The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-01-13 00:00:00

IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE

The proceedings of the Improvement Committee were
neat read. There was nothing of importance in them.
Mr. SAMUEL HOLME moved the confirmation of the pro-
ceedings. There was a great disinclination on the part of a
number of the tenants of the property purchased by the cor-
poration in Lime-street, to delay taking steps for their re-
moval. He (Mr. Holme) begged to state that it was the
intention of the Improvement Committee, as the corpora-
tion had already paid for a large portion of the property upon
the western side of the street, to forward the widening of the
street as much as possible. Notices bad been served upon
most of th?, tenants to leave their premises ; and
the Improvement Committee had advertised the sale of
the materials of the premises in their hands, and it was their
intention to give the public the benefit of the improvement,
so that every tenant would he under the necessity of leaving
when their notices expired. He mentioned this because
there was a disinclination upon the part of the tenants to
quit, and it might save them some expense and inconvenience
if the intention of the Improvement Committee were made
known to them, and also be the means of forwarding an im-
provement which was exceedingly wanted.

Mr. KILSHAW seconded the motion, and the proceedings
were confirmed.

COURTS OP LAW.
The proceedings of this committee were confirmed

DAILY COURTS' COMMITTEE.
The proceedings of the Special Committee on the Daily
Courts were read. It appeared that a suggestion had been
made to the committee that the new assize courts might
be made available for the business of the daily courts, and
consequently that the contemplated erection on the site of
Islington Market and the windmill adjoining would be un-
necessary. The committee on this requested cne of their
members, Mr. J. B. Lloyd, who was visiting London on pri-
vate business, to take the opinion of Mr. Mines, the archi-
tect, on the subject, and that gentleman had prepared a
report which was now read to the council. The report
stated that the assize courts would be unfit for the purpose
because they were not designed for it, and the foundations
were already so far advanced as to render any material alte-
ration impossible. It then proceeded to shew that the assize
courts would be almost constantly occupied, so that they
could not be depended on for the accommodation of the or-
dinary daily business; and it concluded by urging the pro-
priety of the contemplated erection. On this report the
committee passed a resolution that, as it confirmed their
views, it was desirable to remove the daily courts.
Mr. EARLE moved, and Mr. S. HoLmE seconded, the
confirmation of the proceedings
The MAY on stated, that, by the standing orders, the mo-
tion for the confirmation of the report could not be made
without a report from the Finance Committee upon tinancial
considerations. The subject, he believed, had already been
before the Finance Committee, but they had made no report
yet.

Mr. EARLE said, the report merely stated that, in the
opinion of the committee, it would be eligible to erect the
daily courts. Any one must at once see that it was quite
impossible that the present main bridewell could remain as
it was, for it was utterly incapable of affording accommoda-
tion for the increasing number of prisoners. Besides it was
necessary to have a large shaft for the ventilation of the new
assize courts, which would be a great deformity unless it
it was made ornamental, and surrounded by useful buildings.
A great deal of time must elapse before all these mat-
ters could be arranged, therefore the Finance Committee
would have no immediate call upon them, and he should
like to know what harm there would be in now looking upon
this as a future improvement? Nothing beyond that was
attempted. He thought the erection of the daily courts on
the proposed site a wise thing ; but, as it would take twelve
or eighteen months before the tenants could be got out, and
the preliminary arrangements made, he should hope by that
time that the corporation would be out of their present
miserable bankrupt way. They could afford to increase the
law establishment, but not to improve the town. lie never
had much to do with lawyers, but, as far as he had been con-
cerned with them, he should say the less of them the better;
—(hear)—but he did complain that, if any actual improve-
ment, like this, was suggested, it was continually said, " No
no, we are in such a state that we cannot do it."

Mr. PROCTER hoped the expressed opinion of the twenty-
five members of the Watch Committee, and of the Highway
Board, would be taken in preference to the opinion of the
Daily Courts' Committee. Those bodies said it was not de-
sirable to remove their offices.

Mr. PLATT asked whether, when a purchase was made
sometime ago of the Saracen's Head, in Dale-street, it was
not contemplated to make a Bridewell there ?

Mr. G. 11. LAWRENCE.—Yes

Mr. PLATT had always thought so, and he was of opinion
that for such a purpose the site was much better than that of
Islington Market.

MI. EARLE Said, Mr. Proctor bad better prompt Mr.
Platt a little more. Then, his friend Mr. Thornhill was
ready to give it to him (Mr. Earle.)
Mr. THORNIIILL.—Yes, Mr. Mayor; I hope I am ready
to give it him. (" Order.")
Mr. EARLE.—I hope, Mr. Mayor, you will then allow me
to give it him again.

Mr. THORNHILL said that Mr. Earle was out of order.
Mr. EARLE insisted that he was in order, as he had only
risen to answer a question of Mr. Platt. The land of the
Saracen's Head was by far too valuable to be appropriated
to any such purpose. It would be a fine piece of economy to
build a Bridewell there.

Mr. G. H. LAwRENct said it would not be surprising if
he should urge the council to postpone this matter consi-
dering the report, on the state of the finances, that he had
recently presented from the Finance Committee. It was
only in a financial point of view that he looked at the ques-
tion. .

The MAYOR was sorry to interrupt Mr. Lawrence • but
the standing orders required the subject to be postponed till
next month, upon the reference to the Finance Committee.
That would meet Mr. Earle's view, perhaps.
Mr. EARLE—Perfectly so.

---
Mr. TIIORNHILL said- he should then be prepared to meet
Mr. Earle. and be able to shew that the removal of the
courts would be attended with great loss and disadvantage
to the public service. As the subject was to be postponed,
he would defer what he had to say till next month.
Mr. S. HOLME begged to say that although he might meet
with a formidable antagonist in the person of Mr. Thornhill,
he should, at the same time, be prepared to show that the
removal of the courts would be a great public advantage.
The MAYOR repeated that the discussion was irregular.
Mr. EVANS thought the motion was in order, because it
arose on the report; and there was this advantage in it, that
they would get rid of all but the financial consideration con-
nected with the question. They were a long way yet from
putting their hands into the corporation purse.
After some discussion, the TOWN-CLERK stated that, as
the question involved considerations proper for the Finance
Committee, the council could not entertain it until the whole
subject was before them.
Mr. EARLE hoped the Finance Committee would take into
their consideration the subject of the ventilating shaft, and
the works already ordered to be done.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE.—We

Mr. HORNBY contended that there would be no use in
again referring the subject to the Finance Committee, as they
could not spare any money. _

After a few words from Mr. PROCTER, the further consider-
ation of the report was postponed: the other proceedings
were confirmed.

MARKETS' COMMITTEE

From the proceedings of this committee it appeared that
Robert Tyrer had been appointed collector in St. John's
Market.—Confirmed.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
The report of the Education Committee showed the number
of children in the schools to be as follows :
Boys 369 268
Girls 286
Infants 257 2OO

Mr. Thum said he wished to state the reason why he had
not thought proper to persevere in the declaration he made
at a late Council meeting of submitting a motion respecting a
of the the schools. At that time he intimated that two reasons
weighed with him, one of which was the doubt which the
Chairman of the Finance Committee expressed as to the
means at the command of the Corporation to carry on the
schools; and the second was, the announcement by Mr.
Turner that the number of children had fallen off last year.
Both these matters having been decided in a way he was not
prepared for at the time—that it appeared, from the state-
ment of the Finance Committee, that the Corporation was in
a position to continue them, and that he had misunderstood
Mr. Turner's declaration, for the schools had increased in-
stead of fallen off: these two reasons had done away with
his (Mr. Nicol's) objections, and it was not his intention to
persevere with the motion of which he had given notice.
Mr. LEANS.—You forget how the schools were filled :
you forget the vacuum created elsewhere.

Mr. Nico L.—l knew nothing of it.
Mr. TURNER explained that he had only referred to cor-
responding periods.
EARLE.—I rather think if Mr. Blackburn's motion
had been carried, Mr. Nicol would have come forward with
his motion for the sale of the schools.

Mr. SANDS.—No; I do not think he would
The proceedings were then confirmed.

COURT OF REQUESTS COMMITTEE

The proceedings of this committee were read. The ap-
pointment of Thomas Ashbrook, as clerk in the treasurer's
office, was confirmed.

DOCK COMMITTEE

-TRANSIT SHEDS

The Dock Committee proceedings having been read,
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE inquired when the Transit Sheds
would be opened ?
Mr. SANDS said all the difficulties which had interposed
to prevent the opening were now overcome, and the sheds
would be opened in two or three days. The delay had arisen
from the making out of the list of rates, with which the com-
mittee had had little to do. The committee had to prepare,
and the Town-clerk had to approve the list ; and the Town-
clerk would state that he could not approve of the list until
it was complete.

The TOWN-CLERK said the list first submitted was not
such as the law required, and it was necessary to put it into
proper form. It was deemed advisable to consult counsel
upon it, who concurred in the legal objection made to the
table as it first appeared. That had taken up time, perhaps
a month or two; and within the last few days a table had
been submitted by the Dock Committee, which, with very
little alteration, would be conformable to law. The altera-
tions would be made in a few days, and then the table would
go before the mayor, the stipendiary magistrate, and the
chairman of the Dock Committee, for approval. He was
not aware of any objection that could be made to it on the
part of those gentlemen.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE observed that many intelligent
shipowners were very anxious to have the transit sheds
open—more than the warehouses themselves.
Mr. SANDS.—We shall do all in our power to make them
efficient.
The TOWN-CLERK.—Upon my part I beg to say that I
have gone beyond my duty in endeavouring to facilitate a
settlement of the table.
The proceedings were then confirmed.

WATCH RATE.
Formal authority was given to lay a watch-rate on the
parish of Liverpool, the townships of Kirkdale, Everton, and
those parts of the township of West Derby and the extra-
parochial place of Tosteth-park, which are within the par-
liamentary borough.

ENROLLMENT OF INDENTURES,

The applications of several persons for the enrollment of
their indentures of apprenticeship, were submitted by the
`l'ows•cr,uns, who said he thought this would have been

the last of the references to the Finance Committee for their
considerat:on. They would form part of a general report to
be made to the council, when the council would have to de-
termine in all the cases now pending, whether the allowance
ought to be made in favour of the indentures being enrolled.
—Referred to the Finance Committee.

THE MAYOR

,'s COMMUNICATIONS,

The MAYOR presented a memorial, signed by many re-
spectable merchants and brokers, praying for the establish-
ment of an office for the registry of porters, for the preven-
tion of the extensive pilferage now prevalent in warehouses,
particularly in the article of coffee.—Referred to the Finance
Committee.

The M AYOR read a memorial from Thomas Needham,
requesting compensation for a robbery committed in his shop
in the Pedlars' Market. He stated the amount of his loss
at £22. ss. 6d.

Mr. COOPER asked if any application had been made to
the Markets' Committee on the subject?
Mr. JAMES LAWRENCE said. an application bad been
made, but the committee had no power to award compen-
sation.

The TOWN-CLERK said, the memorial might be referred
to the committee, who could enquire into the facts, and upon
those facts they would be legally advised.

C.' This course was agreed upon.
The MAYOR presented a memorial from Henry Wood,
requesting to be restored to his situation in St. John's
Market. The memorial contained an acknowledgment of
error, and a promise of cautious behaviour in future.
Mr. COOPER moved, that the memorial should lie on the
table. Circumstances had since come out which gave the
matter a worse complexion than it at first presented.
Mr. G. H. Lawrence, Sir Thomas Braucker, Mr. Evans,
Mr. Isaac Holmes, Mr. Earle, Mr. Blackburn, and Mr.
Parker, supported the prayer of the petition; and Mr.
Birkett, Mr. James Lawrence, Mr. Bratnley-Moore, Mr.
Thornhill, and Mr. Kilshaw, opposed it.
Ultimately the subject was referred back to the Markets'
Committee.