The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-06-06 00:00:00

THE MERCHANT SHIPPING BILL

WE took the opportunity, a short time since, of
commenting on some of the most serious objections
to the provisions in the New Merchant Shipping
Bill, particularly those which relate to the allowance
for engine-room in steam-ships, and the responsi-
bility of shipowners for damage by accident to pas-
sengers. In discussing the several clauses of this
important measure, great service to the shipping
interest has been rendered by the Liverpool Steam-
ship Association, and on Thursday 11Ir. ROBERT
LAMONT, of this town, and Mr, MOWN, the

efficient Secretary to the Association, had an inter-
view with Mr. CARDWELL on the subject of the
objections to the bill. These have been ably
stated in a pamphlet by the Secretary, from which
we give the following extract, referring to the
important subject of the accommodation for the
crew being included in the registered tonnage.
In section 20 of the bill it is proposed that a break
or poop, or any other closed-in space available for
cargo, or for the berthing of passengers or crew
shall be measured and included in the register
tonnage. Upon which the writer says :

"It is considered that the accommodation for the crew
whether in houses on deck or in a forecastle, should not
be included in the register tonnage. As the clause stands,
however, all erections, except perhaps galleys, icehouses,
and waterclosets, would be measured, as being considered
available, under some circumstances, for cargo, or for the
berthing of the passengers or crew, although actually
never used for these purposes. In this way, erections for
the shelter of deck passengers, now becoming common in
coasting steamers, and by which an immense addition is
made to their comfort, will be added to the tonnage, and,
in addition to the cost of erection, become subject to dues.
A serious, if not insurmountable, bar will thus be placed
to the expressed wishes of the government that shelter
should be afforded, and the decks will either be left clear,
and exposed to the weather, or the rate of passage money
must be raised to defray the additional expense. In
either way the passengers will suiTer—in person or in
pocket. At least only such erections as are fitted up with
berths, or are constructed and appropriated for cargo,
should be measured, and the best means of adding to the
comfort and securing the safety of passengers will be to
leave the steam-ship owner with full power to construct
such erections as he thinks proper for the shelter, safety,
and comfort of his passengers. To do otherwise will be
to induce temporary, unfixed, and insufficient shelter, and
to expose the passengers to dangers and discomforts,
which the steam-ship owners have every wish and desire
to avert and avoid."

The bill is now before the House of Commons
in committee ; but the further consideration has
been postponed until after the recess, and, in con-
sequence of the numerous alterations introduced
since the bill was printed, it is ordered to be re-
printed, and recommitted on Tuesday, the 20th of
June.

In addition to the alterations proposed by Mr.
HOESFAIL, with reference to the restoration of the
compulsory apprenticeship system, our Repre-
sentative has also given notice of the following :

"In committee on Merchant Shipping Bill, to move
the following amendments :
" Page 80, clause 230, leave out all the words after 'con-
ducted,' in line 13, to the word 'the' in line 15, and insert
under the provisions contained in the eighth part of this
act.'

Page 147, clause 348, leave out magistrate' in line 11,
and insert ` Local Marine Board, the stipendiary magis-
trate being present thereat.'
"Clause 419, leave out 'magistrate' in line 17, and
insert `Local Marine Board, including such stipendiary
magistrate.' "

OPENING OF ST. GEORGE'S HALL

VISIT OF HER MAJESTY TO LIVERPOOL.

THE St. George's Hall Committee have been indefa.

tigable in their exertions to complete this magnificent

building, and we have now the satisfaction to be able to

state that Liverpool will be honoured with the augur

presence of HER MAJESTY on the auspicious occasion of

the opening. In order that due eclat may be given :to
the affair, the Committee will be doubled for the purpose

of making the necessary arrangements for the reception
of the QUEEN and her ROYAL CONSORT; and no doubt

it will be the most exciting and brilliant affair ever wit-

nessed in the capital of commerce. It was intended to

have secured the aid of the celebrated JENNY LIND, to
take part in the musical services with which HER

MAJESTY will be welcomed within the Hall, but the

indisposition of the Swedish nightingale, after her recent
confinement, has caused her to decline the pressing invi-

tation. The Committee have, however, engaged the
eminent composer, Sir HENRY Bisnop, as leader, so
that the most ample guarantee is afforded for the quality
of this part of the entertainment. The charge for ad-

mission on this occasion will, of course, be high ; but we

believe it is the intention of the Committee to arrange

afterwards for a series of concerts at a much lower

charge, so that the public may have an opportunity cf
hearing the magifieent organ.
The day for the opening has not yet been definitively
fixed; but as it must be arranged to suit the convenience
of HER MAJESTY, who will probably leave Osborne for
the north about the latter end of August, so it is more

:han probable that it will take place the first week

in September.

It would, of course, be premature to

hazard any conjectures as to the accommodation to be
provided for the Royal party, as it is not yet known

whether they will come by rail or by the royal yacht,
It is stated, however, that Childwall Hall, the residence
of the late EDMUND MOLYNEUX, Esq., will be placed at

the disposal of HER MAJESTY

ELECTION OF BIRKENEAD COMMIS-
SIONERS.

Tins annual election of Commissioners for Birkenhead
will take place thiselay (Tuesday), at the Town-hall. The
object of the contest on this occasion is one in which the
ratepayers of Birkenhead are deeply interested. An
attempt having been made to increase the local taxation
of the township, which attempt is again intended to be
proceeded with, the ratepayers are bound in self-defence
to return, on the present occasion, men who will study
the interests of Birkenhead, apart from any clique or
party feeling.
If the object be to drive all residents into the adjoining
townships, then, of course, lay on an additional tax. But
if the ratepayers, the house-owners, the tradesmen of Bir-
kenhead, are anxious to secure the welfare of the place,
now is the moment effectnally to oppose all such attempts.
Ratepayers! Be early at the poll, vote for the following
gentlemen, and your object will be accomplished :
Mr. Charles Cook, Mr. Henry Hilliar,
Mr. Henry Watson, Mr. John Dixon Hore,
Mr. H. Fox, Mr. James M`Whirter,
Mr. Thos. B. Colborne, Mr. James Highton.
*** In the Albion of yesterday, the name of Mr. John
Dixon Hore was accidentally omitted. That gentleman
will go to the poll, and will make, if elected, a most useful
Commissioner for Birkenhead.
Beech Lawn, June 5, 1854. TABARRAUCHER.

TO THE EDITOR OF TIIR LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

Sza,—l wish you would remind your Birkenhead read-
ers, that the annual election of commissioners will take
place to-morrow (Tuesday). It is all-important to the
interests of that township, that such parties should be
elected to assist in the conduct of its affairs as, from their
knowledge of business and standing, can secure both suc-
cess and respect. It must give much pleasure to all to
notice an amalgamation of the two parties known as the
Red and Blue, as, by this means, such a list is now pre-
sented to the electors as cannot fail to secure the most
complete confidence. The names of the candidates re-
commended by the united " Red and Blue" will be found
signed by Messrs. Henry Curry and Henry Watson, as
chairman and secretary; gentlemen who, from their expe-
rience in Birkenhead affairs, well know what is required,
and who are the most suitable parties to supply those re-
quirements in the conduct and management of Birkenhead.
affairs. There is nothing now required to place these
affairs in the best possible position, but a long pull, is
strong pull, and a pull altogether.
Birkenhead, sth June, 1851 A WOODESIDE-MAN.

TnE QUEEN held a Court on Wednesday afternoon, at
Buckingham Palace. The Chevalier Bunsen had an
audience of Her Majesty, and presented his letters of recal,
as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
from the King of Prussia.

VISCOUNT AND VISCOUNTESS COMBERMERE ave a
grand banquet to their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of
Cambridge and the Princess Mary, on Wednesday, at their
mansion in Belgrave•square. The same evening Lady
Hume Campbell gave a grand ball at Hill street, to which
the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Mary proceeded
after leaving Lord Combermere's.

THE BAZAAE.—The receipts from tte bazaar at the
Music-hall, Bold-street, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Thursday, amounted to £460, exclusive of what was
realized by the sale of tickets, in aid of the fund for the
new Wesleyan Schools, to be erected at Scacombe.
ROBBERY.—The house of Mr. -England, in Ann's-place,
Hopwood-street, was entered on Saturday
quantity of articles, including a watch, which was taken
from the bed on which the owner wag sleeping, Were
stolen. night, and
wai
fro

CARTOWNERS.—A numerous meeting of cartowners wrs
held at the Clarendon-rooms, on Friday, to consider the
necessity of discontinuing the discount allowed to the mer-
chants and brokers. Mr. George Taylor presided. After
some discussion a committee of five was appointed to con-
sider and report upon the best course to bo pursued, and
the meeting broke up.