Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-02-17 00:00:00

MERSEY DOCKS AND HARBOUR BOARD.

Art. ic harks Turner`'presided at the usual weekly
meeting of the Dock Board yesterday, and the other
memb4sireserit were 141e'ssrs. Darbysiaire, Brocklebank,
Farnworth, Arnold, Mondel, nankin, Littledale, Holtne,
Segar, Hubback, Boult, Langton, Laird, Moss, Shand,
Forwood, Bushell, Lockett. - -
WORRS do la[ITTEF..

The Proceedings of the Coiumittee of .Works were
read, comprising a recommendation to erect a Chain
Testing Machine on the South side of the Great Float,
Birkenhead, at a cost of about £lO,OOO. The following
is the Engineer's Report on the Subject
• TO TILK CHAIRMAN OF WORKS COMMITTEE

Sin,—l beg herewith to submit for Tour consideration a plan
showing the establishment of a new chain cable proving ma-,
chine, at Birkenhead. It will be seen that I propose to place
it upon the triangular piece o grouad formed by the continla-
tion of Duke-street to the bridge over the Great Float'and the
inlet to the wharf adjacent thereto, by which means ample
water frontage will be obtained with no saprifice, of land, be-
, yond what will ink,st probably be reqii!red in connection with
Mb establishment. I propose, in the first instance, to erect
two testing machines; one.to prove up to'3oo tons, the other to
proVe up to 200 tons, (a third of less power may be erected
afterwards should it be found that the trade requires it,) and
to work them by steam power. It will be seen from the plah
that the facilities for bringing the ehaing to, and for removing.
theui from the establishment, both :by railway and water c.,rT
riage, are of most convenient description, and I contem-
plate providing storing accommodation in connectiorilhere
with, so as to render the cost of labour as light as possible.
The cost of carrying this design into effect will amount to
somewhere about £10,000.—1 am, sir, (Signed)
Dock-yard, Ilth Feb., 1860. J. B. llNierisir. •
Mr. 13itoClil.EllA.Ni in moving the confirmation of the
proceedings said, one great matter for consideration was
the amount of revenue that could be derived from the
Machine. They could not. Make it self-Supporting unless
there was a consPerable accession of business 'to that'
at present done .at the Corporation chain cable testing,
machine, which was now being worked by the board.
From the year 1856 tO 1859 there had been a loss of
about £6O a year, but 'in the years 1857 and 1858 there.
.
was a small, profit. In 1859 which was ol uriprece-
,4entedly bad•year amongst the shipping, there had been
small loss.. It appeared to him absolutely necessary
for the trade Of the port that this plan should be carried
out. Ile saw that a eominittee of the, House of Com-
,
Mons- was making an-inquiry into, the testing of chain
cables, and it was net improbable that it might become
compulsory .upon all shipowaers to have their, chains
tested. If that should turn out to be the case, a large
amount of business would probably come to the•proposed
• Machine ; at all events he hoped it would!be so.
Mr. RANKiN, in seconding the motion, said he thought
an establishment of this kind was necessary to ascertain
the strength of the chain eahles used, by ships, upon
• • •
which the safety of life and property so materially de-
pended:. !He: thought .it was not improbable that a
smaller machine would be required on the Liverpool
side of the water, but that would he a matter for further
considerati'on.
• Mi. ARNOLD asked if it would not be desirable to have
a machine Of less 'power, as it would perhaps be niore,
generally used, and theren>re 'lore profitable. ,
Mr..l-IARTLT:I7.—You can prove a light cable on the'
powerful machine.
Mr. AalloLD.,—That answer is sufficient.
Mr, MoNum. said they had an instance last week of
necessity for some such a machine to test cables for ships.
One of the laro-est vessels that entered the port broke
two of her cables ; and had it not been for the skill and
presence of mind of- the pilot, she might have gone.
ashore and broken her back. As was explained by Mr.
'airbairn the other night, some parts of the chains were
almost pot metal, whilst the outward coveting,might be
of good iron. That gentleman added that it was not
unusual for plates and other things to be made out of
cinder heaps, and not out of iron. .
Mr..Laran was glad that the loss uponthe Liverpool
machine was so trifling. He -hoped that in
,the plan
of the new machine, Mr. Hartley had provided stiff-
6ient land to let off for yards. Seieral parties were
willing to take yards adjoining ; and'the feeling amongst
was Makers a's that it would "be a great benefit
• to them.' He believed the new tnaebine would be the
means of improving the quality of cables.
Mr. BROCKLEIUNK said there would be a considerable
amount of room to be applied to such purposes as the
Board directed, without at all interfering with the work
dithe dock plays at that particular point. '
Mr. Fonwoon said there.'ivas no queition about
the importance of having " chain cables tested.
The outlay, however, was large, and it was a ques-
tion whether a testing machine established at Birken-
head would have all the efficiency they could ex-
pect, until the number -of ships that would resort
there was ascertained. But he thought that the atten-
tion of Government would be so difeeted to the question,
that there might be some act of Parliament making it
compulsory upon all parties who use chain cables to have
them tested; and, if theydid so, no doubt they would
provide some national place where that testing should go
en. The proposed machine might not be in accordance
with the regulations under the expected act. of Parlia-
ment, and in that case the machine might become' useless.
Mr. Bounz inquired whether any,ef the. trade had in-
timated their attention of taking the storage ground, or
had come under any agreement to that effect; because
if. they could-see their way in that, it would go a good
way in mitigating the cost of the erection.
Mr. BROCKLEBIiNK said they had an interview with
• two chain cable manufacturers. They did not know wheL
ther they.would make application for land ; but whether
they did or not, the land in the immediate neighbour-
hood would" not be wasted,, but could be applied for any
other parposes. From what Mr. Laird had said, the
probability was that they would require ;accommodation
in the vicinity of the machine. With respect to the
remark of Mr. Forwood, he 'might observe that it was
not intended that this should be a chain testing machine.
merely for vessels going to the Birkenhead docks, but
that the chains should be put into a lighter and brought
over from the Liverpool side. The machine must
answer both sides of the water.

Mr. Bouvr said one of the largest manufacturers said
to him a short time agó that Birkenhead would be more
Convenient for the deliverinr, of chains and cables than
Liverpool. He was extremely glad to see land at Bir-
kenhead applied to any useful purpose. (Laughter.)
The proceedings were confirmed.
WAREHOUIE• COMMITTEE.

The proceedings of this co.nmittee comprised a recom-
mendation to increase the wages of the foremen, ship
workers, and delivery foremen, from 245. to 265: per
week. _ _ _

Mr. IIUBRACK moved the confirmation of the pro-
ceedings. •
Mr. ARNOLD seconded the motion. •
Mr. Luau asked whether the Warehouse Committee
had considered the question of what shed accommodation
would be wanted on the opening of the Great Float.
The CHAIRMAN thought it would be necessary to have
the instructions of the Board.
- Mr. SHAND wished to know upon what grounds the
wages had been advanced.
Hußaxeic, in reference to Mr. Laird's question,
said the matter of sheds belonged more particularly to
the Docks and Quays Committee. With regard to Mr.
Shand's question, he might mention there was an appli-
cation made by all the delivery foremen in the ware-
house and on the quay for an increase of wages. The
matter had stood over for sonic time, and it had been
well considered by the members of the committee. The
present' recommendation was carried by a large majority.
Mr. HoLmg—How much will the increase amount to
per annum ?
Mr. ITURBACK--About £l5O a-year.
Mr. BROCKLERANK objected to the resolution, on the
ground that it would unsettle the whole question, and
that it only referred to one class of men. It would not
-end with the advance given to those men, and if they
went on advancing wages and salaries, they would really
get no profit out of the work at all.
The proceedings were confirmed.
NE OMmirrEr
This committee; riehi?ltoirted tth Mr. Gisborne had re-
ported injury, by action of the tide, to the small cable
from Prince's'
Birkenhead. Landing stage to the North
.Reserve at
•committee, and the
Mr. Lindsay,m of Dundee, waited' on the
instructed to
render Mr. Lindsay thea.rine Surveyor was
enable that gentleman in his power to
best assistance.
to pursue his experiments in re-
ference to telegraph:between the two
sides of the water. The Engineer
t d
to report en the expense • had been requested
incurred in forming the Holy- head line of electric telegraph.
. On the motion of Mr. Mendel, the proceedings were
confirmed.

PILOTAGE CWINIITTEE.
The proceedings of this committee were read.
Mr. SIIAND, in moving the confirmation of the pro-

ceedings, said, the present pilot-office having been sold
to the Water Committee of the Corperation, it was
desirable that new offices should be had in that locality.
None,could .be found suitable except at extravagant
rates,. atilt the Committee Wernwilling to pay for accdm-
modation,-if the board *bald provide it for them, say at,
the,south7east corner of the Prince's Dock.

. . .
The ClimitmAN said it was no part of the duty of the
Board to provide accommodation for the Pilot Committee,
but thire could be no objection to the Worsi Committee
considering the subject, and requesting the"engineer to
consider whether there is any place, in the dock estate
on which offices for the committee could be erected.
Mr. LAIRD asked the chairman of the Pilot Com-
mittee whether the instructions given previously to last
week' to the 'pilots; in reference to anchoring shiPs in
the ferry tracks remained inforce.
Mr. Slinvii—ph, yes., . •

• Mr. LA..i.D said he asked the
~question.
,question because, when
there was plenty of room in other parts of the river, a
large screw steamer came out of dock and anchored
directly in the track-of the Woodside boats. -He would
like to know if any return bad- been male to the cotn,
mittee by the superintendent, as to 'vessels that were
anchored in the track of the Woodside,:boats ?

14tr. SII.I ND said there had net been such a return
made to the committee since Captain Reid had ceased
to b 2 the Manager of the NitoodSide ferry ; but the
instructions previously- given 6 the pilots remained in
full force. There was a great deal of business before
the committee last week, or he should have called
attention to the. fact that the orders of the committee
were still in force. He Would, however, at the next
meeting, direct the alention of the 'pilots' to that fact:
•The proceedings were then confirmed;
DOCKS AND 'dirATS CONVAITTEI7:. • -

The proceedings of the committee for, the manage-
ment of the docks and quays' comprised the following—
Report of the, north 4ssistant harbour-master of a pre-
sent haling been made to, him by the. master. of the
American ship Congress, and of the fine.inflieted by the
magistrate.' . _

N. Assistant Hathrir-m3stor's Office,
February 10th, 1860. •

To the Harbour-master,

beg respectfully to hand you a note.and-three s.ove-.
reigns, received by me last night, and with regard to which I
have to Make.the folloiving. statement : Saturday laSt the
captain of the ship Congress came to me, and requested thatl
would allow his vessel to remain in S'andon Dock to finish
rigging; and stating that the dock-master had objected ta' his
so remaining. I told him that I wottld see the dock-Master
on the subject, but I was afraid that the graving. dock
work would be obstructed •if some of the vessels then in
did net leaxe, py Monday, however, that he should get a
berth and refthin, if phssib'e. On seeing the dock-master,
he explained.-to me thatlhe Congress had finished with
the shears, and could proceed to Bramly-Moore Dock, where
she was to load, and :night finish Ivr Jigging
The. Sandmi ' rock was in a very crowded, state, and it was
absolutely necessary that some of .the ships should leave, for
the reason 'S?tated aboVe,-tid I directed Mr. Barnes to 'act
accordingly. On Tuesdaynidrning ',the captain came A', inn
again, and said he had been orders 4 to leave tire dock, and he
would take it as a favour if *I would callow 'him to remain. I
said I would be glad to dnso,-if some. of the other ships would
leave ; but at present we were so full that there was danger of
impeding the graving (look iv.irk. He then said that he would
pay fcc the ..acoommodation ;:thathe.knew allthe dock-masters
were in the habit of receiving presents,"and he did not see why
I should nettlei the same. I assured him that he was mis-
informed as to this, and that it was my duty to report any-
thing of t 0' kind that came to roy knowledge, and that I
certainly wauld el.; so in any. such case. He then named a
dock-master •who, Ile asserted, had received a cansideratien
from a captain now in dock; he said, also; that he knew what
I meant, but he would takd care that my'present should come
indirectly. I. reiterated what I had before said; but, hes winod
deterrhined to believe that I did not mean what I said. I did
not see him again till Thursday a.ternoon; • when, as I was
' passin his ship, he said he thanked me for my kindoess, or,
somethings•
to that effect, and said he would not ftirget it. On
Tuesday it occurred that, eight , ships, of 6,678 tons in the
agg:egate„ being about one7`ourth the shipping in the dock,
left ; and bein-e thus relieved, we could allow the Congress
to remain, and I concurred with the dock-nutiter in that
step---the Bramley-Moore being fall--.-and with the further
under Standing 'that she was to remove as soon as she should
again become an obstruction. On Thursday, between seven
and eight p.m., I heard a ring at my house bdll, and the
servants not answering quickly, -I. thinking that perhaps
gateman or other parson wanted me on business, went to. the
deer, and a person, whom
,I recognised to be.the captain,
handed.me the letter herewith, saving, " Here is a,letter for
you, sir." I took it, and thanked him, and he immediately
went away. Upon ascertaining its conten. s," I thought it lily
duty to forward it to you, ,with..thesd particulars; in order that
you may take such steps in the matter as you shall think right.
I also enclose the dock-master's daily reports for the days
referred,to,"to confirm my proceedings with regard to the state
of the dock.---I remain, sir, your obedient servant,
HENRY S. Cox, N. Assistant Harbour-master. •
N. Assistant Harbour Master's Office,
February 15th, 1860.
To the Harbour Master. - •

SIR,—I beg respectfully to inform you that I attended at the
Police-court ye -terday, when the case of the captain of
Congress was heard before the sittiag Magistrate, W.... 10 decided
that Captain Hagar should pay a fine of five pounds and cost-.
The three pounds were handed back to the captains thus vir-
tually making the fine two pounds and costs. I remain,"S!r,
your obedient servant, • , •
HENRY S. 00x, N. Assis. ilarbour Master.
. Mr. LOCKETT, in moving the confirmation of the pro-
ceedings, said there was very great difficulty in finding
out where bribery took place; and yet, •when such a
case as this was detected, it was too bad that the delin-
quent should be let off with a fine 0f..-05,,ivhich in this
particular case was, in fact, only a fine of £2. To deal
in that way with such a case was almost like encouraging
the servants of the board to take bribes, and run the
risk of being found out. When a magistrate had power
to inflict a fine of £2O; he (Mr. Lockett) held that in
such a clear and unmistakeably proven case as this the
full penalty should have been inflicted, instead of a fine
that was a perfect premium to persons on the_
dock estate to receive bribes. There -was some
mention in the report • of - the delinquent.. \having
mentioned that a .dock master received, a- bribe.
The captain of the American vessel who was said to
have given that bribe, had been since communicatedwith, and had stated distinctly that he had not. giien
any bribe to the dock master in question; -and also.chal-
lenged the master of the "Congress" to assert to his
face that he had ever stated that he had given a bribe.
Tbat charge,,then, had fallen to the ground altogether;
and he had only to say further, that when such a case as
this now ' engaging their a ttmtion was brought
cleaily to light, remembering the great difficulty that
there was in detecting such cases generally, it was a
very great pity that the bench did not impose the highest
penalty that the law allowed.
_ _ _

Mr. DARTIYSIIIRE feared that dock gatemen were
tampered With, and it should be known that if any of
the servants of the board, under the Docks and Quays
Committee, were detected as the recepients of bribes,
they would be instantly dismissed.
The CILAIRMAN said the Docks and Quays Committee
were very anxious to put down this practice as much as
they could ; but they found the task a most difficult
one, and' would be glad to hear of any measure that
could be devised to put down the practice.
. Mr.: BouLT said the law should be' rigorously exe-
cuted in every ascertained case of bribery. He had had
an opportuuity of seeing the captain of the ship re-
ferred to in the Harbour Master's report, and he
assured him (Mr. Boult) that there was no truth what-
ever in the statement that he had ever given a single
farthing to Mr. Barnes, the Dock Master .in question;
and the captain further said, that after having known
Mr. Barnes for many years, he believed that gentleman
was thoroughly clean handed. It was only due to Mr.
Barnes that this statement should go forth. '
The proceedings of the committee were then con-
firmed.

MASTER PORTERS COMMITTEE.

The minutes of the Master Porters Committee were
read, and, on the motion of Mr. Arnold, seconded by
Mr. Segar, confirmed. The committee are still engaged
in taking evidence on the question of the working of
the existing system of master porterage in this port.
THE PRINCE'S DOCK SHEDS.

A letter from several merchants and consignees,
recommending many alterations in the construction of
the sheds at the Prince's Dock was read and referred to
the Docks and Quays Committee.