The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-09-01 00:00:00

SHELTER FOR SIIIVYINU.

The report of the select committee appointed by the
House of Lords to inquire how far it may be practicable
to afford better shelter to our shipping upon our coasts
than is at present afforded, by the adoption of some plan
for the construction of breakwaters and harbours less
costly and better adapted for certain localities than the
system of solid masonry hitherto in use ; and whether
any such plan appears likely to be also serviceable for
the improvement of our national defence, has been issued,
and is as follows :

" That the committee have met, and considered the sub-
ject-matter referred to them, and have examined several
witnesses in relation thereto, and various designs for float-
ing and other breakwaters have been laid before them
The committee feel the importance of seeking eveiy
means by which harbours and breakwaters of a less
costly construction than those at present in course of
formation could be placed on various parts of the coast.
They have taken much evidence on this subject, and
have had their attention especially called to' floating
breakwaters, of-Which several plans have been submitted
to them. Upon the advantages to be derived from these
ccnst,ructions the evidence is conflicting. The committee
are not prepared tc teeornmend that the GI overnmet
should undertake the task of constructing breakwaters
on these principles, but looking to the vast cost of har-
bours constructed upon the systems hitherto in use, they
are of opinion that a moderate sum may be advanta-
geously expended by Government in testing any plans
which may offer a probability of important results
in great future saving of money, and in giving
protection to life and property iu various localities.
To carry this object into effect the committee re-
commend that a sum not exceeding £lO,OOO be
placed at the disposal of the Admiralty. The
committee have received evidgnce on the question
of the deposit of silt iu the large harbours now
under construction. Some witnesses have stated that
these harbours are gradually deteriorating from the
accumulation of silt. The hydrographer of the Admi-
ralty has, however, informed the committee that at
Dover, Portland, and Kingstown recent soundings show
that there is no deposit. The slight silting of a few
inches at Holyhead Refuge Harbour may, it is stated,
fairly be attributed to the millions of tons of stone, fresh
from the quarry, that have been tipped into the sea in
the construction of the breakwater, at 4 that this cause
of deposit will consequently cease when the works are
brought to a close. The committee further recommend
that the attention of the Admiralty and Board of Trade
should be invited to this important subject, to consider
whether any facilities can be given to public bodies or
to private companies who may desire, at their own risk,
to improve our harbours, or to give increased protection
to our coasting trade ; and the committee have directed
the minutes of evidence taken before them, together
with an appendix, to be laid before your lordships,"

THE El-HATTER AND HIS PEERAGE.—When Mr.
Wilson was selected by the Whig Government, on ac-
count of his own extraordinary successful speculations,
to pay off the debts of insolvent India, it is reported
that he sent Sir George Hayter to Lord Palmerston to
insist upon the promise of a Peerage on his return to
England. The Whig whip being asked what fortune
the ex-hatter possessed, and what title he had chosen,
replied, Mr. Wilson had remarked that India would
provide the fortune if: the Premier would select the
title :—Ah, I see, said Lord P--, let it be Lord Wide
Awake, of Tea Canister Hall.
THE NEW STAMP DUTIES.—On Thursday the New
Stamp Act (No. 2of the late session) was issued. The
new duties are chargeable on the passing of the act.
From and after the 31st December the allowance now
made on bill and receipt stamps are to cease, and a new
allowance of 10d. in the pound is t? be made. The
duties on foreign promissory notes are to be denoted by
adhesive stamps or impressed stamps, and adhesive
stamps or impressed stamps may be used for insurances.
The duty on policies of insurance on lives for sums not
exceeding £25 is reduced to 3d. There is no duty on
an insurance of workmen's tools for 64111 s not exceeding
49. The duty of a id. on a delivery order is to be
paid by the person requiring the order. Persons in the
service of the Post.office may sell postage stamps. This
useful provision states that " it shall be lawful for any
person in the service or employment of the Post-office,
without any license or any authority other than this act,
to carry about for sale and to sell at any place or places
within the United Kingdom, postage stamps and printed
forms of any kind issued or used at the General Post.
office, and any other matter and things relating to the
business of the Post-office, and such person shall not be
subject or liable to any penalty Or fQrfWAte for sqdqing,
anything in airy acts to the contrary notwithstanding."
t is provided by the act that if the Treasury direct that
the district registrars be paid by salary they may also
direct the fees to be collected by stamps. The new
duties are set forth in the schedule annexed to the act,
and it is expected that the duty on policies against acci-
dimt will yield a largo Rtn9giq t 9 (191VIAtlicAt,"