Northern Times. — 1857-10-15 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

FINANCZ CONUITTEE.  The proceedings of this committee contained the following:—Recommendation to purchase freehold property at the corner of 8h tw's-bro ,v and Byrom etreet, containing about 218 square yards of land, with houses, shops, and -warehouses thereon, belonging to Mr. Bradshaw, for the stun cf £3,500. Recommendation that the discretion given by and contained in the Act of 7 Wm. IV., and 1 Viet c. 19, as to the appointment of an assistant or dsputyrecorder, should at the next sessions be exercised by the recorder. Recommendation to appoint Police-constables Raton and Patrick to perform the duties of sub-bailiff, and that they be paid £lO per annum each for such duties. Recommendation to grant the reversion of the site of a pry posed Wesleyan Chapel and Schools in Grove-street and Vine-street, containing 2,078 yards of land, for the Rum of 1335, subject to the approval of the Lords of the Treasury. Recommendation to accept the tender of . - ..... Me sew gaol, Walton, at the prices set forth in their lender. Recommendation to grant permission to Messrs. Jackson, pursuant to sth and 6th Victoria, cap. 106, Section 97,.t0 bring forward a portion of the front of their premises in Thomas-street, so as to form a straight line of street Recommendation to appoint Mr. Hamilton Cambridge to the situation of inward computer, in the Town Dues Office, vice Mr. Craven, resigned, at the salary of £125 per annum, being the salary received by his predecessor. Recommendation to appoint a master, 1-t and 2nd ma.e, and 12 men, as the crew of the north landing-stage. Mr. HORNBY moved that the several recommendations specified be confirmed, which was seconded by Mr. Alderman S Holme, and agreed to. Mr. ROBERTSON GLADSTONE asked whether the Council had &mustily completed the conveyance of a piece of land, containing some 3,360 square yards, given to the Governmeet some time since, for the purpose of making a fort at Liscard. Some inquiry had taken place into the matter, with the view of ascertainirg with what possible good a fort there ecml3 do in defending the town of Liverpool, in case it should be attacked. It would appear to him that if the fort were erected there, it might very well be denominated Fort Suicide, for it could only throw shot into our own ships, and knock down our o en people. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) It vas very well known that in this time forts had very much gone out of date and that a man-of war, with a screw propeller, would give a fort very small chance cf doing her any damage. (Hear, hear.) Now, under those circumstances, he would ask if it was not possible for the Council to address some remonstrance to the Government upon the subject. (Hear, hear) The question had been already brsught before the Dock Committee by Mr Bold, and he (Mr. Gladstone) took blame to himself for not having been more fully acquainted with the precise circumstances of the case. Seeing that the town could not derive any advantage whatever from such a huge outlay of money on the part of the government, Fe would suggest that the Council should, if it were possible, interfere by remonstrance in some way. (Hear, hear) The defence of the town, he conceived, would require something which could move about the river, a block ship, or something of the sort, for he was assured from the best possible sources, that from the fort so protection whatever could be derived. Mr. 11011NRY entirely agreed with Mr. Gladstone in the opinion he Expressed. as to the site of the government fort. So far as he had heard, there was only one opinion entertained in the town of Liverpool as to the absurdity of the proposed fort. (Hear, hear). But, so far as the Council were concerned, he did not think they had any power to interfere in the matter. 'l hey had already made over the site to the government, and he did not see how they could take upon themselves to advise the government upon such a question. The town of Liverpool was very much interested in having proper defences made, but with regard to the Council, all that body had to do was to grant the portion of land. He believed the site had been already made over. The Tows