The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-03-20 00:00:00

DOCK COMMITTEE.

The weekly meeting of this Committee was held at one
o'clock yesterday, Mr. Charles Turner in the chair. The
following' members were present : —Messrs. Chal.mer,
Lockett, Gladstone, Tribback, Barber, It ith bone, Mondell,
Clint, Bold, Chiltpn, Smith, Anderson, Brocklebank,
Halhead, James Holme, Robinson, Evans, and Roan-

The Harbour Masters' Committee recommended that
the shed on the south quay of the Trafalgar dock be
bricked up to within about two feet of the roof ; that a
new 10-ton crane be placed on the south-east quay of
Prince's dock to lift machinery; and that the crane now
on the south-east quay of the Prince's dock be placed on
the river perade, oppeeitc the Trafalgar dock, for the
use of coasting steamers during the summer, until the
new landing stage is fixed;
The following letter was read from Messrs. Humble,
Grayson, anti Co..—
" Sandon Graving Deck, Liverpool, March 18, 1857.
" To the Chairman of the D.ck Committee.
" Sir,—The extreme and daily increasing irksomeness of
the present position of the shipbuilders of Liverpool, arising
front the insufficiency of Graving Dock accommodation.
induces-us, as one of the firms most injuriously affected, again
to crave the attention of your committee to the subj, e, and
respectfully to offer a suggestion, which, we believe, if acted
upon, will not only confer a boon upon oar own trade,
hut also have a beneficial effect on the general shipping
interests of the port. It has been stated in your committee,
and the opinion appears to be generally entertained, that,
owing to the magnitude of the works at Birkenhead, parlia-
ment will not grant the necessary powers for the completion
of the proposed North Docks on this side of the Mersey,
including a range of Graving Docks, from the construction of
which great relief was anticipated. Now, if such is really
the case, we venture to suggest a reconsideration of the
recommendation of the shipbuilding committee appointed by
the council in 1856, viz : that the largo basin already
partially formed by the sea wall to the north of the new
steam dock be converted into a float for ships lying up or
requiring repairs, and that the land on the east side be
appropriated for shipbuilding yards and private graving
docks. We are aware -that this would also require parlia-
mentary authority, but.s.urely, if your committee are prevented
remedying a great and undeniable evil, by the construction
of public graving docks, a refusal by parliament to allow the
d,ficiency to be supplied by private enrerprise can scarcely be
anticipated, The principle of private graving docks has
already been introduced by the corporation at Birkenhead,
and we, and doubtless many other firms, would be most
happy to become lessees under the dock trust here, on the same
terms obtained there by the corporat'on ; indeed, common
fairness requires that the principle should either not have been
sanctioned at all, or more generally extended—the idea
entertained by some members of your committee, that the
private graving docks at Birkenhead are available for our
trade generally, being a mistake, the lessees requiring that
they themselves shall execute all works below the water line,
which, of course, includes those portions of a vessel for the
repairs of which a graving dock is required. Trus'ing that
the very grievous losses and inconveniences to which, in
common with the shipbuilders of the port generally, we are
now subjected, may bo considered a sufficient apology for
addressing you, and that something, at all events, may be
attempted for our relief, by the provision of additional graving
docks, either public or private,—We are, sir, your obedient
servants, ‘` HUMBLE, GRAYSON, AND CO."

The Chairman said it was a ♦ery important subject, and
very difficult to deal with.

Mr. Evans : There is nothing new in that communica-
tion. I think it may be shelved very conveniently.
(Laughter.)
Mr. Broc'ilebank said the necessity for increased
graving dock accommodation was very urgent, and the
committee of works had not been unmindful of it They
had had two plans before them—one for the north side
of the Sandon graving dock, and th 3 other for the north
end of the Prince's dock. It so happened that until the
great scheme, which wa3rorop3sed to make better accom•
modation for the ferries, was carried out, it would be
impolitic to think of making a graving dock at the north
end of the Prince's dock, and their funds were not in a
position to go on with the work on the other site. A
vessel of his own, after waiting a fortnight, had to be
taken to the ether side of the water.

Mr. Bold suggested that a reply should be sent to the
letter, stain; that the committee were quite alive to the
necessity for further graving dock accommodation, and
that the whole question would be considered.
Mr. Smith urged that the whole subject of further
extension, in some way, should ba maturely considered
before going next to parliainent.

Mr. Barber said he did not se the necessity of appro%
priating any land to shipbuilding. He was glad to find
by Mr. Brocklebank's statement that the docks on the
other side were being used. Perhaps some little jealousy
was felt of opponents on the other side of the water. _

Mr. RatbhOne thought the necessity for dock extension
was becotnin; most pressing, and he thought the committee
ought also to take into consideration the necessity of
making the present docks do much more work than they
now did, by increasing the quay space.
Mr, mime should be very much indisposed to do more
in the way of graving docks at this side of the water, as
he thought they should not have space enough there,
The letter ought to go to the Birkenhead Docks Com-
mittee, and to occupy their serious attention, for if there
was any place well fiqed for graving docks it was the
pool there. (Hear, hear) He thought Parliament might
be induced to sinction a money bill even that year.
The Chairman : I do not think there would be any
chance of success this year.
Mr. Holme : Then it is for Parliament to say whether
the trade of a great port like this is to be put to
inconvenience mere'y for a matter of form.
Mr. Evans : That will depend upon who compose the
Parliament. (Laughter.)
On the suggestion of the Chairman, the letter was then
referred to the Committee of Works, with a recommenda-
tion to take into consideration the whole subject of
graving dock accommodation, taking into account both
sides of the river.
MR. RATIIIIONE'S MOTION-THE COMING FL7CTION.

The Chairman said the next business was the
consideration of Mr. Rathbone's motion, " That it is the
instruction of this committee, that no one in its employ
should exercise any influence over the vote of others in
its employ, or should take any such part in the election as
shall, in the opinion of this committee, be inconsistent
with the due performance of his duties."
Mr. W. Rathbone : Before stating the course I propose
to take about the motion, I have very great pleasure in
correcting part of what I said on a previous occasion.
When I first mentioned this circumstance, I was informed
of atcase in which Mr. Buckmaster had been sent round
to members of this committee. I stated I bad that in-
formation, but I did not vouch for its correctness, but
that the gentlerrvn alluded to was present, and would be
able to contradict me. As the gentleman to whom I
alluded did not correct the statement, I assumed on the
second discussion that it was correct. I am very glad
now to state, that that gentleman has since told me it
was not the case, and as be is a gentleman on whose word
I have the most implicit reliance, and besides, as other
members of the committee have confirmed it, I have
now very great pleasure in contradicting that statement,
and in saying that it gives me the grea'est possible
pleasure to be informed that it was so. On consideration,
and after consultation with some of the oldest members,
I have determined, with the consent of the committee,
to withdraw the resolution of which I have given
notice. There has been quite enough said to prevent
the recurrence during this election of any cause of com-
plaint; and as the town is now in the midst of a praical
contest, it is not the best time to discuss and settle the
general question. I shall add, however, that no fear of
my motive being mistaken shall prey- ut Inc
from bringing before the committee anything that
occurs, which I think injurious to the estate for which we
we are trustees, and I feel that I shall be supported in
doing so by the committee, totally irrespective of their
political opinions. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Bold : I am very glad that Mr. Rathbone has
made up his mind to withdraw his motion. I was pre.
pared with an amendment if be persevered in it, because
I am informed upon good authority that it would be
perfectly illegal of us, to say nothing of its impolicy. to
put any such resolution on our books, and sa interfere
with the rights and privileges of citizens which are given
them by Act of. Parliament. lest, ad of the officers of
this trust relaxing in their exertions, either for one party
or the other, I believe that gentlemen on both sides of
the question are industriously at • work who never took
part in an election before. They do not neglect those
duties which they were employed to discharge, but they
are engaged in the evening canvassing, and in such a
way thati believe every Englishman has a right to do.
Mr. James Mime: Hear, hear.
Mr. Bold : To put any resolution of that sort on the
books would have been most impolitic, and I am very glad
to see the men are taking it up in such a spirited manner.
There is an impression out of doors—
Mr. Rathbone ; If Mr. Mid renews the discussion, I
must re Ay. There is no moion before the committee.
Mr. Bold: It is not withdrawn—that is the question
before the committee.

Mr. Brocklebank : It would be more expedient if,
after Mr. Rathbone consenting to withdraw the motion,
no observations were made on it.

The Chairman : That is a question entirely for Mr.
Bold.
Mr. Bold : What I have to say will be in a few words.
There is an impres=ion abroad, that dock gatemen, being
special constables, are disfranchised altogether by the
act of last session, which disfranchises all policemen under