The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-04-26 00:00:00

MEETING OF DOCK.eitATE-PAYERS.

Yesterday a meeting of the rate-payers to the dock estate waSheld
at two o'clock, at the Cotton Sale Room, convened for the purpose of
considering the proposed dock bill. About four hundred-persons at-
tended the meetieg.—On the motion of Mr. Godfrey Barnsley, Mr.
Hugh Hornby took the chair.--. The Chairman, in opening thebusinesig
of the Meeting, Said though a councillor, he should act simply.agachair.
man of the rate-payers.—Mr. Yates then rose. He had already, on a
former occasion, handed in a proposition which time had not per-
mitted him to discuss on a former occasion. He was sensible of the
great talents Mr., Aikin had brought to bear on the other side:Of the
question; he only regretted that they were not exerted for the true
interests of the port. The enormous rates they paid might-be dated
from the period when the corporation had exercised so preponderating.
an influence over the economical management of the docks. He would
assert that the injurious burdens to which their trade had been sub-
jected had been ie exact ratio with the influence which had been-ex-
erted by the, town council. The rates they paid.were twice me lasuch
as those exacted at any other port in the kingdom. The result of the
corporation having had the management of the docks was, that they
were in a most disgraceful state ; the buoys which ought to guide the
shipping in the river had been found a few months back half-a-mile
out of their position ; he might also add that, to that monleet they
were without machinery to assist in unloading vessels. In-1825 an
attempt had been made to obtain a new dock act ; that -had-been
thwarted as much as possible by the corporation of Liverpool. Mr.
Huskisson's advice to the merchants, and ship-owners was,.. get as
many merchants on the committee as you can." An act was obtained
and clauses had been surreptitiously introduced into it. Ile would
quote the opinion of -Mr. Joseph Hornby, of the presenteorporation,
with respect to the„dock•. management, he said "I am of opleion that
an entire separation of the dock and,corporation trusts will be for the
advantage of the public." The present town-clerk had formerly said
"when the merchants wanted any amendment or a new bill in par-
liament, they had no other course but to wait patiently until the ootn-
mon council- asked for a- bill, and then make the best terms they
could." _1n1,925 there was a great want of dock room, and the town-
council told the merchants that if they did not take what was offered
they would 'withdraw the bill altogether. If by the bill of 1811
distinct eeparifibe liad been granted, the merchants in 1825, when this
threat was held over their heads, would haye laughed at it, and all the
bad bargains which had Since been made would have been avoided.
Mr. Ya'es then contended that the town-council had neither by law
nor by right any management in the dock-estate, and quoted the first
dock act, the Bth of Queen. Anne, cap. 15, which enacts that there
should be nine commissioners, three only of whom were to be chosen
he the corporation, and not out of their own body. The second dock
act was the 2d of George 11, cap. 32, when the number of the conets•
sioners was increased to twelve; the corporation only to nominate four,
and not out of their own body. This .act had •been-superseded by
successive councils who had had the misfortune to misgovern the
borough. The corporation had then encroached on the land of the
sea shore, which was the property of the crown, and made a merit of
giving, to the dock company that which was not their's to give. Not-
witltstanding the liberality of the corporation they had commenced in
1816 to receive payments for the land they had given, and between1816 and 1825 the corporation had received the sum of- £317,618
from the dock estate, and between 1825 and 1833 £195,c00 had
been paid wrongfully to- them. All these stuns ho trusted his
fellow townsmen would claim back from the corporation.-=Mr.
Aikin had said that the town-council represented the trade 6f the
port. He contended that they did not. Of the sixty-four councillors
only. 43 were rate-payers, and out of the 5028 voters by whom they
were returned, ,only 465 were rate-payers. They were quite willing
that the bond holders should have votes, in -an election of the doek
'committee: As for cutting down the rates and making docks else-
where, let them make them elsewhere ; all they wanted was cheep
dock rates to carry on their trade with advantage. They were quite
willing that the corporation, or any other responsible body, should
hold ttie property in trust, but they would never consent that they
should have the management of the docks. He would move " that
the bill now read a second time in the House of Commons for the fu-
ture regulation and maintenance of the docks be opposed." ..ed, that
it is desirable that the new bill should be based on the following prin-
ciples ; 'first, that the Mayor, Aldermen, and Councillors of the Be-
rough, should-be the future trustees, but they shall not, in their core
porate capacity, exercise any contrpl over-the expenditure and ma..
na,geinent of the docks. 3d, that the committee of management shall,
consist of 24 persona, duly qualified by the payment of rates, to be
`anneally elecled by the rate-payers of £lO or upwards, and by the
bond holders, according to the plan originally selected by thepeesent
dock committee."—Mr. Duncan Gibb Seconded the motion.—Mt. JO'
seph Hornby said it was true he had formerly advocated the seeleration
of the corporation from the deck estate, but the corporation wee sine
der very different management at that time.—(Loud cries of " Oh !'
=Mr. Joseph twart would move as an amendment. " that this meet
ing
.is of opinion that the demands of the town council are fair and
equitable." The seven propositions of the town eonneil were Inserted
in the STANDARD of Tuesday last.—Mr. Hobson seconded the Mend-
ment.Mr. John Taylor thought Mr. Swart should have explained to
the meeting what those propositions were ; in -the absence of any
Other 'person doing So he should endeavour to support them. ...
Taylor then at considerable len,gth advocated the amendment. He
contended that no committee ought to have the power of cuttieg off the
town of Liverpool froin its own port ; that every inhabitant of the
town• was concerned in its well government and trade, and that the
inhabitant% at leree had a right, to interfere through the town.coun4
eil, in the Management of the' docks. Mr. Alderman giiinfl
supporting the amendment contended that an identity of nen:mates-not
an identity in' reality: No two things courd be more directly fee
verse than the two corporations, and they had a right to anticipete
direct reverse in their actions.—Mr. Rathbone said the reasortneg one
had risen to advocate the amendment .was, that the subjecthadbeed)
fully discussed, and they were anxious to save the time of the/50W.
—The Chairman then put the question on the amendment, and gave it
as his opinion that the division was nearly even.—Mr. Alexande!.
`Smith, jun., then demanded a poll.—A long and desultory con-verse-,
Rion then arose as to what way the poll should be taken ; vvhetherithe
'rate-payers at large or the £lO rate-payers should vote.—After a vel'Y
-long discussion, Mr. T. B. Horsfall said it was his intention to movT
that the entire question should be left to reference ; the poll, would
serve as some guide to the referees, and he would move that the ree,
ferees should he the two members for the borough, with power to cal'
on a third party.—Mr. Yates would second that —A long diacuesiea•
again arose on this subject, in which Mr. Aikin, Mr. Rathbone, Mr'
Wel, and others, took part, Mr. Shiel concluding with moving
amendment, " That the poll should take place amongst the nanniciple,
voters of the borough as well as the rate-payers of the dock-
-Mr. Brocklebank then seconded this.—Me. Smith said that tg-:,
thought the amendment could not with propriety be entrtained at
that time, and another lengthy discussion occurred as to Whether or
not it was admissible, Sir, Thomas Bolton, Mr. Brown, and 15,0.'
Brocklebank contending that it was, and Mr. Porter, Mr. Horsfall,
and Mr. Yates that it was not,—The Chairman put. the question on
Mr. Shiel's amendment, and gave it as his opinion that it was carried
amidst loud cries that it was not ; and whilst the greatest confusion pre:‘,
vailed, Mr. Rathbone proposed a vote of thanks to the Chain-pa:,
amidst loud cries of "No, no !" " A vote of censure to Mr. Herlihy'.
—Mr:Smith was then moved into the chair amidst loud cheering.
Mr. Mulholland, then moved a resolution, which will be found arnoPr"
the advertisements. A vote of thanks was then passed to the Chair
man, and the meeting separated about fonr o'clock.

RIPPINGILLE'S PICTURES.—The rooms granted by „..11,1;
.Mayor,,for the exhibition of Mr. Rippingille's pictures; int"'
trative of the progress of drunkenness, are now orn in the
evenings. Another large picture, by the same, artist, ant, by: the
owner, W. R. Preiton, Esq., has just arrived, which must prove
an additional attraction.—(See advertisement-)
We were much pleased to see a supply of. fine fresh ft
brought, for the first, time, to our market yesterday. morningi Eli
the Fishing Company lately established in this town, The qual:.
tity was not lar e, but, the quality was good, and we doubt ne
but that when the concern is matured and in full operation, we a
,
shall witness a greater abundance of this necessary of life at ~,
moderate price, and in better condition than we have hithat"
been accustorned to.—From a Correspondent.
THEATRE ROYAL, CHESTER.—Mr. Raymond will °peril
Chester theatre on Monday next, the 2d of May„ with otp
and efficient company of actors and actresses. The princir.„
performance on that night will be " The •Hunchback,'''l '
which they author, Sheridan Knowles, will appear as Prost",
-r
Waller, and his pupil, Miss Elphinstone, will sustain the P',.t
r•
of Julia.—The ensuing Chester races are expected to be bet°
attended than any have been for many previous years.
THE INDIAN CHIEF.—We understand that. Mr. Parlour„°rf
the Police-office, has received several .small subscriptions fat
the relief of the Indian chief who appeared on Thursday last To
the Police-office, to complain of having had a medal stolen ne-
him, which was presented to him by his present Majesty. `rfar,
ii at present remaining in Liverpool in great distress, his
and'one of his children being ill of the small ipox in the heor",
tal. He returns to his own country, Nova Scotia, as soorl,
his family can accompany him. He possesses much Wee-
pence, and speaks English' well. He has in his possession Lest •
dentials from the authorities of Nova Scotia of the big
respectability.
—sot-

ARIE.
On Thursday morning last,M at Gretß D
0,
Gretna Greeu, and. on Sunday „roell
in; last, at St: Nicholas's' Church, in this town, Edward Salle' tbe
Gishorne, Esq., late of llarley Dale, Derbyshire, and cousin to d'
member'fOr North Derbvshire, to'Sabina,.only daughter of the '
Dr. Cursham, vicar of Mansfield.
Yesterday, at Birkenhead, Mr. Robert Watts, of .that place to
Ann Evans, late of Wolverhampton., . E,,514);.,
Same day;.at St. Margaret's Church. Chester, Henry Surl,low,,„
of this town, to Margaret, youngest,daugl4eiottbe Faircw
q., eif 'oBwestiY. •

DIED.
On the 25th Mareli4a4t, guddenly, ,Mr, .Jarites Daniel,. of. Lo x:
„vo o
. • On Tuesday last, at the residence a Mt Thomas Woodburn, Li mt..
street, in
.the 80th year of her age„Mrs. Lleararlools,,, mother °
,Wondburn, • the
'• On Thins& y last, at an advanced age, Mrs. Leather, relict
late Richard Leather, Esq. Edge-hill.

. I.,IVE4POOL.
PRINTEQ, MOD PITBLISHED - rJ
EVERY TUESDAY' .A: 1? 11101%1'
r"
BY RICHARD BATTISSON,
At N 0.4, NORTH CRESCENT, CASTLR,STREET.