The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-01-24 00:00:00

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

THE Hox. H. T. LIDDELL, M.P.--During the past week
the Hon. H. T. Liddell, M.P., has been on a visit in the
midst of his constituents, having been the guest of our
worthy chief magistrate, Mr. John Buck Lloyd. Mr.
Liddell attended during three or four days in the Mayor's
parlour, at the Town-hall, for the purpose of listening to
the representations which any portion of the constituency
of Liverpool might desire to make to him. Mr. Liddell,
left Liverpool by an early train on Saturday.
LIVERPOOL POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY. The annual
meeting of this society took place on Monday last week.
The following were elected for the ensuing year :—Presi-
dent, Mr. James Newlands ; vice-presidents, Messrs. Boult
and Grantham; treasurer, Mr. F. Horner; secretary, Mr.
C. F. Salt ; council, Messrs, Bennett, Dawson, Gardner,
H. P. Horner, Hulme, E. Jones, Milner, McNichol, Woore,
and Whinery. A paper from Mr. E. Jones, on Taylor's
patent water meter, was read, and' was illustrated by a
working model. The chairman said the experiment was
a fair off-hand test, but thought it most desirable that a
sub-committee of practical gentlemen should be appointed
to report on the subject.—The measuring of water supplied
to ships, and the efflux from springs, were also suggested
as proper subjects for the application of a correct meter.
—Mr. Duncan, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Grantham, and Mr. E.
Jones, were appointed a sub-committee for the purpose
recommended by the chairman, and the meeting separated.
HEALTH COMMITTEE.—At the usual meeting of this
committee on Thursday, the clerk read the minutes of an
interview between a deputation of the House Owners'
Association and the Parliamentary Sub-committee, when
the new sanatory bill was debated clause by clause, and
only a few trifling alterations had been made in it. The
report was adopted. The medical officer reported that
the deaths in the borough during the week ending Satur-
day last were 269, being eleven less than in the previous
week, and twenty more than the average of the corres-
ponding week of the preceding six years. Of these, ten
occurred in a German emigration lodging-house, since
which five additional deaths have occurred, making fifteen
in the same house within a period of six days, the whole
being ascribed to exposure to cold during fourteen days,
in consequence of the steamer being frozen up at the
German port of embarkation. Nearly one-half of the
deaths were caused by diseases of the lungs—the num-
ber being 133—while the average of the same week of
previous years was not more than 90. Another letter
was read from Mr. John Laird, renewing his complaint
as to the deposite of night soil by Mr. Rose on lands near
his shipyard. He said the deposite did not diminish, and
would not do so long as fresh deposits were allowed. Mr.
Fresh, the inspector of nuisances, said that the land, to
the extent of about 30 yards, was staked out. Mr. Rose
had been doing all he could to keep the deposits down,
and a great portion of it was now removed. It had been
known for some time that Mr. Laird wanted the land. It
was stated that the deposit was very much reduced, and
would be entirely removed by next Thursday, and the
clerk was instructed to write to Mr. Laird to that effect.

the watch
Monday last week the men employed in
" watch manufactory of Joseph Sewell, South Castle-
°t, held their annual dinner at the Belvidere Hotel.
...#BERCROMBY WARD.—There is no truth in the state-
"lite in the radical papers to the effect that Mr. Neill is
about to retire from the representation of Abercromby
o ard.
BBBMONS were preached on Sunday week, in St.
einiers Church, by the Rev. Henry Carpenter and the
T. Joseph Bardsley, on behalf of the Church of England
:•aool Society. The collections amounted to £l6.
hRA.TITUDE.—On Wednesday, when the crew of the
LIP_ Wallace, lately arrived at this port from San Fran-
were paid off, they assembled in the hall of the
;°rs' Hall, and presented Captain Kennedy with a day
it ,night spy-glass.
inr.ur PROM VinuoL.—John Roberts, labourer, who
e
Lies in Preston-street, met with a severe accident in
ord-street, on Tuesday, by an explosion of vitriol, which
°e(l, with other chemical substances, in inflating ginger-

,‘,,,EIitaRiTION TO AUSTRALIA.—Three first-class ships
i..,....4th,0,e, Thursday from the Mersey for the gold regions,
Indian Queen, Captain Mill, for Melbourne, be-
g to the Black Tall line, with 320 passengers; the
tays'aererawaY, Captain Liston of the same line, with 360
. ent emigrants for Sydney ; and the Tayleur,
geraul Noble, belonging to the White Star line, with
pYaasengers for Melbourne.
iii' ,',..141. RESULT OF DRUNKENNESS.—On Tuesday even
div labourer, named Patrick O'Neil, was picked up
D1F`,,....k park-lane, and conveyed to bridewell for safety.
-',..telY he was taken home by his daughter to No. 4
• Aewsham-street, and in the morning he was found
bed.
-L.,,.• SlLis' Cannel' ScnooLs.—On Friday the children
Za,_rat 400 in number—were treated to their annual tea
Vi. `Y• The Rev. W. H. Duck presided. After tea, Mr.
W. T. The
10 th Thompson exhibited views of large. magic lanterns,
tekhe peat delight of the juvenile audience, and their
j,.,"ers and friends.
sh'nlEl"ll ANDERSON, steward of the American packet-
sothC Aenandoah, lying in the Stanley Dock, broke into
stoj: drawers and boxes in the cabin the other night, and
wa„-Lwearing apparel to the value of £lO, for which he
f - urought up at the Police-court, and sent to prison
?riztwo months.
"b, SONGS AND SAYINGS OF SAMUEL LOVER.—In our last,
'''e briefly noticed that Mr. E. L. Hime is shortly to ap-
the in a new entertainment, written by Mr. Lover, under
above title, in the New Music-hall, Bold-street. Mr.
"'tale has given the entertainment in London; and several
°I the
z„„_, metropolitan journals, including the Daily News,
';',ii: very favourably of his appearance__ and capabilities.
lb q•,
RBFORMATION.-The Mayor, J. B. Lloyd,.
liT'e:l-I_, has consented to call a meeting, in order to consider
of oest course to be adopted to promote the establishment
he leformatory institutions for juvenile criminals. It is to
held on Thursday next. The Earls of Derby, Sefton,
„
a"ttenunlidarrowby, and Lord Stanley have been invited to
8.1,84 LE of CIIICORY.—The grocers of Manchester and
h„,?_rd, have been brought into a state of much uneasinesse
li'a the Prosecutions which the officers of the inland reven u
,t.vite
_commenced against several of the trade, for the sale_
Pltuh.c°rY• A meeting of grocers was held at the Spread
qn-6,C. Hotel, Manchester, on Monday, to discuss the
se';2_,u3n, and to arrange a Cbmbined mode of action. In
'IW eases, -penalties of £25 have been inflicted,
II
fid OITA!, LIABILITY.—The case of the Liverpool
b elph;
' Loan Association v. Fairhurst and wife, was
cl'ught before the Court of Exchequer, on Wednesday, on
or f'
V•roa the Passage Court of Liverpool on the follow-
g facts :--The female defendant, when unmarried, had
pie2„141.,,e a party to a promissory note, as surety to the
toiffs on a loan to a third person. The loan being
ut; to be renewed after her marriage, she was called on
vp,,.111,11 another note which she did in her maiden name,
with the knowledge of her husband. This liability so
,;;:,raeted was void in law, and the fraud being discovered
bpnell the note came to be enforced by the plaintiffs, they
aglit this action in case for that fraudulent misrepre-
t7,/tation of the wifeagainst both husband and wife. The
ge below having ; directed a verdict for the plaintiffs
thee're hhn, subject to this appeal, the Court, after hearing
Im_argnments on both sides, took time to consider its
ent.
theof RECENT CoLLtsios Cass.—On Tuesday, the Judge
eager County Court gave judgment in the late collision
of ",..,..,• There were three cases to be adjudicated on, in each
e"tues 11' his Honour gave a verdict, reading his judg-
-41 at
of I,„„___.,• He recapitulated the evidence, and gay.e.a variety
the '6ll/ cases which had guided him in his decisions. In
owaease of the Trustees of the Liverpool Docks against the
the,,,e1,8 of the Baltic, he said, in conclusion, Finding,
la e'll'ore, upon the evidence before me, that the Baltic was
spemarge of a duly-licensed pilot, by whose orders her
ch.;'__atid crew were regulated; that no such extraordinary
terf,, stances are here found as to justify the master's in-
the L,ing with the pilot in this his proper vocation ; that
brotn-Zers of the pilot were carefully transmitted and
"'•--1
ii clothe
executed by the captain and crew of the vessel;
Nt,-t the owners exempt from the responsibility now
'e eat,`° be imposed upon them, and direct a verdict to
et'qa Ised, for the defendant'? _this verdict was without
A_and ii;"111 the second case, the collision between the Vixen
e,,eiziligfea. ci„._....% lir,
anChdarineos Napier, the verdict was given for the
costs.—And- in the third case—the
"reoN„ of the flat Albert, laden with salt, by the ship.
for the then in tow of a steamer—the verdict was given
80-* owners of the flat, costs being allowed.
the aloor, Pon TIrE DEAF AND
.DUMB.—On Thursday
'was 17,1111a1 meeting of the subscribers to this institution
oceo ;m4 at the school, in Oxford-street. The chair was
allm.„1/411 by the president, the Rev. Rector Campbell ; and
the-"st other gentlemen who take a warm interest in
4,- s.,„ltecess of the institution were Mr. Harmood Banner,
me„' ", Banner, honorary secretary ; Mr. Arthur Thomp-
., treasurer;
hon• clel3,B,,crew.stAert,
tasil:/elif.r-ejqw- Al`Cracken ; the Revs. J. North
aunerts Mawdesley, Mr. R. R Rath-
secretary, Mr. E. 13 of the chairman, the honorary
statement of the trefatsnner, read the report. From the
.or the past arer it appeared that the receipts
defra • Year amounted to £3,176 18s. 10d. and after
.51ng all e
the institutionwasreelected of £l4, lls. sd. The Rev. Rector Campbell
. president for the ensuing year. The pro-
pAlscßcLlsosed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.
BY RAILWAY.--A decision on the long con-
- tested point of the liability of railway companies to carry
That are called " packed parcels" was given on Wednes-
't-T: in the Court of Common Pleas. Several years back
-eviTain persons commenced acting as agents for the col-
tlon of various small packages, which they made up
to a f
~,_ ew large ones, and forwarded to provincial towns,
t''_'_tere they caused the contents to be delivered to their
tf,eCtive addresses. A great convenience to trade was
~Zas obtained, since the charge for each item was rendered
s2rnall :that many things of the cheapest kind were
al.nxiitted backward and forward for samples or for
'crations and repairs, which could not have been sent
-taip,t all if the several owners had each had to pay for a dis-
fQet ParceL The London and North-western Company,
1,-,lsing that the system deprived them of large profits,
eh,__-'eavoured, in the first instance, to make a higher de-
,.._
_"4ad for all such parcels, but failed, because, as common
than
ers they had no right to make one person pay more
Zan anotheri for the same description of service, and they
r„ald never enforce the restriction with uniformity, since,
',,,,that case, every box or parcel containing the slightest
--4'.6, lcle for any individual other than the person to whom
`" was addressed must have been dealt with on the same
3 rinciple. They refused, however, even after this, to
abandon their resistance, and to accept the liability with
rod grace, as involving, for the moment, an apparent
__°M, but ultimately, from the extension of business to
which it would lead, a certain gain._ Accordingly, it
by declining
have been resolved to put obstacles in the way
. mg to transmit the obnoxious parcels, or those
. Which they chose to regard as such, beyond the limits of
their own
reston line, which terminates, as respects Glasgow, at
. sh -,, waves respects Sheffield, at Rugby. It was
°wed' Ftr, that they continaed to book all ordinary
, la to those towns in the usual manner, under an
;;Ifangement with the connecting lines ; and the point has
tww
_mot beensettled that, as common carriers, they are not
dtte,edin Making the fresh distinction they have
de,...—gea. - They cannot," it was observed by the court,
a.ea-,4 ~._eY will carry for 99 persons to Sheffield, and as
r a Particular person that they will only carry to
iatao.79 As carriers to Sheffield for everybody else, they
"%ill' in the same manner for the parties in question.
, e0m,,„.,,_
oolin ----,AJAL OF A GANG OF COINERS.—On Thursday,
' Wora,Yenboa, Margaret Denboa his wife, and another
trikr, named Ellen Casey or Burke, were committed for
'of ' °1:1 a charge of fabricating base coin. On the evidence
.., enthwaite and Scott, two detective officers, it
Lae ho that that they, in consequence of information, went to
hauls of of the prisoners Denboa, in St. George's-place,
"wily,:_4,ll-street, where, making search, they found five base
liakra in
h., 6 the ashes under the grate, a
.quantity of metal
'"etal -',.. Making the coins, and a crucible in. which the
and 8,4 melted. They took the prisoners into custody,
e°art-"secinently apprehended the prisoner Casey, in a
4,/ca'll., A.ddison-street, with a number of base coins and
Delia in her possession. The daughter of the prisoner
oad „„a, a girl about twelve years of age, stated that Casey
`tat '''t,l3ge to her parents'-house on the previous day, and
aettcr," coins, and when she left she promised to come the
,sald fi.,"a3r (Thursday), and make some half-crowns. She
Nix, `gat her parents had not assisted to make, her father
' of ,I.oht at work. Casey had previously been convicted
se'unilar offence.
tiit.ll,°°Ls is CONNEXION WITH Sr. CIIRYSOSTOM'S
litteu,:11.:"011 Thursday evening, a meeting, which was
St. 0,--"nstY attended, of the congregation connected with
kinrYsoatom's Church, was held in the national schools,
transfer"'tie, for the purpose of considering an offer to
eh those schools, and connect them with the St.
kifims()s,thua, district. The Everfon national schools, in
2Mth-g"f""4,-„, nave hitherto been carried on in connexion
la St "„„_".eorge's Church, Everton. As the schools stand
atio,--- kmrYsostom's district, and as St. George's has
aaellb_er similar institution of its own, called the Everton
the I,'„„irk:,.dale School, it is now in contemplation to annex
ton,""44unle's in Mill-road to the' Church of St. Chrysos-
.r.t7', i
Tardilliam Brown, Esq., M.P., was called to the
amongst the other gentlemen present were—
ruff_. rp• Macnaught, Mr. Maenaught, Messrs. J. W
• "lali'4l,a-4317, Shalleross, Morrison, Tristram, Brandreth,
1 11 '., Eaton, Crosthwaite, Arkle, Sharp, Corkhill, B,e-
-ttals_chalrman, at some length, explained the cir.cumd-
Also -4,1? under which these schools had originated , anw
, thnZese which had given rise to the erection of the new
1 ".• lie expressed his approval of the present pro-
-1 1,1 Ition, and commended the public spirit of those gentl-
eu ~
!. for'"uo had been mainly instrumental in bringing_it
i .0•0"ru• The meeting was addressed in favour of the
bear„,, by Mr. Eaton, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Shallcross, Mr.
ta `ll3°R, Mr. Councillor Woodruff, the Rev. J. Mac-
retrut,..., Mr. Arkle, Mr. Tory, Mr. Tristram, Mr. Brand-
} N,rttrable to the objects of the meeting were unanimously
, thatto_. In course of the addresses, it became apparent
i 00 ~,,,,,' ,kalrYsostom's schools re attended by upwards of
r ritu-skolars, and that an effort is to be made to procure a
clear°, £lOOO by subscription, which will be necessary for
art- ~si• the church from debt, and placing the schools in
hast:oe ent and satisfactory state. It appears that
.1940
tgoo"elen already promised, on condition of the remaining
' expeoueing collected before the .Ist of July next. It is
tai,,,`ed:that, by proper exertion, this amount will be
poi within the period specified, A committee was ap-
tlitk„7 to Carry out the resolutions, and after a vote of
444 to the chairmam, the meeting separated.

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD, AND GENERAL COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER.

CHURCH of ENGLAND INSTITUTION.-

THE annual meeting of the members of this institution
was held on Tuesday evening, at the rooms, in Bold-
street. The chair was occupied by Mr. J. Hubback, one
of the vice-presidents, and amongst other friends of the
institution present were Mr. Harmood Banner, the Rev.
Dr. Hume, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Sears, &c.
The CHAIRMAN, after a few remarks, expressive of his
regret at the smallness of the meeting, and in commenda-
tion of the objects of the institution, called on
The Rev. Mr. Moons, honorary secretary, who read
the report, from which it appeared that the most marked
feature since the last report, had been the bazaar in aid of
the library fund. It had been found that the smallness of
the library stood in the way the institution's prospects,
and a committee appointed to consider the best means of
supplying the defect, agreed on a bazaar, which was held
in October last, under most distinguished patronage, and
with very gratifying success. The committee feel bound,
publicly to record their grateful thanks to those ladies,
and other friends of the institution, both in Liverpool and
elsewhere, who, by their valuable contributions and per-
sonal exertions, succeeded in producing the satisfactory
result upon which they have now the pleasure to congratu-
late all the parties concerned. A sum of £lBO was realised,
and by a judicious selection of books, nearly 300 volumes
had been already added, though only two-thirds of the
£5O voted as a first instalment have been expended. In
conclusion, the committee express thankfulness for the
amount of success which has attended their labours. They
are of opinion that the institution is a most useful and
important one ; that it requires only to be known in order
to be duly appreciated, and its advantages fully deve-
loped, and turned to the profit of a far larger body of
subscribers than have ever yet belonged to it. The recent
additions to the library have greatly increased the advan-
tages it offers to ladies, and the committee are sanguine
of obtaining an increase in this class of members.
From the treasurer's account it appeared that the re-
ceipts for the year were £2lO Bs. 10d., and the expenditure
exceeded the income, there being a balance due to the
treasurer of £29.

The meeting was addressed by the Rev. Dr. HIINE,
who moved the adoption of the report, and that it be
printed and circulated. Mr. MITCHELL seconded the
resolution, which was unanimously carried ; as was also
a vote of thanks to the honorary secretary, treasurer, and
committee, on the motion of Mr. HARMOOD BA.ENER,
seconded by Mr. SEARS. Several other gentlemen ad-
dressed the meeting; and after a vote of thanks to the
ladies and gentlemen who lad originated, and so success-
fully conducted the bazaar, ant to the Chairman, the
meeting separated.

COMMISSIONS SIGNED DT TIER LORD LIEUTENANT OP
LA.NCASRIRE.-4th Regiment of Royal Lancashire (Light
Infantry) Militia.—To be Ensigns : T. F. Yeo, gent., H.
Auchinleek, gent., A. Kent, gent., and T. Boyce, gent.
CIVIC BANQUET.—On Wednesday, the Mayor enter-
tained a party to dinner at the Town-hall. The guests,
which numbered about fifty, included the members for
Liverpool, and the Mayor and Town-clerk of Manchester.
SCOTLAND WARD.—A pulilii'meeting to adopt means
for affording relief to thoseViho might be in distress in
consequence of the inclemency of the season, was held on
Monday, last week, Mr. Councillor Woodruff in' the chair.
The sum of £55 was collected, and on the following morn-
ing, 120 gallons of soup, and two packs of flour, which had
been made into bread, were dispensed to some of the.

necessitous poor.
THE CHATHAM SOCIETY.—The annual ball of this
society, the proceeds of which are given to the Orphan
Boys' Asylum, will take place at the Town-hall, on Thurs-
day. The charity sought to be benefited is one which

must enlist the sympathies ,of all. A heavy debt still
hangs over the institution, crippling the energies of its
committee, and it is to assist in removing this incubus
that the ball is to be given. ,
Tres ISLE OP MAlL—Large numbers of sheep were dug
out of the snow on the mountains of this island, last week,
and, in the greater number of instances, life was preserved.
In one case, a blackbird was found by the side of a sheep
under the snow and also lived.- In many districts, the
:amine assomtoe fliyusitantnoeetsh,ehdowweevlleirn,g-tlhioeu:ectedof
birdsseveral
werey
parties
.
flewl into some houses in the parish of Maughold.—
_
tame
In the snow dorm of 1825-6, magpies

Mona'# Herald.
CONGREGATIONAL Muslce—On Wednesday, a lecture
on " Congregational Music" was delivered in the Lecture-
hall of the Mechanics' Institution, by Mr. H. Ewer, to a
numerous and very respectable audience. During the
evening several specimens of ancient sacred music were
sung in a very creditable manner by the members of the
Musical Association, accompanied by the organ, which
was presided over by Mr. Rogers. Frequently, during the
delivery of the lecture, as well as at its close, the audience
marked their approbation by bursts of applause.

- -
EDGE-HILL MISSIONARY TREE. —ln consequence of
the recent death of the brother of the Rev. Mr. Barker,
the minister of Edge-hill Church, the usual missionary
Christmas tree and sale of fancy work on behalf of the
Church Missionary Society and the Society for Irish
Church Missions to the Roman Catholics were postponed
until Friday. The boys' School-room presented a very gay
appearance, from the mixture' of pictures, evergreens,
fancy-work, stalls,- illuminated :trees, and pretty smiling
faces. The attendance during the day had been very nu-
merous, £l3, perhaps, being received at the doors, by an
admission charge of from 4d. to Bd. The exhibition was
rather an extra one, the congregation having exerted
itself, in sympathy for its respected pastor. About £7O.
will be. thus realised.

-- -
WEST DERBY GITAIIDIAITS.—Mr. Harrison presided at
the weekly meeting of this board on Wednesday. The
other members present were eie Rev. W. Hadnall, and
Messrs. Alpass, Heyes, G. Harrison, Abraham, Mount-
field, Roskell, Miller, James Birch, Jeffries, Shaw, Lunt,
and Kirkus. The balance in the hands of the treasurer
was stated to be £1,943 158. ld., and the number of
paupers in the 'Workhouse 717, against 708 in the corres-
ponding week of last year. There were, also, 88 patients
-in the hospital. The visiting committee having made a
report, it was resolved that it be received, with the excep-
tion of a portion relating to the erection of a shed for the
employment- of able-bodied paupers in the Workhouse.
The vaccination committee recommended that, as the late
Vaccination Act could not be carried into satisfactory I
operation, and must be repealed or amended in the ensuing
session of Parliament, the existing contracts for vaccina-
tion in the union remain as at present, until the intention
of the Legislature were ascertained. Mrs. E. Elizabeth
Bird was elected mistress of the Workhouse Girl's School,
at a salary of £3O a.-year and rations ; and Mr. Kirkus
gave notice that at the next meeting, (which will take
place in the new board-room,) he should move that a
vaccinator be appointed to reside in the rural district of
the township of West Derby, near West Derby
LIVERPOOL AND BRAZIL STBAJAERS.--A memorial
from the merchants of this town is in the course of sig-
nature, at the Exchange-rooms, urging upon governmen.,
the desirability of making such arrangements with the
South American and General Steam Navigation Company-
as will insure to the commercial community the advantage
of a half-monthly mail between this country and the
Brazils and River Plate, both out and home. The memo-
rialists state that this company start their vessels from
this port on the 24th of each month, at intermediate dates,
with the present mail packets; but that their departure
from the other side being regulated by their own con-
venience, they start about the same dates as the mail
steamers, the expected advantage of a bi-monthly mail
being thus nullified. They further state that the local
company have placed upon the station a line of powerful
screw-steamers, the speed of which has now been proved
to be at least equal to the present mail packets.
EXTENSIVE FAILURE IN MANCTIESTBR.—We regret
to announce the failure of au old-established and highly-
respectable calico printing concern, Messrs. Thomson,
Brothers, and Sons, of this city and Primrose, near
Clitheroe. The failure was rumoured on Tuesday, and
has since been confirmed. A meeting of creditors was
held to-day, at the Palatine Hotel, Hunt's Bank, at
which between thirty and forty gentlemen were present.
The total liabilities, it appears, amount to about £122,000,
consisting of £50,000 advanced on mortgage security, and
£72,000 in current liabilities. The assets were not very
clearly stated, but it appeared that the property mortgaged
would not realize the full amount of the advances upon it,
and on that account the general creditors would suffer a
diminution in the probable assets to meet their claims.
The mortgaged property was the works at Primrose, with
the fixtures. The assets for the general creditors are the
goods in stock, materials,, machinery, &c., and about
£20,000 good debts. Four gentlemen were appointed to
investigate the affairs of the concern, with the assistance
of accountants, to prepare a balance sheet, and report at
a meeting to be held as soon as possible. In the meantime,
to take such steps as may be deemed advisable.—Man-
chester Courier.
DOCK COMMITTBB.—Mr. Charles Turner presided at
the usual weekly meeting of this committee on Thursday,
when, after the transaction of some routine business, a
letter was read from Messrs. Taylor, Potter, and Co., com-
plaining of the want of proper arrangements for the berth-
ing of ships, and the filthy state of the dock quays. On
the motion of Mr. Smith, the following gentlemen were
appointed as a committee to investigate the arrangements
of the finance department; and the mode of keeping the
accounts :—Messrs. Turner, Molyneux, Rankin, Healing,
Bigham, Gladstone, and Chaloner • and Messrs. Shand,
Evans, Barber, and Smith. The following gentlemen
were then introduced as a deputation from the timber
trade, who had requested an interview to represent the
opposition to the resolution recently adopted by the com-
mittee to increase the rental of land on the Harrington
Dock property :—Messrs. Halhead, M`Nicoll, Anthony,
Fazakerley, Fleming, and Bland, and Mr. Stewart, who
attended to explain some obServations he had made at the
Council meeting. Mr. Halhead stated that, looking to the
revenue derived from the timber trade, he thought it was
the duty of the Dock Committee to render every possible
facility to the importers for storing their timber, in the
event of prices being such that they did not feel justified
in selling. He reminded the committee of what had
taken place in the Council, when the general feeling of
the Council was in. favour of the view taken upon the
question by Mr. MaSTicoll and himself—that the rates pro-
posed to be charged by the committee were too high. The
deputation had not come there to dictate to the com-
mittee, but merely to state their sentiments, and leave
the matter in their hands • but he thought that when
such men as Mr. Stewart, Mr. Bramley-Moore, Mr. Saml.
Holme, Mr. Picton, and others, all agreed that the rates'
were too high ; and when they coupled tith that the fact
that the sub-committee, in coming to the resolution com-
plained of, was not at all unanimous, as Mr. Rankin and
Mr. Smith were both opposed to it, their representations
would be admitted to be deserving of some consideration.
Personally, he had no direct interest in the matter, as he
did not require to make use of the land ; but looking at
it as au important branch of commerce, he thought it was
the duty of the committee to encourage the cheap im-
portation of timber. When they looked at the revenue
which that trade brought to the port, he thought a course
of liberal dealing with them would not be thrown away ;
and, besides that, he believed that there was no land at
all contiguous to that belonging to the committee which
let at any such rate. Mr. Stewart also addressed the
committee at some length, in favour of a reduction. Mr.
Holme contended that the sub-committee of works, in
adopting the resolution complained of, was only asking a
fair and legitimate price. After some further desultory
conversation, the deputation. withdrew. The matter NY 04
then referred to the sub-committee of works, who, were
tc) report ts, 4 futqa auttiou of the Zawalittse.