The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-03-03 00:00:00

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

A special meeting was held in the Council Chamber
yesterday, the Mayor, D. HODGSON, Esq.. in'the chair,
to tette mtceconsideration and determine upon special pro-
ceedinzse-resolutions, and directions of the Dock Com-
mittee ofthee2.B-11 tilt., as to the immediate completion of
'the Aibert43-ock Warehouses, and the se eeral-elauses and
Previsions of the proposed new dock bill, the object of
which istonnable the trustees to construct afelitional wet
end other-'works at Wrapping, to raise a million of money,
and to extend and amend the acts relating to the docks and
harbour of :,Liverpool. The proceedings commenced by
the Couneelresolving itself into a committee todiscuss the
clauses of the latter.
The Towns CLERK read the preamble, which, after re-
citing theezistirig dock acts, and that the trustees bare
proceeded in the construction of the verious works thereby
directed, estates that the trade and commerce of the port
are rapidly increasing. and that more etxtensive central
dock aecornmodetion is required ; and that it -is expedient
thatehe-wet docks, and other works autherised by the
vropased,cet, should be forthwith construeted ; and that
for the peeps-se cf facilitating the general business of the
part, and of affording safety and pro,ectionsto vessels fre-
aquenting she docks, it is expedient that-art internal water
VOW u nips:ion between the docks should :-beprovided for
thorernoeal of vessels from and into the docks, whereby
tile present risk and delay, occasioned by the necessity of
entering the river for the purpose of such:en:oval, will be
obviated; and that part of the street called '" East Side
SalthousetOock," consists of dock e,uays not hitherto in-
closed for-dock purposes, and that the sure street, toge-
ther with 7" Duke's-place" and *4 Wapping'," form one
continnousline, which is the principal thoroughfare for
the conveyance of merchandize to ,andtfrom the central
eloelte; art that the some road, being of insefficient width
for :the- convenient use of carts and carriages employed
thereon,- it is desirable that a new fstree,toinstead of the
last-mentioned streets, should be formed on he lands au-
thorisedite,te purchased under the powers of the proposed
set. to-extend from Canning-plane to the north-east side
of the strett called " East Side Queeri'sMock," Ike.
stir. lasedeses said he should propose to meet the pream-
ble with a decided negative. The allegations on which it
rves.propcsset to found this bill were mot borne out by the
facts ; anti he was prepared to prove that they haJ a great
deal mare 'dock room now in existence, and in course of
construction than they were likely to require. The only
argument offered in their support of a tanesiiKe character
was that of the expediency of internaiwater communication
from one end of the docks to the other; •and that com-
munication ought indeed to be worth mentioning, if it
was to be sebtained at the expense of -such an enormous
outlay. In 'former times, he had had something to do
with rem( sing vessels from one deck to atutber. His
ships in 00:V4-girlie trade had to go eound•after discharg-
ing intheet: mg's Dock, and•they had never-cansidered it
such an important and dangerous matter. -That necessity
now nce longer existed in his own case.; butelee was pre-
pared to say, that the removal of ships through the docks
would require greater expense and occasion greater delay.
He could formerly get a ship round for ahee—(" oh,"
and expressions of dissent)—but the eaxeeirce of getting
through all these numerous docks must inevitably cost a
great.deal more. He expected he should be told something
about the trouble and expense of ballasting ships which were
sent .round; skit be did not think it necessary, at least
it had never proved so in his own experience_; and with
respeceta the-e.hance of accidents, he could only say, that
for losty.years, during which period he had teen ac-
qmainted-With.dock matters, he had never .known of an
accident. -He must, therefore, ask, was it:proper to pro-
vide for so improbable a contingency at so great an
expense? .No.; it would be altogether wrong. With
regal] to the want of open docks, he had already stated
that they bad not only sufficient. but that there would,
before longeshe-a very great redundancy. Be ocosidered
it would much facilitate the present discussion it' be re-
ferred to the speech of the chairman of the Doak Trustees
on a former.oecasion (alluding to the published speech of
Alderman illeamley•Moore on dock extension), awl which
he had now before him, emblazoned in letters of gold—(a
laugl4—and Jac:would rest his arguments on Abe-chair-
man's own-statements. The chairman had there *aid that
he would be ,called on to make out the necessity that
existed for further dock accommodation, and he ,stated
that deck accounuedation bad alwat s I been in arrear
of the necessity of the port ; and that when the new docks,
now in course of .construction, were complete, .they
would mill be in smear. He went on to observe that the
increase alone of :dock business was now more than .suffi-
cient to employ all the new docks which were then in
progress or which were contemplated and in another
place the Chairmanttalked of the supply of dock accom-
modation tieing increased .25 per cent. on the whale.
Now, in place of the increase now in course of construc-
tion being male 25 per cent., it was at least 80 per cent.-;
and therefore, the premises being so widely wrong, the
chairman's own reasoning would be found to be -fal-
lacious. He believed it would be found that the great
increase in the trade of the port had arisen from the
application of steam to navigation ; and he admitted that
there had been a great increase in the timber trade; and
while speaking of the timber trade, he would take occa-
sion to refer to the contradiction given to an olo.ervation
he (Mr. E.) had made at the last meeting. He bad stated
his belief that the timber.trade was the most unprofitable
tradeof the port,whereupontheckairmanimmediately arose,
Ind with an air of trim)) piareferrea the Council to the returns
,of the Brunswick dock, which he said showed an increase of
646,000. He gave that as a decided answer; it had a larger
,income than that of any other .dock in the town ; but when
he (Mr. Evans) referred to the comparative increase of the
decks, to his great surprise he found that the Brunswick
dock did not derive this income from the timber trade,
but .from a variety of other sources; and that that sum
ineltded the whole of the imports from British America,
the whole of the Baltic, and from Newfoundland ; and
that tallow, oil, ashes, and a varlets/ of other articles,
besides timber, comprised the cargoes of the vessels dis-
charged in the Brunswick dock, and of coulee contributed
to the income, and that out of the .£46,000, £19,000 was
derived from this, source. He did not mean to accuse
the chairman of a want of candour in this etatereent, but
he believed Le acted from the impulse of the instant, and
gave a hasty statement which he believed at the moment
to be correct; but now an explanation bad been made
an end was put to all the influence of that state-
ment, as an answer to his (Mr. Evans) former
argument, arid as bearing on the question now at
issue. In the course of his speech the chairman seised
would you put a limit to the trade of the port? And he
would answer for himself, that so far from putting a limit
to their trade he would give the port the means of exten-
sion. He would say, bring in a bill, not for open docks,
for which there can be no possible necessity—but give to
the docks which already existed the necessary machinery
of dock warehouses to render them efficient. ( Ulcer.)
And then he was perfectly satisfied that one quarter of
the space proposed for open docks:, if surrounded by ware.
houses, would offer as adequate accommodation as the
whole of. the remaining three quarters. (Hear, hear.)
The Chairman bad seid—
Mr, Nicol. rose to order. Were they discussing the
Chairman's speech, or were they to decide on the details
of the proposed bill ?
Several ether reeepbere also arose to order. Mr. Ail; in,

Mr. Hornby, and others contended that it was quite pro-
per to refer to the Chairman's printed speech, which might
be considered a sort of official statement of the grounds on
which the proposed measure was based.
The Mavoa being a t length appealed to, his worship
decided that the remarks of Mr. Evans were out of order
as applied to the preamble, because 'he Council having at
itns former meeting agreed upon the principle of dock ex-
tension, 'hey could not, without specific notice for that
purpme, again entertain the question. Mr. Evans' re-
mat ks, however, would be perfectly in order on the
clauses. His worship concluded by expr' ssing the desire
he felt that the fullest discussion should take plc while
at the same time, when appealed to, he felt bound to main-
tain the proper order of their deliberations.
The preamble was then agreed to, as was also clause 1.
which proposed to enact that all reeit-d acts, except when
repealed, altered,or otherwise provided for, should extend

to the proposed act.
Clause two was then read. It proposed to enact " That
the trustees shall have power to take and use, and to cnn-
struct upon the lands described in the plan and book of
reference, deposited with the clerk of the peace, or upon I
any part thereof, such wet docks and basins, with piers. !
&e., and other works necessary to support and complete
the same, and with entrances communicating with the
other docks and with the river Mersey, according to such
forms and plans,and of such dimensions, and of such mate-
rials, and with such surrounding walls and other conve-
niences as the trustees shall deem necessary and proper.
Mr. EVANS then stated that he objected to the enortneus
cost of the work, which he contended would amount to
at least a million and a half of money, there being no
equivalent in the ships going inland. He objected also
on the ground of the inconvenience to the other vessels,
which would be occasioned by the passing threuah the
docks of ships going from one end of the town to the
other. He objected again on the ground that they did
not want open docks, and in reply to the allegation of the
chairman that the new cloaks were already r ceupied in
imagination, he said they were adding 80 acres to 108,
which were as many as they could reasonably calculate on
being wanted.
Mr. Alderman MOORE said be had received many com-
pliments for the statement he had.the honour of making
on a recent occasion ; but the greatest of all was that
paid to him by Mr. Evan, because in dealing with the
observations, having had plenty of time to consider tl.em,
he had not only affirmed, but doubly affirmed, what he
had then stated. Mr. Evans had stid that the advantages
to be derived by internal communication would not be.
compensated by the great expense, and that during a
forty years' residence in Liverpool he had kn )svn of no
accidents. Why, within the last two months. a vessel
proceeding from the Queen's to the Prince's Dock was
capsized hi her way. Such accidents were very frequent.
Mr. A tr, IN —Was it in the river or in the dock?
Mr. B. Moe:am—ln the basin ; hut if she had not
been sent into the river and exposed to the wind she
would not have capsized. Again. Mr. Evalis says he
can pass his vest els cheaper through the river, that is for
305.; if he fi, ds that to be the case that privilege will
not be taken away from him. What said a majority of the
ship owners ? why, that ships should not go into the river.
The complaints made were numerous and frequent on this
, head. Mr. Evans made one or two observations on the
timber trade to endeavour to invalidate what he had pre-
viously said. He remarked that the timber trade was a
losing trade to the dock estate. That the whole dock
estate produced on an average £2OOO per acre per year.
So far from the timber trade being a losing trade he
would take the Brunswick dock, which produced £46,000.
Therefore if the whole estate pranced only £2OOO an
acre, it was quite clear that nearly £2OOO per acre must
be taken from the Brunswick dock to make up the
deficiency of the others. With a view to show that the
Brunswick dock produced a much larder amount than
any of the other docks, be read the following statement
of the receipts :—Clarence and Trafalgar docks £13.142;
Victoria and Waterloo £C5,781 ; Prince's £37.049 ;
George's £8169 ; Canning £3935; Saitbouse £7804 ;
King's £15.407 ; Queen's (Martially a timber dock)
£20,283 ; Coburg and Union £12,396 ; Brunswick
£46,318 ; Toateth £2167 ; Harrington £312. Ile
appealed to the Council whether his statement was not
borne out to the letter; that this dock did not only pro-
duce the largest amount, but even 33 per cent. more than
Princes.
Mr. EvAss.—l never disputed the amount at all; I
said the amount the timber contributed.
Mr. Alderman Mootta.—There is a good deal of timber
also in the Queen's-dock.
Mr. LLOYD.—There is not one vessel in twenty.

Mr. Alderman MooRE then replied to another remark

made by Mr. Evans to the effect that if there were ware-
houses round the docks, a quarter of the spare would do
the same business; by referring to the London docks
round which warehouses were built, the tonnage there was
only 5000 tons per acre on the water space, while in Liver-
pool, where they had not the advantage of warehouses
round the docks, the average was 25,000 tons per acre.—
Therefore, either in London they must be exceed.ngly
over-docked, or here we must be monstrously under-
docked. One thing was quite clears—either we bad a
great deal too little, or in London they had a great deal
too much. With regard to all e,,isting commerce being
accommodated—how had the trade been accommodated ?
—Had they not seen 120 vessels et anchor at once, ex-
posed to storms and wind ; and people applying to him,
as chairman of the 'dock estate, and complaining, in bitter
terms, that they did not afford them accommodation.—
That was the greatest reflection and the strongest argu-
ment which could be brought forward for going to parlia-
ment for further dock accommodation. It was one which
ought not to have escaped him in bringing forward the
measure, as it wee the greatest one. He appealed as to
whether the vessels had been properly accommodated.
There was another Abject on which he mould reply. Mr.
Evans had said that the cost wiold greatly 'exceed the es-
timates, and that the advantages to be derived could form
eo equivalent to the cost. With regard to the advantages
to be thrived, he had never conversed with any one who
entertained a contrary opinion, that they would be ade-
quate to the costs, and with regard to the estimates, with
all due deference and with all respect for the talents, of
the learned representative of St. Paul's Ward, be (Mr.
B. M.) would attach more weight to the opinions of Mr.
Wightman, Mr. Stewart. and the Dick Surveyor, whose
estimate was less than Mr. Stewart's. if they were to
place the matter in junta positioe, it would be then the
opinions of Mr. Wig aman. Mr Stewart, and the Dock
Surveyor versus the opinion of Mr. Evans.
Mr. LLOYD remarked upon the great advantage to be
derived from warehouses round the docks.
Mr. HENDERSON said that the average time of dis-
charging all vessels at the transit sheds had been about
four days, the average size of the vessel being 380 tons.
Vessels from China, averaging 600 tons, were discharged
in less than three days.
Mr. AIKIN spoke in favour of dock warehouses, and
said that he would beg the House of Commons not to pass
this bill unless there was a clause inserted, allowing ware-
houses to be built round the proposed docks. He then
argued that as gentlemen would not lease coppers about
on their mantel-pieces, as a- temptation to servants and
children, neither ought they, by means of new docks, bold
out temptations to poor people.
Mr. G. 11. L ,witereez -contended that more dock ac-
commodation was required. There was no doubt, from
what wan going on in Parliament, there would be an ex-
tension of the trade and commerce of the country, and if
they did not provide for that increase here -it would not
only go to Cheshire, but to London and other parts of the
country. They ought to open their arms as wide as they
could for the increase of the trade. He argued that they
should take every step to get warehouses round the new
i docks. There was nothing in the compromise which
could prevent them from so doing. He conceived the
Dock Committee were to blame for not proposing the
erection of warehouses round the docks.
Mr. Ald. HORSFALL did not agree with Mr. Lawrence
that the Dock Committee had been to blame for not in-
troducing a clause for the erection of dock warehouses,
because they acted under the belief that there was a con •
tract—an honourable compact—by which they were bound.
but he quite agreed with Mr. Aikin as to the great moral
and commercial advantages which would be derived from
warehouses round the docks, and he thought that after
what had been said on the subject, they would feel dis-
posed to promote the views propounded by Messrs. Evans
and Aikin. There did not appear to be a second opini in
as to the desirability of having warehouses, and he thought
now the Dock Committee would feel themselves in a very
different position. Mr. Horstall concluded by recom-
mending that a motion should be made recommending the
erection of warehouses on the quays of the new docks.
Mr. Alderman TURNER said he quite agreed with what
had fallen from Mr. tiorsfall, and be begged to propose
that it be an instruction to the Dock Committee to ois-
tain pewer in the proposed bill to construct warehouses
,round the new docks, it being the opinion of this Council
that this measure will be productive of great benefit to
the trade of the port, and conducive to the moral im-
provement of the inhabitants, by removing those induce-
moots to crime by the constant exposure of goods on the
open quays.
Mr. MANN contended that no good result would flow
-from obtaining the power now, as the warehouses could
not be built for some years, and then there would be time
to-see whether the system was a good one, as far as re-
garded the management of the Albert Docks.
The Tows-Ctinx, in reply to questions, said, Mr.
Burke, the parliamentary agent, had given it as his
opinion, that a clause for the erection of warehouses
could Mill be introduced in the bill, and also a clause
empowering the committee to borrow money for that
purpose.
Mr. TY,RER having been referred to by the chairman
of the Dock Committee, said the advantage of vessels
passing inland from dock to dock did not weigh a feather
in the balance compared to the erection of warehouses
round the docks.
Mr. ROYDEW supported the motion.
Mr. HARBO&D said it bad been stated that the Ware-
house Owners Association had no objection to the erec-
tion of warehouses round any of the docks. He begged
to state, as one of the association, that he never heard the
subject discussed or brought before the association. They
simply withdrew from opposing the bill as regarded
the completion of the warehouses round the Albert Docks.
The Towa-ceenre here read the opinions of Mr. Aus-
tin and Mr. Crorupton, which were to the effect that the
restrictions in the dock bill of 1841, for erecting dock-
warehouses did not apply to new docks, to the new qu'y
on the Salthouse-dock, nor to the new docks sanctioned by
the ith andl3th of Victoria—the new north docks, and th-
Harrington estate at the south.
Mr. Alderman Moots said the opinion of Mr. Wilde
and the opinion of the dock solicitor were different from
,hose now read. -
Mr. Alderman LAWRENCE seconded the motion of Mr.
Turner. Ile said it was always his opinion there was no-
thing to prevent them from erecting warehouses except on
the existing dock quays.
Mr. AlJerman Moons; had no objection to the motion,
but set:omitted that the word "recommendation" should
he used instead of "instruction," inasmuch as It raised
the (10-ePli01) 0, 0 the powers of the Dock cointaitteo.

He for one held the opin'on that the Dock Committee
was not a committee of the Council, inasmuch as parties.
sat in the Dock Committee who were elected by the rate-
payers, over whom the Council had no jurisdiction- ":";
Mr. H. ITORNBY thought it desirable that the question
should be raised. for if they shirked the question it would
anpear as if the Council dtubted their rowers. The late-
Town-clerk held that the power of originating bills
rested entirely with the Council.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE concurred with Mr. Hamby.
The Dock Committee was merely a committee of this
Council in trotters of this sort. On tie present occasion
heth ught they were entitled, to " instruct" the colt-

mittee.
The TOWN-CLERK said it was perfectly clear that until
the measure was an Act of Parliament it was the bill of
the Council and not of the Dock Committee.

_ _ ..._ _........ _...........“.
Mr. HENDERSON contended that the locality of the
new docks was not a desirable one for warehouses.
The question was pot from the chair, and the following
gentlemen voted for Mr. Alderman Turner's amendment,
no gentleman recording his vote others ice—(tho4e wbo
had spoken against it retired;—namely, Mears. Asher.
ton, Thornhill, Houghton. Chain cr, Rathbone. Hill,
Evans, Tyrer, Middleton. Littledale, Aikin, J. Holmes,
H. llornhv. Tinne. Robinson, Sothern, G. G. ilorobY•
Hoyden, Wood, Kaye, Reade, Kilshaw. Higgins. Parker
Earle, G. H. Lawrence, Booker. Mann, T. Lloyd,
Houghton, sen.. J. Lawrence, Sir T. Braneker, Turner,
Sands, Nicol, Bramley-Moore, Molyneux, Chilton, and
the Mayor.
The TOWN CIARIEC then proceeded to read the different
clauses of the bill. On clause two being read Mr.
EVANS proposed the following amendment:—
"That the trustees shall have power forthwith, if they shall
think it necessary, to erect warehouses, with all proper conve-
niences, on the quays of the new (locks, provided for by the act
of 1844, and to raises sum of money, not exceeding one million,
to he raised by loan on the security of the dock rates, or to be
paid for out of surplus income as they may, from time to time,
find convenient, provided that no greater sum than .4150,00
be expended for this purpose in each year.
" If the restriction be removed, this provision to apply to the
old docks."
This led to some discussion as to the compact betweem-
the Warehouse Association and the Dock Committee,
when Mr. Bramlev-Moore said Le was authorised to state,
in consequrn e of a conversation be had bad with the
gentleman who had drawn up the resolution come to by
the warehouse owners, and also by several of that body,
that they withdrew their opposition to the repeal of the
two clauses prohibiting the building of warebonses. Under
these circumstances, he should net object to tba proposal
of Mr. Evans, provided the Dock Committee were not re-.
stricted according to the terms of the latter part of the.
resolution.

There being some doubt as to the extent of the conces-
sion of the warehnose owners, at the suggestion of the
mayor, the resolution Come to by that body on the 3rd
Fe%ruary was read by the town-clerk.
Mr. HA aBORD said, as one of the Warehouse Owners'
Association. he must say there did not appear to him to
he the understanding amongst them alluded to by Mr.
Brantley• Moore. 'What was understood by them was that
if they (the warehouSe owners) withdrew their objection
to the completion of the Aibtrt Dock warebott.es, it
would prevent their having a wholesale scheme to contend
with.

Mr. Nrcol thought the concession of the warehouse
owners did not go to the extent of withdrawing the re-
strirtions altogether—in fact the Dock Committee did not
ask for more than relaxation so far atF related to the Albert
Dock warehouses and warehouses along the east side of
the proposed dock.
Mr. RATHBONE asked what was the impression.
The M Avon said impressions could not be taken ift.
preference to words, when there was a doubt as to
im-
pressions.
The TOWN-CLERK suggested that it would be better to
proceed with the clauses, and take the division afterwards.
Clauses 3,4, 5, 6 7,8, 9, 10, and 11 were agreed to.
On clause 12 which related to the c instruction of a
new street in Wapping, which should be of the average
width of the existing streets, the TOWN-CLERK sug-
gested that as the average width of the present streets-
as fifty feet, that number should be instr ed. The
clause went on to empower the Corporation to take land
at the price to be paid for it by the Dock Committee, and
to make the street wider provided they were of opinion
such a measure would be for the improvement of the
town.

A con,iderahle discussion arose on this subject, Mr. H.
Hornbv, Mr. Earle, Mr. Rethbone, and Mr. J. Lawrence
being of opinion that the cost of making a wider street
than at present exists should fall upon the Dock Come
mittee, because the improvements to be made in that
neighbourhood were for the benefit of that estate. This
view was opposed by Mr. Brarnley-Moore, Mr. Hender-
son, Mr. Tyrer, Mr. Evans, Mr. Aikin, and Mr. Horsfall.
Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE said he should resist to the
utmost of his power the expenditure of one shilling
received from the docks for other than dock purposes.
Mr. Aisne agreed with Mr. Moore on this subject,
and warned the Council how they proceeded in the matter,,
lest the trusteeship of the docks should pass into other
hands.
Mr. HORSFALL did not approve of the strong language
used on the subject; but, at the same time, there ought
to be some weight given to the suggestion of Mr. Aikin,
for it should be borne in mind that the dock ratepayers
h4d interfered on a former occasion, and had succeeded
in wresting a portion of the trust and of the !ands of the
Corporation. He thought the matter might safely be left
to arbitration.
The TOWN-CLERK called the attention of the Council
to the amendment of Mr. H. Hornby, which was, that
the matter be referred to the Finance and Dock Commit-
tees to settle the proportion that each party should pay
towards the improve ent.

Mr. BRAMLEY MOORE should positively object to both
the proposition of Mr. Horsfall and Mr. Hornby. It was
for the Council to say whether it was an improvement to
have a street wider than the present, and if so, it was for
them to pay the cost Besides, he believed the Town-
Clerk would tell them that it would be illegal to expend
one shilling received from shipping otherwise than for
matters connected with the docks.
Mr. J. LAWRENCE here seconded the amendment of
Mr. H. llornby.
The MAYoR said, as he had originally been opposed
to the clause in the bill as it at present stood, he might
be allowed to observe, as a reason for the vote he should
give, that on more mature consideration be thought the
really sound cone union was, that the Corporation ought
to make the improvements. (Hear, hear.) The old
Corporation had made all the improvements which tha
increase of the trade of the town demanded and he
thought improvements should not be confined to any
particular locality. ( Hear, hear )
The votes were then taken, when there appeered for
the amendment, 8; against it, 25 : there voting for it.
Messrs. ltathbone, IL Hornby, Touluiin, G. G. Hcrnhy,
Kilshaw, W. Earle, J. Lawrence, and J. H. Turner ;
against it, Messrs. It. Houghton, li. B. Hill, Evans,
'ryrer, Middleton, Littledale, Aikin, Freme, Henderson,
Aspinall, Robinson, Royden, Wood, Reade, Parker,
G. H. Lawrence, Mann. and Thos. Lloyd—Alder.nen R.
Houghton, Horsfall, Nicol, Branaley-Moore, Molyneux,
Chiltun, and the Mayor.
The clause was then agreed to, the average width to be
ascertained by the May r, and inserted in the bill.
Clauses 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, were then agreed to
On clause 19 being read, Mr. EVANS pressed his
amendment.
Mr. ATKIN seconded the amendment, but should wish
the restricted expenditure to he withdrawn.
Mr. BRAMLEY MoORE said, after what had passed, be
did not think the proposal would be objected to, but, on
the contrary, that it would be generally approved of.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE would cot oppose the amend-
ment, but he thought it would have been better to have
delayed it until there was a proper understanding with•
the warehouse owners.
Mr. RoutNsoer said it should be borne in mind that it
was another million of money the Dock Committee were
to raise under the amendment; and he thought tie pro-
posal might injure the proposed erection of warehouses
around the new docks.
Mr. nem. would support the amendment, provided it
was merely to give powers to raise the money, arid that
the dock committee were not bound to carry out the
objects of it at once.
Mr. AIxIN said all they sought for was the power. it
might appear hereafter to he more prudent to erect ware-
houses on the west side of Princes Dock than any where
I elve.
--

Mr. IIARBORD was sorry the whole subject had not
been embraced in the original proposition of the dock com-
mittee to the warehouse owners. Asa member cf the lat-
ter body he bad nothing then to do, ether in acquiescing
in or opposing the proposition. but be certainly had never
before beard a word about the subject, and he thought the
wart house owners generally would be equally taken by
surprise.
The resolution was then alfered at the suggestion of se-
veral members, and passed in the followingform
That the Dock Trustees shall have power forthwith, if they
shall think it necessary, to erect warehouses with a proper con- -
venience on the quays of the new docks provided for by the'
act of Mt, and to raise a sum of money not exceeding
.41,000,000, to be raised by loan en the security of the Dock
hates, or to be paid for out of surplus income, as they may
from time to time find convenient."
The Town Clerk then read the second part of the pro-
position as follows
Provided that no greater sum than :6150,000 be ex-
pended for this purpose in each year."
" If the restriction be removed, this provision to apply to
the old docks."
Mr. Nicol. said he should most decidedly object to

this.
Mr. TIMER said the passing of such a clause might
possibly foster bestility to the general measure.
The second part of the amendment was then put and
lost by a majority of 19 to 9.
The rest of the clauses of the bill. including some
manuscript ones, were then read and agreed to after soma
conversation.
On a clause giving power to the Dock Committee to

grant retiring pensions to superannuated officervr there
was a division, but the question was carried.
After the clauses Ind been cone arough-,
Mr. ASPIN ALL wished to know from the chairman of

the Deck Committee whether any provision had been made
for granting compensation to such tenants as would be
ousted to make way for the new docks.
Mr. BRAM Lhr-MOOILE said every thing had teen done'
for them which they conld desire, except they wished to
have the verdict of a jury beforehand.
The Council broke up at ten minutes past four, having
been five hours in tieliberation.

In Lancashire, the colliers still remain on the strife—:
coal having, in consequence, within the last month, ad-
vanced 21. per cwt.; and a large meeting wa3 held at St.
Helen's on Monday, when Mr. ktoterts again took the
field, accompanied by four delegates, who warmly ad-.
dressed the assembly, urging that the on!v way for the
colliers to increase their wages, was to stick to the union.

W.tteraturr.

POETRY.

SPRING

BY G. I,INN_EUS BANKS,
Author of " Blossoms of Poesy " " Occasional Rambles,"
" Spring Gatherings," 6.c.

Written for the Liverpool Standard

The Spring. the Spring is come again—
The young, the fair, the sunny Spring;
The flowers are hasteniug to the plain.
The bird returns on joyous wing.
Creation spreads her Kende arms,
Where'er appears th' enlivening ray.
And wins f. om beauty's peerless charms
A semblance of eternal day.

Up. up, and watch th' awak'ning sun
Emerging from rn di,tant sky;
Already is his race begun,
And paths of glory ('pen lie.

, .
Ile comes to cheer the mourning carth.
To wake the soil and clothe the trees.
And give the voice of music bi,th,
In sounds responsive to the breeze.

Now childhood. with its laughing eyes.
Seeks out once more the healthful fields.

And, like an unc-Aged captive. flies
To taste the swe..ts which freedom yie
On every Lill, in every grace,

Some note of gladness meets the ear,
Which breathes of universal love,
And tells the j .ytul Spring is here.

Kind Heaven ! whose ever-gracious hand
Dcth all the works of nature span,
Again thou visites' the land
Wi'h Wessings (or the heart of man.
We own the boundless mercies giv'n.
And lift our thoughts on prayerful wing
To Him, who reins sulyemt, in beav'n,
The author of the gentle Spring.

FROM A LITTLE BOY TO HIS MAMMA,

ON HIS BIRTH-DAY.
Written for the Liverpool Standard)

mamma, I'm twelve months old,
And shall I pass it by
In silence and indifference cold,
And not my genius try ?

No, though 'tis plain I cannot write,
To teli you what I'll be.
My dear papa will this indite—
Accept it as from me.

Mamma. I owe my life to thee.
And with it all my joys;

To you. main
A prince of

You often prai

my smiling eye,

, . . ,
You often wish your friends were nigh,
To hear what they would say;

You often look cn me with feat,
When I begin to walk ;
You often call me *. little dear,"
When I begin to talk;

Ton look to heav'n—yo❑ clasp your son—
You breathe a mother's pray'r,
That your own darling little one
May one day dwell up there.

Although, as yet, my walking days
Are partly in perspective.
And, dear mamma, my talkie
You know are still delectiv

Although
I dcn't

uite understand

rig days

.av'n for me

If you and my own dear papa
Vl,, ill tel me all these th.r4s,
How children, when they die, live far
Beyond this world on s into—

Not wings by mortals understood,
But such as angels wear
1101. e but good

In Paradi
And happy children arc

If you wil tea, .11 ii.e how to live,
That when I go alic
My Father will a welc
Through J esu's dying love

If all these things, mamma, you'll try
To make me comprehend,
And dear papa will to 1 me why
To heav'n such prayers you send,

My heart, my to
My every

,:ue, my eye, my ear,
slia It show
That in the path of holy fear
Your little boy will go.
I'll pray that each succeeding year.

AS time

May find me more and still more dear,
Your darling, FREDERICK JOHN,

SELECTIONS.

SCENE IN AN INDIAN WIGWAM.

(From " The Enchaiited .Rock

a C'omanche Legend,'

by Percy B SI. John

It was a girl—a young girl—scarcely past childhood
herself, too youthful, it would have appeared for her holy
office • but with the burthen coo es ever the power to bear
it; and to a mother, receiving in her arms the great gift
of God, the guardianship and ministration of an immortal
being, comes ever, to young or old, those gushing feelings
of devotion, tenderness, and love, which hang in fragrant
perfume round tlic name of mother.

- The Indian girl—or rather the mixed-blood—for lowa
was English on the father's side—sat upon a heap of skins,
engaged in the act of suckling her beloved infant. It was
a- boy of some six months old, strong, healthful, and
sturdy. But half -asleep, its tiny hand rested on its mo-
ther's bosom, as if clinging to her for support, one of its
eyes stealthily, as it were, cast up towards the only coon-
tenance it could yet recognise. A Emile of mingled fond-
ness, tenderness, and pity rested on the mother's sweet
face; a smile never illumining the human visage save on
this very occasion ; a smile peculiar in its gentle adoration
of the being to whom the donor has given life. 'Tis like
no other,—trembling anxiety, devoted fondness, tender-
ness, a liquid moisture in the eyes,—all combine to ren-
der it one of those nameless things, felt but not actual,
understood but incapable of being explained.
The infant at length woke up, laughing in its mother's
face, who, with a delight almost childish, raised it up,
held it out at arm's length, talked to it as if it fully com-
prehended all she said, and, delighted at the young crea-
ture's innocent and angelic expressions of enjoyment,
laughed in concert, and was as truly happy in the child's
entire abandonment and joyousness as the little being it-
self. Now sbe pressed it to her bosom, the infant clutch-
ing in very wantonness at her hair, her face, and neck, and
laughing outright ; then she raised it up, wondering and
sedate at its elevated position, and then, jumping up,
-danced merrily round the tent, her world in her arms,
pure, innocent, lovely, and happy.

The ways of God are inscrutable ; and he who judges of
his deeds in haste will assuredly repent in gnawing anguish
of heart ; but who that sees such gleesome happiness, such
pure and soothing joy, can fail to shudder when he thinks
that a breath, a taint in the air, the most trifling derange-
ment of the golden mechanism of life, may change the pic-
ture to woe unutterable, to wailing and gnashing of teeth ?
Not in the deepest gloom of Hades is grief more sad than
this. Then let us not spurn the thought of that future
where we may hope to meet the lost upon earth, in un-
dying realms, the abode of the Eternal.
lowa dreamed not of the future, she was happy; and as
she pressed her infant to her bosom, and thought of its
absent and gallant father, her heart swelled with joy, with
pride, with love.

Pres-ntly a distant hum of voices reached her ear. and
then the hurrying past of women and children, the bark-
ing of the trusty watch-dogs, the stately passing to and
fro of the warriors, informed her that the war-party had
returned, or at all events a portion of it. The happy girl's
cheek blanched. In her joyous delight she had forgot the
dangers which the babe's father was incurring. In the
merrisome glee called forth by motherly pride and love,
she had failed to recollect that her husband was out upon
the bloody path, where some are sure to fall, and none can
say who.

Still the girl stirred not, moved not, but, momentarily
forgetful of the child's innocent prattle, listened with
charmed ears and pale cheek for the next sound which she
should detect. The Lepan who owned her for a wife, be-
ing jealous of her beauty and attractions, had strictly for-
bidden her leaving her tent, except when absolutely neces-
sary, and the youthful squaw knew no feeling more po-
werful than obedience to him who ruled her heart. Still
she fondled the infant, but now without a smile. But ten
minutes ago and its rosy and ruddy cheeks reflected the
glow of her smiles, and now care and anxiety rested on her
fair and lovely brow.

'A quarter of an hour passed—a quarter of an hour of
intense anxiety, and then footsteps approached, and her
husband entered the tent, but not alone. A beautiful but
stern Indian girl accompanied him, and the Lepan
scarcely glanced at his wife or child in his anxiety to point
out the accommodation which Keetsea was to expect
within his wigwam. Eeetses haughtily accepted a seat,
glancing curiously and not without interest at the picture
before her.

And lowa ? Not a sound escaped her lips, not a breath
whispered her intense and acute feelings, though a palor
of deathlike nature rested on her cheeks, and the babe lay
forgotten on her knee for the first time. The lighthearted
girl was no more ; a woman, full of doubt and care, filled
her place. A faint cry from the child restored her con-
sciousness, and then, as if reproaching herself for her ne-
glect, she pressed the infant more closely to her bosom,
for now indeed it was all the world to her. She saw her
fate at a glance. Custom sanctioned polygamy, and her
husband had every right to follow custom ; but the dream
of her youth was over : lowa saw with bitter grief, only
to be likened to that which bubbles to the heart when the
cold sod falls on the inanimate form of a cherished child,
that her husband's love had passed from her.

ANECDOTE OF A LADY OF BORNEO.—The following
little adventure was told me during my stay at Sarawak,
by Dr. Trencher, who had lately joined Mr. Brooke, his
former medical attendant having returned to. England.
It appears that Dr. Treacher received a message by a con-
fidential slave, that one of the ladies of Macota's harem
desired an interview, appointing a secluded spot in the
jungle as the rendezvous. The doctor, being aware of his
own good looks, fancied he had made a conquest ; and,
having got himself up as showily as he could, was there at
the appointed time. He described the poor girl as both
young and pretty, but with a dignified and determined
look, which at once c•mvinced him that she was moved to
take so dangerous a step by some deeper feeling than that
of a mere fancy for his person. She complained of the
ill-treatment she had received from Macota, and the mi-
serable life she lad ; and avowed that her firm resolve was
to destroy (not herself, gentle creature! but) him; for
which purpose she wanted a small portion of arsenic. It
was a disappointment that he could not comply wish her
request; so they parted, he full of pity and love for her,
and she, in all probability, full of contempt for a man who
felt 'for her wrongs, but would not aid in the very simple
means she had proposed for redressing tbern.—Captain
Kepp.l's Bornco.

THE SABBATH IN ALGIERS.—Friday is their sabbath,
but yet on that day there is but little difference in their
devotion from that of other days, excepting that the hat-
teb, or priest, who is above the imonm, officiates on the
sabbath, at one of the clock, for about the space of an
hour. After which he mounts a pair of stairs (six or se-
ven) with a staff in his hand, and there makes a sort of
short sermon, about a quarter of an hour, or little more.
At the time of worship, the gates of the city (Algiers) are
shut, and many shut their shop-windows during service.
and even after candle-light ; and some that are more zea-
lous will not open their windows all the afternoon. In the
morning the women flock out in thousands, to visit the
sepulchres of their deceased relatives. weeping over their
graves, and petitioning to them ; and when t bey have done
they'll carefully weed and cleanse them from atroyl and
dirt. When the men go to mosque, they slip off their
shoes at the door, and slap one sole against the other, and
so go in barefoot, and lay their shoes before them, kneel-
ing down and bringing their back parts on their heels, as
for a resting-place. It is a shame, indeed, to Christians,
to take a view of the zeal of those poor blind 'Mahomme-
tans ; for if they are so strict in their false worship, it
must needs he a reprimand to us who are so remiss in the
true. And I pray God, Christians may take the hint, and
learn thereby to bless the goodness of God, who bath con-
tinued his gospel to them, while such a vast part of the
globe is devoted to a vile and debauched imposter."—
captivity and Adventures of Joseph Pills.
SOUTH LANCASHIRE ONCE A LAKE.—OR a clear day,
a person standing on the highest part of Barton Moss,
can perceive that the valley watered by the rivers Irwell
and Mersey is completely encircled by an amphitheatre
of hills, except at the point where the united waters of
those two rivers discharge themselves into the estuary of
the Mersey at Runcorn Gap. The opening through
which they flaw into that arm of the sea is not more than
two or three miles in width, and if it was closed up, the
greater part of South Lancashire and of the northern part
of Cheshire would be turn, d into a vast lake, bounded by
the Yorkshire and Derhyshiro hills on the east, by the
high lands, which extend from this great chain across De-
!mere Forest, and as far as Halton Castle on the south,
by a corresponding range of which Rivington Pike and
Haigh and Billinge Hills are the most conspicuous objects
on the north, and by the range of high land crossed by
the two inclined planes on the Liverpool and Manchester
Railway, on the west. This latter range is continued by
way of Pex Hill, and the other high grounds to within a
couple of miles of Runcorn Gap, and the Cheshire hills.
At some very remote period, the waters flowing from the
high grounds which surrounded this valley, and which
are now carried off by the channels of the Irwell and the
Mersey, and the Sankey Brook, were probably thus col-
lected in a lake in this great natural basin. It was at this
time, probably, that the vast deposits of marl, rich in lime
and beds of sand and gravel, the latter containing stones
altogether d.fferent from the rea sand stone rock of South
Lancashire, were deposited oe the great Lancashire plain.
Here they are still found in every direction, altering the
natural features of the country, and entirely changing the
constitution of the soil. It is only at few spots that the
red sand stone rises to the surface of the ground, whilst
the coal stra•a in which the northern part of the district is
so rich, are nearly all buried at great depths below thick
beds cf clay.—Times.
A NEW YORK AUCTION.—I strolled into one of the
auction •rooms of New York ; I had been in them before,
but not to stop long—l stopped half an hour to-day. These
sales are for goods by wholesal and certainly if any Eng-
lish merchant could have seen the rapidity with which his
goods were knocked down, at the most arbitrary prices,

esire to send

'urther consignments

woollen cloths were selling when I went in, and during my
stay. lam no great judge of them, but I should be in-
clined to say. from what I could judge, that all were sold
at a loss and some at a great loss. A nice super fine broad
cloth, t: e colour "invisible green", as it is called, was
knocked off in about a minute or a minute and a half, at
22 dollars per yard, and would net about 6s. 9d, to the ex-
porter, as this price, of course, must pay all duties and
charges. Other things (woollen) went in proportion,
varyinz from l to 23 dollars per yard. They are seldom
more than a minute in knocking a lot ; and I tics- sales are
always understood to be bond fide, i.e. there is no buying
in again. There were ten or a dozen who seemed to have

come rs buyers, and as many more lookers on. It is im-
possible to describe in writing the quick volubility of the
auctioneer; tut the language is something like this :—'A
fine piece of superfine broad cloth, gentlemen, invisible
green ; who will make a bid for this cloth ? A beautiful
cloth, gentlemen. I want a bid—a bid—a bid—a bid—a
bid—a bid—a bid. What shall I say, gentlemen, what
shall I say ? One dollar and a half is bid, gentlemen—
one and a half—one and a half—one and a half—only one
and a half, gentlemen—going, going, going at one and a
half—one dollar sixty cents, one s.xty, one sixty, one six-
ty, one seventy, one seventy-five, one seven-eighths, one
seven-eighths," &c., and so he goes on until, in double

quick time, down it conies at twodollars perhaps

. . -
goods which are not so expensive, the lots are put up in
eight or ten pieces, or quarter or half cases, &c. This
auction system is much reprobated by the respectable
merchants of New York. The British consigner, however,
must always remember that if he wants to sell his goods
immediately the auction room is the only place for that
purpose, and he must take his chance accordingly, for if
once offtred at auction his goods are not to be withdrawn.
—Memoir of B. Braidley, Esa.
RAILWAYS AND NOT FREE TRADE THE CAUSE OF
FUTURE PROSPLR/Ty.—Sir Robert Peel has selected a
period for making, the grand experiment, when, under the
existing commercial duties and arrangements, great pros-
perity must have tervaded the country under all ordinlry
circumstances. £11,492,000 of deposi's on English rail-
ways alone (independent of Scotch and Irish), were paid
into the Bank of England on Friday last ; that is the first
deposit of 10 per cent. on a capital sum of £114,920,000
proposed to be expended in railways in England, indepen-
dent if the present large expenditure, in the cours- of the
next three or four years. When to this sum there is ad-

ded the capital proposed to be expended during the like
period in Irelind arid Scotland, not yet ascertained, a ca-
pital sum of probably one hundred and fifty millions ster-
bog is set forth to be expended, on the manufactures, and
on the labours of the country, within the above period.
That the projectors of these railways are serious in their
intentions to proceed with them is proved by the payment
of the deposit of ten per cent. Notwithstanding, there
can be little doubt that a certain considerable portion of
'hem will fail for the current year. Still, however, there
is presented an expenditure of the capital of the country
in the construction of those railways, which cannot fail to
maintain in our manufactures generally, and in the market
for labour, an activity and power which will give to the
country, especially as measured by the financeQ, an ap-
pearance of the highest prosperity. Supposing Sir Itot:t.
Peel's measure to pass (which there is little doubt it will
do), this prosperity will no doubt be attributed to the free

admission of corn ; while it will rest on the temporary ex-
penditure of the capital instead of the income of the coun-
try ; which extraordinary expenditure will, as during the
war, deiriand an extent of labour, and draw on our mines
and manufactures to an extent which inevitably pr duces,
ceteris paribus, the highest apparent national prosperity.
The reaction will come, as it did after the war. This ex-
penditure, altogether on home objects, is unquestionably
far more solid and advantageous for the country than that
of the war. But a reaction will eventually follow, and the
prostration will be great in proportion to the height of the
previous fever and excitement. But this will be in other
days. Sir 'Robert Peel has to do with the present. And

the railway peculiarity of the age affords him a strength of
position which he has no doubt well measured, and of
which he is largely availing himself in the gigantic change
which he is accomplishing in the position of this great em-
pire.—Record.
CHINESE STROLLING DOCTORS. While passing
through the Market-place of Macao, I heard one of
the quack rhetoricana addressing a circle of bystanders
upon the proprieties of a mode of treatment he was
just going to adopt in the case of an old min, who was
squatted close by his side. It appeared as if, a few
seconds before my arrival, a bargain had been con-
cluded between them nearly in these terms of recipro-
city 1 will impart to you,' quoth the doctor, ' the full
benefit of my professional skill, and you shall give me all
the money you have got about you ;' for immediately upon
the close of the harangue the old man proceeded, with
cheerful haste, to empty his money-bag into the lap of the
young iEsculatius, who, affecting to be disappointed, ac-
cused his patient of concealing some of his tseen, or cash.
amidst the folds of his garment; hut as the common man
in summer is very thinly clad, a shake or two of his doub-
let satisfied the lookers on that. all the personal effects had
been fairly delivered up. The old man then retired, but
soon after came back with a basin of water, and placed it
at the feet of the doctor, who then took out a paper, and
made him swallow a small quantity of whitish powder,
without the aid of honey, treacle, or any other agreeable
menstruum. The effect of this powder was supp ,aid to
be that of rendering the patent incapable of feeling any
pain which might attend the operation to be performed.
He then drew some needles from a paper with an air of
grave preparation, and after rubbing some of the aforesaid
powder upon his own thigh, stuck one of the needles into
it as if it had been a sort of pincushion. The next step in
the process was a selection of a few seeds from a paper
parcel, putting them into his mouth, and giving the rem-
nant to the patient, as a pledge of his generosity. While
the seeds were undergoing the process of mastication by
themselves, he took a pair of wooden cylinders, and after
holding a lighted roll of paper within them, clapped them
upon the breast of the old man. After they had remained
a few minutes upon the spot, they were removed, and left
behind them two raised ara4m, or bumps, which the doc-
tor, after• sipping a little water, rubbed by the seeds, by
this time well reduced by maceration and grinding. He
next pricked the bumps with the needle which had been
all the while sticking in his own flesh. To extract the
blood, he applied his mouth, and drew with such violence
that the old man began to heave a sigh, and the crowd to
respond by a look of anxiety. All the while he pressed his
hands upon the neighbourhood of the spot, as if he wished
to make the blood flow in that direction. After the cere-
mony of washing the mouth, he applied a pitch plaster be-
tween the dream, and proceeded to treat the back after
the same sort. Here was a sample of much ado about
nothing ;' when to have made one or two incisions with
his knife, and then applied one of these cylinders, or cup-

ping vesels over them, with a roll of lighted paper within
it, would have caused a gush of blood, and rendered the
poor old fellow a real service. The art of cupping is very
ancient, and was perhaps long ago known to the Chinese,
though I have not yet found any mention of it in their
hooks. I was told by a Chinaman that, when young, he
was visited by a native practitioner, who assured his fa-
ther, that unless something of a serious kind were done,
the disease then afficting him would endanger his life. The
father intimated that the physician might use his discre-
tion ; upon which he cupped the sick son very freely, and
a speedy restoration to health was the result. But, in this
instance, the quack either mistook the proper method, or
invented one of his own, which, while it would appear
more ostentatious, should effect the least possible amount
Of good.— Chinese as They are.