The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-02-06 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD

ADJOUI:NED
MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL, UPON
THE DOCK QUESTION.

(Prom the Fourth Edition of last Tuescialls STANDARD.)
The Council met again, pursuant to adjournment, this
day, and the mover of the adjournment, Mr. ASPINALL,
was called upon to open the debate. After begging the
indulgence of the council on the score of indisposition,
and stating that nothing but his extreme anxiety for the
issue of one of the most momentous questions which had
been agitated since the passing of the reform bill
would have induced him to attend, said he should
support the resolution proposed by the chairman
of the Dock Committee; but whilst thus indicating his
opinion upon the subject, he could not help expressing
his astonishment at the mode of proceeding adopted yes-
terday. The object was well known to be to postpone the
decision of this question for an indefinite period. He was
surprised to near Mr. Evans assert, contrary to all evi,
dence, that there was no necessity for dock extension.
He had the opinion of quite as competent an authority as
Mr. Evans—viz. Mr. Wm. Brown—that ever since the
year 1810 the trade of this port had been in advance of the
facilities afforded for it ; and he was convinced, from many
considerations which he brought before the Council, that
they would be wantonly injuring the Estate under their
management, if they let slip the present opportunity of
purchasing the Harrington Estate.
Mr. HODGSON, at some length, maintained that, in
deciding the question now before the council, it was not
requisite that parties connected with the Harrington pro-
perty should abstain from voting. They were bound to
their constituents to express their honest opinions upon
a great public question, or to retire from the council, and
let the opinions of the constituency itself be represented
by others. Mr. Hodgson concluded by expressing his
intention to support the resolution of the Chairman of
the Dock Committee.
Mr. PARKER spoke against the purchase of the Har-
rington property, which, he contended, was about to be
thrust upon the Dock Committee, because it had proved
an unprofitable speculation for its original proprietors.
Mr. BIRKETT spoke briefly in favour of the resolution,
and in reply to Mr. Evans's speech of the day before.
Mr. ISAAC HOLMES expressed his gratification that at
length the north end of the town was about to be rendered
available for dock purposes, and was particularly pleased
to see the connexion proposed to be formed with the
Leeds Canal. A dock to the north was much wanted for
our large steamers. But above all things, it was abso-
lutely necessary that the Harrington property on the
south should be purchased. It was free from rates to
the dock estate. By purchasing it they got rid of its
act of parliament, which, if the council bad done its duty,
ought never to have been granted. Rather than not buy
thand ishe
ace dfilegrocutlnehaeleunmgtphroopfebrutreis.ng both
the
Harring-
ton

Mr.BUSHELL at great length, and to the evident surprise
of many of his friends in the council, contended that a
large increase of dock space was not wanted. He main-
tained that by increasing the length of the Custom-house
day from eight hours to twelve, one third more work
could be done in the existing docks, than at present ; and
illustrated his argument by the fact, that in a celebrated
house in London, called Joey's Chop-house, a large busi-
ness was done in a small space, by the proprietor not ad.
witting newspapers into his premises, on the ground that
his benches were made for dining upon, and not for his
customers to sit reading. Liverpool, he contended, was
now differently circumstanced to her former position.
She was menaced with opposition by docks in Wallasey,
Pool, which could be executed for £50,000, (which state-
ment was dissented from by Mr. Lace,) and it was the duty
of the council to husband the resources of the dock
estate, so as to prepare themselves for competition.
No member appearing disposed to go on with the de-
bate, and the Chairman not rising to reply, the Mayor
was proceeding to take the votes, when, after some hesi-
tation,

Mr. AIKIN rose, and addressed the meeting at great
length, urging most of the objections to the dock exten-
sion proposed on the part of the Dock Trustees, which be
has so frequently put forth previously.. There was no
just ground for such haste in the purchase of the land,
and in incurring so great an outlay. If they went to such
cost they must increase their rates, and the consequence
would be, a decrease of our trade, through a preference
that would be given to other and cheaper ports. If they
kept tbeir rates low, this port would always command a
preference, whatever the charges might elsewhere be. He
moved an amendment, "That it is unadvisable to proceed
further with the dock bills, until the plans of the proposed
new docks be prepared and approved of."
Mr. BARCLAY concurred with Mr. Bushell, that they
ought to make the best use of the land they already had,
and price was a main question.

ROYDEN said that it would be wrong to enclose
the Queen's Dock Basin, from which there were so many
entrances, the gridiron, shelter for boats, &c.
Mr. Nicol., in a long and very able address, replied to
the arguments adduced against the proposed measure,
furnishing in proof of the increase of the port a variety of
authentic statistics. There was last year a surplus of re-
venue from the docks of £66,000, and the whole cost of
the proposed dock extension was £1,120,000.
M. H. LAWRENCE said the general voice of the public
was for dock extension, and they must either concur or
rcduce their present dock rates.
Mr. BRAMLEY MOORE said, that after all he had
yet heard, he still saw the neeessity of going to parlia-
ment for docks, both north and south. Trade was in-
creasing, and would, he trusted, continue to increase.
The amendment was then put, and lost by 33 to 14,
namely,—
Against.—Messrs. Hodgson, Shaw, Houghton, Isaac
Holmes, Blundell, Edwards, H. dolmes, J. Holmes,
Tinne, Rae, Fawcett, Aspinall, Royden, G. G. Hornhy,
Birkett, Boutflower, Rigby, G. H. Lawrence, Plumpton,
Glazebrook, Trotman, Harbord, Sheppard, Aldermen,
R. Houghton, Griffith, J. Lawrence, Freme, Crook,
Nicol, Bramley-Moore, Molyneux, Chilton, and the
M a yor.-33.

Mr. TURNER moved another amendment, to the effect
that it was expedient to have, at the north extremity, en-
larged accommodation for steamers ; and that negociations
be entered into for such portion of the Harrington Dock
Estate, to the south, to the extent of 40,000 yards, as
might be required.
Mr. GLADSTONE seconded the amendment.
This being put, the voting thus resulted :
For—Messrs. Thornhill, Aikin, Fawcett, Gladstone,
Parker, Barclay, Bulley, Griffith, Turner, Freme. Holt,
Moon, and Evans-13.
Against—Messrs, Hodgson, Shaw, Houghton, Isaac
Holmes, J. Holmes, Tinne, Rae, Aspinall. Royden, G.
G. Hornby, Birkett, Boutflower, Bushell, Rigby, G. H.
Lawrence, Plumpton, Glazebrook, Trotman, Harbord,
Sheppard, Blackburn, Preston, Blundell, Thompson,
Edwards. H. Holmes, Aldermen, R. Houghton, J. Law-
rence, Crook, Nicol, Bramley-Moore, Molyneux, Chil-
ton, and the Mayor-34.
The original motion was then carried by a large majo-
rity, without the names being taken.

THE TOWN DUES.
At the recommendation of the Finance Committee, the
council afterwards came to the following resolutions :
That trusses and bales, and boxes and cases or chests,
properly pay customs to t'ae Corporation according to
their known and understood denomination in Liverpool;
but that as instances may occasionally arise of shipments
outwards in which the proper class to which the packages
belong may not admit of immediate determination, the
following rules be adopted in such cases: If the package
be not bound with iron or rope, or if it do not exceed eight
cubic feet measurement, or two cwt. in weight, it shall be
deemed and taken to be a truss; if the package be bound
by rape or iron, and be above eight cubic feet measure-
ment, also above two cwt., it shall be deemed and taken
to be a bale ; and in like manner with respect to boxes,
chests, or cases. They also agreed to appoint an out. door
general superintendent, at a salary of £250 per annum.

ger. Two days before he died he was taken on board his
ship, he could then walk, after which he had never seen
him. Witness took the pistols from the captain, one wa,
loaded the other was discharged. Boyle never seemed
the same man after this affair occurred, and walked up
and down like a man deranged ; be died on the 2nd of
October.
Thia witness was cross-examined by Mr. Owen, when
he stated that while lying o❑ the deck he heard Green say
to Boyle " You are a scoundrel; my blood is on your
head."
At this stage of the proceeding the case was remanded
till to-morrow (Wednesday). Mr. Rushton allowed the
prisoner to he admitted to uail, himself in £5OO, and two
sureties in £2OO.

A further examination took pl...ce on Wednesday, Thurs-
day, a.,d Friday, the captain being from day to day ad-
inittted to bail in the amounts stated. Several other wit-
nesses, including the steward, were examined. Several of
them deposed to hearing the captain say, " I have shot
Green, and I would not for a thousand pounds" (or as some
of them said £lOO, or £500,') that it had happened. On
Thursday Mr. Rushton said there were many difficulties
in the case, as there was no evidence of any one who had
seen them on shore, and he should have been glad to have
discharged the captain were it not for the concurrent tes-
timony of several witnesses who heard him use the ex-
pression which he had made use of on board the Susan,
and that immediately after the transaction. On Friday,
Mr. Thompson, the surgeon, was examined more at length,
and stated that, in his opinion, the immediate cause of
Green's death was not the wound, but, as he thought, a
chronic disease, which was probably aggravated by the
wound, and also by his removal to the other vessel at a
time when he (the surgeon) advised that he should not be
removed. The steward, in the course of his examination,
said that it was the custom for captains on the coast on
going on shore with Kroomen in boats or canoes to take
loaded pistols with them. He also spoke to the captain
when he first saw him after the deceased was shot, being
in a very distressed state of mind,. upon which, as some of
the crew were upon deck, he (witness) asked him to come
into the cabin and compose himself. On Friday the sur-
geon produced a diary which he had kept, a.id from which
he read the particulars of the treatment, medicines, &c.
he had given to Green, day by day. Although written in
pencil it was very precise and satisfactory, and Mr. Rush-
ton highly complimented him upon it, adding that he
wished every doctor on board ship would adopt a similar
plan. At the close of the case Mr. Rushton said, there
was evidence to prove that a man, named Green, had been
shot through the abdomen, and sufficient testimony to
make it appear that the captain had been guilty of the act,
he having acknowledged it by frequent declarations to that
effect. His (Mr. Rushton's) opinion was, that two per-
sons had fired at Green. but from the absence of the offi-
cers and crew of the William Rathbone, who would have
been able to throw some light on the transaction, a doubt
hung over the matter. The ball by which the man' met his
death was not to be found, although the wound which
caused his death was stated to be a jagged one, and caused
by a bullet which must have been cut. The captain (of
whom it is but justice to say we have heard a high char-
acter,) was then committed for trial at the Central Crimi-
nal Court, but was informed that he would be admitted to
bail for his appearance, in the amounts before stated. The
depositions were forwarded to London on Saturday, and
the trial will probably come on towards the end of the pre-
sent week.

LIVERPOOL NEW GAS AND COKE COMPANY.

On Wednesday last the general annual meeting of this
company was held in the Clarendon Rooms, and was very
numerously attended. John Holmes, Esq. was called to
the chair, and called on Mr. H. Banner to read
THE REPORT.

The document set forth that the statement of accounts
showed the steady progression of the company's rental,
evidencing the increased consumption of gas from in-
creased building and population, and its extended use,
especially in private dwellings, as well as the estimation
in which the company's gas was held. Comparing the
price of gas here with that in other places, and combining
the comparative illuminating power of each, the result
was almost invariably in favour of Liverpool—the value
here being enhanced by its purity. The public would soon
participate in this favourable position of the company's
affairs; for as the contingent fund, owing to the surplus
of the year, being now £5,000, the committee recommend
a reduction of prices from the Ist of April next to 6s. 6d.
per 1,1100 feet to all consumers within the parliamentary
borough, thus anticipating the time of reduction required
by the act. The committee had given notice of an appli-
cation to parliament next (the present) session for addi-
tional capital, requisite for the further prosecution of the
works. The committee regretted that insinuations had
been thrown out that the company purposed, in their bill,
to retard the beneficial operation of their former act in
favour of the bill. The result of the present year dis-
proved such imputations; it had been the endeavour of
the committee to act with perfect good faith, and delusive
impressions should give way to a better understanding,
for the mutual benefit of consumers and the company.
Mr. J. FLETCHER moved the adoption of the report,
which was seconded by Mr. HORE.
Mr. MOZLEY, after some observations on the present
position of the company, requested the Law-Clerk to read
the clause requiring the company to reduce the price.
Mr. LLOYD complied. The clause (in the 11th William
IV.) commenced by stating that 10 per cent. per annum
should be the profits of the company. It then stated that
the accounts should be filed with the Clerk of the Peace,
to be laid before the justices, and then went on to say, if
it shall appear to such justices that the profits of the com-
pany exceeded £lO per cent. on the amount paid in re-
spect of the shares, the company should make such a re-
duction in the price of gas as the company might deem
prudent, or as in the judgment of the justices should be
proper; but so, as such prices, when reduced, should in-
sure to the company a profit of £lO per centum per an-
num. The clause which followed, the 12th, stated that
the company were entitled to receive £lO per annum as
the profit on their shares, from the passing of the act.
Mr. MOZLEY inquired what was the amount of capital
on which a dividend had been paid, and Mr. STEEL re-
plied £127,000.
The LAW-CLERK said the number of shares on which
a dividend had to be paid was 1.270. He added, in further
reply, that after paying the profit on the shares, and all
expenses, a reserved fund of £5,000 should be invested,
and that until 1842 there was nothing that could be placed
to the surplus fund.
Mr. MOZLEY said that in 1842 there was a surplus of
£1,300 so to be applied ; in 1843, £3,700, making up the
contingent fund of £5,000. It might appear strange that
up to 1842 there was no surplus, and that there should be
such a surplus in 1842 and 1844; and he would therefore
ask had the amount of interest paid to the proprietors ex-
ceeded £lO per cent.

Mr. H. BANNER said it had not. The total profit paid
to them was exactly £lO per cent.
Mr. MOZLEY said the answer showed that the imputa-
tions thrown out were improper, and had arisen from a
want of knowledge or inquiry on the subject. He was
glad to state that he bad been connected with another
company for the last twenty-five years, whose expendi-
ture, in proportion to its rental, was very low; that that
company was prepared to go hand in hand with this ; and
that both companies were prepared to anticipate the
wishes of the public; so that the whole town would have
the advantage of a reduction in the price of gas ;—(ap-
plause)—and this, not by force, not by compulsion, not
by any pressure from without, but merely by carrying out
the spirit of the act. He had no doubt the companies
now in existence would be able to give the town an ample
supply of gas, and that there would be a gradual and pro-
per reduction in the price of it. He verily believed also
that if the town increased one-third beyond its present
size, they would still be able to furnish all that was re-
quired ; and as they were now enabled to reduce the rates
one-seventh, he had no doubt, with additional capital to
complete their works, two years would not pass over the
heads of the inhabitants of Liverpool without a still fur-
ther reduction. (Great cheering.) He said this much in
order that the public might not be misled into the unne-
cessary expenditure of a large sum of money by a third
company.

Afr. KERSHAW moved that the thanks of the proprie-
tors be given to Mr. Steel, the manager, for his great
skill and indefatigable exertions in maturing and bringing
the concern to its present state of prosperity.
Mr. BRUCE seconded the motion.

Mr. L. HEYWORTH also bore testimony to the zeal,
energy, and talent of Mr. Steel in the management, and
also to his exertions in economizing the expenditure. Mr.
BANNER also spoke highly of Mr. Steel; and the motion
being put was unanimously carried.
Mr. STEEL returned thanks, stating that be should ex-
ert himself to the utmost to deserve their approbation.
Mr. R. MATHER moved that a dividend of £lO per
cent. be paid on each share, which was seconded by Mr.
Hoax, and adopted.
The retiring directors were then unanimously re-elected.
The LAW-CLERK having read the notice of the intend-
ed application to parliament,
Mr. CLARE moved that the proceedings of the commit-
tee relative thereto be confirmed, which was seconded by
Mr. ROBERT MATHER.

Mr. MOZLEY said, before the motion was put it should
be known to what extent they sought to increase their
capital, and as the committee proposed to lay pipes in the
out districts, which were comparatively unproductive,
whether they would still be able to realize £lO per cent,
to the shareholders.
Mr. BANNER said they were now reduced in their ca-
pital account to £l,OBO. A limited demand for additional
pipes would take up the whole of that sum. Even if they
did not go beyond Liverpool, such was the increasing
consumption that they would require an increase of capi-
tal. The out-townships required more consideration ; but
it seemed hard that a gentleman who lived a short dis-
tance beyond the boundary, should be deprived of the be-
nefit of gas, though he was a large consumer at his place
of business in the town. At the same time the committee
made it a point not to lay out capital unless they saw the
certainty of its realizing £lO per cent. With regard to the
extent of additional capital, they had certainly asked for a
large sum, but from the mode in which the company was
managed, he trusted the public would be satisfied that it
would be properly expended. He thought, as it was ex-
pensive to go frequently to parliament, and considering
the increase of the town, it was advisable to obtain leave
at once to raise a sufficient sum to provide for present and
and future contingencies.
Mr. MortEy said the principle adopted by the com-
pany in laying out money was correct, and in asking for
additional capital to afford additional convenience, and to
light the out-townships, the public, he had no doubt,
would coincide with them. So small a margin as £l,OOO
was too little, but he wished to know if the committee had
made up their minds as to the amount they should ask for.
Mr. BANNER said they intended to ask for £127,000,
and repeated his reasons for approving of asking for
enough at once.
Mr. L. HEYWORTH thought one important argument
had been overlooked. They had already the materials for
supplying any quantity of gas that might be required.