Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-12-23 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT.

LIVERPOOL ARTISANS' VOLUNTEER ARTIL-
LERY CORPS

A meeting of this corps took place at the Corn Ex •
change, Brunswick-street, on Wednesday evening. A
very large assembly of respectable mechanics had been
drawn up in order for the purpose of having the oath of
allegiance administered to them by W. Preeton,
who presided on the occasion.
The men, numbering about 150," were called forward
by rotation, and the oath administered to them in a most
impressive manner. This proceeding ocoupied a con-
sideiable time, after which the men were put through
several evolutions by Sergeant-major W. 11. Touslcy,
who finally formed them into a square.
Mr. PRESTON then addressed the men in the following
terms :—T can assure you it affords me the most extreme
I gratification in attending here this evening, to swear in
a portion of the corps of the Artisans' Artillery ; and I
have experienced much pleasure in administering the
oath of allegiance to upwards of 120 of such loyal, good
subjects as I now see before me. (Loud cheers.) It
was my happy province to hold the position of first
magistrate of this town when the volunteer movement
was inaugurated, and I have watched with the utmost
interest its development down to the present time. I
have with pleasure seen the upper classes form them-
selves into rifle corps for the protection of our country ;
but I view with far greater delight the enrolment of
the labouring classes in the good cause, because without
their co-operation our defensive volunteer force can
never assume the magnitude necessary. (Loud cheers.)
It is evidently the interest of the working men as much
as any other class (and perhaps more so) to preserve
this country not only from invasion but from war panics,
because they would evidently suffer from want of work
to a much greater extent t'han their wealthier neigh-
bours. I think the mechanics are peculiarly adapted for
artillerymen ; and the men I now see before me, most of
them, I believe, engineers, are better fitted for artillery-
men than any other branch of artisans. It says very
much for the artisans of Liverpool, or rather those of
them here present, that they are the first of their class in
the United Kingdom who have come forward to form a
volunteer corps; and I think it says much for them
that every man I have this night sworn in, with the
extxption of one, has signed his allegiance paper iu
a good handwriting. The nature of your occupation,
your desire to make yourselves perfect in military
exercises, and your enthusiasm, convince me that you
will be one of the most faithful bodies of defenders of
your country ; and, should the necessity arise for your
being called out (which I trust may never occur) I am
sure that, under the guidance of your future captain,
Mr. Wieland, who has collected you together, you will
prove yourselves worthy of the noble position you hold.
You have just taken a most solemn oath, and I am con-
fident you will observe it with the strictest integrity.
(Loud cheers.) At a former meeting, when seventy-one
members were present, and before any were enrolled,
you nominated Mr. John F. Wieland as the senior cap-
tain of the corps, iu command of No. 1 Company ; and
you also nominated Mr. Henry Allen Wilson as a
lieutenant. Since you are enrolled, and your corps
numbering more than double the then members, I have
to ask you whether you wish to confirm those two nom-
inations ? (Loud cries of " Yes.") Then, I may
consider these gentlemen as your unanimous choice as
officers ? (Cries of " Yes," and cheers), amidst which
Mr. Preston resumed his seat.
Mr. WIELAND then said,—lt. is a source of immense
gratification to me to see so many of the men respond
promptly to the call that was made upon them to attend
here this evening. The notice of this meeting only
having appeared once in the- paper, I fear a great many
of your comrades did not see it, or we should have had
a larger attendance. It is a matter of congratulation
that we have obtained on this occasion the presence and
services of a gentleman of the very hiehest position in
the town. (Hear, hear.) I may tell you that, when Mr.
Preston was asked to come and swear us in, he, without
a moment's hesitation, undertook the task, which you
have all seen is no sinecure. (Cheers.) The fact of you
being acknowledged and countenanced by one who so
lately held the office of chief magistrate with such
honour to himself and credit to the town is a proof to
you that the upper 'classes are willing and anxious to
associate themselves with your proceedings; and it only
remains for you to behave as you have done; and I am
sure will, continue to' do, to gain universal respect.
(Hear.) I wish to explain to you, Mr. Ohairman, that
this corps • has been raised entirely, at the 'request and
through the exertions of the men now before. yon.—(loud.
cheers)---:the whole of whom are in the employ of vari-
ous firms- in -Liverpool; and that no member has been
admitted unless introdticed by' other Members of the corps. •
It is not, our 'intention, sir, to confine the operatias of
this corps simply to its .military duties, but we hope in
.courae of time to establish many works for nocW and
Moral improvement. We hope to have a club=room
open open to all ,the members, where they shall be able to
see the periodicals of the: day, take their- cup of
coffee, and be brought in' closer intercourse with their
officers and. comrades. We hope, to be 'able to provide
them rational- amusements in the shape of good lectures
and concerts.; and we trust to accomplish other ends all
tending to raise their, social ,positiOn, and to,obtaia for
them the esteem 'of the ,public at large. The brat
move in this direction, sir, has originated with the( men
lont
'themselves, and it is, that they should every Sunday
• meet' togitlier and march, to church. (Hear, hear) isii&
gested that they should do so when they obtained .their
uniforms ; but they desire- to go in a body to church oa
the earliest possible occasion, and I have therefoTe
made arrangements for next Sunday, when the Rev.
Mr. Thomas hasdoiffak2sianui.dlt6yydi.p,Aranoarrmisd
aednzointoung
dgifeovrtretifkuthetue:epesvayanerya_.
accommodation in St. James's Church, and I
d.ays. I ma mention, sir, also, that thesis men each pay
;officers' annual subscriptions,. will make
anticipate
toa neenttreaar.wo
with
hleeytl.l
}weriptien e, L.. per month. We expect that tide,
this a self-supporting and independent corps, after the'
first outlay for uniforms, &c. We do not ask 'from the
town fund the, whole cost of the 'uniforms and store-
houses, although we consider there it no class of the
community so entitled to that fund as the artisans, who
are willing to devote their little spare tine to drilling
after a hard day's labour, but who could not be expected
to make further sacrifices. We intend, therefore, to go
to the large employers of:thesn men for contributions ;
the men themselves' will also obtain subscriptions from
their own private friends ; and then, with a subSidy
from ,the town' fund (and we feel that the committee
will consider our claim most liberally) we shall cer-
tainly be able to clothe our men with a good
uniform that shall last for years. We trust, with assi-
duous attention to our military dittiee,. e:riibiecel with
our strong bone and muscle, and our de Are 4 emulation,
to become one of the most useful corps is Li verpool. I
have very great pleasure, men, before I eueatide, to pro-
pose for nomination to the command of No. t Company

a gentleman who has been before you on a former occa-
sion, and who is now amongst us, namely, Mr. Henry
Holdrege Grayson, of file firm of Messrs. Humble, Gray-
son, and Co. (Cheers.) He does not come amongst us as
a novice, for he has been attached to the Ist Lancaster
Volunteer Rifles, under the command of Capt. Bousfteld.
He had determined, however, and I think very wisely, to
come in with us. (Cheers.) lam quite confident he
will prove to you a good, considerate, and excellent
officer. (Hear, hear.) It affords me great satisfaction
to tell you that I have secured the gratuitous services of
a most excellent sergeant-major, who has served many
years as sergeant in the Royal Artillery. He is a man
well known and highly respected by the working classes
in this town. I need only mention the name of Mr.
Teasley, who has put you through your drill to-night,
to obtain your strongest approval of this appointment.
Mr. Preston desires me to inform you that it is his inten-
tion to give two silver cups, next year, as prizes to he
competed for by the Rifles and Artillery in Liverpool ;
-and he has kindly expressed a hope that this corps will
carry off the one offered to the Artillery. (Loud cheers.)
Sergeant-Major W. H. Teasley begged to second the
proposal for the nomination of Mr. Henry H Grayson,
which, being put to the members by the chairman, was
carried with acclamation.
Mr. Hurray H. GRAYSON said—ln returning thanks
for nominating me to the command of No. 2 Company,
whilst fully appreciating the honour of a military com-
mand, I still more dearly prize being placed as one of
the heads of a great moral institution, which, I am
sure, this will in the course of time prove itself to be.
It will afford me the deepest gratification at any and all
times not only to command you, hut to be amongst
you, looking after your interest and your im-
provement. • Mr. Wieland has alluded to my
experience in military matters, hut I do not
arrogate to myself any such very great experience—
in artillery especially. I candidly tell you I know
nothing, but shall be happy and proud to learn the drill
in your tanks, shoulder to shoulder with my men.
(Cheers.) Mr. Wieland has talked about the Liverpool
public giving you a concert, but I think that the tables
will be turned, and that we shall give the people of
Liverpool a concert; for we have amongst our ranks
some excellent musicians, both vocal and instrumental.
I think that all the beneficent objects which have been
spoken about this evening will he carried out, and I can
assure you that my utmost endeavours shall be brought
to bear to accomplish the fulfilment of them. (Loud
cheers.) Before sitting down, I beg to call upon you
not to pass a cold and formal vote of thanks to the
chairman for his kindness in presiding this evening, but
to accord your thanks to Mr. Preston, I may say our
friend Mr. Preston (hear, hear), by three good hearty
English cheers.
Three lusty cheers were then given for Mr. Preston,
who said: "This being a meeting for your enrolment,
by taking the oath of allegiance, it cannot, I think, be
better closed than by giving three loyal cheers for our
gracious Sovereign her Majesty the Queen.
Tlrec, times three were then given for the Queen, and,
with three cheers for their officers, the meeting separated.

CORRESPONDENCE.

[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of
our correspondents.]

THE GREAT BRITAIN SPOKEN.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN DAILY TIMES.

SlR,—Please to report the Great Britain (s.s.). from
Liverpool to Melbourne, spoken 13th December last,.
lat. 48, lon. 11, as appears in Lloyd's List of yesterday ;
and again spoken, all well, 14th December, lat 45.30,
lon. 12.16, by the Gipsey, arrived at Queenstown from
Sulina, as per telegraph to the Underwriters' BOOMS
to-day. The report in the Shipping Gazette of yester-
terday, that the Great Britain was spoken 18th Decem-
ber, 40 miles S.S.W. of the Lizard, is an error, and is
corrected in a telegram received this afternoon from
Lloyd's, London, by the secretary of the Underwriters'
Association, in reply to a telegraphic inquiry respect-
ing said report.—We are, sir,_yonr, obedient servants,
GIBBS, BRIGHT AND CO.
Liverpool, 22nd December, 1859,

WOODSIDE FERRY.

TO THU nyarron OF THE NORTHERN DAILY MIRE

SID,—It is to me somewhat strange. that parties in-
terested have been so quiet after the insult offered to
them by the manager on Friday last. I was fortunate
enough to cross by the " last" boat. A lot of men
—who, I fancy, had been working at the docks—cold
and very likely penniless, were waiting on the other side
to return, as well as a usual supply of passengers. The
unmanly bearing of the manager, as he gave his orders
and passed these poor fellows by, was something very
unbecoming the character of an Englishman. The
fog was not so dense as it had been during the day ; the
passengers were fewer in number, and there was no
extra obstacle in the way ; and in an hour or two, as
stated by a writer in to-day's Courier, it was much
clearer. The annoyances and anxiety caused have been
previously stated, and can be well imagined. I have
often crossed in worse fogs, and some fifteen years ago
I did so for three consecutive days and nights, but we
had an experienced captain—as ardent and cool a fellow
as ever commanded a ferry-boat. There is now bad ma-
nagement, and too many changes ; and if the manager
fancies he can hold his position by a species of "ffun-
keyism" to a few men in office, and by an open dis-
regard of the convenience and welfare of the public, I
think he will eventually find out his mistake. If the
Ferry Committee accept office, they she* do their
duty, which does not consist in a certain number of
speeches made at their meetings, but in studying and
looking after the working of the ferry, and the welfare
of the contractors and passengers. This they had better
do at once, or resign their posts. .The public look to
them, and not to their paid manager, for order and
regularity ; and unless they are Willing to be looked
upon as an impotent body, they will see to their own
duty, by taking care that those whom they appoint
carry out strictly their instructions.—Yours respectfully,
. " AN OLD CONTRACTOR.'
214 December, 1859. •

-.-'--

TO 'TITS EDITOR OF TIER NOMIIIIRN DAILT TOrilli.
. been loud
. . ,
sill,-As the local press has been ideondeniniiig
the slaineful miamaaagenien.t of the officials, Messrs.
Reed and Sanderson, on Friday last, at Woodside-ferry,
I shill abstain from further anitnadiersion, and confine
myself to pointing out a remedy for- the future. ' ' .
Woodside-ferry. being :now• the main resort' orthe
whole Cheshire population on the occasion of stormy
or foggy weather, it beComet a matter of grave import-
ance ho*. the COmfort and presezi:...:.l,,ii of life' to so
many human beings can be effected witiolit ;Materially
interfering with the interests of that etnimeice by Which
we all live., .
It is intended also to lay. down the telegraph cable in
anchor their ships in
the track 'of the WOOdside atearnera-a matter of great
ifnewterseshtiisotowntheersniebi:anntilalle coowmedmunto ity.
' /fow•theit two
being
being greater than that of a
.the track, the latter should give way.
With the, vie* of carrying this out in the inoit oleo-
.
tive manner, I would moor a light-ship in mid-0104
bet Ween Woodside slip
and .the Smith, landintritsr
hoisting a single bright light; lid.keepplig a bind sound-
ing b,41 constantly going by machinery in foggy Weather,
inazigdhitnand
ots day
e;
mild7oaulidoarbele
igottd7'tolithtdutipg°' fhe goggiltl;
weather, giving tiii,,foirthe.' time, •risking the half-hour
bells during
the fog. 'With these appliances the Woodside-
ferryas; need never stop. for fog; ,
- before the boats were
out of sight and hearing of one, they ' would be in sight
and hearing of the other. I would giTe strict orders
that no vessels ShoUld (some to anchor within five him-
droa yard4-north'or South, of thy" lightiship, or 'between
it and the shore; for the double purpose of protecting
both passengers 'kid cable. At first. sight it may
appear that I am causing an'obitractioi with the light-
shi but the sane' argument Might be need against a
policeman patrolling 'the streets. And with regard to
the expense, as commerce benefits by the cable and the
ferry by the increase of traffic, I would share it between
the Mersey Dock Board and the Ferry Commissioners.
—I am, sir, yours &c., ' • WIRISALL.
' i 4 . .

Mr. Benson has consented to come forward. as the
Conservative candidate for Reading~ and there will now
be a contort.

Tho Admiralty are engaging ships to carry large
quantities of military stores, and the India Of is just
now rather an extensive employer of *,hipping.
On Monday, a Freuen war-s;, o.m.'n• of 450 horse:
power, the Dugneselin, while trying 11,-r enginc2
Piatt, ran on a reef, *ati rink Ir. deep water in :1 fe',4
minutes

MERSEY DOCKS AND HARBOUR BOARD:

.1 lg.' ~,,f'.,1',,,,
Mr. Charles, Turner presided at the usual waelly
meeting of - the Dock Board ,7,resterday,: and . the 'tither
members present were--L.Messrs. " Farnwortli, mith
.S
Rankin; Mendel Brocklebank, :Segar, Graves, Hiib-
,
,
back, Laird; Arnold, James Holnie,' -Moss,. Shand,
Bushell, Evans, Maclver, Lockett, Tobin,. 'Bola, An,
wood. ' • . • ' . -! -'I. '
WORKS COMNITTTEE. ' t • *:‘
The proceedingsef,thiS committee included a repor
from Mr.. Glishotne,.4atino. that, o'i. undermining 019
.
gu,bmariue cebie -from the Urines Head to Point limas;
be found that the cable had been maliciously 'cut. The
eemmittee therefore agreed that's reward' a £2O should
begiven to any person wlio secured" the conviction of
the, offender.
. . .
On the motion
..of Mr. Brocklebank, seconded by Mr.
Smith, the proceedings. were confirmed. '''''" :
, . , •
. : wAREHOFSE COMM:I7ER . •
.., ~ ,
The proceedings of .the 'Warehouse Committee coin,
prised:a recommendation to appoint a principal etamitier
of accounts at Albeit Dock Warehouses, and that the
gentletnan to be appointed. be Mr.' G. W. Ditthbelli'elerk
in the-Treasurer's office.' at 'a salary of £00" h year ;
also, a recommen4itionto lay Vault-No. 2 witli"Ophalt ;
and to transfer "£26,000 from the Albert, Stanley, liVap,
piiag" afidrßirkenlicad Doek Warebetise,i', account( to the
credit of -the general account. The several'. anienti,ts '
transferred were—from the Albert warehousei, £16,00.;
.Wapping war,hol.e;es, £5,500',; Stanley • wareleete,,s,
£4;00; Birkcri,er l wareliduies,, £406...
A letter frim twenty . of the officers employed
4t, the Stanley warehouses was read. The tittt.r
stated that the oil ehrs togged most resilectfully: to
state that they, bad nothing wlifttever to' do' with,' and
did not attend any llieftizig held at the MerSey Worle's
Institute,' Mr. Inman in the choir, regarding,the forma:
timi of a rifle corps from the parties employed by the
Dock Board, such .of - them as wished. to loin iM. the ,
Volunteer movement having been 'quite satisfied with
the permission already, granted by the Warehouse Coin-
"mittee. • - .
Mr. HUBBA.CK, in moving the confirmation of the
proOccliug, said he , had just received the following
Jetta from the chief Superintendent of the Albert liOck
y
warmaouses : _ . , . . :
Liverpool, 22nd Decembe,,L£ls9.
Sift•-•=its directed by the Committee I awaited the result' of
the application to the Treasury as to the-keeping of Monday
.teat, the 2Gth :instant, as a; Holiday. It is so.t4rfeted to he
,kept, and we have placed the usual notices at tae dOcik,
entrances here, and at the-Wapping.
I have also informed the Albert Dockmaster thht announce-
. ments will, be mane, to open the dock on Mooday,, to dock
vessels, should it be necessary to do so., I am, sir, -your
qbedient servant, Roar. COWAN.
-'' Joseph Hubback, ESq., Chairman. .
v.." Mr: ARNOLD seconded' the confirmation of the 'pro-
ceedings, and the' motion was agreed to.
- ' • , 'MARINE COMMITTEE.
The proceedings of the Marine Committee were read,
comprising a recommendation to accept a tender 3f the
British and Irish Magnetic Telegraphic Company, to.
work the-doel line of telegtaph. The agreement corn=
prised all the conditions contained in the advertisement
'of the board. which has already,appeared in our Colnliins:
The Magnetic Company further agreed to pay an annual
rent of £2O to the board; to transmit 10.000 messages
free fur the, board, and any addilionahmeseages, at half
the rate charged to' the 'general inblfc'; 'tild4 'board td
erect the seven stations at -the docks, at an estimated
cost" of rZ530..--44.- letterivaS read froni -Mr. 'Gtaborneti
•.detailing the progress inade in raising the Marine cable
`between Point Lynas and Holyhead, He stated,that
the cable already,raisect was twisted in, all-shapes ;:and
.(.sent a specimen, which was exhibited in the boarthioom;
: . Mr. -MONDEI:, in moving the confirmationof the pie.
- • ceedings, said theifonteaet for , working the dock dine Of
--telegraph fully embraced every condition of the advei-
lisernent., The,company did not at first offer 'any tent,
• •but after an interview with Mr. Bright they consented ,
. to pay the small amount of-L2O per annum; There was, ..
in ,fact, ui.OptiOn, because there was only 'one tender.
'As to: the , telegraph cable, of which there -was 'a speci-
men .before . the board,- he .thceght ' the . cable ; had ,
not .been: . laid ?'straight. It was very unfortunate
that the thingshould'occur;ibut it could not be:helped.
Up to the period of th.e4wreck of the Royal Charted,
that cable was working regularly, And; there was not rt.
shadow of doubt' 'that the Royal Charter had overlaid
the cable. The committee would require the sanction
of titt",Board tO'earty out those requireintints which
. were ,appended,to the tender, and. to fired the -seven
stations at a Cost of :X530. , ! -
'.' :lir. Moss Seconded:the motion. : t ~ '.7 ':- , , , -
. . : Mc. Fouwoon thought that further information should
be given by the Telegraph Compa'hy as tee the -rate at
which commerciaLmessages will, be ;taken. , . He re- '
sumed the central ,station would , be: in the Exchange.
As the question embraced a large number of :points, he
,would like to have had a•week to consider. For him-
.self, it was rather unsatisfactory. Ile should have sup-:
posed ..that a thing capable-;of being so far extended
. would be deservinfr of a larger rent than £2O.- Another
-.:.qtiestion was whether the company had. oonditioned!to
-keep those stations permanently open and within'what
.• hours..! 1... . .
V 5 , iMr. RANKIN 'said that when the .subject was before
them on a .previous occasion,. he. objected to-the board
asking that their -messages should be'sent free. It
~appeared they were only--to receive £2O, and although
thirty messages would,be sent for them in-_the course, of
. a- day, on ati average they would require to send many
- more. In point of fact, therefore, in paying for. the
- 'extra- messages, instead of £2O, they might
be paying £lOO or more. • If the board had agreed to
.:,.rpay a certain: sum for every message, he 'was. sure' they
'e would have received a different offer. •
. Mr. LAIRD wished to. ask whether the arrange- 1
! ments were made for laying the cable across the river.
He.. would like to ask Mr. Hartley ;whether it
-, was decided in.what part of the river to lay it, and
. . how soon would it be laid down? He considered
' it important that a branch should be laid to the different .
' ferries. It would be a means of revenue, and it would
be a great convenience both to the dock estate and
-! c: 'parties on the other side of .the water.:
, T. fin2dr:ll.s.n.TeEv said they, were: ready at any moment
taday.e:cableacrOSs the river. They were only waiting to.
get the whole of the line complete to Holyheid in order,
to save the chance of-the -line being run foul of in the .
gersey.r. The line, Across the river would have no.:coni-;
„rgpmcation with. 13,irkenhead proper ; it would go from
,Aye new laiicling-etage to the.. north reserve ;
1, !,! . to connect it, . with '.tiikeiiheed proper
.1.1 • . 4.. iw,onld, ar.e. to be a branch from the north reserve.
r. Tom:pi 40..theire could be.. no difficulty inn that.:
~No. dOubt it, ,would be a great' coßvenience; ao its
•,aciiintirsgefs,iO4:boen fully proved in the last few days.'lf the cable was ready to be laid, and
,the compaissieners .
at Birkenhead wouldmeet. the matter fairly; it shOuld
be completed forthwith. ' *
TlYft:QiivhisiN thought it..wai desirable that the,
committee should beallowed to conclude the agreement.
,' lt,i7as.ten.experimental thing„and ,could, be terminated
by .six months ' notice. When it had been tried, they
'sfould. 'be 'better able to. judge on the • ;Matter. „Illr..
:. ta?\l6-1a would also see that the aniount,payable )ry the
11, board for,extra messages was only half that paid by the.
iiiiblie. '
Ar.,pilanELT. P4At , seemed to him to be gr at.
,1,(1,4„0-1.4,th. ~ arerang,* • e- e'itl. , ,111 a.... t , no .rate had beeanfnCed
. ,i gosgeo ; ue94l3•Se'"... ".ewes quite clear that the coin-
-1 ° d- I have based' their calcel h.,' •
4.
, „,,• . aDs upon some rate,
~a 3,t wotild,haveken easy to have f„,,, ,
''"'" ;.113 committee
~what that rate was.,
, "Mr.4,OCitLEWIt, in reference to the. marinemarineCable
.1;. to .ffolYhead, thouglt,the Marine Ccmghittee. aught
_„.?-cilly, 4.p . consider whether,it wasidesirahlo tegoron:With.
eitiffe§he cable. His Dping,n, Wats itiS,OWY would never
.1,1 , .. 0,4109,4y.,dayin a cable so satisfactorily as that they
~,,wPtildnot continue to have interruptions fror.u.soroil can'
_or other;:. . lif6. thought -they,should at once, take,into,,
e._ cOasideration-*wliether they,should not carry out a coast
,(;line/from the qini,eehead., to Point Lynas.
.., Mr: 1V,(4.044134 they, could not, have the bargain
=;',both wayi.e. git,vasa.beci business. for the.contractors,
)3 ithey4oulOave it for six Months.and.then give it up.
~.11Nt,`,.he thought it 'would 41:,e, to the,interest of the (Km-
. rtra4prs f.l2_, carry Ahe metgsagpstat the lowest Tossible
4,74 i .they,9aiiid-.m4ke t4.,/nPN. . , . : .
,„..ai,r,,,m.orruni. said .the ;mune, of trip:Magnetic COnl--
pany,eonibined all the conditions which the board_hadc
previously approved. with respect to 'the branch line-
which Mr. Tobin -suggested, it could be laid at a trifling
expense,. end. he. believed the committee would carry out
.- the lineirom the north reserve to Birkenhead. As to Mr.,
11t.inkin's remarks, though they did not • make it a con.:
am'cwe be ,believed 10'000 messages :per annum would
be. all the.
y required; for the first twelve mouths, and for
any additional.
ceases they, would, only have to pa
half t 1.119 Price charged,,tq,.the,p. uhlk II 01 11" t• 1 r!° Y.
that they cOuldheceniede a ch;ge
ti.greelent 'than t hewys'
had done, because
It.-A4stat.;) p4blem :whether itle'
would pay the parties Who had tendeiedOr not, If itt

-tarn'ttout a good thing, they-Ead- the promise Of Mr,
.8yi.,,,0•ht that the rent would beingeinjejl, .
:Thepreceedings were:thed.ecingr.med.
.• • • PrLOTACA -CTlNtithrrim. - •
' The proceeding of thig cOmmittete • included a report
that the board of examiners, for granting licences to the
masters and mates of coasting steamers, 'would-sit on
erery.Friday after, the first Friday in lanuary next.' •
On,,the.nintion:of, Mi. Shand, secanded•by Mr Boult,
the proCeedings were confirmed, • • •• • '
•. • • LDOCKS AND QUAYS COMMITTEE.
The proceedings of the Committee for the Manage-
fnent 4)f the Docks and Quays comprised a reecommenda-
Lion to: fix four buoys, upon- an improved principle, in
Canadi Dock,' for the ptirpose, of mooring vessels, at a
cost of about £5OO each.

On :the motion of Mr. Lockett, seconded by Mr.
Smith, the proceedings were confirmed,
• . . • MASTER PORTERS -.coitkirrEs.
The proceedings of this committee were read.'
Mr.; ARNOLD, in moving the confirmation of the
minutes, said it 'was the -intention of 'the, dointnittet to
take:into consideration the Woiking..effect of the present
sy•stetn'of master "porterage,,:&4, with :a view to making
Some, arrangeinent, if 'possible, which shOuld be satis-
factory to all parties. To do this all parties mutt be
heard, and the committee proposed to take all the evi-
denCe they could get on the subject. •
• SEIIA It seconded the Motion; which was agreed to:
THE BUSINESS OF THE PORT ON MONDAY -NEXT.
- The'CiiAtn4AN said he had.' received the following
most important letter :
• Custom-house, Liver Poof, 21st7Dee., 1859.
Srit,—l beg to inform you that the:Lorda -of the Treasury
have 'directed thaV, Alolfday," the 26th, instant, he' kept as 7 a
hp.)4(tax at the ustout-house; but it being: po .0)le that there
may Jae some ships to clear outwards on 'that daY,'arrartge-
bienN• will be made to meet such cases.-1' am, sir, your
obedieiat servant, • ; S. Pates EDWARPO. .
p£1.140..31a8011,,E84. ' -
THE 'TRACK . OP THE WOODSIDE PERRY iloAm.
Mr. 'MASON, the' Secretary, read a letter from the
Law-clerk to the Birkenhead. Comini4ioners, stating
that •he was desired to inquire when-it would be con-7
venient for.the,Dock Board to receive a deputation from
the Ferry Committee, relative to the anchoring of ves-
sels in,the.track pf the ferry boats. , ,
The 10*Ain:IAN—Mid not tfiesh gentleirien better
meet the Marine Committee on the.subject.
Mr: M6NDEi,--No'; they Oibuld-go to the 'Pilots
Committee. (Laughter.)
I:The•Board confirmed the Chairman's suggestion.
PILpTACIE SERVICE BETWEEN TUSKAR AND' POINT
*"fi * • LYNAS.
'• The CHAIRMAN said there was an important:commu-
nication-to which he would invite the attention. of. large
shipowners, who had seats at the board. 'lt was as

TO THE CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF THE MERSEY DOGS AND
HARBOUR BOARD.

We, :the , undersigned, beg respectfully to state to your
honourable ;board that, for a number. of years we have:fol- .
lowed the bbsiness of Channel Pilots, in taking charge of,' and
coaducting vessels through the St. George's Channel, between
. Point Lisas and Toskar. . That with the recent calamity which
I,befel the ill-fated Royal Charter, fresh in your recollections,
;,1.1.. is unnecessary to remind your honourable board ,of the
• dangers' of the navigaton of the St. George's Channel. • '
' 'And Iwe respectfully submit to. your. honourable board the
ylta; importance to the prosperity of this vast port, that every
t preemition and pare should, be taken. for the safety of vessels
. coining to and departing fronfit.
Not in a botistink)spirit, but as terding-to show the vaine of
the services of the: channel pilots, we. submit to your board
that, although numbers of vessels are annually entrustecirto
the, management of channel pilots, we have, never known of
~ any serious accident happening to any ',teasel in the St. George's
Channel ashen „under the. care • of one of. such pilots ;. hut, on
the 'Contrary, such-misfortunes; have always happened to .ves-
aas -n Aunden such care. . • . -
,Thit An orgaMed body. of properly qualified- and competent
'Chit:tin-el pilots'-Weuld tend very ninCli-to the safety and neuter-
don of vessels trading to. the port of Liverpool. ::
t. -,That,such pilots should,not in. any manner ,interfernwith the
Unties of
.the pilots of the bort of LiVerpoelz 'but they should
be authoriSed to take charge of VesiefB before reachineand
after leatiing the "ground under the °area the Liverpool pilots.
That maatera of vessels ,havp frequently expressed to-us their
at k iowledgments for the, assistance which their, have derived
from our services; and both such lusters, and numerous slnip-
owners, have fiequentlyekpressed to us th,>ir regret that there
were not a body of duly licensed ehannel.pii (AL •
That we humbly ask„the ;countenance and approbation of
• your honourable board, in our endeavours via Organise an esta-
bliShment of efficient charittel ,ilets. It, that before any per-
;son tan;be admittectintoihatbody; he,:shall be alibi:cited to an ,
-.examination as to his fitness andqualifiCationsfor tht discharge
of the duties which he may be called-upon to perfarro ; and so
that those who shall prove themqelvee to posSess those qualiti- '
cations may be properly -lfcensed, and .put und‘r . judicious ,
regulations, supervision, and control. . - ,
Mane masters of vessels do not now avail theinselyee of the
services of the 'channel pilOta on acCoant,of the trouble neces-
sary to satisfy themseiVei that the person they might employ
',VaB cony- qualified aria einupetent. . •-s t, . . .
Being fully impressed of the influeue, of your honourable
, ,boprd. in, any steps which may' be takenio the matter now
' brought tinder your notice, we respectfully' seek 'your fiNiiiir-
'abie approbation and approval of the objects vre-haVe in vtew ;
,and we feel assured; that you, will deem
.their •importanca a
sufficient, reason for our addressing, your honourable ,board
upon this subject.---We beg to' remain,- Mr. Chairman' and ,
Gentleinen, your humble and ebedietit Servants---Thomas
Williams, John. Morgan, Robert; Williams,, Jain.ei, Shipley,
James Luscombe, John Shadrach, Llewellyn Rem, William
William, David Jones, George Bowles, John Jones; William
Marshall.
The CHAIRMAN said it was out of the jurisdiction of
the board ; but these men wanted 'the' sanetiiin'erthe
'hook Ward, no dosabt,- Ilf'itiengtfienqfieir 'handi in
dealing with the Trinity TiOnse. ,It Waielear. the,ground 1
I
'referred to was such as' the board -had'no'.4iitrof.'6Ver
whatever.., How far the board might thinkcit degirahle. I
or not to expreSs any opinion on the 'Stibgacwns for
. .
.
them toisay'now. Perhaps the best way would be to
. , „
'refer the letter to the Pilots Committee to hear ally re- ,
marks they might have tomake on the subject without-1
committingthe'board to any 'approval or disapproval of I
' 'theliteposal. . , _.
•
Mr.' EVANS said the ignorance of the navio-ation
.
referred to caused captains every'yn# to lose ships.
Mr. ,Botrir,said, in the case o .4 ,fine neteripan•
' ship which, Was lost, with a ch4inel t 4
' pilot on' ',Agri], it.
•I • ,
waStheopinion of several' persons' that` had the' aii(ain'been left to himself the -Vessel'*ould'have been ail: safe.'
The letter was as suggested by the'ehnirinan.•
. .
,
THE DEFENCES OF VIA PORT.--LETTER FROM TUE WAR-'-
. OFFICE.,
The Cu.tiamAN said the following comniunt9ation,
froth the.yirar-office had been received by tlo, special
committee of the Dock Board on .the defenbes of the-
port ;
War Office, 10th Deceniber; 1859.
Six,—T have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of, the sth October ladt, stating that there was .uo
intention on the part of the Dock Coinnuttee to withdraw from
their previous agreement for the surrender of sites for defences
On' the MerseV.
That agreement, embodied in a resolution by your committee,
and based upon negociations with plans in explanation, was
dated.lsth February, 1855, and the same, subsequently sup--
. portedhy the recommendations of a Joint Naval and' Military .
• Camthittee has been approved by Her Majesty'sGOverfinient..
The .sites required-are detailed .in the accompanying me-
rporapdum, and upon the tame, or such of them as may be at
any tithe called .for beitig surrendered; agreeriblylo.,the rori--
canal- resolution' of ' the 15th February, 1835, Her ;Majeety's '
;Gevenistient - will be r prepared To :undertake' :the- ' dkeeesary,'
tides; uting,every endeavour in their construction to.inter-,11
, as, little ,as possible with the , ordinary, business of ,ths-;
t
.
In' respect to the sites, it is to be hiderStoed that Her
melehty's Government require nothing further than their sur-
.re ,r, as. existing on, the present dock . walbl, or where the
, leer s. are still niatiniehecl,, pa in the case of,the.PWth; West or
7
..„,, te.extreinity, and near 'Seacombe, that thus-wall gei- wall shall,
be`cOmpleted and the requisite arealealdled uP TO a' height of
, 6 feet above-high water mark, as; in other parts of: the dock
writs, Pm.3l4g. a Accessary .Pa{t, of :the , apme,:and, tb.eveforeot
strictly within the Powers of your board. ,
~
' ' The sites near Bootle Marks; forming a very inifiortia Paint"
• for the defence of the 'Mersey,"the early completierCof that'
povtion of your est. wail is suggested,. ~ . .1'...•, • ; a
Agreeably;tq the request contained in your letter, anahatract
oft hi:Petkirt'llf theletint Naval lind'htilitary Coniraitted upon
'the 'Defences/. of the Menity is encloeed,ribe -details of *biolf-'
have been approved. -,o ~ . . • .:: - . .:-,
. ,tit.a early reply is resuested.---I am, air, yonr obedient
*errant, i#.,
~"4:-CfOiar. .
The Secretary to the Merge* Dock Estate, LiverpOol
Abstract of report by joint Naval and Military Committee
...:,:do upon the defence of the Meraty : :,_:-.,-,ii!.
' 15 . NCBB.
ib? 'rYTODEPR
Pereh'Rock Fort
• '. New-North Battery /
' : licl_, 5k.41.09 ,DO9. . ,
14th February, tfai.
. •
nuns.
' If
-
14
Paopespao sew Nyoaxs. • ..-• • , - .. alms. •
-11,ihtle Marks •Kirt -e I .. , 51.• : t, . P 21
Liecoro Battery 443404,.k 6
,{tilt
*,south
p •
•`,7 ., , s: 3
Irri,il4torib.l)% " ~, ....... : . ..,.,::
... . . :
Upper, Blayne ..... ~. .. ...
.. . , ..
3
seaepmbe Dopis. North End
The committee having considered the correspondence;
plan, ' subject 3z
to a
the 11
had resolved that, as to
recommended to the
o thereco proposed
oPosed battery meta the/
Bootle Landmarksvit
relinquish, the site shewn upon thel
conditions. contained in the,-resolution of the 16th. of; s
IFebruary, 1856; the Board .to complete the sea wall, so!
far as the requirements of 7the Alook 'estate demand. • It
was further resolved 'that, so far.as regarded. the other
.sites with which the committee had been favoured, the
committee would be glad tof receive further inibrmation; -
the: sites of three of the batteries) beings now)meritioned-
for the ,first time, and not having been mined in the,
resolution of, February, 1855. ' . ' •
• Mr. RUBBACH moved the confirmation of the . pro-
Cee,dings, and in doing-so said, the Board were simply
asked to, give up the site for one fort at the extreme
,-north eud,of, the dock estate. ~ The Boardiwouldinake
.theLsea Ivall,, as far as the demands of the dock estate,