The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-01-15 00:00:00

TOWN COUNCIL.

The adjourned meeting of the council was held at
eleven o'clock yesterday, in the Town Hall, the Mayor,
Francis Shand, Esq., occupying the chair.

LIBRARY AND MUSEUM COMMITTEE.

The proceedings of this committee contained a recom
mendation to levy a library and museum rate of ld in
the pound. It was also recommended that the lending
libraries be opened, in future, four nights in the week
instead of two. _

Mr. Picton proposed the confirmation of the proceed-
ings. He said, the only matter requiring special notice
in the proceedings on the present occasion, was the
estimates for the year. The estimated cost of the
Botanic Gardens, as prepared by the committee of these
gardens, for the ensuing year, was £1,200. The
estimate for the Derby museum was £l,OOO. For the
central library, including the establishment and the
purchase of books, £2,000. The lending libraries
£1,500 ; the same as last year. In addition to these,
there was the ordinary expenditure, corresponding as
nearly as possible to the amount passed last year. There
was also a sum of £7lB calculated to include the expense
of the premiums which had already been paid for the
plans for the new building, and the expenses connected
with the site, which must necessarily be incurred during
the year. These items would make a total of £6,388.
Accordingly, a rate would be required of 14 in the
pound. being the limit which they could levy under the
art to meet the expenses. He, therefore, moved that the
estimates be adopted, and the necessary steps taken for
the levying of the rate.
Mr. Woodruff seconded the motion.
Mr. Robertson Gladstone asked if he understood the
chairman of the committee to say that £7lB was required
for the plans of the site.
Mr. Picton said not at all. What he stated was that
the sum would be required for the expenses already
incurred for the premiums and other expenses of the
plans, added to the outlay which would have to be in-
curred during the year.
Mr. Gladstone : May I ask what these other expenses
will be ?
Mr Picton said, in the fir t place, there would be the
expense of painting Mr. Brown's picture, which would
be rather a serious sum, provided the council wished to
throw that expense upon the library fund. The com
mittee also wished to have a little money in hand pre-
patory to any expenses being incurred.
Mr. Alderman Bennett reminded the council that the
surveyor had also been authorised to employ additional
professional talent to assist him.
Mr. Picton said, in connexion also with obtaining
possession of the site, there would be a great deal of
expense which must come out of that fund.
Mr. Alderman Holme thought the committee had
asked for little enough money, considering the expenses
they would have to meet regarding the transference of
the site.

Mr. Aiken hoped that nothing e'en said would be
considered the prejudge of the question as to which
fund should bear the cost of the picture. (Hear, hear )

Mr. Alderman Bold asked the chairman of the corn-
mittee whether it was too late to change the site, and
whether Mr. Brown had been in any way consulted as to
whether he would wish the site to be changed. He was
perfectly aware that plans had been prepared under the
act of 1855, for the special purpose of erecting the library
and museum on the proposed site, but in consequence
of Mr. Brown having given such a handsome sum
towards the erection of buildings which were to last for
ages, he questioned whether it would not be well to bear
the delay of a few months, or even of a year, provided
Mr. Brown wished the building to be placed upon
another site,
Mr. Piston--I may say at once, and most decidedly,
that if it is the intention of the council to have the
building erected at all, it is too late to make any such
attempt. (Cheers.) If any attempts were now made to
change the site, I should say at once that nothing the
council may ever do in the future could be trusted as a
bone fide transaction. (Cheers) We have had the con-
sideration of this transaction before us for six years.
The council have more than once solemnly come to a
resolution that the site shall be on Shaw's Brow ; it has
been before us scores of times—we have obtained
the sanction of an Act of Parliament, and under its
sanction we have positively bought every inch of land
required. Mr. Brown has been consulted, and is
perfectly satisfied with the site (Ileac, hear.)
The plans have gone a considerable portion of the
way towards completion, and if any attempt such as
that suggested were made to change the site, I can
only say that in my opinion it would be perfectly
suicidal. (Hear, hear.) If it be desired to annul what
has been done, and to refuse Mr. Brown's offer, I can
very well understand a motion in that direction, but
unless some such attempt be desired; I think it would be
the height of folly to propose any alteration. (Hear,
hear.) tnd further than that lam quite prepared, but
that I would not after such repeated adjournments of
the council.

The Mayor: I think we had better nut go into the
question of the site.
Mr. Hodson : I think it ought to be settled at once
It is an attempt which ought to be put down. •
Mr. Picton : Mr. Mayor, you need not be alarmed. I
was only going to state my reasons why I shall not go
into that question. But if it were necessary. I should
be prepared to she w demonstratively, that no site in the
town of Liverpool is so well adapted in all respects for
th‘! library and museum as that which is under con.
3ideration. (Hear, hear.) t do, therefore, sincerely
hope that no attempt will be made to change the disposi-
Oon and management of affairs with regard to this
'natter, unless it is intended to destroy the whole
proceeding.
The subject then dropped, and the minutes of the
proceedingi %%ere confirmed.