Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-12-01 00:00:00

REPORT.

The Council have nowThepleasure of reporting their
proceedings upon the questions brought before them
during the last three months.
As Parliament had already risen at the date of last
report (in August), of course no subject requiring legislative
action have progressed, and therefore the present resume
is, of necessity, a very short one.
The matters embraced in it are as follows
COMMERCIAL LAW.

On the invitation of the National society for the Pro-
motion of Social Science, which held its first meeting in
Birmingham in October last, your Council forwarded a
memorandum cf subjects bearing on commercial law, for
the consideration of a section of that body, devoting its
attention to jurisprudence and reform of the law. The
memorandum embraced the following points, viz :-
1. The laws relating to Bankruptcy.
2. The United Kingdom Writs Bill.
a The Judgments Execution Bill, and •
4. The Registration cf Partnerships.
Several papers on these and kindred topics, having
been read, it was suggested by Lord John Russell, the
president of the section above referred to, that, for the
better consideration of the subject, of the laws of bank-
ruptcy and insolvency, the Birmingham Chamber of
Commerce should call a subsequent meeting in that town
of delegates from the chambers of commerce and trade
protection societies of he kingdom, and take the necessary
steps for the preparation of a bill for the reform of that
branch of the laws, to be referred to the Attorney-General
for his approval, before its introduction into parliament.
Your Council having, in accordanc , with this suggestion,
received from the Birmingham chamber an invitation to
send thither delegates to a conference on the 17th instant,
Messrs. Heath and Denson were requested to attend
accordingly.
The report of these gentlemen have just been received,
wherein they state that a sub-committee had been ap-
pointed to draw up a bill; but as certain unavoidable
expenses will be incurred in its preparation and intro-
duction into parliament, it will become necessary for this
Chamber to contribute its proportion thereto—the Council
feeling assured, from the earnestness, promptitude, and
decision expressed by the delegates on that occasion, that
the laws of bankruptcy and insolvency will shortly be
placed on a much more simple, economical, and satisfactory
footing.
The United Kingdom Writs Bill (up in which your
Council have received, from the commercial law com-
mittee, a report explanatory of its provisions) has been
referred back to that committee, with instructions for its
introduction into parliament, which will, if possible, be
done in the ensuing session.

MERSEY DOCK AND HARBOUR BOARD.

The recent act of Parliament, -which transferred the
management of the Dock estate to a new board, comes into
operation on the Ist January next, when the new board
will be elected. A committee of your Council has examined
the act, and has presented a report, showing the provisions
which will govern that election ; and in consideration of
the importance of the subject, the report has been circu-
lated among the members, for their information.

DOCK COMMITTEE AND ACCOMMODATION.

This subject is one which the members are aware, has
for some years past, been under consideration by your
Council, and upon which your directors have abstained
hitherto from expressing any opinion upon particular
plans. But, seeing that the present dock accommodation
is quite inadequate for the requirements of the trade of the
port, you committee joined in the generally expressed idea
that the Deck Committee should apply to Parliament for
such powers as may be needed to provide the due and full
extension of dock and quay accommodation on the Lanca-
shire as well as on the Cheshire side of the Mersey. and
they forwarded to the Dock Committee a communication
of that purport. The published reports cf that com-
mittee's proceedings have informed the members that
=dice has been given for a bill to procure the necessary
powers. _ _

The committee of your Council on dock arrangements
have just presented a report, suggesting that steps should
be taken for improving the present system of working the
docks, which report is under the consideration of your
Connell.