The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-10-07 00:00:00

GARDEN'S COMMITTEE

Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE remarked upon the very large sum
which the Finance Committee had been called upon to pay
the week before for improvements at the Mount Gardens.
He believed the council had authorised the improvements in
question ; but, if the council knew at the time that the sum
of £4OO would have to be paid for iron railing round the
Mount, they would not have rushed into so large an ex-
penditure.
Mr. JORDAN said the railing was indispensable, inasmuch
as the place had been a disgrace to the town. Estimates had
been procured, and the lowest had been accepted.
1\ Ir. PLATT saidit was admitted upon all hands thatthe re-
pairs were requisite. Re was surprised at the allusion of Mr.
Lawrence to the expense.
Mr. ISAAC HOLMES thought a greater outlay would be re-
quired at the Mount before twelve months had expired.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE said it would have been well, if
the chairman of the Gardens' Committee had apprised the
council in the first instance that the outlay would have been
so extensive.
Mr. JORDAN said the repairs would have cost a great deal
more, if he had not attended to them himself.
The CHAIRMAN.—We all know your zeal for the gardens,
sir. (A laugh.)
The proceedings were confirmed.
REPORT OF THE PAID OFFICERS' COMMITTEE. ,
Mr. LLOYD said it was his duty, as chairman of the special
committee, appointed on the 6th of May last, to inquire into
the present duties of the officers and servants of the corpor-
ation, with their respective salaries—to move a suspension of
the standing order, 26—and the reception of the first report
of that committee.
The DEPUTY MAYOR said the report could not possibly
be taken that day, as it appeared rather ponderous.
Mr. EVANS said that without there was an urgent neces-
sity, he had an objection to making free with the standing
orders of the council, because there was no knowing where a
precedent of that sort might lead. They should not urge on
the present matter with undue haste; and if it were not ab-
solutely necessary he should wish to have it referred' to the
next meeting of the council which would take place in a
fortnight. He considered the example of suspending the
standing orders as very bad.
Mr. HODGSON thought the subject a deeply interesting
one, and that the council would be in full possession of the
facts by having the report then read over. The discussion
might come on upon a future day.
The TOWN CLERK then read the report, which is inserted,
in another part of the paper.
The reading of the report being concluded, Mr. SANDS
immediately rose and said, he did not know whether the
present was the proper time to propose the thanks of the
council to Mr. Lloyd, the clerk of the committee, for the
very able report just read. If it were the proper time he
should have the greatest pleasure in proposing such a motion.
The Deputy MAYOR reminded Mr. Sands that this was
only the first report of the special committee ; and he appre-
hended the council would very willingly thank them at the
end of their labours.

Mr. BOLTON said, the next point was for the chairman of
the committee to make such a proposition to the council on
the report as he might think fit.
Mr. SANDS said, if he were wrong of course the council
would correct him; but the report was really so able that he

thought no time ought to be lost in proposing the thanks of
the council to Mr. Lloyd, by whom it had been drawn up.
Mr. COOPER agreed with Mr. Sands that it was a most
valuable report.
Mr. SANDS.—And I think
are deserving of our thanks for it
The Deputy M AYOR said, no doubt they were, and at the
proper time he would join the council in thanking them ;
but he thought such a motion would come with more pro-
priety at the end of their labours.
Mr. LoYn then rose, and said he was sure it would be
impossible for the members of the council to form an opinion
upan the importance of the report unless they had it in their

Mr. Lloyd and the committee

hands. He therefore should wove that the report be printed
and crrculated among the members of the council, and that
it be taken into consideration at the special meeting already
appointed for the discussion of the gaol question. He would
simply remark, as he did not wish to enter at the present
moment upon a discussion of the merits of the report, that
the committee had studiously avoided mixing up persons with
their office or duties. The committee had first of all gone
through those departments in which the offieers were not in
connection with any particular committee of the council.
They had desired to report some months ago upon the Town-
clerk's department ; but they found it so mixed up with
other offices, so connected with even the Treasurer and the
Surveyor, that they had found it impossible to report so
early as they had been anxious to do. In stating what might
appear to be some sort of fault on the part of the Treasurer
for not checking the fees, it was due to him to say, that on
every inquiry the committee made from him, he stated that
he never considered it his duty to look at more than what
came to him in the shape of a summary. The consequence
had been, all the confusion which the committee had pointed
out in their report. lie now begged to move that the report
be printed and circulated among the members of the coun-
cil, and taken into consideration at the special meeting of
the council to be held that day fortnight.

Mr. BouroN seconded the motion. As the evidence had
already been taken upon the departments of the Surveyor
and the Treasurer, he would suggest to the Chairman of the
Committee (Mr. Lloyd), the propriety of the report on them
being drawn up, and added to that on the Town-clerk's de-
partment, so that they might all be taken into consideration
at the same time. The Treasurer's department especially
was so mixed up with the report already read, that he (Mr,
Bolton) thought they might, with great propriety, be consi-
dered both together; and as the evidence had already been
taken, the report could not take very long to complete.
Mr. LLOYD said that he had devoted a very considerable
portion of time in the last week to the preparation of the re-
port lust read ; and there were also so many matters to refer
to in the departments just named, that he could not bind
himself to report upon them both in the next fortnight. The
report on the surveyor's department would be a work of con-
siderable labour, and he thought it would be one that would
startle the council, more especially with reference to the
weights and measures. He could not touch one without the
other : the surveyor Was mixed up with the district building
surveyor's department, and, therefore, he would endeavour
to keep every thing distinct.
Mr. BOLTON said there would be no difficulty as to the
treasurer.

Mr. LLOYD said that as to the treasurer's department by
itself he might be able to report; but, perhaps, the council
might wish to have it in their hands for a fortnight pre-
viously. He would do so • but it was only a duty which he
owed to himself to state, ;hat he had already devoted more
time to this matter than, perhaps he ought, with due regard
to his own business.

Mr. I-lonGsoN thought the council were called upon, with
the weight of matter now presented to them, to to take the
report as it was, because the departments were separate, in-
stead of being overloaded with that yet to come. Therefore,
without committing themselves to form a judgment, the
council ought not to allow the day to go without expressing,
though not in a formal vote of thanks, how deeply they felt
themselves indebted for the pains that must have been be-
stowed to give such a detail of the different accounts. It was
perfectly that they were in a state of confusion and intricacy,
whence arising would have to be considered, that had highly
called for

He hoped the committee would persevere to report on the
other departments with the same clearness as they had given
the present, so as to come to the bottom of them. And he
should say if they got through one or two of them in the
course of a council, they ought to have special councils held
for the consideration of them. If they were in the position
that that report represented them to be, it was high time
for the great corporation of Liverpool to show that they did
know how to organise and conduct the affairs committed to
their charge.
Mr. Alderman EARLE asked whether there was any
question before the council
Mr. HODGSON said, it was competent for him to ad-
dress the council, as there was a motion that the report be
printed.
Mr. Alderman EARLE.—We may all have our nostrums;
and I shall have mine! .

......
Mr. HODGSON said, he had not committed himself to the
report, but he had a right to express his opinion.
The DEPUTY-MAYOR said, the question to be determined
no,v was, whether it was desirable to add to the present re-
port the further report to which Mr. Bolton had alluded.
Mr. LLOYD begged to observe, that all which had been
now reported upon was distinct in itself, and in a situation
to be taken into consideration. Auy other that might come
afterwards would only put more labour upon the council.
Mr. BOLTON had been, he believed, at every meeting of
the committee at which the report had been considered.
The inquiry, he considered, was complete as regarded the
treasurer's office; it was also complete as regarded the sur-
veyor's office ; it was also complete as regarded the sur-
veyor's office; but more particularly as regarded the trea-
surer's office, connected as that was with the accounts. And
us he (Mr. Bolton) should not be many weeks longer in the
council, it would be a satisfaction to him if he ended the
labours in which he had taken a part, and which he fancied
would have to be began again if they were not completed
InforP the Ist of November.

Mr. LLOYD said he had willingly undertaken to repor upon
the treasurer's department.
Mr. BOLTON said, lie would be satisfied then with the
treasurer's department.
Mr. PROCTOR, as a member of the committee, asked i❑
what position the council would place themselves if the
chairman agreed to report on the treasurer's department.
The report on the town clerk's department was already be-
foro the council; but there wrs no report as to the state of
the treasurer's office.
The DEPUTY-MAYOR considered that it would be more
regular if the report were brought before the council pre-
vious to being printed.

- .
Mr. BUSHELL asked whether the chairman of the com-
ittee considered that the evidence should be publi.hed, or
ercly laid before the Council, for each member to read it if
these ?

Mr. LLOYD said, that upwards of 5,000 questions were in
evidence before the committee, to which he had made a sort
of index throughout. The expense of having the whole
whole printed would be very considerable. He thought the
council had better have the report in their hands ; and they
might have the evidence read over without going to the ex-
pense of getting it printed. (Hear, hear.)
The report was then ordered to be printed, and taken Into
consideration on the lath instant, the second standing order
being first suspended.

THE LATE FIRE

Several memorials on the subject of the late fire were then
read. _ _ _ _ _

The first memorial was from Mr. Myers, as Secretary of
the East India and China Association, setting forth the in-
jurious effect of the destructive fires with which Liverpool
has been visited to the commerce of the port, in consequence
of the increased risk and high premiums of insurance. The
memorial contained various suggestions touching the supplies
of water, the increase of powerful engines, and the removal
of warehouses from their contiguity to dwellings.
Letters were read from the Stipendary Magistrate and from
Mr. E. G, Deane, clerk to the paving Board, enclosing reso-
lutions of the Justices and the Paving Board. The resolu-
tion of the last-named body was to the effcet that Mr, Ashlin
had submitted a plan of which they approved. A memorial
was read from Mr. G. Duncan, secretary to the American
Chamber of Commerce, and also a memorial from Mr. Ad-
cock' who set forth that he was acquainted with a method
by which fires could be easily extinguished, which he had
submitted to Mr. Isaac Holmes.
Mr. ISAAC HOLMES said, he believed the plan which Mr.
Adcock intended to submit, would be completely effectual.
Mr. Adcock said, lie would not care if he were in the middle
of the Atlantic. and a fire in the hold of the vessel in which
he was—he could extinguish it in ten minutes. Mr. Holmes

wished a special committee of four to be appointed to hear
Mr. Adcock's communication, signifying that he would not
communicate with a greater number, and that he had expec-
tations of being remunerated. Mr. Holmes named Mr.
Evans and the Chairmen of the Finance, Dock, and Watch

Commit'xes, as proper persons to form the Committee.
Mr. BRAMLEY-MOOTE asked Mr. Holmes if he had seen
any experiment tried, whereby he could judge of the utility
of the plan.
Mr. ISAAC HOLMES said, he was so bound down, that he
could not enter on the subject; but no such experiment was
necessary to ensure conviction.
Mr. SANDS said he had seen the plan of Mr. Adcock.
Mr. ISAAC HOLMES.—No, indeed, you have not.--(A
laugh.)
Mr. Sands had certainly seen a plan submitted to him by
Mr. Adcock, and he thought it very ingenious.
Mr. ISAAC HOLMES.—No, no, it is not the same.
Mr. Holmes's motion was not seconded.
Mr. JAMES LAWRENCE asked if the chairman were in
possession of a memorial from Mr. Capes Ashlin.
Mr. THOMAS BRANCKER having replied in the negative.
Mr. PROCTER said he could furnish one, for as the subject
was mentioned in the report of the Watch Committee, it was
proper that it should come before the council.
A copy of the memorial was put in, and taken as read, and
it was to be embodied in the minutes of the Council.
Mr. Alderman Turner was called upon for the following
motion, of which he had given notice :
" To call the attention of the Council to the late calamitous
fire, and the necessity of constructing, with as little delay as
possible, large tanks or reservoirs of water, in different parts
of the town ; also, to have plans of all the mains, with parti-
culars of the various plugs attached thereto, drawn out and
deposited at all the police stations; and where mains are
found deficient, particularly in the neighbourhood of ware-
houses, to have new ones laid down (if necessary) at the ex-
pense
of the Corporation : also, to have the exact position of
each plug painted in a conspicuous situation at the corner of
every street, so that in case of a fire breaking out, there need
be no delay in procuring an immediate supply of water."—
Mr. Turner said it was impossible for any one who visited
the fire not to be struck with the inadequacy of water, and
of the superhuman energies displayed by Mr. Whitty and
Mr. Maxwell, during that calamitous occurrence, and also
the noble daring of the men under Mr. Whitty's command.
He also passed high encomiums on the chairman of the Watch
Committee, for his energetic exertions. After many re-
marks on the ill-construction of the warehouses destroyed,
their contiguity to wooden sheds of Mr. Ashlis. Mr. Turner
said he was willing that his motion should merge in that of
Mr. Nicol.
The motion, of which notice had been given by Mr. Nicol,
ran at follows
That a committee of seven be appointed to inquire into
and take into consideration the present state of warehouses
in Liverpool ; all practicable improvements in their construc-
tion, seperation, and arrangement, with reference to the better
protection of life and property from fire ; and any necessary
applications to Government and the Legislature for the better
effecting such improvements ; and to report thereon at an
early Council,"
Mr. Nicol said his object was to have a committee to take
into consideration the present state of warehouses in this
town. He spoke of the contiguity of the warehouses
destroyed to oil stores, bone-grinding works, cooperages,
blacksmith's shops, and dwellings all of wood, and also the
narrowness of the avenues in which a mass of valuable pro-
perty was stowed.
Mr. BIRKETT seconded the motion, and said that the ware-
house owners of Liverpool were ready to do anything in
reason, and something out of reason too. He thought much
of the destruction had ensued in consequence of warehhouses
having bcen erected for temporary purposes, so that they
would hardly bear their own weight, while they fell to pieces
the moment they were subjected to the influence of the fire.
Mr. EVANS thought Mr. Nicol's motion was much too
limited, and he hoped the Council would consider this ques-
tion with reference to the future. He thought that as a num-
ber of warehouses had been removed by this calamity, the
Council ought now to look to having them re-built in the
right place. He moved that the word " location" should be
inserted in the motion, so that the whole subject might be
considered at once.
Mr. PARKER spoke strongly of the badness of the build-
ings which were destroyed. The mortar, he said, used in
their construction was little better than sand.
Mr. Tloncsox objected to the combined motion of Mr.

Nicol and Mr. Turner, as it did not leave room for the com-
mittee to consider the whole question. He would move that
a committee of seven be appointed to enquire into the most
efficacious preveutive measures against fire, and also the best
means of arresting the progress of any fire which might
hereafter unfortunately break out.
Mr. FREW.; seconded the motion.

After much conversation, Mr. Aikin said, the amendment
of Mr. Hodgson did not include the desirable inquiry into
the warehousing system. •

The Council divided, when the amendment was carried by

majority of 18 against. 15.
Mr. ALEXANDER SMITH, seconded by Mr. TURNER,

moved another amendment, which was similar to that of Mr.
Nicol, with the following addition :—" To report thereon
generally, as to the most efficacious preventive measures
against tire, as to any des;ription of property, and the best
means of arresting the progress of any fire that may hereafter
unfortunately break out, comprising supply of water, as well
as any other measure.

This amendment was carried by a majority of 18 against 13.
Mr. AIKIN then moved another amendment, which was
precisely that of Mr. David Hodgson, with the addition of
the words. " and particularly with reference to warehouse
property."
The Council voted on this amendment by standing up, and
it was carried.

The following gentlemen were appointed to constitute the
committee :—Sir Thomas Brancker, Messrs. Eyre Evans,
J. H. Turner, W. Birkett, David Hodgson, James Lawrence,
and Mr. Nicol.

All the memorials o❑ the subject of the fire which were
presented to the Council, are to be referred to the above
committee.

The Council broke up at half-past four o'clock

MEETING OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE

The weekly meeting of the Doek Committee was held yes-
terday, when the following members were present :—Messrs.•
Sands (chairman), Horsfall, Holt, Holmes, Middleton,
Aikin, Smith, 'Mellor, Evans, Tobin, Shand, Bold, Moon,
and Bulley.

THE NEW WAREHOUSES.—INSURANCE.
Mr. BOLD begged to mention, with regard to the new ware
houses, that at a meeting of the Insurance Companies held

in London, when they heard what the plan was for erecting
the new warehouses, lie had been informed that they dis-

tinctly stated they would not insure property in them at any
rate, in consequence of their being built at the edge of the
water. The insurance Companies had also seen the plan of
another dock company, the Herculaneum he believed, and
they highly approved of that. Now, for the committee to
build warehouses which nobody would insure, when it had
been held out, as the great inducement to build them, that the
property in them would be insured so much cheaper, would
be to commit an error, and make the warehouses of no use.

The CHAIRMAN asked Mr. Bold whether he had heard
that statement on good authority ?_

Mr. BOLD replied that he had heard it on very good
authority, for it was from a gentleman who was present. The
committee must further bear in mind, that the shipping in
the dock would follow the same rule ; indeed, the premium
had already been raised from 2s. 6d. to 7s. upon the shipping
in the docks ; 3s. was the regular rate, but 2s. 6d. was taken ;
the companies, however, had now raised it to 7s. 6d., and
what would it be when the dock was full of shipping ? This
was a very serious point. Sir John Hall (Mr. Bold was
understood to say) objected to warehouses being constructed
on the edge of the dock, and considered a space to be neces-
sary between the dock and the warehouses. Added to this,
the insurance companies were rejecting insurances upon pro-
perty in the St. Catherine's Docks. He deemed this matter
of great importance, and therefore had felt it his duty to
mention it to the committee.

The CHAIRMAN had been told some days ago that the in-
surance offices in London were objecting to insure property
in the St. Catherine's warehouses. He thought this was a
strange proceeding, and, therefore, he made enquiry from a
gentleman competent to give information on the subject, who
assured him there was not one word of truth in the state-
ment. Whether it was the fact or not he did not himself
pretend to say.
Mr. BOLD knew they were curtailing their insurances,
—that is, they were taking now small sums only where
they used to take double or treble the amount ; and at the
same time they had raised the rates from is. 6d. to 2s. 6d.
This was in consequence of the warehouses in the St. Cathe-
rine's Dock-yards. If this were so, the dock warehouses
here would be an injury rather than a benefit. . .

Mr. EVANS was understood to attribute all these state-
ments to sonic excitement upon the warehouse question.
Their warehouses had nothing to do with the warehouses in
St. Catherine Docks ; and it was now too late in the day to
object to them. Their plans Bad received the sanction of par-
liament; the foundations were laid, and if they were to make
alterations they would have to alter the whole arrangement
of the quay and the area of the warehouses, which would
lessen them in a great degree, and defeat the very object
which the committee had in view. Mr. Bold, who was
a new member of the committee, was not aware how many
discussions they had had upon the plans. Nothing for
years had been better or more maturely considered than that ;
they had examined nautical and commercial men, and it was
only after the most patient research, and the greatest inves-
tigation for years, that they had arrived at the present plan.
It could not therefore be altered without disadvantage.
Mr. AIKIN was surprised to hear any person in Mr. Bold's
situatien state it was Sir John Hall's opinion that it would
have been batter the warehouses should be put back.
Mr. BOLD.—I said he stated that if he had to reconstruct
their own warehouses he would put them back.
Mr. AIKIN said that surprised him more than a little,
because he had himself put a question to Sir John Hall
whether he thought warehouses over-hanging the quay or
placed upon the west side the dock the better. Sir John
Hall said he thought the plan of having warehouses upon the
quay decidedly the best, but that if he had to reconstruct
them he certainly would make various alterations. This was
what he understood from Sir John Hall himself. He doubted
very much whether Sir John Hall held any such opinion as
that stated, because he had professed to give every informa-
tion and advice upon the subject to the committee. The late
chairman and several other members of the committee had
seen Sir John Hall with regard to the construction of the
new dock and the whole of the warehouses. He (Mr. Aikin)
was very much surprised to hear that the insurance com-
panies in London were beginning to refuse to lake vessels in
the St. Catherine's Docks.
The CHAIRMAN asked Mr. Aikin whether he had heard
of any such intention?
Mr. AIKIN said he had heard of it. He had had to pay
insurance in London occasionally, but he had never yet
heard an instance of goods being in the St. Catherine's Docks
affecting the insurance to any amount, though the rate was
one fourth less there than they might be effected at here.
The CHAIRMAN said, that when be was in London some-
time back, lie called upon Sir John Hall, to have a conver-
sation with him upon these warehouses. Being much occu-
pied Sir John referred him to his factotum, Mr. —, from
whom he enquired whether he could make any material
alteration in them. He (the chairman) did not know whether
he had asked him with regard to the warehouses being on the
edge of the quay ; but he seemed to be satisfied with the
plans upon the whole. Now, if the Insurance Offices had
made any objection to insure because the warehouses were
upon the margin of the dock, he thought it was only probable
Mr. would base suggested such an improvement as
would obviate that.

Mr. AIKIN supposed that Mr. Bold was also aware that
the committee not only acted upon their own opinion, but
they sent up to London for the evidence of men who were
capable of advising them in the construction of the ware-
houses so as to make them superior in every respect to all
others. Had they done this the committee could not act
upon the casual, and very often the interested, observations
of others.

...• ..........___
Mr. BOLD bad no objection to mention the name of the
gentleman who had mentioned this matter to him ; it was
Mr. Holmes.

Mr. HORSFALL said this subject had had all the conside-
ration which the committee could possibly give to it. But
beyond that, if the opinion of the committee had had weight,
surely that of the House of Commons also had, because
all these objections were the❑ urged by counsel, and the de-
cisions of the committee of the house then shewed that the

That decision was supported of course by

plan was right.
the evidence.
The CHAIRMAN doubted whether the committee had the
power of making any alterations.
Mr. HORSFALL did not think they had. The committee
must recollect that fires were allowed in the St. Catherine's
Docks, but no such thing was intended here; and indeed he
had no doubt that the precautions against fire here were
much more complete than in St. the Catherine's Docks.
Mr. EVANS intimated his opinion that this was a Kind of
intrigue against the warehouses ; but unless it was founded
upon good facts it could not be supported. The committee
offered the insurance offices, and the world at large, all the
security they could ; they offered them facts as giving an al-
most unlimited security. They gave them, in the whole of the
front of the warehouses to the docks, iron instead of
wood ; all the walls were divided into sections, and they went

high enough to prevent connection of the roofs

The walls

were so strong that if the interior of the warehouses were
burned no doubt the walls would remain erect; there were
neither capstans nor shutters, nor any thing else of wood,
opposite to the docks, so that there could be no danger what-
ever with regard to the shipping. But as to shipping, ex-
cept from the action of gunpowder, he defied any one to point
out an instance of any ship afloat being burnt, either in a
river or in dock. There was no instance of the kind ; it was
indeed almost impossible they should be burnt afloat from
external causes.
The CHAIRMAN said Mr. Evans might have gone on to
state that the whole cf• the shutters on both sides the ware-
houses would be of iron. Both the doors and shutters would
be of iron.
Mr. MELLOR said it had occurred to him whether it would
not be practicable to have the warehouses built fireproof.
He believed there was some doubt whether what were called
fireproof buildings would be able to bear the great weight
that would be placed upon these warehouses ; but if it were
possible he should, regardless of expense, give his support to
their being so built.
The CHAIRMAN thought the suggestion a very good one;
and Mr. Hartley would have a plan to suggest to the com-
mittee in a few days, which he considered to be perfectly
fireproof.
Mr. MELLOR repeated that if it could be done without
material inconvenience he would, regardless of expense, have
the warehouses fireproof.
Mr. EVANS said expense must enter into the considera-
tion of the subject.
Mr. BOLD begged to repeat what he had said,, namely,
that at a meeting held in London the fire companies there
stated that they would not take the risk in these new ware-
houses, if they were built at the edge of the dock. That was
what he had heard ; and without being a party to any in-
trigue, as he had been accused, he begged to say that he was
there as a member of that committee, and so long as he was
he would open his mouth, regardless of abuse, to make any
useful improvement.
The CHAIRMAN said that what other members of the
committee had heard, justified Mr. Bold in introducing the
subject.
Mr. MELLOR said, a friend of his, Mr. Garnett of Clithero,
a large manufacturer, was in Liverpool a few days ago, and
he spoke to him on this subject. Mr. Garnett told him that
his factory had been on fire two or three times, and that if it
had not been built on fire-proof principles nothing in the
world could have prevented it being burnt down.
Mr.EvANs said the warehouses would be built in sections,
which was a security.
Mr. MELLOR had no doubt it was very possible to make the
warehouses strong enough for the ptttpose required, and at
the same time fire proof.
The CHAIRMAN said, still it was important to the com-
mittee if all the insurance offices in London proscribed these
warehouses in Liverpool.
Mr. HORSFALL considered it preposterous to suppose
they were proscribed so long as the offices insured those
warehouses i❑ the St. Catherine's Docks.
Mr. MELLOR said that although it might cost considerably
more money to build warehouses fire-proof than otherwise,
it was a fact that the rate of insurance upon warehouses so
built, was unquestionably less than on others.
The conversation on this subject then dropped.
CLARENCE SOUTH GRAVING DOCK.
The SECRETARY produced the plans of the Clarence
South Graving Dock, as, approved by the Ship-carpenters'
Association, and also Mr. Hartley's estimate of the cost for
lengthening the graving dock 90 feet as proposed. It ap-
peared that the additional expense would be,k2,200, which
with £3,380, the original estimate would make the cost
£10,580. It appeared that Mr. Askew, the South Harbou
Master, and Mr. M`Bride, were opposed to the alteration;
and after a short conversation between Mr. Tobin, Mr.
Horsfall, and others, it was resolved that the opinion of
those officers, as well as of the ship-carpenters, should be
taken on the subject on Thursday next.
The committee then separated.