The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-05-12 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL GENERAL QUARTER SESSIONS.

These sessions commenced yesterday in the Crowri
Court, St. Golrge's HAI, G. .I.lenderson,'Esq., the recorder,
The usual formalities having been disposed of, the fol.:
lowing merchants and traders were selected as the Grand

Jury : -

FOREMAN—Mr..R. A. l'iacFie.
Mr. J. Ashburn, Rumford-pbee,
Mr. S. Beckwith, Tower-buildings,
Mr. J. IL Brateker, Exchange-street, East, •
Mr. Browne, Exchange-buildings,
Mr. Bowea, Croxteth-road,
Mr. Booth, Exchange-buildings., _
•
Mr. J. L. Clare, Exchange-buildings,
Mr. Crestbw.aite, 'Power-buildings,
Mr. W. IL Duncan, Exolvaige-buildings,
Mr. W. Harris, I.lrury-laae,
Mr. Jones, Falkner-squilre, •
Mr. Maples, Harrington-street,
Mr. Maxwell, Bachelor_street,
Mr. A. Moore, Branswick-street,
•
Mr. C. Ross, Rumford-street, •
Mr. Slatter, Lower Castle-street,
Mr. J. Tomlinson, Fenwick-street,
Mr. R. Withers, Dale-street, and
Mr. W. Willes, Aleiaes-court.
The usual o .th having been administered,
The Recorder said Gentlemen of the jury, the list of
prisoners to be tried at these sessions is a very long cue,
for I find in my calendar. which is more cent plete than those
printed, the names of 154. From the Ist of January to
the 9th of the present month, a period someti.i.lg short of
six months, 429 persons have been sent for hid. From a
recent return made by the atehority of the metropolitan
police, I find that in 1856 the commit is of females' as
compared with males, was as 3 to 6. Now I find by another
return at the present time, the numbers are nearly equal,
and from a return made by the government of the borou
gaol, on Friday last, the number of women then in bride-
welt, esceedc,,,l that of the men, there being 698
males and 605 females ; and I will tell you a still
more strange fact, and that is, that in the course
of the last three months the number of person
committed was 1,102, and the number of females
exceeded that of the males by 230. After this statement
you will not be surprised to find that a very large propor-
tion of the cases that will be brought before you are mainly
attributable to the number of brothels in this town.
Sailors and strangers who come to this portend plunge into
dissipation, and go to these places, where they 'get
plundered of their money, and very often of their chilies
—persons are nccosted in the streAs, and their pockets are
picked, and most of these offences are caused by thie wretched
class of women. Gentlemen, although tie cases are
numerous, the evidence, as it will he P;fesented to you in
all the cases, is short and simple; valth 'the single exception
of that of the charge of embe7.fietnt nt against a merchant's
clerk, there is not a siri?;le case that effects the commerce
of the town, or rfn:alres any remark from me." The grand
jury then retirA for the dispatch of business. The printed
caleuder Contained the names of 145 prisoners, there being
114 for felonies and 31 for various tniadearanours. Of the

feloras 58 were males a►ad 56 females, Of these 44 could
neither read or write, 35 could do so imperfectly, 31 could
read, while 4 hal receiyel a good 'e•luc,tio;;. Of the 31
misdemeanants 20 were males, anal 11 females, Of these
16 could neither read or write, 9 could do 6o imperfectly,
and 6 could read. Shortly after the jury returned some
bills, and the business of the court was proceeded with,

Dn. PUSEY —We deeply regret to learn that Dr. Pusey
is in a very weak state of health. His physicians have
given distinct orders that he should keep entirely quiet
for the next three months,—Union.

TO

L.

The adjourned meeting of the Town Council was held al
eleven o'cl Ick yesterday, in the Town Hall. The Mayor
FRANCIS SHAND, Esq., presided.
LIBRARY AND MOS-EOM COMMITTEE.

The proceeding's of this committee contained a recom-
mendation to adopt plans and elevations of the new
build& g.
Mr. Pic'on said : In moving the confirmation of the
proceedings, there are two or three matters to which I
shall have to call specially the attention of the Council.
First, la ,waver, allow me to mgratnlate the Council on the
manner in which the proceedings connected with the laying
of the first stine of the new building went off on the 15-h
of April. (Hear, hear.) At all hands I have heard 11
warme t approbation of the whole pr reeding., the m tnnet.
in which they were get up, and the manner in which they
were conducted. (Hear, hear.) It is only justice to say
that the general feeling of the town is that of the excellent
manner in which Aldernrin Samuel Thltne conducted
the proceedings in your absence, M. Mayor, which we
were all vary sorry had to be the case in consequence of
_ your indisposition—to his excellent management, the tic}
which he displayed, and the eloquence with which we all
know he is so abundantly gifted, a great deal of the satis-
factory manner in which the proceedings of the day went
off was owing. (Hear, hear.) It is therefore only right
that what we owe to Mr. Hotme should be thus acktiow-

lodged publicly. The first matter to which I have to call
the attentionvf the Conned is with regard to the approval
of the plans to: the new building. I think it right that
the Council should understand precisely the position which
we occupy with regard to Mr. Brown. If Mr. Brown's
letter be referred tJ, it will be fund that we are not-in
the position of Mr. Brown finding us the money and we
erecting the building, bu: that in pint of fact Mr. Brown
takes the building upon himself as to the erection. He
will enter into the contracts, and all we have to
do to-day is to signify our general approval of the
adaptability of the erection for its purposes, and
such general approval of the elevation as we give
to all buildings which are erected upon corporation
property. Therefore, whatever remarks may have to be
mw aon the subject of the plans, I wish the Cout;cil to
understand aistinetly what it is we have to do, what it is
we have to approve of. We can, of course. make any
. representation to Mr. Brown, which I am sure would be
listened to with the greatest respect and cordiality; but it
is to him any representations will have to be made. We'
have no control directly upon the matter except through
him. There is, I understand, sir, a memorial sent to the
Council on the subject of the site, and I think it would be
better that that memorial should be read at the present
stage of the proceedings, lociuse any action we may take
upon it may materially affect the whole position of the
question at present. (Hear., hear.)
The Town Clerk accordingly read the following

Mg-IfORI %L.
To the Worshipful the Mayor and Town Council.

The Memorial of the undersigned Inhabitants of the Borsugh of
Liverpool.
Mr Mayor and Gentlemen,—The deep interest felt by all classes in
the noble gift which Mr. William Browu purposes to make to Liver-
pool; aGd the anxious desire that the object of the munificent fonder
—the imp7ovement of the moral and social condition of the people—
should be ther-by to the greatest possiAs extent accomplished, have
given rise to the almost unanimous opinion, reseectfally embodied
here!n by your memorialists, that the site for the Free Librity,
adopted by thfseerporation, is not the best which might have been
selected fer the due exhibition of a costly public building, nor t e
be adapted for the general diffusion of those privileges and advan-
tages which the central Free Library is intended to confer.
The complete success of the present Free Library in Duke-street
hasfroved the wisdom of the selection of that contr..' and populous
lac day, so that experience points to its neighbourhood as well stilted
for the position of the permanent building.
Your memorialsts, therefore, beg most respectfully to direct the
attention of your Council to the site of the Public Offices in Duke
and Cornwallis-streets as an admirable one alike for the display of so
imp riant a public edifice and fir the promotion of its useffelness.
The site sugieeted by your memorialists has the advantage of being
immeiiately available; it is surrounded by an extensive area of un-
occupied land ; the situation is high and commanding, and, although
et the very heart-of the town, anf in the midst of a dense population,
it is nevertheless quiet and retired. It hue the further advantage of
being near to the present library, which has now became an accus-
tomed resort
In reply to* letter addressed by one of your memOri Oist3 to Mr.
Brown; that gentleman writes :—" I have no particul tr predi Action
for the-site f the Library, one place or another ; my object is to make
it useful and to prevent delay in its erection ; I leava this altoge her
in the hauls of the corporation, who find the site."
Seel g, then, that the wh ;le resdonsib liey of the site reels upon the
corporation, and that the one already selected is so generally regre ted,
your memorialists feel that it is an important duty, both to him who
confers this noble gift and ;o those who are now and hereafter to
receive its benefits, that this object should ag.sin be considered by
your Council, which recon.iciaraton your memorialiats.most respect-
, frilly crave at your hands.
Your memorises defre to add, that their stergestion of the nit. in
Co nwallis-street is by no means tetende I to limit your consideration to
its selection, t ince ether sites in tie neighbourhood of Mount-pleasant,
Roth ey-street, or in equally dry and elevated localities, may sugge,t
themselves to your Council as eligible and available for the object.
Harold Littledale I Jos. C. Ewalt.
Jahn 'Port Thomas Bosch.
Percy M. Dove. I James Lister. •
Joseph Hebback.

Mr. Pietcn : Mr. Mayor, I am quite prepared, if it be
necessary, to go into the whole question of the site ; but I
shall not occupy the time and attention of the council by
any attempt to enter into 'hat question, unless it be neccs-
esey. I shall now simply content myself by moving that
the approval of the Council be given to the plans now
submitted.
Mr. Hodson seconded the motion.
Mr. Robertson Gladstone: Mr. Mayor, as one of the
members of this Council, holding the opinion that the site
selected for the erection of this building is entirely inap-
propriate and most ineligible, and, further, that it is
unworthy of the great institution itself, such as I trust it
will prove, and of the munificent liberality of Mr. Brown,
I rise, sir, to offer my opinion with great subm,ssion, aid
to state that I concur most heartily in the remarks con-
tained in the memorial which has just been read. It is very
far from my wish, sir, to assume a position in any way
antagonistic to the library and museum committee, for I
am well aware that the cha'rman and many of the mem-
bers of that committee have devoted an amount of ti
zeal, and earnestness in the discharge of their duties
which is highly creditable to them. Nor do I feel any
wish to disturb the recollection of the harmony which pre=
veiled in the course of the laying of the foundation stone,
which, as we all know, took place under -very auspicious
circumstances, and appears to have passed off to the satis-
faction of almost every member of the community. But
we mast call to mind—and I shall, no doubt, be corrected
f lam
,in error in making the statement —that in
point ttl fact the present site never was approved
of hy, the Councit. It is quite true that it was
staters that the building was to be erected on
Shaw's Brow, and although nothing was said
as to the previous whereabouts, yet it was only reasonable
to cot:leder that the situation would be somewhere about
the peeeent site of the old mill. Now what, let me ask
are the objects to be accomplished by the erection of this
building ? The first, I contend, is, that it should be placed
in die most eligible situation, in a district where its
advantages would be most felt and appreciated, and'where
the want of such an institution is the greatest. I desire
to divert the attention of the Council from supposing that
the great point at issue is the building. In my opinion
that is not the question. The material point which
presses upon our consideration is, where are we to erect
the building, in order that we may c nfer: the greatest
benefit upon the inhabitants. (Hear, hear.) I have
heard it urged, and I dare say the argument will be
repeated to-day, that the present situation is a central
one. - (Hear, hear.) That opinion Ido not intend
to controvert. (Hear.) No doubt, at the present
moment, it_ is a central situation, but although
central tc-day, it may not be so to-morrow, it will not be
so in all human probability for future generations. That
is the-first point. The second, I think, is for the Council
to endeavour, in selecting a site, to act in harmony with
Mr. Brown's wishes, and to do honour to him as the
donor. On that subject, in a note to Mr. Christopher
Diehell, Mr. Brown expresses himself as having no feeling
in faVaar of the site selected ; and the, same thing was
statedin a conversation which Mr. Bushell had with Mr.
Brown some very few days ago. Thu third point is the
duty incumbent upon the Council to secure a prominent
position for the building, so that it may force itself upon
the attention of passers by, and thus induce others to act
upon, Mr. Brown's example, and, as has been very
properly stated, to "go and do likewise." The object
of Mr. Brown was complimented in very deserving
terms on the occasion of laying the foundation
stone ; and he was spoken of as having come forward "to
provide funds for the erection of a building which will
oho et to future ages his public spirit and liberality, which
will render hie name familiar to unborn thoussuds ;" and
it was added that "his name will be enrolled among the
most distinguished of our public benefactors." I regret
that the speaker who delivered those very appropriate
sentiments is not present on this occasion. Now sir, in
ell past and even in the present time, when the oU ct is
do honor to an individual, the practice his been, and is,
is select an elevated position for the purpose of erecting a
ktstue or any other memorial. Bat if there ever was an
instance, shich exemplified what we read in Holy Writ,
of lighting a candle mad patting it under a

bushel and not int) a candlestick, I must
confess that the pre ‘eet ioetance is the most
forcible I know of bear'n • epee het point. The object
or the institution, as I noteretaed it, is to elevste the g eat
masses t f the world; g and pore" 0 f soca c, t
divert them from the teneetethe idtiee e them ea the
right hand and oe the left—(hear, hear)—to lead thetn„to
a more healthy ex, mite., both of mind and body, and, in
short, to. TIEIkS them better, citia nsn and of Citizens better
men. {rear, hear.) How is it proposed to effect this
object, and to perpetuate the revered name of Mr. Brown
in the erect on of this building? If every member of this
Council had had his attention directed I ate to the site
proposed, as much as mine has been, I think, he could not
but ageee with me, that it really would appear as if the
object, instead of placing the name of Me Brown and his
liberality in such a position that they could not
be .overlooked by the most ordinary passers by.
bad been rather, as it were, to en`omh them in a sepulchre.
(Hear, hear.) We have positively given to him no more
dignified position, no higher level, than the churchyard
almost adjoining, where the bodies of the paupers are
deposited. That is the treatment which Mr. Brown, it
would appear, is to receive in return for his liberality !
On this point I wish to be clear in expressi. g myself in
regard to the Library and Museum Committee. Ido not
attach any blame whatsoever to them. I respect them for
their conduct, their earnestness, their onitinuous exe,tiene,
inn, their attention to the business of the committee ; but
how this site was selected precisely, I contend has never
yet been made manifest to the Council. It has beenurged
that this site has been given by the Corporation. Teat
argurhent, however, cannot apply; for the Corporation
love a rate amounting to £6,000 year upon the inhabi-
tants, and I say that out of that the Corporation are
more than compensated, so that the gift amounts to
nothing. Bat even if it were a gift, what is the distinction
to be drawri between the corporati;n and the community
at large? It is only out of one pocket into another.
Rather than the site should ,be where it is now proposed,
it would bs infinitely better. for Mr. Brown, or if not for,
Mr. Brown, for some of the inhabitants ; and.l for one
should be very happy to -join to purchase such a site as
would bs becoming of the building itself, but abOve all of
the great objects which it is intended shall be effected by
its erection. (Hear, hear.) The impression upon my
mind on looking at the site is, that it is positively mere
fitted for some such Board as that of which I, believe I
happen to be chairman—the Burial Board—than perhaps
for any other institution in the town. (Hear, hear, and
laughter.) I do not know what arguments Mr. Picton
or other gentlemen may be prepared to urge
in opposition: to the memorial which has been read
but it appeart to ine-to be So reasonable, so just, and in its
prayer so well defined, that I de trust the chairman of the
committee will allow it to be referred for the committee's
consideration, and that it will receive from the members
forming th e committee that attention, that serious attention,
to which lam satisfied it is well entitled. (Hear, hear.)
I beg leave; therefore, to -move that.it be referred- toethe
Library and Museum Committee for their consideration
and report.
Mr. Chilton Seconded the motion. '
Mr. John Aikin, 'jun.' said he would' atot follow Mr.
Gladstone in stating the object of a public library and
museum. He thought they were all sufficiently agreed
upon those points, and that the progress they had made in
reference to the building and to the institution, rendered it
unnecessary to take up the time of the Council by
any remarks upon that subject.. (Hear, hear.) Thegentle-
men whose names were attached to the memorial, were
individually men who must command the highest respect,
but if the Cone ail were to wait Until they had succeeded
in selecting a site which should not be open to objection,
and to the objection cf respectable gentlemen in the town,
he feared that none of those now alive would ever gee the
erection of the building with respect to which so much
had been said, and the foundation cf which had already
been led with more than local eclat. The memorialists
rested their objections to the site upon two grounds ;
first, that it was not the best for the purpose of dteplaying,
the building. There were two gentlemen in the Council
who by their experience and professional standing were
eminently calculated to pronounce upon that part of the
question, and whose services the committee had had
throughout—he referred to Mr. Alderman Thelma and
Mr. Picton. (Hear, hear.) The opinions of those gentle-
men had very great weight with him, and
he was sure must have very great weight with-the mem6-
rialists themselves. He regretted that Mr. Holme was not
then in the Council to speak fur himself; however, most
of those present were aware that his opinion was extremely
favourable to the site, and that he not only approreti of it,
but declared that it was about the best site which could
have been telected in the town of Liverpool, (Hear.) It
was extremely central, as all gentlemen there cenld s e for
themselves, by looking at the map. The next ground taken
by the memorialists was that the locality was not the best
adapted for the advantages which a free library was calcu-
lated to confer upon :he community. New, this was
entirely bagging the question. The site cf the present
library in Duke steeet was referred to, and it was contended
that because the library had been successful there, it
must be the most eligible site, but it
remained to be proved that the site selected on Shaw's-
brow would not be equally beneficial. Mr. Gladstone had
very truly stated that the great object was to raise the
lower classes, and he (Mr. Aikin) contended that the
proposed site was very well suited for the at'aintnent of
that object. There were other considerations which ren-
dered it necessary to give a decided negative, however
reepectfal, to the memorialists. Mr. Gladstone had stated
that the proposed site had never been approved of by the
Council. He was surprised to hear such. a remark from
Mr. Gladstone, and it certainly showed that that gentleman'
had n displayed his usual vigilance with reference to the
proceedings of the Library and Museum Committee. The
site had been purchased under an act of parliament,
under which not only compulsory powers to purchase had
been exercised, but he believed that the site was distinctly
specified. The difficulties, therefore, in the way of grant-
ing the prayer of the memorial, teemed to him. insuperable,
and he thought the memorialists could hardly be aware of
the w, of parliament, and of the decision of the Council,
with reference to the purchase, or they would never have
ventured to come to the Council wide a request that the
site should be set aside. (Hear, hear.) But there was
another reason, even if no other causes existed, which
opposed such a step. Mr. Browh had only made one
stipulation in his munificent gift. That was that no titue
whatever should be lost. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Brown was,
as they all knew, advanced is years. He expressed very
naturally, and, it mien; be added, laudably, a desire to see,
if possible, the budding erec,ed in his own day
and he (Mr. Aikin) thought the Council would
not only display g, eat ingratitude to Mr. Brown;
but that they would not be doing their duty to
their fellow-townsmene if they permitted- any further
delay. (Hear, hear.) He believed there was a xesclution
passed so far back as 1853, which was recorded on the
nooks of the Library Committee, with reference to the
selection of that particular site, and in 1855 an act of Parlia-
ment was obtained under which the purchase was made.
The foundation stone was now laid, and if the Counciluere
to halt and hesitate for another month, he thought they
iv 'old place themselves in a false position indeed before
the towr. (Hear, heir.) Therefore he urged that they-
were bound to go on without halting or hesitating in
reference to the site. There was, how, ver, one point
which might be advantageously referred to a cemmittee;
that was the eonehteration of the levels with reference to
St.i G. orgenf-hell and the surrounding neighbourhood.
(dear, hear y In all petareility virile con:mitt©e would-
be appoin'ed, or would at all events be proposed, to take
into consideration the' appreaehes to the hall and
the levels of the su.rotted;ng neighbourhood,
and to that committee he thought might be referred, to
some extent, the consideration ef the elevation of that
building -he meant the pla form on which it should stand
—so that if a high level bridge should hereafter be carried
our, 'the whole might be in perfect h trmowy, in order that
a fine square might hereaf er be formed there, end they
might live to see the designs carried out which existed in
the minds of many eminent gentlemen for forming one of
the noblest public PI ices which any town in this country
possessed. (Hear, hear) As regarded its internal ar-
rargaments, he believed the proposed building had met
with universal approval. The only objections raised were
to the external portion ; but seeing that they lead employed
their own surveyor, who had consulted the most eminent
men, and given his best attention and ability to the subject,
he thought unless FO/116 very decided objection could be urged
ngaiust the plan, the Council had better proceed with it
(Hear. hear.) Wi.h regard to the erection of a third
lending library, the day was not far distant when some
member would feel bound to come before the Council

with a practical and specific resolution in reference to that
question. He did not think it expedient at pres:nt to
dwell upon it, and he should not occupy any further time,
but would conclude by recommending that the prayer of
the memorial be not compl-ed with, except so far as the
consid, ration of the levelling of the present site, and sur-
rounding neighbourhood was involved. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Alderman Parker opposed Mr Gladstone's motion,
expressing come surprise that the twenty-five gentlemen
who had signet the memorial had not though', of bring-
ing forward their objet ions at some earlier period, and
before the Conned had decided upon the site.
Mr. Earle coincided with a great deal he memorialists
had said. He thcught a very unfortunate selection had
been made; but the thing was done now, and he was
afraid it was utterly impossible now iv come to aay other
cog-win ion. He thought the Duke-street offices would be
a great deal better situation; but the strongest cyasi-
deration was that Mr. Brown's own desire was to havo the
building commenced without further delay. He, therefore,
thought the Council had a right, after Mr. Brown's un-

bounded liberality, to look to that point, and that point
only. If they endeavoured now to fix upon any other
situation, that object wou!cl be, in his
(Cheers)
said be supposed he ehori7l g .il'y to
the went of vigileaee With which Me. Aikin had charged
M. Gladstone, for the first time he eede many others be-
came aware of the intended site was when they were"re-
quested to go and see the foundation stone laid.
lip to that time he had been always
under a distinct impression that the building
was. te ,be on the top of the hill, and he was quire
sure that a very large m.j irity of the inhabitants of the
town were under the same impression. (Hear, hear.) He
thought the present an extremely unfortunate site. He
hoped the subject might still be referred to the committee,
to which it bad been suggeste l that the question of the
levels, the approaches to St. G orge's Hall, and the high-
level b idge' mentioned by Mr. Holme, should ho referred.
He suggested that the committee eheu'd be comprised of
the Courts of Law Committee, and the Library Committee
combined
Mr. Alderman Bennett contended that the present site
Was the most suitable for a building which was to be but
the nucleus of much larger buildings, and urged that if it
had been placed upon the top of the hill, any future addi-
tions must all have been made at one side: By building it
midway on the hill, they would have a large and noble
central structnre erected where it caul I be enlarged equally
to the right and left, preserving its symmetrical ap-
pearance. -
Mr. Charles Turnee said every member must be aware
that great diteiatisfactioa existed throughout the town as
to the site of the building, and there WAS a very general
feeling that it was n)t the site up )n which the building
ourhr. to Ile directed. It was the opinion of a great many
very competent gentlemen that a building of that descrip-
tion, placed near St. G3orgels II dl, upon a Liwer level
than the hail, would be in a great measure injured by its
neighbour. He should certainly support Mr. Gladstone's
moti6a, believing that it would be an unfortunate thing if
the building vale erected upon a site of which the gene-
ral feeliogiof, Ilia town, so far as he could ascertain it,
disapproved. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Hodson though; the Library and Museum Com-
mittee were •getting very like the Water Committee, and
he feared the Council mast be growing tired of them.
(Hear and laughter.) He had •listeeed very carefully
to the arguments which had been urged egainst the site
proposed, and they had only convinced him the more that
it was the very site, of all others, which ought to have
been selected. (Laughter.) If an, thing could have a
tendency to elevate the morals of the people, 1: would be
to put such a noble building in the vary centre of a mass
of evil, and let pe see the Contrast' between evil and'
geed. The Library and Mitsentn were never intended for
those who could buy alt the books they required, and have
museums of their -own'at hothe. They were intended for
the jins?',l4 'of the people—that those should have the
pri41.1044 of getting books who were not able to purchase
tht ; and on that account he contended that Shaw's-brow,
forming the. centre of a thickly-popuhred district, was a
most appropriate site. (Hear, hear.) He asked any
member of the Council to look on the map and say
what was the centre of Liverpool, and he did
not think they were to conjecture what might possibly be
the centre of Liverpool a hundred years hence, but to con-
sider what was-its central point now, and the point aeound
which its population was most likely to grow. (Hear.) If
the building were placed in Cornwallis.street, it would be
placed where the populeion was rather retrograding than
prt greseing, for the masses of the people were going
northwards. - He was a little surprised at the feeling
evinced by some parties to cheek the progress of the under-
eaking. There hal been all through a kind of half tacit
ohj ,ciion, not a positive one, because the name of Mr.
Brown was too much respected, but a feeling which be
regretted to find evinced even in that Council which made
it difficult to' carry any measure into action for
the Completion of the library. They had some
difficulty in obtaining the land, and great opposition was
offdred to it. He hoped, however, that they would
new unite in using every effort to have the institution
built, as Mr. Brown wished, before he passed away from
the world. He trusted Mr. Gladstone would withdraw his
resolution, and let the Council come to the unanimous
determination of finishing the work as quickly as they
could.

Mr. Tobin regretted that Mr. Alderman Holme had been
obliged to leave town that morning, as otherwise it was
his intention to have move'l *a
resolution, which in his
absence he (Mr. Tobin) would be happy to move. The
names of the memorialists were such as must entitle them
to great weight. They bslonged to gentlemen who had
ever distinguished themselves, and been most forward in
support of every great and benevolent object, and he was
quite sure their only oleject in the present instance, was that
this magnificent building, consecrated to so noble &purpose,
should be so placed as to reflect the greatest honour upon
the town, and upon him who was about to erect it. (Hear.)
But there were °the( consikratio- s. The Council had
to consider thsqeestien of deist', and els) anotherirnportaet
element—the expo me 'o- v. Web ttie corporation had aiready
been subjected. (Hear, hear) Thee had spent, rr were
about to srend, in compliance with the act, a sum of
money a-meowing ie.:1.1)0ot L'30,000, of which £5,000 was
to berierlicit'A to miking the public strer t, leaving about
£25,000 as the amow.t prev:ded by tee corporation
whether oat of the b dough fend or out of the rates
appear d to him to make very little difference. He
knew, therefore, that there would be great difficulty,
even if the council decide i upon changing the site, in
rescinding the rescluticn which had been alreas-ly adopted
aft ,r very full and rnimre consid•Titi- n He exore•sed
a hope that some alterations might be inado in the level
of Sh .w's-broiv, coesidering that the sid.e of a hill,
with a fall of forty-seven feet from Islingron flip to
Byrom-streat would he very objectionable. He should,
therefore, propose an amendment to the effect, that the
' memorial be referred to a jo.nt committee, compos,d of the
Library and St. Geo-ge's Hall Committees, with instruc-
tions to,take into their consideretion the whole question
of the levels of elhaw's-brow and the district around. Xis
Tobin emphatically denied that .any desire existed in the
Council to check the progress of the undertaking, adding,
that he had himself given the Library and Museum Com-
mittee, not cold and tacit approval, but warm and cordial
support; because he believed-they were doing a great deal
to remove the disgrace which England had hitherio
laboured under, of being behind every other civilised
nation in the work of education. (Hear, hear.)
Mr, Steains said a few words in support of the proposed
site, its central situation, and its gsrierally suitable
charecter.
eleireeToha Stewart said he had always had some objection.
to the site, not so much on account of its sloping position,
art on account of the lecality.*" He did- not believe that
Shaw's-brow was a locality fitted for the purpose, but at
the seine time he 'eras 'unwilling to oppose any difficulty to
the proems of the building. If any other locality could
be pointed out which was more favourable,.and. if it were,
submitted to' Mr, Brown and obtained his approval, he
(Mr. Stewart) should be very glad that the building was a
little more to the cast, and perhaps a little more to the
south. (Hear.) He dad not see so very, much objection to,
the sloping sight, which had been-very ingeniously managed
by the surv-yor. The high-level bridge, he contended, should
never hitve been brought forward as incidental to the erection
of the public library. The former was much too great a
question, affecting the rights of property, and affecting a
'great outlay, to be dealt with as an iacidental matter, His
chief objection wag to the locality itself. He did not
think any part of Shaw's brow was the fit place for a
public library; but, at the same time, he was very unwilling,
to throw the least imeediesent in the way of the work, if it
was satisfactory to the gentleman oho had so liberally
come for ward with the fines. (Hoar
Mr. rictus, in replyine, contended that all the argu-
ments brought ferwerl against the site had been fully and
maturelY.coesi lered and disposed of. The requirements
to be mainly kept in view in choosing a site —cenlrality of
situation, conspicuous and effeiitive aspect, capability of
future enlargeneent without disfigurement, and cheapness,
he fearlessly challenged any gentleman to show so well
combined in any_ other site in Liverpool. Its centrality
every gentleman could judge of by looking at the map.
If it were at all out otplace, it was rather too much to the
month, instead of being too much to the north ; for there
was, he contended, a much larger population to the north
of Shaw's-brow than to its south. He denied that there
was to be found any other site which would admit of the
building being seen on every side. At present, the com-
mittee. had got possession of the whole of the land on the
south side of Shaw's-brow; but, unfortunately, there was
one building whieb,salthough purchased by the corporation,
they hed not yes got into their possession, and which
hindered the site from being so conspicuous as it ultimately
would be. When that building had been taken
down, from the Old Haymarket up to Lime-street,
from west to east, and from Chew's-brow to St.
John's-lane, from north to south, the whole
of that laege space would be entire:), devoted to the
library, except for Se Ge,rgs's Halt and St. John's
Church, which at some future tune Might also be removed.

The mem' etiallsTstalied as if the buildiiig was to be pl aced
in a ditch—at the bottom of a hole. Whit was the fact ?

The ground floor of the building would be at least twenty-
five feet ab ‘ve the level cf the Haymarket and Byrom-
street. The budding would front the south, so that the
sun would fall upon it, and it would have an open
espla.nale which e mid never he taken away, and which
would enable it-to be seen in the best possible light. The
foundation stone had been laid at the lowest corner. The
building would extend ethty yards, and the level
would be raised burteeu or fifteen feet above
where the stole had been laid. Persons must have
been singularly ignorant of what was going on, if,

after the site had been discussed, at meetings of the Come
cif, and in the public papers daring tL.e pit e, • years,
they now decia- ed th it they never knew e-hero it e- s to
be. (Hear, hear.) The memorialiete were g7L `lemon 01
the highest resnectability, gentleteee whose names up n
the ').ek of a hilt would c ery tae highest cre_it et ilie
Bank of England. or ar y where else, (Laugher.) Bat he
did not think half a dozen of them had ever been within
the walls of the Free Library and Museum in their live,.
He very much questioned whether some of them evE,n
knew where it was Yet these gentlemen undertook to
decide on the best site for the new Library, if er
the committee had given four years of almost sleep-
less attention to the question. The committee were.
now told by gentlemen writing their names at the
request of others, that all they had done was nothing,
and that they must begin over again. Tne only two other
sites which were suggested had been considered by the
committee years ago, and had been found utterly imprac-
ticable. Ho should have supposed that gentlemen who
objected to a declivity on Shaw's-brow would rot have been
so enamoured of a declivity in Duke-street, which was very
little less. (Oh, oh.) He rep ated it, and he believed the
levels, if referred to, would prove it. (No, no, from Mr.
-Tinne.) Well, his assertion must go against Mr. Tinne's,
that was all he shout! say. The lqui in Cornwallis-street
could not be obtained for some years to come. If the corn-
mitee were to wait until another site had been selected for
the Public Offices, anti re w buildings erected, and the
offices transferred there, how many years must
they wait before they could proceed with the
library ? It should be remembered that the very reason
the Health Committee wished to have Cornwallis-etreet
was because it was not a central situation. (Hear, hser.)
The other site suggested was on Hount-pleasaftt, a large
house, he believed, opposite the Wellingon R >eine. Butt
it had only a frontage of thirty or forty yards, while the
library would occupy a frontage of eighty yards, and as to
size, shepe, capability of enlargement, and aspect, it was
not to be compared with • the Shaw's-brow site, not to
speak of its position, which was far too high up the hid.
for the generality of the inhabitants of the town. Having
pointed to the success already, achieved by the committee
for the exis-ing library, as an earnest of the care and
attention which would bestowed by them on the present
undertaking, Mr. Pieton dec'ared himelf quite willing to
adopt as his motion the amendment suggested by Mr. Tobin.
He therefore moved that the plans be approved of, and
that that part of the memorial which related to the levels
be referred to a , special committee, composed of the mem-
bers of the St. George's Hall and Library Committees,
with, instructions Act report upon the whole question of the
level of, the streets around St. George's H,ll and Shaw's
Mr. James liolotte asked if that would include the sub-
ject of a high level bridge.
Mr. Picton replied in the affirmative.
As Mr. Gladstone pressed his amendment, a division
was taken upon it, when there appeared:—
For the amendment:—Councillors Crosthwaite, Turner,
Feraihough, Graves, Tinne, Gladstone, and Stewart,;
Aldermen Bold and Turner-9. -
Against the amendment :—Councillors Anderson, Sheil,
Woodruff, Haydock, McGuffie, SteAins, nolme, Jeffreys,
Wagetaff. Shand, Tobin, Earle, Johnson, Pie on, Kitchen,
Hodson, Mellor, Aikin, Clint, and Farnworth ; Aldermen
Bennett, Dover, Parker, Houghton; and the Mayor-25.
Mr. Picton's motion was then put and carried.
Mr. Pieton stated, with regard to the third lending
library; that the committee had got out of the ld rate
sufficient to carry it on. It wag theref )re, their intention
to proceed, at the earliest possible period, to the estab-
lishment of a third lending library somewhere in the
neighbourhood of Pembroke place.
The proceedings were then confirmed.
HACKNEY C [IMAGE AND LICENSING COXIVITTEE.
Mr. Woodruff pr.)posel the confirmation of the pro-
ceedings. which contained nothing of any public import-
ance.


Mr. Alderman Bennett snot:fled the resolution, which
was carried.

BATHS' COMMITTP,E,

Mr. S. R. Graves,- i❑ the abstlacc of Mr. Wagstaff,
moved the confirmation of the proceedings, which was
seconded by Mr. Alderman Parker, aud adorned.

WATER BAILIFFS' COMMITTEE,

T minutes of this committee stated that on the •20tla
(;) April a special meetirg was held to receive a de,nti•
don from the Shipowners' Association and from the Pi ufs
Committee in reference to the regulations for the mewing.
of ships in the river. The deputation urged that an
enquiry should be held by the Council to take evidence
as to the effect of the proposed reguLtions. The com-
mittee having considered the subject, came to the condo-
si•in that it would not be expedient for Council to held
such an enquiry, inasmit'h ~ts- any evidence to be given
could be taken before the judge to whom the laws would
be referred for confirmation.
Mr. Bold, before moving the general prdteeding;, re-
quested that the bye-laws laid on the table for the
regulation of boatmen plying on the Mersey should
referred back to the committee for further consideration.
The request was agreed to by the council. •
Mr. Bold then moved the confirmation of the general
proceeding 4.
Mr. 8. R. Orave3 expressed great regret that the vary
moderwe request of the Shipowners' Asslmiation had not
been cmcaded, and strongly urged that the evidence of
practical men should be taken before regulations were
passed which would practically withdraw 1,000 feet of
anchorage from vessels in the river.

. .
Mr. —Atkin - hood the council would not proceed
to the enactment of any bye-laws contrary to
the wishes of the Shipowners' Association. lie
also strongly objected to some of the bye-laws
proposed for the regulation of boatmen. Among
those to which he specially objected wore the following :
That no private person, not being a boatman duly licensed,
should be employed in navigating a boat; that no person
ander twenty-one years of age should be allowed to steer
any boat; that no boat -should be used for hire unletet
licensed ; that no boat under twenty feet in length should
be licensed ; that the number of passengers to be carried
in any boat at one time should not exceed eight.
Mr. Bud reminded Mr. Atkin th IA these bye-laws had
been referred back for further consideration.
Mr. Tobin disclaimed, on the part of the committee, any
intention whatever to show a want of respect to the
suggestions of the Shipowners' Association, and explained
that the committee were of opinion that the
.evidence
necessary to be given could be best taken before the judge
at the next assizes.
;Mr. Bold, in replying, stated that the bps-laws for the
regulation of boatmen were compiled from those generally in
use in other seaports. With reference to the restriction as to
the age of boatmen, heitate i that very great complaint
was made by boatmen of young lads not Ot to handle an
ott,, much less to steer, being entrusted with so serious a
charge.
The, proceedings, with the exception of the bye-laws
referred back, were then confirmed, the Town Clerk
having explai led that the regu!ations objected to 1-1 the
Shipowners' Association, would not be operative until
sanctioned by the judge at the next assizes.

GAS COM3ZITTEE.
Mr. Kitchen moved that the proceedings of this c,m-
mittee be conarmed, which was agreed to without
discussion.

BIRKENHEAD DOCKS com3:fITTEB.
The proceediigs,of this committee contained a recom-
mendation to accept the tender of W. G. Armstrong and
Co., for the alteration and repairs of the bridge at the
Egerton Dock.
The proceedings were confirmed,