The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1850-11-05 00:00:00

LOCAL MEETINGS.

Dock COMMITTEE.—At the weekly meeting on Thurs-
day, Mr. Langsdale was unanimously elected a member of
the Corn miittee of Works, in the place of Mr. Alderman
Nicol, resigned. Mr. Rankin was appointed deputy
chairman of the Dock Committee. The sum of £3OO was
ordered to he paid to Mathew Coffee, publican, for giving
up his premises at Wappinz. The Albert light-ship
having been run into by the ship Laconic, the owners of
the latter were ordered to be served with a claim for the
damage. A new iron lightship, to be launched on Wed-
nesday next, was ordered to be called " The Tobin,"
amidst much laughter. The Sub-committee recommended
the discharge of John Murphy, master of the Liverpool
life-boat, in consequence of the unsatisfactory reason
given for his absence during the wreck of the Providence.
Orders were given that the City of Glasgow, Philadelphia
steam-ship, should be temporarily accommodated at the
south-west corner of the Nelson Dock, and that the pri-
vileges as to fires and lights be granted. Sheds were re-
commended to be erected on the quays of the Wellington
Dock. Mr. Smith said the trade was advancing beyond
the amount of accommodation. Mr. Fisher submitted
the following comparative statement of dock and light
dues:—

From June 25 to October 30, 1848,

£48,845 17 4

ft 1849.... 87.924 11 8
1850.... 92:351 5 4
A letter was read from William Brown and Wm. Williams,
of Coventry, to the effect that they intended to carry a
submarine telegraph across the Mersey, from the Albert
Pier to Monks' Ferry, and asking the sanction of the
committee to the undertaking. It was stated that the
Corporation were conservators of the river, and that the
,Dock Committee had nothing to do with it.
SELECT VESTRY.—The fortnightly meeting was held on
Tuesday, the Rev. Rector Campbell in the chair. After
reading the minutes of the Finance Committee, a discus-
sion ensued on the much-debated question of warehouse
assessments. Mr. Denton and Mr. Gardner contended
that warehouse property was not assessed at its proper
value, and made several statements in connexion with the
subject which were rebutted by Mr. Harbord. The dis-
cuqsion, which assumed rather a personal character, re-
sulted in a notice of motion from Mr. Denton, that he
would propose an extension of powers to the Rating
Committee.—ln answer to a question as to the over-
crowding of steamers, it was stated that the Collector of
Customs had been in communication with Mr. Hart, and
he had received instructions to co-operate with the rnagis-
trats, in enforcing the fines.—A report relative to the
cost of children at the Industrial Schools, moved for at a
former meeting, showed that the expense for each child
was £ll 4s. 2d., and deducting the rent of building,
would leave the sum of £9 10s. Archdeacon Brooks
thought it was well that such a report had been made, as
they had been led to believe that the expense was from
£l5 to £lB per head. The expense per head in the Blue
Coat Hospital was £lo.—Some discussion took place as
to the appointment of a deputation to Birmingham, to
inspect the mills erected there for the employment of
able-bodied paupers. Mr. Earle said the plan had had
the effect of ridding the house of the able-bodied paupers,
and it would he worth while to appoint a deputation to
inquire into the matter. Mr. Brown, who had, in com-
pany of Mr. Ferguson, inspected the Birmingham mills,
understood the plan worked most satisfactorily, and
thought an inquiry should belmade. It was understood
that a deputation would be appointed.
SANITARY MOVEMENT AT WAVERTREE.—An impor-
tant meeting, relative to the sanitary condition of Waver-
tree, took place on Wednesday morning last, in Mr.
Kirkup's Coffee-house, before Robert Rawlinson, Esq.,
one of the superintending inspectors appointed for the
purposes of the Public Health Act of 1848. The
meeting was called in consequence of a memorial pre-
sented to the General Board of Health, emanating from
a public meeting of the ratepayers, held some time
since, requesting that body to send down a commissioner
to institute inquiries respecting the sanitary state of
Wavertree, with the ultimate view of establishing a
local board of health in that township. Amongst the
gentlemen present were William Rathbone Esq., J. A.
Picton, Esq., William Coward, Esq., the Rev. W. Bad-
nall, and a number of other influential gentlemen. Mr.
Rawlinson. in opening the business, said his only object
was to ascertain facts, and to report accordingly to the
general board. His report would be a month before the
inhabitants for their consideration. The local board, if

established, would have power to mortgage the rates of
the township in order to carry out the intentions of that
body ; but the General Board in London would see that
every regard was had to economy and efficiency. He
would be happy to hear any evidence or statement which
any gentleman had to make. He then read the par-
ticular objects to which their attention would be called—
namely, 1. The sewerage, drainage, and supply of water.
2. The state of the burial grounds. 3. The number and
sanitary condition of the inhabitants. 4. The local acts
of Parliament (if any) for paving, lighting. cleansing,
watching, regulating, supplying with water, or improving
or having relation to the purposes of the said act. 5. The
natural drainage areas. 6. The existing parochial or
other local boundaries. 7. The boundaries which may
be most advantageously adopted for the purposes of the
said act. 8. And other matters, &c., with a view to the
application of the said act, or any part thereof, to the said
township. Evidence was accordingly given, at consider-
able length, on all these points, and at its conclusion,
Mr. Rawlinson said his report would be ready in four or
five weeks. In the mean time he would be open to re-
ceive any suggestion from the ratepayers.

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL

TUESDAY

The MAYOR having announced that Mr. Alderman
Nicol had paid the fine of £5O, and vacated his office as a
member of the Council, _

Mr. FERNIHOUGH proposed and Mr. ROBINSON se-
conded Mr. James Parker as a proper person to fill the
office.
Mr. GEORGE HOLT having intimated that he felt disin-
clined to vote on the occasion ; and
The TOWN-CLERK having read the clause in the act of
Parliament, which states that all parties present must vote,
left the room without voting.
The papers were then taken and read by the MAYOR,
who declared Mr. Parker unanimously elected. Mr.
Parker's own vote was given for Mr. Johnson.
Mr. HODSON moved the election of Mr. Langsdale as a
member of the Dock Committee, in the place of Mr.
Nicol. _ _ _ . .

Mr. A. F. JONES seconded the proposition.
Mr. LANOSDALE was unanimously elected.
Mr. PARKER having entered the room was received with
applause, and duly took the declaration required by the
Act. _ _ _

The Council then proceeded to declare vacant the seat
of George Booker, Esq., for Rodney-street Ward, owing
to six months' absence rom the Borough.
The TOWN-CLERK read the proceedings of the Finance
Committee, amongst which was a recommendation to the
Council to accede to the request contained in the memo-
rial of Mr. Wilson, for leave to withdraw from his con-
tract with the Corporation at the end of any five years of
his term, upon his giving six months' notice, the Cor-
poration to remunerate him for any buildings which he
may have erected ; such concession, however, to be con-
tingent upon the formation of yards on the Liverpool
side of the Mersey for the shipbuilding trades,
Mr. HORNBY moved the confirmation of the proceed-
ings of the Finance Committee, and defended the claim of
Mr. Wilson to withdraw from the strict terms of his lease,
on the ground that at the time that lease was entered into
the Council had no intention to provide the accommoda-
tion required by the shipbuilders on this side of the water.
Mr. H. announced that the gentleman with whom they
had been in treaty for letting the Birkenhead Ferry, had
finally relinquished any intention of taking it.
Mr. T. B. HORSPALL seconded the resolution.
Mr. THOMSON, after a few remarks condemnatory of
the working of the Birkenhead Ferry, supported the pro-
posal, to allow Mr. 'Wilson to re-establish himself on this
side of the water.
Mr. TOBIN opposed this portion of the proceedings,
and argued that the terms of Mr. Wilson's bargain, by
which the Corporation were bound to lay out £lO,OOO
upon a sea wall, and to take all the buildings which he
may have put upon the land, would be a most preposter-
ous one if that gentlemen were allowed to void his lease
at the end of five years. He contended also that to con-
cede Mr. Wilson's request would be to favour him at the
expense of other shipbuilders. Mr. Tobin concluded by
moving that the subject of Mr. Wilson's lease be referred
back to the Finance Committee. After some remarks by
Mr. Fisher. Mr. Freme, Mr. R. L. Jones, Mr. Bighorn,
and Mr. Rogers, in support of the amendment, and Mr.
T. B. Horsfall and Mr. Parker in support of the original
motion, Mr. J. Bramley-Moore expressed himself in
favour of the amendment of Mr. Tobin, and contended
that such a course as it was proposed to pursue with re-
pect to Mr. Wilson's lease had never been adopted by the
Council, and would be a most injurious precedent shewn
to the other lessees of the Corporation. Mr. Procter
supported the Finance Committee's motion, and Mr.
Hornby having replied, the Council divided, when the
votes were—

For the amendment
Against it

Majority ....
The amendment was thereforecarried.
The minutes of the Watch Committee having been
read, Alderman TURNER moved their confirmation, and
that so much of a resolution of the Council, passed at a
meeting held on the 7th day of August last, as disap-
proves of the recommendation of the Watch Committee
to pay to Superintendent Towerson the salary of £2OO
per annum, as divisional superintendent, be rescinded.
The motion was carried.
The Improvement Committee adjudged that the first
prize should be given to the plan bearing the motto,
Rus in Urbe," (Mr. Homer,) and that " Curator"
(Mr. J. Henderson,) was entitled to the second premium.
These plans have reference to improving the approaches
to the town.
St. George's Hall Courts, it appeared from the report,
were rapidly proceeding towards completion, and will be
ready by the March assizes.
Mr. Alderman PARKER, in moving the confirmation of
the report of the Health Committee, observed that the
Paul-street baths had not only paid all their expenses,
but had thrown a profit of £136 in the corporate funds.
The committee appointed to consider the coach and cab
fares made their report : That for half a mile the fare shall
be 6d.; fora mile, Is. &c. ; that each driver wear a badge,
and be provided with an hexagonal map ; that all cars
shall carry lights at night, and that, in place of the present
cheek string, each vehicle shall be furnished with a one-
stroke bell. _ _ _

Mr. ii-o.usorr proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor,
than whom no
. man had ever filled the civic chair with
more satisfaction to the Council and the town.
Alderman PARKRR cordially seconded the motion.
The MAYOR, in neat terms.
bu
. snreturneden.othf atnhak ,matinudi
Council' thus terinjUated the
year—

THE LIVERPOOL CHAMBER. OF COMMERCE

The quarterly meeting of the members of the Liverpool
Chamber of Commerce was held on Tuesday, Mr. Thos.
Berry Horsfall, the president, in the chair.
The report of the council contained several important
statements in reference to the stamp duties, and also re-
commended that a memorial be forwarded to Government
setting forth the important advantages of Liverpool as a
port for the arrival and departure of the foreign mails,
and recommending its appointment as such. The memo-
rial stated that Liverpool presented a combinat'on of
advantages greater than any other port in Great Britain,
for the despatch and arrival of the steamers conveying
the mails to and from this country to all parts of the
world, with the single exception of the north of Europe.
The magnitude of the trade between [Liverpool and the
United States, the Brazils, and the east and west coasts
of South America, exceeded that of any other port of the
united kingdom, and would alone entitle Liverpool to a
preference as a mail station for the receipt and transmis-
sion of the correspondence with those parts of the world.
But there were other considerations of still greater impor-
tance which gave Liverpool a very decided superiority
over Southamptoa, or any other port in the British
Channel, for the object in question. As respected dis-
tance, Liverpool was equal. if not superior, to South-
ampton, with regard to New York, Bermuda, and Madeira,
whilst its dock accommodation was unapproachable.
The memorial referred to the regularity of the steamers
now carrying the mails between Liverpool and the United
States, furnishing, as they did, the earliest information,
not only from those parts of the world, but from the west
coast of South America and Mexico, and in most instances
from some of the West India islands. The central posi.
tion of Liverpool and its proximity to the large manufac-
turing district of the country, to which it was the natural
outlet, also to the north, and to Ireland, were urged as
an additional reason for transferring the mails to Liver-
pool. The memorial concluded by praying that the
claims of the port of Liverpool to a preference as a packet
station for the Atlantic mails generally might receive the
favourable consideration of Government. The memorial
(embodied in the report) relating to the stamp duties
stated, that commercial maritime stamps were most ob.
jectionable, being a burden imposed on a class who re-
ceived no benefit in return. The ad valorem principle
should be established in all stamps relating to commerce.
Receipt stamps were strongly reprobated, and the Cham-
bers ought to urge that they be totally abandoned. The
loss to the revenue would only be £290,000 per annum
net. A uniform penny receipt stamp, recently agitated,
would be troublesome and grievous. If receipt stamps
were repealed, bills at sight should also be exempt from
duty. Bills of lading. bonds, award deeds, and insurance
policies, should also all be free of duty, for the purpose of
promoting and increasing trading transactions. With
reference to insurance policies, the memorial said, "The
duty on insurance policies is not only objectionable as a
burden upon commerce, but injurious, because it trans.
fers to foreign countries a considerable amount of insu-
rance business, the gains of which are necessarily lost to
British underwriters." _

After the adoption of the report had been moved by
Mr. SIIIEL, and seconded by Mr. HEATH, .

Mr. H. LITTLEDALE said he thought it was desirable
to petition Government to have the foreign mails de-
spatched from Liverpool; but until the Liverpool people
took an interest in these steamers. by risking something
in shares or contracts, they could not expect to have
them. Arrangements were not yet made as to where the
mails to the Cape of Good Hope were to sail from, and
he believed that if the Liverpool merchants would take
an interest in this contract, Liverpool might be made the
point of departure.
After a few remarks from the Chairman, who admitted
the force of Mr. Littledale's suggestion, the report was
adopted.
Mr. C. HOLLAND moved a resolution to the effect that
the memorial be adopted, and that the members of the
borough and the county be requested to present it.
He condemned the apathy of the mercantile commu-
nity in the matter, and thouiht they could not too often
bring it before Government, that they were prepared to
incur some risk and sacrifice with these contracts, in
order to have the mails sent from Liverp 01. He was
sure that they could show Government that they were
ready to run some risk that they might have Liverpool
made the station for the foreign mails.
The memorial was adopted.
Mr. WYLIE, seconded by Mr. MACFIE, moved the
adoption of the report on the stamp duties, which they
urged on the ground of the number of policies effected at
Homburg and elsewhere. Agreed to.
Mr. HOLLAND referred to the formation of a chamber
of commerce in London, which contemplated obtaining
the legislative sanction to a portion of their proceedings
involving the legalisation of commercial tribunals for the
settlement of commercial disputes. Should the legisla-
ture sanction such a bill, he thought they would all agree
that it would be most satisfactory to the mercantile
interests of the country. (Hear, hear.) It would he a
most satisfactory era in commercial history, for its effect
would be to take them out of the hands of the present
judicial courts, with all their difficulties and disadvan-
tages, and to make them, as they ought to be, subject to a
purely commercial tribunal. (Hear, hear.)
After a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the meeting
broke up.

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.—A special meeting of
the Chamber of Commerce was held in the rooms of the
association yesterday, for the consideration of various
points of business. Amongst other affairs discussed was
a letter from the Manchester clamber of Commerce, re-
questing the appointment of a deputation to Manchester
relative to the cultivation of cotton in India. Messrs.
Horsfall, (president,) Riley, and Aikin were accordingly
appointed.

LIVERPOOL CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL SOCIETY.—
The annual general meeting of this society was held on
Thursday, in the Savings Bank, Bold. street,—Adam
Hodgson. Esq., in the chair. There were only five gen-
tlemen present. The report for the past year was read,
from which it appeared that the income derived from an-
nual subscriptions and church collections exceeded that of
the previous year. The accounts showed an expenditure
of £1,146 2s. 2d. against £1,145 Os. 2d. receipts, leaving
a balance due to the treasurer of £1 2s.

THE PROTECTIONISTS IN THE RIGHT

GROOVE AT LAST

It is cheering to observe that the agricultural party are
at length beginning to open their eyes to the effect of our
present iniquitous monetary laws upon native industry.
At the recent election for Herefordshire the following
conversation occurred between a Mr. Palmer and the new
member, Mr. Booker :
"Mr. Palmer.—Do you think that the affairs of the people of
this country can be carried on successfully with the same
amount of circulating medium as when the population num-
bered one-half its present amount?

Mr. Booker.—l a 0 not think they can.
Mr. Palmer.—lf not, will you advocate in parliament a re-
form in the currency?
Mr. Booker.—l will."

A similar declaration was made by the Marquis of
Granby at an agricultural meeting held last week at
Waltham in the wolds in the county of Leicester. A
gentleman present, in replying to a toast, remarked that

"He did not deny that the agriculturists had a right to be
protected, but he believed that they would never regain the
protection which they had lost; and the only remedy he could
devise was an alteration of the monetary system (hear,
hear)."

The remark called forth a declaration upon the subject
from the Marquis of Granby, that " he was equally
anxious with Mr. Harrison to have the currency altered,
which he believed would have a very beneficial effect."

CHARGE OF HAVING TWO THOUSAND POUNDS
WEIGHT OF GUNPOWDER ON BOARD THE
EGREMONT COAL HULK.

At a special sessions of the magistrates of the parish of
Wallasey, held on Saturday, at the Magistrate-room,
Liscard, before Henry Winch and T. F. Maddocks,
Esqrs., Jonathan Baxter. boatman, of magazines, was
charged with having put 2,0001b5. weight of gunpowder
on board the hulk used for supplying the New Brighton
steamers with coal, and keeping it there, without having
a license for so doing. The accused pleaded guilty, owing
to which plea the facts of the case did not transpire with the
circumstantiality which otherwise they would have done.
Mr. Aspinall, barrister, appeared on behalf of the Corpora-
tion of Liverpool, and briefly explained the law upon the
subject, which imposed penalties upon any person who
may be found with more than 501bs. weight of gunpowder
in his possesion, in any building or place, or in any river
within a mile from any borough, not being in prosecution
of or returning from a voyage. The penalty is 2s. per lb.
weight upon all the excess of such gunpowder over 501b5.,
with confiscation of the same.
The circumstances of the case, owing to the prisoner
having pleaded guilty, were not brought out so fully
before the bench as they otherwise would have been.
The following, however, is learnt from other sources, and
from a statement made by Mr. Radcliffe, (of the firm of
Duncan and Radcliffe, solicitors,) who appeared for the
owners of the gunpowder, we learn that his clients (Messrs •
Stephen and Son, of Glasgow,) had shipped the powder in
question in the manner appointed by law, to be put on
board of a vessel here bound for Africa. On the arrival
of the schooner containing it, however, the vessel was
not ready to take it on board, and the captain applied to
Mr. Peers, of the magazines, for leave to store it there,
which he refused, on the ground that the magazines were
private property, and, therefore, not compelled to receive
it. On this it seems that the powder was tak3n in charge
by the accused, (Baxter,) and stored in the hulk moored
off New Brighton to supply coals to the steamers, of
which hulk he was the care-keeper. Mr. Radcliffe's
object in appearing was to obtain from the bench a recom-
medation to government to authorize the gunpowder to
be handed back to the owners ; but the bench, owing to
the evidence not having been gone into, thought that
they had no standing to enable them to make such recom-
mendation.
The quantity of gunpowder was then sworn to be 2,000
lbs., consisting of 20i barrels of 501bs. each, and 41 barrels.
The magistrates declared 1950 lbs. of this quantity for-
feited ; and imposed the penalty, which the act gave them
no power to reduce, of £195 upon the man Baxter. It
was announced by Mr. Aspinall on the part of the Corpo-
ration that it was not likely_ that they would move for the
execution of the warrant adistress granted agaiust Baxter.
The only difficulty would be with respect to the half of
the penalty, which the act awards to the informer, who is
one of the Wallow police.

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.