The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-12-07 00:00:00

Gladstone's) impresiion, Messrs. Parkes and Preston had
not long been Parliamentary agents. He next wished to
know how the calculations of their profits were made.
The TOWN-CLERK said he intended to allude to the com-
mon law agents when he spoke of experience. However,
Mr. Parkes was a man of great experience, and a sound
lawyer, and he must observe, that it was very rarely they
could find a man who combined these advantages with
knowledge of parliamentary business. With regard to the
deduction from the law bills, he had made deductions of

£250 from the bills in the present year.
Mr. Councillor ROBERTSON GLADSTONE said, that this
was not an answer to his question. He was borne out by
gentlemen sitting near him, who- heard the Town-clerk
make use of the term " long experience" in reference to the
selection of Messrs. Parker and Preston as parliamentary
agents. He wished to know how many years they had been
established in their profession ?
The TOWN-CLERK said, he, meant to allude to Messrs.
Adlington and Cot when he spoke of long experience, who
transacted the general business in London. Messrs. Parkes
and Preston had been established in London, as parliamentary
agents, since the year 1835.
Mr. Councillor EARLE thought they had had enough of
this conversation. There has been a very great deal
of snuffing and smelling at Messrs. Parkes and Preston. The
fact of the matter is, they happen to be of our. side of the
question. If they had been tories, we should not have heard
a single word about their experience.—(Hear' and laughter.)
Mr. Councillor CASE said he recollected Mr. Parkes'
pleading before a committee of the House of Commons a
number of years ago, and he conducted the business in which
he was engaged in a very satisfactory manner. He thought
the passing of such a resolution as that proposed would be
the utmost impolicy, as it would put a stop to, or materially
retard, all public improvements. Though, therefore, he in-
tended to vote against the proposition, he must say the
council had brought ail this upon themselves. They made
the proceedings of their committees complete secrets—their
committees were a set of star chambers, and no members of
the council were allowed to look at the books in which their
proceedings were recorded. He had not, in his experience,
been accustomed to such secrecy. Bad as it was said to be,
(Mr. Earle, "and as it was,") the books of the committees
were open to every one of the corporation.
Mr. Alderman EA R LE.—Pleuty of Angel meetings be-
longing to the old corporation.
Mr. Councillor CA never attended any.
Mr. Alderman EA RLE.—I never did.
Mr. Councillor CASE continued.—lf anv member of the
old corporation wanted any information (which he contended
he had a right to obtain), he was allowed to examine any of
the books. If this openness had now been permitted, this
discussion would not have taken place at all. He should
vote against the amendment.
Mr. Councillor HODGSON wished to be heard in explana-
tion. (Cries of " Spoke, spoke.")
The MAYOR said he could not allow any departure from
the rules. Mr. Hodgson had already spoken on the question.
Mr. Councillor lionGsoN.—lt is merely in explanation.
(" Spoke, spoke.") Mr. Hodgson said he should bow to the
chair and the wish of the council, but the privilege of expla-
nation was one that had been acceded to every other gen-
tleman heretofore.
Mr. Councillor COOPER said the members who had spoken
on that subject had misunderstood Mr. Hodgson's allusion
to the accounts being laid on the table, and this was what he
wished to explain. He did not say the bills ought to be laid
on the table, but the vouchers. Ile would ask the Deputy
Town-clerk what was the sum of money expended in oppo-
sing the erection of the bridge at Fiddler's Perry? That
had not been mentioned to the council till it was brought
forward in the report, and he himself never knew that such
a sum had been .expended till it was so brought forward for
confirmation.
Mr. Councillor SnErr. said, gentlemen who spoke thus for-
got that it was provided by the Reform Act that the trea-
surer's books should be open to the inspection of the mem-
bers of the Council. They had nothing to do, when they
wanted information of this sort, but to go and examine the
treasurer's accounts. He could not suppose them to be ig-
norant of this ; but then if they adopt that course it would
deprive them of the opportunity of coining to that room and
making a speech which, he supposed, was intended to make
a very splendid figure next day. (Laughter.)
Mr. Councillor ISAAC HOLMES wished to withdraw his mo-
tion, but was met by loud cries of " Vote, vote."
Mr. Councillor RATHBONE said, without the consent of the
Council, a member had no right to withdraw a motion. He
bought the time of the Council ought not to be taken up in
hat wav without its being shown who would support such

-e Council went to the vote, when there appeared for
Mr. Holmes's amendment, 5; against it, 44.

SUPPLY OF WATER FOR FIRE ENGINES.
In reply to Mr. Earle, Mr. WALMSLEF intimated that ap-
plication, had been made to the proprietors of the Leeds and
Liverpool Canal, to-allow them to place large mains down in
that direction; the supply of water to be obtained from the
canal. They had directed the surveyor to furnish plans, &c.
but nothing could be done till they had an answer from the
company as to whether or not they Might use the water.
• EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
On the motion for the-confirmation of the proceedings of
this committee havint, been put,
Mr. Councillor D. lionGsoN rose to ask whether there
was not an account kept of the numbers of the children, in
the corporation schools, belonging to the Romanist, the pro-
testant, and the various dissenting persuasiofis, so that a
regular classified statement might be presented to the council ?
Mr. Councillor D. BLACKBURN replied that there was a
book in which a record was kept of the professed reli{.7,iou of
the parents that brought children to the school.
The MAYOR said that he might add,that at the south school
the practice had been merely to distinguish between Catholics
and protestants ; they made no distinction between the differ-

ent sects of protestants.
Mr. Councillor JoitoAN happened the other day to be pas-
sing the south school, when he saw the excellent clergyman
(Mr. Aspinall) who is iu the habit of attending to instruct
the children, and he stated that the greatest number in that
school were Protestants of the church of England.
Mr. Councillor DAVID HODGSON thought that they ought
to be made acquainted with the real state of the case. The
subject was one of much interest. and the town would be very

glad to have the facts .before them.
Mr. Alderman EARLE said that the schools were very full,
the children were receiving .a. good moral and religious edu.
cation, and they were learning to love on another, and that

was the main Toint.
Mr. Councillor BLACKBURN said, this was a revival of the
discussion which hai taken place before, and he.thought it
could not he returned to without formal notice being given.
Mr. Councillor JoHN SMITH.—Mr. Blackburn stated that
a record is kept at the different schools ; is that record open
for inspection ? •
Mr. Councillor RATBBONE observed that they, had no dis-
tinctions between Protestants and Protestant dissenters.
When a child was brought to either of-. the schools, the only
-question asked of the parents was, would they wish their
child to go to church or not ; the children went from the
schools to no other place than to church. As to looking into
the mouths of the children to see whether they had the church
bite or what bite they might have, he thought that they had
something else to do. , •
Mr. Councillor BLACKBURN wished to know whether they
meet to accuse the veracity of the committee, because the
very thing now asked for had only recently been given
namely, a statement of the number of Catholic and Pro-
testant children. If any gentleman wanted to know ,the
exact number, it should be furnished to him ; but they were
not inclined to furnish intelligence to persons who acted un-
der the avowed intent of searching out what the parents of
the children were, and for the purpose of prejudicing them
against the schools. There was no reason why they should
inflict domiciliary visits on parents who sent their children
to the schools. if the councillor for Everton Ward would he
satisfied with the numbers, as given by the committee, he

should have it. •
Mr. Councillor D. HODGSON remarked that he said nothing
whatever to call for the discussion which had arisen. He had
simply asked a question. whether there was any account
classifying the children under the various heads of catholics,
protestants, and the various dissenting sects.
The MAYOR understood that to be given.
Mr. Councillor I. HOLMES distinctly denied that he had
any intention of going about from house to house, to preju—
dice the parents who sent their children to the 'schools. As
to the impropriety of mixing up different sects in one room,
he might mentio❑ that he had heard it condemned by a dis-
senting clergyman, who remarked, that if error were taught
at one side of a school and truth at the other, it could not be
proper instruction. He wished to know whether he was not,
by virtue of his office as councillor, a trustee of the school?
The TOWN-CLERK replied that the trust rested in the coun-
cil in its collective capacity. The corporation were trustees
of the schools in the same manner as they were trustees of
other things, and the council acted by a majority.
CUSTOM-trousE COMMITTEE.

The proceedings were confirmed.
The MAYort said, that in consequence of the receipt of a
letter from Mr. Banning, which stated that he (Mr. B.) had
just learned that the authority of the lords of the treasury
had been received for the erection of the furniture and fittings
of the long room, he had not written the letter ordered at the
last meeting of the council.
DOCK COMMITTEE.

Carlton Gardens, Dec. 3, 1838.

In the proceedings of this committee, it was mentioned
Lhat it had been resolved that all proceedings with respect to
the telegraph should be postponed until the opinion of coun-
sel had been received.—Proceedings confirmed.
BUSINESS nouns OF THE MAYOR.
In the proceedings of this committee, it was mentioned
that the resolution which he bad come to of attending at the
Town-hall from twelve to three o'clock, instead of from
twelve to four, had given rise to considerable dissatisfaction •
out of doors, he was anxious to state what had been the rea-
sons which influenced him in the alteration, so as to justify
himself, and do away with any impression that he neglected
his public duties. The arrangement had been made at the
suggestion of the late mayor, who stated that he thought
that it would meet with the approval of the solicitors, in con-
sequence of the earlier hours at which letters now arrived.
The alteration had been merely an experiment. He had not
the slightest wish to save his own labour; but he had thought'
that the alteration would conduce to the more efficient dis-
. charge of his duties, as he couldhave-devoted the last hour
to the public business, without being interrupted by cases
of the nature which usually occupied him up to three o'clock.
He only wished it to be carried into effect so far as it could
be, consistently with the convenience of the public; and if it
could not be carried out without inconvenience, he would
take the cases until four o'clock as heretofore. Ile said that
so far from shrinking from the full performance of his duty,
he was not only ready to stay until the usual hour, but lie
should be happy, on any occasion, to accommodate the so-
licitors by transacting their business at his own house; and
if it should lhappen that he was from home, it might always
be ascertained where he was on inquiry at the Town-hall.
Mr. Councillor CASE mentioned that the regulation was
not a new one, as had been supposed. A similar arrange-
ment was made in 1817, when Mr. Currie was bailiff, at the
request of the solicitors themselves, and he saw no occasion
for the outcry that had been made respecting it.
MEMORIALS.

The MAYOR read a letter from Mr. Thomas Carson, presi-
dent of the Liverpool Law Society, requesting from the
Council the grant of a copy of the "Inquiry by the Munici-
pal Commissioners into the Corporation of Liverpool in 1833,"
for the use of the library of the society.
Mr. Councillor BOLTON moved that the grant should be
made.—Agreed to.
The M Avon then read a memorial from John Brown, on
behalf of the widow of Robert Moss, who was turnkey of the
Borough Gaol for twenty-seven years.—Referred to the Fi-
nance Committee.
STATUE OF THE LATE AIR. IitZSKISSON.

The MA,O;id that he received, On Tuesday, a letter
from Mrs. Huskisson, and the u9ltire of the request contained
in it, as well as the feeling and beaut►ful language i❑ which
it was couched, deserved the most serious attent►on of the
Council. The letter would be highly interesting, not only
to them, but to the town at large, as ►t related to one w•'
had for several years been their representative, and wh •
met amongst them a most unhappy and lamented end
letter is as follows:

S ,—I venture to take the liberty of soliciting you to bring
before the Town Council of Liverpool my very earnest re-
quest that the members of it (with whom I understand the
authority to rest) will he pleased to confer upon me the ho-
nour and privilege of being allowed to place a statue of Mr.
Iluskisson under the dome of the large hall of the new Cus-
tom-house.
I am emboldened to solicit their favourable attention to
my apulication, in consequence of its having been communi-
cated to me that, amongst those who continue to cherish and
revere the memory of my husband, many consider that it
would render to him additional honour to remove the statue,
now at Liverpool, to this suggested site, at the Custom-house,
as a station proper to recall the efficient exertions of Mr.
Iluskiss'on in procuring the valuable concurrence and assist-
ance of the government in the erection of that splendid struc-
ture—as a situation more conspicuous and frequented; one