The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-04-10 00:00:00

THE BIRKENHEAD DOCKS.-THE GREAT EASTERN.

On the motion of Mr. Hornby, the proceedings of the special
committee on the purchase of docks were confirmed.

Mr. Hodson said that he had been asked by Captain
Harrison, who was to take the command of the Great Eastern,
as soon as she was launched, whether it was the intention of
the dock committee, or the body having the management of
the Birkenhead docks, to make any sort of landing stage to
which that ship might be attached, as otherwise it would be
perfectly impossible for her to swing in the Sloyne, and as
no cable would be sufficiently largo and strong to prevent it
snapping in an instant. It was the intention of the corporation
of Milford-Haven to make preparations for the reception of
that vessel, but it was the wish of the owners that she should
come to Liverpool. He mentioned the matter, in order that
the council might take it into consideration.
Mr. Robertson Gladstone observed that, if the Great Eastern
could not safely swing in the Sloyne, no greater objection could
be made against her or any other vessel. He did not want to
throw cold water on the enterprise of the projectors of the
vessel, but he did not place much at hazard, when he said there
never would be a second ship built of a similar size. He said
that as a practical shipowner, and he put it to Mr. Hodson,
whether, under such circumstances, it would be wise to incur
any expense in the matter.

AI r. Tyrer said that the Great Eastern would easily swing in
the Sloyne.
Tho matter then dropped.

COMMITTEE ON THE REMOVAL OF THB PUBLIC OFFICES FROM
CORNWALLIS-STREET.
_

The proceedings of this committee contained a recommend-
ation, that a sum not exceeding £2,000 be voted by the council,
for alterations required in the public offices in Cornwallis-
street.

Mr. Hornby, in moving the adoption of the proceedings,
stated that the committee had come to a resolution, by a small
majority, that the proposed removal of the public offices, from
Cornwallis street to Dale-street, would be inexpedient, and
that by an expenditure of about £2,000, the present offices
might be made adequate to all their purposes.
Mr. Fernihough seconded the motion.
Mr. Hodson opposed it, on the ground that the removal was
desirable, and that the present offices could never ho made
adequate to the purpose, unless the whole building was taken
down, and built up again de novo.
Mr. Gladstone expressed a similar opinion, and urged that
those who discharged the public business, had a right to expect
from the public a convenient and comfortable place to meet in.
Mr. Beckwith thought that a better position could not have
been had than that in Dale-street, and that Cornwallis-street
would never suit. He protested against the recommendation
of the committee being adopted.
Mr. Alderman Parker supported the recommendation of the
committee.

A long and vehement debate then followed, in which Mr.
Fernihough, Mr. Sheil, Mr. Alderman S. Holtne, Mr.
Alderman Bennett, Mr. Earle, Alderman Dover, and other
gentlemen took part.

Mr. flPnnett finally moved, as an amendment, that the
whole question be referred back to the committee.
Mr. Dover seconded the amendment.
A second debate, equally lengthy, followed upon the
amendment.

A division was at length taken on the amendment, when
there appeared—

For the amendment—Councillors Crosthwaite, Anderson,
Woodruff, Shell, Haydock, M`GuMe., Tyrer, Earle, Robertson
Gladstone, Johnson, Kitchen, Hodson, Cliut, Beckwith ;
Aldermen Bennett, Dover-IG.
Against the amendment—Councillors Mellor, Holt,
Hornby, Livingston, Banner, Fernihough, Jcffreys, J.
Gladstone, jun., Wagstaff, Lawrence, Picton, Robertson,
Farnworth, flathead ; Aldermen Langsdale, Parker, Toulmin,
Holrue, the Mayor-19.
The amendment was, therefore, lost.
The original proceedings were then carried.
Mr. Hodson gave notice that, at the next monthly meeting,
he would move that the £2,000 he not so expended.
The Coroner's account, amounting to £l6 19s. 6d., was
passed.
MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS.

A letter was read from Mr. Thomas L. Burgess, outward
cashier in the town dues' office. The memorial was referred
to the finance committee.

A memorial was read from certain owners and occupiers of
shops in Lord-street, complaining of the decision of the magis-
trates, in last July, with regard to projections in shop fronts ;
and requesting the council to take the whole subject into
consideration.

Mr. Langsdale said the health committee quite agreed
with the memorial, but after the decision of the magis-
trates, he did not see what could be done.
Mr. Alderman Bennett supported the prayer of the
memorial. _ .

The Mayor said the magistrates were the authorities to
decide the matter, and the council had no right to discuss
it.
Mr. Hornby moved that the memorial lie on the table,
which was agreed to.
A letter was read from the Liverpool compass com-
mittee, signed by the chairman, Mr. Thomas Brockle-
bank, accompanied by a circular containing a statement
of the objects for which the committee was associated,
and soliciting the assistance of the council to obtain a
grant for the committee from the public funds.
Mr. Hodson moved that the letter be referred to the
dock committee, which was agreed to.