The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-02-07 00:00:00

LIVERPOOL CHAMBER OF

COMMERCE.

THE fourth annual general meeting of the Liverpool
Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday, in the offices of
the Chamber. The chair was occupied by Mr. F. Shand,
president. There were present the following members,
viz. :--Fras. Shand, Esq., president, Thos. Bouch, Esq.,
vice-president ; Messrs. S. Stitt, R. W. Preston, Clint,
T. B. Forwood, Charles Holland, A. W. Fowles, J. Hub-
back, Booker, Edward Heath, Charles Maclver, Robert
Rankin, A. K. 111`Fie, Bushby, John Aikin, Thos. Baines,
Heyworth, R. Gill, Cross, Edward Higgin, Singlehurst,
Tomlinson, T. R. Arnott, W. J. Lamport, Jos. Malcomson,
J. P. Palmer, Hall, R Still, Burt, Robertson, Gardner,
Brebner, and Keates.
The CuAxuatAs said he had much pleasure in being
present on this interesting occasion, although he must at
the same time express his regret that, in consequence of
the pressure of other duties, it had not been in his power
to devote so much of his time and attention to the busi-
ness of this association as he could have wished, or as its
importance deserved. This omission, however, he had the
less cause to regret, as Mr. Bouch, the vice-president, had
been so assiduous in his attention to the business, and
had been so ably and well seconded by the committee in
his exertions for carrying out the objects of the Chamber,
as to leave no room for regret on his (the Chairman's)
part. The report which would be read alluded to
several topics of much general interest, one of the most
important of which was the present state of the law of
partnership, a subject to which the serious attention of
the Chamber had been directed ; and, concerning which, a
sub-committee of its members had been appointed to
inquire and report. As it would appear in the proceed-
ings, that subject had been very carefully considered, and
a report had been prepared by the sub-committee. Not-
withstanding its importance, however, and the care be-
stowed on it, the Council had not been able to come to
so definite a conclusion on the subject as to recommend
any particular course to the Chamber. In conclusion, he
would call on the clerk to read the report, which that
gentleman did. It is as follows :
The Council have the now pleasure of submitting to the
members of the Chamber of Commerce a report of their pro-
ceedings for the year just closed, the fourth of the existence
of the Chamber, in which are enumerated the principal sub-
jects which have engaged their attention.
CUSTOM-HOUSE SYSTEM.
A referred to in the half-yearly report, the Consolidated
Customs Act was fully investigated by the standing com-
mittee, and upon their recommendation the greater part of
the suggestions urged by your Council on the government
was provided for. Since the passing of the act, the Treasury
has issued a minute ordering additional concessions as to the
forms of export entries. Your directors still watch over this
important subject, and will not omit any opportunity of
procuring the adaptation of the Custom-house system to the
altered position of commerce.
COMMERCIAL LAW REFORM AND TRIBUNALS OF
COMMERCE.

This question has beeniiai:Teinnce owing to the parlia-
mentary recess. But the earliest available opportunity will
be taken for pressing it upon the government, either in the
form of the appointment of a Parliamentary Committee, or a
reference to one of the several Royal Commissions now sit-
ting on the subject of mercantile law.
LAW OP PARTNERSHIP.

Your Council received several copies of a series of questions
on this subject, compiled by the Royal Commissioners,
which have been placed in the hands of gentlemen in Liver-
pool for replies, as requested by the commissioners. At the
same time it was considered a good opportunity of fulfilling
their previously expressed intention of considering this im-
portant question ; and a special committee was, therefore,
appointed, who gave the utmost attention to the matter, and
who have presented a very full report on it, which this
Council beg now to submit to the consideration of this
chamber.
LAW OF BANKRUPTCY AND COUNTY COURTS PRACTICE.
Your Council have also received similar series of queries
upon the above subjects the former of which have been
placed in the hands of individuals for reply, and the latter has
been referred to a special committee to consider and report.
RUSSIAN COMPANY AND SOUND DUES.
These matters have been occupying the attention of the
special committee, and your Council have the satisfaction of
saying they believe their endeavours for the abolition of the
Russian Company will be crowned with success. As to the
latter, it is a question involving an important item of the
revenue of Denmark, and much difficulty, consequently, has
to be overcome; but your directors have communicated with
the Chamber of Commerce of New York, with the view of
enlisting the aid of the American Government towards
effecting the removal of so heavy a tax upon commerce as the
Sound Dues, one from which no benefit is derived whatever.
SHORT SUPPLY OF yERUVIAN GUANO.
The special committee appointed "to consider the present
short supply of Peruvian guano, and the best means of reme-
dying it," have given much attention to the subject, and, on
their recommendation, the Council appointed a deputation to
wait on the President of the Board of Trade relative to it. As
the result of that conference a memorial to the Board of Trade
has been prepared, and has received the signatures of the pre-
sidents of the principal chambers of commerce in the king-
dom. It will be forwarded shortly, and your Council are led
to believe that her Malesty's government will press the sub-
ject on the government of Peru.
VIOLATION OF TREATIES BY THE PORTUGUESE
GOVERNMENT.

This subject, so important to English merchants resident
in any of the Portuguese dominions, has been brought before
the Council in relation to a particular case of hardship, which
your directors have suggested that the chamber should take
up, on the broad ground, as a question seriously affecting the
interests of all engaged in commerce with Portugal.
SHIPS' MORTGAGES.

The Council are anxiously awaiting the promised measure
to provide for the repeal of the decision requiring the mort-
gages on ships to be carried forward on new registers. When
the bill makes its appearance, your directors will not fail to
carry out the instructions conveyed to them in the resolution
passed at the last annual meeting.
POSTAL COMMUNICATIONS.

The attention of the has been directed
during the year to the postal arrangements as to communica-
tion with Australia, and they have urged upon the Admiralty
the adoption of the route via Ceylon and Suez ; also to the
withdrawal of the evening mail to Edinburgh and Glasgow,
which matter is still before them ; and to the want of regular
communication with Orkney Islands : this the government
has acceded to.
PILOTAGE BILL AND MERCHANT SHIPPING BILL.
These measures were submitted to a special committee ;
but, as named in the half-yearly report, nothing beyond a
general opinion could be expressed, owing to the shortness of
time allowed for consideration.
SURVEY CERTIFICATES.

The suggestions made by the special committee to the Un-
derwriters' Association as to ships' survey certificates have
been adopted by that body ; but an opinion has been ex-
pressed by several members of the chamber that further
im-
provements are required, and the committee, therefore,
continue to give attention to the rawer.