The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-12-07 00:00:00

LOCAL MEETINGS.

DocK COMMITTEE.—LittIe of public interest was done
at the meeting on Thursday, whilst reporters were pre-
sent. The Sub-committee of Works recommended a new
arrangement for cart-stands round the docks, so as to re-
lieve GeOrge's Dock-quay. By the new arrangement, it
was proposed to provide 21 stands, affording accommoda-
tion for 420 carts. Confirmed.

WEST DERBY GUARDIANS.—The weekly meeting of
this board took place on Wednesday, Mr. Sheppard in the
chair. After the usual routine of business, it was resolved
that a call of 124 per cent, be made upon the various
townships in the union : the call to he paid on or before
the 14th instant. It was also determined to confer with
Mr. Austin upon the subject of enlarging the West Derby
Workhouse, as it is found sadly too small at present. _

THE WALLASEY COMMISSIONERS.—At the usual
weekly meeting of this body, on Thursday evening. Mr.
Winch occupied the chair. From the minutes of the
ferry committee, it appeared that the usual parliamentary
notice had been given, and plans prepared for the furnish-
ing of the township with a ferry. The appointment of
four commissioners, to sit on the new board at Birkenhead
was deferred till the next meeting. A committee was ap-
pointed to have corrected various postage irregularities
complained of. Mr. Goldsmith moved "That King-
street, Trafalgar-street, Pool-road, and Abbott's-lane, on
being dedicated to the commissioners, and the sum of
£6OO paid to them, the commissioners shall make and re-
pair, and ever afterwards take upon themselves, the main-
tenance of such roads." The law-clerk stated that the
motion could not be legally carried, and it was of course
negatived.
THE LYING-IN-HOSPITAL.—The sixth annual meeting
of this excellent charity was held on Thursday morning,
at the Medical Institution, Mount-pleasant. The Wor-
shipful the Mayor, T. B. Horsfall, Esq., who occupied
the chair, said he was sure from the appearance of the
meeting, that the objects of the institution were not gene-
rally known. As regarded himself—and he said it with
shame—he did not know, twelve months ago, there was
such an institution in existence.—The Rev. T. Dwyer
read the report, which showed an increase in the number
of applicants for relief, while the funds of the institution
were not augmented. It had been considered judicious
during the months of May, June, and July, to close the
institution, in consequence of the fever, and the arduous
labours of the honarary medical staff had been somewhat
relieved by the appointment of a house-surgeon. The
committee took occasion to thank the virious ministers for
the appeals which they had made to their churches, no
behalf of the funds of the institution. The institution
consisted of an hospital, which was open at, all hours, for
the reception of poor married women ; a. dispensary,
which was open daily for diseases peculiar; to women and
children ; a school for the instruction of midwives and
monthly nurses, with the view to raise these persons to
the rank of intelligent practitioners; and a registry, from
which the public might be supplied with monthly and
wet nurses who had received the approval of the Medical
Board.—The Treasurers's account showed the receipts to
be £359 4s. Bd. ; disbursements, £435 16s. 9d. ; due to
the treasurer, £76 12s. id. bills due and unpaid,
£133 16s. 6d. Total debt of the institution, £2lO Bs. 7d.,
being an increase of £34 Ss. sd. on last year.—Mr. S.
Holme moved the adoption of the report, and said he
exceedingly regretted his ignorance, for he was not aware
until recently, like the Mayor, the institution had an exis-
tence.—The meeting was afterwards addressed by the
Rev. F. Parry, J. Cropper, Esq., the Rev. T. Nolan, Dr.
Hume, Lawrence Heyworth, Esq., and the Rev. D.
Ferguson. Thanks having been voted to the Mayor,.
the meeting separated. The Mayor presented £lO to the
funds of tho institution. Samuel and James Holme,
Esq., also pieSented £5 each.—lu the course of the pro-
ceedings a letter was read from the Rev, Dr. M`Neile,
stating that, having to preach at Lancaster, he was pre-
vented from attending, but expressing a wish to see the
institution placed in a permanent position among the ex-
cellent charitable institutions of Liverpool.

THE BIRKENHEAD DOCK AND WAREHOUSE COMPANY.

On Thursday, a very numerous and important meeting
of the shareholders in the Birkenhead Dock Company
was held at the office, in Cathcart-street. The meeting
was called in reference to some proprietors who had not
paid up their calls, and to consider the propriety of
changing the character and value of the shares. Joseph
Bailey, jun., Esq., M.P., occupied the chair. The press
were excluded ; and the consequence was. that a very er-
roneous statement, to the effect that the company had
dissolved, appeared in a contemporary. After, five hours'
discussion, and various amendments and counter amend-
ments, the following propositions, submitted by the
directors (and which we publish officially) were unani-
mously agreed to :
" That the shares in this company be divided into three
classes, viz.:—
" Class A. To include all shares on which £lOO shall
be paid.
" Class B. To include all shares on which £75 shall
be paid.
Class C. To include all shares on which £5O shall
be paid.
That class A receive five per cent. per annum out of
the first profits or proceeds of the company, and in case
such profits or proceeds are not sufficient to pay such
dividend, the deficiency, to the extent of two per cent.
per annum, to be a charge on the capital of the company.
" That class B receive three per cent. per annum out ,
of the profits or proceeds of the company that may remain
after paying the dividend on Class A.
" That class C receive the balance up to three per cent.
per annum, that may remain after paying classes A & B.
" That all further profits be divided pro rata to the
capital paid up.
That in a division of capital, class A receive £25 per
share, in priority to classes B and C, Classes A and B
shall receive £25 per share on a rateable proportion in
priority to Class C, and the remainder be divided rate-
ably between Classes A, B, and C.
" That the directors be and are hereby empowered to
issue preferential shares (bearing such a rate of interest
as they may deem advisable, subject to confirmation by
the proprietors) to such an extent as may be requisite to
retain the capital of the company at one million sterling.
" That shareholders elect, on or before the 2nd of Jan-
uary, the class of stock they will take.
" That Class C be paid up in four equal instalments :
one-fourth immediately, one-fourth on the 2nd January,
one-fourth on the 2nd February, and one-fourth on the
2nd' March, 1848.

" " That Class B be paid up by the 2nd July.
That Clais A be paid up by the 2nd August, in equal
monthly. proportions from the 2nd January.
"That the directors.are authorised to take all necessary
steps legally to Carry, out the above resolutions."

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

On Wednesday the usual monthly meeting 'of the
Council was held.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

It appeared from the proceedings of the Finance Com-
mittee, that Mr. G. H. Lawrence had been appointed
chairman, and Mr. Hugh Hornby deputy-chairman of
that committee, for the present year.
The TOWN-CLERK reported that a rule nisi had been
granted, to set aside the verdict obtained by Mr. Norris
at the last Liverpool Assizes.
The Magistrates reported that Mr. Rounthwaite, one
of adjusters of weights and measures, was in the habit of
discharging his duty by deputy, he, himself; being engaged
in the guano trade; that the inspectors of weights and
measures had charged more fees than they were author..
ised to do ; that the out-door department was much neg-
lected, as was proved by only 154 convictions having taken
place during the past year, realizing only to the borough
fund a sum of £5B, whereas in Manchester .the sum of
£954 had been realised to the borough fund in the same
period. The cost of the establishment in Liverpool was
£BB9, while in Manchester its cost was £233. The ma-
gistrates recommended that in future there be one central
establishment for the supervision of weights and 'mea-
sures, two out-door inspectors; that the receipts be fully
accounted for to the borough fund, and that the lead, &c.,
be supplied by the Corporation. They further recom-
mended that Mr. Arstell be appointed an inspector at
£2OO a year; Mr. Walthew at £l5O a year; a clerk at
£lOO a year; two out-door inspectors at £l2O a year ; and
that the services of Mr. Rounthwaita be dispensed with.
The Finance Committee adopted these several recomenda-
tions.

Mr. Andrews informed the committee that he had pur-
chased the Scotch Church, Rodney-street, and that he
was desirous of converting it into a Wesleyan Chapel.
He wish'd to obtain a new lease of the premises, with
new covenants, but the committee decided that they could
not entertain the application.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE, in moving a confirmation of
the proceedings, said that Mr. Franklin, the surveyor, had
intimated his intention to retire, and to seek that relaxa-
tion and repose in a country life which his declining years
required. He, (Mr. Lawrence,) parted with Mr. Frank-
lin with some feeling of regret, because he was a man of
usefulness and integrity, and had never evinced any party
feeling in his situation. The Finance Committee would
take a broad and general view of the surveyor's office
before they recommended any one as Mr. Franklin's suc-
cessor; and, in the mean time, he might observe, that
Mr. Franklin would continue in office until his successor
was appointed.

In reply to Mr. DANSON,
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE said that no communication had
yet taken place between the Finance Committee and the
Select Vestry, on the subject of the magistrates' clerks
tees, but he probably would be enabled to report at the
next Council meeting such an arrangement as would meet
with the concurrence of all parties.
Mr. DANSON admitted that the question was one purely
of a financial nature, and said that when the proper time
arrived he would be in a position to prove that there had
been a real appropriation of the public money to the
extent of between £4OO and £5OO.
The proceedings were confirmed.
THE WATCH COMMITTEE.
Mr. HUGH HORNET has been appointed chairman of
this committee for the present year.
A report was read from Mr. Dowling, the head-consta-
ble, to the effect that he had lately visited Manchester
and Birmingham, with the view of ascertaining how the
police in these respective boroughs were managed. He
ascertained that Captain Williams had the full command
of the. Manchester force; that he heard all complaints,
appointed and dismissed officers, &c. ; and that the same
plan existed in Birmingham. Mr. Dowling having been
called before the Watch Committee, gave it as his opinion,
that if the entire management of the Liverpool police
force were entrusted to his hands, with full power to
exercise the same functions which were now exercised by
the Daily Committee of the Watch Committee, the
borough force would be rendered much more efficient than
it was at present.
The Watch Committee recommended that Mr. Dowl-
ing be invested with all the powers he solicited,—that the
meetings of the Daily Committee be discontinued,—that
the Committee xneet weekly at the Town-hall, and that a
right of appeal to the Committee be given to any officer
who might consider himself aggrieved by the decision of
Mr. Dowling.
The Committee thought the newly-purchased house in
Duke-street was too tar removed from the Police-court,
and they recommended that the building now occupied by
the indoor superintendent be converted into offices for
watch and police purposes.
Mr. TINNE moved the confirmation of the proceedings,
and said that since the original appointment of the watch
committee more important proceedings had never before
been submitted for the consideration of the Council. It
was now recommended to do away with the daily boards
—to transfer the duties of the daily boards to the head
constable—to empower the head constable to reward and
punish the men, and to select and dismiss the officers.
These recommendations were passed unanimously by the
committee, and, if they were adopted by the Council, the
labours of the committee would be very materially di-
minished. Besides the concentration of these duties,
which he (Mr. Tinne) thought would effect a very great
improvement 5n the management of the police business, it
was further recommended that an amalgamation of the
Watch Committee with the Health Committee should take
place, with the addition of some more members. He
contended that the duties of both these committees were
so completely blended in a variety of matters that it
would be ah injury to the public if the committees were
not amalgamated.

Mr. EVANS complained that the subject was entirely
new to him that they were about to invest the head con-
stable with such dictatorial powers. He thought the
matter ought to be postponed until the next monthly
Council.

It was here agreed that the discussion of the subject
should be postponed until the proceedings of the Health
Comthittee were read. _ _

A long and very humorous conversation here took place
with reference to the condemnation of 789 pairs of panta-
loons which had been furnished according to contract for
the police force, but which were not considered equal to
sample. _ _

Mr. HARBORD designated them breeches (breaches) of
the peace, and said that a sub-committee of the Watch
Committee had condemned them, although 500 pairs of
them they had never seen.

Mr. PARKER said it was not the practice of the sub-
committee to examine the pantaloons themselves; that
duty was discharged by competent judges. Mr. Harbord
might condescend to examine them himself; and indeed
he was as likely as any one to examine gentlemen's
breeches. (Loud laughter.)
Mr. ROGERS said that, although all were condemned,
only 483 pairs of the breeches were examined. He com-
plained that one of the judges was himself an unsuccess-
ful candidate for the contract.

Mr. S. HOLME was given to understand that the con-
tractors were formerly shopmen to Mr. Rogers, and,
therefore, it was not to be wondered at that that gentle-
man should feel a little sore at the report of the judges.
The proceedings were confirmed.
Mr. JOHN STEWART was appointed chairman of the
Improvement Committee, and Mr. J. B. Lloyd chairman
of the Courts of Law Committee.

MARKET'S COMMITTEE.

This committee, of whom Mr. James Lawrence was
appointed chairman, recommended that gas from the
new gas companies, be introduced into the markets.
This recommendation excited a good deal of conversation
—some contending that the old companies ought to have
the contract, and others that the new companies ought to
have it. Eventually the Council divided, when there ap-
peared—for the recommendation, 20 ; against it, and for
referring the question back, 13. The recommendation
was accordingly confirmed.

WELSH MUTTON.
Mr. DANSON complained that a number of country
persons were in the habit of selling Welsh mutton in St.
John's Market, at a penny per pound under the market
price, to the injury of the regular'butchers.
'Mr. S. 1101. ME explained that small legs, like the Welsh
legs of mutton, were a very great convenience to the
working classes, and that a saving of price was effected
by purchasing them.
A copy of a bye-law was drawn up by Mr. Drieffild,
authorising Welsh legs of mutton to be exposed for sale
in the public markets by country farmers.
The Mayor was appointed chairman of the Town-hall
Establishment Committee ; and Mr. Lace was appointed
chairman of the Health Committee.

HEALTH COMMITTEE.

The Committee recommended that reporters be ad-
mitted to their future meetings : and that an amalgama-
tion be effected between them (the Health Committee,)
and the Watch Committee.

Mr. RATHBONE thought the subject of admitting -re-
Torters ought to be referred back for further censidera-
don.

Mr. PARKER, and Mr. H. HORNBY could not conceive
upon what grounds it was to be referred back.; but both
these gentlemen expressed themselves perfectly satisfied
that there were grounds for it, upon being informed by
Mr. HODGSON, that though it might be advisable to
admit reporters to the Health Committee, it might be
not advisable to admit them to the Joint Watch Com-
mittee.

Mr. TINNE moved that the amalgamation be effected.
Mr. DANSON supported the motion.
Mr. HODGSON thought that additional powers ought to
be given to the head-constable, under certain restrictions.
He deprecated corrupt influences.

Mr. EVANS called.for more information, and said the
Council, like the French Convention, was setting up an
imperium in imperio. He moved, as an amendment, that
the subject be postponed.
Mr. TOULMIN seconded the amendment.

The amalgamation of the Health and Watch Commit-
tees was here agreed to, and the principle was understood
to be affirmed, that Mr. Dowling should be invested with
the powers above mentioned.
The present members of the Health Committee were
Committee, and at the
members of the
Watch
additional
latter committee will be elected.
napexptoinmteeedtimng members
etrhseo Council
otu the
eicil
Mr. Francis Shand was appointed chairman of the
Church Expenditure Committee ; Mr. Aikin, Chairman
of the Observatory Committee; Mr. Nicol, Chairman of
the Fire Committee : Mr. Wood, Chairman of Ferries
Committee; and Mr. Earle, Chairman of the Special Im-
provement Committee.
Mr. Francis Archer's salary, as surgeon to the Borough
Goal, was increased from £l5O to .£2OO.

A motion iWiiir: EtiKiifor £5OOO, to be expended in
baths and washhouses, was postponed until January, when
the annual financial statement of the Corporation Will be
submitted, _

A petiti.on from the inhabitants of Shaw-street for a
clock of St.- Autustihe's
.Church, —A memorial from.
Messrs. Bdwards and SOn, architects,. praying for corn.