The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-11-01 00:00:00

THE FLICANCE COMMITTEE.

The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the Finance
Committee comprised a recommendation to let Mr. John
Laird, Messrs. Clayton and Co. and Messrs. Clover and.
Co. for shipbuilding purposes, land and premises at Bir-
kenhead, for the term of twenty-five years, subject to
special terms and conditions ; and a report as to proposed
appropriation out of the surplus income of £lO,OOO towards
the erection of a building- for the Public Library, Museum,
and Gallery of Arts ; and as to the funds for a proposed
improvement of Church-street.
Mr. HORNDS moved the confirmation of the proceed-
ings seriatim, taking first the proposed lease of land at
Birkenhead for shipbuilding purposes. He thought, if
those leases were approved of by the Council, they would
be beneficial not only to the Corporation of Liverpool, but
their proposed tenants. The land had been for a number
of years lying in an almost unproductive state, and would
under this arrangement bring in a considerable revenue ;
but what was of more importance, judging from the
character of those gentlemen as shipbuilders, an impetus
would be given to the shipbuilding trade which would be
of importance to the trade and commerce of Liverpool.
(Applause).
Alderman COOPER seconded the motion.
Mr. BIGHADI asked whether, on the terms to, be paid
under these leases, the Council would lose er gain by the
throwing up of the contract of Mr. WiLsoic ?
Mr. HARIIRY replied that Mr. LAIRD took the whole of
the land that Mr. WxLsox.had, and it was let on about
the same terms. _ _ _

The MAYOR believed for a little more.
Mr. R. GLA.DSTONE asked if there was a progressive
increase of rent as the time advanced ?—which Mr.
HORNET answered in the negative.
This point of the proceedings was then confirmed.
Mr. HORNBY then moved the two other special subjects
on the paper. The Committee reported that there was a
balance from the surplus which would enable the Council,
if inclined, to vote £lO,OOO for the erection of the Free
Library. As to the widening of Church-street, taking
into account the cost of the other improvements sanc-
tioned, and the works in progress, the Committee thought
that it was not expedient at present that they should in-
cur the expense which would be requisite for that
purpose.
Mr. PICTON asked the estimated cost of widening
Church-street ?
Alderman J. H. Tunignu said £lB,OOO was the lowest.
Mr. HORNBY said three estimates were given in, and
even the lowest estimate would have been an unsatisfac-
tory improvement of the street.
Alderman PROCTER said for the £lB,OOO they could
have commenced at the bottom of Lord-street, and taken
it up to the head of St. Peter's Church-yard.
The proceedings were confirmed.
THE ALLEGED FRAUD AT THE NEW GAOL AT WALTON :
OTHER ALLEGED FRAUDS.
re-
mainder of the proceedings, said it might be expected
Mr. HORNBY, in moving the confirmation of the
that he should allude to a subject which had excited at-
tention out of doors,—he meant the frauds which had oe-
mined in reference to building the new gaol. It must be
obvious to the Council that in the present state of those
proceedings, which were now under judicial consideration,
any details on his part would be highly improper ; and
that, in short, it became the absolute duty of the
CouncilH toe could alas
only assuretainfromany discussion on the sub-
ject.the Council that although
so little had been recorded in the proceedings of the
Finance Committee on this subject, it had engaged their
earnest attention, and a committee had been appointed,
consisting of the Mayor, Mr. Stewart, and himself, to pro-
' ceed against those parties suspected to have been guilty of
on their part to bring the offenders to justice, and a search-
no efforts should be wanting
inthgat
infraquirudyalln,odnicdontsakpireacy ;
place
respect to every part of
the building of the new gaol.
Alderman PROCTER seconded the motion.
Mr. BIGIIAH suggested that the Corporate accounts
might be made out more clearly. They had ostensibly a
surplus income of £48,584; but with the £11,442 voted
annually to the parish, £747 to the various charities,
£1,644 to the library, and £896 for the Mayor's carriages,
of which the cost of St. George
to about £30,000, out
's-hall and the new gaol at
Walton
The surplus income and
borrowed capital were so mixed
111) together, that it was
difficult to distinguish which Portion of that expenditure
would be continuous. As to the matter mentioned by
Mr. Hornby, some members thought that he (Mr. Bigham)
thatsurP
hadlus to income
b e provwiasded reduced
for.
had done an mjuryby mentioning it in the Council. Now the
fact was, that he received a letter which he submitted
privately to the chairman of the finance committee. He
waited quietly for six weeks, and did not receive iu that
time, as he should in courtesy, any communication from
the committee ; and then ho should have continued to
keep silent, had it not oozed out from the press. Finding
so, and that some members had got similar information,

he had alluded to it. While on this subject, he must say
that the special committee must extend their inquiries, or
else it would be necessary for some member to move for a
special committee ;—for it was not confined to the bricks.
He understood that the robbery had commenced with the
excavation of the building., and had gone up to the slates.
Mr. HORNBY suggested that was not desirable. All
that, they were well aware of. If those statements were
made, it only put the parties on their guard.
Mr. BIGHAM would say no more, except that he had
good information that this was not confined to the new
gaol, but extended to another public work ; and that from
the foundation the works should be re-measured. Nothing
could satisfy the Council unless the committee'employed
some respectable surveyor from another town, however
respectable the surveyors here might be,—timber, bricks,
excavation, slates, everything connected with the building ;
and then disclosures would be made which he was quite
sure would astonish them.
Mr. ROBERTSON GLADSTONE agreed with Mr. Bigham's
suggestion as to the accounts, and thought they ought to
have a complete statement of every yard of property they
possessed in every street of Liverpool—of every tenancy, so
that they might refer to it, that they might know what
assets they really had, and they might then be able to
judge whether, in cases of sale, they were deriving profit
on prices ; or whether, on the other hand, tenants were.
paying their rents with regularity, and whether those pay-
ments were an adequate remuneration for the respective
premises they held. It was so he should deal with his
own affairs, and he did not think it was an unhealthy prin-
ciple to apply to the Corporation. As to the other matter
referred to, he thought it was the duty of members, on
getting such information, to conceal nothing, but lay it at
once before the proper authorities.
Mr. TOULMIN asked whether any official surveyor had
been nominated to go over the building?
Mr. Ilormsy said, previous to the communication
which Mr. Bigham had received, and which had led to the
inquiry, suspicion had arisen in his mind of the surveyor,
so long ago, he thought, as in April last. Mr. Culshaw
had been appointed to measure the whole of the building,
perfectly independent both of the contractors and the
brickmaker.
Mr. GODFREY.—They cannot measure the foundations.

Mr. HORNET said it was a difficult operation, and would
occupy a considerable time. Mr. Hornby then justified
the present mode of makinc, out the accounts, which had
been followed for the last fifty years, and said that Mr.
Bigham was wrong in supposing that the cost of St.
George's-hall and the new gaol was paid out of the bo-
rough fund : it was met by borrowed money. Mr. Bigham's
remarks at the last council had done harm, and the party
who was making depositions as to the bricks, had in conse-
quence refused to give them more information.
Mr. BIGIIAM asked if Mr. Culshaw had been appointed
previous to his putting the letter he received into the
hands of the committee?
The TOWN-CLERK answered in the negative.
Mr. STEWART stated, as a matter of practical experience
in such things, that they could not expect to have the
result of the measurement and a report on the matter for
two months yet.
Mr. BIGIEAM.—Was there any suspicion in the breast
of the surveyor about the robbery perpetrated at the Wal-
lasey embankment ?
Mr. Tounmr asked if the measurement taken by Mr.
Culshaw was wholly irrespective of the contractors ?
Mr. HORNET believed it was. No payments had yet
been made for the building except on account, and there
was a sum of £16,000 due, of which the committee refused
to make any payment till the whole building was com-
pleted.
The MAYOR did not like to interfere, but hoped, as a
member of the committee, that they would not continue
that discussion. (Hear.) The matter would be rigidly
investigated to the bottom, and he pledged himself, if he
was returned to the Council, that nothing would be left
undone to probe it to the uttermost. (Applause.) It was
their object to bring to justice the parties who had been
guilty of that misconduct. He advised the Council at
present not to furnish weapons to those who had to defend
themselves. _

The remaining proceedings of the Finance Committee
were then confirmed.

THE WATCH COMMITTEE: ESTABLISHMENT OP A
SUrtatANNITATION FUND.

The proceedings of the Watch, Lighting, Fire Police,
and Fire Prevention Coimnittees, comprised a recommen-
dation to apply to parliament for power to establish a
police superannuation fund.
Mr. TOBIN, at some length, moved the confirmation of
the proceedings. He was anxious that the Council should
express its opinion as to the establishment of the proposed
superannuation fund. The object was to grant a superan-
nuated allowance to officers hurt or worn out in the ser-
vice ; and also to those who had served a period of 15
years, except under peculiar circumstances. The mode' of
raising the fund would be by a small weekly contribution
(about 6d.) from the men themselves, added to other
sources, of revenue which the Legislature had decreed
should be applied to such purposes. If an officer should
leave the service before he would be entitled to the fund,
or be dismissed, the benefit would then cease. Numerous
objections were urged against this, and some thought that
the men should be allowed to withdraw under such cir-
cumstances the money which they might have paid in.
To this Mr. Tobin, at some length, replied. Those already
in the force were in favour of such a comrition, and those
who entered afterwards could plead no hardship, as they
would be made acquainted with it on entering. It was,
besides, a useful check upon the officers by giving them
something to look forward to ; and the principle was no
novelty, for it was adopted in the Merchant Seamen's
Fund, 1852, the General Borough Pollee Act, the Civil
Service Fund, the Treasury, Customs, and Post-office
departments, in the Metropolitan and Manchester Po-
lice Acts, the East India Company's service, various
benefit societies, and in railway companies that prin-
ciple pervaded them all. The object was to check the
fluctuations occurring in the force. From 1836 to the
present time 5000 men had entered the force here, or from
250 to 300 annually.. When it was considered that one
experienced officer was worth two inexperienced ones, it
would be seen that anything done to keep the experienced
officers would be a saving to the town:

Mr. GREGSON secondel the resolution.
Mr. R. GLADST&NE asked whether the fund would be
self-supporting, or the borough fund might be called on ?
Alderman J. BRAMLEY MooRE opposed the motion,
and thought that if the men left, their payments should
not be lost to them. The principle with regard to govern-
ment officers was an exceeding hardship, and there were
instances of men serving for twenty years who lost the
whole of it.

Alderman PARKED moved that that part of the pro-
ceedings be not confirmed ; but there was no seconder.
Mr. HARMOOD BANNER. thought it would be a most
valuable measure, as did: also
Alderman BENNETTT who thought that the men would

have a pride in making• the fund Self-supporting.
Mr. BIGHAM expressed fears that this would not be the
ease, and intimated that both the London and the Man-
chester police funds were on an unsound basis.
Mr. Tounc replied, and stated that the source of re-
venue to which he had referred, by which the fund would
be augmented, was the sale of old police clothing, &c.
The proceedings were then confirmed.

THE IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WIDENING OF PARR-

ILAN E, &C.

The proceedings of the Improvement Committee com-
prised a recommendation to apply to parliament for
powers to improve the west side of Park-lane, between
Canning-place and Liver street.

The Stkvon intimated that he had received a letter from
Mr. John Tipping, suggesting that an old house at the
corner of Drury-lane, and the old Ropery should be in-
cluded in the Improvement Act, as it would be a great
convenience to have it removed.
Mr. GLADSTONE said it was an unseemly edifice, and
had been the cause of serious accidents to man and horse.
Referred to the committee.

Alderman BENNETT, in moving the confirmation of the
proceedings, said the whole matter was now in a forward
state, and a draft of the bill would be brought before the
Council early in November. There was opposition to
only one of the improvements, that suggested by Mr.
Jeffreys at the last Council. The committee proposed
widening Park-lanefrom Canning-place up to Liver-street.
This would be a great accommodation, and could be done
at small expense.
Alderman J. H. TURNER asked what the cost of the
improvements in Park-lane would be ?
Alderman BENNETT said between £3OOO and £4OOO.

Mr. BEcirwrra.—ln addition to the value of the pro-
perty we already hold.
Alderman TURNER thought the improvement of Church-
street was most important.
Alderman COOPER, on behalf of the residents of the
south end of the town, said they had received the proposi-
tion to widen Park-lane with thanks, and no part wanted
alteration more. He regretted they could only take it as
far as the church ; it ought to extend to the railway-sta-
tion in Crosby-street, to and from which there was great
traffic with lorries, &c. He was satisfied that if that
could be done it would be a great relief to Church-street,
and the central parts of the town.

Mr. T1103180;1 said it was fully intended to carry out
the further widening of Park-lane so soon as the other
improvements were completed.
Mr. JEFFREYS was glad the suggestion he had thrown
out had been successful. He thought the Council had
marked their opinion strongly by the small minority
against it.

Mr. CHARLES TURNER said there was no part of Liver-
pool where widening would be more beneficial.
Mr. ROBERTSON GLADSTONE could not suppose that
any member of that Council could get up and say that the
widening of Park-lane was of greater importance than
Church-street. He supposed that the traffic in Church-
street was as five to one in Park-lane,—aye, ten to one.
He begged to move, as an amendment, that the proposed
improvement in Park-lane be struck out of the bill.
Mr. BECKWITH seconded the amendment.
Mr. NicifoLL strenuously supported the proposed
improvement. The traffic might not be so great as
Church-street, but it was of a more obstructive character.
He thought Park-lane ought to be widened up to the
railway.
Mr. CHARLES TURNER said Park-lane was the shortest
road from the Town-hall to the south end of the town ; it
was nearly a quarter of a mile nearer than to go along
Great George's-street, and the reason that the traffic along
Church-street was so great was that all the other outlets
north and south were choked up. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. PICTON thought the discussion proved that the
committee had wisely taken the middle course. He added
that it would be a vastly increased improvement if the
arches under the Custom-house could be widened for cabs,
not for carts or waggons. He knew no improvement that
would be greater. (Applause.)
After a few words from Mr. R. C. GARDNER, Mr. Glad-
stone's amendment was then put, and lost by a majority
of 31 to 5. The minority were Messrs. Holden, Gladstone,
Hodson, Beckwith, and Langsdale.
The proceedings of the Courts of Law, Markets, Educa-
tion, Gaol, and Town-hall Establishment Committees,
which contained no entries of special interest, were then
read and confirmed. It appears that the average atten-
dance of pupils at the North Corporation-school is 1,031,
and at the South 1,107.
The minutes of the Markets' Committee comprised a
bye-law to prevent obstructions in public thoroughfares,
by the exposure of articles for sale ; but as this required
confmnation by two-thirds of the wholP ('''\',
23 zaculDurs present, „
there were only it stands OVor =me
next meeting.