The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-01-20 00:00:00

e are quite aware, it may be urged, as a reason

for the superior liberality of our am

the devo-

tion of their means to God, that with them the erection
of a church was a fancied passport to Heaven. But
there is little in this argument. Our most beautiful
cathedrals were erected at a time when the Anglican
church was comparatively free from the defilements
with which Popery subsequently sought to darken the
national faith ; and with respect to the existing
churches of the city of London--many of them such
rare specimens of beautiful architecture and finish—
these were built subsequent to the great fire which, in
the time of the second Charles, laid that city in ashes.
And upon this hint we may, not inappropriately, re-
mark that if, in such a day of calamity—with such
ruin and suffering around them—the citizens and the
government of the day could resolve, not only upon
the re-erection of the great mart of commerce itself,
but of its religious edifices, as well, as a part, and an
all-important part of that haunt of busy life and in-
dustry—what a lesson does the fact teach to us, and to
our own government ! Can Sir Robert Peel look
round him, in whatever quarter of populated England
he may stand, and see the awful destitution of the
means of religious instruction which prevails, and say,
with such an example before him, that because that
commercial greatness—which has never, in prosperity,
done its duty to its country or its God—is just now
temporarily obscured, any Government is justified in
holding back from at least the effort to supply, at the
national cost, those religious wants wnich he and
every virtuous man must deplore ?

It is too late, now, to tell us of the voluntary prin-
ciple, as that to be relied upon to supply such wants.
The experience of a hundred years, and more, has
proved the utter insufficiency of that principle The
wealthy will not: the poor man cannot, thus dedicate
to God. Upon the Government, then, we rely; and
we trust that we shall not be disappointed. If, how-
ever, we are so disappointed, we must rely upon the
sound religious feeling of the Conservative consti-
tuencies, acting, as it ultimately must act, even upon
an unwilling legislature.

We really thought that the wretched quality and
amount of the accommodation afforded by the wealthy
corporation of Liverpool to the vast mass of human
beings who cross daily from shore to shore of the
Mersey, was so indelibly fixed upon the mind of every
man, woman, and child belonging to that community,
and felt by them as a disgrace and a shame, that it
needed no startling array of figures, such as that
brought before the last council meeting by Mr. S.
Holme, to impel at least the Conservative members of
the council, to a prompt effort to repair past omissions.
" ACCOMMODATION", indeed ! Why the very term is
a mockery, when applied to a system by which TWO
MILLION AND THIRTY-EIGHT THOUSAND HUMAN
BEINGS in a year—many of them persons of feeble
age—many of them timid females, or giddy or helpless
children—are made to land from or embark on board
our packets, in glimmering lamplight, fog, or hurri-
cane, across a single frail or slippery plank. Yet such
is the state of things at present, at our principal land-
ing and embarking place, George's Pier. At that
place, it is calculated by Mr. Holme, 6,112,700 persons
annually embark or land from the various Cheshire
and other packet boats; and that as it is low water at
least one-third of the day, one-third of the gross num-
ber, or as we have stated above, 2,038,000 persons
must submit to be jostled, to the imminent danger of
life, putting nerves out of the question, upon a plank !
Yet the majority of the council, upon narrow consi-
derations of pounds, shillings, and pence, refuse the
appointment of a committee to examine into the steps
to be taken to repair an evil so frightful.
And what, let us ask, is the plea which is urged by
the majority which refuses the appointment of such a
committee ? Let us take it from the amendment pro-
posed by Mr. Birkett. It is, then, that it is expedient
to wait " until the council shall have ascertained how
far the landing-stage; now in course of erection and
nearly completed at the Seacombe slip, will be effici-
ent." Mr. G. H. Lawrence, the seconder of the mo-
tion, opposes a committee, " on the ground that it was
unnecessary. The motion implied that the subject had
not been considered, but it had been considered ma-
turely. It had been amply reported upon by Mr.
Aiken and himself in 1841." We see nothing very
conclusive in the argument or Mr. Birkett's amend-
ment; and even less in Mr. Geo. Hall Lawrence's
support of it. Surely, in this advanced age of engi-
neering science, we have not to grope our way to the
construction of such simple works as would be required
to supply the desideratum of a safe landing stage, at
low water, at any of our piers ! And as to Mr. G. H.
Lawrence's plea that the subject has been "considered
naturely," and " reported upon in 1841," we ask—cui
,ono ?—when not a step has been taken to base upon
)at mature consideration and that report any practical
. Mr. Alderman Evans still more forcibly
,ustrated the fact that consideration and even convic-
ion have nothing to do, in deliberative assemblies,
with action. He never knew the day when the council
was not impressed with the importance of this sub-
ject 69 ; and yet—strange inconsistency of the collec-
tive wisdom of that body !—the work remains undone ;
and our fellow townsmen and townswomen are left to
this hour unprovided with that ordinary protection to
life and health, which would have been conceded in a
moment had it been demanded for the protection of
Irish or Cheshire cattle, calves, or pigs.
Mr. Evans, however, lets us a little into the heart of
the mystery, and enables us to place this otherwise
unaccountable decision of the council to the proper
debit in our ledger. "He never knew a new com-
mittee which did not cut out new works ; and he never
knew new work which was not expensive." Oh, Mr.
Alderman, did you never know old works which were
expensive too,—works, designed in a hurry, and cor-
rected and botched into shape at leisure—which might
have been rendered infinitely less expensive and infi-
nitely more perfect by the supervision of such a com-
mittee as that moved for by Mr. S. Holme, aided by
the practical skill and sound judgment of such a prac-
tical man ? But we will not press you on your weak
side. Your plea of economy is the thing with which
prprohreteqrsueos
we have now to do.
now, between the su
pporters of fttiloiNenird:iss
successfult.inricutliym atea,ms issueepnrdu
position and the su :
which
out differentlym en td
decided
we
of v
de nu tour rs toe_i s t
sy Wairlel
Nhv
ee
dvaedryy
to permit the lives and safety of some thousands of
our fellow-townsmen to be outlay of a few thousand
uperished,
ap
nlwedhsevenac,sutr byiaty
vaat
al:
de-
convenience might be afforded o
tages at the same time be conferred upon the rt ?
Economy in the management ,of such an port
estate as
that of the corporation of Liverpool, we regard quite as
much as Mr. G. H. Lawrence, or all the Finance Com-
mittee put together;—infinitely more, we suspect, than
irevmeamneztv,ainus.uulrtoNpvoinpiloin,biafvtehbeeetnouamn
ceocounido:
mM i rc
lA al dc
he
some six or seven years ago, have pensioned off the
latter gentleman

"In some far island of the Hebrides,"
vhere he could have schemed docks and dock ware-
Louses, and indulged his luxuriant fancy in shaping
his em in the yellow sands, or in the clouds, with—as
reward—the power of exclaiming, at the terina-
ton of his arduous task, in the words
of poor Crumsce,
" I am monarch of all I survey !"

Who can say to what proud station his genius of de-
sign, or that quality which phrenologists term " con-
structiveness," might not have raised such an island ?
Economy, we repeat, we regard as a thing essential in
the honest management of the corporate estate of
Liverpool; but there is an economy of human life and
human comfort which we regard infinitely above that
mere economy of pounds, shillings, and pence, which
seems to have guided the council in this matter of the
Cheshire ferries. Such economy would say " arrest
at once this dreadful trifling and paltering with an
acknowledged evil by which life is daily perilled ; and
wohtailtdeln,eortpsetcoupniiary
nitsseafferfie.
efforts until the work was done,
why pre-suppose any such sacrifice, as the ne-
result of the appointment of a committee to
into the subject ? We can discover no irre-
connexion between a committee of practical
and yet we have a few such in the council—and
,ish expenditure of the funds of the corporation.
Such a committee would be formed to inquire into the
efficiency, or rather non-efficiencv of the existing ay.' pliances in use at the various piers. Before it could
act it must report to the council; and its views must

cessary
inquire

sistible

report, with a view to such inquirl

once acted upon,
It might, too, adopt some comprehens

(A:
and, in effect, and almost literally, thrown into the
'I here are gentlemen in the council

fear some such ultimate result of tl

committee—we know not witl

satisfied that no such result i

vice is, throw pett

LIFE !

Wing to the

LOCAL, NEWS

an( SAVE

A new and splendid packet ship has just been launched at
New York, called the Ashburton, and was to leave for Li-
verpool on the Ist instant. She is of 1000 tons burthen, and
the cabin is described as one of the finest ever finished in that
country. Two other large new Liverpool packets were said
to be under way.

LORD SANDON.—Lord Sandon left Liverpool on Wednes-
day morning by the Grand Junction Railway, on his way to
Brighton, where he will join Lady Frances Sandon. During
his lordship's stay here, he has received many deputations from
associated bodies, and many of his individual constituents,
The noble lord has taken a villa at Brighton for three months ;
and he will remain there until the meeting of parliament.

GRATIFYING TESTIMONIAL.—We stated a few months
since that the Board of Guardians had called in the valuable
professional assistance of Mr. Hugh Neill to a number of
cases of opthalmia which had unfortunately become prevalent
in the Workhouse in this town. On the 3d instant the
Select Vestry passed the following resolution :—" That the
thanks of this board be presented to Mr. Neill, for his skilful
and successful treatment of eye disease, in the Workhouse,
since his appoiutmeut as Opthalmic Surgeon to that, esta-
blishment in August last ;" and accompanied this gratifying
expression of their aal with an ortreasurer for one hundred guineas as a feeder on the parish

SUDDEN DEATH,—On Wednesday, an inquest was held,
before the borough coroner, on view of the body of George
Pierpoint. The deceased, who was a labourer, was 28 years
of age. On Tuesday morning lie was assisting his brother
to load a furry with coffee, when he became suddenly ill, and,
after appearing to be fainting, fell forward on the shafts of
the furry. He was caught by some men, and was found to
be insensible. He was taken to the Northern Hospital, but
died on arriving there. The deceased, about 15 months ago,
got crushed by a cart, and had complained of a pain in his
side, but was not subject to fits. Mr. Parker, house sur-
geon of the Northern Hospital, said, the deceased was dead
when he was brought there. On making a post mortem
examination, he found a rupture of one of the blood-vessels
near to the heart, which was the cause of death.--verdict
accordingly.

OPENING OF A NEW OR
a new Lodge of the Loyal Body of LODG.
Orange,
the house of Brother Holden, Leigh-street,
which was most numerously attewled by deputati,
all the lodges in the town. All the proceedings w
ducted with great propriety and order. which, we trust, anu
doubt not, will ever be the distinguishing features of the
Orange body. After the first toast given by the Worshipful
Master—" The Queen"—the band struck up the National
Anthem.—The next toast was, The Grand Master of Eng
land ;" after which the band played—" See the conquering
hero comes."—The other toast in order—" The glorious,
pious, and immortal memory of the great and good King
William"—was followed by the baud playing " The Dead
March in Saul."—The health of the Worshipful Master, and
success to No. 27 lodge ; after which the health of the Dis
trict Master was drunk, and the respective parties responded.
The evening was spent in social order.

On Tuesday last,
en was formed at
Whited:lapel,
is from
re con-

MEETING OF TIIE DOCK. COMMITTEE.-
meeting of the Dock Committee, yesterday, th,_
members were present : Messrs. florsfall (chairman,
Molyneux, Middleton, Tobin, , Bold,
Shand
Aiken, Evans. Holmes Bullet', Chilton
, Holt, Martin, Nicol, Riply,
Smith, and . The Sub-committee of Works re-
commended that the tender of Mr. J. Orrell, for the
excavation at the Albert Dock, be accepted. The Marine
Surveyor reported the circumstances under which the North-
west Light-ship had parted from her moorings during the late
St
orm. It appeared that, on the morning of the 14th instant,
in consequence of the severity of the gale, she broe
mooring chains by which she is
secured, and driftedk abotheut
three cables length from her station when she was eventually
held by her anchors. A steam-tug, was immediately de-
spatched to render all possible assistance, but owing to the
heavy sea which was running, she could not be moved to her
former station until the lith''. Great praise was due to th 2
parties on board the light-ship, as well as the master of the
steams on
and the men generally, for their activity and per-
severence on the occasion. The Formby and Crosby light-
ships rode out the gale without sustaining the least injury.
Mr. Ripley suggested that the moorings should in future be
made of the best iron, which he understood was not the case
at present. In reply to a question by Mr. Tobin, as to the
propriety of letting go the anchors, Mr. llorsfall said the in-
case the chains should break. After some further conver-
sation, it was decided that the Marine Surveyor should be
authorized to provide moorings of the very best decription
for the light-ships. The Surveyor also alluded to' the im-
portant services performed by the crews of the different life-
boats during the gale, who had, by their activity and courage,
been the means of saving the lives of several individuals, be-
longing to different' vessels which had been unfortunately
wrecked on the adjoining coast. Mr. Ripley said that the
life-boats, during a northwest wind, were of comparatively
little use, and suggested the propriety of having a life-boat
placed on board the light-ship, which might be given up to
the crew of any steamer that would come for her, and which,
in his opinion, would be the means of saving many lives.
The Surveyor was ordered to report on it. Mr. Horsfall re-
commended that the consideration of the rewards to the
life-boat men, for their valuable services, Le referred to the
committee, which was decided accordingly, as a the as-
sistance rendered by Captain Sarsfield to a
vessel ilson distress,
in the Victoria Channel. A memorial was received from the
landing-waiters of her .Majesty's Customs, reuesting the
committee to take into consideration the great in convenience
to which they were subjected, from the damp and dirty state
of the huts on the quays, as well as the want of light, &c. ;
the memorialists also stated that an office at the different
depilts, for the landing of goods, would be a great accom
modation. Referred to the Harbour Master's Subb-commit
tee. An application was made by the Paving and Sewerage
Committee respecting the paving on the east side of the Salt-
house Dock, rendered necessary by an alteration in the level
of the dock, for the expense of which it was stated that the
Dock Trust was
Dock A answerable, but, from an examination of the
ct, it did not appear that the trustees were liable. A
resolution of the Pilot Committee relative to the responsi-
bility of pilots, and the duties of their harbour master, with
respect to the entrance of vessels into the docks, was read;
but, after some conversation, the matter dro
anded. The com-
Mitteesoohnafterwards adjourned.

weekly
lowing

LO '
, • •NDON.' AND BRIGHTON RAILWAY
--A general meeting
9, the proprietors of the London and Brighton Railway resi-
dent in Liverpool, was held in the Clarendon-rooms, South
ohn-street, on Wednesday, " on business of te utmost
.Importance." There were
present a considerable h
number of
shareholders and Mr. Wm. Earle was called to the chair.
n:11'. Earle having taken the chair ra it was we knovm
Ihere had been many complaints on, theid subject ofll the ma-
nagement of this concern : letters had appeared in the Times,
bud statements had been made concerning the management,
no one had done anything. He had therefore procured
'.3. list of the proprietors, and selecting from it the principal
ulLieverpool proprietors, he had called upon them to attend a
eting at his office. The result of that meeting was certain
resolutions which would be placed before the present meet-
ing, for them to pass, alter, or modify, as they might think
for Some gentlemen would have to go to London as a
fnZdeputation to attend the general meeting to be held in Fe.
Y next : it was plain, therefore, that the sinews of war
E! ',111.g t to be the first consideration. It had been proposed
taest_each individual should pay el towards the expense of
, deputation, which would produce a sufficient fund. He
tI himself 87 shares, and he would contribute in any pro-
tP;o_rti. that might be' agreed upon. After some conversa-
,',"on, it was agreed that those who had fewer than 20 shares
V7,',1, fild contribute 10s., and those who had 20 and upwards
, The Chairman then read the correspondence which
_2l-1 taken place between himself and Mr. Harman, Chairman
Of directors of the London and Brighton Railway. In a
.letter dated the 10th inst. to Mr. Harman, Mr. Earle stated
„Lnat he had been desired, by a meeting of several influential
,roPrietors, to apply for information, whether the copy of
t,ile,ipii.li proposed to be introduced into parliament was ready:
the
this bill, it was understood, the directors were prepared
t. 'insert a clause, reducing the number of the. hoard to
w-nes,t', Whilst the feeling of the proprietors in Liverpool
r, that the number should be ten, and their remuneration.
.ic`t to
io i exceed .01,000 per annum, and that the new directors
teli-Ind be chosen by the shareholders on the passing of the
136.; The letter closed by a request that the directors would
Wei.,,vbat they were prepared to do. On the 12th. instant
rea-,l%.74rtnan replied, stating that the proposed bill was not
kit"tY, but was in course of preparation, and would be sub-
br,, CU to the proprietors at the next general meeting: it was
tilltectors
-tf'P°sed
110adlinmoit the number of directors to twelve, but the
predilection for any particular number, and
toeY would be willing to adopt that which might be agreeable
the
shareholders ; the future allowance to the directors
tor "i as a matter of course be regulated by the propne-
El; ~..
tit"and the reduction in the number was proposed to be
except in the case
of re,.ed by not electing any new director, titio.,lrenient by rotation, until by death, resignation, or dis-
Inear
foto lon, the present number, tit, re standard. In reply to this, Mr. Earle stated that the
reduced below the
n's letter
Iisii:;...1)001 proprietors did not consider 11r. a
!411eritel.°,Y, and therefore the present meetinglitoimnrailniagdabbeoennt
Ltie i'i Tor the purpose of adopting measures .
reqqe,paired changes. The Chairman then read over all the
*er Iltions, which were received with much app ause.
f eco • oorio nsiderably modified in their pro.gress,
Th
and wiTllhbeye
hai,, as finally adopted, in our advertising columns.entlee.
I.'ottri-lnlan read a letter which he bad received from as
diet
0 London, which set forth that a private meetingerhaocir
,„"',,eots'en held, in which it was agreed that the numb
il'Oui,,ekrti ought to be reduced from 24 to 10, and that the
710t1,-ue re-elected after the passing of the bill. On the
'`'t hi" Grant, thanks were voted to the chairmadn
4 able conduct in the chair, and the meeting separate .

be sanctioned by the, council. But, then, it would be
appointed to enter upon such inquiry, and make plieb

.eport being at

design

worthy of this great port—worthy, in the opinion o
its inhabitants," of a considerable pecuniary effort being
made for its attainment,—rather than any of those bil
by bit expedients, to meet present wants only, bT.
which so many thousands, if not hundre&
sands, of pounds have been frittere(l

f t-liot

uspect, Nvh c

but we are

!ontemplated by its

how, if you acknow.

mover;—and to them wy
ledge—which you do—the vast extent of the evil, and
the pressing necessity for its abate►„.,_,
hesitate to enter upon even such an effort, which you
foresee may be proved to be required ?
We really do think that the Conservativ,
the council—we do not speculate upon motives
mistaken their course with respect to this
An evil is proved—a dangerous and pressing evil,
has existed for years and been acknowledged for year

could you

body in

—have

question

and we ask, is it wise now to blink the fact of its ex-
istence, and, virtually, to give its continued existence,
for an indefinite period, by handing it over—which
they have done by the refusal of a committee—to the
same management which has permitted it to remain so
long an unsightly, an uncared for, and a dangerous
enemy of the comfort and lives of an entire commu-
nity ? This question, we suggest to them, cannot be
shelved. It has a warning and impressive voice which
speaks daily to thousands. It can make, and is making,
its own way unaided; and we entreat of our Conser-
vative friends to reconsider the course which they have
taken with respect to it. Upon this question our ad-