The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-11-11 00:00:00

DOCK COMMITTEE.-YESTERDAY.

The usual weekly meeting of this Committee was held
yesterday, at one o'clock ; and after the minutes of the last
meeting were read, Mr. CHARLES TURNER was unanimously
re-elected chairman, and Mr. Francis Shand, deputy
chairman of the committee for the ensuing year. On being
re-elected,
The CHAIRMAN thanked the committee for such a mark
of their confidence. He felt grateful for the assistance they
had always given him, and with the aid of that assistance
a&.ain he hoped he would be able to perform the duties of
his office with satisfaction to the committee and the town.

The other members present were—Messrs. Langsdale,
Holmc, Evans, Grayson, Barber, Robinson, Robertson Glad-
stone, Smith, Holden, Malcomson, Rankin, Steele, Round-
thwaite, Molyneux, Royden, Tobin, Healing, Brocklebank,
Chaloner, Littledale, and Lockett.
No change took place in the appointment of the sub-com-
mittees. They remain the same as last year.
The sub-committee recommended that the upper floor of
the transit sheds at the south side of Huskisson's Dock be
let to Messrs. I,l‘lvers and Co. ; that the offer of Mr. Ralph
Lyons to supply 100 large and six dozen of small poles be
accepted. Agreed to. The sub-committee also submitted a
plan, with a recommendation that it be agreed to, of a stair-
case for obtaining better access to the upper floor of the
dock offices, and alteration in the skylights, for converting
the rooms into offices—the estimated cost of which would
be 1500.

Mr. HOLME said that he had not seen the plan of the pro-
posed improvements, but he knew that they would render
the rooms, which were now useless, available for any pur-
pose.
The CHAIRMAN observed that they were greatly pinched
for accommodation, and that it would be a great convenience
if the now useless rooms could be made available.

It being understood that the proposed stairs were to be
wood,

,
Mr. ROBERTSON GLADSTONE asked if the present stone
stair-case could not be continued ? He thought it would
have rather a bad effect if wood were introduced.

Mr. HOLME replied that stone would be much more ex-
pensive than wood.
Mr. R. GLADSTONE inquired what would be the difference
of expellee?
The DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN replied that the expense of a
stone stair-case would be double :the cost of a wood one.

Mr. R. GLADSTONE said that they would have to keep
official documents, and other papers, in those rooms, and he
conceived that stone would be a better protection against
fire than wood.

The CllAntmAx observed that it' was not intended to make
the proposed staircase as wide as the present one by two
feet.

Mr. HoukiE said that though he preferred stone to wood,
yet as to protection against fire, they should recollect that
on the burning of the Apothecaries Hall, the stone stair-
case was the first to give way.
Mr. STEELE thought they should have the staircase of
stone for the sake of uniformity.
The recommendation of the Sub-Committee was adopted,
but it was re-referred to them for consideration as to
whether the staircase should be of stone or wood.

The Sub-committee of Warehouse Management submitted
a plan for obtaining additional room at the Albert Dock
Warehouse, by filling in the South West end—the estimated
cost of the improvement being £4,357.
Mr. ROBINSON said that by the proposed plan they would
obtain 819 square yards additional, and as they contemplated
a five storey building, they would have at outside measure-
ment, 4090 yards of additional room. They would derive
from this £1,560 a year, and according to the estimate of
Mr. Hartley, the total outlay would be recovered within
three years.

Mr: HOWIE observed that, independently of any profit,
the proposed improvement was requisite for the general
convenience.

Mr. RomNsoN observed that the new building would be
managed by the present staff, so that on that head there
would be no additional expense.
The CHAIRMAN suggested that the matter should be re-
ferred to the Committee of Works.

Mr. BARBER did not see why it should be referred to the
Committee of Works. He thought the General Committee
competent to decide the question.
The report of the Sub-committee was adopted.
A letter was read from Mr. Gordon, assistant clerk in one
of the warehouses, praying the Committee to take into con.
sideration the distressed circumstances under which his
father, who was a clerk in the warehouse, and had recently
died, had left his family.
Mr. ROBINSON said that the father had but £BO a year,
and that he had been in the warehouse since its establishment.

Mr. LANGSDALE observed that it was not likely that a
man could put up anything for his family upon such a
salary.
It was ordered that £2O should be given to the family
out of the charitable fund.

In the marine department, the sub-committee recommended
that six small denoting buoys be obtained, the cost being
from 50s. to 525. each. A letter was read from Mr. Charles
M•lver, requestsng to be informed if those whom he repre-
sented could have a large-sized
.graving dock allocated to
their sole use. They would require one for twelve months,

Mr. LOCKETT said that the Committee had come to the
resolution not to recommend such applications. They could
not do so, as they would have a number of like applications
made to them, with which it would be impossible to comply.
Some doubt seemed to exist as to whether Mr. M'lver's
application was for the use of any of the present docks, or
a request that a large-sized dock be constructed for their
use for a certain time. _ _ _

Mr. RANKIN thought that the application was for the
construction of a new dock, of larger dimensions than any of
the present.
Mr. RoyDEN said that even so, it would not suit to let Mr.
Myer, or any other gentleman, have the sole use of a
graving dock.
Mr. HoLmE thought the principal question for considera-
tion was, whether or not they had sufficient accommodation
for vessels visiting the port requiring repairs. It seemed
not, and therefore it might be well to consider whether it
would be worth while to build a large graving dock, pro-
vided Mr. M'lver paid the interest on the outlay. If he
did so, he would be entitled to the exclusive use of the dock.

Mr .RovnE,NE thought such a course would be a very bad
precedent.
HOLME : And yet that is what the Corporation are
about to do at the other side of the river.
Mr. MaLcoLmsom said there was no doubt but that a
large graving dock was required, and that, under any cir-
cumstances, the Committee would be compelled to consider
the propriety of at once constructing such a work.
Mr. RANKIN asked if any of the ships of Messrs. Brown,
Shipley, and Co., could go into any of the present graving
docks?

The CHAIRMAN replied not. They could go only into the
Huskisson Dock.

Mr HOLME said that, knowing that it was the intention
to build very large ships, they should endeavour to antici-
pate every want, in order to keep the trade in Liverpool.
The matter was referred to the Harbour Master's Com-
mittee.

A letter was read from Mr. Baynes, Birkenhead, enclosing
a memorial, signed by several parties, setting forth that the
present approach to the landing stage was both difficult and
dangerous, and praying that it might be remedied.
Amongst other improvements they suggested the construc-
tion of a high level bridge from the bottom of James'-street
to near the stage.
Mr. If onrE thought they had already sufficiently bene-
fitted the Cheshire property. Every convenience would be
given to passengers, but the traffic of the port could not be
shut up.
The Secretary was directed to reply to the memorialists to
that effect.
The Committee then adjonrned.