The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-01-26 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS—TuEspAy.

Mr. GORDON presented a petition from parties in Aberdeen-
shire, for the adoption of improvements in the regulations for
the conducting of " private bills," and particularly as respected
the taking of evidence thereon.
Mr. C. LusiiiNuToN deferred till Thursday his motion for a
bill to incorporate the subscribers to the Refuge for the Desti-
tut., and-tor the better enabling them to carry on their chari-
table designs. .
Mr. Luc AS obtained leave (the motion having been seconded
by Sir G. St NCL A IR) to bring in a bill for the relief of cunacre
tenants in Ireland.
Mr. P. THOMP3ON moved, in pursuance of the recommenda-
tions of the committee on the business of the house, that no
private bill be read.a second time until six days after a breviate
thereof skull have been laid on the table of the house, and have
been printed; that such breviate shall contain a statement of
the object of the bill, a summary of the proposed enactments,
and shall state any variation from the general law which would
be effected by the bill; and that the speaker be authorised to
give such directions as should seem to him best for carrying
into effect such resolutions.
After some desultory discussion the' resolutions were carried.
Sir Rowatur FauncsoN moved for a return of all sums of
money advanced for the uniform valuation of lands and tene-
ments in Ireland under 7th George IV., c. 62, and 3ubsequent
acts; also for a copy of the estimate of the sum likely to be re-
quire(' for the same purpose fur the quarter ending-March 31,
1833.—niey were ordered.

THE CANADA GOVERNMENT BILL.
The adjourned debate on the question that the house resolve
into committee on the Canada Government Bill was then re-
sumed, and continued to occupy the attention of the house to a
late hour.
Sir W. Mor.Esiv.oßTH spoke at great length against the bill.
Mr. E. L. tic LWEit supported the bill, contending that the
outbreak in Lower Canada was not caused by real radicals.

Mr. GROTE resisted the measure.
Mr. GLADSTONE very eloquently exposed the misconduct of
the ministers in the management Of Canadian affairs.
The CHANCELLOR of the ExcEcoNot observed that the go_
vernment had shewn forbearance till it was no longer justi-
fiable; but that it proved the unwillingness of government to
go to extremes.
Sir H. PEEL said that he should support the bill, because he
saw no other safe mode of proceeding. The assetniblyhadre-
sisted supplies, not for the purpose of procuring the redress of
grievances, hut to effect a fundamental change of he
constitu-
tion. That was what the tout her country could not sanction;
besides, was it right that this country should meet those sup-
plies for which Lower Canada had undertaken to provide out
of the surrendered revenues ?
Lord J. Russei.t, replied, after which the house divided. The
numbers were—For the motion 262, against it 16—majority iu
favour of the original motion 216.
Lord J. RussEt.t. moved that the bill be committed on
Thursday, and that it have precedence of ad other business.
Mr. WA K LEY declared that he should on that day persist in
his motion respecting the cotton spinners' association.
The house divided on the question of going into committee
on Thursday. The numbers were—fur it 101, against it, 6
majority 95..—Adjourned at a quarter past two o'clock.

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDENGS

On Wednesday, a special meeting Of the Town Council vas
held, called for the purpose of determining on a communication
from the Lords of the Treasury, respecting the removal of Lue
Postotlice.

The MAYOR said he had received a letter from Joseph Kis-
dale and Sous, wishing an interview with the Finance Com-
mittee, for the reduction of their rent. Referred to the F►uance
Committee.

REMOVAL OF THE POSTOFFICE TO THE NFIV CUSTOMHOUSE.

The MAYOR said, the immediate object of their being called
together was a letter from the Lords of the Treasury, which
required the opinion of the council respecting the removal of
the Postoffice.

Mr. Jou DAN said, before the letter was read he would take
the liberty of laying before the council the letters and papers
which had passed respecting the Postoffice.
The MA YOK.—Would you wish them to be read?
Mr. Jou DAN.—If you please; I shall request in my own jus-
tification that they be read.
The deputy 'I'owr•CLEKK then proceeded to read the papers
handed in by Mr. Jordan, which related chiefly to the com-
pleting of the new Custom-house. That the committee thought
it not calculated for the Post office; that the Post-master General
be requested to send an officer clown to inspect it, and that a
ground plan of the building be furnished to Mr. Banning, to be
laid before the Post-master General.

Mr. Councillor Jon DAN merely wished these proceedings to
be read, to show, that in no one instance had he diverged from
the course intended by the council. He never wrote any private
letter on the subject, either fur himself or the committee, to pre-
vent the removal of the Postuffice, but he had forwarded it to
the utmost of his power. lie had wished the papers to be read
to show how wrong the insinuation against him had been.
Mr. Alderman SHIEL begged permission to say one word
in explanation to Mr. Jordan, on the observation he had made
at the last meeting. fits reason for asking the question then
was that be had been absent for some time, and was therefore
anxious to see the correspondence, if any had taken place; and
he begged to assure Mr. Jordan that he had not the most distant
wish to insinuate that he was acting in any way but with the
most correct conduct and gentlemanly feeling.
Mr. Councillor JORDAN begged to thank Mr. Shiel, and took
his explanation as a very great compliment.
The MAYOR said the council would recollect that a deputa-
tion was directed to proceed to Loudon, ou Postoffice business;
their report would be the first thing read.
The TowN-cLkkk then read the report of the deputation, as
follows:

" In compliance with the instruction of the Town Council,
your deputation proceeded to London, and had an interview
with Mr. Baring, of the Treasury, and with Colonel Nlaberley,
of the Postoffice, respecting the removal of the Post-office to
Canning-place.
" Your deputation called their attention 'to the peculiar cir-
cumstances of Liverp”ol, to the immense extent and paramount
importance of its commerce, and to the fact, that it is almost
exclusively carried on in the immediate vicinity of the docks;
and further stated, that the Irish, Welsh, and Bristol mails are
received by the river; that ships are constantly arriving with
letters from all parts of the world, and that the merchants are
obliged, in consequence of the constant despatch and delivery
of letters, to send to the Postoffice several times every day.
" That if the Postotfice were placed at any considerable dis-
tance from the centre of business, it would cause great inconve-
nience, expense, and embarassinent to trade ; and filially, that
the Town Council is of opinion that Canning-place is a suitable
site fur it.

"Mr. Baring declared that the government is inclined to
meet the wishes of the inhabitants, as expressed through the
medium of their representatives in the Town Council ; that hr
would lay our statements before the Lords of the Treasury, and
that he had no doubt they would be guided by the opin►on of this
council.

" On the subject of adopting a system of contracts, instead of
that now pursued for the conveyance of mails between Liver-
pool and Dublin, your deputation had interviews with the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer, with Sir John Barrow, and with Mr,
Charles Wood, the result of which was an assurance from those
gentlemen, that in any change which the government might
deem it necessary to make, the fullest attention should be given,
and the greatest precautions taken to insure, nut only the regu-
lar and speedy conveyance of the ►nails but also as ample ac-
commodation for passengers as at present afforded, and that if,
after a fair trial, the altered system should not prove satisfac-
factory, the government would be prepared to return to that now
in operation,

"By desire of the Emigration Committee of this Council,
your deputation saw Sir George Grey, of the colonial depart-
ment, and was informed by him, that the suggestions of this
council were under the consideration of the government, and
would as far as practicable be introduced into a bill to be laid
before parliament during the present session, for redressing the
grievances, and preventing the frauds now complained of in
this and other parts of the United Kingdom.
" Your deputation begs to slate in conclusion, that the mem-
bers of her Majesty's government paid the most gratifying atten-
tion to the suggestions of this council, and received its deputa-
tion most courteously.
"To Mr. Wainwright, agent, and to Mr. Cresswell, member
for this borough, your deputation feel much indebted for their
constant and zealous assistance.

The TOWN-CLERK then read the following letter from the
Lords of the Treasury :
" Sir,—The Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury,
having had under their consideration the subject of the removal
of the PostotEce from its present situation to the Custom-house,
at Liverpool, I am commanded by their lordships to inform von
in reference to the site of the Postoffice, that this board anethe
Post Master General consider their first object the convenience
of the inhabitants of that populous and counnercial port :—that
my lords apprehend, that upon a point so entirely of a local
nature, the Town Council, selected by their fellow-townsmen,
and having the means of knowing their opinion, would be best
able to advise my lords, and to communicate what may be con-
sidered.as the wishes of the inhabitants in general. And their
lordships are, therefore, desirous of obtaining the opinion of the
Town Council whether they consider that the removal of the
Postoffice from its present situation to the new Custom-house
would conduce to the general convenience and interests of the
place. And my lords request that you will take the necessary
steps for the purpose of laying the subjects before the Town
Council, and forward any communication with which they may
favour the board.
(Signed) "A. G. S HEA RM AN."
The MAYOR said, although the opinion of the council had
been so unequivocally expressed on a former occasion, he
thought it right to take their opinion on the letter which had
beets read, and also through the medium of the press, that it
might be communicated to the public, in order that they might
express their opinion on it.
Mr. Alderman BOOTH had great pleasure in proposing this
resolution for the adoption of the council, because lie was very
well convinced, that, on trial, the situation would prove a good
one, especially with reference to the mercantile classes. This
subject bad been so fully discussed at the last meeting, that he
did not think it necessary further to trespass on their time.
Mr. Councillor CURRIE begged, before the resolution was
passed, that they should return thanks to the deputation for the
great services they had been of to that corporation, and for the
courteous energy and zeal which, no doubt, they had manifest-
ed to government so soon to obtain an answer. With the per-
mission of the council, he would move a vote of thanks to Mr.
Alderman Evans and Mr. Alderman Shiel for the ability with
which they had conducted the deputation in London.
Mr. Alderman BooTH secuuded the motion, waich was uani-
mostly adopted.
Messrs. BY ANS and SHIEL briefly returned their acknow-
ledgments for the compliment paid them.
The MAYOR presumed he might consider the motion of Mr.
Currie was confirmatory of the report.
The TOWN-CLERK then read the following resolutions, pro-
posed by Mr. Booth.
" Itesolved,—That the new Custom-house buildings wete
erected in conformity with a contract sanctioned by Act of Par-
liament, between his late Majesty's Treasury and the Corpora-
tion of Liverpool.
"That the especial purpose of this contract being the concen-
tration of all the public offices was inducement to the Corpora-
tion to make a gift of a valuable site for the building, add to
contribute a very large sum of money towards its construction.
" That this Corporation, relying upon the contract with Go-
verninent being carried'into perfect operation, have expended,
and are now in the course of expending large sums of motley
in forming approaches and a vicinage worthy of so magnificent
an edifice, and of the important public uses for which it was
originally destined.
"That, independent of these circumstances, this council,
after mature consideration, and having taken all circumstances
into view, are of opinion, that for the convenience of the trade
and for the general advantage of the inhabitants of Liverpool,
the new Custom-house building offers the best available situation
for the Post-office, and for all other establishments for the pub-
lic business within the borough.
Resolved,— That the resolution entered into by this council
on the 3d day of January, 1838—
"That, in the opinion of this council, it is desirable that the
Post office should be removed to the offices intended for that
department in the Custom-house buildings, so soon as they can
be fitted up for the purpose," is now confirmed, and that the
Mayor be requested to communicate these resolutions to the
Lords of her Majesty's Treasury.
Mr. Councillor BRIGHT rose to second the resolution, and
he would beg to add a few remarks. If he thought the removal
of the post-office was likely to interfere with the tradesmen and
inhabitants generally, instead of seconding that motion he
would move an amendment on it. He begged to state that he
believer: instead of interfering with the working of business, the
post-office, if removed, would act-as it then stood, and the in-
habitants-wouhrreceive heti- letters In the same time and 1/lan=
ner as they did now; and that in effect the convenience of the
public would be pe-haps greater than it now was. The press
had certainly represented the very opposite of what he had be-
fore stated. Siuce then he had thought a good deal on this
subject. Those who resided in the immediate neighbourhood
of the present post-office he found quite lukewarm and apathetic
on the subject, because it would not interfere with their interests;
at least it might be supposed to affect their interests. He there-
fore felt more satisfied with the opioiun which he had expressed
on a former occasion. He had great pleasure in seconding the
motion.
Mr. Councillor ItssisnEar noticed the very great expense of
private boxes at the post-office, and giving gratuities to the
clerks at Christmas, for which he thought there was no neces-
sity whatever, because these persons ought-to be properly paid
by salaries; and if the postmaster's salary was nut sufficient,
it ought to be augmented from the General Pustoffice, and not
out of the pockets of the people of Liverpool. He did not see
why this town should be placed on a different footing from Lon-
don, where deliveries took place two or three times a day.
There, if a letter were written at night, it might be delivered
at nine the next morning; and if written later still, it would'be
delivered at eleven, and stealer than the merchants could pro-
cure their letters if they sent their own clerks; and he did not
see why Liverpool shoUld be on a diff,rent footing. This would
be effected if they bad proper receiving houses, and a proper
number of persons to do their duty in delivering those letters.
Ile was quite aware that the present postmaster derived a great
income from the private boxes, and he had no intention to ex-
press any unfavourable opinion of the servicesof the postmaster,
to whom he would give the same remuneration as at present,
but in a different way. He had briefly expressed those opinions
to the council. He did not know how he should proceed, but
merely stated those ideas to the council, who he hoped would
take some steps in the matter.
The MAY oa observed that the council would be aware that
any further discussion on that point was out of order. The only
question for discussion was as to the site of the Postoffice, but
if M r. Ramsden would give notice of a motion thereon, it might
be discussed at their next meeting; it was a very important
point.
Mr: Councillor Its NISI/EN then gave notice that he would
bring the subject before the council en a !inure occasion. He
wished by no means to depreciate the services of Mr. Banning
whom he conceived to be as valuable and efficient a public set,
cant as could be.
Mr. Councillor WOOLWRIG HT was aware, after the derision
of the council, how unthankful an office it was to oppose the
motion, but he was still of opinion that the removal, as contem-
plated, would be most inconvenient to three-parts of the town,
and he was not a little surprised to find that at a late meetin g
of the council, held within the last twelve mouths, when a dis-
cussion was led off by Mr. Leathum, on referring to a newspaper