The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-01-08 00:00:00

'that Dr

Mr. ROINSON said, it was understood

was labouring under some infirmity of mind
thought they ought to have a reservation, that as soon a
Dr. Buck recovered, he should resume the duties of hi

If so, 11

_ .
Mr. H. Honx-riy said, he was sorry that it became neces-
*sary-to make any explanation on such a subject. It had ap-
peared to the committee that the infirmities of Mr. Batelle!.
dor were from his own intemperance, while Dr. Buck had
impaired his health by the performance of his public duties.
Dr. Buck had been indiscreet, but he had done what he be-

lieved to be right, and he had worked very laboriously in the
performance thereof. In the Finance Committee, Mr.
Thornhill had, as he stated, certainly voted against the al-
lowance, but he believed he was the only one who had,so. •

Mr. JOHN HOLMES

No ; I did too

Mr. HORNBY believed Mr:. John Holmes did so also. He
could not see any objection to laying the whole evidence be-
fore the Council. He had as little disposition to vote away
the public money as, any one, but be was sure the Council
would see a marked difference between the two cases.

Mr. CASE said, the inquiry had been a very painful one to
the members of the Finance Committee, who had been com-
pelled to consult Counsel as to the interpretation of certain

there were serious charges against
_him of drunkennes

having punished without hearing evidence, and of having en-
trusted his keys with other people. These charges were ad-
mitted. With regard to Dr. Buck he was entitled to an al-
lowance, under the Gaol Act, on account of his infirmity.
He appeared to be under a delusion, but there appeared no
reason to doubt that it had been brought on by his avocations.
He certainly had no objection to the whole of the evidence
coming before the Council, and he wished it had been so
from the first.
Mr. EARLE said he believed the v
on the table at first. •
The TOWN-CLERK said the evidence was on the table while
the Council sat,, but it was referred to the Finance Com-
mittee, and was afterwards,_ of course submitted to that
committee. It was, therefore, impossible that any person
could, merely during the sitting of the Council, make him-
self master of that voluminous evidence.

ole evidence was laid

Mr. EARLE said, notwithstanding the zeal manifested on
this subject, Mr. Batcheldor had no reason to thank his
friends for bringing it forward.

0 0
Mr. YATES said it was due to Mr. Batcheldor to state,,
that his infirmity was not altogether owing to intemperance.
Mr. COGLAN dwelt upon the labours of the Finance Com-
mittee in this investigation, and expressed his opinion that
the Council owed a debt of gratitude to that body. He thought
the Council ought to have a summary of the facts embodied
in the evidence laid before them.
Mr. BUSHELL said, if the course which he had recom-
mended, of referring the suject to a committee chosen from
the general members of the Council, not magistrates, had
been adopted, there would have been none of this delay and
inconvenience. (Expressions of dissent.) As there were
magistrates in the Finance. Committee, discussion had na-
turally arisen. Now he would ask any magistrate of the com-
mittee of inquiry who happened to be present, Sir Joshua
Walmsley for instance, .(looking at Sir Joshua,) he would
ask, .if it had not been communicated to Dr. Buck that he
should have a retiring allowance if he would resign.

Sir JOSHUA WALMSLEY : I will answer the question if it
be thought that I ought to do so.
The MAYort : The Mayor thought it would be seen that
there was some little delicacy in the point.
Mr. BUSHELL said that might answer for the object he had
in view: Then there was no answer—

Sir JOSHUA WALMSLEY Oh, I will answer with great
pleasure ; but I must first know the wish of the Council.

Mr. HUGH HORNIIt could see no impropriety in.the ques-
tion ; it was a very proper question, and ought to be answered.
He would say for himself, and for those with whom he had
immediately acted, that no such thing had occurred.

Mr. BUSHELL thanked Mr. Hornby, and said he was an-
swered so far as he was concerned ; but this was not the full
answer which he required. He now asked if any one had
privately put the matter in thatlight to Dr. Buck. He would
put that question to Sir Joshua Walmsley.
Sir JOSHUA WALEISLEY : If you put it to me, I at once
say no.

Mr. AIKIN said they received Dr. Buck's resignation with
the utmost surprise.
Mr. BOOTH confirmed the last assertion.

Mr. BUSHELL said he could not conceive what occasion
Dr. Buck had to resign. If his resignation was occasioned
by ill health, then the allowance was far too little. Who
would say that £4O a year was sufficient for a clergyman who
had filled snob a situation as that in question.

The TOWN-CLERK had modified tte terms of Mr. Smith's
motion, so that it stood as confirmatory of the proceedings of
the Finance Committee, with the exception of that part
which related to Dr. Buck's salary.

Mr. HENRY LAWRENCE spoke of Mr. Batcheldor as an
old servant of the corporation, and one who had formerly, in
other situations, been extremely valuable. If the subject
were to be reserved, he said he hoped the committee would
again consider the propriety of granting an allowance to Mr.
Batcheldor.

Mr. Aix,nr, in reply to some observations which fell from
Mr. Slater, said not one word had been adduced in the course
of the evidence against the moral character or integrity of
Mr. Batcheldor. He was glad Mr. Lawrence had mentioned
the reservation in favour of Mr. Batcheldor, in which he cor-
dially concurred. He thought a great deal too much stress
had been laid on the evidence said to be adduced about the
drunkenness of the party alluded to. It was not a proper
time, for it implied too much.

Sir JOSHUA WALMSLEY expressed himself satisfied at the
postponement of the subject, and at the prospect of giving
Dr. Buck a greater sum than £4O per annum. It must be
remembered that they had no grounds for dismissing Dr.
Buck, for nothing came out against him of sufficient strength
to enable them to dismiss him. But he was not fit for the
business with which he was intrusted, for, in truth, he did
not know what he was doing : he -was not of sound mind.
He had declared before the committee, that his solicitor had
said that he was a consummate fool, and had given a very
extraordinary version of a letter. It was a subject rather for
commiseration than for the exposure that had been called
for.

A long altercation took place as to whether the Town-clerk
should make a summary of the evidence, or whether it should
be open for all the councillors to read. The latter was ulti-

mately decided upon. The resolution proposed by Mr. Smith
then stood as follows :—" That the proceedings of the Finance
Committee be approved, with the exception of that portion of
them which recommends the grant of a retiring pension to
Dr. Buck, which shall stand over till the whole of the pro-
ceedings and evidence taken before the Gaol Committee be
laid open for the perusal of every member desiring the same ;
and that the same rule be observed with regard to Mr.
Batchcldor's case.
Sir Jostiu& WALMSLEY wished the Town-clerk to be al-
lowed to repeat what had passed at an interview which he
had with Dr. Buck.

Mr. HENRY LAWRENCE and several other gentlemen on
his side of the room objected. •
Sir JOSHUA said, after the question which had been put to
him, he would feel particularly obliged if they would permit
the Town-clerk to give the substance of that interview, as he
felt that it might possibly be twisted into some apparent con-
nexion with the subject mentioned by Mr. Bushell. Dr.
Buck might have an interview with him as chairman of the
committee, and he immed!atelv sent for the Town-clerk to
be present at that interview. The Town-clerk would relate.
what passed.

The TOWN-CLERIC said, he was seat for as Sir Joshua had
stated, and he found Dr. Buck with Sir Joshua. Dr. Buck
informed them, very much to their surprise, that he had
come to a determination to resign, but nothing like a desire
that he would resign was expressed, nothing like a.promise
to induce him to resign was made. Much commissertitiOn
for him was expressed, both by Sir Joshua and himself (the
Town-clerk), and their advice to him was, to do nothing
rashly.

THE MARKET CONSTABLES

It appeared by the report of the Market Committee, that
the market constables had applied to be furnished with top
coats, which was refused.

Mr. H. LAWRENCE moved, that the market constables
should have top coats.-
It was replied, that the market constables had two shil-
lings per week more pay than the common police constables,
that they were not so hardly worked, and that they were
under cover and protected from the inclemency of the weather.

Mr. CASE wished to know why those men Shad 2s. per week
more than the men who did more work. He thought these
were ample grounds for referring the subject back to the
committee.

The amendment was put, and lost by a majority !of 39
against 14.

-Mr. JORDAN observed something to the effect, that the
amendment was ridiculous.

Mr. LAWRENCE replied, that it was not half so ridiculous
as a motion for restricting the wanderings of cocks and hens.
The MAYOR : Order, order.
Mr. LAWRENCE : Mr. Jordan observes that my amend-
ment is ridiculous ; I am only telling him that I could name
one much more so.

HEALTH OF THE TOWN

It appeared, from the report on this subject, that the sur-
veyors had completed four districts, audit was recommended
that a clause be inserted in the bill to empower the magi-
strates to order the cleansing of houses.
THE LATE MR. CURRIES PORTRAIT.

A letter was read, signed Charles P. Grenfell, requesting
permission to remove the portrait of the late Mr. Currie, in
order to have it engraved. On the motion of Mr. Earle, the
council concurred.

VACANCIES IN COMMITTEES

Sir JOSHUA WALMSLEY proposed Mr. D. Mather as a
proper person to fill the vacancy in the Finance Committee
caused by the death of Mr. Currie.
Seconded by Mr. Thornhill.
Mr. George Hall Lawrence proposed Mr. Alexander
Smith, jun.
Seconded by Mr. Gladstone.

Mr. Mather was elected by a majority of 31 against 29.
To the vacancies in the Law Courts and Church Expendi-
ture Committees, Mr. Alexander Smith was elected unani-
mously.
Mr. Roskell was appointed to the vacancy in the Park
Committee.

The Council adjourned at a quarter past three o'clock, to
eleven o'clock to-day (Friday.)