The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-07-09 00:00:00

LOCAL NEWS.

PIPING BULLFINCHES.-Mr. Vander Hutton, who is
now remaining for a short time in Liverpool, has a collection
of these beautiful birds on sale. The little fellows pipe
their tunes with all the distinctness of a flageolet. We know
of no more elegant present to make than one of these pretty
birds.

THEFT FROM A Suor,L-At the Police-court yesterday,
Elizabeth Brown, a married female, with a child in her
arms, was placed at the bar on a charge of stealing a piece of
print from the shop of Mr. Williams, in Price's-street. It
appeared that while some other parties were being served.
the prisoner took a piece of print from the counter, and put
it under her shawl. She was observed, and placed the print
back on the counter. She had bought a yard and a quarter
of it previously, for which she paid 101 d. The prisoner said
she had gone to buy two frocks for her child, and had no in-
tention of stealing the piece of print. She was committed to
take her trial at the sessions.

A few years since we were indulged by the first appearance
of Mr. George Robins, to sell 7000 dozens of the celebrated
wines of the late Mr. Knowles. The publicity of his name
attracted so numerous an audience that the theatre was taken
and most completely filled for three successive days. He is
retained specially to appear at the Waterloo. on Tuesday, to
discourse on the value of the Aigburth Hall Estate, which he
has divided into lots for villas, and recommends the wealthy
merchants of our city to purchase, in order, is he says, that
the rich merchants may avail themselves of so short a remove
from their daily occupation to go to Aigburth and repose on
the pleasing reminiscence of every 'Clay's gain.
THE GREAT LtvEßPoor..—This splendid vessel arrived
at Falmouth with the Levant and Indian mails, on Monday
evening. She brings forty-six passengers, among whom is
Colonel Hodges, late Consul-General of Egypt. The Liver-
pool passed the Princess Charlotte, with Admiral Stopford
on board, in 10 degrees east, on•her way to England. Her
Majesty's ship Thunderer, and 'Lizard, steamer, were in
Gibraltar Bay. '
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—An excellent band performs
every evening at these gardens, and greatly adds to the many
other attractions that are to be found in them.. The storm-
ing of St. Jean d' Acre is well worth seeing.

SELF-ACTING LETTER FILE.—One of the best inventions
of this description of article we have seen of late, is the file
advertised by Mr. Smith, of South Castle-street. This file
is a great improvement upon all others. By means of a
powerful spring the notes or memorandums are held firmly
together ; the spring having only to be moved to take out, or
place a paper on the board. This file is very neat, and not
likely to be put out of order.
CAUTION TO WAREHOUSEMEN.—Thomas Tongue, who
had been warehouseman to Messrs. Currie and Busard,
cotton brokers, was yesterday placed at the bar of the police-
court, on a charge of having stolen half-a-ton of cotton
ropes, the property of his employers. It appeared from the
evidence that the prisoner had directed a porter in the em-
ploy to send the ropes to a marine-store dealer's in Mason-
street. They were openly weighed in the warehouse (Duke's
Dock) on Monday, and sent to Mason-street openly on
Tuesday in the middle of the day. It was contended on be-
half of the prisoner by Mr. Davenport that he had been for
some years in the same employ, had always considered the
ropes as his customary perquisite, and had sent them openly
away. Mr. Currie said the prisoner had been in the employ
for abovt 6 years, and had never known anything against him
before. He had not given him leave to take the ropes,
neither did he know that it was a general privilege for ware-
housemen to take the ropes. Mr. Huson, who had formerly
been a partner of Mr. Currie, was called for the defence, and
he (Mr. Huson) said he had engaged the prisoner himself
about six years ago, and that he was uncertain whether suck
a privilege existed generally to the present day. He, and
Mr. Busard (who was prevented by business from attending
the court), had that morning made enquiry of several cotton
dealers, and it appeared that the custom was general six years
ago, and, though it had been discontinued by some, he be-
lieved it existed to some extent even yet in the town. He
had learned that a meeting of the trade was about to be
called, with a view to do away with it. He:did not recollect
whether, in engaging the prisoner, any agreement was made
or understood to the effect that the prisoner should have the
ropes ; but, if such were made, he had no recollection of its
being withdrawn. Mr. Rushton remarked that it was to be
lamented that agrements with warehousemen should remain
in so loose a state, and that it would be exceedingly desirable
that the trade should do away entirely with the custom
wherever it yet prevailed. He would release the prisoner
solely on the evidence of the last witness ; but he trusted
that hereafter both he and others in a similar capacity would
beware of taking anything, of however apparent little value,
from their employer's warehouses, without their express
permission. The prisoner was then discharged.
COMMITMENT.—Yesterday, at the police-court, a young
man named James Burns was charged with breaking into the
house and warehouse of Mr. Gardner, of the firm of Gardner
and Co., blockmakers, Hurst-street, and abstracting a coat,
a handkerchief, three pairs of boots, a rule, a drill, and two
caps. The prisoner had been an apprentice on the premses,
but had run away some time since. On Wednesday night at
8 o'clock the men left the work-shop secure. The house was
also locked up, the family being in Cheshire. This morning,
shortly before 4 o'clock, the prisoner was seen by a policeman
in North John-street, carrying a bundle, which, on being
questioned, he said contained his own clothes, adding that
he was going to his work. On its being opened, the articles
specified were found, and traced to the owners, Mr. Gardner,
his partner Mr. Guirron, and two of the workmen. The
workmen, on going to their work in the morning, found the
shop had been robbed, and found a ladder reared under the
store-room window. The window had been forced ; also a
door, the wood of the post into which the bolt shoots having
been broken away. The prisoner was committed to take his
trial for the robbery at the sessions.

CIIARGE OF EMBEZZLEMENT AGAINST A CLERIC.-At
the police-court yesterday, William Jones, a young man in
the employ of Mr. Mackay, commission merchant, Lord-
street, was placed at the bar on a charge of having embezzled
a sum of money, the property of that individual. Mr. Mac-
kay said that the prisoner had been a fortnight in his service;
that he had before been brought into court on a somewhat
similar charge, which was not pressed against him in consi-
deration of his father ; that on the day after his release, not-
withstanding a strong admonition from the bench, he had
gone to his (Mr. Mackay's) counting-house, and taken away
a number of bills or accounts (now produced), and had also
received a sum of 55., for which he had not accounted for.
He (Mr. M.) had agreed, on taking him into his service, to
pay him ss. a week, and as he had stated that he was in want
of clothing, he had procured him a pair of trowsers—the
amount to be deducted from his wages. He paid him 4s.
(deducting ls.) the first week, and ss. on the subsequent
week, by which he was overpaid. On the 19th ult., after
tnis, he had collected a sum of 55., which he had not paid
over or accounted for in the books. The prisoner said that.
when he went into Mr. Mackay's service no specific agree-
ment was made relative to wages; been three weeks in the
employ ; had received no more than 4s. the first week, and
had paid over the 53. to Mr. M. himself, on an occasion when
they had some conversation relative to a transaction of Mr.
M.'s with some engravers. Mr. Mackay reiterated his
accusation, and produced his cash-hook, from which it ap-
peared that the prisoner had put his initials, as a receipt for
the 45., but not to the 58. stated to have been subsequently
paid to him. The prisoner said that some of Mr. Mackay's
assertions were untrue ; that his own office boy could speak
to one fact if he were brought, and that he (Mr. M.) had but
the night before presented an account against him of 14s. and
odd pence for the cloth for the trowsers, though he had pre-
viously made him a present of the piece. He denied that he
had taken the bills alluded to on the day after his discharge
from the court, stating that he had them in the coat which he
then wore, which was at home when he was brought up, lie
having another on at the time.—A police-officer proved that
the bills were found in a pocket of the coat then (yesterday)
worn by the prisoner. The magistrate was not, however,
satisfied with the prisoner's defence as regarded the 55., and
ordered the informations to be taken. On these being read,
the prisoner was cautioned as usual as to what he thought
proper to say, and he entered into some statements with a
view to spew that he did not think Mr. M. would pay him
his wages. Re was then committed for trial at the sessions.

TOWN COUNCIL .PROCEEDINGS.

On Wednesday, a meeting of the Town Council was held
for the despatch of business. The MAYOR presided.

REMOVAL OF THE IRISH MAIL PACKETS

The reply of the postmaster-general to the remonstrance
of the council on this subject was, that he could not make
y alteration in the system which had beeu adopted, because
of the advantage of that system to the correspondence of
Ireland.

WATCH COMMTTEI

In the proceedings of this committee two lengthy reports
were read from Mr. Whitty, the head constable, detailing
the circumstances of the recent disturbances, and the opera-
tions of the police. It was set forth in the first report
that 175 pensioners had been placed at the disposal of
the head constable by the mayor. On the Saturday prece-
ding the nomination, Mr.
,Whitty issued the following
order:

" The head-constable feels convinced that, on this occasion,
the Liverpool constabulary force will exhibit the same firm-
ness, forbearance, and strict impartiality, which has charac-
terised their conduct on all former occasions of popular
excitement. They will recollect that they have nothing
whatever to do with party ; that their duty is to preserve the
public peace, and see that persons of all parties are alike
protected from personal injury.
" Those who have votes will exercise their right in any way
they please, but in the ranks they will studiously refrain from
all observations foreign to their specific duty."
After describing the disposal and operations of the various
bodies of the police on the nomination day, and during the
principal portion of the day of election, the report speaks of
some transactions in Toxteth-park. Having described his
part dispersion of the crowd, Mr. Whitty proceeds thus :
"Just emerging from Greenland-street, I met a strong body
of police with Mr. Superintendent Riding. James Lawrence,
Esq., a member of the committee, was with them. Both
exclaimed against the special constables, who had by their
conduct increased the disturbance. It appeared that in their
way from the different south polling-places, they had stopped
with Mr. Riding, and on the very unexpected commence-
ment of the rioting about six o'clock, he took them out with
him. Discovering, however, their inutility, and something
worse, he was in the act of.putting them into St. James's
Market, when I came up. I kept them there till twelve
o'clock at night, lest they might, if sooner let out, create a
disturbance themselves, as they also had been fearfully ex-
cited."

In a description of the riots in the north end of the town,
Mr. Whitty says—" The police, though frequently attacked,
were always successful, and made, in both divisions, nearly a
hundred prisoners "

` The conduct of the police on this trying occasion," says
the report, " I have no doubt will meet the approval of the
committee. In no instance did the most formidable mob
succeed in standing one minute before them, and the prompt-
ness of their movements prevented. any very serious extent
of outrage. * * * * * * * Although the attacks on
windows and houses (one of them belonging to a police-
officer in Oriel-street), were very numerous, the amount of
damage is not very large. The sufferers up to this time claim,
at their own estimate, only to the extent of £200."
After expressing his obligations to the men generally, and
naming some of the most deserving amongst the superior offi-
cers, the report concludes with the following sentence :
" During the three entire days there was neither a case of
absence nor drunkenness."

On the motion of Sir JOSHUA WALMSLEY, seconded by
Mr. THouNtuLt, the proceedings of the committee were
confirmed.
Mr. ButKETT said he had intended to have made some re-
marks on the circumstances referred to in the reports of the
Head Constable, but as Mr. Cooper had given notice of a
motion on the subject, he would reserve what he had to say
to another- opportunity.. '
Mr. HgNRy:LAWRE,NCE wishedwishedto: as/OW,. in the
resolution which he was about to propose, every expression
that could, give rise to any invidious feeling. He thought
they' light not let pass the present opportunity of thanking
the Watch Cominittee, the Head Constable, and the police
for their exertions during the recent election. Mr. Lawrence
submitted the following nroticili :-That the best thanks of
the Council be given to the Witch Committee, and particu,
larly it; Mr. Whitty and to the officers and men composing
the police force, for their great exertiOnS and exemplary con-
duct in the maintenance of the peace of the town during the
recent election.

Mr. ISAAC HOLMES expressed his regret that the magi-
states should have appeared to have taken the resolution of
the Watch Committee, offering to co-operate with them, as
if such offer were an improper interference with their duty.
It was desirable that the two bodies should co-operate to-
gether with a mutual good understanding.
Mr. JORDAN rose to order. Mr. Holmes was out of order.
The MAYOR conceived Mr. Holmes to be in order.
Mr. JORDAN replied that there was no motion before the
Council, Mr. Lawrence's not having been seconded.
Mr. SANDS said he should have great pleasure in second-
ing the motion.
Mr. H. LAWRENCE' said he had already stated that his
motion was frained with•the view of avoiding anything in-
vidious. There could be 'no doubt whatever as to the pro-
priety of conduct in the Watch Committee, and' that they
were entitled to' the thanks' of the Council in conjunction
with the police.
Mr. ISAAC HOLMES said he deplored the circumstance
that the magistrates should have conceived that the Watch
Committee were interfering with their duties. As to the
damage done in the town amounting to only £2OO as mentioned
in the report, he had documents to shew it was much more
in the south end of the town alone. One individual had been
taken out of his house; and beaten in a most shameful man-
ner. No man could have a higher opinion of Mr. Whitty in-
dividually than he had, but the public had not, at the recent
election, sufficient protection for want of sufficient force. A
druggist's shop in Tithebarn-street was at one period like a
ilaughter-house. As to the magistrates, the mayor himself
had to go to the watch board for information. He hoped
that in future, (and' they were likely to have other elections
soon,) 'such measures would be adopted by the magistrates,
in conjunction with the committee, as would prevent a recur-
rence of such outrages, and property and persons from being
injured.
SIR J. WALMSLEY said, he should not have offered any
remarks upon this motion had it hot been for the observa-
tions of Mr. Holmes. Mr. Holmes had stated that he held
documents in his hand shewing that the amount df damage
was much larger than had been stated in the report. Now
he (Sir J. W.) had that moment received a letter from Mr.
Whitty, stating that the inspectors had made their returns,
and that the amount altogether was under £220, and that if
the damage was properly estimated, it would, no doubt, be
considerably below that •sum ; for one person claimed £2O,
although the windows alleged to have been broken on the
day of election had been broken for months before. The
two greatest amounts claimed were for a public house in
Hurst-street and a beer shop in Naylor-street. Perhaps it
was on claims so founded that Mr. Holmes had grounded
his statements.

Mr. ISAAC HOLMES rose to explain, but
The MAYOR said, the return had come from the most
authentic sources, and should be held sufficient.

Mr. Isaac HOLMES again attempted to explain, and said,
Sir J. Walmsley had omitted to mention the damage done
to Mr. Cowburn's property in Park-lane.
Mr. M'KEE suggested, that on an occurrence of this kind
again, Mr. Isaac Holmes should be appointed the superin-
tendent of police.. •
Mr. EARLE said, certain assertions had been made which,
reporters being present, would go forth to the public. It
was irregular that assertions should be made which had no
foundation. Sir Joshua Walinsley had contradicted them
flatly. yet other assertions had been made afterwards. He
would ask the Mayor whether this was in order?

The MAYOR.--it is quite disorderly.
Mr. EARLE.—Then it ought to have been put down.
Mr. CASE suggested an alteration in the motion, which
went merely to thank the Watch Committee and the police.
Now, the whole operations were planned by the magistrates;
the town was well kept ; and he thought that the thanks of
the Council were quite as much due to the magistrates as to
the Watch Committee.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE said it would be premature to
adopt a motion of this kind now. Damage had been done to
the extent of about X 220, or, as Mr. Holmes had said, it
might be double that amount. That damage had been done,
as many supposed, not through want of efficiency on the part
of the police, for they had done their duty moat nobly, but
because a larger force had not been entrusted to the com-
mand of Mr. Whitty. If it could be shown that the damage
had been committed through the want of more force, then
the magistrates were responsible for it. The Watch Com-
mittee gave notice to the magistrates of their apprehensions,
but the magistrates took the case into their own hands, for
to them, after all, belonged the responsibility of determining
whether sufficient had been done.
Mr. EARLE said the object was plainly to make insinua-
tions against the magistrates. They had made such arrange-
ments as were entirely effectual, and Mr. Whitty, when
called in, said he would not recommend special constables,
as they could not be controlled like the regular force, nor
could they be • Made to act with the same tact and temper.
Perhaps some of the gentlemen who thus inveighed against
the magistrates, would have had the military called into the
town.

ISAAC HOLMES.—At such an election I certainly
would.

ICiI:EARLE.—Who cares? Ido not think these insinua-
tions-against the magistrates are very proper. If Mr. Law-
rence thinks the magistrates have been in fault, let him
bring forward a motion to that effect ; but I do not like such
sneaking work as this. •

Mr. BRIGHT said the question was particularly put to Mr.
Whitty by the watch committee whether it would not be de-
sirable to have several hundreds of special constables. In
reply, he gave the committee to understand that if he must
he accountable for the preservation of peace, he should ob-
ject to them, as they would only impair the efficiency of the
police force instead of rendering any service, and so the re-
sult had proved. As to the damage, he (Mr. Bright) would
ask whether any police, however efficient, could prevent the
breaking of windows? With regard to the amount of da-
mage, the council had Mr. Whitty's report before them, in
which it was stated that the sum total amounted to £2OO ;
and a subsequent report described it at £220. Which were
they to believe—the parties who had sustained the damage,
or the unsupported statements of Mr. Isaac Holmes or any
other member of the Watch Committee ? The discussion
wasa perfect waste of time.

Mr. JORDAN said the report stated that in no case did the
rioters stand one moment before the police. What more
could soldiers have done ? They could not have prevented
riots from arising, or windows from being broken.
Mr. BIRKErr said many gentlemen were not aware of the
circumstances which had induced some members of the
Watch Committee to bring forward the motion on this sub-
ject. It was brought forward in consequence of the serious
damage which took place at the last parliamentary election,
and it hellng apprehended that somewhat similar scenes might
occur at that just closed. There was no intention—at least
he for one had not, and he spoke the sentiments of the conser-
vative members of the Watch Committee—of interfering with
the duties of the magistrates, but there was a strong desire
to assist them in the protection of person and property. Let
him recall the circumstances which preceded the motion.
There had been a series of riots in the town in consequence
of the magistrates having thought fit to allow open air meet-
ings to be held in the town for the discussion of disputed
points, by parties not belonging to the town, and having no
interest in it. He (Mr. Birkett) thought those proceedings
ought not to have been permitted, and so he had stated. He
was confirmed in that opinion by the fact that although riots
ltacl_taken place, and there had been some destruction of pro-
perty, and although public buildings had been attacked, the
magistrates had not, either by placard or otherwise, offered
any reward for the apprehension of the parties offending, or
cautioned the people against such outrages. Seeing that the
magistrates had not done so, and being fully aware that there
was a disposition to create a riot and to destroy property at
the election, he was very anxious to support, as far as he
could, a large accession to the police force. He did not care
how that accession was to be made, so that there had been a
demonstration of force sufficient to keep in order persons,
whether they belonged to one party or the other.
Mr. WOOLRIGHT, Mr. HARBORD, and Sir J. WALMS-
LET having addressed the council,
Mr. H. LAWRENCE said he had worded his motion so as
not to give any offence, and avoid discussion. He would,
with the permission of the Council vary it so, that it could
not be opposed by any party. He would move that the
thanks of the Council be given to Mr. Whitty, and the offi-
cers and men composing the police force, for their great ex-
ertions and exemplary conduct in the maintenance of the
peace of the town in the late election.
Mr. BUSHELL seconded the motion. He was perfectly
satisfied, in looking at the great extent of the population, and
their excited state, that the injury sustained was trifling—a
mere bagatelle, and that no force could have prevented it. i
After some further discussion, touching the reply of the

magistrates to the resolution of the Watch Committee, and
further testimonies to the good conduct of the police, and the
intrepidity of Mr. Whitty, the motion was passed unani-
mously without a division. It was ordered, that the thanks
of the Council be conveyed through the Town-clerk, to Mr.
Whitty and the force.

The MAYOR said he might state that he had received the
thanks of the candidates of both parties and their commit-
tees, for the manner in which the peace was preserved on
the occasion. As it had been intimated that an investiga-
tion was to take place into the conduct of the magistrates, he
might observe for himself he had nothing to fear.

Mr. H. LAWRENCE said, that the two candidates, with
whom he was id communication, had expressed their perfect
satisfaction with his (the Mayor's) conduct.

INCREASE OF SALARY TO MISS ELLIS

Sir JOSHUA WALMSLEY moved that the salary of Miss
Ellis, under mistress of the South Corporation School, be
increased from £35 to £45 per annum.

Mr. JoTor HOLMES seconded the motion

Mr. PARKER opposed the motion as follows :—I rise, not
so much to oppose the increase of salary to the under mis-
tress of the South Corporation School, as I do to express my
disapprobation of the system of education carried oat in the
Corporation School ; a system of education opposed to those
Protestant principles on which our constitution is founded;
a system of education opposed to those principles on which
the municipal reform act is based.; and in direct opposition
to that solemn declaration, to support the Protestant religion,
we each of us make on entering this council chamber. It is,
moreover, a system of education to which the majority of the
constituency of this vast community (of which we are the
representatives) are decidedly opposed. It is also a system
of education that has driven the Protestant clergy from the
superintendence of these schools, and which will, if persisted
in, ultimately convert our Protestant Corporation Schools
into seminaries for the spread of the errors of Popery. But
as I purpose to bring forward a direct motion on the subject,
I merely state these remarks as the grounds of my opposition
to the motion now before the council. Mr. Parker was pro-
ceeding to move an amendment, when

The MAYOR explained to him that it was merely a direct
negative, and that voting against the motion would have all
the effect he wished.

Mr. PARKER replied that he should content himself with
entering his protest against the system.
The motion was then passed.

HEALTH OF THE TOWS

Mr. CASE moved the payment of 100 guineas to each of
the building surveyors, as a remuneration for their services
in the survey of the town, &c., including their expenses.
Mr. KILSHAW seconded the motion.—Agreed to.
PUBLIC PARKS.
The report of the Committee on Parks was read, which
embodied a resolution that it be recommended to make the
purchase if Lord Sefton would take the bonds of the corpora-
tion, and the public would raise £20,000 by subscription,
and that parliament be petitioned to contribute towards the
project.

Mr. SANDBACII had hoped that the Finance Committee
might have made a report on this subject to-day, and so have
enabled the council to enter upon its consideration ; but it
had, owing to the election and other circumstances, been
postponed at the two last meetings. It was perhaps better
that it should be so, because the delay would enable the coun-
cil to consider before being called upon to decide, upon the
proposal of the Parks Committee. The lithographed plans
which he expected would have been in the hands of the coun-
cil this morning, were not ready, but they would be before
the next meeting. The motion he had now to make was that
the report be received, and that the Finance Committee be
requested to come to an early decision upon the subject. It
was only right for him to point out the nature of the propo-
sal, and to show that the corporation was not called upon to
make any outlay whatever for several years, and that the ul-
timate outlay was remarkably small in comparison with the
importance of the object to be' attained. The land proposed
to be purchased would cost £92,000; the land proposed to
be sold would be sold for £59,937—an estimate which seemed
to be a safe one, he called it a ion, one, because lots of land
in the same neighbourhood, but by no means so desirable, had
recently been sold for a much higher price. The interest on
£92,000, the first cost, would be £3,705 a year. The sum
proposed to be raised by public subscription wait £20,000.
The sum required to lay out the land would be £12,206, or
thereabouts. (Hear, hear.) There would then remain
£B,OOO to proVide for the' interest upon the cost, supposing
none at all were sold for between two and three years ; but
inasmuch as the probability was that sales would commence
immediately after the grounds were laid out, before the end
of the second year some sales would be made. In four or
five years, therefore, the corporation would not be called
upon to pay one farthing. It was estimated that the whole
of the land might be expected to be sold in about ten years,
and at the end of that time the ultimate cost to the corpora-
tion of the parks would be £48,924. For that they would
have eighty acres of land, or 819,000 square yards, which,
at the end of the period for which the corporation leased
its property. would become the absolute property of the cor-
poration, with all the buildings upon it. What the land
might be worth at that time could only be guessed at : one
would imagine, however, that it would not be worth much
less than £1 a yard, which would be £819,000. So that for
an expenditure of £48,000 now, in seventy-five years the
corporation would have £819,000.

Mr. SHELL objected to the subject being entertained,
because the regular notice had not been given that a recom-
mendation would be made to purchase so large a quantity of
land.

The MAYOR observed, that th3re was not a recommenda-
tion to purchase.

Mr. WOOLWRIGHT hoped the council would not reject the
petition, presented some time since, from a large body of
inhabitant householders on this subject, seeing that the land
might be obtained at a cost comparatively small to what was
at first expected.

Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE did not see how the Finance Com-
mittee could report. The purchase was contingent upon the
sum of £20,000 being raised by the public, and until £20,000
were offered, the Finance Committee could not report.
Mr. JOHN HOLMES observed, that the funds of the cor-
poration would not enable them to pay the interest without a
borough rate. _ _

Mr. EVANS opposed the proposition at considerable length.
A more utopian scheme he had never heard ; and when he
heard that 4:20,00.) were to be raised by the public, he natu-
rally thought of St. George's Hall. That company' got a
few thousands upon paper, but eventually they fell back upon
the corporation. If the corporation got into difficulty by
such wild schemes as these, it might be necessary for them
to produce their securities for the satisfaction of their cre-
ditors ; and as the legislature was apt to make free with
corporate property and corporate incomes, they did not know
how soon they might be crippled in these respects. lie
could not conceive any thing more mistaken than the idea
that the establishment of a little scanty park, with a lake of
an acre, would be an inducement to opulent people to come
and settle in Liverpool. The Mersey was the true source of
attraction ; and as long as that remained to them, they would
not be justified in spending £lOO,OOO on an article of ques-
tionable utility._

Mr. IsAAcHOLMES said, that by the municipal act, un:ess
the corporation had a surplus income, the Idea of making a
park could not be eneertained. He objected, therefore, to
the subject being referred to the Finance Committee.
Mr. BUSHELL, replied to the remarks of Mr. Evans, and
said he would make it a condition of having the park that
£20,000 should be subscribed by the public. If the public
did not subscribe that sum, then the wbole scheme fell to
the ground. Surely the physical education of the people was
of some importance. In London parks were spreading in all
directions ; parliamentary grants were made for them, and
why should not Liverpool fairly call upon the government
for a grant to assist in keeping its great population healthy,
seeing that government derived such a large portion of re-
venue from Liverpool ? Look at the Custom-house returns,
and say whether Liverpool could not fairly call upon govern-
ment to subscribe some portion back towards keeping its
poorer population in health ? Then, with a government
grant, and with £20,000 subscribed by the public, how little
remained for the corporation to do ! Lord Sefton had pro-
mised to take the amount rn bonds, at four per cent., there-
fore there would be no actual outlay of capital. The Sur-
veyor said much of the land might be sold again advanta-
geously, therefore he (Mr. Bushell) maintained that as a
speculation this purchase was desirable.
Mr. CASE feared, if this subject was to be brought forward
the Finance Committee would not be able to make a report
of the state of the finances. The corporate year closed in
August, when it would be necessary to make a complete re-
vision of the general state of the finances. If, then, the
council required a report on the financial part of the question,
they would be requiring from the committee what they could
hardly be expected to accomplish.
Mr. PROCTOR said the scheme, if commenced, would cost
the corporation not less than £300,000 by the end of seventy-
five years.

After a few words from Mr. SANDBACII, in reply, the re-
solution was passed in the following form :—" That the re-
port be received, to be taken into consideration at the next
monthly council, and that the Finance Committee be re-
quested to make an early report, to enable the council to
come to a decision on the subject, and that a copy of the Sur-
veyor's report, and of the resolution of the Park Committee,
and of the plan, be sent to each member of the council."

CLAIMS ON ACCOUNT Or DAMAGE DONE AT THE RIOTS

Letters claiming compensation for damage done during the
riots arising out of the meetings against the corn laws, were
read by the Mayor.

The TOWN-CLERK expressed a decided opinion that such
claims could not legally be satisfied out of the borough fund.
To pay such claimants would be decidedly illegal.

RETURNS

The accounts of the paving and sewerage commissioners
for the past year were laid before the council, from which it
appeared that the commissioners began office with a balance
of 19s. 6d., and left it with a balance of 10s. 6d.

A return was also presented from the commissioners of
the Court of Requests, of monies unclaimed from the Ist of
June, 1840, to the Ist of May, 1841, with the names of per-
sons who had paid, and of those upon whose account the
different sums had been paid. The amount was stated to be
£648 lls. 3d.—After some discussion, the publication of the
names was referred to the committee.

REDUCTION OF FEES ON LEASES, &C.
A letter was read from Mr. Richard Brooke, attorney,
inclosing a memorial from. a peat number of the most re-
spectable professional men in Liverpool, representing the
hardship upon their clients of the high rate of fees payable
upon the corporation leases, &c.—After some debate, in
which the Town-clerk expressed an opinion that the charges
were too high, the subject was referred to the Finance Com-
mittee.

SECOND PATENT THEATRE.
The MAYOR submitted the following letter from Mr. Phil-
lips, the secretary to the Marquis of Normanby :
" Whitehall, June 29, 1841.
" SIR,—I am directed by the Marquis of Normanby to
transmit to you the inclosed copy of the petition of a very
numerous body of the gentlemen, merchants, bankers, ma-
nufacturers,_and other inhabitants of Liverpool, praying her
Majesty to direct ' that letters patent may be issued to the
parties named in the said petition, in trust for and in behalf
of the community of the town of Liverpool and its charities,
for an additional patent or licensed theatre and company of
players in the said town of Liverpool.
" And I am to request that you will submit the prayer of
this petition for the consideration of the Town Council of
Liverpool, and report to me, for Lord Normanby's informa-
tion, the result of their deliberation.
(Signed) " S. M. PHILLIPS."
The copy of the memorial was then read, and
Sir JOSHUA WALMSLEY moved the following resolution,
observing that the petition to the Queen bad been signed by
11,000 persons : ' After deliberating
er deliberating upon a communica-
tion from the Marquis Normanby, transmitting for the
consideration of this council a copy of a petition praying her
Majesty to direct that letters patent be issued, &c.,—Re-
solved, that this council do fully approve of the object of
the petitioners, and do direct that a certified copy of this
resolution be transmitted to the Home Office, with a proper
acknowledgment for the communication made to the coun-
cil."

Mr. Busticu. seconded the motion. If we were to have
theatres in Liverpool, it would be well to have them upon the
best footing, and the highest class of entertainments. At
present Mr. Raymond, of the Liver Theatre, was obliged to
give such performances as he would not if he had a patent.
He (Mr. Bushell) saw no objection to the prayer.
Mr. J. SMITH said there was only one objection, the giving
of one monopoly against another. If it were left to the Coun-
cil to licence the theatres, it would be more fair.
The TOWN-CLERK replied that it was the right of the
Queen to grant patents, and her Majesty should never part
with her prerogative.
Mr. EVANS quite agreed with Mr. Smith that, as a piece
of self-government, the right ought to remain with the Coun-
cil, but the law was against that.
The MAYOR observed that it was very courteous on the
part of the Marquis of Normanby to send this matter for the
consideration of the Council.

Mr. SANDS hoped the Council would not recommend the
principle contained in the motion. No additional theatres
were wanted in Liverpool.
Mr. BUSH ELL said the patent was not for an additional
theatre, but only for the Liver.
The MAYOR observed that the prayer of the petition was
not for a patent for any theatre in particular.; there was no
place named.
Mr. BUSHELL had asked Mr. Raymond whether it was in-
tended to increase the number of theatres, and he replied in
the negative. •
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE said there ought to be a free trade
in theatres.
Mr. H ARBORD was happy to hear that neither the Theatre
Royal nor the Liver answered; that was the reason the patent
was asked for. Theatres were the bane of society, and that
Council should not encourage them.
Mr. JORDAN.—We want to make them better.
Mr. BIRKETT asked whether in the petition there was any
mention directly or indirectly of the Liver Theatre ,
The MAYOR.—No.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE said this was a direct attack upon
the property of the other theatre, and he should oppose it.
Mr. BUSHELL said if the patent were not intended fur the
Liver he should withdraw his seconding of the motion.
Mr. Raymond had informed him it was.

SIR J. WALMSLEY replied that there was no doubt it
would be granted to the Liver.
Mr. PRIESTLEY said he should vote against the motion.
The MAYOR asked how many gentlemen of the council
had signed the petition ?
Sir J. WALMSLEY replied 22 ; and that the patent would
be granted to.three _gentlemen who would be representatives
of the public interests.
The TOWN-CLERK said the prayer of the petition was ex-
pressly that the patent might be granted to those gentlemen
ior n trust andti on behalf of the town of Liverpool, and in trust
f its charies.
Mr. J. SMITH asked whether the charities would gain
anything by it?
The TOWN-CLERK replied that those were the words.
Mr. SANDS wished to know what was the meaning of
those words ?
Mr. Bustmu, said they meant that when the patent should
be granted Mr. Raymond should undertake to subscribe a
certain sum to the charities of the town.
The TOWN-CLERK observed that that would be incon-
sistent with the trust.
Mr. SH cit, then seconded the motion.
The council divided, when there appeared for the motion,
Messrs. Quayle, Isaac Holmes, Thornhill, Case, Aikin,
Woollright, Bright, Yates, Robinson, Morecroft, Kilshaw,
J. Smith, M'Kee, Jordan, Mather, J. Hornby, J. bolt,
Sheil, Evans, Barclay, Earle, Benn, Moon, Sir Joshua
Walmsley, and the Mtyor.
Against the motion, Messrs. Sandbach, Sands, Priestley,
Toulinin, J. Lawrence, Birkett, Bushell, Parker, G. H.
Lawrence, Platt, and Harbord.
For the motion 25, against it.ll ; majority 14.
Mr. Blackburn was elected a member of the Observatory
.
Committee, and Mr. Evans a member of the Health c
mittce.

Mr. ISAAC Hor.mEs moved that a gratuity of £lO be pre-
sented to Miss Robinson, of the corporation schools.
Mr. PRIESTLEY seconded the motion.
Sir J. WALMSTEY and other members opposed it, and
eventually it was withdrawn.
The council then adjourned.