The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1845-08-05 00:00:00

DOCK COMMITTEE.-THURSDAY

Present, Messrs. Moore, (in the chair,) Nicol, Hough-
ton, Middleton, Molyneux, Wood, Horsfall, Henderson,
Aikin, Boyden, Tobin, Bold, Kendall, Smith, Sandbach,
Moon, Ripley, Evans, and Chilton,
It appeared from the minutes of the proceedings that a
special meeting of the committee was held on Wednesday,
when Mr. Wm. Cubitt attended, submitted his plan for
landing stages at the George's pier, and entered into a
long explanation respecting it. The committee resolved
that application should be made to the Lords of the
Admiralty, and the Conservatory of the river, to ascer-
tain their views as to not allowing piles to be driven into
the river ; that the plan be approved of, and that after
certain modifications, it be submitted to the Lords of
the Admiralty, in conformity with the 23rd section of
the Stta Victoria.—A conversation took place as to the
width of the gates of the new north steam docks. It was
orig'nally proposed that the two entrances should be 70
feet wide each ; Mr. Hartley believing that the screw
principle would be universally adopted, now proposed that
one of the entrances should be 50 feet wide, and the other
60 feet. The subject was again referred to the sub-com-
mittee. The report of dock and light dues from vessels
entering the port of Runcorn for the past month, was as
follows :—Vessels 250, tons 13,773, amount £6B 6s. The
return for the corresponding period of last year was :
Vessels 267, tons 14.000, amount £77 16s 9d.—lt was
ordered that an additional book-keeper should be ap-
pointed, at a salary of £lOO.
Mr. EVANS, whose cloudy features had, during the
proceedings; betokened the coming storm, now let out
the preliminary mutterings of the tempest, by remarking
that after business was over, he wished to make a few ob-
servations.
The CHAIRMAN immediately called order, and the
attack commenced.
Mr. EvANs;then said he had been attacked at the last
meeting in his absence.
Mr. TOBIN.—I beg pardon for interrupting, but I
think we ought not to allow any discussion here on this
subject. Mr. Evans has appealed to the public, which
has taken it away from our jurisdiction altogther, and I
beg to move that no discussion takes place after that.
In the letter there is one observation that gives all the
offence—the word impertinent—and I should have re-
turned it in the teeth of any person who made use of such
an expression. You (addressing the chairman) were
perfectly right in returning the letter, and as he appealed
to the public, I move that no discussion be allowed on
the subject.
Mr. NrcoL.—l very willingly second Mr. Tobin's
motion, without reference to the parties, the remarks that
have been made, or anything else. The time of the com-
mittee has been sufficiently occupied with the discussion
already. We are met here for other purposes, and ought
to hear no more on the subject.
Mr. EVANS.—It is a very great pity that that considera-
tion had not due weight when the chairman was allowed
to go on last week.
Mr. Nrcor..—He was called on.
Mr. EVANS.-It was an arrangement.
Mr. NlcoL.—We knew of no arrangement.
Mr. EVANS.—Called on or not, there were torrents of
abuse—

Mr. NlcoL.—l call on the Chairman to put the mo-
tion.

The CHAIRMAN.—SO far as I am individually con-
cerned, I do not wish to suppress any discussion of any
kind that refers to me. It is entirely for the committee
to decide as to the course they will pursue.
Mr. RIPLEY.—I beg leave to move that Mr. Evans be
heard. It is an act of injustice not to hear Mr. Evans.
Mr. SANDBACH.—Quite the contrary. The discussion
was commenced by Mr, Evans, and it was natural to sup-
pose that some notice should be taken of it last week by
the Chairman.

Mr. AIKIN.—The motion is put on the ground that
Mr. Evans, having written a letter to the public, has put
himself out of court. Now, I have not appealed to the
public, and the motion will not apply to me.
Mr. Nicon.—lt only requires a separate motion,
which I shall make, if necessary.
Mr. AlKlN.—Unfortunately, as the Chairman said last
week, our power and influence here are gone ; but if you
will not allow us to set the matter right, and, through the
press, give the necessary explanation, you will be doing :a
great injustice to the executive, and taking upon your-
selves great responsibility.
Mr. Nico L.—l am willing, for one, to take the re-
sponsibility. Further explanations can take place through
the press. We are. met here for certain purposes, and I
object to my time being taken up and the time of others
with such subjects ; and if Mr. Tobin's motion does not
cover the general principle, I beg leave to move that no
further discussion take place. My object is to save the
time of the committee.

Mr. Anursr advised Mr. Ripley not to press his amend-
merit, and hoped he would be allowed to ask the Secre-
tary to read the appointment of the Sub-committee for
the arrangement and establishment of the fort. Upon
this he would found some observations of importance,
and of immense advantage to the interests of the port.
Mr. NlcoL.—Mr. Aikin must give notice of such a
motion.

Mr. AIKIN.—This is no motion to rescind a law, or
to make a law. I want to know what is the position in
which we stand. The General Committee wishes to
know.

Mr. NrcoL.—The General Committee do not wish to
know. Until the General Committee put the question,
I object to the answer.
Mr. HORSFALL thought Mr. Aikin would see that that
would open the whole subject. It was entirely a perso-
ml one, and he hoped Mr. Aikin would not press it.
Mr. AlKlN.—Every man will see that the very party
guilty of personal allusions, and guilty of giving personal
offence is the Chairman. (No, no, no.) Speaking of
his dignity—of the dignity—of the chair! and of an un-
dignified attack upon him—a more undignified, gross, or
unjust attack never was made on two men than by him,
all out of a—

The remainder of the sentence was lost amidst loud
cries of " order, order," " chair, chair."
Mr. TonlN.—l beg this discussion be put an end to.
The CHAIRMAN said he was unwilling to interfere to
suppress anything respecting himself; and after reading
the motion was about to read the amendment, when
Mr. RIPLEY said, as it seems to be the wish of the
parties most deeply interested in this affair, I withdraw
the amendment.
The votes were then taken. For Mr. Tobin's amend-
ment the whole of the members present voted, with the
exception of Messrs. Aikin, Evans, Ripley, and the
Chairman, the latter saying, if he voted at all, he must
vote against the motion.
Mr. AIKIN.—It is a monstrous farce altogether.
Mr. ToßlN.—Every thing is a farce, except one or two
have all their own way.
Mr. AIKIN.—I am quite satisfied the public are aware
that absolute wisdom does not reign here. Where igno-
rance and apathy exist it is oontcnted—[The remainder of
the sentence was lust in the commotion which these un-
called for observations seemed to create.]