The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-05-11 00:00:00

MARINE COMWTTEE.

The proceedings of the Marine Committee were read,
comprising a recommendation to authorise the marine
surveyor to make a survey of the river.
11Ir. Mondel moved, and Mr. Moss seconded, the con-
firmation of the proceedings.
The CHAIRMAN said, had Mr. Graves been present
he would have put the following question :—" To the
chairman of the 'Marine Committee;viz. : If the atten-
tion of the Marine Committee has been called to the
present state of the Pluckington-bank, with the view of
rendering it less dangerous to shipping, especially to
vessels using the Queen's Dock.' "
Mr. MONDEL quoted from the minutes of the corn-
mittee to show that from time to time they had been
alive to the importance of the Plackington Bank. From
time to time the Marine Surveyor had reported vim.",
voce to the committee, and there was not any alteration
in it to call for any special notice. Thnhank might be
much affected by building a wall opposite Nnott's Hole,
but he did not think it would be wise to do that because
they did not know where another accumulation might
be caused in consequence. He had received the follow-
ing letter from the Marine SurveLyhoerip:—
001, May 10, 1860.
Dear Sir,—With reference to your inquiries for my report
on the condition of P4liCiiill6!oll Bank since August lahsta,t h ege
tV changes t f avh
such
moment sus
ei ford t
ayeoru
m that
my
moment as to call for any written report.
The condition of the bank in August last is shown on the
obsinsecrevatliloant %ea4vQed not appeFe4 0
accorappying plan; the figures in red, enclosed in circles,
indicate the height above 10 feet below Old Dock sill in 1857,
and the tracing shows ire actual condition at the date of my
last observations—viz., Bth instszt.
The survey taken in August last followed the slirnmer tides,
" Which seldom exceed in effect the mean of the tides, and found
the surface of the bank, from Queen's Dock southwards, at a
mean level of 6 feet above the forementioned level or low water
of extreme spring tides, with winding gullies from the Queen's
and Duke's Dock entrances.
The strong tides of the spring
of the year have deepened the
gullies, and have raised some portions of the tank so that the
highest part off King's Dock wall now dries 8 feet, and that off
Queen's Dock
wall 7 feet above the same level, or respectively
about 2and 3 feet belpw Old Dock sill. These portions of the bank
stand like islands except at very low tides, there being a wind-
ing gutter between them leading up Queen's Dock entrance
scarcely dry at low water, and a deep run between the islands
and the sloek walls. The contour of the western face of the
bank marks nearly the same extent as before, but towards its

south end that wL4lifoymerly appeared as an island now dries
right over to the main part of t),,v bank.--Yours truly,
Sgseph Mondel, Esq. Nplawy P. PARK&
The CHAIRMAN said the statement of Mr. Alondel
WAS very sgtkfacOry.

Mr. BxocxLEßAxs deprecated questions being-put in
that Board which, were ealenlated to cause public alarm,
when subsequent information showed that there was no
cause for fear.

•
Mr. RANKIN thought a very small sum of money,
'spent in sluicing and dredging the bank, would improVe
the approach to the Brunswick Dock:
The CHAIRMAN said he was sure the attention bf the
Mgine,Committee would be given to the natter.
Letters from Mr. T. M. Mackay (James Baines and
Co.), and Messrs. WiLson and Chambers were read.
They directed attention to the state of the Pluckington
Bank, near the Queen's
The ENGINEER feared that Jiredging, would not at all
affect the bank.
Mr. RAmcw—What 'is the effect of dredging in the
Mississippi?
Mr. MOribEL 'said, according to the tide, the bank
rose and fell four feet.
The ENGINEER said the returns showed that fortnight
by fortnight the bank -varied greatly in its height.
The proceedings were confirmed; and the two letters,
above mentioned, referred to the committee.
PILOTAGE COMMITTEE.

The proceedings of the Pilotage Committee were
read, comprising a recommendation "that masters and
mates of sailing vessels constantly employed in the

coasting trade to and from Liverpool, be admitted to
examination on the same terms as masters and mates of
coasting steamers."
A letter from the master pilots asking that the board
would not confirm the above recommendation until they
should hare had an opportunity of being hoard before
the committee on the subject, was read.
Mr. Boult movocl, and Mr. Farnworth seconded, that

the proceedings be confirmed with the exception of the
above recommendation, whiCh should be postponed for a
week. The motion was agreed to.

DOCKS AND QUAYS COMMITTEE.

The proceedings of the Committee for the Manage-
ment of the Docks and Quays comprised a recommenda-
iion to.board down slides in sundry sheds ink the quays
of Clarence and Trafalgar docks, at a cost of tl6B ; to

remove the Glasgow traders from the Canning 13asix to
the south side and east corner of Canning Dock-; and to

.
give notice for running dry, on the 18th Ane, the Vic-
toria, Trafalgar, and Clarence half-tide docks:
The pro-Ceeaings Nverc, confirmed on the motion of
Lociieft,.
Mr. BROM:LT:B_4l:1i drew': 4=4404 to the traders

using the north .cornet of..the canning, Baaui, making
the quays; '&e., into stores for pig-iron, a privilege: for

-which. they ought "certainly to pt y:
Mr. LOCKETT endorsed the complaint, and said every-
body ought to pay for the, appropriated berths which
were granted, and he should hereafter be prepared to
bring forward a maim to map tP9 Rryties pay for the
enormous advantage which they had over other parties.
The CHAIRMAN' said this opened up the whole ques-
aim of letting 'the docks. The occupation referred to
by MT. 8r0,Cy4.044 , was an abuse, and should be
remedied 1;17 a totu4y differenf- 170 pm—informations
•
under the po.c)c
The proceedings of the Master Porterage Committee
were read, and confirmed.
ACCOMMODATION FOR THE COAL TRADE AT BIRKENHEAD.
The following letter was read :
' Denbighshire Coal Owners' Association,
Wrexham, May 4th, 1860.
sit',-At a meeting of coal ow ers held at the WynustaT
Arms IlOtei, IN;rehain, to discuSs the question of do* accom-
modation for the chipping of coals at Bi4eiiheatVit was
itesr4yed,--That the present arrangement's for 'shipping
coals arc defective, and enormously expensive, and that the
honorary se4retary he vequested to 0.4 t 1 a cjiairman of the
Mersey Dock and Harbour Board, urging upon him the neces,
sity of adopting the Cardiff method of shipping coal, by means
of a high lerel railway and the accompanying shoots.
In complying with this request, I would remind you that at
present the cost of shipping coal at Birkenhead amounts to

Is per ton, and in some cases to more, while at Cardiff the
coat does not exceed
.14: per ton. This extra charge .of 10d
per ton is a heavy jai on Ate 94(4 of coal, and one that spill
tend to prevent any increase hi :the trade. The teal field of
Denbighshire is of considerable extent,'and the " outpht" of
coal could be • iry much increased, and I have no doubt would
lie, if better arrangemeuta existed at Birkenhead for despatch
of waggons and (Or loading ships. By the present system
waggons are flat 44ye malting a trip-to-the:port find back to
the colliery. By an lai,proyeq. system of unloading the same
waggons might make five journeys in 14 days. This delaY. is
-a heavy tax to the coal owiiers, and One' that .only be
removed by in4Prove4 arrangements at Birkenhead• coal
of this district is particularly adapted for shipment to hot
climates, and the
.trade would Increase rapidly, if better
accommodation were provided at Birkenhead, and the high
level System of shipping adopted.
I trust your board will take this matter into their' considera-
. •
tion, sad that I shall have the pleasure of hearing from you
that the'coal owners' suggestion has been adopted.--I
your obedient stryaat, ' , 4.lkgs SPARROW, lion. See.
To the Oliairrnan of the lifersey
Dock and rtitrbour'itoard: ' . • .
The letter was referred to the Works 'Committee.

SERIOUS CIIARGE AGAINST LIVERPOOL PILOTS.
The following letter was read :
Underwriters' Rooms, Liverpool, May 8, 1860.
am directed by the coramittee for roaneging the
affairs of the LiirerimOi Underw'riter4' Association to acquaint
you, for the information of the Maley 'Docks and Harbour
Board, that they have reason to believe that some of the
-pilots of this port are interested in steam-tugs.

- ;-•
The committee conceive it to be quite unnecesiarylo point
out to the B---t that the public rennires that pilots
snowu void in all mariciiiie cases an lmpastfai
position, whe-
ther as witnesses in salvage cases or otherwise. Being ,u-
-terested in a steamer may also plans a pllo; in circtfints4ll.4s
of very great temptation; and when it would be impossible to
bring distinct misconduct hOMe to him. '
The committee would therefore urge upon the Mersey
Docks and Harbour Board to institute a strict inquiry into
this matter,—for if true, the fact is of the greatest consequence
to Unathirieers, anti if the alleetion be unfounded, it is
equally important that it should be at once authoritatiyely
remain, Sir, your most obedient servant,
TH014416 COVET, Secretary.

Daniel Mason, req., Secretary,
Me-sey Docks and Harbour Board.
The letter was referred to the Pilotage Committee.
THE DEFENCES OF THE FORT.
The CIiATEMA.N said that he had received a most
important letter from .the 'War 'Mee, which_was as fol-
lows :

War Office, May 3, 1860.

Sir,--I am directed by Mr. Secretary Herbert to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter of the 2nd March, conveying the
resolution of the Mersey Dccks and Harbour Board with refer-
ence to the surrender of certain sites wllish this department
wishes to acquire for defensive purposes, and to express his
regret that he has not found that body more willing to co-ope-
rate in the measures necessary for the defence of Liverpool.
With a view, however, to arriving at as satisfactory a solu-
tion as possible, Mr. Herbert requests you will move the board
to depute some duly authorised persons to confer with the
authorities of this office upon the question in order that it may
be discussed, and an arrangement concluded which may, as
far as possible, be satisfactory to the parties concerned.--I am,
Sir, your_obedient servant, DE GREY & RIPON.
The Secretary,
Mersey Bock Estate, Liygpool.

Mr. SMITIi htved the letter would result in the adop-
tion of a plan of defence for the port more efficient than
any yet devised.
The CHAIRMAN suggested that himself, Mr. Smith,
Mr. Hubback, the chairman of the Defence Committee,
and the engineer be a deputation to confer with the War
Office authorities.

Mr. BROCKLEBANK hoped the Committee would
report to the Beard before making any agreement.
The CHAIRMAN said certainly the Committee would
report. He understood that the Board adheres} to their
previous opinion. (Hear, hear.)
The Chairman's suggestiot was approved.
THE DISPUTE BETWEEN THE INLAND CARRIERS.

The following letter from Mr. Charles Mason was
read :

Birkenhead, May 9, 1860.

Dear Sir,—Having submitted to the members of the sub-
committee of my board a copy of Mr. Egerton's letter to your
chairinau, dated 4541 041 last, and also the information I
have collected with referente'io the subject of t4e letter in
question, I have been directed to request the favour of another
interview with the Works Committee of your board, when my
directors will present additional evidence in support of the
company's application for a share of the quay space at Liver-
pool available for public carriers ; and also statements in sup-
port of the allegations contained in my previous communi-
cations, and in reply to 14t, Egerton's letter.-,I am, yours
faithfully, CILIRLES Masox. Secretary.
Daniel Mason, Esq., Secretary, '

Mersey Docks and Harbour Board.
The letter was referred, and it was understood that a
deputation would be received on the 19th of May next.
A letter from Mr. J. F. Owen, resigning his situation
in the treasurer's office, on account of ill-health, and
after a servitude of twenty-4ye years, was read and
referred to the Finance Committee.

MR. RANKIN AND MESSRS. REYN AND CO.

Mr. RANKIN said he had. received the following letter
from Messrs. Heyn and Co. :

Liverpool, 9th May, 1860.

Dear Sir,—Referring to the several interviews we have had
with you regarding the statement made by you at the Deck
Board on the 19th April last, and the documents we have
shown you on these occasions, we hope that you will do us the
justice to state to the `boaid as publicly as tin charge was
made, (and as you have 'in fact already done to parties who
have made inquiries of yQII from abroad,) that having received
our explanation, you are satisfied that the imputation of fraud
made against us is unfounded, and that we have not charged
Messrs. Schroders' captains more than we actually paid.
We have shown you that the speech you made at the board
has been used greatly to our prejudice in foreign ports, and
that a garbled translation of it has actually been printed as an
advertisement in foreign papers, we une by rivals to us
in our business, actuated by not very creditable motives. We
trust, therefore, that you will see how necessary it is that you
should do all in your power to repair the injury dcue to us.—
We are, sir, your obedient servant's;
R. Rankin, Esq., Chairman of the Finance Conitnittee
of the Mersey Dock Bbard. Hate & Co.
The board would remember that at a previous meeting
he stated that a claim had been made on the board by
Messrs. Schroeder, of Riga, for a return of dues, being
the difference between £B3 and £64, the latter sum
being the proper charge, sud the former the charge
which had been made by Messrs. Heyn upon their cor-
respondents at Riga. He further said that the officers
of the board had made the proper charge, and that the
overcharge n
o co
t ncf £l9 was a matter with which the board
concerned ; but that it was one which should
constitute a question for explanation by Messrs. Heyn to
their elients at Riga. There had. been a. garbled report
of What be (gr. Rankin) said published in some of
theGermau 4 --- ewspapers4 r,Tift Oqt pgft Q#' his
speech, stating that thedifferenee (419) had` lioi.been paid
to the board, was given, but the latter paFt, in Which he
stated that no doubt Messrs. Heyn and Co. could explain,
tad been suppressed. Messrs. Reyn had offered to him