The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-04-05 00:00:00

- -
SOUTH LANCASHIRE

ASSIZES.

CROWN COURT.—YEsTEnn.k.v.
(Before .11r. Ju,,tiee Hill.)
RiGBY V. bierc AND ANOTHER.—This was an; action
'of ejectment brought by the plaintiff, Thomas Rigby, to
eject the defendant from a public-house, in Etskine-
Etreet. Mr. James, Q.C., appeared for the plaintiff, and
Mr. Millward represented the defendants. It appeared
that the premises were formerly occupied by a person
named Mary
rent, Inch,—who, falling into arrears with hear
got notice to quit on the .18th of June, 1868. In
the interval she died, and her sisters, the present defer-
' dents, continued to occupy the house, and in consequence
of their refusal to leave the house the present action. was
brought. It was. shewn that the defendants had no
fight to the occupancy of the bouse,, and the jury at
once returned a verdict for-the plreintiff.
• 1.4415T0N .V. Pakrt.—Tb.e plaintiff in this tape was
the proprietor of a dancing academy in. Great George!s-
-nare, and. the.action was brought !in conseqeencce of
fendant having btocked up a staircase window which
[ 161ited a conside:rable. portion of plaintiff's premises.
Plß~ntm'Tames, Q..G., and Mr. 21illward appeared fbr the
ff. From the statement of the witnesses it
appeared that in 1816 the premises in qiiestion were
used as a boys' school, and the window referred to was
then in existence ;but worked upon hinges. The Window
was not a very large one, but it lighted one of the prin-
cipal passages in the house, which would otherwise have
been entirely daik. Several altelations were subse-
quently made, none of which, however, affected the
'window, until -1849, 'when the window was Made a fixed
• one. Its position, was not altered. The defendant,
whose premises adjoin those of the plaintiff, has lately
built a wall, which completely blocks up the window to
the consequent injury of the plaintiff's property. For
wthe defence, it was contended that the position of the,
nniow was changed in 1849, and that the as justified in building the wall. The jury. found for
Plaintiff; •
.1 k"
-SON V. ,DANE.—This was an action brought to
crecaver the sum of £65, the balance of an account which
' 1859 the owed the plaintiff. In the beginning of
e'z''°9 the defendant called upon the -plaintiff and told
-ulll2 that he wuted a quantity of black cloths for a
Mercantile waited
in NeW York. The .defendant :stated
'that he would get the moe.when the,goods
here
disposed 'of in Amen ca.yremitt
Theplaintff agreed to
tij b`r.Plhe goods provided-the defendant would pay for
L -.
t Ist of August. This was agreed to, and the
1:18 were duly supplied to the defendant, who sent them
aln August, when the plaintiff applied for
tment; the defendant pleaded that he had no money,
„et having received the remittance from America. The
PAich li,a!latiff applied repeatedly'for a settlement of his bill,
amounted to about £l3O, and. in, the
month of October he obtained that sum, less £65.
The defendant bid since denied his responsibility, and
that
'refused to pay the balance. The defence setup was,
the bargain which.wes made between the plaintiff
and defendant was to the effect that the plaintiff should
611PPIY these
,00ds through the defendant to the
Merchants in America, and receive payment from the
defendant when, the fatter got the remittance from
-America. It was further argued that • the transaction
in October was merely a loan by the defendant to the
Pliaintiff, the latter agreeing to pay him interest until
Inc Money came from New York. His lordship, in
'gym up, said the only' question in the case was
---‘That was the bargain ? There were some points
favourable to the plaintiff's, and some to the defendant's
version of the matter. On behalf of the plaintiff it
could easily be seen that had the .bargain been what
the defendant says it was; he (the plaintiff) must have
been a, very foolish person to make so unbusiness-like a
Vroposition; and, on the other hand, it might be said in vour of the defendant's statement that ,the plaintiff
natl. had frequent opportunities of enforcing his claim
'during the months of September, October, &c., but that
be had not done so. The jury found for the plaintiff.
-li.konort. v. HELLOCK.--The plaintiff in this case is
II marine-store dealer, in this town ; and the action was
fight in consequence of the defendant's refusal to
deler the copper sheathing of the ship Queen of the,
n'esiff
j-e West. Mr. Brett appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr.
Pla int Q.C.; fdr the defendant. In October last the
called upon defendant and. agreed him to
purchase the sheathing of the Queen of th withoWest for
£420. £45 was deposited in earnest of the bargain; and
it was understood that the plaintiff would pay the
remainder next day. Upon going to the office next'day,
however, the plaintiff was told that the sheathing which
they had supposed to be yellow metal was
;really copper,
and therefore more valuable than the defendant had
dBuPposed. In consequence of this discovery the defen-
dt had refused to give the plaintiff the goods. The
efendant pleaded that he had made no positive bargain,
had promised to refer the matter to his principals.—
Tile jury found for the plaintiff, with 4175 damages,
that sum being the probable profit. there would have
been upon the sale. •

NISI PRIUS COURT.—YESTERDAY.
(Before Mr. Justice Blackburn.)
aiIDIZIN'S PATENT SEWING MACHINE.—FOXWELL
V. TROMA9.—This was an action for infringement of a
patent, named Judkin's Sewing Machine, which had
been taken out in 1852, and of which the plaintiff
became the propriet.3r. Mr. Manesty, Q.C., Mr. Aspland,
and. Mr. Aston. appeared for the plaintiff; and the
defence was c,,mducted by Mr'. Wilde, Q.C., Mr. Web-
ster, and Mr. MacGregor. The questions involved in
the cave were, whether or not Mr. Poxwell, as , the
owner of the patent, had a not
Air'
invtion, and
-whether or not it had been infringed by the defendant.
Mr. Manesty, in opening the case, stated that saving:
machines had of late years come into extensive use;
and
that they were now employed with immense advantage.
But prior to 1852 the sewing machines were of a very
inferior descriPtion •; and 'when Judkin's
,patent came
out it was hailed as a great invention. Some time
afterwards it was ascertained that the defendant, lEr-
Thom 4, was using a sewing machine, in all practical.
respects resembling the patent possessed by the plaintiff,
and hence the present' action. The ease, which occupied
the court durincr the whole of the day, was not one p.
• • '., seating any points of public interest. At the conclusion
of the plaintiff's case,
His lordship
the jury stated thlt.thcyere
really to give a verdict for the defenda,nt.
advised Mr. Manesty to take a uonsui
t, Mr
agreeing that it should be 'entered without prejudice Wildeto
the:plaintiff's liberty to, move in the case.
The court rose shortly after six o'clock. •

•
IVE
ItPOOL POLICE COURT.-YESTERDAY.

. (Before Mr. RAPFT,ES.)
.7- SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A RESPECTABLY CON-
MA.i.I:--James Jolly, clerk in•the employ of the elp,s-reP Northern, Manchester,-Sheffield, and Lincolnshire
—"way Company, was charged with having in his
-1:9W481.011 a quantity of base coins.—Mr. Black appeared
for the prisoner, who, on Tuesday, fell asleep in Martin's'
public house, London-road ; and whilst he was in that
state, a Tbiii and a quantity of coin tumbled frem,his
Person to the floor, and were discovered by parties
in'esett to be base: An officer was called in, who fmind
On the
Prisoner's person a great nuniber of bad half-
e-tir(rvils and .shillings. lie was immediately taken into
th-tt°,clY. Prisoner accounted. for the coins by alleging
rn found.them addressed to a persbn named Taylor
Pthe railway station at Oldhall-street, where they had
o wined for a long .trine previous to his taking,
Cut ssion of them. • He has been three years in the
tris. ee of the company, and has borne a good character.
Sent for trial.
berinsa ROBBERY.—Cstherine Gardner and Margaret
cha-rm4notigh, sisters, residing in' Oswald-street, were
kr. Co With committing ii series of house. robberies.
enajobb appeared for Gardner. The officers had 'been
evelfed to get as yet only one prosecutor. :On Friday
the housel•n, after seven o'clock,-some person entered
It„r‘of Mrs. Hughes; living in Portland-street,,
arbiLen,hy the' back ,dckir whiCh had been left open;'
v from abed-room twepairs of blankets, two, or
..Isiezr, dresses, shirts; •a • jacket, 'and other - things.
her 81 •rcterning the younger prisoner, accompanied by.
~r, pawned the goods at Mrs. Adam's.in-Rtirling-
the":l'reet. The elder prisoner received themoney from
Wards whilst in the shop ; And immediately after-
,
the pert" constable enteredr
i in search
so of the atolen pro--
Y' and Gardnen answer to me questions said
pie Prolierty was hers, and ran out saying I can get
.ttleL, witnesses., 'The prisoners Were remanded:
OpEFUL YOUTH AND A LOVING FATHER.—John
saidtilPlStZla eilktediVith stealing a watch and £2 10s. frOin,
Of a . public house kept by his father, *ll6*as
11,p cohabit with a woman, and neglect his children:
bad tuesday the proieeuter's sister stated that the father
ehiltrkaved very badly towards his son and his other
Th„, re n, and that the watch was the prisoner's property.
at"- ease exhibited a great deal of painful eircum-
ees ; ' but the charge of felony was not substantiated.
.Oman
FROM THE PERSON. Mary Maxwell, ' a
onfrom of the town, was sent to the sessions' for, stealing
I,eril She person of James ,Howells, in Castle-street,
'n,e,ada night about: nine o'clock.
• g lzetore Messrs. CASTELLAINE and BENN
Ith I.l°Xt • NUIsANcE.—Mr. M‘Gowan and Mr.
~,rpearea
slefre allowing ,ignall
to prefer charges against the following parties
smoke to issue from their premises':—
ssra. Thomas- Green & Son, brewers, -Soho-street,
ere _
shire
builders,
20s. and costs ; Messrs. ,Josiah Jones & Co.,
aos udders, Sefton-street, fined, 20s. and_costs; Messrs.
AtteeTh Heap & Sons, sugar refiners, Shaw's-alley, were
44,1" £3 and costs for an offence on the 28th March,
for a similar, offence at their rice mills, Upper
eaerZaall-street, 20s. and costs ; Mr. Joseph Whitehead,
ke:rwner, Preston-street, was fined 20S; and coits;
offej• Casey & Co., soap boilers, Naylor-street, for
riding Onthe 23rd Marsh, were fined 405.. and oosts.
Abra_DUCING SEAMEN TO LEAVE THEIR VESSELS.—
Sult4aPi Smith, beerhouse-keeper, Vaixhall-road, was
1)1(1117 nod for harbouring three Russian seamen, and
for therig them to desert their vessel, promising to obtain
man increase in wags in an English ship. M.
o,7onKe 20Peared for the defenCe. Fined £3 and costs,
• Suttzn,this imprisoment.
the Janet
CASE.—Adam Henry,. master Of
Joseph c are.idsen, was
signed articles summoned at the inStance of
°A the 27th September the complainant
per mentb. The "oOnd mate and boatswain, at £3 SS.
the I.4thlsre le) "easel- proceeded to and )2n
to the rank vof ent he was disrated, for incompetency,
magistrates awa an
ordinary seaman; at £2 ss. The
£2 10 r t 3 58 for the first month, and
s. per month afterw„i,Y
PAwmindimit
Kewle DEFUSING TO UP' A DRESS.
B,,wantoned for refus'i Pawnbroker, Richmond-row, was
43rd January, null to give up a silk dress. On the
ks_at thteshop for three stillin pawned two silk dresses
Ira to the defendant to r
--dings each. In ,March she
reas, saying deem them ; he gave her one
th_
amount that the-othewas lost, and charging her
a_l paid with interest for both. The log dresi
thwa:eged to be worth 46.. Defendant stated that it
worth 10s4 Only. n
wasordered to
pay 30s. for
ens, and costs. -• •

IIIX ASUCOMBE Munntn.—Serafin Manzano, the
Phniard accused of the murder of Anatasia Trowbridge
cl4_ Ashcombe Wood,. has been convicted of this most
rell9l and atrocious deed. We understand that Wed-
stlay, the 11th of April, is the day fixed for the
ecution; which will take place at Devizes Goal. The
4 t,execution in ty took place at Fisherton
(„,111) on the 27th archM 1855, when William Wright
'ered the last penalty, of the law for the murder of a:
•&. ll°lPia named Ann Collins, of Lydiard Tregooze, near
i '
The last execution at Devizes was that of
ll
44eDecea Smith, for the murder of her infant, at West-.
, §he was hung on' the 23rd of August, 1849.7
•

LIVERPOOL TO WN COUNCIL:

A monthly and special meeting e'st .Town Council
eras held yesterday, in the CoAncil-Chamber, at the
Town-hall, the Mayer, T. D. Anderson, Esq., pre-
siding. There was a large attendance of members.
eroo o 1 CONDUCTING THE BUSINESS OF fltE COUNCIL.
- The special committee who were appointed to consider
threabove matter-, recommended that the proceedings of
the previous meeting should be taken as read, upon his
worship the Mayor giving an assurance that the minutes
were recorded. The coat of printing the minutes of the
committees and cire.nlating them amortget the members
of the council would be so great that the committee
could not recommend its adoption ; but with a view to
Staten the proceedings theyfeConiniended that the totals
' and not the details of the various committees should be
read from the abstract book, which sfoild be open to
members for inspection two days prior to each meeting.
Alderman ..Tobti Stewart moved, and Mr. -'Beloe
seconded tha adoption of the report.
Mr. igARLE wondered that the committee had not
recommended one very great improvement-that mem-
bers should curtail their speeches. (Hear, hear.)
- Mr. SHELL *concurred in the first, but doubted the
wisdom of the-second recommendation, and therefore
moved that the question be considered at the council in
May next.
Mr. Jorrresoer seconded the amendment.
Mr. Jeffery supported the amendment, which was
opposed by Messrs. Gladstone, Ridley, and Mozley.
The amendment was then agreed to.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the
Finance Committee
.were read, comprising-1. Recom-
mendation to increase the salary of Mr..Rish ton, bnilding-
surveyor, from £3OO to £350 per annum, the considera-
tion of which was postponed at the last monthly council,
pursuant to the standing orders.-2. Recommendation
to authorise the improvement of Smithdown-lane, by
making the same 16 yards wide from the corner of
Lodge-lane to the cemetery, the work being executed by
the Corporation, and the Local Board of Health for
Toxteth Park contributing towards the expense thereof.
—3. Report on financial considerations on the report of
the Improvement Committee, submitted to the council
at the last meeting. [The committee could not recom-
mend that the expenditure should be incurred.]-4.
Appointment of a sub-committee for the management of
the real estate of-the Corporation, to be called the Real
Estate Committee.--5. New table of fees to be received
by the Clerk of the Peace, and by the Clerks to the
lusfices; in respect of certain matters.
A memorial from the Liverpool Land and House-
owners Association was read. It objected to the prin-
ciple on which the salaries of the corporate officials were
increased, and suggested that any servant of the corpo-
ration sending 'in an application for an increase to his
salary, should be required to send in his resignation in
the event of the application being refused. (Roars of
laughter.)
Alderman JOHN STEWART said, after the reading of
the memorial, he rose certainly with considerable diffi-
dence to move the first recommendation above referred
to. •The committee had heen assured by Mr. Rishton
that 'he devoted' the whole of his time to the duties of
his office, and there was no doubt that his dutieri had
been very largely,' increased by circumstances which
would in the recollection of the council. -
Alderman Coop En. seconded the motion..
Alderman BENNETT urged, that considering, the
exceedingly onerous duties which devolved upon the
building surveyors' and the vigilant manner in which he
discharged his duties, the recommendation of the com-
mittee scarcely met the justice of the case, and there-
fore moved an amendment that the salary be .X4OO a
year instead of £350, as proposed by the committee.
Alderman DOVER, the chairman of the Health Com-
mittee, bore testimony to the admirable manner in
which, Mr. Rishton discharged his duties, and seconded
the aniendment.
Mr. JEFFERY, admitting the propriety of the compli-
ments that had been paid to Mr. Rishtim, said he
thought the council should first consider the principle
upon which they advanced salaries. (Hear, hear). It
was a feet which'perhaps was not fully known that the
Corporation paid ne less than £22,000 a year in salaries,
and ,he was constrained to say that there was no questiOn
so loosely dealt with in that chamber as the question of
salaries. He denied that the committee under which
particular officers acted was the best, and most impartial
Midge of his merits when an application for increased
salary was made. He would therefore suggest, if it
were practicable, which he feared it was not, that a com-
mittee should be appointed to whom all such matters
should be referred, the committee to consist of gentle-
men who were not members of any other -committee.
Mr. HAYDOCK opposed the motion on the ground that
the greater part of the duties of the building surveyor
were performed by his two assistants.
Mr. JOHNSON supported Alderman Bennett's amend-
ment, and was followed on the same side by Alderman
Cooper.
Mr. Aspireet.LL opposed the increase, and said he
understood it was intended, when the office should
become vacant, to, merge it into that of the borough
engineer.
Mr. NICKSON agreed with Mr. Jeffery, that something
should be done to control the expenditure in salaries,
and pointed out that the proposals for increase of salaries
on the „paper that day alone represented a capital of
£lO,OOO at 4 per 'cent:
After' some remarks from Messrs. Stitt, Job, Mozley,
Alderman Woodruff, , and Avison, Alderman Stewart
replied, and the amendment was put, when six voted
for and forty-seven against it.
Mr. JEFFERY said as the amendment was lost he
would move another 'amendment, that the salary of Mr.
Rishton should not be increased until the Council had
first determined 'whether it would appoint a special
'committee to which reference had been made. He
would also move for a return showing the annual
increase of salaries under the different departments for
the last ten years.
The Mayon said notice of motion for the return
must bee given. '
Mr. STITT seconded the amendment, which was
agreed to by twenty-eight votes for and twenty-three
against.
Alderman STEWART moved the confirmation of the
second•reselution. •
Alderman HOLME seconded the motion, and congra-
tulated the Council that One of the leading arteries into
Liverpool eves about to be widened at. a very small
expense, and the Council and the town were much
indebted to Mr. Earle and Lord Sefton for giving land
gratuitously for the imprOvement.
, Mr.. EARLE said if landowners, would only reflect how
much their property was improved by good roads,, they
would nit be so greedy in claiming- compenSation.
Aldernian STEWART, in answer to Alderman WoOd-
rnff, said-the expense of making the improvement would
be about £2;000. "' .
The motion was then agreed to.
Alderman STEWART,, moved, that the report on the
report of the Improvement Committee be received.
was impossible -for the Finance 'Committee to provide
for the• great improvements referred to: out of the
ordinaryancomt of the Corporation.
The report was then, received. .
Alderman Stewart moved, and .it was agreed that the
committee appointed' by the Finance Committee to
manage the reel estate of the Corporation should be
appointed.lt. S - confirmation of the new
table of fees above referred to. The table would save
much trotfhle and correspondence with the government,
and ranch annoyance in respect of certain officials who
were authorised to receive fees. The examiners of fees
in, London would admit the table now proposed, and
therefore he moved that the table be approved and sent
immediately to the Home Secretary for confirmation.
Alderman HOLME seconded the motion.
Mr. JEFFERY said it was very satisfactory to find,
and the public :would be very.-gratified to learn, that the
,sum in the shape of*feer4 which had been so long in
dispute between the Corperationand the Treasury, had
been ,paid into the exchequer of. the Corporation. Im-
mediately after the Council appointed a committee, of
which he' (Mr. Jeffery) had had the honour to be the
chairman, for the purpose of investigating the position
of the Clerk of the. Peace in reference to lus fees, Lord
Derby's Government wrote a letter informing the Mayor
and the committee that, as the question involved was a
question of principle, the Government hoped the com-
mittee-would proceed with their action against the
Clerk of the Peace, and that should the Corporation be
unsuccessful in the suit against the Clerk of the Peace,
the• Government would 'reimburse the Corporation the
snm in dispute. The committee then, it Would he seen,
had been instruniental in procuring for the Corporation-
the sum which they claimed from the Clerk of the
Peace,Hlthough owing to some legal quibble they were
unable,to sustain their suit against him.
The motion was then agreed to.
Alderman Stewart moved, and Alderman Holme
seconded, the confirmation of the general proceedings.
'.The TOWN-CLERK, in answer to Alderman Woodruff,
said he had taken the necessary steps to proture the
insertion'of a clause in'the Highway Bill (which would
be. considered after Easter)' for granting permission for
horse railways in Liverpool.
Mr. Tomer wished to ask the Town-clerk whether
the sum 'of money which was in dispute between thri
Corporation and the Clerk of the Peace had in reality
passed into the coffers of the Corporation ?
The TOWN-CLERK said—The Treasury intimated that
if, by the decision of the Court of ,Chancery, the Clerk
of the' Peace was entitled to retain those fees, whiCh the
Corporation had paid him under protest, in 'respect of
the prosecution of offenders, they (the Treasury) would
repay, to the 'Corporation such of those fees as, were
fairly chargeable in respect of such prosecutions. The
decision dthe Court of Chancery was in favour of the
Clerk of the Peace, and be did retain those fees. The
Treasury,'has repaid the fees properly chargeable, but
there' are certain fees which they say the prosecutor is
not liable to pay, and which, therefore, they 'cannot
repay. The object of the table of fees this day passed
is to 1-dace the fees on prosecutions in accordance with
the decision of the-Treasury.
Mr. ToEiN—Then the Government have not dis-
bursed the whole amount in dispute ?
The Tower-CLERK—Certainly not.
Mr. STITT drew attention to the fact that leave of
absence on account of ill-health had been given to Mr.
Tweedie, the treasurer. He thought that no public body
ever possessed a more devoted, painstaking, upright, and
conscientious servant than the Corporation had in Mr.
Tweedie, and be hoped that gentleman would soon be
restored, so that the Corporation might derive the
benefit of his valuable services. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. BELOE hoped the special committee to manage
the real estate of the Corporation, would take evidence
on the law and custom adopted by the Ecclesiastical
Commissioners and other bodies, in the management of
the estates under their charge.
Mr. JEFFERY asked -what. was intended to be done
with the large sums of money due upon corporate sales
of property during the past year.
11Ir. Alderman STEWART said those sums would come
into the ordinary. yearly receipts of. the Corporation. In
reference 'to Mr: Tweedie, he could echo every- word
uttered by Mr. Stitt; in fact, the Corporation possessed
in Mr. Tweedie a model treasurer.
The general proceedings were then confirmed.
WATCH COMMITTEE.
The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the Watch,
Lighting, Fire Police, Fire Prevention; Hackney Carriage,
Licensing,. and Gas Committees were read, comprising-
-1., Appeintment of assessors of the lighting rate for the
year 1869-61. .2. Proceedings preparatory to laying a
tire police rate for the same year, nut exceeding one
half-penny in the pound. 3. Proceedings preparatory
to laying a watch rate for the same year. 4. Recom-
mendation to, increase the salary of the Head Constable
from £650 to £750 per annum ; of Divisional Superin-
tendents Thomas Quick and Benjamin Ride, from £250
per annum each, ~by a progressive addition of £lO per
annum until the 'salary, reaches £3OO per annum; of

Mr. John Brennan, chief clerk, from £175 to noo per
annum • and of Mr. F. B. Caldwell, Aecciutitint Clerk;
from £95 to 120 per Rtsttlffitlierioation
(jointly With the .ftealtll and Water Ccimthittees) to
3arnes Rogers second clerk in Mr. White's
department, in place of Mr. Crosby, promoted, at the
salary of £l6O per annum, being the same as heretofore
paid.
The first three reConimeridatien were agreed to
without comment:
Mr. JORNSON said that the foutth recommendation.,
in accordance with the standing orders, would have to
stark! .eve ttntil the next Council meeting for con-
sideration.
Alderman. HoLiuE asked if the committee had been
applied to by the officers in question for increases to their
respective salaries.
Mr. Joiirtsmi said that the matter had been brought
under the consideration of the chairman of the com-
mittee, who mentioned it to the committee, and the
matter was considered by a odb-committee, who made
. the recommendations now before the Council.
Alderman IlowtE—Then Major Greig did not apply
at all ?
Mr. JoHNsorr—lle did not.
Alderman HOLNIE said there was a standing order
that all applications for increased salaries should be
made in the first instance to the Council.
The MAYOR said the fact was that he and the
Recorder being two of the superannuation fund trustees,
considered that Mr. Caldwell was underpaid, and
recommended the Watch Committee to increase his
salary.
Mr. STEAINS said that was the case, and the committee
extended their inquiry, which resulted in the recommen-
dations now before the Council. The duties of the
officers referred to had largely increased, and their
present salaries were very moderate indeed.
It was then agreed that the consideration of the
recommendations should be deferred until after the
Council shall have considered the propriety of appointing
a special committee on salaries.

HEALTH COMMITTEE.

The proceedings, resslutions, and reports of the Health
Committee were read, comprising-1. Proceedings pre-
paratory to laying the several rates under the sanitary
acts for the year 1860-61. '2. Proceedings preparatory
to laying a rate under " The Liverpool Improvement
Act, 1858," for the same year. 3. Consideration of
plans for new public offices, Dale-street, prepared in
accordance with the directions of the Council, the con-
sideration whereof was postponed at the last monthly
Council. 4. Return as to cost of land and buildings
taken under the Improvement Act. 1858, ordered by the
Council at the last meeting. .5. Bye-laws for the better
regulation of common lodging houses.
A letter was read from Mr. Ileorner, president of the
Liverpool Architectural and Archaeological Society,
relative to the employment of the officers of the corpo-
ration upon public works, particularly such as are of an
architectural character.
A memorial from the Land and Houseowners' Associ-
ation was read. It was in opposition to the construc-
tion of the new public offices, on the ground that it
involved a borough rate.
The first two rccommendations were confirmed.
Mr. SHEIL, in moving the third recommendation, at
great length recapitulated the whole of the facts in con-
nection with the origin and progress of the proposal to
concentrate the public offices, and the proposed erection
of those offices in Dale-street. He then stated that the
delay in the erection of the offices cost the Corporation
for interest and sinking fund, under the act of Parlia-
ment, £l,OOO per month ; and concluded by moving
that the internal arrangements of the buildings, as
shown by the plans, be approved, and that estimates be
obtained for the work, the cost of which is not to
exceed £93,000, exclusive of the cost eland.
Alderman DOVER seconded the motion.
Mr. PICTON went into the question at great length,
and said he would challenge the strictest investigation
into the figures he should lay before the Council, and
he believed they would be found in all respeets quite
correct. Now, when the scheme was mooted seine time
ago, it was stated in the' Council that the building would
not cost more than £27,000, when Mr. Jeffery prophe-
tically exclaimed that the scheme would cost front
£300,000 to £lOO,OOO nearer than £27,000, and Mr.
Jeffery's words
,had proved literally correct, for up to
the present time £141,000 of expense had been incurred
for land, ,but that, by sales of surplus land, would be
reduced to £109,000 ; the building would cost £lOO,OOO
at least, and the widening of Sir Thomas's-buildings
£16,000, making a total of £225,000; but to this must
be added other necessary improvements of Sir Thomas's-
buildbigs, Crosshall-street, and other streets and con-
tinuations, which would bring up the grand total of this
scheme to £428,040. The borough engineer had talked
of erecting. the building for 100,000 ; but that " ninety"
was an ominous figure. St. George's-hall was to have
cost £9o,ooo—certainly it could not cost more than
£97,000';' but the cost had turned out to be £300,000
or £3so,ooo—(cries of "No, no.")—and the Rivington
Pike had greatly exceeded the estimated cost. Mr.
Picton then cautioned the Corporation against adopting
a scheme which might lead in the end to an expendi-
ture that they might repent of, but which he would not
any longer oppose if the ratepayers in a public meeting
demanded the improvements which were now under
their consideration, and those which would presently be
brought before their notice by Mr. Earle, and contem-
plating an expenditure altogether of £858,000, or say
rather, one million. (Hear, hear.)
Alderman DOVER said that in all its stages, and both
in that room and out of doors, Mr. Picton had decidedly
opposed this scheme for the removal of the public offices.
(Cries of "No.") He would appeal to any member of
the Health Committee; whether the greatest difficulty
they had had to contend with in obtaining the necessary
land had not 'been Mr. Picton, to whom, however, he
attributed no motive, whilst he felt bound to mention
that no human being acted in anything without a motive.
He confessed he could riot understand Mr. Picton's con-
tinued opposition to thiematter. The aldermari then
went on to take exception to the figures of Mr. Picton,
stating that the land on which the buildings would be.
erected would cost £60,000, and he would- exceed the
estimate and say that the buildings would cost £lOO,OOO,
making a total of £lso,o9o—an estimate which had the
sanction of the valued Corporation Surveyor, and would
entail a rate of 2d in the pound for the next thirty years
—an honest 2d, aad not a penny, which the Library Com-
mittee professed to raise, but which was in reality 1-0
in the pound. (Laughter.)
Alderman PARKER strongly opposed the motion, and.
moved an amendment that the Council would not
sanction the expenditure of so large a sum as would be
necessary for the construction of the building for public
offices according to the plans now proposed and laid
:before the Council by the borough engineer, and that
such plans be not adopted; and that it be an instruction.
to the Health Committee to obtain estimates to carry
out the plans already in existence for placing the offices
in the rear of Dale-street, and that the land fronting
Dale-street be sold..
The TOWN-CLERK said, in reply to Mr. Parker, that
there was no instruction to the Health Committee to
provide a council chamber in .the new offices. A
previous resolution gave that power but that was lost.
Mr. TYRER seconded the amendment.
Mr. BELOE said the New Exchange Company, in
coming into possession of the present Exchange build-
ings, would no doubt be very glad to have the Corpo-
ration for their tenants, and the public offices might be
Concentrated there.

Mr. EARLB supported the amendment, and said that
One great objection he had to the plans was that there
was to be a council-chamber and a gallery. (Laughter)
Why, they. Would have long speeches, and there would
be no power on the part of the Mayor over the audience,
such as there was in the House of Commons, where
there was a sergeant-at-arms to kick you out it' you did
not behave yourself. (Roars of laughter.) There
would be cries of " Bravo, Jeffery," or " Bravo, ooper"—
(roars of laughter)—and some men would probably be
hissed. He thought there was no necessity whatever
for a gallery.
Mr. VERNON supported the motion, and disputed the
entire accuracy of Mr. Picton's figures.
Alderman HOLME said although he had never opposed
the Health Committee bringing their offices into a more
central position, yet, from the first he had cautioned
them against the erection of such a costly building as
that now proposed, when a much more moderate build-
ing would suffice.. He believed that the cost of the
scheme might be a quarter of a million, and if the pro-
posed building was ever erected for anything like
£90,000, be would throw all his former experience to the
wind. He therefore besought the Council to pause
before entering upon such an expenditure as that now
proposed, and pointed out that the great buildings for
police purposes on the other side of Dale-street cost only
about £30,000. He certainly could not advocate the
erection of a stupendous gallery, with a view to the
admission of the public to the debates of the Council,
and would read to them a sketch of a council-chamber
in New York, extracted from a New York paper :
"No one who has not witnessed a session of our Civic
Council has the least idea of the disgraceful scenes which
it nightly presents. The galleries are crowded with the
same classes that fill the galleries of a theatre, and they
conduct themselves throughout the session in the same
manner as the gods do, when wearied between the pieces,
or expressing their approbation or disapprobation of the
performances. This noisy audience go for amusement,
and their idea being the more noise the more fun, they
take care that their own efforts do not fail to supply the
means of enjoyment. Every kind of noise accompanies
and interrupts the discussions of the Council; cheers,
threats, yells, cat-calls, shouts of soup," shut
up,'—
(great laughter)—and others less polite are the running
commentary on the deliberations, while the mayor and
his allies encourage and. smile approval on the noisy
rabble, and openly sirrnify their approval of the insults
to which other members of the Council are nightly sub-
jected. When,' as it frequently occurs, the aldermen
and councillors get up a row of their own, and abuse
flies fast and furious, the gods become almost frantic with
delight, cheering on the combatants as though they were
fighting dogs ; the only drawback to their pleasure
being the abstinence of the city 'representatives from
blows as heavy as their-words and threats." (Roars of
laughter.) He did not believe the Council of Liverpool
would ever submit to get itself into the position of a like
body in " the best of all possible 'Republics," and he was
opposed to the admission of the public as likely to inter-
fere with the freedom of debate, and because the gentle-
men°
ppe
ra
tst
y, lost
and
X"ee of the press gave ample reports of what took place.
Mr. STITT at great length supported the motion.
Mr. NiclesoN protested against any further delay in
carrying out the plans, and stated that by delay the
Cwohrepnorathtieonsahraadeencosr
Hlsealreapir• sh
0e
r a,
wouldy
therea year,
venture to assert that had St. Georte's-hall been
entrusted to the care of our Borough Engineer,
would have been a saving of £30,000 in its construction
at least.
Mr. JEFFERY supported the motion, and stated that this
was the sixteenth time that the question of removing
the public-offices to Dale-street had been discussed in
that chamber. In favour of the motion he stated that
the Town-clerk that day had told him, that by the
concentration of the offices in Dale-street, £4,000 a
year would he saved in salaries alone, whilst £2,000 a
year would be saved on miscellaneous expenditure, which
made £6,000 a year—a sum which at 4 per cent. repre-
sented a capital of £160,000, and together with other
savings would pay the cost of the proposed building,
and the cost of the land. He held that .the logical
conclusion 'of Alderman Holme's remarks was that,
if the people of Liverpool were admitted to hear
the debates of the Council, they would not know
how to conduct themselves with decency. He had a
higher opinion of the people of Liverpool; and he
hoped an opportunity would be given the public of at
all times being present to see if their representatives
were in their places, doing that which they professed to
do—their duty. The Council-chamber of Liverpool
was about the only one in the kingdom which sat with
doors closed to the general sblic and challenged