The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-05-15 00:00:00

DOCK CO:7IIITIE,i.I

This eornalitfca nr* at one o" eer,lay, Mr.
Charles Turner The c. metneare present
wee('—Messrs. Rankin, Bcn-n.-bank, Halhead, Rounth-
w site, Gladstone, Barber, Holden, Holme, Littledale,
Hubback, Clint, Mondell, Anderson, Chilton, Bold,
Lockett, and Evans.
Tenders were accepted, on the recommendation of the
sub-committee of works, from Messrs Lingard and
Merrick, for painting and cleaning six dwelling heuses of
dock masters, in the north docks.
The sub-committee further recommended that £46 17s
6d, being half a year's rent, be allowed to Mr. Henry
Jordan, tenant, of land in Lightbody-street, in considera-
tion of his haviag given up the land, after a tenancy of
only six moaihs, in order to accommodate the trustees of
the Duke of Bridgewater.
Mr. Gladstone thought that recommendation would
require some comment. The terms on which the premises
were let to Mr. Jordan were such as clearly to initicatethat
the tenancy would be of very short duration. The notice
was fixed at six weeks, and the rent was not above half
the valde. The payment of this money would lead to a
ery awkward precedent, inasmuch as it might lay down
a principle that every tenant would haie a right on leaving
his premises to a certain return of the rent.
Mr. Evans thought if the committee dealt with parties
in that very loose, manner, they would unhinge all their
contracts. When 'the committee entered into any con-
tract they were kept to the very letter ; but alters always
looked upon a contract as a loose arrrangement. open as it
were to equity. The contract and stamp went for nothing,
and they came in afterwards to say that " Such was the
understanding," or " Such they had-reason to believe," in
opposition to what was laid down upon paper. He
did not think the committee ought to listen to idle claims
of that kind:
Brocklebank said he had no hesitation in
taking share of the responsibility of remitting the
half year's rent. He did not agree with Mr.
Gladstone that when Mr. Jordan went there he
expected to be turned oat at so short a notice. On the
contrary he had no doubt Mr. Jordan heliered he-would
have a very long lease. Ifts+ead of that,;however, he was
only eleven months there, and he had taken some contracts
which he was, in consequence, unable to fulfil. He was
ttirn d out at a notice of six weeks, which,no doubtt.was ac-
cording 'o his contract, after having made some very con-
siderable erections there. The land was not taken from him
for dock purposes, but to be let to another and more im
portant tenant, and one who probably would bernfit the
dock estate greatly. Bet bethought theyshould not, under
those circumstances, stick to the letter of their agreement
with the previous tenant.
Mr. Bold said Mr. Gladstone was mistaken in supposing
that the land had been let to Mr. Jordan considerably
below the value. The committee bad taken the new
tenant at precis ly the same rent, He thought it would
be very hard under those circumstances not to allow some
of the rent to be remitted to a tenant who was turned cut
at much inconvenience to make way for another paying
exactly the same sum.
Mr. Evans : Weil, I don't like that system of " head I
win, tails you lose" applied always to the Dock Committee.

Air. Brae 'debunk : No such sy- stem is appliedalways.

No amendment was moved,and tha recommendation was
therefore agreed to.
A repDrt was read from the marine surveyor in regard,
to the interruptions by weather to tie passing of com-
munication from the different semaphore telegraph stations
during the twelve months ending the 31st March, 1857.
The document was very lengthy, but the following analysis
will explain its contents sufficiently .:--___f___

C ObiSILIN 'CATION OPEN.

On Twelve days communication was open by sea and land the
entire day.
On 238 days one or more stations wera open by sea and land the
entire day; others were partially or tenporArtly closed.
On 25 days there was partial and temporary interruption at every
station.

Giving a tote .of 2-5 days on which signals passed fro:n end to end
of the line.

COMMUNICAOON CLOSED.

On four days there was partial and temporary interruption at
every station.
On 86 f!ayi communication was closed at one or .ors su'ions the
entire day by sea and land, at other, partial and temporary. 4
Givin; a total of 90 days on which signa's failed to pass through
the line.

There is no recorled instance of sirnultaneon3 and entire snspm-
eon of every station throughout the line for the whole day.
Daring the year 1356 there was 234 signils received at Holyhead
from ships in the offing which failed to pass through the lice.

"'Mr. Mondell thought, after the evidence contained inthat
document, it was a proper time for him. to renew the
had previously made regarding communication
by electric telegraph. He accordingly gave notice that on
that day fortnight he should move that the committee
establish a system of communication between Liverpo
and Holyhead, along the line of coast by electric telegraph;
and that if further powers were required than the trustees
already possessed, the solicitor be instructed to apply for
theta in the next Dock Act, and that the Marine Committee,
with the assistance of Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Hubback,
be authorised to contract for the completion of the works.
The Harbour Masters' Committee recommended that
shout 400 square yards of ground on the east side of the
Hu.kisson Dock be let to Messrs. Inman for the purpose
of storing coals for the Philadelphia line of rackets, being
only a temporary occupation, to be terminated at a week's
notice.
Mr. Gladstone : Had you not better fix the terms of
compensation when they go out, whether it is to be half or
the whole of the rent. ( &tighter )
The Chairman said Messrs Inman had already some
ground there, and only required this additional quantity
fur storing coalq.
The recommendation was confirmed.
The Harbour Masters' Committee also produced an
application from Messrs Mac Iver, for the admi,sion into
the graving dock of the steamer Emn, as being taken up
by the government, and recommended that every vessel
should be admitted into the graving dock as HMI as oppor-
tool y offered, upon proof being given to the harbour
masters of her having been ordered f. r survey by the
government. The recommendation was confirmed.
The parliamentary sub-committee reported the appoint-
ment of the House of Commons committee on tho Mersey
Conservancy bill.
The following letter was read from Messrs. Samuel,cn
and Crofts.

TO THE CH tIRMAN OF THE LIVERPOOL DOCK TRUST, EHARL ZS

TURNER, ESQ.

Sir,—We have recently established ane trade at this port in con-
ne3tion with the south Yonshir2 coalfields, end are most anxious to
promote, as far as lies in our power, this new traffic over the Lan•
eashire and Yorkshire Railway and your high-level drops. So far,
hawevar, we have experienced considerable difficulty in working by
this route on account of the shortrr cistance from the Barns:3y Led
to Garbton as compared with that by L.,neash,re and Yorkshire! Rail-
way, and the great facilities which have been rendered t 3 us at th:t
port (Garston; where we are allowed to store any reasonable quan'ity
f coal.
'lke Lance',hire and Yorkshire Company have given us every

assistance in their power to promote this trade, having, besides other
facilities, granted us permission to sore caals at Sandhills, but these
are not sufficient to wo-k the trade satisfactorily.
It often happens that steamers (several of which now take our c Dal s
regular'y) require coaling at a few hours' notice, and then t e Lan-
cis:hire and Yorkth re station at Sandhiils is as difficult to approach
our Gersten store, whilst the rate of carria4e ii (as you will se
the ccc-impan, log report) considerably lower to the latter port.
The owners of several boats have pointed out to us the desirability
of keeping a stock of coal on or near the quay of the steam d(rks, and
ifyour committee would grant no the convenience for so doing, and
state same time enable us to employ the high level cranes, we should
esteem it a favour, and should be stimulated to make fresh efforts for
the development of this traffic.

We do not think it necessary to add any pressing importunities to
this appl cation, as we believe it to be the policy of your committee at
all times to grant every facility in your power to a new trade, and as
in this instance, especially, you will at tie same time be giving an
impetus to the employment of the cranes, which you have erected at
so much expense, and be accelerating the despatch of steamers at this
port.
We also draw your attention to that part of our re ort regarding
lab, nrage and which applies to other trades besides ours, and have no
di uht your indential committee could do much to amend the present
system of labOntage, and carry reforms, which we, as private indi-
viduals, find It difficult to accomplish.
We remain, sir, your most obedient servantl,
JAMES SAMUELSON and CROFTS.
As you know nothing of our firm, we may mention that our Mr.
Croft, of Hall, is well known to your Mr. •J. S. Moore.
_ _

J. S. and C.

Princes-building's, 30, North John-street, Liverpool,
May 9th, 1857.

The 'Atter was referred to to the Works' Committee.
The following letter way read from Air. Pickering on
behalf of Messrs. Blundell & Son.

TO THE COAIHMAV OF THE LIPF R,ooe DOCK COMMITTEE

Sir,—At your last meeting Mr. Lockett, en behalf of tho h ►rb•ur
masters' committee, is reported to have said, in refirenelto loading
fits at the high level railway, north rocks, "that from three to four
tons of coals were thrown into the dock in loading every fl it."
owners of the bows in question, we beg to state that the r-port
substantially incorrect. These boats are weighed out upon delivery,
and no loss has been detected. This fact proves that the loss in the
manner described must be tr;fling. and not 7} to 10 per cent.. as
sieged. It is highly improbable that we should submit to such a
loss; we therefore hope that no objection will be raised to loading
these small craft.

There is a p2ueb greater loss sustained in loading large vesse s by

the ordinary coal track than smaller vessels by the box waggon, Poe
cradle is adapted to rece"vo (~nly) waggons of certain dimensions,
waggons of shorter mess;' -ern rat throws the cradle from Its centre;
and the contents of the w tit • s displaced.
The plain fact is, the cr:, A answer the purpose, as they
do no act° -modate the coat t°:-.de as a Ws?, They cannot w:rk
effectively any bat the "^-x waggon, ; 32" b.ix vitt s
built by the i annihire" c,ll Yorke
rats tele, it will neititevpay the titr. cat proprietors t,)
in .reas3'tho nurai.e.:. Two coal waggons can be built for the cost rf
building one box, waggon, and the relation of gross and nett weight
are almost reversed—thu., 1 box waggon is 13 gross to 6 6-25 tbs
nett; 1 coal waggon 8 gross to 5 nett. Two trains, .ed by engines of
equal power, would deliver respectively 10a tuts and 78 —over 20 p, r
cent. in favour of coal wagons
Another important feature :s, that the working cost of these cranes
appear to be at least dotal; ethe cost of working the self acting drops
at Garston and Cardiff—w 3 base the calculation upon the number of
hands employed. Anothir obi scUon is,Atte short working hours—
many vessels rewire their coals night and day.
It is worthy of consideration whether the high level onght to be
extended, and embrace olie* *thick, and be 5 ted with the self-acting
drops,,as well as the cranes. Vessels loading coal to have pre-
cis:lents in this dock, aid in which all vt.,ssels taking c7at to load by
boat or waggon, and flat no vesscl 0 take coal, except by cart, in
any other C..ech:.
Inclusive of all charges from Wigan, toll, engine, waggon, hi4ll.
expenses, and dock du s, the charge ought not to exceed 2s 3d
per ton.,—We are, sir, your obedient servants,
Pro JONATILtN BLITNDELL & SON,
Revenue Bni:dingq. JAS. PINKERING.
Mr. Lockett said he had made the assertion on the state-
ment of the harbour master, who had male an examination
in several cases.
Mr. Evans : Well, we shall have a coal mine in the dock
in process of time.
'1 he letter was referred to the Works' Committee,
The fallowing letter was read from Mr. Charles

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