The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-11-26 00:00:00

THE CONTRACT SYSTEM

The Sub-committee of works reported that an agreement
had been made with Messrs. Bowers and Co., to take down
the pier-head at the entrance to the Canning Dock, the
Graving Dock No. 1, Salthouse Dock, and part of the east
side of George's Dock.
Mr. CHAPMAN asked whether there had been any com-
petition for this work ?

- Mr. HORSFALL replied that ten or a dozen persons had
competed for it.

Mr. CHAPMAN further enquired whether the contract was
advertised?

Mr. HORSFALL said it was not exactly advertized, but
notice had been given which had induced ten or a dozen per-
sons to come forward.

•
Mr. AIKEN asked the surveyor whether it was not his
opinion that the work could have been done lower by the
committee themselves ?

The SURVEYOR replied that it was.
Mr. AIKEN thought the system of contracts was carried
too far, and that the present one ought to be abandoned.
The SURVEYOR observed that a great part of the work
was already done.

Mr. TOBIN was decidedly of opinion that the committee
carried the contract system too far.

Mr. Alderman EVANS thought it was exceedingly wrong
to run any risk by the present system. If the committee
could do this work better or cheaper themselves they ought
to do it.

Mr. RIPLEY observed that if the committee could do the
work cheaper than it could be done by this contract, they
ought to abandon it.

The SURVEYOR remarked that there might be cases in
which it would not be cheaper for the committee to do
the work.

Mr. CHAPMAN said there was one point which was appa-
rently lost sight of altogether, and that was the expedition
the committee could command by having the work done by
contract. Small things ought to be done by their own esta-
blishment; but for the sake of saving a few pounds they
ought not to inconvenience the trade of the port by abandon-
ing the contract system. The time at which the work in any
case should be completed was always specified.
Mr. HORSFALL observed that the experience of the com-
mittee had always been the reverse. Several centractors
who bad taken works had passed the time to complete them,
and had actually doubled it.
Mr. CHAPMAN.—Penalties are always attached.
Mr. HORSFALL.—But the difficulty is to get the penalty
from a man who has no money.

Mr. AIKEN said that, taking the whole, he found that the
works could be done better, cheaper, and quicker by the
committee's own workpeoplc than by contract. If it could
be shown that the work could be done cheaper by contract,
he should say do it ; but unless time and money were both
economized by the contract system, it was carried too far.
The committee had sufficient men, and as they could not
work during the tide they could be advantageously employed
elsewhere during that period.
Mr. CHAPMAN contended, that if the committee let only
the rough part of their work, and detained the smooth, they
would not be doing justice to the contract system.
Mr. HortsFALL recalled the attention of the committee to
the question, which was, whether the recommendation of the
sub-committee should be confirmed, This contract had al-
ready been taken, and the contractors had entered upon the
work.

Mr. RIPLEY was a member of the sub-committee of works,
and he begged to say that they had themselves done a great
deal of work upon the telegraph stations between Liverpool
and Holyhead. The whole had been well executed by their
surveyor, and he was satisfied that it was done quicker,
cheaper, and better than if contracts had been resorted to.
In one place the work had been done by a contractor, but it
was found so bad that the subcommittee were compelled to
have it taken down, and re-executed by their surveyor. '
Mr. HOLT said, the sub-committee had recently had new
lights to the light-ships. These were usually made by Mr.
Hartley, but in consequence of his absence, they were obliged
to get them from another quarter. They cost £176 more
than if they had been supplied by Mr. Hartley.
The recommendation of the sub-committee was then con-
firmed.

THE SHIP LADY FALKLAND.
The Sub-committee, to whom had been referred the con-
sideration of the claim of Messrs. Rankin, Gilmour, and
Co., for a return of the dues paid upon their vessel the Lady
Falkland, on the ground that she had not entered the dock,
made a report, in the shape of a resolution. It was to the
effect that the evidence be reported to the general committee,
that no blame attached to the dock master, who had acted
with sound judgment and discretion, and that the sub-com-
mittee deemed it more advisable to leave the casein the hands
of the general committee.

The evidence of the Harbour and Dock Masters was then
read. They stated that au order certainly was given to the
captain for the admission of the Lady Falkland into Coburg
Dock, on the 14th of October. but the state of the tide was
such that had she been admitted she would have grounded
in the dock, and thereby have delayed the departure of the
Acadia, Halifax steamer, which was appointed to sail the next
day. The Lady Falkland thereupon sailed for the Clyde.
The affidavit of the pilot, who belonged to No. 6, pilot-
boat, and of the captain of the Lady Falkland, were then
read. They stated the granting of the order for admission,
and that the vessel might have been admitted had any degree
of promptitude been used.

A letter from Messrs. Rankin and Co. to the committee
was next read. It stated, that they asked the return of the
money upon the broad principle of justice—that they had
not received the accommodation for which they had paid.
The 100th and 101st sections of the Dock Act were cited to
justify the return of the dues. The letter went on to say,
that as the house paid one-fortieth part of the tonnage dues
of Liverpool, and also contributed largely to the town dues
and graving docks, they were entitled to consideration, and
also to suggest a number of alterations.
Mr. SMITH, chairman of the sub-committee, said, that
every ship coming into this port ought to wait for her turn
of getting into dock. If the committee found accommoda-
tion in the docks they could not find water ; and it was the
duty of every one who wished to dock his ship to wait till the
tides were fit for the purpose.
Mr. HORSFALL enquired whether the sub-committee re-
commended anything ?
Mr. Moox replied in the negative ; adding, that they left
the matter to the decision of the general committee. The
want of water was the cause of the vessel not getting into
dock.

Mr. CHAPMAN did not at all accord with the views of the
chairman of the sub-committee, because, on reference to the
treasurer's books, it would be seen that nine years ago the
dues were returned on a ship belonging to Mr. Brocklebank
under exactly similar circumstances. Mr. Chapman then
recited the circumstances of the Lady Falkland, and con-
cluded by saving that the committee had no right in equity
to retain the dues paid by Messrs. Rankin and Co. for the
payment of the expenses of steam-boat hire.
Mr. AIKEN contended that Mr. Chapman's view of the
question was erroneous. The question was whether the dock
dues, being paid, the committee had power, under the act of
parliament, to retnrn them. There was no member of the
committee who did not feel desirous of acting the part of
equity as Mr. Chapman had suggested ; the question was,
had they the power.

.- - -
The CHAIRMAN said that the Solicitor was of opinion that
they had not.

Mr. AIKEN remarked that as the writer of the letter
referred the committee to two clauses in the new act, those
clauses had better be read.

Mr. Alderman EVANS thought that equity and good policy
required that the dues should be returned. if they had the
power, they ought to return the money.
Mr. HORSFALL was quite of opinion that if it could be
done without a direliction of duty, the money ought to be
returned.

The SECRETARY then read clauses 100 and 101 of the
new dock act; and added, that the solicitor was clearly of
opinion that neither of them could assist Messrs. Rankin.
Mr. HORSPALL was sorry to differ in opinion with the
solicitor. There was a strong equitable claim in this case,
and the clauses, he thought, went to favour the claim. He
should move that the money be refunded.
Mr. CH ApmAN seconded the motion.
Mr. Alderman EVAjS said it was incumbent upon the
committee to do equity, therefore he should move as an
amendment that the Solicitor take the opinion of two eminent
counsel upon the question.
Mr. Nicol, seconded the amendment,
After some discussion between Mr. Chilton, Mr. Sand-
bach, Mr. Horsfall, Mr. Aiken, Mr. Chapman, and others,
the committee divided, when the amendment was carried by
a majority of 1 ; the numbers being—for it 11, against it 10.
DAMAGE TO THE RIVER WALL.
The sub-committee for the department of the Harbour-
master recommended that the damage done to the river wall
by the steamers Princess Royal and Admiral be not charged
for, but that notice be given that in future if vessels came
alongside the wall for the convenience of embarking or land-
ing passengers, they would be held responsible for any da-
mage that might result.—Confirmed.

BRUNSWICK GRAVING DOCK.
Some repairs were ordered to be made upon the wall of the
Brunswick Graving Dock.

THE LATE ACCIDENT IN PRINCE'S GUT.
The attention of the committee was called by a memoran-
dum to the want of chains to the dock-gates, whereby two
females lost their lives on Sunday last, as reported in the
STANDARD of Tuesday.

Mr. RIPLEY understood that such chains were provided.
The CHAIRMAN.—We either have or ought to have them.
The SECRETARY said this melancholy accident occurred
at the north end of Prince's Dock. A young woman was
running away from some young men who were teasing her,
and in endeavouring to make for the footpath across the
bridge, she got to the gate, and fell over into the lock. A
crowd immediately assembled, and another girl who was
among them in the alarm slipped into the water. It was not
true that there was a want of a guard-chain, for it was pro-
perly fixed, but there was no chain across the footpath over
the bridge. The Harbour Master suggested that a guard-
chain should be extended across the footpaths over the gates.
Mr. TOBIN suggested that more lights were wanted.
The SECRETARY said that he had received no complaints
on that point. The misfortune was the result of acci-
dent.

The conversation then dropped.
RUNCORN DUES.
The dues received at Runcorn for the last month were re-
ported to be £52 Os. 7d.
CONFERENCE WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
The Finance Committee of the town council sent a copy
of a resolution stating, that they had appointed a sub-com-
mittee to confer with the dock committee upon the best
means of facilitating the landing and embarking of passen-
gers at the several piers, on the plans of the proposed basin
for the accommodation of the carrying trade, and on a proper
site for the testing machine.

_ __... _.
After some discussion, to-morrow (Saturday), was ap-
pointed for the conference, the committee to be considered
open.

MR. GAGE'S PLANS.
Resolutions were read in recommendation of Mr. Gage's
plans, from the East India and China Association, the Ship-
builders' Association, the British and North American As-
sociation, the Shipowners' Association, the Brazilian and
Mexican Association, and the Shipmasters' Association.
Some conversation followed, at the end of which, it was re-
solved that two members from each association, together with
Mr. Gage, should be invited to attend the committee on
Monday next, to investigate the entire plans. It was further
stated that the proceedings would be open to reporters for
the public press.

ME. CHAPMAN'S NOTICE OF MOTION.
Mr. CHAPMAN then proposed the motion of which he
gave notice last week, for the appointment of an additional
committee to assist the sub-committee of works, on whom
he made some strong observations.
Mr. Alderman EVANS and Mr. AIKEN defended the pro-
ceedings of the board of works.
The motion was ultimately rejected by a large majority,
and the meeting separated.

HoP DUTY.--The duty, on, hops, the growth of the year
1841 amounts to £266,898- ss. sd. The old duty at ld. per
lb. is £146 15s. 9d. ; and the new at Id. per lb. is £108,030 ;
the addition duty of five per cent. making up the difference.
LAMENTABLIC ACCIDENT AND Loss OF LIFE. —On
Thursday rooming a fearful explosion of fire damp occurred
in No. 6 Pit, Whiffet, whereby two men were instantaneously
killed, and five or six others so seriously injured that many
days must elapse ere they can resume their employment, or
be considered fairly out of danger.--Edbaburgh paper.

PITT-STREET WARD: CONFESSION OF
" PAUL PRY."

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
beg leave to state, through the medium of your
paper, the mode in which the letter in the Albion of the 22nd
instant, and signed " Paul Pry," originated.
A communication in the Mercury of Friday last, copied
from the Chronicle, reflecting on the doings of the Tories of
St. Paul's Ward, became the subject of conversation amongst
a few friends; and the wholesale and absurd charges of
bribery, intimidation, &c., brought forward by the Liberal
press against the Tories, was much animadverted on.
The writer of this suggested, (what is pretty well known
to be the fact,) that these charges were merely trumped up to
cover their late disgraceful defeats, and to draw the attention
of the public away from the doings of their own party in this
particular line ; like the crafty fellow who, when he is pursued
with the cry of " stop thief," immediately, to set his pursuers
at fault, turns round, and joins more lustily than them all in
the cry. The " ruse" very frequently succeeds, as it has
done, iii a great measure, with these charges of bribery, in-
timidation, and guzzlOg, or, to use the phrase of an elegant
correspondent of one of yourcontemporaries, " gobslotching,"
The mode in which these charges were got up was also
brought upon the carpet, and I again suggested, that it did
not matter from what quarter they came, authenticated or
unauthenticated ; so that they were well seasoned with abuse
of the " horrible, naughty Tories," they were sure to obtain
a ready admission from the conductors of the Liberal press.
To prove this assertion, it was proposed, that the facts
which appear charged to the poor Tories of Pitt-street Ward,
(but of which, in reality, the Radicals of that ward are guilty)
should be dressed up ; and I undertook to obtain their inser-
tion in one of the Radical papers.
The favour was first intended for the Chronicle, but this
was objected to, because, said the objector. " the editor who
could admit such a mass of rubbish into his paper as that
laid at the door of the shocking fellows in St. Paul's Ward,
would, no doubt, admit any thing, no matter however
absurd."

The Albion was then named, and it was agreed on all
hands, that if the editor of that really respectable paper
should admit it, my position would be much better proved.
ar►d the public would have a much better opportunity of
judging respecting the degree of credit to he attached to those
charges, no matter from what portion of their press they
might emanate.

I do not need to inform you of the success of the hoax ;
" the bait was greedily swallowed ;" but I hope it may be at-
tended with these good effects, viz. :
Ist. To teach these self-styled " liberal" editors a little
more caution and circumspection for the future.
2dly. To show the public the caution with which they
should receive these contemptible charges.
3dly. Who are in reality the transgressors.
4thly. The solidity of the triumphs so lately achieved by
the Conservatives.

If these objects should be attained, I, for one, Mr. Editor,
will intrude no further. I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
Pitt-street, Nov. 23, 1841. PAUL PRY.

STATION FOR THE WEST INDIA STEAMERS

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD,

Sxa,—l have read with great interest your able renalrks on
the subject of making Liverpool the port of departure for the
Atlantic steam-packets, which remarks I conceive are such
as to defy doubt or contradiction, but might be strengthened
by a few additional facts, as contrasting them with the most
prominent considerations that were urged in favour of South-
ampton, which appears to be the port selected, but by what
reason or what authority that selection has been made does
not appear, and would seem to be the result of that very
energy that the whig Council of Liverpool were so grossly
deficient in, as we have reason to believe it arose from the
influence of the proprietor of the Morning Chronicle, (the
chairman, or late chairman, of the Southampton Railway,)
who certainly deserves all praise from the local interests
through which it passes ; but how stands the case with the
great manufacturing districts of England, all Ireland, and
Scotland ? Why, Southampton is the most remote point of
England, entirely destitute of machinal resources, and with
coals dearer than at any other seaport in the kingdom, while
Liverpool is on the verge of a coal field, and possesses withln
itself very powerful resources in machinery, and is in direct
railway communication with the emporium of the world, for
this wonderful power having only about two miles of railway
to complete through the town of Manchester, for which
powers are already granted by parliament and capital raised,
to bring all the manufacturing districts of Lancashire, -York-
shire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire within six hours of Li-
verpool for goods, comprising all the manufactories of the
kingdom ; and we are assured that the Liverpool and Man-
chester, and Manchester and Leeds railway companies have
now determined to complete this only remaining link with
all possible despatch. Armed with such arguments, we
cannot conceive that any- administration could resist a proper
application on the part of Liverpool, much less so enlightened
a one as now governs the country.

Should these remarks throw ajny light on the subject you
have brought before the public, they will have answered the
end of your obedient servant, N.
Manchester, 23d November, 1841.
[Our correspondent will find some remarks on this impor-
tant question in the STANDARD of to-day, and in our next
he will observe an article upon the subject, which will not
only embrace the points to which he calls our attention,
but wherein will be adduced many important arguments
to which attention has not been hitherto sufficiently di-
rected.]

REPUDIATED EXCHEQUER BILLS,

(Prom the Morning Post)

A correspondent has communicated to us the following
list of persons who hold the above description of documents
to the amount of above £300,000. The list, we apprehend,
i s not perfect :
Bank of England £ 8,000
Coutts and Co., bankers lO,OOO
Ransom and C0., do
Price and Co., do
Curries and Co., do
London Commercial Bank...
Bell and Co., solicitors
Bell and Broderip, do . 33,000
Shearman, merchant
John and W. Scott, merchants 15,000
Hichens, broker
Barnes, do
Solomans, do. .
Harrison, do . 6,000
Shaw, City Treasurer..
Major Anderson

£311,000

(Front the Morning Chronicle.)
The Edinburgh Exchange Bills are all of £l,OOO value
each, and are apportioned in the following order among the
various banking institutions of that city :
Bank of Scotland
Royal Bank
British Linen Company 50,000
Sir William Forbes and C 0... 50,000
Commercial Bank
National Bank .
Leith Bank
Glasgow Union Bank 35000
Western Bank

£lOO,OOO

SACRED Music.—We beg to refer the lovers of sacred
harmony to Mr. Novello's list of compositiens, which will
be found clsew here. The names of Mozart. Haydn, V. No-
vello, G. Hargreaves, Taylor, B. Hme, Ball, &c., will give
an idea of the sterling merit of the work.
JULLIEN'S CONCERT.—Some delightful concerts have
been given during the week at the Portico Rooms, by M.
Jullien and his unrivalled hand. The audiences have been
literally astonished at the proficiency of Herr Koenig on the
Cornet a Piston. His tones are powerful and very sweet,
his execution brilliant, while his taste is of the first order.
M. Jullien introduced his newly-invented instrument, the
Clavicor, and played with Flerr Koenig some of the music
from Norma. The Clavicor is a sort of Opheiclide on a small
scale, fitted with pistons. The tones are round, full, and
very melodious. Madame Koenig's performances on the
Accordion are extraordinary. We had no idea that this in-
strument could be made " to discourse such excellent music."
The tones produced by the Accordion and Piano-forte accom-
paniment are similar to those of the Flips-harmonica as
played by Herr Breuniy. The Transatlantic Quadrilles are
very spirited ; popular American airs are introduced. A set
of quadrilles, composed in honour of the Prince's Birthday,
are horrid rubbish ; it is a shame to ffnd talent so wasted upon
them. The prelude—if such it was—intended for " God
save the Queen," was really ludicrous; it appeared to us to
be an endeavour to represent a s quailing infantile accompa-
niment. Mr. Collinet played a sweet air on the Flageolet.
We seldom hear this beautiful instrument ; and certainly
rarely, if ever, so skilfully played upon. M. Jullien gave the
Nightingale \Valtz with his accustomed brilliancy and effect.
Mr. Richardson is a tine performer on the flute. We recom-
mend our friends—especially our musical ones—to visit the
Portico ; if they do not they will miss one of the greatest
treats offered for some time. The Portico Room is admirably
adapted for musical performances : it is excellently contrived
for sound.

FATAL DUEL IN AFRICA.—We learn from Algiers that,
on the ith instant, a meeting took place, with sabres, be-
tween the son of General Bonnet and another officer of the
Ist regiment of chasseurs, when the former fell from a
wound in the heart, which he survived but a few minutes.
The cause of this quarrel is not mentioned.

DARING HIGHWAY ROBBERY.—A fortnight since, as a
poor man named James Rhodes, of Rye, fish-seller, was re-
turning from Hastings, where he had been to dispose of
some crabs, he was attacked near Fairlight Downs by two
footpads, who rushed upon him and felled him to the ground,
and kept him in that position, with his hat held tight over
his face, while a third proceeded to rifle his pockets. They
succeeded in robbing him of between £2 and £3 in silver,
the produce of the crabs, and made off through a gap in the
hedge. As soon as Rhodes recovered from the ill-usage of
the ruffians, he retraced his steps to Hastings, and gave in-
formation of the robbery to the police, and one of that body
accompanied him to the spot where the robbery was effected,
when he found Rhodes's pocket-knife, which had been taken
out of his pocket while he was on the ground.

CASE OF NON-PAYMENT OF Tor.r..—Great interest wail
excited in Canterbury on Monday, in consequence of the
summons issued against the Right lion. Sir Edward Knatch-
ball, Bart., for the refusing to pay a toll in the month of
September, being fixed for hearing by the city magistrates.
In the month of September last, on the occasion of the Right
Hon. Baronet's acceptance of office in the new government
under Sir Robert Peel, his seat was vacated ; and the election
consequent thereon was fixed to take place, on Monday, the
20th of September. The Right Hon. Baronet's residence
(Mersham-hatch) is situate about twenty miles from the place
where the election was appointed to take place. He left his
residence on the previous Saturday, and the usual toll was
demanded of him at the several turnpike-gates through which
he passed, at some of which he refused to pay ; and among
them was the one which formed the ground for the present
summons. He claimed his exemption on the ground that he
was going to an election. Mr. Purley stated that Sir Edward
Knatchbull living at the distance of 20 miles from Barham-
downs, where the election was appointed to take place on the
Monday, he had felt it necessary to leave his home on the
Saturday, in order to avoid Sunday travelling, and to be in
time for the nomination he paid a visit to Sir NV. B. Bridges,
at Goodnestone-park, intending to stay with bins on the
Sunday. Consequently, though the election was fixed for
Monday, still to all intents Sir Edward Knatchbull was on
his road thereto in going to Sir Brooke Bridge's on the Satur-
day, and as such was entitled to the exemption of toll, the
act authorizing that persons going to or from any such election
should he exempted, He stated further, that Sir Edward
Knatchbull himself proposed such
a visit to Goodnestone-
park merely for the purpose of being in time for the nomina-
tion. It was impossible to suppose that he, at his advanced
age, could have left his home ssufficientlyearly on the morn-
ing of election to have been at it in time, without great bodily
fatigue. Mr. Sands replied at some length, and ridiculed the
notion of allowing him the Saturday previous, when the
election was fixed for the Monday, as a reasonable time fur
one to take to go to an election, especially, too, when, as in
this case, the defendant lived but 20 miles from the place of
election. The Court convicted the right hon. gentleman in
the penalty of £2 2s. with Bs. 6d. costs, in order to afford
the opportunity of appeal, which Sir Edward intends to
prosecute,