The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-01-18 00:00:00

TIE LlVlZrellit STANDARD.

LOCAL MEETINGS.

SELECT VESTRY.—On Tuesday a special meeting of
this body was held to consider the charges brought against
M. Bradshaw, one of the district medical officers, refer-
ring to his having brought fever patients to the outer door
of their cellars and houses, and questioned them there..
A number of persons who had been ill of fever were pre-
sent, and stated that Mr. Bradshaw had attended them-
and did not require them to be brought to the door, and
several medical gentlemen, including Mr. Batty, Dr.
Torbock, &c., were examined as to the mode of treatment
adopted by Mr. Bradshaw, and gave it as their opinion
that it was not advisable to bring such patients to the air
without having previously personally seen whether the
sick persons could hear it. Mr. Bradshaw then said a few
words in his defence, dwelling chiefly on the number of
patients he had to attend, upwards of 200, and the diffi—
culty he had in getting them to open their windows. He
admitted having adopted the practice complained of, but
was willing to abandon it. The vestry then, on this un-
derstanding, passed a resolution that Mr. Bradshaw be
continued in the offize.

WEST DERBY GUARDIANS.—On Wednesday, this
board held its usual weekly meeting. On the application
of some Irish paupers for relief, the Chairman said the
Board had come to the resolution, a few weeks ago, to
suspend giving relief to all those persons who had not re-
sided in the township of Toxteth-park beyond five years.
There was provision made for the poor in Ireland, and it
was, therefore, their intention to send all back who applied
here for relief. Mr. Lathom, relieving-officer, reported
that he had been presented with a bill, amounting to £1
19s. fitl., for ale and porter for a female who had been a
patient in the fever ward. Upon inquiry, he found that
thr allowance was ordered by Mr. Kenyon, the house-
surgeon, and that for six weeks after she had become con-
valescent she was in the receipt of a pint of ale per day..
A conversation ensued upon the matter, some of the mem-
bers complaining of the present system of granting such
allowances, and it was requested that in future the house-
surgeon should apprize the relieving-officer of those re-
quiring such necessaries, and that he should see after their
administration. An assistant to the master of the work-
house, during his indisposition, was appointed, and the
master was granted a fortnight's leave of absence.
DOCK COMMITTEE, THURSDAY.—There were present
Mr. Moore (in the chair) and sixteen other members. It
was agreed to let some land on the west of th" Brunswick
dock to Messrs. Chaloner and Fleming—the committee to
resume possession at any time, and the land to remain in
the tenants' possession until the Ist of May only, under a
penalty.—lt appeared from the annual return, that last
year there had passed inwards and outwards through the
North and Victoria Channels, 28,555 vessels, and through
the Rock Channel, 8471. During the same period, 4897
gallons of oil had been burnt at the light-houses and light-
ships, and 13,264 wicks. Mr. William Gellard was ap-
pointed master of George's Dock, at a salary of £250 a
year and a house.—An additional berth was appointed in
the south-east corner of the Coburg Dock for the Halifax
and Boston steamers.—A letter was read from Captain
Christie, of the Princess, Dublin Mail steamer, requesting
to be paid the expenses of furnishing a model and draw-
ings of the new landing stage, on the ground that the
principle adopted by Mr. Cubitt wes exactly the same as
that submitted by the applicant, who was an unsuccessful
candidate for the prize. The exception is that, in Capt.
Christie's plan, but two ranges of pontoons (to float
the stage) were suggested, ranging with the current
of the tide, up and down, while Mr. Cubitt's pontoons
are numerous, and cross the tide at right angles in its rise
and tall. The Chairman said that the Committee had
acted with great liberality in giving the prizes, for they
had given them to parties whose plans were not adopted.
He did not think the question should be re-opened, and
the committee, concurring in this, did not entertain the
proposition.--The Chairman requested the sub-commit-
tees to furnish a list of what printing and stationery they
would require during the next twelve months, as nearly as
they could, to enable the Committee to ascertain whether,
as was done by the Corporation, it could be contracted
for.—Mr. Mann said the principal returns would come
from the treasurer's office and the Albert Dock-office.
The matter was of great importance, as last year the cost
of printing, stationery, and advertising amounted to
£sooo.—Mr. Tobin said Mr. Mann,s objection to the
present plan seemed to be that there had been a great
deal of canvassing. Why, there was not an office for
which there not canvassing ! Even for the Mayor there
was canvassing, and also for members of parliament. He
thought it was making a great deal about nothing.—The
Dock Bill came next to be considered, and the Chairman
was called upon to explain. He said the Parliamentary
Committee would have to be instructed as to whe-
ther their labours would be limited to the oppo-
sition of certain most outrageous clauses in the Bir-
kenhead Dock Bill, or whether any further efforts
should be made for going on with their own. They
should either make some further appeal to the Coun-
cil, or place something on their minutes to show they
wished to apply to parliament. If they went to parlia-
ment, and asked for more time, they would be discharging
their obligation. The position in which they were placed
was simply this: they went to the Council, asking for
£200,000 to build warehouses. The objection in Council
was, that that sum was too little. Some said they ought
to ask for £500,000, others said £BOO,OOO, and some went
as far as a million. The committee afterwards asked for
£300,000, and they were thrown back on account of the
omission of the rating clause. The Council then passed a
resolution, restricting the measures for which they should
be allowed to go to parliament, or, rather, for which they,
as trustees, should go. The committee then altered their
bill, in strict accordance with the resolution of the Council,
(except the enabling clause to treat for the North Shore,)
and, after four hours' debate, the bill was thrown out on
the spur of the moment, on a resolution brought forward
there and then. He (the Chairm.n) was anxious the
Committee should stand in a correct position, and that
they should be fully and fairly exonerated from the charge
of breaking faith, in not going to parliament. The other
objects in the bill were of sufficient importance to go to par-
liament for, and were necessaryfor the working of the docks.
They had purchased £lOO,OOO (for which they might now
have to pay double the sum) worth of property, and, if
they did not proceed, that would stand idle. It was
important that they could appropriate the warehouses
free of rent. If they went to parliament to oppose the
Birkenhead bill, their non-compliance with the recent
act would be thrown in their teeth in the Parliamentary
Committee, where the most unmeasured language was
made use of. The Dock Solicitor was of opinion that
the proceedi_igs were within the acts. Many of the
Council must have voted in ignorance of the facts.—Mr.
Holt suggested, and the Chairman concurred, that if the
speaker of the House of Commons were applied to, and
the rating clause inserted, all difficulty would be got
over. If not, the Chairman thought that, by the addition
of two words, the powers of the Albert Dock Act might
be extended to the new bill. The Chairman subse-
quently added, that they had delayed the making of the
Harrington Dock solely on account of the enormous
pressure on the timber trade. They had gone to the
expense of between £5,000 and £6,000 in making their
plant, with engine-house, which remained unproductive.
—Mr. Henderson thought the question had been fully
argued, and decided by so overwhelming a majority,
that the Council would again throw out the bill. .The
Chairman said they could not calculate what the deci-
sion of the Council would be, as they had already passed
two resolutions diametrically opposed to each other.
After some further conversation, the following resolution,
which was proposed by Mr. Shand, and seconded by Mr.
Sandbach, was carried, Mr. Tobin and Mr. Henderson only
dissenting :—" That this committee, being desirous of
keeping faith with the Legislature, and conceiving it of
great importance to proceed to Parliament during the
present session, in compliance with the 60th section of
the 9th and 10th Victoria, refer it to the Parliamentary
Sub-committee to frame such a bill as may best meet the
exigencies of the case as it now stands, and to extend the
provisions of the existing acts." Mr. Wood retired before
the division took place.

COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

The adjourned meeting of the Council was held on
Tuesday, when the proceedings of the Courts of Law and
St. George's-hall Committee were read by the Town-
clerk. The committee recommended that these buildings
be insured against fire in the sum of £lo,ooo.—Mr. J. B.
LLOYD, in moving the confirmation of the proceedings,
thanked the Mayor, on behalf of the committee, for the
feeling manner in which his worship had announced the
death of Mr. Elmes, the architect.—The proceedings
were confirmed.

The proceedings of the Markets Come ittee comprised
recommendations to appoint Mr. Abraham Luya as super-
intendent to St. John's Market, and the markets con-
nected therewith, at the salary of 1:250 per annum ; Mr.
Isaac Hutchinson, as superintendent of St. James's,
Cleveland-square, and Gill-street Markets, at the salary
of £225 per annum ; Mr. James Stonehouse, as super-
intendent of St. Martin's, Pownall-square, the Hay and
Pig Markets, at the salary of £lBO per annum.
The proceedings of the Gaol and House of Correction
Committee were read. It appeared from these proceed-
ings, that the Mayor having communicated to the com-
mittee certain reports relative to the officers of the gaol,
a committee, consisting of Mr. Rushton and others, was
appointed to investigate the circumstances. The com-
mittee reported tl-at the gaol contained 890 prisoriers ;
and the Town-clerk was authorised to ascertain whether
prisoners from Liverpool could be accommodated at any
of the other gaols in the country.
The Town-hall Establishment Committee reported that
they saw no reason whatever to alter the resolution they
had adopted last year, of refusing the use of the Town-
hall to the Liverpool Licensed Victuallers' Association
for their annual ball, and they resolved that the applica-
tion sent in this year by that association, for the u.,e of
the hall for the same purpose, be respectfully declined.
The Town-clerk read a memorial from the Licensed
Victuallers' Association, signed " Timothy Parkinson,
chairman," requesting the Council to reconsider their
application of the 25th November, for the use of the
Town-hall rooms for their annual charity ball, and ex-
pressing a hope that a deputation from that association
might be permitted to meet the committee, with a view
to an explanation of any misunderstanding, and a reversal
of the decision of the Council.—lt was resolved to refer
the matter back to the committee.

The proceedings of the Ileag
Committee, including
wash-houses and baths, comprised a recommendation to.
accept the tender of William Rose to cleanse middens
and ash-pits for five years, at £10,400 per annum ; a re-
solution that it is not desirable or expedient to admit re-
porters to the meetings of the committee ; a resolution
that all sewers applied for, which the engkieer reports
compatible with the general arrangemeti., be proceeded
with upon the applicants' advancing the requisite funds,
upon the terms and at the rate the Council are then
paying for loans on the sewer rate; a resolution that it he
recommended to the Council to adopt the public act for
establishing baths and wash-houses, and to raise a sum
not exceeding £25,000 for the purposes of the act, it being
competent to the Council to pay the interest oh such sum
annually out of the surplus income ; and a recommenda-

tion that Dr. Duncan be required to devote himself ex-
clusively to the duties of his office, and that his salary be
£750 per annum.
Mr. PARKER moved that reporters be admitted. to. the
weekly meetings of the Health Committee, so far.as re-
gards public business. Mr. WALTHEW seconded the
motion. Mr. RATHBONE was sorry to be obliged to give
the motion a direct negative. The Council divided, when
there appeared, for the motion, 20 ; against it, 24; The
motion was cousequently lost.
After some discussion, upon the motion of Mr. Lace,
seconded by Mr. Harbord, the salary of £750 was granted
to. Dr. Duncan.

Upon the motion of Mr. Lace, the proceedings ofothe
Water Committee were postponed. In moving their
postponement, Mr. Lace took occasion to observe that the
Council would be glad to hear there was more than the
expected sufficiency of water at Rivington Pike. Mr.
Hawksley reported that he thought he should be able to
procure 23,500,000 gallons daily. The actual quantity,
measurement, daring the last twelve months, was now
ascertained to be 24,000,000 gallons, being half a milllion
more than Mr. Hawksley's estimate.

Mr. LACE then moved the next portion of the proceed-
ings, which related to the erection of baths and wash-
houses. It was proposed to the Council to adopt the pub-
lic Act for establishing baths and washhouses, and to raise
a surn not exceeding £25,000 for the purpose of the Act,
it being competent to the Council to pay the interest. on
such sum, annually, out of the surplus income of the
Corporation.
As Mr. Parker had a iistinct motion on the subject, he
withdrew it, on the understanding that the payment of
the interest should be made obligatory on the borough
fund, and that the interest be paid for this year out of the
surplus income of the Corporation.—Agreed to.
Mr. S. HOLME then moved that the salary of Mr.
Rushton be raised from £l3OO to £l6OO, He said that
he was not sorry that the increase proposed last year was
not made, because it had given him an opportunity of
making himself acquainted with the routnie of the.busi-
ness of the police-court. Since then he had made himself
acquainted with the nature of that gentleman's duties,
and conceiving that he had last year committed•an act of
injustice to that gentleman, he felt it to be his duty now to
come forward and do an act of justice to an honourable
man who discharged his duty in such a way as to reflect
the utmost credit on the town at large. Mr. Holme then
entered, into a minute detail of the nature, extent and
complicated character of the multifarous business which
was transacted in the court of the stipendiary magistrate.
He believed it was a fact that from the judgments of that
gentleman very few criminals escaped—a convincing proof
that his judgments are a great saving to the town.
(Hear. hear.) He then read an extract from a private
letter from a baronet in London, with a view of proving
that Mr. Rushton transacted more business than any two
of the London magistrates. The prudence and sagacity
of Mr. Rushton had caused the withdrawal of many
clauses from acts of parliament, which, if allowed to be
carried out, would have been very injurious to the bur-
gesses at large. He thought that it was his duty and the
duty of the Council to defer, in particular to the opinion
which they entertained of Mr. Rushton. It was of the
utmost importance for them to retain the services of such
a man as Mr. Rushton, for if he were removed it would be
a loss, not only to the magistracy of the town, but it would
be a loss which would be felt by the Corporation itself.
In conclusion, he would state to the Council that the vote
which he gave last year was in ignorance of a great many
of the details of the business connected with his office,
and such being the case he would leave the matter in the
hands of the Council, by moving the resolution of which
he bad given notice.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE begged leave to second the mo-
tion.
Mr. COOPER thought they had no right to vote away
the public money in such a manner. He thought that the
present salary of Mr. Rushton was quite sufficient for any
stipendiary magistrate. He thought that they should
have two courts, and that the business of one of them
should be presided over by the borough magistrates. He
then proceeded to read several extracts from Mr. Holme's
former speech, with the view of showing the consistency
between it and that which he had just made. He (Mr.
Holme) had told them, in his speech of last year, that the
press was very useful for preserving people's speeches, and
keeping them in pickle; and he (Mr. Cooper) hoped that
the press would keep this speech of Mr. Holme's in pickle
—(hear, and laughter.)—in order that the public might
know what dependence could be placed on their great
guns.
Mr. PARKER regretted that he was not in possession of
a copy of a speech delivered by Mr. Holme when this sub-
ject was last before the Council, for since then Mr. Holme
seemed to have found the philosopher's stone, or to have
discovereu perpetual motion, or to have made some other
great and grand discovery, the change which had come
over his views was so very extraordinary and unaccount-
able. _ _ _ _

The MAYOR confessed that bad the present proposition
been to raise Mr. Rushton's salary to £lBOO he should
support it. He admitted that he like Mr. liolme had op-
posed the grant of £5OO additional last year ; hut now he
knew more of Mr. Rushton's duties than he did then, and
he had experienced the value of Mr. Rushton's services
during the short time he had been in office. Seeing that
the majority of the Council were decidedly in favour of the
present motion, he thought it would only be an act of
courtesy to Mr. Rushton if it were allowed to psss unani-
mously. (Applause, and cries of " Vote.")
The Council divided, when there appeared—for the mo-
tion, 33 ; against it. 15.
For—Messrs. Walthew, Woodruff, Rathbone, Preston,
Morris, Evans, Stitt, Hill, Hornby, Aikin, Holt, Tinne,
Harbord, Rogers, S. Holme, Tobin, Gardner, W. Earle,
Plumpton. C. H. Lawrence, J. ooker. Lae, Watson,
Jones, T. Lloyd, Benn, Mann, Swainson, Holmes, J.
Lawrence, Brancker, Nicol, and the Mayor.
Against—Messrs. Littledale. Horsfall, Henderson, Ro-
binson, Toulmin, Rimmer, Roydon, Danson, J. B. Lloyd,
Bennett, Parker, Hodgson, Cooper, Wood, and Procter.
The Council then proceeded to the election of an alder-
man, in the place of the late Alderman Bushby.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE moved the appointment of Mr.
J. H. Turner, which was seconded by Mr. J. Lawrence.
Mr. Alderman HonGsoN moved that Mr. Francis Shand
be appointed, which was seconded by Mr. Booker.
The Council divided, when there appeared—For Mr.
Turner, 25 ; for Mr. Shand 17. Mr. Turner was accord-
ingly declared duly elected.