The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-04-12 00:00:00

statement. He knew Bickersteth, who was a man of
probity and respectability, and incapable of being guilty
of any of the transactions imputed to him in the report.
He had, however, taken an active part in the last borough
election, in favour of our respected members ; that had
no doubt given offence to Mr. Kehoe, and no doubt he
would have his reward if he could raise a prejudice
against so respectable a man as Bickersteth.
The Tows-CLERK read the report of the magistrates
upon this subject, and also a detailed report from the
Town-Clerk and the Finance Committee, in reply to the
report of the magistrates. This document observed that,
of 530 applications which had been made for these
licenses, of which 66 had been refused and 19 postponed,
5 cases only, since the act of parliament came into ope-
ration, in were produced on which to ground the
very serious accusations of the magistrates against this
committee. (Hear, hear.) In the first, the license first
granted in 1844 had not, nor will be, renewed. In the
second, the license was last renewed in 1846, and both
were originally granted in accordance with the rules pre-
viously settled by the committee, by the Town-clerk, and
the Commissioner of Police. In the third case, that of
Bickersteth's, the license was originally granted under
the same rules, by the same persons, and continued till
1845, and had been renewed since 1818, without any
na
st ehs
committee,e, ptahret otf atblniues
trepbroysl
complainedct
To(wI Ine-aerl,eorlikew,a
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notbly
the act of Parliament, had no discretionary power in then
themc amd complaint
otherba yn t
thisoc
matter. It did not appear to the committee that the
publication of such a report was calcuiated to further the
ends of justice, or to promote that harmony between
public bodies which it was so desirable to maintain.
The report of the magistrates concluded by suggesting a
remedy, which was to be found in the alteration of two
statutes, one of which was to take from the Watch Com-
mittee the power of dismissing the constables; and the
other, the alteration of the local act, so as to deprive the
Council of granting incenses to marine-store dealers. It

was presumed that-the power was•to be transferred to the
magistrates, a retrogression in legislature which was not
to be expected in the present day—(hear, hear)—and
which recommendation came strangely from such an au-
thority. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion, the Finance Com-
mittee deny that they were actuated by anything like an
improper motive in the granting or refusing of marine-
store licenses, and repudiated the insinuation conveyed
by the report, that they had in any way interfered with
the proper administration of justice.
On the motion of Mr. HORNIIY, seconded by Mr.
JOHN HOLMES, Mr. M. M. G. Dowling was appointed
to the situation of captain of the chain cable testing
machine, vacant by the death of Mr. Knowles.—Mr.
HORNBY proposed that the salary of Mr. Alfred Quick,
clerk to the Town-clerk, be advanced from £l5O to
£2OO per annum. Mr. Jonry HOLMES seconded the pro-
position, which was unanimously carried.

APPOINTMENT OF CLERK OF TOWN DUES.
Mr. HORNBY, in moving that the Council proceed to
the appointment of receiver of town dues, anchorage, &c.,
wished to make some remarks with referencv to the man-
ner in which the sel.ction had been made. In the
Liverpool Mercury of March 29, a statement appeared of
the manner in which the committee's selection ha
made, which was totally at variance with the truth _
number out of which they had to make selections was
fourteen, and it was agreed to read over the list, and
strike out the names of those gentlemen who appeared to
have so little support that there was no probability of
their being eventually elected. In this manner the list
was reduced to the four names of Messrs. Brade, Huson,
Litherland and Shand. It was then agreed, upon his
(Mr. Hornby's) suggestion—and if there had been any-
thing like a trick, he was solely responsible for it—that
each member of the committee should put down the
names of three of these four gentlemen. That was done,
and the result gave seven votes to Mr. Brade, fourteen to
Mr. Huson, fourteen to Mr. Litherland, and ten to Mr.
Shand. There were fifteen members present. Much
erroneous information had also been published, calculated
to give a very exaggerated idea of the qualifications of Mr.
Brade, for the situation for which he is a candidate. He
had not a word to say against the character of Mr. Brade.
He was a most respectable person, and well fitted for the
situation which he held ; but he did not consider him so
well fitted as either of the other three gentlemen for the
situation of receiver of town dues. (Hear.) He begged
to move that the Council proceed to the appointment of
receiver. Mr. Turner, Mr. Fernihough, and Mr. Robert-
son Gladstone, also defended the course pursued by the
Finance Committee. A vote was then taken for the three
candidates, Mr. Wm. Huson, Mr. Nathan Litherland,
and Mr. S. W. Shand. The result was as follows :—For
Huson. 15; Litherland, 22; Shand 17. Mr. Huson's
name was then struck off the list and the voting was
continued for Messrs. Litherland and Shand. The result
for this second poll was as follows : For Mr. Litherland,
36 ; Mr. Shand, 18 : majority, 18. Mr. Litherland was
then declared duly elected.
LICENSING OF MARINE STORFS.
Mr. IlomxeY then moved that the report of the
Finance Committee, in reply to the report of the magis-
trates with respect to the licensing of marine-stores, be
received, and a copy forwarded to the bench of magis-
trates. The motion for the adoption of the report of the
Finance Committee was put to the vote, the only person
who voted against it being Mr. Gladstone.

LIBRARY AND MUSEUM, &C., RATE.
Mr. llonsnY proposed that a rate be laid under the
provisions of " The Liverpool Library and Museum Act,
1852."—The TOWN-CLERK stated that the sum required
was £3407. The rate would amount to 50-100ths of a
penny in the pound :—Liverpool, £2442 lls. 2d
Everton, £228 Ss. 2d.; Kirkdale, £B5 Ils. ld. ; W
Derby, £lO5 10s. 6d. ; Toxteth•park, £453 14s.
The rate was a

.greed to

WATCH COMMITTEE.
Mr. TOBIN moved the adoption of their proceedings.
The Watch Committee had agreed to raise the wages of
the policemen.—Mr. HODGSON complained of the appoint-
ment of Inspector Rimmer as superintendent, to the
neglect of Inspector Burrell, a police-officer of nineteen
years standing.—Mr. TonrN defended the appointment,
on the ground of the individual selected appearing to be
the most efficient man for the post.—A long discussion
resulted. Mr. Hodgson moving that Superintendent
Rimmer's salary be only 203. per week. That amendment
was negatived by 25 to 16, and the proceedings of the
Watch Corn mittee were confirmed.—Messrs. John Whitby
and Denton were appointed Assessors of the Lighting
Rate for the years 1853 and 1854.—A Fire-police Rate of
Id. in the pound was agreed to.—The committee was
authorised to take proceedings preparatory to the laying
of a Watch Rate for the years 1853-4, (which will not
require to be levied.)—The proceedings of the Dock
Committee were read and confirmed, and the Council
adjourned till to-morrow.