Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-06-13 00:00:00

DIVORCE BILL.

On the report of amendments to the Divorce and Matri-
monial Causes Bill being brought up,
Lord NELSON moved an amendment, to the effect that
the marriage of persons divorced a vinculo, should be
Confined to civil contract in a registrar's office.
The amendment gave rise to a long discussion, and, on
a division, was negatived by seventeen votes to twenty.
The report was then agreed to.
The Bzsiio of OXFORD gave notice that, on the third
reading of this bill, he should move that it be read a third
time that day six months.
Lord NELSON gave notice that he should avail himself o
that opportunity to re• ew his amendment.
The Cinque Ports Bill was read a third time and passed•
The house adjourned at half-past nine.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—FRIDAY.
The Speaker took the chair at four o'clock.
ATHLONE ELECTION BILL.
A report was announced from the Committee cf Recog-
nizance stating that the Recognizances of the Election
Petition of Mr. John 111‘Donald, relating to the borough of
Athlone were objectionable. The petition was accordingly
discharged.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER COMMITTEE.
The Select Committee on the Duchy of Lancaster was
aPPointed, consisting of Colonel S. Esteourt, Lord
Goderiche, Mr. Bramston, Lord H. Vane, and Mr. J. H.
Ramilton.
Oa the motion of Mr. Cunningham,
The petition of Mr. Bertolacci was ordered to be re-
ferred to the committee.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC.
b_ldr. D. GRIFFITHS gave notice of a bill to amend the
414i1WaY Traffic Act, 17 and 18 Vic., cap. 31.

TROOPS FOR CHINA.
In reply to questions urged by Mr. Laurie,
Sir JCIIN RAMSDRN said that a portion of the troops
for China were now on their way from the
Mauritius to their destination. There was no intention
to draw upon the force at the Mauritius to replace the
Expeditions to China. The men would receive the same
allowance as those now at Hong Kong, and the Govern-
ment saw no reason for making any alteration.

THE REFORMATORY RILL.
In answer to Sir E. KERRISON,
Sir GEORGE GRAY said he produced to introduce a
clause in the Reformatory Schools Bill in Committee, to
render more effectual the power of obtaining money from
parents for the maintenance of their children in reforma-
tory schools.

THE LAST "DRAWING ROOM."

Mr. G. DUNDAS drew attention to the inconvenience to
persons attending Her Majesty's Drawing-room, from the
narrowness of the corridors.

Sir B. liQ'ta-d-m-i-t.t-edtce grievance, and stated that he
had reeeived instructions to prepare a plan for the en-
largement of the accommodation at St. James's Palace.
In reply to Lord MANNERS, ohe right hon. baronet
said no steps would be taken in tthe matter without
consulting Parliamen•;

COMMIT= OP .
After some discussion as to the SUPPLY
expenses of works in St.
James's Park, the house went into Committee of Supply,
and
WILSON rose, in accordance with the intimation of
1118 intention given by him on the previous day. to present
an explanation of the causes of the large increase in the
Civil Service estimates of late years. He stated, from a
increase
in presented to the house, that there was an
in these estimates , since 1838, of £2,393,000 in that year
to £6,724,000 in 1856 ; that was sufficient to give
rise to anxiety in the mind of persons who gave their
attention to these matters ; but he should state that a
large proportion of the amount was caused by transferencies
from the Consolidated Fund to the annual votes. Esti-
mates had been increased between 1852 and 1856, by
no less than £2,300,000. In 1852 the amount was
£4,407,000; in 1853, £4,802,000; in 1854, £6,648,000;
in 1855, £6,586,000 • and in 1856, £6,724,000
being an increase of £lOO,OOO over 1854 and £,2316,000
over 1852. This increase was owing, in a great measure,
to the transference of charges to the annual votes from
the consolidated fund by Mr. Gladstone, in 1854. Thirty-
four items were so transferred, amounting to £1,436,000,
and this reduced the increase to £BBO,OOO. There had
been an increase in the English Education vote of £291,000;
in the Irish, of £63,000 ; in the Department of Science
and Art of £25,000 ; in the National Gallery vote, of
Xl5OOO —making a total of £396 000. In 1852 the
Education vote, including England and Ireland, amounted
to £461,000 ; in 1856, 759,000 ; and this year to £850,000.
He remembered when the vote for Education was about
£263,000, and objection was taken ; Lord John Russell
expressed hope that it would increase to £500,000; and
the sum asked for, f m England, this year, was
£541,000. The next item of increase to which he
would call attention was for Holyhead Harboer.
An harbour of refuge, which amounted in 1856, as compared
with 1852, to £lBO,OOO. This was attributable to the
number of vessels availing thenvelves of the advantage
afforded by the harbour at Holyhead, and the necessity for
increasing the harbour accommodation along the coasts.
Thq government had had to ask for increase upon increase
for this purpose, till the last possible increase had been
adopted, and the scheme now stood as originally proposed,
and would cost £1,198,000. Upon printing and stationery
there was an increase, since 1852, of £261,000, which was
attributable to the transference to the stationery depart-
ment of paper, books, and documents of all departments,
and the increased demand for printing in the
country. Upon the printing of patents there was a
gain, the cost being £40,000, and the fees amounting
to £lOO,OOO. The next item to which he referred
was for prisons and convicts, upon which he showed
en increase in 1856 over 1852, of £116,000: this
amount was owing to the necessary maintenance
of
two systems; the transportation system, for convicts under
sentence before the abandonment of the system, and the
present System together there was an increase under the
head of Convict Establishment abroad, which arose from
an increase recently made in the salaries of officials.
There was an increase of £Bl,OOO in the public building's
vote in 1856, as compared with 1852, which he explained
in reference to the transferrence of charges—to the require-
ments of education science, and art, and the extension of
official and national buildings. With these explanations
he left it to the house to declare whether the system now
followed should be continued; and concluded his remarks
by moving the first vote of the estimates, £136,146, for
Royal Palaces and Parks.
Sir JOHN PAMINOTON
objected to the course taken by the
Secretary of the Treasury, for deferring his explanation
till they got into committee ; but with regard to the state-
ment he considered it remarkably lucid and satisfactory.
Mr. BRISCOE joined in the recommendations of Mr.
Wilson's speech.
The discussions turned upon several items of the esti-
mates. and much confusion arose from the general discus-

sion turning upon the multitude of questions involved in
the estimates ; this led to a motion to report progress,
upon which,
Mr. DISRABLI, pointing to the difficulties of the debate,
attributing These to the coarse pursued by the government
Ultimately, a suggestion, made by Sir B. Hall, to
withdraw the vote, and bring it up in three items, was
adopted.
The next vote for parks and pleasure grounds gave rise
to some discussion and the confusion again arising,
The motion to report progress was agreed to and
The House resumed—
MISCELLANZOITS BILLS.

The Joint Stock Companies Act Amendment Bill was
read a third time and passed.
The Sound Dues Bill went through Committee.
The Court of Exchequer (Ireland) Bill was read a third
time and passed.
The House adjourned at half-past twelve.

THE

MERSEY CONSERVANCY
AND DOCKS BILL.

(FROM OUR OWN REPORT/MO

HOUSE OF COMMONS, FRIDAY.
The Committee on the Mersey Conservancy and Docks Bill met
to-day, at twelve o'clock, Sir James Graham in the chair.
Mr. anurnEworra's examination in chief was resumed. He read
the petition of the Corporation against the bill for co stituting the
Birkenhead Decks in 1144 ; also the petition of Vie Council to the
House of Lords in 1845. against the Birkenhead Dock Company's Bill.
At the time of the first dock act, in the reign of s;ueen Anne, Liver-
pool was an insiznificant place, but from that date its progress has
been marked. The Corporation initiated th it bill, and gave the land
for the construction of the dock, as well as borrowing 46,000 to carry
out the works, and they gave out of their funds .€sao towards the
completion of the dock The next dock act stated that the money
raised under the preceding one was insufficient, and provided for
more money being raised. The Corporation also gave .41,000 more
towards the completion of the dock. and leased the lands adjoining on
long leases, devoting the fines to dock purposes. They also made a
land-mark, called toe Perch, on the Cheshire s:te of the entran e to
the Mersey, and a similar mark at Formby. These were voluntary
acts for the benefit of trade. They gave 41,00:i and land for the
Salthonse Dock, but got from them powers to borrow money for the
completion of that dock, and subsequently they loaned money, which
was rep id towards tie completion of that dock. They constructed
graving docks as dia. inct from the dock trust. In the act of 1762, for
making the George's Dock, the Corporation gave the land, and the
21st section of the act provides for the construction of lighthouses at
the entrance to the port and harbour of Liverpool. Toe preamble
stated, that " whereas there is no fund provided for answering the
good purposes aforesaid," and the clause provides that land should be
bought for the erection of lighthouses then on, and that dues should
be levied on shipping. The Corporation advanced the money, which
was repaid; and under the act, 425,000 was authorised. Up to
1810 the docks were solely in the hands of the Corporati n, as Dock
Trustees. Since then the trade of the ort has greatly increased. In
1752 the number of vessel's entering the port is not given, but the
amount received for dock rates was only 41.776. The first year in
which the number of vessels is given is in 1757, an they were then
1,371 vessels, and the dock dues received were 42,336 15s Up to
June, 1856, the vessels in the year entering the port were 20,886, and
the dues were £326,801 7s. 10d. The tonnage is first given in the
dock accounts in the year 1800, when it was 450,060, inward and out-
ward. In 1856, the tonnage was 4,320,618 tons.
The CHAIRM (N—Then these are dock dues only as distinguished
from town du, ?
Mr. HUTTLEWORTH —The dock dues are distinguished from the
town dues. The dues recaivednp to 1811 by the dock trustees were
only on Mail s, not on goods. in 1856 the dues were both on tonnage
and go,ds, and it-e Irrespective of town does. The Dock Trust is
unlike a..y great public company, where dividends are paid. There
is no dividend or profit derided from them. The Dock Trust barrow
money to carry out the acts of Parliament; we receive the dues
towards the payfr.ent of interest of the money and the working
expenses. There is no dividend whatever—no profit whatever—the
benefit goes to the trade. The time and trouble of the managers of
the docks are given gratuitously for the benefit of the trade. The
Corporation also paid out of their funds grants for improving the com-
merce of the port. In 1719 they made a grant for improving the com-
merce of the port—that is, to the water committee of the river
Weaver to open up the Cheshire salt fields. In .719 they took a
similar course in reference to the river Douglas, paying a portion of
the expenses of obtaining the bill.

The CHAIR MAN - What was the amount contributed?
Mr. SHUTTLEWORTH —About £2OO on each occas'on. The Corpora-
tion did not gain anything to themselves. hat they did was simply
for the improvement of the p rt. In 1757 the Corporation avreed to
pay the expenses of the survey of the river Weaver, in order to
render it navigable up to Naatwich. In 1754 they contributed
towards a survey which led to the formation of the S,inkey canal. I
believe that was the first navigable canal constructed in England. The
Corporation advanced .e3OO towards the expenses of obtaining the
act, and t ey gave gratis from their own quarry the stone for the con-
struction of the works. 'n 1765 they contributed towards the Grand
Trunk Canal, by giving £2.ia towards obtaining the act. In 1767-8
they made a grant towards the Liverpool and Leeds Canal of 0
towards the obtaining of the act. All these are works of great nstional
importance. In 17,18 the revenue of the Corporation was £2,717,
including Town Dues, but exclusive of Dock Dues. The Corporation
have also from time to time assisted in improving the communication
between the docks and the port to the interior by roads. In 1726 they
subscribed to obtaining an act of parliament for making a road from
Liverpool to Warrington c and in 1777 they also contributed for a road
to Preston. Between 1786 and 1793 the Corporation expended iarze
sums of money in improving tF e approaches and making direct roads
to the docks. It was in 1786 that the first ae.t was procured for im-
prov,ng the streets.

Mr. PHILLIPS—have the expenses of those improvements been paid
out of the corporate purse ?
Mr. Sao Tmgwoarn—Under all these acts of Parliament the corpora.
tion borrowed money to effect the imp, ovements upon their own bonds,
chargeable to their own estate, totally irrespective of and unconnected
with any receipts from the docks. From 1786 up to the pras,rit time,
the corporation ha, e expended I should say at least £1,000,000 ster-
ling in the e improvements. The corporation, to keep down their
banded aebt, sold therevers,on of the property which they let on lease,
to the extent of about £lBO,OOO. at the end of the last century.
The CHA i RMAN—I that exclusive of the million ?
Mr. Sit UTTLENOHTH —Yes. In 1765 the Corporation contributed
half the expenses ..ttendinz an act for providing pilots for Liverpool.
Liverpool was also, I believe, the first town in the kingdom that
secured the passing of a sanitary act. In 1772 the Corporation
erected, at their own expense, a landing place and a machine for
weighing coals. In 1775 they were requested by the commercial
bodies of the town to lengthen their gravinz dock, so as to enable
them to receive three ships at a time. The sum spent in that improve-
ment was £B.OOO. In 1788 the Corporation expended .e 2,763 in
erecting a fort for protectinr, the town during the American war.
That fort was erected on the site of the present Prince's Dock. In
the next year thy expended £1,523, and gave also a present of land
to the Government towards another fort. Pt an expense of £3,0 0
they also raised a regiment of troops for the use of
the country. In 1780 they built a tobacco warehouse which
cost £ll, 00. That was at the request of the Commissioners of Cus-
toms, who paid rent for the accommodation. Since then the Corpora-
tion have expended £70,000 in erecting new tobacco warehouses. In
1789 they made provision for cranes and sheds to be used gratuitously
by ships and fiats discharging their cargoes at Liverpool. In 1791
they built an oil house to accommodate the Greenland Fishery Trade
at a cot of £5,163, the avenage income being £l6l. In 1793 there
was a great commercial panic, and after the Corporation had failed in
procuring a loan of £lOO.OOO from the Bank of England to alleviate
the commercial distress of the town, they got an Act of Parliament
enabl ng them to issue local negotiable notes on the credit of goods
deposited. The act was limit dto three years, and during that time
trade improved.
The CHAIRMAN—What was the amount issued ?
Mr. SHUTTLEWORTH—EI4O,OOO.

The Oilman i,x—Can you t;11 the loss on that transaction?
Mr. SnurnEwoirrn—l believe it was only a few hundreds of pounds
—I think about £4OO
Mr. PHILLIPS —Does that include the cost of the act ?
Mr. SuurnswoaTit—No; there is no account of the cost of that.
In 1797 r,the corporation expended £5,633 in putting the docks in a
state of defence against the French, who had landed in Wales, and
threatened the destruction of Liverpool and the docks. There was
no return for that outlay, which was an expenditure out of their own
corporate funds, to place the docks in a proper state of defence against a
national enemy. Between the years 1775 and 1797 the Corporation
lent money to the Local Board of Trade lor commercial purposes to
the extant of £11,149, and during that period they paid as bounty to
seamen entering the Royal Navy, £2,998 175. 6d, In 1800 the Cor-
poration passed a resolution, having for its purpose the diminishing of
the cost of land to the Dock Trust for dock purposes thereafter. In
the same year also they contributed half the expense of a railroad
for bringing down stone from Quarry Hill to the Queen's Dock.
They gave also, gratuitously, the stone for the construction of the
King's, Queen's, George's, and Salthonse Docks. In 1803, at a
tme of threatened invasion, the Corporation expended £5,010 in
defences. In 1608 they constructed the Manchester quay and basin
for vessels trading to that city, and the upper part of the Mersey. The
cast of the work was £5,769 lOs 3d, and from part of the property an
income was derived by rent paid by the carriers. In 1805 the cor-
poration bore half the expense of introducing the bonding and ware-
housingsystem into Liverpool. The sum of X 68,436 was expended by
them on the construction of the King's dock tobacco warehouses, and
they gave the land, which is valued at £72,000. We get a rental
from Government for that property of £6,460.
At this stage of the proceedings (two o'clock) the Town-clerk be-
came suddenly ill, and the Committee adjourned until Monday at
noon.