The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-12-10 00:00:00

MEETING OP THE DOCK COMMITTEE.

The weekly meeting of the Dock Committee was held
Yesterday. The following members were present,—Messrs.
Ninds, (chairman,) Horsfall, Barclay, Holt, Holmes, Chil-
ton,
e lor, Smith, Bulley, Aiken, Chapman, Evans,
AT
Moly-
neux, Nicol, Ripley, and Tobin.

ERECTION OF SHEDS.
The SURVEYOR (who was absent through severe indis-
Position) sent in a report, which was presented by the sub-
committee of works, of the number of lineal yards of sheds
erected upon the dock quays within the last twelve months.
T report was made in compliance with a motion made at the
tast meeting by Mr. Chapman. The document stated, that
from December, 1840, to May, 1841, there had been 1274
Yards erected, and from May, 1841, to December, 1841,
924 yards, making a total of 530 yards, within the last
twelve months. The cost of these had been £l5 per yard,
or £7950.

THE SHIP LADY FALKLAND.
The Somcrron submitted the case which he had laid be-
fore counsel, on the question whether the committee had
Poyeer to return Messrs. Nankin, Gilmour, and Co. the dues
paid upon their ship the Lady Falkland. The opinion of
Messrs. Cresswell and Crompton was, that under the earlier
acts relating to the affairs of the docks the ship was liable,
Wider the circumstances, to pay dues, and they did not think
the was exempt from them by the 100th section—that the
committee had no discretionary power as to exemption from
dock dues, and that they would not be justified in returning
the money paid in this inst
Mr. AIKIN obseri'ed tha
this opinion out of defer(
was clear from the act c
Opt power to return t

ad only taken

committc

to opinion out of doors, but it
iament that the committee had

HE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
stated that he had received a communi-
ittee of the Town Council
application from
ervice of the corn-
another situation,
of the alterations
e south Harbour-
fcrred to the Sur-
the applicant upon

COMMUNICAT_
The CHAIRMAZN
CatiOll from the Finance
dated the 3d Decembe
William Hughes, for ma
!nittee as a cleaner of gray
he having been removed i
how being made. A testi
Master accompanied the a
'eyor, with a recommenda,

litaining an
rs in the
docks, for

msequen.
ial from

. •
ht occasion.
The CHAIRMAN said, he
George Hall Lawrence, chair(
of the Town Council, reques
reconsider the matter, props',
alteration of Seacombe slip
?,Pposite the intended new di

I a note from Mr.
Finance Committee
lock Committee to
days ago, as to the
nd the building of the slip
:k. The corporation slip at

Seacombe would cost very lit
Mr. ATKIN had intended t
taittee to this subject, because it arose out of a question he
put yesterday in the Town Council, to know what progress
had been made with the Seacombe slip as recommended by
the Finance Committee. The reply of the chairman of the Fi-
nance Committee was that they could not move in the matter
Until they had received a reply from the Dock Committee.
He believed that no definite proposal had been made to the
Dock
Committee; but at an interview between the Finance
Committee and the Dock Commiitee, it was mentioned that
the Finance Committee would be glad if such an arrange-
Inent could be made as this; that they should proceed to

pared with the other.
attention of the com-

execute the work at their own expense upon the understand-
ing that hereafter, when the Dock Committee came to make
their slip as required by the last act of parliament, they would
bear half the expense of one, if the Dock Committee would,
in the meantime, bear half the expense of the other. He
(Mr. Aikin) had taken the liberty of saying, as the Seacombe
slip was that of the corporation, it was teir business, and
the Dock Committee ought not to make an arrangement so
Complex as this. Hereafter it might become a question
Whether the new works would not enable the Dock Com-
mittee to make the works without any slip at all, which

Would save the expense ; but when the period came to make
the slip, then would be the time to open this very difficult
question with • regard to them. He need not tell the com-
mittee that this clause was introduced into the act contrary
to the wishes of the delegates from it, and, as they believed,
contrary to just and sound principle. Therefore, he would
strongly recommend the Dock Committee to decline entering
into any arrangement, and to instruct their secretary to write
to the Finance Committee, saying that this committee did
not feel authorised to enter upon a negociation.
Mr. HORS ALL said the Dock Committee must have a
specific proposal from the Finance Committee, for it would
not do to pass a general resolution upon a matter of which
they were not informed. His own impression of the liability
of this committee was somewhat different to that of Mr.

Aikin, and perhaps it was more necessary on that account
that the matter should be laid formally before them.
Mr. EVAIVS did not think the Dock Committee could have
any definite idea of the question, until it was brought for-
mally before tham.

Mr. AIKIN said that what he had stated was the fact, and
he repeated the proposal made on the part of the Finance
Committee. He objected to it on the ground that the Fi-
nance Copmittee were asking the Dock Committte to give
them a kind of half pledge, that hereafter they would pay
half the expense of the slip, when, in his belief, it was their
duty in justice and equity to bear the whole expense. In the
meantime the Dock Committee had nothing to do with the
present slip, that was the business of the town, and the
Dock Committee neither ought, nor had they the power to
enter into any such arrangement. With all deference to Mr.
Horsfall, he begged to repeat his suggestion.

Mr. HORSFAII rather differed with Mr. Aikin as to the
liability of this committee. His impression was, that both
Were liable to a certain extent. The act of parliament, he
thought, said it should be done by one party or the,other.
Mr. Atxtx said it was so, but with the understanding that
it should be matter of arrangement hereafter.

Mr. EVANS suggested that the committee should not give
a definite answer now, but wait another week, and he should
recommend the members, in the mean time, to make them-
selves acquainted with all the circumstances.
Mr. HORSFALL also thought it would be much' better for
the committee to decide when the subject was formally before

them. -
The further consideration of the matter was then deferred
Until a communication has been received from the Finance
Committee, stating what they are prepared to do.

APPLICATIONS FOR ACCOMMODATION.
Messrs. M'Arthur and Co. applied for a jierth to be set
apart for the use of their Glasgow traders, at the north-east
corner of George's Dock.—De,dined.
Messrs. Todd, Naylor, and Co. applied on behalf of them-
selves and others, for the lease of about 2000 square yards of
land, to the north of Messrs. Cato and Co.'s slip and ship-
building yard, for the purpose of erecting machinery for
crushing and sampling copper ore for the market. This
application had previously been submitted by the sub-Com-
mittee of work, to the surveyor, who reported that 2000
yards of land Could not be granted on any part of the dock
estate, unless it might be at the east end of the south basin
—Referred to the sub-committee of works
An application from Messrs. Prescot a
permission to erect a shed or_warehous
ground on the east side
These gentlemen were sub
case before the cOmmitte

I Mongredier for
upon the vacant

lueen's d
:ntly intro

was declined.
1, and laid their
result.

, but with.tbe

12AGE MAI:

The commissioners for
committee with a copy of I
the town. A letter of the
the commissioners.

acing and sewei-in;, presented the
,leir map, showieg the sewerage of
iLs was ordered to be written to

HE BELL

DAMAGE T
Messrs. Rankin, Gilt)
mittee that the damage d
the " Importer," (not ''
last), was purely accidental.
Mr. HOLT remarked thcc the weal.
at the time.—Referred to tic! sub-co-
ment of the marine curve'
MR. WALKER ANI
The CHAIRMAN finnan;
resolution of the last uneetan,
and Mr. Cubit, the eminent
verpool to give their opi►:ioc:s
the intended increase of clock acc.
The SECRETARY read letters from these two gentlemen,
stating that they would cr:lifer with each other, and give the
committee the earliest of ne day they would be
in Liverpool.
After a short conversatioc. it ---
gineers should meet the comnaitt
stance, and afterwards s'
committee.

Ut. CUP
:I, that

solved that the en-
;orks in the first in-
their opinions before the general

SillPllC

Mr. CHAPMAN -asked whether anything had been done
with regard to the applications from some of the shipbuild-
ers who had been dispossessed? Ile observed from a state-
ment of the surveyor that there might be available land at
the east corner of the boundary deck. It struck him that
the land to the south of Messrs. C;.tto's yard, which was now
occupied merely with timber for the dock-yards, might he
better employed. Being next to the river it was valuable,
and if the timber were removed from it, it might be made
available for the accommodation of some of:the shipbuilders,
who certainly bad a prior claim to it, if it could be granted.
It was a very great hardship upon them to be altogether
deprived of yards.
The CHAIRMAN said the subject had been brought before
the Sub-committee of Works, but as the Surveyor was un-
well the consideration of it was deferred. lie was still un-
well, and, therefore, could not be consulted.
INVESTIGATION BY THE REVENUE COMMISSIONERS..

Mr. RIPLEY, before the committee separated, wished to
make a few remarks upon a subject -which was now occupying
a great deal of the public attention. The committee were
aware that Lord Granville Somerset was coming here to-
morrow, (Friday) Saturday, and Monday, for the purpose
of inquiring into the best means of facilitating the trade of
the port. All the mercantile associations had received invi-
tations to attend upon his lordship, and to make such sug-
gestions to him as might be likely to lead to an improvement
in the trade of the port. The other day, in the East India
Association, he (Mr. Ripley) propo.ed that the warehouse
question should be mooted, as one that would facilitate the
trade of the port more than any other. All other questions,
in his opinion, were of minor importance compared with that.
It had been, he believed, objected to in some of the other
associations ; but upon that point the East India Association
were unanimous. He suggeqed that a deputation from this
committee should wait upon Lord Granville Somerset, to
point out the advantages of the new system to be introduced,
in order that, upon some future occasion, if the committee
had to pray for additional accommodation in warehouses,
they might have the support of government, without which
they would probably fail. It was now admitted, even by its
opponents, that the warehouse system would facilitate gene-
ral trade ; and he thought they ought to wait upon Lord
Granville Somerset to point out its advantages.
The CHAIRMAN said he had that morning spoken to the
mayor (as we understood) upon this subject, and asked whe-
ther, in his opinion, the Dock Committee ought not to repre-
sent to Lord Granville Somerset the propriety of making
some alterations in the mode of discharging vessels, by pay-
ing the landing waiters not at present but by the piece, as
they were paid some twenty years ago.
Mr. BARCAAY said they had been paid by the piece
within the last few years.
. Mr. HOLMES explained that at first they were paid by fees,
then half by fees and half by the work done, and now they
were paid entirely by a fixed salary.
Mr. HORSFALL said that very great efforts were made at
one time to restore the old system, but there was a strong
feeling on the part of the government that it exposed the re-
venue to some risk, and, therefore, they would not concede
it. It certainly worked well, and if it could be restored it
would be to the advantage both of the revenue and the port.
The CHAIRMAN observed that, in his opinion, it would be
equal to a new dock.
Mr. AIKIN said the old system was not without its disad-
vantages. It was in practice when he was a boy ; the ex-
ample then set to boys was exceedingly bad and dangerous,
and he was apprehensive that if the system of fees was re-
stored it would bring back with it the same habits. He sug-
gested that if the landing-waiters were at X% ork by day-light
a great deal more work would be done. Bat if he were re-
quired to appear before the commissioners, be would trace
every one of the complaints now made up to one source;—
whether delay, plunder, or damage—all arose in consequence
of being obliged to weigh upon the quay.
Mr. HoastrALL said this was an important point.
Mr. EVANS thought it might be very well to make a lodg-
ment upon the counter-scarp of Lord Granville Somerset's
mind, and win his first affections.
Some further conversation followed, at the end of which
it was resolved that a deputation be appointed to wait upon
the commissioners. By a subsequent re,olution the Chair-
man. Mr. Ripley, Mr. Evans and Mr. Aiken were appointed
the.deputation.—The,conin;ittee then separated.

THE EXCHEQUER BILL CASE.—On Tuesday Mr. Phillips
applied to the Recorder for the discharge of Rapello forth-
witil• After a considerable conversation hetween,the coun-
sel, the recorder, and the solicitor to the treasury, the appli-
cation was acceded to, and the prisoner was discharged.