Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-07-04 00:00:00

IRISH REPRESENTATIVE PEERS.

The Lord CHANCELLOR moved a resolution to the effect,
that all petitions claiming right to vote for representative
peers of Ireland by right of peerages, under which a right
to vote had been admitted by the House of Lords, should
be referred to the Lord Chancellor, or the Lord Keeper of
the Great Seal. The object of the motion was to reduce
the expense of proving the right of those who claimed to
vote for representative peers.
The motion was agreed to.

Lord TALBOT drew attention to the late atrocious murder
of Mr. Price, inspector of convicts at Melbourne, and the
subject was briefly discussed, but without any result being
obtained.

Several bills were advanced a stage of progress, and
their lordships rose at half-past seven o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, FRIDAY, JULY 3.
The Speaker took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BILLS.

The Lords' amendments to the Forth and Clyde Junction
Railway Bill, and St, Philip's Church (Liverpool) Bill,
were considered and agreed to.
The West of Fife Mineral Railway Bill, and the Midkind
Great Western Railway of Ireland (Sligo Extension) Bill,
Were read a third time and passed.
Sir JA3fES GRAHAM brought up the report of the cora-
reittee upon the Liverpool Town and Dock Dues Bill.
On the consideration of the report upon the Thames and
Medway Conservancy Bill,
Sir JAMES GE&HAM opposed the measure, on the ground
that the conservators were proposed to be nominated, not
.elective, and because it viola'ed the principle, that tolls on
BbiPping should not be exacted for other than shipping
Purposes.

After some discussion, the third reading was fixed fo
Tuesday.
The report of the committee on the Tewkesbury election
petition was brought up by the chairman. The decision
"was, that Mr. J. Martin was duly elected.
In reply to Lord C. HAMILTON,
Lord PALMERSTON declined in the present state of public
business, to fix a day for the resumption of the debate on
Alr. J. B. Smith's motion in reference to the productive
powers of India,

Mr. WILSON, in reply to Sir D. Norreys, stated that
instructions had been given that the whole of the Ordnance
Survey should for the future be carried on upon the six-
inch scale.

POSTAL COMMUNICATION WITH IRELAND.

In reply to Mr. CORRY,

Mr. WILSON stated that the arrangements for the im-
provement of the postal communication between London
and Dublin were now nearly complete. The arrangement
was that the Steam-boat Company should provide four
vessels of 300 feet long, of 1,700 tons, with engines of
1,500 horse power, but capable of being worked up to
3,000, and that the journey should be completed in eleven
hours. The Company was to carry the mails from Holyhead
'to Kingstown in three hours and three•quarters.

THE WEST INDIA IMMIGRATION SCHEME.

In reply to Mr. Thomas Baring,
Mr. LABOUCHERE recognised the importance of offer-
ing facilities for immigration into British Guiana,
and stated his belief that sugar could be as
profitably grown by free as by slave labour. He
thought it necessary that the emigrant should be a
free agent, that security should be given that he should be
properly treated on the passage. That he should not be
made the victim of an internal system of slavery, and
that there should be an equal number of both sexes
carried to the colony. Subject to these conditions, it had
been his anxious desire ever since he held the office of
Colonial Ser,retary, to facilitate emigration to the colonies.
In reply tr, Mr. G. Dundas,
Mr. V &um said, he hoped to, present the Indian
Blidg'Jt before the end of this month.

PONTEFRACT ELECTION.

Mr. HEADLAM reported from the committee appointed
to investigate the petition in the case of the Pontefract
Election, that William Woods was duly elected to serve
in Parliament for the Borough of Pontefract. That it had
not been established to the satisfaction of the committee,
that any cases of bribery, treating or undue influence
occurred at the last election, but that from the evidence of
the. patitioner, Benjamin Oliveira, and his wife, Emma
Oliveira, it appeared that at the previous election the said
Benjamin Oliveira paid £3,000 for his return, and subse-
quently gave a bribe of £1,250 for the withdrawal of the
petition against the election. (Laughter.)

BRIBERY AT ELECTIONS.

Lord PALMERSTON moved that in all cases where the seat
of any member has been declared void by an election com-
mittee on the grounds of bribery or treating, no motion
shall be made without seven days previous notice being
given in the votes.

Mr. DISR&ELI thought the motion too stringent, and
suggested the insertion of words to the effect that the delay
should only take place when the committee separated in
favour of such a cause being adopted.
Mr. DUNCOMBE considered that such a modification
would destroy the object of the motion.

cu then
was
At the suggestion of Sir G. GREY, the dif ssion
adjourned till Monday, and the House went into Committee
of Supply. Several votes, including £221,000, for the
Harbours of Refuge ; £24,728, for the Governors and
Lieutenant. Governors of the West Indies, and other Colo
flies ; £21,430, for allowances of Stipendiary Judges in the
Colonies ; £10,230, for Civil establishments on the West
Coast of Africa ; £19,609, for charges connected with the
Island of St. Helena ; £12,000, for the support of Liberated
Negroes ; £125,089, for Consular Establishments abroad,
—were agreed to. On this last vote,
In reply to Mr. A -sa,-
LLINGLIKE,
Lord PALIMSTON explained that his noble friend at the
head of the Foreign Departmont was now
in
engaged
making provision for the appointment of Consuls in the
Black Sea, according to the 12th article of the Treaty
of Paris. There were a great many Tartars ren-
dered assistance to the Allies in the course of the war,
_ and 10,009, upon application, had been removed from
Russian dominions to the Ottoman empire.
A further sum of £22,500 for extraordinary charges for
embassies and missions having been voted,
The House resumed.
ThThe report of supply was brought up and agreed to.
e other business was disposed of, and the House
mourned at a quarter past one.

ST. HELENS CANAL AND
RAILWAY BILL.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, FRIDAY, JULY 3.

The committee met this day at twelve o'clock, Sir James
Graham in the chair.

Mr. SERGEANT WELLS—I feel considerable difficulty in
making to you a statement in reference to the observations
made at the close of the proceedings yesterday. After
anxious and serious consideretion with Sergeant Wrang -
ham, giving the best consideration we could to the interests
of our clients, and canvassing with great care the state-
ment made by yourself, which received the greatest possible
consideration from us—we have come to the conclusion
that for the interest of our clients, and also that of the
public who are necessarily interested with them, we shall be
under the necessity of proceeding with our case, and calling
our witnesses.

Zhe CHAIRMAN: Very well.

Mr. Sergeant WELLS : Perhaps you will allow me to state
that our position is a very singular one. In 1853 the case
was represented to the Shipping Dues Commission, and
their report entirely admitted the justice of the demand
we now seek at your hands. lam only stating my
reason.

The CHAIRMAN: You need state no reason for pro-
ceeding. The object was distinctly stated to you yes-
terday.
Mr. Sergeant WELLS : Sergeant Wrangham was most
anxious that I should make one statement. The conclusion
which we have arrived at was influenced by the considera-
tion that our proceeding would in no way interfere with
the principle of the Mersey Conservancy Bill.
He then called

111 r. SINCLUR, secretary to the St. Helens Canal and
Railway Company, who stated that the Garston docks
covered six acres, and the width of the gates was fifty feet,
vessels that could enter the Liverpool docks could enter
theirs, gave evidence before the Shipping Dues comm's-
sion in 1853, which reported in their favour. In
1855, the Liverpool Dock Trustees introduced their
scheme, but the St. Helens Company could not oppose
as they had no locus standi. In 1856 their company
gave the necessary notices that they would apply for
the introduction of clauses to give them the relief they
now sought in any bill promoted by the Dock Trust.
There was a large trade in coals at Garston, on which
the Town Dues were 2d, per ton or 2 per cent. They had
also a large trade in sulphur ore, on which the dues were
from one to one and a-quarter per cent , iron ore, on which
the charge was two per cent., and on limestone rather over
one per cent. The coal which did not go outside the port
was not charged Town-dues, but all exports were charged.
He estimated the average exaction by .Liverpool on goods
exported and imported from Garston at £l5 on the £l,OOO.
while the charges at Liverpool did not exceed £1 to 30s.
on the £l,OOO, so that the charge was a great obstruction
to the trade of Garston.

Mr. Sergeant WELLS said he then proposed to call
the witnesses attention to the evidence given by Mr.
Hayes, Mr Hutchinson, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Rigby
before the Local Dues on Shipping Committee last
year.
Mr. MERENVETHER renewed his protest against read-
ing the evidence of gentlemen who were alive and could
be called.
The CHAIRMAN said they had on previous occasions
gone further, for they had admitted the evidence of a
gentleman who was in the room at the time (Mr. Bramley-
Moore) to be read. The evidence must, therefore, be
admitted.
The Witness then proceeded to read extracts from the
evidence of these gentlemen. Examination continued.
Sometimes deeply-laden vessels are obliged to unload a
portion of their cargo to get into the Garston Dock, but
not often ; and the same case also happens with vessels
discharging in the Liverpool docks. Vessels discharging
in the Garston docks paid dues, and other charges for
the conservancy, but not for the actual maintainance of
the docks at Liverpool, and vessels could neither discharge
nor clear out from the customs until the receipt for the
Liverpool Dock-dues was produced. A vessel going from
America to Garston, discharging there and going down to
Liverpool, to load for a coasting voyage would be charged
outwards and inwards as if she had come from America,
while a vessel using the Liverpool docks would be charged
only one rate.
Cross-examined by Mr. ALEXANDER : The Garston Dock
wae made under an act of Parliament passed in 1846,
begun in Ir3oo, ana opened iu rue._
Garston Dock exclusively paid no Liverpool dock rates.
Cross_examined by Mr. MICIVENVICTIIER: They had treated
their dock at Garston as a mere adjunct to their railway.
Was not aware that any Manchester man held a share in
their railway.
By the Climatal; : There is but one rate payable by
vessels from America. If a vessel from America goes into
the docks at Liverpool and discharges, and afterwards
leaves the port in ballast, she pays only half rates, but if
she discharges at Garston, and leaves in ballast, she pays
full rate.
Mr. ALEXANDER said the witness was entirely mistaken ;
it was not the case.
By the CHAIRMAN : About 50 foreign vessels have arrived
at Garston dock since 1852.
Mr. Serjeant WELLS said he should call no more wit-
nesses.
Mr. ALEXANDER said, in replying for the dock trustees,
he was in the difficult position of having nothing to reply
to. He apprehended his learned friend would be gratified
by putting Mr Sinclair's evidence on record ; cer-
tainly no evidence had been offered why the
committee should not reject the bill. When
the Garston Dock was constructed, the law was clear and
well known ; and the promoters might have fixel the
site, so as not to be liable to these charges, but they fixed
their line, and must take the consequence. They were
asked row to put the Garston Dock, containing six
acres, and costing £150,000, on an equality with the
docks at Liverpool, containing 208 acres, and costing nine
millions. They had shown no reason for such a demand ;
and if the committee made theirs an exceptional c ,se, it
would be impossible to deal with the Mersey on a compre
hensive scheme.
Mr. MERREWETHER said he should occupy their time but
a few minutes. The Corporation were possessed of the
Town Dues of Liverpool, which they had acquired
by purchase, and had for a long time enjoyed.
At the same time, if he was asked the question whether
they had a statutory acknowledgement, he must answer
they had nothing to justify their claim but the fact of
purchase of possession and of the common law of the
land. He then ironically contende I that they had great
cause for discontent with some parties. The Com-
mittee had given their property to the promoters of the
Bill, led by the gentlemen from Manchester. Such
being the case, although perhaps it was a mere prejudice
of the Corporation of Liverpool, they did wish out of
their respect for the rights of property that the Garston
Railway and Dock Company should not be permitted to
take away from these gentlemen the property which the
committee had given them. He was disappointed that
Mr. Heron had not come forward to oppose these new
claimants, Under these circumstances, as they had en-
deavoured in vain to prevent what the Corporation consi-
dered to be a great robbery, they were justified, also, in
opposing this petty larceny, and he trusted that the com-
mittee would reject the bill.
The room was then cleared. After a short discussion
the doors were opened.
The CHLIRMAM announced that the preamble of the bill
was unanimously rejected.

A THEATRICAL CONTRETISIPS.—A melodrama was some
few years since played in a certain theatre, the chief actor
in which had made himself, from his haughty and over-
bearing conduct, disliked by one and all. In the last
scene he was supposed to visit the tomb of his ancestors.
In the centre of the stage, upon a marble pedestal, stood
the statue of his father. A heavy fold of drapery covered
the fiure. Enter Albert—" Once again," he says "to
gaze upon those features which in life so often gazed on
me with tenderest affection, Father, thy mourning son
naw comes to pay thee adoration. Let me remove the veil
which from the vulgar gaze shields the beloved image of a
once dear parent!" Off went the drapery, and behold !
the father stood upon his head.
THE REFUSAL OP KNIGHTHOOD BY THE MAYOR OF
SALFORD.—The Mayor of Salford, Stephen !leen., Esq.,
received from Sir George Grey, an intimation that her
Majesty had been graciously pleased to signify her inten-
tion to confer upon him the honour of knighthood on the
occasion of the presentation of the address from' the borough
of Salford, at the Art Treasures Exhibition. The Mayor,
though fully appreciating this mark of her Majesty's gra-
cious consideration towards the borough and himself, did
not feel it consistent with his position as a professional
manpo e
dd eteop
engaged.
business to accept the honour pro-
posed conferred upon him. The determination of
s
the Mayor to decline the honour of knighthood has elicited
a general esFession of regret amongst the members of the
Corporation, the profession of which he is a member, and
of the inhabitants of Salford, to whom the fact was know.
—Manchester Examiner.