The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1851-05-13 00:00:00

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS, YESTERDAY,

A special meeting of the Council was held yesterday,
at the Town-hall, for the disposal of the business so ab-
ruptly left over on Wednesday last. John Bent, Esq.,

the Mayor, presided, and there was but a very limited
attendance.

THE DOCK COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS

Mr. ROBINSON, in the absence of Mr. Littledale, the
Chairman, rose to move their confirmation. He was not
aware, he said, that there was anything material in them
except an arrangement with the Crown for givingtup to the
committee the weights and scales on the dock quays. The
cost to the dock estate, if they had to purchase them,
would have been £6OOO at the least. The expense to
the estate of keeping them in the same efficient state as
they were kept by the Crown would probably be from
£3OO to £4OO a year; but the committee contemplated
making a charge on master porters for the use of the
scales, so that ultimately they might be no cost to the
trust. .

...,...
Mr. LANGSDALE seconded the motion

Mr. BIGHAM said he wished to call the attention of the
committee to a nuisance, which was this—that the pier-
head masters and dock gatemen were in the habit of
levying from masters of vessels sums of money, on the
scale of half a crown or upwards. As some small coasting
vessels came in two or three times w week, the tax thus
imposed was considerable. Some vessels paid so high as
10s.,—this money finding its way into no fund, but being
a bribe for the performance of certain duties. (Hear.)
He (Mr. Bigham) had intended also to have called atten-
tion to the fact of Mr. Duncan being coupled with the
Dock Solicitor in carrying out the bill of the American
Chamber of Commerce,—he could not yet bring himself to
call it their own bill ; but finding that Mr. Hornby had
changed his opinion even on this matter, he should con-
tent himself by simply protesting against the arrangement
as derogatory to the Council.
Alderman PARKER said he could not but admire the
calm manner in which Mr. Bigham had alluded to the
coupling of Mr. Duncan with the Dock Solicitor. He
himself should do something more than protest against
the arrangement. It was a libel upon the Dock Solicitor
that he was not competent ; or else there was something
in it which the Council were not aware of. He should
move as amendment that that part of the proceedings be
not confirmed. Mr. Parker next adverted to the circum-
stances under which the last Council meeting had so sud-
denly broken up, and said he could scarcely sit down
without a censure upon the gentlemen who had then
absented themselves, Messrs. Freme and Co. ; they had
packed themselves away in an adjoining room. It was well
enough for people to say that they were hungry, but he
thought there was something more in it.
Mr. TiTomsos seconded the amendment.
Mr. HoeNnv said—As Mr. Bigham had made allusion
to him for having changed his opinions since they had
last met, he could only say that when he heard the deter-
mination which the Dock Committee had come to, it
struck him, in the first instance, that it was not in accord-
ance with the arrangement made with the Finance Com-
mittee; but he had since had an explanation that Mr.
Duncan could not have adopted any other course. The
bill was his, and he could not resign it altogether,
else he would have no locus standi in the House
of Lords, so as to prevent the bill being altered. He
bad also found that the result of this arrangement would
be to reduce Mr. Duncan's expenses to two and a half
guineas instead of five guineas a day as at present ; and
besides it would give no colour for deputations being sent
up to London by the American Chamber of Commerce,
which would be very costly. He therefore thought that
the Council would be placed in an awkward position if
the amendment were carried. Only see. If the amend-
ment were not carried by a majority of two-thirds, they
would be placed in direct collision with the Dock Com-
mittee; but supposing Mr. Parker's amendment were
carried by a majority of two-thirds of the Council, unless
be meant to follow it up with a resolution still to oppose
the bill, they gained nothing but saddling the Dock Com-
mittee with additional expense. On the other hand, if it
was agreed that they should oppose the bill, in what posi-
tion would they be in the House ? (Hear.) What
arguments would they not supply to the agents employed
by the American Chamber of Commerce, than whom
none were more skilled in parliamentary tactics. What
would Mr. Hope be able to state then to a committee of
the House of Lords ?—that this Council, as trustees of
the docks, pass a resolution one day that they will abstain
from all further opposition, and the next day that they:will
oppose is ta body so fleeting fit to be entrusted with the
management of an estate which involves the security of
one-fourth the commerce of the British empire. (Hear,
hear.) What would be the effect of this ? Clauses ten
times more injurious and obnoxious might he introduced.
(Hear.) No one could more regret the change in the
constitution of the Trust than he (Mr. Hornby) did, and
none could regret more than he did to see Mr. Duncan
carrying the bill through Parliament. He thought that
the conduct of the Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Dun.
can had been most hostile throughout ; but he would not
allow any personal feeling of his owa to interfere with
what he believed the interests of the Dock and Corporate
Estate. (Applause.)
Alderman PARKER agreed to withdraw his motion.
Mr. FISHER said—As to the system of bribery which
Mr. Bigham stated to exist at the dock gates, he hoped
that that gentleman would endeavour to find out the de-
linquent, and, whether he was the briber or the bribed,
he would meet with that chastisement from the Dock
Committee which he richly deserved.
Mr. BIGHAM intimated that there was one case which
he was in a position to prove.
Alderman J. BRAAILEY-MOORE asked if Mr. Robinson
was prepared, in the absence of the chairman, to give the
Council any explanation with respect to certain negocia-
tions which had been carried on with the Birkenhead
bondholders for the purchase of the Birkenhead dock
property ?
M. ROBINSON was not prepared._ _

Alderman BRAMLxY-MOOILE said he could not refrain
from expressing his extreme regret that the Chairman of
the Dock Committee was not present, to supply informa-
tion which he for one was most anxious to have, that he
might form a correct judgment as to the negociation with
the Birkenhead Dock Trustees. It was a matter of the
deepest importance in his opinion that they should be
informed upon that, as trustees of the docks. (Hear.)
He felt personally very much interested in this matter,
having carried on negociations on a former occasion which
failed ; and he should like to know the particulars of the
present negociations. There was no doubt of this, that
the negociations had given a spurious and fictitious value
to property across the water, which he would like ex-
plained in that room, to see ether an opinion which he
had formed was right or not.
Mr, DRIFFIELD read by request the minute on the
book on the subject :—" The negociations having failed,
this committee express no opinion on the subject."
Mr. CHAS. TURNER said the negociations and the re-
port upon them formed no part of the official proceedings
of the Dock Committee ; Mr. Bold had acknowledged
himself that the steps taken were totally unauthorised by
the Dock Committee. The way in which the matter ori-
ginated was this. Some member of the committee of that
House of Commons suggested, when a deputation were
in London on the dock bill, that it was a favourable op-
portunity for some negociation to put the whole of the
Mersey under one dock trust. Upon that, Mr. Littlecial.
and Mr. Bold, as private individuals, met parties belong-
ing to the Birkenhead dock trust, with the view of seeing
whether they could propose or come to any egreenient
which could afterwards be laid before the respective
bodies. They stated at the beginning of that negociation
that they were totally unauthorised, and it must be consi-
dered quite a private matter. Mr. Bailey and Mr. Gold-
amid stated the same thing on the other side ; and they
znerely met as gentlemen often do, to see if they could
understand what would be entertained officially. When
they returned, and had made their report, as the reso-
lution jest read showed, it was thought better that the
should not take any cognisance of it

Committ

Alderman BRAMLEY-MOORS.—Was there not a price
offered, without a price being asked ?
Mr. TURNER.—Supposing the individuals to offer a
price, they did it as individuals. The Dock Committee
bad never authorised any negociations to be entered into.
Mr. FISHER.—WhiIe the members alluded to by Mr.
I.lt the proposition came from the other
ery few days we heard it stated in London
sition had come from that side.
ILEY-MOORE said he should abstain
but as the estate which it
s no income present or

side, wi
that no

from Tr ik

prospective
money, it

he purchase involved so much
er which deserved their deepest

attention. Before sny gentleman formed an opinion at all
upon the subject, he hoped that he would read a report
addressed to the Bi*kenhead dock bondholders, by a
committee of that body, on the 27th Nov., 1850 ; that he
would carefully read that report, and then they might be

,
able to form some ovinion of the probable, present. and
fixture value of the Birkenhead property. In that report
they wholly and entirely repudiate the grounds of income
as stated by Lieut. Hookey, their hsrbour-master. They
said, further, that to pay the interest upon the present

a year, and abo
to carry out the

15,000 more on the proposed money
He should conclude by simply
ry men who wished to under-

etlnd the quest;on to the document.
Mr. TURNER again rose, and said be was afraid be bad
mis-stated something. He was now given to understand

that Mr. Bold
the ParliamPr

Mr. L

.le had an autbori
(tee in London

ty from

these gentlemei

id the f.w r

which be had made h
the public to pay attn
beard on all sick,

lad offered with a view to induce
~n to the subject, because he bad
ty don't you buy the Birkenhead
tot amalgamate it with the Liver-
Why ? Itecau,.e it was taking up a
ipt estate, and tusking it a partner
It was as bad as the. Calf—lonian Rail-
it was worse than the Eastern Counties.
There was no doubt that it had a value
was proper to purchase it at its proper
any other artiwie in the market. (Hear.)
le could not see how a thing could be
was increasing its debt year by year,
ct of meow. according to their own
ould they pay 20s. ? Some cried out
could buy them. Calculate what the
what the debts ere, how much money is
end wbstarathe'prospfetive advantages ;
the the nubile attention should
r part of the suoject. The Dock and
ny was a name without any meaning,
and Warehouse Company possess no
nd ompanY it was a speculation, the
;uch company in the kingdom_; but the

property ?
pool prop E
completely
without ca

way--(!aug-hter

(LOudsla
and a pri

without the r

accoun

that we 13

t incorr

he t
Warehous
becluse ti
docks. II

LI, ally 1/111U1 ---
-
point to which attention should be called was the bond-
holders, who had advanced money to make the works and
depend or their income upon rates to be drawn from the
shipping; anti he thought too much attention could not
be called to the fact, that they ,had not the security of the

land company for what concerns only the bondholders ;
they were totally distinct. Now, he should not pursue
this subject any further, though he was quite prepared
to have done so had the chairman been there. Before
sitting down, he would just make one observation on what
had fallen from Mr. Bigham, respecting bribes given to
dock-gatemen, and also pier-masters. Now he believed
the pier-masters at all events would be found to be inno-
cent ; but many years ago it was a notorious system that
the masters of flats, more than the captains of large ves..
sels, paid 2s. 6d. for facilities which it was thought that
the dock-gatemen could give them. But that system was
so rigidly looked into that he believed it was put a stop to,
and he hoped it had not been resumed, because the dock-
gatemen were now not only clothed, but better paid than
formerly. Mr. Bigham was in duty bound to go and state
the case before the Dock Committee, because he knew
that, when he was chairman of the Dock Committee, in
every case which might occur, no medium course would be
taken, but the officer would be discharged. _ - -

Mr. J. A. TOBIN said he was afraid that what Mr.
Bramley-Moore had stated would lead the Council to
suppose that 20s. in the pound was the basis of the pro-
posal. He believed 20i. was the basis, but by deferred
payments it would be made about 12s. 6d. in the pound.

Mr. BIGHAM said he was told that the bribery referred
to was not a solitary but a universal case.

Mr. GREGSON said he was upon the Harbour Masters'
Committee, before whom any charge of this kind would be
brought. Since he had been there no charge of the kind
had been made. He was certain that if a case were proved
instant dismissal would take place.
The minutes were then confirmed ; as also those of the
Courts of Law and St. George's Hall Committee.

THE MARKETS

COMMITTEE

Mr. WOODRUFF having moved the confirmation of the
proceedings of this committee.
. . .

Mr. PicToN asked if the Committee had under con-
sideration the question of the establishment of a whole-
sale vegetable market. The ne essity for such a place
was becoming weekly more apparent, in the neighbour-
hood of St. John's Market especially. It was high time
that some steps were taken to provide a sort of Covent
Garden for Liverpool.
Mr. WOODRUFF said the committee had not that ques-
tion under their consideration at present. They had
some time since, but the expenses were so high, and the
Finance Committee, with whom they had a conference,
held out such slight hopes, that they had abandoned the
project.

THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The minutes of this committee were next confirmed.
They comprised a return, showing the attendance at the
Corporation Schools for the month ending the 25th
April, 1851 :

North

Boys
Girls 349..
Infants..
Evening Pupils (males) 95..
Do. (females) 125..

South.

Total number on books 1367
THE GAOL COMMITTEE.
The proceedings of the gaol and house of correction
committee having been read,
Alderman JOHN HOLMES called attention to the fact
that at the very moment wlen Mr. Reay, of the Guar-
dian Society, was advocating a measure for the imprison-
ment of fraudulent debtors, &c., here, instead of sending
them to Lancaster gaol, the borough gaol was so inade-
quate to the accommodation of prisoners already, that
convicts had had to be sent from this town to Leeds and
elsewhere.
The minutes were confirmed.
kCONTINUED IN ANOTFIEB. COLUMN.)

-1074

THE LATE ACCIDENT IN THE SUTTON TUNNEL

ADJOURNED INQUEST

The inquiry was resumed on Tuesday. R. L. Jones,
the manager of the general station, was first called. He
was examined as to his duties as general manager, which
were to see that all the departments were carefully at-
tended to by competent persons, but he had nothing to do
with the arrival and departure of trains, those duties be-
longing to the station-master. Carriages and such-like
matters devolve on the individual companies. Mr. Jones
was examined at great length both by the coroner and
foreman as to the dispatch of trains on the evening of the
accident, and enumerated very clearly the manner in
which the various departments of the station were worked.
Mr. John Critchley, the station-master, was next
called. He confirmed the main points in the evidence of
Mr. R. L. Jones, and was examined at length with re-
gard to the times of the departures of the trains on the
line during the Wednesday evening. He stated that the
trains had the necessary guards, breaks, and tail lights on
the evening in question, that extra men were employed
during the races, and that every necessary precaution was
used.

Gregory, the lamp-man, and Alison, the assistant-su-
perintendent of locomotives at the Manchester end of the
line, were then examined, at the conclusion of which, it
being half-past five, the inquiry was adjourned until
Thursday morning.
The inquiry was resumed on Thursday, when several
engine-drivers and guards were examined, who deposed
to the speed at which the trains were proceeding. One of
them stated that he had no lights atall, and was told at Ches-
ter that he did not require them, as it was expected that
he would be in Manchester before dark. As the second
train was proceeding up the tunnel the engine slipped
continually, but never stopped. When they entered the
tunnel they were going at the rate of about six miles an
hour.—An altercation took place, during this day's pro-
ceedings, between Dr. Wilson, foreman of the jury, and
Mr. Monk, barrister, in consequence of the latter accus-
ing Dr. Wilson of wasting their time by irrelevant ques-
tions, and of being more like an advocate than a juryman.
The Doctor warmly repelled the imputation, and said he
only wished fora full inquiry.
On Friday some rather important evidence was given
by Mr. Gibson, secretary to the Company. He said—
There never has been a policeman stationed at the tunnel.
Frodsham station is the nearest to the Cheshire side of
the tunnel, and Moor on the other side. During the con-
struction of the line, the landholders and others requested
a policeman to be stationed near the tunnel. There were
four on the line altogether ; one walked from Elsby to
the tunnel—another between the tunnel and Moor,
They were merely to protect property in the neighbour-
hoed, and materials on the line. Daring the race week
these men were removed to Birkenhead. They had not,
at any time, to do with the working of the line.
By Captain Laffan.—l removed the men to Birkenhead
on my own responsibility. I have superintended thetraffic
on the line since its opening. lam not aware that it has
ever been represented to me, that it is incompatible with
my duties to act as secretary, and manage the passenger
traffic as well, on such a line as this. I believe I was con-
sidered responsible by the directors for the safety of the
line on the day in question. I consider that I was re-
sponsible only in providing carriages, guards, &c., and
seeing that the station-masters did their duty, I con-
sider that the points, signals, and the management of the
permanent way belong to the engineer's department. As
there was no engineer connected with this portion of the
line, I presume the responsibility will rest with the board.
As regards the points, signals, and permanent way be-
tween Chester and Walton, there was no engineer or
other party that I considered responsible. Mr. Lister
ceased to be responsible for this portion of the line on the
Ist of April. The board were in treaty with him for his
services as before after that time, and were so at the time
of the Chester races. Pending a negotiation with him,
they allowed this portion of the line to be without a
superintendent.
By. Mr. Monk.—The signals are used by policemen
and other officers, and not by the engineer. A system of
signals had been directed by Mr. Lister before the termi-
nation of his engagement. That direction continues un-
revoked to the present time. Mr. Brassey is under con-
tract for the maintenance of the permanent way between
Chester and Walton. As far as I know no directions
had been given to the policeman to signal at the tunnel.
The tunnel is perfectly straight, having double lines
through.
On Saturday the inquest was resumed. Previous to
the examination Captain Laffan, R.E., Mr. Nicholson,
the coroner, and six of the jury, went to Frodsham, to
make the experiment as to the capabilities of the Druid
engine. This was done by means of loading a train, con-
sisting of the same number of carriages as were in the
first train at the collision, and of the same description,
that is, ten stand-up carriages, six covered secured and
third-class carriages. The experiment was very success.
IV, the rails being dry. The engine laboured very much,
in leaving Frodsham, and was nearly a minute in passing
the first 100 yards, and 31 minutes in going the first 500
yards. The speed gradually increased, however, the tun-
nel, 11 miles distant, being entered in 10m. 305., and
passed in 3m. 555., (a mile and a quarter), and the train
reached Moor station in sm. 355. more ; total time in
going the whole distance, nearly 5 miles, 20 minutes. A.
number of witnesses, including Mr. Bancroft, the chair-
man of the directors, were then examined, and the in-
quiry was once more adjourned.
YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS WILL BE FOUND ELSEWHERE.

From information we can rely upon, it would appear
that among the sufferers only one person had availed him-
self of the advantages offered by the Railway Passengers'
Assurance Company, while not one of those who were
killed had taken that precaution. The Directors of that
Company, upon obtaining information of this sad cala-
mity, dispatched their surgeon, Mr. Barnard Holt, of the
Westminster Hospital, to render every assistance in his
power, and thus endeavour to carry out as far as possible
their compact with the public, to render efficient and im-
mediate aid in all cases of emergency._ _

Some surprise has been expressed that so few of the
passengers were insured, which has been considered a
proof of the little esteem in which the Railway Passen-
gers' Assurance Company is held In that district. We
find, however, says the Daily News, that the fault lies
with the Cheshire Junction Railway Company, which has
refused to allow tickets to be sold. The passengers by
the excursion trains, unless they were the holders of
periodical tickets, had therefore no means of insuring.
This is the more to be regretted, as passengers naturally
expect that every railway company should afford the ad-
vantages of assurance which, as will be seen from the
advertisement, are very great.

It will be seen from an advertisement, that Messrs.
Pryde and Jones are appointed sole agents for this town,
for the excellent clerical portable umbrella and bush
tents. _ _

ANTIQUE LACE.—We would call the attention of our
fair readers to some beautiful and very rare specimens of
point lace of the reign of Louis XV.► at Mr. Braithwaite's
establishment, 130, Bold-street. They are well worthy
the attention of the curious in such matters, for it is evi-
dent, from the amount of labour bestowed on many of the
articles, that years of time have been devoted to their
completion. The designs are beautiful, the work super-
latively One,

Eittraturt.

POETRY,

ADDRESS TO THE STARS.

BY MRS. MAINWARING

" He made the stars also."

Can it be, ye stars of heaven,
Whose beauty gems yon midnight sky,
That e'er to you the power was given
To shadow forth futurity ?

Glorious stars I ye're ever streaming
With clear, hallowed light to man ;
Is your faith, prophetic dreaming,
Taught ere varied creeds began ?

Egypt's seers and magi kneeling
With rapt homage at your shrine,
Ancient Chaldean sages feeling
That your teaching is divine.

Now the swarthy wild Zingaros
Trace your course with kindling eye;
Scan tLey man's deep joys or sorrows
From the stellar canopy?

Brightly o'er the shoreless ocean
Still ye shine as beacons true;
Keep your path amidst commotion,
Sparkling from your concave blue

Thought now wanders free and far,
O'er the space yon orbs explore;
To Him who governs world and star,
And shall till time shall be no more.

VARIETIES.

Skye, in the Highlands, has furnished, since the Pe-
ninsular war, no fewer than 21 lieutenant-generals and
major-generals, 48 lieutenant-colonels, 600 majors, cap-
tains, and subalterns, 10,000 foot soldiers, 120 pipers,
four governors of British colonies, one governor-general,
one adjutant-general, one chief baron of England, and one
judge of the Court of Session.
THE TEST.—An Irishman had been sick a long time,
and while in this state would occasionally cease breathing,
and life be apparently extinct for some time, when he
would again come to. On one of these occasions, when
he bad just awakened from his sleep, Patrick asked him,
" An' how'll we know, Jemmy, when you are dead—
you're after wakin' up ivery time ?"—" Bring me a glass
o'grog, and say to me, Here's till ye,' Jemmy ;' and if I
don't raise up and drink, then bury me."
Lady Lytton (wife of Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton) has
brought out a new novel, Miriam Sedley, and there is
very little mistake as to her meaning when she says,
" The greatest monster I ever heard of was one who to
the world passed for a paragon, because he spent his life
in servilely flattering a rich and vicious old mother, who
had an unentailed estate, till he won the prize ; and to con-
tinue this charming farce of filial affection (for he was
fond of theatricals), he told eulogistic lies in marble of her
after she had gone to her fearful account." This is about
the most savage outpouring of a " wounded spirit" that
we ever remember to have met with.