable objection to the high-level, the board
ought to give it every consideration. At the same time
his impression was, that coils could be shipped quicker
by the low-level line than the proprietors could send
them in.

The Ciwit.m.kw remarked that he thought the proper
time for discussing the subject was when the engineer's
plans were before them. (Hear, hear.) At the same
time it was very desirable that the discussion had taken
place, because it had given the board some idea as to
what +hP general' bearings of the question were. tic
saw some difficulties in the way of a high level line
himself. They would, of course, have to connect their
line with the Birkenhead Railway ; and it being low
level, it was evident that they had some engineering
difficulties to contend with in the first place. On the
other hand again, it was absolutely necessary that they
should proceed cautiously with a work of such im-
portance.

Mr. GRAVES (who had entered the room subsequent
to the reading of the minute) here rose, and said—lf I
am properly informed, the proceedings involve a recom-
mendation that the low level railway should be
commenced.

The CHAIRMA-N—No ; they involve simply this—that
Mr. Hartley is directed to prepare plans as to adapting
a low level road to a high level.
Mr. Toms said that one object which the present
discussion would effect would be to call out the opinions
of people out of doors. No doubt many good sugges-
tions would be obtained by this means.
Mr. BUSHELL explained that there was very con-
siderable difference of opinion in the committee on the
matter, and it was thought prudent, by a majority of
those present, that the question should be still left open,
the engineer, in the meantime, supplying them with the

information required.
Mr. GRAVES said that after what had fallen from Mr.
Bushell, he would withhold some remarks he had

intended to make. (Hear, hear, from Mr, Evans.) He
should only say that it should be their endeavour to
render Birkenhead a first-class coal shipping port, and
he thought that before committing themselves to any
resolution, there ought to be a personal inspection of
the locality. _

Mr. BOULT observed that Mr. Ilartley, iu his plan,
made no mention of hydraulic lifts. Ho considered
they would form a material point of the whole scheme.

Mr. HuanA.cx said that the hydraulic lifts would
form a feature in the plan to be submitted to the com-
mittee by Mr. Hartley.
Mr. MONDEL thought it was the duty of every one
present to give the plan his most careful consideration.

He believed-, moreover, that in places where the high
level line was in use, facilities were afforded by the
height the banks wore above the water. The land bor-
dering the water at Sunderland, South Shields, North
Shields, Newcastle, and other places, was very high ;
and it was, therefore, necessary to adopt the high level
system. He would suggest that, in future, the ma-
chinery should be properly applied, believing that if
this were done, two waggons could he emptied into a
hold at the ssme time, from the low level line, for every
single waggon from the high level.
The minutes were then confirmed.
WAURQUSE COMMITTEE,

The proceedings of this committee comprised a recom-
mendation to transfer a sum of £26,500, on account of
warehouses, to the general fund.
Mr. HUBBACK moved the confirmation of the minutes.
He stated that the income from the warehouses thus
showed a total of £52,500, against £55,500 last year.
But, although there was a falling off, he would remind
them that in 1848 the revenue was only £32,000.
Mr. Littledale seconded the motion, which was Fr
and agreed to