The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-12-04 00:00:00

ADDRESS TO THE DUCHESS OP RENT

Sir J. WALMSLtY next proposed the adoption of an ad-
dress to the Duchess of Kent.

Mr. H. LAWRENCE seconded the adoption of the address,
which was also unanimously carried.

MODE OF PRESENTING THE ADDRESSES

The MAYOR said, the next subject for the consideration
of the council was, the mode in which the addresses should
be presented, whether at a levee or at the home-office.
Mr. PLATT thought the usual plan ought not to be departed
from on the present occasion, but that they ought to be pre-
sented by the movers and seconders.

Sir J. WALMSLEY disclaimed, in proposed the addresses,
any wish upon his part to be sent on a deputation to Lon-
don. _ .

Mr. H. LAWRENCE suggested that they be transmitted,
in the usual form, to the Secretary of State.
Mr. CASE agreed with Mr. Lawrence's suggestion, and
thought the mayor ought to affix the corporation seal to them
beforehand. . _

Mr. EVANS recommended a reconsideration of Prince
Albert's title. He was known in England as " Prince"
Albert, and when the Queen intimated her intention of
marrying him, no other term was made use of, but it was
announced that it was resolved to ally herself in marriage
with " Prince" Albert of Saxe Coburg. Why, then, were
they to go to Germany in search of a new term, particularly
when the popular feeling of England was, that the term
" Prince" was a higher 11,,nour than that of " Duke?" This
was the feeling, he thought, that pervaded this country at
least, and besides, they had no precedent for the new term
in either the House of Commons or House of Lords.
Mr. H. LAWBENCE said the selection of " Duke" for
that of " Prince" was not attributable to either himself or
Sir Joshua Walmsley, and was quite willing that the term
" Prince" should be substituted if it was deemed to be more
respectable.
Sir JosauA WALMSLEY said that he was mentioned in
the address as " Prince" Albert, and, in addition, as the
" Duke" of Saxe Coburg and Gotha.
Mr. EVANS thought they had no occasion to make disco-
veries of this sort, but to adhere to his ordinary title.
The MAYOR said that if they could find a London paper
of the Tuesday subsequent to the birth, they would there
find the several addresses of the common council of the me-
tropolis, and see the manner in which he had been styled.
Mr. EVANS observed that the present was not the first
occasion upon which they had addressed him as " Prince,"
and, therefore, they bad local as well as general precedent
for the term.

Mr. H. LAWRENCE had no doubt but Mr. Evans was
much more conversant with the practice of the German
courts than he (Mr. L.) could pretend to be--(a laugh)—but
he hoped they would not destroy their unanimity byb having
any difference of opinion on so trifling a subject.
Sir J. WALMSLEY agreed with Mr. Evans that he was
styled " Prince" Albert in the former addresses from Liver-
pool, hut also that he was gazetted as such.
The MAYOR said the motion then before the chair was,
that the corporation seal should be affixed, and that they be
transmitted for presentation to the secretary of state; but in
case the secretary of state, as was suggested to him by the
town-clerk, might have some difficulty in gaining an inter-
view with one of the royal personages, it was for the council
then to say what course should be adopted.
Mr. AIKIN thought they ought not to depart from the
usual mode of presenting the present addresses, and moved
that the proposer and seconder be sent as a deputation to
London for the purpose.
Mr. EVANS thought they had had a great deal too much of
deputations to London, and that, under the peculiar circum-
stances of the Queen being in a delicate situation, it seemed
altogether out of place. However niggardly it might appear,
he confessed that he grudged the expense as unnecessary,
and, from his own observation of matters in London, he be-
lieved the mode they had determined on at first would be a
great deal more acceptable to the government. (Hear.) He
was, therefore, anxious to have the addresses to go in the re-
gular way, through the home department.
Mr. BOOTH said that whatever course they adopted in
Liverpool, would be likely to be followed as an example in
other places.
Mr. MELLOR seconded Mr. Aikin's amendment.
Mr. AIKIN should be sorry to see Liverpool an exception
to a general rule on the present occasion, and sorry also if any
parsimoniousness, or• the saving of a small and paltry ex-
pense, should induce the usual course to be departed from.
He would, therefore, call for a division on his amendment.
Mr. EvANs asked whether the mover of the amendment
was desirous of ?
trundling up the mayor's carriage and horses
on the occasion (A. laugh.)
A division was then taken on Mr. Aikin's amendment,
when the numbers were as follows—
For it .. 19

it.
Against ......................... 4-4
The original resolution by Mr. H. Lawrence was then de-
clared to have been carried.
The following are the names of ti e gentlemen who voted :
For—Messrs. J. Mellor, J. Aikin J. Woollright, J. Priest-
ley, J. N. Wood, W. Slater, W. M''Kee, J. Platt, J. Horn-
by, and W. P. Frerne-10.
Against—Messrs. J. Holmes, G. Quayle, D. Hodgson,
Isaac Holmes, R. Houghton, W. Thornhill, J. Case, H. R.
Sandbacb, H. Copeland, IL B. B. H. Blundell, H. Holmes,
T. Sands, Sir J. Walmsley, H. Hornby, R. V. Yates, T.
Toulmin, J. Lawrence, T. Robinson, J. Cooper, H. Law-
rence, W. Bitkett, R. Gladstone, C. Bushell, J. Proctor, T.
Morecroft, J. Kilshaw, T. Coglan, J, Smith, D. Mather, R.
Harbord, G. H. Lawrence, A. Smith, jun., R. Sheil, T. Bul-
ley, T. Booth, IL Roskell, T. Leathom, G. Holt, R. Benn,
J. Moon, E. Evans, T. B. Barclay, T. Holt, and the Mayor
—44.

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE—THE LATE MR. CURRIE.
The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the Finance
Committee having been read,
Mr. HUGH HORNE,/ (the chairman) said it was necessary,
according to the standing orders, that the vacancy in the
committee, occasioned by the death of Mr. William Wallace
Currie, should be filled up at the next meeting of the coun-
cil, and that notice of it be given on the present occasion ;
but he did not think they would he doing their duty if they
passed not some resolution expressive of their sincere regret.
at the late melancholy event which removed Mr. Currie from
them—(hear)—and also expressive of the value of the ser-
vices which, during the long period of a quarter of a century,
he rendered to the town at large. (Hear.) He (Mr. H.)
would not detail those services ; even if he were capable of
doing so, he should shrink from the task ; but they were well
known and fully appreciated, as clearly proved by the uni-
versal sentiment of sorrow the announcement of his death
occasioned throughout the -town—a sentiment which was not
confined to his friends and acquaintances merely, nor yet to
the party of which he was a firm supporter, but was felt by
many entertaining political opinions opposed to those he pro..
fessed. (Hear, hear.) If there existed any sympathy in
cases of this kind, where the hand of Providence bore most

fiently, he ttleugh!tito intrnediate relativei of the dway d gen.

tlerpoi ought to feel some commisscratl

mcift when they reflected on the Inanner in;ilich.his death
was received by all ranks and classes in the community. In ad•

dressing those gentlemen whO had long had a seat in the
council, it was unnecessary for him (Mr. II.) to observe upon
Mr. Currie's conduct in it, but it might not be improper to
mention one very striking and important fact connected with
his. public career, to those who had recently entered the
chamber—namely, that while he carefully abstained from any
expressions that could give offence to those opposed to him,
there was no member whose opinions had greater weight with
the council, or who was listened to with greater respect.
( Hear, hear.) As chairman of the Finance Committee, he
could safely say that the members composinf.; it would all feel,
for some time at least, his loss to be irreparable, for his prompt
and able explanations, his thorough acquaintance with the
committees, and, ,his quickness of perception, were present,
lie was sure, to the minds of all. To the value of his services
in the committee, the resolution passed unanimously at their
first meeting after his decease abundantly testified ; but he
(Mr. H.) hoped le would be pardoned if he just said one
word with regard to his own feelings on this melancholy occa-
sion

(Hear, hear.) During -the last few years 'he was
brought into more intimate acquaintance with Mr. Currie
than ever he was before, and he could safely say that he es-
teemed him most highly as a gentleman of cultivated intellect
and the kindliest feelings. (Hear, hear.) He moved, there-
fore, the following resolution

Resolved unanimously—" That the council is anxious to
express its feelings of sincere regret at the loss which it has
sustained by the lamented death of one of its most eminent
members, the late William Wallace Currie, Esq. ; that it is
desirous at the same time to record the deep sense it enter-
tains of the valuable and important services which, during a
long series of years, he rendered to the town of Liverpool;
that it bears testimony to the zeal, intelligence, and success
with which he laboured to improve the estate of this corpo-
ration, and to apply its large resources in promoting the
general benefit of the inhabitants ; as well as to the kind and
conciliatory manner and dignified deportment by which his
conduct, as a member of this body, and his intercourse gene-
rally with his fellow-citizens. were uniformly distinguished."
Mr. CASE had no hesitation in rising to second the ad-
dress. There was very little left for him to say after the
very able and eloquent address just delivered by the chairman
of the Finance Committee; but as he had twenty-two years'
experience of Mr. Currie's services to the council and town
at large, he felt he would be very much wanting were he not
to rise on the instant and second the motion which had been
proposed. The old council were often delighted with his
eloquence and conciliatory manners, and he (Mr. C.) did not
hesitate to say that or, every occasion he had been sincere in
wishing to promote the public good. If these were the only
grounds on which the present council ought to regret his
loss, such grounds as these were quite sufficient to induce
them to do so; and he should merely conclude by seconding
the motion fully and most cordially.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE felt that it was difficult for him to
say anything on the present occasion, as he was perfectly
sensible of the great loss they had sustained in being deprived
so unexpectedly of Mr. Currie's services. In the name of
the political party with whom he acted, he regretted his de-
parture. (Hear.) For many years Mr. Currie had fought
the battle of municipal government in that room, and though
political differences had arisen of late years that severed the
link which once bound him and others together, still no
diversity of sentiments interfered with that harmony which
subsisted between them. Tb him (Mr. L.) Mr. Currie had
been uniformly kind and encouraging, and, as a party man,
he would say that the conservative body deplored him
sincerely, as they looked upon him to be a kind of link in
which extremes met, and as they felt that they should with
difficulty supply his place. (Hear, hear.)
The MAYOR, in putting the resolution, said he concurred
in all that had been said regarding the deceased gentleman,
and from his experience of him, which continued during the
time the reform council had been in existence, he could say
that no man knew more of the past and present proceedings of
the council than Mr. Currie. His loss, therefore, on public
grounds, was irreparable, and, in private.life, all who knew
him lamented his removal.

The motion was then put and carried unanimously.

The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the Improve-
ment Committee, the Watch Committee, the Markets' Com-
mittee, the Town-hall Establishment Committee, and the
Church Expenditure Committee having been read and con-

firmed,
Mr. H. HORNIIY hoped he might be allowed to retire from
the Parks and the Church Expenditure Committee, as, in
his absence from the council on the last occasion, he found
he had been placed on more committes than he could con-
veniently attend. He wished, therefore, to give notice for
the filling up of his place at the next meeting ; and he might
observe that Mr. Currie's place on the Law Courts' Com-
mittee would have to be filled up at the same time.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE said it was very inconvenient to
allow gentlemen to be retiring from the committees in this
way, as it might lead to a dangerous precedent.
Mr. HORNEY having re-asserted that it was utterly im-
possible for him to attend all the committees on which he had
heen placed, particularly as he had been appointed to the
Finance Committee.

Mr. LAWRENCE admitted that the request was a reasona-
ble one in the present instance.
The MAYOR observed that as Mr. Currie had been a
commissioner of the Wallasey Embankment, they would
have to supply his place in that capacity also.
Upon the proposition of Mr. CASE, Mr. Hornby's re-
signation, on both the committees mentioned, was accepted.
THE HEALTH COMMITTEE.

The report of the Health Committee was read, from which
it appeared that a survey of all the cellars, and houses in
courts, within the municipal borough, was ordered to be
made by competent persons ; that such survey should spe-
city the number of inhabitants in such courts and cellars,
with other particulars ; that the surveyor should be directed
to submit a plan for effecting each survey, and also to report
to the committee the names of some competent persons to
carry the. same into effect. The surveyor's report was at-
tached ; it stated, among other things, that the survey would
be completed in three months.

THE DOCK COMMITTEE.
The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the Dock Com-
mittee were next read and confirmed.
THE GAOL-RESIGNATION OF THE CHAPLAIN AND

GOVERNOR,

The DEPUTY TOWN-CLERK then read the following docu-
ment connected with the gaol business, and comprising the
resignations of the chaplain and governor. It commenced by
stating—.

" On the 29th of September last, Captain Williams (the
inspector of prisons) brought under the notice of the visiting
justices, acting on the Gaol Finance Committee, various al-
leged abuses and irregularities in the management of the
prison. After a preliminary inquiry on the next day, to as-
certain how far the extraordinary circumstances named by
him were capable of proof, it is deemed proper to summon a
specialineeting of the visiting justices on that committee,
and of the visitinc, justices whose names appeared on the
card for routine of duty at that time, to meet at the Town-
hall on the first of October. At this meeting, depositions
on oath were taken in writing, on examination of officers of
the prison, in the presence of ,the governor. This course of
inquiry was pursued on the 3d and sth of October. On the
evidence so taken, certain allegations of the existence of
abuses and irregularities were made against the governor,
and time was given to that officer, at his request, in order
that he might prepare an answer and give explanations.
" The visiting justices were further engaged on this in-
vestigation into the governor's department at subsequent
meetings, particularly on the 19th and 20th of October, and
the 10th of November, in the course of which a written an-
swer to the allegations was read by the governor, and put in
by him to be entered on the minutes of the proceedings.
In the meantime the visiting justices proceeded with an
investigation into the chaplain's department, in his presence,
pursuing the same course of examination, on oath, as in the
case of the govenor. They held meetings for that porpose
on the 6th, Bth, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, and 20th of October,
the 14th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 23d, and 25th of November.
During this laborious investigation, the attention of the
chaplain was particularly directed to certain points of inquiry
suggested in a letter addressed by the inspector of prisons
to the justices ; at the same time he was informed that they
were not the only grounds, the depositions (of which he
was allowed copies) containing statements of an important
nature.

" The points of inquiry involved supposed irregularities
in the chaplain's department. To these allegations the chap-
lain read to the visiting justices a written answer and expla-
nation of his conduct, which he then put in to be entered
on the minutes of the proceedings.
Before the visiting justices had come to any decision upon
these proceedings, and in fact as regards the chaplain, im-
mediately upon the conclusion of his reply, on the 20th of
November, the chaplain delivered into the hands of the
chairman of the meeting the following resignation of his
office :