The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-10-10 00:00:00

DOCK COMMITTEE.-TRANSIT SHEDS

The proceedings, resolutions, and directions of the
Dock Committee were read, comprising a resolution that
it is inexpedient to erect transit sheds on the west quay of
any other existing dock than the Prince's Dock.
Mr. SANDS moved the confirmation of the proceedings,
observing that the committee was compelled to pass that
resolution, otherwise they would be compelled under the
Act to go on building more sheds.
Mr. MOLYNEUX seconded the motion.

Mr. BIRKETT said, as the motion confined the opera-
tion to the west quay of the dock, he would not offer any
opposition to it. He wished to guard the council against
any expression of opinion against transit sheds, as they
were calculated to be exceedingly useful. They ought
not, however, to be on the west side of the dock quays
under the present regulation.

Mr. SANDS said that they would not be prohibited from
building sheds, even supposing this resolution should
pass, they would be compelled to build them on one of
the other existing docks.
The MAYOR read a memorial from Mr. John North,
on behalf of the Warehouse Association, against the reso-
lution. The memorial set forth that the sheds were on the
wrong side of the dock under the present regulations as to
loading and discharging. If the sheds were on the side
of the dock on which the vessels discharge they would
come into play : they would give grcater facilities to bu-
siness, and increase the dock dues. The memorial asked
that further time should be granted.
Several members asked fora postponement of the ques-
tion. . . . .

.......
The TOWN-CLERK said the council must either con-
firm or annul the resolution then, or within a week from
that time.

Mr. BIRKETT said he wished the resolution to pass,
with an expression of opinion appended, that the council
express no objection to the use of sheds. He was pre-
pared to show that the transit sheds were exceedingly
usefal.

Sir THOMAS BRANCKER said it was necessary that the
council should either affirm or deny.
Mr. HODGSON proposed that the words "at present"
be added.
_. .

The TOWN-CLERK said the act required an explicit
confirmation or otherwise, and the conditional term as to
time would be illegal, while the addition proposed by Mr.
Birkett would have no efficacy.
Mr. Mimi blamed the warehouse party for having made
the sheds useless, by the insertion of a proviso that goods
should not be suffered to remain in them more than 24
hours without being subject to a month's rent. If goods
.might be allowed to remain in them a few days they would
be useful to the merchants. _ _

Mr. TURNER proposed that the subject be postponed
for a week. _

Mr. BILAMLEY-MOORE did not see the necessity of
postponement; the Dock Committee were in such a posi-
tion that they could not stand still. The simple question
was, whether they should be compelled to proceed with
the erection of new transit sheds, or whether that liability
should be taken from them, they still retaining the power
to build sheds if expedient. _ _ _

The Tows-CLERK gave it as his opinion on the clauses
of the act, that, if this resolution passed, the committee
would only retain power to build sheds on the east side of
the docks.

Mr. PARKER contended in favour of the postponement
of the question. He was for no interest, or no party, only
for the good of the town and the burgesses. He blamed
the lavish expenditure of the new assize courts, and spoke
strongly of his independence.
Mr. GRIFFITH said there was no use referring back the
question even for a week. It was admitted that the west
side did not answer, and as the resolution did not touch
the east side, where was the use of postponing it?
Mr. HARBORD said, in reference to what had fallen
from Mr. Aikin, goods had been deposited in the sheds

The MAYOR read a letter, signed Thos. Booth, setting
forth that some friends of Mr. William Rathbone had, on
the retirement of that gentleman from the mayoralty, re-
quested him to sit for his portrait. The picture was
finished, and was a fine work of art. The gentlemen who
had subscribed for it bad determined to present it to the
council, through the Mayor.
The MAYOR, having read the note, during which a few
murmurs were audible, said, perhaps the council would
authorise him to return thanks to the gentlemen.

Mr. HORNBY said he was authorised to offer this pic-
ture to the council, and to say that if the gentlemen who
presented it could have supposed that it would produce
any manifestation of party feeling, they would not have
offered it. There were many present, no doubt, who
were opposed to Mr. Rathbone's principles; but the in-
tegrity of his character, and the disinterestedness with
which he promoted the welfare of his fellow-creatures,
must insure him the respect of all. As a work of art the
picture was of a high class, and the gentlemen who pre-
sented it could conceive no more favourable place for it
than the council chamber. Mr. Hornby concluded by
saying he hoped it would be received with unanimity.

Mr. GEORGE HALL LAWRENCE said this was certainly
a subject with which politics had nothing to do. He
spoke highly of Mr. Rathbone's impartiality as Mayor,
and said he was entitled to every mark of respect and es-
teem. The council, however, should be careful how they
opened a door for the acceptance of these offers. They
should recollect that there was only one single place in
the council chamber, where a picture could be now put ;
and that if they accepted this picture they were depriving
themselves of the opportunity of paying a compliment to
some one whom they might desire to accept it. He would
be unwilling to place this portrait in the Mayor's room,
though, if it were the wish of the council to place it there,
he had no objection.
Mr. PARKER said, though he respected Mr. Rathbone's
private character, he must look upon him as a public man.
He (Mr. Parker) represented a large constituency, and
what would they say to him if he consented to receive
into the council chamber the portrait of a man who was
opposed to their views?
Mr. BIRKETT said he had been told by a gentleman on
his left (Mr. Ald. Molyneux) of a matter on which he
should like to be informed. This, he agreed, was not a
question of whig and tory. He should like to know whe-
ther Mr. Rathbone was or was not a repealer? He was
informed that Mr. Rathbone had, at a public meeting,
avowed himself a repealer. He should like to know whe-
ther it was true.
Mr. BA.RCLAY said there was not a syllable of truth in
such a report. He (Mr. Barclay) had been surprised at
what fell from Mr. Lawrence. He was sorry to see that
it had been made a party question, for, such being the
case, there could be but one end to it.
Mr. MOLYNEUX said he had a recollection of having
read in a newspaper that Mr. Rathbone attended a repeal
meeting, and that he made a speech.
Mr. HORNBY said, from what he knew of Mr. Rath-
bone, he could venture to say that he was opposed to
repeal.
Mr. BLACKBURN said he could venture to say that Mr.
Rathbone had not attended any repeal meeting, and he
was pretty certain that he was opposed to a repeal of the
union.

Mr. HonosoN, after speaking in the highest terms of
Mr. Rathbone, and testifying the highest respect for him,
though opposed to him in politics and religion, expressed
his opposition to receiving this picture. If the council
intended to pay such a compliment, the proposition should
emanatz from their own body. He thought, on the eve
of the municipal election, the application was ill-timed.
The MAYOR said he had only received the note that
morning, and he might have delayed.
Mr. AIKIN said he, for his part, was anxious that the
offer should not be made. The picture was a fine work
of art, and they thought they were doing an act of grace
in presenting it. But there were some little-minded peo-
ple who resolved everything according to their own narrow
prejudices. He was sure Mr. Rathbone was not for re-
peal, and the report of his having attended a repeal meet-
ing was a mere fabrication. After the turn which the
matter had taken, he was compelled to advise Mr. Hornby
to withdraw the motion.
Mr. PARKER.—And very good advice too.

Mr. HORNEY said, after the turn which the matter had
taken, as it was made a party question, he would with-
draw the motion.

The MAYOR asked what reply he was to make to the
note.

Mr. ISAAC HOLMES said it had better lie on the table.
The MAYOR said it would be necessary to give a re-
spectful answer to such an offer. It appeared that the
only answer which he could make would be that it was
refused. (No, no.)

Much conversation ensued, and the council appeared
not a little puzzled.
Mr. PARKER said, as they had little minds, the best
thing would be for the big minds to get them out of the
dilemma. _ _ .

Mr. HORNBY said they had better go to the rote, as
the Mayor could not otherwise reply.
Mr. HODGSON objected to this. _

Mr. AIKIN said the withdrawal took place in conse-
quence of the refusal. It would be necessary to vote in
order to see who were the parties that objected.
Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORS said this was presented as the
portrait of a gentleman who was highly respected, and an
active member of the community. It was, moreover, a
work of art which was offered to the corporation ; and
they ought to receive such productions in all cases, pro-
vided there was no stain on the character of the gentle-
man to whom the compliment was paid.
The MAYOR.—Certainly ; of course. The sooner we
get rid of these small feelings the better.
Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE continued, and spoke in the
warmest terms of Mr. Rathbone's benevolence, charity,
and high principle. Though they might strongly differ
in politics, there was no reason why they should carry
their political feelings into private matters. It might
happen that a portrait of the Mayor might be offered to
the council, and he would venture to say that no gentle-
man present would refuse to accept it. (" Hear, hear,"
from Mr. Hornby and Mr. Blackburn.)
Mr. TURNER spoke of the picture as a valuable work
of art, and thought it improper to reject the offer.
Mr. HODGSON said the subject then ought to be brought
before a full council.
Mr. TURNER moved that the subject stand over till the
next meeting. _ _ .

Mr. HORNBY seconded the motion.
Mr. BIRK ETT said he hoped the subject would be post-
poned till the first meeting after November.

The CHAIRMAN introduced to the noticc of the meet-
ing a plan for the measurement of vessels, and said Mr.
Milcrest, the inventor of the plan, had kindly sent a
model of a ship, and was in waiting to afford the com-
mittee any information which might be required. He,
however, suggested that tSe best mode would probably be
to refer the matter to the Finance Committee.

Mr. Milcrest was called, and gave some information to
several members relative to the proposed plan. After
some little discussion it was agreed that, in measuring
American ships, the same mode should be adopted as was
adopted by the Queen's surveyors in measuring the Bri-
tish ships.