The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-02-06 00:00:00

DOCK COMMITTEE.

The usual weekly meeting of the dock committee was
held at one o'clock, yesterday, Mr, Charles Turner in the
chair. The other members present were—Messrs. Pahogqr,
Rankin, Ha'head, Lockett, Mendell, Holden, Hubble,
Rathbone, Chilton, Smith, Gladstone, Robinson, Roun-
thwaite, Anderson, Barber, Brocklebank, and Bold.
It was agreed that the sub-committee should arrange
with Messrs. F. and D. Mackay, for the purchase of a
cargo of timber to arrive.
It was agreed that the tender of Messrs. Holme and
Nichol should be accepted for the construction of the
proposed depot for wrecked goods upon the northwest
quay of the Sandon dock, to be completed before the 30th
of April next. _

The following tenders were also accepted :—Messrs.
Holme and Nicholl, two sliding gates for the opening in
the east boundary wall of the Waterloo dock ; Messrs.
Thomas Vernon and Son, to construct a wrought iron
girder ; W. H. Daunt and Co., Scotch pig iron, John
Curtis and Co., Manchester, double straps for driving
machinery.
In the marine department, the offer of Mr. Joseph Burt,
of London, to supply cork life belts for the use of the
lifeboat crews was accepted. .

Tee same sub-committee also recommended that mea-
sures should be taken to give additional buoyancy to the
lifeboats by means of cork and air cases.
Mr. Bold stated that an opportunity would soon be
afforded of testing Messrs. Lamb and White's lifeboat on
the Mersey, as the water bailiff's committee had decided to
recommend the Town Council to order a gig on exactly
the same principle as the lifeboats for the water bailiff, in
order that he might act in the capacity of a river police-
man, all his boatmen being special constables.
The Chairman said, to adopt the present recommen-
dation of the marine committee would not prevent the
committee from adopting any new boat which they might
think superior.
Mr. Gladstone urged that the opinion of some practical
shipowners should be taken upon the question—and there
was no member whose opinion he would value more than
that of Mr. Mendell. He did not think it was a matter
which ought to be left wholly to the decision of the marine
surveyor, or any one individual.
Mr. Mendell said he was on the marine committee, and
had looked at the lifeboats with great care. They were
all of one construction, and made by the same haul. Now
he was desirous of introducing some new hand, but he was
over-ruled in the committee, a majority being against
him, and therefore he said no more upon the subject. He
wished the surveyor to put himself in communication with
five or six of the best known and most practical makers of
lifeboats, and get from them estimates of the boats, dimen-
sions, &c., which they would recommeni. He was of opinion
that the committee should try some new boat, and pit her
fairly against their own. He had a 'very great opinion
of Mr. J. White, of Cowes the person Mr. sold alluded
to—no one in the country had shown himself more able in
the building of lifeboats, and he should certainly like to
have Mr. White s boat tried. He thought their own boats
were very fine boats, and the men had great confi !once in
them, but still there could be no:harm in trying some
other plan.

The Chairman and Mr. Brocklebank both explained,
that the marine committee were fully alive to the advan-
tage of testing some other plan, and stated that Mr.
Hawkesworth had been some hours before the marine
committee explaining his principle.

The recommendation of the marine committee was then
confirmed.

A letter was read from Captain Schomberg, government
emigration agent, stating that numerous complaints were
made of the great discomfort, and even suffering, which
emigrants experienced from the severity of the weather in
winter, and the heat in summer, when waiting on the
George's pier head for their vessels, and- suggesting that
Some sheds should be built for their protection.
The letter was referred to the harbour masters' com-
mittee.

A letter was read from Mr. Littler, calling attention to
his patent life preserving waistcoats. One of the waistcoats
was exhibited in the room, and was gravely assumed by Mr.
Barber, who, amid considerable laughter, converted
himself into an " explanatory working diagram."
The letter was referred to the marine committee.

A letter was read from Messrs. Thomas Vernon and Sons,
asking for leave to make use of a quantity of large chain
anchors and suckers belonging to the committee, and lying on
the ToVeth dock quay, for the purpose of temporarily moor..
ing the corporation landing stage. The letter stated that the
stage would be towed down in sections, which would
commence in March, and would not be completed for three
or four months.

The Surveyor said, Messrs. Vernon had undertaken in
their contract to find ali the necessary appliances. At this
season of the year, the committee could not say when they
might require the anchors. . .

- •
Mr. Gladstone said, he was very happy to hear that
expression of opinion. As contractors, Messrs Vernon had
undertaken to find all these materials, and they ought to do
so. (Heir, hear.)
Mr, Ha,lhead asked if there would be any objection to
Mears. Vernon having the anchors on hire.
The Chairinan said the best course would be to decline
the application as made at present.
The request was accordingly declined.
Mr. Gladstone drew attention to the subject of the
female emigrant depot at the Prince's Dock, referred to
in the council proceedings.
The Chairman explained that the depot must be
removed, but that the committee would do all in their
power to assist the managers of the charitable institution
to obtain another room. _ _ _

The subject was referred to the sub-committee of works.
This closed the general business.