The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-01-16 00:00:00

THE DOCK COMMITTEE.

Thh usual meeting of the Dock Committee not having
taken place on Thursday week, the body met on Monday,
at one o'clock. Mr. George Kendall was appointed a
member of the special sub-committee on dock accommo-
dation and dock plans, in place of Mr. Horsfall. Mr.
Kendall was also placed on the Harbour Masters' Com-
mittee; and Mr. Sandbach, who was a member of that
committee, was transferred to the sub-committee of works,
in place of Mr. Horsfall. Mr. Nicol was appointed de-
puty-chairman of the Dock Committee, in place of Mr.
Horsfall.
The following letter from the Mayor, Thomas Sands,
Esq., to the chairman of the Dock Committee, was read
by the secretary :
" Eltnswood, Mosley-hill, 28th Dec., 1843.
" MY DEAR SIR,—My attention having been called to
observations made by certain members of the Dock Com-
mittee at your last meeting, relative to my rot having
communicated to the committee all that transpired be-
tween the chairman of the Harrington Dock Company
and myself, in respect to our negotiations, I take the ear-
liest opportunity of vindicating myself from the charge of
neglect of duty on this occasion, though I trust the com-
mittee feel assured of the deep interest I always took in all
the concerns of the great trust over which I had the ho-
nour to preside, and that in every step I took I was ac-
tuated only by a desire to promote the best interests of
the town. The allegation is, that I ought to have com-
municated to the committee that a portion of the laud was
offered at 425. and 355. per yard. Now, it will be in the
recollection of the committee that the price of the lam] in
question was most fully discussed on the day when a mo-
tion was made authorising me, as chairman, to purchase
40,000 or 50,000 yards at 30s. per yard, if possible, and
not to exceed 31s. 6d. ; and under those instructions I told
Mr. Mozley, at the commencement of our negotiation,
that unless he was prepared to entertain the price I was
authorised to give, it would be a waste of our time to pro-
long discussion, my instructions being peremptory, and,
as he was not authorised to come to my terms, nothing
further was done in the matter. I certainly did not men-
tion the price of 425. and 355. per yard, asked by Mr.
Mosley, thinking it quite out of the question ; but if any
gentleman had wished to secure a part at a higher price,
he had only to ask what price they (the Harrington Com-
pany) would take. But the fact is, that those now com-
plaining of that omission thought the price offered (3ls 6d)
sufficient ; and I had every reason to believe they would
not, therefore, entertain the consideration further. There
the matter ended. In a month or six weeks I received a
communication, through Mr. Nicol, that the Harrington
Dock Company had had an offer for either the whole or
the southern portion of their land, on certain terms, but
that the company preferred selling the whole in one lot.
We had several interviews, and in the end Mr. Nicol in-
timated that 31s. 6d. would be taken for the whole. This
I made known to the Dock Committee at their next meet-
ing, stating, as nearly as I can recollect, that the price I
was authorised to offer for 40,000 to 50,000 yards was re-
fused, but that the price would be accepted for the whole.
I might, I admit, have also adverted to the former offers
at 425. arid 355. on the part of the Harrington Duch Com-
pany, and no doubt I should, had it occurred to me as
being at all necessary ; but, as I was restricted to 31s. 6d.,
it did not so occur to me. I had nothing to conceal, and
no object to attain, except what I considered a public
good ; and if any gentleman had asked at what price the
Harrington Company would sell part, I should have men-
tioned it ; but the committee will recollect that the com-
munication received through Mr. Nicol gave the matter a
new feature. It had become a question whether the trust
would relinquish for ever the opportunity of securing the
whole property, and the whole discussion merged in that
one point. I have now, I hope, shown that I acted faith-
fully to that great trust in the whole of the negotiations ;
and I must again say that it is idle for any gentleman to
complain of not being informed of the prices that would
be taken for a portion of the Harrington estate as if they
were ignorant that the company would be willing to sell a
portion only—a thing which was known all along, and was
the sole object of all the negotiations, except the last, and
information which, if wanted and not given, each must
know would be had by asking.
" I remain, my dear Sir, yours faithfully,
• "THOMAS SANDS.

" J. B. Moore, Esq.,
" Chairmau of the Dock Committee."

At the usual weekly meeting held on Thursday, the fol-
lowing members were present :—Messrs. Moore, Barclay,
Holt, Holmes, Middleton, Smith, Molyneux, Bulley,
Evans, Tobin, Bold, Kendall, Ripley, Nicol, Royden, and
Aikin.—A return of the services rendered by the life-
boats during the past year was submitted to the commit-
tee. From this it appeared that the Magazines life-boat
had assisted 9 vessels; the Point of Ayr 2 ; Hoylake 7;
and the Formby 5. During the same time 10 lives had
been saved. During the year, 4,851 gallons of oil and
8,472 wicks had been used in the lighthouses and light-
ships belonging to the trust. In the same time 11,097
vessels had entered the port through the Victoria and
North channels, 6,492 of these had done so when the
Rock channel was closed. The number of vessels which
had passed through the same channel outwards was
12,199, 3,963 of these when the Rock channel was closed.
The total number which passed inwards and outwards
during the same period wss 23,229 ; in 1842 the number
was only 17,822, showing an increase during the past year
of 5,474. The number which passed the Rock channel
during:the year was 10,398 ; in 1842 the number was 13,284,
showing a decrease this year of 2,886.
A report of the fire on board the Nymph having:been
read, the Chairman said he was not aware that such a fire
had occurred until he saw a notice of it in the papers.
Neither was he aware of the fire on board the Meg of
Meldren, or he should have considered it his duty to have
been present, and on all similar occassions. Directions
were ordered to be given to the Dock and Harbour Mas-
ters to communicate with the chairman and deputy chair-
man in all cases of fire in the Docks.

A return of the number of stages used at the various
docks was read. The receipts for the use of the stages
were stated to be, for the year, £476 155., less the repairs.
It was resolved that ss, should be still charged for the use
of each stage.
A return of the number of times the flag had been
hoisted at the various docks, for the quarter ending De-
cember 31, was then read. The folio wing is the state-
ment :—At the Waterloo and Victorba Docks, 6 times ;
Prince's, 78; George's, 91; Canning, 2 6 ; Salthouse, 25 ;
King's, 62; Queen's, 83; Union and Coburgh, 31 ;
Brunswick, 59 ; and Toxteth, 13.
When the statement respecting the George's Dock was
read, it seemed to excite surprise.
Mr. BOLD said it had never been down.

Mr. EVANS said that, according to that, no ship ever
came in. The whole of the report was a fallacy ; because
they hoisted the flags when they were letting vesels into
the graving dock.
At the conclusion of the report, Mr. Evnxs said he
could not help observing that they ought to put the state-
ment in a way the public could understand. A person
would naturally say, " You had the flag hoisted on the
11th; but I know you docked seven ships on that day."
From the report they would be apt to draw an inference
that the dock was not performing the duty of a dock,
whereas it was admitting large numbers of vessels.
Mr. NecoL could only say that every tide the dock was
filled, and they could not take any more in until some
went out. The flag was hoisted to prevent other vessels
from coming in until some went out.
Mr. EVANS said they understood that ; but in other
places parties would suppose that the dock was not doing
its duty.
On the application of Mr. Chapman and Captain Nye,
a shed, similar to that at the Victoria Dock, was ordered
to be erected on the north quay of Waterloo Dock.
A memorial from carters, soliciting permission, in rainy
weather, to place their vehicles under the sheds at the
docks, was submitted, and the request disallowed.

REPORTERS.
Mr. EVANS said that when reporters were admitted to
their meetings, it was expected they would convey to the
public all essential matters there discussed, with reasona-
ble discretion as to what was valuable and what was not.
Now, they had hag two discussions on the conduct of
their late chairman m negociating with the owners of the
Harrington property, both of which had been suppressed.
On the last occasion they gave, under the head " Dock
Proceedings," the " letter" of the chairman, suppressing
the discussion that took place upon it. It was very im-
proper to give that letter alone, as it might be inferred
from it that the committee were indifferent to what came

before them, or that the letter was received unanimously,
or waa an exculpation of what hail been alleged against
him, for what he (Mr. E.) still considered an unwarrant-
able withholding of offers made for the land. For
cotrhim-
self, he received no satisfaction whatever from the letter
of the late chairman, nor did he consider that it all excul-
pated him.
The CHAIRMAN thought it was quite beyond the con-
trol of the committee what the reporters should or should
not report. It rested entirely with themselves, as to what
p
ortheir
r,Councilpo r
ts proceedings
accordingly.they
Mr. EvaNs said the reporters were not admitted with
they
houerbytlii
uesdt. eithere
extend
They
tlr'econtract Dockna
might have a great press of matter, and
that understanding. They came there to do their duty
to the public.
The CHAIRMAN said that if they were to publish all,
they would fill the papers with matter the people would
not buy. Therefore, they
must have a discretionary
power, which we ought not to attempt to restrict.
Mr. ATKIN said it so happened that, on the occasion in
question, it was a Monday, and not on the usual day of
meeting; therefore the general reporters did not know.
The only reporter present was the one retained by them-
selves as their paid reporter, and it therefore struck him
that, as a portion was given, the rest ought to have ap-
peared. lie did not agree with Mr. Evans that the re-
porter was bound togive all ; but, certainly, when they
,
employed a reporter, and paid him, and he made a report
of their proceedings, they ought all to be given.
The CHAIRMAN here read a note, which was handed
to him by the reporter in question. It was to the effect
that, on that day, he was reporting only for the Mail,
and had nothing to do with the report which had appeared.
Mr. Nicol, thought that Mr. Evans was not warranted
in attributingression." to the late chairman the words " unwar-
rantable suppression." When the letter was read, the
only parties who objected to it were Mr. Aikin and Mr.
Evans. The committe • e came to no resolution that they
were dissatisfied with it, and he thought there was, there-
fore, little cause to complain of the reporters not noticing
the individual remarks of so comparatively few of the
members present.
Mr. BARCLAY said he entirely concurred with what
was said by Mr. Evans and Mr. Aikin on that occasion,
but did not think it necessary to repeat their sentiments.
Mr. ATKIN considered the word " unwarrantable" jus-
tifiable, as he thought the chairman and deputy-chairman
were bound to give to that committee such information as
was communicated to them for the use of that body. The
letter itself shewed that the late chairman was wrong.
Two offers of sale were made, neither of which were com-
municated to them. It was wrong to suppress what it
was material for them to know, and if he had known a
week ago that Mr. Nicol thought otherwise, he would
have objected to his being elected deputy-chairman.
The CHAIRMAN thought the propriety of the expres-
sion " unwarrantable" depended upon whether there was
any motive. If he himself were deputed to negociate a
matter, and knowingly suppressed anything material that
occurred, he should be amenable to severe censure; but
he had no doubt but the late chairman had merely made
an omission, without any design of withholding any in-
formation that ought to have been given.
Mr. Nicol, concurred, but, whether as deputy-chair-
man or as a member only of the committee, he should use
his own discretion, and with, he trusted, advantage to the
trust. _ _ _

Mr. AIKIN said that if Mr. Nicol, in the exercise of
such discretion, kept from the committee that which was
intended for them, he would be open to the censure of
the committee. The communication was made to the
committee in such terms that left no doubt that the Har-
rington Dock Company would not sell a part—only the
whole.

Mr. Tones thought that if there was any charge against
the late chairman they had better bring it forward. It was
frivolous and vexatious, and unworthy the Dock Com-
mittee to take any further notice of it.
The committee then adjourned.
The Mercury of Friday last makes the following, amongst
other remarks on the above conversation :—" As it is
perhaps necessary that we should explain the reason why,
in our paper of this day, the omission complained of by
Mr. Evans occurs, the meeting of the Dock Committee
which was held on Monday last, was altogether out of the
usual course, and no reporter was aware that it had been
l l theirlearo
learned
business
thatth
a et
fixed for that day. The reporter alluded to in the above
officeen on
tay
General Committee was then sitting. After it had ter-
tphreocheeoduirngosf amtteeentdinedg, the
auddoucek e id
ter-
minated, the reporter for the Times was informed that
such a meeting had taken place, and from private sources
gathered the particulars which were published on Tues-
day, that being the only report that has yet appeared.
The fault, if any exists, rests, therefore, with the commit-
tee, who, if they had displayed that courtesy which is ge-
nerally shown to the press, would have directed their
officers to give intimation of the meeting."
We concur with our contemporary with respect to the
inconvenience felt by reporters in the Dock Committee,
though we slightly differ from himin degree in some
points. We have not ourselves experienced any serious
interruption from the noise of carts, as he has, none of
which pass under the windows, (which face the west,)
but along Canning-place, between which and the commit-
tee-room there is a chamber, by the intervention of which
the sound is considerably deadened, though it may be oc-
casionally and rather inconveniently heard. We alto ad-
mit occasional irregularity and bye-talk in the proceed-
ings, though scarcely to the extent which might be inferred
from the observation made on that point. He is quite
correct as to the relative position of many of the speakers
with reference to the reporters; and an oblong tab.e, with
a desk, for the accommodation of the latter, near the top,
from which they could see and hear the speakers on each
side as they addressed the chair, would be a great holm), e-
ment. The room itself is large, comparatively naked, and
unfavourable for hearing at the best, The greatest de-
fect, however, in our opinion, is, that the discussions are
for the most part carried on in a merely conversational
manner, and generally in a subdued tone. If " the
knights of the round table" would invariably rise when
speaking,—or at least when uttering any thing beyond a
passing remark—and at the same time speak slowly and
distinctly, particularly when dealing in figures, the re-
porters would be saved much trouble, and be less liable to
inaccuracy, or, as is now often the case, to be puzzled with
a very imperfect hearing and impression of what is going
on. Mr. Evans is somewhat unreasonable in demanding
a full report of all these proceedings as an understanding
for the privilege of admission to reporters ; and the Chair-
man is right in stating that reporters and editors must be
allowed to use their own discretion in appropriating the
matter they may collect, extended or contracted according
as its importance may appear, or according to the room
they may have at their disposal. He is mistaken if he
supposes that the mere admission of reporters to the
Dock Committee is an especial " boon." For ourselves
(and we believe we may say the same for all our contem-
poraries) we are anxious to supply every information in
our power affecting the public interests, however remote-
ly; but at the same time we must inform him that the
proceedings of the Dock Committee, and even on many
Occasions of those of the Common Council itself, are but
rarely the stuff that brings any pecuniary return, in sale
or patronage, to the proprietors of the press, for the time,
trouble, and expense bestowed upon them. And we
would also remind him, if he or any of his colleagues
contemplate an exclusion of the reporters, and carry
out a proposition to that effect, that such bodies would,
in the present age, cease to enjoy the confidence of the
public, and sink into comparative insignificance. The
obligation is rather, indeed, on the other side; and whilst
on this subject, we cannot help remarking that the re-
porters are not treated with that courtesy and respect to
which they are entitled, and which is awarded them in
many other towns. Both at the Common Council and
Dock meetings they are thrust a priori into an ante-room
or vestibule until all the members are seated, and " grace"
(we presume) is said with closed doors, when they are
summoned in, very much like culprits, or spies, or at
least exceedingly inferior beings, to whom a great favour
is awarded, and have to march through " the collective
wisdom" to the place appointed for them, which, in the
Dock Committee, is close against a wall, with a paltry
little table, and a frequent lack of light and deficiency of
chairs, so that some of them have often to writa their
notes on their knee, or as they best can. It is sometimes
too troublesome, if not impossible, to procure a sight of
the requisite documents read, and then only as an especial
favour. It is, in fact, to no courtesy shown to reporters
in this town that the public is indebted for the information
supplied, but to the honourable competition of the press
in watching the public interests ; and even with all the
disadvantages, the proceedings of public bodies are no
where more faithfully or assiduously reported.

A splendid ball was given, at the Seacomba Hotel, on
Monday evening for the benefit of the Wallasey charities.
Three hundred persons of the first rank in the neighbour-
hood were present, and the success was so great that it
has been determined to hold a similar meeting annually.
As Mrs. Ann Horsman, late of Francis-street, Strange-
ways, (mother of Mrs. Horsman, of the firm of Sidney
and Horsman, tea-dealers,) was crossing Oldham-street,
Manchester, the other day, she suddenly started back, and
was knocked down by a cab, which was coming up at the
time, and the horse trod upon her, and fractured her
skull. She died of the injuries on Wednesday.
DEPLORABLE IGNORANCE.—At an inquest held before
Mr. Chapman, coroner for Manchester, on Thursday
last, on the body of an unfortunate woman who had died
from excessive drinking, a girl, named Ellen Davies,
eleven years old, residing in the neighbourhood of Ashley-
lane, was brought forward as a witness, who declared
that she had never heard of the Bible, God, Jesus Christ,
heaven or hell ! Surely, this fact of itself sufficiently
attests the wide-spread and prevailing ignorance amongst
the rising generation of this town, and the strong neces-
sity for " extending the means and improving the staple
of education" amongst the poor.

.t has hitherto been. It is
TOBACCO SMUGGLING.—The circular of Mr. Maury,
of Liverpool, states that the attention of government is
nmoowr e drawn
serious
manner
to the sabjectof smuggling tobacce, in a
I
than
illicit t oba c
thateo
universally admitted, he sot's, that the present rate of
duty cannot be colleted ; and, that the manufacturer who
mustth e either
consumption do so , o
ofr give
up his trade.
does not deal innit
is
shown
to-
bacco in Ireland, when the population was but 4,000,000,
amounted to 9,500,0001 b., or 21b. 6oz. per head ; and that
now, with a population of 8,000,000, it is little more than
4,500,0001 b i that in the United Kingdom the consumption
does not amount to more than 13loz. for each individual;
yet, that in Prussia the consumption of each person is
31b. per annum. All these points, with many others,
have been placed be fore government; and, in our opinion,
the only reason which can deter them from a reduction of
the duty to Is. per pound, will be the fear of hazarding so
great an experiment on the receipts of the Exchequer.
The first year they would lose, in Mr. Maury's opinion.
£750,000; but he feels confident (and so do we), that. in
three years, the revenue derived from the Is. duty would
surpass its present amount.

PRESENTATION TO THE REV. THUS. DWYER.

On the evening of Wednesday week, at the conclusion of
the weekly service, the Rev. T. Dwyer, chaplain of the
West Derby Union Workhouse, was presented with a
splendidly-hound Polyglot Bible, the gift and joint sub-
scription of the teacher of the girls' school, and the little
flock entrusted to her charge. The presentation was made
by Mr. George Aspinall, of this town, (who is, we are
given to understand, preparing for holy orders,) who ad-
dressed Mr. Dwyer thus :
- - -

REV. AND DEAR SIR,—I have been requested by the
respected schoolmistress and the children over whom she
presides, (and, believe me, I never obeyed a request with
feelings of greater pleasure,) to present you, in token of
their sincere regard and attachment, and as expressive,
moreover, of the solid benefit they have derived from your
ministration among them,—this copy of the Word of God ;
and, with the gift, I am deputed to convey to you (and
here I may at least unite, and do so, most cordially,) their
sincere, their heartfelt, irk most earnest wishes for your
continued health, prosperity, and happiness in this life,
and that in that which is to come, you may be made a par-
ticipator in the joys of our dear Lord, and receive, as the
reward of your faithful labours here, that crown of end-
less immortality and glory destined to encircle the brow of
the saint victorious, and which fadeth not away.

To this the rev. gentleman replied as follows :

DEAR Sin,—lt is with feelings of great gratification that
I receive this testimonial from the schoolmistress and
children of the union. It is as unexpected as it is grati-
gsGer
God's
das greater rowfh
lt
l pleasure,teoi r
fallenloveas andesteemmtha:i
have
This
h ithought m
lyabkoi
i
fving. I hope I shall entertain as long as I live a lively
onpkgr ompeer
containst ht
oi s
presentation that book which contains the declaration of
select
Pe
alllree es
te
thatnfort
I also receive this mark of their love and esteem with the
is necessary for us to know to obtain the eternal happiness
of our immortal souls. lam firmly persuaded that not a
few of the children are well acquainted with the contents
of this book which I hold in my hands. And 1 pray to
God, that in after life, when they shall leave this establish-
ment and enter into the varied scenes of the world's occu-
pation, the contents of this book, which are now impressed
upon their understandings, and I trust, in God's grace,
upon their souls, may enable them well
.and truly " to do
their duty in that state of life to which it may please God
to call them," so that they may in truth be children of
God, " thoroughly furnished unto all good works."