The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1850-02-26 00:00:00

IMPORTANT MEETING. OF THE TIMBER
TRADE YESTERDAY.

A highly important and very numerously attended
meeting of the shipowners, importers, brokers, ship-
builders, carriers, and others interested in the timber
trade of the port, was held yesterday afternoon, at the
Clarenden Rooms, for the puapose of appointing a com-
mittee whose duty it would be to take into consideration
the best means of obtaining increased accommodation for
the timber trade of Liverpool. The meeting was con-
vened by the following circular, which clearly conveys its
object :

"39, Sefton-street, Liverpool, 18th February, 1850.
am desired to inform you, that at a large meeting
i
of the Timber Trade, held• this day, t was unanimously re-
solved to invite the co-operation of the Timber Importers,
Ship Builders, Carriers, and Saw Mill Proprietors, in securing
the most economical and efficient accommodation for the whole
of the trade.
"In pursuance thereof, a preliminary meeting will be held at
the Clarendon-rooms, South John-street, on Monday, the 25th
instant, at two o'clock p.m., when you are respectfully re-
quested to attend..—l am, Sir, your obvdient Servant,
"Thos. RosiNsoN, Junior, Secretary."
On the motion of Mr. THOMAS ROYDIN,
H. C. CHAPMAN, Esq., was called upon to preside,
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings of the
meeting, observed that he should not have taken the chair
on that occasion had he not felt that really the duties were
so simple, that he thought it might expedite their busi-
ness if he did not object to doing so. The object of the
meeting had already been explained to all of them in the
circular, which all had received, and which he would now
read. The Chairman then read the circular before no-
tined. The object of the meeting, therefore, would be to
hear the sentiments of the gentlemen present who were
interested as shipowners, importers and consumers of
timber, in the welfare Qf that trade. They were not
only met for that purpose, but for the purpose of obtain-
ing that accommodation which had been so long sought
for, and for which acts of parliament had been obtained,
on what there appeared clear evidence, by competent par-
ties moving that the south end of the town was the only
place suited for the timber trade. There were gentlemen
in that room more deeply interested in this matter than
himself, and therefore he hoped that these gentlemen
would have the kindness to state to the meeting the views
which they entertained upon this subject. If any such ad-
dsessed the meeting, he was certain that all wonld be glad
to hear them.
The secretary, Mr. ROBINSON, begged leave to put the
meeting in possession of all the facts which up to this
period had occurred in reference to this matter. The facts
were brief. It has long been a matter of considerable
anxiety with the timber trade of this port how to obtain a
better and cheaper system, both for storing and shipping
off timber, partly induced by the fact that distant ports
have for some time successfully competed with Liverpool
in supplying wood goods to towns and districts, which,
from their positions, it is only reasonable to expect ought
to be supplied from this market. During the last two or
three months several meetings have been held by the
timber merchants, whereat:committees were appointed to
obtain interviews with the dock committee of Liverpool,
in order to ascertain whether that body had the power
and were disposed to possess themselves of sufficient land
at the south end of the town, whereby they would be
enabled to afford to the trade an uniform and cheap
accommodation. The result of this portion of the enquiry
is, that the Dock Committee of Liverpool do not feel
themselves justified in going into any extensive purchase
which would embrace all the objects sought to be obtained.
The committee in question have likewise endeavoured to
examine the capabilities of the north end of the town, and
also of Wallasey Pool, and they are of opinion the time
has arrived when it is highly necessary that a committee
should be appointed by a general meeting constituted like
the present, which committee shall direct its immediate
attention to the careful estimate and relative advantages
of the two places named, it being imperative that the
matter ought, as soon as convenient to be decided, in order
to afford sufficient time to every party interested to make
the needful arrangements. It may likewise be considered
desirable that the committee to be formed should also, for
the satisfaction of the general meeting, go into the capa-
bilities of the south end, in addition to the other two
places named, so as to produce more general satisfaction.
Now, gentlemen, I think the matter is fairly before the
meeting.
Mr. HALLHEAD observed that when the original com-
mittee was formed it was objected that the whole of the
timber trade was not represented; and that the interest
of the dealers and importers were in opposition one to
the other. Now he thought differently, for the interest
of one was the interest of both ; and, in his opinion, the
timber trade should pull together for what all required—
namely, increased accommodation. It was to them a
matter of great importance that they should be accom-
modated—whether the facility for managing their business
was offered at the south or the north end of the town.
The CHAIRMAN suagested that some gentleman con.
nected with the trade should state the views of the trade
generally, or name a committee.
Mr. LORD said that it was currently reported that a
deputation, consisting of some of the importers of tim-
ber, had an interview with the members of the sub-com-
mittee of the Dock Committee, on Saturday last; (hear)
—and, therefore, as they, (the timber trade) had
held so many meetings, and had heard so very much
upon the subject, it might be well if these gentlemen
would give the meeting some information relative to that
interview

Mr. GREAVES said that a deputation of importers were
requested on Saturday last to meet the sub-committee of
the Dock Committee on this subject. They did so but
ho felt constrainad to say that they received no informa-
tion which could at all guide them in forming an opinion
as to what would be the best site for the trade, or what
amount of accommodation would be afforded. Neither
were they informed as to what dock space it was intended
to devote to the ships employed in the timber trade. He
could not say, after the long interview which they had
with the sub-committee, that they had received the slight-
est information which could guide them in the least de-
gree in coming to a cenclusion. They were politely shewn
the plan, and told that it was the intention of the com-
mittee to provide accommodation ; but were left unin-
formed whether it was to be provided at the north or the
south end. No doubt, one of their first objects should be
accommodation for the shipping, and also to see that they
had sufficient draught of water to enable the heavy ships
now employed to get safe into dock. So tar as locality
was concerned, both ends of the town offered the same
disadvantages and advantages in that respect. The next
object of the shipowner was despatch in getting his ships
docked and discharged. It was well known that for the
last two or three years the trade had laboured under
serious disadvantages in that respect. The Dock Com-
mittee proposed to find increased facilities in that respect;
but then the next question was as to the amount of quay
space they would be inclined to allow. It would require,
at least, as the meeting were aware, twice the amount
now given at the Brunswick Dock. As regarded not only
the timber trade, but the welfare of the town, this was
a serious matter, indeed. How did their present scanty
accommodation operate ? Why they had frequently to
allow their ships to remain ten or twelve days in the river,
these ships being manned in the fall of the year with men
at from £lO to £l5 per month for the voyage home.
There were many reasons why they should desire a change
from their prssent system ; and when that change was
made he trusted that a site would be selected which would
be suitable for all parties. It had been said that the inte-
rest of the dealer and the interest of the importer were at
variance, but he believed that they went hand and hand ;
and believing so he hoped that the meeting, in all its pro-
ceedings, would allow them to go still hand and hand
together. (Hear, hear.) The delay in docking their ships,
combined with the disadvantages of their present discharg-
ing ground, made the rates on timber so high that it was
a question whether they should sacrifice their timber on
the quay, or yard it at a cost which it never would realize.
Let them go where they would for accommodation, one
object they have in view—cheap storing for their cargoes.
(Hear, hear.) In any course that might be adopted for
remedying the hardships under which the trade at present
laboured, he would be most willing to co-operate ; and
he had no doubt but that the desire of the Timber Trade
Committee was to do that only which would be for the
benefit of all. (Applause.)
Mr. HOLDEN, in a further explanation of the interview
before referred to, said that they had met the Dock Com-
mittee's sub-Committee as members of the timber trade
as well as ship-owners; but they had been received prin-
cipally as supporters of timber. What they were wishful
to know. was the position they were to be placed in for
the future. What they wanted to know was whether they
would get cheap storage for their timber after the cargo
had been removed from the ships ? but on these points
they could get no information. They wanted to know
particularly if the Dock Committee would retain on their
hands sufficient quay space, and storage places to accom-
modate the wants of the trade ? They (the ship-owners)
believed that these were considerations which should first
occupy the attention of the Dock Committee ; but he
could assure the meeting that it was on these very
grounds that the deputation were left at sea. The depu-
tation, as he believed aiso the meeting, could have only
one object,—that was to endeavour to make the trade a
little more profitable than it had hitherto been. (Hear,
hear.)

The CHAIRMAN asked if Mr. Greaves would have the
kindness to put his views into the shape of a resolution.
What he (the chairman) understood from the tenor of his
remarks was that the timber trade wanted additional ac-
commodation somewhere, leaving the locality an open
question.

Mr. GREAVES would not arrogate to himself the res-
ponsibility of pointing out where the trade should be
accommodated.

Mr. FISHER understood that Mr. Grcaves was desirous
to move a committee of enquiry, whose object would be
to get increased accommodation rather than to point out

Mr. GWEAVES would have much pleasure in moving a
resolutiou of the kind referred to.

Mr. JAMES SMITH said that, as be had been a good
deal mixed up in this matter, ho might be allowed to say
a few words. They bad bad a great many meetings
amongst themselves on the subject. At these meetings
some were of opinion that the trade could no longer be
accommodated at the south end, and some were of
opinion that it could, and ultimately it was resolved that
the committee of the trade should meet the sub-committee
of the Dock Committee, with the view of ascertaining
whether they were disposed, and had the power, to accom-
modate the trade at the south end of the town. Everybody
was agreed that the present system was bad ; that a change
of some kind must take place. As an instance of the in-
jurious working of the present system, he might mention
that a ship belonging to his house was eight days from
the day of her arrival to the time of her discharge. They
bad now ascertained from the dock committee that they
could not go into such a purchase of land as would grog
permanent accommodation at the south end of the town.
Finding that all parties with whom they had come in con-
tact were unanimous upon the one point namely, that
greater accomaedeti,Wl WU required, they ka cousidered