The Sun.
London, England, 1845-08-27 00:00:00

PORT OF LIVERPOOL.

In consequence of the numerous complaints of the
paucity of officers of the landing department at this port
to take the accounts on the part of the revenue of goods
and merchandise imported from foreign parts, and the
consequent and necessary obstruction to business thereby
catied on all Occasions, and particularly in the event
of an influx of shipping and pressure of business, when
the trade of the port has been in a manner completely
at a stand still for want of officers to clear the ves-
sels, a number of officers of the subordinate branches
of the landing department have been permitted to
take the accounts of low duty and free goods, leaving
the higher and more important branches of the landing
duty to officers of established rank and more competent
experience, until the general arrangement for the in-
crease of the eat: blishtnent of this important and flou-
rishing port, which is at present in progress, shall be
carried into effect. This arrangement has effected an
important degree of assistance in clearing the import
vessels and despatching the other business of the port.
With respect to the increased establishment, we believe
that although the Commissioners of Customs have sub-
mitted a draft of the amount and descriptions of in-
crease which it will be advisable to make, in order
to meet the pressing demands of the merchants
and trade of the second commercial. port in
the kingdom, and have obtained the sanction of
the Lords of the Treasury for an increase in the manner
and to the extent recommended to be made, nothing has
yet been done in the shape of actual appointments to
the extras about to be made. It is understood that
there is to be, what there never has been at Liverpool
yet—viz., a separate class of officers for the wine and
spirit department, as is the case in the port of London.
It has hitherto been the practice for the officers of the
landing department at Liverpool to undertake both
antics, so that on an influx of wet goods a number of
mlicers had to be taken from the regular corps of
landing-waiters, to the inconvenience of the other
branches of trade. The new arrangement will rectify
this system, and will, of course, leave the number
usually employed in the guaging for the ordinary duties.
In addition !o this, the number of landing-waiters is to
be further increased, and it is understood that their
salaries will be considerably augmented, in a manner
approaching the London establishment. Additional
superintending officers will also be appointed, and in
consideration of the vast quantities and descriptions of
goods now allowed to be imported free of duty, of which
particular articles a very large proportion is brought to
the port under notice from the United States, &e., it is
understood that there will be • a class of officers
formed from the subordinate branches of the
landing department to take the account of such goods,
and to be available for the subordinate duties of the
landing waiters' department, leaving the superior duties,
as we have before remarked, to elder and more expe-
rienced officers. Further than we have stated, we be-
lieve nothing is at present known as to whether this in-
crease to the Liverpool establishment will be selected
from experienced London officers, others being appointed
in their room, or whether it will consist of entirely fresh
appointments. We believe it principally, if not entirely,
rests with the Customs Board as to what they shall
recommend to the Treasury, the matter being at
present left in their hands, though of course it will ulti-
mately have to be submitted to their Lordships for
their approval. The merchants and the trade generally
of the port of Liverpool are naturally very anxious that
the proposed and sanctioned increase should take place
as speedily as possible ; and although nothing is dis-
tinctly known as to the actual period, there is no doubt
that it will take place as speedily as the necessary ar-
rangements will permit, when it is expected that it will
answer the requirements of the extensive shipping trade
and commerce generally of this improved and flourishing
port.