The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-01-09 00:00:00

bers in their respective places.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.
The Deputy Town-clerk, after having read the minutes
of the last meeting, submitted the proceedings of the Ft-
nance Committee, which comprised a recommendation
for the payment of the following subscrptions and gratui-
ties .—The Dispensaries, £157 10s. ; the Northern Hos-
pital, £100; the Southern Hospital, £lOO • the Opthal-
mic Institution, £3O; the Refuge for the Destitute, £25;
the Botanic Garden, £100; and the Royal Institution,
£lOO. It appeared from the proceedings that Mr. Cole
had offered £lOOO per statute acre for a piece of land
lying west of Gill-brook, in Cheshire, containing 80
statute acres, and that, in his letter, he wished to know
whether the committee were willing to sell the land at
Seacombe, on the opposite side of the pool. In a second
communication from Mr. Cole he amended his offer for
the 80 statute acres, by tendering £l2OO, instead of £lOOO
aper statute acre. In reply, the committee stated that
they did not feel themselves justified in accepting his offer
without again advertising the sale of the land by tender;
and they recommended advertisements to be accordingly
inserted in the local papers. The committee reported,
that, in their opinion, the central dock station could not
be given up for the purposes of a sailors' home, because
of its excellent situation and other advantages, without
occasioning inconveniences and pecuniary loss; and they
directed the surveyor to report whether any other build-
ing could be appropriated to those purposes. It further
appeared that a sub-committee had investigated the
accounts of the Corporation, and that the result of their
labours was to the effect, that the nett annual income,
from all sources, could not be estimated for the current
year at more than £130,650, and the expenditure at not
less than £127,798, leaving a grand suplus of £2,852.
Allowing £2,212 for the public charities and other discre-
tionary sources of expenditure, the nett surplus would
only amount to £640. The committee then proceeded to
urge the necessity of using the utmost economy in the
management of the estate, and said this was the more
incumbent in order to prevent the laying of a gaol rate
upon the inhabitants, now that the council were required,
under the act of 1842, to proceed with the George's Pier,
the Assize Courts, and the New Prison. The committee,
in conclusion, reported that the Governor and Company
of. the Bank of England had offered the sum of £19,500
for the Queen's Arms Hotel, Castle-street, and that the
Commercial Bank had agreed to pay £lOOO for the re-
moval of the arch-way attached to the hotel and leading
into Cook-street. _ _

Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE, in moving the confirmation of

the proceedings, said, he thought it his duty, in the first
instance, to allude to the offer which the committee had
received for the Queen's Arms Hotel from the Bank of
England. Negotiations for the sale had been for some
time pending; and negotiations had also been going on
with the Commercial Bank for the advantages that that
bank would derive from increased access to Cook-street •,
but it was only on Friday last that those negotiations had
been brought to a successful issue. He considered it a
most important and advantageous sale. The Queen's
arms would thus be sold, subject to the approval of the
council, for the sum of £20,500. In addition to this,
£l,OOO would be received from the Commercial Blnk, in
consideration of the privileges they would enjoy by the
removal of the arch-way; but as that sum would go in
reduction of the sum the Bank of England was to pay,
the whole proceeds of the sale would amount to £20,500.
The building, which stood upon 1,0394 yards, would thus
be disposed of as freehold property ; and by this sale the
Bank of England would not only be brought into a more
central and convenient situation, but the council would
also effect what had long been desired, the widening of
Cook-street, for the arch was to be abandoned and
street enlarged. He hoped the sale would be confirmed ;
and although the property was to be sold freehold, yet he
believed the treasurer would have no hesitation in acce-
ding to the request of the council in the manner proposed.
(Hear.) With respect to the payment of the usual grant
of £157 10s. to the Dispensaries, he wished to mention
that a memorial had been presented to the council praying
for an additional subscription for those institutions, and
that the committeehad received communications imploring
a further sum of money. He should be willing to strain
a point in order to comply with those requests, but it
was quite impossible in the present state of the finances.
The fear of the committee was, lest they should be
obliged to come and ask the council not to give any money
at all to the charities. He felt that it was a reproach to
the town that charities so much deserving of support
should be languishing for want of aid ; but he hoped that
when the subject was fairly represented to the community
they would see the necessity of supporting the Dispensa-
ries, which were the most valuable public charities in the
town. (Hear.) He then proposed the payment of the
several subscriptions and gratuities above detailed.
Mr. MOORE thought that, with a nett surplus income
of only £640, they might withhold their subscriptions
from the Botanic Gardens and Royal Institution, if those
were places in which the public at large did not partici-
pate. How did the public participate in the Royal Insti-
tution? (" It is open.") Yes, it was open once a month ;
but how did the public participate in its advantages? He
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when he said the public derived no advantages from the
Botanic Gardens and Royal Institution ; for no fewer than
2500 persons every month frequented the Royal Institu-
tion, which was as good an establishment of the kind as
any out of London. lie hoped the Museum and Gallery
of Arts would be thrown open to the public. He was op-
posed to the withdrawal of the grants at present, thinking
that the parties ought, at least, to get a year's notice.
(Hear.)
Mr. Nicol, asked the quantity of land already sold at
Birkenhead—the quantity unsold—the lineal extent of
pool-frontage sold and unsold, and the quality of the sea-
wall required to be constructed by the tenants?
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE, after having referred the mem-
bers to a map of the estate which lay upon the table, said
that they bad sold altogether about 275,000 square yards.
Those were not all recent sales ; for 18,000 yards on the
Seacombe side of the river had been sold some time ago
to Mr. Bibby. Those 275,000 yards had a frontage to the
river generally, with the exception of 42,000 yards sold to
Mr. Brownrigg : they were, wht.t he considered, river
lots. The council had not sold any land to the west of
Mr. Pim's. The quantity unsold was about 600,000 square
yards.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE said, in answer to Mr. Alder-
man Nicol, that the whole of the land abutted the pool,
though some of it extended a good way back toward Bid-
ston Hill, and that in round numbers £145,000 was to be
received for the property sold. And in answer to the same
gentleman, the Town-Clerk stated, that the purchasers
were bound to erect a substantial sea-wall in front of the
land.
Mr. EVANS noticed the remark of Mr. Moore, that the
expenditure of the corporate funds ought to have the
whole of the community in view, and said that he would
like to see Mr. Moore a member of the Education Com-
mittee, where such liberal opinions were very much
wanted.
Mr. MOORE considered that the cases were not anala-
gous ; for, while the Corporation Schools were open to
all, the Royal Institution, he contended, was not open to
all, except upon one day in the month.
Mr. HODGSON was desirous of confirming the grant,
believing that the benefits conferred were adequate to the
expenditure. He contended that the corporate funds were
not in such a deplorable condition as to render it impos-
sible for them to eke out the sum mentioned. He agreed
in the principle laid down, that they were called upon to
expend for the public good ; but he conceived that to with-
hold a scriptural education, and to attempt to introduce
the poison of infidelity and Socinianism, would be the
most deplorable system that could be pursued. God's
blessing could not be on it, and confusion and error would
be the consequence.
Mr. NORTH contended, for reasons which he could not
state publicly, that the sale of the Cheshire property by
tender was not the course best calculated to obtain the
highest price. Nothing was easier, in matters of the kind,
than a confederation of half-a-dozen.
Mr. PARKER thought that if the Finance Committee
had consulted Mr. North and others, whose knowledge
of Cheshire people and Cheshire tricks was considerable,
the council would be in a different position from what it
was at present. They all knew what a mighty bubble
had lately risen up on the other side of the water. The
Mr. Cole who had made the tender for the SO acres was
a commissioner of Birkenhead; and no doubt the pur-
chase of those 80 acres was part of the mighty plan. He
wished to know whether the £5 deposit on the Cheshire
purchases was secure ?
The TOWN-CLERK replied in the affirmative, and said
there wee no fear of the dep./at. ,
Mr. PARKER then asked what the Finance Committee
had done on the subject of the town-dues which had been
referred to them ? He wished this important question to
be placed on a firm basis ; and if the chairman of the Fi-
nance Committee did not allude to it,he would give notice
for a special committee of the council to go into the ques-
tion at once, for it ought not to be postponed. (Hear.)
Mr. ISAAC Hot.MES said, he did not view the state of
the corporate finances in the gloomy light in which others
appeared to regard it. There would be a nett balance of
£640; £145,000 would be raised by the sale of the Che-
shire property ; 600,000 square yards were still to be sold ;
and the site of the borough gaol would bring in a deal of
money : so that, in fact, their prospects were perfectly
flattering. (A laugh.) Wby, a more brilliant prospect
had never been offered to any corporation! (Laughter.)
There would be half a million of money coming into their
coffers in the course of about twelve months. They were
in a very brilliant situation indeed ; and there was no
occasion for them to withdraw their subscriptions from
the Botanic Garden and the Royal Institution.
Mr. BIRKETT reminded the council that the report
already read gave an estimate merely of the probable re-
ceipts and the expenditure of the present year, and that
the interest on the Cheshire sales had been taken into the
estimation. They could not realise the money from the
borough gaol until the new gaol was built; and they all
knew that a gaol could not be built in a night. They
could only calculate on half-a-year's interest on the Che-
shire sales.
Mr. MOORE asked whether the materials were included
in the sale of the Queen's Arms.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE replied in the affirmative.
Mr. AIKIN was disappointed that reasons had not been
assigned why, the central dock station was not assigned
for a Sailors Home. He had good reasons for knowing
the grounds upon which the Watch Committee had re-
fused the central station, than which there was not a more
desirable building in the town for the required purpose.
It was because of the site, because of the size, because of
its expense, and, also, because they thought the sailors
might be accommodated anywhere else equally well. He
hoped the demand heretofore made fur the building by a

large number of highly-respectable inhabitants, would not
be resisted, and that the subject would be referred back.
Mr. TuaNEa said• the report of the committee gave a
complete answer to all Mr. Aikin had advanced, and that,
in his opinion, any situation would answer for a Sailors'
Home.

Mr. THORNHILL thought it highly necessary that the
Head Constable should live in the immediate contieuity
of the Town-hall, and that Mr. Aikin ought not to have
imputed improper motives to the Watch Committee,
when they had given an opinion to the best of their jndg-
ment.

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The Mayor and Mr. Blackburn having given it as
their opinions that improper motives had not been attri-
buted.
Mr. Atxrx said, that some had dared to impute words
to him which he had never uttered, and that it was in
their own imagination the improper motives existed, and
nowhere else.
The standing orders having been suspended, the follow-
ing resolution, proposed by Sir Thomas Brancker, was
unanimously adopted ;—" That it be an instruction to the
Finance Committee to proceed with the sale of the Queen's
Arm., as freehold of inheritance, for £19,500, exclusive
of £lOOO to be obtained from the Commercial Bank, for
removing the arch-way in Cook-street."
Mr. G. H. Lawrence then replied. He thought the
committee had acted wisely and judiciously in the sale of
the land at Birkenhead, and that they would be in a much
better position now for watching the Birkenhead Bill in
Parliament. There were tenders then in the Town-
hall for an additional quantity of the land, but they were
as yet unopened, in order to ascertain first whether the
Council would receive tenders or not. He was in favour
of tenders on financial and public grounds ; and he could
assure them, that if it had not been for the sale of the
Birkenhead land, it might have been his duty to come
down and tell them, not only that they could not support
their schools and public charities, but that they should
lay on a borough rate. It was all very well to talk of
pleasing prospects. They had no right to speculate on
futurity. They should recollect the enormous debt they
would have to contract for the borough gaol and the as-
size courts. (Hear.) He had a word to say on the sub-
ject of the Town-dues. That subject had been referred
to the Finance Committee. It had engrossed the atten
tion of a sub-committee for many days. They had con-
sulted parties, and they had had legal opinions. The re-
sult of their labours was now in his hands. The report
had not yet been presented to the Finance Committee;
but in case the latter should approve of it, his own im-
pression was that they would at once act upon the recom-
mendations of the sub-committee, and that Mr. Corrie
would be at once instructed to carry out their views. In
all probability, it would not be necessary that the matter
should be again brought before the Council.—(Hear.)—
If the Birkenhead Bill was what he expected it to be, the
Council would oppose it. If it assailed the property of
the Corporation and the town-dues it would be opp3sed.
—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. NORTH moved, as an amendment, that the pro-
ceedings be confirmed, except so much thereof as relate
to the continuation of the sales of the Wallasey estate by
tender, the Council being of opinion that all such public
sales, if any, should be by public auction.
Mr. TURNER seconded the amendment.
The council divided, when there appeared for Mr.
North's amendment, 24; against it, 20: majority, 4.
For.—Messrs. Thornhill, Chalmer, Preston, Thomp-
son, Edwards, North, Aikin, Tinne, Sothern, Royden,
G. G. Hornby, Kilshaw, Parker, Plumpton, Lace, Her-
bord, R. Houghton (ald.), Bailey, J. Lawrence, Turner,
Crook, Moore, Molyneux, and Evans.
Against.—Messrs. Hodgson, Shaw, I. Holmes, Black-
burn, Hornby, H. Holmes, J. Holmes, Birkett, Wood,
G. H. Lawrence, Leigh, Trotman, Sheppard, Barclay,
Smith, Sir T. Brancker, Holt, Nicol, Moon, and the
Mayor.
Mr. Hominy moved, as an amendment, that in all fur-
ther sales the property shall be first offered to public
competition.
Mr. BULLEY seconded the amendment.
Mr. Nicol., said the plain English of the matter was,
whether the Corporation should sell the land, or whether
Parliament should sell it for them.
Mr. EVANS said, that if he thought the tenders were
open and uncombined he should be in favour of the sale
in that manner, instead of by auction. He recollected on
one occasion when Mr. Shiel got up and interfered with
most admirable sales of property with the same proposi-
tion that they must have au auction. And what was the
consequence of that auction ? Why, that they bad lostlower
their private offers, and that they had to accept
a iae
rices fter the abortive auction hadtaken
place. (Hear, heara
.)
Mr. HoDusoN alluded to the sanguine speculations
which existed, in the present state of the money market,
with respect to every description of property, and said
that while he should go on offering the land for sale, he
would exercise his judgment as to whether he would sell
or not.
Mr. BIRKETT said, that if they failed in making favour-
able sales now, their successors would feel the ill effects
of their supineness hereafter.
Mr. PARKER thought the bubble on the other side of
the water would speedily burst. (A laugh.) They all
knew what it was to build castles in the air, but it had
been left to the Commissioners of Birkenhead to build
docks in the air. (Great laughter.)
The amendment moved by Mr. Hugh Hornby haying
been withdrawn,
Mr. Nicol. moved an amendment to the effect, that the
proceedings of the Finance Committee be confirmed, with
the exception of that part which related to the Birkenhead
tenders, which is confirmed, with an instruction that the
tenders be submitted to the council at a meeting on Thurs-
day, accompanied by a report of the Finance Comm:nee
thereon.
The council divided, when there appeared for Mr. Ni-
col's amendmene, 27; against it, 14: majority, 13.
Mr. NrcoL's amendment was accordingly declared to
have been carried; and the remainder of the proceedings
were confirmed.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE moved the appointment of an
officer for the collection of the dock penalties, in the place
of Richard Robinson, deceased, at a salary not exceeding
£llO a year ; and the allowance, under special circum-
stance, of the enrolment of the indentures of apprentice-
ship of William L. Alexander and John Gardner White.
Agreed to.