The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-03-04 00:00:00

LECTURES AT 111 E MUSIC HALT
our Protestant friends of the lectures on the no

g to remind
velties of the

creed of Pope Pius the FOurth, which commence this even-
ing. The subscribers to this series of addresses will accom-
plish a double object—they will not only receive a vast fund
of valuable, and in the present day, indispensable' informa-
tion, but they will also contribute to the relief of the Protes-
tant Association, which is in immediate want of large pecu-
niary assistance. We are glad to hear that the third lecture
will be delivered by the Rev. J. Lyons, late of All Saints' in
this town, and whom we have not heard or seen since his re-
moval from this field of labour. The lecture this evening
will be by the Rev. Thomas Nolan, and the subject we may
as well repeat:-" I most steadfastly admit and embrace
apostolical and ecclesiastical traditions, and all other ob-
servances and constitutions of the same church." No
doubt, at a time when so much is said on the position which
tradition ought to occupy in scriptural teaching, the well-
known sound judgment of the talented lecturer will induce a
more numerous auditory than usual.
SPEEDY DETECTION, AND PUNISHMENT OF A THIEF.—
At the Police-court, yesterday afternoon, some time after the
disposal of the usual felony cases, a good looking, and well-
dressed youth, named John Lee, was placed at the bar,
charged with an attempt to pick a gentleman's pocket. A.
gentleman named Whitmore, stated, about ten minutes be-
fore, while he was passing, at the top of Dale-street. he felt
his coat tail lifted, and an attempt made at his pocket, in
which he had a pocket-book, and other articles of value. On
turning round, he saw the prisoner was the man, and imme-
diately secured him, and gave him in charge. The prisoner
is well known to the police, as one of the light-fingered
gentry, who infest this, and other large, and '• productive"
towns. He said nothing in his defence, beyond an impudent
denial, though the case was clearly proved. Mr. Rushton
said, he had before warned him, in what his iniquities would
end, and ordered him to gaol for three months. This is the
same youth, who was concerned in a robbery a short time
ago, at Newcastle, of 19 gold lever watches, and was detained
here on that account, but escaped from a link in the chain
of evidence being deficient. He is also well-known in
Glasgow.

FATAAL ACCIDENTS, SUDDEN DEATHS, SUECIDES, &C.,
IN LIVERPOOL.—The annual increase of cases in which in-
quests have been held before the coroner of this borough,

w•itliin the ten years ending with December last, exhibits a
progressive and painful increase in the number of fatalities;

. -
though, at the same time, it must be admitted that vigilance
in the coroner's department. in investigating casualties before
overlooked, bat involving circumstances that warranted
legal investigation, must have conduced to add to the number.
Making, however, every allowance, it would appear that deaths

calling-tor inquisition on the part of the coroner have in-
creased, from various causes, in a ratio exceeding the in-
crease of our growing population. The total number of
cases in 1831 was but 59. In 1833 they exceeded 200. In
1836, they exceeded 300; in 1840, 400; and last year, the
cases were no fewer than 420 ! We shall shortly be enabled
to submit a few valuable statistics on this subject.
In the London Gazette, published on Saturday, appears
an order in council, constituting the ports of St. John, in
the island of Antigua. and Plymouth, in the island of Mont-
serrat, free warehousing ports, under an act passed in the
third and fourth years of his late majesty, intituled " An
act to regulate the trade of the British possessions abroad."
KESHEN.—This eminent personage, it is now beyond a
doubt, has been doomed to be beheaded. The imperial will
has been received. " I order that the already degraded from
being a great Minister of State, Keshen, according to the
Great Council of the Imperial Kindred, be detained in prison
until autumn (9th moon, October 15 to September 12,) when
he is to be beheaded according to his sentence. Respect
this."—Canton _Register, of October 12.

EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW RAILWAY—WEEKLY RE-
TURN OF TRAFFIC.—It is with much pleasure we announce
the increasing number of passengers on this line of Railway.
Notwithstanding the boisterous state of the weather during
the last week the number of passengers were as follows :
Passenger traffic from Monday 21st to Saturday 26th Feb.,
1142: Number of passengers, 5576 ; receipts, £loool3s. Ild, ;
parcels, &c., £33 3s. 2d. ; total, £1032 17s. Id. No goods
trains. The success of the first week is a sufficient guaran-
tee that the public fully appreciate the advantages of this
great national work, and during the summer months, what
with pleasure trips and regular passengers, we doubt not the
number will be doubled. The success of the railway is now
without doubt.—Edinburgh Standard.
IsLE OF MAN.—From an authentic list recently published
itappears, that the number of vessels wrecked on the Isle of
Man, between the years. 1822 and 1841, amounts to 119.
The number of lives lost is stated to be 62, and the loss of
property estimated at £207,902. A meeting was held at
Douglas, Isle of Man, on Tuesday week, for the purpose of
taking into consideration the best means of obtaining a float-
ing breakwater at the entrance of that port.

A labouring man, named Archibald Wright, who had
occasion to be at the Bonnington Distillery on Wednesday
night last. was, it is said, offered and accepted a glass of
foreshot, which is the akohol 62 per cent. over proof. But
be that as it may, the man, it is said, was subject to fits,
and as one of the men belonging to the establishment was
leaving the gate for the night, he observed Wright lying
apparently asleep, but, upon being lifted, it was discovered
that-the vital spark had fled. He has left a widow and four
helpless children.—Edinburgh Paper.
Cows LAWS.—Mr. Parker, M.P., has given notice of his
intention to move, in committee on the corn bill, a clause
" enabling any person, on payment of the duty on any quan-
tity of foreign corn, or on giving bond for the payment of the
same, at the rate of duty then ruling, or on giving bond for
the payment of such duty at the rate which shall be ruling
on the day of clearing out such corn from any foreign port,
to enter the aforesaid quantity of corn, or any part thereof,
for home consumption, although not actually in bond, pro-
vided it be imported within a limited number of days from
the time of such entry."

TRIM ECONOMY.—When chimnies were first introduced
in kitchens, with wide arched fire-places, over them was com-
monly written—" Waste not, want not," which exhorted
cooks to care and economy. This motto is placed over the
large mantel of the vast kitchen at Raby Castle, the magnifi-
cent seat of the Duke of Cleveland.
The Calcutta papers describe the money•market as re-
maining in a depressed state, notwithstanding several arrivals
of treasure from China, rates of interest and discount in the
bazaar remaining the same as before, and public confidence
not having recovered from the shock caused by the failure of
Messrs. Boyd and Co.

EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW RAILWAY.—We understand
that the minority of the shareholders intend to present a bill
of suspension and interdict to the Court of Session against
the resolution of the majority sanctioning the running of a
morning and evening train on Sunday. This application
will necessarily be founded on some of the old Scotch acts,
as to the compulsory observance of the Sabbath-day, and
must open a wide field of discussion, as many of the statutory
injunctions of that period on this subject have fallen into
desuetude.

THE CORK ELECTION AND EJECTIONS—The howl of
despair has reached from the Mansion-house of •Dublin to the
Liberal Club-house of Cork. The petitioners against the
return of Messrs. O'Connell and Roach for the Irish York-
shire are provokingly determined to persevere ; and so well
furnished are they with money sod means—so certain is their
prospect of success—that if the raciicalCorkagians will not fork
out, and throw good money after bad—the two seats will be
abandoned ; for one penny of money the sitting members
will not expend on the defence of a hope so utterly forlorn.
—Dublin Evening Mail.
TILE ARMY.—In order to facilitate reliefs, six regiments
of infantry are to be augmented to 12 companions of 100 rank
and file each. Their establishment is to be as follows, viz.
—1 colonel, 1 lieutenant-colonel, 2 majors, 12 captains, 14
lieutenants, 10 ensigns, 1 paymaster, 1 adjutant, 1 quarter-
master, 1 surgeon, 2 assistant-surgeons, 1 sergeant-major, 1
paymaster-sergeant, 1 quartermaster-sergeant, 1 armourer-
sergeant, 1 schoolmaster-sergeant, 1 hospital sergeant, 1
orderly-room clerk, 12 colour-sergeants, 48 sergeants, 60
corporals, 1 drum-major, 24 drummers and fifers, and 1,140

.
privates.—United Service Gazette.
THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.—The weather has been
changeable since our last, and not so favourable for out-door
labours as the week previous, heavy rains having fallen at
different times : still a good deal of work has been accom-
plished. The sowing of wheat has been actively proceeded
with ; and on a considerable breadth of land where the seed

could not be got in last autumn, the planting has now been
completed under tolerably auspicious circumstances : this,
together with ploughing and preparing the soil for spring
corn, has given, and will for some time continue to give,
busy occupation to the (miner. The reports respecting the
appearance of autumn salt wheat still vary greatly : on the
whole, they aro rather unfavourable; but we consider it yet
too early to venture on an opinion, as a fine spring may do
much to remedy the damage complained 0f.,--Mark Lane
Express.

The fate of our troops at Cabul is now, we fear, almost
certainly decided; for unless some special intervention of
Providence relieves them from the dilemma in which they are
placed, human aid is all unavailing. Accounts have been re-
ceived from the city to the Bth of December, which represent
the state of affairs there to be much worse than they were
before ; provisions were becoming scarce, and the enemy
more daring every day. They had closely invested the in-
trenched camp at Seca-Sung, and, it is said, had made over-
tures of surrender to the Envoy, the conditions of which

were, that he should deliver Scliah Soojah over to the Aff-
ghat's, and leave the country with our troops. God help our
poor fellows, for they are indeed in a critical position !—Ben-
gal Herald, Jan. Bth.
EXTENSIVE OMNIBUS ROBBERS.-011 Saturday morn-
ing, as a gentleman was proceeding from the Bank in one of
the Hammersmith omnibuses, he was robbed of a Russian
leather pocket-book, containing a Bank of England note for
£5OO, No. 93,581 ; a Hank of England note for £2OO, No.
54,837 ; and a Bank of England note for £5O No. 92,575.
These robberies, which are almost inexplicable, continue to
be on the increase, and persons cannot be too cautious Inaw
they proceed by such conveyance, as a number of well-dresied
thieves. y'clept swell mobmen, constantly pass to and fro in
these vehicles for the purpose of plundering the unwary.
DECLINE OF SOCIALISM.—qui. of the 85 places where te-
cialism formerly was progressing, there are only 39 left'in
which its principles are openly taught and acknowledged !
In only three out of these thirty-nine branches do their num-
bers exceed 100; in eight others their numbers are 50, and
below 100 ; in thirteen the numbers are 20, and under 50 ' •
and in neither of the remaining fifteen branches does the
number of members reach 20, while it goes down so low as
three ! It will also be seen, that of the 39 living branches 21
are considerably in arrears with the executive—the amount,
in some instances, approaching very nearly to £6O. Poor
old Bristol has died in debt to the tulle of 13/ 19s. 2d. ! Its
decease was officially announced in the New Moral World of
January 29, 1842. What do our let-them-alone friends say
to this, as well as to all the other sterling facts connected
with this report ? Finally, the grand sum total of socialist
members throughout the kingdom has dwindled down to less
than 2,000 !—And we have it on the authority of Robert
Owen himself, " that there is not one menzber, among al the
branches of this society, whose experience has been suffici-
ently expanded to enable him to comprehend the principles
of the system in all their extent and bearing, and much less
to understand the spirit, mode, and manner, by which they
can alone be successfully carried into execution, and wisely
applied to practice !" (Robert Owen's Address to his Dis-
ciples, New Moral World, Jan. 22, 1842.) A pretty set.
therefore, of ignoramuses they must be. They are a lot of
dull, impenetrable blockheads, and it is Robert Owen says
so.—Anti-Socialist Gazette.

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

The Town Council held their usual monthly meeting for
the despatch of business on Wednesday. The MAYOR pre-
sided.

FINANCE COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS

The proceedings, resolutions, and reports of the Finance
Committee were read, comprising a further proposal from
the committee of the Botanic Gardens, and the resolution
thereon; purchase of H. Jones's land for the improvement
of Limekiln-lane ; resolution relative to the landing-stage
and vessel at the Seacombe Pier ; and a petition against the
Birkenhead Improvement Bill.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE said, that before he moved the
confirmation of these proceeding, he would take the liberty
of calling the attention of the council to several matters
which had occupied the attention of the Finance Committee
during the last month. It would be a want of
,courtesy in
him if, in alluding to the proposals made by the committee
of management of the Botanic Gardens, he did not express
the regret he felt that the Finance Committee could not
recommend the council to accept them. Into the details of
of those proposals he should not then enter, but he should
reserve to himself the power of answering any question which
might be asked in the course of discussion by any member
of the council. lie was fully sensible of the importance of
the Botanic Gardens, and of the obligations under which the
Public lay to those gentlemen who had so long, and under so
many difficulties, maintained them ; but at the same time he
did not think that this council would be justified in sanction-
ing so large an outlay of public money as the purchase would
involve in continuing to support them. The next subject to
which he would call attention was the Seacombe slip ; and
the Finance Committee asked the confirmation of the council
to empower them to alter it. This subject was referred to
the Finance Committee by the council, and it sprung out of
the report made by the Irish Mail Packet Committee, which
was composed of several gentlemen belonging to the com-
mittee for managing the affairs of the docks. The object of
the committee was to prevent the Irish steam-packets being
removed to the Cheshire side of the river ; and though the
committee failed in this instance, they did not do so without
urging upon the council the necessity of increasing the ac-
commodation for passengers upon the Liverpool side of the
river, feeling that that would be one main step towards in-
ducing government, at some future period, to bring the Irish
mail packets again to this side of the water. The council
approved of their recommendation, and it was upon financial
considerations that the subject was referred to the committee.
The subject, however, involved a great deal of difficulty,—he
had almost said of dispute. The Finance Committee con-
sidered that they ought not to recommend the council to
embark in the outlay of money which would be required with-
out first making some arrangements with the Dock Com-
mittee to secure to,the public generally the advantages of
accommodation which several of the slips in the town afforded,
and without coming to some arrangement with them to place
the expense on the shoulders of those who ought to bear it.
The council had, year after year, spent many thousands on
slips, stages, and landing vessels. They had, lie thought,
fully fulfilled all the obligations which the legislature imposed
on them ; and though the Dock Committee might have done
something, lie thought they had fallen short of what the
legislature required from them on their part. In 1823. when
the Dock Act was passed, the legislature required that the
trustees should provide additional piers, jetties, inclined
planes, and such, too, as should from time to time be
proper and sufficient for the use and accommodation of pas-
sengers. In the year 1841, when the last dock act was
passed, the legislature made it incumbent upon the Dock
Committee to provide still further accommodation. This
act confirmed the previous act ; and they were to
make, from either the new dock or George's Dock, suffi-
cient accommodation to land passengers at low water.
The legislature required this from the Dock Committee as
the price of privileges which were conceded to them. For
instance, they gave them the power of building walls for their
new dock, and it was but right that the public should have
the privilege of landing at those walls, at the expense of the
dock trustees. When this clause was inserted in the last
dock act, the Finance Committee, in a letter which they
wrote to Mr. Eyre Evans in London, said they had no wish
to throw the whole burden upon the Dock Committee, but
that, when the proper period arrived, they would be ready
to recommend the council to enter with the Dock Committee
into some fair and reasonable arrangement for the accommo-
dation to the public being continued, as well as with regard
to the expense. This was the proposal and the arrangement
made in London in 1841. The Finance Committee thought
this was the proper time to make the arrangement—when
the Irish Mail Packet Committee had reported, and taken a
general view of the whole circumstances of the case. They
did not wish to throw the whole expense upon the Dock
Committee, but they proposed to the latter to enter into the
joint expense for the Seacomhe slip, &c. The Dock Com-
mittee had not acceded to the proposal, although they never
had a Finance Committee more disposed to deal liberally
with them than the present. The next subject recommended
by the committee was a petition against the Birkenhead im-
provement bill, the object of which was to enable the com-
missioners of Birkenhead to purchase the Woodside Ferry
at the expense of the township ; and to such a bill the com-
mittee objected on public and private grounds. Mr. Law-
rence concluded by reading the principal portion of the peti-
tion at length, and moving the confirmation of the proceed-
ings. _ _ - -

Mr. Councillor HOUGHTON seconded the motion.
Mr. PARKER said he had heard with extreme regret the
chairman of the Finance Committee state that they could
not come to terms with the committee of the Botanic Garden.
He hoped the council would be put in possession of the na-
ture of the second proposal which had been made by the lat-
ter. It would be a slur on the public spirit of the council if
the offer were not accepted, or, at all events, if a committee
were not appointed to treat with the gentlemen interested in
the Botanic Garden. He moved that a sub-committee be
appointed to treat with them, consisting of the chairman of
the Finance Committee and two other gentlemen whom he
might name.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE said that two proposals had been
made. The first was that the council should purchase the
Botanic Gardens at the price then owing, about £4,000, on
condition that they should be maintained as Botanic Gar-
dens. Of course the stipulation of maintaining them as Bo-
tanic Gardens implied at once that the public would no longer
continue to subscribe to them as they had heretofore. The
public bad subscribed about £BOO a-year to them, and this
£BOO, added to the interest on £4,000, would occasion an
annual expenditure to the council of about £l2OO or £l4OO
—an expense which the Finance Committee did not think it
right to incur; they therefore declined the proposal. The
next proposal was, that the council should pay off the £4,000,
upon condition that the moment the public ceased to main-
tain the gardens as Botanic Gardens, they should revert to
the corporation to do with them as they pleased. There was
something plausible in this at first, but the Finance Com-
mittee thought they should never be able to take possession
of the gardens for the benefit of the public,—that was to say,
that they never should be able to convert them to any other
than their present purpose, as they should be called Goths
and Vandals if they turned them into streets.
Mr. GLADSTONE thought it would be exceedingly desira-
ble if some arrangement could be made with regard to the
Botanic Gardens. If the expense of keeping them up could
be materially reduced by disposing of a portion of the con-
servatories, for they were the cause of the expense, and the
remainder kept as pleasure-grounds, it would be most satis-
factory to the public.
Mr. AIKIN was of the same opinion. He thought it
would be a disgrace to the council if the gardens were to
cease. He wished the subject to be referred back for the
reconsideration of the Finance Committee.
Mr. BOLTON concurred in the view already arrived at by
the Finance Committee.
Mr. EVANS maintained that it was absolutely absurd to
suppose the council would undertake an annual expense of
X 1,200 or £1,300, and that to maintain the Liverpool Botanic
Garden, " for all purposes of science," was a perfect farce.
There were larger gardens elsewhere in this country, and all
over Europe, and it was in those gardens that botanical
research would be made and not in the garden at Liverpool.
Mr. ROBINSON expressed himself anxious to have the
purchase effected.
After a few remarks from Mr. TURNER, Mr. BIRKETT,
Mr. YATES, and Mr. SANDBACII, it was understood that
the question of making the purchase would remain an open
one, and that the proceedings of the committee on the sub-
ject should be confirmed.
Mr. SANDS. in reply to what Mr. G. H. Lawrence had
stand respecting the Dock Committee, said that the latter
body had no wish to shrink from any obligation imposed
upon them by act of parliament. They wished to postpone
the further consideration of the subject until they had had
trial of the working of the Seacombe slip, and, if it worked
well, they would be happy to co-operate with the Finance
Committee in making another slip for the accommodation of
the public. The Dock Committee thought it right, however,
to keep matters-separate, and to make their slip either at the
new dock or George's Doci, leaving the Finance Committee
to make their slip in'the first instance.
Mr. EVANS corroborated what had been stated by Mr.
Sands, and said it had been urged by members of the Dock
Committee that there would be no little danger in getting
into joint accounts with the council, the latter being a more
powerful body.
Mr. AIKIN followed on the same side.
A long discussion ensued, in which Mr. Bolton, Mr. Bir-
kett, Mr. Gladstone, and Mr. Sandbach took part.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE replied, after which the proceed-
ings of the Finance Committee were confirmed.
PASSENGERS IN EMIGRANT VESSELS.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE said he held a bill in his hand for
the regulation of passengers in merchant vessels. It con-
tained some good clauses, and he was happy to say it was not
likely to provoke any opposition. Although it was not ex-
actly before the council at present, he thought it ought to be
referred to the Finance Committee. It required that pas-
senger Stokers should take out licenses. (Hear, hear.) In
conclusion, he observed that Lord Normanby's bills had
been referred to a select committee of the House of Com-
mons.
The TOWN-CLERK said this bill would stand referred to
the Finance Committee.

The leases were read and confirmed, after some observa-
tions from Mr. EARLE, in reference to the granting of one
for a house in Myrtle-street.

IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE

The proceedings of the Improvement Committee were
read and confirmed.

WATCH COMMITTEE

The proceedings of the Watch Committee were next read.
It appeared from the annual report that the offences of the
constabulary had diminished during the year, and that not a
single burglary had been committed in consequence of any
neglect on the part of the police. In 1840 two hundred and
thirty-three burglaries had been perpetrated within the bo-
rough, while in 1841 there were only one hundred and eighty-
three. The conviction of persons apprehended was greater
last year than the one preceding. In 1840 they were 41, and
in 1841 they were 47 per cent. Drunkenness had increased,
and though the brothels had been diminished one-fourth in
amount, the number of immoral characters had not been
lessened. In 1840 one hundred and twenty-nine fires had
taken place, while in 1841 only one hundred and nine had
occurred, occasioning a loss of property to the amount of
£6,128.

THE FIRE POLICE.
The following letter was also read in the proceedings :
" Liverpool Fire and Life Insurance Co.,
Water-slreet, 7th Feb., 1842.

" Sir,—l have pleasure in informing you that the attention
of the Directors of" this Company having been called to the
efficient services rendered by the foreman, Mr. John Hewitt,
and the men acting under him, at the fire in Thomas's ware-
house, Frederick-street, they expressed their strong sense of
the value and importance of that body, and, with a desire to
encourage a continuance of the exertions which on that oc-
casioa was so signally made, they have instructed me to
transmit to you the sum of £2O 2s. 6d., which they will be
obliged by your distributing as follows
" To Mr. John Hewitt, £5 ; 13 firemen, each lOs ; 7 fire-
men, each 7s. Gd. ; 40 firemen, each 3s.
" It is the wish of the Directors to mark their apprecia-
tion of the energy and success with which the excellent ar-
rangements of the Fire Police are now carried out, and at the
same time specially to acknowledge and reward the efforts
and determination of those men who were present on the oc-
casion in question.
" I have the honour to be, sir, with much respect, your
very obedient servant,
(Signed) " SWINTON BOULT, Secretary.
" To James Lawrence, Esq., Chairman of the Watch
Committee of the Liverpool Town Council."
Mr. PROCTER moved that the proceedings of the Watch
Committee be confirmed, with the exception of the publicans'
clause, on which the Council had already decided ; and that
the report of the Watch Committee on the police establish-
ment and the state of crime in the borough, with the tabular
returns, be printed, and that a copy be sent to each member

of the council and the magistrates for the borough or county,
and that the Mayor be requested to transmit a copy to the
Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
Mr. THORNHILL seconded the motion.

The proceedings were confirmed, with the exception of the
clause respecting the publicans, upon which the council had
previously determined.

MARKETS

COMMITTEE

The proceedings of the Markets' Committee, comprising
the increase of the salary of the superintendent of St. James's
Market, from £l5O to £l7O per annum, the consideration of
which had been postponed at the council, on the sth January
last, pursuant to the standing orders, were next read.
Mr. JOHN SMITH moved their confirmation.

Mr. TOULMIN moved, as an amendment, that the salary
of Mr. Luya, the superintendent, be continued at its present
amount, £l5O.
Mr. PARKER seconded the amendment. He said he was
prepared to prove that considerable perquisites were attached
to the office of superintendent. (Cries of " Name.") He
wished those gentlemen who cried " name" would answer
him the question, whether the sweepings of the makkets went
to the corporate fund ?
Mr. HENRY HOLMES said that the sweepings had been a
perquisite ever since the establishment of the market.
Mr. PARKER said the sweepings of St. John's Market had
been to the amount of £3O or £4O per year.
Mr. EARLE said the council had just heard a splendid
speech on a heap of muck. (Laughter.) They had heard a
vast deal of bombastic language on a heap of muck. (Con-
tinued laughter.)
Mr. PARKEa.—If it he a heap of muck, and you get on
it, you will be the cock of the midden. (Great laughter.)
Mr. EARLE said he was very sorry if he had touched a
tender part.

Mr. SMITH said no reason had been shown why Mr. Luya's
salary should not be advanced. •

The council divided, when there appeared—
For the motion. •—•

Against it

Majority

The increase of the salary from £l5O to £l7O per annum
was accordingly agreed to, and the proceedings were con-
firmed. The following members voted for the division :
For the motion—Messrs. I. Holmes, R. Houghton, Thorn-
hill, Preston, Sandbach, Edwards, Barton, Blundell, H.
Holmes, Mellor, J. Holmes, Bolton, Aikin, Bright, Priestley,
Yates, Rigby, J. Smith, G. H. Lawrence, Jordan, Platt, A.
Smith, jun., Mather, Holt, Bulley, Freme, Evans, Barclay,
Earle. Moon, Houghton, Turner, and the Mayor.
Against it—Messrs. Shaw, Shand, Copeland, Toulmin,
Robinson, Wood, Birkett, Parker, Molyneux, and Crook.

TOWN-HALL ESTABLISHMENT COMMITTEE

The proceedings of the Town-hall Establishment Com-
mittee, comprising the appointments of David Morris, as
messenger, vice Robert Hurley, resigned, and of Robert
Hurley, as porter, in the vestibule of the Town-hall, the
consideration of which stood postponed at the council on the
3th January last, pursuant to the standing orders, were next
read and confirmed.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The proceedings of the Education Committee, comprising
the appointments of Mr. Robert Stone, as superintendent of
the corporation schools, and Mr. James Lees, as second
master, were read.

Mr. MOLYNEUX, chairman of the committee, moved the
confirmation of the proceedings.
Mr. EARLE said he was not so squeamish as some others in
objecting to the proceedings of committees. He regretted
that more of the members of the Education Committee were
not in their places, because he wished to make some remarks
on their proceedings, in the hope that the council would see
the necessity of not confirming a portion of them. The main
objection to the schools formerly was, that they had not given
a strictly Scriptural education. So far as the Catholics were
concerned it might be doubtful whether such an education
had been given; but to the Protestant children he maintained
that they had given an excellent and deep-rooted Scriptural
education. It appeared from the proceedings that the com-
mittee were determined not to have any more apprentices,
and the Town-clerk was of opinion the present apprentices
could be transferred to the head masters.

The TOWN-CLERK.—I say they are bound to do so by the
terms of the indentures.

Mr. EARLE was of opinion that, under such circumstances,
efficient masters ought to be employed. The committee had
clearly told them, however, that the apprentices who did not
wish to be transferred, might take their indentures ; and was
this justice? The apprentices had been heretofore bound to
people who were capable of instructing them in the art of
teaching, and if the committee employed incapable persons
they could not bind the apprentices over to them. He flat-
tered himself he should be able to show that the individual
now appointed had great need of instruction himself, and
that he was not fit for the situation. Then, what was to be
done with the Catholic apprentices, who had been bound to
people not compelled to oblige them to read the author-
ised version of the Scriptures? Could the committee bind
them to masters or mistresses who would usurp this power?
He should be glad to get an answer on this point. He
charged the committee with appointing inferior persons to the
vacant situations. Thev had appointed Mr. Lees the school-
master of St. Michael's Church. He supposed the funds there
were rather low, for Mr. Lees had brought all his scholars with
him en masse to the corporation schools, and St. Michael's
was given up. This was what the committee called extend-
ing education. The most serious charge he had to bring
against the committee was the appointment of Mr. Stone.
He understood that this individual had passed some of his
later years in an attorney's office, and that he had the expe-
rience of teaching children at Mr. M'Neile's Sunday school.
He had formerly been with the Rev. C. W. Richards, who
was formerly at Edge-hill, and who took him as a sort of an
apprentice. The indentures did not say what he was, but
simply that he had conducted himA6lf with propriety. They
also spoke of his having learned the higher branches of lite-
rature at Lichfield. He (Mr. Earle) believed that Lees had
been brought up at the Blue Coat Hospital. Mr. Earle went
on to say that no fewer than 95 candidates had applied for
the situation, and that Lees had been appointed in preference
to any of them. He said he had written to nine of them,
and procured their testimonials, in order that the council
should know what their qualifications were. Mr. Earle here
quoted from a memorandum, containing marks opposite the
names of the candidates, which was said to be the private
memorandum of a member of the Education Committee.
He also quoted a letter written by Mr. Stone to the Educa-
cation Committee, enclosing testimonials from Dr. Tatter-
shall and the Rev. Hugh M`Neile, and said that it contained
ungrammatical expressions. In continuation, he said, he
should be glad to know the reason why the Education Com-
mittee had come to the resolution of excluding the Northern
Mechanics' Institution from the corporation schools, and
concluded by moving as an amendment, "That Mr. Stone's
appointment be not confirmed "
Mr

Alderman BARCLAY seconded the amendment

Mr. PARKER said it would be perfectly impossible for him
to follow Mr. Earle through his long and rambling address ;
and if Mr. Earle had used language less strong than that
which he had, he (Mr. Parker) knowing his character in this
respect, should have been n uch disappointed. It should be
recollected that Mr. Earle s' ood pledged to the public and to
the council, that so long as he uad a seat in that chamber, he
would oppose the proceedings of the Education Committee,
—no matter what they might be—and every thing they brought
forward. He, therefore, was not surprised at the course Mr.
Earle had thought proper to take on this occasion, nor at his
having, on his own statement of facts drawn the conclusions
from them which he had just laid before the council. The
Education Committee consisted of fifteen gentlemen ; and no
proceeding could be passed but by a majority of those fifteen ;
consequently, there must have been a majority of eight to
have adopted the recommendation which had been read. (A
VOICE—" No, no, five.") Well, suppose it was five, then
Mr. Earle stood in the position of putting forward his
individual opinion in contradiction to that of the majority of
the committee upon a subject which they had most maturely
considered.

Mr. EARLE.—But there are the testimonials, you know.
Mr. PARKER was aware of the testimonials, and of the
manner in which Mr. Earle had obtained possession of those
private memoranda which he had read.

Mr. EAuLE.—Prodigious!
Mr. PARKER, in continuation, said that Mr. Earle had a
habit of very often finding fault with gentlemen for not
having the best way of expressing themselves; but in his
opinion the manner in which the good taste of Mr. Earle
had led him to express himself on this occasion, clearly
showed that at least he was not wanting in " modest as-
surance." It was no trifling thing for the gentlemen who
had been selected for the purpose to carry out the wishes of
the council with regard to the education of the poor ; and it
was no modest assertion, and no modest act to bring those
gentlemen forward before the council with an accusation.
Mr. Alderman FREME here made some reference to the
Market Committee, which was Lot heard at the reporters'
table.

Mr. PARKER said he would not be interrupted by Mr.
Freme or any one else whitst he was addressing the council.
Whenever he addressed the council they might depend he
would treat the chair with proper respect, and he should like
to see Mr. Freme always doing the same. If Mr. Freme had
any remark to make now, he (Mr. Parker) would listen toit.
Mr. FREME said all that he wanted to say was this, that
Mr. Parker had just now opposed the proceedings of the
Market Committee in their proposal to increase Mr. Luya's
salary ; and that Mr. Earle had an equal right to oppose the
proceedings of the Education Committee.
Mr. PARKER, in reply said that he spoke for the chairman
of the Market Committee who was against the proposal,
and if he had not been in ill health, he would himself have
expressed his opinion. But Mr. Earle attacked the Educa-
tion Committee one time after another without the slightest
reason for it. If there were anything bad or wrong in their
conduct, let him or any other gentleman move for an
enquiry, but it was most unfair for any one to be continually
attacking a body of gentlemen in the way Mr. Earle had
attacked the Education Committee. He (Mr. Parker)
should not go through the qualifications of the candidates,
but he would go into the general question. Mr. Parker
then contended that the principle of the schools was to give
a solid and useful education. and an education based upon
sound scriptural principles ; and in conclusion he warmly
defended the system pursued in the Blue Coat School. lie
should vote for the confirmation of the proceedings.
Mr. Buz.= thought it his duty to set himself right before
the public, by stating that he had been no party to the pro-
ceedings of the Education Committee which were just read,
and that he had not been present at the time of Mr. Stone's
appointment,
Mr. EVANS considered that Mr. Earle had established the
clearest case of the Committee of Education having preferred
the inferior to the superior candidate.
Mr. PRIESTLEY said that as he had been passive in the
committee upon the subject of Mr. Stone's appointment, he
should refrain from voting in the council on the question.
Mr. SANDBA cn, as a member of the Education Committee,
was quite prepared to take his full share of responsibility,
and to justify the recommendations which that committee had
made to the council. Perhaps that might sound rather bold
in the ears of his friend Mr. Earle.
Mr. EARLE.—lndeed it does.
Mr. SANDBACH, in continuation, said the Education Com-
mittee felt conscious they had pursued a proper course, and
he thanked Mr. Earle for the pains that gentleman had taken
to acquaint himself of their proceedings, and for the labour
he had been at in writing to no fewer than nine individuals,
besides prying into the private memoranda of one of the com-
mittee. He thanked him for all this, because the more their
conduct was sifted the more would the proceedings of the
Education Committee appear right to the council. Mr.
Earle had found fault with four points specially, although he
concluded his amendment by referring to one only--
Mr. EARLE.—OnIy one at present. _

Mr. SANDBACII could not pretend to follow Mr. Earle in
all that he had chosen to say, but he would endeavour to
enter a little upon the merits of each of the points that he
had raised. The first was, that the apprenticeship system
had been discontinued, and Mr. Earle objected to that. Now
he (Mr. Sandbach) begged the council to judge the question
on its own merits, and not be led away by the impression
which seemed to have been raised that the apprenticeship
system had been abolished because it had been established
by a former committee. It was no such thing. The system
had been adopted only as an experiment ; an lie had been
told that even the members of the committee who introduced
it were not agreed upon it. It was always a question in com-
mittee whether monitors or apprentices were best, and, there-
fore, they put both systems in practice. The present com-
mittee were called upon to decide whether one or two chil-
dren, who were in the schools upon trial, should be made
apprentices or not ; and, therefore, the committee had to
decide the question whether the apprenticeship system should
be continued or not. They took every pains to inform them-
selves upon the question ; they consulted those in authority,
namely, the masters and mistresses. He did not know what
was the opinion of the masters who were leaving on this sub-
ject—and he did not think their opinion of much importance,
because they were leaving—but he could tell the council, that
the mistresses were decidedly of opinion that the apprentice-
ship system was a great evil. He would tell the council

why. When the indentures were once signed, the appren-
tices were subject to no controul ; they went and came just
when they pleased; and, in short, there was no power to
oblige them to come.

Mr. BARCLAY said that was a strange thing. What were
the terms of the indentures? (Cries of " Chair.")
Mr. SANDRA-CH repeated that it was so. When they were
there, the master set theta to instruct a class ; but they could
go and come when they pleased. Sometimes they were ill,
and made all sorts of excuses ; so that they really were not
efficient. Now the view of the education committee was,
that the monitorial system had all the advantages of the ap-
prenticeship system without its disadvantages. It brought
up poor boys and girls to be teachers, and to render all the
assistance in the schools that apprentices could. The only
objection to the monitorial system was this—that as soon as
the monitors had made a certain progress in their studies,
t hey could obtain a certain salary in other schools, and there-
fore they were apt to leave. But all who made this objection
admitted that if you gave to monitors the same wages that
you gave to apprentices, they would not think of leaving.
The apprentices had a rate of wages paid to them, varying
from three shillings to seven shillings per week, whilst the
monitors were paid in quite a different manner : they
were paid only 3d. or 4d., or something of that sort, the
exact amount he did not know, but, at ail events, every one
admitted, that if the monitors were paid the same rate of
wages as the apprentices, there would be no danger of their
leaving. The Education Committee therefore concluded,
that the monitorial system was better than the apprentice-
ship system, and upon that account, they recommended the
council not to continue the apprenticeship system beyond
the time which they were obliged to do. With regard to
the transfer of the appretices from the old masters to
the new ones, that was a matter of course, when the recent
changes were made, and the resolution of the committee
was, that if the parent of any apprentice objected to the
transfer, the committee would be willing to cancel the in-
dentures ; and this course was meant to meet the point which
Mr. Earle complained of, that the committee were going to
compel Catholic apprentices to serve Protestant masters.
The committee had no wish to do anything of the kind, and
therefore, they said to parents, " if you object to this trans-
fer, we are ready to cancel the indentures." With regard to
Mr. Stone, he would say a few words, Mr. Earle had stated,
that Mr. Stone was in the school at the time when he be-
came a candidate. True, he was ; he had been appointed a
temporary master; and the council must bear in mind
the difficulties of the position in which the Education
Committee were placed. They were left with masters
who refused to work the schools on the principles which
the council had adopted. What were they to do then
in such a case? He wished to avoid saying anything that
might appear harsh or personal, but be must state that those
masters were not likely to conduct the schools satisfactorily
to the committee ; and the committee resolved that they
would, until they could make their permanent arrangements,
obtain the best temporary assistance that they could. They
obtained Mr. Stone and Mr. Jones—one for each school—
nntil their. Arrangemeata could be made ; but their arrange-
ments were not yet made—they were only in progress—and
it was rather unusual, he thought, to be told that the system
which the Education, Committee 'had established, was not
successful before it had been tried. He made this explana-
tion only to account for Mr. Stone being in the school at the
time he applied for the situation of superintendent. For that
office it was a fact that a vast number of applications had
been sent in ; there were not less than ninety-five, which
showed that the advertisement had been sufficiently pub-
lished. He supposed Mr. Earle would admit that ?
Mr. EARLE.—Aye.
Mr. SANDBACH.—And when all these applications were
sent in, a sub-committee was appointed to read them.
Mr. EARLE.—And they weeded out all the best.
Mr. SA NDBACH : that however was done. The best, pos-
sibly all those to whom Mr. Earle had referred, were selected
to choose from, and finally the committee wrote to a certain
number of those whom they thought most likely, in order to
see them personally. They did see them, and they ap-
pointed Mr. Stone unanimously. He (Mr. Sandbach) was
not present upon that occasion, but he should have voted
for Mr. Stone had he been there, for he thought his testi-
monials, notwithstanding the slur which Mr. Earle had
attempted to throw upon them, strong ones for the purpose
the committee wanted. But Mr. Earle, in discussing this
matter, had raised a question as to the precise sort of person
that the committee wanted. Many of those whose testimo-
nials Mr. Earle had got were clergymen of the Church of
England
Mr. EARLS

And many not

Mr. SANDBACH would like to know whether the corpora-
tion of Liverpool would like to have seen a clergyman of
the Church of England, or a man of very high attainments,
in a situation like that the committee had offered? This,
therefore, excluded at once a certain number—four or
five

Mr. EVAN S.—Admitting what you wanted, you could not
have done better than have a clergyman of the Church of
England.

Mr. SANDBACH continued. Mr. Evans, in his address to
the council, had intimated that Mr. Stone had been ap-
pointed because he had a flock of scholars to come with him ;
but the fact was he had no scholars, therefore that argument
was not in point. lie wished the council to understand that
he fully concurred in the appointment of Mr. Stone, and he
had every confidence that he would give a fair trial to the
system of having one head-master over the whole, which had
been adopted in order to obviate some difficulties that there
were in the old system. from there being no uniformity. He
left to others the duty of justifying that, •and he should pro-
ceed to the next point upon which Mr. Earle had touched,
namely, the appointment of third masters. Mr. Earle had
spoken of their handwriting; he would request gentlemen to
look at this (producing some specimens.) His own opinion
was that it was a great deal better than Mr. Earle himself
could write. (Laughter.)
Mr. EARLE.—That I know..

Mr. SANDBACH would be quite content if the children in
the schools were able to write as well as that. The schools
which had been alluded to as being now closed, were schools
that had been established at the time a reform corporation
altered the system of education. They were opened at the
time by private charity, and they had been maintained by
private charity for the benefit of the children who had been
excluded from the corporation schools ; the necessity for
more schools having now ceased, the source from whence
they were maintained ceased to flow. Whether the children
who had gone to those schools now came to corporation
schools or not, he knew not; but he believed that some went
to the Church of England schools, and some to the Corpo-
ration schools. With regard to the fitness of the mas-
ters, that question must be settled by considetirbei what
kind of education .was to be given, and probably on
that subject he should be at issue with Mr. Earle.
lie did not think that the children educated in the
corporation schools should be taught the higher branches
of classics or mathematics ; a plain education, he thought,
was the best. I-le wished to have produced the rules
for the government of the schools under the reformed
corporation and to have them read, for some specimens of
English in them might perhaps amuse Mr. Earle, as he was
somewhat choice on that subject. Among them it would be
found that provision was to he made for teaching things which
were quite unsuited to the nature of such an institution, such
as the higher branches of mathematics, the classics, the de-
rivation of words, and so on. Now the Education Committee
conceived that a man capable of teaching systematically large
numbers of scholars, and of giving a plain education, was the
man whom they wanted. Then with regard to Mr. Earle's
last objection—namely, the exclusion of mechanics from the
Northern School, he would ask the Town-clerk to read the
resolution which first gave permission for them to occupy
that school.

The TOWN-CLERK then read the resolution of the council,
of the ith August, 1839, upon the memorial of certain me-
chanics, engineers, and others, for the use of the North
School as a Mechanics' Institution, and also the memorial.
It appeared that the council gave power to the Education
Committee to comply with this memorial upon such condi-
tions and for such time as might be convenient.
Mr. SANDBACH in continuation said, the use of the pre-
mises had been granted subject to the limitations which the
Council had heard read, namely, so long as it was found con-
venient, and the committee were empowered when it was
found inconvenient to put an end to the grant. Now the
convenience of it depended very much upon the number of
the mechanics, and the time required, also upon another cir-
cumstance, of which perhaps the Council were not aware.
The masters of the north school were masters of the Me-
chanics' Institution ; but that was no longer the case ; it
was a circumstance that could not occur again, because the
present committee had taken care to stipulate that for the
whole services of the master, considering that it was impos-
sible for any man to do justice to the school unless he de-
voted his whole energy to it. The committee had continued
that school under great disadvantage, on account of the en-
gagements of Messrs. Nelson and '['safe, in teaching classes
in the evening. And what compelled the decision of the
committee was the advertisements and the bills which Mr.
Earle had just held up, from which it would be seen that the
Mechanics' Institution had quite deviated from the original
intention for which theuse of the school was granted to them.
Instead of teaching mechanics and young men science and all
kinds of knowledge, the object now was amusement, dances
and masquerades.

Mr. EARLE.—Dances and masquerades !
Mr. SANDBACIL—If you will read those bills, I think you
will find something of that kind.
Mr. EARLE.—I do not think I shall find that.
Mr. SANDBACH.—At any rate they have deviated from
the terms upon what the original grant was made.
Mr. EARLE.—That may be.
Mr. SANDBACH said it was because the committee consi-
dered it inconsistent with the character of the corporation
schools, and quite unsuitable in itself to permit such pro-
ceedings, that they had decided it was inexpedient to con-
tinue the use of the school to the mechanics' institution.
Mr. AIKIN warmly defended the objects of the Northern
Mechanics' Institution, and said that all the entertainments
there were, eminently. calculated to elevate the minds and
improve the habits of the poor in that district.
Mr. PLATT said that Mr. Hodgson and Mr. Molyneux
had taken the pains otlexatnining the testimonials of the 93
candidates,_ arid reducing them to 'eight or ten. From that
selection the committee had redueed them to five. Great
regard was paid to the Situations which several of the appli-
cants filled in other places, and the committee wished not to
bring them to Liverpool and to elect them to offices where
their rempneration would not be equal to what they were re-
ceiving elsewhere. The fact was they had misunderstood
the advertisement in the paper. When it came to the elec-
tion of the masters, he (Mr. Platt) looked over the testimo-
nials of the five, and be proposed Mr. Stone, a proposition
which was unanimously carried. (Hear, hear.) He had
also proposed Mr. Lees, who had very strong testimonials,
and who was also elected. He, therefore, took his share of
the responsibility so far as it went. He concluded by saying
that at the next meeting of the council he would propose
that two other schools be founded, one at the north and the
other at the south end of the town, where the children of
the lower classes would receive a good secular and moral
education, but no religious instruction. He thought the
Northern Mechanics' Institution ought to have asked per-
mission before they proceeded to the lengths they had.
( H ear.)
Mr. SANDBACH begged to say that he was under a mis-
take when he said that dances and masquerades were carried
on iu the Northern Mechanics Institution.
Mr. BIRKETT looked upon this as a question of confidence
or no confidence in the committee. The council had re-
solved, in consequence of the feeling throughout the town on
the subject, to alter the system of education, and a commit-
tee had been empowered to carry their wishes out. Now,
that committee ought to have fair play. One day they were
attacked because there were no subscribers in the schools,
and another day they were attacked because the schools were
becoming too full ; so that empty or full they could not hope
to please the gentlin on the adverse side. He would con-
trast the conduct e present majority in the council when
they were a minority, with the conduct of the preeent
minority when they were a majority. No man was more
opposed to the system of education which then prevailed than
he was, but the conservative party contented themselves by
protesting against it, without attempting to interrupt the
carrying of it out. But what was the conduct of the present
minority? Here they were attacking the new system time
after time, and indeed not losing the slightest opportunity of
doing so, although the result was the same, for the council,
as he hoped they would on this occasion, confirmed the pro-
ceedings. Mr. Evans, in his speech, had expressed an
opinion that the constituency should take this matter into
their own hands, and make a change on the very next oc-
casion. He (Mr. Birkett) could only say, for his part, that
if there was any one upon the side with whom he generally
acted who would shirk this question, or make it a party or
political question, he hoped the constituency would turn
them out. He had never made it one himself, for it was a
question, in his mind, of far greater moment. The Educa-
tion Committee, he repeated, had not had fair play, but the
more they were attacked the more would he extend to them
his confidence, and if the rest of the conservative members

in. the council would adopt his line of conduct the present
system of opposition would speedily cease. He felt con-
vinced that the radical party had been encouraged to carry
on their systematic attacks by lukewarm friends; but if the
conservatives acted as the town at large had expressed, the
warfare would be at an end.

Mr. BOLTON condemned the appointment of Mr. Stone
in strong terms, and urged that the Saturday night amuse-
ments at the Northern Mechanics' Institution were of a most
innocent and instructive character.
Mr. TURNER wished to be informed whether any of the
candidates had made inquiries as to the nature of the duties,
or whether the chairman had taken the trouble to write to
those who were of a superior character, and who had mis-
taken the nature of the situation for which they applied. In
most charitable institutions it was always customary to do
so. It appeared to him that the superintendent of the schools
ought to he a person of abilities superior to the masters. Mr.
Stone might be a very good candidate for the situation of one
of the masters, but still he !was less eligible for the office of
superintendent than others who had applied for it.
Mr. YATES and Mr. BRIGHT supported the amendment.
Mr. HARBORD said he was one of the Education Commit-
tee, and willing to take his share of the blame if there was
any in this matter. With regard to the conduct of the com-
mittee relative to the north school they had taken the opi-
nion of the Town-clerk, whether the school was used by the
committee of the Mechanics' Institution for legitimate pur-
poses. The Town-clerk, after referring to the placards which
had been issued, stated that the committee were not justi-
fied in sanctioning or permitting anything of the sort, and
that they were empowered to prevent the use of the school as
a Mechanics' Institution, if it interfered with the education
to be imparted to children by the servants of the council.
Now there could be no doubt that, so long as a Mechanics'
Institution was held in the North School, it was a disadvan-
tage to the children. There was every disposition, as far as
the committee could see, in Mr. Nelson to thwart their in-
tentions ; therefore, in order to prevent coming into contact
with him, they deemed it prudent and right to get rid of that
establishment. With regard to Mr. Stone, he (Mr. Har-
bord) could not say that he was present when the appoint-
ment was made ; but he had since shewn such assiduity,
willingness, and zeal, in complying with the requests of the
committee, that he trusted his qualifications would give sa-
tisfaction.

Mr. SANDS said, that, though his name was upon the
Education Committee, he had not had an opportunity of
attending it, having had other public duties to discharge as
chairman of the Dock Committee ; but, from the recom-
mendation he had had of Mr. Stone, he should most likely
have voted for him. He would, however, give him a fair
trial ; and if he were found not competent to discharge the
duties entrusted to him, then let him be removed.

Mr. MOLYNEUX then replied, and recapitulated all the
circumstances under which the Education Committee had
made the recommendation, and defended Mr. Stones' ap-
pointment, on the ground that, for the purpose the commit-
tee had in view, he was the most suitable man they could
find.

The council divided, when there appeared—
. Foe the amendment
Aagainst it

Majority
The amendment was consequently lost. The following
members voted in the division :
For theUamendment—Messrs. Thornhill, Preston, H.
Holmes, Mellor, J. Holmes, Bolton, Aikin, Bright, Yates,
Jordan, Mather, Holt, Bulley, Freme, Evans, Barclay,
Earle, Moon, and Turner.
Against it—Messrs. Shaw, Shand, R. Houghton, Sand-
bath, Copeland, Barton, Blundell, Sands, Touhnin, Cooper,
`food, Birkett, Gladstone, Proctor, Rigby, Parker, G. H.
Lawrence, Platt, A. Smith, jun., Harboard, Houghton,
Nicol, Chilton, Molyneux, Crook, and the Mayor.
Mr. EARLE then moved another amendment, to the effect
that the appointment of Mr. Lees be not confirmed, and in
support of it, he delivered one of his usual orations. He
said it was evident from the speech of Mr. Platt, that that
gentleman had been gulled. lie hoped Mr. Platt would in
future sleep with his eye open. If lie (Mr. Earle) made use
of bombastic language, he hoped it would not be on a heap
of manure. He found that Mr. Birkett had been throwing
his shield over the Education Committee.

Mr. BIRKETT said he had the honour of representing some
ward of the town, at all events. He was not, like Mr. Earle,
a rejected alderman.

Mr. EARLE said that was a very good and clever reply.
He then praised Mr. Turner's conduct on this question.
Mr. TOULMIN.—Keep to the question.
Mr. EARLE.—Who calls " question." It seems as if Mr.
Toulmin had been sent in here to cry "question."
Mr. TOULMIN.—I hare cried "question" because you were
speaking nonsense." (Hear, hear, and a laugh.)
Mr. EARLE.—Then do you call " sense," Mr. Harbord—
,...

Mr. HARBORD.—I rise 'to order. If Mr. Earle chooses
to make himself a laughingstock for the members within
doors, and for light-minded people out of doors, he has no
right to endeavour by every possible means to make others as
ridiculous and as ludicrous as himself. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Tomaarx rose to order, and after again the Mayor
had interfered, Mr. EARLE concluded by proposing his
amendment. . .

Mr. AIKIN hoped Mr. Earle would withdraw his amend-
ment in favour of the following one, which he (Mr. Aikin)
begged to move—namely, that the Education Committee
were not warranted in depriving the Northern Mechanics'
Institution of accommodation, and that that part of their
proceedings be not confirmed.
Mr. EARLE accordingly withdrew his amendment in favour
of the foregoing one.
Mr. G. H. LAWRENCE confessed that he did not approve
of twopenny conceits.
Mr. PROCTER asked whether there was any resolution of
the council authorising the school to be held as a concert-
room ? _ . .

The TOWN-CLERK replied in the negative.
Mr. AIKIN, with a view to bring about unanimity, con-
sented to withdraw the word " warranted" in his amendment.
He therefore worded it as follows :—" That that part of the
proceedings of the Education Committee depriving the North-
ern Mechanics' Institution of the use of the school-room, be
not confirmed."
Mr. MELLon seconded the amendment.
The council then divided, when there appeared—
For the amendment l5
Against it 25
Majority —lo
The amendment was consequently lost. The following
members voted in the division :
For the amendment—Messrs. Thornhill, Pre.ston, H.
Holmes, Mellor, Bolton, Aikin, Bright, Yates, Jordan,
Bulley, Freme, Evans, Barclay, Earle, and Turner.
Against it—Messrs. Shaw, Shand, R. Houghton, Sand-
bach, Copeland, Barton, Blundell, Toulmin, Cooper, Wood,
Birkett, Gladstone, Procter, Rigby, Parker, G. H. Lawrence,
Platt, A. Smith, jun., Harbord, Houghton, Nicol, Chilton,
Molyneux, Crook, and the Mayor.
Mr. EVANS then moved the following amendment.—''That
the proceedings with respect to the Mechanics' Institution
be referred back to the committee, with instructions that they
are to take into consideration the propriety of continuing per-
missio❑ to use the school as heretofore, for the purpose of
lectures and instruction only."
Mr. H. HOLMES seconded this amendment, and it was
unanimously adopted. _ .

The council adjourned at five o'clock, to Wednesday neat,
for the despatch of the remaining business.

MEETING OF THE DOCK COMMITTEE

The weekly meeting of the Dock Committee was held
yesterday. The following members were present. Messrs.
Sands, Horsfall, Barclay, Holt, Holmes, Middleton, Smith,
Nicol, Mellor, Bold, Moon, Martin, Ripley, Molyneux,
Evans, Aikin, Bulley, Shand, and Sandbach. Mr. SANDS,
chairman of the committee, presided.
. __

ADDITIONAL GRAVING DOCKS.
The SECRETARY read the following report from the Sur-
veyor, on the subject of additional Graving Dock accommo-
dation :

" I beg, in compliance with your instructions of Thursday
last, that I should consider, and report to you, what I con-
sider the most eligible situation for the construction of
Graving Dock accommodation upon the Dock estate,' to
state to you, that commencing with the south docks, I
know of no site whereon a graving dock can, with propriety,
be constructed, except upon the space of ground on the
north side of Coburg Dock, whereon one might be made,
entering either from the Queen's Dock, or in continuation
of the present Queen's Graving Docks, or a steam Graving
Dock might be placed upon the same land, opening out of
the Coburg Dock, which would, in some respects, be exceed-
ingly convenient. There could, however, be only a sufficient
length for one large ship.
" The next site is the spare ground on the west side of
George's Dock, upon which a graving dock of considerable
capacity might be constructed, to be entered from George's
Basin. Against this site, however, there may be objections
brought, which I think cannot be overcome.
" The third and last situation, and which I think the
least objectionable, is the ground occupied as slate yards, on
the east side of the Prince's Basin. On this site, two graving
docks might be constructed, of the same capacity as those
north of the Clarence Dock. Two designs, for thus laying out
the ground, are herewith produced, the one showing the
graving decks opening directly from the Prince's Basin, and
laying east and west, the other opening from out of an inter-
mediate wet basin, connecting both with the Prince's Basin
and Prince's Dock. In this the graving docks lay north and
youth. This intermediate basin may, at any time, be run
dry, and having graving docks laid along three of its sides,
would, in a great degree answer the purpose of a third
graving dock."
Some desultory conversation on subject of this report took
place between Messrs. Evans, Mellor, Ripley, Shand, and
others, after which, the matter was referred, for a report
thereon, to the sub-committee of works.