The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-11-28 00:00:00

PLANS OF THE PROPOSED NEW DOCKS

committee adjourned at a quarter after three

th of No-

ing a decrease of
month, and an

The CHAIRMAN said they had now to consider the plans
of the proposed dock extention and improvement, which
at the request 'of the Committee had been drawn by the
Surveyor. In order that the Council might proceed to
Parliament, it was necessary to decide upon it that day,
so that they might be deposited by the 30th of the
month.
Mr. TOBIN said he presumed their approving of the
plans before them, would not prevent any alterations that
might be found desirable hereafter.
Mr. HoitsFALCsaid that such decision would not pre-
vent slight alterations in detail ; but it was, he thought,
quite impossible to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion that
day. The subject was one which required much consi-
deration. The proposed docks on the other side of the
river would have a particular bearing on the subject, and
he strongly disapproved of rushing to a conclusion in
haste. A calculation had been made, and the cost of the
docks (North and South) would probably be above a.
million-and-a-half. This was a great expenditure, and
ought to be well considered. The Wallasey docks, he
had no doubt, would be made, and they would have a
material effect on those on this side. In the whole course
of his observation, he had never known such plans con-
sidered and decided upon without two or three days pre-
vious notice. He should therefore move that a commit.-
tee—as large or as small as they thought proper—should
be appointed maturely to deliberate and report upon them ;
and their recommendation should have its full weight with
them in finally deciding. He was sure such a committee
would not lose sight of the expense—which had also a
material bearing on the matter. If they went to a great
expense, so that the bondholders might become alarmed,
it would be the more necessary to proceed with caution.
He should therefore move that a committee be appointed,
who when their minds were made up should make their
report.
Mr. Nicot said he was always sorry to differ from Mr.
Horsfall, but if this motion were acceded to, it would over-
throw all operations for a considerable time ; for if the
plans were not given in within the specified period they
could not proceed with the works. If any thing presented
to his mind a higher inducement than another to go for..
ward, it was what had been said (as we understood him)
of the proposed docks on the other side. To show the
parties there that they (on this side) were going on, was
the best way to prevent the construction of docks yonder.
As a private opinion of his own, he would say, that what
bad been done at the other side appeared to him to be for
the purpose of merely increasing the value of land there.

If there was any reason stronger than another for them

(the committee) to proceed, it was this. Mr. Horsfall
had not, he believed, examined the plans now before them.
They were at best no more than calculated for carrying
out the principle, and might be altered in detail at any
time. Then certainly there was the expense. The whole
docks might cost the sum stated to finish them ; but the
dates of payment, and the different periods of completion
of the several parts of the works, might be so arranged as
to remove the objections entertained on this point. In
order to go on, it was necessary that the plans should be
deposited on or before the 30th instant. He, therefore,
moved that the plans should be adopted.
Mr. TOBIN seconded the motion. There was, he said,

clearly a want of dock room even now, and it would take
four years to build those proposed. Recent instances had
occurred in which ships entering the river had to go from
dock to dock, finding the balls and flags up, before they
could find dock room. As to the Cheshire docks he did not
think any of them would live so long as to see them com-
pleted. He was sorry so much tobacco had been brought,
but it was a vile pernicious article, and he heartly wished
Father Mathew would take it in hand, and deal with it as
be had done with the whiskey. (A laugh.) The Albert
Dock would not accommodate so many vessels as was
supposed ; and if they did not go on now with the plans
of the new docks, they would lose the opportunity that
presented itself, and be thrown back another year. If
they stopped, indeed, they ought to be turned out, and
others would be found who would carry the measure
out. Additional docks were called for in all directions ;
and before those proposed could be finished, more would
be wanted. It had been said that there were many ships
on sale taking up room in the docks. This had always
been the case since he could remember, for we had always
vessels on sale from America, and the Isle of Man. He
concluded by expressing a hope that the committee would
proceed with the plans, and thus meet the wants of the
town. - - - -

Mr. BARCLAY alluded to what had fallen from Mr.
Nicol relative to the proposed large dock in Cheshire being
a reason for going on—so that (as he understood him)
such a project on the other side might be arrested.
Mr. NicoL explained that if he so expressed himself,
he went further than he intended. He did not mean to
put a stop to them.
Mr. BARCLAY said the next question was that of mo-
ney. If they proceeded to financial statements, he
thought it should be done with closed doors.
The CHAIRMAN concurred.
Mr. AIKIN said the financial statement of the estate
was clear, and ought to go forward to the public. If they
were going to spend two millions, or a million and a-half,
on these intended docks, the fact should be known to
those interested.

Mr. ROYDEN said that ships would come to the river,
and if they could get docked on the Lancashire side they
must go to Cheshire.
Mr. RIPLEY put it to the meeting whethet it was pos-
sible to investigate or recommend a plan without having
the estimates ?

Mr. SHAND said the plan was hurriedly got up.
Mr. Nicol, said the surveyor was instructed to prepare
what, in his opinion, would be a sufficient accommodation,
and here were the plans, without reference to the cxpense.
Mr. AIRIN said they had no business to look at any
plans until they knew the cost. Unless they allowed the
financial part to be taken into account, they could not
proceed. The surveyor was directed to make certain
plans. He (Mr. A.) saw in them docks running longitu-
dinally up the town, in place of running along the town
, I The gre-
- I-'
ti the same period the

ck charges as low as possible. (Hear.) If otir I milar terms. Odds and sirloins, la
nesent docks were properly worked, the accommodation I larder !—Dublin Mail.