The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1850-02-19 00:00:00

TOWN-HALL COMMITTEE

The proceedings of this committee were read and con-
firmed.

Mr. Alderman Tuftwzn then brought forward the
following resolution, of which he had given notice:—

To rescind the resolution of the Town-hall Establishment
Committee, of the 23rd October last, confirmed by the Council
on the 31st of the satne month, " recommending to the Council
that for the future, the rooms in the Town-hall he open for
gratuitous inspection, on Monday only in each week, and that
on other days all persons going through the Town-hall rooms,
unless when accompanied by a member of the Council, be
charged 6d. each, the money received being distributed to the
public charities," and, in lieu thereof, that free admission, as
formerly, be permitted, except on Thursdays, when no person
shall be admitted, unless accompanied by a member of the
Council.

Mr. J. TOBIN had great pleasure in seconding the

motion

Mr. Alderman BRAMLEY-MOORE was sorry to differ
from Mr. Alderman Turner on any subject. There was

be admitted free to the Town-hall, and to every public
institution in the town, and it was not from any ill-
natured or misanthropic feeling that the present plan was
adopted, but because it was impossible to keep the Town-
hall open to the public without increasing their staff.
Mr. Pic'ros proposed a modified system, which was
seconded by Mr. WOODRUFFE : and after some discus-
sion, the following plan was adopted, viz. :—" That the
rooms be open for gratuitous inspection on Mondays,
and on other days, except Thursdays, or at such times as
the Mayor shall have an entertainment, when no person
shall be admitted, except accompanied by a member of
the Council.

At the suggestion of Mr. Alderman HODGSON, it was
agreed to confer upon the Mayor the power'of closing the
rooms on such. days as miy be inconvenient to have
them open.

HEALTH COMMITTEE

The proceedings of this committee contained a report
of the sub-committee respecting the memorial of Mr.
Spencer, complaining of irregularities in the Building
Surveyor's Department, and recommemling the dismissal
of John Robinson, one of the building surveyors.
When Mr. Parker was about to move the confirmation
of the proceedings,
The TOWN-CLERK said there was another memorial
from Mr. Spencer, which was received too late for the last

Council.
Mr. Alderman PROCTER desired it to be read.
The TOWN-CLERK then read the document, which
complained of the manner in which the investigation into
the charges preferred by him against the building-surveyor
had been conducted ; that he wished reporters to be pre-
sent, which was refused ; that Mr. Parker and Mr, Ben-
nett were partial in their conduct ; that there was gross
neglect in some of the subordinate officers in the town-
clerk's department, the notice for him to bring forward
his witnesses being too short; that a base attempt had
been made to suborn his first and chief witness prior to
the examination; and that the discretionary powers of
the building and sanatory acts, invested in inexperienced
mechanics and others, were derogatory to the architects,
builders, and owners of property in the town.
Mr. PARKER was extremely glad the letter of Mr.
Spencer had been read, and quite delighted that he had
thought proper to inflict chastisement on the chairman of

. .
the Health Committee. Mr. Spencer's memorial was
referred to that committee, and they appointed a sub-
committee to investigate the charges therein contained.
That committee did not rely upon the statements of
others, but went, with rule in hand, to measure the beams,
and ascertain the real facts of the case for themselves.
Upon that committee were practical men—Mr. Langs-
dale being a practical builder—and after thorough inves-
tigation, they unanimously agreed to the report which
had been read by Mr. Driffield.

At the suggestion of Mr. PARKER, the report was
again read. It entirely exonerated the building-surveyors
from the charges brought against them by Mr. Spencer,
except Robinson, and he was recommended to be dis-
missed for furnishing plans after being told he was not
permitted to do so.
Mr. PARKER continued.—He would ask any gentleman
present, whether, after hearing that report, justice bad
not been done to Mr. Spencer. The charges brought
forward by Mr. Spencer were twofold—one was that the
building surveyor rejected plans contrary to the building
act; the other was the charge against Robinson for making
plans. With regard to the latter information the com-
mittee felt obliged to Mr. Spencer; and having ascertained
that Robinson was guilty of furnishing the plans contrary
to instructions, he was recommended to be dismissed;
but, on the recommendation of Mr. Langsdale, it was
agreed that he should have three months' notice. As to
the second charge, the surveyors were entirely exonerated,
and whatever Mr. Spencer might say he was satisfied the
town at large could find no fault with the conduct of the
committee. The speaker then referred to the levels of
Bright-street, which had now been reduced so that they
would be carried out by the owners of property, and thus
save the funds of the corporation.
Mr. BENNETT. in seconding the motion, condemned
the conduct of Mr. Spencer; and he stated that the very
conduct he condemned he had been guilty of himself.
Mr. GODFREY said all the members of the sub-com-
mittee were anxious to give Mr. Spencer and his witnesses
a fair hearing.

Mr. THOII3PSON said they sat five hours, and heard
every one who chose to come before them.

Mr. FERNIHOUGH also defended the committee.
After some conversation, Mr. PROCTER wished the
letter of Mr. Spencer to be read again, in order that some
further notice be taken of it.

Mr. T. L. HonsoN thought it ought to be ordered to
lie under the table, as undeserving of further notice.
Mr. H. HORNBY also thought they should take no
further notice of the letter.

The proceedings were then confirmed.

Mr. NEILL asked whether the Health Committee could
not allow the children belonging to the church school in
Vauxhall Ward, established by Dr. Hume, the use of
the baths.

Mr. PARKER said, it was impossible at present; but he
hoped the Pierhead baths would soon be in the possession
of the Corporation, and those in Cornwallis-street com-
pleted, and then the advantage could be afforded.
Mr. NEILL said the reason why he asked the question
was, because Dr. Hume had memorialised the Council,
and no answer had been received.
Mr. CHALMER said the Council ordered an answer to
be returned to Dr. Hume, stating the deep regret the
Council had in refusing the application for the present.
Mr. PARKER then moved the appointment of Mr.
Dover as a member of the Health Committee in room of
the late Mr. H. G. Harbord.
Mr. WOODRIIFFE seconded the motion.

Mr. LANGSDALE proposed the appointment of Mr.
Johnson, and Mr. PROCTER seconded the amendment ;
but on the suggestion of Mr. H. Hornby the nomination
•.was withdrawn, and the appointment of Mr. paver unani-
mously confirmed.

GARDENS' COMMITTEE.

The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the Gar-
den's Committee having been read.
Mr. It. C. GARDNER, deputy chairman, proposed their
confirmation, which having been seconded,
Mr. 'PROCTER said that it appeared to him possible for
the committee to infuse a little more energy into their
proceedings. He would instance the resolution which
had seen come to with reference to the opening of the
hothouses to -the public. At present it was a perfect
farce to suppose the hothouses *were open to the public,
when the public were allowed to visit these places once a
week only. It was 'well known to the Council that there
was little besides 'the hothouses worth seeing in the
Botanic Gardens. These Gardens were the property of
the public, and, therefore, the deemed it right to call the
attention of the Council to the matter, with the view of
having something done towards the full opening of the
Gardens to the public.
. _

Mr. BEVIMJ:TO explained .that, s4l member of the