The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-03-19 00:00:00

IMPROVEMENTS

Several suggestions for minor improvements made by the
two Harbour Masters were referred to the respective sub-
committees.

CONTEMPLATED NAVIGATION SCHOOL IN CONNECTION
WITH THE INTENDED OBSERVATORY.

Mr. AIKIN said, the committee were aware that an ob-
servatory was about to be built at the west end of Waterloo
Dock, and that a portion of ground had been allotted by the
Dock Estate to the Council for the purpose of erecting it
thereon. It had been suggested in the committee of council
that if a navigation and nautical school could be attached to
the observatory, under the direction of the astronomer
who would be employed, it would lead to very valua-
ble results. Such an institution was much wanted, in
in order that it might be ascertained wheiher apprentices and
sailor-boys were qualified, as far as their knowledge of navi-
gation was concerned, to become officers. A very great
struggle had recently been made in various ports, to obtain
what he deemed to be perfectly visionary, namely, the insti-
tution of a board of examiners, which should sit at various
ports. To this project he was opposed ; but in the present
case Liverpool had all the necessary means within herself of
possessing a good school for the cultivation of nautical know-
ledge, if the land could be procured. All the details would
come before the council, and they would pay all the expenses
connected with them. He was of opinion that if the master
to be appointed were allowed to take classes of scholars, the
fees arising from that source would save the town from ex-
pense. All the request he had to make, before proposing a
motion on the subject in the Town Council, was that the
dock estate would give the Council, if it were found neces-
sary, a small additional plot of ground in the neighbourhood
of the proposed observatory, which was now lying useless,
for the purpose of erecting the school.
Mr. ..14ELLon. put several questions of detail, which Mr.
Aiken replied to by again stating that all the particulars
would be laid before the Council.
Mr. G. HOLT was sure that when Mr. Aiken had matured
his plans, and they were found likely to have a beneficial
operation, the dock committee would willingly meet him.
Mr. AIKIN was so far prepared that he had come to
that meeting able to shew that there might be a school in-
side the proposed observatory. But a small room might be
required alongside; and he could not move until he had the
opinion of the committee upon his application.
Mr. RIPLEY believed that it was not in the power of the
committee by the Act of Parliament to grant the application.
Mr. AIKIN replied that there was a special clams; in the
bill now before parliament, giving the committ... power to
appropriate land for the erection of a house.
Mr. CHAPMAN hoped the application would be entertained
by the committee.

Mr. HORSFALL thought some question might arise whe-
ther this particular site could with propriety be granted. He
should be very glad if it could; but he had some doubts.
Mr. AIKIN said Mr. Horsfall's objection related to the
proposed school being entered from the inside of the dock.
Now the fact was, the entrance would he from the pierhead,
and it would have no connection with the dock.
Some further remarks were made ; and eventually on the
motion of Mr. AIKIN, the application was referred to the
sub-committee of works.

THE ROCK LIGHT-ROUSE.
Mr. TOBIN said that many complaints were made that the
Rock Light-house bell could not be heard in thick weather
in consequence of its not being large enough. Ile suggested
that a gong should be obtained.—Referred to the sub-com-
mittee of works.
The committee then separated.