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

SHEDS

The reconstruction of the sub-committees was defer-
red till next week.

The committee then proceeded to the further consider-
ation of the plans for the new dock works. Mr. Royden
suggested that a committee be appointed to examine the
plans and that merchants and others should be allowed to
see them, in order that they might offer suggestions and
improvements. Mr. Horsfall approved of the appoint-
ment of a committee, but deprecated the great haste. He
said the plans would require a good deal of consideration.
Mr. Evans said the plans were nothing without estimates.
Mr. Nicol said the public could view the plans up to
Tuesday, and the committee could meet on Wednesday,
to decide upon, as they must be deposited on the last day
of this month. Mr. Horsfall did not know that they had
yet determined either for the north or sJuth, it was a mat-
ter of such importance that it ought not not to be bur-
tied. Mr. Evans objected to the calling in of any per-
son to assist their decisions. If there was any knowledge
existing as to the uses and erection of docks, that know-
ledge existed in that committee. He supposed they would
have to deal again with Mr. Gage and people of that sort,
who would only occupy their time uselessly. It was de-
termined that the committee should meet on Monday, at
two o'clock, specially to consider the plans to be submit-
ted by Mr. Hartley. _ _ _ _

Mr. EVANS mentioned that the customs had objected
to some windows in the new warehouses at the Albert
Dock, so that they would only have half the usual light
of bonded warehouses. He proposed that the surveyor
be requested to form a plan for the perfect admission of
light, by windows or otherwise into the warehouses at the
Albert Dock, such plans to provide for the security of
the revenue, and that the Committee of Works be re-
quested to take such steps as should obtain the co-opera-
tion of the Customs. The resolution was adopted unani-
mously.

The committee adjourned at a quarter after three
o'clock.

iy the Bank of
he 11th of No-

The CHAIRMAN, after stating the object of the meet-
ing, said, that he had received an urgent application from
the customs, and wished to know whether, before the
proceedings for which they had especially met, the com-
mittee would hear it read.—This being, after a short con-
versation, assented to, the secretary read the communi-
cation, which was signed by the collector, controller, and
inspector-general of customs. It was to the effect, that
in consequence of recent large importations of tobacco
into the port, and the quantity shortly expected, (3400
hhds.) they were desirous of renting for its reception three
of the transit sheds, in addition to those they already had,
and at the same rate.
Mr. EVANS said that the sheds could be readily cleared,
and, as the case was urgent, he thought the committee
ought to accede. There never had been so many as five
of the sheds occupied, and that only in a partial way. The
work done in the sheds might easily be more concentrated,
so that those wanted might be spared.
Mr. RIPLEY said lie was decidedly opposed to those
sheds being let to the customs. ale did not see what was
to prevent the parties from availing themselves of bonded
warehouses for tobacco, as well as others did for tea and
other articles which also paid a high duty. The fact of
the sheds being in requisition, and preferred, furnished a
proof of the necessity of building warehouses, &c. on the
quays. If they refused to let the sheds on this requi-
sition, there would probably be a complaint from the go-
vernment, and then there would be no difficulty (as we un-
derstood him) in obtaining their sanction for other build-
ings on the quays. He gave an instance of the great
facilities for loading and unloading afforded by these
sheds—stating that one of his own ships had, through
such accommodation been despatched for sea much
sooner than she otherwise would have been. He was op-
posed to the application, as he thought the shipowners
should have the benefit of these sheds.
Mr. AIKIN said they had already done wrong in letting
these sheds. They had been built as an experiment, with
a view fully to try their utility ; and it had been said, with
truth, in the Council, that they had not given them a fair
trial. If they devoted them to the permanent storage of
tobacco, ships might be detained for want of them, and
the experiment could not be fairly tri d if they were let
off. He believed, too, that no act of the Committee
could be of effect in the matter until it was approved and
passed by the Council.
It was here announced that the collector, Mr. Arnaud,
was in attendance, and some conversation took place as
to whether he should then be admitted,—which he was a
short time afterwards.
Mr. RIPLEY suggested that he should be informed that
the committee declined to grant the request, and proposed
a motion to the effect that they could not let any more
transit sheds to the Customs. This was seconded by Mr.
BOLD. . .

Mr. EVANS said, that as the application was in writing,
and the collector having come himself, perhaps that gen-
tleman had something additional to communicate.
Mr. BARCLAY said the letting of these sheds was alto-
gether bad, and he believed illegal. Nothing the collector
could state could remove the objections.
On the motion of Mr. EVANS, seconded by Mr. MID.
DLETON, and agreed to, the collector was then called in.
Mr. ARNAUD (the collector) stated that he was sorry to
be so importunate, but the case was one of urgency, as a
great quantity of tobacco was coming in, and more was ex-
pected. He had procured a statement relative to the
sheds, (which he produced,) from which it appeared that
five of them were now empty, and that several others of
them would be so in about a week.
Mr. neol wished to know from the collector whether
there existed any regulation to prevent tobacco from:going
into double security v ::n houses, or whether the applica-
tion was merely with a view to facilitate the trade.

Mr. ARNAUD said that he was not aware of any actual
regulation to the effect stated ' • but warehouses were not
suitable for the reception of tobacco, as it could not be
piled up in tiers, but bad to be spread out on the floor.
Nothing but sheds were fit for it, and the trade would
object to its being placed in warehouses. He would be
willing to make an arrangement to relinquish the sheds
let off as soon as the pressure had subsided ; and that
would not be far distant, as they were now clearing off 250
hhds. a week. He then retired, and the original motion
was put to the vote, when there appeared 15 for it, and 5
against it—so that the request was met by the negative.

PLANS OF THE PROPOSED NEW DOCKS

The CHAIRMAN said they had now to consider the plans
of the proposed dock extention and improvemerit, 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. HoRsFALL said 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 commiz-
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 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. Nicol, 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
had 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, be 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 objectious 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. Tonna-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
he bad 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. SH AND 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 expense.
Mr. AIKIN 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.)
lecrease of dinallv up the tow

the town