The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-05-04 00:00:00

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.

Yesterday, a Special Court of Common Camel! was held for the
special purpose of receiving the Report of the Bridge House Cont.
mister, respecting the intended erection of new Docks at St. Cathe-
rine's. The Court was numerously attended.
Alderman THOMPSON presented a petition from the Committee
for the relief of the unfortunate settlers at the (ape of Good Hope,
praying the Court to give some relief to the unfortunate objects to
whose aid the 'petitioners had exerted themselves.
Alderman Sir C. S. Hunter warmly supported the petition,
which was referred to the Committee of General Purposes to exa-
mine and report upon it.
THE NEW DOCKS.
Sir C. S. He:ITER brought up the Report from the Bridge
llouse Committee, relative to the intended Docks at St. (lodic-
; rine's. The Repose stated they had examined a number of per-
sons on the subject of the project, and they were of opinion that
if it were carried into effect, it would be ruinous to the property
and business of those who occupied the n:ighbouring Docks; that
it would be highly prejudicial to the property and Bridge
House estates, that the whole project was unnecessary, and as the
I premises already occupied were fully sufficient. The Report re-
commender) the Court to petition I'arliament against the measure.
I It also recommended, on the same grounds, that the Court should
petition against the erection of the South London 1/ocks. The
lion. Baronet hoped the Court would not hesitate to agree with the
Report, and petition I'arUament, since they were so manifestly in-
terested. He had himself held shares of the London Dock, which,
I although in every respect so convenient, only paid 41 per cent. in-
terest ; he was wire the project could never pay those who under-
tcsik it. whilst it would ruin hundreds, for whom no compecsation
whatever was provided by the Bill.
Mr. Peacock opposed the Report.
r Deputy It ot- rat wax convinced that there was a necessity for
I the St. Catherine's Docks, and that the Corporation should en-
courage their being built so near the City. He concluded a speech of
Igreat length, by moving as an Amendment, that so much of the
Report as related to St. I 'atturire's Dock, should be struck out.
Mr. Jo N La supported the Amendment.
Aldoll.lll LUCAS, Alelerniati BROWN, and 31r. S. DIXON,
supported the Report
Alderman Timis Pony contended that the new docks were ab-
solutely necessary. Even if the erection of the new docks should
be injurious to the City to the extent of a few hundreds of pounds
in direct revenue, they ought not to be opposed on that account,
they should folluw the example of liberality set by the Corporation
of I.iverpool. The consequence of the encouragement nod &cairn-
; modation given to commerce in that town had been, that the num.
her cf vessels which entered the port of Liverpool was greater than
I the number that entered into the port of London. (Hear, hear.)
The imports of the City of London amounted to lifty-seven millions
per annum, and required the most extensive accommodation.
l'he amended motion was put, and carried by a considerable
majority.
sir S. iii a:TER said, that as the Court had rejected the peti-
; tier. against St. Catherine's Dock. he felt it unnecessary to press
the petition against the South London Dock. This also was there.
fore withdrawn.
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