The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-02-10 00:00:00

DOCK COMMITTEE.

Mr. BRAMLEY-MOORE, in moving the confirmation of
the proceedings of this committee, said the New Dock
Bill would very shortly be laid before the council for their
approbation. In the meantime be wished to make it
known that there was a clause in it recommending swivel
bridges to be made across Great Howard-street, so that,
if the inhabitants on the Bootle side had any objection to
those bridges, now was the time for them to meet and ex-
press their sentiments on the subject. He had a commu-
nication to make from the warehouse owners, which
would be received with gratification by the council and
town at large. A year or two ago it fell to his lot to cast
censure upon the warehouse owners, believing that their
interference, with reference to the half-deck floor at the
Albert Dock, was uncalled for. But now behoved him
to say that any such impression on his mind had been en-
tirely obliterated by their late generous conduct. From
this time forward no more would be heard about the
warehouse interest overriding the town ; but they should
be all running in the same harness, and all aiming at the
same great object—the general good of the town. He re-
gretted that he had not muds to express what gratitude
he felt towards them for the handsome manner in which
they bad come forward to relinquish all further proceed-
ings against the completion of the Albert Dock Ware-
houses. But he would-read the resolution :

"At a meeting of the Warehouse Association, held on
Tuesday, the 3d January, 1846, John Montgomery, Esq.
in the chair, it was unanimously resolved, on the motion
of Wm. P. Bushby, Esq., seconded by James Brancker,
Esq., that this association, in deference to the wishes of
the Dock Committee that the remainder of the Albert
Dock warehouses should be completed immediately, in-
stead of their erection being postponed until the period
stipulated by the Act of Parliament, do hereby give their
assent to the removal of the restrictive clause, and desire
to express their hope that the abandonment on their part
of the solemn engagement entered into with the Dock
Committee on the passing of the act will be received in
the spirit with which it is conceded, this association being
willing to make the sacrifice., if such be deemed advisable,
for the welfare of the port." (Applause.)
Mr. EvaNs regretted that the communication from the
warehouse owners had been presented before the debate
upon the Dick Bill itself. The fact was, they had no
powers of restriction, and everywhere the English mer-
chant had a right to interfere with the docks of Liver-
pool, so far as the commerce of the country was con-
cerned.

Mr. HORSFALL confessed that he had listened with the
greatest pleasure to the resolution of the warehouse own-
ers, because he conceived that they had conceded every-
thing which the most sanguine advocate of dock ware-
houses could possibly require. The concession was very
honourable on their parts. It relieved him and other
members of the Dock Committee from considerable em-
barrassment on the subject of Oz. dock warehouses. There
certainly was a compact entered into with them, and the
only difference was as to the extent of that compact. But
whatever differences of opinion might prevail upon that
subject, there could be no doubt that the warehouse own-
ers would not suffer one iota by the concession now
granted.
Mr. ROBINSON moved an amendment to the effect that
the number of officers proposed to be employed at the Al-
bert warehouses was too large ; but on a division the
amendment was lost by a majority of 31 to 9, and the pro-
ceedings of the committee were confirmed.
The Council adjourned to Friday.

At the adjourned meeting, on the Report of the Law
Courts Committee being brought forward, a conversation
took place relative to the new gaol, from which it appeared
that delay had arisen from the property being in chancery ;
but the dispute was now at at end, and the land would
soon be placed at the disposal of the Council.
The Market Committee recommended the markets to
be closed at ten o'clock on Saturday nights, and at seven
every other evening of the week.
Mr. ASPINALL proposed that this recommendation
should be referred back for reconsideration, together with
several memorials which he presented, and which were
numerously signed, against such early closing.
Mr. KAY E felt strongly in favour of the measure; but,
after %Ia bad taken place, and because some parties
wished to have a further hearing, he was favourable to
the whole of the facts being reconsidered.
Mr R ATFIBONE spoke strongly in favour of the mea-
sure recommended, and adduced• several reasons ; urging,
also, the propriety of masters paying wages on Friday.
Mr. ROBINSON was for reconsideration.

Mr. READE concurred with Mr. Rathbone.
Mr. LLOYD feared that early closing would cause the
people to go to shops to the detriment of those who had
stalls and shops in the markets.
Mr. THORNE", LL was also of this opinion, and thought
with earlier closing three-fourths of the shops and stalls
would be deserted. All the shopkeepers had signed
against the earlier closing.
Mr. ASPINALL'S motion was agreed to.
The minutes of the Education Committee stated that
the total number of pupils in attendance.at the schools
was 408.

Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE congratulated the Council on
the success that had attended the South Adult School,
where there were 102 persons receiving instruction. These
schools were open to all.
The proceedings of the Health Committee were con-
firmed.

A memorial from the Rev. J. R. Connor and the Build-
ing Committee. praying for a grant of the reversionary in-
terest in some land adjoining St. Simon's Church, in order
to its re-building and enlargement, with 700 free sittings,
was read.

It was stated that the Council had no power, but that
the Lords of the Treasury would probably grant it for a
nominal sum.

A memorial from shopkeepers and owners of property
to be taken for the Wapping Docks was presented, pray-
ing that compensation clauses might be inserted in the
New Dock Bill.

Several members supported the memorial, which was
refered to the Dock Committee.

A let'er was read, containing a request from the Bir-
kenhead Commissioners to have the use of the landing-
stage to run boats all night.
This was referred to the Ferries Committee.