The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-10-31 00:00:00

made up his mind six weeks ago to dispose of it, and that
in that short space of time he had, received offers for no
fewer a number than 200,000 sqoare yards, he should have
suspected that better prices could be obtained. (Hear.)
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE replied. He said that Mr.
Evans would make the Cheshire property subservient to
the interests of the people of Liverpool. But had it been
subservient hitherto? 0.1 the contrary, had it not been
lying waste and idle? The policy of the present corpo-
ration was to bring it into productiveness and usefulness,
believing that it would speedily be studded with buildings,
and that in the increase of trade at the other side, the
prosperity of the people of Liverpool generally would be
materially promoted. (Hear.) This increase of trade
would be far more desirable than to erect docks as a
depor for old things or tilings on sale; because he hoped
that things on sale would be every day becoming fewer in
number, and that the necessity for the depot would as
constantly be diminishing. (Hear.) He perceived by
the newspapers that the Dock Committee were constantly
discussing the propriety of erecting new docks—that the
north and he south ends of the town were pointed out as
eligible sites, but that not a word was ever said about
Cheshire. Not a word was ever said about the Dock
Committee going over there; and he was satisfied that
the burgesses of Liverpool, represented as they were in
the council, would never be parties to an act which should
transfer what they considered their commercial interests
to the other side of the water. (Hear, hear.) The coun-
cil now offered the Cheshire property for sale to persons
who might make doeks there or not as they pleased. He
was not afraid of rival docks. Himself and others had
been charged with smuggling this question through the
Council. He denied it. Month after month had it been
discussed, and duly and properly had the sales been ad-
vertised. (Rear, hear.)
Mr. BUSHELL asked Mr. Stewart whether he thought
he could find for the Finance Committee a buyer at a
higher price for the lot or lots of land to which he had
made special reference ?
Mr. STEWART said that when he had heard of the price
of 10s. offered by Mr, Laird, he considered it a very
good price. He could not, in answer to Mr. Bushell's
question, undertake to say that he could find a higher
price for the other lots. (Hear, hear.) Any gentleman
conversant with the sale of land, as an individual, must
know that very desirable land often remained on hand for
a year or two or more, no matter what exertion might be
used to sell; and therefore very strong suspicion must be
created that the land in the present instance must have
been sold below its value, from the circumstance of
200,000 square yards of •t having been snapped up by 13
different purchasers in the short spac..l of six weeks.

Mr. BUSHELL said that Mr. Stewart's answer was
satisfactory, inasmuch as it proved that the Finance
Committee had obtained the highest market value of the
present day. (Oh I and laughter.) _ _

The MAYOR observed, that he Could not allow the dis-
cussion to proceed any farther, Mr. Lawrence having

replied

Mr. HENRY HOLMES intimated his willingness to
move, as an amendment, that so far as regarded the whole
of the sales of the land, the subject be referred back for
further consideration.

The MAYOR observed, that the discussion must dose,
and that the amendment could not be received.
Mr. BACRBURN thought that they oughE not to ad.
here to the strict letter of their rules, but divide upon the
amendment.

The MAYOR said the only way in which the amend-
ment could be received, would be 'by suspending the
standing orders.

Mr. HORNBY was averse to the suspension of the
Standing orders.

Tne TOWN-CLERK said that if the original motion
were registered. it would then be competent for any
gentleman to move an amendment.
The council divided, when there appeared—
For the motion 3l
Against it.. ..

Majority.

The sales of the Birkenhead estate were accordingly
confirmed. The following members voted in the divi-
sion :

For.—Messrs. F. Shand, T. Shaw, R. Houghton, J.
C. Thompson, T. Sands,ll. Hornhy, J. Holmes, J. Aspi-
nail, T. Royden, J. Cooper, J. N. Wood, H. Lawrence,
W. Birkett, C. Bushell, T. Brassey, J. S. Leigh-, G. H.
Lawry nce, A. Lace, S. L. Trotman, J. Platt, J.Sheppard,
A. Smith, jun. Alderman.—Sir T. Brancker, J. H.
Turner, W. P. Freme, W. Nicol, J. Bramley-moore, E.
Molyneux, J. Moon, T. Chilton, and the Mayor.
Against.-1. Holmes, W. Thornhill, T. Blackburn, W.
Preston, H. Copeland, J. Edwards, J. North, H. Holmes,
J. Aikin, J. Stewart, J. Procter, R. Rigby, J. Kilshaw,
J. Parker, J. 'Plumpton, R. Harbord, G. H. Hamby.
Aldermen.—T. B. 'Barclay, R. Houghton, T. Bulley, T.
Holt, J. Lawrence, and E. Evans.