Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-01-27 00:00:00

At half-pat'''''

at the rate of Gd• per line, paid in advance,
short Sportiv Advertise
mentserted in this column

MERSEY DOCKS. AND HARBOUR BOARD.

Mr. Charles Turner presided at the usual weekly
meeting of the Dock Board yesterday, and the other
members present were Messrs. Bold, Bushell, Arnold,
Da•:byshire, Segar, Mondel, Rankin, Inman, Forwoo,
Hubback, Tobin, Langton, Smith, Laird, Moss, Shand,
Boult, and Farnworth.

ME DOM. BILL BEFORE PARLIAMENT.
It appeared from the minutes that, on the 23rd inst.,
:the board held a'. special meeting, for the, consideration
,of the bill promoted by them in the present session of
Parliament, and that after some discussion. it had been
resolved—" That it be an instruction to tha Parliamentary
'Committee to consult counsel as tO the practicability of
substituting, for the system of tolls proposed by their
bill, some other plan by which the object of the bill can
be adequately secured; and-re report the result." It
was also under Stood—" 1. That clause 12 :shall be
modified, so as to make the tolls. applicable to the ferry
traffic only, and so also as to exempt passengers and
their luggage from such tolls in all cases. 2. That the
space on Prince's Landing-stage to be appropriated to
-the ferry traffic shall be defined by the bi 11... That sub-
ject to such -understanding and instruction the bill be
approved."

WOERS COMMITTEE.

The committee having considered the letter of Messrs.
Busby, and of Messrs. Gates and Dolby, in reference to
the dock line of railway, had resolved that they declined
-to make any reduction in.the charge of one shilling per
journey per 'buS, for the .use of -the line.--41aving con-
sidered the report of Major Greig, as to the necessity of
a reel and apparatus for extinguishing fire being placed
at the south-west corner of the Canada Dock, the Engi-
neer vias directed to communicate with the Head Con-
stable on the subject.—The Engineer was also directed
,to communicate with.the Watch Committee of the Cor-
poration on the subject of a report from the Lighting
Inspectors, as to the better lighting of the thoroughfare
between the George's Dock and the pier-hcad.—The
questions between the Mersey Dock Board, and the
Corporation and the London and North-Western Rail-
way Company, which still remain unsettled in the hands
of Mr. John Stewart, having been taken into con-
sideration, it was resolved that the chairman of the
committee be requested to address a letter to Mr.
Stewart, to express in the • strongest, -manner the
earnest desire of the Dock Board to have the questions
referred to, arranged and settled without further. delay.
Tenders for the - supply: of Quebec pine timber having
been received, the -foltowing, were recommended for
acceptance :—Messrs. Llojd, Jones and Co., to supply
5,000 cubic feet ; Messrs. Halhead, Fletcher, and Co.,
15,000 feet; Messrs. Anthony and Inobinson, from
15,000 to 20,000 feet; Mr. James McMurdo, 5,000
feet, and Mr. James Wilson, 15,000 feet. The
questions with the Earl of Derby, as to the
sewering of Regent-road, so often before the committee,
having been resumed and considered, and the solicitor
' having adVised in all the new facts; resolved, that the
sewer in question be executedAt the modified estimate
of £3,2oo.—The letter from Crowe and Williams, re-
questing facilities for landing timber at Birkenhead for
local use, had been referred to the engineer.
Mr. ItANKi:sr moved, and Mr. Sairril seconded the
confirmation of the proceedings. •
Mr. FORWOOD• said it was very- mach to be regretted
-that;the committee should have come to the resolution
they had done in reference to the omnibuses using the
dock line of railway." That decision -was of a nature to
discourage the improved mode of conveyance on the line
-of docks. The new omnibuses were a great convenience
to the public who were pas:,:engers, and not only to them
but to the dock traffic, for the new .omnibuses withdrew
a considerable amount of passenger traffic, leaving more
available space for goods' traffic. He thought if the
board could be satisfied that the charge these gentlemen
• could afford to pay would leave the dock estate without
loss, the rate they proposed might be tried until the use
of the omnibuses became more popular, and the pro-
prietors should be enabled to pay a greater consideration
to the Dock Board for the use of the line. •
The CHAniMIN said there was a letter from the Messrs.
Busby, and from Messrs. Gates and Dolby, which had
better be read. _ _ .

_
Mr. M.A.sos, the dock secretary, read the letter which
elated that the writers would be csmpelled to cease run-
ning the tramroad 'buses on the 28th instant, in conse-
quence of the passenger traffic- at the present season not.
being sufficient to eaabl3 them to pay the charge de-
Manded by the board for the use of the railway, but that
if in the summer time there was an increase in the pas-
senger traffic the writers would wish again to use the
dock line of railway.
The CnAIRMAN said these gentlemen furnished the
committee with no data of their receipts and expendi-
ture, and the engineer having advised the Works Com-
mittee that there was a considerable amount of wear
and tear, they felt, at all events; that, in the absence of
data from these gentlemeni the committee would not be,
justified in reducing the amount demanded. He did not
see what ground the committee had to go on at present to
reduce the amount. These 'buses were no doubt a relief
to the street traffic, but it could' hardly be expected that
the dock line of railway was to be used for nothing, and that
the board shoUldreceive no consideration for the damage
done to the line. If the rates demanded were tried and
did not answer, then the WOrks Committee 'could re-
consider it; but to claim to use the line without any
consideration whatever—for these gentleman -did not
say what they would pay—was certainly a most extra-
ordinary proposition. When first permission was given
for the 'buses to run on the dock line of railway,
it was perfectly understood -that the 'buses would be
subjected to such rules and regulations, and charges as
the board might think fair. The committee having con-
sidered the matter, had arrived at the conclusion that a
very fair charge would be 6d. each way, or a Is..per
journey per 'bus. That amount certainly did not
appear a large one, but at any rate he thought it ought
to have a trial before any change was made.
Mr. FORWOOD asked 'if Messrs. Busby and Messrs.
Gates and Dolby came again before the committee, the
question would be reconsidered ?
The CHAIIiMAN—If they give us data to proceed
upon, then we can reconsider it.
Mr. BUSHELL asked that the letter of the chair-
man Of the Works Committee to Mr. Stewart, might
be read.
Mr. RANKIN said he had written a letter in the
strongest terms, arguing a settlement of the questions
at issue.

Mr. BUSHELL said the letter was a most important
one, and should be read now, for if it were not, possibly,
the board might, hereafter, be open to censure.
Mr. BOULT said that as, he was a comparatively new
member of the board, he would like to know what were
the questions in dispute.
The CHAIRMAN said, when the Wapping Dock was
made, and the street widened, the board took a consider-
able amount of property there which belonged to the
London and North Western Railway Company. At the
instigation of the railway company, the board purchased
for them some property ; and the question between the
two parties was, what was the value of the land taken
from the railway company, and what was the value of
the property the Dock Board had purchased for the
railway company. These were matters of the most
intricate nature ; and it had been mutually agreed that
they should be referred to Mr. Stewart to say how the
accounts stood between the Dock Board and the railway
company, each party being bound to abide by Mr.
Stewart's decision. Unless settled by a friendly re-
ference to a man like Mr. Stewart, who had the confi-
dence of both parties, he (the chairman) did not know
low it could be settled at all. If it were to be arbitrated
by two persons, and an umpire to be called in, then he
did not see any end to the affair. Justice could not be
done by punning such a course ; but this matter had
been in Mr. Stewart's hands for several years, and he
did not know, except it had been on account of pressure
--of other business, why Mr. Stewart had not yet been
able to give his decision.
Mr. BUSHELL—Has he full powers ?
The CHAIRMAN—Yes, on both sides.
Mr. RANKIN said the board might remember that the
Railway Company wished to possess a certain amount of
property which they could not purchase under their act
-of Parliament, and Mr. Stewart was employed to buy it
for them under the powers of the Dock Board. The
Railway Company did not require all Mr. Stewart bought
at their request, and he dared say a great deal of the
difficulty arose from that circumstance.
The CHATRmAN said that fact rendered it still more
nnecessary that Mr. Stewart should settle this business
x onu earlys to widenlay.
°an-other side of the
The Railway Company being very
street, but not having to take the property,
their station on the
they wished legal powers
the
purchase the Dock Board to exercise. their powers,
Company, as due to
them for land art and transfer it to the Railway
of the compensation which
dock purposes. takenMr
from them by the Dock Board for
Booth negotiated . d
Stew-
art ; she as the latter with Mr. Stew-
with, he was the only was the only person negotiated
between himself andirth who could say what passed
between Booth. That was an addi-

tional reason why the board should, press a settlement of
this question. They would all be satisfied that what
Mr. Stewart said was fair and
,right; but no one else
would be in a position to say what was just and proper.
Mr. Bouvr—lt is a pity we cannot deal with Mr.
Stewart as they do with a jury—lock them up without
fire or light, candle-light excepted, and keep them so
until they agreed to 'a verdict. (Roars of laughter.)
The CIIAIRM&N-I am afraid he would object to that
process. (Renewed laughter.)
The Secretary read Mr. Rankin's letter to Mr.
Stewart, which was in..aceordance with the resolution of
the SVorks Committee. The last letter from Mr.
Stewart on the subject of this case was dated October„
18.33., (Laughter.)
Mr. BOULT—But what has the Corporation to do with
this matter ?

The CHAIRMAN said the amount of money, so far as
that body was concerned, had been ,settled when the
town dues were transferred to the Dock Board. Mr.
Stewart set to' work and settled the question ; so far,
there was no difficulty between the Dock Board and the
Corporation ; but, in regard to the railway company,
there had not been the same stringency upon Mr.
Stewart, and the accounts had not,. therefore, been yet
settled. .
Mr LAIRD said, from what took, place at the Works
Committee, he.thought it very desirable that something
should be done immediately, for if anything happened
to Mr. Stewart, the- parties to the reference might be
thrown into a hostile attitude, and as the Chairman had
said,. nobody but Mr. Stewart could, satisfactorily arrange
the matter. After what had passed that day, he hoped
the matter would soon be.adjusted.
Mr. FoliwooD said it would appear that the hoard had
bought land for the railway company, who did not :want
it; that the land was lying idle, and that interest upon
it was lost by the board. • - . .
The CHAIRMAN said there was a balance of account
on both sides. Mr. Stewart was to strike the balance,
and say on which side there remained money to .be paid
over.
Mr. Bon LT said the Works Committee had been buying
a very large quantity of pine timber, and he would like
to. know what it was for.
• Mr. Its:Nxlx--It is for the bottomless pit, I suppose.
(Laughter.)
Mr. Bouvr—What -For the bottomless pit. lam
answered now. (Laughter.) That is where everything
goes. (Roars of laughter.)
Mr. LAIRD—You are mistaken for once, sir.

The Es'orNEEtt. said the timber was required in con-
nection with the works at the north end of Liverpool.
Mr. BOULT asked whether the whole of the culvert,
which burst the other day at Birkenhead, would have to
be rebuilt, and what would be the probable cost of the
work.
The ESOINEER replied that the cause of the accident
had been ascertained, but that owing to the great flow
df water from the low lands it was impossible to say
what amount of damage .had been done. He hoped,
however, that it was not so great as had been at first
anticipated.
•
The, proceedings were then confirmed.