The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-07-13 00:00:00

IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE.

The proceedings of this committee having been read, from
which it appeared that the improvement of taking down the
warehouse at 'Temple-court was recommended in accordance
with the wishes of the Council,
Mr. Councillor BOLTON said that a very large sum, £3400,
was recommended fur that improvement. The subject had
been under discussion for some time, and it was deter-
mined by the Council that the premises ought to be purchas-
ed. The Report of the Finance. Committee on this subject
came back for re-consideration, a resolution to that effect
moved by' Mr. Earle having been carried by a small majority.
On being sent back to the Finance Committee, it was thought
that it came more properly under the cognizance of the Im-
provement Committee, and that therefore any suggestions re-
pecting the measure had better come from that committee.
It went to the Improvement Committee without comment.
He would observe, that Temple-court, as they all knew, was
a very unimportant street.; there were not more than four or
five warehouses in it; and it was also altogether freehold
property. He did not deny that it would be a material im-
provement if carried into effect; but in all such matters there
must be some judgment exercised in purchasing what was
valuable. The Coporation had no property there, and any
improvement made there would be beneficial to the commu-
nity, but not to the Corporation. Therefore, under these cir-
cumstances, unless the improvement could be effected at a
considerably less sum than £3400, he would propose an amend-
ment, " that that part of the Report which relates to the
purchase of Mr. Bushby's warehouse in Dale-street for im-
proving Temple-street, be referred back again to the Com-
mittee for discussion. That unless the improvement can be
concluded at the nett cost of not more than £2OOO, the im-
provement be not confirmed." That would give the private
parties connected with the property an opportunity of com-
ing forward and doing something to assist, as it would mate •
rially benefit their property.
Mr. Councillor MORECEOFT seconded the amendment.
Mr. Councillor EARLE said, Mr. Bolton had been kind
enough to give him notice that he should oppose a "hobby"
of his. It was no hobby of his, unless a desire to remove a
public nuisance could be called a hobby. (Heat.) It was
a narrow view of the subject to say that the corporation had
no property here or there, as a reason for not making an
improvement. What was the corporation money but public
property ? Mr. Bolton must be aware that individuals would
not come forward to make such improvements, and unless
the corporation came forward to do things'of this sort, the
town would not be improved at ail: Pe admitted the street
was of no great consequence, but he invited gentlemen to go
to the Town-ball and look at the projection at Temple-court
into the street; it was a great eye-sore. There was already
a very handsome buildingin Dale-street--the bank—and Mr.
Bushby would put a handsome building up in the place of this
warehouse if it were. bought, and that would induce other
individuals, when those buildings came down, which they
undoubtedly must, also to erect handsome buildings. It
would perhaps be better not to enter on this amendment if
the circumstances were not sufficiently favourable for doing
it. Mr. Bushby was going to lay out a large sum of money,
and when that was done they could not enter further into the

improvement. To stand at a £lOOO or £l4OO in au improve-
ment of this sort was not worthy the corporation. It was a
very dangerous corner; one life had been lost there, and
several accidents had occurred. He, therefore, hoped the
council would come to the determination of confirming the
report of the Improvement Committee. (Hear.)
Mr. Councillor PLATT concurred in what had fallen from
Mr. Earle. He thought the improvement was much under-
rated. It was a very great thoroughfare, and it would be a
great advantage. 1 here were a number of warehouses down
that street, and great intercourse was carried on there; and
anything short of the improvement before stated would only
make a thing "unpalateable to see."
Mr. Alderman BENN said it seemed to him a very necessary
improvement, but he thought it might be effected without an
expense of £2OOO. He thought an archway might be built
over it the same as in Cook-street.

Mr. Councillor EARLE.—Andrender the neighbourhood
pestiferous
Mr. Alderman HARVEY concurred with Mr. Earle. An
offer had originally been made by Mr. Johnson to take the
warehouses opposite, on the strength of an arrangement
about this property. He thought, therefore, not to carry out
the views of the Improvement Committee would be a breach
of faith.

The CHAIRMAN inquired if they should proceed to the
vote ? (Cries of "Vote.")
The Towx-CLERK then read over the amendment on the
motion, that the proceedings of the committee do pass.
Mr. Councillor BOLTON wished it to be understood that a
proposal was made that £3400 be paid for the purchase of a
part of the warehouses; and he moved, as an amendment,
that £2OOO only be paid.
Mr. Councillor COGLAN wished to ask whether in the pre-
sent state of the proceeding a delay might not be allowed?
They did not know sufficiently of the matter to proceed to
the vote. (" Vote.") And whether, if a little delay were
allowed, Mr. Bushby would not accept the £2OOO, and their
object would thus be accomplished with the smaller sum
suggested by Mr. Bolton.
The CHAIRMAN said it had been debated over for years.
Mr. Alderman &um. would like to know what quantity
of land they would get from Mr. Bushby ?
A CouNcir,Loa.-152 yards.

Mr. SISIEL continued.—For which they were going to
give that sum? It appeared to him a most extravagant price;
particularly as Mr. Bushby was going to take the 'warehouse
down.

Mr. Councillor EARLE.-Oh, no; it stands as it does, un-
less we purchase it.
Mr. SHIEL continued.—He thought there was not suffi-
cient to warrant their spending money in that sort of way.
They must take into account the extent of the improvement;
and though Mr. Earle had told the advantages of it, it ap-
peared only to be an improvement in the beauty of the street,
which was a very important matter; but the very circum-
stance of that building being in the vicinity of Dale-street,
and when he saw a more extensive passage in the town there,
snore in want of improvement than any part of .the. town,
and that in the immediate vicinity of this part they were
going to improve—he alluded to Sir Thomas' Buildings—he
hesitated. That passage was so narrow, and so great a
throughfare that it wanted great improvement, and yet in the
face of this they were going to pay this extravagant price to
beautify Dale-street, and for that only. The proprietors of
the Royal Bank had thought fit to build a very handsome
bank. -They were very much obliged to them for it ; but let
them not follow their example. They ought to look to use
before ornament.

Mr. Alderman ROBINSON thought too much was said about
the improvement. He looked to the beauty of the town, but
he looked more to the prevention of accidents. He was ex.

ceedingly anxious that the improvement should take place,
from the number of accidents that he knew had occurred
there. It so happened that he had suggested that Sir Tho-
mas' Buildings should be included in the improvement act,
but it turned out that there was not time—at least that \vas
the excuse given for its omission. He perfectly agreed with
Mr. Shiel in what he could not shut his eyes to; but he
thought they ought to make this improvement, which they
now could do, and if they did not do it now the opportunity
would not occur again. It certainly did appear a very great
sum to pay for 250 yards of land; but they should recollect
that they would have to pay a very different price if there
were not on it a large and valuable building. Gentlemen
who thought that Temple-court was not much of a thorough-'
fore did not often go there. Go whatever time of the day
they might, Temple-court was nearly filled with carts. He
thought that those who supported Mr. Bolton's view did not
give the matter a fair consideration. They would act other-
wise if they had the same opportunities of seeing the nuisance
as he had.

Mr. Councillor BLACKBURN said the gontlemen who advo-
cated
this purchase proceeded in their reasonings as though
Mr. Bolton were decidedly averse to it. Mr. Bolton was
willing to advocate a very considerable sacrifice, in order to
effect this improvement—a sacrificio of £2,000; but urged
that it ought to be made at as reasonable a rate as possible.
And it ought to be borne in mind, that the pulling down of
this building would render counting-houses to be built there,
which would be an advantage to Mr. Bushby. Under these
circumstances, some £l3 10s. per square yard was a very
handsome price to give. Those opposed to the larger sum
being given, ought not to be branded as indifferent to human
life, and the safety of the public. He thought that £2,000
was quite enough, and especially as it would improve the
property of the individuals owning it.
Mr. Councillor W. CURRIE did not believe that any gen-
tleman in that council was unfavourable to this improvement,
but at the same time there should be something like reason
in the sum to be paid for it. He was not against it—very
far from it; but he thought that £3;400 was far too much for
it. The report had been ordered back to see if they could
not make some arrangement, not only with Mr. Bushby,
but with the adjoining properties; and he had been told that
they would come into some arrangement for that end, as their
properties would be benefitted by it. He was very desirous,
indeed, for the improvement to be made. He believed it
was Mr. Bush isintention to convert the warehouses into
counting-hous'es, and that the warehouses must therefore
come down. Be that as it might, it was of itself of sufficient
value to induce him to take it down, and convert it into more
valuable property; and he thought if Mr. Bushby saw that
the council was determined, he would come to some agree-
ment. He wished, therefore, this part of the report to be
referred hack to the improvement committee, with an un-
derstanding that the council were in favour of the improve-
ment, but that they considered £32 per square yard an enor-
mous sum to par for it. He therefore suggested to Mr.
Bolton, that the amendment should take a different shape,
and be referred back to the improvement committee, without
mentioning any sum.
Mr. Councillor EARLE said it was all very well to do this.
He was sure he was very anxious for the improvement. He
was very much afraid from conversations he had with some
parties, that they would give nothing to it; and he was quite
convinced that the warehouse would stand as it did, and the
lower stories would be changed into counting-houses.
Mr. Councillor JORDAN was convinced that Mr. Bushby
was as much inconvenienced as the public ; and that £l3los.
per square yard was quite enough to give.
Mr. Councillor CURRIE said Mr. Bolton had been kind
enough to allow him to suggest this proposal, " Resolved,
that the recommendation of the improvement committee
as to the arrangement with Mr. Bushby be not confirmed,
the council thinking the amount to be given too large, how-
ever desirable the improvement may be; and that it be re-
ferred back to the improvement committee for the purpose
of making arrangements for the accomplishment of this
result; and that for this object, the corporation are willing to
give the sum of £2000."
Mr. Councillor ,BOLTON should be very happy to second
that, and the amendment was agreed to. The rest of the
committee's report was confirmed.

WATCH COMMITTEE

It was resolved, that the police be allowed double wages
for the coronation day, for their uniform good conduct on
that day.—Proceedings confirmed.
The proceedings of the market committee, and of the
Town-hall establishment committee, were confirmed.

CUSTOMHOUSE COMMITTEE,

A communication was made to government as to the best
means of warming and ventilating the new Customhouse, the
works being much delayed for want of such an arrangement,
and it was resolved that the mayor, whilst in Loudon should
call at the treasury chambers on the subject.
Resolved, that the long room at the new Customhouse be
laid with Asphalte, in regular geometrical figures.
•
Proceedings confirmed.
DOCK COMMITTEE.

Resolved, that the Marine Surveyor be authorised to hire
a steam-boat for 25 days, at a cost not exceeding £8 a-day if
possible, for the purpose of a new survey of the channel, and
for altering the position of the buoys according to the altera-
tions in the banks.

Proceedings confirmed.
_ PETITIONS, &C

A petition was read from H. Wilson, shoemaker, praying
for compensation, for being obliged to remove out of a cellar
in Paradise-street. Referred to the improvement committee.
A letter was read from Messrs. Newton, Ward, and Co.,
manufacturers of alkali, stating that they had pleaded guilty
to an indictment for nuisance at the last assizes, and, that
anxious to continue their business at their present premises,
they intended to erect iron cylinders, with jars attached, in-

stead of the open cylinders, to condense the muriatic acid
gas, so as not to annoy the inhabitants, if they had the per-
mission of the the town's authorities, otherwise they must
abandon their premises at a ruinou§ loss.
The TowN•t.LERK said he apprehended the council could
not give approval of this by way of anticipation. The result
must first be proved.
Mr. Councillor JORDAN sugested that the petition " do lie
on the table."

Mr. Councillor EA RLE thought it should have an answer,
and that was taking no notice of it.
The Town-clerk was requested to acknowledge its receipt.
ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE.
The TOWN-CLERK said he had to read the report of the
church endowment committee. The report was as follows :
"That the committee have deemed it expedient to consent
to the further terms of £BO per annum, on the decease, re-
signation, or removal of the second minister of Sc. Martin's,
(when the second minister's stipend is to cease,) and to be
applied with the £2O per annum, before proposed, to take
effect on the same event, to the payment of a stipend of £ 100
per annum to a curate of St. Martin's; and that the bill is
now in progress."
THE PILOTAGE BILL, AND THE IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT

Previously to reading the following report from himself, the
Town-clerk said he had to inform the Council that he had re-
ceived a letter that morning, before he entered the Council-
chamber, and he was happy to say that the Pilotage Bill was
withdrawn, The following is the report:
"The Town-clerk reports the petition on the Pilotage Bill,
sealed and sent for presentation pursuant to the order of the
last Council, and two petitions on the Abolition of Arrest on
Mesne Process Bill.

"And the Town-clerk submitted that a further petition on
the latter bill should be presented, praying that a process of
the superior courts against absconding debtors may go direct
to the Sheriff, as in other counties, (except the county of Dur-
ham,) to avoid the delay of going through Preston for the
county palatine mandate."
The Council broke up at one o'clock.