The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-11-22 00:00:00

CONDUCT OF DISSENTERS IN PARLIAMENT.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

DEAR SlR,—Would you please to inform me, in some
part of your valuable paper, why the dissenting members of
parliament are not charged, in common with the Roman
Catholic members, with perjury? Surely the former are al-
ways found linked with the latter in devising schemes for the
overthrow of our church establishment. This is a point
upon which I find some difficulty at the present moment,
when the press and others are charging the Papists with per-
jury, and these exclusively. I am,
Dear Sir, your's respectfully,
A CONSERVATIVE AT HEART.

DOCKS ON THE CHESHIRE SIDE OF THE RIVER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
Sue,—Observing that a controversy is going on between
two correspondents of the Albion, relative to the expediency
or inexpediency of constructing docks at Wallasey Pool, I am
induced to submit through your columns a few remarks on a
subject which I conceive to be of vital importance to the

town.
The writer of the letter signed " ***" urges (and I think
cogently) the growing trade of the port; the present inade-
quaey of its dock room, and its consequent requirements, as
rendering it imperative on the corporation to look out for
those extended accommodations which the remaining availa-
ble space on this side of the river cannot supply ;—and he
points exclusively to Wallasey Pool as the site of a range of
new docks. He very properly says :
" The present trade of Liverpool is obviously not half ac-
commodated with dock room. It is not enough that we have
docks, into which, generally, the shipping in port may find
access, we must look at the working of the dock business to
see the extreme inadequacy of the accommodation afforded.
What is not lost in the actual expense of wages, and, still
more, in delay and loss of time, by the two, three, and four
distances from the quay at which the vessels, in several or all
of our docks, are frequently obliged to load or discharge ;
while the still farther removed centres of the docks, the
basins, the river itself bear the inactive burden of ttie loaded
or empty barque, the owners impatiently awaiting a turn of
even the most disadvantageous and inconvenient access. The
loss or deduction from the profits of trade this way arising
it would not be easy to calculate. It must, however, be very
great : and in vain do we accelerate speed, on land and sea, in
the conveyance of the manufactures we export, and the foreign
products imported, if, while we economize hours in the one
instance, we squander days in the other. yV e must meet the
new agents of despatch in transit by new modes and appli-
ances of despatch in delivery ; or otherwise we resemble a
man trying to run with one leg while he halts with the other."
The correspondent signing " Vindex," who replies to
" ***," contends, on the other hand, that it would be highly
imprudent to resort to Cheshire until all the available space
on this side the river that can be so applied is converted into
docks ; and he points to the ground on the west side of the
Salthouse and Canning Docks, which he states, yields in its
present appropriation a comparatively unimportant rental,
as an eligible position for extended dock room. He also
urges, that the transport of goods by lighters to and from the
opposite shore, and the transit hence of workmen, would be
so expensive that no advantage would accrue from the con-
struction of docks in that quarter. Such are the general ar-
guments of these contending parties.
Now, Sir, without entirely concurring with " ***" as to
the site of the proposed docks, I believe his general argument,
that, " to Cheshire we must go," can scarcely be denied by
practical men, who have noticed the amazing rapidity with
which the commerce of this port has increased within the
last twenty years, and taken into account the still greater ra-
pidity with which it will continue to progress by the impetus
which it will receive from the facilities, speed of transit, and
extended internal intercourse afforded by the railways—ad-
vantages which, too, will every year be multiplied by new
grand lines, forming great arteries of commerce, and new
branches constituting yeins to feed them, spreading over the
remoter, and hitherto unprofitable districts of the country.
To what extent, then, may we anticipate the shipping of the
port to increase, even within the next ten years ! Certainly
to much more than could be accommodated were all the
available land on this side converted into docks. Nay, I be-
lieve, that were the whole of the land pointed out by " Vin-
dex," inclusive of the suggested abutment on the river oppo-
site the Salthouse Dock, to form the continuous line of sea wall,
—were this, I say, converted into a dock to-morrow, we have
already an amount of shipping frequently crowding the pre-
sent docks, which even with such addition would not find
adequate quay accommodation. At the moment I write,
flags are hoisted on the quays of several of the docks, indi-
cating that no more vessels can be received within the gates.
The dock which could be constructed on the site alluded to,
between Graving dock 1,2, and 3 and the Duke's Dock,
(sufficient space being allowed for breadth of sea-wall and
quay room) would prove only a comparatively small propor-
tionate addition to the present dock room of the port. Ido
not question the policy or propriety of forming such a dock,
and that speedily—inasmuch as it would be commodious and
valuable from its central position—l contend that it would be
per se, so wholly inadequate to the requirements of the port,
that the cry would still be " More docks—more docks !"
and more docks we must have, otherwise the trade of the port
must remain stationary, or in all probability retrogade, as
much of it will be taken up by Bristol, Fleetwood, and other
parts that will, through our defalcation, rise into a forced
maritime importance.
Having, I trust, established the fact that a larger space
of dock room than that suggested by " Vindex,"
would still be wanted, we come next to inquire whether
additional eligible sites can be found which are pur-
chasable or available on this side of the river, and which
would be preferable (cost and position taken into ac-
count) to land on the Cheshire shore. I would say, on the
first lance at the map, "No !" The further extension of
the socks in Harrington southward, or on the site of the
fort, and the building-yard of Messrs. Wilson, northward,
and on the verge of Bootle Bay, would not, in my opinion,
supply the desideratum so advantageously to the commercial
community, as docks on the opposite side of the river. Both
of these sites are so far distant from the central and " mar-
ket" portion of the town, where the warehouses are chiefly
situated, and also from the railway terminus, that great ad-
ditional expense would be incurred in cartage. As a proof
of the great disadvantage of docks being situated at a great
distance from the general mart, I may instance the fact (as-
certained from good authority), that the difference in the
cost of cartage alone, in the discharging and landing of an
American ship of, say 800 tons, in the Prince's Dock and in
the Clarence Dock, is upwards of twenty pounds in favour of
the former.
I have this moment learned that, by a vote of the Common
Council this day, a large sum of money (52,000) is to be
borrowed, for the purchase of the site of the fort, &c., for
the construction of a new dock. Such a dock may be useful
for some branches of the trade : but granting that a dock
were there formed, and another in Harrington too, our cards
would then be fully counted as regards this side of the river;
and as the force of capital can no further go, we might then
say with cribbage players, " all told." These two new docks
would soon, in the increasing business of the port, be filled
to repletion, and I know of no other available ground for
further dock room, unless, indeed, we resort to the wild
scheme of pulling down the warehouses and streets on the
east side of the central docks, and bringing our shipping up
to the east side of Castle-street,—a remedy for our want of
accommodation which, I opine, -would be worse than the
disease.
The result, then, of the enquiry into the subject is—that
we must, ere long, however obnoxious it may be to the local
prejudices of Messrs. Vindex & Co. resort to the Cheshire
shore. And why not, and that quickly, ere the land which
may be required, in addition to that belonging to the corpo-
ration, rise so much in value, for building and other purposes,
as not to be attainable without a great sacrifice on the part
of the dock estate. if a purchase be decided upon as neces-
sary, the sooner it be made the more advantageous will it be
for the purchasers, and there is wisdom in fore-thought. The
corporation should not only regard present interests, but
should look forward to the interests of posterity. The day
will inevitably come when forests of masts will be seen on the
Cheshire as well as the Lancashire side of the Mersey ; and
as the corporation are a responsible body, and are the con-
servators of the river, I would prefer that they should con-
struct the docks, tether than the project should be taken up
by private individuals, or a joint stock company. If the cor-
poration decline to listen to the suggestion, the Grand Junc-
tion Railway Company, who are in treaty for the purchase of
the Chester railway as an adjunct to their own, may possibly
take it up, for what more feasable plan can they adopt to feed
their railway than by the construction of a dock or docks.
There may be found, too, be it remembered, (as I shall here-
after chew) a suitable site, without seeking to purchase the
land on that shore belonging to the corporation.
" Vindex" states that the corporation purchased 'Wallasey
Pool to prevent the establishment of a rival port, and he
commends them for so doing. This is an argument against
himself; for, if private individuals, some years ago, contem-
plated forming docks on that side the river, in the assurance
that the speculation would be lucrative, surely the corporation,
with all their means, facilities, experience, and machinery,
would be enabled (now that dock room is more wanted than
ever) to render such a project more profitable than they.
The Albion's correspondent may be correct in stating that
the cost of walling in Wallasey Pool would be enormous,not
less than £lOO,OOO, owing to the want of a foundation, and
the water being constantly in the centre of the Pool, so that
the use of the diving bell, and (I presume) the expensive
process of piling, would have to be resorted to. Assuming
this to be the fact, let us inquire if there be any other site
on the other side the river, equally eligible, and where the
construction of a range of docks (to begin with), would not
be attended with so much expense.
But I must leave this part of the subject, until your next
publication, when, if you can spare me room, I will point
out another site which is not liable to the objections stated.—
T am, &c. MERCATOR.
Liverpool, November 20M.

THE MONK'S FERRY.—It will be 4n the recollection of
our readers, that the company who have erected the Monk's
Ferry, on the Cheshire coast, have been engaged in two suc-
cessive lawsuits with Mr. Price, who considers that ferry an
infringement of his rights as Lord of the Manor, and has in
consequence taken proceedings (in which he has twice been
successful) to establish those rights. A rule nisi for a new
trial was obtained, which came on for argument during the
present term, but which the court refused to make absolute.
We observe that the Master and Fellows of St. John's
College have caused a beautiful portrait of the late Master,
Dr. Wood, to be placed in a conspicuous position in the
Hall, an honour conferred upon those only who have been
liberal benefactors to the college. The picture is a most
excellent copy, by Mr. Illidge, of Liverpool, after one by
Jackson. which is preserved in the Master's Lodge.—Cam-
bridge Chronicle.
ST. GEORGE'S BUILDING SOCIETY.—On Monday last the
members of this society dined together at the house of Mr.
Burgess, Elephant and Castle Inn, Drury-lane. The chair was
very ably filled by Mr. John Calvert, assisted by Mr. Lloyd,
as vice-chairman. The meeting was addressed, in the course
of the evening, by the principal officers present, and several
most interesting statements made relative to the progress of
the society . At the request of the meeting, the secretary laid
before them an account of the financial affairs, which satis-
factorily proved the flourishing character of the society, and
the security it afforded for the investment of capital, with
every promise of :a high remunerating per centage. The
greatest good humour and harmony prevailed throughout the
entire proceedings, which continued until a late hour. The
cheer provided by Mr. Burgess was of the best description,
and the wines and spirits of a choice character. Several
shares were purchased by some strangers who were present,
and the meeting separated with nine hearty cheers for the
success of the St. George's Building Society.
HACKETT'S NATIONAL PSALMIST.—This is a very valua-
ble and handsomely got up collection of original psalm and
hymn tunes, comprising chants, responses, and anthems,
composed expressly for this work by many of the most
eminent authors in England, with a selection of the standard
compositions generally in use, arranged for four voices, with
a separate accompaniment for the organ or piano-forte, by
C. D. Hackett, of Wakefield. To give some notion of the
interest and value of this elaborate volume, we may mention
that it contains, in addition to twenty-four standard tunes of
acknowledged celebrity, upwards of seventy original compo-
sitions of a very high order of merit, besides ten anthems,
and numerous chants and responses, also mostly original; so
that the professional or amateur musician or vocalist has
here splendid samples of the talents of at least fifty first-rate
composers. We think Mr. Hackett has, by the execution
of this beautiful work, laid the musical public, and especially
the lovers of psalmody, under an obligation which they can
only discharge by extending, as we have no doubt they will
do, the patronage of this " National Psalmist" far beyond
the present range of the voluminous and respectable list of
subscribers with which this specimen of the composer's pro-
fessional skill is distinguished and rewarded.